Short Stories

My Enigmatic Brother 2

He embraced Sid and spoke gently:"Sorry Aashu...I'm so sorry..I know meri galti hai, main koshish karunga.."

Sid broke the hug and wiped his own tears again:"Dada don't lie to me about your job, bas itna hi kehna hai...kyonki mujhe bhi pata hai ki koi job aisi nahi jahan 3 saal Tak branch set up karne ke liye employee ko family se dur rehna pade...no video call, no voice calls, nothing...sirf har mahine ek text aa jaata tha, sorry Siddharth, I'm stuck in work... everytime...and did I've the option to search about it? No..."

Abhi couldn't deny it, it was Harsh who always texted Sid that Abhi was safe, he would pretend to be Abhi and text Sid every month

Harsh was in cyber department and thus could do it..

Abhi looked down, he couldn't see Sid like this..

Sid made him look up in anger:"Answer me Dada, agar bada karke apne haal pe chodna tha, toh bada hi kyon kiya...har achievement, har cheez akele ki maine...thank God Amma thi mere saath, but unki bhi health bigad rahi hai, I can't tell her most of the things now...every problem, I deal it alone...hote kahan ho aap...I agree recent time mein paise zyada aaye aapki is job se...but Mera kya...aap paison mein itne andhe ho gaye, ki mujhe bhul gaye...kitne calls, kitni requests, Dada ek baar aa jao..Aaj mujhe distinction Mila, gold medal Mila for all subjects...I was so happy when I cleared NEXT...you were not there...struggle mein toh nahi the, Jeet mein bhi nahi aaye....kitne baar Aisa hua ki I felt sad, I couldn't study, I felt demotivated, depressed...you were never there...

Three years Dada, and you say you will try...bhaad mein jaaye aapka try...aap mujhe chodke chale jaate ho..I hate it Dada..I hate it...I can't stay like this Dada, you leave the job, or I will only keep missing you, and you yourself will be the reason for our differences..."

He saw Abhi holding back tears and hugged him...

Sid:"I miss my Iron man everyday...I can't do this anymore Dada...bada Kiya aapne mujhe, you're my parent, brother, friend, everything...main akela pad jaata hun...pls don't break me like this.."

Abhi hugged him tightly, he could understand Sid's feelings...he could understand he was missing him...he was glad Sid vented it out...

Though it hurt to know that Sid felt this way, but it was obvious this would happen..Abhi had tried to balance his work and life, and had failed..

He felt his eyes fill up..he blinked back tears..

Abhi held him:"I'm sorry beta...I don't know...tujhe kaise repay karunga...I lost so much time with you.."

His head ached and he pulled back reluctantly...

Sid nodded and looked up when Abhi wiped his tears, he didn't understand his Dada anymore, if he truly loved him so much, why did he do a job that distanced them...he shook his head to clear his thoughts..

Sid:"Accha, you go for lunch, main bhi aata hun...chalo.."

Abhi had actually come to call him for that only..

They cleaned their faces and went to have lunch...Amma was asleep in her room, she was struggling with her health..

Abhi had fed her in bed, and had made her sleep..

There was awkward silence on the table..

For the first time the brothers couldn't laugh and hug...

Sid didn't make the move this time, he couldn't pretend that it was fine..

Abhi sighed and before beginning his food, he broke a morsel and offered it to Sid..

Sid looked up with moist eyes, he opened his mouth and Abhi fed him the bite..