Love within reason

vi...

ering slightly but not due to the f

his arms with tears in his little eyes "you c

juvenile home. Six months had been short but felt like a lifetime fo

ham as his brother simpl

elder son's "Prithvi?"she gasped. He didn't acknowledge her but went st

t softly and opened the door to see him curled up in

ithout any emotion. She placed a hand on his back "I mis

e you..but you won't see me at all". He stared a

dn't feel like crying; he had stopped crying since long as there was no point

dishes on the table "I made pulav" she said in an excite

glances at him now and then. "I met your principal" she said, putting extra rice on

uld have failed anyway"he washed

bed and staring at the ceiling "I'm

to jail because of me...I'm so sorry" he cried harder "I told ma

e angry" he wiped his brother's tears "and I

e me either..he went back to that boy..I hate him bhaiy

and gave him the pillow. That was when he noticed his brother's h

away. Prithvi felt like he was hit by a thunderbolt.

ought sickening him. Pratham forced a smile

n where his mother was cleaning the dishes "

ritted his teeth in anger "what did we ever d

ng the dishes "maa?"he yelled again, not c

. She held the broken glass in her hand and approached him as he wat

oing to do to him struck him with full force and he finally acc

ep Prithvi" she said, without turning back. He didn't move a muscle as he wa

large plastic. Pratham watched him wordlessly as he piled up his clot

e room "we're going away from here". Pratham shook his head "but I'm not le

ed his hand "one day she's going to kill us Pratham..she's sick and we ne

..always" he said finally. Prithvi gave a s

t's going on?" Prithvi shrugged "we're leaving you". Sh

herever our destiny takes us". She looked at them for a moment "I'm sorry.." she said and

e bhaiya, let's stay". He dropped the bag and hugged her,

l and Prithvi was in his room, cl

eart. Humming to himself, he came inside the kitchen

are you going here?"he asked "let's have lunch, I'm hungry".

out a s

◇

aughing but satisfied at the way the night had turned out, he chatted with his colleague

rkali suit which matched her complexion, but it was those heel

Kevin appeared behind him "

rs for having successfully deceiving them, at his ex

come on, it's time to cut cake!"she took his hand an

ession. She's pissed, he thought as everyone chee

ded and held the knife kept next to the ca

veryone sang "congratulations and celebrations". After they had cut th

"that's a beautiful bracelet, diamond is it?"

Aarti touched the metal softly "yeah..he did"she

t's when Prithvi realised why she didn't want to remo

nto the ladies room. He waited outside to apologi

urned slight pink. She met his eye "what a

ther". She gave a scathing look "who the hell are you to care?"she snapped "I don't pay you to be sweet.

later realized she must really miss her grandfather as she had told ear

et and stood out from the rest of his colleagues. "I thin

looked at the others "thank you so much g

l we go?"he asked.

◇

e silently. She didn't speak and looked out of the

to make a small talk; sh

rl from the hospital we went to?" he reminded her "she called last night and to

e speaking "I'll collect it myself". He looked a

ontrolled his temper. Did she have a bipolar disord

ed the car in front of the entrance, ge

n't you want me to drop you?" She shook

her tantrum. She was being really nasty and he didn't u

er towards the elevator. She gritted her teeth "please just

o pull it. She caught her veil immediately and pushed

ws in confusion "what's gotten into you?" The

turned "thank you for dropping me..you can leave". He cou

the door to let himself in "you're acting weird...everything okay?"

step ahead when she called him "one more thing...I'll inform y

it!"he caught her hand "I won't leave un

"I don't know who you are..and what you've done in your past but I want you to stay

wled. She swallowed the lump in her throat "I

ered. It had to be Teena, the bitch was jealous and she t

don't meddle in each other's business" he

fed "you're scared I'm going to kill you or something?" Sh

er close against him "you're lying" he whispered in her

.one of my traits. So..middle eastern princess" he mocked "get used to dirt f

d at her with a blank face "is that why she left you? B

r name had been like a taboo because people avoided using her name, even Pratham although he used

f water. She settled on the couch "wow!"she mused, "I thought you were a con artist..I could

ped "why did you stop? I'm used to beatings..b

she remarked with spite. He gave a j

uldn't get a comeback to wipe

stated casually. She gave a dirty look "and blindi

t his eye but he isn't blind" he corrected he

that he ended up in hospital" she pointed out

st a hopeful reminder..if you ever show your fetis

e a lopsided grin. "Guess I learn

at her "I went to juvie because I was stupid and young"he sai

◇

round. He wasn't feeling sleepy. At the end, they were all the same; they were all like Maitri...I should nev

"What's wrong?"he asked, checking the time as

f". Prithvi remembered "I was...busy"he didn't want to tell his brother about the party o

his late..but it's papa". Prithvi sat up straight "wha

"papa..he's admitted to the hospital..he said the d

llege hospital" said Pratham "can we seen him..please?" Prithvi looked out of the window before replying "n

. Prithvi didn't cry but he could imagine his brother's hurtful expres

other's words "and Pratham?"he sa