Chapter 7 Part 6.

Prithvi...(past)

He was on the terrace of their old apartment, looking at the neighbouring kids playing with their siblings. He wondered if they were all happy, if their parents ever left them.

Some were flying kites and he couldn't remember the last time he had flown one, with his brother. He stood for a long time, having no interest to go back home. It wasn't even home for him.

Pratham had been extremely quiet after their uneventful meeting with their father. Prithvi thought about the boy they had seen; he was sure the boy was his half brother and not a stepbrother. Pratham hadnt though; he hadn't talked about it ever since.

"Prithvi?"he turned at the sound of his mother who approached him with a disdainful look "what are you doing here?"He followed her and made his way back to their house.

"Are you done with your homework?" she asked. He nodded "it's Sunday maa..I always do my homework at night". She shook her head "you do it whenever I ask you to..I've already got a lot of complaints from your teacher...she says you're quiet and don't talk to boys".

He didn't see that as a problem...he was happy not to have friends who knew his mother was a crazy woman. One of his neigbour boys had seen his mother fighting and had wasted no time in telling everyone about it. He was better off without any one of them. Even though what they had said was the truth, he didn't need to hear it from them.

"I like to be quiet" he said simply, keeping his footwear and walking in. "You know what your teacher wants to know?"she murmured "whether we have problems at home".

He avoided her gaze "teachers are always worried about their students". Unlike my mother, he thought ruefully.

She paused to look at him "what do you mean? I'm not worried about my kids?" He shrugged "I never said that". She scoffed "I beat you because you're a bad boy and I want to straighten you..but you never understand that.. have you ever complained against me?"

"I haven't.." he said immediately, not wanting another round of her attack. She gave an icy look "where's Pratham? he didn't even have breakfast properly!"

"I'll find him" he said and walked out of the building, not finding him playing with the other boys. Worried, he called one of the boys "have you seen Pratham?"he asked.

"He was playing with us for a while and then he said he has to go somewhere and left" said the boy. Prithvi felt panic rise in him as he understood where Pratham was.

He walked back home and his mother was arranging the dishes on the table "well...where's the idiot?"she snapped.

"He's gone to Vinay's house...I'll get him" Prithvi lied, referring to one of his brother's friends. She glared "come soon..the rice will get cold".

Prithvi took the bus immediately and reached the place he had first come with his brother. He knew he would find him here.

Sure enough, Pratham was seated under the banyan tree, his eyes downcast.

"Pratham?"he looked up "what are you doing here?" Prithvi chided softly. He wiped his eyes slowly "nothing..I wanted to see papa..".

Prithvi sat next to him "what did I tell you about him?"he murmured "he's dead to us...we are not to see him anymore". His younger brother gaped at him "I want him back bhaiya..I want a father too..I don't want my friends to make fun of me..you know what they say about our father?" Pratham's eyes filled with tears "that he ran away..that our mother is crazy so he left her to be with another woman...it makes me sick!"

Prithvi held his shoulders "I understand how you're feeling" he explained "but we have to deal with all this...we have to be strong for each other.." he patted his arm "from now on, you won't cry for him got it?"

Pratham gave a small nod "I'm sorry". Prithvi smiled "I'll buy you ice cream..your favourite mango flavoured one". Pratham beamed "okay..". They got up and made their way back to the bus stop.

"Hey you!" Prithvi turned to see the boy he had seen with their father "what are you doing here?" But it was Pratham who answered angrily "get lost!"

The boy approached them with a sneer "you're thieves aren't you? You came to steal?" Prithvi stared at the boy who was almost Pratham's age "just go home" he said simply not wanting to pick a fight with the boy who, he was sure was his half brother.

But Pratham wasn't done "we're not thieves..you are" he yelled "you stole my father..you're a thief!" He looked around and before Prithvi could realize what was happening, took a large stone from the ground and threw it right at the boy's face.

The boy let out a loud shriek and collapsed on the ground. Pratham stared at his brother in alarm "bhaiya? What did I do?"

Prithvi was too stunned to speak but Pratham nudged him "is he dead bhaiya?" He blinked and looked at his brother "go!"he yelled "just go Pratham!"

But his brother just cried "I didn't mean to..I was so angry..he made me" he slurred. Prithvi held his hand "promise me you won't tell anyone what happened..go home and act normal..I'll be back soon".

Pratham cried harder "I'm scared bhaiya..what if he's dead?" Prithvi knelt down at the boy who was writhing in pain, he looked at his brother "please go Pratham..I'm begging you...he'll be fine trust me".

Pratham gave him one last brief glance and ran away.

Prithvi held the boy who was bleeding through his right eye "come on..I'm taking you to the hospital.." he said.

"No...I want my mother" the boy cried, holding his eye. "Of course... we'll call her too..but you need to get up first and..."

"Prithvi? What happened?"he heard his father's voice from behind. The boy cried harder "he hit me papa.. he tried to kill me..my eyes are bleeding..I can't!"

Prithvi couldn't know what followed later..everything else was a blur..the last thing he remembered was the slap his father gave before he collapsed to the ground...

◇◇◇◇◇

"I don't understand" said Prithvi as they made their way into the narrow street "why are we even going to that asshole's wedding?"

Behind him, Pratham laughed "language bhaiya!"he said "he's our cousin, no matter what....and maamu requested a lot...to take you along".

Prithvi gave a snort "yeah right..I'm only going because you asked me to..I had promised myself I'll never set foot in that house again".

"Well..technically we're not going to their house..." Pratham chuckled "we're going to the wedding venue so don't sweat yourself".

"Are you really my brother?" Prithvi joked as they reached their destination and he stopped the bike.

They got down and walked towards the entrance together as there were lot of guests pouring in.

The hall was beautifully arranged with a seating armament to accommodate a lot of people and the mandap was adorned with coloured lights and flowers.

"He's gone all the way" Prithvi rolled his eyes in amusement "that ass..". Pratham supressed his laughter "please behave...and there he is.." he pointed towards the corner at their uncle who waved at them as soon as he saw them.

"Thank you for coming" Rajesh, their uncle said in a cheery voice after they shook hands "I'm glad you could make it".

"Congratulations maamu.." Pratham said brightly while Prithvi simply nodded. He wasn't in the mood for socialising with anyone, even his uncle with whom they shared bitter moments. Hopefully the food is delicious, he hoped for his sake.

"How are you Prithvi?" Rajesh addressed him with a smile. Prithvi remembered his brother's words "I'm great.." he said blankly "where's Rajat?"

No sooner he had asked, he felt a hand on his shoulder "well..hello cousin!"came a booming voice and Prithvi forced himself to smile "hi Rajat..congratulations" he shook his cousin's hand.

"Thanks dude" Rajat said, with a beaming smile. Almost the same age as Prithvi but shorter and slightly darker, Rajat was handsome if only his physical traits matched his inner character, Prithvi always thought.

"Congrats Rajat bhaiya" Pratham said sweetly, shaking his hand as well "I'm happy for you..and you look great". Prithvi quirked his eyebrows; his brother always knew how to talk nicely.

"Thanks munna!" Rajat ruffled his hair "what are you upto anyway?" Pratham gave a small shrug of his shoulder "I'm studying for civil service...the date will be announced anytime soon".

Rajat nodded "that's good...better than a pilot anyway". Prithvi clenched his fists; clearly his cousin hadn't grown up, he was still that same snob ten years ago. "Yes..it is" Pratham agreed with him.

"What about you Prithvi? Weren't you planning to go abroad?" Rajat reminded him; the asshole. Prithvi gave a sheepish smile "it's my choice.. I didn't feel like it".

Rajat gave a smile "I'm glad you didn't...we need you". Prithvi ignored the comment; he knew exactly what his cousin was doing by purposely goading him. He exchanged a nasty look with his brother who stared back guiltily. "Come on guys...it's time" Rajat said excusing himself, walked towards the mandap.

"I told you I never wanted to come here" Prithvi complained haughtily "I don't understand why I even bother to let him jeer me".

"You know I didn't come here for him either" Pratham explained "maamu called me last night and requested a lot to attend the wedding...you know he feels guilty for a lot of things".

Prithvi scoffed "he can shove his guilt up his a.." Pratham glared and he soon bit his lip "okay fine..once the damn rituals are over, we're done here". Pratham agreed silently.

After the marriage ceremony went on smoothly and the newlyweds went on to take blessings from the elders while the others watched, Pratham nudged his brother"Come on, let's go congratulate them". Prithvi half heartedly walked towards the bride and bridegroom.

"Meet my wife Vedika" said Rajat beaming at them "this is Prithvi and his younger brother Pratham, they're my cousins...". His wife smiled at them.

"Prithvi..what about you dude? When are you planning to tie the knot? You've made us wait for long huh!" Rajat cracked up "or are you still pining for that girl?"

Prithvi smiled "as a matter of fact I'm not..I'm alreay hooked up with this girl I met recently...". There was a certain limit he could take.

Rajat looked suprised "holy crap! Really?" Prithvi nodded "yeah..we're living together apparently..after she's done inheriting her grandfather's estate, we're planning to move back there...".

Rajat could only gape at his cousin and Prithvi was sure he kept quiet for his bride's sake "okay...I've to go..bye Rajat" he pulled his brother with him and walked away.

"What the hell!" Pratham laughed heartily after they reached where his bike was parked "that was awesome! Living together!"

Prithvi forced a smile "yeah...that shut him up". Pratham wiped his eyes after he had laughed "I'm sorry for dragging you along...I thought that man must have changed".

"Dog's tail can never be straightened, you must know that" Prithvi said and Pratham laughed all the more "in his case..it definitely won't".

Prithvi lay in his bed that night, thinking about her..it had been a year or probably more than that, he thought pondering over the memories which he had buried deep inside his heart.

There was no point in thinking about it anymore; he was sure she wouldn't be. But he wasn't going to let Rajat ridicule him anymore; it was late when he fell asleep.

He even forgot the emails he was supposed to send his boss, and the transfers too.

◇◇◇◇◇

He had a severe headache, probably from the lack of or disturbed sleep but Prithvi wasn't in the mood. He reached his office and that was when he remembered.

"The shit!"he swore when the peon approached him "sir's calling you...in fact he's been waiting for you since forever".

Prithvi rubbed his aching forehead; he needed to smoke it out but not now..

"What the hell Prithvi?" Sen was in the foulest mood the moment he entered the cabin "I had already given the deadline and yet you don't have the reports ready".

Prithvi gave a mortified look "I know sir..just give me a day and I'm sure I'll finish them today itself..".

Sen stared at him as though he's gone crazy "I gave you enough opportunities and second chances.. do you think those weren't enough?"

"I was busy..." said Prithvi, knowing he was doomed..surely he had been given a lot of chances but he had blown them all..because of his anger...

Had it had been any other situation, he wouldn't have cared about his job but right now he needed this place.

"I know how busy you are!" Sen snapped "give me one good reason why I shouldn't fire you this instant".

Think Prithvi! His mind racing ahead, he could think of only one reason that sprang to his mind at the moment "I was busy getting settled..with my wife".

If his boss had large round eyes, they looked like they would bulge out of their sockets, Prithvi thought "you're married?" Sen asked as his eyes widened even more.

"Just few days ago..we had a registered marriage" Prithvi explained. Sen looked at him for a while, as though trying to digest the information "why didn't anyone tell me?"he mumbled, almost to himself.

Prithvi scratched the back of his neck, he had to be as tactful as possible "I haven't told anyone about this either.. only you" he noticed his boss puff up a little with pride at that statement "I thought you of all people would understand what on going through" he added hastily.

"Of course my boy" Sen's attitude changed suddenly as he got up from the chair and approached him with joy "congratulations! I'm so happy for you" and to Prithvi's surprise, gave a long hug.

Prithvi couldn't believe his luck; something good came out of this marriage other than money, he thought amused.

"So..who's the lucky girl?" Sen asked in enthusiasm. Now this part was trouble "she's a..blogger" he said, the first thing that cropped up in his mind "she writes..a lot".

"No you dumbo" Sen cackled "what's her name?" Prithvi forced a laugh "Aarti...she's a science major..and studying for research" he lied, wondering what her major was; who cared anyway?

"That's a nice name..so when are you planning to introduce her?" Sen had an evil gleam in his eyes "are you planning to keep her away from the world?"

That was the plan, thought Prithvi wistfully "oh no..we thought of cooling down a bit and then..."

"I understand" Sen cut him off "I was just messing with you..anyway all the best" he said, his tone changing to concern "but I also need you to concentrate on your career as well... now that you're a family man you have to widen your horizons too".

Prithvi nodded, inwardly sighing with relief; the worst was over..it wasn't.

The moment he came out of his boss's cabin, he was met with surprised stares and a few glares. But when he came back to his cubicle, he wasn't alone.

"What the heck dude!" Kevin was the first to erupt into anger mixed with surprise "you're married?for real?"

Apparently, their big mouthed peon heard the conversation and had wasted no time in telling everyone about it.

Prithvi knew there was no point in lying further, not to his best friend "yeah..it's true..". Kevin shook his head in irritation "shit!" he swore "I thought you were trying to cover up your ass".Prithvi didn't day anything to that.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me, if not others?" Kevin demanded angrily "who the hell is it anyway?" Prithvi shrugged "it's that Facebook girl, remember?"

"What? Really?" Prashanth looked at him, with Teena just staring at him mutely, probably too surprised.

"Yeah..I..we were pretty close and decided to legalise our relationship.." Prithvi explained, trying to look serious "she was adamant that we break to others later".

"Who the f##k hides the fact that they're married?"snarled Kevin "why did you do it Prithvi?"he asked. Teena spoke up, for the first time "it's because of some revenge isn't it? You want to prove to Mai..your ex" she corrected "that you moved on...we are not fools you know" there was accusation in her voice.

"That's it guys!" Prithvi yelled "I like her and we got married, it's as simple as that..it's not some cover up or a revenge game..if you can't digest this simple fact then I can't help you all.. I'm sorry but this is why I hid things from you..I was expecting this reaction!"he turned to go when Kevin patted his shoulder "relax man! We didn't know you were this serious".

It worked, Prithvi tried not to look jubilant "I am..sorry that I couldn't tell you guys". Prashanth nodded "it's okay man..we're really happy for you..but don't think we're letting you off that easily".

"What do you mean?" Prithvi asked, alarmed. Kevin snorted "we want to meet our dearest bhabi of course!"he patted his arm "we're hosting a party for you newlyweds!"

That was the moment Prithvi knew he was screwed "listen guys..I honestly don't want you to..."

"Shut up you asshole!"piped Arun, his team mate "of course we don't mind at all..this weekend is fine I guess" they began discussing the venue and the food while Prithvi scratched his head in irritation.

He tried not to imagine the look on his wife's face when he would tell her what had conspired...