Chapter- 14

 Radha walked near the poolside area built inside the house, the elegant brick wall and the glass roof above designed for stargazing created a serene corner of escape. Dipping her legs in the water, she sat on the edge, staring at the moon that had just risen in the sky. It was barely seven or so, and the shadows of the evening hues still lingered, while the silver glow of the moon added a touch of quiet magic.

"BOO!" a sudden voice echoed behind her, making Radha jump out of her skin.

She clutched her heart, breathing heavily, and glared back at the maniac who was laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"That was an awesome reaction, Radha," Abhi said between fits of laughter. "I should have recorded it."

Radha rose to her feet, holding onto the pool railing for balance. He was her brother, unfortunately; otherwise, his rightful place was probably in a zoo, hanging from a tree and entertaining curious visitors. Annoyed, she pushed Abhi into the pool without a hint of remorse. Now it was her turn to enjoy.

Abhi came up spluttering, wiping his face and pushing back his wet hair. He glared at his sister. "I scared you. I didn’t throw you into the pool, Radha. Learn to be a little fair!"

Radha rolled her eyes. "That logic works with humans. And you, my dear brother, is a monkey."

Abhi swam toward her with a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "And now this monkey is going to attack you."

Radha’s eyes widened and she screamed dramatically as Abhi lunged forward to grab her leg. "Have you lost it? I hate getting into the water. Just back off! Okay, okay, I am sorry." She held her ears immediately, "Pretty please... Come on give me your hand, I will help you out."

Abhi's eyes narrowed at her. Giving it a second thought, he extended his hand to her. However, Radha pulled him up halfway and let go of his hand again, making the latter fall down with another big splash.

Abhi popped out of the water and glared at her. "What the hell, Radha? Why did you left my hand?"

Radha gave him a serious look. "Taki tu zindagi ki lehron ke sath behna sikhe, apne kal ko peeche chhod ke aage badhna sikke. Zindagi tujhe dusra mauka de rahi hai, uska hath thamna sikh. (So that you learn to flow with the waves of life, to leave your past behind and move forward. Life is giving you a second chance; learn to take its hand.)"

Abhi splashed the water at her. "Kis third grade movie ke dialogues maar rahi hai? (What kind of third-rate movie dialogue was that?)"

"I wrote it," Radha shot back, annoyed. "Appreciate it. It came from my inner feelings."

Abhi cringed. "Rehne de, bhen. Ek free ki advice le le, agar writer banne ka soch rahi hai, toh kuch accha likhna? Yuck, what is this, kisi ka hath tham le... mujhe nahi thamna kisi ka hath. (Please, spare me. Here’s some free advice, if you’re planning to be a writer, try writing something good, okay? Yuck! What is all this, 'take someone's hand' I don’t want to hold anyone's hand.)"

Radha nodded and extended her hand again. "Fine, I will think about it. For now take my hand and come up."

Abhi raised an eyebrow. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Radha nodded immediately. "No doubt about that. Anyway, on second thought, you stay right there. You actually look good in the water, like a cute little pup all drenched."

Abhi smirked. "Dekho, Bhaiya, kaise isne mujhe pani mein dhaka diya. (See, Bhaiya, how she showed me off in the water.)"

"No, Bhaiya, I didn’t-" Radha trailed off, colliding with Mahir, who had just walked in.

"What are you doing, Radha? You would have fallen!" Mahir chided softly, steadying her by the shoulders.

Radha immediately hid behind him. "Look at him, Bhaiya! He’s threatening me... idiot water monster!" She pointed at Abhi dramtically.

Abhi looked at her, shocked. "You liar! You were the one who pushed me into the pool first. And now when I'm just returning the favor, you're behaving like some saint."

"You were the one who scared me like a ghost!" Radha shot back. "I just gave you what you deserved."

"You--!"

"Okay, Enough!" Mahir interjected firmly, making them shut up at once.

Mahir glared at Abhi. "The water is freezing cold, and you're still inside it. Do you want to fall sick?"

Abhi huffed in annoyance. "Your sister was sitting in the same water, dipping her legs. Don’t just scold me, scold her too, because she’s the reason I’m in here right now."

Mahir turned his glare at Radha, and she immediately dashed towards Arjun, who walked in right on cue.

"It’s not my fault, Bhaiya! I was just-" She shrugged casually, hiding behind Arjun. Her brother can be mean when he chooses to, and  she had no intention of testing that right now.

Arjun looked baffled as Mahir glared at him. Now what did he even do? He just came to hear the ongoing banters between his siblings, but maybe that was wrong timing.

"Hi?" Arjun tried waving his hand, only to wince when Mahir kicked him on the shin. "Ouch! What did I do, Bhaiya?"

"This all happening because of you," Mahir hissed. "You’re the one who’s taught them all this nonsense, these stupid pranks of yours." He turned sharply toward Abhi, who was still in the pool. "Get the hell out of there, Abhishek. Now!"

Abhi swallowed hard and nodded. He swam towards the railing to get out, only to hear a...

SPLASH!

"Radha!" Mahir's voice boomed as the girl threw Arjun into the pool.

"Oh come on, Bhaiya. Take a chill pill," Radha said playfully, hugging Mahir from behind. "If you will scold me, I’ll push you too."

Mahir raised an eyebrow, amused. "Really?"

Radha went quiet; the edge in her brother's tone wasn't lost on her, and she wasn't a fool to bring the great Hitler's wrath upon herself. Obviously, she could push her Bhaiya down into the pool, but she already felt sorry for her poor ears, so eventually she scratched that plan.

Arjun shot out of the water, sputtering, and pushed his wet hair back from his face. He glared at his sister, who was now conveniently cuddling up to Mahir for protection, and then at the other creature who was laughing like a maniac.

"So you’re not going to tell her anything, right?" He asked annoyed. Their little sister had their elder brother wrapped around her little finger like anything.

Mahir tried to glare down his sister, but he couldn't; the smile on her face and the mischief sparkling in her eyes made him not have the heart to scold her.

Abhi, who saw the look, scoffed, swimming toward Arjun. "Humein sach mein kisi mandir ki siddhiyon se uthaya tha humare parents ne, and that's why Bhaiya is so partial towards us. (Our parents must’ve really picked us up from the steps of some temple, that’s why Bhaiya is so partial toward us.)"

"More like from the garbage box," Radha muttered loud enough for the three of them to hear.

"It's not related to our birthplace," Arjun sighed, his tone serious. "It's the gender. I so wish that I was a girl and Bhaiya would have pampered me the same way he does her."

"Really, Arjun?" Mahir asked calmly; however, his eyes glinted with warning. "I never pampered you? I was unfair to you?"

Arjun shook his head immediately. "No way, Bhaiya. You’re the best brother in the universe! I wouldn’t dare to say anything else."

"You both better get out of that water before I knock some much-needed sense into you," Mahir stated sternly.

Arjun and Abhi took the threat very seriously and instantly pushed themselves out of the pool.

Radha giggled. "You both look like drenched chickens!"

Abhi smiled wickedly. "Right? But we’re siblings at the end of the day, so we should share our misery." He glanced at Arjun with a knowing grin playing on his lips.

Arjun shrugged and looked at his sister. "You need a hug!" he announced in an exaggerated, animated tone and walked toward her along with Abhi, their arms wide open.

Radha quickly pushed Mahir in front of her. "Bhaiyaaaa!" she screamed comically.

"Zip it, Radha!" Mahir groaned. His eardrums were paying the price for her theatrics.

"Stop!" He commanded, freezing Arjun and Abhi in their places. "Turn and go back to your rooms. Change your clothes, dry your hair, and then come back."

"That's unfair, Bhaiya!" Abhi whined.

Mahir wrapped his arm around Radha's shoulder protectively. "When it comes to my child, everything is fair, even if it's unfair. Now get going."

Arjun rolled his eyes before dragging his little brother out with him. Obviously, that was the truth, and no matter how much they denied it, in the end, they were as hopeless as Mahir when it came to Radha.

Radha stood frozen in Mahir's warmth. My child... It was the first time she was hearing those words, and they worked like a soothing balm on her heart. What she once wanted to hear from her parents, she never could... The words filled with so much love and affection, she was hearing it from her Bhaiya. And unknown to them, Mahir Dhanrajgir was fixing something he never broke.

✨✨✨

Radha looked up as Arjun and Abhi entered her room. She frowned and turned the chair, focusing on them. The wide grin on Abhi's face didn't sit well with her. Her brother was way too excited for her liking, and when that happens, it means either he got scot-free from getting in trouble with their Bhaiya or he won a lottery. The former was the reality, and the latter one was her theory.

"What happened?" Radha asked, leaning back in her chair. She looked at Abhi, "Did you get into trouble again?"

"If I would have been trouble why would we come to your room?" Abhi said, annoyed. "It would be Bhaiya' room for my torture session."

Radha shrugged, "Well, that's true... so what are you guys doing here?"

"Bhaiya, wants to give you something," Arjun said softly, sitting on the bed.

Radha frowned, "What is it? And where is he..." She stopped as Mahir entered the room. "What are they talking about? What do you want to give me?"

Mahir chuckled at her curiosity and passed her a small bag without a word.

Radha straightened up and opened the bag. Her eyes widened, and she looked at her brother, stunned. "Fo--For me?" Her voice cracked.

Mahir reached out, holding her hand in his. "You wanted one, right?"

Radha pulled back, keeping the bag aside. "I—I can't, Bhaiya."

"Having a phone in today's world is a necessity, Radha," Arjun chimed in. "You don't have to use it all day, just enough to be in touch with your brothers."

Radha looked at Mahir and shook her head. Her brother was giving her a new phone. She was fifteen; having one wasn’t such a big deal, but her parents had made it one. She wasn’t allowed to use tabs or any electronic devices; they were distractions, even though she knew she would never get addicted to them. She just needed the device to stay in touch with her brothers, her family, or at the wrong time, but she was deprived of the basic connection she craved.

Radha tried to plead with her father once and ended up getting scolded and grounded for a month, branded as a stubborn daughter instead of the obedient one. After that, she never complained. Those four weeks without any novel by her side, with only her studies, had been unbearable. At least without the device, she knew how to keep herself busy, but without her novel, it was like being trapped in a silent room with only her thoughts for company.

"Radha," Mahir cradled her face softly, wiping away the tears that fell without her realizing. "Baacha, you don’t need to change yourself for anything. I will never force you to use something that is so restrictive and unnecessary. I understand what kind of rules Chachu had, and you have always followed them, so stepping out of that wall is hard, but I want you to try. If not for yourself, then for me. Two days later, I will be leaving for Singapore for a week for some business. I will be back as soon as the work is done. But I want my sister to be in touch with me. Call me four times a day, rant about everything at your school, anything on your mind. Or call me if there’s any emergency."

Radha looked at him with her teary eyes. "I—I can use Abhi’s phone. Even Bhaiyu’s… there’s no need for a new one, Bhaiya."

"I know," Mahir pushed the strand of hair behind her ears gently. "I know you have your brother’s phone to use whenever you want, but when they aren’t around, like in school, in class? And there is an emergency? Toh tb tere paas tera phone rahega na? (Then you’ll still have your own phone with you, right?) You can use it to reach out whenever you need to, without worrying about anything else."

Radha swallowed hard. His words were hitting the right part of her mind. She could take it; she wouldn’t use it all day like Abhi does; she would just keep it to herself, to stay in touch with her brothers. There was no need to hide anything or feel guilty about it. Yes, she could do at least that much. Slowly, she nodded.

Abhi, as if waiting for that single nod, pounced on the bag like a hungry lion on its prey. He opened the bag and unwrapped the plastic. The sleek golden Android gleamed enticingly before them.

Mahir’s heart cursed a little as he didn’t see any excitement in his sister’s eyes, just like he saw in Abhi’s. Each time, the realization of what his sister had been deprived of hit him like a tidal wave.

"Wow!" Abhi exclaimed, "I want a new phone."

Arjun whacked his head lightly. "You got one just three months back. Stop cribbing."

"But mine is black," Abhi whined. "Radha’s is golden. And I’m falling for this color."

"You can take it if you want," Radha shrugged casually, turning back to her chair to solve the equation she was stuck on earlier.

A tense silence stretched across the room at her words. Abhi and Arjun stiffened and looked at Mahir, who was trying to mask his hurt but failing miserably. They had seen Mahir go crazy just because he wanted to purchase a phone for Radha. Everyone in their family used Apple mobiles, even Abhi, but Mahir didn’t want to overwhelm Radha. At the same time, he didn’t want her to think he was differentiating between her and Abhi.

Something so small and easy to buy had taken Mahir more than a week to reach a conclusion. Golden was Radha’s favorite color. The small Kindle she had been gifted last year, since she loved novels, was given to her by Mahir. The gadget had been black, but Mahir had painstakingly customized it into a gleaming golden shade, just for her.

They understood Radha’s reluctance, but they had also seen their elder brother’s efforts, efforts that couldn’t be wasted or pushed aside.

"Bhaiya, brought this for you, Radha," Arjun stated firmly.

Radha looked back. The edge in his tone startled her; the look he gave her carried both warning and expectation. She looked at Mahir, and understanding dawned in her mind. She looked at Abhi, who gave her a pitiful look, making her glare at the moron.

Without a word, she snatched her phone from his hands. "It’s mine," she said, looking at Mahir, guilty. "Sorry!" Her voice came out like a meek whisper.

Mahir shook his head, pulling her in a hug. He wanted her to be carefree; he knew he was trying to rush things, but he couldn't help it either. The day he would see his sister be herself, behaving like a brat, he knew he would be on top of the world. Till then, he just needed to be patient.

✨✨✨

Radha looked at the colors Abhi had gifted her a few days back. They weren’t the usual crayons she used, crushing and mixing them to create her own shades. These were tube colors, and the urge to try them was irresistible.

But she didn’t have a canvas in her room; everything related to her art was kept in Abhi’s room. She glanced at the wall clock. It was ten. She could go now, but if her Badi Maa caught her, she’d be in big trouble. With a deep sigh, she sat down on the bed. Maybe she could go at midnight, once everyone was asleep.

Radha glanced at her new phone lying on the side table of the bed. She wished she could scroll through it to find a good online reading app where books were available for free. The best advantage the phone could give her, but she resisted. Her parents wouldn't like it if they saw her, and she didn't want to do anything to upset them any further. She took the phone because her Bhaiya had shown her how to use it and to control herself to keep away from that addictive device that was in her hands.

Sakshi barged into Radha's room without any announcement. Radha jumped to her feet seeing her Badi Maa. The lady had been out of station for a week and had returned just a few days back, and since the moment she returned, Radha had been receiving uncalled glares; the reason was unknown to her.

"What is all this?" Sakshi asked sharply, pointing at the phone.

"Bhaiya gave it to me," Radha replied immediately. "He will be going out for some business, so he wanted me to be in touch with him through that."

"Ghar ke landline kharab ho gaye hain? (Has the landline at home gone bad?)" Sakshi spat harshly.

Radha recoiled at the words. She looked at Sakshi, who was now glaring at the colors. Her heart pounded in her chest. "Abhi ke--ke co--colors hain," she added instinctively. "He wanted me to keep them in m--my room for the time being. Mein u--usse dene hi ja rahi thi."

Sakshi's hand fisted at the papers she brought with her. Her son's behavior was grating on her nerves. If it was just Arjun who had started to back answer her, insult her, and defy her, then Abhi had also now started to follow in his brother's footsteps. All because... She glared at Radha fiercely. This girl!

Radha flinched as Sakshi threw a bundle of papers at her. They struck her stomach before scattering across the floor. Confused, she bent down and gathered them, her fingers trembling slightly.

"What is this..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes moved across the pages. The documents listed names of various boarding schools, each neatly printed with details about locations, admission requirements, and fee structures.

She looked up at Sakshi, confusion giving way to disbelief and hurt.

"Don't you dare give me that look," Sakshi hissed. "These are the renowned boarding schools in India as well as abroad. Check them all... now that you have a phone. Go through it all. Decide one, tell me the name, and I will transfer you there. I am done seeing your face in my house. After everything you did, your brothers can forgive you, but don't expect the same from me and Ronit. Mere bas chale toh mein tujhe aise hi iss ghar se nikaal du, but that is not something your brothers will allow. (If it were up to me I’d kick you out of this house, just like that, but your brothers won’t allow that.) So you yourself find a good place to live, study, and stay away from my family."

Radha clutched the booklet in her hands tightly. She could feel the upcoming panic attack, but she held herself. "Bh--Bhaiya will never a--agree to this," she forced out the words nervously.

Sakshi scoffed, "I am not even waiting for your brothers to agree. I gave these to you, and it's your decision to make. You think I am sending you away from this house, from me and Ronit? Then you are wrong, Radhika. I am sending you away from your brothers, who have a weakness called sister. I am done seeing my kids insult me and defy me just because I am being truthful with you. Before they start hating me, I want you to leave. It's better they hate you than hate their own mother who gave birth to them."

She stepped forward and patted Radha's cheek mockingly. "You don't want to create a rift between a mother and her sons? You don't want to break a family? Right, Radhika? If you are smart enough, you will keep this to yourself and decide."

She stepped back, meeting Radha's gaze firmly. "And even if you wish to inform your brothers about my decision... I won't mind it. Just a few more fights, and I will get what I want. But the damage my words will cause your brothers... You will be the reason behind it all then. Not me, as I warned you." Turning on her heels, she walked away.

Radha walked toward her wardrobe and shoved the booklet deep under her clothes, as if hiding it could somehow make it disappear from her life. She shut the cupboard and leaned against it heavily. Try as she might, she couldn’t get a grip on herself.

Her breath hitched, shallow and uneven, until a strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her hands instinctively clutched her neck, as though trying to stop the panic rising within her, the tightness, the ache, the helplessness pressing against her chest heavily.

Her knees gave way, ready to collapse, when two strong arms caught her, pulling her into a familiar warmth.

"Breathe, Radha," Mahir’s soft voice echoed near her ear.

"Follow my heartbeat, bachhe," he coaxed gently, rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles.

Radha clung to him tightly, pressing her face against his chest. She focused on the steady rhythm of his heart; slow, constant, safe, letting it drown out the noise in her head until her own breathing began to fall in sync with his.

Mahir looked down as Radha pulled back, wiping away her tears harshly. "What happened?" he asked softly, stopping her before she could turn away.

Radha shook her head, avoiding his gaze. Sakshi’s sharp words wrapped in warning echoed in her mind. Her Badi Maa was right. She couldn’t be the reason for another argument between a mother and son. She had already caused enough damage. She couldn’t let Mahir’s love for her become another wound in his relationship with his parents. She couldn’t risk breaking the fragile peace holding their family together.

"Radha?" Mahir called out again, his tone laced with concern as he gently shook her shoulder and handed her a glass of water.

Radha's hands trembled as she tried to hold the glass but stopped as Mahir brought the glass near her mouth, making her drink it slowly. Helplessness coursed through her veins; what was happening to her? Why couldn't she just pull herself together.

Mahir guided her to the bed and settled down beside her. Before he could ask further, he was taken aback as Radha laid down, resting her head on his lap. His fingers ran through her hair on their own accord. There was something bothering his sister, but what that was was up to him to find out, as knowing her, she wouldn't tell him herself!

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