Chapter- 5

Eshita walked down the stairs lazily stretching herself. It was 10 in the morning; the urge to get up early just to satisfy her father and his rules took a back seat now that she knew her bhaiya was around and that her father was retreating back from his villain role slowly. In Shimla, her body clock worked like that, and she had reasons to wake up early to talk to her bhaiya and spend more time with him, but now being back at home, it felt like she would soon get back to a life she was yearning to live.

Walking into the dining room, her leg froze as she found Ekansh serving food on a plate. A smile crept on her lips, she walked in and hugged her brother from behind.

“Good morning!” She greated warmly..

Ekansh smiled, placing the plate down and turning to pull her in his warmth, “Good morning. Aaj kafi jaldi uth gayi aap, your highness?”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Eshita huffed, pulling back. “Is this for me?” She asked, reaching for the sandwich from the plate, Aapko kaise pata chala that I was hungry?”

“No!” Ekansh stopped her, taking away the sandwich from her hold. “They are for Ekta. She is freshening up, so I thought uske liye kuch bana du. She is already in a bad mood.”

Eshita’s smile dimmed; she stepped back, nodding her head, “K-kaisi hai vo abhi?”

“Silent and blank.” Ekansh exhaled sharply, “But don’t worry, she will be fine. Jo hua... She needs space and time to heal, and we can give her that.”

Eshita simply nodded; her mind kept wandering to a different track that she shouldn’t allow herself to feel. She was not a kid; she was an adult now, for crying out loud! She couldn’t be feeling some stupid resentment for Ekta, who had suddenly become her bhaiya’s first priority. She was acting childishly.

Shaking away her unimportant thought,  she smiled and looked at her brother. “I will be going out with my friends in the evening.”

Ekansh nodded. “Send me the location and be back on time.”

Eshita frowned. “You don’t want to ask with whom I will be going out?”

“Vani, right?” Ekansh said casually, pouring the juice.

“And Ritvik. My bestie,” Eshita said pointedly.

Ekansh’s grip tightened on the jug ever so slightly. “You told me he was your senior?”

Eshita nodded. “Yeah, he is my senior, but he is also my best friend. Main aur woh kabhi kabhi aise bhar ghoomne jaate rehte hain. Kabhi Vanya hoti hai ya kabhi nahi, it depends on her mood. But me and Vik... we don’t miss out on our hangouts.”

Ekansh passed her the juice glass. “Fine. Send me the location before you leave. Take the guards with you. Clear?”

Eshita froze. That wasn’t something she was expecting. Her brother was being too kind, too calm, and that stung more than the distance they had shared for five years. Slowly she was realizing that the unshakable bond they once shared was now filled with cracks from years of distance and unspoken words.

Whatever she said now about Ritvik and her was on purpose, to see if her brother would react the same way he used to. When she was eleven and talked to a boy, he would instantly switch to his overprotective mode, warning her to stay away from boys. But today he was simply okay with her doing whatever she wanted; no questions asked, no warnings, nothing.

Ekansh shook her gently. “What happened? Kahan kho gayi aise khade khade?”

Eshita snapped out of her trance, shaking her head. “Kuch nahi… I think you have...”

“Tu neeche kyun aayi?” Ekansh moved towards Ekta, who had just stepped into the room. Her face already looked pale and drained. She was still feeling weak; either the sedative hadn’t worn off yet, or the fever had completely exhausted her body. He didn’t understand.

Ekta held onto Ekansh for support. Being alone in the room seemed next to impossible for her, it felt suffocating. The moment she stepped out of the washroom and didn’t find Ekansh around, she had hurried downstairs in panic, as if there were ghosts in her room ready to haunt her.

“Mujhe room mein nhi baithna,” She mumbled, leaning into his touch. “Can we go out?”

Back in Shimla, they had their little space, a small garden, a tiny kitchen, everything cozy and comfortable. But here in Mumbai, the luxury, the bigger space, the lavish air she breathed felt too much for her. She wished she could stay back where they were, but she couldn’t snatch away her brother’s right from him. It was her who was unfit for that world of comfort and grandeur, not her bhaiya.

Ekansh nodded immediately, “Chal, bhar garden mein chalte hain.” He turned to look at Eshita, who stood there still, “Come with me. I have...” he trailed off as Eshita’s phone rang.

“I need to take this call,” Eshita said, moving away. The more she stood there, the more reality sank in, and the harder it became for her to accept what she had been denying to herself, telling herself she was just being childish again.

Ekansh looked at Mary as the lady walked in. “Esha ke liye maine sandwiches banaye hain. They are kept on the other side of the stove with mayonnaise. Send them in the garden. Fridge ke paas wale mat bhejna... they have peanut chutney in them. Esha is allergic to it.”

Mary nodded understandingly and walked toward the kitchen to get them.

Ekansh helped Ekta out into the garden. He needed to find balance and talk things out with his sister. Ritvik! No matter how many times he told himself it was nothing, he couldn’t shake off his protective instincts. He wanted to give his sister an ultimatum like his usual self, asking her to stay away from boys like he used to. But he couldn’t.

Eshita was an adult now; she knew what was best for her. He could make her understand and even advise her, but he can’t force her to follow his will.

When they were young, they had countless arguments. There was a time when they yelled at each other without caring about the boundaries of elder or younger ones. Their anger mattered the most, their feelings mattered the most, the urge to rant out everything was more important than holding back.

Ekansh wished he could have that same bond with Eshita, but after five years of distance and silence, reality seemed different. His sister was a grown adult now; he needed to learn to give her space and privacy rather than hovering over her like an overprotective brother. It would take time, but he would learn soon.

Eshita walked back into the kitchen only to frown when she didn’t see Ekansh or Ekta. Unfamiliar feelings stirred within her like a tidal wave crashing violently against her heart.

“Ma’am, yeh aapke liye,” Mary said politely, placing the plate in front of her.

Eshita stared at the sandwich. What was so different between this one and the one her bhaiya made for Ekta that he stopped her from having it earlier? It was filled with green chutney, it looked exactly the same. He simply didn’t want her to touch the sandwich meant for Ekta.

Eshita shook her head. “Mujhe bhook nahi hai. Aap isse fridge mein rakh dijiye. I will have it later.” Saying, she turned on her heels and walked out of the house.

Her feet came to a halt, the urge to check on what was going on pulling at her strongly. Before her mind could process it, her feet had already walked in the direction of the backyard. Her eyes filled with anguish at the scene before her. Her bhaiya was feeding Ekta with the same tenderness that was once exclusive to her. He was being so careful and gentle that only she had once witnessed for herself.

No matter what, she couldn’t bring herself to hate Ekta or feel any resentment toward her. She had barely even known Ekta yet; all she felt for the girl was empathy. Her anger, her jealousy, or even her resentment stemmed from her bhaiya. He was the one whose priorities had suddenly changed. He was the one who had become someone she didn’t even know anymore.

Her heart yearned to have banters with her bhaiya like they used to, to fight on top of their lungs and then sort it out with a chocolate treat. She missed those days when there was no one between her and bhaiya, just the two of them and their moments filled with laughter, teasing, and childish arguments. First, her father changed, and now…

Eshita shook her head. She was acting foolishly. She couldn’t behave like that. What had gotten into her? All she ever wanted was to bring her brother back home, and now that he was here, around her, in their home... why was she making a fuss over it? She had lost it completely.

Before she could step back and move away, Ekansh sensed her presence and looked up. “Eshu?” he called softly, “Wahan kya kar rahi hai? Idhar aa.”

Eshita shook her head, averting her gaze. “Vani ka call aaya tha. She needs to talk about some assignments. Main wahi jaa rahi hoon. I will be back after some time.”

“Haan, par pehle kuch kha le,” Ekansh’s tone was gentle. “Khali pet ghar se bahar nahi jaate.”

Eshita took two steps back. “Bhook nahi hai, bhaiya,” she said, turning on her heels.

“Eshita!” Ekansh’s tone firmed. “Have your breakfast, baccha…”

“Maine kaha na bhook nahi hai,” Eshita snapped. “Ek baar mein aapko samajh nahi aata kya? I had the juice, bhaiya. Can you please stop pestering me?”

Silence filled the garden, heavy and uncomfortable.

Eshita clenched her eyes shut. The way Ekta flinched at her loud voice made her feel like an idiot. She was behaving so out of character.

“I-I am sorry,” she mumbled, meeting Ekansh’s gaze.

Ekansh shook his head. His sister was just being herself. The overly understanding and mature girl he had witnessed in Shimla was finally coming back into her real form, and he was grateful for that. “You don’t have to apologize, Eshu. In fact, I am sorry,” His tone softened, trying to calm her down. “Vani ke ghar jaa rahi hai... fine, have something there if you want. Just don’t stay on juice for the whole day.”

Eshita’s eyes filled up instantly. She looked away to hide the shimmering tears. There it was... the truth staring right back at her. If it had been her old bhaiya, he would have yelled at her like his usual strict self, reminding her that he was the elder one. She could yell at him, but she couldn’t disrespect him.

The sudden apology and acceptance should have made her happy or at least feel relieved, but instead it only made her heart ache even more.

Without a word, she walked away. She had to accept the reality... accept that what she had longed for for five years, she might never get back the same way it once existed between them.

Ekansh watched her retreating figure, tense. Something didn’t feel right about Eshita. But what? He was just trying to calm her down, not wanting to upset her. He couldn’t yell back at her, imposing his authority on her just because he was the elder brother.

His mother had once told him that at some point, you have to start giving girls their space, their time to grow and make their own choices, not stepping back, but simply respecting their independence and boundaries.

And he was doing just that. But suddenly something felt odd and unsettling. Why?

Vani looked at her Bhaiya and back at Eshita, who sat there stuffing herself with ice cream. Whenever she was sad, she came to their house to have a tub of ice cream and then eat something spicy; whatever she demanded, Vikram prepared for her. Her bhaiya had even filled the fridge with Eshita’s favorite flavors just for moments like these.

But today was different. Eshita simply sat there, or precisely, lay sprawled on the living room couch... eating ice cream and staring at the ceiling.

Vani nudged her brother gently to speak. Only he could make Eshita talk it out; otherwise, with her, the girl only sassed or insulted... typical BFF behavior.

“Esha…” Vikram called out softly from the armchair across the room.

Eshita looked at him blankly before shoving yet another spoonful of choco-chip into her mouth.

“Kya hua hai? Why are you upset?” Vikram pressed.

Eshita looked back at the ceiling. “I think I need a long vacation.”

Vikram nodded. “When and where? Tell me, I will make the arrangements. Ansh se baat ki tune?”

Eshita sat up with a start. “I am talking about me-time. A long vacation just for me. No one included.”

Vikram raised an eyebrow. “Fine. Hypothetical it is, dangerous and completely unrealistic too.”

Eshita’s eyes narrowed at him. “You are trying to insult me, bhai? Aapko lagta hai main akele ghoomne nahi jaa sakti?”

Vikram shook his head. “Jaa sakti hai. Maine abhi kaha... I will make the arrangements. You will be comfortable and completely safe, but the question is… apne Bhaiya ke bina tu jaa payegi?”

Eshita looked away, caught. “I can.”

“Are you convincing us or telling yourself?” Vani countered.

Eshita threw the spoon at her annoying friend. “Shut up and get lost!”

“Gladly!” Vani rose to her feet, “Kya khaegi vo bata. I will make it for you.”

Eshita smiled sarcastically. “I don’t wanna die so soon.”

Vani rolled her eyes. “I am a lawyer’s sister. I know what can get me caught if the investigation happens. I will kill without leaving any traces behind. Don’t worry.”

Eshita groaned and looked at Vikram. “Can’t your sister let me have the last word?”

Vikram shrugged, settling beside her. “Learned from the best, I guess.”

Eshita huffed. Both the brother and sister were annoying. Setting aside the ice cream, she quietly lay down, resting her head on Vikram’s lap, trying to ground herself in the familiarity and comfort she had always found in this house.

Five years ago, when she had no one to turn to, it was Vikram who had been there for her. She came there, slept there, ate there, and rebelled there. He became her cooler elder brother, the one who let her do everything and anything without stopping her, always helping her out whenever she was stuck or in the middle of an argument with her father. One message to her bhai, Dracula, and he would send Vani to her rescue. Luckily, they lived just a few blocks away, so everything was easy and within reach for them.

Eshita’s eyes filled up. What Vani shared with Vikram, she wished to share the same with her bhaiya. Eshita knew Vikram loved her just like his sister; just like Vani was to him, he never differentiated. But she also knew that she would always be a sister to Vikram, and Vani would always be his child, his first priority.

At this rate, Eshita wondered, was she the first priority in anyone’s life? Her father… no. Her bhaiya… definitely not. Everything seemed to be changing around her, slipping out of the place it once held in her life, and here she was crying for the people who were always her first priority. She had never differentiated, always weighing them all on one scale without any comparison. Her love was infinite, so was her loyalty.

“Ro kyun rahi hai, Esha?” Vikram asked softly, noticing the sheen of tears. “Kuch hua hai na?”

Eshita shook her head, wiping away her tears. “I have gone crazy. I-I am thinking too much, bhai. Nothing else.”

“Toh bata na,” Vikram probed gently, “baat karne se mann halka hota hai.”

“Since when did you start taking psychology classes?” Eshita sassed.

“Since when did you start hiding things from me?” Vikram countered calmly.

Eshita shook her head. She couldn’t win against these annoying siblings. “I will figure it out on my own, bhai. There is nothing to worry about.”

“It’s about Ansh, right?” Vikram asked quietly. He knew the girl inside out. She would rant about her father being mean, unfair, Hitler, and whatnot, but when it came to Ekansh, she would keep her feelings bottled up rather than opening up to someone.

He understood where Eshita was coming from, the siblings’ code… to always stand by each other no matter what, even when they stood against each other. There was no space for a third person. No matter if Eshita treated him like an elder brother, Ekansh would always have a soft corner in her heart... no one else.

Eshita looked away.

Vikram sighed. “Tujhe pata hai, court case ke time mujhe Vani se jab ek saal door rehna pada… it was the hardest phase of my life.”

Eshita looked at him, startled. He had never shared that with anyone. Vikram’s father was yet another cruel, controlling, and obnoxious man... something she had once considered her own father to be as well.

The siblings went through hell because of their own father, just because the man wanted to force his son back home and take him under his control when Vikram walked away with Vanya. His father’s old thinking and ethics were becoming the reason for Vikram’s suffocation, and he didn’t want his sister to grow up in a controlled environment where she was told what to do, not asked.

Now that Eshita knew the truth, her father seemed far better than the old hag who filed a lawsuit against his own son just to make a point… who didn’t understand the meaning of love and freedom.

“When Dad wanted to make me comply, he chose Vani as a scapegoat and took her away from me,” Vikram continued, his eyes distant, and so was his tone. “That one year we spent without each other… brought an unknown distance between us. Even after winning the custody and Vani coming back into my life, nothing returned to normal immediately. It was hard for her and for me. Like once we were so close and suddenly we were behaving like strangers with each other, despite knowing how much we loved each other. It felt awkward and painful at the same time.”

He paused, trying to gather himself. “But slowly we started talking, taking steps toward each other from dancing around each other, always on edge... to getting on each other’s nerves again. The best part and the worst part was that we both were equally stubborn; we didn’t back off.”

He looked down, meeting Eshita’s gaze, who was listening to him intently. “Pata hai ek saal ki doori ko humne itni aasani se kaise kam kiya?”

Eshita shook her head, uncertain.

Vikram creased her hair. “Vishwas se. Woh vishwas jo mujhe meri bhen par tha, wohi vishwas jo meri bhen ko mujh par tha. Rishte kabhi tutte nahi hai, Esha. Bas saalon ke faaslon mein kahin chup jaate hain, chhoot jaate hai, lekin reshaam ke dhaagon ki tarah woh phir se jud bhi jaate hain. Bas kisi ek ko pehla kadam ke koshish karni hoti hai.”

Eshita looked away. “Jaanti hoon, bhai. Lekin aapki life mein koi naya insaan nahi aaya jiske baare mein Vani ko sochna pade. She doesn’t have to think about where she stood in your life. You both shared your fair share of hesitations and awkward silences, but you both knew there was no third person entering your life. You were her priority and she was yours. No confusion!”

Vikram blinked, startled. “This is about Ekta then?”

Eshita shook her head, sitting up and turning to face Vikram. “It’s never about that girl. It can never be about a person for whom I feel nothing except basic humility. It’s about me and bhaiya… it’s about me and dad. Agar aaj Mom hoti, shayad life bahut alag hoti, sorted hoti. I-I miss her for leaving me behind with two dumb men in my life.” She chuckled through tears.

Vikram pulled her into a side hug. “Well, I agree, men’s are dumb when it comes to emotions. There is no better way of saying it.”

He knew Eshita wasn’t looking for advice; she never did. All she wanted was a sounding board or a direction, and he was there for both.

It was on Ekansh now, how he would make his sister see that she was his first priority and always would be. The man who had stayed away, breaking, falling apart, and suffering was the same one who had returned to start over from where he had left. No one could love Eshita more than Ekansh Sehgal. The only barrier that made it difficult to see it was the lack of communication and the years of unspoken hurt that had quietly built walls between them.

Next Update- Monday!

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