Chapter- 8

The after rain atmosphere should have felt calm, refreshing and peaceful, but to Ekansh it felt heavy, unsettling. Standing at the sunset point, a place that held all kinds of joyful, cherished memories, he stood staring at the horizon. The sun was setting down, the ocean mirroring its fading hues.

Not knowing what to do anymore, he simply walked out and came there to find answers to his questions, to find clarity within himself, still, the storm within him refused to calm. Eshita’s distress haunted him, the sadness he witnessed in her eyes lingering vividly, and the anger in her tone... everything increased his restlessness.

Ekansh was yet to understand where he was going wrong. He was doing everything in his power to make his sister feel safe, heard, and comfortable around him again, then what was he missing that kept pushing her away instead of bringing her closer?

“Are you talking to the sky?” Vikram asked lightly, stepping beside his friend.

When Ekansh called him to meet at the sunset point, he immediately realized that there was something bothering him. If that place was special for the siblings, then it was special for the friends too, a silent witness to their bond, their fights, and the unspoken understanding they shared.

Ekansh snapped out of his thoughts. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. “Zinda kaise hai tu itne saalon se?”

Vikram leaned back on the railing, facing his friend. He raised an eyebrow. “Jaise tu zinda tha, I guess.”

Ekansh sighed. “I was asking how did you survive without your sister for a year.”

Vikram shrugged. “Just like you survived without your sister for five years.”

Ekansh stepped back, turning to leave. He didn’t call Vikram to rub salt on his wounds. He knew Vikram was never okay with his decision, but Ekansh understood, a man who lived under control of his father since he was born was different from the man Ekansh was raised by, with utmost love and freedom.

Virendra Sehgal and Avijay Mehra were fathers, but both were completely different in their ways of loving and controlling their children.

So what Ekansh did felt right to him because he trusted his father and his upbringing. He could do anything for the man who never let him feel unloved or unheard, it was a son’s love and faith. But according to Vikram, it was running away from responsibility, as he believed Ekansh should have stayed and fought for himself instead of leaving.

Both the friends had their own fair share of pain and perspectives, but knew neither of them was entirely wrong... just shaped differently by their lives.

“Okay, I am sorry.” Vikram muttered quickly, immediately holding Ekansh’s arm as the latter turned. By now, his friend would have decked him or snapped at him, but the silent surrender bothered him.

“Ghr par kuch hua hai?” His tone gentled.

Ekansh exhaled sharply. “Eshita wants to continue her studies abroad.”

“What nonsense.” Vikram blurted out.

Ekansh shook his head, reciting what had been happening over the past few days. He could have gone to his father, but Ekansh was still hurt and angry at Virendra for what he did. Just to avoid saying something in his rage, he preferred staying away for the peace of his mind and the family.

Vikram was his safe space, his friend never judged; he simply listened and advised. And Ekansh desperately needed someone to tell him what the hell was going on, as he was feeling helpless and defeated.

“You told her that you will go with her?” Vikram asked sharply. From what Ekansh said, it was clear his friend was doing everything except for one assertive... claiming his right as an elder brother, drawing a clear line where needed.

Ekansh let out a deep sigh. “Even before I could say it, she asked me to get out. I tried, but...” He shrugged his shoulders weakly.

“I feel like punching you.” Vikram snapped, “Agar Vani ne mujhe aisa kuch kaha hota mujhe ek saal milne ke baad, I would have set her right without any remorse. We fight for our siblings, we argue, we clash, but we don’t walk away just because things get difficult or uncomfortable. When will you do the honors of shaking some sense into your dear sister?”

Ekansh glared at him. “Bacchi nahi rahi vo ab. Badi ho gayi hai...”

“And your point is?” Vikram hissed, annoyed. “Chote bhai-bhen kitne bhi bade ho jayein, rahenge toh chote hi na? And what kind of logic is this, Ansh? You are not willing to bring your sister on the right track just because she has grown up...?”

“No!” Ekansh interjected, “I am trying to respect her choices and give her the space she deserves. Mom used to say, at a certain age every girl needs to find her own voice and make her own decisions. Meri jagah khud ko rakh ke dekh. Ask yourself... if Vani stood her ground and made a decision at eighteen, would you force your authority on her just to display your control and bring her on the so-called right track? Or try to find a middle way? There is a difference between guiding someone and controlling them, Vikram.”

Vikram went silent. He didn’t have an answer to that question, his defence failing before his friend’s reasoning and calm clarity. In a way, Ekansh was right too, sometimes holding back takes more strength than forcing someone to bend.

“Agar vo choti hoti toh I would have done what was needed...” Ekansh added, his voice shaking ever so slightly, “But... she was forced to grow up before time. I am blaming Dad, but deep down I know the truth... jitni galti Dad ki hai, utni meri bhi. Agar main waha nahin bhi tha, toh kam se kam I should have let my sister know about my whereabouts. When you got in contact with me, I should have talked to Esha too. But what did I do... just to keep my word I gave to my father, I hurt my sister so badly that today I am unable to recognize the little girl I once knew.”

He faced Vikram. “Tujhe pata hai, that maturity I have been seeing in her since she came to Shimla... that’s ripping me apart more than her anger, her words, or even her silence ever could.”

“So what are you going to do?” Vikram pressed, “Letting her drift away from you? Phirse wahi karega jo kuch saal pehle kiya tha? That time it was your afther who made the decision for you and you followed that command. This time what...? Are you going to stay quiet and let Esha do what she wants, let her walk away and slip out of your life again...?”

“I didn’t say that!” Ekansh shot back, “Firstly, I won’t let her go away alone. Agar vo jaana chahti hai toh vo jaa sakti hai. But I will go with her, I will...”

“And what about Ekta?” Vikram intervened, “Did you forget you have taken a girl under your wings? What will you tell her? You have brought her into your new world, she might be trying to understand or adjust in it, and again you will fly her to a new country. How will she take in the news? How will she cope with yet another sudden change?”

Ekansh stilled. He was drowning so much focusing on helping Eshita out and bringing back the girl she was, that he forgot about Ekta. Reality felt like a slap to his face. He held onto the railing, letting the cold steel ground him for a moment.

Since the last five years, he had been living a life surviving. He cared for Ekta, he protected the girl, she was like a sister to him, someone he had taken responsibility for, but Ekta could never fulfill the space Eshita held in his heart. Both the girls were different and held their own irreplaceable places in his heart. Ekansh had been living with Ekta, not forgetting Eshita, but in reality trying to bury the memories that would have made him give up long back, just to keep moving forward. So now, when he had to face them, it felt like everything he had suppressed was crashing back all at once.

He had to find a balance between Eshita and Ekta. Ekta had his heart, but Eshita was his soul, he couldn’t leave anyone behind. Both had suffered in ways they never deserved. Ekansh felt trapped all over again, as if no matter what he chose, he would end up hurting one of them.

✨✨✨

Eshita hurried down the stairs. Sitting in her room the whole afternoon, contemplating everything, she was fed up and needed to breathe some fresh air away from the house. The best option was to go out for a long drive, and she was doing just that. However, she stopped as she found Ekta pacing around the door.

She frowned, walking towards the girl, “Kya hua? Yaha kyu khadi ho?”

Ekta jumped at the sudden voice and turned. She shook her head nervously, giving way to Eshita. She didn’t realize she was blocking the path.

Eshita stepped out only to halt, unable to leave. The girl looked worried, she couldn’t leave her alone like that. Her father barely talked to Ekta as she was the one avoiding everyone except for Ekansh. No matter what differences Eshita held with her bhaiya, she refused to take it out on the girl.

Exhaling sharply, she spun around and looked at the girl, “Why are you dancing around here?”

“Huh?” Ekta stammered.

Eshita sighed, “Aree yaha kya krr rahi ho. Room mai koi problem hai?”

Ekta shook her head. She was just anxious about her brother, waiting for him.

“Khana khaya?” Eshita asked casually.

Ekta shook her head.

“Do you want to have a walk in the garden?” Eshita guessed softly, maybe the girl was scared of the bodybuilders guarding the house.

Ekta again shook her head.

Eshita’s eyes flashed, “Ekta please can you just speak, what’s the problem?” she snapped, annoyed. “I will learn the language of silence till then, speak up.”

Ekta flinched back. She wasn’t used to raised voices or harsh tones, they scared her.

Eshita ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated. She was an idiot to yell like a loudspeaker. One week in Shimla and she had noticed how the girl flinched at even the sound of vessels dropping. Even Ekansh talked to Ekta in a voice that didn’t go above a certain decibel.

Shaking off her thoughts, she walked back inside and took off the car keys from the counter. She looked at Ekta, “Let’s go for a drive.”

Ekta shook her head instantly, her eyes widening. She was supposed to answer verbally. “I-I am sor...”

“Don’t apologize for something that isn’t your fault,” Eshita interjected, her tone softening a little. “I am sorry, I was irritated and took it out on you. Anyways, mein bahar jaa rahi hu. Come with me, you will feel better.”

Ekta shook her head, “Mein bhaiya ka wait krr rahi hu. Vo ghr prr nhi hai. Mene unhe bahar jaate waqt dekha tha but he is not back yet.”

Eshita frowned slightly. Before leaving, her bhaiya had texted her that he was going out to meet Vikram. Despite the tension between them, he didn’t forget to inform her and that soothed her a little.

She looked at Ekta, confused, “He didn’t tell you where he was going?”

Ekta shook her head slowly, “I tried calling him but unka number nhii lag raha hai.”

Eshita sighed, “He might be at the sunset point. He went to meet his friend. Leke chalu tumhe waha?”

Ekta shook her head. She didn’t wish to intrude. Her bhaiya was fine, that was enough for her.

“Ab chalogi mere sath?” Eshita coaxed, “We will be back before bhaiya returns home. Waise bhi tum akeli room mai bore ho jaogi. Isse acha mere sath chalo?”

Ekta hesitated, “I-I don’t want to bother you.”

“But I am dying to get bothered,” Eshita sassed, walking out of the house, “Chalo ab.”

Ekta followed behind her quietly. She herself needed some fresh air to forget the memories that had been haunting her. Usually, her bhaiya stayed by her side or she stayed by his side at the café the whole day. But here, she knew he had his own life to catch up on, she couldn’t become a burden. Maybe staying with Eshita for a few minutes would ease her fears a little.

Ekta looked on, fascinated, as Eshita parked the car before her, the sleek grey Jeep Compass. It looked powerful, with Eshita  driving it she looked cool and that impressed her.

The loud blaring of sound pulled her back to reality.

Eshita rolled down the window behind the wheel, “Come on. Tumhe darwaza kholna padega Ekta. Vo khud nhi khulne wala.”

Ekta looked away, embarrassed. She opened the door and jumped in quietly. Even the interior of the car amazed her. She had witnessed such things earlier in magazines or on her phone, so using them and sitting inside felt like a dream.

“Seat belt!” Eshita chided.

Ekta mumbled a quick sorry, reaching behind for the belt, but it got stuck. Her fingers fidgeted with the strap. She looked at Eshita, her cheeks flushing, “Sorry vo yeh...”

Eshita silently leaned forward and pulled the strap, securing it properly. Her fingers flew across the touchscreen to turn on the music before she drove away, smoothly merging onto the road.

Ekta kept glancing at Eshita with the fluid ease which she changed the gear, her movements confident and practiced, driving smoothly, her head slightly bobbing to the music, fingers steady, one hand on the wheel... She looked realxed, not as tense as Ekta had seen her in the last few days.

“Kuch kehna hai?” Eshita asked, noticing how the girl was gawking at her.

Ekta averted her gaze; she didn’t think Eshita would notice, “Sorry.”

Eshita lowered the volume, rolling down the windows on her and Ekta’s side as they drove on the beach road, “Do you like that word or what?”

Ekta’s brows frowned, “Ji?”

Eshita rolled her eyes, “Arre har baat par sorry bolti rehti ho. So you like the word or you are just obsessed with it?”

Ekta glared at her, annoyed, “Aapko bhi aadat hai kya hamesha kuch bhi ulta sidha bolne ki? Any special reason?”

Eshita parked the car away from a small restaurant. She looked at Ekta with a raised eyebrow, “Yep! I loveeee getting on people’s nerves for no reason!”

Ekta looked away; she can’t win from the girl in arguments.

Eshita nodded, satisfied. She liked to win arguments, no one other than her bhaiya could make her lose, not her friends, not her father, neither Ekta.

“Panch minute car mein baitho, main abhi parcel leke aati hoon.” Eshita said, rolling up the windows and opening the door.

Ekta reached out instinctively, stopping her, “Naahi! I-I will co-come with you.” She stammered, suddenly scared.

Eshita reached out, resting her hand on hers, “Main waha saamne jaa rahi hoon, Ekta.” She pointed at the small crowded stall in front, “I will be back in five minutes. Waha already bheed hai. You will get uncomfortable.”

Ekta hesitated before loosening her grip on Eshita’s hand, “Ca-can you please keep the car open? I-I mean... don’t lock the doors?”

Eshita paused, confused at the sudden weird request but complied. She didn’t mind doing so. Stepping out, she walked towards the restaurant.

Before leaving, she had already ordered frankies for her, it was just a take-in. The place was known for the best frankies in the area, and she had been dying to try them. With her long drive, she would finally get the perfect excuse.

Collecting her order, she walked back and passed the parcel to Ekta before driving away without another word.

✨✨✨

Ekansh returned back home more exhausted and tired than he already was. He stepped out of the house to find answers to his questions, to clear his mind and calm his thoughts, but he returned with more unresolved issues and confusion.

The talk with Vikram did what it was supposed to, gave him a reality check, yet it also left him more conflicted than before.

Drained to the core, he walked towards Eshita’s room and knocked on the door before entering; however, he frowned not finding her inside. The balcony was closed.

“Eshu?” He called out, walking to the washroom door only to find it slightly open and its light off. Where did his sister go?

He stepped out, changing the direction to Ekta’s room only to find it empty. His gut twisted, something didn’t feel right.

Pushing down the rising panic in his chest, he rushed down the stairs into the backyard and got the same response.

“Esha ghr ke bahar gayi hai?” Ekansh asked one of the guards standing near the patio.

The guard nodded, “Ji sir, about one hour ago.”

“Akele gayi hai?” Ekansh asked, taking out his phone, “or with Ekta?”

“They left together, sir.”

Ekansh nodded, “And guards... vo gaye hai saath mein?...” He trailed off as the security team drove in from the gate.

He sighed in relief, waiting for Eshita’s car to pull in, and reality struck him. Usually the escort car comes first, then the main jeep.

He walked up to the guard who had just come, “Eshita kahan hai?”

The guards exchanged a nervous look before staring at the ground.

“I asked, Eshita kahaan hai?” Ekansh’s voice rose an octave.

“We lost them, sir.” One of them dared to reply, “Due to the traffic jam. We tried calling ma’am, par unka phone switched off bata raha hai.”

“Track the car she has taken.” Ekansh ordered sternly, walking back inside. As far as he remembered, every car in the house had a special GPS tracker, as their name had many enemies and rivals watching their every move.

Ekansh paced the hall, dialing both Eshita and Ekta’s number, one was switched off, the other wasn’t receiving. His patience wearing thin, his worry increasing with every passing second.

“What happened?” Virendra asked, walking down the stairs. “Why do you look so tense?”

“Aapki beti ki wajah se.” Ekansh hissed, “Usse pata hai mujhe fikar hoti hai... ek message karke nahi jaa sakti ghr se nikalne se pehle? Agar vo karna bhool bhi gayi thi toh itna toh dhyan dena chaiye na ki security team saath mein hai ya nahi. She has just become careless. Dono ke dono! Ek ka number band dikha raha hai aur ek utha nahi rahi hai. Let them come back... I will ground them for life...” He ranted frantically, his heart pounding in his chest. His instincts never went wrong, and something told him this wasn’t just a delay.

“What did you say?” Virendra froze, shocked, “Esha ghar par nahi hai?”

Ekansh nodded, dialing Ekta again.

“Ekansh... are you in your senses?” Virendra snapped, startling him, “Tujhe pata bhi hai tu kya bol raha hai?”

Ekansh stared at his father, it wasn’t anger shining out of authority, but worry and an unknown fear lurking beneath his words.

“Why are you reacting like this? They will be back...”

“You didn’t see the news?” Virendra interjected sharply, “The opposition minister has been shot dead just a few hours ago in his house. Half an hour ago the news was out... the party people have gone crazy. There are riots in the city, roads are being blocked and public places are being shut down.”

Ekansh stilled. When he came, he had driven off from a different route, avoiding the main roads, so he didn’t have any idea what was happening outside. His hands shook ever so slightly; riots in Mumbai, or anywhere in India, didn’t mean silent protest; it meant damage and uncontrolled chaos.

He redialed Ekta, walking out of the house, followed by Virendra; both worried for the girls, praying for their safety.

“Open the parcel!” Eshita said once she was on the highway lane.

Ekta blinked, startled, “Yaha?”

Eshita nodded.

“Car mein?” Ekta asked, trying to be sure.

Eshita glanced at her, annoyed, “Toh kya car ki chhat par jaake khaun? Drive tumhari atma karegi tabb tak?”

Ekta gave up; the last thing she wanted was to annoy her and get thrown out of the car. Even though her heart knew the girl wouldn’t, still a person prone to quick anger can do anything, she refused to take the risk.

Quietly, she unwrapped the frankies and looked at Eshita, “How will you eat them?”

“You have it.” Eshita mumbled casually, “I will have it later.”

Ekta looked up, startled, “Pr yeh aapne apne liye li hai na. How can I eat it?”

“Pehli baat, khana muh se khaya jata hai, so you will have it that way.” Eshita retorted dryly, “Dusri baat, uss parcel par order name likha hai, par wraps par I don’t think kaun khane wala hai uska naam likha hoga. So just eat it!”

Ekta hesitated; she doesn’t wish to seem rude or shameless, eating alone something the girl brought for herself.

Gathering her courage, she forwarded the wrap near Eshita’s mouth.

Eshita looked startled, her eyes darting at the wrap, at Ekta, and then back at the road, “What?” she asked, flustered, “Eat it. Usme zeher nahi...”

“Just have it, will you.” Ekta chided lightly, “Mein akeli khaun and you are driving... I-I don’t like it.”

“We don’t eat while driving.” Eshita muttered, trying to sound firm. It wasn’t like she had a problem having a bite, but coming from Ekta, who always kept her distance, this sudden closeness, offering her a bite... that was something new and unexpected at the same time.

“Isliye... I am feeding you.” Ekta murmured softly.

Eshita sighed deeply, opening her mouth in their stupid silent standoff; her wraps would go cold and it would spoil her mood for no valid reason, so she had the bite, unaware of the chaos brewing beyond the quiet cocoon of her car.

 

Don't forget to Share your views!

Next Update- Monday!

← Previous                               Next →