Chapter- 13

The afternoon felt longer than usual; it was almost evening. After crying for hours, Esha fell asleep in her brother’s warmth, finally finding the comfort and solace she had been searching for years.

Ekansh continued to run his fingers through Esha’s hair. They were still on the floor and she had slept resting her head on his lap, the small gestures that came naturally and his little sister always liked. Ekansh was realizing a lot; slowly, steadily, he was seeing through the cracks his sister so well had covered up. The bottle of pills lay in the corner, no matter how he tried to ignore it for his own sanity, it still came into his view one way or another, shaking his heart violently.

He had himself struggled with insomnia for years, and he still does, but not once did he choose a way that could be harmful for him. Eventually, seeing Eshita reaching out to such means was not something he could digest so easily. Every fibre in his body raged, wanting to go to the gym and take out his anger on the punching bag, yell, or either break something apart, but then what would that bring him? Nothing!

The guilt he tried to push away, saying he would make things right, was now clawing back at him at a venomous pace. No matter what he thought or told himself, at the end of the day the truth was... he was the one who left! He was the one who failed as a brother, and that stung more than any physical wound could ever have.

Ekansh glanced down at his sister, the peaceful look on her face, the tender calmness, the small smile gracing her lips, everything brought him relief, but it also made him realize how much she had been hiding all along.

But one thing that shone brightly was the fact that the bond they shared didn’t change. If he kept aside his failures and looked at the positive side, he could work on his bond with Esha, building up the years they had longed for and missed. Ekansh knew he couldn’t change himself completely, it’s not a cycle of one day or something that happens overnight.

He was soft, calm, and gentle because Ekta couldn’t handle that intimidating side of his. If he compared himself to his five-year-ago self, there was nothing recognizable about him anymore. Once his voice was commanding, heavy, filled with unspoken authority that he learnt from his father; there was a time he never hesitated to assert his dominance, but he mellowed down a lot, firstly because he wanted to get rid of the power that came with his surname, and secondly because Ekta would flinch at each and every normal range of his voice, so he chose to be more softer and more patient for her sake.

However, Eshita wasn’t aware of his reasons or intentions, and he wanted to talk to her about that. There was a lot they hadn’t talked about, there were years of impending conversations, and he wished to conclude them slowly and honestly.

Eshita stirred slightly in his arms, shifting closer to him instinctively, feeling the familiar warmth her brother she had longed for all these years. Groggily, she opened her eyes and looked up.... he was still there. It wasn’t a dream but a reality she had wanted to live for so long, a moment she never wanted to slip away from again.

“Good morning, your highness.” Ekansh teased playfully, “Uthne ka irada hai ya baki ka din aise hi sona hai?”

Eshita turned around lazily, burying her face in his stomach, “I want to sleep more.”

Ekansh shook his head, his sister was a sleepy panda, and that was one thing he was glad to see. “Soo jaana, Eshu. Parr abhi ke liye uth. Pehle kuch kha le. Subah se tune kuch khaya nahi hai. First eat something and then sleep.”

Eshita shook her head stubbornly, “I want to sleep. Khana kal kha lungi. I won’t die... Ouch!” She winced as Ekansh whacked her hard.

Sleep flew out of the window instantly. She sat up with a start, turning to look at her brother who was already shooting daggers her way. She swallowed hard, trying to apologize, but words died down in her throat in front of those eyes that felt so very much like her own bhaiya.

“Repeat it!” Ekansh’s tone was sharp, “Adat ho gayi na vo cheez bolne ki. Kitna easily aise bakwaas karne lagi hai tu, Eshita. Do you even realize what you say half of the time about yourself? Agar main bhi aisa bolu toh?”

Eshita shrugged her shoulders slightly, “Mere bolne se kaun sa kuch...” She trailed off, noticing the dangerous shift on her brother’s face.

“Sorry!” She mumbled immediately.

“Tere bolne ya na bolne se kuch nahi hoga, pata hai mujhe,” Ekansh scolded, “But there is a limit to everything. Har din yahi sunta hoon main. Abhi kuch din pehle bhi tune gusse mein keh diya tha. Then yesterday too... aur abhi...” He stopped as Eshita leaned forward, clutching onto his arm trying to pacify him.

“Back off!” He said sternly, fully aware of his sister’s tactics.

Eshita shook her head, tightening her hold on his arm, burying her face against his shoulder, “Aage se dhyaan...”

“I said back off, Eshita!” Ekansh ordered.

Eshita flinched at the edge in his tone. Reluctantly, she let go and looked at her brother sadly, a small adorable pout adorning her face.

Ekansh held her gaze trying not to melt down in front of that cute look, “Last time. Iske baad agar maine tere muh se aisi bakwaas suni toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Samjhi!”

Eshita nodded instantly. That was nothing new for her, she was allowed to curse the world in her house, she was allowed to throw tantrums, but she wasn’t allowed to say anything bad about herself. Her parents had been protective of her, her bhaiya had been overprotective, and she had always taken advantage of it, enjoying it all, basking in that unconditional love and care.

Slowly, she raised her hand, poked Ekansh on his arm as he sat there rigid, “Solly!” she mumbled cutely, holding her ears as he looked her way.

Ekansh lowered her hand, pulling her in beside him. Whatever it was called, his overbearing self or instinct, he had been paranoid for so many things in all these years that hearing even the slightest negative word or smallest scratch on Eshita now made him go in full-on protective mode.

No matter what your age is, every child lives in a delusion that their loved ones will stay with them forever. Despite knowing the reality of life and death, the heart forgets to blur the line and clings to hopes and illusions, just like he once did, so him being overprotective of her was natural. All Ekansh had to do was learn to control himself, and with time, he will.

Eshita’s grip tightened around him; she could already feel the change in him. Earlier, he would have made her ears bleed, but today, it was just a small warning. Again, she wasn’t dying to hear scoldings, but she wanted to feel more of what it was like to have an elder brother who wasn’t a stranger, but her own bhaiya she had grown up with.

She just didn’t know how to voice out her thoughts without sounding childish or unreasonable.

“Kya hua?” Ekansh asked softly as he felt the change in her demeanor.

Eshita blinked away the tears and pulled back with a forced smile, shaking her head, “Kuch nahi. I am hungry. Let’s go and eat something...” She tried to rise but froze as he held her wrist.

“I don’t like lies, Esha.” Ekansh said firmly, “My sister didn’t forget that, right?”

Eshita sat back quietly. She looked at him, nodding her head, “I-I... Maine pehle bhi kha tha, abhi bhi wahi keh rahi hoon. You have changed.” She replied honestly, kicking away her hesitations.

She had always been open with her bhaiya; when she had conversations, there was no fear or reluctance thinking he might judge or get angry. If she did something wrong, he corrected her, and if she was ranting, he simply listened without interruption. So the new change that was coming between them annoyed her to no end. She wanted to bring an end to it.

Ekansh frowned; he had been hearing that a lot, but from where he was seeing, he was doing everything like himself. Yes, he had changed, but with Eshita he was being who he was, molding himself accordingly. Where was he going wrong was something that troubled him deeply.

Eshita sighed, leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder, “Abhi agar aap mere pehle wale bhaiya hote toh mera sara dukh dete aapne lectures se. Liken abhi dekho.... ek hi warning mein maan gaye. Maine apne fire-splitting dragon ko kho diya na.”

Ekansh looked at her, annoyed, “Are you roasting me or telling your thoughts, Esha?”

Eshita shrugged, “Both!”

Ekansh sighed deeply. There was no way arguing with his stubborn mini version, “I am doing what I should, Esha. Pehle tu choti thi, I was also young and prone to anger, always being strict and dictating. But ab tu badi ho gayi hai...”

“Toh?” Eshita fumed, pulling back and glaring at him, “Badi ho gayi toh? Aapki bhen nahi rahi? Aaj bhi aapki choti bhen hoon na? Aise toh main kisi ka murder karke aa jaun toh bhi aap itna restrain karoge khud ko.”

“That depends on why did you have to kill someone.” Ekansh couldn’t help but smirk slightly.

Eshita huffed like an annoyed cartoon character, cheeks puffing up in frustration, “You know what. Mujhe aapse baat hi nahi karni.”

“Accha accha I am sorry.” Ekansh instantly held her hand, stopping her as she tried to leave.

Eshita looked away; her bhaiya was supposed to be understanding her, not teasing her.

Ekansh turned her face towards him, “Eshu. I am still the brother you grew up, the one you know inside out. Just like I can read like an open book. There is nothing that changed between us. I understand what you are trying to say. But at a certain age...”

“Bhad mein gayi meri age.” Eshita snapped, “Main ab bhi aapki hi bhen hoon. Badi bhi ho jaungi toh aapse choti hi rahungi na. Murder jaane do. What if I curse at you? Will you still stay quiet in the name of me being grown up? Won’t you set me right?”

Ekansh held her gaze calmly, “Tu bata. What do you think I will do?” He asked quietly, but there was dangerous slit in his tone, “Itni himmat hai tujhme ki mujhe gaali degi?”

Eshita shook her head vigorously. Firstly, she respected her bhaiya too much to ever do that, and secondly, she loved herself, the way her brother was looking at her now, she was sure she wouldn’t survive the consequences of it... definitely ending up eating soap or some green liquid for months. Consequences, she hated them the most!

“Toh aisi baatein kyun kar rahi hai jinse mujhe gussa aaye?” Ekansh asked softly but firmly. Gently, he cradled her face in his palm, “You are my little sister, but the one I left was just a child, but today you are mature, grown up, and capable of understanding things better. If you are wrong, I will still correct you, baacha. I will assert my rights without any hesitation, but that doesn’t mean I will ask my eighteen-year-old sister to spend the whole evening in a corner or kneeling just because she punched someone in her impulsiveness. I have better ways to set you right. You aren’t twelve anymore to be treated like a kid.”

Eshita whined instantly, “You are comforting me or threatening me.” Her bhaiya was being unfair now, his words hit the right part of her heart, soothing her in ways she had been craving for last few weeks, but that didn’t mean he have to scare her like that.

Ekansh chuckled softly, ruffling her hair, “Whatever you name it, I don’t mind! I can be your friend but also the dictator you grew up with. If you think I have mellowed down a lot, let me know... I can show you a little trailer.”

He rose to his feet, stretching himself lazily. He looked at his sister, “Shall we go to my room to talk about the stunts you have pulled off in all these years one by one?”

Eshita’s eyes widened. She rose to her feet at lightning speed, stepping back already. Her brother was being serious, there was no humour in his eyes or tone, and she was least interested in going back to those torture sessions. All her whining died down in her throat. She wanted her old bhaiya back, she got one. He gave her the reassurance, and that was enough for her sweet little heart. No need for a live trailer; she wasn’t dying to see one.

“I am fine!” She blurted out quickly. “I–I believe you, bhaiya. You can be the Hitler when you want, no need to get possessed by that so quickly. Maine jo kiya... usse raat gayi baat gayi keh ke jaane dete hain. Next time se no more life-threatening stunts, no more stupidity. Promise!”

Ekansh bit his lips to hide his smile. His sister looked like a scared kitten. He was angry for what she did, but he understood her reasons too, and that made him let it all slide. He would make sure she wouldn’t repeat any of it ever again, and if she did, there would be severe consequences. From the looks of it, even his sister was aware of that.

So for now, he wanted to tease her a little, “But you only said you lost your fire-splitting dragon... don’t you want to...”

“No!” Eshita cut him off quickly, “I don’t want to see you possessed by any soul that can be the means of my torture for hours in your room. I hungry am... I mean I am hungry. Let’s go and eat something.” Before Ekansh could reply, she sprinted out of the room.

Her bhaiya was the most unpredictable human in her life, and she had learned her survival skills long before she could even outsmart him.

Ekansh shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. He stepped out of the room, following Esha. He now understood what his father meant yesterday, Ekta and Eshita were different people; he had to deal with them differently. He could be soft and calm with Ekta, but he had to be firm and authoritative, a version Eshita had grown up with. He refused to upset any of his sisters.

He paused, noticing Eshita peeking into Ekta’s room from the window like a thief. His sister would never change. He walked up to her and whacked her head.

“Ouch!” Eshita rubbed her head, annoyed, “Kya hai yaar, maara kyun?”

“Yeh choron wali harkatein kyun kar rahi hai?” Ekansh chided, “What are you seeing?”

“If she is still human or turned into stone.” Eshita shot back, “Yeh ladki poora din room mein rehti hai. I understand it’s all new for her but aise pathar jaisa pade rehna ek hi jagah par... that’s suffocating bhaiya. Even stones need space to breathe and exist freely.”

Ekansh ran his fingers through his hair, “I know Eshu, but Ekta aisi he hai. I have been trying to break the walls she has guarded herself in but... even after five years, it seems impossible to me. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

Eshita felt an unknown tightness in her heart. The sadness in her brother’s tone got to her, so did the loneliness Ekta was drowing herself into. The girl was sixteen, she should explore, be curious and wild, but here she was, quiet, scared, timid, always trying to hide herself.

“Let’s go and call her.” Ekansh said softly, “Snacks time hai. Apne saath rahegi toh achha lagega usse.”

Eshita shook her head, “She probably hates me now.”

Ekansh’s brows frowned, “Why are you saying that?”

Eshita looked away, “In the morning I was yapping my frustration out before dad. I said things I shouldn’t have and by mistake she heard something that wasn’t directed to her but included her and ended up hurting her. I messed up!”

“Relax, esha.” Ekansh rested his hand on her shoulder calmly, “I am sure Ekta doesn’t hate you. She might be hurt, but if you talk to her, she will understand that you didn’t mean anything wrong. I will...”

“Nahii bhaiya.” Eshita cut him off gently, “It’s between me and her. Let us girls sort out our differences our way. Please.”

Ekansh nodded without any protest. He trusted his sister to do the right. Anyways, he wouldn’t come in between the girls, until they wanted him to. Not to build their bond, not to impose, not to sort out their issues. Some things are better off done from the heart, not by force.

Eshita looked on as her brother knocked on the door before he pushed it slightly. Yesterday, if she wouldn’t have closed the latch, he would have done the same with her. Soon she was realizing her fears were absurd, her bhaiya was still the same. The only difference was of age; back then they were free and crazy, but today they were more mature and responsible, also more understanding of each other’s boundaries, otherwise nothing changed, and that warmed her heart all over again.

Ekansh froze at the threshold as he noticed the lights turned off, with only a few dim lamp lights providing the faint glow in the room. The sun was yet to set completely; however, the room was dark, the curtained windows pulled down, leaving no space for natural light to filter in.

Before Ekansh could push open the whole door, Eshita stopped him. The air filled with the music, its soft tunes turning intense, each word of the song echoing through the room, squeezing their hearts.

The siblings looked up as they noticed the shadow moving around the room from the slight ajar of the door.

Eshita opened the door deliberately without making any noise, only to find Ekta lost in the rhythm, dancing in the center of the room, each step, each beat matching, her hands moving with elegance and grace, yet what took their breath away was the soul-stirring song that wasn’t soft or calming but filled with painful lyrics of someone’s cry and yearning.

Ekta, lost in her own world, moved like fluid, yet to notice the presence of the siblings. The voices in her head were getting too loud, the chaos inside her mind was untameable, her thoughts racing uncontrollably, and she chose music... dance to escape it all, to express what all was going on within her silence.

There was a time she bled dancing on sharp glasses, a time when she was broken down completely, forced, imposed, punished, until dance became her only voice...

Today, however, she was dancing on the polished marble without any physical pain, still it didn’t calm her, it increased her restlessness. What she was feeling, she herself was yet to understand, but disgust was on top of the list, a feeling she felt with each breath she took. With each second she was living, every fibre of her being felt ugly and unworthy.

As the music came to an end, Ekta found herself increasing her pace. She spun in circles without any control, relentless, reckless, losing herself completely in the motion. Her steps faltered just slightly, but she didn’t notice.

After two more circles, her toe got stuck into the edge of the carpet, her balance giving away completely. She closed her eyes, bracing for the fall, but it never came.

Slowly, Ekta opened her eyes, feeling the pair of hands holding her. She looked at Ekansh, but he wasn’t the only one holding her.... her eyes darting to the side only to find Eshita, both of them holding her steadily, worry and concern flashing in their eyes clear and evident.

“Thik hai tu?” Eshita and Ekansh asked in sync, snapping her out of her haze.

Ekta straightened up instantly. She stepped back, nodding her head slowly, “Ji... vo... vo sorry. I-I didn’t mean to disturb anyone...” She gasped, startled, as Eshita knelt down before her, “Yeh kya kar rahi hain aap.” She stepped back immediately.

Eshita glared at her, “You are bleeding, idiot!”

“Esha.” Ekansh chided stopping her, Ekta was sensitive; Eshita might have said it in her annoyance, but Ekta was yet to understand her ways. He didn’t want any more misunderstandings between them.

“Aur nahi kya bhaiya. Chot lagi hai isse. Aur madam dance kar rahi hai.” She looked at Ekta, “Arey dance karna hai toh karo par apni chot ka dhyan bhi toh rakho na. Agar abhi hum nahi pakadte aur tum gir jaati toh? Ek aur pair toot jata tumhara. Phir bed par bhajan krti rehti pura din.”

Ekta sat back as Ekansh guided her back to the bed. She looked on quietly as both the siblings fussed over her wound. Ekansh opened the wet bandage while Eshita carefully cleaned the wound before applying the paste with the tenderness of a delicate feather.

From the looks of it, they weren’t biting at each other anymore, which meant only one thing: they had sorted out their differences, and she was happy for them.
Her bhaiya deserved all the happiness and peace after spending years in longing for his home, and Eshita too, after hearing her outburst yesterday, she felt empathy towards the twelve-year-old girl who was left behind and wronged, but still Eshuty didn’t turn bitter or cold-hearted; she held onto love and rose from her pain correctly.

Ekta’s fingers fisted on the blanket as Ekansh wrapped the bandage.

“Arey dheere karo na. Usse lag rahi hai.” Eshita swatted him on the shoulder.

Ekansh shot her a glare, “Apne haath control mein rakh, warna mere uthne mein time nahi lagega.” He warned.

He looked up at Ekta, “Dard ho raha hai, baccha?” His tone softened, quite a contrast to the one he used with Eshita.

Ekta shook her head quietly.

Eshita rolled her eyes, “Dard hota hai toh kaun batata hai? Give her the painkillers.”

“I am busy.” Ekansh shot back, “Use your legs and go bring them.”

Eshita muttered under her breath about the unfairness, yet walked to the cabinet to take out the medicine box.

Ekta sat quietly, witnessing the dynamics. Her life was so different from the Seghal siblings’. Compared to how Ekansh treated Eshita to how her own brother treated her, even if she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help herself. Subconsciously, every time she looked at Ekansh and Eshita, she found herself thinking of her own brother.

When she looked at Virendra and Eshita, she found herself thinking of her own father. Virendra was guilty of what he had done, Ekta had noticed that guilt, heard him apologise to Eshita, at times even take the harsh words she spat.

Was her father also feeling sorry for what he did to her? Was he also repenting for the difference he displayed between her and her brother? Does he even miss her or at least remember that he has a daughter?

Each question in her mind clashed with a dead end. She didn’t know. And did she want to know.... even that was an answer she was yet to give herself, shackled by her own fears and uncertainty.



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How did you like Ekansh and Eshita’s bond so far?

Did you feel.Ekansh’s shift back into his protective elder brother role satisfying and natural?

How did you feel about Ekta’s internal conflict?

Did the dynamic between Eshita and Ekta feel like it’s moving toward healing, or do you sense more conflict and misunderstanding ahead between them?

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Don’t forget to share your views!

Next Update: Friday!

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