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Maahir tried to pacify him, but the boy went into a deep slumber very quickly, because of the effect of his medicine. Maahir sat beside him, caressing his head lovingly. He could feel the fever is gradually decreasing. He really don't know why his kid brother is so interested in making himself sick. There's no day without the boy getting a scolding from him for his eating habits. He's soo worried about this. He tried being soft, strict and neither seemed to  work. He's determined to find any way out for this. All he wants is, manik's good health.He could see the boy being soo weak nowadays. He would not let him compromise his health with anything.

Worrying about manik's health, he stayed beside him, caressing his head, his thoughts were disturbed as his phone's notification heard. He started going through some important mails. He got engrossed in it and when he took a look at his watch, it was already 11 . 15 am. He needed to make lunch before manik wake up. Manik would not eat if it is not made by him especially when he's sick. And, Though the boy is being cranky and angry with him for scolding him, he would expect him to stay with him all the time. So he had to go before the boy is up.He gently removed his hand from his waist, getting a small whine. Hearing that, maahir more carefully, stood up not to wake him up. He sighed in relief, standing up successfully not disturbing his brother.

Then he made his way to the kitchen and started to make what manik could eat now. Though he's prepared for a full fledged tantrum session, even though he had prepared the food. It took him a whole 1 hour and when he's done and was about to take off his apron, manik hugged him from behind, with his eyes closed.

"Kyu aaye ap yaha...mai so rha tha na.." maahir pulled him front and again manik hugged without leaving him a chance to speak.

"Bahut bure ho ap ...huh" Maahir caressed his head and said, "I had to make lunch manik, chalo ab sab ready hai, jaake fresh hoke aao... goo" manik shook his head, snuggling himself in his embrace.

"Manik, der ho rha hai u should have ur lunch and medicine...chalo" He tried pulling him out, but the boy again hid himself there in his embrace.

"Mujhe nai khana...na wo healthy food na hi wo medicine....mujhe neend aa rhi hai...ap chalo mere saath...mujhe sone do aap .." Maahir shook his head in disbelief. He is such a stubborn kid, bcoz he is his kid!

"Not happening manik, jaldi jaake fresh hoke aao..."manik hugged him more tightly, stopping his sentence in middle, "mai nai jaa rha hu...mujhe nai khana hai..." He said in a raised voice, and stubbornness evident in his tone.

"First thing, mind ur tone and secondly U will eat with or without your liking. Beemar hai isiliye abhi tak maara nai maine, ek toh tabiyat kharab kar dete ho, na kuch thik se khate ho aur na he mere baat sunte ho...aur ab nakhre dikhane ki himat bhi hai tujhe...i really don't want to scold you manik, when u r sick. Chup chap jaake muh dhoke aa...u look so pale manik, baat mano plss.."Maahir  said, his tone low and calm. Manik looked up at him and pouted.

"Bhaiya I know mai thik se nai khata hu...but now i realised ab se sachi thik se khaunga mai...ap plss fikar mat karo...lekin mujhe ye naii khana hai...plsssss" He brought his adorable puppy face and tried to melt him. If not stubbornness, he would bring up his another trick, which is "Puppy face"

"Aur wo medicine...yuck..! Wo mujhe bilkul nai khana hai...mai na Samar bhai se baat he nai karunga ab...kitna kadwa medicine de rhe hai mujhe...huh" He continued and said with a cute angry look.

"Hogya?" Maahir asked, manik pouted again.

"Bhaiyaa—" Maahir glared at him stopping him from saying anything.

"Bas manik, ab ek aur lafz nai...chup chap chal mere sath" He had enough of it now. It's getting late and the boy needs to have both his lunch and medicine, he could see him delaying it intentionally, and that made him angry. He dragged him to his room, and ordered him to get freshen up and come out within 5 mins.

"Bhaiyaaa ...plss kyu kar rhe ho aise..." Though he came out within 5 mins as he doesn't wish to get whacked, he couldn't help but throw more tantrums as he was again dragged to the dining table. He tried to get rid of maahir's hold, but maahir has a firm hold.

"Bhaiyaa chodo na... Warna Mai aapse baat nai karungaa..." He stated angrily but maahir gave deaf ears to him. He sat him down but the boy stood up, making him glare harder.

"SIT. DOWN!" He ordered him sternly.

"NAHII!" He stated stubbornly.

They both glared at each other for few seconds before manik lowered his gaze as he could feel the intense behind maahir's glare and dared to peek a look at his face and looked down again.

"MAI YEH AAKHIRI BAAR BOL RHA HU MANIK, YOU.ARE.GOING.TO.EAT.NOW! AND I SHOULD NOT HEAR ANY ARGUMENTS FROM YOU. IS THAT CLEAR TO YOU?" The tone he used held no room for argument and a warning that manik must stop with his tantrums. And the look on his face told, he is damn serious about it.

"I asked, IS THAT CLEAR TO YOU MANIK BHARDWAJ?" Taking a step closer, when he didn't got a reply from him, maahir asked again making manik gulp.

"Cr.. crystal...bhaiyaa.." Tears rolled down on his cheeks. Can't he talk softly... he's sick here and his brother is being ultra pro max hitler. He decided not to talk to him. He sat down quietly as Maahir's glare remained.

"Hitlerr" He mumbled.

"Manik" Manik made a face and whined,
"Kuch nai bol rha hu mai ...huh ... i don't wanna talk to you!!" Maahir shook his head in disbelief.

"Muh khol.." Settling himself beside manik, he begun to feed him.

"Bhaiyaa—" Manik hoped against the hope and tried once more which got interrupted so quickly.

"Ya toh ye khana hai ya thappad khana hai...tu hi decide kar" Manik zipped his mouth but opened it reluctantly as Maahir glared at him again. Manik wished he could stand those scary eyes but nahh not happening!! ┐⁠(⁠￣⁠ヘ⁠￣⁠)⁠┌

"Bhaiyaa bas...na plsss kha liya na maine" Though manik is satisfied with the taste.. ofc he would as it's made by maahir. The boy is not ready to finish atleast half of the plate and maahir is really annoyed.

"Kya khaya tune...half plate tak khatam nai kiya tune...muh khol chup chap.." Manik shook his head, drinking water. Maahir too shook his head, with a stern face.

"Manik.."

"Bhaiyaa kaha na bas...bas bhaiyaa chodo mujhe ....mai jaa rha hu" he stood up and said angrily.

"sit down manik" Maahir said, in a calm tone.

"Nai...mai jaa rha hu" Before he could take a step forward, he was dragged back to his place and was whacked hard on his forearm.

Maahir who was going thin on patience, got super annoyed with his stubborn acts. His patience snapped when the boy dared to go even after his word. He controlled himself a lot since morning just because he was sick. Now that his fever decreased, he just needs to fuel energy in him. And for that he needs to eat. And testing him with his health would be the worst thing to get a reaction out of him. Though he felt bad as he whacked him, as always, he could not do anything for that. He knows that manik would be super upset with him now, not a problem for him. But his health matters to him more. He will pacify him later.

"Open your mouth" Maahir stated sternly, maintaining a firm look on his face.

Manik who rubbed his forearm, as it stung hard, looked at him with glassy eyes and opened his mouth quietly.

"Bhaiyaa...bas..plss" Manik again tried after having 2 more morsel.

"Du ek aur Tereko...?" He shook his head and ate quietly after that, Maahir felt so guilty on seeing the already paled face more paled. He shouldn't have done that still that only worked, as manik had full of the plate and he was glad about that. But sighed sadly as he made his kid upset. And he hoped atleast for once, manik would agree to medicines without tantrums now. He doesn't want to make him more upset by being more strict, if he didn't.

As soon as finished eating, manik ran upstairs to his room without hearing maahir's caution of not to run and on reaching there, he sat on his bed sadly, covering himself with his blanket. He's soooooooooooo angry with maahir at the same time he could also see how worried his brother is. He is angry but not upset. He will understand yet he will sulk. He will accept the reasons behind maahir's strictness yet he would make him grovel. He talked to himself with making cute angry faces and that's when maahir entered with medicine in his hand and tired look on his face. Manik pouted sadly peeking a look at his face.

"Man—" Before he start, manik forwarded his hand, without looking at him and that was quiet a big surprise for maahir.

"Hmmmmm" he made a sound to bring back maahir from his surprise to reality and maahir handed him the medicine and much more to his surprise he had it without a single tantrum. Maahir blinked his eyes twice and checked manik's forehead to which manik rolled his eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked, still couldn't bring himself to believe what just happened now.

Rolling his eyes, he made his way back to his bed and took out his phone.

"Bas todi der use karunga fir so jaunga..." Manik said himself, before maahir could say anything. But he didn't said anything. He understood that his brother is very angry with him. He is not even looking at him.

Maahir took a step forward, and manik said firmly, "Apko bhi khana chahiye bhaiya... I'll take care ap jao plss.." Maahir smiled and shook his head.

"I know manik... I'll go okay.." Saying, he reached manik who frowned but pouted looking down as Maahir placed a kiss on his forehead.

"I'm sorry" He caressed his head and when manik looked at him gave him a cute angry look, he smiled and moved out.

"Hitlerrrrrrrrrrrrrr" he grumbled to himself and scrolled his phone for few mins before taking a nap.

It is evening and manik is still asleep, samar walked in to find maahir sitting beside him and working on his laptop. As soon as  maahir felt his presence, he looked up at him and nodded slightly and Samar walked to him.

"Now what's with you Mr Elder Bhardwaj ?" He raised his eyebrows and asked, maahir shook his head and smiled at him.

"I'm fine, tu usse check kar...his fever has reduced" Samar gave him a look which he ignored and started to wake manik up.

"Manik...manik...get up..." Manik stirred a bit but then hugged Maahir and again slept making samar chuckle at his cute antics.

Maahir glared at him.

"Tu has kya rha hai...subah se itna zid kiya na yeh...I lost my patience.. i seriously don't know why he is not taking his health as a priority yar...toda sa bhi fikar nai hai iss ladke ko...aur ab mujhse gussa hai because I— scolded him and raised my hand.." He sighed sadly. Samar kept his hand on his shoulder and nodded.

"Arre, he's just a kid, yaar... he'll behave like this. Instead of getting angry, we should teach him the importance of health. Try different approaches, but avoid anger – it won't yield good results and might make things worse. I know I shouldn't be telling you this; you know how to handle your child. Just be a bit more patient and have a conversation with him. Manik understands you like no one else." Maahir nodded his head in understanding. He knows that he should have a conversation with him about this, and he'll! Once the boy gets well.

"Aur tu...zyada worked up lag rha hai...I know you are worried about him, but don't let that take a toll on yourself. U should take care of him, and not fall weak, okay?! ..." Maahir nodded with a smile but soon glared at him as samar continued, "isiliye ab jaake hum sab k liye garam garam coffee aur snacks bana ke leke aao...jao jao....." As Maahir raised his eyebrows with a glare, folding his hands, he again continued, "What?! Stop giving me that look okay?!...mai tera chota bhai nai hu jo tumse darta hu.....jaa na" Laughing at him as he made his way out whispering, "Idiot", samar sat beside manik and tried waking him up.

" Arre par mujhse kyu gussa ho? Maine kya Kiya bhai?" Samar didn't understand why manik is not even looking at him but still making it known that he's super angry with him. Manik let him check without speaking and when he was done, he made it known that he's angry with him.

"Arre bata toh sahi...mujhse kyu gussa ho bacha?" He tried to take him in his embrace but he pushed him gently and rolled his eyes.

"Mannu yaar kya hai bata na..." He whined like small kid. Manik giggled but straightened up and maintained the attitude look as samar saw him.

"Acha ji...last time puch rha hu Tu batayega ya nai?"He asked, a playful warning underlying on his tone.

Manik turned his face and rolled his eyes.

"Teri toh..." He launched himself on him, tickling him mercilessly.

"Hahaha...hahaa..bhai ..bhai...bhai...bas...hahaha...acha...bhai plss ab bas bhi karo plsss..." Manik laughed out loudly and struggled hard to form sentences.

"Kyu ab kyu bas karu....mujhe attitude de rha tha na tu....Mujhe han....now I'll make you pay for it...." He smirked and tickled more. Both laughed so loudly and ended up heaving deep breaths and tiredly laid on the bed.

"Ab bata toh sahi kyu gussa ho mujhse?" Samar sat up straight and asked.

Manik glared at him, "toh gussa nai toh aur kya karu...ek toh Hitler humesha mujhpe hitlergiri dikhate hai aur ap hai ki doctor giri....aur mai bechara ap dono ke beech sandwich ban gya hu ..huh... seriously bhaii itnaaaaaaa kadwa medicine kyu dete ho yar..." He cried dramatically, complaining how mean they are while samar tried hard to held back his chuckle.

"Apko hasi aa rhi hai bhai...u know what jao aap...mujhe na aap dono se baat nai karna hai....jaaaooooooo" He shouted a bit atlast and struggled as samar hugged him tightly.

"Acha acha acha...sorrryyyyyy....am sooo sorry ....shaant ho jaa yaar..." He whined with an apology and manik stopped squirming in his hold.

"Am sorry bacha...wo fever zyada tha na isiliye I had to give that...ab se nai dunga ok...and for that Tereko bhi apna khyal rakhna hoga.. it's so easy mannu..u don't want medicines, u should be healthy." Manik pouted but nodded.

"Ab maafi mil gya na mujhe?" He asked with a smile but made a dramatic sad face on hearing him.

"Naiii"

"Par kyu??"

"Agar maafi chahiye toh apko ek kaam karna padega" Samar gulped as mischief was clearly evident in his eyes.

"Kya hai...dekh pehle he bol rha hu...it should be nothing related to your health thik hai" Manik nodded with rolling his eyes.

"Zyada roll mat kar, pitega tere bhaiya se" saying, he rolled his eyes. Bhardwaaj brothers and their attitude. ┐⁠(⁠ ⁠∵⁠ ⁠)⁠┌

"Mai toh unse baat he nai karunga..." He mumbled and samar had a smirk on his face, he would love to watch The great Maahir Bhardwaaj grovelling to his kid brother.

"Acha ap suno..apko na..." He fidgeted with his fingers and that made samar frown.

"Kya hua...? Bata kya karna hai mujhe?"
He asked sensing, something is fishy.

"Wo..mujhe.....wo" He stammered but pouted and thought to tell him.

"Next week college ka ek trip hai bhai...and...mere saare friends jaa rhe hai...and I'm sure bhaiya mujhe nai Jana denge...and to make a plus point on his side, now I got sick, ab toh pakka mana kar denge...but I'm fine right...mujhe bhi Jana hai bhai...ap bhaiya se baat karo na...trip toh next week hai na I'll be perfect by then...plsss plsss plssss plss plsss..." Samar got tensed. The thing is, manik can't take care of himself and he  often gets sick and that's why maahir could not let him go anywhere knowing that he would be sick on returning and also maahir won't have a good feeling on staying away from his kid. He knows that very well. At the same time, he could understand manik's wish to go and enjoy with his friends. Boys in his age would definitely find entertainment in all these things. He wants to take his side and approach maahir with the topic but he couldn't help but agree with maahir's point of view as well. He was in dilemma as soon as manik spoke out. And his thoughts were snapped when manik shook him, whining to say something.

"Bhaiii bolo na ap bhaiya se baat karoge na... dekho ap nah bol he nai sakte ho...warna Mai aapse baat nai karunga..." He made a serious face and samar don't know what to do.

"Bacha..wo.." manik interrupted him.

"Ap baat nai karoge na bhaiya se...Fine i don't want to talk to you!" He turned his face and sat quietly.

Samar re- thought about it. Giving it a try won't hurt right. He can do anything to bring a smile on his face. He treated him as his own kid brother since he had met him. And he can't help but do what he had asked him as his sad face won't sit well with him.

"Acha thik hai baat karta hu usse" Manik quickly turned and hugged him tightly, "thank you bhaiiiii....I love you soooo much!!!" Samar smiled and caressed his head.

"I love you too bacha" He placed a kiss on his forehead. Manik felt happy on hearing him agreeing to what he asked. But frowned and made a pout as samar begun to talk.

"But i can't promise his approval...and u too know that right.." Samar cupped his face and said, "Arre muh mat bana yar.... I'll try my best to convince him...hmm? Tu aise sad face mat bana plss..." Manik smiled widely and hugged him once again.

"Ap bahut ache ho bhaii" samar chuckled loudly, hugging him back.

"Acha todi der pehle toh mai bahut bura tha na" he asked and manik said, " Wo pehle the ap...ab nai..." Both ended up laughing, hugging each other tightly.

And this was the scene, maahir was welcomed with. He made a face on seeing manik and samar teasing and laughing with eachother. His kid brother is not even looking at him and talking is a distant dream now. And even imagining how manik is gonna make him pay made him sigh in defeat. And here his dear friend is teasing and enjoying with him...ughh! He entered inside with manik's favourite snacks and coffee.

"Waah yaar!! U know what tujhe toh profession change karna chahiye, it's delicious man!!" Saying that, his eyes met with maahir's who's glaring at him. More like, throwing daggers at him.

"Arre tum dono bhai ko kuch aur kaam nai hai kya yaar..ab younger Bhardwaaj kya kam ghur rha hai ki elder bhardwaaj ji bhi itna ghur rhe hai mujhe...tum dono ko ghurne ke liye mai he Mila hu kya??" He sulked.

"Bhai ap inko chodo...inka kaam he yahi hai ...jab dekho ghurte rehte hai...huh" Maahir turned his gaze on him who ate silently.

"Ab usse kyu ghur rhe ho ...bacha hai wo" Dropping his hand on manik's shoulder, he said and manik giggled.

"How's he now samar?" He asked ignoring their teasing looks.

"He's fine. As i already told, weak toh hai...ache se khana khayega toh ek dum thik ho jayega...and sirf aj ek raat medicine de dena aur nai dena padega." Maahir nodded at his instructions and Manik whined, the second he stopped.

"Bhai...mujhe fir se wo kadwa medicine nai lena hai..."  Both samar and maahir glared at him.

"Chup mannu...bas aj ek raat ke liye bol rha hu. U need to take it matlab u need to do it. Samjhe?" Before maahir, samar spoke up, sternly.

Pouting, manik nodded his head. Samar smiled and caressed his head. In all this maahir fumed. If he takes the same tone, he would start sulking like anything and now He just agreed to what this idiot friend ,samar told. Wow! Just Wow!

If looks could kill, Samar Agrawal would be ashes by now, for sure!!!

As soon as samar realised the look maahir had in his face, his eyes glinted with mischief.

"Mannu idhar aao bacha" he called him lovingly.

"Han bhai bolo.." Samar hugged him tightly.

"I love you soo much bacha..." Manik chuckled, but don't know what happened to him.

" I love you too Bhai..." He too hugged him tightly.

Maahir's face become red soon and he moved out.

Samar laughed out sooo loudly making manik confused.

"Kya hua hai apko??" He asked but upon realising his brother is missing there, he become sad and samar stopped laughing.

"Tujhe kya hua?" He asked him.

"Bhaiya ko mujhe mana na tha na...par wo toh chale gye..." He pouted sadly.

"Arre wo kaha jayega idiot...abhi kuch kaam hoga...aa jayega tujhe manane thik hai...aur han Make him grovel a lot...jaldi se maana nai thik hai.." Both grinned and hi- fived.

"Thik hai bhaii" Samar stood up, he needs to leave but before that he should have a conversation with his dear jello friend.

"Acha Mai jaake tere bhaiya se baat karta fir nikhalta hu...tu aaram kar todi der and pls take care... hmm?" Manik hugged him, nodding in okay.

"Okay Bhai..." Caressing his head and making sure he laid on his bed comfortably, samar moved out, making his way to maahir.

"Ahm...ahm"

Samar faked a cough as soon as he made his way to the terrace and found him gazing at the sky.

Turning back, maahir glared at him but didn't said anything.

"Acha itna gussa hai ki baat bhi nai karega mujhse...?" He asked with a dramatic questioning look.

"Arre dil tod diya yaar tune...mere nadan sa dil ko tod diya tumne....apne ek lauta best friend se baat nai karega tu....haww mannu sahi kehta hai...tu bahut bura hai yaar.. bura insaan..." Maahir let him whine all he wanted. He's disturbed with something.

"Yaha Mai itna bol rha hu ..aur tu kuch bol he nai rha hai...." He turned him forcefully but getting a look from him he gulped.

"Are you okay?" He dared to ask the question in a meek voice.

And he was the same person who said ,
"Mai Tera chota bhai nai hu jo tumse darta hu " ┐⁠(⁠´⁠ー⁠｀⁠)⁠┌

"I'm NOT!" Samar regretted his idea of teasing him as his best friend is in a bad mood now. He felt like crying as he really don't wanna be the one, he wishes to toast alive now.

"Maahir...wo...mai...mazak..ka..kar.. rha tha yaar.." Maahir glared at him and Samar gulped hard.

"Do you seriously think I'm Upset with that? Tujhe lagta hai on seeing my kid happy I would feel upset? Chahe reason kuch bhi ho I just wish to see him happy always... Aur wo tere saath haste haste kitna khush tha I was happy with that...han wo...mujhe toda sa...aise laga bcoz wo mujhse baat nai kar rha hai...baat karna toh dur wo mujhe dekh bhi nai rha hai... isiliye mai aagya waha se...but iska matlab ye nai ki I felt bad on seeing u both like that. Do you understand?" Samar nodded meekly. He is a doctor but felt like getting scolded like a naughty student infront of a principal. He sulked to himself.

"Toh fir pareshan kyu lag rhe ho...dekh sach mein mannu thik hai..." He thought maahir is worried for manik.

"Nai yar...woh toh I can see myself...but I am worried about something else." Maahir rubbed his forehead and sighed. Samar frowned. What else?

"Toh fir kya hua??"

"Uske clg ka msg aaya...about a trip next week" Samar sighed tiredly. Now he could understand his worry.

"Kya? kuch bol..." Maahir said, as he stood silently, engrossed on his own thoughts.

"Pata hai mujhe...aur mai bhi wohi baat tumse karna aaya hu.." he said and maahir didn't have to think as what he's upto, as he knew it all well.

"Forget about it samar!" He stated firmly before continuing, "Tujhe bhi pata hai iss baat ke liye mujhe kyu nai maana hai...so it's better if u don't even start!" He left nothing for samar to protest in his tone itself. Samar felt helpless. Heaving a determined sigh, he took a step closer,

"I know maahir and I can understand your view very well. But you should also keep yourself in manik's place and see what he would feel. Pichle baar kya hua tha ye mujhe tumhe yaad dilane ki zarurat nai and I'm not saying it would repeat ...still...aise he chalta rha toh..manik would start feeling bad about you stopping him at this. Ye nai hona chahiye right?!Fir bhi mai ye nai keh rha hu ki, send him even though you have insecurities... Mai bas itna bol rha hu... Lay orders and tell him if he agrees he can go.. he's very excited about it maahir... Think about it..." He left after that, but his words remained there, making maahir go back a year ago, On that one day, where he had gone crazy.

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~Nithila