Samrat closed the door behind him leaned against the door. Walking away from Sam was one of the hardest things he had to. His eyes clouded with tears, he wanted to go back and embrace his kid brother, but his hands were tied. If he gave in to his weakness, a happy family would shatter. He did not belong with the Wadhwa's. He could not go back.  

A sob threated to escape, but he bit his lips hard. He could not cry. He was no longer the helpless teenager who felt lost, he was Samrat Dsouza Wadhwa. He bowed to no one. Not even destiny. He wiped away the moisture from his eyes and walked to the kitchen. Alex totted behind him and settled down on the kitchen floor.

"Bhook lage hai?" Samrat tried for a smile but he could not muster it. Alex shook his head and closed his eyes. He was getting old. Samrat's eyes misted. Very soon he would loose him. For a decade Alex was his only family. Losing him was not easy. he leaned against the counter, gathering courage. He could not take another loss.

He couched down before the dog and nuzzled his mane.

"Thoda sa khale, champ" He coaxed gently. "Khayega nehi to taqat kasie ayege?"

Alex gave him a tired look. His old bones were too tired. He had waited all day for him to come back patiently. He did not have the energy to do much more.

Samrat pored him bowl and sat down beside him. Alex sighed deeply but took a lick to please Samrat. Once he started to drink he realized he was hungry and finished the whole milk. He felt much better. He cozied to Samrat, putting his head in Samrat's lap.

"Woh bahar hai, champ" Samrat combed his hands though Alex' mane. The dog felt soothed. He looked up, as if asking Samrat, Who?

"Kitna bada ho gaya hai na? Pechle baar ja dekha tha, to bas  itna sa tha." He gestured. "Aap dekho, bilkul hero lag raha hai" His lips curved into a smile. "Hai na?"

Alex gave him a soulful look.

"Tughe yaad hai tum aur woh milke kitna kheltey the? Din bhar bas lawn me he rehtey they. Jab tak daaat na pade, andar nehi atey the. Aaj woh bacha kitna bada ho gaya hai......" His voice closed off. His eyes filled up against his wishes. Alex gave out a concerned whine. Samrat wiped away his tears.

"Are main nehi ro raha champ. Bas ankho me kuch pad gaya. Tu rest kar. Main kapde badal ke ata hoon."

He got up and walked away. Alex stared at his retreating back, he did not like seeing him so sad. He got up and traded to the door. His old bones protested but he still managed to walk out of the door though the dog entrance. Samrat had the door remodeled to accommodate his entry. He had the freedom to go in and out as he pleased without waiting for his master to come back.

He totted outside to finish his business and stopped dead his tracks when he heard a tiny little whine. He looked around, his blurred eyes could not see anything clearly but he could see  the boy in the lawn. He went to check on the boy and was surprised to see the tiny creature popping from under his jacket. He looked like a dog.

He walked to check on the tiny little thing and took a big whiff. He was delighted to realize that it was indeed a fellow dog. He nudged the little one with his big wet nose. The tiny pup got scared and buried his head back into Sam's jacket. He shivered in terror. For him, Alex looked like a big scary lion. He did not understand that Alex was trying to greet him.

Alex nudged him again. This time Sam woke up groggily. His head was pounding. The setting run rays burned his eyes. He blocked them out with his arm. Alex growled at him, Sam looked down at him and sighed.

"Bhaiya ka gussa to samaj ata hai, Alex. Tughe kya ho gaya yaar? Tu to mera buddy tha na?" He tired to touch him but Alex growled again. Sam pulled his hand back. he was feeling low, his bhaiay was not talking. He was not feeling well and he could not stay in Delhi forever. He had to go back to Mumbai. He did not wish to go back home empty handed. His mother was suffering a lot. So was his father. They all missed him. Shay had the right to know their bhaiya. For once he wished his bhaiya was not so stubborn.

He rubbed his tired eyes and got up. His throat was burning. He needed water. He forced himself to walk to the door. The pup whined. Sam looked down startled. He had almost forgotten about the pup. He sighed and put him down gently.

"Bhook lage hai?"

The pup whined. Sam couched down to his level and nuzzled his tiny mane.

"Bhaiya se doodh mangtey hai. Mughe andar nehi ane denge, lekin tughe mana nehi karnge. He has a heart of gold, buddy"  The pup nuzzled closer to him whining.

Sam got up to knock the door and felt his head spinning. He hated being sick. For a second all he wanted to do was go back home. He wanted to feel his mothers protective embrace, but he knew he could not go back home empty ended. He leaned against the door tired. It was hard for him to take his bhaiya's anger. He was so used to Samrat's love that the anger was hard to swallow. Tears threated but he blinked them away. His bhaiya had showered him with so much love. He could take a little bit of anger.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Sam sighed and knocked again. His vison blurred again. He tried to blink it away but he could not. He leaned against the door exhausted and lowered himself down. The pup jumped into his lap worried. He licked his face all over whining. Sab was too exhausted to offer comfort. Dehydration and exhaustion took  a toll on him.

Alex saw his condition and trotted to him. The pups scared whines worried Alex. He tried to console the pup, but the little one once again shied away. Alex shook his muzzle and trotted inside. 

Samrat's room was in the second floor. His old legs could not take him so far, so he barked to get his masters attention. Samrat never ignored Alex. he came down to check on him. The moment Samrat got down, Alex tugged at his kurta and tried to drag him towards the door.

"What happened alex?" Samrat frowned, but Alex did not rest till Samrat obliged and accompanied him. Alex stopped at the door and barked.

"Tu janta hai main use andar nehi ane de sakta" Samrat tried to reason with the dog. Alex barked again and grabbed his kurta.

"Alex....."

Alex shook his head firmly and indicated towards the door. He did not budge till Samrat opened the door. Sam almost collapsed when the door opened suddenly. Samrat was shocked to see his state. He couched down to check on him.

"Kya hua Sam?" Samrat was too worried to put on pretenses. Sam leaned into his familiar warmth. He felt instantly soothed.

"bhaiya" His voice was but a groan. Samrat felt his forehead. It was burning. He helped him stand immediately. He had not known that Sam was so sick. he would never have behaved so harshly with him.

"Kabse tabeyat kharab hai?" He asked as he took him inside. Samir was too tired to answer. His eyes were drooping. He leaned heavily into Samrat's touch.

Alex barked furiously. He was not bothered about the boy, he was worried for the tiny pup who was crying on their doorstep.

Samrat stopped and looked around. He was surprised to see the pup. He wanted to ask from where he came but then he stopped himself. There was no way the pup would have come all on his own. Someone must have got him inside, there was no one other than sam there.

"I will come back for him, Alex. You stay with him"

Alex bobbed his head and sat down beside the crying pup. Samrat took Sam inside. He lived in a three bedroom condo. He had converted the room in the first floor as his office. He regrated the choice immediately. The boy was sick and he had to drag him up a flight of stairs. With no choice he picked up sam. The boy's weight shocked him. The little sam he used to cart around on his shoulders weighed nothing. The teenager had put on a lot of muscles. Samrat worked out frequently and yet struggled to get him to the room. 

He settled the boy on the bed and tried to wake him.

"Sone do na bhaiya" Sam whined and turned around to hug him. Samrat sighed in relief. For a second he was scared that Sam had lost consciousness. He patted his head gently.

"Soja, bacha. koi disturb nehi karega tughe." He whispered softly. Sam was too exhausted to hear anything. Samrat pulled back before he could lose himself. He could not get attached. He reminded himself for the thousandth time and walked away to check on the pup. He found the little one still crying and picked him up.

"Aab tu kaha se aa gaya champ?"

The little pup looked up with sad eyes. Samart noticed the blind eye and immediately felt sorry for him. No one could resist the innocent pup, Sam was too kind to walk away from an adorable being like him.

"Sam theek hai" He patted the pup gently. "Upar karme me aram kar raha hia. Tughe uske paas leke jaoga. Okay?"

The pup whined. He did not understand a word, but Samart's kind voice comforted him. Samrat took the pup to the room and placed him near Sam. The pup instantly snuggled to Sam, looking for comfort. He had found sam only a few hours ago, but already he bonded with the boy. For the pup Sam was his safety. Samrat respected that emotion.

"Theek hai woh. Main doctor ko bulata hoon. He will be fine soon" He assured the pup as much as he assured himself. The pup gave him a sad look and once again cuddled to Sam. Samart left them alone and went down to call the doctor. he could nor rest till the call was made.

Doctor  Rihaan Mehra, was an elderly man in his early fifties. His kind eyes narrowed as he took Samir's pulse. He did not like what he was observing. He took out his small torch and checked Samir eyes. The boy protested, Rihaan let him whine and continued with his examination. he was very upset with the finding. He had a daughter of that age. It was not an age to fall sick. The boy had not eaten for a couple of days at least.

He looked at Samrat disappointed, "Kitne din se bhooka hai?"

Samrat was taken aback, "Bhooka?"

"Lag to asie he raha hai? Kafe weak aur exhausted hai bacha. Dehydrated bhi. Philhal drips ke zarurat nehi hai. Make sure he eats something. Ghar pe coconut water hai?"

Samart shook his head.

"Order some Samrat. The boy will need to keep himself hydrated. Make sure he eats a warm meal, don't give him medicines on an empty stomach. That will do more harm then good. I will send Chavi over. She will make something for the boy."

They stayed next door. He was giving Samrat the best option. Chavi, his elder daughter was engaged to Samrat. They were college sweethearts. He was very happy in his daughters choice and gave the happy couple his blessing, three years ago. He was still patiently waiting for them to take the next step in their relationship. He considered Samrat his son, so he did not mind Chavi spending time with Samrat.

"I will manage uncle....."

"How will you, Samrat?" Rihaan shook his head. "Go and get the medicines. I will stay with the boy. Chavi will make the meal. You do not have to handle everything on your own. You have your family with you, son. Remember that."

Samrat sighed. Rihaan had always treated him like a son. he did not have the heart to disobey him. He left from there quietly, trusting Rihaan to take care of Sam in his absence. By the time he came back with the medicines, he could smell the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. He was no cook. He managed to prepare a few minimal dishes. something that he needed to survive. Chavi on the other hand was a great cook.

He could stop himself from admiring his woman for a second. Dressed in a simple white shirt, and an ice-blue jeggings, she still managed to look breathtakingly beautiful. Her honey brown hair that he admired so much was neatly secured by a big clutch. Her hazel eyes sparkled as soon as she saw him. The welcoming smile on her full pink lips warmed his heart. It was that smile that gave him courage to move on with his life.

The evening sun rays caressed her face gently, adding an alure that could not be defined in words. If Samrat had not fallen in love with her already, he was sure he would fall in love with her again. There was nothing more enticing than a woman in her barefoot, cooking and smiling in greeting. Her warm smile reminded him so much of his mother that it was almost painful, but he was glad to have Chavi in his life! He would always treasure her, not becuase she was gorgeous woman, but because she had a heart of gold!

"Aise tadtey rahoge ya andar ake mughe ek hug bhi doge?" Chavi teased with a smile. Samart came to his senses and walked inside to greet her. She stepped up to hug him. She could already read the destress in his eyes. As his partner she was well aware of his past. She knew how much he was hurting. She did not want her Samrat hurt. The boy had to go back home. She needed to do something about it.

Samrat wrapped his arms around her delicate frame and buried his face into her neck. Chavi held on, letting him take all the comfort he needed.

"Woh theek hai, Samrat. Thoda khalega to better feel karega. You have nothing to feel guilty for."

Samrat pulled back and shook his head. "I should have known, Avi. He told me he was sick. I ignored it. bache ke tabeyat bohot kharab ho gaye hai. I....."

Chave cupped his face gently, silencing him. "Kuch nehi hua hai tumhare bache ko. Bas thoda dehydrate ho gaya hai. Use ache se khelao aur dawai de do. Bilkul theek ho jayega. He is seventeen Samrat. Kids that age are very resilient, but careless. Tumhe mannae ke chakkar me khana pena bhool gaya hoga."

Samrat looked away.

"Itna pyar kartey ho Samrat, use sach kyun nehi bata detey. Kyun khud ko taqleef de rahe ho? Tell him every thing Samrat. Tell you mother everything...."

"And what, Avi? Let a happy family break?" Samrat pulled back.

"A happy family broke the day their son walked out on them, Samrat. If they were indeed so happy they he never have not come here looking for you. He would not be calling you over the last few years. he would not be trying so hard now. Woh bacha sach me tumhe bohot miss karta hai, Samrat. Ek baar apne mumma ke bare me bhi socho na....."

"Don't go there, Avi"

"She will not want this, Samrat" Chavi shook her head sadly. "A child is a very important part of a mother's life....."

"She is not my mother alone, Avi. She had two other children to worry about....."

"Par....."

"Please, Avi. I don't want to argue with you. You have trusted me so much. I will do anything you ask of me, but I cannot do this. I am...."

Chavi blocked his mouth with her palm before he could apologize. She did not want her Samrat apologizing to anyone. 

"I made the soup, and warmed up the biriyani. Make sure you eat, you cannot take care of the kid when you are unwell. So eat first and then take care of the boy. His temperature is a little high. Dad is giving him cold stipes now. Go and take over. You will feel better. I will come back in the morning."

Samrat nodded his head. He was grateful for her understanding. 

"You will also need to call in the vet. The pup does not look so good. Dad was saying that he would need his vaccine shots. specially since he is so attached to the kid. You do not want the boy falling sick again."

Samrat sighed but agreed. Luckily the Vet was due to come visit alex the next day. He would not have to book in  a special appointment. Chavi plated the soup and handed it to him.

"Khela do use. You can pretend to not care in the morning. Dawai se zyada taqat pyar me hota hai, Samart. Yeh baat tumhe samjhane ke zarurat nehi hai. Hai na?"

Samrat nodded his head. She went up on her tiptoes, draped her arms around his neck and dropped a warm kiss on his forehead and walked away. The differences in their heights put Chavi at a disadvantage, but she never looked at it that way. She was too confident in his love to let appearances deter her in any way. Samrat sighed,  that was the reason he fell for her so hard. Chavi Mhera was a very complicated woman. She was the only solace in his life. Without her he would be lost! 

Next update after 350 votes and comments.

1- Best part of the episode.

2- About Sam- Samrat Bond

3- Opinion on Rihan

4- Opinion on Avi (Chavi)

5- Next part is full of Sam and Samrat. Other than that what do you want?

6- Avi and Samrat as a couple. How do you rate them?

7- How many of you are already attached to Alex?

8- What should the pup be named?