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This is an unedited draft of the book, meaning there will be several grammatical errors, name mismatches, plot discrepancies, and other sematic errors. If that is something you find offence, please do not proceed further.

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Swati Sandeep

When Dheer opened his eyes again, he was in much better control of his emotions. Dhruv had stayed with him the night before. He had not spoken a word after he regained consciousness nor did Dhruv question his sudden outburst. He stayed there offering his silent support. Dheer waited for him to get bored and leave, but the man stayed all light. He knew because he pretended to be asleep, trying desperately not to call out to him.

When he did not find him on the couch, Dheer's eyes filled up. What were you expecting, genius? That he would stay? You mean nothing to him! His heart chastised. Dheer blinked away the tears. He was no longer the pathetic seven year old kid. He was Dheren Singh Randhawa. He did not need anyone.

Dheer got up from the bed. He did not have all day to laze around. He had to earn his keep. Fulfil the damn contract. The hospital bill already hung on his head. He was not dumb, and medical costs were always phenomenal. He was thinking about getting temporary health insurance when the incident happened. For all he knew he already lost the bet and that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The IV needle stung, making itself known. Dheer grabbed it, waiting to pull it out when a firm hand stopped him from doing any damage. "Kya kar raha hai? (What are you doing?) That will hurt." Dhriti hissed as she swatted his hand away. She had gone for a minute to wash her face and the kid was ready to create trouble. She could understand why Dhruv was so reluctant to leave the boy's side. He was a trouble magnet.

Dheer tensed. He did not wish to hear her gloat. "I need this removed." He avoided looking at her. Dhriti nodded her head, but checked his vitals. Everything looked good.

"This will hurt a little." She warned, waiting for the information to register. Dheer only nodded his head. Dhriti removed the IV as gently as she could. The kid barely flinched. Dev was still complaining about the pain in his wrist, and Dheer did not even react. The boys were so close in age. Dheer was raised in the lap of luxury. She was prepared for him to throw a bigger tantrum. His silence confused her.

She rubbed the hand to help ease the swelling but Dheer pulled it away from her hold. "I am fine. Thank you."

Dhrti let go. His sudden silence confused her. She was waiting for him to gloat. Throw his favor in her face. After all, he saved Dev. They owed him big time. She knew he would use the situation to his advantage, as he always did. She was even prepared with a comeback. He saved Dev and they saved his life. They were fairly even. She had the whole damn speech rehearsed. The boy never acted as she expected him to. He was driving her crazy.

Dheer got up, and felt the world spinning around him. Dhriti reached for him immediately. It was the aftermath of the medication. He would feel drowsy for hours, and he had not had anything for 24 hours. His body needed nutrition.

"You are a patient, Dheeren." Dhriti chastised as she helped him sit down. The boy was no lightweight. She had to struggle to hold him. All those muscles were not for nothing. "You cannot walk around as you please. Why did you get down?"

Dheer closed his eyes in frustration. He needed to use the loo. Her presence was not helping at all. He wished he had his grandfather with him. He was missing his grandparents. Every time he fell sick it was they who nursed him to health. His eyes misted as he recalled his grandmother's warmth. He did not remember how his mother looked after him. Those memories had quickly faded away. Sheetal was the only mother he had and he longed for her warmth.

Dheer blinked the moisture away but Dhriti noticed the sheen already. She felt guilty for scolding him. When she got worried it came out as anger. She was about to apologize when Akshu and Aman walked inside. She was surprised to see them so early in the morning. The Shekhawat siblings had not left the hospital until Dheer was shifted to a private room. They had not shown up after that. She was not expecting him to come back anytime soon.

Akshu was relieved to see Dheer awake and rushed to hug him. For a second the boy did not react but then his arms wrapped around her delicate frame. She was a decade older than them, but she had a warmth in her that he could not resist. For months he thought he was attracted to her, but only after they came to India and he had to stay away from his grandmother did he realize the true nature of his feelings. It was not an attraction he felt, it was a deep affection. She reminded him of his grandmother.

Dheer buried his face into her hair and held on, his heart taking all the comfort he could. Akshu was surprised that he was holding on. Like Aman Dheer pretended to be a macho man who did not need anyone. The sudden show of weakness surprised her, but at the same time she felt protective about him. She did not want anyone seeing her so vulnerable.

"Tu theek hai? (Are you okay?)" She whispered so softly that only he could hear. Dheer nodded his head. He wanted to cry but he could not do that with them around. No matter how much he liked Akshu, she was not his mother. He took a deep breath and pulled away.

Akshu gently helped him sit down. He looked exhausted. She looked at Dhriti, her eyes clouding with worry. "Is he okay? Can we take him home?"

Dhriti stiffened. The way the woman acted with Dheer did not sit well with her. She was a decade older than Dheer. The kid was too young to be with her. She did not wish to jump to conclusions, but really did not want them together.

"He cannot go home." At least not with you. Dhriti kept the last part to herself. Dhruv had gone home to get breakfast for the boys. Dev hated hospital food. The duty doctor wanted to keep him under observation for 48 hours. Dhruv wanted to make sure both the boys were comfortable.

"Is everything okay with him?" Aman thrust his hands in his pocket. The kid looked restless. He had the sudden dumb urge to pull the boy into his arms and offer comfort. That would embarrass them both.

"Yes." Dhriti nodded her head. "Did you contact his grandparents?"

Dheer's hands fisted by his side. They were not just his grandparents. Dhriti knew where to hit.

"No, Dr. Randhawa. As I said your grandparents are in Greece...."

"Ofcouse the pleasure trip." Dhriti's eyes glinted. "How can a kid's needs come before their own recreations?"

Dheer was about to retort when Akshu spoke up. "If they had known about Dheer's situation they would be here by now, Dr. Randhawa." Her eyes narrowed in displeasure. The woman was too bitter for her liking and she barely disliked anyone. She was not the one to judge anyone, but she could not let people abuse anyone either. "Their phones are not reachable. The trip was planned by Dheer. The island he chose cuts off communication. He wanted Mr. Randhawa to take a break from his hectic schedule, not the other way around."

"Of course" Dhriti gave a chilling smile. "You know them better." She refused to take back her words. Only she knew what kind of people the Ranhawa's were. The elderly couple never cared for them, if they truly loved Dheer, it was a miracle. She picked up her stethoscope. Now that Dheer had his best buddies around him he would not need anyone else.

She was right at the door when Dev rushed inside. She was surprised to see the boy. He had been sleeping when Dhruv left for home.

"Uth gaya, bachcha? (You are up so early, bachcha.)" She pulled him into a warm hug. After the scare he had given them she wanted to lock him up in a room for the rest of his life. Once she had to herself she would give him an earful about the stunt he pulled. Going out without informing was a big no. The kid knew it. They would have to enforce the lesson.

Dev buried his face into her curls and held on. He did not like waking up in a strange place on his own. What he did not realize was that he had woken up too early. If he woke up at his usual time Dhruv would be waiting for him with his breakfast.

Dev wanted to ask about his Bhaiya but then he remembered why he was there. He pulled back from Dhriti and rushed to greet Dheer. The nurse told him that Dheer was awake. He could not stop himself from visiting him.

Dheer's arms opened automatically as the boy threw himself in his arms. Aman had to grab them to break the fall. The boy did not know how to hold back.

"Thank god aap theek ho. (Thank god, you are fine.)" Dev deepend the hug. Dheer pulled back and looked at the boy. He wanted to make sure he was doing well.

"How are you now?"

"You made sure I will be fine." Dev's eyes misted. "Aap nahi hote to main (If not for you, I would have.....)

"Let's not go there." Dheer ruffled his hair. He was glad his brother was unharmed. That was the least he could do for his blood.

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"The same applies for you young man." Dhrur's voice startled them. Dev saw him at the door and rushed to hug him. He missed him very much. "Kahan chale gaye the aap? (Where did you go?) Pata hai maine aapko kitna miss keya? (Do you know how much I missed you?)"

Dhruv gently caressed his child's face. After a long time the boy was taking liberties with him. He was happy to have his boy back.

"Tugjhe hospital ka khana pasand nahi na, isleye breakfast lene gaya tha. (You don't like the hospital food, so I got breakfast for you.)"

Dev's eyes brightened with a smile. "Did you get me pasta?"

Dhruv nodded his head. "Go freshen up and come back. We can have breakfast in Dheer's room."

Dev bobbed his head. The word pasta was enough to spur him up. He rushed back to his room to take a quick shower. Dhruv made his way to Dheer. The boy was fidgeting on the bed. Dhruv placed the big pack of food that he brought with him. He packed enough for all of them. Even Dhrti would need her breakfast. He knew Aman and Akshu were at the hospital. Aman offered to pick him up from their home but Dhruv needed time to prepare everything so he asked them to go ahead. It was too early for anyone to eat, so he packed for everyone.

"How are you feeling, ba... Dheer?" Dhruv pushed his hands in his pocket. Squashing the urge to to pull the boy in to his arms.

Dheer nodded his head but did not look up. He was dreading the question that would likely come. He was not ready to explain his outburst.

"Did you take a shower?"

Dheer shook his head. He needed to use the washroom. He was feeling dizzy still and did not wish to impose on anyone. If he had been alone he would have called the nurse for help, but now that he was surrounded by so many people he felt conscious. Dheer was startled when Dhruv gently helped him up.

"I can manage, sir." He tried to protest but Dhruv did not pay heed and gently guided him to the adjoining restroom.

"There are bars for you to hold on." Dhruv gently explained. "The medicine will make you feel dizzy but you won't lose consciousness. If you need help, call. I will be there."

Dheer was relieved to hear that though he shook his head. He would rather take help from Dhruv than any stranger. He quickly shut the door and got down to business. Holding back pee was no fun.

Dhruv went back to unpack the breakfast. The Shekhawat siblings were getting ready to leave. He could not have that.

"Why don't you stay back for breakfast. I am sure Dheer will like your company." He said softly. Aman was very tempted. Anything Dhruv cooked would be a treat, but he looked at his sister. He wanted her to take a call. She had barely slept the night before. He did not wish to inconvenience her in any way.

"It's okay, Mr. Randhawa." Akshu offered Dhruv a polite smile. "We would not like to impose."

"I packed enough for everyone." Dhruv said as he motioned for Dhriti to sit. She looked dead on her feet. She had barely spoken a word since he had come in. Dhriti sat down without protest. She could not leave Dhruv alone with Dheer or the Shekhawat's. She did not know what new mischiefs they could brew.

"Mr. Randhawa..."

"Call me Dhruv, Akshara, I think we are past formalities. You saved my brother...."

"We did nothing." Aman shook his head. All they did was be there for the family. The siblings saved each other. That was the truth.

"Sometimes being there for someone is the best you can do, Aman." Dhruv shook his head. "Sometimes a small act of kindness can change a person's life. If you had not told me about Dheer's location, we would never have found the boys on time. I owe their life to you."

Aman tried to protest but Dhruv did not let him. "Stay for breakfast. Aman. We don't have to argue about who did what. I guess all of us are tired. We need a little refreshment."

Aman did not argue. He was starving already. Dhruv was unpacking the breakfast and the delicious aroma of the freshly cooked parathas made his mouth salivate. Dhruv had come back from the hospital only two hours back, Aman did not know how he managed to whip out breakfast for all of them, but he would not let all that delicious food go for waste.

By the time Dev was back, Dhruv had unpacked everything. Dev saw the parathas and made a face. Though he loved them just as much he was really looking forward to the pasta. Dhruv noticed the look and handed him a separate pack that he got especially for him.

"Eat when it is hot. We cannot rewarm it here."

Dev bobbed his head and made himself comfortable beside Dhriti. He reached for the spoon and then looked up.

"Bhai kahan hai? (Where is Bhai?)"

As if on cue, Dheer stepped out of the washroom. He held onto the door for support. Aman got up to help him but Dhruv was already there helping him back to the bed. Dheer leaned into his touch heavily. Dhruv's warning rang true. His body was struggling with the meds they had pumped into him.

Dhruv helped him to sit down and repositioned the bed to support his back. The boy was in no state to sit straight up.

"Aap theek ho? (Are you okay?)" Dev got up from the couch and made his way to Dheer. He was worried about Dheer's state. Dheer tried for a smile but he was too tired to exert himself.

"He is not." Dhruv said as he poured a glass of juice for Dheer and handed it to him. "But he will be fine soon."

Dheer gave the juice a suspicious look. The red color told him that it was something nasty. He took a whiff and frowned when he smelled nothing.

"You have a cold." Dhruv shook his head, he could see the skepticism in the boy's eyes. No one liked to eat healthy. At least the kid was behaving his age. If had the juice without protest, that would have really disappointed Dhruv. Now that he was behaving normally he knew what he had to do.

"It's cranberry juice. You don't have to question the taste. I am a chef for a reason. Take a sip."

"I am allergic to cranberries." Dheer said the first thing he could. He hated cranberry juice. When he was first diagnosed with CKD and his grandmother panicked she made him have the disgusting liquid with every breakfast. That was the worst year of his life. He was not touching the damn thing again.

"Right." Dhruv shook his head. "What happens when you get this imaginary allergic reaction?"

Dheer looked away. He did not think that Dhruv would catch on so soon. The man had always behaved very professionally with him. The personal touch was making him restless.

"I faint." Dheer blurted out. He had never had an allergic reaction to anything. He did not have a clue what happened in such cases, but he watched those sick soap operas with his Gammy. He used the knowledge to his advantage.

Dhrti's eyes shot up in amusement. She thought the kid was smart. The answer made her chuckle. A fifth grader could come up with a better answer. Dheer shot her a dirty look. She shook her head but did not retort back. Dhruv knew how to handle brats better. She did not have to dirty her hands.

"Good that we are in a hospital then." Dhruv said as he thrust the glass back into Dheer's hands. "Take a sip."

"What will you do if I faint?" Dheer challenged. He was really not drinking the dumb liquid if he could help it.

"Are pelo na Bhai. Bhaiya jo bhi banatey hai, bohot kamal ka banatey hai. (Whatever Bhaiya prepares is always delicious.) This must be really yummy. Take a sip."

Dheer wanted to protest but Dev forced him to taste the juice. He had done it so smoothly that Dheer did not have the heart to protest. He was prepared for the pungent taste, but he was surprised when he did not feel his stomach revolting. He pulled the glass away and looked at the glass.

"Is this really cranberry juice?"

Dhruv nodded his head. "Finish it now. That will help with the dizziness." He had mixed apples, cranberry and lemon, to help with the energy and digestion. A few minutes with the doctor had given him enough information on what to give CKD patients. The disease in itself was not life threatening but the person suffering needed to take extra care of his diet. He now understood why Dhreer stayed away from spicy food. It was a part of the rigid diet. The boy was at least wise. He was glad.

"Come here and finish your pasta, bachcha." Driti called out. The pasta was already turning cold. She knew Dev hated cold food.

Dev came back and sat with her. He was still worried about Dheer but since he was having the juice he decided to enjoy his pasta. Dhriti got up to serve everyone. The sooner they ate the sooner they would leave. Dheer needed to rest. She could see the tired look in his eyes. The boy needed to rest for a few days to recover fully.

"She set a plate for Dheer and brought it to his food table. Dhruv saw the plate and shook his head. "This is for us. There is another packet marked with an x. Get that for him."

Dhriti did as he asked, but saw the same parathas.

"Dono me kya difference hai?" She could not help the question. They looked just the same for her.

"This one has mild spice." Dhruv set the plate before Dheer and opened a packet of non dairy yogurt for him. For the others he got the regular curd, but unfortunately Dheer could not have the same. Not until he recovered fully.

Dheer was surprised to see the packet. "Aapko kaise pata ke main dahi nahi kha sakta? (how do you know that I cannot eat yogurt?)"

Dhruv handed him the spoon and stepped back. "Your doctor told me."

"Which doctor?" Dheer tensed. There was no way Dhruv could have spoken to their family doctor. He was the only one he knew about his condition.

"Dr. Sinha" Dhruv sat down beside him. "Now finish your breakfast. The doctor will be here to look at you. If he gives the all clear you can come back home today."

Dheer was relieved to hear that. The sonner he got out of the hospital the better it was for him. The thought of the bill came back to haunt him again. He did not know how he was going to manage it on the meager budget. Atleast the parathas helped in drowning the bitter taste in his mouth. Reality always sucked.

"This is delicious, Dhruv." Akshu's eyes danced in joy. She could not hold back the complement. Those were the best parathas she had in her life. "What did you add in them?"

"Magic." Aman flashed a grin as he shamelessly served himself another paratha. "That is why I want him so bad. The man is a magician in the kitchen."

Dhruv took the compliment with a smile but did not give any answer. Akshu handed him his plate. He was the only one who had not eaten anything.

"I had my breakfast already, Angel." He handed the plate back to her. "You guys go ahead."

"Tune itne jaldi kha leya? (You had it so soon?)" Her eyes widened in surprise.

Dhruv nodded his head, but Dhriti could read the lie in his eyes. There was enough food to serve an army but Dhruv was not eating. It only meant one thing, her twin was fasting again. She wanted to tackle him right away but she held back. She knew why he was fasting. Dhruv and his religious beliefs were beyond her. He was doing it for Dev, so she let it slide for now. She would have to make sure his twin took a break from work. She did not want another patient on her hand.

She had only started eating when a nurse came looking for her. There was an emergently and they needed Dhriti's help. Dhriti set the plate away and rushed out without a second thought. Dheer looked at her untouched plate of food and frowned. She had not even had a bite.

"Kha na. (Have you breakfast.)" Dhruv gently nudged him.

"Usne kuch nahi kahya. (She didn't have anything.)" Dheer pointed to her plate.

"She will have it once she is back. Doctors' schedules are unpredictable. Don't worry she knows how to keep herself fed. Now you eat. I will finish the formalities and come back. Let's go back home"

'Home' That was where Dheer wanted to go, but was Dhruv's house his home? Could he ever be welcome there? He did not know. But he was too tired to think about it. For now he decided to go with the flow.

1- Best part of the episode.

2- How will the equations change now?

3- Will Dheer's behavior change?

4- Whose truth will come out first- Dheer's or Dev's?

5- What are you looking forward to explore?

Stay tuned for the teaser