1st October

"You like OneRepublic?" Shreya asked as Gyan turned on the music system and played Counting Stars.

"Die-hard fan!" He said placing a hand over his heart. Dev clapped at the song and got back on painting. Shreya recently taught him how to draw an apple and he didn't seem to stop drawing it since then.

"I like them too." She confessed with an eager smile.

"Really?" He plopped down on the couch and threw his head back looking at the ceiling. "See... we're alike. I knew it."

As a response, she only smiled.

"What's your favorite song of them?" He asked quietly.

"Apologize."

"Ah- a melancholic masterpiece. Do you relate?"

Well... she wasn't particularly expecting that question, but answered anyway. "Yes."

"Guessed so." He was off today for some reason. The whole morning, he spent inside his room on the first floor, didn't even show up during lunch. Dona sent his food to his room. Turned out he hadn't finished the food when she brought the tray back. Ritu went to her college as they had selected two of her designs for the runway. Before puja vacation, today was her last day of college. Abhimanyu left for office after having breakfast at the table which was a new habit, he had picked up recently and didn't come home for lunch today as well.

One question that was bothering her lately, Isha mansion didn't have any framed photographs of any of the family members. Such a big house but without any memories. It was odd but she never brought up the matter because she didn't have any favorable time.

"Why isn't there any photos in the house?" She quietly asked.

He lifted up his head and looked at her way intensely. "Maa doesn't prefer memories. According to her, memories always hurt."

Oh! Shreya was taken aback with his response. She blinked and averted her gaze on Dev. A small pause later, Gyan asked, "Who do you want to see?"

She shifted her eyes on him again. He was definitely not his usual self today. He looked and acted way more serious than usual.

"Uhm- I mean, I... haven't met your parents, and they aren't even here. So I thought..." She trailed off when she saw him pulling out his phone from his sweatpants' pocket and tapped on the screen a few times.

"Here." He extended his phone towards her. "You can go through the family collection in my gallery. The first one is Maa."

Shreya took his phone and looked at the screen and immediately got impressed. She might be in her early fifties but she looked elegant in a violet and white saree with a pearl neckless adorning her neck. Her hair was down and over one shoulder. A beautiful smile paying on her face while she posed for the camera. Shreya noticed her eyes, hazel doe eyes. Gyan and Ritu got their mother's eyes.

"She's beautiful." Shreya gasped.

"I never doubted that." Gyan softly murmured.

Shreya smiled and swiped the photo aside. The next photo was a family groupie. She saw Gyan (from left, as he was taking the selfie), his mother- Mrs. Roy, Mr. Roy (who had his hand wrapped around her. He was indeed handsome. Now she understood who did Abhimanyu resemble between his parents. He got his father's eyes and appearance. Even in his fifties, Mr. Roy held a prowess no one dare disregard.) Then there was Ritu(whose hands were wrapped around their father's waist), then there was an old lady, Dev, Tiyasha, and another old couple. She acknowledged the fact that Abhimanyu wasn't in the photo. Despite that fact, everyone else looked happy as all of them had a smile on their faces. By their clothes it was evident, it was some kind of occasion.

"Who are they?" She asked turning the screen towards Gyan.

He glanced at the screen and said, "That's Dad, as you've probably deduced, then that's Didun (grandma), and Vikash uncle and Upasana aunty, Didiya's parents."

Shreya nodded and retraced her hands towards her again.

"What was the occasion?"

"Aren't you a keen observer?" Gyan smirked which she ignored and looked down at the screen again when Gyan added, "Krishna Janmasthami. We keep puja in our house. We have a laddugopal deity."

"Oh yes!" Shreya nodded. "He's cute."

She swiped the next photo, Gyan with his mother. Next one was Dev, painting. Next one was his parents. Next was, Tiyasha and Ritu, dancing. Shreya was about to swipe to the next photo, when two other people's presence caught her attention.

"Abhimanyu, I want your attention in the hills. You're doing great with Jatayu and Permabell chemicals, but Permabell tea estate needs your attention as well."

She shifted her eyes towards the doorway and saw the two men entering the house, maintaining the same pace. Abhimanyu in his grey checkered waistcoat and trousers set, while Mr. Vijay (she recalled the gentleman's name, she heard that day) was wearing a dark blue business suit. Gyan also averted his attention on them when they traversed the hallway and came to the couch and took seats. Mr. Vijay beside Gyan while Abhimanyu sat on the single couch, across Gyan.

"What do you want me to do?" Abhimanyu asked.

Before Mr. Vijay could answer, Gyan intervened, "Vijay uncle, why you must destroy our little chit-chat session by hijacking this moment?"

Mr. Vijay stared at him for a second before letting out a light laugh. "Abhigyan, grow up, you naughty boy. Besides, your presence can be beneficial in our discussion if you want to take part. We are discussing about the tea-garden workers."

Gyan pressed his lips together and started sulking when Mr. Vijay turned towards Dev and Shreya. "Oh hello, Mr. Dev." In response to which, Dev grinned and lifted up his painting book to show him the numerous apples he drew. Meanwhile, Gyan called Dona and asked her to bring tea for the party.

"Oh wow. They looked great, red and juicy."

"Red and juicy," Dev repeated and went back to drawing.

Mr. Vijay turned towards her and smiled. "I see improvements in him. Good job."

She nodded and thanked him.

He acknowledged that with a nod before tuning towards Abhimanyu again. "I want you to go to the hills and take care of the issues there. The workers want a hike in their daily wages, unavailing which they'll go on a strike. We cannot raise the wage at this moment. They aren't ready to listen."

Gyan chipped in, "Why aren't we capable of raise the wage limit?"

Mr. Vijay answered, "The employers' association is just not inclined to increase the daily wages. We've been pushing the advisory committee for further meetings and settlement with the association, but so far, we've not reached any decision. Additionally, we're looking forward to a big investment in the near future to further extend the business."

Gyan rolled his eyes and looked away.

Mr. Vijay continued, "I have talked to Ravi. I want Abhimanyu to go to Darjeeling along with Ravi and solve the issue. You can accompany him as well, after all, you'll be taking over in a few years. It's good to have prior experience."

Darjeeling? Shreya's ears perked up. Wow!

However, Gyan waved a dismissive hand. "You know it pretty well, Vijay uncle. I'll never accompany him to anywhere." He threw a hard stare at Abhimanyu before standing up in a haste. "I wish you best of luck for your business. I've had enough for today." He gritted his teeth then left hurriedly.

"Abhigyan!" Vijay called out, but the boy didn't look back and left.

She teared her gaze from Gyan's way and focused on Abhimanyu who had been calmly sitting there and observing everything quietly, as if he wasn't even present there. He looked distant and unbothered as usual. Shreya closely watched him as she remembered Dona's words. 'You cannot get any reaction from him no matter what the situation is.' It'd be an utter lie if she denied she wasn't intrigued by his persona. It was interesting, unique, unusual.

Vijay sighed. "When will this boy grow up?"

"He'll make a good businessman," Abhimanyu commented quietly, which was surprisingly unexpected. Dona came and served them tea including Shreya, and some snacks for Dev. When she left, Abhimanyu said, "Okay, I'll visit there after puja. You want me to take Ravi uncle with me? Or I can take Sunny."

Vijay sipped on his tea then looked up and said, "I'll ask Ravi and let you know. But let's enjoy the puja now. Tomorrow is Mahasaptami (seventh day of Devi worship). Any plans? Since we have a three days holiday, I was thinking why not take a little vacation."

AR said nothing but sipped on his tea.

Vijay asked after a brief silence, "When are Roy and Priyasha returning?"

"On 6th."

"Okay." Vijay nodded and concentrated on his tea. A silence ensued in the hall.

A sudden thought crossed Shreya's mind. Dev has never seen hills or mountains before. If he could go with Abhimanyu to Darjeeling, it'll be good for his health as well knowledge. Visiting new placed can be beneficial for the boy and aid his growth. She contemplated on her idea and how should she approach Abhimanyu with it, when Vijay stood up and announced his leave. "Okay, I'll take a leave now. Good night, everyone. Good night, Dev."

"Good night," Dev responded.

Vijay turned towards Abhimanyu and took a deep breathe. "I really think you should sort things out with your brother. He's getting out of control. I don't understand how can you tolerate him this much. Don't you feel the frustration?"

"Vijay uncle," Abhimanyu started, "It's fine. He'll learn it eventually. Let him live his life his way."

"It's not living his life his way, Abhimanyu. He's getting addicted and engaged with bad company. I heard a lot of his friends he's been hanging out with lately, aren't even his college friends. He's spending most of the nights parting and drinking. You're the eldest. It is your responsibility to keep him in check. I know Roy isn't aware of this situation yet, but I'm pretty sure when he learns this, he's going to be furious. And the result won't at all be pleasing. You know this too."

AR reacted passively and put the cup down on the table before standing up. "I understand. I'll do what's needed."

"Good. I expected that from you. Take care, my boy," he nodded at him proudly then left.

AR folded his hands over his chest for a moment and watched the old man leaving the house before he turned and picked up his phone which he had put on the table earlier. As he was taking steps towards the left wing, Shreya hastily arose and called out, "AR!"

He halted midway and turned back when she took a few steps forward.

"Yes?"

She clasped her hands together which were now sweaty and inhaled deeply. "Can Dev go with you to Darjeeling?"

He was standing at an angle from her, but when she asked that sudden question, he turned around completely and stared at her penetratingly. His dark eyes looked very intimidating when he stared at something unwaveringly, and right now, that something was her.

"Why?" he asked.

"I mean, he has never been to outside and he was wanting to see mountains some days ago. I heard you might be visiting Darjeeling. So, I thought, if you could take him with you, it'll be nice for his mental growth, you know." She hoped she sounded convincing but from Abhimanyu's expression, she had no idea, what he was thinking.

After a moment of unnerving silence with occasional blinking, he said flatly, "I'll think about it."

She nodded. "Okay."

He turned back and took a step before pausing again and looked back over his shoulder, "Can you ask Dona di to bring my dinner in my room?"

She nodded. "Yes. I'll ask her."

He didn't respond to that. And then he was gone. She stared at the way he went for a few seconds before a heavy sigh left her.