Vineet, Ruhana and Viren have a good time at the office and then at the restaurant. Viren is the happiest being among the three souls. As they reach home, Viren changes into a casual dress and falls asleep. Ruhana and Vineet share a moment wherein Ruhana comforts Vineet that things will be fine soon. They call it a night after talking for some time.

A new day is awaiting them, surely.

*****

The next morning rises quickly and Ruhana wakes up. She finds Vineet still sleeping soundly. She smiles looking at him. She’s seen him worried for his baby brother and now he’s sleeping soundly. Ruhana only wishes for his happiness. She moves to freshen up and wakes up Vineet after preparing coffee, their morning drink. He’s sleepy but opens his eyes and looks at his wife. He greets her for the day and asks about Viren. Ruhana tells him that Viren is still asleep.

“Kal bahut maze kiye hai na usne! Aaj aaramse so raha hain.” Ruhana smiles.

“Han, I am glad. Varna kayi baar jaldi uth jaata hain. Restless bhi rehta hain.” Vineet shares his concern.

“Jaanti hoon, Vineet. Lekin chinta mat karo. He is fine. Tum coffee pi ke Viren ko jaga dena. Tab tak main breakfast bana lungi.” Ruhana says with a smile.

“Aaj toh normal kaam hain office mein. Tum chaho toh ghar pe ruk sakti ho.” Vineet says.

“I’ll see Vineet. Aaj meri ek meeting hain. Toh main directly meeting mein jaungi aur fir ghar laut aaungi. Aur tumne Delhi ke liye tickets book kiye?” Ruhana asks him.

“Wo aaj ho jayega.” Vineet tells her.

“Great! Viren kaafi excited hain. Waise main ek baat kahun?” Ruhana asks hesitantly.

“Kaho na, tum aise formally kyun puch rahi ho?” Vineet is astonished at the moment.

“Viren tumhara bhai hain, aur usey mujhse zyada ache se tumne sambhala hai aur ab bhi kar rahe ho. Lekin Vineet, mujhe aisa lagta hain ki hume usey kuch cheezein khud se karne deni chahiye.” Ruhana says slowly.

“Main jaanti hoon, tum uske liye bahut concerned ho. Lekin jis cheez se Viren guzar raha hain wo ek mental state hain, aur usey akele chhodne pe dekho kaise wo apna raasta khud bana raha hai. Rubix cube solve kardiye usne! Kal main kuch calculate kar rahi thi, he gave me an instant answer, itni jaldi toh main calculator ke hote nahi kar payi. Isliye main chahti hoon ki tum Viren ko explore karne do. Delhi mein bhi, we will leave him. Tum usey bas itna samjhaoge ki wo hamare aas paas rahe, toh wo wahin rahega. Main jaanti hoon, wo tumhari koi baat nahi taalega.” Ruhana says meaningfully.

Vineet is lost in thoughts, yes, he has experienced it. Viren’s mind is still sharp. He’s just stuck in an instance and he has to come out of it. Ruhana has explained him everything and he thinks it to be right. He holds Ruhana’s hands in his.

“Tum thik keh rahi ho, Ruhana. Maine bhi notice kiya hai lekin main darr gaya tha. Par ab hum aisa hi karenge. We will make him realise his skills. Hum Viren ko theek kar ke rahenge, hain na?” Vineet says in a determined tone and Ruhana agrees with him.

“Haan, Vineet, jab hum ek dusre par aur Viren par vishwas karenge, tab sab thik ho jayega. Mujhe pura yakeen hain. Aur phir, hum log ek dusre se itna pyar jo karte hain.” Ruhana smiles at her beloved husband who smiles and acknowledges her words.

They share a hug and relish their morning coffee. As they’re busy talking, they hear Viren’s voice and they are startled.

*****

Vineet and Ruhana rush towards Viren’s room. He’s murmuring something in his sleep. They share a glance and Vineet rushes inside the room and sits beside him on the bed. He massages his hands while the young lad is murmuring something.

“Leave me!”

“Chhodo mujhe! Mujhe nahi pata tha….”

“Nahi pata tha ki tum aisa karoge. Saamne se karte toh acha rehta.”

“Mera bhai tumhe chhodega nahi.”

“Saza toh mil….milegi!”

He’s murmuring all of this and seems restless. Ruhana smears his hair and looks at Vineet who’s tense yet calm. Maybe, he’s used to all of this. She looks at him.
“Vineet, ye kya ho raha hain? Isey hallucinations ho rahe hain kya?” Ruhana asks worriedly.

“Ruu, jo iske sath hua, wo sab isey sapne mein dikhta hain. Pehle roz aisa hota tha, ab kam hota hain. Par mujhe lagta hain ki shayad wo sab baatein ab bhi iske subconscious mind mein hai.” Vineet says.

“Toh hume kuch karna chahiye. Iska bhi toh koi solution hoga na?” Ruhana asks him, she’s tense, she can’t see any of them down, sad and worried.

“Viren apne aap shaant ho jayega, Ruhana. Tum chinta mat karo.” Vineet says and they again hear him asking the person to leave him.

Ruhana strokes his hair and calls his name. She wants him to wake up and so, now, she shakes him a little.

“Vir, utho, dekho main aur Vineet hain na yahan. Koi tumhe kuch nahi karega.” Ruhana says softly.

“Han chote, chal uth. Taiyar ho ja, fir mujhe office jaana hai. Main jaldi jaunga toh tu kaaki ko pareshan karega.” Vineet says, trying to wake him up.

“Utho Viren, yahan koi nahi hai. Chalo utho.” Ruhana tries to break his sleep and finally, he grimaces.

He stops murmuring and opens his eyes. He grimaces and touches his forehead. Vineet asks him if his head is hurting, but he denies it and sits on the bed. He then looks at Vineet and hugs him, throwing himself over his elder brother. Vineet is surprised but embraces his brother in his arms. Viren’s fastened heartbeat is enough for him to know that he’s scared. He’s seeing the dream often and is restless now.

Vineet pats his back, trying to calm Viren. The latter murmurs something in a breaking voice and the former is left astonished. Ruhana is also surprised to hear Viren and they’re left thoughtful.

To Be Continued.

What did Viren say?

Stay tuned.