"Art is purely based on imagination...in simple words of a millennial, it's like flirting with your skills..."

The art exhibition had few lookers, most of which were interns who listened to every word that came out of the speaker's mouth.

It wasn't just the screen presence which Aman Shrivastav carried but also the charismatic personality which attracted the audience, mostly the opposite sex.

At twenty eight, Aman was the successful artist in the area, who ran his own art gallery after having worked for the famous painter Sahani. It was a dream come true and as his popularity increased, he parted ways with the old man to make his own destiny.

He wrapped up his speech and after thanking everyone present in the room, walked out of the gallery.

"Excuse me?" A girl who he observed to be a teenager came rushing to him "can I have a word?"

"Sure" he gave a warm smile and she slightly blushed, much to his amusement.

"That was an awesome presentation!" the girl let out in a single breath "and your paintings really touched my heart! They're just so...wow".

"Thanks" he said "I'm glad you were attentive". She brightened at that "oh I was! I hardly took my eyes off you!"

Aman felt a red signal coming on "that was...overwhelming" he blurted and pretended to check his watch "listen, I've got to be somewhere... thanks for your lovely words though".

The girl extended a canvas "okay but please can I have your autograph? I was dying to meet you in person..I've heard a lot about you so..."

Aman scanned the painting and saw that it wasn't bad, it just needed a lot of corrections and the colours were all over the place. But he didn't want to break the poor kid's heart "it's brilliant" he said in a tone of enthusiasm and signed his signature on the bottom with the words 'fly high' written below.

The girl looked at him with awe "oh my God! Thank you so much! I will protect it with my heart".

He raised a suspicious eyebrow "yeah sure...listen I've to go..all the best" he turned to go when he realized she was still following him "I want to work with you...get to know about art better..can we please meet so that..."

"I'm sorry dear" he cut her before she could complete "I've to go".

He took out his car keys and started the ignition when his cellphone buzzed.

"How did it go?" Debu, his assistant and co partner's voice filled his ears.

"Why did you even sign me up for this?" Aman asked in slight irritation as he turned the car out of the parking lot "they were freaking teens...one girl almost asked me out".

There was laughter after which Debu said "sorry about that. I thought such orientations will be good for the publicity".

"I don't need such publicity..I'm happy with my clients" Aman retorted "anyway I'm calling it a day.."

"What? It's just four dude!" Debu yelled, much to Aman's satisfaction "and your recent fan is back again.. and this time she's too persuasive.."

Aman didn't even need to ask who it was. His recent work on 'heavenly body' was a hit and it was too personal as he didn't want to sell it and kept it for the exhibition. But Mrs Piya Shah, wife of an eminent entrepreneur who was present at the time wouldn't relent as she had liked it very much. As much as Debu had convinced her that it wasn't for sale, she was adamant.

"Show her the recent one" Aman said lazily; he didn't have time for tantrums.

"She's too adamant" Debu stressed each word "this is the best opportunity for us...she could be the perfect advertisement..think about it. She's asking for.."

"Whatever she's asking, double the price" Aman said instantly.

"I didn't even quote the price!"

"I know...if she's that desperate for the painting let her buy for the price we say..or else let her leave it. Either way, it's a win win" Aman explained calmly.

"You rascal!" Debu's laugh was infectious "okay...I'll do that...but come on man! We need you here!"

"I'm not feeling upto it" Aman said with a sigh; the unceremonious phone call from his brother was the reason for his present mood. If the orientation wasn't pre planned, he would have cancelled it already.

In spite of being fraternal twins, they hadn't really shared a common bond throughout their childhood. It was as if they were separate siblings and sometimes Aman would feel like Amit was the eldest sibling as he was more matured compared to his brother. But they were close no matter what.

Even when he was separated from his family five years ago, he still spoke to his brother through occasional phone calls.

But this time, Amit sounded more enthusiastic than his usual self and even asked to meet him. Wondering why on earth his brother was desperate this time, Aman simply stated that he'll call back once he's free. But he never did.

He reached his apartment and opened the door, keeping the keys on the nearby cushion chair.

No sooner had he stretched on the couch than he felt the soft fur on his feet.

"Surprise" he chuckled, taking the ginger cat in his arms "you weren't expecting me soon, were you?"

The cat meowed, licking his hand in affection "I know boy! Even I didn't expect I'll be early" Aman led the cat next to him and leaned back.

"Talking to your cat..now that's a new improvement" Amit walked in after closing the door behind him.

Aman gave a start and almost jumped off the couch "what the hell!" Amit laughed "you didn't even bother to lock the door".

"No one ever comes here" Aman observed his brother as he approached him with a brief but warm hug; it felt good.

"Not even the models whom you paint?" Amit teased as his gaze lingered over the huge oil painting hung on the living room wall "is that yours?"

Aman nodded "I don't do portraits...I'm into abstract art and landscapes".

"It's beautiful...looks so real" Amit glanced back at his brother "you didn't ask me why I'm here".

Aman got up with a shrug "tea or coffee? Sorry I don't have anything else".

"Tea would be fine" Amit followed him as he jostled into the kitchen and opened the fridge door to take out the milk "dark or light?"

"Darker" Amit replied as he turned on the stove "I asked you something".

"How's maa?" Aman asked, pouring the contents into the vessel and lowering the flame.

"Fine" Amit replied, gazing intently "even baba is good".

"I don't want to know about him" Aman's reply was crisp.

"I wanted you to know anyway" Amit retorted as his brother stared at him "why are you here Amit?"

"To take you home" his brother said with a small smile. Aman gave a sudden snort "we both know that's not going to happen".

"Amrita is pregnant" Amit said and watched his brother's reaction. As expected, he looked pleased "that's..um..great" Aman smiled genuinely this time, happy for his elder sister who was four years older to them. He had been close to her when they were together and now circumstances had changed. She hardly called him and he was sure her husband had everything to do with that since he was their father's loyal pet.

"Yeah...she's very happy now, thank God" Amit smiled back "she's acting crazy too...she's home and wants to host a dinner tomorrow..and you know what? She persuaded dad to let you come home and he agreed. Everything's going to be alright finally".

Aman didn't share his excitement and winced "I'm glad she's happy...after that prick mentally tortured her..."

"That prick is our sister's husband" Amit chided "have some respect".

"Okay" Aman gave a mock salute "the king of pricks then". Amit couldn't help but laugh "come on..I promised maa I'll take you home. Please don't spoil her happiness".

Aman thought about his mother and a smile crossed his face. She was the only person who loved him unconditionally and so did he.

"It's too late for that isn't it?"he said as Amit sipped his tea "I'm no longer welcome in my own house...let it be that way. I don't want anyone to persuade on my behalf".

"You're being a little selfish here" Amit said as he kept his cup back on the table "can't you pretend for just a couple of days that everything's back to normal and you've a family back home who loves you and you love them?"

Aman didn't reply but turned his gaze to his cat who was busy slurping the milk he had poured out.

Selfish. That's what his father had called him, so did his brother and sister. "You only think about yourself. You don't have any respect for your parents...family and traditions are a joke to you" his father had chided him before giving him a choice. And he had taken it.

The sudden ring of his brother's phone interrupted his thoughts. "It's maa" Amit said, looking at his phone screen "she probably wants to know if we left already...what do I tell her?"

Aman scratched his tousled hair "just for a week". Amit gave a wide smile and received the call "ha maa" he beamed "was talking to Aman.... he's busy packing".

◇◇◇◇◇

Aman rang the doorbell, holding the cat in his hand and it's belongings in the other.

The only person he knew and was close to in the whole apartment was his next door neighbour Shirin Singh.

She was a working woman in her mid twenties and had relocated from Ludhiana to work in a multi national company in Pune.

He needed to tell her about his brief vacation, besides Debu of course who had sounded scandalized.

"A family trip? For a week?" Debu had yelled on the phone "are you high or something?" His friend knew about the issues with his family.

"It's an emergency" Aman lied, much to his annoyance "what? Your old man on his way to heaven?"

Debu had a weird sense of honour and Aman didn't faze "nah..he's fine.. I'm going to see maa actually". Debu had finally relented.

"Hi Hero" Shirin greeted warily, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she had night shift and her days were drowned in sleep.

"Hey there" he walked in "I need a favour from you". She glanced at him in confusion as he went on "I need you to babysit Hero actually" he referred to his cat.

Shirin took the cat from him "going on one of your tours?"she asked as the cat nestled happily in her arms.

"Yeah..something like that" he didn't want to elaborate further "I'll be gone for a week or so".

She raised a curious eyebrow "whoa! That's really long isn't it?"she grinned "Hero is mine...don't worry".

"Don't get too attached" he warned playfully "I'm only gone for a week".

She winked "relax...I'm not going to steal him. You can keep him but try to come earlier" she said "it's boring without you here".

"I'll try to miss you" he teased and walked out without waiting for her reaction.

When he came back, Amit was on the phone talking to someone and disconnected the moment she saw him.

"Who was that? Your betrothed?" Aman taunted. Amit nodded "she's coming for dinner too...you'll like her".

"Do you?" Aman asked suddenly and Amit did a double take but spoke up a while later "of course..why do you ask?"

"I don't know...you took time to answer" Aman shrugged coolly "besides, baba is the one making decisions around the house...so I deduced she must be our father's choice, not yours".

Amit bit his lip before replying bluntly "he may have set the alliance but Sakshi is a great girl...I like her and so does she".

Aman pocketed his keys before locking both the rooms and the kitchen "that's what they say initially..and then it's all a mirage.. don't say I didn't warn you".

"Thanks for your brotherly advice..I'll keep it in mind when I see you all alone after what? Five hundred years?" Amit teasingly patted his arm "when you're all alone talking to animals".

"Who said I'm alone?" Aman said "atleast I'll have a lot of options to choose from...whereas you my friend" he drawled "you'll be stuck with her for life..but for what it's worth, it's not that bad. At least you don't have to worry about medicines".

Amit laughed and patted his arm "let's go...maa and Amrita are waiting". After making sure they had locked everything, they came out of the apartment and to the parking lot.

"You have to take out your car ....I took Ola cab" Amit reminded him "baba took my car".

Aman nodded wordlessly as they got into his Beetle. "Vivekanand road right?" He said as they drove away and he switched on the music.

"Nah...we live in Wilson colony now" Amit said and Aman didn't miss the proud tint his voice carried "duplex apartment on the fourteenth floor".

"Wow! You really achieved what baba dreamed of" Aman beamed "roti kapda aur makaan".

Amit didn't find it funny "yeah...not everyone of us can afford to rebel against our parents and run away".

"Ouch! That hurt...deeply" Aman pretended to hold his chest "did he crown you yet? Adarshwaan beta?"

"Yeah...we're having a ceremony in fact" Amit said in a serious tone "I want you to hold my medal".

Aman laughed at that "sure thing" he briefly glanced at his brother "so when are you tying the knot?"

Amit's laugh faded as he looked deep in thought "you do want to get married right?" Aman taunted.

"You keep asking that question" Amit sighed.

"Because whenever I speak about it, you act as if you're asked to jump off the bridge" Aman snapped.

Amit went on to say something but stopped and shook his head "just leave it" he remarked "you're taking a wrong turn".

"I know...let's head to the mall first" Aman said as they got near the mall parking lot.

"Why?"

Aman frowned "I can't really go home empty handed now can I?"

"Fine...but make it fast" Amit said as they got out of the car and made their way towards the elevator.

Indeed, it was going to be a memorable family reunion. One where many things could go haywire.

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