Mid Night.. 

Vineet's ward.. 

Vineet gets conscious. He opened his eyes and looked around, there wasn't anyone in the room except him. His face fell, tears brimmed in his eyes, he had expected Daksh beside him. Okay, they had a little argument but it doesn't mean he would leave him alone. 

'chala gaya mujhe chod ke, khud gussa kare toh kuch nahi, meine kiya toh mujhe akela chod ke chala gaya.'' Tears flipped down his eyes. 

He looks up 'dekha papa, apne bola tha na aapka guddu kabhi mujhe nahi chorega, hamesha mere saath rahega.. Aap galat they papa, aap galat they, wo mujhe pasand nahi karta, mujhe chod ke bhi chala gaya.' he closed his eyes and let the tears flow. 

Flash back.. 

It was a fine morning. 

Shakshi woke up with the buzz of alarm. She sat up on bed and turned around to find her two year old daughter Avantika sleeping peacefully. She lightly kissed her forehead and hopped out of the bed. She takes a saree and enters the bathroom. She needs to get ready before the little girl wakes up. 

After around 20 minutes she stepped in the room and found a 9 year old vineet sitting on the bed playing with his little sister. 

Shakshi sighs, he had woken her up just to play just like everyday. 

'iss ladke ka kya karu main.. Har subha isse jaga deta hai, khud toh thori der main school chala jayega.. Aur ye madam mujhe pareshan karegi' she shook her head in disappointment.

She moved towards them and secured her seat beside vineet who was busy playing with his darling sister.  

''Mumma dekho na ye mujhe dekh ke kitna smile kar rahi hai!'' Vineet exclaims. 

Shakshi smiles, ''haan dekha, par aab tum isse choro aur jaa ke brush karo, tumhe school bhi toh jana hai na.' Shakshi reminded him. 

'nai, main nai jayunga!! Mujhe khelna hai chhoti ke saath!'' Vineet replied cutely, making a puppy face to convince his mother.

'apni choti ke saath school se aa ke khel lena, bahut time rahega tumhaare pass, abhi jao.' Shakshi said strictly but Vineet didn't pay attention to her.

Shakshi rolls her eyes,

'Dekho 7:30 already ho chuke hai 9 baje tumhara school bus bhi aa jayega.. Jaldi jao nahi toh late ho jayega!'' Shakshi told him and descended him from the bed, actually pulled him out forcefully. 

He glared at his mother 'papa aayenge toh main bataunga unko, aapne mujhe khelne nahi diya!' He rolls his eyes run out of the room.

Shakshi sighs,''aaram se, gir jaoge' she shouted but the guy was already out of her sight. 

She sets the bed and holds Avantika in her arms who had started to cry. Shakshi took her milk bottle from the side table and left the room. She moves downstairs and enters the kitchen where breakfast has been already prepared by the cook.. She checked everything and smiled at the cook. The lady smiled back at her. 

After around 30 minutes Vineet and Daksh join them. They take their seats, Shakshi serves them food and asks them to eat. Shakshi handed over Avantika to a nanny and sat to have breakfast as she too had to leave for the office. She had a business to handle. 

'Tum dono ne homework toh kiya hai naa.. Kal toh main dekh nahi payi.. Batao kar liya hai naa' shakshi asked, while chewing her food. Daksh nodded positively but Vineet didn't give any response.

'Vineet tumne homework nahi kiya' Shakshi questioned doubtfully. He shook his head negatively.

Shakshi glares at him,

'kyun nahi kiya homework.. Bola tha na meine karne ko.'' Shakshi questioned angrily, sudden tears brimmed in Vineet's eyes, he was close to tears.

'isne kiya homework.. Mere samne kiya, bhul gaya hoga ye' Daksh said instantly. 

Vineet looked at him, who indicated to him to say yes, and winked his eyes. Vineet stared at him confusedly as he didn't get what he meant. Daksh continuously shook his head as yes, indicating him to say yes while it all bounces for Vineet. 

'kya kar rahe ho Daksh?' Shakshi asked,  Daksh shook his head. 

Shakshi turn to vineet and asked 'homework kiya ki nahi?' she asked again.. Vineet turn to Daksh who  shook his head as yes and this time vineet gets it.  He looks at Shakshi and smiles. 

'meine toh apna homework kar liya hai' Vineet replied with a broad smile.

Shakshi narrowed her eyes,

'aacha!! Fir pehle ye kyun bola ki nahi kiya hai?' Shakshi asked, looking at Vineet and Daksh, who seemed spellbound. 

'mom!! Meine bataya tha na, bhul gaya tha ye' Daksh manages to make up a story.

'haan..haan, main bhool gaya tha' Vineet chanted behind shaking his head. 

Shakshi was well aware that both were lying but she didn't say anything. She actually feels happy to find her sons helping each other. 

As they were busy having breakfast, at  the same time the doorbell ring, a servant open the door. A man enter in the house, he was around 32 wearing a formal shirt and a trouser. He look around and smiles ear to ear. 

'Vinu, guddu..kahan ho sab??' he shouts looking around. 

Vineet and Daksh drop their spoon, they look at each other and smile.. The voice creates a smile on Shakshi's face too.. 

Vineet and Daksh left the dining table and ran towards the door.. They run towards the guy who sat on his knees and spread his hands, both the boys jump in his arms hugging him tightly.

'papa!!' both said in unison. Their father  smeared their back. His eyes became moist as he was seeing his family almost after a year.  

Shakshi came along with Avantika in her arms. 

Rajeev, her husband saw her and smiles, she smiles back at him. 

Rajeev separated the boys from himself and kissed their heads.. They pecked him on both his cheek and chuckles. 

Beep..beep their school bus disturb their moment.. 

'Tum dono ki school bus aa gayi.. Jaldi jao apna bag leke aao' Shakshi said moving towards them. 

Both hugged Rajeev tightly and said 'nahi aaj school nahi jana' both said in unison making a face.

'aise kaise nai jana.. Chalo choro unhe aur school jao! Aab waise bhi papa ghar pe hi rahenge na!' Shakshi said in a convincing tone but the boys denied.

'rehne do naa shakshi.. Itne dino badh toh main aaj apne bachon se mila hoon, aaj chor do school ek din se kya fark padd jaayega.' Rajeev said to his wife who sighs. 

'Abhi kuch din toh aap yahin hai na.. Aur parso se dono ke vacation start ho rahe hai.. Fir jee bhar ke apne beton ke saath time spent kar lijiyega, abhi unhe school jaane dijiye.'' Shakshi told him.

'nai mom.. Please, nai jana school..please naa' they pleaded, making innocent faces.

'chor do naa..please' Rajeev requested making cute faces.

Shakshi sighed, 'Okay okay, aab aisi sakle maat banao sab, maat jana school!'' Shakshi said, the other three faces glowed up. 

'Rajeev aap fresh ho jaiye.. Main saman room mei bhijwati hoon' Shakshi told him, Rajeev nodded and moved towards his room, Vineet and Daksh followed him. Shakshi ordered a servant to take his luggage in the room and move in the kitchen to prepare something for her husband.

... 

After around an hour Shakshi enters the room holding Avantika in her arms and with a maid who has a tray in her hand.

As she stepped in the room, Shakshi was left stunned to see the scenario in front of her eyes.. Rajeev and both her sons have messed up the room.. Rajeev is giving them some boxes and both were busy in unwrapping the them. The boxes contains some gifts for them, both the boys were happy with the gifts they receives.

'kaise lagge gifts' Rajeev asked the boys who were busy examining them. 

'bahut aache!!'' Both replied in unison. 

They hug him out of excitement,'thank you papa' they said and peck his cheeks.

'ye kya kar diya room ka haal!?" Shakshi shouts as she moves towards them. The maid kept the tray on the table and left the room. 

'kuch bhi toh nahi.. Jaisa tha waisa hi hai' Rajeev replied innocently. 

Shakshi glared at him while he winked at her,she blushed at his action. 

'Mom, ye dekho papa hamare life ite saare gifts laaye.' Vineet and Daksh said excitedly, showing her their gifts.. 

She smiles, 'bahut aacha hai!'' She said and gave Avantika to Rajeev who was stretching herself towards her father.

Rajeev holds the girl securely and lightly pecks her head, the little girl chuckles. 

'meri pari kaisi hai.. Kitni badi ho gayi' he kissed her palms making the little girl chuckle again.

'Aap coffee pijiye usse main dekhti hoon' Shakshi said as she forwarded the coffee mug to him. Rajeev takes it while he descended down Avantika on the bed who squeals with joy to see the toys. Rajeev sips his coffee while staring at vineet and Daksh as by now vineet has started playing with the toys gifted by him and Daksh was sitting quietly just staring at them with a smile. 

'kya hua guddu? Tumhe toys pasand nahi aaye??'' Rajeev asked.. 

'Nahi papa aisa nahi hai, toys aache hai!'' Daksh replied.

' fir khel kyun nahi rahe? Rajeev question. 

'Kyunki aapke sahabjaade ko toys se jyada books pasand hai. Agar books laaye hote toh aab tak padhne baith jata.'' Shakshi told him while glancing at Daksh. 

Rajeev raised his brows and looked at him.  He pulled him and made him sit on his lap, 'mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha ki tumhe books pasand hai.. Agli baar tumhare liye dher saari books layunga main!'' Rajeev said, Daksh shook his head smiling. 

Rajeev then gazes at vineet, who was busy with his toys,'tum bhi bata do tumhe kya pasand hai, taki tumhare liye bhi wahi leta aayun!'' He says, Vineet looks up at him.

'un bhaisaab ko toys hi pasand hai.. Books ke naam se toh aise bhagta hai jaise bhoot dekh liya ho.. Uske liye toys hi le lena aap, kyunki books toh iss se padhi na jaayegi!' Shakshi says teasingly, Vineet glares at her.

Rajeev giggles,

'books aache nahi lagte toh padhte bhi ho ya nahi?'' He asked.

Before Vineet could reply or utter a word, Shakshi interrupted,' badi muskil se padhana padta hai.. Homework tak nahi karta, ye mahashaye (pointing at Daksh) iska homework karte hai aur fir dono mujhe badi safai se jhooth bolte hai, kyun??'' Shakshi asks, looking at Vineet and Daksh.. Daksh bit his tongue while Vineet glared at his mother. 

'aap office nai jaoge aaj??'' Vineet asked angrily, rolling his eyes.

' dekho toh kaise gussa chad gaya iski naak pe??'' Shakshi teases him.

Rajeev laughs at her words, Vineet gets angry and runs out of the room. 

'isse kya hua?' Rajeev asked confusedly. 

'naraz ho gaya.. Aadat hai uski baat baat pe mooh phulane ki.'' Shakshi said casually.. 

Daksh descended from Rajeev lap and ran out of the room saying 'main dekhta hoon!'' 

'aab ye kahan gaya!'' Rajeev questions.

'apne bhai ko manane.. Ussi se maanega, meri toh sunta nahi!'' Shakshi said as she shrugged her shoulders.

Rajeev shook his head and descended out of the bed. He leaves the room and heads towards Daksh--vineet room, he stands outside the room watching the boys.

Vineet was throwing all his toys and other things in the room, Daksh was trying to make him calm.

'Mom ne aise hi bola diya tha, tu kyun gussa kar raha hai.'' Daksh tries to convince him as he snatched the pillow from Vineet's hand. 

'Nahi, mom hamesha aisa karti hai! He gazes at him fiercely, aur ye sab teri wajah se, tu padhta rehta hai jab dekho aur main ni padhta issiliye mom mujhe dantti hai, I hate you!!'' He pushed him, Daksh lost his balance and was about to fall but composed himself. 

'Thik hai, I'm sorry.. Aage se main bhi khelunga.'' Daksh said, holding his ears making a face.

'main ni khelunga tere saath!' Vineet shouted angrily and sat on the bed crossing his arms around his chest making a grumpy face.

Daksh sat beside him and held his ears, Vineet turned his face to the other side.. Daksh descended down the bed and started doing sit - ups. 

1.. 2.. 3.. Daksh counts. 

Vineet turned towards him but glared at him, while he gave him a pleading look.

Vineet turned away.

4..5.. Daksh continued his sit - up.

6..7.. Now his legs started trembling but he continued 8.. 9999, and he fell down. Vineet immediately run towards him and  made him sit on the bed.

'sorry na!'' Daksh apologized looking at him.

'thik hai, thik hai!! Maaf kiya agli baar aisa kiya na toh dekhna bed pe sone nahi dunga!'' Vineet warned him while passing a glass of water towards him, Daksh nodded his head.

Rajeev who was watching them silently entered the room and secured his seat beside them.

'hogaya ruthna manana!?' He asked.

They nodded making a puppy face. 

Rajeev pulls both in his lap and pecks their head.

''Tum dono hamesha aise hi rehna, Main hoon tab bhi aur main naa Rahoon tab bhi.. They looked at him confusedly.. Kabhi ek dusre ka saath nai chorna.. Chahe kitni bhi problem aaye, agar tum dono saath rahoge toh har problem choti ho jayegi.. Kuch bhi karna par kabhi ek dusre ka saath maat chorna.. Tum dono ko hamesha ek rehna hai.''Rajeev said, he knew his words would bounce for now, his son may not understand its meaning for now but one day they will surely know it. They would know what they mean to each other and what they can achieve together.

' agar isne mujhe chor diya toh?'' Vineet asked, pointing towards Daksh who was left stunned.

Rajeev looked at Daksh and said,''ye tumhe kabhi nahi chorega.. Hamesha tumhare saath rahega, kabhi tumhe naraz nahi karega.''He took Daksh's hand and kept it in Vineet's hand.. Kabhi tumhara hath nahi chorega!' He told him that he knew Daksh would never do that, he loves Vineet dearly.

The boys hugged him and he smeared their head.

Flashback over... 

Tears flipped down vineet eyes remembering his father's words. The time has changed now, Daksh is not the same person he used to be, he's not the calm person now. He gets irritated over every small thing, scolds him rudely and even leaves him alone sometimes if he throws tantrums or creates drama. He doesn't like him anymore, maybe he had enough of his drama and now wants to get rid of him(Vineet). 

Vineet sobs silently, there isn't any way that he can fix everything and make it the way it used to be before. He wished he could get his brother back who was a calm, loving and caring person.

Vineet came out of his trance and opened his eyes with a touch on his face. He looked up and found Daksh sitting beside him on the bed, wiping his tears with his handkerchief.

'kahin nahi gaya main.. Yahin hoon tere saath, tere pass!'' Daksh exclaims meaningfully, knowing the reason for his brother's tears. 

''Meine pucha tujhe?? Mujhe kya fark padta hai tu rahe ya na rahe mere paas aur na hi tujhe!!'' Vineet stated a bit angrily and turned his face to the other side, but wasn't able to stop his tears. Sometimes you can't stop them even if you try hard.

 Daksh makes him turn towards himself.

'Fir ye aasun kyun? Ye gussa kyun? Agar mere hone na hone se fark nai padta fir papa ko aur unki kahi baton ko kyun yaad kar raha tha? He (Daksh) wiped his (Vineet's) tears. Jantu hoon galti ki meine, tujhpe chillaya, danta aur hath bhi uthaya. He (Daksh) hung his head.. Jaane kyun uss samay gussa hi itna aa gaya ki control nahi kar paya. He looked up at him. Tujhe bola office na jaane ko toh kuch toh soch ke bola hoga meine, tu bhi ye janta hai fir bhi tu bina bataye chala gaya. He cupped his face. Main nahi chahta tha ki tujhe kuch ho par dekh tu gaya aur ye kya ho gaya. His eyes became moist, he had tried hard to not cry but the tears had already brimmed in his eyes. Tu janta hai main tujhe aise nahi dekh sakta, I can't see you suffering like this Vineet. Tears flipped down his eyes. Please, maat kiya kar aisa, agar..agar tujhe kuch ho gaya toh main..main kaise jiyunga!!??'' Saying so Daksh broke down in tears, Vineet pulls him in his arms instantly, Daksh holds him tight and sobs in his arm silently. Vineet caressed his head to calm him while his own tears weren't in his control, they were rolling down his eyes continuously. Though his anger has vanished.  

Vineet parted him and rubbed off his tears and curl his lips to a smile with his fingers, Daksh hold his hand and pecks his palm' tu naraz nahi hai naa?'' Daksh asked, Vineet shook his head negatively. 

'Main nahi hoon naraz lekin tu asun ponch le apne, aisa lag raha hai teri bidai ho rahi aur sabke hisse ka tu hi ro raha hai!'' Vineet jokes to light up the environment while Daksh giggles at his joke, he cleanses his face with the hanky.

'Chal uth jaa tere kapde aur bandages change karni hai.''Daksh said and helped him in sitting. 

Daksh first changes Vineet's bandages carefully after which he opens up the button of his shirt.

'Darwaza toh band kar koi aa jayega.'' Vineet said, covering his upper body. 

Daksh removes his hand,

'Band hi toh hai, sirf lock nahi kiya hai. Waise bhi raat ke ek baaj rahe hai koi nai aayega yahan.'' Daksh assured him and removed his shirt, when at the same time the door of his room opened and a nurse entered inside with a tray in her hand. Vineet immediately crosses his arms around his chest, the nurse stares at him with an open mouth, her eyes fixed on him.

Vineet gazes at Daksh and gives him the most deadly look, Daksh makes an innocent face.. 

'Miss lily, please go outside!' Daksh ordered but she was lost in staring Vineet

'Miss lily' Daksh said a bit loudly. The lady gets startled for a moment but comes back to her senses after a moment and leaves the room immediately receiving a deadly glare from Daksh. 

'Lutwa di meri izzat, bhare bazar mei' Vineet said, making a face. 

'Sorry!! Mujhe kahan malum tha wo aa jayegi.' Daksh apologies.

'Aab toh jaa ke lock kar de gate ya kissi aur ke aane ka intezar kar raha hai? Ya tu chahta hai tere hospital mei mera ang pradarshan ho?'' Vineet yelled, rolling his eyes up and down in anger. 

Daksh ran towards the door and locked it. He calmed Vineet then changed his clothes and again laid him down on the bed comfortably.

'Main aata hoon!' Daksh said and moved out. 

Meanwhile Ruhana enters the room to see him.

'Hii Vineet!'' She greeted him when found him conscious.

Vineet looks up at her and smiles.

'kaise laag raha hai aab, dard toh nahi hai na.'' She asked in concern while stepping forward.

'Main bilkul thik hoon abhi, pain chala gaya mera!' He replied with a smile. 

'Good! Dard ho toh bata dena ye maat sochna ki thora bardast karta hoon, shayad thik ho jaye, aise mei problem badh jaati hai. Uss time bhi tum pehle bata dete fir itna kuch nahi hota.'' She explained while he was just smiling like idiots.

Ruhana finds it weird,

'Kya hua?? Hans kyun rahe ho??'' She questioned to which he shook his head negatively. 

'Uss samay aapne mujhe cute bola tha na!? Main sachi cute hoon??'' He asked, looking at her, his eyes twinkling with joy.

'Haan!! Bahut cute ho!' she said, patting his cheeks lightly to which he chuckled. 

Ruhana giggles at his act, he seems to be a kid who wants some attention and pampering.  

Vineet tried to ask her something but her phone interrupted.

'Mera call aa raha hai, main badh mei aati hoon. Tum apna khayal rakhna! Get well soon!' She smiles at him and moves out of the room to attend the call.

Here vineet smiles ear to ear while thinking,''Get well soon toh hona hi padega na mujhe jaldi se, aapko Daksh ki life mei in aur uss Raunak ko aapki life se out jo karna hai. He smirks and touches his cheeks where Ruhana had patted. Main toh cute hoon!!' he smiles shyly with the compliment he had been tagged by the lady. 

To be continued..