"Bhawani. Why did Ishaan breakup with you?" Bhargavi asked with dismay clearly visible in her eyes, taking Bhawani to a corner.

"Di he said he needs a break. He needs time. He has many responsibilities to shoulder and doesn't have time for this right now.

He told me that I am being childish and am acting like an immature person. He believes I am extremely obsessed about this relationship and am crazy to take this so seriously.

Both Bhargavi and Bhawani saw Prabir approaching them, engaged in a phone call," Bhawani missed her classes in order to look after your mother and now when her mother is hospitalized, you can't show up as you are extremely busy?

Being practical and realistic is fine but being inhuman can't be tolerated." He sounded annoyed.

"Please leave it Bhaiya", Bhargavi whispered.

Prabir gestured her to stay put.

"I never asked her to miss her classes and take care of my mother. Instead I requested her not to do so.

Yes, you have definitely arranged a job for me but I never begged for it. I haven't joined your friend's company either.

Now will you kindly do me the favour of letting me work peacefully?" Ishaan was exceptionally rude and harsh before disconnecting the call.

"Prabir? What did Ishaan say? You seem to be pretty mentally disturbed", Bhargavi quizzed.

"Oh! He said that he won't be able to make it," Prabir tried to reply as casually he could.

Though not convinced, Bhargavi thoughtfully diverted the topic as she knew Prabir did not want Bhawani to be further hurt because of something rude and insensible said by Ishaan.

What is wrong with Ishaan? Why is he behaving like this? Did Bhawani do something wrong? He sounded angry. On purpose he doesn't want to come to the hospital. Perturbed with these questions, Prabir suddenly questioned, " Bhawani. What exactly happened between you both? I am guessing you are hiding something from us". 

"Bhaiya. What I told you is true.
He always behaves very indifferent towards me and is least bothered about what's going on in my life."

"Are you sure that there's nothing more you can add to what you already told me?" Prabir asked with  somewhat an annoyed expression.

"May I help explain the situation?" Bhargavi inquired politely.

"He isn't intrigued anymore. He wants an independent and confident girl where as this girl is needy and clingy. He knows he can just walk over her, still she will always stick around".

"Di I am not clingy and definitely not needy", Bhawani responded back arrogantly.

"He didn't receive your calls when you wanted to tell him about Maa's condition. However, you were smoking up on the terrace because you dearly missed him.

Now don't look at Prabir, I know you very well. I have seen you smoke even before, but have always let you go. I have forgiven your mistakes because firstly, you never knew how it feels to have a father and I did not want Maa to thrash you.

The first time I saw you smoke was when you had your matriculation exams ahead. You have developed the habit of smoking when you are severely stressed. Five to six percent of your pocket money goes up in smoke every month I am sure".

Her mouth wide open, Bhawani stared at her sister and then opened and closed her mouth two times like a goldfish, wanting to say something but words would not come out.

"Di you knew I used to smoke still you never tried to stop me?"

"Would you listen to me? I told you to join a good coaching institute, you refused. I tried to warn you about Ishaan, you slapped me and walked away", Bhargavi replied with a sad smile.

"Now please stop being a tragedy queen Bhawani. Learn to depend on your own self. Don't drag me and Prabir into this. I swear I will slice Ishaan's tongue if he insults Prabir again", she added.

"I am so sorry Di"

" Bhaiya? Did Ishaan really insult you? I...I will break his nose...that stupid, idiot, moron."

Laughing, Prabir hugged her murmuring," Relax! Princess. Listen to your Di and don't cry.

Focus on your future, your career Bhawu. And give up on smoking. See what happened to Maa. Toughen up...you little crybaby".

A warm smile passed over Bhargavi's face. She winked at Prabir making him blush rose pink.

She was pleased to see how he treated Bhawani like a little girl with love, care and concern. He was playing the role of a fatherly figure along with that of an elder brother.

Prabir was mesmerized by Bhargavi's actions. She made him feel proud. His heart fluttered with a single glance she spared him. Her smile made him feel ecstatic and blissful. He prayed whole-heartedly that Ms. Nalini recovered fast and this warm smile always stayed on Bhargavi's lips.

Struggling with fear and anxiety, Prabir tried his best to put up a brave face.

Even his friends were unaware that the hospital was a scary place for him once again. The almost empty corridors of the hospital with a few nurses and doctors going around occasionally; he was reminded of his childhood, the day when he lost his mother years ago.

He was straining himself, speaking to his friends and pretending to be fine, attempting to divert his attention from the corridors and the hospital environment. However, it needed a lot of efforts and was highly distressing.  

******

"I never knew you would tolerate Bhawani smoking and say or do nothing," Prabir whispered in Bhargavi's ears once they were alone. 

"Prabir, I am not the most rotten and cruel sister in this world. She's old enough to know that smoking is injurious to health. Yet, she chooses to do it again and again. My objections would only create chaos in the house.

If Maa somehow found out,she would be beaten up terribly.

Thinking through a problem is so difficult right now. My head is hurting so much. It's just splitting apart".

" May I know what's troubling you?" He asked.

"Prabir your Baba is in love with Maa. How the hell did this happen? If she doesn't reciprocate the same feelings then...", Bhargavi stammered fixing her gaze on the floor.

"Umm...you have a lot to catch up dear.

Both Baba and I did not wish to send you back to your mother or say anywhere at all. We wanted you to stay with us. Baba wanted me to marry you as soon as possible. He himself sought for her permission and persuaded her into marrying you off.

They spent a lot of time together for our marriage preparations during these last three to four days.

Maa wanted to spend her entire savings and even sell her jwellery for our marriage...your sake, however Baba would not allow this. They fought with each other as if still in kindergarten.

I am certain that Maa is probably nursing a crush on him", he informed.

"How are you so sure? Did she herself admit that?" Bhargavi enquired surprised.

"She's happy when Baba's around. Baba in an attempt to impress her, cooked a recipe for her. She complimented it to be extremely well cooked, though it tasted horrible.

It's naturally obvious that Baba was paying her special attention, while Maa was not reluctant to lean onto him for mental support", Prabir said beaming.

"Prabir. Are you okay?"

"Umm...yeah! Yeah! I am fine," Prabir replied taken aback at that question.

"You should hone your acting skills a bit more to be able to convince me",She sharply replied back.

"Bhargu. I...umm...I am horrified. What if post surgery, there are complications? It's very common amongst elderly people especially, women to have their hip bone fractured. However, the consequences can be troubling, even if the surgery goes well. She'll have reduced mobility and increased dependency for quite some time", Prabir moaned.

"Prabu. Maa will be alright. It's just a small operation. She's not that fragile. She has been through a lot in life. I am sure with you and Uncle by her side, she will recover soon.

Everything is going to be fine. Don't overthink", she said cheerfully.

"What do you mean by ...with me and Baba by her side? Will you not look after her? But you have already forgiven her?" 

"You misunderstood me. When ever Maa fell ill, Bhawani and I looked after her. Now, she has you and Uncle also to look after her and shower her with love and support.

I am sure you both will mollycoddle her to a ridiculous extent", Bhargavi said smiling.

Prabir jerked his head and waved his hand in the air, noticing Dhruv approach. His actions made Bhargavi turn around and face Dhruv.

What on Earth? Prabir just call up every person I know on this planet and ask them to show up here. No one must be left behind. As if this is a war and we need a battalion to fight back. She thought to herself.

"Did you see a snake?" Dhruv teased Bhargavi observing her fixed in her spot without any reaction.

"Yes! A deadly viper", Bhargavi swiftly replied.

"Where? Here in the hospital?" Dhruv asked worried.

"Enough! Bhargu. No fights please. You are much more spiteful than him", Prabir stated.

Woah! Now he's saying I am a spiteful venomous serpent? She stomped off angrily as Dhruv made scary faces to annoy her. 

After having spoken to Dhruv about Ms. Nalini's condition, Prabir rushed hurriedly towards his Queen who was mad at him.

"If you don't want a snake bite, back off immediately,"she hissed seeing him approach.

Without a second's delay, Prabir swiftly embraced her. "Why are you hugging a cold blooded reptile?" She blurted out sadly.

"I never said that you are a reptile. Yes, you are spiteful at times", Prabir murmured.

She struggled to break free from his arms, but he wouldn't let her go.
"Let me go!" She whispered "your friends are watching".

"Is that making you feel uncomfortable? You never care about what others think right?"

"There's no need to embrace a spiteful woman," she said annoyed and couldn't help but smile at him as he made a grumpy face.

He embraced her tight seeing the beautiful smile that made his heart flutter.

"I called up Dhruv, informing him about Maa's condition. He's here as her well wisher Bhargu. You shouldn't call someone a serpent, the instant you see him.

He was waving at you and questioned you about Maa, it was you who was lost in her own world and did not reply," he murmured slowly.

Mayank coughed softly, running towards them. "I can't see Bhawani anywhere, have you seen her?" He quizzed panting.

"Why are you so worried? Where can she go?" Prabir inquired surprised.

"Both Parul and I called her up several times but her phone's switched off.
She went to the washroom. I thought maybe she needed some lone time. But when she didn't return after an hour, I asked Parul to search for her. She wasn't there.

I have been looking for her everywhere."

"You mean she disappeared in smoke?" Bhargavi snapped.

"We'll find her. She's vulnerable, time is of essence."

"Vulnerable? What?"

"Bhargu. She is feeling guilty. She's blaming herself for Maa's condition."

"When she saw Ms. Nalini lying on the floor unconscious, with blood oozing out from the right side of her face; holding her palm against her mouth she whispered "I...I killed Maa" it was hard to handle her," Mayank added.

Maa and Di are all I have, please save Maa, Bhaiya. I swear I will never smoke again.

I will try my best but I don't have a magic wand.

Prabir tried to recollect the exact words said by Bhawani. He wondered if he had been extremely harsh and rude with her.

"Let's find her," Bhargavi said gaining Prabir's attention whose mind was drifting in an unknown place.

Author's note:

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