Hello everyone!

I’m so sorry for being temporarily invisible. I had my PCS examinations and also a family member of mine from the in-laws side has met with an accident. So, with all the well wishers pouring in continuously, things became pretty much hectic for me. You know right, you can ignore things once if you are the daughter of the family but not pretty much so when you are the daughter-in-law. But anyways, I’m back on my schedule and will update the stories regularly.

This chapter is especially dedicated to Sirishajain17 as it was her birthday on 16th. Belated Happy Birthday, sweetheart! May God bless you and may you achieve all you deserve. Stay safe and healthy. I wish you all the luck and happiness. ❤️✨🎉🎂🍫 I was aiming to publish this chapter on 16th only but because of some unforeseen situations, I couldn’t, and I know it was my fault anyways. I’m so sorry for that!

On a second thought… How about you all tell me your birthdates as well? I can’t promise that I will remember all the dates but I would love to know the special days of all my readers who have been supporting me continuously. The love and support really means a lot to me. ❤️

Here is the next chapter of the story. I hope you all will like it. Happy Reading!

*** CHAPTER 38 ***

With all those memories etched on the pages of the photo album, Sanskaar is being taken down the memory lane as he turns them over one by one. Though, he has never been a part of those memories, he looks at those photographs and feels as if he has always been there. A part of his has lived in Shlok. Right from the moment they were born, they reflected the warmth of each other. Maybe that is what makes twins different from other siblings. The bond they shared… much stronger. Seeing Shlok’s smile in those pictures renders a strange placidity to Sanskaar’s heart.

And then a photo on the second page of the album catches his eye. Most possibly, this is the only photograph his parents have of his. As he recalls his mother’s words, he realizes that this is the only moment his mother has had held him. Wrapped up in two white towels, Annapurna has Sanskaar in her arms and Durga Prasad has gathered Shlok in his embrace tenderly. And as both them give feather like kisses on their sons’ foreheads, the picture has been clicked. Looking closely Sanskaar sees the two ‘S’ shaped pendants dangling over their chests, much larger for the newborns.

Unknowingly, his finger traces the outline of the pendent that rested a little above his chest now. A huge lump constricts at his throat and a veil of tears blurs his vision. The pain comes in waves and he blinks those lashes heavy with tears. Why all of it had to go this way? Why was all of this snatched from them? Where have the things gone wrong? A silent resolution is made… no matter what it takes, he will not spare all those who have wronged his brother, his parents and him.

Turning those pages, he makes a feeble attempt to live all those memories along with Shlok, when a smile slowly makes its way to his lips as he finds a picture that’s a clear evidence of how Swara used to be. This picture seems to be one from their college. Shlok and Laksh are standing in what seems like the cafeteria and apparently, out of nowhere Swara leaps on Laksh’s back hurtling him down. The picture has perfectly captured Shlok’s amused expressions, Laksh’s startled features and Swara’s carefree laughter. The photograph instantly captivates his heart making him imagine how it would have been if he had also been there… with them. Would he have enjoyed the moments? Or would he have loved his books just the way he does now?

Guess, some questions are supposed to remain unanswered! Because no matter what he will not find them now.

Holding the album close to his chest, Sanskaar rests his back on the chair he has been sitting on and sighs looking outside the window. With the cool breeze gushing into his room and splashing across his face, he feels his eyelids getting heavier. The cool wind has always been his companion. A companion that always has answers to his questions. and even without realizing he drifts into a slumber with his arms still wrapped around the album.

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An ear piercing scream tears through the eeriness and echoes in the silence of the night as Shlok tumbles down the hill. With each rock tearing his skin open, he feels an ounce of his breath escaping. With the lashes heavy with warm crimson liquid oozing out of his head, he tries figuring out who in front of him was. But with his vision blurring with every passing moment, he realizes that his feeble attempts will never be enough.

So, is this the end?

He tries making a run for his life but all in vain. “Just know this that I hate you… more than anything else,” a perilous voice rings in the surroundings and the ominous metal rod is raised up high in the air aiming to end his life. But before he breathes his last, Shlok’s blinking eyes catches a glimpse of the hand of the one who has so much hatred against him bottled up in his heart. And what captures his eyes is a bracelet. A chain bracelet with a single bead… a blue bead in the shape of an eye.

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“Long time no see, brother,” Shlok’s voice reverberates in Sanskaar’s ears as he tries to get a hold of himself. He knows how important this is for his brother and their family, but visiting these excruciating moments again and again becomes too much for his heart to take. It is as if a dagger is pierced through his heart and every time it is pushed deeper inside his flesh tormenting him more than ever before. The pain, a peril so grave, too unendurable for him to bear anymore.

Sanskaar turns around and finds a blurred image of Shlok standing amidst the mist shrouding the cliff as if it is trying to conceal all the secrets the place has cloistered within. The bone-chilling mist swallowed the whole base of the cliff and clung to every surface tinting it all stony grey. It has been a while since he has heard his brother’s voice and this time it is not the usual confined room, rather the place where it all ended or shall he say where it all began.

Sanskaar: (whispers) Bhai!

Shlok: (smiles) How are you doing?

Sanskaar: How am I doing? Seriously, bhai? Where have you been all this while? Do you even realize how long it has been since you visited me last? Do you even know how worried I was? And… and stop smiling.

Shlok: What? Can’t I even smile now?

Sanskaar: Yes, you can. Yes. But this is not the time.

Shlok: Yes, it is. Do you realize that this is the first time that you are scolding me? And trust me getting scolded by your younger brother… umm… it feels good.

Sanskaar: I am not scolding you, bhai. I was worried about you.

Shlok: But why? I’m not alive anyway!

Sanskaar: DON’T, BHAI! Please!

Shlok: Okay. Okay. I’m sorry.

Sanskaar: I know. I know I’m overreacting. I just wish we could have some time together. Not having you by my side feels as if I have I have lost the most important part of my life. You are being missed, bhai. Everyone does. More than you can imagine!

Shlok: I know, Sanskaar, and I will always be there by your side. Don’t ever doubt that. And together, let’s find out who was the one who has snatched away all our happiness. Yeah?

Sanskaar: Yes, bhai. And I will make sure to make them pay for all their deeds.

Shlok: Now, that’s my brother. Just do whatever you need to. I will always be there whenever you need me. And remember one thing, sometimes what a single finger cannot do, a fist can.

Sanskaar: W-What do you mean?

Shlok: (smiles) You will understand when the right time comes!

And even before Sanskaar can question him again, Shlok vanishes into oblivion and Sanskaar realizes that he is waking up.

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He has seen it! Finally. Finally, he has a clue!

Overwhelmed with an unfamiliar fervidness, Sanskaar’s hand tremble. Rejuvenated with the newfound vigor, he feels assured that now he will sail through. He still has his brother, and as long as he is with him he will overcome anything for him. Justice… at least his Shlok Bhai deserves that.

Shuffling through the drawer of his table, he draws out some white sheets and starts sketching out the vision he just had. He cannot take the risk of delaying it any further or he may miss out some details. After scribbling for about ten minutes, Sanskaar finally manages to get the bracelet right. A sturdy looking chained bracelet with the only attraction being its blue colored evil eye right in the middle. The eerie sinister vibe that emanated from it sends a shudder down his spine.

And when he takes a closer look, he realizes that he has seen it somewhere… somewhere very recently. Hurriedly, he keeps the paper aside and starts flipping through the album once again, and he finally stops at the photograph which Shlok, Laksh, and Swara had clicked in the cafeteria. Right where Shlok is standing, Sanskaar finds a slightly blurred image of a hand holding a cup of coffee. But what catches his attention is the wrist of the hand, that has apparently the same bracelet Sanskaar has just drawn. He does not know whether it is the hand of the same person or not, but at least he has something in his hand now. And undoubtedly, that something is definitely better than nothing.

Holding the album in his hand, he dashes out of the room and makes his way towards the only person he thinks can help him out at this very moment. After knocking incessantly at the door for about a minute, he gets greeted by the scowl of an absolutely sleepy Laksh.

Laksh: What happened, bhai?

Sanskaar: I need you to have a look at this photograph.

Laksh: (yawns) Can we postpone it until morning tomorrow? I don’t think I can open my eyes at this very moment.

And that earns him a frown from Sanskaar and a really hard whack at the back of his head which instantly wakes him up. Narrowing her eyes at him, Ragini glares at her husband’s nonsensical behavior.

Laksh: Ow! You are a really violent woman!

Ragini: Shut up, Laksh. If your brother is here at this hour, then it has to be something important.

Laksh: I-I’m sorry, bhai. Why don’t you come inside first and then we can talk about it?

Sanskaar: Won’t this wake Chaitanya up?

Ragini: (smiles) Don’t worry about that. He’s a heavy sleeper.

Nodding his head and holding the album tight against his chest, Sanskaar enters the room and takes a seat on the chair kept next to the bed.

Laksh: (sitting on the bed) Now, what is it?

Sanskaar keeps the album on the bed in between Laksh and Ragini and opens the photograph. Pointing at the figure behind Shlok, he looks at Laksh.

Laksh: Bhai, you came here in the middle of the night to make fun of me? I look like a dumb cat in here.

Sanskaar: (rolls his eyes) Tsk! I have better things to do, Laksh!

Laksh: Then what is it?

Sanskaar: Do you have any idea who this person is?

Laksh: W-What? Are you serious? This…

Sanskaar: This is important, Laksh. Really, very important.

Laksh: But how can we guess it just by looking at the hand of the person?

Sanskaar: Maybe you would have seen this bracelet before!

Laksh: I-I don’t remember. Ragini, have you ever seen this?

Ragini: I feel as if I have seen it before but there are so many bracelets like this. How can we make sure who this person is?

Laksh: But as far as I remember I have never seen anyone from our batch wearing anything like that.

Ragini: I agree with that. I feel we should ask Swara about it. She knew quite a number of people from our college as she was the head of the music club. Maybe he is someone from our junior batches.

Laksh: Yes, for a change I agree with you!

Ragini narrows her eyes at her husband as he winks at her. But what keeps knocking at Sanskaar’s brain is…

He should get the head of his lady love work straight much earlier than he has thought before. She needs to have a clear hold of her feelings before they get down to this.

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A/N

Before I sign off, I would like to inform you all about two things.

THE HIDDEN HALF has won the FIRST PLACE in Indian Fanfiction Awards 2020. 🎉❤️✨

And second is that I am planning to increase the frequency of my updates. So, from now onwards,

~ THE HIDDEN HALF will get updated every SUNDAY, and

~ TU HI YAAR MERA will get updated every THURSDAY.

And I will resume TO YOU, MY HEART I SURRENDER after completing THH as there aren’t much chapters left in here. I’m not planning to extend this story much longer. So, see you all soon.

Till then, stay blessed, stay safe and happy reading!

With love,
Stella ❤️