TIME SKIP PRESENT, MUDGALKAR MANSION

Sid: OH my God! Mallu Didi. he sprang to his feet and enveloped Malika into a near bone crushing hug.

Mallu: oh, my oh my!! Calm down Chote. She chuckled as Sumedh watched them with a small smile playing on his lips. She ruffled his hair smiling at him affectionately. 

Sid: I...You don't know how much i missed you. I am soo happy to see you!

Sumedh: I am not jealous. he joked.

Siddarth's momentary happiness on the sight of Malika helped in both easing the tension in the room and making them more comfortable. As Malika and Sid chattered about all sort of things quickly bridging the gap between them. The two talked like as if they had just met each other yesterday and now today once again they are gossiping like schoolgirls. 

Sumedh leaned on the couch allowing his posture to relax, however his mind revolved around only one thing... ABHISHEK. Despite him not being in their lives from over a decade he still knew his brother. Abhishek is short tempered; he speaks first and then regrets. But either way he is not someone who would neglect his own younger brother. If Abhi hates Sumedh its totally understandable but steaming off at Siddharth was certainly something he would never do.

Sumedh thought about every possibility, every scenario but nothing seemed justified. The one possibility that made sense was Abhishek having to provide their mother emotional support. But Sumedh was more than well aware of the fact that their mother was coping just fine with the separation and just to clarify Sumedh visited every alternate week for the initial year and at that time both Abhi and Sid seemed just fine. So, what could it be then...?

What made Siddharth come out on the streets in the middle of a storm,in such a ragged condition. Sumedh himself had zero contact from his mother and brothers ever since he had got into business and powerplays. The last news he had received was of their mother's death that too years ago. Soon after that his father died too. Now another scenario that made sense was Abhishek getting frustrated due to having to take care of Sid along with the house, managing all of that alone must have been hard. 

Siddharth knows the truth. But for now the main focus should be on making the youngest brother loved and nourished.

He glanced at his wife and brother chatting and eating happily and couldn't help but allow a small smile to form on his lips as he joined in the banter. But the truth is still lingering behind somewhere in the dark and it won't stay there for long...

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TO BE CONTINUED

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