…My Brothers Are Everything To Me…
Chapter 15:
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Previous Chapter:
chapter-14
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Chapter 15:
Shivaay looked at the dressed wound on Rudra’s arms..
It may be nothing but a scratch in his arm left by bullet, but it was an arrow to Shivaay’s heart.
God….! Shivaay would have killed that woman if no one restrained him..
Shivaay knew he’s not moral like Om.. He never was.
To touch his brother..
It was a punishable crime in Shivaay’s world.
Shivaay knew Rudra was so shocked of the events that he had fainted on spot.
Rudra had never learnt to deal with anything life threatening.
Shivaay carssed Rudra’s hair and went out of the room, knowing Om will want to come here but won’t come unless he left.
Shivaay knew it’s unfair of him to ask that promise to Om but no one could possibly understand what he’s going through.
Shivaay didn’t know where he was going, unknowingly his legs took him to the pool area and Shivaay sat beside the pool.
Why is this woman targeting him..?
Shivaay would have been fine if the bullet pierced his heart instead of even scratching his baby brother.
Many may think he’s freaking out over a single scratch. But it’s not the case.
Shivaay’s duty, purpose, living his life, everything was, is and will be for his brothers..
If you took that from him then Shivaay is nothing but a dead man.
~~~Shivaay had used all the antiseptic and cotton to little Rudra when he got in a fight for playing cricket, sneaking out of Mansion.
Shivaay had applied the stolen concealer from his mom’s make up set to hide the obvious bruises. He cannot make the elders suspicious that they got into a fight. Everyone will be mad at Rudra for sneaking out.
They’re already fussing and they three had decided to be in room since it’s Sunday. Shivaay will buy some medicine on his way to school tomorrow but he has to tolerate this for today.
Om was snickering at him for getting into a fight and lying to his family.
Ugh… Shivaay glared at Om, much to his annoyance Om laughed aloud saying,
“Violence is never an answer Shivaay”
“Om can you please stop it.. I admit I shouldn’t have lied to the family. Okay”
Om smiled at the fact that Shivaay worded it as an apology but not admitting he had been wrong.
Arrogant..
Shivaay concealed the wince when Rudra looked at him. Rudra will feel guilty if he knew Shivaay’s in pain after that fight.
Rudra came towards him and slowly put his chubby, cute hands on Shivaay’s cheeks, looking at him so seriously..
“Pain, pain go away..
Don’t come any other day
He’s my Superman bhaiyaa
You will better stay away”
Despite of his pain, Shivaay smiled…
Rudra’s antics were as usual childish..
But…
Cute…
Adorable…
Most of all… Innocent…
And Shivaay vowed looking at Rudra and Om smiling at him..
He will protect them…
Even with his life…
They’re worth everything he ever was… Even his soul and life..
“Oh Shivaay…! What a miracle..! Rudra can remember a rhymes!”
His cute baby looked at Om, adorably scowling and then smiled..
“Pain pain go away
Go to Omikuru
Because he’s secretly a girl
Who will whine and cry”
Rudra slightly backed away,
“Why you little monster…”
Om pounced at Rudra and he ran around the room yelling, “Shivaay bhaiyaa”
Shivaay is blessed with happiness and he never knew what he did to deserve these two.~~~~
Shivaay put his face on his hands, knowing headache is on it’s way.
Shivaay shouldn’t have argued with Om at all.
Annika looked at the devil in the pool area. Annika heard them arguing but didn’t know what they are arguing about.
Instinctively she followed him to see him sitting here and his expression sorrowful.
And he looked..
Human…
For some reason, Annika never wanted to see him sad.. It bothered her so much that Annika preferred the devil better than this sorrowful man sitting in front of her.
It made her feel strange so she moved towards him not really caring he will scold her for interfering..
As soon as she got near him, he suddenly grabbed her waist not looking at her and hugged her…
His face against her stomach….
Her insides tingled..
Of all the days, Annika chose today to wear a bellybutton revealing shirt..
Annika opened her mouth to tell him it’s her but let him hug her knowing he’s sad and stressed. But Annika couldn’t understand,
Why is she allowing this..?
His hands on her waist were so firm and Annika could hear her own heartbeat..
And then,
He nuzzled her stomach…
Annika clenched her fingers, standing still, afraid to even breath..
His stubble pierced her skin, rising something in her…
After a moment he let go and looked up,
“I thought you’re Tia.. I am mistaken..”
Not much of an apology but still an explanation…
He then moved away leaving Annika behind., wide eyed..
Why is he affecting me..?
Why something fluttered when he nuzzled her..?
Why something dimmed in her when he said he thought her as Tia..?
What’s going on between this devil and her….?
Did the devil cast some sort of devilish spell on her…?
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Om watched Rudra sleeping peacefully while sitting on the bed beside him, after knowing Shivaay went from this room.
He knew it may be childish to avoid Shivaay but Om is not ready to face him now.
How could Shivaay do this to him.?
How dare he utter those words.? If Shivaay was in his place what would he have done? Would he abandon either of them..? Shivaay will never do this but then how did he expect Om to do this.?
Om sighed and looked again at his brother, sleeping caused by the medicines he was given.
Rudra must have been shocked to the core after getting shot that he fainted.
Om knew it was nothing but a scratch fortunately and the wound will heal with in a week but what Om worried about was Rudra’s mental health.
Any normal person will be scared out of their wits when they barely escaped death.
Shivaay and his father are used to it and Om knew how dangerous it is to be an Oberoi but Rudra was a normal person.
No… Even better Rudra is like a child like Shivaay usually says.
Rudra was too sheltered and protected since Shivaay and him wanted at least one of us to experience a normal, happy childhood.
Om sometimes even treated Rudra his age and did silly things with him but to Shivaay, Rudra will be forever a five year old who followed around Shivaay, trying to copy his actions.
Om didn’t know how Rudra is going to take that memory of getting shot and also how is he going to deal with Om and Shivaay fighting seriously, both not ready to agree to the other.
Om caressed Rudra’s hair to calm down when Rudra frowned in his sleep, probably a nightmare.
To outsiders it may look all three brothers are so perfect and has a good relationship.
Love between brothers are the same but their relationship are not the same.
For Rudra, Shivaay is like a Superman, a father figure..
For Om, Shivaay is a guardian and someone who looks after Om.
Om and Rudra’s relationship is a little different and as complex as Shivaay’s and Om’s relationship is..
They’re just not his brothers..
They’re his support system and reasons for still living in the world.
Rudra may be a child to Shivaay but to Om, Rudra is like a friend he never had, a brother, a companion who makes him do childish things.
Om was always serious and intense to others. Many think he is some sort of a mature poet with a tragic past who cannot smile much, that his eyes are very sad which probably is true for most of the time.
But Rudra is the only one who sees past the Omikuru like Rudra called when he was a child in him. And still treat him as same… Rudra still sees the person he used to drag to do stupid things like putting powder in their father’s shoes and stealing laddu from pooja plate like it is really a mission of soldier.
But to this day, no matter how much Om huffed or acted annoyed, Om always indulged in Rudra’s activities every time.
Om every time participated in Rudra’s childish activities and no matter how much Om denied to everyone, he always enjoyed playing with Rudra.
If Shivaay is the one Rudra followed around then Om is the one Rudra dragged to do things.
Rudra always vanished his every worry and sorrow, doing some stupid antics, making him laugh.
As Om grew up he understood what Rudra had been doing.
If Om was upset about their parents fighting or about how lonely he’s in school or anything troubling him, Shivaay always been a support and solved his issues and Rudra had been one to pull him back from the mess by making him laugh or drag him to do stupid things.
There was one time, only one time in his life where he had seen Rudra serious, very serious…
~~~Om kept his head down and clenched the arms of the sofa he was sitting in..
He grit his teeth… Not in anger but in desperation.
Om had been found out of using drugs by Shivaay and they had a major fight resulting in Shivaay emptying the entire mansion of anything which resembled drugs.
Om knew Shivaay was so devastated to find him like that and probably locked himself in a room blaming himself.
But Om couldn’t think past of the drugs for now..
He is isolated in his room morevlike guarded by guards till he agrees to go through rehab center. He refused to do that after watching his father’s mask crumbling in utter rage at his activities.
When his father found out about him, Om was happy to look at the anger and rage in them, he was restrained from Shivaay not to slap him.
A reaction from his father finally….
He noticed Om now, other than the perfect heir his father viewing has been of him.
His father finally noticed that Om won’t be the perfect heir, won’t be the perfect son… Honestly, Om felt satisfied at the pain in his father’s eyes..
Take that, Mr. Oberoi…. For ruining my childhood, my mother, my dreams for a happy family, at last ruining me completely…
Om had been a mess…
Reality seemed too much to handle and he knew Rudra and Shivaay won’t survive if he killed himself..
Nothing mattered to him anymore…
His hope that one day his father and mother will reconcile and they will live happily ever after has been shattered when he saw the news about the so called mistress of his father..
Rumors and name calling followed him around in collage and since he had no decent friends..
So he turned to one thing…
Drugs….
It kept him oblivious, made his pain fade away, a blissful state his mind craved for..
He’s ruined completely..
Every door was shut firmly and Om has nothing but drugs..
Om’s hand trembled and he knew it won’t take an hour more for Om to become mindless with his desperation..
He wants to escape…
But how….?
Om walked around the room to find an escape way with his trembling legs..
Suddenly he heard someone closing the door, he hadn’t even realised anyone opening it.
Om looked up to see Rudra stood, leaning against the door.
“Rudra..” Om’s voice was hoarse after the yelling and crying argument he had with Shivaay two days before.
“Looking for an escape route?”
Rudra oddly seemed so serious, all the laughter and mischievousness gone from his face.
“Rudra.. Let me out.. You can’t force me to attend rehab”
Rudra just stared at him then moved towards the chair and sat, gesturing him to sit down,
“The door is locked outside so come and sit”
For some reason, the expression and tone of Rudra bothered him a lot.
Om hardly noticed his brothers for the past two years since he had been taking drugs.. First, Om took drugs on a painful occasion then it changed to once a month, then once a week, then once a day and he got caught using it because of his desperation.
Om sat anyway, not that he could stand long with the way his body is shaking because of the withdrawal from drugs for two days.
“What is it then?”, Om asked tiredly knowing that Rudra too came to advice him or compromise him to go to rehab..
No….
Om has already decided to destruct himself…
Nothing mattered anymore.
Rudra looked at him and smiled his usual smile but somehow it seemed fake.
“You know Om, you always advice Shivaay bhaiyaa to behave since he’s my roll model. What a hypocrite you’re”
“What?”
Om asked in shock… Rudra never spoke like that.. Never..
“You’re my brother too and I look up to you too… You’ve been using drugs so it must be something good, right..?”
Om kept silent not knowing how to respond to that..
Om had failed…
Om wanted to disappoint and fail his parents but he never realised he’s disappointing his brothers too..
Om watched in shock when Rudra took an injection from his packet..
“I had stolen it from the trash can, It must be good since you turned away from your brothers, duties, art, your family for this… So as a younger brother I have to follow your steps too, right?”
“I… Rudra.. What are you doing?”
Om watched in horror of Rudra trying to inject that thing in his hand..
“Rudra… Please… Don’t..”
Om moved forward quickly when Rudra ignored him, not letting his trembling legs slowing him and pushed the injection away and slapping Rudra out of his stupidity.
Rudra looked at him and asked,
“Why…? Isn’t that the wonderful thing which makes your pain fade away Om?”
“Don’t be stupid Rudra”, Om’s voice rising again.
“Why Omkara.?”
It was like a slap to Om… Hearing his full name from Rudra like that.
Om slumped on the ground and Rudra caught him, made him sit properly on the floor and gave him a water..
It should be Om’s duty and always was to take care of Rudra not the other way around.
When had Om lost the path…?
Why did he do that.?
And Where’s Shivaay..? It’s unlike him to not see Om for two days.. Was Shivaay so mad at him that he didn’t come to see him..?
Om had been a mess these past two days with out his drugs and now Rudra is the one taking care if him..
“What would you feel Om, to see me in your place, destroying myself..?”
Om couldn’t even think about it..
His brother… Never
“Rudra please…”
“Then imagine how hurt we are, looking at the sensible one of us destroying himself..? It’s not too late O.. Please attend this rehab.. I know you want the happy family.. But aren’t I and Shivaay bhaiyaa your family too..? Aren’t we happy?”
Om leaned in the embrace of Rudra and for the first time in these past two years, Om felt peaceful without the help of drugs.
Why did he turn away from his brothers to drugs..?
“Since when did you grow up Rudra..?”
“Since the past two years when you’re busy ignoring me and Shivaay bhaiyaa busy taking over business”
Om winced remembering how rude he had been to all of them these past two years.
“I am sorry Rudra..”
Rudra chuckled and Om looked up to see tears in his eyes.
“What..?” Om asked..
“Well, don’t go thinking I am all grown and all.. It’s not a drug but water in the injection”
“What? What would’ve happened if you injected in your arm, you stupid?”
“Well.. I knew you would push that away.”
“But what would’ve happened if I didn’t react Rudra, how stupid was that”
“I trusted you Om and I will always do..”
Om felt like choking up..
What had he been doing these past two years..?
Om hugged Rudra, startling him..
“I am sorry Rudra.. I am so sorry for all these”
“It’s okay O.. I know you won’t believe this easily that I forgave you but I really forgave you O because you always let go of my mistakes, all the time and it’s my time.. But don’t think Shivaay bhaiyaa will be.”
Om nodded chuckling through tears and asked,
“Where is Shivaay? Is he so angry to not even visit me or convince me to go to rehab center?”
Om looked up seeing Rudra remained silent..
“Rudra… Where is Shivaay?”
Rudra looked at him finally and said,
“Bhaiyaa resigned his post”
“What..?”
Om knew how much business meant to Shivaay.
“Yes.. He had been blaming himself to not take care of you and he resigned it. He refused to eat or take his medicines for his heart.. His room is messy since he broke everything and he’s being treated because of the cuts in his hand due to the ‘destructing his room’ episode. He’s not awake yet.”
Om felt stupid, for putting him through this..
God…! He’s so irresponsible..
“Come Om… Let’s go see bhaiyaa”
“But….”
“Oh… Come on Om. I trust you won’t run away and I know you will attend the rehab center.”
“How are we going to go?”
“Well… I am Rudra Singh Oberoi and nothing stops Rudra Singh Oberoi”
Rudra imitated like Shivaay and without knowing Om was dragged, while laughing to another adventure of escaping his own room and to sneak into Shivaay’s room.
It was a stupid adventure since Om can say to the guards that he will attend the rehab and they will let him go but followed Rudra anyway even knowing it’s stupid just like when they were children.. But Om finally noticed that somehow the trembling has stopped.~~~~
Om looked at Rudra…
He’s the brightest star on the earth who brings nothing but laughter and happiness..
To see him like this is very tough for Om..
Shivaay had been wrong no matter how much he tries to understand. Because they both are each half of his heart and without any half, he won’t survive and it’s cruel to ask him to choose.
Suddenly Om heard voices from the hall and Om looked at Rudra, Om pulled the blanket and covered Rudra, increased the air conditioner temperature and went outside to look what’s going on and who is disturbing Rudra’s rest.
To his utter disbelief, it was his father and Shivaay, they rarely argued and Om found it was Shivaay who remained silent and was being yelled at.
“It’s your fault Shivaay… All of this is your fault”, his father yelled at Shivaay and his brother Shivaay who never tolerated anyone speaking to him like that stood silent, as if defeated…
What’s going on…?
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(A/N: Hope you all liked this chapter.. Let me know your thoughts..
Thank you all for such wonderful comments which keeps encouraging me to update on time.. See you with next update.)