vi...

lass teacher who had a skeptical expression "you said my son is very quiet..

nt and looking at the ground "Prithvi? Why don't you wait outside?"she

ark on his hand which wouldn't go..no matter how hard he tried to rub it. Th

ished his mother would change, he wished his father would come back..he wished his

she said and he quietly followed her. They took a taxi home

selling differen

to fly kites". She shook her head "not now Prithvi.. mayb

taking about his class lessons. He wondered what she was going to hit him with; he didn't l

am wasn't back from school yet. Prithvi walked back

urned "okay"his voice was a whisper "what about lunch?" She shrugged "t

bang on the door. He simply c

d the room was open and Pratham was back. "B

ow" he said truthfully. Pratham bli

for any signs of food but there was none "where's maa? Isn't sh

usly "what are you searching?" Prithvi took o

..can I have that?" Prithvi th

big bite of his apple "will you help me?" Prithvi t

a". Prithvi stopped eating "no way..he's gone

..I've forgotten what he looks like". Pr

to him!" Prithvi pushed his hand away "but I don't know

just once I swear..I won't bother you again anymore!"

ne of their neighbours Rajesh and Prithvi had

r that they were going to practice. Although

hvi looked out of the bus window "great..". Pratham beamed "

ham asked, puzzled. Prithvi shrugged "nothing really". He couldn't understand a

nded him and Prithvi got down with his

s now?" Pratham asked, looking arou

he piece of paper "maybe we should go back..this isn't a great id

let's get it over with". Pratham smiled and t

ce while his heart beat rose rapidly. Sometime later, the door ope

tervened "where's papa?"he asked rather rudely. The boy

for this; his father had another family "what is it?"came

.?"he couldn't even finish the sentence. Prath

is elder son. Prithvi didn't waver his gaze "is

hate you! You're a disgusting piece of shit and I don't want to see you again!"he spat "I'll never forgive you for what you'

nce at his father and wal

following them as they had reach

were cheating on my mother?"he s

it's like to be married to your mother...I tr

?" Prithvi yelled "you're even worse than her...I don't want to see

◇

Kevin scratched his head in frustration. "What the

a parallelism". Prithvi burnt his cigarette in the ash tray and to

h was on the backyard and they would usually come here to chill, m

, their human resource manager stated with

ungs "does he ever stop? Why don't you explain t

m dude" he sighed and Prithvi knew he was in deep shit; his friend n

higher and trying for a better placement, I'm stuck here since fore

tted "it holds you like leech and doesn't allo

ed "you never tried dude..you blew your chance when

t anymore.. and I really appreciate it if you guys forget about

tter shook his head and Kevin changed the topic

zed what he was talking about "oh..h

gged, trying to lie a little more "I don't know

about distraction". Teena gave a bright smile "I'm done with the

ena? Want to know a secret?"he snorted "Prithvi's dating a girl, from Facebook

i glared at his friend "do y

he stammered "you know what? I've already shown it to Sen and he approved i

f. Kevin smiled "I'm saving her...from having a hea

her "and the sooner she gets out of her sweet little bubble,

ere won't be any drama..I assure you" he c

d raced to Aarti. She was a mystery, and the mor

But didn't look a yea

emed innocent enough; but he knew she was smart for her own good. He was cur

him "oh hey" he smiled "need help?" She ignore

a fake smile "you know Kevin..he's a big mouth". S

o? Get drunk and destroy himself in the process? It wasn't like he h

, at her expense and she gave a half s

didn't look happy no matter how much she pretended to

n in love with him? How could he have

as trying to sound happy for him but genuinely upset. "Teena...you know you've always bee

told you long before...but you had eyes only for.." her eyes were misty "and then you were alone and I..didn't want to be the

finally, something he wanted to say long back, but not to her...but to someone else in another lifetime "you would have regretted it you know..that's who I am..that's who I

human being and I respect you". He smiled back, genuinely this time "thanks". She nodd

at things were okay betw

◇

ment. It was small, with a single room and kitchen

ed it was unlocked. Only one other pers

r and hugged his elder brother "what a surprise!when

vi looked around his room, impressed. His brother had cleaned ou

ckingly but Pratham looked unfazed "I know

ng is your vacation?"he asked as Prat

n in our college so we've been relieved for a couple of days" Pratham

am laughed and set the dishes on the table "j

ow's work? did you even think of resigning?" P

his mouth as he was too hungry "work is terribl

m rolled his eyes, already knowing the answer

d "okay..what about Amsterdam? Have y

e like the rest of my day..". Pratham went on to say so

miled and narrated the incident at the office. Pratham nodde

ham, who had met most of his office staffs just shrugged "I d

keeping things from his brother was suffocating for him. And he knew his brother being the saint that he

ends..someone very mature..and simple and uncomplicate

on the sink "let's not talk about

t answered anyway "it's alright I guess

id you talk? How did he get your number?" Prat

yeah..he said you wouldn't receive his calls.." Pratha

ike you...and next time he calls, tell him to go piss off...and ask him never

were interrupted by a phone call for his brother

ent.." he said and walked to his room "why the hell are you calling

?"he asked, his tone a little softer. What wa

d after a while. "So I'm not the only o

she explained. "Yeah..I was working.. and we're not supposed to use

y. He remembered how they had left their last conversatio

..can you come?"she asked. He thought for a while "I w

you more" she said "thank you".