|| ENIGMA || Editing

Bonus: Unbreakable Bonds

Pratik looked up from his books when he heard the knock on his door . He saw her tired face and his heart went out to her . He wish he knew what all she was going through all these years. It must have been so difficult managing the burden that he was. If it wasn't for him , she could have enjoyed and lived her life the way she wanted but couldn't because she was bound by the responsibilties namely him .

" Do you have a minute ? " She asked and he nodded getting up . They led their way to the balcony taking there seats on the recliner there

" Can i ask something before you say anything ?" He asked in a small voice and she nodded

" Did you ever... umm.. did you ever think it was better if i wasn't here or if i was a burden that aai and baba left upon you ? " He asked and her face looked like she was offended

" Pratik , this is the last time you are addressing yourself as a burden to me . If i ever hear you say that again , i swear i'll cut all your monthly expenditures " She said strictly  and he gulped

" Praa.. you are my baby ... you can never be a burden on me . You know you were the only ray of sunshine i had when aai and baba left . The only person i had left was you and i swear i may not say or show  it enough but i love you . " She held his hand in hers and squeezed it

" Why did you never tell me ?  You know maasi held a secret from us , you held a secret from me , i don't know what's going on teju ... Everything came out so suddenly , i am unable to grasp it all. It has all gotten so much to take in ... I just want to rewind the past few days ." He murmered

" Praa... I am sorry , i know i can't justify myself . You being angry with me was justified .. i got angry at maasi too for keeping the secret. I..... Everything's out there in the open now ... though i admit i would have never told you if it hadn't come out like this.... It has nothing to do with the reasons you are thinking or have thought of. I just... i never thought of you as my step-brother . For me you were my baby bro and will always be . I never thought this small truth would matter to be honest.... but i was also scared ... " She took a  deep breathe and looked at him who was listening to her  her attentively

" I was scared what if someday you realised you don't want me in your life. You know what if you knew the truth and didn't find it necessary to live under the control of a freak of a step- sister you have.... I could never give you enough pratik. I was always out , working and i know how much you craved for love and attention.... I kept telling you  do this , don't do that ... i just got too busy with working that i forgot you needed my time .. you needed love which i failed to provide since i was too busy controlling you , correcting you .... such a bad sister i am that i couldn't even protect you and you had to suffer due to my business rivalries " She sighed ,  her  voice was heavy and he looked up at the ceiling  to control his tears

" Where's my teju ? " He said and she looked at him through the unshed tears in her eyes

" This is not my teju .... What have you done to my strong sister huh ? "He sniffed and tears finally left her eyes .

" You have no idea what all you have done for me tejuu... I don't remember much of aai baba , mere liye tu hi meri aai , baba , bhen sabkuch hai... Maine bachpan se tujhe dekha hai kuch na kuch krte hue.. You never once rested or stopped ... kabhi meri books ke liye bhagna , meri bus driver ko datna , mera nashta banana tujhe banana nhi ata tha phir bhi tu bnati thi ... haat jal jate the.... lekin jab tak mujhe nhi khilati thi tab tak ni baithti thi ... thak ke kaam se aati thi phir bhi mere kaamo me , meri zarurate puri krne me lgi rehti thi " His eyes brimmed with more tears as he remembered the hard childhood  they had to face. She sniffed wiping her face by rubbing it on her shoulder since her hands were in pratik's hand