APPLE OF OUR EYES

11. NAKSHATRA - the sister!!

Abhimanyu though, slept with his father near him, woke up within few minutes when he missed his father's warmth. He got up and picked up his phone, annoyed with himself and sad over the situation. His phone rang suddenly, startling him, but he relaxed when he saw that his sister is calling him. As soon as he lifted the call, she asked if he is still awake and he gave her a green signal that she can come. She jumped into his room from the French Window and Abhimanyu thinned his lips. She could have easily come through main door and no one would have stopped her but she just had to flex her climbing, and jumping skills. He sat up, leaning against headboard while she settled beside him, encroaching into his comforter.

"Kya chal raha hai Abhi? Krish jo bol raha hai vo sab sahi hai? Tu ne sach mein yeh sab kiya? Akele?" She shot her questions and the mere mention of Krish, annoyed Abhimanyu like anything. If the idiot stayed quiet, none of this would have happened. But more than that, he didn't want his sister scolding him as well. 

He had enough for the day "Aap daantne aaye ho toh jao. Mumma Papa se already bahut daant pad gayi. I am sure kal aur zyada padne wali hain. Injection se pain hua tha. Bruises the. Wohi sab dekh ke aaj concession milgaya mujhe. I am dreading tomorrow." He snapped at her.

Nakshatra, being the elder and understanding one, backed off "Acha sorry. Main daant nahi rahi thi. I was flustered. Krish ne toh sab Boldiya. Per main ek ki baat sunke kaise conclude karlun? Isliye aagayi tere paas."

"Krish ne Boldiya na! Toh sahi hoga. Krish Kahan kuch galat bolega? Use hamesha sab sahi bolna aur sahi karna hota hain. Duniya jaye bhaad mein. Use kisi aur ki feelings ki koi kadar nahi hain." He snapped, again, with a scowl. 

Tara narrowed her eyes "Ofcourse!! Krish ne bahut galat kiya. Use aise sabko sach nahi batana chahiye tha. He should have let that bastard who manipulated you go Scott free again just because you refuse to confide in your parents. Feelings sirf tere hain na. Hum sab ke feelings feelings thodi hain. Buami ke, Mamu ke feelings ka kya hain. They don't matter." Her sarcasm rubbed him off the wrong way. He took his parent's heat without a word but he didn't want that from his sister! He wanted his sister to be on his side and understand him, even though he knew he is wrong. 

"DI! Not again please....yehi lecture nth time nahi sunpaunga. Bhaksh do mujhe." 

Him snapping at her for the third time, had to be last straw for Nakshatra as well. She had enough too, "Chup ho jaa tu ekdum. Yeh attitude kisi aur ko dikhana. Mujhe nahi. Zyada nakhre kiye toh abhi Buami aur Mamu se batadungi ki tujhe abhi ke abhi seedha karein. Bahut bakwaas karne lag gaya hain tu!" 

Abhimanyu looked at her, hurt, and then looked away "Itna bakwaas karta hoon toh aap aaye kyun mujhse milne? Aap ek kaam karo....aap abhi jao. Karlo jo complaint karna hain. Jitni daant padne wali hain usse thoda zyada pad jayenge. Kam se kam is lecture se toh Bach jaunga. Jao aap." His voice shook in the end and his eyes teared up. 

Nakshatra mentally chided herself for not being considerate. She immediately hugged him as she saw tears in the corner of his eyes "Sorry Abhi. Itna kyun chid raha hain? Main mazaak kar rahi thi. I am always on your team. Calm down." She helped him feel better while he simply put his head on her shoulder, just like he did whenever he is hurt and she came jumping into his room. 

Tara waited for him to talk something and he started slowly "Bahut gusse mein hain Di mumma. Mujhe already chanta pad chuka hain. Papa bhi bahut gussa hain." 

His sad tone got to her and she simply pulled him closer "Honge na Abhi. Kaam hi aisa kiya hai." Her voice so gentle and soothing.

"I know but that doesn't mean I need to like it. It doesn't mean that I don't get to sulk over it" He whined and Tara chuckled "Karle sulk. Vent it out. I am all ears."