His Madness

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The study was dimly lit, the only source of light was coming from the flickering fireplace. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant ticking of the grand clock on the wall. The younger brother lay with his head on his elder brother’s lap, his body curled slightly as if seeking comfort. He has no one else...his brother is the only family he has left, the only person he trusts.

Arnim was sitting stiffly, his hand resting on Akshat's head, fingers threading through his hair in a rare display of affection. He is not someone to express emotions often, but he understands the silent plea for solace.

"I met her today." Akshat murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingers clenched the fabric of his brother’s trousers as if bracing himself. "She has joined the hospital again."

For a moment, his elder brother’s posture relaxed. A flicker of relief passed through his sharp features.

"She is back at work?" Arnim asked, his voice unreadable.

Akshat nodded.

"Yeah. She looked… better. At least, she tried to."

Arnim exhaled slowly, his fingers stilling in his hair.

"That’s good." He said, but his voice carried an underlying weight, a warning that had been spoken before. He tilted his head slightly, glancing down at his younger sibling. "You didn’t do anything reckless, did you?"

Akshat hesitated. His silence was enough of an answer. Arnim sighed, his grip tightening slightly.

"I told you to stay away from her."

"I can’t." Akshat whispered, his voice breaking. He turned his face slightly, pressing his forehead against his brother’s lap, as if trying to hide the emotions threatening to surface. "She is my best friend, bhai. I can’t pretend she doesn’t exist."

Arnim's expression darkened hearing him.

"You don’t have a choice."

Akshat pulled away, sitting up abruptly. His eyes, glassy with frustration, locked onto his brother’s.

"How can you say that? You know what kind of man he is! He forced her into this, and you are telling me to just watch?"

Arnim’s jaw clenched, a shadow passing over his face.

"I am telling you to survive." His voice was firm, yet beneath the authority lay something deeper...concern. "He won’t tolerate interference. If I ever find out you are trying something, it won't end good for you, Akshat."

Akshat swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to argue, to fight back, but the cold reality of his brother’s words settled in his chest like a stone.

Arnim's gaze softened, his gaze searching his sibling’s face.

"I know you care about her. But caring won’t save her. And it sure as hell won’t save you."

Silence stretched between them. Akshat's heart ached with helplessness, but he knew his brother was right. He was just too afraid to accept it.

"I hate him, bhai." Akshat gritted wiping his eyes using his sleeves. Angry tears again gathered and he quickly wiped them away. "I wish he die---"

"Akshat!"

His elder brother's voice laced with warning rang in the silent room. Akshat glared at him and turned his face away, hiding his anger and tears.