The Malhotras

Advait got ready in the formals and left for his office after picking up the kids from school. Abhishek was in his room sitting on the floor, his knees were pressed to his chest and his arms were wrapped around a frame in his hands. His eyes were mist with tears and the cheeks were streaked with water.

He looked at the frame mumbling, "Mumma!"

"Maine bhaiya ko phir se hurt kar diya." He sobbed.

"Ab wo mujhse kabhi baat nahi karenge." He choked on his tears.

"Mujhe hostel nahi jana mumma, mujhe bhaiya ke paas rehna hai." He cried bitterly, his body was shaking due to pain.

"Mai kya karoon kaise manaoon unko, aap sun rahe ho na mumma." He said looking at the frame with hopeful eyes.

"I miss you mumma I miss you so much." He whispered while brushing his fingers over the photo.

He sat there clutching the photo frame to his chest, his mind was swirling around Advait. He was thinking of the ways to pacify him but nothing came to his mind.

His hand searched for his phone and he picked it up with a trembling hand. He dialled a number and put the phone on his ear.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hey buddy!" Reyansh chirped from the other side.

"Bhai." Abhishek sniffled.

"Abhi, kya hua?" The concern took over his voice.

"I need you, bhai." He said between his tears.

"Chup chup rona band kar mai abhi aa raha hoon. Ghar par hi hai na tu?" He asked, already getting out of his cabin.

"Haan." He sobbed

~________________________________________~

Advait was sitting in his cabin engrossed in his work but his mind was suffocated with the words of Abhishek. He was not angry with him but disappointed. The frustration was bubbling inside him, he has fired the three people from the moment he entered the office just because of their small mistakes.

He was studying an important file and his subsided anger has increased over again noticing the minor mistakes in the file. He pressed the button of a device placed on his desk. After a minute, Tia entered in the cabin.

"What the hell is this?" He snapped as soon as she entered.

She didn't mind much to his tone as she was aware of his bad mood since the morning. "What happened?" She stepped forward.

"Who made this report?" He gritted his teeth barely controlling his anger.

She hesitated before answering, "Maine banayi hai kya hua?"

"Isko report kehte hain neend me banayi hai kya dhyan kaha rehta hai tera." He said angrily.

She felt a pang in her heart but composed herself, "Kal meri tabiyat kharab thi par report aaj submit karni thi islie maine jaldi me bana di." She replied, her tone was low.

"I'll do it again and submit to you by evening. Sorry for this time." She added.

Advait noticed her face and cursed himself in his mind, he didn't want to shout on her but all the tension was making him frustrated.

"Go and rest. I'll handle it." He said to make it up to her.

But she picked up the file from his desk muttering, "I'll do it, sir." She left the cabin.

Advait sighed looking at her retreating figure, he smashed the paper weight on the wall in anger.

His phone rang, if it would be anyone else he would have throw the phone but he picked it up after looking at the caller I'd.