The Malhotras

Arush was crying terribly, his small body was shaking with every sob. Advait was gently rocking him back and forth but his crying only grew louder. He was choking on his own tears, fat tears were constantly streaming down to his cheeks making his vision blurred. His face was all red and swollen, the imprint of the slap was clearly visible on his cheek. Advait's heart was breaking seeing his little kid in such distress.

"Please stop crying baccha... bhaiya ke liye shaant ho jao please." Advait pleaded his own voice wavering slightly.

Arush shook his head coughing badly, "Ad-Adi bhai hit m-me." He choked.

Advait's own eyes started getting mist seeing him in pain, "Mai Adi bhai ko bohot daantunga par pehle aap rona band karo please baccha... bhaiya ki jaan jaa rahi hai apni jaan ko aise dekh kar." He requested rubbing his back.

Arush hugged him burying his face in his neck, Advait continued rocking him to calm him down. He strolled in the room embracing him in his arms until his crying got stopped and only the sounds of sniffling could be heard.

Advait carefully sat down on the bed taking him on his lap, he was glued to him wrapping his legs around his stomach and hands around his neck. Advait gently adjusted him on his lap and looked at his sleeping figure, he brushed off the tears from his puffy cheeks before kissing the top of his head.

He stared at his small form and a small smile came up to his lips remembering the days when his little monkey used to keep him on his toes.

Flashback

It was 10 in the night, the pure innocent giggling could be heard from the bathroom. The little Arush was sitting curled up inside the bucket and was splashing the water, his doe eyes were filled with mischief and curiosity, his body was shaking with the giggles. He was enjoying the best phase of everyone's life...childhood.

Advait was searching for him in the whole mansion in panic, Arush didn't want to sleep so Advait thought he must be hiding himself somewhere in the house. Finally he entered his own room where Aditya and Abhishek were sleeping peacefully cuddling to each other. He checked the room but Arush was not even there so he turned on his heels and about to left the room when the faint sounds of giggling reached to his ears.

He was quick to recognize the voice, the door of the bathroom was already half opened. Advait pushed opened the door and there Arush was curled up inside the bucket, he was enjoying his own company so much that he didn't notice Advait approaching him.

Advait stood towering over him that's when Arush snapped up his head. He blinked innocently looking at his elder brother but Advait glared him down making him pout.

Advait took a hold of his T-shirt from the back and pulled him up by his one hand as if he was a dumping bag. He dumped him outside the bucket and gently tucked at his ear.

"Mana kiya tha na maine pani me khelne se." Advait chided him gently.

Arush's eyes teared up at the gentle rebuke, Advait immediately left his ear.

"Bimar pad jaoge islie mana karta hoon baat kyun nahi maante aap meri... itni der se poore ghar me dundh raha hoon." Advait said softly cupping his cheeks.

Arush sniffled, "Solly." He said covering up his ears.

Advait crouched down and removed the wet clothes from his body. He wrapped him in a baby towel and picked him up to the room, making him stand on the bed.

He went to took out his PJs and a diaper, Arush needed diaper in the night. He oftentimes had a little accident in his sleep.

"Bhai utho... khelenge." Advait looked behind and see Arush was sitting on Aditya who was sleeping.