The mango tree was waving merrily with the breeze. The rain or maybe it was the dark clouds that made its leaves look dark green. The tree out there was also my friend. He is a decade or so younger than me. But he looks humongous and I miss the days, I could climb on top of it and perch comfortably on one of its branches.

I miss those free days though in starting it was hard. I didn't understand why were we being left behind? Why mom-dad didn't want us? But with each passing day, it became bearable. When Nani looked perplexed as Nanu's pension wasn't enough for both Di and I to study in private schools.

Nani decided it will be di who'll study in private school and I understood the reason behind it. Di was in +1 her education was important. She needed good marks and education to get into a good college. I got into the local public school. It was a different world. Different rules.

No AC room, No English speaking teacher, No indoor assembly. No definite dress code. Some students had tattered books. Some didn't have books at all. There were broken benches. Peeling paints and a large blackboard. It was a different world. A bleak world yet there were sources of joy peeking through the doors and windows.

There were dreamers, magicians, storytellers, fighters, survivors all trapped in a single class. Seeking joys in the bare minimum. I learned the art from them.
Be kind and have the courage to stay happy.

I still remember Jatin's astonished question, "You buy fruits?"

And I laugh more at the naivety of my own statement back then -"Yes, you don't, "
I thought it was compulsory to buy fruits from the supermarket or something. I was so silly.

"Absolutely not, who buys fruits? We get them from trees and temples, "
Jatin had taught me the fine art very seriously.

And from then everything on this whole planet was our land. We were rebels. We were rulers. We were kids dreaming. Running through the whole village with wheels. Plucking mangoes from the mango orchards, Jamun (Indian blueberry) from Jamun trees, ber from ber trees. Everything seemed easy then, everything felt ours. Everything was in our grasps.

And I miss those days of freedom. I miss jumping in the canal. I miss running through the farms. I miss climbing trees most of all. I miss those simple days.

Days where I didn't have to grow up. Days where I didn't have to worry about surviving on scholarships. Days where I didn't have to fear my heart failing me any moment.

And I miss Nani. I still remember her last days. It was hard. More than half of di's salary was being spent on her medicine and we didn't have enough for my admission fees.

Thirty-six thousand rupees were just too much for us. We couldn't conjure it immediately and I had decided to forsake my dream of studying food technology then. I could study at a local college. Do BSC. or something? Anything we can afford.

And not for the first time in my life. I felt the kindness of others. Unasked help. Jatin told my physics teacher my problem. My physics teacher told my other teachers about my problem and all the teachers collaborate and donated to raise my fund in time. They did my admission.

I couldn't thank them enough. Like I couldn't thank the driver who took Nani to doctor's check-up every month without asking us for payment. Like I couldn't thank my college's peon for feeding me when I didn't have extra money to buy food. All the people that helped me when they didn't have too. The stranger angels.

I could never thank them enough. For they taught me kindness. For they taught me the art of being kind and helping. You never know what's the other is going on through and your one kind gesture could be everything for them. I can't thank them enough for always showing empathy.

And maybe that's why I tried to be like them. Their gestures back then meant the world for me. I could never do enough to express my gratitude. So, I try to be kind. I try to be like them. Helping. Understanding while maintaining my image of being untouchable. After all, everyone isn't genuine.

"Wotcher Chotu, What ya thinking so seriously?"

The booming voice of the now totally awake Zombie Ninja echoed in my room. Someone, please teach her the basic courtesy of knocking and God, did I mention how I hate her nickname for me. Chotu. Huh, in primary classes my height was shorter than her. I've had a growth spurt and now, I'm a good few inches taller than her. And still, she calls me chotu. Evil Narcissist.

"Weren't you planning to sleep all day?" I questioned her back ignoring her question.

"Well, I would have if someone remembers to take his meds on time, " She said handing me my meds.

God, I really didn't notice the glass of water and meds in her hand. And I know the meds are not working. She knows the meds aren't working yet they act as if it is. As if all this will make me better and for them, I pretend too.

"I didn't know they were complaining to you now, " I said gulping down the meds.

She just rolled her eyes at me. She always does. But this time she didn't take the bait. She changed the topic.

"Do you have any Mudra or sugar quills around?" She asked me looking around my room in search of those.

"No, you know Lav even though I own a chocolate production factory it doesn't mean I stuff chocolates in my room, " I explained to her very saintly.

Sugar quills and Mudras are my own inventions. Actually, I pulled a Willy Wonka and made chocolates exactly like old Mudras. I mean the chocolates represent the coins used by all the ancient kings and no coin tastes the same. It has flavors like Rasmalayi, Kaju katli, and kinda every sweet dish across India in addition to the chocolaty flavors. They were an instant hit.

Sugar quills are well sugar quills shaped things coated with sugar and Jaggery. Its also quite famous. Well, the one's where it contains different sweet pickle type jelly inside. It's quite in demand though still, I don't keep them with me for this overgrown Five-year-old kid. Coming back to the five-year-old. She looked quite displeased, even going as far as scowling at me.

I just shrugged.

"Nevermind, What ya gifting me?" She asked jumping up and down and sprawling on my bed, limbs spread in all directions.

"Nothing, I think, " I told her shrugging and trying to not laugh when she launched a pillow at me, glaring.

"Mean, totally mean and rude, Chotu. Gift me a room full of chocolates, alright. I need chocolates to plan murder, " Lav informed me matter of factly. Demanding chocolates. Who demands gifts anyway?

"One minute what's the relation between chocolate and murder? Are you thinking of killing someone by giving them chocolate poisoning? That's a terrible idea btw, " I said off-handily, eyeing her carefully. Has she finally lost it? Do I need to call the mental hospital? Well, she was always the mad one, I suppose.

"Nop, I plan murder while eating chocolate, a lot of chocolate, " She stretched her hands apart as if to put special emphasis on the part of the lot.

"Tu Pagal hai, " I informed her not at all jokingly. Who plans murder while eating chocolate? I still asked her, " Kiska waise?"

"Dr. Siddhant Mathur, " Lav all but snarled and launched on a fiery passionate tale of why she wants to murder that poor guy. He is the doctor she is assigned under in the hospital and the guy is also my doctor. He is handling my case.

And on a personal note, I think he is a very nice guy. He always has a smile playing on his lips, talks in a very caring and understanding way. He is quite tall too, I mean 6 ft. something, lanky and muscular. But I don't think Lavanya will like me complimenting him when she is all but ranting against him. Planning his murder.

I think he likes her and my dear besto is totally unaware of it. Though, I won't blame her for this. I'll blame that jerk Nakul. He left her haunted.

"Are you even listening to me, Nav" she demanded looking quite displeased.

"Yes, yeah... You want to murder him in quite a painful way but can we put the plan on halt till he gets me together, " I asked her.

I know it's quite impossible. Maybe, it'll never happen but isn't hope all we have. Di and Lav are living on hope and I don't want to snatch it away from them.

"Yeah, you'll be my accomplish right, " there was so much hope in her voice. I didn't want it to shatter ever. Stay this mad and happy even when I'm not here Lav.

"Always, "

Till my last breath, my dearest friend. I'll be your brother, your best friend, and if we don't get to say goodbye. Don't mind, for I'll be with you in the soul. Laughing at the memories and madness.

"Good, you better be for who else will I call to bail me out of Jail "

"I'll pretend I don't know you," I informed her quite surely.

"I'll disown you, "

"I think as your caretaker that right is quite mine, "

"You're disillusioned,"

"Nah, I'm quite sane, "

"You've got the definition of sane wrong, "

"I forfeit, " I declared pouting. Insane people.

"So, you know I was watching this serial. It is totally absurd, I mean illogical, I don't even know who react like that?"

And there we go again, I mean we bicker and jump from topic to topic. Like we might start from world war and we will end up talking about something totally absurd.

Now, She is complaining about some show where the lead had some childhood trauma and that's why he is a total jerk. I hate such guys who think that if something bad happened to them then they had a right to be total jerks. Like the world owes them something. I hate people who think the world revolves around them or something. Dude, you're not the sun. So, stop being disillusioned.

The truth is the world owes them nothing. It's not the world's fault. Like it wasn't my Nani's fault her children are world-class jerks. She raised them with her everything and they didn't care whether she lived or died. They left her in this palace alone without any support and then sent my di and me to here. To be forgotten.

Lav was still talking about how the leads di had some disability and all. And she was a docile doll, didn't have a trace of trauma her brother had, and was a fragile thing.

Yeah, right the younger boy was so much affected by his father's betrayal and mother's suicide and the older sister had no such problem. He had trust issues and she didn't. What a joke?

Death affects everyone in the family. Not, just a single person. It changes people. Grief is a strong thing. It can bring people together and separate them too. I don't think people kinda do justice to the power of grief. It can shatter the world.

And Di was as much affected by my parents as I was, even more. I mean its logical, she is older. She understood everything better than me and maybe that's why she hates our parents with a burning passion. Won't even be anywhere near them, hadn't answered even a single call.

Okay, so besides the elder unaffected by the trauma fact. The younger thinks it's his duty to protect his elder sister. Yeah, I feel you there bro though Di still insists it's her duty to protect me. Okay, so there are anger issues due to trauma too and he blasts it on the girl he claims to love.

Geez, He doesn't even try to get help for himself. Like if I know I had some issues and those issues can harm the people I love. My first thought will be saving them from me. I'll try to do everything I can to spare them the hurt. I mean, I don't mind dying. I'll be fine dead too. But I want to stay alive for I know the pain it'll cause the people I love. I want to stay a little longer for these two mad girls. I don't think there is anything in the whole world I won't do for them. It includes building a chocolate room.

"Why do you still watch such shows then?"
I asked Lav tired of her monologue on the lack of logic, sense, and sensibility.

"Well, because I need something to criticize. That's kinda therapeutic, hating plot bunnies, plot, character, and stuff. It makes me feel superior or something, "

Lav declared giving me a look that screamed don't judge me. I decided to do the opposite.

"Well that's not therapeutic, you're insane"

"You're just jealous of me, "

"As if, " I laughed mockingly. She rolled her eyes at me.

"Huh, don't admit it. I know it, " She grumbled snatching my pillow from me.

"Now, you're acting like a sore loser, "

"You're dreaming, "

"I'm pretty sure I won't dream about you. Well, a nightmare that's a whole different concept, "

"Baby, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream, " She yelled totally off-tune. Weren't we bickering about something totally different?

"Now, you sound like a banshee, "

"I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy, duh"

This time she was totally in tune and when did we decide to play musically?

"That won't be hard, " I said flatly.

"What?" She asked totally confused.

"Might seduce my dad type, " I deadpanned

Lav looked at me totally unblinking for few seconds before started cackling madly.

"God that was so gross, your dad is what fifty-plus now right, " She said still chuckling.

"Well, I don't know, you were the one singing, I was just helping, " I said feigning sincerity.

"Very helpful, Nav. It was so very helpful that I might puke on you, "

"Topic change, your current fav song, " I added hastily.

"Nah, I think I'll like puking over your Puma, " She said with a perfect poker face.

I might have looked totally horrified and disgusted that she started laughing madly. Rolling over the bed kinda laughing.

"Geez, you weren't funny, " I scowled.

"I know, I was hilarious and to answer your prior question the answer is haunted, "

"Haunted by who? I think you're the one haunting me, " I told her totally confused.

"It's a song dummy, " she answered rolling her eyes.

I still looked totally confused. What type of song is haunted? Sighing at my expression, she began singing.

"Love, you left me haunted
Love, I'm just a shadow now

Dark in the night
Dark in the day
Darkness it just won't go away

Love, you left me madness
Turned me to a monster now"

Well, I'm not surprised it's her fav song now.

"Geez, don't you listen to happy songs. I mean why can't you like songs like..." I drew blank, I've not heard happy songs like from ages. I can't tell her happier. I mean that's a sad song too, isn't it?

"Because that's my vibe, Chotu. Now, what do you say to a hangover marathon?" She asked me looking pointedly towards my extra-large TV.

"I say no, I kinda have a meeting, " I declined.

"But they aren't here yet, " She pouted.

"Well, they'll be and I don't want to leave the movie in between. After meeting, I promise" I hastily added, watching her face fall.

"Okay though Nav don't you think we hadn't gone on a vacation for long. My final year is about to end and I might have a few days before joining. Di, you and I forests and mountains maybe," Lav said shrugging, a vacation plan swirling in her mind.

She wants to believe, I'll survive. She wants to act like we aren't nearing the end of the line with each passing day.

"Yeah, Di hasn't taken a vacation from like ages, "  I confessed.

I can't remember the last time we went on a vacation. It was maybe when I used to live with my parents. The memories are kinda hazy.

"So, hills it is then. The hills are calling us, "  she exclaimed and I face-palmed.

Crazy!!!!

"Raja Sahab, They're here. I asked them to wait in the study, " One of the servants informed me of the Oberoi's arrival after knocking on my door.

"I'll be there in few minutes, Rajan till then, provide them some snacks and all, " I told him standing up.

He left nodding. The villagers insist on calling me, Raja Sahib, maybe because my grandpa was the descendent of their king lines or maybe, because I provided jobs to them in my industries. Help them grow. I don't know but sometimes, I feel I don't deserve all this respect.

"Will plan later, bunny, "

I said walking out of my room. Lav was still sprawled on my bed. Maybe she'll go to sleep again. The all-nighters are killing her.

After descending a series of stairs, I reached my study. Sometimes I hated my house. Entering my study, I found Abhyankara Oberoi with his PA maybe talking with my PA Abhay. What is it necessary for all billionaires to have female PA's? It's sexists as hell, dude.

"Afternoon, I hope, I didn't make you guys wait a lot, " I spoke apologetically taking my seat.

"No, not at all. Shall we begin though?" Abhyankara said directly to the point as always.

"Sure, " I agreed.

Well as soon as it was over the better right. From my half-brothers, I was closest to Omkara. We were quite alike. Never liking to burden someone else with our problems. Could do anything for our loved ones. But we don't make it as apparent as Shivaaye. The wall protecting his brothers.  Like my di is my great wall of protection.

Though, Shivaaye and I are kinda close too. We have our weak heart buddy group. He has a weak heart too. I've, well, my heart is ready to fail me at any moment.
And Abhyankara and I aren't that connected. Never had many conversations with him, to be honest. So, I would have kinda preferred Shivaaye here. But still, Abhyankara was a great businessman too and we reached a deal that will help both of us. Publicity and all included.

"I think I'll like working with you, Mr. Raizada, " Abhyankara said formally shaking my hand when the deal was done.

"Same here, Mr. Oberoi, "

"Well, Why don't you join me for a few rounds of drinks and all in a club, my bachelorette, " Abhyankara asked me, smirking sadly.

The ruse of a marriage to save an empire and the youngest and only unmarried Oberoi, walking the ledge. The marriage of Abhyankara and Ishana had successfully drawn attention away from our sire's scandal. None of us brothers like calling him, father. He is our sire nothing more, nothing less.

"No, some other time perhaps, " I politely declined Abhyankara's offer. Well, I don't do clubbings and stuff. And knowing I'm on a death leash not at all. My last few days should be with my family and Lav might really kill me if I cancel the hangover marathon plan.

"Alright, I'll drink myself to insanity then, " Abhyankara shrugged forwarding his hand for a last shake.

"As long as I'm not the designated driver, " I joked taking his hand.

Abhyankara was smiling, a smartass retort on his lips. When I felt it, the familiar sudden pain in my heart. It was extreme. Like nothing, I've felt before. It was like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Like my heart was trying to beat in a closing box. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe.

Someone was screaming around me. There were soft hands on me. Maybe someone made me lie down, I don't know. For darkness swirled in front of my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't say goodbye, "

I thought. I don't know why but I hated not saying goodbye.

Darkness consumed me.

~to be continued ~

Okay, so the Oberoi's won't play any major role here. There's another book on Abhyankara and Ishana thought not getting released anytime soon.

So yeah, they're just half-brothers who hate their father and I kinda trying showing a small difference can lead to a major change. I don't think the show ASR had known the stranger kindness thing. The boy thought everything was on him. This guy doesn't think so, he knows his suffering and others too.

He loves his dii and Lav.

And Happy Rakshabhandan.

I hope, you like the characters.