Setting It Right - A BB Continuation | Chap 26, Page 11 - Page 6

Very nice story Ashley and Ayesha 👍🏼👏sab armaanon pura ho raha hai. Dil ka sukoon mil raha hai👍🏼

Nice chapter

Happy to see Batuk back with his concern for others❤️ And of course for his "special friend" 😆

Loved Monkey for once. His reply to Nakli doctor is so good 😈😈Tapur truly deserves better

Ani's reply to Som is good as usual. It is true that Som has the right to choose his life partner but his reason for rejecting Tapur is disgusting.

Ani - Tapur conversation is my wish fulfillment. I thought after the ending of dushmani, TM will treat Binoy. But they didn't show, may be because of lack of time. Thank you so much. Love you two 🤗🤗❤️❤️

It is great to see Tapur learning the importance of education and using her knowledge to help others and herself too❤️❤️

Loved the last part. Shashu sweetheart always brings good cheer 🥰🥰

Chapter 19- The Comedy of "Interruptions!" (MATURE-18+)

A/N:

Hello dear friends. This chapter is a complete fun riot and we laughed our heads off while writing it.

We hope that you also enjoy it to the max. It is definitely hilarious.

Also, a FAIR WARNING.

This chapter contains MATURE scenes of Sexual nature and reader's discretion is strongly advised.

We wanted to explore our Rudhi's Parenting VS Romancing dynamics and the special bond of BonTuk too.

We hope that you all like this chapter. Do share your views with us.

Love you all!

Ashley & Ayesha

https://www.wattpad.com/1201801726-setting-it-right-a-batuk-anirudh-bondita-kaka

Truly a comedy of interruptions! 🤣🤣🤣

Originally posted by: Ashley_m

Tagging more!

Hi,

We need your help!

Bura mano ya na mano Holi hai”. You’ve been colored by Team Basanti. Post the following words "I've been coloured by Team Basanti" in this thread: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/indian-premier-league/5283619/atrangi-re-battle-of-the-best-r2-team-basanti

Originally posted by: mprvn36

Very nice story Ashley and Ayesha 👍🏼👏sab armaanon pura ho raha hai. Dil ka sukoon mil raha hai👍🏼

Hi,

We need your help!

Bura mano ya na mano Holi hai”. You’ve been colored by Team Basanti. Post the following words "I've been coloured by Team Basanti" in this thread: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/indian-premier-league/5283619/atrangi-re-battle-of-the-best-r2-team-basanti

Chapter 20 - Career ki Kashmakash

A/N:

Hello lovely readers! Happy Holi to all of you!

Thank you for all the praises that you showered on the last chapter.

The outpour of your love was overwhelming and all your comments and votes truly touched our hearts.

Now, we are going to take a leap here.

This Chapter begins one month after the last one, and yes, the title does come from the Poem (if you know you know 😛). We wanted to touch on a topic that was only hinted at in the show but that both of us felt needed addressing (there were many such topics in the Batuk track, but Rangu 😒).

We hope you like this chapter, please do let us know through your votes and comments.

Love

Ashley and Ayesha

4th January 1943, Roy Chaudhary Haveli

Batuk slumped dejectedly on his bed, staring at the latest rejection letter that he had received.

So Calcutta is out… Delhi se abhi bhi aik dou responses baaki hai, but that too seems difficult. Useless BRC! Can't even land an internship on his own!

It had been an exhausting day, both physically and emotionally. He had been out and about all day, surveying the zamindari lands and verifying and updating all the account books.

He had been working on this project for the past week. Ever since Kaka had suddenly left on his tirth, the zamindari work had been lying mostly unattended. Anirudh had tried his best, but added to all his other responsibilities, it had become a bit too much. Bondita too had tried to help, at least with all the paperwork, but she too was limited due to the unpredictable schedules of Rudhir and Aaradhya. As Batuk recovered, he had gradually started taking over these duties, but by then the books had become a mishmash due to too many people handling them. Hence, the moment Tapur and Dr. Sen had allowed it, Batuk had taken it upon himself to personally check and update each of the books and the paperwork, and to assess the working of the zamindari as well. He had aimed to have the zamindari in perfect working order by the time Kaka returned, and Batuk started his internship.

Internship! He thought with a sarcastic snort, What good, respectable barrister will accept an LLP advocate like me? That’s why Batuk Roy Chaudhary, while the zamindari is set, and Kaka has been requested to return, you still are lying jobless!

This feeling of utter uselessness had only been increasing day by day with each rejection letter or phone call that he had received in the past week. But today it had amplified a thousandfold.

After finally completing his update project, Batuk had returned home to an extremely pleasant surprise!

He had come to an abrupt stop as he met with an unexpected, but extremely 'wanted' sight. Entering the living room to find his father sitting on the sofa, with Shashwati perched on his lap, surrounded by the rest of the family- was definitely very pleasing. However, what was the most pleasant sight for his sore eyes was that this wasn't the injured, ill, disheveled Baba of the past nine years. It was Binoy Roy Chaudhary, with his crisp suits and perfectly groomed hair, as he was attempting to catch up with his daughter.

Batuk could only stand there and stare with an open mouth, wondering if he was dreaming.

Sampoorna had later filled him in about how Binoy had gotten short flashes of lucidity, but today had been monumental because he had been lucid and present for the entire day! Batuk had found it immensely difficult to not start bawling when Binoy had hugged him and remarked on how he had grown up. What had however pinched him was Binoy enquiring what Batuk was up to these days. He was saved from telling Binoy about his current jobless state by Bondita who told him about Batuk’s work with the zamindari.

Typical Boudi, covering up for her Nalayak devar! She has had to do this since forever because you cannot do anything right! his inner voice taunted him, just like it had been doing all evening.

The impromptu celebration that had followed had been an excruciating reminder of his incompetence as well. Tapur and Tupur had joined them for dinner and everyone from Baba to Big D to Sampoorna Ma had been gushing over the miracle that Tapur had wrought, praising her to the skies.

It wasn't that Batuk begrudged her all the appreciation. Having been her patient himself, he too agreed that all the accolades were well-deserved. He too had put in his own words of praise and gratitude to her at the time, in fact, the only one who hadn't addressed Tapur at all was Som Dada, who was alternatingly giving her both longing and loathing looks all evening, looks that Tapur thankfully, was oblivious to, just like she seemed oblivious to Som's very presence.

But what had pinched Batuk was the look on Big D's face as he had patted Tapur's back and expressed how proud he was of his little sister. The realization that Batuk could never be the recipient of his Big D's appreciation had hurt him beyond measure.

Of course, he will never praise you! What have you ever done to deserve it? Tapur is two years younger than you are, she didn't have the privilege of a foreign education like you did! Bloody Hell… she didn't even get basic education until a few months back! Phir bhi, she managed to do something even the most qualified doctors couldn't! But you! You have just squandered away all your privilege, is that worthy of anyone's praise, let alone Big D's? You are useless, Batuk Roy Chaudhary! Totally useless!

"Stop it!" Batuk shouted out in desperation, crumpling up the letter in his hands and tossing it away aimlessly, and dropping his head into his hands, only to be startled by a clatter as the paper ball caused a familiar locket to fall open at his feet. He immediately bent down to pick it up. It did not belong on the floor!

When was rearranging his belongings in his room on moving back to the haveli, he was surprised to find Mallika's locket in his bedside drawer, with both their photographs in it. Bondita informed him later that Mallika had left it behind, and she had forgotten to send it back to her afterward.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he caressed Mallika's picture. He knew he should have returned the locket, but he didn't want to. Instead, he chose to keep it so that he didn't miss her presence as much, often gazing at her picture when talking to her on the telephone at night.

Well, today he would have to be content with seeing her image only, thought Batuk wistfully. Mallika had told him the previous day that she would be staying at the Association tonight, and hence, would most probably be unable to speak to him. This just made him feel sadder because he desperately wanted to talk to her, especially today!

Of course, she can't talk to you!, the annoying voice piped up again. She is busy, she has work to do, lives that she has to improve, people who are depending on her! She is not jobless like YOU are, spending all your time enjoying the achievements of your family!

Batuk quietly snapped the locket shut and placed it back on the bedside table, before dropping his head into his hands again, just too exhausted to fight with that voice anymore, to even bother to refute it. He surrendered to the wave of self-loathing that washed over him, only to be startled by a comforting hand on his hunched over shoulder.

"Batuk? Tum theek tou ho?"

He looked up at Bondita’s worried face, not truly surprised to see her there. Bondita had been giving him worried glances all evening and had also unsuccessfully tried to get him alone multiple times. Clearly, she wanted to talk to him about something important.

“Boudi! Woh… Yeah, I am perfectly fine… Tum… sit na…” he said, trying hard to hide his turmoil, as he absent-mindedly gestured to the space next to him on the bed.

“Perfectly fine hou, tou aise sar pakadke kyun baithe thay?” Bondita asked, with narrowed eyes and hands on her waist.

“Sar… arey it’s nothing Boudi, woh bas sar dard… headache hou raha tha, isiliye… you don’t worry…”

“Sar dard hou raha hai, pehle kyun nahi bataya buddhu! Ruko mien abhi aayi”, she practically ran out of the room, leaving a bewildered Batuk behind.

“Boudi!!!” he called, standing up and chasing her to the door, only to see that she had disappeared into her own room. That however, did not stop him from shouting out.

"Arey it is okay!!! Tum kyu…”

Bondita returned before he could even finish his sentence, this time carrying a bowl in her hands. She swiftly deposited the bowl on the bedside table, before sitting on the bed next to it, and then looking towards Batuk.

“Yahan baitho!” she ordered, indicating the space in front of her on the floor.

“Umm… Floor pe?” he asked, confused.

“Jee haan, floor pe, ab baithoge bhi, dekho kaise gayab karti hu tumhara sar dard!”

Realization dawned on Batuk. Bondita intended to give him a champi to relieve his headache. He smiled at her, deeply moved at this display of sisterly concern. He was about to acquiesce to her command, but unfortunately, his inner voice refused to stop tormenting him.

Haan haan, kerwa lou champi bhi! Khud tou apna time, apni zindagi waste ker hi rahe hou, ab Boudi ka bhi time waste kerou tum jaise ek useless insaan ki help kerne mein!

Immediately feeling ashamed of himself, Batuk tried to reassure Bondita "Boudi… Really, I am fine, tum chinta mat…"

"Mien request nahi kar rhy hu… Chup chap baitho! Abhi ke abhi!", Bondita cut off his appeal imperiously, her glare indicating that she wouldn't listen to any pleas or arguments.

"Bou…" he stopped midway as her glare intensified. "Okay… okay… baith raha hu mien! Bloody Hell Boudi! You can be extremely scary you know!" He cribbed as he sat down cross legged in front of her.

Shameless kaho ya useless, Boudi ki baat na maan ke usko hurt nahi kerunga mien. Never again!

Bondita only giggled in response, as she started to massage his head. Batuk leaned back and relaxed, closing his eyes, letting her work her magic. After several minutes of comfortable silence, Bondita spoke up.

"Waise Batuk… aaj dopahar mein tumhare liye aik phone aaya tha… Siliguri se."

That made Batuk's eyes shoot open with a start, as he straightened up again and turned his head slightly to look at her.

"Siliguri se?"

"Haan, Barrister Surendra Ghosh ke office se. Tumhare liye message tha ke unhe tumhara application pasand aaya aur unhe khushi hogi agar Advocate Batuknath Roy Chaudhary unhe assist kerenge."

"Really? Woh mujhe internship dene tayyar hai?" He completely turned around to face Bondita. "That's… that's great! Finally! Tumhe pata hai, miene kitne saare applications daale? Aur finally koi tou…", he blabbered in relief, stopping his blabbering only when he noticed that Bondita did not look happy. Instead, her expression was a cross between hurt and bewilderment.

"Boudi?", he reached out to hold her hands, uncaring about the oil on them. "Tum… you are not happy?" When she didn't respond to the question, a sudden realization hit Batuk as he asked her anxiously.

"Boudi kya tum isiliye naraaz hou kyunki miene tumhe bataya nahi? I am sorry Boudi, mujhe laga tha mien ghar pe sab ko surprise…"

"Woh… woh baat nahi hai Batuk… mien samajh sakti hu… per kya tumhe sach mein Siliguri jitna durr jaane ki zarurat hai? Aisa lagta hai ke abhi abhi tou sab kuch sahi hua hai, abhi hi tou tum sahi mayne mein ghar wapis aaye hou, aur phir tumhari tabbiyat bhi…"

"Boudi, meri tabbiyat theek hai ab. Tapur ne kaha hai, ke kuch dinon mein I can self-medicate. Aur mujhe bhi nahi jaana ghar se durr, mager…"

"Tou kyu jaa rahe hou? Woh bhi Surendra Ghosh ko assist kerne? Pata hai unka record kitna kharab hai?"

"But he is the only one jisne mujhe accept kiya hai Boudi!" Batuk said desperately. "Boudi mien tumhari tarah Gold medallist nahi hu! Mien aik LLP hu! Latakte latakte pass hua hun! Mere paas choices nahi hai. I have to go where I have been accepted… Chahe jitna I hate it!"

There was silence for the next few minutes as both devar and boudi processed the revelation and tried to get their emotions under control. After some time, Bondita hesitantly asked,

"Mager Batuk, do you even want to practice law?"

Batuk looked up at her, stunned, with his mouth hanging open. He didn't know how to answer her question, where to even start from.

On seeing his expression, Bondita attempted to elaborate, "Dekho Batuk, bura mat maan'na… Par itne time mein, jab tumhe observe kiya hai, tab tumhare behaviour ko dekh ke lagta nahi hai ke tumhe is subject mein zara si bhi dilchaspi hai. Matlab, mein khudko dekhti hu, ya Patibabu ko, ya phir mere college ke doston or Professors ko, tou unhe law ke baare mein padhne mein, ya uske baarein mein discuss karne mein, unki baarikiyan jaanchne mein maza aata hai. Jab court mein hote hai, ya case ke liye tayyari kar rahe hote thay, tou unke chehre pe aik alag si chamak hoti hai! Apne pasand ka kaam karne ki chamak hoti hai woh. Mager tumhe miene humesha iss sab se durr bhagte dekha hai, even jab mien aur Patibabu cases discuss ker rahe hotein hai tou tum shaamil nahi hotay, balki khudko kisi aur kaam mein uljha dete hou. Isiliye puchh rahi hu tumse Batuk, kya tum waqai mein law practice kerna chahtay hou?"

Batuk took in her explanation in silence. This wasn't the first time anyone had questioned him about his career choices. Before, he had only ever defended his decision, but the way Bondita had laid out her case, Batuk found himself unable to lie to her. He hung his head in shame and mumbled,

"Tum… you are right Boudi, I don't enjoy Law. In fact, I hate it!"

Bondita nodded silently, she had been expecting this answer. She cupped his face and gently asked him, "Tou phir issi kshetra mein kyun kaam kerna chahtay hou? Kyunki mujhe humesha aisa lagta hai ke aapka pesha woh hona chahiye jisse aapko khushi mile, jo aapko pasand hou. Kyunki uske bina kabhi bhi safalta nahi haasil hoty. Aur mien saaf saaf dekh sakti hu ki tumhe kis kaam mein dilchaspi hai, aur jisme tumhara hunar bhi hai. Tou aisa kaam chhod, tum law mein apna career kyun banana chahte hou?"

"Kyunki Boudi, miene yeh faisla 4 saal pehle liya tha, aur yeh sirf aur sirf mera faisla tha! No one forced me for this! Aur isiliye, I can't… I can't just quit! I have to live with it! Batuk Roy Chaudhary is not a quitter. Agar mien ab mukar gaya na, tou kisi se nazrein nahi mila paaunga, especially not khudse. Miene tab galat chuna tha, aur ab, mujhe uske consequences bear karne padenge na?"

Bondita could only stare at him incredulously. The sheer stupidity in this twisted logic just blew her mind. She took a few deep breaths, so as to avoid losing her temper with this silly fool sitting in front of her, and then tried to reason with him.

"Dekho Batuk, mien maanti hu ke apne faisle ka parinaam humein hi bhugatna hota hai. Mager apne faisle pe aday rehna, yeh jaante huye ke yeh faisla galat tha, yeh sirf ahem aur zidd hai! Kyunki isse tum khudka aur doosro ka sirf nuqsaan karouge. Jab tumhara koi bhi faisla galat hou, tou usko badalna is not quitting. Balki tum uss faisle kou badalker apni galti sudhar rahe hou, aik aur galti hone se rok rahe hou. That is courage, not weakness! Uss galat faisle ne tumse already 4 saal chheen liye hai, mager ab jo tumne apna faisla nahi badla, tou woh bhi galat hoga, aur iss baar shayad tumhe uski keemat zindagi bhar chukani pad sakty hai."

There was silence again, as Bondita gave Batuk some time for her words to sink in. After a few minutes, he spoke quietly.

"Thank you Boudi! Tumne mujhe cheezein dekhneka aik naya perspective diya hai. I will definitely think about it."

"Of course… tum araam se, soch samajh ke faisla lena… Aur tumhe pata hi hai ke… "

Bondita's words were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone sitting on the other bedside table. Ever since Batuk returned to the haveli, Anirudh had installed a phone in Batuk's room "taaki tum apne important calls le sako". Batuk's face lit up, and he immediately scrambled up to receive it, before suddenly realising that Bondita was still in front of him.

"Woh…"

"Lelo tumhara sabse zaroori call… " Bondita said with a teasing smirk, before picking up the bowl and walking out of the room, leaving a blushing Batuk almost running to pick up the call.

"Waise, Bondita is right, you know?" Mallika remarked matter of factly, "Wanting to practice law jab tumhe pasand nahi hai is just stupidity. Aur jab graduation ke teen saalon mein tumhara interest nahi jaaga, tou ab bhi nahi jaagega"

Batuk had spent the past half an hour debriefing her on the day's events and was already feeling much lighter. However, he hadn't expected Mallika to agree with what Bondita had told him. Especially when she had been nothing but supportive when he started applying for internships in the first place.

"And you didn't say this when I started applying?" he asked, sulkily.

"I did ask you if you were sure that tumhe yahi kerna hai! You said you were…" she defended, indignantly. "You never asked for MY opinion!"

"As if that has ever stopped you before.", retorted Batuk with a snort.

"And as if YOU have ever listened to my opinion…" she snapped back. "Kabhi bhi tumhe advise dene ki koshish karti hun tou chidd jaate hou."

"That's not true ha! I have never…" he started saying before stopping short and thinking back to his behavior while in Italy and also when Mallika was in Tulsipur. Shame washed over him as he realized that she was right. She had tried to advise him in the past, but he often dismissed her, convinced that he knew best. He may have been trying to be better, but there were past hurts that were still fresh.

"Well… I don't do that anymore," he said quietly, his voice taking a resigned tone as he leaned his head against the headrest.

It was true. And it hurt to know that he hadn't given any surety to Mallika that whatever she says matters.

That SHE matters!

Coiling the chord of the telephone around his finger, he contemplated carefully what to say next… how to tell her what she truly meant to him?

And then, closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, he said, "Mallika, your opinion does matter to me. I am sorry that I made you feel otherwise. Tum mujhe manaa kerty tou mien maan jata. Shayad pehle nahi…lekin abh zarur."

The sincerity in his voice, his serious tone, and that frank admission stunned Mallika into silence.

And it vaporized all her irritation in a jiffy!

She too realized that he had in fact been listening to her, and heeding her advice as well. It had been her own insecurities that had prevented her from speaking up.

She was afraid of speaking too much, or too recklessly in front of him because she didn't want him to shun her away again.

Lekin yeh bhi tou sahi nahi tha… She thought sadly.

"I am sorry, Batuk. You are right…" she spoke sheepishly. "You do hear me out now, and mujhe bhi apna opinion rakhne se pehle hichkichana nahi chahiye tha. After all, we are friends… aik dusre ko ocasional reality check dena is part of the job. Mien dar gai thy… I think I… I don't know kyun miene yeh point neglect ker dia… I am…sor… "

"Achha bas now!" he interrupted, before she could apologize some more.

It hurt him some more that his Mallika had been scared to speak out her mind in front of him.

He absolutely adored the bold and daring, sab se alag… sab se different Mallika who never shied from saying whatever she wanted.

Lekin yeh mujhse baat kerte hue darr gai …

Shayad isko laga hoga ki mien pehle ki terha isko…

The bitter memory of their very recent fall out made his heart ache.

He needed to assure her now that he had changed… for real. And so, he said, "I understand why you chose to keep quiet Mallika. Lekin please, you must know that you can say anything to me, anytime. Mien tumhari baat hamesha sunun ga."

The slight emphasis on tumhari was not missed on Mallika. Batuk had been hinting for a while now that he thought she was special.

And Mallika loved it.

But she was reluctant to get her hopes too high. And that was another reason for her insecurities and fears regarding their relationship. However, she couldn't quite contain her desire to see him, to touch him in some way. Giving in, she hurriedly opened up her wallet, where a photograph of Batuk and her resided ever since she discovered that she had lost her locket.

Sensing her quietude, Batuk tried to infuse some joviality in his tone as he asked,

"Abhi tou mistake hum dono ki thy, iss liye ab yeh sorry puraan ko khatam karein?"

Smiling, Mallika skimmed her slender finger along the picture of the handsome man with whom she was on the call and said, "Theek hai… waise bhi miene Association ke office me tumse jhagada kerne sneak in nahi kiya tha."

That admission stunned Batuk for a moment.

She SNUCK INTO the Office to make this call? Mujhse baat kerne ke liye she… Did she? Do I mean so much to her? Mere liye… kia woh bhi mere liye waise hi feel kerty hai jaise ke mien... Or mien zyada soch raha hunn?

Trying to control his heart that had started hammering against his ribcage, he again tried to use mild humour to help her speak her heart out to him, "Achha? Tou phir why did you sneak in there Mallika?" Batuk asked teasingly, hoping that her answer would be what he wanted to hear.

Mallika's cheeks turned completely red and her hand flew to her mouth as she realised what she had foolishly revealed.

Stupid! Stupid! He wasn't supposed to know that I… Ager usay bura laga tou? Kahin woh yeh na samajh le ki mien wahi purani Mallika hun jo buht clingy thy… aur over possessive bhi… Ab kya kerun?

"Woh tou… woh… I… I don't…" she stammered. She couldn't reveal her real feelings to him, so she sought refuge in sham haughtiness and indignance as she exclaimed, "Jo bhi hai… I have my reasons… Tumhe batana zaroori nahi samajhti."

Batuk couldn't help but chuckle at that retort.

His Mallika was so cute!

He could perfectly picture her getting all red and flustered while trying to do the "damage control!"

Too bad for her, Batuk saw her through her facade. And he just adored it all so much!

Talking to her was so refreshing. His heart was fluttering happily and he burst into laughter.

His joy was so infectious that soon, Mallika also joined in his laughter.

After a few minutes of laughing heartily with one another, Batuk finally controlled himself and said solemnly, "Reasons jo bhi ho, I am really glad you called. Mera aaj tumse baat kerne ka buht mann kar raha tha. And mujhe ab buht halka lag raha hai. Like, saare burdens kahin gayab hou gaye hou."

Mallika felt her heart warm up at this frank confession.

Paagal ladki! she thought. He wants to share his problems with you. He does want you to be there for him AS A FRIEND! So, dil ko sambhaalo apne and help him out AS A FRIEND!

Instantly sobering up, paying heed to what her mind suggested, she told him, "Burdens itne heavy isiliye lag rahe hai kyunki you are letting them grow by overthinking. Situation itni bhi complicated nahi hai jitni tum bana rahe hou. Tumhari current kashmakash ka aik simple sa solution hai you know?"

"And kya hai woh solution? , his voice broke as he admitted, tears forming in his eyes. "Mallika, mien already sab ko buht zyada hurt kar chuka hun… Ab… ab mien kisiko bhi disappoint nahi kerna chahta… Especially Big D ko. I can't… mien khaali nahi baith sakta, mujhe apni life ka kuch tou kerna hai."

"Mager tum khaali kahan baithe hou Batuk!? From what you have told me, haven't you been working on those ledgers of your lands?"

Pausing to let that sink in, she then continued, "Dekho Batuk, Just because tumne law mien graduate kiya hai it doesn't mean that tumhe wahi kerna chahiye to make something of your life. Law practise kerna tumhari majboori nahi hona chahiye. And about you sitting idle. Well, from where I see, I don't think that you have been idle at all! In fact, you have been working ever since tumhari health ne allow kiya hai. Can't you see, Batuk? There is another profession jo tum pursue kar rahe hou, jisme tumhe interest bhi hai aur tumhara aptitude bhi."

Realizing that he was completely silent on the other end, Mallika started feeling extremely cautious again…

Kahin miene kuch ziada tou nahi bol dia?

She wondered.

Lekin usne hi tou kaha tha ki mien usko apne mann ki baat bol sakty hun.

Mager shayad dosage thoda heavy tou ho gaya hai.

Chewing on her lip, she then infused some humor in her voice and asked sweetly,

"Miene kuch ghalat kaha kia, Batuk? Kia jo kuch tum ker rhe ho, woh kaam nahi hai? I think you are every bit the Chhote zamindar that you loved to call yourself in childhood!"

Noticing her effort, Batuk, who was listening to her intently heaved a deep breath.

It happened again. And he didn't want her to feel cautious of speaking her heart out in front of him… not now, not ever. So, he finally replied,

"Of course Mallika… you are right. I respect your point of view completely. Mien kaam ker tou raha hun. Lekin mera manna yeh hai ki yeh kaam tou koi bhi ker sakta haina. Lekin Law her koi nahi ker sakta. Mien tou yeh sab files iss liye dekh raha hun kyunki kaka nahi hain yaha. Warna wahi handle kerte hain yeh matters. Mien tou bas chhoti moti help hi ker rha hun."

Mallika heard a strange melancholy in his voice. It felt as if he had decided that he had to undermine all his efforts… everything he did!

She didn't like this one bit.

No one… not even himself was allowed to undermine her Batuk!

She stopped short at the extremely possessive thought that she just had for him.

She had tried so hard to not think of him in that light. She had already once made that mistake and didn't want to repeat it again.

This time, he was sincere and all, true. But she had pledged to keep her feelings and emotions in check around him.

She didn't ever want him to feel obliged to reciprocate her feelings.

And so, Mallika had spent many hours in many days just to continue reminding herself of this one thing: Batuk Roy Chaudhary was not her possession!

Trying to compose herself and bring back the topic to Batuk's current dilemma, she sighed and said,

"Lekin Batuk, har koi nahi ker sakta zamindaari bhi. Accha, tum batao, kia Anirudh dada ko tumne kabhi zameeno ki files mien sar khapaate dekha hai? I mean, I remember Bondita telling you that Dada ko yeh sab kerna bilkul pasand nahi hai."

"Well… Big D kerne per aayein tou koi kaam nahi hai aisa jo woh nahi ker sakte. And beech mein, before I got well, wahi yeh sab dekh rahe thay. Mager haan… He definitely doesn't like it. He was too happy to let me handle these issues." He answered while chewing on his lip and contemplating.

"Exactly... that's the point. Baat yeh nahi hai ki koi kia ker sakta hai aur kia nahi. Baat yeh hai ki koi KYA kerna chahta hai. Law Dada aur Bondita ka sirf profession nahi hai, passion bhi hai. Isiliye they are successful.

Lekin tumhare passion Law nahi hai. Tumhara passion shayad woh kaam hai jisko tum meaningless samajh rhe ho, lekin apparently woh tumhare Kaka ke alawa koi aur nahi ker raha. And you have the aptitude for it as well! Bhoolo mat ke tumnein aik hi week mein saare accounts aur papers wagaira update ker diye hain. Yeh koi easy task nahi hai! Without any formal education of accounts and business management, you have done it all, without any external help… sirf apni bal bootay per… aur uss condition mien jab tum 100% healthy bhi nahi ho."

Batuk heard the marvel in Mallika's voice and it made him smile.

Of course… Meri sweet Mallika abh mera morale boost kerne ki koshish ker rhy hai.

Finding another reason to fall for her more (if that was even possible!) he shook his head and returned his attention back to the topic at hand.

He loved the sort of "fangirling" that Mallika was subjecting him to, but he believed that he had to correct her perception.

Koi ghalat fehmi thodi honi chahiye… na… rishton mein… errmm… Dosti mein….

With that thought in mind, he replied to her, "Mager yeh zamindaari meri achievement thodi hai? I mean, yeh humaari family ke holdings hai. Mien unhi ke achievements pe piggyback nahi ker raha? Kya isse Big D disappoint nahi honge?"

Mallika wanted to facepalm!

The lovey-dovey feelings that she had been having just a while ago turned into exasperation.

Buddhu kahin ka!! Yeh jab selfish sa tha, tab jo kaam nahi bhi kerta tha, uska bhi credit khaa jata tha. Abh selfless hua hai tou jo due credit hai bhi, woh bhi nahi le raha!

Gadha!!!

Taking a deep breath, she tried to reason with him once again,

"It doesn't work like that Batuk! Humara bhi family business hi hai. But Papa always says, ke agar koi cheez aapko virasat mein mili ho tou woh aik badi responsibility bann jaati hai hum par, ke hum uski shaan increase kerein! Yeh koi khairat nahi hai. Tumhare kaka bhi koi bewaqoof nahi hai jo bass aisi hi chalte phirte hisab kitab sambhaal rhe hain itne salon se. Aur na hi tum koi meaningless kaam ker rhe ho yaar. Try to understand na Batuk. Agar tumne tumhari family legacy carry forward kerne ka faisla kiya, tou mujhe nahi lagta ke Big D naraaz ya niraash honge."

His Mallika did make sense.

He chewed on his lip some more as he hesitantly asked, "Are you sure, Mallika? Big D disappoint nahi honge mujhse if I decide not to pursue law, and instead, do this work?"

He sounded like a small, scared, lonely child… who was trying to find his footing in the scary world!

All her exasperation vanished as her heart filled with profound tenderness for this scared, messed-up boy who didn't want to disappoint the people he loved so much.

Aching for this selfless and sweet kind of love from him for herself, she smiled and replied gently, "Yes Batuk, I am sure. But kal tum iss baare mein Anirudh Dada se baat kero. Wahi tumhari duvidha duur kerne mien tumhari help kerein ge. Aur unhi se baat kerne ke baad tum samajh paoge ke tum kis raaste ko chuno ge."

"Hmm…" Batuk replied noncommittally, still not convinced.

"Koi “hmm” nahi!! Promise me ke tum kal unse baat kerouge!" she persisted. She may be crossing a line here, but she would be damned if she let Batuk fester in this self-loathing, or even self-doubt any longer. While Mallika had never met Anirudh in person, what she had heard about him from Bondita and Batuk himself had convinced her that only Anirudh could heal Batuk's own insecurities.

Batuk smiled widely on hearing Mallika almost order him like that.

This was his Mallika… His sabse khaas Mallika…

They had come full circle by the end of this call. Mallika was back in her element, no longer so afraid of expressing her opinion. And Batuk was no longer as horribly confused as he was before this call.

Having his Mallika ordering him to do something now, he had only one thing he could say to her.

"I promise… Pakka wala!"

Monkey and his endless worry of impressing Big D! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

So nice to see Binoy's improving health.

The change in Tapur as a confident woman and as an extremely good vaidya is so good 👏👏

Bon- Batuk scene is lovely. It showed the other side of their usual bickering and teasing interactions. Typical siblings who cannot see the other sad ❤❤

It is good that Bon pointed out the wrong career decision taken by him. Bewakoof Monkey would never have thought about it.

Zaroori call was interesting. And of course they are "just friends" 😂😂 The way they were trying to cover the slips of their true feelings thinking the other considers him/her as only a friend is cute 😄

Good that now both Batuk and Mallika realize their mistakes and accept them. Their relationship is growing towards the phase of no presences.

Monkey got the second dose too. Now waiting for the final dose from Big D which will make gadha Monkey realize his right career option 😈

P.S.Loved the author's note. Nice title 😉

Chapter 21: Healing Old Scars

5th January 1942, Roy Chaudhary Haveli

Batuk paced restlessly outside the study, where he knew Anirudh was working while Bondita and the twins were napping. His inner voices were having a fight once again.

Bloody Hell! Just go inside! Big D tumhe khaa nahi jaayenge! his sane voice told him.

Khaa nahi jayenge, but agar woh disappoint hou gaye tou? Agar woh naraaz huye, tou I won't be able to bear it, a scared and childlike voice interjected.

Woh naraaz nahi honge! You have Boudi on your side already, and even Mallika was sure he won't be disappointed.

But what if Mallika is wrong? What if…

Well too late! Ab tum usko promise ker chuke hou. You have to go in now.

_____________________

"What was I even thinking while promising her this?" Batuk muttered under his breath before taking a deep breath, gathering his courage and knocking at the door.

Anirudh had been watching the silhouette of his younger brother pacing outside through the frosted glass doors of the study. A part of him had been expecting Batuk today. Batuk had been looking disturbed all of yesterday evening, worrying his older brother. While his mental health had been improving steadily, and yesterday he had shown all the right emotions and said all the right things, it had been clear that something was visibly bothering his little brother. Even Bondita had picked up on this when she returned to their room after meeting Batuk, she had looked worried as well, though she had chalked it off to Batuk's headache. Anirudh hadn't been fooled though and had been waiting for either of them to confide in him all day. Now it seemed like the moment had arrived. Well, it would once Batuk stopped pacing and finally deigned to enter.

The silhouette finally stopped pacing and after a few moments, hesitantly knocked on the door.

"Ek minute!" Anirudh called out before going to open the study doors and letting Batuk in.

"Big D… Woh I… Mujhe baat kerni thy aapse… Is it a good time?" Batuk asked, chewing his lip nervously.

"Arey haan haan, aao na Batuk" He lead Batuk into the study, locking the doors behind him. Inside, he lead Batuk to the couch instead of the desk. Based on Batuk's demeanour, Anirudh had the gut feeling that a more informal setting was needed.

Once both brothers were seated facing each other on the sofa, Anirudh asked Batuk with a smile,

"Bolo Batuk, kya kehna chahte ho?"

Batuk felt his courage desert him as he felt Anirudh's hopeful gaze on him. The fear of disappointing his big brother who had done so much for him overcame Batuk, leaving him stammering.

"Big D woh… I wanted… Mien… Big D I… Woh I…"

Anirudh felt his heartbreak as Batuk stammered and flailed about trying to express his thoughts. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he took in Batuk's downcast eyes and shaking hands. He felt once again that he had failed as an elder brother, failed so utterly that his little brother was so scared of confiding in him.

Nahi! Abhi nahi! Abhi mujhe apne aap ko sambhalna hoga! Iss waqt mien nahi rou sakta. Batuk ko meri zarurat hai, aur iss baar I won't fail him!

With that resolution, he reached out towards Batuk, placing one hand on his shoulder and gripping Batuk's trembling hand in the other. Trying his best to reassure Batuk, he spoke comfortingly,

"Batao Batuk… Kya pareshaan ker raha hai tumhe? Daro mat, tum mujhse khul ke baat ker sakte hou."

Anirudh's worry was not lost on Batuk. He cursed himself for bothering his Big D yet again, and a large part of him wanted to just run away from there. However, his promise to Mallika held him back.

Sab ko disappoint kerta hunn mien, ab Mallika ko bhi ek baar phir disappoint nahi ker sakta mien, he thought resolutely. Tightening his grip over Anirudh's hand and drawing strength from his presence, he gathered all his courage to look his Dada in the eye and blurted out,

"BigDIdon'twanttopractiselaw."

Anirudh's eyes widened at this hurried and incomprehensible declaration. He chuckled lightly and said,

"Okay, ab yahi baat thoda araam se bolo, taaki mien bhi samajh sakun"

"Woh, Big D, mujhe law nahi practice kerna. Iss field mein na mera interest hai, aur na hi aptitude."

"Theek hai Batuk! Jaisi tumhari marzi." said Anirudh, relieved. He had expected something really really bad when he saw how troubled Batuk was, and hence it was a big relief to know that all Batuk wanted to say was something Anirudh had seen coming for a long time.

Anirudh had been surprised 4 years ago when Batuk had told him over the phone that he had decided to major in law. When asked if he was sure that this was what HE wanted to do, Batuk had agreed enthusiastically.

"Haan Big D, this is what I want to do! Dekhna aap, mien bhi aapke jaise Barrister banunga!"

Anirudh had been pleased when he saw his normally lazy brother's enthusiasm for studies, and hence had not raised further objections at that time.

Two years later, when Anirudh had gone to visit Batuk in Italy, he had asked Batuk about his career choices once again after seeing his abysmal grades.

"Dekho Batuk, sab log aik hi kshetra mein pratibha rakhein aisa zaroori nahi hai. Abhi bhi der nahi hui hai. Tum agar law ke alawa kuch aur kerna chahte hou tou bejhijhak ker sakte hou."

"Nahin Big D, mien yahi kerna chahta hun! You don't worry, next time mien better marks laaunga! I promise!"

Anirudh hadn't questioned Batuk over this again but had definitely been relieved that Batuk had managed to become an advocate. However, based on what he had learnt about the six months that Batuk had been pretending to be him, Batuk had not shown even the remotest interest in wanting to practice law further. This fact was further reinforced when, as Batuk recovered, he showed more interest and dedication in updating all the zamindaari accounts and papers in order to ensure the smooth running of the zamindaari in Kaka's absence.

All this proved to Anirudh that law was definitely not going to be Batuk's career of choice, something that Batuk himself just confirmed. There was one more clarification that Anirudh needed from Batuk.

"Mager Batuk, law nahi, tou phir kuch aur socha hoga na tumne? Ke kya kerouge?"

"Woh… Big D… I was… I mean, waise I know mien thoda stupid sa hun, tou koi professional ya academic field mein mien phir se fail hi ho jaunga, but, mien soch raha tha ke abhi jaise mien zamindaari ka thoda buht kaam ker raha hunn… umm you know, account books and all, woh mien continue ker sakta hunn… Maybe I can help Kaka out a little when he returns, and unse thoda buht learn ker sakta hu… I mean it won't be something big, but I can try this?" He tentatively said.

Anirudh was left stunned. He had expected Batuk choosing to not practice law, he had also expected that Batuk would choose to work in the zamindaari. However, what confused Anirudh was why Batuk was so hesitant and nervous in telling him this.

Ye aise kyun baat ker raha hai, jaise ke koi bade se gunaah ki qubooli de raha hou? Aur apne kaam ko, apni khud ki tarraqqi ko aise kam kyu dikha raha hai? Jaise ki woh darr… Ho kya gaya hai isey?

When Anirudh didn't reply to his suggestion Batuk slowly raised his head to look at his elder brother, trying to decipher his thoughts, and also wondering why Anirudh had accepted his declaration of not practising law so easily, almost as if he was expecting it.

Of course, he was expecting it! Big D already tumhari harkaton se itne disappoint ho chuke hai kab unhe tumse yahi umeed hai - that you are a useless coward who runs away the moment things get hard! his inner voice taunted him.

Guilt welled up in him yet again for hurting his precious Big D, for disappointing him so much that he no longer expected Batuk to do anything good or right! He looked down, trying his best to control himself, but was unable to stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks or to stop soft sobs from escaping his lips, one after the other. Amidst the sobs, he choked out,

"I… I am so sorry Big D… I… am sorry…"

Batuk's halting apologies and increasing sobs made Anirudh come out of his thoughts and look at his brother once more. He was feeling many emotions at once. Confusion as to why Batuk was apologising to him, pain at seeing his baby brother fall apart like this, worry that his mental health was deteriorating again, and above all, an urge to just wrap Batuk in a hug and take his pain away.

Deciding to convert his emotions into action, he hugged Batuk close, letting him sob into Anirudh's shoulder as he caressed his head and back, making comforting noises to soothe him, just like he used to when Batuk was younger.

On feeling his Dada's loving, comforting embrace, Batuk too gave up any pretence of composure and just clung to him, letting out all his feelings in between his sobs and hiccups.

"I… am… sorry Dada… Mien humesha aapko… proud feel kerana… chahta tha… but… I can't… I can't do it… Mien… Mien iss layak hi… layak hi nahi hun… Mien kuch… kuch bhi nahi ker sakta… Nothing… I am sorry… I… am useless! Good-for-nothing! Kuch sahi nahi ker sakta mien… sab galat ho jaata hai, I… I spoil everything… bas sab ko hurt kerta rehta hun… Aapko… aapko bhi disappoint kerta hun… humesha… kal Baba bhi… I can't… I can't do anything right… I am sorry Dada… I am… so sorry…"

Batuk's self-flagellating tirade left Anirudh at loss for words. He had never even imagined that Batuk's self-esteem was so damaged, that he thought so poorly of himself. He was unable to hold in his own tears as he cradled Batuk close to himself, feeling guilt-ridden for never noticing Batuk's state of mind.

Not anymore! he resolved. I may not have been there for Batuk in the past, but I will fix this now.

He continued to hold Batuk until his sobs slowly subsided. After Batuk had let out all his pain and had quietened down, Anirudh slowly broke the hug, taking a moment to wipe off the tear stains on his cheeks, before gently asking,

"Ab behter lag raha hai tumhe?"

When Batuk nodded, Anirudh gave a gentle smile, and with a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder, got up and walked to the desk. Once there he sneakily wiped his own tears before returning to Batuk with a glass of water, indicating that Batuk drink up. After Batuk finished drinking the water and had somewhat regained his composure, Anirudh retook his seat opposite Batuk and told him solemnly,

"Dekho Batuk, meri baat dhyaan se sun'na. Pehli baat, apne dimaag se yeh baat humesha ke liye nikaal dou, ke tumhare law na chun'ne ke faisle se, ya phir zamindaari kerne ke is soch se gussa ya niraash hua hunn. Aisa bilkul nahi hai Batuk! Mien tou buht khush hunn Batuk, ke tum samajh gaye hou ke tumhare liye sahi kshetra kya hai."

“Aap… Kya… Kya aap sach mein k…kh… khush hai?" Batuk asked, unsure. "Aap ko aisa tou nahi lagta na ke… My quitting law is a good thing kyunki… kyunki mien… Itna smart nahi hun… Not like… Not like Boudi… Tou mien law kerne ke capable hi nahi… Is… Isiliye disappointed nahi hai na aap? Kyunki aapko mujhse kabhi koi hope tha hi nahi?”

It took all of Anirudh’s self-control to not let his dismay show. His younger brother had clearly built such a poor opinion of himself that he was unable to even accept any positive words without suspicion.

While Anirudh had successfully managed to mask his dismay, Batuk did catch hold of another emotion swimming in his Dada's eyes.

Bloody Hell! He thought. Big D is feeling guilty! Stupid stupid Batuk! You know him, of course woh iss sab ke liye khudko blame kerenge! Bloody moron! Bolne se pehle you couldn't think once?

Panicking, he hurriedly tried to wipe his tears, and then grabbing hold of Anirudh's hands, attempted to reassure him.

"Mager Big D, I… I am not upset… not anymore… Pehle buht buht bura lagta tha, jab aap kisi aur ki taareef kerte thay… Especially Boudi ki… But now I know! Aap kisiko sirf tab praise kertein hai jab unhone koi buht great kaam kiya hou… But miene… miene hi aapko kabhi chance nahi diya, mujhe praise kerne ka… Aap… aap apne aap ko blame na kerein Big D! Aapki koi galti nahi hai, mien hi aik number ka nalayak hun… I am useless! Bloody useless!"

The "reassurance" did not work. Anirudh got even more distressed on realising that Batuk's self-esteem was not just damaged but completely broken. Additionally, his subconscious competition with Bondita was also cropping up here. Anirudh had suspected Batuk's jealousy of Bondita and had been pleased when Batuk had seemingly gotten over it. However, he had done so by convincing himself that he wasn't getting that kind of praise because he was unworthy!!

It was now evident that Batuk's mental issues ran deeper than Anirudh had initially thought. He realised that a bulk approach would not work. All of his brother’s fears and doubts needed to be addressed one by one. He squeezed Batuk's hands and firmly said,

“Batuk, mien sach mein khush hun. Mager tumhe aisa kyun laga ke mien tumse gussa ya niraash hounga?”

“Be… Because Big D, I failed… I never… never managed to do well… Na school mein, na college mein, na ab… In fact… ab tou mien itne buri tarah fail hou gaya ke mujhe… I had to quit… Apna privilege waste ker diya miene…"

"Hmm… Aur tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ke tumhara yeh faisla ek "failure" hai?" Anirudh asked incredulously.

Trying to explain himself in better words for the sake of his brother, Batuk squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, and then, opening them slowly, he answered honestly,

"Because… Big D, miene… I am not doing anything big, or anything special… Jaise aap kerte hou, ya Boudi, ya Tapur, or even Som Dada… Mien tou bass…Bas thodi buht help ker leta hun… I… I wanted to do something big you know… something… something that would make you proud of me… Mager I can't do that…'' His voice started quivering by the end of his detailed answer. And then, he just hung his head low, avoiding meeting his brother's gaze.

Anirudh just shook his head in fond exasperation. For a moment, it felt as if he had an 11-year-old Batuk sitting in front of him, with the entirely innocent ambition to do something great with absolutely no ideas on how to go about it! He placed his hand once again on Batuk's shoulder, making him look up in his eyes, and gently asked,

"Batuk, aisa bhi tou hou sakta hai na, ke shayad tumhara kuch bada kerne ka waqt ab tak aaya hi na hou? Kyunki ab tak tum sahi disha mein hi nahi thay? Jab simt sahi hogy tumhare liye, tabhi tou tum kuch beshkimati ker sako ge na... jaise zamindari mein ker rahe ho pichhle aik mahine se?"

This time, it was Batuk's turn to be shocked.

Big D thinks I can do well in the zamindari? Really? But how? Miene tou sirf…

"Mager Big D, abhi tak I haven't even done anything concrete…" he protested, "Full time tou sirf last week kaam ker paaya hunn… itne kam time mien aapne kaise judge ker lia ki mien zamindari ker sakta hun sahi se… aisa bhi tou hou sakta hai ke mien isme bhi fail hou jaaun?"

Slowly getting up, with a mysterious smile playing on his lips and an air of confidence, Anirudh said,

"Barrister hunn Batuk, bina saboot ke kuch nahi judge kerta mien. Ruko aik minute."

Anirudh quickly went to his desk, returning a few moments later with a couple of very familiar ledgers.

"Miene meri yeh raay inn bahikhaato ko dekh ke banayi hai. Pehli reason tou yeh hai, ke beemar hone ke bawajood tum itne se dino mien hi kafi kaam ker rhe ho. Yeh dekho," he pointed out to the relevant portions of the ledgers, "Tumne bhale hi buht kam samay pehle kaam kerna shuru kiya hou, mager phir bhi tumne utne hi samay mein dugna kaam kiya hai! Aur tumhare yeh calculations aur future ke projections hai," he indicated to another set of papers in lying in the ledgers, "unse bhi saaf saaf dikhta hai ke tumhare ander iss kaam ko bakhoobi kerne ka, isme safal hone ka hunar hai Batuk! Aur yeh mien koi iss liye nahi keh raha kyunki tum mere bhai ho aur mien tumhien jhooti tasalli de rha hun. No!"

Shaking his head, drawing a breath, Anirudh announced,

"Tum jantay ho ki na mien jhoot kehta hun, na pasand kerta hun ki koi mujhse kahay. Aur isi liye, mien bilkul honest opinion de rha hun, based on solid evidence and concrete judgment- Tum iss kaam mien maahir ho, Batuk. And this is what you love to do too."

Batuk was even more stunned. While he was pleased to see that Big D thought so highly of his work, there was one major question that needed answering.

"Par Big D," he asked cautiously, "aapko tou yeh sab pasand nahi hai na?"

"Haan Batuk, mujhe yeh saara kaam pasand nahi hai, par iska yeh matlab nahi hai ke mien zamindari ko kisi bhi terha se kam maanta hu. It's just, meri interest nahi hai iss sab mien itni. Haan waqt padne per miene kia hai yeh kaam bhi, mager mujhe mazaa nahi aata. It's not my passion, you see? Mager iska yeh matlab nahi ki yeh kaam hi accha nahi hai. Balki dekha jaye tou yeh kaam bhi utna hi zaruri hai jitna ke koi bhi aur kaam."

Looking into hi eyes deeply, trying to make him understand, holding on to both of his shoulders, he said solemnly, "Dekho Batuk, baat seedhi si hai. Mujhe aur Bondita ko Law pasand hai, accounts nahi. Humara sapna bhi humare passion ke sath hi align kerta tha, aur hai. Apart from all other things that we can do to bring a positive change in society. Lekin tumhara passion Law nahi hai. Tumhara passion yeh kaam hai. Isi liye tumhare sapne humare sapnon ke sath align hona zaruri tou nahi hai."

Noticing the wonder in Batuk's eyes upon hearing this, Anirudh smiled gently and said,

"Batuk… follow your aspirations now. Doosron ke dekhe hue sapnay nahi, APNE sapnay poore kerou. Phir dekhna, tum apni zindagi mien aur apne se juday loagon ki zindagi mien kia sudhaar latay ho. Tumhien pata bhi nahi chalay ga, aur tum baday baday kaam chutkion mien ker daalo ge. Theek waise hi, jaise abhi tumhien nahi pata chala tha ki tumhara actual caliber kia hai, lekin mujhe sirf tumhare vision aur kaam ke tareeqe se hi pata chal gaya ke tumhara asal potential kitna ziada hai."

Batuk couldn't believe his ears. His hero, his Big D was praising him… and that too, so generously!!!

He suddenly felt as if it was a beautiful dream that would be over once he woke up.

Trying to clarify one more thing, confess to one more indiscretion, he started again in a small voice,

"Mera tou aik hi sapna raha hai Big D, mujhe humesha kuch aisa kerna tha that would make you proud of me!"

Anirudh smiled as he drew his baby brother into an embrace once more. He lightly smacked Batuk's head and said,

"Mere paagal chhote bhai, I AM proud of you, very very proud! Aur yeh mien inn bahikhaato ko dekh kar nahi keh raha. I am proud of you because of the PERSON you are. I am proud of your strength and resilience. Batuk, galtiyan sabse hoti hai, raah har koi bhatakta hai. Mager apni galtiyan sudhaarna aur apne aap ko behter banane ki koshish kerna taaqat ki nishaani hai. Aur mien, Anirudh Roy Chaudhary, apne chhote bhai Batuk Roy Chaudhary ki is taaqat aur personal growth per buht ziada fakhar kerta hun. Isiliye, aik waada kerou mujhse, ke tum kabhi bhi, apne aap ko kam nahi samjhoge, kyunki tum mien aage badhne ki taaqat bhi hai aur qaabiliyat bhi."

Batuk felt as if his heart would burst with happiness! He had finally gotten the love, the attention and the appreciation that he had always craved, which was in fact always there waiting for him, but he had failed to recognize it before.

In his childhood, since Bondita's arrival, he had assumed that she had taken his place in Big D's life. No one else had seized his Big D's attention and focus so much before her. And since she was so smart, she had managed to snatch Big D's praises too.

Unknowingly, subconsciously, Batuk developed a sense of competition with her for Big D's attention and praise. Because of this, negative emotions like envy, and jealousy had started polluting him when he was unable to match Bondita's intellect. And in return, when he failed to receive a generous amount of praise for himself from his hero, his Big D, the negativity of his emotions intensified.

Later, he did become friends with Bondita when he accepted her as an integral part of his Big D's life, but then the ingrained seed of envy popped up once again when things fell apart and his Big D and Boudi separated.

That was a very dark period for Batuk. His hopes from his best friend were crushed, and then, the void was filled by the negative emotion of jealousy once again, that he had tried to bury deep down for so long.

And unfortunately, this time, instead of trying to nip the evil in the bud, he nurtured it until it grew into solidified hatred for Bondita.

Batuk had realized most of these things already. But this kashmakash of his career helped him reach the crux of this entire matter- the root cause of most of his problems!

Negative emotions always weigh our souls down. And he realized this now. That was what had happened to him too.

And now, that he had accepted it all subtly in front of his Big D, he was feeling very light.

His Big D also acknowledged everything, and without ever stressing the fact that how ridiculous this entire thought process was, he just welcomed his once astray little brother with open arms and a warm smile.

And Batuk could feel his ever-present love and warmth penetrating through every cell of his being now. Because he had now learnt how to recognise it.

Completely overwhelmed with emotion and drenching in his brother's love, he just clung tightly to him, and declared resolutely,

"I promise Big D… I promise!"

_____________________

A/N

Hello Lovely Readers! We hope you have enjoyed the chapter and the Career ki Kashmakash track as a whole. This phase in Batuk’s life was crucial to discuss, as it was important to address his growth as a “responsible” human being. It is important for all of us too. This matter is very close to our hearts because it highlights another set of social issues that is still relevant today.

Please do let us know of your views through your votes and comments. They mean a lot to us.

Love

Ayesha and Ashley

_____________________

Another beautiful chapter. The conversation between the brothers was so heartwarming ❤❤

What Ani felt is true, Monkey is still a kid with a weird idea of impressing his Big D 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Finally Monkey realized that he doesn't have to literally copy Ani or Bon to impress Ani. Batuk just have to be himself and follow his dreams...

Nice summarization of Batuk's problems which explains his previous disturbing behavior.

Happy that now copycat Monkey will do something original 😂😂

P.S. These two rondhu brothers proved Shashu bear's assumption of her brothers being the solution of water scarcity true 🤣🤣🤣