PART 152
“Ram, I hope they’re all going to agree with you on this. I know what you are planning is for the best, but at the same time I know, they love you more than they love themselves, and they might be hesitant.”
Siya put her arm through Rams as they walked the length of the long corridor from their room to the stairs. It was late in the evening, and Ram smiled as he contemplated over her words.
“I know Siya, they will sacrifice their desires before they will ask for something from me. Maybe its because of that ‘big brother’ attitude I have constantly put up in front of them, taking care of all of them from a very young age. But I too can be stupid at times, and they absolutely refuse to believe the same. I want to ensure that every action towards the betterment of our company is dictated by our collective efforts, and they feel equally responsible and important as the….”
His words were cut off by the footsteps of a heaving elderly man, stopping just above the stairs for breath and walking towards them.
And as Ram and Siya realised who the man was, they walked up ahead as Ram hugged him.
“So nice to have you back again, Son.” Sumit said.
Ram moved away, still keeping Sumits hand in his. He noticed how the still jubilant man carried bright eyes, despite his tired wrinkles and broken face.
“Very nice to see you too Sumit Uncle,” Ram said. The man had been much more than his dads assistant, he had been a major influence in his life when it came to ethics and stories of moral strength.
“I am so sorry child I wasn’t here when you all came,” Sumit said. “My sister had fallen ill suddenly and..”
“It is absolutely okay Uncle,” Ram said. “Maa told me. How is she now?”
“She is better, thank you.” He turned his gaze to Siya, as they bowed in respect to each other.
“Your mothers have spent nights and days worrying for you all,” Sumit said. “But I can see the joy on their faces now and the relief you have brought them. Tomorrow, when you sign in, I’m sure everyone will shower you with the best of blessings.”
Ram passed a quick gaze at Siya as he turned back to Sumit and nodded.
Suddenly, Shatrguhan came out of his room, followed by Shruti as they noticed the small gathering and smiled as they joined in.
“Bhaiyya,” Shatrughan said looking down at a bunch of files in his hand. “I got the papers you’d asked me to get. Do you want to go over them now?”
“Sure, Call Bharat and Lakshman also and we all can sit in the garden and go over the things before we head in tomorrow. Its better to have a base before we start again.”
Shatrughan nodded as he set off to call Bharat and Lakshman.
“I think since Maa and Dad are here, we should also sit and go over some things. You and Maanvi have been handling everything on our side,” Siya said looking at Shruti thankfully. “Then we can also start work properly from tomorrow.”
“You two, such workaholics I swear,” Shruti giggled as they all set down to meet with the others and go over the plans for the days to come.
——————————
“Its so weird how you can miss so much in such a short time,” Lakshman said as the four brothers sat around the table in the garden, going over important documents carefully preserved over the last few years.
“The world doesn’t wait for anyone unfortunately my brother,” Ram said, running his eyes over a few papers in deep focus. “Get buckled up quickly, after all, you will also have to be answerable if we mess up..”
Lakshman looked at him in a slight taken-aback manner.
“But Bhaiyya, the paper you’re going over, thats not even my department.”
Ram smiled a little as he picked up another paper.
“Well, I think we all have to forget about departments now. All of us are part of one collective measure…”
“Ofcourse Bhaiyya but..”
“Shatrughan, what is this graph for?” Ram asked pointing to as Shatrughan began to explain.
Bharat looked up at Lakshman, mirroring his confusion.
What is he talking about, both seemed to think.
———————
“I know you’re thinking theres a lot to pick up on, but trust me Siya and Mila, you two can take it slow for now. Settle in nicely for a few days, then you can come over and visit the site begin work,” Janak said as they finished up dinner as a family at the table.
“I know Dad, it’ll take a little time but we will catch up. Thank god for Maanvi and Shruti, theyve pretty much done everything themselves,” Siya said.
“Oh Please Di,” Maanvi said flushed. “I just did what I do anyway. Shruti is the one who’s seen to a lot of different things actually. “
“No Di, nothing like that.” Shruti replied. “Maanvi Di has worked so many nights staying at the office itself. She too has..”
“Okay, okay,” Janak laughed. “Its so nice to see you sisters fighting to support each other,” he added.
“Dad, please ask them to support us also no, sometimes.” Shatrughan chided earning everyones laughter.
As all of them retired to their rooms, Siya excused herself as she went up to the roof the house. It has always been one of her favourite places, but shed never been Able to relish completely. Sleep was far from her eyes, and she stood over the railings looking over the city gleaming in a beautiful light and hushed movement, excitement for the next day rushing through her face.
“Uhh.. Bhabi?”
Siya turned to see Lakshman standing alone at the stairs to the balcony, bringing up a smile. She called him over as he came and stood next to her.
“Bhabi, hope I didnt disturb you. Its just that I couldnt find you In your room and Bhaiyya told me you were here so..”
“Hey, why are you hesitating Laksh?” She asked softly. She had noticed him at the table as well, his eyes constantly darting to and fro between her and Ram, as if he desperately wanted to ask her something.
“No Bhabi, nothing. Its just that… its something I can tell Only you.”
Siya smiled at Lakshman’s innocent actions. She had found a recluse in him too, telling him things even before she told Ram, and in him she had found the brother she never knew she craved.
“Tell me then dear, Im all ears.”
Lakshman paused as he looked up at her with soft eyes.
“Bhabi, I dont know what Bhaiyya is planning, and Ive tried thinking a lot. I have come to a few conclusions but… I can’t be sure.”
He stopped expectantly, as Siya replied.
“You know I share everything with you Laksh, but your Ram Bhaiyya has specially told me not to let anything out before tomorrows meeting. And you know, the most interesting thing is, even I dont know if what I am thinking is what he is thinking to the complete extent , because he hasn’t discussed it with me either. He simply told me, it is the best for all of you.”
Lakshman’s face drooped a little, to which Siya nudged him on his shoulder.
“Hey, why are you worrying so much?”
“I..Im not worrying Bhabi. Not at all. In anything that involves Bhaiyya, I can never be worried. What I am worried for is, for myself.”
“Why Laksh?”
“Bhabi,” he began. “Like I said, I too have come to a few conclusions from Bhaiyyas conversation today. And from what I understand, he wishes to entrust a big responsibility to me.”
Siya smiled a little, realising his thoughts were on the right track.
“Then why are you carrying that drooped face?”
“Its just that Bhabi…”, he played with his fingers as the cold wind ran through his hair. “What I did in Manali and afterwards was completely out of impulse and anger. Yes, I did learn to channel my temper in a good way, but it was only because I had you and Urmila at stake. And there too, Ive put you all in trouble so many times. And here, I am so used to my field of work that now, If I have to learn the workings of something completely new, I dont know how I will perform.”
“Ive never been into these materialistic matters, Bhabi,” he continued. “You know me that way. All that Ive worked, was simply from an emotional aspect. Ive always enjoyed working with my family, not working for anything. And now if Bhaiyya entrusts me with a major responsibility, I dont know if I will be able to do a hundred percent justice to that. Such high tier work requires one to put their emotions aside, but, I can’t work like that. But I dont want to disappoint his faith in me either.”
As Lakshman poured his heart out in front of her, Siya couldnt help but stare at him intently, taking in the mature, grown man he had become.
“If this was five years ago Bhabi, I would have taken it up and surfed though it, but after all that Ive seen, I know that we shouldn’t take anything for granted.”
Siya moved ahead as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Im just surprised to see this side of you, Laksh. This deep, sensitive, emotional and mature side. You make me proud in ways you can’t imagine, Bhai.”
Lakshman was taken aback at this declaration of hers, and her calling her Bhai made him feel so, so deep and confident. His being filled with a new energy as he smiled.
“You also give me so much care and love Bhabi, I done want to let you down either,” he said.
“Why do you think you’d let us down, Bhai? All that you have done for us ever since we’ve come into each others lives’, its impossible to even thank you for. Yes, you had issues with your temper, but the way you have handled them and put them to your best use is surely commendable. And a good anger is always nice, Dad used to tell me.”
“And dont ever think you have put us into trouble, we all have put each other into situation we would never want to be in, but thats just fate. We can’t do anything about it. And you had promised me you will dwell on the past right? Then why are you thinking about all this now?”
“No Bhabi, its not that..” He said. “Its like… even if I keep the past aside, you know how I work. Either I go full in, or I dont do it at all. And you know how that has cost me sometimes. And now, if I get into something big, I will devote all my time to work and I wont be able to give Urmila and you all the time that you need…”
Siya smiled as she noticed his cheeks redden at Urmilas reference.
“My sister is so lucky to have a husband that loves her so much..”
“Bhabi,” he flushed looking away as Siya laughed.
“About that Lakshman,” she continued. “You will have to find a balance. Diving into work is surely nice, but you must learn to split your day into good chunks. And thats something you can learn along the way, it will come from practice. We all will need to learn in fact, we have to now divide our time amongst all of us. Im sure all of us with guide each other along the way, so dont you worry.”
Lakshman sighed as he smiled at her.
“Thank you Bhabi, thank you so much. You make me feel so much better, always. I am so happy to have a sister like you.”
Siya reached up as she ruffled through his hair, as was her favourite thing to do, reminding him of her childhood.
“Thats like my Bhai,” she said. “Now come on, its late, we have to wake up early tomorrow. Pawan and the others will be coming in in the morning. We have to make arrangements for them.”
They started to go down, as they came in front of Siyas room.
“Good night Bhabi,” he said.
“Good night ,and dont worry about anything. Im sure you will do well.”
Lakshman turned away as Siya said softly.
“And wear something nice tomorrow,” she added.
“Yes Bhabi, and Bhabi, please convince Urmila to let me grow my hair na, I want to try out having long hair.”
Siya giggled as she shook her in disagreement.
“Im sorry, I will have to go with her on that one.”
“Bhabi!”
“No my dear brother, now go to sleep before she starts looking around for you,” she said as he walked away smiling.
“I Guess he’s understood its a big day tomorrow for him,” Ram said as he put his laptop away as Siya closed the door to their room behind her.
“Yes, He has a hint. Its a big day for you too.”
Ram stepped ahead as he hugged Siya from the side.
“And I am so glad you have you all standing by me.”
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(THE DELAY MAY OR MAY NOT BE DELIBERATE hehe :P)
Thank you for all the love!
Edited by SenAnu - 5 years ago
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