After Two Months

A D V I K

After cleaning the place, I made my way inside to sip water. When someone entered, I looked up only to see my little sister standing there, with a smile painted on her face.

"Riya?" I took her name and engulfed her in a hug.

"I missed you so much," I spoke while caressing her head.

"I missed you too, bhai," She replied while hugging me back.

I smiled and then broke the hug and asked her," So, what do you want to order? Should I cook your favourite dish?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yep."

"Bhai, this place is so beautiful." She said while roaming around the place.

I smiled and started making a dish for her, and then she came beside me and whispered," I am so happy, bhai, you're finally on your path, the one you wanted for yourself."

"Riya-" I looked at her, some unshed tears in her eyes.

"Let me speak. When, for the first time, you cooked just because I cried to you, I was so happy, grateful that you were my brother, not someone like ma papa who would force me to work just because I was a girl, and you got scolded because of me too, yet you didn't say a word to me."

She continued, now tears falling from her eyes," And when you found your passion, you tried hard, you learned to cook while hiding it from our parents, and when they got to know, you would stop this path, and walk on the path they asked you to walk on. You never complained, you were always there for me, but never for yourself. And now, when Bhabhi came into your life, you became more open, someone who is not just living behind his walls. I am happy Ritika Bhabhi came into your life, and now you both are finally fulfilling your dream."

My eyes turned teary hearing her words, and I had nothing to say but feel the warmth of her words that were for me. From childhood, I had been thinking, I failed at everything being a brother, son, a friend, but now here I am standing, my heart is at peace, beating fast.

"Thank you so much, Riya. Because of you, I found my passion." I muttered.

"Why are you crying?" She sobbed.

"Because you are crying," I whispered and hugged her.

"Shh- don't cry." I sushed her.

"Now, let me cook for you," I said, teasing her a little.

"Ha ha!"

***

"As always, best!" She spoke after eating.

I smiled.

"Bhai-" 

"Han?" 

"Come home for today. I talked with them, and they are okay with you being the cook." She replied, making me shocked.

"What? How?" I questioned.

"In the last two months, we had heated arguments, but then I confronted. You don't worry about that. Everything's fine." She replied.

"So, let's go?"

"But Ritika?"

"You should ask her too!" She replied.

No, I can't. She has already taken so many leaves, and I don't want her to be distracted by the chaos. Maybe they aren't fully convinced, who knows?

"No, I will come with you. She is busy."

Riya nodded, but then I added," I am coming, wait for me."

With that, I walked outside and dialled her number, and on the third ring she picked it, "Hnji, boliye?"

"Ritika. Actually, Riya is here, and I am going home for some house. You don't worry, okay? I will be at home before night."

"Do you want me to join?" She asked, and I smiled.

How I love this woman.

"No, baby. You focus on your own work. I will be back."

"You sure?"

"Yes, and take care, okay?"

"Hnji, aap bhi khayal rakhna apna," Sh replied, making me smile.

***

I would be lying if I said I am not nervous, and there isn't fear inside me. Since the time I arrived here, my mother has been pampering me with food, and when I tried to talk to her about that matter, she would say, 'Let your dad come.'

I sighed because my father had come home, and his eyes widened looking at me as if he wasn't expecting my presence, and something tightened inside me.

I wish she were here to hold my hands and support me.

He cleared his throat, came beside me, and took the seat on the sofa, making me nervous. And then gradually Riya and Ma joined.

"So, how's your restarunet going?" He asked, while being a little awkward.

I smiled," Regular customers are coming, Papa." Though the Papa word left a bitter feeling inside me cause it's been a month since I talked to him, saw him.

"Oh." 

"Advik, beta. You haven't been home for two months. We were so worried about you." My mother chimed in.

I bitterly laughed but still replied," Sorry, ma, the last two months have been a little hectic; more people are coming in."

"Oh, achi baat hai."

"Hanji, ma."

"Acha, fir main khana bnane jati hu, you all talk." Before she could go, I stopped her.

Advik, speak up. 

Please, at least for your younger self, at least for Ritika who would be proud of you.

"Ma, you rest. I will cook for everyone." 

A silence fell in the room, but she cleared her throat,"Nahi-"

"Ma, please." With that, I stood up.

***

"Bhai, you make the best sabji!" 

I smiled at her remark, but looked at them who were eating silently, not even saying how it was, a strange feeling settled inside me.

I ignored the pang and messaged her," I am having food with them (the one I cooked), and hell, they are not even reacting. But anyway, did you have your dinner?"

The reply came in seconds," Awe! But that's a progression, husband. And now, I haven't! I am not hungry."

A frown crept on my face," Ritika, I will be back in an hour, and then we will eat together. Exercise or do anything, I won't let you sleep hungry."

"AYO AYO, captain." She replied, making me smile, and then I kept it aside and focused on eating, making sure to eat less as I have to eat with my home.

"Beta, you cook so good." My mother broke the silence, making my heart beat at her words.

She praised my cooking?

The one whose cooking has been a dream for me has praised me?

"Better than yours." My father chimed in, a teasing smile on his face, making me smile.

And with that, everyone broke into laughter.

Maybe I didn't need their apology, their awkward silence, but these moments where we are again together as a family, teasing each other.

***

I reached home and then pulled her in a hug, snuggling in her neck.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around me," I am so happy for you , baby. And so Proud."

I looked at her beautiful face and pecked her lips," Thank you so much."

She shuffled my hair and spoke," I have a good news!"

"What, how?"

"Now? But I always used condoms." I spoke.

"Gadhe!" She whined, and I laughed at my lame joke and behaviour.

She hid herself in my chest and then slowly I asked,"So what it is?"

"My ma called me just half an hour before, and you know she was behaving completely normal as if nothing had happened."

I smiled, the heaviness dropping off my chest," Whoa!"

"Guess, our Two-month silence did affect our parents?!" She giggled.

"I think so!" I replied while smiling.

Two months before, I was doubting my decision, wondering if I had messed up everything, rare customers, parents not talking, but now? Everything felt worth it.

Dreams are worth every nightmare.

A/n

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