The Ardent Embrace: Bhaiya, My Eternal Kinship

Destruction

[Few hours before.]

[Vijay in his cabin while watching his father's signature.]

[7 YEARS BEFORE.]

Vijay: Wh.... What happened Anand Uncle? (In a nervous tone)

[Anand Prasad became very emotional and as a result he hugged him.]

Vijay: Tell me na Uncle. What happened? Are you okay? Where is Papa?

[Vijay started jerking him.]

Anand Uncle: As Sudha was in labour pain, as a close friend Rajendran called me to come immediately. So I ensured to join him directly here. (After a pause) I have reached here but I was terribly shocked as I got the news.

Vijay: News!! What news?? Tell me uncle. Where are they? And my mom?? How is she?? (Moist eyes) Speak up Uncle... Please...

Anand Uncle: Rajendran and your mom met a ca... car accident.

Vijay: What!!!

Anand Uncle: Rajendran didn't make it...

[Vijay's world shattered in an instant. The ground seemed to fall away beneath him as he collapsed to the floor, unable to bear the weight of the news. Anand Uncle tried to console him, but it was none other than his father.]

Vijay: Where is Maa, Uncle?

Anand Uncle: Sudha is also critically injured, though she gave birth to the baby, but the Doctors have given their prognosis.

[PRESENT DAY]

[To hide what she had done, Aarya unknowingly grabbed the nearest thing she could find to wipe up the spill. It was none other than Vijay's important office papers. With a furrowed brow, she tried to soak up the coffee, unaware of the potential damage she was causing. The coffee spreads, leaving brown stains on the pristine pages.]

[In between these, Vijay entered the room and immediately discovered her. He rushed to her.]

Vijay: What are you doing here? (Screaming)

[Aarya jumped back in fear.]

Vijay: (looked at his paper) These important papers!! What have you done with my papers?? (Screamed in anger)

Aarya: I.. I.. Was.....

[Before she could finish, Vijay slapped her hard.]

Vijay: Don't you have any idea that these papers have no soft copies. (After a pause) Why did you come to my room? Tell me.

[Aarya stood frozen, her cheek stinging from his slap. Her eyes became teary.]

[Vijay was looking at the papers from both sides and suddenly patted on the table harshly.]

Vijay: Answer me, Aarya (in a loud voice)

[She was still silent. But this time Vijay couldn't hold his temper. He started searching from his working table.]

Vijay: (while searching) I know how to get an answer.

[Her fear was increasing. After a second Vijay took out a well sharped steel Ruler. Tears welled up in Aarya's eyes as she watched him rummage through his desk, her heart pounding with fear. Aarya's breath caught in her throat. She had never seen him this angry before, and the glint in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. She took a step back.]

[The 1st hit on her right hand upside the elbow. It sent searing pain shooting through her body. The little girl screamed in pain as she couldn't bear the blow of steel. Her scream echoed through the room.]

Aarya: Ahhhhh..... (Screamed) Bh.. Bhaiya... I've not done it intentionally.

[Aarya was weeping more and more.]

Vijay: How dare you touch my stuff?

[His rage had no bond as he gave her another brutal hit, this time on her burned area and he had no sense to realize that. This time Aarya crumpled on the floor, the pain was unbearable, as she clutched her wounded hand.]

[Aarya was doing nothing, but closed her eyes. She couldn't expect this torment from whom she cared most, loved most and respected most.]

[But this was not the end, still Vijay had something in his mind.]

Vijay: You've snatched everything from me!!! What else do you have left to take away from me? (Screamed in anger)

[This time she couldn't bear his words anymore. She got up and gazed at him.]

Aarya: You're the bad one, Bhaiya. (Wiping her tears) I'll never talk to you. Neverr.... I hate you. I... I hate you.

[Without finishing her sentence she rushed to get out of the room.]

[The time was 7:30 pm.]

[As she left Vijay threw the ruler on the floor in rage. He sat down on the edge of the bed while scratching hairs. He was still on his Officewear.]

[7 YEARS BEFORE]

Anand Uncle: Sudha is also critically injured, though she gave birth to the baby, but the Doctors have given their prognosis.

[As Vijay learned about his mother's condition, he rushed to the ventilation room. As he entered, he noticed that she lay on the hospital bed, her breaths shallow and labored. The doctors had given a grim prognosis, indicating she wouldn't survive beyond an hour. Her face was pale, but her eyes held a flicker of strength.]

Vijay: (with moist eyes) Maa....

[Sudha opened her eyes and took a look at him. Vijay took her right hand and rested it on his chin and gave a gentle kiss on the palm.]

Sudha: Be strong Vijay. I am aware about my condition but you'll broke then who will take care of her?

Vijay: "Her"!!!

Sudha: (forcefully smiled) Look at your back. Don't you see our new member?

[He turned back, then stood by the cradle, his eyes fixed on the tiny bundle nestled within. His heart was heavy with a mixture of emotions as he watched his newborn sister, his mother's final gift to him. Vijay's gaze shifted between his sister and his mother, torn between the joy of new life and the anguish of impending loss. He reached out a trembling hand to gently stroke his sister's cheek, marveling at her innocence amidst the chaos of the hospital room.]

[Beside him, his mother lay on the hospital bed, her condition deteriorating rapidly. Her breathing grew fainter, her strength fading with each passing moment.]

Sudha: Vijay... (Very calmly)

Vijay: (came to her) Tell me Maaa...

Sudha: I know Vijay it'll not easy for you. But never forget that you got my and your Papa's love and care, but she wouldn't get any of us. (After a pause) Vijay, give her all the happiness of this world.

[He downed his head.]

Sudha: God had saved her for you. So, always take care of my Angel.

[Gradually, she closed her eyes. Vijay felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to hold back tears, knowing that he was about to lose the woman who had given him life.]

[Suddenly there was a continuous long beep sound. The doctor, Anand Uncle and Vijay looked at the Cardiac Monitor, which was referred to as a flatline.]

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Will Vijay regret?

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Thank You for reading......