Rain Part 03

Adarsh loves Naina very much. He becomes worried whenever she is ill. Parineeta bhabi leaves all household chores and sits beside her. Adarsh bhai often presses her head during a headache to give a healing touch. He peels off the fruits and feeds her. He forcefully made her drink milk.

Naina loves Adarsh bhai as her own brother. Respects him also. One day Parineeta bhabhi had gone to her friend’s house. Naina and Adarsh Bhai were sitting in the courtyard.

“Naina,now you are growing up, you will study in college, will you still remember me and Parineeta?” Adarsh bhai asked.

“What are you saying Adarsh bhai? You are closer to me than my own brother. I can never forget you and your love,” Naina replied.

“Everyone says this. But it gets lost in the time wave,” Adarsh bhai said.

“Okay, Adarsh bhai you will see Naina, whether she will forget her brother or not,” Naina replied in a stern voice.

“Maybe during studies you would come here once,or twice but what about after it? Will you even remember me?” Adarsh bhai asked.

“What after that?” Naina was confused.

Naina asked like a feather-brained.

“After that, you will be the wife of some official. And that time in spite of your wish you cannot cross your limit and come here. Adarsh bhai will stare at you from a distance and bring back his eyes. You will take off your eyes for your husband’s pride. I am telling the truth, Naina. I cannot tolerate that. The sound of your wedding trumpet will tear my heart apart,” Adarsh bhai said.

Despite no tears, Adarsh bhai’s face indicated agonize’s shadow.

Naina was shocked. What is she listening to now? What is this type of language from Adarsh bhai today? What is this pain in his eyes today?

Sun was waving bye to the world welcoming the moon. Suddenly Adarsh bhai took Naina’s hand in his grip and looked at her. Adarsh bhai’s eyes became red as blood. His warm breath fell in Naina. Naina was scared of seeing Adarsh bhai’s face.

“Leave my hand Adarsh bhai,it's hurting”, Naina said in between her sobs.

“Naina, I love you,” adarsh bhai said.

“Adarsh bhai,I love you too,” Naina said.

“No,your love is different from mine,” Adarsh bhai said.

“Why? How?” Naina was confused.

Naina released her hand from Adarsh bhai’s grip.

“You cannot understand. You are not so old enough to understand all these,” Adarsh bhai said.

“Why Adarsh bhai, I have only two months to complete my 10th class and I always rank 1st in the class. I am intelligent, I can understand,” Naina said.

“This is not about studying Naina, this is in mind,age,” Adarsh bhai said.

“Is my mind so tiny?” Naina asked.

“Yes, your mind is very small to understand this now. Therefore you cannot understand my pain.

“Pain? What pain do you have?” Naina asked, innocently.

“If only you can understand my pain….” Adarsh bhai’s voice shook.

Adarsh bhai got up and sat on the sofa with his eyes closed and hands on his heart.