“Wait, so you’re telling me that you don't even want to marry Mehek because you love some other girl,” Rahul asked as the three brothers sat in Akhil’s room with the door closed. Akhil simply rolled his eyes from where he was looking at his record collection, not justifying the statement with an answer. Amir, however, did, as he lightly smacked his brother over the head.
“Rahul, this is serious. That girl,” he said but was cut off by Akhil, who still hadn’t turned to face them softly but sternly corrected,” Laila. Her name is Laila.” Then, he set the needle down on the spinning track so the soft, classical music started to play throughout the room. Closing his eyes, Akhil smiled at the soft music and lightly started to drum his fingers on the table in front of him.
“Seriously,” Rahul mouthed to his older brother who just sent him an unamused look. “Okay, how about this? You love Laila, right, and I love Mehek? Why not just tell Abu and let him figure things out,” Rahul admitted to which Akhil shook his head, catching Amir’s attention. “Rahul, this is bigger than you or Abu for that matter,” he tried to gently explain to his jump-the-gun brother but the idea wasn’t getting through to him.
“How,” Rahul asked and, for the first time that night, Akhil turned around and sat on his knees in front of the two of them. “Because I need to be the one to tell Abu and I want him to meet my Laila and accept her. Rahul, when Laila or Mehek or whoever gets married to one of us, they’re marrying into this entire family. If we try to force this decision then neither Mehek nor Laila will be happy. I know you love Mehek but I need you to let me take my time.” Rahul groaned as he muttered,” Fine. Just hurry up.”
Amir sent Akhil a smirk and then clapped his younger brother on the shoulder as he teased,” Well, we know which one of you is in a rush.” Rahul simply rolled his eyes but it was Akhil who stood up and stretched his legs as he said,” Believe me, big brother, I can’t wait for the day I can happily and publicly call Laila mine.” He then lowered his head and blushed when Rahul and Amir began teasing him from behind.
In her own room, Laila was happily trying on elegant dresses as she spun around in her own room. So lost in her own world that she didn’t notice her older sister standing by the doorway, admiring her sister finally being somewhat carefree. As she spun around once more Laila noticed her sister and froze.
“Didi, I was just,” Laila began to say before looking at the dress she was holding to her chest and quickly putting it on the bed before leaving the sentence unfinished as she pretended to become focused on the things scattered on the bed. “Laila,” Roshni called before laughing when the younger girl blushed and turned away from her even more.
Settling down, Laila turned to her sister and grabbed her hands. “Didi, I want you to meet someone,” she admitted softly and Roshni raised an eyebrow before lifting her sister’s chin so that she was looking her in the eye. “Please, di,” Laila begged and not wanting to, Roshni found herself nodding as her sister sent her a pleading look. Laila launched herself into her elder sister’s arm and smiled as she thought of Akhil meeting her big sister.
Now that Laila couldn’t see her face Roshni scowled as she thought of whoever was using Laila as Akash had used her. She got lucky because Laila had protected her but now it was her turn to save her little sister.
The next morning Akhil was listening to steady violin music as he sat at the breakfast table alone. He smiled to himself and quietly tapped along while he waited for the breakfast to be set in front of him. From behind him, Mehek’s father smiled as he stood beside Mr. Malik and watched the calm scene in front of them.
Knowing his son wouldn’t hear his voice, Mr Malik stepped forward and placed a firm hand on the young man’s shoulder which caused the man to still before he looked over his shoulder. Recognizing his father and Mehek’s father he quickly stood up before pulling the earbud from his ear.
“Sorry,” he apologized and then smiled nervously when the older men smiled in unison. “Akhil, Taran Uncle came to take you shopping for the wedding suit you have to wear,” Mr. Malik said with a serious nod towards the older man but Akhil was still speechless. “Taran Uncle,” they heard Amir say and while the man’s back was turned Akhil shook his head to let his Dad know he didn’t want to go anywhere. Sternly, Mr Malik glared at him but Akhil just shook his head before making a pleading face to try and sway his Dad’s mind.
“Shall we then, young man,” Taran said as he finished conversing with Amir and looked at Akhil who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Nodding, even though he didn’t want to, Akhil said,” Yes, Tarun uncle, let me just grab my shoes and coat.” He was about to walk away when Amir said,” Uhh, Abu, Uncle, Akhil can’t go anywhere today. I actually need some help at the office and Akhil’s vital to get it done.”
Akhil tilted his head in confusion but Amir sent him a look before his lips moved so that he could send the discrete message to his younger brother. “OH,” Akhil said before nodding and looking at Taran,”I completely forgot. I would love to go but work comes first.” Mr Malik looked between the both of his sons and noticed that while Amir stared him right in the eyes Akhil looked around the room so that he wouldn’t have to look his Father in the eyes.
“No problem. Tomorrow, then,” Taran offered and the two brothers looked at each other before Akhil shook his head and Amir began scrambling for an excuse. While he was trying to come up with one, Rahul walked down the stairs and into the living room properly dressed with his shoes on. “Rahul can go,” Amir said, throwing his youngest brother under the bus who looked up with an apple in his mouth. Taking a quick bite he chewed quickly before swallowing and greeting Taran.
“Exactly. I mean, we’re basically the same person. He knows exactly what to get,” Akhil said and Rahul raised an eyebrow at his two brothers before catching on. But before he could make an excuse Taran nodded and said,” That might be better since it takes time to actually get the suit altered and whatever. Let’s go then. Busy day ahead of us.” Rahul looked like he furiously wanted to protest but still went along with the man but turned to glare at his brothers.
As the two men left the house Amir and Akhil let out a sigh of relief but it was short-lived as Mr Malik stared at them with a doubtful expression on his face. Akhil gulped before shuffling with his iPod and earbuds. “May I ask why you two just lied directly to Taran’s face,” Mr Malik asked harshly and Amir opened his mouth to say something but his Father raised a hand to stop him. Pointing a finger at Akhil he said,” No, Akhil, you tell me.” Sliding his phone into his pocket Akhil stepped forward and said,” Abu, it’s nothing like that but you know that I don't like to go out with random people all the time. That’s it. Amir Bhai was just trying to help me. Abu,” he wanted to say more but stopped at that as he thought about the meeting with Laila.
“Go to your room,” Mr Malik ordered and Akhil was about to refuse but the stern look his Father was sending him caused him to reconsider. Stalling for only a moment he nodded before slowly walking up the steps. “Abu,” Amir said but Mr Malik shook his head before saying,”I don't know what is going on nowadays but whatever it is, I want my Akhil back. He could never have looked me in the eyes and disobeyed me like he just did. Whatever you did or happened, fix it. Otherwise, I’ll take matters into my own hands.” The threat was barely veiled and Amir found himself nodding before he was forced to lower his gaze to the floor so his Father didn’t think he was challenging him.
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