Once they had entered the house, Akhil tried to sneak the both of them upstairs but his Father stood there waiting for him. "I'm assuming he's drunk or high," the man observed as he noticed the dirtiness of his younger son's clothing. Nodding, Akhil felt the need to defend his brother as he said,"He's just tired, Abu. Please, let him sleep for now. He won't do it again."
Holding up a hand, Mr. Malik cut off his son's excuses as he walked forward. They all waited in silence, thinking that their Father had finally reached his breaking point as he brought up a hand and grasped Rahul's face in his. Unfortunately, Rahul was too out of it to notice the look of disappointment on his father's face as his face was turned from side to side.
"Get him into bed and then come see me," the older man quietly ordered and Akhil nodded as Amir slipped Rahul's other arm over his shoulder so they could both take him into his room. Helping lay him down on the bed, Akhil knelt down next to his brother and gently removed his shoes and socks before standing up.
"I'll handle this. You, go and see what Abu needs," Amir said as he placed a hand on his younger brother's shoulder. Akhil nodded before leaving the room and slowly walking up to their father's door. Raising a hand to knock on the open door, he was surprised when his Father said,"Come in, Akhil," without moving his arm from where he had thrown it over his eyes in an effort to block out any light.
"Abu, I still don't know how you do that," he said and was relieved to see a hint of a smile on his father's face before it was once again replaced with a frown. Sitting down next to his Father's feet, Akhil gently adjusted them so they rested on his lap before noticing how red the area around the ankles were.
"Abu," he started to say but stopped when the older man raised a hand. "Akhil, I know that what I'm about to say is going to make you angry but," Akhil cut his Father off as he said,"I'll get married." Looking up in shock Mr. Malik pulled his legs back as he readjusted himself to sit up straight.
"What," he asked in disbelief and Akhil looked down at his hands that were tightly folded in his lap and nodded. "I understand what you and Ami are trying to tell me. I'll get married to whomever you want,' he elaborated but still didn't look up at his Father who was speechless. "Excuse me," he whispered as he quickly got up and left the room before the older man could say anything.
Once he was in his own room, Akhil shut the door before sliding down in front of it. He leaned against it as he ran a hand through his hair and held his head in his hands. "What have I done," he whispered to himself before being broken out of his thought process by a knock on the door.
Feeling his eyes become misty he swiped at them before getting up and opening the door. His brother stood on the opposite side with a strange expression on his face. "Bhai," he was cut off by his big brother bringing him in for a hug and wrapping his strong arms around him.
"Thank you, bhai," Akhil managed to whisper to which Amir nodded and tried not to let his own tears get to him. He had fought tooth and nail with his parents about having an arranged marriage but, in the end, was forced to agree. After all, they needed to get his younger sister married and so on. But he had really hoped that Akhil would be the one to break that cycle. He loved his wife, but the first few years of their marriage had been so forced because they didn't know each other or have any sort of understanding. Eventually, Malina had begun to understand him and they were able to create some sort of balance in their life but he wanted better for his siblings. With Akhil, he believed that could happen. Akhil's way of arguing or talking things out was much more relaxed and reserved, which made their Father that much more likely to listen to him.
Once he felt Akhil stiffen against him, Amir pulled away from the hug and rested one hand on his brother's arm as the other cupped his face, trying to get the younger man to meet his gaze. "Akhil, if you don't want this," he left the 'I know you don't' part out as he continued,"Please tell me and I'll speak to Ami and Abu. They won't force you." Or at least that's what he wanted to believe.
Shaking his head, Akhil plastered on a fake smile and said,"Bhai, eventually I have to get married. It's okay. Please, don't say anything to Ami or Abu." Nodding, Amir noticed some of the tension leaving Akhil's body as his shoulders somewhat dropped and suggested,"Why don't you go to bed? You should be well rested before going to work." Nodding, Akhil waited until his big brother left before closing his door and the smile left his face.
He really wished he had taken his brother up on that offer.
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