Chapter 22 - Pizza Chronicle

ShivOmRu entered their bungalow and dropped down on the couch.

They all had decided to order the pizza at home cause there was rush in the pizza house.

"Ab jaldi se pizza mangav. Bhuk se jaan jaa rahi hai iss masoom bacche ki." ("Order the pizza soon. This innocent lil soul is dying of hunger here.") Rudy said dramatically as he laid down on the couch and slung his feet on Om's lap.

Om pushed Rudy's feet off of his lap and gave him a tight smile. "Bada kaun ?" ("Who's older ?") He asked Rudy.

"Aap." ("You.") Rudy pouted as he planted his feet on the ground before he could fall off the couch.

"Chhota kaun ?" ("Who's younger ?") Om asked rhetorically.

"Mein." ("Me.") Rudy replied in duh tone.

"Toh call kaun karega ?" ("Then who'll call ?") Om smiled in a sickly sweet manner.

Rudy groaned.

"Good. Ab chal call kar." ("Good. Now go and call.") Om chuckled and ruffled Rudy's hair with a smirk on his lips.

"Yar baal toh kharab mat karo aap mere." ("Hey, at least don't ruin my hairs.") Rudy grumbled as he fixed his hairs again.

Rudy stood up and was just dialing the call to order the pizza when Shivaay stopped him.

"Tum dono jab lad rahe the tab meine Pizza order kar diya." ("I've ordered the pizza while you both were busy in fighting.") Shivaay informed. "Jab tak Pizza aata hai...Om tum jao aur change karlo aur Rudy Om ka first aid kar do." ("Now until the pizza comes...I'm, go and change and Rudy, go and take care of Om's wounds.")

Om nodded and went to his room while Rudy too did the same.

Shivaay smiled at his two younger brothers fondly as he watched them walking off while punching, teasing and fooling around with each other.

As soon as Shivaay's eyes lost OmRu's sight, his eyes locked on a huge photograph hung on the wall with a sandalwood garland.

Shivaay's eyes moistened and absent-mindedly he walked up to it.

"Baba." Shivaay whispered, his voice coming out as a distant broken whisper as he stared at the smiling photograph of Gopal kaka.

Shivaay pursued his lips to swallow down the sob which was about to escape from his mouth.

He took a deep breath and smiled.

"Baba, I miss you." He uttered. "Aj aap yaha hote toh aap OmRu ko dekhkar bahot khush hote." ("If would've been here, you would've been so happy to see OmRu.")

Shivaay then smiled. "Pata hai baba, aj Om ne jhagda kiya, ek ladke ko maara !" ("D'you know baba, today I'm fought with a guy, he hit a boy !") He chuckled as a tear slipped down his eye. "Usne Rudy ko bachane ke liye college ke sabse shaitaan bacche se jhagda mol liya." ("To save Rudy he fought with the most evil boy of the college.")

Shivaay beamed proudly.

"Mujhe aj bahot khushi mehsoos ho rahi hai yeh dekhkar ki mere bhai ek dusre ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hai...Meri tarah, unke liye bhi parivaar sabse pehle aata hai." ("I'm so happy to see that my brothers can do anything for each other...Like me, for them also their family comes first.") Shivaay said.

"Apki gair-maujudgi mein, mein OmRu ko sambhalne ki puri koshish karta hu...Lekin kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ki...ki kahi mein kam toh nahi pad raha unki parvarish mein." ("In your absence, I try my best to take care of them...but sometimes I fell like...like I'm not doing enough, I'm doing something wrong in raising them.") Shivaay revealed his insecurities to his baba.

"Jinke pass aise bade bhaiya ho, unki parvarish mein bhala kya kami ho sakti hai ?" ("When they have a brother like you, I'm sure they're being raised well.")

Shivaay turned around to look at the person who had said that and quickly wiped his tears as he smiled.

"Gauri tum ? Aao na. Kaisi ho ?" ("Gauri you ? Come. How are you ?") Shivaay smiled.

"Hum toh thik hai bade bhaiya." ("I'm good big brother.") Gauri smiled. "Aur aap bhi thik ho jaiye aur faltu ki tension mat lijiye. Aap OmRu ki parvarish mein kam nahi pad rahe. Apne OmRu ko bahot acche sanskar diye hai aur unhe ek accha aur kamyaab admi banne ki raah dikhayi hai." ("And you too feel good, don't take unnecessary tension. You're doing an amazing job in raising OmRu. You've taught them values and principles and you've shown them the right way of becoming a successful personality.")

Shivaay smiled with flustered cheeks, slightly embarrassed to know that Gauri had heard his emotional talk.

"Aww...Bhaiya aap sharmate bhi hai ?" ("Aww...Bhaiya you know how to blush too ?") Gauri teased.

"What ? No, no. I don't blush." Shivaay tried to play it cool.

Gauri burst out laughing and eventually Shivaay broke into fits of laughter too.

♦

Rudy sat on Om's bed in Om's bedroom waiting for Om to come back from the washroom.

Rudy fumbled with the contents of the first aid box and took out the things he thought he would need to attend Om's wounds.

Soon enough, Om came back in the room and sat down before Rudy without a word.

Rudy took a cotton ball and turned to face Om. He leaned closer to Om's bicep and checked the scratches which Daksh's nails had left on it.

Rudy cringed at the scratch. It was slightly deeper than Rudy had expected and blood had dried around it.

Rudy slowly dapped the cotton ball on the scratched and silently observed as Om's face changed.

The scratches on Om's arm burnt as Rudy dapped it with a cotton ball but Om refused to show his pain to his brother and hence, instead, silently sat there trying to hold in all the profanities.

"O ?" Rudy softly called as soon as he finished cleaning Om's scratches.

"Hmm ?" Om rasped.

"Meine apke sath pranks kiye, apko sataya, aapka mazak udaya fir bhi aap mujhe bachane ke liye kyu aaye ?" ("I pranked you, I annoyed you, I laughed at you, still you came to save me, why ?") Rudy asked with teary eyes and guilty voice.

Om looked at Rudy and his eyes softened. Om kept staring at Rudy wordlessly.

"O naaraz ho ?" ("Are you still angry, O ?") Rudy asked slowly when Om didn't reply.

"Huh ? Nahi...Naaraz nahi hu." ("Huh ? No...I'm not angry.") Om came out of his thoughts. "Ek baat bata...Tune mujhpe pranks kiye, mera mazak udaya, meri daant khayi fir bhi meri chhoti si zakham dekhkar teri aankhon mein ansu kyu aaye ?" ("Tell me one thing...you pranked me, you laughed at me, you took my anger still at the sight of my lil wound you're having tears in your eyes, why ?")

Rudy's lower lip jutted out and his tears threatened to spill out of his eyes. "Kyu ki meri wajah se apko yeh chot lagi. Agar mein Daksh ko woh basketball nahi maarta toh yeh sab nahi hota." ("Cause you got injured due to me. If I wouldn't have thrown the basketball at Daksh then this all would not have happened.")

Tears started trailing down Rudy's cheeks as guilt crowded his heart.

"Rudy..." Om muttered softly and pulled his baby brother in a hug.

"I'm sorry O. Mein bahot kharab hu, apko itna pareshan karta hu aur fir bhi aap mujhe protect karte ho, mere liye fight karte ho." ("I'm sorry O. I'm very bad, I always trouble you but you still protect me, you still fight for me.") Rudy cried on Om's shoulder. "Thank you O."

Om smiled softly while still hugging Rudy. "Meri baat sunn..." ("Listen to me...") Om held Rudy at arm's length and looked at him. "...tu chahe kitni bhi shaitaniya karle, mujhe kitna bhi chidha de, lekin kabhi bhi, Kabhi bhi mein tujhe protect karne se pichhe nahi hatunga." ("...no matter how big of a prankster you are, how badly you irritate me, but I'll never, never ever, stay back in protecting you.")

Rudy smiled at Om's promise.

"Tu mera pyaar sa chhota bhai hai aur hamesha rahega samjha ?" ("You're my cute, lovely younger brother and you'll always be my younger brother, understand ?") Om pinched Rudy's cheeks and smiled.

Rudy nodded with a grin. "I love you O."

Om realised that the situation was getting a bit emotional and cheesy so he decided to change the mood.

"Pata hai tu na abhi bhi baccha hi hai bas farak itna hai ki teri height thodi badh gayi hai aur tu abhi diaper nahi pehenta." ("D'you know you're still a kid but the thing is now your height is lil bit increased and you don't wear diapers anymore.") Om laughed making Rudy pout.

"Jao yar Om !" ("Go away Om !") Rudy flustered.

"Om ! Omi ! OMI !"

Om and Rudy were startled by the sudden noise and turned towards the source of the voice.

"Gauri tum ?" ("Gauri you ?") Om amused while Rudy smirked.

"Bha-" Rudy started but cut himself off. "-I mean Gauri didi aap ?"

Om glared at Rudy first before turning towards Gauri again.

Gauri speed walked towards Om and started checking him. "Meine suna uss Daksh ne tumhe maara ! Kahi uss mote bhaise ne tumhe jyada chot toh nahi pohnchayi na ?" ("I heard Daksh beat you up ! That fatty bull didn't hurt you much, did he ?")

Om frowned. "Tumne yeh suna ki Daksh ne mujhe maara lekin yeh nahi suna ki meine bhi usey maara ?" ("You heard that he beat me up but not I beat him up too ?") He asked, dissatisfaction hanging around his voice.

Gauri gasped. "Yeh kya !" ("What's this ?") She yelled. "Tumhe kitni chot lagi hai." ("You've got so much injuries.") She gushed over the bruise forming on his face, his burst lips and the scratches on his biceps.

"Haan, Gauri didi, bahot chote lagi hai O ko...Aap aao na uska first aid kardo." ("Yes, Gauri didi, he's been hurt...Come and do his first aid.") Rudy said as he tried to stifle his laugh.

Gauri nodded, oblivious to Rudy's teasing tone, and took Rudy's place as he stood up.

"Tum yeh pakdo." ("You hold this.") Gauri said to Rudy as she handed over a small tiffin box to him and took hold of the first aid.

"Nahi, mein khud kar lunga." ("No, I'll do it myself.") Om protested and tried to snatch the first aid box from Gauri but she held it out of his reach and glared at him.

"Chup chap baithe raho verna." ("Sit quietly or else.") She threatened.

"Lekin mein kar lunga na." ("But I'll do it myself.") Om groaned.

"Nahi, tum abse kuch nahi karoge." ("No, from now on you will not do anything.") Gauri ordered as she started aiding the scraps on Om's knuckles.

"Kya matlab 'kuch nahi karoge' ?" ("What do you mean by 'you will not do anything' ?") Om widened his eyes, fearing for the worst.

"Kuch nahi karoge matlab kuch nahi karoge, mein tumhe yeh sab chote thik hone tak bed se hilne nahi dungi." ("You'll do nothing means nothing, I won't allow you to leave this bed until your injuries heal.") Gauri answered. "Tum yahi iss bed pr aaram karoge, college nahi aaoge, painting nahi karoge aur khane mein sirf meri banayi hui khichdi khaoge." ("You'll take proper rest on this bed, no college, no painting and you'll only eat the khichdi which I'll bring for you.")

Om almost fainted at Gauri's words. "Kya ?!" ("What ?!")

"Haan. Aur agar tumne meri baat nahi maani toh mein tumhare baal kaat dungi." ("Yes. And if you refused to obey me then I'll cut your hairs down.") Gauri snarled with narrowed eyes.

Rudy giggled as he munched on the laddoos which Gauri had brought for them in the small tiffin box.

"Veyi gnsd didi." Rudy said with his mouthful.

"Khale aur fir bol." ("First eat, then talk.") Om growled.

"Very good didi." Rudy grinned at Gauri.

Gauri grinned back.

Om face-palmed himself.

"Ab muh phulana band karo aur meri taraf dekho." ("Now stop blowing up your cheeks and look at me.") Gauri said in authoritative tone and removed Om's hand from his face gently. "Hey bhagwan, kitni chot lagi hai tumhe." ("Oh God, you've got so many injuries.") She mumbled worriedly.

Gauri took the cotton and started cleaning Om's burst lip gently.

Om sat frozen on his spot as Gauri leant in closer. She was only a few centimetres away from his face, too engrossed in her task to notice the closeness between them.

Om stared at Gauri, mesmerised by her beautiful eyes and her expressions.

The way she tucked her hair behind her ears when they disturbed her, the way she bit her lips when she empathized the pain Om must be feeling while aiding his injuries, the way she smiled to herself when she successfully did something, the way her nose slightly scrunches up when she tries to concentrate was simply.... breathtaking.

Rudy smirked when he realised that Om was lost in Gauri and quietly clicked a picture of them both.

"Dard ho raha hai ?" ("Is it paining ?") Gauri asked while applying Aloe Vera gel on his cheek bruise.

When she didn't get any response from Om, she looked at him dead in the eyes and got lost in the deepness of his eyes.

Gauri found it absolutely impossible to detach her eyes from Om's as she adored his beautiful eyes.

Rudy giggled ever so softly and managed to keep silent even though he wanted to coo at them both.

Shivaay soon walked in Om's room and was about to say something when he saw Om and Gauri lost in each other.

Shivaay's eyebrows shot up as he looked at them both with amusement his eyes. He walked beside Rudy and raised an eyebrow at him, asking him 'What's going on ?' through his eyes.

Rudy grinned and gestured Shivaay to lend his ear.

Shivaay leaned towards Rudy.

"My ship is sailing bhaiya ! Rikara for life !" Rudy whisper squealed like a girl.

Shivaay chuckled softly.

After watching Rikara adoring each other for a while, Shivaay decided to interrupt them.

Shivaay loudly cleared his throat which made Rikara jump away from each other and blush.

"B..bh...bhai, aap kab aaye ?" ("B..bh...Bhai, you here ?") Om stammered with flustered cheeks.

"Bas jab tum dono...mera matlab hai jab Gauri tumahare cheeks ko gel laga rahi thi tab." ("I came when you both...I mean when Gauri was applying gel to your cheek.") Shivaay teased and let out a small chuckle when he saw Om blushing even more.

Gauri blushed too and smiled to herself.

"Bade bhaiya aapko kuch kaam tha ?" ("Brother you needed something ?") Gauri asked, in an attempt to change the subject.

"Arey haan, Om, kya tumne meri office ki file dekhi hai ? Blue color ki thi, Deshmukh Industries ki." ("Yeah, Om, have you seen my file ? It was blue, it's was Deshmukh Industries' file.") Shivaay asked.

"Nahi bhai, lekin chalo mein apki file dhundne mein help kar deta hu." ("No, but I'll find it for you. I'll help you.") Om said and hurriedly tried to get up from the bed but Gauri stopped him.

"Ruko ! Tum kahi nahi jaoge." ("Wait ! You're not going anywhere.") Gauri said to Om and turned to Shivaay. "Bade bhaiya aap chaliye aapki file mein dhund deti hu." ("Brother, come I'll help you in finding it.")

"But..." Om tried to speak up but was cut off by Gauri.

"Bade bhaiya, Om ko bed se uthne mat dena, usey painting mat karne dena aur khaane mein sirf fruit juice, haldi wala doodh, karele ka juice aur khichadi hi dena aur kuch nahi." ("Brother, don't let Om climb down this bed, don't let him paint and just give him fruit juice, turmeric milk, bittergaurd juice and khichdi, nothing else.") Gauri ordered Shivaay.

Shivaay's eyes widened at the mention of such killer menu and he looked at Om.

Om made a crying face and joined his hands in praying manner. "Bhai please bachalo iss sab se. Please bhai." ("Bhai please save me from this. Please bhai.") He pleaded through his eyes.

Shivaay gave a slight nod and turned to Gauri.

"Gauri mein kya kehta hu, meine kahi padha tha ki...ki chot lagne pr admi ki mental state thodi gadbad ho jati hai isiliye unhe busy rakhna important hota hai." ("Gauri what I think is, I had read somewhere that...that if someone is injured then he must he must be kept busy to mend his mental state so it is important to keep them busy.") Shivaay lied through his teeth with serious expression. "Isiliye mujhe lagta hai ki Om ko painting karne dena chahiye." ("So I think we should let Om do his painting.")

"But bade bhaiya-" Gauri was cut off by Shivaay.

"Din mein sirf 2 ghanto ke liye, baki waqt Om sirf aaram karega." ("Just 2 hours a day, rest of the time he'll be resting.") Shivaay assured and turned to Omkara with stern face. "Samjhe Om ?" ("Okay om ?")

Om nodded frantically.

"Aur khaane mein bhi mujhe lagta hai ki sirf haldi ka doodh thik rahega, woh kehte hai na ki pait khush rahega toh aadhi bimari choo mantar ho jaayegi." ("And I think haldi wala milk is enough for him, like they say a person will be fit if his stomach is happy.") Shivaay tried to convince.

"Pr bhaiya bimaar logo ko toh khichdi dete hai na." ("But brother patients should be given khichdi no.") Gauri asked.

"Haan toh raat mein Om sirf khichdi khayega lekin din mein usey jo chahiye woh khane do." ("Yeah so Om will only eat khichdi in dinner but let him eat whatever he desires in daytime.") Shivaay said and added, "please."

Gauri sighed.

How could she say no to Shivaay, the person who was like an elder brother to her ?

"Thik hai bade bhaiya." ("Okay brother.") Gauri affirmed.

Om grinned and thanked Shivaay through his eyes.

Just then the door bell rung and Rudy ran to get the door.

"Lagta hai Pizza aa gaya." ("Guess pizza's here.") Shivaay predicted. "Chalo guy's, pizza khate hai." ("Let's go guys and enjoy pizza.")

-----------------------------

Hey bubblies !

Hope you liked the chapter.

I'm facing writer's block in the middle of every chapter...like I know what I should write but I'm unable to describe it in proper words...Hope I'll find a way through my problem soon.

Anyway....I'll take your leave now.

Until the next update,
Have a safe and great life 😇