Chapter 49 - Prinku over Rudy?

 2 days later...

Prinku was feeling well now, all thanks to her eldest brother who took care of her like a mother.

Om's study was also going well. Shivaay made sure Om understood every concept in the easiest way possible.

While Rudy got bored as he had nothing to do. There was a week off in his college before the start of the next semester and hence his friends had gone on small trips with their parents or other friends, leaving Rudy alone.

In Shivaay's room...

"Yeah, I've seen your proposal but I would like to point out some mistakes." Shivaay spoke into his earpiece as he scrolled through a document in his tab.

"Bhaiya !" Rudy's voice bounced in Shivaay's otherwise silent room and a moment later Rudy appeared in the door frame.

Shivaay quickly placed his finger on his lips, telling Rudy to stay quiet without words.

Rudy nodded and dropped himself on the couch while Shivaay wrapped up his meeting.

"Yes, Mr Chadda, thank you." Shivaay spoke before hanging up the call and turning to Rudy.

"Bolo Ru." ("Yes Ru ?") Shivaay smiled as he took a seat beside Rudy.

"Bhaiya, bahot din ho gaye aapne mere sath COD nahi khela, chalo na khelte hai." ("Bhaiya, it's been ages since you played COD with me, let's play know.") Rudy grinned.

"Sorry, Rudy, abhi nahi khel sakta." ("Sorry, Rudy, I can't play now.") Shivaay gave an apologetic look.

"Accha toh fir Resident Evil khelte hai." ("Ok then let's play Resident Evil.") Rudy suggested hopefully.

"Rudy, samjho, mein abhi nahi khel sakta, meri ek aur meeting hai abhi 1 ghante mein." ("Try and understand Rudy, I cannot play anything right now, I've a meeting to attend in an hour.") Shivaay explained as he worked on his computer.

"Bhaiya please na." Rudy requested as he made a puppy dog face.

"Rudy..." Shivaay turned to face Rudy. "...itna important hai kya game khelna ?" ("...is it that important to play a game ?")

Rudy made a sad face.

"Accha thik hai, hum kal khelenge, I promise." ("Ok fine, we'll play tomorrow, I promise.") Shivaay patted Rudy's cheek with a smile when he saw Rudy's face lightening up.

"Ok ! Thanks bhaiya !" Rudy grinned and presented Shivaay with a quick hug before leaving.

After just a few minutes, Om came to Shivaay.

"Bhai, mujhe yeh concept nahi samjh aa raha." ("Bhai, I'm not able to understand this concept.") Om frowned.

"Kaunsa wala ?" ("Which one ?") Shivaay asked as he kept his work aside and focused his attention on Om's book. "Yeh toh bahot hi complicated topic hai, isey samjhane mein toh bahot waqt lagega." ("It's a complicated topic, it will take a long time to explain.")

Om pursued his lips, "Aap agar free nahi hai toh fir mein baad mein aata hu." ("If you're busy then I'll come to you later.")

"Haan meri ek meeting hai abhi thodi der mein." ("That will be good, I've a meeting in a while.") Shivaay replied. "Tu ek kaam kar tu agla topic padhle, baad mein, mein tujhe yeh samjha dunga." ("Do one thing, study the later topics for now and I'll explain this one to you later tonight.")

"Nahi bhai, saare agle topic ka base hai yeh wala topic toh jab tak yeh nahi samjh jata tab tak kuch nahi samjh paunga." ("No, bhai, this topic is the base of further topics hence I cannot move on to next topic until I understand this one.") Om made a face.

Shivaay sighed.

Om's re-exam was in next two weeks and the syllabus was vast. Wasting even a day was unaffordable if Om wanted to score more.

Shivaay thought about his options.

The meeting was just as important cause it was about the new machines which Shivaay was going to purchase for his factory and for that meeting needed a person in authority to attend it.

Just then an idea clicked into Shivaay's mind, he quickly pulled his phone out from under the pile of files and dialed a call to someone.

"Hello, bade papa ?" Shivaay smiled as soon as his call was received.

"Hello, Shivaay, bolo kya hua ?" ("Hello, Shivaay, tell me what's up ?") Tej's enthusiastic voice came from the other side.

"Kya aap mera ek kaam kar sakte hai ? Please ?" ("Can you do me a favor please ?") Shivaay requested.

"Haan, bolo na." ("Sure, tell me.") Tej replied.

"Abhi ek meeting hai adhe ghante mein, Bhima group ke sath naye machines ke liye, kya aap woh meeting attend kar lenge ?" ("There a meeting scheduled with Bhima group in half an hour, for new machines, will you attend it on my behalf ?") Shivaay asked. "Mein hi kar leta magar Om ko meri help chahiye aur uski padhai bhi toh jaruri hai." ("I would've attended it myself but Om needs my help and his study is just as important.")

"Hmm." Tej nodded with a smile (even though Shivaay couldn't see him). "No worries, I'll attend the meeting."

Shivaay grinned. "Thank you, bade papa. I'll mail you the necessary documents for it."

"Ok." Tej smiled. "I'll be waiting."

"Thanks again. Bye, take care." Shivaay smiled before hanging up the call.

Shivaay placed his phone on the coffee table and took Om's book in his hands as he started explaining the concept to Om.

♠

"Yo, O." Rudy waved at Om, who was going to his room, with his mouth full of chips.

Rudy was watching movie in the living room after Shivaay refused to play with him.

"Hey Rudy." Om smiled and joined Rudy on the couch and started eating his chips. "Kya dekh rahe ho ?" ("What are you watching ?")

"Kaappaan aka Rowdy Rakshak in Hindi." Rudy replied while gulping down the chips. "Aapki padhai kaisi chal rahi hai ?" ("How's your study going ?")

"Bahot badhiya." ("Excellent.") Om smiled. "Abhi abhi bhaiya ne mujhe ek important concept explain kiya. Bhaiya itni asani se sab sikhate hai ki sab kuch samjh aa jata hai." ("Just now bhaiya has explained me an important concept. He explains everything with such an ease that I understand everything in one go.")

"Bhaiya ne explain kiya ?" ("Bhaiya explained you the concept ?") Rudy furrowed his eyebrows.

Om nodded.

"Unki toh important meeting thi na ?" ("But didn't he had an important meeting to attend ?") Rudy questioned.

"Haan thi lekin mere liye unhone papa se woh meeting attend karne ke liye kaha." ("Yes, but he made papa attend the meeting on behalf of him for me.") Om smiled.

"Oh." Rudy frowned slightly.

So Rudy's bhaiya took out some time from his busy schedule for Om but not for him.

Rudy shook his head.

He was overthinking and study was of course more important than playing a game. His bhaiya wouldn't discriminate between his brother or sister.

Or would he ?

"Movie ki story kya hai ?" ("What's the plot of the movie you're watching ?") Om asked pulling Rudy out of his thoughts.

Rudy then forgot his senseless thoughts and started narrating the story of the film.

♦

Next day evening...

"Bhaiya, kaunsa wala game khele ?" ("Bhaiya, which game shall we play ?") Rudy asked excitedly as Shivaay entered Rudy's room.

"Tu jo bolega woh khelenge." ("Any game which you wish to play.") Shivaay smiled and ruffled Rudy's hair before sitting on the beanbag before the tv.

"Resident Evil !" Rudy grinned and quickly put in the game CD in his latest PS.

"Bhaiya, mein snacks lekar aata hu, tab tak aap game start karo." ("Bhaiya, start the game, I'll be right back with the snacks.") Rudy said.

"Ok." Shivaay replied and took the controller.

While Rudy went to the kitchen to bring the snacks.

While Shivaay was alone, his phone went off signalling a call.

"Hello, Prinku." Shivaay spoke into the phone as he muted the game sound.

"Bhaiya kya mujhe lene aa sakte hai ?" ("Bhaiya can you come and get me ?") Prinku asked.

Priyanka had been to shopping this evening and it was almost dark outside now.

"Kyu ? Driver kaha gaya ?" ("Why ? Where's the driver ?") Shivaay questioned.

"Car kharab ho gayi hai aur hum aisi jagah pe hai jaha pe dur dur tak koi nahi dikh raha." ("My car broke down and we're stranded in a weird place where there's nothing in sight.") Prinku replied. "In fact, I'm scared bhaiya. There's not a single soul in sight, it's such a scary place."

"Kaha ho tum ?" ("Where are you exactly ?") Shivaay asked, getting serious now, as he tossed his controller aside.

"Somewhere in between ?" Priyanka replied, clueless about her location. "I'll just text you my live location."

Shivaay replied with a simple 'okay' and his phone dinged in a second.

Shivaay pulled his phone away from his ear and checked the location only to widen his eyes a bit in worry.

The area in which Priyanka was stranded right now was a really dangerous area, infamous for robbery, murder and even roadside jerks hung out there.

Shivaay frowned, he had promised Rudy that he'll play with him but his lil sister's safety was also important. He would've sent Om to pick Prinku up but Om had been to his friend's house to collect notes and it would take him forever to reach Prinku's location from his friend's house.

Shivaay didn't wish to break Rudy's heart but he had no other option. Rudy's game can wait but he would never be able to forgive himself if something happened to Prinku.

"I'm coming right away." Shivaay made his decision and he quickly stood up to leave. "Just stay inside the car and lock the doors okay ?"

"Okay bhaiya." Prinku replied and hung up the call.

Shivaay was just about to leave when Rudy entered the room and frowned when he saw Shivaay going somewhere.

"Bhaiya, aap kaha jaa rahe ho ?" ("Bhaiya, where are you going ?") Rudy frowned.

"Rudy, Priyanka ko lene." ("To pick Prinku up, Rudy.") Shivaay replied shortly.

"Pr kyu ? Uske sath toh driver gaya hai na ? Bacchi hai kya woh, khud se nahi aa sakti ?" ("But why ? Hasn't she taken the driver with her ? Can't she come home by herself, is she a kid that she would need you to pick her up ?") Rudy grumbled.

"Rudy, uski car kharab ho gayi hai aur woh bahot hi unsafe jagah pe hai abhi. Baat ko samjho, baccha." ("Rudy, her car broke down and she's stranded in a really unsafe place. Try and understand, bubba.") Shivaay explained urgently. "Mein abhi jaa kar usey lekar aata hu. Bas yu gaya aur yu aaya." ("I'll go and bring her back home. I'll be right back.")

With that said, Shivaay stormed away to pick up his baby sister leaving behind a frowning and whining Rudy behind.

It wasn't just about a game for Rudy, it was about spending time with Shivaay.

In past few days, ShivRu had got very little time together and since they had found their family members, the brothers were always busy with some or the other things.

Rudy missed their old days sometimes, when it was just him and ShivOm. They always spent time together and never ditched each other as Shivaay had did right now.

Rudy grumbled under his breath and jumped on his bed before flipping a random movie channel on.

-

It took 3 hours for Shivaay to return back home due to suffocating traffic of Mumbai.

"Thank you bhaiya." Priyanka hugged Shivaay as soon as they both reached home. "Aap mere ek call pe mujhe itni dur lene ke liye aaye." ("You came to collect me at my one call.")

Shivaay hugged her back and ruffled her hairs. "Anytime baby sister." He replied as he kissed the crown of her head before sending her off to her room.

Shivaay sighed, he was tired but he didn't wish to break the promise he had given to Rudy so he went to Rudy's room to play with him.

Shivaay knocked on Rudy's door twice before entering the room.

A small smile crept on Shivaay's face when he saw Rudy sleeping like a baby on his bed with his TV still on.

Shivaay switched the tv off and made Rudy sleep properly without waking him up. He pulled a duet over Rudy's sleeping frame before kissing his forehead.

"I'm sorry Ru baby." Shivaay whispered to a sleeping Rudy. "Hum kal pakka khelenge." ("We'll definitely play that game tomorrow.")

Shivaay smiled at Rudy and ran his fingers through Rudy's hairs soothingly before switching the lights off and leaving.

♣

A week went by and this entire week Shivaay couldn't spend time with Rudy due to some or the other thing.

As Shivaay was the only elder in the house, he had all the responsibility of his brothers and sister and the house which kept him busy.

"Bhaiya, c'mon let's go." Om said as he came downstairs. "Or else Rudy will get angry if we reached late."

Shivaay nodded. "Waiting for Prinku." He replied.

Just then Priyanka came there and grinned.

"Chale ?" ("Let's go, shall we ?") Prinku asked making her brothers nod.

Today was Rudy's basketball match. A match between Rudy's team and Ratan's team for the final selection of the team to play in the intercollege tournament.

Rudy had trained his teammates and himself well and he had really worked hard as this was his first match as Captian.

Rudy had been promoted from Vice captain of the team to Captain of the team just last week as the former captain was too irregular and irresponsible.

It was a special match for Rudy cause he saw this match as his opportunity to impress Shivaay and earn his praises and compliments.

"Here, bhai." Om yelled as he waved from the middle row of the bleachers.

"Coming, O bhai." Priyanka yelled back and jogged up the bleachers as Shivaay followed her.

ShivOmYanka occupied the seats on the bleachers and waited for the match to begin.

The match started in a few minutes and Ratan's teams was giving tough fight to Rudy's team.

Rudy was so engrossed in the match that he didn't even get time to see where his brothers and sister were and if they were watching his moves or not.

Halfway through the game, Shivaay's phone vibrated in his pocket signalling a call.

Shivaay pulled out his phone, his eyes still glued to the field as he was really focused on the game.

"Hello ?" Shivaay spoke into the phone as he inserted his finger in his spare ear, in order block out the loud noises.

Shivaay had to detach his attention from the game when he couldn't understand a word from the other side.

Shivaay told Om that he's going out to attend the call before leaving. Om nodded without detaching his eyes from the field.

"Can you repeat please ?" Shivaay asked hurriedly. He didn't wish to miss the match.

What Shivaay heard next on the line made his eyes go wide in shock.

"What ?!" Shivaay almost screamed. "I'm coming !"

With that said he sat in his car and texted Om that he had to leave due to an emergency situation.

"Sorry Ru baby." Shivaay spoke to himself sadly as he backed out his car from the parking lot and drove away.

"Basket !" Rudy's teammates cheered as Rudy shot the ball straight into the basket, winning the match.

"Yay !" Half of the bleacher jumped in joy as Rudy's team won.

Rudy's teammates picked Rudy up on their shoulders and danced.

Rudy chuckled as he enjoyed the moment before searching for his family in the spectators.

Rudy found Om cheering for him and Prinku clapping for his team's victory with a wide grin but he was looking for a certain someone who was nowhere to be seen.

Rudy scanned the whole area twice but didn't find his Shivaay bhaiya anywhere.

Rudy's smile disappeared and a frown settled on his lips as his heart filled up with hurt.

Maybe Rudy was wrong when he had thought that his bhaiya's love towards him would never change.

Maybe Rudy wasn't as important to Shivaay as he used to be.

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

Hey bubblies !

First things first...I'll be making this book 60 chapters long 😁

By the way, back to topic !

Rudy's feelings are a representation of my feelings when my younger brother was born.

It's really very heartbreaking to share half of your parents attention with your siblings.

I love my brother the most in the family now though...lol...but I used to hate him when he was born.

Anywayssss....Bye !

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