Chapter 91: chapter 91

The family have a peaceful dinner and retire to their home respectively. Rhea waves at her parents with a smile.  Adi and Smitha was first to leave. Smitha was taken aback on Rhea's reaction and now she gets why her husband was determined to get Rhea married to Amar. Following Adi and Smitha,  Ram and Shikha started to leave. Rhea stops Kajal who was about to get into the car, " didi you can come with us". Kajal laughs aloud and says am not ready to have a look at your lovey dovey atrocities. Rhea clicks her tongues and Amar thanks Kajal through his eyes. Kajal gives a thumbs up to Amar and gets in with Ram and Shikha. Amar gets closer to Rhea and says So, it's just two of us now. Rhea swiftly gets into the car hiding the blush. Amar gets in and is all smiles that finally Rhea is also getting better. He didn't bother her further. It's just he wants to confirm that she is not lost in the thoughts of Jagdeesh and his affairs. They traveled without having a word with eachother, but didn't fail to steal a glance at eachother every now and then. The night sky is clear with  scattered stars glimmer above the city that never really sleeps. The terrace is quiet, save for the faint sound of crickets and a soft breeze playing with the potted plants.Kajal walks up slowly, hugging her shawl around her. She finds Amar already there, leaning on the railing, sipping from a steaming cup of herbal tea.Amar without turning asks “Couldn’t sleep?” Kajal shedding a faint smile “Didn’t want to, yet. The silence tonight… it feels earned.”Amar hands her his cup. She takes a small sip. Kajal “Remember the summer nights on the old balcony in Tanwar Mansion? We’d fight over the swing…” Amar chuckles and says “And you always won, taking it from me. Not because you were stronger. Just louder. So that Adi uncle comes up just to ask me to get down and lifts you up and help you get seated. They both laugh softly. Adi uncle and Smitha aunty is more than a family to us Amar. They treated us like their own kid even after Rhea's birth. Amar acknowledge it and says Dad is blessed to have such a friend. A gentle pause. Lingers for a while. The gentle nights breathes screaming as they pass through Amar and Kajal. Kajal opens up “I thought marriage would be like those nights… breezy, safe. But somewhere I forgot to swing for myself. I just stood still.”Amar quietly says  “You gave it your all, Kajal. You lost nothing. But He did. He lost the most precious thing in this world ". Kajal turning to him “And you... you gave me back everything, I almost lost in myself. Thank you, Amar.” Amar gently places a hand on her head. A brother’s silent blessing. Amar “Always. For you, always.” kajal am blessed to have a supporting family. Amar smiles. They both look up at the stars,  just for a while. A shared silence only siblings can enjoy. No need for more words.Kajal stretching lightly “Alright. Enough sentiment for one night. I’m off before you cry.” Amar “Please.... If I cry, it’s because I overate.” Both chuckle again as they walk down together, parting quietly at their rooms. It's then Kajal asks what's Rhea doing? She wouldn't be quiet all these while and come searching for me. Kajal didi... Kajal didi... In her kiddish voice. Amar chuckles rubbing his eyes. Kajal " Amar anyways you're life isn't like me. Rhea is such a gem. Poor girl she kept crying from the moment she got to know of him. And you ... You.. Amar I was the reason you left the home. And stayed in that appartment. But I didn't have knowledge of it and kept complaining on you for not coming home, whenever am coming with Jagdeesh. Am sorry Amar it's all because of me. You knew it from the beginning and kept so much to you're self. Kajal hugs crying Amar. Amar pulls her legs so I think you have to go consult the best Psychiatrist. Kajal scrunches her face and stares at him, it's then he says didi... I left home and stayed in appartment because I was afraid I would spill the beans. And moreover I don't want to come empty handed when I want you to face the truth. So it was just a plan by Adi uncle, Dad and myself that I want to leave the house by fighting with dad. Kajal pinches his hands so you all were in a play all these while. Amar thinks the real play is yet to start, as of Jagdeesh is just a trial version. Kajal shakes him Amar... Yep didi... How long am calling where are you lost? Amar possibly thinking of Rhea. No idea what mess she would have created in the name of picking a pajama. Kajal laughs aloud and both descend the stairs. A Revenge...---