Brother’s Buddy.
Part 1. Brother’s Buddy.
A man stepped out of his room, he walked straight to the dining table, and pulled out a chair.
“Ma…” He called casually, leaning back, “where’s Khushi? Still sleeping?”
From the kitchen, Garima appeared, holding a cup of tea. She placed it in front of him with a small smile.
“Yes… Karan, she still sleeping,” she said, shaking her head lightly. “Your sister has no idea what MORNING means. Once she’s in a deep sleep, even a thunderstorm wouldn't wake her."
“Of course. She’s the princess of this house.” Karan smirked, lifting the cup.
Just then, Shashi walked in, he took his seat. He picked up the newspaper lying on the table. Garima brought another cup of tea and placed it beside him.
“Here,” she said softly.
Shashi nodded, already unfolding the newspaper, his eyes scanning the headlines.
Karan took another sip of tea and sighed.
“I swear, Ma… one day I’ll personally drag her out of bed.”
“You say that every day.” Garima laughed softly.
Shashi, without looking up from the newspaper, added,
“And every day, you fail.”
Karan rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Because no matter what... Khushi wasn’t just the youngest in the house. She was its heart.
At the same time, across the city...
A bike engine roared to life. A guy sharp eyes reflecting determination. The early morning breeze brushed past him as he started his ride. He stopped in front of a small yet beautifully arranged shop.
A.R ARTS & GALLERY.
The guy looked at it for a moment, not just a shop…but a piece of his past. His father’s legacy. Once given for rent… Now, rebuilt by him. He unlocked the shutter and lifted it slowly. The sound echoed through the quiet street.
Inside, colors lived on every wall, paintings, brushes, canvases… fragments of emotion frozen in art. ARNAV stepped in. This wasn’t just a shop, this was his world.
Two customers walked into the shop.
“Bhaiya, we need canvas boards, both large and medium sizes. Also acrylic paints, and paint brushes in sizes 0, 24, and 8,” they said.
“Okay,” Arnav said and took out all the items they asked for, packing them and handing them over to them.
After paying, they left.
At the same time, Arnav’s phone rang. Arnav answered the call.
“Hello, are you at the shop, Arnav?” a voice asked.
“Yes, Karan, I just came now."
“Okay, I’m coming there too,” he said and cut the call.
After Karan ended the call, he said, “Mom, I’m going to meet Arnav.”
“Wait, I’ll pack breakfast for Arnav… give it to him,” Garima said.
“Okay, mom,”
Garima quickly went to the kitchen, packed breakfast for Arnav in a tiffin box, and handed it to Karan.
Karan said bye to Garima and Shashi and left from there.
But upstairs… A soft breeze moved the curtains, brushing gently against her face. KHUSHI was still peacefully sleeping on her bed, lost in a beautiful dream. A small smile lingered on her lips… as if her heart knew something her world didn’t.
At A.R Arts & Gallery…
Arnav was arranging newly arrived sketchbooks on the shelf when he heard the familiar sound of a bike outside. He didn’t even look up. A faint smile formed on his face.
Karan walked in, removing his helmet. He stepped closer and placed the tiffin box on the counter.
“Mom sent breakfast. Don’t skip it like always.”
Arnav glanced at it for a moment… then back at Karan.
“You didn’t have to.”
“Tell that to my mom, not me.” Karan shrugged.
A small silence passed between them, not awkward, but familiar, comfortable, like home. Arnav opened the tiffin slightly. The aroma of homemade food filled the shop. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Care, memory, loneliness. But he hid it quickly.
“Tell aunty thanks."
“You should come home more often, you know. Mom keeps complaining you don’t visit.”
“I don’t want to disturb you guys.” Arnav closed the tiffin gently.
“Disturb? Are you serious? You’re not a guest, Arnav. You’re family.” Karan frowned.
That word, family. It lingered in the air longer than expected. Arnav didn’t respond. Instead, he turned away and started arranging paints again. He had his Mama and Mami, and he loved them, they also love him back like their own child but he had intentionally carved out this solitary life to avoid feeling like a permanent obligation to anyone.
In GH
Upstairs, the SLEEPING PRINCESS finally staged a rebellion against her alarm clock. Khushi sat up with a dramatic gasp. She blinked at the sunlight, realized the time, and scrambled out of bed.
"Hey Devi Maiyya! It’s already 10:00?"
Ten minutes later, she was flying down the stairs, her anklets jingling with every hurried step. She looked like a fresh marigold in her yellow lucknowi suit, her face glowing even without a drop of makeup.
She skipped into the dining area, nearly colliding with Garima who was clearing the table.
"Ma! Why didn't anyone wake me up? The sun is halfway across the sky!" Khushi exclaimed, immediately reaching for a leftover paratha with one hand while trying to tame her flyaway hair with the other.
"We tried, bitiya," Shashi chuckled."But you were fighting a war in your dreams. We didn't want to get caught in the crossfire."
Khushi puffed out her cheeks, looking around the room.
"Where’s Bhaiya?
“He went to meet Arnav."
Khushi’s hand froze halfway to her mouth. Her eyes widened.
“Arnavji’s shop?”
“Yes.”
Khushi’s face immediately changed.
“But why did no one wake me up?!” she complained, placing her hand on her hip. “I wanted to go too!”
“You were sleeping like a princess,” Shashi smiled.
Khushi pouted instantly.
“That’s not fair… I told Bhaiya yesterday I wanted to buy sketch pens and colors from Arnavji’s shop.”
“Karan said he’ll bring whatever you need.”
Khushi folded her arms.
“I don’t want Bhaiya to bring it…” she muttered, her voice soft but stubborn.
Then she looked up again, eyes shining with determination.
“I want to choose it myself. Ma, I’m going!."
"Wait, Khushi! At least finish your breakfast,"
but Khushi was already halfway to the door, her anklets singing a frantic tune.
"Let her be, Garima. I’m heading out to the Bakery Shop anyway. It’s on the way. Come on, bitiya, I’ll drop you at Arnav’s gallery." Shashi stood up, reaching for his keys.
Khushi’s face lit up like a thousand candles.
"Sachi, Babuji? Yay!" She did a little victory dance, her eyes sparkling.
Getting a ride from her father meant she’d get there even faster than a rickshaw.
Outside, Shashi kicked his scooter to life. Khushi hopped onto the back, clutching her father’s shoulders and Shashi rode from there.
"Don't trouble Arnav too much, Khushi," Shashi cautioned over the roar of the engine. "He’s busy with the new stock."
"Me? Trouble him? Babuji, I'm his best customer!" she giggled.
The scooter pulled up right in front of A.R. Arts & Gallery. Through the large glass window, Khushi could see two figures, her brother Karan, leaning against the counter, and Arnav, standing tall with his back to the door, arranging a set of brushes.
"Go on," Shashi smiled. "I’ll see you at home for lunch."
"Bye, Babuji!"
Khushi took a deep breath, adjusted her suit, and stepped inside.
Karan looked up, surprised. "Khushi? What are you doing here?"
Khushi ignored her brother entirely. Her eyes went straight to the man who hadn't turned around yet.
"I came for my textured paper, Arnavji," she said, her voice dropping the playful tone she used with her family and turning into something softer, more intentional. "Since some people forgot to wake me up or even tell me they were coming here."
She shot a pointed look at Karan, who just laughed.
Arnav slowly turned around. His gaze met hers.
"It's in the back," Arnav said shortly, though his eyes lingered on her face a second too long. "I haven't had time to bring it out yet."
"Then I'll wait," Khushi said, hopping onto a high stool at the counter.
"Oh, so now the Princess is here for textured paper?" Karan teased, leaning against the counter and nudging her shoulder.
"Bhaiya, stop it!" Khushi snapped. "I am a serious artist. I need my supplies. Unlike you, who only comes here to escape work and gossip with Arnavji."
"Serious artist? Last week you drew a cat that looked like a potato!" Karan burst out laughing.
"It was a sleeping tiger, you monkey!" Khushi shouted, picking up a small sponge from the counter and chucking it at his head.
Karan ducked, the sponge bouncing off the wall.
"See? This is why we didn't wake you up. You’re like a tiny, angry firecracker before noon!" He reached over and pulled of her hair, making her squeal in annoyance.
Arnav, who had been trying his best to look busy with a ledger, couldn't hold it in anymore. Seeing Khushi’s nose scrunched up in fury while Karan poked fun at her was a sight that always broke through his icy exterior. A low, genuine chuckle escaped his lips, a sound so rare it made both siblings freeze for a second.
"Karan, stop," Arnav said, his voice laced with leftover amusement. He stepped closer to the counter, placing himself between the two. "Why are you teasing her? She just got here."
She stuck her tongue out at Karan triumphantly.
"See? Arnavji is on my side."
"He's just being polite because you're his guest," Karan grumbled, though he was smiling. "Anyway, Arnav, I’m heading out. I’ve got a delivery to check at the bakery. Khushi, don't break anything."
"I'm staying here to help Arnavji with the stock!" Khushi announced, hopping off the stool.
Karan waved a hand as he walked toward the door. "Fine, fine. Just be home by lunch. And Arnav don't let her talk your ear off."
Karan’s bike roared away from there leaving Arnav Khushi along.
To be continued...
