AMRIT-KALASH

CHAPTER 9 : WINNING BACK SHEKHAR

Kalash went outside Amrit's office. Kalash looked around the place and could not find his brother Shekhar.

"Oh , God , where has this hot head gone..?" asked Kalash to himself.

Kalash paced helplessly on the pavement.

He pulled his phone out and dialed Shekhar's number.

Shekhar did not pick his phone up.

"Dammit !! Shekhar" said Kalash and stomped his foot on the ground.

Kalash was anxious for his brother.

"Kalash Baba , come with me , I know where he would be..." said a voice behind Kalash.

Kalash snapped out of his thought and immediately turned back. He saw his driver was standing there . He sighed and said " You know where Shekhar is ?"

The driver Gopal nodded.

Gopal was a loyal driver. A middle aged man , he had seen Kalash since  he was sixteen. Gopal had seen Kalash with fatherly affection. Kalash was so well behaved that he used to respect Gopal and never thought him as a mere  driver.  Kalash showed a pseudo love and affection towards Gopal.

"Come  with me Kalash Baba , I will take you to where he is.." said Gopal.

Kalash smiled and said " Thank you Gopal Kaka ( Uncle ) , you removed a headache."

Gopal smiled back and said " It's okay , Baba , I will always help you out."

Kalash smiled.

Gopal opened the door for Kalash .

Kalash looked at Gopal and said " Gopal Kaka , how many times did I tell you not to open the car door for me . I can do it , myself. "

Gopal smiled and said " Well , Kalash Baba, it's my duty .."

Kalash sighed because Gopal kaka(uncle) would never listen to him .

Kalash smiled and said " However, you deny this fact , you love me.."

Gopal said " Baba , you are the Roychowdhary scion . I am just a driver. How can I love you ? How can I do this audacity ? "

Kalash looked at Gopal and said " Love knows no class and categories . Love should be pure and free"

Gopal  smiled at Kalash.

"Now take me to Shekhar..don't know what that monkey is doing ?" said Kalash.

Gopal laughed and closed the door of the Mercedes after Kalash went inside the car.

Gopal entered the driver's seat and soon ignited the car's engine .

Kalash's phone rang twice and then the call got disconnected.

Kalash looked at the unsaved number on his phone screen and smiled. He understood that the call came from that very special person whom he just met.  Kalash saved the number in the new contact as Amrit Khanna.

Gopal looked at Kalash's smile from the car's rear view mirror. Gopal found a diferent tinge to that smile which he had never seen before on his Kalash Baba's face.

Gopal smiled a little . His experienced eyes did not overlook the deep blush that formed on Kalash's cheeks.

Gopal accelerated the car at a good speed to reach Shekhar as soon as possible.

Soon Gopal took Kalash to the Lodhi Gardens of Delhi. It is a garden surrounding the few remaining archaeological masterpieces of Lodhi dynasty.  

"Why have you brought me here ?" asked Kalash , surprised..

"Well , because this is the place where Shekhar Baba used to come when he feels upset. Go inside he would be there.." said Gopal.

Kalash nodded and said " Hmm..you know a lot.."

Gopal chuckled.

Kalash opened the door of the car and sprinted inside the garden.

He entered the gate and looked around the garden to see any familiar figure. Soon his desire was fulfilled and he saw a familiar figure of his brother leaning against the pillar of one of the ancient tomb adorning the garden.

Kalash sighed. It seemed that he would  have to spend  too much time in winning his brother back.

Kalash walked towards his brother.

Shekhar could not see his brother coming. Kalash came and side hugged Shekhar.

"I am sorry ..." said Kalash.

Shekhar finched his shoulder and Kalash's hands fell down.

Shekhar looked at Kalash with bloodshot eyes.

It was evident that he was crying.

"Hmm, someone was crying for long.." said Kalash pulling his handkerchief out and offering that to Shekhar.

"I have my own , you don't have to  give me." said Shekhar.

Kalash smiled.

"I would be glad , if you would take mine.." said Kalash.

Shekhar  looked at Kalash and said " Why ? I am your adoptive brother , why you would be glad giving me your things..? "

Kalash sighed and said " Shekhar , do you really think that I don't love you ?"

Shekhar looked at Kalash.

"You know , when you came to my family after that dreadful night when you lost your parents , I was so glad that I could call you a brother now. I was sad for you too.

Don't you remember that when you used to get those unwanted nightmares at night , I was the one who used to hug you till you fell asleep.

Do you still think that I used to believe that you are my adopted brother and not a real one.."

Shekhar looked at Kalash , tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"Yes you are right ...I did not tell you about my sexuality that I am into boys . I did not know how you will take it. I did not want to lose you.

But today when I saw Amrit , I did not know how but I wanted to fight for him . I wanted to make the world know that I like him , he does the same I guess. So I told you boldly without any fear that I am into boys and I like Amrit . I asked him out this weekend. " said Kalash to Shekhar.

Shekhar looked at Kalash for some time as if in a trance . Many things were going in his head .

After few seconds he probably did the best thing which he should have done. He hugged his big brother.

"How could you think that I would stop loving you if I came to know that you were into men. My love is not that shallow that it will change with whom you choose to make your life partner. " said Shekhar .

Kalash caressed Shekhar's head and said " I love you , little brother..."

Shekhar smiled amidst tears and said " I love you too.."

Kalash smiled lovingly and basked himself in the warmth of his possessive little brother.