A Brothers sacrifices

i am back

Rajeev's phone buzzed in his hand, pulling him out of his anxious thoughts. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the notification—a reply from Sameer.

**"I am coming."**

Just three words, but they were enough to make Rajeev's chest feel lighter for the first time in days. He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Relief washed over him, mixed with a swirl of emotions—guilt, gratitude, and a lingering sense of uncertainty.

He stared at the message for a moment, processing the weight of those words. Sameer was coming back. He didn't know what it would be like to face him after everything, but at least Aayushi would no longer have to suffer in confusion and longing. Rajeev glanced over to where Aayushi was playing quietly with her toys, her eyes still flickering to the door every now and then, as if hoping her mother might walk through at any moment.

He knew Sameer would have a lot to deal with when he returned, but the most important thing right now was Aayushi. She needed to believe that Seema, in some way, was still there for her, even if the truth was painful and complex.

Rajeev quickly typed a response.

**"Thank you. Aayushi needs you. We both do."**

As he hit send, Rajeev felt a sliver of hope. Sameer was coming back. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to heal the wounds that had been opened. For Aayushi's sake, they had to.

The next morning, Rajeev woke up with a strange sense of anticipation. The tension of the last few days had worn him down, but the thought of Sameer coming back—of finally having some sense of normalcy for Aayushi—eased a bit of that burden. He dressed for the office, his movements slow and distracted, still unsure how things would play out.

As he stepped into the dining area, Rajeev was greeted by a warm, inviting aroma—a smell that immediately transported him back to better days. The scent of freshly made parathas, ginger tea, and spices filled the air. It was the smell of home, a smell he hadn't experienced in what felt like ages.

Curious, Rajeev walked toward the kitchen. As he peeked in, his heart skipped a beat. There, standing by the stove, was Sameer—dressed in a delicate blue saree, draped neatly over his shoulder, looking so much like Seema it caught Rajeev off guard.

Sameer's back was to him as he moved gracefully, stirring the food with the ease of someone who had done this countless times. His figure, wrapped in the flowing saree, mirrored Seema's so closely that for a moment, Rajeev's mind played tricks on him. He blinked, trying to shake off the disorientation.

"Sameer?" Rajeev's voice came out soft, hesitant.

Sameer turned at the sound, his face calm but with a hint of sadness in his eyes. The morning light caught the shimmer of the saree, highlighting the grace with which he wore it. He looked almost ethereal, and for a second, Rajeev couldn't help but be struck by how much Sameer resembled Seema in that moment.

"I thought Aayushi might like it if her 'mother' made breakfast," Sameer said quietly, his voice steady but with a tinge of emotion underneath. "She'll be up soon."

Rajeev nodded, still processing the scene before him. Sameer had gone above and beyond, stepping into a role that neither of them could have imagined just weeks ago. He didn't know what to say, how to thank him for everything he was doing.

"You didn't have to...," Rajeev started, his voice soft. "But thank you. She'll love it."

Sameer gave a small, almost shy smile and returned to the stove, focusing on the task at hand. Rajeev watched for a moment longer, realizing that this wasn't just about Aayushi. Sameer was taking on this role because, somewhere deep down, it had become more than an act. It was a bond—between them, between Aayushi, and between the memory of Seema.

As Rajeev stood there, watching Sameer work, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the previous days lifting, just a little. Whatever confusion or awkwardness had arisen between them was pushed aside for now. This was about family, and no matter how unconventional their situation had become, they were trying to make it work.

"I'll get Aayushi," Rajeev said, finally breaking the silence.

Sameer nodded, not looking up but giving a slight smile as he continued cooking. Rajeev turned and headed toward Aayushi's room, feeling a sense of calm he hadn't felt in days.