23 Ash

A woman was busy cleaning, happily humming a tune When her mobile rang. She removed her gloves. Took the phone from her apron pocket.

'Ah!' She dropped the phone. Her hands were shaking. She stood aghast looking at the mobile which was still ringing showing a handsome boy and name flashed Ash!

She calmed herself. Picking up the call, a very exciting and impatient voice greeted her.

"Sis, Are you really pregnant? Is it true? And It is 3 months already. Sis...Sis..."

Taking a deep breath she replied, "It's true."

"I almost didn't believe dad. So would I be an Uncle this young, I am just 21," he complained.

"If there is nothing more, Hang Up"

saying she cut off the phone.

She clenched her hands so hard that nails broke her skin. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She was scared.

Scared of confronting her brother.

It was Ira's brother Ashay, Ash.

Looking outside in the rain, from the window...

______

That day had heavy rain too. A woman soaked was wailing so pitifully that it broke hearts of those who heard her voice.

"No, I didn't mean it."

"I didn't want this... Believe me."

"Dad, believe me... Please don't do this to me."

_______

Ashay, her brother age 21 studying pharmacy at Z University, USA.

She was 28, they had a 7 year age gap.

Ira was always on top throughout her life. A top student, A businesswoman, Her parent's pride.She was hard working, stubborn and diligent.Everyone respected her.

Ash on other hand LivedIn The Shadow

of his sister. He was a poor soul always being compared to his outstanding sister.

He became more rebellious sneaking out, partying late at night, drinking and lying about certain aspects of my life. Behaving like a rich playboy heir, born with a silver spoon.

As a result, He spent the majority of his late teens grounded, stuck in his room and without a phone. His parents limited the cash in his hands.

They were close to hiring a parenting counsellor for his behaviour.

He was bad at studies, failing to enter a good college. His Dad through some connections decided to send him abroad for a few years.

That was the only way to remove him from the influence of his friends.

So Ash was sent to the US for studies.

Everything was better. Her Dad kept a watch on him through his friend. Ash attended University sincerely. His grades were constant too.

Ira felt Ash was simply wasting his life when he should be more responsible. She could never understand him, constantly

criticising him and his behaviour.

For him,

she was like a nagging mom telling him to do this or do that.

For her,

he was a disobedient child, a stupid man behaving like a teenager.

___

"Ira Is something wrong?"

Looking at the horror stuck Ira, Viv anxiously asked holding her cold hands.

"I want to go America." Ira said, still in a daze.