As I packed up my things to leave the office, I couldn't help but think of ways to save myself from the evening biryani dinner that Arya had promised to make. I picked up my phone and dialed Eshan's number. "Hey, Eshan! What's up?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Not much, Siddarth. Just wrapping up some work. What about you?" Eshan replied.
I smiled to myself, knowing that I was about to rope Eshan into a potentially disastrous dinner. "I'm heading home. But I was thinking, why don't you come over for dinner? Arya's making biryani and she specifically asked you to come over."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear Eshan's skeptical thoughts. "Arya's cooking, huh? Isn't that, like, a warning sign or something?"
I almost chuckled, anticipating Eshan's reaction. "Hey, come on! Arya's not that bad. And besides, I'll be there to protect you from her culinary experiments."
Eshan laughed. "Okay, fine. But if I end up in the hospital, I'm blaming you."
I grinned, feeling a sense of excitement. I knew that with Arya's cooking on the menu, the evening was bound to be entertaining.
"Deal! See you soon," I said, hanging up the phone. As I walked out of the office building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. What would the evening bring? Would Arya's cooking be a disaster, or would it surprise us all? I couldn't wait to find out.
****
As I walked into the kitchen, I was greeted by the aroma of... well, I wasn't quite sure what it was, but it was certainly not biryani. Arya was standing at the stove, stirring a giant pot of biryani with a wooden spoon that looked like it had been through a war. I eyed the pot suspiciously. "Arya, what's in this?" I asked, trying to peer into the depths of the pot.
Arya grinned mischievously. "It's a secret recipe," she said, winking at Eshan, who was standing behind me, trying not to laugh.
I raised an eyebrow. "A secret recipe? Arya, the last time you made biryani, it was so spicy that I had to call the fire department."
Arya giggled. "Oh, that was just a little mistake. This time, I promise it'll be delicious."
Eshan snorted. "Yeah, and I promise to bring my fire extinguisher."
Arya playfully hit Eshan on the arm. "Eshan bhai! My cooking is not that bad."
Arya grinned. "Hey, come on, guys, let's dig in."
I hesitated, but we sat down at the table, and Arya proudly presented her creation. The biryani looked... interesting, with a strange brown color and a few mysterious lumps.
I looked toward her and tried to say, "Actually, Arya, main kal kha lunga. Mera na, mujhe pet kharab lag raha hai..."
("Actually, Arya, I'll eat it tomorrow. My stomach feels upset right now...")
Eshan, who was sitting beside me, looked almost as traumatized as I did. "Arya, mera bhi pet kharab lag raha hai ekdam se, pata nahi kyu."
("Arya, my stomach is also feeling upset all of a sudden, I don't know why.")
"Aree, kha ke toh dekho. Acha lagega aap dono ko, meri guaranty hai," Arya said.
("Come on, just try it. You both will like it, I guarantee.")
Eshan just groaned. "Arya, meri pyari behn, yeh kya gobar banaya hai? Main nahi kha sakta, jara sa bhi. Main toh jara hoon. Mujhe marna nahi hai iss zehar ko kha ke."
("Arya, my dear sister, what is this mess you've made? I can't eat even a bit of it. I'm leaving. I don't want to die eating this poison.")
I chuckled at his statement, shaking my head. "Arya, you should focus more on studying rather than cooking."
Arya pouted. "Fine, don't eat it."
Eshan stood up. "You know what? I think I'll just order some pizza from outside. Sid, you want some? Oh wait, nahi, tera toh pet kharab hai."
("You know what? I think I'll just order some pizza from outside. Sid, you want some? Oh wait, no, your stomach is upset.")
Arya's eyes also lit up. "Order for me too, na bhai."
Eshan raised an eyebrow. "Why? You eat your amazing, delicious biryani."
Arya whined and looked toward me, "Sid Bhaiya..."
I playfully shouted at him. "Eshan, behave and order for me too."
Just then, Arya's expression turned serious. "Umm, bhai, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure, what's happening?" I asked, curious.
Arya pulled out a fancy invitation card from her pocket. "I got invited to this art gallery opening, and I was wondering if you could take me?"
I raised an eyebrow. "An art gallery opening? That sounds fancy."
Arya's eyes sparkled. "It's a showcase of the art of some famous artists, and I've always wanted to attend something like this. Plus, it'll be fun to dress up."
I chuckled. "Sure, I'd love to take you to the art gallery opening. When is it?"
Arya grinned."It's next Saturday. Thanks, Sid bhai! You're the best brother ever!"
I smiled, feeling happy to make my sister happy.
"Main bhi chal lunga tum logo ke sath, akele tum bore ho jaoge," Eshan said with a pizza box in his hand. I just rolled my eyes at his words.
("I'll come with you guys too, you'll get bored alone.")
******
I stand by the window of my luxurious penthouse, staring out at the city that sprawls beneath me. The twinkling lights of City skyline seem to mock me, reminding me of the stark contrast between my present success and my dark past.
The room is dimly lit, casting long shadows that dance across the walls, much like the ghosts of my memories. I run a hand through my neatly styled hair, my jaw clenched as I wrestle with the internal conflict that has plagued me for years. As a self-made businessman, I have built my empire from the ground up. But the journey to the top was paved with pain, betrayal, and a desperate struggle to distance myself from the crime family I was born into.
I was just a teenager when I witnessed my father's ruthless ways, the night that shattered my innocence and thrust me into a world of darkness. The memory of my father's cold, calculating eyes and the blood that stained the floor is etched in my mind.
The night that changed everything still haunts me. One particular night stands out in my mind—the nightmare. The night when I lost almost everything—my mother, my little brother. That day, I vowed to break free from the chains of my family's criminal empire and forge my own path. But breaking free was not easy.
I faced countless obstacles and enemies who sought to pull me back into the abyss. I worked tirelessly, often in the shadows, to build my business and create a name for myself that was untainted by my family's legacy. I distanced myself from the violence and deceit, focusing on my dreams and ambitions.
Yet, the shadows of my past continue to loom over me, a constant reminder of the darkness I escaped. I battle with the fear that my past will one day catch up with me, that the sins of my father will be revisited upon me. The weight of this fear is a heavy burden, one that I carry silently.
A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I turn to see my sister, Arya, standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern.
"Bhaiya, are you okay?" she asks softly.
I force a smile, pushing my dark thoughts aside. "I'm fine, Arya. Just lost in thought."
Arya approaches me, looking up at me with concern in her eyes. She steps into the room, her presence a soothing balm to my troubled mind. She has always been my anchor, the one person who knows the true extent of my struggles.
She asks, her voice tinged with sadness. "Bhaiya, are you thinking about Maa and Arav Bhai?" I just nod feeling a lump form in my throat.
"Bhaiya, you can't keep blaming yourself. It's not your fault. You were a kid at that time, and despite that, you did the best you could to protect us. You don't have to carry this burden alone, you know, Bhai." she said, as her eyes well up with tears.
I sigh, my shoulders slumping slightly. "I know, Arya. But some battles are mine to fight."
Arya places a comforting hand on my arm. "We've come so far now, Bhaiya. We are not defined by our past. You have created a legacy of your own, one that is built on hard work and integrity."
Her words offer me a glimmer of hope, a reminder that I am more than the darkness that once surrounded me. I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve wash over me. I may have a dark past, but I have fought to rise above it and create a future that is my own.
As I look out at the city once more, I know that I will continue to face challenges and internal conflicts. But with the support of my loved ones and the strength I have cultivated, I am determined to keep moving forward, leaving the shadows of my past behind.
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