The 151 Days

Ajit sat in front of the three like a poised king.Shrey sat right next to him, munching on peanuts.Prakhar and Pranay sat on the opposite sofa, a little cautious.

Ajit gave a subtle signal.Pranay nodded and leaned towards Shrey."Shrey, want some ice cream?"

Shrey looked surprised, tossing a peanut in the air and catching it with his mouth."Do I look like a kid to you? I can see all these signals happening.And tell me, what is it that can't be discussed in front of me?"

Pranay chuckled and pinched his cheek."Aww, my little one's all grown up now!"

"Don't pull my cheeks, Pranay... it hurts!"Shrey shook his hand off in irritation.

"But your chubby cheeks are so much fun to pull! Now go — the adults need to talk."

Shrey raised his eyebrows."No way! I know you all are about to scold Prakhar, right?"

Pranay looked at Ajit with a grin."See that, bro? He's gotten so sharp!"

Ajit's tone turned stern."Shrey, go outside."

"But bhai…"Shrey looked at him innocently, but upon meeting Ajit's piercing gaze, he stood up.

As he walked away, he looked back at Prakhar, made a face, and scrunched his nose.Prakhar thought to himself,"Now what have I done...?"

Pranay tugged Shrey out of the room.

Now, only two people remained — Ajit and Prakhar.The outside world seemed left behind the walls, and inside was a deep, heavy silence.What their eyes said couldn't be spoken aloud.

Now, only Ajit's sharp gaze and Prakhar's stiff face stood facing each other.

A few moments passed. Then Ajit broke the silence —"Do you have depression?"

Prakhar's face hardened instantly. His fists clenched on their own."No."

"But the doctor said that yesterday. And the way you were…"

"Just because of the drink."Prakhar cut him off sharply.

Ajit replied calmly,"But you've drunk before too. That time you weren't in this condition..."

Prakhar's eyes widened. He looked at Ajit in shock.

Ajit's voice was calm but direct —"I hear everything about Shrey. And now that you're around him, it's not possible that I don't hear about you."

Prakhar clenched his jaw. He lowered his eyes, then looked back and said,"You have no right to interfere in someone's personal space."

"Personal space...?"Ajit let out a short laugh, tinged with bitterness."I don't — unless it concerns my brother."

Now Prakhar looked straight into his eyes."Then shift Shrey somewhere else."

Ajit was caught off guard for a moment."You won't mind?"

"Should I?"Prakhar's voice was icy cold.

This time, Ajit fell silent.

After a moment of deep quiet, Ajit raised his eyes and looked straight into Prakhar's."The marks on your body..."

Prakhar's fists clenched, veins bulged on his forehead. His face, instead of softening, became like burning iron. Anger was clear — and so was panic.

"I don't want to talk about that,"he said in a cold, firm tone.

"Are you some kind of criminal?"Ajit's question was quiet, but carried the sting of a needle.

"If that's what you think... then yes, I am,"Prakhar replied coldly and turned his face away.

Ajit sighed deeply and then, in a slightly softer tone, said —"Look, I just want to help you..."

"And did I ask you for help?"The sarcasm in Prakhar's voice was as solid as bricks.

Ajit sat up straighter.

"Prakhar... staying angry only hides your weakness — it doesn't erase it.You don't live alone... my brother lives with you. If something happens to him tomorrow, will you take responsibility?"

Ajit's voice had turned stern.

Prakhar's eyebrows drew together."I'm not responsible for anyone..." he shot back sharply."He's here by his own choice, and he's not a child..."

Ajit watched him for a few seconds, then said in a cold tone —"So you don't care about Shrey?"

Prakhar avoided eye contact and muttered,"Why do you think I should?"

Ajit now looked straight into his eyes."Because you're his 'champ'..."

That sentence froze Prakhar for a moment.

His eyes widened.

Then he slowly turned his gaze away."I'm not that..." he said in a broken voice.

"Your eyes are telling me that you are," Ajit said calmly.

Prakhar's face flushed with anger."That's your misunderstanding..."

"Then why change your name?"Ajit's voice grew even softer.

Prakhar stepped back two paces.

"I didn't change my name... You can make up stories in your head, but don't project them onto me... now excuse me..."

He turned and was about to walk away when Ajit's voice came from behind —"Izaan..."

That one name seemed to freeze time.

Prakhar stopped in his tracks. His back stiffened, fists clenched, breath halted.

Slowly, he turned his head. His face was tense, and then, without saying a word, he walked into the room.

Ajit gave a faint smile and said —"The fact that you turned back was enough to prove that you are Izaan..."

Shrey walked in and was surprised to see Ajit alone."Where's Prakhar?"

Ajit, without looking at him, said coldly, with a sharp edge —"I put him in my pocket... go fetch him."

Shrey didn't understand. Ajit now looked him in the eyes and said harshly —"This is the punishment for doubting your own brother."

Shrey's eyes welled up. He came closer and said in a choked voice —"Why did you scold him? He's sick..."

Ajit paused, as if restraining himself, then replied —"Yes, he's sick… and you know what his biggest illness is? That arrogance of his. He's a walking, talking warehouse of ego."