“I cannot believe this,” Karan said. “My brother is in a relationship. My wife knows about it. ButIdon’t.”
Mishti and Abhimanyu exchanged a quick, guilty glance. They had never meant for it to come out like this, never wanted Karan to feel cornered or betrayed.
Karan dragged a hand through his hair in frustration, shaking his head as if refusing to accept what he had just learned.
“No. This is not possible,” he said firmly. “I don’t like that doctor even a little.”
Abhimanyu stared at his brother, stunned. His mouth fell open slightly in disbelief. Even Mishti was shocked. She knew Karan didn’t like Komal, but saying Abhimanyu and Komal’s future together was not possible was a little too harsh.
“Youdon’t have to like her,” she said. “Abhimanyu wants to marry her, not you.Heloves her. And as his elder brother, you don’t get to decide that for him. The only thing you can give him is your blessing.”
Karan turned angrily, pointing a finger at her.
“You stay out of this,” he snapped. “You don’t need to tell me what I should do.”
Abhimanyu stepped in before the argument could escalate further.
“Bro, Komal is a good person. I know you both don’t get along. But I really love her. She is the one I want to spend my life with.”
Karan looked at him coldly.
“Then go ahead,” he said. “But don’t expect me to be a part of this.”
With that, he turned around and walked out of the cabin without another word.
Mishti stood there, clearly stunned by Karan’s words. Even Abhimanyu was visibly hurt. His shoulders sagged at his brother’s rejection.
“Don’t worry.” Mishti turned to him and placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “This all came out suddenly. He is just shocked. But he will come around. I know he will. Let me speak to him.”
Abhimanyu nodded slowly, though his eyes still reflected disappointment and pain.
Mishti did not wait any longer. She just followed Karan out.
Karan had already reached his cabin when she entered, and saw him unbuttoning his cuffs with irritated movements. He rolled his shirt sleeves up to his elbows and then planted both his palms on the work desk, glaring at Mishti as she began to speak.
“How could you do that to your brother?” she asked. “How could you hurt him like this?”
“He hurt me by hiding his so-called affair from me,” he said harshly. “Two years, Mishti. My own brother never once thought of telling me. That has never happened before.”
“He was waiting for the right time,” Mishti replied. “He wanted to talk to you when he felt ready. That does not mean you get to dismiss his love.”
“Love?” Karan scoffed. “Don’t talk about that bullshit now.”
“Love is not bullshit,” she argued. “It is the most beautiful feeling two hearts can share. You and I have no right to decide what Abhimanyu and Komal feel for each other.”
Karan laughed, but there was no humour in it. His jaw tightened as he spoke again.
“NowI know where that doctor got the guts to stand against me. She always argued with me. Always stood up to me. Especially for you. Because she knew she had Abhimanyubacking her up. Otherwise, no one dared to stand against me ever.”
Mishti sighed.
“She stood up against you because she’s a woman who can’t ignore anything wrong happening before her. And just imagine, despite knowing you are Abhimanyu’s brother, she still stood up to you. She could have easily flattered you if she wanted your approval. She could have behaved sweetly. But she didn’t. She chose what was right over what was convenient. Isn’t that the quality of a good woman? You should be happy that Abhimanyu is loved by someone like that.”
Karan turned away, his anger refusing to settle.
“He ismybrother,” he said coldly. “I will decide what is right for him.”
Mishti stepped closer.
