ch-17 ( bonus chapter)

Chapter17: The Gentle Push

The school bus rattled along its usual route, carrying students eager to get home. Aryan, seated by the window, gazed outside, lost in thought, when something caught his eye. Plastered on a large billboard was the poster for Bloody Commando, the movie his brother, Suraj, had poured his heart and soul into. The powerful image of Arrav Kapoor as Arjun, a fearless soldier, stood out against the gritty background of the battlefield. Aryan's eyes lit up with pride and excitement.

"Hey! Look, that's my brother's movie!" Aryan shouted, grabbing the attention of his friends around him. His classmates turned toward the window, their eyes widening as they took in the impressive poster.

"Whoa! Your brother made Bloody Commando?" one of Aryan's friends, Ravi, asked, clearly impressed.

Aryan beamed, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes! My brother, Suraj, worked so hard on it. You guys have to see it! It's going to be amazing!"

In a flurry of excitement, Aryan began talking to his friends about the movie, sharing every detail he knew. He described how Suraj had spent long nights working on the script, the intense shooting schedule, and how passionate he was about making this movie a success. His friends listened eagerly, their curiosity piqued.

"You all should convince your parents to take you to see it!" Aryan said, almost bouncing in his seat. "It's going to be epic, and I bet you'll love it!"

His friends nodded in agreement, already planning to talk to their parents about the film. For Aryan, it was a moment of pure joy—a chance to proudly share his brother's accomplishment with his friends. He could see the admiration in their eyes, and it made his heart swell with pride.

As the bus rolled to a stop near Aryan's neighborhood, he gathered his belongings. "This is my stop!" he called out to his friends, who were still buzzing with excitement. A few of his classmates who lived nearby hopped off the bus with him, eager to continue the conversation.

At home, Suraj was waiting by the gate, watching for Aryan. Since he had taken on the responsibility of caring for his younger brother, these little routines had become important to him. The sight of Aryan stepping off the bus with his friends, all chatting animatedly, brought a smile to his face. He could hear snippets of their conversation as they approached.

"Your brother must be so cool to make a movie like that!" one of Aryan's friends said.

"Yeah! Can we meet him?" another friend asked, looking hopeful.

The group spotted Suraj, and Aryan's eyes lit up. "There he is! Suraj bhaiya!"

The kids ran over, surrounding Suraj in a flurry of questions and excitement. They were all talking at once, their voices overlapping in a chaotic but joyful chorus.

"Did you really make Bloody Commando?"

"How did you come up with the story?"

"Is the hero really as tough as he looks in the poster?"

Suraj chuckled, trying to keep up with their enthusiasm. He hadn't expected this reception, and he couldn't help but feel a warmth growing in his chest. "Yes, I made the movie," he said with a smile. "And yes, Arrav Kapoor, the hero, worked really hard to look like that. He went through months of training for his role."

The children listened in awe, their eyes wide with admiration. Aryan was beaming, proud to show off his brother to his friends. Suraj glanced down at him, a feeling of gratitude washing over him. Aryan had taken it upon himself to promote the movie in his own small way, and Suraj couldn't have been prouder.

Just then, a few parents from the neighborhood joined the gathering, curious about the excitement surrounding Suraj. They were surprised to see so many kids clustered around him, bombarding him with questions.

One of the parents approached with a gentle smile. "Hello, Mr. Suraj. It's nice to finally meet you. Aryan speaks very highly of you and the movie."

Suraj felt a tinge of awkwardness. He hadn't been very social since their parents passed away, preferring to keep to himself. The grief and responsibilities had weighed heavily on him, and he had gradually withdrawn from the community. But now, surrounded by the kids and their parents, he felt a shift—a warmth that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Suraj replied, smiling warmly. "I apologize if I haven't been around much… I've been focused on the movie and adjusting to things at home."

The parents exchanged understanding glances. "We can see how much hard work you've put into the film," one of the mothers said. "Aryan is so proud of you. He's been telling all his friends about Bloody Commando."

Suraj felt a swell of emotion as he looked down at Aryan, who was listening with a shy smile. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

After a few more minutes of conversation, the parents and kids slowly began to disperse, each one offering words of encouragement and promises to see the movie on release day. Suraj thanked them, his heart full from the unexpected support. He had always thought he was carrying this burden alone, but today, he realized he had a community behind him.

Once everyone had left, Suraj and Aryan walked back into their home. Suraj ruffled Aryan's hair, his heart swelling with pride and affection. "You know, Aryan," he began, "you did something amazing today. Promoting the movie to your friends and their parents—that's a huge help."

Aryan grinned, looking up at his brother. "I just wanted everyone to see how awesome you are, bhaiya."

Suraj felt a surge of warmth. "Thank you, Aryan. That really means a lot to me." Overcome with emotion, Suraj wrapped Aryan in a bear hug. But Aryan, ever the playful one, squirmed out of his brother's grasp with a laugh.

"Too tight!" he giggled, dancing out of reach. Suraj laughed, pretending to chase him around the living room as Aryan dodged his attempts at a hug. The two of them played, their laughter filling the house with a lightness that hadn't been there in a long time.

For Suraj, this moment was a reminder of why he had taken on the challenge of making Bloody Commando. It wasn't just about reviving the family business; it was about creating something his little brother could be proud of, something that would bring them closer and honor their parents' legacy.

As they finally settled down, catching their breath, Suraj looked at Aryan with a soft smile. "You know, sometimes all it takes is a little push from someone you love to keep going," he said.

Aryan smiled back, his eyes bright. "I'll always be there to push you, bhaiya."

In that moment, Suraj knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would face them with courage and determination—because he had Aryan by his side, his unwavering support, and the gentle push of family love.