Ash

A woman was busy washing the dishes as she happily hummed a tune. When her mobile rang, startling her, she removed her gloves and took the phone from her apron's pocket.

'Ah!' She inwardly screamed and dropped her phone in that instant. Her hands shook as she stood aghast, looking at the screen of her phone. It was still ringing, showing a picture of a handsome man and the name 'Ash' flashed.

She slowly calmed herself. As she picked up the call, a very excited and impatient voice greeted her, "Sis! Are you really pregnant?! I heard from dad that it was already 3 months! Sis? Sis..."

She took a deep breath and replied, "It's true."

"I almost didn't believe dad! I can't believe I would be an Uncle at this age, I'm just 21…" Ashay complained. 

"If you have nothing more to say, hang up," then she cut off the call.

She clenched her hands so hard that her nails almost broke her skin. 

She was scared. Scared of confronting her brother.

It was Ashay, Ira's brother on the phone.

She looked outside the window, watching the heavy rain as a memory flashed in her mind.

______

That day, it was also raining hard too. A woman was soaked and was wailing so pitifully on the grounds that it broke the 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 and studying pharmacy at Z University, USA. Ira, a 28-year-old, was older than her brother by 7 years.

Ira was always at the top throughout her life; a top student, a top businesswoman, her parent's pride. She was hardworking, stubborn and diligent; because of these, everyone respected her.

On the other hand, Ashay lived in the shadow of his sister. He was a poor soul that always was compared to his outstanding sister.

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

As a result, he spent the majority of his late teens grounded, stuck in his room and without his phone. His parents even limited the cash he got in his hands. They were so close in hiring a parenting counselor for Ashay's behavioral problems.

Ash performed terribly at his studies, failing to enter a good college. His dad, Tej Rai, decided to send him abroad for a few years through his connections. His parents thought that it was the only way to get him away from the influence of his friends.

When Ash was sent to the US for college, the situation got better.

Tej Rai kept a watch on him through his friend while Ash attended University sincerely. His grades were constant too.

Ira felt Ash was merely wasting his life when he should be more responsible. She could never understand him, continually criticizing him and his behavior.

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 there something wrong?" Vivan anxiously asked the horror-stricken Ira while holding her soft but cold hands.

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