Ram vs Ram - chapter 3

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*** 

Shiva's childhood was not a normal one. He was angry with society. Angry with the system. When he could not get treatment for his ailing mother just because he had no money, he wanted to hit the doctor - but he was stopped by the Bhai.

No one knows the actual name of Bhai. He has never shared it with anyone, nor anyone has asked him. The fear he commands is very contrasting to the calm demeanor he possessed. He never gets angry - he remains absolutely still even if there was a chaos surrounding him. He is always dangerously calm.

"Control the anger, kid", Bhai suggested young Shiva in the hospital.

"Who are you to tell me? He denied treatment for my mother." Shiva was shaking with anger.

"Oh is it? Well, that's wrong." Bhai took a deep breath. He asked some of his men to hold the doctor, and told the others to fetch his personal doctor for Shiva's mother's treatment. Without disturbing his right hand that has a bandage, Bhai took the knife from his left trouser pocket with his left hand.

"I will ensure your mother gets the best treatment, son. Uh, what's your name?"

"Shiva."

"Okay. See Shiva - always remember to be calm. Anger should be there, but it should not control you. If you rush, you lose your thought. You become dumb. That's the worst thing that can happen to anyone."

Then Bhai proceeds and stabs the doctor multiple times. It was very smooth, as if it's a piece of an art. He was in his zone.

"See me - I just ensured that this doctor won't run away by first asking my men to hold him. I want him to feel the pain that you experienced, so I chose a slower way to kill him - by stabbing, rather than using a gun. Then I took time to check where the stab can have the most impact. By focusing and being here, I can enjoy the pain in his eyes, his helplessness, and finally the moment where life leaves his body."

Unfortunately, Shiva's mother could not be saved that day. He had no one else. Bhai offered to take him in. Then began Shiva's journey with Bhai that flourished very well - by the time the young Shiva became older, he become the right hand man for Bhai.

***

When Shiva told he has been following a girl, Bhai has not believed him at first. 

"Why didn't you tell me all this while, Shiva?"

"I don't know Bhai, say that I was afraid. Given that you were not married, I thought you wouldn't like all these."

"I treat you like my son, but that doesn't mean I try to force my thoughts onto you Shiva. I was not married because I couldn't find someone who had that spark. If you found, I say you should proceed forward. Tell me this, do you like her?"

"Yes Bhai."

"Then go and learn more about her. If you think you both are good for each other, say how you feel to her in a good way. If she doesn't respond in a good way, respect her. If she does respond in a good way, celebrate her. But don't hide and let your feelings rot. It won't do good to either of you."

"Well, I think I just need sometime."

"Sure, but don't ask me leaves just so you can follow this girl. You need to manage both personal and professional lives, Shiva." Bhai winked and laughed.

After a few weeks, Shiva returned to Bhai with a poker face. "She's getting married Bhai." 

"What?" 

"Yeah, she was doing the wedding shopping, getting the cards printed. She was very excited. I followed her to a temple, and there she handed a couple of wedding cards to the people there, so I got one as well."

"Oh, is it? So, you are planning to go to the marriage? Maybe attend if you don't start crying there."

Shiva smiles. "Of course, I won't cry there. Yes, I want to attend the marriage. I want to see who and how the groom is."

"What's the name of the groom?"

"Ram", he looks at the card - "Kalyani weds Ram it is."

-end of chapter 3-

P.S. Next chapter is waiting here.