A Desolate Middle Child

'I am so excited to meet my new brother, dad. When are you taking me to him?' asked a four year old exhilarated dancing Rohil.

Father glowered at him. He might be feeling perplexed at having a third boy in his family. He desperately wanted a girl now!

Mr. Ahuja was a profound and solemn man who loved his family more than anything else in the world. The very idea of having a baby boy again hit his eyes! His steps on the stairs of the hospital seemed very heavy. The first gaze at the baby disinclined Mr Ahuja's mind. He felt as if he was going to steal the thunders of his two elders. A confident gait of Mr Ahuja was bursting with pride as he held the youngest one. He was electrified for being the father of three sons now!

'Nikhil.... Rohil... come out quickly! See who has come ??? '

Rohil's eyes gleamed with surprise and he came quickly with a little cloth in his hand for the little one and ran to pick up his little bundle of joy.

'Hmmm....Adorable!' Rohil muttered to himself.

'Wait wait. .Rohil, you should not pick him up. Give him to Nikhil. He'll take care of him' said the mother.

Rohil felt a little down in the dumps. Of course, he waited for the whole day for the baby to come home. That day a four year old spent a sleepless night without taking his eyes off the little one sleeping beside his beloved mother!

'You know, we'd be a good team of three. I usually do wicket keeping! Nikhil does batting always. He got a new bat on his last birthday. Never mind. . You can start with bowling. . I'll tell you about some snobbish teachers of my school also". Rohil whispered into Gaurik's ears.

'What are you upto Rohil in the midnight? I'll throw you out in the dark if you don't sleep now' said the annoyed and irritated mother.

It is rightly said that 'Mothers are inscrutable beings to their sons, always'.

Oops. . With sons , I understood 'the eldest and the youngest'. . 

Nikhil was the eldest among all and very dear to his mother. The striking resembler of his father, Rohil was the middle child of the family. Now, Gaurik had stolen the show. . He was not just the apple of his parents' eyes but also a little darling of Rohil.

Over the years, the children grew up with lot of differences amongst them. Rohil was a mentor, guide and father figure for Gaurik. Whereas, Nikhil was reluctant and only wanted his right:

His right to be respected for winning the birth race among the three. Rohil always wanted to correct his siblings but he was misunderstood for doing so. It seemed that the family had also disguised itself.

'You think very highly of yourself!' shouted Nikhil. 

'He is your elder brother Rohil. You should be respectful towards him' exclaimed the mother. 

'But what have I done? I just told him not to shout on petty things' said puzzled Rohil.

Resemblance is not everything. Rohil had started growing as an independent person. The different conduct of parents with the children had made him realise that he might not be the prized possession of anyone in the family. He was so pleasant natured that no body could fathom the depth of plethora of his secrets inside him.

'Why does he go out with his friends and eat outside?' complained Nikhil to his parents. The jealous brother was obligated to talk as per his slander nature behind Rohil's back. 'Don't worry, he'd suffer', father replied!

And, finally the day arrived, when some unsaid things became perceptive.

'What have you done for this house? You always shout loud to make us correct! Look at your pitch! ' growled Nikhil.

Everybody used to scream at each other but only poor Rohil was noticed! Good conduct and deeds earned him respect in the society. Parents neither have the courage nor the will to accept the fact he was the best among their three belongings.

That day, he was shattered and the words of his brother kept echoing in the sleepless night '. What have I done for this house? Of course, I never mentioned anything to myself also. I've no right to stay here with this load of nothingness' said Rohil to himself.

The very next day, he took the blessings of his parents and left. Till now, nobody knows where the desolate middle child has gone! His happy world misses him. .