Unspoken Claims
Then stopped.A slow smile spread across his face.He turned back.
"Oh... Aarav. I forgot to tell you something." Omkar said.
"What now? Can't you just leave."Aarav's gaze sharpened instantly.
Omkar walked back toward the table
"Your mom invited us tomorrow. There's a Holi celebration. Also heard that there was pooja. " omkar said.
"So? What do you actually want to say. "Aarav shrugged slightly.
"I'm just thinking... it'll be interesting. Don't you think the same?"Omkar's eyes didn't leave his.
"Say what you actually want to say Or get from here let me do my work. I don't have time for stupid talks."Aarav's brows pulled together.
Omkar stepped closer, placing his hand on the table.
"Meera will be there, right?"
His voice dropped.
Aarav's expression didn't change instantly.
"Who? That maid girl? Why you so interested in her?"Aarav asked him without showing any emotion.
" Why not? She is beautiful, enough just for one night. Don't you think that, brother." Omkar said lightly trying to get a reaction from Aarav.
" Don't you think your choose are getting low?" Aarav said calmly.
" If my chose is low then why you are acting weird when ever i mention her name ? Omkar asked him.
" I don't. It's just your weird thoughts that you see me interested in meera." Aarav said looking at his eyes.
" Then why don't you help me to get her just for one night. Don't worry i don't do anything wrong after that." Omkar said with confidence. Tried see him what will he do next.
"keep it to yourself. I don't have time for your stupid game.If you finished then please go out . Let me do my work. I don't have free like you." Aarav said while warning him.
"Come bro . It's just a girl, Aarav. And the best thing, she is just a maid in your house. Help me with that and it's not a big deal for you."Omkar let out a quiet laugh.
Aarav's jaw tightened. Omkar also noticed it . Omkar felt satisfied that finally he got what he wanted .
Omkar watched closely.
" Shut your mouth and get the hell out of here.. I will not do anything to help you for that.."Aarav shut on him becoming irritated by him .
"Oh..oh.. brother cool down . Why are you reacting like this?" he continued.
"It's not like that i ask you something like that for the first time . And you also help me with that in the past and i also do the same thing with you.. then why you arguing this time. "
" Omkar . I have a girlfriend now . So i already left that things . Now stop bothering me and go away. " Aarav said that .
" I don't think it's for your girlfriend . Maybe you just don't want me to get her. But I don't understand you've seen hundreds of people working in your house. What makes her so special?"Omkar said while adding fuel in his words.
"Be careful with your Omkar. Just because I'm just tolerating I don't think i can't do anything."Aarav's voice dropped.
"Oh bro, I am being careful. That's why I'm asking instead of assuming." Omkar said smoothly.
"Or should I assume? Or cam said i should assume just like you. "He stepped closer.
Aarav didn't respond.Aarav's eyes darkened.
"If you're trying to play your dirty games with me again then don't Omkar ..."He stepped forward, closing the distance.
Omkar placed a hand on Aarav's shoulder, his grip firm but calm.
"Relax brother . I think you forgot that Tomorrow is holi . People will have fun and if I decide to have a little fun with her...I don't think you won't have a problem, right?"
Aarav didn't move.Omkar leaned in slightly.A faint smirk appeared.
Aarav's expression snapped.
Omkar didn't flinch.Instead, he smiled.
"I am sorry brother. You already heard me . You know me i don't give up that easily."
Aarav's grip tightened.
For a moment, neither of them moved.Then Omkar slowly raised his hands.
"It's okay , bro .I won't say anything.But actions are different as you talk . "His tone was calm.
"And what do you think of yourself . That you want her and she'll let you have her .?"Aarav shoved him back.
"Even i can say confidently that even she hates me...but she won't never let you come near her. Not you or even others ."His voice carried certainty.
Omkar adjusted his shirt and said
"You have so much confidence with yourself right? Then you also don't forget I am Omkar Thakur. And you know me well that i don't repeat my mistakes."
" If you think this. Then you are too stupid. " Aarav said.
"Are you challenging me, Aarav? That i can't touch her?"Omkar walked back to the chair and sat down again, crossing his legs.
"Yes, brother iam."Aarav didn't hesitate.
Omkar leaned back, studying him carefully now.
" I just do not understand about you one thing.You have Aditi. A perfect girlfriend ,perfect match ,perfect image for your background.Then why does this bother you so much?"Omkar's gaze sharpened.
Aarav didn't answer.Omkar leaned forward.
"It almost feels like...you still care about her.Or maybe it's more than that."Omkar said teasing him.
"Don't. I already have Aditi . So stop your nonsense. "Aarav's fingers curled into a fist.
"Or maybe you never stopped. Just patent you do not."Omkar voice dropped.
Aarav looked away for a second.
Then he looked back.
"I don't even care about her... or anything related to her Never . It's just your stupid imagination that you make ." Aarav said.
Omkar smiled slowly.
"Are you convincing me or yourself. "
Silence again.
Omkar stood up calmly.
"Alright. Alright. You do not have to be tolerant but I want to say something.If you don't care and you're so sure she won't let me near her.." he continued.
"Then tomorrow... during Holi...I'll be the first one to put color on her. See if she lets me touch her or not ."He picked up the file.Walked toward the door.
A slow smile appeared on Aarav. He stepped forward immediately.
"No. She never lets you put colour on her. "His voice was low.
"And iam Aarav Oberoi challenging you.She won't let you."He moved closer to him.
Then..
"And I also promise...After the pooja... I'll be the first one to put color on her..."His eyes darkened.
"Now that sounds interesting.Let's see who wins. Aaron oberoi or Omkar Thakur." Omkar's smirk widened.
He opened the door.Aarav held his gaze.
"We will see it soon brother."
Omkar walked out.The door shut.
And Aarav stood there.Breathing heavier than before.His eyes dark.Because this wasn't about ego anymore.
Late night:??????
___________________
Only one light was on.The rest of the mansion slept in silence.
But on the sofa.Janvi Oberoi sat still, her back straight despite the late hour. Her eyes were closed, but she wasn't asleep.
She was waiting.
The main door clicked open.
Aarav stepped inside.His shoulders were slightly tense, his face tired, but his eyes... restless.
His jaw tightened at the memory.
His fingers curled slightly.He took a step forward
And then noticed his mom waited for him. He smiled seeing this.. he missed that while living in London.
Janvi opened her eyes at the faint sound.The moment she saw him, she stood up.
"Aarav. You finally come."Her voice carried both relief and concern as she walked toward him.
" I really don't understand You just came back from London yesterday and this is how you're taking care of yourself?"
She stopped in front of him, her gaze softening but still worried.
"You look exhausted. Have you even eaten properly today there?"she said.
Aarav exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"It's not like that, Mom.There was some work. I needed to finish it before tomorrow."His voice was low and tired for work in the office.
"If I don't complete it now, I won't be able to join the pooja. You know how dad wants everything perfect."He looked away briefly, as if distracted again.
Janvi watched him closely.She knew that tone.It wasn't just work.
"You always say that . Just Work, responsibility, deadlines... and in all of that, you forget yourself. Just like you idiot dad. Both never listened to me." she replied softly, but there was a hint of frustration now.
Aarav didn't respond immediately.
He just stood there, quiet.Janvi sighed and shook her head slightly.
"Go freshen up now. You are already tired. I'll prepare your plate."Her tone shifted gentle. The kind of firmness only a mother carried.
"Mom, You don't need to do it ."Aarav reacted instantly.
"Why not? Can't I make food for my own son?"Janvi's voice wasn't loud, but the hurt was there now.
Aarav stepped closer immediately, realizing the shift.
"It's not like that, mom. It's already late And You've already been waiting for me this long... you should rest." he said, softer this time.He placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
Janvi didn't move.
"I've waited for you before too. That's not new from me. And you never stopped me before. " she replied, her eyes searching his face.
Aarav looked at her for a moment, then sighed quietly.
"I know, mom. But tomorrow is an important function . The pooja... the guests... everything depends on you."He spoke slowly, carefully, as if choosing the right words.
"You need to be rested. Otherwise, you'll stress yourself out again.Then you "His grip on her shoulders tightened slightly.
Janvi's expression softened, but not completely.
Then Aarav smiled and shook his head.
"Mom i need to take a shower and then go to the study room. There's still some work left."He stepped back slightly.
" I will ask the servant to send me dinner there later . Then I'll eat there . You don't have to think about it. " he said.
Janvi noticed it.And this time, it didn't sit well with her.
"So now I need permission to take care of you?"Her voice was quite hurt again.
Aarav stopped.Turned back toward her.
"That's not what I meant, mom.You're just overthinking."His tone softened further.
"I think you forgot that I am your mom.?"Janvi crossed her arms.
Aarav walked back to her.
"Mom...I just don't want you to stay awake for me like this.You take pressure medicine .So, you need to rest now."He said it gently, almost like he used to years ago.
There was honesty there now.
Janvi's eyes softened again.But she still wasn't convinced.
"And what about you?Who takes care of you?"" she asked quietly.
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
"I'm fine, mom . Go sleep and rest."
Janvi didn't believe it.But she didn't push.Instead, she sighed.
"Fine.But you will eat.I'll ask maids in the morning."Her tone turned slightly strict again.
"Do not think too much, I will."Aarav nodded faintly.
Janvi gave him one last look.As if trying to read everything he wasn't saying.Then she turned and walked toward her room.
Aarav stood there.Alone again.His mind wasn't at work.
It wasn't even on his mother.
It was on her.Meera.His jaw tightened again.
"I'll be the first one to put color on her."
Omkar's voice echoed in his head.
Aarav let out a slow breath.
His eyes darkened.
"No."He muttered it under his breath.
Aarav turned toward the room.
About to leave . But then...
He noticed.In the kitchen.
Meera Sharma.And two other maids.
Cleaning quietly.Trying to disappear into the work.
Aarav stopped.His gaze fixed on her.
Then..
"hey..."His voice cut sharply through the silence.All three maids froze instantly.
One of them looked up quickly.
"Yes ,sir? Do you need anything."
Her voice carried hesitation, unsure who he was calling.But Aarav didn't look at her.
"After thirty minutes.Bring my dinner to the study room. Do not get late . "
His tone was cold, leaving no space for argument.
His eyes didn't leave Meera.The maid beside Meera nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir, I'll bring it.."Her words rushed out in nervousness.
"No. Not you."Aarav cut her off immediately.
She went silent at once.Aarav's gaze hardened slightly.
"You. Ms meera will bring it."He repeated it making it unmistakably clear.His finger still pointed at Meera.
Meera's fingers tightened around the cloth in her hand. She knew he was doing this purpose to irritate her .
Her throat felt dry.She slowly lifted her eyes to meet his.
"...Yes, sir. I will bring it for you."
Her voice was soft.The other maids exchanged a quick glance.
They could feel it too.Something was off.
Aarav didn't move.He kept looking at her.Meera lowered her gaze again, breaking the moment.
"Do not worry ,sir . I'll bring it on time."Her tone remained formal, distant, trying to end the interaction.
Aarav's expression didn't change.
"Make sure you do. Or you what can i do ."His voice carried a quiet warning beneath the calm.
"Yes, sir. I will."Meera gave a small nod. Her heartbeat had already quickened.
Aarav finally looked away.
Then...
He turned. And walked away.