Chapter 2
Advait was all lost and shocked. He sat on the bed was lost in his thoughts.
Suddenly he stood up listening to the sound of a kid crying he pocketed the letter in his sweatpants, came in the living room and saw Arush was crying badly in Abhishek's arm. He was trying to calm him down but his cries only grew louder.
Advait stepped forward and took the Arush from Abhishek's hold. He started swaying him back and forth while whispering sweet nothings in his ears.
"Kya ho gaya bachha, shaant ho jao aise rote nahi hai." He coaxed his voice filled with warmth.
Abhishek stared at him in disbelief he was seeing Advait's this side for the first time.
Arush stopped crying and looked at him with his teary eyes "I want mumma kaha hai wo?"
Advait felt his tongue tied he didn't have any answer of his little brother's question.
"Mumma abhi bahar gayi hain thodi der me aa jayengi tab tak aapke paas bhaiya hai na." He gently made him understand.
Arush threw his arms around Advait's neck, Advait hugged him back for the first time "Chalo rona band ab breakfast karte hai bhaiya ne aapke liye sandwiches banaye hai." He told him while walking towards the kitchen holding him in his arms.
He made him sit on the chair of the dining table "Abhishek go and call Aditya" He ordered while arranging plates on the table.
Abhishek went and came back with Aditya they sat on their chairs and started eating Abhishek picked Arush and placed him on his lap.
"bhai aaj aap rehne do bhaiya mujhe khana khila denge." Arush said in his cute voice getting down from Abhishek's lap.
Advait was sitting on the middle chair. He gently picked Arush and placed him on his lap he started feeding him patiently.
Advait was feeding Arush when Arush took a sandwich and forwarded it in front of the Advait's mouth "aap bhi khao na."
"Maine kha liya hai tum kha lo." Advait said but Arush put the sandwich in his mouth.
Advait was overwhelmed by the sweet gesture of the little one they had their breakfast and got up from their seats.
Advait was still holding Arush in his arms because Arush wasn't ready to left his side. He was being all clingy.
The door of the mansion was opened. A man in his 40's entered, he was wearing a grey suit looking rich and classy.
Advait was busy with Arush so he didn't pay attention to the man standing at the entrance but Abhishek noticed the man "bhaiya" Advait turned to look at Abhishek he looked at Abhishek with gentleness and with a different kind of emotions because it was the first time Abhishek called him 'bhaiya'.
Then Abhishek looked at the entrance advait followed his gaze and saw the man.
"Hello uncle" Advait greeted him respectfully.
"Hello beta how are you?" The man whose name was Raj Khurana asked.
"I am good uncle aap kaise hain?" Advait replied and asked the same.
"Bilkul theek nahi hu beta mai kal se tumhare dad ko contact karne ka try kar raha hu par wo koi response hi nahi de raha hai islie mujhe yaha khud aana pada." Raj said with a hint of anger in his voice "theek hai na wo?" He asked about being concerned for his best friend.
Advait was silent on his question he didn't has any reply. He put Arush down from his arms, Arush started whining
"Bhaiya mujhe aapke paas rehna hai."..."godi lo na please" He said looking up opening his arms to Advait to pick him up.
Advait kneeled in front of him "bachha bhaiya ko uncle se kuch baat karni hai aap thodi der apne adi bhai ke sath jake khelo bhaiya abhi thodi der me aa jayenge okay."
Arush reluctantly left with Aditya, Abhishek was still standing there observing the situation.
"Tum bhi thodi der apne room me jake aram karo." Advait suggested to him he didn't want any of them to know the truth.
Abhishek went from there without arguing, immediately Raj stepped forward and asked "kya hua advait?"
"Kuch nahi hua uncle aapke best friend ghar par nahi hai infact wo ab kabhi ghar par honge bhi nahi." Advait said with hurt and pain filled in his voice.
Raj got confused "kehna kya chahte ho saaf saaf batao."
"ghar chord kar chale gaye wo, bhaag gye iss ghar se, apni jimmedariyo se." He said blankly.
"Kya keh rahe ho tum ye?" Raj asked, confusion was still evident in his voice.
Advait took out the letter from his pocket which his father left for him and handed it to Raj.
Raj took the letter from his hand with a frown. He opened it and read the letter.
He was shocked that his friend ran away from his responsibilities. He and Angad were friends from their childhood that's why their sons also had a great friendship. But he never thought of his best friend as a coward who ran away from his responsibilities just because he was guilty.
"Advait tum tension mat lo beta, mai hoon na mai sab thik kar dunga mai pata lagaunga tumhare dad ka usey wapas ghar leke aaunga." Raj assured him.
"He is not my dad." Advait said without any expression "and I don't want him back."
"Advait shaant ho jao beta mujhe pata hai Angad ne jo kuch bhi kiya tum usse bohot naraj ho par hai to wo tumhara baap hi na." Raj said.
"I told you na he is not my father mujhe nahi chahiye wo reh lunga mai akele." Advait said angrily without raising his voice.
"Or ye bachhe? Ye kaise rahenge bina maa baap ke?"
"Wo bhi reh lenge bhai hain wo mere sambhal lunga mai unhe, mai paalunga unhe." Advait said with determination.
"Advait kehne aur karne me bohot farak hota hai tum abhi khud chote ho unhe kaise paaloge?" Raj tried to made him understand his point of view.
"Koi baat nahi sikha lunga sab dheere dheere par mujhe wo insaan apni life me nahi chahiye jo aaj apni jimmedariyo se bhaga hai wo kal bhi bhaag sakta hai jab unhone ye decision lene se pehle humare baare me nahi socha to aap kyu itna soch rahe hain.
" Advait said with hurt and slight of anger in his eyes.
"Beta tumhari padhai baaki hai tumhare future plans un sab ka kya hoga tum bas gusse me impulsively decision le rahe ho."
Raj concerned his voice.
"I will drop out of college and join the business. "
"You are very young for it beta abhi tumhe business ke baare me kuch pata bhi nahi hai" Raj again tried to make him understand but it was of no use.
"I will learn with time and about the experience I have you. You'll guide me."
Raj sighed heavily and tried to make the boy understand but it went in vain as the boy already made up his mind.
"Best of luck." Raj patted him and left.
Advait left for his room, after taking some rest and doing his work he came out of the room to make lunch for everyone.
But first he thought to check on the boys so he turned to their room's direction.
The door was closed so he knocked, but after getting no response he opened it and find it empty.
He checked in the bathroom and balcony but no one was there he thought maybe the boys were in the garden or somewhere else in the mansion.
He checked all the rooms of the house but the boys were nowhere to be found.
He called out for them yelling their names loudly, but no response anxiety surged through his veins.
He panicked not finding his brothers anywhere he exited the mansion and searched for the boys in the garden but again no one was there.
His breathing got uneven due to pacing around the house and anxiety of not finding his brothers anywhere. He was sweating then finally he came out on the road searching for his brothers.
He started running here and there he gripped his hair tightly in frustration then his gaze fell on the Aditya a little bit of relief surged through his veins but then his gaze went forward and he saw Aditya was in the middle of the road and a truck with a full speed coming in his direction.
Advait panicked anticipating the situation he screamed "aditya" but because of the loud noise of vehicles his voice didn't reach Aditya.
The truck was just about to hit Aditya when a strong pair of arms wrapped around him and pulled him backwards it was Advait his arm got scratched with the corner of the truck.
He hugged Aditya protectively in his arms ignoring his own pain he gently pulled back and inspected him from head to toe for any kind of injury.
"Theek ho na tum?" He worriedly asked.
Aditya just nodded his head feeling overwhelmed to open his mouth. He never behaved nicely with advait but Advait risked his own life to saved him.
Feeling relived not finding any injury on the boy his eyes turned dark "what are you doing here?" he dangerously asked.
Aditya didn't say anything he looked behind Advait, Advait also looked behind him to find Abhishek and Arush were coming in their direction.
"Kaha bhaag gye the tum?" Abhishek asked Aditya.
Then Abhishek's eyes noticed Advait because from behind only his back was showing so he didn't recognize him.
He noticed Advait was furious his eyes turned dark red but then his eyes fall on his bleeding hand.
He panicked "bhaiya apka hath..blood aa raha hai." He reached out for his hand but Advait stepped back.
"Ghar chalo." Advait just said this and took Arush in his arms, held Aditya's hand and started walking, Abhishek started following them.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush were standing in front of the Advait with their heads hung low.
"Road par kya kar rahe the tum log?" Advait asked keeping his voice steady.
No answer.
"I asked you something." He yelled.
Abhishek flinched and Arush started crying Advait sighed and picked Arush in his arms.
"Shh stop crying." He gently said.
"aapne chillaya." Arush said between his crying.
"maine aap par nahi chillaya bachha, aap bhaiya ko bina bataye bahar chale gaye bhaiya bohot dar gaye the, islie gussa aa gaya please chup ho jao." He gently told him.
Arush stopped crying and hugged him.
"ab batao bhaiya ko kaha gye the tum log aur kyu?" He asked Arush.
"abhi bhai le kal gaye the mai to jana bhi nahi chahta tha." Arush said innocently.
Advait turned his attention to Abhishek his soft eyes again formed into hard intense gaze Abhishek instantly hung his head not having courage to look up in his cold eyes.
Advait put Arush down and told him to go and play in his room Arush left now his full attention on the Abhishek and Aditya.
"Abhishek last time puch raha hu sach sach batao kya kar rahe the tum log waha par?" Advait firmly asked.
"ghar chord kar jaa rahe the." Abhishek replied not looking up.
Advait got numb and shocked at the relevation "ghar chord kar.. kyu?" He managed to ask.
"hum aap par bojh nahi banna chahte." Abhishek mumbled again not looking up.
"Bojh" Advait whispered.
"hum kisi par bojh nahi banna chahte islie hume jane dijiye please apko humari wajah se pareshan hone ki jarurat nahi hai" Abhishek politely expressed his feelings.
"SHUT UP ABHISHEK" Advait shouted at him "bojh nahi ho tum log, bhai ho mere aur iss naate mera farz banta hai ki mai tumhari jimmedari uthau.
. bojh aur jimmedari me farak hota hai Abhishek bojh wo hota hai jo jabardasti kandho par dala jata hai aur jimmedari wo hoti hai jo insaan apni marzi se sambhalna chahta hai. " He firmly said.
"Tum teeno mere bhai ho aur yahi mere sath rahoge humesha aaj ke baad agar ye sab socha ya jo aaj kiya hai wo phir se karne ka socha bhi na to mujhse bura aur koi nahi hoga yaad rakhna." He warned them.
Abhishek looked up at him he was amused and overwhelmed by his brother's word he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Advait, started crying.
Advait first got shocked but then gently held the boy in his arms he gently pulled Abhishek when he felt wetness on his shoulder. He saw Abhishek had tears in his eyes.
"Ro kyu rahe ho?" He gently asked.
"aapne hume apna bhai bola aur humari jimmedari uthane k liye bhi ready ho gaye aur jisey ye sab sach me karna chahiye tha wo hume chord kar bhaag gaye." Abhishek said with a broken voice.
Advait got shocked at how Abhishek knew about Angad's actions.
"Tumhe kaise pata?" Advait confusingly asked.
Abhishek again looked down not giving any answer.
"Abhishek" Advait took his name firmly.
"jab aap aur wo uncle baate kar rahe the to maine sun liya." He meekly replied.
"You eavesdropped?" Advait firmly asked.
Abhishek was still looking down not giving any answer.
"Tumhe ye sab sochne ki jarurat nahi hai okay and about eavesdropping this is the first and last warning for you don't you dare do this again.. it's a bad habit understood?" He strictly said.
Abhishek nodded his head because of fear.
"Words!" Advait pressed.
"Ji bhaiya...sorry." Abhishek said in a low voice.
Advait nodded his head and turned his attention to the Aditya who was listening to their conversation with interest but instantly looked down seeing Advait's hard eyes on him.
Advait bent to his level. He noticed he had the same eyes as the advait light brown orbs. He held his both small hands in his one hand "road par kyu bhaag rahe the?" He firmly asked.
Aditya didn't reply and was just looking on the floor Advait held his chin and made him look up at him "jawab do" He repeated.
"Aise hi" Aditya meekly replied feeling timid under the elder's gaze.
"Wow what an answer.. aise hi" Advait mocked him "road tha wo park nahi tha itni saari gaadiya chal rahi thi kuch ho jata to chot lag jati to." He scolded him harshly.
"mujhe nahi lagi par apko lag gyi." He whispered the last part.
"Ha par agar mai time par nahi aata to yahi chot tumhe lag sakti thi infact isse jyada lag sakti thi." He scolded him and Aditya made a pout not liking being scolded.
"Go to the corner face the wall and hold your ears." Advait ordered him.
Aditya snapped his head up it was the first time someone was punishing him nobody ever punished him before.
"Sunai nahi diya kya kaha maine?" Advait firmly said, Aditya pouted reluctantly went to the corner and stood there facing the wall while holding his both ears.
"Tum jao apne room me, mai lunch bana raha hu, khana ready hone ke bad aa jana" Advait said to Abhishek.
"Mai apki help kar deta hu." Abhishek offered politely.
"No need tum teeno kitchen me nahi jaoge jab tak mai na bolu I don't want you guys to get hurt." Advait replied.
"okay bhaiya." Abhishek said and went upstairs.
Advait started chopping vegetables on the kitchen counter.
He was preparing the food and watching aditya from the corner of his eye who was standing in the living room's corner holding his ears. After fifteen minutes he came out of the kitchen.
"Aditya, come here." He gently called out for him.
Aditya quickly ran to him pouting "kya sikha?" Advait asked him.
"Road par nahi bhaagna chahiye sorry ab nahi karunga." Aditya sincerely replied.
Advait smiled and hugged him "it's fine don't repeat it ok hm." He said while picking him up. He entered the kitchen and made him sit on the kitchen slab.
"Kya bana rahe ho aap?" Aditya asked in curiosity.
"Sabzi roti and some pasta." Advait replied making the dough of the flour.
Aditya nodded.
"Tumhara kya favorite hai?" Advait asked trying to know more about the kid.
"Sab kuch but I don't like milk.. I like coffee more." Aditya excitedly told him.
Advait chuckled "Aren't you too small for the coffee?" He mocked the kid.
Aditya scoffed "I am not small.. I am a big boy." He said proudly.
"Ohh big boy!" Advait said feigning amusement.
Aditya bobbed his head and they talked until the lunch was ready.
Advait called Abhishek and Arush downstairs for lunch they had their lunch silently.
Advait and other three went to Advait's room and sat on the bed Arush was sitting on the Advait's lap.
"Kal se tum teeno school jana start kar do already bohot chutti ho gayi hai syllabus piche reh jayega." Advait instructed.
Abhishek nodded his head excitedly but Aditya cringed at the name of the school he wasn't fond of going to school.
"Ab dhyan se suno mai subah tumhe school chord kar office jaya karunga aur school ki chutti ke time lene aaya karunga and then lunch bana kar wapas office okay." He instructed his routine.
"Jab tak mai office se nahi aa jata tum logo ko apna dhyan rakhna hai ghar se bahar nahi jana aur most importantly kitchen me nahi jana." He added strictly.
They nodded their heads "tum log mere bhai ho tumhe koi bhi pareshani ho to bina hesitation ke bina dare mujhe batana hai okay." They again nodded their heads and hugged him at the same time.
Advait made breakfast for them, after having their breakfast he dropped the kids at school and then left for his office he had a hectic day in the office because it was all new for him raj helped him to understand things.
He picked up the boys from the school, came to the mansion and made the lunch for them he again left for the office.
In the evening he returned from the office they all had their dinner and shared their day's happening with each other.
It has become a daily routine for advait he started understanding business, things started going easy for him and the kids and him became very close with the time advait made special and respected place in his brother's hearts.