Chapter 31
It was a beautiful morning. The sun rises slowly spilling warm light across the horizon.
The breakfast table was set and the aroma of the fresh food was in the air.
Advait and his grandparents were already seated on their respective places and was waiting for the kids, their school were off due to holy vacations so they woke up late.
Kalyani devi was not looking happy with the unpunctuality of the kids. Advait was noticing her expression and hoping the kids to appear soon while Amrinder was unfazed with all the fuss, he was busy in reading the newspaper.
Just then Advait was about to stand up to get the kids, they entered the dining room and seated on their places after wishing everyone a good morning.
Arush as usual jumped on Advait's lap, Advait adjusted him on his lap and started serving himself.
"Waha kyu bethe ho chair khali hai yahan aa kar betho." Kalyani said pointing to the empty chair beside her.
Advait looked up at her with a firm look but before he could reply her, Arush blurred out, "Aapko kya problem hai mai kahi bhi baithoon."
"Aru, shhh." Advait tightened his grip around him.
"Bohot badtameez bacche hain ye." She said glaring at him.
"Kalyani, shaanti se nashta karo." Amrinder said, his voice was soft yet commanding.
She scoffed and started eating her breakfast, Abhishek was completely ignoring her he didn't even glanced at her while Aditya was glaring at her but his eyes were sparkling with mischief. Advait noticed him, he was well aware of that look.
He nudged him mumbling, "Focus on your food." He said giving him a look that says 'I know what you're planning.'
Aditya looked at him with an innocent smile and quitely started eating.
They finished their breakfast in silence, Amrinder and Kalyani went to their room and Advait was all ready to headed to his office.
"Bhaiya aaj aap office mat jaao na." Arush said in the most sweetest voice to convince him.
"Kya hua beta?" Advait asked bending to his level.
"Bas aise hi please." He replied leaning onto him.
Aditya quickly stepped forward, "Haan humari bhi chutti hai aap bhi mat jaao na hum log saath me video games khelenge." He said excitedly.
"Meri aaj important meetings hai baccha warna sach me ruk jata." Advait replied cupping his face.
Aditya and Arush pouted, Advait sighed, Abhishek who was silently scrolling through his phone looked up as he sensed the need to interrupt.
He stood up and went to their side, "Adi, Aru, bhaiya ko kaam hai na unhe office jaane do wo jaldi aa jayenge jab tak hum games khelenge hm." He coaxed them.
Aditya huffed but agreed, "'kay jaiye." but Arush was still upset, "Mujhe nahi khelne games mujhe bhaiya ke paas rehna hai." He said.
"Aru, aise zidd nahi karte." Abhishek said firmly yet with the softness.
Advait's phone started ringing and it was Tia he picked up the call, "Why are you late? I have to discuss a few things before the meeting. Come fast." The voice came from the other side.
"I won't be able to come today. Please handle the meeting." Advait said noticing the sad pouted faces of his brothers.
"Advait, you know this meeting is important for the company." She said firmly.
Advait sighed raking his hand through his hair, "Reschedule it." He said curtly.
"But Advait..." Tia was about to say when he cut her off, "Do as I said." He ordered and hung up the call.
Arush glanced at him with a wide smile, "Aap office nahi jaa rahe?" He asked with twinkling eyes.
Aditya and Arush jumped in happiness as soon as he shook his head.
Abhishek whacked their heads lightly, "Kya uchal rahe ho tumhari wajah se bhaiya ko unki important meeting cancel karni padi." He said looking at them with disapproval.
"That was not important, Abhi." Advait said blinking at him reassuringly.
Abhishek went away from there not before glaring at him but Kalyani devi was seeing all this from the upstairs.
Advait didn't say anything to him knowing his nature very well.
Abhishek was only like this from the starting he always buried his emotions deep inside him and didn't share with anyone not even with Advait as he didn't want him to burden him with more stress.
He had seen Advait doing all the sacrifices for them and now whenever he did even a slightest sacrifice Abhishek didn't like that as he didn't want him to burden himself more.
Advait spent his time with Aditya and Arush in playing video games with them and letting them win every round intentionally. Their laughter and giggles filled the room when they lost Advait in the game and Advait made a pouted face feigning sadness that cause more laughter erupted from them.
Amrinder came out of his room listening to the loud noises and smiled looking at the brother's bonding. His eyes filled with admiration and pure love.
But he noticed, Abhishek was not there he frowned and headed to his room to check on him. He entered and found Abhishek was studying, he was doing his school work.
Abhishek looked up as he sensed a pair of eyes on him, he stood up looking at Amrinder, "Dadu, aap yahan kuch chahiye tha aapko?" He asked politely.
"Nahi, bas aise hi tumse baat karne aaya tha baitho." Amrinder said sitting on the bed.
Abhishek sat down beside him looking at him with a slight smile on his face.
"Yahan akele kyu baitho ho neeche sabke sath jaa kar khelo." Amrinder said.
"Wo mai apna homework complete kar raha tha." He replied with a little bit hesitancy.
Amrinder noticed the little boy's unspoken eyes but didn't press it.
He studied him for a few minutes, Abhishek was looking down all the time not sure what to say.
"Tumhe dekh kar mujhe Angad yaad aata hai." He said after a long pause looking at the familiar eyes.
Abhishek snapped up his head listening to his father's name, "Don't compare me with him. Please." He mumbled looking away.
"Mujhe pata hai tum usse bohot naraaz ho Advait se bhi jyada par..." Amrinder was about to complete but Abhishek cut him off in between.
"Mai unse naraaz nahi hoon, naraaz apno se hua jata hai aur wo mere kuch nahi lagte." He said bitterly. "I despise him." He said directly looking into his eyes.
Amrinder exhaled slowly, "Tumhara gussa jaayaz hai par kya karoon baap hoon na chahakar bhi usse nafrat nahi kar sakta." He said in a voice nearly above a whisper.
Abhishek pinned him with a look, "You know where is he right?" His tone was not of asking. It was a statement.
Amrinder looked away averting his eyes, "I don't know."
"Tell him to never come back in our life again. Unhone jo humare sath kiya wo mai bhool sakta hoon par unki wajah se bhaiya ne jo saha hai wo mai kabhi nahi bhoolunga. I'll never let him hurt my brother again." He said in a voice that sent shiver ran down his spine.
Amrinder who always looked authoritative and commanding was now looking like a caught deer under an unflinching gaze of a teenage boy.
Abhishek's gaze landed on Advait who was standing at the door pocketing his hands and staring at them suspiciously. Abhishek didn't want him to know about Angad so he was looking at him skeptically as if trying to find if he had heard anything or not.
But much to his concern, Advait raised his brows, "Kya baatein chal rahi hai?" He asked eyeing both of them.
Amrinder stiffened but Abhishek quickly replied, "Nothing bhaiya, aise hi normal baatein."
"Haan." Amrinder also nodded.
"Agar baatein ho gayi ho to neeche chal cricket khelte hai." Advait said.
Abhishek nodded and stood up walking past him he left the room.
Advait looked at Amrinder who was still engrossed in his own thoughts, "Dadu, aap theek hain?" Advait asked putting his hand on his shoulder to shake off him from his thoughts.
He nodded after putting on a smile on his face. They left the room.
~________________________________________~
Everyone was in their rooms, Aditya and Arush were sleeping soundly after getting tired from playing the whole day. Advait was in his study completing his unattended work due to a sudden holiday. Abhishek was in his room preparing his books for his tuition class that was about to started soon.
Shreya entered the house, she was about to headed upstairs to Abhishek's room when a voice stopped her. She looked behind and there stood Kalyani Devi with an authoritative and scrutiny eyes.
"Kon ho tum aur andar kaha ghusti chali jaa rahi ho?" She asked, looking at her from up to down.
Shreya glared at her tone and not liking the way she was looking at her. But she replied, "Mai Abhishek ki tuition teacher hoon."
Kalyani Devi shook her head disapprovingly.
"Aap kon hain?" Shreya asked her. "Aapko pehle kabhi dekha nahi islie." She added sensing her glare.
Abhishek came down in the living room to look for her, Kalyani hardened her gaze looking at him, "Mai Advait ki dadi hoon." She said and left from there.
Abhishek felt a pang of hurt but masked it off, Shreya looked at him with a concerned and questioning look but Abhishek diverted her mind, "Chalo na di jaldi phir aap late tak baitha kar rakhte ho." He said dragging her to his room.
Shreya looked at Abhishek who was silently learning the theory from his book. She wanted to ask him about why Kalyani said she was Advait's dadi and not his but also she didn't want to invade in their personal matters.
Abhishek looked up at her excitedly as he remembered something, "Di, aapko pata hai kal ghar par holi party hai hum sab log mil kar holi khelenge. Aap bhi aaoge na?" He asked, his eyes were filled with amusement.
She looked hesitant as she couldn't only come on the little boy's invitation but also she didn't want to break his heart.
"Wait aap yahi rukna." Abhishek said and stood up. She asked him where he was going but he ran off in the middle of her sentence and left the room.
He directly headed to Advait's study as he knew he would be there, he knocked before entering and entered inside after getting the permission.
"Abhi, yaha kya kar raha hai ye to tera class ka time hai na." Advait said as he looked up at him.
"Class hi chal rahi hai bhaiya wahi se aaya hoon." He replied.
"kya hua?" Advait asked.
"Bhaiya, kal holi party me Shreya di ko bhi invite kariye na maine unhe bola but unhone kuch jawab nahi diya aap bologe to wo pakka aayengi. Aap unhe bolo na please please." Abhishek said quickly.
Advait rolled his eyes, "Tu mujhe ye bolne ke liye apni class ke beech me se yahan aaya?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.
Abhishek bobbed his head in nodding, "Go back to your class right now. I was already going to invite her. Don't worry, she'll come." Advait said.
"Yay! I love you so much, bhaiya." He hugged him from side while kissing his cheek and ran off the room.
In the evening, the weather started getting bad.
The clouds shadowed over the sky and it started drizzling.
Shreya looked at the weather and thought to end the class soon so she could get to her home before the weather get worse.
She quickly covered the topic she was teaching him and headed to the living room.
Amrinder, Kalyani and Advait with the Aditya and Arush were already present in the living room. They were sitting on the couches sipping on their tea and coffee. Aditya and Arush were having snacks they were enjoying the outside weather with the crispy pakodas and snacks.
She stepped down in the living room followed by Abhishek. Advait looked at them and stood up, "Aap aaj jaldi jaa rahi hain?" He asked.
"Mosam kharab ho raha hai agar barish aa jayegi to cab nahi milegi." She replied.
"I'll drop you." He said.
"No thanks, I'll manage." She replied.
"I wasn't asking you Miss Shreya, I informed you." Advait replied looking into her eyes.
"I said I can manage Mr. Malhotra." She said firmly staring in his eyes.
Abhishek looked at the interaction and interrupted in between before they could again start their ususal fighting, "Di, bhaiya aapko drop kar denge na." He said.
She nodded after thinking for a moment, "Chaliye phir."
"Chalte hain itni bhi jaldi kya hai. Come have a coffee with us then I'll drop you at your home safely." Advait replied.
She glared at him but he was already on his way to sat back on his previous place.
"Chalo na, di." Abhishek said and made her sit on the couch.
She was feeling hesitant as Amrinder and Kalyani were looking at her.
"Dadu, She is Shreya. Abhi's tuition teacher and my friend." Advait introduced her and she snapped her head towards him.
He passed her an innocent smile in return. Amrinder smiled at her, "Hello beta!"
"Hello sir." She replied professionally.
But Amrinder waved it off, "No need of formalities beta, call me dadu. Mujhe acha lagega."
She nodded and tried, "Ji dadu."
"Good." He chuckled in return.
Kaka came up with a cup of coffee and some snacks for Shreya.
She started having her coffee and engulfing herself in the conversation with Amrinder.
Advait was continuously staring at her making her throwing the glares at his direction in the middle of the conversation.
Kalyani was silently sitting there without talking to anyone.
When shreya finished her coffee, she stood up. Advait also got up from the couch and went to get his car keys.
"Kal holi party me jarur aana, beta." Amrinder said.
She happily nodded her head she liked his company, "Ji dadu, jarur aaungi."
Advait came down and Shreya started following him. It was raining badly at that time. They went to the parking and he opened the door for her to sit inside, she passed him a quick look and sat inside. He settled on the driving seat and drove off the car on the road.
"Address?" Advait asked.
"Huh?" She looked confused that why he was asking for her address.
"Address bataiye mam, tabhi to drop karunga na aapko." He said teasingly looking at her confused face.
Her face flushed with embarrassment and she told him the address.
"Kal holi party hai ghar par Abhishek ne bataya hoga aapko." He said after the heavy silence to start the conversation.
She nodded.
"I like verbal answers more but I'll manage when it's you." He said smoothly.
She turned her face on his side and sat up straight, "You said that I'm your friend. From when?"
"From now onwards if you say yes." He replied.
"I don't make stupid friends." She replied taunting him.
"Me too but guess what I'm breaking my this principle just to make you my friend." He replied giving her a tight lipped innocent smile.
"Did you just called me stupid, Mr. Malhotra?" She asked gritting her teeth.
"Why are you focusing on the negative part Miss Shreya? I also said that I'm ready to break my principle just for you. You didn't notice that." He asked feigning hurt.
"Stop the car and drop me here. I'll go by myself." She said crossing her arms over her chest.
But much to her shock Advait stopped the car and they were on the middle of the road that was surrounded with the tress from the both sides.
Just a few cars were passing from the road.
The rain was pouring badly and the voice of the rain touching the ground was piercing in her ears even from sitting inside the car.
Advait looked at her but she didn't move from her place, "M-Mai kyu utru aap ne mujhe ghar drop karne ko kaha tha mai to ghar tak jaaungi." She said, tried to sound confident.
"Mai to wahi kar raha tha aapne hi kaha aapko yahan utarna hai. Mai aapko mana kaise kar sakta hoon." He replied, his face was straight but his tone was teasing.
He started the car and the rest of the drive to her home was silent. She didn't utter a word in the fear that he would throw her on the middle of the deserted road and a constant smile was tugged at his lips looking at her fearful expressions.
Finally he stopped the car in front of her house. "Reached." He muttered and she jerked off from her thoughts.
"Ah-ya! thank you." She said and about to open the door.
"I hope aap kal holy party me aayengi." He said just to confirm.
She nodded her head and got outside. She hurriedly entered the building covering herself with the umbrella.
He waited for her to enter inside the building and drove back to his home.
~________________________________________~