Chapter 40
Arush was standing there heart broken, tears were streaming down to his cheeks but he refused to believe her.
"Aap jhooth bol rahe ho." He said, his voice was weak and trembling.
Sulekha put on a mask of sympathy, "Mai samajh sakti hoon tumhare liye ye accept karna mushkil hai magar sach to yahi hai... Advait Malhotra is not your real brother." She paused for the effect letting her words sink deep inside him.
Arush harshly wiped off his tears and yelled at her, "Jhoothi ho aap."
She rolled her eyes and stood up, "Mat maano mera kaam tha tumhe batana, manna ya na manna tumhari marzi hai." She walked away with it.
Arush was still standing at his place confused and hurt. Her bitter words were ringing in his ears. His body was trembling with sobs, he laid down on his bed covering himself with the duvet.
The sleep was far away from his eyes he needed his bhaiya but her words didn't let him to reach out to his brother.
Advait entered his room when he didn't come back after the long time. He sat beside him and caressed his hair. Arush flinched of the sudden touch but calm down when he recognized the gentle touch.
"Aru, bhaiya paas nahi soyega?" Advait asked gently, his face was on the other side covered with the duvet.
"Mujhe akele sona hai aap jao." He mumbled, trying to sound as if he was in the deep sleep.
Advait sighed, he thought that maybe he was angry because of getting punishment.
"Accha laao ointment to lagane do mujhe baccha." He said but Arush denied.
"Jao bhaiya neend aa rahi hai." He mumbled.
"Mai yahan so jau?" He asked trying to make it up to him.
Arush shook his head from inside the blanket, "Maine bola na aap jao yahan se mujhe akele sona hai." He said.
Advait exhaled slowly, he kissed on his head over the duvet and exit the room.
Arush peeked out of the duvet and his lower lip was trembling. He was hurt and angry from his bhaiya because he hide the truth from him.
He closed his eyes and tried to sleep but the constant ringing of her cruel words didn't let him sleep. He shuffled on the bed turning on his back constantly. At last he got up and headed towards Advait's room.
He sneakily entered the room and hopped on the bed snuggling himself on his chest. Advait opened his eyes at the sudden touch and smiled looking at Arush who was trying to cling to him.
He wrapped his arm around him and placed himself on his chest hugging him tightly.
Arush relaxed in his embrace and closed his eyes the sleep took over him in just few minutes and he slept.
~________________________________________~
The breakfast table was set and the aroma of the fresh food was in the air. Everyone was settled at the breakfast table except Abhishek. Advait was waiting for him to come down and he appeared after a few minutes ready in his school uniform.
"Why're you in the uniform?" Advait asked as he settled down on the chair.
Abhishek looked up at him confused by his question, "Because casuals are not allowed in the school." He replied.
"That's what I know. You aren't going school today." Advait said.
"Why bhaiya?" Abhishek asked.
"Because you're not well and you need to rest." He explained calmly.
"I'm fine, bhaiya. You don't have to worry about me all the time." He replied quietly while serving himself.
Sulekha and Kalyani exchanged a smirking glance while Amrinder looked concerned sensing something was off between the brothers.
"You're not going school today. No more discussions." Advait said with a finality in his tone.
Abhishek sighed he didn't want to stay at home that was why he was adamant to go to school even when he was feeling sick.
He silently nodded and took a morsel of the paratha. Advait noticed it and said, "Abhi, tujhe parathe pasand nahi hain na to kyun kha raha hai maine tere liye pancakes banaye hai." He served him the pancakes.
Abhishek looked hesitant, "Mai parathe kha leta bhaiya. You really don't have to do this." He muttered almost apologetically. "Thank you." He said in a low voice.
Advait felt a bit hurt by his words as his kids never thanked him for the small gesture like making their favorite dishes. Abhishek's hesitant behavior and quiet responses made his heart tightened.
He was missing his old Abhi who used to throw tantrums to get his favorite things like any other kid.
"Bhaiya, I don't want to eat this." Abhishek whined glaring at the paratha in his plate.
"School ke liye late ho raha hai Abhi jaldi se breakfast finish karo apna." Advait replied.
Abhishek pouted and crossed his arms over his chest, "Mai nahi khaunga."
"Abhi." Advait firmly said but it had no effect on him.
Abhishek sat there stubbornly.
"Acha theek hai abhi ye paratha kha le, I'll make your favorite snacks in the evening. Promise." Advait tried to bribe him.
Abhishek looked at him with the corner of his eye, "Mai snacks bhi khaunga aur parathe bhi nahi khaunga." He said.
"Aise nahi hota hai agar snacks chahiye to paratha khana padega." Advait strictly said.
"Nahi khaunga nahi khaunga nahi khaunga." He raised his voice in irritation.
Advait whacked his arm hardly making him looked down with a sad face.
He sighed looking at his face and went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for him.
He returned with the sandwiches and placed the plate in front of him. Abhishek's lips curved into a smile but he immediately covered it with his former expressions.
"Ab kya hua ab kyu nahi kha raha?" Advait asked.
"Aapne maara." He mumbled and pouted at him.
Advait exhaled softly before taking him in his embrace, he rubbed his arm where he whacked him before and kissed it.
"Ab theek hai." Abhishek said with a grin plastered on his face.
He grabbed the plate and forwarded it towards Advait who raised his eyebrow in the return.
"Aap khila do." He asked blinking at him.
Advait smiled and started feeding him with his own hands. Abhishek happily munched on his breakfast feeling loved and special.
Aditya's squealing brought Advait into the present. He looked at Aditya who was hugging Vanya. She was dressed in her school uniform and Reyansh was behind him entering the living room.
"Hey buddy, kaisi tabiyat hai ab?" Reyansh asked patting Abhishek's shoulder.
"Better hai, bhai." Abhishek replied warmly with a smile on his face which tugged at Advait's heart, he noticed that he was behaving normal with Reyansh but strangely with him.
Reyansh ruffled his hair making him cutely glare at him in response.
"Aur bataiye janaab aapki tabiyat kaisi hai?" He asked to Advait who nodded in response.
Vanya came to Advait's side, "Aapki tabiyat kaisi hai bhaiya?" She asked in her little voice.
"Mai theek hoon, Princess. Aap kaise ho?" He asked booping her cute nose.
"Mai to sundar hoon." She replied twirling making everyone laugh.
"Maine bhaiya se kal bola tha mujhe aapse milne le kar aayein par inhone mana kar diya." She complained and Reyansh rolled his eyes.
Advait dramatically glare at Reyansh and Vanya sticked out her tongue at him to tease him.
Arush was quiet throughout the breakfast. He was behaving normal as usual but was just silent. Advait didn't think more out of it and thought maybe he was in just one of his mood so he didn't drag it. Everyone went back to their rooms except the kids.
"Aru, Adi jao apne bags le kar aao." Advait said and they left to get their bags.
"Tujhe nahi jana?" Reyansh asked to Abhishek.
"Bhaiya ne mana kiya hai." He replied.
Reyansh nodded, "Mai sabko school drop kar dunga teri aaj Raichands ke saath meeting hai na tu office jaa." He told Advait.
"Maine wo reschedule kar di, I'm taking off today." He replied.
"Reschedule kyun?" Reyansh furrowed his brows.
"Today I'll spent time with my Abhi." Advait said smiling at Abhishek.
But Abhishek's face turned guilty, "Meri wajah se aapne apni meeting kyu reschedule ki mai akele reh leta... don't make it difficult bhaiya." He said and whispered the last part but Advait caught the words.
"Difficult what?" He asked.
"Nothing. I'm going to my room." He averted his eyes and left.
Advait and Reyansh exchange confused and concerned glance.
"I don't know what's gotten into him. He's acting strange... around me." Advait said, the tense lines were formed on his forehead.
"Talk to him and clear it out. He's surely hiding something." Reyansh replied.
The kids came back with their bags and left with Reyansh for the school.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was in his room engrossed in his phone sitting on the bed. The door of the room was closed, a knock came on the door and Abhishek allowed the person to enter.
The door opened revealing Advait who entered the room with a warm smile on his face. Abhishek stood up on seeing him.
"Ji bhaiya?" He asked.
Advait shrugged, "Nothing." He sat down on the bed.
"Sit." He motioned Abhishek.
Abhishek settled down beside him avoiding the eye contact.
"What were you doing?" Advait asked smiling, trying to indulge in a conversation.
"Just scrolling on phone." Abhishek replied looking at everywhere in the room.
Advait studied him for a few minutes waiting for him to say something but he was just sitting there silently.
He sighed, "Why are you behaving so strange, Abhi?" He asked.
Abhishek looked agree but said the otherwise, "You're just assuming, bhaiya."
Advait looked down defeated but snapped up his head when Abhishek said something.
"Mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai."
Advait happily nodded as he thought Abhishek was about to tell him the reason behind his strange behavior.
"Haan bol na baccha." He encouraged.
Abhishek looked here and there fidgeting with his fingers resting on his lap, "Wo bhaiya mujhe... mujhe hostel jana hai." He let out the words from his mouth.
Advait's smile vanished from his lips, his face was blank without any expression.
"Hostel?" His voice was low.
"Mujhe aage ki padhai Delhi se complete karni hai so hostel jana hai." Abhishek said, his voice was forced.
"Yahan ke school me kya problem hai Abhi agar tujhe iss school se koi problem hai then I'll find the best school for you." Advait said despite of the fact Abhishek was already studying in the best school of the city.
"Mujhe Delhi se hi padhai complete karni hai bhaiya waha par mera dream school hai." He said but his eyes were not agreeing with him.
"Never. I won't let you go to the hostel." Advait said firmly.
"Konsa mai humesha ke liye jaa raha hoon bhaiya just for a few years aur phir mai holidays par ghar bhi to aaya karunga na." Abhishek argued.
"Mujhe ye sab mat samjha tu kahi nahi jaa raha aayi baat samajh me, jo padhai karni hai yahi se kar." Advait said getting up from the bed. The only thought of letting him go away from himself made his heart twisted from inside.
"I'm not a kid anymore bhaiya. I can make my own decisions." Abhishek mumbled standing up.
Advait glared at him furiously, "Kiski jubaan bol raha hai ye?" He said as he knew that they couldn't be his brother's words.
Abhishek turned sideways, "Maine aapko mera decision bata diya bhaiya, mujhe hostel jana hai." His hands were fisted on his sides.
Advait cupped his cheeks, "Aise zidd nahi karte mera baccha, mai kaise rahunga tere bina... aur tu reh lega mere bina har choti cheez ke liye to tujhe mai chahiye hota hoon." He said, his voice was hoarse and shaking with the fear.
"Jab tak akele nahi rahunga to seekhunga kaise bhaiya... reh lunga mai kar lunga manage." He replied looking somewhere at the distance.
Advait made him look towards him and bore his gaze into his eyes, "Kisi ne kuch kaha tujhse mujhe bata mai sab theek kar dunga." His eyes were pleading him to tell the truth.
Abhishek looked away gulping down his tears, "Kisi ne kuch nahi kaha hai bhaiya. Mai bada ho gaya hoon ab aapko mere liye pareshan rehne ki jarurat nahi hai mai khud apna khayal rakh sakta hoon. I don't want to be a burden on you." He mimicked the words like a parrot who had been trained.
"Abhishek." Advait warned gritting his teeth.
He gulped the lump formed in his throat, "Mujhe acche se pata hai kiski boli bol raha hai tu maine last time bhi tujhe warn kiya tha Abhi kisi aur ki baaton me mat aana par tune phir se wahi kiya ye jaante huye bhi ki teri ye baatein mujhe kitna hurt karti hain tune phir se wahi sab bola.
.. galti meri hai mujhe laga ki maine itne saal me tum logo ka trust jeet liya hoga mujhe laga ki ab tu dusro ki baaton me aa kar apne bhaiya ke pyar par shak nahi karega magar mai galat tha I'm sorry. "
Abhishek snapped his head at him, "Bhaiya aap galat samajh rahe hain." He whispered, the corner of his eyes pricked with tears.
Advait inhaled a deep breath blinking away his tears, "Pack your bags, you're going to Delhi next week. I'll arrange the hostel for you." He said and walked away.
Abhishek widened his eyes and the tears started flowing down from his eyes. He didn't mean to hurt him he just didn't want to be a burden. He slumped down on his bed with tears.
~________________________________________~
Advait marched towards the guest room and banged the door. His eyes were glistening with the unshed tears and jaw was clenched sharply. He again banged on the door and Sulekha opened the door, she took into Advait's angry form but he walked past away her entering in the room.
"Beta, kya hua?" She asked sweetly tried to mask her horror.
Advait flew opened the cupboard with the loud thud and took out her trolley bag. He threw it on the bed and started stuffing her clothes in the bag with the swift movements. His eyes were furiously red with anger.
"Ye kya kar rahe ho beta?" She gasped.
But he didn't give much to her reaction and continued packing her clothes.
She raised her voice, "Arey mera samaan kyun pack kar rahe ho hua kya hai ye to batao." She yelled loudly so that her mother could come to her rescue.
Advait was done with the packing and picked up the bag, he exited the room with the bag and Sulekha was following him yelling loudly dramatically.
Kalyani, Amrinder and Abhishek emerged in the living room listening to the yelling. Advait threw the bag on the floor making a loud sound.
"Nikaliye yahan se." He bore his deadly glare at Sulekha.
She shrinked on her place but Kalyani stepped forward, "Advait ye kya badtameezi hai?" She said angrily.
"Badtameezi to abhi tak dikhayi bhi nahi hai maine dadi warna iss bag ki tarah inhe bhi ghar se utha kar bahar phek deta." He shouted making Abhishek flinched who was standing at the distance.
"Advait, hua kya hai beta kyu aise keh rahe ho?" Amrinder asked calmly knowing his daughter's nature very well.
"Mere hi ghar me reh kar mere bacchon ko mere khilaaf bhadka rahi hain ye." He replied glaring at his soul.
Kalyani quickly composed her reaction and masked her expression.
"Ye tum kya bol rahe ho beta mai kyu aisa karungi." Sulekha said her tone was as if she was a victim.
"Shut up. Just shut up." Advait shouted making her flinched.
"Isse pehle ki mai bhool jaun ki aap mujhse badi hain aur ek aurat hain nikal jaiye yahan se." He warned her dangerously pointing towards the door.
"Sulekha kahi nahi jayegi." Kalyani said defensively.
"Agar aapko bhi inke saath jana hai to darwaza khula hua hai par inhe ab mai iss ghar me ek second ke liye bhi bardaasht nahi karunga." He said, his tone left no room for discussion.
Amrinder didn't interfere.
"Par beta... " Sulekha about to say but Advait cut her off.
"Aap izzat ke saath jaa rahi hain ya mai security ko bulaun?" He warned dangerously.
"Advait." Kalyani hissed.
"Jin bacchon ke liye tum apni sagi bua ke saath ye sab kar rahe ho na ek din yahi bacche tumhe kisi ko muh dikhane layak nahi chordenge." Sulekha said bitterly.
Kalyani blinked her eyes reassuringly looking at Sulekha. She crouched down picking up her bag and left the mansion not before glaring at Abhishek.
Kalyani scoffed and left from there, Amrinder also went behind her. Advait walked past away Abhishek without even sparing him a glance. Abhishek looked down with tears in his eyes and now he was regretting his each and every word.
~________________________________________~