Chapter 53
The room was filled with a heavy silence, Advait was standing leaning back on the desk, folding his arms over his chest. His biceps were on display making Shreya's heart skipped a beat. His face was unreadable without any emotions.
"Leave." He spoke up after a long stretching silence, his words directed at Abhishek and Aditya.
Abhishek and Aditya quickly turned on their heels, Shreya started to follow them. She also turned around to leave when Advait interjected.
"Arey aap kahan jaa rahi hain Mrs. Malhotra?" He said halting her movements.
Abhishek and Aditya left the room and quietly closed the door behind them. Shreya turned around meekly fidgeting with her fingers nervously.
She looked up at him with a sheepish smile, "Ad-Advait wo mai uh-mujhe..." She stuttered.
Advait slowly started taking steps towards her making her legs move backwards on their own. He stepped towards her with a predatory gaze and she gulped down hard while taking steps back until her back touched the cold wall and she stopped.
Advait smirked closing the distance between them, he placed his arms on the either side of her face caging her between his arms. She was staring at him, her eyes were widened and lips were parted slightly making her look vulnerable under his scrutiny.
He leaned forward just beside her ear, her breath hitched in her throat.
"Mujhe nahi pata tha aapko Mrs. Malhotra banne ki itni jaldi hai Shreya." He huskily whispered.
Her face had turned crimson red, her breathing was heavy. Her heart was pounding so loudly that Advait could hear it clearly. He stepped back and she released a deep breath.
"I-I didn't mean it, Adi ne help karne ke liye bola to maine bas..." She tried to explain.
"Baccha hai wo aap to samjhdaar hain, You should have make him understand instead of supporting him in wrong." He stated. His tone was serious devoid of the previous teasing edge.
Shreya nodded her head quietly and looked up at him, "How do you get to know?" She asked curiously.
His lips twitched upwards slightly, "Well, I got a call from the school congratulating me for my marriage." He taunted.
She nervously grinned at him, "Hehe sorry." She pushed a hair strand behind her ear awkwardly.
Advait rolled his eyes at her antics.
"Aap Adi ko daantna mat please wo dar gaya tha islie bas ye sab kiya usne." She said concerning for Aditya.
"Kab li?" He asked.
She furrowed, "Uh?"
"Lawyer ki degree, kab li?" He asked and she glared at him.
"Advait, I'm serious please usko..." She tried to say but he interrupted her.
"I am also serious, Shreya. Don't ever support them in their wrongdoings. I don't want them to get the wrong idea." He cleared firmly.
She nodded quietly noticing the change of tone in his voice.
~________________________________________~
Advait headed back to the office as he had an important meeting to attend. He was done with the meeting and now was preparing to head back to the home when Tia entered his cabin.
He briefly glanced at her before indulging in his work again.
"I'll be on leave tomorrow." She informed him.
He just nodded his head not looking up at her. He was not talking to her since that day because she didn't inform him about that man earlier.
"Reason nahi puchega?" She asked hopefully.
He looked up at her, "I am no one to indulge in your personal matters." He said coldly.
She exhaled softly, "Advait please yaar jane de uss baat ko, Reyansh ne bhi to tujhse baat chupayi thi tu usse to baat kar raha hai phir mere saath hi ye partiality kyun?" She huffed in annoyance.
He glared at her, "Usey tune mana kiya tha batane ke liye, uss par blame mat daal."
She rolled her eyes, "'Kay fine, meri galti hai lekin ab ye gussa vussa chord de please." She pouted.
He didn't budge off, she bumped her shoulder onto his and he gave her a side eyed look.
"Acha chal tu mujhse baat karega na to main tujhe ek secret bataungi." She said with the thriller and excitement.
He passed her a done look before saying, "What do you think of me? A five year old?"
She gritted her teeth, "Tu jaa ab mai sabse pehle tujhe batane wali thi par ab bilkul nahi bataungi." She stomped her feet acting to walk away.
He rolled his eyes at her horrible acting skills and lightly whacked the back of her head muttering, "Notanki."
She grinned widely realising he was not angry anymore, she squeezed him in a side hug before getting all serious.
She adjusted a chair beside him and sat down on it with a serious expression. He narrowed her eyes at her behavior but waited for her to speak up.
She took a deep breath, "I love Reyansh." She declared excitedly squealing in happiness.
But Advait's expression remained same, "What's new in this?" He asked casually.
She looked at him being offended and shook him violently, "I love Reyansh, can you believe it?" She yelled whisperingly.
"Haan suna maine par isme naya kya hai ye to mujhe pata hai." He said nonchalantly.
She glared at him, "Tujhe kaise pata?"
He royally rolled his eyes, "Tu idiot hai mai nahi hoon, jis tarah se usko dekhti hai na tu mujhe kya sabko pata hai that you love him." He said making her smile sheepishly.
"Maine bohot koshish ki apni feelings ko deny karne ki par ab aur nahi." She said and he furrowed his brows.
"I'm going to propose him tomorrow." She informed, her cheeks turned red in shyness.
A genuine smile appeared on Advait's face, he had seen Reyansh seeking for Tia's love and Tia denying her feelings for him but now the perfect time has arrived and both of them realized their true feelings for each other. He was really happy for both of his best friends.
He hugged her tightly pressing a gentle kiss on the top of her head, "I'm very happy for you." He mumbled, his voice was filled with warmth.
Her face was glowing, her cheeks had turned red and eyes were twinkling with something so genuine and pure... love.
She was smiling like a mad woman burying her face between her hands in shyness.
Advait made a cringe face looking at her antics, "Love makes a person crazy." He commented shaking his head.
~________________________________________~
Advait entered the house with a happy mood, his friend's happiness felt him like his own. His mood got lifted up after getting the news. He settled down on the couch exhaling a tired sigh just when Arush came running to him.
"Bhaiyaaa!" Arush sang clinging to him.
"Kya kar raha tha mera Aru?" Advait asked and made him sit on the couch beside himself.
"Padhai kar raha tha." He replied.
"Arey wah Aru padhai bhi karta hai." Advait teased making him pout.
Just then Abhishek showed up with a glass of water, it's just like his daily routine. He forwarded the glass towards Advait with a nervous yet innocent look.
Advait glared at him but took the glass and gulped down the water. He didn't move his gaze away from him for a second making him squirm on his place.
"Sorry." Abhishek whispered.
But Advait's glare fixed on him, Abhishek carefully sat down beside him and hugged him tightly without giving him the chance to protest.
"Leave me." Advait said.
Abhishek shook his head making Arush giggled.
"Abhi." Advait said with a warning edge.
Abhishek leave him and looked at him with a pout, "Meri galti nahi thi bhaiya sacch me usne jabardasti mujhe apne plan me include kar liya." He said.
"Chota baccha hai na tu jo usne tere saath jabardasti ki aur tune karne di." Advait said sarcastically.
Abhishek looked down with a pout.
"Ab kyun muh band ho gaya sir?" He mocked.
"Main kuch karoon tab bhi mujhe daant padti hai wo kuch kare tab bhi mujhe daant padti hai mujhe nahi baat karni ab kisi se." Abhishek mumbled under his breath.
But Advait clearly heard him, "Haan tu toh bohot bhola hai kuch kiye bina apne aap fas jata hai."
"Correct!" He looked up saying that.
Advait shot him a look but Abhishek leaned on him resting his head on his shoulder.
"Kahan hain wo maharaj ab?" He asked referring to Aditya.
"Apne room me padhai kar raha hai." Abhishek replied.
"Ab to padhai hi yaad aayegi usey." Advait said with a shake of his head making Abhishek chuckled.
"Teri padhai ho gayi?" He asked him and he immediately shut his mouth.
"Abhi to class attend ki maine." He whined in response.
"Next month se pre boards hain, Abhi. Serious ho kar padhna start kar de." Advait reminded him.
He nodded his head, "Ji."
Advait stood up from the couch, "I am going in my room. Tell him to come there in 20 minutes." He said and walked away.
Abhishek and Arush exchanged a glance.
"Adi to gaya." Abhishek commented.
Arush made a serious face asking, "Mai unki help karoon?"
Abhishek quickly joined his hands in front him, "Please nahi, usey aur help ki jarurat nahi hai." He taunted and Arush stomped away from there with an angry face.
~________________________________________~
Advait was standing in front of the mirror fixing his hair. A soft knock came on the door and he permitted the person to enter.
Aditya entered meekly with baby steps, Advait looked at him through the mirror and turned around. Aditya was looking down fidgeting with his fingers behind his back.
"Sit down." Advait said and Aditya snapped up his head as he always made him stand when he reprimanded him.
Advait sat down on the bed and gestured him to sit in front of him. Aditya meekly sat down making a safe distance with him. His eyes were fixed on the floor.
"Sabse pehle mujhe ye bata ki Shreya ko guardian bana kar school le gaya par mere paas nahi aaya... kyun?" He asked.
Aditya didn't say anything and shifted uncomfortably on his place.
"Answer me, Adi." He said softly.
"Aap gussa karte." He whispered.
Advait inhaled a breath, "Tere galti karne par gussa karne ka haq bhi nahi hai ab mujhe?" He asked feeling hurt.
Aditya looked up at his tone.
"Mai gussa karta hoon islie tu mujhse baatein chupayega?" He added.
"Mera wo matlab nahi tha bhaiya." Aditya replied softly realising his actions has hurted his brother.
"To kya matlab tha, Adi? Mujhe mere bhai ke baare me dusro se pata chala raha hai." He said being disappointed.
"Sorry." Aditya whispered looking down.
"Tu ye word bolna band kar de jab tujhe baar baar same galti karni hoti hai to kyun sorry bolta hai." Advait scolded harshly.
His gaze remained fix on the floor.
"I'm not talking to your head. Look up." He snapped.
Aditya looked up, his lips were pressed in a thin line and eyes were filled with guilt.
"Let's do one thing, Ab se tujhe jo karna hai tu kar sakta hai mai tujhe kuch nahi bolunga tera jo mann hai wo kar meri baaton ka waise bhi tujh par koi asar nahi hota." Advait said calmly.
Aditya looked up at him, his eyes instantly filled with tears and a pout glued to his lips.
"Aise mat boliye please." He mumbled looking at him.
Advait was just simple staring at him.
"Kyun na boloon tu meri baat maanta hai?" Advait scolded.
A lone tear fell down on his cheek, he could bear Advait's thrashing but not his disappointment.
"Jaa ab, mujhe abhi koi baat nahi karni tujhse." Advait said really not knowing how should he dealt with him.
Aditya glared at him with watery eyes, "Kyun nahi baat karni?" He asked angrily.
"Kya baat karoon jab tujhe sunni hi nahi hai meri, jaa yahan se." He replied.
That was the last straw for Aditya, his dam broke into tears and he started crying loudly, he got up and stood by his side. Advait averted his gaze not looking at him.
"Sununga saari baat maanunga baat kariye mujhse." He tucked on his sleeves to get his attention.
He hold his ears with a pout, his small doe eyes were filled with tears. Advait bit back a smile at his adorable face.
Aditya hugged his waist and buried his face in his chest. Advait remained firm, he tried to pushed him away but Aditya clinged to him tightly.
"Dur hat mujhse." He said, Aditya shook his head still clinging to him.
"Alag ho Adi bohot maar khayega." He threatened.
"Maarlena." Aditya mumbled.
Advait gently yet firmly pulled him away and made him stand between his knees. Aditya looked up at him with tears pooling in his eyes. Advait gently wiped off his tears but his face was still firm.
"Kyun bulaya tha teacher ne?" He asked.
Aditya gulped down mumbling swearings under his breath.
"Loud." Advait ordered.
"M-Meri fight ho gayi thi ek ladke se." He sniffled.
Advait fumed in anger, his eyes got hardened and he whacked him just under his ear making him yelp.
"Fight Aditya seriously?" He raised his voice.
"School me fighting karne jate ho tum?" He yelled and Aditya shrinked on his place.
"Reason?" He gritted through his teeth.
Aditya swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Speak up, Aditya." Advait yelled.
He flinched at his tone and started speaking, "Wo meri seat par baith gaya tha maine usey pyar se hatne ke liye bola wo nahi hata to galti se face punch kar diya." He mumbled.
Advait clenched his jaw and harshly gripped his ear, "Galti se punch kar diya ha?"
"Oww bhaiyaaaa." Aditya stomped his feet in pain.
"Agar usko serious injury ho jati to kya hota Adi? Maine bola tha na aise kaam nahi karne chahiye jiski wajah se kisi ko harm ho." He said twisting his ear.
Aditya cried out, "Galti ho gayi bhaiya oww please jaane dijiye." He pleaded.
Advait left his ear and firmly held his both hands in his one, "Agar wo teri seat par baith gaya to tu kahi aur nahi baith sakta tha." He harshly said.
Aditya glared at him, "Wo Vanu ke saath baitha tha mujhe Vanu ke saath baithna tha mai kyun kahi aur baithoon." He replied.
Advait again twisted his ear, "Abhi bhi sharam nahi aa rahi haina."
"Owww sorry sorry sorry." He ranted clutching his hand.
"Aisa kya karoon mai jisse tujhe meri baatein samajh me aayengi, Aditya?" Advait asked sharply.
He just looked down without saying anything.
"Tujhe apni galti realize bhi hori hai? Us ladke ko chot lag sakti thi, tu school se suspend ho sakta tha par nahi koi realisation nahi ho raha tujhe." He rebuked him not so gently.
"So... " Aditya was about to say when Advait firmly cut him off.
"Don't say it if you don't mean it." He snapped.
"I mean it bhaiya ab se nahi karunga sorry." He said guilty, holding his ears.
"List out your mistakes." Advait commanded.
Aditya still gripped his ears and stuttered, "I pun-punched that boy."
"I lied to you."
"I disobey you."
"I lied to my teacher."
He stopped looking down.
"And?" Advait asked.
Aditya blinked confusingly.
"You fooled me. Didn't you?" Advait said.
"I didn't mean to..." He muttered.
"But you did." Advait said sharply.
"Sorry." He whispered.
"Not again, Adi." He glared him down.
"I want a 2000 words essay from you on 'Why fighting is bad?' and also you'll apologize to Shreya and Abhishek for dragging them into your stupid plan." He instructed.
Aditya quietly nodded his head accepting his punishment.
"Go get your all the video games." He ordered.
Aditya's face immediately fell down and he sulked, "Please." He pleaded through his eyes but a stern glare from Advait made him moved from there.
He left and come back with the handful of video games, he dropped all of them on the bed with a sad face.
Advait whacked his back, "Itni maar padegi na Adi sudhar jayega tu." He said.
"Ab kya kiya maine?" He whined rubbing his back.
"Itni hi video games hai bas tere paas, bewkuf samjha hai mujhe tune, jaa kar sab le kar aa warna electronics se bhi ground kar dunga." He warned him dangerously.
Aditya pouted and came with a bag full of his video games and put it down on the bed with the gentle care making Advait rolled his eyes.
He again stand in front of him like an obeident kid waiting for the another command.
"Agar galti karoge to main gussa bhi karunga haq hai mera iska matlab ye nahi ki mujhse baate chupana shuru kar doge, this is last warning for you sudhar jaa beta." He said, his tone was firm but not harsh.
"Kneel in the corner." Advait said pointing at the corner of the room.
"Itni saari punishment to de di ab to jaane dijiye." Aditya said making an innocent face but his eyes were still sparkling with mischief.
"That was for fighting, ye wali mujhse chupa kar kisi aur ko apna guardian bana kar school le jane ke liye."
He replied making him looked down sheepishly.
Advait eyed to the corner and Aditya slowly made his way there and kneel down on the hard floor.
Advait got up from the bed and left the room as he knew Aditya wouldn't leave the position until he allowed him to and he was planning on letting him stay there for a good time. Aditya looked down sadly when he left him alone in the room but he stayed in the position.
After half an hour, Advait entered the room and settled down on the bed with a novel without even glancing at the poor soul kneeling in the corner.
A few sounds of sniffling echoed in the silent room, Advait peeked up from his book and looked at Aditya who was shuffling on his place sniffing with a pout.
"Stand up." He said gently.
Aditya slowly tried to stand on his legs but his legs felt numb due to stay in the same position for so long. He tripped over and fell down on the floor sobbing.
Advait was quick to his side, he crouched down and scooped him up in his arms. He sat down on the bed with Aditya in his lap but Aditya crawled away from him.
He was about to left from there when Advait hold him by his hand, "Kahan jaa raha hai?" He asked.
"Apne room me." He replied looking away.
Advait sensed his sadness, "Bhaiya se baat nahi kar raha?" He asked gently.
Aditya made him left his hand, "Kya baat karni hai aapko?" The tears slipped down to his cheeks.
Advait brows furrowed in concern as Aditya didn't usually cry even after getting the hits from a ruler and now he was crying over a kneeling punishment.
He firmly yet gently made him sit on his lap and hugged him to his chest. Aditya tried to freed himself but Advait's grip was strong.
"Kya hua mere bacche ko kyun ro raha hai?" He asked smoothing down his hair.
Aditya hiccupped on his chest.
"Waise to maar khane ke baad bhi nahi rota aaj itni choti si punishment se rona aa gaya aisa kya ho gaya." He asked sliding away the damp hair strands from his forehead.
"Mujhe akele chord kar kyun gaye?" Aditya asked angrily glaring at him.
Advait made a realising face listening to his complaint, "Accha, I am sorry ab se nahi jaunga rona band kar de ab bas." He coaxed him wiping off his tears.
Aditya shook his head, "Aru ke saath to kabhi aisa nahi karte uske to paas me rehte hain mujhe yahan akela chord kar chale gaye." He sobbed.
"Bas baccha shh bohot ro liya..." Advait said ignoring his words as he didn't want to escalate the matter. He was well aware of the harmless jealousy between the brothers and it was very common for kids to feel in that way.
"Main itni der se ro raha hoon aap ek baar bhi dekhne nahi aaye aur jab aaye to mujhe ignore kiya." He said burying his face in his chest and complaining about him. His fingers were tightly gripped around his shirt's fabric.
"I am really sorry." He placed a kiss on the top of his head.
"'Kay." He mumbled and stayed clinging to him like a koala.
Advait caressed his hair and let him stay like this until he did not pull back by himself.
~________________________________________~