Chapter 57
The car was filled with silence, the silence was not uncomfortable but it was heavy.
Shreya wanted to talk to him but didn't know how to start.
Advait was silently driving the car, his gaze was fixed on the road ahead.
She was glancing at him from time to time, she wanted to talk to him.
She wanted him to share his pain with her.
"Kuch kehna hai aapko?" Advait asked softly.
She shook her head but then nodded, he glanced at her raising his brow.
"Haan ya naa?" He asked.
She nodded, "Ji, kehna hai."
"Kahiye." He said.
She looked outside, "Hum thodi der aage beach par ruk sakte hain?" She asked.
He nodded, "Sure."
After five minutes, he parked the car and stepped down. He opened her side of the door making her smile at the little gesture. They looked around, the beach was not crowded at that hour only a few couples could be seen doing their unholy business in the shadow of the darkness.
"Wahan baithein?" She asked pointing at the quiet place.
Advait nodded, they sat down on the cool sand, his guards were standing alerted at the distance.
She pressed her knees close to her chest placing her chin on her arms which were resting on her knees. She turned at him, he was already staring at her with the undeniable warmth in his eyes. Her face was glowing in the moon light making her look more enchanting.
She looked at the full moon in the sky and closed her eyes in peace, "Chaand kitna khoobsurat lag raha haina?" She made a statement turning towards him.
"Bohot khoobsurat lag raha hai." He said drowning into her dark orbs, not even averted his gaze from her face. His gaze was fixed on her glowing face.
She blushed at that making Advait really smiled this time. He started looking up at the moon, they sat there in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Kya soch rahe hain?" She asked.
"Yahi ki aap itni khoobsurat kaise hain?" He said looking at her with a mischievous smile but something was off. His eyes.
"Baatein ghumana band kijiye, Mr. Malhotra." She said, well aware that he was trying to divert her mind.
He inhaled deeply before looking away.
"Aap theek hain?" She asked while searching his eyes for any kind of sign.
He nodded looking ahead but she swatted his arm narrowing her eyes, "Jhooth bolna band karenge aap?" She said angrily.
He looked at her from side eye, "Lagi mujhe." He complained feigning hurt.
"Lagni bhi chahiye." She glared at him.
She leaned on his arm resting her head on his bicep. Advait closed his eyes feeling calm, her touch was grounding. She unknowingly calmed the chaos brewing inside his heart.
"Aapko mujhse jhooth bolne ki jarurat nahi hai Advait." She said slowly.
"Aur aapko aisa kyun lagta hai ki mai aap se jhooth bol raha hoon?" He asked.
She sat up straight and looked into his eyes, "Aapki jo ye badi badi aankhein hai na ye aapki baaton se match nahi ho rahi." She looked between his both eyes.
He chuckled.
She cupped his cheeks gently, "You know I'm always here for you, Right?" She asked.
He held her hands which were cupping his cheeks and looked down, "Mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai." He said, his voice was hoarse.
She looked at him confused.
"Samajh nahi aa raha Aru ko sab kuch kaise samjhaun agar wo mujhe nahi samjha aur mujhse door ho gaya to..." He poured out his emotions, his voice was shaking with fear and pain.
"Mere paas un teeno ke alawa koi nahi hai unke door jaane ke khayal se bhi... mera dil kaanp jata hai." His eyes were glistening with the unshed tears.
"Aisa kabhi nahi hoga Advait, jitna pyar aap un teeno se karte hain utna hi pyar wo bhi aap se karte hai." She spoke up.
"Jaise aap unke bina nahi reh sakte wo log bhi aapke begair nahi reh sakte.
Arush abhi baccha hai jise in sab chizon ke baare me nahi pata, insecure ho kar usne bol diya wo sab but it's your responsibility ki aap usko samjhayein usey yakeen dilayein ki wo aapke liye kitna matter karta hai.
" She said, her voice was smooth and filled with understanding.
He looked at her, the fear was still visible in his eyes, "Wo samjhega?" He asked, his voice was vulnerable as if her assurance would give him the peace.
"He loves you Advait, uske liye uske maa-baap sab kuch aap hain. Bohot pyar karta hai wo aapse. He'll understand you. Talk to him." She replied, reassuringly blinking her eyes.
He stared in her eyes, the fear in his eyes was changed into admiration. He pressed his forehead against hers, cupping her soft cheeks between his rough hands.
"Thank you." He whispered earnestly.
She smiled.
"Ab ghar jaiye aur jaa kar un teeno se baat kariye, they need you." She said encouraging him.
He backed away and pressed his lips on her forehead. Her heart fluttered at the sensation of his cold lips touching her skin. She closed her eyes savoring the warmth of his lips on her skin. His lips lingered on her head for a moment longer before he pulled away.
She blushed looking down in her lap making him chuckled.
"Aap itna sharmati kyun hai?" He teased.
"Har koi aapki tarah besharm nahi hota." She retorted, her voice was low and playful.
He leaned forward, "Meri besharmi to abhi aapne dekhi hi kahan hai, Mrs. Malhotra." He whispered huskily looking straight in her eyes.
The heat rose up to her neck and her cheeks turned red instantly. She swatted his chest and stood up. He mirrored her actions and they both went back to the car.
~________________________________________~
Meanwhile Abhishek entered Advait's room to talk to Arush. Advait had clearly denied him to say anything to Arush but he didn't listen. He entered the room and Arush was curled up in the duvet, his face was swollen.
Abhishek tapped his arm lightly, "Get up, Arush." He said.
Arush didn't flinch, he was in deep slumber. Abhishek again tapped his arm this time more firmly. Arush slowly opened his eyes while rubbing them. His gaze landed on Abhishek who was looking at him with a blank face. He sat up straight, his movements were slow and lazy.
"Ho gayi neend puri?" He asked.
Arush flinched at his tone and looked around for his bhaiya.
"He is not home." Abhishek said reading his eyes.
Arush looked down sadly, his only protector was not there.
"Stand up." Abhishek commanded.
He looked up at him with pleading eyes, he knew Abhishek was mad at him and he didn't want to be punish. He meekly got down off the bed.
Abhishek sat down on the bed making him stand between his knees. He hold his both arms in his one hand.
"Neeche jo tune bola wo kya tha?" Abhishek asked sternly, his gaze was unyielding.
Arush tried to get out of his grip but he held him firmly, "Answer me."
"Leave me." Arush meekly said, wiggling in his hold.
"I asked you something, Arush." He repeated.
"Galti ho gayi." He replied really scared of him.
"Wo to huyi hai." His tone was cold.
"Bua ne jo bhi bakwas tere dimag me bhari hai na wo sab dimag se nikal de... sage sautele ka matlab bhi pata hai tujhe?" He said in a scolding tone.
Arush's eyes started getting teary, "Rona band, Aram se baat kar raha hoon na mai." Abhishek said.
"Chordo mujhe, bhaiya ke paas jana hai." Arush said, a lone tear fell down on his cheek.
"Kyun jana hai unke paas? Wo to pyar nahi karte tujhse sage bhai nahi hai na. Phir kyun jana hai?" Abhishek said coldly.
Arush sobbed, "Mai sorry bol dunga." He said, his chin wobbling.
"Usse kya hoga? Sorry bolne se sab theek ho jata hai? Jo bhaiya ko hurt hua wo theek ho jayega?" He asked, his tone was stern.
Arush looked at him with teary eyes, "Unko bura laga meri wajah se?" He asked innocently.
Abhishek melted at his innocence, he loosened his grip on his hand, "Unhe bohot bura laga, kisi ko bhi lagega agar tujhse koi aise bolega to tujhe kaisa lagega?"
Arush looked down with guilt.
"Bhaiya tujhse bohot jyada pyar karte hain teri saari demands puri karte hain, tere liye sab kuch karte hain, kya tujhe sach me aisa lagta hai ki wo tujhse pyar nahi karte?" He asked, searching in his eyes.
Arush vigorously shook his head, "Mujhe pata hai wo mujhse bohot saara pyar karte hai." He replied.
"Par bua ne bola ki wo sage bhai nahi hai." He said.
Abhishek closed his eyes gulping down his anger, "Kyunki wo nahi hai." He answered, his tone was flat.
Arush snapped up his gaze at him with widened eyes.
"Wo humare sage bhai nahi hai?" He asked, his voice was low.
Abhishek cupped his cheeks inhaling deeply, "Listen to me, Aru." He said making Arush nodded, "Tu in sab baaton ke liye abhi bohot chota hai magar aaj mai tujhe ye baat nahi bataunga to kal tu phir se ye sab bol kar bhaiya ko hurt karega islie tera janna jaruri hai." He said.
Arush was listening to him intently.
"Humare dad ne 2 marriage ki thi unki first wife matlab bhaiya ki mom wo God ke paas chali gayi thi islie dad ne second marriage ki humari mom se but thode time baad humari mom ko bhi God ne apne paas bula liya, uske baad bhaiya ne hume paala hai hume mom and dad dono ka pyar kiya.
.. bhale hi wo humare real brother nahi hai but wo hume apne sage bhaiyon se bhi jyada maante hain.
Hume apne bacchon ki tarah rakha hai unhone humesha, you know Aru jab mom ki death huyi thi to bhaiya was just a teenager lekin humare liye unhone itni choti age se hi humari responsibility li taaki hume kabhi koi kami na ho.
He wanted to become a doctor par humare liye unhone apna dream sacrifice kar diya.
He did everything to make us happy. Agar wo humein daant te bhi haina that's because he cares for us.
He loves us more than anything in this world.
" Abhishek explained to him, his voice was shaking with the pain his brother has endured for them.
Abhishek didn't tell him the whole truth, his little brother was too innocent and sensitive to know the twisted reality.
"Never doubt his love for us." He said staring in the little one's eyes.
Arush looked at him with guilty face, "I'm sorry bhai, maine bhaiya ko bohot hurt kiya. Wo ab mujhse baat bhi nahi karenge." He said, his lower lip trembling.
"Karenge Aru, wo apne Aru se baat kiye bina reh hi nahi sakte." Abhishek said to lighten his mood.
"Mai bhi unke bina nahi reh sakta wo mere bhaiya hai." Arush replied in possessive tone.
Abhishek smiled, "Mujhse ek promise karega?" He asked.
Arush nodded.
"Jo baat tune aaj boli hai wo aaj ke baad kabhi nahi bolega." He said.
"Nahi bolunga bhai, promise." Arush replied linking his little finger with Abhishek's one.
Abhishek pulled him in a hug and pressed a kiss on his head.
"Bhai?" He said, his voice was muffled as his face was pressed in Abhishek's chest.
"Hmm?" Abhishek hummed.
"Humare dad kahan hain?" He asked.
Abhishek's hand stopped moving which was caressing Arush's hair but he quickly composed himself.
"He's no more." He replied without any remorse.
Arush didn't say anything afterwards and just hugged Abhishek more tightly.
~________________________________________~
Advait returned home, it was past dinner time. He knew the kids would not have eaten without him so he told kaka to served the dinner and headed to Abhishek's room where Abhishek and Aditya were present.
"Come downstairs for dinner." He ordered and left.
They both headed downstairs. Advait made his way to his own room to get the Arush but find him already in the hallway.
"Get downstairs, Aru. It's dinner time." He said and Arush just nodded.
Arush was feeling guilty, he thought of apologizing to Advait after dinner and Advait thought that Arush was upset with him that was why he was behaving like this. He also thought to confront him after the dinner.
Downstairs, Advait sat down on the chair, Abhishek and Aditya were already seated there. Abhishek's face was more calm than before but Aditya was still not looking at anyone, his gaze was fixed on his plate. Advait made a mental note to talk to him personally after dinner.
Arush quietly entered the dining room and sat down on the adjacent chair to Abhishek, he thought Advait was mad at him and would not feed him from his hands.
"Aru, baccha wahan kyun baithe ho idhar aao bhaiya khila denge." Advait said softly.
Arush's eyes twinkled with hope, "Aap khila doge?" He asked innocently.
Advait felt a blow to his heart, "Aise kyun bol rahe ho roz main hi to aapko khilata hoon to aaj kyun nahi khilaunga." He asked, his voice was careful.
Arush got up from his chair and went to his side standing in front of him, "Aap mujhse gussa ho na to mujhe laga aap nahi khilaoge." He replied in a small voice looking down at his feet.
Advait picked him up adjusting him on his lap, "Mai apne aalu se kaise gussa ho sakta hoon. Aap to bhaiya ki nanhi si jaan ho." He said pinching his puffy cheeks making him giggled.
Abhishek smiled at them but Aditya didn't even look up.
Advait noticed all of that, he made a bite and fed Arush.
He again made a morsel but this time forwarded it in front of Aditya, he looked up at him and then at the morsel in his hand.
He opened his mouth and took the bite making Advait smiled.
He then fed Abhishek who happily opened his mouth already waiting for his turn.
They have their dinner in silence, Advait was feeding them in turn.
Their hearts were still heavy with the unspoken pain but the little moment of shared happiness make them feel better.
~________________________________________~