Chapter 58
Advait slightly pushed back his chair standing up from it. He glanced at Aditya who was chewing on the food while keeping his gaze on the plate.
"Adi, Come to my room after you're done with your dinner." He said.
Aditya nodded without raising his head.
Abhishek looked at Advait with a questioning look but he reassured him blinking his eyes.
He went to his room and slumped down on the bed taking a sigh of relief after an exhausting day but the day didn't end there. A long conversation with his brothers was still in due.
He sat up straight when a knock came on the door, Aditya was standing at the doorway. Advait nodded at him to enter the room, he took a few steps entering the room.
I was standing a few feet away from him. My eyes were fixed on the floor. Not out of fear. Not out of guilt but out of respect. I wasn't a bit guilty for raising my hand on Arush. He deserved it, how dare he took that town with bhaiya. It was necessary to slap some manners into him.
"C'mere." Bhaiya said gesturing to me to come forward.
I took a few steps forward but to my surprise he pulled me on his lap, adjusting me to sit comfortably. He gripped my chin and made me looked up into his eyes.
"What's with that long face huh?" He asked gently.
His smoothed voice healed something in my heart and the dam that was threatening to break all the time, broked in his arms. A few tears slipped out of my eyes, I buried my face in his shoulder and my shoulders started shaking with the sobs.
"Adi, Kya hua baccha?" He asked rubbing his hand over my back.
I clung to him more tightly as if my life was depended on him. It really was.
"Kyun ro raha hai mera beta, bata mujhe kya hua?" He asked, the concern and a slight of panic was clearly noticeable in his voice.
Arush's word would have must been hurted him a lot but he didn't complain. He always suffocated his feelings inside him. I know Arush was manipulated by that bitch bua but he should know better than to say such mean things to bhaiya.
"Is it because you're feeling guilty for slapping Aru?" He asked gently, I pulled away slightly looking up at him.
"I'm not even a bit guilty for slapping him. He deserved it." I said wiping away my tears with the back of my hand.
He gave me a disapproving look before saying, "Then why are you crying?" He repeated softly cupping my face.
"Because I know you're hurt, his words hurted you." I mumbled stiffling a sob that was ready to escape any moment.
He gently pulled me in a hug rubbing my back, "Aru abhi chota hai wo chize nahi samajhta uski baaton ka kya bura lagana, mujhe bura nahi laga baccha aur ab tu bhi rona band kar de.
Uski baaton se jyada tere aansu mujhe hurt kar rahe hain.
" He said, his voice was faint and smooth.
He was still worrying about my tears and ignoring his own pain.
"Itna bhi chota nahi hai wo bhaiya na to usey baat karne ki tameez hai aur na hi kya bolna hai iski samajh bewkuf kahin ka." I said in anger.
"Aise nahi bolte Adi, he is your little brother. Chota hai wo abhi time ke sath samajh jayega." He replied.
I was feeling so irritated that he was still shielding him.
"Leave it bhaiya, mai uske baare me kuch bhi kahunga to bhi aap usko defend hi karenge." I said getting up from his lap.
He exhaled a long breath, "Aisa nahi hai Adi, tu khud soch na baccha usey sacch nahi pata hai aur upar se bua ne uske dimag me pata nahi kya baatein bhar di.
Uska aise react karna bilkul normal hai.
Jab bua ne Abhi ko manipulate kiya tha to wo bhi ho gaya tha Aru to phir bhi baccha hai.
Galti meri hai mujhe pehle hi usey sab sacch bata dena chahiye tha par mai dar gaya tha ki wo mujhe nahi samjhega aur mujhse door ho jayega magar uska ye sab janna jaruri hai warna ye baat kabhi khatam nahi hogi. " He said and I heard him quietly.
He was right but still I was too mad at Arush to forgive him this easily. I love him. He's my little monkey but I can't let anyone disrespecting my bhaiya. He's everything to me, I can't bear the sight of him in distress.
I nodded quietly not to stress him further when he was already exhausted from this all the situation.
He pressed his lips on my forehead after brushing off the remaining tears from my cheeks.
"Mera pyara baccha." He murmured hugging me to his chest and I melted in his embrace.
Knock. Knock.
The jealous fox had returned.
But this time not alone, the mama bear was also standing behind him, putting his palms on the little monkey's shoulder as if guiding him to the room.
Before I could parted away from bhaiya's embrace, Aru jumped onto his lap crashing me in between. I gently pulled away from the embrace letting him owned his place. Bhaiya securely rested his hand on his back to prevent the wiggling puppy from falling.
Bhai settled down on the chair in the room. I went to sit beside him snatching his phone from his hand and started playing games. He glared at me, I could sense the heat of his glare from the corner of my eye but I ignored it royally.
Advait hugged his little monkey to his chest, he decided to tell him the truth and made him understand but a part of his heart was still scared. His heart was pounding in his chest anticipating the Arush's reaction. But he opened his mouth despite of his fear of losing him.
"Aru, mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai." He said hesitantly.
Arush looked up at him with confused eyes and Abhishek snapped up his head at him already aware of what was he going to talk about.
"Ji bhaiya?" Arush asked in a slow voice.
Advait took a deep breath, "Aru aapko jo bua ne kaha tha wo sach..." He said but cut off by Arush.
"I love you, bhaiya." Arush snaked his arms around Advait's neck clinging to him tightly.
Advait hesitated before hugging him back. The sudden loving gesture from Arush caught him off guard. He gently pulled away from him after a moment.
"Aru, mai ye keh raha tha ki aapne jo bola..." He again about to say when Arush cut him off.
"I am sorry, bhaiya. Maine aapko hurt kiya, mai aapse bohot pyar karta hoon.
Aap mere sage bhai ho ya nahi ho par aap mujhse bohot sara pyar karte ho aur mai aapse usse bhi jyada pyar karta hoon.
Mai aise fir kabhi nahi bolunga. Promise.
" Arush said looking up at him with his doe eyes and guilty face.
Aditya glanced at Abhishek with a knowing look aware of that he must have been made Arush understand.
Advait looked at Abhishek who immediately shifted on his place sensing his elder brother's gaze.
"Aap mujhse gussa to nahi ho?" Arush asked tucking on Advait's shirt to get his attention.
Advait smiled softly slowly shaking off his head, "Nahi baby, aapse koi gussa kaise ho sakta hai?" He said playfully pinching his nose.
"Phir daant-te kyun ho?" Arush asked crossing his arms over his chest.
Abhishek and Aditya laughed at his reply. Advait shot them a look zipping their mouths shut.
"Sojao kal school jana haina." Advait said glancing at each one of them.
"Itni jaldi?" Aditya whined.
"Mat so, jao books le kar aao." Advait replied.
Aditya stood up yawning dramatically, "Haah bhaiya bohot neend aa rahi hai." He said lazily.
Advait shook his head at his antics and Abhishek whacked the back of his head muttering, "Notanki."
Advait tapped Arush's shoulder gesturing him to talk to Aditya. Arush stood up slowly and meekly went to Aditya's side.
"Sorry bhai." Arush whispered looking down.
Aditya looked at Advait who blinked his eyes, silently telling him to accept the apology. Aditya sighed and pulled him in a hug, "It's okay... aage se aise baat ki naa to mai muh tod dunga tera bhale hi uske baad bhaiya meri haddiyaan tod dein." He whispered in his ear so that only he could listen.
Arush looked up at him with a glare, Aditya pinched his cheeks with a tight lipped smile on his face.
"Abhi, cupboard me kuch rakha hai tere liye nikaal le." Advait said grabbing his attention.
"Mere liye?" He asked excitedly already making his way to the cupboard.
Aditya and Arush followed him curiously. Abhishek opened the cupboard and his eyes immediately widened in surprise. He ran to hug Advait without picking up the gift.
"Aapko kaise pata chala mujhe ye laptop chahiye tha?" He hugged him tightly making Advait smiled.
It was the same laptop Abhishek had added in his add to cart list a week ago.
Advait shrugged.
"I love you so much." Abhishek kissed his cheeks squeezing him in a hug. A soft smile played on Advait's lips.
Advait glanced at the two sulking figures standing in front of him.
"Tum dono ko kya hua?" Advait asked teasingly already knowing the reason behind their sulking faces.
"Jealous people." Abhishek rolled his eyes.
Abhishek stood up and took out the laptop box with the gentle care. He carefully opened it and hugged the laptop to his chest while grinning widely.
Aditya glared at him and then at Advait, "Mera gift kahan hai?" He asked.
"Konsa gift?" Advait asked nonchalantly.
"Bhai ko gift diya mujhe bhi chahiye." He demanded with a pout.
"Mujhe bhi." Arush joined him.
Advait rolled his eyes standing up, he went to his walk-in-closet and came back with a big box packed in a glitter wrapper. Aditya and Arush both smiled and looked at the gift hopefully.
"It is for Aru." Advait said placing the box on the floor in front of him. Arush jumped in happiness while Aditya again made a pouted face.
"Bhaiya mera gift to dijiye." Aditya whined tucking on his hand continuously.
Advait tried not to smile ignoring him. He sat down on the bed with a dramatic sigh and Aditya followed him like a lost puppy.
Arush screamed in joy making all of them flinched, "Mera guitar mera guitar mera guitar." He twirled around clutching his guitar to his chest. He was fond of music so Advait was thinking of gifting him a guitar for a long time.
Advait's face softened at the sight of the pure joy of his little brother. Arush quickly hugged his leg pecking his hand in the gesture of thanking him for the gift.
"Aaj kuch special hai kya sab ko gifts mil rahe hain?" Abhishek asked, his new laptop was carefully placed on his lap as he was sitting on the floor.
"Sabko kahan? Mujhe kahan mila?" Aditya mumbled sadly.
"Aisa kahan likha hai ki bas special days par hi gifts milne chahiye?" Advait replied.
Aditya whined stomping his feet in irritation, "Mujhe bhi gift chahiye."
"Tu grounded haina islie tere liye gift nahi laaya, jab punishment over ho jayegi tab le lena hmm." Advait replied making a serious face.
Aditya removed his hand which was holding Advait's hand a moment ago. He looked down sadly blinking away his tears and trying hard to not to cry. He sadly left the room, his shoulders slumping down.
"Adi..." Abhishek said from behind but he was already out of the room.
He turned his attention to Advait, "Aap sach me uske liye gift nahi laaye?" He asked.
Advait stood up, "Tum log betho mai usey dekh kar aata hoon." He left the room without answering.
Aditya entered his room barely controlling his tears but his sad pout turned into a wide grin after spotting a box on his study table. It was a medium sized box wrapped in a glitter sheet.
He swiftly picked up the box and unwrapped it, his eyes twinkled looking at the gift. It was the video game that was not available in India. He wanted that but Advait had denied him saying, "You spend most of your time in video games so No More Video Games. Clear?"
He was busy admiring the video game when a voice of throat cleaning reached to his ears, he stopped and turned around to see Advait was standing there crossing his arms over his chest and leaning at the doorframe.
Aditya glared at him, he placed back the box on the table and laid down on the bed on his stomach burying his face in the pillow.
Advait raised his brow at that he stepped inside and sat down beside him, "Uth notanki." He said tapping his shoulder.
"Jaiye aap yahan se mujhe baat nahi karni." Aditya said, his voice was muffled.
"Accha aur kyun nahi karni?" He asked innocently.
"Bas nahi karni aap jaiye." He replied.
Advait stood up, "Theek hai jaa raha hoon mai... video game le kar." He said to tease him.
Aditya immediately sat up straight with a sulking face, "Kyun pareshan kar rahe hain..." He whined.
"Aur jab tu mujhe pareshan karta hai tab kuch nahi." Advait said gently flicking his nose, "Maine jara sa mazak kya kar diya muh ban gaya aur tu jo din bhar mujhe sir dard deta rehta hai uska kya." Advait said picking him up in his arms.
Aditya didn't protest, he leaned down on his shoulder, "Sahi hai aapne gift de diya warna mai sach me aapka sir dard badha deta." He said mischievously.
Advait lightly whacked the side of his head, "Brat."
Aditya giggled and kissed his cheek before leaning down his head on his shoulder.
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