Chapter 60
Aditya gulped down recognising the voice, he meekly turned around with a nervous grin. Advait was standing there, his hands were in his pockets and face was unreadable. Kaka was standing behind him narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Go-Good morning bhaiya." He said, his voice was barely above a whisper.
"Itni hasi kyun aa rahi thi?" Advait asked in a flat tone.
Aditya awkwardly shifted in his place, "Um wo... bh-bhaiya mai... mai wo laughter exercise kar raha tha." He blurred out.
Advait passed him an incredulous look.
"Yes it's very good for health. You should also try it." Aditya added and smiled in the last hoping for Advait to buy his lie.
Advait looked at him for a good one minute before shaking his head, "Leave it." He said and Aditya sighed in relief but the relief was short lived.
"Maine kaka ko kab bulaya?" He asked.
Aditya furrowed his brow dramatically, "Nahi bulaya?" He asked feigning confusion earning a glare from Advait.
"Wo mujhe a-aaj sapna aaya tha ki aap kaka ko bula rahe hain to mujhe laga kaka ko bata deta hoon." He replied with a sheepish smile.
This time kaka glared at him and he mouthed 'sorry' to him.
Advait looked at him suspiciously, he got the idea that the little troublemaker did some mischief early in the morning.
"Go." Advait muttered after glancing at him from up to down.
Aditya hurriedly ran to his room thanking all the gods in the heaven to save him from the hitler.
Advait turned around to look at Kaka, "Sorry kaka aapko pareshani huyi." He said politely.
"Koi baat nahi, baccha hai." Kaka chuckled at Aditya's antics.
Advait headed downstairs where Kalyani was sitting with a scoffed face and Amrinder was sitting quietly as if afraid of her outburst.
"Good morning dadu."
"Good morning dadi."
He wished both of them, Amrinder smiled at him but Kalyani looked up at him sharply, "Good morning rehne kahan di meri tumhare bacchon ne." She said.
"Kalyani." Amrinder hushed her but she pointed a glare to his side making him shut up.
Advait furrowed his brows, "Kya hua dadi aisa kyun keh rahi hain aap?" He asked.
She stood up gritting her teeth, "Tumhara wo Adi usne meri chai me namak mila diya." She said, "Aaj to maine usse kuch galat kaha bhi nahi lekin wo badtameez baccha apni harkaton se baaj nahi aata." She added.
Advait looked at her with an unreadable look. Kaka stepped forward to save Aditya, "Maaf kijiyega, Adi ki galti nahi hai maine hi galti se chai me cheeni ki jagah namak mila diya mujhe dhyan nahi raha. Wo to bas aapko mere kehne par chai dene ke liye aaya tha." Kaka said bowing his head.
Kalyani's eyes hardened, "Ab tum bhi usey bachane ke liye jhooth bologe, inki chai to bilkul theek thi to phir meri chai me namak kahan se aaya... kyunki wo janbuz ke milaya wo bhi uss bacche ne." She replied referring to Amrinder.
Advait pressed his fingers on his forehead. The drama began before the day even began.
He turned at Kaka gesturing him to left from there as he didn't want Kalyani to lashed out on him.
Kaka left from there, his face was showing his concern for the kid.
Advait shifted his attention to Kalyani, "Aap shaant ho jaiye mai Adi se baat karunga." He said to reassure her.
"Kya baat karoge tum usko abhi yahan bulao ek thappad lagaungi dimag theek ho jayega uska." She said angrily.
Advait balled his hands at his side, "Aaj keh diya agar aaj ke baad mere bacchon par hath uthane ka socha bhi to mujhse bura koi nahi hoga." He warned firmly, his voice was dripping with protectiveness for his brothers.
"Waah ek to galti bhi wahi kare upar se sunne ko bhi mujhe mile." She mocked.
"Usne galti ki hai to usse mai deal karunga. Aapko koi haq nahi hai ki aap mere bacche par hath uthayein." He replied, his eyes burning with anger.
She scoffed.
"Kaka, Adi ko bula kar layein." He ordered to Kaka who was making breakfast in the kitchen.
He went out of the kitchen listening Advait's order and headed to Aditya's room to call him. He returned after a few minutes, Advait looked at the stairs and stood up when his gaze landed on Aditya who was meekly stepping down the stairs hiding behind Kaka.
Kaka left from there and now only Aditya was standing a few feet away nervously looking at Advait.
"Here." Advait pointed at the spot in front of him and Aditya stood there with slow steps.
Kalyani was daggering holes in his body through her sharp glare while Amrinder's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Dadi ki chai me salt tumne milaya?" Advait asked directly.
Aditya's stomach dropped, his eyes finding the floor instantly. He wanted to stay silent but aware that the silence only escalated Advait's anger.
He slowly nodded making Advait sucked a sharp breath.
"Kyun?" He asked, his tone sharp.
Aditya remained silent, his hands were trembling slightly behind his back.
"Kuch pucha maine, Aditya." He sternly said.
"Tumne dadi ki chai me salt kyun milaya?" He repeated.
"Kyunki ghar me zeher nahi tha." He said under his breath.
Advait listened to him clearly but pretended the otherwise so that Kalyani could not get the chance to say ill about him again.
"Sorry bhaiya." Aditya whispered looking down.
Advait closed his eyes to calm down his anger, "Apologize to dadi." He ordered.
Aditya snapped up his head to look at him, "Bhaiya par..." He tried to excuse but Advait cut him off firmly.
"Apologize to dadi, Aditya. Now." He commanded with the tone that Aditya could not dare to disobey.
Aditya gritted his teeth but forced out a "Sorry." from his mouth.
"Sorry kehna bhi sikhana padega ab. Apologize properly." Advait scolded, his tone was clipped.
Aditya glared at the floor and closed his eyes for a moment. He turned to Kalyani, his eyes were looking straight in hers. His hands slowly gripped his ears, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have added salt in your tea." He said dryly.
She scoffed and left from there without replying to his apology. Amrinder lightly patted Aditya's cheek, "It's okay, beta." He said and left from there.
Now Aditya and Advait were the only two left in the living room. Aditya could feel Advait's burning gaze on himself. He meekly turned around and swiftly a hand gripped his ear twisted it not so gently.
"Oww bhaiya." Aditya yelped wriggling in his hold.
"Kyunki ghar me zeher nahi tha ha?" Advait mimicked him twisting his ear harshly.
Aditya's eyes widened like a goldfish realizing Advait had heard him.
"Bhaiya sorry chhordijiye please." He pleaded.
"Bilkul chup."
"Kitni baar bola hai ki mat kiya kar ye sab magar nahi meri baatein samajh me hi ni aati hai." He gave a last hard twist to his ear before leaving it.
Aditya looked down rubbing his sore ear which had turned cherry red due to the harsh grip of Advait.
"Sorry." He whispered.
"Pehle galti karo aur phir sorry bol do haina." Advait scolded.
"To galti karne ke baad hi to sorry bola jata hai bhaiya." He replied.
Advait showed him his hand, "Ye dikh raha hai?" He threatened.
Aditya shrank in his place mumbling a quick apology.
"Jaa yahan se tujhse kuch bhi bol kar fayda nahi hai tujhe wapas yahi sab karna hai. I don't want to waste my energy on you." Advait said dismissively.
Aditya held his ears looking up at him and jutting out his lower lip, "Sorry." He mumbled.
Advait went from there before he could melt down looking at his puppy face.
Aditya ran behind him, "Bhaiya bhaiya sorry ab se nahi karunga." He pleaded.
Advait didn't stop and kept walking in the hallway, "Bhaiya sorry please na aise mat kariye.
" He ranted while walking behind him, his voice was pleading.
He could bear any punishment but not his brother's silent treatment.
Advait was aware about this that was why he was intentionally ignoring him to teach him a lesson.
"Bhaiya please baat kariye na."
"No."
"Aur koi punishment de dijiye."
"It doesn't affect you."
"To video games le lijiye."
"Already mere hi paas hai."
"Bhaiya sorry naa." He whined.
Advait turned and shot him a sharp look, "Stop following me like a lost puppy." He said.
"Talk to me." Aditya mumbled.
"I won't... not until you learn your lesson." He replied.
"I already learned my lesson bhaiya... I won't repeat it. Pakka wala promise." He said pinching his throat, his eyes were started glistening.
"Move aside." Advait said ignoring him.
"Bha.." He said but Advait cut him off, "I said move aside, Aditya." His tone was dangerously calm.
Aditya hung his head defeating, stepping aside. Advait passed by his side without glancing at him.
~________________________________________~
It was 8 in the morning, the breakfast table was set.
Fresh baked puffs, buttery parathas, juice and coffee were set on the table.
The brothers were sitting on their places, Aditya was sulking in his chair but Advait ignored him.
Abhishek's face scrunched up looking at the heavy parathas in the early morning.
"Breakfast me parathe kon khata hai?" He commented, glaring at the parathas as if they had personally offended him.
"Tu khayega." Advait replied not looking up from his plate.
Arush giggled in his lap.
"Mai nahi khaunga." Abhishek leaned back crossing his arms over his chest, "Aapko pata hai na mai parathe nahi khata phir bhi mere liye kuch aur nahi banwaya." He complained.
Advait sighed in exasperation, "Dhyan se nikal gaya mere, ab aaj kha le ek din kha lega to kuch ho nahi jayega." He replied.
"Mujhe nahi khana." He mumbled.
Arush taking the advantage of the situation slipped off from Advait's lap and ran to kitchen.
"Kahan jaa raha hai?" Advait called behind him.
"Aa raha hoon." Arush replied running in the kitchen.
Advait turned his attention to Abhishek, his plate was untouched placed in front of him and he was murdering the parathas with his deadly glare.
"Abhi aaj kha le mera baccha, next time se dhyan rakhunga." Advait said, his voice was tired.
Abhishek didn't reply, continuing glaring at the innocent paratha.
"You said you don't like parathas?" Aditya asked.
Abhishek nodded.
"Then why are you eating them with your eyes." He said sarcastically.
Abhishek shifted his glare from parathas to Aditya. Advait was about to interrupt them when the breaking of a glass sound echoed in the dining room.
He stood up without waiting for a second and ran to the kitchen.
His eyes widened looking at the scene in front of him.
Abhishek and Aditya mirrored his reactions.
The pieces of the broken glass jar of jam shattered on the floor, the jam was painting the floor red and sticky.
But what caught his attention was the Arush, who was crying standing in the middle of the mess.
The toe of his left leg was bleeding profusely, his cheeks were strained with tears and his face was twisted in pain.
"Bhaiya." He cried making grabby hands towards Advait who was still comprehending the situation.
Arush was about to step forward to come to Advait but he abruptly halted his steps when Advait spoke up, "No. Don't move." He said stepping forward and carefully picked him up in his arms.
Abhishek and Aditya looked worried at the sight of his bleeding toe.
Advait sat him down on the couch and knelt down in front of him to check the injury. Arush's crying didn't stop, he was screaming due to pain. His shoulders were shaking and the chest was heaving up and down.
"Abhi, First-aid le kar aa jaldi." He ordered not looking up from his bleeding toe, his voice was urgent.
Abhishek nodded and ran to fetch the first-aid. He came back with the box and handed it to Advait.
Advait removed the handkerchief from his toe which he pressed to stop the bleeding.
He bandaged his injury after cleaning the blood and applying cream.
Abhishek hugged Arush from the side to console him, Aditya rubbed his back as he was choking on his tears.
Advait didn't say anything throughout doing the first-aid.
When he was done treating his injury, he looked up at him dangerously, "Rona band." He said, his tone was sharp and cold.
Arush hiccupped crying more listening to his tone. Abhishek and Aditya exchanged nervous glances.
"Maine kaha rona band. Chup bilkul." He shouted making him flinched. Arush quickly stopped crying, his eyes were holding back sobs.
"Kya karne gaye the kitchen me?" He asked angrily.
"Mana kiya hai na kitchen me jane se ek bar me samajh me nahi aata hai har baar apne mann ki karni hoti hai, ab laga li chot mil gayi khushi." He rebuked harshly.
Arush's chin was wobbling, his small frame was trembling under Advait's burning gaze. He was holding the dam of tears in his eyes but a lone tear slipped down to his cheek despite of his effort.
Advait's eyes turned infuriating seeing his tear, he tightly gripped his ear and twisted it, "Ek aansu na aa jaye Arush warna itna maarunga poora din rote rahoge." He said twisting his ear making Arush whimpered in pain.
Abhishek spoke up, "Bhaiya chhordijiye usey already chot lagi huyi hai." He said softly in concern.
"Accha? Mujhe nahi dikh raha usey chot lagi huyi hai?" Advait snapped at him.
Aditya stayed silent, he already had enough in his plate.
"Mann to kar raha hai apna sir jaa kar deewar me maar loon, pareshan kar ke rakh diya hai. Ek baar me kisi ko baatein samajh me nahi aati hai, ek se badh kar ek nalayak hain teeno." He poured out his anger.
Abhishek and Arush pouted when Aditya elbowed Abhishek, "Aapko nalayak bola." He whispered.
Abhishek glared and whispered back hissing, "Tujhe bola."
"Aapko bola chahe to puch lo." His voice rise slightly.
"Tujhe bola tu nalayak lagta bhi hai." Abhishek replied.
They both continued their banter oblivious to Advait who was drilling holes in their bodies.
"Aapko bola."
"Tujhe bola."
"Aapko."
"Tujhe."
"Shut up both of you." Advait yelled making both of them jumped on their places.
"Abhi bhi sharam nahi aa rahi hai, maine tum teeno ko nalayak bola." He said glaring at both of them.
"Mujhe bhi?" Aditya mumbled with a pout under his breath but Advait heard him.
"Tu to sabse bada nalayak hai." Advait said letting out a snort from Abhishek.
Advait sat down on the couch burying his head between hands. Abhishek and Aditya shut their mouths and felt genuinely guilty for troubling him this much.
Arush gently hopped down off the couch and limped towards Advait.
His little hands grabbed Advait's wrists and put them down.
Before Advait could protested, he hugged him tightly.
His small body was gluing to Advait like a koala.
Advait melted in his embrace hugging him back to his chest, he showered soft pecks on his head.
"You scared me." Advait whispered.
"Solly." Arush's voice came out muffled.
Advait tightened his grip around him, his gaze shifted to Abhishek and Aditya who were sitting with guilty faces looking at him expectantly.
Advait opened his one arm for them and they quickly threw themselves in his arms without waiting for a moment.
He hugged them till the storm brewing inside his heart calm down.
He also need them as much as they need him.
~________________________________________~