Chapter 71
The mansion was silent. It was past 1 in the night, the kids were sleeping. Advait and Reyansh were on the terrace and Tia was in the guest room with Sia who was sleeping curling up inside the blanket. Tia was sitting on the bed caressing her little sister's hair in a comforting manner.
Shreya was walking in the hallway. She passed through Abhishek's room when she noticed the light of his room was still on.
She slightly opened the door with a frown and her eyes landed on the figure who was sitting on a study table with a hunched back.
His eyes were drooping and face was showing his tiredness but his focus remained on the book lying opened in front of him.
He was so lost in hisbooks that he didn't notice Shreya approaching him.
"Abhi." She gently called out.
Abhishek snapped up his head and his tired eyes met with Shreya's.
"Tum soye nahi abhi tak?" She asked.
"Padhai kar raha hoon, bhabhi." His voice was hoarse.
Shreya glanced over at the wall clock and then at him, "Bohot raat ho gayi hai beta ab kal padhna chalo so jao." She said.
"Thodi der baad so jaunga." He replied.
Shreya shook her head, "Nahi, thodi der baad nahi abhi utho aur so jao bohot raat ho gayi hai baccha...aankhon me neend bhari huyi hai." She said closing his books.
He whined, "Please naa bhabhi, thodi der me so jaunga promise. Parso exam hai aur poora syllabus revision karna baaki hai."
Shreya noticed his tensed features, heavy shoulders and sighed. She placed her hands on his shoulders making him look up at her.
"Itni tension mat lo baccha sab ho jayega.Exams dene hain koi jung nahi ladni jo khud ko itna pareshan kar rahe ho." She said with humour.
He looked down at the table, "Jung se kam bhi nahi hai, bhabhi. Mujhe bohot tension ho rahi hai aur... dar bhi lag raha hai." He confessed. His voice was weak just above a whisper.
Shreya cupped his cheeks, "Dar kyun lag raha hai huh?" She asked gently.
"I don't want to disappoint bhaiya." He mumbled.
Her face softened, "Tumhare exams ka tumhare bhaiya ke disappoint hone se kya rishta hai batayenge jara?" She squinted her eyes.
"Agar mai unki expectations jitni percentage nahi laa paya and even worst agar... agar mai fail ho gaya to?" He said in fear, "He'll be so disappointed in me." His eyes were wide in the anticipation.
She sighed heavily, "He can never be disappointed in you." She said firmly, "You get that?" She asked.
He looked away, "You're not understanding." He muttered.
She sat down beside him pulling a chair, "Look at me." She said and he turned his face towards her.
"Now tell me, Advait ne tumse kaha ki tumne acche marks score nahi kiye to wo tumse disappoint ho jayenge?" She asked genuinely.
He vigorously shook his head, "He would never told me something like that." He said, "In fact he never even scolds me for scoring average marks. Wo bas kehte hain ki give your best, I don't care about scores." He recited.
"To phir kyun itna dar rahe ho?" She asked.
"I have always been an average student. Adi.
.. he is a topper. He always scores better than me but bhaiya.
.. he never compare us. Mujhe bhi 70 percent score karne par wahi gift milta hai jo usey 90 percent score karne par milta hai but I.
.. I hate that. I feel like ki bhaiya mujhse better expect hi nahi karte hain.
Adi mujhse chota hai phir bhi mujhse acche percentage laata hai bhaiya ko disappointment to hoti hogi wo bas kehte nahi hain.
I just want to prove to him that I can also score a good percentage. "
He let out his feelings and Shreya listened to his every word with concentration. She understood the young boy's insecurity and feelings.
She lightly flicked his head as soon as he completed speaking, "You're an idiot." She said narrowing her eyes making him pout.
"Kitna dimag chalta haina tumhara overthink karne me.
Abhi, jo ye sab tum keh rahe ho ye sab sirf tumhari overthinking hai beta.
Advait ne tumhe kabhi compare nahi kiya islie nahi taaki tumhe bura na lage balki islie kyunki sab log different hote hain sabki apni qualities hoti hain.
" She said, "Accha tell me, Adi studies me topper hai but kya usey tumhari tarah itni sundar realistic paintings karna aata hai? " She asked.
He shook his head slowly.
"Exactly! But tum to bohot acchi painting karte ho to iska matlab ye hai kya ki tumhare bhaiya Adi se disappoint ho jayenge kyunki usey tumhari tarah acchi paintings banana nahi aata?" She asked.
"Jaise wo apne field me topper hai waise hi tum apne field me topper ho.
Har koi different hota hai jo cheez kisi dusre ko aati ho jaruri nahi ki wo hume bhi aaye.
Sabke paas apne apne different talents hote hain jinme wo best hote hain.
" She made him understand and her words slowly started to sink in his mind.
"Rahi baat average hone ki to average hona koi galat baat nahi hai, Abhi. You're average at something it means you're capable of doing it and it's more than enough." She cupped his face.
"Acche percentage lao but apne bhaiya ko ye prove karne ke liye nahi ki tum Adi se better ho balki khud ko prove karne ke liye ki tum kuch bhi kar sakte ho."
He nodded his head and lunged himself into her arms catching her off guard.
"Thankyou, bhabhi." He whispered.
"You're right. It is okay to be average. I'll study hard and score a good percentage not to prove bhaiya but to myself." He said with determination.
She ruffled his hair in endearment.
"You're the best." His eyes twinkled with admiration.
She chuckled softly, "Now sleep, it's too late. You need to rest." She said getting up from her place.
He also stood up and laid down on the bed. She covered him properly with the duvet and caressed his hair mumbling a soft, "Good night."
~________________________________________~
Advait and Reyansh gulped down their third glass and slammed the glass down on the table. They both were feeling dizzy, their minds were foggy but were still in senses.
"Uske against koi proof hi nahi mil raha yaar usne apne saare illegal businesses Vikram ke naam kiye huye hain aur wo already jail me hain." Advait stated frustratingly.
"Fake case me bhi usey jyada din andar nahi rakh sakte aur uska bahar rehna bacchon ke liye safe nahi hai." He rubbed his hands over his face, "Wo aadmi kisi bhi hadd tak gir sakta hai. Samajh nahi aa raha kya karun."
Reyansh's lips twitched up slightly, "Proof nahi hai to proof bana de." He said casually.
This caught Advait's attention, he immediately looked up at him with a knowing look and a smirk crossed across his face.
"Nashe me bhi kya dimag chalta hai tera." Advait commented.
Reyansh laughed off pouring himself one more glass. He gulped it down grimacing a little.
"Bas kar bohot pi li hai tune." Advait said.
"Mere dost ki shaadi huyi hai wo bhi uske pyar se... aaj nahi piyunga to phir kab piyunga." Reyansh chirped and poured a glass for Advait sliding it in front of him.
Advait chugged down the liquid, "Nashediyon ko peene ke bahane chahiye hote hain bas." Advait muttered stirring the glass in his hand.
Reyansh clutched his chest pretending to be hurt, "I'm hurt." He said dramatically with a pout earning a eye roll from Advait.
"Kya baccha mila hai Tia ko paalne ke liye." He teased.
Reyansh drank the whole bottle and Advait raised his brow amusingly.
"Tia." Reyansh chuckled, "She is love." His eyes were fixed on the sky ahead of him.
Advait smiled shaking off his head, "Tujhe chadh gayi hai."
Reyansh looked down at him, "Mujhe tumhare pyar ka nasha chadha hai, Tia." He said sluggishly, his mind was foggy.
Advait widened his eyes realising Reyansh's unusual gaze on him.
"Oye tu hosh me nahi hai chal neeche chalte hain so jate hain." Advait said awkwardly.
Reyansh leaned forward, "Tum bhi mere saath sougi?" He asked innocently looking at Advait.
Advait quickly covered himself with his coat, "Pa-Pagal ho gaya hai kya." He yelled.
He stepped ahead, "Pagal to ho hi gaya hoon, tumhare pyar me pagal." He whispered. His eyes were filled with innocence and drowsiness.
Advait leaned back on his couch as Reyansh hovered over him.
Advait's eyes were wide filled with fear while Reyansh was looking lovingly in his orbs.
Their faces were just slightly inch apart.
Advait's hands were cold and shaking with anticipation.
The air was thick with tension, the cool wind brushing past over their faces getting goosebumps on their skins.
Reyansh leaned down, his lips were just an inch away from Advait's and Advait shut his eyes closed accepting his fate.
Reyansh lose his balance when a loud scream reached to his ear.
He moved back and Advait clutched his chest tightly catching his breath.
They looked at the source of the sound and their eyes landed on Shreya and Tia who were looking at both of them with mixed expressions.
.. shock, disbelief, anger and jealousy.
"What the hell was going on?" Tia shouted in disbelief.
Advait fixed his composure awkwardly standing up on his place.
Reyansh tried to stand up but stumbled, Advait caught him at the right moment.
Reyansh blinked his eyes as if he had found his love at first sight.
Advait noticed his gaze and pulled back his hands immediately causing Reyansh fall down on the ground.
"Ye-Ye humare aane se pehle kya chal raha tha yahan?" Shreya asked looking between both of them awkwardly.
"Mujhe to pehle se hi shak tha in dono par." Tia stated.
"Whatt?" Advait screamed on top of his lungs.
"M-Maine kuch nahi kiya hai wo to bas isne thodi jyada pi li islie isey mujhme tu dikhne lag gayi." He blurred out looking away in embarrassment.
Shreya squinted her eyes at Reyansh who was sitting cross legged on the floor with a sulking pout.
"Wah kya bahana hai usey tujhme mai dikhne lagi wah... Meri beard hai?" She said incredulously.
Advait narrowed his eyes looking closely at her face, "Thodi thodi hai." He said seriously.
"Advait." She bursted out.
Advait closed his ears tightly in exaggeration.
He looked at Shreya who was glaring at Reyansh with a murderous look, "Shreya, he is drunk. Hosh me nahi hai wo usey nahi pata wo kya kar raha tha." He said gently.
"Kuch jyada support nahi ho raha hai?" Shreya fixed her glare at him.
He looked down with a pout mirroring Reyansh's expression.
Tia walked to Reyansh's side and tried to pull him to make him stand. But he remained seated and looked up at her, his eyes narrowed in suspicion as soon as they landed on Tia, "Yahan bhi Tia." He said looking at Tia, "Wahan bhi Tia." He pointed at Advait in a drunk tone.
"2-2 Tia." He said with a wide grin showing his two fingers.
Tia glared him down, "Stand up." She ordered sharply disappearing the smile from his face but he remained seated.
"Utho, Ansh." She repeated.
Reyansh pouted, "Ye wali Tia gandi hai." He mumbled and hugged Advait's leg, "Ye wali Tia acchi hai." He said happily like a child who got his favorite candy.
Advait jumped on his place, "Pervert." He backed off screaming.
Shreya stood in front of Advait protecting him like a shield.
"Inki taango tak to mai bhi abhi tak nahi pohchi choriye inhe." She said with a possessive tone.
Advait looked away, his face turning red at his wife's unfiltered words.
Tia turned towards Shreya with a serious expression, "Tum logo ne abhi tak sex nahi kiya?" She asked curiously as if she was asking about the weather.
Shreya looked down with a shy smile and shook her head.
"Humari to first kiss bhi kal hi huyi thi." She said burying her face in her hands to hide her blush.
Tia nodded seriously. Advait looked at both of the girls in bewilderment and thought of banging his head on the wall.
"Why the hell you both are discussing my private matters?" He said in exasperation.
Tia rolled her eyes, "Maine Shreya se pucha and unfortunately tere aur uske dono ke private matters same hai." She said in an attitude rolling her eyes.
He vigorously shook his head to waved off the frustration. Tia again turned towards Reyansh and made him stand up. Tia was taking him downstairs when Reyansh stumbled a little, Advait was about to caught him when Shreya stepped forward protectively.
"Aap door rahiye, mai help kar dungi." She huffed at Advait.
~________________________________________~
Advait was sitting on the bed and Shreya was standing on the floor. She was just a few inches taller than him even when he was sitting. The room was filled with thickening silence, Advait passed her a sheepish smile but she didn't respond in return.
"Kyun naraaz ho rahi ho wo hosh me nahi tha islie..." He tried to say but she cut him off firmly.
"Aap smoke karte hain?" She asked catching him off guard.
He exhaled sharply before responding, "No." He replied.
"Jhooth, maine terrace par cigarette dekhi." She informed.
He shrugged, "How can you be so sure? Rey ki bhi ho sakti hai." He said casually.
She said sternly, "I can smell it from you."
Advait buried his face in her stomach wrapping his arms around her waist, "I don't smoke. Just kabhi kabhi stress hota hai to mind divert karne ke liye." He trailed off.
"Are you stressed?" She asked gently waving her fingers through his hair.
"Not anymore." He breathed near his waist arising goosebumps on her body.
Shreya rubbed the back of his neck softly, "Promise me you will never smoke again from now on." She said, her voice was little.
"But I have a condition." He peppered sloppy kisses on her bare skin. She bit her lip to stop herself from moaning.
"Hmm?" She barely managed to hummed.
"I will need you instead of cigarettes to relieve my stress." His warm breath made her shivered. The back of his hair was tightly gripped in her claw.
"Har cheez me apna fayda doondh hi lete hain aap." She breathed, her chest was heaving up and down.
"Kya karoon businessman hoon na." He bit on her skin earning a loud gasp from her.
"Ahhdvait... " She moaned.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart." He licked on the same spot to soothe down the pain and she pressed her thighs together.
He pulled her onto the bed beside him and looked at her flushed face, "I love you." He kissed the corner of her mouth making her blushed more.
He stood up, walked to the cupboard and took out something from it, again settling down beside his wife.
He forwarded a box in front of her. She looked cluelessly at the box and held it in her hand.
She opened it and her eyes widened in admiration looking at the beautiful pair of heavy anklets in the box.
The anklets were golden color, they were looking old but familial.
The white pearls were beaded perfectly in the golden chains and a red gem was fitted in the centre of the white pearls enhancing the beauty of the accessory.
"These are my mother's." Advait's voice reached to her ears when she was busy admiring the beautiful jewellery.
She snapped her head at him, "It's beautiful." She hovered her fingers over the anklets.
"I wanted these to give you on our wedding night but..." He said but stopped.
"But?" She asked looking into his eyes.
"Mujhe laga shayad aapko ye pasand aayengi bhi ya nahi... these are so old fashioned." He said like a child looking at the anklets, "These are so close to my heart." His voice was filled with longing as if finding the solace in his mother's last souvenir.
Shreya blinked away rapidly her tears not to burst in tears looking at his strong husband who was now staring at a jewellery like a kid longing for his mother.
She pulled him into a tight hug, not a word exchanged between them because sometimes silence speaks louder than any word. They find solace in each other's rhythmic heartbeats.
"I love you, Advait." She whispered, "These anklets... means a lot to me. These are not only just a piece of jewellery but the blessings of your mother... our mother." She completed.
Advait kissed the side of her head and pulled back, his eyes were mist slightly. He picked up the anklets in his hand, "Pehna doon?" He asked for permission.
She nodded happily with a smile. He kneeled down in front of her on his knees and gently held her feet placing on his thigh.
He made her wear the anklet, the cool metal brushed over her warm skin.
He leaned down and kissed her feet just below the anklet, his lips pressed firmly on her skin making her breath hitched.
He did the same with the other feet and kissed it before gently placing it down on the carpeted floor.
"Beautiful." He murmured at the sight of his wife wearing his mother's jewellery.
~________________________________________~