Chapter 72
The morning arrives like a gentle awakening, a soft blush on the horizon, painting the sky with warm orange and gold. The mornings in the Malhotra Mansion were never quiet but that day one person was unusually very quiet in the early morning.
Sia was sitting silently in the T.V. room, her lips were pressed in a thin line and eyes were focused on the screen in front of her but her mind was swirling around the thought of Abhishek and his unexpected girlfriend.
Aditya was already sitting beside her, his focus was solely on the cricket match playing on the screen.
He was not even blinking his eyes, maybe not even breathing loudly.
He made a tsk sound when the break popped up between the intense match.
He lazily leaned back on the couch that was when his eyes landed on Sia.
"Aap kab aaye?" He asked Sia who was sitting there for more than fifteen minutes.
Sia glanced at him with a bored look and again shifted her focus on the detergent advertisement playing on the screen.
"Aisa face kyun banaya hua hai?" He asked, trying to look at her face.
She sighed and mumbled, "Kuch nahi."
Aditya nodded and thought for a minute before asking, "Break up ho gaya?"
Sia snapped her head towards him glaring at his soul, "Kam bola kar."
"Kam." He muttered earning an another sharp glare from her.
"You can share with me you know. I'm very good at keeping secrets. Even Abhi bhai shares his every secret with me." He said proudly.
Abhishek's name caught her attention and her face again fell down. She looked at him after thinking for a moment whether to ask him or not.
"Uh-Tu jaanta hai Rupali kaun hai?" She asked in a low voice.
Aditya narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "How do you know her?" He asked.
"Matlab tu janta hai Rupali ko?" She asked.
"Yeah." He shrugged.
"Kaun hai wo?" She asked, trying not to sound desperate.
"Abhi bhai ki classmate hai." He replied.
She nodded, "Bas?"
He again nodded.
"Are you sure wo bas Abhi ki classmate hai uski....girlfriend nahi?" She asked cautiously.
Aditya almost choked on the air, "Girlfriend?" He asked incredulously.
He started laughing loudly. Sia looked at him with furrowed brows, "Kya hua has kyun raha hai?"
"Aap baat hi hasne wali kar rahi ho." He controlled his laughter, "Koi girlfriend nahi hai unki aap se kisne keh diya?" He asked still chuckling.
"Jiju ne." She replied lowly.
"He must be teasing Abhi bhai. It is his favorite hobby." He replied nonchalantly.
Sia's face lightened up with a smile, "You sure?" She asked.
"Damn sure." He replied with a smirk, "Unki girlfriend hoti na to sabse pehle mai hi jaa kar bhaiya ko bata deta." He laughed.
Sia smiled widely making Aditya squinted his eyes, "Aap kyun itni khush ho rahi hain?" He asked suspiciously.
She shook her head, "M-Mai kahan khush ho rahi hoon." She said controlling her grin.
Aditya raised his brow, "Kahin aap...
"Match start ho gaya." She said quickly cutting him off in between.
Aditya's gaze shifted to the screen in a swift move and he again lost in watching his favorite sport.
~________________________________________~
Reyansh groggily stretched himself, he was sitting on the bed and just woke up from the heavy sleep.
His head was slightly aching from the back because of hangover.
He checked the time and quickly headed to the bathroom to freshen up when he returned his eyes landed on Tia who was standing in front of the mirror.
He sneakingly walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Tia didn't give him the reaction, didn't even looked at him and continued looking at herself in the mirror. Reyansh frowned and pecked her cheek but she remained unfazed.
"What's wrong, baby?" He asked turning her around.
Her hardened gaze met with his and he gulped down his saliva without even knowing what had he done.
"Who's baby? Me?" She asked pointing at herself.
"Who else? You're my only baby, my love." His tone was confused because he didn't remember anything from last night.
"Oh I thought Advait is your baby." She sharply said.
"What?" He said with a confusing face.
"You don't remember anything?" She asked again in the tone as if it was his fault that he didn't remember anything.
He shook his head trying to remember something...anything.
"You kissed Advait last night." She dropped the bomb.
"Whaaaaattt?" He shouted with all his strength in bewilderment and disbelief.
"Yesssss." She matched his tone.
He made an awkward face and shook off his head, "Chi chi... tum mazak kar rahi ho haina?" He said laughing nervously.
But his smile disappeared when her expression didn't soften.
He made a crying face in embarrassment, "Maine itni jyada pi li thi kya." He mumbled to himself.
"Ji haan." She replied sternly.
He looked at her angry face and cupped her cheeks, "I am sorry, Tia. I didn't really mean to... I-I don't know how this happened but I-I am sorry baby." He apologized with a teary face.
Tia let out a laugh she was controlling till now, "Hey I am not mad at you. I was just teasing you. I know you were drunk please stop crying." She said softly with a chuckle.
He looked at her with a blank face and she started laughing loudly, "Oh Ansh, tum sach me bacche ho mai to bas mazak kar rahi thi tum itna serious ho gaye." She clutched her stomach while laughing.
"Matlab maine Advait ko kiss nahi ki...thank god." He sighed in relief looking up at the ceiling.
"Itna relax mat ho... tumne kiss nahi ki but kar dete agar mai aur Shreya time par nahi aate." She huffed.
He looked away, his ears turning red in embarrassment and awkwardness. Tia again laughed looking at his reaction.
"You're enjoying it way too much ha?" He pulled her towards himself by her waist.
Her laughter stopped and she looked innocently in Reyansh's eyes.
"Ansh, agar mai kuch puchungi to mujhe sach sach bataoge?" She asked, her teasing voice vanished and now turned into a serious tone.
Reyansh stood straight, his eyes turned serious at her voice. He nodded his head bracing himself for her question. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken questions and confusing emotions.
Tia looked down and then at him. She fidgeted with her fingers nervously looking around in the room.
"Pucho Tia kya puchna hai. Tumhari khamoshi mujhe dara rahi hai." His tone was paincking and the unspoken question was hanging between them in the air.
"Kahin mai..." She paused for dramatic effect and Reyansh was impatiently looking at her, "Kahin mai tumhare aur Advait ke beech me to nahi aa rahi?" She asked trying to maintain her serious facade but a giggle escaped off her lips in the end.
Reyansh glared at her sternly and about to catch her wrist but she ran away from the room while laughing loudly.
~________________________________________~
Everyone was settled on the dining table and were waiting for Advait and Abhishek to arrive to start the breakfast. The dining room was buzzing with energy with Aditya bantering with Reyansh over Vanya and Sia was complaining about her hostel's food with Shreya who was listening intently.
Tia was busy replying to emails on her phone.
Arush came running to Shreya with a hurricane energy, "Shreya didi mujhe upar uthao." He chirped up.
Shreya chuckled and picked him up on her lap.
"Didi nahi bhabhi bol, Aru." Sia said.
"Bhabhi." He mumbled to himself weakly.
Shreya ruffled his hair, "Tumhara jo mann ho wo bolo." She said.
Arush looked over at the table and opened the lids from the utensils peeking inside them.
"Kya kar rahe ho baccha?" Shreya asked.
"Sandwich dundh raha hoon." He replied turning towards her.
Shreya bit her lower lip, "Sandwiches to maine nahi banaye." She replied.
Arush's face fell down sadly, "Aapne mere liye sandwiches nahi banaye?" He said sadly.
"Roj hi to sandwich khata hai tu kabhi kuch aur bhi kha liya kar." Aditya piqued up.
"Mujhe nahi khana kuch aur." He replied with a pout crossing his arms over his chest.
Aditya rolled his eyes, "Mat kha." He shrugged.
"Adi shh." Shreya hushed him and looked down at Arush in her lap, "Aaj aap pancakes khalo mai kal aapke liye sandwiches bana dungi." She said gently.
Arush stubbornly shook his head, "No mai pancakes nahi khata." He replied.
"Magar aaj khayega Aru to mera cute little monkey hai." Tia said taking him over her lap.
He buried his face in Tia's chest earning a death glare from Reyansh.
"Mujhko bhook nahi hai." He replied with a sad pout.
Shreya sighed, "Theek hai aap wait karo mai abhi aapke liye sandwiches bana kar laati hoon." She said and about to stood up when Arush stopped her.
"Nahi, mujhe bhaiya ke sandwich pasand hai." He said.
"Bhaiya ke sandwich." Aditya laughed making Sia laughed with himself, "Bhaiya ke sandwich nahi bhaiya ke banaye huye sandwich bolte hain, Aru." Sia said chuckling.
"Bhaiya busy hain aaj sandwich nahi milega." Tia replied.
He hopped down off her lap sadly. Shreya quickly stood up and croched down in front of him.
"Sad mat ho, Aru. Aaj itna accha breakfast bana hai wo kha lo, sandwiches kal kha lena." She said trying to make him understand.
"No no no mujhe aaj hi sandwich khana hai." He yelled jerking off her hands.
Reyansh stood up from his chair glaring at him and Arush quickly hid behind Tia in fear.
"Gaya." Aditya muttered under his breath.
"Idhar aa." He sharply said.
Arush peeked out his one eye from behind Tia and shook his head. Shreya looked between both of them nervously.
"It's okay, leave." Tia said to Reyansh wrapping her one arm around Arush.
"Advait ne isey jyada sir chadha rakha hai bohot badtameez ho gaya hai." His voice laced with disappointment.
He grabbed his forearm and dragged him in front of himself. He pulled out a chair and sat down on it making him stand between his legs. He leaned down to match his level glaring sharply in his soul and he stared at the floor in fear.
"Upar dekh." He said calmly.
Arush's small shoulders started shaking with silent sobs.
"Meri taraf dekh." He again repeated strictly making him look up at him.
"Jitna sir par chadhaya hua hai na tujhe tere bhaiya ne sab nikaal dunga." He warned calmly yet firmly.
A lone tear escaped off his eyes, Reyansh noticed it, "Ye aansu mere saamne kaam nahi karenge." He said and a sob let out of Arush's mouth.
"Bhai, jane dijiye please." Shreya said in a barely audible voice.
"Chordo, Ansh." Tia said.
Reyansh looked at both of them, "Mujhe mera kaam karne do Advait to isey kuch bolta nahi hai, abhi chota hai islie cute lagta hai bade ho kar yahi badtameezi karega tab regret feel karoge ki pehle kyun nahi samjhaya." He said sharply shutting their mouths.
Aditya and Sia exhanged glances but didn't interfere.
He looked down at him, "Isne ye trick seekh li hai koi daante to rona start kar do bachne ke liye. Ye trick tere bhaiya par kaam karti hogi mujhpe nahi karegi." He scolded and Arush started crying loudly.
"Chup bilkul." Reyansh snapped making him shut his mouth in fear.
"Breakfast karna hai karo nahi karna hai mat karo magar sandwiches nahi banege jo bana hai wahi khana padega." He declared firmly.
Arush's lower lip was trembling and eyes were wide filled with tears.
"Ab awaaj kyun nahi nikal rahi? Abhi to bohot tej chilla raha tha." He asked in a strict tone.
Arush looked down and a few tears dropped down off his eyes to his cheeks.
"Ab karega aisa baat?" He asked narrowing his eyes at him.
Arush shook his head violently making Reyansh smile a little but he quickly masked it.
"Sorry bol." He commanded.
"Sorry." He whispered.
"Mujhe nahi." He raised his brow.
Arush turned towards Shreya and held his ears, "Sorry bhabhi." He said in just above a whispered voice.
Shreya wiped off his tears with her thumbs whispering, "It's okay."
Before she could hug him, Reyansh made him turned towards himself again.
He looked at him for a moment, "Go, sit on the stairs. Your breakfast will be served there." He ordered again making him whimpered.
But Reyansh didn't melt, he patted his shoulder silently motioning him to go. Arush slowly made his way to the stairs and settled down on the last third stair. He was holding back his sobs and his eyes were cast downwards.
There was absolute silence on the breakfast table. Reyansh started scrolling on his phone while everyone's gaze was on Arush. They were not directly looking but peeking at him from the corners of their eyes.
A soon after a few minutes, the sound of footsteps echoed and everyone turned their heads at the sound. Advait was stepping down the stairs with Abhishek followed behind.
His eyes landed on the small frame sitting on the stairs. Arush looked back at the sound and his simmering eyes twinkled with hope looking at his bhaiya.
He stood up and hugged his legs tightly, his damn broke and he started crying hysterically.
Advait quickly picked him up in his arms with a worried look. Arush clutched to him more tightly than usual and Advait's expression turned concerned.
"Baccha, kya hua?" Advait asked while stepping down the remaining stairs.
Abhishek also looked at him in concern, "Kya hua, Aru. Ro kyun raha hai?" He asked rubbing his back.
Arush buried his face in Advait's neck and cried loudly, finally finding the comfort in his bhaiya's embrace. Everyone looked at him in silence while Reyansh didn't even look up from his phone.
"Kya hua mera baccha batao to sahi." Advait rocked him back and forth.
He looked at everyone's faces and asked, "Kya hua hai ye itna ro kyun raha hai?"
"Reyansh bhai ne iski class leli islie." Aditya replied earning himself a bunch of glares.
"I-I mean zidd kar raha tha to bhai ne daant diya islie ro raha hai." He corrected.
Advait glanced over Reyansh who was busy in his phone unfazed of his surroundings. He sighed and rubbed Arush's back to calm him down. Abhishek settled down on his chair beside Sia.
"Bas mera baccha ab chup bhi ho jao." He said kissing his temple.
Arush's slowly stopped crying, "Sab log bohot gande hain." He sniffled and said in a low voice so that Reyansh couldn't hear him.
"Aise nahi bolte, Aru." Advait chided him gently.
"Reyansh bhai ne mujhe bohot daanta aur punish bhi kiya main unse ab baat nahi karunga." He whispered resting his head on his shoulder.
"Aapne galti ki hogi islie to daanta na baccha, koi aapko aapki galti ke liye daant-ta hai iska matlab wo insaan aap se bohot pyar karta hai wo chahta hain ki aap galti na karo aur ek acche insaan bano." He smoothed back his hair from his forehead.
"Itni jor se daant kar kaun pyar karta hai?" Arush asked innocently.
Advait chuckled, "Aapke Reyansh bhai."
"Chalo ab chup ho jao, breakfast karte hain hm." Advait wiped off his cheeks.
Advait settled down on the chair taking Arush on his lap. Reyansh looked up from his phone, his expression still stern. He was not angry anymore but he couldn't slide away this behavior without punishment.
"Maine tumhe kahan breakfast karne ko kaha hai, Arush?" Reyansh asked locking his gaze on Arush.
Arush sank deeper into Advait's lap holding onto his sleeve for shielding himself. Advait looked down at Arush with a raised brow.
"Enough Ansh, baccha hai yaar." Tia said waving it off.
Reyansh didn't move his eyes from Arush, "Maine kuch pucha hai, Arush." He repeated.
Arush softly hopped down off Advait's lap and walked towards Shreya, "Bhabhi, mujhe mera khana dedo." He asked looking up at her with doe eyes. His eyelids were damp and hair strands were stuck to his forehead.
Shreya glanced over Reyansh who motioned her to obliged. She reluctantly plated the breakfast for Arush and handed him. He took the plate from her and padded towards the stairs looking down all the time.
Advait sighed but didn't say anything as he knew Reyansh consider them as his own brothers and would never do something which was wrong for them.
Everyone served breakfast in their own plates and started having the breakfast. Arush was silently picking up the small bites and munching on it.
His eyes were stayed glued to the plate in his lap.
It took all Advait had in himself to not to pick up his little monkey in his lap and feed him from his own hands like every other day.
After breakfast, Tia and Sia stood up to leave.
Abhishek headed back to his room to study and Shreya went with him to help him as his first exam was of Accountancy.
Tia and Sia were already left because Tia had to present in the office as Advait was already on leave while Reyansh was still sitting in the living room thinking of pampering the little sulking monkey before leaving.
"Bhai, aap office jaa rahe ho?" Aditya asked.
"Pehle ghar jaunga then office kyun?" Reyansh replied.
"Great, to phir office jate time Vanu ko yahan drop karte huye jana." He said happily.
"Tere paas meri bhen ke aage piche ghumne ke alawa aur koi kaam nahi hai kya?" Reyansh asked irritatingly.
"Yahi to mera kaam hai." Aditya replied innocently.
Reyansh exhaled angrily.
"Theek se ande me se nikla nahi hai aur ladki ke aage piche ghum raha hai." Reyansh scoffed.
Aditya huffed being offended.
"Mai khud Vanu ko call karke bol dunga aane ke liye." He mumbled to himself.
"Uska naam Vanu nahi Vanya hai." Reyansh gritted.
"Wo aapke liye hai mere liye to wo Vanu hi hai." He replied in a sweet voice.
"Ruk abhi Advait ko bulata hoon." Reyansh threatened.
"Vanya Vanya bas... khush." He said in panic making Reyansh smirked.
Advait emerged in the living room with a clingy Arush on his side who was not leaving his side since morning. Arush hid behind Advait glancing at Reyansh.
Reyansh smirked at Aditya knowingly who shook his head in return.
"Bata doon Advait ko abhi tu kya keh raha tha?" He asked teasingly.
Aditya threw daggers at him through his eyes and Advait looked questioningly at Reyansh.
"Kya batana hai?" He asked settling down on the couch.
"Ku-Kuch nahi, bhaiya. Bhai bas aise hi bol rahe hain." Aditya stuttered out, pleadingly glancing at Reyansh.
Reyansh's lips twitched up and the teasing glint returned in his eyes, "Kya kuch nahi?" He said.
"Advait mai tujhe batata hoon. Adi keh raha tha ki.
.." He stopped to tease Aditya who was looking at him with puppy eyes, "Adi keh raha tha ki ab se mai apna saara focus padhai par karunga islie aap meri saari video games le jao agar wo meri aankhon ke saamne hongi to mera focus unhi par rahega. " He said innocently looking at Aditya.
Aditya's jaw dropped to the floor, his eyes wide in disbelief and betrayal, "Ma-Maine aisa kuch nahi kaha, bhaiya." He said instantly.
"Accha? To phir kya kaha?" Reyansh asked, blinking his eyes.
"Maine kaha... maine... yahi kaha tha." He muttered grudgingly.
Reyansh smirked at him and he glared at him in return and left from there. Advait rolled his eyes at both of them knowing well about their unharmful rivalry.
Reyansh's eyes shifted to Arush who was leaning on Advait's side. Reyansh settled down beside him sandwiching the little figure between him and Advait. Arush clung closer to Advait and hid his face in his side.
Reyansh sighed and picked him up adjusting him on his lap. Arush didn't protest and let himself to be picked up. He didn't say anything and sat stiffed on his lap without any word. Reyansh also didn't say anything just caressed his hair.
Advait looked at both of them from the corner of his eyes but didn't ruin their moment. After a few minutes, Arush relaxed in Reyansh's lap and leaned onto his chest making him smile.
"I am sorry, bhai." He whispered.
Reyansh smiled, his touch was gentle and grounding, he caressed his hair smoothly, "Hmm sorry for what?" He asked to make sure that Arush had learned his lesson perfectly.
"Sorry for misbehaving." He replied looking up from his chest without pulling back. He was looking up at him with scared puppy eyes.
Reyansh's heart melted immediately and he pecked his temple lovingly, "It's okay, chotu. Don't repeat it." He answered.
Arush quietly nodded, "Aapne bohot daanta...punish bhi kiya." He complained in a small voice.
Reyansh sighed, "I'm sorry for that but it was necessary." He replied genuinely.
Arush cutely glared up at him making Reyansh and Advait chuckled.
"I want gifts otherwise I won't talk to you." He said with a pout.
Reyansh's mouth hung open as he looked at the bribing skills of the little one. He looked at Advait who chuckled and shrugged off in return.
"Don't look at me like that. Handle it yourself." He said and walked away from there leaving his friend with a sulking bundle on his lap.
Reyansh looked down with a crying face, "Bataiye chote maharaj kya chahiye aapko?" He asked making Arush giggled.
"Accha ji badi hasi aa rahi hain ha?" Reyansh teased and started tickling his sides making Arush giggled loudly. His soft gigglings filled the room like a soft warm blanket.
~________________________________________~