Chapter 73
The Malhotra Mansion was unusually quiet and only the constant sound of the shoe tapping on the floor was echoing in the dining room.
Abhishek was nervously chewing on his fingers while looking at the untouched plate in front of himself.
It was his first exam and he was panicking since he woke up.
Advait made him understand but it was not enough for his overthinking mind.
"Abhi, Start chewing your breakfast instead of fingers." Advait spoke up.
"I'm not hungry." He mumbled not putting down his hand from his mouth.
Shreya gave him a look, "Khaoge nahi to exam likhne ki energy kahan se aayegi?" She put her hands on waist.
Aditya snickered, "Bhabhi, exam likhne ke liye energy ki nahi padhai ki jarurat hoti hai." He teased.
He laughed looking at Abhishek but shut his mouth when his eyes landed on Advait's deadly glare.
"Abhi, baccha relax itna stress mat le tune itni mehnat ki hai na exam accha jayega tune apna 100% diya hai and it's more than enough. Don't worry about the results." Advait gently smoothed his shoulders to ease out his tension.
"Bohot dar lag raha hai, bhaiya." He nearly cried.
"Tujhe apne bhaiya par bharosa haina?" Advait asked, cupping his cheeks.
Abhishek nodded without hesitation.
"Then, trust me sab accha hoga. Take a deep breath with me." He gently said and took a deep breath motioning Abhishek to follow him.
Abhishek inhaled deeply and exhaled, the tension was still in his mind but his brother's words worked as a balm to his heart.
"Now have your breakfast. We're getting late." He said but Abhishek looked sadly at the plate.
"Mann nahi kar raha bhaiya sacchi." He said in a low voice.
Advait took his plate and placed it in front of himself. He took a spoonful of poha before forwarding it towards his mouth. Abhishek tried to whine but a look from Advait and he completed his breakfast in silence.
"Ab chalein?" He asked.
Abhishek nodded.
"Admit card rakh liya haina, Abhi?" Shreya asked.
"Rakh liya, bhabhi." He replied.
She stood up and ruffled his hair, "All the best." She wished.
He smiled a little, "Thank you."
Arush hugged him and kissed his hand, "All the best, bhai. You'll do great." He said confidently making Abhishek smile.
"Thanks bandar." He said patting his cheeks in endearment.
"Paper faad kar aana, bhai." Aditya smirked.
"'Kay bro." Abhishek replied rolling his eyes.
"Paper faad kar aana?" Advait asked incredulously.
"Paper faad kar aana matlab mast exam de kar aana." Aditya explained.
"Ye konsa tareeka hai wish karne ka." Advait made a face.
"You won't understand Mr. Malhotra. It's slang of we GenZ." Aditya replied with sass.
Shreya stiffled her laughter.
Advait gripped Aditya's ear and twisted it lightly, "Bohot baatein aa rahi hain ha?" Advait playfully said.
"Ouch sorry bhaiya." Aditya squeaked.
"Bhaiya huh? Abhi to mai Mr. Malhotra tha." He narrowed his eyes.
"Nahi nahi aap bhaiya hi ho." Aditya quickly said.
Advait released his grip on his ear and he rubbed his ear mumbling, "Meanie."
Advait and Abhishek sat inside the car, Advait taking the wheel and Abhishek was sitting beside him on the passenger seat. Advait drove off the car on the road, his gaze was wandering on Abhishek who was still looking anxious.
"Tere results aane ke baad hum Disneyland trip par chalenge." Advait said to lighten up his mood.
Abhishek looked at him, "Aur agar mai fail ho gaya to?" He asked in a weak voice.
"Maine kaha tere results ke baad hum trip par chalenge. Aisa kaha ki tere paas hone ke baad hi chalenge?" Advait asked raising his brow.
He shook his head looking down.
"Mere bete ne itni mehnat se padhai ki hai apne exams ke liye iss baat ke liye ek trip to banta hi hai, no matter the result." Advait said smiling warmly.
Abhishek leaned against Advait's shoulder. He knew Advait was trying to put him at ease. His heart swelled with the love and gratitude for his elder brother who understands him without any word and made him relaxed without making it obvious.
Advait pulled the car in front of the school.
Abhishek took a deep breath and stepped down of the car.
Advait also followed him outside the car.
Abhishek stood fidgeting with his bag's slings in nervousness.
Advait gently yet firmly rested his hands on his shoulder to calm the brewing anxiousness inside his little brother's heart.
"Inhale. Exhale. All good." He said reassuringly.
Abhishek inhaled a deep breath and exhaled it slowly.
He bent down to touch Advait's feet. Advait patted his back returning the gesture before kissing his head, "Best of luck." He said, his tone was enough to give him his all lost courage.
He smiled widely and turned on his heel waving his hand to Advait.
Advait motioned his guards to come forward who were standing at a distance. They came forward and stood before him in stiff postures.
"Tighten up the security." He commanded the guards.
"Yes boss." They nodded in unison before walking to the each corners of the school building.
Advait checked the surroundings with his eagle's eyes and sighed in himself when everything seemed in control. He settled inside the car and drove back to the mansion.
~________________________________________
Advait was walking in the hallway with a phone pressed to his ear. He was discussing about an upcoming project, his tone was authoritative and professional. Aditya was running behind him try to match his long strides and Advait was intentionally ignoring him as he was attending an important call.
"Bhaiya." Aditya's voice came from behind.
Advait shook his hand gesturing him to come after a few minutes but Aditya remained standing there.
"Bhaiya playground jaun please?" He blinked his eyes innocently.
Advait shook his head at him while speaking over the phone.
"Bhaiya please jane dijiye na." He whined looking up at him.
"Gimme a minute." He said over the phone before muting the call.
Aditya was looking up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Dikhayi nahi de raha mai important call par hoon?" He snapped at him.
Aditya pouted, "Call mujhse jyada important hai?" He asked, glaring up at him.
Advait looked at his eyes. It seemed like his same light brown orbs were glaring at him.
"Bata kya chahiye?" He asked shaking off his anger, "Playground nahi jana uske alawa bata?" He added.
Aditya's face fell down, "Please na bhaiya aap kabhi nahi jane dete bas aaj jane dijiye please." He requested.
"Haan nahi jane deta kyunki jin ladkon ke saath tu khelta hai unki company acchi nahi hai aayi baat samajh me aur playground kya ab se kuch din tak tum log kahi nahi jaoge." Advait said firmly.
"Kyun bhaiya?" His shoulder slumped down.
"Kyunki mai bol raha hoon. Clear?" He asked.
Aditya looked away without any reply.
"Am I clear, Adi?" He asked again.
"Mai jaunga." He mumbled looking down.
Advait's gaze hardened, "Agar apni taange jara si bhi pyari ho na to ghar se bahar kadam rakhne ka sochna bhi mat." He warned dangerously.
Aditya still didn't reply and kept his gaze on the floor.
Advait returned back to his call and went away from there. Aditya stomped his legs making an irritated face.
~________________________________________~
Shreya was sitting on the couch, the books were spreading in front of her all over the table.
She was preparing for a mock test which was in the next week.
She didn't even look at her books since she got married.
She got busy in adjusting herself in the new environment.
She used to live alone but now sharing a roof with a loving family bring so much changes in her life.
She was grateful to Almighty for giving her a husband who loves her to the moon and back and the little troublemakers were the cherries on top.
Advait entered the room with the two cups of coffee in his hand.
He walked to her side and forwarded the coffee in front of her.
She looked up at him then at the coffee before taking the cup from his hand.
She gave him a sweet smile internally thanking her stars to give her such a supportive and understanding life partner.
Advait settled down beside her without any word and started sipping on his coffee. His gaze lingered on her while he was taking small sips from his cup.
Shreya turned her face to his side when she felt his eyes on herself. Advait didn't move his eyes and she raised her brow. He shook off his head with nonchalance.
She continued reading the lines in her mind but the constant eyes of her husband was making her nervous in a way that she couldn't define.
She kept her gaze on the book but her mind was only focused on Advait.
After a few more minutes, she had enough.
She closed the book making a sound and turned her body towards his side.
By the time, Advait had finished his coffee and was sitting leaning back against the armrest folding his arms over his chest.
"Kyun ghoor rahe hain itni der se?" She asked in irritation.
Advait unfazed, "Ghoor nahi raha biwi dekh raha hoon aapko." He said.
She exhaled, "Kya dekh rahe hain?" She asked.
He pulled her by her wrist and she landed on top of him. He was leaning on the couch and she was on top of him, "I was wondering God really made my wife with leisure." He said removing a hair strand from her face.
She flushed looking away.
"Baatein banana koi aapse seekhe." She swatted his chest and stood up from above him.
But he held her hand from behind stopping her, "Bekaraar karke humein yun na jaiye." He sang making her froze on her place.
"Aapko humari kasam laut aaiye." He turned her around with a force, she landed straight on his lap.
She gasped softly clutching his shirt in her claw.
"Bohot besharm hain aap." She said in mock annoyance.
He buried his face in her neck, "Sirf apni biwi ke liye." He nibbled on her skin.
She moaned.
"Ad-Advait darwaza to band kijiye." She said looking at the opened gate.
"Is that an invitation, Mrs. Malhotra?" He smirked looking straight in her eyes.
Her cheeks turned red and she violently shook her head, "N-No I mean bacche aa jayenge." She said.
His teeth was already grazing on her collarbone, "Aap kuch karne dengi tab bacche aayenge na." He husked, his warm breath was making her heart pumped loudly.
She widened her eyes pulling him out from her neck, "Mai Adi aur Aru ki baat kar rahi thi." She said while trying hard to hid her crimson face.
"Oh, I thought..." He teased caressing her cheek but the loud sound made them jerk out of their world.
"Bhaiyaaaa." Arush sang loudly coming to their room.
Shreya quickly got up from his lap and fixed her clothes. Advait sat up straight fixing his composure. Arush emerged in the room with an overexcited face.
"Bhaiya." Arush whispered hopping up on his lap.
Shreya gave a look to Advait as she was sitting there a minute before. Advait stiffled his laugh and looked down at Arush.
"Kya hua, baccha?" He asked gently.
"Mai akela bore ho raha hoon, aap mere saath khelo na." He said.
"Bhaiya is busy, Aru." He replied.
"Hmm busy doing unholy." Shreya muttered.
Advait narrowed his eyes at her and she shook her head.
"Adi ke saath jaa kar khel lo baccha." Advait suggested.
"Wo mere saath nahi khel rahe aap khelo." He requested.
Shreya crouched down to his level, "Chalo Aru mai aapke saath khelti hoon." She offered sweetly.
"Aap kheloge?" He asked excitedly.
She nodded with a smile.
"Phir mai kiske saath khelunga?" Advait sulked under his breath making Shreya laughed.
Arush held Shreya's hand and they both went out of the room. Advait rolled his eyes at their backs and opened his laptop to work from home.
~________________________________________~
Advait glanced over his wrist watch and stood up realizing it was time to pick Abhishek from his school.
He could send the driver but Randheer Raichand was still not behind the bars and Advait didn't want to take any risk.
He wanted to do everything on his own not trusting anyone else for his kid's safety.
He walked out of the room when his gaze wandered to Aditya's room.
He remembered how sharply he scolded his baby brother in the morning.
He thought of pampering him after he come back picking up Abhishek from the school.
He exited the mansion with the thought of bringing Aditya's favorite ice cream on the way back home.
As soon as Advait left the room, Aditya came out of his room.
He was peeking from his room's door and took a sigh when he noticed Advait exiting the mansion.
He quickly made his way to left the mansion to go to playground.
But his steps halted when he noticed the guards standing near the main huge gate.
He looked defeated but an idea popped up in his mind because Aditya Advait Malhotra was not the one who can be defeated easily.
"Agar bhabhi guards ko mujhe jane ke liye keh dengi to wo mujhe nahi rokenge." He mumbled to himself while making his way to Advait's room.
He entered the room but it was empty. He again came back in the living room, he spotted kaka in the kitchen and ran to him.
"Kaka, bhabhi kahan hai?" He asked.
"Pata nahi beta thodi der pehle to maine unhe Arush ke saath yahi par dekha tha." He replied politely.
"Arush ke paas." He whispered and ran to Arush's room. Advait could be here at any moment and he had to left the mansion before he came back.
He entered Arush's room and there she was sitting on the bed beside Arush who was sleeping curling up on the bed.
She was caressing his hair gently to lulled him to sleep.
He played hide and seek with Shreya and slept while hiding under the couch.
Shreya found him sleeping under the couch and gently pulled him out laying him down on the bed.
Aditya quickly went to her side, "Bhabhi." He said in a high pitch tone.
Arush whined in sleep and Shreya patted his head gently to make him sleep again.
"Hush." She gestured to Aditya.
"Bhabhi meri baat suno na." He whispered loudly.
Shreya stood up adjusting the duvet over Arush's small figure. She guided Aditya out of the room and asked him, "Boliye mini malhotra?"
"Bhabhi wo mai playground jaa raha hoon maine bhaiya se permission le li thi but wo Abhi bhai ko pick karne school gaye hain." He said, "Guards bhaiya ke permission ke bina mujhe mana karenge to aap unhe bol denge ki maine unse permission leli hai." He lied smoothly.
She thought before replying, "Advait abhi thodi der me aate hi honge tabhi chale jana."
"Nahi." He said in panick.
She raised her brow.
"I-I mean bhaiya ko time lag jayega aur mera important match hai playground me mujhe jaldi pohchna hai... Please bol dijiye na guards ko." He said in a hurry.
"Oh-kay." She said unsure.
"Mai driver ko bol deti hoon wo tumhe drop kar denge." She added.
"Nahi bhabhi playground yahi side me hi hai mai chala jaunga humesha akele hi jaata hoon." He lied again.
The playground was a fifteen minutes walk away and Advait never allowed him to go alone, he always sent him with the driver and a guard.
"Theek hai par dhyan se jana." She said not feeling right about it.
Aditya's face lit up and he quickly took her with himself to the main gate. As predicted guards stopped Aditya from exiting the mansion but Shreya stepped forward.
"Let him go." She said.
The guards exchanged hesitant looks as they were strictly prohibited from letting the kids go outside without Advait's direct order but a guard whispered in other guard's ear, "She is boss's wife. We should obey her otherwise the boss will be angry."
The guard nodded and opened the main gate for Aditya. He waved his hand at Shreya and ran away from there.
~________________________________________~
The car stopped in front of the school and Advait came out of it. He leaned against the car's bonnet and took out his phone from his pocket to do some random scrolling to pass the time.
After ten minutes, the students started emerging from the school gate.
A few were grinning widely but some were looking like they would cry any moment.
Advait felt a pang in his heart imagining his Abhi on their places.
He wanted his exam to go well otherwise his kid would be so disappointed in himself which Advait couldn't bear.
He looked in the crowd for a familiar face, his heartbeat was rising with each passing second.
A relief passed over his face when he spotted Abhishek in the crowd.
His face was looking neutral, he was not looking happy but thankfully not sad either.
Abhishek's eyes landed on Advait who was smiling at him.
As soon as Abhishek looked at him, a full blown smile came up to his face.
He walked to Advait half running and hugged him tightly.
"Bohot accha exam hua bhaiya mujhe saare questions aate the aur bhabhi ne jo kal important questions bataye the wo saare aaye the maine sab kar diya." He ranted happily.
Advait smiled at his enthusiasm and ruffled his hair proudly, "I'm proud of you." He said making Abhishek heart beamed with happiness. These words coming from the person he idolized the most was the biggest achievement for him.
He grinned happily. Advait gestured to him to get in the car and they both settled down inside the car.
Advait was driving the car, his focus was on the road ahead. He stopped at the bakery shop near their house to buy ice creams for kids especially for his Adi. He was about to get inside the car when his gaze landed on a familiar figure walking on the footpath.
Advait squinted his eyes as he was not expecting him to be there but when he looked closely, his eyes darkened immediately.
Aditya, his Adi whom he had clearly warned to not to go outside of the house was roaming freely on the road without any worry of the world.
His expression turned furious and jaw ticked in anger.
He fisted his hands and took long strides towards Aditya.
His back was in front of Advait, he sharply turned him around. Aditya gasped horrified at the sudden touch, "What the fuc...
His words died in his throat looking at the person in front of him. His face paled and he gulped down audibly.
~________________________________________~