Chapter 75
Advait was sitting in his cabin. He came to the office to indulge his mind in work to avoid the brewing storm inside him.
But his mind was still not focused, he was disappointed with Aditya.
His child deliberately put his own life in danger.
His whole existence was shivering only at the mere thought of what would have happened if Randheer had played his dirty game.
He couldn't even imagine a single second when his kids were not safe.
His head started throbbing because of the stress and he threw the glass on the floor in frustration.
He leaned back in his chair staring up at the ceiling. His forehead was creased with lines. He closed his eyes to take a short nap to calm the storm inside him but his phone rang up.
He picked up the call and a smirk came across his face when he listened to the person from the other side.
"Call the cops." He said, his lips twitched up.
"Okay boss." The person replied.
"Also inform the media. I want to see his pathetic face when the cops drag him away with them." He gritted out in malice.
He tossed the phone on the desk and leaned back smiling, looking up at the ceiling, "You'll regret your each and every word, Raichand." He spat, his eyes were glinting devilishly.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek and Arush were looking at Aditya who was sitting quietly on his bed. They came to cheer up his mood but he was not talking to anyone just giving nods or curt replies.
"Bhai, kya ho gaya aap humse baat kyun nahi kar rahe?" Arush asked.
"Kar to raha hoon." He said, his tone was flat. The usual hint of mischief was not there.
"Tu sirf jawab de raha hai baat nahi kar raha." Abhishek pointed out.
Aditya didn't answer.
"Kyu sad ho rahe ho bhai aapko to aadat haina maar khane ki." Arush said deliberately so that Aditya gave him reaction or even just a glare.
But he didn't react anything.
Abhishek furrowed his brows in concern and cupped his cheeks, "Kya hua?" He asked gently.
He softly shook his head, "Kuch nahi hua, bhai." He replied.
"Jyada jor se maara bhaiya ne kahin dard ho raha hai?" He asked scanning his body for any sign of injury.
Aditya shook his head.
"Phir kya hua baby?" He pressed.
"Kuch nahi hua, bhai. Aap tension mat lo exams hai na aapke jaa kar padhai karlo meri wajah se aapka time waste ho raha hai." He said quietly.
Abhishek gently flicked his forehead, "Shut up. Jab tak tu mujhe batayega nahi kya hua hai mai nahi jaunga." He said stubbornly.
Arush also joined, "Batao na bhai kya hua aap sad kyun ho?"
"Kuch nah...
" Ye to bolna mat, mujhe acche se pata hai kuch hua hai 2 second shaanti se na baithne wala insaan itni der se chup baitha hai kuch to pakka hua hai bata ab mujhe." Abhishek cut him off.
Aditya didn't say anything.
"Tu bata raha hai ya mai bhaiya ko bulaun?" Abhishek threatened.
"Unhein pareshan mat karo bhai meri wajah se wo already pareshan hain." He replied with a guilty look.
"Aisa tujhe kisne kaha?" Abhishek asked carefully.
Aditya looked down at his lap without answering.
"Bhaiya ne kaha?" He asked.
Aditya nodded slowly.
"Unhone mujhe unko bhaiya bulane se bhi mana kar diya aur... aur bola mujhe boarding school bhej denge." He said gulping down his tears.
Abhishek pulled him in a hug, "Unhone gusse me bol diya hoga, tu bhi kya unki baaton ko dil par le raha hai." He said caressing his hair.
Arush hugged Aditya's side, "Aap daro mat bhai mai aapko boarding school nahi jane dunga." He said with determination.
Aditya pulled back from the hug and looked at Arush, "Mai boarding school jana chahta hoon, bandar." He replied.
"Adi." Abhishek said in a pointed tone.
"Mujhe boarding school jana hai bhai mai yahan reh kar bas trouble create karta hoon bhaiya meri wajah se pareshan hote hain." He said looking at somewhere behind Abhishek.
"To aap trouble create karna band kar do." Arush suggested.
"I can't do this." Aditya mumbled.
Abhishek sighed and placed his hands on his shoulders, "Bhaiya ne jo kaha sab gusse me kaha wo khud tere bina nahi reh sakte tujhe apne se door bhejne ka to bhool hi jaa." He said.
Aditya didn't say anything for a minute and then looked up at both of them, "I want to take a nap. Can you both go?" He said.
Abhishek stood up with a nod and looked at Arush. But Arush clinged to Aditya's arm, "Mai bhai ke paas hi rahunga unhe akela sad chord kar nahi jaunga." He said.
Aditya gave a small smile to Arush, "Aru mai theek hoon... bas thodi der akele rest karna chahta hoon jab mai jaag jaunga na tab aa jana." He said caressing his cheeks.
"Promise." Arush asked blinking his eyes innocently.
"Promise." Aditya kissed his cheek.
Abhishek looked down at him, "Rest hi karna faltu cheeze sochte mat baithna." He said.
"It's your department, bro." Aditya couldn't help but retorted.
Abhishek chuckled ruffling his hair and closed the door behind them with a gentle click.
Aditya laid down on the bed covering himself properly with the duvet. His body was not paining from the hits but his heart was paining from Advait's harsh words.
"Don't call me bhaiya." The words were loud and clear ringing in his ear. His heart was breaking with the every second he was repeating the sentence in his mind.
"I won't talk to you from now on." The tear rushed in his eyes when he remembered Advait would never talk to him again.
"I am sorry bhaiya. Ag-Agar aap chahte ho mai aapko bhaiya nahi bolun to mai n-nahi bolunga, boa-boarding school bhi chala jaunga.
...aa-aapko kabhi pareshan nahi karunga bas aap mujhse.
... naraaz mat hona." He hicupped under the duvet.
The pillow was soaked with his tears and the duvet was tightly clutched in his hands.
He cried for a good time and didn't remember when the sleep took a toll over him.
~________________________________________~
Advait had called Shreya as he was about to come late at night. Shreya called the kids for dinner. Abhishek and Arush descended the stairs.
"Bhabhi, hum Adi ke room me khana khayenge." Abhishek said.
"Adi ko neeche bula lo, Abhi." She said while arranging the plates.
"Wo nahi aayega, bhaiya ne usey mana kiya hai room se bahar aane ke liye." Abhishek answered.
Shreya sighed, "Theek hai, tum dono uske room me jao mai khana le kar aati hoon." She said.
Abhishek stepped forward picking up the bowls in his hand.
"It's okay Abhi mai kar lungi, I don't need help." She said stopping him.
"I'm not helping you, bhabhi. Ye sabka kaam hai mai apna kaam kar raha hoon." He replied.
Shreya smiled genuinely.
They all settled down in Aditya's room for dinner. Aditya was still not talking to anyone. Shreya was feeding Arush from her hands.
"Bhabhi aap bhi khao na." Arush said.
"Mai baad me kha lungi." She replied.
"Adi acche se khao." She said looking at Aditya who was pecking on his food.
Aditya looked down, "Mann nahi hai, bhabhi." He said in a low voice.
"Khalo Adi tumhare bhaiya ne especially mujhe bola hai ki mere Adi ko khana khila dena." She said forwarding a morsel towards his mouth.
Aditya's eyes teared up at the mention of his bhaiya and he blinked away his tears opening his mouth.
They all had their dinner gossiping over random topics but Aditya remained silent.
After dinner, Abhishek went to his room to study for his next exam. Shreya took Arush with her in his room to make him sleep and Aditya was not feeling good so he laid down on the bed closing his eyes.
~________________________________________~
The mansion was standing tall and quiet in the midnight.
The door softly opened and Advait entered the house.
He emerged in the living room and his eyes landed on his wife who was studying sitting on the sofa.
Her eyes were focused on the book, she paused when she heard the footsteps.
She looked up and automatically a smile came up to her face.
Advait returned the smile but his eyes were looking exhausted and red.
She stood up from her place and walked to his side taking his coat from his hands.
"Why are you up till late?" He asked, pecking her temple.
She shrugged, "Waiting for my husband."
Advait shook his head fondly.
"Go freshen up, mai dinner lagati hoon." She said.
"Bacchon ne kha liya?" He asked.
She nodded.
"Aapne khaya?" He asked.
She shook her head.
"Shreya, maine kaha tha na kha lena." He said in a mix of gentleness and firmness.
"Phir aapko company kaun deta?" She raised her brow.
Advait shot a look at her.
"Baad me jee bhar kar ghoor lena abhi jaldi se freshen up ho kar aaiye... bhook lagi hai." She said gently pushing him forward.
He walked upstairs but stopped in front of Aditya's room. The door was unusually closed, the kids never closed their doors fully. Advait gently pushed opened the door luckily it was not locked from inside.
He stepped into the room and looked at the sleeping form of Aditya who was covered with duvet from head to toe.
Advait leaned forward and gently removed the blanket from his face.
His heart dropped at the sight of his brother's face.
Aditya's face was red from crying, his face was soaked with tears and the stains of dried tears were clearly visible on his cheeks.
Advait softly brushed off the tears from his cheeks and wiped off his face. He gently removed the damp hair strands from his forehead and kissed on his forehead. He looked at his serene face, he was looking so peaceful in his sleep.
"Kitna shaant lag raha hai sote huye." He murmured, "Aur uthte hi hungama shuru." He said softly.
"Kyun tang karta hai itna?" He complained but his voice was hoarse, "Tujhe kuch ho jata to mai kahan jata... jaan basti hai tum teeno me meri." He whispered.
Aditya's face looked more relaxed in sleep as if his mind was hearing everything Advait was saying.
"Tujhe playground jana tha na mai kal khud tujhe playground le kar chalunga hmm bas mujhe bina bataye mat jana... tujhe ek minute bhi apni aankhon ke saamne nahi dekhta hoon to jaan nikal jati hai meri." He said caressing his hair.
"Bohot jyada maar diya na aaj mere bacche ko....tum teeno ko safe rakhne ke liye agar mujhe tumhari nazron me bura bhi banna pade to mai wo bhi banne ko ready hoon." He said and a lone tear fell down off his eyes on Aditya's face.
Advait wiped it off tenderly, "Bhaiya loves you so much mera baccha." He whispered pecking his cheeks.
He covered him properly and set the room temperature. He looked at his face for the last time and left the room silently.
He made his way to his own room and headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower. He changed into his grey sweatpants and black T-shirt and came downstairs in the dining room. Shreya was waiting there, resting her chin on her handsitting on the chair.
She served the dinner and they both started having their dinner in silence.
"Advait." Shreya spoke up after a few minutes of silence.
"Hmm?" He hummed not looking up from his plate.
"Aapko mere mama mami yaad hain?" She asked him.
He looked up at her with a nod.
"Unka call aaya tha aaj." She informed.
"Kya keh rahe the?" He asked.
"Mama ko unki job se nikaal diya aur unhe kahi aur job bhi nahi mil rahi... unke landlord ne bhi unhe ghar khali karne ka notice de diya." She informed.
Advait nodded his head nonchalantly while chewing on his food.
"They were asking for help." She said hesitantly, "Kya aap unki help kar sakte hain please." She said.
He exhaled before sitting up straight, "Correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't they the same people who broke all ties with you?" He asked flatly.
She looked down at her plate as she didn't have the answer.
Advait placed his hand on hers gently squeezing it, "Don't worry about them. They deserve it." He said.
"Wo log kaise bhi ho but they're my family." She whispered. Her nature was so naive and she always thought with her heart.
"No." He said firmly, "Family wo hoti hai jo ek dusre par trust karti hai ek dusre ko support karti hai bina kisi sawaalon ke... Jab aap par sawal uthe the sabse pehle aapka saath chordne wale yahi log the." He said.
She nodded as she knew he was not saying wrong.
He caressed her cheek, "I don't want my wife to think about people who don't deserve her." He said softly.
"You're right." She replied after thinking for a moment.
She gave a small smile and they continued their dinner. After finishing the dinner, they both cleaned the table and headed to their room together.
"Mai Abhi aur Aru ko check kar ke aata hoon." He said. It was his habit to check on his brothers before sleeping.
He went straight to Abhishek's room, the lights of his room was on as he was studying for his next exam. Arush was sleeping on his bed curling up inside the blanket.
The door was slightly ajar, Advait entered the room making Abhishek looked up, "Aap aa gaye." He said warmly.
"Dinner kiya aapne?" He asked standing up from his place.
He nodded.
"What's your bedtime?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"Uh-11 maybe." Abhishek said scratching the back of his neck.
Advait gently tapped his forehead, "Abhi tak kyun jaag raha hai?"
"Padhai kar raha tha, bhaiya." He replied.
"Din me kar lena phir neend puri nahi hogi to tabiyat kharab ho jayegi, chal so jaa." He said nudging him towards the bed.
"Ye chapter revision karne ke baad so jaun?." Abhishek asked pointing at the opened chapter in the book.
Advait closed the book, "Nahi bohot late ho gaya so ja." He said.
Abhishek pouted but laid down on the bed beside Arush.
Advait covered them with the blanket but Abhishek kept staring at Advait.
"Kuch kehna hai?" He asked gently.
Abhishek bobbed his head and Advait raised his brow.
"Aapne Adi se baat ki?" He asked sitting up straight.
"So raha hai, kal karta hoon." He replied.
Abhishek leaned against Advait who started brushing his fingers in his hair inadvertently.
"Wo bohot upset tha bhaiya usne kisi se baat bhi nahi ki maine usey first time aise dekha." He mumbled.
Advait furrowed his brow in concern, "Tune usse pucha nahi kya hua?"
"Usne kuch bataya hi nahi." He said and sat up, "Usey aapki baaton ka bura laga hai aapne usey boarding school bhejne ke liye bola tha." He said.
Advait sighed, "Wo to maine bas aise hi gusse me keh diya tha mai reh lunga kya uske bina?" He said in a low voice, the guilt clawed to his chest.
"I know bhaiya aapne gusse me bola but usne aapke words ko seriously le liya." He answered.
"Jo baat serious leni chahiye wo kabhi nahi li aur faltu baatein dil par le kar baitha hai." Advait said in concern.
"Mai baat karta hoon kal usse, tu so ja." He added.
"Good night, bhaiya." He said laying down on the bed.
Advait kissed his forehead and covered him properly. He walked to Arush's side and kissed his forehead also before fixing his posture. He headed out of the room with the Aditya's thoughts swirling in his mind.
~________________________________________~