Chapter 79
The sky was painted warm yellow with a blend of light orange.
The morning view of the city was a sight to watch.
Everyone gathered on the dining table for breakfast. They were seated on the royal chairs and the food was served in the heavy silver utensils.
Advait entered the hall carrying Shreya in his arms. Everyone looked at her in a mix of concern and confusion.
"Kya hua Shreya tum theek ho?" Tia asked, getting up from her chair.
Her neck turned red, "Wo mere per me moch aa gayi hai." She said looking everywhere but at her.
Advait sat her down on the chair carefully, his eyes filled with worry and guilt. Shreya was having difficulty in walking, her muscles started screaming in protest when she put her feet on the floor so Advait picked her up in his arms.
"Aapko dard ho raha hai?" Arush asked, his eyes wide in concern.
Shreya glanced at Advait for a second before shaking her head, "Nahi, Aru. Mai theek hoon." She replied sweetly.
Tia looked at Shreya's feet but they were looking fine. Not a scratch, not even swelling, her feets were looking absolutely fine. A sly smile appeared on her face when she understood.
"Tumhare per to bilkul theek lag rahe hain unhe dekh kar lag to nahi raha ki per me moch aayi hai." She teased.
Shreya understood her teasing tone and looked down avoiding everyone's gaze. Her hands fumbling for arranging her plate. Reyansh also looked at her feet and then at Tia's teasing face.
"Waise per me moch aayi kaise?" She asked making a curious face, "Raat me bed se gir gayi thi kya?" She tried to stiffled her laugh.
Shreya choked on her food. Advait quickly passed her the water and rubbed her back.
"Jyada nahi ho raha tera?" Advait glared at Tia.
"Jyada to tera ho gaya...dekh na bechari ki halat." She retorted giggling loudly.
Advait gritted out his teeth. Reyansh covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing.
Abhishek and Sia focused on their food acting as if they didn't understand a single word.
Aditya and Vanya were busy whispering to each other planning their new mischief and Arush was sitting clueless as if they were talking in an alien language.
"'Kay, ab mai chup hoon." She said after laughing for a straight ten minutes.
Everyone had their breakfast. They had the famous daal baati churma of Udaipur in breakfast and the rich taste of it made their taste buds leapt in joy.
Everyone was ready to go to the lake. But Shreya was tired and wanted to rest so she stayed in the haveli. Advait couldn't leave her alone so he told Reyansh to take care of the kids and he also stayed back with Shreya.
Sia whispered in Abhishek's ear, "Sun hum dono bhi yahan ruk jate hain."
"Kyun?" He asked furrowing.
"Arey bhaiya aur bhabhi apne room me honge, ye log lake chale jayenge to hum log araam se jungle jaa sakte haina aur humein jaldi bhi nahi aana padega mast ghumenge." She whispered excitingly.
"Agar bhaiya ko pata chal gaya ki hum haveli me nahi hai to?" He asked in fear.
"Nahi pata chalega, mere paas mast plan hai." She winked at him.
Advait took Shreya to their room and the others went out of the haveli and were settling in the car. Sia was about to sit inside the car when she suddenly clutched her head dramatically making her voice strained.
"Ugh mera pet." She said.
Everyone stopped and looked at her. Tia quickly went to her scanning her from head to toe.
"Kya hua, Sia?" She asked.
"Ah di mera pet achanak se bohot dard kar raha hai." She said trying to sound weak.
"Pet me dard ho raha hai to sir kyun pakda hua hai?" Reyansh asked.
She immediately realized and clutched her stomach, "Wo maine sir nahi pakda tha dard ki wajah se apne baal noch rahi thi." She said making a crying face.
Abhishek looked at her with a scowl on his face for her Oscar winning acting.
Aditya royally rolled his eyes. He knew she was doing acting to succeed in her adventurous plan. He wanted to tell everyone but his Vanu's life would be at risk so he kept his mouth shut.
"Ek kaam karte hain doctor ke paas chalte hain." Tia said.
Sia panicked, "Nahi nahi doctor ke paas nahi." She said, "New city, new changes uske wajah se dard ho raha hoga."
"Hein? Ye kaise reason hai pet dard ka?" Reyansh asked incredulously.
"Yahi reason hai mujhe pata hai, doctor kaun banne wala hai mai ya aap?" She said putting her hands on her waist.
Everyone stared at her as she was standing relaxed putting her hands on the waist. Abhishek noticed it and elbowed her, she quickly realized and again clutched her stomach making a dramatic face.
"Aap log jaiye mai thodi der rest karungi to theek ho jaungi." She said.
"Arey aise kaise tujhe chord kar chale jayein? Hum log kal chale jayenge. Tu chal aaram kar." Tia replied.
"Di please aap log jaiye na meri wajah se aap log bhi nahi jayenge to mujhe accha nahi lagega. Aru ka face dekhiye kitna sad ho gaya bechara." She said.
"Mai sad nahi hoon, didi. Hum log kal chale jayenge, aap rest karlo." Arush spoke up.
Sia glared at him through her eyes, "Tu sad hai, tujhe nahi pata." She said.
"Jiju aap di ko le kar jaiye na mai nahi chahti meri wajah se kisi ka plan cancel ho aap log enjoy kijiye please." She said to Reyansh.
Reyansh sighed, "I think she is right Tia. Usey rest karne do hum sab chalte hai na aur yahan uska dhyan rakhne ke liye Advait aur Shreya bhi to hain." He said.
Tia thought for a while and reluctantly nodded her head. Sia sighed in relief.
She hugged her, "Rest kar lena aur agar jyada pain ho to turant mujhe call karna hum log aa jayenge." Tia said and Sia nodded.
Aditya sit down in the car but not before glaring at Sia who rolled her eyes in return. Vanya and Arush also settled down in the backseat.
Abhishek was about to sit when Sia pulled him back, "Tu kahan jaa raha hai?" She whisperingly yelled.
"Lake ghoomne." He replied innocently.
"Tu yahin rukega." She said.
"Par mere pet me dard nahi hai." He replied and stepped forward when Sia stomped her leg on his feet.
He screamed in pain. Everyone jolted their heads in his direction and the kids peeked out their heads from the window.
"Ab tujhe kya hua?" Reyansh asked.
"Mera per." He hissed.
"Oh god, jiju Abhi ke per me moch aa gayi hai mujhe lagta hai ye bhi aap logo ke saath nahi jaa payega." Sia said, making a sympathetic face.
Abhishek hissed at her but didn't say anything.
"Buddy tu theek hai?" Reyansh asked.
"Nahi bhai, dard ho raha hai mai nahi chal paunga aap log jaiye." He replied.
"Pakka?" Tia asked looking at him.
He nodded his head.
Reyansh and Tia both sighed, "Tum dono rest karo mai Advait ko bol deta hoon tumhara dhyan rakhega." Reyansh said.
"Nooo." They both shouted in unison making them flinched in shock.
Reyansh and Tia looked at both of them suspiciously.
"Hum-Humara matlab tha ki bhaiya ko kyun pareshan karna. Bhabhi ki bhi tabiyat theek nahi hai wo already unka dhyan rakh rahe hain." Abhishek said with a smile to ease out the tension.
"Exactly, hum dono ek dusre ka dhyan rakh lenge. Ab aap log jaiye bhi please." Sia said desperately.
Reyansh and Tia finally settled down in the car with the one last glance at them and the car came out of the sight.
Sia quickly turned to Abhishek with a high fived but Abhishek scoffed at her, "Hatt."
She dragged him from there to the backside of the haveli. They both shared a look with each other while looking at the silent forest in front of them.
"Dekh ek baar phir soch le." Abhishek warned.
"Tu chal naa." She held his hand and dragged him.
They both entered the jungle. Sia looked around herself to remember the way back to get out from there. Abhishek was looking at his surroundings with hesitant eyes, he was not liking the vibes of the area.
"Chal ab wapas chalte hain." Abhishek said.
"Abhi to bas entry li hai andar to chal." She said.
They both started walking together passing many tress in their way.
Sia started talking rubbish to divert Abhishek's mind.
They both started liking the calmness of the jungle.
The voices of the vehicles were slightly reaching to their ears from far away.
They both continued walking and didn't realized that they both were in the middle of the deep forest.
Abhishek looked around himself. The space started getting lesser and the trees increased. The faint voices of the city was now nowhere to be listened. It was chilling calmness in the jungle, the loud silence was unsettling in his heart.
"Sia, I think we should go back. We're in the middle of the jungle." He said, his voice was automatically low.
"That's the fun!" She squealed.
"Let's sit there for sometime. Kitni shaanti haina yahan par." She said.
"Tu pagal hai kya tujhe dar nahi lag raha yahan jungli jaanwar bhi ho sakte hain." Abhishek said in irritation.
"Wo raat me bahar nikalte hai buddhu aur darne ki kya baat jab Sia ho saath." She said proudly raising her invisible collars.
"Pagal mat ban aur chal yahan se." He said and slipped out his phone from his pocket to check the time, "Baaki sabke wapas aane ka time ho gaya hai humein unse pehle yahan se nikalna hai." He said.
"Wo log aate hi aate humein check nahi karenge. Tu itna darta kyun hai relax kar naa." She said nonchalantly.
Abhishek looked frustrated. Sia looked at him and softened, "Accha theek hai chalte hain wapas, khush?" She said.
They started making their way back to the haveli but after roaming for a good time they ended up getting on the same place.
Abhishek looked at the tree on which a design was carved. It was the same tree he had seen a few minutes ago, "Sia, hum log wapas usi jagah par aa gaye hain." He said.
"Nahi re kya kuch bhi bol raha hai?" She said.
"Wo tree ye same tree hai jo maine abhi thodi der pehle dekha tha." He said pointing at the tree.
She looked at it and gulped down. Abhishek looked at her with a raised brow.
"Kya hua tu chup kyun ho gayi?" He asked.
She meekly looked at him, "Wo Abhi mai bahar nikalne ka raasta bhool gayi par tu gussa na kare isliye bataya nahi." She confessed.
Abhishek's face turned pale in fear and panic.
"Tera dimaag kharab ho gaya hai? Ab hum yahan se kaise nikalenge?" He said horrified.
"Pata nahi." She mumbled.
"Pata nahi?" He repeated incredulously.
"Meri hi galti thi jo mai tere saath yahan aane ke liye maan gaya. Kya keh rahi thi itni der se 'relax, trust me' aur wo...wo kya tha 'darne ki kya baat jab siya ho saath' ab kya hua?" He snapped angrily.
Sia didn't say anything as she knew she was at fault, "Sorry." She whispered.
"Abhi jab yahan ke jaanwar ayenge na humein apna dinner banane tab unko bolna sorry." He said sarcastically.
"Yaar please na ab gussa karne ki jagah yahan se nikalne ka idea sochte haina." She said.
He raked his hand through his face and started walking. She quickly followed him, they both walked ahead careful of their surroundings and remembering the little signs on the way to not to get lost. But it was all futile, the reality was that they both got lost in the middle of the forest.
~________________________________________~
Reyansh and Tia with Aditya, Arush and Vanya sitting on the ghaat near the lake. Reyansh and Tia were sitting mingling their hands in each other like a perfect couple. Aditya, Vanya and Arush sitting together. Arush was sitting pouting, his hands were resting on his chin.
"Tujhe kya hua, chotu?" Vanya asked.
"Tere bhi kahin dard hai kya?" Aditya asked sarcastically.
"Mujhe bhaiya ke paas jaana hai." He mumbled.
Aditya rolled his eyes, "To wahin rukna chahiye tha na tujhe kisne bola tha yahan aa kar kabab me haddi banne ko?" He said as he was sitting between Aditya and Vanya.
Arush pouted at him and leaned on Vanya's side who wrapped her arm around him. Aditya quickly pulled him to his side and hugged him.
"Mujhe hug kar mai bhi hoon yahan par." Aditya said patting his head with extra force.
Vanya narrowed her eyes.
"Bhai, chalo na ghar chalte hain mujhe bhaiya ke paas jana hai." He said with puppy eyes.
"Rey bhai ko bol." He replied.
Arush stood up and waddled towards Reyansh and Tia.
Vanya leaned towards Aditya as soon as Arush went away, "Sun mere paas ek plan hai." She said.
"Kya?" He asked curiously.
"Hum log jungle chalte hain." She said mischievously.
Aditya slapped his forehead.
"Kya hua?" She asked.
"Tujhe lagta hai ye log humein wahan jane denge?" He asked.
"To maine kab kaha ki bata kar chalna hai sneak out karenge." She said with a grin.
"Nahi, mujhe koi shok nahi hai apni haddiyan tudwane ka." He replied raising his hands in surrender.
"Tu mujhe mana kar raha hai?" She asked making a cute pout.
"Vanu, I am sorry par hum wahan nahi chal sakte. It's not safe aur agar bhaiya ko pata chala to wo bohot naraaz ho jayenge." He said, "Maine unhe promise kiya hai mai unhe bina bataye kahin nahi jaunga. Mai unhe naraaz nahi kar sakta, sorry." He explained to her.
She turned her face to the other side, "Mujhse baat mat kar." She huffed.
He sighed, "Sorry Vanu." He apologized.
But she didn't look at him. Reyansh and Tia came to them holding Arush's hands.
"Chalo ghar chalte hain, Aru ka mann nahi lag raha aur tum dono ke chehre dekh kar bhi lag raha hai tum bore ho rahe ho." Tia said looking at their sad faces.
They both stood up and headed towards the car without any word.
~________________________________________~
The car stopped in front of the haveli and Arush hurriedly went inside. He called for Advait entering the hall in the hurry.
"Bhaiya..." He called out.
Advait emerged in the hall and Arush quickly hugged him. He made grabby hands at him and Advait picked him up in his arms kissing his cheek.
"Itni jaldi kyun aa gaye?" He asked him.
"Mujhe aapki yaad aa rahi thi." Arush replied resting his head on his shoulder.
Advait chuckled and kissed his head.
The others entered the hall and Advait looked at all of them. He noticed Aditya and Vanya's faces.
"In dono ko kya hua?" He asked particularly to no one.
"Dono ki ladai ho gayi, ek saath baithne ke liye bhi ready nahi ho rahe the car me. " Reyansh said grinning.
"To aap itna khush ho kar kyun bata rahe hain?" Aditya glared at him in offense.
Reyansh closed his mouth and made a face, "Mai kahan khush ho raha hoon?" He shrugged innocently.
Vanya stomped away from there in anger. Aditya looked at her retreating figure with a sad face.
"Abhi aur Sia kahan hain?" Advait asked noticing their absence.
Reyansh and Tia glanced at each other before saying, "Wo dono yahin ruke the na Sia ke pet me dard tha aur Abhi ke per me moch aa gayi thi." Tia said.
"Yahan ruke the?" Advait asked them.
"Haan tujhe nahi pata?" Reyansh asked.
"Nahi maine to un dono ko nahi dekha." He replied.
"Shayad apne room me honge." Tia said and went from there to check in their rooms.
Aditya looked at them helplessly. He wanted to inform them but couldn't.
Advait looked at Arush in his arms who was fast asleep. Advait went to his room and made him lay down beside Shreya who was reading a book.
"Arey ye log itni jaldi wapas aa gaye?" She asked.
"Kisi ka mann nahi lag raha tha to islie wapas aa gaye." He replied and started massaging her legs.
She pulled back her legs, "Bas kijiye Advait subah se yahi kar rahe hain aap." She said.
"You're in pain because of me." He said, feeling guilty.
"It's not your fault. I was the one asking for the round after round." She said and Advait pointed at Arush who was sleeping beside her. She clicked her tongue realizing the young ears were also present there.
"Advait." An impatient knock came on the door.
Advait stood up and opened the gate. Tia was standing there with a disheveled look.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Wo Abhi aur Sia kahin nahi mil rahe wo dono apne rooms me bhi nahi hai maine har jagah check kar liya kahin nahi hain." She rumbled out.
Shreya approached the gate listening to Tia's panicked voice.
"Mai check karta hoon yahin kahin gaye honge." Advait said and pass beside her. They both followed him.
Reyansh collided with them on the way, "Nahi mile." He whispered to Tia.
"Tune har jagah check kiya?" Advait asked.
He nodded, "Kar liya yaar poori haveli me kahin nahin hain wo dono."
"Unko call karke dekhiye na." Shreya suggested.
"Dono ke phone out of network hai." He replied rubbing his fingers on forehead.
"Hum sab ek baar phir se check karte hain." Shreya said and they all nodded.
They started searching for them in every room, every corner of the haveli but there was not even a sign of them. Aditya looked at them, his tongue was twitching to informed them about Abhishek and Sia. He started thinking of an idea of how he could tell them without breaking the oath.
They again gathered together, their faces were contorted in worry and fear.
"Aap log ek baar bahar bhi check kariye." Aditya said so that they could search for them in the forest.
Reyansh and Advait went outside followed by Aditya. They checked the surroundings, Reyansh's gaze went towards the forest.
"Kahin ye dono jungle me to nahi chale gaye." He said to himself.
But Advait heard him, "Wo dono wahan kyun jayenge?" He said as a matter of fact.
"Phir bhi aap logo ko ek baar check karna chahiye kya pata wo dono aise hi ghoomne chale gaye ho." He said, trying to gave them a hint.
Reyansh and Advait exchanged a glance, "Tujhe kuch pata hai?" Advait asked suspiciously, noticing his strange behavior.
Aditya's gaze fell down on the ground beneath him. He cursed himself for his disability of not being able to lie to Advait.
"Adi, tujhe pata hai wo dono kahan gaye hain?" Advait asked sternly.
"Bhaiya aap ek baar jungle me check kariye na please." He said fidgeting with his fingers.
Advait gripped his chin and made him looked up at him, "Wo dono jungle me gaye hain?" He asked looking into his eyes.
Aditya nodded meekly.
"Get inside." He ordered him and Aditya ran inside the haveli before Advait could gave him the piece of mind.
"Ye dono jungle me kya karne gaye hain?" Reyansh said angrily.
"Wo to yahi dono batayenge." Advait muttered, his eyes blazing in anger and fear. They both started searching for Abhishek and Sia in the forest.
~________________________________________~
The sun sets down below the horizon and the darkness erupted in the forest. Abhishek and Sia walking slowly, they both were walking from two hours and now their legs started giving up.
The atmosphere started getting chilled with the growing night.
Sia was looking scared and her previous brave demeanor was totally faded now.
Abhishek was holding onto her hand to give her the secured feeling.
She rubbed her hand against her arm to warmed herself. She was feeling cold as she was wearing a tank top. Abhishek noticed her discomfort and slipped out of his jacket. He forwarded it towards her without any word. She looked at him.
"Pehen le thand lag rahi haina." He muttered.
"Phir tujhe thand lagegi." She replied.
"Nahi lagegi, pehen le." He pushed the jacket in her hand.
She wore it and engulfed in the warmth of the jacket and lingering scent of Abhishek's. She smiled softly at him.
"Abhi, I am sorry yaar meri wajah se tu bhi..." She said but he interrupted.
"Koi baat nahi tujhe bhi nahi pata tha aisa ho jayega teri galti nahi hai." He said noticing her guilty face.
They walked for a few more minutes, they both were walking together.
They put their feets on the pile of hay and suddenly the ground slipped away from their feets and they both fell down in the pit.
They both shouted in shock and fear and landed on the harsh ground.
It took them a minute to realized that they both were in the pit now.
Abhishek stood up dusting off his clothes and helped Sia to stood up as well.
"Aaj ka din hi kharab hai." Sia cried when she noticed they were below the ground level.
Abhishek clutched his hair in frustration, "Bhaiya." He whispered feeling a dread in his chest.
The pit was not that deep but one could not get out of it without other's help. Abhishek stood on his toes looking up at the measurement and then looked at Sia who was crying now.
"Rona band karegi?" He asked tiredly.
Sia sniffled.
Abhishek sighed and brushed her tears with his thumb, "Chup kar, bahar nikalna haina?" He said. She nodded.
"Mere paas ek idea hai, mai yaha khada hota hoon to mere shoulder par chadh kar bahar jump kar dena." He said.
"Phir tu kaise aayega?" She asked while sniffling.
"Tu pehle bahar nikal phir sochte hain." He said and turned around.
She made him turned towards her, "Nahi hum dono saath me jayenge." She said.
"Arey tu pehle yahan se bahar nikal phir jaa kar bhaiya ko help ke liye le kar aa jana wo mujhe nikaal lenge par abhi hum me se kisi ek ka nikalna jaruri hai." He explained but she shook her head.
"To tu jaa mai yahan wait kar lungi." She replied stubbornly.
Abhishek palmed his face gathering the patience to deal with her, "Tu mera body weight handle kar legi?" He asked.
She whined, "Par mai tujhe yahan akele chord kar nahi jaungi."
"Siaaaaa." He dragged her name, groaning loudly.
"Dekh baat ko samajh yaar thodi der me poori tarah se raat ho jayegi aur phir yahan se humara nikalna impossible hai, time waste mat kar please." He pleaded.
"Please maan jaa." He joined his hands dramatically.
"'Kay!" She mumbled reluctantly.
He sighed in relief and quickly kneeled down on his one knee, "Ready." He said.
Sia held his hand tightly and carefully stepped on his shoulder. A smile crept on her face when she could able to see the ground. But the height was a bit more higher. She couldn't jump.
"Jump!" Abhishek groaned in pain.
"Abhi, height jyada hai." She replied.
Abhishek groaned loudly in frustration and stood up gathering all his strength. Sia finally jumped out of the pit with the help of her elbows. A smile appeared on Abhishek's face when she was out of the danger. He knew wild animals would start roaming in the night and he could not risk Sia's life.
"Hum bas bahar nikalne hi wale the dhyan se straight jaa raasta yaad karte huye tu bahar nikal jayegi." Abhishek instructed her.
"Nahi mai nahi jaungi mai teri help karti hoon tu upar aa." She said forwarding her hand.
Abhishek looked up at her with a done face. Her hand was not even reaching close to him.
"Sia yaar jaa na." He said tiredly.
She shook her head, "Nahi."
"Help!" She shouted.
"Kya kar rahi hai?" Abhishek hissed.
"Help maang rahi hoon." She replied.
"Yahan par help karne bas sher aur bhaalu hi aayenge koi insaan is time par jungle me kya kar raha hoga?" He said.
"Kya pata humari tarah koi aur bhi yahan ho aur meri awaaz sun kar help ke liye aa jaye." She said and continued shouting for help.
~________________________________________~
Advait and Reyansh madly searching for them. Their faces were now wide with worry and fear. Each passing minute was increasing their bubbling anger. Their faces were wet in sweat despite the chilling atmosphere of the forest.
Their heads jerked to the side when they heard a faint sound of someone screaming, "Tune awaaz suni?" Advait asked Reyansh for confirmation.
"Haan." He replied.
They both started walking in the direction from where the voice was coming. The voice was growing louder with their every step.
"Ye to Sia ki awaaz hai." Advait recognized her voice.
They both shared a look before started running. They ran to the direction and there Sia was standing alone shouting for help.
Advait and Reyansh ran to her. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she realized the presence of someone else near her. She slowly turned her head with her pounding heart but her face softened with relief as soon as her eyes landed on Advait and Reyansh.
"Sia, tu theek hai?" Reyansh asked.
She nodded vigorously.
"A-Abhi kahan hai?" Advait asked, his heart was beating loudly.
She pointed at the pit on the ground. Reyansh and Advait followed her finger and their eyes widened looking at Abhishek standing there.
"Tu wahan kaise gira, theek hai tu?" Reyansh asked in panic.
Abhishek didn't reply. His eyes were fixed on Advait who was looking intensely at him. There was darkness in the forest but the heat of his elder brother's gaze still didn't go unnoticed by him. Advait didn't say anything and jumped down in the pit.
He helped him to get out of it without any word and Reyansh pulled him up.
Advait was tall and Reyansh pulled him up so he easily got out of it but his hand got scratched with a twig peeking out from the boundary of the pit.
The twig pricked on the same spot he got injured in the accident a few days back.
The blood started trickling from his hand opening the fresh wound.
"Bhaiya, aapka haath." Abhishek said in horror, looking at the blood.
But Advait didn't say anything to them and started walking ahead. Reyansh shook his head at both of them in sheer disappointment making them looked down.
~________________________________________~