The Malhotras

Chapter 82

The dining table was set. The aroma of the fresh food was lingering in the air.

The two hungry monsters were already seated on their chairs waiting for others to join them.

They both started scrolling through their phones to pass the time.

Shreya came out of the kitchen and sat down on her chair.

The house helpers arranged the bowls on the table and exited politely.

"No phones on the dining table." Shreya chanted.

"Jab tak kha nahi rahe tab tak use kar sakte hain?" Arush asked in a sweet voice to melt her.

She rolled her eyes at his antics.

The sound of heavy footsteps reached their ears and they both quickly pocketed their phones.

"Arey abhi kha thodi na rahe ho jab tak to phone use kar sakte ho." She teased, repeating his sentence.

Aditya and Arush mockingly glared at her.

Advait entered the dining room and settled down on the head chair. He looked over at the table and frowned slightly.

"Abhi kahan hai?" He asked.

Shreya averted her eyes, "Uh-Wo aata hi hoga maine call kiya tha traffic me tha." She replied.

It's been an hour since she called him to come home but he was yet to be reached.

Advait's jaw clenched in slight anger, "Time ki koi value nahi hai iss ladke ko." He muttered to himself.

"Hmph." Aditya huffed in mock anger but like every other time Advait heard him and pointed him a look.

He quickly looked at Shreya, "Bha-Bhabhi khana de do bohot bhook lag rahi hai." He said to divert Advait.

Shreya joined him in his drama and served the food in his and Arush's plate. She was about to serve Advait when he stopped her. She stopped knowing well that he won't eat without Abhishek.

He waited for ten minutes. Each passing minute was testing his patience. He pulled out his phone from his pocket to call him by himself when a scared looking Abhishek entered the room.

Shreya sighed in relief. Abhishek shrank on his place noticing the look Advait was throwing at his side. That look still could make him feel like a teenage Abhi standing in front of his bhaiya.

"Go freshen up and come for dinner." Shreya said to dismiss the tension in the air.

Abhishek kept standing on his place looking timidly at Advait for permission. After five seconds of intense glaring session he motioned him to go and Abhishek quickly ran upstairs.

"Bhai to aaj gaye." Arush whispered to Aditya making him chuckled.

Abhishek quickly returned back almost running. He sat down on his chair with a sheepish smile. Shreya served him and they all started having the dinner without any word. But someone didn't like the silence at all.

"Bhai, aap meri performance dekhne kyun nahi aaye?" Arush asked.

Abhishek's spoon paused for a brief second before continuing, "Ah, I was busy." He replied.

"Busy with what?" Aditya asked, mimicking Advait.

Abhishek shot him a look.

"I-I mean morning me aapne kaha tha aapko office me urgent work hai but bhaiya ne bataya ki aap aaj office hi nahi gaye to exactly konse kaam me busy the?" He asked raising his brow suspiciously.

Abhishek gulped down the food, "Wo mere friend ki nani beemar thi." He said the first thing came to his mind.

"Aapne bataya nahi aapne Mbbs kar li." Aditya said sarcastically.

Arush laughed.

Abhishek frustratingly looked at him, "Mere friend ki nani beemar thi to uske saath hospital gaya tha."

"Oh sad, konse friend ki?" He again asked.

Abhishek exhaled sharply glaring at his soul. He looked across the table and his pleaded eyes met with Shreya's.

"Adi kyun pareshan kar raha hai shaanti se khane de bechare ko." She said.

"Mai to bas bhaiya ki taraf se questions kar raha tha." He mumbled with a shrug.

"I didn't remember appointing you as my personal assistant." Advait spoke up.

Aditya pouted, "Bhalai ka zamana hi nahi hai." He mumbled.

Abhishek sighed in relief when his quiz got over but the relief was just for a short time.

"Come to my study after dinner." Advait ordered making his heart stopped for a moment.

He quietly nodded his head, "Ji."

Aditya and Arush stood up after done having their dinner.

Aditya hugged Abhishek ever so tightly, "Good night, bhai." He teased.

"Mera bhi time aayega beta." Abhishek whispered to him grudgingly.

Arush hugged Advait, "Good night, bhaiya." He mumbled kissing his cheek making him smile.

Advait also stood up after three minutes and walked upstairs.

"Bhabhi please bacha lo." He panicked as soon as Advait got out of the sight.

Shreya glared, "Mai kyun bachaun maine bola tha itna late aane ke liye?" She scolded, "Kitni baar kaha hai time se aa jaya kar magar nahi meri to sunni hi nahi hai ab khud sambhalo."

He dramatically joined his hands, "Please maate aapke saare lectures baad me sun lunga abhi please mujhe bacha lo." He requested.

"Ye jo bahana diya hai wahi de dena aur kya bolega." She said.

"Mujhe bhaiya se jhooth nahi bolna." He whined tiredly.

She sighed, "To sach bata de, bachha."

He started tapping his foot on the floor, "Mujhe dar lagta hai, bhabhi." He said nervously.

"Unse baat to kar." She encouraged.

He took a deep breath, "I need a few days. Uske baad mai bhaiya ko Rooh ke baare me bata dunga." He said.

She smiled.

"Aaj to jhooth hi bolna padega." He said with a sad sigh, getting up from his seat.

He slowly made his way upstairs leaving Shreya behind with her thoughts.

He inhaled deeply before exhaling and gently knocked on the door. A faint permission came from inside. He slightly pushed open the door and entered inside leaving the door slightly opened in case if he needed to run.

"Close the door properly." Advait ordered without looking up.

Abhishek quickly closed it and stood in front of him, clutching his hands behind back. Advait was reading a file and his eyes were fixed on it. He made him stand there purposely for a few minutes before looking up from his file.

"Sit." He said.

Abhishek sat down on the chair across the table in front of Advait.

"Directly point par aate hain." Advait said in a tone that caused something twist inside his stomach.

"Aaj poora din kahan par the aap?" He asked sarcastically.

Abhishek looked down. His fingers were fidgeting on his lap. He looked like an innocent child getting scolded for his mistake.

"Bhaiya wo maine bataya tha na mere friend ki nani beemar thi to unke saath... I mean dost ke saath hospital gaya tha." He said looking at the paperweight resting on the desk.

Advait leaned back on his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Agar sach na kehna ho to directly mana kar dena magar aainda aise behuda excuses dene ki jarurat nahi hai." Advait said sharply making him instantly looked up at him.

"Bhaiya..." He started to say but he cut him off firmly.

"Enough, bol liya jitna bolna tha ab meri baat suno." He said.

"Mujhe pata hai agar mera baccha mujhse jhooth bol raha hai to wo bhi kisi ke acchhe ke liye hi hoga." He spoke up.

"I trust you, Abhi. Don't break it." He sternly said looking into his eyes.

Abhishek felt a pang in his heart. He just managed to nod at his words.

Advait exhaled softly, "Presentation ready ho gayi?"

"Ji, bhaiya." He replied quietly.

Advait nodded and stood up from his chair picking up the file he was reading. He placed the file in front of Abhishek, "Read it and review it to me tomorrow." He told him.

Abhishek nodded silently. Advait left from there gently patting his shoulder.

Abhishek slumped down his head on the desk the moment Advait left the room.

~________________________________________~

It was past 1 in the night. Advait just done working on his laptop.

He shut down the device with a tired heave.

His eyes fall on his wife who was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

Her long lashes were looking more beautiful when she sleep.

A few strands of hair were fallen on her face and she made an irritated face in sleep making Advait chuckled.

He stood up from his place. He gently tucked the hair strands behind her ear. He couldn't resist himself from leaning down and pecking her soft pink cheeks.

He glanced over the wall clock and stood up to check on his stupid brothers. He made his way to Arush's room.

Arush was typing messages to someone while hiding under the covers. The lights of his room were off and he was carefully using his phone under the blanket.

He quickly hid the phone under the pillow when the sound of footsteps approaching reached his ear. After the training of all these years, they all recognized these footsteps by their hearts.

Advait entered the room and slightly removed the covers from his face to look at his face. Arush's eyes were closed so tightly and breathing was too fast for Advait to caught on his act.

He didn't say anything and pulled out his phone from under the pillow. Arush continued his act but inadvertently a sulk formed on his face.

Advait pocketed his phone and left the room. Arush opened his eyes hearing the door shutting sound.

"Gaya mera phone." He pouted.

Advait made his way towards Aditya's room who was nonchalantly playing video games as if it was not the midnight.

"Adi." Advait's sharp voice came from behind.

His eyes widened comically and he turned back, "Bhaiya sone hi wala tha bas." He said defensively.

"Kab? Kal?" Advait asked folding his hands on his chest.

"Abhi." He mumbled giving him his best puppy eyes.

Advait rolled his eyes, "So jaa bohot late ho gaya hai." He said gently.

He nodded.

"Band kar isey." He said pointing at the PlayStation.

Aditya quickly shut down everything and laid down on the bed.

"Good night, bhaiya." He said.

Advait kissed his forehead, "Good night."

In Abhishek's room, he was on the video call with Roohanika. His back was resting against the headboard and his hand was holding the phone.

Roohanika was looking at him in concern from the other side. Her brows were furrowed together.

"Kya hua, Abhi? Kahan khoye huye ho?" She asked.

"Nothing, I'm just... not feeling well." He replied, his tone was weak.

Her face turned disquiet looking at his uneasy face, "Suddenly kya ho gaya abhi hum jab mile the tab to sab theek tha." She said.

Abhishek raked his hand through his hair before saying, "Mai bhaiya ko humare baare me batane wala hoon." He informed.

She hesitated, "Kyun?" She asked.

He gave her an incredulous look, "What do you mean by 'kyun'?"

"I mean itni jaldi kya hai thode time wait kar lete hain." She said.

"It's been two years, Rooh." He spoke up, "I've been lying to him for two years."

She looked away, "Exactly do saal se jhooth bol hi rahe ho kuch time aur sahi." She said.

"Tumhe to khush hona chahiye agar mai bhaiya ko humare baare me batana chahta hoon." He said, unsure of her strange behavior.

"Nahi hoon mai khush." She snapped.

"Tum to jaa kar apne bhaiya ko bata doge magar jaante ho agar unhone humare relationship ko accept nahi kiya to kya hoga?" She asked angrily.

"Mai jaanti hoon agar unhone humare rishte ko accept nahi kiya to tumhe do minute nahi lagenge mujhe utha kar apni zindagi se bahar fekne me." She said with hurt.

He looked at her with love, "Aisa kuch nahi hoga, Rooh. Tum kyun aisa soch rahi ho?" He said.

"Bhaiya ke liye meri khushi se badhkar aur kuch bhi nahi hai aur meri khushi tumhare saath hai wo kabhi humare rishte ko mana nahi karenge." He reassured her.

The fear was clearly visible on her face, "Please Abhi, bohot pyar karti hoon tumse. Tumse door jane ke khayaal se bhi dar lagta hai aisa kuch mat karo jisse humara ye khoobsurat rishta khatam ho jaye." She said.

"Kuch khatam nahi hoga Rooh balki ek nayi shuruaat hogi. Hum dono shaadi karenge mai bhaiya se kal hi baat karunga." He replied.

Tears rushed in her eyes but she blinked away them, "Agar tumhe mujhme ya tumhare bhaiya me se kisi ek ko chunna pade to tum kise chunoge?" She asked seriously.

Abhishek went silent for a moment before saying, "Ye kaisa sawaal hai, Rooh?" He said being slightly irritated, "Kabhi aisi situation hi nahi aayegi." He said.

"Agar kabhi aisi situation aayi to tum kise chunoge, Abhishek?" Her eyes glinting with possessiveness.

He looked away without any reply. The silence was louder than any words.

She chuckled in mocked annoyance, "Tumhari khamoshi ne mujhe mera jawab de diya." She said, her voice shaking with hurt.

"Good night." She hung the call without waiting for his reply.

He sighed closing his eyes, leaning his head against the headrest.

"I really love you, Rooh." He whispered.

The door of his room opened revealing Advait. Abhishek sat up straight quickly wiping off his face to brushed off the hurt and stress from his face.

"Bhaiya aap is waqt?" He asked getting up from the bed.

Advait's eyes lingered on his face for more than a minute, studying his eyes.

"Koi pareshani hai, baccha?" He asked gently.

The warmth of his tone instantly filled inside Abhishek's heart choking his throat with emotions. He quietly shook his head.

"Soya kyun nahi abhi tak?" He asked.

Abhishek had to clear his throat to let the words out of his mouth, "Bas sone hi jaa raha tha, bhaiya." His voice was hoarse.

Advait nodded, "Good night." He said and turned to walk away when Abhishek stopped him.

"Aaj mere paas hi so jayein please?" He requested.

Advait looked at him, his eyes could easily study his brother's uneasiness.

He quietly laid down on the bed and Abhishek hugged him resting his face on his chest hearing his soothing heartbeats. Advait's finger unintently started brushing through his curls.

"Koi problem hai to mujhe bata, baccha." Advait said, his voice was low but filled with warmth.

"Nahi bhaiya bas thoda sa work load tha." He made an excuse.

Advait looked down at him, "Then take a leave for a week." He suggested, "Nothing's important than you." He said.

Abhishek gently shook his head, "Aap yaheen raho bas sab theek hai." He whispered.

"I love you, bhaiya." He murmured.

Advait's forehead still creased in tensed lines but he quietly pressed a kiss in his hair, "Love you too."

Abhishek slept snuggling in his safe place, forgetting all his worries and stress. He was a grown up man now but in his brother's arms he was always the little Abhi who used to run for his brother even at the slightest discomfort.

~________________________________________~

In Khurana Mansion, the morning was quiet.

Vanya's mood was off since the morning as Reyansh scolded her early in the morning and now she was throwing tantrums. Their parents were out of the country for a business trip.

Tia and Reyansh silently having their breakfast glancing over at sulking Vanya in between.

She was eating her breakfast while scrolling through her phone.

"Vani breakfast karo pehle, phone rakho." Reyansh said.

She ignored him.

Tia sighed, "Vani." She nudged her softly to put down her phone.

She sighed and put down her phone on the table.

A house helper came with the steaming cups of coffee. He put a cup down on the table and was about to put down another cup when he got imbalanced and the hot coffee poured on his own hand and on the Vanya's phone placed on the table.

"What the hell?" She yelled horrified.

The man hissed in pain clutching his hand, "So-Sorry mam, galti se gir gaya." He said in horror.

Reyansh and Tia also stood up, "Tumhara haath jal gaya jao jaa kar dho jaldi." Reyansh said.

"Idiot andhe ho kya dekh kar kaam nahi kar sakte." Vanya said angrily wiping her phone with the tissue.

"Vanya." Reyansh sharply said.

The man kept standing there, "Aap jaiye jaa kar first-aid kijiye." Tia said to him.

He went from there bowing his head in apology, "Sorry mam."

Vanya scoffed.

"Ye kya badtameezi thi, Vanya?" Reyansh glared at her.

"Usne mera poora phone kharab kar diya aur aap usko job se nikaalne ki jagah mujhe daant rahe hain." She retorted.

Reyansh snatched the phone from her hand and threw it on the floor crashing it into two pieces.

Tia gasped, "Ansh, Shaant ho jao."

"Dad ne bigaad kar rakh diya hai isko bade chote ka koi lihaaz hi nahi hai." He yelled in anger and disappointment.

Tia tried to calm the situation, "Shaant ho jao baad me baat karte hai. Breakfast kar lo pehle." She said.

He sighed and sat down on the chair. Tia motioned Vanya to sat down but she was glaring at Reyansh.

"Vani, baith jao." Tia said carefully.

"Aap log khaiye, bhabhi." She said pushing back her chair and left the mansion grabbing her bag from the couch.

Reyansh held the bridge of his nose sighing heavily.

"Tum khalo. Mai Shreya ko bol deti hoon wo khila degi usey." She said.

Vanya entered the Malhotra's Mansion clicking her heels on the floor. Her eyes landed on Advait who was reading newspaper sitting on the couch. She ran to him and settled beside him hugging his side.

"Good morning, Princess." Advait smiled warmly.

She sulked, "Aapke dost ne rehne kahan di meri morning good."

Advait raised his brow amusingly, "Kyun aisa kya hua?" He asked.

She sat up straight, "Subah subah mujhe itna daant diya aur mera phone bhi tod diya." She complained.

Advait's face turned serious. His friend has the patience of a saint and if he breaks something in anger then the reason would be serious.

"Aisa kya kiya tumne?" He raised his brow in mock suspicion.

She whined, "Aap bhi meri galti nikaal rahe hain."

"Meri koi galti nahi thi wo to uss servant ne mere phone par coffee gira di maine bas us par gussa kiya magar bhai ne mujhe hi ulta daant diya aur mera phone tod diya." She explained in a sulky tone.

He sighed, "First of all, correct your word." He said, "Ye servant kya hota hai? Khareed liya hai tumne unhe? Mehnat se paise kamate haina wo aise nahi bolte, baccha." He said.

She nodded, "Fine but galti to uski hi thi na." She said.

Advait shot her a look, "Uski kya hota hai? Tumhara dost hai wo? Badon se baat karna bhi sikhana padega ab?" Advait said. He didn't raise his voice but his tone was not soft either making her pout deepened.

"Sorry." She muttered looking down getting up from the sofa.

He pulled her down making her sat on her place, "Janbuz kar to unhone coffee nahi girayi na galti to kisi se bhi ho sakti hai. I'm sure tumne kuch kaha hoga Rey bina baat ke itna gussa nahi karta." He said.

"Mai gussa nahi karna chahti thi bhaiya par mera phone kharab ho gaya islie mujhe gussa aa gaya." She muttered.

He smiled, "Koi baat nahi mujhe pata hai meri princess ka dil bohot saaf hai." He said ruffling her hair.

"Ghar jaa kar kya karna hai?" He raised his brow.

"Bhai ko sorry bolna hai." She replied.

"Aur un househelper ko bhi." He added making her pout but she didn't deny.

Shreya emerged in the living room from the kitchen, "Oh aa gayi Maharani." She taunted.

Vanya rolled her eyes.

"Ghar me kya kaand karke aayi hai ye pata hai aapko?" Shreya asked looking at Advait.

"Maine bhaiya ko bata diya hai." Vanya replied, "Better luck next time." She retorted.

Shreya rolled her eyes and they all settled on the breakfast table. Aditya seated next to Vanya. She snatched his phone from him and started scrolling in his phone.

"Vani breakfast karo pehle." Shreya spoke up.

"Ek minute bhabhi mai kuch kaam kar rahi hoon." She said.

She handed the phone to Advait.

Aditya hissed at her, "Mera phone bhaiya ko kyun de rahi hai?"

She ignored him, "Bhaiya iss wale ke features bohot acche hain aur iss wale ka look bohot accha hai, koi sa bhi order kar do." She said showing him the mobile phones in Aditya's phone.

Arush's ear perked up, "Mujhe bhi new phone chahiye." He demanded.

Advait ordered the phone, "Done." He handed back Aditya's phone to him.

"Bhaiya, mujhe bhi new phone chahiye." Arush again whined.

"Kyun iss phone me kya problem hai?" He asked.

"Ye purana ho gaya hai." Arush replied.

"Abhi 2 months bhi nahi huye hain isey." Aditya replied pointing towards Arush's new phone.

"Aap mere phone par nazar mat daalo." He scoffed.

"Good morning, everyone." A sweet voice chirped in the room.

Everyone's heads turned to the direction. Sia walked to them, her soft smile was glued on her face.

"Good morning, bhaiya." She hugged him.

He hugged her back.

She met with everyone and settled down on the chair.

"Mil gaya time family ke liye?" Advait asked.

"Mat puchiye bhaiya bohot hectic schedule hai saans lene ka bhi time nahi milta." She said, the exhaustion was evident on her face.

She nudged Arush, "Aur rockstar party kab de raha hai?" She asked.

"Performance dekhne koi nahi aaya party maangne sab aa gaye." Arush taunted her.

"I was... " She was about to say when he cut her off.

"I know you were busy. Ye dialogue yahan baithe har insaan se sun chuka hoon mai ek bhabhi hi meri apni hai jinhone mere liye time nikala." He said sadly.

Advait raised his brow at him.

"Oye chotu, mai bhi performance dekhne aa hi rahi thi wo to ye Adi ne ek ladke se ladai karna shuru kar diya to mujhe iske paas jana pada." Vanya said in her defense.

Aditya choked on his food coughing badly. Shreya quickly passed him the water. He nervously peeked at Advait who was glaring at him dangerously.

"Kisse ladai ki isne?" Advait asked to Vanya.

She clicked her tongue realizing her slip of tongue. She quickly picked up her bag.

"Chal chal Adi jaldi chal first lecture miss ho jayega." She said dragging him away with herself.

Shreya, Sia and Arush stiffled their laughter.

Advait turned to Arush, "Tu mujhe batata kyun nahi hai college me iski harkaton ke baare me?" He asked him.

"Mai apni class me hota hoon, bhaiya. Adi bhai to har time kisi na kisi se ladte hi rehte hai." He replied innocently saving himself.

"Aane de isey ghar." He mumbled.

Arush stood up, "Mai college jaa raha hoon." He said and ran away from there.

"Abhi kahan hai, bhabhi?" Sia asked.

"Wo to aaj jaldi office chala gaya." She replied.

Sia sighed.

"Bhaiya, aap office kab jayenge?" She asked.

"In ten minutes." He replied.

She smiled, "Great, mai bhi chalungi mujhe Abhi se milna hai." She said.

Advait nodded and they both left for the office after having their breakfast.

~________________________________________~