Chapter 83
Abhishek was restlessly pacing back and forth in his cabin.
His fingers were tapping the mobile screen continuously.
Roohanika was not responding to his calls and messages since morning and he was getting anxious with the passing time.
He again tried to call her but no response.
He slumped down on his chair raking his hand through his hair.
He looked up angrily when the door of his cabin opened, "Who the hell...
His words died in his throat looking at Sia who was smiling at him but the smile vanished looking at his tensed face.
She walked to his side, " Kya hua Abhi? Sab theek hai? Tum itne pareshan kyun lag rahe ho?" She asked rapidly.
He sighed looking at her tiredly, "What are you doing here?" He asked.
"To meet you obviously." She said being offended.
"Tumhe nahi accha laga to chali jati hoon." She said masking her hurt and turned to walk away.
Abhishek swiftly stood up and made her sit down holding her hand, "Mazak kar raha tha yaar. Tum bhi kya choti choti baaton par muh fula leti ho." He said.
She huffed looking away.
"Aise mazak mujhe pasand nahi."
"Maaf kariye, doctor sahiba." He said joining his hands making her giggle.
"Accha ye sab choro, itna pareshan kyun lag rahe ho?" She asked.
"Nahi bas thoda busy tha." He replied.
"Aur aapke Doctor Raghav kaise hain?" He asked teasingly.
She swatted his chest, "Meri galti ho gayi jo maine tumhe ye baat batayi... ab se kuch nahi bataungi." She pouted.
"Waise bhi tum to mujhe apni koi baat nahi batate to sirf mai hi kyun apne secrets bataun?" She complained.
"Wo islie because you're bhaiya's chamchi." He mocked.
"Haww!" She gasped, "Maine tumhari konsi baat bhaiya ko batayi?" She asked narrowing her eyes.
He rolled his eyes, "Can't take risk, nerdy."
She made a scoffed face.
Abhishek looked at her, his eyes were stopped on her face making her blush but in reality he was thinking something.
"Uh ek baat puchu?" He asked, adjusting himself in his chair.
She nodded with red cheeks.
"Agar koi ladki naraaz ho to kaise manana chahiye?" He asked.
"Mai ab naraaz nahi hoon." She said with a dismissive smile.
He looked at her exasperatedly, "Jo pucha hai wo batao na." He requested.
"Umm wo kyun naraaz hai uska reason pucho aur uski problem solve kar do." She said with a shrug, "Usse pyar se baat karo uski dil ki baat samjho in sabse ladkiyan jyada impress hoti hai baaki ye flowers chocolates to sab additional hota hai." She explained.
He nodded thoughtfully.
"Tum kyun puch rahe ho?" She raised her brow suspiciously.
He shrugged nonchalantly, "Aise hi future me kaam aayega." He said with a spurious chuckle.
"Don't worry, tumhe jarurat nahi padegi mai tumse kabhi naraaz hi nahi hongi." She mumbled under her breath and the blush crept on her cheeks.
"Huh?" He asked.
She shook her head violently.
~________________________________________~
In the college, the students were seated in the class chattering with each other waiting for the teacher to arrive. But suddenly the energy of the room shifted and all the girls sat properly on their seats. A girl fixed her hair and the other sat seductively crossing her one leg on the other.
Their eyes were fixed on the Arush who just entered the class with his charming look. His bag was slinging on his one shoulder on his tall frame. He was indeed the smart looking but his charm and personality made the girls got crazy over him.
"Hey ladies." He said smoothly hopping on the professor's desk placed in front of the class.
"Hi Arush!" The girls said in unison and a few boys rolled their eyes.
"Aaj mujhe aap pyari pyari kanyaon aur in sade huye kelon se ek important topic par baat karni hai." He said like a politician.
The boys groaned in annoyance but their girlfriends stopped them.
"The topic is:- Humare bechare professors." He said each word looking at the each row.
The students furrowed in confusion.
"Humare bechare professors kitni mehnat karte hain humare liye poora dinek class se dusri class me jaa kar apna gyaan baant-te hai aur ye college wale..." He said dramatically and made a scoffed face in the end.
"Ye college wale humare bechare professors ko ek din ka bhi rest nahi dete islie ek ideal student hone ke naate ye humara farz hai ki hum apne professors ko rest de." His voice echoing in the classroom.
"Islie aaj hum sab log mass bunk karenge." He announced.
"Ye baat direct bhi boli jaa sakti thi?" A boy spoke up.
Arush shook his head, "Mere bhaiya kehte hain ki apni har baat ko acche se explain karna chahiye." He recited.
"So, Are you guys ready for the mass bunk?" He asked with enthusiasm.
"Yes!" The classroom erupted in echo.
"Let's go!" He fisted his hand in the air.
The students walked away from the classroom emptying the class gradually.
Arush slumped down off the desk when the class got empty and the professor entered the classroom.
The professor glanced at the empty desks and then at Arush.
"Where are everyone?" He asked.
"I don't know, sir." Arush replied innocently, "Mujhe to kal se high fever hai, sir.
Phir bhi mai aapka lecture lene aaya kyunki mere liye padhai se important aur kuch nahi hai magar class ko dekh kar lagta hai mere alawa aur kisi ko padhai ki tension hi nahi hai.
" He added, putting on his most innocent eyes.
"You're right. Everyone's so careless." The professor in a disapproved tone.
He looked over at Arush's dramatic face, "Go and take care of your health." He said to him.
The professor spoke up from behind, "Don't stress about your studies." Arush quickly escaped from there muttering, "Never."
~________________________________________~
Roohanika was sitting in a cafe. An angryfrown was visible on her face but her eyes were showing a mix of hurt and guilt. She was dressed in a brown maxi dress, her hair was open and her lips were smudged in dark color. She was randomly scrolling in her phone, fixing her hairs in between.
Abhishek entered the cafe and the rich aroma of brewed coffee consumed in his senses. He was wearing blue coat pants pairing with a white shirt. His biceps were flaunting in his fitted coat and everyone's heads snapped to his direction when his 6'2 frame towered over the people.
Roohanika looked away when she noticed him approaching her. He pulled a chair and sat down beside her instead of in front of her.
"I am sorry, Rooh." He apologized.
"You don't need to sorry." She replied quietly, "I am sorry."
"I shouldn't have talk to you like that." She added.
"Tumhe apne bhaiya ko humare baare me batana tha na?" She asked.
He looked at her, "Agar tum chahti ho..
"Bata sakte ho." She said cutting him off.
His lips twitched up in a smile, "Sacch me?" He asked.
She nodded with a small smile.
"Mai tum par trust kar rahi hoon, Abhi. Kuch galat nahi hona chahiye." She said slowly.
"Kuch nahi hoga tum fikar mat karo. Mai jaldi bhaiya se baat karunga." He said holding her soft hands in his rough ones.
"Magar unhe batane se pehle mai bhabhi ko tumse milwana chahta hoon. Unhe tumhare baare me pata hai par wo tumse mil kar baat karna chahti hain." He said.
She hesitated, "Ok-ay."
"Tum unhe call kar ke yahin bula lo na." She suggested.
Abhishek kissed her cheek, "I'm so happy, Rooh." He said and pulled out his phone from his pocket.
Shreya picked up the call, "Hmm?" She asked while folding her clothes.
"Bhabhi aap Lush Bean cafe me aa sakte ho?" He asked.
She stopped and picked up the phone in her hand, "Kyun, kya hua?" She asked.
"Aapko Rooh se milna tha na mai abhi usi ke saath hoon." He said.
"To usey ghar le kar aa jao na." She suggested.
"Ghar?" He said and looked at her.
"Ghar par sab honge bhabhi." He said.
She shook her head, "Koi nahi hai dono bandar college me hai aur tumhare bhaiya office me hain." She said, "Tum Roohanika ko ghar le kar aa jao, isi bahane apna hone wala sasuraal bhi dekh legi." She teased.
He chuckled and looked at Roohanika who didn't seem interested in the conversation.
He muted the call, "Rooh?" He said to gain her attention, "Bhabhi is inviting you at home. Is it fine with you?" He asked her.
Her gaze went distant and she nodded, "Malhotra Mansion." She whispered to herself.
"Okay bhabhi. We're coming." He said to Shreya and hung the call.
~________________________________________~
Advait was driving to Aditya and Arush's college. He was in a meeting when Tia informed him about the call from their college asking him to come as soon as possible. He was in anger because he had to dismissed the meeting in between to attend this matter.
He pulled out the car outside the college and marched towards the Principal cabin. The girls were gawking at him and the atmosphere instantly turned silent in his intimidating presence. His eyes landed on Aditya who was standing outside the cabin and Vanya was lecturing her.
Advait's shoe came in Aditya's view and he looked up instantly only to gulped down in fear. Advait was looking at him with a deadly glare and then at Arush who was standing at a distance.
"Ma-Maine kuch nahi kiya." He stuttered pointing at Aditya.
Advait ignored them and entered the cabin followed by Aditya, Arush and Vanya. The Principal stood up from his chair and shook a hand with Advait.
"Hello, Mr. Malhotra." The Principal greeted and he nodded.
"Please sit."
Advait sat down on the chair precisely opening a button of his coat.
"Sorry to disturb you Mr. Malhotra but your brother... " The Principal said and his eyes landed on the three innocent souls standing there in a line.
"Why are you both here?" He asked looking at Arush and Vanya.
"Sir, bhai ki galti nahi hai. He is innocent." Arush spoke up.
The Principal made an incredulous face, "Innocent? Him?" He said laughing to himself but stopped looking at Advait's stoic face.
"You both can go and wait outside." He said fixing his composure.
"But... " Vanya was about to protest when Advait shot them a look and they both scurried away from there.
The Principal cleared his throat before speaking, "Mr. Malhotra, your brother has indulged in a fight with a student and broke his nose." He complained.
Advait hissed a sharp breath clenching his jaw.
"He is admitted to the hospital and his parents are demanding for your brother's suspension." He added.
If looks can kill then Aditya would have died in ashes by now. Advait didn't say a word to him but his eyes were screaming at him.
"Sorry to say, Mr. Malhotra but I have to take an action against Aditya." He said.
Advait inhaled deeply for the patience and fixed Aditya with a glare, "Explain." He gritted out.
A shiver ran down Aditya's spine but he cleared his throat, "He was bullying the other students, bhaiya. Maine usko pehle aaram se hi mana kiya but wo nahi maana...
"Who started the physical fight?" Advait asked cutting him off firmly.
Aditya's eyes dropped to floor and he mumbled lowly, "Me."
Advait fisted his hands to control himself from slapping his brother's face.
He turned to the Principal, "What's the name of that student?" He asked.
"Dhruv." The Principal replied.
"Then first, take an action against him Principal because as far as I know bullying is a heinous crime." He said.
"My brother just stopped him obviously not in the generous way but he was not entirely at fault." He said and Aditya sighed in relief.
The Principal nodded, "I understand, Mr. Malhotra but he doesn't have any proof against him." He stated the fact.
Advait looked at Aditya raising his brow, "Wo jinhe bully kar raha tha wo log testify kar denge." He mumbled scaredly.
"Call them." He ordered him and Aditya flew to the door. He told Arush and Vanya to get those students.
After five minutes, the three students along with Arush and Vanya entered the cabin. They all stood in the line waiting for the questions.
"Aditya is claiming that Dhruv bully you. Is that true?" The Principal asked.
A girl spoke up, "Yes sir, Dhruv humein roj bully karta hai aur new students ki ragging karta hai."
"Then why didn't you complain about it?" He asked.
"Sir wo humein humiliate karta hai aur record kar leta hai agar hum complain karne ke liye kehte hain to video viral karne ki dhamki deta hai." A boy replied.
The Principal sighed.
"Wo aaj bhi hume pareshan kar raha tha magar Aditya ne usey dekh liya aur roka par usne iski family ke baare me galat bolna shuru kar diya islie Aditya ne ladai start ki." Another girl explained.
Advait snapped his head at Aditya who averted his gaze.
"Aditya ki koi galti nahi hai sir wo to humari help kar raha tha." She added.
"Yes sir." They all nodded in unison.
"Go back to your classes." The Principal ordered and everyone left the room except Aditya.
Advait looked at the Principal, "Anything else?" He asked sharply.
"N-No sir." He stuttered.
"The authority will deal with Dhruv properly." The Principal assured.
"Dhruv was at fault but Aditya's way of handling the situation was not right either." He said hesitantly.
Advait nodded, "Agree."
"One week suspension?" The Principal asked more than ordered.
Advait nodded stiffly.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek pulled the car in the Mansion's driveway and stopped it in front of the house. He stepped out of the car and opened the gate for Roohanika. She stepped out elegantly and glanced over the mansion.
Abhishek slid his hand into hers and guided her inside. Shreya was already waiting for them in the hall, stood up seeing on them.
A smile was on her lips as she walked to them. Roohanika smiled at her, corner of her eyes crinkling.
"Hello, Mrs. Malhotra." Roohanika said.
Shreya dismissively waved her hand in the air, "No need for formalities."
"You're a part of the family. Call me bhabhi." She said.
Roohanika smiled politely.
"Come sit." She guided both of them to the couch.
The househelper came with the refreshments and forwarded the juice towards Roohanika. She politely denied him, Shreya was watching her every movement carefully to know her behavior.
"So, what do you do?" Shreya asked him.
"I'm currently helping my dad in his business." She replied.
"Great." Shreya said impressively.
Abhishek raised his brow looking at Shreya and She blinked at him silently approving Roohanika.
"Waise tum Abhi se kahan mili?" She asked.
Roohanika briefly glanced at Abhishek before replying, "In a business party."
"Ye sab mai aapko already bata chuka hoon, bhabhi." Abhishek complained.
"Just cross checking." She shrugged making Roohanika chuckled.
Shreya got busy talking with her asking her everything she wanted to know. She liked the girl, her way of talking and her personality win Shreya's heart. They started chattering sharing interesting tales and stories with each other.
But all of them stopped suddenly when the tires screeching sound echoed in the living room. Abhishek snapped his head at Shreya who was cluelessly looking at him. She asked the housekeeper to check who has come. The housekeeper went to check and returned back.
"Bade sir aur Aditya sir aaye hain." He informed.
Abhishek's face went pale and he looked at Roohanika and then at Shreya.
"Bhabhiiii!" He panicked.
She smiled nervously, "Relax Abhi. Tum chance dundh rahe the na ye lo Roohanika saamne hi baithi hai milwa dena apne bhaiya se." She said hesitantly.
Abhishek glared at her but she looked away. Roohanika looked between them but seemed unfazed.
Advait entered the living room, his jaw was clenched angrily. He covered the room in a few long strides, his presence was dominating making everyone stilled. Aditya followed him behind meekly, crossing his fingers.
Abhishek gulped down looking at his angry face. Aditya looked at the new presence in his home and raised his brow.
"Hey! Who are you?" Aditya asked raising his brow suspiciously.
Advait turned around and glared at him.
"I mean, how are you?" He quickly corrected.
Roohanika's face hardened at the sight of Advait. She looked away from him.
Abhishek shook his head at Shreya but she ignored him and stepped forward.
"Advait, She is Roohanika. Abhi's...
"Friend." Abhishek cut her off in panic.
Both the girls snapped their heads at him but he didn't look at them.
Advait looked at Roohanika who was looking straight in his eyes fiercely. He narrowed her eyes to studied her properly and closed them for a moment before speaking.
"I have seen you somewhere." He said.
Abhishek looked between both of them in confusion.
"What's your name again?" He asked, his tone was firm without any hint of warmth.
"Roohanika." She said unknowingly glaring at him.
He tilted his head slightly, "Roohanika..." He trailed off to know her full name.
The realization dawned upon Advait's face and his eyes blazed furiously.
"What's your father's name?" He asked just to get sure.
Abhishek spoke up, "Bhaiya aap bhi kya uska interview lene lag gaye." He said in a low voice hesitantly.
Advait pointed him a look making him shut up and turned back his attention on Roohanika waiting for her reply.
"Randheer Raichand." She replied with a hint of smirk in her tone.
That was the last straw of his flaring temper and he closed his eyes fisting his hands at his sides. He looked at Abhishek coldly making him visibly flinch and turned back on his heels without any word leaving everyone confused behind him.
~________________________________________~