Chapter 85
Sia was standing in the garden with a rose bouquet in her hands.
Her eyes were fixed on the Abhishek standing in front of her.
He was staring at her eyes, his eyes were filled with love.
Her hands were sweaty, her heartbeats were so loud that she could listen to her own heartbeats.
She closed her eyes taking a deep breath.
"I want to confess something." She said, her heart was beating loudly.
Abhishek was looking into her eyes waiting for her to complete.
She inhaled deeply.
"I love you, Abhi." She said.
The world around her stopped as she waited for his response.
A smile formed on Abhishek's face and he pulled her in a tight hug.
"I love you too, Sia." He confessed.
They stayed in each other's arms for a moment before Abhishek pulled back slowly. He looked into her eyes with admiration. She was staring back at him, her face was wide with a smile and eyes were misted in joy.
He cupped her cheeks and leaned down slowly, his gaze was fixed on her lips. She closed her eyes breathing heavily waiting for the feeling.
But suddenly the water splashed on her face and she jerked up from her sleep. She sat up straight and looked irritatingly at her mother who was standing there keeping her hands on waist.
"Kya hai mom pani kyun daal diya itna important scene chal raha tha." She whined wiping off her face.
"Itni der se jaga rahi hoon aise kumbhkarn ki tarah kaun sota hai?" Her mother scolded.
"Aur aisa kya sapna dekh rahi thi jo neend me itna muskura rahi thi?" She asked raising her brows.
Sia laid down on the bed on her back, clutching the pillow to her chest.
"Sapne me maine Abhi ko propose kar diya tha aur aapko pata hai usne kya kaha?" She asked sitting up straight excitedly.
"Usne kaha, I love you too Sia." She blushed.
Her mother glared, "Hmm bas sapne hi dekh kyunki haqiqat me to tu kabhi usko apne dil ki baat bolegi nahi." She said.
Sia pouted, "Haqiqat me bhi bol dungi, mom."
"Kab?" She asked, "Jab wo apni baraat le kar jaa raha hoga tab?" She said sarcastically.
"Aisa mat kahiye, mom." Sia said, her heart shrank at the mere thought of her Abhi being with someone else.
"To phir kya kahoon? Jab tak tu usey apne dil ki baat batayegi nahi tab tak usey kaise pata chalega ki tu usse pyar karti hai." She made her understand.
Sia looked down and started thinking. After a few minutes of thinking, she looked up at her mother.
"You're right, mom." She said.
"Mai aaj hi Abhi se milungi aur usko propose kar dungi." She announced.
Her mother smiled, "Ye huyi na baat."
"Par agar wo mujhse pyar nahi karta hoga to... Ya phir wo kisi aur se pyar karta hoga?" She said in fear, "Mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai, mom. It's too complicated."
Her mother rested her hands on her shoulders calming her down, "Relax, tu usse apni feelings confess to kar baad ki baad me dekhenge." She assured.
"Aur meri beti itni pyari hai usey koi kaise pyar nahi karega?" She said cupping her cheeks sweetly.
Sia wrapped her arms around her torso. Her mother kissed her temple with a soft smile.
"Chaliye ab jane dijiye aaj bohot saara kaam hai mujhe." She said getting up from the bed.
"Abhi se baat karni hai, usey milne bulana hai, proposal ki preparation karni hai..... " She ranted while heading towards the bathroom.
Her mother chuckled softly at her excitement looking at her retreating figure.
~________________________________________~
Reyansh and Tia were sitting on the breakfast table waiting for Vanya to arrive. Their heads snapped in the direction when the clicking of heels on the floor reached their ears. Vanya stepped down the stairs wearing a yellow one piece dress pairing with the white heels.
She settled down on the chair and glanced at both of them, "Good morning." She wished.
"Good morning." Tia replied warmly.
Vanya looked at Reyansh for his response but he didn't say anything not even a smile.
"Bhai, aap naraaz hain mujhse?" She asked.
Reyansh ignored her.
"I'm sorry." She said holding his hand to get his attention.
Reyansh looked up at her. She innocently blinked her eyes to melt him and it worked like always.
"Sorry, bhai." She said with a pout.
He sighed before ruffling her hair lovingly.
Tia rolled her eyes. When it was time to discipline her, he never did that and She always gets away with a simple apology. He was the one who was responsible for her spoiled behavior.
"I love you, bhai." She said kissing his cheek.
He smiled softly, "I love you too."
"But ab phone nahi milega." He said and the next moment doorbell ringed.
Vanya swiftly stood up and ran to the door. There was the parcel for her, she received the parcel and came back inside.
"What is this?" Tia asked.
"My new phone." Vanya replied, grinning.
"New phone? Kahan se aaya?" Reyansh asked.
"Bhaiya ne dilaya." She replied opening the box.
Tia shook her head, "Bigaadne walo ki kami thodi na hai." She muttered and focused back on her breakfast.
Reyansh narrowed his eyes, "Maine phone ke liye kya bola abhi?" He asked.
Vanya put on the most pleading eyes and looked at him, "Please." She mumbled.
"No!" He said firmly.
She looked down sadly and put the box on the table.
She was his weakness. He couldn't look at his sister's sad face. He sighed.
"Okay fine, but it is the last time I am letting you go without any consequences." He said.
She cheekily grinned and nodded. She opened the box and her eyes sparkled looking at her new mobile phone. Reyansh smiled looking at her happy face.
They had their breakfast, Vanya had her breakfast while exploring the features of her new mobile phone. Reyansh and Tia left for their offices and Vanya left behind.
She picked up her bag and was about to leave for her college when she remembered Advait's words and sighed.
She slowly walked in the kitchen to look for that househelper. He was working in the kitchen but there were two more housekeepers present in the kitchen.
"Mam aap yahan?" The female housekeeper asked because it was rare for her to come in the kitchen.
Vanya didn't reply and looked at that man's hand, "Aapka haath kaisa hai ab?" She asked.
He looked at her surprisingly, "Ab theek hai, mam." He replied politely.
She nodded and awkwardly looked around in the kitchen. She tried to let the words out of her mouth. She was feeling guilty of her action but her ego made it difficult for her to apologize.
"Uh-wo kal ke liye sorry." She said with hesitation looking everywhere but at him.
The man exchanged looks with everyone in surprise and politely dismissed her apology, "Aap sorry mat boliye mam merigalti thi." He said.
She shrugged and walked away from there without any further conversation.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was driving to a cafe where he has decided to meet with Roohanika. His mind was already swirling around so many thoughts but one thing was clear in his mind that Roohanika was innocent. There must be some misunderstanding and he would clear it out.
He was sitting in the cafe and waiting for her. Roohanika entered the cafe in a hurry, her face was contorted in panic as if something precious was slipping away from her hands.
She stopped in front of him. He also stood up looking at her.
"Kya baat karni hai?" She asked in urgency.
He studied her face before saying, "Pehle baith to jao." He said calmly.
She sat down swiftly and asked again.
"Ab batao kya hua?"
"Mujhe tumse kuch puchna hai?" He said.
She nodded hesitantly.
He composed himself before asking, "Tumhare bhai kabhi jail gaye the?" He asked after searching for the right words to ask this sensitive question.
She didn't gave any reaction and just nodded making Abhishek's heart dropped.
"Kyun?" He asked, his voice was low.
She looked down, "In the case of molestation." She replied quietly.
His last hope got shattered. An unknown feeling formed inside his chest making it difficult for him to think properly.
"Tumne mujhe pehle kabhi bataya kyun nahi?" He asked, pushing away all the negative thoughts and still believing in her.
She looked up at that and held his hand in her both hands, "Abhi, Mujhe laga ki agar tumhe meri family ke baare me aisi baat pata chali to tum mujhse kabhi rishta nahi rakhoge." She said.
"Mujhe pata hai mere bhai ne jo kiya wo bohot galat tha aur mai unhe isme bilkul bhi support nahi karti in fact ek hi ghar me reh kar bhi hum dono ek dusre se baat tak nahi karte." She said, her voice was so smooth that anyone could believe.
He listened to her and slipped away his hand from her hold making her gritted out her teeth but she masked her emotions.
"Tumhare bhai aur dad ke against case mere bhaiya ne kiya tha... ye baat tumhe pata hai?" He asked with the last thread of hope.
"What?" She said feigning shock.
"Tumhare bhaiya ne?" She asked in bewilderment, "Mujhe iss baare me koi idea nahi hai, Abhi." She said.
He sighed a breath he was holding till now. He relaxed up a little bit.
"Mujhe bas itna pata hai ki bhai molestation ke case me aur dad drug dealing ke case me jail gaye the but unhe jail bhejne wale tumhare bhaiya the ye baat to mujhe abhi tumse pata chali hai." She said, manipulating him.
"Mere bhaiya tumhari family ko bilkul pasand nahi karte, Rooh aur unhone mujhe saaf mana kiya hai tumse koi bhi rishta rakhne ke liye." He told her.
Her face turned blank. She stared in his eyes with domination.
"Tumne kya kaha?" She asked, controlling her tone.
He glanced down with a sigh, "Maine unse kaha ki tum aisi nahi ho mai jaanta hoon tumhe. Jab unhone mujhe ye baat batayi mai tabhi samajh gaya tha ki tumhe iss baare me kuch nahi pata hoga."
"Mujhe tumse mil kar sab sach janna tha taaki mai unhe jaa kar keh sakun ki tum sacchi ho aur ab jab sab clear ho gaya hai to mai aaj hi bhaiya ko humare baare me bata dunga." He said.
She breathed.
"Abhi?" She squeezed his hand firmly.
He looked at her.
"Humari family ki aapas ke problems ki wajah se humare rishte par koi asar nahi padega na?" She asked in fear.
He cupped her cheeks, "Kabhi nahi." He replied.
"Rooh ho tum meri, tumse door hua to jee nahi paunga." He said, joining his forehead with hers.
"Mujhse door huye to mai tumhe jeene bhi nahi dungi." She said with a smile but her eyes were showing the seriousness of her words.
Abhishek softly chuckled not noticing the depth of her words.
~________________________________________~
Arush were just returned from his college and settled down in Aditya's room after having lunch. They both were watching the cricket match. Their eyes were fixed on the screen ahead when Arush spoke up.
"Bhai, aapko pata hai aaj Ishita ne mujhe propose kiya." He said with attitude.
"Kaun Ishita?" Aditya asked.
"Arey jo meri class me hai chasme wali." He replied.
Aditya turned towards him, "Us Ishita ne tujhe propose kiya?" He asked.
Arush nodded raising his collars.
"Chasma lagane ke baad bhi andhi hai kya." Aditya asked.
"Bhai." Arush stomped his legs.
Aditya laughed loudly, "Accha bata phir tune kya bola usey?"
"Obviously mana kar diya." He smirked.
"Mana kar diya?" Aditya raised his brow, "Kyun be bandar?" He asked.
"Kyunki usme wo baat nahi hai." Arush said rotating his hand like a ball in the air.
Aditya looked at him disgustingly, "Chi ye kya gande gande ishaare kar raha hai." He whacked his head.
"Oww bhai kya hai mai uske nature ki baat kar raha tha." He yelled rubbing his head.
"Ye kaunsa nature hai?" Aditya asked mimicking his gesture.
Arush glared at him, "Aapki soch hi gandi hai." He retorted.
"Waah meri soch gandi hai ruk bhaiya ko aane de unhe bataunga unka laadla kya karta hai college me." Aditya threatened.
"Bata dena, mai unhe samjha dunga wo mujhe kuch nahi kahenge." He replied feigning confidence.
"Yahi baat tune tattoo banwane se pehle boli thi." Aditya smirked making Arush gulped.
Arush glared at him and looked away remembering the incident.
Arush has been wanting to get a tattoo since he turned eighteen two months back but Advait had already denied him.
Arush turned rebel as he grew up and Advait was always lenient on him.
He rarely had used his voice on him let alone raising a hand.
Advait's leniency motivated him and he got his first ever tattoo without his permission.
Now when he had got the tattoo, he was scared to face Advait. He ignored him for two days, avoiding crossing paths with him, silently sharing meals on the table. Advait noticed all of it and knew something has gone wrong that his ever clingy brother was avoiding him.
It was a Sunday and Aditya decided to watch the movie with everyone. He had set up everything and called everyone in the T.V. room. Everyone came downstairs and settled down when Advait noticed Arush was not there.
"Aru kahan hai?" He asked to Aditya.
"Aa raha hai, bhaiya. Bohot drama kar raha tha jabardasti aa raha hai." He complained.
Everyone looked at the door when a nervous Arush entered the room pocketing his hands. He has been hiding his tattooed hand in his pocket for two days. He silently settled down on the couch placed at a distance from Advait making Advait frowned as he always sat leaning beside him.
"Aru, idhar aa." He said.
Arush gulped, "Maine kuch nahi kiya bhaiya." He replied.
Advait glared, "Maine kab kaha tune kuch kiya hai... baithne ke liye bula raha hoon."
"Mai baitha hoon na yahan par mast comfortable hai ye couch." He replied and bounced on the couch to show him.
Advait hardened his stare at his strange behavior and got to know that he was hiding something.
"Idhar aa kar baith." He ordered.
"Mai...
"Abhi." He cut him off.
"Ji bhaiya?" Abhishek spoke up, who was busy bickering with Shreya over selecting the movie.
"Tujhe nahi bula raha, idiot." Advait replied making him pout, "Tu idhar aa abhi." He said to Arush.
Arush meekly stood up and settled beside Advait who fixed him with a stern glare. Arush's hand was still in his pocket. They started watching the movie after a lot of discussion and fighting.
In the middle of the movie, Advait noticed Arush's hand was still in his pocket. He looked at Arush who turned towards him sensing his gaze on himself and smiled sheepishly.
"Ye haath pocket me kyun rakha hai?" He asked.
Arush gulped but forced a smile, "Aise hi fashion." He replied with a hesitant shrug.
Advait stared at his soul for his ridiculous answer making him shrink.
"Nikaal leta hoon." Arush replied in fear.
He pocketed out his hand. Advait raised his brow looking at his hand as he was wearing a glove.
"What is this?" He asked pointing at his hand.
"Glove." Arush replied with a scared smile.
"Kyun pehna hai ye?" He asked, irritated by his answers.
"Wo-Wo thand lag rahi thi islie." Arush blurred out.
Advait looked at him as if he has grown two horns on his head.
"Thand lag rahi thi?" He asked incredulously.
Arush vigorously nodded without any expression.
"Ek haath me?" He drilled holes in his body making him gulp audibly.
"Nikaal isey." He ordered.
Arush didn't move.
"Nikaal isey." He raised his voice grabbing other's attention.
The popcorn bowl slipped from Aditya's hands at the sudden voice and all the popcorns landed on his lap and the bowl landed on the Abhishek's feet who was sitting right beside him.
"Oww!" Abhishek yelped.
Aditya clicked his tongue and quickly turned to Advait to divert the matter.
"Kya hua bhaiya, aap chillaye kyun?" He asked.
"Sunai nahi diya, Aru?" Advait asked sternly, "Nikaal isey." He repeated, pointing at the glove.
Arush slowly slipped out the glove off his hand revealing the tattoo on the back of his hand. It was the tattoo of blazes of fire but now it seemed like he was going to roast in that fire.
Abhishek and Shreya's eyes widened and Advait was blazing fire with his eyes looking at the tattoo.
But Aditya's eyes sparkled at the cool looking tattoo, "Bro ye kab banwaya? It's looking so cool." He appreciated, brushing his fingers over the tattoo.
Advait turned his blazing gaze at him and he stuttered, "Cool nahi fo-fool bol raha tha, bhaiya." He said jerking back his hand and stood maintaining a safe distance.
Arush looked meekly at Advait, "Sorry, bhaiya." He whispered.
"Mana kiya tha na?" He asked sharply.
"Bohot laad chadh gaya hai na tujhe?" He asked glaring at him, "Bina bataye cheeze karne laga hai?"
He gripped his ear tightly, "Aaj saara laad nikalta hoon tera." He took him outside in the garden by gripping his ear.
"Oww bhaiya sorry please lag rahi hai." He said clutching his hand in pain.
Abhishek and Shreya exchanged a glance, "Lekar to aise gaye hain jaise peet hi denge." Abhishek said.
"Tu movie on kar." Shreya said slumping down on the couch and Abhishek sat down beside her.
They knew Advait won't beat him not at least for this mistake.
"Aap log dekho movie mai to live entertainment dekhne jaa raha hoon." Aditya said and went behind them.
Advait made Arush stand in the middle of the garden and left his ear. Arush immediately started rubbing his sore ear with watery eyes looking at Advait with a pout.
Advait gestured the guards to dismissed and they all went away from there to the backyard. Aditya came running and stopped behind Advait.
"Murga ban." He ordered him.
Arush's eyes widened. His teenage ego would never allow him to be in that embarrassing position.
"Bhaiya please ye punishment nahi... I am sorry please ye nahi." He requested.
Aditya tried to stiffled his laugh.
"Don't make me repeat, Arush." Advait said strictly.
Arush looked down still standing and thinking of ways to melt his bhaiya's anger.
"Now." Advait said firmly.
Arush slowly squatted down and held his ears from behind his legs. His face turned red because of the humiliating position.
Aditya snickered loudly.
Advait turned around and glared at him, "Tujhe bhi banna hai?" He asked dangerously.
He quickly shook his head left to right.
"Bhaiya, please maaf kar dijiye bohot embarrassment ho rahi hai." Arush said while struggling to keep the position.
"Acchi baat hai." Advait replied nonchalantly.
He turned towards Aditya, "Nazar rakh ispe ye aise hi rehna chahiye jab tak mai na kahun." He instructed him and walked inside.
Arush started to get up as soon as Advait's footsteps faded.
"Nah na neeche." Aditya gestured him to bend down again.
Arush bend down grudgingly, "Bhai please uthne do na bhaiya ko mat batana." He pleaded.
"Mai bhaiya se jhooth nahi bolta." Aditya replied but the teasing smirk in his tone made Arush groaned.
Arush remained in the position cursing his every decision in his mind. His whole body was burning in embarrassment.
"Theek se kaan pakad." Aditya said to tease him.
"Aap pakad do." He retorted irritatingly.
"Bhaiyaaa... " Aditya sang in a threatening tone.
"Pakad raha hoon na." Arush quickly replied adjusting his position.
Aditya laughed out loud. He was enjoying it way too much as he rarely got the chance to tease Arush over the punishment.
Arush pouted remembering the most embarrassing day of his life and Aditya again laughed at his expression.
~________________________________________~