Chapter 86
Sia was standing in front of the mirror. She was wearing a lavender one piece pairing with white heels. Her curly long hair was resting on her back and shoulders. She was applying lip gloss on her lips while humming a tune. She checked her look for the nth time in the mirror.
"Ready!" She chirped.
She went downstairs and there her mother was sitting in the hall. She stood up on seeing her daughter.
Sia twirled in front of her to show her look. Her mother looked at her in awe.
"Kitni pyari lag rahi hai meri beti." She exclamied.
Sia smiled widely at the appreciation.
"Nazar na lage kisi ki." She applied the kajal behind her ear.
"Mujhe bohot nervousness ho rahi hai, mom." Sia said with an anxious look.
Her mother smiled, "Sab accha hoga itna ghabra mat." She assured.
Sia forced a smile. An unsettled feeling was clawing in her chest despite her all the efforts to ignore it.
"Chal ab jaldi jaa driver kaka tera wait kar rahe hain bahar." Her mother instructed.
She hugged her mother and left the home with her pounding heart.
She picked up the white lilies bouquet on her way.
She was very excited but there was a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Her heart was literally jumping inside her, finally she was going to propose to the love of her life.
She was feeling like the happiest person on the earth.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was driving the car and Roohanika was sitting beside him on the passenger seat. The soft music was playing in the background. They both were humming to the soft romantic tune. Roohanika was glancing at him and Abhishek noticed it.
"Kuch kehna hai, Rooh?" He asked.
"Tum apne bhaiya se kab baat karoge?" She asked.
"Aaj hi." He replied almost immediately.
She looked at him properly, "And what if he says no?" She asked.
"He won't." He replied confidently.
She looked irritated, "But agar mana kiya to kya, Abhi?"
"Tum humesha itna negative kaise soch sakti ho, Rooh?" He asked tiredly.
"I'm thinking practically." She retorted, "Just answer my question."
"Agar unhone mana kiya to mai unhe tab tak manaunga jab tak wo maan nahi jaate." He replied smoothly.
She glared, "Why does his opinion matter so much?" She snapped.
He stopped the car with a halt and looked at her incredulously.
"What did you just say?" He asked.
She composed her expressions, "I mean, you're an adult and you can decide for yourself." She covered, "Kya farak padta hai wo haan kahe ya naa, tum mujhse pyar karte ho shaadi karna chahte ho unke opinion se kya farak padta hai." She said in a controlling tone.
"Farak padta hai." He said firmly, "Mujhe unke har ek opinion se farak padta hai." He completed.
"He has raised me. I always looked up to him, seeking for his validation and approvals. I can't take any decision of my life without his permission." He cleared.
"To pyar bhi apne bhaiya se puch kar hi kar lete." She taunted.
He narrowed his eyes at her strange behavior. She looked away at that.
He was about to say something just when his phone started ringing. He looked at the caller I'd and picked up the call but his phone was connected with the car's speakers.
"Hi Abhi!" Sia's cheerful voice came out of the speaker cutting through the tensed atmosphere of the car.
Roohanika sharply looked at Abhishek who hesitantly replied, "Hi!"
"Tum kahan ho?" She asked immediately.
He glanced over Roohanika before replying, "Uh-Office... kyun?"
"Okay. I'm coming." She replied.
Roohanika shook her head at him glaring at his soul.
"Sia, actually I'm quite busy today." He said, "We'll meet some other time."
Sia's voice dropped, "I won't take your much time." She said.
Abhishek sighed heavily, "I know Sia, hum baad me milte haina. I'm sorry." He hung up the call.
He didn't want to upset Sia but Roohanika was already not in the good mood and he didn't want to spoil the things between them by denying her direct order. He started the car but his mood got off.
"Stay away from her." She ordered looking ahead.
"She's my best friend, Rooh." He replied.
She started getting frustrated, "Tunhare bhaiya, tumhari best friend sab tumhari priority list me hai except me." She said.
"Aisa kuch nahi hai, baby...
"Aisa hi hai." She snapped.
The red light struck and Abhishek stopped the car. He looked at her sad face and sighed heavily. He leaned forward and cupped her cheeks.
"I love you!" He said.
She didn't reply.
He leaned down and kissed her cheek making her smile a bit.
He noticed it and again leaned down to kiss her another cheek but she grabbed him by collar and smashed her lips into his.
He kissed her sofly. She bit on his lips to show her previous aggression and he just amusingly looked at her possessiveness.
On the other side, Sia's eyes started getting teary. She was all dressed up with the bouquet for a person who didn't have the time for her. Her mood was ruined, she looked at the beautiful flowers placed beside her on the seat.
"Stop the car." She ordered the driver.
"Yahin par, madam?" The driver confirmed as the car was running on the busy road.
"Ji!" She replied and the driver stopped the car. She picked up the bouquet in her hand and stepped out.
There was a tea stall on the roadside. She went to the stall and sat down on the rusty table with a sigh. Her excitement has drowned down completely and replaced with an ache. The bouquet in her hands was poking in her eyes.
She sighed heavily, "Uncle, ek chai dena." She said to the elderly man, owner of the tea stall.
Her gaze was fixed on something across the road.
She was deep in thinking but a small smile came onto her lips when she noticed a couple kissing inside a car on the road.
The signal was red and car was standing on the road.
She started imagining herself and Abhishek on their place and her smile blossomed.
But then, the couple pulled back and she froze on her place.
Abhishek and Roohanika were sitting in that car smiling and giggling at each other.
Sia's heart dropped to her stomach. She didn't react anything.
She was still, so still that she forgot to breathe.
There was not a single tear in her eyes, not even the moisture.
Her eyes were glued to their smiling faces but what pierced her heart the most?
The love in Abhishek's eyes. The love she wanted to see in his eyes for her.
But it was not for her, it was for some other woman.
The world around her has stopped, the signal turned green and the car flew away from in front of her eyes leaving a storm behind.
"Beta, chai." The older man said but she didn't listen. She didn't react. She was just standing still as if someone has snatched away her soul from her body.
The bouquet slipped away from her hands landing on the ground covering the white lilies in the dirt.
Suddenly, the world started suffocating her and her breathing got heavier.
She wanted to run, to hide herself from all the pain she was feeling inside her.
She ran away from there stepping on the flowers on her way.
She ran on the middle of the road like a crazy person.
She didn't know where she was going but she just wanted to disappear, to move out of the place.
~________________________________________~
Arush was on the bunk as Aditya was suspended from college for one week so he wasn't in the college and this made it easy for Arush to bunk the college. He went out with his friends to the beach. They were total five including three boys and two girls.
They had fun together enjoying the fresh air of the beach. Arush also played his guitar earning himself amusing looks and cheers from his friends and the people around him.
The girls were gossiping about everyone in the college and the boys roasted the every couple of their college. When Arush noticed one of his friend Sameer who was busy with his phone and his brows were frowned in tension.
"Hey bro, What happened?" He asked snaking his arm around his shoulder.
Sameer looked up at him and then at his phone, "Kuch nahi yaar aaj match hai na islie stressed hu thoda." He replied.
"Oh haan yaar kya score chal raha hai?" He asked.
Sameer handed him his phone and Arush sadly sighed looking at the score.
"Itna stress kyun le raha hai ek match hi to hai." Arush said.
"Bas match ki baat nahi hai yaar." Sameer said, his voice was low in fear.
"Maine apne 10k lagaye hain is team par." He told him.
Arush gave him a look, "Isn't that called gambling?" He commented.
"It's called skill, bro." Sameer retorted.
Arush amusingly raised his brow, "Skill huh?"
Sameer put down his phone, "Maine apni isi skill se 50k earn kiye hain." He said proudly.
"Good for you." Arush replied with a shrug.
Sameer rolled his eyes, "You won't understand, buddy." He said teasingly, "Jaa kar guitar baja."
"Mai logo ko bhi bohot accha bajata hoon. Try me." Arush said glaring at him for his tone.
Sameer looked away at that and started looking into his phone when a victorious smile played on his lips. He showed the phone to Arush.
"10k in." He winked at Arush.
"Sattebaaz." Arush muttered.
Sameer laughed off, "Jo kehna keh le bhai par jo thrill ke saath paisa kamane me maja hai wo kisi me nahi... aur mujhe aadat ho gayi hai ab jeetne ki." He said.
"Mujhe kyun bata raha hai?" Arush asked directly.
"Kyunki mujhe pata hai mere dost me potential hai." Sameer said keeping his hand on his shoulder.
"Tu ek baar try kar ke dekh maza na aaye to mat karna." He said.
"I'm good." Arush said with a tight lipped smile.
Sameer shrugged, "Koi baat nahi, chord ye har kisi ke bas ki baat nahi hai." He said deliberately to provoke him.
Arush's eyes hardened at his challenging tone, "Aisa koi kaam nahi hai jo Arush Advait Malhotra se na ho." He glared at him firmly.
Sameer smirked, "Sure?"
"Don't challenge me, Sameer." He hissed.
"Challenge nahi, bro. Just a friendly dare. I dare you to earn only 10k and if you lose you'll have to give me 1 lakh and if you won. I'll give you 1 lakh." He challenged.
Arush smirked, "Deal." He said.
"Next match, next week ko hai ready rehna aur aaram se soch kar batana kis team par paise lagane hai." Sameer said.
Arush nodded.
Sameer exchanged a smile with his friend who was far sitting from them but knew everything. It was their plan to get money from Arush and he got trapped in their plan.
~________________________________________~
Sia entered her home. She was walking looking ahead, her eyes were blank and posture was stiff. She was just walking without looking here and there as if each step was heavy for her. Her mother looked at her back from the kitchen. She frowned and came out of the kitchen.
"Sia, itni jaldi kaise aa gayi?" She asked but Sia didn't turn. She kept walking.
"Sia!" Her mother again called.
But Sia kept walking and entered her room.
She walked straight to her bathroom and locked the door behind herself.
The moment the door got closed, the dam she was holding into herself broke down.
She started crying loudly. She opened all the taps so that her voice didn't get out of the bathroom.
She slumped down on the wet floor, the shower was running over her body.
She hugged her knees to her chest. Her tears were mingling with the pouring water.
Her screams were heart wrenching as if someone was ripping off a part of her body from herself.
She cried bitterly letting out her pain, hurt and guilt with the water.
Their smiling faces, the love in Abhishek's eyes for that girl was crumbling her heart.
She stopped crying when a soft bang came on the door.
"Sia, beta kya hua?" Her mother asked.
She wiped off her tears but didn't get herself to say something.
"Tu itni jaldi kyun aa gayi?" She further asked.
"Abhi mila nahi kya?" She asked.
Sia choked on her tears but composed herself and answered in a breaking voice, "Mom, Wo-Wo aaj busy hai." She replied.
"Accha koi baat nahi tu kal usse mil lena magar ab late mat karna." She said from the other side of the door.
Sia covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming in tears. She sobbed sitting on the floor. She wanted to scream, to say that its already late. The person she loves the most could never be hers now.
"Beta, tu theek hai na?" Her mother asked, her voice was gentle.
Her caring voice made her tears fall down. She wanted to run into her arms and complained about everything this world has done to her daughter.
"Haan." She could only manage to reply this.
Her mother was not feeling right but she let her give the space. She left from the room.
Sia remained sitted on the floor. Gradually, the tears stopped coming out.
She placed her head on her knees and let the water poured down on herself.
She was feeling numb from inside. Her heart was aching in the way she couldn't name.
The future she has imagined with Abhishek, all the things were now lying shattered on her feets.
~________________________________________~
Shreya was sitting in her room waiting for her husband to come back from the office.
He didn't talk to her since last night. He didn't return back in the room and slept in the study.
He came early in the room to freshen up and left before Shreya could wake up.
He wasn't even present on the breakfast table.
He left for the office before that without even meeting anyone.
Shreya tried to contact him. She texted him and he simply replied her. There was not any arrogance in his replies but his curt replies were clearly showing the hurt he had felt.
Aap kab tak aayenge?
I'll be late. Eat and sleep.
I'm waiting.
I'll come in the morning. Don't wait.
But why?
Work.
I'm sorry Advait.
Busy. Talk to you later.
Shreya sighed in herself. She has decided to talk to Advait when he returned back but now when he was not coming home. She felt a pang of guilt in her heart.
Abhishek entered the room with a knock. Shreya stood up on seeing him.
"Bhaiya kahan hain, bhabhi?" He asked looking for him.
"Wo office se nahi aaye subah tak aayenge." She replied.
"Subah tak...kyun?" He frowned.
Shreya debated in her mind that should she tell him the truth or not. She didn't want to break the promise she did to her husband. But she also didn't want a rift to develop between the brothers. She was stucked in the situation.
"Bhabhi." Abhishek shook her lightly to get her attention.
"Huh?" She asked coming out of her haze.
"Kahan kho gaye the aap?" He asked.
"Kahin nahi." She replied.
Abhishek looked at her weird behavior, "Maine Rooh se baat kar li hai bhabhi. Usne kaha ki usey nahi pata tha bhaiya ne uski family ko jail bheja tha iss baare me...usey kuch bhi nahi pata tha." He informed her.
Shreya looked at him firmly, "Abhi, tum Advait ko kal hi Rooh ke baare me sab bataoge." She ordered him.
Abhishek blinked his eyes at her firm tone, "Mai bhaiya ko aaj hi batane wala tha bhabhi par ab kal tak wait karna padega." He said.
"Hmm kal sunday hai wo ghar par honge aur tum bhi, kal hi ye baat khatam karo." She said.
"Aap aise kyun bol rahe ho?" He asked.
She looked away, "Jitna kaha hai utna karo, Abhi. Bohot din ho gaye ye chori chuppi ka game khelte huye." She said.
Abhishek nodded, "Ji."
Shreya made sure everyone had dinner but she didn't eat herself. She wasn't feeling hungry. She texted Advait but he replied that he was busy. She waited for his message but the sleep took over her and she slept.
Advait came home late around 2 in the night.
He carefully entered the room trying not to make any sound to disturb Shreya's sleep.
He lied to her so that she wouldn't wait for him.
He changed his clothes and laid down beside her with a tired sigh.
His mind was suffocated with the thoughts of his brother having connection with the Raichands.
He was angry at himself because Abhishek didn't find him approachable enough to tell him the truth.
He was angry at Abhishek and Shreya for lying to him for two whole years but more than anger, he was worried for them.
He was feeling something wrong was about to happen but one thing was clear in his mind, no matter what happens he would never let anyone hurt his family even if he has to break his brother's heart for that.
~________________________________________~
Advait woke up early in the morning and freshened up for the new day. He dressed in a grey fitted T-shirt and black joggers. He headed to the home gym on the third floor. Abhishek, Aditya and Arush were already presented there as Advait won't allow laziness in the gym.
Abhishek was doing push ups. Aditya was walking lazily on the treadmill and Arush was sleeping while sitting on the pressing bench.
"Good morning, bhaiya." Abhishek greeted when Advait entered the room making Arush jolted up from his slumber and Aditya quickly started running on the treadmill.
"Good morning, bhaiya." Aditya and Arush sheepishly grinned.
"Morning." Advait said, fixing them with a look.
Advait eyed Abhishek dangerously who was doing pushups.
"Knuckle push ups." Advait ordered him. Abhishek looked up at him in confusion thinking what he has done but he didn't ask anything. He started doing the push ups supporting his body weight on his knuckles.
Abhishek did twenty but his knuckles started hurting. He started groaning and gritting his teeth in pain. Aditya and Arush exchanged a scared look and quickly started doing the exercises to avoid a session with Advait.
"How many more, bhaiya?" Abhishek asked groaning.
"Thirty more." He replied while doing hammer curl.
Abhishek took a deep breath and continued doing the push ups. He loves to work out and push himself to his limits. He completed the push ups with difficultly and rubbed his sore knuckles.
"Single leg squats. Each leg 20." Advait commanded even before he could stand up.
Aditya whispered in Arush's ear, "Pakka bhai ne koi kaand kiya hai." He commented.
Arush frowned, "Aapko kaise pata?" He asked.
"Jis tarah se bhaiya bhai ko ghoor rahe hain wo dekh kar." Aditya replied.
"Saamne dekhiye wo humein bhi waise hi ghoor rahe hain." Arush said with a nervous smile looking at Advait who was glaring at their souls.
Aditya looked at front and gulped down, "Bhaiya wo mai isey bata raha tha ki kaise exercise karni hai." He said.
"Pehle khud seekh le baad me usey batana." He taunted making Aditya pout.
Abhishek was doing single leg squats. He knew Advait was mad at him for something and indirectly punishing him. But he wasn't aware of the reason, he focused on completing his orders because he wanted Advait to be in his good mood so that he could told him about Roohanika and his relationship.
~________________________________________~