Chapter 87
Everyone was gathered for breakfast in the dining room.
The atmosphere was silent as everyone was busy with their own thoughts.
Advait's mind was preoccupied with Abhishek's thoughts.
Shreya was thinking of ways to pacify her husband.
Abhishek was searching for the right words to tell Advait about his relationship.
Arush was excited for the next match to prove himself to his friends and Aditya, the innocent soul was wondering why everyone was so silent.
Aditya looked up at Shreya who was only sitting and not eating, "Bhabhi, aap kha kyu nahi rahe?" He asked.
Advait came out of his thoughts and looked at her untouched plate.
"Mann nahi hai, tum khao." She replied in a sweet voice.
"Kyun mann nahi hai?" Arush spoke up, "Aapne kal dinner bhi nahi kiya tha." He said disapprovingly.
Advait raised his brow at Shreya, "Maine kaha tha na aapko dinner kar lena?" He asked her.
"Bhook nahi thi mujhe." She replied.
He sighed, "Breakfast kariye."
She protested, "Mann nahi...
He picked up a spoonful of poha and gently shoved it in her mouth cutting her off in between.
Aditya and Arush chuckled at that.
Shreya glared at him but Advait glared back at her reminding her that he was still mad at her.
She didn't argue and started having her breakfast.
After breakfast, She went to her room and Advait was already present there. His fingers were dancing over his phone's screen. Shreya came closer to him and stood just before him.
Before Advait could protest or move from there she hugged him tightly. He remained stiff on his place. He didn't reciprocate the hug but didn't pull back either.
"I'm sorry, Advait." She whispered.
"Mera irada aapko hurt karne ka bilkul nahi tha... mai to bas Abhi ko support kar rahi thi mujhe nahi pata tha Roohanika ki family ke baare me." She said and started crying.
Advait wrapped his arms around her silently rubbing her back. She sobbed clutching her shirt tightly. He picked her up and sat down on the couch taking her on his lap.
She looked at him with watery eyes. He sighed and brushed away her tears. He hugged her to his chest without any word and stayed like this for a few minutes. Her presence was grounding, she relaxed in his arms.
"Sor...
"I love you." He said.
She stared at him, "I love you too, Advait." She whispered.
"Aaj ke baad please mujhse kuch mat chupana." He said in a requesting tone.
She looked down, "Maine bas Abhi ke...
He cupped her right cheek, "Jis ladki ke chakkar me Abhi hai wo ladki uske liye sahi nahi hai agar aapne mujhe ye baat pehle bata di hoti to mai kabhi aisa hone hi nahi deta." He said.
Shreya hesitated before saying, "Advait mujhe Roohanika ke pariwaar ke baare me kuch nahi pata par jitna maine Abhi se suna hai wo ladki bilkul bhi apne pariwaar jaisi nahi hai bohot acchi ladki hai wo aur Abhi se bohot pyar karti hai." She said.
"Bewkoof hai Abhi aur wo ladki uski bewkoofi ka fayda utha rahi hai." He replied angrily.
"Aap itna sure kaise ho sakte hain jaruri to nahi ki har insaan apne ghar walo jaisa hi ho?" She asked.
He sighed tiredly, "Mai aapko nahi samjha sakta Shreya par mujhe acche se pata hai wo ladki Abhi ke liye sirf barbaadi hai." He said confidently.
"Mai usey ya uski family ko mere bacche ke emotions ka use nahi karne dunga bhale hi iske liye uska dil todna pade." He declared, his eyes were blazing with determination.
Shreya didn't say anything. She has seen the love in Abhishek's eyes for Roohanika. He was crazy over her but she couldn't even ignore her husband's gut feelings. Her husband's instincts were always correct and it gets stronger when it's comes to his kids.
She leaned down resting her cheek against his chest. He kissed the top of her head gently brushing his fingers in her hair.
He could never stay mad at his innocent wife.
She was the best wife anyone could ever have and he always considered himself lucky because he has Shreya in his life as his life partner.
~_______________________________________~
Abhishek knocked the door and entered the room. Advait was sitting on the bed, his laptop was resting on his lap. Shreya was sitting beside him reading a book. She straightened up when Abhishek entered the room. Advait didn't look up at him, his gaze was fixed on his laptop screen.
Abhishek gestured Shreya asking for Advait's mood. She blinked her eyes reassuringly in response. She sneakingly showed him the thumbs up and he took a deep breath collecting all the courage he has in himself.
"Bhaiya?" He said meekly.
Shreya slapped her forehead.
Abhishek cleared his throat and tried again, "Bhaiya?" This time his voice came out rough.
Advait looked up and glared at his soul.
Abhishek quickly cleared his throat again and said, "Bhaiya, mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai." He tried to sound steady but there was a shaking edge in his voice.
"Go on." Advait replied curtly not looking up from the laptop.
Abhishek started chewing on his lower lip out of the habit. Shreya glared at him with big eyes gesturing him to say but he meekly shook his head in fear.
When Advait noticed the silence in the room. He looked up at both of them with a raised brow. Shreya quickly composed herself and awkwardly looked around in the room. Abhishek passed a sheepish smile to Advait earning himself a death glare from him.
"Bol kya bolna hai?" Advait asked.
Abhishek glanced at Shreya for help who irritatingly shook her head. She stood up and left the room leaving a poor Abhi in the lion's den. Abhishek made a crying face and looked back at Advait who was seeing all this with a blank face.
"Bhaiya mujhe kuch batana hai aapko." He said.
"Ye baat tu tab se 3 baar bol chuka hai." Advait replied deadpanned.
Abhishek looked down, shuffling on his one foot to another. He didn't know from where to start the conversation. He has prepared a very convincing speech for Advait but it all get vanished from his mind the moment he entered the room.
"Bhaiya wo...
"Bhaiya wo maine Rooh-anika se pucha tha usne kaha usey aap jo bol rahe the uss baare me kuch nahi pata tha." He said.
Advait looked up at him coldly, "Didn't I tell you not to talk to her?" He asked.
Abhishek hesitated, "Bhaiya mu-mujhe isi baare me baat karni hai." He said.
Advait leaned back crossing his arms over his chest.
"Wo Roohanika aur mai.... I mean we uh."
Advait stared at him blankly.
"I love her." He confessed, his eyes were shut.
Silence.
Not a word.
He slowly opened his eyes to look at Advait and he was still sitting like before as if nothing happened. His face was neutral, eyes were blankly staring at Abhishek.
"Bhaiya, I love her. She loves me. We're in a relationship." He continued, dreading for Advait's reaction.
Still Silence.
"Aa-p kuch bol kyun nahi rahe hain?" He asked, his voice was just above a whisper.
Advait sat up straight, "What do you want from me?" He asked.
Abhishek furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Matlab?" He mumbled.
"Matlab ye ki mujhe kyun bata rahe ho?" Advait asked with a straight face.
Abhishek looked at him in utter disbelief and confusion. He didn't expect that reaction.
"Aapko nahi bataunga to kise bataunga?" He said.
"Is that so?" Advait asked mockingly raising his brow.
"Then what were you doing for two years?" He asked with a straight face.
Abhishek's face turned pale in a second and he gulped down. Not even in his wildest dream he could've imagined that Advait would know about this.
"Bolo?" Advait asked.
"Jab 2 saalon me nahi bataya aur aaj achanak bata rahe ho to jarur koi kaam hoga right?" He said with a hint of sarcasm.
Abhishek looked down in guilt and shame.
"I'm asking you something, Abhi." He said.
Abhishek couldn't say anything.
"Mai sochta tha maine tum teeno ko itna pyar diya hai ki agar kabhi tumhe kuch share karna ho to mere paas aa sakte ho." He said.
"But guess what?" He asked, "I was wrong." His voice was filled with the betrayal.
Abhishek looked up at him, "Aap galat samajh rahe hain, bhaiya." He said in a low voice.
"Mai galat samajh raha hoon?" Advait asked incredulously.
"Mai to wahi samajh raha hoon Abhi jo tune mujhe samjhaya hai. Pichle 2 saal se mujhse ye baat chupayi mujhse itne jhooth bole. Tujhe ek baar bhi sharam nahi aayi apne bhai ko dhokha dete huye?" His voice was calm but his words were sharp, stung with hurt.
Abhishek sat down next to him on the floor. His eyes teared up looking at the hurt he has caused to his brother.
"I'm sorry, bhaiya. Mai aapko kabhi hurt nahi karna chahta tha." He said holding his hand in his.
Advait stared down at him.
"It's not your fault, Abhi. Ye meri galti hai, galti mujhse huyi hai jo mere bacche ne mujhe apni baate share karne layak nahi samjha.
" He said, his voice was low but clear, "Tumhara baap banne ke liye mai ek bhai banna hi bhool gaya.
Mujhe tujhe yakeen dilana chahiye tha ki tu mujhse apni baatein share kar sakta hai.
Mujhe pata hi nahi chala kab mere saath rehte rehte mera bhai mujhse itna door ho gaya.
" He poured out his hurt and guilt. He was feeling guilty that Abhishek didn't find him approachable enough to share his secrets with him.
A lone tear fell down on Abhishek's cheek, "Aisa mat kahiye, bhaiya aap galat samajh rahe hain." He pleaded.
"Aapki koi galti nahi hai bhaiya aapne humesha hum teeno ko support kiya hai, itna pyar kiya hai ki hum aapse apni koi bhi baat share kar sakte hain." He said.
He wiped off his tears with the back of his hands and again held Advait's hand.
"You're not just my brother. You're my father.
Aur mai bas ye sirf kehne ke liye nahi keh raha bhaiya.
I really respect you like a father. You're everything to me.
Aapne humesha mujhe feel karaya ki mai aapko kuch bhi bata sakta hoon par wo jo aapke liye ek father jaisi respect hai usne humesha mujhe peeche kheecha bhaiya.
Ek baccha apne pita se kitna bhi close ho par beech me humesha ek respect ki boundary hoti hai aur mai wo kabhi cross nahi kar paya.
" He said, his voice was shaky and eyes were down.
"Maine anjaane me aapko bohot hurt kar diya bhaiya please mujhe maaf kar dijiye." He mumbled looking up at him with teary eyes.
Advait cupped his cheeks wiping off the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"Maafi chahiye?" He asked.
Abhishek nodded earnestly, his innocent eyes were shimmering in tears.
"Leave that girl." He said, his voice was sharp without a hint of any emotions.
Abhishek was froze on his place. His hand slipped out of Advait's hold and he stared at him with misted eyes.
"Aap jaisa soch rahe hain Roohanika waisi nahi hai, bhaiya." He protested weakly.
"Mujhe nahi janna wo kaisi hai. Mujhe bas ye chahiye ki tu usse koi rishta nahi rakhega." He cleared firmly.
Abhishek looked at him pleadingly, "I love her, bhaiya. I want to marry her." He said.
"Marry?" Advait said in disbelief, "You want to marry a girl who has a criminal background?" He asked.
"But it isn't her fault. She is innocent." He argued.
Advait clenched his jaw, "You don't get to argue with me, Abhishek." He said sharply, "At least not for a girl." His voice was firm.
He looked down, "I'm not arguing bhaiya. Roohanika bohot acchi ladki hai mai jaanta hoon usey itne time se wo apne dad ya bhai jaisi nahi hai." He said.
"She loves me so much." He added.
"Poori duniya me usey tujhse hi pyar kaise hua? I don't believe it." Advait said.
He hooked his one finger under Abhishek's chin making him look up at him, "It can't be a coincidence, Abhishek. Her intentions are different." He said clearly without a hint of doubt.
Abhishek wasn't ready to agree with him, "Aisa kuch nahi hai bhaiya maine uski aankhon me apne liye pyar dekha hai."
"Please maan jaiye bhaiya mai usse bohot pyar karta hoon aur shaadi karna chahta hoon." He held his hands.
"Kabhi nahi." Advait declared.
"Wo ladki iss ghar me kabhi nahi aayegi." He said breaking Abhishek's heart.
"Tu uske pyar me andha ho sakta hai par mujhe sab kuch bilkul saaf saaf nazar aa raha hai wo ladki tujhe use kar rahi hai apne baap aur bhai ki beizzati ka badla lene ke liye." He said.
"Aap kuch bhi soch rahe hain bhaiya." He said almost irritatingly, "Wo aisi nahi hai."
"Accha?" Advait asked, "To phir mujhe ye bata ki wo maan gayi aise khandaan me shaadi karne ke liye jisne uske bhai ko jail bheja tha?" He asked.
Abhishek nodded, "Usey iss baat se koi farak nahi padta bhaiya wo jaanti hai ki galti uske bhai ki thi wo to usse baat tak nahi karti." He said desperately.
Advait studied him before closing his eyes for a moment.
"Tu sach me itna andha hai ya banne ka natak kar raha hai?" He asked him seriously.
Abhishek blinked his eyes in confusion.
"Meri ek baat dhyan se sun le Abhishek wo ladki iss ghar ki bahu kabhi nahi ban sakti aur ye baat jitni jaldi tu accept kar le utna tere liye accha hoga." He said standing up from his place.
Abhishek remained sitted on the floor, his gaze was fixed at something. He didn't know what to do, his heart was breaking with Advait's each word but he couldn't do anything.
"Bhaiya...
Advait turned back glaring at him, "Tere liye agar mai...meri baatein zara si bhi maayne rakhti hain to phir kabhi uss ladki se baat mat karna." He cut him off.
"I can't do this, bhaiya." Abhishek whispered and left from there.
Advait looked at his retreating figure with the mixed emotions. He was angry at himself for breaking his son's heart but he couldn't let him fall in the Raichand's trap. He would do everything he could but would never let Abhishek marry that girl.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was sitting on the couch. His head was buried in his hands.
His eyes were burning with tears but he didn't cry.
He has to do something, the only thought of leaving Roohanika was enough to make his breathing heavier.
But he couldn't even disobey Advait, he was everything to him and he could never go against him.
His phone ringed up. It was Roohanika. He picked up the call.
"Tumne baat ki?" The voice came from the other side as soon as the call got picked.
Abhishek rubbed his head closing his eyes, "Rooh wo maine baat ki thi par...
"Par kya?" She asked in urgency.
He sighed, "Bhaiya ne mana kar diya." He told her.
"Mana kar diya? Matlab?" She asked, his voice rising in anger.
"Wo bhaiya tumhari family ko le kar skeptical hain unhe uh-lagta hai tum bhi...
"Abhi, meri family chahe jaisi bhi ho but I really love you.
I really do. Tum apne bhaiya ko samjhao jo karna pade karo par mai tumhare bina nahi reh sakti.
Tumne waada kiya hai mujhse ki tum mera saath nahi choroge.
Mai kuch nahi jaanti agar tumne mujhse shaadi nahi ki na to accha nahi hoga.
" The desperation and fear creeping into her voice and she ranted out rapidly.
Abhishek closed his eyes. He was already stressed and she was pressurizing him, "Kya kuch bhi bol rahi ho, Rooh? Sirf tum pareshan nahi ho mai bhi tumse pyar karta hoon mujhe bhi tension hai." He chided.
"Mai phir ek baar baat karunga bhaiya se." He said calmly.
"Ek baar?" She said panicking, "Tumne kaha tha jab tak wo maan nahi jaate tum unhe manaoge. Ek baar nahi chahe jitni baar baat karni pade karo par mujhe naa nahi sunna." She said, "Agar wo nahi maante hain to hum khud shaadi kar lenge." She suggested.
Abhishek's temper flared, "Stop blabbering rubbish." He raised his voice.
"Kya kuch bhi bakwas kiye jaa rahi ho maine kaha na mai mana lunga unhe." He said in anger.
"Don't you dare raise your voice at me." She gritted out through the phone.
Abhishek closed his eyes in exasperation, "I'm sorry." He said quietly.
She hung up the call. Abhishek tossed the phone on the table raking his hand through his hair and leaned back on the couch looking up at the ceiling.
~________________________________________~
Roohanika threw the vase on the floor scattering it into pieces. Vikram and Randheer waited for her to say something. But she just kept glaring at the floor. She was breathing furiously gritting her teeth.
"Kya kaha usne?" Vikram asked.
She snapped her gaze at him, her eyes blazing with anger, "Advait Malhotra ne mere Abhi ko mujhse shaadi karne ke liye mana kar diya." She said stepping forward towards him.
She gripped his collar tightly, "Jaante hai kyun?" She asked, clenching her teeth.
"Kyunki mai aapki behen hoon." She said in despise.
Randheer spoke up, "Ye kya tareeka hai, Roohanika?" He said in anger.
She left him and shifted her attention towards both of them, "Ek baat aap dono kaan khol kar sun lijiye."
"Agar aapki beti aur aapki behen hone ki keemat mujhe apna pyar kho kar chukani padi naa to aag laga dungi iss ghar ko." She warned, pointing her finger at them.
Vikram smirked fixing his collar, "Ye gussa jahan nikalna chahiye wahan nikaalo Roohi." He said.
"Humein to koi pareshaani nahi hai tumhare aur Abhishek ke rishte se. Jisey pareshaani hai usey raaste se nikaalo." He provoked.
Randheer exchanged a vicious glance with Vikram, "Sahi to keh raha hai Vikram maan liya usse galti huyi thi par usey apni galti ka pachtava bhi to tha par uss Malhotra ne sirf ek moka dundha humari beizzati karne ka." He said.
"Aur in sab ke beech me humari Roohi fas gayi bachpan se hi bechari ko school me, college me kitni insult seheni padi koi dost banna to door ki baat baithna tak pasand nahi karta tha uske saath wo bhi kis galati ki wajah se jo uski kabhi thi hi nahi." Randheer continued.
Roohanika's eyes flashed with her past memories when her classmates used to insult her, bully her for being a sister of a criminal. Nobody wanted to talk to her. She had no friends. It was the most traumatizing phase of her life.
"Iska saara bachpan Advait Malhotra ki wajah se kharab ho gaya aur ab jab iske pyar ki baari aayi to ab ye khushi bhi wo humari Roohi se cheen'na chahta hai." He said intentionally smirking in himself. He was very well aware how his words were igniting the fire inside Roohanika.
"Never!" She shouted.
"Mere Abhi ko mujhse koi nahi cheen sakta." She said, "Na wo Advait Malhotra aur na khud bhagwaan." Her voice was dripping with madness.
Randheer and Vikram's lips curled up in a devilish smile.
~________________________________________~