Chapter 90
The morning was quiet. It was around 2 in the noon and Advait still didn't call Abhishek to come back home.
Abhishek was desperately waiting for his call only for him to deny and put his condition in front of Advait to come back.
He was sure Advait would call him but now it seems like his plan was not going to work.
The larger part of his mind was happy with his plan but a smaller part of it was guilty for hurting Advait.
The words he had said to Advait were echoing in his mind when he remembered how he behaved with his little brother who was just trying to console him.
He sighed, picking up the car keys and left the room. He crossed the hall when Vanya who was on a call bumped into him.
"Sorry!" He said.
"Call you later." She said over the phone and disconnected the call.
"Kahan jaa rahe hain aap?" She asked curiously.
Abhishek tried to remember where he was going, "College." He replied.
"Padhne?" She asked with a giggle.
Abhishek passed her a tight lipped smile, "Very funny."
"Tu college kyun nahi gayi?" He asked her back.
"Kyunki Adi ka suspension chal raha hai." She replied as a matter of fact.
"To tu bhi college nahi jayegi?" He asked sharply.
She shook her head ear to ear, "Nope."
"Padhai likhai karo kuch nahi rakha in sab me." He said.
She rolled her eyes, "Bol kaun raha hai?" She muttered.
"Sunai de raha hai mujhe." He glared.
She quickly smiled, "Mazak bro aap bhi kya serious ho jate ho." She linked her hand with his arm before saying, "Waise mujhe bhi to photo dikhao meri hone wali bhabhi ki." She said teasingly, bumping her shoulder with his.
A smile formed on Abhishek's lips remembering Roohanika, "Ruk." He whispered and pulled out his phone.
He passed her the phone and she looked at the photo amusingly.
"She's your girlfriend?" She asked unbelievably.
He nodded with a smirk, "Acchi hai na?" He said proudly.
"Acchi? She's freaking hot." Vanya exclaimed.
Abhishek cringed at the choice of her words but smiled at the praise.
"You guys would make the best pair." She said dreamily.
"Koi aapka saath de ya nahi mai aapke saath hoon." She said reassuring him.
Abhishek chuckled.
"Chal ab jane de late ho raha hai mujhe." He said pocketing his phone.
"Par aap college kyun jaa rahe ho ye to batao." Her curiousity piqued.
"Aru se milne." He replied while walking ahead.
Vanya made a face and quickly pulled out her phone. She dialled a number.
"Haan, Vani di?" Arush's voice came from the other side.
"Kahan hai tu?" She asked directly.
He hesitated before answering, "College."
"Abey jaa na. Jaha bhi ghum raha hai jaldi se college pohch jaa Abhi bhai tujhse milne college aa rahe hain." She informed.
He gulped and replied in a low tone, "Di, mai to thoda sa door aa gaya tha."
"Kitna door?" She asked.
"Malad." He whispered.
"What? What the hell are you doing there?" She asked horrified.
"Dosto ne bola long drive par chalte hain galti se thodi jyada long ho gayi." He cried.
"Ab kya karun?" He asked with hope.
"Jaldi se wapas aa aur bhai call kare to call mat uthana simple." She said casually.
"Wo ghar par aa kar puchenge ki kyun nahi uthaya to?" He asked.
"Baad ki baad me dekhna, chill kar." She said coolly.
"'Kay!" He whispered.
Vanya disconnected the call and tossed her hair back from her shoulder proudly. She walked away while singing, "Mai to nahi hoon insaano me...
~________________________________________~
Abhishek pulled his car in front of the college and dialled Arush's number.
Tring
Tring
His fingers were lightly dancing on the steering wheel. He frowned when the call didn't get any response. He again dialled him.
Tring
Tring
Again. No answer.
On the other hand, Arush's friend was driving and he was sitting in the passenger seat.
The loud music was echoing in the car. They all were cheering, moving their hands with the hip hop beats except Arush.
He was staring at his phone in fear, Abhishek was calling him again and again.
He didn't know what to do but he was aware that if Abhishek got to know that he was not in college then he was definitely in for a bunch of whacks from him and a good scolding from his bhaiya.
When Abhishek didn't stop calling him, he told his friends to stop the music and keep silent. He picked up the call with hisloud beating heart.
"Kahan hai tu? Itni der se call kar raha hoon tujhe." Abhishek's not so gentle voice came as soon as he picked up the call.
"Wo-Mai class me tha." He lied.
"College ke bahar aa." Abhishek said.
"Kyun?" He asked in panic.
"Baat karni hai tujhse." Abhishek replied.
Arush made a face, "Mujhe koi baat nahi karni."
Abhishek sighed and softened his voice, "Aru, I'm sorry bandar. Galti se gussa kar diya tha tujhpe. Tu bahar aa hum lunch karne tere favorite restaurant chalte hain." He said.
"Nahi, mujhe nahi jana." He replied.
"Aru, sorry na yaar. Maaf kar de." Abhishek said sincerely.
"Nahi kar sakta." Arush muttered under his breath.
"Kya?" He asked.
"Me-Mera matlab hai mai abhi aapko maaf nahi kar sakta." He said stuttering.
"Kyun?" Abhishek asked and a pout formed on his face without his knowing.
"Kyunki...Kyunki abhi muhurat accha nahi hai. Mai shaam ko accha sa muhurat dekh kar aapko maaf kar dunga." He replied, came up with the best excuse he could make.
"Kya bakwas kar raha hai?" Abhishek asked incredulously.
"Kahan hain tu sach sach bata?" He asked firmly, sensing his scared tone.
Arush gulped but tried to gather his courage, "You don't get to scold me, bhai. Naraaz hoon mai aapse." He said, trying his luck.
"Accha sorry, tu bahar aa phir baat karte hain." He said.
"Bhai, meri class hai mai abhi nahi aa sakta." He whined.
"Ek class miss karne se kuch nahi hota." Abhishek said.
"Bha..
Abhishek's phone started vibrating and he checked his phone. A grin spread on his face looking at the caller I'd. Advait was calling him.
"Accha theek hai tu class le hum ghar par milte hain. Bye." He said in one breath and picked up Advait's call without waiting for Arush's response.
Arush sighed in relief and leaned back on his seat, "Aaj to baal baal bacha." He whispered.
Abhishek picked up the call taking a deep breath. No one spoke for a moment before Advait ordering.
"Ghar aa." He said.
Abhishek suppressed his smile as if Advait could see him. He composed himself and said in a low voice, "Mai nahi aaunga."
Advait closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Abhishek." He pressed him name.
Even Advait was not in front of him but his sharp tone made Abhishek shift in his seat.
"A-Aap jab tak meri shaadi Roohanika se karane ke liye nahi maan jate mai ghar nahi aaunga." He said slowly, crossing his fingers.
He heard a sigh left from Advait's mouth.
"Ghar aa phir baat karte hain." He said.
Abhishek widened his eyes in amusement, "Matlab aap maan gaye?" He asked in excitement.
"Haan." Advait replied quietly.
Abhishek did a little happy dance in his seat before saying, "Mai abhi aa raha hoon." He replied and the car flew into the air.
~________________________________________~
Shreya turned towards Advait when she saw him in deep thinking. She walked to him.
"Kya chal raha hai aapke dimaag me?" She asked narrowing her eyes.
Advait smirked getting up from his place, "Mere to dil aur dimaag dono me humesha aap hi rehti hain." He said sliding his hand on her waist.
She rolled her eyes, "Makkhan mat lagaiye." She said.
"To phir aap hi bataiye kya lagaun?" He husked near her ear.
She gasped and slapped his chest pushing him away, "Kitne besharam hain aap." She said with mock anger.
"Sirf aapke liye." He said, bopping her nose.
She blushed. Her fingers were dancing over his shirt's buttons. Advait was admiring her but suddenly her expression got changed.
She looked up at him with sparkling eyes but there was grief hidden behind them.
"Advait, wo meri friend haina Priyanka usne mujhe ek gynecologist suggest ki hai." She said hesitantly.
Advait's expression changed knowing where the conversation was heading.
"Maine mana kiya hai na aapse...phir kyun baar baar koshish kar ke khud ko takleef de rahi hain." He said.
She looked down hiding her tears. He sighed and pulled her to his chest.
"I love you, Shreya." He whispered.
"I can't risk losing you. Mujhe nahi chahiye bacche...
"Par mujhe chahiye." She sobbed and tears started pouring out of her eyes.
"Doctors ne kaha hai ki abhi bhi 10% chances hain mai pregnant ho sakti hoon. Hum parents ban sakte hain." She said with hope.
"And he also said that if you conceive, either the baby or the mother will survive." He said with a heavy heart.
"Wo ek possibility hai Advait jaruri nahi ki aisa hi ho." She tried to make him agree.
"I would never allow you to put your life in danger, itni si baat samajh me nahi aati aapko?" He asked angrily, hiding his emotions.
"Nahi aati." She looked away, jerking him back, "Mujhe baccha chahiye."
"Maine kaha hai na aapse hum baccha adopt kar lenge. Kitne saare bacche hain iss duniya me jinhe parents ki jarurat hai ek acchi family ki jarurat hai. Mai kal hi adoption centre se process details leta hoon." He assured her.
"Mujhe meri aulaad chahiye, Advait. Mera khud ka baccha." She broke down.
"Mujhe galat mat samajhiye agar hum baccha adopt karenge to mai usse apne bacche jaisa hi pyar karungi par mujhe ek baar wo maa banne ka ehsaas karna hai. Apne bacche ko apne andar mehsoos karna hai. Please Advait." She cried, clutching his arms.
"Please please ek aakhiri baar mujhe try karne dijiye." She pleaded desperately.
Advait joined his forehead to hers and wiped away her tears, "Shh rona band kariye please." He pleaded, his voice was just above a whisper.
She buried her face in his chest and cried her heart out. He held her tightly, his heart was bleeding looking at his wife's condition but no one could do anything against fate.
~________________________________________~
Tia was glaring at Sia who was sitting on her chair in her hospital's cabin. Tia's gaze was firm but there was a concern hiding behind them. Sia sighed shaking her head.
"Aise ghoorti hi rahengi ya kuch kahengi bhi?" Sia asked.
"Tu mujhe bina bataye ghar se kyun aayi?" Tia asked folding her arms in front of her chest.
"Ek serious case aa gaya tha hospital se call aaya aur mai aap logo ke uthne ka wait nahi kar sakti thi." She replied.
"Maine message kar to diya tha aapko." She added.
Tia didn't say anything for a minute before saying, "What's going on, Sia?" She asked.
Sia looked around and then at the file in her hand, "Work?" She said unsure.
"I'm not in the mood for your jokes." Tia replied sharply.
"Mom ne bataya ki tu subah ghar se jaldi nikal jati hai raat me late aati hai kabhi kabhi to ghar hi nahi aati." She said, "Chal kya raha hai tere saath?" She asked.
"It's nothing, Di. Doctor hoon mai kabhi bhi koi bhi emergency aa jati hai. Mere paas mana karne ka option nahi hai." She replied, turning her attention to the file to avoid eye contact.
"Aaj se pehle bhi tu doctor hi thi phir achanak se ye changes kyun? Aaj se pehle to kabhi aisa nahi hua." She retorted.
Sia sighed and made her sit down on the chair, "Aap baitho aur pani piyo." She poured her a glass of water.
"Aap kyun itna stress le rahi hain? Theek hoon mai." Sia said reassuringly.
"Tu theek nahi hai, Siyu. Tu duniya se chupa sakti hai par behen hoon mai teri acche se dekh sakti hoon teri aankhon me chupe huye dard ko." Tia said cupping her cheeks.
Sia gulped her tears, "Aisa kuch nahi hai, Di. Aap jyada soch rahi hain." She replied quietly.
"Tujhe Abhi ki girlfriend hai iss baare me pehle se pata tha?" She asked directly.
Sia tried not to show her hurt. She nodded slowly.
"Kab se?" She asked.
Sia sighed, "Choriye na ye sab Di hume kya karna hai." She waved off.
"Ye jo tu mujhse aapne aansu chupane ki koshish kar rahi haina sab saaf saaf dikh raha hai mujhe." Tia said standing up from the chair in anger.
"Mai kuch chupane ki koshish nahi kar rahi, Di." She said, "Mai khush hoon Abhi ke liye."
"He was just a crush nothing else." She said. Her heart clenched at her own words.
"Kisey bewkoof bana rahi hai mujhe ya khud ko?" Tia asked turning her towards herself.
Sia looked up at her with teary eyes.
"Mai kya kisi ko bewkoof banaungi, Di. Sabse bada bewkoof to bhagwaan ne mujhe banaya hai." She said with a dry chuckle.
"Aaj tak kisi ladke ki taraf aankh utha kar bhi nahi dekha siwaye Abhi ke aur bhagwaan ji ne usey hi meri kismat me nahi likha." She controlled her tears.
Tia looked into her eyes. Her heart was crying for her sister.
"Aapko pata hai Di?" She said walking ahead, "Mai aur Abhi ek baar restaurant gaye the aur humare side wale table par jo ladki thi wo Abhi ko non stop ghoore hi jaa rahi thi.
I was feeling so jealous. But limit to tab cross ho gayi jab wo janbujh ke slip ho kar Abhi ki god me land ho gayi mujhe bohot gussa aaya maine bhi uss ladki ko kheech ke ek thappad laga diya.
" She said while moving her hands in the air, explaining the incident.
Tia was listening to her silently.
"I was so silly at that time." Sia said slapping her own forehead.
"Jab maine Abhi ko uski girlfriend ke saath dekha tha na to mera dimaag keh raha tha uss ladki ko bhi ek thappad laga doon." She said laughing.
"Par sach to ye hai ki mai un hazaron ladkiyon se lad sakti hoon jo Abhi ko chahti hain magar uss ek ladki se nahi lad sakti jisey Abhi chahta hain." A bile formed in her throat. Her voice was shaking with every word.
Tia hugged her tightly. Sia closed her eyes embracing the love and warmth she needed. A lone tear escaped off her eyes but she wiped it off quickly before Tia could notice.
"Meri behen bohot strong hai." Tia whispered.
"Wo to mai hoon." Sia smiled for her sake.
"Mai bas chahti hoon Abhi jis ladki se pyar karta hai wo uske liye acchi ho." Sia said, "Bhaiya ko uss ladki se problems hai to jarur koi reason hoga."
Tia looked down before telling her the whole story leaving Sia stunned in silence.
~________________________________________~
Advait asked Abhishek to come in his study.
He was sitting behind the large polished oak desk on the leather chair.
His fingers were lightly tapping on the armrest of the chair.
The room was quiet except for the faint humming of the air conditioning in the room.
There was the underlying authority in the air of the room.
A desperate but respectful knock came on the door and Advait's lips twitched up slightly. He allowed the person to enter the room.
A very excited Abhishek entered the room. He was trying to hide his smile but his lips got wider inadvertently.
"Good afternoon, bhaiya." He chirped up.
"Sit." Advait gestured at the chair across the table with his eyes.
Abhishek sat down. His heart was pounding loudly not out of fear but out of happiness and excitement.
"Mai teri shaadi Roohanika se karane ke liye ready hoon." Advait declared.
Abhishek jumped on his seat and quickly ran to hug Advait. His eyes were misting with happy tears.
"Thank you so much, bhaiya. I love you." He mumbled, tightening the hug.
Advait sighed and wrapped his arms around him. But a part of his heart was twinging with guilt as this happiness was only for a short time. He had to break his kid's heart to provide him with a happy and safe future.
Abhishek parted away from the hug and got down on his knees holding his both ears. His eyes glistening with guilt and shame.
"I'm sorry, bhaiya. Maine aapko bohot hurt kiya, I'm really very sorry. But trust me maine kuch bhi dil se nahi bola tha. I just said those words to... " He looked down, "To provoke you taaki aap mujhe ghar se nikaal dein." He confessed meekly.
Advait was staring at him calmly.
"Mujhe pata tha aap mere bina nahi reh payenge aur meri baat maan lenge bas islie maine ye sab drama kiya." He whispered.
He looked up frantically, "But trust me bhaiya. I'm feeling so guilty. Mujhe aapko aise hurt nahi karna chahiye tha. I didn't mean a single word aapne humesha sab kuch mere acche ke liye hi kiya hai maine bas aapko provoke karne ke liye wo sab bola tha." He ranted out without stopping.
"Bachpan me mai koi galti karta tha aur aise maafi maangta tha to aap mujhe maaf kar dete the please aaj bhi apne bacche ko maaf kar dijiye." He requested showing his innocent eyes.
Advait sighed, "Get up." He said.
"Maaf kijiye pehle." He replied.
"Maafi galti ki hoti hai baccha tune jo bola wo galti se nahi janbujh kar bola ye jaante huye bhi ki mujhe ye baatein hurt karengi.
Apne pyar ko paane ke liye tune apne bhaiya ko hurt karne ka plan banaya hai aur soch samajh kar banaya galti se nahi.
To jab koi galti huyi hi nahi to maafi kis baat ki. Uth jaa." Advait replied calmly.
Abhishek looked down embarrassingly, "Please don't say that, bhaiya." He whispered and put down his head in Advait's lap.
"Mai bewkoof hoon pata nahi itna bakwas plan aaya kahan se mere dimaag me." He mumbled.
"Bakwas plan kyun? Tera plan work kar gaya beta mai maan gaya na teri shaadi ke liye." Advait replied.
Abhishek looked up at him from his lap. His eyes were tearing up, "Please aise baat mat kijiye aap jo saza denge mujhe manjoor hai. Aapka hi baccha hoon ho gayi galti maaf kardein please." He pleaded, his voice was barely audible.
"Mujhe koi sikhayat nahi hai tujhse. Upar uth chal." Advait replied, pulling him up on his legs.
"Roohanika ki family ready hai shaadi ke liye?" Advait asked before Abhishek could apologize again.
He nodded slowly, "Ji."
"Mujhe Raichands se ek baar milna hai ab rishta jud raha hai to purani baatein bhi khatam karni hongi." Advait said thoughtfully.
"Abhi chalein?" Abhishek asked desperately.
Advait shot him a look making him straighten up.
"Kal." Advait said, "Aur tu mere saath nahi chalega mai akele jaunga." He added.
"Akele kyun bhaiya, mai bhi chalunga na." Abhishek said.
"Mai agar akele jaunga usme koi problem hai?" He asked sharply.
Abhishek meekly shook his head.
"Inform kar dena apni Rooh ko." He said, half taunting.
Abhishek's face turned red in embarrassment and he quickly nodded his head before scurried away from the room.
Advait looked at his retreating figure, "Kal mai iss kisse ko hi khatam kar dunga." He said.
~________________________________________~