Chapter 94
Advait was sitting in his study. The laptop was placed in front of him on the desk.
His eyes were focused and posture was stiff.
His fingers were dancing over the keyboard.
The room was silent and only the sound of his fingers hitting the keys could be heard.
He neglected a few important works because of the Raichand scandal.
But now he could finally complete all his pending work or so he thought because the next moment the door of his study flung open.
Advait looked up angrily ready to snap at the person but closed his mouth when Shreya entered the room.
She marched towards him and banged the table loudly making him furrow his brows at her unusual behavior.
"Kya hua?" He asked in a low voice.
"Ye kya sikha rahe hain aap bacchon ko?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.
Advait squinted his eyes to understand, "Mai kya sikha raha hoon?" He asked in confusion.
"Maar peet karna, gundagardi karna." She accused.
Advait rolled his eyes.
"Adi ne bataya mujhe kya hua aur unhone kya kiya. Mujhe pata hai ye aapka plan tha magar haalat dekhi thi aapne Mr. Raichand ki." She said.
"Mr. Raichand aapke chacha ji lagte hain?" Advait asked seriously.
Shreya shook her head in confusion.
"To aap usey itni izzat kyun de rahi hain?" He asked.
Shreya looked at him incredulously.
Advait chuckled and pulled her onto his lap. She looked away with a huffed face.
"Door hatiye aap mujhse." She said but made no move to get up from his lap.
"Kis baat ke liye itna gussa kiya jaa raha hai?" He asked, resting his hand on her hip to balance her.
"Aapko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Abhi aur Adi kya sikhenge? Aap kya chahte hain wo gunde ban jaye? Dekha nahi kitni buri tarah se maara unhone Mr. Rai... uss aadmi ko." She said in disapproval.
"Maine unhe kuch nahi sikhaya, love." He replied, "It's in their genes." He said, tucking a hair strand behind her ear.
She shook her head at him in exasperation.
"Life ka simple sa rule hai." He said, "Pehle kisi ko chedo mat aur baad me kisi ko choro mat." He preached.
"Advait baba ke pravachan." She muttered rolling her eyes.
He laughed at her statement before hugging her tightly. She smiled and melted in his arms. His laugh was like a melody to her ears. It was rare but always oddly satisfying.
"Chaliye ab aap apna kaam kariye mai jaa rahi hoon." She said and pulled back.
Advait frowned in mock offense and buried his face in her neck.
"Kaam to hota rahega pehle mai apni biwi ko pyar kar loon." He murmured.
Shreya giggled due to the tickling sensation, "Kya kar rahe hain aap koi aa jayega." She said.
"Koi nahi aaye...
His words paused halfway when the study door bursted open. Their heads snapped to the doorway where Arush was standing with his widened eyes as if he had seen a ghost. His bag was hanging on his one shoulder.
Shreya quickly stood up from Advait's lap fixing her saree. Her face was burning with embarrassment. Her face turned red than cherries and she averted her gaze. Meanwhile Advait was daggering holes in Arush's body for ruining his moment.
"Sorry." Arush whispered meekly.
Advait glared at him, "Knock karna nahi aata hai?" He asked sharply.
Arush looked down with a pout. Shreya shook her head at Advait who sighed rubbing his forehead.
"Wapas jaa aur knock kar ke aa." Advait ordered. Arush sulked but obeyed.
"Aur jab tak mai na bolun aana mat." He yelled from behind.
Arush exited the room and closed the door behind him. Advait quickly stood up and pulled Shreya in his arms before pressing his lips on hers taking her by surprise.
Knock
Advait ignored it and continued kissing her. Shreya slapped his arm making him groaned.
"Kuch jyada haath nahi chalte aapke?" Advait asked, gripping her wrist. His expression was firm but contrary to his expression his grip was gentle.
"Do you want me to tie them for you huh?" He husked near her ear turning her face crimson.
Knock.
"Aru wait kar raha hai." She said meekly, trying to divert his attention.
He took a step towards her and her back pressed against the desk. He placed his hands on both sides of the desk, caging her between his arms making her breath hitched.
Knock.
"Answer me." He pressed his body against hers.
She stood up on her tippy toes and pecked his lip making him froze by her bold movement. She took the chance and wriggled out from his grip while giggling loudly.
She ran to the door and glanced back at him while making a teasing face before opening the door. He chuckled at her childish antics.
An angry Arush came into the view as soon as she opened the door. She cutely pulled his puffy cheeks and ran away from there.
Arush glared at Advait from the door and Advait smiled charmly, "Bahar kyun khada hai andar aa." He said almost sincerely as if he was not the one who threw him out of the room a few minutes before.
Arush entered and sat down on the couch for his study session. He opened his notebooks to complete his notes all while glaring at Advait.
Advait fondly ruffled his hair and went to sit down on his chair. He continued doing his work on laptop and Arush started writing the notes. His hand was scribbling on the paper and his face was buried in the notebook. Advait glanced at him and a faint smile captured his face looking at him.
A twelve year old Abhishek and a nine year old Aditya were doing their homeworks. Their faces were scrunched up in pout as they both didn't want to study and Advait had scolded both of them and made them sat down to complete their homework.
"Bhai, mujhe nahi karna homework." Aditya whined looking at Abhishek.
"Karna to mujhe bhi nahi hai par karna padega." Abhishek said in a sad tone.
"To bas hum hi kyun padhai kare Aru ko to bhaiya ne nahi bola homework karne ke liye." Aditya huffed.
"Uske liye wo milna bhi to chahiye pata nahi kahan chhup kar baitha hai bhaiya kitni der se dundh rahe hain usey." Abhishek replied, shaking his head.
As if on cue Advait entered the room towing a six year old Arush with him. Advait was gripping him in his arms and he was trying to wriggled out of his hold.
"Ahh cholo mujhe." He nearly cried.
Advait didn't reply and tightened his hold to prevent him from falling. Abhishek and Aditya looked up at the entertaining scene in front of them. Advait sat down on the couch and made Arush stand between his knees.
"Kitni baar mana kiya hai cupboard me nahi chhupna?" Advait asked him.
Arush whined not liking being scolded.
"Hush. No whining." Advait said gently yet firmly.
Advait glanced up at Abhishek and Aditya who were watching both of them with interest.
"Homework ho gaya tum dono ka?" He asked.
They both shook their heads and buried their faces in the notebooks.
Advait shifted his attention back on Arush, "Aru, cupboard me nahi chhupte baccha agar wo band ho jata to aapko suffocation ho sakti thi." He said gently.
"Sucotion." Arush mumbled, furrowing his little brows.
Advait sighed, "Sufo-cation." He broke the word to made him understand, "Matlab saans lene me problem hona." He said.
Arush widened his little eyes in horror.
"Abse nahi chhupna hm?" He said and Arush bobbed his head.
"A verbal response, baccha." Advait reminided him.
"Yeach." Arush said with a grin.
"Chalo ab apna homework complete karo." Advait said while opening his bag.
Arush protested, "Mujhe nahi kalna homewalk." He said.
"Humein bhi." Abhishek and Aditya said simultaneously.
Advait glared at each of them, "Karna padega."
"Mai nahi kalunga." Arush said keeping his hands on his little waist.
"Acche bacche apna homework complete karte hain." Advait coaxed him.
"Pal mai ganda baccha hoon." Arush replied, "Mai nahi kalunga."
Abhishek and Aditya snickered earning themselves a glare from Advait.
Advait pulled Arush on the couch and handed him his notebook and pencil, "Chup chap homework complete karo. I don't want to hear a single word." He said firmly.
"Mai aapse baat nahi kalunga." Arush threatened.
"Hmm mat karna par homework karo." Advait replied making him pout.
Arush hold his pencil and broke the pencil nip from his teeth before grinning proudly at Advait.
"Ye kya kiya, Aru?" Advait gasped, pulling out the nip of pencil from his mouth.
"Toot gayi." Arush giggled mischievously.
Advait gathered his patience to deal with the little munchkin, "Maar khani hai?" He said sternly to scare him.
"Aap nahi maloge." He replied like always.
Advait sighed and rubbed his palms over his face. Abhishek noticed his tired face.
"Aru, bhaiya ko pareshan mat kar. Wo thak gaye haina." Abhishek chided.
Arush pouted.
Advait inhaled before searching for the stationary box in Arush's bag. He opened the box but sharpener was not there.
"Sharpener kahan hai?" Advait asked him.
"Kho gaya." Arush shrugged.
Advait gave him a sharp look, "Kho gaya? Kal hi to new dilaya tha Aru aur aaj kho bhi diya." He scolded, "Cheezo ki value karna seekho."
Advait looked at Aditya, "Baccha, apna sharpener dena." He asked softly.
Aditya handed him his sharpener and Advait sharpened the pencil.
"Aru, Adi bhai ko thank you bolo." Advait instructed before handing him the sharpener to gave back to Aditya.
Arush blinked up at Advait, "Pal shopnel use to aapne kiya to aap bolo." He replied.
"Mai kaam nahi karunga iss pencil se aap karoge." Advait retorted.
"Thank you." Arush muttered, giving back the sharpener to Aditya.
"Bol diya." He said proudly looking up at Advait making him smile.
Advait again handed him the notebook and pencil, "Ab homework karo aur bhaiya ko bhi unka kaam karne do." He said and opened his laptop.
Those were the days when Advait was still struggling with everything.
He was understanding the things about business, he barely had any time for himself.
He had three kids to raise and a company to manage at such a young age of twenty.
All this sudden responsibility and stress took a toll over him and his health got detoriated.
The black hollows were clearly visible under his eyes silently telling the story of his sleepless nights and exhausting days.
"Bhaiya iski spelling nahi aa rahi." Arush showed him his notebook.
Advait glanced at his notebook, "E-l-e-v-e-n." He spelled and Arush wrote.
"Abhi, Adi kuch puchna hai?" Advait asked him if they had any doubts. His gaze was fixed on the laptop screen.
Abhishek shook his head but Aditya said, "Mujhe puchna hai, bhaiya."
"Hmm pucho." Advait looked up.
"Baaki ka kaam kal kar sakte hain?" He asked innocently.
Advait glared at him and he quickly changed his statement, "Koi baat nahi abhi kar leta hoon." He said nervously.
The room felt in a peaceful silence only the sounds of the shuffling pages and scribbling pencils were echoing in the room. Advait was doing his office work while glancing at the kids in between.
After a few minutes, Arush padded towards Advait and forwarded his notebook in front of him, "Bhaiya, maine apne homewalk complete kal liya aur vely good bhi de diya." He said like an obedient student.
Advait's ear perked up listening to him and he quickly checked his notebook. His expression turned horrified looking at the pages. Arush had done his homework and also checked it with a blue pen. He had also rewarded himself with a very good and a little shining star.
"What is this?" Advait asked sharply.
"Homewalk." Arush replied innocently.
Advait exhaled sharply, "Ye kya kiya Aru khud hi notebook check kar li aur pen kahan se aaya aapke paas?" He asked.
"Table pal lakha tha." Arush replied meekly listening to the scolding.
Advait glanced at his pen which was lying carelessly on the table with the missing cap. Abhishek tried to peeked in the notebook to see what Arush had done. Advait clutched his own head between hands in exhaustion.
"Corner." Advait pointed to the corner, firmly looking at Arush.
Arush's eyes teared up, "Aap mujhe punish kalle ho?" He asked with a pout.
Advait groaned and internally fought with himself to not to melt by these innocent eyes.
"Ye jo aapne kiya aise nahi karte beta. Notebook teachers check karte hain bacche nahi, ab kal aapki teacher notebook dekhengi to aapko daantengi." He made him understand.
"Mujhe daant padegi?" He asked, the tears were ready to spill out.
"Ji." Advait replied.
Arush threw himself in Advait's arms and mumbled, "Agal mam ne mujhe daanta to aapko unko daant dena."
"Mai kyun daantun galti to aapki hai." He replied.
Arush looked up from his embrace with his doe twinkling eyes, "Mai bhi to aapka hoon." He said melting Advait's heart.
"Aap mele bhaiya ho mujhe koi daantega to aap usko daantna." He ordered him.
Advait chuckled and hugged him tightly. His eyes were swollen and face was dripping with exhaustion but despite of all this a small smile was tugged on his lips engulfing the little figure in a hug.
Arush had always been his exception, just a look at the little boy's smile and everything fell into place.
Advait's eyes landed on Aditya who fell asleep while sitting on the couch.
His fingers were still lazily gripping the pencil.
His mouth was half opened and he was snoring calmly.
Advait went to his side and gently removed the pencil from between his fingers before picking him up in his arms. He made him lay down on the bed and covered him with the duvet.
"Good night, baccha." Advait mumbled, kissing his head.
If Abhishek and Arush were his calm then Aditya was his chaos and life without chaos is boring. The boy had always managed to get on his nerves by doing something out of the expectation. Aditya had always reminded Advait of himself as a kid. They both were indeed cut from the same cloth.
He turned back, "Abhi, tu bhi so jaa ab kal padhai karna." He said.
Abhishek quickly packed his bag as he was waiting for this moment from a very long time. Advait gathered Arush's stationary and neatly set up his bag.
"Aru, jao Abhi bhai ke paas so jao." He said while adjusting his bag.
"Nahi mai aapke paas sounga." Arush said.
"Mujhe kaam karna hai baccha, mai yaheen par hoon aap so jao." He coaxed.
Abhishek guided Arush towards the bed, "Chal so jaa." He murmured but Arush wriggled out from his hold and clinged to Advait.
"Mai bhaiya ke paas hi sounga." He said stubbornly.
Advait sighed and looked up at Abhishek, "Tu so jaa mai sula dunga isey." He told him.
Abhishek protested, "Aru, kyun har waqt pareshan karta rehta hai bhaiya ko chal na so jaa." He tried to make him understand but Arush leaned more into Advait.
"Koi baat nahi, tu so jaa." Advait smiled to ease out Abhishek's concern.
Abhishek hugged him, "Good night, bhaiya." He whispered.
"Good night." Advait mumbled, dearly ruffling his hair.
Abhishek went to laid down beside Aditya and slept in no time. Advait looked down at Arush who was already staring up at him.
Advait pulled him on his lap and made him laid down comfortably. He soothingly caressed his hair and pressed a kiss on his nose making him giggled.
"Good night, shaitaan." He teased.
"Good night." Arush whispered closing his eyes.
Advait's hand was continuously moving to caressed Arush's hair and his eyes were focused on the laptop screen ahead.
He was reviewing a report and clicking keys in between.
A frown was set on his face but it melts looking at the serene sleeping face in his lap.
The way Arush's little fingers were gripping the fabric of Advait's shirt.
It gave Advait a strange strength that he felt for the first time.
The little boy started to consider him as his whole world and the feeling was really overwhelmed for Advait.
"Bhaiya, baaki ki padhai kal karunga." Arush's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
Advait smiled internally, the boy was still the same. He would always remain his little Arush who kept clinging to his side all the time. The time has changed but the boy remains the same except for his 'r' pronunciation.
"Okay." Advait said.
Arush's eyes sparkled up, "Sacchi?" He asked.
Advait rolled his eyes at his dramatics and nodded.
Arush quickly gathered his notebooks and packed his bag. He tightly embraced Advait before running out of the room.
~________________________________________~
The breakfast table was empty. Everyone was seated on their respective chairs.
Abhishek didn't want to eat anything but Advait had coaxed him to the dining room and now he was himself disappeared.
Everyone was waiting for Advait to come out of the kitchen.
He always cooks on Sundays or holidays but seeing him in the kitchen on the weekday was a surprise for the family.
They all were impatiently waiting for the food.
After waiting for an eternity but in reality was only after five minutes Advait came out of the kitchen. A few house helpers came out with him holding the bowls and plates in their hands. They neatly arranged the table before politely taking their leave.
"Khushboo to bohot acchi aa rahi hai." Shreya teased.
"Aaj to Sunday bhi nahi hai phir aapne kyun breakfast banaya? Kuch special hai kya?" Arush asked with curiosity.
Advait sat down on his chair, "Celebrate karo to har din special hi hai." He said making an excuse but in reality he was trying to lift up Abhishek's mood.
He opened the lids and Aditya chirped up, "Woah chole bhature, bhai ke favorite."
Advait smiled and looked at Abhishek for his reaction but he remained sitted stiffly. When he noticed, Advait was watching him. He put on a small smile to reassure him but it didn't reach to his eyes.
"Bhaiya, iski jarurat nahi thi mujhe bhook nahi hai sacch me." Abhishek said slowly.
"Kya bhai ek to aapka favorite bana hai aur usme bhi aap bhav kha rahe ho. Mujhe to laga bhaiya sandwiches bana rahe hain par kya karein... har kisi ko nahi milta yahan pyar zindagi me." Arush sang dramatically without realizing the depth of his words.
Everyone snapped their heads at him except Abhishek who started feeling the words of the song.
He had cried all the night, Roohanika tried to call him but he didn't answer to any of her calls.
He wanted to block her number but couldn't bring himself to do it.
So he switched off his phone and cried his heart out.
"Thodi der chup nahi baith sakta." Aditya scolded.
"Par maine kya kiya?" Arush asked, getting scolded without any reason.
Shreya spoke up to light the tensed environment, "Chalo chalo baatein band aur sab breakfast start karo."
Advait prepared a plate for Abhishek and waited for him to start eating but he didn't make any movement.
"Abhi kha na, baccha." Advait said.
Abhishek tried to make an excuse, "Bhaiya mera mann nahi hai aur phir ye bohot oily hai meri diet kharab ho jayegi." He said.
"Ek din se kuch nahi hota. Cheat day samajh kar kha lo." Aditya forced.
Abhishek looked helplessly at everyone. He was not feeling like eating anything and gulping a single morsel felt like a task to him.
"Aru, tu Abhi ki chair par jaa kar baith." Advait said and Arush pouted.
"Mai aapke paas hi baithunga." He protested.
"Mai yaheen hoon kahin nahi bhaag raha. Jaa wahan par." Advait replied sternly.
He grumbled but obeyed and walked to Abhishek who remained seated on his place.
"Abhi, idhar aa kar baith." Advait told him.
Abhishek reluctantly stood up and went to sat down on Arush's chair beside Advait.
Advait made a bite and fed Abhishek by his hand. Abhishek involuntarily opened his mouth and gulped down the bite. The dish was his favorite but everything felt unflavorful to him. But to kept Advait's heart, he ate the breakfast.
"Mujhe to nahi khilaya kabhi itne pyar se." Arush complained under his breath.
Aditya listened to him and forwarded a bite towards him, "Ye le kha." He muttered.
Arush smiled widely and happily opened his mouth.
Advait was having his own breakfast while feeding Abhishek in between who was robotically chewing on the bites without showing any emotions. Shreya was looking concerned for him but everyone knew one day or the other Abhishek had to go through this phase.
~________________________________________~