Chapter 97
Arush stood frozen in his room. His face was pale as if the ground had slipped away from his feet.
His eyes were wide in horror and his gaze was fixed on the television screen in front of him.
The cricket match result had been announced and he had lost the bet.
His heart started pounding so loudly that he felt it hitting against his ribs.
The light of the television screen was pricking in his eyes.
He was cursing Yash in his mind, Arush put his money on the right team but Yash had manipulated him to do the otherwise and he got manipulated.
If he had not changed his decision he would have won the bet today.
Yash and Sameer knew that this team was supposed to lose because of their poor skills and they deliberately made Arush choose that team.
Arush was panicking, he didn't know what to do now but before he could do or think of anything, his phone started ringing.
He picked up his phone and his face morphed in anger when he noticed Yash was calling him. He quickly picked up the call.
"Congratulations bro, you lose the bet." Yash's mocking voice came from the other side.
"You bastard tune janbuz ke kiya na ye sab." Arush seethed.
Yash laughed, "Nahi bro, mujhe ye kar ke kya milega." He said.
"Has le jitna hasna hai kal mai teri saari hasi nikaalunga." Arush said dangerously in a hissed voice.
Yash made a fake gasp, "Haww mai to dar gaya, jo karna hai kar le bas kal 1 lakh ready rakhna." He replied.
"1 lakh? Tumhare jaise cheaters ko mai ek footi kodi tak na doon." Arush replied in disgust.
Yash sneered, "Paise to tujhe dene padenge Arush agar tu nahi dega to hum tere bhaiya se maang lenge." He threatened, "Unhe bhi pata chal jayega unka bhai illegal betting karta hai."
Arush's face turned pale hearing Advait's name. Advait would kill him if he got to know about this. His mind started working faster, thinking of an escape.
"Bata Arush kya karna hai? Tu paise dega ya hum tere bhaiya se maange?" He asked in a half taunting and half threatening voice.
Arush gulped down his ego before replying, "Mujhe thoda time de. Mai paise de dunga."
"Parso tak ka time hai tere paas agar parso humein humare paise nahi mile to tere ghar aana padega." He said and hung up the call.
Arush threw the phone on the bed in anger because he couldn't afford to break it.
He raked his hand through his hair, his face was looking like that he could cry at any moment.
But then his mind lit up with an idea, he quickly opened his cupboard and took out a box that was hidden behind the pile of the clothes.
He picked up the box and settled down on the bed.
He opened the box and there was the cash in it.
It was his savings from his pocket money.
He started counting the money but it was only thirty five thousand not even half of the money he needed.
He again made a crying face while shoving the money back inside the box.
"Itne paiso me to kuch bhi nahi hoga. Agar account se paise nikaale to bhaiya ke paas message chala jayega. Kya karoon?" He groaned in frustation.
He started pacing in the room in nervousness and fear. He stopped and said, "Abhi bhai ko bata doon?" He asked to himself.
Then shook his head frantically, "Nahi nahi agar Abhi bhai ya Adi bhai ko pata chala to pehle khud maarenge phir bhaiya se pitwayenge. Unhe nahi bata sakta." He muttered.
"Bhabhi?" He asked, "Par agar unhone bhaiya ko bata diya to?" He cried.
"Reyansh bhai?" He said unsure, "No, not even an option." He said in horror, remembering his angry face.
"Kisey bataun?" He clutched his head between hands, "Tia di bhi daantengi aur Sia di ko batana matlab bhaiya ko batana." He told to himself.
He was anxiously biting on his nail when his mind sparkled up with the idea and he quickly picked up his phone from the bed.
He dialled a number and said when the call got picked, "I want to meet you. It's urgent." He said and hung up the call.
~________________________________________~
It was seven in the evening. Arush was pacing in his room when a knock came on his door. He quickly opened the door and sighed in relief when Vanya's face came into his view. She entered the room and sat down on the couch royally.
She raised her brow, "Kya kaand kiya tune?" She asked.
He made a puppy face, "Di, please bachalo mai bohot bura fas gaya hoon." He nearly cried.
"Wo to mujhe pata hai." She replied, "Log fasne ke baad hi Vanya Khurana ko yaad karte hain." She said and flipped back her hair.
He sulked.
"Bata kya hua?" She asked.
He settled down on the couch in front of her with a defeated look, "Maine cricket match par paiso ki bet lagayi thi aur wo mai haar gaya." He said in a sad tone.
"Kitne ki bet lagayi thi?" She asked carefully.
He closed his eyes, "1 lakh ki." He whispered.
He opened his eyes when she started clapping loudly, "Waah chote maharaj waah. Kya kaand kiya hai." She mocked, "Aap to Adi se bhi aage nikle."
He looked down in embarrassment.
She rolled her eyes looking at his face, "Stop making these faces." She said in a bored tone.
"Kisi ko bataya tune?" She asked.
He shook his head, "Agar kisi ne bhaiya ko bata diya to...
"Nahi nahi." He vigorously shook his head.
She sighed, "Bhabhi ko bataya?" She asked.
"Nahi, unke mood par trust nahi kar sakte wo kabhi bhi bhaiya ko bata sakti hain." He replied.
"Agar maine parso tak paise nahi diye to wo log bhaiya ko bata denge." He informed her.
She waved her hand, "Tu tension kyun le raha hai mai hoon na." She said reassuringly.
"Mere paas abhi forty thousand cash hoga." She said, "Ab arrange karne hai bache huye sixty thousand." Her tone was thoughtful.
"Mere paas thirty five thousand cash hai." He told her.
She jumped on her place, "Great, to ab bache bas twenty five thousand."
"Wo kahan se laayein?" She muttered, tapping her chin.
She looked at Arush with a smirk and he raised his brow in return in an asking manner.
She leaned forward and whispered as if she was telling a secret, "Tujhe pata hai ghar me cash kahan rakha hota hai?" She asked.
He thought for a while before nodding, "Bhaiya ke study me." He replied.
"Ho gayi problem solve." She clapped her hands cheerfully.
Arush's eyes sparked with hope, "Problem solve? Kaise?" He asked desperately.
She walked to him and sat down beside him, "Dekh, humare paas bas twenty five thousand kam pad rahe hain to wo tu bhaiya ke study me se nikaal lena." She whispered. Her tone was casual.
He snapped his head towards her, "Ye to chori hai." His eyes were wide.
She rolled her eyes, "Apne ghar se paise lena chori hai?" She asked.
Arush hesitated but shook his head, "Par bina puche kuch lena to chori hi hota haina." He said.
She slapped her own forehead, "Maana ki ye galat hai par abhi tere paas aur koi option hai?" She asked and he shook his head again.
"Mai tujhe chori karne ke liye nahi keh rahi bas thode din ke liye udhaar paise lene ke liye keh rahi hoon. Tere paas jab wapas paise aa jaye to jahan se paise nikaale the wahan jaa kar chup chap rakh dena. Fir to ye chori nahi hogi na." She made him understand.
He nodded, "Par kisi ne dekh liya to?" He asked in extreme fear.
"Koi nahi dekhega, kal jab sab apne apne kaam se bahar jayenge uss time par jaa kar chupke se paise nikaal lena. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega don't worry." She assured him.
He hesitated.
She sighed looking at his face, "Sab theek ho jayega, chotu. Tu tension mat le. Mai kal tujhe forty thousand cash deti hoon hm." She said patting his shoulder.
He nodded reluctantly.
~________________________________________~
They were sitting on the dining table. Aditya was beyond happy to see Vanya at home as if he hadn't met her in the college today.
Arush was sitting quietly, his heart was beating loudly in fear and worry.
He was more afraid of Advait's disappointment than getting beaten up by him.
He didn't want him to know anything otherwise he would be so disappointed in him.
He might not even talk to him for a few days.
The air of the room had shifted when Advait entered the room. He sat down on his chair with a calm look but a small smile formed on his lips looking at his little sister.
"Hi, bhaiya." Vanya greeted.
"Hello, Princess." He replied with a warm smile.
Advait's gaze landed on Arush who was looking down with a frown on his face.
"What happened to you?" Advait asked.
Arush glanced up at him with fear in his eyes. He was hesitating even in shaking his head in response.
Vanya noticed it and jumped in the conversation, "Wo bhaiya iske itne saare notes incomplete hai na to bechara bohot tension le raha hai." She made an excuse.
"Ye padhai ki tension bhi leta hai?" Aditya asked in a disbelief tone.
Advait sighed and wrapped an arm around Arush, "Isme itna tension lene ki kya baat hai, beta. Ho jayenge complete aur nahi huye to Adi teri help kar dega." He said.
Aditya widened his eyes in mock horror, "Ye kya baat huyi, bhaiya. Notes usne complete nahi kiye to ye uski galti hai na mai kyun uski help karoon." He protested.
"Tu bada bhai hai na uska, help nahi kar sakta uski?" Advait asked firmly.
"To aap Abhi bhai ko bolein wo to mujhse bade hain." He replied.
Abhishek looked up at that, "M-Mai kyun? Mai koi help nahi karne wala bhaiya ne tujhe kaha hai tu kar." He replied, leaning back to distant himself from the fuss.
"Aap apne chote bhai ke liye itna nahi kar sakte?" Aditya asked making a puppy face.
Abhishek gave him a tight lipped smile, "Agar chota bhai tere jaisa ho to bilkul nahi kar sakta."
"Haan to meri help mat kariye Aru ki kariye." Aditya replied.
"Mujhe na teri help karni aur na uski help karni mere paas khud ke bohot kaam hai." Abhishek replied, scrolling in his phone.
"To mai bhi koi vella nahi hoon. Mai bhi nahi karunga koi help." He replied in determination.
"Tu vella hi hai din bhar Vani ke aage peeche ghoomne ke alawa aur kaam hi kya hai tere paas?" Abhishek retorted.
Vanya gasped, "Haww bhai, aap mujhe kyun beech me laa rahe ho?" She said being offended.
"Exactly." Aditya agreed, "Hum dono ki baat ho rahi hai to aap Vanu ko beech me kyun laa rahe hain?" He asked.
"Meri marzi." Abhishek shrugged.
"Bhaiya dekh lijiye aap inhe ye kaise baat kar rahe hain." Aditya complained to Advait who was sitting there looking at all of them with tired eyes. It was the daily drama of their house and he got bored of it.
"Wo dekh hi rahe hain aur unhe pata hai kaun kaise baat kar raha hai." Abhishek replied.
"Mai aapse baat nahi kar raha." Aditya replied in a cool tone.
Abhishek glared at him for his tone making him quickly realize the lack of respect in his tone.
"Sorry." He replied quietly before looking down, "I didn't mean that." He muttered.
Arush was leaning against Advait. A pout was formed on his face and his eyes were sad. Advait's one arm was wrapped around him.
"Mai hoon na mai teri help karunga, pareshan mat ho baccha." Advait murmured softly, caressing his hair.
"Mai help kar dunga." Aditya spoke up.
Shreya came out of the kitchen with a firm look, "Ye kya itna shor macha rakha hai tum logo ne." She scolded, "Abhi, dining table par phone use karna allowed hai?" She asked him sternly as he was scrolling in his phone.
Advait didn't say anything to him because he was avoiding scolding him. He didn't want him to feel neglected by any means and just wanted to pamper him to help him in healing.
Abhishek quickly pocketed his phone after mumbling an apology.
"Chote nawab ko kya ho gaya?" She asked while sitting down on her chair and glancing at Arush.
Arush leaned more in Advait to felt the security of his embrace. Advait felt something was not right with him but he trusted his child against the feeling. If something was wrong then Arush would definitely confront him.
"Padhai ki tension ho rahi hai usey." Abhishek muttered to Shreya.
Shreya made a face, "Isey aisa bhi hota hai?" She asked making Aditya laughed loudly.
Vanya swatted his arm to make him quiet and he sat down straight with a pout.
Sadhwi entered the room with the bowls in her hands and a few house helpers were behind her. Arush's gaze caught the sight of her and he got another big shock of his life on the same day.
"Ye yahan kya kar rahi hai?" He whispered to himself.
Advait frowned, "Kuch kaha?" He asked.
Arush shook his head while burying his head in his shoulder to hide his face from her.
"Theek se baith, Aru. Dinner karna hai." Advait said.
Arush shook his head dramatically and hugged him tightly. Advait frowned at his weird behavior. He was a clingy child but he was clinging too much than usual today.
The house helpers headed back to the kitchen after organizing the table but Abhishek stopped Sadhwi when she was about to leave the place.
"Wait, Sadhwi." Abhishek said.
She turned towards Abhishek, "Ji, bhai?" She asked.
Arush furrowed his brows, "Ye Abhi bhai ko bhai kyun bol rahi hai?" He thought in his mind.
"Adi, Aru, Vani ye Sadhwi hai aur kal se tumhare college me hi padhegi to iska dhyan rakhna." Abhishek told them.
Vanya made a disgusted face looking at her.
"Sadhwi ye Aditya hai." Abhishek introduced.
Aditya gave her a welcoming smile and she smiled in return making Vanya gritted her teeth in jealousy.
"She is Vanya." Abhishek said. Sadhwi smiled at her but she only glared in return.
Abhishek turned towards Arush who was hiding his face in Advait's shoulder, "Aur ye Aru...
"Aru, sahi se baith." Abhishek ordered.
Arush shook his head and Sadhwi looked at him weirdly.
"Aru, dhang se baitho baccha. Abhi kuch keh raha hai na." Advait said and forcefully made him sat down straight.
Sadhwi squinted her eyes to look at him carefully. She shook her head as if not believing in herself for a moment and then looked again. Her eyes widened when she confirmed that he was the same boy who ragged her in the college.
Arush was not even looking at her. His gaze was fixed on the floor to hid his face.
"Sadhwi, he is Arush." Abhishek said.
Sadhwi narrowed her eyes in anger. Abhishek glared at Arush, "Aru, say hello." He chided him like he was a toddler.
Arush meekly looked up at her, "Hello." His voice was just above a whisper.
"Hi." Sadhwi said through gritted teeth.
He gave her a pleading look through his eyes and she daggered her sharp gaze in his body.
"Aaj kuch bacchon ne iske saath ragging ki thi. Make sure aisa dubara na ho." Abhishek said staring at Aditya and Arush.
Arush started coughing loudly and Advait passed him a glass of water quickly. He gulped down a few sips before nodding his head at Advait who was looking at him in concern.
"What?" Shreya asked Sadhwi who nodded her head.
"I'll take care of that." Aditya replied casually.
Advait glared at him, "Without violence." Aditya added quickly.
"Tune complain ki un bacchon ki?" Shreya asked to Abhishek.
"Maine to bohot kaha bhabhi par isne mana kar diya." Abhishek replied pointing towards Sadhwi.
Shreya looked at her, "Tumne mana kyun kar diya huh, aise bacchon ko sabak seekhana bohot jaruri hai. Pata nahi inke gharwale kya sikhate hai inhe." She said in disappointment.
Arush looked down in shame and guilt. Sadhwi noticed his facial expression.
"Aisa mat kahiye, mam. Isme parents ki koi galti nahi hai.
Parents ko to yahi lagta hai na ki unke bacche college me jaa kar padhai kar rahe hain ab wo log college me jaa kar ye sab karte hain usme bechare parents ki kya galti hai.
Wo to apne bacchon par trust karte hain par unke bacchein unka trust tod dete hain.
" She said while glancing at Arush in between.
His face had turned red with the humiliation he was feeling inside himself. His stomach was churning with the shame.
Shreya smiled at her maturity and Vanya rolled her eyes.
Advait shifted his attention to Sadhwi, "Haath nahi hai tumhare paas?" He asked her sharply.
She nodded nervously.
"To ek kheech ke thappad lagana chahiye tha na unhe." Advait said angrily and Arush again choked on the air.
Advait rubbed his back, "Tu theek hai, baccha?" He asked softly.
Arush nodded.
Sadhwi noticed the change of Advait's tone while talking to Arush and she shifted uncomfortably. She was fearing as if she told them that their little brother was the one who misbehaved with her. Would they believe her?
"Next time se koi bhi ladka badtameezi kare to usko usi ki language me jawab dena. I'll handle the rest." Advait commanded her and she nodded her head.
Everyone slapped their own forehead at that.
"A verbal response." Everyone chorused together before Advait could say.
She looked at everyone before replying, "Yes sir." She whispered and scurried away from there.
~________________________________________~