Chapter 98
The next day was both chaotic and stressful for Arush.
He was all silent since the morning even on the dining table he was mostly silent only talking when someone asked him something.
He left for the college with Aditya and Sadhwi followed behind.
He didn't even glance at her and silently headed towards his class.
He took his first two classes and then met with Vanya who handed him forty thousand cash.
It was his free period and he was roaming in the corridors when a girl bumped into him.
Arush's bag had slipped down from his shoulder and fell down on the floor.
He bent down to pick up his bag and looked up.
Sadhwi was standing there, her arms were draped over her chest and she was glaring at him. Arush ignored her and was about to pass by her side but she again interrupted his movement and stood in his way.
"Kya chahiye?" He asked irritatingly, glaring in her eyes.
"Dance kar ke dikhaun?" She asked, making an innocent voice.
He gritted his teeth at her unspoken threat and stepped forward dangerously, "Dhamki de rahi ho mujhe?" He asked.
"Bilkul." She replied, "Tumhare ghar walon ko bataun mai tum college juniors ki ragging karne aate ho?" She threatened.
Arush exhaled sharply, "You won't risk it." He said with a glint in his eyes.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Oh warna kya karoge tum?" She asked in a mocking tone.
"Try karke dekh lo pata chal jayega." He replied, leaning forward to her eye level.
His eyes met with hers and his heart skipped a beat looking at her innocent yet fierce eyes.
"Agar iss college me shaanti se padhai karna chahti ho na to apna ye muh band rakhna." He warned.
She stepped forward, "Dara rahe ho mujhe?" She asked.
He smiled, "Warn kar raha hoon." He replied and left, leaving her standing there alone.
Arush kicked the wall in the anger, "Ye betting wala siyappa kam tha kya jo ab ye ladki bhi aa gayi." He groaned, "Mujhe mere din poore hote huye dikh rahe hain." He cried internally.
~________________________________________~
Vanya was walking ahead in anger, her face was set up in an angry pout and Aditya was following her like a puppy. His face was scrunched up in distress. She was walking in pace, taking long strides and Aditya was calling her from behind trying to stop her but she ignored him.
"Vanu, kyun naraaz ho rahi hai?" He asked from behind.
She didn't reply and kept walking.
"Vanu, reason to bata yaar."
"Mujhe nahi pata maine kya kiya hai but I am sorry. Jo bhi galti huyi hai maaf kar de yaar please." He whined.
A boy was passing from there and he chuckled looking at the scene in front of him. Aditya turned to glared at him but before he could say anything Vanya stepped forward.
"Bohot hasi aa rahi hai?" She asked sharply, crossing her arms.
The boy looked at her and went away from there with a eye roll.
Aditya grinned at her protectiveness. She was about to turn back when Aditya stopped her by gently grabbing her arms.
"Vanu vanu vanu wait." He ranted.
"Kya hai, chord mujhe." She jerked away his hand.
"But maine kiya kya hai ye to bata yaar." He asked with puppy eyes.
She huffed looking away, "Tune kal uss Sadhwi ko dekh kar smile kyun ki aur aaj wo tere saath teri car me meri seat par baith kar college aayi, isse jyada aur kya karna baaki hai." She said, her lower lip was trembling in jealousy and emotions.
Aditya sighed, "Abhi bhai ne bola tha usko saath le jane ke liye." He told her.
"Accha Abhi bhai ne ye bhi bola tha ki usey Vanya ki seat par baithao." She asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Ye baat tu Arush se puch. Wo to apni bike le kar nikal aaya aur jab maine kaha Sadhwi ko saath me le jaa to usne mana kar diya. Ab mai usey akela chord kar to nahi aa sakta tha na." He replied in a genuine voice.
"Bohot fikar ho rahi hai uski?" She glared at him, closing the distance between them.
Aditya cupped her cheeks, "Tu galat samajh rahi hai, Vanu. She is like a sister to me and I am sorry maine usey teri seat par baithne diya." He apologized sincerely.
She blinked back the tears and looked away.
"I am sorry yaar." He pleaded.
She rolled her eyes, "Hmm theek hai." She mumbled.
"Par ab se tu usko didi bolega." She pointed her finger at him.
Aditya cringed at that, "Par wo mujhse choti hai mai usko didi kaise bol sakta hoon?"
"Wo sab mujhe nahi pata tu usko didi hi bolega warna mujhse baat mat karna." She threatened.
"Okay okay bolunga. Sadhwi didi hm khush." He coaxed her.
She nodded happily making him sighed in relief.
~________________________________________~
Arush had returned from the college. Aditya was in his room busy with playing video games.
Abhishek was in the office and Advait and Shreya were went to shopping for tomorrow's pooja.
The house was empty and Arush's way was clear.
He was hiding behind the pillar scanning the hallway.
His heart was beating loudly in fear. No one was allowed on the third floor where Advait had his study room and he didn't let any worker clean the room.
He himself take care of everything in his study because apart from cash, there were also important documents there.
Arush crossed his fingers tightly and headed towards the door.
He looked left and right and to his satisfaction the corridor was empty.
He glanced up at the ceiling, joining his hands and finally entered the room with his shaky legs.
As soon as he entered the study, Sadhwi came out from behind the pillar. The suspicion and curiosity were morphed on her face.
"Ye aalu ka chilka apne hi ghar me aise chori chupe kyun ghoom raha hai?" She asked to herself.
"Pata lagana padega." She said with determination and followed him.
She slightly opened the door just enough to peek her one eye inside to see what was he doing.
Arush's hands were shaking in fear and nervousness.
His face was burning with humiliation to do such a shameful act but he had no another option.
He opened the polished wooden cupboard and the stacks of files came into his view.
His eyes landed on a locker and he gulped down loudly.
He hovered his hand over the locker before pulling it back with a jerk.
His head was throbbing as he was not able to make the right choice.
He knew that it was wrong but he hadn't have even an another option.
"Sorry bhaiya." He whispered to himself in guilt.
The locker has the password. Arush wasn't aware of it and he again cursed his faith under his breath. He started thinking of the correct passcode but nothing came into his mind as he was already tensed.
"Bhaiya ka birth date?" He mumbled, "Nahi, bhaiya apni birth date ko password rakhne wale logo me se nahi hai." He shook his head.
"Bhabhi ka birth date?" He said with a smile, "Ye ho sakta hai."
He entered Shreya's birth date but the screen showed the incorrect password. His face fell down, he looked back to scan the room in fear. He was scared to his death and the feeling of shame mixed with fear was tolling up on his mind.
"Jaldi sochna padega agar kisi ne dekh liya to aaj mera aakhiri din hoga." He muttered, his voice was just above a whisper.
After thinking for two minutes, his mind lit up with something and he entered the digits.
Click.
The locker got unlocked. A wave of relaxation spread across his face.
He had entered the Advait and Shreya's wedding anniversary date.
He quickly opened it and the wads of notes and the few files came in front of his eyes.
A lump formed in his throat, he stretched forward his shivering hand.
He picked up a wad and slipped out a few notes from it.
He took the twenty five thousand and placed the extra cash back in the locker.
His eyes were filled with tears when he imagined the Advait's face in his mind.
He quickly locked it again before neatly placing back everything.
He pocketed the cash and turned around but his hand froze mid movement. His heart stopped beating for a moment. Sadhwi was standing in front of him with crossing her arms over her chest.
"To tum chori bhi karte ho." She made a statement.
Arush's face flushed with shame but he masked his emotions, "A-Apne ghar se paise lena chori nahi hoti." He muttered but his own voice was weak.
She raised her brow, "Oh, To phir tumhare chehre par ye 12 kyun baje huye hain?" She asked sarcastically.
He rubbed his hands over his face, "Koi 12 nahi baje huye aur tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" He asked her.
"Yahan kisi ko aana allowed nahi hai bhaiya ko pata chala na to job se nikaal denge tumhe phir karti rehna apni padhai...road par baith kar." He said to threatened her so that she would keep her mouth shut.
A flicker of fear waved through her face, "Mai sabko bata dungi ki tum chori kar rahe the." She whispered lowly.
"Tum aisa kuch nahi karogi." Arush gritted out through his teeth.
Sadhwi smirked, "Then, stop me." She said and shouted, "Chor chor.....
Arush swiftly pressed her to the wall, pressing his palm over her mouth.
Her back was tightly pressed against the cold wall making her shivered.
Her warm breath was hovering over his palm.
Their eyes were drowned in each other's.
They both were deadly glaring in each other's souls.
Her black orbs were gazing into his dark browns and her heart was beating loudly not in the fear but because of the close proximity they both were sharing.
"Tum kisi ko kuch nahi bataogi." He said, pressing the each word.
She was staring at him blankly.
"Bolo nahi bataogi na?" He asked her.
She moved her eyeballs downwards to gesture to him to remove his hand from over her mouth but he didn't understand.
"Bolo?" He said sharply.
She again gestured while making a sound and he noticed. He quickly pulled back his hand and wiped it against his jeans. She breathed out loud and caught a few quick breaths, her palm was resting on her chest.
"Meri sa...saans chali gayi." She breathed with wide eyes.
Arush awkwardly rubbed the back of her shoulder and she jerked it away in anger.
He made an offended face, "I was helping you." He yelled.
"I don't need your help." She retorted in the same tone.
He rolled his eyes, "Listen, jo bhi tumne yahan dekha... usey bhool jao. Mai kabhi yahan aaya hi nahi tumne mujhe dekha hi nahi 'kay." He told her.
Her brows were furrowed in suspicion.
Arush sighed and joined his hands, "Dekho mujhe in paiso ki urgent need hai warna mai khud kabhi aise nahi karta please I request you kisi ko mat batana." He pleaded, making a helpless face.
Sadhwi took pity on his face and nodded, "Dekhte hain." She said and left the room.
Arush understood she wouldn't say anything to anyone. He sighed in relief and quickly exited the study.
~________________________________________~
The next morning was quiet. The silence was filled in the Malhotra Mansion.
The kind of silence which clawed inside hearts.
Abhishek and Aditya were helping in preparation for the pooja.
Everyone was on leave today. Shreya was making kheer for the prasad in the kitchen.
Advait was in his room, he didn't leave his room since the morning.
No one had disturbed him as they knew he needed his space and if they were in front of him he would never let out his emotions freely.
He was sitting alone in his room. His eyes were fixed on the photo frame cradling in his hands.
His eyes were empty, blankly staring at his mother's photo.
Her smiling face was bubbling emotions inside Advait.
There was not even a single day when he didn't miss her but every year on this day his pain had intensified remembering the hanging body of his mother.
He closed his eyes, hugging the frame close to his chest.
His own heart wrenching screams were echoing in his ears. His throat was paining against the struggle of holding back his tears. But despite his all efforts a lone tear slipped down off his eye.
His eyes were shutted close as he was shaking off the image of his mother's lifeless body. But then a ray of hope flickered and Abhishek, Aditya and Arush the three innocent kids had entered in his life and in no time they became the reason for his breathing.
A knock had interrupted his thoughts and he opened his eyes. Aditya was standing on the doorway, a small smile was there on his lips instantly lifted up Advait's mood.
"Aap yahan baithe hain aur mai poore ghar me aapko dundh raha tha." He commented while entering the room. He deliberately said this to divert his mind. He knew Advait would be in his own room and he wanted to check on him.
Advait carefully placed the frame back on the bedside table while asking, "Kyun kya kaam tha?"
Aditya made a face, "Mai bina kaam ke apne bhaiya ke paas nahi aa sakta?" He asked, hugging him from side.
Advait gently ruffled his hair, "Meri jaan." He mumbled, knowing what his child was trying to do.
"Wo to mai hoon." He replied, tightening his hold around him.
~_______________________________________~
Everyone was gathered in the hall. Reyansh, Tia and Vanya were also came on the time. Sia couldn't come there as she had a busy schedule. The priest had also arrived and started arranging the things on its places for the pooja.
Advait glanced at Abhishek who was talking to Reyansh, "Abhi, Aru kahan hai?" He asked him.
"Bhaiya, wo mai aapko batana bhool gaya usey aaj ek important assignment submit karna tha to wo college gaya hai." He informed him, "Usne bola tha wo pooja shuru hone se pehle hi aa jayega. Aata hi hoga." He added.
Advait nodded in understanding and headed towards the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Shreya and Tia were preparing food and prasad. Sadhwi was helping them, only they three were in the kitchen. Shreya and Tia were gossiping with each other while doing work.
"Shreya, Aru kahan hai kahin dikh nahi raha?" Tia asked.
Shreya glanced up for a moment before replying, "Wo college gaya hai, aaj shayad koi assignment submission tha." She replied.
Sadhwi was listening to them and she rolled her eyes at their innocence.
Tia chuckled, "Waah wo kab se padhai ko seriously lene lag gaya." She teased.
Shreya made a mock offended face, "Tum mere bacche ka mazak uda rahi ho?" She narrowed her eyes playfully.
Tia waved her off, "Bol to aise rahi ho jaise bohot seedha hai tumhara baccha." She commented.
"Seedha hi hai bas thoda sa shaitaan hai."Shreya replied while rolling the puris.
"Bilkul jalebi ki tarah seedha hai." Sadhwi scoffed.
Shreya and Tia snapped their heads at her. Shreya raised a brow at her and Sadhwi smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry." She whispered.
Shreya shook her head and again got busy with the cooking.
Sadhwi looked at Shreya and started thinking, "Mai inhe chori wali baat nahi bata sakti par ragging wali baat to bata hi sakti hoon." She thought to herself.
Tia snapped her fingers in front of her dragging her out of her thoughts.
"Kya hua, kahan khoyi huyi ho?" Tia asked.
Sadhwi shook her head ear to ear, "Kahin nahi." She replied.
Sadhwi took a deep breath and walked to Shreya.
"Mam?" She said hesitantly.
"Mujhe aapko kuch batana hai." She said.
Shreya turned her full attention towards her listening to her serious voice, "Hmm bolo kya hua, Sadhwi?" She asked softly.
"Wo mam..." Sadhwi hesitated, "Kal college me jisne meri ragging ki thi wo Arush hai." She told her.
Shreya's expression shifted in an instant, "Kya bakwas kar rahi ho ye tum?" She asked in a slight angry tone.
Sadhwi blinked back at the change of her tone and replied meekly, "Mai sach keh rahi hoon, mam."
Tia stepped forward and assuringly looked at Sadhwi noticing her scared features, "It's okay, Sadhwi. Tum batao kya hua tha?" She asked.
Sadhwi looked down, "Kal mai jab college me ghoom rahi thi tab Arush aur uske dosto ne mujhe rok liya aur mujhse mera introduction maanga maine unhe apna naam bata diya par unhone mujhe dance karne ke liye kaha aur maine jab bola ki mai unki complain karungi to unhone bina dar ke bola ki jao kar do complain. " She told them the whole conversation.
"Mujhe nahi pata tha Arush isi ghar me rehta hai maine to usey parso raat ko dining table par dekha aur kal subah usne mujhe phir se dhamki di ki agar maine kisi ko usne meri ragging ki thi iss baare me bataya to wo meri college life kharab kar dega.
" She said, her voice was weak because she was scared if they would believe her or not.
The anger took over Tia's features. She rubbed the back of her shoulder, "Tum daro mat Sadhwi, hum hai na aisa kuch nahi hoga."
Shreya was still looking at her skeptically. She liked the girl and knew that she won't lie but she wasn't ready to believe that her kid could misbehave with a girl.
Advait was standing at the entrance of the kitchen and heard the conversation between them. His fists were clenched at his sides but he chose to not to say anything. He would ask Arush about the whole incident and if he was at fault then he would be doomed for sure.
~________________________________________~
Arush was standing in a corridor in the college, waiting for Yash and Sameer. His gaze turned cold when they both appeared in front of him. Their faces were etched with the vile smirk.
"Aur bro, kaisa laga bet haar kar?" Sameer mocked, placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Bohot jor ka laga." Yash sneered with the reply.
Arush grabbed Sameer's jaw and pushed him against the wall. His eyes were blazing with anger. Yash tried to remove his hand but it was futile. Arush's grip was firm on his face.
"Tere jaise dost se to dushman acche hain." Arush said bitterly and jerked away his face.
Sameer quickly composed himself and was about to throw a punch at Arush when Yash had stopped him.
"Leave him, Sameer. Paise lete hain aur chalte hain yahan se." He said.
Sameer scoffed and looked at Arush expectantly. Arush opened his bag and took out the money from it before handing them. Yash and Sameer exchanged a victorious look with each other. They were about to shoved the money in the bag when a voice interrupted them.
"What's happening here?" A Professor came there.
He had seen the exchanged of cash between the boys and glared at each of them with suspicion. The boys gulped down looking at him.
"Ye itna cash kahan se aaya tumhare paas?" The Professor asked them but no one reply.
They glanced at each other.
"Answer me." The Professor said firmly.
"Ye cash iska hai, sir. We don't know anything about it." Sameer said while shoving back the money in Arush's hands.
Arush looked at him incredulously, "M-Mera?" He said in disbelief.
"Sir, ye mera nahi hai." Arush defended himself.
"Ye jhooth bol raha hai, sir. Ye paise isi ke hain." Yash joined Sameer and trapped Arush.
Arush looked at both of them in bewilderment.
The Professor angrily looked at the boys and ordered, "To the Principal cabin. All of you."
Arush's face went pale at that. His feet started wobbling from inside. They reluctantly followed the Professor to the Principal cabin and the Professor told the Principal about the cash exchange between the boys.
The Principal looked at Arush, "Why were you giving money to them?" He asked him.
Arush tried to thought of an excuse but nothing came into his mind.
"Tum dono batao ye tumhe itne paise kyun de raha tha?" The Principal asked to the other two.
They also didn't reply anything.
The Principal sighed, "Fine, don't tell me." He said, "Ab aap sab apne parents ko batana."
"Call their guardians." The Principal ordered to the Professor who nodded in response.
Arush's eyes got widened in horror.
"Make sure to call Mr. Advait Malhotra." The Principal added, glaring at Arush.
Arush panicked in fear, "N-No sir please don't do this. Mai aapko batata hoon but please bhaiya ko call mat kijiye. Hum logo ne bet lagayi thi cricket team par mai wo bet haar gaya islie mai inhe paise de raha tha." He blurted out in fear.
Sameer and Yash closed their eyes in anger and cursed Arush in their mind. They both were daggering holes in his body.
"Sir, please I swear on my everything. It won't be repeated. Please sir bhaiya ko call mat kijiye." He literally begged but the Principal remained firm.
~________________________________________~