Chapter 99
The priest was setting things up for the pooja.
A photo frame of Priya was placed on the platform and a lei was put on around the frame.
Advait was glancing at the photo frame but his mind was drifted to Arush.
He hadn't returned from the college yet.
Advait was already mad at him, he needed to talk to him about Sadhwi's accusation against him.
But for now he needed him here for the pooja.
He had decided to talk to him after the pooja.
The priest looked up at everyone before announcing.
"Sabhi log apne sthan par baith jayein."
Everyone sat down, Advait was about to sit on his place when his phone started ringing. He would hung up the call without any hesitation but the caller I'd refrained him to do so. He picked up the call and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello, Mr. Malhotra." The person greeted.
"Come to the point." Advait said being already irritated.
A huffed sigh heard from the other side before the voice, "Sir, it's about your son Arush. Principal sir wants to meet you and discuss about his behavior." He informed.
Advait furrowed his brows, "What did he do?" He asked.
"Principal sir will inform you everything when you come here." He replied.
Advait sighed, "I can't come right now. My younger brother will be there shortly." He said as everyone looked at him with impatient and confused faces.
"But Principal sir wants to meet only you. It's urgent, sir. It would be better if you handle this matter yourself." The Professor said in a convincing tone.
Advait held the bridge of his nose in frustration bubbling with anger, "I'll be there in a while." He muttered and hung up the call.
Everyone looked at him with a questioning look listening to his last sentence.
"I need to go." Advait said.
Shreya frowned, "Advait, pooja ka time ho gaya hai iss waqt aap kahan jaa rahe hain?" She asked.
He exhaled before replying, "College se call tha, Arush did something. I need to be there." He replied.
Reyansh stood up, "Tu pooja me baith, mai chala jata hoon." He offered.
"He wants to talk only with me." Advait replied with a sigh, "Aap sab thodi der wait kariye. Mai thodi der me Arush ko le kar aata hoon." He said looking at everyone.
Everyone nodded reluctantly and Advait hurried away from there in urgency.
He had reached the college in just fifteen minutes and marched towards the Principal cabin.
Arush was standing there with Yash and Sameer.
The moment his gaze met with Advait, he nearly flinched out of his skin just by the look Advait was throwing at him.
"Welcome, Mr. Malhotra. Third time in a month." The Principal said sarcastically while standing up from his chair, there was no bite in his tone but the moment Advait shifted his icy glare at him he shut down his mouth.
"I would love to see someone else in place of you when I come here for the fourth time." Advait commented, glaring at his soul.
The Principal's face went pale. The previous mockery features swiftly turned into fear.
Yash and Sameer exchanged a nervous glance with each other.
"I just said it out of humor, sir." The Principal defended himself.
Advait pinned him down with a look, "If you haven't noticed by now, I don't have much of a sense of humor." He stated.
"I apologize." The Principal replied sincerely, "Please sit."
They both have this kind of relationship.
The Principal loved to tease Advait as he kept coming again and again.
He was in his late thirties just a few years older than Advait.
He was not a strict kind of person but his profession forced him to behave strictly otherwise he was a cool man with a good humor.
But Advait was not the one who loved funny stuff and it irritated him the most when people don't act their age.
The Principal cleared his throat before starting, "Arush, Would you like to tell your brother yourself?" He asked Arush.
Arush bowed his head and didn't reply. Advait was simply staring at Arush, waiting for him to say anything.
"Principal sir asked you something." Advait's sharp voice cut through the air. His words directed towards the Arush.
Arush gulped down before whispering, "Bhaiya, I'm sorry."
Yash looked at Sameer in bewilderment because they had always seen Arush being rowdy in college. They were witnessing this side of him for the first time and on the top of it Advait didn't even say anything to him yet but he was trembling in fear.
"Is this the answer to his question?" Advait asked.
He could see the slight shiver in his hands at his sides and if it was any other day then Advait would surely melt down looking at his baby brother like this but today was different.
He was already furious about the ragging thing and the cherry on the top was that he had to leave the pooja midway and come to college because his stupid brother again landed himself in a trouble.
The Principal noticed all of it and took the matter in his own hands, "Mr. Malhotra, Arush ne Yash and Sameer ke saath cricket team par betting ki thi aur wo ye bet haar gaya.
He lost 1 lakh rupees. One of the professor of our college caught him giving money to these two. " He said pointing at Yash and Sameer.
Advait fisted his hands and glanced over Sameer and Yash who instantly looked down.
"Is that true, Arush?" Advait asked him. His voice was too calm.
Arush was taking quick breaths, his head was digged between his shoulders unable to look into Advait's disappointed eyes.
Advait scraped back his chair and stood up from it in a swift motion. Arush involuntarily took a few steps back.
"J-Ji bhaiya." He stuttered out in fear.
The Principal sensed the thick tension in the air and tried to divert Advait's mind. He placed the money in front of him while saying, "We have collected this money from him."
"Whatever happened it is not his fault only. They both are equally guilty and they should be aware that whatever they did was an illegal crime. Betting is not the good man's attributes." The Principal rebuked them in a gentle tone.
Advait stepped forward to Yash and Sameer, "You guys taught him this, right?" He asked sternly.
They both had denied to look into his eyes and looked down at the floor.
"I know what my child can and cannot do and he can't do such things unless he is manipulated." He said. His voice was firm and clear.
"Sorry sir. We didn't mean to." Yash apologized, using his brain cells at the right time.
Advait fixed both of them with a glare, "Stay away from him." He ordered them referring to Arush.
"Make sure their guardians know about this." Advait said to the Principal.
He nodded in response, "We have called them. They'll be informed." He replied.
Advait shifted his attention back to Arush, "And you. I'll deal with you at home." He said dangerously.
The Principal sighed, "This incident happened inside our college campus so it was our responsibility to inform you, Mr. Malhotra." He said.
"We hope this will not be repeated." He added firmly.
"It won't." Advait said curtly and turned towards Arush, "Arush, do you need to say something to your Principal?" He said calmly but the warning was clearly evident in his voice.
Arush glanced up meekly at the Principal, "I am sorry, sir." His voice was just above a whisper.
"It's fine. Mistakes happen, what matters that we learn from them. I hope you learn from your mistake." He replied gently yet firmly.
Arush only managed to nod at him and the Principal returned a small smile to him. Advait and the Principal shook hands with each other before Advait exited the cabin.
Arush had followed him outside to the car. He was walking keeping a safe distance from Advait. They reached the parking lot and Advait got settled inside the car before roaring the car on the road, leaving the Arush behind.
Arush looked down with tears in his eyes. He had come to college on his bike but Advait had always taken him back with himself whenever he had to come college despite having Arush had his own vehicle.
~________________________________________~
The Priest and the family were waiting for Advait to arrived soon. Vanya was looking tensed and Aditya was chewing off her ears to know the reason behind her stressed face.
"Why're you looking so tensed, Vanu? Is there something bothering you?" He asked softly yet genuinely concerned for her.
She waved him off, "Maine kaha na kuch nahi hua kyun dimaag kha raha hai mera?" She asked irritatingly.
Aditya looked down sadly. Reyansh had noticed it and jumped in between them, "Vani, ye kya tareeka hai baat karne ka. He's asking because he cares for you." He reprimanded her.
Aditya glanced up at Reyansh and gestured him to let go of the topic but Reyansh continued, "Stop taking him for granted." He added making Vanya looked down in guilt.
She looked up at Aditya, "Tujhe bura laga?" She asked with a pout.
Aditya smiled, "Teri baat ka bura kaise lag sakta hai?" He replied making Reyansh cringed at that.
Vanya smiled and hugged him from side, "Sorry." She giggled.
Reyansh swiftly pulled her away making a face, "Door se baat karo." He mumbled with a protective look.
Aditya rolled his eyes, "Are you on your periods, bhai? Itne mood swings kaise ho rahe hain?" Aditya teased.
Reyansh whacked the back of his head not so gently, "Badtameez." He muttered.
"Oww sorry mazak kar raha tha." Aditya said, rubbing off the sting.
Reyansh shook his head at him. The boy could never grown up. He would always remain a brat.
Reyansh's eyes fell on the Abhishek who was running out of the mansion in hurry. He frowned and followed him outside but Abhishek's pace was faster. Reyansh called him from behind but he didn't listen. Reyansh had to run to catch him, he ran and stood in front of him, stopping him on his way.
"Itni jaldi me kahan jaa raha hai?" Reyansh asked. His voice was etched with concern as he looked at Abhishek's panicked state.
"Bhai, let me go. It's urgent." Abhishek said and was about to move past him when Reyansh stopped him again.
"Abhi, kya hua hai itna pareshan kyun hain?" He asked.
"Bhai." Abhishek breathed heavily, "Bhai, Rooh ne suicide attempt kiya hai." He said, his voice was shaking.
Reyansh froze.
"Tu usse milne jaa raha hai?" He asked.
"She needs me, bhai. I need to see her." He said, his heart was pounding loudly. His eyes were prickling with tears.
Reyansh looked at him firmly, grabbing his shoulder, "Tera uske saath breakup ho gaya hai, Abhi." He told him, "Advait ko promise kiya hai na tune Raichands se koi rishta nahi rakhega." He reminded him.
Abhishek shook his head desperately, "Nahi rakhunga, bhai. Koi rishta nahi rakhunga par please abhi mujhe jaane dijiye. Mera Rooh se milna jaruri hai please bhai." He begged.
Reyansh felt pity at his condition but remained stoic, "Thodi der me pooja shuru hone wali hai. Advait aate hi sabse pehle tere baare me puchega."
"Unhe kuch bhi bahana de dena bhai please mujhe jaane dijiye." He replied, "Rooh ko kuch ho gaya to mai mar jaunga." He choked on his tears.
Reyansh's grip on his shoulder loosened and Abhishek ran away from there. He quickly got into the car and pulled out the car on the road. Advait and him crossed a way with each other but none of them noticed. One was filled with anger and the other one was drowned in pain.
~________________________________________~
Advait entered the mansion. Everyone's head instantly perked up but he ignored all of them and sat down on the floor. Shreya exchanged a glance with Aditya in a questioning look but he shrugged in response.
"Aap pooja shuru kijiye." Advait told to Priest.
"Aru, kahan hai Advait?" Shreya asked.
"Aa raha hoga." He replied curtly.
The Priest glanced at everyone, "Aap sab bhi baith jaiye." He said.
Advait looked around in the room, "Abhi, kahan hai?" He asked particularly to no one.
Reyansh hesitated before replying, "Uske dost ka accident ho gaya to wo usey le kar hospital gaya hai."
Shreya's eyes widened, "What? Konse dost ka?" She asked in concern.
"Pata nahi, bohot jaldi me tha to bas itna hi bataya ki dost ka accident ho gaya hai usey le kar hospital jaa raha hai." Reyansh replied.
Advait frowned but nodded. Aditya looked at Reyansh skeptically.
The Priest had started doing the pooja, chanting the mantras for the peace of Priya's soul.
Arush entered the hall, a few heads turned towards him.
Vanya looked at him with raising her brow and he gestured her making a crying face with a thumb down.
She slapped her forehead in a mock disappointment.
Arush hurriedly went to his room, fresehen up and came back before settling down for the pooja.
Advait didn't even glance at him, his gaze was fixed on his mother's photo frame.
His heart was crumbling while doing the each ritual.
Soon, the pooja had done and everyone stood up from their places.
Shreya came up with a bowl of kheer and offered it in front of the Priya's photo frame as the Pandit ji asked her to do.
After that, everyone left for their places.
Advait and Shreya went to a NGO owned by Shreya.
She named it on Priya's name, every year on Priya's death anniversary or on her birth anniversary they donate clothes, stationary and toys to the kids.
They were heading back home from the orphanage when Advait's phone pinged with a notification. He checked it and his expression changed in an instant. His grip around the phone got tightened.
Shreya noticed all of it and asked, "Kya hua?"
He waved it off with a smile, "Nothing."
Before she could ask further, they reached to the mansion. He stopped the car and looked at her, "Aap andar jaiye, mujhe ek important kaam hai." He said.
She stared into his eyes, "Kab tak aayenge?"
"Evening." He replied shortly out of habit.
She nodded slowly. He leaned forward and pressed a firm kiss on her temple murmuring, "Bye."
She got down off the car and he watched her till she entered the mansion. He drove away from there with an exhausting look over his face. He was already emotionally vulnerable because of his mother's death anniversary and top of it his responsibilities were not allowing him to take rest.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek banged the door of Roohanika's apartment.
But no one was responding, he pushed the door to break it.
His whole existence was trembling after watching the video Roohanika had sent him.
He reached there driving on the full speed, dodging the every vehicle on his way.
He was nearly escaped off hitting the car into a truck.
But he was blind at that time, all he could see was Roohanika's bloodied hand.
He kicked the door and it pushed opened with a loud bang.
He immediately rushed inside but to his surprise no one was in the house. He ran to Roohanika's room, it was already slightly ajar. Abhishek pushed opened the door and his legs froze on its place at the sight in front of him. His heart stopped beating in fear and disbelief.
Roohanika was lying lifelessly on the floor beneath the pool of her own blood. A knife was loosely hanging from her right hand and her left hand had a deep cut on it. The blood was profusely oozing out of it. Abhishek stepped forward with shaky legs and crouched down near her.
He patted her cheeks lightly, "R-Rooh!" He only managed to whisper.
But her eyes were closed. She was unconsciously lying on the floor. He stared at her hand on which his name was painfully carved with a sharp blade.
His mind went blank. He was not in his right senses to think of anything. He sat there staring at her with blank eyes when a tear slipped down off his eyes and landed on Roohanika's face. That was when he dozed out of his shock and pain. He panicked and quickly picked her up in his arms.
He reached the hospital taking her in his arms in bridal style, "Doctor Doctor." He shouted.
A doctor with a few nurses emerged in the corridor and Abhishek showed them Roohanika's condition.
They swiftly admitted her and took her to the room.
They quickly started treating her looking at the amount of blood she had losing.
Abhishek remained stood there frozen but a nurse escorted him outside.
He didn't say a word to anyone and slumped down on the steel bench with defeated shoulders. The flashback of whatever happened in the past week was flashing in front of his eyes. He was blaming himself for this condition of her.
He buried his head in his palms when a soft hand placed on his shoulder. He looked up with red eyes and his eyes met with Sia's. She frowned looking at him there in this condition.
"Abhi, tum yahan kya kar rahe ho aur aisi halat me...
But before she could complete her sentence, Abhishek stood up and pulled her into a tight hug. She blinked at the sudden gesture in confusion before she heard his sobbing. She panicked and started rubbing his back to calm him down.
"Kya hua...t-tum ro kyun rahe ho?" She asked.
He pulled back and looked at her with pain filled eyes, "Ro-Rooh." He pointed his finger towards the room in which she was admitted to.
Sia widened her eyes and rubbed his arms to ground him, "Kya hua usey?" She asked in concern.
"She attempted suicide." He whispered.
She sucked a sharp breath.
She was confused because she knew he and Roohanika had a breakup even he had promised Advait that he would never see her face again but now he brought her to the hospital.
But she shook off her thoughts and made him sat down, "Tum baitho yahan par aur shaant ho jao." She said calmly.
"Sia, please do something. Usko kuch ho gaya to mai kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kar paunga." He hid his face in his palms. His voice was breaking.
She rubbed his shoulders but her hands stopped mid-motion listening to his next words.
"Bohot pyar karta hoon usse. Mar jaunga uske bina." His voice was heart wrenching.
A lump had formed in Sia's throat. His words had hit her like a blow to her chest. The emotions built up in her throat choking her voice. She reassuringly blinked at him but her chest tightened with his words.
She went inside to check on Roohanika. She had lost a lot of blood and now her body needed blood to regained consciousness.Sia went outside to inform Abhishek about this who was still shaking with fear, guilt and pain.
"Abhi, Roohanika ka bohot blood beh chuka hai aur usey blood chadane ki jarurat hai." She told him.
"Mera blood le lo mai apna blood dene ke liye ready hoon." He replied without any moment of hesitation.
Sia felt a pang of hurt witnessing the love for her in his eyes.
"Abhi." She said slowly, "Doctors uska blood group check kar rahe hain. Agar uska blood group tumhare blood group se match karta hai to tum usey blood de sakte ho." She explained him.
A nurse came outside and Sia went to a distance to talk with her. Much to Roohanika's unluck her blood group was rare and they hadn't have the blood of blood group in their blood bank.
Sia hesitated. She glanced back at Abhishek who was drowned in his pain. She couldn't bear the sight of him like this. The fate played it's own part she and Roohanika shared the same blood group and she got agreed to give her blood to Roohanika.
The doctors took her blood and treated Roohanika. They told Abhishek that she would regained consciousness in an hour or two. Abhishek sighed in relief and thanked the Sia, the relief on his face wasworth more than anything to her.
After an hour, Abhishek was sitting on a stool beside Roohanika's bed. Her eyes were opened faintly. She passed him a small weak smile.
"Mujhe pata tha tum aaoge." She whispered and made a statement.
"Pyar jo karte ho tum mujhse." She added.
He interlocked his fingers with hers and pressed his forehead against hers.
His eyes glistening with tears and an undeniable love for her.
He didn't say anything, the silence between them was louder than anything.
They remained seated in the same position until the storms insides their hearts calmed down a bit.
"I'm sorry." He murmured.
"Meri wajah se aaj tumhari ye halat hai." He said. His voice was heavy with guilt.
"Ab mujhe kabhi chord kar mat jana, Abhi." She said. Her eyes were pleading.
He stopped, a tear slipped down off his eyes to his cheek.
Sia was watching them from the glass door. She glanced down before looking up. She couldn't explain her pain to anyone. She was not crying but her heart was bleeding from inside witnessing the love of her life in someone else's arms. The sight was ripping her soul apart.
She turned to walk away from there but Advait was standing there. She quickly looked away afraid that he might see the pain in her eyes.
"Kahan hai wo?" He asked.
She pointed at the door. He didn't say anything further and pushed opened the door. Abhishek was hovering over Roohanika's face and she was staring into his eyes. Their fingers were mingled with each other. Her one hand was wrapped around the white bandage.
Abhishek snapped back his head at the sound of the door opening and met with Advait's firm eyes. He quickly stood up from his place, his fingers slipping away from Roohanika's making her eyes turned hardened.
~________________________________________~