Chapter 101
Arush was still standing in front of Advait and crying.
The tears hadn't stopped running down on his cheeks.
His face was set up in a small pout and he was sniffling with his red nose.
The sting of the lashes were still burning on his legs but Advait's disappointment was heavier than anything.
He was silently looking at him, his own eyes were mist but he remained stoic.
"Go to your room." Advait said with a sigh.
Arush meekly shook his head, his eyes were fixed on the floor.
"Garden me jana hai phir?" Advait asked sharply.
He again shook his head.
"Aapke paas reh-na hai." He hiccupped, not looking up at him.
Advait balled his hands at his sides looking at his condition. He gulped down a lump formed in his throat and looked away from him with a heavy exhale.
"Apne room me jaa, Arush. Mujhe abhi koi baat nahi karni." He said.
"Mai nahi jaunga. Mai chala gaya to phir aap baat nahi karoge silent treatment doge. Mai aapke paas hi rahunga." Arush replied with a heavy voice.
Advait glared at him, "To tu kya chahta hain teri inn harkaton ke baad bhi mai tujhse baat karun?" He snapped.
Arush glanced at him with puppy eyes, "Aap aur maar lo par please baat karna band mat karna." He said in fear.
Advait sat down on the couch, clutching his head between hands. He raked his hand through his hair while taking deep breaths to calm down his anger.
"Get out." He said coldly.
Arush shook his head stubbornly, "Pehle aap promise karo aap baat karna band nahi karoge?" He asked.
"I said get out, Arush." Advait yelled making him flinched.
The hot tears ran down on Arush's cheeks.
He made his way to the corner of the room, clicking the heels on the floor.
He sat down on the floor in the corner with a stubborn pout on his face.
He was crying rivers by now. He pulled his knees close to his chest and rested his face on it.
The heels were still clumsily fitted in his feet.
He knew if he went back to his own room then the few days of silent treatment would definitely come.
He had decided not to go outside till Advait forgave him and started talking to him normally.
Advait's heart broke down into million pieces looking at him. He closed his eyes to control his own tears and slowly made his way towards him. He crouched down near him making Arush looked up instantly sensing his presence. His teary and guilty eyes met with Advait's soft yet disappointed ones.
He lunged himself in Advait's arm making him stumbled a little but he regained his composure and carefully engulfed him in his arms. Arush's tears were no where near to stop, he was crying hysterically in the warmth of Advait's embrace after receiving the severe punishment.
Advait rubbed his back without any word, his heart was heavy with the disappointment and guilt.
He was disappointed with Arush's actions but guilty for making his kid cry like this.
It was the first time he had ever treated Arush in this way.
"I am...sorry." Arush sobbed.
"Mai influence ho gaya tha, bhaiya aur jab.
.. jab mai bet haar gaya to bohot dar gaya tha.
" He hiccupped while burying his face in his chest and then looked up at Advait, "Mai dar gaya tha aap gussa ho jaoge mujhse baat nahi karoge.
.. mai cho-chori nahi karna chahta tha. Vani di ne bola ki abhi paiso ki need hai to paise nikaal le jab wapas paise aa jayenge to jahan se paise liye the wahan rakh dena. " He told him.
"Mai yahi karne wala tha, bhaiya. Mai chor nahi hoon. Maine chor-chori nahi ki." He said, his shoulders were shaking with the weight of accusations.
Advait felt pity on him. He gently cupped his cheeks and wiped off his tears with his thumb pads.
"Kisne bola tu chor hai?" Advait chided him gently so that his self respect would not be harmed, "Par bina puche kuch bhi lena galat baat hoti hai na. Mujhe pata hai mera baccha dar gaya tha islie usse galti ho gayi. Aaj ke baad kabhi ye galti repeat nahi honi chahiye." He said gently yet firmly.
Arush wiped off his own tears with the back of his hands before bobbing his head, "Kabhi nahi karunga, Promise." He said with the sincerity in his voice.
Advait removed the heels from his feet and kissed his forehead with love. He made him stood up from the floor, "Chal uth." He murmured.
Arush stood up and hold his ears tightly, "Aap mujhse naraaz mat hona, bhaiya please. Mujhe meri saari mistakes ka guilt hai mai kabhi unhe repeat nahi karunga aapki kasam." He said.
Advait nodded simply and about to turned away when Arush spoke up.
"Maine Sadhwi se badtameezi nahi ki, bhaiya." He said.
Advait turned towards him. Arush looked up meekly, "Trust me bhaiya mera wo intention hi nahi tha mai aapka baccha hoon ladkiyon ki disrespect nahi kar sakta.
Maine bas masti me usse dance karne ke liye bola tha mujhe realize hi nahi hua meri masti kab ragging ban gayi.
Maine usko force nahi kiya aap usse bhi puch sakte hain maine bas yun hi bol diya bina mere actions realize kiye. " He poured out his feelings.
"Par maine baad me galti ki jab mujhe pata chala wo kaka ki granddaughter hai to mai dar gaya tha ki wo aapko bata degi aur aap gussa ho jayenge islie maine usko dhamki di ki agar usne aap logo ko kuch bataya to mai.
...to mai uski college life mushkil kar dunga.
" He said hesitantly whispering the last part.
His head was bowed in the guilt but he accepted his mistakes.
Advait let out a long exhale before gripping Arush's chin and make him look up into his eyes.
"I appreciate your honesty, Arush. But ye sab tu mujhe pehle aa kar bata sakta tha na agar tu pehle hi mere paas aa jata to haan mai tujhe daant-ta, shayad punish bhi karta par teri help karta tujhe teri problem se nikaalta.
Chahein tu, Abhi aur Adi kitni bhi badi galti kyun na kar do par rahoge to mere bacche hi mai kabhi tum logo se peeche nahi hat sakta.
Mai humesha tumhari help hi karunga, baccha. " He gently made him understand.
Arush nodded with a pout scrunched up on his face, "Sorry bhaiya." He whispered.
"Mujhe ye sorry nahi sunna. Tujhe acche se pata hai ye sorry kisse bolna hai." Advait told him firmly and softly pulled down his hands.
"I want you to apologize to Sadhwi properly.
Ab se wo tere saath hi college jayegi aur wapas aayegi and I want you to take care of her.
" He instructed him clearly, "And it is not your punishment.
Ye tu islie karega kyunki ye teri responsibility hai womens ko safe feel karwana unhe protective environment provide karana hum ladkon ki responsibility hoti hai.
Agar koi ladki tumhare aas paas hone se dar rahi hai it means you have failed as a man.
" He said clearly and let the weight of his words settle inside Arush.
Arush nodded in understanding, "Mai dhyan rakhunga, bhaiya." He replied slowly.
"Rahi baat tujhe realize hi nahi hua ki kab teri masti ragging ban gayi.
To maine tujhe aur Adi ko kitni baar samjhaya hai ki koi cheez masti mazak tab tak hi hoti hai jab tak usey sab enjoy kar rahe ho agar tumhare masti mazak se kisi ek ko bhi hurt ho raha hai ya bura lag raha hai to wo masti nahi hai.
Humare mazak ki wajah se hum hasein aur dusra roye wo mazak nahi hota badtameezi hoti hai. " He reprimanded him gently.
"I understood, bhaiya." Arush said, his eyes reflecting the understanding.
Advait's eyes softened a bit, "Now go to your room. We'll discuss your punishment after dinner." He told him.
Arush made a puppy face, "Abhi aur punishment milegi?" He asked, jutting out his lower lip.
"Hmm." Advait only hummed and dismissed him.
Arush opened the door to left the room when Vanya entered the room with Aditya.
She and Arush exchanged a glance with each other.
Arush mouthed sorry to her and she made a crying face.
Vanya slowly entered the room, her eyes were wide in fear and she was shielding herself behind Aditya who was just standing clueless in front of her as he didn't know why she was hiding from Advait.
She had only told him to accompanied her to Advait's room and he got ready without any question.
Arush went away closing the door behind himself.
"Come in front, Vanya." Advait commanded.
Aditya blinked in confusion as Advait never called her by her name.
"Kya hua, bhaiya?" He asked.
"Maine tujhe bulaya yahan?" Advait asked sharply.
Aditya shook his head, "Nahi." He replied.
"Then, out of the room. Now." Advait pointed towards the exit.
Aditya looked back at Vanya who was clutching his shirt tightly in her claws. She shook her head at him gesturing him not to leave her alone.
Aditya sighed and again looked back at the angry gaze of Advait, "Bhaiya, hua kya hai?" He asked cautiously.
"She will tell you." Advait replied, glaring at Vanya.
"Bata, Vanya." Advait said in a calm yet dangerous voice.
Aditya looked back at her waiting for her to say something but she kept her mouth shut infuriating Advait's temper.
"I'm talking to you, Vanya Khurana." Advait thundered making her flinch on her place. It was the first time Advait had used this tone with his Princess.
Aditya was shocked would be an understatement. He was looking at both of them in bewilderment.
"Kya hua hai, Vanu?" Aditya asked softly, noticing her scared expression.
Vanya's eyes teared up at Advait's harsh tone. She wasn't used to this tone, no one had ever talk to her in this way. She looked up sadly at Aditya.
"Aru ne cricket match par 1 lakh ki bet lagayi thi wo bet haar gaya to usne mujhse help maangi to maine uski help ki." She said, her voice was just above a whisper.
"Aur kaise help ki wo bata." Advait said in a cold tone.
Vanya looked down, "Maine usey mere paas jo paise the wo de diye aur..." She hesitated to told the other part.
"Aur?" Aditya asked.
"Aur usey baaki ke paise bhaiya ki study se nikaal lene ka idea diya." She whispered.
Aditya's eyes got widened at her response. He stared in her eyes before speaking up, "Tune usey chori karne ka idea diya?" He asked firmly.
Vanya didn't reply and looked down.
"Bolo Vanya." He said, making her head snapped up at him.
"Vanu." She muttered, blinking back her tears in hurt.
Aditya narrowed his eyes at her angrily but his tone was calm, "I don't want to talk to you." He muttered and left the room.
A lone tear slipped down on her cheek. Advait shot her a furious look. He marched towards her and gripped her ear before giving it a painful twist.
"Itna bigad gayi hai tu?" His sharp voice sliced through the air, "Logo ko chori karna seekha rahi hai?" He said.
Her face twisted in pain. She held onto his hand to lighten his grip but Advait's hold remained tight enough to sting.
"Oww bhaiya." She cried out.
"Aru tujhse chota hai agar usne tujhse help maangi to bade hone ke naate teri responsibility banti hai tu usey right advice de usey sahi galat me farak samjhaye na ki usey chori karne jaise behuda ideas de." He rebuked harshly.
"Bhaiya sorry oww pain ho raha hai." She pleaded, her cheeks were wet with tears.
Advait finally leave her ear and she quickly started rubbing off the sting. Her ear turned as red as a tomato. She was sobbing while the gently caressing her ear.
"Kya soch kar tune Arush ko aisa idea diya?" He asked, fixing her with a look.
She sniffled, "Ek wahi to mujhse chota hai wo pareshan hota hai to mujhe accha nahi lagta islie uski problem door karne ke liye jo idea mujhe samajh me aaya maine de diya." She hiccupped.
"Aur maine usey chori karne ke liye nahi kaha tha uske paas jab paise aate to wo wapas usi jagah par paise rakhne wala tha." She told him.
He shook his head at her behavior, "Wo bataya usne mujhe par bina puche kuch lena chori hi hoti hai. Duniya tumhare intentions nahi dekhti tumhare actions se tumhe judge karti hai." He said, not softening a bit.
She looked up with a pout, "Sorry." She whispered.
"Aapne usko jyada to nahi daanta na? Galti meri thi idea bhi maine diya tha wo to bechara mana kar raha tha." She said, her voice was innocent and guilty at the same time.
"Wo to tu usse hi puch lena kitna daanta maine usey aur agar tu meri behen na ho kar bhai hoti na to tera bhi uske jaisa hi haal karta mai." He said, making her gulped down audibly.
She glanced down at the floor, "Sorry bhaiya. Bhai ne bhi bohot daanta mujhe aur Adi bhi naraaz ho gaya. Aap to mat daantiye ab." She requested cutely to melt him.
Advait sighed and dished out her punishment, "Ab se next four months tak tujhe koi pocket money nahi milegi jab paiso ka sahi jagah use karna aa jaye tab hi paise milenge. Mai Reyansh ko bol dunga koi faltu paise dene ki jarurat nahi hai tujhe." He ordered making her gasped.
"Bhaiya par...
"Shut up and let me complete." He firmly cutted her off in between.
She pouted.
"I don't want repeat of this, Vanya otherwise I won't hesitate to beat the bratiness out of you." He gave her an empty threat to scare her.
She meekly nodded her head in fear.
"I expect a verbal response." He reminded her.
"Ji bhaiya." She whispered softly.
He nodded and took a deep breath before saying, "Now for your next punishment, Start doing sit-ups." He ordered.
She widened her eyes making a face, "Bhaiya please I am sorry na aise punishment mat dijiye mai ab badi ho gayi hoon." She whined out.
He didn't say anything just kept glaring at her soul. She gulped down, her shoulders slumping down in defeat. She gripped her ears and slowly started doing sit-ups.
After doing five, She looked at Advait and asked, "Bhaiya, kitne karne hai?"
"Jab tak mai rukne ko na bolun karti reh." He said while sitting down on the couch and opening his laptop.
She sulked but squatted down with her ears gripping tightly between her finger tips.
Her face was turning red with the embarrassment of receiving a childish punishment but she didn't stop.
Her legs started hurting after twenty, after forty-five she started breathing loudly and begging Advait to forgive her but he remained focused on his laptop.
After seventy, he looked up at her. Her hairs were disheveled. The sweat was forming on her forehead despite the cool temperature of the room. Her face was clearly indicating her pain and struggle.
"Enough." Advait said and the next moment she slumped down on the couch beside Advait.
He glared down at her but she passed him a cheeky grin before hugging him tightly, "Sorry bhaiya." She muttered.
A soft yet genuine smile formed on Advait's lips and he ruffled her hair in an adorable manner.
~________________________________________~
Shreya was searching for Sadhwi in the mansion but she was nowhere to be seen so Shreya had decided to went to the servant quarter where Sadhwi was staying.
She made her way towards her room and the door was already opened.
Shreya pushed open the door calling her name gently and found Sadhwi was sitting down on the bed.
Her eyes were swollen and red as if she was crying.
Shreya's mother instincts flared up and she quickly went to her side.
"Sadhwi, beta kya hua tum ro kyun rahi ho?" She asked gently, pulling the younger girl in a warm hug.
Sadhwi looked up at Shreya with teary eyes.
"Kya hua kisi ne kuch kaha tumse? Tabiyat kharab hai?" She asked in concern.
Sadhwi shook her head ear to ear with tears drooping down off her eyes.
"Phir kya hua batao mujhe?" Shreya asked.
"Wo mai aapke room ke bahar se jab jaa rahi thi to maine Arush ke rone ki awaaz suni. Sir usey maar rahe the." She sobbed, "Mai usey pitwana nahi chahti thi sacchi, bas usko daant padwana chahti thi." She said innocently.
"Meri wajah se usey itni maar padi, mujhe bohot bura lag raha hai." She sniffled.
Shreya's features softened at her innocent behavior, "Tumhe bura lagane ki koi jarurat nahi hai, Sadhwi.
Arush ne galti ki thi aur tumhari ragging ke alawa usne aur bhi galtiyaan ki hain jiske liye usey maar pad rahi thi.
Tum rona band karo tumhari koi galti nahi hai in sab me. " She smoothed down her hairs.
"I am sorry mam mujhe agar pata hota sir usey maarenge to mai kabhi uski complain nahi karti." She said, her eyes were wide with innocence.
Shreya sighed, "Pata to ye Arush ko bhi nahi tha." She said making Sadhwi looked up at her.
"Advait ne pehli baar Arush par haath uthaya hai sabse laadla hai wo unka magar aaj usne galti hi aisi ki hai ki wo maar deserve karta tha." Shreya said with a slight disappointment in her tone.
Sadhwi was looking at her still feeling guilty.
"Aur sorry to mujhe tumhe bolna chahiye beta. Tumne mujhse Arush ki complain ki aur maine tumhe hi daant diya tum par trust nahi kiya. I am really sorry." She said with honesty in her voice.
Sadhwi slightly smiled at her, "Aap sorry mat boliye, mam. Apne bacchon par trust karna to acchi baat hoti hai." She said.
Shreya smiled and patted her head affectionately, "Bohot samajhdaar ho tum." She said.
"Ye to sab kehte hain." Sadhwi replied making Shreya chuckled.
~________________________________________~
Vanya made her way towards Aditya's room and knocked on it but Aditya didn't open the door. She knocked again and got no response.
"Adi, please open the door." She said in a requesting tone.
Aditya didn't response.
"Adi, it's me. Your Vanu. Please open the door." She again requested.
But received no response.
Vanya's mind lit up with an idea. She purposefully picked up the vase settled outside the room for decor and carefully slipped it down off her hands breaking it into pieces, making sure not to hurt herself in the process.
"Ouch!" She yelped dramatically.
The door of the room immediately bursted opened and a panicked Aditya came out of it. He was about to stepped on the broken pieces of vase when Vanya pushed him back in the room and entered herself closing the door behind her. Aditya looked at her from up to down in concern.
"Tu theek hai? Tujhe lagi to nahi? Tu chillayi kyun?" He asked in a one breath.
She raised up her hand gesturing him to breathe, "Relax, I'm fine. See." She said, twirling around to show him.
Aditya sighed in relief and then furrowed, "To tu chillayi kyun?" He asked.
"Tujhe bahar bulane ke liye." She replied casually.
He narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Ye kya tareeka hai, Vanu. Kitna dar gaya tha mai pata hai." He chided.
She pouted, "Tu mujhe ignore kar raha tha to teri attention paane ka ek yahi tareeka tha." She replied.
"Bohot bakwaas tareeka tha." He retorted.
"But it worked." She grinned.
Aditya turned away his back towards her, "Tu jaa yahan se abhi mujhe tujhse koi baat nahi karni." He said weakly.
She stood in front of him and blinked her eyes innocently, "Tu mujhe jane ke liye bol raha hai?" She asked.
He cursed himself in his mind because there was no way he could stand against her this face.
"Vanu, tune Aru ka saath de kar bohot galat kiya aur upar se chori karne ka idea. Seriously?" He said, the disapproval was clearly audible in his tone.
"Ya I realized my mistake." She mumbled sadly.
He looked away making her whined, "I am sorryyyyy!" She sang loudly.
He didn't melt but pressed his palms against his ears.
She looked down with a sulking pout on her face and then mischievously glanced up at him. He raised his one brow looking at the glint in her eyes.
She gestured him to bent down to her level, "Kuch batana hai." She said. He sighed and bent down but froze in his mid-movement when her soft lips touched on his cheek.
She kept her cold lips on his warm skin for a moment before slowly pulling back. Aditya was standing quietly, he was not moving not even breathing. His whole world had turned upside down just by single kiss on his cheek from his Vanu.
She giggled loudly looking at his expression. She snapped her fingers in front of his face dragging him out of his lalala land.
"Ab to maaf kar diya na?" She asked, making an innocent face.
His neck and ears had turned cherry red in shyness. Aditya Advait Malhotra who always had a witty and sarcastic reply of every question was now standing speechless.
~________________________________________~