Chapter 102
The room was filled with sobbing and sniffling sounds.
Arush was sitting on his bed wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
His eyes were burning with unshed tears and his heart was aching looking at the welts on his legs.
He was cautiously applying ointment on the wounds, his movements were gentle.
His chest was heaving up and down with the sobs he let out of his mouth.
His fingers were trembling and the welts were burning from inside.
He was so sensitive, Advait had barely ever raised his voice on him let alone a belt.
But now after receiving a whipping by him, Arush's heart was hurting more than anything.
He gently blew before softly dabbing the cream on the welts.
Advait was coming towards his room with an ointment in his hand but stopped at the doorway looking at the sight in front of him. The sight was heart clenching for him. His little kid was sobbing and innocently applying cream on his own wounds had broke his heart into million pieces.
"Aru." Advait said, his voice was hoarse but the next moment hurt flashed across his face when Arush flinched listening to his voice.
Advait was taken a back for a moment. He stared into Arush's innocent eyes and move forward to him before gulping down his hurt.
He sat down beside him on the bed and gently said, "Mai aa raha tha na, baccha. Mai laga deta, khud kyun laga raha tha?" His voice was cautiously soft.
"Bohot jal raha tha....Mujhe laga aap nahi aaoge islie laga liya." Arush replied in a small voice.
Advait's heart vent out for a little boy and he gently yet firmly cupped his face, "Tujhe aisa kyun laga?" He asked, "Mai humesha aaunga, mere bacche ko meri jarurat ho aur mai na aau aisa kabhi nahi hoga, baccha." He said firmly.
Arush slowly bobbed his head.
Advait squeezed some ointment on his finger and gently started applying on his wounds. His own eyes were burning looking at the scars, the guilt clawed at his body like a second skin. His eyes got misted, his jaw was clenched in anger but contrary to it his movements were soft and gentle.
"Bohot dard ho raha hai, bhaiya." Arush hissed in pain.
Advait looked up into his eyes. The tears were pricking the corners of his own eyes, "Don't make me do this again, Aru." He said, his voice was heavy with bubbling emotions.
Arush reached out, noticing his watery eyes and clung to him tightly before he had started crying.
"Mujhe ye dubara kabhi karne par majboor mat karna, baccha." Advait said while tightening his hold.
"Ab se kabhi nahi karunga, bhaiya. 'M sorry." Arush apologized and sniffled.
Advait stayed like this, taking his little monkey in his arms for some time.
When he looked at Arush he always remembered of a little kid, tugging on his pants, looking up at him with confused yet twinkling eyes.
Advait could never forget how Arush had dragged him out of his turmoil without even knowing anything.
He would have drowned in pain but Arush was the first one who stretched out his little palm for Advait to held onto it.
Advait gently pulled back just to cup his cheeks, "I'll never raise my hand on you again." He promised.
"Aur belt?" Arush asked with fear in his eyes.
Advait sighed before joining his forehead with his and let out an another sigh, "I'm sorry mera baccha." He said.
"Bas yahi karte rahiye aap." A voice came from behind.
Advait and Arush both looked back and Abhishek was standing there, his jaw was ticked in anger. He marched towards the bed before harshly whacking Arush on the back.
Arush cried out in pain as he was already high on his emotions. His eyes again filled with water.
"Kya kar raha hai?" Advait said sharply, rubbing Arush's back and taking him in a side hug.
"Bas isiliye bigda hua hai ye." Abhishek replied in an angry tone, "Bigaad kar rakh diya hai aapne isey kam se kam galti karne par to kuch kahein." He said, glaring at Arush who was looking down.
"Ragging karne jata hai tu college me?" Abhishek asked firmly, staring at Arush.
"Tujhe kisne bataya?" Advait asked.
"Really bhaiya? Should this be your concern at this time?" He asked, still in angry tone but not disrespectful.
Advait sighed and glanced at Arush, "Maine baat kar li hai wo nahi karega phir se aisa. He's guilty of his actions." He said.
"Baat kar li hai? Wow!" Abhishek mocked, "Aapko sach me lagta hai ab ye baaton se samajhne wale logo me se hai.
Aapke laad ki wajah se hi bigda hai ye wahi se himmat aayi hai isey ye sab harkatein karne ki kyunki pata hai bhaiya to kuch bolne wale nahi hain.
" His words were directed at Arush who was looking up at him with pouty lips and teary eyes.
"Ye trick bhaiya par chalti hogi mujhpar nahi chalegi ek kheech ke lagaunga sudhar jayega." Abhishek scolded harshly, noticing the look he was giving.
Advait clenched his teeth, "Haath bhi lagaya na to haath tod dunga tere." He warned.
"Kariye yahi kariye aap. Isko kabhi kuch mat kehna sir par baith kar naachne lagega na aapke tab aapko pata chalega." Abhishek said in disappointment and frustration.
"Filhaal tu mere sir par naach raha hai islie bahar jaa." Advait replied calmly.
Abhishek threw a sharp look at Arush before storming out of the room.
Advait glanced at Arush's sad features and said, "Don't worry, mai usey samjha dunga nahi daantega wo."
Arush nodded his head in response.
"Ab punishment discuss kar lein?" He asked making Arush's breath hitched.
Arush nodded hesitantly and replied, "Ji."
"No pocket money for you for next four months." He said and Arush nodded his head already anticipating this punishment.
"And you'll be on dish duty for two months. After dinner, you'll clean the table and do the dishes without anybody's help." Advait commanded making Arush's eyes widened in horror.
Advait had never let his brothers to even picked up a spoon.
He always managed everything on his own even when there were no househelpers in the house.
He used to do all the work and had never let them done anything.
Aditya was fond of cooking that was the only reason he had taught him to cook but except that nobody knew how to clean, how to wash dishes or clothes.
Abhishek and Arush hadn't even knew how to boil water.
"Bhaiya, par mujhe bartan dhona nahi aata." Arush replied in a low and scared voice.
"Karte karte seekh jayega." Advait replied, not relenting with the punishment.
"Par bhaiya....
"Enough. You can take any househelper's help for the starting days. But they'll only guide you, you'll have to do everything on your own." Advait instructed.
Arush made a sulking face but nodded his head, "Ji bhaiya."
"Am I forgiven now?" He asked earnestly.
"Not yet. Apologize to Sadhwi then you'll be forgiven." Advait replied.
Arush pouted and Advait ruffled his hair before pecking his temple.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was fisting the punching bag in the gym.
His upper body was bare, flexing his abs and perfectly built muscles.
He was only in his grey trousers. The sweat was forming on his neck and trickled down to his abs before disappearing inside his trousers.
His punches were brutal but practised. He was continuously punching the bag with practised ease but his veins were popping out in anger.
"Mera gussa punching bag par nikaal raha hai?" Advait's voice came from behind.
Abhishek didn't stop, he kept fisting his hands. Advait stopped right in front of him behind the punching bag.
"Aap par gussa karne wala mai kaun hota hoon?" Abhishek grumbled not stopping his movements.
Advait rolled his eyes, "Stop being dramatic." He said.
"Aapke Aru ke alawa baaki sab ke emotions aapke liye drama hi hai." Abhishek made a statement.
Advait balled his hands, his sharp eyes were flickering between the intensity of the punch and Abhishek's face.
"Stop hurting yourself." Advait said.
Abhishek let out a small chuckle, "I'm not hurting myself, bhaiya." He said, "Aapne bola tha na haath tod denge bas wahi kar raha hoon." He said making Advait's eyes glinted dangerously.
"Aru aapka baccha hai mera kya hai mai to aise hi hoon. Ek haath toot bhi gaya to kya farak padta hai?" He said in a mocking tone and breathed loudly before hitting a punch.
Advait stepped in between the Abhishek and punching bag. Abhishek's punch was paused in the mid air in front of Advait's face. He instantly pulled his hand back before looking away.
"Jyada jubaan nahi chalne lag gayi hai teri?" Advait said in a scolding manner.
"Galat kya bol raha hoon aapne hi to bola tha na agar maine aapke bacche ko maara to haath tod denge aap mera." He replied.
"Maine islie bola tha kyunki mai already samjha chuka hoon usey aur daantne ya maarne ki jarurat nahi hai." Advait made him understand.
"Aur jaise wo mera baccha hai tu bhi to mera baccha hai aise hi bol diya maine iska matlab ye thodi na hai sach me haath tod dunga." He added.
"Koi bharosa nahi aapka apne Aru ke aage kuch bhi kar sakte ho aap." Abhishek said, his tone was jealous but he tried to mask it off.
Advait whacked his arm, "Ye kya aapka Aru aapka Aru laga rakha hai? Tera kuch nahi lagta wo? Aur mere liye tum teeno barabar ho aayi baat samajh me?" He rebuked him.
"Barabar." Abhishek scoffed muttering the word.
"Ek thappad lagaunga mai ab, Abhi. Wo chota hai islie usko jyada pyar dikhata hoon iska ye matlab bilkul nahi hai tujhse aur Adi se kam pyar karta hoon mai. Itna bada ho gaya hai lekin jalne ki aadat abhi tak waisi hi hai teri." Advait said.
Abhishek's face flushed, "Mai jal nahi raha hoon." He mumbled weakly.
"Hmm dikh raha hai wo." Advait nodded, glaring at him.
Advait shook his head at his reaction, "Insaano ki tarah kapde pehen aur neeche dinner ke liye aa." Advait instructed, pointing at his bare chest.
Abhishek narrowed his eyes at Advait earning himself a light whack on the back of his head. Abhishek rubbed it off with a pout making Advait smiled. He was still his same jealous and oversensitive baby brother.
~________________________________________~
The Malhotras were settled on the dining table along with Vanya. Shreya had stopped her back for the dinner. The dining table was set and everyone was serving themselves. But before they could start the dinner, Advait asked a househelper to call Sadhwi.
Sadhwi entered the dining room with nervous expression. She got scared when the househelper informed her that Advait was calling her.
"Ji sir?" She asked meekly, barely glancing up at Advait.
"Arush wants to say something to you." Advait replied.
He looked at Arush who was looking down.
His hands were tightly gripping the edges of the table.
He was gathering the courage to ask for forgiveness.
Everyone was looking at him waiting for him to say anything.
Arush slowly glanced up at Advait and the next moment his eyes shone with understanding when Advait assuringly blinked his eyes at him as if silently telling him to apologize and let go of the guilt clawing at his chest.
Arush took a deep breath and stood up from his chair.
He slowly made his way where Sadhwi was standing and stopped in front of her.
Sadhwi was looking at him skeptically but her eyes got widened when Arush kneeled down in front of her.
She quickly stepped back in awkwardness as she didn't like that someone was kneeling at her feet.
He slowly gripped his ears between his fingers and glanced up at her, "I am sorry, Sadhwi.
Mujhe tumhara mazak nahi udana chahiye tha.
Trust me mere intentions wrong nahi the mai bas masti karna chaha raha tha par mai excuses de kar apni galti ko nahi chupaunga.
Mujhse galti huyi hai aur tum mujhe jo saza dogi mujhe manjoor hai.
" His words were clear and sincere filled with honesty.
Advait smiled proudly at him. Abhishek and Aditya were also felt relieved after knowing that Arush was guilty of his actions but Shreya was still upset with his actions. Vanya was chewing at the food ignoring the drama with a roll of her eyes.
Sadhwi looked up at everyone hesitantly, "Please utho, mujhe awkward lag raha hai." She whispered.
Arush narrowed his eyes at her, "Knees par mai baitha hoon, sorry mai bol raha hoon aur awkward tumhe lag raha hai?" He asked incredulously.
"Haan lag raha hai. Ab utho bas." She replied quickly.
Arush stood up and dusted off his pants before looking up at her again, "Ab batao maaf kiya ya nahi?" He asked.
"Maafi maang raha hai ya dhamki de raha hai?" Aditya spoke up.
Arush smiled sheepishly, "Maafi hi maang raha hoon, bhai." He replied, "Batao kya saza deni hai tumhe mujhe sab accept hai." He said, turning his attention towards Sadhwi.
Sadhwi waved it off, "Mujhe koi saza nahi deni, maaf kiya." She replied because she was already feeling guilty after hearing his crying when Advait was beating him.
"Arey aise kaise koi saza to deni padegi warna mujhe lagega tumne mujhe maaf nahi kiya." Arush said.
Advait shook his head at him.
"Arey ye kya jabardasti hai jab bol diya koi saza nahi deni matlab nahi deni. Jao tum yahan se." She said irritatingly.
"Mai kahan jau mera ghar hai." He replied as a matter-of-fact.
"To mai jati hoon." She replied and about to walk past by him when he stood in her way.
"Pehle saza do phir jana." He said stubbornly.
"Ajeeb jabardasti hai." She gasped looking at Abhishek who was watching them amusingly.
Arush bobbed his head.
She tried to think and then sighed heavily, "Mujhe agar tumhari kabhi help chahiye hogi to tum karoge yahi tumhari saza hai." She said.
Arush cringed at that, "Ye kaisi saza hai?"
She gave him a tight lipped smile, "Ye mere type ki saza hai." She replied.
"Itna ajeeb type." Arush mumbled under his breath.
She raised her brow, "Huh?"
"Nothing, I mean okay. Tumhe jab bhi koi help chahiye hogi mai tumhari help karunga done." He said honestly.
She nodded.
"Kal 8 baje ready rehna. Kal se tum mere saath college chalogi." He informed her.
"What? Mai khud chali jaungi. Mai tumhare saath college nahi jane wali." She replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Bhaiya ne kaha hai." He replied and she quickly undid her arms before nervously looking at Advait.
"Agar tum comfortable nahi ho to koi baat nahi hai." Advait replied calmly, "Driver le jaya karega tumhe."
She hesitated, "Aisi baat nahi hai, sir. Mai... Mai Aditya sir ke saath chali jaungi." She said when her eyes landed on Aditya.
Aditya choked on his food, his eye nervously darting towards Vanya who was just sitting right beside him and daggering holes in his body. He quickly picked up the glass and gulped down the water.
"Wo... umm... Sadhwi didi mai aapko college nahi chord paunga sorry." He said slowly in embarrassment.
This time Abhishek was the one who started coughing listening to Aditya calling Sadhwi as didi. Everyone's mouth hunged open in confusion and curiosity.
"Didi?" Everyone chorused.
Aditya shifted uncomfortably on his chair and cleared his throat, "Didi me kya... kya problem hai?" He tried to shrug it off.
"All indians are my brothers and sisters... you know." He said casually.
"Vanya is also an Indian." Abhishek commented loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Bhai, aap humesha mujhe beech me kyun laate ho?" Vanya asked, glaring at him.
"Meri marzi." Abhishek replied in a stubborn manner.
"Abhi, bada ho jaa." Shreya chided, "Aur tum sab bhi ye sab drama band karo aur dinner karo." She ordered.
"Sadhwi, Arush tumhe college le jayega aur agar phir bhi tum comfortable nahi ho to driver tumhe chord aayega. Don't worry." Shreya said politely to her.
"Adi Vani ko le kar late college jaata hai na islie tumhe mana kar raha hai." She added so that Sadhwi won't feel bad.
Aditya thankfully smiled at Shreya who blinked in response. Advait smiled looking at his wife who always handled everything in just a few snaps.
"Mai Arush ke saath chali jaungi." Sadhwi replied as she didn't want them to pressurize more with her responsibility.
Arush smiled, "Then be ready at 8 in the morning." He said and went to sat back on his chair.
Sadhwi scoffed at him, "Aalu ka chilka." She muttered but Advait's sharp ears picked up the words and he glanced up at her causing her to ran away from there.
~________________________________________~
Vanya was walking out of the mansion in anger.
She was stomping her feet and walking ahead making Aditya ran behind her.
Her face was scrunched up in a jealous pout.
Aditya gripped her wrist from behind and twirled her around to face him.
Her front bumped with his', her one hand was landed on his chest to balance herself and other hand was lightly gripped around Aditya's fingers.
"Ab kya hua, Vanu?" He asked softly.
"Kya hua?" She asked incredulously, "Wo Sadhwi tumhare saath college jaane ke liye kyun keh rahi thi?" She asked.
"Mujhe kya pata, Vanu?" Aditya replied with a whine.
"To phir kise pata hai? Wo Aru ko chord kar tumhare saath college jaane ke liye ready thi koi to reason hoga." She said.
He sighed and shook his head, "Koi reason nahi hai yaar uski Aru se banti nahi hai islie mana kar rahi thi." He tried to made her understand.
"Accha tumhe sab pata hai uski kisse banti hai kisse nahi banti hai?" She looked at him with squinted brows and an acussing glare.
"Tu itna kyun jalti hai, Vanu?" He asked, tucking a hair strand behind her ear.
Vanya turned back, draping her arms over her chest with a huffed face.
She sang while pointing a glare at him and moved her lips with the lyrics. Her eyes were dramatically wide and filled with unharmful jealousy.
She pointed her finger at his chest and accused him. A sulk was formed on her lips. She made a gesture by her hand and asked him.
Aditya sang in response and cupped her cheek with his one hand but she looked away so he titled his head to make a eye contact with her while singing along with the lyrics. He gently gripped her chin and shook it lightly before asking the last question.
He sang and twirled her around before wrapping his one arm around her waist and pointed at the moon in the sky with his second hand. He stood in front of her and gently held onto her shoulders with raising his brows to asked the question.
Vanya replied dramatically, pointing towards all the directions. She crossed her arms and said the last line in sheer disappointment.
Aditya replied. He made a crown outline by his hands and placed it on her head making her smile a little. He smiled and loudly yelled the last line as if he was singing it directly through his heart.
Vanya lightly slapped his chest and snaked her arms around his neck, making faces to tease him. She cleared out her point and flipped her hair back from her shoulders.
Aditya smiled and pulled her into a tight hug. She melted down in his arms and wrapped her arms around him.
~________________________________________~