Chapter 105
Everyone was seated on the dining table having their dinner.
Arush was clinging to Advait and he was feeding him with his own hands.
He was being extra pampered after the whipping session.
Advait was feeling so guilty after seeing the marks on his legs and he made sure to apply the ointment on them everyday.
Arush loved to get pampered but Abhishek was still not talking to him for the ragging and stealing.
"Bhai, kal aap mere saath concert me chaloge?" Arush asked Abhishek, hoping to make it up to him.
"I'm busy." Abhishek replied curtly.
"Mere liye bhi busy?" Arush asked, putting up his most innocent face.
Abhishek nodded without any verbal response.
"Kiske concert me jaa raha hai?" Aditya asked.
"Aftaab ke." Arush replied excitedly as he was his favorite singer and his inspiration.
"Arey wah, Aru. Wo to tera favorite singer hai na." Shreya said.
Arush nodded happily, "Haan bhabhi. Aapko pata hai mai kitne time se wait kar raha tha uska concert Mumbai me ho." He replied.
"Tickets kahan se aayi?" Abhishek raised his brow.
"Chori ki hongi." Aditya taunted without realising the impact of his words.
Arush looked down feeling humiliated. He felt hurt by the words.
"Adi." Advait's sharp tone paused him.
Aditya looked at Arush's face and realized his mistake, "Sorry." He said.
"Bhaiya ne dilayi hain." Arush replied silently.
Aditya tried to lighten the mood and said in a teasing tone, "Kya baat hai badi pampering ho rahi hai."
But Arush remained unresponsive.
Advait held out a morsel in front of Arush's mouth but he muttered, "Ho gaya, bhaiya."
He stood up from his chair, "I'm sorry, bhai." He said looking at Abhishek and left the dining room.
"Aru!" Shreya called him but he went upstairs.
She quickly stood up to follow him but Advait stopped him, "Aap kha lijiye. Mai baad me khila dunga usey." He said.
She hesitated but he assuringly blinked his eyes and she sat down.
"Kitni baar kaha hai tujhse apni jubaan par control rakhne ke liye?" Abhishek scolded Aditya.
"Sorry, bhai." Aditya mumbled feeling guilty.
Abhishek shook his head.
"Ho gayi ek baar usse galti ab baar baar usi galti ko point out karke uska self esteem low mat kar." Advait said, his voice was gentle but firm.
Aditya nodded slowly.
"Bhaiya, wo mujhe aap se kuch baat...
Abhishek was about to say when his phone started ringing. He looked at the caller I'd and froze for a moment because it was Roohanika calling him. Aditya peeked at his phone and read the name in his mind. Abhishek hesitantly looked up at Advait who was already noticing his pale expression.
"Ah-bhaiya important call hai." He said hesitantly.
"Maine pucha?" Advait replied as he hadn't asked anything. He was just staring at him.
Abhishek picked up the call and murmured a quick, "I'll call you later."
He hung up the call without waiting for any response.
"Arey, tu keh raha tha na important call hai to baat kar leta." Shreya said.
"Baad me kar lunga, bhabhi." He replied, avoiding eye contact.
Everyone continued to have their dinner and left for their rooms after it.
Advait was left behind, Arush came downstairs to clean the table and do the dishes to complete his punishment.
Advait was looking at his every movement, just how he was picking up the plates and taking them to the kitchen.
His every move was careful and the little imperfections in his moves were the signs of his learning.
But Advait felt bad for his little kid, he was not imagining a twenty year old boy was doing that.
He was thinking of a little Arush who couldn't even reach to the height of the table was cleaning the table and it melted his heart.
"Aru, you can go rest in your room." Advait said, trying not to sound too soft.
"Par dishes..." Arush mumbled.
"Staff kar lega, teri punishment khatam." He said.
But instead of being happy Arush looked at Advait, "I want to complete my punishment, bhaiya." He said.
"Aru, I forgive you baccha. You don't need to do that." Advait said.
"I'm feeling guilty of my actions, bhaiya and I'm ready to face the consequence. Please mai punishment poori karna chahta hoon warna mujhe guilt hota rahega." He said, his face was set up in a small sad pout.
Advait stepped forward and lightly cupped his cheeks, "You don't have to feel guilty. Apni galti ko acknowledge karke uske consequences ko face karne ke liye bohot himmat chahiye hoti hai aur mere Aru ne to wo bhi kiya hai. Bohot samjhdaar hai mera baccha." He said softly encouraging him.
Arush smiled at his words, it was the reassurance he had needed. He leaned against Advait's shoulder with a pout.
"I love you, bhaiya." He mumbled.
"Love you too, baccha." Advait replied, caressing his hair.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was talking to Roohanika on the call. He was standing in his room's balcony and talking to her.
"Kya karti ho, Rooh? Mai dinner kar raha tha bhaiya saamne baithe huye the aur tumne call kar diya." He said in a hushed voice.
"Mujhe kya pata tha tumhare bhaiya tumhare saamne baithe huye hain." She replied with a roll of her eyes.
Abhishek sighed, "Kaho kyun phone kiya tha?" He asked.
"Tumne kaha tha na tum apne bhaiya se baat karoge bas yahi janne ke liye ki tumne baat ki ya nahi." She replied.
"Mujhe time hi nahi mila mai baat karne hi wala tha itne me tumhara call aa gaya. Don't worry mai abhi baat kar lunga." He replied assuringly.
"Theek hai par aaj hi baat kar lena." She said.
"Promise." He replied.
She hung up the call and he turned around but Aditya was standing there with a suspicious look in his eyes.
"Who was on the call?" Aditya asked.
Abhishek moved past by him and entered his bedroom while replying, "I'm not answerable to you."
Aditya looked at his back for a second before saying, "Roohanika se baat kar rahe the na aap." He hadn't asked, he said.
"Tujhe kya lena dena hai mai kisi se bhi baat karoon?" Abhishek said while searching for something in the drawer.
"Lena dena hai. When it's related you and especially to my family to mujhe lena dena hai." Aditya replied firmly.
"Our family." Abhishek corrected him, standing up straight and looking straight in Aditya's eyes.
"Sirf kehne ke liye hi aapki family hai but clearly aap aisa koi bhi kaam nahi kar rahe hain jisse iss family ka accha ho." Aditya replied.
"And who the hell are you to tell me this?" Abhishek's face turned stern.
"Aapka chota bhai." Aditya replied as a matter-of-fact.
"Exactly. Chota hai na to chota ban kar hi reh." Abhishek replied and turned away.
Aditya sighed, "Kyun bhaiya ko pareshaan kar rahe hain aap?" He asked.
"Maine kya kiya?" Abhishek turned towards him.
"Ye jo aap kar rahe hain us Roohanika Raichand se baat kar ke iske baad bhi aap puch rahe hain kya kiya?"
"Pehli baat tameez me naam le Rooh ka aur dusri baat teri tarah mujhe bhi bhaiya ki fikar hai islie mujhe mat sikha ye sab." Abhishek replied, glaring at him.
"Fikar." Aditya scoffed under his breath, "Agar aapko unki fikar hoti to aap kabhi Raichands bhaiya se nafrat karte hain ye janne ke baad unse rishta nahi rakhte." He said, his voice was clear.
"Mera rishta Roohanika se hai aur aaj se nahi hai ye rishta tab se jab se mujhe in sab ke baare me kuch pata bhi nahi tha." Abhishek replied honestly.
"Lekin ab to pata hai na to chord kyun nahi dete aap usey?" Aditya raised his voice.
Abhishek stepped forward, "Because I love her." He gritted out.
"But she hates bhaiya." Aditya hissed.
"She doesn't. Usey bhaiya se koi problem nahi hai wo apne dad ya bhai jaisi nahi hai." Abhishek tried to make him understand.
"Par wo bhaiya ko nahi pasand. Bhaiya uska naam sunna bhi pasand nahi karte phir aap aise insaan se rishta kaise rakh sakte hain?" Aditya said in anger.
"Tu chord sakta hai bhaiya ke liye apne pyar ko?" Abhishek asked him, glaring at his soul.
"Chord sakta hoon." Aditya replied without any hesitation.
Abhishek narrowed his eyes, "It would make you a worse partner." He made a statement.
"No, it would make me a good son." Aditya replied without missing a beat.
Abhishek looked away at that.
"Tu ho sakta hai selfless Adi par mai nahi hoon. Mai bohot selfish hoon mai nahi chord sakta apne pyar ko, apni Rooh ko." He mumbled out, his voice was carrying his pain.
Aditya closed his eyes and exhaled angrily, "Wo ladki aapko aur iss ghar ko sirf barbaad hi karegi." He said.
"Tujhe mujhe batane ki jarurat nahi hai ki Rooh kya karegi aur kya nahi." He replied in the same tone.
Aditya fisted his hands at his sides, "To aap bhi sun lo, bhai." He yelled in anger, "Agar aapki wajah se bhaiya ko zara bhi hurt hua na to mai bhool jaunga ki aap mere bhai ho." He said in an angry tone, raising his voice.
But the next moment a slap landed across his face.
It was not harsh but the firm enough to sting.
Aditya's face jerked to his side and his hand pressed against his cheek.
He slowly looked up at the person and an angry Advait was standing in front of him.
Advait's eyes were blazing with anger and hurt.
Aditya glanced at Advait before looking down at the floor. He didn't know why he had received a slap and he would never ask if Advait was the one to slap him.
"Ye kya tareeka hai apne bade bhai se baat karne ka?" Advait scolded.
Abhishek closed his eyes as he never wanted Advait to know about him and Roohanika being together again like this. He also felt bad for Aditya but he had crossed the line the moment he got disrespectful.
Aditya didn't say anything and kept standing with his bowed head and hand pressed to his face.
"In your room." Advait ordered him and Aditya went away from there without waiting for a moment.
Advait turned to Abhishek and Abhishek took a deep breath to explain himself, "Bhaiya, wo...
Advait raised his hand up in the air stopping his words.
"Agar Roohanika ki tarafdaari karni hai to apna muh mat kholna kyunki teri koi bhi baat uske liye mera opinion change nahi karegi." He said calmly.
"Baat to sun lijiye, bhaiya. Please." Abhishek requested.
Advait took a deep breath and said, "Bol?"
"Bhaiya, maine Rooh se baat karna band kar diya tha sacchi par trust me bhaiya maine bohot koshish ki par mai nahi reh paya uske bina. Pal pal tadap raha tha mai. Usse baat kar ke...uski awaaz sunne se hi mujhe jo sukoon mila wo mai aapko bata bhi nahi sakta, bhaiya." He cried.
"I really love her, bhaiya. Please mujhe usse alag mat kariye." He begged.
Advait composed himself and looked away from his teary face, "Wo tere liye sahi nahi hai, Abhi." He said.
Abhishek stood in front of Advait, "Aapko uske dad aur bhai se problem hai na wo unhe chordne ko ready hai...
"Mujhe problem uss ladki se hai." Advait cut him off firmly.
"Wo ladki barbaadi hai, Abhi." He said breaking Abhishek's heart.
"Please aise mat boliye na, bhaiya. Please maan jaiye." He held his hand in his.
"Mujhe poora yakeen hai Rooh par wo mujhse bohot pyar karti hai wo kabhi kuch aisa nahi karegi jisse mujhe ya meri family ko takleef ho. I trust her, bhaiya." He said, taking up her responsibility.
"You are trusting the wrong person, baccha." Advait replied softly.
"She is not the wrong person. She is perfect for me." Abhishek pleaded hugging him tightly.
Advait didn't reply anything but kept hugging Abhishek. He couldn't leave his kid alone when he was in this vulnerable state. His heart was aching for his child but he couldn't do anything because if he agreed for this alliance, his child would definitely suffer along with the family.
~________________________________________~
Arush was scrubbing the plates in the kitchen.
He was soaked from top to bottom as if he had just taken a bath.
He was washing himself more than the utensils.
He was having difficulties but thought of not taking any help from anyone as he was feeling really guilty after Aditya's words and he wanted to let go of that guilt by completing a part of his punishment.
"Mai kuch help karun?" A sweet voice stopped his movement.
Arush stopped and looked back at the source of the voice. Sadhwi was standing there, her eyes were wide and shiny and a smile was crept on her lips just like always. She stepped forward and stood beside him in a respectful distance.
"Tum soyi nahi abhi tak?" He asked.
"Itni jaldi kaun sota hai?" She said scrunching up her nose.
"Mai to padhai kar rahi thi." She replied.
This time it was Arush's turn to scrunch up his nose, "Eww, iss time par padhai kaun karta hai?" He said as if she had committed a crime.
"Jinhe exams me pass hona hota hai wo log." She replied with a shrug.
Her gaze fell on the sink and her eyes widened in horror. It was filled with the water and the water was just about to overflow out of the sink. She looked at Arush and then at the sink.
"Ye kya kiya tumne?" She asked horrified.
"Maine kya kiya?" He said in panic, listening to her tone.
"Arey buddhu pehli baar bartan dho rahe ho kya?" She said.
"Nahi, kal bhi dhoye the. Kal pehli baar tha." He replied proudly.
She slapped her own forehead, "Aise to kitchen me tsunami aa jayegi. Tum hato yahan se." She said and moved him aside.
He quietly stood at a distance and she opened the lid cover from where the water had to be passed. Gradually, the water had flowed down through the pipe and the sight became watchable.
"Waah tum to bohot intelligent ho." Arush praised.
"Par tum bohot bade gadhe ho." Sadhwi said with a glare which was not even a percent scary.
Arush pouted, "Magar maine to kuch nahi kiya." He said.
"Exactly kuch nahi kiya tumne. Ye isey yahan se remove karna padta hai taaki pani pipe me jaye. Pool bana kar isme swimming karne ka irada tha kya?" She scolded, resting her hands on her waist.
"Maine to kal bhi aise hi bartan dhoye the." He said.
"Oh accha aaj subah Rajeev bhaiya jis gadhe ko gaali de rahe the wo tum hi the kya?" She said as one of the housekeeper Rajeev had to clean the mess in the morning.
Arush gasped being offended.
"Ab muh mat banao aur aa kar bartan dho." She ordered him.
"Par abhi to tumne kaha tum meri help karogi." He said.
"Abhi is ghar ko maine pani me doobne se bacha liya itni help kaafi nahi hai kya?" She asked, dramatically throwing her hands in the air.
Arush rolled his eyes at her antics.
"Fine kar deti hoon help. Par dono half half kaam karenge. Mai inhe saaf karti hoon tum wash kar ke inhe set karte jana." She instructed and he nodded obediently.
She started scrubbing the dishes one by one. They were working silently in coordination. The silence was comfortable and only the clattering sound of utensils was echoing in the kitchen. But Arush was getting bored so he chose to break the silence.
"I'm getting bored." He said.
"To kya dance karke dikhaun?" She teased.
Arush looked away muttering, "Dance ka to naam bhi mat lena."
She laughed.
"Kyun ab nahi dekhna mera dance?" She asked in a teasing manner.
"Sorry yaar. I really didn't mean it." He apologized again.
"Relax, I was just teasing you." She said, noticing his serious expression.
He nodded.
She remembered something and then said slowly, "Waise sorry to mujhe bolna chahiye. Meri wajah se tumhe itni maar padi, mai sach me aisa nahi chahti thi." She said in a serious tone.
"Hmm to phir sikhayat kyun ki meri?" He asked.
"Wo to tumne mujhe college me dhamki di islie mujhe gussa aa gaya." She replied and then leaned forward, "Par maine tumhari chori wali baat abhi tak secret rakhi huyi hai." She whispered.
He chuckled loudly, "Bhaiya ko wo bhi pata chal gaya aur mujhe uske liye bhi maar pad chuki." He said making her gasped.
"I swear maine ye baat kisi ko nahi batayi." She said in a defending tone.
Arush laughed at her reaction, "I know tumne nahi batayi."
"Phir kisne batayi?" She asked passing him the last utensil to wash.
"Phir kabhi fursat me bataunga. Abhi mujhe bohot neend aa rahi hai." He said, stifling a yawn and setting the last plate.
~________________________________________~