Chapter 109
Arush was driving his bullet and Sadhwi was sitting behind him.
She was talking about random things, her lips hadn't stopped moving even for a second and Arush kept nodding and humming despite the fact her voice was not even reaching to his ears properly.
But he hadn't told her that so that she would keep talking.
They had started becoming good friends. Sadhwi had started liking his company.
Even in college when they both got free, they spent time together like eating in the canteen or sitting in the library after getting dragged by Sadhwi.
Arush stopped the bike outside the mansion and slid up his bag on his shoulder before walking inside. Sadhwi was walking beside him still chattering and he was occasionally nodding his head. His gaze swept over the living room but it felt empty. He frowned.
"Ghar khali sa kyun lag raha hai, koi ghar me hai nahi kya?" He whispered in himself.
Sadhwi stopped talking and looked around. She also felt that strange feeling. Kaka emerged in the living room and looked at both of them.
"Kaka, sab log kahan hain?" Arush spoke up.
Kaka hesitated and looked between both of them.
"Boliye na, dadu?" Sadhwi said.
"Sab log hospital gaye hain." Kaka informed.
Arush widened his eyes, "Hos-Hospital kyun?" He asked in the anticipation of fear.
"Advait baba ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi thi to sab log unhe le kar hospital gaye hain." Kaka said.
Arush panicked, "Bhaiya ki tabiyat? Kya hua unko?" He asked in hypertension.
Sadhwi looked at him, "Arush tum pareshaan mat ho." She said in concern.
Arush ran away from there without listening to anyone. Kaka looked at Sadhwi, "Beta, Aru ko akele mat jane do." He just said this, Sadhwi nodded and went behind him.
Arush was starting his bullet when Sadhwi quickly jumped behind him. Arush hadn't asked any questions and just started the bullet. His eyes were filled with unsed tears but he was controlling himself. He needed to see his bhaiya first. The bullet had flew away on the road.
~________________________________________~
The sun was setting down. The darkness was about to engulfed the daylight in itself.
Abhishek's eyes were fixed at the sun which was slowly setting down below the horizon.
His eyes were empty and hollow. He was sitting there lifelessly as if someone had ripped his soul apart.
He was sitting at the sunset point, the area was secluded only the few couples were sitting at a far distance.
Abhishek's car was parked at a distance and his phone was ringing inside the car.
But he was oblivious to the world, he was drowned in his pain.
The turmoil inside his heart was chewing him from inside.
The moments he had spent with Roohanika was flashing in front of his eyes. From the first time when she smiled at him to the last time when he had left her hand. He was hating himself, he wanted to do something to himself to end this pain but he couldn't.
Advait's face was flashing in front of his eyes.
The words he had spoken to him. The hurt he had caused to his brother, it was clawing at his heart like a second skin.
He was regretting his each and every word.
He hadn't meant anything, he just said out in the heat of moment.
He was hurt and wanted to hurt Advait by saying the most mean and hurtful things to him.
But now when his anger had calm down, his own words were echoing in his ears piercing his heart.
"I'm sorry, bhaiya." He whispered in himself. His face was red and puffed with the tears he had shed.
"I love you." He added, closing his eyes painfully.
His heart was not at peace, he just wanted to go and crashed down in his brother's embrace. The only place which could have give peace to the turmoil brewing inside his heart. He stood up rubbing his palm over his face and went to the car. He settled down inside it and glanced at his phone.
The screen was showing he had received the seventeen missed calls from Reyansh. He furrowed his brows in concern and anticipation. He quickly dialled his number and pressed the phone to his ear. Reyansh picked up the call on the first ring itself.
"Abhi, kahan hai tu?" Reyansh sharp voice reached to his ears before he could say anything.
"K-Kya hua, bhai. Sab theek hai na?" Abhishek asked, the fear was laced in his voice.
"Hospital aa jaa." Reyansh said curtly.
"Hospital kyun, bhai? Kya hua?" He asked in panic.
Reyansh hadn't wanted to tell him on the call so he repeated, "Tu pehle hospital aa."
"Par hua kya hai, bhai?" He asked, his heart was beating loudly.
Reyansh sighed and reluctantly said, "Ad-Advait ko heart attack aaya hai."
The moment these words had slipped from his mouth, Abhishek's hold loosened on the phone. His breath hitched in his throat. His whole world had turned upside down, the energy got drained from his body. He was feeling so vulnerable at this moment, his body had got limped and face had turned pale.
~_______________________________________~
Advait was still unconsciously lying on the hospital bed.
Sia and the other doctors were trying their best but he wasn't responding to anything.
Outside the room, Arush was sitting on the floor pressing his knees to his chest. His face was buried in his lap.
He was crying profusely, his tears hadn't stopped pouring down even for a second.
His condition was terrible. His face and eyes had turned red and puffy.
Everyone was looking at him in concern and fear, their hearts were aching looking at his condition.
His small shoulders were shaking with every sob, he had pleaded Sia to let him inside and met with Advait once but she had clearly denied.
Sadhwi was sitting beside him on the floor, silently rubbing his back to calm him down.
She wasn't attached to Advait but looking at Arush's condition, her heart was crying for him.
Shreya was sitting silently on the bench.
She was no more crying, her tears had dried to make any appearance.
She was blankly staring at the wall in front of her.
Her eyes were hollow, Arush's heart wrenching sobs were echoing in her ears but she was drowned in her own turmoil to console him.
Reyansh's mother, Simran was sitting beside her.
Her one arm was draped around Shreya in a motherly hug.
Tia was sitting on the other side holding her hand in assurance but her heart was not at peace.
It's been six hours since Advait was hospitalized but his condition was still the same.
On the other corner of the corridor, Aditya was standing.
His eyes were filled with tears but he had composed himself for the sake of the others.
His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails were digging in his palm and drewing out the blood out of it.
He was glancing between Arush and Shreya and controlled his own tears.
He hadn't had the privilege to get weak, he had to be strong for his family.
..for his brother. Vanya was standing beside him, her arm was draped around his arm silently grounding him amidst the storm.
Reyansh and his father, Raj were standing on the other side of the of the corridor. They both were stressed, Reyansh had tried to calm Arush down but it was in vain, only Advait could calm him down at this moment. Raj placed his hand on Reyansh's shoulder assuring him that everything would be fine.
"Abhi kahan hai?" Raj asked quietly.
"Baat huyi meri usse. Aa raha hai." Reyansh replied, his voice was heavy with the bubbling emotions inside him.
As if on cue, Abhishek had entered the corridor. His face was drenched with sweat, his eyes were wide in panic and fear. His hair was disheveled just like his condition. He grabbed the Reyansh's by his arm, his breathing was heavy.
"Bhaiya... Bhaiya kahan hain?" He asked.
Reyansh pointed to the ICU. Abhishek hadn't wasted any moment and ran towards the room but the door had opened before he could open it.
Sia had emerged out of it with a worried look on her face.
Everyone stood up from their places and gathered around her except for Arush, he hadn't left the energy in his body to move a muscle.
His condition was worsening, his body was burning with the fever.
"Bhaiya, kaise hain?" Vanya asked.
Abhishek was looking at Sia, dreading for her answer. His heartbeat was loudly echoing in the silence.
"Bhaiya ki condition bigadti jaa rahi hai. Unki body treatment par koi respond hi nahi kar rahi hai." She informed them.
Everyone's faces turned bewildered, their faces had drained out of the colors.
Sia took a deep breath and said, "Unhe kisi baat ka bohot gehra sadma laga hai." She said.
Abhishek felt a pang of guilt in his heart. His closed his eyes, his guilt had increased listening to her.
"Mujhe bhaiya se milna hai. Please." Abhishek whispered to Sia.
"Iss waqt unse koi nahi mil sakta." She replied.
Abhishek stepped forward, "Sia please mujhe ek baar bhaiya se milne do...
"Kyun milna hai?" Shreya asked calmly, turning towards him.
Abhishek furrowed his brows.
"Tu toh yahi chahta tha na? Jo tu chahta tha wo ho raha hai to phir kyun milna hai ab Advait se?" She asked.
Everyone looked at her in confusion.
Reyansh spoke up, "Shreya, ye kya bol rahi ho tum?"
"Sahi to bol rahi hoon, bhai." She said.
"Aaj Advait ki ye jo haalat hai wo iski wajah se hai." She raised her voice.
Abhishek looked down in hurt and guilt. Aditya furrowed his brows and Arush looked up from his lap.
"Ye kya bol rahi hain aap, bhabhi?" Aditya asked carefully.
"In sab ko bata Abhishek mai kya bol rahi hoon?" She said looking at Abhishek.
Abhishek looked up at her with teary eyes, "Bhabhi, mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi." He whispered.
Aditya stepped forward and turned Abhishek towards him, "Bhabhi kya bol rahi hain, bhai?" He asked sharply.
Abhishek hadn't replied. His gaze was fixed at the floor. Sia was looking at him in confusion and concern at his state.
"Bolo Abhi?" Raj said.
Abhishek was still quiet.
"Mai batati hoon." Shreya said, "Roohanika ghar aayi thi...." She said the whole story to everyone. From Abhishek chosing Advait over her to Abhishek spitting the hurtful words to Advait.
Aditya tightened his jaw so tightly that it started trembling in rage. Reyansh was shocked to hear that and Sia... She was disheartened. The one thing she was fearing the most had happened in the reality. Abhishek was not able to look into anyone's eyes. He was feeling so ashamed of himself.
"Nafrat karta hai na tu Advait se? To phir kyun aaya hai yahan?" Shreya shouted.
"Aapne bhaiya se aise baat ki, bhai?" Aditya asked in disbelief.
Abhishek shook his head in helplessness, "Mai-Maine gusse me keh...
"Gusse me?" Aditya roared making everyone flinch.
He grabbed Abhishek by his collar in a swift motion.
Sia's eyes widened at that, She and Reyansh grabbed Aditya by his arm and tried to pull him back but his grip was tightened.
Abhishek hadn't move to do anything, he was drowned in his guilt and thought he had deserved everything Aditya was doing with him.
"Aditya, chord usey." Reyansh said sharply.
"Adi, chordo bhai ko." Vanya tried to pull Abhishek back from his hold.
"Aapki himmat bhi kaise huyi mere bhaiya se aise baat karne ki?" Aditya gritted out his teeth.
"Wo mere bhi bhaiya hai, Adi." Abhishek said weakly, tears pouring out of his eyes.
Arush was looking between them. His heart was crying with his eyes. He never had imagined that he would see his brothers fighting like this. The tears were spilling down on his cheeks.
"Nahi hai wo aapke bhaiya." Aditya shouted.
"Haalat dekh rahe hain aap uski." Aditya said pointing at Arush who was crying miserably.
Abhishek looked at him and his heart clenched at the sight of him.
"Uski iss haalat ke jimmedaar aap hain. Bhaiya ki iss haalat ke jimmedaar aap hain. Mar jayega wo bhaiya ke bina." He accused.
"Aditya, leave him." Sia said.
Shreya hadn't stopped anyone. Her legs were wobbling, Tia had held her in her embrace and steadied her. The nurse came out of the room and pointed them a sharp look.
"Excuse me, ye hospital hai. Please dheere baat kariye." She said firmly.
Aditya left Abhishek's collar with a jerk and looked away.
"Ek baat yaad rakhna, bhai. Agar bhaiya ko kuch bhi hua na to aap apne ek nahi teeno bhai kho denge." Aditya warned pointing his finger at him.
Abhishek felt a pang. He knew if Advait was there, he would never let anyone blame him. He just wanted to ran to Advait and be in his arms...in his safe place. Reyansh noticed his expression and pulled Aditya a step away from Abhishek.
"Adi, maana ki tujhe gussa aa raha hai par tu bhi to gusse me wahi kar raha hai jo Abhi ne kiya hai. Ye mat bhool ki Advait uska bhi bhai hai wo kabhi Advait ko aisi haalat me dekhna nahi chahega." Reyansh said.
Aditya had turned his back. Abhishek hugged him from behind while crying, "Adi, I'm sorry yaar. Mujhse bohot badi galti ho gayi." He cried.
"Galti to bhaiya se huyi hai aur unki sabse badi galti thi humein apna samajh kar paalna." He replied.
He went out of Abhishek's hold and turned back, "Jin bacchon ki shakal dekh kar unhe apne baap ka dhokha aur maa ki maut yaad aani chahiye thi, unhone un bacchon ko apne bacchon ki tarah paala.
Galti bhaiya ki hi hai wo ye bhool gaye ki sautela bhai apni jaan hi nikaal kar kyun na dede par rahega to wo sautela hi.
" Aditya said, his voice was heavy but there was a sarcastic edge to his tone.
"Aditya." Abhishek yelled in hurt.
"Chilla mat, Abhishek. Sacch keh raha hai wo." Shreya shouted at him.
Tia looked at Arush's condition and stopped them, "Chup ho jao tum sab, Advait wahan andar hai aur tum log yahan aapas me lad rahe ho kam se kam Aru ke baare me to socho." She said.
Sia went inside in tears. She hadn't left the courage to stand there anymore. Sadhwi wanted to protect Abhishek but she couldn't interfere in their family matters. Her hand was protectively wrapped around Arush.
"Aaj aapne un Raichands ko jeeta diya, bhai." Aditya said quietly.
"Bhaiya ne sab kuch akele saha taaki aapko koi takleef na ho par aapne... aapne koi moka nahi chorda unhe takleef dene ka." Aditya accused, his tears had finally poured down on his cheeks.
"Aapko pata hai aapki Rooh ne kya kiya tha?" He asked glaring at his soul, "Usne bhaiya ka accident karne ki koshish ki. She had tried to murder him." He said and the shock flashed across everyone's face.
Abhishek was looking at Aditya incredulously, "Ye-Ye kya bol raha hai tu?" He stuttered as if the truth would have break him down completely.
"Sacch bol raha hoon." Aditya hissed.
"Usne bhaiya ka murder karne ki koshish ki.
Aur koi pyar vyar nahi karti wo aapse usne aapka use kiya bhaiya se uske baap aur bhai ki beizzati ka badla lene ke liye.
Nafrat karti hai wo hum logo se barbaad karna chahti hai wo hume and thanks to you.
Aapki wajah se uska ye plan bhi successful ho gaya.
" Aditya seethed angrily. A bitter smile was there on his lips.
"Murder?" Shreya whispered in disbelief.
"Tujhe kisne bataya aur tune mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya, Adi?" Shreya yelled at him while crying.
"Bhaiya ne mujhe unki kasam de di thi, bhabhi warna mai usi din uss Roohanika ki jaan nikaal leta par bhaiya ne mujhe rok liya. Unhe laga agar bhai ko sacch pata chalega to wo toot jayenge, ye sacch bardaasht nahi kar payenge ki unki Rooh ne unhe dhokha diya hai." He told her.
Reyansh gasped. Arush was listening to everything in confusion as he wasn't aware of the back story.
"Bhaiya bhai ko batana chahte the par uss Roohanika ne bhaiya ko manipulate kiya unki mom ko use karke unke emotions ka use kiya.
Usne bhaiya ke emotions ko itna trigger kiya ki unhe panic attack aa gaya aur aaj uski wajah se mere bhaiya aisi haalat me hain.
" Aditya informed them, the truth was sharp and piercing.
Abhishek was looking like as if someone had snatched away his soul from his body. His face had drained out of all colors. His whole body was trembling not with the rage but with the weight of the emotions and the truth.
"Aur agar ab bhi aapko aapki Rooh par vishwas hai to bhaiya ke phone me saare proofs hai jo wo chahte the to aapko dikha sakte the par unhone nahi dikhaye kyunki unhe aapki fikar thi.
Aapke liye wo sab kuch akele jhelte rahe aur aapne ek pal me bina kuch soche keh diya ki wo selfish hai. " Aditya broke down into sobs.
"Selfish to aap hain, bhai and you know the funny part? Bhaiya in sab ke baad bhi aapko ek jhatke me maaf kar denge but mark my words. Mai Aditya Advait Malhotra aapko apne bhaiya ki iss haalat ke liye kabhi maaf nahi karunga." Aditya declared, shaking the corridor.
Abhishek fell down on his knees. His body gave up, he was staring lifelessly at the floor.
His everything had shattered down in just a snap.
The pain he was feeling inside him was unbearable.
The person he had loved the most cheated on him and the person who loved him the most was fighting with death because of him.
~________________________________________~