Chapter 112
Advait got discharged from the hospital.
Sia clearly warned him not to take any stress and he just rolled his eyes in return earning himself a glare from her.
But after all the drama Advait with his family headed towards his home.
Amrinder and Kalyani already went home to rest. Aditya, Advait and Shreya were in a car while Abhishek and Arush were in another car.
Arush turned his face towards Abhishek before asking softly, "Bhai, aap theek ho na?"
Abhishek smiled at that. He nodded his head and slightly ruffled his hair in an adorable manner.
Arush kept quiet for a few moments and again spoke up, "Aap bhaiya se mile kyun nahi?" He asked.
Abhishek kept shut his mouth as he didn't know what to answer.
"Aap unse naraaz hain?" Arush asked again.
Abhishek sighed heavily, "Nahi, Aru. Mai unse naraaz nahi hoon." He said, "Aur tu in sab ke baare me mat soch hm." Abhishek said while handling the wheel.
Soon they reached the mansion. Abhishek stopped the car outside the mansion. Arush quickly stepped out of it but Abhishek didn't make any movement.
"Bhai, aap nahi aa rahe ho?" He asked.
"Mujhe thoda kaam hai, thodi der me wapas aa jaunga." He replied and drove away the car from there without any another word.
Only after a moment, other family members also reached to the mansion. Aditya pulled the car outside the mansion and stepped out of it. He made his way towards Advait's side and forwarded his hand to help Advait but he shot him a look and stepped out of the car on his own.
Their gaze landed on Arush who was standing there. Advait frowned, "Abhi kahan hai?" He asked.
"Bhai ko kuch kaam tha islie wo chale gaye. Thodi der me wapas aa jayenge." Arush replied innocently.
Advait sighed in frustation as Abhishek was not showing him his face and only the thought of it was disheartening for him.
"Andar chalte hain." Shreya said to break the silence.
Aditya again held Advait's hand to support him but Advait stepped back, "Heart attack aaya hai per me chot nahi lagi hai mere. Chal sakta hoon mai." He snapped.
Aditya rolled his eyes but held his hand nonetheless. They made their way inside the living room and Advait settled down with a relaxing sigh after entering in the familiar homely environment.
~________________________________________~
The room was silent, Advait was sitting on the bed pressing his back against the headrest. A book was there in his hand, he was reading a book as Aditya and Shreya confiscated his laptop so that he couldn't indulge himself in the work.
Now, to pass the time he was reading a random book from Shreya's reading list. Arush was lying beside him, placing his head on his lap.
He was not ready to leave his side even for a second.
He got so scared and was thinking Advait would disappear if he left him alone.
Advait's one hand was working gently through his hair and Arush's eyes were closed with the relief and the familiar warmth.
Advait closed the book and kept it aside on the bedside table as it was a fictional book. Advait made a face thinking which type of books his wife used to read. He looked down at Arush who was looking up at him, blinking his eyes innocently.
"Neend nahi aa rahi?" Advait asked softly.
"Aap se kuch kehna tha." Arush mumbled.
"Hmm?" Advait hummed.
Arush slowly sat up straight and held Advait's hand. Advait made a serious face noticing the shift in his expression.
"Aapki aur Abhi bhai ki ladai huyi thi islie aapko heart attack aaya?" He asked.
Advait's eyes hardened at his statement, "Kisne kaha tujhse ye?" He asked sharply.
Arush flinched by his tone and meekly shook his head, "Kisi ne nahi." He mumbled in fear.
Advait sighed closing his eyes before gently asking, "Aisa kisne kaha, Aru?"
Arush looked down nervously in his lap.
"Aru, bata beta." Advait encouraged.
"Bhabhi ne." Arush replied.
Advait narrowed his eyes, "Shreya ne?" He asked in disbelief.
Arush bobbed his head.
"Kya kaha Shreya ne?" He asked, keeping his voice gentle so that Arush would tell him.
Arush looked up at Advait, "Bhai aapse milna chahte the par bhabhi ne unpe gussa kiya aur bola ki unki wajah se aap hospital me hain aur..." He informed.
"Aur?" Advait asked, controlling his anger.
Arush took a breath before saying in a scared tone, "Adi bhai ne bhai par haath bhi uthaya tha. Unhone bhai ko bohot gussa kiya bhai bohot ro rahe the." He said.
Advait clenched his jaw in anger and asked in bewilderment, "Adi ne Abhi par haath uthaya?" He asked through gritted teeth.
Arush nodded his head.
"Adi ko bula." Advait ordered him.
Arush made a scared face, "Adi bhai mujhe maarenge, bhaiya." He said in fear.
"Kuch nahi kahega wo. Usey jaa kar bol maine bulaya hai." Advait said firmly, his voice was barely controlled.
Arush slowly stood up and made his way towards Aditya room who was standing in front of the mirror and fixing his hair. Arush entered the room before knocking the room.
"Bhaiya bula rahe hain aapko." He said before Aditya could ask anything.
Aditya turned towards him and raised his brow, "Tabiyat theek hai unki?" He asked.
Arush nodded his head.
"Aa raha hoon." Aditya replied.
"Abhi bulaya hai." Arush said.
"Arey chal raha hoon bhai." Aditya said in exasperation.
He exited his room and headed towards Advait's room. He opened the door and entered the room.
"Ji bhaiya?" He asked, entering the room.
"Knock karna bhi seekhana padega ab?" Advait snapped sharply.
"Sorry." Aditya mumbled, "Bhool gaya."
Advait stood up from the bed but Aditya stopped him, "Bhaiya, aap uth kyun rahe hain? Bataiye na kya chahiye mai de deta hoon." He said gently.
But Advait ignored him and stood in front of Aditya glaring at his soul. His fists were clenched at his sides.
"Jab mai hospital me tha kya hua tha, Aditya?" He asked, his voice was calm but dangerous.
Aditya looked at Advait with a frown.
"Tune Abhi se kya bola?" Advait asked clearly.
Aditya's gaze dropped to the floor. His hands inadvertently folded behind his back. He kept silent and his silence was the answer.
"I'm asking you something, Aditya." Advait asked, with sharp eyes.
But Aditya kept quiet. He hadn't had the courage to look into Advait's eyes or say anything to him. He was feeling ashamed of his actions and scared of Advait.
"Muh kholne ki motivation chahiye?" Advait snapped making him flinched.
"So-Sorry bhaiya." Aditya whispered slowly.
"It is not the answer to my question, Aditya Advait Malhotra." Advait said, his tone was low and eyes were daggering holes in his trembling form.
Aditya took a shaky breath before saying, "I told him everything about Raichands and blamed him for your condition." His voice was filled with the guilt.
Advait gritted his teeth angrily and further asked, "Tune Abhi par haath uthaya?"
Aditya looked up, shaking his head, "Nahi bhaiya, maine aisa kuch nahi kiya." He said defensively.
"Phir kya kiya?" Advait asked impatiently.
"Maine unka collar pakda aur badtameezi ki... and I'm really sor...
But before he could complete his sentence Advait landed a harsh slap on his face making him fell down on the floor due to the sudden force. Aditya's hand flew to his cheek to reduce the sharp sting. Advait was breathing heavily while pinning him down through his gaze.
Aditya didn't move, he wasn't shocked. He had expected the slap but not with this intensity. His gaze was fixed on the floor and eyes were burning with tears. But not even a single tear had rolled down off his eyes.
"Uth." Advait ordered, raising his voice and a shiver ran down to Aditya's spine.
Aditya stood up carefully and slowly still looking at the floor and Advait again slapped him but on the other cheek. Aditya stumbled but balanced himself, his hand was pressed to his cheek and his whole face had turned red.
"Yahi sikhaya hai maine tujhe?" Advait shouted.
Aditya shivered under his sharp intense gaze.
"Mera collar pakad." He ordered, turning Aditya's face red with shame.
"Sunai nahi diya?" Advait raised his voice.
Aditya's hands were trembling at his sides. He frantically shook his head, "Sorry bhaiya." His voice was just above a whisper.
"Sorry? Seriously Aditya? Sharam aa rahi hai tujhe bilkul bhi?" He rebuked harshly.
"Mai to sochta tha ki agar mai nahi hua to mera Adi sab sambhaalega. Aise cheezein sambhaali hai tune?" Advait reprimanded him, his voice was filled with hurt.
"Bada bhai hai wo tera, teri himmat bhi kaise ho gayi uske saath badtameezi karne ki?" He scolded.
"Jaise unki himmat ho gayi thi aap ke saath badtameezi karne ki." Aditya muttered slowly.
Advait again slapped him harshly making him stumbled. This time a tear fell down on Aditya's cheek but he quickly wiped it off with the back of his hand.
"Don't you dare answer back to me, Aditya." Advait warned firmly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean that." Aditya replied in a shaky voice.
Advait took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. Aditya noticed it and quickly poured him a glass of water and handed it to him.
"Aap please stress mat lijiye, bhaiya." Aditya requested.
"Get lost from here." Advait said without taking the glass from his hand.
"Pehle aap shaant ho jaiye, please." Aditya said again.
"I said go before i do something I'll regret." Advait said in a tone that no one could dare to disobey.
Aditya reluctantly set the glass down on the table and slowly left the room. Advait sat down on the bed clutching his head between hands. He couldn't even imagine how much pain his brother must have felt when he was accused of his brother's terrible condition.
Shreya entered the room and looked at Advait. She walked to his side and placed her hand on his shoulder, "Advait, kya hua aap theek hain?" She asked in panic.
"No, I'm not okay." Advait looked up and said sharply.
Shreya was taken back by his sharp tone. Advait stood up straight in front of her looking at her with a hard glare.
"Abhi kahan hai?" He asked.
Shreya hesitated, "Wo abhi tak ghar nahi aaya." She replied.
"Wo mujhse milne kyun nahi aaya, Shreya?" Advait asked taking a step towards her.
"Uh-Wo...
"Aage boliye." He said firmly.
"Advait, wo aata hi hoga." She said weakly.
"Phir abhi tak kyun nahi aaya?" He raised his voice slightly, "Mai batata hoon kyun, kyunki aapne aur Aditya ne usey mujhse milne hi nahi diya." He said.
Shreya shook her head, "Aisa kuch nahi hai, Advait. Aap galat samajh rahe hain." She said.
"Mai galat samajh raha hoon? To bataiye aapne mere Abhi ko meri haalat ka zimmedaar bataya ya nahi?" He asked her, looking straight in her eyes.
Shreya looked down, "Advait...
"Haan ya na, Shreya?" He repeated, cutting her off firmly.
Shreya sighed and whispered, "Haan."
Advait's heart broke down for his child and he fisted his hands furiously.
"Aap to Abhi, Adi aur Aru ko apne bacchon ki tarah maanti hai na, Shreya. To ek maa apne bacchon ke saath aise kab se pesh aane lagi?" He asked incredulously.
"Unki maa hone ke saath aapki patni bhi hoon mai, Advait. Aapko aisi haalat me dekh kar hosh me nahi thi mai apne. Mujhe pata hai maine galti ki par mera Abhi ko dukh pohchane ka koi irada nahi tha." She said with tears in her eyes.
"Par usko dukh hua na. Kitna hurt hua hoga mera baccha jab aapne uspe aisa ilzaam lagaya hoga. Jis waqt aapko uska saath dena chahiye tha aapne usey akela chord diya." He accused.
Shreya's tears started flowing down, "Mera aisa koi irada nahi tha, Advait." She whispered in protest.
Advait looked away controlling himself. Now he just wanted to meet Abhishek and took him in his embrace.
Only his presence could calm down the storm brewing inside Advait's heart.
He looked at the wall clock and it was seven in the evening and Abhishek was still not at home.
His heart started racing thinking about Abhishek and his pain.
~________________________________________~
Everyone was sitting on the dining table. Amrinder and Kalyani were also present there. The table was silent and everyone was having their dinner in silence. When Kalyani noticed Aditya's face.
"Kya baat hai aaj bohot shaanti hai." Kalyani said glancing at Aditya who was silently eating his food.
"Oh haan aur aapko to bina kalesh ke khana hazam karne ki aadat nahi hai." Aditya said looking up at her.
Arush stifled his laughter.
Advait shook his head at Aditya, the boy just got thrashed by him and still bickering like nothing had happened. He was really a stubborn brat.
"Maine tujhse baat nahi ki." Kalyani said.
"Maine bhi kisi ka naam nahi liya." Aditya replied without missing a beat.
Kalyani scoffed.
Advait was not eating, he was only tearing chapati into small pieces. He wasn't hungry as Abhishek was still not at home. He had messaged Shreya that he would be back by night but Advait couldn't eat without him.
They all had their dinner and Arush started picking up the bowls and plates. Kalyani noticed it who was sitting in the living room.
"Tu kyun kaam kar raha hai? Ghar ke naukar mar gaye hain kya?" She asked sharply.
"Koi nahi mara. Sab zinda hai... Unfortunately." He said giving her a tight lipped smile, indirectly pointing at her.
"Bhaiya ne punishment di hai mujhe." He informed and walked away from there.
After taking a rest for sometime, Arush went to the kitchen and Sadhwi followed him inside.
She started helping him in cleaning the dishes.
They both were giggling laughing while talking to each other.
Kalyani heard their giggles and peeked inside the kitchen.
She glared at their backs and stomped away from there in anger.
"Tum kal college driver uncle ke saath chali jana." Arush said to her.
"Kyun, tum mujhe apne saath le kar nahi chaloge?" Sadhwi asked with a pout.
Arush internally slapped his forehead, "Arey mai kal se thode din tak college nahi jaunga. Mai bhaiya ke saath unka dhyan rakhne ke liye ghar me hi rukunga." He informed.
"Unka dhyan rakhne ke liye bohot saare log hain. Ye bolo padhai na karne ka bahana chahiye tumhe." She teased.
"Hey, don't get personal." Arush warned playfully, pointing his finger.
Sadhwi rolled her eyes in return.
"Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?" A voice interrupted them.
They both turned towards the source of the voice and Abhishek was standing there. A smile came across Arush's face looking at Abhishek.
"Bhai aap aa gaye." He said happily.
"Hmm par tum dono itni raat me kya kar rahe ho?" He asked.
It was 12 in the night, they both were deliberately slowly doing the dishes as they both liked each other's company. They both loved talking to each other and wanted to spent more time together.
"Bartan dho rahe hain." Arush said with a pout pointing at the dishes in the sink.
Abhishek looked and rolled his eyes, "Raat bohot ho gayi hai so jao. Subah jaldi uth ke kar lena." He said.
"Haan." Sadhwi nodded.
"Thode se hi reh gaye hain, bhai. Hum kar lenge." Arush protested.
"Theek hai par jaldi so jana." Abhishek said and went away from there.
The moment Abhishek left the place, Arush turned to Sadhwi who was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Hehe, kya hua?" He asked nervously with a sheepish smile.
"Bohot shok hai na abhi karne ka, ab khud akele dho bartan." She said with a huffed face.
"Okay." Arush shrugged, "Waise bhi mujhe kisi ki help ki jarurat nahi hai." He said.
"Bas baad me agar ghar doob gaya to tum par naam aayega." He added.
Sadhwi widened her eyes in horror and quickly started washing the dishes making Arush laughed loudly. She passed him a mock glare but soon started laughing with him. Their laughing and gigglings were echoing in the kitchen.
~________________________________________~