Chapter 114
Aditya and Arush had left the room and now only Abhishek was left behind. Advait was silently looking at Abhishek making him nervous. But he was ready for any punishment Advait would announce because he knew he was at fault. But to his surprise, Advait gently cupped his cheeks.
"Tu theek haina?" He asked softly.
Abhishek's words choked in his throat due to the bubbling emotions and he only managed to nod his head.
"Mujhe tujhse kuch baat karni hai. Par tu theek hai tabhi wo baat hogi?" Advait asked.
Abhishek cleared his throat and nodded, "Mai theek hoon, bhaiya." He said.
Advait sighed, "Tune jo kuch bhi gusse me kaha tha kya tu sach me wo sab maanta hai?" He asked, anticipating his answer.
Abhishek quickly shook his head, "Ye kya puch rahe hain aap, bhaiya.
Mera sach me koi irada nahi tha aapko wo sab bolne ka.
Mai gussa tha aap se aur gusse me aapko hurt karne ke liye maine wo sab kaha par trust me bhaiya I don't mean even a single word.
" He said with honesty and guilt creeping to his voice.
"Hmm to maine tum logo ko islie paala hai sorry paala nahi hai... islie ehsaan kiya hai taaki tum logo se ek din apne ehsaan ka badla maang sakun right?" Advait asked sternly, folding his hands over his chest.
Abhishek looked down instantly noticing the sudden change in his demeanor.
"I'm asking you something, sir." Advait pressed.
Abhishek sulked listening to sir from his mouth but kept quiet.
"Sorry bhaiya." He whispered.
"Har cheez sorry bolne se fix ho jati hai?" Advait asked firmly.
Abhishek meekly shook his head, his gaze was fixed on the floor.
"Aap saza de dijiye." Abhishek said.
"Wo to milegi hi." Advait replied without missing a beat making Abhishek gulp down.
"Murga ban." Advait ordered widening Abhishek's eyes.
Abhishek's face turned red in embarrassment. He weakly protested, "Bhaiya...
But Advait cut him off in between, "Suna nahi kya kaha maine?" He asked, his tone was firm.
"Ji." Abhishek whispered and started to lower down himself but Advait's laughing stopped him.
Abhishek looked up at him in bewilderment and furrowed his brows.
Advait lightly flicked Abhishek's head with a chuckle and Abhishek pouted, "Aap mera mazak uda rahe hain?"
"Mai to mazak kar raha tha baccha, tu itna bada ho gaya hai tujhe murga thodi na banauga." Advait said and Abhishek sighed in relief but it was only for a short moment, "Jaa corner me jaa kar khada reh." Advait ordered.
"Bhaiyaa abhi aapne hi to kaha mai bada ho gaya hoon." He whined.
"To murga banna hai?" Advait asked and Abhishek quickly ran to the corner.
"Face the wall and raise you hands in the air." Advait instructed while sitting down on the bed.
Abhishek pouted but followed. He turned around to face the wall and raised up his hands in the air. Advait pocketed out his phone and started scrolling randomly but his attention was on Abhishek. He was glancing at him from the corner of his eyes.
"Tuck your nose in the corner." His voice echoed in the silent room.
Abhishek obeyed and tucked his nose in the corner. He was feeling a bit embarrassed but his guilt had reduced after receiving the punishment of his actions. Advait made him stand there for twelve minutes.
"You can come out." Advait said.
Abhishek pulled down his hands and sighed in relief. He turned around and made his way towards Advait.
"Am I forgiven now?" He asked sweetly.
Advait acted to think before nodding his head making Abhishek smile. Advait pulled him down to sit on the bed and started massaging his hands.
"Bhaiya, mai bas 10 minute ke liye khada tha. Mujhe pain nahi ho raha." Abhishek said.
"Par mujhe ho raha hai." Advait said and continued massaging his hands. He suffered the most in punishing his kids.
"I love you, bhaiya." Abhishek said and placed down his head on his lap.
"I love you too, mera baccha." Advait replied, caressing his hair.
He started weaving his fingers through his hair and Abhishek closed his eyes feeling the warmth he was longing for.
"Bhaiya." Abhishek broke the silence.
"Haan." Advait said softly.
"Raichands jail me hain." He informed curtly.
Advait's hands stopped moving for a moment before continuing caressing his hair. Advait didn't reply to anything but his mind was finally at peace.
~________________________________________~
"Ganpati bappa Moriya."
Everyone chorused together, the idol of Ganpati ji was installed in the centre of the pavilion. The Malhotras, Khuranas and Kapoors were standing in front of the Ganpati ji, joining their hands. Their eyes were closed and faces were radiating positivity and warmth.
Advait and Shreya did the aarti and the everyone followed behind. The couples did the aarti, Aditya and Vanya also did the aarti together. After the aarti, Shreya distributed the modak to everyone. Her movements were gentle and precise.
Advait was standing when Sia's mother came to him. Advait smiled politely looking at her.
"Ab tabiyat kaisi hai, beta?" She asked gently.
"Theek hoon, aunty. Aap kaise hain?" He asked.
"Mai bhi theek hoon. Maaf karna beta hum hospital me milne nahi aa paye mai aur Tia ke dad banglore me the." She apologized.
"It's fine, aunty. Uncle kaise hain?" Advait asked.
"Wo bhi theek hain. Wo abhi kaam ke silsile se banglore me hi hain." She replied.
Sia's mother, Tripti was looking across the hall where Abhishek and Sia were standing together, talking with each other. They were looking perfect together as if made for each other. Advait followed Tripti's gaze and his eyes landed on both of them.
"Tum bura na maano to ek baat kahun beta?" Tripti asked.
Advait understood what she was about to say. He took a deep breath and nodded his head.
"Abhi ki shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai." She said, giving him the hint.
"He is not ready." Advait spoke up, cutting her off in between.
"Tum ek baar baat to karo Abhi se wo maan jayega. Wo aur Sia itne time se acche dost hain." She pressed.
Advait's gaze landed on Tia and he remembered her words. He could not force Abhishek and spoil Sia's life. He let out an exhale before saying, "Mai Abhi par apna decision force to nahi kar sakta na, aunty. Usko jab jisse shaadi karni hogi wo kar lega."
Tripti's face fell down, she nodded her head and went away from there.
~_______________________________________~
Tia was sitting on the table and the modak plate was placed in front of her. Reyansh, Vanya and Aditya were standing around her. Tia was looking exhaustingly between the modak plate and Vanya. But Vanya was smiling hopefully at her.
"Bhabhi, khao na. Aapko cravings ho rahi hongi." Vanya forced.
Tia gave a tired look to Reyansh who shrugged in response. Tia glared at him and then turned towards the Aditya with a pleading look.
"Vanu, bhabhi ko abhi koi cravings nahi ho rahi hai." Aditya spoke up.
"Tu chup baith. Maine dekha hai ki pregnancy me meetha khane ka mann karta hai. Like ice cream, chocolates." Vanya said with the watering mouth.
"Sabko same cravings nahi hoti, Vanu. Bhabhi ko jab kuch mann hoga wo tujhe bata dengi tu pareshaan hona band karde." Aditya replied.
Vanya pouted so Reyansh took her in a side hug, "Isme muh banane wali kya baat hai, beta?" He asked softly.
"Mai to bas baby ka dhyan rakhna chahti hoon." She replied sadly.
"I know, Vani. Don't worry mujhe ya baby ko kuch chahiye hoga to sabse pehle tumhare paas hi aayenge." Tia said to cheer up her mood.
Vanya nodded happily.
Reyansh sat down beside Tia and she leaned against him. Aditya gestured Vanya to scurried away from there and they both left the place.
"Tumse jyada dhyan to mera Vani rakh rahi hai." Tia taunted.
"Bhen kiski hai?" Reyansh said proudly.
"To phir seekho kuch apni behen se." She lightly slapped his chest making him pout.
"Baby, I love you." He said.
"I love you too." She replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Maine tumse nahi, mere chotu baby se kaha." He teased her.
"To maine bhi usi ki taraf se jawab diya." Tia glared at him and started walking away from there.
Reyansh followed her behind ranting, "Accha sorry sorry."
~________________________________________~
Aditya jumped in the centre of the living room. He was holding a bottle as a mic, looking like a dramatic anchor.
"So, Ladies and Gentlemen aaj ganesh utsav ke iss pawan moke par hum sabhi log khelenge antakshari." He announced.
The ladies clapped their hands happily but the men groaned in response.
"Mujhe nahi khelni antakshari." Reyansh said.
"I'm Out." Advait declared.
"Me too." Abhishek joined.
"It's too boring." Arush whined.
Aditya pouted and looked at Vanya for help. She reassuringly blinked her eyes at him and glared at everyone.
"Adi ne keh diya na khelne ka matlab khelna ka." She ordered everyone.
They all rolled their eyes together while the ladies laughed loudly. The atmosphere was energetic and positive.
"Sab log apni apni jagah par baith jaiye." Vanya said.
Everyone reluctantly took their places on the floor. The couches were removed and the soft mattress were lying on the floor. Everyone settled down on the mattress but Arush stood up.
"Tu kahan jaa raha hai maine kaha na sab khelenge." Vanya said pointing her finger at him.
"Sadhwi ko bulane jaa raha hoon. Wo bhi khelegi." He said.
"No need to call her. She isn't family." Vanya replied sharply.
"Vanu..." Aditya hushed her before anyone could say anything to her.
Arush went away from there to the servant quarter. He knocked on her door and she opened it quickly.
Arush made a face and grinned mischievously, "Twinning twinning." He sang pointing at himself and her.
Sadhwi rolled her eyes, "Kya chahiye?" She asked.
"Tum." He replied without realizing the meaning behind his words and her heart skipped a beat.
"Huh?" She asked.
"Matlab chalo hum sab antakshari khel rahe hain tum bhi khelo humare saath." He said.
"Tum jao, tumhari family hai wahan par mujhe akele awkward lagega." She replied nervously.
"Akele kyun? Mai hoon na tumhare saath." He replied in a assuring voice.
"Nahi phir bhi sab log kya sochenge?" She said hesitantly.
"Kuch nahi sochenge, tum meri dost ho naa mai tumhe invite kar raha hoon. Meri baat nahi maanogi?" He asked showing his puppy eyes to melt her.
She rolled her eyes and said, "Bohot bure lag rahe ho."
He pouted.
"Accha theek hai chalte hain. Par kisi ko koi problem to nahi hogi na?" She asked again.
"Koi problem nahi hogi, chalo tum." He said and dragged her away with himself.
They both reached the hall and settled down beside each other. Sadhwi was feeling nervous as she was only the outsider between them. She hesitantly looked at Arush who reassuringly blinked his eyes in return. Abhishek noticed the exchange between them and smiled slightly.
"Da." Shreya spoke up, "Sia tum da se gaao."
Sia glanced at Abhishek before started singing, "Dil mera naasamajh kitna...besabar ye bewkuf bada." Her melodious voice echoed in the hall. Tia looked down with a sad sigh as she understood the meaning behind her words.
Advait noticed everything and felt an ache for Sia but Abhishek was oblivious.
Sia completed the song and everyone clapped their hands together to praise her. The game continued, songs after songs echoed in the room turning the environment melodious.
"Adi, ta se gaa." Reyansh said.
Aditya smirked and looked at Vanya who was fixing her anklet, her gaze was fixed downwards on her feet and he looked at her with admiring eyes.
Abhishek, Arush and Sia stifled their laughter looking at Reyansh's expression. Advait rolled his eyes shaking his head at the lover boy.
Vanya blushed profusely for the first time in her life and Aditya froze, he stopped singing. His breath hitched in his throat because she looked more beautiful when she blushed. She again looked down, trying to hide her blush but it was clearly visible on her face.
Reyansh's mouth hung open looking at his sister's reaction and Tia slowly closed his mouth placing her hand under his chin. Advait couldn't control anymore and he let out a small chuckle. Everyone burst into the loud laughter.
"Kaise gaaya, bhai?" Aditya asked teasingly.
"Bohot zehrila." Reyansh replied with a tight lipped smile.
"Ab mai gaunga." Arush spoke up.
"Arey par meri baari hai." Vanya said.
"To kya hua aap mere baad gaa dena." Arush said making an innocent face.
"Okay." Vanya pouted.
"Par tujhe to Aa se gaana tha na." Abhishek said.
"Aa Ee sab ek hi baat hai." Arush replied.
"Arey ek baat kaise hai dono alag alag shabd hai." Abhishek argued.
"Kya bhai itna to chalta hai." Arush whined.
"Bhai sahi keh rahe hain dono alag alag shabd hai dusra gaana gaao." Sadhwi said.
"Tum meri team me ho ya bhai ki?" Arush asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Of course tumhari." Sadhwi said to him but pointed at Abhishek.
Aditya laughed at that but stopped when Vanya glared at him.
"Mai yahi song gaaunga." Arush said stubbornly.
"Oye aalu ke chilke cheating mat karo." Sadhwi said but gulped down when her eyes met with Advait who was glaring at her.
"Jo mann ho wo gaa lo. Tum ta se bhi gaa sakte ho if you want." Sadhwi said with a nervous smile, glancing at Advait in between.
"Arey aise kaise ye cheating hai." Sia said.
"Haan cheating hai." Abhishek joined.
"Cheating cheating cheating." Aditya and Vanya also joined them and they all started shouting together.
"Bhaiyaaaa!" Arush whined, pouting at Advait.
"Koi cheating nahi hai, chup raho tum sab." Advait chided them, "Tu gaa tujhe jo gaana hai." He said gently to Arush.
Everyone glared at Advait but he raised his brow in an asking manner in return and they all meekly shook their heads.
"Ek baar hi kiya to yaaron pyar ka kiya? Ek baar hi kiya to yaaron pyar ka kiya? Pyar hota hota hota kayi baar hai." Arush sang excitedly like a rockstar he was, he was waving his hands in the air making the environment energetic.
"Aage gaa." Shreya said to him.
"Mujhe bas itna hi aata hai." Arush replied.
Everyone fought back with their urge to whack his head.
"Bhabhi, ab aap da se gaaiye." Aditya said to Shreya.
"Da se um..." Shreya started thinking, "Yaad aaya." She said.
"Dil ka ye kya raaz hai jaane kya kar gaye. Jaise andhero me tum chaandni bhar gaye." She sang looking at Advait who was smiling at her.
Everyone started cheering and hooting loudly. Advait pulled her in a side hug and kissed the temple of her head in affection.
"Bhabhi, bhaiya se thoda door baithiye aapki sautan ke paas se jalne ki smell aa rahi hai." Aditya commented referring to Reyansh.
"Hehe...very funny." Reyansh replied.
"Hasiye phir." Aditya retorted with a laugh.
Everyone laughed at that. The atmosphere was filled with the unharmful teasing and bantering.
Shreya glanced at the wall clock and spoke up, "Chalo ab ye game band karo, lunch ka time ho gaya hai."
"Aru, baaki sabko bula kar laa." Shreya told him as elders were sitting in the TV room.
Arush nodded and pulled up Sadhwi with himself before going away from there.
"Pehle mai ek gaana gaaunga uske baad game khatam hoga." Reyansh said.
"Aapka gaana sunne ke baad humara game khatam ho jayega." Aditya mumbled under his breath as Reyansh's voice was very dissonant.
"Humein zinda rehne do ae husn walo." Everyone sang together joining their hands in front of Reyansh who pouted making everyone laughed.
~________________________________________~