Chapter 118
Advait was walking in the hallway, he was heading towards the living room when his gaze landed on Arush who was talking and laughing with Sadhwi.
Advait took a deep breath and sighed in himself shaking his head.
His experienced eyes could clearly see the blooming feelings between them.
Advait suddenly remembered the kitchen incident when he found both of them in the kitchen very close to each other.
The way they both were looking at each other and it was their age when a person gets attracted to the opposite gender.
Advait walked to their side making Sadhwi quickly run from there. Arush smiled widely looking at Advait and hugged him.
"Bhaiyaa." He whispered.
"College se aane me itna late kyun hua?" Advait asked.
Arush stood up straight and nervously looked at him. They were late because him and Sadhwi had stopped on the beach to spend some time together.
"Wo-thodi der ke liye beach par chale gaye the, bhaiya." He replied nervously.
Advait nodded, "Kal se direct ghar aana aur kahi jana hai to bata kar jao." He said.
Arush nodded, "Ji bhaiya."
"How old are you, Aru?" Advait asked, looking into his eyes.
Arush blinked in confusion, "Twenty?" He said.
"Ye age kis cheez ki hoti hai?" Advait asked.
Arush stood there in confusion, he kept quiet.
"Mai batata hoon, ye age padhai karne ki hoti hai, masti karne ki hoti hai." He said firmly, "Pehle career banao kuch ban jao uske baad jo mann ho wo karna." He said clearly and firmly.
"Mai samjha nahi, bhaiya." Arush whispered meekly.
"Sadhwi." He cleared, "Tum dono acche dost ho aur raho mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Magar sirf dost isse jyada aur kuch nahi. Tum dono ki age apne career par focus karne ki hai aur wo hi karo to better hai." His voice was calm but there was a sharp edge to his voice.
"Wo bas meri dost hi hai, bhaiya." Arush replied quietly.
"Aur dost hi rehni bhi chahiye." Advait said and walked away from there, leaving Arush alone.
Sadhwi was listening to all this while standing at a distance. She turned away her gaze and was about to walk back to her room when Arush ran to her side and stood in front of her, stopping her movements.
"Sadhwi, tum bhaiya ki baat ka bura mat manna. Wo tumhe galat nahi keh rahe the, hum dono saath me jyada time spent karte haina islie bas samjha rahe the ki humein padhai par focus karna chahiye, humare exams bhi aane wale haina bas islie." He explained to her so that she wouldn't feel bad.
Sadhwi nodded.
"Tum naraaz to nahi ho?" He asked hesitantly.
She silently shook her head and went away from there without any words. Arush kept looking at her disappearing figure with a sad look on his face.
"Ye sab Adi bhai ki wajah se hua hai poore ghar me dhindhora peet diya." Arush muttered under his breath with a scoff.
"Bhaiya bhi pata nahi kya soch rahe honge mere baare me." Arush mumbled, making a crying face.
He walked away from there with a sad pout on his lips.
~________________________________________~
Aditya was driving the car and Vanya was sitting beside him in the passenger seat.
She hadn't uttered a word till now. She was sitting silently, her gaze was fixed on the view outside the window.
Aditya was tiredly looking at her face, he hated seeing her like this.
Her silence was like a torture to him. His gaze was drifting from her and to the road ahead.
Aditya's gaze landed on the ice cream parlor and his mind sparkled up with the idea.
He quickly parked the car outside the ice cream parlor and stepped out of the car leaving Vanya alone and confused but she stayed silent.
He returned back with the two boxes and a tub of ice cream of her favorite chocolate flavor, carrying in his hand.
He opened the car and gently placed all the ice cream tubs on Vanya's lap but she didn't move and kept sitting straight, looking away from him.
Aditya settled down inside the car and started driving.
"Melt ho jayegi." Aditya said, when he noticed Vanya was not touching the ice creams.
She didn't reply.
Aditya sighed heavily, "Vanu, I'm sorry yaar." He apologized sincerely.
"Vanya Khurana." She snapped at him, "Yahi bola tha na tune mujhe." She said with hurt, "Mat bol mujhe Vanu." She said and looked away from him.
"Galti teri thi Vanu aur mai tujhe kuch bhi galat karne nahi de sakta." He replied.
"Mai kuch bhi karun tujhe kyun farak padta hai?" She raised her voice.
"Farak padta hai, mujhe tujhse related har ek cheez se farak padta hai." He replied sternly.
She looked away in anger, picked up an ice cream tub and opened it before started eating the ice cream.
Aditya hadn't said anything after this, his gaze was fixed on the road and jaw was clenched.
Vanya looked at him from the corner of her eyes and forwarded a small scoop of ice cream in front of his mouth.
Aditya opened his mouth and ate it without uttering anything.
She was having ice cream and feeding him in between.
There was an awkward silence in the car.
Aditya stopped the car in front of the Khurana Mansion.
She looked at him and leaned forward to kiss on his cheek before murmuring, "Sorry." She said quietly and stepped out of the car, balancing ice cream tubs in her arms.
Aditya froze in his place. He had buried his face in his hands to hide his blush. He chuckled slightly remembering her antics. She was a little spoiled but not bad at hurt. She hated when someone got hurt because of her especially his Adi.
~_______________________________________~
At night, the mansion was silent as everyone was sleeping in their rooms. It was past 2 in the night. But three troublemakers were still waking up with wide, mischief filled eyes. They were sitting in Aditya's room and waiting for Sadhwi to arrive but she was late as always.
"Lagta hai ye subah hi aayegi." Aditya said sarcastically.
"Relax bhai, aati hi hogi." Arush replied.
"Tu uski badi side leta hai?" Aditya glared at him.
"Aap bhi to Vani di ki side lete ho." He retorted.
"Accha beta, bade bhai ke aage jubaan chalayega." Aditya stood up from his seat, rolling up his sleeves.
"Bhai." Arush hid behind Abhishek in fear.
Abhishek glared at Aditya, "Kyun pareshaan kar raha hai usey?" Abhishek scolded Aditya.
"Wo ulte jawab de raha hai, bhai." Aditya complained.
"Chup baith, sach bol raha hai wo din bhar Vanu Vanu hi karta rehta hai tu." Abhishek agreed with Arush.
"Waah mere against team bana li, bohot badhiya." Aditya said in a mock dramatic voice.
"Ye overacting band kar aur jaa kar Sadhwi ko le kar aa, neend aa rahi hai mujhe." Abhishek said.
Arush quickly stood up, "Mai le kar aata hoon." He said excitedly.
Abhishek and Aditya raised their brows at him and he quickly headed towards the door when Sadhwi appeared on the doorway making Arush shouted loudly. His soul had nearly left his body.
Arush backed off and hid behind the sofa in horror, "Bhaiyaaaa." He whispered in fear.
Abhishek and Aditya's back were facing the door so they both also looked behind listening to his scream and they both also shouted in unison, "Bhooooootttttt!" They also hid behind the couch beside Arush.
Sadhwi was wearing a white saree, her long black hairs were opened falling in front of her face, her face was powdered white and she was looking really horrible.
She clutched her ears tightly listening to their shouting and quickly closed the door behind her.
She frowned at their behavior and stepped forward.
She walked behind the sofa and stood in front of them.
They all were shivering in fear, clinging to each other.
"Bh-ai bachao." Arush clung to Aditya.
"Bachalo, bhai." Aditya glued to Abhishek, looking at the Sadhwi in front of them.
"Arey mujhe khud dar lag raha hai." Abhishek whispered to them.
"Ye sab teri wajah se hua hai kal se bol raha tha na chudail chudail, le sach me chudail aa gayi." Abhishek scolded Aditya.
Aditya gulped down, "Dek-Dekhiye chudail ji, hum aapki acting nahi karne wale, wo Sadhwi haina wo aapki acting karne wali hai aap jaa kar usey darao." Aditya said meekly.
"Bhai, aap Sadhwi ko kyun fasa rahe ho?" Arush spoke up with chattering teeth.
"Abey yahan tere dono bhai ko chudail khane wali hai aur tujhe Sadhwi ki padi hai." Aditya slapped him.
Sadhwi tried to say something but Arush spoke up before she could say anything.
Arush pouted, "Chudail ji, aap chahein to inhe kha sakti ho, humein chor do." Arush said pointing at Aditya, making his eyes widened in horror and disbelief.
"Abhi, Adi, Aru!" Advait's voice reached to their ears and their eyes widened with another shock.
Sadhwi widened her eyes and quickly sat down beside Arush hiding herself behind the couch.
"Chudail bhi bhaiya se darti hai?" Abhishek whispered in disbelief.
Advait knocked on the door, "Adi? Darwaja khol baccha." He asked, his voice was laced with worry.
"Jaa ja kar darwaja khol." Abhishek told Aditya.
"Mai kyun jaun?" Aditya said.
"Bhaiya ne tera naam liya na tu jaa." Abhishek replied.
"Aap bade ho, aap jao." Aditya played his little brother's card.
Meanwhile, Arush and Sadhwi were sitting close to each other. Arush looked in fear at Sadhwi, "Aap kyun dar rahe ho, bhool gaye aap chudail ho?" Arush whispered to her.
"Abey aalu ke chilke....
"Sadhwi." Arush asked in disbelief listening to the unique nickname.
"Haan, Sadhwi." She replied in exaggeration.
Arush shook Aditya who was busy quarrelling with Abhishek, "Bhai, ye chudail nahi hai Sadhwi hai." He informed him.
"What?" Abhishek asked in shock.
Sadhwi peeked out her face from behind her hair with a grin and they all sighed in relief.
"Tumhe aisa get-up karke aane ke liye kisne bola tha?" Aditya asked in a mix of fear and irritation.
"Chudail to aise hi makeup karti haina." Sadhwi replied as a matter of fact.
Aditya shook his head, "But thank god, bach gaye!" He sighed in relief.
Advait knocked on the door again, "Gate kholo bacchon." Advait said.
"Mar gaye!" Arush cried.
"Ab kya karein?" Aditya asked, chewing on his nails in fear.
"Abey baitha kya hai chhupoooo." Abhishek hissed.
They all scrambled to hide themselves, Abhishek hide himself in the balcony. Arush hid behind the curtains, Sadhwi crawled under the bed and poor Aditya was left in the middle of the room, he looked at everyone and slapped his forehead.
"Arey, aap dono kyun chhup rahe ho?" Aditya asked in frustration.
Abhishek and Arush thought and came to the conclusion that Aditya was right. Why were they hiding? They all came out of their hidden spots and Sadhwi crawled out of the bed.
"Sadhwi ko chhupao aur Aru aur mai sone ki acting karte hain, aap jaa kar gate kholo." Aditya instructed.
"Aey mai kyun gate kholun?" Abhishek quickly stepped back.
"Kyunki aap bade hain." Aditya, Arush and Sadhwi said simultaneously.
Abhishek looked at them in betrayal and then at Sadhwi, "Tum bhi?" He asked with a sulking face.
"Sorry, bhai." She said and quickly hid behind the curtains.
"Abey ye teri wali bilkul tere jaisi hai kya?" Aditya whacked Arush.
"Har baat par mujhe hi maar padti hai." Arush mumbled with a pout, rubbing the spot.
Aditya turned to Sadhwi and said in an extra sweet voice, "Sadhwi didi, please aisi koi harkat na karein jisse hum sab ki kutai ho." He told her.
Sadhwi made a face, "Phir mai kahan chhupun?" She asked.
Knock.
They all panicked, Abhishek's gaze landed on the cupboard, "Cupboard me chhup jao." He told her.
She widened her eyes but again a knock came on the door and they quickly helped her to jump in the cupboard and closed it but left it opened slightly. Aditya and Arush quickly laid down on the bed, covering themselves with the duvet and Abhishek was left alone.
Abhishek looked up and prayed for himself. He slightly messed his hair before opening the door so that he could look as if he had just wake up from the sleep.
Advait's stern face came into the view and Abhishek gulped down in fear, "Bhaiya aap yahan?" He tried not to stutter.
"Itni der se knock kar raha hoon, apne kaano ko drawer me rakh kar sote ho kya?" Advait scolded.
Aditya and Arush flinched from under the duvet. Sadhwi made a crying face and re-think of her decision to be the part of the Dadi Bhagao Operation.
"Sorry bhaiya, suna nahi maine." Abhishek whispered.
"Aru itni jor se kyun chillaya tha?" Advait asked and Aditya whacked Arush from under the blanket.
"A-Aru chillaya tha... nahi toh." Abhishek replied, trying to sound oblivious.
But one sharp look from Advait had changed his statement, "Oh haan yaad aaya... chillaya to tha." Abhishek smiled.
Advait glared at him, "Wahi mai puch raha hoon, kyun chillaya tha?" He asked.
"Chudali ko dekh kar." He blurted out.
"What?" Advait asked, furrowing his brows.
Aditya, Arush and Sadhwi slapped their foreheads and the sound echoed in the room. Advait's sharp ears quickly caught the sound and he suspiciously looked around the room and then at Abhishek who was cursing them in his mind.
"Tune awaaz suni?" Advait asked.
"K-Konsi awaaz?" Abhishek asked with a shrug.
Advait shook his head at his weird expressions and asked further, "Chudail ko dekh kar dar gaya tha matlab?"
Abhishek made a face and tried to look for an answer, "Matlab sapna... usey sapna aaya ki ek darawani si chudail uske saamne khadi hai. Safed saree, lambe khule baal aur safed muh ke saath." Abhishek described in exasperation making dramatic faces.
"Tujhe bhi sapna aaya tha?" Advait asked dryly.
Abhishek shook his head, "Nahi to."
"To tujhe kaise pata?" He asked.
Aditya, Arush and Sadhwi again slapped their foreheads but this time Abhishek was fast he quickly clapped his hands together. Advait furrowed his brows, "Kya kar raha hai?" He asked.
"Ma-Machhar bohot ho gaye hain, bhaiya." He replied, clapping a few times.
Advait exhaled heavily before walking forward but Abhishek stepped in front of him, "Kahan jaa rahe hain?" He asked in panic.
"Aru ko dekhne." Advait replied, making a face looking at his unusual behavior.
"Wo so gaya hai, bhaiya. Adi ne usey sula diya tha bohot mushkil se soya hai bechara jag jayega." Abhishek tried to look innocent.
Advait looked at the another figure lying on the bed, "Par Adi to khud so raha hai." He stated.
"Mera matlab hai wo Aru ko sula kar khud bhi so gaya." Abhishek replied with an exhausted tone.
"Par....
"Aapko neend nahi aa rahi, bhaiya?" Abhishek asked.
Advait fixed him with a glare making him straight up.
"Tu bhi so jaa." Advait said and turned to left when the exhaling of a long breath sound echoed in the room as the three hidden troublemakers sighed in relief but Advait quickly caught the sound. He turned back and Abhishek started taking deep breaths dramatically.
"Kya hua?" Advait asked.
"K-Kuch nahi bhaiya, Yoga." Abhishek said casually with a nervous smile.
Advait looked at him from head to toe before saying, "Sleep, you need rest."
"Thankyou, bhaiya." Abhishek smiled widely.
Advait turned back and left the room. Abhishek closed the door behind him and pressed his back against the door while exhaling a long breath.
"Bahar aa jao." He announced.
Aditya and Arush quickly hopped out of the bed and Sadhwi jumped out of the cupboard before opening it.
"Kya bhai, aapne to fasa hi diya tha." Arush said.
"Itne gande jhooth seriously? Aapne to humari naak kaat di." Aditya added.
"Aur jyada bola na to mai teri jubaan kaat dunga. Aaya bada mujhe sunane wala." Abhishek threatened him.
Abhishek turned towards Sadhwi and let out a small scream at the sudden look of her.
"Dekho, mujhe to lagta hai ki humein apna ye operation yahi khatam kar dena chahiye." Abhishek said seriously.
"Mujhe bhi." Sadhwi agreed.
"Phir mai bhi nahi karunga." Arush said.
Aditya looked at three of them and said, "We are Malhotras bhai, hum koi bhi kaam adhura nahi chordte." He said with motivated voice.
"Par mai to Malhotra nahi hoon, to mai chord sakti hoon." Sadhwi said happily.
"Nahi ho to ban jaogi." Aditya said in a hurry but quickly corrected himself when Arush elbowed him, "Mera matlab hai tumhe humara saath dena hi hoga, humare ghar me jo apni jubaan se peeche hat-ta hai wo..." He tried to scare her but couldn't think of a simple threat.
"Wo?" Sadhwi asked with her doe, fear filled eyes.
"Wo pata nahi kyunki humare ghar me koi apni jubaan se peeche hat-ta hi nahi hai." He replied.
Sadhwi frantically nodded her head.
Abhishek slumped down on the couch, "Karo jo karna hai tum logo ko, par ek baat dhyan rakhna agar bhaiya ne meri band bajayi to mai baad me khud tum dono ki sehnaayi bajaunga." He warned both of them.
Arush gulped down and raised his brow at Aditya who passed him a chill look in return, "Relax, kuch nahi hoga." He said.
"Aur mai?" Sadhwi asked.
"Don't worry, tumhe to mai kuch nahi hone dunga." Arush spoke up.
"Arey yaar aap sab aisa kyun soch rahe hain ki bhaiya ko pata chal jayega. Unhe kuch pata nahi chalega." Aditya calmed down all of them.
"10 minute bhaiya ke sone ka wait karte hain aur phir hum shuru karenge apna Dadi Bhagao Operation." Aditya declared with enthusiasm.
He stretched out his hand in front of them and they all reluctantly placed their hands on his. There were different expressions on everyone's faces but the thrill and excitement was same in their eyes. The gang was ready to land in trouble.
~________________________________________~