Chapter 119
Kalyani was sleeping in her room and Amrinder was laying beside her.
They both were in a deep slumber when someone knocked on their door.
They remained asleep so a loud bang came on their door.
Kalyani jerked open her eyes at the sound but Amrinder was still asleep as he had slept after taking his medicines so he was in a deep sleep.
Kalyani hesitated to open the door, she got up from the bed and went to the door side but didn't open the door.
"Kaun hai?" She asked in a small voice from inside.
Another loud knock.
Kalyani backed off in fear, her palms started sweating.
She mumbled the God's name under her breath and opened the door after gathering up the courage.
But no one was there. She furrowed her brows, she stepped forward and looked left and right but to her surprise the lights were off.
There was a complete darkness in the hallway which was unusual as the corridor's lights always remained open.
She turned back to went inside the room when she felt someone had moved past behind her.
She quickly turned back but no one was there.
Her heart had started pounding loudly, she shook off her head and turned back when a girl in the white saree was standing there, carrying a candle in her hand.
Her wide eyes were lightening under the candle's glow.
Her face was almost covered with her long hairs and the part which was showing was white in color.
"Mujhe dhoondh rahi ho?" The girl asked in a bone chilling voice.
Kalyani's heart skipped a beat, her eyes went wide in horror. The sweat was dripping off her face, her face had turned pale. She had fainted because of fear and fell down on the floor.
Sadhwi's eyes widened looking at Kalyani's state. Abhishek, Aditya and Arush hurriedly came out of their hidden spots and circled around Kalyani.
"Mar gayi kya?" Aditya asked, looking at Kalyani's lying figure.
Abhishek whacked him, "Subh subh bol." He whispered.
"Subh subh." Arush spoke up.
Sadhwi slapped her forehead, "Aap sab kya kar rahe hain? Inhe dekhiye na kya ho gaya?" She said in fear.
Aditya crouched down and placed his two fingers under Kalyani's nose to check her breathing. Her warm breath had touched Aditya's fingers and he sighed in disappointment.
"Zinda hain." He said dryly making everyone sighed in relief.
"Lagta hai dar ki wajah se behosh ho gayi." Sadhwi said.
Abhishek nodded.
"Par ab inka kya karein?" Arush asked.
"Kuch mat karo, sone chalte hain. Kal subah uthte hi sabse pehle Punjab bhaag jayengi." Aditya said with a small laugh.
"Operation successful." They all clapped together and the loud sound echoed in the room.
Amrinder stirred in sleep and they all scrambled outside the room in hurry.
Sadhwi tried to jump over the Kalyani's figure to go to the other side as Kalyani had fainted on the doorway but because of her saree, her body got unbalanced and she fell down on the floor.
She tried to grip the table to balance herself but her hand got collided with the vase and it also fell down on the floor making a sound.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush were already hidden behind the door side waiting for Sadhwi.
Amrinder's slumber broke down because of the loud sound and he lazily started sitting up on the bed.
Sadhwi's eyes widened in horror but before Amrinder could catch the sight of her, she quickly stood up and hid behind the near by curtain.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush hid themselves behind the pillars outside the room.
"Isey room me chhupne ke liye kisne bola tha?" Aditya whacked Arush.
"Par aap mujhe kyun maar rahe ho?" Arush asked.
"Chup ho jao tum dono, ab hum gaye." Abhishek said being scared.
Amrinder sat up on the bed and his gaze landed on the Kalyani who was lying on the doorway. His eyes widened and he quickly got up from the bed and made his way to her side.
"Kalyani!" He crouched down and shook her lightly.
"Kalyani? Kalyani?" He said in panic.
"Advait." Amrinder called out loudly.
"Mar gayi." Sadhwi cried from behind the curtain.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush exchanged a horrified glance with each other, "Mar gaye!" They whispered in unison.
"Advaaittttt!" Amrinder shouted.
"Abey dekh kya rahe ho sofe ke peeche chhupo agar bhaiya ne dekh liya to lanka lag jayegi." Aditya spoke up.
They all scrambled to hid behind the sofas. Advait and Shreya stepped down the stairs in panic and worry. Their steps stopped at the door and they gasped looking at Kalyani.
"Dadi ko kya hua?" Shreya asked, her face had contorted with worry.
"Mai so raha tha, ye vase girne ki awaaj se meri neend khuli uth kar dekha to Kalyani behosh padi thi." Amrinder explained, his voice was breaking looking at his wife in such state.
Advait hadn't wasted a moment and picked Kalyani up in his arms, he laid her down on the bed. Shreya sprinkled some water on Kalyani's face. Their faces were etched with worry and concern. Kalyani lazily opened her eyes and looked around herself.
"Dadi, kya hua? Aap theek hain?" Advait asked.
"Behosh kaise ho gayi thi tum?" Amrinder asked.
Kalyani remembered Sadhwi's horrible face and she started breathing heavily. Shreya gently made her drink water by her hands.
"Wo... " Kalyani breathed loudly.
"Boliye, dadi?" Shreya asked softly.
"Chudail." Kalyani whispered.
"Kya?" Amrinder asked.
Advait and Shreya exchanged a confused look.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush were still standing outside the room.
"Andar kya ho raha hoga?" Arush asked, biting on his nail.
"Jaa jakar dekh kar aa." Aditya pushed him forward.
But Arush swiftly composed himself and ran back to him before hiding behind the pillar.
"Mujhe kya lagta hai, humein bhi andar chal kar dekhna chahiye. Bechari bacchi andar akeli hai." Abhishek said, he was concerned for Sadhwi.
"Haan bechari Sadhwi akele fas gayi." Arush agreed.
Aditya looked at both of them, "Theek hai, aap log jaiye mai yaheen aap dono ka wait karta hoon." He said nonchalantly.
"Tu bhi chalega." Abhishek ordered, glaring at him.
"Dekhiye, aap dono ko marne ka shok hai to aap dono jaiye. Mai sher ki gufa me nahi jaunga." Aditya said dramatically but he was really scared of Advait's reaction.
"Par aap to keh rahe the hum ek team hain." Arush said in a betrayed tone.
"Maine banayi thi na team to mai hi iss team ko khatam karta hoon. Ab se koi team nahi hai, hum sab ek individual okay." Aditya replied in one breath.
Arush glared at him.
"Chup chap andar chal agar itna shor hone ke baad bhi hum teeno nahi jayenge to bhaiya ko shak ho jayega." Abhishek said logically.
Aditya thought for a moment before reluctantly nodding his head. They all entered the room and gasped dramatically.
"Kya hua?" Aditya asked with extra dramatics.
"Dadi behosh kaise ho gayi?" Arush asked in over horrified voice.
Advait turned to them and narrowed his eyes, "Tujhe kaise pata dadi behosh ho gayi?" He asked.
Arush gulped down in fear and Abhishek and Aditya cursed him in their minds.
"Bol." Advait said, stepping towards him.
"Wo-uh bhaiya...wo mai... " Arush stuttered in fear.
"Wo dadu jor se chillaye the na dadi behosh ho gayi, dadi behosh ho gayi to humne sun liya." Abhishek spoke up in between saving Arush.
Amrinder furrowed his brows, "Par maine to aisa nahi kaha." He said.
"Aapne kaha tha dadu, aap bhool gaye honge." Arush said, nervously.
"Buddhape mai aisa hota hai." Aditya added, with a small smile.
Advait shot him a look and turned back to Kalyani.
"Dadi aap bataiye kya hua tha? Aap behosh kaise ho gayi?" He asked.
"Wo maine chudail dekhi... wo mere saamne khadi thi. Bohot darawani." She said, her face was pale and the voice was shaking with fear.
"Dadi, aapne koi bura sapna dekh liya hoga." Shreya answered.
"Haan haan sapna hi hoga." Abhishek, Aditya and Arush agreed and said simultaneously.
"Aaj sabko chudail ke sapne aa rahe hain." Advait said.
"Sabko?" Shreya furrowed her brows.
"Haan abhi thodi der pehle hi Aru ko bhi kisi chudail ka sapna aaya tha." He replied.
Arush hissed a sharp breath as everyone turned their attention towards him.
Sadhwi was hidden behind the curtain, she was crossing her fingers and praying to God to save her from Advait.
There was a glass window behind her which was covered with the curtain and she was standing behind the curtain.
Her gaze had landed on a cockroach outside on the window and she screamed in fear, "Cockroach Cockroach.
" She came out of the window, jumping on the floor.
Kalyani widened her eyes, "Chudaillll." She shouted and again fainted.
Shreya also shouted in fear suddenly looking at the scary woman and she hid behind the Advait clutching his arm from behind. Abhishek, Aditya and Arush froze in their places, their game has over. No one could save them now.
Sadhwi ran to Arush and hugged him in fear. She got very scared looking at the small cockroach so close to herself. Arush wrapped his arms around her and silently rubbed her back to calm her down.
"Chudail ne mere Aru ko pakad liya." Shreya said and ran to Arush. She pulled back Sadhwi away from him.
Sadhwi had stumbled back but Arush again caught her and steadied her.
"Bhabhi wo chudail nahi hai." Arush said and gently wiped off Sadhwi's tears.
"Yahan hum marne wale hain aur iski ashiqui khatam nahi ho rahi." Aditya whispered to Abhishek.
"To phir kaun hai ye?" Amrinder asked.
"Ye Sadhwi hai." Arush replied.
Sadhwi stood up straight, her head was bowed and eyes were teary. Shreya clearly looked at her face and gasped.
"Sadhwi tum?... Ye kya ban kar ghoom rahi ho tum?" Shreya asked.
Sadhwi slowly glanced at Abhishek, Aditya and Arush who were standing with the scared look on their faces.
"Kya chal raha hai ye?" Advait's voice boomed in the room, flinching Sadhwi.
"Bh-Bhaiya, wo college me fancy dress competition hai to Sadhwi usme chudail bani hai wo bas usi ki practice kar rahi thi." Arush said with a nervous smile.
Abhishek and Aditya passed him an incredulous look for his rubbish excuse.
Advait pinned him down with a glare, he stepped forward and looked at each of them one by one before ordering, "I want you all in my study. Morning. At sharp 6." He said in a scary voice.
Their faces had turned pale mirroring Sadhwi's face color. They whispered a meek yes in the response and remained standing there.
"Leave." Advait barked and they all hurried away from the room.
They reached outside the room and made a crying face, "Ye sab iss gadhe ki baat manne ka nateeza hai." Abhishek accused Aditya and whacked him.
"Maine kisi ko force to nahi kiya tha." Aditya said with a shrug, earning himself a bunch of glares.
"Ab kal subah hum sabka band bajega." Arush muttered under his breath.
"Mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai." Sadhwi mumbled.
"Tum fikar mat karo, hum bhaiya ko sach bata denge ye saara plan Adi bhai ka tha." Arush replied.
Aditya gasped in betrayal but Arush ignored him and went away from there taking Sadhwi with himself. Abhishek scoffed and also left the place leaving Aditya behind with his sulking face.
~________________________________________~
In the morning, Abhishek, Aditya and Arush were standing outside the Advait's study. They were gathering up the courage to go inside but their legs weren't supporting them.
"5:59 ho gaye, andar chalte hain." Aditya said, glancing at his wrist watch.
"Sadhwi nahi aayi." Arush said.
"Andar chal bhaiya saari aashiqui nikaalenge teri." Aditya scared him.
"Andar chalte hain agar late hua to bhaiya aur jyada gussa karenge." Abhishek said.
Arush reluctantly nodded his head, they knocked on the door and entered after getting the permission from inside. They entered the room and Advait was standing in the middle of the room, leaning his back against the table. His arms were crossed over his chest and eyes were sharp.
Abhishek, Aditya and Arush stood in the line, folding their hands behind the back. Their eyes were fixed on the floor, they were looking like the students who were standing in front of the Principal after doing some mischief.
"Sadhwi kahan hai?" Advait asked, not moving from his place.
No response.
"Kuch pucha maine." Advait said sharply making them flinch.
"Aa rahi hogi, bhaiya." Arush replied meekly.
Advait glared at him.
He took a deep breath before saying, "Explain." His voice was firm.
"Bhaiya wo...
Abhishek was about to say when Advait cut him off in between, "Adi batayega." He ordered.
Aditya sucked a sharp breath, his hands started sweating. Advait knew Aditya would never lie to him so that was why he ordered him to explain.
"Bhaiya...
Aditya was about to say when the door of the study pushed open and Sadhwi came inside in hurry. She was breathing heavily as if she had come running to the study.
Advait pointed her a sharp look, "Manners nahi hain?" He asked.
Sadhwi stepped back slightly in fear.
"Door knock karna nahi aata?" He scolded.
The brothers felt bad for her as she was getting scolded because of them.
"Jaane dijiye bhaiya, bacchi hai." Abhishek said hesitantly.
"Bacchon ko hi manners sikhaye jaate hain, tum jaise gadho ko to kuch sikha bhi nahi sakte." Advait snapped at him making him pout.
Aditya snickered, "Aapko gadha bola." He whispered in a teasing voice.
"Tujhe bhi bola." Abhishek retorted.
"Aapko bola." Aditya said.
"Tujhe bola." Abhishek replied.
"Aapko bola, puch lo bhaiya se." Aditya said in a normal voice.
"Tujhe bhi bola hai." Abhishek argued.
Advait was glaring in their souls but they were oblivious and was busy in fighting.
"Aapko bola."
"Tujhe."
"Aapko."
"SHUT UP!" Advait's voice boomed in the study.
They both quickly straightened up and bowed down their heads.
"Maine tum teeno ko gadha bola." Advait said.
"Mujhe bhi?" Aditya asked with a pout.
"Tu toh sabse bada gadha hai." Advait scolded him making him sulk.
Arush tried to hide his laugh.
Advait had shifted his attention to Sadhwi who was looking down with teary eyes but Advait didn't notice that.
"Kis time par bulaya tha maine yahan?" He asked to her. His voice was calm but firm.
"6... 6 baje." She replied meekly.
"Aur abhi kya time ho raha hai?" He asked.
She looked up at him with her doe eyes and glanced at the wall clock before looking back at Advait, "6:10." She replied.
"Ten minutes late." Advait stated, standing up straight.
Sadhwi looked down again.
"Stand in the corner for ten minutes." He told her.
Arush sulked on Sadhwi's behalf, "Par bhaiya...
"Aapko bhi khada hona hai?" Advait asked in a sarcastic tone.
Arush looked down, he was ready to stand in the corner with Sadhwi but it would be a disrespect towards Advait's decision so he kept quiet, standing in his place.
Sadhwi was still standing there looking at Advait with her innocent eyes but Advait pointed towards the corner, "There." He said.
She slowly made her way towards the corner and stood there looking down at the floor.
Advait turnedback his attention towards the three troublemakers and they stood up straight, sensing Advait's gaze on them.
"Now explain, Adi." He said sternly.
Aditya gulped down, "Bhaiya, wo hum... humne dadi ko ghar se bhagane ke liye unhe chudail se darane ka plan banaya tha." He said in a low voice.
Advait fisted his hands.
"Aur tumne apne is plan me usey bhi include kar liya?" Advait asked sharply, referring to Sadhwi.
"Sorry bhaiya." Aditya whispered.
Advait stood in front of Abhishek, making him took a step back in fear, "Matlab kal jab Aru chillaya tha aur mai room me aaya to tune mujhse jhooth bola tha?" He asked strictly.
Abhishek's voice choked in his throat, his words hadn't come out of his mouth.
"Bol." Advait whacked his arm.
Abhishek quickly rubbed the spot, "Oww, ji bhaiya." He replied.
"Itna jhooth, Abhishek." Advait gripped his ear and twisted it firmly.
"Ow-Oww bhaiya mera kaan." He danced in his place. He was grabbing Advait's wrist to loosened his grip but Advait's grip remained firm and unyielding.
"Bhaiya, please chordein lag rahi hai." Abhishek pleaded.
"Kyun aur jhooth bol." Advait taunted.
Aditya and Arush were stifling their laughter looking at Abhishek's face and his red ear. Sadhwi was looking at the scene in fear.
Abhishek noticed them and complained, "Bhaiya, dekhein ye dono has rahe hain."
Advait left his ear and gripped Aditya and Arush's ear in his both hands, "Bohot jyada hasi aa rahi hai dono ko?" He asked in a cold tone.
"Na-Nahi bhaiya, hum has nahi rahe the. Humara muh hi aisa hai." Aditya said, his face was scrunching up in pain.
Arush nodded his head, his face was contorted with the pain.
Advait left their ears and stepped back, "Sharam aani chahiye tum teeno ko itne bade ho gaye ho phir bhi bacchon wali harkatein karte ho.
" He said, "Kitni baar kaha hai har cheez mazak nahi hoti par samajh me hi nahi aata hai tum logo ko.
Agar dadi ko kuch ho jata to? Wo dar ki wajah se behosh ho gayi, isse bhi bura ho sakta tha.
Par tumhe har cheez mazak lagti hai." He rebuked them harshly.
They all looked down feeling guilty except Aditya who was definitely scared but not guilty.
"Baar baar samjhaya hai ki humein aisa mazak nahi karna chahiye jisse kisi ko takleef ho par tum teeno dheet ban chuke ho maar kha kha kar." Advait said but contrary to his words, he landed a whack on each of them.
He turned his attention towards Sadhwi, "Yahan aao tum." He pointed beside Arush.
She meekly stepped towards Arush's side and stood there.
"In logo ne tumse kaha aur tumne maan liya? Dimaag use nahi karti ho apna?" Hechided her.
"Sorry sir." She whispered.
Advait ignored her and asked, "Kiska idea tha ye?" His voice was commanding.
No response.
"Maine pucha kiska idea tha ye, aage aao." He repeated.
Aditya and Arush meekly stepped back and Arush pulled back Sadhwi with himself. Now only Abhishek was standing in the front oblivious to his surroundings. His head was bowed and he was sulking.
Advait marched towards him and landed a whack behind his neck, "Gadhe, itna bada ho gaya hai phir bhi aise stupid plans banata hai. Yahi seekha raha hai apne chote bhaiyon ko." Advait gripped his ear.
"Ahh bhaiya, mera plan nahi tha." Abhishek whined.
"To aage kyun aaya?" Advait asked, leaving his ear.
Abhishek looked at his sides and swiftly stepped back, giving them a betrayed look.
"Bhaiya, ye Adi ka idea tha." Abhishek put him in trouble.
Aditya's eyes widened as Advait glared at him and took a few steps towards his side. Aditya started running in the room making Advait run behind him.
"Bhaiya, sorry." He said, while jumping over the couch.
"Adi, idhar aa jaa." Advait said and ran behind the couch.
"Ab se nahi karunga, sorry bhaiya." He ran and hid behind the Sadhwi.
Sadhwi panicked in fear.
Advait stood in front of her but he was glaring at Aditya, "Adi, aage aa."
"Bhaiya, sorry na." He requested.
"Tum saamne se hato." Advait ordered Sadhwi.
"Na-Nahi Sadhwi please mat hatna, meri band baj jayegi." Aditya grabbed her arms.
"Hato." Advait said firmly, making her ran to the other side.
Aditya's eyes widened, he was about to run but before that Advait caught him.
"Nalayak, ek to galti karta hai upar se bhaagta hai." Advait whacked his head.
"Bhaiya, sorry." He pleaded.
"Shut up." Advait snapped, "Chup chap khada reh yahan par." He told him.
Advait rubbed his forehead with his fingers to calm himself down and he looked at Sadhwi, "I want an essay from you on why what you did was wrong. 5000 words." Advait declared.
Sadhwi looked at Advait in horror but his brother looked at him with hope, "Bhaiya, hum essay likh denge." Aditya said.
"Haan mai bhi likh dunga." Abhishek agreed as for them it was the easiest punishment of Advait.
Advait fixed them with a glare, "Tum teeno ko kuch likhne ki jarurat nahi hai, tumhari khatirdaari mai alag se karunga." He scared them.
He turned back to Sadhwi, "Aaj evening tak mujhe essay yahan mere table par chahiye." He said pointing at the table.
"Aaj shaam tak?" She asked in shock.
"Koi problem hai?" Advait asked, his eyes were sharp.
She frantically shook her head, "N-Nahi."
"Leave." Advait said, his words were directing to Sadhwi but his brothers started leaving from there.
"Tum teeno yaheen ruko." Advait's voice stopped them and they turned around cursing their fate in minds.
Sadhwi looked at Arush, "Tum jao mai maar kha kar aata hoon." He whispered to her.
Sadhwi looked at him in worry and concern. She slowly left the room closing the door behind herself.
Their eyes travelled back to Advait who was standing there with the ruler in his hand. They gulped down looking at the scary wooden ruler.
"Bha-Bhaiya, iski kya jarurat hai pyar se baatein karte haina." Abhishek said.
"Laato ke bhoot baaton se nahi maante, beta." Advait replied with a smirk.
"Chalo murga bano teeno." Advait ordered making their eyes widened and faces turned red in embarrassment.
"Bhaiyaaa!" They groaned in response.
"Dusri punishment de dijiye ye bohot embarrassing hai." Aditya said with a whine.
"Mai ab bada ho gaya hoon, bhaiya." Abhishek said.
"Aap Aru ko murga bana dijiye humein koi aur punishment de dijiye." Aditya said.
"Ma-Mai bhi ab bada ho gaya hoon." Arush spoke up quickly.
Advait was looking at them silently with predatory eyes.
"Agar mere teen ginne tak tum teeno mujhe murga bane huye nahi nazar aaye to garden me sabke saamne murga banne ke liye ready rehna." Advait threatened, "The choice is yours." He added.
"One." Advait counted and Aditya quickly dropped down in the murga position, bending his body and folding his hands from behind his legs before holding his ears.
Abhishek and Arush glanced at each other and gulped down in anticipation. Before Advait could count two Arush also squatted down beside Aditya, mirroring his position.
"Two." Advait said, looking at Abhishek.
Abhishek hadn't left with the choice and he also bent down and threaded his hands from behind the legs and hold his ears. He was feeling embarrassed in the childish punishment.
Their faces had flushed and their stomachs were churning with shame. The position was really tough, they were struggling to maintain the position but failing miserably.
Arush left his ears to get some relief but the next moment the ruler landed on his arm, making his face twisted in a scowl.
"Bhaiya, aapne mujhe maara." He mumbled, adjusting his position.
Advait ignored his complain and checkedAbhishek and Aditya's position. Abhishek's bulky body was not supporting him, he was having difficulty folding himself in the position.
"Bhaiya, mere per dard kar rahe hain." Aditya whined.
"Bohot acchi hai baat, beta." Advait replied in a mocking voice.
"Aap apne bacchon ke saath aise karoge?" Abhishek asked, looking up from his position.
"Mere bacchein dheet hai beta aur unke saath mai aise hi karta hoon." Advait replied, whacking him with the ruler on his back.
Abhishek rubbed the spot and Advait again whacked on his hand making him quickly hold his ear.
They were bouncing a bit in between, their faces had turned red not with the embarrassment but with the struggle of maintaining the position. Advait made them stand in the position for half an hour. Their legs were trembling and burning with the ache. The lesson had sank deep into their bones.
~________________________________________~