Chapter 120
Sadhwi was walking in the corridor. It was her free period. She was going towards Arush's class to meet him when she bumped into a boy. She stepped back with the force and steadied herself.
"Are you blind?" The boy shouted making her flinch.
"I-I'm sorry." She replied meekly.
The boy, Vicky looked at her from top to bottom before smirking at her.
"New student?" He asked.
Sadhwi hesitantly bobbed her head.
"Naam kya hai?" He asked.
"Sadh-wi." She replied, looking down.
"Meri girlfriend banogi?" He asked directly.
Sadhwi snapped up her head.
He raised his brow, "Aise kya dekh rahi ho? Ek question hi to pucha hai." He said with a sly smile.
Sadhwi shook her head, "Mu-Mujhe late ho raha hai." She said and about to move past by him when he gripped her wrist and pulled her back.
Sadhwi jerked back with the force. He didn't leave her hand and asked again, "Answer me."
"Leave my hand." Sadhwi said angrily.
The students gathered around them and started seeing the drama, it was an entertainment for them. No one tried to help her. She kept struggling under his grip.
"Mujhe jawab do, mai haath chord dunga." Vicky said.
But the next moment a tight slap landed on his face. His face jerked to the other side. He pressed his hand against his cheek, leaving Sadhwi's hand.
"Mil gaya jawab?" Vanya asked sharply.
Vicky gritted out his teeth, "How dare you?" He hissed and raised his hand to slap her but she caught his hand stopping it mid movement and kicked her knee on his balls.
Vicky groaned in pain, tightly clutching his thighs together. The students started laughing loudly, making fun of him but Vanya snapped at them.
"Shut up." She shouted.
The corridor fell into a silence.
"Tum logo ke saamne ek ladka ek ladki ko pareshaan kar raha hai aur tum sab aaram se khade ho kar enjoy kar rahe ho?" She rebuked them.
She turned to the group of girls, "In ladkon se to mujhe koi umeed hi nahi hai par tum log ladki ho kar ek dusri ladki ki help nahi kar rahi? You all should be ashamed of yourself." She said, her words were sharp and clear.
The girls looked down in guilt and shame.
She turned to Vicky before ordering, "Get lost."
"You'll pay for this." Vicky seethed in anger.
"I'm ready to pay. I'm very rich." She replied in an attitude with a smirk.
Vicky went away from there but not before glaring at her and Sadhwi.
"Thank you." Sadhwi said, scooting closer to Vanya.
"Thappad lagana nahi aata tumhe?" Vanya scolded her.
Sadhwi looked down.
"Har baar koi bachaane nahi aayega. Dekha na aaj logo ko bachaane se jyada tamasha dekhna pasand hai....Aise logo ko khud handle karna seekho." Vanya said, her voice was firm but gentle.
"Okay di." Sadhwi said.
"It's mam to you." Vanya replied with a tight lipped smile and left from there making Sadhwi pout.
~________________________________________~
Tia was sitting on the couch in her room. In front of her, the photos were lying on the table. She was looking at each photo with precision and then placed it on the other end of the table. Reyansh entered the room and looked at her with a pout.
"Pati replace karne ka irada hai kya?" He asked teasingly, looking at the boy's photos on the table.
Tia looked up at him with a tight lipped smile before saying, "Tumhe koi replace me bhi nahi lega."
Reyansh pouted.
"Waise kar kya rahi ho tum inn ladko ki photos ka?" He asked, sitting beside her.
"Sia ke liye ladka doondh rahi ho." She replied not moving her gaze from the photos.
Reyansh looked at her seriously, "Sia ke liye ladka? Par Sia to Abhi se...
She cut him off firmly, "Abhi se pyar karti thi." She completed, "Wo ab apni life me aage badhegi." She said.
"Aisa tumhe Sia ne kaha?" Reyansh asked.
"Nahi." She replied, "Par shaadi to kabhi na kabhi karni hi hai na, phir der kyun karni?" She said.
"Sia ke liye Abhi aur Abhi ke liye Sia perfect hai." Reyansh said.
"Abhi Sia se pyar nahi karta." Tia declared firmly.
"Wo usse pyar karta hai bas usey realization nahi hai. Usey pyar ka sahi matlab hi nahi pata." Reyansh said.
"Dekho Ansh, mai meri bhen ko kisi aise rishte me nahi daalungi jahan pyar ke naam par sirf dosti ho." She said in a firm voice.
"Mujhe Abhi se koi problem nahi hai, bhai hai wo mera par apne bhai ki jindagi theek karne ke liye mai apni behen ko kurbaan nahi karungi." She added, her words were clear.
Reyansh sighed and held her hand in his, "Tum in sab ka stress kyun le rahi ho, baby? Abhi aur Sia ki life hai wo dono decision le lenge. Unhe kisse shaadi karni hai ya nahi karni hai ye wo dono decide kar lenge." He made her understand.
"Sia is 26 and it is the right age to get married. Mai uske liye ladka doondh rahi hoon aur wo usi ladke se shaadi karegi." She said.
"Tum uske saath jabardasti kyun kar rahi ho, Tia?" Reyansh asked, tiredly.
"Kyunki mai apni behen ko dukhi nahi dekh sakti. Wo dikhati nahi hai Ansh par har roz andar se mar rahi hai meri behen. Mai usko aur dard me nahi dekh sakti." Tia's eyes started welling up for her sister. Her heart had always ached when she looked into her little sister's empty eyes.
"Tum jo kar rahi ho isse usey sabse jyada dukh hoga. Sia aur Abhi dono ko time do, I'm sure they'll get along." Reyansh replied with belief.
"Mujhe mera kaam karne do, Ansh. Mai jo bhi karungi Sia ke acche ke liye hi karungi." She said.
"Promise me, tum Sia ke saath koi jabardasti nahi karogi. Aakhiri faisla Sia ka hi hoga, phir chahein wo Abhi ke saath ho ya kisi aur ke." Reyansh said and held out his hand in front of her.
She placed her palm on his hand and he gently pulled her in his arms before pecking her head.
~________________________________________~
Shreya was heading towards the main gate of the mansion. She went to the parking lot, settled inside the car and started the car. She was driving towards the main gate when a guard stopped her. She stopped the car and pulled down the window glass before raising her brow.
"Mam, boss ne aapko akele bahar jane se mana kiya hai." The guard said.
Shreya looked around nervously, "Maine unse baat kar li hai." She replied.
The guard reluctantly looked at her, "Please let me confirm, mam." He said and pocketed out his phone.
"Maine kaha na meri baat ho gayi hai." Shreya said sharply.
The guard hesitated, "Okay mam." He nodded and gestured the two guards to come closer and they obeyed.
"Tum dono madam ke saath jao." The head guard ordered them.
Shreya's temper flared, "Mai akele jaa sakti hoon." She said in anger.
"Boss won't approve it, mam." The guard said helplessly.
"Then tell him to fuck off." She snapped, "And don't you dare to follow me." She added and drove away from there.
The guards exchanged a horrible glance with each other. One guard quickly dialled Advait's number and nervously pressed the phone against his ear.
"Boss, mam abhi akele gaadi le kar chali gayi." He informed as soon as Advait picked up the call.
"What? Akele chali gayi matlab? Tum log kya kar rahe the?" Advait asked angrily.
"Mam ne bola unhone aap se baat kar li hai aur humne jab unhe roka to unhone kaha...." He hesitated.
"Don't test my patience." Advait hissed from the other side.
"Unhone kaha tell your boss to f-fuck off." The guard said in a low voice with a stutter.
Advait exhaled sharply. He hung the call and tossed the phone on the table. He had never allowed anyone to go outside without the guards as he had many business rivals who could stoop any low for their rivalry.
~________________________________________~
Shreya was sitting in the hospital on a stool beside a bed. Angad was lying in front of her on the bed, a bandage was wrapped around his head. His eyes were lazily opened. Shreya was looking at him firmly yet the concern in her eyes was betraying her features.
"Thankyou, beta." Angad whispered.
"Mujhe thankyou bolne ki koi jarurat nahi hai, mai bas yahan insaaniyat ke naate aayi hoon aur kuch nahi." She replied, her voice was firm.
"Tumhe mujhse nafrat karne ka poora haq hai, beta par mai tumhara bohot karzdaar hoon. Tumne mere bacchon ko uss waqt me sambhaala jab unke paas aur koi nahi tha." He said, his voice was low.
"Aur aapne apne bacchon ko uss waqt par chorda jab unhe aapki sabse jyada jarurat thi." Shreya retorted. Her words were like a whip.
Angad looked down in guilt.
"Dekhiye uncle, aap mujhse bade hain islie mai aapko bohot izzat se kahungi ki please aap itne saalon se jaha par the wahan wapas chale jayein. Mere pati aur mere bacchon ko ab aapki koi jarurat nahi hai." She said, joining her hands.
A nurse entered the room and looked between Shreya and Angad.
"Aap inki kya lagti hain?" The nurse asked.
Shreya hesitated, "Ji mai...
"Dekhiye inke per me bohot jyada chot aayi hai, one month tak plaster rahega islie aapko inka acche se dhyan rakhna padega. Ye kuch dino tak apne pero par khade bhi nahi ho sakte." The nurse said when Shreya couldn't reply.
Shreya glanced at Angad before nodding her head.
"2 din baad inhe discharge mil jayega, phir aap inhe ghar le jaa sakti hain." The nurse said but Shreya kept sitting still. She hadn't replied to her.
"Aap please rest kariye." The nurse told to Angad and left the room.
Shreya looked at Angad and stood up from her place, "Mai chalti hoon, aap apna dhyan rakhna." She said politely.
She exited the room and went outside the hospital where Advait was standing, leaning against his car. His hands were in his pockets and eyes were sharply locked on Shreya. Her eyes landed on him and her movement stopped. A shiver ran down her spine at the sight of him.
She slowly stepped towards him and Advait opened the door for her without any word. She glanced at him before settling inside the car. Advait also sat down on the driving seat and started the car. Shreya's gaze was fixed on her lap. The silence inside the car was chilling and tensed.
"Mil li aap apne sasur ji se?" Advait taunted but contrary to the sarcasm, his eyes were sharp and serious.
Shreya couldn't reply anything.
Advait banged the steering wheel making her flinch, "Why?" He gritted out his teeth, stopping the car with a jerk on the road.
"Advait, ghar chal kar baat karte hain please." Shreya said slowly.
"Aapko pata haina mujhe unse kitni nafrat hai... sab jaante huye bhi aap unse milne gayi." Advait said with hurt and anger.
Shreya looked into his eyes, "Ghar par hospital se call aaya tha, Advait. Maine jaise hi unke accident ke baare me suna mujhse nahi raha gaya." She said.
"To kya?" He asked, "Marne deti na, waise bhi wo mere liye saalon pehle hi mar chuke hain." He added, his words were heavy on his chest.
"Unhe bohot chot lagi hai, Advait." She said making Advait looked away.
He clenched his jaw and balled his hands to control his emotions. No matter what had happened but he was his father and the kid inside him was still feeling for him, still cared for him.
Advait again started the car, his gaze was fixed on the road. He was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His jaw was painfully clenched. Shreya was looking at him in concern, she could feel what her husband was feeling at that time.
~________________________________________~
After dinner, Arush was sprawling over the couch. He was watching a movie, his eyes were fixed on the television screen when a knock on the door disturbed him. He stood up from his place and opened the door revealing Sadhwi's sweet face. She was looking at him, blinking her eyes innocently.
"Tum? Aao na." Arush said and opened the door wide for her to enter.
"Mujhe tumse ek help chahiye thi." Sadhwi said, without moving from her place.
"Hukum kariye." Arush said sincerely.
Sadhwi looked at him nervously and held out a notebook in front of his face, "Wo mujhe ye essay, sir ko submit karna hai. Par mujhe akele jane me dar lag raha hai tum bhi mere saath chalo na." She said innocently, widening her doe eyes.
Arush gulped down, "Bhaiya ke paas?" He said nervously but changed his statement when Sadhwi looked at him with a pout, "Haan haan chalunga, jarur chalunga." He said.
Sadhwi smiled widely, "Thank you." She squealed in happiness.
Arush's heart swelled up with a strange feeling looking at her happy face.
"Chalo." She dragged him away from there to Advait's study on the third floor.
Arush prayed to God and gently knocked on the door. They both entered his study after getting the permission from inside.
They meekly entered inside and stood in front of Advait who was busy dancing his fingers on the keyboard of his laptop. His focus was fixed on the desktop.
"Bolo?" He said without looking up.
Sadhwi nudged Arush to speak for her and Arush slowly stepped forward, "Bhaiya, wo aapne Sadhwi ko essay likhne ke liye kaha tha na usne likh diya hai bas wahi dikhane aayi hai aapko." He replied.
"Aur aap kaun, Sadhwi ke spokeperson?" Advait asked sarcastically, looking up at him.
Arush looked down meekly.
Advait leaned back in his chair, "Maine saath me tujhe bhi bulaya tha?" He asked, folding his hands over his chest.
Arush's gaze was fixed on the floor and he shook his head.
"To phir yahan kya buy one get one free chal raha hai?" He further asked.
Sadhwi was looking scared listening to Advait's each word.
"Out." Advait ordered.
Arush looked up.
"I said out, beta." Advait repeated.
Arush turned to Sadhwi, "Mai bahar wait karta hoon." He mumbled and left from there closing the door behind himself.
Advait's gaze locked into Sadhwi who was meekly looking down.
Advait sighed, "Come, sit here." He said, gesturing towards the chair across the desk.
Sadhwi slowly made her way to the chair and sat down on it.
Advait forwarded his hand and she placed her notebook on his palm. Advait carefully read each and every word. He turned the pages and read everything she had written. He was impressed that she hadn't copied it from the Chatgpt like his brothers.
"Good." Advait said, before placing the notebook on the desk.
She was nervously looking down in her lap, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Maine tumse kuch kaha hai?" Advait asked.
She looked up in confusion but slowly shook her head.
"To itna dar kyun rahi ho?" He asked gently.
"Sorry." She whispered.
"Har baat par sorry kehna chordo aur thoda confidence laao apne andar. Darna tab chahiye jab kuch galat kiya ho." He made her understand gently.
She nodded her head.
"Verbal response." Advait reminded, "Don't make me remind you again and again." He said, firmly.
"Sorry sir." She whispered.
Advait shook his head, "Tumhari age masti karne ki hai aur mai tumhe mana nahi kar raha par jo tumne mere bhaiyon ke saath mil kar kiya wo masti nahi thi, usse dadi ko kuch bhi ho sakta tha.
Mai to tumhe samajhdaar samajhta tha tum bhi un gadho ki baaton me aa gayi?
" Advait said and tried to keep his voice gentle.
"It won't be repeated, sir." She replied sincerely.
Advait nodded his head and took out a box from the drawer before placing it in front of her. Sadhwi looked between him and the box in confusion.
"Tumhare liye hi hai, open karo." He said.
She reluctantly opened the box and there was the new smart mobile phone inside it. Sadhwi looked up at Advait in confusion.
"Tumhare liye hai, phone nahi tha na tumhare paas. Isme hum sab ke numbers save hai kabhi koi emergency ho to call kar lena." He told her.
"But sir, mai ye nahi rakh sakti." She said hesitantly.
"Rakh lo, phone hona jaruri hai aur mai gift nahi de raha hoon. Tumne kaha tha na jab khud ka business start up karogi to paise wapas karogi to bas usi me add kar lena." He said lightly with a chuckle making her feel at ease.
"But sir, phir bhi ye bohot costly hai. Mai nahi rakh sakti isey." She looked down meekly.
"I don't want to hear anything. Keep it." Advait used his firm tone to make her obey.
She reluctantly nodded her head.
"Thank you." She said with a small smile.
"Padhai kaisi chal rahi hai?" Advait asked calmly.
"Acchi chal rahi hai." She replied.
"Hmm good." He nodded, "You may leave now." He added.
Sadhwi stood up from her place and started walking when Advait's voice stopped her, "Aur mere bete ka naam Arush hai, aalu ka chilka nahi." He said firmly but there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Sadhwi bobbed her head, "Ji." She said and ran away from the room.
Advait shook his head at her childish antics.
~________________________________________~