Chapter 122
A day has been passed. Arush was getting bored as Sadhwi wasn't talking to him.
She was trying best to ignore him as much as she could.
She was only replying when he asked her something.
Arush was stressing because of her sudden change of behavior.
At night, Sadhwi didn't show up in the kitchen to help Arush with the dishes.
It was the last straw for Arush, he marched towards the servant quarter and knocked on her door.
Kaka opened the door and smiled at Arush.
"Aru, tum yahan? Kuch chahiye tha beta?" Kaka asked politely.
"Sadhwi." Arush replied.
Kaka frowned.
"Sadhwi se kuch kaam tha, kahan hai wo?" He asked clearly.
"Wo to ghar me hi hai, yahan abhi nahi aayi." Kaka informed.
Arush nodded his head and went away from there. He had started searching Sadhwi in the mansion and on the way he collided with Kalyani who was coming from the front.
"Kya kar raha hai? Dekh kar nahi chal sakta?" She scolded.
Arush ignored her and about to move past by her when she stoppped him.
"Kahan jaa raha hai itni jaldi me?" She asked.
"Sadhwi ko dundh raha hoon, aapne dekha usey?" He asked, his voice was stressed.
Kalyani's gaze hardened at that, "Wo nokrani?" She said deliberately, "Usey to maine bahar jaate huye dekha tha." She informed.
"Tameez me naam liya kariye uska." Arush glared at her.
"Ab nokar ko nokar na bolun to kya bolun?" She asked with a shrug.
"Thakti nahi hai aap din bhar itni bakwas karke?" Arush asked.
Aditya who was coming from behind snickered at Arush's statement.
Kalyani snapped her head at his side, "Tujhse hi seekha hai isne badtameezi karna." She said to Aditya.
"Thanks for the credit." Aditya replied, dramatically bowing to her.
"Apni aukaat me raho dono warna ghar se utha kar bahar phikwa dungi." Kalyani said, in disgust.
"Theek waise hi, jaise bhaiya ne saalon pehle aapko ghar se bahar pheka tha?" Aditya asked in an innocent voice.
Arush hushed Aditya, "Bhai."
Kalyani seethed in anger.
"Yaad aaya ya phir dilaun?" He added in a teasing voice.
"Advait." Kalyani shouted.
Aditya clenched his jaw in anger. She had always done that whenever she was losing the argument with Aditya, she dragged Advait in between. Arush looked at Aditya in fear.
"Ji dadi?" Advait asked, stepping down the stairs.
Kalyani glanced at Aditya before glaring at Advait, "Yahi seekhaya hai tumne in dono ko?" She asked sharply.
Advait sighed as he knew it was her another drama. He glanced at Aditya and Arush who were standing at a distance.
"Kya hua?" He asked.
"Is badtameez ladke ne mujhe ghar se bahar nikaalne ki dhamki di." Kalyani lied and pointed at Aditya.
Advait looked at Aditya, "Is that true, Adi?" He asked firmly.
Kalyani fisted her hands, "Tujhe apni dadi ki baat par bharosa nahi hai?" She asked in anger.
"Agar dadi aapke jaisi ho to bilkul nahi hai." Advait replied without hesitating.
Arush stifled his laugh.
"Bhaiya, inhone pehle kaha ki ye mujhe aur Aru ko ghar se bahar phek dengi." Aditya told him.
Kalyani pointed him a look, "To tum dono badtameezi karoge to yahi bolungi na." She retorted.
She turned towards Advait and said, "Ye tere laadle ne mujhse kaha ki mai bakwas karti hoon." She said, referring to Arush, "Aur iss ladke ne mujhse kaha ki tune mujhe ghar se bahar pheka tha." She said, pointing at Aditya.
Advait clenched his jaw, "Agar aapko itni hi dikkat hai mere bacchon se to wapas chali jaiye na, dadi. Kyun yahan reh kar pareshan ho rahi hain?" Advait said directly, keeping his voice low.
"Aur kar rahi hain." Aditya added and mumbled under his breath.
Kalyani gulped down in anger, "Tu in dono ko seekhane ki jagah mujhe ghar se jaane ko keh raha hai?" She said in exasperation.
Advait sighed and rubbed his temple with his fingers. He was so done with her daily drama.
He looked up at his brothers, "Adi, Aru maafi maango dadi se." He ordered.
"Bhaiya, humari koi galti nahi hai." Arush said in defiance.
"Exactly aur bina galti ke hum maafi nahi maangenge." Aditya added, his voice was low but clear.
"Dekh liya?" Kalyani said to Advait, "Apne laad pyar ka nateeza dekh liya na. Teri baat tak nahi maante ye, baakiyon ki to umeed hi chordo." She taunted.
Aditya balled his hands at his sides but kept his anger in check, "Hum bhaiya ki kitni baatein maante hain uska proof humein aapko dene ki jarurat nahi hai." He told her sharply.
He stepped towards Advait and hold his ears, "I'm sorry, bhaiya aapko disobey karne ke liye. Par aapne hi sikhaya hai jab galti na ho to jhukna nahi chahiye." He said and went away from there.
Arush looked between both of them, "Sorry bhaiya." He mumbled and left.
Kalyani was glaring in Advait's eyes. He sighed and joined his hand in front of her, "Unki taraf se mai sorry bol raha hoon. Please iss ghar me thodi shaanti rehne dijiye." He said being frustrated.
~________________________________________~
Sadhwi was sitting in the garden. Her gaze was fixed above on the sky. Her eyes were watered. The emotions were bubbling inside her eyes. Her heart was aching remembering Rama's word.
"Maa, papa aapko pata hai na mai characterless nahi hoon." She mumbled, a tear spilled out of her eye.
"Maine kuch bhi galat nahi kiya phir bhi Rama aunty ne mujhe galat bola." She cried.
She started crying, her tears started flowing down off her eyes. Her eyes were red and face was wet with the tears. She was sniffling under the moon light.
"Tum ro rahi ho?" Arush's soft voice reached to her ears.
She quickly wiped off her tears and Arush came in front of her. She stood up from her place nervously.
"Kya hua, ro kyun rahi ho?" Arush asked, his eyes were concerned.
Sadhwi shook her head, "Mai ro nahi rahi thi, mujhe sardi ho rahi hai." She lied with a small pout.
"Bewkuf lagta hoon mai tumhe?" Arush asked firmly, "Subah se mujhe ignore kar rahi ho, ajeeb sa behave kar rahi ho aur ab yahan baith kar ro rahi ho. Batao kya hua?" He asked, his voice was firm but filled with worry for her.
She looked down and again shook her head, "Kuch nahi hua hai." She mumbled.
Arush sighed and held her hand in his. She looked up at him and he looked straight into his eyes, "Tum mujhe apna dost maanti ho na?" He asked.
She nodded.
"To batao phir kya hua hai? Maine kaha tha na mere rehte huye mai tumhe kabhi pareshaan nahi hone dunga." He reminded her.
Sadhwi's eyes teared up and she hugged him tightly. Arush was taken a back for a moment but softly patted her head to calm her. He hadn't placed his hand on her back as he hadn't wanted her to make uncomfortable. She was crying in his embrace, breaking his heart with each sob.
"Sadhwi, kya hua batao na?" He asked again.
"Wo-Wo Rama aunty..." She hiccupped.
Arush frowned.
"Wo Rama aunty ne mujhse kaha ki...." She told him everything. Sadhwi had told him each word Rama had let out of her mouth.
Arush's jaw ticked in anger. He was clenching his jaw so tightly that it had started paining. He didn't listen anything anymore and marched inside, towards the servant quarter. Sadhwi ran behind him trying to stop him.
"Arush, kahan jaa rahe ho?" She asked in panic, running behind him.
He didn't reply and kept walking, taking long strides. He reached to Rama's room and banged on the door. Rama answered, she opened the door but flinched back looking at Arush's furious eyes. Sadhwi was standing behind him.
"Kya kaha aapne Sadhwi se?" He asked in a cold tone.
The chilling silence erupted in the environment.
Rama gulped down in fear, "Ma-Maine kuch nahi kaha." She stuttered.
"Kuch nahi kaha?" Arush shouted and banged the door, making her flinch.
The other house helpers came out of their rooms listening to his loud voice. They were looking at the scene curiously.
"Beta, kya hua?" Kaka stepped forward and asked.
Sadhwi looked down, Arush looked at her and kept his mouth shut. He hadn't wanted kaka to know about this, so he calmed down his boiling anger and sharply glared at Rama.
"Apna samaan pack kar lijiye aur kal subah hote hi yahan se chali jana." Arush told her, his voice was calm but dangerous.
Rama's face turned pale in fear, "Nahi nahi sir please aisa mat kariye. Mujhse galti ho gayi par mujhe job se mat nikaliye please." She pleaded.
"Aapke jaisi soch wale logon ke liye humare ghar me naa to koi jagah hai aur na koi kaam." He replied through gritted teeth.
The others were in shocked as they were seeing Arush's this side for the first time.
Arush looked over at everyone before announcing, "Please aap sab log apne rooms me jaiye."
They all went back inside their rooms but kaka remained standing there. Arush gestured to Sadhwi to take him back to his room and she obeyed.
Arush shifted his stern gaze on Rama and said, "Yaad rahe. Kal subah aap mujhe nazar nahi aani chahiye." He warned and left the place in anger.
~________________________________________~
The next day was the most unexpected day for the Malhotras.
Advait and Abhishek were in office. Advait and Arush were in college.
Shreya was sitting in the living room crossing her one leg over the another.
She was reading a fashion magazine, a cup of coffee was in her hand and she was sipping on it in between.
She was engrossed in the reading when she sensed a presence and looked up but her face turned in confusion and anger when she looked at the person in front of her.
Kalyani and Amrinder were standing in front of her but with them Angad was also there. He was sitting on a wheel chair, a bandage was wrapped on his head and a sling was attached to his shoulder for supporting his hand.
"Ye yahan kya kar rahe hain?" Shreya asked sharply.
Kalyani snapped her head at her, "Tameez me." She said, "Mere bete ka ghar hai ye."
"Jahan tak mujhe pata hai ye ghar mere pati ka hai aur unke pita saalon pehle hi mar chuke hain." She said firmly.
"Shreya, apni jubaan par lagaam lagao." Kalyani raised her voice.
"Mere bete ka itna bada accident hua hai ye baat tumne humse kyun chupayi?" She asked in anger.
"Kyun doctor hain aap jo unhe theek kar deti?" Shreya asked.
"Maine aapko batana jaruri nahi samjha bas." She added, "Aap inhe yahan kyun le kar aayi hain?" She asked.
"Ghar hai ye uska aur ye yahi rahega." Kalyani declared.
"Aap jaanti hai na Advait iss baat ke liye kabhi nahi maanenge tab bhi aap inhe yahan le aayi." Shreya said in anger.
Angad looked down feeling hurt.
"Beta, Angad ko humari jarurat hai. Hum usey is haalat mai akela nahi chord sakte." Amrinder spoke up.
"Kyun nahi chord sakte? Jis insaan ne apne bacchon ko chordne se pehle ek baar nahi socha aap aise insaan ko chordne se pehle kyun soch rahe hain?" Shreya asked in irritation.
Amrinder looked down, "Angad ne galati ki hai, beta aur mai uske liye usey kabhi maaf nahi karunga. Par uska baap hoon mai, usey aisi haalat me nahi dekh sakta." He said in a heavy voice.
Shreya looked away, "Aap please inhe yahan se bhej dijiye. Advait inki shakal tak nahi dekhna chahte." She said.
"Mera beta yahi rahega." Kalyani said firmly.
"Advait abhi kuch din pehle hi hospital se aaye hain. Aap log kyun unhe itna stress de rahe hain." She said, trying to make them understand.
"Pota hai wo mera. Koi dushmani nahi hai meri usse par mai mere bete ko aise akela nahi chordungi." Kalyani replied. Her words were as sharp as her eyes.
Shreya sighed in defeat and picked up her phone, dialling Advait's number. He picked up the call on first ring, "Advait, aap ghar par aa jaiye." She said.
"Kya hua, Shreya? Sab theek haina?" He asked in panic.
"Sab theek hai. Ab bas ghar par aa jaiye mujhe kuch kaam hai." She said as she hadn't wanted him to drive in a hurry.
"On the way." Advait replied and hung up the call.
Kalyani started wheeling Angad to a room but Shreya stopped them.
"Kahan le jaa rahi hain aap inhe?" She asked.
"Kamre me." Kalyani replied.
"Jab tak Advait nahi aa jate ye yahi rahenge. Aap inhe kahi nahi le jayengi." She ordered her.
Kalyani was about to argue but Angad held her hand and stopped her.
After an hour, Advait had reached the mansion and entered the living room.
His eyes sharpened when his gaze locked into Angad's but his heart clenched at the sight of him on wheelchair.
He was covered with the bandages and this was the horrible sight for a son to see his father in this condition.
His nails were digging in his palms as he was clenching his fists tightly to control his emotions.
"What is he doing here?" He asked to no one particularly.
"Angad ab yahi rahega." Kalyani spoke up.
"Aur ye decision aapne kisse puch kar liya?" Advait asked, stepping towards her.
"Mujhe kisi se puchne ki jarurat nahi hai, Advait. Baap hai ye tumhara, uska bhi ghar hai ye." Kalyani said.
"Ye insaan mera baap nahi hai." Advait cleared in a dangerously calm voice, glaring at Kalyani's soul.
Angad felt a blow to his chest. His heart had shattered into million pieces listening to his son's words.
"Tumhare na maanne se sacch badal nahi jayega, Advait." Kalyani replied, glaring at him.
Advait closed his eyes, gulping down his anger and said, "Please inhe meri nazron ke saamne se le jaiye. Isse pehle mai kuch aisa kar doon jiska baad me mujhe regret ho." He warned.
"Advait, doctor ne kaha hai Angad ko dekhbhaal ki jarurat hai." Amrinder said weakly.
"To aap inhe apne saath le jaiye aur jitni marzi ho utni dekhbhaal karna magar ye iss ghar me nahi rahenge." Advait snapped. He was not in his right senses.
"Le jaate hum, humein bhi koi shok nahi hai yahan reh kar apni beizzati karane ka." Kalyani shouted, "Doctor ne Angad ko safar karne ke liye mana kiya hai. Wo jaise hi theek hota hai, chale jayenge hum tumhare ghar se. Raho tum apne biwi aur bacchon ke saath khush." She said and started crying.
Advait sucked a sharp breath at her melodramatic act. It might be a joke to her but only Advait knew how he was feeling looking at his mother's murderer in front of his eyes.
"Beta...
Angad said but Advait cut him off with a loud shouting, "SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP. Nahi hoon mai aapka beta." His eyes burned with unshed tears and face was red with anger and bubbling emotions.
Shreya calmed him down, "Advait, please shaant ho jaiye. Aapki tabiyat kharab ho rahi hai. Aap upar chaliye." She said and tried to drag him but he remained still in his place.
He took a long deep breath before furiously looking at Angad, "Aaj ke baad apne muh se ye beta lafz mat nikaalna warna mujhe khud nahi pata mai kya kar baithunga." His voice was shaking with the fury.
Amrinder stepped forward and joined his hands in front of Advait, "Please shaant ho jao, beta. Hum tumhara gussa samajh sakte hain. Par ek baar Angad ki taraf dekh lo. Wo aisi haalat me kahan jayega? Usey iss pariwaar ki jarurat hai. Please maan jao, beta." He requested.
Advait's jaw was clenched, he closed his eyes in exasperation before opening it, "Inse keh dena, mujhe apni shakal na dikhayein." He ordered and went upstairs.
Shreya went behind him in worry. Amrinder and Kalyani exchanged a look, they shifted Angad to a room and settled him down on the bed with a help of a house helper.
Angad was not looking at any of them as he was disheartened, looking at the hatred in his son's eyes for him. Advait's words were piercing his heart.
~________________________________________~