Chapter 127
Advait was looking at Abhishek with pain and hurt filled eyes.
Abhishek was looking down not able to see the hurt in his brother's eyes but to his surprise Advait pulled him in a hug.
His grip was tight around him as if he would disappear.
Abhishek buried his face in Advait's shoulder.
There was a silence between them not even a single word uttered because sometimes silence was needed more than words.
They kept hugging each other until the emotions inside Abhishek's cracked up and his tears started flowing out of his eyes.
Advait closed his eyes in pain listening to his sobs.
His heart clenched at the broken sobs of his baby brother.
"Tu mere paas kyun nahi aaya, baccha?" Advait asked in a voice just above a whisper.
"Mai aapko par-eshaan nahi karna chahta tha, bhaiya." Abhishek whispered back and tightened his hold around him.
There was a silence in the room and only the sobbing sound of Abhishek was echoing in the room. His heart wrenching sobs mixed with pain was stabbing Advait's heart.
Abhishek pulled back and looked at Advait, "I'm sorry, bhaiya." He whispered.
"Sorry to mujhe bolna chahiye. Mera beta itna pareshaan tha aur mujhe pata tak nahi chala. Sab kuch akele jhelta raha." Advait replied, cupping his cheeks.
Abhishek looked down, tears were freely flowing out of his eyes.
"You don't deserve this. My child doesn't deserve this pain." Advait muttered.
Abhishek controlled himself and wiped off his tears, "Ab pareshaan mat hoiye, bhaiya. Mai ab se sleeping pills nahi lunga sacchi. Aap meri tension mat lijiye." He said, looking at Advait's pain filled eyes.
"Kaise pareshaan na hoon? Mera baccha itni takleef me hai aur mai pareshaan na hoon?" Advait scolded.
"Tujhe pehle hi mere paas aana chahiye tha, baccha.
In pills ka sahara leni ki kya jarurat thi?
Tere bhaiya haina tere paas to tune kyun li ye pills.
Tujhe pata hai na iske kitne side effects hote hai, kitni dangerous hoti hai ye.
Sab kuch jaante huye bhi tu mere paas nahi aaya, itna bharosa nahi hai apne bhaiya par? " Advait rebuked gently.
Abhishek shook his head, "Mai bas aapko pareshaan nahi karna chahta tha, bhaiya. Maine aapko already bohot pareshaan kar diya hai....
"Ek aur thappad lagaunga, Abhi. Mera baccha hai tu, mai tujhse kaise pareshaan ho sakta hoon. Balki mujhse apni takleef chhupa kar tune mujhe pareshaan kiya hai." Advait replied.
Abhishek hugged him tightly, "I love you, bhaiya. Maine bohot galtiyaan ki hai aur meri sabse badi galti thi aapka dil dukhana mujhe usi ki saza mil rahi hai." Abhishek said and tears slipped down on his face.
"Faltu baatein mat kar, Abhi. Mera baccha sirf khushiyaan deserve karta hai aur jo tujhe bohot jaldi milengi." Advait said and the determination was flickering in his eyes.
Abhishek pulled back, Advait caressed his hair, "Tujhe kuch bhi sochne ki jarurat nahi hai. Ab se tu mere paas soyega, ye pills ke sahare nahi." Advait said firmly.
"Bhaiya, please...
"Mujhe kuch nahi sunna, Abhi." He cut him off firmly.
"Par bhabhi...
"Teri bhabhi se mai baat kar lunga. Wo bhi tabhi khush rahegi jab uska Abhi khush rahega." He told him.
~________________________________________~
In evening, Abhishek was sitting in his room when Shreya entered the room with a tray in her hand. Abhishek stood up on seeing her. She made her way to his side and kept the tray on the bedside table.
"Ye dekh maine tere liye kya banaya hai." Shreya said and forwarded a small bowl in front of him.
Abhishek's eyes lit up looking at his favorite gajar ka halwa.
"Tera favorite gajar ka halwa." Shreya said.
"Thank you, bhabhi." Abhishek said and took the bowl from her.
He ate a spoonful of halwa and his eyes closed in pleasure when the halwa savored his sweet buds.
"Kaisa laga?" She asked hopefully.
"Bohot tasty hai, bhabhi." He praised with closed eyes.
Shreya smiled beautifully.
Abhishek placed the bowl on the tray before looking at Shreya. Shreya furrowed her brows, "Rakh kyun diya? Poora kha." She said.
Abhishek smiled sheepishly, "Isme bohot sugar hai, bhabhi aur mai diet par hoon. Aapne itne pyar se banaya islie ek spoon kha liya ab nahi kha sakta please." He said, giving her puppy eyes.
Shreya narrowed her eyes at him, "Chup chaap saara halwa khatam kar aur abhi dinner me bhi khana hai. Aaya bada diet karne wala ab kya diet kar kar ke hawa me gayab hona hai?" She scolded.
"Bhabhiii." Abhishek whined.
"Kuch nahi sunna mujhe, itna kamjor ho gaya hai mera baccha. Ye kaisi diet hai jisme bechara insaan kuch kha bhi nahi sakta." She said.
"Par diet to aise hi hoti hai na." He sulked.
"Wo sab mujhe nahi pata, chup chaap isey finish kar warna teri diet cancel karwa dungi." She threatened.
"Accha theek hai maate, kha raha hoon." He said with a huffed face.
"Better." She replied with a smirk.
He picked up a bowl and again started feeding himself.
"Advait ne bataya mujhe sleeping pills ke baare me." She spoke up and Abhishek paused.
He looked down.
"Tune mujhse bhi share nahi kiya, Abhi. Hum dono to secret partners the na, phir tune mujhse bhi ye baat kyun chhupayi?" She asked in a soft voice.
"Mai aap sabko pareshaan nahi karna chahta tha, bhabhi." He replied slowly.
"Pareshaan nahi karna chahta tha, aisa tu kab se sochne laga? Bachpan me agar ek socks bhi nahi milti thi to mera sir kha leta tha aur ab itna bada ho gaya ki ye bolega mai aap logo ko pareshaan nahi karna chahta tha?" She reprimanded him.
"Wo bachpan tha, bhabhi. Ab sab badal gaya hai." He replied in a low voice.
"Tere liye badla hoga, mere liye aaj bhi tu mera chota sa Abhi hi hai jo apne bhaiya se daant khane ke baad mere paas rone aata tha." She said while gently caressing his hair.
Abhishek chuckled softly.
"Ek baat dhyan rakhna, baccha. Mai teri sagi maa nahi hoon par maine humesha tum teeno ko apna baccha hi maana hai aur apne bacche ko takleef me dekh kar ek maa kabhi khush nahi reh sakti." She said and pecked his forehead.
"Mujhe meri mom nahi yaad, bhabhi. Mai jab bhi unke baare me sochta hoon aap hi yaad aate ho." He replied before leaning against her side.
~________________________________________~
Arush was in college. It was Sadhwi's free period so he bunked his class to spent the time with her. He walked towards her class but she wasn't there so he called her to ask about her whereabouts and she was in the canteen.
He made his way towards the canteen when he reached there, his eyes burned with jealousy when he find her sitting with a group. There were three girls and two boys in the group and it made Arush jealous. Sadhwi noticed her from the distance and made her way to his side before excusing herself.
"Tum aa gaye. Aao mai tumhe apne dosto se milwati hoon." She chirped up in excitement.
Arush hadn't said anything and let her drag him to the table. She stood in front of her friends with Arush.
"Sadhwi yahi Arush hai?" A girl from the group asked.
Sadhwi proudly nodded her head, "Ye Arush hai. Mera friend." She told them and looked at Arush, "Aur Arush ye sab mere friends hai, hum same class me hai." She informed him.
"Ye humse tumhari baat hi karti rehti hai." A girl said to Arush.
It made him smile a little but he was unknowingly glaring at the two boys. He was happy for her that she made friends but an unsolicited jealousy was there. He shook hands with them and sat down with them but kept silent all the time.
The time passed and they all stood up for their class but Arush pulled down Sadhwi, "Tum yaheen ruko." He said.
"Meri class hai." She replied.
"Meri bhi thi par tumhare liye miss kar di." He replied, "Yaheen baitho tum, baat karni hai mujhe."
Sadhwi reluctantly nodded her head.
"Tum log jao, mujhe kuch kaam hai. Next class me milte hain." She said to her friends.
They all nodded and went away from there leaving them alone.
"Bolo kya hua?" She asked.
"Tum bolo." Arush said.
"Kya bolun?" She asked, furrowing her brows.
"Kuch bhi." He replied.
"Kya kuch bhi?" She asked irritatingly, "Tumhari wajah se mai apni class me hone ki jagah yahan tumhare saath baithi hoon aur tum mujhe bol rahe ho kuch bhi bolo. Kya chahte kya ho?" She asked in exasperation.
"Tumhe." He replied, without missing a beat.
"Huh?" She raised her brow.
"Abhi tak to tum bohot baatein kar rahi thi aur ab jab mujhse baatein karne ki baari aayi to chup ho gayi? Mujhse bhi baat karo." He said with a hint of jealousy in his tone.
"Tumne mujhe yahan tumse baatein karne ke liye roka hai?" She asked incredulously.
He shrugged nonchalantly, "Of course." He replied.
"Alu ke chilke....." She raised her voice in irritation.
A few heads turned towards them in curiosity.
Arush gasped in offense, "Ye kya tum baar baar mujhe Alu ke chilke Alu ke chilke bulati rehti ho. Arush naam hai mera." He said with annoyance.
"Par ho tum Alu ke chilke hi." She replied.
"To tum..." He tried to thought, "Tum bhindi." He teased her.
She gasped, "Mai bhindi?" She asked incredulously.
He nodded.
"To tum baigan." She retorted.
Everyone around them started laughing listening to this and they came out of their world. They glared at everyone before stomping out of the canteen.
"Baat nahi karna tum mujhse." Sadhwi said while walking away.
"Haan haan ab to naye dost mil gaye haina. Jao unhi se baat karo." He said from behind and changed his way.
~________________________________________~
In the evening Arush entered Advait's room. Advait was in the room, sitting on the bed and silently scrolling in his phone. He looked up when Arush entered the room.
"Kitni baar kehna padega knock kar ke aane ke liye, Aru?" Advait asked firmly.
"Aapko kya ho gaya hai, aap har baat par mujhe daant rahe ho, bhaiya." He said with hurt.
Advait sighed, "Daant nahi raha baccha. Samjha raha tha." He said softly, "Idhar aa." He told him in a coaxing voice.
Arush walked to him and settled down beside him. A pout was glued on his face and he was looking down. Advait gently cupped his cheek, "Kya ho gaya mere bacche ko?" He asked in a feather like voice.
"Kuch nahi hua. Aap daant lo pehle." Arush replied.
"Nahi daant raha meri jaan, ab bata kya hua. Kyun aaya yahan?" He asked.
"Bina kaam ke aapke paas nahi aa sakta?" Arush asked.
Advait closed his eyes, praying for the patience before replying, "Aa sakta hai."
"Par mai kaam se aaya hoon." Arush replied with a sheepish smile making Advait groaned in annoyance.
"Bata kya kaam hai?" Advait asked.
Arush looked down, "Wo mujhe aapse dad ke baare me baat karni thi." He said in fear anticipating Advait's reaction.
Advait's jaw ticked when Arush called him dad but he controlled himself as he couldn't deny a child to call his father, dad.
"Mujhe unke baare me koi baat nahi karni." Advait cleared out firmly.
"Meri baat bhi nahi sunenge?" Arush asked, giving him the most innocent look.
"Aru, maine kaha na nahi." Advait said.
"Unhe apni galti ka realisation hai bhaiya aap unko maaf kardo na." Arush said and Advait clenched his hands in anger.
"Aap hi to kehte ho na agar kisi ko uski galti ka guilt ho to usey maaf kar dena chahiye." Arush added, "Aur sabko second chance to milna chahiye phir dad ko kyun nahi." He asked.
"Out." Advait gritted out, controlling his anger.
Arush blinked, "Par bhaiy...
"I said out, Arush." Advait shouted on top of his lungs making him flinched out of his skin.
A shiver ran down Arush's spine when he looked at Advait's red eyes. He slowly left the room in fear mixed with hurt.
Advait breathed loudly and stood up before marching towards Angad's room. He bursted open the door, his eyes were filled with the rage. Angad looked at Advait in concern looking at his angry state.
"Kya chahte hain, aap?" He shouted.
Angad flinched at the audacity of his tone.
"Kya chahte hain, aap?" Advait again shouted, "Mujhse meri maa cheen li, mera sab kuch cheen liya aur ab....ab mere bacchon ko mujhse cheen'na chahte hain." He accused.
Angad slowly shook his head, "Tum galat samajh rahe ho...
"Galat samajh raha hoon? Mere bacche ki maasoomiyat ka fayda utha rahe hain aap. Usey apni jhoothi kahaniyaan suna rahe hain." He said.
"Maine kuch nahi kiya, Advait." Angad replied.
Advait laughed bitterly, "Aap kabhi kahan kuch karte hain.
Sab kuch bina kuch kiye hi ho jaata hai.
Meri maa ko dhokha diya, dusri aurat ke saath teen teen bacche kiye.
Aapne kahan kuch kiya? Sab kuch apne aap hi to ho gaya.
Aapki koi galti nahi hai." Advait said, his voice was unflinching and sharp and eyes were blazing with fire.
Angad looked down in shame, "Ek baar meri baat to suno, beta." He said weakly.
"Mujhe aap se kuch nahi sunna. Kuch bhi nahi." Advait cleared sharply.
"Ek baar meri baat sunlo, mujhe bhi samjho." Angad said desperately.
"Exactly." Advait shouted shaking the room, "Mujhe yahi dar hai ki aap kuch bolenge aur mai samajh jaunga.
Aap koi ghatiya sa reason denge aur mai samajh jaunga.
" He said, "Pata hai kyun? Kyunki aaj tak mai samajhta hi to aaya hoon.
Mere baap ne meri maa ko dhokha diya, mai samajh gaya.
" He said with a broken voice, "Meri maa pankhe se latak gayi bina ye soche ki unke bina unke bacche ka kya hoga, mai samajh gaya.
Mera baap apni saari jimmedaariyan mere kandhon par daal kar bhaag gaya.
..mai samajh gaya." His voice was low and shaking.
The tears were spilling out of his eyes, "Jo khud ek baccha tha, jisey khud apne maa baap ki jarurat thi uss insaan ko ek din me teen-teen bacchon ka baap banna pada.
Mai samajh gaya." He whispered and his knees gave up.
He fell down on his knees. The man who was holding so much inside him finally let it out.
"Mai sab samajh gaya kyunki mujhe samajhna pada, agar mai nahi samajhta to ye teeno kahan jaate. Aapne to inke baare me ek baar bhi nahi socha lekin agar mai bhi inke baare me nahi sochta to ye kahan jaate." He asked with pain. His voice was choking.
He looked up slowly at Angad, "Aur ab jab mai sab kuch samajh chuka hoon to ab aap aa gaye mujhe ek aur baat samjhane.
Mujhe na to aapki koi baat sunni hai aur na samajhni hai.
" He said and wiped off his tears, "Please mujhe aur mere bacchon ko akela chord dijiye aur chale jaiye yahan se.
" He stood up and walked out of the room.
Angad hadn't tried to stop him, it was the first time he had seen this much of pain in his son's eyes and he was so ashamed of himself. He was drowned in guilt for causing the pain to his kids.
~________________________________________~
Sadhwi was in the kitchen, helping a cook, Rajeev with the dinner. Arush entered the kitchen and cleaned his throat deliberately. Sadhwi glanced at him with the corner of her eye but ignored him.
"Kya ban raha hai?" He asked but she didn't reply.
He pouted and said, "Rajeev bhaiya, kya ban raha hai?" He asked to regain his proud.
"Dal, rice and aalu ki sabzi." Rajeev replied.
Sadhwi giggled and Arush pouted, "Ye alu ki sabzi banana jaruri tha kya? Kabhi bhindi banaiye." He said to tease her.
"Par aapko to bhindi pasand nahi hai." Rajeev replied.
"Ab bohot pasand hai." Arush replied with a smirk, standing by Sadhwi's side.
She narrowed her eyes at him before looking away with a huff.
"Waise Rajeev bhaiya aapko Adi bhai bula rahe the." He told him.
Rajeev looked up and nodded, "Okay sir." He said and leave the kitchen.
As soon as Rajeev went out of the kitchen, Arush quickly held his ears, "Sorry yaar, naraaz mat ho. Maine aise hi keh diya tha. Tumhe mujhe alu ka chilka bulana hai na bula lo par naraaz mat ho." He said out in one breath.
"Mujhe koi baat nahi karni tumse. Tumhari wajah se meri ek class miss ho gayi aur uske baad tumne mujhse jhagda kiya. Baat mat karo mujhse. Dosti khatam." She said with a pout.
"Okay dosti khatam karte hain. Rishtedaari shuru karte hain." Arush smiled.
"Kya?" She asked, furrowing her brows.
"Matlab ye ki dekho.... mai tumhare saath honest hona chahta hoon. Maine tumhe jab tumhare dosto ke saath especially un ladkon ke saath dekha to mujhe jealous feel hua. Kyun hua i don't know but mujhe nahi pasand aaya wo." He said with honesty.
Sadhwi smiled at him, "Tumhe jealous feel hua?" She asked.
He nodded.
She started laughing loudly, "Maine kuch dost bana liye islie tumhe jealous feel hua. Seriously Arush tum bacche ho kya?" She laughed.
He pouted. She stoppped laughing looking at him and stood in front of him, "Tumhe jealous hone ki koi jarurat nahi hai, Arush. Pata hai kyun?" She asked.
"Kyun?" He asked.
"Because you're special." She said and his heart skipped a beat, "Tum mere sabse acche dost ho. Sabse acche aur sabse khaas." She completed, looking into his eyes.
He grinned widely, "Sacch?" He asked.
"Mucch." She replied and turned away.
His heart was beating loudly and his soul was dancing from inside listening to her words. They both had started liking each other but was oblivious to their feelings.
~________________________________________~