Chapter 131
Reyansh was walking behind Tia and she was walking ahead ignoring him. His face was scrunched up in a sulk but she was ignoring him purposely. Raj and Simran were looking at them with a grin on their faces and their eyes were glinting with amusement.
"Baby, baat to suno." Reyansh said from behind.
Tia stopped and turned back at him before resting her hands on her waist, "Maine keh diya na No means No." She said.
Reyansh sighed and looked at his parents who were enjoying the show, "Mom, dad aap log hasna band kijiye aur samajhiye kuch isey." He said.
"Par samjhana kya hai?" Raj and Simran asked simultaneously.
"Ye karwachauth ka fast rakh rahi hai." Reyansh informed.
Simran quickly stood up in concern, "Tia beta tumhe iss saal fast rakhne ki jarurat nahi hai. Tum pregnant ho na apna aur bacche ka dhyan rakho." She said.
"But mujhe fast rakhna hai, mom." Tia replied clearly.
"Mai rakh raha hoon na fast to tumhe rakhne ki kya jarurat hai." Reyansh said, "Tum bologi to mai do din fast rakh lunga ek din tumhari taraf se ek din meri taraf se. Par tum fast mat rakho please baby." He made her understand.
"Rey sahi keh raha hai, beta." Raj spoke up from behind.
Tia looked at all of them in exasperation, "Mai aap logo ka concern samajh rahi hoon par aapki beti itni bhi kamjor nahi hai. Mai manage kar lungi please." Tia said in a requesting tone.
Raj and Simran looked at each other before sighing, "Theek hai." They said.
Tia looked at Reyansh with pleading eyes and he also sighed, "Fine, rakh lo tum fast." He said.
A voice echoed in the hall pausing everyone, "What? Bhabhi aap fast rakh rahe ho?" Vanya's hyperactive voice reached their ears and they all slapped their heads simultaneously.
~________________________________________~
At night, the Malhotra Mansion was decorated with the lights and the candles.
Reyansh and his family had gathered there to celebrate the karwachauth together.
Sia with her parents was also present there.
Simran was telling the karwachauth vrat katha and the ladies with their husbands were listening to her.
The younger ones were talking and laughing in the other corner of the hall.
The room was buzzing with the positive energy and love.
"Let's play something." Aditya suggested.
"Yesss!" Arush and Vanya replied excitedly.
Aditya looked at Sia and Abhishek expectantly. They both glanced at each other before nodding their heads. Arush quickly ran to Sadhwi's room to get her there to play with them.
"But khel kya rahe ho?" Sia asked.
"Truth and dare." Abhishek spoke up before Aditya could.
Aditya raised his brow at him but kept silent.
Arush had returned with Sadhwi who happily took her seat beside Arush.
Aditya bring a water bottle before twirling it around.
Everyone was looking at the water bottle with curiosity and a slight of fear.
The cap of the bottle had pointed towards Vanya and everyone cheered while some were sighed in relief.
"Truth or dare?" Arush asked her.
"Dare." Vanya said with a smirk.
"I dare you to kiss someone." Aditya said with a grin expecting a kiss.
Abhishek lightly whacked Aditya's head making him pout but his pout grew bigger when Vanya leaned forward and pecked Sia's cheek to complete her dare.
"Vanuuuu! Ye cheating hai." Aditya sulked.
"Koi cheating nahi hai, Vani di ne apna dare complete kiya hai." Arush said in her defense.
Vanya grinned widely and winked at Arush who teasingly laughed at Aditya. He again turned the bottle and it pointed at Sadhwi. Her expression turned into a scared puppy but she kept a small smile on her face.
"Dare." She hesitantly said.
Aditya grinned mischievously, "I dare you to go to bhaiya and say, 'Aapke bhai ka naam Arush nahi Alu ka chilka hona chahiye tha'." He said making Sadhwi's face turned pale.
Arush pouted, "Mujhe kyun toda?" He asked, feigning hurt.
Sadhwi quickly shook her head in denial, "Tr-Truth maine truth choose kiya hai." She flipped.
"Tumne dare choose kiya tha aur ab tumhe ye dare karna padega warna humare yahan jo dare complete nahi karta uske saath pata hai kya hota hai...." Vanya said and tried to make a threatening story.
"Kya hota hai?" Sadhwi asked horrified.
"Pata nahi, kyunki humare yahan sab dare complete karte hain." Vanya said with a shrug.
Sadhwi made a crying face and again shook her head.
"Kyun preshaan kar rahe ho usey, jab usey nahi karna to rehne do na." Abhishek said in her rescue.
"Exactly." Arush agreed.
"No. Nope. Never." Aditya and Vanya said together.
"Dare choose kiye hai to poora bhi karna padega." Aditya said.
"Go and complete your dare." Vanya said.
"Abhi?" Sadhwi asked in fear.
"Haww Abhi bhai se seedha Abhi?" Vanya asked with a gasp.
Abhishek whacked her, "Uska matlab hai abhi matlab now." He said to Vanya.
Aditya and Vanya bobbed their heads. Sadhwi reluctantly stood up and made her way towards Advait who was standing behind with the Reyansh.
She slowly walked to his side and stood beside him making a safe distance.
Advait looked at her, his arms were draped over his chest and he raised a brow looking at her in an intimidating way making her scared.
Aditya, Vanya with others were looking at her from a distance with amusement.
"Aap-Aapse kuch kehna tha?" Sadhwi stuttered.
"Hmm." Advait hummed in response.
Sadhwi looked around nervously before taking deep breaths, "Wo-Uh aapka... aapka... "
"Aage." Advait said in his deep voice making her gulped down.
"Wo aapka bhai, Arush uska naam Alu-Alu ka chi-chilka hona chahiye tha." She said in a barely audible voice. She was looking like a small puppy.
Reyansh who was standing beside him burst into a laughter catching everyone's attention. Advait and the other ladies glared at him and he quickly muttered a small apology before composing himself.
"Alu ka chilka? Wah kya naam hai." Reyansh said to Sadhwi who grinned in response.
"Haina?" She asked with a wide grin but shut her mouth down when Advait glared at her soul.
"Si-Sir, maine kuch nahi kiya, Aditya sir ne mujhe dare diya tha." She said in a one breath, defending herself.
Advait's gaze roamed around the room and landed on the Aditya who was grinning from the other side of the hall but gulped down when Advait passed him a death glare. Aditya with the others had quickly turned back their heads and sat up straight.
Advait shifted his gaze at Sadhwi before speaking, "Us gadhe ki sangat me rehna band kar do." He said making her bobbed her head, "Bigaad dega tumhe abhi."
She quickly ran away from there and Reyansh laughed at her scared expression, "Tu bhi kya bacchon ka darata rehta hai." He said.
"Darte hain tab bhi to ye haal hai inka." Advait muttered, shaking his head in exasperation.
~________________________________________~
The ladies with their husbands made their ways on the terrace which was decorated with the lights and white curtains. The candles were lighted up and set on the edge of the terrace enchanting it's beauty. Everyone was standing in the line and their husbands were standing in front of them.
"Ye chaand nikalne me itna time kyun laga raha hai, bhookh lag rahi hai." Reyansh said.
"Tum to do din ka fast rakhne wale the. Ab kya hua Mr. Khurana?" Tia teased.
Reyansh pouted at her teasing making everyone chuckled.
"Tia tum baith jao, kitni der khadi rahogi?" Shreya said in concern.
Tia smiled and sat down on the cushion couch placed on the terrace.
"Chaand aa gaya." Tripti squealed in happiness, pointing at the moon in the sky.
"Humara chaand to kab se humare saamne khada hai." Her husband, Amrit replied making her blush.
"Arey sasur ji, iss umar me flirting shobha nahi deti aapko." Reyansh said in a playful tone and Tia slapped his arm.
Everyone laughed and started doing the rituals.
The ladies had done the aarti of their husbands and applied the tilak on their foreheads.
Then, they handed them the thaal of aarti before picking up the strainer.
A diya was settled on the edge of the strainer.
They looked at the moon through the strainer and then shifted it in front of their husbands.
The husbands made them drink the water and fed them the sweet.
The ladies had done the same to their husbands as they all were keeping fast for their wives.
They hugged each other and happily made their ways downstairs.
In the garden, Abhishek was sitting on the bench and Sia was sitting beside him. They both were looking at the moon, there was a peaceful silence between them. Their heart were at peace having each other's at their sides. Abhishek looked at Sia but hesitation was clearly written on his face.
"Kuch kehna hai, Abhi?" She asked warmly.
"Kuch puchna hai." He said.
"Pucho." She replied.
Abhishek took a deep breath before asking, "Do you love someone?" He asked catching her off guard.
Her breath hitched in her throat and she quickly looked away from him, averting the eye contact.
"Kya hua Abhi? Achanak se aisa sawaal kyun?" She asked, not replying to his question.
"Pehle maine jo pucha hai uska jawab do mujhe." Abhishek asked, "Kya tum kisi se pyar karti ho?" He repeated, not moving her gaze from her face.
Sia was not ready to look into his eyes so he gripped her chin and made her look into his eyes, "Answer me, Sia Kapoor." He said softly.
Her black orbs met with his dark brown orbs and she slowly nodded her head.
"Tumne mujhe pehle kabhi kyun nahi bataya?" He asked with a slight hurt.
"Tumne bhi to kabhi mujhe kuch nahi bataya, Abhi." She replied, looking away to hide her tears.
Abhishek exhaled a breath and murmured, "I'm sorry."
She hadn't replied.
"Can you tell me his name?" He asked after a long silence.
Her heart skipped a beat at his question and she hadn't dare to look into his eyes. Her eyes were fixed on something at a distance.
"I want an answer, nerdy." Abhishek said.
Sia was not ready to look at him. He was reading her face but she was looking away, "Please." He said in a low voice.
Sia's heart was thumping loudly, she closed her eyes. She understood that Abhishek got to know about her feelings and she was dreading for him to say anything. She took a deep breath, her eyes turned teary and she looked up at him with shimmering eyes, "I-I....
Abhishek's heart was beating loudly. His heart was in his mouth and it could jumped out at anytime. His heart was beating louder with the each passing second, "I love you, Abhi." She confessed making his heart stopped for a second.
In an instant, a weight had lifted up from her chest but her eyes were not moving away from his face to not to missed even his slightest reaction.
When Abhishek hadn't said anything and kept looking into her eyes, a lone tear had fallen down on her face at the silent rejection.
The empty look in Abhishek's eyes had stung at her heart and she broke into sobs.
"I-I'm sorry, Abhi. Mai-Mai humari dosti nahi kharab karna chahti thi." She said, breaking into sobs.
Abhishek clenched his fists and cursed himself looking at her tears. He gently cupped her cheeks and wiped off her tears, "Please stop crying." He whispered.
But Sia's hadn't stopped crying. She poured out her heart in his arms and broke down, "Mai kabhi humari dosti kharab nahi karna chahti thi Abhi islie chup rahi. Par mai tumse bohot pyar karti hoon.... bohot pyar." She said in a heart clenching voice.
She looked into his eyes, "Mujhe pata hai tumne mujhe aaj tak dost se badhkar aur kisi nazar se nahi dekha.
Aur na mujhe iss baat se koi pareshaani hai, tum meri feelings reciprocate karo ya na karo.
Tum mere liye wahi Abhi rahoge jo aaj se pehle the.
Mai tumse phir bhi utna hi pyar karti rahungi jitna aaj tak karti thi. " She said wiping off her tears.
Abhishek sighed and rubbed his palms over his face, "Mai kya bolun, mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai. Meri best friend mujhse pyar karti hai aur ye baat mujhe ab itne saalon baad pata chal rahi hai. It's like a shock to me." He said in an honest tone.
"Humare beech kuch nahi badalega na, Abhi? Hum aise hi dost rahenge na?" Sia asked in a fear of losing her only best friend.
Abhishek's heart ached at her words. He looked at her and cupped her cheeks, "Kuch nahi badalega." He reassured her.
"Agar mai tumse kahun ki mai tumse shaadi karna chahta hoon to kya tum karogi?" He asked her.
She was taken a back for a moment at his unexpected question. She blinked in hurt, "Tum mujh par taras kha rahe ho, Abhi?" She asked in a small voice.
"Kaisi baat kar rahi ho, Siyu?" Abhishek said in a disapproving tone, "Mai bas apni galati sudharna chahta hoon."
"Kaisi galati?" Sia asked.
"Wahi galati jo maine tumhara pyar na dekh kar ki hai.
" Abhishek said, "I really want to marry you, Sia.
Mai aage badhna chahta hoon. Mai tumse pyar karunga ya nahi iss cheez ka waada nahi kar sakta par iss rishte me mai kabhi tumhe akela feel nahi hone dunga.
Humesha tumhe wo respect aur loyalty dunga jo tum meri life partner hone ke naate deserve karti ho.
Humesha tumhari khushiyon ka khayal rakhunga aur kabhi tumhari aankhon me aansu nahi aane dunga.
Just give me a chance. Please Sia." He confessed his feelings to her.
Sia was looking at him in disbelief, she was shocked it would be an understatement.
She had never imagined in her life that Abhishek would say those words to her and asked her to marry him but it happened and she was out of words.
She was not even breathing too loudly in a fear that this moment would have slipped away from her eyes.
Her heart was screaming at her to agree with him but she wasn't able to put her feelings into words.
"I'm not forcing you, Sia. Tum agar mana karna chahti ho to kar sakti ho." He said to her in a reassuring voice.
Sia shook her head with tears flowing down on her cheeks. A smile was crept over her face as she was unable to believe what was happening to her.
"Siyu yaar ro mat." Abhishek purred.
"I want to marry you, Abhi. I love you." She whispered.
Abhishek smiled listening to her response and pulled her in a tight hug.
Sia wrapped her arms around him, she was over the moon.
Her cheeks were hurting as she couldn't stop herself from smiling widely.
They stayed in each other's arms under the soft glow of moonlight.
The moon was the witness of the blooming feelings between the two pure souls.
~________________________________________~
Everyone was sitting for the dinner. Raj met with his friend Angad and talked to him, Angad had told him everything but Raj hadn't forgave him.
He was still mad at him for leaving his kids alone, for burdening Advait with his responsibilities.
Now, everyone was gathered on the dining table except for Angad.
He had his dinner alone in his room. Abhishek and Sia had decided to inform their families about their decision to marry each other.
Abhishek cleared his throat before saying, "Mujhe aur Sia ko aap sab se ek baat karni hai."
Everyone looked up at them but Tia's ears perked up instantly and she looked at both of them in curiosity.
"Batao beta." Tripti said.
"Mai aur Abhi ek dusre se shaadi karna chahte hain." Sia declared.
The room fell into the silence and then a wide smile crept over their faces. Advait smiled in relief listening to this and the youngers cheered up but Tia... her face remained froze. She looked between Sia and Abhi with glaring eyes.
"Aur ye tum dono ne kisse puch kar decide kiya?" Tia spoke up, standing up from his seat.
Tripti eyed Tia to calm down and Simran spoke up, "Sia aur Abhi dono hi bade ho gaye hain beta apne decisions khud le sakte hain." She said gently.
"Magar itna bada decision bina puche nahi le sakte." Tia said angrily.
Reyansh gently held her hand and tried to calm her down.
"Bhabhi, aap to aise react kar rahe ho jaise Sia di aur Abhi bhai bhaag kar shaadi karke aa gaye ho aur tab aapko bata rahe ho." Vanya joked.
Tia snapped her gaze at her, "Badon ki baaton ke beech me nahi bola karte, Vanya." She said sharply making her pout.
Aditya wrapped a protective arm around Vanya.
"Ye sab tune kiya hai na, Advait?" Tia accused him.
Advait raised his brow before speaking sarcastically, "Pregnancy mood swings right?"
She banged the table in anger, "Baby." Reyansh hushed her.
"Don't you dare give me your sarcastic remarks." She said, "Sia aur Abhi ki shaadi nahi hogi."
Advait fumed in anger and about to stand up when Shreya held his hand, silently telling him to calm down.
"Agar wo dono shaadi karna chahte hain to isme problem kya hai, Tia?" Shreya asked in confusion.
"Problem hai. Mujhe problem hai." Tia replied stubbornly.
Sia stood up and said, "Aap overreact kar rahi hain, di. Ye decision maine aur Abhi ne liya hai."
"Baby, please shaant hojao. Stress lena tumhare liye accha nahi hai." Reyansh whispered to her in a gentle tone.
Tia took a deep breath and looked at Abhishek, "Mujhe Abhi se baat karni hai...akele me." She said.
Abhishek nodded his head and stood up. They went to a hallway and stood in front of each other. Tia was glaring at his soul and Abhishek was silently looking at her. There was the thin tension hung up in the air.
"Mujhe sacch sacch bata Abhi, tujhe Advait ne force kiya haina Sia se shaadi karne ke liye?" She asked firmly.
Abhishek furrowed his brow in confusion, "Mujhe kisi ne kuch nahi kaha hai, Tia." He replied clearly.
"To phir achanak se tujhe Sia par pyar kaise aa gaya. Jahan tak mujhe yaad hai kal tak to tu uss Raichand ke pyar me pagal tha na." Her tone was sharp.
"Karta tha. Mai usse pyar karta tha." Abhishek said, gulping down the hurt, "Par ab mai aage badhna chahta hoon...
"Aur aage badhne ke liye meri behen ko use karna chahte ho?" She accused.
"What's wrong with you, Tia?" Abhishek asked incredulously, "You're assuming things on your own.
Mai Sia ke saath apni zindagi ki ek nayi shuruaat karna chahta hoon.
" He said, "Mujhe pata hai Sia ki behen hone ke naate aapko uski fikar hai par itna to aap mujhe bhi jaanti hain mai kabhi usey takleef nahi dunga.
Mai usse poore dil se shaadi karna chahta hoon aur rishta nibhana chahta hoon. " He made her understand.
Tia was listening to him without interruption.
"Maine ek baar apni life me galat insaan se pyar karke galati ki hai par iska matlab ye to nahi haina ki aap mujhe us galati ki saza zindagi bhar deti rahengi.
Agar mai Sia ke saath sacch me dil se aage badhna chahta hoon to isme galat kya hai?
" Abhishek asked with the guilt and hurt clawing to his chest.
"Tu mujhe galat samajh raha hai, Abhi. Jitni mere liye Sia jaruri hai utna hi tu bhi hai. Par mai nahi chahti ki tu ya Sia koi bhi jabardasti Advait ke pressure me aa kar iss rishte me aao." She made her point.
"Mai kisi ke pressure me aa kar ye nahi keh raha hoon, Tia. I promise mai Sia ko humesha khush rakhunga aur usey har wo khushi dunga jo wo deserve karti hai." He said and hold her hand reassuringly.
"I'm trusting you with my sister, Abhi." She said.
"I'll never break your trust." Abhishek replied in a promising tone but some promises are meant to be broken.
~________________________________________~