Chapter 148
Aditya entered his room and closed the door behind him before locking it from inside.
The tears which were threatening to spill out of his eyes had finally flew down to his cheeks.
He made his way to the bed with wobbly legs and slumped down on it.
The harsh words, exhausted day, everything came back rushing to his mind aching his heart in a twisted way.
He buried his head between the hands and a choked sob escaped out of his throat.
His head started spinning, he was feeling a weight on his chest.
"Adi, baccha darwaja khol." Shreya softly knocked on the door but her voice was filled with the panic.
Aditya couldn't bring himself to answer her and the tears continued spilling out of his eyes.
"Baccha darwaja khol na, apni bhabhi ki baat bhi nahi sunega?" She said and a lone tear fell down off her eye.
Aditya wiped off his tears listening to her choked voice and spoke up in a shaky voice, "Mai theek hoon, bhabhi." He said despite of the uneasiness he was feeling inside his heart, "Thodi der akele rehna chahta hoon." He added.
"Theek hai, mai yahi intezaar kar rahi hoon tera. Jab theek lage tab darwaja khol dena." She replied as she wasn't having the good feeling to leave her kid alone.
Aditya closed his eyes in frustration and wiped his hands over his face before heading towards the door. He opened the door and looked at Shreya with exhaustion.
"Kya hai, bhabhi? Ek baar kaha na maine thodi der akele rehna hai mujhe to rehne dijiye na." He said with frustration.
Shreya ignored his words and cupped his cheeks gently, "Kya hua hai, baccha?" She asked in a voice that broke something inside Aditya.
His eyes misted again and he threw himself in her embrace.
Her mother instincts could clearly tell that something was wrong with her child.
She embraced him in a protective motherly hug and started caressing his back.
Aditya broke down into sobs in her arms. The only voice of his choking sobs were heart wrenching for Shreya.
She let him take all the comfort he had needed at that time.
He slowly parted away from her and she guided him towards the bed, making him sit down.
He looked up at her with red and puffy eyes.
"Sorry." He whispered, feeling guilty for talking rudely with her.
Shreya gently wiped off his tears and sat down beside him, "Kya hua hai? Vani se jhagda hua islie aisa haal banaya hua hai?" She asked.
Aditya looked down without any response.
"Jab tak tu batayega nahi mai samjhungi kaise, baccha?" She said helplessly.
Aditya closed his eyes before speaking, "We-We had an argument."
"About?" Shreya digged.
Aditya looked away hesitantly making Shreya nod in understanding, "Kisi bhi wajah se argument huyi ho, beta. Rishton me ye sab to chalta hi rehta hai, tum dono mature ho, decently solve kar sakte ho na." She tried to make him understand.
"Kar sakte hain, bhabhi but she said..." He said before saying the heart crumbling words, "She said, she'll find someone else accordingly." His voice came out choked.
"What?" Shreya asked, not believing the words.
Aditya gave a flat nod.
Shreya's eyes hardened instantly contrary to her previous soft features, "Then let her find someone else." She said in anger.
Aditya snapped up his head in shock, "Ye aap kya keh rahi hain, bhabhi? Aapko pata haina wo mere liye kya hai." He said with a heavy voice.
"Aur usey teri value nahi hai?" Shreya snapped, "Agar uske liye tujhe replace karna itna easy hai to kar lene de usey. Rishta ek taraf se nahi chalta hai, Adi." She said.
Aditya was not saying anything but only looking at her.
"Mujhe pata hai wo itni mature nahi hai, kuch bhi bina soche samjhe bol deti hai magar itni badi baat bolna theek nahi hai.
Tu bhi to usi ki umar ka hai lekin tune to kabhi usse aisa kuch nahi kaha.
Wo apni ye baat mean karti ho ya nahi karti ho par ye baat kehna hi galat hai.
" She said, with the bubbling anger inside her body, "Wo kuch bhi bina kuch soche samjhe keh deti hai, pata hai kyun?
Kyunki wo jaanti hai wo aa kar ek baar tujhse sorry bolegi aur tu maan jayega.
Magar aise nahi hota hai, Adi. Bohot ho gaya ab uska bachpana.
Make her realize your value." She said sternly.
"Bhabhi, par...
"I don't want to hear a single word in her favor, Adi.
" She said in a rarely strict tone, "Ab jab tak usey teri value samajh me nahi aati hai, tab tak tu usse baat nahi karega.
If she is regretting her words then she'll have to earn your forgiveness.
" Her words were sharp but true, "And this time, not too easily. " She added with finality in her voice.
Aditya slowly nodded his head understanding the depth of her words. He understood if replacing him was this easy for her then what was the point of being together. He had made up his mind, he would not easily forgive her this time.
Aditya hugged her tightly, "I love you, bhabhi maa." He whispered, "You're the best mother anyone could have asked for." He said, swelling her heart with happiness.
"Mera beta." She whispered back, pecking the side of his head.
He leaned back and sat up straight, "Bhaiya ko kehna mai unse baat nahi karunga." He said with a straight face.
Shreya sighed, "Tu phone nahi utha raha tha to dar gaye the wo islie thoda gussa kar diya, baccha." She said in her husband's defense.
"Thoda?" He asked incredulously, "I almost peed in my pants." He said with a scared look, remembering Advait's furious eyes.
Shreya laughed, gently flicking his head, "Koi baat nahi, abhi thodi der me aate hi honge apne bacche ko manane ke liye." She said.
Aditya nodded with a smile and Shreya continued talking to him for a time to divert his mind from all the fuss.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek parked the car in front of the hospital before making his way inside.
He asked the way to Sia's cabin on the reception and headed towards it.
His steps faltered when he noticed the Sia's name engraved on the name plate on the door.
He smiled before slightly pushing open the door without knocking.
Sia was standing near the chair wearing a white coat and reading a file which was in her hand.
"Aaj ghar chalne ka irada nahi hai kya, doctor madam?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe, crossing his arms over the chest.
Sia looked up startled, "Tum?" She asked with a smile. Her eyes sparkled up looking at him.
Abhishek stood up straight, stepping towards her, "Kyun tum kisi aur ko expect kar rahi thi kya?" He asked.
Sia rolled her eyes, "Ab ek dum se yun prakat ho jaoge to surprise to hongi na." She cleared.
"Hmm." He shrugged, "How was your day?" He asked, roaming his gaze around the cabin.
"Hectic." She said, letting out a heavy sigh.
Abhishek nodded and sat down on the chair, "Aur kaisa laga aaj itne din baad apne friends se mil kar?" He asked indirectly.
"Accha laga, sab log congratulate kar rahe the. Khush the sab." She replied, arranging her stuff.
"Sab?" He cocked his brow.
Sia looked at him before replying, "Haan sab." Then she remembered and replied, "Doctor Raghav was not looking so happy though but he congratulated us with best wishes." She said with a small smile.
"Why are you sounding sad for him?" He asked.
"Because he is a nice man. I hope unhe koi accha life partner mile." She said.
Abhishek gripped the edge of the desk firmly and his eyes glinted dangerously. He stood up in front of her and caged her between the desk in his arms making her gasped.
"Let me clear one thing to you, Sia." He said in a serious voice. His hot breath was touching her face making her thighs clenched.
Sia nodded barely, confused by the sudden change in his demeanor.
He leaned forward to match her eye level, "Shaadi se pehle hum dono dost the, wo Raghav tumhe like karta tha, that was fine to me.
" He said, "But now, you're my wife aur jo mera hai usey koi aankhein utha kar bhi dekhe mujhe bardaasht nahi hai.
" He completed, looking straight in her eyes, causing a tingling sensation in Sia's stomach.
"Avoid crossing paths with him. He likes you and I don't trust him around my wife." He said out loud and clear.
"He is not like what you are thinking." She said when he hushed her.
"Stop taking his side, Nerdy." He murmured softly.
She was about to say something when Raghav entered the cabin without knocking but stopped dead in his track finding Abhishek was also present there.
"Sir?" Sia muttered and Raghav entered the room fully.
Sia quickly turned around and looked between Raghav and her husband, "He is Doctor Raghav, my senior." Sia hesitantly introduced Raghav to Abhishek.
She turned towards Raghav, "And sir, he is....
"Her husband." Abhishek cut her off and spoke up, giving the pressure on the words, "Abhishek Advait Malhotra." He introduced himself and forwarded his hand in front of Raghav.
They shook their heads firmly, "Doctor Raghav, I hope you must have learned about basic etiquette but let me remind you once again. Entering someone's private space without knocking is a bad manner." His tone was chill contrary to his piercing gaze.
Raghav's face turned red with embarrassment and Sia quickly squeezed Abhishek's bicep to hushed him but he royally ignored it and continued daggering holes in his body. Raghav mumbled out a quick apology before turning back towards the exit.
"Kuch kaam tha?" Abhishek asked, stopping him in his track.
Raghav looked back, furrowing his brows before realisation dawned upon him and he turned towards Sia, "Kal Mrs. Reena ki knee surgery hai, I want you to read her file once again before the surgery." He said.
"Yes, doctor." Sia replied in a professional tone.
Raghav turned on his heels, practically running away from the room. Sia turned around to glare at Abhishek, "What was that?" She asked, resting her hands on the waist.
"Nothing, let's go." He dismissed the topic.
Sia shook her head at him before picking up her bag from the desk and they made their way outside the hospital to the car.
They both settled inside the car. Abhishek was buckling up the seatbelt when he noticed the Raghav who was watching them from the rear view mirror.
He had an uneasy feeling about him but for now he shook it off as Sia was with him and safe.
He started the car and she kept blabbering about her day, her friend Shanaya and everything that had happened in the day.
"Mai kya soch raha tha, shaadi ke baad hum dono kahi ghoomne nahi gaye." Abhishek who was listening till now suddenly spoke up.
"You mean honeymoon." She said in a teasing tone.
"Whatever." Abhishek rolled his eyes to hide the red blush covering on his cheeks.
Sia laughed out loud at his reaction.
"Kahan ghoomne chalogi?" He asked to stop her laughing.
"Maine abhi leave li thi, Abhi phir se itni jaldi leave lena mere liye possible nahi hoga." She replied.
Abhishek glanced at her but didn't say anything.
"We're married now. Ghoomne ke liye poori zindagi padi hai. Phir kabhi chal lenge." She said in a soft voice.
"Hmm." Abhishek hummed.
The car fell into a silence and in a few minutes Abhishek pulled the car outside the mansion.
They both headed inside and Sia slumped down on the couch with a relaxing exhale.
Abhishek went inside the kitchen and came back with a glass of water for her.
He forwarded the glass in front of her and she took the glass from him with a smile on her face.
"Thank you." She whispered with a grin, looking at his care.
She took a sip of water, "Aaj ghar me itni shaanti kyun hai?" She asked.
"Tum hospital me thi na." Abhishek joked, expecting her to laugh with him but she only shot him a look.
"Bad joke." She made a face.
"Bhaiya ne Adi ki class lagayi haina acche se islie kuch der shaanti hai abhi thodi der me phir se circus shuru ho jayega." He replied, this time she chuckled at his answer.
~________________________________________~
The dining table was set but the atmosphere was unusually silent as the two troublemakers were yet to join the table. Abhishek served the food in Sia's plate and then served himself. Advait and Shreya noticed it and exchanged a knowing glance with a smile.
"Kya baat hai badi seva ho rahi hai aaj meri?" Sia asked, her tone was low and teasing but she was really feeling happy to see him putting efforts in their relationship.
"Because you're on your periods." He replied.
Sia pouted, "Matlab periods jaane ke baad mujhe ye seva nahi milegi?" She asked.
"Nope. Phir tum meri seva karogi." He said.
"Kyun, phir tumhe periods honge?" She asked, making an innocent face, stifling her laugh.
Abhishek made a face, "Very funny."
"I know." She said proudly.
Abhishek gently cupped her jaw and turned it down towards her plate, "Eat your food. Silently." He muttered but the small gesture made her heart fluttered. She bit down her cheeks from inside and started having the food.
Advait and Shreya were still waiting for Aditya and Arush to arrive and as if on cue Arush came running to the dining table and sat down on his respective chair.
"Phir se late?" Advait asked, but his voice was gentle.
"Sorry bhaiya, wo Sadhwi gussa ho gayi thi usko manane me late ho gaya." He replied.
Advait winced, "Ek aur aashiq." He muttered, closing his eyes.
"Adi kahan hai?" Advait asked him.
Arush looked past over Advait's shoulder, "Wahan hain." He replied.
Aditya covered the distance and sit down on his chair. He silently served himself and started having his food without looking up from his plate. Advait and Shreya joined him and also started having the food. Advait was glancing at Aditya from time to time but he wasn't even looking up.
"Adi. I'm sorry." Advait said, making him stilled for a second before continuing eating the food.
"Don't say that." Aditya mumbled in a distant tone.
Advait kept looking at him, "Naraaz hai mujhse?" He asked, searching his eyes for any sign.
Aditya wanted to nod his head but his words betrayed him, "Nahi."
"To phir baat kyun nahi kar raha hai, baccha?" He asked in a feather like tone.
Aditya looked up from his plate, "Kyunki abhi thodi der pehle hi aapne iss bacche ki rail banayi thi." He said in anger.
Advait bit back a smile and ate a bite, "I'm not guilty for it. Mai to kal jo hua uske liye sorry bol raha hoon." Advait cleared.
"I don't need your sorry. I'm like a punching bag to you.
Jaise hi chance milta hai saara gussa mujhpar nikaal dete hain.
Aap kabhi bhai ya Aru ke saath to itna harsh behave nahi karte jaise mere saath karte hain.
Aaj bhi bhaiya... aaj bhi aapne mujhse meri problem puche bina daantna shuru kar diya.
Maine calls nahi uthaye, I know meri galati thi par ek baar bhi aapne mujhe apni baat kehne ka moka nahi diya, bas direct mera phone tod diya.
" Aditya complained, looking at him with hurt and pain, "Aur kal.
.. kal to uss Yuvraj ki galati thi koi bhi meri family ke baare me kuch bhi bolega to mai sun kar to nahi lunga obviously fight karunga but aapne usme bhi mujhe daanta, punish kiya.
Yuvraj ke bhai ne bhi mujhe samjha but aapne mujhe nahi samjha. " He continued complaining.
The dining room fell into a chilling silence. The heavy tension was hung in the air. Everyone was looking at Advait for him to respond anything to Aditya but he made a bite and ate it as if Aditya didn't say anything at all.
~________________________________________~