Chapter 149
Everyone went back to their rooms after dinner when Vanya entered the living room with a horrified look on her face yelling Aditya's name. Her face was contorted in worry, her eyes were filled with the unshed tears but the living room was empty.
"Adi!" She shouted and about to headed upstairs when Shreya appeared on the stairs.
"Kya hua?" Shreya asked, stepping down the stairs.
Abhishek, Sia and Arush also emerged from their rooms listening to her voice. Vanya forwarded towards Shreya with a panic etched face.
"Bhabhi, Adi kahan hai? Usne mere messages seen karke chord diye aur ab uska phone bhi switch off aa raha hai." She said frantically.
"He is in his room." Shreya replied and Vanya was about to move past by her when Shreya added, "Sleeping." She said making her stop.
"I need to see him." She murmured under her breath and turned back to go in his room.
"Ruk, Vani." Shreya stopped her, "Abhi wo so raha hai, usey disturb mat kar."
"Par bhabhi...
"Abhi, Vani ko ghar drop kar aa." Shreya said before Vanya could say anything.
Everyone looked at Shreya in confusion at her sudden change of behavior but they wisely kept their mouth shut. Abhishek went back to his room to get the key and gestured Vanya to follow him outside. Vanya took a one last glance at Shreya before heading out of the mansion.
"Bhabhi, aap Vani se itna strange behave kyun kar rahe the?" Sia asked, furrowing her brows.
Shreya shrugged innocently, "Mai to waise hi behave kar rahi thi jaise wo dusro ke saath karti hai." She replied and walked away from there without waiting for her response.
In Aditya's room, he was sitting on the chair scribbling on the notebook placed on the desk in front of him.
His hunched shoulders were clearly indicating his exhaustion.
His eyes were drooping and tired but his hand kept writing on the notebook.
He had clearly heard Vanya's shouting but chose to ignore her and focus on the task at hand.
"Adi." Advait's voice made his movement stop. He stood up from his chair but didn't look up.
Advait stepped inside the room and put his hand on the desk, "Padhai kar raha hai?" He asked, looking at his notebook.
"Nahi, naach raha hoon." Aditya replied in his mind but didn't say out loud.
"Kisi ke room me knock kar ke aate hain." Aditya mumbled in a grumpy tone.
"Sorry, sir." Advait replied, feigning a serious tone.
Aditya rolled his eyes, "Kuch kaam tha aapko?" He asked.
"Tujhse kya kaam hoga." Advait teased, pocketing his hands.
Aditya looked at him for ten seconds before looking away.
Advait gently held his wrist and guided him towards the bed before making him sit down on it.
Aditya kept staring at him without any word and letting him do whatever he had wanted.
Advait also sat down in front of him, cleaning his throat.
"Kya hua hai, mere bacche ko?" Advait asked in an utmost soft voice.
Aditya shook his head lightly, "Aap se baat nahi karni." He mumbled, looking down.
"Kyun nahi karni? Aisa kya kar diya maine? Teri galati par tujhe daant diya islie?" Advait asked rhetorically.
"Daantne ke baad manane tak nahi aaye islie." Aditya retorted.
"Aisa hua hai kabhi?" Advait asked, "Mai aaya tha par tu so gaya tha aur aaj subah bhi baat karne ki koshish ki thi maine, tujhe manane ke liye tere favorite cupcakes bhi laaya tha mai par aaj tune phir se mera dimaag kharab kar diya." He said.
"Aapka dimaag to har time hi kharab rehta hai." Aditya mumbled under his breath.
Advait heard him but chose to ignored it, "Kahan gaya tha aaj?" He asked gently.
"Beach." Aditya replied curtly.
"Kyun?" Advait pressed.
"Aise hi." He shrugged in response.
Advait asked, reading his eyes, "Kyun itna pareshaan hai, beta?" He asked while gently caressing his fingers through his hair.
Aditya leaned into his touch and closed his eyes receiving the familiar warmth, "Mai theek hoon, bhaiya." He replied softly.
"Vani se kis baat par jhagda hua?" Advait asked, raising his brow.
"Aise hi." He mumbled, looking away.
"Adi, kya hua hai?"
"Har baat batana jaruri hai kya, bhaiya?" Aditya asked, being irritated with his interrogation.
"Haan." Advait replied, without missing a beat.
"Mujhe nahi batani magar." He said, standing up from his place, "Aaj thodi der ke liye beach kya chala gaya, mere peeche guards bhej diye. Meri bhi life hai, mujhe thodi der akele rehne ki bhi freedom nahi hai kya?" He snapped, taking out all his frustration.
"Agar bina bataye jayega to yahi karunga na. Ek call ka answer nahi kiya tune, tujhe pata bhi hai yahan meri kya halat ho rahi thi." Advait said, the fear again gripped his heart.
"Kyun fikar kar rahe the phir? Baccha nahi hoon ab mai, bada ho gaya hoon kho nahi jata kahi, wapas ghar hi aata na." Aditya replied, circling the bed and slumping down on it, covering himself with the duvet.
Advait clenched his fist, calming himself down, "Phir ek thappad lagaunga to bolega punching bag samajh rakha hai." He said sharply.
"Samajh hi rakha hai." Aditya snapped, his voice came out muffled from under the blanket.
Advait took a deep breath and peeled off the blanket from his body in a swift move, "Jyada badtameezi nahi ho rahi hai?" He asked, glaring at his soul.
"To mat baat kijiye mujhse." Aditya mumbled weakly, snatching the blanket from his hand and again covering himself.
Advait stood up, exhaling sharply, "Adi, bas ek baar... ek baar mujhe aisa incident yaad dila jab maine tujhe bina kisi galati ke daanta ho ya maara ho." He asked in an offending tone, remembering his accusation.
"Meri galati thi islie maara, par meri jagah Aru ya bhai hote to aap nahi maarte.
Pehle unki baatein sunte hain aap phir gussa karte hain aur mujhse pehle gussa karte hain phir puchte hain.
" He complained, sitting up straight, "Aap unke saath bohot lenient behave karte hain aur mere saath utna hi harsh. " He said, looking down in his lap.
"Harsh behave karne ke baad bhi to ye haal hai tere.
" Advait said, pinning him down with a look, "Har dusre din koi na koi complain aati hai teri aur aaj tak tune meri konsi baat suni hai?
Tujhse maine teri vocabulary theek karne ko kaha, par tujhpar kabhi koi asar nahi hua.
Tujhse jhagda karne ke liye mana kiya, magar har kisi se jhagadta hi rehta hai.
Kam se kam un dono ko ek baar maar do to wo galati repeat to nahi karte unlike you.
Tujhpar meri kisi baat ka asar nahi hota hai.
" He reprimanded him in a scolding tone.
Aditya didn't reply making Advait sigh, he sat down in front of him, "Tu kya chahta hain? Tu aise hi galatiyaan karta rahe aur mai kuch na bolun? Agar tu mujhse ye expect kar raha hai to sorry ye mujhse nahi hoga." Advait cleared in a calm voice.
"Aaj aapne bina kuch puchein mera phone tod diya agar isi jagah Aru ya bhai hote to aap ye nahi karte." He said with hurt.
"Right, agar wo dono iss jagah hote to pehle unki taange todta baad me phone. Tujhe kal hi thappad pada tha islie kuch nahi kaha maine warna jitna aaj tune mujhe daraya tha na uske liye teri do teen haddiyaan tod deta mai." Advait said, the anger had again started bubbling on the surface.
"Aap aisa kuch nahi karte." Aditya said in a stubborn tone.
Advait took a minute and spoke up after thinking, "I'm sorry." He gently cupped his cheeks, "I made you feel like less than Abhi and Aru." His voice was heavy with the guilt making Aditya looked down, "But trust me baccha, mere liye tu bhi utna hi matter karta hai jitna Abhi ya Aru." He completed.
Advait inhaled before letting out an exhale, "And about your privacy. You're free to go wherever you want. Just drop me a message 'kay." He said in a feather-like voice.
Aditya just gave a short nod, "I want to sleep." He said in a distant voice, silently telling Advait to leave the room.
Advait's heart clenched listening to his distant voice but he gathered himself together, "Good night." He said, giving a gentle peck on his forehead.
Aditya didn't wait for him to leave the room and quickly laid down, covering himself with the duvet. Advait stood up from the bed and kept staring at Aditya's laying figure with tired eyes before making his way out of the room.
~________________________________________~
Advait went to his room and laid down beside Shreya. She shifted a bit and placed his hand under her head as a pillow, resting her face on his chest. Advait let out a sigh of relief, her only presence was like a calm to his chaos.
"Mana liya Adi ko?" She asked.
"Abhi nahi maana." He replied, "He is stressed about something." He said.
"Because of your princess." Shreya taunted, looking up from his chest.
"Matlab?" Advait asked in confusion.
"She had an argument with Adi in which she said she'll find someone else." She punctuated her words.
"Bacchi hai abhi, gusse me keh diya hoga." Advait said in a weak voice but the disappointment was clearly shown on his face.
Shreya sat up straight, listening to him, "For God's sake Advait, she is twenty three." She said in a hyperactive voice, "Bacchi nahi hai ab wo sahi galat ki samajh aaye utni badi hai wo." She said.
"Mujhe sab pata hai, Shreya par usey bachpan se jaise treat kiya gaya hai wo waisi hi rahegi na.
Hum ek dum se usse change hona expect nahi kar sakte.
I already knew, Vani ki immaturity ki wajah se inke clashes honge aur bas islie mai Adi ko le kar concern tha.
Unki ek argument ki wajah se Adi par itna affect pad raha hai, pata nahi aage kya hoga.
" Advait said and the tensed lines creased on his forehead.
"Clearly Vani ko change hone ki jarurat hai aur agar wo nahi ho sakti to mai doondh lungi Adi ke liye koi dusri ladki. Ladkiyon ki kami nahi hai iss duniya me." She said, the image of Aditya's hurtful eyes flashing in front of her eyes.
Advait rubbed his palms over his face, "Jise jo theek lage wo karo, agar wo dono khush hain to mujhe koi problem nahi hai phir bhale hi ek dusre ke saath ho ya alag." He replied.
He gripped her hand and made her laid down beside him, tightening his hold around her body, "I love you." He mumbled.
She smiled despite of the bubbling anger inside her, "I love you too." She whispered.
They laid down in each other's arms in silence, listening to their own steady and peaceful beating of hearts. Their eyes were closed and their facial features were softened in each other's embrace.
"Advait, mai phir se job join kar loon?" She asked.
"Since when you need my permission to do anything?" He asked, without opening his eyes.
Shreya smiled, looking up from his chest, "I'm just...
"You can do whatever you want, Shreya. Job quit karne ka decision aapka tha wapas join karne ka decision bhi aapka hoga.
" He said, looking straight in her eyes, "Just let me remind you.
You don't need to do anything but if you want to, I'm always by your side.
" He said in a soft, low voice, caressing her cheekbone with his thumb.
Shreya kissed on his jaw and he smiled flashing his dimple, "You're the best husband in the world." She said with gratitude in her voice.
"But how do you know about other's husbands?" He asked sarcastically, narrowing his eyes in a playful manner.
"Shut up." She gently swatted on his chest and a deep, soothing sound of his laugh filled the room.
He pressed a kiss on the crown of her head, "Good night, love." He whispered and she buried her face more into his chest.
~________________________________________~
Next morning, everyone was settled for having breakfast in the dining room when Aditya entered the room in his casual clothes. He was still not ready for the college, everyone looked at Advait waiting for him to say something but he didn't anything.
"Good morning, everyone." Aditya mumbled and sat down on his chair.
Aditya opened the lid of the bowl placing in front of him and there was his favorite white sauce pasta in it.
The rich aroma of the pasta captivated the air as soon as the lid of the bowl opened.
Aditya silently served himself, passing a small glance at Advait who was looking at him from the corner of his eyes.
Aditya digged the fork in the pasta and ate a bite.
The familiar taste engulfed his taste buds, swelling his heart.
"Bhai, aap aaj bhi college nahi jaoge?" Arush asked.
Aditya glanced at Advait before shaking his head.
"Maje hain yaar aapke." Arush pouted.
"Tujhe bhi karne hain maje?" Aditya asked in a sharp tone making him gulped. Arush quickly shook off his head.
Aditya was silently savoring the taste of pasta in his mouth when he noticed Vanya who was coming to their side and his expression changed. She quickly covered the distance between herself and Aditya before taking him in a tight hug.
"Kahan tha tu? Pata hai kitni tension ho gayi thi mujhe." She said, hugging him tightly.
But Aditya didn't reply, his hands were still on his sides. She felt strange when she felt his stiff body in her arms. She pulled back only to look at his emotionless face. Everyone looked at Aditya with confusion on their faces.
"What happened, Adi?" She asked.
"Nothing." Aditya replied, but his voice was cold.
Vanya was taken a back by his tone before the realization dawned upon her, "Oh-Uh wo kal jo bhi hua uske liye..." She said but hesitated before apologizing.
"Bhai, fruits pass karna." Aditya spoke up, ignoring her.
Abhishek raised his brow at his changed behavior but passed the fruit bowl to him.
"Adi...I'm sorry." Vanya finally spoke up.
Aditya ignored her, his eyes were not showing any ounce of emotion.
"Di, aap bhi baitho na breakfast karo." Arush invited her to break the awkward tension in the air.
But Vanya's gaze remain fixed at Aditya, "Adi, you're ignoring me." She muttered, her voice was small. It was the first time ever Aditya ignored her and she was feeling awkward and uneasy.
"Adi, kya hua hai? Baat kyun nahi kar raha Vani se?" Abhishek spoke up.
Shreya shot him a look, "Un dono ke beech ka matter hai wo handle kar lenge. Tu chup chap apna breakfast kar." She said firmly making Sia giggled.
Vanya kept looking at Aditya but he royally ignored her. At last she made a crying face and stomped towards Advait, "Bhaiya, dekhiye na Adi mujhe kaise ignore kar raha hai." She complained.
Advait glanced at Aditya before saying, "He is ignoring me too, Princess. I can't do anything." Advait replied.
"Bhaiyaaa!" She whined.
Shreya looked up at Vanya, "Tumhe kyun itna affect ho raha hai Adi ke baat na karne se. Tumne to kaha tha na tum koi dusra doondh logi, then go find someone else." She taunted in a sharp tone.
Vanya clenched her jaw looking away, "Maine gusse me keh diya tha, itni si baat ka bura manne ki kya jarurat hai?" She said after composing herself.
"Gusse me bhi soch samajh kar bolna chahiye, beta aur jaroori nahi hai ki tere liye jo baat itni si ho wo dusre insaan ke liye bhi choti hi ho." Advait gently made her understand.
Vanya looked down muttering, "Sorry." She said, "I'm sorry, Adi. Maine bas yun hi keh diya tha, yaar."
Aditya stood up from his place and exit the room making Vanya run behind him.
He headed upstairs with long strides and Vanya followed him, running behind him.
He entered the room and closed the door on her face when she was about to entered the room behind him.
She started banging on the door in tears mixed with anger.
"Adi, open the door." She said, banging on the door.
Aditya walked towards his study table and opened his book. He started chanting the words looking at the book, completely ignoring Vanya.
"Adi, please open the door." She pleaded, "Agar-Agar tune darwaja nahi khola na to mai tujhse kabhi baat nahi karungi." She tried to threaten him but it was futile.
She sighed when her gaze landed on the vase kept on the stool placed on the corridor.
She quickly went and grabbed the vase before coming back in front of the room.
She remembered the last time when she broke the vase and Aditya opened the door with a panicked face.
She smiled to herself and threw the vase on the floor, screaming loudly.
She started waiting for Aditya but gradually her hope shattered when Aditya didn't open the door.
Inside, Aditya had started writing on the notebook.
His grip on the pen was so tightened that his knuckles had turned white.
He flinched slightly when the sound of vase touching the floor echoed in his ears.
He closed his eyes, gulping down his urge to see her, if she was fine or not.
But in the back of his mind he already knew that she was playing tricks like she used to do before.
Outside the room, Vanya started crying feeling the rejection for the very first time in her life. Her ego had shattered into pieces, making her eyes teary. Advait approached her and looked at the mess she had created.
"What is this, Princess? Lag jaati to?" He chided gently.
Vanya threw himself in his arms and started sobbing, "Bhaiya, Adi mujhse baat nahi kar raha hai. Usne mujhe pe-pehle kabhi aise ignore nahi kiya." She sobbed.
Advait caressed her head, "I know, but galati to teri bhi haina.
Humein apne partner ki respect karni chahiye.
Unke humari life me hone ke liye grateful hona chahiye, unhe replace karne ke baare me bolna to door ki baat sochna bhi nahi chahiye.
" He said, soothing down her hair, "Tune Adi ko replace karne ke liye kaha to usey kitna hurt hua hoga. " He made her realize.
"Maine bas gusse me keh diya tha, bhaiya. I really love him, mai bhi usse pyar karti hoon. Usey chord kar kahan jaungi mai?" She cried and the tears fell down off her eyes to her cheeks.
"To ye baat bolni bhi nahi chahiye thi, baccha. Teri baaton ka bohot bura laga hai Adi ko." Advait said, wiping off her tears.
Vanya looked up at him, blinking innocently, "Ab mai usey kaise manau, bhaiya?" She asked in a low voice.
"Hmm thode efforts daal, make him feel special. Jisse usey pata chale ki tu bhi usse utna hi pyar karti hai jitna wo karta hai aur next time se kuch bhi bolne se pehle sau baar sochna hai." He told her gently yet firmly.
She nodded her head frantically, "Par kaise manau, bhaiya wo to meri baat tak nahi sun raha hai." She said, looking down at the floor.
"It's upto you. Naraaz tune kiya na to ab manana kaise hai ye bhi khud hi soch." Advait said and patted her head before walking away from there.
Vanya looked at Advait's retreating figure and stared back at the closed door in front of her. Her eyes were fixed on the door, glinted with determination. She had finally made up her mind that she would makeup to him and make him realize his value in her life.
~________________________________________~