Chapter 150
Advait was sitting in the balcony. His eyes were fixed on something at a distance.
He was feeling so exhausted from inside, his suppressing emotions had started bubbling from inside to come on the surface.
His mind wasn't at peace, he leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh.
He rested his head on the chair, making his face turn upwards and he closed his eyes feeling tired when the old memory started flashing in his mind.
A fifteen year old Advait entered the living room with a joyful smile on his face. He was in the school uniform, his tie was hanging loosely around his neck and sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to his forearms making him look like he had come from the fashion show instead of school.
"Mommm!" He shouted loudly, as soon as he entered the living room but got no response. He pouted and again called her loudly.
Priya emerged from the kitchen, pressing her hands against the ears, "Yahi hoon mai, itna chilla kyun raha hai?" She chided him softly.
"Itne der se awaaz laga raha hoon, kahan the aap?" He asked, hugging her tightly.
"Kitchen me hi thi aur teri awaaz sunte hi aa gayi. Aate hi aate mom mom chillane lagta hai." Priya said, lightly flicking his forehead.
Advait pouted, "To aur kya aap mujhe do minute bhi nazar nahi aate to mujhe dar lagne lagta hai." He said.
Priya chuckled lightly, "Dar kyun lagne lagta hai? Ghar par hi to hongi na, apne bacche ko akela chord kar kahan jaungi." She said, caressing his hair.
"Bada pyar aa raha hai apni mom par." Angad said, entering the living room carrying Advait's school bag on his shoulder.
"Meri mom hai hi best." Advait said, grinning widely.
Priya narrowed her eyes at Angad, "Ye kya hai maine aapko kitni baar kaha hai isey school bag khud laane diya kijiye. Ab bada ho gaya hai, kab tak dusre iska school bag uthayenge." She said.
Angad put down the bag on the couch saying, "Arey aise kaise mera raja beta hai aur raja apna kaam kabhi khud nahi karte." He said making Advait laugh and Priya rolled her eyes.
"Itna sir mat chadaiye apne raja bete ko ki jab jimmedaariyaan sambhalne ki baari aaye tab kuch kar hi na paaye." Priya said, walking back into the kitchen.
"Sab sambhaal lega, ye mera sher hai." Angad said, ruffling Advait's hair, "Go change your uniform." Angad ordered.
Advait went away from there to change his uniform and come downstairs after a few minutes. He slumped down on the couch after switching on the television.
"Baccha, TV baad me dekhna pehle khana khalo warna tumhari mom hum dono ko daantengi." Angad told him in a low voice.
"Mom, kuch nahi kahengi..." Advait said this but quickly stood up remembering something, "Dad, I need your help." He said with a scared look.
"Ab kya kaand kar diya mere shaitaan ne?" Angad asked, raising his brow.
Advait smiled sheepishly before saying, "Jyada kuch nahi, bas teacher ki chair ke neeche bomb fod diya." He said with a proud smile.
Angad smiled widely, "That's like my boy." He said, clapping his hand with Advait's.
Advait grinned but quickly a nervous pout formed on his face, "But sir ne meri diary me complaint note likh diya aur us par parent's signature bhi kara ke laane ke liye kaha hai." He said.
Angad lightly whacked his head, "Tujhse kitni baar kaha hai, kaand kar bas pakde nahi jana hai. Tune to meri naak katwa di." He said, feigning disappointment.
"I'll do my best next time." Advait replied with a determined face.
"Very good." Angad praised, "Par abhi iss note ka kya karein? Mom bohot gussa karengi." Advait asked.
"Laa mai sign kar deta hoon." Angad offered.
"Par mom roz meri diary check karti hain." Advait said, making a crying face.
"Then, I'm sorry. I can't help you." Angad raised his hands in surrender.
"Dad!!" Advait whined, "Hum dono to ek team haina aur team members ek dusre ka saath dete hain, aise musibat aane par saath nahi chordte." He preached.
"Par mai agar tera saath dunga to mai bhi phas jaunga." Angad said.
"Wo to aap nahi doge tab bhi phasoge." Advait said with a smirk making Angad raise his brow, "Matlab?" He asked.
"Agar aapne mera saath nahi diya to mai mom ko bata dunga ki aap parso terrace par drink kar rahe the." Advait threatened making Angad gasped.
"Maine beer ko do mahine se haath bhi nahi lagaya hai." Angad said in his defense.
"Par ye baat mom ko kahan pata hai?" Advait said with a twisted smirk, "She'll believe me." He said with a wink.
Angad's jaw hung open in disbelief, "Tu to mera bhi baap nikla."
"Bas bas ab mai itna bhi kuch khaas nahi." Advait waved him off with a charming look, "Ab bataiye denge na aap mera saath?" He asked, cocking his brows rapidly.
Angad sighed, joining his hands, "Haan mere baap dunga mai tera saath." He said in exasperation.
"That's like my dad." Advait said proudly before hugging him.
After lunch, Priya sat in her room and called Advait in her room to complete his school's homework.
Advait entered the room with a scared look on his face but let out a sigh of relief finding Angad was also present there.
Advait sat down in front of Priya on the chair and slowly started taking out his books.
"Pehle apni diary nikaalo, baccha." Priya said.
"Mom, mujhe yaad hai konse subject me kya homework mila hai." Advait responded without missing a beat.
"Haan but mujhe bhi ek baar dekhna hai." Priya replied making him pout.
Advait looked at Angad for help and Angad cleared his throat, "Priya, aaj mai ghar par hi hoon. Mai Advait ko padha deta hoon." He offered.
Advait quickly jumped up on his place with relief, "Yes dad, aaj aap mujhe padha do."
Priya ignored him and looked at Angad, "Koi jarurat nahi hai, aapse padhega to phir se ye class repeat karni padegi isey." She said sarcastically making Angad pout and Advait burst into a loud laughter.
Angad glared at him with an offended look, "Padh tu ab apni mom se hi." Angad said and teased him, making a face.
"Nahi nahi please dad." Advait shook off his head, "Mom, aaj dad ko padhane dijiye na please." He turned towards Priya.
Priya glared at him, "Mere padhane se kya problem hai?" She asked, "Koi gadbad ki hai?" She narrowed her eyes.
Advait widened his eyes but quickly composed himself, "Gadbad aur mai? Never." He said innocently.
"Diary nikaal apni." She ordered.
"Mom, but...
"Advait." She pressed his name.
Advait pouted and slowly pulled out his diary from the bag. Priya practically snatched it from his hand and opened it only to find the complaint note. She glanced between the diary and Advait who was looking down with a nervous face.
"Kya hai ye?" Priya asked sternly, waving the diary in the air.
"Diary." Advait whispered earning himself a glare.
Priya stood up from her place and gripped his ear making him stand up from the chair, "Oww, mom... leave it's hurting." He squeaked in pain.
"Tujhse kitni baar kaha hai maine aise shararatein nahi kiya karte. Teacher ki chair ke neeche bomb kaun fodta hai? Manners nahi hai? Teachers ki respect karni nahi aati hai?" She scolded and gave a firm twist to his ear.
Angad stood up quickly, "Kya kar rahi ho, Priya? Ek hi to baccha hai humara usko bhi bina kaan ka bana dogi kya?" He said and Advait glared at him firmly, forgetting his pain for a moment.
"Chup rahiye aap, aapke laad pyar ne hi bigaad rakha hai isey." She said and left his ear.
Advait pouted and rubbed his sore ear, looking down at the floor.
"Go stand in the corner." Priya said, pointing at the corner.
Advait being a stubborn teenager, glared at her and stomped towards the corner muttering, "I won't talk to you."
"Drop this attitude, Advait." Priya warned sternly making Advait roll his eyes.
Priya ignored it and let him stand in the corner for thirty minutes. Advait was standing, glaring at the floor as if it had personally offended him. His legs started trembling from inside with each passing second but he kept silent.
"Come here." Priya said softly.
Advait came out of the corner but ignored her and straight went towards Angad who took him in a warm embrace. Advait leaned against him with a small pout on his face. Priya smiled softly and tried to pull him back from Angad's embrace but he kept clinging to Advait.
"Naraaz hai mujhse, baccha?" Priya asked softly.
Advait nodded his head, "Baat bhi nahi karunga." He said. His voice was small but stubborn.
Priya's smile disappeared from her face, "Aisa nahi kehte, baccha." She said.
"Aap jao yahan se, mujhe baat nahi karni aapse." Advait said and tightened his hold around Angad.
Priya gestured to Angad to take care of him and she herself went away from there. Angad soothed down his hair and made him look up at him.
"Mom se aise baat nahi karte, beta." Angad said.
"Kyun? Unhone bhi to mujhe daanta, mujhe nahi baat karni unse." Advait said stubbornly.
"Aise nahi kehte, beta. Mom ko kitna bura laga hoga." Angad told him.
"Kyun bura laga hoga? Unhone mujhe punish kiya to mujhe bhi to bura laga." Advait huffed, looking away.
Angad cupped his cheeks, "Aapki naraazgi sahi hai, par Mom-dad se mai aapse baat nahi karunga aise nahi bolte. Mom-dad ke paas aapke alawa hai hi kaun? Mom ko bohot hurt hua." He made him understand gently.
Advait's features softened slightly, "Itni si baat se hurt ho gaya?" He asked, innocently.
Angad smiled before saying, "Jab aapke bacche honge na tab aapko pata chalega ki itni si baat se kitna hurt hota hai." He said, lightly pinching his cheeks.
"Mere bacche?" Advait gasped in excitement, "Mai apne bacchon ko mom ki tarah punish nahi karunga, mai to unhe bohot saara pyar karunga." He said, his eyes sparkling at the idea.
"We'll see." Angad said with a knowing look on his face.
A lone tear fell down of Advait's eyes without his knowing. The memories of his mother always managed to make his heart clenched in a twisted way.
"Bhaiya!" A sweet voice made him flinch slightly.
He opened his eyes and looked at Sadhwi who was standing there with a tray in her hand. Her face was morphed into a concerned and worried look.
"Tum?" Advait asked, furrowing his brows.
"Wo mai kab se door knock kar rahi thi par koi jawab nahi de raha tha islie mai andar aa gayi....sorry." She said with hesitation.
"Koi baat nahi." Advait said softly.
Sadhwi handed him the cup of coffee and kept standing there, looking at him with concern.
Advait noticed her gaze, "Kuch kehna hai?" He asked.
"Wo-aap... aap ro rahe the?" She asked with fear.
Advait furrowed slightly when he felt the wetness at the corner of his eyes. He quickly brushed off the tear and composed himself.
"Aankh me kuch chala gaya hoga." He replied, gaining his composure.
Sadhwi fumbled with her dupatta, "Aap theek hain, bhaiya?" She asked in a barely audible voice.
Advait's eyes softened looking at the concern on the little girl's face, "Mai theek hoon, beta. You don't have to worry." He said in a reassuring tone.
"Aapko jo bhi problem hai wo theek ho jayegi. Koi bhi problem humesha ke liye nahi hoti hai." She said innocently.
Advait smiled at her, "I know." He replied.
But Sadhwi's face remained tensed, Advait noticed her and shook off his head slightly, "Itni choti si ho tum, abhi se itna tension le kar mat ghooma karo." He said, "Aage bohot moke milenge tension lene ke, abhi relax karo aur life enjoy karo." He said, affectionately patting her head.
Sadhwi nodded her head with a smile before walking away from the room.
~________________________________________~
Aditya was sitting in his room, the books were scattered in front of him on the bed.
His eyes were fixed on the book but his mind was somewhere else.
He was feeling guilty after talking rudely with Advait.
He was ignoring him because he hadn't wanted to break down in front of him.
He hadn't wanted to make him worry because of him.
But now he was tired, he wanted to run into Advait's arms and poured out all his emotions.
"Andar aa jaun, bhai?" Sadhwi asked, standing on the doorway.
Aditya glanced at her before saying, "Aaja."
Sadhwi grinned and entered the room with energy before slumping down on the bed.
"Kya hai?" Aditya asked dryly.
"Kisey?" Sadhwi asked.
Aditya took a deep breath, "Yahan kyun aayi hain aap, devi ji?" He asked sarcastically.
"Aapka mood off lag raha tha islie." Sadhwi replied.
"To aur jyada mood kharab karne ke liye aa gayi." Aditya retorted making her pout.
"Aap kal se itna sad hain islie aapse baatein karni aayi thi." She said.
"Aru ko bore kar ke mann bhar gaya kya tera jo ab mujhe bhi bore karne aa gayi." Aditya asked.
Sadhwi looked down with a sad face, "Theek hai, agar mai aapko boring lagti hoon to mai chali jati hoon yahan se." She said and started getting up from the bed.
"Oye nautanki, chup chap baith jaa." Aditya said making her quickly sit down with a smile.
"Hmm, ab bataiye aapko kya hua hai?" She asked, placing her chin on the hand.
"Kuch nahi." Aditya was quick to reply.
"Bhaiya se jhagda hua hai aapka?" She digged, looking at his face for any sign of answer.
Aditya looked at her and shook his head, "Nahi. I'm just not talking to him." He replied.
"Par kyun?" She asked, making a face from Advait's side.
Aditya sighed before speaking, "Because he... uh-i don't know." He said in frustration.
Sadhwi narrowed her eyes and Aditya spoke up again, "Wo mujhse meri side bina sune hi daantne lagte hain. Mujhe bhi to meri baat kehne ka chance milna chahiye."
Sadhwi nodded seriously, "Bilkul milna chahiye." She said.
"Dekha." Aditya agreed, "Tu bhi samajh gayi bas bhaiya hi nahi samajhte. Har waqt gussa karte rehte hain mujhpar." He complained.
"Koi baat nahi, aap unhe acche se samjha dijiye wo samajh jayenge. Unhe bhi aapko daantne me maja thodi na aata hai, aapki bhalai ke liye hi daant-te haina." She made him understand.
Aditya glared at her, "Kitne paise diye bhaiye ne tujhe?" He asked in sarcasm.
"Wo mujhe kyun paise denge?" She asked innocently.
"To tu unki side kyun le rahi hai?" He asked in an offended tone.
Sadhwi rolled her eyes, "Mai kisi ki side nahi le rahi hoon, bhai.
Mai to bas jo sach hai wo bata rahi hoon.
Bhaiya se galati ho gayi to aap unhe samjhaiye aur maaf kar dijiye.
Wo bhi to jab aapse galati hoti hai aapko maaf kar dete hain.
Aise unse baat na karke aap unhe hurt kar rahe hain. " She said gently.
"Maa-baap ke liye unke bacchein hi unka sab kuch hote hain aur phir kabhi kabhi unse bhi galati ho jati hai.
Unhe bas bhagwaan ka darja diya gaya hai warna hain to wo bhi humari tarah insaan hi na aur galati to insaan se hi hoti hai.
" She said and took a pause to let her words settle in his mind, "Wo bhi kabhi bacchein rahe honge, it's his first time being a parent too. " She completed.
Her last sentence touched his heart and he nodded in realization. His bhaiya was once a child too who craved for his mother's love, who had dreams of his own. A heavy feeling clawed at his heart.
"Ab to maaf kar denge na aap bhaiya ko?" She asked hopefully.
Aditya passed her a small smile and nodded his head, "Lagta nahi hai par samajhdaar hai tu." He teased, ruffling her hair.
"Kya hai bhai, poore baal kharab kar diye mere." She said, making a face and getting up from the bed.
She also messed up his hair making Aditya narrow his eyes and throw the pillow on her face making her run away from there, closing the door behind herself.
Aditya sighed and again started focusing on the books. He studied for fifteen minutes when a knock came on the door. He looked up and granted the permission to the person to enter the room. The door opened and Advait entered the room with a soft smile on his face.
"Ji bhaiya?" Aditya asked, getting up from his place.
"Kitna padhega, thoda break le le." Advait said, briefly glancing at the opened books, placing on the bed.
Aditya looked away without replying. Advait sighed and sat down on the bed. He caught Aditya's wrist and made him sit down too.
"Baat nahi karega mujhse?" Advait asked, looking into his eyes.
Aditya thought to tease him and looked away muttering a small, "No."
Advait let out an exhale before holding his ears, "I'm sorry." He said, sounding serious.
Aditya looked at him and quickly made him pull down his hands, "Don't do this." He said.
"Why?" Advait asked, "If I'm at fault then i have no shame in admitting it." He said sincerely.
Aditya kept staring at the bedsheets without uttering a word.
Advait gulped down a lump formed in his throat before speaking, "I'm really sorry, Adu.
Agar tu phone todne ke liye naraaz hai to mai tujhe aise das phone laa kar dunga bas mujhse baat karna band mat kar, mera baccha.
" Advait said, his voice turning heavy with each word.
"Mai naraaz nahi hoon, bhaiya." He mumbled, looking at him.
Advait kept glancing at him, his eyes were softened looking at the small face of his kid, "Kya hua hai, baccha? Mujhse share kar." Advait forced him.
"Kuch nahi hua hai, bhaiya. I just... need privacy." He said as he hadn't wanted to lie to Advait and he wouldn't be able to tell him the reason behind his and Vanya's dispute.
An unknown feeling clawed at Advait's heart but he calmed himself and gently cupped his cheeks, "I won't ever raise my voice on you let alone a hand.
I swear on you, Promise." He said softly, instantly making Aditya look at him, "Just don't... don't stop talking to me.
" Advait forced out the words from his mouth with difficulty as his throat was paining from suffocating his emotions inside him.
Aditya blinked, "I-I don't want that, I was just upset." He barely whispered, looking at the hurt in Advait's eyes.
"And I'm sorry for that. Tell me what I should do to make it up to you. I'm ready to do anything....anything. I just want my child back." Advait said, the desperation creeping into his voice. The fear of losing his closed ones came back flooding into his senses.
"You have me." Aditya reassured and pulled him in a tight hug, "I was just mad at you, bhaiya but-but that doesn't mean you have lost me.
" He murmured. Advait finally let out a sigh of relief, he didn't know he was holding till now.
His grip around Aditya was tightened as if scared of losing him again.
"I'll always be your child, no matter what." Aditya said, blinking back his tears, "Aapke bacche ko aap se naraaz hone ka bhi hak nahi hai?" He asked, gulping down his emotions.
Advait's eyes were closed in relief and a lone tear fell down on his cheek but he was quick to wipe it off.
He was not ready to be pulled back from the hug, he was feeling like he was hugging his child after a long time.
Finally, after a few minutes Aditya slowly pulled back only to stare into Advait's guilt filled eyes.
"I'm sorry, bhaiya." He mumbled, again hugging him.
"You don't have to, I was at fault. I made you feel less than Abhi and Aru...
"That was all... stupid." Aditya said out loud, "I just said those things to hurt you because I was hurt. I know what I mean to you. You love me more than anything." He said, burying his face in his shoulder.
Aditya pulled back and looked down in his lap, "I never wanted to hurt you, bhaiya. Aap meri wajah se pareshaan na ho islie aapko ignore kar raha tha." The tears spilled out of his eyes.
Advait gently wiped it off, "Mai teri wajah se kabhi pareshaan nahi ho sakta, beta bas mai tujhe pareshaan nahi dekh sakta." He said gently.
Aditya nodded silently, "I love you, bhaiya." He mumbled, leaning against him.
"I love you too." Advait responded. He felt like he was listening to these words from his mouth after a long time.
Aditya laid down, resting his head on his lap and closing his eyes. Advait started stroking his fingers through his curls, lulling him to a peaceful slumber.
~________________________________________~