Chapter 155
Sadhwi was already laying down on her bed when Kaka entered the room. He walked to her and stood beside the bed. She sit up straight, noticing his sharp eyes.
"Kya hua, dadu?" She asked softly.
"Maine tujhe gaon se yahan kaam karne ke liye bulaya tha, Sadhwi wo to Advait baba ne tera college me dakhila karwa diya kyunki tu padhna chahti thi." He told her, "Ab sirf padhai par dhyan de, mujhe majboor mat kar tujhe wapas gaon bhejne par." He said strictly.
"Par maine kiya kya, dadu?" She asked innocently.
"Iss waqt ghar ke andar kya kar rahi thi?" He asked her.
"Mai Arush se baatein karne gayi thi, yahan par bas ek wo hi to mera dost hai." She replied.
"Dost nahi hai wo tera, nokari karte hain hum log unke ghar me. Humari unki koi barabari nahi hai aur apni hadd me rehna humari jimmedaari hai." He replied sharply, "Sab samajhta hoon mai, ye baal dhoop me safed nahi kiye hain maine." He added.
Sadhwi looked down, "To aap chahte hain mai Arush se baat nahi karun?" She asked.
"Advait baba tujhe aage ki padhai karwa rahe hain, accha hoga tu apni padhai par dhyan de. Wo bhi agar tujhe aur Arush ko saath me dekhenge to galat samjhenge." He said, making Sadhwi look up to him.
"Bhaiya aise nahi hain." She mumbled.
"Par wo tere bhaiya nahi hain. Arush ke bhaiya hain, kuch bhi hua na to wo Arush ka saath hi denge aur badnaami hogi hum logo ki." He retorted, "Mai bohot dino se khud ko rok raha tha par agar maine tujhe abhi nahi roka to theek nahi hoga." He completed.
Sadhwi was looking at her lap with a small face. She understood what her grandfather wanted to tell her but she was not ready to let go of Arush's friendship. He had become her best friend, her confidant in a short time.
"Bas apni padhai par dhyan do aur ek acchi nokri karo, humein unka ehsaan bhi chukana hai." Kaka reminded her and walked to his bed, leaving Sadhwi with her thoughts.
~________________________________________~
It was early in the morning and Abhishek was already in the gym doing his workout.
He was waiting for Aditya and Arush to arrive but it was already past the time.
He sighed and exited the gym before walking towards their rooms. Abhishek entered Aditya's room who was sitting on the bed and tying the laces of his shoes.
"Bohot jaldi uth gaya." Abhishek taunted, standing on the doorway.
Aditya stood up on seeing him, "Neend nahi khuli, bhai." He replied in a groggy voice.
"Chal aaj teri acche se neend kholta hoon." Abhishek threatened before disappearing from there.
He made his way towards Arush's room who was sprawling over the bed. The blanket was tangled between his legs and a pout was formed on his face. Abhishek gritted his teeth in annoyance and walked to him before snatching the blanket off his body.
"Aru, uth." He said, patting his cheeks.
No response.
"Arush!" Abhishek said firmly, breaking Arush's slumber.
"Kya hai, bhai? Sone do na." Arush mumbled in sleep without opening his eyes.
"Aru, uth abhi." Abhishek tried again but got no response.
Abhishek clenched his fist before his gaze landed on the water jug placed on the bedside table. He picked it up and splashed the water on his face making him jolted up from the sleep.
"What the fuck?" Arush gasped, sitting up straight.
A hard whack landed on Arush's back, "Tameez nahi hai baat karne ki?" Abhishek scolded sharply.
Arush wiped off his face against his T-shirt, "Aap me badi tameez hai, ye kya tareeka hai kisi ko jagane ka?" He retorted.
"Tere jaise dheeto ko jagane ka yahi tareeka hai." Abhishek said, "Change kar aur gym me aa. Jaldi." He added and left the room.
Arush made a crying face before getting up from the bed. He changed his clothes and headed towards the gym where Aditya was already on the treadmill and Abhishek was doing bench press. Aditya glanced at Arush through the mirror and turned back to look at him.
"Aaja." Aditya invited him on the treadmill beside him.
Arush groaned internally and made his way to the machine.
He hopped onto it and started walking lazily still in sleep but suddenly he stumbled forward when the speed increased.
He gathered his composure and glared at Abhishek who was standing beside him, crossing his arms over the chest. He didn't say anything, just standing there monitoring Aditya and Arush.
After twenty minutes, both of them hopped off the treadmill panting heavily.
"Yahan aa." Abhishek said to Arush.
Arush meekly took a step towards him, "Fifty squats. Now." Abhishek ordered.
"Sirf mai kyun, Adi bhai ko bhi bolo." Arush said.
"Because you are the one who showered me with your lovely words early in the morning." Abhishek said sarcastically.
Arush pouted, "Sorry, neend me bol diya tha." He mumbled and started doing the squats.
Aditya started doing his workout, he was pulling up his body holding a bar. His muscles were on frame, his face was etched with the focus.
Arush was doing squats, he was sweating. His face was morphed into pain. He was groaning with each squat and finally after a few torturing minutes he completed the squats.
"Adi, push ups." Abhishek ordered from the corner of the room.
Aditya jumped down and dusted his hands. He set himself on the floor and looked up, "Kitne karne hai, bhai?" He asked.
"Fifty." Abhishek replied curtly.
Aditya slumped down on the floor hearing the number, "Fifty is too much, bhai. I can't." He whined.
"Stop making excuses and start." Abhishek waved off his whining.
"Only if you give me a leg massage after this torture." Aditya bribed.
"Dumbbell phek kar maarunga." Abhishek threatened, "Chup chaap push ups start kar."
Aditya shut his mouth and started doing the push ups. Abhishek raised his brow at Arush who was sitting on the floor, crossing his legs with a sulking face.
"Oo maharaj, jara apni gaddi se uthiye aur single leg squats karne shuru kijiye." Abhishek taunted.
"Abhi to squats kiye, bhai." Arush protested.
"Apne haath pair chala, jubaan mat chala." Abhishek told him.
"Mai bhaiya se complain karung aapki." He threatened.
"Kar dena mai bhi unhe bataunga unke laadle ki pyari language ke baare me." Abhishek threatened him back in the same tone making him gulp down.
"Kya bola isne?" Aditya asked, sitting up straight on the floor.
"Kuch bhi nahi." Arush mumbled quickly as he knew Abhishek was only threatening him and would never complain to Advait but Aditya would surely.
"Kya bola tha bhai isne?" Aditya asked, standing up on his feet.
"Kuch nahi, ulte jawab de raha tha." Abhishek said to save him.
Arush sighed in relief and gave a tight lipped smile to Aditya, "Bas, sun liya." He said.
Aditya whacked his head, "Apni jubaan kam chalaya kar, jyada badtameezi karna mat seekh." He scolded him.
Arush pouted and punched Aditya on his back in return, "Baar baar mujhe maarte rehte ho." He mumbled. Aditya didn't mind as it was normal between them to punch each other playfully.
"Arush." Abhishek's voice boomed in the room. He marched towards him and gripped his ear harshly, "Ek thappad me bade choto ka farak dikhne lag jayega. Bhaiya bhi nahi hai yahan tujhe bachaane ke liye." He said and twisted his ear painfully.
"Oww bhaiya..." Arush cried in pain, clutching his hand to loosen his grip, "Bhai, chordo." He pleaded.
"Bhai, chordo mazak me maara tha usne." Aditya said, glancing at Arush's crying face.
"Sorry bol Adi se." Abhishek said sternly, piercing his gaze on Arush.
"Sorry, bhai." Arush whimpered in pain, looking at Aditya.
Abhishek left his ear and pinned him with a glare before continuing his work out. Aditya gently rubbed his sore ear making an awkward face as he was not the person who shows affection openly. That was the only thing which made him different from Advait.
"Adi, usko chord aur push ups start kar." Abhishek said after noticing that they both were still standing in the same place.
Aditya continued his push ups and Arush started doing the single leg squats with a grumpy face. After two long hours, the torturing session comes to an end and they heaved a sigh of relief.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was in the office, he was sitting in his cabin.
He was reading a file, his mind was messed up as his work had doubled because of Advait's absence.
He was the head in charge in his absence.
It was his responsibility to handle everything and responsibility comes with the invisible pressure.
He pressed his hands against his head in exhaustion, glancing over the pile of files placed on the table.
He looked up when a knock came on the door.
He composed his facial expressions before permitting the person to enter the room.
"Sir, this file needs boss's signature." Abhishek's new secretary said after entering the room.
"Bhaiya tumhe yahan dikh rahe hain?" Abhishek asked her with a mocking smile.
She looked down before shaking her head.
"To kyun aayi ho phir yahan?" Abhishek asked in frustration.
"Sorry sir." She mumbled, "Iss file ka kya karna hai, sir?" She asked almost too politely.
Abhishek shut his eyes, taking a deep breath, "Lighter hai tumhare paas?" He asked calmly.
"Huh?" She asked.
"Lighter lighter." He said, moving his thumb up and down to indicate a lighter, "Wo lo aur aag laga do iss file me." He said calmly, "Aur usme aag lagane ke baad mujhme laga dena." He added, suddenly snapping at her.
"What?" She asked, widening her eyes.
"Kya yahan khade ho kar haan huh what kiye jaa rahi ho?" He said in anger, "Jaa kar rakh do iss file ko, bhaiya aayenge jab kar denge sign." He added.
"Wo kab aayenge?" She asked.
"Tumhe unhe airport lene jana hai?" He asked her in sarcasm.
She shook her head sheepishly before walking out of the cabin.
"Argh bhaiya!" He groaned frustratingly, clutching his head.
His phone had started ringing making him closed his eyes in exasperation. He ignored the call but it continued ringing, he swiftly picked up the phone and swiped up before pressing his phone to the ear.
"Abhi." A voice came from the other side, freezing Abhishek on his place. The air left out of his body for a moment. His face had turned pale, mixed emotions were swirling inside him making his chest feel heavy.
"Abhi...mai bol rahi hoon." Roohanika said from the other side. Abhishek blinked back to the reality, his throat felt tight.
"Abhi, t-tum sun rahe ho na?" Her broken voice heard through the phone and Abhishek tightly gripped the edge of the desk, "Dekho mere paas jyada time nahi hai.
Mujhe-Mujhe tumse ek baar milna hai, please mujhse ek baar mil lo Abhi.
Mujhe tumhe kuch batana hai." She said in one breath, her voice was clearly indicating her desperation.
Abhishek tightened his grip around the edge of the desk. He gulped down his emotions, finding his voice, "I don't want to meet you." He replied, his voice was too calm but filled with hatred.
"Abhi...Abhi please bas ek baar. Ek baar mujhse milne aa jao." She begged, her voice was blocking with the emotions.
"Don't ever call me again. I'm very happy with my wife." He said deliberately, his eyes flashing with anger.
"Wife?" A whisper came and a thud echoed before the call declined.
Abhishek put the phone on the desk without even breathing too loudly.
His eyes were glistening with tears. The moment he listened to Roohanika's voice every memory flooded back in his mind, burning his heart.
The memory of her betrayal pierced his heart in a most unbearable way.
Everything was going right, he had started moving on in his life but a phone call. ..a mere phone call ruined all of it.
~________________________________________~
Everyone was standing in the hall, waiting for Abhishek to arrive as it was the dinner time and he was still not at home.
Aditya tried to call him a few times but he wasn't picking up the call.
Sia was growing tensed with the passing minutes, Arush was sitting on the couch with a worried expression.
Sia called his secretary and got to know that Abhishek had left from office in the noon and now it was eight at night.
Aditya was worrying for Abhishek but in the back of his mind a guilt clawed at his chest when he realized that he had also worried his bhaiya like this before.
"Ye Abhi bhi naa, jaroor phone kahin rakh kar bhool gaya hoga." Sia said while calling him again.
"Mai guards ke saath check karke aata hoon." Aditya said.
"Kahan check karoge, office se to wo kab ka nikal chuka hai." Sia said, "Jaroor kisi dost ke saath hoga." She mumbled.
"Akash bhai ko call kar ke puchun?" Aditya suggested.
"Mai bhaiya ko call karun?" Arush suggested, earning himself two sets of glares.
"Adi, tu Akash ko cal....
Sia's words died down in her throat when she noticed Abhishek was entering the mansion.
But what caught her attention was his disheveled state, his hair was messy.
His coat was clumsily draped over his one shoulder, but her eyes widened the moment her gaze fell on the cigarette in his hand.
Aditya and Arush mirrored her reaction, they stood shocked on their places.
Abhishek was about to stumble forward when Aditya quickly catch him and made him stand straight.
"Bhai, ye kya haalat banayi huyi hai aapne?" Aditya asked, the shock was evident on his face.
Sia stepped in front of him, "Abhi, kya hua? Tum-Tum theek ho?" She asked in concern, looking at his red eyes as if he had cried for a good time.
"Bhai aap cigarette peete ho?" Arush asked, looking at the burning cigarette in Abhishek's hand with focus.
Sia quickly peeled off the cigarette from his hand before throwing it on the floor, "Ye sab kya hai, Abhi? Kuch hua hai?" She asked in a heavy voice.
"Abhi, ye kya hua?" Angad's voice stopped everyone. They turned their heads back to the direction from where the voice came.
"Tumne sharaab pee hai?" Angad asked, standing in front of him.
"Mera baap banne ki koshish mat kijiye." Abhishek lazily pointed a finger at him and said in a sluggish voice.
He again lost his balance when Angad held his hand but Abhishek jerked it away, "Don't touch me." He said angrily, "Bastard." He muttered before walking ahead.
Aditya and Sia helped him to headed upstairs but he backed off mumbling, "I can manage."
But despite his protest, they made him walk upstairs to his room and made him sit down on the bed. Aditya took off his shoes and tried to lay him down but he pushed him away lightly.
"Get out of my room." He said sharply. Aditya glanced between him and Sia and left the room when Sia blinked her eyes assuringly.
Sia crouched down in front of him, cupping his face, "Abhi, kya hua hai?" She asked softly.
"Kuch nahi hua." He jerked away her hand.
"Mujhe bhi nahi bataoge?" She asked again, holding his hands.
"Ek baar kaha na... kuch nahi hua." He said, getting up with wobbly legs.
She steadied him and looked into his eyes, "Agar kuch nahi hua to tumhari aankhon me itna dard kyun hai?" She asked in a whispering voice.
Abhishek looked down at her, gently cupping her jaw with his fingers, "Kitna acche se jaanti ho na tum mujhe." He said with a small smile lingering on his lips. But that was not the happy smile, it was filled with something else...guilt.
"Tumhari biwi hoon, mai tumhe nahi samjhungi to kaun samjhega?" She said.
He sucked a sharp breath before slamming her against the wall in a swift move.
He was holding the nape of her neck and his lips were closed to hers, "I don't deserve you.
" He hissed, his eyes were showing something beyond the pain, "You're so pure for a bastard like me.
Don't ruin yourself." He told her, his jaw was clenched.
"I love you, Abhi." She whispered and a lone tear fell down of her eye.
"I don't deserve you, Siyu." He said in a broken voice, caressing her cheek in a feather touch.
"But I love you." She repeated.
He gritted his teeth before grabbing her by her waist and slamming his lips onto hers.
Her eyes widened in shock as it was their first kiss.
She never wanted her first when he was not in his senses but still she was happy that Abhishek accepted her as his wife.
She was smiling through the kiss and he was devouring her as if pouring out all his emotions, his fear and guilt.
Her hands were clutching his neck from behind to support herself.
"I love you." He said making her smile widened but the next word she heard from his mouth had shattered her completely from inside, "Rooh." He whispered.
Her hands fell down limp on her sides. Abhishek's lips were still pressed to her but she was freeze on her place as if someone had punched her in the gut.
There was not even an ounce of moisture in her eyes, she was staring at the front wall with the blank eyes.
Her eyes were not filled with the pain, it was something else which could not be said in the words.
Abhishek moved back, his head had started spinning and he fell down on the floor closing his eyes but Sia.
.. she remained frozen on her place. She wasn't even blinking.
She was feeling as if someone had slapped her on the face.
Her knees gave up, she slid down against the wall, pressing her knees to the chest. Her gaze didn't waver off the wall, she wanted to cry, she wanted to scream but nothing came out of her mouth.
She felt numb from inside. This was disrespectful to her love, to her status as a wife.
Her husband taking someone else's name while kissing her was a slap to her face.
Her self respect had shattered completely and was laying in her feets.
~________________________________________~