Chapter 157
Aditya and Arush were standing outside the room and they had heard everything.
The fight, the argument, the breakdown everything.
Sia exited the room and they both came into the view.
Their eyes got widened after getting caught, they were about to speak but Sia moved past by them without any word.
They both glanced at each other before slowly entering the room.
Their heart clenched at the sight of their brother sitting on his knees and crying terribly.
His condition was disheveled and hands were pressed to the face.
"Bhai." Arush said softly, resting his hand on Abhishek's shoulder making him look up, "Please ro mat, bhai." Arush said in a voice as if he was on the verge of crying.
Aditya felt a pang of guilt in his chest looking at the tear streaked face of Abhishek. He was feeling guilty for manipulating Abhishek to marry Sia. Arush sat down and hugged Abhishek tightly to make him feel at ease but Abhishek was drowned in his guilt and pain to feel any warmth.
"Bhai, please rona band karo na." Arush said weakly.
"I ruined everything." Abhishek sobbed, "I broke her." He whispered.
Aditya looked away with a clenched jaw, he was cursing himself for everything. He was feeling terrible from inside, looking at the Abhishek's crying face and Sia's devastated state.
"Utho aap." Arush murmured and tried to pull Abhishek up but he kept sitting on the floor.
Aditya left the room not having the enough courage to look at Abhishek's condition. He held the wooden railing so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His trance broke when his phone had started ringing and he picked it up without glancing at the caller I'd.
"Kaun?" He barked on the phone angrily.
"Tera baap." Advait's voice came from the other side with the same intensity.
"J-ji pitashree." Aditya quickly sat up straight, fixing his composure as if Advait was standing in front of him, "I-I mean bhratashree." He said after clicking his tongue.
"Itne gusse me kyun tha?" Advait asked directly.
Aditya hesitated and cursed himself under his breath for his disability of lying to Advait. He started thinking of an idea but none came in his mind so he kept silent.
"So gaya kya?" Advait snapped after not receiving any reply.
"N-Nahi." Aditya spoke up, "Aap kab wapas aayenge, bhaiya? We're missing you so much." He said, making an innocent voice to divert Advait's mind.
Advait's face softened at his son's innocent voice, "Jaldi aa jaunga, beta." He replied softly, "Dinner kiya tum logo ne?" He asked.
"Abhi nahi, bhaiya." Aditya replied honestly.
"Abhi tak dinner kyun nahi kiya Adi, mai wahan nahi hoon to saara time table bigaad liya hai tum logo ne." Advait said in a disapproving tone.
"Thodi der me kha lenge, bhaiya. Bhabhi kaisi hain?" He asked.
"Hmm she is good and missing you all." Advait replied.
"We're missing our bhabhi maa too." Aditya said and glanced back at the Abhishek's room.
Advait smiled, "Chalo ab jaldi se dinner kar lo tum log." He said over the phone, Aditya replied in positive before hanging the call.
He went back to Abhishek's room and found him sitting on the bed. His eyes were red and puffy. Arush was sitting beside him with a concerned look on his face. The corner of his eyes were pricking with tears but he controlled his emotions.
"Bhai." Aditya's hesitant voice broke the silence of the room.
Abhishek looked up from his place but before he could say anything Sia's voice came from the hall, "Adi, Aru neeche aao." She called loudly.
The brothers glanced at each other, they left the room to check on Sia who was standing in the hall. Arush was the first one to stepped down the stairs followed by Aditya and Abhishek.
"Kya hua, bhabhi?" Arush asked.
"Tum logo ne abhi tak dinner kyun nahi kiya?" She scolded, "Chalo dinner karo pehele." She said in a normal voice as if she wasn't crying for her life half an hour before.
Aditya and Arush were looking at her while Abhishek looked down, "Aise kya dekh rahe ho, chalo khana khao." She said.
"Aap bhi khaoge na?" Arush asked.
"Maine hospital me dinner kar liya tha, Aru." She replied while moving forward towards the dining area.
"Koi baat nahi humare saath dubara khao warna hum bhi nahi khayenge." Arush replied stubbornly.
Sia glanced at him before turning her back towards his face. She blinked back her tears and nodded her head. Aditya and Arush sit down on the chairs and were waiting for Abhishek to join but he kept standing at the distance.
"Abhishek, tum bhi aao." Sia said making him look at her with surprise.
His heart shattered a bit more hearing his full name from her mouth but he reminded himself that he deserved it. He slowly moved towards her and opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out of his mouth.
"Si...
"Baitho." Sia cut him off, "Tum nahi khaoge to ye dono bhi nahi khayenge." She said in a low voice.
Abhishek glanced at his younger brothers who were waiting for him. He reluctantly sit down on the chair, Sia also took her place. They served themselves but none of them was really eating. They were only nibbling on the small pieces, clearly not interested in the food.
"Theek se khao." Sia said, eyeing Aditya and Arush.
But they both kept nibbling on their food, Abhishek wasn't even touching his plate, he was just sitting there for his brother's sake.
"Adi, Aru tum logo ne jo bhi suna, dekha.
..wo mere aur Abhi ke beech ki baatein hain.
Hum dono mil kar handle kar lenge, tum dono ko pareshan hone ki jaroorat nahi hai.
" Sia spoke up politely to ease their tension, "Aur bhaiya ko bhi pareshaan karne ki jaroorat nahi hai.
I expect ki tum bhaiya-bhabhi ko iss baare me kuch nahi kahoge.
" She added and said the last part looking at Arush.
"I can't lie to him." Aditya whispered in response.
"And I can't hide things from him." Arush joined him.
Abhishek looked down, shivering at the thought of Advait knowing about this but he was ready for everything coming in his way as he was thinking himself deserving of any kind of treatment after hurting Sia's innocent soul.
"Bhaiya ki health condition to tum dono ko pata haina, aisa kuch bata kar tum unhe faltu ka stress doge, bacchon. Maine kaha na mai aur Abhi sambhaal lenge humare beech ki baat hai. Bhaiya ko pareshaan mat karna please." She said in an understanding voice.
Aditya and Arush glanced at each other before reluctantly nodding their heads. Sia passed them a small smile before saying, "Ab theek se khao. Sab theek ho jayega hm." She said assuringly.
~________________________________________~
Next day, they had their breakfast in silence but just like yesterday's dinner no one was really eating.
The atmosphere was depressed and filled with the unspoken tension.
Sia hadn't even passed a glance at Abhishek who was trying best to talk to her.
Aditya and Arush weren't feeling really hungry because of the tension going on in the family.
Sia left for hospital wishing a bye to Aditya and Arush and after a few minutes they also made their ways towards the college.
Aditya and Vanya were sitting in the class, talking to each other waiting for their teacher to arrive, "Kya hua, Adi? Aaj itna shaant shaant sa kyun hai tu?" Vanya asked, wriggling her brows.
"Kuch nahi, I'm just sleepy. Raat me padhai kar raha tha islie late soya tha." Aditya lied smoothly.
"Oh god! Kitni padhai karta hai tu." She said, making a face.
Aditya smiled a little, "Hmm aur thodi tujhe bhi karni chahiye, pata haina back aayi hai teri." He told her.
"Don't remind me." She said, scrunching her face in a pout, "Mujhe to samajh hi nahi aata, ye padhai jaisi boring cheez banai kisne hai, bas ek baar haath lag gaya na mere." She said in a tone without any real grudges making Aditya chuckled.
"Padhai na karne ke bahane banwa lo bas tujhse." Aditya said with an amused chuckle listening to her.
"You're sounding like bhaiya." She said, playfully narrowing her eyes.
"Hmm to unka beta hoon unke jaisi baatein to karunga hi." He replied proudly.
Vanya smiled and looked into his eyes before squeezing his cheeks, "You're the best, you know that right?" She said in a voice filled with love and warmth with a hint of playfulness, "I don't know what good did I do to have you in my life." She added.
"Guessing, you're lucky." He said in a teasing tone, feigning a serious face.
Vanya rolled her eyes before agreeing, "Indeed I am."
"But you're not as lucky as me." Aditya said quickly, "You're everything I need, Vanu." He said, tucking a hair strand behind her ear.
"I love you." She confessed, "And I really do. I know, I'm not an ideal partner but trust me, Adi. My love for you is real." She said, tears brimming in her eyes remembering the way she had treated him in the past.
Aditya's eyes softened he was about to say something when a voice interrupted them, "This is a classroom, guys." Yuvraj said, stepping in front of them.
Aditya and Vanya glanced at him before ignoring him. Yuvraj felt bad, he looked at Vanya before speaking, "Vanya!"
"What?" Aditya asked in a protective tone, getting up from his seat.
Yuvraj sighed, "Nothing, I just want to apologize to her for...pushing her that day." He said in a guilty tone, "I really didn't mean it. I respect girls and I also have a sister...
"We're not interested in knowing who you have in your family." Aditya cut him off sharply, "Get lost before I punched that face for you." He added a warning.
Vanya quickly stood beside him, placing her hand on his hand to calm him down. Yuvraj looked down not knowing what to be said now, "I'm sorry again." He apologized to both of them before leaving.
Aditya was glaring at his retreating figure when Vanya spoke her, "Forgive him. He is not a bad guy." She said softly.
"He abused bhaiya and pushed you. Trust me, if I see him one more time, I'll beat him to death." He said through clenched jaw. His eyes were blazing with anger.
"Calm down." Vanya pushed him down to make him sit, "Everyone makes mistakes, galati to maine bhi ki thi par tumne mujhe ek chance diya na. Try giving him a chance too." She said calmly.
"You're comparing yourself with that bastard?" He asked incredulously, "He doesn't deserve any chance, the only thing he deserves is a good beating." He said, making an angry face.
Vanya rolled her eyes, "Tumhe koi nahi samjha sakta." She made a statement.
~________________________________________~
Arush entered Advait's room and opened the cupboard to take out a black shirt from it when his gaze landed on a pack of cigarette box laying carelessly in his cupboard.
His eyes widened like a saucer finding the cigarette box in Advait's cupboard.
He picked it up and quickly made his way towards Aditya's room.
He bursted open the door and Aditya was sprawling over the couch, playing video game with a carefree look on his face.
Arush quickly jumped in front of him, "Bhai, guess what i found in bhaiya's cupboard?" He asked in a thrilling voice.
Aditya briefly glared at him before shifting his attention back on the video game, "What were you doing in his room?" He asked.
"I wanted his black shirt, maine unse puch liya tha unhone kaha cupboard se le lena." He replied him, "Mai chori nahi kar raha tha." He muttered sadly.
Aditya glanced at his face before putting down the controller. He stood up and flicked his head lightly, "Maine aisa kaha ki tu chori kar raha tha? I just asked you that doesn't mean I was suspecting you." He said in a gentle tone to wiped off his insecurity.
Arush was still looking down, Aditya looked around to think of a better way to make him understand his point.
He was neither good in words nor he was an emotional person, "Listen, pehele jo kuch bhi hua tha that was your mistake and everyone has already forgiven you for that.
" He said, "You're our baby brother and will always remains that, no matter what.
" He said in a hesitant soft voice making him smile.
Arush leaned forward to hug him and Aditya awkwardly hugged him back with a soft smile on his face, "Okay, now stop being so clingy and tell me what were you saying?" He said gently, pulling him back.
Arush's face again perked up and he forwarded the cigarette box in front of him making Aditya's face turned blank, "What is this thing doing in your hand?" He asked in a stern tone.
"It's not mine, bhai." Arush quickly said in his defense, "Mujhe ye bhaiya ke cupboard se mili." He informed him.
Aditya looked at him in shock and raised his brow, "Really?" He asked and Arush bobbed his head.
"Bhaiya smoking karte hain?" Arush asked curiously.
Aditya glared at him, "Mujhe kya pata?" He snapped.
Arush pouted, "To gussa kyun kar rahe ho? I was just curious." He mumbled.
Aditya slumped down on the couch again picking up the controller, "Throw it in the dustbin or keep it back where it was." He said.
But Arush kept standing there looking at the small box in his hand. He opened it and it was almost empty, only three cigarettes were left in the box. He glanced between the cigarettes and Aditya who was casually playing video game. He was still standing there, thinking when Aditya caught his eyes.
"Don't even think." Aditya said, without looking at him, "Bhaiya will skin you alive." He added to scare him.
"But he himself smokes." Arush replied.
"So what?" Aditya asked, looking at him, "You gonna do the same?"He asked in a scolding tone.
Arush nodded his head, "Abhi bhai bhi smoking karte hain, bhaiya bhi smoking karte hain to mai kyun nahi kar sakta?" He asked in a confident tone.
"Nahi kar sakta." Aditya retorted.
"Kaheen aap bhi to smoking nahi karte?" Arush asked suspiciously, "Bas mai hi reh gaya." He said with a sad pout.
"Ye koi prasaad nahi hai jo sabko mil gaya aur tujhe nahi mila." Aditya chided, "Koi kare ya na kare tu ye nahi karega. It is not good for health." Aditya told him clearly.
"Try karne me kya chala jayega?" Arush said stubbornly.
"Cigarette peene ki acting ki thi na tune kuch time pehele, sirf acting karne par thappad pada tha yaad hai ya nahi?" Aditya reminded him.
Arush gulped down remembering the slap but spoke up, "Abhi bhai ne maara tha par wo khud bhi to smoking karte hain to mujhe kyun maara?" He said in a slight anger.
Aditya exhaled a sharp breath as he hadn't had an answer to that question, "Dekh Aru mujhe koi kya karta hai ya nahi karta hai ye nahi pata par tune agar cigarette pee aur tu pakda gaya to mai tujhe nahi bacha paunga." He warned him.
"Ek baar try to kar sakte hain?" Arush asked making an innocent face as if he was asking for a candy.
Aditya could really understand his curiosity as it was their age to get curious about the things which are strictly prohibited.
As a friend of Arush he was ready to allow him to try a cigarette but an elder brother inside him was denying him and wanted to protect his little brother from those harmful things.
He was really confused about what he should do, he was well aware that one cigarette would not do any harm but he was afraid that Arush might like the feeling and got used to it.
He looked at Arush's curious face and at last the friend inside him won the fight.
"Okay, you can try but only one." Aditya said making Arush's face lit in joy, "But promise me, you won't get used to it." He added with a slight fear.
"Promise, I'll just try." Arush promised quickly.
Arush quickly pulled out a death stick from the box and looked at Aditya, "What?" He asked, "Lighter." Arush replied.
"Mai lighter rakh kar kya karunga?" Aditya glared, "Mere paas nahi hai." He denied.
Arush quickly ran away from there only to return after a few minutes, holding a lighter in his hand. He closed the door behind himself and lit up a cigarette with a thrilling and excited look on his face. The smoke started coming out of the stick and he coughed a bit following by Aditya.
"Kya kar raha hai, balcony me jaa kar pee." Aditya said, between coughing.
Arush quickly headed towards the balcony, he let the cigarette burn for a few moments before placing the tip between his lips.
He inhaled the smoke, his eyes closed in pleasure.
His features softened, feeling the intoxicated sensation inside his body and mind.
He inhaled the smoke a few more times before looking back in the room where Aditya was still sitting, engrossed in the video game.
"Bhai, idhar aao." Arush called him.
Aditya turned towards him, "Kya hua?" He asked.
"Aao na." Arush called again. Aditya stood up and made his way to his side.
"Aap bhi try karke dekho na. It is so good." Arush said in a highly pitched voice, loving the feeling and taste.
"No, I'm fine." Aditya denied quickly.
"Please bhai, ek baar. I want you to try." Arush forced him.
"I'm not gonna try this shit and you better don't get used to it. It is the first and last time." He said firmly.
"Fine." Arush said, "But just try it once, please." He said stubbornly.
"Aru, maine kaha na...
"Please na bhai, try karne se kya ho jayega?" Arush spoke up, cutting him off.
Aditya looked at him before looking down at the burning cigarette in his hand.
He slowly took it in his hand and inhaled a bit of smoke, he felt nothing so he dragged a long puff feeling good.
His mind calmed down for a moment and he was feeling carefree from inside.
They both liked the feeling and continued inhaling the smoke turn after turn.
~________________________________________~