Epilogue
Advait was entering the hall, his shirt was drenched with the blood and forehead was glistening with the sweat.
His hair was disheveled and eyes were red with something more than anger.
The lethal metal was tucked in his back under the shirt.
He just took a life with his own hands and not even a bit guilty if anything he was feeling was that the urge to burn down that person who was behind this attack as soon as possible.
A business rival of him was behind this attack, Advait got to know that through the killer who had been hired for pulling the trigger but ended up dying himself.
"Bhaiya!" Arush's innocent voice stopped him mid way making Advait cursed under his breath.
Arush came from behind and stood in front of Advait just to get taken aback, "Bh-Bhaiya ye khoon... aap-aapko chot lagi hai?" He panicked.
"I'm fine." Advait said almost quickly to dismiss his concern.
"To phir ye khoon...
"It's nothing." Advait said and moved past by him towards the stairs.
Arush ran behind him and stood in the way, "Ye khoon kiska hai, bhaiya?" He asked, his voice was still laced with worry and fear.
Advait glared at him, "Move aside." He said sharply.
"Par bhaiya...
"Raaste me kisi ka accident ho gaya tha uska khoon hai ye aur kuch janna hai?" Advait snapped all of a sudden making Arush flinch.
Advait looked at him for a moment before hurriedly walking away from there. Arush quietly stepped down the two stairs, his face was small and upset when he bumped into Sadhwi who was coming to his side only.
"Sorry." Arush said in a low voice.
Sadhwi noticed his saddened feature and spoke up, "Tum upset mat ho Arush, Abhi bhai jaldi ghar aa jayenge."
Arush furrowed his brows, "I know." He replied.
"To phir aisa muh bana kar ghoomna band karo hm." She said in an encouraging tone.
Arush flicked her forehead, "Oh madam, mai Abhi bhai ke liye upset nahi hoon. Bhaiya ne mujhe daanta islie upset hoon." He told her.
She rubbed her forehead, glaring at him, "To ye baat tum bina haath chalaye bhi to bol sakte the na." She said, "Accha hua bhaiya ne tumhe daanta." She added.
"Bhaiya se bol kar abhi tumhe bhi daant lagwaunga, wait and watch." He threatened her.
Sadhwi's eyes widened in fear making Arush laugh out loud, "Relax, I was just kidding aur waise bhi I love you a little too much to do that." He said and winked at her.
She blushed profusely, shyly staring into his eyes when the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the living room making both of them quickly moved back.
Their gazes swiftly moved to the staircase from where Advait was coming in his favorite black.
He stepped down the stairs and walked to Arush's side who quickly looked away with a pout.
"Aru...
Advait said softly but Arush cut him off, "I'm not talking to you." He mumbled.
"I'm sorry." Advait said, gently resting his palm on Arush's face making Sadhwi raised her brow.
"Ye sorry bhi bolte hain." She mumbled under her breath but Advait caught her words and passed her a look making her shrink on the place.
"Bhaiya already bohot pareshaan hain aur pareshaan mat kar, baccha." Advait told Arush, "Galati se daant diya tha." He added.
"It's okay." Arush muttered and leaned into him making him smile.
Advait hugged him back, "Kuch khaya tune?" He asked, still hugging him.
"Bhookh nahi hai abhi." Arush replied, standing up straight.
"Aru, khana kha pehele. Ek time par ek hi beemar baccha handle kar sakta hoon mai." Advait said firmly.
"Okay." Arush replied, noticing his tiredness.
"Khana kha lena, mai hospital jaa raha hoon." Advait said and was about to walk away from there when Sadhwi spoke up.
"Bhaiya!" She said making him look at her, "Mai bhi aapke saath hospital chalun? Mujhe bhi bhai se milna hai." She said hesitantly. She was worried about Abhishek but she hadn't wanted to invade in their privacy so she stayed back.
Advait nodded making her smile. She quickly ran outside the mansion in the excitement to meet Abhishek and Advait gave a look to Arush which says 'you like this creature?'
~________________________________________~
Advait and Sadhwi entered the corridor where Reyansh, Aditya and Shreya were present and others were sent back to the home.
Advait walked to them and looked at Reyansh's state who was looking terrible.
There were dark patches under his eyes as he hadn't taken a proper sleep from the last two days.
He was the only one who was staying in the hospital with Abhishek all the time.
Advait gestured to Sadhwi to go inside the room to meet with Abhishek and she happily obliged.
"Rey, ghar jaa kar rest kar." Advait said.
"I'm good." Reyansh replied curtly.
Advait's eyes hardened at his response, "Apni haalat dekhi hai?" He snapped, "Abhi ko hosh aa gaya hai, tu bhi jaa kar rest kar ya phir hospital ki kamai karane ka theka tumhi sab ne liya hua hai?" He scolded.
"Advi...
Reyansh was about to say but shut his mouth when Advait shot him a death glare, "Jaa raha hoon." He mumbled under his breath.
Advait glanced at Aditya, "Adi tu bhi Shreya aur Sadhwi ko lekar ghar jaa. Abhi ko shaam ko discharge mil jayega tab tak mai hoon yahan par." He ordered him.
"Ji bhaiya." Aditya nodded instantly.
Inside the room, Sadhwi was crying sitting on the stool placed beside the bed and Abhishek was lazily staring at her, "Will you please stop crying?" He said before rolling his eyes.
"No." She said, wiping her nose with the back of her hand making Abhishek cringed.
"Roti raho fir." He replied.
She looked up at him quickly forgetting that she was crying, "Kya bhai, mai aapke liye ro rahi hoon aur aapko koi farak hi nahi pad raha." She complained.
"Wahi to mai puch raha hoon, Sadhwi devi aap kyun itna ro rahi hain? Mai bilkul theek hoon, zinda hoon aur aapke saamne hoon to phir itne mote mote aansu kyun bahaye jaa rahe hain?" He exaggerated.
"Kyunki mai bohot dar gayi thi aur aur aapse milna bhi chahti thi par mujhe laga ki sab sochenge mai aapke parivaar me dakhal de rahi hoon." She sobbed.
Abhishek sighed, "Tum khud parivaar ka hissa ho beta to phir dakhal kis baat ki?" He said, "Aur agar tum milne nahi aati na to mai jaroor naraaz ho jata ki bhai ko itni chot lagi hai aur meri choti si behen mera haal tak puchne nahi aayi." He said feigning anger.
"Aise kaise nahi aati." Sadhwi replied, "Ek aap hi to ho jisne mujhe humesha support kiya hai warna bhaiya to humesha darate rehte hain aur Adi bhai humesha chidate rehte hain par aap mere best bhai ho." She said with admiration in her eyes.
Abhishek softly laughed at his praise but Sadhwi's next line vanished the smile off his face, "Sia bhabhi bohot lucky hain jo unhe aapke jaise husband mile, jo sabka khayal rakhte hain aur kabhi kisi ko dukhi nahi karte." She said cheerfully but stopped after noticing Abhishek's expression.
"Kya hua, bhai?" Sadhwi asked carefully.
Abhishek shook his head, "Ku-Kuch nahi." He replied, "Bhaiya nahi aaye?" He asked further.
Sadhwi clicked her tongue, "Mai to bhool hi gayi wo mere bahar aane ka wait kar rahe honge." She said, "Mai jaati hoon. Take care, bhai." She said and left the room.
In just seconds, Advait entered the room and walked to Abhishek's side before pulling him into a gentle hug careful of his injuries.
Abhishek melted into his warmth, he was waiting for this since he had gain consciousness.
He stayed in his safe place for a few good minutes before pulling back and Advait gently pecked his forehead.
Advait's eyes fell onto his injuries and his eyes twitched with something more than anger and hurt.
"Jyada dard ho raha hai?" Advait asked in a feathery voice.
Abhishek shook his head before asking, "Aap kahan the abhi tak? Mujhse milne kyun nahi aaye?" He complained.
Advait thought of an excuse but nothing came into his mind so he changed the topic, "Ye sab chord, jyada bada ho gaya hai tu?" He said and whacked him lightly, "Wo attack mujhpar hone wala tha kya jaroorat thi beech me aa kar hero banne ki?" He said and again whacked him.
Abhishek pouted making an innocent face melting Advait's heart, "Bachpan se hi tum teeno ko har takleef se bachaane ki koshish ki hai par tere liye mai humesha thoda jyada protective raha, magar jitni koshish karta hoon tujhe pareshaaniyon se bachaane ki utna jyada dard tujhe milta hai.
" Advait said, gently weaving his fingers through Abhishek's hair in a soothing manner, "Jitna tujhe khush rakhne ke baare me sochta hoon utni hi jyada mere bacche ko takleef hoti hai. " Advait added in a guilt filled voice.
"Please aap aisa sochna band kariye, bhaiya. Mai jaanta hoon aapne humesha meri khushiyon ke baare me hi socha hai par shayad mai hi khushiyaan deserve nahi kar...
"Abhi." Advait cut him off firmly, "Mujhe pata hai tujhse galati huyi hai par iska ye matlab bilkul bhi nahi hai ki tu khushiyaan deserve nahi karta.
Tujhe khud ko aur Sia ko time dena hoga, apni galtiyaan sudhaarni hongi aur sabse jaroori Sia tum dono ko lekar jo bhi faisla legi uski izzat karni hogi. " He said in a gentle yet firm voice.
Abhishek buried his face in Advait's lap, "I messed up everything, bhaiya." He whispered in a quiet voice.
"Sab theek ho jayega." Advait whispered back assuringly.
Advait started stroking his hairs to lulled him into a sleep. His eyes were fixed at the wall in front of him when a sweet memory came to the surface of his mind.
There was a pin drop silence in the study room.
Advait was sitting on the leather chair behind a large oak desk, his eyes were fixed on the screen where an online meeting was going.
A frustrating frown was knitted between his brows as his head was hurting.
He was speaking something when the door of the study room burst open with a loud bang and an excited thirteen years old Abhishek entered the room.
"Where are your manners?" Advait snapped after muting the microphone.
The excitement instantly washed away off Abhishek's face and replaced with the fear and hurt, "Sorry." He said in a small voice.
Advait ignored it, "Kya chahiye?" He asked still a bit angry.
Abhishek's hands were clutched behind his back and he was holding something, "I wanted to show you something." He said hesitantly, fearing of his response.
Advait noticed the hurt and fear in his eyes and instantly regretted the outburst. He sighed before glancing at the screen where the meeting was still going on.
He unmuted the microphone and apologized for the inconvenience before telling them that he has something urgent to deal with and the meeting has to be postponed.
He placed the laptop aside and looked at Abhishek who was standing, looking down at his feet.
"Come here." Advait said gently.
Abhishek looked up and slowly made his way towards Advait's chair. He was about to stop at a one arm distance but Advait pulled him to his side and gently made him sit down on his lap. Abhishek was still looking down with a small face.
"Bhaiya is very sorry." Advait murmured, gently pressing him to his chest.
"It's okay." He replied back in a low voice.
"Kya dikhana tha aapko?" Advait asked to divert his mood.
Abhishek looked up and forwarded a card in front of Advait which he was hiding behind his back, "I made this for you." He said slowly.
Advait took the card and his eyes instantly brimmed with the tears reading the title of the card.
It was a Father's Day card. He opened the next page with the shaky hands and there was a sketch of Advait with the three little troublemakers.
The title in itself was everything to him and the efforts of his kid was the cherry on the top.
Advait's heart swelled with happiness embracing the amount of love this little boy had for him.
Advait glanced back at Abhishek who was looking up at him with hopeful eyes and this instantly made Advait's heart twitched with the guilt.
The little boy was so excited to show him this gift and he took away that excitement.
"You liked it?" Abhishek asked hopefully.
Advait pressed a soft kiss on his head, "I love it." He said, getting out of the words, "This means a lot to me, baccha." He added.
"Thank you." Abhishek said with a smile.
"Thanks to you, meri jaan. Mujhe itna bada gift dene ke liye thank you so much." A lump has formed in his throat.
"Mai aapko kya gift dunga, aap to khud mere liye gift hain. Mujhe itna pyar karte hain, mere saath khelte hain, mera itna dhyan rakhte hain. I love you, bhaiya." Abhishek said, his eyes were filled with the gratitude and love. He wrapped his arms around Advait in a big hug.
"I love you too, bhaiya ki jaan." Advait said, squeezing him into a tight hug, "And I'm so sorry." He apologized again.
"Don't say that, you know i don't like when you apologize." Abhishek muttered burying his face into his chest.
Advait smiled, "But when bhaiya is at fault, he has to apologize otherwise what will my little troublemakers learn." He said genuinely while gently tickling his sides.
"I'm not a troublemaker." Abhishek whined between laugh.
"Haan haan, tu to mera sabse seedha baccha hai." Advait teased.
"Aur pyara bhi." Abhishek added with a toothy grin earning himself more ticklings. The room filled with his innocent laughter. Advait's eyes were fixed on his laughing face and he secretly wished that his innocent kid would always keep smiling like that.
Advait looked down and noticed Abhishek was sleeping peacefully in his lap. He was looking so innocent and unworried like his younger self and it made Advait's heart vent out for his kid.
~________________________________________~
In evening, Abhishek was back in the Malhotra Mansion and everyone came to visit him.
They talked, asked about his health and had dinner together but Advait strictly prohibited Abhishek to step down the stairs so Shreya fed him with her hands in his room only.
Sia was walking in the hallway when Tia caught her and dragged her to the room.
"Di, kya kar rahi ho?" Sia gasped in confusion.
"Tu mujhe bata tu kya kar rahi hai?" Tia asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Mai?" She said, knitting her brows.
"Haan tu." Tia clearly stated, "Aise ajeeb behave kyun kar rahi hai? Sach sach bata Siyu tere aur Abhi ke beech me kuch hua hai?" She asked, getting suspicious.
"Humare beech me kuch bhi nahi hua hai, Di. Aap aisa kyun soch rahe ho?" Sia lied fluently.
Tia studied her eyes before speaking, "To phir yun Abhi se bhaag kyun rahi hai, balki iss waqt to tujhe uske saath hona chahiye magar tujhe dekh kar to aisa lag raha hai jaise tu usey janbuz kar avoid kar rahi hai." Tia voiced out her doubt.
Sia looked away in hesitation, "Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, Di. Dekhiye na kuch din pehele tak sab sahi tha aur ab achanak se ye sab....bas sab kuch process karne me time lag raha hai." She replied, making nonsense excuses.
Tia made her turn towards herself and looked straight in her eyes, "Pakka kuch nahi hua haina, Sia?" She asked again.
Sia nodded her head, "Haan, Di."
"To phir kha meri kasam aur bol tere aur Abhi ke beech me sab kuch theek hai." Tia told her.
"Di, ye kya bacchon jaisi baatein kar rahi ho aap." Sia said being irritated with the interrogation, "Aap jyada soch rahe ho." She added.
"To khatam karde na meri iss overthinking ko, meri kasam kha kar bol de ki sab theek hai." Tia's voice was laced with the suspicion.
Sia started thinking of getting out of it. She took a deep breath, "Aapko jo sochna sochiye." She murmured and started walking away from the room.
But Tia held her hand, "Tu mujhe sach bata rahi hai ya mai Advait se baat karoon?" She said.
Sia closed her eyes in frustration, "Di, maine bol diya na...
"Theek hai, mai Advait se hi puch leti hoon." Tia cut her off and started walking when Sia stood in front of her.
She looked here and there before taking a few deep breaths, "Aapko pata haina pregnancy me itni tension lena theek nahi hai." Sia said.
"Mujhe sach sunna hai, lectures nahi." Tia retorted.
Sia hesitated, "Theek hai, mai batati hoon magar aap kisi se kuch nahi kahogi. Jo bhi hua usme kisi ki galati nahi...
"Sia." Tia said in a sharp tone.
Sia sighed in defeat before pouring out everything.
Her voice was low devoid of any emotions but the shimmering tears in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by her sister.
Tia's hands were clenched at her sides listening to the pain in her sister's voice but she kept herself composed until Sia finished talking.
"Mai Abhi se....
Sia was about to say but Tia marched towards the door. Sia tried to stop her, "Di, kahan jaa rahi hain aap?" She said in horror, "Meri baat suniye." She said but Tia kept walking taking long strides. Sia was behind her, trying to stop her.
Tia headed towards Advait who was standing with Reyansh.
She made Advait turn towards her and slapped him right across his face making gasp everyone.
The long silence followed, the room fell into a tensed silence.
Sia's hands flew to her mouth in shock. Reyansh's eyes widened in bewilderment but before he could comprehend the situation Tia grabbed Advait by his lapels in fury.
"Tia." Shreya who was entering the living room, shouted at the sight.
"Mil gayi khushi tujhe?" Tia yelled at Advait who was silently listening to her. He got the idea what she was talking about.
Reyansh quickly tried to pull her back. Shreya and Sia were also run to the sides, "Tia, leave him." Reyansh said, still in shock but Tia's grip was tightened around Advait's lapels. She passed him a death glare before leaving him with a jerk.
Shreya stepped in front of Tia, her body fuming with rage witnessing the disrespect of her husband, "Tumhe Advait par haath uthane ka haq kisne diya?" She asked in equal anger.
Advait wrapped his arm around Shreya and gently pulled her back, "It's okay." He murmured.
Shreya snapped her head and looked at him incredulously, "It's okay? Are you serious, Advait?" She raised her voice.
Tia's eyes locked into Advait's frame, "Tia, what was that?" Reyansh spoke up in a low but disapproving voice.
"Isse pucho." Tia snapped at him.
Advait's eyes fell onto Sia who was standing at a distance, her eyes were filled with hurt and tears. She looked down as soon as Advait met her gaze not being able to look into his eyes because of shame.
"Iski wajah se meri behen ki jindagi barbaad huyi hai." Tia accused.
"Kya bol rahi ho, Tia?" Reyansh hushed her.
"Sahi bol rahi hoon, mai bolti rahi isey Abhi Sia se pyar nahi karta wo uske liye sahi nahi hai par isne meri ek baat nahi suni.
Meri behen ko manipulate kiya aur jabardasti uski shaadi apne bhai se kara di, apne bhai ki life theek karne ke liye.
" Tia shouted with hurt and anger in her voice, "Aur iske bhai ne kya kiya, khud ki jindagi to barbaad thi hi aur apne saath saath meri behen ki jindagi bhi barbaad kar di. " She completed.
Shreya was looking furiously at Tia, "Sia koi bacchi nahi hai jisey manipulate kiya jaye. Usne apni marzi se Abhi se shaadi ki thi, kisi ne uske saath jabardasti nahi ki." She retorted.
"Ye cheez tum apne pati se pucho." Tia replied back.
Reyansh stepped in between, "Ye kya kar rahe ho tum dono?" He asked frustratingly, "Badon ki tarah sensibly baat karne ki jagah yun bacchon ki tarah jhagad rahe ho." He said in a scolding tone.
"Baat karne ko kuch reh nahi gaya hai, Ansh." Tia spoke up, "In logo ne tod diya hai meri behen ko, mujhe iss shaadi ke liye kabhi manna hi nahi chahiye tha." She added.
"Di, please." Sia's choked voice echoed in the living room.
Everyone looked at her as she stepped forward, "Maine Abhi se shaadi apni marzi se ki thi, aap bhaiya ko galat samajh rahi ho." She said and Tia narrowed her eyes.
"Hua kya hai koi batayega?" Reyansh raised his voice for the first time.
"Mai batati hoon." Tia said and started narrating everything to Reyansh. Shreya glanced at Advait in shock who refused to look at her, "Ye jaante huye bhi ki Abhi uss ladki ke peeche pagal hai isne jabardasti uski shaadi Sia se karayi aur ye raha uska nateeja." Tia added bitterly.
"Bas ab bohot ho gaya Sia ab tu Abhi se aur iss ghar se koi rishta nahi rakhegi." Tia announced shocking everyone, "Tu abhi isi waqt mere saath chalegi." She said and held Sia's hand.
Tia started walking but Sia remained frozen on her place, "Ye aap kya keh rahi hain, Di?" She asked dumbfounded.
"Sacch keh rahi hoon." Tia answered, "Jis ghar me teri kadar nahi hai wahan tujhe rukne ki koi jarurat nahi hai." Tia moved forward holding her hand.
Reyansh stepped in front of them and placed his hand on Tia's hand stopping her movements, "This is not the way to solve things." He said firmly, "We're a family, Tia."
"No, we are not." Tia responded quickly, "Iske liye bas ye aur iske bhai iski family hain baaki sab jayein bhaad me." She said, looking at Advait.
"Tia, I know you are hurt but...
"No, you don't know anything Advait Malhotra." Tia said cutting him off in between.
Tia looked back at Sia who was standing still on her place, "Tu mere saath chal rahi hai ya nahi?" She asked.
Sia slowly looked up at her, she glanced at Advait who subtly gestured to her to go with Tia but she left Tia's hand making her shock, "Mai aapke saath chalne ke liye taiyar hoon, Di. Par ye bhi meri family hai aur mai apni family se rishta tod kar aapke saath nahi aaungi." She cleared.
"Ye teri family hai to hum kaun hain?" Tia asked in a low voice feeling betrayed.
"Baby, please stress lena band karo." Reyansh said gently, concerning about her and the unborn child.
Tia stared at Sia for a moment before barging out of the mansion in anger. Reyansh ran behind her to handle her leaving Advait, Shreya and Sia in the living room. Sia slowly glanced up at Advait before hugging him tightly. Her tears started flowing out of the eyes in guilt.
"Sorry, bhaiya." She whispered.
Advait closed his eyes, he was feeling so guilty and hurt for his sister, "I am sorry, beta." He replied back.
~________________________________________~
Abhishek was laying in his room when a knock came on the door followed by Sia. Abhishek tried to sit up and she gently helped him. She herself sat down in front of him maintaining a distance.
Abhishek looked down before glancing at her, "Sia, mujhe pata hai maine jo bhi kiya sorry uske liye bohot chota sa word hai, mai tumse maafi nahi maang raha bas waqt maang raha hoon. Please Sia mujhe thoda sa waqt dedo mai sab theek kar dunga. Sab kuch sahi ho jayega." He begged.
"Mujhe nahi pata ye waqt ye sab baatein karne ke liye theek hai bhi ya nahi par maine mera faisla le liya hai, Abhi." Sia replied, locking her eyes to his.
Abhishek's breath hitched in fear of the anticipation, "This time, I'll choose myself." Sia's words came out gentle but the impact of them was very harsh, "I want divorce." Her words hung heavily in the silent room.
He felt a pang in his heart, not only for himself but for the girl who was sitting in front of him.
The girl who was head over her heels for him was now ready to separate her ways away from him.
He had hurted her to this point that she was ready to live her whole life without the same person she couldn't even imagine a day.
Something sharp twisted inside his heart, he wanted to scream, to beg her not to leave his side but he couldn't do any of it knowing he deserved it.
"Mujhe tumse koi sikhayatein nahi hai, Abhi. Par agar mai ab tumhare saath rahi to shayad khud ko humesha ke liye kaheen kho dungi." She completed. Her voice was firm but despite her liking the tears in her eyes chose to show their existence.
"I'm sorry." Abhishek whispered in a broken voice.
Sia gave a slow nod before getting up on her feet.
She turned away making Abhishek sucked a sharp breath, her each step was taking her away from him forever and he could not do anything to make her stop.
Some stories are born not to be finished, but to linger in the spaces between what was and what could've been.
~________________________________________~