Chapter 21 - Start of Fall
Piya dropped her weight on both her siblings from behind. Placing her hands around their shoulder. She grinned at them as they stood in the parking lot of their home.
"It has been long time since we reached home together, no?" Piya asked looking at her either side
Arav smiled at his little sister and looked at Mahira who grinned happily.
"Of course. You get little bit too busy." Mahira said pulling Piya cheeks
Piya frowned at her act making Mahira chuckle at her reaction.
"I never get busy okay? Its you two always on some mission." Piya grumbled making face at the two
"We are always there for you, Kiddo" Arav said looking at Piya
"That's the problem" Piya cried making them confuse
"Problem?" Mahira asked narrowing her eyes
"Yes, you two are there just to protect me." Piya left the two and stood im front of them
"For God sake I don't need protection. I can protect myself!" Piya said exasperated
Mahira chuckled at her. Arav shook his head with amusement.
"Kiddo, we trust you." Arav said placing his arm around her shoulder
"You are teasing me?" Piya said gaping at him
Arav shook his head in negative with teasing smile making Piya gasp at him.
"I got it. You are taking revenge on me right?" Piya said pushing off his hand from her shoulder
"Mr Arav Azaad, don't forget I am the master in teasing here. You are just an amateur. I can take revenge on you for this revenge." Piya said pointing her index finger at him
Arav laughed at her reaction.
Mahira watched the two with amusement. It was first time she was seeing Arav so cheerful. She realized Piya was saying the truth in morning. She was really happy for her brother. The change in him was really positive.
"Sorry..." Arav said lifting his hand up with chuckle.
It infuriated Piya. He was teasing her. She wasn't ready to give up.
"Misha is my friend, Arav." Piya smiled sweetly finally getting the idea to put end to his teasing
"So?" Arav looked away embarrassed noticing Mahira looking at him with smirk
"We are old friends. You are just a new lover." Piya smirked at him
Arav closed his eyes. He sighed. This girl would never shut her mouth. What was the need to say in front of Mahira?
"Piya... Are you planning to do the announcement in whole Dehradun?" Arav asked finally letting the mask fall
"Not in Dehradun, Arav. Its between us" Piya winked at him
"Yeah right..." Arav said rolling his eyes
Piya chuckled at him.
"Mahira already know... I didn't tell her anything though" Piya added quickly lifting her hands up
Arav looked at Mahira in horror who smirked at him.
"How come you both have such a big antenna?" Arav asked putting his hands on his waist
"You should be proud of us, Arav." Piya giggled at him
"Oh yeah. You have to tell mum Misha name. I didn't tell them anything." Piya said looking at him with teasing smile
"So are you planning to tell them?" Arav asked
"Of course not!" Piya shrugged
"I don't tell secrets. You can trust me with your secrets." Piya said
"Thank God!" Arav sighed
"But you can't trust me with you and Misha." Piya grinned with mischief
"You can never change" Arav chuckled
"Nor you should trust me with Armaan. He really gets on my nerves sometime" Piya looked at Mahira who was silently enjoying their banter
"I can never trust you." Mahira said with wide eyes
"Good for you." Piya smiled ever so sweetly
"Idiot." Arav said slapping her head lightly
"Aw, what did I do?" Piya asked looking at him making sad faces
"Drama queen" Mahira said suppressing her smile
"Are you guys planning to spend whole night here?" Let's go..." Arav said dragging the two who were ready to indulge into their regular fights
"I'll beat this crying baby..." Piya said glaring at Mahira from Arav back
"Look who's saying I mean crying..." Mahira smiled looking at her
"Crying baby..." Piya said ignoring her words
And so their fight continued with Arav in between who was dragging the two inside the house and enjoying there fight at the same time with a smile.
The three stop talking as they watched Khushi coming downstairs. Almost in hurry. Though they still were smiling over their silly fight sometimes back.
"Mom" Arav said as walked towards her while she stood by stairs looking at her son with hesitation
Asad Zoya and Rishab Madhu had also gathered in hall. They heared the siblings shoutings and laughings. They knew it was time for them to be there between them.
Arav smiled at his mother as he stood in front of her. He was in a very jolly mode after a long time. Ignorance is bliss sometimes... Maybe that's why he got to enjoy those few moments.
"What happened?" Arav asked looking at her as his mother usual smiling face had no smile today
"Arav..." Khushi felt her heart beating rapidly, she was afraid of how her son would react
"Yes..." Arav said patiently
Khushi open her mouth to tell him but then close it. She was nervous of his reaction. If he won't accept Arnav then? She shivered at the thought.
Piya looked at Mahira who look at her too. They were sure something was wrong with their elders today. They were hiding something that might shook them. They worry what it might be.
"Arav..." Khushi closed her eyes gaining the courage it wasn't something to be kept hidden, it wasn't something to fear too. They should be happy no?
"Arnav..." Khushi had just started to tell him when even the name of his father paled Arav
The flashes of morning replayed in his mind. His mother's tears of countless nights burn his heart. He fisted his hand.
The tear in her mother eye once again infuriate him. He failed to notice the smile with those tears and before she could say something he bursted out.
"Mom, why are you crying for that man? He left us long back... Just forget that..." Arav fisted his hand controlling himself from using any wrong language
"No, Arav..." Khushi then walked to him she smiled to him
"He is alive and we..."
Arav once again cut her off.
"Oh yes, that man is alive. He is enjoying his life in fact he must be the one keeping an eye on us and must be enjoying seeing us in pain. Mom you should forget that man..." Arav said looking at his mother with concern
"Arav... Listen to me first..." Khushi said gaining the courage to tell her son everything
"He never left us instead he was held by Demonio. He has been trying to contact me..." Khushi was again cut off by Arav
"Oh that..." Arav gritted " so now he is trying to contact you. He must've lied it. So to bring you in some evil lair... Mom don't trust that man okay?" Arav cupped his mother face who tried to speak him but Arav was too lost in rage to noticed her struggle and hurt on his words
"All this while he enjoyed his life without caring for us. He never wanted us mother. So left you that day. I am sure now he must be planning something that's why trying to get back to you that man is just an evil..." Arav stopped as his face was yanked to side
He touched his cheek feeling the hotness. He looked at his mother who stood with tears and shock.
Khushi looked at her son in horror on seeing the hurt and accusation in his eyes. She looked at her hand. What the hell did she just do? She slapped him...?
Khushi walked closer to his son with a pang in her heart. She just lost herself to emotions so much on hearing emotionless words against her Arnav that she forgot that the person she was slapping was her son.
"I am sorry... I just..." Khushi touched her mouth not knowing what to say, her heart bleed seeing her son red cheek as he stood with layer of tears in his eyes
How could she even do it? How could she forget her son for her husband? Oh God, what did she just do? Khushi held her head not able to bear the bursting pain.
"Why mom?" Arav asked in whisper looking at his mothet with hurt as he gulped the lump in his throat
He know her mother love his father too much. They always had fight over it. But never did her mother raised her hand on him. Then why today?
Khushi cupped his face looking at him with pain filled gaze. She curses herself umpteenth time for doing the sin of slapping her son. Her son was so much hurt. Everything could've been sorted by talking and she just hurt him like this...
Khushi hugged Arav with the seething pain in her chest. How could a mother slap her son? She questioned herself again and again. She whimpered hugging her son who was just motionless over her mother actions. How happy he was and how much she hurt her.
How could you do it, Khushi? Khushi questioned herself in mind.
"Am sorry..." Khushi whispered with heavy breaths
Arav pulled himself out of the hug. He looked at her mother who was more than hurt to hurt him. He smiled sadly. Only a mother could feel the pain of their son even if she herself is the reason it will be she who will cry for their child.
He cupped his mother face.
"Mom, stop crying. Am fine!" Arav said wiping her tears "you shouldn't really stress yourself over him. He left us long back you should also leave crying for him..." Arav tried to make his mother understand softly
Khushi looked at her son. How much he was changed. He always scream or got angry on his father name but he seemed calm somewhat today. Maybe her son was already feeling his father love... Maybe he would accept him now...
"Arav..." Khushi composed herself and braced herself to tell him with smile
"He never left us my son. As I told you he was in Demonio captive..." Khushi started
Arav looked away not wanting to hurt his mother he remained silent burying his fury without knowing the truth would hurt him instead.
"I found him Arav..." Khushi looked at her son with smile as he helped as he yanked his head towards her looking at her with shock
She cupped his face as he stood gazing her with shock.
"He is in my room fighting for his life, your father is fighting for his life..." Khushi looked at him with pang in her heart remembering Arnav state
Arav stepped back in shock. His mother got her father... How?
"Demonio hurt him a lot. He is in pain. Only you can save your father..." Khushi said with a hope flickering in her heart she thought his son was mellowing down after all he too craved for father love and was just masking it all the while but she was unaware of a few things...
Arav fisted his hand. His mother words rang in his ears. The vision of his father in morning flashed again and again. It wasn't possible. He felt the anger rushing in his every vein.
"You'll save h..." Khushi shivered and looked at her son with shock as he threw the flower vase, his eyes were burning with anger
"Ar..." Words died in Khushi mouth
"I'll never do anything for that man." Arav roared
Khushi watched him with shock. The old Arav... He was back... The anger of him was back and she could see the coldness him returning that used to froze everything once. Did she lost her son on finding her husband?
"I will never accept that man in my life. Do what you want mom but don't expect anything from my side for that bloody cheater..." Arav shouted, his eyes red with fury
No fate couldn't cheat me... She took a shallow breathing as her son left from where he just had came smiling but now left with fury.
Why was it happening to her? She cried her whole life for Arnav and today when she got her Arnav she lost her son. Why she had to chose between two Everytime? Why always life snatch something from her? Couldn't she ever have her happy family?
Her legs gave up. She fall on her knees closinf her eyes, gulping the painful lump. She opened her eyes to see Mahi and Piya standing at distance with a hazy gaze. She turned towards her friends who surround her saying something that she didn't pay attention to.
She was loat once again. Her son was angry from her. Her husband was struggling for life and she couldn't do anything for either of them. Her son was only hope to safe Arnav but she lost her son too.
"We'll save him Khushi. There's no end to magic." She heared Zoya whispering in her ear
She must've heared her thoughts.
She felt good somewhere. Zoya was right. But then her son... How would she bring her son together?
She looked at Zoya hoping to get an answer from her but her heart broke seeing her looking away.
No one knew how to mend this broken family...
Her fate... She smiled bitterly.
Piya watched the event unfolding with broken heart. They have seen lot of things but never did her family seem so broken. She never thought her family would ever stood in such heart rendering phase.
Nothing was wondering amongst them. But everything was wrong among the pillar of their family.
Wasn't this moment supposed to be a happy moment?
Her heart broke into million pieces as she thought over it.
Her favorite mother... She was breaking every moment. Her heart melting for her mother.
Everyone have just one mother and father but in their family she and her sibling have three parents. Khushi has been always her favorite mother.
She always admired her mother braveness. She fought with herself yet stood strong. She always wanted to be like hey Khushi mother. Her strength always motivated her. But today seeing her in most vulnerable she couldn't stand the sight.
She turned around and watched the door from where Arav left.
He must be hurt too... Realisation dawned on her. She gasped for air as her breath stopped. It wasn't just her mother broken but her brother too. How much happy they were moment back... How much happy He was moment back... His smile...
She controlled her tears from falling. She shouldn't fall weak. Here someone else need support not her. She wasn't kid. She gulped the lump strengthening her grip over her emotions.
Her brother need her. She looked at her mother being supported by her parents and turned around. She need to reach him.
She knew where he might be. All of their favorite place. Each of them solace...
The back garden of Azaad mansion.
The green leaves were rustling softly. Top of the trees swaying around. It was a serene night. But his heart was in turmoil. His eyes were red with shining layers.
His mother trying to tell him something... Her nervous smile... Her shinning tears... Her words... The slap...
He jerked back with shiver recalling the event of a few minutes before. He gasped for a breath unable to stand the pain in his chest.
How should he forget it... He hung his head breaking down every moment. How should he forget his mother pain... The countless nights she spend sleepless... Crying over a man who was alive but chose not to come...
How should he forget all those... Just because his father had returned claiming to be in some evil captive.
A bitter smile escaped from his mouth. It sounded like joke to him.
What was it for huh? A man entitled as saviour couldn't save himself from evil... Not just that not all of a sudden he got the power after so many damn years... How should be believe it when all this sound unreal? How should he believe something so unreal and forget his mother pain?
How should he do it?
He took another shallow breath feeling low at oxygen.
His mother slapped him...
Slapped him to defend a person like his father... His chest tightened over the thought. The rythm of his heartbeats were breaking.
Liar! That man was liar... How should he save his mother?
Arav buried his fingers in his hair breathing deeply. He looked forward once again. Trying to see something that wasn't there.
The event played in front of him without stopping making it difficult for him to breath.
He let out a breath looking away as soon he saw Piya sitting beside him on the bench. He swiped his tear with his thumb and forced a faint smile to mask his turmoil.
Piya watched his act silently. She knew what he must be doing looking away from her. Wiping his tears and his pain just to hide from her.
Well that was in her advantage somewhat. At least he would smile with her, would forget all that for sometime.
"Isn't the air fresh today?" Piya asked trying to sound cheerful in which she succeed a little bit
Arav forced a smile lightly. He didn't reply but Piya heared him mumbling.
"Then why is it suffocating me?" He muttered in a slow whisper
Piya looked away suppressing her pain. She should be strong. She reminded herself.
"Arav... I got something for you..." Piya chirped getting a perfect idea
Arav looked at her with faint smile. He couldn't show his pain to her. She was his kiddo. How should he let her see the harshness of life? Their princess should know happiness only...
Piya fetched out her iPhone from her jeans pocket. She looked at Arav who gave her confused look. His eyes were still dull with pain.
Arav watched as Piya call someone and put it on loudspeaker. He raised his eyebrow at her for which she gestured him to be silent with a finger on her lip.
"Hey what's up?" A voice chirped
Arav knew at once who it was. He knew this voice so well to mistaken the person. He looked at Piya who winked at her. He shook his head lightly. His sister would never change. He won't like her changing though...
"Hey idiot! Why are you so happy and where were you today?" Piya asked questions
"So many questions...typical Piya..." A mumble from her side make Piya open her mouth in surprise but seeing a light smile on her brother face made her do happy dance in heart
"Stupid, I was in college only. It was You who wasn't there." She emphasised
Piya looked at her brother who looked at her raising his eyebrow. She couldn't let him know where she was... Can she?
"Oh really? Weren't you with someone?" Piya said covering up the question of her whereabouts
"Yes, a special friend of mine. Go and burn in jealousy." The reply came after a minute of silence
Piya watched the proud smile on her brother face. He was finally coming out of the pain. She smiled too.
"You are not my Mish..." Piya said dramatically
"Yeah but he is..." The voice stopped
"Oh my... Did the great Misha Dobriyal just admitted she is in love?" Piya chirped with grin
"As if you don't know..."
Piya laughed hearing her muttering something. She must be irritated. She grinned at her brother who shook his head with amused smile.
"Hey listen idiot, someone is asking for your number should I give him?" Piya asked eyeing Arav who looked at her shocked with wide eyes
"Who?" A question came
"Your boyfriend..." Piya said with amused smile ignoring Arav glares about embarrassment
"Yeah very funny..." Misha huffed
"I am serious!" Piya said in no nonsense tone
There was a silence for moment. Piya could imagine Misha fidgeting with words.
"Anyway I informed you now am giving him your number. Byeee..." Piya trailed and cut the call
"I told you na you can trust me..." Piya giggled and winked at Arav who smiled faintly
He was going back... Piya thought to do something.
"One minute!" Piya said standing up
Arav watched as she walked near tree and returned back with a blue flower. It was shinning like diamond.
"Piya..." Arav watched with surprise, he never saw such a flower
Piya gave him with smile.
"Give it to her" she winked at him
Seeing the confusion and surprise still reigning on him. She decided to answer his silent question.
"It is a special flower that grow only by power. Magic of love, was its name." Piya giggled her eyes shone as she talked about it
"I learnt this magic recently only. See I told you na I know a lot about magic and it really helps..." Piya was saying with proud but stopped seeing her brother pale face
Her heart stopped. What did she do... He hated magic... She was suppose to make him happy not more sad... Why she ends up doing wrong thing...
Piya cursed herself for her mistake. She looked away hiding the pain of failure. Why was she so stupid with words... She always speak on in emotions without realizing... Idiot!
Arav wasn't paying attention to his surroundings anymore. He could only hear Piya words... His mother words regarding her husband...
He could only see those flashes that he saw in morning. The pain on seeing them and the haziness of them.
Arav looked at Piya. Her words rang in his ears...
"You can trust me... I know about magic a lot..."
Should he ask her? He thought. Her words again rang in his ears.
"Piya..." Arav called her slowly
Piya looked at her brother. She was surprised to see him looking down. He was hesitant. But why?
"What happen Arav?" Piya asked
"I want to ask you something..." Arav said with uncertainty
Piya nodded at him encouraging him to continue.
"Today... I got a vision... But it wasn't clear instead I feel headache when trying to see it. I heared a voice too but I couldn't make out the word. It was causing pain..." Arav explained to her and looked at her
"Do you know why it must be?" Arav asked with hope, it might help him in knowing his father reality
Piya was surprised. Her eyes widened.
"Arav, I don't know the exact reason but I have a faint idea about it..." Piya stopped thinking over it
"I once read but stupid me I ignored it since seeing vision wasn't power but I remember there was something written in it about some strong power can cut down the telepathy connection and it results in piercing pain in head." Piya explained whatever she could remember in bits
"But how is it that possible? How do someone knew I was seeing vision or someone was connecting to me?" Arav asked
"I don't know I didn't read it completely. There was a whole article on it though." Piya sighed in defeat
"But I know the book. I'll check it and tell you" Piya said quickly
Arav nodded thinking over her words.
Again lost... Piya signed. She should do something. He wasn't sad like before but his eyes were still hollow
"Arav I'll show you something..." Piya said again surfing through her iPhone
Arav smiled without pain this time. Piya was always a good distraction. Her antics always make them forget everything else.
If one closed one can hurt you then the other can bring you out from pain too...
"See this..." Piya showed him a picture on her iPhone
Arav was first surprised but then small smile lifted his lips and he chuckled.
"It was on her birthday... She was surprised that I was l brought cake for her. But she didn't knew what I am..." Piya giggled remembering her mischief
Arav was all ears to her sorry.
"So when I asked her to blow the candles like a kid she listened to me thinking that I was excited for her birthday and she should listen to me. So she bend to blow the candles making strange faces and I pushed her head directly into the cake smearing her whole face..." Piya laughed out loud, Arav too joined her
"You know how I got this picture? I had already set my phone on auto camera with planned time and right on time I did it. She was looking like a joker and was so shocked" Piya giggled making Arav chuckled
"See there are other pictures too. They are of different occasions but I troubled Mish a lot and in some we both become victim of each other pranks..." Piya was giggling remembering those moments as she showed Arav few of those captured moments
Arav was no completely lost in enjoying his baby sister funny faces and new found love's angry and prankster pictures. He forgot what happened before as Piya briefed him about the story behind each picture with her melody laughter making him laugh too.
The two were lost in their own world of happiness without realizing the person admiring them from distance.
Mahira smiled with satisfaction. She was proud of her sister. Only she could make Arav smile in this despair everyone else would've just become a support for him helping him to speak out the pain bit that smile would've never reach his face that Piya brought.
Mahira knew Piya. She knew why was she doing all that. She was trying to bring her brother out of pain. She was proud of her sister efforts and maturity.
Taking a whiff of fresh breath she walked inside smiling at them for last time. She didn't want them to notice her else Arav would be reminded of event and all of her sisters efforts would go in vain that she couldn't afford.
~*~
He leaned on his rocking chair. His mind lost in deep thoughts.
Stop this bloody game... Its not you... Please... Armaan...
The words echoed in his mind as he rocked in his chair gazing the ceiling. Life could be never easy for them... A smile lifted his lips as he remembered the words of same brother years ago...
How can you do it, Armaan... Why did you... I can't believe you are my brother... I hate you...
He gripped the arms of chair digging his nail in its wood. He gritted his teeth to control the demon inside him as his eyes darkened.
Armaan sat straight on chair. He yanked his head in side watching the dark sky outside. He stood up from chair letting it swing on its own, he leaned on window watching the silent world outside.
"Get a hold on yourself, Armaan" Armaan gritted as he talked to himself
He was losing his focus. His goal. He had to get a grip on himself. He shouldn't fall for someone's words who left him long back. He won't fall for those people once again. He won't...
Armaan sniffed the cool breeze of night.
Mahira smiling face flashed in front of his eyes calming his tensed muscles. His face lightened with smile as her laugh echoed in his ears.
She was becoming a solace for him. Depressing his demons she was becoming the reason for peace in his life without his knowledge.
~*~
Arav gripped the spoon. His eyes linger over the empty chair of his chair. He could feel the pain in his heart but more than that he was furious.
Piya words made sense showing his father NOT at fault but his heart wasn't ready to accept. He wasn't ready to believe the whole story.
If he wasn't at fault then why his heart wasn't able to accept it. Why he wasn't able to believe it.
Arav looked away tightening his jaw. He stood up.
"Arav... We know you need time. But you shouldn't think wrong about your father either. Your mother and we have spend time with him and we know about him more than you ever listened, hm?" Asad said looking at Arav softly and patting his shoulder
Words sink in his heart. His father was right. He need time maybe.
Arav gave a slow nod and left the dining area.
"I hope he'll accept him soon" Zoya sighed
"Don't worry mom, he will." Piya said standing up "is Arnav father awake? I wanted to meet him!" Piya asked sweetly
"No my child. He is still unconscious. He'll be fine by morning" Zoya replied her with smile
"Ok I'll meet him then. Bye for now..." Piya said running out excited to meet Abhay
"I must leave too..." Mahira said standing up
"Mahi..." Madhu called
Mahira looked at her.
"Take care of him" Madhu said
"Don't worry mom, he already have a healer in his Life" Mahi smiled at Madhu and left for college
"I hope all this will end soon" Madhu mumbled
She looked at Rishab who nod at her supportively.
~*~
Armaan was entering the college when someone held him from shoulder. He gritted knowing well who the person must be. Why couldn't he leave him alone...
Armaan turned around. He sneered at the guy.
"What the hell is your problem huh?" Armaan said angrily stepping towards him
Abhay was surprised to see him frustrated. He has been always a calm person. Was he fighting with his own decision?
A hope flickered...
"Why are you so frustrated, Armaan? Where's your smirk? Are you failing?" Abhay asked with smile
Armaan laughed at his words. He would always remain dumb.
"I can never fail, Abhay. Just wait and watch everything will soon fall apart" Armaan smirked at him
Abhay sighed. He would never understand Armaan. His behavior flip in seconds.
"Stop it, Armaan." Abhay said exasperated at his brother stubbornness
"The game has just started, Abhay." Armaan said straightening himself "its not the time to stop after all you too joined me"
Abhay looked away seeing the knowing smirk. He won't tell him ever about Piya. No matter how much Armaan tried to irk him.
"You also got that girl on your side but don't worry I'll take care of that too..." Armaan patted his shoulder and left with smirk
Abhay stood numb. The hope he was seeing in his changed behavior was today lost. He could see those dark eyes today. He could do anything. He was planning something really bad...
___________________________________
So here's the update and much awaited Arav response. I'll wait for you guys reviews on it. CRITICISM is most welcome.
Not really satisfied by response on last chapter.
Love,
Asshi
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