Hey!! I am back with Chapter 5. I hope I have done justice to it and that you enjoy reading it!! Take care!! 😳
_____________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 5
In Mehra Mansion
Ow! I held my head as I got up from my sleep. The wound still had a dull ache. Daadi aur Daasi nearly had a panic attack when Bhai brought me home yesterday. Purab was no better, joining Bhai and asking me a million times who the motorist was. How was I supposed to know? Did I take his name and number before he knocked me unconsciousness?
My curtains were closed. I scrambled to look for my phone and found the alarm switched off. Bhai, I thought to myself. He must have been so worried yesterday, no matter how hard he tried to put on a brave front, I remembered seeing the faint tear marks on his face.
I got up from the bed and went to the window, pushing the curtains open. The sky was dark and the clouds looked heavy. It was going to rain. Resisting the urge to get back into bed and cocoon myself, I shuffled towards the bathroom to have a hot shower. Thirty minutes later, I came out and felt refreshed.
As I wanted to leave my room, the phone rang. Wondering who it was, I hurried over and picked it up. It was an unknown number.
"Hello.", I said hesitantly.
"Hey Aalu, tum kaise hain?, said a deep voice.
Only one person called me that way.
"Adhitya!!", I replied siting on the bed.
"Haan! Surprised?", he asked and I could hear his light hearted laughter.
"Yeah! It's been quite some time na! How's the traveling?? And which remote part Australia are you calling me from?", I asked with curiosity.
"I am very close to you Aalu.", he said.
"Kya? Mujhe samajh mein nahi aataa. Bholo na Adhi! Tum kahaan hai?", I asked with irritation.
"Mumbai! I am back Aalu!!!", he screamed through the phone.
"Kya?!! That's great yaar!! Mujhe tum yaad aaee.", I screamed back at him.
"I missed you too Aalu. Bahut yaad aaee.", he said in a unusually loving voice.
"I haven't crossed the immigration yet, it's a long queue. Accha, tell me, how are you? Kya chal rahaa hai?", he asked and I could hear the intercom announcement.
"Zyaada kuch nahi Adhi. Lekin, I had a small accident yesterday.", I said as I walked towards the window.
"Accident?? Tum theek ho na?? Or are you in hospital?!!", he asked sounding agitated.
"Haan Adhi, mein theek ho. Chottu sa accident. I am at home.", I replied him.
"Aalu, don't lie to me na. What happened?!", he asked not convinced.
"Oh god Adhi! Chinta mat karo yaar.", I reassured him.
I explained to him what happened to me yesterday and he was silently listening to every single detail I said.
"Okay Aalu, please take care. I'll call you later and we can meet. Okay na?", he asked.
"Sure Adhi. No problem!", I said in a happy tone.
We ended the call and I looked out at the pouring rain with a blissful feeling in my heart.
"Who was that?", came a disgruntled voice.
"Bhai!", I answered, turning around to see him at the door.
He was holding a glass of water in one hand and my medicines in another. I would have said that he looked cute, had he not been wearing an expression of suspicion.
"Woh mera dost hai Bhai! Adhitya, Adhi. Do you remember?", I said walking towards him.
"Which Adhitya?", he asked still looking like a monkey which had eaten ginger.
"Offo Bhai, how many Adhityas do you know? This Adhitya is my college mate from Australia. I showed you photos na? On Facebook?", I said clinging to his arm.
"Oh him.", he said suddenly realizing.
I could feel his muscles relax. Carefully taking the glass of water and medicines from his hand, I placed them on my table. I pulled Bhai and made him sit facing me on the bed.
"Haan Bhai, he stayed back in Australia to travel. Now he is back. He called me from the airport.", I informed Bhai as we sat down on the bed.
"Oh okay. Good to know. Anyways, how are you feeling?", Bhai asked looking worried.
"I am fine Bhai. It's you I am worried about.", I said turning the tables on him.
"Me? Why? Look at me! Mein theek hoon!", he smirked.
"Accha, then why didn't you go for your promo shoot for the new album today?", I asked looking at him directly in the eyes.
He looked shocked for a second, but quickly plastered his expression with a grinning face.
"Nahi my princess. The producers postponed it, so I stayed at home.", he said lightly punching my cheek.
"Jhoot.", I replied in an angry tone with my arms folded.
"Aaliya?", he asked in a quiet voice.
"Bhai, don't lie to me. I know you cancelled the promo shoot and I also know that Purab didn't go to his office today. The both of you have been hanging around the house na?", I asked hitting the nail on the head.
"Aaliya?", came another voice sounding like a mouse.
"Yes Purab. What did you two think? That I wouldn't know what you both were up to?", I asked staring at him as he walked in.
"How did you know Aaliya? You haven't even left your room?", he asked motioning his hands.
"Why wouldn't I know? I have watched the both of you through my entire life. Since I was little, every time I was unwell, you aur Bhai will just drop everything and stay with me.", I said reminiscing the past which filled my eyes with tears.
Bhai and Purab. Mera bhai aur best dost. Different personalities and complete opposites in character and perception. However, whenever I was involved, they became two peas in a pod, thinking and acting in the same wavelength.
"Why are you both so worried that you cancelled all your work today? I am fine. Besides, Daadi aur Daasi are at home na.", I said letting out a deep sigh.
"Aaliya, Bhai was worried about you since last night. He didn't sleep and kept checking on you numerous times throughout the night. Seeing him like that, even I was distressed. I didn't sleep either.", he said coming to sit beside Bhai on the bed.
I glanced at my brother who was staring towards the floor. His posture and the way he hung his head broke me. My chest bubbled with mixed emotions - sadness, happiness, anger and guilt.
"Bhaiya?", I said in a whisper.
"Yes my princess.", he replied facing me with gentle yet tired eyes and I could see the dark circles.
"Why are you doing this to yourself? And you Purab?", I asked tears flowing down my cheeks.
"Because you are my best friend Aaliya. Someone I can count on and trust my life with. Someone who always had my back no matter what happened.", Purab said gripping my shoulder.
"You are my world Aaliya. You are everything to me. If something were to happen to you, I will die Aaliya. It will be my last breath.", Bhai said softly.
My tears had burst its banks. Shifting forwards, I wrapped my arms around their necks, sobbing uncontrollably on their shoulders and soaking their T-shirts. I felt two strong muscular arms envelope me. We stayed like that for what seemed like eternity.
_________________________________________________________________________
"What are the two boys doing upstairs for so long?", I asked Indu as we walked up the stairs.
"Abhi went to give Aaliya her medicines Didi and later Purab also went up.", Indu said as we reached the top of the stairs.
"Do you think something happened?", she asked spooking my wheels.
"Arre Indu! Abhi aur Purab would have split the house in two and brought the roof down by now if that were the case!", I said smacking her arm.
Nevertheless, we shuffled to Aaliya's room as fast as our arthritic knees permitted us to do so. The door was open and we saw Aaliya, Abhi and Purab in each other's arms.
"Didi, just look at them!", Indu said.
"Shh Indu!!", I said putting a finger to my lips.
"Why is Aaliya crying?", she asked me.
"Her brother and best friend are the reason.", I said knowing full well what must have occurred.
"Aaliya would have guessed that neither Abhi nor Purab left the house today. Both boys didn't even sleep last night.", I told her in a deep sigh.
"Haan Didi, they kept checking on her. I saw them siting near the living area upstairs when I went to get water. Despite telling me that they would sleep, I know they didn't.", she said putting her hand on her cheek.
"You know Indu, I am the luckiest budhiya in the world. No one would have such loving and understanding grandchildren like them. They fought and argued, but always understood, trusted, loved and protected each other all these years. And I am sure it will continue for many more years to come. Their bond has become indestructible, woven with affection and trust.", I told her proudly.
"I know Didi.", Indu said with a slight sadness in her voice.
"They are your grandchildren as well Indu. Don't forget that.", I told her while holding her shoulders and gently knocking her head with mine.
"Of course they are mine as well Didi. Accha, let's go and leave them.", she said wiping away her tears and she dragged me off.
Filled with happiness and peace, Indu and I decided to go the mandir to meet the panditji regarding Purab's marriage and also to pray for the well being of our grandchildren.
_________________________________________________________________________
"Robin!!", Purab called out coming down the stairs.
"Where has Daadi and Daasi gone?", I said walking down hand in hand with Bhai.
We walked to the dining table and sat down.
"Daadi and Daasi have gone to the mandir.", Robin said coming out of the kitchen.
"Bhai I am hungry!", I said banging my hands on the table.
"Calm down na! Robin, is the food ready?", Bhai asked him.
"Everything is ready Abhi sir. I will have them out in a moment.", he said and rushed back to the kitchen.
As we were waiting for the food, we heard a loud, high pitched voice. The three of us looked at each other as we knew the "supermodel" had arrived. Robin peeped from the kitchen and I signaled him to hold up the food.
"Hey!!!", Tanu said waving her hands.
"Aaliya!! What happened to you doll?!", she said after noticing my bandage.
"Hi Tanu. It's nothing. Chotta sa accident hai. But I am fine.", I said lightly rubbing her back as she bent down to hug me.
"Oh my god! You should be careful Aaliya!!", she shrieked in my ears driving me nuts.
"Hi Abhi, how are you my darling? Your new album is a super hit na! Congratulations!", she said walking towards Bhai who was sitting across from me.
"Thanks Tanu. I am good!", Bhai said as he awkwardly returned her seducing hug.
Tanu. A supermodel. My friend, or should I say "friend". We have known each other since college. She was better back then, not fake and cunning. A fox in the body of a supermodel if you ask me. Why was I friends with her? Well, because she had no friends and I took pity on her. Now, I regret it.
She became a supermodel with Bhai's help. Bhai had become a sensation, his popularity and fame doubling every minute. Her parents were, I wouldn't say wealthy, but they were self sufficient. Tanu, however, craved for wealth and fame. A trait similar to Bhai, which was why they hit it off, professionally and maybe as friends.
He gave her, her first break by casting her as the model in his second album. Was she talented? No one cared. She was the face of Rockstar Abhi's album, the pulse and heartthrob of millions of fans. He ruled their hearts with music. Tanu rose to fame after that, bagging many contracts worth in lakhs and subsequently crores.
But, it wasn't enough for her. She knew that her market will go down the drain the minute she was no longer associated with Rockstar Abhi. After all, they were just professional friends, appearing in advertisements and brand launches together. The media speculated rumors that they were a couple.
Daadi, Purab and I blew our top after reading about it. Bhai was smart and dissolved the rumors by openly declaring that he wasn't in a relationship and didn't plan on having one either. His focus was on achieving international fame as Rockstar Abhi. It was a blow to Tanu. She no longer earned in crores, only in lakhs, and that too was dwindling.
Which brings us here now. For months she has been trying to get Bhai into a relationship with her. Tanu's plans of reappearing as his model in the new album went bust as Bhai and Purab launched a younger, fresh face. With all her cards played, she used her trump card. Seductions.
Wearing as little designer clothes as possible, she revealed her bare skin, trying to tempt Bhai, but it was all in vain. However, she still hasn't given up. Bhai, Purab and I just ignored her, we didn't want to make a scene and start a fight. Sometimes, I felt like kicking her butt out of the house, but she was always nice and somewhat kind to me.
Just let it be, Bhai had said. As long as we were clear with our conscience, nothing mattered. No strings attached. I felt guilty though, it was my friendship with her which started the ball rolling, dragging in Bhai and Purab. I promised myself, as long as she didn't hurt my Bhai and Purab, I'll let her live. Otherwise, off with her head!!
We don't call her or visit her unless she does so. As such, we have headaches in the form of Tanu every fortnight. And today was one of those miserable days.
"Oh Purab! What are you doing here?", she snarled at him.
"What's wrong Tanu?", I asked her.
"Oh Aaliya, he broke off his engagement with you didn't he?", she reminded me.
How the hell did she know? Crap! I am the one who leaked it. She had messaged me the other day annoyingly teasing me about my marriage with Purab. I told her the marriage was off as Purab was in love with someone else. Crap! Crap! Aaliya! How foolish can you get! My mind bellowed at me. Oh well, it was bound to come out in the open anyhow.
"He didn't break it. We did.", I said in support of Purab.
"Don't be foolish Aaliya. He cheated you. He promised Abhi to marry you.", she said sweetly looking Bhai as she sat down next to him.
"That was a year ago Tanu. Things change.", I said bitterly having had to talk about it again.
"So, promises can be broken? That's betrayal.", she scowled.
"He fell in love Tanu.", I told her gritting my teeth.
"So?", she asked.
"What do you mean 'so'?", I asked her, my blood heating up.
"It's still betrayal Aaliya!", she raised her voice.
"Tanu..", Purab began.
"Get one thing straight Tanu. Purab didn't betray me or Bhai or my family. He is my family. By coming forth with the truth, he actually saved me from an unhappy marriage. He saved Bhai and Daadi and Daasi from the heartache they would have had to suffer if I had married him. Both of our lives would have been drenched in misery. So, I am asking you NOT to dig up old wounds and NOT to interfere in my family. You can visit this house anytime as a friend. But that is your limit. Please don't cross the line. It's my humble and kind request.", I warned her in a firm voice.
Purab and Bhai looked at me as though I had grown two heads. Tanu meanwhile, had a smirk on her face, clearly not feeling any shame.
"Fine, whatever Aaliya. I have to get going. My photo shoot is in an hour.", she said grimly as she stood up and walked off.
We watched her disappear as she turned the corridor. Realizing that both Bhai and Purab were still staring at me, I called Robin and asked him to bring out the food.
"Arre, what are you two gawking at?", I snapped at them.
"Princess..", Bhai said.
"Aaliya...", Purab started.
"Kya Princess? Kya Aaliya? You have never seen me mad? She may be my friend, but you are my family Purab. So just shut up and eat.", I gnarled at Purab.
"Bhai!! Did you hear me?!! Or did her seductions hypnotize you?!!", I grunted kicking his leg under the table.
The two of them succumbed to my wolf like growls and obediently started eating. My mind wondered back to what happened. Tanu was still roaming around in this house like a witch on her broomstick because of Bhai. He was a Rockstar and there was nothing that could change that.
Yet, I wanted to badly stop this seductive drama of hers. It's been going for too long and I was losing my patience. But what could I do? A bulb went off in my head as I watched Bhai eat, he was still single. He was an eligible bachelor.
Just then my phone rang and the name of the person which flashed on my screen brought a broad smile to my face. Pragya Di.
_________________________________________________________________________
Edited by abi5991 - 9 years ago
18