The soft jingle of Aru's anklet broke his attention as Rahul turned to look at the direction of the sound only to find Aru walking towards him. His first impulse was to douse the cigarette between his fingers under his shoes cuz Rahul knew that Aarohi wouldn't at all like to see him smoking.
Aru smiled as she saw him cutely stepping on the cigarette in attempt to hide it from her, only if he knew that both she and his mother knew about his habit and the fact that Rahul only smoked when he was stressed.
"It's okay Rahul, I know you smoke and I would've minded it if it was any other day but not right now." Aarohi smiled at him.
"Why?" Rahul asked a bit surprised, cutely swaying his hands to get rid of the smoke.
"I know you're stressed out." Aru answered gently, threading her fingers through his.
Rahul looks at her for a minute, unable to believe that still after all these years, she knew him like no one else did.
"You wanna talk about it?" Aru added, tightening the hold of her hands in his.
A tear rolled down his cheek and Rahul was quick to wipe it away but he couldn't deceive Aru's eyes. And just like all those years back, she could feel her heart shattering into little pieces, his pain was still very much her own.
Gently, she kept her head on his shoulder wrapping her arms around him.
Rahul exhaled a breath that he had been holding onto, and his heart suddenly realized that a hug from her was what he needed at the moment.
His arms wrapped around hers just as they were meant to be.
Jo Meri Manzilon Ko Jaati Hai, Tere Naam Ki Koi Sadak Hai Naa..
Jo Mere Dil Ko Dil Bannati Hai, Tere Naam Ki Koi Dhadak Hai Naa..
Aru held onto him, her fingers gently trailing down his back consolingly as they stood silently in each other's arms feeling their hearts thudding against each other.
Breaking the hug, she held his hand and guided him to bench right in the middle of their garden.
They sit down, her hand never leaving his.
"For the first time in my life, I was scared. Very scared. I wasn't this scared that evening when everything was destroyed." Rahul spoke up after a very long silence.
Aru looked at him, still quiet, listening to him intently.
"The admiration, The respect, THAT LOVE I saw in Neerav's eyes today scared me Aru. It scared me cuz I remember what that feels like, and I also remember how I felt after all that shattered. I used to idolize that man, I wanted to be like him but not anymore.
And that's the same thing I saw in Neerav's eyes today Aru, I don't know what will happen when he comes face to face with the truth of our father. I'm intimidated by just thinking about it, mujhe bahut waqt laga iss sadme, iss shock se ubarne mein Aru, pataa nahi Neerav par iska kya asar padega he's just a kid. What if I'm doing wrong in encouraging Neerav to continue having that admiration and love for our father? Being the eldest brother, shouldn't it be my responsibility to tell him the truth?" Rahul let out his fear, holding his head between his hands.
"And that's all that's bothering you?" Aarohi shifted closer, wrapping her hand around his arm.
"Nahi. Aaj bohot kuch yaad aaya hai mujhe. You should've seen him Aru, he seemed so happy living with that woman. Aur yahaan Meri maa.. she's struggling to make both the ends meet.
Taking care of an old man, looking after all of us. She too could've have a career, have a peaceful life yet she chose us, chose family. It feels as if I insulted her sacrifices by visiting that man." Rahul wiped away the corner of his eyes that were brimming with unshed tears.
"Ek baat kahun? I'm proud of you Rahul Kapoor." Aru spoke up finally as Rahul looked at her.
"You know why? Cuz not everyone has the courage to face their past demons. But you did, and that's remarkable." She smiled at him.
"And No. You didn't insult or mocked your mother's sacrifices, not when Sunita Aunty knew that you were visiting Harsh Uncle aur tumhari jagah agar main hoti, to yahi karti because keeping everything aside, the fact that Harsh Uncle is Neerav's father doesn't changes and even Neerav needs his father's love and care. You know Rahul that all these years, Neerav has been very alone and he needs someone to love him, talk to him and encourage him. He's just a kid." Aarohi added lovingly keeping a palm on his cheek.
"But Arjun clearly misunderstood me." He's upset about the whole thing. Rahul replied.
"He just needs some time to cope up with the situation, but he'll come around, I know him." Aru answered gently when she saw Arjun walking down the stone path.
"Arjun? Come join us!" Aru called out to her friend.
"No, you guys carry on!" Arjun replied somewhat coldly.
"Arjun yaar, don't be a saddu! Come." Aru insisted and sure enough, he walked towards them.
She looked at both of them hoping that at least either of them would say something but when they didn't, she shook her head.
"Look, you both are brothers, you are family and you both need to understand each other point of views because both aren't wrong in your places.
Arjun I know you're right and I agree that Neerav has the right to know about the truth but you also need to understand that Neerav is in a very tender age, soon to be adult and young blood is surging through his veins.
The truth if not told in the right way, would scar and shatter him for life considering how affectionate he is for his father. He may end up doing something very wrong!
We all need to be very patient and careful with him and with the situation in our hands. One wrong step, and lives can be ruined." Aru spoke up calmly.
Arjun nods as her words make sense and three of them are silent for a while.
"I hate that man even more than you do, trust me. But Maa.. she needs us right now. She needs us to be her support and be the sons, the men of the family as we're supposed to be." Rahul spoke up breaking the silence.
"Rahul is right Arjun, Sunita Aunty is aging now, and all these years I've seen how tirelessly she has held up the house and it's responsibilities but now, she's tired. She needs you both to be her support, she needs you to take over the matters. This is the time where you both work together as brothers to fulfill your responsibilities." Aarohi added, calmly.
Both Kapoor Brothers nod understandingly.
"Aru, how do you always know what to say?" Arjun asks, fondly.
"Magic!" She replies cutely as the three of them laugh.
"On a lighter note, Wasim and Bubli are throwing a housewarming party at their new farmhouse. I'm invited, are you guys?" Aru asked, feeling the tension in the atmosphere dissolving.
"Farmhouse? The tea estate one?" Rahul asked, a bit surprised to which Aru nods.
"Yeah, he called me to invite the three of us just a while ago." Arjun nodded.
"It's been a while since I met those two. What are Wasim and Bubli upto these days?" Rahul asks Aru.
"Well Wasim is managing his father's photo studio and Bubli is preparing for Mr Ooty's title." Aru replied with a smile.
"Seriously?" Rahul asked surprised.
"Yup. You should see him, he has transformed into this Sylvester Stallone body, hitting the gym 18 times a day! All he can see is protein shakes and weights." Aru laughed a bit.
"And you of course!" Arjun quipped in mischievously.
"You need to shut up!" Aru smacked his arm rolling her eyes.
"Is he interested in you?" Rahul asked her, amused at that little sprang of jealousy that sparked inside him.
"Bubli is, but I'm not. They're just good childhood friends that's it." Aru smiled, looking at him.
Rahul reciprocated her smile, "Good to know that." He spoke up.
Arjun grinned, "Of course."
Rahul turned to glare him as Aru looked away flushed, tips of her ears going pink with embarrassment.
Before Rahul could say anything, they heard Sunita speak up from the kitchen back door, "Dinner's ready boys!"
"Coming Maa." Arjun replied back as three of them stood up.
He turned back to Aru and gave her a bear hug, "You know, you're the best, right?"
Aru cutely squealed as Arjun twirled her a bit making Rahul chuckle too.
"Always the sane and mature one among three of us." He added, putting her down gently.
"I think that's enough sweetness for a day, Arjun." She spoke up, rolling her eyes at him as he made a cute face.
"I'll take your leave then. Aunty must be waiting for you both on dinner." Aru smiled and with that she had just turned around to leave when, "Uh.." Rahul interrupted making Aru turn, questioningly.
"Why don't you.. join us for dinner?" Rahul looked at her, hoping that she would accept his offer this time.
Dunno why, but he didn't wanted her to leave, just yet.
"Some other time Rahul. Mumma has made my favorite fish for dinner. Can't miss that."
"Oh. No problem." Rahul smiled yet he couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice which was amusing for both Aarohi and Arjun.
He stood there, watching her walk back to her house and he couldn't help but wonder if she would turn to wave at him before walking into the house just like all those years ago.
His heart leaped with happiness when Aru turned to wave at him and he waved back, with a silly boyish smile.
It was after Aru had closed the door of her house, "Chalein? Or you want to wait till all the lights of their house goes off?" Arjun asked his brother, grinning mischievously.
"Shut up!" Rahul snapped, poking his elbow in Arjun's stomach playfully.
"Aye."
15 mins later..
When Rahul walked into the dinner hall after changing, everyone was there already seated, except Tia.
Curious, "Maa, where's Tia?" He asked Sunita who had just brought in the butter chicken.
"I called her but she's not hungry which is strange coz she didn't show up for the evening tea as well." Sunita told him a little worried, pulling a chair for herself.
Rahul ran a hand through his hairs as his mind recalled what had happened earlier in the evening. He was rude to her, very rude.
"I'll check on her." Saying so, Rahul hurried out of the dining hall to her room.
Rahul gently knocked on her door, "Tia? It's me, Rahul." He spoke up, knocking again.
But when she didn't responded, "Tia, love? I know you're angry with me and you should be. I behaved like an arse, but I'm worried for you. Please open up." He tried again, knocking gently.
"Go away Rahul. I don't wanna talk to you." He heard Tia speak up from the other side.
"Tia.. please. I'm sorry. I really am." He spoke up, ever gently.
"Tia.." He tried again.
He had almost given up his hopes when he heard the lock of the door click and he immediately turned the knob, pushing the door open.
He stepped inside only find Tia sitting on the bed all grumpy, munching away her chocolates.
Rahul shook his head at the mess Tia had created around herself, wrappers and foils everywhere.
"Hey." He spoke up cutely, sitting besides her.
Tia looked at him angrily before turning her back towards him, taking another big bite of her Cadbury.
Rahul cutely scratched his head, "Tia." He tapped on her shoulder playfully.
Tia cutely shrugged his hand away, "I hate you." She mumbled, her mouth full of chocolate.
"But I love you, Missy." He countered her, wrapping his arms around her lovingly from behind.
She cutely struggled to find her way out of his arms but he had a strong hold.
When she stopped struggling, Rahul rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Bahout naraaz ho?" He asked her cutely.
"Tumhe farak parta hai?" She snapped back at him, annoyed.
"But I said I'm sorry." Rahul apologized as he made her turn to look at him.
He cutely held his ears and he looked so cute that Tia couldn't help but smile as her anger melted away.
"It's okay." She spoke up, holding his hands.
"You're not angry with me anymore, are you?" Rahul smiled, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.
"I'm not. I never was Rahul. Just hurt." She replied, smiling a bit.
"I never meant to hurt you Tia. It's just.. that my.. my relationship with my father is.. a very complicated. A lot had happened.. this afternoon and I just couldn't handle.." Rahul spoke up, drawing random patterns on the back of her hand, gently.
Tia shifted closer to him, holding his hands tightly, "I'm listening."
Rahul looked at her with smile, "Not now. Everyone's waiting for us on dinner."
"Okay. Main abhi aayi." Tia leaned in to kiss his cheek softly before rushing to washroom.
The farmhouse was beautifully lit up with little fairy lights as some party banger played in through the speakers.
While the sweet fruitiness of the cocktails that hung in the air gave the party venue a very upbeat urban vibe, the strong zing of whiskey or vodka occasionally in between reminded one that classics never got out of trend.
Rahul, Arjun and Neerav along with Tia walked their way in through the crowd of young boys and girls and Rahul had to chuckle a bit as Tia was grooving to the beats of the song.
"Already in the party mood eh?" Rahul smiled at her.
"I LOVE the song!" Don't blame me. Tia wrapped her arms around him.
Wasim welcomed them on the door, ecstatic to see his friends after a long time.
"Tum dono toh bhul hi gaye mujhe yaar! Ek London jaa kar settle ho gaya, aur ek US mein aur main yahaan phas gaya Papa ke photo studio ko lekar!" Wasim spoke with a hint of accusation but hugged both his friends happily.
"Oye, aish ki zindagi jee raha hai yahaan pe tu!" Rahul laughed as they broke the hug and Wasim gave a hug to the youngest kapoor too.
"Wasim, this is Tia Malik. My Best Friend and Flatmate from London and Tia, this is Wasim Azhar, our childhood friend." Rahul introduced them as they shook hands.
Wasim looked at Rahul and Arjun, raising his eyebrows and Arjun motioned with his hands that he'll tell him the whole story afterwards as Rahul glared daggers at his brother.
"It's so good to meet you all Wasim, I really hope after this trip, Rahul talks more about his family, and his life back here." Tia replied politely.
"Neerav, Aisha aur tumhaare saare dost garden ke doosre side pe hai. The food and drinks there are for you guys!" Wasim told him and pointed out to the other side where a whole crowd of teenagers were grooving to a party anthem.
"Wasim Bhaiya, main agle saal 18 ka ho jaunga! Can't I be with you all?" Neerav asked hopefully.
The four of them laughed at the youngest one's excitedness to grow up as Rahul ruffled Neerav's hair.
"Neerav, tu agle saal 18 complete kar raha hai na? I promise ki hum tere birthday par dhinchak party karenge with booze and girls! I'll make sure that you have your drinking license." Arjun smiled as he put an arm around his youngest sibling.
"Exactly. But for now, I think you should join your friends. Aisha was asking about you!" Wasim added, smiling and both Kapoor Brothers didn't miss that cute blush on their little brother's face that reached till his ears.
"That kid is smitten." Rahul spoke up as he and Arjun watched Neerav walking towards the other side of the garden.
"Oh yeah! Completely." Arjun agreed.
Rahul was about to ask Wasim about Aisha, when a very familiar scent hit his senses.
"Aru!!" Wasim hugged her happily as she hugged him back.
"It's been so long since we met right?" Wasim added as they broke the hug.
"Arrey Drama Queen! Pichle hafte hi toh mile the supermarket mein." Aru laughed, rolling her eyes.
"Really? Sorry yaar! Kya haina tum sab dost itne durr ho gaye ho ki lagta hai jaise barson baad mil rahe hain." Wasim spoke up, a bit gloomy.
"Par ab toh hum saath hai na? Phir yeh Devdas jaisi shakal kyun banaa kar rakhi hai?" Aru wrapped an arm around his shoulders cheerfully.
Arjun greeted Aru with a hug as her eyes met Rahul's who was looking at her mesmerized. Wasn't it the same Aru whom he saw this morning? Yes she was, but guess she looked different in that pretty baby pink off shoulder top paired with crisp white denims.
Her hair free flowing and cascading down till below her waist and her beautiful features devoid of any makeup, just a light gloss and a pair of studs completed her look.
What amused Rahul most was, she wasn't even wearing heels rather cute white sneakers which was surprising for every single female present there was wearing high heels including Tia herself.
"What is she even wearing?" Tia whispered in his ear.
"Didn't she get the memo that this was a party?" She added, distastefully.
"Come on Tia! Not everyone takes four hours to get ready for a housewarming party. And besides, she looks beautiful.
It's a fresh change from all these blingy, feathery party outfits." Rahul reasoned with her.
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