To say that Arjun was shocked when arhaan hugged him is a very big understatement. As soon as Arjun realized that his little one was hugging him Arjun embraced him tightly and let himself feel complete after years. Arjun was feeling as in the agony that has become the part of his being was being replaced by happiness and gratification.
Both stayed like that for a many minutes after which Arjun heard arhaan's soft sobs and whispers. Arjun who was lost in his own happiness till then opened his eyes and tried to focus on arhaan's voice.
Arhaan "please don't leave me." He whispered again.
Arjun pulled away and looked at arhaan who was still sobbing and clutching his shirt in one hand like he was just not ready to let go of Arjun. Arjun wiped off his tears "aru, kya hua beta, ro kyun raha hai tu?" He asked gently
Arhaan instead of replying started sobbing harder while fresh tears rolled down on his cheeks. Seeing him like that was scaring arjun. Arjun cupped his face and asked "sab theek hai na aru? Are you fine bachcha? Nikky kahan hai? Theek hai na wo?"
Arhaan just nodded his head but didn't say anything. Arjun held his hand and took him to the couch and made him sit. He started to go from there to get some water when arhaan held his hand "please mat jao na"
Arjun "kahin nahi jaa raha main, bas pani laa raha hu tere liye."
Arhaan left his hand and let him go. Arjun first went to check on nikky and his father and was relieved to found both of them sleeping peacefully. Then he went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water as fast as he could and made arhaan have it. Once arhaan had water Arjun sat next to him and made him look up.
Arjun "kya hua? Itna pareshan kyun hai?"
Arhaan looked at him with tearful eyes. "How could you do this?"
Arjun was confused "what? Kya kiya maine bachcha?"
Arhaan "aap naraj ho kar gaye na mujhse. Poore din nahi aaye aur call bhi nahi kiya. Koi itna gussa hota hai kya?" He said with a child like innocence while his eyes teared up once again.
Arjun couldn't help but smile at his cute complain. Finally his child was talking to him like he should, he wasn't liking the tears but the reason behind it was making him happier than ever. His child missed him and was complaining about it. He was just smiling looking at arhaan when the later spoke again "sorry maine aapki baat nahi maani" He said sobbing once again.
Arjun came out of his thoughts "koi baat nahi meri jaan, isme rone ki kya baat hai. It's no big deal."
Arhaan looked at him this time "agar big deal nahi hai to aise kyun gaye aap, mujhe avoid kyun kiya?" He said glaring at Arjun. But his glare was appearing more adorable than dangerous to Arjun.
Arjun smiled at him "main tujhe avoid nahi kar raha tha beta, I just had some meetings in the evening that's why I came in late."
Arhaan "shaam ko meeting thi to subah kyun gaye aap, mujhse gussa ho kar hi gaye the na. Poore din call bhi nhi kiya. Agar gussa the bhi to daant lete aise kyun gaye aap?" He asked while a tear trickled down his cheek.
Though Arjun was thoroughly enjoying arhaan's complaints but aru's tears weren't sitting right with him. He once again wiped arhaan's tears "sorry. Aise nahi jana chahiye tha mujhe, call bhi karna chahiye tha. Aage se dhyaan rakhunga. Pls Tu ro mat."
Arhaan "I am not trying to force you to do Or not do anything." He said regaining his composure.
Arjun "to kar na beta. Mujhe force karne ka, pareshaan karne ka haq banta hai tera. And i really want you to exercise your rights over me bachcha. Sirf teri doori mujhe hurt kar sakti hai aru, nothing else can ever hurt me."
Arhaan was touched by his words. He knew it's better to tell Arjun everything right now. He sat there silently for sometime trying to gather courage to talk to Arjun. When he was ready, Arhaan looked at him and spoke "mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai."
Arjun "kar lena, pehle bata khana khaya tune?"
Arhaan nodded his head.
Arjun "pakka khaya na?"
Arhaan "haan, dad aur nikky ke saath khaa liya tha. Aapne khaya?"
Arjun shook his head. Arhaan's face fell thinking that Arjun didn't eat because he was upset with him.
Arjun understood what he was thinking "jyada dimag mat chala, meetings me busy tha isliye nahi khaya."
Arhaan "to ab khaa lo."
Arjun "bahar ka kuch khane ka mann nahi hai and dad has a rule of not leaving any left overs in the house, so fridge me kuch milega nahi."
Arhaan "to kuch bana lete hai."
Arjun "tujhe khana banana aata hai?" He asked surprised
Arhaan shook his head "mujhe laga aapko to aata hoga. Aapko to khana banana aana chahiye." He told Arjun.
Arjun "jab tujhe nahi aata to mujhe kyun aana chahiye beta?"
Arhaan "aap to bade ho na, aapko kuch to banana seekhna chahiye tha na. Cooking is a survival skill."
Arjun "achcha beta? To ye skill aapne kyun nahi seekhi?"
Arhaan "seekh lunga, waise maggie banana aata hai mujhe." He said somewhat proud.
Arjun "theek hai main bhi seekh lunga, chal dono mil kar Maggie banate hai, mujhe bhi survival cooking aa jayegi is bahane." He said jumping on the opportunity.
Both stood up and went to the kitchen but both were oblivious where everything was placed.
Arhaan " Maggie dijiye."
Arjun "Arre pehle bana to le tabhi to dunga"
Arhaan laughed at his answer "bani banayi nahi, Maggie ke packets dijiye."
Arjun "achcha wo, wo to mujhe nahi pata kahan rakhe hai."
Arhaan "what? Aapko aapke kitchen me samaan kahan rakha hota hai wo tak nahi pata?"
Arjun "Arre main thodi na khana banata hu jo poore kitchen ka pata hoga. Jitna mujhe jaruri hai wo pata rehta hai baki sab mujhe nahi pata."
Arhaan "aur aapko kya kya pata hai?"
Arjun "dekh ice cream, chocolate aur paani teeno cheeze fridge me hote hai, itna mujhe pata hai."
Arhaan "wow you are just one step away from being a world renowned chef." He said sarcastically.
Arjun gave him an irritated look "ye sarcasm apne paas rakh aur Maggie dhoond."
Both started to look for it and were able to find it in some time. Arhaan cooked it and was serving it for both of them when Arjun saw nikky descending down the stairs.
Arjun "lo bas issi ki kami thi. Ye bhi aa gaya." He said walking towards nikky who was descending the stairs with George in his one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other.
Arjun reached near nikky, picked him up and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek "utth kyun gaya little monkey."
Nikky "aru" He replied in a sleepy voice and buried his face in arjun's neck and closed his eyes.
Arjun walked back to the kitchen where arhaan was placing two plates on the table filled with Maggie.
Arhaan "so gaya kya ye wapas?"
Arjun " Haan shayad so gaya."
Nikky heard arhaan's voice and raised his head to look for him. He smiled at aru "aru room sleep."
Arhaan took him in his arms "bas thodi der me chalte hai champ."
Nikky then saw Maggie and his eyes opened up fully "Maggie" He squealed happily.
Both Arjun and arhaan chuckled at his reaction.
Arjun "haan bhai tu bhi khaa, jab hum aadhi raat ko ye khaa rahe hai to tu bhi kyun peeche rahega, chal aaja tu bhi khaa le." He said sitting on a chair.
Arhaan "aap isse pakadiye main iske liye bhi plate aur fork laata hu.
Arjun took nikky and made him sit on his lap. He rolled a little Maggie on a fork, blew on it and fed it to nikky who started to eat happily.
Aru came back with the utensils only to find nikky happily eating from Arjun who was looking equally happy to feed him. Arhaan was pleasantly surprised seeing this, since the time he has known nikky he either eats on his own or ask aru to feed him, even when yash tried to feed him a few times nikky always said no but Arjun somehow managed to make him feel close enough that nikky was letting him do all this. He was glad that now nikky have others as well who care for him. Love is something that no one can ever get too much of. And God knows his nikky has been deprived of his share. He was just thinking all this when Arjun called out to him.
Arjun "wahan kyun khada ho gaya? Jaldi aa, thandi Maggie achchi nahi lagegi."
Arhaan nodded but instead of moving he pulled out his phone and clicked a picture of Arjun and nikky together. Once done he went and sat with them and all three started having their late night Maggie dinner.
Arjun "kal hum chaaro ko maa ne jaisingh mansion bulaya hai. Tanu ki pehli rasoi hai. She wants all of us to be there. Tu chalega na?"
Arhaan wanted to ask why Arjun calls their jeeju's mother "maa" but refrained from doing so. He first have to share his past before he ask any questions.
Arjun "kya hua? Nahi jaana tujhe?" He asked a little anxious.
Arhaan looked at him "wo actually mujhe jaane me koi problem nahi hai par nikky ek saath itne saare naye logon se milne me shayad comfortable na ho aur pata nahi un sabko bhi nikky ka wahan aana theek lagega ya nahi."
Arjun "nikky naye logon se milega tabhi to iski anxiety thodi kam hogi na beta, aur waise bhi tanu aur jeet se to ye mil hi liya hai, baki bache maa, jai aur mannu. I am sure he will just love them all. And they would too. Trust me they will be more than happy to meet him."
Arhaan "are you sure about it?"
Arjun "trust me, he will just love it there. Aur waise bhi agar tum dono hoge to shayad mein bhi ghar ke andar enter kar lu warna abhi jungli billi jitni gussa hai na wo mujhe ek kadam ghar ke andar nahi rakhne degi." He tried to joke but his sadness was quite apparent on his face.
Arhaan "di abhi bhi naraaj hai aapse?" He asked
Arjun "ab itna bada blunder karunga to naraaj to hogi hi. Par koi baat nahi kal jayenge tab mana lunga usse. Tu apna bata chalega na kal?"
Arhaan nodded his head.
Arjun smiled at him "to theek hai, kal breakfast ke liye jana hai, be ready by 9." Just like that they had their dinner and then retired to their respective rooms.
Where everyone was deep asleep at shergill house, maan heard a knock on his bedroom door. He was doing some assignment so he got up from his work desk at once and walked towards the door and opened it. When he opened the door he found jeet and tanu standing there.
Maan "aap dono, is time yahan kya............ He stopped for a second and then looked at tanu with concern " Kya hua bhabhi? Aap ro rahe ho?"
Tanu cutely nodded her head and sniffled. Maan looked at jeet sternly "kya kiya aapne? Bhabhi kyun ro rahi haihai?" He asked with equal amounts of concern and anger.
Jeet whacked him hard "ohhh bhabhi ke devar, maine kuch nahi kiya. Khud ke failaye raite par ro rahi hai ye. Aur pehle andar chal, sari baat yahin khade khade karega kya."
Maan got aside to let jeet and tanu enter his room. As soon as they walked in jai also woke up and was surprised to see jeet and tanu there.
Jai "bhaiya, bhabhi, aap dono yahan kya kar rahe ho is time? Hume Sneak out karna hai kya?" He asked in a sleepy voice.
Maan "tere dimag me kabhi koi dhang ki baat nahi aati kya jai? Jab bhi muh kholega to kuch na kuch bakwaas baat hi karega." He scolded jai.
Jai "bhaiyu aadhi raat ko to baksh do pls. Jab dekho daantne ke liye ever ready rehte ho. Aur itni raat gaye koi bhajan gaane ke liye company nahi dhoondta bhaiyu, is time saare ulte seedhe kaam hi discuss hote hai. Hai na bhabhi?" He asked his new partner in crime and that's when he looked properly at tanu as well. Looking at her jai at once stood up and went near her "kya hua bhabhi, aap ro rahe ho, kisi ne kuch bola aapko? Bhaiya ne pareshaan kiya na aapko?"
Before tanu could reply jeet whacked jai as well "tum dono ne mujhe samjh kya rakha hai? Agar tumhari bhabhi pareshaan hai to maine hi kuch kiya hoga kya?"
Jai "haan to? Bhabhi agar dukhi hai to shak aap par hi jayega na, waise bhi mere saath kuch hua nahi hai, bhaiyu ke saath kuch hota nahi hai, badi maa ko aapko daantne se hi fursat nahi milti to bhabhi ko kya hi kahengi. Bas fir bache aap, aapne hi kuch kiya hoga. Ek baat sun lo aap kaan khol kar agar bhabhi ko jara bhi pareshan kiya na to theek nahi hoga."
Jeet twisted his ear "bhabhi ke chamche, kuch jyada hi jabaan nahi chal rahi teri."
Jai hissed "dekho bhaiya ye galat baat hai, aap aisa nahi kar sakte. Ek to aapne bhabhi ko rula diya upar se mera kaan kheech rahe ho."
Jeet left his ear "Arre maine kuch nahi kiya, sach me. Tany Tu bata inhe, meri to baat par jara yakeen nahin hai in dono ko."
Maan "haan bhabhi, aap batao, kya hua? Kyun ro rahe ho aap?"
Tanu "wo na maa ne kal mujhe breakfast banane ko bola hai."
Jai "haan pata hai, hum sabke saamne hi to bola tha. Usme kya problem hai?"
Tanu "main banaungi kya?" She said innocently
Maan "wo hi jo aapne cooking classes me seekha hai bhabhi."
Tanu "wo na, wo actually kya hua na ki wo........
Jeet " Arre isse kuch banana nahi aata. Isne enroll kiya tha us class me par wahan gayi nahi."
Tanu "main first day gayi thi abhi."
Maan "aur first day ke baad?"
Tanu "wo actually unhone bola ki cooking seekhna hai to nail extension hatwa lo, maine bohut socha to samjh aaya ki khana to mere liye koi bhi bana kar de dega par nail extension to koi aur mere liye nahi kara sakta na. To main dubara wahan nahi gayi."
Maan "to aapne teen mahine se hum sabko bataya kyun nahi?"
Tanu "wo actually jab maa ko bola tha ki maine cooking class me enroll kiya hai to wo bohut khush hui thi isliye maine socha ki unhe kuch na pata lage to better hoga."
Jai "Arre tab nahi bataya to koi baat nahi par aaj jab badi maa ne bola tha ki kal pehli rasoi ki rasam kar lete hai to itna over confidence me aa kar unhe help karane se kyun mana kiya aapne?"
Tanu " Wo na mujhe laga ki agar maa ko ab pata laga ki mujhe ab bhi kuch nahi aata to unhe lagega ki main bohut badi duffer hu and i thought kal subah tak kuch na kuch seekh loongi par jo bhi video dekho usme sab kuch itna difficult hota hai." With that she once again started crying.
Maan came near her and made her sit on the bed "koi baat nahi bhabhi, it's okay, pls aap rona band karo, kuch sochte hai hum sab."
Jeet "haan tany, rone se kya hoga. Come on stop crying." Jeet also said sitting near her.
Tanu "maa bohut gussa ho jayengi abhi. She will think that i am good for nothing."
Jeet "Arre maa aisa kuch nahi sochengi. You know she loves you just the way you are. So just relax. Kal bata denge unhe sab."
Tanu's eyes widened in fear "nahi, maa ko kuch mat bolna, pls, pls pls" She said and started crying again.
Maan glared at jeet and held tanu's hands "bhabhi just relax, koi kuch nahi batayega badi maa ko. Aap pls shaant ho jaiye."
Tanu "maa ko nahi pata lagna chahiye ki mujhe khana banana nahi aata. I don't wanna look stupid in front of her."
Jeet "achcha theek hai, Tu pls rona band kar. Aisa karte hai kal subah maa ko bol denge ki teri tabiyat theek nahi hai. Atleast kuch dino ke liye to is rasam se peecha chhut jayega."
Maan "bhaiya problem solve karni hai, postpone nahi karni. We need to do something jisse ye rasam bhi ho jaye aur koi problem bhi na ho."
Jai "haan bhabhi, aap pareshaan mat ho, mere paas ek idea hai. Sab ban jayega aur aapko kuch karna bhi nahi padega."
All three looked at him with interest at once "haan bata na" Said the trio together.
Jai "kal na hum subah subah sara khana bahar se order kar denge. Khana achcha bhi hoga aur Bhabhi ko bas serve karna padega."
Maan "seriously jai, isse bura idea nahi mila tujhe?"
Jai "Arre bhaiyu ye bohut achcha idea hai, Sare tv serials me vamp apni pehli rasoi aise hi karti hai, aur fir unki bohut saari tareef bhi hoti hai."
Maan gave him a disgusted look "oo ekta kapoor ke mele me bichhde bhai tu na wapas so jaa, kyunki tu koi dhang ki baat kare iske zero percent chances hai."
Jai "Arre problem kya hai mere plan me bhaiyu ye batao aap pehle. Bina reason mera idea reject kar rahe ho aap."
Maan "beta ghar ke aur bahar ke khane me na fark samjh aata hai. Aur jab khana serve hone ke pehle ya dauraan badi maa kitchen me aayengi to kya unhe pata nahi lagega ki wahan kuch bana hai ya nahi. Aur ye sab to jaane hi de in case agar khana aane me der ho gayi to kya karenge? Agar staff me se kisi ne badi maa ko bata diya tab kya hoga?" To mere pyaare birbal Tu na ye sochne ka kaam hum sab par chhod de aur wapas apne sapno ki duniya me kho jaa."
Jai whined "bhaiya dekho na bhaiyu ko."
Jeet "usse to main baad me dekhunga beta, pehle ye bata tu tv serials dekhta hai?" He asked him with a disgusted look.
Jai "nahi bhaiya, wo to kabhi kabhi mere school me girls discuss kar rahi hoti hai to sab pata lag jata hai."
Jeet "beta unki kahaniya itne dhyaan se sunta hai to unke aur unki mummiyon ke saath kitty bhi join kar le. I am sure you will enjoy that."
Jai "Arre had hai ek to main................
Maan " Chup, bilkul chup ho jaiye dono. Yahan kya baat chal rahi thi aur aap dono kahan pohunch gaye. Kabhi to problem par focus kijiye aap dono."
Tanu "haan abhi, jai ko kaunsi kitty join karani hai wo baad me dekh lenge, abhi jo musibat sar par hai uska solution nikalna hai."
Jai was about to say something but one stern look from maan and he kept his mouth shut.
Maan "bhaiya, kal aap jaldi utth jana aur bhabhi aap bhi."
Tanu "kyun?"
Maan "badi maa hamesha naha kar, pooja karke hi kitchen me enter karti hai, make sure you get ready and be present in the kitchen before she comes out of her room. Main aur jai bhi kal jaldi utth kar kitchen me aa jayenge aur jaldi jaldi sab bana denge."
Tanu "par agar tumhare khana banate banate maa kitchen me aa gayi to?"
Maan "we will try ki aisa na ho aur agar In case badi maa kitchen me aayi bhi to hum keh denge ki hum bas aapki help kar rahe hai."
Jeet "haan to is sabme main kyun jaldi utthu?"
Maan "aap kitchen ke bahar rehna bhaiya aur jab bhi badi maa aane wali ho tab hume bata dena aur unhe bahar uljhaye rakhna so that she doesn't get to know that it's not bhabhi but me and jai who cooked."
Tanu "haan ye theek rahega. To kis time aaun main kitchen me?"
Maan "badi maa to 7:30 baje tak pooja khatam karke kitchen me aati hai. So it's better if all of us reach there by 6."
Jeet "dimag kharab ho gaya hai kya tera mannu? Itni subah subah kaun uthega?"
Jai "haan bhaiyu, it's too early."
Maan "bhaiya hume badi maa ke pooja khatam karne se pehle major breakfast bana dena hai aur badi maa ne bhabhi ke ghar se bhi sabko invite kara hai. Saath me jo bhi khana banega wo gaye (cow) aur mandir ke liye bhi nikalna hai aur saath me dev bhai aur 2-3 staff members aur bhi hai, To hume around 15 logon ka khana banana hai that too with some variety. All this will take time. Itne logon ka khana banana hai wo bhi 7:30 to isme itna time to lagega hi. Agar late huye aur badi maa aa gayi to khana bhabhi ko banana padega."
Jeet knew what maan was saying is true but even the thought of waking up so early and getting ready before 6 in the morning was not something that jeet was looking forward to.
Tanu saw his face and understood what he was thinking "pls na abhi, mere liye bas ek din kar le na."
Jai "Arre aap itna request mat karo bhabhi, ye time se utth kar taiyar ho jayenge."
Maan "haan bhabhi, don't you worry, ek din kya aapke liye to inhe sari life bhi jaldi uthna pada to hum inhe uththa denge."
Jeet looked at tanu "don't worry tany, main time se taiyaar ho jaunga and I'll help however I can. Tu pareshaan mat ho."
Then he shifted his gaze at his dear brothers who were smiling at both of them. Jeet caught their ears in one swift motion and twisted harshly "aur tum dono? Tany ke saath to main hamesha khada hi hu par tum dono apne bhabhi prem me kho kar mujh par kuch jyada dadagiri nahi kar rahe ho. Bhulo mat ye bhabhi hai to main bhi tumhara bada bhai hu."
Both hissed in pain. Jai "aaahh bhaiya pls chhodo na."
Maan "haan bhaiya aage se aapko equal importance denge. Sorry."
Jeet left them "dhyaan rakhna dono aage se." He said irritated
Tanu "chalo ab sote hai, waise bhi kal bohut jaldi utthna hai."
With that both jeet and tanu left for their bedroom while maan and jai slept in theirs.
********************
Hey readers
So finally our beloved dimwitted arhaan is on track. 😁😁
Did you like the chapter?
Which was your favorite scene?
Do you think the jaisingh will ve able to cook anything other then mischief? 🤭🤭
Any suggestions?
Happy reading. 😊