Athulya's POV
"So she is right!" I opened my eyes to find Bhabhi standing in front of me, and the events of the previous night flooded back into my mind.
"What are you both doing here? Bua-dadi is talking, who knows what about you both," Bhabhi exclaimed, concern etched on her face.
"Vo gungi nahi huyi? Mujhe laga sadma lagega budhiya ko," I sighed, rubbing my eyes. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep in the chair.
"Nahi, aur vo abhi neeche saadme vali baate kar rhi hai. Chalo dono neeche," Bhabhi urged, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Well, Bhabhi, how many words has she already spoken?" I inquired.
"More than a lot," she replied with a weary sigh.
"Then what's the need to go? She has already said everything. If anyone had doubted, they would have found us," I stated matter-of-factly, questioning the necessity of rushing downstairs.
"That's why I'm here; your bhaiya asked me to wake you up. Now get downstairs," Bhabhi insisted, her tone firm.
I facepalmed myself upon hearing this, realizing that Veer might have got a hint.
"And Aarav, you? You both were drinking?" Bhabhi directed her question at him.
"NO!" we both answered simultaneously.
"Then what is all this? You really need to learn a good lesson," Bhabhi scolded, her disappointment evident.
"I swear, it was just one sip," I defended myself, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.
"Both of you, downstairs right now," Bhabhi ordered sternly.
"Aapko aisa nahi lagta ye sanki vala gussa ussa aajkal inki naak pe bhi chadha rehta hai.. Really, a match made in heaven," I grumbled. He simply suppressed a smile at the remark.
We both walked downstairs as slowly as we could, dreading the confrontation with Bua Dadi whose high-pitched tone already seemed to be making holes in the curtain of our ears.
"Lo aa gyi, pucho isse," Bua Dadi declared as soon as we entered the room, her eyes fixed on us.
"Good morning," I greeted them with a casual wave, attempting to maintain an air of nonchalance despite the tension in the room.
"Kya ho gya Bua-Dadi ji? Chila- chila ke neend kharab kardi meri," I exclaimed playfully, walking towards Dadi and enveloping her in a warm hug as she kissed my forehead. Aarav raised his eyebrows at my acting, but I shot him a subtle wink, silently reassuring him that I had the situation under control.
"Tell your family what you were doing last night?" She smirked wickedly and I winked back, hiding in dadi's embrace.
"Oh, last night? Sit, sit," I gestured for everyone to take a seat. "I was already going to tell you all this as soon as I woke up, but it's good you reminded me. You know, Ma," I addressed my mother, "I was sleeping peacefully when I heard a noise. I thought my ears might be ringing again, but then the noise continued. It was coming from her room," I pointed at the elderly woman. "For a moment, I got scared. Then I decided to check up on her, and when I reached inside, I found her awake. She was babbling something. I thought maybe she was just speaking in her sleep, but no, she was awake. It was very strange, as if she was drunk. Vaise, Bua-Dadi raat ko kabhi do-char peg bhi chadati ho kya? I mean, maybe.." I trailed off, waiting for their reactions.
"Ulta chor kotwal ko daate. Wah! Kya jhoot bolti hai ye ladki. Bilkul bhi sharam nahi hai isse," I teased with a wink, and she continued, "Didn't I see you last night on the terrace with Aarav, and you both were drinking? What happened? Do you have any answer for this?"
I stepped forward, placing my palm on her forehead. "Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?"
"Here, see this," I said, turning my phone towards them and starting the video. Her eyes widened in horror as she watched.
I had skillfully edited the video, removing Yuvaan from it so it appeared as if she was babbling to herself.
"I tried to intervene, but she didn't even recognize me at that moment. So I thought it's better to make a video. I hope you're okay, Bua Dadi," I added with a smirk.
Kaisa laga, Budhiya? Aaya maza?
(How was that old lady? Had fun?)
"Okay, okay. Forget all this, and Bua ji, please have some rest. We don't want any compromise with your health," Ma intervened, diffusing the tension in the room. I couldn't help but smirk as Bua ji gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Aur meri koi zaroorat ho to batana!" I called out teasingly as she walked towards her room, unable to resist adding one final jab.
Sighing, I took a seat, crossing my legs as if I had just completed a strenuous task. Ma went inside, and Papa, Chachu, and Dadu got busy with their office work.
"You're a good editor," Yuvaan said as he sat beside me.
"Well, it wasn't possible without you, Yuvi," I replied gratefully.
"Ab kya kichdi pak rhi hai yaha?" Veer's voice suddenly interrupted from behind. He had a habit of eavesdropping.
"Ab kya pakegi? Vo to pak bhi jayi aur khatam bhi ho gayi, Bhai," Aarushi smirked in response, not missing a beat.
"You all fooled her, right?" Veer questioned.
"No, totally wrong," I replied with a sly grin. "A fool is already a fool; you can't fool him anymore."
"That's quite an old dialogue, kiddo, try something new," Veer remarked.
"Not as old as you!" I retorted, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Wait! Did you just call me a kid again? What the... Get out from here. Don't you ever talk to me!" I exclaimed.
I think I should paste it in the whole house that I am not a 'kid'.
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"Are you going somewhere, Aarushi?" I asked her, lying lazily and watching as she got ready.
"No, where would I go?" she replied dismissively, brushing off the idea.
"Don't you think, Ansh, she's going somewhere?" I asked him, nudging him with my elbow. He giggled and whispered in my ear, "Maybe to meet her boyfriend?" We both made an 'O' with our mouths at this revelation, and he blinked his eyes, imagining the possibility.
"I am never wrong, Aya," he declared, lying beside me in the same posture, his hands propped under his chin, our eyes locked in a secret understanding.
I couldn't resist playfully squeezing his cheeks, but he quickly moved my hand away and opened my braid.
"Ansh!" I pouted, feeling a twinge of annoyance. I had struggled so hard to make it, and this cutie opened it in seconds. Oh god! All my hard work.
"Come here, Mr. Mischief," I said, trying to sound stern but failing as I giggled. He attempted to escape my hold, but I managed to catch him.
I took out a few rubber bands and combed his hair, gathering them in my hands as I prepared to style his hair.
"No... Badi Ma," he protested, mimicking my habit of calling out Ma for every small fight. I chuckled at his imitation, feeling a pang of fondness for our shared quirk.
I had always wished to make a small ponytail with my brother's hair—it seemed like such a fun and endearing thing to do. The girls in the hostel used to do it, but Nihal was never this open with me. Brat! Asshole! A sour taste filled my throat remembering him.
"Oops... hahahaha," I turned to find Veer entering the room, likely having heard Ansh calling me "Badi Ma."
"You aren't allowed here. Get out! Who let him in? I will fire you all!" I jokingly shouted, and he gave a half-smile.
"Hey, hey... what are you doing with my brother?" Vihan interjected, playing the role of the protective big brother. It was a side of him I rarely saw, but he hid his smile as he stopped me from making Ansh's ponytail.
One more idiot! My dream again remains a dream.
"What's going on?" Bhabhi stepped inside, and I quickly adopted an innocent expression. Well, now even she knows 'I am not that innocent,' but I enjoy acting like that. Can someone offer me a movie with such a role?
"Bhabhi! See, we were just having fun and Vihan spoiled it," I explained, trying to deflect blame.
"Wait! My lord. This girl was making my brother her Barbie, and that's her idea of fun," Vihan chimed in, unable to suppress his laughter. I grabbed a cushion and threw it at him, but his reflexes were too fast.
In retaliation, he picked up a glass and threw it at me. If it had hit my forehead, it would have surely caused a bruise, but I wasn't about to be outdone. I jumped over the couch towards him and grabbed a vase, preparing to retaliate. In the midst of our playful skirmish, I could hear someone shouting at me to stop.
We threw anything and everything at each other until the ground was covered with broken objects. It was dangerous to run now, but when did I ever care about that? Vihan is the only person who irritates me the most, and to be frank, I like it. I enjoy these small banters; I can't digest my food without cursing him and having a playful fight. We have the most immature bond in the house, and that's what makes our bond different. We'll always be there for each other, but not before laughing our asses off at their problems. That's just how we roll.
Didn't I say it was dangerous? Hell, it is painful as well!
I winced as I felt a sharp piece of glass pierce my foot. Although I knew how to tolerate pain, I also loved a bit of overacting.
"Ouch!" I cried out, flinching, and Vihan turned around, immediately stopping what he was doing. "What happened, half-brain?" he asked, walking towards me , holding my feet to inspect the wound and ensure there were no other small pieces of glass.
"Aashu.." I inwardly swore, knowing that seeing Veer would cause me more pain than the injury itself. He would shout at the top of his lungs, scolding me for being careless and not thinking about others. He'd tell me to stop acting like a kid, among other things. Even Ma didn't scold me this much, and Papa never raised his voice at me. He was the sweetest person I knew.
"How many times should I tell her not to do this, not to do that, but no, she has to do what she wants. Am I Hitler who is imposing his rules? No! I talk about your own benefit, but no, it never matters to you."
I winced internally, knowing exactly as predicted that Veer would scold me. I knew him very well.
"Bhai..."
"What, Bhai? You make a mistake every time, and your only reaction is 'Bhai.' Don't think you can melt me like this. Now sit straight and let me see," Veer instructed firmly, holding my foot and placing it on his knees.
"Gently.." I muttered, reminding him to be gentle so that he don't break my ankle at this.
"You should have thought of this earlier if you didn't want to face this," he reprimanded. "And Vihan, ask someone to remove all the mess you both have created. Someone could accidentally step on it."
Although I know very well how to bear pain, the point is when you really have someone to care for you, it becomes overwhelming. Some points are very tender and painful, and the area below the feet is one of them.
"What happened, Princess?" Papa sat beside me, patting my cheek gently.
"Why not? Ask your princess what she was doing? A princess in name only, she is. Not a single act of hers is like a princess," Veer interjected, his tone laced with frustration.
"She is a child, Veer. Injuries keep happening," Papa replied calmly, trying to diffuse the tension.
Well, for a moment, I felt like a child again.
"She isn't a child," Veer insisted, turning to me and asking, "Isn't it?" I frowned, feeling caught off guard by his question.
And all of a sudden, while I was talking with Papa, Veer swiftly pulled the glass piece out. The sudden pain made me instinctively hug him tightly as he gently set the glass piece aside.
Bhabhi brought the antiseptic and bandage. I flinched slightly as Veer wiped the blood off from my feet, his touch gentle yet firm as he tended to my wound.
"Now okay?" Veer asked, and I nodded in response.
"Don't make that face. It was just an accident," I reassured him.
"Why not? Everything is an accident. Even if someone gets hit by a truck, it's called an accident. So, stop being so accidental. This is my last warning," He tried scaring me making his eyes wide but a single stare can't scare me. Not now, never ever.
"Sometimes you are cruel.." I pouted, taking a halt "Not sometimes, but all the time."
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Netflix is peace. I could lie on this sofa all day like this. No work, no tension, nothing, just entertainment.
Mazani Life.
And then the doorbell rang, shattering my peace. I was the only one present in the hall, so with a sigh, I paused my show and got up to answer the door.
Standing in front of me was Robin.
"What now?" I asked, blocking the entrance and not letting him in.
"Can't I come for no reason?" he responded.
"No!"
"Fine, fine. I came to show you some projects."
"Okay, give them and go," I demanded. But he didn't move. "Give it! What are you waiting for?"
With a sigh, he handed me the project reports, but I knew this lazy ass couldn't have come to my home just to submit these. He stood there, still.
"What now? Go, your work is done," I urged. But just as I was about to close the door in his face, Ma saw him and called him to come inside. Despite my intense threatening stare, this guy didn't leave. He agreed to Ma's invitation and entered the house.
As soon as Ma walked into the kitchen, I followed her. "Why did you call him?" I asked.
"He's your friend, isn't he? Besides, his family is close to us. What would Aunty think if I didn't even invite him in?" She replied, lightly pulling my cheeks.
"Only if Aunty will know where her son went to" I said, placing my hands on my waist. "You should call Aunty instead of him, but please get him out of here. He'll just disturb me."
"Disturb you in what?" Ma asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um... I was planning to study in 5 minutes."
"Just keep planning all day. All you ever do is watch Netflix or use your laptop. You don't seem to care about college at all," Ma remarked.
"Ma..." I started to protest, but she cut me off.
"Aww... mera baccha gussa ho gya?" she cooed, pulling my cheeks again.
"Not my cheeks, Ma," I protested, pulling away.
"Weren't you saying that your feet were hurting a while ago?"
"It's not hurting anymore," I replied quickly.
"This quickly?" Ma raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Yes, I'm a quick healer," I said confidently.
"Hmm... I know you very well. You used to be scared even of slight bruises. You used to do so much drama that.." she teased.
"I used to, Ma, used to. Not anymore. I.am.not.that .girl, Ma. She was silly but I am not." I insisted, turning away to hide my frustration. "And if you're not going to get him out, then I will."
With that, I stormed out in anger, while Ma followed me to calm me down. And I found him chatting with Aarushi.
"Robin get out from here!" I shouted.
"No, I will not"
This audacity. He is rulling in my home?
"Fine then , you know Ma, he is such a drunkyard" I turned to ma and found her face colour getting affected.
"And you are way ahead than me" He smirked.
"He visits bar daily"
"And she smokes!"
This guy! How dare he tell this? Well, they knows but still.
"Robin... He failed in his 12th grade" Aarushi laughed out at this. Ma used to think him as genius so this is a new information for them.
"She used to be a daily drinker"
Gone. This guy is dying today. This was meant to be a secret.
Ladki ka chakaar babu bhaiya.
"He ran away from his home with his girlfriend" His face turned pale at this. This idiot claimed that she loved him but as soon she got out of her house, she got away with her real boyfriend.
I still remember how he cried rivers that day.
"And you know what, I found her in a bar at the mere age of 13, when I met her."
"ROBIN!!!!!!!" I threw my slippers at him. I knows my family is hearing this and he did it intentionally.
Izzat ka falooda kar diya. Namakharaam.
"She lies to you all,... she visits..."
No, not this. I will be fully exposed if he told that roger arena thing. I can't let him finish that.
"You..." I threw my heels at him this time.
"Both of you sit here. We have a lot of things to talk. His brother is coming as well. I see what you guys did all these years." I turned around to find Veer standing there.
He heard everything! Can someone get me away from here?
He has already preached me today and all the things that Robin mentioned were too much. And I already have that Bua-Dadi for adding spices.
This is going to be the worst day. I don't even know if he will talk to me after this or not.
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Got late in publishing due to school. Hell I am tired. *huff* So, sorry if there are any errors.
Don't forget to vote and comment.
Now her family will get to know some of her past in next chapter.