Armaan was having a glass of juice, Aadesh reading some business related files and Janani setting the table for supper.
She kept looking at the clock every five minutes.
Aaradhya had told her that she would be home by the time they finished supper.
“Armaan, Aadesh. Come for supper” Janani called out and they both went to the dining area.
Janani served the parathas and the paneer butter masala she prepared to both the brothers.
“Where is Aditya?” Armaan asked. He was usually the first one to sit for breakfast.
“You already forgot? He told you he will be going home for a week. His exams ended yesterday and he said he wanted a break from your tyrrany” Janani said with a chuckle.
“And I already told him that he can’t go home. He is supposed to join the office tomorrow” Armaan said with a frown.
Armaan was a slave driver. He tortured poor Aditya for the last one month, preparing him for his arrear exams.
And Armaan had demanded Aditya to join the office immediately.
“Give the poor guy a break, Maan” Aadesh said, rolling his eyes.
“He is so careless and irresponsible. Dhawan uncle is very worried about him” Armaan said
Janani smiled. She feels so lucky to have this man as her better half. He takes care of her family as his own.
What more could a wife ask for?
“A week of break is not going to do him any harm. He deserves it after the one month of torture” Aadesh said
“Torture?” Armaan asked, feeling offended.
“Of course. What else can you call it? You wake the poor guy at four in the morning. And you give him personal tuition. Oh God! I shudder even imagining it” Aadesh said
“Stop exaggerating” Armaan said with a frown
“I am not. Finally, he had gone and begged bhabhi to keep you busy in bed” Aadesh said and Janani coloured embarrassedly remembering that day.
“What?” Armaan asked horrified
“Yes”
“What shameless behaviour is that? How can he talk to his sister like that?”Armaan sked furiously
“You drove him to that point, Maan.” Aadesh said
“I did no such thing” Armaan said adamantly
“I am not going to argue on that point anymore” Aadesh said
“Are the kids asleep, bhabhi?” Aadesh asked
“Yes. They had a little too much playing today. Both were exhausted and fell asleep the moment they hit the bed” Janani said with a fond smile.
“Sit and eat with us,” Armaan said, seeing Janani running around bringing things from the kitchen.
She was too nervous and didn’t think she could swallow even a little bit of food.
“I am not hungry, Armaan” Janani said
“What nonsense. Sit here” Armaan said, pulling her to sit next to him.
“Armaan, please-” Janani began to say.
But he placed a piece of paratha dipped in the paneer gravy into her mouth.
“Eat” Armaan said, with a glare.
Janani slowly chewed the food, feeling her husband watching her like a hawk.
“Stop staring like-” Again she couldn’t finish the sentence. Armaan shoved another piece of paratha into her mouth.
“Uh please. All this PDA makes me want to gag” Aadesh said, making a gagging face.
Armaan grinned at his younger brother.
“Let’s wait and see what happens after two months” Armaan teased
“Yes. He is too forward. He kissed her even before they shared a proper conversation” Janani added, mentioning the kiss she witnessed while little Ava was hospitalised.
“Bhabhi please” Aadesh whined, his ears turning red.
The rest of the supper was filled with the funny banter between the brothers, Janani almost forgot about the bomb coming their way.
Once the dinner was over, Janani cleared the table and washed the utensils. Armaan as usual helped her in the kitchen.
“Will I be expected to do all these when Shreya comes?”Aadesh asked, making a face.
“It is your wish. Imagine what she will think when she sees me helping Janani and you busy with your things.” Armaan said with a shrug
“Why do you have to set impossible goals for me to follow?” Aadesh asked, huffing in annoyance earning a laugh from his brother and brother in law.
They were distracted by the ringing of the calling bell.
Janani froze when she heard it.
“I will go and check” Aadesh said and walked towards the main door.
“Who could it be at this hour?” Armaan asked
“You also go and see” Janani gently pushed him out of the kitchen.
She waited a couple of minutes, before following them.
She stood a bit away and watched the brothers’ reaction.
Both the brothers had turned pale, seeing the young girl standing in front of them.
Armaan felt someone had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart hard.
He was finding it difficult to breathe.
The girl standing in front of him is a xerox copy of his mother.
The mother who abandoned her little children to go live with her richer lover.
“Who are you?” He asked in a frozen tone
“From the look on both your faces, it is pretty clear that you figured out who I am. Or atleast whom I am related to” the girl said casually, as she looked from one brother to another.
“We don’t know you. We don’t want to know either. Leave my property at once” Armaan demanded
“I am not going anywhere” the girl said stubbornly
“If you don’t leave now. I will be forced to get you arrested for trespassing” Armaan warned
“You can try whatever you want. I am not going anywhere” Aaradhya said, feeling confident in the belief that Janani wouldn’t let Armaan call the police on her.
“Armaan, just hear her out. What if she has come for something important” Janani interjected smoothly
“Janani, you have no idea who she is” Armaan bit out
“You know her?” Janani asked, faking a confused face
“No” Armaan bit out, refusing to acknowledge what he already knew.
“No worries. I will introduce myself. Aaradhya Ahuja. Daughter of Dr Gagan Ahuja and Durga Ahuja” Aaradhya said
The brothers sucked in a sharp breath, when their suspicion was confirmed
“And I am here to meet my elder brothers and get to know them”