“Nooooo” Armaan was startled by the loud voice and he hurried out of the bedroom in worry.
“What is it? What happened?” Armaan asked as he reached the living room. Every member of the family had reached the living room hearing the loud cry.
“Aaru bua” Ava pointed at her aunt, telling everyone that it was Aaru who made the noise.
“What is it Aaru?” Janani asked, hurrying towards Aaradhya, who was staring at her mobile phone with a disappointed look on her face.
“Bhabhi… My college life is wasted” Aaru cried dramatically, making her brothers frown.
“What? Your college life just started, Aaru. It’s been hardly a month.” Janani said with a confused frown on her face.
“Yeah. One month of heaven it was. Tomorrow onwards, it is going to be as dry as a desert” Aaru said, wiping her non-existent tears.
“Stop your dramatics and tell us what the problem is” Armaan said sternly.
Aaru hurried towards Armaan and clung to him like a little Koala. Armaan rolled his eyes and shot a helpless look at Janani. Janani was chuckling seeing that.
Armaan and Aadesh have got used to Aaru’s loud nature and open affections. They know there is no use in shouting at her. She never listens. She would shamelessly again come behind them. So, they have stopped reacting to her nature.
“Bade bhaiyya, Prof Siddharth is leaving our college. He got a better offer, it seems” Aaru cried.
“So what? If he goes, a better teacher would come” Aadesh said in an off-handed manner.
Aaru left Armaan and hugged Aadesh and it was his turn to roll his eyes.
“Not as handsome as Prof Siddharth” Aaru complained and everyone looked at her in disbelief. When she said she is disappointed about a Prof leaving, they had thought she was worried about her academics.
“You gotta be kidding me” Armaan muttered under his breath.
“I had even planned the names of our kids and he is leaving me halfway through” Aaru cried.
“God!!” Armaan muttered angrily and walked away from there.
Janani immediately followed him.
“Armaan, Maa has been asking me to come and stay with her for a few days” Janani said and Armaan frowned.
“Ask her to come and stay with us,” Armaan said, pulling Janani into his lap.
“Armaan, I want to go and stay at my home for a few days,” Janani said, making Armaan frown more.
“Janani, you know I can’t stay without you,” Armaan said.
“I know. But think from my side too, Armaan. That’s the home I grew up in. My parents, Aadi’s parents, Richa’s parents. They all are a very important part of my life. I wish to stay with them too for a few days, Armaan. I hope you understand” Janani said, drawing random patterns on his chest.
“I have a very important business deal going on right now. I can’t stay away, Janani” Armaan said.
“That’s okay, Armaan. Khanna bhaiyya will drop us there. Also, there’s someone coming to see Richa. She has been with me through every step of my life. I want to be by her side too. Once your deal is done, you can stay a day or two and we can come back together” Janani said and Armaan grudgingly agreed to it.
“I will try to finish up the deal quickly and join you” Armaan said.
“Okay. I will go and pack then” Janani said and got up from his lap.
Armaan pulled her back into his lap and bit her on her cheeks.
“Ahhh! Why did you do that, Armaan” Janani asked, rubbing her cheeks and glaring at him.
“Because, you are so eager to leave me and go” Armaan said in annoyance and Janani pecked him on his lips and hurried away from there.
As she went into her bedroom, she took her phone and messaged Shreya.
‘Plan success. I will be leaving from here with the kids today or tomorrow. Then it would be just the brothers and Aaru. I hope this will help them bond better.’ — J
‘Don’t worry. Everything will get better. Aadesh and Armaan bhai will get their mother.’ — S
Janani quickly packed her things and the kids’ things.
“Bhabhi..” Aaru came into the bedroom with a long face.
“What is it Aaru?” Janani asked with a smile.
“You don’t have to go.” Aaru said, not liking the plan Janani and Shreya came up with.
“I have to. Once I am out of the way, you will have to take care of your brothers, Aaru. This is your one chance to win them” Janani said.
“I will miss you and the babies” Aaru said tearily.
“Very necessary for us to have a big happy family later on” Janani said, caressing Aaru’s cheeks.
“I will call you everyday. Pick up my calls without fail, even if you are on a call with Armaan bhaiyya” Aaru said and Janani nodded with a chuckle.
Time passed by in a blur and Janani and the kids were ready to leave. Armaan looked as if a bee stung him.
“Miss me” Armaan said and dropped a peck on Janani’s lips without caring of the audience. Janani turned red and averted her eyes from everyone, who were shooting teasing looks their way. Armaan as usual was pretty shameless.
Armaan walked Janani and the kids towards the car.
“Armaan, go easy on Aaru, okay. I won’t be here as a buffer. And don’t come home late. She is alone here.” Janani said and Armaan rolled his eyes.
“I cannot change my schedule for her convenience, Janani. If she is not comfortable staying here alone, she can shift to her hostel” Armaan said with a scoff and Janani rolled her eyes.
“Don’t give me this I don’t care bullsh*t. I am your wife and I know you well.” Janani said and Armaan shot a cheeky look at her.
Armaan kissed Ava and Advi, bidding the bye.
Advi was very excited about getting into the car and going away. He loves car rides. Whenever Armaan or Aadesh leaves the house, Advi screams, bringing the whole house upside down.
“Tata babaa” Advi waved saying bye bye in his own language..
Janani sighed..
Now, its just the siblings..
Time for the sibling bonding…