Chapter 15

Arnav attended the call with sigh of relief seeing it is from Akash.

"Akash where are you? Do you have any idea how worried everyone is at home? Why didn't you pick the phone when we called?"

He would have go on with his rambling if didn't have heard someone else sound trough his brothers phone.

"Who are you? Where is Akash?" He asked and with that the short relief the family had vanished.

The person who called from Akash answered Arnav's query and the family noticed the panic in Arnav's face.

"I will come now" Arnav said to the caller and cut the phone.

"Where is my bitwa? What happened to him Arnav bitwa?" Mami eagerly asked to ensure his safety.

"Don't worry Mami .Akash is safe. I will go and get him. It's just he was stuck in a meeting and his phone has some problem" You all have your dinner and sleep.

The ladies bought his lies and signed in relief. Shyam waited for them to go back to dining room to talk to Arnav. After making sure he was in a distance where he won't be heard by ladies Shyam asked

"Where is he Arnav? What happened to him?"

Arnav ran his hands through his hair. 'I don't know what happened to him jijaji. It was a bar attender who called from Akash's phone. Apparently Akash is at a bar from noon and according to him Akash is in no way could attend a call."

"What" Shyam exclaimed. That was new. Akash is never a person to get drunk. He may have one or two pegs at social gathering, but will never get drunk till he loose his consciousness.

"Don't say this to any one jijaji. They will create havoc if they came to know about this. I will go quickly and get him back home."

"I will come with you Arnav"

"No jijaji, they may get doubt if you accompany me" Shyam agreed and Arnav quickly took his car keys and left to the bar as instructed by the attender.

Arnav was in a surprise when he saw his brother .Akash was so drunk, sitting at the counter and his eyes were filled with tears .Arnav quickly went near him.

"Akash come, let's go home"

"Bhai, you came...And was saying something which Arnav couldn't make up with the sound and Slurred speech.

"We will talk later, you first come with me" Arnav supported a waving Akash to his car and tucking him with seat belts. Arnav quickly instructed one of their drivers to take Akash's car back home .After he started the car Arnav noticed his brother weeping. He couldn't hold back anymore with the worry

"What happened to you Akash? Why are you crying? Tell me dammit .What made you this emotional that you are so drunk to even stand properly.?"

"How could they say things like that..? How could she say she does not want to see anymore? I know I hurt her but this punishment is too much "Akash slurred.

Arnav understood that Akash is emotionally strained and some girl is involved in this whole thing. The first reaction came from his mouth was

'what the...how dare she hurt his brother ?But knowing the object of his anger being an unknown entity ,Arnav decided to Know who she is, how his brother landed in such a condition '. By the time he was in such thoughts they were already in Shathivan's drive way. He parked the car and helped Akash to his room. He was relieved that his family has already went to bed, Thanks to His jijaji...After making Akash lay down in bed Arnav was ready to leave when Akash held his hand and sat in the bed.

"Bhai, you always make things better for me...naa..Please ask her to forgive me. Please ask her to not avoid me .It hurts Bhai. It really hurts. Please Bhai..."

Arnav first thought to probe the matter when Akash is sober but seeing his brother requesting him he couldn't hold back

"Who hurt you Akash? What did she do to hurt you?"

"She didn't do anything Bhai. She said she don't want to see me anywhere near her. How could she say something like that Bhai."

"Who Akash?"

"Payalji..."

"Payal .As in Khushi's Payal"

"Ji...She is sooo beautiful. Like an angel from heavennn.Her voice...do you know how sweet her voice is...."Akash slurred with a dreaming smile on his face.

"But why do you want to meet her ? How does it matter to you if she said she didn't want to see you?"

"Why didn't I want see her Bhai...I loveeee her so muchhh .Just a glimpse of her lightens my day bhaiiii. Please ask her to let me see her .Talk to her .A simple smile will be enoughhh .Please bhaiiii."

"We will talk later Akash .For now you sleep .I will talk to you tomorrow" . For Arnav the information is shocking and too much .His brother is in love with the sister of the girl he loves . He needed a sober Akash to talk to and this is not the right time so he forcefully made Akash laydown and went to his room in deep thoughts.

Next morning Arnav asked his family to not disturb Akash and asked him to come and meet him when he is okay.

Akash reached office around 11.30.He didn't know how to face his Bhai. He don't remember much about yesterday's night.so he was skeptical. He was reluctant when his Bhai asked to have lunch with him.

After settling in a reserved area in restaurant Arnav looked at his brother He could see Akash was sweating and was not at all looking at him

"Start talking Akash"

"I am sorry bhai. It won't happen again."

"That's not I am asking .What made you do such a thing?

"Nothing Bhai."

"Not again Akash. You may not remember but I clearly remember you asking me to talk to Payal .So now speak."

"There is nothing more to talk Bhai .It's over .She didn't even wish to see me .And I really can't blame her .Can I? I just stood there listening to her sister being bashed by our family without even trying to know the truth. We didn't leave anyone. We thoroughly abused her sister and her family .So with what right I will ask her a chance."

"Where you both in a relationship?"

Akash shook his head "No ,I proposed her for a marriage .I told her I like her, love her .But she refused me but I was positive I could change that answer but then those misunderstanding and Khushiji's episode happened and now she didn't even want to see me."

"Did you try to talk to Khushi? Maybe an apology .She may help you to persuade Payal."

Akash gave a sarcastic chuckle. "Khushiji...She asked me not to even go to Lakshmi Nagar. I am not surprised though. After we all did to her why will she let me meet her sister .She said your actions have driven them to Delhi and not to do something that force them to leave here too as they don't have anywhere else to go."

Arnav shut his eyes tight .His previous actions are coming to bite him .He didn't know his thoughtless action caused her so much of damage .Now his action driving away his brother's love from him .He can't let Akash suffer because of his actions.

"We will fix it Akash .If you want Payal in your life we will make her understand."

"How Bhai ?She refused me when I proposed her for the first time .she said we won't suit because of our different social status."

"But social status doesn't matter if you love her Akash .We can assure her ."

"Really Bhai..isn't it their social status that made you behave the way you did to Khushiji .Isn't it their social status that made us judge them ,so how will we prove otherwise."

Arnav gulped .Yes Akash is true but can he just let Akash pay for his deed. Already he is paying for his deeds. Staying away from khushi .Pining for her .He can't let Akash go through the same . Akash and his parents has done so much for him that he couldn't even repay .If bringing Payal in Akash's life gives his brother happiness then he will do anything for that .If he has to apologize to Guptas he is ready .Anything for Akash's happiness.

"Do you Love her Akash .Do you want her in your life?"

"Yes I do"

"Then that is what we try for .I promise you I will do anything to bring Payal in your life"

"No bhai ,I don't want you to pressurize them for that".

"No Akash ,I won't do such things .If she comes to your life, Then she should come with her full will and happiness .I will meet her and talk to her

"Ji Bhai.But I don't have any hope Bhai"

By the time they finished talking Waiter brought their food.They had it in silence with different thoughts in mind.