Muddat

7. Broken Trust

Aadrika reached the kitchen and saw Aastha working. Taking a deep breath, she decided that she couldn't let anyone know what was truly going on inside her. She forced a bright smile onto her face and hugged Aastha from behind, startling her.

"Good morning meri pyaari bhabhi jaan" hearing her voice , Aastha turned and cupped her face.

"Good morning angel, tu theek hai?Avik?" Aastha asked caressing her face

"Theek hun bhabhi jaan, and yes Avik bhi theek hai" Aastha sensed something odd but still nodded.

"Acha remember mai yahi hun, bhabhi hone se pehle di hun teri, kabhi bhi kuch bhi bol sakti hai mujhe, I hope you know that. Chal table pe baith mai breakfast laga rahi hun"

"I know meri pyaari se bhabhi, Arey mai kyu joun? Help karungi aapki btao kya karna hai" Aadrika said looking around, Aastha shook her head and gently pushed her out of the kitchen

"Arey suno na-"

"Chup chap bahar jaa table pe baith, breakfast will be done soon, out" Aastha said with a stern look, Aadrika huffed but did as told, making Aastha smile.

Aadrika walked to the dining table, where Advait was reading a file and Reyansh was sipping his green tea. Reyansh glanced at her briefly, then looked away-he was still angry.

Advait noticed her and smiled, setting his file aside. He extended one arm, and Aadrika immediately hugged him.

"Good morning dada"

"Good morning dada ki jaan, theek hai?" Advait asked while smiling a bit.

"Kya yaar sab yahi puchre ho, theek hun mai ekdum" Aadrika said grumpily and settled on the chair beside Reyansh. Reyansh stiffened a little as Aadrika leaned into him, he glared at her while she gave him an innocent look.

Just then, the twins, Avik and Avin, rushed downstairs. As per their daily routine, they went to the kitchen first to hug Aastha before greeting everyone at the dining table. Avik sat next to Aadrika, while Avin took his seat across from him.

"Theek hai champ?" Aadrika asking, ruffling Avik's hairs

"Aap ho na, mai theek kaise nhi hota?" Avik couldn't pretend anymore, yes he was still upset with Aadrika's decision but he weighed in the pros and cons of keeping distance with Aadrika. The pros were way too high than the cons so he decided to do hell with upsetting her, he just needs his di around him.

Aadrika's eyes filled up with tears at Avik's word. She was relieved, at least she has one of them by her side. Aastha joined them, the staff carrying the breakfast behind her. They arranged the plates and left to get their chores done.

Advait, noticing that Advik hadn't come down yet, was about to go call him when he appeared, already dressed in his hospital attire.

"Bhabhi mai hospital jaara hun" Advik announced without glancing at anyone at the table.

"Advi, breakfast toh kar ke jaa bss 10 minute lagenge" Aastha coaxed, giving Advait a glance who was already fuming.

"Hospital mai kha lunga please" Advik said, his eyes met with Advait who was glaring at him

"You will have your breakfast, chup chap yahan aake baith, breakfast ke bina hospital nhi jayega tu" Advait said in a dangerously calm tone, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He glanced at Aadrika, who lowered her gaze, fully aware that she was the reason behind this tension.

"Bhaiya maine bola na mai kha lunga, jaldi jaana hai please"

"Don't make me repeat myself Advik" Advait said harshly.