Uljhe Rishtey (Book-1 Khanna Sibling' Saga)

Chapter- 18 Talk and Groveling!

The whole day went by, but Abhay was avoiding Ruhi. Even though he attempted to listen to Ruhi's apologies, it only fueled his anger instead of calming him down. Ruhi was apologizing to him for saying hurtful words to Rudra. He was angry about that too, but what angered him more was her hiding such a important thing from him. Ruhi herself revealed that she and Rudra had met, whereas he was unaware of the truth and believed that his siblings had met for the first time in six years at an award function. He always shared everything with his sister, so when she decided to hide such a thing from him, he didn't appreciate it. Hiding and lying were things that he simply couldn't tolerate, especially coming from his sister who knew him well, that only intensified his anger.

It was 10 at night when Ruhi walked into the Khanna mansion, annoyed. Her brother wasn't talking to her, and she had tried everything to make amends, but he was as stubborn as Mules! He didn't even look at her, so how could she calm him down? She had spent half the day at his studio rescheduling her meetings, but her brother didn't even come to see her because he was busy at the shooting site. Adding to her irritation, her Dada wasn't helping her either. Both twins were in their Hitler mode - one was the actual Hitler, and the other was being Hitler 2.0! She sighed, wondering why God had given her such inflexible brothers!

As she entered the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks at the door, seeing by the scene unfolding in front of her. Her mother was feeding Ayan as he sat on the counter. She stepped back, not wanting to intrude moment that she rarely got to experience...

"Jiji!" Ayan called out upon seeing her leaving.

Ruhi took a deep breath before turning back with a smile and entered the kitchen.

Ayan hopped down from the counter and hugged Ruhi, "Kaha thi aap subah se?" He pouted, "Aapka phone bhi nahi lag raha tha?"

Ruhi chuckled the time she spent with her brother. The more they interacted, the more she realized how much of a clingy cat he was... just like her! It always surprised her how he accommodated and made space for her, even after being apart for so many years.

"Meeting thi na kiddo isliye phone nahi uthaya. Tu bata khana khaya?"

Ayan pulled back and nodded, "Kab se... infact hum sab ne kha liya. Dada aapne room hai aur Bhaiyu bhi aa gaye sirf aap he nahi aye."

Ruhi cringed inwardly. Her Dada will have her head for coming this late!!

"Mumma jiji ko bhi khilao na gulab jamun... unke toh favorite hai na." Ayan said turning towards his mother.

Ruhi stiffened, "Mujhe gulab jamun nahi pasand kiddo."

"Aree par mumma ne toh bola that you love them. Ghar mein sirf aapko aur Dad ko he pasand hai. Ab Dad toh kha nahi sakte as he is diabetic toh..."

"Papa ko diabetes hai?" Ruhi asked shocked.

Ayan looked at her startled, "Aa...aapko nahi pata tha?"

"Pata tha kiddo bas dimag se nikal gaya. Par zyada serious toh nahi hoga na?" She asked looking at her mother in a way inquiring something she wasn't even aware of.

Priya shook her head, "Bas mild hai... medicines aur diet par dhyan dene se control mein rahega. Nothing serious."

Ruhi looked away as Priya sighed. She made the dish for her daughter, knowing how much she loved it. She thought of keeping it in the fridge for Ruhi to have later, wondering Ruhi won't know who made it but now it seems different. Nor she will have it or look at it!!

Ayan took a piece in a bowl and gave it to Priya, "Khilo na jiji ko jaise abhi mujhe khila rahi thi aap... bhut mast bana hai jiji you will love it."

Priya looked at Ruhi nervously; the coldness in her eyes can't be ignored. How will she deny her son who doesn't even know about their dynamics?