The Call of Destiny - AdiYa FF

Chapter 25: Delhi Diaries

"That was really a great surprise, kids!"

Naani said with a wide smile sitting in her sofa, while Aditya and Arjun sat on either sides of the sofa.

"Why? Only you know to give us surprises with Zoya and Pooja...we won't do it?" Arjun asked, while Zoya and Pooja chuckled hearing it.

"Yeah yeah...you both too know everything..." Naani said patting Arjun's cheek, "So, till when are you guys here?"

"3 days Naani..." Aditya said, "We just took a week off from office. Before leaving to Mumbai, we have planned to drop by Agra too."

"That's nice...have some time off like this often. By the way, are you going home, Arjun?" Naani asked, while Aditya's smile faded hearing about 'home'. Hooda Mansion was just a house for him, no more a home since his mother passed away. He has always stayed with his Naani while he was in Delhi, except for weekends. He went to that house, just for Arjun. He did not even have a room of his own in Hooda Mansion, just like how he doesn't have a room in anyone's heart there. And it no longer created an impact in him.

"I am not going there, Naani..." Arjun said with a disinterested face.

"Arjun, that's not nice beta..." Naani said to Arjun, "You have come all the way till Delhi, and going back without meeting your dad and mom isn't good."

"Naani, don't you know about mom? If I go there, she will start her usual 'stay away from Aditya' drama, and I hate that..." Arjun said getting up from the sofa, "I came to Delhi to spend some time with you, Bhai and my friends...I don't want to ruin my mood by going to that house."

"Arjun..." Aditya looked at him, "What did I say you yesterday? Don't react to the hatred your mom has for me...she is your mother and she loves you. She already feels that I distance you from her. Why do you want to add fuel to that fire? And moreover, what issue do you have personally with her? Nothing, right? So go, meet your mom and dad and come...we will go out by evening. Okay?"

Arjun sulked, and nodded his head in agreement, while Pooja said to Zoya, "Zoya, you must have heard about mummy's boy, daddy's boy...meet Bhaiyya's boy...Arjun Hooda!"

They all laughed hearing it, while Zoya too smiled looking at Aditya and Arjun. Their bond was something so pure and precious. Arjun is loved abundantly by his mom, but he hates her just because she showers curses and hatred for Aditya. Referring to Aditya as Arjun's half-brother, would not be a mistake, but a sin.

She looked at Aditya, who was pulling Arjun's cheeks, creating a smile in his face. She might have thought about this so many times before, but appreciating and respecting Aditya never feels enough. Arjun's birth was the tool, his mother Anjana used, to wreck Aditya's mom's marital life. If not for Anjana, Aditya would have had all the joy and happiness like any normal child. But he doesn't have an ounce of hatred towards Arjun regarding that. Is Aditya Hooda real? Her heart always asks this question which never has an answer.

***

Arjun left to Hooda Mansion, while Pooja was helping Naani with lunch preparation. Meanwhile, Aditya walked upstairs to his room. He opened the door and took a wide glance at the room.

He walked to his wardrobe and opened it. He saw his police uniform hanging in it, which was neatly pressed and ironed. He had a smile and took it out. He looked at his name plate in it, and caressed it. He wore the shirt above the one he was wearing, and walked to the dressing table and looked at himself in the mirror.

He had a proud and contented look, seeing himself in that uniform after so long. He held his head high and said, looking at the mirror, "ACP Aditya Hooda...Reporting for duty, Sir!"