Chapter 48 - Tej's ploy

 Om slumped on the couch as he went through his phone to keep himself from getting bored.

It had been 10 minutes since Shivaay had fell into Om's home baked cake and hadn't returned yet.

After reading some novel for 10 minutes, Om connected his phone to the wifi to check his IG feed when he received an email marked as important.

Om gulped when he saw who had sent the mail.

It was Miss Batliwala !

Miss Batliwala was vice principal in Om's college. She was the most intolerable person in the entire college for ShivOmRu cause she hated O'bros.

Not any personal enemity but the first and only love of her life who cheated on her with her best friend just happened to have Oberoi as his last name. She got so heartbroken that she started hating every Oberoi and every Prakash on the planet.

Miss Batliwala had emailed Om saying that she wanted to have a meeting with Shivaay, his guardian, about Om's academic failure.

"Damn !" Om cursed when he realised that the email was sent yesterday and he had seen it today and to top it all off, the meeting timing had passed an hour ago. "I need to tell bhai about this or else this heartbroken old punch will have our heads."

'Heartbroken Old Punch' was a nickname by O'bros to Miss Batliwala. As she was old and her hairs were pink and white, they coined a word Old Punch for her. Punch for her hair colors as well as for her slaughtering behaviour.

With that said, Om dashed towards Shivaay's room with his phone.

"Bhai !" Om barged into Shivaay's room, startling Shivaay who was busy doing something on his laptop.

Shivaay raised his hand above his laptop telling Om to keep quiet but Om was too busy in panicking that he didn't acknowledge Shivaay's signals.

"Bhai, it's about my college." Om started his ramble. "I've received an email of that grumpy, sulky, oldie heartbroken old punch ! She wants to have a talk with you regarding my-"

Om's ramble was cut off by Miss Batliwala's voice.

"Oldie heartbroken old punch ‽" Miss Batliwala's bewildered voice blared through the speaker of Shivaay's laptop.

Om's eyes widened as they met Shivaay's.

"Rudy ! Tv ki awaz kam karo !" ("Rudy ! Turn TV's volume down !") Shivaay yelled, covering up for Om. "Sorry, Miss Batliwala, Rudy's watching TV. Sorry for the disturbance." He lied.

Shivaay resisted rolling his eyes when he heard Miss Batliwala muttering something down the line 'All Oberoi's are stupid and disrespectful idiots.'

"Anyways, I've a lot of work." Miss Batliwala snarled. "I better wrap up... So I was saying, Om's re-exam will be conducted next month along with other failed students and I expect you to make sure he studies well for it." She said. "Om is our college's best student and we don't wish to change it." She said begrudgingly.

"Of course." Shivaay gave a single nod. "Don't worry, I'll be personally tutoring him and I promise that his grades will not go down."

"Good." Miss Batliwala nodded and hung up before muttering goodbye.

Shivaay slumped in his seat with a heavy sigh with his hand covering his eyes.

"So sorry bhai." Om came beside Shivaay. "Mujhe nahi pata tha ki aap Miss heartbroken oldie old punch se baat kar rahe the." ("I had no idea that Miss heartbroken oldie old punch was on the line.")

Shivaay uncovered his eyes and looked at Om.

"Tune mujhe bataya kyu nahi ki abhi tere college se call aane wala tha ?" ("Why didn't you tell me earlier that I was going to get a call from your college ?") Shivaay deadpanned.

"Kyu ki meine abhi abhi check kiya apna mail and seedhe aapke pass aaya tha wahi batane ke liye." ("I just checked the mail and had came to inform you about the same.") Om replied guiltily. "Bahot daata kya old punch ne ?" ("Did old Punch rebuke you ?")

Shivaay exhaled a smile.

"Hmm." Shivaay nodded, but when he saw Om was getting more guilty, he added. "Lekin unka toh yeh roz ka hai. Ab toh adat pad gayi hai, waise woh dil ki itni buri nahi hai bas thoda grumpy rehti hai, that's all." ("But it's her nature now. I've got accustomed to it, she's not that bad at heart, she's just a bit grumpy, that's all.")

Om nodded.

A small pause went by.

"Bhai ? I'm really very sorry." Om started guiltily. "Meri wajah se apko old punch ka lecture sunna pada. Mujhe meri galati ka ehsaas hai, aur mein sharminda bhi hu...lekin please bhai mujhe iss baar maaf kardo, agli baar aisa nahi karunga." ("You had to listen to old punch's lecture cause of me. I'm guilty for my mistake and ashamed as well... Please bhai forgive me this once, I won't repeat my mistakes.")

Shivaay stared at a rambling Om with a small smile.

"Bhai please maaf kardo aur mujhse baat karo. Aap jab baat nahi karte tab mujhe bahot bura lagta hai aisa lagta hai jaise suraj ne chamkana band kar diya, pani ne behna band kar diya ho. Jaise-" ("Bhai please forgive me and talk to me. I feel very bad when you don't talk to me, I feel like sun has stopped shining, water has stopped flowing. Like-") Om was cut off by Shivaay.

"Accha accha bas, mein samjh gaya." ("Yeah, yeah, understood.") Shivaay chuckled softly.

"Toh aapne mujhe maaf kar diya ?" ("So you forgave me ?") Om asked hopefully.

"Um.." Shivaay pretended to be thinking. "...maaf mein kardunga lekin ek shart pr." ("... I'll forgive you only on one condition.")

"Chalega bhai ! Har shart manzur." ("Done bhai ! I'm ready to accept any condition.") Om nodded enthusiastically.

"Ok then." Shivaay smiled. "Tumhe bade papa ke sath time spend karna hoga aur unhe thik se apnana hoga." ("You'll have to spend time with bade papa and open upto him.")

Shivaay wasn't entirely oblivious to Tej's glares and snarls, and he completely understood the insecurity Tej was feeling.

Shivaay never wanted to be OmRu's father, he never asked for it, but the circumstances had forced him to take up the responsibility of a father.

Om stared at Shivaay for a moment.

"Aap kya bol rahe ho bhai ?" ("What are you saying ?") Om frowned slightly. "Meine unhe apnaya toh hai, already." ("I've already accepted him.")

Shivaay sighed softly. "Meine dekha hai, tum abhi bhi unse khulke baat nahi karte aur jab bhi bade papa saamne aate hai, tum unhe cross karte ho ya toh fir waha se koi na koi bahana karke nikal jaate ho." ("I've seen, you haven't completely opened up to him yet. Whenever you come across him, you either argue with him or you find excuses to get away from him.")

Om looked away.

"Om, jara socho unhe kitna bura lagta hoga." ("Om, just think, how sad he must be feeling by your behaviour.") Shivaay said.

"Lekin woh toh kabhi nahi sochte na bhai ki hume kitna bura lagta hoga jab woh apke baare mein ulti seedhi baatein karte hai." ("But he never thinks how bad we must be feeling when he talks bad about you.") Om muttered.

"Om, woh mere bade papa hai, tumhare papa, woh hume jitni bhi galiyan de ya bhala bura kahe woh humari bhalai ke liye hi hai." ("Om, he's my uncle, you dad, his every wrong word is for our wellbeing. He cares for us that's why he scold us whenever we go wrong.") Shivaay smiled softly at Om. "Tum sirf unka gussa dekhte ho lekin jab tum uss gusse ke aage dekhoge toh tumhe samjh aayega ki woh hum sab se kitna pyaar karte hai." ("You only focus on his anger but when you'll look beyond it, you'll see all the care and love he has for us.")

Om sighed, unconvinced.

Shivaay sensed Om's unconvinced thoughts.

"Accha thik hai ek kaam karo, sirf ek hafte ke liye unke sath time spend karo." ("Ok, just spend one week with him.") Shivaay said. "Mere liye, please ?" ("For me, please ?")

"Okay bhai." Om nodded.

"Thanks." Shivaay smiled and hugged Om.

Om too smiled and hugged Shivaay back.

'How could you be so kind and generous bhai ?' ~ Om thought. ~ 'You always think of others before yourself.'

ShivOm pulled apart and Shivaay told Om that he'll be tutoring him for his re-exam, to which Om nodded happily.

This entire scene was witnessed by a third person who smiled looking at the two and silently left.

♠

A week later...

Om had spent the entire week with Rudy and Tej and he wouldn't be lying if he said that he absolutely enjoyed every second of it.

Om learnt that his father wasn't as bad and rude as he thought him to be.

Tej certainly had weird obsession with wealth but after getting his entire wealth snatched by Veer and after having to run from the world, Tej understood that nothing is more valuable than family, and he didn't hesitate to admit it to OmRu that he was wrong to place money above his family.

Om realised that Tej loved OmRu the most in this world and the 2nd most loved might be their mom and the 3rd should be Shivaay cause after getting OmRu all to himself for a week, Tej had started warming up to Shivaay and he also invited Shivaay to join them when they played cricket and at other occasions.

Tej never glared at Shivaay now, he never spoke ill about Shivaay in his absence or presence. In fact, Tej handled the office work on behalf of Shivaay when Shivaay had to urgently go to Delhi for an important meeting and he also gave some valuable suggestions to Shivaay about business.

Tej was just so happy to be back in his sons life again.

Rudy was no different than Om. He now loved his father more than he loved his dumbbell (a bit less than his Shivaay Bhaiya and his protein shake, but he wasn't going to reveal it to his dad).

Shivaay was just content to see OmRu finally getting along with their father. He didn't know if he had done a good job in parenting his brothers or not, but he knew in his heart that OmRu needed their real father.

Shivaay had spent a few days of the week with his own father Shakti, who had volunteered to help Shivaay out with his business work and Shivaay was very happy to learn new things from his father as they worked together.

There were times when Shivaay almost broke down in tears cause he never got to experience earlier what having a father meant, but indeed it was the best feeling in the world to have someone to back you up, to protect you and to guide you through everything.

But in this week, ShivOmRu got a very little time with other. The trio missed each other even though they enjoyed their time.

-

Shivaay was sipping on his coffee in the garden of the Oberoi villa under the star filled night sky when his phone went off.

"Hello, Shivaay Singh Oberoi, here." Shivaay said into the phone.

Shivaay felt very proud of his name, now that Oberoi's name was cleared off by the government, in fact, they were going to get 30% of their companies and properties back next month ! And also the Oberoi mansion where ShivOmRu were born.

"Mr Oberoi, I'm Nina." A lady said from the other line. "Mein Kerela educational expedition camp se bol rahi hu. Priyanaka ki tabiyat thik nahi hai toh hum usey ghar wapas bhej rahe hai." ("I'm speaking from Kerela educational expedition camp. Priyanka is not feeling well so we're sending her back home.")

Shivaay quickly placed his coffee mug on the coffee table before him.

"Is she alright ? What happened to her ?" Shivaay asked worriedly.

Shivaay had sent Priyanka on the educational excursion camp trip a week and half ago when he had went after the zombie gang, to keep her away from this all and for her safety.

Shivaay also wanted to send OmRu with her but they had exams so they couldn't go.

"She has high fever." Nina replied. "We'll send her back to Mumbai with our staff member tomorrow by flight."

"Ok, thank you." Shivaay replied and hung up before quickly video calling his baby sister to make sure it's not more serious than he thinks.

Just then Tej and Shakti came to Shivaay and Shivaay hung up the video call.

"Shivaay, hume tujhse jaruri baat karni hai." ("Shivaay, we want to talk something important with you.") Shakti said to his son as he sat across from Shivaay beside Tej on the couch.

"Boliye papa." ("Go ahead, dad.") Shivaay nodded while giving his undivided attention.

"Mein, Bhaisahab, Bhabhi aur Pinky, hume abhi ke abhi Australia jaana hoga. Teri nani ka phone aaya tha yeh batane ke liye ki teri dadi ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai." ("I, Bhaisahab, sister-in-law and Pinky are going to Australia. Your nanna had called to tell us that your grandma isn't feeling well.") Shakti informed with a slight worry in his eyes.

"Kya hua dadi ko ? Woh thik toh hai na ? Mein bhi chalta hu aapke sath." ("What happened to grandma ? Is she alright ? I'll come with you too.") Shivaay said almost immediately.

"Nahi Shivaay." ("No, Shivaay.") Tej interrupted. "Tum yahi OmRu ke sath ruko, unka khayal rakho. Maa ki tabiyat jaise hi thik hoti hai, hum unhe yaha wapas lekar aayenge." ("You stay here with OmRu, take care of them. As soon as mom feels well, we'll bring her back to India.")

"Haan Shivaay. Aur next week se court ki procedure bhi toh start hogi na, humara ghar aur baki saare assets wapas lene ke liye, toh tum yahi ruko." ("Yes, Shivaay. Also the court procedure is going to start from next week to get our assets and our mansion back, so you're needed here.") Shakti added.

Shivaay thought over it and realised that he was needed by his brothers and sister more as he had to also tutor Om for his exams and Prinku wasn't feeling well either.

"Okay papa." Shivaay nodded. "Dadi ka khayal rakhna." ("Take care of grandma.")

♥

Shivaay sighed as he checked Prinku's temperature.

102 degrees, Prinku was running a fever.

"Bhaiya." Prinku coughed. "Sar dard." ("Headache.") She muttered, her eyes till closed.

Shivaay frowned helplessly.

Doctor had given Prinku an injection just 10 minutes ago before leaving and had told Shivaay it would take at least 20 minutes to take effect. He also added that it was nothing serious, Prinku had just caught flu, but that didn't stop Shivaay from worrying.

"It'll be alright, Prinku." Shivaay cooed soothingly as he massaged Prinku's head to help relieve some pain for the time being.

Just then OmRu came in the room.

"Bhai, ab kaisi tabiyat hai Prinku ki ?" ("Bhai, how is Prinku feeling now ?") Om asked as he caressed Prinku's hairs.

"Jaisi thi waisi hi hai, lekin doctor injection deke gaye hai." ("Doctor has given her injection.") Shivaay replied. "She'll be fine."

"Get well soon, Prinks." Om ran his fingers through Prinku's hairs lovingly.

Shivaay checked his watch before turning to Om.

"Om, apni books lekar aao, tumhari padhai ka waqt ho gaya hai." ("Om, bring your books, it's time to study.") Shivaay instructed, making Om nod. "We'll study here itself so that I can take care of Prinku alongside."

Shivaay had started tutoring Om since past 3 days for his re-exams.

In next few seconds, Om came with his books and ShivOm settled on the couch as Shivaay started explaining the concept to Om while Rudy sat on bed beside Prinku surfing through his IG without earphones.

Rudy laughed at some comedy video loudly, snatching Om's attention, Shivaay saw it and frowned.

"Om, yaha dhyan do." ("Om, pay attention here.") Shivaay said sternly and then turned to Rudy. "Rudy, video ko mute pe dekho ya fir dekho hi mat, Om disturb ho raha hai." ("Rudy, watch the video on mute, you're disturbing Om.")

"Ok bhaiya." Rudy said and closed IG.

Rudy couldn't sit idle for more than 10 minutes and started playing videogames on the television with its sound off.

Shivaay allowed Rudy to play videogames as Rudy had promised that he won't turn the volume up, but Rudy didn't say anything about not cursing under his breath whenever he lost the game.

Rudy's under the breath curses slowly started getting louder everytime he lost the game, again disturbing Om.

"Bhai ?" Om got Shivaay's attention after a while. "Kya mein bhi ek game khel lu ? Ek break le lete hai na, please ?" ("Can I play once ? Let's take a break, please ?")

Shivaay sighed.

"Rudy." Shivaay glared at Rudy.

"Ab meine kya kiya ?" ("What did I do now ?") Rudy pouted.

Shivaay sighed and shook his head.

"Jao ek game khel kar aao." ("Go and play once.") Shivaay allowed Om. "Lekin ek game ke baad Rudy tum apne room mein jaakar khelo, yaha pe nahi." ("But only one game, after that you'll study with full attention and Rudy you'll go to your room.")

Om nodded happily and went to play game with Rudy.

After 10 minutes, Om came back with fresh mind and started studying seriously while Rudy left the room unwillingly, pouting and complaining.

----------------

Hey bubblies !

Ssup ?

I'm fine, I guess?

Anyways, I hope you all lovelies are doing fine and are taking care of yourselves and your families.

I don't have much to say so...

Until the next update
Have a safe and great life 😇