Chapter 51 - A Day Off

"Bhaiya ! Kya mein aj aapke sath so jau ?" ("Bhaiya ! Can I sleep with you tonight ?") Rudy asked as he barged into Shivaay's room unannounced.

Shivaay, who was studying the footage of the incident in the factory, quickly shut his laptop close and turned to Rudy.

"Huh ?...uh...s..sure." Shivaay stuttered as he put his laptop away and gave Rudy a smile.

Rudy suspiciously eyed Shivaay but then let out a smile. He was happy that he'll be sleeping with Shivaay, nothing else mattered to him now.

Rudy grinned and jumped on Shivaay's bed. He made himself comfortable and looked at Shivaay.

"Bhaiya aao na." ("C'mon bhaiya.") Rudy pouted. "I need cuddles !"

"Uh...yeah." Shivaay mumbled as he covered the screen of his laptop before shutting it close again and going to Rudy.

Rudy's lips never lost his beautiful and content smile as he cuddled with his beloved Shivaay bhaiya.

"Bhaiya...aapko pata hai.." ("Do you know bhaiya that...") Rudy mumbled as he looked up to see Shivaay's face but then he cut himself off when he saw Shivaay was already asleep.

Rudy smiled at his brother's cute sleeping face and kissed his cheek.

"I love you bhaiya. More than myself, my protein shake and..." Rudy lowered his voice further. "...don't tell dad..but I love you more than him too."

Rudy then closed his eyes and embraced the beauty sleep as he cuddled with Shivaay.

After a few minutes...Rudy fell asleep and his breathing evened.

Slowly, Shivaay opened his eyes. He didn't like deceiving his brothers but he knew Rudy wouldn't have slept if Shivaay wouldn't have pretended to be sleeping.

Shivaay swiftly retrieved his arm from below Rudy and pulled a duet over him before kissing his forehead affectionately.

"I'm sorry, Ru baby." Shivaay whispered and went to sit on the couch before his laptop again.

Shivaay hadn't slept well since past few days. He had been too stressed and hence couldn't relax for even a bit.

Shivaay invested all his time and energy in studying the accident which had happened in his factory. It was the first time something like that had happened in Shivaay's business and he just didn't know how to deal with it. He felt like it was all his fault, due to his mistake workers could've lost their lives !

Shivaay blamed himself for what had happened and just wanted to set everything right but the problem was...he had used up all the leisure money in buying those machines and now Chadda declined to refund the money.

According to Chadda, he had delivered the right machines and hadn't deceived Shivaay, so now Shivaay had no extra money to spend on new machines and the factory workers were denying to work on the existing ones, stopping the production and causing further loss.

Shivaay sighed as he covered his eyes with the palm of his hand.

Shivaay knew he was stressed and he needed to relieve it before he goes insane but he didn't know how to do it.

Shivaay had once thought of calling Annika and sharing his problems with her as she was his biggest stress buster.

Annika had always helped Shivaay out of every wrong thing and she always had a solution to everything...but Shivaay couldn't get himself to call her.

Shivaay felt like he was being a selfish jerk cause he had ignored her proposal at first and now that he was in need, he was calling her to solve his problems. Plus he didn't wish to ruin her vacation by burdening her with his problems.

Om had picked on Shivaay's changed behaviour and had tried to find out what was the reason but Shivaay always found a way of avoiding the conversation cause he didn't want Om to focus on anything other than his studies.

Shivaay was about to go to sleep when he remembered something and dialled a call to his PA right away.

"Hello, Mishra !" Shivaay said into the phone as he went to balcony in order to not wake Rudy up.

"Yes sir ?" Mishra spoke as he stifled a yawn and tried his best to keep grogginess out of his voice.

"Chadda se jo humari meeting hui thi uski recording hai na humare pass ?" ("Do you have the video recording of our meeting with Chadda ?") Shivaay asked with anticipation.

"Yes, sir." Mishra replied.

"Can you send that to me right now ?" Shivaay asked.

"Sure sir. Just gimme a minute." Mishra replied and hung up.

In the next 10 minutes, Shivaay received an email with the recording of the meeting in its attachments.

Shivaay sat before his laptop and was about to play the video clip when-

"Bhaiya..." Rudy mumbled in sleep and he started searching for his brother's warmth in sleep.

"I'm right here, bubba." Shivaay mumbled before closing his laptop shut and lying down beside Rudy again.

Shivaay gently took his lil munchkin in his arms and kissed his forehead.

Shivaay watched with a smile as Rudy relaxed under Shivaay's touch and fell in deep slumber again but now he had a tight hold on Shivaay so Shivaay just decided to go through the clip tomorrow.

♦

"Where is bhai ?" Om asked Rudy as he settled on his seat around the dining table for breakfast.

"Getting ready. Will be here soon." Rudy smiled.

"Kya baat hai...Koi toh bada khush lag raha hai aj." ("What's the matter...you look happy today.") Om remarked as he raised his eyebrows at Rudy.

"Mein kal bhaiya ke sath soya...pata hai kitni badhiya neend aayi mujhe ?" ("I slept with bhaiya yesterday...do you know I got the best sleep last night ?") Rudy grinned happily.

"Nice." Om smiled, he was just happy to see his Rudy back. A jealous Rudy was the most childish and reckless Rudy according to him.

Just then Shivaay arrived at the breakfast table while adjusting his tie.

"Good morning kiddos." Shivaay smiled and settled on his seat.

"Morning bhai / bhaiya." OmRuYanka replied with a smile.

"Here bhaiya." Priyanka extended a plate of French toast to Shivaay.

"Thanks." Shivaay mumbled before taking his plate.

The breakfast table was silent as the 4 Oberois engrossed themselves in having the most important meal of the day.

After a few minutes, Shivaay started tugging on his shirt's collar as a look of discomfort crossed his face.

Shivaay then loosened his tie and opened the first button of his office shirt. He gulped down a glass of water and was about to get himself another glass full when he realised that his siblings (cousins) were staring at him with worried eyes.

"Are you okay bhai ?" Om was the first to question.

"Y...yeah." Shivaay smiled as he masked his discomfort. "Doing amazing."

Today was Om's re-exam so Shivaay didn't wish to worry him today cause that would affect his grades.

Om gave Shivaay a look of suspicion before giving a nod.

"If you say so." Om mumbled back.

"Are you well prepared for the exam ?" Shivaay asked, swiftly shifting the attention of the table from him to Om.

"Yes bhai." Om nodded. "I'm all ready to ace the test. All thanks to you."

Shivaay patted Om's back with a smile.

"I know you'll ace the test, Om." Shivaay said genuinely. "All the very best."

"Thanks bhai." Om smiled back.

After a while, Om left for his exams in his car and Shivaay was about to leave after instructing RuYanka to stay safe.

"Ok bye, babies. Stay safe." Shivaay hugged his younger siblings and kissed their foreheads.

Shivaay was just walking out of the mansion when suddenly he paused in his tracks.

Shivaay's shoulders and neck was suddenly experiencing a sharp pain.

"Bhaiya ?" RuYanka came beside Shivaay. "What's wrong ?"

Shivaay looked at them but couldn't reply. Something was happening to him but he didn't know how to tell that to his worried baby bro and sis.

Sweat beads appeared on Shivaay's forehead and he again started tugging on his collar.

"I..." Shivaay was about assure RuYanka that he was fine but he cut himself off and ran towards the washroom as he felt like throwing up.

"Bhaiya ko kya hua ?" ("What's wrong with bhaiya ?") Rudy asked worriedly.

"Pata nahi chalo, chalke dekhte hai." ("Don't know, let's go and check.") Priyanka replied with a frown.

RuYanka both followed Shivaay towards the washroom as waited for Shivaay to come out of the washroom as he had locked himself inside.

"Bhaiya, kya hua ?" ("Bhaiya, what's wrong ?") RuYanka asked as soon as Shivaay came out.

"I don't know." Shivaay sighed. He was suddenly looking pale. "I think acidity hui hai mujhe, don't worry thik ho jayega." ("I think I've got acidity, don't worry, I'll be fine.")

Shivaay checked his watch as he avoided eye contact with his sister and brother.

Shivaay knew for a fact that this wasn't happening due to acidity or indigestion...

Shivaay's sleeping and eating habits had suddenly changed since last week, he barely slept and barely ate anything, to top it all off he was stressing himself out more than he could handle and he may or may not have skipped a few medicines here and there.

"I'm getting late. See ya kiddos." Shivaay muttered and was about to leave before RuYanka could stop him but RuYanka beat him to it.

"Nuh uh." Priyanka frowned deeply with her arms crossed over her chest as she and Rudy blocked Shivaay's path.

"Aap aj ghar pr rehke aaram karoge." ("Today you'll stay at home and take rest.") Rudy stated firmly.

"Aur hum apka khayal rakhenge jab tak apki yeh acidity thik nahi ho jati." ("And we'll look after you until you get rid of that acidity.") Priyanka added.

"C'mon guys, it's no big deal. I'm fine." Shivaay tried to convince them.

"Accha ?" ("Really ?") RuYanka glared at him before sharing a look and a wicked smile among themselves.

"Agar aapne ghar rehkar aaram karne se mana kiya toh hum dono maa ko call karke bata denge ki apki tabiyat kharab hai." ("If you refused to stay at home and take rest then we'll tell mother that you ain't feeling well.") Priyanka threatened.

Shivaay gulped.

Pinky was the type of mother who fussed over her child's illness like.. a lot ! And she would make those nasty smelling, sickening 'kadhas' and make the child drink it for an extended week even after getting well cause she didn't wish to see her child sick again.

"I'm taking a day off." Shivaay grumbled, giving in.

"Yay !" RuYanka hified and escorted Shivaay to his bedroom.

RuYanka made him change and take rest.

RuYanka were feeling so excited to take care of their beloved eldest brother for the 1st time all by themselves and made sure Shivaay did everything that he had made them do when they had fallen sick.

On the other hand, Shivaay was partially enjoying being pampered by his baby brother and sister and in a corner of his heart a sense of pride was spreading its wings after watching RuYanka taking up the responsibility and taking up the role of elders.

His babies were growing up too fast...

He wasn't ready for it ! He wanted to take them all in his arms and preserve them until his last breath.

♣

"Hey maa, badi maa." Shivaay smiled as he stared at the screen of his laptop.

Apparently, Pinky had already got an intuition that Shivaay was unwell and hence both she and Janvi had given Shivaay a surprise video call.

After a while into chatting with his maa and badi maa, Shivaay's room door opened with a thud and in came Priyanka with lots of books in her hands.

Priyanka wobbled towards Shivaay, who was sitting on his bed, and dropped the books before Shivaay.

"Yeh li jiye, pyaar pe jitni kitaabe thi store mein sab uthake laayi hu aapke liye." ("Here, I've brought all the books on love from the store.") Priyanka huffed without noticing Janvi and Pinky who now had confused faces on. "Mujhe abhi bhi samjh nahi aa raha ki aap books padhke pyaar ko kaise samjhenge." ("I still didn't understand how exactly you'll understand the meaning of love from books.")

"Pr meine kab tumse kaha ki mujhe pyaar pe likhi kitaabe chahiye ?" ("But when did I ask you to get books on love for me ?") Shivaay puzzled.

"Om bhaiya ne mujhse kaha ki, bhai kitabi keeda hai isiliye unhe pyaar pe kuch kitaabe padhne ke liye de do." ("Om bhaiya told me that you're the biggest bookworm and hence I need to give you these books.") Priyanka giggled.

"Ki...kitaabi keeda nahi hu mein." ("Boo...bookworm ? That's not me.") Shivaay said defensively making Pinky, Janvi and Priyanka giggle.

Shivaay cursed his luck and stole a glance at the screen to see Pinky and Janvi struggling to keep their amusement and laughter inside.

"Woh.." ("Uh...") Shivaay started but got cut off by Priyanka who yelled a 'hi maa, badi maa' at the screen when she finally noticed them. "..I'm off bye." Priyanka told Shivaay and left the room.

Shivaay sighed and avoided the screen as he picked up all the books.

"Oh my mata, tum pyaar pe books kyu padh rahe ho, Shivaay, haan ?" ("Oh my mata, Shivaay, why are you reading about love ?") Pinky asked with a teasing smile.

Shivaay blushed.

"Mujhe janna hai ki pyaar kya hota hai." ("I wanna know what exactly is love.") Shivaay blurted out in embarassment.

"Oh God !" Janvi face palmed. "Mere silly Shivaay, pyaar ka matalab bhi koi kitaabo mein dhundta hai ?" ("My silly Shivaay, you're finding the meaning of love in books ?")

Shivaay pouted slightly.

"Beta...Pyaar ka matalab janna hai tumhe ?" ("Dear...you wanna know what's love ?") Pinky asked softly but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Shivaay gave a hesitant nod.

"Ok." Janvi started. "Apni aankhein band karo." ("Close your eyes.") She instructed. "Ab imagine karo-" ("Now imagine-") Janvi was cut of by Shivaay.

"Imagine ?" Shivaay asked.

"Yes, imagine. Now don't interrupt." Janvi said sternly.

Shivaay muttered a quick apology before following Janvi's orders.

"Ab imagine karo ki tum ek shaadi mein ho. Tumhare saamne mandap ke pass hum sab khade hai, OmRuYanka, mein, Pinky, Tej, Shakti, Dadi sab. Hum sab has rahe hai, hum sab bahot khush hai." ("Now imagine that you're in a wedding ceremony. There's a pavilion in front of you and we're all, OmRuYanka, Pinky, me, Tej, Shakti, Dadi we all are standing around it with grins. We all are so happy.") Janvi smiled when she saw a small, almost invisible smile on Shivaay's face.

"Aur mandap mein, dulhan ke lehenge mein baithi hai...Annika." ("And in the pavilion, sitting in a wedding dress is...Annika.") Pinky continued. "Sharmati hui, ghabrati hui, thodi nervous lekin fir bhi bahot bahot khush hai woh." ("She is blushing. She seems scared and a bit nervous but she's happiest nonetheless.")

"Annika tumhari taraf dekh kar sharmate hue hasti hai." ("Annika looks at you and blushed with a smile.") Janvi narrated further and shared a smile with Pinky when she saw a smile playing on Shivaay's lips. "Jaise hi usne dekha ki tum uski taraf dekh rahe ho, usne sharmake apni aankhein jhuka li." ("As soon as she saw you were looking at her, she blushed more and lowered her eyes.")

Shivaay's smile deepened. He could practically imagine how gorgeous Annika would look in her wedding dress and her blushful smile was something Shivaay would die for.

"Tabhi pandit ji ne, dulhe ko mandap mein bulaya...aur jaante ho dulha kon hai ?" ("Just then pandit ji called the groom on stage...can you imagine who the groom is ?") Pinky asked. "Anys guesses ?"

Shivaay nodded in a trance.

"Kaun ho sakta hai dulha Shivaay ?" ("Who can be the groom, Shivaay ?") Janvi pressed.

"Mein." ("Me.") Shivaay replied but as soon as he realised what his answer was, he opened his eyes wide. "I...mean...I...me...uh..." Shivaay spluttered making Pinky and Janvi chuckle.

"Isey hi pyaar kehte hai Shivaay." ("This is what is called love.") Janvi smiled warmly. "Tumhe kisi bhi kitaab mein ya fir duniya mein kahi bhi pyaar ki definition nahi mil sakti. Pyaar toh sirf feel kar sakte ho, it's immeasurable, unexplainable." ("You cannot find the meaning of love in any book or anywhere in this world. Love can only be felt with heart, it's immeasurable, unexplainable.")

Shivaay smiled and nodded. He had now understood a bit of what's love.

"Thanks maa, badi maa." Shivaay said.

"Your welcome, mere silly bacche." ("You're welcome, my silly child.") Pinky blew Shivaay a kiss. "Ab bas jaldi se Annika se shaadi kar aur hume jaldi se ek kanji aankhon wala pota ya poti de de." ("Now, get married to Annika and give us a cute, blue eyed granddaughter or grandson soon.")

Shivaay went beet red at Pinky's demand.

"Maa.." Shivaay flushed in embarassment. "Bye, I need to go."

"Haan haan jaa aur jaake Annika ko propose karne ki tyyari kar." ("Sure, go and make arrangements for proposing Annika.") Pinky chuckled and Janvi too joined her.

"Bye !" Shivaay said and hung up before his mothers could tease him more.

Shivaay smiled to himself. "So you're really in love, Mr Shivaay Singh Oberoi ?....Strange." He told himself.

Just then his laptop dinged signalling arrival of an email.

Shivaay opened the email and checked the attachment.

It was Mishra's mail, Shivaay had told him to send the reports to him since he couldn't go to office today.

Shivaay opened the attachment and realised that Mishra had accidentally sent him a really old report. The report was 16 years old.

Shivaay was about to call Mishra and tell him to send in the right report but due to some strange reason he decided to go through this old report first.

Shivaay read through the report with furrowed eyebrows. It was the report of the year in which Tej had borrowed 20,000 crores from that Don.

According to Tej, he had invested that big sum in Oberoi Reality but the reports were saying otherwise.

The report showed a loss of 300 crores and it said that Tej had invested only 700 crores in the company to save it from going bankrupt.

"Agar bade papa ne sirf 700 crore Oberoi Reality mein lagaye the toh fir baaki ke 19,300 crores kaha gaye ?" ("If bade papa had invested only 700 crores in Oberoi Reality then where did the rest of 19,300 crores go ?") Shivaay frowned.

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

Hey bubblies !

I don't have much to say so...Stay safe and Take care.

Until the next update,
Have a safe and great life 😇