~Them~

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

~~~

"I'll be home tonight"

Her words echoed in his ears filling him with hope and fear all at the same time. His brain recollected the harsh statements made by the Birla lawyers and he clicked his tongue. He had wanted to stay and fight with her, but he didn't really know if he had the right. Ever since they had gone to Udaipur and met her ex family everything felt different. She had looked completely stressed out and however much he had tried, he hadn't been able to get through her. It was as if he was again facing the stranger he had met 6 years ago. When her ex mother in law had come and claimed for their son, he had finally given up. It had been hard enough for him to hear about her passionate love from her ex husband that them claiming custody had simply broken him. Seeing her roam around the house anxiously, he hadn't been able to pull up courage to talk to her. After a miserable week of total lack of communication between them, he had left for Kasauli citing business reasons. As he left the house, she had suddenly reached out and held his hands and looked into his eyes with unshed tears masking her emotions. But just for a moment there, he had felt he saw something of the familiar spark in them but it was gone again. He wondered now had he imagined it. Then again, she had called today and promised to be home tonight. He hadn't had the courage to ask why nor about the ongoing custody issue. He knew if she was coming back to fetch her things, he would never be the same again. He wouldn't even be able to stay in Kasauli again. Every nook and corner of the house was filled with memories of Abhir and her. Abhir... his beloved son... the one whose presence made his day bright and Akshara... his beloved wife... the one without whom his day never dawned. He gave a deep sigh and looked around his house, the emptiness mocking at him just like those ruthless lawyers. He clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, life was always not fair. Oh how well he knew it. He had always put her wishes above his, he wouldn't stop it now, he would be strong... scratch that... he had to be strong... atleast for her. He felt something clutch his throat as he valiantly fought back the tears. Succeeding partly, he walked out to the porch to get some fresh air, his eyes drifting to the bus stop opposite to their house every 2 minutes.

***

She clutched her bag tight and watched the bus rumble away presenting her the vision she had wished throughout the journey. Her husband, hanging by the gate and looking straight at her, his face gaunt with worry. Her eyes lit up immediately dispersing every doubt she had felt throughout the past few days. Seeing him opening the gate to come to her, she motioned him to want and crossed the road to reach him. As she reached him, he held her shoulder and helped her catch her breath.

"Akshara... slowly... what was the need to run?"

"Sorry, sorry I am late..."

"It's ok... what happened to your phone? I tried calling you... Did you see the time? It's almost 4... You said you would be back by yesterday night..."

"I caught the last bus, we had a breakdown and my phone wasn't charged..."

"The last bus? You could have come..."

He stopped abruptly as he saw her still trying to catch her breath. Pulling her in, he marched her inside their house and pulled a chair for her. Once she was comfortably seated, he walked into the kitchen and quickly made some hot chocolate and brought it to her.

"Here, drink... we can talk later..."

She looked at him offering her the hot liquid and fell in love once again. She knew how anxious he was to hear the news and yet he put her first. Taking in a deep breath, she reached out and took the cup and sipped. The cocoa calmed her nerves and gave her some much needed warmth. Then she looked at him,

"Won't you ask me why I am here..."

His face rigid, he nodded.

"The Birlas are planning to take the case to court..."

"What? But, Abhir... he is just a child... he... he..."

"Yes, they wouldn't do that if they really care for Abhir..."

"But, how could they not care... He is theirs biologically..."

"Exactly... They care so much for his blood, not for him... you see.."

He shook his head. He couldn't fathom their thoughts. It was beyond his understanding.

"Akshara... there must be some other way... Abhir is too young for all this..."

She nodded.

"That's why I am here..."

"You are?"

"Mmm hmm... remember Mrs. Raizada?"

"You mean ASR's wife? She is a lawyer, right?"

She nodded.

"Yes, she was the one who inspired me to study law. I called up their Delhi residence to talk to her but they said they have come here for the holidays..."

"To their holiday home?"

"Haan... The last time she was here, we talked and she knows all about my past. I thought if I can talk to her, she might give some ideas..."

Abhinav gave a sigh of relief.

"Yes, yes... she is always very kind... hopefully Abhir won't have to face the court... but Akshara, weren't they talking about out of court settlements before I left?"

"Yes, I refused..."

He looked taken aback.

"But, why?"

"Their terms were outrageous..."

"But Akshara... for the sake of Abhir..."

She interrupted him.

"My ex mother in law said she would drop the custody case if I marry her son again and bring home her grandson. She said she was willing to take me back for the sake of her grandson and fogive all my sins. She even promised to make her son forget my sister and her daughter ever existed and fall in love with me."

He felt as if someone had stabbed him. His voice almost choking, he whispered 

"Why... did... you... refuse?"

She looked into his eyes her love shining through it and gave a soft smile.

"You can't possibly marry someone when you are in love with someone else... Can you?"

He gulped and shook his head a little as the meaning of her words sunk in. Was he dreaming? His intent gaze on her reddened her cheeks and unable to look at him, she lowered her head. He walked close towards her, tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes.

"You mean... You are in love with me?"

She nodded a little, her heart beating fast as he withdrew his hand from her chin. Had she overstepped her boundaries? Had she read him wrong all along? Maybe he didn't.... She felt something soft and warm on her lips. It took a moment for her to realize, she was being kissed by the very lips she had yearned for. As she tried to grasp some sense in the midst of the joy overflooding her, he pulled back. She raised her eyebrow

"I am a lucky man today, Akshara... The woman whom I love with all my heart... loves me back... I don't need anything else... I can happily..."

She lifted her finger to his lips.

"Don't you dare talk about dying when we have just started living..."

He laughed... Laughter came easily to him now. He pulled her up and grabbed her close.

"As long as we are together... we will keep living... I know we will bring back Abhir too... Don't worry..."

"I won't... as long as you are with me... I can stand against the entire world..."

She rubbed her nose slightly with his.

"I love you, Abhinav..."

"I love you too, Akshara..."

And he leant in for another kiss. This time, she kissed him back pouring all the love she had for him in the kiss.

The sun rose that day pleased to see the union of the broken souls.

***