Akshara woke up to 5 messages from Abhimanyu and her eyes widened in shock as she reads them.
'Going out of town for one week due to a medical emergency. Will try to call once I reach there.'
She checked the time. The message was sent around 11:35 PM. He could have come to meet me. She scowled at the thought that he did not.
' On my way ... Will keep you updated.' She smiled as she reads the next two messages and how he tries to make her a part of his journey.
Maybe it's all in her head and he is not angry anymore. You did a blunder though. Angry or not, you should ask for forgiveness.
And as her eyes skimmed over the last message, her chest tightens. Because her Abhi never just say Good Morning. He always use his writing skill and type her a beautiful message along with it. And he always say I Love You and not Love you and there is no emoji.
"Okay ... Okay nothing is wrong. He is just busy. He is just busy," but her erratic heartbeat and buzzed mind was not helping her. The chaos her thoughts are enclosed in ... It might just burst.
It's all in your head... Don't let it overrule. She heard a voice in her head.
No, it's not only in your head. Please just sit and reflect what happened. The same voice but it felt different, it pleaded.
There are times in life where we feel so much, wants to do so much but at the end of the day, we get tied to the chains that binds us and pulls us back. There are debates that goes in our head. It's us only. It's only two parts of us but we listen to one and ignore the other. We don't see the plus point of both and make a decision because why to waste time right? And during such confrontation, Akshara Goenka let go of the other voice.
"It's all in my head, nothing else." And even though, a part of her did not agreed, she heaved a sigh of relief.
Getting up from her bed, she went to freshen up and then go see Bade papa and then work.
Abhimanyu on the other side had landed safely with his team and was currently busy with all the preparation and attending patients.
"Ab aapko kaisa feel ho Raha hai?" He asked, as one of the patient woke up from sleep.
"Ab thik lag raha hai," he nodded at the middle aged lady and went to check on others.
His day was getting busier and he could not be more thankful.
Life has already been a chaos and helping people has always been his shore. And he was thankful for the opportunity.
He knew he was being a little selfish by taking his work as distraction but he can't help it. He needed to distract his mind, he needed to let go, he just needed to be away.
Sighs. Falling down on the bed, he felt his head getting heavy and eyes drooping.
Life has finally get to him. Till now, Se Abhimanyu Birla has dodged, rolled over or threw back all the balls that came his way but this time, it's gonna smash him. Life is unfair and he knows it. He have been thrown and broken down far too many times to even care about the broken pieces anymore. He just lives with it.
His phone pinged and he woke up in shock. "Shit mahn. How can I sleep?!" And rushed out after getting ready.
His lighted phone showing a message from Akshara lay there.
'Hi Abhi... How are you doing?'
Akshara involves herself in the on going work and tries to concentrate on her music as she stringed the wires of guitar.
Why does Abhi seem so distant? He never leaves my message unattended. He always reply back. And here, I am not even seen... What happened? What changed?
Her eyes knitted as the frown deepens along her worries. He pamers her. Loves her. He might just be busy. He said where he is going have very, very low network. Haan, that must be the case.
Calming down her buzzed heart, she takes in a deep breath. If only she knew that broken pieces pierces silently and leaves the heart bleeding.
But even Harsh sir did not taunt today.... "Aree yaar... Bas!!" She yelled, covering her ears. Her eyes tightly shut.
The children looked on weirdly. She slowly opened her eyes and almost cried with all the idiotic tired thoughts. "Mummy yaar..." And she hided her face in between her hands.
After taking care of yet another patient, he grabbed his mobile and went on a walk nearby. He saw Akshara message and wanted to reply so badly but he knew, he can't talk to her. Not now.
Closing his eyes, he hugged himself. "I wish things were easy," he mused a sad smile.
On the other hand, Akshara composed herself and went back home and slept. She does it most of the times. Whenever things get too heavy for her to carry, she sleeps it off. It helps her to loosen a bit.
Abhi was lost. He does not know what to feel and what not to feel anymore. He was supposed to feel things right? But then his emotions are extremes or too much as people say and that's not right, right? He cares too much, he loves too much, he hates too much, he is just too much.
Curving on his bed, he covered himself with duvet as he sleeps. Tomorrow, things will get better and I will not feel this way. He only have discarded thoughts and broken hopes to hold on.
*****
'Good Morning Akshu. I hope you are doing good. I got Mr Goenka reports and he is recovering and will be able to go home in a another three to four days. Ask Mimi to have her medicines on time. We don't want her to fall sick. Take care of yourself.'. And with that he signed off and got busy in the day.
Akshu frowned as she read Mr Goenka instead of Bade Papa.
'What's happening Abhi? You called Bade Papa, Mr Goenka. Sab thik hai na Abhi? Hum thik hai na?'
The universe has conspired for her learn that words matters. And words hurts more than any knife, sword of axe. She waited for him to read and reply, too habituated for his quick replies and when he can't, he always tell her... Something was not right and she knew it.
Humein hamesha sikhaya jaata hai ki hamari pehchan hamare karmo se hai aur uske liye humein kaam par jaana padta hai
Hitting her forehead, she got ready quickly and left for Birla Hospital.
The sun has finally decided to set and Abhimanyu was once again out for a walk as he attended all the patients for the day and saw everyone was well take care of.
Sitting at the edge of the mountain, he saw the beauty the sun creates everytime it sets.
"Tumhare doobne mein bhi itni khoobsurati hai. Chaand ka andhero mein ho kar bhi usse chamakne se nahi rokta.. toh ye hum insaan hi kyu tootne ke baad jeene ke chah chod dete hai? Hum hi kyu haarne ke baad jeetna bhul jaate hai?" His voice was just a whisper... Asking questions to no one.
Similing at the absurdity of his ownself, he got up and left.
The colours met , getting mixed and the night covered the sky.
Akshara looked up to the moon, finding traces of scars of black but still her eyes roams over the brightness it have.
"Tum mein bohot daag hai par bhi tumhari roshni ke saamne pheeke hai. Tum akele ho phir bhi aakarshit kar lete ho... Main toh sabke saath hun phir bhi adhuri si kyu hun?"
Her phone pinged beside her.
'Main thik hun. Nahi kuch nahi hua. Bas socha zabardasti ke rishte na baandhun. Kisi aur ko ab khud se na jodun. Aur waise bhi jo rehna chahte honge wo toh hamesha saath rahenge hi na?"
It was a text from him but it filled her with tears. She does not know why but tears spilled from her eyes. She feel the distance between them grew but yet they come close. How can be two opposite things happen at the same time?
'Shayad tum thik hi keh rahe ho. Kuch rishte shayad jaise hai waise chod dene chahiye."
He knew she is remembering her bond with Aarohi and smiled ruefully.
'Tumne khana khaya?!'
'Nahi... Mann nahi hai.'
'Bhook pait ko lagti hain. Mann ko nahi. Jao abhi khana khao.'
'Mera sacchi mann nahi hai Abhi.'
'Tumne khaya?'
'Tum pitogi Akshu... Jao jaa kar ek roti khao. Dekho khana nahi khaogi toh ek chidayi mar jayegi. Ek roti khaa lo.'
'Haan maine khaa liya. Humne yahan mess type ka set up kiya hai for all the staffs and patients. Toh sabke saath khaa liya.'
'Tumhe pata hai aisa na Mimi kehti thi bachpan mein jab main khana nahi khaati thi.'
'Haww.. tumne mere bina khaa liya. Mujhse pucha bhi nahi. Main toh aur nahi khaa rahi ab.'
'Tumhara nautanki ho gaya ho toh jaa kar khana khao varna Mimi ko phone karta hun main.'
'Aur tum ye aise baat ghuma kar, mujh par blame daal kar baat nahi ghuma sakti 🙄'.
'Dekho tum meri technique aise nahi pakad sakte 😤'
'Tum khana khaa Rahi ho ya main Mimi ko phone karun?
'Jaa rahi hun.. dekhna tumse ek din badla zarur lungi.'
' Le lena. Pehle jaa kar khana khao.'
'Hmmm'
'Hmm... Chalo main jaa raha sone. Have duty tomorrow. Take care. Good night. Love you.'
'Hmm... Apna dhyaan rakhna tum aur baaki patients ka bhi.'
It used to be I Love you Akshu, Abhi. What changed? He must be tired... Aise aise baaton par thodi dhyaan dega wo.
'I love you ❤️ See ya 🤗'
And she hopped of her bed to have her dinner.
He knew he needed to talk to her. It was important. Somehow he needed to feel close to her. Maybe the distance is too much or maybe he is. So he will give space. Will not enter her personal space. Maybe, she will but maybe she will not. But he can't loose her. His insecurities and fears are just mind games and he can't loose her with that. I can't loose you, Akshara. You are just.... Everything. I can't loose you. If only someone was there to tell him that his fears are valid, his insecurities matters and he is not alone.
And once again, yet another night, he slept crying.
Akshara shakes off the nagging feeling, consoling herself that everything is fine and her head is playing games with her, like if always did.
"Tumne mujhe duniya ki saari khushi di lekin meri ek aur duniya hai, mera parivaar..."
"Mera pyaar jab tak meri pareshani tha tab tak main sambhal sakti thi lekin dekhte hi dekhte mera pyaar mere parivaar ki takleef banta Gaya."
"Aisa pyaar nahi maanga tha maine."
She woke up, panting for breath, her chest constricting as she finds it hard to breathe. Her own words reverting back in her ears.
She said all this? She said all this to Abhimanyu? The one who saved her bade papa even after he sends him to jail on false accusations? Who came back to her after every deep cut words of her? After every heartbreaking rejection? She said all these to him?
"Tumne ye sab gusse mein bola na?"
And she thought he was angry? That his words, his insecurities, fears "koi bhi aa kar isse pagalpan keh jaata hai." "Pyaar karne wali bhi" everything was his anger?
What did she actually do?
Her phone pinged.
'Akshu tum thik ho?' she just wanted to press the call button and talk him. She was about to do just that when another message came.
'Will not be able to talk to you for next four days. Tension mat lena. Sab thik hai and it has nothing do with you. It's just the weather is getting a little weary and there is no network. I hope you receive this message before it completely blacks out here. Dhyaan rakhna apna. Love you'
Maybe it's not about her and about them. Just how it was not about her but the weather. They can solve them. And they will. It has do with her and with him. It has to be them.
Author note: See , I am back early. Will be waiting for your reviews ❤️
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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