Chapter 1: The Truth Revealation
No, no… life could not be this cruel. Not after everything it had already done. Abhimanyu staggered back in shock. His body jolted with shock, heart skipping several beats, his hands shook as sweat beads formed on his forehead.
His mouth parted, throat went dry and tears gathered in his eyes. He gulped in an attempt to speak something but his voice was stuck.
He could not breath. His chest constricting.
“ Ms. Akshara Goenka and Dr Aarohi Goenka, you both are under arrest, in case of Mrs Manjiri Harshvardhan Birla accident. “ The police officer has said.
Akshara eyes had widened in shock as breath got stuck in her lungs. “Acci.. dent?” her voice have hint of fear and she toyed with her fingers. She was nervous. She was scared. Guilt was seeping through her veins.
“Yes.” The officer voice was clipped. His shoulders squared in integrity as his eyes held sincerity. The man owns respect.
Aarohi towered down in fear. She had messed it all up. Who leaves their car in the middle of the road and take keys with themselves? How will the car get stolen if there is no key? And how come she did not thought that the detective Abhimanyu had hired would not find it suspicious? The car was there for two days after the accident, suddenly it was parked in a lonely road and was returned back... Anyone would have find it suspicious. And she did not remove the no. plate? “Ahhh,” a low grunt escaped her mouth. She wanted to pull out her hairs at her idiocy.
Several pair of eyes snapped towards her but her eyes met Akshara teary eyes.
The earth could crack open and Akshara would happily jump in the pit. Aarohi hung head, lowered scared eyes, sweaty and shivery body told her that she knew. That Aarohi knew it was their car that did the accident and she felt her conscious mocking her. But the voice was his. He always asked her to listen to her own self. To listen to her instincts and not blindly follow what her sister says but she had brushed away his words like it held no meaning.
“Akshu, main ye nahi keh raha hun ki apni behan se pyaar mat karo, uss par vishwas mat karo. Karo lekin andh vishwas mat karo,” Abhimanyu voice was soft, almost a whisper like if he gave anymore weight to it it will turn into volcano. His eyes held helplessness. Begging her to listen to him.
She shook her head. “ Uss par shak karna band kar do Abhi.” She had brought up Aarohi. Questioning Aarohi was like questioning her.
Abhi sighed. “ Jo pyaar aankhon par patthi baandh de, jo pyaar galti karne par sahi raah na dikhaye, jo pyar sahi aur galat mein dhundh le aaye… wo pyaar sahi nahi hota.” He smiled, just not a true one.
Shaking his head at the naivety of his Akshu, his need to protect her grew but for her to grow, she needed to learn on her own. “But I hope, tum sahi ho.” And his pager had pinged. His duty called him.
Akshara was looking at him, trying to understand the reason of his helpless pained eyes.
He kissed her forehead and got up from the seat. They were sitting under the Banyan tree of the hospital garden.
“Take care. Duty calls,” he was walking away but it was paining. It never happened because she knew, he will always come back. But then why? Why does it feel like the end of the world? Tears gathered in her eyes but she shut her eyes to get rid of offending thoughts. She does not have time for these.
Picking her guitar, she too went to the NGO for her session with the kids.
It has been two days of that conversation and now she understood why it felt like her heart was ripping apart. She was hiding truth from him. Of all the shenanigans of Aarohi but he saw through all of it.
He was helpless because he wanted her to think about herself. He wanted her to be in love with her own self even if it meant people calling her selfish. Self love was a necessity and he wanted her to know that but she ignored his plea. He wanted her to see things clearly, to listen to her own voice and thoughts but just how she ignored her own self, she ended up ignoring his cracked voice too.
Guilt seeped through her spine and she shuddered. His love for her was boundless.
“Par wo ye chahta hai ki main waisa hi pyaar pehle khud se karun. Phir uss se.” she whispers, her voice was feather like, no one heard but a certain pair of eyes was looking at her. She could not avoid the gaze for long and slowly she looked up, her eyes meeting his through thick lashes.
His eyes was screaming for hope. He wanted her to deny the allegations. To say she was not in the car. That she just did not let someone, let alone his mom, to die after the hit. But how can she deny the truth? It was a truth that was going to haunt her forever.
She knew Aarohi was overdosed with drug, then too she let her drive. She knew Aarohi was not in her senses but then too she listened to her when she said that they just hitted a stone. Even when she felt it was an accident, she did not listened to her own voice. When her mind asked her to get down and check she did not because Aarohi said so.
Tumne kuch nahi banaya COMMON GIRL
She remembered how she felt awkward the first time Aarohi called her that. She was princess too but… as usual, she brushed her awkwardness side and accepted the name. In her mind, she always consoled herself saying it’s a name given with love and that’s what matters. But does named filled with love are like COMMON GIRL ?
Aapke saath so Rahi hai, aapko khana khila Rahi hai, sar daba rahi… buttering bhi kar rahi hai.
How easily her sister believed that she was buttering Sirat maa so that she loves her more.
Par sagi nahi hai.
Tu ne mujhse meri maa cheen li.
Mujhe toh samajh nahi aa raha ki Abhimanyu jaise bade doctor ko tujhmein kya dikh Gaya.
Gaana gaa kar impress Kiya na tu ne usse.
Tun tuna
It was always Aarohi word she have followed. That had created a hole in her heart. It was always Aarohi. Deep down she knew, Aarohi was wrong but she let her to be wrong. She have felt anger and disappointment, a lot of times at Aarohi behaviour and actions but she never expressed it. Heck, she never defended her career choice whenever Aarohi made fun of it or disregarded it. Aarohi has disrespected her, she understood why she let it go. But she never defended music, her passion… but if she let people walk over her dreams, does she herself respect it? Does she respect her dream?
Does her need to have Aarohi in her life so big that she forgets the line of right and wrong?
Her eyes met his waiting gaze. The tears, the helplessness and the questions were screaming at him. Telling him about the tales where she stood quiet and let herself abused by her sister. Where she let Aarohi overrule her every judgement. Hided her sister crimes from her family, defended her wrong doings and became an accomplice in everything.
Abhi shook his head. His fears are coming true in front of his eyes and he wanted all of it to be a dream. A nightmare. Anything but not reality. He had already lost a lot. He is not ready for more. No god please no! He was screaming inside but he was frozen on his spot.
In a long stride, he was in front of Akshu. He let his eyes wonder over her, trying to find a bit of lie of her eyes truth. “Please Akshu, say no. Please ye bolo ki tum uss din, uss waqt uss gaadi mein nahi thi aur main tumhari kahi har baat ko sach Maan lunga. Sab se ladd lunga. Par please, kaho ki tumhe kuch nahi pata tha iss baare mein,”
Akshara stood there helplessly. Her hands falling by her side as she fisted the fabric of her clothe. How could she deny the truth? She was in the car. At the same time, same place. Her instinct told her that they hitted something major. How could she deny the glaring truth which is piercing her every moment?
He took a step back. Her downcast eyes and crying self revealing the truth. He lost the war. A mocking sigh escaped his mouth.
“You have to come to police station to record the statement. The court will be adjourned soon too.” The police officer has said.
The girls had not said a word. Even after Goenkas coaxing, threatening, pleading. They did not said a word.
Aarohi eyes snapped to police officer as the fear of going to jail clutched her. “Maine kuch nahi kiya. Sab Akshu ne kiya hai.” Her voice shook as she lied straight through her teeth.
Akshara head whizzed towards Aarohi, her eyes widening at the audacity of her sister and for the first time, she allowed herself to burst in anger. “Aarohi Goenka, enough!!!” Her shout resonated in the Birla mansion.
Oh, just how happy she and her family had come to visit Manjiri Maa, only for the day to turn to be everyone’s biggest nightmare. Her sister was the reason her mother was in this condition. Reason why Abhi was lost just few days back… but now, will he ever be found again?
“One more lie and you will see the worst side of me,” she menacingly took a step towards her. Her eyes spitting fire.
She turned towards the police officer, her stature rigid. “ Officer, I was in the car with Aarohi Goenka when the unfortunate accident of Ma,” And Abhimanyu angry eyes broke her little. “I mean, Mrs Manjiri Birla happened. Par uss waqt gaadi main nahi chala rahi thi. Gaadi meri SAUTELI BEHEN,” she stretched the word sauteli, “Aarohi Goenka chala rahi thi. She was overdosed with drug and was driving under influence. Iska proof aapko Birla hospital ke medication mein mil jaayega. I got to know she was under influence after I already sat in the car and it was moving.” She took in a deep breath.
She had taken the blame of a lot of Aarohi mistakes and crimes. Not this time. Especially not for a person who does not blink an eye before using her as a human shield to protect herself from the bullet. It does not matter, if she (Akshara) dies or lives. She realised that she mattered to absolutely nobody except one person.
“Main reason jaane ki koshish kar rahi thi and she was blabbering shit ki uss se Abhimanyu nafrat karta hai and tabhi ek baccha cycling karte huye saamne aa gaya tha. Usse bachane ke chakkar mein, I turned the wheel to other side. And we hit Mrs Manjiri Birla. Mujhe laga koi accident hua par Aarohi ne kaha ki sirf patthar se takraya hai toh maine maan liya. We did not know that we hit a human being” And she lowered her eyes in guilt as the guilt to not get down and check increased.
If only she could reverse the time and go back. She would have listened to herself. Aarohi was not someone she can’t fight. Her instinct knew an accident had happened but aderaline of fight and flight made her flee from the situation. Even if it was an animal, would it be right to leave them on a road?
Abhimanyu laughed resonated in the hall. He laughed at his fate, at himself, at the dream which he preserved for so long finally broke.
The laugh cracked a little of Akshara heart. It was pinching her. Her body was paining looking at him.
“Aarohi ne kaha tumse aur tum ne maan liya? Bhaag gayi tum?” His voice was rough with pain. Eyes dilating with anger and … helplessness.
“Tum uss se itna pyaar karti ho ki apni hi aawaz ko daba deti ho? Par agar tum uski galtiyon ko dhakti aayi ho, kya tum uss se sach mein pyaar karti ho?” he looked down at her. Her eyes widened in shock.
“Khair chodo, tum kya karti ho, kyu karti ho, kiske liye karti ho iss se mujhe koi lena dena nahi hai,” he sniffed, shrugging his one shoulder to get rid of the pain.
“Baat jab Ms. Aarohi ki aati hai toh kya aap sahi aur galat ka fark bhi bhul jaati hai?” And there he stood, a complete stranger to Akshara. He built the walls, stronger than before, even around her and she felt weak.
She looked up, wanting to see a flicker of want of her in those soft brown gazes but all she could see was a broken man. Broken by her and the thought that she was the one to destroy him entered her mind, her lips quivered.
“Agar wo meri maa nahi bhi hoti, do you have any right to hit someone and run away?” He yelled. His shout made her flinch.
“Abhi… mujhe pata nahi tha ki gaadi kisi insaan se takrayi hai,” but she was cut short by him. “Aapko sach mein nahi pata tha? Aapki gaadi achanak se ruk gayi, aapke maathe par chot bhi aayi, laga accident hua hai par aap utri nahi kyunki aapki pyaari Aaru ne kaha patthar hai. Aree gaadi aise achanak se kisi chiz se takra kar rukti hai tab bhi samjhdaar insaan bahar nikal kar dekhta hai ki kahin kharoch toh nahi aayi par aap toh Aaru ke chakkar mein bewakoof ban jaati ho.” He was breathing fire.
“Jab Maa nahi mil rahi thi na tab meri saansein atak Rahi thi aur uss waqt tumne panaah di thi… tumne,” hatred filled his voice. He felt his heart crack and lie in bits and pieces. “Jisne bhaagne se pehle socha nahi.”
“Enough!!! I was guilty okay? I wanted to check but,” Akshara shouted, not being able to take his anger and hate towards her.
“Wahi toh baat hai na Akshara,” his voice was a whisper now. “tum dekhna chahti par dekhi nahi. Sochne mein aur karne mein fark hota hai na. Sochne aur karne mein fark hota hai.” His voice cracked. The pain was too much for him. It was oblirating. He wanted nothing more than to rip apart his heart and throw it for once and all.
He loved her with all his heart. Tried everything in his power to make her listen to her ownself, love herself a little but. Hmph. Aaj Tak Maa ko samjha paaya hai jo kisi aur ko tu samjha paata. Kaise sapne sanjonte ho Abhimanyu Birla tum. Dusron ki bewakoof kehte ho, khud bhi toh ussi naiyaa ke sawari ho. His conscious mocked him.
Before she could say anything, the officer interjected. “Ms Akshara Goenka, are you ready to record that statement against Aarohi Goenka?”
Aarohi ran towards Akshu, her hands clutched Akshara shoulders, “Dekh Akshu tu Aisa nahi kar sakti. Mera career, life sab barbaad ho jayega.” Tears flowed from her eyes as fears banged her head right.
Akshara looked at her sister with disgust. Even after everything she did, she think she deserves forgiveness. And her sister, whom she brought up like a daughter have no remorse that she hitted somebody and ran away? There should be an ounce of guilt right?
“ Maine Teri bohot galtiyan chupayi hai. Bohot se tere karm ka naam apne upar liya hai par ab aur nahi. Sauteli hun na main toh Teri… Sagi nahi hun. Yahi bolti hai na tu hamesha? Toh aaj apni sauteli behen se ye tohfa samjhna” and she slapped her jaw lightly. Her lips tight.
“Par Mera career,” Aarohi started to say.
“Do you really think so you will have a career after what you did? Keep dreaming Ms. Aarohi Delusional Goenka.” Abhimanyu voice sent a shiver down everyone spine. It was brutally cold. “Tumne aaj tak meri sharafat dekhi hai… ab tum Dr Abhimanyu Birla ka power dekhogi.” His eyes held madness. She dared to hurt his mother, leave her on death bed and have no remorse. And felt she can get away with everything.
Aarohi looked at Akshara helplessly. She knew if there is anyone in the room who could stop Abhimanyu, it has to be her. If only she knew, Abhimanyu has forced his heart to stop skipping it’s beat now when he looks at Akshara.
The wedding ring in his finger jittered. But he did not dared to take it off. His love for Akshara was still shining bright, in the deepest corners of his heart.
Akshara stood in the center of the Birla mansion tired. She have no one to blame but herself. She is responsible for the misery she had put herself in. She closed her eyes as tears escaped her eyes.
“I am sorry,” she sobbed and he have to do force every muscle in his body to stop from moving and hides her petite form in his arms. And he hided his vulnerability with a scoff.
“See you in court,” with that being said, he stood there as the lady constable took Akshara and Aarohi with them and Goenkas were on their tail behind them. Akshara steps were slow, she was measuring every step that she was taking away from him while Abhimanyu was forcing himself to not run towards them and stop them from taking her away.
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