BROKEN BONDS

Aarohi reached her room and saw Shefali cutting fruits for her, she promised to eat it and Shefali left the room. However, Aarohi swiftly moved the fruits away as she didn't want anything right now, just one thing, one person, which she could never how now. She laid down on the bed, a tear escaped her eyes the moment she closed them. She held the locket she wore in her neck in her fist, tightly and kept thinking about Neil and the memories they created together, but thinking of him, obviously her mind soon shifted to Akshu and Abhi. She thought about how the tables had turned that today they wanted to depart but she was the one stopping them. She hoped that maybe today, Neil would be proud of her. This time, it was not something she was doing for herself, she really wanted them to stay together and provide each other the support which got snatched from her.

"Ab- Abhi I know, kayi baar maine tumhaari baat nahi suni hai Abhi, bu-but this time", Akshara spoke as she was sobbed. "This time I really was doing what you told me to, Abhi, what you wanted, bec- because you were right, you were right Abhi, I am sorry, I am so sorry Abhi", Akshara spoke crying harder than ever and it was getting tougher for Abhimanyu's heart to see her like this.

"I know Abhi, I know my sorry won't fix a penny of a thing, but ple- please jus, just trust me Abhi, please, I didn't intend to, I didn't want to Abhi, I swear", she continued, weeping continuously.

Akshara never thought that letting go of your self respect was a right thing to do, after all that was the biggest lesson you could learn from both her mother's life stories, but this time she was ready to do anything, because, because it was Abhi, and he was always an exception. She knew what Aaru said was right and the thing she least wanted right now was to let her relationship with her husband break apart because she knew it would break her and him too. She just wanted to make Abhimanyu realize of how big of a blunder he would make if he ousted her from their room, their home and his life.

She attempted to join her hands to plead to him to not do this but the second she thought of it Abhimanyu held her hands and pulled her towards his chest with the maximum force he could.
"Are you mad Akshu? Seriously? Don't ever think that lowly of me that I would want you to do that. DON'T THINK OF DOING THAT EVER AGAIN", Abhimanyu almost roared. Akshara who got a bit panicky by his loud voice, soon melted into his arms by listening to him calling her 'Akshu', on watching him getting infuriated over her pleading in front of him, it reassured her that he hadn't stopped respecting her, how could he, he was her Abhi, it was all just too much for him and it was okay, it was okay if this time he wanted time from her.

"Abhi, did you just call me Aks-"

"Akshu, yes Akshu, you are my Akshu and you would always be, I know, I am sorry, that I made you feel this way that you were going to do this, I feel terrible, I am sorry jaan, of course, how can you hurt your family, you are the one who overdoes for them, you are just too good Akshu, even more than this world deserves, more than the people around you have seen, and that is why things take an expected and usually and unwanted turn with you, it's not you, it's just how the world is, I can't blame you to listen to yourself for being this good. I- I love you Akshu, I really do, and will always. But, sweetheart, you know na, you know what all has happened, I am your husband Akshu, it's my duty, it's my commitment to understand you, I know the same goes for the family too, bu-

"But the situation does not support it Abhi, I know, I get it, you don't need to explain"

Abhimanyu teared a bit looking at her understanding him even at her weakest point.

"I am sorry, Akshu, I am so sorry, I know you don't deserve this, but yo- you saw Maa na, I ca- can't leave her like this. I, I know Akshu that we have lost our babies too, but she, she had raised her child all his life, Akshu, I know your pain is no less but Ma- I mean I know I am hurting y- Akshu I-"
"Bas, bas Abhii, ofcourse I get what you aresaying, maine apne parents ko khoya hai Abhi, and I know the tremendoussuffering it brings, toh socho jo maa baap apne bacho ko khote hounge unka ky-bolse bhi darr lag rha hai, we have lost our babies, Abhi, but I completely agree with you, our pain, it's less in front of what Maa is going through, she has seen her Neil from his first word to his last, from his first smile to his last, she has seen all his firsts and she is so unfortunate that she has seen all his lasts too, I can't even imagine her pain, just, just tell what you want to Abhi, I am listening, I am there", said Akshu in an reassuring voice.

Abhi was overwhelmed by his wife's statement, how could she speak and think so much about others even when she herself was breaking apart? Was she even human to do that? She really was too good to be true at times. He was still hesitating in speaking what was on his mind, he was sure that saying this to her would mean testing her patience and her goodness.
"Abhi, I love you, and that is enough for me to stay with you, always, forever, please say it", said Akshara, easily understanding his turmoil.

"Aksu, I- I don't want to say this, tru- trust me, I don't want this as well, I wou- would never want it, but yo-"

"Abhi, stop panicking, it's okay"

"No no, let me speak Akshu, I am sorry, I am sorry, but I- I feel that, I mean jus- just for the family Akshu, that yo- you should, you should, maybe, just for a few time, Akshu, only until Maa gets a grip, if yo- if you could you know, shi- shift to Bade papa's house??", Abhimanyu said, with stress, fear, guilt and helplessness dripping through his voice.

Akshara would lie if she said she didn't get alarmed by out of everyone, him saying that. But internally, she knew that it was important and that he wasn't really wrong. She just spoke, "You sure, just for the family?"

Abhimanyu froze for a second listening to her question.

"Akshu, I am-m sorry, Aksh- May-maybe you weren't at fault, jaan, bu-but I need time, kya karun main if I need time, time to pro-process. I-I am not blaming you, Akshu, I jus- please, Aksh-"
"Bas, Abhi", said Akshara with a straight face.

Abhimanyu stared at her with disbelief, fearing that she might not tolerate any further.

"I agree Abhi, I agree, humari ladai hui, but how could you do this?"
"Aksh-"
"Kya hum yahan aa gaye hain, Abhi? That you need to explain your feelings and pain to me? Ek galti ho gayi so now you think I won't understand you?"

Abhimanyu relieved at her words and hugged her.

"Tha-thankyou, Akshu, thankyou so much. Ican't believe someone can do this for someone, thankyou. I am giving you so much pain, Akshu after you have already endured so much, I am sorry. It's not that I can't take a stand for you here, but I- I, Maa needs me, Akshu."

Akshara broke the hug and said, "Ek condition hai"
"Kaho"
"You won't call me, 'Akshara', okay?", She said forwarding her hand, asking for a promise.

Abhimanyu smiled at her way of loving, placed his hand on hers and kissed her forehead.
"Bye, Abhi, jab tak humare bich yeh pyaar hai, yeh bharosa hai, hum phirse saath hounge", she said with a smile.

"Zaroor hounge, bas kuch dinn aur", he reassured her, wiping off her tears.

Akshara left his room, but only for some days, or maybe.