BROKEN BONDS

Akshara was set to leave, she wanted to meet Manjiri once but in vain, she greeted all the family members and finally went to her sister who had slept after much of an effort. She didn't wish to wake her up and so decided to leave.
"Akshara", called out Aarohi.
Akshara turned backwards in jiffy and saw her opening her eyes. "Aa- Aaru, I thought you ar- are asleep?"
Aarohi let out a hard chuckle and said, "Sleep? After all this?"
Akshara lowered her gaze and stood there, when Aarohi spotted her with a bag.
"Yo-you are leaving? Great, why would you ever agree to what I say, you know what, fine! Just leave, I don't need you and clearly even you don't."
Akshara left her bag at the doorstep and came running to her. "Aa-Aaru, itna gussa?", she said cupping her face. "We resolved it Aaru, all thanks to you, it's just that, the situation is not good right now, Maa needs peace and rest and it's not with me, I am just stepping out of the house for the time being, not from Abhi and mine relationship. Even he needs time, and..... I know even you do", her last sentence making the air thicker.
The sisters sat glued to the bed for a few minutes, all silent.
"Aa-Aaru, tune humei- I mean, out of all the people, you supported me up there, so do yo- aur tune jo pehle kaha, do yo- do you think it's me?"
Aarohi was taken aback by her sudden question and the absence of an answer made Akshara quiet.
Akshara turned the other side to hide her tears when she didn't get any answers.
"I- I don't know, Akshara, I don't know, tera Neil ke saath hona was a coincidence or not, tera usse wahan le jana was the actual reason or not, it was my twisted and cruel qismat ya phir it was all a blame from my side, referring to the past we have", spoke Aarohi.
"Aaru, please, please trust me, Aaru, I can never, I did-"
"You didn't do it on purpose, you are so sorry, you are so concerned about me and the family, you do nothing wrong, you were compelled to help the girls, of course, why and how not, apni family ko khatre mein daal kar samaj seva nahi karegi then how would you be the most 'mahaan' person on earth? I know, Akshara, I know, tere saaree dialogues, gharwalon kaa pyaar, sabki waahwaahi bachpan se dekh rhi hun, I don't need to know more, I know it", said a frustrated Aarohi.
Akshara's eyes brimmed with tears at those words.
Aarohi soon realised what she had blurted out when she saw Akshara getting up from the bed.
"Ak- Akshara", she said holding her arm, "So-sorry, pata nahi maine kya, kyun...baith na, please?", asked her pleading eyes.
Akshara softened at her words and sat back.

"Akshara, you think it's right for you to leave? I me-mean I know Maa's state but, it- it ain't fair with you, ri-right?"
"Was it fair before? Before when I left the house?", Akshara said with disappointment clear in her voice, pointing out to the time when she stayed away for three years.
Aarohi lowered her gaze at her words.
"Aaru, I don't mean to blame you about it or something, it's just that just like it was important for your wellness and our relationship that time, it's the same with my Maa's relation. She'll come around....I hope so."

"I really have tormented you all your life, na?", asked Aarohi after a span of silence.

Do vote and comment!