Chapter 6
Avni leaves the lift first so Abhi runs behind her fearing she might fall down. He catches Avni and looks back to check on Akshara but is shocked.
Akshara is sitting down on the floor. Abhimanyu quickly opens the door and asks Avni to go inside. He turns and runs towards Akshara and sits down in front of her.
Akshu jaan what happened? Did you fall down? Are you hurt? Why are you crying?
Abhi why? Please tell me why. Why have you done all this?
Akshu what are you saying? What did I do? Please stop crying.
Abhi how can you love me so much (holding his face in her tiny hands), when all I have given you is rejection. How Abhi? How?
Akshu please calm down and breathe. Relax first and then tell me what did I do?
Abhi I don't deserve all this(pointing towards the door, (kissing his forehead). I don't deserve you (kissing his cheek). I don't deserve your love(kissing his other cheek). I don't deserve any of this and hugs him crying profusely.
I knew you would react like this seeing this. I promise I didn't want to hurt you Akshu that's why I wasn't agreeing to Avni. It's ok. Please now get up. Avni might be waiting for us.
He makes her stand and holds her hand. They walk towards the door but she stops at the entrance. She caresses the name plate on which is written " Abhi Akshu Ka Ghar" and kisses it with tears flowing down her eyes.
Abhi thinks she reacted like this on the door, how will she react once she goes inside.
They enter the apartment and Abhi makes Akshu sit on the sofa and brings water for her. Just then Avni comes.
Papa I am feeling hungry.
Ok you sit here. I will order lunch for all of us.
Abhi goes back to the kitchen while Avni takes Akshu in the room. The moment Akshara enters she is shell shocked. She has tears in her eyes. She starts feeling a panic attack and tries to tell Avni the same but Avni is just talking and showing her around without looking at her. When Akshara sits down on the floor Avni looks back at her.
Aaa...bbb...abh..
Avni understands she is calling her father so she runs out to Abhi who is talking to the delivery boy on phone.
Papa, jaan is not feeling well. Please come fast.
Where is she?
She is in the room.
Crap. I didn't want this.
Abhi rushes to the room and sits near Akshara while she hugs him tight unable to breathe.
Akshu sing with me. Please. Ok hum.
Aa...bbbhi..
Akshu I am here only. You try to hum. Please.
After sometime Akshara's breathing became normal but she was still hugging Abhi. Akshara saw Avni standing in a corner with teary eyes. Akshara asked her to come to her and she ran and sat in abhi's lap. Abhi hugged both of them and felt at peace.
Jaan, did I do something?
No Avni, I wasn't feeling well but now I am ok see.
Jaan I am hungry.
Come let's have our lunch. Abhi come.
They leave and Akshara gives one last look to the room. Avni is still hugging her so Akshara carries her to the dining table.
Jaan will you feed me.
Ok sweetheart.
Abhi serves the lunch and they eat while Avni keeps on talking about some random things. Akshara is eating but her mind is still stuck on what she saw in the room. After they finish the lunch Avni kisses Akshara on the cheek and Abhi captures it without them knowing it and just like that the picture becomes the wallpaper of his phone. Avni and Akshu sit on the couch while Abhi cleans the dining table.
Jaan can I go and play downstairs?
Abhi, does Avni go to play downstairs on her own?
Yes Akshu let her go. She will be back in sometime.
Bye, take care Avni.
Abhi comes back to the Hall. Akshara holds his hand and takes him to the bedroom.
Abhi what is all this? Why have you done this?
Akshu I will tell you the truth. I always had this hope that you will come back one day and I didn't want Avni to be unaware of her mother that's why I put up all these photographs.
Akshara stands up and again observes the room. Their is a photo wall which has photos of Abhi and Avni, single photos of Akshara.
And what about this apartment?
I purchased this after Avni was a year old. This is our secret place. Nobody knows about this except me and Avni and now you Akshu. Not even Neil knows. This place always made us feel you are with us.
Abhi what did I do to deserve all this?
Nothing and do not even for a second guilt trip yourself because of all these things. It's not necessary that feelings will always be reciprocated. Ok leave all this and please relax, you had a severe panic attack.
Hmmm.
Ok tell me don't you have to go home, meet your family.
I don't feel like it Abhi. Can I stay here? Please.
Didn't you read the name plate outside? You don't have to ask. Will you be fine here alone?
Ofcourse Abhi. I have been alone for 6 years. I will be fine. You don't worry.
Ok. I have to go to the hospital. I will leave now. I will call you back. Ok
Sure.
Abhi leaves and Avni denies to come with him and says they will stay the night. Abhi doesn't argue and thinks to take her back after he comes back from the hospital. He forgets to inform Akshara about Avni.
Akshara is sitting in the flat and absorbing all the things that happened since yesterday. She realises she doesn't have clothes with her.
You are such a duffer Akshu. Who travels with a small backpack?
She thinks to move out for shopping atleast to buy clothes for a day or two. She locks the apartment and is leaving when she spots Avni in the garden.
Avni you didn't go with papa?
No jaan when you were here, why would I go with him. We will stay here tonight.
Don't you have school tomorrow?
Yes I will go from here only. Where were you going?
I was going out to buy some clothes for myself as I don't have too many clothes with me.
Come with me Jaan. They reach the apartment. Akshara opens the lock and Avni takes her to the bedroom. Avni opens a cupboard and shows it to Akshara.
Avni, whose clothes are these?
Jaan that's papa's cupboard and this one is yours and mine. The left side is yours and right side is mine.
Who got these clothes?
Me and Papa.
And that was the third shock for Akshara during the entire day.
Jaan are you ok?
Yes Avni I am fine. You go and freshen up. You might be hungry.
A/N Shreyaaatheegreattt was correct
