Abhira Off-Tracks: Short Stories

The Fate's Lesson - Epilogue (2)

"Akshu?" Swarna came rushing inside Akshara's room to see her curled up in a corner of the bed, lost.

Akshara straightened up in an instant.

"Akshu, kya hua tujhe achanak?" Swarna caressed her hair in absolute worry, "Tabiyat toh thik haina teri?"

"Tabiyat bhi theek ho jayegi," They heard a voice from the door, "aur event ke liye tayyar bhi." Manjiri stepped inside her room with the softest smile, "Pehle kya main apni bachhi ko gale se laga loon?"

Akshara stepped down the bed and jumped right into Manjiri's arms. Manjiri engulfed her nervous kid into a tight hug while Swarna smiled and stepped out of the room to give them some privacy.

"Meri rockstar beti hai tu," Manjiri continued to caress her tresses, "tujhe bilkul wahin hona chahiye jahan aaj tu hone wali hai," she broke the hug and wiped her cheeks, "stage pe, poori limelight mein. Mere aasman ka sabse chamakta sitara, meri Akshu!" she chuckled and kissed Akshara's forehead.

"Nn-nahi hoga, please Ma, I can't..." Akshara clasped Manjiri's palms, "please Abhi ko samjhao na Maa, I... I can't..." she shook her head, "wahan bade-bade log honge, ministers, media, sab-"

"Sab uss ladki ko dekhna chahte hain, uss ladki ki aawaz sunna chahte hain," Manjiri cupped her cheeks, "jiski himmat ke aage parvat jhuk gaye, jiske pyaar ke aage maut ne bhi maat kha li."

Akshara lowered her gaze.

"Naa!" Manjiri lifted her chin softly, "Yeh aankhein... duniya se aankh milane ke liye hai," she stared confidently into Akshara's eyes, "uss har ek insaan se aankh milane ke liye hai jisne tere talent ko timepass kaha, teri kabiliyat, pehchan ko bas ek.. ek tuntuna bajane wali bana diya."

Akshara couldn't help but stare back at the pair of glossy eyes staring through her.

"Tu kaabil hai beta, itni kaabil ke tune mujhe," Manjiri pointed to herself, "mujhe himmat di, apni kabiliyat pehchanne mein. Teri aawaz ne humesha logon ke dard pe marham lagaya hai, lekin Akshu..." She caressed Akshara's arms, "inn do hafton mein, tune jab bhi meri aawaz sunni chahi, jab bhi mujhe gaane ko kaha, mujhe meri pehchan laut ti hui dikhai di," Manjiri spoke in absolute excitement, "bata mujhe, yeh umeed kisne dilayi?"

Akshara stared at Manjiri in absolute astonishment as a wave of realization spread across her face.

"Aise badi-badi aankhon se kya dekh rahi hai mujhe?" Manjiri tapped her cheeks to bring her out of shock, "Maine bhi socha hai thodi sur-taal theek ki jaaye, isliye tum dono ki shadi ke baad maine classical singing classes join karne wali hoon, mere wahin purane Guruji ke yahan."

Akshara took a moment to register the sweet surprises that her mother was showering upon her, and when she did, a loud squeal left her throat.

"Eeeeeeeeeeee!"

Akshara jumped and pulled Manjiri into the tightest hug, "Oh my God oh my God oh my God!" She jumped around, twirled Manjiri and kissed her cheek, "I'm so so so so sooo happy! Abhi ko pata hai? Mujhe bataya nahi usne!"

"Shh!" Manjiri calmed her down, "Kisi no nahi pata, maa-beti ka secret."

"Abhi ko batate hai na Ma," Akshara couldn't stop jumping on her feet, "humse zyada khush woh hoga!"

"Pehle tum dono ki shaadi ho jaaye, phir main bina kisi tension ke khud par focus karungi. Kasam hai, tujhe mera secret rakhna hoga." Manjiri ordered. "Abhi ke paas zara sa bhi sabr nahi hai, aur main tum dono ki shadi hone ka aur intezaar nahi kar sakti."

Akshara hesitantly nodded. Manjiri lovingly sat her down on the bed and dolled her up, ready for the most important event of her life so far.

"Maa, Abhi kahan hai?"