AVENGING LOVE

Chapter 22 : Sense Of Loss

Silence reigned in the pub.

Abhimanyu and Akshara, staring at each other.

Frozen on their spots.

Akshara, having a shocked expression on her face while him, of disbelief. His own realization, dawning on him.

He was in love with Akshara ?

The girl who he had hurt so much ? Whom he had caused indescribable pain ? Who's beautiful eyes had shed tears because of him ?

He felt his shoulders becoming heavy as the guilt over his deeds washed over him and his body gave up. Dropping him on his knees infront of her.

“Akshara...” - her name involuntarily left his mouth in a whisper, clearly audible in the pin-drop silence and his eyes rapidly started to blur with tears.

Because he knew, she was not going to forgive him for what he did. For the way he made fun of her love infront of everyone. And even if she did, she would never believe that he was genuinely ashamed of his doings. That he had, for real, fallen in love with her. He knew...

He had lost her forever.

~

Akshara stared at him, currently on his knees, looking up at her while his beautiful eyes shed tears.

She was speechless. For the lack of a better word.

When the kiss had broken and her brain had started functioning again after a while, she had half a mind to slap him for his stunt. Despite feeling guilty for reciprocating the kiss. But she justified it with the fact that she was in love with him. Her, loosing control, was natural and understandable. But he didn't love her. He was doing it to make fun of her. Again.

But slapping him or any other thought as such, flew from her mind, the moment he fell on his knees.

His eyes haunted.

~

“I...” - he tried to say something but couldn't. Tears continuously falling from his eyes.

He felt a strong sense of loss rising inside him. The feeling he had, when he saw his mother leaving through the main gate of his house. And he had done it again. Had drifted another loved one away. His mother left and now it's Akshara's turn. And only he was to be blamed.

But he was not ready to face it. He couldn't see Akshara leaving. He felt he would die.

He grabbed her right hand and held it gently between his both hands, desperation dripping from his face.

“Please forgive me. I know I have done the absolute worst with you. I shouldn't even be asking your forgiveness at the moment. But I am helpless Akshara. Helplessly fallen in love with you. I can't stand the thought of you with anyone else. It makes me want to kill that person. And believe me, I'm NOT lying it this time. Not faking it. It's the truest I have ever been Akshara. PLEASE! Trust me just this once...”

~

Tears formed in her eyes as she looked at the state of the guy, she was in love with. Her heart screamed at her to believe his every word. Every fiber of her being, agreeing along.

Except for her brain.

And she couldn't blame it. Last time, she had listened to her heart. Had believed in his ‘Sorry’. Thinking, that he was genuine. But what had she gotten in return ?

Heartbreak and immeasurable pain.

How would she know that he was not acting again ?

No.

She won't get fooled by him again. The pain and all the suffering she had endured. Hell, she was still not over the way he had brutally broken her heart! She couldn't go through it again.

Absolutely not!

Last time, she had listened to her heart. This time, she'd listen to her brain.

~

Abhimanyu watched, weeping, as she pulled her hand back. Her face having a determined expression.

“You can't fool me again Abhimanyu. It was silly of me to trust you then and believe, that you were genuinely sorry. But I am not stupid to fall in that trap again.” - she said and started to move but he stopped her.

Now holding both of her hands in his.

“Please... please... PLEASE believe me. I won't break your trust again. EVER. I promise. Won't hurt you. I can't even think about it now. Trust me Akshara, even after doing all that with you, I wasn't at peace. Wasn't happy. And when you started ignoring me, I realized that how much I want your attention. Want you to be with me all the time. I can't stay away from you. Nor can stand your hate or silence. Please please please...” - his voice gradually lowered to a whisper as he continued crying, dropping his head on her hands that he was holding.

Every person present there, looked at the scene with moist eyes.

The sight of the arrogant, egoistic Abhimanyu Birla, currently on his knees and pouring his heart out while crying, was heart wrenching. Even his rival Sameer, was unable to taunt or make fun of him.

After all, where's the fun in killing someone who is already dying ?

Akshara felt her resolve weakening and she decided to leave from there because she knew, if she stayed there a minute more, she'd give in.

And that's what scared her.

She pulled her hands back but gently. As his head was resting over them. He looked up and her heart broke seeing his bloodshot eyes, holding a painful yet hopeful emotion in them.

Wiping her tears, she steeled herself for what she was going to say.

“I can't trust you again. Though, I forgive you for what you did with me. If you really are changing, then leave me alone please.”

Saying this, she left from there. Riya following her out.

Leaving an utterly distraught Abhimanyu behind.