The clock chimed 7 in the morning when Akshara stirred in sleep, slowly gaining conscious. Opening her eyes, she found his hazel eyes already looking at her. Deep in thoughts. Leaning in she softly kissed him before greeting.
“Good Morning jaan...” - she whispered but he looked miles away and she gently started to run her fingers through his hair. His eyes closed on their own and he exhaled a long breath before saying :
“She is my mother.”
Her hands stilled their movements in his hair and her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her.
That lady in the hospital was Manjiri! That's why he behaved like that!
‘Oh Abhi...’ - her heart shattered into pieces but she kept her expressions neutral. Knowing full well he wouldn't like pity or sympathy.
“I was 11 when she left me and Dad because... she was involved in an extramarital affair. She married my Dad just for his wealth and when he got to know about all this, she asked for divorce. Taking the 30% from the property and...” - he paused, his throat closing up and she rapidly teared up. Trying her damn best to not burst into tears.
“...and left me and Dad. I ran after her you know... but she didn't even look back. Not once.” - he whispered, tears falling from his eyes and she couldn't hold it back anymore.
She wrapped him in her arms, his face tucking under her chin as they both sobbed silently. She let him cry his heart out. It was needed.
For him to be free from his past.
They remained like that for quite a while until his sobbing subsided. She kept scratching his scalp softly with her fingers. Soothing him to the soul.
“Let's meet her Abhi.” - she said firmly and he pulled back. Disbelief written all over his features.
“What ?”
“Yes! Let it all out. It's high time you should remove your past shackles and set yourself free. And it can only be done by facing it Abhi.” - she said, cupping his face in her hands.
“But...” - he looked such a small baby, lost for love that her heart dipped low. Her hatred towards that woman doubling in force.
“You won't be alone Abhi. I am with you.” - she assured him softly and after staring at her for a long moment, he nodded.
“Come on! Let's get ready.” - she said, not wanting him to procrastinate it.
They both took shower, got dressed and left for the hospital.
~
It was half past 8 when they reached City Hospital and the more they neared the room where his mother was admitted, the more Abhimanyu's heart beat wildly. Akshara sensed his nervousness and intertwined their fingers together. Her grip tight.
“Remember Abhi... I'm there with you. Always.” - she reminded him again and he nodded before taking a deep breath and stepping into the room with her.
Manjiri, who was awake now, broke into a wide smile at seeing him.
“Abhi!” - she cried out happily, sitting up. But her reaction at seeing him didn't affect him in the slightest.
“How are you?” - he asked like a doctor asks his patient. For basic ethics.
“I am fine now as you have come to see me.” - she said tearing up and he chuckled humourlessly.
“You are right. I am here to see you. Just that, my way of seeing is different than yours. I have come to see how are you after all these years. I am here to see how people look like after betraying their spouse. After abandoning their child. Just for money.”
He said calmly and Manjiri looked down in embarrassment.
“What I did is... unforgivable. That's why I'm currently in all this mess.” - she said, a sad smile coming on her face. “The person, for whom I ruined my own home, left my family is... cheating on me.”
A surprised laughter escaped him at hearing that. He couldn't help it. The news was just... he didn't even have words to express how he was feeling. Akshara shook her head at Manjiri. Karma was hitting her badly and she had no sympathy to offer to the old woman.
“I have heard since childhood if you'll do bad with someone, you should expect the same to happen with you. And I always wondered, what did I do at the age of 11 that I went through from all of that ? That's why I turned so rude and harsh because I believed, whether you do bad or don't, bad is gonna happen with you anyways like it did to me.”
Akshara's heart was threatening to burst out of her chest and she was barely holding herself back from lashing out at that woman for causing her Abhi so much hurt at such a young age!
“But it's not it. Now I have realized that. Karma really is a thing. And it works both ways you see. If something bad has happened with you when you didn't do anything, than God blesses you with something so precious that all your sorrows wash away.” - he said and turned his head towards Akshara. A real smile gracing his features.
“He did exactly that with me. Blessed me with his most precious creation ever. Akshara.”
Tears fell from her eyes but she was smiling at him. Squeezing his hand with hers.
“And as long as she's with me, Dad is with me... I don't want or need anything else.” - he finished, returning his attention towards his mother.
Manjiri was just weeping silently. She had nothing to say. Even if she had to, she knew she had lost the chance to say anything 12 years ago.
“Can't you forgive me ?” - she whispered weakly.
“I can. And I am. Forgiving you today for whatever you did to me and finally setting myself free from my past. My hatred towards you was the only thing connecting us. And I have ended that as well today.”
He said, feeling a tons of weight lifted from his shoulders. His inner system feeling light. The blood in his veins running freely. As if, he had removed some kind of blockage.
The look on Manjiri's face clearly said, that she knew, even after gaining his forgiveness, she had gained nothing. Had remained empty handed. But she couldn't do anything about it.
It was too late now.
Looking at her for the last time, he took a step back and turning around, left with Akshara.
Akshara kept looking at him as they moved outside. As if, making sure that was he really okay.
And surprisingly, he was.
“Thank you.” - he said, stopping infront of the car and facing her. “For asking me to do this. For... accompanying me. I actually feel... lighter. Happier. Alive.”
Her eyes shined with tears. Tears of happiness. And even after trying her best to control, they fell.
“My personal and walking water tank.” - he teased while wiping them gently and she hit his chest. Making him laugh as he engulfed her in a tight hug.
“I love you.” - he said, softly kissing the top of her head.
She sighed contentedly. His fragrance soothing her.
“I love you too.”
~
Author's Note : Surprise! Double update! ❤️
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AVENGING LOVE
FanfictionAbhimanyu Birla. The Bad Boy of University. A highly intelligent student but is arrogant, proud, superior and has major ego issues. Gets into fights every other day. A pro at playing football. His hidden side : Broken, needs healing, longs for love...