Somewhere In Heart

Chapter 5

The next morning, Akshara woke up, feeling warmth against her. She turned her head and saw Abhimanyu sleeping in her arms. Her breath hitched as she processed the moment. Carefully, she shifted, her eyes scanning the car. That's when she noticed a small bottle lying near the backseat.

She picked it up, and as she read the label, her heart sank.

"These are antidepressants... Abhi is really in depression... Oh my God..." she whispered, her hands trembling.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him, peacefully sleeping, unaware of the storm raging inside her. She wanted to stay—her heart screamed for her to—but she knew she couldn't. With a deep breath, she slowly opened the car door, careful not to wake him, and slipped out into the early morning mist, making her way back home.

—

A little while later, Abhimanyu stirred.

"Akshu... Akshu!" he murmured, his voice hoarse from sleep. He reached out, only to find emptiness beside him. His eyes fluttered open, and his heart clenched when he saw that she was gone.

He sat up, running a hand through his hair as flashes of the night before rushed back to him. He had fallen asleep in her arms.

"Oh no... What did I do? Will Akshu be upset with me?" he muttered, his chest tightening at the thought.

Shaking his head, he glanced at the time and realized he needed to get back. He had a meeting to attend. Pushing all thoughts aside, he started the car and drove back to the hotel.

—

After taking a quick shower, Abhi reached for his medicine, only to realize they weren't where he had left them. Frowning, he searched the car but didn't find anything.

"Where the hell did it go? Did Akshara...see it? No, no this can't happen. Maybe I'd kept it somewhere else". Brushing off the thought, he picked up his phone and dialed Ruhi's number.

"Happy, happy birthday, Rooh!!!" Abhi said, his voice filled with love.

"Thank you, Poppy!" Ruhi chirped excitedly.

"So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, smiling.

"Just a small party with my friends. But the real celebration will happen when you come back!" Ruhi said.

"Hmm, alright then," Abhi said.

"Poppy, when are you coming back?" she asked eagerly.

"I just left, Rooh! I'll be back in a week," he replied with a chuckle.

"Hmph! Okay... I love you, Poppy!" Ruhi said sweetly.

"I love you too, Rooh," Abhi replied.

Just then, Manjari's voice interrupted their conversation.

"Beta, come back soon so we can finalize your and Aarohi's wedding as soon as possible. Ruhi will be happy, and so will you both," Manjari said firmly.

Abhi sighed. "Maa!" he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"What 'Maa,' beta? You have to get married eventually. I already consulted the priest and fixed the wedding date—April 11. It's an auspicious day," Manjari announced.

Abhi's grip tightened on the phone.

"Maa! How could you fix a date without asking me or Aarohi? We only got engaged because you insisted, and we agreed that marriage would happen later. Can't you give me some time?" he asked, exasperated.

"Abhi, you're not understanding. The sooner you and Aarohi are married, the better. Ruhi will get her father, and..." Manjari hesitated before adding, "And then there will be another child too. Ruhi needs a sibling, right, Ruhi?" she said, trying to coax the little girl.

"Yes, Dida! I want a baby brother!" Ruhi shouted innocently.

Before Abhi could react, Aarohi's sharp voice cut through the call.

"Shut up, Ruhi! Go to your room!" Aarohi snapped.

Ruhi flinched at the harsh tone and ran off, tears brimming in her eyes. "Aarohi—" he started, but before he could say anything, she cut the call.

—

Back home, Aarohi turned to Manjari, her anger barely contained.

"Maa, we need to talk. Come to my room. Now."

Manjari followed, taken aback by Aarohi's tone.

"Aarohi, what happened? Speak up."

"What is all this, Maa? Just because you're older and everyone respects you doesn't mean you can make decisions for us without asking! We told you we didn't want to rush into marriage, yet you went ahead and fixed a date?" Aarohi said, her frustration evident.

"Beta, I only want Abhi to officially become Ruhi's father as soon as possible. That's all," Manjari said.

Aarohi scoffed. "Ruhi doesn't need a father, Maa! Why are you forcing this wedding? You know very well that Abhi and I are only doing this because you wanted it! Why can't you just let things be? Why are you in such a hurry?!"

She took a deep breath before adding, "Even you know deep down that we wronged Akshu. So wrong that it's beyond forgiveness. And yet, you act like nothing happened."

Manjari's expression hardened. "Enough, Aarohi! What I did was right, and I know it. I won't tolerate any more insults!"

Aarohi let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, you think you've done everything right?" she scoffed. "Then maybe you should know that because of you—because of all this—Abhimanyu has fallen into depression!"

Manjari's face went pale.

"W-what? My Abhi... depression?" her voice trembled.

"Yes, Maa. Depression," Aarohi said coldly before walking away, leaving Manjari standing there, stunned.