Somewhere In Heart

Chapter 6

"Hello, Abhimanyu?" Aarohi's voice came through the phone.

"Hello, Aarohi... What happened yesterday? The call got disconnected suddenly, and I couldn't even hear what Mom said," Abhimanyu replied.

"Forget about yesterday, Abhimanyu. Just stop this wedding, please," Aarohi pleaded.

"What can I even say, Aarohi? I tried reasoning with Mom, but she started emotionally blackmailing me again. I don't want this wedding either," Abhimanyu admitted, frustration lacing his voice.

"I'm telling you, Abhimanyu, I can't move on from Neil. I loved him... It's not easy to forget him so quickly. I know you understand," Aarohi said, her voice heavy with emotions.

"I do understand, Aarohi... and honestly, I don't want this wedding either. I still love Akshu, and moving on isn't just difficult for me—it's impossible. I've never thought about anyone but her. How can I marry you?" Abhimanyu said, his heart aching at the thought.

"I completely understand. But why is Mom dragging Ruhi into this? She's just five years old. How can she even think that if Ruhi wants this wedding to happen, then it should?" Aarohi said, frustrated.

"Yeah, that's true... I've never gone against Mom before, but this time, I don't know what's gotten into her. She refuses to listen to anyone. But I know what to do—I'm coming back next week. We'll talk to her together, okay?" Abhimanyu assured her.

"Hmm... Bye," Aarohi said before disconnecting the call.

Abhimanyu sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Akshu... I really can't move on. You took my breath away with you... No, I took it away myself," he murmured to himself, popping a tablet into his mouth before heading out for his meeting.

—

His meeting went smoothly, and he was driving back when, out of nowhere, Akshara stepped in front of his car. He hit the brakes hard, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Stop the car... I said, stop the car, Abhimanyu!" Akshara ordered.

Confused but unable to refuse her, he let her in, and she directed him towards a secluded mountain road.

"What is going on, Akshu?" he finally asked.

"That's exactly what I should be asking you," she shot back.

"What do you mean?" Abhimanyu frowned.

Akshara pulled out a small pill bottle from her pocket and held it up. "I mean, what are these depression pills doing in your car?"

His expression shifted. "Oh, those? They belong to a friend... He must've left them here," he said, avoiding her eyes.

"Oh really? But I know you, Abhi. You always write your name on your medicine bottles so no one picks them up by mistake at the hospital. Old habits die hard, don't they?" Akshara said, showing him his name scribbled on the label.

Abhimanyu looked away, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

"How long, Abhi? How long have you been like this?" Akshara's voice wavered.

"I... I don't know... I didn't even realize when—"

"Abhimanyu, please! Don't say something that will break me even more," she interrupted, shaking her head.

Her gaze dropped to the floor of the car, where an empty wine bottle rolled near her feet. Her heart clenched. She turned and glanced at the backseat through the rearview mirror—there were two or three more bottles lying there.

Her breath hitched. "Abhimanyu... Are you drinking?"

Abhimanyu's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

"I'm asking you something, Abhimanyu!" she raised her voice.

"Yes, I drink! Every single day! To forget you, to stay away from you, to push you out of my heart," he finally snapped.

"What the hell, Abhimanyu?! Have you lost your mind? You're a doctor! You used to hate alcohol, and now you—"

"Akshu! I can't move on! I tried, but I just can't! And you? You love me too, so why are you doing this to us?"

"I do love you, Abhi... but there's no respect left for me in your heart. And without respect, love isn't enough. So, goodbye, Abhimanyu Birla. I won't say it again," Akshara said, her voice breaking.

"My heart only beats for you, Akshu... I won't survive without you," Abhimanyu whispered.

"You've already been surviving for six years, Abhi," she replied, her eyes filling with tears.

"If you know how it feels to live without a heart, then why are you making me go through this? Punish me however you want, but please... come back to me," he pleaded.

Akshara's feet felt frozen in place as she watched him break down. She wanted to walk away, but her heart wouldn't let her.

They talked for hours, pouring out all the pain they had buried inside. And somewhere between their words and silences, Akshara reached for a bottle of wine.

Abhimanyu didn't stop her. He drank too.

One sip turned into another, and soon, the past no longer mattered.

Somewhere in the haze of liquor, Akshara leaned on him, her fingers curling into his shirt. "I really love you, Abhi... and I miss you," she whispered.

Abhimanyu's eyes softened as he gazed at her, his heart screaming the words he had been holding in for years.

"I love you too... I always have," he murmured.