Truly Yours

Chapter 28 - Apology I

Abhimanyu held out his hand as he opened the door of his car and helped Akhara step out of the car. She smiled gratefully at him as she held on to his hand and then gently interlaced their fingers.

After realising they both had a long impending discussion, they had decided to drive somewhere more secluded so that they could have some peace between them. They soon left for a spot they agreed on after someone had come and picked up Akshara's car.

It was their unspoken spot.

The lake.

The sun twinkled high in the sky, letting its rays spread over the landscape as the light twinkled in the lake lighting up the whole space and adding to the magic of it.

Feeling a sense of peace settle over his heart before they had even commenced their discussion, Abhimanyu took sight of Akshara. And that's when he spotted what she was wearing....

His hoodie! Dressed with her comfy leggings and ankle boots... he felt his heart swell with pride... oh how could he even question that Akshara would leave him?

Akshara looked up at him, confused about his expression as they both walked over the wooden bridge to sit down at the very end... just like they had the other day.

"I like your outfit" Abhimanyu teased and Akshara looked down noting her clothing, blushing immediately she looked back at him.

"Abhi-" she whined throwing a fist to his chest gently.

Abhimanyu chuckled but then grabbed her fist gently, "come here you" he whispered softly, repositioning her so that he was sitting with his back against the podium and she was sitting in the space between his legs, her own legs sliding on top of his left knee and dangling off the bridge.

It was then she finally became soft and baby-like, "Abhi..." she whimpered turning her body sideways to give him a big hug, wrapping her arms around his neck and placing her face in the crook of his neck.

"I'm sorry" they both uttered at the same time and then they paused... resting against each other as they found solace, not even surprised they had said it at the same time.

They were going to be fine.

Just fine.

Abhimanyu nuzzled his nose against her head, peppering a soft kiss.

"Me first..." Akshara began looking up from his chest, looking into his eyes and pleading to let her speak first which he nodded.

"I'm sorry Abhi... I should have told you about the stalker issues... I should have told you immediately... I'm so sorry" she began her voice laced with sorrow. "I guess I was too worried about burdening you with more when you already had so much on your plate... I didn't want to burden you with anything... but I realise now how dangerous that was and how wrong I was" Akshara whispered her head hanging low as she felt guilty and at the same time angry with herself for hiding such an important thing from him.

Abhimanyu stared at her wanting to interrupt but knowing how important it was to let her let it all out.

She took a deep breath before continuing, "I didn't think of it as being much at the start .. and then by the time it became more serious, the review period was coming up and the last thing I wanted to be is a hindrance... but I am sorry... I really mean it... I should have told you... I know that if something like that was happening to you I would have wanted to know immediately".

Abhimanyu sighed, staring at the love of his life and seeing very clearly the internal battle she was in.

Gently, he hooked two fingers under her chin so that their eyes were at the same level, "I want to clarify something Akshara... I know that you feel like you owe the world a lot... but the world owes you a LOT. Stop harbouring these feelings of imposing on other people. You are my wife... my haq... but above all baby, you are my whole entire world.. when you ask for something... express anything... you should do it knowing you have every right to demand or ask or clarify anything... it is not a request but your right" he told her calmly, running circles on her back.

Akshara took a deep breath, calming down under his touch as she let his words sink into her soul and slowly process them. She had always been a fiercely strong and independent woman, confident in her own abilities... and her childhood had been filled with love. But she could not deny that she still had to do some work on relying on other people and letting them in.

She had always known how to be strong for other people..but letting them into her own problems and not feeling like a burden was another thing altogether.

Ofcourse when it came to Abhimanyu he broke every rule.

Akshara nodded as he pressed a reassuring kiss on her temple, "I know Abhi... I was going to tell you that day... remember when you came home and then got called back in for work?" she asked jogging his memory and he nodded in return. Of course, he remembered.

"I wanted to tell you then... the text messages had gotten worse that day and I had made up my mind to tell you but then... I knew how stressed you were... with the financial review... seeing you go back to work... not even focusing on your meals- it just - it didn't feel right.. but I now know it was" she whispered as he continued to run circles on her back to comfort her.

Abhimanyu gave her a gentle nod, he understood her feeling guilty that he had missed all of this happening. Who could understand her heart better than him? He knew her tendency to always place others above her own needs... to try and handle things herself. He knew her... she was so selfless.

"No matter how busy... no matter what happens... just remember... you are my priority... nothing is above you. Nothing. I'm sorry I did not communicate it earlier... I know it has been confusing with our relationship progressing over time but let me clarify right now. I will happily stop working today itself if you need me to my priorities are clear Akshu and it's you" Abhimanyu reassured her, "so tell me without any stress or second thought if anything bugs you... even if it is small..."

Akshara let the tears stream down her face as she hugged him one more time in response to his words as he gently caressed the back of her hair calming her down.

"I had him profiled by the way... same group hired by Mahima Aunty's client... Akash you remember him? Spoilt brats never change" Abhimanyu sighed angrily as they parted. "But nothing for you to worry about... I promise"

Akshara bit her lip as he revealed to her the details and she processed the news. Abhimanyu's heart broke as he watched her worried face and he realised once again how she would have had to endure and navigating that confusing time by herself. Thank goodness for Nancy!

"You're safe baba... I promise you... I am so sorry I could not be here for you when you were receiving those ghastly messages and pictures, I should have known... I should have supported you and you were suffering alone"

"Abhi" Akshara groaned placing her palm on his mouth, "please don't apologise.. this is my fault... please"

"Arre..." Abhimanyu said gently, "My apologies have just begun... my turn," he said holding onto her hand.

And then a second later, a silence fell over them.

As they faced the second part of their big discussion.

Who can relate to Akshara?

N x