A light in the flame

Chapter 7 - Part 2 : The Truth ?

She stalked away from him. Impulsively, she ducked into the bedroom and slammed the door. She turned the lock and was on her way to the bed when the door opened.

She whirled, and screamed, "Get out ! "

He leaned against the doorjamb. "Just so you know, none of the locks work."

"But the doors do, so get out."

"If anyone should be upset, it's me. I asked you a question, Akshara."

She gaped at him. "Excuse me?"

He stopped two feet away. He didn't look amused any longer. He was deadly serious.

" Kiara is like a sister to me and we live together. Not that's any of your business"

I will not mention Abhir. Maybe he still has no idea about him and knows about Kiara through Bade papa.

" It is my business when this Sister of yours is the reason why I was robbed of years without my wife and SON."

Her blood ran cold. "What ? "

" Tell me Akshara, did you ask her to make you two disappear ? "

So he thinks that I purposely snatched his fatherhood rights from him ...

Akshara was numb, trying to process what she just heard from him.

Kiara would not do this. I trusted her blindly.

"Talk!" he ordered.

She shoved him as hard as she could, gaining her freedom in the process by forcing him to take a step back, which appeased her somewhat before she blasted him back.

" Don't you dare accuse Kiara of anything. When you threw me out she was the one who picked me up !!! "

"All that Kiara ever did was protect our peace and help me cut ties with my toxic family." continued Akshara.

She passed him and headed back to the fire. There would be no sanctuary, not tonight. If he wanted to bring up the past, she couldn't avoid it. His knowledge of Abhir's existence changed everythings. She can't push this conversation back anymore.

As he reclaimed his seat on the opposite end of the couch, she stared into the flames and wished she could be consumed by them. Daylight would come soon.

"You had to know this day would come," he said.

She shook her head. "No."

"You thought you could avoid me forever?"

"That's the thing. I never tried to avoid you Abhimanyu. In fact, I tried so SO many times to reach out to you. I called, I sent messages and i even went to your house with my baby in my arms" Scream Aksara the last part while getting up.

" How come I never received any of these messages and no one told me that you came to the house ??"

" That's for you to figure out. As I said earlier I have all the proofs, I will share them with you when we will be back to India."

By his expression, Akshara can tell that he was still doubtful.

" Why are you in Paris ?" she asked.

He didn't answer immediately. She raised her brows at him expectantly as he continued to stare

"A week ago, I finally got a clue about your location through your new company. The private detective sent me the proof as soon as he got them. He let me know a trip to Paris was planned, so here I am."

"A private detective...? "

"Akshara... I have been looking for you for years. Exactly three weeks after you left the house." His eyes were haunted by agony, thanking about all his years of research.

She scrubbed a hand down her face. "Oh, my God."

What is the truth ?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him reach for her. She stumbled to her feet with the quilt wrapped around her. She put some distance between them as she tried to stuff her emotions back into the box where they belonged. She couldn't break down here. He was the last person she wanted to see her like this.

"Akshara."

When she felt his hand close around the back of her neck, she jerked away.

"Don't touch me!" she hissed as she swiped at the hot tears slipping down her face.

She was trembling, but it wasn't from the cold. Pain threatened to split her heart in two.

"Akshu..."

When he appeared in front of her, she backed away.

"I don't..." She swallowed hard and tried again. "I don't want-"

Her throat closed and she dropped her head to hide her face as emotion took over. When he wrapped his arms around her, she fought him, but he ignored her struggles and drew her against his chest. She clenched her teeth to stop herself from making a sound, but her ragged breathing was far from calm. He cupped the back of her head, fingers tunneling through her damp hair as he massaged. She grabbed fistfuls of his jacket as she battled for control.

Oh no. She didn't have them in years. A panic attack ...

"Just breathe."

"I-I can't," she whispered.

When the first sob escaped, she tried to smother the sound against his body. He picked her up and carried her back to the couch as she clutched at him.

He settled on the couch with her on his lap and unzipped his jacket. Her cheek landed on his broad shoulder. She shook her head as she fought the tide threatening to pull her under. A keening sound escaped. Even to her own ears, the pitiful sound was filled with heartache and despair. He made a soothing sound she had never heard him make before and pressed her face against his throat. The familiar scent of him added more turbulence to her already potent emotional breakdown.

She tried again. "I don't want—"

He cupped the side of her face and pressed his thumb against her quivering lips. "Hush."

His hand dipped beneath her chin and tipped her face up to his. His mouth landed on hers, and she stopped breathing. The kiss was gentle and soothing. More tears slipped from her eyes.

He was trying to comfort her. Did he know how many times over the years she wished he had done this? Her breath hitched. He let out a soothing rumble and broke the kiss. He kissed the corner of her mouth, her wet cheek, and then her forehead.

"Stop," she whispered.

He ran his fingers down her cheek, tracing the progress of a tear before he kissed her again. Soft, slow, and too short.

"Talk to me, Akshu."

She got a glimpse of her Abhi.

They stared at one another for a long minute before she reached out. He didn't stop her as she ran the tips of her fingers through his beard. Sorrow churned in her chest as she stroked his harsh face. Every instinct she possessed told her to keep her cards close to her chest and not let him in, but she needed to get it out. It was eating her alive.

" Abhi our angel is your carbon copy ..." stated Akshara with a shaking voice.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but let his tears fall...

To be continued ...

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