He chose & she stayed

Roaming souls

*Abhinav's house*

Abhinav decided to check upon Akshara as it's been a couple of hours and the drugs must have worn off. So he quietly made his way to his room not to startle her. He opened the door and peeked in, only to find the bed where Akshara was laid, as empty! He panicked and pushed the door wide open and rushed into the room. He took two wide stance before something stung his head forcefully. He stumbled and turned around in a whisk only to find a determined Akshara armed with a heavy wooded decor. Before Abhinav could process the things with his concussed head, Akshara continuously landed solid hits on his head. Abhinav tried to hold her hands to stop the attack, but his visions are starting to blur due to the intensity of the hits. When Abhinav somewhat managed to restrain Akshara using his hands, she merely pushed him to the floor and landed another solid hit causing Abhinav's vision to black out. A panicked Akshara made a run for her life, she reached the main door but it was locked 🔒. Akshara was on the verge of a huge panic attack, she frantically searched for the keys.

Akshara (in her mind): I've leave from here at any cost. Calm down Akshu! Take a deep breath! You'll find definitely find the keys!

With an ounce of luck on her side, she managed to find the keys after what felt like an eternity and escaped the wretched house leaving a concussed Abhinav behind.

*On the road*

Akshara ran until she was sure that she has created a good amount of distance from her kidnapper. She was thirsty and she was feeling dizzy from the aftermath of the drugs. Her each breath came out in painfull pants, tears prickled her eyes when she touched chest to calm her racing heart as her hands caught the mangalsutra. Akshara angrily snatched the chain from her neck. It made a painful scratch on the back of her neck. But surprisingly she found the pain reassuring her. As she's getting rid of the weed in her life. She maniacally rubbed her hairline with her palm to erase the sindoor. A fresh set of teary hiccups constrained her throat. It finally dawned on her that she's getting side eyes from the passerby. She looked around and found herself standing in the corner of a road, it was late in the evening and the sun was beginning to set. A physically and mentally exhaust Akshara went to a nearby shop.

Shopkeeper: *concerned by Akshara's disheveled hair and panicking self* What happened Madam?? Are you alright?

Akshara: Bhaiya! Can you please give me your phone, I need to make a call to the police!

Without a second thought, he gave Akshara his phone and offered her some water.

_________________________

*At the Goenka house*

As soon as Abhimanyu reached the Goenka house, an overwhelmed Manjari bombarded him with questions. Unable to say anything, his eyes roamed around the surroundings and came across the garlands hung over the pictures of Suhasini, Manish and Suwarna. Abhimanyu was shell shocked.

Manjari: *shaking her son* Abhimanyu, say something!! Why are silent?!

Harsh: *trying to pull her off Abhimanyu* Manjari! Calm down!

Anand, Mahima and Neil tried to intervene. With Harsh pulling Manjari in one direction, Neil whisked his brother to some distance.

Neil: Bhai! Look at me!

Abhimanyu does so and points his hand towards the pictures.

Abhimanyu: *still in shock* How?? When?? What happened to the rest of the Goenkas?

Neil: *sadly* Mimi died last month due to ill health! Manish uncle and Suwarna Aunty passed away yesterday due to a car accident.

Abhimanyu sat on the floor in shock, but Neil continued to speak.