Discordance

Chapter Eighty-Four

Abhimanyu stopped in the middle of the hallway almost causing Akshara to crash into his back, "Umm actually, can we do something else first?" he asked and even he could hear the quake in his voice so naturally Akshara heard it too but Abhimanyu couldn't meet her eyes just yet.

"Of course" she said pleasantly and slowly slid her hand into his, centering him and giving him some much needed strength. Letting out the breath that he had been desperately holding onto, Abhimanyu slowly walked over to his destination, trying to keep his steps short so Akshara didn't have to limp too much and put unnecessary strain onto her botched up ankle but she followed him without complaints and without asking about their destination, and in that moment Abhimanyu couldn't have loved his wife more.

"I UH-" he tried, clearing his throat once but Akshara smiled her sweet smile at him and squeezed his hand "Yes, we should tell him first unless he saw my reports...?" her voice trailed off but all Abhimanyu could think of in that moment was how lucky he was to have someone like Akshara by his side, someone who understood him this deeply and who was wise beyond her years. "I don't think he saw them but even if he had, he wouldn't have said anything." How could he have? Abhimanyu would have never given him the chance to.

Gathering some much needed strength from Akshara, Abhimanyu knocked once at his father's door, anxiety swirling in his chest as they heard a stern "come in" from the inside.

Abhimanyu could feel the sweat accumulate under his pits and drip mercilessly from the back of his neck all the way down coating his spine and he felt itchy all over, Akshara's hand in his the only thing that was keeping him upright but he was embarking on this new journey with Akshara and now that he was about to experience fatherhood, he couldn't bear to think how hurt his father was because of him. If his son/daughter refused to speak to him, Abhimanyu would die a thousand deaths daily, is that how his father felt?

"Akshu, Are you ok?" Harshvardhan rounded his desk and lightly grabbed Akshara's arms giving her a onceover making Akshara giggle and roll her eyes at him. "yes, you both are so alike." She teased making his father smile and pat her cheek but then Harshvardhan looked at Abhimanyu and the smile dropped from his face making Abhimanyu's heart ache.

"Is something the matter?" he asked casually but now that Abhimanyu could see everything clearly, he could see how wary his father was of him and how he showed Abhimanyu his hurt in subtle ways.

Abhimanyu squared his shoulders and nodded in his father's direction before opening his mouth but somehow the words got caught in his chest and try as he might, he couldn't blurt them out. His father however gave Abhimanyu some much needed time to get his bearings about him, only frowning at him in concern before quirking a brow in Akshara's direction.

"I-" Abhimanyu began but his throat was chock full of regret and repentance. Clearing his throat, Abhimanyu tried again "Papa I, uh actually Akshara and I wanted to give you some news." He could see Harshvardhan startle at the seriousness of his tone and before Abhimanyu could continue, he bit out a "is it Manjari? Is she sick again?" Harsh's concern for his mother almost made him smile and it brought him such peace and joy that he let Akshara's hand go and hugged his father, squeezing with all his might.

"Abhimanyu, please you're scaring me" he muttered and with surprising tears in his eyes, Abhimanyu pulled away, nodding slightly.

"We thought it was only right to tell you first, Akshara is pregnant with twins" he blurted out not willing to stretch this any longer for either of the involved party and he could watch in real time as Harshvardhan let the news sink in, almost taking a step back in shock, blinking rapidly between Akshara and him, "You'll be a grandfather" Akshara said smiling sweetly at him and this broke his father's trance as he hugged Akshara tightly before letting her go mumbling a sorry as she winced slightly. But once Akshara had stepped away, he came face to face with Abhimanyu, he had never felt so lost and bereft in front of his dad than just now but Harsh only opened his arms wide, hugging Abhimanyu and clapping him on the back making hot tears slide down Abhimanyu's face.