Second Chance Love

Denial

Abhir and Roohi looked at Akshara expectantly but received nothing but a stunned silence. They looked around and everybody had a similar expression on their faces, including their grandmother and Akshara's mother who were standing at the balcony door. The twins looked at each other, their expressions tensed. "Akshu," they shook her. Akshara stood up suddenly, "I need to go."

Akshara walked towards the main door, her mother and Avni following her. "Akshu, beta, wait," called Avni. The kids also rushed behind her. While they knew that they may not get a favorable response, they had never imagined that their Akshu would run away like this. Akshara grabbed her bag kept at the entrance and turned to Avni, "Please aunty, I need to go now." she pleaded as her eyes filled with tears.

Avni nodded her head, understanding that it was best to let her go. Swarna turned to her and pressed her palms together. She ran a hand on Abhir and Roohi's cheeks gently, who were on the verge of crying now. As they saw Akshara walk quickly towards the elevator, they hugged their Dadi, who held them tightly. As Avni closed the door, she heard loud shouts from the living room.

When they rushed inside, Avni saw her sons shouting at each other. Avni could not make out anything, as they were shouting over each other. Abhir and Roohi were sobbing now, while clinging to her side.

"Boys, stop." she tried to intervene. But Abhimanyu and Neil were in their own zone. While they would bicker and have silly arguments all the time, Avni had not seen them having such a fierce fight since they were teenagers.

"I said stop," she yelled at the top of her voice, and this made them stop mid argument. "Stop behaving like kids. Can't you see they are crying."

Abhimanyu looked at his kids and for the first time since they were born, he turned away from them. He did not have the strength to console them. He knew that if he went to them now, he would end up shouting and scaring them. It was best to put a distance with them right now.

"Neil, take them to their room and get them ready for bed." said Avni. She wiped their tears, whispered something in their ears, and kissed their foreheads. While Neil held their hands and walked them towards their bedroom, Abhimanyu had already entered his study. Avni took a deep breath and walked towards the room, but when she opened the door, he was already on the phone, "I know it is you or Neil behind it? He said it is not him so it would be you. Otherwise, how come they had this idea now?" he yelled.

"Dada, I don't know what you are talking about," said an agitated Aarohi. Thankfully, the speaker was on and Avni could hear whatever she was saying.

Abhimanyu told her what happened a few minutes ago. Aarohi gasped. "How could you Aarohi? How could you fill their heads with such nonsense." said Abhimanyu.

Avni could feel Aarohi's temper raising through the phone. "Really, Dada! That's how much you know me? I may have teased you and tried to push you towards Akshara, but I would never play with Abhir and Roohi's emotions. I care for them as much as you do." 

"I am really pissed off at you right now, Dada. Don't call me again," she said and cut the call.

Avni saw her son's shoulders drop down in defeat and her heart went out to him. She slowly went near her and touched his shoulders, "Abhi."

Abhimanyu turned around and had tears in his eyes. He hugged her and sobbed. "Ma, they want to replace her." Avni's heart broke as she felt his sobs through her own bones.

"Did I do something wrong? Am I not good enough? And why now? Why after all these years do they feel like they need a mother?" Avni had an inkling about what it could be. But she also knew that maybe her son was not ready to hear the answer, at least not from her.