𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 [𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃]

37. Tainted

📖

Akshu slowly regained consciousness after four hours. As she opened her eyes, a pounding headache greeted her. She squinted in the dim light of her room, trying to adjust. The first thing she saw was her husband, Veer, who had fallen asleep holding her hand. His head was resting on her bed.

Tears filled her eyes as she realized that Veer had finally rescued her. She glanced at their intertwined hands, feeling a mixture of relief and love. But suddenly, the terrible memories of her abduction flooded her mind, and she quickly pulled her hand away.

Veer woke up with a start at her sudden movement. His eyes were swollen and tear-stained, his face pale, and his hair disheveled. He had been through his own agony while she was missing. When he saw Akshu looking at him, he quickly moved towards her, wanting to hug her and comfort her. But he stopped in shock when she held up her hand to stop him.

"Akshu...," Veer began, his voice full of emotion, but Akshu interrupted him. "Veer... don't come near me," she said, her voice breaking his heart.

Veer felt a sharp pain in his chest at her words. He had been so worried about her, and now she was pushing him away. But inside, Akshu was also breaking. She longed for his touch and his comfort, but she felt she couldn't let him touch her because she believed her body was tainted by what had happened to her.

Before Veer could say further, all the family members began to arrive, their faces etched with worry and relief, but she couldn't face them. She turned away, unable to speak, her heart heavy with the burden of her trauma. Her in laws were the first to enter. Her mother in law, with tears in her eyes, approached slowly. "Akshu, my dear, you're safe now," she whispered, gently touching her shoulder. Akshu flinched at the touch, pulling the blanket tighter around her. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want to see anyone. She wanted to be alone, away from the concerned eyes and questions.

Her father in law stood silently by the door, his face a mask of pain. He didn't know what to say or how to comfort his daughter. He just wanted her to know he was there for her. Hriday and Pakhi were next. Hriday tried to lighten the mood. "Bhabhimaa, we brought you your favorite chocolates," he said, placing a box on the bedside table. Pakhi chimed in, "And some flowers from your garden. We thought they might brighten your room."

But Akshu didn't respond. She kept her eyes closed, wishing they would all just go away. The flowers and chocolates felt like a mockery of her current state.

Riansh, entered inside. His face was etched with worry and sadness, but he covered it up with a fake smile."We miss your smile, Bhabhimaa," Riansh said gently. "We need you back with us." Pakhi added, "We know it's hard, but we're all here for you. We'll get through this together."

Akshu felt suffocated by their presence. She wanted to scream, to tell them to leave her alone, but she couldn't find the words. She curled up into a ball, pulling the blanket over her head.

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Days passed, and the doctors decided it was time for Akshu to go home. Veer arranged everything for her transfer, his heart breaking a little more each time he saw her withdrawn and silent. As they arrived home, the family had prepared a welcome for her, hoping to lift her spirits. The house was decorated with flowers and balloons, and a delicious meal was waiting for her.

All the members were holding the welcome sign boards in each of their hands. Veer and Akshu were standing at the entrance door. Akshu was welcomed with Aarti and then both of them entered inside, when everybody started singing in chorus and dancing around her.