Closure

7. Please Talk

Abhi sat on a bench outside the hospital, still fuming and talking to himself. "If Akshu wants to go back to before she met me, then so be it. I'll do as she wants," he muttered, wiping the tears from his face. Determined, he stood up and went back inside.

In the hospital room, Akshu was feeling better but growing anxious. Abhi hadn't returned after storming out, and she was desperate to talk to him. The nurse advised her against getting up as she was still weak, so she complied. As she glanced out the window, she saw Neil walking past and signaled him. Neil noticed her and came inside.

"Neil, I've lost my phone and I need to talk to Abhi," Akshu explained, her voice filled with urgency. "Can you lend me your phone?"

Neil agreed without hesitation, handing her his phone. Akshu quickly dialed Abhi's number. 

Abhi was now in his cabin. He saw Neil's number on his phone and picked up promptly.

"Abhi...," Akshu's soft voice came through the phone. Abhi's heart fluttered and then sank the next instant.

"Abhi, can you hear me? Don't tell me you're still angry. You know I didn't reject your proposal. I only said we can't marry right now against our families' wishes."

Abhi remained silent, his emotions warring within him. He didn't want to talk, still feeling the sting of hurt, but he couldn't bring himself to cut the call either. The part of him that was upset wanted to end the conversation, but the part of him that loved Akshu intensely just wanted to keep hearing her voice.

Akshu, not hearing his response, looked at the phone to see if the call was still connected. Seeing that it was, she said, "Okay then. I'll also give you the silent treatment." Both stayed on the line, stubbornly silent, neither willing to hang up.

Neil, caught in the middle of their stubborn silence, couldn't help but think, "Seriously? Are they five years old? This is straight out of a kindergarten playground!"

Finally, Akshu cut the call. Determined, she decided to confront Abhi in his cabin. As she stepped out, she saw Swarna, who informed her that Kairav and Arohi will go back home soon, and the rest of the family would stay at the hospital for the night. She asked Akshu to go back as well. Akshu nodded, her mind set on talking to Abhi before leaving.

She entered the cabin, her determination masking her nervousness. As she walked over to him, she tripped on her way. Abhi jumped out of his seat and caught hold of her before she fell. He looked at her with a mix of simmering anger and a deep, unspoken longing and then set her on her feet. Akshu had softened and realized that Abhi was still hurting. Abhi started moving towards the door to leave, but Akshu grabbed his hand, making him stop. Intent on making up with him, she made a cute face and, holding her one ear with the free hand, said, "I'm sorry."

Abhi finally decided to speak. He held her face and moved closer, looking intensely at her. Akshu's heart started pounding at the proximity. "I know you're sorry. You're sorry I entered your life and wish to erase my presence. You're sorry Bade Papa is like this and believe meeting me brought him to the hospital and unsettled your life."

Akshu was taken aback and released her grip on his hand. "What are you saying?"

"I heard what you said earlier. Why bother talking to me if you're willing to throw away everything we have because your family doesn't approve?" Abhi pulled her closer, his tone tinged with frustration.

Confusion clouded Akshu's expression, slowly turning to anger. "What exactly did I say?"

"I heard you say to Kairav that you wish you could go back to before you met me."

"So you think I would actually do that?", Akshu's voice rose. "Let me go!"

Ignoring her plea, Abhi held on tighter, but Akshu forcefully pulled away and stormed out without another word.

Kairav saw her leaving angrily, so he walked up to Abhimanyu and said, "What happened?"

Abhimanyu replied, "I told her I heard what she said to you earlier. That meeting me was a mistake she wanted to correct."

Kairav exclaimed, "What?" He then grasped the context and continued, "Oh, you mean when she said she wanted to turn back time. Abhimanyu, she did say that. But immediately after, she said she can't because of one reason. You know what?"

"What?" Abhi asked eagerly.

"You. Because she can't lose you."

Realization dawned on Abhi, understanding how his misunderstanding had caused this huge mess. Without hesitation, he rushed after Akshu.