Manjari was standing outside the A house and was fidgeting with her corner of Saree. Manjari her heart heavy with apprehension as she approaches the front door. Inside, Akshu putters about in the kitchen, Abhi just returned from work, and Abhir is engrossed in play.
Akshu: (smiling) You're back early today.
Abhi: (nodding) Yeah, had some meetings canceled. How's everything here?
Akshu: All good. Abhir was just showing me his latest masterpiece.
(gestures to the vibrant artwork on the table)
Abhi: (chuckles) Our little artist at work.
The doorbell chimes, interrupting their conversation. Akshu exchanges a puzzled glance with Abhi before moving to answer the door. As it swings open, her eyes widen in surprise at the sight of Manjari standing there, her expression a mix of remorse and hope.
Akshu: (tentatively) Maa aap yaha?
Manjari: (softly) Akshu, may I come in?
Akshu's hesitation melts as she steps aside, allowing Manjari to enter. Abhi approaches, his gaze guarded but curious.
Abhi: What brings you here, Maa?
Manjari: (taking a deep breath) I've come to talk. Please, let's sit down.
They gather in the living room, an unspoken tension lingering in the air like a heavy fog. Manjari: (clearing her throat) I owe you all an apology. I've realized my grave mistake in trying to keep you apart.
Akshu and Abhi exchange wary glances, listening intently as Manjari's voice quivers with emotion.
Manjari: (regretfully) My fears and insecurities clouded my judgment. I let them drive a wedge between us, believing it was for the best. But now I see the damage I've caused. Family isn't about control or possession but love and support.
Her words hang in the air, heavy with the weight of her remorse. Akshu's eyes glisten with unshed tears, while Abhi's expression softens, the walls he's built slowly crumbling.
Abhi: (guarded) It's not easy to forgive, Maa.
Manjari: (earnestly) I know. And I don't expect it to be. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make amends. I want to be a part of your life again, to earn back your trust and love.
Abhi- "Akshu tum aur Abhir zara andar jaoge, mujhe Maa see much zaruri baat karni hain. It's important."
Akshu nodded her head and took Abhir in her arms going inside
Abhi- "No, Maa aapne ek baar bhi socha hain ki kya hota agar aap jo kar rahi thi woh successful ho jaata Abhir apni maa phir se kho deta. Maa main apni Akshu ko dobara kho deta. Aapko sehan hota agar main wahi wala Abhi ban jaata jo in 6 saalo main that. Wahi jo sirf ji raha that apne bacche ke liye. Mere pass jine ki aur koi wajah nahi hoti Maa. Mujhe toh samjh nahi aa raha ki aap meri aur Abhir ki woh halat dekhne ke baad bhi aisa kaise kar sakti hain. "
Manjari- "Beta main "
But before Manjari could utter another word Abhi looked at her with blood-red eyes.
Abhi- "Maa aap itni selfish kaise ho sakti are mera naa sahi kam see kam Abhir ka hi soch leti par aap ne aisa nahi kiya aapko sirf ye dikha ki kaise main aur Abhir Akshu par jyada dhyan de rahe hain par aapko sirf ye dikha ki main aur Abhir aapse dur ho rahe nahi Maa hum aapse dur nahi balki Akshu se jo 6 saal dur hue the uski kami mehsus kar rahe the. Maa Akshu ko kuch yaad nahi tha ki woh kaun hain main kon hu Abhir kon hain jis wajah se naa hum uske pass jaa sakte the aur naa woh humare aur jab sab thik hua hi tha tab Abhir aur baki bacche kidnap ho gaye mujhe goli lag gayi. Aapko us waqt bhi apne bimar bacche aur pote ki fikar nahi thi aapko bus ye fikar thi ki Akshu humme aapse dur kar rahi hain. "
Manjari was so embarrassed that she kept her head low. She kept looking at the floor while Abhi kept blasting at her.
Abhi- "Maa agar Akshu ki jagah aap bhi hoti naa tab bhi main yahi feel karta. Aapko pata hain agar yahi sab Akshu ke saath hua hota an jo aapke saath hua toh Akshu kush hoti. nazar utarti woh humari, hume aapke saath dekh kar."
Abhi- "Maa aap chale jaaiye yaha se please. Mujhe ya mere pariwaar ko aapse ab koi rista nahi rakhna mere liye ab aap koi nahi hain. Jo apne bacche ki takleef se pehle apni selfish reason justify kare mera usse koi bhi rishta nahi hain."
Manjari slowly gets up and wiping her tears starts to walk towards the door.
Manjari- "Beta main ye toh nahi keh sakti ki abhi mujhe maaf kar de par please ho sake toh apni zindagi main apni maa ko ek insaan samjh kar uski galtiyo ko ho sake toh nazar andaz kar dena. Shayad mera gunaah itna bada tha ki mujhe ab tak uski sazaa mil rahi hain. Par bhagwan se aaj ke baad bas yahi dua rahegi ki toh, Akshu aur Abhir mujhe ek din maaf kar de aur Birla Manshion wapas aa jaye."
saying this Manjari left. All this while Manjari was speaking Abhi had his back to her that's why she couldn't witness Abhi crying.
Abhi-" Maa kash aap samjh pati ki jo dard aap seh rahi hain woh dard aapne apne aap hi apni kismat main likha hain. Aapko jab tak ye puri tarah se ehsaas nahi ho jaata ki aap kya galat karne jaa rahi thi. Aap yaha sirf isliye aayi thi taki Abhir aur main aapke pass wapas aa jaye naaki Akshu ke saath kiya hua aap us par zarasa bhi sharminda hain. Shiv ji main akele kaise sambhalu sab kuch."
He broke down crying and dropped to his knees but soon felt a little hands hugging him and when he looked up he saw Akshu standing at the kitchen doorway.
Akshu- "Abhi, tum duniya ke sabse bade gadhe ho agar tum ye sochte ho ki tum akele ho aree hum kis liye hain. Abhir attack."
Soon Abhir and Akshu were tickling Abhi while he was trying everything to escape from the clutches of Abhir and Akshu. The whole A house was ringing from the laughter of three of them."
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One more alternate and then Epiloge and tata bye bye to the story and I can't wait to give you the second update of the other book damm it is something I have been preparing for so long it'll be up on Saturday so stay tuned.
