Second Chance Love

Saying Yes!

Akshara was staring at Abhimanyu slack-jawed for the last five minutes. To give him credit, Abhimanyu waited patiently for her to say something. She blinked her eyes several times.

"Is..." her voice came out hoarse. So she closed her mouth, cleared her throat, and tried again.

"I-Is this a marriage proposal?"

Abhimanyu simply nodded his head. Akshara shook her head in disbelief.

"Why? Because of the kids?"

"Yes."

"But Dr. Birla, is it a good idea to surrender to all their whims and fancies?"

"I know it is not. But you are neither a whim nor a fancy for them. You have made a place in their heart."

Akshara shook her head again and pinched her wrist to see if she was dreaming.

"You are not dreaming, Akshara. This is happening for real."

When she still look troubled, Abhimanyu continued, "Akshara, as a father, I want to do everything that makes my kids happy. And for that I have to get married again, I will. But you are under no obligation. I have not come here to pressurize or force. Nothing is going to change if you reject this proposal right now. Nobody in my family knows that I am here today talking to you. If it is a No from your end, we will continue as before. If meeting me would be awkward for you, I will make sure that I am never at home when you are." 

"You have put in a lot of thought to this."

"Yes, this is all I have been thinking about for the last few days."

"You seem sure that I will say no, then why ask?"

"Are you saying yes?"

"That's not the answer to my question."

"So, is that a No?"

Akshara looked at him for a few moments.

"Are you trying to avoid my question, Dr. Birla?"

Abhimanyu rubbed his palms all over his face. "Sorry, Akshara. I am doing this for my kids because they love you, and you have proved that you love them back equally. You care for them like a mother would."

"But that was never my intention, doc. Your kids are so easy to love. Meeting them is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time."

"It may not have been your intention, but it has happened. It is what it is."

Both were silent for a few minutes.

"It is extremely selfish of me and I am doing this for my kids, but this is the most unfair proposal for you."

When Akshara looked on with a frown on her face, Abhimanyu took a deep breath and continued.

"If you noticed, I did not ask you to be my wife. I mean technically you will be, but only on paper. I cannot promise you anything else, respect, yes and maybe friendship too. But not love. That boat has sailed from my life."

Abhimanyu closed his eyes. Even the words coming out of his mouth sounded so shitty to himself. He wondered what must be going on in her mind. He would not be surprised if she hit him with the large book lying on the table. But he needed to be honest with her.

He opened his eyes and focused on her. "What I am saying is I will understand if you say no out rightly or if you take your time to think and then say no. You are young and will surely find a partner and live a life you deserve, and raise a family of your own. You may have some dreams."

Akshara smiled sadly and looked out of the window. "Marriage or love is not a part of any of my life plans."

Abhimanyu scrunched his eyebrows in question. "It is not like I don't believe in love and marriage. I have plenty of great examples around me. But I have seen and experienced enough for a lifetime. I don't know if it is for me. Also, I cannot have kids. So, I don't see anyone wanting to marry me, except you, it seems."