Closure

23. The Heart

Akshu decided to skip work for a few days to avoid Abhi and give herself some space. She hoped a little break would make things less awkward when they saw each other next.

Meanwhile, Abhi grew increasingly anxious by her absence. One day, unable to contain his emotions any longer, he confided in Neil.

"I don't understand what is going on, Neil. I am drawn towards her and I can't help it. But when I try to get closer, she runs away. Look at her now—she's been skipping work ever since the party. And if I don't see her, I go berserk. It's crazy to think that just a few weeks ago, I didn't even know she existed."

Slowing down, he added, "There's this sadness in her eyes sometimes when she looks at me, and it kills me, Neil. I want to take away her pain, to protect her. I want to be near her."

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "She feels so familiar. It's like I know her from another life or something. I sometimes have fragments of memory that have her in it, and I don't know if I'm hallucinating, daydreaming, or just losing my mind. I need to see Dr. Sinha. I think after that accident, not only has my memory become foggy, but I might have actually lost my mind."

Neil listened patiently, refraining from commenting. Abhi experiencing flashes of memories and feelings was a good sign. Akshu's presence was actually working. He simply said, "You're not crazy, Bhai." Then, to divert Abhi's thoughts and ease the strain on his mind, Neil suggested, "I think you're overthinking this. How about we go for a run together? It's been a while."

Abhi nodded, and they went for a run.

Later that evening, Abhi decided to call Akshu, but she didn't pick up. He desperately wanted to apologize for that day at the party, but more than that, he wanted to hear her voice, to see how she was doing. Frustrated and unable to reach her, he decided to head to a bar, hoping to find some solace in its dimly lit corners.

At the bar, Abhi began drinking to dull the pain, anguish, and confusion consuming him. As he grew a little drunk, he tried video calling her again. This time, she picked up, but kept her camera off.

"Hello."

"You picked up," Abhi chuckled drunkenly.

Akshu immediately sensed his state. "Are you drunk?"

Abhi's voice carried a hint of pain. "I don't know. But I am definitely lost." He clumsily dropped his phone, and the call disconnected.

Hearing the heartbreak in his voice, Akshu knew she had to find him. She recognized the signboard in the video call and swiftly booked a cab to the bar. When she arrived, she spotted him at the counter and approached quietly. He saw her, his intoxicated mind struggling to comprehend, but relief washed over his face at the sight of her.

"I've been wanting to talk to you. I'm sorry. I wanted to apologize that day, but you ran away," Abhi murmured.

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize. Let's get you home," Akshu replied softly.

"But I do," Abhi insisted, his frustration evident. "You're clearly avoiding me. I haven't seen you for days, and it's driving me insane." He reached out to gently touch her face. "Who are you? Why do you affect me like this? When you're near, I feel a familiar comfort and warmth. When you're not, I feel lost."

His expression turned pleading. "But every time I find you and try to talk, you run away." Akshu felt her heart ache witnessing his struggle.

Abhi gently took her hand in his and earnestly asked, "Promise me you won't run away today. Promise me you won't leave me."

Just then, Neil entered. Akshu had informed him when she got the call from Abhi. Since he was farther away from the bar, it took him longer to arrive.

Neil convinced Abhi to head home. As Neil drove, Akshu and Abhi sat in the backseat. Abhi had passed out, his hand still intertwined with Akshu's. Neil recounted to Akshu how Abhi had confided in him about experiencing memory flashes related to her. Akshu's face lit up with delight upon hearing the news.

For the first time in a long while, a wave of relief washed over Akshu. It wasn't merely the hope that Abhi's memories were returning; it was the recognition that Bade Papa had been right that day at the hospital. Holding Abhi's hand, she knew his heart remained unchanged. It beat for her, just as hers did for him, and always would.