DESTINED TOGETHER

Chapter 66 - Dilemma

The Birla house was dark and empty when Abhimanyu opened the door. Just like him. The lights were off, the silence and darkness stretching throughout the empty rooms, as the rest of his family were at the wedding venue. He no longer had the strength to stay there so he left that place after everyone retired to their respective rooms. His feet dragged aimlessly, each step heavy as he slowly ascended the stairs, fighting the overwhelming urge to collapse with every movement.

Reaching his room, he shut the door behind him and walked to his dresser. Digging through the pile of clothes, he found the sacred box he had been carrying all his life. Slumping against the dresser ignoring the ache of his shoulder, he opened it carefully, cradling it as if it were his most precious possession.

The stone, marked by his own handwriting, caught the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Her beautiful face flashed in his mind as he stared at his—her stone.

The room around him faded into the familiar lakeside of his childhood. A younger version of himself appeared, extending a hand that held the twin stone of his own, freshly engraved with his initials, A.B. He was gazing at her, his angel in a white dress.

Tears welled up in his eyes as Abhimanyu slid down to the floor, hugging his knees tightly. The memories of the night his whole world crumbled played vividly in his mind, each moment a fresh wound.

>>Flashback, 3 nights ago :

His breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening in shock. Time seemed to freeze as he stared at the object in Avantika's hand, his mind racing to process the significance. But despite the pieces falling into place, something felt terribly wrong. Seeing that precious stone in her hands felt like a violation. For some reason, his heart refused to accept her as its owner. As if it knew. A strong gut feeling urged him to take it away from her. It didn't belong to her. It couldn't. Because his heart knew the truth. The fog in his mind cleared, and suddenly everything clicked into place. It couldn't be anyone else.

How could it be?

Flashes of memories assaulted his mind, each one fragmenting his thoughts as he stood speechless.

'That's my spot, you know'
'We're in Udaipur.'

His heart pounded loudly in his chest, a mix of disbelief and amazement flooding over him. He shuddered, feelings shivers running down his spine.

'My Mumma told me that tears are not your weakness but your strength.'
'Don't be ashamed of what you feel, don't hide your pain.'

The world around him blurred, and all he could see was the stone with his initials, A.B., etched into it. The memory of himself engraving it played in his mind.

'My father and I are going to leave Udaipur.'
'It's my birth place and the very reason why I left to US.'

Wordlessly he reached for the previous object and he traced the contour of the letters delicately, his eyes glistening.

'You should smile more often!'
'I love your smile!'

He was astounded, captivated by the sheer improbability of the truth as the realisation dawned slowly, spreading warmth through the chill of his initial shock.

'It's my Mumma's birthplace. I can't lose my last connection with her.'
'It's... my Mumma's last memory.'

Fleeting memories surfaced. A little girl in a white princess dress sitting by the lakeside at sunset, her laughter like twinkling bells, her beautiful coal-black eyes shining with joy.