Closure

26. Cure

On a Sunday morning, Abhi and Akshu had planned to pick out rings in the anticipation of their upcoming engagement. As Abhi prepared for the day, he overheard his father's harsh words directed at his mother—a sound all too familiar and always capable of dampening his spirits. Harshavardhan's mood had worsened recently, fueled by his disapproval of Akshu, his future daughter-in-law. Harshavardhan had always envisioned Abhi marrying a doctor, and with the wedding on the horizon, his displeasure was more evident than ever.

After touching his mother's feet, Abhi left the house without breakfast, his mind weighed down. At the jewelry store with Akshu, he seemed distant and distracted. Despite Akshu's repeated inquiries, he brushed off her concern with a terse "I'm fine." Eventually, unable to bear his detachment any longer, Akshu took his hand and guided him outside, into the quiet alley next to the shop.

"Abhi, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "I can tell something's off. Please, talk to me."

Abhi looked deeply into her eyes, his voice heavy with unspoken pain. "Akshu... I'm sorry. I can't offer you the kind of loving family you deserve after marriage. My family is cold and fractured. And my father... he's incapable of love."

Akshu, understanding the complexities of Abhi's family dynamics, placed a comforting hand on his. "Abhi, every family has its own rhythm and quirks, and that's perfectly alright. When it comes to marriage, all that truly matters to me is being with you. Whether our journey is adorned with roses or strewn with thorns, I want nothing more than to walk it with you, hand in hand."

Her words touched him deeply, but he continued, his voice filled with worry. "Akshu, I've spent my childhood watching my mother endure relentless insults, particularly from my father. I've longed for her to assert herself, but she remains silent. I wish I could whisk her away from this torment, but she would never leave my father. My fear is what might happen if he shows the same disrespect towards you after we're married. I'm not sure how I'll handle it. Perhaps it would be wiser for us to live separately from the rest of the family after our marriage, instead of moving into the Birla house. This way, we can protect you from any potential fallout."

Akshu's fingers tightened around his, her touch both soothing and resolute. "Abhi, avoiding our problems won't make them disappear. Family is family—they're the ones who stand by us when we need them the most. As for your father, I'm confident he'll come to accept me with time. Despite his open disapproval, he hasn't tried to drive a wedge between us or use his influence to tear us apart. And I don't think he's incapable of love because he clearly loves you. I've seen it in his eyes. He'll be there for the wedding, I'm sure of it."

She pulled him into a comforting embrace, and he held her tightly. "And as for your mother, we'll work together to help her regain her confidence and find her voice."

Abhi found solace in her words, feeling a newfound sense of peace. They stood there in the alley, wrapped in each other's arms, finding comfort and healing in their shared embrace.

Both Abhi and Akshu bore the scars of their childhood traumas, and destiny had intricately woven their paths together for a reason. United, they embarked on a journey of mutual healing, their love already beginning to mend the fractures in their souls, marking only the start of a profound and transformative journey.