Seven Colors of Our Love

.22-

MALHAN HOUSE:

The rays of sunlight had lit up Abhishek's room. The chorus of melodic birdsong was audible in the silence of a running air conditioner. Slowly and reluctantly Abhishek opened his eyes. Streaks of sunlight penetrated the window and blinded him. He blinked, closed his eyes, and blinked again trying to adjust his eyes to the light.

He opened his eyes slowly and looked at the figure in front of him. Her hair has covered her face. "Sara", he muttered in surprise and looked carefully.

His eyes shot up when the reality dawned upon him and sat up straight. He realized it was Manisha, he stared at her face for a few minutes and then shifted his gaze towards Afsa who was sleeping soundly glued to Manisha. He dragged his feet off the bed, rubbed his knuckles onto his eyes, spread the curtains, and went to the washroom to freshen up.

After some time he came out of the washroom, Manisha and Afsa were still asleep. He looked at the wall clock which was saying 10:32 AM, left the room, and went downstairs.

Abhishek entered in the lounge.

Mom stood up from her place and took Abhishek's face in her hands and kissed his forehead and said: "I'm sorry beta, I was not there when you needed me".

"It's okay mom", he replied looking into her mother's eyes.

"Kabhi toh gila kar liya kar abbu. Insist us to help you, fight with us when we leave you alone in such kind of situation, this silence will eat you.", Mom said with tears filled eyes. Abhishek wiped his mother's tears and hugged her. He kissed his mom on her head as he was taller than her.

"Bhai how is Afsa now?", Nischay asked.

"We wanted to see her last night but Prerna said she was sleeping", Dad added.

"She is fine", he heaved a sigh.

"Yesterday was a nightmare", he added,

"Let's sit down". mom said and broke the hug.

"Where is Afsa, did you leave her alone in the room?", dad asked.

"Afsa is still asleep dad" Abhishek replied. Everyone looked at him questioningly because Abhishek has never left her alone before.

"I'll sit with her then", Prerna said and stood up from the sofa.

"Prerna It's not needed, Afsa is with Manisha", Abhishek replied.

"Okay so she is in bhabi's room, I can keep her company too Bhai. Bhabi will get bored", Prerna stated.

"She is asleep too", Abhishek replied stopping Prerna in her tracks. "In my room", he completed the last part looking at a distance.

Prerna looked at Nischay and a smile of happiness appeared on their faces. They were feeling happy that at least he was allowing himself to trust their beloved Manisha. Mom and Dad seemed happy too.

"Babita please breakfast ready kar do, we will have our breakfast together today", Mom said happily.

Manisha felt something moving on her face and opened her eyes immediately in fear. She lowered her eyes, Afsa was staring at her and realized that Afsa was caressing her face with her small hand. Manisha heaved a sigh in relief and kissed Afsa's hand.

"Afsa you have scarred your mumma, but don't tell anyone okay. It's our secret", Manisha said with a smile to which Afsa smiled.

Manisha looked around and registered that she was still in Abhishek's room. She slightly raised on her elbow to peek at the other side of the bed thinking that Abhishek might be asleep and wouldn't know about her blunder but the other end of the bed was empty.