Friendship is love and love can have second chance

### Chapter 21: Living with Uncertainty

It had been a week since Khushi and Aarav left Rajvansh Bhawan, and the silence that enveloped the house felt like a heavy blanket suffocating Akriti. Each day bled into the next, and she found herself drifting through the grand halls, her heart aching with the absence of her daughter and the uncertainty of her son, Abhinav. The walls that had once echoed with laughter now stood as silent witnesses to her despair.

Akriti sat on the edge of her bed, clutching a photograph of her three children—Khushi, Abhinav, Ayush, Aryan, and Neil—taken during a happier time. The memories flooded her mind, each one a reminder of the love that had once filled their home. But now, the weight of guilt and regret threatened to crush her spirit. She felt as if she were living in a nightmare, one from which she could not awaken.

Six years ago, a tragedy had struck their family, leaving scars that had yet to heal. Khushi had lost her temper, blaming Abhinav for their deaths that had shattered their lives. But in reality, they were just deep sleep. Nothing happened. She kept on thinking, In that moment of anger and pain, Akriti had made a choice she now regretted deeply. She had kicked Khushi and Aarav out of the house, believing it to be a necessary punishment for her daughter's baseless accusations against her brother. But in reality, it had only punished her.

"Why do I always have to suffer as a mother?" she cried out, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "I love them both so much. Why can't I fix this?"

The emotional turmoil within her was overwhelming. Akriti had always loved Khushi and Abhinav equally; they were her heart, her everything. But the pain of that day replayed in her mind like a haunting melody. Abhinav, ever the dutiful son, had been trying to protect his family. As the deputy commissioner of police, he had navigated a treacherous path, and yet, in Khushi's eyes, he had become a villain instead of a hero.

"God, please bring my son back to me," she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. "I can't bear this pain any longer."

The guilt gnawed at her, consuming her thoughts. She remembered what Abhinav would have looked like when he left Rajvansh Bhawan the look on Abhinav's face when he had left, the hurt and confusion etched into his features. He had always been her rock, the one who stepped up when she needed him the most. Now, he was missing, and she felt as if she had lost a part of herself.

With her heart heavy, Akriti moved to the window, gazing out at the gardens that had once been a source of joy for her family. The flowers bloomed brightly in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the darkness she felt within. She closed her eyes, trying to summon the strength to face another day without her children.

"Please, forgive me," she murmured, her heart aching for both Khushi and Abhinav. "I should have listened to you, Anand I should have protected them both."

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow across the room, Akriti sank to her knees, tears flowing freely. In that moment of vulnerability, she prayed for strength, for healing, and for the chance to make things right. She had made mistakes, but she refused to give up on her family.

"Bring them back to me," she pleaded. "Help me heal this rift. I can't live with this pain any longer."

Time seemed to stand still as she poured her heart out to the universe, hoping against hope that her prayers would be answered. She envisioned the day when they would all be together again, sharing laughter and love in the very home that now felt so empty.

With a heavy heart, Akriti rose from the floor, wiping her tears away. She knew she had to take action. She could not let the darkness consume her whole. She had to reach out to her children, to show them that her love was unwavering despite her mistakes.

"I won't give up," she whispered to herself, determination flooding her veins. "I will fight for you, for us—no matter how long it takes."

As she picked up her phone, ready to send heartfelt messages to both Khushi and Aarav , a glimmer of hope sparked within her. She would not let uncertainty define her. No matter how painful the journey ahead, she was willing to do whatever it took to bring her family back together.