ABHIRA [SLOW UPDATE]

PROLOGUE

"Goooooood morning Mumbai! Abhi baj rahe hain subah ke 9, aur main, Srinidhi, aapki dost aur host, aa gayi hoon aapka favourite show lekar. Aaj ke mausam ko dekhte hue, aaj ka show shuru karte hain mere favourite gaane ke saath, jo hai 'Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si,' jise gaaya hai Kishore Kumar ne aur jo Madhubala par filmaya gaya hai.

Toh bina kisi deri ke, shuru karte hain apna show."

'एक लड़की भीगी-भागी सी
सोती रातों में जागी सी
मिली एक अजनबी से
कोई आगे, ना पीछे
तुम ही कहो, ये कोई बात है?'

Arohi turned up the volume of the radio, letting the soft tune and soulful music fill the room, a smile tugging at her lips.

Arohi might not express it often, but she had loved music since she was a child. She could still vividly remember the mornings spent beside her father, listening to old, melodious songs. It was always the highlight of her day, something she longed to relive. But life was unforgiving, never offering a rewind button.

A sigh escaped her as she gently closed her books. Taking her black coffee in hand, she walked toward the balcony. The aftereffects of the rain created a serene atmosphere — the flowers bloomed brightly, the birds chirped, and the scent of petrichor lingered in the air, adding an extra layer of charm to the morning.

The weather had a calming effect on Arohi, softening the edges of her usually tense nerves. Today was important — her last exam, the final hurdle before she could officially become a doctor and fulfil the dream she had nurtured for so long. After today, she would be able to help those in need, ensuring that no one would have to suffer on the streets, like her Sirat mamma did.

Her heart clenched at the memory, and she shut her eyes tightly, willing herself not to relive that painful day. The helplessness she had felt, cradling her mother in her arms, watching life slip away — no child should ever endure that. She had sworn to make sure of it.

Taking a deep breath, she finished her coffee, the warmth grounding her. A long, hot shower later, she felt more prepared, determined to face the day and achieve the dream she had been chasing for years.

***

'पास आइये कि हम नहीं आएंगे बार-बार
बाहें गले में डाल के हम रो लें ज़ार-ज़ार
आँखों से फिर ये प्यार कि बरसात हो न हो
शायद फिर इस जनम में मुलाक़ात हो न हो
लग जा गले कि फिर ये हसीं रात हो न हो
शायद फिर इस जनम में मुलाक़ात हो न हो'

Akshara ordered her favorite cheese sandwich and vanilla caramel shake, settling back at her table in the airport café. As the familiar song played softly in the background, she couldn't help but smile—it was her favorite. Music had always been a constant source of happiness for Akshara, a soothing balm for her anxiety and panic attacks. It was for this very reason she often said,

'Maan ka jo meet hai, wahi mere liye sangeet hai.'

For her, music wasn't just an escape; it was a companion, one that had stayed by her side through her darkest and brightest days. It was this deep connection that led her to pursue music as a career—not just for herself but to help and heal others, letting them experience the magic and solace she had found.

After finishing her meal, Akshara boarded her flight back to Delhi. As she settled into her seat, her thoughts wandered to next week, when she would finally return to Udaipur, to her family. She had no idea how she managed to stay away for so many years, but now that the reunion was so close, her heart was filled with excitement. The thought of seeing her family again warmed her, yet with that joy came a ripple of nervousness—mostly about Aru, her baby sister.

Akshara sighed, her gaze drifting to the clouds outside the window. She just wanted her sister back, more than anything. She wished, with all her heart, that Arohi could forgive her, that they could mend what was broken and go back to being sisters like they once were.

***

'रात को जब चाँद चमके, जल उठे तन मेरा
मैं कहूँ, मत करो चंदा, इस गली का फेरा
आना, मोरा सैयां जब आए
चमकना उस रात को
जब मिलेंगे तन-मन, मिलेंगे तन-मन
पिया, तोहसे नैना लागे रे, नैना लागे रे'

Manjari turned down the volume on the radio as she saw her son enter the room, looking utterly dishevelled after a long night shift at the hospital.

"Aa gaya beta, ruk, main tere liye kuch khane ko lati hoon," she said, ready to get up.

Before Manjari could stand, Abhimanyu lay down on the bed, resting his head on his mother's lap with a heavy sigh, feeling the tension melt away.

"Thodi der aise hi," he mumbled, already drifting into sleep from the warmth of his mother's lap.

His mother continued to hum the song playing on the radio—her favorite. The soft tune and his mother's presence made him sigh again, this time in pure relief. This was all Abhimanyu needed after a tough shift at the hospital—his mother's comfort was the one thing that truly calmed him.

"Not the hair," he mumbled, gently moving her hand away from his head, making her chuckle softly.

But just as the tranquil moment wrapped them in its warmth, a loud voice shattered the peace.

"MANJARI!" the voice boomed from the other room.

"Ji Aayi," she responded immediately, hurriedly lifting Abhi's head from her lap and rushing out to see what her husband needed, without a second glance at her son.

He sighed, this time in sadness. His mother was all he needed, but would he ever become someone she needed?

***

'जीने के लिए सोचा ही नहीं दर्द संभालने होंगे
मुस्कुराये तो मुस्कुराने के क़र्ज़ उतारने होंगे
मुस्कुराऊं कभी तो लगता है जैसे होंठों पे क़र्ज़ रखा है
तुझसे नाराज़ नहीं ज़िन्दगी हैरान हूँ मैं, हो हैरान हूँ मैं
तेरे मासूम सवालों से—'

"Shut that down," Kabir instructed his driver sharply, and without hesitation, the driver turned off the radio, not wanting to aggravate his boss any further.

Kabir sighed heavily, leaning his head back against the seat, staring out the window, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. He was on his way to the monthly family dinner, an event he dreaded every time. It baffled him why they even called it a "family" dinner when not a single person in that house truly treated each other like family.

He already knew what awaited him—his mother, as always, would criticize his life choices, never missing the opportunity to remind him that starting his own business was a failure compared to becoming a lawyer like the rest of them. His father and brother would be deep in conversation about their latest case, too engrossed in their legal world to care about anything else. His sister-in-law? She would be indifferent as usual, disinterested in whatever was happening around her.

The only person who ever brought him peace in that house was Miri, his niece. She was the light in his life, someone he loved more than himself. But even she wouldn't be there tonight—she was staying with her maternal grandparents, leaving Kabir without any solace in the impending dinner.

As the car pulled up in front of his parents' house, he stepped out, his only wish being that this torturous evening would end quickly so he could retreat to his flat and finally find some rest.

____________________________________

AUTHOR NOTE

So this is the prologue more like a introduction to the characters.

I would love to know your ideas and review about the characters.

And if you have any request I would love to them too.

Bu-bye see you in next chapter.