In the heart of chaos

Chapter 2

The Goenka mansion, usually filled with warmth and laughter, was cold and silent that afternoon. The air was heavy with tension as Manish paced back and forth in the living room, his face set in a frown. Suwarna sat on the couch, her hands gripping the edge of her sari, while Akhilesh (AG), Kairav, and Vansh stood by the window, quietly exchanging glances. None of them spoke, but they all knew why they were gathered there today.

The sound of the front door creaking open broke the silence, and everyone turned to see Akshara and Abhimanyu walking in together. The couple stood at the entrance, their hands clasped together, as they faced the family they had hurt.

"Namaste, Bade Papa," Akshara began softly, her voice almost pleading. "We came here to—"

"Why are you here?" Manish interrupted, his voice cold and cutting. His eyes flicked toward Abhimanyu before settling on Akshara. "Haven't you two caused enough damage?"

Akshara's heart sank at the harshness in his tone, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Bade Papa, we didn't come here to fight. We came to seek your blessings."

"Blessings?" Suwarna echoed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You think we'll give you blessings after what you've done to Aarohi? After all the pain you've caused this family?"

Abhimanyu stepped forward, his jaw set, though his tone remained respectful. "We know we've hurt Aarohi, and for that, we're truly sorry. But we couldn't move forward with a lie. I couldn't marry her when my heart belongs to Akshara."

"Sorry?" Akhilesh scoffed from his spot by the window. "You think a simple apology is enough? You humiliated Aarohi in front of the entire world, Abhimanyu! You left her standing at the mandap like she meant nothing to you."

Kairav, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms over his chest, his face a mixture of anger and disappointment. "Akshu, how could you? Aarohi is your sister. How could you do this to her? How could you come between her and Abhimanyu?"

"I didn't come between them," Akshara said, her voice trembling. "I never wanted to hurt Aarohi. I didn't even know Abhimanyu felt this way about me until—"

"Until it was too late!" Vansh finished for her, his eyes flashing with anger. "You always do this, Akshara. You act all innocent, but somehow, things always end up in your favor. First, Aarohi lost her mother, then her father, and now you've taken her happiness too."

Akshara felt a lump rise in her throat, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "That's not fair, Vansh. I didn't want any of this. I didn't ask for Abhimanyu to love me."

"Maybe you didn't," Kairav said, stepping closer, "but you didn't stop it either. You could have stepped back, Akshu. You could have told him to marry Aarohi, to make things right. But you didn't."

"How could I do that?" Akshara's voice broke, her emotions spilling over. "How could I ask him to marry Aarohi when I knew he didn't love her? It wouldn't have been fair to either of them."

"Fair?" Manish barked, shaking his head. "You talk about fairness, but what about Aarohi? What about the life she thought she would have with Abhimanyu? You've taken that away from her, Akshara. And now, you expect us to bless your relationship?"

Abhimanyu, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "We understand your anger, and you have every right to be upset. But I've always been honest with Aarohi about my feelings. I told her from the beginning that I loved Akshara. I thought I could move on, but I couldn't."

"You couldn't," Suwarna repeated, her voice filled with sorrow. "And because of that, my granddaughter's heart is broken. You should have never agreed to the wedding if you weren't sure, Abhimanyu."

Abhimanyu lowered his gaze, guilt washing over him. "I thought I could do the right thing, but I was wrong. I know I've made mistakes, and I'm ready to face the consequences. But Akshara and I love each other. We want to be together, and we need your blessings to move forward."

"Blessings?" Akhilesh muttered under his breath. "After all this, you still think we'll support you?"

Kairav stepped forward again, his expression hard. "Akshu, we've always supported you, no matter what. But this... this is too much. How do you expect us to just forget everything that's happened?"

"I'm not asking you to forget," Akshara said, her voice shaking. "I know I've hurt all of you, especially Aarohi. But I love Abhimanyu, and I can't change that."

"And what about Aarohi?" Manish asked, his voice sharp. "She's your sister. Do you really think she'll ever forgive you for this? Do you even care about what this has done to her?"

"Of course, I care!" Akshara cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I care more than you'll ever know. Aarohi is my sister, and I love her. But I can't sacrifice my own happiness for hers. I won't."

The room fell into an uneasy silence as the weight of her words hung in the air. Abhimanyu reached out, taking Akshara's hand in his, offering her silent support.

Manish shook his head, disappointment etched deep into his features. "You're choosing him over your family, Akshara. You're choosing your own happiness over Aarohi's."

Akshara wiped her tears, her voice steadying. "I'm not choosing anyone over my family. I'm choosing to be honest with myself and with all of you. I've always tried to do what's right, but I can't pretend anymore. I love Abhimanyu, and I want to be with him."

Kairav's eyes narrowed as he looked between his sister and Abhimanyu. "Then you're choosing to break this family apart, Akshu. Because after today, nothing will be the same again."

Akshara's heart ached at his words, but she knew they were true. Nothing would ever be the same.

Abhimanyu squeezed her hand, stepping forward once more. "We came here today to ask for your blessings, but if you can't give them, we'll respect that. But please know that I love Akshara, and I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy."

Manish turned away from them, his back rigid. "Go, both of you. If you've made your choice, then there's nothing left to say."

Akshara's tears flowed freely as she turned to leave with Abhimanyu, her heart heavy with the weight of her family's rejection. As they walked out of the Goenka mansion, the warmth of the home she had grown up in seemed distant—cold, like the path she had chosen.