In the heart of chaos

Chapter 4

The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden glow over the Goenka mansion. Yet, the mood inside was anything but peaceful. The air was thick with tension, still hanging heavy from the fallout of the previous day. The news that Akshara had secretly married Abhimanyu Birla had sent shockwaves through the family. Even now, as they sat in the grand living room, no one quite knew what to say.

Manish paced back and forth, his face set in a deep frown. Suwarna sat beside him, her expression a mix of shock and disappointment. Kairav and Vansh stood by the window, both avoiding eye contact with each other. The silence was oppressive, each passing minute stretching into an eternity.

Finally, it was Manish who broke the silence, his voice laced with anger. "I can't believe it. I can't believe Akshara could do this to us. After everything we've done for her!"

Suwarna placed a hand on his arm, trying to calm him, but her own frustration was evident. "She didn't even tell us, Manish. Not a word. How could she marry Abhimanyu without any of us knowing?"

"Do you think it was easy for her?" Kairav finally spoke, his voice filled with pain. "Akshu never wanted to hurt anyone. But still, she... she went ahead and did this."

Vansh, who had been staring out the window, turned sharply. "She should have thought about us, Kairav! About Aarohi! How could she marry the man who was supposed to marry our sister?"

Kairav clenched his fists, his heart heavy with the weight of it all. "I don't know what to say anymore."

Just then, footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Akshara entered the room, her face pale, but determined. Abhimanyu followed her, his expression equally grim. As they stood in front of the Goenkas, the room filled with a heavy, uncomfortable silence.

Manish's gaze hardened as he looked at his granddaughter. "Why, Akshara? Why didn't you tell us? We're your family."

Akshara's eyes filled with tears, but she kept her voice steady. "I didn't want to hurt anyone, Bade Papa. I thought I was doing the right thing by waiting for the right time... but everything just got out of control."

Suwarna shook her head. "The right thing? Do you know what you've done to this family, Akshu? What you've done to Aarohi?"

Akshara's heart clenched at the mention of her sister. She had been thinking about Aarohi constantly, about the betrayal she must have felt. "I know I've hurt Aarohi, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I never wanted to come between her and Abhimanyu. But I love him, Bade Papa. We love each other."

Abhimanyu stepped forward, his voice firm. "I never meant to hurt Aarohi, but I couldn't marry her when my heart was with Akshara. It wouldn't have been fair to anyone."

Manish's face turned red with anger. "Fair? FAIR? Do you even understand the meaning of that word? You've destroyed Aarohi's life, her happiness!"

Before anyone could respond, a soft, steady voice cut through the tension.

"I'm leaving," Aarohi announced as she walked into the room.

All eyes turned to her. She was calm, almost too calm, her face devoid of the usual spark that she carried. She didn't look at Akshara or Abhimanyu as she continued.

"I've made my decision. I'm moving to Mumbai."

The shock in the room was palpable. Suwarna gasped, and Kairav looked like he had been struck. "Aarohi, what are you saying?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Aarohi kept her gaze steady, though her heart raced in her chest. "I need to get away from all this. I need to start fresh. Mumbai is where I can focus on my career without being constantly reminded of... everything."

"Aarohi, no." Vansh stepped forward. "You can't just leave like this. You belong here, with us."

She shook her head. "No, Vansh bhai. I don't belong here anymore. This place... it's suffocating me. Every corner of this house, every room, reminds me of what I've lost. I need to move on."

Manish's expression softened, his anger replaced with concern. "But Aarohi, moving away won't solve everything. This is your home. We're your family."

"Exactly," Aarohi said, her voice breaking slightly. "That's why I need to leave. I need to find my own path, away from all the memories, away from... them." Her eyes flickered briefly to Akshara and Abhimanyu.

Akshara's heart sank as she looked at her sister. She stepped forward, her voice pleading. "Aaru, please don't go. We can talk this through, we can make things right."

But Aarohi's resolve was firm. "There's nothing left to talk about, Akshu. I've already made up my mind."

Abhimanyu, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Aarohi, running away won't help. You're an incredible doctor, and Birla Hospital needs you. Your work is your strength."

Aarohi met his gaze, her eyes cold. "I've already submitted my resignation letter to Birla Hospital."

A stunned silence filled the room. Akshara's eyes widened. "Aarohi, no. You can't do that. You've worked so hard to get where you are."

Aarohi shrugged, her tone casual but her words sharp. "I've made my choice, Akshu. There's nothing left for me at Birla Hospital."

Abhimanyu's jaw tightened. "Aarohi, you're one of the best doctors we have. I don't want you to throw away everything you've built because of—"

"Because of you?" Aarohi interrupted, her voice cold and cutting. "I'm leaving because I can't stand to be in the same place as you two. Every time I see you, I'm reminded of what I lost."

Akshara's eyes filled with tears. "Please, Aaru, don't do this."

But Aarohi remained unmoved. "It's done, Akshara. I'm leaving, and there's nothing you can say that will change my mind."

Despite their protests, Aarohi turned and left the room, her back straight and her head held high.

---

Later that day, Aarohi made her way to Birla Hospital to finalize her resignation. She had no desire for any emotional goodbyes or second chances. She simply wanted to cut ties and leave.

As she entered the hospital, she was met by Abhimanyu and Akshara, who were waiting by Harshvardhan's office. Their faces were a mix of hope and concern, but Aarohi wasn't interested in either.

"Aarohi, we need to talk," Abhimanyu said, stepping forward. "Please, reconsider."

Akshara nodded, her voice soft. "We know things are difficult right now, but you're an amazing doctor. We don't want to lose you."

Aarohi crossed her arms, her expression hardened. "This isn't about you losing me. It's about me finding myself."

Before either of them could respond, Harshvardhan appeared in the doorway, holding a piece of paper—the resignation letter. His face was impassive as he handed it to Aarohi.

"It's signed," he said simply.

Aarohi took the letter, her heart pounding. This was it. The final step.

"Thank you," she said, her voice steady.

As she walked away, her resignation in hand, she felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. This was her chance to start anew. To escape the shadow of her past and find a future on her own terms.

But even as she left Birla Hospital behind, she knew that some scars would never heal.