In the heart of chaos

Chapter 13

The evening was quiet as Akshara entered the Goenka house, her heart heavy from the events of Aarav's birthday party. The tension from earlier still hung in the air, thick and suffocating. She could still hear Abhimanyu's harsh words echoing in her mind, but what bothered her more was the way her family had left the party abruptly.

Akshara found Manish and Suwarna in the living room, sitting quietly, their expressions serious. She took a deep breath and approached them, knowing that this conversation was long overdue.

"Bade Papa, Badi Maa," Akshara began, her voice soft but steady. "I didn't like the way you left Aarav's party today."

Manish looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he met her gaze. "We didn't leave because we wanted to, Akshu," he replied, his tone firm. "We left because we couldn't stand to stay in that house any longer, not with the way Abhimanyu humiliated Aarohi in front of everyone."

Suwarna nodded in agreement, her face tight with frustration. "Akshara, I know you love your husband, but what he said was out of line. He didn't just hurt Aarohi; he insulted our entire family."

Akshara sighed, her heart aching at the conflict. "I understand that what he said was wrong. I'll talk to him, I promise. But leaving in the middle of Aarav's birthday? That wasn't fair to him."

Manish's expression softened for a moment as he thought of Aarav, but then his face hardened again. "Akshu, we didn't want to cause a scene, but Abhimanyu crossed a line. If he keeps going like this, you'll lose us."

Akshara's eyes widened in shock. "Lose you? Bade Papa, what are you saying?"

Manish stood up, his posture tense as he faced his granddaughter. "I'm saying that we won't stand by and let Abhimanyu treat Aarohi like this. She's your sister, Akshara. We've supported you both through everything, but we won't allow anyone—family or not—to humiliate her."

Suwarna's voice was gentler, but no less resolute. "Akshu, we love you. You're our daughter, and Aarav is our grandson. But if Abhimanyu continues to behave this way, it will strain our relationship with you. We can't pretend everything is fine when it's not."

Akshara felt her chest tighten. The thought of losing her family, the people who had raised her and loved her unconditionally, was unbearable. But she also knew that Abhimanyu wasn't entirely wrong. Aarohi had hurt him in the past, and there were wounds that hadn't healed.

"But Badi Maa, you know Aarohi has said and done things too," Akshara said quietly, her voice filled with emotion. "This isn't just about Abhimanyu. There's history between them, and it's not easy for him to forget."

Suwarna shook her head gently. "We're not asking him to forget, Akshara. But we are asking him to be civil, to show respect. Aarohi may have made mistakes, but that doesn't give him the right to humiliate her in front of everyone. That's not how families should treat each other."

Manish crossed his arms, his voice firm. "You need to understand, Akshu. We won't tolerate this kind of behavior from anyone, not even Abhimanyu. If he continues to hurt Aarohi like this, we'll have no choice but to distance ourselves."

Akshara's heart pounded in her chest. The idea of being torn between her husband and her family was terrifying. She didn't want to lose either of them, but the situation was spiraling out of control.

"Please, Bade Papa, Badi Maa," Akshara pleaded, her voice trembling. "Don't say that. I'll talk to Abhimanyu, I'll make him understand. But please, don't make me choose between you and him."

Manish softened slightly, but his resolve didn't waver. "We're not asking you to choose, Akshu. We're asking you to take a stand. If Abhimanyu continues to act like this, it's not just Aarohi he'll push away—it's all of us."

Suwarna nodded. "We just want peace in the family, Akshara. But that peace can't come at the cost of Aarohi's dignity."

Akshara wiped away a tear that threatened to fall. "I'll talk to him," she promised again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll make things right."

Manish gave her a small nod. "I hope you can, Akshu. For your sake, and for Aarohi's."

Akshara turned to leave, her heart heavy with the weight of the situation. She knew the conversation with Abhimanyu wouldn't be easy, but she had to try. Her family was on the line, and she couldn't afford to lose them. Not now, not ever.