Satranga Ishq

viii.

Abhimanyu stood in the apartment, his eyes scanning the familiar space as he began packing his bags. The decision to leave had been brewing for a while, and now that Tara had slapped him and called him bloodthirsty, he knew it was time to go.

He zipped open his suitcase, the sound breaking the silence. Parth, in whose apartment he was staying in, was out, unaware of Abhimanyu's plans.

As he packed, Abhimanyu's thoughts drifted to Tara. Their childhood friendship had blossomed into something more, but her hurtful words still lingered.

' I don't know who you are anymore. '

Abhimanyu's phone buzzed, breaking his reverie. Parth's text flashed on the screen.

Hey, bro! What's up?

Abhimanyu hesitated, unsure how to break the news.

I'm leaving, Parth.

He typed, his thumbs hovering over the screen. But before he could hit the send button, the doorbell rang.

Abhimanyu's heart skipped a beat as he opened the door to find Tara standing there, her eyes red-rimmed and her face etched with regret.

Abhimanyu's grip on the door tightened, uncertainty warring with longing, " What are you doing here? "

" I ca- came here to apologise. I was wrong to slap you. I'm sorry. " Abhimanyu's gaze searched hers, seeking sincerity.

Tara's eyes pleaded, " Please forgive me. I know it's my fault. I shouldn't have been so rash with- the children told me that it was their choice, and they said you're just helping them. I'm really sorry Abhimanyu, I should've listened- "

" So, you've come here to apologise just because the children said so. You didn't feel the need to do that by yourself. "

" No Abhimanyu, it's not like that. " then her eyes fell on his backpack, " You're leaving? "

" It's for the best. "

" Nothing's for the best. You can't leave like this. You- you can't leave me. " Tara wiped off her tears harshly, " Remember, you once said, we will go through this together, we will Abhimanyu, you just have to stay behind with me, please- "

Abhimanyu's expression hardened, his patience worn thin. The scar of her hurtful words, still raw, " Leave, Tara. Just leave me alone. "

Tara's eyes flashed, her words tumbling out in anger and desperation, " You won't dare to run away after calling me a coward, Sanghvi. You've to face this. "

Abhimanyu's temper flared, " That's rich coming from you! You slap me, insult me, and now you're lecturing me? "

Tara's face reddened, " I was stressed! I didn't mean it. And it's not as if you're totally faultless. Galti tumhari bhi thi. "

Abhimanyu's voice turned icy, " Unn baccho ko khudke liye ladna sikhana, yeh main galti nahin manta. "

" This society, where we live is completely different from that of the battlegrounds Abhimanyu. Yahan violence ke alawa bhi bohut saare options hote hain. Har kaam maar-pit se solve nahin ki jaati. "  she tried to reason him out.

" Oh really? And what have you, achieved with your non-violence and peace? Kuch bhi nahin! "

" What about humanity? "

" It doesn't matter when it comes to fulfilling your duties. "

" Duties huh? " Tara chuckled humourlessly, " Okay then, let me test your sense of duty. Tum bas jawab dena. Suppose, there's a base of some terrorists and you're to kill them all. Once, you reach there you finish off the men, but then you realise there were women too, tab, what'll you do? "

" I'll kill the women too. They might be some kind of secret agents, working with the men. "Abhimanyu didn't hesitate for a moment.

" Sure! And what if there were small children too? Unhe bhi maar daloge? " Tara's heart nearly stopped when he answered.

" You never know, maybe they're already involved in the organisation and were getting used as a pawn. Better end the whole issue, before they grew up to become vicious like their father or- "

" You'll really kill them Abhimanyu? They were just small kids. " she knew it was a hypothetical question, still she couldn't wrap her mind around his crude answers.

" Dushman ko jhad se khatam karna hota hain Tara. Farz hain hamare yeh. We've vowed to protect our land- "

" Par farz ke naam par masoom logon ki jaan lena, kahan ka likha hua hain? "

" Until you face it, tumhe nahin pata chalega farz hota kya hain. " he turned away his face in resignation; he just couldn't make her understand.

" Yeh tumhara farz nahin bol rahan. It's just your criminal mind speaking, Mr. Sanghvi. " Tara whispered to herself.

In a snap, Abhimanyu was in front of her, his rage knew no bounds. He heard her!

" Get out. " Abhimanyu said, his voice firm.

Tara's eyes widened, " I- I didn't mean it like that. I don't- "

Abhimanyu pointed towards the door, " Leave. Now. After hearing you calling me names like, bloodthirsty and criminal minded, I don't want to hear a single word from you, Tara. It's already enough. "

Enough to shatter his heart in million pieces.

Tara sobbed, wanting to slap herself several times, for hurting the man she loved. She could see mist gathering in his eyes, and she knew her mistake couldn't be repented.

Still she tried for the last time, " Tomorrow's Independence Day, please come to school. Bacche tumhara wait kar rahein honge kal. If not for me, then at least for them. " she tried hard to control her cries.

" My goodness! How can I? You wouldn't want YOUR kids near a criminal like ME, right Tara? It'll be better if I didn't affect them with my bad influence. " his sarcastic tone didn't go unnoticed by her.

" Please Abhimanyu. I beg you. "

" I wouldn't like to throw you out by myself, star. So, please leave, like you never came into my life. " he bit his lips, his back facing her.

Tara's face crumpled, but she turned and walked away, the door closing softly behind her.

Abhimanyu exhaled, his chest heaving. The silence was a welcome respite. He returned to packing, his movements deliberate.

As he zipped the suitcase, a tear rolled down his cheek. Their friendship, once a sanctuary, now lay shattered.

~•~
Dukh and dard in the story (like my zindagi)......just love writing tragic scenes :)
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