Whispers of the Past

6. Berries

Karthik Goenka loved his daughter more than anything. She was his wife's last memory for him, a living testament to the love they had shared. Every moment spent with Akshara was a cherished reminder of the bond he had with her mother, a bond that transcended time and pain.

In the years since her mother's passing, Karthik had dedicated himself to ensuring that Akshara would never feel the absence of love in her life. He became both father and mother, providing support and encouragement as she navigated the complexities of growing up.

Kairav was grown and experienced being with his mother but Akshara never had someone she would call mother and it pained him when his little daughter came home at the age of 5 from school and asked him why she never had one.

He vowed to protect his daughter from everything that life threw at her but couldn't when Aditya passed away leaving her broken.

Karthik's heart broke as he saw the light in Akshara's eyes dim after Aditya's death. He held her close, whispering words of comfort, trying to shield her from the harsh realities of life. Despite his best efforts, he knew that some wounds were beyond his ability to heal.

On the day of Akshara's birthday, Karthik watched her with a mixture of pride and protectiveness. As she laughed with Kaira and basked in the warmth of family and friends, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. Akshara was finding joy again, even in the midst of her grief. He hoped that this year would mark a turning point, a chance for her to embrace life anew.

But the revelation that Manjari had inquired about Akshara's hand in marriage for Abhimanyu shook him to his core. He hadn't expected things to progress so quickly. While he appreciated Abhimanyu's genuine concern for Akshara, he couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility. Karthik had always believed in giving Akshara the space to make her own choices, but the thought of her marrying into the Birla family added layers of complexity to an already delicate situation.

That night, after the party, as he prepared for bed, Karthik found himself lost in thought. He recalled the look on Akshara's face when she opened Abhimanyu's gift—the way her eyes sparkled with genuine happiness. It was the kind of joy he had longed to see return to her life.

Yet, Karthik couldn't ignore the fact that Akshara was still healing. The emotional scars left by Aditya's passing were still fresh. He wondered if rushing into a new relationship was the right thing for her. Would she be ready to embrace love again?

The next day, Karthik made a point to have a candid conversation with Akshara. He wanted to understand her feelings, to ensure that she was making decisions based on her own desires, not out of obligation or pressure from others.

"Akshu," he began, finding her sitting on the terrace with a cup of tea, gazing out at the horizon. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Akshara turned, a small smile breaking across her face. "Of course, Papa. What's on your mind?"

Karthik settled into the chair across from her, his heart swelling with love as he observed her. "What do you think of Abhimanyu?" He asked honestly as he observed her expression changing into a nervous one and then into a smile.

"He's just different papa." she began, her voice soft but steady.

Karthik studied her closely, noticing the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Different how, Akshu?" he gently prodded, wanting her to open up fully.

Akshara set her cup down, folding her hands in her lap as she gathered her thoughts. "With Abhi, I feel safe. He doesn't push me or expect anything from me. He understands that I'm still healing, and he's patient. I think that's why I've allowed myself to care for him. But..."