A light in the flame

Chapter 21 - Neil's legacy

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the lush garden of Akshara's house, filtering through the trees and bathing everything in a soft warmth. Inside, Akshara sat on the porch swing, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the soft blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her thoughts were drifting, as they often did, back to Neil.

Neil's death had left a scar on everyone, but it was Akshara who carried the heaviest burden. He had died saving her life, right before she gave birth to Abhir. The memories were painful, but in moments of quiet, like now, she found a bittersweet solace in thinking of him. Neil had been so full of life, so determined to protect those he loved. If he were here now, she wondered, would he be proud of how things had turned out?

Her phone buzzed on the table beside her, pulling her from her reverie. She glanced at the screen—Abhimanyu's name flashed across it. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she picked it up.

"Hey," she answered, her voice soft but filled with warmth.

"Akshu," Abhimanyu's voice came through, steady but carrying a weight that she recognized instantly. It was the voice he used when something big had happened.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Is everything okay?"

For a moment, there was silence, and then he spoke, his words deliberate. "It's done. Arohi... she's lost custody of Ruhi. She won't be able to hurt her anymore."

Akshara sat up straighter, her breath catching in her throat. "What ? What do you mean ?"

Abhimanyu took a deep breath, his voice calm but edged with emotion. "I found out what she was doing—how she was treating Ruhi. I couldn't let it go on. I took her to court, and Kairav and the Goenkas are going to take care of Ruhi now. She's safe, Akshu. She'll be with family, and Arohi won't have any more control over her."

Akshara's eyes filled with tears, her hand covering her mouth as a wave of relief washed over her. She had always suspected that Arohi's obsession with control had harmed not just their relationship but also her ability to be a good mother to Ruhi. But hearing the confirmation—knowing that Abhimanyu had taken action to save Ruhi—made her heart swell with a mix of gratitude and sorrow.

She thought of Neil—how much he had loved Arohi, how he had once dreamed of a happy family with her and Ruhi. If only he could see now how his little girl had been suffering under the weight of Arohi's manipulations. Her chest tightened at the thought, but alongside the pain, there was a profound sense of relief. Neil had always been protective of those he loved, and now, in some way, Abhimanyu had carried forward that same fierce protection.

"You saved her," Akshara whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You saved Neil's daughter."

Abhimanyu's silence on the other end spoke volumes. She knew he was processing the weight of that statement, just as she was. Ruhi wasn't just Arohi's daughter—she was Neil's legacy, a part of him that had lived on after he was gone. And now, thanks to Abhimanyu, Ruhi would have a chance at a better life.

"I had to," Abhimanyu finally said, his voice rough. "For Ruhi. For Neil."

Tears slipped down Akshara's cheeks, but they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of gratitude, of love, and of a long-overdue release of all the tension that had been building inside her for months, for years.

"Thank you," Akshara whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I couldn't let her go through that any longer," Abhimanyu said softly. "I hope Neil will rest in peace now."

Akshara nodded, even though he couldn't see her. Her thoughts drifted back to Neil once more. He had been the light in so many of their darkest moments, and his loss had left a void that nothing could fill. But now, knowing that Ruhi was safe—that she would be loved and cared and protectedfor by Kairav —gave Akshara a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"She's going to be okay, isn't she?" Akshara asked, her voice fragile.

"She's going to be more than okay," Abhimanyu reassured her. "She'll be happy, Akshu. Kairav and the family will make sure of it. And we'll be there for her too, whenever she needs us."

Akshara closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the feeling of relief that spread through her chest. For so long, she had carried the guilt of Neil's death, the burden of knowing that his daughter had grown up without him. But now, finally, it felt like something had been set right.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Akshara allowed herself to hope. She imagined Ruhi running through the Goenka house, laughing with Kairav and his wife, and growing up surrounded by love and support.

"I can't believe it's finally over," Akshara murmured, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"It's over," Abhimanyu confirmed, his voice filled with a quiet certainty.

A silence settled between them, but it was a comfortable one. They both understood the magnitude of what had just happened. Abhimanyu had not only avenged Neil's memory but had also saved his niece from a life of emotional abuse.

"Neil would be proud of you," Akshara said, her voice thick with emotion. "He always looked up to you, and today... I know he'd be proud."

Abhimanyu didn't respond immediately, but she could hear the emotion in his breathing, the weight of those words sinking in. "I hope so," he finally said, his voice low. "I miss him, Akshu. Every day."

"So do I," Akshara whispered, her heart aching for the brother-in-law she had lost, for the dreams that had been shattered the day Neil died.

But now, there was a sense of closure—something she hadn't felt in a long time. Neil's daughter was safe, and that meant everything.

"Come home soon," Akshara said, her voice warm. "Abhir's waiting for you. And so am I."

Abhimanyu's soft chuckle on the other end of the line brought a smile to her face. "I'm on my way," he said.

As the call ended, Akshara sat back in the swing, her heart lighter than it had been in years. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the fading sunlight on her skin.

Neil's memory would always be with them, but now, it wasn't just a memory tinged with sorrow. It was a memory that had led them to this moment—this moment of healing, of love, and of a future filled with hope.

To be continued ...

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