Abhirohi ff: Love & Friendship

29

On November 26, 2024. It was one year mark of me starting this book. And I was hoping to publish this chapter on November 26th. but I realized that one year mark at night. And it was already 27th in India. So my lazy ass thought their was no point in publishing then. So happy belated one year anniversary.

❖Chapter 29❖

It was Nishtha's haldi today. Everybody had gathered in the backyard at the Birlas'. The haldi was prepared with turmeric, oil, sandalwood powder, and rose water. Iravan's mother had come with the haldi, and she was the first one to apply it to Nishtha.

Then it was followed by Mahima. The elders, one by one, took a scoop of haldi with a wand and applied it all over Nishtha.

Then it was the kids' turn. Aarohi accompanied Roohi and helped her scoop the haldi. Roohi was about to spread it across Nishtha's cheek when the drop fell on the grass.

"Ab grass ki bhi shaadi ho jayegi. (Now the grass will also get married.)," Roohi pouted at Aarohi with a hint of sadness. Aarohi pressed her lips together to suppress a chuckle.

"Aisa nahi hota, Shona. Ab lagao bua ko haldi. (It doesn't happen like that, Shona. Now apply haldi to your aunt.)"

"Otay." Roohi smeared haldi on Nishtha's arms.

Abhir came along with Abhinav to apply haldi. So did Mahira and Saransh.

"You guys go and play. You must be bored," Shefali told the kids. They nodded and went a little farther away.

Parth was next to apply the haldi. As the elders took part in the rituals, the kiddos were playing tag. Abhir tagged Mahira, then walked up to Roohi and asked her, "Roohi Choohi, Papa ko kya kya words se bula sakte hain hum? (Roohi Choohi, what names can we use to call our dad?)"

"Billa boy, Papa ko Papa hi bolte hain. But my classmate does call her dad, Dadda. And I call my Papa, Poppy. Why are you asking this? Are you bored of calling your dad Papa?"

"No, I have two dads. So isliye puch raha tha. (That's why I was asking.)," Abhir said. At first, he was angry at his mausa, sorry, dadda, for throwing his mom out of the castle. But his mom told him to respect his real dad, and he trusted his mom. If his mom told him to respect his real father, then so be it.

"Who is your other dad?"

Abhir pointed at Abhimanyu, who was wiping his tears away. The number of guests had reduced. Only the Birlas, Sharmas, and Goenkas were left.

"Poppy?"

"Yes."

"You are lying."

"Mummy kasam. Mumma told me herself."

They both went to the elders, and Roohi bellowed, "Poppy... Poppy."

"Yes, Shona," Abhimanyu crouched down.

"Billa boy is saying that you are his Papa. How can that happen? You are my Poppy." Roohi's voice was clear enough for everybody present to hear.

"Papa?" Whispers started spreading.

"Yes, this is the truth. But you are too young to understand. I'll try to explain. Just like your Neil Papa and Poppy are your dads, Abhir has me and your mausa as his dads."

"Oh."

"Now you and Abhir go and play while we need to have an elders' talk."

"Otay." Abhir and Roohi headed back and resumed playing.

"What are you saying, Abhi?" Manjari was shocked. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the edge of her saree, trying to process his words. Abhir was his son. He knew and didn't tell her. That betrayed her. It was Abhi's responsibility to tell her. If not her, did Aarohi know about it? Her voice was sharp as she continued, "Be thankful that Nishtha's in-laws have gone back home. What would they have thought?"

Abhimanyu glanced at Manjari, guilt evident on his face, but he said nothing.

"The haldi ceremony is done, so we can all chat. But before that, let me change," Nishtha stood up, looking uncomfortable.

They nodded, and everyone went to their rooms to change. The house helpers were watching over the kids, who were now playing in their room. Ranav was asleep after Akshara fed and burped him.

Everyone changed and was seated.

"Now tell us. Everything," Harshvardhan said, his voice stern as he leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly. His expression was a mix of frustration and curiosity.

"Well, I recently found out that Abhir is my son. Remember when Akshara was pregnant with twins and we thought both of them died? Well, one of the twins survived," Abhimanyu revealed.

The Goenkas and Birlas were shocked, to say the least.

"And I told Abhimanyu about this a few days ago. And I've also explained everything to Abhir," Akshara said.

"Abhir is five, Akshara. How can you tell him this?" Abhimanyu said, his tone defensive.

"I'm his mother, Abhimanyu, and I know he's a child, so I told him in a way that he'd understand. You don't teach me how to raise my child, okay?"

"Stop fighting and tell us. Who's gonna have Abhir's custody?" Mahima interrupted, her voice laced with impatience.

"Me, obviously. I've lost so many years with my son," Abhimanyu said, his voice rising slightly.

"What about me and Abhinav? You can't take custody like that," Akshara shouted.

"You and Abhinav can do paternity fraud, and I can't take my son's custody? It's unfair, no?"

"What son are you talking about? The one you left hungry when you threw me out of the house, leaving me with divorce papers?" Tears gathered in Akshara's eyes. "I lost Neil and suffered from a miscarriage, Abhimanyu. Instead of being with me and supporting me, you blamed me for Neil's death. And not only that, but you blamed me for Sirat Maa's death. You weren't even there when Sirat Maa died. And you know that is a sore topic for me."

Manjari's face tightened at Akshara's words. She avoided eye contact but clutched the edge of the sofa, her guilt bubbling to the surface.

"I blamed you because you were the reason for his death. If you hadn't gone outside the house like I told you, then my brother wouldn't have lost his life."

"I'm human, Abhimanyu. And have you ever thought why I broke the promise? Why I went outside? I was having pain in my tummy, and I was scared about the babies. That's why I went out that day. You weren't even there at that time to know the actual truth."

Aarohi lowered her head. "Akshu..." she whispered, but her voice broke.

"You know why you and your family blamed me for his death? Because you were in denial, and when you blamed me, you found a reason for your denial. It's the same for you, Aaru." Akshara looked at Aarohi, who regretted her past behavior. "Blaming me gave you a reason because you couldn't accept the reality. I literally became a doormat so I could get some validation from you. So my sister could at least forgive me."

Aarohi finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Akshara. I know what I have done is unforgivable, but the regret of my immaturity still hurts me. I know my sorry won't fix anything. But can we-"

"This isn't about you and me, Aaru. It's about Abhir's custody, and let's discuss this," Akshara cut in between.

Abhimanyu looked at Akshara, his jaw tight. "There is nothing wrong with me wanting his custody. I have as much right over him as you do, okay?"

"What rights are you talking about? Abhinav has been Abhir's father and was there with me throughout my pregnancy. He spent sleepless nights with me so he could help me when Abhir needed to be fed in infancy. When you threw me out, he took me in. Even when we weren't that close as friends."

"Let's meet in court then." Akshara walked away, and the room fell into a heavy silence. The Goenkas followed her, leaving the Birlas to deal with their own turmoil.

⁂

This chapter has been written twice in a way. Like I've written a lot of stuff and then deleted it two times. It was a diffuclt chapter to write. And I feel I can improve more. And I have edited the chapter with the help of chatGPT. Cuz I'm too sleepy. Like its two a.m. when I'm publishing this chapter.