'Letting go means coming to the realisation that some people are part of your history not part of your destiny'
Kartik Goenka had suffered the most tragic loss of his life when he watched helplessly, his lady love & his wife Naira Singhania Goenka...
Kartik couldn't understand how his life changed so much.
He felt like it was just yesterday when he filled her hairline, when they became one, when they had their Aaru but see the things now.
He felt his heart breaking as he saw Sirat's body wrapped in white sheets.
"Ever since Aaru has blamed Akshu. She's inconsolable. Talk to her", Naksh insisted.
"I will talk to them", Kartik said. His eyes bloodshot. "But first I need to see Aaru. She lost her mother. We lost Sirat", Kartik said with tears.
"Kartik! I don't know what to do. At one side Aaru is crying and on other side Akshu. Kairav is repeatedly asking us to do something about it. He's a child himself and he isn't able to understand", Naira sobbed.
Kartik closed his eyes for a brief moment. He had to forget his pain. He had children to look after.
"Naira! If you don't take me wrong, can you console Akshu and Kairav and tell them I am just coming. I will see Aaru. Please", he begged.
"What have you understood me as Kartik? Why will I take you wrong? All of them are my children. Go now", Naira answered urgently.
"Why? You should see Akshu first", Naksh intervened.
"Aaru needs me more. Akshu has her parents. Aaru lost her mother just now. Try to understand", Kartik said.
"She will get over with it", Naksh retorted. "She blamed Akshu mindlessly. Akshu needs you", he added.
Kartik's jaw clenched.
Naira looked at Naksh with hurt. "Bhai! They are children. Aarohi misunderstood because Sirat ran after Akshu seeing her stumbling. Like I misunderstood mumma in childhood. Don't say like this", she said.
Kartik didn't want to say creative words to Naksh for Naira's sake so ignoring him, he rushed to Aarohi's room.
His heart broke seeing Aarohi sobbing quietly at a corner.
He walked towards her and scooped her in his arms. "Aaru. Sweetheart, don't cry please", he said kissing her cheeks.
Aarohi looked at him sadly. "They just don't stop. Call mumma to wipe them off", she insisted. Her eyes filled with hope of her father fulfilling her wishes like always.
Kartik's heart shattered into million pieces hearing her innocent request full of hopes.
"Papa can't do that princess no matter how much he wants too", Kartik whispered.
"I-I know. I-I am sorry papa", Aarohi stammered looking down.
"Hey! We will get through this Aaru. I promise", Kartik said. She looked up at him. "Mumma is in our hearts. We will get through this".
"Nani called right now", Aarohi whispered.
Kartik's jaw clenched. "What did she say?" He asked.
"She wants to take me. She says I won't be loved here. Since I am the daughter from your second marriage", Aarohi broke down into sobs.
Kartik's eyes went red in anger.
"You shouldn't give a damn to people who are no one to us, love", Kartik said.
"But she says I am breaking your first family and your first wife would never love me. It's better that I should go", Aarohi whispered.
Kartik hugged her tightly. "I won't let you even step out of this house. Aaru! You are my daughter and no one can take my princess away from me", he promised.
She looked at Kartik.
"You love Naira aunty right?" She asked feeling insecure. The manipulative words her granny filled in her mind roaming.
"No. I love your mumma and I will always love her Aaru. Yes, I had loved Naira in past but now I love Sirat. Your mumma went doesn't mean I will stop loving her. She taught me to love again, Aarohi. She was special", Kartik said.
"Am I breaking your family?" She asked scared and emotional.
"Aarohi", Kartik said sternly. "You are family. Stop thinking so much on words of a person who is not our family", Kartik said. "Your mumma told you to not mind words of your nani, didn't she?" He muttered.
"She did", Aarohi agreed.
"Then? What's with this fear? You need to trust your father darling", Kartik said.
"I trust you", she grinned. He chuckled and stood up, with her in his arms.
"Let's go and meet Akshu", he insisted.
"No! No! I hate her. She killed mumma", Aarohi cried.
"Aarohi", Kartik said surprised seeing her cry so much. His heart pained hearing her sobs. He cooed at her as he walked in the room caressing her hair.
"My love", he mumbled. "Don't be so hurt. You need to understand this was an accident. Di loves you a lot. She won't ever hurt you", he attempted to explain her.
"No. I saw it, papa. It is because of her mumma is not here. I hate her. I hate her. I never want to see her", Aarohi sobbed. The pain of loosing her mother and the trauma making her feel suffocated.
Kartik decided to drop the topic for now because Aarohi was very weak at this point and he couldn't add more to her misery. He would explain her when she is in the right state of mind.
"Ok. Ok. We won't see Akshu. Now, come on. You need to sleep. It's too late", Kartik said. He knew she needed rest. He made her lie on the bed and tucked her.
He sang 'aa leke chalu tujhko' the lullaby he and Sirat used to sing to Kairav, Akshu and Aaru.
Soon, he heard Aarohi's soft snores. He felt his eyes glistening seeing her teary face. "I am so sorry baby", he cried. "So sorry sweetheart".
He looked at other side.
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"Why did you have to leave Sirat? You saw Aaru's pain, didn't you? How could you leave us like that? You are heartless", he said painfully. Of course! He didn't mean it. It was his pain reflecting in his voice.
"But don't worry. So what if you are not here. I am here for our Aarohi. Our Aaru. I will take care of her. I promise", he said and kissed her face in the photo frame. He hugged it close and lied beside their daughter.
