AKSHNAV story Dil ka Rishta

Part 31

The night was quiet, but Abhinav’s mind was far from at peace. He sat in the balcony, his elbows resting on his knees, holding his head as a dull ache throbbed in his temples. The events of the day replayed in his mind like a relentless loop. The courtroom, the questions, the weight of proving his love for Abhir—it was all too much.

The chill of the night air brushed against his face, but he barely noticed. He sighed, lost in thought, when a familiar aroma wafted through the air. Masala chai with a hint of cardamom—his favorite.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he spoke without turning back. “Akshara... how do you always know?”

Akshara, standing a few steps behind him with two steaming cups of chai, smiled softly. She walked forward, and rested her arm on his shoulder. “What can I say? I’m your wife, after all,” she said, her voice warm and teasing.

Abhinav chuckled lightly, taking the cup she offered. “You must know magic, Akshara. You always understand my heart’s deepest thoughts without me saying a word.”

She sat down beside him on the small bench, her shoulder brushing his as they sipped their tea. The warmth of the chai seemed to ease his headache, but the real comfort came from her presence.

“Abhinav,” Akshara began after a moment, her tone now serious, “why are you so troubled by what happened in court today? You spoke your heart out, and it was the truth. The bond you and Abhir share—no court, no one, can break that.”

Abhinav stared into his cup, his brows furrowed. “I know, Akshara. But… somewhere deep inside, I’m scared. What if they take Abhir away from us? Without him… we would be incomplete.”

Akshara placed her hand over his, her touch firm yet reassuring. “You have always been Abhir’s strongest shield, Abhinav. But don’t forget that behind that shield, there is a heart. And I know the pain in that heart. But I also know that your love will never give up.”

Abhinav took a deep breath, her words slowly sinking in. “As long as you’re with me, Akshara, I feel like I have the strength to fight any battle,” he said quietly, looking at her with gratitude.

Akshara smiled, her eyes soft. “And as long as you’re with me, I feel like we can endure any sorrow together.”

For a while, they sat there in silence, sipping their tea and leaning into each other’s strength. The stars above seemed to twinkle a little brighter, as if they too were witnesses to this quiet moment of love and reassurance.

Just as they were finishing their tea, a small voice broke the silence. “Mumma, Papa… are you both here?”

They turned to see Abhir rubbing his eyes, his blanket clutched in one hand. He looked so small, so innocent, standing in the doorway.

“Abhir! You couldn’t sleep?” Abhinav asked, setting his cup aside and walking over to him.

Abhir shook his head. “I can’t sleep well without you Papa,” he said, his voice sleepy but honest.

Akshara chuckled and walked over, picking him up in her arms. “Come on, Betu, Papa is ready to help you sleep peacefully,” she said, kissing his cheek.

They walked back inside, Abhir slept between them and hugged Abhinav tightly as they tucked him into bed. Akshara and Abhinav lay down on either side of him, their hands lightly resting on his tiny frame.

In that moment, with their son sleeping peacefully between them, the world’s chaos faded away. Whatever battles lay ahead, they knew they would face them together, as a family.