The way of life

Chapter 31

Third person's POV: the present.......

After Virat and Shagun left, Akash and Muskaan were left tongue tied, they had so much to say to each other, but now when they have the opportunity to do so, no words are able to escape their mouths. Sensing the awkward atmosphere between them, Akash said, 

"Ummm, look Muskaan, if you don't want to talk, then we can go home now"

"No Akash, I think it's about time that we actually talk this out. Shagun was right, I don't know about you, but I've always had this feeling that something could've gone better between us. I think it's time we set things right" Muskaan replied.

"Yeah, I agree with what Shagun said, we have this opportunity so why waste it?" Akash said

"Okay, so....Virat and Shagun told me about what happened...you know..about your parents and stuff, but I want to hear the same story from you." Muskaan said in a firm voice.

"Lawyer's attitude hun? Okay, as you wish. So it all began....." 

Akash then told Muskaan his story, he included every little detail that he didn't even tell Virat, he covered each and every topic starting from his childhood, when his parents got divorced, then moving on to how his father used to get drunk and abuse his mother, and then all the series of events leading to his father's death and his mother being in coma, he then explained how he thought he was bad luck, and how Virat explained that he was so stupid to think that. By the end of his story both him and Muskaan were in tears. 

"W..why didn't...why didn't you tell me?" Muskaan managed to say through her tears.

"I didn't want you or anyone of our friends to be bothered because of me." Akash explained in a quiet voice.

"W..when your dad was abusing your mom, y.you could've told the police, why didn't you?" Muskaan asked. It's not that she didn't believe Akash, it's just that...she had so many questions from when Virat and Shagun told her the story, that she had to ask them now, or else she would not be at rest. 

"My dad had t..threatened to kill my mom if I told anyone.. I...I loved my mom, how could I let that happen? I'm sorry I didn't tell you all this the other day, maybe then all of this separation, fights and all wouldn't have happened!" Akash said.

"It's not your fault Akash it's mine! If only I had asked you that day! I guess we both screwed up really bad." Muskaan said while Akash just nodded. 

They both looked at each other, there was no awkward silence like before. There was nothing more to explain, there was nothing more to understand. There was only a peaceful silence. They knew that this wasn't just the end of misunderstandings, it was also the beginning of a new trust. 

"Muskaan it's getting pretty late, *checks his watch* it is 8:30 now, we should go home now." Akash said as he looked at Muskaan.

"Yeah, let's..let's leave." Muskaan agreed.

So both of them once again walked by the pond, looking at each other with a new perspective, this time it wasn't love...but it was a new found trust. 

After walking for a bit they neared the spot where Akash had parked his car, Akash then looked at his watch it was 8:35 p.m. He didn't want to let Muskaan go home alone at this time, so he said,

"Muskaan, it's getting quite late, let me drop you home." 

"No no, it's okay, I'll go by rikshaw!" Muskaan said, although she didn't mind the fact that Akash would be dropping her home, she didn't want to put him through the trouble.

"Muskaan, you're coming with me and that is final!" Akash said in a firm voice. 

"Akash, your house and my house are like 20 minutes away! It's already very late. I'll go by rikshaw." Muskaan said

"Last week my manager's sister's friend was robbed when she sat in a rikshaw late at night..do you want that happening to you....no right...let's go!" Akash said as he opened the door of his car and Muskaan agreed and sat in the car. Akash then got into the driver's seat and began driving.

"You will never change will you?" Muskaan asked while looking at Akash.

"What do you mean?" Akash questioned

"Even when we were in college you used to make up the silliest things to make me go home on your bike. I remember one time you said 'Muski, on your road I see a lot of black cats, so if they keep crossing the road at night, we will never be able to reach your house!' . *starts laughing* I mean come on Akash!" Muskaan said while laughing

"Hey! This time it was true! I don't want you getting robbed!" Akash countered

"Okay, okay fine!" Muskaan said as she looked out the window. She remembered all that had happened, now that Akash was back at her side, she never wanted him to go away. 

Akash's situation was very similar to Muskaan's, he also didn't want to lose her again. He didn't have many friends. He had Virat, but now that his bhai (bro) was in a relationship, he didn't want to disturb him. Now he had finally gotten Muskaan to re-enter his life...and this time, he had promised himself that he would not screw up this time. 

Soon enough, Akash and Muskaan reached Muskaan's house. They both got out of the car and looked at each other for some time, then as if they had a conversation with their eyes, Muskaan said bye, and turned to go home, as Akash turned and went towards his car Muskaan ran and hugged him from the back and said,

"Akash! P..please don' ever leave me again!" 

Akash then turned around and said,

"I..I promise I won't leave..even when you tell me to go, I will always stay by your side." 

The two remained in each other's embrace for a long time, crying because of the years that they had not felt each other's presence,  soaking in the happiness that they had found in each other's embrace, and letting go of all the negative thoughts they had locked in their hearts over the years. 

They finally pulled away from each other, looking Akash directly in the eye Muskaan said,

"Akash, umm, I don't know how to say this but...can we be friends again?" 

Wiping the tears from Muskaan's eyes he replied,

"I think we already are" 

Finally after a long time Akash and Muskaan were re-united. They had wanted this moment to come back into their lives ever since the time they had separated. After some time Akash left to go back to his home..happier than ever, and Muskaan went home to sleep the most peaceful sleep she had slept in ages.