The Bond We Share

part 15

"bhai...Where is akash?" Payal asked rushing towards arnav.
It's been an hour arnav went in search of akash.the raizada ladies were waiting for his return.
"Bhai...Plzz say something...Where is he?" Payal asked again.
Other ladies waited for his reply.but arnav was standing with his head hung down.
"Chotte...Kya hua?" It was nani who asked.

Arnav raised his head slowly and looked payal.she was looking him with hope while his eyes brimmed with pain.
Payal saw nk entering .Behind him came 2 people holding akash body covered in white cloth.they placed it down.payal's heart thudded more.she looked arnav for an answer.jiya held nani who was about to fall watching her grandsons dead body.khushi was weeping silently.

"I'm sorry payal...." Arnav mumbled.
"What do u mean by sorry bhai?Where is akash?U promised me...That you'll come back with him.." payal said holding her breath.
"And whats this?Take this away.." payal said pointing the body.
"Payal bhabhi..It's him..Akash..." Nk came forward with the reply.his eyes all wet with tears.
"Shut up nanhe...That's not him.. bhai.. bhai..Plz say ..Where is he?I want to see him..U promised me bhai..." Payal chanted shaking arnav by his shoulder.

Arnav couldn't hold his tears further..He broke down in his knees before payal.
"I'm sorry.... payal...I couldn't save him..He ..Left us.." arnav wept like a small baby.
Everyone's eyes filled with tears and  started to weep uncontrollably.Nk was crying holding arnav.jiya and khushi was holding nani ..But payal was all blank.

Payal took small steps and knelt before the body.she took away the cloth from its face...Her akash was in deep sleep...The sleep from which he's not gonna wake up..His face had scars of wounds .She gently caressed it soothing all his pain.everyone watched her silently.Nobody had the courage to console her..

Arnav and nk was not able to see payal like this..She is their sister..Both sat on either sides of her holding her hand.
"Bhai...U kept ur promise...U found him..u came back with him..But..." Payal's words chocked..
Arnav hugged her tightly..She kept staring at her akash.
"Akash bitwa..." Nani bend down to akash weeping.. jiya held her shoulders supporting .
Payal turned when she felt a touch on her shoulders and saw khushi sitting beside .
Payal: khushi...Look...ur jeeju left me..

Khushi felt hurt to see her jeeji ..Her jeeji was complaining like a small child and she had no reply for it.

It's been hours ...nani was tired with hours of crying..jiya was with khushi who's cheeks were wet with tears...She remembered how akash pampered her during these days..
Flashback...Akash: khushi..Don't worry..If ur laad governor  shouts at u then come to me..I'll handle him.
Khushi:haa jeeju..
Arnav:really akash?Don't forget that I'm ur brother.
Akash:bhai..But she's my cute lil sister..I'm always there with her.
Akash hugged khushi and both showed their tongue to arnav making fun of him.

Khushi smiled thinking of that day and how they both troubled arnav.
"Jeeju..u said that you'll be always there for me..But now.." khushi closed her eyes with pain.

It was the same state  for jiya..She remembered how akash came forward as her brother..She remembered how he made her realise that she's no more an orphan. A small smile kept on her face when thinking about how akash used to frighten nk with threats for fighting with her..But everything is gone now..

Nani loved and cared arnav.. arnav was very dear to her and she loved nk's naughtiness.but it doesn't mean that she loved akash less..If arnav was her dear chotte and nk her nanhe then akash was her favourite...She still remembered how akash was..He was an obedient shy kid who always respected his elders..For him elders words were more important..she was always proud of him seeing him helping arnav with the works..She felt more proud of him the day when akash supported his brother and left shantivan.

Akash was just 2 years younger to arnav but still he considered him as a baby.arnav was always there for him.but today he felt helpless... arnav was standing there with guilt of not able to save his brother .If arnav was ocean then akash was his sky..If he was Ram ,then akash was Laxman...

Nk was so naughty  during childhood.he always irritated arnav and akash.arnav used to shout at him while akash never raised voice at him.akash was really fond of nk.akash was just 4 years when nk was born.and akash used to be stick with nk like a puppy.he adored his young sibling.

All were mourning remembering the old times with akash.now everything is gone..And only the memories are left behind.

"It's time do the final rites" the pandit said shaking everyone from their world.

Arnav and nk glanced each other while the ladies glanced payal Who was leaning on the wall staring blankly .Till now she didn't cry...Not a single drop of tear shed from her eyes.
"Jeeji..It's time to take jeeju.." khushi was feeling difficult to say..she shaked  payal for response.but she was quite.
Arnav and nk saw her state and moved to take the body as panditji again called them.

"Bhaii.. nanhe..Plz stop.." payal said in a small voice .
Everyone gazed at her while she slowly approached his body.
"Akash.." she cupped his face..
"Akash..I was waiting for u to return from office....It was the most happiest day in my life ..I was all happy smiling until I saw u like this..Akash...i want to say u something..I wanted u to hear it first that's why I kept quite till now....Akash...I'm pregnant...U are going to be a father."  As payal finished saying the last sentence everyone's heart felt heavy..She is going to be a mother...The most beautiful news for a women ..But fate was cruel...All came back to reality when they heard the huge cry of payal... payal who was silent till now broke down... Everyone rushed to payal... khushi held her in a tight embrace while arnav held her hands  and others sat surrounding her.
"Khushiiii....He left me...He..Is gone..Our child is not lucky enough to see his father.. devimaiiya snatched my baby's father...He left us .." payal wept uncontrollably on khushis shoulder while the others held their tears back.