India | Abhimanyu
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Almost eight months had passed since Abhimanyu discovered that Akshara left with Kairav and broke down completely on the jungle floor. Since then, he was changed man. Gone was the Abhimanyu that existed before Akshara and gone was the lover that lived with his wife- now was man- an empty man that wandered aimlessly. His beard and hair were longer than he had ever kept them. He actually put some of his hair in a ponytail and his beard covered most of his face.
His wardrobe had changed completely as well. He did not wear those smart formals or semi formals anymore. He dressed like a nomad. He acted like one too. Travelling from place to place and organizing free checkups in remote locations. He slept in tents and ate off the roadside dhabas. He would call home once every 10 days or so to inform them that he was alive and breathing.
That's all he was- alive and breathing. He had stopped actually living. Nothing exited him anymore. He would take part in stupid street fights, silly competitions. Anything that would make him feel something, even if it was pain but he never felt anything that could distract him from the constant emptiness of her absence.
Her! On the occasional nights that Abhimanyu could manage to fall asleep, he'd see her. She'd hug him and smile at him. Her laughter would brighten up everything but those dreams always ended the same way. She'd run away from him and even when he was seeing her go- he could not follow up. He'd scream but she would not return. She never returned!
Now a days, Abhimanyu's nightmares were becoming more frequent. Even his medicines were no able to keep them at bay. And he knew the reason.
Almost eight months since he left Udaipur, almost nine months since she left him....almost an year since they married!
Their anniversary was approaching! Not that he'd celebrate without her but he could not stop his heart from bringing up memories. While those memories made him smile, they also laughed at his face as the person wasn't with him anymore. He did not even know if she'd ever come back to him.
Abhimanyu sat down on a rock near the road and drank water. He was tired from constant driving.
Abhimanyu: Kahan ho tum? Itne mahino me kahan nahi ghooma maine? Tum kahin nahi thi. Kissi sheher me tumhare hone ka ehsas nahi tha, kahin bhi tumhari koi khabar nahi thi. Bohot sawalo ke sath chor gayi mujhe tum aur inke jawab tumhe mujhe aakr dene honge. Mere pyaar ke sath tum aisa nahi kr skti!!!
His phone rang and he saw it was Nishtha. He did not want to attend the call but something inside him told him to pick up. So, he did.
Nishtha was Abhimanyu only sister now. She begged him to return for her birthday. Told him Parth's son- their Shivu- was growing up. He would turn four months soon. Abhimanyu felt hurt that he was ignoring his family like this but Birla house haunted him now.
Growing up, he always hated the house that saw his mother's abuse. He felt suffocated, yet he survived. But then his wife entered that house with him. She made it their home in very short span. Now, that very home lacked her warmth. It slapped him with memories of what he had lost. After the call, he sat and thought about it.
Abhimanyu: Nahi, mai aur kitna ignore karu sbko? Nishtha! Vo bhi toh meri behen hai. Usse mai iss tarah hurt nahi kr skta...mai uske birthday ke liye Udaipur jaunga aur phir turant wapis aa jaunga...
He got off the rock and walked towards the bike. Getting his backpack strapped well he sat and looked at himself in the mirror.
Abhimanyu: Pr raste me apni shakal sudhari padegi wrna Maa aise dekhr behosh hi ho jayengi...
Getting himself a haircut and shaved, Abhimanyu picked up a gift for his sister and nephew on the way to Udaipur- a place he once called home.
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Home had been a roller coaster ride for Abhimanyu. He was guilt tripped by everyone into staying but he could not. He could not face the room he once owned with her. He gave Nishtha her gifts and spent the night in Shivansh Birla's nursery. He was set to leave the next day but Manjiri was adamant this time. She was not going to let her son leave.
Manjiri: Bhool jaa use beta. Jaisi halat me tujhe tadapta chor gayi thi, vo tujhe deserve hi nahi krti...vo Ak-
Abhimanyu: Maa! Please...
Mahima: Hume to tum uska naam tk nahi lete dete pr khud mahino se uski talash me idhr se udhr bhatak rahe ho...pta hai hume sb...
Abhimanyu: Aap log bs kijiye...
He remembered Shefali had earlier requested him to perform a surgery for her boss's relative. They wanted Abhimanyu but he wasn't accepting surgeries. They thought they could get privilege as they knew Shefali and she felt it will put her in good books. He told Shefali that he will do the surgery to change the topic.
Shefali: That is great Abhimanyu! Mai aaj hi unhe bol deti hoon aur hum kl Jaipur ke liye niklenge...
Abhimanyu: (shocked) Jaipur!!!!
Oh no!
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Mauritius | Akshara
Akshara put the hood over her head and rested her head against the glass of the car while Maya went on and on about the upcoming competition and how she was the most popular contestant from online polls. After a while Akshara tuned her voice out.
Akshara: (in mind) humari shaadi ko ek saal hone wala hai...pta nahi mai Anniversary tk tumhare pass aa bhi paungi ya nahi?
A few months ago, Akshara had collected some proofs of Kairav's innocence and he had gotten better. Now, he was allowed to live away from the centre and was much better. To add to this, Akshara had made him get a flat near her studio so she could meet him without alerting Kunal.
Akshara: Bhai humare pass proof bhi hai aur ab aap thik bhi ho, we should leave...mai apke doctor se baat krti hoon to see if you can travel now..
Kairav: Haan Akshu pr tu meri baat manegi na?
Akshara: I-..I understand aap ye kyu keh rahe ho bhai aur mai apke sath hoon...
Kairav: Thank you Akshu... (sobs) tu nahi hoti toh...
Akshara: Shh bhai...please..
Kairav: Ab hum dono ke dukh yahin khtm...mere dard ko heal hone me time lagega pr tu apne Abhi se aur door nahi rahegi...
Akshara smiled and the siblings planned their return to India. Sadly for them, Kunal discovered their plan before them. Akshara and Kairav did not have their original passports as they had entered the country on fakes. He found Kairav's fake ID in her drawer and had tailed her to find the case. Though the brother in him understood Akshara's love for her brother, he decided to take advantage of it.
So, he kidnapped Kairav and broke Akshara's phone.
Kunal: Mai week me ek baar apne phone se apki Kairav se baat krwa dunga. His therapy session will go on as per schedule too. (takes off the tracker from her leg) ab iski zarurat nahi hai. Apka bhai mere pass hai so no tension. Aap sochiye mt, jiss din finals ho jayenge- mai apko aur apke bhai dono ko jaane dunga..
Akshara had yelled at him and wanted to hit him but it was of no use. Kunal did not budge. Akshara suffered under his constant supervision. She lost her colour and weight. The sweatshirt her husband had given her for her birthday was now very loose on her. Her hair were very short too, barely brushing her shoulders. One night, she had broken down thinking about Abhimanyu and chopped off her hair as they reminded her of him.
Maya had been too self-absorbed to notice her step to success was slowly deteriorating . Kunal was too blinded by his sister's happiness to even care that he was directly hurting so many lives. Being a doctor, he was hampering the health of a trauma patient and had committed crimes.
Now, Akshara was being taken to India for the competition. When they got down on airport, she tried to look around and see if her brother was there.
Kunal: He has already been sent to India and is living comfortably but under my watch. So usse yahan dhoodne ka koi mtlb nahi hai...
Akshara's shoulder's deflated and she covered her face with her hood. She was moving away when she tripped. Kunal tried to catch her but she had already balanced herself.
Kunal: what the hell Akshara?! Kuch ho jata toh!....Are you okay?
Akshara: I am doing you and your sister a favour. Mai apni identity use de rahi hoon....but aap dono me itni tameez nahi hai ki mujhe ek insan ki tarah treat kare. I am not your slave. Maine agree kiya tha ki mai Maya ko apni awaz dungi phir bhi apne mujhe bohot torture kiya hai Dr. Kunal. Ab ye jhooti fikra dikha kr mujhe irritate mt kijiye
Kunal stood dumbfounded as Akshara went to sit away from them. Minutes later, he returned with their tickets and Akshara read the destination with shock.
Jaipur, India!
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A glimpse of how they both suffered...
xoxo