*Note: I dont own any rights to the song that used in this chapter. It belongs to its respective owner and only used for the story's representative purposes.

Finally, our hero is back with his pov.

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After spending sometime in her office, Akshit and Anika came out for a lunch. As its already getting late so, Ruhani told her after that, she should go home because their office time would get over meanwhile. Anika bid goodbye to her and now they both came to have their lunch.

At Restaurant:

They had ordered their lunch and were sitting in silence. Anika was looking outside the window, lost in her thoughts, while Akshit didn't know what to say.

After a while, he finally cleared his throat, and she looked at him. They both smiled meekly, and he said, "So, after that day, did Akhil talk to that girl?"

Anika shook her head and said, "He tried but couldn't."

Her answer made him more bewildered, and he asked, "I don't understand."

Anika sighed and said, "After his father told him not to talk to that girl, Akhil still wasn't at peace because he thought if she still harbored some hope for them, it wasn't right to keep her waiting. Whatever happened happened in their childhood, and whatever he said was unintentional, so he wanted to apologize and tried to talk to her. But it seemed like his father had already spoken to her before him."

"Oh," Akshit simply said.

Anika nodded and continued, "Yes, because when Akhil talked to her, she said that his father had told her everything."

"Really?" Akshit asked with surprise.

Anika nodded again and said, "Yes, I still remember their conversation."

Flashback:

After trying for many days, Akhil finally succeeded in contacting Aarusha. He put the phone on speaker as Anika sat beside him, listening to their conversation.

"Thank god, after so many days, I'm finally able to talk to you," Akhil said after she answered.

She smiled. "Same here. Actually, I was traveling with Mumma, so phones were banned for a week. You know her and her work policies."

He chuckled. "Of course, it's okay. I'm glad I'm finally talking to you."

Anika glared at him after hearing his overly sweet tone, and he noticed her reaction with a wink. She playfully hit him on the thigh, and he grinned.

Meanwhile, Aarusha said, "Yesterday, I met your parents..."

Hearing this, they both grew serious. Akhil held Anika's hand and asked, "So, what did they say?"

Aarusha sighed and said in a low voice, "Your father told me everything about you – that you don't want to come here and why."

They exchanged a look, and Anika gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Akhil smiled. "Look, Yusha, I'm sorry..."

Before he could continue, she interrupted. "It's okay, Akhil ji. I understand."

"Did it hurt you?" he asked, concerned by her subdued tone.

"Yes, it did. But more than that, it hurt that you didn't share this with me. We've been friends since childhood, and I expected you to confide in me. It felt like you didn't consider me a true friend because if you did, you would have told me."

"I'm so sorry, Yusha. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just… I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you, but I'm truly sorry for everything. It wasn't intentional, and I never expected things to turn out this way." Akhil spoke with sincerity, his apology heartfelt.

"It's okay. Sometimes unexpected things happen, Akhil ji, and we're not always prepared for them. Let it go. I'm happy to hear that you're happy," Aarusha said with a smile.

"Thank you for understanding, Yusha. You're the best," he said with enthusiasm.

Aarusha smiled again. "I know you won't be coming here soon, but I still want to know when you plan to visit."

"I'll come soon," he said, pecking Anika's knuckles.

Anika glared at him playfully. Aarusha chuckled. "Okay then, since you said soon, I'll talk to you when you arrive."

"But not so soon?" he protested.

"Maybe you will come soon then," she teased.

"But…" he began to argue, but someone called her name. "I have to go, Akhil ji. Mom is calling. Bye!"

Before he could say more, she abruptly ended the call. Akhil sighed and looked at Anika, who was smirking. "Hmm, Akhil ji," 

she teased, "Waah, I don't know someone gave this cheesy monkey so much respect."

He chuckled, playfully adjusting an imaginary collar above his t-shirt. "“Huh, tumhe kya pta tumhare hone wale pati ki kitni izzat hai is duniya mein…”
(Huh, you wouldn't understand the admiration your would be husband command in this world.)"

She raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, kyuki mujhe toh sirf tumne apni besharmi hi dikhayi hai isiliye..(Yeah, because all you've showed me is your shameless side.)" 

She rolled her eyes playfully.
She turned to leave, but he caught her wrist, pulling her sharply towards him. She gasped, startled by his sudden move. He held her close, his arms a warm cage around her. 

"You scared me, Cheesy Monkey. Now let me go," she protested, though her struggle lacked conviction.

He tightened his hold, his voice a low growl. "Ab beshrami dikhane ka haq sirf tumhe diya hai toh tumhe hi dikhayuga na, Ms. Chit chat…(The right to be shameless belongs solely to you, so I'll indulge in it, won't I, Ms. Chit Chat?)" He nuzzled his nose against her cheek, his breath warm against her skin.

Her eyes fluttered closed, lost in the sensation of his touch. Her cheeks flushed crimson under his gentle assault. "God," he whispered, his voice husky, "I love the way your cheeks turn this beautiful shade of red. My sweet cherry, you're driving me insane."

She smiled, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "I love it when you call me that, sweet cherry."

He smiled back, his gaze intense. "I love you, my sweet cherry."

She placed her hand on his chest, tracing lazy circles on his shirt. "I love you more," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

They were lost in their own little world, their bodies humming with a silent current of desire. Then, Suhasini's voice cut through the spell. Reluctantly, they pulled apart, their fingers lingering, and made their way towards her.

End.

The environment fell silent for a moment. Then, the waiter arrived with their order. They both served themselves and began to eat.

"Don't take me wrong," Akshit said thoughtfully, "but I found something suspicious in their phone calls."

Anika looked at him. "Like you, I had the same doubts. I even discussed it with Akhil."

"What did he say?" Akshit inquired.

"He said I was overthinking. He reminded me that everything seemed to be resolved and Aarusha had no problem. But I wasn't convinced. I told Akhil he should talk to her clearly. He said that once we get married, we'll go to London and talk to everyone. He knew Aarusha was stubborn and wouldn't speak to him until he came to her, so he felt there was no point in arguing. I agreed with him."

Akshit nodded slowly. They finished their lunch in comfortable silence. After paying the bill, they left the restaurant and got into the car.

Anika gazed out the window as Akshit cleared his throat. "Do you want to go somewhere?" he asked.

Anika shook her head. "No, I don't think so."

"If you don't mind," he suggested, "would you like to come to my place for a while?"

Anika narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Nothing special. You haven't seen my house, and you can tell your parents you're with me."

Anika considered this for a moment. "Okay. Besides," she admitted, "I need a break from my family. My mom keeps asking me about my decision regarding our marriage. This will give me a temporary reprieve."

Akshit chuckled. Anika dialed her mother's number and informed her that she would be late and was going to be with Akshit. To her surprise, her mother didn't say anything. In fact, she seemed quite pleased.

Anika ended the call, and Akshit drove her to his house. 

Akshit’s House:

"Welcome," Akshit said, gesturing towards the house.

Anika chuckled and stepped inside, her eyes wide with surprise. "Your house is really beautiful," she exclaimed.

Akshit closed the door. "Thanks. I guess an interior designer's praise means something."

Anika laughed. "No, but seriously, I love the colors and that diamond wallpaper pattern on the front wall."

"Thanks," he replied. "Would you like something? Tea or coffee?"

"What's your specialty? I mean, what do you make best?" she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Akshit made a face. "Well, I'm not exactly a chef, but my coffee is pretty decent."

"Then I guess I'll have to try it," she said, and they both laughed.

"Okay," he said, heading towards the kitchen. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back."

She nodded and placed her bag on the couch, then began to explore the living room. She spotted the balcony and stepped out, drawn to the view. Though the sun was still high, the view was breathtaking.

Anika stood there, lost in the panorama, when Akshit returned. "Here's your coffee, Ms. Mishra."

"Thanks," she said, taking the cup. "Hmm, impressive."

He smiled. They sipped their coffee in comfortable silence, both captivated by the view. Akshit noticed that she was gazing at the setting sun with a profound intensity, as if it held deep meaning for her.

He cleared his throat. "Is there something special about the sunset?"

Anika smiled faintly, but her eyes reflected a deep sadness. She nodded silently. "Want to share?" he asked gently.

"Our wedding day," she whispered, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

His body stiffened, but he controlled himself. He moved closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She blinked back the tears. "You know, I always dreamed of a destination wedding, on a beach. I told Akhil, and he was thrilled. He said he wanted to fulfill all my wishes."

Akshit remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"He even promised me that he would make our wedding the most memorable day of my life," she continued, her gaze fixed on the fading light. "And he did. He made it the most memorable day of my life... in the worst possible way."

"What happened that day? Did you notice any changes in his behavior before the wedding or during the festivities?" Akshit asked, his curiosity piqued.

Anika looked at him. "No, he was more excited than I was. He even said that after the wedding, we would go to his parents and try to convince them."

Flashback:

All of them traveled to Goa for the wedding and the preceding and subsequent rituals. Suhasini was even more excited than she had been for Abhigyaan's wedding. She adored Akhil and the thought of seeing him marry the love of his life filled her with immense joy. Though she missed her sister and mother, and tried calling them without success, she decided to fulfill her motherly duties towards her second son and ensure his happiness by overseeing all the preparations.

They opted for an intimate affair, inviting only family members and close friends. They believed that after the wedding, they would first meet his parents and seek their blessings before hosting a grand reception.

From the Mehndi to the Sangeet, every function was vibrant and filled with cheerful energy for both families. Everyone was overjoyed, except for Anika's bhabhi. Witnessing Anika's happiness filled her with envy. Furthermore, the prospect of Anika marrying into one of Delhi's most influential families irked her. She even tried to subtly manipulate Anika's parents through her husband, suggesting that the groom's family would never accept the relationship and that it would be a disgrace to their family. However, Anika's parents wisely ignored her, confident in the Saxenas' unwavering support.

The night before their wedding, Akhil barged into Anika's room. Her friend had gone to meet her husband, leaving Anika alone with a book. So engrossed in her reading, she didn't notice him standing there, observing her.

"What the fuck!" Anika exclaimed, startled as Akhil suddenly jumped onto her bed.

He propped himself up on an elbow. "Wedding night is tomorrow, so there's still time for that, you know. But if you want me to indulge you now, I'm all yours."

Anika stared at him in disbelief. "You, Cheesy Monkey! How dare you barge in here like that?"

"Dare?" he chuckled.

She continued to glare at him. "I'm daring to marry you, Ms. Chit Chat," he said, his voice serious. "And compared to that, this is nothing."

His words infuriated her. "You, cheesy monkey!" she retorted, throwing a pillow at him to silence his laughter. "If this is how it's going to be, why are you even marrying me? I'm not forcing you. You can go marry someone else. I'm not talking to you."

He caught the pillow and pulled it towards him, pulling her along with it. She landed on him with a startled shriek, trying to wriggle free. But he held her wrists firmly, preventing her escape.

"Leave me, Cheesy Monkey," she demanded, still struggling.

"I didn't grab you to let you go, Chit Chat," he said, his gaze fixed on her.

She finally stopped struggling, but she refused to meet his eyes. "Don't ever say that again," he warned. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I wasn't going to let you," he admitted and his voice softened. "I can't imagine my life without you, Anu. I don't know what I would do without you."

Hearing his heartfelt confession, she finally looked at him. He released her wrists and gently cupped her face, brushing the hair from her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. 

"I'm madly in love with you, Anu. Tumhare bina sach mein nhi janta ki kya kruga, zinda rhuga bhi ya nhi(Without you, I really don’t know what would I do, even If I live or not..)"

She covered his mouth with her hand, shaking her head. "Don't say anymore."

She pointed to her henna-stained hands. "Ye dekh rhe ho, Akki. Mere haathon ki lakiro mein to tum pehle se hi the par ab tumhare is naam ki mehandi ne un lakiron ko or bhi gehra kar  diya hai..(Look, Akki. You were always destined for me. But now, with your name written on my hands, that destiny is even stronger.)”

He gazed at her henna, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns. "And now you're stuck with me, Mr. Flirt, Akhil Arora. No turning back."

"Really?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

She hmm in response and he said, “But what about with my own wife? I can flirt with her, I guess and even she will not be having any problem with that.. What's to say?”

She hummed thoughtfully. "I'll have to think about it."

He pulled her closer, switching their positions so that he was on top. She gasped, startled and he said, "Ek flirting pe itna soch rhi ho or baki sab mujhe jo or bhut kuch karna hai apni biwi ke sath , uska kya phir..uski permission nhi lunga ab main pehle hi bol rha hu..(you are just thinking this much on a flirting then What about all the other things I want to do with my wife? I'm not asking for your permission, by the way and I am telling you this before..)"

She giggled, pulling him closer. "Don't worry, I won't give you that chance, my would-be husband."

"Then show me," he challenged, leaning closer.

She covered his mouth with her hand again. "Wait until tomorrow night, my would-be husband. What's the rush?"

"Why wait?" he murmured, his voice husky. "It's not like this is our first time."

"I don't want to look like a zombie on my wedding day," she declared, pushing him playfully.

He pushed back playfully. "I'll get my revenge tomorrow night, be prepared."

She playfully blew him a kiss. "Sure, would-be husband. I'll help you with your revenge."

He was about to say something when they heard a knock on the door. He went to open it, already knowing who it was.

"Ruhani, I didn't expect Gyaan to leave you so early," Akhil teased.

Before Ruhani could respond, Abhigyaan appeared from the side, crossing his arms. "Well, I would have loved to stay with my wife, but I don't want to face my mother's wrath, and neither do you. You know what I mean, right?"

Akhil understood the unspoken threat and sheepishly smiled. "I was just joking with her, Gyaan. You know me."

"Yeah, and for your information," Abhigyaan said with a serious expression, "Mom came to our room, but she couldn't find anything. If you want this secret to remain a secret and want your wedding to proceed peacefully, it's best we leave and sleep in our room."

Akhil nodded. "Sure, let's go. See you tomorrow, Ruhani. Have a good night."

She wished them good night. As they were leaving, Abhigyaan turned and glanced back at her. Their eyes met, and he winked, mouthing "I love you."

"Ab badi mom nahi dekhegi, hain na? Chlo ab Mr. Romeo..(Now Badi Mom won't see us, right? Let's go, Romeo)," Akhil said, playfully nudging Abhigyaan.

Abhigyaan playfully hit him on the back of the head. "You jerk! Because of you, I have to spend the night away from my own wife."

"It's just for one night, Gyaan," Akhil said, putting his arm around his brother's shoulders. "From tomorrow onwards, you'll be with your wife, and I'll be with mine."

Ruhani watched them go, exchanging playful banter. She shook her head, smiling. "These two will never change." With a sigh, she closed the door and went to bed.

Anika’s POV(Flashback continue):

Next day, we both got ready for our Haldi ceremony, the excitement palpable. Not just me, but Akhil was brimming with anticipation. We sat on stools, and after the elders completed the rituals, our friends playfully bathed us in turmeric paste. The atmosphere was electric with joy. Even though I knew Akhil must have missed his parents, his excitement about marrying me overshadowed any sadness.

Later, I underwent the Chooda ceremony. Emotions welled up within me. Leaving my parents' home felt bittersweet, like a piece of my heart was being taken away. But then I remembered that I was gaining a new home, where I would not only be treated like a princess but also cherished like a queen by the man I loved. The tears of sadness quickly transformed into tears of joy. Finally, I was marrying the love of my life, my Akki.

I was about to head to my room to get ready when I felt a hand on my wrist.

"Akki, what are you doing?" I asked, playfully hitting his chest.

"I'm here to see my would-be bride, who is still my girlfriend," he said, pulling me closer.

"Oh really?" I teased, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He nodded, and we both laughed, our foreheads touching. We remained like that for a moment, lost in the quiet intimacy.

"I can't believe we're about to become husband and wife," he murmured, his eyes still closed.

I opened my eyes and smiled. "I love this transformation."

He opened his eyes and gazed into mine. "Very few people get to experience this kind of love story," he said, his voice filled with emotion, "and I'm incredibly grateful that we're one of those couples. It wasn't easy, especially after learning about your parents' reservations, but we stood strong. We never gave up on us, especially you, Akki. You stood by me, and for that, I'm incredibly proud of you. I love you."

He kissed my forehead. "I love you too, Anu."

He held me close, his embrace a comforting cocoon. "I can't wait to see you as my bride," he whispered against my hair.

I chuckled and gently pushed him away. "But you have to let me go now."

"I don't want to," he pouted.

"But how will I get ready for you?" I reasoned.

"I don't know," he admitted, a hint of apprehension in his voice. "I'm having this strange feeling, a sense of foreboding."

I was taken aback by his sudden shift in mood. "Don't worry, Akki. Nothing is going to happen. We're together, our families are here. We're going to be fine." I held his cheeks in my hands, forcing him to look at me. "Think positive. We're about to embark on this incredible journey together."

He nodded, a flicker of reassurance returning to his eyes. He kissed my hands, then leaned down and pressed a long, lingering kiss to my forehead, pouring all his love into the gesture. Finally, with a lingering look, he reluctantly let me go.

"See you at the altar, Mr. Arora," I said, a bittersweet smile playing on my lips.

"Don't take too long," he replied, his voice laced with longing. "I can't wait to make you Mrs. Arora."

And with that, he turned and left, leaving me with a mix of excitement and a strange sense of unease that I couldn't quite shake off. 

Author’s POV:

Anika couldn't control her tears. "And that was our last meeting," she sobbed, the memory of that devastating day overwhelming her.

Akshit pulled her into a comforting embrace, holding her close. He remained silent, rubbing her back soothingly as she wept.

After a while, her sobs subsided. She pulled back, wiping her tears. "Are you okay?" he asked gently.

She nodded, sniffling. He offered her a glass of water from the nearby table, and she took a sip, trying to calm her racing heart.

"It's okay if you don't want to say more," he said softly, understanding her need for space.

She chuckled bitterly. "Kehne ko ab kuch rha hi nhi hai, Akshit (There's nothing more to say, Akshit.) Now I just need answers."

Akshit nodded thoughtfully. "From what you've told me, it seems like he didn't leave on his own accord. It feels like something… forced him to go."

Anika looked at him, her eyes wide with a flicker of hope. "I know. There has to be a reason for his sudden disappearance. But what could it be?"

"I think his parents might have manipulated him," Akshit said, analyzing the situation. "You mentioned that after that call, Akhil didn't contact Aarusha again. He probably planned to go to her as she had instructed. And the way you described their phone conversation, it seems like Aarusha was unaware of you. His parents might have misled her, told her a different story.”

Anika shook her head, her voice filled with doubt. "I don't know, Akshit. If his parents were behind this, wouldn't he have fought for us, like he did before? He was so adamant about being with me."

"You're right," Akshit conceded. "But…"

"I just don't understand, Akshit," she said, her voice breaking. "I was ready to marry him. He was too. We were so happy."

"How do you know he was?" Akshit asked, his curiosity piqued.

"He video called me after getting ready," she explained, her voice trembling. "I playfully refused to show him, teasing him that I would only reveal myself to him at the wedding. He tried to argue, but I insisted. I wanted to see his reaction when he saw me as his bride."

"And then?" Akshit pressed, his curiosity growing.

Anika sniffed back the tears. "Then… I found out he wasn't in his room. His luggage was gone, his phone was gone. Everything was gone except for this."

She pulled a small, folded piece of paper from her bag and handed it to him. He unfolded it and read the words: "I can't do this wedding, Anu."

"That's it?" Akshit asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes," she whispered, the memory of that devastating moment washing over her. "Just this piece of paper. A single piece of paper shattered my world."

Tears welled up in her eyes again. Akshit pulled her into another embrace, offering comfort and solace.

"I just don't understand," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "Just five minutes before this note, he was teasing me, dying to marry me. And then… nothing."

Akshit held her close, his heart aching for her. "I truly hope you find him soon, Anika," he said softly. "And I hope the mystery surrounding your love story is finally unraveled."

"Thank you, Akshit," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You're a true friend."

She hugged him tightly, seeking comfort in his embrace. As she held him, a single thought echoed in her mind: "I hope I find you soon, Akki."

Robben Island(Capetown, SA):

A woman was running ahead, her laughter echoing through the air as a man chased after her.

"You can't catch me!" she called out, her voice filled with playful defiance.

"We'll see about that," he retorted, his determination fueling his pursuit. He quickened his pace, finally catching up to her and gently encircling her with his arms.

He lifted her off the ground, twirling her around as she giggled uncontrollably. "Told you," he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Okay, okay, you win," she conceded, "but put me down before I fall!"

He stopped twirling, but held her close. "Do you think I'd ever let you fall?" he asked, his voice soft.

She looked over her shoulder, her gaze meeting his. He saw a flicker of hesitation in her eyes and gently lowered her to the ground.

"Why didn't you answer?" he asked, gently cupping her face.

"Tell me, whatever it is. I won't be upset."

She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's not that I don't trust you," she finally admitted, "but sometimes… I get these strange feelings."

"And what are these feelings?" he inquired gently, eager to reassure her.

She sighed. "That you'll leave me one day."

He chuckled softly. "I would never leave you, my love. Please try to dismiss those thoughts."

She smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. He pulled her into a warm embrace. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you more," she replied, her voice soft. They stood there for a long moment, lost in the quiet intimacy of their embrace.

Suddenly, the gentle breeze intensified, transforming into a fierce wind. They turned to run, their hands clasped tightly together, trying to escape the approaching storm. But the wind was too strong. Their grip on each other loosened, and they were separated.

"Akki!" she cried out, her voice lost in the howling wind. He turned back, searching for her in the blinding sand, but she was gone.

"Anu!" he called out, his voice hoarse with fear, but there was no answer.

The storm raged on, but gradually subsided. When the wind finally died down, he looked around frantically, but there was no sign of her. Despair washed over him as he fell to his knees, his cries of "Anu!" echoing through the empty landscape.

"Anu…" He gasped, waking with a jolt, his heart pounding.

His face was pale, beads of sweat trickling down his temples. He sat bolt upright in bed, gasping for air, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to him like a shroud. For the past five months, this same nightmare had plagued him, a constant, unwelcome visitor in the dead of night.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cold hardwood floor a stark contrast to the warmth of the sheets. He stumbled to the nearby table, pouring himself a large glass of water and gulping it down in a single, desperate motion. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the night.

He sat down in the armchair, closing his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing. "Again and again," he muttered to himself, "the same nightmare. It's unbearable. But it's all my fault. I'm the reason I'm going through this."

His eyes welled up, the weight of his guilt heavy on his chest. He knew he was to blame. He knew his actions had led to this agonizing separation. But what could he do now? How could he escape the clutches of this recurring nightmare, this constant, gnawing sense of loss?

He felt utterly helpless, adrift in a sea of regret and despair.

Akhil’s POV:
 
I was on cloud nine on that day, finally about to marry the love of my life. But who knew that circumstances would lead us to this situation? God only knows what she's suffered in these past months.

It was all my fault. If I had stood up for our love then, none of this would have happened. Instead, I ran away, abandoning her at the altar, my would-be wife. Now, I can't do anything. Her biggest fear had come true – I had left her.

After building such a beautiful life with her, promising her forever, I had to leave her. They say love requires effort, dedication. For us, it seemed impossible, a bridge too far.

I know Gyaan, Badi Mom, Uncle, everyone tried to find me, and my family too. But they'll never find us unless we reach out. Why? I scoffed at the thought, the absurdity of it all.

The tinny chime of the clock broke through my reverie. 6:00 AM. I stood up and walked towards the small chest of drawers. Every morning, I started my day by turning on the old, battered boombox perched precariously on top. Today, it sputtered to life, playing a melancholic Bollywood tune, a bittersweet soundtrack to my loneliness. I often found solace in the lyrics, many of which mirrored my own despair.

I opened the top drawer, carefully sifting through the meager belongings I had salvaged. Finally, I found it – a small, intricately carved wooden photo frame. I had smuggled it out of the Goa resort before… well, before everything went wrong. I knew my family would have confiscated it if they had found it, and I couldn't bear to lose the only tangible connection I had left to Anika.

Every day, I studied her face within the frame, the image a constant source of both comfort and agonizing pain. "I miss you so much, Anu," I whispered, tracing the outline of her face with my finger. "I'm so sorry, your Akki couldn't keep his promise to be with you."

Her eyes, captured forever in the photograph, seemed to gaze back at me, filled with a love that mirrored my own. How much I longed for her touch, her laughter, the warmth of her embrace. But I knew it was impossible now, a distant dream forever out of reach.

I was still lost in the poignant memories when the radio began to play a familiar melody. It was one of my favorite songs, a haunting melody by “Arijit Singh”, perfectly capturing the despair I felt. The lyrics, penned by the renowned lyricist “Parshant Pandey”, seemed to speak directly to my soul:

O Sajni Re
Kaise Kate Din Raat
Kaise Ho Tujhse Baat
Teri Yaad Satave Re
(Oh my love,
How do I endure these days and nights?
How do I find a way to speak with you?
Your memory torments me)

Hearing the lyrics, I again looked at the picture, tracing my fingers across the glass as if I were tracing the contours of her face. "How do I meet her? How can I see her?" I whispered, the words catching in my throat. It had been almost five months since I had last seen her, let alone touched her.
 
O Sajni Re
Kaise Kate Din Raat
Kaise Mile Tera Saath
Teri Yaad Teri Yaad Satave Re
(Oh my love,
How do I spend my days and nights?
How do I find solace in your presence?
Your memory, it relentlessly troubles me)

The haunting melody seemed to seep into my very soul, mirroring the ache in my heart. How do I spend my days and nights without her? How do I find solace in your presence? Your memory, it relentlessly troubles me.

My nights and my days, how I spent them without her, only I truly knew. It felt like I was slowly dying inside, each day a little more agonizing than the last. I had left her, shattered her trust, and now I was paying the ultimate price.

Ho Ho Ho Ho
Hmm Hmm Hmm..
Ho ho ho ho
Hmm hmm hmm..

The music swelled, a poignant reminder of the joy we had once shared.
Taking the photo frame in my hands, I moved towards the window. Rain lashed against the glass, mirroring the storm raging within me.

Kaise Ghane Re Badra Ghire
Teri Kami Ki Baarish Liye
Sailaab Jo Mere Seene Mein Hai
Koyi Bataye Yeh Kaise Thame
Tere Bina Ab Kaise Jiye
(As the heavy clouds gather,
They bring the rain of your absence
The storm raging within my heart,
Who can guide me to quell it?
How do I carry on without you?)

The lyrics spoke to me, mirroring my own internal turmoil. The heavy clouds mirrored the gloom that had settled over my life. The rain, a constant, relentless downpour, mirrored the tears that I shed for her every single day.

O Sajni Re
Kaise Kate Din Raat
Kaise Ho Tujhse Baat
Teri Yaad Satave Re
(Oh my love,
How do I endure these days and nights?
How do I find a way to speak with you?
Your memory haunts me endlessly)

I had given her hope, nurtured her dreams, and then I shattered them all. I had loved her, truly loved her, and yet, I had left her alone to face the world.

O Sajni Re
Kaise Kate Din Raat
Kaise Ho Tujhse Baat
Teri Yaad Teri Yaad Satave Re
(Oh my love,
How do I spend my days and nights?
How do I find solace in your presence?
Your memory, it relentlessly troubles me)
 
Maybe one day, just one day, I would find her, explain everything, beg for her forgiveness. Maybe then, we could finally begin to heal, to rebuild. But those were just hopes, fragile whispers in the face of overwhelming despair.

O Sajni Re
(Oh my love)

The music faded, leaving a haunting silence in its wake. I closed my eyes, the image of Anika, her face etched in my memory, a constant, aching reminder of the love I had.

I sniffled once again, pressing a lingering kiss to her image before carefully placing the photo frame back in the drawer. I locked it securely, the familiar click of the lock echoing the finality of my situation. I then went to the washroom, the cold water splashing against my face offering little solace.
After washing up, I headed to the makeshift gym I had set up in the basement.

Author’s POV:

After spending about an hour in the gym, Akhil returned to his room and took a relaxing shower. While standing under the shower, his eyes closed, lost in thought, revisiting both the good and the bad memories they had shared.

He emerged from the shower, changed into casual clothes, and then went to have breakfast. The sun had already risen, and he found his servers waiting for him on the top terrace of the villa.

As usual, he sat down at the table, and the server silently placed his breakfast in front of him. He ate mechanically, his mind far away. He was simply going through the motions, the food offering no real satisfaction. He felt utterly detached, disinterested in everything.

After finishing his meal, he returned to his room and picked up a book, hoping to distract himself. He returned to the terrace, settling into a chair and attempting to immerse himself in the story. However, his mind kept wandering, and he soon found himself lost in thought again.

He stood up, walking towards the railing. The view was breathtaking – the vast expanse of the ocean, calm and serene. But the tranquility of the scene offered little solace. He knew a storm was brewing within him, a tempest of emotions he couldn't seem to quell.

The silence was broken by his mother's voice, "Akhil..."

He turned to see her approaching, a white envelope in her hand.

"What's this?" he asked, his voice flat.

His mother sighed. “Tumhari kismat ka faisla..(The decision of your fate)”

He scoffed. “Meri kismat ka faisla toh usi din ho gya tha jis din main sab kuch chodke yha aaya tha…
(My fate was decided the day I left everything and came here)”

The harshness of his words didn't seem to faze her. 

"Ek baar dekhlo..(Look at it first)," she said calmly. 
"Uske baad faisla tumhara. Ismein kya hai, ye dekhne ke baad bhi agar tum vapas jana chahte ho toh, I promise, hum sab mein se  tumhe koi ni rokega par agar tum yhi rukoge toh tum jante ho tumhe kya karna h or iske baad there will be no going back for you so, soch samaj kar decide krna..
(After that it is your decision. What is there in this, if even after seeing this you want to go back, I promise, none of us will stop you but if you stay here then you know what you have to do and after this there will be no going back for you, so think and decide..)”

With those words, she turned and left him alone with his thoughts. He stared at the envelope, a strange mixture of curiosity and dread washing over him.

He took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising anxiety. "No, Akhil," he muttered to himself, "don't think negatively."

He carefully opened the envelope, his heart pounding against his ribs. As his mother had predicted, it contained “A Decision”, not just for him, but one that would irrevocably alter the course of everyone's lives.

*******

Hello lovely readers..💕

How are you all doing?😊

Here is the another chapter, hope you guys liked it?😁

Some new mysteries unfolded but some still remain folded..🙂

Hope you guys get some clarity of his leaving from his pov but what happened that will reveal in later parts...😊

First time, I have tried writing with character pov, hope you guys liked it and felt the emotions..🙂

But what was that at the end, in that envelope. Lets see what will he choose now?😌

Stay safe and be happy..😁

With lots of love..❤

Take care and bye..🙋‍♀️