Akshara's head was blasting like hell, not having enough energy to cook , she gulped down a glass of water with a pill and laid down , reminding herself not to think of  the day.

The constant ringing of the calling bell broke her deep slumber, cursing the one at the door she stood up stumbling. 

Opening the door with the scowl she gaped that the man standing in front of her.

Arjun slided in before she could slam the door on his face.

“ I brought us dinner. ”

“You didn't go?”

“Told you.”

“Go Arjun . I can't,  I simply can't forget everything and give you a chance.  I'm done .”

“ Akshara,  you're legit swaying.  Let's have the food and I'll leave .”

Not having enough energy to argue she agreed.Was he this gentle before? No he was not.

Holding his backpack, he stood a bit far from her who was lost in her thoughts and said

“ I am going now but not leaving you. I know I am wrong and responsible for whatever you have gone through. You don't have to forget anything. Please just give me a chance. I regret letting you go I am sorry.”

When she didn't reply, he thrusted a spare key in her hand and left with tears in his eyes.

He might  deserve a second chance but she is not that  strong enough to give him a chance and get hurt again.

Sighing,  she stood looking at the sky. On the one hand, her mind told her to go behind him, tell him how much she love him. On the  other hand, her mind scolded her for sailing in two boats.

The day when she left him reappeared making her head blast again. Gulping down one more pill, she laid on the coach, trying to stop the heavy pain which she is unaware whether caused by heart or head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Only Arjun knew how he stopped himself from going behind Akshara when she jerked off his hands.

Her father gently told him to go and he at once left not wanting the old couple to suffer anymore.

He strolled through the streets,  had a cup of hot tea, watched the kids playing in the playground to kill the time.

Buying some food her returned to her home, the one Akshara is living now.

When he disappeared on the day of final hearing, he made sure to return to her, which was way too difficult.

One month ago, he returned from Abu Dhabi and had been following her since then. Only he knew, how difficult it was.

Call him a coward and he will just accept it wholeheartedly. Once he developed the confidence to face her,his simply showed up at her door.

Come whatever may, he wont let her go this time.

“ Unnai indr paarthathum
Ennai naane kelkiren
Vairam ondr kayil veith
Engai thedi alaindhayo”

( looking at you today
I'm asking myself
Having a gem in my hand
Where was I lost searching for it.)

Saying he will come again, he give her a spare key of their home and left. His heart whispering she will come home, to him.

Hope that's what he had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Akshara hoped that Arjun would come knocking on the door early in the morning but he didn't. She could not blink an eye yesterday night and had got a severe  headache now.

Deciding to gulp down a pill, she had her breakfast.

She was confused like always, being a single child of her parents, she always yearned for love, not that her parents didn't love her, her parents had a love marriage which the family never appreciated till it was her own marriage. But till then she was accustomed to show no affection. 

Her memories took her back to the day when she was married. She was just a post graduate and unemployed back then. She wanted to study further and get a job but then when her parents asked her approval for the alliance she simply said yes .

A handful of alliances got rejected due to her not being not so fair, some horoscope issues and some for her modern life style.

Akshara was neither fair nor dusky , she had shoulder length curly locks , she was skinny and had a big round specs on her face.

Then came Arjun's proposal and her parents left it on her like always. She liked his family , they were very outgoing and made her feel comfort in an instant.

Arjun's elder sister became Akshara's friend instantly.  If looked back , she wonder if she said yes to him or his family.

His father cracked jokes, his mother too sweet and his sister very bubbly. She wanted to be a part of that family and she thought him to be an introvert just like her.

Since,  the marriage was kept low, Akshara really made a bond with his family soon. 

She chuckled remembering the very first day of wedding. 

She was made sit in his room and her heart was thumping really bad. A clicking sound brok her chain of thoughts, clearing his throat Arjun said,

“You should change.”

When she stood up from the bed almost stumbling he held her hand lightly.

“ I'll just stand outside, you can change here, washroom won't be that comfortable. ”

Saying, he left the room closing the door on his way.

After changing into night wear,  she opened the door for him. 

Smiling lightly, he entered into the room, laying down on the left side of the bed, he looked at her and she too got into the bed.

“Are you comfortable?”

“Yeah, are you ?”

Chuckling lightly he nodded and wishing night,  they slept.

The following week, he was friendly towards her,  the whole Singhania family was happy.

Sighting, he have to join office due to some unprecedented issues, they left his family to his rented apartment in the city.

Everything started to change since then, his distance towards her, the relationship disorented.

The loud shrill of her phone broke her thoughts, leaning back to the chair, she focused on her work.

Past can wait, present can't.