Akruti Arora
'What...no....n-no...it's not true. I couldn't be the cause of someone being orphan. No..they're just bluffing...yeah that's it', mumbling this in my mind I tried to reassure my self.
"They loved her like their own child, those two were the exact example of husband and wife. They loved all the children equally, be it their own or not. They were the purest souls, the same goes for their kids. Well mannered and well behaved. But look at what has destiny done to them. I want those two sinners to be caught give them the necessary forfeit, then I'll personally go visit those kids. Even they'll be missing us, their parents and Akruti.", Nanu confessed. Everyone's eyes were filled with tears. And Nani wiped her tears away.
'Because of me...because of me...two people died....no...no...', tears started building up my eyes. I scrambled towards my room. Shutting the door, I slumped myself against the door, whilst the tears started trickling on their own.
Suddenly my phone rang. Yanking it from my clutch, I saw Nila's name flashing. I dabbed my tears off. Making sure my voice wasn't cracking, I answered the call.
"Hello, Akru..where are you?? You told me you'll pick me up. The party is going to start, hurry up." I heard Nila speaking from the other end.
'Shit...I forgot about her totally'.
"Umm...Nila...an urgent work came up at the last moment. Can you bring it to yourself? I'll reach the venue directly. Is that okay with you?", I asked her making sure my voice doesn't crack.
"Yeah sure I can....but Akru are you okay...you sound low....did something happens or did anyone tell you something." , Nila sounded concerned.
"Y-yeah..I'm totally okay...I'll be there in few minutes", telling this I cut the call. Suddenly I felt bad, I promised her I would pick her up, but I broke it. Opening the Uber app I booked a cab for her and messaged her the details. I was sitting, just lost in my thoughts.
I heard the door of my room being knocked.
"Chicken little are you ready? Else you'll be late for the party. ", I heard Sahil's voice.
"Yes. I'm ready Sahil. Just last-minute touch-ups". Mumbling, I looked myself into the mirror. Thank God all my make-ups were waterproof. I was about to unlock the door when something clicked. I packed night suits and clothes for two days in a duffle bag.
'Yes, I'll stay at Nila's for two days.', reckoning this I opened my door.
"Hey what's with the bag? Going to get married huh? Not bad", Sahil laughed at me.
"Like hell, I'll do a runaway marriage. I'm staying at Nila's for two days. It's about the forthcoming project. So it will be easy for us to work together", I replied.
"But she can come here right?"
"It won't be fare Sahil. It's always she, who's coming her and not the other way round. So I came up with this idea."
"Yeah, you're right".
We headed downstairs. I informed my family about my stay at Nila's. Everyone was okay with it. They praised me saying how beautiful I look.
But I heard nothing because their previous talk kept playing in my mind in a repeat mode. Bidding them goodbye I headed towards the venue in my car.
It was such a grand event. All the decorations screamed richness. The moment I reached the venue everyone grew quiet.
'Why is there something on my face? But I checked myself on the mirror, I was looking good only' I thought.
Then I saw Nila standing with Daksh, Sharav Bhai, Mr.Senior Khanna, and an old lady and a girl younger than me. I made my way towards them.
When Mr.Jerk turned, I felt my heart skip a beat. He was truly a Greek god. He was looking so handsome in his outfit. Gathering myself I reached the group.
I greeted everyone there. Suddenly Mr.Jerk excused himself from the group. Mrs.Khanna and Ms.Khanna were so happy to me. They even asked Nila and me to call them dadi and Preeti.
'It's weird'.
Nila and I shared a look. They kept on chatting. I was speaking with them happily as I knew them for years. Suddenly the topic of the family came and it stirred the things which I wished to disappear. I was just feigning them a smile. I pardoned myself out and here I am now.
I sat on the bench numbly. I could feel tears spilling down my cheeks. I preferred not to dab them. Just one thing was running in my mind, 'I destroyed someone's happy family.' This made me sob even more. I suddenly wiped my tears when I heard his voice.
"You okay Akruti? "
_____________
Viren Khanna
I was attempting to calm myself from the debate that's happening between my sanity and soul. One recalls me of Pari and the other prompts me of Akruti. I took deep breaths to ease myself. Suddenly I heard someone sob. I was searching everywhere for the sob.
Then I saw someone squatting on the bench, I was about to move from there when I heard the sob again.
'So this person is sobbing'.
'Should I go?', I thought.
But as seconds grew I heard the person sob more. Making up my mind I headed towards the person. When I approached the bench, I was startled. It was Ms.Arora crying.
"You okay Akruti? ", I questioned her on reaching. Hearing my voice she instantly wiped her tears away.
'Too late', I reckoned myself.
"Um. Y-yes S-sir..I'm good", she replied.
"But your eyes say something else", I said surprising myself. Even she was surprised. I cleared my throat to avoid the awkwardness being formed.
"So relationship topic? " I questioned her.
"What??"
"Cause of your tears. Relationship topics I guess"
"What... No...if a girl cries does it have to be only a relationship topic?" she snapped me back.
'Whoa someone's in a really bad mood',  I thought.
"That's what I've come across", I replied her shrugging.
"Then hear well...there will be plenty of reasons why a girl will weep Mr.Khanna"
"Okay then please enlighten me about it? ", I said.
"It's complicated", mumbling, she sighed heavily.
"Yeah you girls are so tricky, that you'll sob even for a small issue", I replied back gazing at her. But she was glancing ahead not at me.
"But what if the issue is big....what if you're the reason? What if a happy family's life got ruined because of you? What if two kids turned orphan because of you?"
Telling this she started to cry. I was alarmed on hearing this. She was saying everything as she was in a stupor. Orphan, what is she saying. She slumped on the grass floor. I instantly crouched next to her and hugged her.
"Shh...Akruti...you's not the reason for someone being orphan.", I comforted her. But she kept on crying. I felt my heart twisting in pain seeing her cry.
"No...I'm the reason...I heard them talk", she cried against my chest.
"No darling...you can't be the reason. And whatever they said it might be wrong. Trust me. ", I patted her back gently.
"No...it's true", she kept on saying this. I cupped her face and made her face me.
"You trust me" I questioned her. She just nodded her headed.
"Then listen, you can't be the reason for someone's sadness. You are the one reason for happiness. I've never seen my family this happy after an incident. The minute they met you they were so happy. I've never seen them so happy. So when I say you'll be the reason for others' happiness, that's what you are. So don't ever think about it. Do you get that? "
She eyes again teared up, but a small smile made way to her lips. It made my heart flutter.
'This girl is one emotional character.'
I kissed her forehead surprising herself and I. We kept looking at each other. It was like our soul was doing the talking. This time she surprised me by hugging. She held my torso tightly not wanting to leave. I tightened my hold on her, whilst placing my chin on her head. There was a habitable hush around us. But what she whispered in her gentle voice, made my heart skip a beat.
"Thanks, Viren"
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