6. Abhir's internal battle

The journey to Udaipur was long and quiet, with Abhir’s thoughts constantly spiraling.

He sat beside Abhira in the backseat, her presence both comforting and overwhelming at the same time.

Charu and Kiara, in the front, kept a quiet conversation going, trying to ease the tension in the air.

Abhir couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at him. They were on their way to Goenka House—his ancestral home, a place filled with memories he had tried so hard to forget.

The idea of stepping back into that world, after so many years, felt like a betrayal of the man he had become.

“I still don’t understand why you’re so insistent on taking me there,” Abhir muttered, breaking the silence between him and Abhira.

Abhira, who had been looking out of the window, turned her gaze to him, her expression soft but determined. “Kyunki woh aapka asli ghar hai, Bhai. Aap itne saalon se bhatak rahe hain, ab finally aap wahan honge jahan humara parivar hai. Unhone aapka intezaar kiya hai kitne saalon tak.”

Abhir ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t need them Abhira. I don’t need anyone. I’ve survived just fine without them.”

Abhira’s eyes darkened for a moment, the seriousness in her voice making his heart race. “Par Humein aapki zarurat hai. Aur mujhe aapka saath chahiye, aap mere ik lauata parivar hai Bhai mumma ki precious gift mere liye. Aap apne ateeth ke hisson ko hamesha ke liye kaise kaat sakte hain?”

He was about to retort, but Abhira pressed on, her voice softer now, laced with emotion. “Mujhe pata hai ki aapko darr lagta hai. Mujhe pata hai yeh asaan nahi hai. Par please, mujhe akela mat chhodiye. Main yeh akeli nahi kar sakti.”

Abhir’s chest tightened as her words sank in. She was relentless, and as much as he wanted to resist, a part of him couldn’t say no.

He had already lost so much, and now that they had found each other, he couldn’t be the one to deny her what she wanted. To deny himself.

“Fine,” he muttered, barely audible. “I’ll go, but don’t expect me to just walk in there like nothing happened.”

Abhira smiled, a genuine smile that made his heart ache. “Thank you, Bhai. You won’t regret it.”

The rest of the journey passed in tense silence, but the closer they got to Udaipur, the more Abhir’s heart raced. Memories he had buried for years resurfaced, of a time when he was part of a family—before the accident, before everything changed.

Charu, seated in the front seat, stole glances at Abhir through the rearview mirror.

She could sense the storm brewing within him, his brooding eyes lost in memories he clearly didn’t want to revisit.

For a brief moment, their eyes met through the mirror, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. Charu quickly looked away, unsure of why her heartbeat quickened.

Kiara, on the other hand, had her eyes glued to Abhir. She wasn’t trying to hide her admiration; it was written all over her face.

The way she spoke about his songs during the trip, the shy smiles she gave when he glanced her way—it was clear she idolized him, though it felt like more than just being a fan.

“Abhir, let's stop for a break, apko bhi bhook lagi hogi naa” she chirped suddenly. “I’m starving, and it’ll give us all a chance to stretch our legs!”

Abhira, sitting beside Abhir in the back, said. “Haan, ek dhabha dikh raha hai aage. Let’s grab something to eat.”

The car pulled into a small roadside dhaba bustling with activity. The aroma of sizzling parathas and hot tea filled the air as they stepped out.

Charu walked ahead, adjusting her dupatta, completely unaware of the group of men seated nearby. Their leering gazes followed her every movement, their crude laughter grating on Abhir’s nerves.

Charu was oblivious, chattering happily to Kiara, but Abhir saw everything.

His blood boiled. Every instinct in him screamed to do something, to stop them from even looking at Charu. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he stared at the men.

“Abhir, tum kya khaoge?” Charu’s voice interrupted his thoughts, her tone brisk. She had stopped at a table and turned to look at him, her brows raised.

He shook his head. “Tum sab order karo. Main abhi aata hoon.”

Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the group of men.

The men, oblivious to the storm heading their way, continued their crude remarks, laughing amongst themselves. But their laughter died as soon as Abhir reached them.

“Problem hai tum logon ko?” Abhir’s voice was sharp, cutting through the chatter of the dhaba.

The men looked up, surprised by his sudden appearance. One of them smirked, unfazed by the glare directed at them. “Kya hua bhai? Tumhe kya problem hai? Hum toh bas dekh rahe the.”

“Toh usse dekhna band karo,” Abhir hissed.

"Kyun taari private property hai ki?" The men laughed making him more angry.

"Agar aankh aur muh sambhal nahi sakte, toh bahat mat nikalo. Tum log jaante nahi main kaun hoon aisa hashra karunga ki tum khudh apne aap ko naa pehchaan paoge” Abhir hissed his voice dropping to a dangerous level.

The smirk on the man’s face vanished as Abhir stepped closer, towering over him. “Aur agar tumhari bakwaas dubara suni toh baitha rehne layak bhi nahi rahoge.”

One of the men, emboldened by his group, stood up and sneered. “Zyada hero ban raha hai? Chal, bata kya karega?”

Before Abhir could respond, the man shoved him slightly, attempting to provoke him. That was all it took.

Abhir’s patience snapped, and his fist connected with the man’s jaw with a sickening thud.

The dhaba erupted into chaos as the men retaliated, throwing punches at Abhir. Abhir fought back fiercely, his rage giving him strength. The scuffle drew the attention of everyone around, including Charu, Abhira, and Kiara.

“Bhai!” Abhira shrieked as she rushed toward him, horrified by the scene. Kiara clung to her arm, terrified.

Charu, startled by the fight, ran to the commotion and grabbed Abhir’s arm, trying to pull him away. “Stop it, Abhir! What’s wrong with you?” she yelled.

Abhir didn’t listen, too consumed by his anger to care. He shoved another man back, his knuckles bloodied from the fight.

“Bhai, bas karo!” Abhira cried, stepping between Abhir and the men. She tugged at his arm with all her strength. “Chalo yahan se!”

It took both Charu and Abhira to drag Abhir away from the fight. Kiara followed behind, her wide eyes filled with fear.

The men hurled curses at Abhir as they walked away, but none dared to approach him again.

Once they reached the car, Abhira rounded on her brother. “Bhai, kya zarurat thi unke paas jaane ki ignore karte? Aise kaun ladta hai?” she demanded, though there was no anger in her tone—only concern.

Abhir didn’t respond, his chest heaving with exertion as he wiped the blood off his knuckles.

He leaned against the car, staring into the distance.

Charu, on the other hand, was furious. “What is wrong with you Abhir?” she snapped. “You think you can just go around punching people? Kitna rude aur insensitive ho tum!”

Abhir’s head snapped toward her, his eyes blazing. But before he could respond, Abhira cut in.

“Bas karo, Charu,” she said sharply. “Tumhe nahi pata wo kya bol rahe the.”

Charu frowned, confused. “Jo bhi bol rahe the bhabhi un gundo se bidne ki isse kya zaroorat thi?”

Abhira hesitated, then glanced at Abhir before answering. “Woh log tumhare baare mein galat comments pass kar rahe the, isi liye Bhai ko gussa aaya.”

Charu’s eyes widened in shock. “Mere baare mein?”

“Haan,” Abhira said firmly. “Bhai ne tumhare liye ladayi ki. Aur tum unhe rude aur insensitive keh rahi ho.”

Charu’s face fell as guilt washed over her. She glanced at Abhir, who was now sitting in the car, silent and brooding.

"Can you first aid him i will get some water "Abhira said and walked back to the dhabha with kiara to get a water bottle.

Hesitantly Charu climbed into the car, grabbing the first-aid kit.

“Let me see your hand,” she said softly, her voice filled with guilt as she reached for Abhir’s knuckles.

He didn’t respond, pulling his hand away.

“Please, mujhe dekhne do Abhir,” she insisted, trying again.

Abhir’s eyes snapped to hers, his gaze cold. “I don’t need your pity, Charu. Main khud kar lunga tum jaa sakti ho.”

“Pity?” she repeated, hurt flashing across her face. “Main bas madad karna chahti hoon.”

“Madad?” he scoffed, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer by the nape of her neck. Charu gasped, her breath hitching at the sudden proximity.

Abhir’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper, his eyes locked onto hers. “I don’t care, samjhi? Tumhe lagta hai main ek rude, insensitive rockstar hoon? Theek hai. Waise hi sochti raho. Mujhe koi farak nahi padta.”

His words were laced with anger, but the way his grip tightened on her neck betrayed the turmoil inside him. He repeated, softer this time, almost as if trying to convince himself, “I don’t care.”

But Charu could see the crack in his armor. His eyes, blazing with anger, held something else—something raw and vulnerable.

Her heart raced as she tried to pull back, but his hold didn’t loosen. His intense gaze dropped to her lips for a fleeting second, and Charu’s breath caught.

She felt her skin heat under his scrutiny, her mind spinning as she closed her eyes, thinking he was about to kiss her.

Instead, Abhir released her abruptly, pushing her back gently but firmly. “Stay away from me,” he muttered before storming out of the car.

Charu sat frozen, her mind reeling. She touched her neck where his hand had been, her pulse racing.

She didn’t know what just happened, but one thing was clear—Abhir Sharma was far more complicated than she had thought and what was happening to her around him?