EP2 - Unspoken Pain

"Neil, look at you! You've gotten so thin, beta. Have some more food." Manjiri said, trying to heap more onto Neil's already piled-high plate.

"No, Maa, it's enough! I've already had two refills. If I eat any more, my stomach will burst, and no girl will ever look at me again," Neil groaned, holding his hand protectively over his plate, hoping his mother wouldn't insist on more.

Just as Neil spoke, Abhimanyu, who had been standing behind him, reached forward and gave him a sharp pull on his ear.

"Ouch! Bhai! What are you doing?!" Neil yelped, his voice higher than usual, causing Manjiri to laugh at his childish antics.

"Look at you, thinking about girls. You've just finished your graduation, and now you're already worried about your love life?" Abhimanyu scolded, settling down at the table and beginning to serve himself some food.

"Ha, Abhi's right, Neil. Focus on your career first, then we'll talk about girls," Manjiri chimed in with a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement at Neil's pout.

Neil rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. But then, out of nowhere, a thought crossed his mind, and without thinking, he blurted it out.

"Maa, where is Papa? I didn't see him around," Neil asked, his voice soft.

The question hung in the air, and the house grew eerily quiet.

Manjiri hesitated for a moment, looking at Abhimanyu, who had stiffened at the mention of their father. His jaw tightened, and his gaze grew cold. She swallowed hard, trying to smile, but it was strained.

"Beta, your papa had to go to Delhi for a business conference. He'll be back in a few days," Manjiri explained, though her voice faltered slightly.

Abhimanyu muttered under his breath, his voice low but filled with disdain. "It would be better if he never came back."

Manjiri shot him a sharp glare, her expression a mixture of concern and reprimand. "Abhimanyu, you shouldn't talk like that," she said, her voice firm.

Abhimanyu clamped his lips shut, choosing not to respond. The tension in the room was palpable.

To break the uncomfortable silence, Neil cleared his throat, attempting to shift the mood. "Haha, never mind all that. Maa, you know what? I think I still have some room in my stomach for that sweet dish you made for me. Can you bring it out?" he asked, flashing a playful grin.

Manjiri's expression softened as she looked at him, and her attention shifted away from the earlier conversation. "Of course, beta. I'll bring it right away."

As she left to go to the kitchen, Abhimanyu sat back in his chair, absentmindedly pushing food around his plate, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Neil watched him, his face full of guilt. "Bhai, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned him..."

Abhimanyu shook his head, not wanting to discuss it further. He stood up from the table. "It's not your fault, Neil. I've got to go to work. I'll be back after my surgery. Take care of Maa."

With that, Abhimanyu walked out of the room, leaving a sad Neil behind.

Once he was alone, Neil muttered under his breath, barely audible. "I don't know, Bhai. When will you ever truly be happy?"

...

Meanwhile, in her apartment in Udaipur, Akshara sank into the sofa with a sigh of relief, a slice of pizza in her hand.

"Yes, Dadu, I've reached safely. No, I didn't feel tired, and yes, I ordered some food. Everything's fine," Akshara spoke into the video call, settling back as she relaxed.

Manish's face appeared on the screen, his expression filled with concern. "I worry about you, Akshu. It's your first time staying alone in a new city. If you hadn't insisted, I wouldn't have let you go."

Akshara smiled softly, trying to ease his worry. "Dadu, you know I need this. Especially after everything that's happened."

Manish looked at her, his worry deepening. "Akshu, baby..."

But Akshara, already anticipating what he would say, quickly interrupted him. "Dadu, you know what? I have an interview tomorrow at Birla Hospital. I'm nervous, but also excited. It's such a big opportunity for me," she said, changing the subject, her voice now tinged with excitement.

Manish's face softened, and he smiled warmly. "I know you, Akshu. You're the best at what you do. So why worry? You'll win their hearts just like always."

Akshara's eyes sparkled at his encouragement. "Thanks, Dadu. I love you so much, and I miss you."

"I miss you too, beta. Take care of yourself, and keep me updated, okay?" Manish said, his tone now a bit more serious.

"I will, I will! Now, I need to go. My favorite series is starting. Good night, Dadu! I'll talk to you soon!" Akshara said quickly, waving at the screen before ending the call. She then turned her attention to the TV, letting herself relax as she took another bite of her pizza.

Manish stared at the screen, a sad look crossing his face. "I know you hide your pain behind that smile, Akshu. I hope one day you find your real smile in this new city."

...