'dekha tumko jab se, bas dekha tumko yaara
Tumse koi achha hai na tumse koi pyaara
Yun nazre na phero tum, mere ho mere tum
Keh do na, keh do na, you are my soniya'
Advait sang whispering into Amrita's ear287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQKM0CTJgC
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"Kehdona" Advait said resting his head on Amrita's shoulder
"Say what?" Amrita replied, gently pushing his head off her shoulder.
"That you are my soniya," Advait said in a playful tone.
"Advait," Amrita said, turning toward him. Advait made a puppy dog face, but Amrita shook her head and continued, placing her hands on his shoulders. "I snuck out in the middle of the night to be here with you, in the park, just like the romantic couples you see in movies and read about."
Advait responded, "Then say it, 'you are my soniye.'"
Amrita sighed in frustration and got up. "I'm going home," she said, starting to walk away.
"Where are you going? I'm your ride," Advait said, following her and picking up the phone she had left behind. He caught up to her and wrapped his arm around her. "Since you won't say it, I'll say it. I am your soniya."
Amrita burst into laughter upon hearing this, and he smiled, enjoying the sound of her laughter.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXa1PDzFm4
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Amrita woke up with a start, her heart racing. "Not again," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She had been haunted by the same recurring dream ever since she had left him and her home. She reached for her phone on the nightstand, squinting at the glowing screen to check the time. It read 3:00 am, and a sigh of frustration escaped her lips.
Sliding out of bed, Amrita quietly padded across the hallway to the room opposite hers. She gently pushed open the door and peeked inside, her heart warming at the sight before her. There, in the soft glow of nightlight, her two angels lay peacefully asleep – Aryan and Akshara, her children and the very pieces of her heart.
With a tender smile, Amrita settled onto the bed, careful not to disturb her sleeping darlings. She pulled the blanket up around them and snuggled close to them, wrapping her arms around them as she closed her eyes, hoping that their presence would bring her the comfort and solace she needed to finally fall asleep once more.
_____
Advait sitting on a chair on his balcony, gazing up at the night sky with a contemplative expression. He had a pair of earphones on, the soft melodies of old Hindi songs filling his ears. As the song "Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh" came to an end, the next track began to play – "Lag Jaa Gale."
He couldn't help but smile as he heard the familiar tunes. His eyes drifted to the screen of his music player, where he noticed the playlist's name: "Amrita Songs." It was a collection of melodies that held a special place in his heart.
Everything related to Amrita held a special significance in Advait's life. Since the day she had left, she had occupied his thoughts and memories in a way that nothing else ever had. It was a stark contrast to the past ten years of his married life, during which he had forgotten the importance of cherishing and nurturing those special connections.
Amrita's absence had become a reminder of the value of what he had once had and lost. Her impact on his life was undeniable, and as he reflected on their shared moments, he realized just how much he had taken for granted.
Glancing at the time, he let out a sigh. "Probably should get some sleep," he mumbled to himself, realizing that tomorrow was going to be a significant day.
_______
Amrita looked radiant in her blue anarkali with a white dupatta as she gracefully moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. It was a typical morning, but one filled with anticipation as Akshara and Aryan made their way into the kitchen.
"Good morning, darlings!" Amrita greeted them warmly.
"Good morning, Mama," Akshara responded with a sweet smile, while Aryan mumbled a reply.
Amrita turned her attention to Aryan. "Aryan, did you brush your teeth? Please go take a shower," she said, gently pushing him off his chair. Aryan grumbled as he reluctantly headed off to get ready.
"Mama, are we going to see Daddy today?" Akshara asked, her eyes filled with excitement, as Amrita poured syrup onto the pancakes.
"Yes, my love. We are going to see Daddy today," Amrita replied with a smile, gently brushing Akshara's hair.
"Yay!" Akshara exclaimed joyfully, then continued in a slightly whiny voice, "Mama, you forgot the butter. You know I don't like it without butter."
Amrita, with her back turned to Akshara, chuckled softly at her daughter's love for butter. It reminded her of Advait and his fondness for it. 'Amrita, everything's better with butter,' he used to say, always with a charming smile.
"Here's the butter," Amrita said, placing it on the table. "Let me go check on your brother," she added and leaned down to give Akshara a loving kiss on the top of her head. With a warm smile, she left to check on Aryan.
Walking into the bedroom, Amrita was surprised to find Aryan sitting outside the bathroom, clearly not following her earlier instructions.
"Aryan, I told you to brush your teeth and take a shower," Amrita chided gently, her concern evident in her voice.
Aryan looked up at Amrita, his young eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Mumma, are you and Dad still fighting?" he asked with innocence.
Sighing softly, Amrita sat down beside Aryan and spoke in a quiet, reassuring tone, "I think your dad and I are done fighting."
Aryan's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the situation. "What happened?" he asked, seeking clarity.
Amrita wrapped her arm around Aryan, pulling him closer. She looked into his eyes and said, "We'll know more today, baby. But no matter what happens between your dad and me, please understand that we will always love you and Akshara, okay? Our love for you both will never change." Her words were filled with love and sincerity, aimed at comforting her son in this uncertain time.
Aryan looked up at Amrita, his young eyes wide with a mix of concern and understanding. He nodded slowly, taking in her words. "Okay, Mumma," he replied softly.
Amrita gave him a tender smile and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "That's my brave boy," she said, her heart swelling with love for her son.
Aryan returned her smile, finding comfort in his mother's assurance.
Amrita continued, "Now, let's get you ready for the day, alright? We have a special day ahead of us, and you don't want to keep your sister waiting."
Aryan's face lit up as he remembered the plan to see their dad. "Yes, Mumma, I want to see Daddy!" he exclaimed.
________
Walking into the café, Advait's eyes immediately found Amrita, Akshara, and Aryan. Akshara couldn't contain her excitement and rushed into his arms. Advait swept her up, holding her close.
Akshara examined his face with a concerned expression and said, "Daddy, you have dark circles."
Advait chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. "Princess, we only need to worry about that if I start looking like a panda," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Aryan held tightly onto Amrita's hand, feeling a mix of shyness and hesitation. Amrita, sensing his reluctance, gently nudged him to go towards his father. But instead of letting go, Aryan clung even tighter to her hand.
Advait, noticing the concern in Amrita's eyes, decided to approach Aryan slowly, getting down on his knees to be at the same eye level as his son. With a warm smile, he asked, "Aryan, how are you?"
Aryan's eyes widened at the unexpected question from his dad. He turned abruptly and began to run away, his little feet carrying him as fast as they could.
"Aryan!" Amrita screamed in alarm and immediately started running after him, her heart pounding with worry.
Suddenly, a crowd began to gather around Amrita, causing her to feel overwhelmed. People approached her, showering her with compliments and praise.
"Amrita, you're an amazing singer!" one person exclaimed.
"I loved your performance in the latest movie!" another chimed in.
A little girl even asked, "Can I get an autograph?"
Amrita, feeling increasingly anxious and worried about Aryan, tried to navigate her way through the crowd. People continued to approach her, asking for pictures and autographs, and the flashing cameras added to her stress.
Seeing Amrita's distress, Advait stepped in. He gently placed an arm around her, his voice calm yet assertive. "Please, we're having a family conversation. Could you give us some privacy?" he requested politely, hoping to create a barrier between the eager crowd and their family moment.
"Stop shooting," Advait urgently exclaimed, covering the lens of the phone that someone was using to record their encounter.
With Amrita and Akshara in his embrace, Advait guided them out of the cafe, their exit followed by a few persistent onlookers from the crowd.
Amrita, still holding Akshara close, spotted Aryan with their driver and rushed over to him. She hugged him tightly, her worry evident in her voice as she scolded gently, "I've told you a million times not to run off like that, Aryan."
Aryan, nestled in his mother's arms, nodded in understanding.
With a firm grip on Amrita's forearm, Advait gently urged her to her feet, his protective instincts kicking in as he surveyed the crowd. "Let's go," he said, his voice conveying a sense of urgency.
Amrita nodded in agreement, her eyes still fixed on the crowd that had caused their family moment to be disrupted. She held onto Aryan and Akshara, guiding them towards Advait's car.
Advait instructed Amrita's driver to take her car home, ensuring that they would be safe. With Amrita, Aryan, and Akshara securely in his vehicle, he started the engine and carefully navigated through the bustling streets, eager to put the unexpected incident behind them and focus on their family's well-being.
As the car moved away from the cafe, Akshara, still shaken from the recent events, started to cry. Her distress was evident in her tears and sobs, but Amrita, ever the loving and comforting mother, pulled her close and whispered soothing words.
"Akshara, it's okay, sweetheart. Nothing happened, and everyone is okay," Amrita whispered gently, cradling her daughter in her lap. She stroked Akshara's hair and held her close, providing the reassurance and comfort.
As Advait looked into the rearview mirror and saw Akshara crying, his heart ached for his daughter. He had always had a special affection for her, and seeing her in distress tugged at his paternal instincts.
Watching Amrita comforting Akshara in that moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for the amazing mother she had become. He remembered the days when Amrita had been pregnant, her anxiety about motherhood reaching overwhelming levels, especially when they found out she was expecting twins.
During those moments of panic, Advait had always been there to reassure her and offer his support. But Amrita, overwhelmed by her own doubts and fears, would sometimes dismiss his comforting words with tears in her eyes, saying, "You don't know anything!"
Now, seeing her handle their children with such grace and love, he knew without a doubt that she was an incredible mother, even if she had once doubted her own abilities.
Advait couldn't help but notice Aryan holding onto Amrita's dupatta and looking out the car window. It was a familiar sight for him – Aryan's close bond with Amrita had always been evident. Recently he started noticing a gap between him and Aryan,because Amrita and Advait were now living separately, it had created a distance between Advait and his son, Aryan.
They parked the car outside an ice cream store, and Advait turned to the back seat with a smile. "Shall we get ice cream?" he asked, his eyes on Akshara.
Akshara's eyes lit up with excitement, and she blinked with a big smile. "Yes!" she exclaimed.
"Go ahead," Amrita encouraged, opening the car door to get out. Aryan followed suit, immediately holding onto Amrita's hand as they walked into the ice cream shop.
Inside the ice cream shop, Akshara and Advait were at the front, sampling the various flavors. Akshara, with her spirited nature, grabbed Aryan to join her in the tasting. Soon enough, the twins were engaged in a playful argument about which ice cream flavor was the best.
Advait, still wearing a smile, came to sit across from Amrita at a table. Amrita looked at him with a hint of concern and said, "I don't know what happened to Aryan; he was really excited about meeting you."
Advait sighed softly and replied in a quiet tone, "It's okay. I've noticed a distance between us for a while now. When he comes over to stay, he doesn't talk much." He paused, his gaze filled with a mix of understanding and regret.
Amrita nodded, her own understanding of the situation mirrored in her eyes.
Advait looked at Amrita, concern and curiosity in his eyes as he asked, "How are you?"
Amrita met his gaze and nodded with a warm smile. "Good," she replied softly.
"Good," Advait echoed, but he seemed somewhat distant, avoiding direct eye contact.
Amrita couldn't help but chuckle at the awkwardness of the moment. "I think this is the longest we've gone in a while without arguing," she observed, her laughter carrying a hint of relief and camaraderie.
Advait's lips curved into a small, appreciative smile as he considered Amrita's observation. "You're right," he admitted with a nod. "It's been a while since we've had a peaceful moment like this."
There was a hint of nostalgia in his voice, a longing for the harmony they had once shared.
_________
They spent the entire day laughing, playing games, going to the movies, and picnicking under an oak tree in a park. As night fell, they gathered around the dining table for board games, basking in the warm glow of a table lamp.
As the day came to an end, they all sat around the dining table, enjoying a meal of pizza. Amrita slowly nudged Advait, her gaze shifting between him and their eight-year-old twins, Akshara and Aryan.
Advait cleared his throat and exchanged a somber glance with Amrita. Then, taking a deep breath, he began, "Akshara, Aryan, we need to talk to you about something important."
The twins, their faces still smeared with pizza sauce and their eyes bright with curiosity, looked up at their parents, sensing the seriousness in the air.
Amrita took over, gently wiping Akshara's and then Aryan's face with a napkin her voice gentle but tinged with sadness. "You know how sometimes grown-ups have to make very difficult decisions? Well, Daddy and I have been fighting a lot, and we've realized that we're better off as friends rather than being married."
Akshara and Aryan exchanged glances, their young minds trying to process the news. Finally, Aryan spoke up, his voice trembling slightly. "Does this mean you won't be living together anymore?"
Amrita nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, sweetheart. Your dad and I won't be living in the same house, but we both love you and will always be your parents."
Akshara, overwhelmed by the news, suddenly burst into tears and ran to her room. Witnessing her daughter's distress, Amrita's own tears began to flow, mirroring her daughter's sadness.
Aryan, seeing both his mother and sister crying, rushed to Amrita's side. He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting hug, Amrita hugged him back.
Aryan, in a soft and reassuring voice, whispered, "Don't cry, Mumma. Akshara will understand."
Advait was torn between consoling his upset daughter and the pain of seeing Amrita cry. He had promised himself never to make Akshara cry, and her distress tugged at his heart. At the same time, witnessing Amrita's tears, the woman he had shared so much of his life with, was equally heart-wrenching.
Advait, with a heavy heart, approached Akshara, who was hiding in her pink tent. "Akshara," he called gently.
"Go away," she responded, her voice choked with tears.
"Akshara, don't cry. Come here," Advait whispered softly.
Akshara emerged from her tent, her face stained with tears, and embraced Advait tightly, crying out, "Daddy! Don't go."
"I am not going anywhere," Advait assured her, returning the hug. He continued, "Mama and I won't be living together, but I will always be there with you. We both will, always."
With whispered promises, Akshara gradually calmed down and eventually fell asleep in Advait's comforting arms.
As Advait gently placed Akshara into her bed, Amrita entered the room, holding Aryan in her arms. Silently, they settled the twins into their beds. Amrita left the room, leaving Advait alone with their children.
After a few minutes, Advait emerged from the room, ready to leave. Amrita walked him to the door. Just as he was about to leave, he turned to her with concern in his eyes and asked, "Amrita, are you okay?"
Amrita nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "We knew this was going to happen," she replied.
Advait nodded, and after a brief pause, he said, "I will see you tomorrow," followed by, "in court."
Amrita nodded in acknowledgment, her heart heavy with the impending legal proceedings. As Advait departed, closing the door behind him, Amrita rested her head against the door, with a few tears escaping her eyes.
Advait stood before the closed door, his hand poised to knock once more. However, he hesitated, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty, before finally turning away and walking off, leaving the door unopened.
___________
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