Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Akshadh's POV

"For God's sake, you both have arranged engagement before the wedding. At least stop the wedding now. I can't marry and love her in my lifetime," I said in high pitched tone.

"Anna, Don't you know her before itself ?" He asked shocking me.

"What the hell are you talking?" I stared at him furiously.

My mom who is witnessing everything interrupted, "Akshu, I told you already about the marriage match. This match was not seen by me, It was seen by Maanvi before her death. Did she tell anything about the marriage proposal before her death? Just think for a minute, Akshu "

Flashback

Maanvi repeated many times before that she would see marriage match for me but I didn't take seriously.

Her lost words to me before her death, "Akshadh, you are equal to my brother. I saw a marriage match for you Akshadh but my bad luck couldn't able to see your wedding. Takkkkeee care...e.. of myyyyy husssbandddd and Alllllleeennnn...............," (In Tragedy chapter)

Her words echoed again," I saw a marriage match for you Akshadh but my bad luck couldn't able to see your wedding,"

Yes, she told me but the tragedy affects me a lot and I didn't take those words to my heart. The only thing that pierced in my heart is, "Takkkkeee care...e.. of myyyyy husssbandddd and Alllllleeennnn......" I am taking care of Allen as like my child. Thinking of Allen tears cornered my eyes. Let me live for my Allen, I don't need anyone in my life.

Flashback ends

"Yes maa, I remembered but I thought that you would ask me before choosing a match for me," I said instantly.

"Akshu, Maanvi told about Janu's character and send Janu's photo to us before her death. I liked her before seeing her in the photo itself because we trust Maanvi a lot. In the same way, Mannvi informed about you and our family to Janu's family. They too liked us a lot but the fate played in between. After their death, I totally quit this marriage proposal. Before a week, when you are in the U.S, Janu's family came here to renew this marriage proposal. We didn't plan it before years everything happened just a week before Akshadh. Don't mistake us"

Flashback

Before a week

"Is it Akshadh's sir home?" A middle-aged couple asked from outside pointing our home.

Siddhu and I welcomed them in the home. At first, they hesitate to talk. Knowing that I asked them to speak out whatever in their mind and their purpose of visit.

They started asking, "Where is Akshadh sir?"

"He went to the U.S for a conference. Anything important is there to discuss to him?" Asked Siddhu giving them juice.

I gestured him to be quiet.

"We are here to discuss the marriage proposal. If you don't mind shall we proceed," the man said slowly.

I nodded because I don't want to stop them as they feel it as an insult. They seemed like they belong to be a decent and respectful family.

"Before three years back, my daughter Janu's friend Maanvi told about Akshadh and your family to us. We were happy about the proposal and my daughter liked this proposal a lot. After Maanvi's death, we don't know how to contact you? So we stopped at one point. After that, we started seeing other matches for my daughter and she rejected everyone for various reasons. Finally, one day she confessed that she started liking Akshadh and she can't change her mind. We have no reason for rejecting her feelings so we decided to talk to you. As Akshadh sir is a popular one, we found the address easily and came here to get the good news from you,"

I was shocked at first and felt happy to meet them.

"Ok, sir. Mannvi told about your family before. Yes, I am happy to make your daughter as my daughter in law. I will inform this to my son and I will contact you as soon as possible,"

"Ok thank you. We are very happy to get a relationship with your family,"

Sometimes later, they left.

On that day I called you. (Chapter: Confused Akshadh)

"Amma (Mother)"

"How about you, Akshadh?" I asked happily.

"I am fine amma. How about you & brother?"

"We are fine here, Are you busy, Akshadh? Did I disturb you?" I was about to tell the marriage proposal to you.

"No amma, you called me at the correct time. Allen's health is getting improved and now she is going to proceed with Xenophobia treatment. I was very much confused about what to do next?" You was not ready to hear anything from me because you were very much confused on that day and fully occupied with Allen in your mind so I don't want to add this marriage proposal to you.

"Happy to know about Allen. At least then, may Robert's and Manvi's soul rests in peace. Akshadh, don't worry about it depending on Allen's decision we shall think further,"

"Yes! You are right Amma. I am very much relaxed now,"

"Ok, Akshadh,"

"Then,"

"Nothing, Bye! Take care," I said and disconnected the call.

I have waited for your call since that day but you didn't call me. I thought you were busy with all works there and with Allen. I don't want to disturb you, Akshu.

Three days later, I got a call from Janu's parents as we exchanged phone numbers that day.

I picked up the call. They greeted me and I greeted them back.

They come to the point "Did you talk to Akshadh sir?" Janu's dad talked on the opposite side.

"Nope, I don't get the chance to talk about this," I said bit worriedly.

"On coming Monday, Akshadh and Janu together are going to receive the service award," he said happily.

"Is it? I am happy for them. God already put them together," I said wondering.

"Why can't we exchange the rings on that day after the function? Then we shall fix marriage date later," he said slowly making me think a while.

Why should I extend the good time? As Akshu told before that he never stood against my happiness and my happiness meant a lot to him. Also, this marriage alliance was set by his close friends, definitely, they would do good to him and he never deny their words. How would he deny if that was their last wish? Even after their death, he is taking care of Allen. Definitely, he will be happy, if he came to know that Maanvi had chosen Janu for him.

Flashback ends

I knew mom called me that day to say something important but she disconnected without saying after knowing my tension regarding Allen's health. After that, I didn't call her. It was my mistake, though I realised that mom called for a reason but I ignored. If I have known this proposal before itself I would have stopped it. Every way in my life was blocked. I sighed.

"I gave my assurance to that family thinking you would never disobey my words," she said worriedly coughing in between.

"So, what do you want me to do now?" I questioned her back as I knew my words would hurt her a lot but I am unable to control it.

"Do as you wish Akshu? It is my mistake thinking you would never stand against me. If I knew your stubbornness before itself, I would have cancelled everything. Now, the poor girl Janu would have to get hurted if you cancelled everything," she said in a frustrated sigh.

"Oh! That poor girl Janu matters you more than me, right maa? I have feelings and emotions maa. I can't love her maa. If I marry her, her life would get spoiled because of me. So, please stop everything. I am sorry for putting your reputation down and for disobeying your words," I said moving close to her.

She closes her eyes slowly and lost her balance. I grabbed her tightly from falling and held her in my arms. I tapped her cheeks but of no response "Maaa...Amma...Bring water sidddhuu...." I shouted