Part 16- It's messed up bad.

"Enough Ameha. We are not friends. We won't ever be. I hate people living in the city. I hate you too. We are closer to the fields. I will leave now. You can join your daadu."

He went ahead and drove his bike away.

I need to know Akshat. I need to know what went wrong. Why you hate me? What did city did to you? What is with this lake?. She thought to herself.

That night, Ameha could not sleep. She kept tossing around. The next day Akshat didn't workout, left early for work. Ameha was worried now. 

Latika was busy with the chores. 

"Naani, can I ask you something?"

"Aree Chandni beta.. Come here. You don't need to have permission to ask."

"Naani. You know Akshat.. "

"He is a gem. That guy has done a lot for us. Me and your Daadu loves him. What about him? is he okay?"

"He has many secrets Daadi. I am just worried about him. He never lets out his emotions. Do you know the story?"

"Maybe, but its his to tell. Any day if he feels he can confide in you, he will tell you. You have to be patient. He doesn't open up easily.. since.." she paused. "Its his story to tell.

Disappointed, she climbed upstairs to her room. She could see someone on the neighboring terrace. It was dark by then. With glimpse of light, she could see Akshat staring at her room. She was at an angle where she could see him but he couldn't. It was as if he was waiting to get a glance of her.

Chandni opened the door to the terrace. Startled Akshat started to go in.

"Akshat..No use. I already saw you. Wait." She jumped to his terrace. She held his hand and they leaned against the wall.

"You wanna talk?" Ameha enquired as Akshat was confused.

Within little glimpses of light, she could spot his red eyes filled with emotions, tears, which is unexpected out of him.

"Whats wrong? what happened?" She cupped his cheeks.

"I am useless Chandni. I am useless. i couldn't...couldn't save ..." He choked while tears dropped.

He dropped on his knees sobbing. Ameha kneeled down too and hugged him. he hugged her tightly, as tight as he could and sobbed like a baby. She caressed his hair. 

"I couldn't save her Chandni."

"Who?"

"Mom. I couldn't save her."

"What happened to Sarita aunty? Akash didn't tell me anything."

"Not Akash's mom. My mother. Ruchika."

Ameha's eyes widened. She was still confused.

"I.. I.. asked her to go with me to the lake. " he fumbled, choked in between remembering the memories as if it was yesterday.

"I was 10. I was stubborn. I wanted to go by the lake to take bath. Dad wasn't here. I cried. i threw tantrum. We were here for a vacation. I loved my time here, every vacation we used to come here. That day.. I ..I asked mom to take me. I was bathing near the shore but the current in water was different that day, it felt like someone pulled my leg in, the current pulled me in. I didn't know how to swim.. I.. I.. was about to drown.. I screamed. Mom saw me and without thinking for even a second, she jumped in. Hearing our screams, villagers rushed to the place. They could save me but by the time, they could save mom, she ..she..drowned. Its me. I am the reason she is not with us. I miss her. A lot. I don't want to leave this place ever. This is the only place I could feel her. But my mistake made me lose her. I am a loser. "

"Shhh.. this was bound to happen. how could you have known?"

"But if I didnt ask her to go with me. She would have been alive. Dad didn't have to marry again. 

Its not like I hate her, but she can never be my mom. Never." He started sobbing again in her arms.

"Listen Akshat. Listen to me." She cupped his face.

"You are not a loser. Never. You are way too strong to deal with everything. She won't be happy seeing you blaming yourself for this. This was destined. You had nothing to do with it."

"No.. no.. its.." Ameha pulled his face close and kissed him affectionately. He gave in too. 

They devoured each other. Akshat pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Kissing her on her ears, neck, nose. He suddenly pulled back.

"Oh no. I fucked up again. No no..." He got up. Ameha tried to stop him but he had left by now.

Ameha jumped back to her terrace. She stepped into her room when another familiar face stepped in.

"Hi baby. I am back." Akash was standing there with roses & chocolates and a wide smile on his face.