43~ The Completed Puzzle
"Akriti, have this coffee at least", I repeated forwarding a mug of coffee. She shook her head and sniffed. Since morning she has been crying uncontrollably. We woke up early and there are three hours to go for mom's surgery.
"I don't want anything", she sobbed, hiding her face in her palms. I took a deep breath and sat beside my wife who was crying and that was piercing my heart.
I hate seeing Akriti like this, I always want her to smile and be happy.
I don't know how to react here in this case because she is attached to her mother deeply and if something happens to her mom, she won't be the same.
I removed her hands from her face and came face to face with her teary eyes and wobbling lips. It broke me to see her like this, she doesn't deserve any of this. Life has been cruel to both mother and daughter and they are not ready for any more pain.
Her eyes held pain which she conceals everyday. She always hides her turmoil but today I am seeing her raw emotions. She has been through a lot and I wish I could erase all the pain from her life.
I cupped her cheek and said, "She will be fine, don't think negatively".
She brought her hand on mine and intertwined our hands, her tears continuously flowed out of her beautiful eyes. Gently, I brought my other hand on her waist and pulled her closer. She instantly hid her face in my chest and sobbed.
I felt my shirt getting drenched with her tears but at the moment I cared less. She needed someone to hold her and that was me. I rubbed her back soothingly and requested , "Akriti don't cry".
She sobbed louder, increasing my misery that I was unable to make her stop crying. Not able to do anything, I sat there with my wife in my arms who just cried.
I don't know for how long we remained like that but when we detached she held my hand in a strong hold and murmured, "Promise me, you won't leave me ever".
"I would never", I affirmed and she looked up with her teary eyes. She cupped my cheeks and said, "I love you".
That was the first time she said I love you consciously. When she confessed, she was angry, she never said these three words willingly but today she is.
"I love you", I whispered back and she smiled weakly. With a tired sigh she kept her head on my shoulder and as a reflex, I supported her tiny frame.
"Surgery will be successful", I murmured but instead of giving her assurance, I was feeling I was giving myself false hope. For some reason, I feel like something is going to happen today and that will leave a drastic effect on our already messed up lives.
"I don't know Adhyay what will happen today", she said. Pain was evident in her broken voice. She wasn't confident like she always is, her voice, her eyes held immeasurable agony which I can't describe in words.
"Let's think positively", I said and she looked up with uncertainty. We both are uncertain about what has to happen today but one thing I was certain was that we will overcome this new hurdle together.
With a subtle nod she said, "She is only my family, I can't afford to lose her". My heart ached as I saw her pouring her heart down to me.
"She didn't deserve what life did to her, first that asshole then this. Can't life be easy Adhyay?", she asked in a broken voice. I took her hand in mine and said, "Akriti, everything will be good".
She sniffled and cried, "When? Why don't my problems end? I am getting tired of all of this. I didn't have a father and now my mom? What will I do without her? I won't be able to live".
She sobbed looking at me with so many questions in her eyes and I helplessly tried to find a way to console her.
"Only I am at fault, wherever I go, destruction follows. It was because of me why my father left, it was me who was responsible for my mum's colourless life, if she had chosen him instead of me-
"Shut up Akriti, don't utter such things", I yelled, stopping her from saying irrelevant, stupid things.
Why does she always think so low of herself?
Why can't she understand that she is a blessing in her mom's life, in my life.
She has made my life beautiful but she thinks she is the cause of destruction?
"It is true, you will know. After some years, you will leave me like everyone else does", she cried and hid her face in her palms. I would die before I leave her.
After so many years I have gotten her and now how can I leave the person whom I love the most?
How can I leave a person who is my soulmate and who is meant to live with me till the end of the world? How can I leave her when I know that we both belong together?
I forcefully made her look at me and said, "I am never leaving you, not today, not ever. You and I are tied for eternity and I swear I won't leave even if you want me to. Wherever you go, I will follow you because I love you more than you know".
She nodded and threw her arms around me. I kissed her hair and softly cradling her closer, I whispered, "Don't cry or else I will tickle you".
She giggled rubbing her nose and replied, "I will tickle you back, you cuddly monster".
I finally smiled seeing her giggle and tapped her nose. "You will lose", I stated.
"We are a team, remember? If I lose, you lose too and if you win, I also win", she said, making my heart swell with profound happiness. I nodded and cupped her soft cheeks.
"A strong team, no matter what happens today, I will be there to hold you.
I want you to know that you are not alone Akriti.
You have me with you. Your mom will pass this test too, you both are the strongest women I have ever met.
And I am sure that bright days are approaching.
You have just this storm to pass and I will support you", I softly said.
She nodded with a smile and clasped our hands together.
"Thankyou for everything Adhyay, I don't know how to thank you enough. All of this means a lot to me, when no one stood by my side, you did and till date you are. Sometimes I feel that you deserve someone much better than me, why did you choose me?", she asked.
I smiled and kissed her forehead. She sometimes asks silly questions.
Even if I had millions of choices, I would choose her every time in every life because I am nothing without her.
She is the reason why I started believing in love in the first place, she is my first and will be my last. The only woman I have ever dreamt of is her and she always will be.
"Akriti, you are unique. Everything you do is for a big motive.
It's not just love, I am inspired by you.
You are my inspiration and you give me strength to do something new.
You won't believe but I learnt so much for you.
I love your confidence but self doubt is what I dislike about you.
I love how you know how to take a stand for yourself.
That is what makes my love for you deeper", I replied with a smile.
"Adhyay, you inspire me", she countered.
"Let's just settle with the fact that we both complete each other", I replied with a grin. She giggled and answered, "We do".
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