Twist in Time

The Truth

"Rosie- Rosie" Akshara trembled, reaching the haveli Her knees gave out as she fell to the floor, "the truth - please I want the truth".

Flashes of Abhimanyu went through her mind.

His touch.

His concern.

His love.

And then flashes of her childhood.

The boy she called her best friend.

The one who she'd made this locket for.

Him?

Akshara had been an orphan child, sent to John and Rosie's orphanage at the age of five when a family friend who had been assigned Akshara's responsibility after her parent's demise had realised they didn't have the means to support her.

John and Rosie had taken in this child, showering her with love and care. Akshara was a quiet child. She was shy. And mostly kept to herself. Too worried that she would create problems in other people's lives after her own had been so problematic.

At the age of five itself, she had wanted the world to swallow her whole. She'd never known family. Too young to have any rigid memories of her actual parents other than brim flashes that ran before her eyes. Ones she had actually blocked in her trauma.

John and Rosie had pampered her, spoken to her. Yet, she remained a shy child.

Until one day, a young little boy started visiting the centre. He took an interest in the little girl who sat in the corner the whole day, gently observing that she retreated from everyone else.

He had decided that day, he would protect her and become her friend. Offering her a snack from the snack box his Mother had prepared, he had found himself gravitating straight to her anytime he visited.

Sometimes she wouldn't talk at all and it was just him.

But slowly, he started to annoy her.

And she started to speak up.

Comfort.

Joke.

Laugh.

He wanted to become her friend

And he had.

Her bestest friend.

When others gave up after Akshara's shy attempts, he persisted.

He had taught her how to be open with people. Because of him, Akshara started to open up to people. Revel in friendships. Trust. All because of him.

And now she was finding out it was the same man she had fallen in love with.

Her Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu Birla.

Rosie watched her inconsolable cries, as every part of Akshara was shaking to its core.

Sighing, Rosie stared at the clock.

It was time.

The truth.

***

Akshara's head lay on Rosie's lap as Rosie began the tale.

"When we opened our orphanage Akshara, John and I were hopeful," she said wistfully staring out at the window as she ran her hands through Akshara's hair. "We wanted to adopt as many children and protect as many of you as possible".

"But neither of us came from particularly wealthy backgrounds, all we had was love, immense love to give, and big dreams. We knew we did not want all the fancy things in life. Just a home for you kids. And the opportunity to give you a life that you had dreamed of."

"We managed on John's salary but there came a day when it simply was not enough and we had many sleepless nights wondering what we could do. We could not let any of you go. But we also were running out of funds to cater for your education, food, and basic necessities, it would be cruel to do this to you all. We counted numerous times for donations. But... seems like the world was turning away." Rosie whispered as Akshara stared blanklessly in front of her, taking in Rosie's words.

"And then one day, I went to the temple, crying and crying for an angel. And she came. In the form of Manjari. Manjari Birla."

Akshara gasped at the name of Abhimanyu's Birla Mother.

"You may remember her... remember, we used to call her choti maa?" Rosie said caressing Akshara's cheeks.

Akshara closed her eyes, trying desperately to remember the memories she had blocked.

And the more she thought.

The more a visual was painted.

Green sari. Beautiful long braided hair. And the smell of jasmine.

Abhi's maa.

Her choti maa.

"Manjari became our sole investor, she had demanded her husband that he buy out the entire foundation and support our every need. They had endless money and it seemed Harshvardan could not care less as long as Manjari was happy."

"And so the days started to blossom Akshu... with the Birlas seeking interest in us, many organisations came back running at our door. And we were able to support everyone's needs. Education. Food. Clothes. Sleeping arrangements. Everything. We even could take more people in. For us, John and I were just doing our dream work."

"And that's where Abhimanyu comes in.... along with supporting, Manjari became a volunteer, bringing in her son to the orphanage twice a week. She had started teaching him the importance of giving back at such a young age."

"Even when he was so little.. he was so taken by you Akshu. You were such a shy child... traumatised by being left behind by so many... besides for John and I.. you would not go to anyone else... you would not speak... or engage... and there was a perpetual cloud. We worried about you most... out of everyone else.. we worried about you."

"But then Abhimanyu came. He never gave up on you. Persisted every time. He would only spend his time with you."

"And one day.... you opened up... you started blossoming... calling him your best friend, even then you were possessive of him and he of you. But I saw the change in you Akshu, even when he was not around... you would talk to other children, you would participate... my child, I saw you trust, I saw you feel safe... I saw you feel happy..."

"And you two were attached by the hip.... in fact, when Manjari would see you... she would joke to me that you were her future bahu... how right she was Akshara" Rosie said consoling the now sobbing Akshara, as memories resurfaced in her own mind.

"When you first came back and I realised what was happening... I wanted to intervene, but somewhere I felt it was not my place, I am sorry my child.. maybe I should have said something. But I worried that after all the havoc that had been created in our lives... there would be more. I mean it when I said all I wanted was for you to be happy Akshara.. all I've ever wanted... and look at the twist in time... here you two are again... bound together because it is kismat"

"Abhi" she whimpered as realisation dawned on her over the chain of events, sobbing for her love.

He had always been her savior.

The love of her life.

Her Abhi.

Her love.

Part 2 of the truth coming up in the next one!! Also in my book, Manjari is not an evil character - sorry! Haha

Thank you for all the love on the previous chapter, waiting to read your comments on this one also!

N x