Zalak noticed tear stains on Akshit's cheek.
Akshit (with a smile): Hey
Zalak: Is everything alright?
Akshit: Yeah.
Zalak: To tum yaha kyun chale aaye.
Akshit: Fresh air ke liye bas.
Zalak (with a warm smile): I guess we are good friends. You can share if something is bothering you, right?
Akshit: There is nothing like that. I am all right.
Zalak nodded with a smile.
Zalak's P.O.V.
I should confirm what is his decision about Avni. Like haa, he and Avni separated paths because he was not ready for Hazel's responsibility. But aaj to he and Hazel are close enough. Kya pata kal ko he will decide to patch up with Avni and accept Hazel. Mera Sid to toot jayega.
P.O.V. ends
Akshit (snapping his fingers): Hey?
Zalak came back to her senses.
Akshit: Kaha kho gayi thi?
Zalak: Tumse kuch baat karni thi. It's about your personal life but if you don't mind.
Akshit thought for a few seconds and nodded.
Zalak: Umm... Akshit, I know you and Avni separated your paths as you were not ready for Hazel's responsibility. But now as you and Hazel are close. Maybe you can try to work over it. This way maybe you will be fine with Hazel and you and Avni will be together again.
Akshit shook his head with a sad smile.
Akshit: Pata hai par umm... Zalak haa Hazel aaj close hai mere se. But this is not the love she need. Relative ke baby ko pyaar dena and apne baby ko pyaar dena bahut different hai. Apne bache ke liye jaan dena bhi koi badi baat nahi hai par kisi aur ke bache ko apne bache jaisa pyaar dena. Ye bade dil wale hi kar sakte hai. It's not like mujhe bache nahi pasand ya I won't even try to shower that love on Hazel. I am not prepared for the responsibility of a father. I do feel like main khud bacha hoon. Khud ko sambhalu pehle. Hum khud earn zaroor karte hai but still we are dependent on Mom and Dad for other thousand things. Jaise main office jata hoon to mere uthne se leke office jane tak. Office se vapas aane se sone tak. 100 cheezo ka dhayan mom rakhti hai. Singapore business trip. A to Z mom par depend hoon. I know ye sab count nahi hoti itni. But I believe these are basic responsibilities a person should learn. Aaj jaise main mom par depend hoon kal Avni par rahoonga. Avni mere aage piche ghumegi, apni job dekhegi, Hazel ko sambhalegi? Chalo dheere dheere main apni responsibility seekh bhi loon. Ye to ek normal baat hai but aese aur 100 responsibility hogi. Hazel ke papa was a pro in all these. Main unke samne kuch bhi nahi hoon. Hazel ko kya mere andar vo papa wali feeling 1% bhi milegi? Main hi ready nahi hoon to usko main kaise feel karau?
Zalak: But you know he also learnt all these. Koi bhi by birth pro thori hota hai. Step by step learning hoti hai.
Akshit: True. But jab mere bache honge. I will learn and grow with them. Kahi main fail bhi hua unke sath, it will be papa seekh lenge. Yaha Hazel already experienced hai. Iske samne main kahi fail hua na. It will be like I can't take care of her. Vo apne papa ki kami mehsoos karegi plus I will also be guilty. Hazel needs someone jo uske sath learn karne ko ready ho. Main ye nahi keh raha vo person already experienced hoga. He will also learn but the main thing is dar. Vo dar se ladne ko ready hoga for Hazel. I am ready for it. Hazel uske fail hone par usko support karegi as she will feel ke he is her father. He will learn it for her. Main usko vo feeling nahi de saka to she will feel the burden. Chalo for example I will ask kya tum ban sakti ho Hazel ki maa.
Zalak got quiet. She was in her thoughts. After thinking for a few minutes.
Zalak: Be honest. No... I got your point. Haa uske sath khelna, thori der dhayan rakhna is easy but puri life wali responsibility is difficult. Responsibility le to li josh me what if in future I will fail. Mujhse zyada dukh Hazel ko hi hoga.
Akshit: She shouldn't feel like she is an orphan. But haa humari mistakes usko feel kara degi. You know if chalo main rich person hoon har din Hazel ke liye new new toys leke aoonga, usko fully spoil kar doon and will say this is love. She won't feel this is love. Usko vo feel hi nahi aayegi. Rather I don't even earn a handsome amount but still, I do have genuine care and concern for her. Vo papa jaise protect karna, understanding and support. Pura year one gift na de. Still, she will be happy knowing she has her father beside her. I want someone jo uska papa bane. She should be content with her parents feeling. To yes I am okay to sacrifice my love for Hazel's happiness. I will be beside both Avni and Hazel always but fatherly love is a different thing. I can't be. Sorry.
Zalak (a proud smile): It's okay. You are not wrong in your point. Avni and Hazel ke sath hain hum sab. They will get what they deserve.
Akshit nodded with a smile.
Just then Hazel came running to them.
Hazel: Akshit uncle chalo hide and seek khele. Di come come.
She held Akshit dragging him out. Zalak went behind.
To be continued
Stay tuned for next chapter
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FanfictionIn collaboration with @priyaxsidneet PROMISES and TRUST Precious words on which many relationships stand. Trust is the root of every relationship. Trusting her with his life, he asked for a promise on his deathbed. She gave him her words. She let hi...
