APRICITY [Completed] - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

She's cleaning the gas stove when I step into the kitchen.
"Ahm Mrs. Khurana, I was-"
"No," she cuts me.
"At Least give me-"
"No,"
"Surbhi-"
"I said NO. I am not handing my daughter over to you again," she says and the intensity of her gaze steals my words for a minute.
"There hasn't been a day in the past months when I didn't regret what I did," I tell her.
She starts rubbing the cloth vigorously on the stove.
"Does your regret take away her trauma? The scars on her body? Her fear of dark? Tell me. Does it bring back her voice?" She accidentally touches the hot portion of the stove.
"Let me," I say and take her hand. She resists but I pull her to the basin nonetheless. I put her hand under running cold water.
When I see that no serious damage has occurred, I bring her colgate from the bathroom and leave her to it.
I sink into the sofa in the living room.
Do I really not deserve her? She said that she loves me. But she still sleeps with her lights on. And her voice ain't coming back. I've talked to all the doctors. Muskaan passes by the room.
"Ask me anything about her," I say. My voice is so low that it's a miracle she heard it. She stops and gives me the benefit of the doubt.
"Her favourite colour?"
"Green."
"Singer?"
"Shreya Ghoshal."
"Food?"
"Burgers."
"Ice cream?"
"Butterscotch."
"Beverage?"
"Tea."
"Author?"
"Keeps changing. Currently- Elle Kennedy."
Muskaan looks impressed, as if she did not expect me to know all this.
"Stop trying to manipulate didi," Surbhi's aunt stands on the threshold. And the look on her face tells me that she's up to no good.
"No. I'm telling her how I feel," I clarify.
"It was your mother, who could not stay where she was told to be and it is our daughter Surbhi who paid the price," she states mercilessly.
"Please don't bring mom in this," I say through clenched teeth.
"What are you gonna do? Hit me with a belt?"
Her arrow hits the mark and I flinch. "I wouldn't do that."
"Mind you, a bullet will be right through your skull before you even remove that belt. The men in our house still polish their guns. But they don't raise their hands on women to look strong and respectable," she goes on as if I hadn't spoken.
"That's exactly how I plan on treating Surbhi."
"You'll walk out of this house alone."
"With all due respect, that's not your decision to make," I clear the boundary.
"See how he talks," she says to Muskaan.
My eyes meet Muskaan's stony ones. A shudder goes down my spine. I have to win her somehow.
"Pathetic son to a pathetic mother," her aunt spits.
"I said don't bring my mother in this," I shout.
All the members of the family come running. I ruined everything. Surbhi's aunt smirks. I legit ruined everything. I yelled and summoned everyone.
"What's going on?" Everyone asks in their own words.
"Nothing now. Just Vihaan losing his temper," she says.
Surbhi comes running too. I try to catch her eyes but she looks around at the gathered crowd. Finally, she glances at me. Her gaze carries a hint of disappointment. I clench my fists and move towards Muskaan.
"I don't deserve her. But I'm willing to become the man who does," I say. My voice is so low but clear enough for everyone to hear.
"I did some awful things that can't be undone. But I'm ready to make amends."
"I might not have appreciated her once but I do now."
"Surbhi belongs with me and I belong with her."
"I love her," I announce.
Muskaan tries her best to keep her face boring but the life is evident in her eyes.
"Monsters are incapable of loving anyone," she counters.
I extend my hand towards Surbhi and she moves to take it. I pull her closer and lace an arm around her shoulder.
"Does she look unhappy to you? Does she look like she's feeling threatened in my arms?"
Muskaan scans Surbhi from head to toe. Surbhi squeezes my arms lightly and I realise that I'm shaking.
So much is sailing on these few moments.
"No," Muskaan admits.
"I'll swallow my pride and beg every single person in this room but I won't leave without my wife. I love her."
Surbhi raises her chin and looks at me. The earlier expression of disappointment is gone, replaced by pride.
"Isn't the timing awfully convenient given how the news comes exactly when grandpa found a buyer for the house?" Gaurav asks.
"No," this time, it is Surbhi who replies. She tells them everything about my stalking and my moving into her apartment. A series of expressions passes through each member's face.
"I know that it will be hard to believe and accept for you all of a sudden, but I also love Vihaan. And I won't stay away from my husband. I have forgiven him and I believe in our relationship."
"You're forgetting that he just yelled at me," aunt says.
"Because you triggered him, Muskaan speaks in my favour. "I would have been surprised if he hadn't stood up for Aarna."
"For the first month, I want to meet my daughter every week, to make sure everything's fine. For next three months, twice a month and after that, seldom but regular visits," Muskaan demands.
"You have my word," I declare.
"Go on then, you have my blessing," she says with a smile.
Surbhi squeals and hugs her. Muskaan extends an arm towards me too and I hug both of them.
We break the connection and Muskaan speaks.
"You're not alone anymore. You have Surbhi. But if you still feel a void in your life, then fill it with a baby."
"Mom," Surbhi becomes the darkest shade of pink. I playfully nudged her shoulder. She covers her face with her palms and buries her head in my chest. Trying hard not to blush myself, I put an arm around her.
If anyone still had any doubts, then they just got cleared. Muskaan too studies her daughter amused and smiles.
"You are always welcome to stay the night," Muskaan offers and leaves.
"We still have to see how wild your imagination can go," I whisper in her ear. She tries to break into a run but I keep her rooted in place.
"Remember that promise I made you in the park? It's time we make it happen."