Akshadh's POV
Dhiya looked at me shockingly. What?? sinner!! What have you done to that poor family Akshadh?
I hold my tears in my eyes and pain in my heart.
"On that day, I reached the U.S and as usual I went to my friend's home. They welcomed me and we had fun times together. My friend and I visited this same orphanage for many times before. My friend started this orphanage 6 years ago and after my friend's death the orphanage was under the control of Mr.John who is the younger brother of my friend....." I stopped in between as I can't control my emotions.
"What? Sorry to know that your friend is not alive. If you are not comfortable to share, no need any information regarding it, Akshadh. I will do everything as what you say in the case of Allen. Don't worry about it," said Dhiya
"Days shall pass but his death is still in front of my eyes. His memories call me often to the U.S," I exhaled a deep breath out and continued, "On that day night, we planned to go out. Each one came up with different decisions and finally, my friend picked up my suggestion to go to a restaurant to have dinner night. I planned a surprise treat for Allen there because after a week her second birthday would come and I would be in India at that time. After sometimes later, we reached the restaurant there. I could see the happiness in my friend's and his wife's face because they felt my happiness as there's too. His wife Manvi, she is equal to my own sister. She never ever blamed me to him and she adjusted all our atrocities. She wished me to get married soon so that she would get an equal companion (she meant my wife to give her company, when my friend and I together made tactics) She arranged a marriage match for me in India"
"I never think even in my dreams that this worst painful incident would happen in our life. Without knowing that we enjoyed parties, late-night dinner, surprises, treats etc. We took lots of photoshoot at that time together with Allen baby. After completing everything, it was about 3 a.m and I was about to return from there. My friend asked me to stay in Restaurant till morning but I refused to stay because I got an urgent call from my P.A to come back to India. The airport is far away from the restaurant so only if I departed from there as early as possible would get the first flight. I requested my friend that I need to go immediately, then he and his family also together accompanied with me. I asked them to stay in the restaurant but they refused to stay without me. My friend drove the car, Manvi sat beside him. Allen and I were in the back seat. Due to the hectic time schedule, my friend drove the car fastly. He was about to take the straight path but I asked him to take the shortest distance path without knowing the tragedic incident that was about to happen. Till that minute we had smiled in our face by talking random stuff. Within a few seconds, the truck which was coming opposite to the car crashed ours and our car turned upside down. Only I could hear a big sound and it was a major accident. The truck went without stopping. We couldn't come out of the car as it was turned upside down. Each and every worst scene that happens on that moment was in front of my eyes," I said with wiping my teardrops in the corner of the eyes.
"My friend somehow tried and came out of the car. He didn't even see whether his wife or his daughter is alive instead he called my name, "Akshadh, Are you Okay? Try to give your hand. I will take you out" said my friend. Tear drops wetted my eyes as I remembered the last few words of my friend.
I held Allen baby in my hand and gave my hand to my friend. He took us out hardly. I was shocked to see my friend. He got injured deeply. Blood is oozing out from his forehead. Allen was lightly injured as she was in my hand, I held her tightly. Then without the delay, we both took Manvi from the car. She was in a very critical situation her leg bones were get fractured. My friend and I cried by seeing her situation and she was about to faint.
Her lost words to her husband, "I am sorry my dear. I have a dream to live with you for many years but I never expected that my life would end this earlier. I miss you,"
Her lost words to me, "Akshadh, you are equal to my brother. I saw a marriage match for you Akshadh but my bad luck couldn't able to see your wedding. Takkkkeee care...e.. of myyyyy husssbandddd and Alllllleeennnn...............," She fell in my friend's chest speechlessly, breathlessly. She passed away. I am unable to console myself and my friend. We cried and at least I need to save my friend and his daughter.
There was no one to help us, I called the ambulance immediately. My friend held his head tightly by his palm., "I am very sorry Robert because of me this incident happened. Will God forgive me? No never!! How would I see your face, Robert? I am sorry!!!"
"Akshadh, There was no use for me to get treatments. I was dying slowly. You are also deeply injured. Take care of yourself Akshadh. Shall I ask you one thing, Akshadh? Will you do it for me?" He asked painfully.
"I won't allow anything to happen to you, Robert. I will do anything for you, Robert. Don't worry. I can't control my tears and Don't tell such big words....You should order me as what to do Robert?"
He showed a small smile. He held my hand tightly and fell in my lap. I held Allen in one hand and my friend's head in another hand, he said, "Akshadh, don't leave my daughter alone. She is our little princess. I knew it is a big deal but with full rights, I am asking you Akshadh,......" he continued and I stopped him in between. I can't see my friend's struggling in words while asking help to me. He is the man of social service. He owned many orphanages but fate made him ask help to me.
"Robert, don't worry. I will never allow anything to happen to you. Also, don't worry about Allen. I always treated her as my own daughter and it continues..." I said holding his hand.
He smiled and slowly closed his eyes...
"Robert!!!! Robert!!!!!!!!!!" I shouted and shooked his body. I punched his heart to get heartbeat again but of no use. He passed away leaving us. The poor child Allen was in my hand. As my friend's wish, I decided to have Allen as my baby.
"A few seconds later, the ambulance came and reached the hospital. After completing all the formalities the bodies were handed to Mr.John. On the other hand, treatment was going on for Allen. She crossed the critical stage but she lost her memory. Allen remembered only two words, one is Daddy and other is Mumma. The doctor introduced me as her daddy. Her subconscious mind accepted me as her daddy easily as my face was familiar to her though she forgot everything. Also, she was affected by Xenophobia (fear of strangers) due to that accident shock. She didn't respond to further treatments. I often came to the U.S to see her there was no improvement in her health,"
The doctor said, "Akshadh, we tried our best. Due to Xenophobia, Allen got scared of seeing strangers and she would faint within a few minutes. It is not good for her health. She accepted Mr.John too. As I said already, she didn't respond to further treatment. Hopefully, if she meets her mumma, there is a chance to proceed with further treatments."
"Mumma!!!! What shall I do for it, sir?" I asked him confusingly.
"She accepted Mr.John right, sometimes there was a chance of accepting anyone of her relatives as her Mumma. Try for it Akshadh,"
I talk about this to Mr.John and we arranged a few ladies from his family to act as her Mumma but everything went in vain. Allen refused to accept them and her condition became very critical after that due to Xenophobia. She never even allow doctors to proceed with the treatments. For her goodness, we took her to the Orphanage. Mr.John will take care of her. We were at the most confused state of what to do next and at that time only you came in our life and we never imagined that Allen would ever accept you as her Mumma. For God's sake, you did this help to us and I am always grateful and thankful to you Dhiya,"
The life of two lives was lost because of me. I have the guilt until today. What will I do to console me? The only way is to look up Allen as my own daughter and I have a hope that she will become normal soon.
"Cool down Akshadh!! The worst incident that shouldn't have happened but it is not your fault. It is the decision of fate. Don't worry, I will be with you and Allen throughout her recovery. I thank God to be a part of this. Definitely, Allen will get well soon,"
"Thanks for understanding, Dhiya"
"Stop saying compliments Akshadh, I have something in my mind and hope you will understand my feelings. Shall I tell you what is in mind if you don't mistake me?"
"Ok Dhiya!"
I never expected that Dhiya would say these words to me. I don't know what to react at this moment. I am in mixed feelings but feels happy too...