His Doll novel Chapter 71

Read after "Granted Prayer" chapter

After one week

Abhinav's p.o.v

It's been one week since I have gained my senses back and the doctor has performed surgery on my right leg. They have attached a prosthetic leg so that I can walk. My health condition is quite better though my skin was severely burnt and the burn marks are noticeable on my whole body.

Well, I am not upset that my leg was castrated. Because I deserve this. It was the same leg that I used to kick Devika. It's Karma. Whatever I have done with her, for all those sins I need severe punishment and God is punishing me. I am glad about one thing that my children are safe and Devika is also here to take care of them.

After I opened my eyes, Devika and my children are always coming to the hospital to see me. Devika didn't talk to me nor I have any words to say. My sins are so huge that I didn't dare to ask for her forgiveness again. I am grateful to her that she is letting me meet my children.

Right now, Devika and my children are here in the hospital to meet me. My condition is quite better now. After playing with me for some time, my children are sleeping in the hospital bed beside me. In sleep, they all look like small cute angels.

I am now looking at Devika intensely who is looking at her lap without any expression on her face.

 I said to her lowering my eyes," I am sorry, Devika."

" Sometimes sorry can't fill up the void which people creates," She replied sternly.

I asked her," What should I do to earn your forgiveness? I will do everything whatever you will tell me to do."

" Divorce me and free myself from this toxic relationship. You can meet our children at any time and spend your time as much as you want but don't hold me anymore. Only then I will forgive you.," She replied having a hard expression on her face.

 Her eyes are holding anger and somewhat too much hurt.

I stiffed in my place hearing her demand. She is asking for a Divorce. How can I let her go!! I love her.

 She is still looking at me with a blank expression. I said to her almost crying,"  I love you, Devika. Just give me a last chance."

And the next moment she said something which made my heart bleed.

She said sternly," If you love me truly then prove your love by divorcing me. I don't want anything. Just free me from yourself."

I asked her," Is it necessary? Just give me a chance, Devika. I will prove myself."

Tears started coming out of my eyes thinking that she will not be with me.

She said crying," Try to understand. I have never loved you. Actually, you didn't give me any reason or scope to love you. The torments you have done with me can be forgettable for you but it's not forgettable for me."

Seeing her cry I have lost my words. Now, I don't have anything to say. She is right. The injustice I have done with her can't be forgettable for her.

We are silent for some time when my children woke up and started talking with their innocent voice.

Devika said to them affectionately," Cutie pies, it's time for going back. We will come again tomorrow to meet your papa."

"Mamma, I want to sleep with papa," Dipti said hugging me.

I patted her head and said softly," Go with your mamma now. You will not be able to sleep here comfortably. Come again tomorrow sweety."

After convincing my little kids for almost 20 minutes they are ready to leave the hospital with their mother.

Before leaving the cabin Devika turned at me and said giving me a warm smile," Thank you for saving our children. I am glad that you are fine, now."

Then she left the room creating a writhing sensation inside my heart.

She smiled at me! Her smile was so pure and beautiful. I want her to smile always. I can not act like a stubborn person anymore. I can't hold back her anymore. She will be happy without me. I want her happiness and she will find happiness without me. I will divorce her and free herself from me.

After three months

" Bhai, are you sure? Arnav asked me confusingly.

I just nodded my head taking the pen in my hand. My hand is shaking and I am feeling like to not sign the divorce papers. Tears are forming in my eyes but I controlled my emotions. For Devika's happiness, I will do everything.

It's been three months since I am completely fine. In my life, everything is going fine except for Devika and my relationship. I am not finding enough courage to ask for her forgiveness. She talks with me normally whenever I went to meet my children. Yesterday, we both have agreed on this matter that we should sign the divorce paper.

Right now, I and Devika are in front of a lawyer. We are here to sign the divorce paper. After coming here she didn't even talk with me. But, she is looking quite contented.

The lawyer said to Devika," Mrs Agnihotri, it's time to sign on the papers. Are you sure about the conditions that Mr Agnihotri can meet the children anytime he wants?"

" Yes, I am sure. He is my children's father. He has rights on them," Devika said timidly.

I sighed and a sad smile formed on my lips thinking that at least she permitted me to meet my children.

" Are you agree with the condition that you and Mr Agnihotri will take any kind of decisions together for the children?" The lawyer again asked Devika and she nodded her head.

Then, the lawyer told both of us to sign the divorce paper. I signed the paper putting a stone in my heart. I am feeling too much hurt which I can not describe in words. But, I am happy thinking that my Devika will be happy and lead a peaceful life without me.

When the lawyer told her to sign I saw her clutching the pen tightly. I said smiling," Sign the paper, Devika. I will not be a disturbance in your life anymore. You are free now. You are not my doll anymore."

After that, she signed on the paper and I found her smiling. She is looking satisfied. Seeing her smile I am also smiling. Finally, she is happy.

I asked her with a sad smile," Did you forgive me?"

" I forgive you because of letting me go," She said smiling and my heart started beating fast.

I said smilingly," Thank you for accepting my apologies."

She just nodded her head and left the place leaving behind me with my shattered heart.

.

After two Days

At Night

Author's p.o.v

Abhinav is standing in front of a big photo frame. The photo was taken at his and Devika's reception. In the photo, Devika and Abhinav both were smiling and Abhinav was holding Devika's waist.

Abhinav touched the photo and said with a heavy voice," I am sorry, Devika. Because of me, you have to suffer too much."

Then, he rested his head on the photo and said crying," I have always loved you, Devika. I shouldn't have acted like an animal with you. I have destroyed our life with my own hands. I am sorry."

Abhinav is crying and he is feeling like to leave everything. He is feeling like going somewhere alone and spend some time. Devika's thoughts are making his condition vulnerable. He can't get over her.

" Why are you crying now? A lady's voice said and Abhinav turns his head to the door. He found Ruhani ma who is looking at him with a disappointed look.

Abhinav said sitting on his easy chair," I am feeling restless, ma. Her memories aren't leaving me. In this whole room, in my heart, everywhere is Devika."

" you loved her truly? Ruhani ma asked coming forward.

Abhinav said pulling his hairs," I love her more than myself. That's why I have divorced her for her happiness."

Ruhani ma is going to say something when Abhinav said with a heavy voice," I will leave everything. I will leave my house, business..everything. I don't know where will I go. I just can't tolerate all these things. Her memories are torturing me. My patience level is breaking."

" What do you mean you will leave everything? Are you out of your mind? Ruhani ma asked with a stunning voice.

Abhinav stood up from his chair and said having a deep breath," I will divide my every property and give them to my children and siblings name. I can't live here having Devika's memory every time."

" You will leave your children? Your children can't live without seeing your face and you are saying that you will leave everything!! Ruhani ma asked yelling.

Abhinav said hugging Ruhani ma," what can I do, ma? Whenever I go to Devika's house to meet my children I feel guilty seeing her. I feel hurt thinking that she is not my wife anymore.  I am missing her, Ruhani ma. I am missing her."

Ruhani ma is silent. She is also crying seeing Abhinav's condition. She is patting Abhinav's back to console him.

After crying for some time Abhinav left Ruhani ma and said wiping his tears," I will leave everything and everyone. I don't have to worry about my children. Their mother is with them. She will take care of them."

Saying that he sits on the bed like a broken person. He is very disturbed about everything.

" How can you abandon your children? They need their father in their life. Don't act like a child. Be mature," Ruhani ma said cupping Abhinav's face.

Abhinav said crying," I can't, Ruhani ma. I just can't forget her."

" You have to be strong for your children. You have failed as a husband. Now, tell me, do you want to fail as a father also?" Ruhani ma asked Abhinav and this time his children's face is coming in front of his eyes increasing his heart's pain more.

He is still crying hysterically when Ruhani ma said," Prove yourself as a loving father. Prove yourself as the best father in this world and accept the reality that Devika was never yours."

Abhinav took a deep breath and now his subconscious is telling him that Ruhani ma is right. Devika was never for him. She deserves better.

Abhinav hugged Ruhani ma and said crying," I promise you, Ruhani ma. I will be the best father in this whole world. I will always remain strong for my children."

Meanwhile

At Devika's place

Devika's p.o.v

" Mamma, today papa took us to his house. His house is very big and looks like a palace," Devansh said resting his head in my chest.

I asked him pulling his chubby cheeks," Did you like there?

Devansh nodded his head and Drishti asked me curiously," Mamma, I saw a big photo of you and papa in papa's room. You were looking beautiful in that photo. When did you take the photo? Why we are not in that photo?"

She must have seen the photo which is in Abhinav's bedroom. I said smiling," You were not in that photo because you were with God at that time."

"Mamma, why don't we live together? It will be fun if we live together," Devansh asked innocently and I took a deep breath.

I ignored his question and said hurriedly," It's already 11:30 p.m. You both have to sleep now. See, Dipti and Daksh are sleeping like mamma's good children."

" We are also your good children," Devansh and Drishti said in unison. After that, they slept peacefully beside my other two children.

I walked towards the window and inhaled some fresh air. Finally, I am free from that toxic relationship. I am glad to God that he has given Abhinav the sense that we can't be together. We don't belong with each other.

I have forgiven him because of his true regrets and for letting me go. I really feel sorry for that little Abhinav who endured this world's brutality because of my mother. But, I can not forget that beast Abhinav who used to beat me and rape me brutally.

 I took a deep breath and started thinking about everything. About my life, about my children and my future.

" Why aren't you sleeping? I heard Apeksha Di's voice and found her standing beside me.

I asked her smiling," Di, when did you come here? You would have called me."

She said pulling my cheeks," It's ok little sister. I come here to see my little sister. By the way, why were you thinking?"

Curiosity is clearly audible in her voice. I just simply said," Nothing."

" Did you forgive Arnav? He is coming every day to meet you and asking for your forgiveness. Finally, he has understood his mistakes," I asked her with a playful smile.

She said chuckling," That foolish doctor needs some real punishment. And I am punishing him by ignoring him. See, it's 98 number message from him"

She said showing me her phone and I chuckle.

" you love him too much, right?" I asked her and she replied smiling," Indeed I love him. But, he needs to understand the fact that no one can escape after hurting Apeksha Sinha's sister. He will have his punishment until I am sure that he is really guilty."

I chuckled hearing her and she said having a hard expression," But, I am happy that Abhinav Agnihotri has divorced you. That man doesn't deserve a pure person like you."

I said with a slight smile," Di, Don't say like that. He is my children's father. He is not a bad person anymore."

" Whatever!" She said rolling her eyes and I don't say anything further.

" Devika, I almost forget to tell you that one of my friends is interested in you. He was amazed after seeing your photo with me on Instagram," Di said excitedly.

" What? What are you talking about? I asked her being surprised.

" He is the DCP of Lucknow. His name is Vikram Ahuja. He is a good man. He is interested in you even after knowing everything about you. I was thinking to marry off you with him. You deserve a good person like him," Apeksha Di said excitedly and I become shocked.

" Di, without talking with me how can you think to marry off me with your friend? I said being pissed off.

I have just come out of a toxic relationship and now I just want to be alone for some time and brace myself. It's difficult for me to enter into a relationship again. Moreover, I am having trust issue.

She said holding my shoulder," I am not telling you to marry him right now. Try to know him. Go on dates with him. I am sure after knowing him you will definitely like him."

" Di, try to understand. It's very early for me to think about something like that," I said trying to make her understand.

She said holding my hand," Trust your Di. I promise that you will not be disappointed. I want to see you happy."

Seeing her affectionate side and hopeful eyes I can not say no. I said lowering my eyes," Ok, I will meet your friend for once. If I don't like him then you will not force me again like that."

She chuckled and said caressing my cheeks," It's your Di's promise that you will not be disappointed."