Part 2

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Akshara shook her head, blushing at her husband's antics. She quickly removed the makeup and brushed her hair. She picked up all the jewellery he had spread around while seducing her. At last she picked up the nose pin, shuddering as she recalled their proximity.

She got out and put all the jewellery away safely. Then, she took a simple kurti and leggings out of her small bag. She looked up and saw her reflection. Her cheeks were still red like roses.

Akshara: Uff! (cups her face) tera hi pati hai Akshu, kb tk blush karegi!

She scolded herself. A pair of arms enveloped her from behind. Akshara twisted her neck to see Abhimanyu smiling at her with a playful look.

Akshara: don't say a word!

She pouted, knowing her husband must have heard that she was super flushed thinking about him.

Abhimanyu: Jaisa tum kaho..

Akshara: Aur tum gaye nahi?

Abhimanyu: Ab mai kahin nahi jaunga...humesha tumhare pass hi rahunga..

Akshara: Lekin room to jaoge na..

Abhimanyu: Akshu pehle tum change kr lo...kuch dikhana hai...surprise hai..

Akshara: (excited) really!? Dikhao...

Abhimanyu: Pehle change toh kr lo...

Abhimanyu gulped as he saw her just in her blouse and lehenga-skirt. She was really testing his control!

Akshara pouted like a baby denied candy but turned and headed to the bathroom to change. A few second later, Abhimanyu heard a whisper shout.

Akshara: Abhi!!

Abhimanyu: Kya hua??

Akshara: Aao na..

Abhimanyu: wow!..I mean..uhem! sure..

Akshara: Aisa waisa kuch nahi hai...kaam hai..

Abhimanyu went near the bathroom door. Akshara opened the door and pulled him in.

Abhimanyu: OOooo...to ye baat hai...mere methidane ko romance soojh raha hai...

Akshara: No romance! Kuch atak gaya hai..

Abhimanyu: (frowns) kya?

Akshara: (looks to the side) vo.....vo mere blouse ka na hook atak gaya hai...aur peeche mera haath jaa nahi raha...

Abhimanyu: Bs itni si baat..

He turned her. Her deep back and bare waist underneath the little fabric of the blouse invited him. He licked his dry lips. Akshara, as if reading his mind, gave a quick warning..

Akshara: No funny business!

Abhimanyu: Akshu! You are my wife now..

Abhimanyu retorted. He ran a finger on her bare skin and saw the goosebumps appear. His own forehead was starting to sweat a little. He slowly opened up the hooks. The blouse parted slightly and came loose. Akshara put her hands in front of her chest to keep the blouse in place and avoid slip ups. She was breathless. This was by far her most intimate moment with Abhimanyu. He slowly turned her to face him but she wasn't meeting him in the eye. He smiled at his blushing bride and held her neck. Putting his thumb below her chin, he forced her to meet his eyes.

Abhimanyu: I love you Akshu! My wife!....You are everything to me...I love you body but it's your soul I crave, what I'd die for!....tumhe mujhse aise sharmane ki zarurat nahi hai, mai aisa kuch nahi karunga jiske liye tum ready na ho...and I respect your and maa's wish to stay away until we reach home..

Akshara's eyes welled up at his words. She hugged him and rested her head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat.

Akshara: I love you too Abhi..

Abhimanyu: (Kisses the top of her head) Mai bahar hoon...jldi ana...

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Akshara came out wearing a light pink kurti and leggings. Abhimanyu helped her fold her wedding attire and kept it away.

Abhimanyu: Akshu chalo...

Akshara: Kahan?

Abhimanyu: Surprise...

Akshara: Ab kya plan kiya hai tumne?

Abhimanyu: maine ye kb kaha ki surprise mera plan kiya hua hai....

Akshara: toh phir..

Abhimanyu: (puts a finger on her lips) shh...ab sawal krti rahogi toh surprise nahi dekh paogi...kuch hi time me din ho jayega aur phir nikalna padega...

Abhimanyu guided her away. He held her hand as they strolled in the empty hallway. After a few minutes, he pulled her in front of him and covered her eyes with his hand. He guided her towards the large room.

Abhimanyu met Kairav's eyes who looked at him with a grateful smile. Earlier, Abhimanyu had noticed he wanted to spend time with her and Akshara too wanted this. Once he had reached Neil's room, he called Kairav and found out about the surprise. Abhimanyu knew he had to arrange for the siblings to meet.

Neil smiled from the corner. Him and Vansh had been helping Kairav to set things up again as he had wrapped up most of it, thinking he would not be able to do this for Akshara now. Abhimanyu removed his hands away from Akshara's eyes and stepped away to join Neil in the corner. It was the siblings' moment and even though Kairav had said that Abhimanyu and Neil could stay for the surprise, they chose to stay quiet in one side to let them have their moment.

Akshara blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted and took in her surroundings. The entire room was lit up in soft fairy light. There were balloons covering almost every inch of the floor. Her eyes went up as hanging from the ceiling were many ribbons, each carrying a precious memory.

Akshara walked around. She saw a lot of her baby pictures with her mumma- Naira. There were pictures of her with her nanu, her whole maternal family that she did not see again for a long time as Goenkas wanted to hide the fact that Sirat wasn't her real mother. She saw pictures of her with Sirat, with Arohi. All her childhood days were captured up beautifully. Then there were more recent pictures; of her wedding rituals too. Kairav had picked all the happiest memories and put them there.

Kairav wiped his own tears as he saw tears pour down his sister's cheeks as she touched each picture. Lost in the memories. He wanted to give this surprise to her before her wedding but the lehenga fiasco and her leaving to get Abhimanyu on the balloon had taken up so much time that he couldn't do it before. He was glad Abhimanyu had respected his emotions and helped him re-plan everything even after elder's disapproval. He even got Neil & Vansh onboard and bought Akshu for this.

As Akshara moved around, lost in memories. Abhimanyu glanced at his lady love. Her face was glowing- making every effort worth it. He glanced at a few pictures and even when he could not see them clearly, he could make a baby's silhouette. He wanted to see them real bad. Yep! He is definitely taking them all.

Akshara took notice of Kairav standing silently, letting her absorb it. She rushed into his arms.

Akshara: Bhaiya!...this is so sweet!...ye saare pictures!!

Kairav smiled.

Kairav: Abhi surprise baaki hai...

He guided her towards a large table where all of her favourite things and memories were kept. Her first guitar, the handmade cards she made him every year and sent from her hostel, few of her favourite toys and a lot of other things. Akshara touched each of them and Kaishu shared those memories- some funny, some emotional but each leaving them with a smile.

Akshara: *hugs* Thank you, thank you, thank you bhaiya! This is the best!!...mujhe bohot accha laga..

Kairav: Mujhe khushi hai...pr mai akele credit nahi le skta... meri pass help thi...

He gestured towards the three men standing patiently. Akshara smiled and hugged Vansh tightly and then Neil. Lastly, she stood by Abhimanyu, gratitude shining in her eyes.

Neil: Bhabhi humara koi credit nahi hai...idea inka hi tha...humne toh bs dubara set up arrange krne me help ki hai..

Vansh: Aur abhi toh best surprise baaki hai meri cutiepie!

Both Vansh and Kairav guided her towards a large couch. They switched off the lights and it became dark. Abhimanyu frowned. He wasn't aware of there being anything other than pictures and memories. Neil wasn't aware either.

Suddenly, Akshara's face got illuminated as a projector came to life and soft music began. The happy faces of Akshara with Kaira and Kairav just a few minutes after she was born came on screen. Her first selfie with her family! She raised her hand in front of her quivering lips- eyes bright with emotions.

Choti si, Pyaari si, nanhi si ek parii...

A video began of Akshara's first moments at Goenka house. Her birth and arrival at the house was very grand. Her feet imprints were taken as she took her first steps into the house in her parents arms. The video progressed and Naira's voice filled in from when she was naming her daughter and decided to call her 'Akshara' after her mother.... Her picking up the musical thing from all the things offered to her at the ceremony.....Akshu in her cradle surrounded by all her brother- Kairav, Krish and Vansh. Even Vatsal was present in the same cradle.

A video of Kartik began- Him singing his 'rap lori' to his daughter while the family laughed. Akshara giggled at it. She felt emotional seeing her parents shower so much love on her- love that was taken away too soon.

The video progressed and a lot of pictures and clips were shared. Of them with Sirat, of Akshu and Aru.......Akshu's first day at Singhania house after finding out about her maternal side.......her first steps into 'Akshara Dance Academy..' ...Them at the Gopi Mask festival, some clips of the ceremonies.

Her whole life was put as a film and every memory was carefully selected. Then one by one messages from her loved ones popped on the screen. First, her Surekha Dadi or Choti maa as she called her along with Luv and Khush chachu & their wives wished Abhira for their new live and expressed regret for not coming. Next, her Gayu Masi and Vatsal appeared on the screen. Vatsal sang for her and then they wished the couple too. Last, was her Naksh Mamu and Kirti bhua with Krishna, Krish and her Nanu. They expressed deepest regret for not turning up. Naitik was not fit to travel long flights anymore and their visa for India had not come. They wished the couple and promised to come to India as soon as they could to congratulate in person. Then the screen went blank.

Akshu! Akshuu...Beta Akshu!

Naira's voice broke the silence.

Akshara: (stands up and looks around) Mumma!

Kairav comes forward and hands her a stuff bear. It had been locked away in Naira's things after she passed away. Kairav had recently come across this when he was going through Naira's things after Akshara's wedding was fixed.

Akshara had never seen it before. She frowned but took it from Kairav. The moment her thumb hit the bear belly- the sweetest voice sang to her heart.

'Mumma ki ankho ke tare...

Kairav aur Akshu sabse pyaare!'

Akshara giggled and so did Kairav- tears pouring out their eyes. They hugged each other. The comfort and warmth that they lost so early in life was found again- in each other's arms.

Abhimanyu wiped tears of his own. He had been silent the whole time as he saw his wife go through a rollercoaster of emotions. He himself felt like he had lived the happiest moments of her life in those minutes. She was so precious to people whom he'd never meet. They would have been like parent figures to him too. He just hoped that wherever they were- they'd be proud of him too as he sent them a silent promise- to take care of their daughter always.

Akshara thanked them all for the surprise. She held the bear close, sniffing it and replaying the audio over and over. Kairav put his hand on her head.

Kairav: Ab tu jaa Akshu...zyada time nahi hai....sb uthne wale honge aur hume dhundenge....ye pictures aur baaki cheeze me bhijwa dunga..

Akshara nodded with a smile and left with Abhimanyu after expressing her happiness again.

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The Goenkas and Birlas had left for the airport as the airport was far from the wedding location. Harshvardhan had strictly guided the four kids to leave on time.

Abhira stepped out. They had not slept a wink but the happiness kept their faces glowing and fresh. Parth and Neil were waiting for them near a car with the rest of the luggage.

Akshara: Chale..?

Neil: Ek second bhabhi...

Soon another car parked next to them. It was decorated in flowers.

Neil: Aap log isme jaiye...

Parth: Haan, saman bohot hai toh do car toh chahiye hi..upar se I'm so tired. I need more seat.

The boys moved towards the first car while winking at Abhimanyu. They left. Abhimanyu and Akshara turned towards the venue one last time- the place where their new life begins from. They sat in the car and as the palace disappeared from the view, they moved forward towards new beginnings.

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New Montage!!!!!!!!!!

I loved Kaishu bits in the show. They never explored it much before and focused on the sisters more. Kaishu's bond was a relief and much appreciated break from Aru-Akshu. Arohi was just smiling in the background- a welcome change! I want all attention on Abhira only for the main wedding ritual at least :)

Next week is Abhira Wedding!! Try watching it on TV for those who can :) If you run a page on IG and post clips of episodes- Just try to not post marriage episode clips before the episode airs on TV. For one week. Just a request. Rest, you do you and enjoy

xoxo