The Perfect Rishta : ShefalixAkshara

Akshara and Abhimanyu had the most beautiful, fairytale wedding. Like fairytales, it had a few ups and downs but the ending was magical. However this ending was their happy beginning- starting a new life as partners.

Everyone witnessed the two start living together happily. Abhira's faces would glow and they were always in a good mood, always looking out for each other. At Birla Mansion, nobody had seen a couple that loved and cared for each other the way Abhira did.

One day, everyone was sitting at the breakfast table when Abhimanyu rushed down. Akshara, who was in the kitchen with Manjiri saw this and started to prepare his coffee, just the way he liked it. At the table, their eyes always found a way to each other and the moment they would meet, an involuntary smile would appear on their faces.

Parth Birla was sitting right in front of them and would notice their small acts of love. How Akshara would make sure she gave him an extra serving of things he liked. He had noticed them around the house too. They were really in sync. Akshara spent a lot of time in the kitchen, perfecting everything Abhimanyu liked. She would make sure the staff packed their lunches together so that she could have it with him. He once caught Abhimanyu scolding her because she did not eat on time simply because he was unavailable to eat with her at that time.

Akshara was devoted to her job at the hospital and Abhimanyu but she also tried to be there for everyone in the house. After Abhimanyu, she had the strongest bond with Manjiri- she was really her daughter at this point. She had great tuning with Neil and Nishtha. Even with the elders who were egoistic and mean- she was polite and stayed warm.

He sighed and looked to his left. His wife was sitting with a phone in her hand. Nishtha was trying to get her attention but when Shefali paid none, she turned to Akshara who beamed at Nishtha and urged her to go on. Nishtha grew excited and started telling her about everything. This was a bond he wanted his wife to have with his sister.

After breakfast, Nishtha hugged Akshara and rushed out for school. Neil went out to meet a friend and Manjiri went to the temple. The other senior birlas and Abhira left for the hospital. Parth turned to Shefali and pulled her closer. She smiled at him. Parth traced the outline of her face and held her jaw. She bit her lips and looked into his eyes. Suddenly, her eyes widened. She moved out of his grip and checked the time.

Shefali: Shit! Parth. I am very late! Mai kaise? Oh god! I must leave now..

She rushed to grab her bag and called for the driver. Parth fisted his palm and studied her. She was all bothered about her job but not them!

Parth: Bs kaam kaam kaam...aur koi kaam nahi iske siva?

Shefali: (turned to him confused) excuse me?

Parth: Sahi keh raha hoon mai...aisi kaisi job hai tumhari ? Sara office ka kaam tumhi krti ho kya? Ek chutti lene ka bolo to aise react krti ho jaise kidney mang li ho.. Normal days toh chod do...tum to occasions pr bhi hundred percent attention nahi de skti ghar ho..

Shefali: (rolls her eyes) Not this again! subah subah mt shuru ho jao...

Parth: Meri baat to bakwas hi lagegi...tum jao...

Shefali looked at Parth. She felt angry and frustrated. What would it take from Parth to be a little more supportive? She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself dowm.

Shefali: Parth! This is not how I want to start my day.

Parth: Right because you'd rather wake up directly at your office!

Shefali: What? No! I don't want to start it arguing with you.

Parth: We wouldn't be arguing if you acted a little normal. If you'd just pay attention to me and our house..like-

Shefali: Like?

Shefali fumed!

Parth: Like Akshara. Look at how she makes time for everyone. For Abhimanyu, for her work and for family. When will you learn to balance. Like-

Shefali: Careful Parth! You seem a little too obsessed with Abhimanyu's little wife now..

Shefali spat the words him, cold as ice and left. Her insides however burned like fire!

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Akshara came home early that day. Nishtha's birthday was coming soon and she wanted to throw her the dream birthday her youngest sister-in-law often threw hints about. She sat down at the lawn bench and started to make a list of ideas. She heard some noise and looked up. It was Shefali's car pulling up in the drive way.

Akshara: Bhabhi!?

Shefali turned and saw Akshara with a bright smile. This girl was really a very warm person and always radiated positive energy. Shefali had tried to not let other's words make things sour between her and Akshara but for how long? Slowly, Parth's comparisons were getting to her. She knew it was not Akshara's fault but she hated how her husband idealized her. She put on a fake smile. Akshara was too simple to know the difference anyways!, she thought.

Shefali: Kya hua Akshara? Aaj hospital se jldi?

Akshara: Haan Bhabhi! Aur aap bhi-?

Shefali: Vo mere boss ne kl bohot jldi bulaya hai. Uske liye kuch research bhi krni hai so he asked me to go home and be all prepped for tomorrow..

Akshara: Oh- I am sure aap best hi karogi..

Shefali: (looks at the numerous notes around her) what is all this-?

Akshara: Vo Nishtha ka birthday aa raha hai na...ussi se related hai....maine socha tha ki aap aur mai discuss kr lenge aur phir un teeno bhaiyo ko bhi involve kr lenge...Nishtha ko best surprise jo dena hai..

Shefali: Aur tum mujhe kb batane wali thi ye baat?

Akshara: Vo mujhe khud aaj realise hua ki Nishtha ka birthday aane wala hai...Abhi ke cabin me calendar dekha to waha usne note kiya hua tha...mai to bs yun hi kuch themes dekh rahi thi...pr apka koi bada kaam hai toh hum baad me, ya jb aap free ho...

Shefali: For god sakes Akshara!

Akshara's smiled dimmed a little at her tone.

Akshara: Kya hua Bhabhi?

Shefali: Tumhe lgta hai tum bilkul perfect ho? Kaam, ghar, love life sb maintain kr logi...aur mai useless hi hoon...news flash! Tumhare aane se pehle bhi iss ghar me log rehte they...cheeze celebrate hoti thi...Mai bhi kuch lgti hoon Nishtha ki...tumhe kya lgta hai? Tum aaogi aur ye sb mujhe bina bataye akele karogi taki sbko lage tum kitna pyaar krti ho sbse?...Badi bahu ko dekho sirf career dikhta hai and choti bahu perfect hai bilkul...

Akshara: Aisa nahi hai bha-

Shefali: Save it!

Shefali turned away haughtily and left. Akshara felt sad. She never meant to make Shefali feel this way. She did not even know why Shefali felt such. She collected all the things she had spread and left.

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Later that evening, Shefali was home that early for the first time in many days. She noticed how Akshara guided the house help with work. She had taken charge alongside Manjiri and they truly had a mother-daughter bond. Akshara came near her and offered her a cup of coffee but left before they could exchange words.

Shefali: Mai bhi na. Akshara to bs sbka pyaar pane ki genuine koshish kr rahi hai...maine faltu hi Parth ki baaton ka gussa uspr nikal diya jbki usne toh kabhi mujhe kuch kaha hi nahi...

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After dinner, Akshara was in the kitchen, heating her 'gudhail ka tel' for her hair. Shefali thought she should go and apologize. She was about to approach when she saw Abhimanyu jump in through the window.

Abhimanyu: Akshara Abhimanyu Birla!

Akshara jumped at the sudden intrusion.

Akshara: Abhi...

Abhimanyu: Nahi! ye badi bahi ankhe nahi bacha payengi tumhe.. Mai yahan soch soch kr tension me rehta hoon aur tumhe zara si bhi parvah nahi hai..

Akshara: aisa nahi hai Abhi..

She tried to move closer to him but Abhimanyu moved away.

Abhimanyu: Mujhe tumse koi baat hi nahi krni!!

Abhimanyu scolded her and left. Shefali was shocked. She never thought that the Abhimanyu who was always so smitten by Akshara could talk to her like this when they were alone.

Akshara: Bhabhi?

Shefali came out of her thoughts and noticed that Akshara had moved out of the kitchen and noticed her.

Shefali: Haan?

Akshara: Aap yahan? Kuch chahiye tha?

Shefali: na-nahi..vo.. Good night.

Akshara: Good Night! Kl ke liye all the best..

Akshara started to leave. Shefali stopped her.

Shefali: Ek second Akshara!

Akshara: Ji?

Shefali: Shaam ki baat ke baad bhi tum mujhse aise itne pyaar se kaise baat kr skti ho?

Akshara: Vo bhabhi...koi baat nahi, aap meri badi behen jaise ho.

Shefali: Akshu..now you make me feel guilty. Maine toh mafi bhi nahi mangi..

Akshara: ho jaata hai bhabhi...haq se danta bhi toh apne hi krte hai na...hoga shyd koi kaam ka stress ya kuch aur..

Shefali: Tum sach me bohot sweet ho...

Akshara smiled.

Shefali: Waise ek baat puchu? Thoda personal hai ....bura mt manna please..

Akshara: Puchiye na..

Shefali: Ye Abhimanyu tumpr kyu chilla raha tha?

Akshara: Vo thodi silly baat hai bhabhi...Apke devar ko lagta hai meri bone density bohot km hai and kuch dawaiyan likh di hai mujhe...ab mai kehti hoon ki mujhe nahi bharosa ye faltu dawaiyon pr...pehli baat to koi weakness nai hai mujhe aur dusri baat...hadiyon ke liye gau mata doodh-ghee deti hai na...toh mai ye badi badi goliyan kyu khau?!

Shefali chuckled at her silly explanations.

Shefali: Pr phir bhi..tumhe daanta aur tumne kuch nahi kaha..

Akshara: Bhabhi dant bhi to mere bhale ke liye raha tha na...Haan, mai believe nahi krti...lekin apni samaj se toh vo mera best hi soch raha hai...aur mujhe pata hai, mai abhi room me jaungi na toh mujhe daante ka afsos bhi bohot karega vo...aur ek secret batau?

Akshara lowered her voice for dramatic effect. Shefali shook her head but came closer.

Akshara: Mujhe gussa toh nahi hai pr mai roothne ki acting bohot dhasu krti hoon! Hawa tight hone wali hai apke devar ki..

Shefali laughed at the little devil and her plans.

Shefali: Tum bhi na...zyada tang mt krna mere devar ko! Pr kabhi lga nahi tha ki vo tumhe dant bhi skta hai..tum dono humesha aise perfect lgte ho..

Akshara: Perfect ki koi definition thodi hoti hai bhabhi.....mujhme hi dekh lo na, kitne flaws hai...mai utni bold nahi hoon, kayi baar ladne wali jagah sehem jaati hoon...pr Abhi kehta hai mai uske liye best hoon...and mujhse pucho toh vo mere liye best hai, mujhe mujhse bhi zyada jaanta hai...Koi rishta perfect nahi hota and at the same time ho bhi skta hai- agar do logon ki koshish honest ho...

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Quick Question, Which of the below plots sounds more inviting?

1. Jealous Abhi

2. Pregnant Akshu

Also, do you want these plots lighthearted or a more serious take and incidents involved?

xoxo