Hi!

So this is a continuation of the first story of this book- 'Missing Manjiri Track'. I asked if I should do a part 3 of this and then kind of fell stuck. Anyways, just a recap- Manjiri had fainted due to fasting and is actually safe. Arohi caused the accident and a dog was injured. She took it to the vet. Arohi felt guilty and as she was applying medicine on Akshara's forehead while pouring out her remorse about this accident and the one on first mehendi ritual, she was heard by Abhimanyu.

Disclaimer⚠: This chapter ended up longer than I intended.

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Akshara woke up the next day feeling extremely light yet heavy. She had slept like the dead, a complete dreamless sleep. It is the best kind. The fatigue had taken over her body but the throbbing pain in her head made it difficult for her to feel completely refreshed.

Arohi: Akshu! Uth gayi tu? Great! Chal ab ye le ..

Arohi walked near her and placed a warm cup of tea in her hands. Akshara frowned and looked at her.

Arohi: Aise kya dekh rahi hai...Mimi se banwaya hai headache ke liye...isse chup chaap pee le...

Akshara's eyes widened a bit. Was she dreaming? Was Arohi- her Aaru, caring for her?

Arohi: Ghoor mt...pee le...aur sun.. (her voice drops) tera sir dard thik hai na?

Akshara nodded a grateful smile and started to sip the tea. It was too bitter for her taste and she personally would have added some mishri to sweeten it but today as it was bought to her by her sister, she had no qualms and sipped the bitter tea with a smile.

..............

Abhimanyu sipped the bitter water in a big gulp. He set down the glass that had been full of methidana water a few seconds ago. Methidana...His Akshu...Everything reminded him of her. She entered his life when he least expected it. Just a random day made special with her melodious voice and he was never the same again. He lives for her, could die for her and she could die for her sister. Abhimanyu felt bitter at that thought.

The girl who was the very purpose of his life had no regards for her own life! This left his heart feeling as bitter as his mouth.

...............

Akshara came out of the shower and moved her wet hair out of the towel. She moved to wipe the water droplets that had drizzled down her face and hissed as she felt a stinging sensation. Arohi, who was entering the room, yelled at her.

Arohi: Akshu! Kya kr rahi hai. Chot ko aise wipe krte hai, itne zor se...? Ye le..

She gave her a tube for her head.

Arohi: Isse lga le...aur phir thodi der rest kr le..aur kahin bahar jaana ho toh...

Arohi hesitated and looked down. Slowly she pulled out a bandage. Unlike the normal ones you see everywhere, it was a light pink one with a small smilie face outline drawn on it. Akshara's eyes widened.

Akshara: Ye toh..

Flashback

Akshara: Aru....chot lagi hai tere...ye lagana toh padega..

Arohi: Nahi Akshu...this is ugly! I don't like it..

Akshara: Aru...pr phir thik kaise hogi teri chot...

Arohi: Nahi kaha na...mumma mt ban..

Arohi stomped her little feet and ran away. Her big sister feeling concerned for her, ran to the nearest medical store with her piggy bank and bought a cartoon bandage packet. She put a smilie sticker on it and went to her sister.

Arohi: Tu phir aa gayi...samjh nahi ata...mujhe vo nahi lagana...

Akshara: Accha...lekin isse to dekh..

Arohi: Nahi dekhna..

Arohi huffed and looked down to prevent looking into her hands. Her eyes fell on the cartoon bandage on her knee.

Arohi: Ye?

Akshara: Cute hai na!...isse lagayegi ab?

Arohi: Pr tujhe bhi chot?

Akshara: Chot toh nahi lagi, lekin tujhe bandage me company de skti hoon..ab laga doon isse teri knee pr?

Arohi: Haan..

Arohi giggled as her sister put the bandage on her knee.

Flashback ends

Arohi: Ab hum bade ho gaye hai to cartoon wala print to nahi laya maine lekin color bilkul wahi hai..

Arohi smiled and gestured if she could put it on her head. Akshara nodded, her eyes moist from the same memory.

Arohi: Bs ho gaya...aur haan, mai tujhe company dene ke liye ye nahi lagane wali..

Akshara chuckled and nodded.

Akshara: Thanks Aru..

Arohi nodded and then left for the hospital. She was never good with apologies but was hoping that her gestures would help her to bridge the gap she build. However, one thing was certain, never again will she cause pain to her Akshu who has only ever loved her with everything in her.

...........................

Akshara had dried her hair and side parted them. She carefully twisted it and tucked it behind her head, concealing most of the left side of her head. Arohi was guilty as it is, she did not want this to come to light and cause an issue.

Akshara: Abhi se bhi baat kr leti hoon...kl raat se acche se baat hi nahi hui..

She called him but he never picked up.

Akshara: Surgery me busy hoga shyd...dekhega toh call kr lega

But the call back never came. She called him again around his lunch hours but every time she got no response. She called Arohi who informed her that she had seen Abhimanyu with a patient a while ago. Akshara relaxed knowing her was fine but busy. He'll call when he is free.

.........................

Birla house | Night time

Anand was away for a medical case at another city. The doctors had called him for his expertise. Mahima was still at the hospital and Shefali was at work. Nishtha, Neil, Abhimanyu and Harshvardhan were at the dining table while Manjiri was serving.

Abhimanyu: Maa, aap bhi bethiye. Staff serve kr dege...

Manjiri: Tu kha na...mai vo..

Harshvardhan: Kya hua hai Manjiri. Vo keh raha hai toh beth jao..Kl behosh hui thi na...dubara tension deni hai hume..

Manjiri: Ji..nahi..

Manjiri looked down and sat. Abhimanyu wanted to call out his 'sir' on his rudeness but his phone rang. 'Akshu💕' flashed on his screen and he quickly pressed the power key to mute the call. No one took notice of this but Neil had noticed the name.

Neil: Bhai, utha lo na call..

Abhimanyu: Maine khana kha raha hoon na..

Neil: pr bhai-

Harshvardhan: Arey kya issue hai..vo keh raha hai na...

Abhimanyu: Sir aapko meri wakalat krne ki zarurat nahi hai..

Everyone fell silent after that and the dinner continued in usual Birla style- tense and quite.

After dinner as Abhimanyu was going to his room, Neil rushed after him.

Neil: Bhai aap bhabhi ka phone kyun nahi utha rahe they...

Abhimanyu: Mai khana kha rah-

Neil: "..RAHA THA...blah blah"....Ye silly excuse kissi aur ko dena...hua kya hai?

Abhimanyu: Kuch nahi hua hai..

Neil: bro! Aap-

Abhimanyu: Chup kr aur jaa Neil..

Abhimanyu entered his room quickly and shut the door after him. He looked at his phone. Akshara had been calling him all day but he couldn't bring himself to pick it up.

Abhimanyu: Aise nahi hai ki mujhe tumse baat nahi krni Akshu. Kl se thik se baat nahi hui hai, man mera bhi bohot hai lekin is time agr tumse baat ki toh dar hai ki kahin apne gusse pr se control na kho doon....Itna kuch chal raha hai mere andr...mai kaise kahun tumse, kahun bhi ya nahi...kuch samjh nahi aa raha..

He laid down on his bed and looked at her photo on his phone.

Abhimanyu: Kaisi ho na tum...meri simple si life ko hilla kr rakh diya hai....tumhe chot lagi hai...tumne mujhe bataya bhi nahi..tum apni behen se itna pyaar krti ho ki agar baat tumhari jaan pr bhi ban aye to bhi tum kissi ko nahi kahogi?

He kept getting flashbacks of the day when he treated Akshara at the hospital. The day he thought he'd lose her forever before even getting to make her his.

While Abhimanyu was still struggling to control his emotions with continued flashbacks, Akshara ended up calling Neil who informed her that Abhimanyu was home. Akshara got confused now. If he was at home, why was he still not responding? Neil let her in on his doubt that he could be angry at her. Akshara thanked him for telling her and ended the call.

Neil: Sorry bro! Lekin bhabhi ko batana sahi hai, aap toh apne emotions control karoge, unhe nahi bataoge pr aapkp kissi baat ka bura toh laga hai...Bhabhi hi aapke man se ye baat nikalwa skti hai..

..............

Later that night, Abhimanyu got a call again. Thinking it to be Akshara, he rolled over and ignored it but it kept ringing.

Abhimanyu: Silent hi kr deta hoon..nahi, pareshaan ho rahi hogi vo...aur phir mera bhi toh man kr raha hai...baat hi kr leta hoon...

The call ended when he went to pick it up. He was about to call back when Neil barged into his room.

Neil: Bro! Kya ho gya hai apko...bhabhi kbse phone kr rahi hai...aisa bhi kya narazgi? Emergency bhi toh ho skti hai...

Abhimanyu: Kya hua hai? Mai phone krta hoon...

Neil: Kya faida ab?...unka phone dead hone wala tha...thank god maine receive toh kiya...chalo apni bike ki chabi do...I have to go pick her...

Abhimanyu: Neil kya baat hui Akshu se..vo kahan hai jo tujhe jaana pad raha hai..

Neil: Vo bhabhi kahin fass gayi hai...cab se gayi thi and wapis ane ke liye mil nahi rahi...phone bhi off hone wala hai...she was getting scared kyunki vo jagah thodi sunsan hai...

Neil told him a location Akshara last sent on maps. Abhimanyu rushed out himself. Neil smirked and texted a quick '👍' to Akshara.

..........................

Abhimanyu parked his bike at the side of the road. It seemed like the back side of a building. It was rather dark and he couldn't make out much.

Abhimanyu: Akshu yahan kyu ayi? (screams) Akshu...Akshu!

Akshara: ABHI!

He heard her distressed voice and rushed in that direction. It was coming from inside the building. Without thinking twice, he jumped over the backdoor and entered what seemed to be a backyard.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?

Akshara: Mai yahan hoon Abhi..

Abhimanyu found her sitting on a bench and rushed to her side.

Abhimanyu: Tum thik toh ho na?

He held her tiny face in between his large palms. Akshara nodded.

A: kya kr rahi ho aisi jagah pr...time dekha hai tumne? Pta hai mai kitna dr gaya tha...

Akshara bit her lips. She slightly felt bad for tricking him to come there. Timidly, she raised her hands to hold his and pulled him inside the garden.

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Hum aur andr kyu...

Abhimanyu's words stopped when he saw a large blanket kept on the ground with a small basket and small lamp next to it. He clenched his jaw and looked at Akshara.

Abhimanyu: kya hai ye sb?

Akshara:..(nervously smiles) surprise?

Abhimanyu looked at her as if she had grown two heads.

Abhimanyu: Seriously!? Akshu time dekha hai tumne? Tumhe pta hai kaise kaise khayal aa rahe they mere man me? Kitna dr raha tha ki kahin mujhe pahunchne me zyada der na ho...tum akeli dar rahi hogi..

Akshara held her ears.

Akshara: sorry Abhi..

Abhimanyu: Bs ye sahi hai...cute si shakal bana lo...Pta hai tumhe...pyaar krta hoon, gussa toh reh nahi paunga..

Akshara: Aisa nahi hai..

Abhimanyu: To kaisa hai?

Akshara: Tum aaj mera phone nahi utha rahe they...

Abhimanyu: Toh? Tumhara hone wala pati ek doctor hai...busy ho skta hai na..

Akshara: Jooth!.. tum ghar pr they...baat hui thi meri Neil se..

Abhimanyu: Aur tum sach bolti ho na..

Akshara paused as Abhimanyu's voice dropped. Their banter took a serious turn. Her eyes met his. What did he mean?

Abhimanyu: Bolo na Akshu...tum sach hi bolti ho na humesha..

He stepped closer to her. Akshara gulped. What had gotten into him? She blinked and tried to take a step back.

Abhimanyu: Bolo na..

He covered the little distance she managed to put. She kept going back till her back hit the tree trunk. Her mouth went dry. Abhimanyu kept his hands on either sides of her face, blocking her completely.

Abhimanyu: Ho gya khel? Bolo na Akshu....tum kabhi kuch nahi chupati na mujhse..

Akshara: Abhi...kya? tum? Aise...

She was flabbergasted.

Abhimanyu chuckled darkly before put his index finger under her poor attempt of a side-bang and pulled it gently. Her hair fell free and he did it away. The small bandage made itself known. He stifled a smiled that wanted to break out of his lips. His cute little fiancé with the small smilie bandage! But he was in a serious mood.

Akshara gulped. Abhimanyu knew! He knew! She looked away.

Abhimanyu: Ye kya hai Akshu?

He asked innocently, his eyes looking at her carefully. He took in her nervous form. She looked down, licking her dry lips.

Akshara: Vo ku-kuch nahi Abhi..bs-

Abhimanyu: Kaise lagi ye chot?

Akshara looked into his eyes. He was taunting her! His eyes told her that he knew something. She did not want to rat out Arohi, especially now that she was feeling guilty and was making attempts to sort things. However, she could not lie to Abhimanyu when he was directly asking her.

Akshara: Abhi...tum pehle idhr aao..baitho...please..

Akshara guided him to the blanket set up and sat down, pulling Abhimanyu with her.

Akshara: Tumhe? Tumhe kaise pta-

Abhimanyu: Aaj sawal mai puchunga Akshu..

Akshara sighed. She remembered the time she confronted him about Anisha. She had complained that he hid something from her. Her shoulders slumped as she realised she was doing the same. No! she must maintain transparency between them. That is what she wanted from him so she must do the same.

Akshara: Vo...tum gussa mt hona...vo humara..mera aur Aru ka ek chota sa accident hua tha..

Abhimanyu: Accident chota bada nahi hota...accident accident hota hai ...tumne kyu nahi bataya mujhe...ye chot lagi tumhe aur tum..

Akshara: Abhi...( she cupped his face) mai thik hoon...tum maa ko lekr pareshan they so..

Abhimanyu: So? Tumhe pata hai tum kya ho mere liye...kaise hua ye..

She took a deep breath and narrated the whole incident to him.

Abhimanyu: KYA!?

Abhimanyu's eyes widened as he took in the whole incident. It was more horrible than he imagined. Arohi was driving under influence! Anything could have happened! He stood up abruptly.

Akshara: Abhi!

Akshara stood up as well.

Abhimanyu: Are you serious Akshu? Tumhe apni koi parvah nahi hai? Meri koi parvah nahi hai? Tumhe kuch bhi ho jaata toh socha hai mera kya hota? Aur tum mujhe ye batati hi nahi agr mai nahi poochta....

Akshara looked down. Abhimanyu felt anger rush through his veins. He needed to let it out fast! He saw the tree trunk and clenched his fist. Akshara noticed the small movement just in time to see him rush near the tree.

Akshara: Abhi..nahi..

She ran to cover up the long strides he took and jumped between him and the tree. She closed her eyes as Abhimanyu froze before his hands met her face.

Abhimanyu: kya kr rahi ho? Agar mere hath se tumhe chot pahunch jaati toh-

Akshara did not let him finish and jumped into his arms.

Akshara: I am sorry Abhi. Please please mujhe maaf kro do...

She sobbed and ran her arms up and down his body. She hated to have caused him so much distress.

Akshara: Mai dubara aisa kuch nahi karungi pakka Abhi...please...please shant ho jao tum...please..

Akshara kept hugging him till he calmed down enough.

Abhimanyu: Tumhara accident kaise hua tha Akshu?

Akshara: Bataya toh..sach me poori baat batayi hai maine..

Abhimanyu: Yeh nahi...vo mehendi wale din...kaise hua tha?

Akshara: Tu-tum...vo baat...mtlb purani baat kyu utha rahe ho..

Abhimanyu: Akshu...jaana hai mujhe..

Akshara: Vo ek truck aa gya tha samne se...zyada toh yaad nahi hai mujhe...

Abhimanyu: Accha? Aur Arohi ka kuch lena dena nahi hai isse?

Akshara: (in mind: sach bol Akshu, sirf sach) Abhi, mai uske peeche nikli thi ghar se...vo car me thi aur hospital jaa rahi thi...uske peeche se mere saath road pr kya hua..isme uski galti toh nahi hai na...

Abhimanyu: lekin phir Arohi se aise kyu kaha?

He told her all he had heard. Akshara realised Arohi's guilt.

Akshara: Abhi...(holds his hands) Sirat maa ke accident me meri galti nahi thi, vo accident hi tha...waise hi Arohi ko nahi pta tha ki mai uske peeche iss tarah bhagungi aur short cut le lungi...it was an accident..

Abhimanyu: Pr tumhari behen ne jo kiya hai na...vo medicine..

Akshara: Abhi...pta hai Arohi sach me bura feel kr rahi hai..

Abhimanyu: Does not justify overdosing...especially as a doctor..

Akshara tried to calm him down and explain her side of everything but she also understood where Abhimanyu was coming from. Should Arohi be given a preference just because she was her sister? Why should the relation come in professional space?

Abhimanyu: tum kehti ho to chalo maan leta hoon ki Arohi se accident galti se hua, vo pareshaan thi...lekin mujhe aaj bhi uspr bilkul trust nahi hai..

Akshara: Mujhpr toh hai na? To aaj tumhari Akshu tumse promise krti hai ki vo tumse kuch bhi, kbhi bhi nahi chupayegi...

Abhimanyu huffed but hugged her close. He wasn't going to let go of what Arohi did to her so easily. She put that person in risk, without whom he cannot imagine a life anymore. Akshara knew this, she knew she worries him and resolves to put an end to it. After all, she wants him to be as happy as he makes her, if not more.

......................

The next day, Abhimanyu had a talk with Arohi and chided her for her irresponsible act. However, on Akshara insistence, he told that he would give her his last and final chance. He added to her intern duties and gave her work that was at times, only handled by nurses. Arohi realised that Abhimanyu was infact still going easy on her as her acts were worth more punishment so she took everything with a sense of responsibility. Her improved behaviour slowly set her and Akshara's relationship in a better place. It still wasn't the best, but it was certainly headed in that direction.

As for our lovely Abhira, they decided to work better on their relationship. Abhimanyu decided to voice out his emotions where Akshara was concerned instead of bottling them till he could. He always announced with great pride whatever he loved about her but now he would also state things that worried him. Akshara resolved to be vocal and never hide anything from him. He was going to be her partner in life, and to their each conversation was a step to make it beautiful life.

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Crap end, I know but I had to finish this story or it would keep running at the back of my mind

xoxo