A big thank you to everyone for all those birthday wishes. Also, my eyes a much better. yay!

Going forward, I thought to publish 'Not Your Punching Bag' first as I felt more people asked for it at a glance. The next part will also be about this since I don't want to disrupt the flow.

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

Disappointment. This is what I feel with the current track. Manjiri proved that Maa hone me and Maa-jaisa hone me bohot farak hota hai. She is not mother hence her love is conditional. She loved the girl who became so important to her son but if she actually considered Akshara daughter- she wouldn't have jumped to conclusions so soon. At least hear her out!

Abhimanyu is disappointing me too. Not only because of his assuming self but because he acted like a blind devotee. Andh bhakt! He cannot see how Manju is at fault!? Seriously?! Try telling someone who was called an orphan all his life that he is not- will they not feel cheated? I know Abhimanyu loves Manju but itna bhi kya pyaar ki sahi galat bhi na dikhe... In case of Akshara, again- at least hear her out.

Neil kinda disappointed me too. Why is he even blaming Akshara? Arohi enjoying the whole this is pure sadistic. She even manipulated whole Goenka clan. Isse badla chahiye kisse? Abhimanyu se ya Akshara se?

And people saying at least sach bahar layi Arohi. Well, there is something called INTENTIONS. Arohi wanted to ruin things. She never considered Neil's or anyone feelings here- not even by the longest shot.

In my version, I am going ahead with how I want to. Honestly, I skip watching the episodes these days. They are not good enough for me to irritate my eyes.

Akshara deserves an epic apology.
.................

It had been the few days since the whole adoption incident. On the surface, the things were okay at the Birla house but there was a layer of cold air in the atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be at war with someone- verbal or otherwise.

Harshvardhan felt guilty- he couldn't meet Neil's eyes. He felt ashamed. He had always been the taunt-giver and never much of a receiver. As a proud mad, this incident bruised his ego. He resented Manjiri even more now. He would yell at her in his room and say ,' Kr liya apna mahan banne ka shauk poora? Arey Avni tumse milli thi, bataya tha ye sb to tum mujhe nahi bta skti thi?? Apne bete ke mn me toh mere khilaf zeher ghola hi tha tumne aur doosre bete ke baare me toh pata hi nahi lagne diya!'

Manjiri's heart broke at those accusations. Moreover, Neil was pretty upset with her too. Even Abhimanyu, who worshiped the ground she walked on, told her that hiding this was a mistake. She did not know how to restore complete peace in her home again.

Neil and Abhimanyu were each other's rock. Their father's actions had thrown their lives into a toss. They cried and healed together. Neil was rightly upset with the people in that house. Many did not know how to react around him now that they knew the truth. Anand was beyond disappointed by the mess his brother introduced in their lives. Mahima was stunned by the news too. She now dropped taunts on Harshvardhan without inhibition and she would yell at Manjiri too, for hiding such a big news from her sister for so many years.

However, amidst all this Birla cold war, there was one person who was the common target of everyone's anger- Akshara. Manjiri stopped looking in her direction, Harshvardhan taunted her for being nosy, Anand gave sombre looks while Mahima would diss her for ruining an important day by disclosing such a news publically and Shefali & Parth didn't know what to say to her so they just avoided her. What hurt her the most was that even her husband- Abhimanyu was behaving coldly with her. She felt alone in the large house- exactly how she felt in her Goenka house- surrounded by all, yet alone.

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

Neil was lost these past days. He felt like most of his life had been a lie. He did not know if he should celebrate not being an orphan or cry at the kind of man who ended up being his father. He was passing by Abhimanyu's room when he heard a soft cry. He leaned in to see Akshara sitting at the edge of the bed, her back was to the door so she had not seen him. She seemed to be on the phone.

'___'

Akshara- 'Nahi, mai ro nahi rahi hoon...'

'___'

Akshara- 'Nothing baba...bs thoda sad feel ho raha hai....'

'___'

Akshara- 'Yaad hai hum bachpan me baat kiya krte they.....school me vo kinds of love pr ek poem thi....hum dono sochte they na ki kbhi hume bhi koi milega....'

'___'

Akshara- 'Off course, I married the man of my dreams pr ...(chokes on a sob*) kabhi kabhi lgta hai ki vo bina kissi shart me bandhe, vo unconditional love wala pyaar shyd meri kismat me hai hi nahi...'

'___'

Akshara-'kuch nahi, bs ye stupid jaise khayal aa rahe hai...I am the luckiest to have such a loving husband, trust me..'

Akshara continued her chat with the person before excusing the call saying she is getting another call. It seemed to be from work and she began talking about some therapy session. Neil turned and left.

Neil: ye bhabhi kisse baat kr rahi thi? Aur ye sb? She sounded so sad and broken. Bhai bhi aaj kl jldi chale jaate hai aur late hi aate hai...ghar pr bhi mostly mere pass ya maa ke pass baithe rehte hai...but why are they fighting?

Neil kept wondering what had happened in these days to cause a rift between his bhai-bhabhi.

Neil: jo bhi ho, I'm sure they'll handle it. Jb tk zaruri nahi lgta, I shouldn't interrupt.

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

That night Abhimanyu stepped inside the house, late as usual. Akshara had fallen asleep on the hall couch waiting for him. She woke up when she heard the door open.

Akshara: Abhiiii...tum aa gaye!! Baitho mai khana laga deti hoon...

Abhimanyu: no need! Maine hospital me kha liya tha...

He said looking ahead and rolling up his sleeves.

Akshara: Abhii....kb tk hum aise-

Abhimanyu started to cough, cutting her off. She headed to get him a glass of water when Manjiri entered the hall with a glass. She gave it to Abhimanyu and patted his back. She turned in the direction Akshara was standing and said without looking at her.

Manjiri: Mere bete ka khayal mai rakh skti hoon Akshara...(To Abhimanyu) tu chal khana kha le-

Abhimanyu nodded, not wanting to upset her and went towards the dining hall. Akshara looked at them leave with teary eyes.

Akshara: Kb tk Abhi? Kb tk? Mera kya kasoor hai jo koi mujhse baat bhi nahi krna chahte?

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

That night, she went into her room and lit it up with a few scented candles. She waiting on bed, ready for Abhimanyu. She waited for some time, getting sleepy but she knew Abhimanyu came in late to avoid her so she willed herself to stay up.

Akshara: (slaps her cheeks lightly) uth Akshu...Uth!! sona nahi hai...aaj toh Abhi se baat hokr rahegi...

Abhimanyu entered the room and was taken aback. He had not expected this. Akshara should have been sleeping but here she was- half awake sitting on the edge of the bed. The candles took him off guard too. He threw his coat on the red couch and headed to change into comfortable clothes.

He came out after taking his time, hoping Akshara would be sleeping by now but she was awake again. She looked tired and he wanted nothing more than to hug her but Neil broken face and Manjiri unconscious state kept flashing before his eyes. He was still too angry for a calm conversation.

Akshara: Abhiiiiii...

Abhimanyu: So jao Akshara...

Akshara: Kb tk aise chalega sb Abhi...please meri taraf dekho...kabhi to baat krni hogi na hume?

Abhimanyu: Abhi nahi Akshara...

Akshara: toh kb Abhi...kb baat karenge hum?

Abhimanyu: Pta nahi, pr Abhi nahi...

Akshara: Pr mujhe krni hai...

Abhimanyu: To karo khudse..waise bhi jo krna hai wahi krti ho tum...meri sunti kaha ho...

Akshara: (teary) Why can you not give me two minutes for your patience and hear me out..

Abhimanyu feels bad hearing the sadness in her voice but he was blinded by his anger. He hated his family's dynamics and Akshara getting involved in them was something he never wanted.

Abhimanyu: Akshara...

Akshara: BS!! BS!! BS!! (cried) Bs karo....dukhta hai mujhe...Akshu hoon mai...tumhari Akshu....aise Akshara bula kr mujhe paraya mt feel krwao...Maa bhi Akshu nahi bolti-

Abhimanyu felt broken seeing her cry but Manjiri's mention bought back memories of her murmuring Akshara's name while unconscious. He kept quiet and tried to kill the conversation but Akshara was fixated on fixing their bond.

Akshara: Nahiii...tum sone nahi jaa skte...we need to talk...please Abhi...this...your silence is killing me..

Abhimanyu looked at her with tear rimmed eyes and held her shoulders tightly.

Abhimanyu: And you think it is not affecting me too?!?!? This! The distance between us...this silence! It kills me....maine tumse promise liya tha na ki tum parivar ke mamlo se door rahogi..toh kyu nahi manti tum ye baat....kyu nahi samjhti ki har kissi ke mamle me nahi ghusa jaata! Family ki hr pareshani apni ho, aisa zaruri nahi hota!!!.......

Akshara: I- I am sorry Abhii...Pr maine-

Abhimanyu: I need time...Mai tumpr gussa nahi krna chahta...jb shaant ho jayega gussa tb baat karenge..

He tries to move around him but Akshara caught his collar and held him to his place.

Akshara: I am sorry. I did try giving you space but ab aur nahi hoga mujhse...aur nahi...

She hugged him and sobbed. Abhimanyu kept one hand on her back.

Akshara: Tum chilla lo mujhpr, gussa kr lo ...pr yun chup mt raho...pleasee...

Abhimanyu made Akshara sit and gave her some water. He wiped her tears. He hated seeing her like this but the storm that hit his family had been no ordinary one. He couldn't forget the vulnerable looks on the faces of his loved ones so he thought it was better to avoid Akshara then bursting at her.

Abhimanyu: Tum rest kro...

Akshara: Abhii...

She grips his collar. He tried to remove her hands but she had fisted them tight. As he tried harder, she pulled him with more force, making him fall on her.

Abhimanyu: Akshara!...ye sb ka na mauka hai na mahaul!!

Akshara: Mtlb?

Abhimanyu: Ye candles! Aur ab ye kheechna...I mean-

Akshara: Seriously! Tumhe lgta hai mai humara rishtha age badhane ki koshish kr rahi hoon? Haan! Mai humare rishte me trust badhana chahti hoon....I pulled you because I don't want to spend another night with this coldness between us...I lit two candles because it is your favourite scent and I thought it would make you calm! ....Haan, hoon mai bohot bohot stupid but obviously mere intentions toh count hi nahi hote na...

She said, her voice laced in hurt and she turned away from him.

Abhimanyu: I- I'm sorry I misunderstood. But I need time Akshara. You should try to understand too- I need space....

Akshara: Okay Abhimanyu..

Abhimanyu felt hurt when she called him by his full name. It sounded strange to his ears. Akshara said in her mind- 'serves you right, ab pata chalega how I feel when you call me Akshara..'. They went to sleep on their respective sides of the bed with a million thoughts shooting off in their heads.

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

Akshara got up early that day. She was still tired from the previous night but she couldn't see her relationship so distant. She went downstairs and met Manjiri who was still not talking to her. In her eyes, Akshara had betrayed her trust. Had Manjiri been on her side, she would have convinced Abhimanyu however, Akshara thought it is better for them to try and mend things themselves instead of getting pushed to mend by others. She went back into the room and tried to talk to Abhimanyu again with a fresh mind.

Abhimanyu: Bs! Tum samjh kyu nahi rahi ho?! I need some space to calm down!!.....Ek toh tum galti...

Akshara: Konsi galti...aaj bata do tum mujhe..

Abhimanyu: Like you don't know....

Akshara: I don't...

Abhimanyu: Tumhe kya zarurat thi un reports ko dekhne ki, Neil ko dikhane ki???? Tumhe kyu nahi samjhta ki is family me logon ko mauka chahiye tumpr meri frustration nikalne ka....kaha tha na meri family aisi nahi hai, door hi raho tum...mujhe bata deti...hum baad me confront krte...

Akshara: ye tum keh rahe ho!!...tum kabse baad me confront krne lage?? You act when you want- regardless of occasion or time. ...

She feels dejected and disappointed. She knew she had a lot of flaws and made many errors, but she expected her husband to understand her. Her POV on things could be wrong, different but she did not mean harm and this situation was beyond her control. The pain and loneliness she felt in her heart came out as a dry chuckle.

Akshara: Meri galti hai na Abhi....Affair papa ne kiya, raaz maa ne chupaya sbse, DNA testing Birla hospital ne krwai, Report dekhi Neil ne....aur usne jo react kiya vo justified tha pr in sb me mai kahan se aa gayi beech me? Maine to reports bhi nahi dekhi...but off course you don't believe this. I am telling you I respected you wish and stopped myself from checking those reports. Now, you can chose to trust me or not. Maine bohot galtiyan ki hai pr this time meri galti nahi hai....anyways, I am sorry for being so intrusive, you enjoy your space- take your time...I won't disturb- bye...

She picked up her back and broken feelings. She rushed out of the room wiping her tears, leaving her stunned husband behind.

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

Akshara spent the entire day lost at work. She felt really sad as well as mad for the lack of faith everyone showed her.

Akshara: Uss poore ghar me koi mujhe apna nahi manta....agar Abhi mujhe rootha hai toh ek bhi aisa nahi hai jo mujhse baat kare....jaise us ghar me mere saare rishte sirf Abhi se hai...wrna mai dikhai bhi nahi deti...

She thought about Abhimanyu's words.

Akshara: Space chahiye na tumhe...bhar bhar kr lo....jitna chahiye utna lo...

Akshara decided to go to Goenka house for a few days. She went to Birla House and packed a small bag with a few personal and work essentials. Leaving a note for her husband, she tried to inform Manjiri who just left instead of hearing her out. Luckily for Akshara, Mahima was entering the house so she informed her before leaving. However, what Akshara had not expected was her family to completely side with Abhimanyu.

Unknown to her, Arohi had fed them a distorted version of the truth. The elders reprimanded Akshara for her actions or tried to make her see her fault. Kairav tried to come to her support but Manish shut him up. Ultimately, Manish gave a verdict that Akshara cannot stay with them.

Akshara: (shocked and disappointed) Kya?

Suhasini: Sahi keh raha hai Manish. Shaadi ke baad ladki apne ghar hi acchi lagti h...

Akshara: Ye sahi hai aap sbka, ye ghar mera hai nahi aur jo ghar aap mera keh rahe ho wahan koi mujhe dekhna chahta bhi nahi...

She had tears in her eyes. The elders looked away.

Manish: (in mind) Sorry meri bacchii, lekin tu khushi khushi aati toh koi problem nahi thi pr tu lad kr aayi hai...tujhe naraz hai Abhimanyu..saath rahoge toh aaj nahi toh kl baat sambhal jayegi but door rahoge toh dooriyan hi bhadegii...

Arohi: (in mind) Uff ye badepapa bhi na....kash Akshu ko yahin rakh lete...Abhimanyu ko aur dukh hota...mera haq cheene wala!!...pr ab mai beech me aise kya bolu..

She tried to come to Akshara defence and asked them to reconsider but Manish shut her up as well. Dejected Akshara left Goenka house too.

Akshara: Sb mujhe samjha rahe hai, mujhse gussa ho rahe hai ya mujhse disappointed hai but mujhse itna haq se naraaz hone waale meri ek baar baat tk nahi sunna chahte...

She wipes her tears as she dragged her suitacase. She had already sent the Birlas' car and driver away. She felt really alone. The silence of the evening resonated with the silence she felt inside- empty.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud pop shot through her silence surrounding causing her to jump a little. She looked around saw somebody had popped a party popper. The person was a driver. Behind him was another person who standing with a large bouquet in their hands. It was so large that Akshara couldn't see the face.

Akshara: (in mind) must be for someone else..

She turned to leave when the person jumped in her pathway. She tried to move around them but the person kept blocking her way by mirroring hermoves.

Akshara: excuse me!?

Person: Not excused! (removes the bouquet)

Akshara's mouth flung open. She dropped her hold on the suitcase.

Person: Surprise?..(smirks)

Akshara: YOU!!!!!!!!

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

Did you read 'Yeh Dooriyan'? The book is on my profile.

~Description~

How do you claim a girl yours when it is her sister you proposed to marry?

~~

'Mai shaadi kr raha hoon, tumhari behen Arohi se!'

Abhimanyu Birla spat those words at the only woman who ever touched his heart, Akshara Goenka. Hurt by her constant rejection and worried for his mother's health- Abhimanyu made a rash decision to marry the sister of the girl he loves. Half hoping for a miracle to end something he started in rage, Abhimanyu now cannot find a way out of this marriage.

Akshara Goenka smiled while her heart broke into a million pieces. Always coming second to her sister for everyone, Akshara still faced a million taunts from Arohi while the family chose ignorance. Subjected to loneliness and bound by the vow she gave to her dying step mother- Akshara sacrifices everything to make Arohi like her, even the man she loves.

~~

Abhimanyu is engaged to Arohi Goenka but what happens when a proposal comes for Akshara? Lies uncover and truth is exposed! Abhimanyu finally decodes the real reason behind Akshara's denial and finds a way out of the web of lies but will he be able to find his way back to Akshara?

Do give this book a shot! Thank You :)

xoxo