Story timeline: Abhimanyu's Birthday | Before marriage

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Abhimanyu Birla entered his cabin feeling extremely bitter. It was his birthday but he had been in no mood for celebration. It was the worst birthday ever! However, the sweet surprise planned by his hospital staff, his brother and most importantly his maa- made him smile. He couldn't deny that it was a beautiful surprise. Everything was radiating happiness and love for him. The cherry on the cake was his mother singing for him. That really put a genuine smile on his face.

Despite all things positive, what made him feel restless was this feeling that he could not shrug off. The feeling he got when she was around. The warmth and peace of her being around him. He had felt her presence throughout the day. Even the arrangements felt like they had written her all over them. He shook his head and took off his shirt. It couldn't be her! Why would she be here?

She was his first love and sadly his first heartbreak. Abhimanyu had never believed in love until he met Akshara Goenka. She was his personal heaven and hell. Her voice calmed him like he had never been at peace before, her eyes made him feel found and her smile chased every negative thought out of his brain. Any rational person would find this silly and unbelievable. A few months ago, if you told this to him, then even he'd laugh at it but now, after meeting her- he knew it was what his soul had been searching for- his heaven in the chaotic world.

Then hell got unleashed. The confusion and misunderstandings engulfed them and took her away from him. Now, she had rejected him. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to hate her; not even dislike. He didn't think he could ever feel anything but love for her- even if she killed him. Sighing, he took out a small towel to wipe his body clean.

'Hi!!!'

He heard a voice and his irritation grew. He hated when people walked into his cabin without his permission or without the etiquettes of knocking.

'I am on half-day today so no appointments now, kl anna..' He said without looking.

'Uff! Pr mai toh tumhe wish krne aayi hoon, personally!!'

Replied the girl as she invited herself into the cabin. She was Ruby. The only daughter of the Health Minister. She had a huge crush on Abhimanyu Birla. She often visited the hospital with bogus excuses to that she could get checked by him. She liked his physique and personality. The bad boy vibe and strong aura he radiated made her weak in the knees. Sadly, Abhimanyu didn't give a dime for her. He never responded to her.

'Not this time!' She resolved.

Abhimanyu felt her enter in as well. His irritation started to morph into anger. Earlier, when he had entered his cabin, he had felt at peace. Ruby was killing that away. He tried to control his anger and focus on his breathing.

Ruby: Happy Birthday Handsome!

She tried to sound seductive and casually brushed and arm against his shoulder. Standing a few meters away behind the pile of gifts and balloons- a girl pouted angrily. Her cute button nose scrunched up. She did not like what she saw- not in the very least.

Abhimanyu: Thank You. You wished, I responded. Now leave!

Ruby: Jaane ke liye thodi aayi hoon...

Abhimanyu: Ye mera cabin hai, koi park nahi hai ki jb mn kre mu utha ke aa jao...

Ruby: Haye! Ye gusse me to tum aur bhi handsome lgte ho..

Akshara: (mutters slowly) Tu aur pass jaakr to dikha! Phir dekhna mere Abhi ka asli gussa...

The girl standing behind the table, hidden from plain sight was none other than the girl plaguing Abhimanyu's heart and soul- Akshara. She had rejected him for the sake of her family but she couldn't deny herself the effort to make him smile. It had killed her to make him sad. However, as she saw Ruby flirt with a shirtless Abhimanyu- she actually wanted to kill someone else- Ruby.

Akshara: (in mind) Aur ye mahashay! Gate lock kiye bina kon kapde khol deta hai...beshrm doctor!

While she was fuming, Abhimanyu again told Ruby to leave and wore a t-shirt. Ruby, being the thick-skinned person she was, ignored his straight forward denial.

Ruby: Tum ek baar meri taraf dekho toh sahi...let's celebrate your birthday. Just us! kuch pyaar bhaari baaten krte hai...

Akshara: (in mind) Kaise shameless ladki hai ye!! Mere Abhi ke saath alag se celebrate krna hai isse!!!...Abhi ka toh pta nahi lekin shyd mera gussa dekhegi ye...

Abhimanyu: JI NAHI!! I am being polite wrna koi ladka hota to ab tk bahar fek chukka hota. Mujhe koi pyaar ki baaten nahi krni...

Ruby: Kyu? Tum bhi single, mai bhi- I know tum bohot akele ho...

Abhimanyu: Nahi hoon mai akela. Koi hai jo saath na hokr bhi mere saath hoti hai...humesha! pyaar krta hoon mai kissi se and jisse pyaar krta hoon ussi se pyaar ki baaten krta hoon....aur mai Akshara Goenka se pyaar krta hoon....NOW LEAVE!!

Akshara's eyes became moist. She had always denied Abhimanyu yet here he was, denying a clear invitation because he loved her. He only loved her- even when she was so weak that she could not hold onto him. While Akshara got moved by his confession, Ruby fumed.

Ruby: Kon Akshara? Vo jisne tumhe reject kr diya tha...I mean tumhe!!?? Tumme koi self respect nahi hai kya? Vo chuhiya...

Abhimanyu: BS- MERI ASKHU KE BAARE ME EK AUR SHABD NAHI!!! Vo kya hai, kaisi hai...kya kiya usne...ye sb mujhe tumse sunne-samjhne ki zarurat nahi hai. I love her and yahi mera sach hai. Ab niklo wrna security bulla lunga...

Ruby: Ha! I like to see you try!...and bhool jao usse..You need a real woman! Just say the words and I am yours...

Ruby moved in front of Abhimanyu and tried to touch his face. He moved away- annoyed. She sighed and again tried to touch him while trying to sound seductive. She acted as if she was tripping and Abhimanyu caught her wrist to break the fall and was about to move away when she tried to clung onto him. Akshara couldn't see those desperate attempts to touch Abhimanyu

Akshara: BS!!!

Abhimanyu stilled as he recognised the owner of that voice while Ruby became red with anger and embarrassment. Angry because the person broke her private attempt to woo Abhimanyu and embarrassed because they probably saw how desperate she was behaving.

Akshara Goenka marched out from behind the wall of gifts and balloons. To Abhimanyu, she looked a tiny, fuming child- cute! Yet, he was also confused. When did she get here? Akshara walked upto them and held Ruby arms. She pulled her away and then got between her and Abhimanyu, acting as a barrier.

Ruby: You!!! Beech me mt aao...

Akshara: aur tum kahin bhi mt aao. Aise bina bataye, bina knock kiye cabin me aayi kaise tum?? Aur kitni baar bolla Mere Abhi ne tumhe ki jaao yahan se. Beshrm! Sunti bhi nahi ho!!! Mere Abhi ki sharafat ka faida utha rahi ho!!?? Aur kya kaha tha tumne Mere Abhi ko? Ki usme self respect hai ya nahi? Arey tumme hai kya?? Tum jo harqate kr rahi ho na, usme desperation saaf dikh rahi hai.

Ruby: Chup kr-

Akshara: Tum chup kro aur niklo mere Abhi ke cabin se...

Ruby: Tum hoti kon ho ye kehne wali? You bi-

Abhimanyu: BS!! ( Looks at her with fierce eyes) bs....

Ruby gulped. She had seen Abhimanyu annoyed with her before but even then he never looked this scary. He looked like he'd actually torture her to death if she said anything against Akshara. She ran away. Abhimanyu didn't even spare her a glance and looked down towards the girl heaving in rage in front of him. Before he could say anything at all, she turned towards him.

If she'd been mad at Ruby, she was actually furious at him.

Akshara: AUR TUM!! GATE ME LATCH NAHI HAI?? LOCK KRNA NAHI AATA HAI KYA TUMHE??? AISE KAISE BINA DEKHE KAPDE UTARNE LG GAYE???...

Abhimanyu couldn't hear those angry words. He looked at her. She was here! On his Birthday! His intuition, those feelings were not his dream, it was real. She was around him all day! He stared at her mouth and big expressive eyes. She looked cute when angry- he thought.

Akshara: AB TUM SMILE KYU KR RAHE HO? JOKE SUNA RAHI HOON KYA MAI-

Abhimanyu: Mai tumhara hoon?

Abhimanyu asked softly.

Akshara: what!?

Akshara was dumbfounded. This was the first time she realised that she had been calling him hers all this while.

Abhimanyu: Kaho na Akshu, mai tumhara hoon?

Akshara: Vo- mai...vo-

Abhimanyu walked towards her. Akshara started to take steps backward. She was trying to look everywhere but his eyes while his were trained on her nervous face. She almost backed in front of the table and jerk stopped as she ran into it. That set the helium balloons tied to the table free and they flew away around them. One of them burst and scared Akshara.

Akshara: Ah!

She jumped forward and started to fall. Abhimanyu reacted quickly and scooped her in his arms before she could fall. She was breathing rapidly and her eyes were shut tight. Abhimanyu could hear her heartbeat. His own sad heart started to beat happily feeling her in his arms. She slowly opened them and got lost in his eyes. Abhimanyu slowly put her on her own feet. Another balloon burst right next to her ear. She audibly gasped and jumped at the sound. She was about to fall again and Abhimanyu didn't know if he could hold her this time before she fell. So, instinctively, he came in front of her to break her fall. She fell on top of him and he too got pushed down. Thankfully, there was a couch behind him and they both landed softly. She was on top of him.

Akshara opened her eyes and saw his staring right at her. Her arms were around his neck and their faces were really close. Abhimanyu's eyes fell on her parted lips and she unconsciously licked them.

Abhimanyu: (whispers) Akshuu....

Akshara: (whispers) Abhiii....

They were both lost in the moment. They faces were slowly moving closer and their bodies held each other close.

Abhimanyu: Kaho na...mai tumhara hoon na?

Akshara: Vo...mai-

Akshara was torn. She loved him. She knew she did. She wasn't sure if her feelings were love on the day the tilak fiasco happened but as days flew by, she got sure it was love from her side as well. However, seeing Ruby make those sad attempts at wooing Abhimanyu had given birth to a jealous little monster in her.

Abhimanyu: tum kya?

Akshara: mai-

Abhimanyu: Kyu ayi tum yahan? Mujhe reject kr diya tha, mujhse pyaar nahi hai toh chor deti mere haal pr...pr tum ayi, mere birthday ke liye itne efforts kiye. Kyu? Vo Ruby se kyu argue kiya? Kyu Akshu? Tumne mujhe 'mera Abhi' kaha...Mai toh forever ke liye tumhara hona chahta hoon, tumhara hi hoon...pr kya tum bhi meri Akshu ho? Bolo na...Jb vo Ruby mere cabin me aayi, mera pass...mujhe chu rahi thi- kyu..

Akshara's mind got filled with images of Ruby flirting with Abhimanyu and anger bubbled up fuelled by jealousy.

Akshara: Kyunki I LOVE YOU!!! I LOVE YOU ABHI...HAAN HO TUM MERE...KYU KYA KB KAISE NAHI PTA...BS HO..

Akshara hugged him tightly. Abhimanyu laid shocked by the revelation. She loves him! SHE LOVES HIM! He relaxed into her embrace and held her close against him. Tears started to pour down his eyes. SHE loves HIM

Akshara came to her senses and moved out of his arms. So much for denying him and helping him move on! But, Abhimanyu's love for her had moved her resolve. Moreover, now that she knew her own feelings, she couldn't deny him any longer.

Abhimanyu: (cups her face) I love you Akshu! I love you so so much. Taras gaya tha tumhare mu se ye shbd sunne ke liye...tum meri ho ...ho na?

Akshara: (smiles and looks into his eyes) Abhi, apni behen aur parivar ke liye mai apni pasand chor skti hoo,  pyaar nahi. Aur mai tumse pyaar krti hoon. Haan, tumhara jitna jldi realise nahi kiya maine....mai confused bhi thi...apni feelings ko samjh nahi paayi....iss chakkr me tum bohot hurt huye...I am sorry.

Abhimanyu smiled with teary eyes and shook his had.

Akshara: Sorry Abhi....haan, agar tum mujhe maaf kr paao...to mai tumhari baana chahungi...Apne Abhi ki Akshu..

Abhi ki Akshu..

The words sounded like honey to Abhimanyu. He nodded and they stood up. Then, he pulled her into his large frame and hugged her tightly yet again. He thanked his Gods above for he had just won at life.

Akshara hugged him back and buried her face into his chest. She inhaled his masculine scent that calmed her and made her feel safe. She knew the families will have a few things to say but she couldn't stand against her heart. It was already his. Abhimanyu broke the hug and touched their noses together.

'Best Birthday Ever!'

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xoxo