6:30 PM | Outside Udaipur Police Station

Abhimanyu Birla just exited the police station with Kairav and Neil in tow. He kicked his bike's tire in frustration.

Neil: Bro, rel-

Abhimanyu: Don't you dare ask me to relax! Akshu was last seen by the driver when he dropped her off. No one has seen her or spoken with her in nine hours! I have known this for two hours now and what have I accomplished!? My wife is still missing! Mahadev jaane kiss haal me hogi, kahan hogi....aur ye police wale bhi complain nahi likh rahe..

Neil looked at Kairav, hoping he'd talk sense to Abhimanyu but Kairav was equally agitated.

Neil: Aap dono samajhiye, police station me jo hua bohot frustrating hai but gussa krne se bhabhi nahi milegi...Kairav bhai! apne bhabhi ke friends se pucha?

Kairav: Aru ne sbko call kr liya...Vansh checked all the places she liked to visit, still, not a clue where my sister...

Neil: Maybe bhabhi kahin aur-

Abhimanyu: Neil! Akshu kahin safe hoti toh mujhe itne call kyu krti? Abhi uska phone bhi koi nahi utha raha...Aur tu shaant rehne ka gyan de raha hai..

Neil: Bro pr gussa krne se bhi kuch nahi hoga...lets continue looking on our own..

Kairav: Right! Mai charitable trust ke ass pass dekhna shuru krta hoon....andr bhi pata krta hoon...shyd andr jaakr wapis ayi ho-

Abhimanyu: Okay....I'll check the NGOs...

Neil: I-...I'll check hospital with Parth bhai...

Abhimanyu clenched his fist thinking something had happened to his wife. An image of her, injured and abandoned flashed before his eyes. He shook away those negative thoughts and began looking for his wife!

Abhimanyu: Hey Mahadev! Meri Jaan, Meri Akshu ki raksha krna...

...

Meanwhile, in the jungle surrounding the city, two men were looking for the girl who slipped right through their fingers, Akshara.

Chotu: Ye ladki toh bahut tez nikli...itni jaldi kahan bhaag gayi....

Raghu: Tez nahi, choti hai vo....kahin chup gayi hogi...

Raghu's phone rang. It was Rudra calling.

Chotu: Aye! Mt utha...kya bolenge Boss ko-

Raghu: Nahi uthaya toh aur badi problem hogi...Sir kissi ko humpr check krne bhej denge...and baat chupane ke liye extra saza milegi..

He picks up the phone.

Rudra: Itni der kaise lg gayi?!

Raghu: K-kuch nahi boss...

Rudra: Aur tu hanff kyu raha hai? Bhaag raha tha?

Raghu: Na- Ha...mtlb..ha...

Rudra: Kya bol raha hai? Accha chod...Doctor ki biwi ko aya hosh?

Raghu: H- haan Boss...

Rudra: Hahaha....badhiya...laga ek thappad kass kr usse, aur video bhej mujhe...It's time to play with the doctors mind!!....usse toh bohot torture karunga mai..

Raghu: Vo-

Rudra: Kya hua?!

Raghu tells him about Akshara's escape. Rudra scolds them.

Rudra: Abey dhakkan! Kissi kaam ke nahi hoon tum dono...muft ka maal khate ho mera...kaam toh ek thik se nahi hota....tum do admiyon se ek ladki nahi sambhli? I don't know, kahin se bhi lao, pr usse wapis lao...wrna uski jagah tum dono ko torture kr dunga mai..

Raghu assured him and ended the call. Chotu was leaning against a tree. He went and hit him on his head.

Raghu: Chal dundhte hai usse...

Chotu: arey kahan milegi vo iss jungle me? Abhi raat bhi hone wali hai...andhere me kahan dhundenge?

Raghu: Nahi milli toh humari life me andhera kr denge boss...dhundna toh padega...vo bhi din rehte-

They started to search for Akshara.

...

7:00 PM | Outskirts of Udaipur

Abhimanyu Birla had not wasted another second post separating to find Akshara. He had quickly started to drive towards the NGO outside Udaipur where Akshara had went the last time to calm her mind. On his way, he called all the other NGOs whose number he had. None of them knew about his wife. At last, he had reached the NGO outside the city only to get disappointed. His wife wasn't their either.

He began travelling back to Udaipur. He felt terrible. Every second, he felt his soul was slipping away from him while he did nothing but wait. He was driving by when he spotted something at a distance.

Abhimanyu glanced at Mahadev temple and stopped. As he climbed the steps, he recalled how Mahadev has been kind on him. Every seen flashed before his eyes- him asking Mahadev to help him find her when she disappeared from the hospital, him pleading to save her after her accident, him asking for her safety, asking for her love. Every time his wishes were granted. With hope in his heart, he kneeled before his God.

Abhimanyu: Mahadev! Akshu mil nahi rahi hai...aap bhi sochte hoge ki kaisa admi hai, hr baar apni jaan ko guma deta hai aur phir mere pass aa jata hai...pr mai aur kahan jaun? Aapne humesha humare rishte ko apna ashirvaad diya hai. Aaj bhi raksha krna...meri Akshu- mujhe usse milla do Mahadev..

Abhimanyu wiped his tears when he felt something. The similar tingling sensation he felt whenever she was close. He kept a hand on his heart and whispered with great hope.

Abhimanyu: Akshu...!?!

He felt peace, the sheer peace he felt whenever she was nearby but this time around, he also felt heavier emotions. His heart still felt heavy and he could not shake the negative feelings.

Abhimanyu: Meri Akshu pass hi hai...

He started to scan the temple compounds and reached near the backside of the temple beyond which was the deserted jungle.

Abhimanyu: Yahan toh nahi dikh rahi...

He scanned the area. However, the feeling of her presence was strong so he kept looking.

...

Akshara bent down, her hands on her knees as she took in a deep breath. She turned back and did not see the men. Maybe she finally lost them, she thought happily. She was tired, covered in soot & sweat, bruised at many places and completely drained off energy. She had been running for quite some time. She thought she lost them a while ago too, but they had caught up her.

Akshara: Bs thodi si der...Akshu...

She stood up and resumed her half- limp, half- run. She could hear the rustling of leaves behind her indicating that the men were not completely lost and were still trying to catch up with her.

Akshara: Pta nahi kya chahte hai mujhe...

She wondered but she had no time to waste. She kept running when a strange peace washed over her. Akshara was shocked and looked around.

Akshara: Abhi! Mera Abhi yahan kahan? Shyd mujhe dundhta hua...

She thought hopefully. She turned towards right and began moving in the direction, where her heart guided. It wasn't long when she spotted the backyard of a temple. Darkness had now began spreading its wings but there was still some light.

Akshara: (whispers) A-abhi!!!

She cried tears of joy as she spotted her husband behind the temple wall. He was visible chest up. She was about to shout at him when a hand muffled her shout. Akshara's eyes widened as she realised in horror that the men had caught up with her.

Raghu: Shani! Bahut bhagaya hai tune...

Chotu: Upar se abhi kissi ko awaz dene wali thi..kyu be!?

He tightened his grip on her mouth and his sharp nails dug in on the soft flesh of her cheeks. She whimpered softly.

Raghu: Chal isse lekr chalte hai isse pehle ki koi dekh le-

He turned.

Akshara looked at Abhimanyu who was looking here and there around the temple.

Akshara: (in mind) Akshu! Yahi mauka hai...harna nahi hai!

She gave in all the strength she had to stomp her foot on Chotu's foot while poking him right in the eye.

Chotu: Ah!

His grip loosened. That was the only moment Akshara needed.

Akshara: ABHIIIIIIII!!!!!!

She shouted loudly and ran towards her safe haven, her docman- her Abhi.

Abhimanyu had been looking for his wife when he heard her voice. He felt all his prayers were answered in that moment. He turned in the direction of the jungle and saw his wife- all battered but happily limping towards him. He looked behind her and his happiness turned sour as he spotted the goons who were running after her. Without wasting another second, he jumped over the wall and started to run towards Akshara.

Raghu gulped as he saw Abhimanyu. He had not recognized him first but as the distance reduced, he realised this was the man his Boss wanted to hurt, that man for which they hurt a frail woman. Not so frail- his conscious mocked at him for Akshara had given them a very hard time.

He ran faster and held Akshara's wrist, pulling her back. Chotu too recovered by then and reached them. He held Akshara's hair and pulled them back.

Akshara: Ah!

Abhimanyu: ABEY OYE! CHOR USSE!

Chotu gulped at the fierce voice that shook the ground. Abhimanyu looked like a raging bull as he ran towards them to protect what's his. Raghu did some quick thinking and pulled out his pocket knife. Abhimanyu halted as he saw the man put that around Akshara's throat.

Abhimanyu: No...no no...Don't...

Raghu: Ab aya na line pr..

Abhimanyu: Dekho...mt kro aise...please jaane do usse...I promise hum kuch nahi karenge...

Raghu: Pr hum bohot kuch karenge...

He smirked.

Abhimanyu: Kyu kr rahe ho ye? Paise chahiye...I will pay you the hell you want! Any amount! You name it-

Chotu: Paise dene wale hai humare pass...

Abhimanyu: Toh kyu kr rahe ho? Please meri wife ko jaane do....usne kya bigara hai tum dono ka...let her leave...please...

Akshara looked with tears in her eyes as her strong husband begged in front of the goons for her. She had never seen him this vulnerable.

Raghu tightened his hold and Akshara closed her eyes as she felt the knife scrap her skin but she kept her pain to herself as she knew if she screamed, her husband would feel even more pain.

Abhimanyu kept begging the two while slyly closing the distance. The goons were too over in their heads that they failed to notice this.

Abhimanyu: Please, I- I beg you..

He got on his knees. The goons looked at each other and smirked, feeling triumphed. Abhimanyu took advantage of their distraction and picked the sharpest rock. He threw it at Raghu with the surgeon's precision. While the rock hit Raghu and surprised Chotu, Abhimanyu did not stand and watch. He continue his run and pulled his wife away from his grip.

Akshara couldn't stop her tears as she felt the warmth of her husband's hold. Abhimanyu held her by her shoulders. He took in her injured state and the trail of blood on her neck. He craned his neck to looked at the goons. Akshara gasped, she had never seen Abhimanyu this angry. She had seen his outburst but never did he look this thirsty for blood. Abhimanyu pulled Akshara behind him and launched himself at the goons.

Chotu and Raghu did not know what hit them. A minute ago, they were standing, smirking at each other and the very next minute, they were getting beat up badly. Abhimanyu kicked Raghu so hard that he went flying back. Then, he held Chotu's throat. He grabbed his hair and pulled his head back.

Abhimanyu: Aise hi kiya tha na meri Akshu ke saath!? Himmat bhi kaise hui usse takleef dene ki...

He realized his grip and punched him hard in the face. Chotu rolled on the floor, groaning in pain and clutching his neck. Raghu stood up, his male ego hurt as his flexed his muscles. Abhimanyu raised a brow at his show off. He yelled and ran at Abhimanyu but before he got too close, Abhimanyu kicked him. Sending him off, again!. He walked to him and kicked him hard. Then, he bent down and slapped him hard. He caught his collar and held his jaw tightly.

Abhimanyu: Bol kiske kehne pr kiya tune ye? Kya dushmani hai meri biwi se...bol!!

Akshara: Abhi!!

Akshara was tensed. She was moved by Abhimanyu yet feared. She wanted to just run away from these men and hide away from the bad world in his arms whereas Abhimanyu wanted to teach a lesson to the men who dare hurt his wife. To Akshara's horror, she saw Chotu remove his hand from his bloodied face and reach out for the pocket knife that was on the ground. He stood up and was about to sneak upon Abhimanyu who was trying to get a name out of Raghu.

Akshara: NO! ABHI!!!

Akshara yelled and ran to push Chotu off. Abhimanyu had super instincts and he turned to avoid Chotu. However, Raghu and Chotu too, had been a criminals since long. The moment Abhimanyu turned, Raghu caught hold of his legs and Chotu caught hold of Akshara. Raghu pulled Abhimanyu's leg in one swift motion, causing him to fall while Chotu slit Akshara neck.

Abhimanyu laid on his stomach on the ground and watched in horror as blood splattered out of his wife's neck.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!!

He screamed and ran towards her. Catching hold of her before she sank to the floor, Abhimanyu patted her face.

Abhimanyu: Akshu! Akshu!!!...no! no! no!!!!!!

The goons smirked and ran away taking advantage of Abhimanyu's state. His sole focus was his wife now and he did not notice the men as they slipped away.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!!! Please..

Akshara: A- Abh...Abhii...I-...

Abhimanyu: shhh!! Don't stress yourself baba...shh....stay with me..okay..

Akshara: I- Lov..Love

Abhimanyu: chup!! You have to fight! For us! For me!!...Focus on saving your energy..

He lifted her bridal style and began running off with her.

Akshara: I- Fight- promisss...

Abhimanyu: Shh...that's like my girl, my brave girl...

Abhimanyu said while his tears kept flowing on their own accord as he ran towards the main road. Abhimanyu set her on the floor and tied his handkerchief around her neck. Akshara was drifting in and out of consciousness. Abhimanyu bit his lips and looked around. The area was very deserted and he found no cars passing. He took out his phone and realised there was no network.

Abhimanyu: Got no time to waste! Akshu!!...Akshu!!

He patted her face. Akshara opened her tired eyes with great effort.

Abhimanyu: We have to take the bike baby. I know it's difficult but hold on okay

He sat Akshu on the gas tank and sat on the seat himself. He had kept both her legs on one side and leaned her body against his. Akshara held his waist and rested her head against his chest as Abhimanyu drove off.

Abhimanyu: I know it must be paining jaan....I am so sorry...bs ho gaya haan, hum bs pahunchne wale hai hospital...

Abhimanyu kept whispering sweet nothings to keep Akshara awake. However, half way on the journey, he felt her hands slip.

Abhimanyu: Nahi!! Akshu!! ...No!

But, to his dismay, Akshara had given more fight then she had all day long and had finally caved in to her pain. Her body surrendered to darkness in the arms of her lover- leaving him tensed and broke.

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

I got news!

Dear Readers,

Some of you might be aware, I am writing a series on Abhira. Book I is completed & on my profile. Book II is now published as well. Here is a small description of the same.

Description:-

Abhimanyu is on a mission to hunt down the girl who has his heart, but how do you find someone who does not want to be found???

♡♡♡
Akshara has decided to leave Udaipur and the pain behind, she is running from her past and wants to start afresh. Abhimanyu has discovered things are not how he perceived them to be. Now, he wants nothing more than to find Akshara and bare his heart out to her.
♡♡♡

This story is a 'Stand Alone' read so you need not be a reader of Book I to understand this book. For those requesting Maheshwaris and Singhanias in Abhira's life, do give it a shot. As they'd gradually appear later in the book.

xoxo