Timeline: Akshara is in her ninth month of pregnancy, almost a week away from due date.

...........

Akshara Birla entered the house with a huge smile on her face. She had her dinner at Goenka house that night. Abhimanyu had an urgent surgery so he couldn't attend. Kairav dropped her and left. Akshara went to her room and changed into a loose gown as it was comfortable.

Abhimanyu entered the room later and saw his wife sitting with a doll in her arms.

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Jaan ye kya hai? Kahin phirse kissi class me enrol to nahi krwa liya na?

Akshara: Uff! Aisa kuch nahi hai...ye to mere bachpan ki hai...

Abhimanyu: tumhare bachpan ki?

Akshara: Haan...bhaiya ne kaha mai bachpan me isko apna baby bolti thi aur isse sb jagah saath rakhti thi....Kairav bhaiya ne di...

Abhimanyu: Accha hai, mai toh dr gaya tha...

He sat next to her and she poked his face.

Akshara: tum bhi na docman! Those classes weren't that bad.

Flashback (reference Pregnant Akshu OS 7)

Akshara was seven months pregnant. This is when her bump started to grow more and her clothes no longer fit her. Abhimanyu had taken her out on shopping when they ran into a girl named Naina advertising about some workshop. Akshara had taken the pamphlet from her.

It was about a workshop for expecting parents for two days (Saturday and Sunday). Akshara got intrigued and enrolled them for it, much to Abhimanyu's distaste. The family also teased him a lot.

The class in itself was alright. They were told dos and donts of new parenthood. Then a dummy doll was given to them. They were taught how to put on the diaper and feed but the real shocked came afterwards.

Naina: Now all of you can take your dolls and the baby bag home. Remember, the doll with need feeding, diaper changes and a whole lot of things like a real baby. It will cry like a real baby too, letting you know that it needs something. Be gentle with it. It will be a great practise for you all. See you all tomorrow.

Abhimanyu: Akshu??...

Akshara: Mujhe bhi nahi pata tha ki aisa kuch hoga...

On the way home, Akshara looked at Abhimanyu with doe eyes. She knew this arrangement bothered him. She looked at the doll in her arms.

Akshara: Abhi...

Abhimanyu did not reply.

Akshara: suno na...beti hui hai hume..

She noticed his lips twitch a little. She knew he was melting.

Akshara: Abhi ek raat ki to baat hai...hum iska naam rakhe...please...

Abhimanyu: choti Akshu...

Akshara: what? No!....

Abhimanyu: Kyu?

Akshara: meri beti ka naam Akshu nahi hoga...kuch aur...

Abhimanyu: Abhira? Abhimanyu + Akshara...

Akshara: Abhira koi naam rakhne wala nahi hai...kuch aur...Ayushi? Khushi?

Abhimanyu: Rehne do, baby hi bula lenge....jb humari sach ki baby hogi tb name sochenge...okay?

Akshara: Hmm...phir Abhira hi thik hai...baby Abhira

Akshara nodded and soon, they reached home. Abhira entered the house with baby Abhira in their arms. They saw their whole family there.

Neil: Bro?! Bhabhi? Kiska baccha utha liya?

Nishtha: Baby? (looks at Akshara's bump) Bhabhi to pregnant hai...

Shefali: oh god! Tum dono ka baby toh ane wala hai na duniya me...toh phir kyu?

The baby doll began crying at the sound.

Manjiri: Iski awaz thodi alag si nahi hai??....(peeps at the baby) Ye koi baccha nahi hai...

The family got shocked. Abhira told about the workshop assignment and family laughed at them.

A hour later, all the laughter was gone. The baby had cried, been feed, cried again and diaper changed. Now, it was crying yet again and it was driving the house mad.

Mahima: arey isme koi cell honge na, nikal do...

Anand: seriously! Do something....iska rona bohot ajeeb hai...

Nishtha: horror movies me hoti hai aise awazen....

Abhimanyu: sorry taiji, we are trying...

Abhimanyu takes the doll and roams around the house with it. It stops crying. The doll kept crying, laughing and needing attention from time to time. Abhira barely sleep through the night. Next day, Goenkas came and were shocked to see the state. Almost everyone looked cranky and sleep deprived. Even they got annoyed as the baby cried on and on. It mechanical laughter as well as cries were scary. As soon as the workshop timing arrived, Abhira ran with the baby to leave it.

Flashback ends

Abhira were cuddling in bed, Akshara childhood doll kept with the baby toys in the basket. Abhimanyu was caressing her belly while pecking her face.

Abhimanyu: Ab hasi aa rahi hai, us time halat kharab ho gayi thi...anyways leave that, how was dinner jaan?

Akshara: Good....accha Abhi, I have to tell you something..

Abhimanyu: bolo..

Akshara: Vo...(nervous)

Abhimanyu: mujhse kya ghabra rahi ho...bolo...

Akshara closed her eyes and said in one go.

Akshara: Mimi, badepapa aur baki sb...mtlb tumhare sasural wale...they want ki mai ghar aa jau...

Abhimanyu: haan toh jao..kya issue hai?

Akshara: for a few days...

Abhimanyu: -_- ...how many??

Akshara: A month??

Abhimanyu: A MONTH!!!!

Akshara: shh...kya hua...

Abhimanyu: Kyu?

Akshara: Mimi ne bola ki ladki ka pehla baby uske ghar hota hai...yahi reet hai..

Abhimanyu: Ye kaise reet hai....mai nahi manta isse...tum kahin nahi jaa rahi...

Akshara: Abhi pr...

Abhimanyu: Nahi Akshu...please...not this..

He hugged her close but not too tight. They drifted off to sleep.

.........

Next day, Akshara woke up to Abhimanyu's kisses. He was peppering them all over her face.

Akshara: Good *yawns* Morning patidev...

Abhimanyu: Good morning patnidevi...

Akshara: subah subah romantic mood?

Abhimanyu: romance ki toh yaad hi mat dilao tum mujhe...kitna time ho gaya...

He sighed and put his face in the crook of her neck. Akshara blushed. She put her hands on his face and pulled him in for a big kiss but as soon as their lips met, she pulled back.

Akshara: I forgot! Morning breathe..

She got out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Abhimanyu yelled after her.

Abhimanyu: I don't mind....Akshu!!

Akshara freshened up and came out. Abhimanyu grabbed her and asked her to finish what she started. They kissed passionately for a few minutes before parting for air. He went to get ready after that. They went downstairs.

Harshvardhan: Kaisi ho Akshara?

Akshara: Thik hoon papa..

Anand: accha chale ab? Goenkas ne breakfast pr invite kiya hai sbko...late nahi krte...

Manjiri: Akshara ki pregnancy ke chalte kitna milna jhulna hota hai na dono parivaro me...

Mahima: haan...This is one thing I will not miss once the baby comes out.

They ignored that comment and went to Goenka House. After breakfast Mimi initiated the conversation. Birlas were shocked. They knew about his ritual which is followed by some but they were not aware that Goenkas planned on following it.

Manjiri: Kya zarurat hai iski maaji...

Suhasini: Zarurat kaise nahi hai? Ladkiya toh ulta bohot pehle hi apne ghar aa jati hai...hum toh ek hi sheher hai bolkr due date ke itne pass bol rahe hai...

Abhimanyu: Pr Mimi!!!?

Suhasini: Hume kuch nahi sunna Abhimanyu..is mamle me hum strict hai....

Swarna: Chodiye na Maaji....jaise Akshu ke sasural walo ko thik lage...

Suhasini: pr...

Abhimanyu: Haan Mimi...please...mai roz milwane launga Akshu ko apne pr ye nahi maan skta mai...

Others also try to convince Suhasini.

Suhasini: Thik hai...hume nahi kehna kuch..

She left.

(Author's Note: Just saying, I do find it slightly annoying how adamant Suhasini gets. Like Kaira ke time pr she wanted upper hand saying she is 'ladke wale' and now she does not want to extend the same courtesy)

Dinner wasn't the same after that. Post that, Birlas went to their home. Suhasini peeped from her window and saw Akshara leave with them. She sighed knowing even her passive aggressive behaviour did not help and slept.

At Birla house, Abhimanyu saw how conflicted Akshara was feeling. He suggested if she should move.

Harshvardhan: Hargiz nahi!!!!

Mahima: Koi zarurat nahi hai aisi kissi reet ko manne ki...

Harshvardhan: Sb humari hi galti hai. Shaadi ke time ki ladke waale hone ka faida uthana chahiye tha. Humne bohot dheel de di and Goenkas ne hi saari rasme decide kr li....ab toh hr cheez me manmani kr rahe hai..

Manjiri: Ji sirf Suhasini ji ne kaha na, baaki sbne toh toh kaha ki jaisa hume thik lage..

Harshvardhan: Tum chup raho Manjiri...maine bhi faisla liya hai ki meri bahu nahi jayega wahan...arey yahan hum sb hai...ghar me hi teen teen practicing doctors hai...tum ho...

Abhimanyu kept looking at Akshara who was just listening with her head down. He held her hand and she looked up at him.

Abhimanyu: Akshu jayegi Sir..

Harshvardhan: KYA!?

Anand: Ye TUM keh rahe ho?

Abhimanyu: Haan...pr sirf delivery tk, okay? Delivery ke baad mai nahi jaane dunga....Ye compromise hum karenge to post delivery wali baat Mimi ko manni hogi...

Akshara smiled but half-heartedly. Harshvardhan went to his room fuming. Everyone else went as well. Abhimanyu entered their room with a glass of milk and gave it to her. While she sat deep in thought and drank the milk, he took out a bag and packed her clothes, medicines and creams.

Abhimanyu: Akshu, ye wali cream mai iss pouch me rakh raha hoon...

He looked up when he heard no response. He sat next to her and cupped her face.

Abhimanyu: Kya hua Jaan?

Akshara: (shakes her head) kuch nahi..

Abhimanyu: You are not happy?

Akshara: not fully...(hugs him) I don't want to leave you. Tumhe kya zarurat hai Mimi ki baat manne ki...mujhe nahi jaana...

He laughed at her cute pout and kissed her head. Eventually she slept like that, listening to his heart beats and then, he laid her down perfectly.

...........

Next day, At Goenka House.

Suhasini sat on the couch sipping some fruit juice. She was not talking to any other person of the house as she feels they did not back her yesterday. 

Swarna: Maaji ne to kl se mood off kiya hua hai..

Manish: Kya kre? Maa bhi kabhi kabhi baccho ki tarah zid pr aa jati hai...

Akhilesh: Pta nahi kyu zid kr rahi hai pr? Kirti aur Mansi ke time to aisi zidd nahi ki thi...

Swarna: Maaji ko Akshu se lagav hi bohot hai...vo toh kbse se usse bulana chahti thi, maine hi mana kiya ki itne lambe time ke liye Abhimanyu kabhi nahi manega...

Manish: kyu manega? Kartik bhi kahan manta tha? Usse kaha hota na kissi ne toh ghar sir pr utha leta...Abhimanyu to phir bhi manane ki koshish kr raha tha

Akhilesh: Sahi kaha pr ab inhe to manana padega na...

Kairav: Akshu!?

Swarna: Ye idea sahi hai, vo mana legi...

Kairav: Nahi badimaa, Akshu...

He points at the door and they see Akshara enter with Abhimanyu who had a large suitcase in his hands. Suhasini also saw this and cheered up thinking that things are bending as per her will.

Abhimanyu: Isse pehle aap log kuch kahe...haan mai Akshu ko yahan lekr aaya hoon pr just till the due date....and nahi Mimi usse zyada Akshu yahan nahi rahegi...mai itna adjust kr raha hoon...toh thodi baat aap bhi maan lo meri...

Kairav: WHAT!? AKSHU YAHAN RAHEGAI? WOW!!...

He hugs Abhimanyu. All cheer up and agree to his condition of her staying for lesser than what Suhasini wanted. Vansh started to take her bag to keep in the guest room as her original room was upstairs.

Vansh: ek hafte ke liye kitna saman le aayi Akshu?

Abhimanyu: That is not all hers...

Everyone looks at him with slight confusion.

Abhimanyu: What? You really think I will stay away from her for so many days? -_-

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

Dinner was a happy affair at Goenka house that night. Their daughter and son-in-law were going to live with them for a few days. All dishes were prepared at per their preferences. Suhasini lovingly fed Akshara. After that, Swarna applied oil in her hair and braided it neatly. Abhira video called Birlas and spoke for a little while. Before everyone called it a night.

Later, Akshara was tossing and turning in her sleep.

Abhimanyu: (wakes up) kya hua Akshu? Neend nahi aa rahi?

Akshara: haan...shyd nai jagah hai isliye....I mean ye bed to mai jb yahan thi tb bhi use nahi krti thi...bechaini bhi ho rahi hai thodi si..

Abhimanyu: Meri jaan...come here..

He enveloped her into a hug. He laid down against the headboard and made her relax back into him. Her back to his chest. Then he brought his hands forth. With one hand, he massaged her belly and also made circles at her chest. With his other hand, he massaged her head and ears. Eventually they both slept in that position.

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

To be continued.

Next part is last :)

xoxo

PS: Please be patient with updates for the next 7-8 days. In Jain community, this time is special for us as we engage ourselves in religious prayers and fasts. So, I don't usually feel like writing. Thank You.

PSS: I have not revisited this draft so there could be errors. Kindly ignore, I'll fix those later.