Part 4

Abhimanyu was feeling everything at once! He was a simple man. Always spoke his heart and knew what he wanted. He was always in control of his life and now he felt everything was slipping away. His life was a mess! He breathed deeply before looking down at the reason of his recently messy life- his whole life itself- his Akshu.

The girl was as clumsy as anyone could get. She frustrated him, irritated him, scared him but at the same time, she gave him hope. Hope for a better life, bright future and love. Her presence made him realise that he wasn't living before her. Maybe that is why he felt so protective of her. He was scared to be without her so he constantly tried to keep her in his life- happy and safe. Only, lying in his arms, she looked far from happy. There was a trail of dried tear stains on both her cheeks and her nose of a deep shade of red from the crying she had done.

Flashback to an hour ago

The moment Abhimanyu had stepped into her shared room with Arohi, he made her sit and got up to get something to drink but Akshara didn't let go. She just hugged him close. Abhimanyu let her have that moment before realising what she was doing. The slight shake of her shoulders and the wetness pooling against his shirt made it evident - she was crying!

The monologue had drained Akshara completely. Who knew bottling up emotions could feel this heavy? She was always the understanding, sacrificing, happy Akshara. According to people around her- Akshara had no ambition in life, she only liked making everyone happy as she was always happy. For the most part, yes, Akshara was sweet but she was also dramatic. She had a bubbly personality and loved it when anyone got happy because of her. But it was wrong to assume that she did not dream. She dreamt of becoming a successful music therapist, of taking charge of her mother's dance academy someday and when she met Abhimanyu- she dreamt of a life with him. She had let go of so many things just because she prioritized someone else's happiness over hers. No anymore! And for who? Also, wasn't Abhimanyu a person too? Was his happiness not important? Akshara cannot take Abhimanyu's love for her for granted! Like people took hers! She refused to make Abhi feel less for anyone anymore. She vowed that she will return his feelings with the same passion, prioritize him. For that she needed to bury her past and that is exactly what she did by breaking down in his arms.

Akshara cried for a good while before starting her story. She told him the story no one knew. Goenkas knew what happened at the temple and they saw what happened afterwards. Arohi's POV was always crystal clear. Abhimanyu knew it briefly from Kairav's POV but it was time for Akshara to share what she felt, from her point of view. She told Abhi about the young girl whose story started way before Sirat died-

Akshara: Bachpan ke baare me sochti hoo na toh kabhi aisa din nahi yaad ata jb mai ghar ki sbse choti baachi rahi hoon. Mere paida hone ke bohot km time me hi Arohi paida ho gayi thi. Maine toh humesha khud ko big sister hi suna hai. Arohi has always been the baby in the family. Vo age meri kb ayi aur kb beet gayi, pta hi nahi chala...kabhi koi cheez ek hi hoti aur vo zidd krti toh sb kehte ki tum badi ho, tum hi samjho...maine bhi khud ko humesha bada hi mana..mujhe bura nahi lgta tha...maine sach me Arohi se humesha se pyaar kiya....

Abhimanyu nodded at her, encouraging her to go on. He shifted slightly and pulled her into his lap. Akshara leaned in and kept her head near his heart before continuing.

Akshara: Phir mujhe pta chala ki Sirat maa meri asli maa nahi hai. Mera mumma to koi aur hai. Mujhe bohot bura laga tha Abhi. Bohot bura. Mera kissi ke liye bhi pyaar kum nahi hua tha...bs bura laga ki mujhse meri hi mumma ki baat chupai...lekin us time bhi maine apna dukh side me rakhkr Sirat maa ko hug kiya. Vo mujhse pyaar krti thi isliye mai nahi chahti thi ki vo sad ho. Pr phir maine mimi aur baaki sb se Naira maa ke baare me jaane ki koshish ki. Jitna unke baare me jaanti utna bura lgta ki mai unhe mill nahi payi...pta hai mumma ne mera naam meri naani ke naam pr rakha...unhe lga vo wapis aayi hai mere roop me....ab vo saath honge pr humhara saath bohot km tha..

Akshara smiled sadly and Abhi kissed the top of her head. The girl who brightened his entire life had had a really lonely life despite being surrounded by so many people. Akshara continued to tell him about feeling sad about never being told about so many other things like her whole maternal family. She mentioned how Arohi changed after realizing they were step-sisters. She mentioned the ill day that took away their parents and how Arohi openly hated her post that. Akshara mentioned everything she went through after that. How she blamed her family for never supporting her in front of Arohi and yet never fought because she loved them. Abhi thought it was the end of their story but Akshara went to speak about every moment. She spoke about meeting him and all those feeling he thought only he had felt. She mentioned Arohi's confusion, her dilemma, the emotional blackmail, her weaknesses, everything! She felt light and Abhi felt liberated. His love had shed off the burden of the past.

Akshara: Abhi! I know tum bologe zarurat nahi hai, but mai phir bhi kahungi...I am sorry. I am sorry tumhare saath vo sb krne ki liye jisse tumhe dukh hua. I loved you and I gave you so much pain. Main jinse bhi pyaar krti hoon na, shyd meri feelings ko tumhare jitna reciprocate koi nahi krta aur maine tumhe hi hurt kiya...But aaj tumhari Akshu tumse wada krti hai....I'll never leave you, I am as yours as you are mine. Tum mere liye bohot important ho, Jaan basti hai meri tumhe...I am sorry for making you feel otherwise ever. I love you Dr. Abhimanyu Birla and I'll spend the rest my life proving how much!

A lone tear escaped his eye as a large smile broke on his face. He took her face in his large hands before planting a long kiss on her head. He proceeded to pepper kisses all over her face before planting one more on his most favourite- her hair. Akshara giggled before a yawn escaped her mouth. She was physically tired and her mind had already shut off the moment Abhimanyu had started with his kissed. Abhimanyu smiled at her cuteness and mentioned how glad he was.

Abhimanyu: Mai bohot khush hoon Akshu...bohot....Mujhe bura lgta hai ye soch kr ki tumhara childhood aise tha....You deserve everything perfect. Jo chala gaya vo waqt toh mai wapid nahi laa skta but I promise..humara ane wala kl rocking hoga!

Akshara smiled and the two lovers held each other close.

Flashback ends

Abhimanyu tucked the fly away strands of hair away from Akshara's face. As much as he hated the sight of her exhausted body and tear-stricken face, he knew today was necessary to make Akshara stronger. His Akshu will never be another person's doormat!

He only ever felt so protective for one person before her- his mother but he couldn't do much for his mother, still couldn't do much. His mother was Sir's wife, she would put her husband's wishes before his. He wanted to take her away but she stayed back for sir. Akshu was the second person who touched his heart and earned the same respect as his mother for him. But his poor heart still did not get what it yearned for initially- Ki koi usse bhi toot kr pyaar kare. Akshara's childhood and trauma had conditioned her to always put Arohi first, even before her own self. But like Sir, Arohi didn't deserve the devotion. Now that the pyaar ki patti was off Akshara's eyes, hell would have to freeze twice before Abhi let Akshu get hurt again.

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Abhimanyu left the sleeping Akshara and went downstairs. Everyone was there and he must credit them. He had been gone for an hour and not a single person had interrupted his conversation with Akshara. He wanted to talk to her more but she was tired and he could wait another day. Her exhausted body had turned off the moment he had hugged her and he didn't have the heart to wake her up. It didn't seem like the family minded her absence though, except one person maybe.

Harshvardhan: Aa gaye laat sahab? Aur inki Akshu kahan hai??? Aaj pehli baar apni awaz ka itna use kiya hai to thak kr rest kr rahi hai kya?

Abhimanyu: Sir! Apse mtlb? Aur ek second, police kahan hai? Aur ye Arohi yahan kya kr rahi hai? Why was she not arrested?

Arohi gulped in fear and all the Goenkas were tensed. They knew Arohi was wrong but no family wants their kids behind bars.

Neil: Police to chali gayi bhai..

Abhimanyu: Kyun? Iske khilaf aur kitne saboot chahiye....

Manjiri: Abhi maine kaha tha Police ko jaane...aur case bhi close krne bol diya

Abhimanyu was shocked and frowned.

Abhimanyu: Kya? Kyu?? Isne aapka accident kiya maa..

Manjiri: Accident tha Abhi..

Abhimanyu: takkar accident thi lekin uske baad jo bhi hua... apko wahan chod dena, evidence khtm krta, vo sb crime hai..

Manjiri: Mai jaanti hoon Abhi, pr maine maaf kr diya hai isse Abhi..

Abhimanyu: what?? Ye aachai dikhane ka time nahi hai maa, isse afsos tk nahi hai, dekhna na aaj apne...kaise bade aram se Akshu ko blame kr rahi thi...

Arohi: Toh tumhari asli problem mera Akshu ko blame krna hai??!! Don't mix personal-

Manjiri: Chup!! Tumhara chup rehna hi behtar hai Arohi. Mai nahi chahti ki dono parivaro ke beech kuch bhi an-ban ho..mere baccho ki shaadi me aisa-waisa kuch bhi na ho...isliye maaf kiya tumhe, vo bhi tb jb tumne ek baar bhi dil se maafi tk nahi mangi..

The Goenkas put their heads down in shame and folded their hands in front her Manjiri. Arohi had truly left them feeling humiliated. Abhimanyu could not believe his ears. He was ready to explode when Manjiri held his hand and asked him let go.

Harshvardhan: Arey iss ladki ne toh gunah kiya hai lekin vo Akshu kahan hai? She knew everything na... uski bhi galti hai ya usse clean chit mil jayegi, ab bhi shaadi karoge tum usse??

Neil: Seriously uncle?! Aap bhabhi ke peeche hi pad gaye hai..

Mahima: I am with Harsh on this but. Akshara sb jaankr kyu chup thi...Arohi toh hai hi hopeless case but Akshara se ye umeed nahi thi..

Manjiri: Aisa nahi hai...Mujhe pta tha sb...

Everyone was stunned by Manjiri's revelation. Akshara had rushed to her the moment she realised the truth and cried in her lap. She was feeling extremely guilty and begged for forgiveness. She promised to take up any punishment to repent. Manjiri felt weird knowing her culprit was a known but she knew she must save everyone from the storm her son's anger would bring. She made Akshara swear on her that she won't reveal anything to anyone so that the happiness and peace of the family isn't ruined.

Abhimanyu understood why Akshara had kept things from him but still struggled to let go of his anger at Arohi. The girl had gotten away with so much.

Mahima: Jo bhi ho pr ye ladki kl se Birla hospital nahi aa skti..

Anand: I agree.

Arohi: what?! Kyu?

Harshvarshan:Tum itni stupid ho kya? Aur kya reason chahiye tumhe?

Mahima: Aur dekh lo, hospital ka future ye hote hote bach gaya..

Harshvardhan: ( in mind) vo toh hai! Ek doctor ne nashe me gadi chala kr accident kiya aur bhaag gayi....kitni badnami hoti hospital ki...aisi doctor humari bahu nahi bani, accha hua...

Harshvardhan: And last time kya kaha tha tumne? Proof nahi hai tumhare MD kand ka, ab toh proof hai, toh we expect your resignation first thing in the morning wrna termination will be served from our side.

Arohi: Pr..?

Manish: Chup karogi tum? Ab bhi bole jaa rahi hoo..

Suhasini: Jitni daya ye log dikha rahe hai na, tum uske bhi layak nahi ho...ye toh bohot choti si saza hai...ab chup raho tum...age ek shabd nahi..

The families took each other's leave. It had been a heavy day for all of them but it left Akshara liberated and Abhira, stronger.

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Unedited | Please ignore errors, will fix later.

xoxo