Abhimanyu stepped out of his room the moment he heard Manjiri outside. He told her that Akshara was asleep and he would sleep in Neil's room for the night. Manjiri helped Akshara out of her attire the best she could as the latter for asleep. Finally, she managed to change her into one of Anisha's night gowns that stopped mid-thigh as Anisha was shorter than Akshara. She gently removed her makeup and put her hair in a braid. She left some water at the bedside before leaving.

Anisha came in later with Neil. She slept with Akshara in Abhimanyu's room. Neil promised his Maa and Abhimanyu that the boys responsible were identified and will be punished.

Abhimanyu: Akshu ka naam?

Neil: Uska naam kahin nahi aya hai, aap tension mt lo...

Abhimanyu nodded and the brothers slept- atleast one of them did. Sleep was the last thing on Abhimanyu's mind. It replayed the softness of her skin, the fragrance of her body and her intoxicating closeness- torturing his poor heart. Akshara was a constant in his life since a long time but he never thought a need to identify and name that relationship. People called them bffs and they used that term often but their relationship was beyond everything. It was of comfort and shared grief- it was of trust and need- but, was it love? Was he in love with her?

Abhimanyu groaned and turned over, finally falling in a dreamless sleep.

..........

Anisha walked into the room early morning. It was probably 5:00 AM. Abhimanyu, who was a light sleeper, woke up as soon as he heard the door open.

Abhimanyu: is she up?

Anisha nodded and he ran to his room. Anisha contemplated going but sleep looked more inviting. She also knew that Abhimanyu would handle Akshara best so she also went to sleep in her room.

Abhimanyu entered his room and found Akshara sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?

He spoke, his voice as gentle as a feather. Akshara looked up and winced.

Akshara: My head hurts Abhiiiii....

Abhimanyu sat next to her and gave her water. Akshara drank a few sips.

Akshara: what happened?

Abhimanyu: some guy gave you a spiked drink last night, don't worry...I reached before anything happened?

Akshara: what... (holds her head) What happened to the fact that we are still in school...

Abhimanyu: He will be punished baba, but I don't want you to focus on that, focus on yourself...

Abhimanyu went downstairs and came back with some dry crackers and medicine. He made her eat a little and gulp the medicine. He placed the things on the bedside and sat next to her. Without thinking, she climbed his lap and straddled him. Her legs were on either side of his body and her arms were hugging him. She laid her head on his chest and mumbled a few things. Abhimanyu chuckled and undid her braid as he leaned against the bed frame. He gently massaged her scalp and she sighed happily.

Abhimanyu: Better Akshu?

Akshara nodded and thanked him. She looked up and their faces were only inches apart. Her breathe hitched as she realized the closeness. She looked down. Abhimanyu put a finger under her chin and made her look up.

Abhimanyu: Kya hua?

She shook her head and hugged him tightly. They laid in that position for long. He let her rest and kept massaging her head gently while she relaxed hearing the music of his heart. After a while, even he fell asleep in the position itself, finally catching on with the sleep he missed last night. Anisha entered the room much later and saw them hugging each other and sleeping in the sitting posture. She smiled and clicked a picture before leaving. She also silently left Akshara some clothes to wear.

Sometime later, Akshara woke up first and realized the position. Her night gown had rode up and his hands were resting on her thighs. She got down carefully and rearranged her clothes. Her headache was much better and she noticed some clothes kept on the table for her along with some towels and a fresh toothbrush.

Abhimanyu woke up later and stretched his arms. They were a little stiff given the posture he had slept in but it was indeed a peaceful sleep- the one he used to get whenever he slept in her lap. Just another reminder of how much she affected him. He heard the click of the bathroom door and saw her step out in a summer dress. She was wiping her hair and humming a song. She did not look over at him and went straight to the dressing. She kept the towel on the rack and applied lotion on her hands and legs. She put some cream on her face and ran her fingers through her hair. Her eyes met his through the mirror and she froze. His eyes were already frozen on hers.

The moment got broken when they heard Neil come in to call them for breakfast. Abhimanyu asked her how she felt and went to the bathroom while Akshara went downstairs. Only Manjiri was home with the kids. She gave Akshara her breakfast. Akshara was actually embarrassed but Manjiri consoled her stating how things were not her fault. Akshara smiled and ate her food. She spoke to Swarna and told her she will come home soon. Abhimanyu came downstairs later and joined them on the table.

Anisha: Akshu tum chalogi na aaj shopping ke liye? Mai aur Nishu to jaa rahe hai?

Akshara raised a brow.

Nishtha: arey Parth bhaiya ki sagai hai na kl!!

Akshara: right! I forgot!!...Card dekha tha maine ghar pr...tum aaj jaogi? Pehle nahi liya?

Anisha: haan, mom ne toh kaha aaj time nahi aur purane kuch me se pehen loon but I want new dress...

Manjiri: Bhai ki sagai hai toh banta bhi hai...

Akshara: I would love to come with you but meri dress already decided hai...

Nishtha: Koi baat nahi di, aap humare saath chalna...

After breakfast, Abhira and Abhimanyu's cousins go for shopping. While the girls paraded through the store, Abhira sat in a corner and chatted. There was nothing they did not know about each other except maybe their huge crush on each other. Finally, the girls picked up outfits and Akshara helped them finalize. They dropped her home before returning to Birla house.

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

The next day, Birla House.

Parth Birla, the eldest of Birla Children was getting engaged. He had just joined Birla Hospital post completing his MBBS and his fiancé was actually his girlfriend- Shefali. She was an intern at a media house. They both were young as so in love.

Guests arrived and congratulated the families. Some people spoke with Anand and Harshvardhan.

Man: Kya Dr. Birla! Mujhe lga aap apne bete ke liye doctor bahu laoge....same like you and Dr. Mahima....

Anand: Chahte toh hum bhi aisa hi they but....(looks at them) Whatever makes the kids happy...

Harshvardhan: exactly....but I will not let the same with my Abhimanyu. Arey! Entrance exam me all India rank 3 laya hai mera beta, uske liye toh best doctor launga...

Man: Haha! Sir, usme time hai abhi...

Anand spoke with Harshvardhan as soon as the man left.

Anand: Zyada mt bolo Harsh, Abhimanyu me abhi time hai...aur (points at the corner where Abhira are standing side by side- talking to Shefali and Parth)....Kya pata tumhare bete ne bhi koi chose kr rakhi ho...

Harshvardhan: Kya bhaisahab!! Mazak ke mood me ho kya...

Harshvardhan might have taken this as a joke but it was only a matter of time before Abhira's feelings exposed itself. As years grew, Abhira grew more and more possessive of each other. They were living in different cities but the distance could not melt their connection. The families too realized that Abhira shared a very strong bond and it was obvious to them that the two would eventually end up together.

The two, however, we partially clueless. Their hearts accepted the crush but they were scared to acknowledge the feeling. Akshara was afraid that he might still see her as his little bff who was younger and immature. Abhimanyu was afraid to ruin them in case she did not feel the same. He also feared what their age gap meant. Time flew by. Now, Abhimanyu was about to enter fifth year of his MBBS while Akshara was done with her boards and badly searching career options. She was sitting at Birla house.

Manjiri: Beta, jo tera man ho vo hi kar...tu kissi se baat kyu nahi karti?

Harshvardhan: Mai keh raha hoon beta, doctor banne me bohot scope hai...best field!!

He said pushing a flier he had been pushing at her since past one year. He also somewhere knew his son's heart was set.

Harshvardhan: (in mind) Bahu toh ab ye hi banegi so kyu na isse hi doctor banwa doon...

But Akshara sat still. Her mind replaying the conversation she had heard at home. Arohi was complaining to Sirat's picture about Akshara's presence. She later threw a major tantrum about having to see her mother's murderer daily. Though Akshara knew she was not at fault but it hurt her. She also remembered Sirat last wish. Though Akshara refused to let Arohi use her, she was pure at heart and wanted her to happy. She stood up with a resolve. Come what may, whatever career path she decides on- she will leave the city for sure!!

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

Where would Akshu go??

(Note: Akshara is now 18 and Abhimanyu just turned 22)

xoxo

PS: I will be updating unedited chapters for a few days. I think it is better then delaying updating. Please bear with some errors for a short while. I will correct them later.