Starting a new series now :) Abhira stories based on childhood tales.

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Story 1.  A Cinderella Story

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Disclaimer: This OS is Cinderella inspired and it is well known that Cinderella had an evil step mother so, Arohi and Sirat fans, please avoid reading further. Also its 'inspired' by Cinderella so storyline can vary and not be the exact fairytale.

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Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away lived a wealthy man. His name was Kartik Goenka. He had a beautiful wife name Naira. They loved each other a lot and had a happy life. The only thing they felt amiss was the presence of a child. Many years after their marriage, their wish was finally granted and they were blessed by a baby girl. They named her Akshara after Naira's own mother.

The girl was as beautiful and sweet as her name. She had an easy going smile and was kind. Even as a baby, she was sensitive to those around her and was loved by all who met her. Kartik, Naira and Akshara were a complete family and their days were full of joy. But alas, one day, tragedy struck that house. Naira died when Akshara was only four. She sobbed for days but then started to brave up for her father who was struggling with the loss of his wife and becoming a single father. Soon, the neighbours advised him to marry again as the child was too young.

Initially, Kartik denied for he loved his wife too much and nobody could take her place but then he noticed little Akshara trying to do things on her own in order to help him. He felt bad that the child had no one when he had to go out and earn. He decided to marry again. Their next door neighbour was a widow with a child of her own so he thought she'd be perfect and Akshara will even have a sister. He soon married Sirat and bought her into his house along with her daughter Arohi who was the same age as Akshara.

Sirat: aap chinta mt kro Kartik ji, Akshara bhi meri beti jaisi hi hai...

Sirat really thought so but as the girls grew older, her selfishness came out. She started comparing them and wanted her own daughter to outshine Akshara. Whenever she heard anyone praise Akshara, she burned with envy. Soon, her feelings grew into hatred and started to unleash on Akshara. Since, Kartik started to work overseas and Sirat was left in charge of the house, she got liberty to do as she pleased.

Akshara was made to cook, clean and do many random chores at the house. The girl still managed to smile through her though days. She would sing and keep working. One day, Sirat heard womenfolk talk.

Woman 1: Akshara kitni pyaari hai, kitni meethi awaz hai uski...

Woman 2: Haan, mai jb dekhti hoon, koi na koi kaam hi kr rahi hoti hai pr majal hai ki mathe pr ek shikan bhi ho....

Sirat got angry hearing good about Akshara when her own daughter wasn't even discussed at all. Arohi was always inside the house, relaxing. She hardly interacted with people and if she did, people found her snobbish. To add to that, Arohi had a terrible singing voice. So, Sirat came back and forbade Akshara from singing again.

Akshara was saddened by it but she did not want to anger her step mother so she agreed. But this was not the end of Akshara's tragedies. One day, news came that the ship on which her father was returning home sank and there were no survivors. Akshara cried a lot that night as she had been orphaned. Arohi and Sirat were somewhere glad as they thought now they will get all Kartik's property but his will broke their hopes.

Lawyer: Kartik ji left enough for you both to live comfortably. Apka pehle ka jo ghar tha, vo toh apka hai hi plus he has left money in an account for you and Arohi. It is set in such manner ki apko interest ata rahega. Rest, everything is Akshara's. You can manage her wealth till she gets married. Then, the power will go to her husband.

Arohi: Maa! what will we do now!? We will not have so many rich things when she marries. We will have to live normally then.

Sirat: Then it is simple, right? She must never marry.

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Many years pass. The girls are grown women now. While Arohi was raised like a flower by Sirat, Akshara was made to do all the work in the house and sleep on the hard kitchen floor. She was forbidden to step outside the house and never sing inside the house. Nevertheless Akshara smiled through her pain. But she had a secret.

She was secretly planning to run away. She wanted to give herself a better life. Now that she had no parents, she knew life will be hard but she couldn't just rely on fate. So, every night, Akshara would sneak out of the house. She had found a beautiful cape in her mother's belongings. She would wear that cape over herself, covering her face & body and take her father's old horse to go to a neighbourhood that never slept.

It wasn't a good area but the only area awake at late hours. There, outside a drinking house, she sang for a few hours. Her melodious voice attracted many. Some of them would put money in the jar she kept near the makeshift stage.

After her performance, the money was split between the drinking house's owner and herself. She would then rush back home and hide the money. Every night she would count the money, hoping she would make enough to catch a boat and sail far away to start a new life.

Akshara: One, two....forty-two. If I count all the money I have pehle se then there is enough for the ticket but I should save more so that mai jahan bhi jaun waha life start krne jitney paise to ho mere pass...

While Akshara was planning her escape, life had another plans.

Anandvardhan Birla ruled the kingdom Akshara lived in. He was childless while his brother had two sons. Neil Birla was going to rule Harshvardhan's kingdom so Anand proposed that he will hand over his kingdom to his other nephew, Abhimanyu, who was also a very capable prince.

Abhimanyu: I agree tauji but please don't announce so soon...I want to first see the kingdom and since no one knows me, it will be perfect!

He and his faithful guard named Rohan posed as friends who were travellers and booked a room. They started to live a normal life and observed the people and the kingdom closely. One night,

Rohan: Your highness..

Abhimanyu: Call me Abhimanyu only, agar aise bulaoge to logon ko shaq ho jayega..

Rohan: Sorry...Abhimanyu. Hum yahan kyu ruke hai?

Abhimanyu: Taki hum logo ki life kareeb se dekh sake....If someday I am going to rule these people then it's necessary that I know them and their problems well. It is a great opportunity to observe them this close.

Rohan: Okay, well let us sleep now...It is late.

Rohan prepared Abhimanyu's bed and went out to sleep. But Abhimanyu wasn't sleeping. He got out of the bed and sat at the window, staring at the stars when he heard the most melodious sound ever.

Abhimanyu: This....wow! this voice is magical.

He jumped outside his window and started to run towards the voice but soon the song stopped and he could no longer trace it to anywhere.

Abhimanyu: Shit! I could not find the source but kya awaz thi vo...wow! ek dum jadu...

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A few days passed. Arohi had caught common cold and Sirat made Akshara stay by her bedside all night. This did not give her a change to sneak out to earn money at night. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu had started to take walks at night, in hopes of hearing the singer again but was losing hope. His heart yearned for the music. Rohan also discovered Abhimanyu's hunt for a singer and accompanied him for these night time walks.

One night, when he had almost given up, he heard her again. Akshara could step outside as Arohi was finally better. She wore her cape and sang. Abhimanyu was on his night walk and ran as soon as he heard the music. He stopped when he reached a rather shady drinking house in an equally shady neighbourhood. He pushed through the crowd and was stunned to see a small figure clad in a cape, singing to the crowd.

He was put in trance. His hands itched to remove the cape and see her. Her voice was smooth and soothing yet there was a strange pain in it that called out to him. After the song ended, the singer collected money and turned to leave. Some men started to misbehave.

Man1: Abey roz aati hai, gaati hai aur chali jaati hai...kabhi to ruk bhi jaa jaaneman..

Man2: arey rukti nahi to km se shakal hi dikha de...

Man3: dikhane layak nahi hogi..

They laugh. Akshara ignored and took her share from the owner. Abhimanyu however, started to feel angry.

Man1: Bura maan gayi kya? Ruk na...

Man2: hume shakal se waise bhi kaam nahi hai...humhara kaam to bina shakal ke bhi chal jayega...

They whistle and pass comments on her.

Man3: Bs cape hata de...ek baar dekhe toh ki curves kaise hai...

Abhimanyu: OYE!! CHUP KRO TUM LOG...SHARAM NAHI AATI?

Man1: Tu kon hai be?

Man2: pehle to nahi dekha...

Man3: Hoga koi naya, aya hai Hero banne...

Abhimanyu: Hero ka toh pata nahi pr tumhari life ka villain zarur hoon....

He said and punched one of the guys. He fell back.

Man2: Shit!

They were scared and shocked seeing his strength.

Man1: ye accha nahi kiya tune...

The three of them together attack him but they were not able to over power. Rohan was there but Abhimanyu was singlehandedly able to take them down.

Man3: Chodenge nahi tujhe...

The three men ran away.

Abhimanyu: Jaa jaa, dekh lunga...

He turned towards Akshara to ask her if she was okay but she ran and stood in front of him.

Akshara: Are you stupid!??

Abhimanyu was dumbfounded while Rohan was offended.

Abhimanyu: What?!

Rohan: He just saved your life! How rude!!

Akshara: Where is your house? Quick!

A part of Abhimanyu was confused and another part was getting engrossed by the sound of voice. He stood still. Rohan muttered that they were not from around here.

Akshara: Really stupid then!! Come with me....hurry.

She grabbed Abhimanyu's hand and pulled him towards a dark alley. Rohan yelled at her and followed while Abhimanyu let himself get dragged.

Rohan: You!!

Akshara: Shh...

She pointed at the square they had just run away from. The two turned and got surprise to see a large group of men run in.

Akshara: I know this place better than you guys. Ek se jhagda hua toh poora group ata hai...You were lucky ki unke friends already ass pass nahi they...come now..

She guided them to the spot where she had tied her horse.

Akshara: Nayi jagah hai tum logon ke liye, yahan ke ho nahi!! Toh koi nayi jagah pange leta hai??

She scolded them softly while untying her horse. She kept walking instead of climbing the horse. Abhimanyu and Rohan followed her wordlessly. She soon walked them to an open field.

Akshara: I need to go now. You guys wait here for the day to break or walk straight and take right. Wahan se kayi roads hai that go to different cities and if you want to stay here then take left. That neighbourhood is better. Thank you for your concern today but refrain from picking fights. Bye

Abhimanyu: Excuse me...

He stopped Akshara from leaving. She turned towards him.

Akshara: Yes?

Abhimanyu: If you know a better neighbourhood, they why sing there...??

Akshara: That is the only one open at night.

Abhimanyu: You can start working earlier...

Akshara: I appreciate your concern but you don't know my story...

She said and climbed her horse. The horse however neighed and stood on its twos, dropping Akshara.

Abhimanyu: Hey!!

Abhimanyu moved fast and Akshara landed in his arms. She quickly held his collar and tried to calm her breaths. Her cape rode up a little and he could see her lips. They were really plump and inviting to him.

Abhimanyu: Are you okay?

Akshara: (huffs) Yeah!...(looks at her horse in shock ) He never behaves like this!!

Abhimanyu: It is an animal! Happens...

Akshara: You can put me down..

Abhimanyu: Hun?! (realizes she is still in his arms) yes, sorry...

Akshara: Thank you....(pulls down the cape)

Abhimanyu: Where do you have to go? We could drop you...

Akshara: No!

She panics thinking it will not be good for her if Sirat saw her with men. She also needed to get going if she wanted a few hours of sleep before her busy day began.

Abhimanyu: O-kay...

She thanked him and Rohan again. She petted her horse and climbed him again, taking off.

Rohan: strange...

Abhimanyu: what?

Rohan: the direction she took off into...that is a good area...but why would she work like this at this hour if?? Maybe she is a maid who...ugh! anyways, none of my business. Are we leaving your highness?

Abhimanyu kept staring in the direction she left into.

Abhimanyu: There was a pain in her voice...I wish I could take that away...

They walked down the path Akshara told them about but did not leave the city. Instead, they rented a room at an inn.

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Next day, Akshara did her chores as usual but her mind kept going to the kind strangers she encountered, especially one of them in particular. At night, she went back to her usual place, wondering if she will meet him again.

Akshara: I shouldn't up my hopes, why would he return when he knows people might beat him to pulp here?

She sang her song but felt different that day. For the first time in a long time, her song was different. It felt lighter, she felt lighter. After her usual singing. She split the money and headed off to the place where she hid her horse.

'Boo!'

'Aaah!'

A man jumped in front of her out of nowhere, startling her. She jumped and tripped. The man was smiling but his eyes widened when he realized she was about to fall. He quickly reacted and caught hold of her but feel with her. They both landed on the heap of hay.

Akshara breathed heavily. Her eyes were shut. She opened them and looked at the strange man angrily before realizing those eyes. She recognized the warmth in them. She pulled at the man's beard and sure enough, it came off.

Akshara: You....

Abhimanyu: Me! Hi...sorry for all this...

Akshara was mesmerized seeing his face. Yesterday, she was shocked and more focused on hiding her own face that she did not see Abhimanyu's face but today, lying on the ground with him on top, she had no vision but him. He had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Those she recognized from yesterday but his sharp nose and jaw could put anyone to shame. She came out of her thoughts when her horse huffed. She slightly pushed him and quickly got up.

Abhimanyu: Again sorry. I wanted to hear you sing again and then surprise you...

Akshara: It's okay...

She adjusted her cape. Abhimanyu couldn't see her face earlier as she wasn't facing the light coming from the street but had her back to it. Also, her hair had been covering some of her face. He cursed himself about the lost opportunity and wanted to see her face but did not want to make her uncomfortable.

Abhimanyu: I was wondering if you'd come again. I know that place is unsafe but was my only hope...

Akshara nodded. She was feeling strange butterflies in her stomach like never before.

Abhimanyu: Can you stay a little longer?

Akshara: Why?

Abhimanyu: I-I want to talk to you...

Akshara: Listen, I don't know you but you've been kind to me so I will say this. I only have limited hours to come here and earn. I really cannot spend more time than I already do...You are welcome to come back tomorrow. I will be here only..

She climbed the horse and started to leave.

Abhimanyu: wait!

Akshara stopped her horse.

Abhimanyu: How much do you make?

Akshara: Excuse me?

Abhimanyu: I am curious, please.

Akshara: On an average, 40 ....50 on weekends...why?

Abhimanyu: I will pay you 50 every night...100!

Akshara: Y-you!!!...I don't do that kind of work...

She said through her teeth.

Abhimanyu: Nahi, tum galat samjh rahi ho...I only want to hear you sing...please...I promise nothing else.....I will even stay 5 steps away from you at all times if you want...I won't touch...Trust me...

Akshara was shocked. What was this man proposing? And why pay her so much when he could pay her less or even hear her for free at the street!? She did not say anything and rocked her heels to run away.

Abhimanyu: I will be waiting here for you...

He shouted back and kept looking as she disappeared into the night.

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xoxo