Timeline: Today is the day for Arohi and Neil's wedding reception. 

..........

Arohi smirked as she sat down in the hall of Birla house. The setup for her and Neil's wedding reception was grand and screamed elegance. The staff was adding some finishing touches while the family members were doing rounds and ensuring everything was up to the Birla standards. Her reception would be in the evening and her marriage into the Birla house would become public. Many knew already for such news of a runaway marriage always spread fast but this would give her proper acknowledgement.

Moreover, the fact that she had blackmailed it out of Abhimanyu made it all the more pleasurable for her. Akshara was clearly against her stay in the house and now she was forcing her husband to get her accepted. She loved the irony!

Nishtha: Bhabhi?

Arohi: Haan Nishtha...

Arohi said in a sickly sweet voice.

Nishtha: Aap yahin baithe ho toh ek baar bs staff pr nazar rakhna ki saari tables sahi se set up ho rahi hai nahi? Mujhe online kuch submissions krne hai, mai ati hoon.

Arohi turned around and saw everyone else was busy as well. She noticed Abhimanyu and Akshara practising dance near the fountain. Akshara's face showed she was really agitated. Arohi felt elated and went to them.

Arohi: Nishtha ko kaam se jaana pada, Jiju, aap supervise kijiye na hall me...

Akshara: Tu toh free baithi hai, khud kr le. Afterall, tera hi reception hai.

Arohi: Exactly! Mera reception hai. Ab mai toh relax kru na. Nahi toh mere face ka glow km ho jayega. Waise bhi makeup artist ane wale hai, mujhe ready krne...

Before Akshara could say anything, Abhimanyu cut her off and accepted to supervise.

Akshara: Bohot go gaya hai Abhi! Tum kro tumhe jo krna hai. Mai vo karungi jo mujhe krna hai!

..........

An hour later, Goenkas arrive at Birla house.

Harshvardhan: arey aap log? Is waqt? Party me toh abhi time hai...

Manjiri: Koi kaam tha? Vo iss time...

All stop their work and came to the hall, very surprised that Goenkas came so early.

Swarna: Vo, hum toh ready hone jaa rahe they pr Akshu ka urgently call aya tha ki abhi ki abhi Birla house aye...

Manjiri: Akshu ne call kiya?

She looked at Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Maa, mujhe nahi pata iss baare me...(looks around) Akshu hai kahan?

Akshara: Mai yahan hoon.

She said from the stairs and got down from the steps.

Akshara: Sorry, aap sb ko itna urgently bulane ke liye but ye zaruri tha...

Arohi: Kya zaruri tha? Tu chahti nahi hai ki mere reception ki tayari acche se ho isliye beech me pta nahi kya lekr baith gayi hai... dekho na Neil..

She quivered her lower lip but instead of looking sad, she looked like a duck that was sick.

Arohi: Ab to Abhimanyu ne ye party throw ki hai! ab bhi tujhe problem hai?!

Akshara: Tu mujhe bolne degi to mai baat bataungi..

Anand: Kya hua hai Akshara? Itni kya urgent baat hai?

Akshara: ek minute tauji.

She gave a pendrive to the staff and asked him to insert it in the TV. The staff did so and gave her the remote.

Akshara: I know aap sb busy ho so let's start without any delay, mujhe sbko kuch dikhana hai...

The video played and it was of Shivansh's birthday.

Shefali: Shivu ka birthday....

Neil: (rudely) Bhabhi isme aisa kya hai jo wait nahi kr skta?!

Akshara: Ye...

She pointed at the screen. Arohi is leaving the function and going upstairs. Her body language makes it clear that she wants no one to notice her going. Then, Akshara played a zoomed version of the party. The view was not focusing at the centre if the hall but on the hallways upstairs. Arohi is seen entering Abhira's room and coming out with something. Abhimanyu sees this and snatches the file. Arohi is following him and as Abhimanyu turns, she holds her cheeks as if she was hit.

Akshara: Let me replay that part, but slower.

Akshara did that and reduced the speed of the video. It was evident that Abhimanyu's hand did not even touch Arohi before she held her cheek and turned to the side, acting that she was slapped.

Parth: Ye kya?! Abhimanyu ka toh haath bhi nahi laga isse...

Arohi felt exposed. Akshara walked closer and snatched her phone out of her reach. Arohi opened her mouth to yell but Akshara made her phone face her, thus activating face lock. She handed the phone to Harshvardhan.

Akshara: ye dekhiye papa, isne apni friend ko message krke police bhi khud bulwai thi. Aur phir sbke samne police ko refuse krke sbke liye acchi bhi ban gayi...

Goenkas hung their heads in shame. Arohi was fully caught with proofs that did not allow escaping. Neil felt guilty for doubting his brother and treating him such but still, he couldn't comprehend why his wife would do such a thing. Arohi saw around and realised everyone had questions in their eyes so before things could turn on her, she decided to turn them on Akshara.

Arohi: Mujhe laga Abhimanyu ne mujhe mara. Aur mujhe ye bhi pta tha ki meri baat koi manega nahi so maine kr diya apni friend ko message. Kyunki galat galat hai..

Akshara: Ye bakwas kisi aur ko sunana. Tumje laga hi kyu? Abhimanyu ka hath tumje touch bhi nahi hua toh tune kaise kaha thappad pada? Tujhe feel nahi hua kya? Jhoot bolna band kr Arohi wrna mai tujhe thappad maar ke bataungi ki kaisa lgta hai thappad padne pr..

Arohi glared at Abhimanyu. She wanted him to shut his wife because Akshara was exposing her.

Arohi: (with expressions) Mai sach bata dungi...

Abhimanyu was frustrated. He was also angry that Arohi lied and his brother believed her. Neil knew Arohi was vile but believed she had changed but Abhimanyu grew up with him yet he did not trust him at all. He turned to Akshara who glared at him as well. Abhimanyu gulped sensing that Akshara knew something already.

Arohi: Mujhe pta hai tu ye sb kyu kr rahi hai! Tujhe meri reception party se jealous feel ho raha ha na? Tujhe toh koi party mili nahi...

Shefali: seriously?! Aur tumne us din vo kyu kiya? Tum Shivu ki birthday party se jealous thi kya? Aur Akshara ko kissi reception se jealous hone ki zarurat nahi hai kyunki first, uska utna ghatiya nature nahi hai aur second, uski wedding bohot acche se hui thi, tumhari tarah bhaag kr nahi ki thi usne...

Akshara: rehne dijiye bhabhi, jo ladki ek bacche ke special day ke din bhi drama kr skti hai, usse kya umeed ki jaye ...

Arohi: Haan haan!! Tu mahan hai...mai to hoon ki bekar. Toh Mahan Akshu ji, apne pati se bhi poocho ki mai room se konsi file lekr aayi thi?

Akshara: Thank you ye bolne ke liye. (she turned to the family) Mujhe apko aage bhi kuch dikhana hai...Papa, apko toh pata hi hai na ki Ruby ne Abhi pr jo fraud case kiya tha uske baad se consultation cabins me bhi cameras lag gaye hai.

Harshvardhan nodded.

Akshara: So, ye usski ki clip hai..

Akshara plays a clip. The families get shocked and angry while Arohi turns white in fear.

In the video Abhimanyu walks in and Arohi sits on the chair with her feet on the table. She talks him down in a very condescending manner. Abhimanyu asks her to cooperate and then she screams at him that she wants things by snatching- not by working or earning them. She wants him to get her the respect of a Birla Bahu.

Akshara: Ye dekhne ke baad mujhe kitna gussa aya mai bata nahi skti....pr aap sb wait kijiye, aur bhi bohot kuch batana baaki hai...

Akshara shows them another video of Arohi entering Abhimanyu's cabin, fiddling around with files and locked desks before going through his phone.

Akshara: I know aap logon ko bhi gussa aa raha hoga aur confusion bhi hogi so mai batati hoon poori baat kya hai. Maa, apko toh pta hai na ki mera accident hua tha kuch din pehle..

Kairav: what!? Ye kaise hua!?

Manish: Kya!! Hume kyu nahi pata iss baare me!?

Birlas are also very surprised.

Akshara: zyada major nahi tha pr mujhe gynaecologist ne treat kiya tha kyunki early morning koi aur available nahi tha. She suspected some internal injuries. Abhimanyu uske related kuch doctors se touch me tha. Kyunki baat mere abdomen se related thi. Usne poori baat mujhe bhi nahi batayi kyunki usse final results ka wait tha...Arohi ko pta chal gaya koi baat hui hai, usne pehle Shivu ke birthday ke din humare peeche se humare room ki talashi li aur meri file chura li. Jb Abhimanyu ne usse vo cheen li toh sara drama kiya. Phir baad me uske cabin me bhi dhoondne gayi aur messages padh liye. Jiske baad se vo Abhimanyu ko blackmail kr rahi hai...

Harshvardhan: WHAT!?

Akshara: Haan! Dard ka bahana krke Abhi ko apne pair ke hath lagwaya, usse Neil ko apni personal bike gift krne bola, Khud ke liye reception throw krke ke liye force kiya... aur to aur Goenkas ko bhi manakr lane ke liye kaha...

Akshara saw red and walked closer to her.

Akshara: Abhi aur mera rishta bhi badepapa ko swikar nahi tha. Humne khud manaya badepapa ko. Abhi kitni baar jhuka unke aage. Tune aur Neil ne to seedha shaadi kr li aur ek baar poore mann se maafi bhi nahi maangi. Abhi kyu ghootno pr baithe tere liye!? Neil ko bol na badepapa se maafi maangkr unhe manaye. Tujhe jo chahiye vo Neil ko bol, Abhi ko force krne wali tu kon hoti hai. Uspr galat charges lagaye, ek couple ki privacy disturb ki aur phir Abhi se baaten manwai. Izzat aur pyaar kamaya jaata hai. Jo cheen kr lete hai, unse vo wapis chin jaate hai.

Harshvardhan: PARTH!

Parth: Ji Chachu

Harshvardhan: Iss ladki ka jo hoga so hoga. Pehle tum saare guests ko apology message kro ki aaj koi party nahi ho rahi hai..

Arohi: what!??!

Harshvardhan: Jiss din iss ghar me jagah bana lo, uss din sochna. Mere bete ko blackmail krke toh mai tumhe apni jagah banane nahi dunga...

Arohi: Akshara!!!!!

Manish: Arohi!! Chup. Ye dekho tum. Humesha Akshara ko bolti ho na, hume taane deti ho ki hum uski taraf hote hai. Tum itni beshrm ho, rishto ka koi lihaj nahi hai aur galti samne ane pr maafi tk nahi mangti, tumse koi kaise umeed rakhe!?

Manjiri: Maine Abhi se kehkr tum dono ko ghar wapis bulaya aur tumne uske saath hi aisa...

Neil: Arohi, maine tumse kaha tha na sabko time do hume accept krne ka. Agar tumhe phir bhi party chahiye thi toh mujhe bolti, ye sb kyu kiya...

Arohi: Kyunki nahi chhaiye mujhe second class treatment. Family ka part hoon main! Uss din Shivu ke birthday pr log mujhse pooch rahe hai mai Akshara ki behen hoon na. Koi nahi jaanta mai iss ghar ki bahu bhi hoon...

Anand: Is sb se itna fark padta hai toh bhagna nahi chahiye tha... (to Mahima) tumhe kuch nahi kehna isse?!

Mahima: Mai kya bolu ab? Sb samne hi hai. Ye aisa sb karegi, maine toh socha bhi nahi tha...

Mahima did not openly want to condemn her in fear that she will expose her.

Akshara: Isse shortcut lene ki bimari hai. Best doctor banna hai pr MBBS krne me hi inka sara dimag kharch ho gaya hai. Uske baad MD bhi isse paise dekr banna tha aur ab uss baat ko itna time ho gaya dubara kabhi apply bhi nahi kiya. License cancel hone ke baad se isne sahi se kahin join nahi kiya hai! aur personal life me bhi kissi se maafi nahi mangi, bs dhamki dekr apne haq lene hai...

Arohi: Bs kr apna ye gyan. Sb mujhe hi aise dekh rahe hai. Koi Abhimanyu se bhi pucho. Vo koi baacha hai jo maine dhamka diya? Kuch toh bada hoga na jo vo bhi jhuka. Tune to badi smartly baat bata bhi di aur chupa bhi li...mai batati hoon poora sach...Ye Akshara! Apki pyaari bahu...iske liye maa ban paana next to impossible hai...

Akshara eyes teared up. Abhimanyu glanced at her with worry while throwing daggers at Arohi. The families were blown away by the revelation. Parth, who had by now finished informing everyone about the cancelation looked at Abhimanyu and Akshara with worry.

Arohi: Kya hua?! Sb chup kyu ho gaye!? Itni badi baat nahi batai apke favourite bete bahu ne....(to Goenkas) Apki laadli beti ka itna bada raaz hai, ab kuch nahi kehna apko...

Akshara: (wipes her tears and looks at Neil) Tumhe lgta hai na ki sautele bacho pr hi saare sitam hote hai? Unke saath bhed bhav hum krte hai ya humari wajah se hote hai. Ab tum khud dekh lo! Agar Arohi ki jagah koi acchi behen hoti toh usse mere liye concern hota. Apni behen ki chinta hoti. Vo mere liye puchti na ki iss information ka use krke Abhi se apne materialistic demands poore krwati. Isse to bikes me interest bhi nahi hai, sirf usse torture kiya iss baat ka use krke...

Neil looked down in shame.

Arohi: bakwas mt kr aur na baat ko ghuma...

Akshara: Nahi ghuma rahi. Aur tu mujhe bata tujhe kaise pata? Tune reports dekhi? Nahi na! Sirf doctor se baat ki...sorry, sirf doctor ke kuch messages dhoke se padhe

Manjiri: Pr baat kya hai!? aur tum dono ne kyu nahi bataya.. (sobs) maine kaha tha, ye choti si chot bhi badi ho jaati hai. Tujhe dhyan hi nahi hai na...

Harshvardhan: Bs kro Manjiri. Vo already kitna pareshan hogi aur tum...

Manjiri: To kya ye akeli pareshan hai?! Mai nahi hoon pareshan? Mera beta nahi hua hoga. Usne toh iski khushi ke liye ye baat chupayi aur Arohi ki saari baat maani...

Abhimanyu: Maa ye aap kya keh rahi ho?

Akshara: Meri kya galti hai maa?

Akshara asked emotionally. She looked at everyone and said.

Akshara: Humari baby planning humara personal matter hai. Baat batakr hum kisi ko pareshan nahi krna chahte they. Aaj Goenka house me maine Abhimanyu ko Arohi se phone pr baat krte suna ki vo usse blackmail nahi kr skti. Isliye maine poori baat pata ki. Shivu ke birthday ki footage dekhne ke baad mujhe laga ek baar hospital me Arohi ne kya kiya vo bhi check kr loon. Maine Dr. Iyer se bhi baat ki..

Abhimanyu looked at her, stunned. All this while he was confused how she knew so much. Now he knew why.

Akshara: Mere chot lagne ki wajah se hume kuch time ke liye baby planning nahi krni chahiye. Mere internal injuries jldi heal ho iske liye bhi kuch prescriptions hai. Ek baar mai apna course poora kr loon tb gynaecologist ki salah se hi age ki planning krni chahiye. Ye matter humne nahi bataya kyunki Dr. Iyer ne apni final report nahi batai thi. Pr humare personal matter me Arohi ne poke kyu kiya, ye bhi aap puch lijiyega...

Akshara said and left the hall before any of them could talk to her. Before leaving, she looked at Abhimanyu with a lot of hurt. She was sad that he got manipulated for her and that he hid so much from her. Abhimanyu saw her go away helplessly. He joined hands in front of all.

Abhimanyu: I am sorry. Mai kissi se chupana nahi chahta tha but jaisa Akshu ne bataya, Dr. Iyer se poori baat hone se pehle mai adhi adhuri baat kissi ko batana nahi chahta tha. Shivu ka birthday tha, already ghar me itna kuch ho chuka hai. I did not want to add to the tension.

Neil: Bhai I am sorry-

Abhimanyu: Maaf tu karde mujhe Neil aur teri biwi ko bhi bol de. Maaf kare mujhe aur Akshu ko aur door rahe humari life se. Ab toh lagta hai ghar me har jagah lock lagwane padenge. Jiss tarah se teri biwi har jagah taka-jhaki krti hai na.

Arohi: waah! Abhi saari baat maan rahe they aur ach-

Abhimanyu: Baat manne ki wajah thi jo ab nahi hai. Pr ab mere pass wajah hai. Mujhpr jhoota case krke meri reputation kharab krne ke liye mai tumhe jail krwa dunga, saare saboot hai mere pass.

Manjiri: Abhi..

Abhimanyu: kr nahi raha hoon pr kr dunga agar ye meri life se door nahi rahi toh... Maine aur Akshu ne apne rishte ki nahi shuruat ki hai, hume uspr focus krne dijiye. Ab agar ek aur baar Arohi ne oversmart bane ki koshish ki to uska anjaam kya hoga koi soch bhi nahi skta. Aur haan, ab mai kissi ki nahi sunuga... (To Manjiri) Apki bhi nahi Maa. Hum dono ko jitna samajhna tha samajh liya...ab inki baari..

Saying this, he also left. Goenkas felt ashamed that Arohi could do such thing. They again stressed that they want no ties with her. Akshara was their only daughter and the reason for thier ties with Birlas. Birlas were disgusted by how cheap Arohi is and even Neil could not defend her.

Meanwhile, in Abhira's room.

Abhimanyu paced around the room and begged Akshara to open the bathroom. The worst part was he could hear the water running and the sound of her sobs but was helpless. He finally, broke the door and his heart broke. His wife was sitting under the shower crying hard.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!!!

He closed the shower and lifted her up. He kept her on the bed and tried to wipe the water. Akshara shoved him away.

Akshara: Bs! Ab ye sb mt karo. Sabke samne maine baat sambhal li pr tumne mujhe sbse zyada hurt kiya hai Abhi. Ye baat chupakr....humne promise kiya tha ki kuch nahi chupayenge...Kya mera sach jaane ka haq nahi tha?

Abhimanyu: Akshu, sorry ..vo

Akshara: Kya sorry, voo? Haan!? Kya? Tumhe mujhe sach batane se zyada easy Arohi ki baat maana laga?! Arohi ne tumhari itni insult ki meri wajah se...tumhari itni badi kamzori kab ban gayi mai Abhi?

Abhimanyu: Nahi Akshu, tum to meri strength ho..

Akshara: jhoot! Agar ye sach hota toh tum mujhe batate. Mai roti, dukhi hoti, shyd panic krti..pr tum mujhe sambhalna jaate ho. Tumhe mujhse deal krne se zyada easy Arohi se baat krna lgta hai?? Abhi, Arohi vo bhookha rakshas hai jo ek cheez se khush nahi hota. Tum ek demand poori karoge toh doosri hazir! Ye har choti se choti cheez ke liye tumhe torture krti aur krti rehti ! tum mujhe bolte they na ki mai manipulate na hone doon khud ko, toh tum kyu ho gaye?

Abhimanyu: Mai tumhe hurt nahi krna chahta tha. Mera chupane ka koi irada nahi tha. Mai sach me Dr. Iyer ke final word ka wait kr raha tha...

Akshara: Abhi, hurt to mai ab bhi hui hoon. Aur iss pregnancy issue se zyada mujhe ye baat kha gayi hai ki mera Abhi, mera strong docman! Arohi jaise ladki ke age kamzor pad gaya, meri wajah se..

Akshara sniffed and shivered as she was wet. She was crying a lot. Abhimanyu pulled her into a hug and apologized over and over. She clutched his shirt and cried. She cried for the pain she felt after knowing about her issues. She cried for her docman who suffered because he loved her. They held each other and cried for the pain they both took to the heart in silence.

Abhimanyu: Bs...please..

He kissed her red and swollen lips lightly before helping her change. He took her to bed. She was silent and sad. Pulling her into his chest, he kept muttering 'I love yous' and 'sorry' while she slept in his arms, tired and pained. He had made a mistake of hiding something so big from her. She still kept a strong face in front of the family and presented them as 'us' to the world when in reality he had left her out. He kissed her nose and resolved to get make it better.

The storm was huge but their love was even bigger and powerful enough to get them through anything!

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

xoxo