Note: This story follows the current pregnancy complication track. After knowing about Akshara's reports, Arohi blackmailed Abhimanyu to act in her favour. This went on till Akshara discovered about all this and Arohi revealed about her health complications to her.

Akshara struggles to accept the sad truth. Abhira breakdown but when they come back home, they get to know that Arohi is pregnant. Though they were angry at her for the things she did, they forgave her for one last time, allowing a fresh start just for the sake of upcoming baby of Neil and Arohi.

..........

It was the day of Neil and Arohi's reception had turned into something more for the families now. All the other guests had left and the family stayed behind to celebrate Arohi's pregnancy. Suhasini told them that there was a ritual where if a pregnant woman blessed another, she would get pregnant soon too. They all were eager for baby Abhira too so they called Akshara for the ritual.

Arohi placed a coconut in Akshara's lap. She closely studied her face. It was obvious that all this was painful for Akshara. She had just discovered the news about her pregnancy complications and had had no time to digest that news. Manjiri's over excited words about baby Abhira were actually piercing Akshara's heart. Unable to see his wife silently bearing all the torture, Abhira asked them to stop.

Manjiri: (innocently) Kya hua beta?

Akshara shook her head, gesturing him to not say. Abhimanyu tried to cover up that he does not want them to pressure his wife but Manjiri felt they were not telling something. So she pressured them. Finally Akshara revealed how they cannot be parents and Akshara broke down. Manjiri too felt like someone had punched her in the gut. The rest of the family felt extremely sad for Abhira.

Abhimanyu held his sobbing wife close to his chest and revealed about her accident about which no one knew accept Arohi and Manjiri. It had created some issues. They did not want to tell this to the family, specially now when they were celebrating Neil and Arohi. So, apologizing to his younger brother and his wife, he left with Akshara.

The families were too stunned to say much, they dispersed in silence. Neil saw the Goenkas off and then went to his mother who was frozen in shock. Arohi went to her room.

Arohi: Aaj ke din bhi mera attention le gayi ye...

She muttered angrily and switched on the lights. She gasped to see Mahima sitting in the arm chair.

Arohi: Tai-ji...aa-aap? Aise dark krke kyu baithe ho?

Mahima: Ab tum mujhe dark me rakh skti ho lekin mai dark me baith nahi skti?

Arohi: Ky-kya keh rahe ho aap?

Mahima threw some papers on her face. They were the papers Arohi had given Abhimanyu, blackmailing him to make Neil the MD. Akshara had dropped them in the parking in a state of shock and not even Arohi had bothered to pick them up.

Mahima: Thank your lucky stars ki tum pregnant ho warna mujhe double cross krne wale ko mai chodti nahi hoon...

Arohi: (nervous) Nahi taiji, aisa nahi hai..

Mahima: Oh shut up Arohi! Mujhe hi samjhna chahiye. Tum jaise ladki jo apni behen aur parivar ki sagi nahi hai, vo mere saath kyu hi honest rahegi? Hum dono ki partnership se faida tumhara hi hua hai. Tum Neil ke close ayi, tumhari shaadi ho payi and finally tumhe iss ghar me bhi maine jagah dilwai. Mujhe double cross krke tumne apna ek aly kho diya hai. Aaj ke baad never expect favour from me.

Mahima said angrily and marched off. Before exiting completely, she stopped at the door and said.

Mahima: Abhimanyu ko toh maine phir bhi MD bardash kiya kyunki vo atleast deserving toh hai. Neil just has experience of 1.5 years in admin and he is not even an MBBS. Usne toh +12 me bhi science nahi li thi. Usse mai toh kya, board bhi kabhi MD banne nahi dega so apne khayali pulao pakana chodo. Waise bhi ab tumhara ghar ghar khelne ka time hai...

Mahima left and Arohi sath on the bed in anger. She took off her jewels and started muttering.

Arohi: Bhains! Samajhti kya hai khud ko!? Main apne parivar ki sagi nahi hoon? Khud toh jaise apne parivar pr jaan chidhakti hai na ye! Apne baccho tk toh paala nahi hai isne aur mujhe behen ke taane de rahi hai...

Arohi was changing when Neil entered. He hugged her and expressed his happiness about being a father. He also said he was sad about his brother. Arohi saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. She acted to be upset that such a happy day for them ended on such a bitter note. It was their reception and their baby news but now all are sad for Abhira because they both are 'sautele'.

Arohi: Mujhe bhi unke liye bura lg raha hai Neil, pr iska mtlb ye thodi hai ki humari khushiyan celebrate nahi hongi?!

Neil got deep in thought, as usual eating up all the garbage she spilled out.

Meanwhile, in Abhira's room; Abhimanyu was filling Akshara in with everything gynaecologists had told him. She even had a word with Dr. Iyer- the doctor who was now looking deeper into her case. They cuddled and shared their grief.

...........

The next day, at breakfast table. Abhira stood before the family that was sitting quietly and was very sad.

Akshara: Mujhe aap sbse kuch kehna hai...

She spoke calmly. Manjiri huffed and looked the other way. There were tears in her eyes.

Akshara: I know kl ki baat se aap sb bohot upset hai. Hum bhi hai and we are very sorry it came out like this but aap sbse ek request hai.

Abhimanyu: Hum doctors se baat kr rahe hai, medical science bohot develop ho chukka hai so please, humare future me jo hai ya nahi hai, uske baare me sochkr jo definitely hai usse ignore nahi krte hai.

Akshara: Hume tauji-taiji bane ki bohot khushi hai and we really want everyone to be happy. Ye in dono ki life ke best moments hai. Hum nahi chahte ye dull ho.

Abhimanyu: Ye baat hum Goenka house me bhi sbse kehna wale hai....

Shefali: right! All the best tum dono ko. Dekhna sb accha hoga. Jo ho gaya uska hum kuch nahi kr skte but Abhimanyu, Akshara- we support you and Neil, Arohi ki life ki itni badi khushi me hume sad nahi hona chahiye...

Neil: (mutters) dekha Arohi, bhabhi kitni acchi hai. Bhaiya aur Bhabhi hume ignore nahi krwana chahte...

Arohi just smiled bitterly. After breakfast, she went to her room. She was torn and just sat in front of the mirror. A baby! She was having a baby! A child had been the last thing on her mind. She wanted money and power in Birla hospital and establish herself as a better doctor than Abhimanyu but having a child right now will taint her plans. At the same time, she felt happy. She touched her belly. She lost her mother young and the thought of living that relationship again elated her. She slept with all her torn thoughts in mind.

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

Abhira spoke with Goenkas too. They gathered for dinner and congratulated Arohi and Neil to make up for how their function ended last time. They then looked at Abhira.

Manjiri: Maine kaha tha Akshu, chot choti lg rahi hai pr kb badi ho jaye pata nahi lgta..

Abhimanyu: Maa, accident tha vo. Humari kismat me jo hoga, hume mil jayega. Please let's focus on that.

The elders nodded and cheerfully discussed about Arohi who was enjoying the attention on her. Akshara excused herself to go to the washroom. Abhimanyu stood up as soon as she left.

Abhimanyu: Ek baat aur kehna chahta hoon mai..

Everyone looked towards him.

Abhimanyu: Mujhe sympathy nahi chahiye but apni family se empathy to expect kr skta hoon na? Please Akshu ko Arohi ya baby related koi kaam mt dena. Uska music career shuru hone wala hai and bacha hua time usse khudki health pr focus krne dete hai. Hum dil se khush hai pr hume apni news bhi digest krne ka time nahi mil paya hai. I hope you understand, right Arohi?

Arohi gulped. Abhimanyu had decoded her well. He knew Arohi got some sadistic pleasure by seeing Abhira sad. He could handle her games but he would never tolerate anything against his wife. He did not want Arohi to spin any drama to keep Akshara around her and then rub it in her face that she wasn't pregnant. Arohi had no choice but to agree. It was thus, decided that Arohi's no work will be delegated to Akshara. Her focus should stay on her own health.

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

One week passed away, Arohi was the star of the house. She was getting pampered by everyone. Suhasini and Swarna would send homemade items for her. Manish also gave her another chance for the sake of her child. Abhira and Mahima were letting her 'kands' slip for the sake of it and she decided the child for actually lucky for her.

Besides pampering Arohi, Manjiri was focused on Akshara too. She would cry at her son's loss. He wouldn't be a father. Her emotional outbursts broke Akshara's heart. Abhimanyu had to step in and ask her to not add to Akshara's burden. Then, Manjiri dragged Akshara to every temple she knew. One day, she bought a shady 'baba' into the house and sent him to Abhira's room when Akshara was alone. He was hitting her head and body with a peacock feathered fan when Abhimanyu entered the house.

To say he was furious would be an understatement. He threw the 'baba' out and begged his mother focus on upcoming baby.

Abhimanyu: Maa jo aa raha hai uspr dhyan do. Please. I know apko humari chinta hai but this is torture! Akshu ko kitni takleef ho rahi hai, socha hai apne?

Manjiri: Aur tu ye soch raha ki mujhe kitni takleef ho rahi hai?! Tere baache ko lekr kitne armaan they mere. Tujhe sirf Akshu ki takleef dikhti hai. Mai teri maa hoon, mai jaanti hoon tujhe bhi kitni takleef ho rahi hai, bs keh nahi raha...

Abhimanyu: Keh toh raha hoon maa. takleef hai! Pr apke aisa behave krne se takleef aur badh rahi hai. Please hum ghar me ane wali khushiyon pr focus krte hai. Akshara ke gynac ne waise bhi hopes diye hai pr uske liye use stress free hona important hai...

Manjiri cried and went from there that no one understood the worries of a mother. Abhimanyu hugged Akshara.

Abhimanyu: Maa ko samajh nahi aa raha hai ki vo kya kr rahi hai but trust me Akshu, I am with you. Koi kuch bhi kahe, tumhare koi galti hai...

He kissed her forehead.

Abhimanyu: we will get through this.

Akshara nodded and hugged him back. In his arms, she forgot all her worries.

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

Another week passed. Manjiri was somewhat ignoring Akshara. She was sad but also blamed Akshara for not being careful on the road which led to the accident in her opinion. However, she thought their was hope for a baby and so she must not stress Akshara.

Coming to the 'pregnant lady' of the house, whenever Abhimanyu wasn't around, Arohi would encash the opportunity and rub it in Akshara's face that she was with child.

It all went happily for her until one morning when Arohi got shocked. She angrily went to a nursing home where her friend Preeti worked. She marched straight to her cabin.

Preeti: Arohi tu-

Arohi: PREETI! YOU!

She dumped a report on her desk.

Arohi: I just got my period! You dumb doctor! I was never pregnant!!!!!

Preeti opened and closed her mouth like a fish before realising what happened.

Preeti: Pr...that nausea, those symptoms.

Arohi: Koi serial chal raha hai kya ki bahu ne ulti ki to vo pregnant hai!? Tu to gynaecologist hai na? Itna hi ata hai tujhe?

Preeti: zuban sambhal Arohi. I made an error and I am sorry. Baat khatam kr..

Arohi: Baat khatam karu? Arey teri wajah se maine sbko bol diya! Ab kya kahu? Ki meri gadhi dost ek bekar doctor hai jisse kuch nahi ata?

Preeti: Shut up!! Mai bekar doctor hoon to tu kya hai? Ek MBBS doctor jiska ek baar license cancel hua hai aur do baar fire kiya gaya hai and ab jo ghar baithi hai! Maine galti ki toh tujhme akal nahi thi kya? Home test kiya tha bs aur vo unreliable hi hota hai. Tujhe kaha maine ki shyd tu pregnant hai, mere clinic aa, hum proper testing karenge pr tu aur tera gadha pati. Kya zarurat thi usse sb jagah dhol peetne ki?

Arohi huffed angrily.

Preeti: dekh tu meri dost hai. bekar me mujhpr mt chad. Iska koi faida nahi hoga...

Arohi realized and sat down.

Arohi: I actually enjoyed the attention. Sbne mujhe maaf bhi kr diya tha. Goenkas me mere rishte sudharne lage they aur Birlas me meri jagah ban rahi thi. Infact, mujhe Akshara se zyada pucha jaa raha tha. Ab sbko pata lagega ki mai maa nahi bane wali toh sbka focus phirse Akshu aur uske dard pr chala jayega...

Preeti: Haan pr tu kr bhi kya skti hai?

Arohi just shook her head and left. She was walking down the lane when her eyes fell on the paper. It was a copy of Udaipur times. She picked up the paper and saw the main story was about Birla hospital. Abhimanyu was highlighted in the entire story but Neil wasn't. Her petty heart failed to realise that the report was about a difficult surgery.

Arohi: (wipes a tear) Jo baby tha hi nahi, uski kitni excited ho gayi thi mujhe. Pr jo hota hai acche ke liye hi hota hai. Abhi mera career banane ka time hai. Now, I should re-focus on my previous plan and goals. Bohot soch liya hai idhr udhr.

With a resolve in mind, Arohi left for her house.

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

A few days pass by. Akshara and Parth were the only ones home. Akshara had a day off from academy and she had already recorded her song for the album. Parth was in his room with Shivansh. Others weren't home, all away at Goenka house for a certain Pujan. Manjiri thought the fumes and loud noise would irritate Arohi and Akshara was asked to stay back by Abhimanyu so that she rests. Parth was staying back for his son as he was very small and might get fussy there.

Arohi saw this as perfect opportunity. She asked Akshara to get her something from the kitchen. When Akshara left to get it for her, Arohi went downstairs and laid on the stairs. She started to wail in pain. Parth and Akshara rushed to her side in worry. Parth called the family while Akshara called Preeti as Arohi told her to call her doctor. Arohi was wincing and howling. Her cries of pain made Akshara very worried. Preeti came very soon, like she was waiting for the call; which she actually was.

The family rushed as well- both Birlas and Goenkas. Preeti came out after half an hour and said Arohi had miscarried. Swarna, Suhasini and Manjiri sat down in shock. Akshara hugged Abhimanyu and cried for her sister's loss. Parth kept a hand on Neil's shoulder to show support. The family felt heartbroken for the loss.

Manjiri: Hey bhagwan! Kissi nazar lg gayi hai mere bahu-beton ko. Ek maa ban nahi skti aur doosri ke sath ye ho gaya!

Harshvardhan: Manjiri please...sambhalo khud ko. Ye time baccho ko sambhale ka hai na ki khud bikharne ka...

Arohi: Jiski behen hi uski khushiyan barbad krne pr tuli hui ho usse kon sambhal skta hai papa...

Came a feeble and broken voice of Arohi. Neil ran to her. Arohi hugged him and cried. This is when she spun her web of lies. She pinned the entire blame on a shocked Akshara, claiming that Akshara lured her out of the room and then pushed her down the stairs.

Arohi: (sobs) mana mai bohot buri hoon! Pr kya mai ye deserve krti hoon? Kyu kiya isne aisa Neil!? KYUUUUUU....

She sank to the floor.

Akshara: Maine...Maine aisa nahi kiya! Ye kya bol rahi hai...

She was unable to understand why Arohi would say like this.

Arohi: PEHLE MERE MAA KO CHIN LIYA, MERI KHUSHIYAN CHIN LI...MERI SHADI KE DIN MERA DULHA LE GAYI...MERI JOB...SB!! IN SBKE KE BAAD MUJHE PYAAR MILA TO NEIL SE BHI MUJHE DOOR KRNA CHAHA TUNE...AUR JB IS GHAR NE MUJHE APNA LIYA, MAI KHUSH THI...TO TUNE MUJHSE MERA BACCHA BHI CHIN LIYA!? KYU AKSHARA!

Akshara: Arohi ye kyu keh rahi hai tu? Tujhe pata hai maine kuch nahi kiya?

Arohi: YE BACCHA TERA BHI TOH KUCH LGTA NA? TU MASI AUR TAIJI- DONO THI ISKI! TUNE ISSE HI MAAR DIYA. KHUD MAA NAHI BAN SKTI TOH MERE BACCHE SE JEALOUS HO GAYI TU?!

Abhimanyu: BS AROHI!

NEIL: BS AAP KIJIYE BHAI!

Manjiri: (cries) ab issi ki kami thi! Ye kya kiya Akshara?

Akshara: Maa apko bhi mujhpr shak hai...

She looked around the room and all were looking at her with scepticism. They knew Akshara was kind and a gentle soul but they thought why anyone would lie on such a sensitive matter. Goenkas were as usual unable to pick Akshara in front of Arohi's fake cries of pain. Birlas were hurt by their loss and Arohi' claims made them agitated at Akshara.

Shefali: Hume pata hai tum acchi ho Akshara but tumhe kya zarurat thi Arohi ko room se lane ki? Abhimanyu ke kehne pr Arohi ki koi zimmedari tumhe nahi di gayi thi..

Akshara: Pr maine kuch nahi kiya bhabhi...mera yakeen karo..

Akshara was crying. Manjiri moved to slap her but Abhimanyu pulled her back, thus, Manjiri's hands hit Abhimanyu's shoulder. She gasped and shouted at Akshara for making her lose her grandchild and hit her beloved son for the first time in her life!

Akshara: Maine nahi kiya...

Akshara was crying. Neil yelled at Abhimanyu. Arohi sank to the floor and acted as weak. Neil took her to the room and others followed her. Their heads hung in shame.

Akshara stood rooted, getting flashbacks. Arohi was blaming her for Sirat's death. Akshara was innocent but no one told her that. No one made Arohi understand. Akshara was hurting too but everyone surrounded Arohi because she was the one howling. Because Akshara chose to suffer in silence, no one heard her.

Akshara felt panic bubble in her chest. Abhimanyu hugged her close and reminded her to breathe.

Akshara: A..AB..ABH..BHI-!

Abhimanyu: Breathe!

Akshara: Nah..nahi ki-ya, mai-

Abhimanyu pulled her sobbing face to his chest.

Abhimanyu: I trust you Jaan, I know you did not do anything. I do!

...........

I know this chapter had more of Arohi but it was essential for story build up. What are your thoughts on this so far?

xoxo