Hi all,

Apologies for the delayed update. I wasn't well and with other important things in life, I could not make time for writing. Now, without further delay, let us jump to the chapter.

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Recap: Arohi's pregnancy is announced and Akshara's complications also come to light. Mahima gets to know that Arohi was blackmailing Abhimanyu to make Neil MD. Manjiri is upset with Akshara's medical issues. Arohi's pregnancy turns to be a fake as her doctor friend had goofed up. She devices a plan to cash the situation and pretends she suffered a miscarriage due to Akshara. Everyone is angry or upset with Akshara and tend to Arohi. Akshara recalls how everyone chose Arohi when she was a child as well. Yet again, she was alone save her blessing of a husband- Abhimanyu.

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Abhimanyu took his wife to their shared room. She was weak and shivering. His heart broke seeing her in this state, especially when he knew whatever happened wasn't her fault. He knew her well. His wife was the most innocent, kind hearted person that he knew. She always had love and forgiveness for everyone. So, it was out of question for her to hurt someone out of jealousy; specially device a plot to harm an unborn child. His Akshara could never do this even in her dreams.

He was hurt by the lack of trust both families displayed today. They believed the girl who lied to all of them over and over again over someone who always spoke the truth no matter what! Yes, there were people like Shefali who believed that Akshara did not do it on purpose but still, she also thought it might have happened on accident.

What hurt him the most was his mother's behaviour. Ever since Manjiri came to know about Akshara's complications, she had been rude and condescending. What she did today was unforgiveable! He never thought his own mother was capable of such behaviour.

He put Akshara to bed and kissed her forehead. Wiping the dried trail of tears off her cheeks, he pecked her red nose. His wife was suffering so much. Ever since she received the devastating news , everyone had turned their backs on her. This isn't something good, loving families do!

He recalled the words of Dr. Iyer. His wife is to stay away from stress of all kinds and yet here she was, stressed and pained. He changed and went out to inquire about Arohi. Arohi was in her room, resting. Neil was by her side. The rest of the family was in the hall, crying for the loss. The moment they saw Abhimanyu. They started to speak ill about Akshara.

Abhimanyu: BS! BIWI HAI VO MERI AUR MAI JAANTA HOON USSE. MERI AKSHU AISA KUCH KR HI NAHI SAKTI!

Neil: KR SKTI NAHI, KR CHUKI HAI!

Neil screamed from the first floor. He marched down and started bad-mouthing Akshara.

Neil: MAI BHABHI KO BEST MANTA THA! SBKE LIYE ITNA PYAAR HAI UNME PR APNI KHUD KI BEHEN KE SATH UNHONE ITNI GIRI HUI HARKAT KI!!

Abhimanyu: Neil, dekh mujhe pata hai tujhe dukh hai...

Neil: Kya pata hai apko? Kuch nahi pta. Jo khud baap nahi ban skta, vo aulad ki umeed pakr usse khone ka dard nahi smjh sakta.

Harshvardhan: Neil, ye sb kya bol rahe ho tum!

The argument increased. Arohi came downstairs, acting as if she was in pain and tried to pacify them all. Neil highlighted how she was so kind that she did not want to press charges against her child-killer sister.

Manjiri: Khud mujhe dadi bana nahi skti, aur jo bana rahi thi- uska baccha cheen liya...

Goenkas expressed grief and took their leave. Abhimanyu went out of his house in anger. He drove around aimlessly for a while before heading back home. He was crossing Mahima and Anand's room when she heard them talking.

Mahima: Mai sach keh rahi hoon Anand. Tumne to mahan banne ke chakkr me Abhimanyu ko MD bana diya. Lekin Arohi ko toh pehle 10% chahiye tha aur usne Neil ko MD banane ki bhi koshish ki. Proof mai tumhe de chuki hoon. Humara faida issi me hai ki hum waqt rehte apne assets safeguard kr le...

He heard Anand and Mahima's materialistic talks and was disgusted. He crossed Shefali and Parth's room and heard them quarrelling as usual. Manjiri was crying in temple and cursing Akshara. Arohi was slyly filling poison in Neil's mind while he quietly listened. He entered his room and saw his wife curled up on their bed.

Abhimanyu: Akshu, tum kitni acchi ho. Tum ye sb deserve nahi krti. Arohi ne tumhara bachpan barbad kr diya aur ab yahan bhi aa gayi. Taiji-Tauji, Bhai-Bhabhi, ya tk hi Neil aur Maa bhi, musibat aane pr sbke asli rang dikh gaye. Aisa hota hai parivar?! Aur tumhari behen, saalon usne tumhe Sirat Maa ko lekr taane diye hai. Us trauma se nikalne me tumhe kitna time lag gaya. Aur ab bacche ko lekr tana- nahi! mai tumhe wapis uss dard se nahi guzarne dunga. Ye selfish log rahe ek doosre ke sath, mujhe ab kissi ka bhala nahi krna. Inka jo hoga, ye dekhe. Inhe humari kadra nahi hai toh hume kya, hum bhi ab sirf khud pr focus karenge.

He scooped her in his arms and fell asleep like that.

The next morning, Akshara was very broken and confused. Abhimanyu got her breakfast in bed and spoke to her about a decision he made. She did not want to agree but she herself was torn. When Abhimanyu asked her to name one family member who was thinking about her, she was blank. They had not even given her the benefit of doubt. They believed the serial liar straight away.

Abhimanyu took out two bags. He packed some clothes, their documents and important papers, things of sentimental value and other necessities. He called Harshvardhan. He never thought there will come a day when his father would seem like the most sensible person but there was no one who was keeping an open mind accept him. He was the only one who wasn't straight up blaming Akshara.

Harshvardhan was slightly shocked but he too had somewhere expected this decision. Abhimanyu called some packers and movers as well. When they came to the house, only Manjiri was home but she was in kitchen so she did not notice. Akshara got emotional when she saw Abhira's room get stripped and all stuff getting put away in cartons.

The packers left and Abhimanyu hugged Akshara from behind.

Abhimanyu: Kya soch rahi ho?

Akshara: Kuch nahi. Tum apne decision ko lekr sure ho Abhi?

Abhimanyu: More than anything.

Akshara: Arohi ne tumhe blame kiya, blackmail kiya. Maine Shivu ke birthday ki recording dekhi, she lied Abhi! We can show that-

Abhimanyu: Akshu! (cups her face) kisne kya kiya, mujhe nahi jaana. Kissi ko kuch sabit nahi krna. Jbse Arohi ayi hai, Neil hr baat pr chadh jaata hai. Hume kya Arohi jo bhi kare!? Hum toh ulta doosron ka sochte they pr kyu? Kl dekha na! Kissi ne socha humare baare me? So ab bs! Ab hum sirf khud pr focus karenge. Jiska jo hona hoga, ho jayega

Akshara nodded.

Akshara: iss room ko bohot miss karungi mai Abhi...

Abhimanyu: Mai bhi...

He suddenly twirled her.

Abhimanyu: Kya kehti ho? Ek last time? Iss bed pr...?

He winked, trying to lighten the mood. Akshara blushed and pushed his hands away. Abhimanyu laughed at her shyness and caught her before she escaped. Picking her up, he carried her like a baby. Her giggles were like music to his ears. He captured her lips in a soulful kiss before diving deeper and letting the room witness their love for what felt like the last time there.

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It was late evening, Abhira were lying in each other's arms, talking about future and other plans. They got up and got dressed. The room was empty and their belongings were in boxes, stacked up inside the cupboard. Everything they wanted to take away was already sent with the packers and movers. Abhira only held a small bag that held valuables as they did not want to hand that over to them.

They got out of the room and Akshara's eyes glistened. Abhimanyu kissed away her tears. He turned back at the room and locked it. They went to the temple and sought blessings for their new life. They went downstairs. Arohi, who was sitting with a gloomy expression while others tried to console her, got agitated seeing Akshara. She made a face and Neil was about to burst on Akshara when Abhimanyu marched in front of her.

He gave his room's keys to Manjiri.

Manjiri: Ye kya hai? Tum dono kahin jaa rahe ho?

Neil: Jana toh mujhe aur Arohi ko chahiye. Apne baache ke katil ke sath ek chath ke neeche nahi reh skte hum.

Arohi: (in mind) ye kya bol raha hai!? Birla house se jaane me bohot nuksaan hai...

Abhimanyu: Isliye hum jaa rahe hai. Tu reh khushi se.

Neil was shocked but covered up.

Neil: Khushi rehne kahan thi aap logon ne!?

Abhimanyu chose to stay quiet. Manjiri tried to emotionally coax him and cursed Akshara when it did not work.

Abhimanyu: Yahi reason hai mai yahan se jaa raha hoon. Yahan raha toh aap log meri wife ko kaccha kha jaoge...

Manjiri: Abhi! Aaj agar tu iss ghar se gaya na toh tera kissi se koi rishta nahi reh jayega, soch le!! Mujhse bhi nahi!!

Manjiri said, feeling confident he'll stop. Abhimanyu's eyes glistened. He stepped forward and touched Manjiri's feet. She was stunned. When Akshara came forward, she stepped back and was about to stay something when Abhimanyu took her hand and marched off- leaving all the toxic people behind.

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Abhimanyu Birla was done! Completely and utterly done! He wanted nothing more than some peace in life. He never believed much in family but ever since the two people he genuinely loved- Neil and Manjiri- flipped on him, he had lost it. The only person that mattered now was his wife who was already fragile physically. He felt the need to save her atleast from all the mental anguish.

He rented a small apartment and resigned from Birla hospital. The news sent the hospital in an uproar. Mahima questioned him while being internally very happy. Neil taunted him that he was just trying to 'act Mahan like his wife' but Abhimanyu paid them no mind. He promised to stay for two weeks to ensure smooth takeover of duties and wrap up his scheduled surgeries. He also applied for jobs in Mumbai as that was a big city- beneficial both for Akshara's career as well as medical treatment. He got immediately hired as a head for cardiology department at a reputed hospital.

Akshara was numb for a few days, she tried to contact people but they gave her a cold shoulder. Finally she too decided to focus on the person who loved her- her husband. She felt guilty that he left everything for her. The least she could do was support him! So, she got to her feet too.

Her music album was already recorded and when she informed the director about her moving to Mumbai, he was glad as the company had their main studio in Mumbai. She also spoke to the manager of Akshara Dance and Music Academy and set things in place so that the academy runs smoothly even in her absence.

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It was their last day in Udaipur when Harshvardhan came to visit them. He insisted they took a large amount of money from him.

Harshvardhan: Be practical Abhimanyu. Nayi jagah jaa rahe ho! Akshara ke treatment wagera ke liye paise toh chahiye hi na...

Abhimanyu: Mujhe kissi se kuch nahi chahiye sir

Harshvardhan: Gussa apni jagah hai aur ye apni jagah. Waise bhi kya zyada de raha hoon? Apni itni saal ki salary hi maan lo. Tumne kabhi salary li hi nahi. Us sabko add kru to isse zyada hi hoga... apne liye nahi toh meri bahu ke liye lena padega tumhe!

He convinced Abhimanyu to keep all that money. It wasn't his share of anything but his own hard earned money. Abhimanyu took it. Abhira went on drive around Udaipur and visited all their favourite spots. They tried to meet families but they did not receive a good response.

Abhimanyu: Bs Akshu, kr li humne ek aur khoshish. Aaj hum Mumbai jaa rahe ho aur abse humari life ka ek new chapter start hoga...no more dwelling in the past.

Akshara: Okay..

Abhira went to the airport and boarded the flight. Akshara held Abhimanyu's hand as the flight took off. She looked outside the window and saw the city become smaller and smaller. The distance between her and Udaipur was increasing. Abhimanyu squeezed her hand and she looked at him. He smiled and pecked her forehead.

Abhimanyu: To new life.

Akshara: (nodded and whispered back) To new life...

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xoxo