Recap: Abhira leave Udaipur for Mumbai

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Abhimanyu's new job came with perks. One of them was a gorgeous apartment in an amazing neighbourhood. To this three bedroom apartment, he welcomed his wife when they reached Mumbai. He received the keys from the desk and took his wife across the threshold in his arms. Akshara smiled lovingly at her husband and then looked at their new home. It was light and airy but also empty. Though it wasn't something they could not fix.

Abhimanyu: Welcome to your new home Mrs. Birla

Akshara: Our new home Mr. Birla

They spent the night in a hotel though and came back next day. The house was already well maintained and cleaned before the hand-over to Abhimanyu so, thankfully, Abhira did not have to indulge in deep cleaning. They set everything they bought with them in a corner and set to work- to make this apartment their Abhira dreamland.

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Abhimanyu had a week's joining period. Abhira utilized that period to stock their home with necessities and furniture. They set up the kitchen and their new bedroom. They locked the other rooms and decided to deal with them later as they did not need it at the moment. The rest of the house was set up full with the living space, dining space and their small temple.

Abhira also met their neighbours. A kind lady helped Akshara get acquainted with the other women of the building as well as the maids of the area. After one week, Abhimanyu reported as the Head of Cardiology Department at the new hospital. The team was very eager to welcome their new head and he quickly got familiar with his duties.

Meanwhile, Akshara also signed for therapy. The years of abuse and the recent events of her life had left a mark in her heart and mind. Abhimanyu suggested her to not carry the weight in her heart and let it out. This is when she also decided to take the step and asked him to get her a therapist. Abhimanyu booked her some sessions and she got scheduled to see her therapist twice a week.

Akshara also devoted her remaining time to decorate their new home. She put up paintings that she drew by hand. She familiarized with the local people and the area, slowly healing from the traumatizing life with their families.

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A little while passed and Abhira fell into a routine. Abhimanyu would leave in the morning usually but his schedule was a doctor's schedule- sometimes very busy, at times not so much. Akshara would kiss him goodbye and welcome him back with the warmest hugs. She cooked him the best meals with love. Their house was full of positive energies. Her therapist complimented her growth and reduced the sessions to one per week.

Akshara focused on her husband and practised her music a lot! Her Youtube channel was gaining subscribers and when her album was launched, her following tripled overnight. Akshara started getting many calls and this is when Abhimanyu decided Akshara might need a manager.

While things were looking up in all aspects, the two could not forget or ignore the most pressing aspect- Akshara health! They consulted with Dr. Iyer. Akshara was prescribed medication as well as a strict care routine- one Abhimanyu intended to follow religiously.

He took her for early morning and post meal walks. Apart from regular checkups and medicines, he paid a lot of attention to his wife's happiness, always delighting her with surprise dates and gifts. Akshara reciprocated well too, giving him tiny surprises of her own. She would decorate their room some times, send him her recorded songs on night duties and cook his favourite meals which they'd have in candle light style.

Abhira got merged in their new lives very soon. Their careers, Akshara's health and their home taking up their time and energy. They also made new friends and had a social circle as well. While, they got busy in Mumbai, their families got busy in Udaipur.

Mahima set things in motion as she had zero trust in Arohi after the MD card she pulled. She became the new MD which wasn't difficult as their wasn't another option. It was either her or an outsider. Arohi tried to suggest Neil's name but Neil himself told her that it couldn't happen as he wasn't a doctor. Arohi tried to push her name after that but that got shot down too.

Parth: Be sensible Arohi! MBBS mai bhi hoon. Pr hum dono ki degree Mom ki itni degrees aur experience ke age kuch bhi nahi hai.

The moment Mahima became the MD, she initiated the divide of Birla property. A clear line was drawn in the middle of the house and it was renovated so that each portion was self sufficient complete with different entry and exists. All assets were divided properly in half between Anand and Harshvardhan. Arohi tried for Neil's share yet again but got shot down this time as well.

Harshvardhan: Mai mere bhai se alag hua hoon. Jo mera hai vo mere beto ka hoga pr aaj ki date me mere assets mere hi hai.

Things got messy. Mahima and Arohi were in a state of constant cold war. Mahima tried to forbid her entry in Birla hospital so Arohi got triggered and joined work again. Neil was looking after administration with Harshvardhan and Shefali convinced Parth to join the hospital as well.

Shefali: Tum kehte ho kuch music me karna hai, pr itne saal se khali baithe ho! Dekho Parth hr kissi ko marzi ka job nahi milta. Ya toh tum ab kuch kaam karo, wrna hospital join kro. Humara baby hai, zimmedariyan bhad gayi hai. Mom-Dad aaj hai, kl ka kya pata? Tum kb tk ghar baith kr khaoge?

Defeated, Parth joined the hospital again. It wasn't his work of liking, but he had no choice.

At home, Manjiri would sit in her room for hours, feeling gloomy. On the other side of the house was Shivansh with his nanny. Shefali had cut down her working hours by a significant amount as her son was young and would be home often but Manjiri did not interact with her. Nishtha often crashed at her friend's place and was counting days before she could leave Birla house for college.

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One Year later

Akshara was running around the house, her giggles ringing through the small flat. Her husband was running after her, his own laughter following hers.

Abhimanyu: Ab kahan jaogi bachkr?

Abhimanyu asked as he cornered her. Akshara gasped. Her chest moving rapidly up and down as she was slightly breathless due to running. Abhimanyu's eyes automatically moved from her face to that. Akshara pursed her lips and clicked her fingers.

Akshara: Kahan dekh rahe ho? Beshrm!

Abhimanyu: arey! Biwi meri hi hai...isme kya beshrmi? Mai batata hoon besharmi kya hoti hai..

Akshara: Abhiii!! Nahi!!!

She squealed as he dived for her. She tried to run past him and he let her, purposely slowing down a little but went after her. The moment she reached near the couch, he scooped her up and pulled her down with him on the soft rug in front of the couch.

Abhimanyu: Gotchya!

He said and bit her ear. Akshara pouted but then leaned into him. He was sitting behind her. She was leaning on his chest and he was leaning against the couch.

Abhimanyu: So, meri famous rockstar biwi! Batao kaise celebrate krna hai?

Akshara looked at him cutely.

Akshara: Tum batao..

The reason Abhira had been running around the house was because this very morning her manager had called her to inform that Akshara had been approached to sing for the biggest music company in India and the song will be used in a big budget movie. So far Akshara had only given her voice to existing songs. Her Youtube channel and albums were well liked. Now, a music director and lyricist were interested to use her voice for a completely new song! As per manager's suggestion, they had booked a meeting. Abhimanyu had jumped with joy for her and was peppering her with kisses. She had been running away from him to tease.

Akshara: Abhi, filhal kuch fix to nahi hai na, ek baar mil lein...

Abhimanyu: Sb final ho gaya toh vo bhi celebrate kr lenge. Pr abhi jo tumhe recognition mil raha hai, usse celebrate kare?

Akshara: (twists in his arms and cups his face) Aur mere busy docman ke pass itna time hai?

Abhimanyu: Apni personal doctor ke liye docman ke pass time hi time hai...

He muttered getting closer to her face. He pecked her lips and desired flared in both their eyes. He was about to take her in for a deeper kiss when they heard his phone ring. They jumped due to the sudden sound. Akshara blinked and then laughed loudly.

Akshara: Ye lijiye free-free docman, gaya apka time.

Abhimanyu scrunched his nose at her and got up. It was a call from Rohan. He told this to Akshara and they got excited. They spoke to him on speaker. Dr. Rohan had left Birla Hospital a few months ago and moved to Delhi for future opportunities. After the call, Abhimanyu got ready to go to the hospital. Akshara hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.

Akshara: Suno ji

Abhimanyu: Sunao ji

Akshara: Gate no. 2 se jana

Abhimanyu: Kyu?

Akshara: Gate no. 1 ka direct view ata hai iss building me...

Abhimanyu: so?

Akshara: toh vo fourth floor wali chudail tumhe ghoor ghoor kr dekhti hai!!!

She huffed in an agitated tone. Abhimanyu laughed and then quickly shut up realizing his wife was genuinely mad about it. He said 'okay' in a small student-like voice and went to work.

After Abhimanyu left, Akshara made herself a home-made face pack and sat in her balcony. She looked at the view of the busy city and thought about the past time. A lot had happened. Their life in Mumbai had been nothing but blissful.

Career wise they both were doing good. Akshara's first song was received well. Post that, she worked on a few more songs with the same company but at Mumbai studio. They were received well too, always better than her previous. Her online following was increasing as well. Her Youtube channel was growing day by day and her manager suggested an artist must maintain good social media presence. Akshara was thankful for her manager and her editor who handled her postings and schedule.

Back in Udaipur, Akshara Dance and Music Academy was doing great too. Introducing music at her mother's academy had been the best decision. Dance and music compliment each other. Academy saw a sharp rise in its students. Now, that Akshara was getting famous, the academy was also benefiting due to its connection with her. She was growing as an artist and now this original song was a great opportunity that could be her doorway to a whole new platform.

Abhimanyu, her husband had been the most supportive partner there could be. He always remembered her recording days, even her channel posting days- often reminding her even before her manager. On days he was home during her singing for her channel, he would sit next to her but away from the frame and adore her. His faith helped her grow. He himself was a busy doctor but always tried to be there for her. Abhimanyu had created a name for himself in Mumbai as well- that too in a short span. His dedication and love for what he did shined through his work. He was already well reputed and being at Mumbai only increased that. He was the most sought after surgeon in the area and many people traveled from far to get treated by him. 

Coming to her health, she had her last therapy session a few weeks ago. She couldn't be happier with herself and more content in her life. They worked through her layers of pain, insecurities and misplaced guilt. She also finished Dr. Iyer's medication course. It was supposed to help heal some of her internal injuries. Now, it was all about keeping herself healthy so that her body feels great inside-out. They were still waiting for her final reports though.

Akshara got up and moved to rinse off the now dried paste on her face. She passed the multiple frames on the wall. There were pictures of Abhira- all smiles and joy. She sighed feeling complete and utter joy. This was it! They were all they needed. They were their own family!

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Yayyy!!!

I am so glad that Harshali won awards- both of them. Happy for Harshad, its his fourth but even happier for Pranali- girl worked hard and got her first. She dream she narrated to her parents as a child came true!

About updates on my other books- I am not getting much time these days so I have decided to finish this ongoing short story first (only one chapter is left) and then I will fully focus on the other two books. I will update this short story collection too but I will give priority to those ongoing stories after finishing 'Just us'.

xoxo