Note:- This chapter became longer than expected so this story with have more parts now. This is not final.

Also, no Abhira in this update. Sorry, but it was vital for the drama aspect of this story to tell what happened behind Abhira's back at Udaipur. It is about truth revelation.

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

Four years later

Four years passed since Abhimanyu and Akshara left Udaipur. A lot had changed over these years in the lives of Birlas and Goenkas. Kairav and Vansh both got married to Divya and Reem respectively. Reet was the wedding planner for Abhira's wedding and her friendship with Vansh had grown to love over the years. Though Vansh was skeptical of love marriage once but Reem's care convinced him otherwise.

Divya was Kairav's childhood friend who moved back to Udaipur two years ago. She had been through her own share of bad relationships and their pained hearts called out to each other. Kairav and her fell in love and got married.

Kairav had a small ceremony this time and missed his sister to bits but he was scared to approach her. She had become a celebrated singer now. He wondered how he got himself in such a spot that his baby sister wasn't just a call away. He had all her songs the top of his playlist and followed her fan pages for her updates. He regularly checked her social media handles to see if she uploaded anything new but he never gathered the courage to text her. He was also sure that even if he slides into her DMs, it will be her managers who'd see it and even they'd ignore it. She must be getting many fan messages daily and his will just get lost in the pool.

In the Goenka house, things were looking better only for these two. Vansh and Reem left Udaipur and settled in Jaipur. They opened their own event management company. Kairav completely took over the business and his wife helped him run it. Suhasini had passed an year ago due to multiple organ failure. She was really aged and they were all prepared for it somewhere.

Now, Manish, Swarna and Akshilesh were slowly succumbing to age too. Their bodies slowed and became weak. Manish dearly missed his favourite grandchild and the fact that she was a stranger to them was eating him from inside. Swarna was heartbroken to see her husband like this. Akhilesh was always alone in his room. He had long lost touch with his own children and Arohi was too busy in her own world.

Coming to Birlas, the one with the best life at the moment was Nishtha who had left home an year after Abhira. She left for college and never came back. Not even on vacations. Shefali was promoted to creative head at the company she worked at. Shivansh had started at school and Parth was heading a department in Birla hospital much to his disdain. However, he had made peace with the fact that his music wasn't getting him stable income. He pursued medical further along with his work.

These four were the only Birlas with a happier life. At the house, on one half stayed Harshvardhan's family. Manjiri had now stopped coming out of her room and nobody cared. Neil and Arohi were busy in their own lives and Harshvardhan never moved back. She was constantly sick now as her heart missed her son who always left everything for her sake. Abhimanyu's absence made her realize how much he really did for her. He made sure his mother was protected and cared after. He heard her when nobody else would.

Manjiri also registered how Akshara was better than Arohi to her. Had it been Akshara instead of Arohi, she wouldn't be rotting alone in her room. Yet, Manjiri cursed Akshara, considering her to be the reason her son left. Neil and Arohi were the other two living in that side of the house. Their romance had fizzled out when Arohi decided she no longer wanted a baby and her goal was to beat Mahima. She was constantly driven to make sure Mahima lost but Mahima wasn't her emotional, innocent sister either. She gave it back too. They were caught up in their games and Neil had fallen into a monotonous life.

On the other side of the house that was Anand's, things were slightly better for his living children. He, himself had retired and was now constantly away from home- delivering guest lecturers wherever he was invited. He just needed an excuse to be away. Mahima did not care about it. She was over the moon- living her best life as an MD but the challenges the role posed were more than she imagined.

Due to greed and 'practical' decisions of both Mahima & Arohi and without Abhimanyu & Anand to damage control, the hospital lost its reputation over the years. When Harshvardhan retired an year ago, things fell fully on Neil but he was not as strong an administrator. He was merely a puppet his wife- Arohi. The hospital was now considered to be only for the rich and affluent. Middle income and low income people or those without connections avoided Birla hospital.

Affluent people are important to please but the sharp decline in all other patients reflected greatly on hospital's profits. Investors had started to pull out. It broke Anand and Harshvardhan to see their father's and their years of work go to the dogs but they were helpless so they now avoided thinking about it.

Harshvardhan, who stayed out of Birla house was the only person who stayed in touch with Abhira, even visiting them sometimes. He was extremely glad to see how their life was turning out.

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

One random day at Birla house.

It was a different day today. Almost everyone was home around the same time. Nishtha had come home after her finals as she wasn't allowed to stay in the hostel after finishing her course. She had left with Shivansh, to treat her only nephew at the mall. Parth and Shefali were sitting at the dining table, no more bothered by the strange wall in their house. Harshvardhan was home that day and was chatting with Anand. The brother were sitting on either side, treating the wall as a table for their tea cups. They were all unaware that this day was going to flip their lives.

Harshvardhan: (proudly) dekhiye Bhaisahab! Iss article ko internationally acclaim milla hai. Iski findings me Abhimanyu ka bhi naam hai. Usne aur uski team ne likha hai ye.

Anand: I am so proud of him. Iski tarakki dekhta hoon to bohot accha lgta hai. Afterall, maine mentor kiya tha..

Shefali: wow chachaji, ye toh bohot acchi news hai.

Anand and Harshvardhan turn towards her.

Parth: sorry vo apki baat sun li. Hum eavesdrop nahi krna chahte they.

Harshvardhan: arey nahi baccho, aisa nahi hai. Hum bhi toh beech me baat kr rahe hai. kissi se chupane wali baat thode hai.

From the top of the stairs, Manjiri was listening with tears in her eyes. She was proud of her son but felt so bad at her state that she cannot even congratulate him.

Manjiri: Itne saalon se apne bete ki shakal bhi nahi dekhi. Vo chodo, awaz tk nahi suni. Mai tujhe kabhi maaf nahi karungi Akshara.

She was lost in her mind and the rest were talking downstairs when they heard a commotion. Mahima and Arohi were entering inside the house quarrelling. They both marched towards their side of the house while bickering loudly.

Mahima: YE AKHRI BAAR HAI JO MAI TUMHARI GALTI SUDHAR RAHI HOON. SAMJHI NA?!

Arohi: STOP YELLING! MERI KOI GALTI NAHI HAI.

Anand: BS KARO. Kya hua hai?

Mahima: As usual. Ye ladki khud ko doctor kehti hai pr ek kaam responsibly nahi krti.

Arohi: aap badi doodh ki dhuli hai.

Mahima: AROHI! Tumme aur mujhe fark hai. Education ka, experience ka aur responsibility ka. Mai apne kaam ke sath laparwahi nahi karti. Aaj mai jahan hoon vo mai deserve krti hoon. Maine koi shortcuts nahi liye tumhari tarah. Arey tumhare to pichle 4 saal me na jaane kitni baar license cancel hote hote reh gaya hai.

Arohi: YOU! SHUT-

Harshvardhan: AROHI! Ye kya tone ka baat krne ka. Bhabhi, ab kya hua hai?

Mahima: Pucho apni bahu se. Apni team ko itne critical case ke brief nahi dekr ayi. Unhe pta bhi nahi tha ki unhe kissi patient ko tend krna hai. Patient ko 24*7 doctor supervision ki zarurat thi aur vo raat bhar akela tha. Uski ki halat bohot zyada bigar gayi. Vo toh early morning jb head nurse ayi toh usne aise hi saare wards check kr liya. Iss patiens ko akele aur vitals bigarte dekhr mujhe call kiya. Jaise-taise uske vitals control kiye maine aur mamla shant kiya.

Anand: what!? Itni laparwahi?

Mahima: wahi na! (makes a face) Aur inhe best doctor banna hai.

Arohi: Ho jata hai kabhi kabhi! Aap har baar ye best wala tanna kyu deti hai? Mai best hoon aur mujhe ye proof krne ki zarurat nahi hai. I am capable and apki umar tk ate ate toh mai kahan ki kahan houngi.

Mahima: Jaisi harkate hai na, Jail me hogi.

Arohi: how da-

Shefali: chup raho Arohi. Mom sahi keh rahi hai. Tum doctor ho. Kabhi kabhi ho jata hai kya hota hai? You cannot be so careless in your profession. Aur best bolne se nahi hota. You make zero efforts in that direction.

The verbal spat continued when Neil entered the house. It was a usual sight to see people fighting but today was different. He was different.

Arohi: Thank god tum aa gaye Neil. Dekho ye sb milkr mujhpr chadh gaye hai.

Neil did not respond. Arohi shook his shoulder.

Arohi: NEIL!

Neil: Tum kabhi pregnant nahi thi na Arohi?

He spoke in a calm, dead voice. It chilled the environment. Arohi recoiled as if she'd been slapped while others grew confused and silent. Manjiri gripped the railing of the stairs.

Arohi: Hain? Kya bol rahe ho?

Neil: Jo tumne suna? 4 saal pehle! Tum kbhi pregnant thi hi nahi na Arohi?

Manjiri covered her mouth in shocked and walked downstairs slowly. There was silence in the whole house, even the help had stopped working, sensing the tension and were very quiet.

Arohi: Ye sb kya bol rahe ho? Achanak....Mai...pregnant? Neil, (looks down to hide her nervousness) vo humari life ka ek bohot dardnak incident hai, usse kyu yaad kr rahe hai hum?

The Birla were processing what was happening when Manish, Swarna and Akhilesh entered the house. Kairav and his wife said they were too busy for drama when Neil had asked them to come over but not stated reason.

Manish: Kya hua Neil? Itna urgently bulaya. Sb thik toh hai na?

Neil: Haan badepapa. Uppar uppar se sb thik hai pr andr se poora hil gaya hoon mai..

Swarna: Kya hua hai?

Manjiir: bol na beta, mujhe tension ho rahi hai. Tu aaj itni purani baat kyu kr raha hai..

Neil: apko toh pata hai na Birla hospital me hum sbka yearly check up hota hai.

They all nod.

Parth: haan toh?

Neil: Toh maine ek gadhe pati ki tarah apni jhooti wife ke liye concern express kiya. Miscarriage ko itna time ho gaya aur phir bhi Arohi ne conceive nahi kiya. Kahin koi issue toh nahi hua kyunki Miscarriage ke time toh Dr. Preeti ne ghar me hi check up kr diya tha. Ye sochkr maine doctor se baat ki thi...

Akhilesh: Kya pta chala beta? Koi tension wali baat toh nahi hai na? Aru thik hai?

Neil: Kuch thik nahi hai..

Arohi: (pale with fear) N-Neil..please..ma-mai explain-

Neil: four years too late Arohi. Aaj mai bolunga.

Arohi: Nei-

Neil: MAINE KAHA NA AAJ MAI BOLUNGA!!!!!

He yelled loudly, taking her by shock. She gulped. Everyone was clueless. Neil opened his bag and threw many papers out.

Neil: Ye dekhiye!!!

Others pick up the papers closest to them and frown, trying to make sense.

Neil: Ye check up krne wale gynac ki report. Unhe lagta hi nahi ki Arohi ka kabhi miscarriage hua bhi tha......Badepapa apke haath me Dr. Preeti ki report hai, jiske hisab se Arohi pregnant hai...pr maine concern me akr Arohi ke docement bag ko khol liya tha..Taki doctor ko medical history dikha doon Arohi ki...usme ek aur report mili jo Sir ke hath me hai. Birla hospital ki report jiske hisab se Arohi pregnant nahi hai. Dono reports me sirf ek din ka gap hai...

Harshvardhan: Ye sb kya ho raha hai.

Neil: mai explain krta hoon.

Arohi: Neil jo tum soch rahe ho waisa nahi hai.

Neil: Waisa nahi hai toh apni dost Preeti ko bolo, usne sb confirm kiya hai.

Arohi: what?!

Neil: yahin khasiyat hoti hai unethical logon ki. Khud br baat ati hai toh sach ugal hi dete hai.

Neil tells everyone what Preeti told him in fear of Neil telling everyone about her creating fraud reports- Arohi was never pregnant. First it was confusion but then she chose to hide it so that she enjoys the attention of being pregnant. She knew she cannot continue it for long so she pretended to have had a miscarriage. Everyone was stunned and the elders sat down with a thud. Neil yelled at Arohi for playing with his emotions.

Shefali: E-ek second!..agar Arohi kabhi pregnant thi hi nahi to iska mtlb humne Akshara ko uss cheez ke liye blame kiya jo usne kabhi kiya hi na!!! Jb baby hi nahi tha toh miscarriage toh hua hi nahi!!!

The families paled, the ugly day that broke their family apart running through their mind. The fight between Neil and Arohi increased and she ended up accepting that she did all this for families attention.

Arohi: SB BS AKSHU AKSHU AKSHU KARTE REHTE THEY. MAI BS PYAAR AUR ATTENTION CHAHTI THI!!......AUR PHIR JB MUJHE MISCARRIAGE KRNA HI THA TOH MAINE SOCHA KYU NA AKSHU PR BLAME KR DOON. SBKA THODA OBSESSION KAM HOGA USSE. MAIN USSE GHAR SE NIKALWANA NAHI CHAHTI THI PR VO BHI TO ACCHA HI HUA NA, HUMARI LIFE ME KITNA SUKOON..

!!!SMACK!!!

Manjiri slapped Arohi. She fell down on the floor due to the impact. Manijir did not stop. She grabbed her arm and shook her.

Manjiri: TERI WAJAH SE MERA BETA, MERA ABHI 4 SAAL SE GHAR SE DOOR HAI. TUNE MERA PARIVAR, MERA GHAR TOD DIYA. MAINE MERE BACCHON KO TERI WAJAH SE KHO DIYA..

She pushed Arohi towards Goenkas but as they too were stunned and did not back her up, she fell near their feet. Arohi was pale and shaking now.

Manjiri: Ye parivar toh ab poori tarah bikhar hi chukka hai. Ek aur ke jaane se koi fark nahi padega. Apki beti kisi ke ghar ki bahu bane layak nahi hai. Le jaiye isse apne sath.

Neil: Ma-

Manjiri: jisse problem ho vo iske saath chala jaye...

Arohi: What?! Mai kahin nahi jaungi, ye mera bhi ghar hai.

Manish: AREY BS!! (coughs)

Swarna: Aram se Manish ji... (to Arohi) Tu kabhi baaz nahi aa skti na...

Manish: Mai sahi tha.. (in broken voice) parvarish sb bacho ki same thi pr...pr...

Arohi: age boliye na....ruk kyu gaye..

Swarna: Khabardar jo mere pati se aise baat ki hai. Pta nahi kahan se itna zeher bhar gaya hai iske andr...

There was a lot of verbal spat before Arohi was pulled away by Goenkas and they all left.

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

The families were all feeling sick in their stomachs and guilty. Their children- their Abhira had walked away from the lives for good and they had let them. They even refused all their initial attempts to rekindle and for what? They had never been at fault.

Arohi was at Goenka house but Kairav and Divya refused to keep her.

Divya: Jo apni behen ka ghar barbad kr skti hai vo apni bhabhi ka kyu bakshegi. I am sorry mai rude laungi pr thodi practical mai bhi hoon. Aisi nanand permanently yahin rahegi toh mai aur Kairav ghar se jaa rahe hai alag rehne...

Seeing that Kairav too would leave them, Manish decided to send Arohi back but Neil was feeling too betrayed to even talk to her. The families met on a Sunday to decide the fate of the two.

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

Sunday:-

Everyone is sitting in the hall of Goenka house. Kairav and Divya are standing next to each other with blank faces. Birlas were glaring at Arohi.

Mahima: Kiss hisab se keh rahe hai aap log? Apki beti ke karan humare ghar beta-bahu ghar chod kr chale gaya. Anand aur Harshvardhan ne bhi property divide issi ke karan kiya. Humare ghar ka bantwara karwa diya. Na professionally acchi hai ye na personally. Aise bahu wapis ghar lejane me koi samjhdari nahi hai.

Arohi was about to open her mouth but her badepapa's scolding had shut her up. Kairav was frowning at Arohi from the side, the reason he lost his other sister. His wife was rubbing his shoulders to offer support when his phone pinged. It was a text from Vansh.

Kairav opened to see it was a link to one of Akshara's fanpages and he clicked on the link.

Kairav: what the h-!!

Divya: Kya hua? (sees and gasps)

Manish: tum dono wahan alag se kya baat kr rahe ho?

Parth was the closest to them and walked closer. His eyes fell on the screen and he gulped.

Parth: Oh!

Shefali peeped out of curiosity with Nishtha and both were shocked.

Manish: (pulls the phone out of their reach) aisa kya hua hai?

His eyes widened. His took off his glasses and readjusted his vision. This sparked everyone's interest. They all passed the phone around and sat down one by one feeling blown away.

Manjiri: Hey Kanhaji!

She gasped and held onto her sobs. The only person not so shocked was the man who knew it from his last visit to Mumbai.

The picture was of Akshara at a prestigious award function. She was at the event with her husband. They were twinning in emerald green fits but what sent the internet in an uproar was the bulging belly- Akshara was pregnant!

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

How was an Abhira less chapter? Boring? I will try make up for it soon.

xoxo