Recap: Life of Birlas and Goenkas without Abhira. Arohi is exposed and they learn that Akshara is pregnant.

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

Abhira's house| Mumbai

It was a lazy, slow weekend. Akshara was sitting on a comfortable chair on the terrace of their penthouse. The terrace was full of lush green plants to replicate a garden. Akshara was soaking in the sun and relaxing when she jumped hearing a loud voice.

'AKSHARA ABHIMANYU BIRLA!'

Akshara: (holding a hand to her beating heart) Kya hai Abhi!? Dara diya na...

Abhimanyu: Tum nahi sudhrogi na?!

Akshara: Tum mujhe phirse daant rahe ho docman! Kyu karte ho aisa!?

Abhimanyu: (squints his eyes) Kyunki tum daant khane wale krti ko

Akshara: (innocently) maine kya kiya mere cute-cute husband?

Abhimanyu: (shows her a bowl) Ye saari chocolate gayab hai! tume khayi na? Vo bhi sari ek saath!

Akshara: N-na-n..

Abhimanyu: (sternly) Jhoot mt bolna..

Akshara: (sighs in defeat) sorry Abhi... pr, pr na meri galti nahi hai...tumhare babies ko issi ki craving ho rahi thi, sachi!!!

Abhimanyu: babies ko ya babies ki mumma ko?

Akshara pouts. Abhimanyu sighs and pulls her to his body.

Abhimanyu: Itni koshish ke baad tumhari health sudhri hai Akshu. Humne toh umeed haarkr agey ka sb kismat pr chod diya tha. Ab finally life me ye khushi ayi hai. Tum pregnant ho, humare babies ane wale hai pr yaad hai na Dr. Iyer ne kya kaha tha? Medication or treatment se tumhara risk km hua hai, gaya nahi hai. Twins ki pregnancy waise bhi difficult hoti hai aur tumhare toh complication bhi hai, uspr agar tum careless ho jaogi toh kaise chalega?

Akshara: (sniffs and feels guilty) sorry docman, sorry...(cries) mai buri mumma aur buri wife hoon, tumhe tension deti rehti hoon..

Abhimanyu: (in mind) Hey Mahadev! Mai bhi na! Kya zarurat thi isse itna bada lecture dene ki? Kaise bhool gaya ye emotional jaldi ho jaati hai aajkl..

He kissed her forehead and wipes her tears. He told her she is best and consoled her. He took a promise from her that she'd take better care of herself knowing full well that she will soon forget it and give into her cravings. He understood her being pregnant meant unbearable cravings but he knew hers wasn't a normal pregnancy. He wanted to give her what she wanted to eat but he could not allow the quantity she wanted to eat.

She relaxed just as quickly as she had become guilty and emotional. They settled back on the comfortable seats. Abhimanyu took the sun-warm oil and began massaging her swollen feet while she relaxed on the back support. Her eyes were closed but he was only looking at her, delighted to see her at peace.

Abhimanyu: (in mind) kitna kuch ho gaya na in saalon me Akshu... (looks at her baby bump) Udaipur se Mumbai ana difficult pr best decision tha.

He recalled their life in Mumbai-

After one year of being at Mumbai, Akshara had signed a song with a big music director. Her song was used in a movie and became Viral. She won an award for it too. Since then things escalated quickly for her. She became a celebrity and now had a full team of five that managed everything about her career. She had given her voice to many songs and won multiple awards. She even did stage shows and events.

Her career graph made him the proudest husband. He too had grown in his career. He was now an MD of a reputed hospital and one of the most celebrated cardiologists in India. Even outside of India, his opinion was highly valued and many doctors contacted him for his inputs. His reputation was impeccable in the medical field and he too won many awards.

Two years after being in Mumbai, Abhira had moved out of Abhimanyu's hospital-given apartment when he was promoted to the position of MD but at a different branch of the same hospital that was away from their current place of stay. They bought a penthouse together and spent another year designing it themselves and getting it prepared to their taste and only moved last year. It was a gorgeous, sea facing, four bedroom penthouse that was equidistant from Abhimanyu's hospital and important music studios.

6 months after shifting to their new home, they received the best news of their lives. Akshara was pregnant, they were going to be parents! They were over the moon but Abhimanyu went crazy with meeting gynaecologists and trying to arrange the best for Akshara. She was already 2 months pregnant when they found out. They took great care and Akshara continued her work but asked her manager to hold giving out future commitments.

Presently-

She was 7 and a half months pregnant. Akshara completed all her given commitments and now decided to take a break, focusing only on her health and occasionally singing for her fans. However, since her baby bump became too evident to hide even behind lose clothes, she avoided going out in the public eye. Her fans were wondering what had happened, itching for her appearance. Her pregnancy was yet not public.

Abhimanyu knew a big award night was coming up and Akshara was nominated. He was sure she'd win, she was already winning all existing online polls. There was no way he was letting her miss such a prestigious award night. So, he convinced her. They decided tonight would be the night the world would finally know that Akshara is expecting!

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

Abhira entered the home late at night. Abhimanyu was holding Akshara in his arms and she was giggling with the award resting in her hands.

Abhimanyu: What did I tell you!!!??? Bolo bolo...

Akshara's face was flushed from all the laughter and smiling. She chuckled and he set her down on the couch. All the house help was already asleep so he got her a glass of water and took off her flats. He took a picture of her with the award and then placed it on a shelf where they displayed awards.

Abhimanyu: (kisses her cheeks) I am so proud of you my baby momma..

Akshara: Thank you husband.

She kissed his lips lightly and expressed her gratitude for his support. They went to their room and he helped her change. While changing, they chatted about the night-

The moment they reached the venue in their twinning fits, the media went crazy. Especially when they realized the big news- Akshara's pregnancy. They were clicked and she was interviewed. He was with her throughout as she refused to let go of his arm. She received the award and got enveloped by a sea of fans who wanted to get clicked with her. They had missed her and now her pregnancy had them glowing with happiness for her. The event organizers had to get bodyguards to help her safely navigate her way out.

Abhimanyu: I am sure subah jb hum uthenge to tumhare phone me lakho messages honge. Fans are going to make many edits- your award, our babies. Unke pass itne mahino ka content ek sath aa gaya...

He joked while making her braids and removing the makeup. Akshara nodded while yawning.

Abhimanyu: Awe! Mera baby thak gaya na aaj..

Akshara: Hmm...

Abhimanyu: So jaa...

Abhimanyu took her in a hug and placed her on the bed. Akshara snuggled into his neck but that made her uncomfortable. After struggling for a few minutes to find a good sleeping posture, she slept. Abhimanyu kissed her forehead and stomach before adjusting a few cushions around her.

Ping!

Abhimanyu: Mujhe is waqt kon text kr raha hai?

He opened his phone to check. It was a text from Harshvardhan.

'They know she is pregnant. They are coming to Mumbai.'

Abhimanyu: Inhe pata chal gaya? Obviously pata lgna hi tha! Kitne hi din chupa pate. Pr ye ab kyu aa rahe hai?

'Arohi was never pregnant and she faked the miscarriage to cause trouble for Akshara. Everyone know now that Akshara was innocent all along.'

He read the second text and realization dawned upon him.

Abhimanyu: Off course! Isiliye aa rahe hai. (looks at his wife) bina kissi galti ke tumpr kitna bada blame laga diya. Itne saalon curse krte rahe, kya kya nahi kaha tumse. Mai unhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga.

He replied to Harshvardhan: 'Why now? We want nothing to do with them Sir. Aap to jaante hi ho ki mai aur Akshu kitne khush hai apni life, we don't need this kind of drama.'

Harshvardhan called him seeing the message.

Harshvardhan: Sorry, mai message hi kr raha tha kyunki itna late ho gaya hai pr tumhare reply aya toh maine call kr liya.

Abhimanyu: It is okay sir pr aaj achanak wahan kya hua?

Harshvardhan told him everything.

Abhimanyu: Ye selfish log ab phir humari life me apne mtlb ke liye involve hona chahte hai but we are not interested sir.

Harshvardhan: pr ye Mumbai aye bina manenge nahi.

Abhimanyu: ane do phir. Kahan dhundenge hume? Humari society me bohot famous log rehte hai. Guard kissi ko entry nahi deta, apko to pata hi hai. yahan aa bhi gaye to mil nahi payenge.

Harshvardhan: tum inhe jaante hi ho. Waise bhi shyd ye log tumhare hospital ane ki planning kr rahe hai. Jo Article publish hua tha na, usme tumhari work profile me tumhare hospital ka name mentioned tha.... aur bhi koi idea nikal rahe honge toh mujhe nahi pata...

Abhimanyu: chain nahi hai sach me!

Harshvardhan: vo chod ek baar, ye bata meri bahu kaisi hai...mere grandbabies kaise hai?

They have a small talk about Akshara's health before ending the call. Abhimanyu was agitated. His present was perfect and he did not need corpses from past to come to life.

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

A few days later | Mumbai

Birlas and Goenkas have reached Mumbai. They are staying at a guesthouse. Things are awkward between the families but both want to connect with their lost children. Each had an agenda of their own. Manjiri wanted to be part of her future grandchildren's lives terribly along with reconnecting with her son. Now that she realized Akshara wasn't wrong and could get pregnant- her anger against her daughter-in-law melted away too. Mahima knew Abhimanyu was required to get Birla hospital to great heights again. Without Anand and Harshvardhan, the hospital was sinking and Neil & Parth just did not have it in them. Goenkas felt guilty now that Arohi was exposed. They wanted Akshara back into their lives- more so now when she will be giving birth to the first kids of another generation for them.

However, as Abhimanyu had predicted, even when they got information about their society, they were denied entry. The guards did not let them in when they named a famous singer as their daughter but couldn't even name her flat number. Harshvardhan kept quiet the entire time. Mahima put on her thinking caps and dug out about Abhimanyu. She used her connections to fix a time to meet Abhimanyu at his workplace.

Harvardhan tried to warn Abhimanyu but Abhimanyu did not pick up the phone so, the moment he entered the cabin, he received the terrible surprise that was he unprepared for.

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

Abhimanyu's cabin, Hospital | Mumbai

Abhimanyu Birla stood rooted. His eyes dashed between all the unfamiliar familiar faces before resting on the person he literally worshiped for almost all his life- his mother. She was openly crying. He felt strange looking at her. There was a time when he could have left anything for Manjiri and now he was seeing her after four years. It felt unreal.

Mahima: Abhimanyu?

Abhimanyu: Aap sb yahan kya kr rahe hai?

Manjiri: Abhi....

Abhimanyu: Abhimanyu.

Manjiri was dumbfounded.

Abhimanyu: Call me Abhimanyu or stick to Dr. Birla.

Manjiri: Ab-bhi-manyu....

Manjiri broke into a loud sob. Abhimanyu turned his head sideways. It was painful yet it was not, he did not know what to term his feelings. He walked around the cabin and stood near his desk.

Abhimanyu: Aap sb yahan kyu aye hai?

Manish: Dekho Abhimanyu (joins his hands) humse bohot badi bhool ho gayi beta. Lekin tum ek baar, bs ek baar hume humari beti se milne do. Hum tumhare aur uske doshi hai.

Abhimanyu: aur ye baat apko 4 saal baat achanak kaise yaad aa gayi. Kyunki Akshu pregnant hai, isliye na?

Abhimanyu did not want to tell them that he knew everything through Harshvardhan. 

Neil: We are really sorry bhai

Abhimanyu: as far as I remember my mother gave birth only to one child and that is me. I have no bhai.

Neil: I-i....

The families looked at each other's faces. They did not know how to apologize and Abhimanyu wasn't making it easy. Manjiri gathered a little bit of strength and stepped forward when the door of the cabin opened.

Akshara: Abhiiiiiii

The families turned sharply towards the door and their mouths flung open. They knew she was pregnant but it was still shocking them to see it in person. In walked Akshara with her eight months pregnant belly. She was pregnant with twins so it was even bigger. Her cotton dress was flow-y and soft. Her hair was in a simple braid and she seemed irritated.

Akshara: Ab-

She halted suddenly realizing how full the cabin was. She saw the faces of all those people who called her all sorts of names once. She felt she could hear it all again.

Manjiri: Akshu?

Akshara shut her eyes close.

Akshara: (in mind) Nahi Akshu, remember what you discussed with your therapist, what your Abhi said. You'll be mommy now, you are much stronger than this.

She opened her eyes and stood her ground.

Manish: aise anjano ki tarah mt khade reh meri bacchii, idhr aa na...

Swarna: Tere bina tere badepapa ne tujhe bohot yaad kiya hai beta, aa na...hum purani baaton ko bhool jate hai.

Akshara: Easy for you to say..

She muttered and walked over to Abhimanyu.

Akshara: appointment?

Abhimanyu: chalo...

He took her hand in his and marched out without even paying attention to any of them. As they were walking towards the gynecologist, Akshara tightened her grip over Abhimanyu's hands.

Abhimanyu: I know, we'll think about it after this.

They went through the appointment and got positive feedback. Smiling, they got out and saw their families out the cabin. Abhimanyu clenched his jaw.

Abhimanyu: Why are you all waiting her now?!

Manjiri: (teary eyes) Beta, hum sbne bohot badi galti ki hai. Specially maine. Maa hokr tum bacho ko paraya kr diya. Please hume maaf kr de...

Abhimanyu: aur ye baat samajhne me aap sbko chaar saal lag gaye?

They bend their heads in shame.

Abhimanyu: sach toh ye hai ki apko Arohi ka sach pata chal gaya hai. You feel guilty maybe. So yahan ab aap apna guilt km krne aye ho. Tell me, agar Arohi apna raaz successfully maintain kr leti to kya apme se koi ata?...arey aap logon ne hume Mimi ki death pr bhi bolna zaruri nahi smjha...

Akshara: We left, you let us. Now we've moved on to a life that does not have you all in it.

Manish: Hum sbki bohot galti hai beta, pr ek baar...ek baar apne badepapa ko maaf kr de beta, hume aur kuch nahi chahiye...

The families tried to convince them. Abhimanyu realized the growing discomfort of Akshara and the public watching it. He said he does not want this drama publically. Akshara was a celebrity. Any incident involving her might get blown out of proportion. However, he did not want them to have an access to their home so he took the address of their guest house and said they'll drop by later.

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

Late evening| guest house

Abhira parked the car in front of the house. Akshara sighed and turned to her husband so see him gripping the wheel tightly. She softly touched his hands and he shivered.

Abhimanyu: why now Akshu? Humari life me sb sahi chal raha tha...

Akshara: Maybe it's god's way to help us shed the baggage.

Abhimanyu: Mai is baggage ko life long utha lunga pr tumhare saath vo sb krne ke liye kissi ko maaf nahi karunga.

Akshara leaned forward and kissed his angry jaw.

Akshara: Abhi, maaf krne me aur wapis life me include krne me fark hota hai na baby?

Abhimanyu: Kya?

Akshara: kuch nahi, pehle andr chale? At least yahan tk aa gaye hai toh sun lete hai.

Abhimanyu nodded. He got down first and then helped his wife to step out of the car. He kissed her forehead and hugged her. Channeling all the strength, they both walked towards the guesthouse where everyone was waiting for them. The only person missing was Arohi who was asked to not come to Mumbai and Vansh who was still in Jaipur.

Abhimanyu: Isse pehle aap log kuch bole, give me a second.

He looked around and helped Akshara sit comfortably on a single sofa. He stood by her and turned to face the family. Manjiri stepped forward first and got on her knees.

Manjiri: (crying) mujhe maaf krde beta. Sach keh rahi hoon ye 4 saal tum dono ke bina maine bohot mushkil se nikale hai...maaf kr de...

Akshara gulped and looked at Abhimanyi. He frowned and made his mother stand.

Abhimanyu: Ye sb mt kijiye.

The family began their drama of seeking forgiveness.

Abhimanyu: Ye baat maine hospital me bhi kahi thi, ab bhi keh raha hoon. Aap logo ki khokhli sorry nahi chahiye hume. Aap sb humare liye nahi, apna guilt km krne aye ho. Akshu ki galti nahi thi, galat Arohi thi- kya usse bhi apne wahi sb bola jo Akshu ko kaha tha? Boliye na badepapa, Kahan hai vo? Apne jaise Akshu se rishta tor diya, waise Arohi se bhi todd diya kya?

Manish looked down in guilt. Akshara sighed and spoke up.

Akshara: Dekhiye, hum dono parents banne wale hai. Apni life me ek new chapter start kr rahe hai isliye aur sirf isliye hum apko maaf kr rahe hai. We don't want to carry past negativity into our lives.

Akhilesh: Thank You beta! dekha!! Maine kaha tha na...Akshu humari badi pyaari hai, grudges nahi rakhti...

Swarna: haan...

They all cheer and then express excitement over the coming child. Mahima mentioned how it wasn't recommended for them travel now as it was much later into the pregnancy but they must do so as soon as Akshara is okay to travel again. Anand and Parth mentioned how Birla hospital misses Abhimanyu.

Parth: Jaise Dad aur tauji se milkr hospital chalaya tha, waise ab ek din hume bhi toh chalana hai...

Neil: hum teeno ko!! Sach me bhai, jb se sach samne aya hai, mujhe bohot bura lg raha tha, aap dono ne maaf krke mere dil ka bhojh halka kr diya...

Abhimanyu: Ek second. Before you all get ahead of yourselves. We will be living in Mumbai.

Manjiri: Haan, abhi toh travel krna safe bhi nahi hoga na..pr baad me-

Akshara: What Abhi means is that we have a life in Mumbai now...

The news sent family in an uproar, they tried to convince them to come back to family. All their 'hum saath saath hai' philosophy talks were making Abhimanyu's mind boil.

Abhimanyu: Bs kijiye aap log!! Dekhiye khud ko! Humne abhi-abhi maaf kiya hai aap sbko, 4 saal baad humari life me aaye ho aur aate hi hume dictate krna shuru kr diya?! Kyu aye hum Udaipur? We have a life here! I am an MD and I have my own career plans, Akshu's music career is booming in Mumbai- in case you guys don't know she is a sensation in the music world. Why would we leave all this AND the peace of living here behind to come to Udaipur where people plot against us and no one trusts us!?

Mahima: Abhimanyu, tum Arohi ke kiye ki saza sabko kyu de rahe ho? Apni Maa ka bhi socho.

Abhimanyu: Really Taiji? Sirf Arohi ne kiya hai? Apne MD ki seat khud ke naam krne ke liye koi planning nahi ki? Arohi ne plan kiya lekin vo plan successful aap logon ne banaya. Maine jaane ka decision aap sb ki selfishness dekh kr liya tha. Aur maa ka kya sochun? Poori life mera dum ghoota hai uss ghar me pr maa ka sochkr reh raha tha. Pehle Sir aur phir Neil, mai toh maa ke liye humesha sbke baad tha na?

He looked at Manjiri who looks down.

Abhimanyu: sorry, mujhe aap sirf ek insaan ke aage prioritise krte ho, Akshu ke.... Maa kehti hai vo apko!..... kehti nahi, manti bhi hai. Lekin aap!? Khair rehne do in baaton ko. Aap sb ko maafi chahiye thi, humne de di. Pr hum Udaipur wapis nahi ayenge.

The families try their drama but all fails as Abhira return from their guesthouse, feeling much lighter now that the past was behind them.

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

Later that night | Abhira's penthouse

Abhimanyu was laying awake in bed.

Akshara: Abhi?

ABhimanyu: hmm?

Akshara: are you okay?

Abhimanyu: why will I not be?

Akshara: aaj jo hua? Maa-

Abhimanyu: tumse nahi chupaunga, It hurt Akshu.

Akshara: Phir ky-

Abhimanyu: Nahi, kuch cheezo ki limit hoti hai. Kabhi kabhi hume kuch cheezon ka dard unke sath mehsoos nahi hota pr its only harming us. Painful procedure krna padta hai pr uske baad ki life painfree ke saath saath healthy bhi hoti hai. These years without them have been blissful meri Jaan and no one is taking at away....

Akshara: hmm..

Abhimanyu: Are YOU okay? I know you always loved fami-

Akshara: and you made me realise what family actually is docman. That is all I need. Us.

Abhimanyu: (kissed her head) Just us?

Akshara: Just us....and our children, and a dog....hopefully a cat too.

Abhimanyu laughed and muttered 'whatever you want' before smothering her face with kisses. Her laughter filled the silence of the night reminding Abhimanyu yet again that this is all he needed to have a happy forever.

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

Abhira soon welcomed their children into their lives. A boy and a girl. They were happy and blessed. They honestly forgave everyone back at Udaipur but never included them much in their lives again. However, they did decided to return to the city of their childhood for short trips once a year to just meet everyone but their relationships never returned to how it was before they left.

Neil separated from Arohi and because of her track record, she was never hired at another hospital. She was now struggling to restart her career. Birla children along with Mahima struggled to restore the hospital reputation while Manjiri passed her days sobbing and yearning for her son. It hurt her even more than Harshvardhan visited Abhira often to spend time with his grandchildren but Abhimanyu hardly called her- Only once a month! Akshara bettered her relationship with Kairav and loved his wife but maintained a distance from the rest.

Abhira deeply devoted themselves to their children, careers and each other. They saw all kinds of days but there was always joy in their lives and together, they sailed through it all.

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

The end!

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

Note: With this story, there is no pending track in this story collection for now. So, I will focus on the other two books for now that are incomplete. I have more ideas but I have busy days ahead so I will only publish new stories next year.

Take care! Hope to see you then.

xoxo

PS: I tried to make up for the delay with a longer update. I had to still cut down a few details otherwise the story would again run into another chapter!