Recap: Abhimanyu is shocked to learn about Abhir. Harshvardhan and Nishtha drop him off to Sharma house. Abhinav is not home and it is getting stormy outside. Abhir confuses him to be Abhinav's friend and welcomes him inside.

Abhimanyu feels his heartbreak as he takes in Akshara's new life. His emotions are everywhere- anger, hurt, regret, pain, frustration and what not when he runs into Akshara who is equally stunned. Seeing her son observing the situation, she greets Abhimanyu like a stranger.

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

Akshara: Namaste Sir...

Abhimanyu bit his lower lip to stop from crying out loud as he studied her downcast eyes that refused to meet his. The girl he wanted a forever with now seemed far, far away. He looked away and his eyes went to the frames again. Maybe in a way she was far, far away. He knew had lost their shot at a forever long ago but to stand before her as a stranger was excruciating.

Abhir: Kya hua Sir?

Abhir shook him when he saw the man was standing still like a statue. Abhimanyu almost choked. His emotions were way too much for him to handle but the only person around who knew how to comfort him was out of his reach. He had never felt so lost in life.

Abhimanyu: K-Kuch nahi.

Abhir: apne bataya nahi mere papa kb ayenge!?

Akshara: Aa jayenge Abhir. But tujhe kya bataya hai strangers ko ghar lane ke baare me?

Stranger? Is he really? -asked her broken heart. Yes! -her stubborn mind replied and a part of her heart that was extremely hurt by the way he broke her, agreed.

Abhir: But he is papa's friend. Inhe mera naam bhi pata tha. Haina uncle?

Akshara turned towards the table to hide her shock.

Akshara: khana thanda ho raha hai. Ab bhook nahi lagi tujhe?

Abhir: arey haa!! Jaldi do mumma. Sir, apko bhi bhook lagi hogi na....

Akshara: Vo kha kr aye hai.

She replied before he could but Abhir again insisted and Abhimanyu sat down. Akshara served him reluctantly.

Akshara: (in mind) how did he know Abhir's name? Why is here? Did badepapa-? No! why would he? When he himself suggested me to never return!

The meal was really awkward. Abhir's animated talks filled the silence as Abhira were lost in their minds. Abhimanyu's eyes drank in the sight of his son. He had missed so much! He missed all these years of his life. His birth, his naming, his first crawl, walk and word! He was a nobody to his own son!

His eyes kept running all over him while his tongue savored the taste of Akshara's cooking. It had been ages since he had such a soul-filling meal. No food felt like home after her. Akshara on the other hand was feeding Abhir, hardly eating anything herself. She understood by the look in Abhimanyu's eyes that he knew about Abhir. Why else would he look at him like that? The day she dreaded was finally here!

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

After hours, Akshara finally succeeded in putting Abhir to sleep. Her son insisted on staying awake. Her little man did not want to sleep when her father wasn't around and his mother was alone in presence of man he did not know. Akshara felt both- joy and guilt. Joy because her son looked out for her so much and guilt because it wasn't his job. Her son shouldn't feel the need to look out for her.

Abhimanyu always felt the need to look after Manjiri and look where it got him. He became so tuned to give into Manjiri's wishes that he ruined his life. That is why Akshara swore to not make her son feel like she needed protection or raise him in a place where she wasn't respected. She refused to become another Manjiri to her son.

Abhimanyu: So gaya finally?

Abhimanyu spoke in a soft tone, trying to start a conversation but Akshara was in no mood for small talk.

Akshara: Cut it Abhimanyu. Why are you here?

Abhimanyu: Akshara...

Akshara: (joins hands) mujhe apni zindagi se nikaal kr bhi tumhe shanti nahi milli? Mujhse apne bhai ka badla lene aye ho? Please, leave.

Abhimanyu: How can I leave-

Akshara: Exactly like you did before? Tumhare liye mujhe chodna koi mushkil kaam thodi hai?

Abhimanyu: Akshara.. I I-know he is my son.

Akshara felt the earth quake without the earthquake. Trying to calm herself, her first instinct was to deny his claims but he gave her the copy of the birth certificate. She was confused about how he landed his hands on it. She had hidden Abhir's birth certificate from everyone- even Abhinav.

Akshara: H-how?

Abhimanyu: Football match. Shivu was in the opposite team...

Akshara: (trying to connect the dots but confused) okay....

Abhimanyu: Okay? OKAY? Akshara he is my son. MY SON?! How could you keep him from me!?

Abhimanyu's annoyance kept building. He couldn't cope with the loss, specially as he eyes kept trailing back to the picture and prize wall that stood proud behind Akshara. But he wasn't the only one feeling anger. Akshara was no more the meek, sweet girl he knew. She always had fire that she inherited from her mother. Her patience and bubbliness came from her papa and nani but life had slapped her in the face- forced her to turn to her other side.

Akshara: Your son? (scoffs) Your son? He is mine and mine alone. Don't you dare say otherwise Mr. Birla and awaz tez krne ki sochna bhi mt. Mera beta so raha hai. I don't want him to wake up and see this.

Abhimanyu: It take two to make a baby. Mai papa hoon uska. Aur tumhe kya issue hai agar vo uth gaya toh. Afraid that your little world of lies will fall? That he will realize what a liar his mother is?!?!

Akshara: really? Tum papa ho?! Ek donor se zyada kiya kya hai tumne? Tum to meri pregnancy me bhi kuch din ke saathi they! Aur maine koi jhoot pr duniya nahi banai hai apni...

Abhimanyu: accha! To mera beta kissi aur ko papa kyu bol raha hai?!?!

Akshara: Vo koi aur uska papa hai!

Abhimanyu: kiss hasiyat se?!!!

Akshara: mere pati ki hasiyat se!!!

Silence fell upon the two. Without realizing, they were now standing nose to nose and heaving. Their eyes filled with pain and misery laced in anger.

'Akshara Ji'

The spell broke as Abhinav spoke from the door. He had managed to help the people and drive back in the storm. He was about to knock when he heard the muted shouts and rushed in, scared for Akshara.

Abhimanyu turned to face the man living his life. Standing before him was Abhinav with a frowning face, worry clear in his voice.

Abhinav: Kya hua Akshara Ji? Aap thik hai? Ye kon hai??

Abhimanyu felt strange hearing another man fawn over Akshara, worry for her. Abhinav asked him who he was.

Akshara: Koi nahi hai. Abhir apka dost samajh kr inhe ghar ke andr le aya. Pr ye JAA rahe hai. Haina?

Abhimanyu: (in mind) Mai koi nahi hoon? and like hell I will leave!!

Akshara: (in mind) You must!

Abhinav: Akshara Ji, mausam dekhiye. Inhe kahan bhejengi iss waqt? Bhaiji, aap yahi aram kr lijiye. Mausam sudhrega to mai apko chod aunga.

Abhimanyu: (in mind) great! Bilkul apne jaise helpful admi dhoonda hai tumne. Isse hate bhi kaise karu? Pr hate to mai krta hoon. Isse jaanta nahi hoon pr..pr ye meri life jee raha hai..

Meanwhile outside, Harshvardhan was sitting annoyed in the car.

Harshvardhan: ye kyu aa gaya? Abhimanyu Akshu akele me baat kr lete.

Nishtha: Chachu, ye ussi ka ghar hai.

Harshvardhan: kuch bhi plan ke hisab se nahi ho raha. Pehle Manjiri latak kr sath aa gayi aur ab ye.

Nishtha: pr hume pehle kahan pata tha ki ye ghar nahi honge.

Harshvardhan: Still, I am not waiting outside anymore. I am going in.

Harshvardhan barged inside followed by Nishtha right when Abhimanyu spoke the truth about himself to a stunned Abhinav.

Abhimanyu: I am Abhir's father. Actual father!

Abhimanyu couldn't handle the green jealous monster. This man already took away the woman he loves, there was no way he'd let him play house with his son as well. Not anymore.

Abhinav: Akshara Ji?

Abhinav looked at Akshara for confirmation. She looked away but gave a slight nod.

Abhinav could feel the cracks in his glass house of dreams. NO! not my perfect little world- his mind quipped.

Abhinav: pr aap itne saal baad achnak kyu?

Abhimanyu: mujhe pata kahan tha mere bete ke baare me?!

Abhinav: (to Harshvardhan) sir aap?

Harshvardhan: Haan, aur ye mera beta hai. Jisse tum apna beta kehte ho vo mera pota hai.

Abhinav never felt so alone in life. He was actually always alone. He grew up in a small orphanage and after getting kicked out at the age of 18, he lived alone for next ten years- trying to find his place and purpose in life. It continued till he met Akshara. She gave him a real reason to exist, a reason to wake up every morning and a home to come back to. Losing it and going back to his alone life wasn't something he could now do, especially after knowing what life could be like with Akshara and Abhir.

Akshara was getting all emotional seeing known faces but her heart couldn't help but feel bad for Abhinav. She cared for him. How could she not? She spend six whole years with him!

Abhimanyu could see this in her eyes. Abhinav's hurt was hurting her. This in turn was paining him. Nishtha shook her head. Her brother had really dug himself deep. Abhira had distanced themselves to the point that now other lives were involved and placed between them. 

Their journey back to each other now was not possible without hurting others.

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

Abhinav and Akshara were sitting on far ends of a couch. Abhimanyu and Harshvardhan were sitting on the single seats in front of them. Nishtha had pulled herself a chair from the dining table. Abhinav decided to break the silence.

Abhinav: dekhiye mujhe pata hai ki mai ye toh nahi keh skta hoon ki sb bhool jaiye aur zindagi ko waise hi chalne dijiye. Pr Abhir baccha hai. Itna bada sach use ek dum se nahi bata skte...

Abhimanyu: usse pehle hi sach pata hona chahiye tha!!!

Akshara: tumhe pehle hi sach sun lena chahiye tha!

Abhimanyu: Sach nahi suna maine toh kya mera haq kisi aur ko de dogi?! Ruhi bhi hai! lekin humne usse kabhi nahi chupaya ki uske papa kon hai!

Akshara: fark hai Abhimanyu Birla. Ruhi Neil ke baare me puchegi toh tum keh doge ki vo bhagwan ke pass hai, star hai. Uske pass poora parivar hai- dadighar, nanighar sb! Jo usse samjhayenge aur sambhalenge. Mere bete ke pass aur kon hai? vo puchta ki uske papa kahan hai toh kya kehti!?!? Sorry beta, tumhare papa ne hume chod diya hai?!

Abhimanyu: maine mere bete ko nahi choda!

Akshara: right!! Choda toh tumne mujhe tha!!!

Abhinav: Akshara Ji shant!. Abhir so raha hai...

Akshara: aap beech me mt boliye Abhinav ji. Aap jante nahi hai inhe. Inki nazar me galti sirf samne wale ki hoti hai. ye kuch galat nahi krte.

Abhimanyu: maine aisa nahi kaha! Lekin yahan tum galat ho!!!

Akshara: aur tum sahi ho? Apni biwi ko miscarriage ke baad sambhalne ki bajaye usse divorce dekhr ghar ne nikal dena sahi hai?

Abhimanyu: Haan!!.. Agar vo biwi ek ke baad ek galti kre to sahi hai. tumhari wajah se maine mera bhai, baccha sb kho diya. Aur jo baccha bach gaya, uski nazar me tumne mujhe anjaan bana diya. Mere haq chinne wali tum hoti kon ho!!

Akshara: Mai maa hoon uski!!!

Harshvardhan: Abhimanyu chup kr! Baat Abhir ki krni hai. Tum past ki baat lekr baith gaye dono.

Akshara: Aap sahi keh rahe hai. Past past hi rahe toh better hai. Isliye please leave.

Abhimanyu: apne bete ke bina mai nahi jaunga!!

Akshara: mai bhi dekhti hoon kaise le jaoge!

Abhir: Mumma! Papa...

Abhir's sleepy voice was heard and everyone became quiet.

Abhir: aap kitne gande sir ho! Aap meri mumma pr chilla rahe they...

Abhimanyu looked at Abhir with longing while Harshvardhan couldn't resist himself from keeping a hand on his head.

Abhinav: Arey aap uth gaye? Vo bhi itna jaldi?

Abhir: vo shorr ho raha tha..

Abhinav: arey nahi toh. Waise aap mere sath aiye..

Abhir: Nahi..

Abhinav: chaliye..

Abhir: Nahi! mai mumma ke pass rahunga. Ye log kon hai? aur meri mumma se zor se kyu baat kr rahe hai? Oye sirji! Meri mumma se koi unchi awaz me baat nahi krta...smjhe!

Abhinav: vo samajh gaye..aap aiye toh..

He picked Abhir and left. Akshara had to intervene and assist so that Abhir actually left. They coaxed him by asking to help Abhinav with something.

Nistha: Apko lekr bohot protective hai.

Nishtha mused. Akshara just gave her a small smile.

Akshara: Abhimanyu. Please maaf kro mujhe

Abhimanyu: kbhi nahi! pehle mera bhai, mera baccha aur ab ye! How dare you!!?? You did this!! You did this to me!! Agar ye log tumhe nahi dekhte to tum mujhe kabhi batati hi nahi. Mai aur kitne saal apne bete se anjaan jeeta? Shyd poori life!! Pr ab nahi! Ye admi koi nahi lgta mere bete ka...

Akshara: Us admi ki wajah se tumhara beta aa paaya iss duniya me. Vo zinda hai ussi admi ki wajah se.

Abhimanyu: (wipes his tears) haan toh mai ehsanmand hoon, lekin ehsan ke badle apne parivar ko to uske naam nahi kr dunga na..

Akshara: konsa parivar?? Jisse tumne khud tod diya? Wait- mai toh kabhi tumhara parivar thi hi nahi...

Abhimanyu: Tum!!...(huffs and clenches his teeth) tum sab kuch thi. Pr fir tumhi ne sach kuch chin liye.

Harshvardhan: bs kro dono. Aise toh baat kabhi solve nahi hogi.

Abhimanyu: Ab solve krne ka ek hi tareeka hai.

Akshara gulped but held her ground as Abhimanyu stepped closer and towered above her.

Abhimanyu: I will see you court.

He spat the words at her and left out of the house- broken and burning.

......Finish.......

This is how I portray Abhira's meeting after all these years and the truth's reveal. I wanted to make other characters important as well. Specially, Nishtha, PB and Shivu- who are getting royally ignored these days. I think any plot with Abhir's identity reveal would somehow turn into custody battle. I hope you liked it.

I was thinking of a sequel story about custody battle to be my next. Thoughts?

xoxo