Dear Readers,

This story is in continuation of the story 'Not meant to be' (Chapters 29-33). It'd be better if you've read that before reading this story.

Disclaimer: I am not a law student, nor do I know anyone who is. While I am trying my best to be legally correct, I might not be aware of terminologies so please ignore those errors.

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Brief of previous story: Harshvardhan, Nishtha and Shefali come across Abhir and Akshara but the latter don't see the former. They investigate and find out that Abhir is Abhimanyu's son. They fake an emergency to get Abhimanyu to Shimla. However, their plan faces a minor problem. Manjiri and Manish tag along Abhimanyu. Post revelation, Harshvardhan and Nishtha take Abhimanyu to meet Akshara and Abhir. At that time Abhinav wasn't home. Akshara pretends to not know Abhimanyu in front of Abhir but as soon as he sleeps, they have an argument. The argument only escalates once Abhinav, Harshvardhan and Nishtha join in. Shots are fired and at the end Abhimanyu threatens Akshara that he'd see her in court.

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Pre read: After Abhimanyu faced Akshara, he was left with a lot of conflicting emotions but the most prominent one was pain. He was left feeling cheated that he missed six years of his own son's life. He had been mourning for the three lives lost that day without knowing one had survived. Manjiri instigated him further. After knowing Abhimanyu had a son, she demanded to have her grandson included in her life. That he was their 'ghar ka chirag'.

Akshara, on the other hand, was explained the situation by Abhinav. He asked her to see another side, Abhimanyu's perspective. On his insistence, Akshara met Abhimanyu again but only for Abhir's sake. They met at Shimla in a cafe close to the place where they all were staying. Akshara told him that she'd introduce him to Abhir but he will need to be patient as such a news cannot be broken to a child overnight. Then, they could share custody where Abhimanyu would have visitation rights.

Abhimanyu, obviously, was reluctant. He wanted to be introduced to Abhir but also be a permanent part of his life. He had already missed so much! Manjiri arrived at that cafe and hurled accusations at Akshara. She called her names and soon the civil conversation turned south. Fuelled by his mother and his pain, he left for Udaipur and the first thing he did there was to file a case against Akshara.

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Akshara put her head out of the window to look at the familiar unfamiliar roads. It had been six years since she last saw her hometown. So much had changed. The lanes, shops, everything looked different. She smiled as she saw a familiar shop- her favourite bakery. At last, something that did not change.

She had left a lot behind when she left- her heart being the main thing. She looked at the drivers' seat where Abhinav was driving the car. Abhir was fast asleep in the backseat. Her eyes softened. Her baby! Her reason to live. Akshara was left broken the day of Neil's demise. Her brain was numb and she did not know what she doing or where she was going. It wasn't until the doctor told her that one of her babies lived that she felt her senses return. Weeks after that, she continued to call Abhimanyu. She thought at least for one moment, one moment in many weeks will Abhimanyu's anger and pain melt enough for him to hear her but that moment never came. When Akshara realized he wanted nothing to do with the baby or her, she vowed to live life like he never existed. It was hard, she was lost and so was her voice but she lived on- for her son. The same son that she might lose.

Akshara: (in mind) 6 saal pehle jo yahan se sb kuch haar kr chali gayi thi, vo Akshara nahi hoon mai. Tb ek patni haari thi. Aaj joh laut kr aayi hai vo ek maa hai aur ye maa apna kuch nahi haregi. Kuch bhi nahi!

They reached her childhood home where Manish and Swarna stood waiting for her. Kairav was standing at the back with an angry scowl. Akshara had heard all about his anger at her for leaving. She tried many times over the years to reconcile but Kairav did not want to. Now, even Akshara did not want to. She was done with everyone. She met Suhasini who was bed ridden now. The old woman got emotional seeing Abhir who was her great, great grandson. After that she took the keys to her flat from Manish.

Akshara took two things from her inheritance. Her mother's academy and her parents' flat where they lived for a brief period post their marriage. Kairav inherited the Mumbai home and business. Rest things weren't divided and still Manish's. Her badepapa argued, not wanting her to live away from them but she did not budge.

Akshara: Mai nahi chahti koi meri presence se uncomfortable ho. I know when I am not wanted and I don't want to impose.

Swarna: pr humare liye ruk jaa...

Manish: Ye ghar aaj bhi tere badepapa ka hai. Jiss din Kairav ke naam ho jaye, mt aana...hum dekhne nahi ayenge...

And just like that, Akshara took her first emotional decision after years, she decided to stay at Goenkas.

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At Birla House

A team of lawyers was sitting in the hall, going over facts and points. Harshvardhan and Shefali were strongly pitching points. Ruhi was in her room with Nishtha as elders did not want a kid around, listening to such things. Manjiri was sitting in anger. Every minute she had spent after returning from Shimla, she had spent in anger. She was furious that she lost so many years of her grandson's life. The thought that Akshara had no intentions of ever telling them and that she might lived a lifetime without knowing him irked her further.

Abhimanyu sat with a blank face, half listening to the lawyers who talked about ways to get his son's custody.

Harshvardhan: Most of the case is already won. Udaipur me koi lawyer Akshara ka case nahi lega. I made sure.

Shefali: and uske financial conditions dekhr laga nahi ki vo accha lawyer hire kr bhi payegi.

Abhimanyu winced. He had seen her house. Their backyard was bigger, hell! Even their living room was bigger. She was dressed in simple clothes and so was her son. His son! His son who called someone else papa. He could still not wrap his head around everything. His wife, scratch that. His ex-wife cost him his baby and his brother. She cost Ruhi her papa. Their family lost a lot that day. His son was alive- one of his babies survived and now she cost him 6 years of his life. She gave his rights to someone else.

What if she told you she was pregnant with your baby? You were still divorced! So Abhir would have lived away from you anyways. His mind questioned but he did not stop to think about what ifs.

Abhimanyu: (in mind) pehli baar dil hara tha tumpr, aur uske baad sirf harta hi gaya. Pr ab bs! Mere bete ko nahi harunga mai. I will get my son back for sure!!

The lawyers' talks bought him out of his zone.

Lawyer: aur sb toh thik hai Mr Birla but...

Abhimanyu: But?

Lawyer: Baccha chota hai. Ho sakta hai apki ex wife ke pass hi primary custody rahe.

Manjiri: Nahi!! aisa nahi ho sakta...bacche ki custody hume milegi. 6 saal cheen chuki hai vo. Aur nahi cheene denge. Bol na Abhi!!!

Abhimanyu: Maa aap toh shant ho jao pehle. (to the lawyer) what do you suggest?

Lawyer: We need to portray her as an unfit mother.

Abhimanyu: No!

Shefali: we don't know that!

Manjiri: kuch bhi karo, usse custody nahi milni chahiye....ek baar mera pota mil jaye bs. Phir Akshara ko milne bhi nahi dungi usse.

Lawyer: (annoyed) ye sb baaten court me mt bol dena ki aap baache ko maa se milne nahi doge. Court seedha poori custody hi maa ko de dega... (to Abhimanyu) Think rationally, we need to justify why you divorced her at a time when she was pregnant. We will need to give out all reasons. Kuch lies thodi hai, we just have to quote what happened.

Harshvardhan: Right!

While the Birlas sharpened their claws, Akshara dug out an old envelope and mobile. She wasn't someone who fought with emotions anymore. She was practical and had facts on her side. She knew her son's primary custody would remain hers. Come what may!

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Court | Udaipur ; The day of the hearing

Akshara sat in the car, feeling extremely nervous. She had tried to speak with a lawyer but the moment they heard her name, they backed off. She understood soon that it was the doing of Birlas. They did not know that she was a lawyer as well. Not fully, her final result wasn't out but she had the right to fight her own case and she was aware of all laws. Abhinav tried to pass her a smile but even he was nervous. For 6 years he raised Abhir as his own! The thought of losing him was unsettling.

First, they dropped Abhir off at a childrens' playground nearby. Muskan, who was now working at Udaipur, was supposed to be on his watch. Akshara did not want Abhir in the court. She wanted to keep his innocence intact, for as long as possible. Thus, he'd be called only if the judge asked for his presence. The court was a five minute walk and a two minute drive. Manish left a car there with a driver so that Muskan can bring Abhir if necessary.

After this, Akshara and Abhinav drove towards the court where Birlas had already reached. Abhimanyu, Arohi, Manjiri, Shefali, Harshvardhan, Parth and Nishtha were there. Anand and Mahima had important surgeries planned and thought they anyways weren't needed at the court. They were going up the stairs when Ruhi got out of the car.

Ruhi: Poppy!

The Birlas gasped in shock. How did Ruhi get here? They did not want their child to witness a nasty fight.

Arohi: Ruhi aap yahan?

Ruhi: surpise Matashree!

She said and started to run towards them, trying to navigate through the busy steps of the court.

Arohi: Ruko!!

Abhimanyu and Arohi rushed after Ruhi. Arohi almost tripped but held Ruhi. Ruhi told her that she hid in the car and came there as she wanted to see where everyone else was going without her. They convinced her that it wasn't a party but something serious and only for big people. Nishtha left with Ruhi. Akshara got out of the car as the Birlas were about to climb the staircase again. They glared at her but Abhimanyu's glare also held his years of pain. Abhinav stood behind Akshara. He knew he wasn't half as powerful or educated as the people before him but he was a man who promised Akshara to be by her side and he would stand by her until his last breath.

The Goenkas joined in and stood behind Akshara. Arohi gave them a look of betrayal. Kairav did not stand on either side but asked others to proceed towards the court.

Arohi: Badepapa? Aap bhi iski side-?

Manish: apni baachi aur dusro me mai meri bacchii ka hi saath dunga.

Arohi: Aur mai apki bacchii nahi hoon?

Akshara: Ladai teri meri nahi hai...meri aur tere sasural walo ki hai. Chalo badepapa...

They all enter the court and settle down. Akshara informed the court that she'd be fighting her own case as no lawyer took her case. She did not tell them that she was law student herself awaiting final results. It was better for her if they underestimate her. She also informed that Abhir was nearby and would be bought to the court if necessary.

The court hearing began.

Abhimanyu's Lawyer: Your honour, mere client Mr. Abhimanyu Birla ne ye case apni ex wife ke against file kiya hai. Akshara Ji kept my client away from his biological son. Mai Mr. Abhinav Sharma, jo ki Mr. Birla ke bete pr apna haq jama rahe hai, unhe witness box me bulane ki permission chahunga.

The judge gave the permission and Abhinav stood in the box. The lawyer asked him questions about Abhir and if he knew who the actual father was.

Abhinav: 6 saal pehle jb mai Akshara ji se mila that b vo pregnant thi. Mai jaanta tha ki vo unke ex ka beta hai-

The lawyer cut him off and called him accomplice to her crimes and proceeded to taint Akshara.

Abhimanyu's Lawyer: 6 saal pehle Akshara ji ki wajah se Birlas ne bohot kuch kho diya tha. She caused the death of Mr. Neil Birla. She was careless despite her complicated pregnancy and caused the death of her baby and let my client mourn for all these deaths while keeping him in dark about his own son. She is a careless person and should not be allowed to raise Abhir. Your honor, I demand justice for my client. He loved his wife a lot and she took everything from him. Allow him the sole custody of his son.

Abhimanyu (whispers to the rest): what the hell!? Baat to primary custody ki hui thi na?

Akshara: Objection your honour! Aap sole custody nahi de sakte. Ek itne chote baache ko uski maa se alag nahi kr skte!

Abhimanyu's Lawyer: Inhone bhi uss bacche ko uske baap se door rakha tha!

Akshara: Your honour inhone apni baat rakhi, allow me to keep mine.

The judge granted her permission and she stood before the court.

Akshara: Thank you your honour. Apne mujhe apni baat kehna ka mauka diya warna bahar toh bina baat sune hi saza mil jati hai. Mujhpr bohot se ilzaam hai. Abhi abhi inke lawyer ne mujhe careless aur kuch deaths ke liye responsible bataya. Lekin ye pehli baar nahi hai. Mujhe murderer ka tag to bachpan me hi de diya gaya tha but let me clear it all one by one today. Mai pehle Mrs Shefali Birla ko witness box me bulana chahugi.

The permission was granted and Shefali came into the box. Birlas were confused why Shefali was called. Akshara asked her some random questions before asking her what happened on the day of Neil's death. Abhimanyu's Lawyer objected but she shut him down.

Akshara: Boliye Mrs Birla. 6 saal baad hi sahi apna mu kholiye. Why did I leave the house that day?

Shefali's guilt was overwhelming. She could not look Akshara in the eye. She even refused to look at Birlas and looked straight ahead at the judge.

Shefali: Akshara ki tabyat kharab ho gayi thi. Mai aur Neil wahan they tb. Neil Akshara ko hospital le jane ke liye ghar se lekr gaya tha. Chachi tb ghar pr nahi thi. Baad me jb unhone poocha toh unhe jhooth bola ki NGO wale concert ki jagah dekhne gaye hai taki vo tension na le...

Silence filled the court. Abhimanyu felt like someone had poured cold water on his head. Manjiri was stunned too but her anger for keeping them away from Abhir was still her most prominent feeling.

Akshara: So, as you heard her. Neil Birla mujhe ghar se lekr gaye they for the hospital. Mai unhe ghumane nahi lekr gayi thi. While returning from the hospital, I got a call from the NGO girls. Vo dari hui thi. Kuch badmash unhe lekr jaa rahe they. Yahan aap samajh sakte hai ki un anaath ladkiyon ke saath kya hota. Mai khud ek orphan hoon, Mr. Neil Birla ne bhi apni maximum life khudko orphan hi samjha tha. Hum parents bhi banne wale they. Un baccho ki hume chinta hui. We informed the police and reached there. Yes, I took some irrational decisions. (chokes her tears) But-...I did not kill him. I couldn't! He was like my own brother. Mrs. Birla, aap bataiye, un gundo ka kya hua?

Shefali kept quiet.

Akshara: Ye dekhiye your honour, ghar ki bahu jo khud dard se guzar rahi hai, usse ghar se nikal kr inhone insaaf kr diya! Birlas never actually made efforts to punish the men who stabbed Mr. Neil Birla. Unke katil aaj bhi khulle ghoom rahe honge, galat kaam kr rahe honge...aur kitne gharo ke bacche cheen rahe honge but Birla ko laga ki ek aurat jisne apne bacche khoye hai, usse sadak pr nikal do toh insaaf ho gaya!

Abhimanyu's Lawyer: Objection your honour! Case ye hai hi nahi....

Akshara: I am simply clarifying a blame you put on me!

Judge: Objection overruled! Unhe is death ke liye blame apne hi kiya tha.

Akshara: Thank you. Mujhe pta hai duniya ke kissi kanoon me Neil ki maut ki saza mujhe nahi milegi. Mujhe bohot afsos hai uss din hai. Kash meri tabyat na bigri hoti. Kash maine akal se kaam liye hota aur Neil ko roka hota. Meri tension aur stress dekhr usne bhi vo faisla liya....

Abhimanyu's eyes began to water. So many years he held her responsible without even knowing what had actually happened that day.

Akshara: I would like to show something to the court. Mujhe pta tha ye ilzaam uthega so I have the footage from outside the NGO jisse surprisingly itne saalo me bhi Birlas ne nikalwa kr alsi katil ko dhoondna zaruri nahi samjha...

Akshara presented the CCTV footage of the NGO's gate where the pitiable condition of the young girls is visble. Neil bravely fought for them and later, Akshara tried to save him too. Neil was stabbed brutally but before they could harm Akshara, police arrived and the men ran away.

Akshara: Mr. Neil Birla mere liye bohot special they. Unki maut ka dukh mujhe aaj bhi hai aur humesha rahega. He did not deserve this pr unhe harm krne ke intentions mere kabhi nahi they. Pr ye pehli baar mujhe kissi ki maut ka responsible nahi mana gaya hai. Mujhe 10 saal ki umar me meri step mother ka murderer bola gaya tha.

Akshara requested Arohi to come into the box. The permission was granted. The sisters came face to face. Arohi's heart somewhere felt the guilt for the way Akshara's life turned out but there was a lot of bitterness too.

Akshara: Arohi Ji. Apki beti kahan hai? I saw her outside the court.

Arohi: How is she important for the case? A court is no place for a child. Tumne bhi apne bete ko door rakha hai. Maine bhi bhej diya!

Akshara: Oh haan...I saw that too...waise I noticed you limp till here, why?

Abhimanyu's Lawyer: Objection, relevance?

Akshara: I am getting there.

Judge: overruled.

Arohi: (rolls her eyes) I tripped.

Akshara: When?

Arohi: Outside!

Akshara: Why?

Arohi: why what why? I was walking down the steps...

Akshara: to?

Arohi: My daughter!

Akshara: so it is because of her!

Arohi: what the hell! no!

Akshara: yes! You were going to her.

Arohi: It was my decision! She is just a kid! wait- how is this important?

Akshara: exactly!!!

Arohi: (confused) what?

Akshara told everyone about Sirat's death.

Akshara: Meri poori life Arohi ji ne mujhe uss maut ka zimmedar maana hai. Finally mere ex husband ne mujhe uss dard se bahar nikala. Pr shyd zakhm bharne ke bahane vo uski geherayi dekh rahe they taki waqt ane pr aur gehri chot de sake. Ruhi ke liye aap neeche bhagi. Apka pair mud kr reh gaya pr pass khade admi ne apko girne nahi diya. Yahi agar kuch ho jaata to kya apki beti zimmedar hoti?

Arohi was quiet. She had no words. Neither did anyone who indirectly directly blamed her. Arohi and Abhimanyu were the ones who verbally accused her but nobody ever shot Arohi down about this, indirectly supporting her claim. Today, the situation that presented itself was like reality slapping itself into everyone's face.

Akshara was stupid, she was emotional and she made decisions without much thought. She wanted to help everyone and that turned against her. She had her flaws but one thing was for sure. She was not a murderer!

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Akshara has her flaws but she is not a killer people. I know even some viewers hold her responsible for Sirat. Just imagine what I stated now. If Arohi dies saving Ruhi from something- would that be Ruhi's fault. Would that baby be called murderer all her life? 

In Neil's case too. Akshara made stupid decisions. She should have been cautious and thought about herself before everything but I don't know how many of you have noticed pregnant people up close. They do tend to be driven by particular emotions at times. Akshara never left the house with intentions of going to the concert. Situation presented itself and regardless of who said what- there were two adults in the car who are equally responsible. Agar Neil ki jagah Akshara ki death hoti toh kya Manjiri Neil ko ghar se  nikalti? Kya Arohi usse divorce de deti? Abhimanyu would have been broken but how do you think he'd treat Neil for taking his pregnant wife there knowing about the dangers. He too, gave into his emotional side instead of just driving her home.

All this said, this whole track was unnecessary. If Paras did not want to play a father, makers should have just replaced him. Killing him off and then bringing kids when the relationship itself has not been explored properly was sad, crazy decision. 

xoxo