Note: This story is based on Abhira 2.0. I am not writing about separation though. The track is still developing with new twists in the show so I will wait till they wrap it up fully before starting my version of it. That is if I can think of something unique or something that I feel is left out.

Today the story I am presenting to you is actually about what happens afterwards...

A storm has hit and shaken up our Abhira, can they be like before after being through so much?

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Pre-read: Please understand what has happened before reading further. Most of it is exactly what happened in the show.

Kunal Khera made a last minute bargain- Abhi's hand and life for Akshu's voice. Akshara chose one year separation over the risk of losing him forever. He was devastated when he found her missing after he woke up. He was told she left him for Kairav. He did not believe it at first but when she did not return after days and Parth showed him the video of her leaving with Kairav, he believed that she left him.

They spent a year away in pain. Abhimanyu was angry, Akshara was hopeful he'd understand.

Akshara ditches Khera last minute, just like he shattered her last minute. She gave the evidence to Abhimanyu by placing it in his room, hoping he'd understand. Manjiri has a heart attack and is in coma. Mahima hides the evidence and Parth knows it. She manipulates Abhimanyu against Akshara. He gets Kairav arrested and Manish gets arrested too.

Akshara is heartbroken. Anand faces charges for being drunk on duty but Mahima manipulates that too and pins blame on Akshara. Abhira exchange some hurtful words. Abhimanyu misunderstands Akshara and send her divorce papers. Harshvardhan finds the evidence with Mahima and is shocked. He tells Abhimanyu about the same.

Finally, the truth comes out in front of everyone. Abhimanyu is shocked and guilt-ridden. Harshvardhan and his family bashes Mahima and Parth badly. Anand's drunk episode also comes out in front of Abhimanyu and he realizes the fault was Anand's. Kairav is released. He begs Akshara and her family for forgiveness. Goenkas would not have forgiven him but as Abhira are still married and in love- they give him a chance as they don't want Akshara to lose her love.

Akshara being a kind soul forgives him easily, as she always does to everyone. Manjiri wakes up from her coma to see all is fine in her children's lives and comes back to a happy home.

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This is what has happened so far with respect to this story. Most of it is exactly like the show except the revelation part, I don't know how long it will take on the show. Anyways, we are to assume the truth is out and Akshara has forgiven Abhimanyu. But did she?

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Abhimanyu put the vermillion and Akshara closed her eyes, reliving memories of their first wedding. Technically, they were still married as Abhimanyu never submitted the papers but when they decided to reunite, Suhasini suggested they redo the rituals. She said it would help them wash away the pains. In a way she was right. Now, Abhira were getting married in a simple fashion at a place where they got together and separated- The Mahadev Mandir.

The families blessed them. Akshara was surprised by how happy even Harshvardhan was for their wedding. Felt like someone had changed for the positive at least. They moved to their Tauiji-Taiji next and Akshara was super reluctant to touch their feet. Abhimanyu too had forgiven them half-heartedly. He did not smile at them but bent to touch Anand's feet only. Akshara bent with him but only touched the ground- her face expressionless.

Abhira arrived at Birla house after that. This time, Akshara received a beautiful grahpravesh. Abhimanyu had taken leave from the hospital in advance so he stayed by her side all day too. She entered their room in his arms. It was now arranged the way she had decorated it when they were living together. The frames were all to her liking.

Abhimanyu set her on her feet and got on his knees.

Abhimanyu: I am so so sorry Akshu, jo bhi hua. Thank you for giving us a chance again. I promise, this time we'd do it right. I will never react first. I promise.

Akshara simply nodded and hugged him. She knew in her heart that she could never live without her Abhi but she did not feel relieved. Kairav was proved innocent and out of Jail, so was Manish. Abhimanyu was back with her and Kheras were getting trailed by the police. Still, she did not know why she felt the strange weight in her heart. She rested her head on his chest instead, hoping his heartbeat would calm her down. It did and she slept.

Abhimanyu was stunned to see how quickly she slept, that too in such a weird posture. He gently took off her jewellery. Her clothes were heavy too but he let her catch onto some sleep and decided to wake her up for dinner later.

...........

Abhimanyu woke Akshara up close to dinner time. She smiled at him and got ready. She wore a simple, red suit and looked at the vermillion & nuptial chain- things she wore in secret for one year. She was happy but wondered why her eyes were so dead. She shook her face and put on a happy smile.

Abhimanyu asked her what was wrong. Ofcourse she could not hide from him so she said she was tired from the day. He was doubtful but nodded when she claimed to be hungry. They went downstairs and saw the spread Manjiri had prepared.

Akshara: Maa itna sab apne akele? I am sorry..

Manjiri: arey akele kahan..

Harshvardhan: Abhi abhi thik hui hai Manjiri....isse kitchen me nahi ghusne diya humne....Meetha shefali ne banaya hai aur baaki khana bahar se aya hai...

Abhimanyu was blown away by his father's new found attitude- like he was all these past days. Even Manjiri was having trouble accepting this side of him- the one that cared without expectations. They all sit down for dinner.

Manjiri: Kl Sunday hai aur hospital me bhi aap sb der se jaoge so maine ek pujan rakha hai ghar pr.... Abhi, tu isse jaldi subah Goenkas me sbse milwa lana, phir vo log to chale jayenge bahar...

Goenkas had planned a family vacation. They thought it will be good for Kairav to finally have some time like this. They had asked for Abhira to join but Abhimanyu couldn't get last minute off and Suhasini did not think it was wise to make Akshara come without Abhimanyu and separate them when they had just gotten back together. Harshvardhan and Manjiri planned to send them for a honeymoon later.

Mahima: What pujan? What is the point Manjiri?

Harshvardhab closed her eyes and breathed heavily. He had still not forgiven Mahima for poisoning her kid's relationship. Nobody fully had. Manjiri however, was unaware of the fact that her sister was a true witch.

Manjiri: Ghar me itna sb ho gaya hai. Nayi shuruat ek shanti pujan se chahti hoon mai...

Abhimanyu: jaisa aap kaho maa....

Manjiri smiled and they all resumed dinner, quieter this time. They realized Akshara who was usually the chirpiest, was quiet. The Akshara that once lived with them and the one sitting today were two different people but none could blame her.

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

Abhimanyu came back to his room after making a few calls regarding pujan arrangements. He saw the room was empty and panic ran through his body. He was about to rush out when he saw the tiny figure of his wife near the window. He held a hand to his beating heart. It was going to take him time to get over his fear too. The pain of waking up without her and never knowing when she would come back had been traumatizing for him.

He reminded himself that she was real and she wasn't leaving. He went closer and saw her stare at the moon. He back hugged her- making her startle before relaxing in his arms.

Abhimanyu: Kya soch rahi ho?

Akshara: Kuch nahi, bs dekh rahi thi...

Abhimanyu: Are you tired?

Akshara: Not much...

Abhimanyu: what do you want to do?

Akshara: I don't know...

Abhimanyu: I know, come...

He pulled her towards the door.

Akshara: iss time?

Abhimanyu: haan...

Akshara: okay...

She agreed and came with him. He realized how his ever so bubbly wife had become a silent ever since the truths came out and she forgave them. He remembered her as a silly, happy ball of energy and one year later- he met her as someone with fight in her but now she seemed to have none. It pained him but he resolved to bring his Akshu back. He had to.

...........

Abhimanyu pulled out his bike. He sat on it and looked at Akshara who was touching the seat, probably thinking about the good times. But they had come again. He had to make her believe that too.

Abhimanyu: Chale Akshu?

She sat carefully and tentatively put her hand on his shoulder.

Abhimanyu: (in mind) Kabhi tum haq se mujhe hug krke baithti thi, aaj hath rakhne me bhi soch rahi ho.....ye hume kya ho gaya Akshu? Kya tumne sach me mujhe maaf kr diya hai?....

He drove into the silent night. The stars above them looked beautiful. Akshara eventually let go of her inhibitions and laid her face against his back. Yet, she was all silent. He knew what would bring the child in her out again. Or. Maybe he thought he did.

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

Abhimanyu parked his bike in front of the park they often visited once. He walked hand in hand with her under the starry night. They reached her favourite ice-cream shack and he got her favourite ice-cream out.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?

Akshara: mujhe nahi chahiye Abhi...

Abhimanyu was shocked.

Abhimanyu: what? This is your favourite strawberry flavour Akshu....

Akshara: mn nahi hai mera....

Abhimanyu: koi baat nahi, koi aur flavour dekh lo...

Akshara closed her eyes and remembered all those small victories Maaya celebrated with ice-creams and cakes. They were due to her but she was never given even a single spoon. She was given hot coffee instead but even that wasn't too hot. All this time in the past year she was given the kind of food that wasn't cold or warm either. Just lukewarm-ish. Once she had craved an ice-cream so much that she took a bite and Kheras had created a ruckus. A tear trailed down her face washing away the memory. She felt a warm hand against her cheeks and she opened her eyes to meet the worried face of Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Akshu, nahi lenge hum koi ice-cream. Please tum rona mt...

He gave the ice-cream to a child who was selling balloons nearby and paid to the vendor. The child smiled and gave him a yellow balloon with a smilie-face on it. Abhimanyu gave it to Akshara who smiled faintly.

Akshara: Thank You...

They walked some more into the silent night before sitting down.

Abhimanyu: Ek baat punchu Akshu?

Akshara: Hmm...

Abhimanyu: Ice cream tumhari favourite thi na...

Akshara: Haan...'thi'...ab nahi hai..

Abhimanyu: Aise kya hua Akshu? Jo tumhe itna pasand tha vo ab tumhari ankh me ansu le ata hai...

Maybe if Abhimanyu had asked her this question a few weeks ago, she would have hugged him and cried. She wanted to tell him everything the Kheras put her through. She had waited an year to hide in his arms. This was before something in her broke, now she did not think it was important. She did not think what she had to say was important.

So, she just shook her head and laid it on his shoulder. He looked away and wiped the moisture away from his eyes. The year without her had been absolutely painful but today, even that seemed like child's play in front of the pain he felt. The pain of having her in his arms but so distant and broken was much worse. He wrapped an arm around her and she snuggled into his warmth. He knew she had forgiven him, his Akshu wasn't one to hold grudges but she wasn't fully out of the pain yet.

Abhimanyu: (in mind) I promise you love, mai apni wahi hasti khelti Akshu ko dhoond kr rahunga...I promise.

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

Abhira came home late that night and went straight to bed. Abhimanyu kept waking up every few hours to check if she was still there. He was tired but his mind wouldn't let him rest. He needed to feel her presence, see her every few hours to know she wouldn't leave. It was the fourth time he woke up and saw her face pressed against the pillow. He gently moved away the hair in front of her face. The short front bangs taunting him. What exactly had she gone through?

He stopped looking at her face and his eyes fell on his hand. The very hand that was a blessing to so many lives was his curse. It separated him from his life. He was okay with living without it but not her. He wasn't saying it just for the romantic sense of it- he meant it.

He rubbed his tears and fatigue out of his eyes and slept again. This time, unconsciously Akshara too scooted closer and laid her head against his chest giving him the best sleep he had had in one year.

The next morning, Abhimanyu took her to meet the Goenkas. She wished them a safe travel and hugged her brother bye. When they left, Abhira came back to Birla house. Neil and Manjiri had almost done all the prep.

Manjiri: Aa gaye baccho, jao jldi puja kr kapde pehen lo...tum dono ko hi baithna hai puja me...

Abhira nod and went to change. They wore matching blue attires and come to the hall. They sit as per the pandit's instructions. The family members come and sit to the sides.

Manjiri: Pandit ji, mai chahti hoon ki jitna bhi bura waqt humare parivar ne dekha hai iss ek saal me, vo ab kabhi laut kr na aye....uska dard peeche reh jaye aur baccho ki aage ki life me sab accha ho...

Mahima: Pandit ji, ek second.

She bought a portrait of Anisha.

Mahima: Iski atma ki shaanti ke liye humne bohot prayatna kiye...hume laga iske gunhegaar ko saza dilwana uska hal hai pr....Galti hui hai isse....mai bs chahti hoon meri beti jahan bhi hai, ab khush rahe....uski atma ko maafi mile aur shaanti mille...

She kept it on the side. Akshara looked at the picture of Anisha. Her expression was the one that she always maintained. Half smile and dead eyes. Anisha had a tough life too. She had her own pain but the kind of pain she inflicted on Goenkas wasn't excusable. Akshara closed her eyes and held the fabric of her lehenga in a fist.

Abhimanyu shook her after a few minutes and she looked at him.

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Thik ho tum? Pandit ji kbse bula rahe hai...

Akshara nodded and the pujan took place. Akshara kept looking at the family and the picture. She eyes Mahima who sat casually, occasionally shedding a few tears for her daughter. The pandit left after the hawan.

Manjiri: Pandit ji aap itni jldi...

Pandit: Mai chalta hoon, dusri jagah bhi jana hai, aage ka aap swayam bhi kr skte hai..

He left. Manjiri asked Abhira to do the arti. Then they showed it to everyone together. Abhimanyu noticed her reluctance when they reached Anisha's picture. She did not want to put the new garland around her. Mahima came to take the arti and Akshara stepped back unconsciously.

This is when it finally clicked for Abhimanyu. If he was still struggling to forgive Mahima and Parth, how can he assume Akshara is fine with them? After all, they hurt her too.

Forgiving did not mean forgetting the pain and forgiving him need not include his family.

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

Thoughts?

xoxo