'tum itna jo muskura rahe ho,
kya gum hai jisko chupa rahe ho'

If a song could describe Akshara, it would be this. Whenever her heart would cry in pain, her lips would smile as if she had the entire world's happiness at her feet.

Humming the same song, Akshara continued her daily chores. The time being 5:30 a.m., she was the only one up.

Finishing her chores, Akshara sat in front of the devghar. Folding her hands in her chest, Akshara closed her eyes, concentrating all her energy on her prayers.

Opening her eyes, Akshara got up and bowed down a bit and left the room. As she came in the living area, she saw her mother-in-law, Manjiri Birla descending the stairs.

"Maa, good bye. I am leaving" Akshara said as she Manjiri neared.

"Okay Akshu" she replied with a soft smile.

Akshara smiled and rushed out with her bike keys. Getting on her bike, Akshara made her way to 'Vidya Niketan', an elite boarding school in Udaipur, where she worked as a history teacher who taught middle school students.

As it was early morning, Akshara had a traffic-less ride to school. As cool breeze, caressed her hair, Akshara felt content. But the corner of her mind couldn't help but think that something was missing. She didn't know what it was. She had everything, a loving husband, two beautiful families, siblings, cousins, and a financially stable career in which she could afford a few luxuries. What else could she want?

Yet Akshara felt like a puzzle with just one piece remaining. The puzzle made sense, was beautiful, but incomplete.

'Good morning Miss Goenka'

As Akshara passed through the corridors, the students wished her. Smiling and replying 'Good morning', Akshara made way to her class - VI B, of which she was the class teacher. Sitting in her chair, Akshara scanned her schedule for the day.

"Good morning Goenka ma'am" a student named Pihu wished her as she entered the class.

"Good morning Pihu" Akshara replied with a smile.

"Akshara" Akshara mumbled in an extremely soft voice, audible only to her own self. Being a teacher, she always had people referring to her by her last name - Goenka. Her family and friends called her 'Akshu'. Then, after marrying Abhi, becoming the daughter-in-law of the reputed Birla family, she was known as 'Mrs. Birla'.

And amidst 'Akshu', 'Miss Goenka' and 'Miss Birla', Akshara missed her own self. Her parents Kartik and Naira named her Akshara, the name coming from her maternal grandmother - a strong, fierce, independent woman who always fought for her loved ones and her own self.

Akshu wanted to discover who Akshara Goenka Birla really is.

🍁

"Up five" Arohi said cheerily to her young patient.

The patient, a ten year old kid had been rushed to the ER when he hurt his hand badly. Giving a high five to Arohi, he hopped off the bed.

"Thank you doctor" his mom said with gratitude, going to pay the bill.

"Thank you doctor Arohi" he thanked her and held his mom's hand as they exited. Smiling, Arohi went to her cabin as her ER duty was over.

Arohi sat comfortably, leaning on the comfortable chair. As her stomach growled, Arohi decided to have her lunch. Serving herself, Arohi enjoyed Manjiri's handmade chhole bhature.

'Mhmm" Arohi moaned at the delicious taste.

Dr Arohi Goenka, the daughter of Kartik and Sirat Goenka, an AIMS Delhi alumnus, worked at the much-reputed Birla Hospital in Udaipur.

While eating, her hand, by mistake, knocked off a couple of photo frames kept on her desk.

"Fuck!" Arohi panicked, getting up.

Three photo frames had fallen. The first one was a picture of her and Neil from their wedding. The second one was a picture of her, Akshara, Kairav and their cousin Vansh. Picking up those frames, Arohi kept them on her desk. Bending down once again, Arohi picked up the third frame.

It was a picture of her parents - Kartik Goenka and Sirat Goenka. Arohi's heart clenched. It generally never troubled her to see her parents, but the day...maybe it was the day. Maybe it was because of seeing how much the mother of the little boy from the ER cared for and loved him. Arohi felt sad. And angry. Angry at her parents for leaving her alone in this cruel world.

A sigh left Arohi's lips as she placed the frame on her desk and sat down, resuming her lunch.

I miss you Mumma-Pappa.

'lukka chupi, bohot hui,
samne aaja naa......'

Akshu and Aaru!

The first part, would love to hear your thoughts!

Shout outs and tags would be appreciated :)