It had been a long, stressful day for Abhi. To end it, Arohi informed Abhimanyu about Akshara's panic attack. Finishing his dinner, he made his way to his room. He needed to have a conversation with Akshata's therapist as soon as possible. Abhimanyu felt a wave of relief hit him when he saw Akshara, sleeping peacefully. Changing his clothes, he lay down beside her.

"I am nothing without you. I love you so so so much" Abhimanyu whispered, taking Akshara's hand in his.

Akshara stirred in her sleep but didn't wake up. She was exhausted today. Turning to the side, she unconsciously snuggled into Abhimamyu. Wrapping his arms around Akshu, he closed his eyes, letting sleep take over him.

🍁

"Neil, why are you zoning out continuously?" Arohi questioned Neil, who was staring at the wall in front of him.

"Oh no..nothing" he replied, snapping out of his thoughts, his face flustered. He dived into his laptop, going through the case file in front of him.

"Neil..."

"Arohi, it's nothing. Really" Neil cut her off, getting up and going to the kitchen.

"Isse Kya hogaya?" (What happened to him?) Arohi muttered under her breath.

"Good morning, chachi!"

"Good morning Shivu!" Arohi smiled at her nephew, Neil and Abhimanyu's first cousin Parth and his wife Shefali's son.

"Ready for school?" She asked him.

"Yesss! And ready to meet Dadu and Dadi, also!" He replied, his grin not wavering.

"Dadu-Dadi? They're coming back today?" Arohi asked, unable to hide the surprise on her face.

"Yes, you didn't know?" The boy replied, confused.

"Oh you know what, I knew but I forgot, sorry!" Arohi pouted, facepalming. She lied. In reality, neither of her in-laws thought of informing her about their arrival. Even Manjiri maa forgot.

"What did you forget?" Akshara asked, as she took a seat opposite to her sister.

"That dadu and dadi are coming home!" Shiva chimed in, laughing at his choti chachi.

"Chachi forgot, chachi forgot" he giggled and Arohi frowned.

Akshara's eyes widened as she looked at Arohi with shock while she empathised with her elder sister. Abhimanyu's facial expressions changed.

"Arey acha hua tum sab aaye, yeh aur bhaiyya ji aur didi aate hi honge" (Good that you all came here, my husband and brother in law and sister in law are coming in around ten minutes)

"Maa, aapne bataya kyun nahi?" (Maa, why didn't you tell us?) Abhimanyu asked. "Mein bahar chala jaata inke aagman se pehle" (I would have gone out before their arrival) he muttered under his breath which was heard by his better half, who glared at him.

"Good morning guys" Parth wished everyone, taking a seat and Shefali his wife followed.

In about twenty minutes, Harshwardhan Birla, Anand Birla and Mahima Birla arrived at the Birla house.

"Manjiri, mujhe breakfast apne room do please" (Manjiri, please give me my breakfast in my room) Harshwardhan said, without greeting anyone and she visibly tensed up.

"You know what Harshwardhan, I think you should join us. After all, a family that eats together, stays together." Mahima chimed in before Manjiri could reply.

"I agree with Mahima, Harsh. Have a seat beside Abhimanyu" Anand said and Harshwardhan nodded, sitting down.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but roll his eyes and Akshara glared at him. the change in Neil's demeanor was noticed by everyone.

Arohi simply observed the family who was eating together to stay together.

Just a small reminder that this story is an AU.

Also, sorry for the delay (: