Welcome to the book!

Note:- It starts after Anisha's death and Kairav's arrest for it. Abhimanyu's surgery is pending.

..........

Aahhhhhhhhhhh!'

A screams of a man rang clearly. The two policemen standing guard winced as they heard it. Inside was the grandson of a very powerful man- Manish Goenka. However, the people who had filed a case against him were not ordinary people either. Still, the brutal beating bought goosebumps even to the people who saw this every day.

After a few minutes, a policeman stepped out. They both saluted the man and asked him if Kairav Goenka confessed his crimes.

Policeman: Kahan confess kiya? Sala itna maara pr ye toh jaise kuch samajh hi nahi raha hai....

His juniors were confused. They told him that they had enquired about Kairav. His reputation was amazing. Everyone referred to him a gentleman and there was no evidence that he caused the death of the Birla daughter, Anisha, his fiancé.

Policeman: Arey charges chote nahi hai...murder ke hai...aur phir Birlas ka pressure to tum jaante hi ho...

He went to his cabin and called the person who was eagerly waiting for his call.

Mahima: Kaam hua?

Policeman: Nahi Mrs Birla, Kairav Goenka kuch confess nahi kr rahe...

Mahima: I don't care! Usse tum kitna bhi maaro, kaise bhi kuch bhi karo- I want that murderer punished anyhow!

She ended the call and thus began another round of torture for the poor, parent-less boy.

..........

Akshara Birla sat torn in the garden. On one side was her innocent brother and on other side was her husband. She knew Anisha was wrong but now, no one would hear her unless she talked with proof. Everyone at Birla house was mad at her brother and some of it tumbled down on her but she could not abandon him either.

Akshara: Jo hua usse mai nahi badal skti, pr bhai ko innocent mai proof krke rahungi....pr usse bhi pehle. Abhimanyu ki kl surgery hai...uski life ka sawal hai. Mujhe usse convince krna hi hoga ki vo surgery krwa le..

She wiped her tears and stood up with a resolve in her eyes. Her husband was the most caring and loving person she knew. She vowed that nothing with snatch away his first love- his passion for saving lives from him and her brother won't get punished for crimes he did not do either. They both were right in their space and she will make sure she balances her role in both.

She went to their room and saw Abhimanyu sitting on the floor. He looked broken and held something in his hands. Upon closer look, she realised it was a bunch of rakhis- undoubtedly from Anisha. She went and sat next to him.

Akshara: Abhi?

She whispered softly. Her touch bought some peace to him. He looked at her and his red empty eyes broke her too. He hugged her close and cried. He cried for he felt failed as a brother; for he lost his childhood companion- his sister.

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Anisha! I- I failed to protect her. She.. She was so young. She did not deserve this....usse...

His words became lost as he pressed his face in the space between her neck and kept crying. She kept running her fingers through his hair. Eventually when he calmed down, she tried to approach the subject of his surgery.

Despite her reasoning and begging, Abhimanyu did not respond and went to sleep. Feeling dejected, she went downstairs and saw the family sitting in the hall. Sleep was away from them all- the death of their daughter haunting them. She went downstairs and met angry looks from some people. Still, she kept her calm and folded her hands.

Akshara: Mujhse aur mere parivar walo se aap sbki narazgi samajhti hoon mai but aap sbse request hai...Abhimanyu ka bhala aap sb chahte hai...please help me.

She told them how he refused surgery. The family decided to talk to him. Akshara thanked them and returned to their room. She saw Abhimanyu sleeping in a very restless position. She hugged him and kept caressing his face till she fell asleep too.

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

The next day, Akshara woke up and went to the temple. By the time she was done with her prayers, God already answered them. Harshvardhan had successfully convinced Abhimanyu for the surgery.

Akshara: Pr ye hua kaise?

Harshvardhan: Sir bolta hai toh kya hua? Beta hai mera, usse kaise manana hai, I know.

Akshara: Ye toh bohot accha hua...

Manjiri: Mai aaj hi bade mandir jaati hoon...

Harshvardhan: Mai hospital call krke arrangements krwata hoon...

They were discussing all this when they heard shouts from the hall. They went there and found out that Kairav had run from the custody. Mahima glared at Akshara but before she could say anything, Abhimanyu stepped between the two.

Abhimanyu: Kairav ko hum dhoond kr rahenge but Akshu ka isme koi hath nahi hai...

His firm tone left no room for argument.

Anand: Right! Abhimanyu, tum apni surgery pr focus kro...uska hona bhi important hai.

Abhimanyu was taken to the hospital. The family stood with him for moral support. Akshara stood by him too but she kept glancing at her phone- hoping her brother would call her. She was worried for him.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?

Akshara:.....

Abhimanyu: (louder) Akshu!?

Akshara: Hun!?...sorry vo mai...

Abhimanyu: Pareshan ho...

She wordlessly hugged him.

Akshara: Kya se kya ho gya Abhi... (breaks the hug) but tum mt socho vo sb...tum sirf surgery pr focus krna abhi please...

He nodded. A nurse came inside.

Nurse: Abhimanyu sir, you will have to come for some tests.

Abhimanyu: Okay.

Abhimanyu's tests were done. Akshara helped him dress for surgery.

Akshara: Tum bilkul tension mt lena...Mai yahin rukungi tumhare pass. Aur agar mujhe kahin jaana bhi pada ya bhai ne call kiya tb bhi tumhare hosh ane se pehle aa jaungi...

Abhira kissed each other, pouring their fears and pains into it along with their love. Then he was taken for surgery. As soon as he left, Anand, Mahima and Parth left to work on Anisha's case. They even took Neil with them. Shefali left for home. She had been unwell since last few days and she also had to stay with Nishtha. Manjiri went to the temple. Harshvardhan and Akshara stood there worried for Abhimanyu when Akshara received a text.

Akshara: Dr. Kunal? Why is he texting me? Sb thik toh hai na!

She opened the text and it read.

Kunal: Tell no one and come to sunset point now! It is very urgent.

Akshara: Sunset point? Pr Dr. Kunal toh andr hai na? Ye kya ho raha hai...

She left for the sunset point.

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

Dr. Kunal Khera was not the simple doctor he presented himself as. He was shrewd and selfish. He had accidently caused damage to his own sister's voice and had agreed to treat Abhimanyu only because he thought Akshara sounded similar to his sister when it came to singing. He hopes to realise his sister's dreams through Akshara and help her out of depression.

He presented his condition to treat Abhimanyu last minute to Akshara. She tried to convince him but he did not budge. Finally, she told him that she will consider it but he must not delay.

Kunal: Sochiyega zarur.

He left. Akshara sat there. Abhimanyu's surgery was very important but she cannot leave him. She cannot heal him to give him another scar. Moreover, the idea of living without him gave her immense pain.

Akshara: Hr taraf se sirf pareshani nazar aa rahi hai...kya karu? Bhai bhi pta nahi kaha chale gaye hai!?!?

She was frustrated. Her life was in a huge mess. She ran her fingers through her long hair and suddenly froze as her eyes met a familiar figure.

Akshara: Ye...ye toh...

Standing on the edge of the hill was a man she knew very well.

Akshara: Bhai...?!?!...BHAI!!!! KYA KR RAHE HAI AAP...

But Kairav Goenka was standing deaf to any sound; ready to jump and end the misery of life. Ready to kill himself!

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

Thoughts?

xoxo