Jaipur | India

Nothing in life happens without reason. It wasn't without reason that Akshara had walked into the dull life of Abhimanyu like a ray of sunshine. It wasn't without reason that she left him, even if that reason was unknown to him at the moment. It was fate that bought them together, pulled them apart and was now working its mysterious wings again. Because if not fate, then why were they both in Jaipur, at the same time, in the same hotel- lost in each other's eyes?

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

Some time ago-

Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu cursed himself for the nth time. Why did he suggest this? He should have tolerated his family's words and concerns. In order to escape Udaipur, he had dug himself a deeper whole. He wanted to escape talks about her and memories. Now, he was running towards a place that was like a storehouse memories. A place where it all started! Where he married her and saw dreams of his happy forever.

He sighed and looked at his nephew Shivansh who was asleep in his mother's arms. He felt envious of that months old child. If only he could find such innocent peace again! The little buddle of joy had been his distraction all the way to Jaipur but now that he was in dreamland, Abhimanyu had no choice but face his living nightmare.

He looked out and winced at he saw an advertisement board for Samode Palace. He turned the other way and closed his eyes in agitation. It felt like fate had decided to mock him that day. There was a barat on the other side. It reminded him of his own. It reminded him of her. He never believed in love and marriages until her. Now he could not believe in them again because of her. Yet, everything he saw reminded him of her.

He could see the looks of pity Parth and Shefali were throwing at him. He knew they were concerned but it bothered him. So, he settled on pretend sleeping till they arrived at the hotel. Parth shook him awake, not that he was sleeping but that's a secret for him and us. Abhimanyu stretched his arms and got out of the car. It was a fine resort.

Abhimanyu: This?

Shefali: Haan, mere boss yahin ruke hue hai. Maine unhe kaha ki hum aa rahe hai to unhone kaha ki vo humari booking idhr hi karenge.

Parth: Quite lucky for us. Iss place ki booking jldi se milti nahi hai..

Shefali: Specially these days kyunki koi competition ke contestants yahin ruke hue hai. It is fully packed. Infact, competition host bhi inhi ke auditorium me ho raha hai...

Abhimanyu nodded as they walked towards the reception. Parth gave in their details and took the keys.

Shefali: Abhimanyu, Parth. Tum dono room me jao. Shivu ko bhi le jao. Mai lobby me hi rukti hoon.

Parth: Kyu? Tum thaki nahi travel se..

Shefali: Tired toh hoon but team ko briefing deni hai aur jo competition hone wala uski details bhi collect krni hai...(looks at the banners) looks like a singing competition...

Abhimanyu: (in mind) she is a fabulous singer! Agar vo sb nahi hua hota toh hum sb bhi usse competition me cheer krte ate...Ak-

He stopped his mind from hurting him further and took Shivansh in his arms.

Abhimanyu: Thik hai Bhabhi. Aur vo surgery ka?

Shefali: Reports tumhe mail kr di hogi. Subah milna hai patient se...Once again, thank you for doing this Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu noded and gave her tight lipped smile before leaving towards his room. Another sleepless night flew him by in an unfamiliar bed in a familiar city.

.........

The next day, he got up early and left to meet the patient. It felt strange to be doing it again but he had a conversation with the patient. Upon a lot of discussion and check up, he concluded the need of surgery and spoke about fixing a date for the same.

Patient: Doctor. Ek request hai.

Abhimanyu: Ji?

Patient: City me ek music competition hone wala hai. Meri wife ko bohot shaukh hai aur maine private booth tickets arrange kiye hai...specially uske liye. So, meri surgery agar uske baad ho sake toh..?

Abhimanyu: I don't recommend the delay. Apki tabyat bigar skti hai...

Patient: Sir, music se toh tabyat sudhar jaati hai. Apne aap me ek therapy hai vo...

Abhimanyu fisted his hands and his jaw ticked.

Patient: Kya hua? Aap nahi maante?

Abhimanyu: I think hume apki health ke alawa aur kuch discuss nahi krna chahiye. Mai apko kuch restrictions and precautions mail karunga. Follow them and hum baad me hi apka operation schedule karenge. Mai yahan Jaipur me hi uski arrangement krwata hoon.

Patient: Thank you so much Doctor. Tb tk aap bhi enjoy kijiye Jaipur ko. It is beautiful city, amazing history, palaces...

Abhimanyu's mind cruelly flashed an image of them taking selfies outside Hawa Mahal.

Abhimanyu: Ji..

Patient: You know what!? You must come to the music competition. In the course of this week, teen din chalega competition aur next week finals hai. Mere pass almost sb days ke pass hai, bs aaj ka nahi tha kyunki aaj kuch press walo ka hai. But baaki competition ke sb days ke liye booth hai mere pass. I can arrange for you to be in my private booth for rest of the days. For your family, you can get your wi-

Abhimanyu: Thank you sir but mujhe urgent kaam hai. I must leave.

He stood up suddenly and rushed out fighting all the suppressed echoes of his mind. He got out and called Shefali.

Shefali: Abhimanyu?

Abhimanyu: Bhabhi I checked him. His surgery will be scheduled-

Shefali: Hello? Abhimanyu mai event cover krne aayi hoon, awaz nahi aa rahi tumhari...

Abhimanyu: Hello!!?? Bhabhi, mai keh raha tha surgery baad me hai toh mai jaa raha hoon Jaipur se, baad me aunga..

Shefali: Hello?? Kya?? Kahan aoge? Yahan?

Abhimanyu: aunga na, Jaunga. Jaipur se jau-

'Piya toh se Naina lage re...
Jaane kya ho ab aage re...
Naina lage ree.....🎶'

Abhimanyu Birla felt the air leave his body. He stumbled and caught the nearest object for support.

Abhimanyu: Akshu!!!

He whispered. It was her! Was his mind playing with him. No! His heart can never confuse Akshara's voice! It was hers. The same voice that called to his soul. It had been so long since he last heard her.

Abhimanyu: Akshu yahan hai Jaipur me!? Nahi! Mai usse ab kahin nahi jaane dunga. Mere har sawal, har dard, har intezar ka jawab usse lekr rahunga...

Everything that he had unsuccessfully suppressed inside his heart came back with vengeance as he rushed towards the venue thanking his stars that he agreed to come for this surgery.

..........

By the time Abhimanyu reached the venue, the event had got wrapped for the day. It was a press day for the participants who had cleared all the online rounds and will be there for quarter finals, semi finals and the finale. All of them had given a brief introduction and presented a song that they called their most hit performance.

Abhimanyu called Shefali but she told him that all the participants had left as well. He rushed inside the venue and requested someone for the list of participants. Upon insistence, he was given the list. He scanned it multiple times with a lot of hope in his heart but never found her name.

Abhimanyu: nahi! aisa kaise ho skta hai! vo awaz ussi ki thi. Maine iss baat me dhokha nahi kha skta..Kahin usne apna naam toh change krke?

He felt stung by the idea that she started her life with a new identity while he was lost without her. He requested for the footage. Though he was denied, the person could not escape Abhimanyu's factual reasoning and allowed him to scan the footage. Abhimanyu could not find her there either. Frustrated, he was about to return the laptop to the person when he hit the volume key and got the audio.

'...Naina lage ree...
Jaane kya ho ab aage re...🎶'

Abhimanyu: Ye kaise ho skta hai!? Awaz toh wahi hai but ye chehra...

Person: Accha hai na? Best performance thi aaj ki. Likh ke le lo, yahi winner hai. Ms Maya. Online poll me bhi highest rahi hai...

Abhimanyu nodded, lost in thought. He took out his phone and recorded the bit where she sang and left. He returned to his room and kept playing the audio on loop.

Abhimanyu: Am I so desperate for her return that I am imagining this??? Ye awaz Akshara ki hi hai!!! Mai maan hi nahi skta ye kisi Maya-Vaya ki hai. Ye manjra kya hai?

Feeling restless, he left the room. He was walking near the pool trying to clear his thoughts when he saw someone familiar. Realising it is the singer, he went to her. Maya was enjoying ice-cream in peace.

Abhimanyu: Maine suna hai singers ko itni ice-cream nahi khani chahiye. Specially tb jb competition sir pr ho..

Maya got startled and turned towards Abhimanyu.

Maya: (mutters) fans kahin peecha nahi chodte. Abhi toh mera me-time hai na...

Abhimanyu put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet, clear indication that he wasn't leaving. Maya stood up.

Maya: I know what is right for me. Mai apne har event ke baad aise hi celebrate krti hoon...for every little victory...

Abhimanyu: Choti choti jeet aise celebrate krogi to badi jeet nahi milegi...

Maya: why are you concerned?

Abhimanyu: I am not. But, (plays the song) ye tumne gaya hai?

Maya: (blushes thinking he is a fan) Haan..

Abhimanyu: Jhoot!

Maya got stunned and nervous.

Maya: Nahi meri hi awaz hai. Video ayegi toh dekh lena...

Abhimanyu: Accha? To tumhari awaz itni different kyu hai abhi?

Maya: Hota hai kuch singers ka aise, bolne aur gaane me alag lagti hai voice. Waise bhi tum jaante hi kitne singers ko ho..

Abhimanyu: zyada ho nahi but ek ko jaanta hoon aur vo best hai singing me...

Maya: Hogi, but I am better then the best.

Abhimanyu: Aisa hai toh same gaana abhi gao..

Maya: (worries but shows confidence) Dekho, hoge tum koi fan but mai aise har kissi ko do line sunane baithungi toh din usi me nikal jayega. Excuse me!

She left hastily.

Maya: Maine sahi se lip sync nahi kiya kya? Isse shaq kyu hua? ...Nahi, mai zyada soch rahi hoon. Shyd koi fan hoga aur ye sb bahane se mujhse baat krne aya hoga...Kya psycho fan hai! But hot bhi bohot hai...

She giggled at her growing popularity and left towards her room. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu sat down near the pool.

Abhimanyu: Kuch toh baat hai. Iss Maya ke maya-jaal ka pata lagana hi padega...

His phone pinged. He checked to see a text from Parth. He had informed him about Ganpati visarjan that was taking place on resort grounds itself. All hotel guests were invited. Abhimanyu agreed since he believed in God and also because, he thought it would be great opportunity thinking all guests would arrive at the pandal.

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

Akshara

Akshara was getting ready. Her movements were robotic and lacked any enthusiasm. She had reached Jaipur that morning and checked into the hotel. Her name was given as Akanksha Khera. She had sang the first song Abhimanyu ever requested her to sing for Maya post which she had sat in her room like a lifeless statue. She was only given some warm soup and bread for the day as next day would be major for Maya. It was in the evening when Maya had given her a saree and asked her to get ready to go to a Ganpati Ji's pandal.

Kunal had not wanted this but could not deny Maya who had become very close and dependent on Akshara. Plus, Maya always wanted Akshara around just in case she fails to deny any request to sing. Akshara sighed and looked at herself in the saree.

Akshara: Itne mahino me pehli baar saari pehen rahi hoon Abhi. Maine toh Indian pehena hi chor diya tha jaise..

Abhimanyu always loved to see Akshara in India outfits, specially Sarees- a reason why the girl who never even draped learned to wear sarees on her own. She looked at her thin arms and stomach. There was no hiding in this outfit that she had lost a tremendous about of weight. Her stress never allowed her to have a good appetite plus the diet kheras kept her on was prime reason for it. She put her hair in a bun and was applying some kohl when Maya entered her room.

Maya: Wow Akshu, Tum saree me kitni sundar lgti ho.

Akshara: Thanks Maya.

Maya: Mujhe bhi saree pehna do, mujhe nahi ati. Aur makeup bhi kr dena...

Akshara quickly thought of something.

Akshara: Mai kr toh dungi pr yeh kya hai?

Maya: Kya?!

Akshara: Tumhare itne dark circles? Aur chehra bhi kitna dull lag raha hai...

Maya: Really!?

Akshara: Sb log honge waha. Sbki nazar sensational singer Maya pr hogi aur tum aise dull lagogi toh..ispr makeup kiya to grey-ish lagega

Maya: No!!...Please! Kya kare Akshu?

Akshara: Tum fikra mt kro. Mai room servicing se kuch saman magwati hoon. Kuch hi minutes me ek home made pack ready ho jayega aur tum glow krne lagogi..

Maya: Sacchi? Okay, jldi kro....

Akshara got some ingredients and made a paste. She applied it on Maya's face and put cucumber on her eyes.

Akshara: Tum ise 15-20 minutes rehne do apne face pr aur bilkul mt bolna, wrna wrinkles pad jayenge...

As soon as Maya was made busy like this, Akshara took her phone and excused herself into the washroom and dialled a number she had thankfully learned by heart. It was her PI.

PI: Hello?

Akshara: Hi, Akshara this side.

PI: Akshara!!!???? Finally! Madam you disappeared!

Akshara: shh...long story. My phone got captured. Listen, Kairav bhaiya has been kidnapped.

PI: What!? Mahima Birla ne kiya hai?

Akshara: Nahi, Kunal Khera ne..

PI: But you told me he holds you captive.

Akshara: And now Kairav bhaiya too. To keep me trapped. Listen, hum India me hai. Kairav bhaiya bhi yahin hai. 95% surety ke saath keh rahi hoon ki vo Jaipur me hi hai. Please find more about him, ye number Kunal Khera ki behen ka hai so don't contact again unless I do it myself.

She had a quick conversation regarding the proof and gave him her stay information. The PI took some information regarding Kairav's fake ID and Akshara also sent him Kunal's phone number that was saved in Maya's contact list. She deleted that number from call history and came out.

Akshara got Maya cleaned up and she thanked Akshara for her glow up. Then, Akshara helped her get ready and they left for the event.

For the first time since they had arrived at Jaipur that morning, Akshara felt a little hope. She trusted her PI to dig out about Kairav and get him away from Khera's hold. Once Kairav was away from his hold, Akshara would run off too, to her docman.

Akshara: thak gayi hoon Abhi. Bohot zyada thak gayi hoon. Ab bs tumme chup jana chahti hoon. Mujhe kissi se kuch nahi chahiye, badla bhi nahi lena...bs aram krna hai. Aur ab vo aram tumhare sath se mil payega mujhe...

Akshara reached the event with Maya. It was an amazing pandal with great decor and a larger than life statue of the Lord. They paid their respects before standing aside. Maya got pulled in by people. Her fans surrounded her. They complimented her and wished her luck. Maya was beaming under the attention and limelight. The reporters sole focus was competitors but most focus was on Maya. While some felt jealous, Maya rejoiced. Kunal was feeling very happy seeing his sister glow with joy. He turned to look at Akshara and saw her standing alone with her head turned towards the idol.

Kunal: I know aap kya maang rahi hongi but mujhe bhi ek baat realise ho gayi hai. Maya ko apka sath aaj ke liye nahi, humesha ke liye chahiye. Agar usse aise hi khush dekhna hai toh apko mujhe apne sath rokna hi hoga. Do pyaar krne walon ko alag hona hi hoga.

As the crowd started to increase and event began, Akshara was feeling a tingling sensation all over her but she ignored it. Ganpanti Ji's arti was done and the event was a massive hit.

Announcer: Kuch hi der me bappa ko visarjit kiya jayega. Usse pehle beech me bane kund me sb sikha daal kr mannat maang skte hai. Sacche dil se jo bhi mango, bhagwan zarur denge...

People crowd the kund. Akshara had not money on her. Every payment she made for Kairav or to the PI had been online but since the loss of her phone, she did not even have a penny! The cash she took while leaving was also confiscated by Kunal. She chuckled at her fate.

Akshara: Apko toh pta hai mujhe kya chahiye. Please bappa, app toh sbke vigna harte ho. Mere bhi har lo. Mere bhaiya ko safely ghar pahunchwa do taki mai bhi apne Abhi ke pass laut saku...

She closed her eyes and prayed with full heart. A little away from her, Abhimanyu was feeling restless. He took out a coin, not realizing he dropped another and went to wish at the kund.

Abhimanyu: Bappa, meri ek hi iccha hai. Bs ek baar meri Akshu meri ankho me samne ho...bs ek baar...

Bappa must have smiled upon him, for he was praying for someone who wasn't even ten steps away from him as she picked up the fallen coin and thanked god for letting her pray. She threw the coin in the kund.

Akshara: ye mera sikka toh nahi hai isliye bhagwan ye jiss kissi ne bhi apni iccha mangne ke liye nikala hoga, uski iccha poori krna...

The pundits started various chants and dancers dance around. Akshara turned to move away from the moving crowd when she got shoved right inside the kund. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu too lost his balance when someone pushed into him due to the crowd. He tried to balance but splashed inside the kund.

Abhira pulled themselves up, gasping for air. Standing up, Akshara tried to catch her breath while Abhimanyu shook the water out of him. He turned towards the person who had fallen with him not knowing she was the answer to his prayers.

Abhimanyu: A-K-S-H-U!!

He whispered in shock. His face had paled yet some sort of a spark at returned in his eyes. Akshara however could not see it for her eyes were brimming with tears.

Akshara: A-B-H-I!!!

...........

They have met!!! I am trying to stick a little closer to story line of the show but showing all incidents that were there isn't possible. Nor is that my intent. So I hope you like it as it is.

xoxo