Samarthya woke up on the hospital floor. His body stiff and tired. A ward boy was the one to shake him awake.

Samarthya: Sorry...

He mumbled. He wanted to check on his grandfather. The visiting hours were yet to begin and he couldn't do much as it wasn't his hospital so he went to Manoj's doctor. Manoj was a huge name and thus, the hospital wanted to give him the best services. So, the doctors were staying available for him 24*7. The doctor told Samarthya that his grandfather was fine and probably ill due to stress or age.

Doctor: You are a doctor yourself so I will let you visit him. Please be careful. Rest, you know better...

Samarthya thanked the doctor and went his grandfather's ward. Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw him in that state- pale on the hospital bed. He got reminded of when he saw his parents in similar situation. The difference was that they weren't breathing. He sat on a stool near him and kept his head down.

Samarthya: Please be okay. I cannot lose you my old man.

He mumbled and let a few tears fall. Sometime later, he felt a little movement and rose to see his grandfather waking up.

Samarthya: Dadu?

Manoj: Sam? Beta? kaisa hai?

Samarthya: Yeh toh mujhe poochna chahiye... (wipes his eyes) Aap kaise ho? Mai doctor ko bula kr lata hoon...

Manoj: Ruk na ek second.... teri Dadi thik hai?

Samarthya: Haan, vo ghar hai..

Manoj: Tune hi bheja hoga. Accha kiya...

Samarthya: Aap itna movement mt karo, I'll call your doctor.

The doctor checks Manoj and says whatever happened was due to age. He prescribed a few tests and medicines before discharging him.

Doctor: Only because your grandson is a doctor but we will send a 24*7 nurse. Please refrain from travelling for a few days.

Manoj: But I have a meeting in Delhi...

Samarthya: Your health is most important.

Manoj: Arey beta...

Samarthya: Aapke behalf pr koi aur chala jayega or you attend online. (To doctor) Don't worry. I will take proper care of him.

Doctor: Great! I will arrange for the papers and advise security to handle the media.

Samarthya nodded. Soon, Manoj was bought home where Neelam was eagerly waiting.

Neelam: Dara diya tha apne mujhe...

Manoj held his ears. Neelam shook her head and made him sit. Samarthya sat on the steps where he could see them yet give them space. He was glad his grandfather was fine now but his mind went to the one who wasn't here- he did not know if she was fine or not. Was she okay?

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

After dinner, Samarthya gave Manoj his medicines and rubbed his feet despite his protests. Manoj fell asleep and Samarthya returned to his room. He went near his window and looked at the moon. He thanked his stars for saving Manoj and wondered about Akshara. As he went to sleep, he could not resist and reached out for her picture. Amidst all the chaos, he did not realise that he was no longer in possession of his wallet.

He searched around but he knew it was useless. He had lost his wallet and surprisingly what hurt him the most was losing that picture. He closed his eyes and tried to surrender himself to sleep. It came, but not without dreams.

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

A five year old Samarthya stood near the fish tank in his house when he heard his father come in.

Arjun: Naina!! Naina!!!.....

Naina: Aa rahi hoon......(comes out) kya hua?

Arjun: Kartik aur Naira ke ghar beti hui hai!!

Naina: Wow! Really!!!....I cannot believe it!...Kartik Bhaiya toh khushi se jhoom rahe honge...Kitni iccha thi unhe ek beti ki...

Arjun: Haan....Chalo hum Goenka House chalte hai...vo baby ko ghar laa rahe hai...

Naina: Haan...(calls Samarthya) Sammy!!! Beta chalo

Manoj and Neelam were at work so they took him along. Samarthya remembers seeing a bundle in his Naira aunty's arms. Everyone was cheering at it. Kairav and Vansh were dancing. There was so much celebration in the house. He climbed a stool nearby and tried to peep inside. He wanted to see what was in Naira's arms that was making everyone so happy. He couldn't see...

Samarthya turned over in his sleep. A series of memories plagued his mind. The images weren't as clear. However, the older he got, the more defined the memories got.

Samarthya remembered seeing Akshara for the first time. It was her naming ceremony and he whispered her name after it had been given to her. He peeped in her cot and she was smiling. He felt joy. She had a happy, chubby face. He wanted to poke at it with his fingers but he couldn't even stare at her for long as Kartik scooped her up.

Kartik: Awe!! Meri beti uthi hui hai aur phir bhi kissi ne usse yahi sula diya? Koi baat nahi princess, papa aa gaye na.....chalo hum ghoom kr ate hai....

Samarthya's eyes trailed her in her father's arms before his parents pulled him away, saying it was time to go.

.

He saw his father supporting Manish while his mother held a sobbing Swarna in her arms. He saw baby Akshu was crying loudly but no one could calm her down. Kairav walked towards her and tried to calm her down.

Samarthya went and tried to help him. Vansh joined them as well. Soon, the three boys broke into a silly dance taking her mind off things. Even Vatsal, who had just learned how to crawl, moved towards her. She stopped crying and the elders stared at the children.

.

Samarthya wondered why everyone said Naira aunty was a star when she was sitting in front him, getting married to Kartik uncle. Why did everyone call her Sirat now? He shook his head and went to stand near Akshara. She smiled at him and he felt happy.

.

Samarthya understood with time about Sirat. He was sitting in his house eating cupcake when his mother called him.

Naina: Sammy! Beta bahar jaakr khel. Ye toh khelne koodne ki umar hai teri...

Samarthya closed his eyes as he remembered all the taunts he got due to his weight. His mother did not understand that. He walked towards Kairav and Vansh's house. Vansh was a little chubby like him too. He wouldn't make fun of him!

Kairav and Vansh began playing with him. They were playing carom. Little Akshu ran inside their room but it was locked. Two year Akshara couldn't reach the latch. The boys could only see the top of her head through the semi transparent door. They laughed.

They heard the colony's boys call them for cricket and the boys ran away. They were the kids who were mean to him so Samarthya did not want to go. Little Akshu ran inside when the door opened but her brother's ran out with their bats.

Akshu: Kai!

Samarthya: Just me and you Shorty...just me and you..

.

Over time, Samarthya's only friend was Akshara. It might look weird to others but he found her pleasant. She was liked by all so she was always busy. Moreover she really tried to be around her sister all the time but Samarthya hated her. Arohi bit him once and since then, he stayed away from her.

.

A nine year Samarthya cried in the classroom. He was getting bullied over lunch. A four year old Akshara kicked away his bullies and save him

(reference: Samarthya tells Abhimanyu about his favourite memory of Akshara. Chapter 4, Abhira series book 2; Yeh Sukoon)

.

Samarthya saw Akshara's face when she waved him goodbye- too young to understand that he was going forever. Samarthya stared as baby Akshara's face turned into a grown up Akshara, waving him goodbye but this time, he was still and she was leaving.

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

Samarthya woke up suddenly. He turned and picked up the glass kept near his bed. Gulping down the water in the glass, he tried to calm his racing heart. What did he see? Was this goodbye forever??

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

A few days passed. Samarthya did not hear anything from Akshara. She did not contact and he was simply clueless. What did she do after she left him on the platform? Did she take another train or was she still in Udaipur? He wanted to go back in the past and kick himself on multiple occasions.

The only thing that plagued his thoughts other than Akshara was his grandfather's health. He had nursed him with utmost care. Now, his final tests had come alright so they were returning to Dehradun. Samarthya helped his grandfather sit in the luxury seats of the private plane. He himself took the seat in the far corner. The flight took off.

Neelam and Manoj held their hands as they noticed and understood the far look on their grandson's face as his eyes stayed trained on the city of Udaipur. The city of his childhood- where he loved and lost...loved again and lost....again?

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

A glimpse into Samarthya heart and his memories with Akshara. Sadly, she was too young to remember them clearly. I hope the chapter is clear. Next update will be about Akshara's whereabouts.

xoxo