Note: This chapter has more of Manoj and Neelam.

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Akshara was shown to a guest room by the help. She thanked her and went to wash her face. When she came back, she found Neelam in the same room.

Akshara: Aunty aap?

Neelam: Maar khayegi Akshu mujhse..

Akshara: K-kya hua?

Neelam: Hua ye hai pehli baat tune jo ye suddenly chale jaane ka decision liya vo risky tha, phir iss tarah travel krna bhi sahi nahi tha aur sbse badi baat....tu mujhe aunty bulaye jaa rahi hai..

Akshara was at loss for words.

Neelam: Sammy ke dekha-dekhi tu bhi mujhe bachpan me dadi hi bulati thi, ab kya ho gaya?

Akshara: Vo...itne saal ho gaye...

Neelam put a hand on her head.

Neelam: Dadi bulaya kr beta, mujhe accha lagega..

Akshara got emotional and hugged her.

Neelam: Accha ab vo chor, ye le. Mai ye kapde dene ayi thi tujhe. Tere shyd lose honge but abhi raat ko comfortable rahenge.

Akshara thanked her profusely and Neelam left to give her privacy to change. Akshara came back out to see Samarthya leaning against the wall opposite to the door. Her steps faltered. She looked down and removed the imaginary crease off the lose baby blue kurta.

Samarthya: Hi!

Akshara: Hi!

Samarthya: Dinner?

Akshara: Hmm...

Samarthya: (in mind) Beta tera kuch nahi hona, why the hell am I talking to her like I am seeing her for the first time...

Akshara: (in mind) hmm? Seriously!? Hmm!?..What the hell is wrong with you Akshu? It is Sammy for heaven's sake. Why are you nervous?!

They walked towards the dining hall where Manoj and Neelam were already sitting. They had dinner with light conversations only. Nobody addressed any stressful topics. Samarthya noticed Akshara was constantly trying to keep her eyes open while talking to Manoj.

Samarthya: Akshu? Tujhe dekhr teri thakan ka saaf pata chal raha hai. Chal, chalkr rest kr le..

Akshara: I am fine..

She said but her yawn gave her away. She blushed and muttered an apology. Manoj laughed and said it was okay and understandable that she was tired. She said goodnight to the generous hosts and Samarthya guided her to the room.

Samarthya: Akshu?

Akshara: hmm?

She stopped before entering the room as he said her name.

Samarthya: Thank You.

Akshara's eyes were closing but confusion took over her forehead.

Samarthya: For coming here. Mujhe accha laga..

Akshara gave him a smile, already asleep in her mind. She hugged him without much thought and muttered goodnight before heading towards the bed. Samarthya's eyes trailed her with worry till she safely got in bed. Tucking her carefully, he whispered goodnight before leaving her to her dreams.

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

Samarthya was sitting at his favourite spot at the house. The view of the garden was great and if he looked to his right, he'd see their pool. He smiled. His grandfather was well and Akshara was within his reach. He felt lighter now that his mind wasn't constantly wondering about her whereabouts. He stood up and walked towards the pool. He sat and dipped his feet in it. The water was cold but it still felt soothing to him.

He heard the door open and close. He smiled and asked without looking.

Samarthya: Dadu so gaye?

Neelam: Dawai lete hi! Akshu?

Samarthya: Vo bhi so gayi.

Neelam: Sam..

She wanted to ask him many things but was wondering how to approach it. Samarthya smiled as an understanding took over his mind.

Samarthya: Dadi udhr baithte hai...aao..

He got off the water and walked her towards the seats knowing his dadi won't be able to sit on the floor near the pool.

Neelam: Ek baat puchu beta..

Samarthya hummed.

Neelam: Beta, tu Akshu se. Kya tu usse pyaar krta hai?

Samarthya kept quiet for a moment before deciding to own his feelings for once and nod. Neelam was a little surprised but she somewhere also knew that her husband's observation cannot be wrong.

Neelam: Kbse?

Samarthya: Yaad hi nahi kb ho gaya...

Neelam: mtlb?

Samarthya: Mtlb koi timeline nahi hai dadi. Apko yaad hai kaise mai bachpan me sirf Akshu ke sath khelna chahta tha...usse dekhne se lekr Udaipur chorne tk, mere liye vo kitni important thi...mera bs chalta toh poora din ussi ke sath rehta..

Neelam: (stunned) mtlb!? Tu usse bachpan se! Pr beta-

She was more shocked that Samarthya had loved her for so long without any of them even realising.

Samarthya: uss time shyd mai bhi nahi samjhta tha ki mai kya feel krta hoon. But Dehradun aane ke baad maine usse humesha miss kiya. Humari bachpan ki pictures, mere vo toys jo usse pasand they, uski hairpins jo vo humare ghar bhool jati thi- sb aaj bhi sambhal rakha hai maine... Jb aur bada hua aur pyaar ke baare me suna to sochne pr sirf usi ka chehra yaad ata tha....

Neelam: Isliye tu ladkiya reject kr deta tha...aur Udaipur se jb Akshu aur teri baat chali to tu ek second me maan gaya aur chala bhi gaya...

Samarthya: mai usse dubara milna chahta tha.....pta hai dadi, ek dr bhi tha ki maine mere sapno me jo image banai hai, kahin vo usse match nahi ki toh?!

Neelam: aur jb tu usse milla?

Samarthya: Vo match nahi hui dadi. Meri soch se bhi kahi zyada acchi nikli vo. Mai to pehle se hi pyaar me tha, aur pakka ho gaya..

Neelam smiled for her smitten grandson.

Neelam: Usse pata hai?

Samarthya refused. Neelam asked why and he told her how he first kept distance and now he does not want to overwhelm her. He also told her that Akshara, however, has an idea since she discovered their picture in his wallet. Samarthya was lost in her memories and talking to his grandmother when a smack landed the back of his head and he winced in pain.

Neelam: Aisa bewakoof ladka hai na tu Sam!

Samarthya: Dadi!

Neelam: Chup! Ek aur padegi tujhe...Akshu ko idea hai?? Surety kyu nahi hai?!!?

Samarthya: Dadi bataya toh apko, I did not want to overwhelm her.

Neelam: That or are you scared of rejection? Hun?

Samarthya: Nahi...aisa nahi hai...

Neelam: Dekh Sam, mere hisab se tujhe Akshara ko khul ke apne man ki baat batani chahiye. Tune bachpan me nahi kaha kyunki tu khud nahi samajhta tha pr ye bhi sach hai ki bade hone ke baad tune usse milne ki try nahi ki. Jb humne baat krke tum dono ko milwaya tb tune uski feelings ko age rakha, accha kiya pr ab usse aise confused mt rehne de, bolde beta...

Samarthya: Pr mai usse aur confuse nahi krna chahta. I want her to decide on her own...

Neelam: What if she decides on her own and because of the lack of clarity from your side, she doesn't even think that she could have a life with you...

Samarthya: But?-

Neelam: forget grand gestures okay, but at least voice your clear thoughts, your feelings. Tell her what you want and desire. Agar tum dono sath nahi bhi hue tb bhi tu saalon baad ye toh nahi sochega ki Akshu se baat ki hoti toh shyd uska jawab haan bhi ho skta tha...

Samarthya gets lost in his thoughts. His grandmother stood up and kept a hand on his head.

Neelam: Regret is more painful than rejection beta, yaad rakhna...goodnight.

Samarthya wished her goodnight and pondered upon the words of wisdom his grandmother had showered upon him.

...........

The next morning, Akshara woke up feeling fresh. She had been given some toiletries so she brushed and freshened up. Neelam came with a fresh set of clothes for her.

Neelam: Akshu beta ye le...

Akshara: Au- sorry! Dadi ye sb?

Neelam: Haan, vo raat ko toh loose kapde bhi chal gaye pr din me sahi nahi rahega jo maine ye saree nikal li....isme size ka issue nahi rehta na....kuch aur kapde hai, maine raat ko kissi ko bhej kr mangwa liye tha. Aaj ka toh kaam ho hi jayega, baad me tu aur shopping kr lena...

Akshara: Pr...mai, shopping kyu mtlb..

Neelam: Ab kuch din rukegi toh kapde chahiyenge na? Ya tujhe roz saare peheni hai toh vo hai mere pass..

Akshara: Nahi nahi, shopping kr lungi aaj pr ek aur issue hai. Mujhe saree peheni nahi aati...

Neelam told her to clean up and that she will help her with dressing up. Akshara got ready and Neelam helped her drape the deep blue saree on her.

Neelam: Mere pass na iske matching ki earrings hai, chal mai deti hoon..

Akshara: Pr...

Neelam: chal na beta, mere toh na kabhi beti thi aur na hi poti, pehli baar mauka mil raha hai...aja...

Akshara smiled and Neelam helped her get ready. Then they went to the house temple. Neelam requested her to sing and Akshara sang the arti while Neelam did the puja. The house rang with her melodious voice. Everyone stopped their work to join them. The whole atmosphere became positive and happy.

Manoj: Waah! Aaj toh arti me alag ki anand aa gaya...do beta, sbko arti do...

Neelam gave the thaal to Akshara. She felt a little weird knowing it wasn't her home but respected Manoj's words nevertheless and gave arti to everyone. The staff started to disperse to get back to work when Samarthya ran in loudly.

Samarthya: Sorry sorry sorry!! I know aaj mai late ho gaya! Vo raat ko soya late-

His words died in his mouth as the staff cleared before his eyes and he saw the person standing behind them. Akshara looked like a vision in her open hair, jhumkas and saree. She held the arti out to him. Manoj and Neelam were sitting and smiling.

Why did it look like a home-y scene from his best dreams?!She was giving him wife-y vibes!!!

His heart thumped in his chest. His felt like his grandparents must have had something to do with it. He took the arti and smiled.

Samarthya: Thank you...

Akshara smiled back at him and kept the arti down.

Manoj: Akshara, jb tk breakfast lgta hai tum mujhe walk krwa do...

Samarthya frowned while Akshara nodded and took him outside.

Samarthya: Hadd hai! mai zidd krta hoon to nahi maante. Aaj khud se chale gaye...

He sat grumpily with the newspaper, peeping out the window to see Akshara and Manoj walk in the yard.

Manoj: Yahan kaisa lg raha hai beta?

Akshara: Bohot accha. Sorry mai bina bataye aa gayi aur-

Manoj: Aise surprises to best hote hai. Ek baat kahun beta?

Akshara: Haan?

Manoj: Aaj arti sach me bohot acchi lagi. Mujhe andr se bohot better feel ho raha hai...

Akshara: Mujhe sunkr accha laga...

Manoj: Sach kehte hai . Music is also a great form of healing and therapy. I feel healed beta. Itna accha toh medicines se bhi nahi hua tha. Aaj laga ki jldi thik ho jaunga...

Akshara felt glad her music helped him.

Manoj: Ek request hai beta. Please kuch din ruk jao. Tum rahogi toh mujhe better feel hoga. Maine pehle bhi music therapies try ki hai but yours was really soothing. Please?

Akshara felt torn. He could not deny a request from someone who had been so kind to her. Moreover, Manoj was ill and she cannot be rude by rejecting his request for help. She'd forever feel guilty if she denied him a better, happy recovery. She slowly nodded and Manoj beamed.

Manoj: Thank You beta, chalo breakfast krne chalte hai. Bohot bhook lgi hai...kafi chal liye...

Akshara: (in mind) dus kadam bhi nahi hue! Shyd uncle jldi thak jaate honge...

What her innocent heart did not know was that Manoj was never interested in walking and his purpose was already fulfilled.

Samarthya: Badi jldi walk khtm ho gaya...

Manoj: haan toh? Aaja breakfast krte hai...

Samarthya: isliye mai jaata hoon apke sath walk pr, wrna aap sahi se nahi krte...

Manoj: Beta ji, dada ke dada mt bano...chalo bhi ab...

They eat their breakfast.

Manoj: Chalo, I feel the need to rest aur Neelam Ji aap mere sath aiye..(thinks)....pr apko toh bahar bhi jaana hai na?.... Samarthya, tu chala jaa...

Samarthya: Kya ? Kahan?

Manoj: Akshu ko shopping le jaa...hum toh nahi jaa payenge..

Samarthya: Pr mai kaise?

Manoj: Driver aur car lekr...

Samarthya: Mera mtlb dadaji hospital jaana hai mujhe...

Manoj: Pr tera toh aaj free day hai..

Samarthya: Nahi mere patients scheduled hai...

Manoj: Meri abhi subah hi baat hui thi department se, tu free hai..

Samarthya: bu-

Akshara: It's okay. I know work is important. Mai chali jaungi khud se. Waise bhi zyada kuch nahi lena mujhe...

Akshara said. Her face was slightly fallen. She had taken Samarthya questioning the wrong way. While he was asking because he wanted to decode his grandfather's antics, he gave Akshara the impression that he did not want to be around her.

Samarthya: Mera vo mtlb nahi th-

Akshara's phone rang and she excused herself.

Samarthya felt a little miffed and stood up. He checked his routine was indeed free, something which wasn't there last night. He squinted his eyes and gave his grandparents a look with said- 'I know what you did!'

Samarthya: Mai aata hoon, I will take her shopping..

He left to his room. Meanwhile, Akshara attended the call. It was regarding an interview for job. She decided to stay here for a few days so she booked a next week interview. Post ending the call, she wiped her tears.

Akshara: Mujhe bura kyu lg raha hai? Sammy is just guarding his feelings. Maybe he had realised I am a hopeless case and wants to stay away?

Her eyes welled up at the thought. All her life people had decided giving up on her was easy. Despite that, being given up on yet again felt hurtful. She wiped her tears and gave herself pep talk.

Meanwhile at the breakfast table.

Neelam: Apka pota sach me buddhu hai. Bilkul hints nahi samajtha. Hum mauka de rahe hai Akshu ke sath ghoomne jaane ka aur ye hai ki aaj hi saare kaam karega...dukhi kr diya baachi ko..

Manoj smiled.

Neelam: Apko accha lg raha hai ye?

Manoj: Accha hi toh hai...

Neelam: Kya?

Manoj: Akshu ko fark padta hai...Sam ki baat se vo affect to hui thi na...

Neelam: Haan! Ye toh hai. Mtlb, vo bhi shyd kuch feel..

Manoj: Kehna jldbazi hogi pr hume jo krna tha humne kr diya. Ab sb in dono ke hath me hai....

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

Samarthya's grandparents have played cupid but do you think their arrow will work?

xoxo