Recap: Samarthya is pleased that he confessed but Akshara is confused and at war with her emotions. Elsewhere in Udaipur, Abhimanyu finds the letter Neil was hiding because of Manjiri and is heartbroken.

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Akshara woke up with bags under her eyes, a clear sign that she did not sleep well. She got out of bed nevertheless and got ready in her newly bought dress. It reached her ankles and had full sleeves which helped against the slightly cooler temperature of Dehradun. She applied kohl in a stupid attempt to hide her tired eyes and rushed downstairs.

Neelam: Good morning Akshu!

Akshara: Good morning dadi...

Manoj: Good morning beta..

Akshara: Good morning uncle, ab kaisi tabiyat hai apki?

Manoj: tabiyat toh thik hai beta lekin ye kya hai? Neelam dadi aur mai uncle, mujhe dadu kyun nahi?

Akshara: Vo...vo...

Manoj: aaj ke baad mujhe uncle nahi bolna, samjhi...mai teri bhi dada hi hoon Akshu..

Akshara couldn't speak due to emotions but nodded with a smile. Samarthya also joined them. He gave a small smile to Akshara who blushed and looked away.

Neelam: Akshu, aaj bhi arti tum hi kardo beta

Before Akshara could say anything, Manoj requested her the same. Even the maid pitched in saying 'Haan Didi, please'. Akshara smiled and took the thaal. She closed her eyes and sang a beautiful prayer. The whole house felt blessed by her melodious voice. After that, she gave the arti to everyone. Samarthya purposefully stood at the back and waited for everyone else to go first. Then he went near her. He passed his hands above the flame and touched his head. He bent a little and whispered in her ears.

Samarthya: Kl toh maine miss kr diya tha but truly Shorty, your voice is magical. You are magical!

Akshara's lips parted as she stared into his eyes. Something about confessing his feelings had made Samarthya bold. He wasn't hiding his thoughts anymore. Spending a day with Akshara also made him realise how she doubted herself. So he resolved to not hide any thoughts about her. He was going to tell her how she was beyond perfect in his eyes till she herself accepts so.

Samarthya: what is this?

He lightly touched the skin under her eyes with his index finger while his thumb rested on her cheek.

Samarthya: I told you not to overthink Shorty. 

He sighed while she looked down. 

Samarthya: You are making me regret babygirl. Mujhe apne mann ka bhoj kam krke tumhara thodi bhadhana tha....

Akshara: Vo...Sammy..don't.

Akshara did not know how to respond. Her cheeks became a deep shade of red but before she could even form a proper sentence, someone ran in, calling them for breakfast. They went to the already set table and the four had breakfast. After breakfast, Neelam went into her home office and Manoj went to his room.

Samarthya: Shorty?

Akshara: hmm?

Samarthya: Mai hospital jaa raha hoon..

Akshara: Okay..?

Samarthya: kuch nahi, bs vo bata raha tha...shaam ko milte hai. Bye.

Akshara: Bye.

Samarthya left for work and Akshara spent the day with Manoj and Neelam. She played soothing music on the piano in the living room and even sang for some time. Later, when Samarthya came back home, Akshara informed him that Neelam and Manoj already had dinner and where in their room. She was waiting for him. They ate together and talked about the day.

It was a very normal day for them and sometimes that is exactly what a person craves, normalcy in chaos.

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

A week passed. Akshara spent a lot of time with Manoj and Neelam. She called them Dadu-Dadi now and was very close with them. After Samarthya came back from work, she would spend time with him. They had great conversations and Akshara felt extremely blessed by how caring he was. He stayed true to his words and never once did he pressure her to confess her feelings.

'unlike someone else..'

Her mind chipped in. Lately, it had been happening a lot. Samarthya's caring and self-less gestures made her mind question if Abhimanyu ever loved her at all. Maybe he was just attracted to her and her voice because if he really loved her, his actions would have proven that as well.

Bad boy vibes are hot in movies and books, but in reality; things are different. In reality men like Samarthya, men who wait and care, are sweet and respectful, are the one who will stand by you for life! Abhimanyu confessed his feelings to her for the first time when he was standing in her house at a function for her sister and him. He knew she did not want to marry at that time. She wanted to discover herself but her wishes were not respected. Not by her family, nor him. She got pressured to confess and when the answer was not what he wanted to hear, hell broke loose.

She did not blame Abhimanyu though. She just could not do so. Maybe because her feelings had been genuine. They did have a spark, a pull! Maybe he did all that because Abhimanyu never had a good example of love. He craved 'ki koi usse toot kr pyaar kare' and when he felt like he found the one, he did not want her to go away. To become his asap! In his hurry, he disregarded a lot of things- including her feelings.

However, another person's trauma is not your burden to bear. She knew that now. She had let go herself for Arohi- thinking for Arohi's pain, making excuses for her behaviour. Akshara did not let Arohi go only to let Abhimanyu take her place. She will put herself first and that was her answer!

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

Akshara hugged Neelam and Manoj goodbye. It was emotional and warm. They blessed her and requested her to visit them soon. Samarthya took her to the airport. He parked the car and was about to get out when he felt her hand on his.

Akshara: Sammy?

She spoke softly. Samarthya closed his eyes. He had been controlling his feelings once again. He did not want to let her go. However, it did not matter what he wanted. He simply refused to keep her against her wishes. It did not mean it wasn't painful to see her leave.

Samarthya: Shorty!

He said in a fake cheerful voice.

Akshara: Stop! Ye nakli smile toh kissi bacche ko bhi samajh aa jayegi..

Samarthya: Bs meri nakli smile hi samajh aati hai?

Akshara: (becomes quiet for a second) nahi, aur bhi samajh ata hai pr..

Samarthya: Pr..

Akshara: You deserve an answer Samarthya.

Samarthya understood the seriousness in her voice. She shifted to face him and he braced himself for the worst.

Akshara: I- I respect your feelings. I really do.

Samarthya: (in mind) sare rejection issi line se shuru hote hai, brace yourself!

Akshara: Tum sach me bohot acche ho. Mai toh samajh bhi nahi paa rahi ki tum mujhse itna selflessly itna pyaar kaise kr sakte ho...

Samarthya: (in mind) it is her decision. Respect her. You are responsible for your feelings, kissi aur ki create nahi kr sakta tu..

He felt soft hands cup his cheeks and he opened his eyes. She was smiling as she held him. He wanted the world to freeze while he was lost in her eyes.

Akshara: I have signed for therapy Sammy!

Akshara spoke with a gentle smile on her lips.

Samarthya: what?!

Akshara: yes. I'd be lying to myself if I say I had a perfect childhood. I don't get my feelings sometimes. Sometimes it is this pain, it suffocates me. My panic attacks are a clear indication too. I have just been living in denial all these years.

Samarthya looked at her as she sat straight in the seat once again and stared ahead.

Akshara: Only we can help ourselves. So, I booked myself a therapy session in Pune. I have my first session after two days.

Samarthya: I-

Akshara: You think I am crazy.

Samarthya: No, I think you are brave. I am proud of you Shorty.

Akshara's lips lifted up.

Akshara: My feelings are not your burden to bear. While I respect your feelings Sammy, I chose myself. I wanted to get it touch with my emotions, discover myself- my callings and what I wanted before all this mess happened. I want to go back to doing the last things I recall myself wanting.

Samarthya nodded slowly, understanding what she was saying.

Akshara: And while I really care for you, I know it is unfair to ask anyone to wait for me. Not knowing if I'll be able to return those feelings. Yet, I refuse to make a choice for you. I simply make mine.

Samarthya let out a breathe.

Akshara: Bohot complicated ho gaya na...

She said in a shaky voice. It is never easy to break someone's heart, regardless of how gently you do it.

Samarthya: Complicated tha bhi aur nahi bhi. Tu bhool jati hai kya? Psychiatrist hai tera bff! Your confusion, this urge to discover yourself, samjhta hoon mai. Samajhta bhi hoon aur sath bhi dunga. You don't have to worry Shorty. But, whether I wait for you while you take this journey to find yourself is, as you said, my call. 

Akshara: (smiles and then tries to lighten the mood) You are the best!

Samarthya: Vo toh mai hoon...

He said and flicked her nose.

Akshara: (sarcastically) aur bohot humble bhi ho...

Samarthya: bs kr pagli, rulayegi kya?

Akshara: Sammy!!

Samarthya: Shorty!

They chuckle and get down the car. Samarthya moved to get her bag out.

Akshara: ek toh shorty bulana band kro tum mujhe, ab mai short nahi hoon...

Samarthya: mere aage toh ho..

He said as he came to stand next to her, towering over her in his tall frame.

Akshara: (mutters) khud extra lamba hai, na ki mai choti..

Samarthya: Kud-kud mt kr...

Akshara rolled her eyes and hugged him tightly.

Akshara: apna dhyan rakhna..

Samarthya: (hugs her back) tu bhi apna dhyan rakhna.

Akshara: Mai call karungi..

She said, answering his worries of hearing from her again.

Samarthya: I'll look forward to it.

Akshara: Thank you Sammy, for everything!!

Samarthya: bs kr...

Akshara: No really! You are all I have...

Samarthya: (cups her face) and you will NEVER lose me....

Akshara's eyes watered. She smiled and bid him goodbye. She entered the airport and turned to see him waving through the glass. She waved back.

Akshara: You deserve the best Sammy! Best ka toh pata nahi pr mai khud ko better krne ki 100% koshish karungi..

She vowed in her heart as she began moving again. The distance between them increasing yet again. However, this time, their hearts felt closer than ever!

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

Udaipur

Kairav Goenka stepped out of his house in frustration.

Kairav: Ek tent lgwa kr yahin camping krni shuru kr do tum Abhimanyu!

Abhimanyu: Nice idea!

Kairav: What is your problem?! Ye hafte se calls kr rahe ho, ghar ke aage jamkr baith gaye ho. Ghar se nikal diya hai kya?

Abhimanyu: Ghar se nikal dena apke gharwalo ki speciality hai.

Vansh: Bs karo tum dono. Abhimanyu, it is better if Birlas and Goenkas remain separate so you please leave.

Abhimanyu: chala jaunga pr aap mujhe bs mere sawal ka jawab de do..

Kairav: kiss language me bataye tumhe? Nahi hai Akshu yahan? CHALI GAYI HAI KAHIN! HUME BHI NAHI PATA! WE DO NOT KNOW!

Abhimanyu: I read her note to you. She said she will contact you..

Kairav: and she hasn't yet.

Vansh: can we blame her? we all failed her.

Kairav: Mai hath jodta hoon Abhimanyu. Meri behen yahan nahi hai, aur jahan bhi hai, usse wahin rehne do. You have done enough. Stay out of her life now!!

Kairav and Vansh went back inside. Abhimanyu stayed rooted in his place.

Abhimanyu: That is the issue. I cannot!

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

xoxo