Recap: Akshara left for Pune. She bettered herself and tried multiple things before deciding to aim at a career as a singer. She also proposed Samarthya to be her boyfriend. Presently, after one year, Akshara has shifted to Dehradun. She lives in a rented flat and is a music teacher as well as a youtuber. She also does singing gigs.

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

Samarthya Gupta entered his cabin. Managing so many hospitals, working with the board and being a well known psychiatrist wasn't easy. He rubbed his shoulders as he lowered himself on his seat and closed his eyes.

'Sammy!!'

And just like that, he could feel his fatigue evaporate. He smiled without opening his eyes. He could hear the swishing sound that indicated his cabin door opening and someone marching inside while humming his name in their beautiful voice.

Akshara: What is up boyfriend!?

Akshara said cheerfully as she sat herself down on his lap and planted a kiss on his cheek. Samarthya instinctively wrapped his arms around her torso and opened his eyes to see the happy face of his girlfriend. He pulled her even closer to his chest.

Samarthya: Filhal toh your mood seems up babygirl! Kya baat hai?

Akshara pulled away and got up in excitement. He was right, she was really excited.

Samarthya: well?

He probed her go on.

Akshara: So, I...(jumps) this is so exciting to me!!...okay.(takes a deep breath) So, I did not tell this to you earlier in case I did not make it but maine ek music competition ke liye online entry di thi and...

Samarthya: You were selected!! Of course!...Congratulations my Shorty!!

He jumped up to his feet and hugged her tight.

Akshara: Hey! Tumhe kaise pata?

Samarthya: Isme suspense ki kya baat hai? Tum gaana gao aur select na ho? Aisa possible thodi hai?

Akshara: (rolls her eyes) vo toh tumhe lgta hai.

Samarthya: (cups her face) sirf mujhe hi nahi, sbko tumhari voice pasand hai Akshu. You know your voice is so fresh, so melodious. It calls to your heart and then sticks to your mind. Believe me! Tum rock kr dogi!!

Akshara: (giggles) waise me nervous to bohot hoon pr excited bhi hoon...

Samarthya sat in his seat and pulled her back on his lap. They spoke about the competition Akshara was participating in and its details. She answered all his questions while gently rubbing his shoulders. They spoke for a sometime before Akshara pulled him up for dinner as she knew his schedule was clear now.

Akshara: Come now doctor! My treat!

They drove to Samarthya's favourite roof top restaurant where they had a romantic dinner. After that they went for a drive and ate ice-creams post which he drove her home.

Samarthya: (sighs) Lijiye Ma'am, apka stop.

Akshara: (giggles and pecks his cheeks while unbuckling herself) Stop sulking Sammy

Samarthya: Soon I will be driving you home..

Akshara: You drove me home...

Samarthya: (winks) not this silly! Our home... Ab mai tumhe roz raat ko alag flat me drop kr krke thak gaya hoon...bohot jald mai poore haq se tumhe humare ghar lekr jaunga...

Akshara blushed badly and whispered goodnight. He pulled her back as she was about to get out and smashed their lips together. Akshara's eyes widened in surprise initially before she relaxed against him. Samarthya gently yet passionately caressed her lips with his and she followed his lead. He broke away when he felt her getting breathless. He chuckled when he saw red face and peppered it with many small kisses.

Samarthya: Goodnight Shorty. I love you.

Akshara: Goodnight Sammy. I love you.

Samarthya reminded her about their lunch plan on Sunday with Neelam and Manoj before leaving. Akshara told him she'd be ready and went to her flat. Upon reaching, she went to the balcony as she knew he would not leave until she was safely inside. She waved him goodbye and he left.

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

The next day, Akshara did not have school but she had to fill out some forms for her competition and Samarthya had an early shift at the hospital. They met directly at his grandparent's home for lunch. Manoj and Neelam were always excited to host them. Akshara was their future daughter-in-law and already a daughter in their eyes. They loved her to bits and were happy to know about her selection.

Akshara: Ye toh bs online selection hai. Basic screening ke liye. Abhi offline auditions baki hai. Mere liye closest centre Delhi hai. Wahan select ho gaye to 2 months baad actual competition start hoga Mumbai me. Tb tk saari cities ke auditions khtm ho jayenge...

Neelam: All the best beta. Tum acche se tayari karo. We are sure you'll make it.

After lunch, Samarthya and Akshara played a round of cards with their grandparents. Later they were hanging out in his room. Akshara shared her thoughts with him. She was sure that even if she is not selected in the competition, chances of Goenkas knowing about her after her audition round gets on-air is high. Before that she wanted to talk to her brothers.

Akshara: I was never really too angry with them, specially Vansh bhai. Kairav bhai se toh mera khoon ka rishta hai. Mere bachpan me toh ye dono US they so I cannot really blame them for what others did to me. I had forgiven them a while ago but I think now is the right time to reach out to them before they find about me from other sources.

Samarthya: whatever you decide love, you have my support.

Akshara: You are the best! Accha vo chodo, check these forms na. Maine bhar toh diye hai. You cross check ki koi mistake na ho and then I'll submit.

Samarthya: Jo hukum...

In the evening they went out to a dinner hosted by Samarthya's colleague and later he dropped her home.

Akshara: Sammy?

Samarthya: Hmm?

Akshara: come home with me please. Mai phone krne jaa rahi hoon ab..

He knew she needed his support. He agreed quickly and they went to her flat. She kicked off her heels and sat on the couch. Samarthya drew the chair form the dining table and sat away from her. He did not want to intrude yet remain close in case she needed him. Akshara called Kairav and looked at him. He smiled in assurance. Kairav answered on the third ring.

Kairav: Hello?

Akshara:...

Kairav: Hello?

Akshara:...

Kairav: He-

Akshara: Bhai..

Kairav: Ak-Akshara? ...Akshu!?

Akshara choked a sob. It felt great to hear from her brother after so long. She could hear shuffling in the background and Vansh's voice asking to hand him the phone.

Kairav: Kahan hai tu? Kaisi hai?? Akshu!!...accha ruk Vansh bhai bhi hai, mai phone speaker pr rakh raha hoon.

Vansh closed the door shut and the huddled closer while Kairav put the phone on speaker.

Akshara: I am fine bhai. More than fine actually. I am happy. Aap sb kaise ho? Phone krne me bohot time laga diya na maine? Sorry...

Kairav: sorry mt bol Akshu. Ye humari saza thi tujhe sahi time pr protect na krne ki.

Vansh: aur ab tu khush hai na toh sb sahi hai...

Kairav: accha vo sb chod. Kahan hai tu? Hum tujhse milne ayenge...

Akshara: Bha-

Vansh: kuch nahi sunna hume. Aur tujhe nahi jaana ki iss ek saal me humari life me kya hua?

Akshara: jaana toh hai...phone pr bhi toh baat-

Kairav: ek saal se tujhe nahi dekha Akshu. Ab tujhe to yahan ane ke liye force nahi kr skte na..

Vansh: (mutters) waise bhi vo doctor Birla aaj tk puchta rehta hai Akshu ke baare me...

Akshara: kya?

Vansh: kuch nahi-

Kairav: tu bata tu hai kahan, hum kl subah hi nikal jayenge..

Akshara: accha mere pyaare bhaiyon, mai address text kr dungi.

Akshara spoke to them for a while before hanging up. She rubbed the moisture out of her eyes and looked at her boyfriend who was silently supporting her the entire time.

Samarthya: That went well.

Akshara: Hmm, I am glad.

Samarthya: Me too Shorty.

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

The next day, Kairav and Vansh reached Akshara's flat in the evening. Akshara had an emotional reunion with her brothers. The trio hugged and sobbed. Akshara shared with them the basic details of her life in the past year and was pleasantly surprised to know that Vansh was getting married.

Vansh: I wanted to wait but you know na, Reem is an only child and her parents were looking for a groom for her so I had to make a move.

Akshara: right partner mil gaya to kya wait krna. I am just glad that you found the one bhai.

Vansh: Mujhe laga bina tere hi functions start ho jayenge but Akshu, I know you hate Goenkas but ple-

Akshara: Bhai, I will not miss your wedding for the world! I will come.

Kairav: waise, Dehradun hi kyu pick kiya tune? Guptas bhi yahin rehte hai na?

Akshara did not want to tell about her relationship without Samarthya's presence so she changed the topic. The three ordered in and spend the time together. The next day, Akshara took her brother to meet Guptas. Neelam and Manoj received them warmly. Kairav noticed Akshara and Samarthya stealing glances at each other but did not comment.

Neelam: Mai lunch ki tayari dekhr aati hoon, sath me krte hai.

Kairav: Nahi aunty bs-

Neelam: ek dum chup! Bina lunch kiye toh mai jaane dungi hi nahi....

Akshara: Mai help krti hoon...

Akshara stood up fast but her foot got caught up in the rug and she was about to trip when Samarthya rushed to her aid. They both fell on the ground. Samarthya quickly got up and checked her wounds.

Samarthya: Kya krti ho tum bhi?!?! Abhi lg jaati na....itni hadbadi kya thi!? Aram se bhi toh jaa skti ho na?

He was worried that she might have twisted her foot. Kairav found his care a lot for 'just a friend'. Vansh's eyes fell on the ring on Akshara's hand and he nudged Kairav.

Kairav: (surprised) Akshu?!

Akshara: mai thik hoo bhai..Sammy, bs baba

Kairav: Tu..tu? tum dono...

Akshara blushed profusely and Samarthya ruffled his hair before grabbing her hand.

Samarthya: Yes. Hum dono. We are in a relationship.

Kairav sat down in shock. Akshara looked at him worried while Vansh congratulated them.

Akshara: bhai?

Kairav: hun?! Nothing! Mai bs thoda shock me hoon. But I am happy for you both. I know he is best for you. Vo tere sath tb tha jb humme se koi nahi tha so isse best koi nahi ho skta tere liye...

Akshara smiled. She loved Samarthya with all her heart but knowing her brothers supported their relationship meant a lot to her. Kairav and Vansh spent the afternoon with Guptas. They invited them for the wedding before leaving for Udaipur.

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

There was time in Vansh's wedding. A little more than a month. Samarthya and Akshara had decided to focus on Akshara's upcoming auditions which were in three weeks post which they'd go to Udaipur and help out with Vansh's wedding preparations. Gayatri and Vatsal would be coming as well and Akshara knew they'd appreciate her presence as they loathed Goenkas. Akshara wasn't excited to see them either but she knew she'd tolerate them for her brothers.

Manoj eased her worries of facing Goenkas by suggesting them to stay at Gupta's residence in Udaipur. It was on the same lane as Goenkas but still a separate home so she wouldn't have to tolerate Goenkas for the whole day. So, without worrying for the future, Akshara focused her entire being in preparing for the auditions.

After three weeks, Samarthya drove with her to Delhi. Akshara saw the huge lines of people and grew nervous. She closed her eyes and collected herself. She waited the whole day for her turn before finally getting a chance to present her song. Not even 30 seconds into her song, all the judges pressed the buzzer for her and she got her ticket to Mumbai where other four rounds of the competition would happen. Samarthya was watching it all from the sides where families waited. He had a huge smile on his face and she ran into his arms with her ticket.

Akshara: I got it!!!

Samarthya: yes! I am so proud!!

They came out of the venue.

Akshara: phew! 3 hafto ki tension aaj phurr hui hai..

Samarthya: tension ki baat hi nahi thi. Selection to hona hi tha! Pr aaj relax kr lo dulhe ki behen, Udaipur jaakr kaam hi kaam hai.

Samarthya and Akshara spent the next few days in Delhi itself, shopping for the wedding. Night before they had to leave for Udaipur, Samarthya gave her a shocking surprise.

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

It was twilight. The sun was fading and the sky was many shades of orange, pink and blue. They were in their room and Akshara had packed most of her stuff when Samarthya called from the balcony.

Samarthya: Shorty, come look! The view is to die for!

Akshara: roz to dekh rahi hoon, aaj badal thodi gaya hai...

Samarthya: arey aao toh...

Akshara came to the balcony of the hotel.

Akshara: It is pretty but same hi to-

She was cut short when she noticed that people were standing in the balconies of the building facing them and were doing oddly synchronised moves. They started to drop something one by one. It looked like a piece of cloth but something was scribbled on them. Samarthya watched Akshara intently as her nose scrunched and she continued to stare in confusion.

Akshara: Ye kya kr rahe hai? Kya likha hai...W-I-L-L...Y-O-U..M-A-R-R-Y..M-E?...Will you marry me? WILL YOU MARRY ME??? SA-

Akshara turned to see Samarthya on one knee in front of her. She gasped in shock. Rose petals started to shower on them, probably from the balcony above their's and she could even hear music being played.

Samarthya: Ms Akshara. I love you. Iss dil ko tumse bachpan me hi pyaar ho gaya tha aur phir kabhi kissi aur se nahi hua. Mere pyaar ki definition hi tum ho. You are beautiful, kind and such an amazing person. Aur jitni sundar tumhari surat hai, utni hi sundar tumhari sirat hai. Tumne mujhse sacche dil se dosti ki vo bhi tb jb sb mera mazak udate they pr tumne mujhe kabhi judge nahi kiya. I really really love you and I am so blessed ki tum meri feelings share karti ho. So please, kya ab mere sath apni life bhi share karogi? Will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my Mrs. Gupta?

Akshara: Sammy...(sniff)

She bent down into his arms, balling her eyes out.

Samarthya: hey hey! Babygirl...shh.. that wasn't the plan...

Akshara: Sammy!!

Samarthya: kya hua? Was my proposal not filmy enough for my dramebaaz?

Akshara: No it was perfect!! And yes!!! Of course yes!! I love you!!

She cupped his face and smashed their lips together. She could hear the people cheering in the background but in the moment she could only hear the sound of his heartbeat and their lips moving together. Samarthya moved the promise ring to her right and slipped the heart shaped stone in her ring finger. He kissed her hands and they rose up. He twirled her and her giggles filled the room.

Samarthya: Congratulations soon-to-be Mrs. Gupta

Akshara: Thank You Mr. Gupta..

...........

Samarthya and Akshara became an engaged couple. They video called Neelam and Manoj later and they were thrilled. Akshara made him promise that they'd pick out his ring before leaving for Udaipur and they spent the night cuddling in each other's arms.

Akshara was truly happy but her sleep wasn't exactly as sound. She couldn't place her finger on what it was but something was making her restless. Maybe it was something her unconscious had realised. She was about to face her past. A past that had not necessarily moved on from her for in the city of lakes, a man still pined for the affections of the girl he had lost in his foolishness.

Abhimanyu Birla was sitting in his room. He was really tired and was re-reading the letter Akshara had written to him for the nth time. Neil entered the room and his eyes became sad realizing what his brother was doing.

Neil: bhai? Please. Let it go na...

Abhimanyu: I can't Neil. See, she wanted me to wait..

Neil: Before you proposed to Arohi bhai! Sir ne ye letter gayab krke gadbad kr di bhai pr fault apki jaldbazi ka bhi hai...

Abhimanyu: I know Neil but I cannot forget her. I was so stupid but I will become better. I want to be a better man for her.

Neil: ek saal ho gaya hai bhai. What if she has moved on?

Abhimanyu: (tears in his eyes) then I don't know what I'd do...

Neil: (rubbed his shoulders in sadness) Vansh is getting married bhai. I think if they are in touch with her then she will come for the wedding.

Abhimanyu's eyes sparkled with hope.

Abhimanyu: It'd give me a chance to talk to her.

Neil: I know but I just want you to be happy bhai, don't expect too much.

Abhimanyu nodded half-heartedly. His mind already thinking about the things he'd say to her when he finally officially makes her his.

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

xoxo