Bonded by Fate- AkshAn FF (Part 48 Pg 117) (UPDATED-2 Jan) - Page 5

Part - 39 Bheege Bheege se Lamhe

“Why didn’t you go home with Karan?” Akshat enquired while driving the car.

It was fifteen past ten and the road way back home was a lonely one bypassing a forest.

Apparently, Guddan got off the college at 5 pm and was to be dropped off at Jindal mansion, as was stated to Karan but she insisted on accompanying Akshat and thus Karan dropped her at the restaurant where Akshat was personally supervising the order for a foreign delegate’s welcome ceremony. And by the time he got free, the clock had already stuck 10.

“Because I wanted to go with you!” She replied in a matter of fact voice and looked out of the window.

Akshat sighed. Women were troublesome creatures, way beyond his measley level of understanding.

As he was continuing with the mind monologues about peculiarity of women and his wife in general, a banshee like scream screeched through his ears as he applied the brakes instantly.

“What is it?” He asked worried turning to the aforementioned banshee…his wife.

“I am starving, let’s go and eat maggi over there!” Guddan suggested.

Akshat let his eyes follow the direction she was pointing to and found a rundown stall in the midst of nowhere where a frail old man was probably brewing some tea and maggi on the go.

“No! This is extremely unhygienic! And we’ll reach home in another 30 minutes, so control your stomach”

Guddan pouted and glared at him, “Is that so?”

Akshat nodded, puzzled as Guddan flashed him an out-of-the-blue smile. The sarcastic one!

“Since it is so unhygienic’ I won’t force you!” She trailed as Akshat let go of the anticipatory breath he was holding and had just turned the key, when the door on Guddan’s side was pushed open and she stepped out.

“Guddan?!” He called out puzzled, leaning over her seat.

“Aapko nhi aana toh mat aaiye”, Guddan shrugged carelessly and was soon crossing over to the other side of road.

“Uncle, aap na jaldi se mast si maggi aur ek cup masala chai bana dijiye!” Guddan ordered, her mouth already salivating at maggi’s fragrance sneaking up her nose.

“Make it two!”

Amused, Guddan turned her head to see a 6 ft 3 inch mass of stone plop behind her on the wooden table cum chair.

“Oh! If it isn’t Mr. ‘this-is-unhygienic’!?” She spoke sarcastically like a high society aunty.

Akshat smiled, “I don’t fuss over tea too much!”

An indistinct noise of “Hmmphh” originated from Guddan’s throat as she turned her face away from him.

Akshat chuckled. She looked cute,making faces like that.

While Guddan was humming a song, a loud sound of thunder pierced across the sky and the clouds opened up.

“Shit!” Akshat cursed as he hurried to hide his head within the minute space in the stall.

Turning to the his side, he found Guddan gone only to see her standing with arms wide apart and tongue sticking out, while she faced the clouds raining incessantly.

“Kya kar rahi ho? Andar aa jao. Beemar pad jaogi!” Akshat shouted.

But his words were dissolved halfway as Guddan whirled slowly,absolutely lost in the rain.

Shaking his head, he removed his coat and rushing to her, caught her palm. Confused, Guddan looked at him as he leaned closer.

“This is the first rain of the season, for god’s sake! You’ll fall ill!” And with that he started pulling her away only to feel his hand pulled back.

“Aap bhi aaiye na! Feel for yourself, how this rain will drain away all your stress and anxiety and will leave you feeling fresh. Kabhi kabhi faayde nuksaan ke beyond bhi dekhna chahiye. Kya pata kal hona ho”

As she let go his hand and let her tresses fall free from the bun,Akshat looked on enamoured as she combed them back while drinking the rain drops falling onto her stuck out tongue. He had long lost track of the fact that he was standing in rain as he suppressed a chuckle on seeing her stick out her tongue in various directions, in a futile effort to catch raindrops.

A puddle had formed in a ditch on the road as Guddan started jumping init like a kid. She felt so alive and so free!

Turning her head, she stopped as she saw Akshat facing the sky with his eyes closed while a serene smile danced on his lips.

Seeing him in sukoon, bought her sukoon. Guess that’s how love works!

As an idea clicked in her mind, Guddan approached an unaware Akshat.

‘Aapne toh kabhi poocha nhi, hum hi pooch lete hain! Aap bhi kya yaad rakhenge! Ye ishq hai…kya kya karaye…’ Guddan chuckled feeling silly as she paused in front of Akshat and forwarding her right hand, while placing the left one on her back,called out to him.

“May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?”

Akshat’s eyes snapped open as he saw Guddan asking him for a dance. Her eyes were alit with mischief. He smiled and keeping his left in her right,mimicked her gentlemanly tone, “It would be my honour”.

Grasping her hand firmly, he reversed their positions as her palm came on top of his and then leading her to a corner, he kept her hand on his shoulder while sliding the other one in his palms. As his free hand slipped behind her waist, they started swaying to the song being sung by the rains, the wind fluttering against the leaves while being surrounded by earth’s scent.

Soon, Guddan moved closer as she rested her ears against his heart and clutched onto his palm. I wish this moment never ends. Kaash aap aise hi mujhe humesha apni baahon mein rakhein.

“Akshat Ji?!”

“Hmm”

As Guddan moved her head back, she looked into his eyes determined. Karan was right. She should not wait for the right time anymore. This was the moment. She should confess.

“Humein aapse kuch kehna tha…”

“Haa..bolo..”

“H-hum…hum…aa…p..s…aap-se….pya…I…lo….”

“Beta…aapki maggi thandi ho rahi hai!”

And Guddan’s first attempt at confession was interrupted, brutally.

“Let’s eat first or the army of mice in your stomach might run over your sanity”, Akshat chuckled and pulled apart.

“Iss maggi ki toh!” Guddan cursed annoyed as she went inside and picked her maggi.

The downpour had simmered down considerably but a slight drizzle was still going on. Taking her plate, Guddan went on to sit below a tree, under the slight drizzle.

“You like your maggi soggy?” Akshat asked as he put over her frame a plastic sheet that was lying unused with the stall owner.

“Aap bhi aaiye!” Guddan invited him spreading the sheet as he obliged and plopped by her side, on the mud while pulling the plastic sheet over his head.

He looked on fondly as she slurped the maggi and then made a blissful face.

“Aap khayenge?” Suddenly, a fork with maggi dangling off its ends was shoved right in front of his face.

He refused but she insisted and he gave in. As he closed his lips over the maggi, he realised that it indeed was very tasty. He had long back left eating maggi owing to him being a health and fitness freak and all.

“Achi hai na?” Guddan asked proudly as Akshat nodded and picked up some more with his fingers.

However as he slurped it in, his eyes widened as he saw Guddan’s face few cm away from his with the other end of maggi in her mouth. She was just as stumped, considering that she had almost stopped breathing too.

And the next moment, she literally choked on her own breath as Akshat did something she never expected him to. He went ahead and sucked in the maggi to the point where their lips touched and then he bit on it, leaving Guddan gobsmacked.

In the next instance, he turned his head away flustered unable to take the shocked expression her face. He had done something super bold but he couldn’t help it when she had that puzzled look with tinges of red staining her cheek. He just had to do it.

Guddan smiled as she touched her lips with her index finger. Was her love really one-sided? Maybe…just maybe…she should not be bracing herself for a rejection for his actions are speaking way louder that he ever would.

“Akshat ji?”

“Hmm”

“Let’s bring Saru bahu home”

With that Akshat turned around to face her, as Guddan smiled.

Part 40 - Shenanigans

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150273837?tid=5034085

Hope you'll like it!

Part 31 Turning a New Leaf

Lakshmi was animatedly talking with Guddan about the recent movie they went to while Kishore and Dadi were talking to each other.

Akshat sighed exasperated. Breakfast used to be way more peaceful when one day rajdhani express Guddan stumbled into his life and destroyed it all. There was no peace to spare anymore, kamre mein Guddan ki bakwas aur ab breakfast par bhi!

"Save the chit chat for later! Akshat spoke as Lakshmi stopped and nodded albeit begrudgingly.

"Why? Hamara muh, hum jab chahein khole! Aapse matlab! Guddan retorted quickly as Akshat glared at her.

As expected, there she goes defying him again.

"Matlab toh hai, my ears are going to malfunction owing to your noisy voice! He replied as chilled as a refrigerator.

"That's not my voice, it's your age speaking. Aap buddhe ho rahe hain, umra ke iss padav par hearing problems hona toh normal hai! Guddan replied with a challenging smile, as chilled as tundra.

Everyone started giggling as AJ gave a look to Vardaan and Kishore to shut them up. That look though failed to calm down his dear mother who always enjoyed him being teased by her dear bahu.

The jolly atmosphere at the table disappeared as a hesitant Durga made her appearance. She stood four paces away from the table twiddling her thumbs while looking at Kishore with apologetic eyes.

Kishore looked at her and then sliding his chair got back to his feet.

"Kishore Ji! Aapka nashta? Guddan asked as he replied, "I'll do it in restaurant, Guddan maa. And with that he was off.

"AJ...

As soon as Durga addressed Akshat he slid the plate away and left his seat.

"I should get going too, I have a conclave to attend. And he left too.

Durga felt miserable. This was how it felt to be given the cold shoulder. It hurted, it stung way more than a slap.

"Even I am full... Lakshmi spoke up and was about to leave the table when Durga spoke up, "Nhi Lakshmi, don't leave your breakfast halfway. Tumhe mujhse problem hai na toh main hi chali jati hu And with that announcement Durga retreated back into her room, into her isolation.

Guddan didn't like the crestfallen look on Durga's face. She had wanted to help but every time she remembered that cold look in her eyes that day, her resolve would falter and her lips would get sealed.

A week had passed since that incident. Everyone had been really furious on Durga, especially Kishore and AJ.

Flashback

"Get lost Durga, I don't want to see your face ever again. I WANT DIVORCE! Kishore spelled out furious as Durga looked up horrified.

"Nhi...don't this! I am really guilty...mujhe maaf kar dijiye, Durga pleaded taking his palm in hers.

"I am not the one you should be apologising to and yet not a word of sorry has escaped your lips for the woman you defamed! I wonder if you are even capable of feeling guilt?! Kishore spat snatching his palm away.

Durga turned towards Guddan and gave her a look of extreme disgust. Guddan shuddered under her brutal eyes that mirrored absolute hatred and reminisced the filthy accusations that were flung against her character.

"I see so that's how you express your apology, Durga bahu?! Akshat's authoritative voice cut the glare being sent Guddan's way as he stepped between her and Durga.

"Nhi AJ..wo main.. Durga looked away and scrambled for lies but AJ stopped her by raising his hand upfront.

"I have no interest in hearing to your lies. Let's cut to the chase, what you've done isn't just some simple mistake; it's a crime, a crime against a woman, a crime against your mother-in-law, a crime against Akshat Jindal's wife...that's something I won't let fly so easily! Akshat spoke taking a step forward.

"Rest easy, you will continue to remain Durga Kishore Jindal...

"Par papa... Kishore tried to interrupt when AJ completed his remaining words, "...only on paper only. From this very instant, I , the head of this house, forbids any member from interacting with Durga Kishore Jindal. You will live with us but you won't be a part of our lives anymore, you will be treated as if you don't even exist! Let this sentence serve as a lesson to you for breaking someone's trust and playing with someone's feelings!

"Par Jindal saab... Guddan tried to interrupt meekly.

"Nhi Guddan! No buts. She feels no guilt for her actions and continues to show hostility towards you. Why must I grant her a redemption she doesn't even want?! Her sense of justice is warped beyond reasons!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Guddan stopped by Durga's room as she heard some noises coming from inside. She followed the voice to reach upto Durga vomiting her guts out in the toilet.

"Durga ji! Guddan exclaimed and rushing towards her started to pat her back as Durga barfed over the toilet seat.

As Durga was finished, Guddan helped her to the bed and laid her down.

"Let me call doctor over! As Guddan picked the telephone, Durga caught her hand and nodded her head in no.

"Kyun Guddan? Durga asked confused.

"Kya Durga Ji? Guddan asked back innocently.

"Kyun kar rahi ho ye sab, ye acha vyavahar, mujhse baat, meri madad...kyun?! Kese koi itna acha ho sakta hai?! Have I been wrong all this time or are you pret...*barf*

And with that Durga started feeling nauseous again. Quick to her feet, Guddan appeared with a bucket in her hand and helped relieve Durga.

.

.

.

.

.

"Dadi ji, it's a good news, Mrs Durga Jindal is expecting. It's already her second month Doctor informed as Dadi smiled and caressed Durga's hair affectionately.

Guddan smiled excited too, "Matlab hum dadi ban jaenge! Kitna old sound karenge hum but it's ok! I am so happy.

"Saasu maa, ye sab toh theek hai but we shouldn't be here, AJ will be furious, Saru spoke up.

"You are right, saru bahu. He will be furious but he would also do what I am doing now. Sab kuch ek taraf aur parivaar ek taraf, Durga ji ko apne parivaar ki zaroorat hai. Agar hum inka saath nhi denge toh kon dega? Guddan asked as Lakshmi nodded.

In the evening as the men were informed of this news, Kishore was ecstatic but the instant he remembered her punishment, he let the smile disappear off his lips.

"I revoke my orders. Durga bahu needs all the love and care during this time... Akshat announced and then looked at that childish gleam on Guddan's face.

How can she be so forgiving?!

Guddan turned to Kishore, beaming like a tubelight but Kishore turned away.

"Aap bhul sakti hai par main nhi bhul paunga! The humiliation she put you and papa through...I just can't forget it! Kishore shouted and hurried out of the room while Akshat continued to call out after his receding form.

The first tear that was about to fall off Durga's chin was caught by Guddan as she wiped it off, "Mat roiye Durga ji! Kishore ji will come around and till then I will be here for you! Hum, Guddan Akshat Jindal, apni bahu ka pura khayaal rakhenge! Aap bilkul tension hi mat lijiye!

😃How was it?

Anyway, from the next part onward kahani is going to take a super delicious turn😉

Till then...⭐️

Part 40 – Shenanigans

“No means no, Guddan!” Akshat stressed turning away from her.

“You are not doing right,Akshat ji!” Guddan retorted annoyed.

“So be it, if trying to keep you safe is not right! So be it!” He shouted exasperated.

She wanted to get Saru bahu out of the jail seriously!

“You do realise that this decision is partial…”Guddan trailed out of options.

She was trying to make him see her point but he had a big NO painted across his face concerning any sort of negotiations.

“Are you kidding!?” He turned around furious.

Guddan almost flinched under his gaze when Akshat realized his demeanor was a bit too intimidating and backed off. Sighing he spoke up, “You do remember that she was the cause of your accident and yet you expect me to….”

“Yes, it’s because she was the cause but indirectly and then she had no intentions…” Guddan replied.

“Tum ye kya…” Akshat trailed.

“We all know that it was Parv who planned the accident and that too for Durga ji. Saru bahu wasn’t even aware of his nefarious plans and that’s why in the last moment, she actually tried to warn Durga ji. Saru bahu didn’t push me in front of the truck, I jumped of my own accord”.

“That doesn’t mean that she is innocent!” Akshat replied.

“And hasn’t she paid enough for that mistake? She has been in the jail for past 3 months! Isn’t that enough? Isn’t that enough that she surrendered herself. Doesn’t she deserve a chance at redemption?”Guddan questioned back.

“And what are the odds that she’ll not play games again?”Akshat quizzed with poker face.

“What’s that!? You just don’t want to give her a chance! Everyone deserves a second chance. Didn’t you forgive Lakshmi bahu? Didn’t we accept Durga bahu back? So why can’t Saru bahu have that chance at redemption?! It is up to us to trust people and the rest is upto them. It’s smart to be wary but not good to be judgemental”.

Akshat sighed scratching his hair. She was a lost cause. And this was a lost case.

“Fine!” He grumbled as Guddan piped up.

“But the instant anything goes wrong, I won’t hear a word from you!” He ordered as Guddan nodded obediently like a child before rushing out of the room.

‘This girl!’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A month had passed since Saru came back home and Durga was in the 5th month of her pregnancy.And that’s when Guddan suggested a weekend family getaway so that everyone could take a breather. And thus they went to Tamia, a forest destination hidden among the hills. Akshat had a bungalow there and thus for the first time family not only stayed together,but enjoyed together. Akshat was beyond happy in Guddan’s company. Sons could see that. Guddan was dying to confess. Bahus could see that. They had to do something. And so they did!

Akshat stepped out of Kishore’s room and into the drawing room, feeling unsteady on his feet. His vision seemed blurry and a really funny feeling was building up. Shaking his head, he had taken a step forward when a hysterically immersed infit of laughing Guddan almost tripped over on her own feet before he caught her and straightened her away.

He raised his eyebrows at her quizzically but she was bent over already and laughing her head off.

“What’s the joke about?” Akshat asked scrunching his nose in a not-so-Akshat way.

Guddan stopped and straightening up, stared right into his eyes. As she leaned closer, he leaned back.

“Who are you?!” She voiced out innocently and without a warning flicking his forehead, stepped away.

She was behaving weird. Who was he kidding?! That was her normal!

And this time his world started revolving as he barely prevented crashing into the sofa. Before he could gain his balance, Guddan sneaked upto him and had taken off his glasses off his nose.

Keeping them on her nose, she pressed her lips into a pout and focused hard on Akshat.

“Sab kuch dhundhla dhundhla laage…tujh pe hi focus hai…”She croaked when Akshat shielding his ears against noise pollution, took his spects back.

“Jindal saab….I am seeing four-four Jindal saab!”Guddan gasped shocked while waving her forefinger and middle finger around.

He could only see two fingers and was about to correct her when suddenly another copy of her hand was created and he was able to see four fingers oscillating back and forth like a pendulum. Rubbing his eyes, he looked again only to see two Guddans prancing around in front of him.

He chuckled. Ek sambhalti nhi, do toh jaan hi le legi.

“Why are you not laughing?Laughing iss gooodd!” Guddan slurred as she jumped up to Akshat like a rabbit and catching hold of his lips from both sides, started pulling them apart, trying to force a smile, in her own way.

“Uh..err…riigghttt!” Akshat replied in a sing song as he caught hold of her cheeks between his palms and started pulling at them, with twice the intensity.

“Ouuushhh!” Guddan groaned as she brought her hands upto his, in a futile attempt to swat them away.

“Itshhh painniing!” She whined as he let go and plopping on the floor, she started nursing them like a kid.

Lakshmi almost chortled when Durga closed her palm over her mouth and glared at her. Saru peeked from over Lakshmi’s shoulder, who was peeking over Durga’s shoulder, who were hiding behind the stairway. However a shuffling from the door right behind alerted them and soon a thud sound was heard. Turning around, they were shocked to find their husband fall one over another like a domino piece!

“Aapne AJ ko…”

“Tumne Guddan maa ko….”

Both Kishore and Durga spoke up at the same time and facepalmed. Great! Just great!

“whyhhh arree uu making a shinshan face?” Akshat asked as he plopped by Guddan’s side.

“Becoj I am verrrrrrrryyyyyyyy angry! Hmmpphhh!!” Guddan pouted turning her face away.

And Akshat started chuckling, “Then continue to be annnnngryyyy…”

Guddan almost turned to him offended when he smiled a beautiful smile, “because you are cuter that way!”

“Sacchi mucchi?!” Guddan asked excited as Akshat nodded and pinched her cheeks again, “Your cheeks are shhofft juzzt like a bull dog’s!”

Eyes of sons and bahus widened as they heard Akshat.

“Hum…hum…bulldozer hain?!” She asked with a baby face

Saru tried to suppress her chuckle. Bull dog se bulldozer! Not bad!

As Akshat nodded while rolling his head around like a ghost possessed moron, Guddan got upto her feet and fetching a vase threw it straight at him.

Sons closed their eyes while bahus looked on mouth agape as the vase shattered right at her feet. The instant she had tried to throw it, it had slipped off and shattered right by her side. Stomping her feetin annoyance, Guddan looked up only to see Akshat gone.

Absolutely forgetting that she had been furious a minute ago, she started twirling around the room with a ‘la-la-la’ before Durga caught her and pulled her behind the stairwell.

“What are you doing, Guddan?! You have to confess to AJ!”Durga spoke up.

“And tell Papa that you love him!” Lakshmi added.

“And that he means the world!” Saru added as Guddan nodded her head as if her neck had a spring and determined, moved away from them.

“I whill confeshh 2dayy!” Guddan cheered herself as she looked around the room before spotting Akshat standing across the hall in a white dress.

“Aksshhhat ggggggggggg!” Singing his name on her tongue, she raced towards him before hugging him.

“I wuvvvv youuuuuu shooo muchhh!”She confessed,trying to snuggle her face into his shoulder. The only diference being there was no shoulder!

Saru and Lakshmi laughed their teeth out as Guddan separated and looked up where a face is supposed to be.

“Why are uuh feeling sho thin and shtonny?!” She asked bewildered caressing her palms across the length of his supposed body.

Akshat who had just came out of Kitchen after drinking(or spilling) water spotted Guddan hugging a strange whitish guy and lost his head.

Charging at the white guy, he slammed his fist into him, “Uhhh bashtarddd! How dare u hug myyy waifuuu?!”

And a second later, his fist recoiled from the impact.“Shittt!Ouch! Ouchch!”

Durga sighed. Bas yahi dekhna baki tha. Guddan had apparently confessed her undying love to a pillar and AJ had gone and punched that very pillar as if he was a second man in Guddan’s life. Don’t catch the stupidity, my baby’, Durga sighed caressing her bump.

“Kya hua?” Guddan asked almost urgently as she caught his fist and started blowing on it.

Akshat who had been cursing until now looked up as his innocent wife caressed his hands.

“I’ll treat you rightth away!” Guddan stammered as she managed to fish out the medical kit from the drawer and made him sit on the sofa.

As she wrapped his fist with layers of linen, he kept on looking at her enamoured.

“Guddan..”

She looked up and her breath hitched as he cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes.

Bahus and sons waited with abated breath as Akshat’s lips parted, “Guddan…I…”

And with the next words lost in bare murmur, they both leaned closer, as bahus and sons turned away flustered only to turn around the next second to the ever-so-famous-Guddan snores!

Coming out carefully, they saw Guddan and AJ fast asleep by each other’s side as her face was positioned into his neck while his head was propped over her shoulders.

“I guess there was no need for us to interfere”,Vardaan interjected as he covered the duo with a blanket and smiled.

“Love finds a way on its own after all”, Kishore spoke up as he patted Vardaan’s shoulder and motioned the others to withdraw too.

They deserved their privacy. And they deserved this peace. Definitely.

BUT peace is not everlasting,its like a calm before the storm….

Part 41 - Beginning of the End

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150356385?tid=5034085

So guys who wasss it?! Apologies though, I am not really a funny person 🤣and my sense of humour is probably not all that extravagant. But I tried to level best to incorporate the best of humor into their drunken tragedy.😆

~5 Papers more to go~~🤪

Part 45- The Sweet poison

The next morning, as his alarm went off, Akshat left his bed and decided to check on Guddan. Stepping out of his room, he recalled that it was barely 5 and Guddan would still be sleeping. But the door to her room was slightly ajar and thus curious Akshat peaked through the miniscule space to find her bed empty. Surprised, he stepped in and found her missing.

“Now,where did she go?” He had started wondering when he could make out a mix of hushed voices coming from outside.

Approaching the balcony, as he leaned over the railing, he saw Viraj and Guddan stretching in the lawns.

‘I guess it’s not a surprise now that she has started her career’, Akshat smiled glad to see the smile on her face, even though he wasn’t the cause of it.

~*~*~*~*~

“Guddan…”

Viraj trailed turning to Guddan, who had started to do squats.

“Haan?!” Guddan stopped and turned to him.

“I w-was….uh…you know thinking that like….your relations with your husband are kind of strained…” Guddan stiffened as she heard him continue, “…so then why don’t you gi..”

“Stop right there!” Guddan interrupted him with a frosty voice.

Pursing his lips shut, Viraj looked at her as she approached him with a scowl on her lips.

“Our relations are not for you to interfere in, Viraj…”

Viraj nodded as Guddan continued, “and if you’re going to go against the terms we agreed on, I’d rather cut this friendship short”.

Viraj nodded yet again, his face contorting in pain. “I am sorry. I won’t do it again. It’s just that….I never intended to put you in a spot..” he whispered clenching his fist.

Guddan let out a long sigh,letting the steel in her facial muscles fade away. “I am sorry too. I didn’t intend to come off rude. You are important Viraj and you know it. I just hope that we can continue to cherish this relation we have”.

And with that Guddan turned around to leave but her face went and crashed straight against a rather hard surface.

‘Did a wall walk into me or what?’

That question became invalid the instant a familiar scent invaded her senses and she took a hasty step back.Looking up, she saw Akshat dressed up in vest and track pants while his hair was being held back by a head band.

“Are you fine?” The two men in her vicinity asked at the same time as Guddan noddedwhile the duo just shared a look.

Clearing his throat, Akshat was the first one to break the awkward silence.

“I hope arrangements were to your comfort, Viraj”.

“Yes Mr. Jindal, I appreciate the gesture”.

Akshat nodded and turned his face towards Guddan only for her to steal her eyes away from him.

“Alright then, I’ll see you guys at breakfast” and with that Akshat jogged off while Guddan finally let her face fall into the comfort of her palms and started mumbling some incoherent words.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Priyanshi walked into the board room with her chin held high and sass in her body language, Akshat couldn’t help but marvel at the difference between her and Guddan. Rather than speaking fiercely, her words laced with wit and sarcasm had every person in the boardroom hanging to their patience by a mere thread. They were trying not to burst apart but when the chairman lost his composure, that slight quirk in her lips had him fist bumping the air as if it was his victory.

Guddan had outdone herself as Priyanshi!

In spite of himself, Akshat found himself hanging out to every minute detail out of sheer interest. Her first encounter with Arnav had his stomach in knots. Arnav was brutal and rash in his ways, crude in his words and yet the darkness around him did nothing to hinder her. Barging into her cabin like a madman, when he manhandled Priyanshi and twisted her wrist, Akshat felt his fingers itch to thrash the man to hell for he had dared to hurt his Guddan. He knew that it wasn’t real but he was feeling so involved that he himself was amazed. It wasn’t only Guddan! Viraj had portrayed the dark brooding mysterious Arnav well, unlike his bright personality. He was thoroughly impressed. Viraj Kapoor is impressive!

As the show progressed, the mystery around Priyanshi deepened and so did her ploys. And then came a scene that tormented Akshat’s sanity like no other. Walking into a party thrown on her account, she flirted with Arnav in front of chairman aka Arnav’s FIL in her body fitted, mid-thigh dress. As her sultry lips gazed against his rugged cheek in close up, Akshat closed his eyes annoyed and as he forced his eyes open, she had moved away from the man with a devious glint in her eyes.

Switching the phone off, Akshat let his body fall free on the mattress and closed his eyes. 20 long episodes he had watched, each one 40-45 minute long and that too in continuation. His eyes had started to burn but his mind was only swirling with What next?! He was hooked! Despite not liking Guddan’s closeness with another, he actually found himself a fan of Viraj and Priyanshi’s chemistry. And then Guddan’s character was so layered, unlike any he had ever seen that he couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

‘I need to tell Guddan right now!’

Guddan on the other hand had her head engrossed in what exactly had Akshat busy that he had Lakshmi bring lunch to his room and there had been no sighting of him at Dinner either. Her musings, however were rather harshly interrupted as Akshat literally stormed into the room like a bullet.

For a second, her heart escaped her rib cage as she tried to calm her poor bundle of cardiac muscles.

“You know Guddan….”

And before Guddan had a chance to, Akshat had plopped at the farther end of bed, legs crossed as hewent onto animatedly narrate the story of her show till now. He went on to share his feelings without a filter whether it was about how classy her Priyanshi looked or how his throat went almost dry as he saw her in that skimpy outfit, or how he was so enraged as she flirted with Arnav. Above all, he actually was giving his two cents about the mystery surrounding Priyanshi and Arnav’s past. And when Akshat was finished, Guddan just looked at him wide eyed, mouth agape, astounded out of her senses.

“What I want to say is, if you would have told me that you were doing a show, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I would have watched it regardless of my interest but you know what, you are such a fine actor that my eyes refused to blink once until and unless all 20 episodes were done with. Well done, Guddan!You’ve made me proud. I already feel like the luckiest man in the world”.

“You don’t have to force yourself…” Guddan whispered, her voice cracking.

“I wanted to…” Akshat smiled in response and left the room.

A minute later, Viraj entered the room happily amazed, “What happened to your husband?! He was actually complimenting my role surprisingly enough!”

But no response came. Guddan was seated on her bed, out of her wits.

“Back to earth!” As viraj snapped his fingers in front of her, realization dawned and her face flushed beetroot red as she reminisced the words Akshat had uttered.

“And when you walked into the party in that ‘dress’, every fibre in my body had felt electrocuted. At that moment, I wanted nothing but to…devour you!”

Guddan clutched her chest as she felt her heart thumping between her fingers, the artery on her neck throbbing violently.

Who was she kidding?! He affected her. His mere words affected her. This was all it took to shatter her defences?! Why did she have a foreboding that upcoming days were going to get difficult? Her husband was dangerous!

While she sat contemplating her next course of action, Viraj stood at the doorway totally forgotten, his fist clenching hard enough for his nails to cut into his skin. That was what it was! He got it now.

He finally knows the real reason why Guddan turned him down!

SO HOW WAS IT?!

Part 22 A Dreamer's Struggle

Four months into their marriage and one week into her classes, things seemed to be going well. Her camaraderie with Lakshmi was terrific and Akshat and her relation had started smoothening too.

But as Guddan stepped out of her room, with her mini bag hoisted over her shoulders, she was quite lost and had no realization of her surroundings. She failed to realize the oncoming dip of stairs and in a daze, put her right foot forward when a hand caught her elbow and barely prevented her fall. Snapping out of her stupor, Guddan looked up into Parv's large dark pupils that certainly didn't hold a pleasant emotion. She wasn't pleased either and probably still clueless about the teeth shattering fall he had saved her from and so she opened her mouth and bit down on his wrist. Parv pulled his hand back on reflex which caused Guddan to stumble back a bit and lose her step. She flailed her hands and he was quick. He caught both her wrist and jerked her away from the stairs, towards the opposite wall.

Guddan turned around, seething in rage but before she could open her mouth, Parv opened his and started blasting her, "Have you lost your mind or what?! And why the hell did you bite me! You could have fallen down and injured yourself! Parv shouted, pissed.

"Tumse matlab! Guddan retorted back, which didn't bode well with Parv.

"Haa, mujhe tu... But before Parv could complete his sentence, a huge palm came to rest on his shoulder as he looked up to see AJ staring him down, with a cool look in his eyes.

"Got something to say, Parv?! He asked, while Parv glared at Guddan who glared back and passed by the duo in a hurry.

Once Guddan was out of sight, Parv caught hold of AJ's palm on his shoulder and pressed it with as much intensity as possible.

"I do have something to say, AJ! Mujhse zyada dhyaan agar Guddan par dete toh shayad aaj ye naubat nhi aati... And with that, Parv slapped Akshat's hand away and left.

Akshat stood frozen to his spot, taken aback. Parv had retaliated today and in a very different manner. And what was he insinuating at?!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Guddan stepped inside their room, Akshat looked up, expecting her to share her happenings of the day' with him as she had been doing since the past two weeks but silence greeted him as Guddan kept her bag on the table and didn't throw it on the bed! Before he could open his lips, she escaped into the bathroom while he looked on. Something was fishy! Guddan was behaving so-not- Guddanish since the past week when he had encountered Parv. But Parv was actually out of the town due to some work. Now that he thought about it, she had stopped talking about her classes altogether.

As Guddan stepped out of the washroom, patting her face dry, Akshat called her.

"Tumhari classes kesi chal rahi hai? Main ummeed karta hu ki tum mehnat kar rahi ho?! He asked sarcastically, on purpose.

Usually, Guddan would have glared at him with a childish pout and then started an all out war with him but today, she just looked up and smiling slightly, just nodded her head, "Ji!

That smile was forced. It didn't reach his eyes. Heck! It didn't reach her eyes.

Quick to his feet, AJ got off the bed and blocked her way as she tried to leave the room.

"Kya hua Guddan?! Why the long face! College mein koi problem hai?! AJ asked.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai, uncle! Aap bhi naa, hum bas thoda thak gaye hain aur kuch nhi hai... Guddan smiled another dry smile and started leaving, when he caught her wrist and stopped her.

"Jhooth toh mat hi bolo mujhse! Tumhari aankhein aur tumhare excuses match nhi kar rahe.. Akshat spoke and then turned her around by her shoulders.

"Koi baat hai toh bata do mujhe?! Main sun raha hu... Akshat suggested softly, as he cupped her right cheek.

Guddan found her resolve breaking. Looking into his eyes made her want to break down but as she gathered her thoughts, Durga's uninvited appearance cut their conversation off.

"AJ! Some Mr. Prajwal Qureshi from Tim... Durga paused as she looked at the duo and then, they moved away.

"Kahiye Durga bahu? AJ enquired, cutting off Durga's glare directed towards Guddan.

"AJ, Mr Qureshi from Times is waiting in the hall for you, She replied to which AJ nodded and asked her to inform him that he'll be right there.

As Durga left, Akshat looked at Guddan and gave her we-are-going-to-talk look and then rushed out of the room.

Guddan waited and waited until the clock struck 11 and her eyelids found it difficult to keep open any longer and before long sleep ensnared her whilst she escaped into dreams.

It was half past 12 when AJ entered the room, flexing his muscles.Why the hell people take such long interviews?! He thought annoyed with the brainstorming session.

As his eyes fell on Guddan, he remembered his promise and looked at the watch to realize it was way past her bedtime. Shaking his head at her odd sleeping position, he straightened her onto the bed and adjusted the pillow comfortably under her head. Once done, he proceeded to pull out a mattress from his closet and laid it down on the floor on her side of bed, for her knew...she was going to roll off the bed anytime soon and kiss floor, yet again!

Indeed! She had a strange habit of falling off the bed and sleeping it through! And then in the morning, she had the habit of waking up and blaming his huge' build for snatching her share of space and pushing her off the bed!

Chuckling, as AJ adjusted the pillows in between, his eyes locked over her face and remembered the tears that were threatening to spill few hours back. What exactly was happening in the college?! He needed to know!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Guddan entered the class, which apparently was a large hall with a magnanimous mirror covering an entire wall, the teacher, a man in his 30s looked up and shaking his head, approached her. "Didn't I tell you not to come in this class?! He asked, as guys and girls who were dancing salsa started snickering.

"But sir... Guddan tried to intervene when a guy from behind spoke up.

"Haven't you done enough by stomping on our feet and leaving us with throbbing toes!? The guy asked.

Guddan's face fell as she scrambled for words but failed. After all, he was right.

Their course offered quite a few subjects, like literature, acting, voice modulation, solo dance and couple dance sessions. She had managed to handle everything but when it came to couple dancing, she just couldn't sync with anyone. A feeling of fear and unease would crawl up her spine every time a guy would come close and she ended up losing her confidence. No matter how hard she or her partner tried, some or the other way she ended up ruining the performance, of hers and other's too...

And thus, she had been asked to sit this class out since it required people to dance in pairs and no one was willing to take the risk of getting their foot hammered!

As an aspiring actor, she needed to be able to dance with a member of opposite gender and therefore, no matter how badly she wanted to escape those whispers of useless' good-for-nothing' and wimp', she could not.

She just could not accept defeat and disappoint. Her father. Dadi. Chutki. Lakshmi. Herself.

And HIM!

I apologize for the late update but studies have me busy😆

Hope you all will enjoy it😃

38 (b)

“Guddan,are you in there?” Karan shouted as he banged the door.

“What the hell is this racket about?”

As the door was pulled in, Karan’s eyes dilated as they recognized the owner of that miffed voice as Akshat Jindal.

Akshat who was busy checking that he had Guddan’s things assembled, raised his eyes to see a baffled Karan looking athim.

‘Am I at the wrong place?’ Karan wondered as he peeked past Akshat to spot quite a few pictures of Guddan on the wall.

Nope,so why is Akshat Jindal here?!

Following his gaze, Akshat looked behind him and then stepping outside, closed the door.

“What are you doing here?” Both simultaneously asked as their eyes met.

“I am here to meet Guddan”,Karan answered as Akshat froze and clenched his fist.

“She is not here”, Akshat retorted as he started to leave.

He had almost reached the gate, when Bhushan intercepted him, “Damad ji, aap yahan?”

“Papa…main bas..ye sara saaman…” Akshat spoke vaguely.

‘Damadji? It can’t be!’ Karan’s eyes widened in realization as he looked at a portrait hanging in the drawing room where Guddan was standing between Bhushan and Akshat and Rewati was standing towards left of Akshat. He recalled their sizzling dance, that car scene, that phone call fiasco and was able to join the loose ends.

“Are you perchance…this girl’s husband?” Karan enquired quizzically, pointing to Rewa.

“He is my jiju!” Rewa retorted quick as Karan smirked and peeked inside the box in Akshat’s hands. It had Guddan’s things.

“So that day, the introduction was going to be Guddan Akshat Jindal, isn’t that right, Mr. Jindal?” Karan asked.

Akshat sighed in defeat. A sharp lad he was to be able to catch onto Guddan’s mistake that day.As he turned around with words at the tip of his tongue, Karan raised his hands in defence, “No need to be worried! I won’t breathe a word about this to anyone;you guys were hiding it after all. I just want to meet Guddan”.

“And that’s how I got to know that you are Mrs Guddan Akshat Jindal. Then after enormous pleading and tear jerking acts, your husband allowed me the honor of seeing you. Honestly, he is such a pain in the neck to deal with!”, Karan sighed.

“Anyway,have you told him?”

“What?” Guddan asked puzzled.

“That you’re in love with that difficult man”, Karan shrugged and Guddan hung her head in response.

“What are you dilly dallying around for, you idiot?! Kal kissne dekha hai, you should confess!” He flicked her forehead.

“I am planning to..” Guddan murmured embarrassed, as she massaged her forehead.

“And haan, famous Director-producer Ekant Kapoor will be coming to the college on 28th for his new show, it’s adaptation of that famous novel ‘It’s complicated’. So you better prepare yourself and bag that lead role”, Karan messed Guddan’s hair and was gone.

Chapter 38 fully posted! Phew!!

Do share your views. *smiley*

NOTE (DO READ)

FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS CHAPTER BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING SIGNIFICANT RELATED TO THE STORY LINE AND YOU WON'T FEEL SOMETHING MISSING IF YOU WILL DIRECTLY READ PART 31 AFTER PART 29. I personally will like for you all to read but I'm informing just in case dear readers feel scammed by me..😆

So guys, I just wanted you to know beforehand that this chapter is going to be kinda different. There are only 2-3 dialogues in there and rest is all a story- song. This is a special chapter that I didn't plan to write until recently but then I realized that I should write it because Guddan ka toh ye pehla pyaar hai😳. And when a person is in love, the world tends to seem damn beautiful. So this chapter is dedicated to Guddan aur uski yeh special wali feelings.⭐️

And I do know that majority of us don't really read the lyrics of the song written in the story because we all want to read the story but if you'd just read the lyrics of second song Leja re' written in the part along with the story, it will be more convenient because the scenes written are not exactly in continuation and are in accordance with the line of song written above them. I am informing the people who will read it beforehand incase they fail to make any sense or order out of it.

So here you go...

Part 30 This Special wali feeling

Guddan looked upward as the strumming of guitar strings dissipated her wandering thoughts.

Tera mukhda chand da tukda
Ni tere ainak, tere shoe
Kya baat ay! Kya baat ay!

Ni tera kajal Karda ae pagal
Hypnotize kare jatt nu
Kya baat hai! Kya baat hai!

He winked mischievously and forwarded his hand towards her. Smiling, Guddan placed her palm in his and both jumped to action.

Tere lakk ton lagda Karachi di
Fan marjaniye Bugati di
Dil kare tere naal bhanneya ravaan
Tere jism ch khushboo i'lachi di
Teri akh, te tikha nakk
Te utton masha'allah munh
Kya baat ay!...Kya baat ay!

Dancing side by side, hopping from one foot to another and tapping their feet in synchrony, they lead the group dancing behind them.

Tera kangna kangna kangna...Kya baat ae?

With that Karan whirled Guddan around to take her into his arms. As Guddan looked up to meet his eyes, her eyes widened in disbelief. Akshat!

Lakk nu paaiyaan... paaiyaan badi hot marjaniye
Tenu... tak ke... menu ande gande thought marjaniye

Lakk nu.. paaiyaan... paaiyaan badi hot marjaniye
Tenu tak ke menu ande gande thought marjaniye

As he flicked her nose and winked at her with a cute smile, Guddan blushed and kept on looking as he danced around her.

Gallan ne gulabi vich toye nakhro
Kar de ne munde hoye hoye nakhro
Jehda tennu takk leve ikk vaar ni
3-4 mahine ta na soye nakhro

"Why are you staring at me!? Karan whispered snapping his fingers leaning sideways taking care not to be noticed by others.

Guddan blinked her eyes in disbelief and turned her head to see Akshat gone. Was he even here? Oh God!

Shaking her head she decided to concentrate on her performance.

Janni. jaani. jaani jaani jaani

As a hand tapped on her shoulder from behind, Guddan turned around to see Akshat wiggling his brows at her.

Guddan smiled too. This is what being in love feels like!

Jaani nu tu aagi ae pasand balliye
Tapne nu firey tere kandh balliye
Mennu seene naal la le
Naa keh no! no! no!
Tere bina menu maar du ae thand balliye

As the song ended, Karan furrowed his brows in confusion as Guddan continued to stare at him like a love sick puppy.

"Back to earth! He called out as Guddan snapped out of her trance and flicking her head cutely, stepped away from him.

"If I didn't know you better, I would have said that you have fallen in love with me! Karan joked as Guddan turned away from him trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck.

"Ae best friend...ho gaya hai na? Karan asked as Guddan turned around and nodded her head cutely, "Haa...ho gaya hai!

And with that, slinging her bag on her shoulders she ran away.

Karan smiled, "And I think I know who that lucky man is!

~*~*~*~*~*~

You want me, you gotta know me

If you love me, you gotta show me

Guddan looked in the mirror and pulling the chunri over her head, hid her face.

Leja...

Leja...

Her chin was turned up as she looked in the mirror to see Akshat's reflection staring back at her. Smiling lightly, he turned her around by the shoulders and removed the veil to reveal her face. As he leaned closer, she turned her face away shy and when she looked back there was no one!

Mujhse door kahin na jaa..bas yahi kahin reh jaa

Guddan smiled sheepishly as he lectured her about how he was getting late and his clothes were not yet ready.

Main teri deewani re...afsos tujhe hai kya

As Guddan pressed his coat, she looked on lovingly as he glared daggers at the mirror annoyed by his unruly hair that refused to calm down.

Teri meri kahani nayi ban gayi

Tu mera ho gaya...main teri ho gayi..

Engrossed in seeing him discuss business over the breakfast, she directly drinks the hot soup and shrieks on burning her mouth. Quick to his feet, he snatches a glass of juice and makes her drink it while chiding her for being clumsy and she just smiles.

Jahan jaaye tu sang mujhe leja

Akshat leaves the table forgetting his bag and Guddan follows after him with the bag clutched close to her chest. On reaching the car, as he remembers his bag, he turns around to go inside and ends up colliding into her.

Muttering how she is always crashing into him, he takes his bag from her and sitting in the car, speeds off while Guddan continues to stand there, hopelessly in love.

Leja...

Leja...

Leja Leja re mehaki raat mein

Chura ke saare rang le ja

Lakshmi claps impressed as Guddan dances by the pool side.

Raati raati mein bheegun saath mein

Tu aisi mulaqat de ja

Guddan pulls Lakshmi to dance with her and both do crazy dancing while laughing with each other. Akshat smiles seeing them enjoying and leaves them.

Yeh teri meri baatein, ye meethe meethe pal

Guddan is lost in Akshat as he is trying to make her understand some basic things about how the restaurant functions so that during dire situation she has herself to rely on. She is paying no mind as he goes on and on.

Ye bheege bheege mausam milein na humein kal

Feeling mischievous, Guddan pulls the book away from a sleeping Akshat and then flings a glassful of water on his face. Shocked, as he breaks away from his afternoon short nap, she starts chuckling and he glares annoyed. After looking here and there, as he picks up the jug she makes a dash for the door, gets caught and the entire jug is emptied on her hair as she huffs in irritation and he stifles his laughter.

Tere liye main hu, mere liye tu hai

Darr kis baat ha hai

Guddan jumps from behind the door as Akshat enters into the dark room. With a torch shining on her face amidst the dark backdrop, she looks expectantly as he makes a boring face before pointing towards a chipkali near her legs as she shrieks full volume and starts to jump around the room.

Le ja le ja re mehaki raat mein churake saare rang le jaa

Saare rang le jaa

Guddan turns towards Akshat as she sees him sleeping like a baby. Overcome with affection as she allows her fingers to trespass into his hair, the furrow lines between his brows disappear and feeling relaxed he turns towards her in his sleep.

Raati Raati main bheegun saath mein

Tu aisi mulaqaat de ja...mulaqaat de ja..

In awe of his innocence, she leans closer and giving a peck on his forehead, lays down by his side before drifting into a beautiful dream...

I hope you all liked it.😛

So the first song is Hardy sandhu's Kya baat ay😉' and the second one is Leja re😳' by Dhvani bhanushali.

This part was quite short, my apologies for that 🥱but I'll make up for it by updating the next dialogue full' part on Monday.😃

48. Finally One

As Akshat nursed his throbbing nose back to health, he found himself neck deep in work, surrounded by proposals he had delayed for far too long in pursuit of Guddan.

The chase was still on but squabbling with her on a daily basis was more than enough to keep his sanity intact.

But for the past few days, circumstances haven't been all that generous for him. He worked all the way till dawn only to come home to her sleeping face. And as soon as the day would break, he will find himself back in his office room, instructing around his staff and the new interns he had left unsupervised.

But his spirits hadn't been dampened in the least. Every morning, Guddan would wake up to see her room decorated with new shades of colors and flowers, poems and quotes singing love and apologies all the way through. Some days steaming espresso would await her drowsy self while on the other sweets that tempted her palette to bliss greeted her.

She was just as stubborn though. Religiously, she would rip off all the decorations, pinprick all the goddamned balloons in the hope that he'll get the gist of her feelings. But no sir!

He persisted.

And that drew her attention to his absence in the house. Shooting left her drained far too much too care but when the changing decor of her room on a daily basis left her pissed, she waited to talk sense into Akshat once he came back.

He never did. She would fall asleep halfway through the night. And the next morning, her room had positively morphed into a barbie house.

"Good grief" Guddan groaned groggily as she left her bed, stepped out of her room and knocked on Akshat's door, just across hers.

"I know you're in there. It's Sunday!" Guddan shouted followed by a flurry of fist hitting at his door owing to which the door caved in and she stepped inside.

Empty.

The bed made up.

Concerned, Guddan touched his side of bed. Untouched.

She checked the wall clock. Hardly 6. But Akshat made it a point to sleep past 7 on holidays...something like rejuvenation.

She enterred the hallway, positively worried. The hall below was empty. Sundays in jindal bhawan were chill days. She had been the initiator of that.

Where is he?

She pondered, a frown making way on her nose but as realization dawned, she swatted his thoughts away. They were unnecessary. His business was not hers to meddle with. Never was. Never will be.

With her mind made up, Guddan was about to retire to her room when the landline came to life and seeing as everyone was fast asleep, somehow she dragged herself all the way down the stairs and picked up the receiver.

"Hello~ Guddan yawned, clamping her mouth to suppress another.

But every ounce of sleep disappeared as her eyes squinted in disbelief, her back straightened taut and she nodded, "I'll be right there".

And with that, she was racing out of the foyer in her night wear.

20 minutes later

"How is he?!"

As the faces turned in response to her question, Guddan waded her way through a crowd of 10 that had Akshat surrounded.

Lying on the sofa with his huge frame barely fitting, Akshat continued breathing quickly, his eyes barely open.

The circles under his eyes pained Guddan as she quickly felt his forehead to see him burning up.

"Why haven't you called a doctor?!" Guddan shouted, as she quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her pyjama and started wiping the sweat around his face.

"I'm here ma'am but sir is not cooperating", A man emerged from the back, leaving Guddan perplexed.

"Wha-- Not cooperating?How can he--

"Gu..ddan..."

As Akshat somehow managed his eyes open, Guddan turned to him and cupped his cheeks harshly. " What is this childishness?! Why do you refuse treatment?!"

Akshat chuckled in a scratchy voice as he held her palm. " I...am so ha..ppy that you...are her..re. But I didn't w...ant t-to dist..tu...rbb you..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Guddan pinched his nose in annoyance and then signalled to doctor to come over.

"This big log of a man will cooperate. Give him the medicines".

"No..I don't want to...the painkillers make me slee..py. I have to...wor--

The instant Akshat was injected, he fell into sleep as Guddan let out a long sigh. What a workaholic!

With the help of his employees, Guddan got Akshat home and comfortably sleeping in his bed.

Once she had everyone sent back, she removed his shoes and socks, and pulled his spects off his nose and found herself staring despite herself.

"Honestly, you are a pain" She grumbled as she loosened his tie and undid the buttons of his coat.

Then dipping the towel in the bowl, she squeezed it hard and pressed it against his forehead.

"Why must you behave like such a moron?! If only you wouldn't have kept on delaying your work to pursue me. If only--

Drop. Drop.

It had happened just like that. Tears had finally found their escape.

"If only you wouldn't have been such a moron that day *hic* we would've been together and you *hic* you wouldn't have fallen ill!"

She cried as she reminisced the unfortunate day, he had broken her heart. She cried as she recalled all the efforts he had been making to apologise. She recognized them well and knew that he regretted his outburst.

"I love you so much that it hurts, it hurts that even though I want to believe in your feelings; I can't stand...I won't be able to stand if you were to dump me again for some stupidly noble reason...I love you...love you a lot....Jindal saab...

And with that, she fell asleep right by his side.

A few hours later, as the alarm rang incessantly, her eyes fluttered open to realize it was way over 5.

"Shitt!" Guddan cursed loudly as she jumped off to stand straight and wiped the drool off the corner of her mouth.

"It's 5 already and I promised to meet him by 6. Gosh, why am I such a klutz?!" As Guddan whined, her eyes fell on Akshat whose breathing had eased considerably and so she picked a thermometer and shoved it under his tongue.

"His fever's down" Sighing in relief, she removed the towel from his forehead and was about to get up, when she turned around and placed a kiss against his forehead.

"I hate the fact that I love you. I hate it because facts never change"

And with that she hurried into the bathroom.

Half an hour later, Guddan stepped out of the washroom, did a quick make up and picked her phone from the bed beside Akshat.

"I'll be back soon", Whispering softly, she drew away and stepped towards the door.

"Where.. where are..you going?" Guddan halted and turned around as Akshat supported his body on his elbow.

"Ah! Don't" Guddan shouted as she hurried to his side and helped him sit carefully.

"Your fever's down but your body is weak so you should--

"You look pretty. You always do. But right now you are looking like a goddess. These curls-- Akshat murmured in a husky voice as he leaned closer and twirled them loosely in his fingers, "-- are driving me crazy".

Guddan visibly gulped as their eyes met. He clearly wasn't fully awake as his eyes were blinking like a tubelight trying hard not to flicker.

"You...should rest" Guddan smiled tightly as she held his shoulders and tried to force him to lie down but he was quick and pulled her closer by her waist and dipped his nose into her neck, "And this scent....its..

Guddan's breath quickened as his warm breath caressed her naked throat but her breath suffocated halfway as Akshat placed an open mouth kiss against her throat and sucked.

"Akshat!" Guddan hissed sharply as she jumped away from him with her hands enveloping the spot his lips had been making love to.

Akshat blinked once and again and as he looked at Guddan flushing red, his senses found their footing and he rubbed his eyes. "Sorry..it's just these meds make me dizzy".

Guddan nodded, trying to act normal when her heart wasn't complying and clearly the vein throbbing wildly against her neck wasn't going to quieten down any soon.

Oh shit! Time. Guddan looked at her watch and realized that clock had struck 6.

"I'm late!" Guddan panicked and turned to leave.

"Where did you say you were going?"

"Ah, yes. I'm meeting Viraj" Guddan replied as Akshat nodded and Guddan was about to leave when Akshat shouted out of the blue, " what the f**k?!"

Guddan turned to him and looked at him bewildered as Akshat found his eyes scanning Guddan. She was wearing a blue backless off shoulder gown with a slit running all the way to her right thigh. Too revealing.

"I think...you should change"

"What?" Guddan asked perplexed as he pointed to her dress and murmured, " It's revealing. A bit much".

"So?!" Guddan shot back nonchalantly as Akshat slapped his forehead.

"It's....Viraj is a guy and you are looking really-- Akshat trailed as he snuck a look at her and closed his eyes, "--gorgeous and I'm afraid that he'll get the wrong idea".

As if that mattered. Everyone was going to oggle at her. He was sure. He didn't want others to see just how pretty she was especially when he won't be there to scare them off.

"About what?" She tilted her head in confusion.

Akshat groaned frustrated as he threw his hands in the air. "Don't feign ignorance. You know what I'm talking about. Viraj likes you and may end up misunderstanding!"

"What makes you think I don't reciprocate?" Guddan spoke right off the bat as Akshat chuckled.

"I need no proof. This outfit's simply too revealing. You just need to change and you can go wherever you want".

"And what makes you think I need your permission?!" Guddan snarkily retorted.

"Guddan, listen you are--

"NO! You listen, Mr. Jindal!"

What was she even speaking?

"You've got no rights to tell me what to do and what not. I'm free to wear anything or nothing--

Stop Guddan! That's not what you want to say!

--to be with anyone and do anything I want"

What the hell! Tell him that this is your final outing with Viraj. He is giving up on you for good. Tell him that Viraj wants you to wear this dress, just this once. Tell him!

"Know your place!"

Ah! She had done it now. This could've been done simply if only his possesiveness over her wouldn't have pissed her off. If only it wouldn't have reminded her of the humiliating manner she was denied her rights over him.

Akshat gritted his teeth hard. This attitude! Enough was enough. How much more was he supposed to beg and grovel and apologise! How much more was he supposed to repent?!

"You are not going!" Akshat stressed as any sign of remorse on Guddan's face flew right out of the window as she stared at his hardened face.

"Talk to the hand, Mr. Akshat!" Guddan smirked and turning around, held the hilt of door.

"You are not leaving! You hear me!" He shouted, forcing his aching body off the bed.

"Watch me!" She retorted, her hands firm on the hilt of the door.

"Take one step and I'll make sure that walking hurts", He hissed as he supported his weight against the wall.

She whirled around, enraged. "You will hurt me?" She questioned in disbelief.

Taking a stride in her direction, he chuckled. "No. But what I will do will hurt a lot. Especially while walking".

Confusion had barely found footing on her features when he took another step close and pinning her hands behind her back, captured her tinted lips between his.

Her eyes widened as she struggled and tried to protest. Her mouth opened and his tongue took the charge as his hands let go of hers and pressed her closer.

Her thoughts went haywire as his hand traced her backbone and his tongue traced her lips.

"Don't resist. Just give in" Akshat whispered in her mouth as Guddan's eyes fluttered close as her limp hands snaked themselves around his neck and pulled him closer. And she forgot it all.

Few seconds later, withdrawing from the kiss, Akshat looked into Guddan's glazed eyes and lifted her into his arms.

"You should've listened while I was still talking. Now this pretty dress won't be so pretty anymore" Akshat smirked as he placed a kiss against her forehead and was soon placing her on the bed.

Guddan looked on as Akshat proceeded to dump his coat and shirt on the ground. As he removed his vest and unhooked his belt, Guddan's heart started jumping loudly.

"Words have failed you. My actions won't." He spoke as he came over her and pushed a loose curl behind her ear.

"Let me show you how much I love you" He whispered softly and captured her lips once again as their fingers intertwined together, her other fingers found his mane while her toes curled in delight.

They were finally one.

Hola guys! I'm finally back. I'll be honest with you folks. I have lost interest in the serial a few months back and could not find in myself the passion to continue this story further. We are not too faraway from the ending so yes, I'll be trying my ultra level best not to disappear on you all and finish this one. So, thank you to everyone who has loved this story.

P.s. I hope you'll like this part. I've kinda lost my touch over the months but I did my best!(^^♪

Part 38(a)- Cat's out of the bag

As the car stopped in front ofNAAA, Guddan looked at the building fondly. She after all was seeing it after a gap of almost two months. As she was about to open the car door, the door was pulled outwards and surprised she looked up to see Karan smiling down at her.

“Glad to have you back, partner!”He chimed as he forwarded his hand.

Guddan’s eyes widened horrified as she looked back at Akshat.Their secret was out!But he just nodded. She couldn’t understand it.What the hell is happening?

“Ah, let me answer those queries that are flashing in your eyeballs!”Karan interjected as he leaned down to see Akshat.

“Your husband has threate….err….requested me to look after his wife. Don’t fret the details”, He smiled as Akshat glared at him in response.

“Y-You..know?!”

“I do”, Karan spoke solemnly and then broke out into laughter,“Why so serious? Let’s get going before your husband….err…fries me with his glare!”

However as Guddan was about to step out, Akshat pulled her back by pushing against her head and placed a chaste kiss against her forehead.As their eyes met, Akshat whispered,“Take care!”

“I didn’t see a thing! I am blind! My lips are sealed!”Karan jested as Guddan stepped out and Akshat sped off.

“Oye Guddan!Don’t blush so much, people will think I was the one who did something!”Karan spoke with a straight face and Guddan pinched his arm in response while mumbling,“Shut up!”

~*~*~*~*~*

As the song stopped, Guddan hastily pulled Karan to a corner and attacked him with a barrage of questions.

“Howdoyouknow?Whatdoyouknow?Howmuch?Whotoldyou?”

“The heck, express train! Are you chanting some spell in probably…an unknown language?”Karan asked baffled.

“Not now Karan! I just want answers”, Guddan cut him off. Karan chuckled as he ruffled his hairs,“Gee! What a spoilsport! Just like your husband!”

“So, let’s rewind to a month back. Three weeks had passed and there was no sign of you in the college. I was seriously worried because you weren’t picking up your phone and so finally out of options, I searched up your address from the records and reached your home….parent’s home to be precise….”

Flashback:

“Hello, hi…I am Karan, Guddan’s classmate…sort of…so I was wondering, where is she?” Karan enquired as the door creaked openand a hesistant Rewati peeked out.

“She is not here”, Rewatispouted and with that was about to slam the door on his face when he stuck hisleg between the door and the frame and slightly pushed the door ajar.

“Where is she, then? Isn’t this her home? You are acting quite suspicious!” Karan remarked intrigued as he forced openthe door.

“Guddan!!” Karan shouted as he stepped inside.

“Where are you going? This is not your house!” Rewati shouted and tried to stop him but he slightlypushed her aside and approached a door that was closed.

Part 38(b) continued in next post...