Welcome to the end of this story😁 Over all just wanted a story where Akshu stands up for herself and her love and thoroughly enjoyed writing this🥰
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Akshu sighed deeply as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Dressed in a beautiful lengha and the most exquisite jewels, she felt like a princess. A princess who missed her prince, she thought.
Kairav had dragged her home, insisting on her presence for an Anniversary Party thrown by Bada Papas old friend. The whole family had been invited but all Akshara wanted to do was call Abhimanyu.
They had been apart only for a few hours and yet there seemed to be gaping hole in her heart that would only be filled with his presence.
Her eyes fell on the reflection of her parents picture. So happy and in love, she wondered how her Papa had survived losing her Mumma. Sirat Ma had been the friend and love her Father needed to continue living, but she knew in her heart that her Father and Mother were soulmates. She knew because the expressions they held as they looked at each other matched hers and Abhis.
She walked over to the area dedicated to the three people she looked up to the most and lit a candle.
"Thank you sab kuch sambhalne ke liye. Yahaan na ho kar bhi, apke yaadien, apke kahaniyan aur apke pyar se hi himat milti hai. I love you all" she said with a sad smile.
Just then her phone called out in its automated voice "Dr.Methi Calling" making her giggle.
She ran back to her dressing table and sat down, putting the call on loud speaker.
"Akshu yeh kya ho raha hai sabko aaj? Koi do second ke liye akela hi nahi chorta, kab se tumhe call karne ki khoshish kar raha hu aur lagta hai tum bhi busy ho ya phir jitna main miss kar raha hu tum nahi kar rahi ho- ek second tum has rahe ho mujh par?"
Akshara could no longer control her giggles.
"Aunty ne bahot sahi se naam raka hai tumhara. Chidku kahi ka! Na hi na hello, seedha shikayat lekar bait gaye" She teased as she finished her hair style.
"Oh hello! Main toh tumhare khatir pareshaan tha. Abhi puri tarah se teekh nahi hui ho aur kuch kaya bhi hai ya bas family se mili toh sab bhool gayi?" Abhimanyu worried.
"Arrey! Abhi abhi tumhare samne nashta karke aayi hu? Itna zyada khana nahi kha sakti aur main bilkul thik hu. Koi patient nahi hu ki aise dant rahe ho"
As they continued arguing back and forth, a silent spectator stood nervously holding a plate of fruits.
Arohi had spent 2 days in her room contemplating her life and perspective. It's not that she didn't love her older sister but even she had not fully realized when her jealousy and hatred became stronger than her love. Her fight with Akshara was the reality check she needed to fix her priorities.
And now, seeing Abhimanyu and Akshara conversing freely, she had come to another realization. Abhimanyu was never hers. Even if she did succeed in her lies and plotting, she'd only have a shell of the Abhimanyu that he was with Akshara.
Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat. For a second she panicked as the room went silent and her eyes met with Aksharas in the mirror.
"Abhimanyu, don't worry. Main Akshu ke liye fruits layi hu aur iska khyal bhi raklungi" Arohi had taken her first step towards Akshara since Sirat Ma had left and it was daunting. How did Akshu do this for years she wondered.
The silence hung heavy before Abhimanyu finally replied.
"Um thanks... Akshu jab waqt mile toh call karna" Abhimanyu hung up. He did not know how to feel about Arohi. He was mad of course but he also knew that underneath all the anger and hurt, Akshara still loved her sister. Akshara was too soft hearted and loved too deeply to hold grudges. He would take his cues from her, he thought before getting ready for whatever pooja his mother had deemed necessary today.
Akshara watched as Arohi entered the room and placed the plate near her. A part of her wondered what games Arohi was up to now while another teeny tiny part of her hoped she was genuinely taking a step forward.
"Thanks but nahi chahiye" Akshara said emotionlessly, as she went back to getting ready.
Arohi, disheartened turned to leave but could not take a step. She turned back to Akshara forcefully hugged her from behind.
"Dekh main manti hu mujhse galati hui hai. Na tujhe pehchan paye aur na tere pyar ki kadar ki lekin tu bhi janti hai ki Arohi Goenka is not a loser. Jab tak tu maanegi nahi, main manati rahungi toh bas warning deh rahi hu. Filhal fruits kha warna khud Abhimanyu ko call karke teri shikayat kardungi." She challenged with determination before turning to leave.
Akshara sat frozen. Why now she thought. Now that she had given up, now that she had decided to keep away, Now Arohi wanted to step up? She shook her head and decided to focus on getting ready. As she peaked at the plate, she sighed and took one apple slice.
It was an hour later that Abhimanyu and Akshara both reached the venue with their families. As they entered through different doors, both stopped and felt their heartbeats beat a little differently.
"Akshu"
"Abhi"
The two families had entered from opposite directions, hoping to let the couple meet in the middle where a huge heart sign said "Abhimanyu & Akshara".
As they continued walking, they looked around and caught notice of the beautiful decoration. Slowly members of the family started dispersing stating one excuse after another until it was just Abhimanyu and Akshara walking on the path.
Feeling their hearts pound, they scoffed.
"Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Abhimanyu toh busy hoga..." Akshu whispered to herself.
"Akshu yahan kaise ho sakti hai? Uska toh koi family friend ka function hai." Abhimanyu said annoyed.
But their hearts knew and as they finally turned the corner both froze staring at one another.
In a trance they walked closer, both contemplating whether it was real or another one of their many beautiful dreams. Finally as they took the final step, both were shaken out of their trance as their families jumped from behind the heart sign yelling "SURPRISE!"
Seeing the sign and their families, Akshara and Abhi both wondered what was happening.
"Aaj koi aur function ya pooja nahi hai. Tum dono ka tilak aur engagement ki rasam hai." Manish clarified with a big smile.
The families began hugging and congratulating them one by one meanwhile Abhimanyu and Akshara kept looking at one another.
Abhimanyu was ecstatic and seeing Aksharas shy smile was the icing on the cake for him. As they both sat on the stage and completed the tilak rituals, Abhimanyu sneakily grabbed hold of Aksharas hand under her dupatta.
"Ma lagta hai shaadi bhi jaldi se hi karwani padegi," Neil stated in a very serious tone.
"Arrey aisa kyun keh rahe ho? Shaadi bahot dhoom dham se karungi apne Abhi ki." Manjari was supported by the all the adults in the family.
"Par Ma mujhe toh lagta hai Bro se intezaar nahi hoga. Dekho na, jab se aaye hai Akshara bhabhi ka haath ek pal keliye nahi chora hai."
As everyone turned to look at the couple, Abhimanyu and Akshara quickly let go of each others hand. A loud roar of laughter erupted at the sight.
Abhimanyu glared at Neil.
"Acha abhi batata hun tujhe!" He threatened before breaking into run, chasing Neil as the families watched and laughed.
Manjari came beside Akshara, patting her head. "Thank you beta. Tumne sirf Abhi ki jaan hi nahi bachaye par usse hasna bhi sikha diya. Aankhen taras gayi thi Abhi ko aise khush dekhne ke liye" Akshara smiled and hugged Manjari before winking at her and heading towards the boys.
Standing in front of Neil just as Abhi was about to catch him, she put her hands on her waist.
"Kyun mere hone wale devar ko pareshaan kar rahe ho?"
"Acha? Aur tumhara honewala devar joh tumhare hone wale pati ko pareshaan kar raha hai uska kya?" Abhi teased back, happy that she was accepting his relations as hers already.
Akshara wide eyed, blushed. It was a new feeling hearing him say out loud that he was going to be her husband.
"Ab..ab tum harkatien aise karoge toh sab kuch na kuch toh bolenge hi na?"
The adults were thoroughly entertained by their continuous jabs at each other. For the Birlas it was a new experience but the Goenkas felt like they were staring at their Kartik and Naira.
Finally Mimi had to speak up. "Bas jagarte rahoge ya anghootiyan bhi pehnaoge? Kaho toh engagement postpone karte hai? Tab tak tum dono larte rehna."
Hearing the word "postpone" both Abhimanyu and Akshara stared wide eyed at each other before yelling out "NAHI" causing everyone to laugh once again.
Abhimanyu held out his hand for Akshu and they both went back to the stage to exchange rings. It was finally official. They belonged to one another as the families cheered loudly Abhimanyu whispered to Akshara.
"I love you gharelu doctor"
"I love you too, Methi Dana"
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Hope you liked it! This is the end here as Abhira are together and Arohi is reformed. Just an epilogue waiting to be written. Should be soon😉
Thank you!
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