“Akshara, you really want to go to his bedroom. So Let's go.”
Akshara stopped and closed her eyes for a few seconds. What was happening to her and why this urge to go to the room?
She dreaded going to the room since last night. She woke up early today took bath got ready completed the morning Aarti and entered the kitchen. Since then she had kept herself busy doing some work or the other.
She watched “Emily in Paris” with Nishtha after morning Brunch.
Isn’t that how a lazy Saturday is supposed to be? She asked herself.
Around three 0 clock, Ma said harsh uncle wants to have Khasta mathri for tea. And Neil asked Akshara bhabhi whats the plan for today, Taiji said today is our family tea time.
This is the chance Ak was looking for so she jumped and asked Nishtha, " Kachori or cake? And everyone screamed Kachoris.
Ak and Ma giggled like two school girls and entered the kitchen.
Two days after her marriage, Nishtha has asked her while tasting mohanthaal Prasad she had prepared. "Bhabhi this is so tasty, what all dishes can you make?"
And she started listing, aloo poori, methi matar, gobhi ke parathe, thepla, dhokla, kachori- paneer waale, dal waale, matar waale, hing.
"Bas bas… hearing Kachori has already made my mouth water when will you make for us AksBhabhi?"
Making and serving kachoris at Goenka villa was a way to say farewell. And so she had never really enjoyed eating them. It symbolized goodbyes and separation, and her way of pleading them to miss her and call her back.
In the last one month, since she had moved into the Birla House, Akshara had made Kachoris 4 times. Everyone loves them so much that the old fear that she had attached with kachoris had faded away. Abhimanyu loved to have and every kachori he would give her the first bite.
After an hour she had made the filling, prepared the dough and rolled out thirty kachoris. But this urge that she wants to go to the room was making her hands shake.
What is this happening, I have been running from being alone in the room and now I feel like I need to be there and now place else! WHY?
Manjari looked at Ak the last one she had tried to make it 3 times and each time it cracked and once she spilled the filling on herself.
“You are tired. Go to your room have some rest I will manage and let the khansama do the rest.”
“Ma are you sure?”
“Yes, and here take some orange juice, I know this will help you relax.”
Akshara looked at her MIL in surprise.
“Hmm… I know beta. Every morning Abhi comes and makes fresh orange juice for you. But today You were the first person to be ready and awake in the house. Chalo have it right now. It's time for Abhi also to come back so go get some rest, get ready and come down chai will be ready by then.”
She hugged her MIL and suddenly she felt very happy about going to her room.
With the glass of juice in her hand she glided up the stairs.
While passing through she peaked below at the inner courtyard where the dinning table and family sitting area was set up.
The house was filled with the smell of kastoori methi and hing-matar kachori smell. She took a deep breath and took in the happy aroma of a full house.
This is how Neil found Akshara looking down at Manjari setting the table and ordering the help to grind the coffee beans for Tauji and Abhimanyu.
“Akshara Bhabhi are you going to stand here come let's go down.”
“Woh, I will be down in a min.”
Neil saw the orange juice glass in her hand and her top smeared with spices.
“I got it bhabbi, we are getting another of your yummy treats today. And do drink the juice or else Ma will take it personally that you like only when Bhai gets it for you.”
Akshara blushed a deep color of rose and stood stunned staring at Neil.
“Everyone knows?”
“Yes, Akshara Bhabhi everyone knows. Bhai made sure everyone knows. But you spoilt everyone’s fun when you woke up so early or else you would have gotten at least four glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning.”
He laughed.
Her heart began to thump loudly and she really wanted to be in her room, his room, their room.
“Haww.. everyone?” She looked at Neil with her eyes go round in shock and embarrassment.
“Bhai was miserable that he would not be herr today morning. This is your first time to see him work the 24 hours shifts. Every doc has to do it at least once or twice every month. Doctor’s life. Since Birla Hospital is also a teaching hospital it is bit more hectic. And Bhaiya you know whatever he does gives his 100%. He has 3 operations scheduled within 2 days because he had been working minimum hours since your wedding.”
When Akshara did not say anything and kept looking at him with an unreadable expression.
He continued, “you will get used to a top Doctor's wife lifestyle very soon. A big reason whenever it is possible everyone tries to gather at the dining table. Usually Saturday evening everyone tries to be home and then your Kachoris has made the family come together."
Seeing her quiet, Neil continued,
"You should see Nishtha’s posts, it’s all about your cooking, your music and your craft projects. That is a huge leap because it was all about dresses, shoes and make up till now.” mocked Neil.
“Accha! Aksharaaaa… Bhabhi aap khush to hai na Birla House mein?”
The sequence of events flashed through her eyes at this question. Right from the Mask festival trip to Tilak to her accident and the events that followed.
And here she stood as Mrs. Akshara Abhimanyu Birla. Her eyes shone like diamonds and a beautiful smile spread on her face.
“hmm hmm… bohot khush, I am where I belong with Abhi and my family.”
Picking the glass from the railings where she has put it she turned to go to her room,
"I will see you downstairs."
Once in the room she gulped the orange juice in front of the mirror but looking at Abhi's picture.
She selected a lime yellow chiffon chikankari peplum top and a cream silk palazzo to go with it and rushed into the bathroom. She took a quick bath and smeared moisturizer on herself and slipped into her complete attire and dress.
As soon as she came into the room, she knew he was back.
Then she saw him laying on the bed with the cushion on his face.
Kya hai! He knows I love to look at his face when he is sleeping still?
And saw him shift a little and adjust the cushion again on his face.
Let me comb my hair before I disturb him she thought. Tip toeing she went to the dressing table to pick up the comb. She was about to open her hair which was tied in a messy bun high up. When she heard him call her. She turned to look at him but his face was covered with the cushion.
She silently said to herself, “silly me, he is tired, sleeping and here I am hearing his voice.”
“But I am calling you," said Abhi moving the cushion from his face, “please come to me. I have had a very tiring day and I need my peace.”
He stretched his arms towards her.
She did not need to be told anymore times.
Akshara, floated towards the bed and fell into his arms. She buried her face into his shoulder and whispered “I missed you so much.” As her lips pouted to kiss his neck and jawline.
His grip tightened around her and as his hands slide under her loose chiffon kurti to touch her soft skin. He took a deep breathe and tried to inhale her. A smile spread on his face. His sukoon.
“Hmmm!!?!”
She raised herself to look at him.
In the light coming from the window his eyes glowed like amber.
“Bolo... Kitna miss kiya?”
"I missed you with every breath I took."
Her eyes teared up thinking of last night. Her first night alone in their room.
How she wore his white shirt to feel close to him. How when that was not enough she brought his towel that he had last used and hugged it. And she slept on his side of the bed with her head on his pillow. So that his scent, his perfume, his musk was all around her. Only then she was able get a few blinks, his scent soothed her to a soft slumber.
And she woke up very early and kept herself busy throughout. Yet now as she lay on his chest, inhaling his musk she realized how much she missed him. She yearned every second for him since he left early on Friday morning.
“Hmmm…..come closer” he said as his hands roamed freely on her back. “mmm you smell so good.”
“Ya! So do you.” He smelled like his favorite cologne.
“I always take bath at the hospital when I have long shifts.”
“I love the smell of your musk…”
“Musk? you mean s$x…”
Ak blushed and pushed at his Chest which only made him tightened his grip crushing her into his chest.
“I am in heaven right now don’t push me away,”, Abhi lowered and nuzzled on her neck.
She wiggled helplessly as she was at his mercy still laying on his chest in his strong embrace.
“Please chordo mujhe..”
“Kabhi nahi…”
Immediately rolled over. Now she lay under him with her head cupped in his left arm.
With his right hand he caresses her face, his thumb stoked her jawline and slowly slided to pulled her face up to look at him.
“Pleasssee…”
“Yes, please…” he replied.
Giving her one long look into her eyes, he lowered his head and captured her lower lip between his teeth.
Akshara took a sharp breath and just gave herself to the moment.
This is my first OS about our Beloved #ABHIRA
Taufa kabool karen.
This one is for the very thought provoking, mindful person Mehersudha.
I love reading your analysis, predictions and explanations so much.
And I hope you enjoy.
Tough times pass eventually.
I look forward to read everyones comments.
One of the best things about writing is the exchange of thoughts so do not hesitate to leave your thoughts and any critical opinion.
Cricket
1.3k