The Trip - Abhira Series: Complete - Page 4

Beautiful update Simmy and heard that song first time but goes well here ♥️♥️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuF45i8bOF0

"And this is the turn where I tripped on heels the second time," Akshara noted as she gave her boyfriend a tour of her city. The gang led ahead with Kairav in tow and did their masti and jokes as the lovebirds trailed behind.

"Wait!" Abhimanyu screamed, startling onlookers at the scene. "Is that blood?" He feigned a gasp and pointed at the Coca-Cola stain on the stone. She swatted him.

"You joke, but it was very embarrassing. It took me five tries to walk on heels properly."

"Meri pyaari Girija," he sympathized.

"Pata nahi Nisha ko bahar hi practice kyun karni thi. Flat mein kar lete hai." She screamed ahead for the gang to hear.

"Haider ka idea tha, mere nahi," Nisha added while Haider covered his ears from Akshara's shrieks.

With each small memory Akshara shared, he dropped a kiss on their interwoven hands. Their stroll was beautiful, and Abhimanyu was ecstatic to be there. Facetime calls and voice notes couldn't do justice to Akshara's divine voice. They couldn't capture her enthusiasm either; she'd start jumping when she saw the bhel puri stalls she dived in at college, insisting that Abhimanyu had never tasted such delights before. He saw a freer Akshu here.

Was this the magic of Aarohi's absence or something else entirely? He wondered.

Akshara hadn't revealed what her plan for the day was. She told everyone that they'd arrive at her goal and live their Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara moment as they gave Abhimanyu and Kairav a city tour. Manik and Sammy offered some guesses about her 'Grand Adventure,' while Abhimanyu and Kairav went along for the ride.

Their tour trail diverged into two different paths: the rocky riverbank and the marketplace. Her friends unassumingly trudged towards the latter before Akshara shouted, "Guys, aap sab wahan kyun jaa raha ho? Humari manzil toh wahan hai," and pointed to the river.

She pulled Abhimanyu with her and ran onto the river bank. She stretched her arms out as if embracing the river before her and breathed in the sea air.

"Aur hum yaha kya kar raha hein?" Kairav asked, perplexed. His sister was many things, but outdoorsy wasn't it. She'd said yes to camping on Haider's insistence as he traded his "perfect trip day" for two days camping outside their cabin.

"River rafting," Akshara answered without a beat.

Confusion circulated across their group as they eyed Akshara skeptically. It was Abhimanyu who voiced their thoughts.

"Tum, dedh hadi, aur river rafting. Yeh ho hi nahi sakta" Abhimanyu humphed.

"Oye-" she raised her finger at his chest accusingly. Her eyes narrowed, and her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.

"Oye-" He met her with equal vigour.

"Mera Maa ek sherni thi aur meri Sirat Mumma ek champion boxer. Issliye, unke beti jo thaan leti hai, woh karke hi chodti hai." Pride emanated from her chest.

"Aur tumhare Papa?" Abhimanyu asked.

"Mendak," Kairav peeped up, and the group burst into laughter while Akshara chided her brother playfully.

Akshara wouldn't let their skepticism rain on her intentions. When their laughter died out, she called over the river rafting instructor and explained the task.

"Par beta-"

"Don't worry Bhaiya, maine moderate difficulty wala package chuna hai toh koi roadblocks nahi milenge. Sirf, maaza!" She cheered.

As they put on their gear, Sammy ranted about the pitfalls of Akshara's plans. "Akshu, main ek sharat pe tumhare saath aa rahi hoon. Pehle tu bata hum ye sab kyun kar rahein hai."

Akshara recounted the story of her parent's first meeting: how her father was river rafting with his friends but fell into the water. He swam himself and his friend to shore, where he and her mother engaged in lively banter.

"Issi jagah pe Mendak aur Sherni ka janam hua aur inhe raaston se shuri hogi ek nayi kahani," she whispered the last part to herself, growing excited about her surprise.

"Toh tumhara plan tha unke meeting ko recreate karne ka?" Manik asked.

"Nahi. Woh unki kahani thi, main toh apne raaste khod banogi. Papa and his friends were screaming so loud that Maa's ears bled to death. I'll sing so well the currents will have no choice but to bend to my wills."

Their journey was an exhilarating ride; they screamed when their raft hit the large boulders in the Ganga river and cheered as they went downhill.

Maye Ni Meriye Shimle Di Raahe

Chamba Kitni Ku Door,Mayein Ni Meriye Shimle Di Raahe

Chamba Kitni Ku Door,

Shimle Ni Vasna Kasoli Ni Vasna,

Shimle Ni Vasna Kasoli Ni Vasna,

Chambe Jana Zaroor, Chambe Jana Zaroor.

Mai Ni Meriye! Chamba Kitni Ki Door!

In Raahon Pe Main Chal Raha,

Jin Raahon Pe Tera Pataa,

Dhoondun Tujhko Hi Bewajah,

Kya Khabar Main Kho Gaya,

Ab Jaane Kya Huwa Kya Khabar Main Kho Gaya,

Tere Hi Khaabob Mein Beetein Ye Raatein,

Sapna Kyun Lagti Hai Tu, Sapna Kyun Lagti Hai Tu.

Maye Ni Meriye Shimle Di Raahe

Chamba Kitni Ku Door

Her brother and boyfriend squeezed her reassuringly, and her friends took the responsibility of the raft, so little could deter her. It wasn't the perfect song for their screams, and the clashing sounds of water hitting the boulders of water interrupted the chorus, but it was her song.

Akshara was always an animated and vivacious personality, but something in this Rishikesh air invigorated her, Abhimanyu thought. There was a certain somberness in Udaipur; she devoted her attention to healing others and dedicated her time to her family. Here, she had everyone dance with her to her tunes rather than bend herself backwards for others. Before, he was the only one that saw the halo above her head, for she let herself get lost in the crowd. Now, she was glowing, and everyone basked in her glory. He understood what Kairav meant when Kairav said the Akshara that arrived in Udaipur differed from the one residing there. Kairav told him about the girl showered with flower petals and dancing with Rajastani women on the mandir steps. Kairav grimaced on the thought of only seeing that girl, sometimes. But since they arrived in Rishikesh, they'd only met that spirited young girl.

Not what I imagined, but I'm definitely satisfied with how this update came out. One more chapter to go! Yay. Leave me your thoughts in the comments.

I haven't started reading this story yet

I will read and reply soon

Thanks for tag Simmy 🤗

Simmy give me some time. I have not read it yet

I will share my feedback on Sunday .🙏😃🤗😁

Thanks Dear for the tag 🤗

To good writing yaar

Just loving ur writing skill

Background Music for this update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qeujW9f4So

Akshara is not naive. She knows the relationships she's chosen don't fit together like a flawless painting. Rather, her life resembles an abstract portrait where different pigments dance on the page; some colours cannot share the same space while others complement each other beautifully. She's conceded that Abhimanyu and Aarohi will never share her camaraderie with Neil. She's assented to Abhimanyu and Kairav's awkwardness due to the latter's fallout with Anisha. She's not giving up on these relations; she's giving them time to heal independently. Would the same work for Haider and Abhimanyu?

The rift between Abhimanyu and Haider started a few weeks ago. At the time, the Birla Hospital had a visiting Neurosurgeon, Dr. Aryan Ahmed. Aryan, as she began to know him, was composing a research proposal on the effect of music therapy on chronic stroke patients. As Birla's Music Therapy department head, Akshara offered her insights. Despite the substantial time collaborating, Aryan was oblivious to Akshara's romantic relationship status. Aryan asked Abhimanyu, who he presumed was just Akshara's good friend, for suggestions on how to ask her out. Abhimanyu, outraged by Aryan's intentions, prohibited him from working with Akshara. Aryan made an excuse and drifted away to another music therapy expert. He knew what he'd done, and after some time, he brought himself to tell Akshara the truth. He said he'd request Dr. Aryan back if she really wanted it. She decided against it as she was a mere consultant on the project. However, Haider had difficulty overlooking Abhimanyu's interference in Akshara's professional life.

She drafted a patient report when it went down. Siddharth, one of the pediatric patients Akshara shared with Abhimanyu, visited Abhimanyu when he saw Abhimanyu clash with another man. Sidharth ran straight to Akshara's cabin and told her to come quick. "Akshu didi, mujhe lagta hai dishoom-dishoom hoga, aap bhi aa jayo", he said. She expected it to be an irrational patient, probably threatening the nurses to check him faster or make a defamatory viral video. But when she saw Haider in the room with Abhimanyu, she stood back. She couldn't make out much of what they were saying; she was like glass, so fragile that loud noises could shatter its structure.

"How dare you!" Haider roared.

Abhimanyu and Haider grabbed each other's collars; she dashed into the room and pushed them apart. All she remembered was that Haider got the last word in, and she tore him apart for her Abhi.

"Akshu, tumhe nahi pata ki usne-"

"I don't care, Haider! I don't want to see you right now, so just. Just get out."

The minute Haider was out of the room, Akshara fell to the floor with her hands covering her ears. Their screaming voices were replaying in her head. "Akshu," Abhimanyu fell to her side and tried to console her, pushing him away.

That's how Abhimanyu found her that night. She was sitting outside the camp she volunteered at, looking like a skeleton: pale, stiff, and still. He recounted his conversation with Haider - how Haider detested him for taking such a big decision about Akshu's professional involvement without her affirmation first. He told her how he retaliated by calling Haider a lost cause that Akshara took in because her relationship with Aarohi was sour, and she hadn't met Abhimanyu yet. He admitted the venom he spat at Haider when he said that Akshara wouldn't give him a parting glance after their marriage.

"Abhi," she sighed.

"Akshu, you shouldn't have pushed him out. He was at no fault. If I weren't jealous of your relationship, I'd have a proper discussion with him to admit I had crossed a boundary and reassure him of my dedication to you."

"Abhi-"

"But I was jealous, and I still am."

"Main bhi tumhare liya possessive hoon-"

"Par ese nahi ho, Akshu. Tumhari possessiveness ghairon pe activate hoti hai aur mein tumhare apne pe paunch gaya. I'm sorry."

"I take my loved ones with me. I don't how to move forward until you both decide to do the same." She told Haider the same the next day.

She wouldn't call this trip a test, which would express doubt about her love and Abhimanyu's perseverance. But, she was fearful of what would happen had things gone sour. Would they make her choose? If so, who would she choose? Since their arrival, Abhimanyu and Kairav savoured the vibrancy of Rishikesh, and it warmed Akshara's heart to see how well they got along with her friends. Their rift was mended, not gone, but she's happy.

Today was their last day in Rishikesh, and she dedicated it to Abhimanyu. Aarohi might've called it wishful thinking, but Akshara was sure that when she felt Abhimanyu's hand in hers as they walked up the Trimbakeshwar Temple steps, she and Abhimanyu were meant to be. Along with her independence and her mother's memories, this city embodied Abhimanyu's principles as it is Mahadev's devotee too.

They arrived at the temple in the wee hours of the morning, when the sky was an indigo blue with a hint of peach-pink and cantaloupe orange. As they immersed themselves in devotion, the sky grew rich with beauty and pigment: the sun's brilliant gold rays blazed through the ocean blue atmosphere.

It feels right, Akshara thought as she looked at her partner, lost in tranquillity. Her feet were light as a feather as she got up and handed a card to the priest before her. She motioned secrecy as she snuck out of Abhimanyu's company.

She orchestrated a string of riddles for Abhimanyu to solve, leading him to her surprise. Each riddle was given to a trusted ally, with the last clue in Haider's hands. When she disclosed her plan to her brother and friends, she took Haider aside and told him Abhimanyu would find her regardless of the last clue. "This will be the best symphony I'll compose for a long time, Haider. I know you want to be a part of it, so here's the chance." She offered him the shiny drawstring pouch.

Akshara's dress danced against the evening's chilly drafts as she watched the sky change from purple to navy blue. She'd waited so long for this day, and now that it was here, she didn't know what to feel. Eagerness, anxiousness, longing, and hope were jumbled up together.

Her heart was racing; He'd be here soon, it whispered to her.

Abhimanyu spotted her first, standing where the sand meets the tide. Enchanting, she looked. To her right was a beautiful flowy white tent and to her left was a picnic.

"Abhi!" she called out, but she stopped him before he could run to her.

"Kya hua?" He asked.

"Pehle neeche toh dekho." With his eyes fixated on her, he failed to notice the isle of candles leading up to her and the message they illuminated.

Will you marry me, Abhi? Asked the sand.

He couldn't believe it. "Haan," he nodded. Their eyes were brimming with tears, and their constant smiles maimed their cheeks. He spun her around in his arms. They squealed and shouted their "I love you's" for the world to hear.

Her friends cheered in the back, and a photographer ran to the scene.

"Akshu! Rings," Nisha urged.

"Haan woh toh main bho-"

"yahan hai," Haider arrived with two boxes of stunning rings: a platinum ring for Abhimanyu and a diamond ring for Akshara. He handed the rings to the pair and stood at Kairav's side.

"Haider, ye?" Akshara was flabbergasted. She'd forgotten to pack the rings, so where did these come from.

"Akshu, Abhi ko ring pehnao," Haider shut her off.

Later that night, Akshara learned that Haider found the rings in her room and brought them on the trip. She hadn't even told him the plan then.

"Maine kaha tha na, tumhari shaadi mein main apna har farz adaa karoga, tum chahe ya na chahe." She cried tears of joy for the second time that day.

This entire series came out of my idea of Abhi fighting for Akshu against another non-romantic male figure. Kairav never suited that idea, but Haider, from my previous story, did. I wanted to see Abhimanyu in conflict because when this idea came to me, I was going through my "off" phase with Abhi (probably around Jan-Feb when I didn't see him as my ideal). But with these recent episodes, the patience and forgiveness Abhimanyu showed, I couldn't possibly write him as such, especially since Akshu does harbour similar feelings of possessiveness. I also wanted to show Akshara picking Abhimanyu without anyone telling her to (i.e., Manish and Swarna pushing her towards Abhi when she had to pick between Abhi-Aaru). So my goal was to show accountability, growth, and understanding.

I don't know how well I did on that goal, but I'm not mad at how it came off from an amateur writer, lol.

I updated it on wattpad, IDK why it took me so long to repost here

thanks for the tag :)