Waqt - Abhimanyu OS

Akshara burst through the obstetrician wing, desperately looking for Dr. Kapoor, the Birla Hospital's most respected obstetrician. "I want an abortion," Akshara proclaimed.

"Ma'am, Ma'am, please relax." Her nurses tried to placate Akshara. When they failed, they reached out to page Dr. Abhimanyu. Akshara snatched the nurses' pager: "Abhimanyu ko bulane ki koyi zaroorat nahi hai. Ye mera faisla hai, uska nahi."

"But, ma'am," Dr. Basu raised a hand to silence the nurse. I'll handle it, her eyes said as she handed her patients over to her interns.

"Consent papers mere office mein hai. Aap mujhe follow kar sakti ho," Dr. Basu led Akshara away.

Dr. Basu walked Akshara through the procedure and consent forms. "It is a safe and routine procedure, I assure you. After you sign the papers, I can schedule you for 5:30 pm later today."

Akshara could see Dr. Basu's lips moving, but her words were inaudible. Akshara was consumed by the sight of Abhir lying on the hospital bed, unconscious and defeated. Mera betu, Akshara's heart cried.

"Mrs. Sharma, are you sure you'd like to terminate your pregnancy? Your pregnancy is high-risk, but Abhir proves you could successfully carry this child to term." Hearing Abhir's name broke her trance.

"As a doctor, is it your place to impose your pro-life beliefs on me?" Akshara's grating voice stung Dr. Basu's heart.

"The question had to be asked considering your plight." The pen looked heavier than a hammer in Akshara's lifeless hands, and this decision's significance echoed throughout the room. "Dr. Kapoor's on sick leave, and she's left me her caseload. Uska matlab aap meri zimedaari hai aur main aapko koi bhi uninformed faisla nahi lene de sakti"

"Dr. Basu, I appreciate your concern, but you know nothing about my situation."

"You're right, Akshara. I don't know you or your situation." Dr. Basu moved to the seat next to Akshara, hoping to reduce their emotional distance. "But I've seen enough women sign this procedure to recognize those tormented and those broken. I know Abhir is a patient in the cardiac wing, and that can overwhelm any parent." Dr. Basu gently held Akshara's hand. "My job is to support whatever decision you make, but I want it to be a decision you've made consciously, with all your sensibilities."

Akshara's sorrow was deeper than the largest sea. Her tears gushed down her face like an angry waterfall: passionate, heavy, and turbulent. "Abhir, Manjari Maa, Abhimanyu, Badi Mama." Their words haunted her, and she held onto her belly like a lifejacket.

"Akshara!" Akshara's heartbeat quickened when she heard Abhimanyu's bellowing voice approach the room. "It's okay, I'll handle it," Dr. Basu assured. "Just call me on this number when you're ready to talk to him, okay?" she handed Akshara her card.

"Akshara," Dr. Basu blocked Abhimanyu from the office. Her small frame was no match for his sturdy build. But her gaze was just as determined.

"Mujhe Akshara se baat karni hai, please hato."

"Are you her husband?" She asked.

"Nahin par-"

"Are you the father of her child?"

"No, but-"

"Then give her space, Dr. Abhimanyu. She's heard everyone's opinion so much that she doesn't know what her heart says. At least give her the dignity to think for herself and figure out what she wants." He relented. Dr. Basu settled against the wall beside him. Their wait was painful; every second felt like a year.

Abhimanyu stiffened, hearing the hospital staff gossiping from the other corridor. "Dr. Abhimanyu koi daycare centre hai kya jo Abhinav Sharma ka bacha wo palen?" The receptionist muttered.

"He loves every part of her, including her child." A nurse came to his defence.

"Don't listen to them," Dr. Basu said. "Maine suna hai Sheetal apne ghar pe ek Halloween party plan kar rahi hai. Kuch paalon mein ye sab apne costumes pick karne mein busy honge."

Abhimanyu cleared his throat. His eyes were red and weary, his soul as torn as Akshara's. "Mahadev," Abhimanyu's grip tightened on his amulet.

Dr. Basu's office door opened, and Akshara walked out in a daze.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't do it," Akshara cried. Who was the apology for? Everyone, Akshara supposed. It was for Abhir for not marrying Abhimanyu sooner. For Maa, because she couldn't abort the baby. For Abhinav, for considering terminating their child. For Abhimanyu because, she couldn't promise her heart to him but was willing to let him take on a lifetime of responsibilities.

She clung to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You shouldn't have lied to me," he consoled her.

Dr. Basu's eyes caught Abhimanyu's gaze, and he slowly blinked a thank you. She returned a soft smile and gave them privacy.

"Maa Durga, inka khyaal rakhna," Dr. Basu prayed to the statue on her desk. "Inka rishta kya kehlata hai, koi nahi janta. Shayad iss rishta ka koi naam hi nahi. Par jo bhi ho, inka apne anchal main rakha."

I didn't know what I was writing. I woke up wanting to read an Abhimanyu x original female character story and/or an Abhimanyu single parenting story, but my fingers typed this. I think I could still shape it into one of those; it depends on my mood. For now, consider it a take on the current track.
Please comment your thoughts and feedback! It motivates me to make my drafts public lol

Hoping for a less controversial reaction on this platform (yk, try to keep any hate for the characters on the show or the show in general outside of the comments; constructive criticism on my writing is always welcome).

Baarish - so lovely to hear from you again! It’s been so long, too long!

I love it - I really loved Dr. Basu and how she “handled” Dr. Birla with her two questions.

It should be Akshara’s decision, whatever it is and I’m glad that’s how you wrote it too!

Lovely

Felt so happy reading ur os after such a long time

Beautifully written as always

"Can't wait to see you!" The text read.

"I'm sending Shantanu to pick you up; be ready in thirty," another message beamed on her phone.

Dr. Basu rested her phone, screen down, on the desk. A creme-embroidered saree hung on her door, neatly ironed and vying for attention. If only my eye bags matched its elegance, Dr. Basu groaned.

"Shit! Dr. Kapoor will kill me if I don't clean up." Dr. Kapoor would forgive the paperwork and files as every doctor's Achilles heel, but the junk on her desk would sink her reputation. Haphazardly, she threw away her empty coffee cups and half-eaten bagel.

"Aah!" She shrieked as she slipped over a paper on the floor.

Nurse Thomas rushed into the room. "Dr.Basu, are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Micheal. Don't worry 'bout it," she waved him away, laughing. Her laugh evaporated when she read the paper. It was Akshara's uncompleted termination of pregnancy form. I wonder how she is, Dr. Basu thought. For all Dr. Basu knew, Akshara and Dr. Abhimanyu had left the hospital already. Dr. Kapoor's got this, Dr. Basu reassured herself.

Dr. Basu dressed in the hospital washroom. She quickly did a half-braided updo. She was shaking her head to scatter the hair and give it an effortlessly messy look when Akshara sauntered into the sink.

"Hi," Dr. Basu said as Akshara lathered her hands with soap.

"Hi. Aap kahin jha rahi ho?" Dr. Basu finished applying light blush eyeshadow and soft peach lipstick as Akshara washed her hands.

"Meri family ek party host kar rahi hai, bus wahi pe jaa rahi hoon."

"You look beautiful, Dr. Basu."

"My shift's over; please call me Nandini." Nandini extended her hand, but Akshara latched on for a tight hug. "You saved my baby. Thank you!" Hugs like these made the job worth it for Nandini.

"Akshara, you chose your baby. It has nothing to do with me or anyone else." When they met earlier, Akshara was a wilted flower, grief-stricken and pale. Now, she was a sunflower in bloom, light, relieved, and with an effervescent glow. There's an unbeatable aura around Akshara that lifts everyone up. Nandini was starting to get it; Abhimanyu's dewaanapan, bepaanah mohabbat for her.

"Take care of yourself," Nandini said as they walked out together. Abhimanyu and the Goenka family waited for Akshara. The Goenkas, especially Manish, didn't trust Akshara alone. While their family was split about what she should do, abort or nurture the child, they knew she was vulnerable and volatile. The last time they left her in a similar state, she left without a trace.

"Nandini," Akshara called out. "I have a request."

"Yes?"

Akshara glanced between Nandini and Abhimanyu. Akshara didn't know the conversation they shared while she made her decision, but there was a palpable unease between them. "Would you become my primary care physician? For me and my baby?

"Akshara, Dr. Kapoor is the best!" Abhimanyu rushed to supersede the request, but Akshara ignored him.

Nandini would've been offended by her superior's dismissal if she didn't share the same opinion.

"Akshara, Dr. Kapoor has far more experience than me. I've just started my fellowship. Plus, we've only just met."

"I know we've just met, but I trust you." Akshara took Nandini's hand and extended a small but heartfelt smile like Nandini had done earlier.

"Uhh-"

How incompetent is she? Abhimanyu thought as she mumbled. A pregnant pause ensued.

Nandini could feel Abhimanyu's gaze on her, silent, compelling her to refuse.

"Okay," Nandini finally said, if only incentivized by another hug from Akshara. There was something to Akshara's touch: gentle, nurturing, and kindred. Like Aman's hugs, Nandini thought.

With a short goodbye, Nandini rushed into Shantanu's car. She ignored Shantanu's chiding for her lateness.

"You know, the least you could do is compliment me." Nandini gestured to herself, the shimmer of her sari brightening the space, the way it clung to her slim figure yet highlighted her curves."

"Of course, you look stunning," Nandini blushed. "After all, I bought the sari," his cheeky smile earned him a playful smack, and they drove, singing along to the radio.

Not a session with Akshara went by without Abhir's mention.

"Abhi todha naraaz hai par jab sab theek ho jayega, woh khud chote baby ko football sikhane ki zidd karega."

"Abhir ko football bahot pasand hai?" Nandini asked.

"Pasand? Football se toh uski saansein chalti hai. He loves football, and he's the best at it!" Akshara boasted.

"His second love, after his mama," Abhimanyu added, but Akshara's smile sagged, recalling their tensions. Abhimanyu accompanied Akshara to every session. He was unsure about their boundaries, but he'd often, unconsciously, sling his arm around her chair or holding her hand to soothe Akshara.

When Abhinav passed, Akshara felt like the ground beneath her disappeared. The foundation for her stability, for her inner peace, disappeared. She fought to keep herself together because falling apart wasn't an option. Not when she had Abhir to watch out for. She hid her grief in a little safe inside her heart. I'll see you again, Abhinav. Till then, I'll carry you with me. It wasn't easy, but it was not impossible. Not while Abhimanyu was there. He shouldered every pain of hers and fought through hell to keep her and Abhir afloat. He was her lifejacket. Akshara didn't know if she could love him like before. Maybe they matured so much over the past decade that love wasn't their priority anymore. Maybe they could spend the rest of their lives understanding and caring for each other, and that would blossom into a new kind of love, one that was different from their epic, thunderous Abhira romance and from the peaceful love she shared with Abhinav. If she learned anything from her parents, it was that our hearts are boundless and we can make room for others without erasing the existing pieces. So, she would try, for everyone's sake. She'd give this new relationship everything and then leave the rest up to the fates.

That's why Abhinav's name came up, Akshara tried to do the same. "Woh toh shukar hai ki Abhimanyu aa gaya warna main aur Abhinav toh Abhir se keep up kar hi nahi paate." She'd slip in an "Abhi" or "oye" to match his efforts.

One day, Akshara showed up to their ultrasound with a mangalsutra adorning her neck. Her smile was radiant as Abhir tugged her arm, tagging along with Mumma and Dadda.

"Mumma, kya hum chotu baby ko dekhenge aaj?"

"Yes, Junior," Nandini couldn't believe her eyes at the sight of Dr. Abhimanyu basking in happiness, his voice chirping with exciting. Abhimanyu was finally living up to the potential of the father and husband he wanted to be. Months ago, he drowned in failure when he surrendered Abhir to Akshara and Abhinav. He felt he could never be enough. Now, those worries seemed ancient.

Nandini could Akshara sparkle from the joys of motherhood. It was all so foreign, especially after weeks of tension between him, Akshara, his family, and Abhir's illness. They truly looked like a picture-perfect family.

"Hum Ruhi-chuhi ke liya bahot saari pictures lenge. Aur baby ka naam mein rakunga!" Abhir asserted.

"Acha ji." Akshara teased.

"Haan Mama. Agar aap ne naam diya, toh iss baby ka naam ho ga Abhira kyunki yeh Akshara aur Abhinav ka baby hai. Par do do Abhir- boring hai. Yuck! MUND - main unique naam dunga." The trio burst into laughter.

"Akshara Birla, massive internal bleeding and hemorrhage," Nandini heard the ER nurse call out as they rolled Akshara's pale body on the stretcher. Abhimanyu, an 11-year-old Abhir, and a 4-year-old Ayra ran after her.

"What?" Nandini was flaborgasted. What are they doing in Bengaluru? She thought. Nandini didn't see their little family after the delivery. Nandini was offered to complete her fellowship in Benglaru, and she jumped at the chance.

"Falguni, Shantanu ko bolna main usse badh mein milungi," she ran off to the operation theatre.

Looking forward to reading your feedback! Credit to @Sehaaarr of War Of Hearts| Abhira FF ✔️ for the name Aaira; that's what they named Abhira's daughter in the fic and I thought it was so beautiful cause Akshara's Naira becomes Aaira but I also wanted to spell it differently so I wrote it as Ayra. So thank you for the inspo!!!!!!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry and if you made it to the end, yk why. In my head, Abhira stopped existing once Abhinav came in the picture. I enjoyed Abhira a lot in the first two leaps, I posted actively for them, I wrote for them, and they were adorable. But now, they're just two friends and co-parents in my head cause so much was said that I can't seem them as #Abhira anymore.

Very nice! I love the bonding!!

"Akshu, Akshu," Abhimanyu swatted his arms in the air with his eyes shut. The light was blazing through the room, ruining his lazy Sunday.

"Ab theek hai?" Abhimanyu squinted to take a peak. His babies, Abhir and Ayra, hopped onto the bed and stood up, blocking the sun for their Dadda. Ayra's eyes were all googly, and her little mouth drooled. His baby girl, barely two years old, wobbled and fell into Abhi's arms.

"Ayu," Akshara and Abhir shrieked in unison. Ayu landed in her father's arms, and her giggles were music to Abhimanyu's ears. Ayu snuggled into her father's chest, and Abhir soon joined.

"Ab roshni tumhe bother nahi kar rahi?" Akshara teased. Abhimanyu hummed as their babies fell asleep; both kids piled onto Abhimanyu's chest. Akshara gazed from afar. She'd never thought her heart would feel this full again.

"Bas dekhi rahogi ya hume join karogi?"

"Ayi," she closed the blinds and dug herself deep under covers with her little family.

"Dr. Abhimanyu? Abhimanyu?" Voices called out to him, shaking him out of his memories. Two doctors towered over him, scrubs drenched in blood. Akshara's blood. Abhimanyu rose and surged forward to find his Akshu. "Meri biwi kahan hai? Mujhe apni Akshu se milna hai! Where is she?" He plowed against the staff towards the operation theatre, but a petite female doctor blocked the day.

"Dr. Abhimanyu, Akshara is on the ventilator and she is fine right now. But we can't operate on her if you don't sign these consent papers."

"Consent? Kesi consent? You said she's fine! What is-"

"Abhimanyu," Abhimanyu couldn't understand her or any doctors. Beyond Akshara, his vision faltered, and his mind froze. Someone handed him a clipboard and a pen; he didn't know who. He sunk to the gown with the papers in his lap. A lone fell on her name.

Akshara Birla

Address: Kasauli

Injury: Septicemia in the left ventricle

Procedure: Heart Transplant

"Abhimanyu, are you sure? Hum abhi is lease se back out kar sakte hain." Akshara fret.

"Akshara, maine kaha na, main phir se tumhare inn sawalon ka jawab nahi dunga. Tum mujhe pe trust kyun karti ho?" Even with the furniture set up, the walls decorated, and their kids settled in their rooms, she contested their future in this home. He could handle everything, he told her, but her questions and her doubts pierced through his soul.

"Abhimanyu main tumhare intentions par shak nahi kar rahi hoon. Bas, mujhe tumhari fikar hai." She sighed. Caring for him was second nature for her. For so long, her saansein whispered his name. But after so much time apart, sharing that care with him felt intimidating. She felt naked in moments like these, unguarded because she knew the door to her heart, the piece of her that loved him, was opening again. "Tum Kasauli aur Udaipur mein travel karte karte itne thak jao ghe ki tumhari tabiyat karaab ho jayegi."

"Toh tum ho na? Mera khyaal rakhne ke liya?" He held her hand and looked into her eyes. His own were filled with sincerity and hope.

"Main hoon na." She conceded and wrapped her arms around his waist. He relished in her embrace. Recalling their marriage and their triumphs, he tightened his hold on her. Mujhe tumhare, Abhir, Ayra, aur Rooh ki kitni zaroorat hai tumhe shayad hi main kabhi baata paunga, he thought.

She breathed his cologne in and whispered, "hamesha". Main humari iss family ka aur tumhare iss dil ko kabhi bikhar ne nahi dungi, she promised.

His mind spiralled from the past to the present. His past was surreal and perfect. His present was a catastrophe he couldn't wrap his head around. The doctor, the female one, got him into the viewing gallery so he could observe the operation. Every move the doctor made sent him into a frenzy, inching closer to the glass to yell, "Be careful!"

"Dadda?" When he spun around, he saw Ayra and Abhir at the operation gallery door, with that doctor behind them.

"You shouldn't have brought them here," he mustered the words, "they shouldn't see their mother like this."

"They also shouldn't see their father like this," she renounced. The man before her was tormented and broken. His veins popped out on his forehead, his arms clenched, his eyes puffy and red. He resembled nothing of the confident boss she'd scatter away from at the Birla Hospital.

But she had no option.

She tried to console his kids. She got Abhir to hand him his phone and called Arohi to the city. She held Ayra's hand and put a brave face on when Ayra asked, "aap mumma ke dost ho?"

"Hmmmm," she nodded. "Main toh aapko bhi jaanti hoon. Aapko pata hai, jab aap itu si thi," she gestured a pinch with her fingers, "tab se mein aapko jaanti hoon."

"Kaise?" Ayra asked.

"Kyunki main aap ki Mumma ki doctor thi," Nandini smoothed Ayra's hair.

"Kya aap ki doctor phirse banogi?" Abhir interrupted them. His voice trembled as his world fell apart around him. His father was nowhere to be seen, and his Mumma lay unconscious on a stretcher somewhere.

"I'm sorry Abhir, main iss baar aapki Mumma ki help nahi kar sakti. Par, I know the doctors will do everything they can," she clasped Abhir's prayer hands in hers. "Dadda se miloge?" Nandini asked. They nodded feverishly.

"Ayu," Ayra ran into his arms, and he held onto her for dear life. This little girl was his angel; she brought back all the happiness he'd lost, and like Ruhi, she believed in him more than anyone.

"Sab log kahan hain?" Abhimanyu wondered. He came home from a long shift to a silent home. It put him at ease. With three young kids, silence was a rarity he'd never grow accustomed to. Ruhi would be shouting demands like a princess whenever she was over, and Abhir's football always broke something or the other. And all hell broke loose the day Ayra learned to talk because she never stopped after it. "Lagta hai yeh bhi singer banegi," Aarohi teased Akshara whenever she babysat her niece. He searched the entire home before he joined their guest home.

"Akshara?"

"Shhhh!!" The mother-son pair shushed him with vigour as their eyes were glued to the screen, watching Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Abhir was in Akshara's lap, and the two were enveloped in a blanket burrito.

"Arey," he mocked before looking down at the minion stuck to his leg. Ayra wrapped herself around his leg, the little toddler fitting perfectly. His heart beamed, and he popped them onto the recliner beside his wife and son. He swooped Ayra in his arms, and they watched the film together. Ayra and Abhimanyu giggled with little inside jokes while Akshara and Abhir rolled their eyes. "Chidkurani," Abhimanyu loved how easily she got irritated.

"Chidkuram," Akshara stuck her tongue out.

The solace Abhimanyu and Ayra found in each other did nothing to put Abhir's fears at rest. He stood anxiously at Abhimanyu's side, tapping his feet to distract himself. Images of his Papa's death played back in his mind, and he recoiled.

The loud beeping of Akshara's life support instilled panic in all the doctors. "Suction," the cardiac surgeon commanded, trying to stop the pool of blood from oozing out of her body. Abhimanyu could hear it from the balcony, his mind was yelling at him to do something, to rush down there and stitch her back up but his feet wouldn't move. He felt paralyzed; the only thing in his control was his daughter and to block his son's view. z