Chapter 11
kyun tune meri fursat ki
kyun dil mein itni harkat ki
ishq mein itni barkat ki
Akshara stirred, blearily blinking away the remnants of sleep. The sight that greeted her had her wondering if she was still dreaming. Doctor Abhimanyu Birla, her senior, her mentor, her Akdu-manyu slept inches from her. His face, which she had only ever seen as tensed, focused, stern or annoyed, was relaxed for once. He slept with his lips slightly parted, looking much younger and carefree than she'd ever seen him. Akshu could've spent an eternity just observing him. But then she noticed the position she was in. That they were in.
He half laid-half sat on the couch in his cabin and she was practically cradled against him. His left arm was wound tightly around her middle, and his right hand held her left hand clasped on his chest. Her face burnt a thousand shades of red as she tried to remember how they ended up in this position.
After the.......events of last night, he'd held her till she'd calmed down, before ordering her to stay and wait for him while he made sure "Akshay was tended to". She didn't know what that meant and quite frankly she didn't want to know either. She'd seen the murderous look in Abhimanyu's eyes when he'd ripped Akshay off of her. If there is anything she trusted in this world, it was that Abhi will take care of it.
Abhi always took care of it. Took care of her. She'd always known that, hadn't she? Subconsciously, she knew that as long as she was with Abhi, she will be okay. Yesterday was the first time she had needed her anxiety pills in months. He loaded her with work and berated her every mistake. He never let her slack off and pinpointed her every action. Logically speaking, he should have set off every single one of her anxieties. But he never did. Because even at her worst, he was there - strong, steady and dependable. Strict, so so strict, but also soft and careful. Possessive, so so possessive, but also protective to a fault. Her heart always knew that she was safe. Ever since that first time he had caught her from falling when she crashed into him, he had been a constant in her life. Akshu hadn't had a constant since....since her parents. A constant who spoke of safety, and comfort. A promise. A home.
She tried to discreetly wipe the tear that had formed in her eyes when the movement caused him to wake.
Abhimanyu felt his arms constrict as he looked at her. Her eyes were a little glassy but she was looking at him like she was seeing him for the first time. She didn't break their eye contact, like she normally did and he felt his heart pick up its pace.
He hadn't had it in him to let her leave his sight last night. He knew eventually he'd have to return her to the world, but he couldn't that soon. After returning to his cabin he'd found her on the couch - her couch - with her eyes closed in a restless sleep. She was muttering and rubbing at her bare arms and he'd felt his heart break. He wanted to march back out and break Akshay's neck. Instead, he'd picked her up and sat down in her place, holding her and stroking her hair till she settled in his arms. He didn't remember the last time his mind was this conflicted. He never wanted to let her go. In fact, he didn't think he physically could let her go now. Not after last night.
She'd been hurt.
His Akshu had been hurt.
He had to remind himself that she was here right now, she was with him, in his arms. She was safe. She was okay.
Pushing her body up a little he let himself bury his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. She tensed for just a second before relaxing against him and hid her face in his neck. "Jasmine" he muttered.
"Hm?" she asked, not raising her head.
"Why do you smell like jasmine?" he asked drowsily. "What happened to the hibiscus?"
She shrugged non committedly, muttering something unintelligible against his neck. He ran his hands through her hair, as they both allowed themselves to be held.
They should get up, and they will, in a few seconds. But for this moment, and this moment alone, they were the only two that exist in this world. And in that moment of crystal clear clarity, Abhimanyu knew what he had to do.
Akshu avoided his eyes as she stepped out of the bathroom. She'd changed into the spare set she kept in the hospital and checked her messages to make sure her family wasn't freaking out. She knew she should probably tell them about last night, but she didn't want to. Right now she had more pressing matters.
The most important one was currently standing with his back to her, stretching his back leisurely. She tried not to look at the sliver of hard planes that were revealed when his shirt rose up a little. What was happening to her?
Her level of comfort with him was surprising. She'd never been so close to a man, and yet their proximity didn't make her nervous or fidgety at all. On the contrary, being in his arms was addictive. She didn't want to leave.
"Gather your things," he said, "I'm dropping you home."
"Arre, it's okay. Mein chali jaaungi" she said. She needed to get away and figure things out. Being close to him was dangerous right now. There was something different in his eyes right now. Something intense.
"Akshu. I said I'm dropping you. Besides, I need to talk to your family anyway."
She looked at him in alarm. He wasn't going to tell them, right?
"Talk to my family? You're not going to tell them, right?"
"I am. They should be the first ones to know" he said, with a soft smile on his face.
"Abhi! Mein bata doongi kuch time ke baad. Tum kya bologe unhe?" she asked exasperated.
"Yahi" he smirked "that you're marrying me."
"Acha oh- WHAT?!"
Oooooops
Story's finally moving where we all wanted it to move. I swear, this is the slowest burn I have every written.
God I'm so sorry I missed the sunday update, but I had 2 exams on monday and I was severly underprepared for both of them. I have another test tomorrow, but I made the mistake of opening IF and got flooded with all of your comments. So here it is. A very late update, but an update nonetheless.
Do tell me if you liked it, and what do you think's gonna happen next *rubs hands together*
Chapter 12 - Page 48
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Current Affairs
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