Chapter 11
Next morning Abhimanyu Wakes up and sees Akshara is not in the room. He panics and thinks was yesterday just a dream. He checks the washroom but it's empty. He moves out of the room and sees Akshara is downstairs but what was she doing downstairs so early in the morning. He observes her. Akshara knocks Neil's room.
Neil(sleepy voice): bhabhi what happened? Is everything fine?
Akshara: I knew it, both of you will forget. Its 8 already you have an appointment at 9.
Neil: ohhh it totally skipped my mind. Thanks bhabhi. I will just now wake Nimisha.
Akshara: ok but now this attitude of yours won't work, you have to be more responsible.
Neil:no actually I was working on a presentation so I slept late.
Akshara: ok leave now. And she goes back to her room and sees Abhimanyu at the door.When did you wake up?
Abhimanyu: just now when you weren't here. How do you manage all these things?
Akshara: what things?
Abhimanyu: the thing you did downstairs.
Akshara: ohhh, you saw me.
Abhimanyu: yes
Akshara: it’s nothing. You go and freshen up. You have to leave for office.
He goes. She takes his clothes from the closet, keeps them on bed and goes to kitchen. In the meantime he comes out of the washroom and smiles seeing his clothes on the bed along with a tie. She comes back with his coffee.
Akshara: your coffee. You get ready till then I will freshen up.
Abhimanyu: ok.
She comes out with her hair wrapped in towel and kept to one side. He is all dressed up and having his coffee.
Abhimanyu: finally after 4 days I am having a good coffee.
Akshara(raising his collar): I didn’t get you.
Abhimanyu: nobody makes coffee like this.
Akshara(making him wear the tie): can I say something
Abhimanyu(unknowingly holds her by her waist as she is talking and making him wear the tie): of course. Why are you asking?
Akshara: I was saying if you could reduce workload for Neil. This time he should spend maximum time with Nimisha. She needs him more.
Abhimanyu(pulling her cheek with one hand still on her waist): as you say madam. He realizes their position and steps back and murmurs a sorry to her.
Akshara: why are you saying sorry? I am your wife and you know what for the first time I enjoyed making you wear the tie.
Abhimanyu: what does that mean?
Akshara: that means you have never reacted like this before. I used to feel I am making a statue wear a tie.
Abhimanyu(feeling very bad): I am extremely sorry. What minuscule happiness had I deprived you of?
Akshara: it’s ok now. You only said na we will start afresh. Come let’s have breakfast.
Manjari: you know what Akshara, this is the first time he has sat with us and had breakfast with us in the past 4 days.
Akshara gives him a look and he murmurs a sorry. After the breakfast he leaves and for the first time he says bye to her. Akshara and maa are sitting in the Hall. Neil and Nimisha arrive but nimi is extremely sad.
Akshara(worried): is everything fine Neil? What did the doctor say?
Neil:everything is fine. Nimisha is two months pregnant.
Akshara(hugging Nimisha): why are you upset? All good.
Neil: bhabhi her mom is coming over.
Akshara(feels a bit low but for nimisha keeps silent): so why are you upset, it’s a good thing.
Neil: bhabhi please now you always do this and let go of this.
Akshara: you also. You should make her understand and you are supporting her.
Nimisha: you always do this Di. You know na if Bhaiya found out anything, he won't bear it.
Akshara: every time your mom comes we have this discussion and I always tell you that Abhimanyu won't know a thing.
Nimisha: di...
Akshara: shhhh. Now listen to me, whatever it is, it's between me and your mom. So I will handle it. Now you are pregnant you shouldn't take unnecessary stress. See if you are worried then I will shift to my father's house, till your mom is here. Happy?
Neil:no why will you go and what will you tell bhai that why are you going.
Just then there is a knock.
Akshara: yes
Person:mam this is a parcel for Abhimanyu Sir. He has asked you to call him.
Akshara: ok thank you.
Manjari: who was it Akshara?
Akshara: maa its Abhimanyu's parcel. Nimi you go and rest and stop thinking about this please.
She goes to her room and calls Abhimanyu.
Akshara: hello, you have a parcel.
Abhimanyu: open it but don't disconnect the call.
Akshara: wow this is beautiful, but what is this for? It’s a beautiful red gown.
Abhimanyu: you liked it?
Akshara: of course I did.
Abhimanyu: ok then get ready and wear it but promise me you won't come out of your room till 9pm.
Akshara: what is this? Why are you doing it?
Abhimanyu: promise me you will do as I am saying.
Akshara: ok bye.
The clock strikes 9. She is completely ready. She has tied her hair in a bun. He enters the room and he just stops when he looks at her. His mouth is wide open.
Abhimanyu: wow. You are looking very beautiful.
He takes kajal from her eyes and applies it behind her ear. She smiles at his gesture.
Akshara: now can you please enlighten me as to why I am ready like this.
Abhimanyu: yes I can but let me get ready first. Keep my clothes ready.
They both are ready now and he takes her down but places his hand on her eyes.
Akshara: what are you doing please tell me now.
Abhimanyu takes her down and she is shocked to see that the entire house is decorated beautifully. He leaves her and goes to the stage. Pooja comes to Akshara.
Akshara: you here? What's going on?
Pooja: this was all jiju's plan.
Abhimanyu: ladies and gentlemen I welcome you all. Ihave organized this party for a very special person.
Meanwhile Akshara sees her batchmates from university her teachers and she is shocked thinking what her husband is up to. She spots Viren (her batchmate) in the crowd.
Akshara: oh my god. Whats he doing here? If Abhimanyu gets to know about him, he will surely kill him. Now what should I do.
Abhimanyu: I want you to meet a very important person of my life. A person who has stood by me always in every problem at every step. A person who didn't use my name till now because she wanted to do something on her own. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Dr. Akshara Abhimanyu Birla, my wife.
Everyone claps. Akshara's batch mates are shocked and Viren breaks a glass and is staring both Akshara and Abhimanyu who are on the stage. Abhimanyu notices this. Everybody congratulates them.
Abhimanyu: who is he Akshara? (Pointing towards Viren)
Akshara: leave all this, tell me what was the need to do this and how did you manage it?
Abhimanyu: because I wanted all of them to know my wife and how. Pooja helped me in inviting your teachers and friends (pulling her cheek).
Viren gets angry seeing this. Abhimanyu notices this and he gets irritated. Hed ecides to ask Akshara after the party.
Nimisha(hugging Akshara): Didi mummy is not coming, her flight got cancelled. Yayyy
Abhimanyu: what happened, why are you so happy that your mother isn't coming.
Akshara(glaring at Nimisha): nothing she is putting a brave face for us so that we don't feel she is unhappy.
The party finishes Abhira are in their room.
Akshara: thank you so much for this. It means a lot.
Abhimanyu: it's ok. This is just the beginning madam.BTW you didn't tell who that guy in the party was?
Akshara(sweating): now what should I tell him?
Abhimanyu: is everything fine Akshara?
Akshara: yes.
Abhimanyu: then why are you looking worried?
Akshara(fumbling): act....actu..actually...
Abhimanyu(holding her hands): all ok?
Akshara: actually I. I mean..
Abhimanyu: Akshara you are testing my patience. I am getting worried. Say it.
Akshara(in one go): actually Viren had proposed me that's it.
Abhimanyu(leaves her hand): what do you mean by that's it? Do you think it’s some kind of a joke (in a very angry tone)? He breaks the glass with his hand and it starts bleeding.
Akshara(holding his hand): listen to me. See what you have done.
Abhimanyu(releasing his hand): how dare he propose Abhimanyu Birla's wife. How could he even think about proposing Akshara Birla? Meri biwi k aas paas aane k baare main usne socha bhi kaisa. He is about to punch the mirror but she comes in between and hugs him tight.
Akshara(holding him tight and rubbing his back): relax why are you hurting yourself?Come sit we will talk about this.
Abhimanyu: no I won't talk about it. I will not spare him.
Akshara(holding his hand with tears in her eyes): see what you have done. This is the reason I didn't answer you in the party because I knew you will get angry and do something like this.
She gets the first aid box and does his dressing.
Abhimanyu(after the dressing is done): did he bother you a lot? (Wiping her tears)
Akshara: no and he didn't propose your wife.
Abhimanyu: what do you mean?
Akshara: for him I was Akshara Goenka, his colleague. Is it hurting?
Abhimanyu: I am sorry but I couldn't control myself. I couldn't bear the fact that somebody talked to you like that.
Akshara: ok now sleep. You might be tired with managing this party and all.
Abhimanyu: amidst all this I forgot to ask about Nimisha. What did the doctor say?
Akshara: nothing much. Everything is fine. She is 2 months pregnant.
Abhimanyu: ok. Thats good. You too sleep now.
Akshara: yes and faces towards him.
Abhimanyu(with open arms): can you come here Akshara, please.
Akshara smiles at him and puts her head on his chest and holds his injured right hand in her hand and kisses it.
Abhimanyu: thanks and envelopes his left hand around her. Darr jaata hun tumhe khone k khayal se b.
Akshara: I am here only. I won't go anywhere.
With that they both sleep.
Love Shay
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P.S.What do you think is between Akshara and Nimi's Mother?
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