3 months later!!! 

Birla house lost its charm without Akshara. Akshara's absence was making itself known. Arav was the one who is most affected. Akshara has become his mother in the course of 1 year. He is missing his mother badly. But there was nothing he could do. His bhaiyya forgot how to smile. And he found it hard to forgive Akshara for that.

 Anya was also missing Akshara a lot. Not until then Anya realised how much dependent she has become on Akshara. 

Ajay was missing his banter with Akshara. He found a good friend in Akshara. Ajay generally doesn't offer anyone his friend ship. Once he does, he will not leave them. He already lost Neil Goenka. He tried very much to not offer Akshara his friendship. But he just couldn't stop himself. Now he is facing the consequences of it. He lost Akshara too. 

Ajay, Anya and Arav were doing their works sitting in Abhimanyu's room. They all gravitated to his room when ever they needed comfort. The room was a small middle class house in itself. Abhimanyu got it renovated that way observing his siblings gravitation towards his room. Abhimanyu was also working on a project. He was searching for a file but was not finding it. 

Abhimanyu shouted for Akshara as usual - Akshara!! Where is my file?

Remaining three looked up. This was the nth time their bhaiyya was doing this. It has been 2 and half months. Abhimanyu didn't realise yet - Akshara yaar. Kitni baar kaha maine. Files ko ek jagah rakhne ke liye.

Abhimanyu - Akshara........

Abhimanyu stopped dead in his tracks realising what he was doing. His eyes filled. He closed his eyes to blink back the tears and ran his hand through his hair out of frustration. He had to remind himself of what happened. 

He opened his eyes and found Anya standing in front of him with file. 

Anya gently - Why don't you take a break bhaiyya? You need it.

Abhimanyu smiled for Anya. But everyone in the room knew it was not their bhaiyya's real smile. That smile was lost since 2 and half months. Abhimanyu caressed Anya's hair - I am fine bacha. 

Abhimanyu sighed and looked at the remaining two - Acha. Kahi ghumne chale. Beach maybe?

Three of them agreed for their bhaiyya and they also need to calm themselves. 

Coming to the beech has become the worst decision of his life for Abhimanyu. It was no more soothing. All he could see was him and Akshara sitting there for hours and talking. 

Arav looked at his bhiayya. He knew beach must have reminded him of everything he is trying very hard to forget. He leaned into his bhaiyya's embrace. Abhimanyu pulled him closer. 

Anya looked at them. Her bhaiyya was trying to take comfort from Arav and that broke her heart into million pieces. Fate couldn't be this cruel. Abhimanyu Birla was very close to go onto his knees. Akshara had this effect on her bhaiyya. But she couldn't come to hate Akshara for whatever she did. Something was very wrong. Akshara is hiding something very big. WHAT? She wanted to ask. But it would only hurt her bhaiyya more. 

Birlas sat in silence for hours. No one realised what was the time. All they could see was the time they spent with Akshara. Abhimanyu looked at the waves. 

Memories clouded his vision....

Abhimanyu was waiting for Akshara to join him in the park. It has become their morning ritual. Generally morning time for Abhimanyu was only for Anya. They both jog together talking random things. Akshara didn't want to intrude their space. So, she goes to beach road for jogging. She knew how to give space. 

Abhimanyu also didn't want anyone intruding his time with Anya but he was ready to make changes in his life for Akshara. Anya was also ok with this. She didn't at all mind. For her Akshara was family and family can never intrude each other's space. It was their right. No big thing. 

But Akshara didn't want this to happen. One thing she understood very clearly from the day 1 was Abhimanyu's time management and his availability for his siblings all the time. Since Arav was the youngest and most pampered, he demanded most of the time and attention. Anya and Ajay also made sure their bhaiyya was always available for Arav. It was so natural for them to put Arav's needs before everything and anything. And Ajay's timetable is the most messiest one. But Abhimanyu always makes sure to sit with him for 1 hour everyday in the night during dinner or after dinner. Coming to Anya, The girl is so much like Abhimanyu that she never asks for anything. With Arav and Ajay, Abhimanyu never had any problem. They knew how and what to ask. But Anya is a completely different case. Abhimanyu had to take the efforts to understand her and fulfil her unasked needs. And the only time Anya will be Anya with Abhimanyu was early in the morning. She was so into jogging and fitness that Abhimanyu uses it to his advantage to talk and get things out of her. 

That is why Akshara offered not to join them in jog and told them she loved to jog at the beach and alone. Abhimanyu understood what Akshara was doing and was more than happy for her understanding. But Abhimanyu being Abhimanyu can't leave anyone like that. So, after their jogging is done, Abhimanyu and Akshara made it a routine to meet and spend 30 minutes together in the private park beside their house. Akshara does not go for jog daily. She goes every alternate day. She is one of those blessed people who need not  exercise everyday to keep themselves fit even after eating all junk. Even if she didn't go for a jog, she made sure to meet Abhimanyu daily. She loved that time with him. It felt so domestic to her.

Akshara came to the park and saw Abhimanyu, her Abhi sitting on a bench leaning backward with his neckband earphones, eyes closed. He looked so peaceful. So relaxed. She sat to the right of him lifting his hand putting her head on his left shoulder making herself comfortable. While Abhimanyu caged her in his hands. He could only be thankful that the park was private. A smile graced his lips. He opened his eyes and looked at Akshara. Her eyes were shining with happiness to be in his arms. He took out a bunch of 3 tulips and gave it to her. She smiled and took them kissing him on his cheek. Akshara absolutely loved this. Him bringing flowers for her everyday. Even though it is cliche and old school, she loved it. 

Akshara spoke - Aaj bade kush lag rahe hai aap? 

Abhimanyu - It has been exactly six months I saw you.

Akshara surprised - Aapko yaad tha?

Abhimanyu pulled her more into his embrace kissing her temple - Kyu yaad nahi hoga? One of the best days of my life. After a very long time, I was able to trust someone without any apprehensions. 

Akshara looked at him confused. After a long time?

Abhimanyu kissed her cheek and continued. She looked too cute - Jab se Sir ke bare mein mujhe pata chala hai na Akshara, I couldn't make myself to trust anyone. I was very young, may be 8,  when I got to know that my father abuses my mother, in many ways. I... I used to l...love him like anything Akshara.

Abhimanyu's voice choked. He never shared this information to anyone. It is very hard for him to share his vulnerabilities. Now that he had his Akshara with him, he didn't feel like putting a strong self. Akshara's eyes misted. She caught his hand and brought it close to her heart giving him her silent support. It was better he talked it out.

Abhimanyu blinked away the tears - He used to be my superhero. Ek bache ke liye apne baap hi superhero hota hai Akshara. I used to spend a lot of time with him. I used to play with him. I used to share my everything with him. But when I got to know he abuses my mother, something inside me broke which is still broken....

Abhimanyu swallowed the lump formed in his throat - Jab humare superhero superhero ki tarah behave nahi karte hain na, Akshara, Our whole belief system will be shaken. The man I used to admire, the man to whom I used to look upto, the man like whom I wanted to become was not that man anymore. 

Tears were flowing down from Abhimanyu's eyes. But Akshara didn't stop him. Abhimanyu - But you know the saddest part, Akshara?

Abhimanyu looked at Akshara - I couldn't come to hate him even after knowing the truth.

Abhimanyu's voice was shaking - Mai unse nafrat hi nahi karpaya Akshara. How could I? He was my father Akshara, my everything at that time. You know what I did?

Akshara gently - What?

Abhimanyu gave a smile. A sad traumatic smile. Akshara's heart broke more even if that is possible - I tried to talk to him. Maine unhe samjhane ki har koshish ki. I asked him, begged him....... even blackmailed him. But that man..... didn't change. Mujhe laga vo mujhse pyar karte hai Akshara. I thought he would stop all this atleast for my love....... But he never did. Dheere dheere mujhe bhi samaj mein aagaya ki vo insaan mujhse..... pyar nahi karte hai. The realisation that he didn't love me enough to stop abusing my mother broke me like anything.

Akshara hugged him tightly. She herself was crying. Her Abhi didn't deserve this. Any 8 year old boy didn't deserve this. Abhimanyu Birla just didn't know how not love. The fact that he tried giving his father a chance says it all. She thought she would stay strong to listen to him. But she just couldn't.

Abhimanyu pulled back and wiped away her tears shaking his head - From then, I used to think 100 times before trusting anyone. Lekin jab maine tumhe pehli baar dekha, pata nahi par tumpe bharosa na karne ka khayal bhi nahi aaya mujhe. I gave you my trust from the second I saw you Akshara. 

Akshara gently - And I promise, I will not make you regret doing that.

Abhimanyu smiled and kissed her forehead - Mujhe doubt bhi nahi hai Akshara. I trust you with my life. 

Abhimanyu was snapped out of his thoughts when Ajay shook him. He got startled and looked at him blankly. Ajay gently - Raat hogayi hai bhaiyya. Chale?

Abhimanyu looked at his surroundings and realised it was too late. He looked down and saw Arav sleeping peacefully in his embrace. He kissed his forehead and lifted him without disturbing him. Ajay drove with Anya in passenger seat while Abhimanyu sat back with Arav in his lap cuddled into him like a baby.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but think about Akshara. Why did she do that? How could she? What is she not telling him? He looked at Arav and caressed his face. If she only hurt him, he would have given her 1000 chances. But she hurt his child. Something that is very hard for him to digest. He knew whatever she did was on purpose. She wantedly did all that to make him push her away. He knew it. But she shouldn't have hurt Arav. He is still waiting for her to come back and tell him why she did all that. What might be the reason that she hurt the boy she considered her own child? He wanted to go to her and ask all these. But he couldn't do that. She crossed a line from which there is no coming back. She should retrace her steps herself. And he will wait. Even if it is for a life time. 

That night, no one had appetite to have dinner. And Abhimanyu was in no state to make all of them eat. He was exhausted. Mentally and physically. Arav is already asleep on his bed clutching his shirt tightly. He leaned down and slept while Arav snuggled more into him. Abhimanyu slept with a hope that the next day Akshara would come back. 

Your favourite part?

SATHVIKA!!