Zaalima - Story Completed - Page 8

Kis Morh Te

With one last dance to Buddhu Sa Mann, Birla's annual children's Christmas party concluded. Everyone was brought onto the dance floor, including a reluctant Harshvardan and a buoyant Manish. Manish circled Harsh like a shark before taking his hand in a rather intimate slow dance. For Aarohi's sake, he couldn't quarrel with Harsh, but that didn't mean Manish couldn't embarrass and mortify Harsh in other ways.

"Thank you," the kids gushed as they enveloped Vansh' Santa,' Akshara, and Abhimanyu in a bear group hug. The impact of the hug propelled Akshara into Abhimanyu's arms. It was moments like these where time fell still, and she gazed into his eyes as if they were the best present she could ever get. Haider called it her Harlequin Romance face. Akshara thought he was teasing her until he explained that it was the best she could ever look. You look like a woman in love, and there is nothing more precious than that, Akshu. Don't let it go.

She could have admired him forever if she hadn't seen Kairav's face twitch in concern.

"Sorry," she murmured, her voice barely visible over the cheers of the kids and the music in the background.

Abhimanyu coughed as he straightened himself out. "Okay, kids. It's way past your bedtime so let's go back." The kids put up a fight to stay back, grumbling and stomping their feet cutely, before a yawn escaped them. Vansh offered to escort the children back to their hospital beds with the orderlies, but Aarohi insisted he stay around for her announcement.

Aarohi didn't know where to begin. Well, she did, but standing in front of both families and knowing what she was about to admit to was nerve-wracking. Everyone's attention was on her. The Goenka's had questions in their eyes. Harsh and Mahima's eyes and tapping feet indicated impatience with her conduct. Abhimanyu's attention wasn't on her, as always. And Akshara. What was in Akshara's eyes? Was it fear, concern, heartache, or something else entirely? Something Akshara never shared?

"Aarohi, is everything alright?" Akhilesh asked.

Oh, AG, she thought, always the first to come to my aid. To defend me and support me. Will you love me the same, or will my choices disgust you?

"Dr. Aarohi, get on with it," Mahima chastised.

"Main ye shaadi nahi kar sakti (I can't marry him)," she blurted out. Her voice bounced off the walls. The joyous ambiance from the party was long gone. In its dust were the Goenka's and Birla's gaping faces.

Thud! A mop hit the ground. The custodians looked like deers caught in headlights.

Harsh's brain went wild with questions. When did they arrive? How much did they hear? Would they tell the press what they heard? These custodians were a PR nightmare for Harsh.

"I'm so sorry, Sir," a custodian apologized profusely.

"Can you guys come back in a few minutes?" Aarohi requested the cleaning staff, "we're having a personal discussion."

"Kya kaha tumne?" Manish questioned when the door shut.

"Main ye shaadi nahi kar sakti," she repeated, much slower this time, enunciating each word.

"Sach?" Kairav, Neil, and Haider's faces gleamed with delight when Aarohi nodded. If pissed-off elders didn't surround them, the trio, along with Maya, would've started dancing like bharati.

Aarohi braced herself for their disdain.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Harsh demanded.

"Shaadi koi gudda gudiyon ka khel nahi hai Aarohi, ek pal haan keh diya aur dusre pal inkaar! (Marriage isn't a game Aarohi)," Manish shouted.

"Do you know how serious this is?" Akhilesh exclaimed. His shrill voice stung Aarohi's heart. She wasn't used to being reprimanded by AG.

"And you called us crazy? Said our son flip-flops! Look at your granddaughter, calling off the wedding so late!" Harsh and Manish went back-to-back. Swarna and Manjari tried to intervene and calm them but to no avail.

Thwack! The noisy sound of Kairav's gift striking the floor got Manish and Harsh's attention. "Pehle Aarohi se uski wajah to jaan lo. Phir ek dusre se jee bhar ke lar le na (First let Aarohi explain herself. Then, you can fight to your heart's content)." He went up to his sister and asked her softly. "Bolo, Aaru. Main hoon na tumhare saath."

"He doesn't love me, Bhaiya. How can I marry him if he doesn't love me." In a much smaller voice, she said, "I can't do that to Akshu." Kairav was taken aback. Her vacant black eyes looked so sincere, so rueful. When Aarohi's walls were down, he'd see anger or anxiety in her movements - a twitch, restless leg, or breaking something in a tantrum. But her eyes were never this vulnerable.

"You knew that before. What changed?" Harsh clenched his fists.

"What changed is I can't reject an internship at AAIMs on the gamble that one day, he'll warm up to me."

"Tum Abhimanyu ko ek job ke liya chor rahi ho? (You're abandoning him for a job?) This is ridiculous," a wry smile slid on Mahima's face.

Manjari paced around the room while Parth tried to still her. "I don't believe this. Jo ladki itna pyaar karti hai ki woh mere Abhi ke liya aag mein khud jaaye woh usse ek job ke liya kaise chor sakti hai? (How can the girl who jumped into a fire to save Abhi leave him for a job)."

Anand, Swarna, and Suhasini begged the same question while Akshara's eyes forewarned Aarohi to stay quiet. Yeh sahi jagah nahi hai iss baat ke liya (this isn't the right place to have that conversation).

"Main woh ladki ho hi nahi (I'm not that girl). Woh din, apni jaan pe khel kar Abhimanyu ko Akshara ne bachaya tha, maine nahi." Manjari gasped.

Aarohi turned toward Abhimanyu before continuing, "aur uss din Manjari Aunty ki liya pooja bhi Akshu ne ki thi. Maine bas ase hi credit le liya."

Abhimanyu couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Kya?"

"Haan Abhimanyu. You wanted to know what she said to convince me to bring her to the Ruby hearing? It was, "agar woh mere liya pyaar mein barbaad hone ke liya tayaar hai toh main bhi uski mohabbat mein badnaam hone ke liya raazi ho," Kairav chimed in.

"Tumne mujhe jhoot bola (you lied to me)."

"Abhimanyu woh-"

Before Aarohi could plead her case and beg for his forgiveness, Abhimanyu clutched Akshara's shoulders with a pained expression. "Tumne mujhse jhoot bola woh bhi baar baar (you lied to me repeatedly)," he roared.

"Abhi-" Akshara beseeched, wilting in his grip.

"Abhi kehne ka haq un logo ka hai jo mujhse pyaar karte hai (only the people who love me can call me Abhi)," Akshara stumbled back when Abhimanyu released her. "Aur jo dard tumne mujhe diya hai, woh toh koi dushman bhi na de (my worst enemy wouldn't cause me as much pain as you did)."

"Abhi," Akshara wailed, "I'm sorry."

"Don't," he walked backwards without breaking eye contact. His eyes spoke more than words ever could. Stained red and brimming with tears, it was a miracle that he could still walk after having the ground beneath his feet shake. He stormed out of the hospital with Neil and Parth trailing after him, fearing kahin ye kuch kar na de (fearing that he'll do something to hurt himself).

Akshara fell to the floor. Her cries were unstoppable as the two families clashed over who was to blame for this tamasha.

...

It was an unprecedented morning at the Goenka Villa. Not only was Aarohi being condemned for her vices, but Akshara wasn't coming to her defence. Her elder sister shut herself in her room, unconsolable since Abhimanyu left. Of course, Maya and Haider waited outside Akshara's room to ensure she was okay while the entire family dealt with Aarohi.

"Just shut up, Aarohi!" Akhilesh screamed. Amongst all the Goenka's, Akhilesh was the most hurt by Aarohi's betrayal. He went out on a limb and defied his brother for her, and this is how she returned the favour. "Tumhe eshaas bhi hai tumne kya kiya hai (Do you realize what've you've done)?"

"Akhilesh shaant ho jao," Suhasini urged.

"Nahi Maa. Aaj nahi. After all she put us through, put Akshara through, she expects us to support her internship in Delhi? Impossible. She's running away from the consequences."

"Let her go, Akhilesh. Let her experience life without a doting family and a devoted sister, where she'll have to clean up her own messes. Maybe then she'll learn to value what she has." Manish looked ashamed. "Waise bhi, itne saalon se Akshara ko apne se door rakha jab uski koi galti nahi thi (we separated Akshara from ourselves for years when she was innocent)."

"Bade Papa-"

"Nahi Aarohi. I don't want to hear anything." Like his granddaughter, Manish spent the morning in solitude. Agar ho sake toh hume maaf kardo Naira. Tumhari beti ko hum kabhi samaj na paye. Waqt se pehle hi usse bada kar diya. Kaha ki ab Sirat na sahi, toh tum hi Aarohi ki maa ban ke qurbaani de do. (If possible, forgive us, Naira. We never understood your daughter. When Sirat died, we told Akshara to take on the responsibilities of Aarohi's mother when we shouldn't have. She was just a kid.) We're just as much to blame as Aarohi. I'm sorry.

"Akshu, can I come inside?" Everyone tried and pleaded for Akshara to open the door. Many came up and apologized, but Akshara didn't budge until she heard Aarohi's faint knock and repentant appeal.

Aarohi's breath hitched when she saw Akshara's state - pale, cheeks swollen, and nose stuffed, as she'd just been crying.

"Aaru," Akshara leaped into her sister's arms. "Ye tune kya kiya Aaru? Aur kyun kiya? (What did you do? And why?)" She questioned amidst sobs.

"I did what I should've done in the beginning. I'm sorry Akshu. I'm sorry for everything."

"He hates me, Aaru. He hates me." Aarohi tightly clutched her sister as they both wept together - one cried for breaking an innocent heart while the other cried for her sins.

I was hard-pressed for which song I wanted to use as inspo or background music for this chapter. I narrowed it down to Qismat and Kis Mor Pe. Tell me in the comments if you think I did right by these characters.

Personally, I wonder if I should've been harder on Aarohi because I remember reading and agreeing with tweets where everyone was like "Abhi is going to kill Aarohi for her lies". But then, I thought back to the Tilak where he let her slide cause Aarohi didn't matter to him. Its what Akshara thought that mattered and it was Akshara's betrayal that pinched him the most.

Read just now on wattpad

Loved it ❤❤

This was expected reaction from Abhi but finally se confessed and its good thay she will be focusing on her career

Waiting for next update already 😁

I am speechless.. Will come back later and comment

Is that a good speechless or I want you delete this chapter rn it’s terrible but I’m too nice to say that so I won’t say anything speechless 😂

Originally posted by: RinSimGur

Is that a good speechless or I want you delete this chapter rn it’s terrible but I’m too nice to say that so I won’t say anything speechless 😂

🤣🤣 It is very very very good..

A phenomenal writer, take a bow 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

What amazing chapters you've given us. Loved reading both of them.

And how Aarohi's redemption was so smooth, like how anyone who has a conscience would have. I knew that someday, someday she'll realise that being in this kind of relationship has no future.

And, how you handled everything was beautiful. Because, you are right, Abhi's anger wouldn't be towards Aarohi, because she never mattered. You get mad at people you love. You care about. And, that's why, he would be more disappointed in Akshu.

I wonder how they'll cross this bridge. She didn't trust him at all, and that's a hard thing to cope with

Can't wait to read what is in store. I'll be heartbroken when this ends.

❤️❤️

I loved it 🥰 it was emotional,I felt bad for Arohi when she said he doesn’t love her.She might hv done many things wrong but even then it touched my heart.Waiting anxiously now for the next part.Pls put it up soon 😁💖

Maahi Ve

Akshara tried to talk to Abhimanyu all week. Tried to grab a moment with him alone so she could justify herself, quash his hostility, but it didn't happen. He didn't actively avoid her - he wouldn't change paths if he saw her in the hallway or request someone else handle cases she was involved in. He just looked right through her. His indifference irked her the most. Before, his eyes made her feel alive, made her feel seen. Now, she felt as if she didn't exist.

Where words fail, music speaks. This was her last chance, she thought to herself before strumming the first chord. Abhimanyu, along with the Birla clan, the Goenka's, patients, and some hospital staff, were the audience of her New Year's performance in the hospital wing.

Tujhe chaha Rabb se bhi zyada

Tujhe chaha Rabb se bhi zyada

Phir bhi na tujhe paa sake

Rahe tere dil mein magar

Teri dhadkan tak na jaa sake

Akshara's voice was renowned for its' melodious and sweet sound. Whoever had the pleasure of listening to her was transported into the field of pastel flowers and soft sunrays.

That night, the girl on the mike was not the gentle princess everyone cherished but a wounded tigress. The anguish in her heart radiated through her raspy voice.

Judke bhi tooti rahi ishqe di dor ve

Kisko sunaaye jaa ke toote dil ka shor ve

His was the only face in the crowd she cared for. The tears that threatened to slip were just for him. She was just for him.

maahi ve mohabbatan sachiyan ne

mangda naseeba kujh hor ae

It was stifling in that crowd. The sympathetic looks were aggravating, but Akshara's tears he couldn't stand. Maat saato mujhe ase. Tum jaante ho main tumhe ase nahi dekh sakta (Don't torture me like this. You know I can't see you in pain).

His apathetic mask couldn't hold its own in that room, so he fled to his office. To his misfortune, Akshara's voice followed him there. It wasn't as potent, but it was there.

"Agar bura na maano, toh main kuch keh sakti hoon (If you don't mind, can I say something)?" Aarohi's voice struck him. Abhimanyu didn't expect anyone to follow him. When it came to Akshara, he was a volatile bomb whose explosion would spare no one. He fell to his chair and steadied his breathing.

She took his silence as permission. "Uski galati nahin hai. Jo kuch hua, meri wajah se hua. Toh usko saza maat do (She's not at fault. I'm responsible for everything that happened. So, don't punish her)."

Abhimanyu huffed, but she still continued.

"People say 'you can't see your reflection in boiling water, just like you can not see the truth in a state of anger. When the water calms, the clarity comes.' I spent my life staring at the smoke and haze of fire. That fire was Akshara. Our entire lives, she drained herself for me. Tum kab uska hissa ban gaya, usse pata hi nahi chala. Aur apne saath, usne tumhe bhi jaala diya, unjaane mein (She didn't know when you became an extension of herself. Unknowingly, she burnt you along with her). She thought the flames would light my dark soul, not recognizing that all it did was cloud my judgement. I didn't look beyond the fire to acknowledge the favours, privileges, and sacrifices my sister made. She was a kid just like me, yet I blamed her for our mother's death, belittled her, and pushed her away until she forgot to live life for herself. But we're trying."

"Dr. Aarohi, I don't care about your relationship with your sister. I'm glad everything's okay with you guys, but this has nothing to do with me," Abhimanyu slammed his desk.

"It has everything to do with you. If you want to love her, then you have to know her. You have to listen to what she says and see her for who she is. She's broken Abhimanyu. I know that because I ruined her the most. Don't penalize her for acting out of trauma."

Abhimanyu was agitated. His breathing was manic, and his hands were trembling.

"Dr. Aarohi, you're here to work, not to discuss personal matters."

"My last shift at this hospital ended an hour ago, so nothing is stopping me from having this conversation with you. And I'm not the only one. Abhimanyu, in the next few days, people will come to you and plead her case. Haider and Maya are going to see you before they leave. Bade Papa will put his self-respect aside and try to talk to Harsh Uncle for your marriage, but none of that matters until you give each other a chance."

Cheers erupted in the hospital, and fireworks boomed in the city as the clock hit 12. "Happy New Dr. Abhimanyu. Umeed hai ki iss naya saal mein tum tumhare aur Akshara ki rishte koi ek nayi shurvat donge (I hope you and Akshara start afresh in this new year). I'm sorry once again." Aarohi left Abhimanyu to rejoin her family.

Akshara and Abhimanyu felt more alone than ever in a building full of hundreds of people. A new year was beginning, yet the two were lost in their past and submerged in their heartache.

Happy New Year Abhimanyu, Akshara gazed at the stars.

❤️❤️can’t wait for them to talk it out and live happily ever after😍😍

Tumhara Abhi, Tumhari Aksku

Abhimanyu was emotionally and physically exhausted when he entered his cabin on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022. Since the New Year began, he drowned himself in his work with back-to-back surgeries and patient consultations. He drowned everyone else out, and maybe he got too good at it. Perhaps that's why he couldn't hear her sweet voice in the hospital hallways anymore.

His rage turned to bitterness when he realized she had stopped trying to get back in his life. I shouldn't be surprised, he thought, if she could leave me for her sister, what's preventing her from vacating my life now.

He settled into the lounge chair and reached for headphones to find a beige envelope that replaced them. He knew that whimsical handwriting from his birthday sticky note. Akshara. He quickly shreds open the envelope and begins reading.

Kaise ho, Abhi?

Don't squint your eyes; you read it right the first time. You're Abhi, not some koi-bhi for me. Shayad meri baaton ka yakeen na ho tumhe par sach toh yehi hai (maybe you don't believe me, but it's the truth).

Bear with me. I know I'm the last person you want to hear from lekhin main apni mann ki baat kehne ka mauka nahi chod sakti (I couldn't lose the opportunity to say what's on my mind).

I was 9 when I learned my biological mother was Naira Singhania-Goenka. My deepest regret was that I never got the chance to know and love her like I did Sirat Mumma. I spent time with Sirat Mumma to learn her quirks and feelings but not with Maa. She never got to tell me her tale. So, I settled for the next best thing. I'd hassle stories out of Naksh Mammu and Maa's students on vacations. Everyone talked so fondly of her. They said her dance was enchanting, her energy was vibrant, and she held the world together. Maa ko sab sherni bulate the (everyone called Maa a tigress)! When I was 10, I decided to write letters to Maa. I'd describe my adventures and thoughts in those letters so she'd always be in the loop. So she'd hear my story from me.

Maa once told Papa she'd never die because Kairav Bhaiya and I carried her spirit. I'd like to believe that's where I got my music from. That my voice was the music, she danced to, even before I came into this world. I like to think I can still feel her presence.

Humare rishta mujhe Maa ki yaad dilata hai. Jab se hum mile, hum ek dusre ko mehsoos kiya, chaha, par ek dusre ko jaan na paye.

Kaise jaante, itni jaldi mein sab hua ki galti fehmi ki gubare mein hum sab faas gaya (Our relationship is reminencent of my relationship with Maa. Despite the moments we shared and our feelings, we never really got to know each other. How could we? With everything happening so fast, we got trapped in a bubble of misunderstandings). I don't want to regret not knowing you, Abhimanyu Birla. I don't want to write letters you'll never read to keep you in my life.

You know, before Aarohi left, she apologized and said she understood that Sirat Mumma's death was an accident. I believe her. I do. But I know our relationship has a long way to go, kyunki dil ke gau itni jaldi nahi barte (because old wounds don't heal that fast).

I think the same applies to you and me. We need time. Time to forgive each other, know each other, and grow together. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to be ready to give us that time, Abhi. Until then, take care, and I love you.

Aur haan, tumhare headphones maine drawer ke undar rakh diya (Your headphones are in the drawer).

Tumhare Akshu

Tear stains coated the letter. Some of the tears were dried - old ones from when Akshara wrote the letter - and others were fresh - from Abhimanyu as he read the letter.

Abhimanyu frantically searched the hospital to find Akshara, but she wasn't there. He called Mahima to learn that Akshara had asked for some time off.

"Kya hua, Abhi? Agar tumhe usse koi baat karni hai toh text her (What happened, Abhi? If it's something urgent, text her)," Mahima suggested.

"Nahi, taiji, ye baat message par nahi ho sakti." He asked Taiji to take him off the hospital schedule for the day so he could run to the Goenka Villa and see her.

"Kairav, is Akshara in her room?" Abhimanyu barged into their house.

"No, she's not home."

"Phir se NGO gayi hai kya (Did she go to the NGO again)?"

"Nahi, woh toh Haider aur Maya ke saath trip par jaa rahi hai (She's going on a trip with Haider and Maya). She said something about you both needed time."

"Trip?"

"Haan. Mumbai. Their flight's in two hours. Why?"

Abhimanyu's eyes widened with fear, and he dashed to his bike. "Text me the airport address!" He yelled.

Abhimanyu felt like Shahrukh Khan in Chalte Chalte, looking for his beloved in an airport with thousands. "Akshara!" He went in circles, scanning every face; nothing.

Just relax, Abhi. Woh yahin par hai (She's here). Just listen. He reminded himself that their connection was effortless. From their first meeting till now, her voice called for him. All he had to do was follow its trail. He closed his eyes and focused when he heard her giggle, the most beautiful sound in the world.

"Akshara!" Abhimanyu panted heavily as he finally caught her. She, Haider, and Maya sat at a restaurant waiting for their flight announcement inside the airport.

"Abhi? What are you doing here?" Akshara had a 40 watts smile on her face as she stood up to meet him. He came! she thought as her heart bloomed with hope.

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" His voice lacked the intensity he wanted because he was short on breath. He grabbed Haider's drink and gulped it down before resuming his accusations.

"Are you crazy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Abhimanyu," Maya and Haider warned in unison.

"No, guys, let me talk. Till now, only she and Aarohi have been talking. Now it is my time." He returned his attention to Akshara. "What the hell were you thinking? Main tumse pyaar karta hoon, tum mujhse pyaar karti ho, toh meri shaadi apni behan se kyun kar wa rahi thi! Rok nahi sakti thi ek baar. Badi aayi sherni bane wali. Tum sherni nahi, mute machhalee ho. 24/7 Aaru Aaru Aaru ka jaap lagati ho tum par usse ek loveless marriage mein chod rahi thi? Fayda kya tha iss sab ka? Koi commission milne wala tha kya tumhe? Therapy chod kar marriage bureau kholne wali ho?" (I love you, you love met, yet you're letting me marry your sister! Couldn't you stop me? I'm a tigress, yeah, right. You're a mute fish. All you do is talk about how much you love Aarohi, yet you were about to leave her in a loveless marriage? For what? Were you going to get a commission? Are you trying to open a marriage bureau?" Akshara was fuming as he ranted. "Sahi kehta hai Haider, Zaalim ho tum. Kisi aur ki therapy tho kya, tumhe khud counselling ki zaroorat hai (Haider's right, you are merciless. You need counselling). Treating me like a toy, seriously!"

"You're right—Tum koi khilona nahi ho (you're not a toy). You're a boy in a man's body! One sister said no, so I'll marry the next. Seriously? What are we? Herbs. Methi dana is sold out, so I'll buy kesar instead."

"I hate kesar," Abhimanyu whined.

"That's not the point. Mudda samjo. Tumhe heart surgeon kis ne banaya."

"Mere kaam pe maat jao (Don't talk about my work)."

He raised his finger in an 'oye' motion before she swatted his hand down. "Kyun nahi. Jo admi meri dil ki baat nahi samaj sakta woh kisi aur ke dil ki treatment kaise karaga? Aur tumne med school kaise pass kiya, I'll never understand. You don't even know how to lock your door when changing issiliye koi bhi Roma wahan aake tumhe tarr thi hai (Why not? You can't understand my heart. How will you cure someone else's heart ailments? And I'll never understand how you passed Med school. You can't even lock your door when changing, thats why any Roma comes in and starts oogling your bare chest)."

"Ruby naam tha uska (her name was Ruby)."

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes.

"Aur tum kya cheez hoh? Lambe lambe gaane ga sakte ho, letter likh sakte ho par teen simple Alfaaz nahi kah sakte? 'I love you'. Iss that so hard for you to say?"

"I love you too! There, khush?"

"Haan!" Abhimanyu crossed his arms against his chest as they stood like two cute but silly children in a face-off.

Maya's laugh broke their bickering. "I'm sorry, lekin this is too funny." Abhimanyu and Akshara didn't believe her apology for a second as they glared at her. Haider patted his fiance's back comfortingly as he gestured for them to resume.

"Did I just say I love you?"

Abhimanyu nodded.

"No! No! No!" Akshara cried as she reoccupied her seat. Abhimanyu kneeled before her.

"Akshara, what happened?" Abhimanyu was worried she was about to have another panic attack.

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this. It was supposed to be romantic. I had it all planned. I'd come back from the trip, surprise you with dinner, and then I'd say it," she babbled to herself.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but smile at her cuteness. She had a plan. He laughed to himself before he caressed her cheeks and leaned in for a kiss.

Her lips were just as soft as he imagined. And God, did he imagine a lot. Strawberry lip gloss, he noted as he rested their foreheads together.

"What was that for?" she asked quietly.

"Tum bahot bolti ho?" He loved the way she'd crinkle her nose and dimples would shine when she laughed.

"Forget Haider and Maya," Haider and Maya gasped in mock offence, "forget the trip and go on a date with me. A proper date."

"Iss baar seede shaadi ke liya nahi poochonge (You're not going to jump ahead to the part where you ask for my hand in marriage this time)?"

"Nahi. I want to do things right this time. I want to build our relationship before we get our families involved. I want to give us time."

"Okay."

"Okay, what?"

"Okay, I'll go on a date with you, Abhimanyu Birla." She ripped her ticket.

"Abhimanyu, nahi. Abhi. Tumhara Abhi." He pecked her forehead.

And that's a wrap. This was an interesting winter break. I didn't plan to write a fanfiction story. In the past the stories I've posted were one-shots so this is new territory for me but I couldn't have done it without the support you guys gave me.

I'm not a writer. I'm just a fan of music and when I listen to Hindi songs, I always picture a story and that's what I did when I listened to zaalima one day. I imagined Akshara singing Harshdeep's part to Abhimanyu because during those episodes, that's what everyone (the Birla's) thought of her. From that idea, I just started writing and before I knew it I found an audience.

Thank you all for reading and voting. You guys are INCREDIBLE. A special shout out to everyone who commented. I love reading your comments, they truly uplifted me when I was sick from COVID-19 this last week.