Time heals all wounds, or at least that's what people say. But Abhimanyu and Akshara preferred to differ. A week went by with Kairav did his utmost to suppress chatter and thwart the progress of Aarohi's wedding to Abhimanyu, but alas, his efforts were futile. Kairav and his interference slowly knocked Akshara out of first place for Harshvardan Birla's least favourite Goenka. On the following Monday, both families conjoined to design the wedding.
But he wouldn't give up. Kairav kept peeking at the door, waiting for his surprise to arrive.
The atmosphere, save for Aarohi Akhilesh and Harshvardan's excitement, was gloomy and pale. Everyone else went along with the flow, nodding in agreement, having given in to their circumstances. Aarohi's joy dimmed down as the Goenka's, known for large functions and gatherings, offered little input. She kept prodding Bade Ma and Mimi for ideas. She wasn't met with the enthusiasm she desired.
Agar Akshara ki shadi hoti toh sab ase nahi react karte. Pura Udaipur ko dulhan ki tara decorate karte. Aarohi reflected. Par koi baat nahi. Waqt ke saath sab mere saath honge.
On the other hand, Akshara kept herself busy in the kitchen, unable to share the same space as Abhimanyu. Their relationship got to the point where neither could be in the same room publically together without creating a scene. They were too stubborn for their own good.
An hour into the discussions, the doorbell finally rang, and Kairav rushed to greet the delivery person.
"Kairav beta, kya aya hai?" Mimi asked. The delivery, a life-sized box decorated in lavish purple wrapping paper left at their doorstep, commanded everyone's attention.
"Pata nahi, Mimi" Kairav lied. "Par Akshu ka naam likha hai. Akshu!" He called. "Yaha aao."
Before Akshara entered the room, Kairav signalled everyone to stay silent.
"Ji, Kairav Bhaiya"
"Ye tumhare liya aaya hai"
Akshara was perplexed at the box in front of her.
"Open it," Kairav ushered from where he stood behind her. Aarohi fumed as Akshara stole the spotlight again.
"Huh?"
"Kya hua Akshu?" Manish asked.
"Bade Papa, the box is empty."
As she turned to face the rest, Akshara collided with a hard chest. The impact of the collision caused her to stumble a bit, but two fit arms wrapped around her waist and prevented her fall.
"Tum?" Akshara questioned. When Akshara opened her eyes, she expected to meet two soft, expressive brown orbs that looked at her with utmost care and concern. She anticipated a gentle hand to caress the hairs that fell on her face and made her feel secure.
"You sound disappointed Akshu. Kissi aur ko expect kar rahi thi?" The mystery man suggested with a smirk.
Ye hai kaun? Abhimanyu wondered as he grew aggravated with the sight of Akshara and this guy so close together.
"Kareb lag rahe hai" Neil muttered to Parth.
"Yeah" Parth concurred. "Usne Akshara ko Akshu bulaya aur Kairav ne react hi nahi kiya."
Abhimanyu growled at Parth and Neil's comments.
Akshara rolled her eyes in response to his comments.
"Chodo mujhe"
"Sure?"
"Haan." Akshara, grew subconscious of their position and uttered in a small voice, "everyone's watching us."
