A picture is worth a thousand words, but a memory is priceless.
Akshara's voice, albeit melodious, isn't what drew Abhimanyu to her. The anguish, the loneliness, and the yearning laced in her music are what he felt a connection to. He knew his story, but what about hers? He dared not believe in love because he had never seen or felt it before. His father demeaned his mother at every step of the way, and rather than nourish the talent in his son, Harsh pressurized Abhimanyu to follow the Birla path. While he ran away from his family, Akshara ran towards hers, so he wondered why she shared his distress.
He meant to ask her. He meant to have many intimate conversations to learn her story. But their normal-normal games wouldn't let that happen. So, if not a conversation, then a picture would suffice. Haider decided that a picture would allow him into her world and unleash her suppressed emotions all these years.
Abhimanyu tried to weasel his way out of another wedding planning session with Aarohi and the Goenka's to no avail. His mother, his precious ailing mother who never asked for much, requested his presence, and he surrendered. Today's gruelling session was for outfit trials. Aarohi and Reem had the bridal and groom costumes delivered to the Birla Villa for try-on and outfit discussion.
"Aaru beta, relax," Swarna said, "it's just clothes. Itna stress lene ki zaroorat nahi hai tumhe"
"They're not just clothes," Aarohi bit back. "Abhimanyu and I need to look perfect. We need to exude power couple energy."
Mahima scrutinized Aarohi with a pointed look at hearing her last line. Lagta hai hospital mein humari conversation bhul gaya, Dr. Aarohi.
Aarohi was on a power high. Haider na kaha ki main Akshara ke leftovers le rahi hoon na. Kal woh mere rejects ko rakegi. Aarohi gleamed with joy at the thought of Akshara wearing the outfits she deserted.
"Akshu, help kar na aur Abhimanyu tum bhi kuch dekho na mere liya. There are so many choices. How do I pick just one?" Aarohi complained as she waved two blouses in front of a mirror.
Akshara grazed through the clothes on the rack aimlessly before a celestial blue lehenga with a sparkling one-shoulder blouse piqued her interest. Its decorated choli and embroidered dupatta were lustrous. Its cobalt blue undertones reminded her of the Badi Talab lake where she spent her childhood summer vacations.
Palkein Jhuke Saansein Ruke
Jab Tu Kareeb Aa Jaye
Jaaniye Dil Tune Chua Hai
Sau Martabaaa....
Aarohi saw the two engrossed in an eye lock from the corner of her vision. It's like they forget that a world outside of each other exists, she thought as she haphazardly dropped the blouses and stormed to them.
Aarohi plastered a fake smile before grabbing the lehenga out of their grasps and breaking their moment. "It's such a beautiful lehenga. Thank you, Abhimanyu, main abhi isse try on karti hoon."
Akshara tried hard to conceal her frazzled demeanour as she felt pitying glances from Kairav, Neil, Parth, Manjari and Haider. She rushed to Haider's side to distract herself from Abhimanyu's relentless gaze. It wasn't a harsh look that he was giving her. Instead, his eyes were moist with a tint of redness. He looked as if he was about to break into tears any moment.
Bas ek baar haan kar do, Akshara, aur main ye tamasha katam kar do ga, his eyes pleaded.
"Guys, main kaisi lag rahi hoon!" Aarohi peeped as she donned the lehenga and twirled for all to see.
