The Intern

Part 13

This a mature story. Only read if you are comfortable.

Akshara Goenka:

"Oh I forgot to mention as well. Our son's name is Abhimanyu. Dr. Abhimanyu Birla."
Akshu heard the name and stood up in shock. No. No. This can't be. This is probably another Abhimanyu. Her Abhi won't ever agree for an arranged marriage. Akshu started to cough.
"What happened, Akshu? Are you okay?" Badi Maa gave Akshu a glass of water as Akshu kept on coughing.
"Ya. I am fine." Akshu said sitting back down. No this can't be her Abhi. She needed to stop calling him hers. He was never hers.
"Does your son work here, Harsh-ji?" Bade Papa asked the father.
"Yes, yes. He just moved here a month ago. He has been working in Udaipur for the last few years and recently moved here. Actually we have several different hospitals so Abhimanyu moves around." Harsh told Bade Papa.
He worked in Udaipur before. He's not Abhi. Abhi told her he loved Mumbai too much to live anywhere else. Akshu started to relax a little.
"Actually, we were so surprised when Abhimanyu agreed for this proposal. Manjiri has been to trying to get him to agree for years now but he always said no. But he agreed right away when he saw Akshara's picture." Harsh said looking at Akshu.
"Akshara really is lovely! More so in person!" Manjiri smiled at her.
"Abhimanyu is our only son. We want to see him settle down and marry a nice girl. I'm sure you understand." Harsh told the family.
"Yes. We also been looking for a nice family for Akshara." Badi Papa told them.
"My sister has told us a lot about Akshara and really, we have no objection. Even Abhimanyu has agreed. If you agree, we will like to take this forward." said Manjiri.
Badi Maa and Bade Papa looked at each other. Badi Maa looked at Akshu who shook her head, silently begging her to say no. "We also have no objection. But maybe Akshara and Abhimanyu can meet once?" Badi Maa asked Manjiri.
"No. There is no need for that. Even we agree." Bade Papa looked at Akshara angrily.
"Abhimanyu should be on his way. We don't mind if Akshara wants to talk to him." Manjiri smiled at Akshu again.

As the families talked, Aarav started to get restless so Akshu and Aarohi took him to the garden in the back of the house. Aarohi pushed Aarav on his swing while Akshu walked up and down getting more and more anxious. Of course, she knew her grandfather wanted her to marry and leave. He still hasn't forgiven her for what happened and she knew he never will. She had broken his trust. But how could she leave? Her most prized possession, her reason for living was in this house. How could she leave that behind? She was ready to live with Bade Papa's hate but she couldn't leave. Also this guy? What are the chances of another doctor being named Abhimanyu Birla? Even if this guy wasn't Abhi, how can she marry someone with that name? But what if this guy was Abhi? No no. There was no way he found her. There is no way he would ever agree to marry anyone. He was probably happily living in Mumbai with his new girlfriend. He said his father and mother didn't get along but the parents inside seemed like a normal couple. No. This was not her Abhi. She really needed to stop thinking of him as hers.
"Akshu! Calm down!" Aarohi called her from the swings. "I'm exhausted just by watching you. At least meet the guy once."
"Aaru!" Before she could say anything else she heard Kairav Bhaiya come with another pair of footsteps. She froze with her back turned to the new arrivals.
"Aarohi. Aarav. Let's go inside and give Akshu some privacy. Abhimanyu, that's my sister. Please let me kmow if you need anything." Akshu heard Kairav walk away and from the corner of her eyes saw Aarohi and Aarav leave too.
She heard the guy's footsteps coming near her but she couldn't move. She was frozen to her spot. She could feel her heart beating loudly inside her chest. She could recognize those footsteps anywhere. And that scent? The scent hit her as soon as he entered the garden. It was him.
She felt his breath on her neck as she heard him whisper in her ear. "Hello my precious girl. I been searching for you years and look I finally found you again."

50 likes for next chapter. What do you guys think so far? Please let me know. Do you think Abhi has changed over the years? Does he love her?

I'm posting too many chapters because story is fresh in my mind or I'll lose the plot.  Sorry for too many updates but this is last for today. Maybe some tomorrow.