The Exchange

Mrs. Akshara Birla

Once the police had taken Kunal and Maya out of sight, Abhi took Akshu's hand in his and gently squeezed it. "Chalo, Akshu. Ab waqt aa gaya hai puri duniya ko tumhare saach jaane ka...puri duniya ko yeh jaane ka ki yeh meri Akshu ki avaaz hai...chalo...." he said, pulling her arm, gesturing for her to come with him to where the media, where the crowd was waiting. 

But, seeing all of those people in front of her, she felt her breath once again start to speed up, once again to escape her. She had lived in hiding for the past year. She had lived as a shadow...and the truth was that she did not know who she was anyone...she had not a single idea. And under such circumstances, how could she introduce herself to the world? All she wanted was to be with her Abhi and to find solace in his arms. All she wanted was for him to know her...for him to see her...for him to love her...nothing else mattered. 

He felt her panic attack returning and immediately embraced her, stroking her hair. "Dekho Akshu..mujhe pata hai ki sab tumare liye kitna mushkil hai...mein soch bhi nahi sakta ki is pichle saal mein tumne kya kuch bardash kiya hai..." he said, his voice cracking with his tears. "Liken Akshu ab waqt aa gaya hai...mein tumhe aur nahi chupne doonga...tumhe apne Abhi pe vishwaash hai na?", he said pulling her back, looking into her eyes. 

She silently nodded and clutched onto his hand as tightly as possible, trying to draw his strength to fuel her to stay strong, to stay steady. But, as they started walking towards the masses of people, she felt her eyes losing focus...she felt herself losing her balance. Abhi immediately took her into his arms, carrying her as if it was his most natural instinct. He told her not to worry, that he had her...that he was with her now and that nothing...no one could hurt her. He told her to just look into his eyes and let everything fade away. 

And with that, he walked through the crowd carrying his love, the media taking millions of photos, the crowds cheering. And right as they were about to exit the venue, he gently rested her on the ground, making sure to keep his arms tightly around her....and he said, "This is Mrs. Akshara Birla. The voice of your dreams, the voice that has won your heart. It is time you finally meet her, you finally get to know her..." and with his words, a stream of tears fell from his cheeks...his greatest dream finally coming true.