Abhira- A Forbidden Tale

Chapter 24

"Baby, every minute of every day, I wonder what I ever did to deserve you" Abhimanyu whispers in Akshara's ear as he leads her into their cabin, his hand snaked around her waist, his lips now on her neck. 

He feels the tremor that runs down her spine and smiles, wondering how after these many years, her reaction to his touch is still the same. 

As they step into the room, Akshara recalls the day Abhi had proposed to her, under the stars. 

It's as if her whole life flashes in front of her eyes.

Her coffee on his shirt that started it all.

The interview that she can never forget.

The job that was way more than a job.

The trip that changed their lives forever.

The jealousy that tore them apart. 

The separation that broke their hearts. 

The confession that could put a Bollywood movie to shame. 

The love that has been blossoming thereafter. 

The marriage that every person deserves but only a few get. 

The family that she yearns to live with. 

The home that they've built together. 

The life that has given her so much but selfishly enough, it still feels less. 

"You're thinking of all our memories, aren't you?" Abhi turns her around in his arms and she nods her head. 

He kisses her forehead and inhales her flowery scent "Everyday, you keep getting more beautiful...hmm, how you manage to do that?" 

"Well, everyday you fall in love with me a little more, probably that's why you think so" she smiles. 

"Hmm... can't say that's a lie" he smiles. 

"Well, flattery would get you no where mister, I still need my gifts" she pinches his nose. 

"I AM the gift you see" he teases and Akshara rolls her eyes. 

"Okay, okay Birthday girl, close your eyes"

A minute later, he asks her to open them and she finds him holding a box full of different things.

"Come, sit, we've got too many presents to open" he leads her to the bed and turns off the main light, leaving them covered in just the fairy lights, perfectly complimenting the moon shining in its full phase, just above them. 

"Okay, here's the first one" Akshara opens the envelope and finds tickets to Paris.

"We're going to Paris again?" She squeals in excitement. 

"Well I remember one of us saying 'I want to live in Paris forever' and then filling up our living room with twenty seven souvenirs from Paris" he laughs and Akshara giggles remembering their previous visit to the city of love. 

"Also, Aaira wasn't there the last time and today she let us come here alone only because I promised her that we'd go on a trip if she stayed with her nani-nanu tonight" he sticks his tongue out like a teenager. 

"Like father, like daughter, always striking the best deals" Akshara laughs. 

"Okay, the second one now" he hands her some legal papers "read them" 

As she scans the pages, her eyes well up with tears "You're opening a charitable hospital for children for cancer treatment, that too in my name" she throws her arms around him and hugs him tight.