Bound by Love

Chapter 2: Beautiful Dream's Harsh Reality

After the call with Akshu ended Suhasini and Suvarna informed everyone that Akshu was returning home. To say they were happy and pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. it was a very emotional moment, especially for Manish and Kairav, who felt the most guilty for letting Akshu go away.

Everybody knew about Akshu's homecoming except Aaru, all of them were afraid and tired of her tantrums so they collectively decided not to tell Aaru until the last moment.

The Goenka villa was being decorated, and all of Akshu's favorite dishes were being made. it was as if Goenkas were celebrating all the festivals on the same day, after all their sunshine was coming back to her home. 'oh how long have we waited for this day to come!' thought Manish while giving instructions to reopen and refurbish Akshu's childhood room he also ordered musical instruments and music production tools with professional help as he knew that Akshu could play more than 12 instruments.

Aaru seeing all these preparations thought that all of this was happening to make her result day special after all she had studied so hard which wasn't a total lie the Goenkas had prepared two cakes one for Aaru and one for Akshu. she relaxed in her room with a small smile on her face: 'After all this time I've finally become the best Goenka daughter, more educated than Akshu and always no. 1.' she thought smugly. after all, it was her life's goal to become no. 1 leaving Akshara behind in every aspect of her life and having finally succeeded and replaced Akshu in this family. Now nobody talked about her or remembered her now she was more loved and important in this family. with these thoughts, she slept peacefully without any worries about tomorrow (result day).

On the other hand, Akshu couldn't sleep. she couldn't keep still even for a second because of her excitement to meet her family and especially Aaru. It's been such a long time and she really wanted to hug Aaru and amend their tarnished relationship. She still remembered how she'd promised her Sirat Maa to take care of Aaru and to provide her with a mother's loving shelter. Unfortunately, all she could ever do for Aaru was to keep her distance, and now that Aaru had finally forgiven her she just couldn't wait to embrace her beloved sister. And with these thoughts, she finally fell asleep.

The day of the result arrived and the Goenka villa was bustling with activity. some family members were busy in the kitchen and others were busy with decoration. they were happy and emotional all at once.

Aaru was getting ready for her special day today, and the whole limelight will be on her just the way she likes it. she knew that her score would be high because she had put so much hard work into it.'Today all eyes would be on me and me only.' she snarkily thought. she was getting everything she ever wanted, all the attention of her family, which she had to share while Akshu lived with them. From the outside, she seemed confident but inside, her heart was deeply rooted in insecurities and jealousy. and those insecurities and jealousy reared their ugly heads when her Maa died in an Accident, Aaru blamed her death on Akshu even though she knew it wasn't Akshu's fault at all so that she could hate Akshu openly and it would seem justified.  

when Aaru came downstairs she got the shock of her life when she saw 'WELCOME BACK HOME AKSHU!!!' her face lost all its color, she was feeling many emotions, but one emotion was dominating all the others and that was anger, hot raging anger at her family but mainly at Akshu 'the audacity of that bitch to return... it is my home and family now why is she coming here' thought a raging Aaru. 

An angry Aaru stomped her foot and went back to her room. Her mood was totally spoiled. once again Akshu has spoiled her special day. 'why can't Akshu ever see me happy? Why does she have to spoil everything? just why?' she thought angrily.

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The butterflies in Akshu's stomach got out of hand as she got near her destination, Goenka Villa. her heartbeat was getting erratic. She had dreamed of this day for such a long time that now when it was coming true she has to pinch herself every five minutes to make sure that this is not a beautiful dream but a beautiful reality. she wished for wings to just reach home faster. home. oh, how she longed to go home. She felt light-headed, as finally, her exile was over. only she knew how painfully hard these years had been for her. But she could endure it all again for Aaru, she could endure anything to get her estranged sister's love.' Aaru, I'm coming to you.' Akshu thought giddily.