Truly Yours

Chapter 1 - Will you marry me?

Abhimanyu stood with his arms crossed, facing the giant French windows that decorated his home office. He heard the gentle tinkle of an anklet that he had become all too familiar with enter the room as he did his best not to get distracted by the scent of roses.

Her.

His sister, Nishta's best friend, the one girl that had been part of his life for as long as he could remember. He had seen her through every phase of life... never realising that life would bring them at crossroads like this.

He heard her take a step and then pause, he hadn't turned but he could tell she was just a few steps away from him. Probably twiddling with her fingers, he imagined.

Clearing her throat softly, Akshara gazed at his back as she took a deep breath.

"Abhimanyu...." she whispered slowly and then let out a gentle gasp as he turned around, facing her.

She felt her heart skip a beat, the effect he had always had on her.

"Akshara" he greeted softly, his eyebrows furrowing as he realised the conversation they had to have.

"You wanted to speak..." she said formally. Was this how they were going to address the topic? Oh, dear.

Abhimanyu let out a curt nod as he gestured at the couch before them, asking her to take a seat.

Slowly migrating towards the leather couch, Abhimanyu looked at the ground and then back at her to see her gaze on her hands.

A sense of unease and nervousness fell over them as they both tried to avoid each other's gaze.

He had to say something.

"Akshara..." he began, taking a deep breath as she looked up at him. Her beautiful doe-eyes stared back into his hazel mysterious ones.

"Akshara I want to make sure you are okay with this.... that no one is forcing you" he let out softly, feeling a burden lift off his chest as he got the words out. He hadn't slept properly in three days, waiting to have this conversation.

Akshara felt her heart thud out of her chest.

"Why?" she asked him slowly, watching his reaction to her words, "do you have any problems with this?... with me?"

Abhimanyu's eyes widened as he quickly responded, with her? Oh goodness no! The problem was all him. "No.. no .. of course not" he quickly reassured her.

"The reluctance is not on my end Akshara" he clarified, clearing his throat. "But I have to be honest with you... you have known me for so long... you know how I am... about my past. I can promise you respect, comfort, even luxury... but love... Akshara... you know I am-"

"I know" Akshara interrupted him, watching him ramble. "I know about your past... I know what this arrangement is... it is not a love marriage... but an arranged partnership... why can it not be us?"

Abhimanyu took a deep breath as silence fell over the room for a few minutes, "so you have no qualms? I will not be like other husbands Akshara... you deserve more."

Akshara took in a sharp breath, his words breaking her heart. More? Did he even know who he was saying that to?

"I've made up my mind on this already... it is up to you Abhimanyu. I know we are not lovers... that it will be a civil partnership. I've known you my entire life... you already know my circumstances... we know each other well... some may say it will turn out to be more successful than any love  marriage ever could" Akshara said slowly.

Abhimanyu turned his face slowly and let out a gentle chuckle at her last remark.

He inspected her demeanour and realised that she was steadfast in her ways. He had known her for too long to not know when she had made up her mind.

And if his stubborn Mother had already decided he'd have to get married, then if he thought about it logically, Akshara was the best option out of everyone.

Birla family already regarded her as a second daughter, she was trustworthy, witty, intelligent, and best of all... he genuinely cared about her. It wouldn't be too hard to live with her, to spend their lives together... he liked her as a person. She had strong morals, she was career-focused and they'd spent so much of their lives together.

In fact, Akshara was as good as it got.

His only worry was that he was letting her down. But she had already made up his mind, agreeing to the arrangement a week ago when it had first been suggested by their parents... so now it was his turn.

Letting out a small soft smile, he turned to face her.

"Will you marry me Akshara Goenka?"

***

Hello beautiful people,

I am back for one last Abhira fic! Please bear with me with some very slow updates as I am busy juggling studies at the same time. At the moment, I can only promise updates once a week. I promise once I am done writing this story, I will update it rapidly as per usual!

Couldn't help myself because I have missed you all!

Now leave your comments jaldi,

N x