Truly Yours

Chapter 3 - Akshara Abhimanyu Birla

A few weeks later...

Akshara came back from a day of shopping with Nishta as she sorted through the bags and placed them on the centre table. She'd mainly bought things for their bedroom as she was in the process of sorting through items and organising things.

It was a Monday and normally she'd be at work as a music therapist but the practice she was working at had enforced a day off work and Akshara had happily seized the opportunity to go shopping with her best friend and now her sister-in-law. Especially, since she had no time to settle in since getting married.

"Akshu if bhai knew about the way those boys at the mall were looking at you... he would have surely had a lot to say" Nishta teased, sorting through her own items.

"Oi... nautanki!" Akshara said pulling her cheek, "You know what type of relationship me and your beloved bhai share.... strictly civil"

Nishta wrapped an arm around Akshara's shoulders, "yes I know... but it's only a matter of time before he falls prey to your charms" she said dramatically as Akshara swiped her hand, rolling her eyes.

"I'm still surprised how that ogre managed to get you to say yes... you know if it didn't mean that we were now actually going to be sisters... I would've concocted a plan for you to run from that angry workaholic myself..."

"Hey!" Akshara said offended that Nishta was speaking about him like that, "don't speak about my husband like that" defending him.

Nishta laughed, ruffling Akshara's hair as she teased her. "Does he even know that you're in love with him?!"

"Nishta!" Akshara whined, "Just you wait-"

Nishta jetted off away from her, as they both faced each other across the table.

"Nishta ki bachi" Akshara yelled lurching out with her arms to grab her which Nishta escaped like an expert.

She stuck her tongue out at Akshara teasing her, riling Akshara up as she lurched forward again, causing Nishta to run in the other direction.

Frustrated now, Akshara clenched her hands, making fists as she moved away from the table to grab her. Only this time, her foot caught on to the side of the carpet and she felt her entire body lurch forward.

"Akshara!" Nishta screamed watching the fiasco as she moved towards her to catch her in time.

Only she didn't need to.

Because two strong arms, gathered her in his arms, catching her just before she could fall.

Akshara opened her eyes, gasping when she met Abhimanyu's warm gaze looking down at her softly.

"Hey," he whispered, stabilising her on her feet as he placed his office coat on one side, "you okay?" he asked her gently, moving the hair that had fallen over her face.

Akshara stood speechless, trying to process what had just happened. Had Abhimanyu just randomly appear? Had he witnessed her embarrassingly almost-fall one more time?

Realising he wasn't going to get an answer out of her, Abhimanyu chuckled, turning his attention to his baby sister.

"Nish, why are you bothering my wife?" he asked playfully, casually wrapping an arm over Akshara's shoulders.

Akshara's eyes widened, looking up at him.

My wife.

She felt giddy like she was floating.

Nishta rolled her eyes looking at the two, "should I tell him what we were talking about?" she teased.

Akshara's eyes widened again, looking up at Nishta, pleading her silently to not say a word. She'd always kept her secrets, she knew she could trust her with this one.

Abhimanyu looked at the two females inquisitively and then shrugged his shoulders, "I'm going to go and get changed... long day at work!" he said looking at Akshara, pausing to take in her beautiful brown doe-eyes.

"Have you eaten?" Akshara asked before he left, worried as she noted the eye bags. He'd been working hard and sometimes, he did not know how to take care of himself.

"Yeah... don't worry, I had a bite! I'm going to shower and then get some sleep. I have an early meeting tomorrow" he told her, giving her a small smile. And then he ruffled Nishta's hair before heading to his room.

Akshara let out a breath as she watched his retreating form.

She couldn't complain.

Life with Abhimanyu Birla was not hard. Especially when she had known the man for almost half of her life. It wasn't hard to fall into routine.

And that's exactly what had happened.

She'd busied herself with her music therapy role at work during the day time, spending her evenings with the rest of the family and entertaining herself with Nishta and their chaotic antics. On weekends she would attend her normal dance classes, visit home, and visit the temple with Manjari followed by cooking with her afterward, or sometimes the duo would watch a movie as well with Nishta and Shefali. If she had some spare time, she'd spend it teaching music therapy. Another thing she'd been doing was slowly introducing herself to the family friends, as Manjari would proudly introduce them to her 'bahu' and Akshara would awkwardly fiddle reminding herself that she was now a Birla member.

As for Abhimanyu, Nishta wasn't wrong, the man was the definition of workaholic. He'd never taken a day off. Sunday's didn't exist in his book. Even Harshvardan would take a Saturday or Sunday off but not Abhimanyu. He worked seven days a week, late into the night and oftentimes when he'd come home, Akshara had been fast asleep despite her best efforts to wait up for him. She'd catch him every now and then, and they'd have lunch or dinner with the family together.

But other than that, it almost felt like nothing had changed. Except for every morning, when Akshara got up and put on sindoor and looked at the mangalsutra that lay around her neck, she was reminded of the new relationship that they now shared.

Somewhere deep down, the feeling was starting to nag her. She was proud of him and she knew that Abhimanyu was a big reason that Birla Enterprises was renowned globally but it felt like she saw him even less than before. Life was easy yes but was Abhimanyu avoiding her? She couldn't tell.

She knew they'd never share a proper marriage but watching his retreating figure, she felt more distant than ever before. She knew it was wrong, especially when he had made it clear that they'd never share anything more than a simple partnership... but even partners could see each other right?

Determined, Akshara folded her hands as she realised what she had to do.

If he was Abhimanyu Birla.

Then she was Akshara Abhimanyu Birla.

Enjoy, I am waiting to read your comments. <3

Thanks for all your incredible support so far. What do you think will happen next?

N x