Truly Yours

Chapter 8 - Testing Waters

Laughter erupted from Abhimanyu's throat as he parked his car in the Birla mansions and exited his car just a little past midnight, opening the door for a grumbling Akshara behind.

"Abhi... stop laughing at me!" she yelled at him, as she moved out of the car doorway clearly annoyed at him.

Abhimanyu let out another burst of laughter as he closed her car door handle behind her. He held his stomach which was hurting at this point from laughing so hard.

Akshara stomped her foot on the ground, staring at him with angry eyes.

"Abhi! I won't spare you!" she told him.

Abhimanyu folded his hands over his chest, "How about this... you can chase me on the ice rink... okay Akshara?"

"Abhi!" she whined, pouting as he continued to laugh, as they both walked inside Birla mansions.

He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed this much and openly laughed too. The night would certainly go down as one of the most entertaining ones he had, had thus far.

"Seriously... even that little kid was going faster than you Akshu... and how many times did you almost fall over? My duty tonight was to basically catch you...the best was when you were trying and that little kid passed you.... he even stuck his tongue out at you" Abhimanyu laughed, rambling away from the night as he walked in the hallway stopping when he realised Akshara had stopped and was no longer following him.

He turned around to find her standing but her facial expressions were no longer annoyed or angry.

No... this one... he couldn't put his fingers on.

Her expressions were soft, her doe-eyes big as she gazed at him. He couldn't tell why but he felt like his insides were melting... such purity... sincerity in her eyes.

He bit his lip, had he gone too far? Was she upset?

"I'm sorry... did I go too far?" he asked softly, his voice gentle with concern... reverting to his formal self. "That wasn't my intention... I was jus-"

"You called me Akshu" Akshara interrupted, gaping at him with soft tender eyes.

Abhimanyu felt his heartbeat, realising what he'd said.

His heart beat faster.

"I did" he admitted, his heartbeat picking up the pace even more than before.

Akshara smiled shyly as she nodded as if processing something. She looked at the ground shyly and then back up at him, "I like it.... Abhi"

And Abhimanyu could swear he had gone crazy because the second she gave him the approval, he felt his heart explode. How could anyone be so adorable? And yet so sexy? It made him want to growl... pick her up and hold her close to him.

But he couldn't so instead he grinned like a child looking at her, waiting for her to say something else.

Akshara crept up towards him, and she gripped his arm gently. She stood up on her tippy toes, leaned in, and gently pressed her lips to his cheek. Abhimanyu instantly closed his eyes, taking in the simmering feelings of her lips.

"Thank you for tonight Abhi... I had a lot of fun" Akshara smiled as she leaned back down, sliding down on him, her fingers caressing his arm gently and then she walked to their bedroom, leaving a struck Abhimanyu behind.

He touched his cheek gently, as he relished the feel of her touch and then his eyes flashed back to the night. Had he ever had as much fun as tonight? Why was it that whenever Akshara was around him, his worries faded and everything felt right? Why is it that he could not understand his own feelings around her? Was it because she was his wife? Or was it something else completely... something like strong feelings?

Whatever it was... he had to push it aside.

They had agreed on a civil partnership. And he couldn't let her down.

But then he debated the thought in his head... Akshara was still his wife... there was no harm in spending time together right?

It was harmless.

And to be honest, he wasn't sure if he could even keep himself away from her.

Not anymore.

She'd become his Akshu.

Just his.

***

When Abhimanyu had returned back to their bedroom that night, Akshara had already changed and fallen asleep. Neither said it, but some unknown understanding has established between the two that night. An understanding that told the two that a new chapter in their relationship had commenced.

There was excitement.

Nervousness.

But most importantly, hope.

***

Slowly, they had both fallen into a routine over the next few weeks. Busy with work, they'd sometimes have dinner together. Sometimes with family and sometimes alone at a new restaurant. On some days, they would even have breakfast together after Akshara had teased Abhimanyu about his delicious pancake batter and demanded the recipe.

The rest of the week would be spent in chitter chatter, busy with family and work meetings. But Abhimanyu wouldn't spare a chance to stare at his beautiful wife and Akshara would simply flush, excusing herself before she turned into a bright tomato.

No one could deny the chemistry the two had.

Not even each other.

But they were simply too scared to confront it.

And confront what it meant.

So they spent the week like that, with their families, by themselves... and finally with each other.

And then there were Sundays.

Sundays were the day they would go ice skating together.

Sundays they both looked forward to the most.

Just them two alone.

It was their secret world.

Their Sunday.

Enjoy my loves, waiting to read your comments!!

N x