Truly Yours

Chapter 12 - Shadows of the Past and Mixed Messages

The next few weeks had become busy with work all over again. The financial year review was coming up which meant that Abhimanyu had started working overtime all over again ensuring that all of Birla Enterprises' audits were up to date. Sometimes Akshara would catch him working from home and her breath would hitch, she'd forget sometimes that her hot husband was the CEO of BE. He handled everything!

And no matter how busy he was, every night when he would come home.... he would roll her over so that she was cocooned in his arms before he dozed off too.

And every morning... she'd wake up in his arms.

After that day at Mahima's party, he'd been unable to sleep without her in his arms. It had become a routine, her head resting on his shoulders with his arm wrapped underneath her. His peace.

Akshara smiled thinking of the memory before she gazed down at the tray she was holding and focused on the task at hand.

Knocking on Manjari's door, Akshara crept the door gently ensuring she didn't wake her up in case she was asleep. Noting that Manjari was parched on the bed with a book, Akshara let a sigh of relief and walked in.

"Ma..." she said gently walking into the room and placing the tray next to her. "How are you feeling now? I have made you some tea and khichdi... make sure you eat it all okay... you haven't had much all day" she said worriedly.

Manjari chuckled, sitting up in bed as she placed her book down and took the tea from Akshara's hands.

"Beta... you are worried for nothing... I am already feeling bad that you took a day off work to take care of me" Manjari spoke guiltily as she took a sip of the warm ginger tea and then let out a sigh of contentment.

"Ma" Akshara complained, "are you not my mother?" she pouted innocently offering her a spoon of warm khichdi.

Manjari laughed, taking a bite of the khichdi from her hands, "haan beta haan".

"Then no questions" Akshara smiled, "also working for yourself allows for flexible hours" she winked.

"Tell that to Abhi!" Manjari complained.

"Ma... you know it's review time.... he's working hard" Akshara immediately defended.

Manjari raised an eyebrow, "arre.... so protective of your husband haan" she teased her, laughing at Akshara's flushed cheeks.

Akshara looked down immediately, feeling blood rush everywhere. "Nahi" she whined, "it's not like that I-"

Manjari stopped her by cupping her cheeks, "I know beta.. I know. God bless you" she said softly.

Akshara gave her a soft smile as she looked down at her hands.

Manjari placed the tray on the side as she got up, "Akshara.... you are happy right beta? Abhi... he is able to make you happy? I know he is my son but you have always been like my daughter.. I know that the wedding was arranged..." Manjari whispered making her look at her.

Akshara's eyes glistened with the love that Manjari emanated, "Ma... you don't have to worry... he makes me feel like the happiest girl in the world."

***

Abhimanyu smiled as he ran his fingers over the photo of Akshara on his phone. It was a photo of Akshara who was cuddled up to his shoulder and clinging to his shirt, refusing to let him go as he was leaving for work in the morning. Madam was fast asleep and had no idea of how she was clinging on to him and he'd taken the opportunity to take a photo of her.

Come to think of it.. most of his camera roll happened to be her these days. Her at the ice-skating rink.... her at dinner.... her the other day in the stunning blue lehenga... her at the lake with Shivu (yes he had taken a picture)!