Moving Ahead

Part 8

The dining hall at Sharma House was softly lit, creating an ambiance that seemed to amplify Abhimanyu's anticipation. He nervously adjusted the collar of his black casual suit, looking at his reflection in a nearby mirror. He had taken extra care to look his best, wanting to make a good impression at the event they were about to attend. But deep down, he knew the true reason for his restlessness: Akshara.

Ridhima's emergency call from the hospital had changed the plans, pushing Abhimanyu and Akshara to leave together. He heard the soft rustle of her footsteps, and his heart skipped a beat. "Akshara?" he called out, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil within. "How much more time do you need?"

"5 more minutes, Abhi," came her reply, and then she quickly corrected herself, "Abhimanyu."

That small slip, a flicker of the old Akshara, brought a bittersweet smile to his face. He knew she had moved on, found love and happiness with Sharma Ji, but sometimes, just sometimes, he couldn't help but yearn for the girl he once fell in love with—his Akshu.

Abhimanyu's therapist had told him that it was alright to still love her, to acknowledge his feelings without shame. But he also had to come to terms with the reality that she had moved on, and he needed to respect her boundaries while also setting his own to protect his heart from further pain. Because sometimes, love leaves an indelible mark, and healing takes time.

However, all those well-intended reminders seemed to be going to waste as he saw Akshara walking out of her room. She was dressed in a stunning black saree, her hair cascading down her shoulders, and her natural beauty radiating effortlessly. There was something captivating about her simplicity that made her even more alluring. For a moment, he couldn't breathe, couldn't think straight. How could someone look so beautiful and yet so simple at the same time? Despite all his efforts to move on, his heart still skipped a beat every time he saw her, as if fate was teasing him with what he could never truly have.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he managed to find his voice. "You look stunning, Akshara," he complimented sincerely, hoping she didn't notice the slight quiver in his tone.

"Thank you," she replied, offering him a warm smile that lit up her eyes.

As they made their way to the event, Abhimanyu tried to push aside his inner turmoil. He wanted to enjoy the evening, cherish this time with Akshara, even if it was just as friends. He knew that maybe they were just meant to cross paths in life, and she was destined for someone else. But at that moment, as they walked side by side, he couldn't help but wonder what could have been, if only things had turned out differently.

—----

As Akshara walked out of her room, her heart was beating wildly. She felt a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and a newfound clarity about her feelings for Abhimanyu. She had decided to get ready as she used to years ago because today was an important day, a day when she would share her decision to divorce Abhinav with the one person who had always understood her—Abhimanyu. Her recent conversations with him had brought back memories and emotions she had buried deep within. She realized that her attempts to move on and build a life with someone else were merely a facade she created to cope with her anger and hurt. Now that they had talked, understood where they went wrong, and rekindled their friendship, Akshara knew that she had to be honest with herself and with Abhimanyu.

She believed that Abhimanyu would never judge her, and that gave her the strength to open up about her decision to end her namesake marriage. She wanted him to know that she couldn't love someone else, that her heart had always belonged to him, even through all the struggles and misunderstandings they faced in the past. Of course, she was nervous about how they would move forward, but she also knew that they had both grown and changed over the years. They were no longer the same immature individuals who let misunderstandings tear them apart. Whatever lay ahead, Akshara was determined to prioritize Abhir's happiness and well-being in any decision they made.