An AkshNav OS

The Kasauli Jhoola

~The story starts with Abhimanyu winning Abhir's custody. On Manjari's and Goenkas' request, Akshara went to Birla house for the sake of Abhir. Abhinav, however, was only allowed on weekends. He brought a rented house in Udaipur. He started believing Manjari's words of being the third person, as the gap between him and his family was increasing. While Akshara's case was the other way around. She would eagerly wait for weekends. She wanted to leave that house but couldn't due to Abhir. But she got the chance when Abhir went for school competition for 4 days~

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It was almost 11. The clouds were covering the brightest of the stars. Akshara was just looking outside their rented house with despair. Because the next day she again had to leave Abhinav's house and go to Birla house as her son was returning the next day.

Abhinav just glanced at her from afar. He was not expecting her to be sad. Maybe a little, but not more than that. As he felt she still might have feelings for Abhimanyu, and he was just a friend. Infact, he was quite surprised when she decided to come to him for 4 days.

In those 4 days, both tried to make the most of it. Following their usual Kasauli routine; cooking together; Abhinav intentionally making mistakes and Akshara intentionally scolding him, both knowing each others intentions; shopping groceries together; reliving Abhir's childhood while sharing tea; and late night drives in Udaipur. Seemed they wanted to relive the whole 7 years in just 4 days.

Abhinav was good at accepting. So he gulped down the truth of again being separated. But it was Akshara who was finding it difficult, although she was unaware of her feelings.

"Bohut raat ho gayi hain Akshara. Chaliye so jaate hain. Kal aapko jana bhi to hain" said Abhinav.

"Aapko baar baar yaad dilane ki jaroorat nahi hain. Mujhe pata hain kal mujhe jana hain" Akshara retorted.

Abhinav went silent after that. Akshara was irritated because he was repeating the same line the whole day. She continued to look outside the window. Suddenly, she noticed something familiar.

It was a swing. It was Her Jhoola, lying anonymously in the backyard.

"When did he brought that?" Akshara thought. She ran outside towards the backyard. Abhinav saw her running and followed her outside.

She saw the beautiful Jhoola, decorated with her favourite flowers. It's beauty was further complemented by the soothingly delightful backyard. It was as peaceful as Kasauli, with the tiny flowers colour coordinating with her Jhoola. If anything she was missing of not being in Kasauli was accomplished by the cold breezy winds, hinting of a downpour afterwards.

Akshara was overwhelmed seeing her Jhoola, so much so that she was tearing up.

"Akshara, aap bahar ky-" Abhinav halted midway seeing her staring at her Jhoola.

Akshara came out of her session of admiration. She frowned at him. Abhinav already understood his faith. She looked at him with folded hands in her usual Bossy Wife Style.

"Toh! Kab laye aap yeh Jhoola? Aur kab batane wale the mujhe? Mere jaane ke baad? Main 4 din yaha thi aur mene notice bhi nahi kiya. Aapne kyu nahi balaya mujhe?" Akshara complained. She was disappointed as she could have enjoyed swinging every night.

"Woh main bas haalhi mein laya tha ji... Aur aap 4 din ke liye hi thi, toh...kya karu, kya na karu...in sab mein....Jhoole ke bare mein....yaad hi na...nahi...raha" Abhinav justified himself but was mentally face palming for his stupidity.

"Par aap ise Kasauli se yaha kyu laye? Ab jab phirse Kasauli jayenge to wapas shift karna parega. Uska bhi extra kharcha!" Akshara blabbered ignoring the present situation of her life. Abhinav just stared at her, not knowing how to react.