Roohdaariyan - Abhira OS and short stories

1.2 I will always find you

A/N Following the events of the previous chapter "No regrets"

Few days later

Abhimanyu walked into his cabin, an easy smile on his face, ever since Akshu's confession, he was on cloud nine. He could finally breathe again, the choking weight lifted off his shoulders - he didn't know how to explain it but Akshara was like a balm to his scars, he wasn't delusional, he knew she wasn't going to heal him but rather if anything this ordeal had taught him was that his Akshu was fighting her own set of demons, but perhaps their grief spoke to each other, perhaps his demons would always find her demons.

He walked over to his table only to find it filled with post it's of various colours, he took one, Akshu's voice echoing through his head - Are you a second degree heart block ? Because you made my heart skip a beat.

Abhimanyu shook his head in laughter, this was a common occurrence now, finding various post it's of medical puns and cheesy declarations of love in the oddest of places.

Akshara had been discharged a few days back, and the both of them had sat down with their families to have a much needed talk. While tensions were still strife, both Akshara and Abhimanyu had decided to take things slow, they knew they loved each other but had also realised that they both had made their fair share of mistakes, they wanted to get to know each other better, give everyone time to heal before rushing down the mandap.

But it seemed his gharelu doctor had made it her mission to keep surprising him with declarations of love - he had lost track of the number of flowers, cakes and violin groups that had come to serenade him and while he enjoyed the attention in the beginning having being starved for her affections, he was now worried if they were coming from a place of guilt.

Suddenly he felt his heart race, she was here, she was in the hospital, he raced to his door, opening it and stumbled into the corridor only to find her conversing with an older gentlemen. To his shock, even Sir and Taiji were standing beside the older man looking all out of place.

He made his way to the group, only to hear the older man loudly exclaim "And pray tell young lady what are you doing here ? You should be in New York, getting your masters"

"N-New York ??" Sir spluttered out in shock, fidgeting with his tie.

"Why yes Dr.Birla, you are looking at one of the few music therapists in the country who has been selected for a master program especially at such a young age and mind you while we are not supposed to have favourites, Akshara Goenka is one of my exceptions" The older gentlemen winked, laughing jovially.

"But she's not a doctor, she doesnt even have a professional degree and you Dr. Trivedi you are the dean of one of the best medical colleges in the country" Sir exclaimed his eyes wide in shock.

Before Abhimanyu could put Sir in place, Dr. Trivedi continued, "Perhaps this is not something you will understand Dr.Birla, but you do not require a degree to serve others do you ? Akshara has been volunteering with our hospital and NGO for years, and the kind of work and success she has accomplished with her patients is astounding. She chose an unconventional path, but she helps make a difference in the patient's lives just as much as you and I do."

"Anyways leave all that, Akshara beta what happened to New York and I want to meet your family, I cannot believe in all these years of you staying in Pune, I have never met them, not even for your graduation."

Abhimanyu's eyes widened in shock, her family hadn't even attended her graduation ? Just exactly how much had his Akshu sacrificed ??