adhura pyaar ┃abhira (3.0)

swirling feelings

Akshara pressed the ends of her red dress down, as she did a one over on herself in the mirror in front of her. She pushed her dark locks off her shoulders and adjusted her lipstick in the mirror one last time. 

She wrung her fingers trying to free the tension buildup in her hands. She shook her head, it was just Abhimanyu. Yet she couldn't help the nervous feelings that washed over her, nor could she hide the tiny bit of giddiness that powered her. 

"Akshu!" Mimi pushed the door open and Akshara jumped slightly, "Aree kitne sundar lagri hai"

"Thanks Mimi" She hugged the older woman. Mimi reached for her waterline filled with kajol before reaching out and placing some behind Akshara's ear which caused the ends of Akshara's mouth to upturn. 

"Waise kidhere jaa rahe hoon?" Mimi asked her, once Akshara pulled the door close behind the two as the started walking down the stairs. 

"Richa and Rohan are holding a small party before their wedding" Akshara explained, as they descended the final step. She was greeted with Kairav and Bade Mumma exchanging sly smiles at this news. 

"Abhimanyu will be there right?" Kairav asked indifferently, and Akshara tilted her head to the side as she gave him a scrutinizing glare. "What? I'm just asking. It's better if you know someone...but don't worry even if you don't. Aarohi's going as well"

"Alright, I've got to go. I'm already half an hour late" Akshara smiled hesitantly before running out to the car. 

The entire drive consisted of her practicing what she would say and different excuses she could give to make the situation seem like it was just a friendly thing and that she didn't have any feelings for Abhimanyu, if he didn't seem to reciprocate. 

"Oh Akshu!" She chided herself, she was a grown woman, a mother even. Yet she was acting like a lovesick teenager figuring out how to talk to a longtime crush. It wasn't that serious she assured herself, it was abhimanyu after all. They were already so close and this was just a fun relaxing evening, she was the one who was adding so much meaning behind it, he probably didn't care if she came or not. 

When she arrived, she came to the realization that she had underestimated the vibrancy. There were a lot of people, chattering and dancing away. The small intimate dinner party had turned into a club like party, and she didn't know if this was her setting exactly. The epihany came when she entered inside, surrounded by unknown people with unknown faces. She held her chin up high as she scanned through the crowd, and as if the gods above showered their mercies towards her she found Arohi laughing with an older man. 

"Aru" Akshara held onto the end of Aarohi's shawl. The latter turned around as surprise flared in her features. "Thank god, you're here"

"Akshu?" Arohi turned towards her and the man left excusing himself to get another drink. She looked her up and down before giving her an approving smile, "You surprised me, I didn't know if you'd come... and talking about surprises look who showed up too"

Akshara followed Arohi's gaze and of course it landed on him, her breath got caught in her throat as she saw him but turned around quickly. "Oh well of course he would come, he's the MD and the couple's best friend"

Arohi hummed with a teasing smile on her lips, "Sure. But you know he was convinced you wouldn't come"

"Really?" Akshara breathed, her cheeks turning slightly pink. So it did mean as much as she thought it would. 

"The both of you are so complicated. even when everything can be simple between you, the both of of you choose to complicate it" Arohi scolds, she recalls how Abhimanyu moped around the house earlier and everything she said was brushed past him. "And look at that he's coming our way"