Her Choice but not His love

Dreams (fever and day)

*The hotel room*

Abhimanyu's having one hell of a fever dream. He's falling continuously into an abyss. He's thrashing his limbs to hold onto something, anything at this point. But he couldn't. It's very dark, pitch black dark. His body forgets how to breathe. His mouth is wide open, but he couldn't make a single sound.

Little did he know that he did make a gut wrenching scream, which shook Aarohi to the core. But Aarohi managed to compose herself for her patient.

Aarohi: *gently* Sir wake up! You're having a nightmare. This is just a nightmare. You're in a hotel room at Chittorgarh. You're having a stress induced fever and now you're struck in a nightmare. You're absolutely safe here.

Though Abhimanyu's fever is shooting up, Aarohi's words gave him some grip over the reality. He slowly regained his consciousness. Aarohi made him drink some water and helped him to a sitting position. The wet cloth which was present on his forehead, unknown to him fell on his lap.

Abhimanyu: *confused*  Huh??

Aarohi then calmly updated him on the things he missed. And Abhimanyu was grateful that he does not have to face his father. Just not yet.

Aarohi: I've ordered some broth. Have it and then take your medicines.

Abhimanyu: *tiredly* You don't have to do all this.

Aarohi: *sighs* I'm a doctor, so I can't actually abandoned a sick man. Now finish your broth fast.

Abhimanyu: *deep breath* Guess I owe you many things for helping me.

Aarohi: *mask of indifference* Of course, you do.

Abhimanyu: *genuinely* Thanks, Aarohi.*slurping his broth* Did you order something to eat for yourself? Also what's the time now?

Aarohi: *lying* Yes, I did and it's 2 o'clock. So go back to sleep after taking your meds. *fakes yawning* I'm taking the couch. Good night Sir.

Abhimanyu: Good night Aarohi. Once again thank you so much for everything.

Aarohi just hummed back to him and turned around so that her back is facing him. She texted Harshavardhan about his son. Little did she knew that Abhimanyu was glaring daggers at her back.

Abhimanyu (in his mind): Who the hell is she texting this late at night? Wait! Hold on! It should not bother me.

Aarohi (in her mind): Abhimanyu, I'm so sorry that you've been hurt this much in your past. Yet this does nothing to shake the undeniable admiration I have for you. Even if I came to know about your past after our wedding, I would have supported you with anything and everything under the sun. *Sighs* Only if you didn't run away leaving me at the altar. *Mentally slapping herself* Oh my God! Get a grip Aarohi. You're borderline daydreaming about someone else's man.

It was not really a good night for both the Goenka and the Birla (including their families back at their homes).

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🌥️⛅🌤️🌞 The next morning.

As soon as the sun appeared in the sky, Aarohi examined Abhimanyu's fever and declared it to be gone.

Aarohi: *raising her eyebrows* Can I trust you not to runaway again as you are well now? I've some work.

Abhimanyu: I guess so?

Aarohi: *seriously* Sir!

Abhimanyu: Fine. I won't leave.

Aarohi: I'll order some breakfast for you.

Abhimanyu: *raising eyebrows* Just a few hours ago, you addressed me as Papa and now look who's the mother hen? I'll order something for both of us.

Aarohi: *glares* Suit yourself, Sir. I'm not hungry.

By saying so, she dashed out of the hotel room, making an excuse of having some plans with a friend. Abhimanyu was not sulking after she left, but he obviously did😅.

Abhimanyu (in his mind): Is this the same friend, she was texting last night? Uggh! I should not ponder upon my intern's personal life.

Abhimanyu's mind unapologetically supplied him that Aarohi was his ex-fiancée, so she's not just a mere intern. To take his mind off about Aarohi, he decided to go shopping for some change of clothes from the nearby shop. Bad decision on Abhimanyu's behalf, as he was downright exhausted just by his half an hour shopping spree.

On the other hand, Aarohi escaped the hotel room in a rush, to gather her feelings. As one should not be expected to spend this much alone time with their (ex)crush/(ex)fiancé/the man she was daydreaming a future with and be okay with it, the very next morning.

Girls have eyes too, you know.

Aarohi (from somewhere in the middle of a busy street): Why the hell is he this hot and handsome? *Chanting to herself* He's commited to someone else! He's committed to someone else! For whom, he has ditched me at the altar. I've nearly sued him. So I should not be affected by his cute pouty sleeping face.

Aarohi sighed in frustration.

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*The Birla house*

Harsh whisked his elder brother Anand, to share about the things that took place late at night.

Anand: *relieved* Thank God, Abhimanyu's atleast safe if not okay! But Harsh let's not talk about this with anyone else. Already Aarohi's been through a lot. But what're we gonna tell our family without mentioning Aarohi? Especially Manjari!

Harsh: Yes Bhaishab! I've thought about it. As now Abhimanyu's fever is gone, let's wait till Aarohi reach the hotel back. Then we'll inform the family members about Abhimanyu's whereabouts only after knowing about their further plans. Who knows they may part ways as it's their personal break. But we need to ensure that Abhimanyu has some means of contact with us.

Anand: Absolutely right!

Manjari had other plans though, as she woke up from the sedation and choose anxiety. Neil offered to take her to the temple, to pray for the wellbeing of his dear brother. The Birlas collectively sighed a breath of relief. Atleast Manjari's blood pressure will be in control in the peaceful environment of the temple. Just as about a crying Manjari with the essential things for doing Pooja in her hands and a sad Neil were about to board the car, Akshara saw them from the compound gate. Akshara trusted her gut instincts, so she quickly rushed back to board her own car and created a small distance from them. And she was successfull as Neil who was driving the car did not see Akshara's car. Afterwards, Akshara followed them sneakily.

*Flashback*

The Goenkas were getting ready to rain hell on the Birlas, as Abhimanyu broke Akshara's heart. But Akshara stopped them. Because she wanted to confront then on her own.

Badepapa: But Akshu!

Akshara: *determined* Please Badepapa! I've listened to Kairav bhaiya when he asked me to not call the other Birla family members late at night when Abhimanyu did not pick up my call after breaking up with me through email. But now everyone please listen to me. He's the one who made me accept me feelings for him, even though I've rejected him. Now he'll have to answer me directly.

*Flashback ends*

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Dear readers, thank you so much for voting my work 💟.

Now the long forgotten negative Akshara track (which won the poll conducted on 19th March 2024) has begun🔥🔥🔥.