Closure

11. Permission Granted

Abhi continued to take care of Akshu as if she were a baby. Even for something as simple as reaching for a glass of water, he would stop her and instead bring the glass to her, making her drink from his hands.

Akshu appreciated the pampering but sometimes found it annoying, especially when he insisted she eat only healthy food.

One day, she was trying to convince him to let her have gol gappe. "Please, Abhi... Just one?" she pleaded, making puppy eyes at him.

Abhi remained firm. "Nope. No street food. If you're hungry, I'll get you a fresh salad. I'll add pecans to it today. Don't you just love nuts in salads?"

Under her breath, Akshu muttered, "I will go nuts eating these nuts and salads."

Abhi looked at her. "What was that?"

Akshu forced a smile. "Nothing. I was just saying that my hunger died after hearing about it. You eat."

When Akshu was in a much better condition, Manish decided to have a chat with her. "Akshu," he began, "I never tried to understand what you went through. I was only concerned about myself, my reputation, and my hurt. Over the past few days, I've done a lot of reflecting and realized how many times I've failed you. Arohi hasn't treated you well since childhood, but we ignored it because she was the younger one. And your relationship with Abhi... I never tried to understand it. But now I do. Nobody can love you like he does, and I know you love him a lot too. You have my blessing to be with him and spend the rest of your life with him."

Akshu was surprised and could only say, "Thank you, Bade Papa."

Just then, Abhi entered the room, and Akshu exclaimed, "Abhi! Bade Papa has agreed to our relationship."

Abhi's smile widened, and he touched Manish's feet, who instead pulled him into a hug.

Manish then shouted, "Kairav?" Kairav entered with a cake, and the rest of the Goenkas followed with party poppers and other celebratory items.

It was then that Akshu and Abhi realized the Goenkas had planned this all along. They were touched by the gesture.

Abhi and Akshu shared a happy eye lock, realizing that their love had finally triumphed. The only person missing was Arohi. When she found out Manish had agreed to Abhi and Akshu's relationship, she was furious but hid it. She said she had some work and left.

Akshu noted her absence and asked, "Does Aaru know about this?"

Manish replied, "Yes. She knows. She left because of some work."

Akshu smiled and said, "Okay." Then they all continued the celebration.

A few days later, on Akshu's last night at the hospital, she and Abhi were deep in conversation.

"Abhi, what about your family?"

"What about them?"

"You know, it was not just my family. Your family doesn't approve of me either. Especially your father. That's still an issue."

Abhi said, "Akshu, Ma loves you, and when it comes to the elders in my family, it begins and ends with Ma for me. Only she matters. So you don't have to worry about what Sir or others in my family think."

"But..."

"But nothing."

Akshu agreed, though with a hint of reluctance. She understood the challenging history Abhi had with his family. Despite this, she was determined to help mend their relationships. In her innocent belief that everyone had goodness within them, Akshu hoped she could assist in healing Abhi's family trauma, especially concerning his father.

Abhi then thought of a plan and asked her, "Akshu, come on, let's go."

Surprised, Akshu asked, "Where?"

"Ummm... I could tell you, but it'll be more fun as a surprise.", he said, guiding her outside.

He handed her a helmet and gestured for her to sit behind him on his bike. Excitement sparkled in Akshu's eyes as she hopped on.

Akshu held onto Abhi's waist from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she let the cool breeze caress her face. It felt liberating to be out after so long, and she relished every moment.

After a short ride, they stopped at a gol gappa stall, and Akshu couldn't contain her excitement.

Abhi grinned, "Since you've been such a good and cooperative patient, I'll let you have gol gappe today. But no more than six."

Akshu jumped with joy and kissed his cheek, exclaiming, "You're the sweetest!" Abhi playfully pretended to faint with happiness.

With that, Akshu savored each gol gappa, one by one, while Abhi watched on, his smile growing as he witnessed her happiness, reminiscent of a child's innocent joy.