Second Chance Love

....Fallen!

The next few days were extremely hectic for Abhimanyu and Akshara. Kairav and Swarna had reached the hospital as soon as Akshara called them and Neil had arrived by the evening flight. Avni's operation was conducted the next day, and she was advised hospital stay for a few days to monitor her health status.

Akshara, Abhimanyu, and Neil had divided their work equally. Neil stayed at the hospital at night, while Akshara would reach the hospital in the morning after dropping the kids to school till the time they returned. Abhimanyu had cut down his work hours, so that he could relieve Akshara for her to go home to the kids. The routine was working for them, and Avni was recovering well.

When Avni was shifted to a private room after her surgery, she had hugged Akshara, apologized for her anger and thanked her for saving her life. Akshara had just smiled and hugged her back. It was when Abhimanyu, Neil, and even Aarohi couldn't stop thanking her that she got upset. They were on a video call when Aarohi had thanked her again for her quick action. Abhimanyu observed as Akshara's smile faded. He gestured to Neil.

"Bhabhi, what's wrong?"

"Why are you guys thanking me so much? Isn't she my mother too?"

That made the three of them apologize to her more than they had thanked her, much to her annoyance.

Akshara had tried her best to push the forehead kiss from her thoughts. She had deduced that it was done at the heat of the moment and didn't mean anything, except for Abhimanyu showing his gratitude towards her. From the time she had realized that she had fallen in love with Abhimanyu, she had tried her best to act normally in front of him. But it was impossible to not fall in love deeper with the guy. The way he cared for her without it being obvious, understanding her issues with an ease that only her family and friends had showed her till now, and supporting her without making a big deal about it, she could not stop herself from falling for him with every passing day.

Avni's health was looking good. A week after the incident, Abhimanyu called Akshara in the morning to tell her that Avni would be discharged by afternoon. Akshara dropped the kids and reached the hospital. She was passing through the hospital reception, when the receptionist called her, "Akshara M'am"

Akshara turned and walked towards the receptionist. She saw an elderly couple standing at the reception, looking warily at her.

"M'am, they have come to meet Avni M'am. Thought you could show them the way." 

Akshara nodded her with a smile and looked at the couple in front of her. They looked very familiar but she couldn't place them. Suddenly, she got it. "You are Abhir and Roohi's Aaji-Aajoba. I am Akshara. I am sorry, I didn't recognize you immediately. I didn't know you were coming."

Anirudh and Ruta looked at each other. They hadn't expected to see Akshara before even meeting Avni. "Actually, we hadn't told anyone we were coming."

Akshara nodded. "Please come."

The way to the hospital room was a quiet one, both parties not knowing what to talk to each other. Akshara led them to Avni's room. She knocked once and opened the door, "Look Ma. Who's here to see you?"

Luckily Abhimanyu was also in the room along with Neil and all of them had a pleasant surprise meeting the new entries.

After exchanging pleasantries and then inquiring about Avni's health, Avni asked "So you have already met Akshara?"

Anirudh and Ruta nodded. Akshara smiled at them. Abhimanyu observed that the Sawants hadn't smiled back at her. Although they had given him their blessing, they had still not tried to get to know Akshara. On Ganesh Chaturthi, a month after the wedding, they had invited the Birlas but had not extended the invitation to her. While Abhimanyu and Avni were upset, Akshara was completely fine about it. Abhimanyu had decided that he would send the kids with his mother and skip his own visit. It was true that their marriage was in name only but somehow he felt bad that Akshara was not involved in what he believed to be his family's celebration. But Akshara had protested.