Closure

33. Sangeet Surprise

The night of the Sangeet finally arrived, and the atmosphere was electric. Both the Goenka and Birla families, along with their extended relatives and friends, gathered at the hotel's lavishly decorated venue. The space was bathed in warm lights, with intricate decor that perfectly captured the beauty of the occasion.

Neil had prepared a delightful surprise—a slideshow of candid photos of Abhi and Akshu, collected secretly from their families. As the slideshow played, he sang the playful and affectionate tune, "Wah Wah Ramji, Jodi Kya Banayi. Bhaiya Aur Bhabhi Ko, Badhai Ho Badhai..." Laughter and cheers erupted from the audience as they watched the montage, their hearts warmed by Neil's endearing gesture.

Next up were the Goenka brothers, Kairav and Vansh, who took the stage with a humorous skit. Kairav, hilariously playing Akshu, and Vansh, playing Abhi, reenacted key moments from the couple's relationship. Their performance was both funny and poignant, culminating in a heartfelt song about their love for Akshu and how much they would miss her after she was married. Tears welled up in Akshu's eyes as she watched her brothers, her emotions raw and overwhelming. Abhi, seated beside her, gently squeezed her hand, offering silent comfort.

As the night continued, family members and relatives took the stage, each performance a loving tribute to the couple. The atmosphere was electric, filled with joy and anticipation, but all eyes were on the stage as the much-awaited moment finally arrived.

Akshu stepped onto the stage, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. Dressed in a stunning lehenga, she looked ethereal, her presence commanding everyone's attention. She took a deep breath and spoke, "Music is what brought Abhi into my life. Today, I want to sing the song that I sang when we first met. This song is very special to me because it marks the day this most precious human came into my life. Abhi, this is for you."

As the first notes of "Lag Jaa Gale" began to play, Akshu closed her eyes, letting the music guide her. Her voice, soft yet powerful, filled the room, each word resonating with deep emotion. The audience was captivated, their attention solely on her. Her and Abhi's eyes locked throughout the performance, their connection palpable. The love they shared was evident to everyone, and it felt as though the song was a dialogue between their hearts.

When the song ended, the applause was thunderous. Akshu smiled, her heart full of joy as she soaked in the love and admiration from her family and friends. But the night held a surprise that no one expected.

As the applause subsided and everyone settled back into their seats, Abhi stood up. Dressed in an elegant sherwani, he walked up to the stage, the room falling silent with anticipation. The whispers began almost immediately, "Is he going to sing?" "Abhimanyu has never sung or even danced in front of an audience before!"

Abhi cleared his throat, his voice betraying his nerves. "I... I don't sing, but I love music. Everyone knows that. Today is special, so I wanted to sing. I might be off-key, but I wanted to dedicate a song to Akshu. This song is special because I listened to it on repeat as I went home after Akshu finally confessed her love for me in front of everyone at the temple. Akshu, I love you so much. This is for you."

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. With a shaky breath, Abhi began singing "Kaise Hua." He was more reciting than singing, but his sincerity was evident, and it touched everyone who listened. Akshu's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched him. But partway through, Abhi paused abruptly, overwhelmed by nerves.

"Believe me, I know the lyrics, but I'm too nervous since I've never sung, let alone in front of a crowd," he admitted with a nervous chuckle. Then, from his pocket, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. "So... for a situation like this, I prepared this."

With trembling hands, Abhi unfolded the paper and continued reading the lyrics. His voice wavered, his eyes darting between the paper and Akshu. Akshu felt her heart swell, her throat tightening with emotion. She had never seen him like this—so vulnerable, so earnest. As he continued, his hands began to shake more visibly.

Without hesitation, Akshu stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She gently took his hands in hers, steadying them with her touch. Her presence grounded him, giving him the strength to carry on. The audience watched in silence, moved by the tenderness of the moment.

And so they sang the remaining song as a duet, their voices blending in perfect harmony:

"Aankhein meri har jagah
Dhoondhe tujhe bewajah
Ye main hoon ya koi aur hai meri tarah
Kaise hua, kaise hua
Tu itna zaroori kaise hua
Kaise hua, kaise hua
Tu itna zaroori kaise hua."

As they finished, tears flowed freely down Akshu's cheeks, though they were tears of pure joy. The audience, equally moved, included many like Manjiri and Manish, who wiped their own misty eyes.

When the last note faded, Akshu pulled Abhi into a tight embrace, their hearts beating as one. The room erupted in applause once again, but for the two of them, it felt like they were alone in the world, sharing a moment that was uniquely theirs.

They held each other for what felt like an eternity, the outside world forgotten. When they finally pulled back, Akshu looked into Abhi's eyes, her voice a soft whisper. "I love you so much, Abhi."

He smiled, his own voice thick with emotion. "I love you too, Akshu."

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, music, and dancing, but for Abhi and Akshu, that moment on stage became the highlight of the night. They hadn't planned on singing together, yet the way it unfolded so naturally, so perfectly, felt like pure magic. It was a moment of pure connection, a spontaneous expression of their love that neither of them would ever forget.