Bound by Love

Chapter 17: Long Drive & Rainy Night

Author's Note-
Hii!!!
Enjoy the chapter please like and comment as they motivate me to write better.

Translations are a bit loose due to the lack of time at hand.

---++---++---

Akshara's shift was finally over. She came out of the building, still discussing work with Mayuri, who for some reason suddenly stopped talking and looked towards the entrance with a big smile on her face. Akshara curiously followed her gaze, and her face paled a little at the sight of Abhimanyu standing there, leaning against his car, looking directly at her.

Just today, she had promised herself to stay away from him for his own good, and now here he was, unknowingly breaking all her resolves just by looking at her with those eyes.

"Actually, Akshi, I don't think I can drop you home today," Mayuri informed her, with a fake sad face but grinning like a devil internally. ("Actually, Akshi, I don't think I can drop you home today.")

"Kya? Par kyun?" Akshara asked with a frown, which made Mayuri feel guilty, but she quickly got over it, knowing it was for the greater good. ("What? But why?")

"Actually, voh main bhool gayi thi, but mujhe apni mausi ki jethani ki teesri nanad ki chauthi bachhi ko uski tuition se pick karna tha. But don't worry, main tumhare liye abhi ride arrange kar deti hoon." She gave a ridiculous excuse but was surprised to see that Akshara still hadn't caught on to her lie and nodded sincerely. ("Actually, I forgot, but I have to pick up my aunt's sister-in-law's third sister's fourth child from her tuition. But don't worry, I'll arrange a ride for you right now.")

Akshara had requested Mayuri to drop her today as, even though she had come in her car, her injured hand was in a lot of pain, and she couldn’t risk driving in this condition.

Mayuri straight up went to Abhimanyu and requested in the sweetest voice possible.

"Dr. Rom– Birla, will you please do me a favor and drop Akshi at her home as I have a very important task at hand?" she asked.

Abhimanyu looked at her, surprised by this sudden request from someone he wasn't very well acquainted with, but since he was here for the same purpose, he accepted her request with a firm nod.

He had wrapped up his work early, feeling fortunate that tonight’s shift wasn’t his. Wanting to spend a little more time with her as he was still worried sick about her injury, he thought of dropping Akshara home. Right now, just sitting beside her in comfortable silence was enough to make his day.

With a smile on her face, Mayuri strode back to Akshara.

"Akshi, tere liye ride arrange kar di hai maine. Dr. Birla tera wait kar rahe hain, jaldi kar," she informed Akshara, who just shook her head. ("Akshi, I’ve arranged a ride for you. Dr. Birla is waiting for you, hurry up.")

"Mayuri, unhe mana kar do. Main cab le loongi," Akshara said firmly, starting to walk towards the side entrance, as Abhimanyu was at the main entrance. Mayuri just stood there, taken aback by Akshara's determination to avoid Abhimanyu. ("Mayuri, please tell him no. I'll take a cab.")

Without wasting time, Mayuri dashed towards Abhimanyu.

"Voh side wale gate se ja rahi hai. Jaldi jao, varna uske saath long drive par jaana ek sapna bankar hi reh jayega," she informed him while still catching her breath. ("She’s leaving from the side gate. Go quickly, otherwise, going on a long drive with her will remain just a dream.")

Abhimanyu quickly got into the car, drove out of the NGO's premises, and raced towards the side entrance. He reached there just in time to see Akshara walking a few meters away on the sidewalk, visibly struggling to carry her bag because of her injury.