ABHIRA [ON HOLD]

CHAPTER 5: YE SHAM MASTANI MADHOSH KIYE JAE- I

"Mimi, main select ho gayi!" Akshara's joyous voice echoed through the house as she dashed down the stairs, her lehenga skirt swaying and her t-shirt slightly askew from the sudden movement. She had been in the middle of getting ready for her brother's tilak ceremony when her phone buzzed with the notification that she had been selected for the job she applied for at the hospital.

"Akshu, dhyaan se!" Kairav called out, watching his sister nearly stumble on the stairs. But even that couldn't slow her down as she rushed, brimming with excitement.

"Bhaiya! Bhaiya! Bhaiya!" Akshara joyfully shouted, bouncing into the hall, unable to contain her happiness.

"Kya hua, Akshu? Itni khushi kis baat ki?" Bade Papa asked, stepping into the room, curious about the commotion. The entire family had heard her excited shouts and gathered around, puzzled but smiling at her enthusiasm.

"Haan, Akshu beta, kya hua?" Mimi added, noticing Akshara's glowing face.

Akshara could barely hold back her wide grin. "Bade Papa, Badi Mamma, Mimi, bhaiya, AG—I got selected for the job!" she exclaimed, pride shining in her eyes.

"Sachchi?" Bade Papa's eyes filled with pride as he confirmed her news.

"Ji, Bade Papa!" Akshara beamed, and immediately, the family burst into cheers, surrounding her with hugs and congratulatory words. The room filled with an atmosphere of pride and excitement as Akshara's joy spread to everyone around her.

Just as the celebrations hit their peak, Vansh bhaiya walked in. "Aap logo ne yahin party shuru kardi? Kuch waha ke liye bhi bacha lo," he joked, seeing everyone in a festive mood.

"Arey Vansh bhaiya, ye mere tilak ki party nahi hai. Akshu ko job mil gayi hai!" Kairav explained, grinning widely.

"Maine toh pehle hi bola tha Akshu, tera selection ho jaega! Tu to khamakha dar rahi thi interview ke din," Vansh teased, pulling her into a hug.

"Uff bhaiya!" Akshara whined playfully, hitting him lightly as the rest of the family laughed at their banter.

After the laughter subsided, Vansh turned toward Mimi and said, "Mimi, maine saara gifts gaadi mein rakhwa diya hai. Ab chalna kab hai?"

"Haan, bas aadhe ghante mein nikalte h," Mimi replied. Then she turned toward Akshara, "Ja Akshu, jaldi se tayyar ho ja. Aur Aaru se bhi keh dena ke jaldi kare, warna hum time se waha nahi pahunch paayenge."

"Ji, Mimi!" Akshara agreed, and before anyone could say more, she sprinted back up the stairs—nearly tripping once again, only to be playfully scolded by her family.

"Yeh ladki ka kuch nahi ho sakta," Kairav muttered, shaking his head fondly as Akshara shot him a sheepish smile before disappearing upstairs.

Before heading to her room, Akshara knocked on Arohi's door. Hearing a soft "come in," she entered the room to find Arohi standing in front of the mirror, carefully putting on her earrings, already dressed and looking stunning.

Akshara's eyes lit up as she took balayein of her younger sister. "Aru, tu kitni pyaari lag rahi hai!" she said with a smile full of love and admiration.

"Thanks," Arohi replied, slightly awkward at the sudden compliment. "Waise, tu chillaa kyun rahi thi?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, haan! Aru, mujhe job mil gayi!" Akshara exclaimed, her excitement bubbling back up.

Arohi smiled slightly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you!" Akshara grinned even wider. Then, remembering she still had to finish getting ready, she added, "Aur Mimi bol rahi thi ki aadhe ghante mein nikalna hai. Jaldi tayyar hone ko keh rahi thi!"