A light in the flame

Chapter 26 - Honeymoon

The sun was warm, the air was fragrant with the scent of wildflowers, and laughter filled the cozy villa that Abhimanyu had chosen for their honeymoon getaway. With their son Abhir happily staying with Kiara and Sid for two weeks, Akshara and Abhimanyu were finally able to have time for just themselves. The long journey they'd taken to reach this point in their lives—filled with both joy and challenges—made every moment together now feel sweeter and more precious.

The villa was nestled on the edge of a serene lake, framed by rolling green hills and surrounded by blooming flowers. It had a private pool, a cozy terrace, and large windows that welcomed in the golden morning light. Akshara stood by one of the windows, looking out at the view, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Abhimanyu came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "So," he murmured softly, "Mrs. Birla, what would you like to do first on our honeymoon adventure?"

Akshara turned around to face him, her eyes mischievous. "Well, Dr. Birla, there's a lot on my mind, but I think we should start with the pool.

Their eyes met, and Abhimanyu's gaze softened. He leaned down, brushing a tender kiss on her forehead, his fingers grazing her cheek as he did so. Akshara closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his touch, feeling her pulse quicken. She looked up at him, her eyes bright with affection, and he took that as his cue to bring his lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss that grew deeper as they stood there, savoring each other's warmth and closeness.

A few minutes later, they were by the pool, Akshara dipping her toes in the water while Abhimanyu was already waist-deep, calling her to join him. She hesitated, teasing him from the edge.

"Come on, Akshu !" he teased, wading toward her. "Or are you scared of a little water?"

Akshara laughed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not scared. I just... prefer to ease in." She was wearing a flowing white swimsuit cover-up, which she slipped off slowly, revealing her swimsuit underneath. Abhimanyu's eyes widened slightly, his gaze filled with appreciation.

But before he could say anything, Akshara took a sudden leap, splashing into the water beside him. She surfaced, flicking water playfully at his face. "How's that for easing in?"

Abhimanyu laughed, wiping water from his face. "Oh, so you want to play that way, huh?"

He splashed back, and soon they were engaged in a playful water fight, laughter echoing across the pool. They splashed and dodged, slipping under the water only to pop up and sneak-attack each other with more splashes. At one point, Akshara managed to grab hold of his shoulders, trying to dunk him under, but Abhimanyu held strong, grinning as he easily lifted her instead, carrying her around as she squealed in delight.

Eventually, Abhimanyu caught her by the waist, drawing her close until their laughter faded into a comfortable silence, and their breaths mingled. His fingers brushed a few damp strands of hair from her face, his gaze tender as he leaned in again, kissing her softly. The kiss deepened as their arms wound around each other, and for a moment, it was just them, surrounded by the gentle lapping of the water and the warmth of their embrace.

_

Later, they dried off and decided to explore the nearby forest trails. Abhimanyu led the way, holding Akshara's hand as they wandered through the greenery. Birds chirped from above, and every so often, they would come across wildflowers blooming in vibrant colors. The path wound around to a small hill with a stunning view of the lake, where they paused to take it all in.

"Remember how we used to dream about trips like this?" Abhimanyu mused, glancing over at her.

Akshara nodded, smiling softly. "It's funny... all those dreams seemed so far away at one point, and now, here we are. Together."