Double update today for Abhira fans and my fourth today! 😳🤭 Now bye 👋
...
Abhimanyu entered the hospital and the sight in front of made him feel agitated. Neil was standing in the reception area going through a file.
Abhimanyu: Neil! You promised you'd stay by her side! Why are you outside..
Neil: Bro vo-
Abhimanyu: Tu kyu nahi samajh raha, mai Akshu ko akele nahi chodna chahta...jaana padhta hai lekin agr uske saath koi aisa ho jisse me trust kr skta hoon toh mai khud ko samjha leta hoon...
Neil: (hugs him) Bhai, please sambhaliye khud ko...Bhabhi is safe. She was waking up. Taiji hai unke saath. Akeli nahi hai vo..
Abhimanyu: Akshu woke up! Mai abhi jata hoo-
Before Neil could even blink, Abhimanyu disappeared in the direction of Akshara's ward.
......
Outside Udaipur Police Station
Outside the station was a tea stall. A constable sat their sipping his tea and looking around. Soon, a man came on bike and handed him an envelope. He quickly finished his tea and went around the station where people mostly went to pee. He looked around and found no one. He opened the envelope and was satisfied with the amount of cash in it. His phone started to ring.
Constable: Hello?
Other person: Kyu? Paise poore hai?
Constable: Haan..
Other person: toh kaam bhi poora hona chahiye...
Constable: Okay
The constable went inside the station and noticed a lot of people were missing since it was lunch hour but there were many people still around. He couldn't risk it. He looked at Raghu and Chotu. The two smirked as the constable nodded at them before leaving.
........
Mahima came out of Akshara's ward and saw Anand outside.
Anand: How is she?
Mahima: The panic attack was so bad! I couldn't control it. I had to inject her to make her sleep...
Abhimanyu: What!?
Mahima and Anand turned to see Abhimanyu in a distraught state. They shared a look.
Abhimanyu: Taiji! Akshu ko panic attack? Kyu? Vo thik toh hai na-
Mahima: Abhimanyu, baitho-
Abhimanyu: Nahi, aap mujhe batao pehle
Anand: Dr. Abhimanyu!
Abhimanyu: Dr Anand! As the doctor who treated her and her husband, I deserve to know!
Mahima: We know that...but there is something we want to tell privately...Akshara is unconscious so chalo-
Abhimanyu: uske ward me hi bata do-
Mahima: Kaise baate kr rahe ho-
Neil, who was following them understood Abhimanyu dilemma.
Neil: Bro! Aap jao...mai ruka hua hoon bhabhi ke pass...promise..
Abhimanyu nodded, relief visible in his eyes. Anand again shared a look with Mahima. They left with Abhimanyu towards her cabin.
Mahima: Abhimanyu, please sit.
Abhimanyu sat rocking his feet. He was getting impatient.
Mahima: Akshara is fine! Her vitals are normal. She is breathing on her own and there is no danger to her life but-
Abhimanyu: But?
Mahima: Look, there is no easy way to say this...so I'll just say it- Akshara had a panic attack. A very bad one! I had to inject her to calm her down. It was because she tried to call you and...and no sound came out-
Abhimanyu: Kya?!!
Mahima: She couldn't speak Abhimanyu! She couldn't...she tried taking your name in vain and started to panic...I didn't think her vocal chords were this affected! She seemed fine. Anand will ring in a specialist. But right now, things seem uncertain..
Abhimanyu stared at the two blankly. Mahima called out his name but he did not respond. He stood up abruptly and walked out in a daze.
Anand: Mahima! Call Manjiri now!
.......
Manjiri Birla wiped her tears. Her daughter-in-law was the sweetest person and her state was killing her on the inside. She was also worried for her son. She met Harshvardhan on the way who told her Abhimanyu's whereabouts. Soon, she entered his dark cabin. She did not switch on the lights and navigated her way through the dim light coming in from the frosted window glass.
At one glance, anyone would think the cabin is empty but Dr. Rohan had been keeping tabs on Abhimanyu and was sure he was inside. Manjiri went in further and saw Abhimanyu crouched under his desk. He was staring into space blankly. Manjiri put her hands in his hair and unlike always, he did not complain.
Manjiri: Abhiii...
Abhimanyu did not react.
Manjiri: Abhii, beta....ro le-
Abhimanyu looked at her. She noticed his eyes were red- he had cried!
Manjiri: Beta-
She pulled him on her lap. Abhimanyu broke down in her embrace.
Abhimanyu: Maa! Maa, meri Akshu ke saath kya ho gaya! Pehle ye hadsa...pta nahi kyu kiya kissi ne uske saath vo sab...
He got up and looked at Manjiri while wiping his tears.
Abhimanyu: Apko pata hai maa, Akshu ne bohot himmat dikhai...vo un logo se bachkr bhaag rahi thi, she fought maa! And that monster did this to her right in front me ...meri hi nazron ke saamne meri Akshu ke saath- aur mai kuch nahi kr paya maa!!...
Manjiri: Khud ko dosh mt de beta...galti un badmashon ki hai-
Abhimanyu: Akshu toh OT me bhi bohot brave thi..ek second bhi haar nahi maani...sink nahi hui...It was like she heard me and fought for us... Itna kuch ho gaya maa aur ab ye....uski awaaz! Uski awaaz uske liye kya hai ye hum sb jaante hai...Usne mujhe bataya tha ki bachpan me jb bhi usse akelapan lagta tha toh music tha uska saathi- uski awaaz mere liye bhi bohot khaas hai...mera pehla rishta usse hi juda tha...bhagwaan humse vo nahi cheen skte..
He cried. Manjiri wiped his tears.
Manjiri: Abhi, Tu Akshu se pyaar krta hai na?
Abhimanyu: Khud se bhi zyada...
Manjiri: Nahi, tu mera sawal samajh...kya tujhe Akshara se sach me pyaar hai..
Abhimanyu: Jhoot ka pyaar krna mujhe nahi aata-
Manjiri: Kal ko Akshara ki awaaz agr sach me wapis na aayi...to bhi kya tu usse utna hi pyaar karega..
Abhimanyu: Maa! kaisi baaten kr rahi ho aap?...Akshu ki awaaz mere liye bohot khaas hai...usse ek rishta hai mera...rooh ka...pr usne mujhe sirf Akshu ki taraf kheecha ...lekin Akshu ke hone ka ehsas mere liye usse bhi zyada khaas hai ...vo khaas hai...mera pyaar uske liye kabhi km nahi hoga...
Manjiri caressed his cheeks.
Manjiri: bs beta, yahi baat tujhe usse samjhani hai...ki tu uske saath hr kadam pr hai...Tu toot jayega toh usse kon sambhalega? Tujhe uski himmat banna hai...tu himmat nahi kho skta...
Abhimanyu: Maa, pr mai usse iss halat me nahi dekh paunga..
Manjiir: (strictly) dekhna padega Abhi! Zindagi me bohot utaar-chadhav ate hai...bure waqt me dekh nahi payega toh saath kaise dega? Chal ab, ansu poch! Akshu ko hosh ata hoga and tu iss baar uske pass hi hoga...samjha na? Usse iss halat me aur takleef nahi honi chahiye, na panic krna chahiye..
Abhimanyu nodded. He promised himself that all his pain, his fear and worries were his and in front her- he'd be strong. Her docman!
......
Akshara Birla was slowly gaining conscious. Her eyes were still closed but she started becoming aware of her surroundings. She heard some talks. They were probably two nurses.
Nurse 1: Did you see, earlier Akshara ma'am was trying so hard to speak but she couldn't ..
Nurse 2: I know, it was really painful to see. What if its permanent? What if she can never talk again?
Nurse 1: What a pity! Ma'am kitna accha gati hai...agr unki awaaz ko kuch ho gaya toh what about her profession??
Arohi entered the ward to check on Akshara and heard the talks.
Arohi: Profession and personal dono hi khrab ho jayega...Do you guys know Abhimanyu fell in love with her voice, bina isse dekhe bs inki awaaz ka deewana ho gaya tha...Iski singing hi hai jo isse Dr. Abhimanyu ke liye special banati hai...wahi nahi rahi toh-
Abhimanyu: Dr. Arohi! Sisters!...ab sbko ward me gossip krne ki salary milti hai? LEAVE!
Nurses: Sorry Dr.
They left.
Abhimanyu: Dr. Arohi! Apko alag se likh kr dena hoga?
Arohi: She is still my sister you know! I can check on her...
Abhimanyu: and gossip about her with the next person you see? Leave. I want to stay with my wife and I want no one else here.
Arohi: How-
Abhimanyu glared at her and Arohi frowned before leaving. Abhimanyu walked towards Akshara. There were tears that had trailed down her face. Abhimanyu's heart clenched. She had heard all this? He wiped her tears and kissed her eyes.
Abhimanyu: Akshu? Jaan?
He whispered slowly in her ears. Akshara slowly opened her moist eyes.
Akshara tried to say Abhi. Her lips moved but no sound came. Her eyes widened before shutting in pain. She broke into a soundless cry.
Abhimanyu: Hey! Hey! Hey! Akshu...baba meri taraf dekho...aisa sb krke tum apne aapko aur stress de rahi ho...don't!
Akshara couldn't stop crying. Her breathing became uneven.
Akshara: (in mind) What if I can't speak again? Cannot SING! Singing is my life! My music is my identity! ...aur Abhi! Mere music ke alawa ek mera Abhi hi toh hai jo mujhe sukoon deta hai...kya vo bhi mujhe chod dega?..
She gasped for breath as she started to panic. Abhimanyu knew it was dangerous for her to panic again. He pulled her up carefully into his chest.
Abhimanyu: Akshu! Calm down! Baba aise tumhari awaaz permanent kharab ho jayegi!
He pulled back to see Akshara stare at him in confusion.
Abhimanyu: Tumhari awaaz bilkul thik ho jayegi...kuch nahi hua hai usse...vocal chords thik hai tumhare...bs chot ki wajah se problem kr rahe hai...kuch din me thik ho jayenge...pr tum panic karogi...rone lagogi toh uska ghaav bhadega...thik hone me problem hogi..
He hugged her again.
Abhimanyu: breathe Akshu! Ye permanent nahi hai..
He felt Akshara slowly calm down. He pulled back and moved her hair behind her ears and kissed her cheeks.
Abhimanyu: (in mind) sorry Akshu..tumse jhoot nahi bolna chahta pr abhi kuch bhi sure nahi hai but mai nahi chahta ki tum apni tabyat kharab kr lo-
He kissed her forehead.
Abhimanyu: Dara diya na apne docman ko tumne jaan..
Akshara pouted cutely and held her ears. Abhimanyu laughed at her cuteness and ruffled her hair.
Abhimanyu: Bhook lgi hai?
Akshara nodded eagerly. Abhimanyu chuckled.
Abhimanyu: chalo, kuch tests krne hai khali pet...phir hum khane ke baad kuch aur tests lenge..
Akshara nodded and held his hand. Abhimanyu looked at the appreciation and love in her eyes. It really warmed his heart.
Abhimanyu: (in mind) Stay strong Abhi...Stay strong..
If he felt weak or scared, he did not show it at all. He was smiling in front of Akshara like everything was fine. Akshara being the naive, innocent girl she was- she trusted him. If he was chill, there was nothing to worry about!
They had her tests done and the families came to visit. They were emotional on seeing Akshara but her smiling face made them want to stay strong- at least for her sake. Mahima had specially instructed Suhasini to not cry in front of her. They bought her home-made food which Abhimanyu had to refuse. He met reluctance from both sides- Goenkas and Akshara but he stood his ground and made her drink the soup that she drank while giving him mean eyes.
Abhimanyu: Aise gussa se dekhne se kuch nahi hoga..peena toh yahi padega...
Akshara scrunched her nose in anger and drank the soup. Abhimanyu ran a few more tests and gave her post meal medicines that made her drowsy. Akshara soon drifted to sleep. The family left afterwards. Abhimanyu slumped his shoulders. Now that Akshara was sleeping, he had no more motive to keep his happy facade. He was dying on the inside- keeping up appearances only for her.
..........
Anand came inside Akshara's ward. He informed Abhimanyu that Akshara test reports would come in soon and will be sent to a specialist. Anand also mentioned that he was glad Akshara took everything very calmly. Abhimanyu told him how he lied and gave her false hope. Anand nodded in understanding.
Anand: I get why you did so...and accha hai...Akshara se vo sb nahi kehte toh uski tabyat stress se aur bigar jaati ...if she stays happy and positive- her chances of healing are better... You stay strong my boy...Okay?
Abhimanyu looked at his sleeping wife. She looked really delicate. He smiled.
Abhimanyu: I will- I just have to!
..........
It was late evening, Akshara was asleep while Abhimanyu sat on a chair in her ward. There was a small desk bought in too. He went through some files of his other patients while keeping a watchful eye of his wife. Neil and Parth saw this from the window.
Parth: Do you notice this?
Neil: Bhai bhabhi ko bilkul akele nahi chod paa rahe hai....agr kissi zaruri kaam ki wajah se jaana padta hai toh kissi na kissi ko bitha kr jaate hai..
Parth: I hope ye kuch din me thik ho jaaye-
Neil: I hope so too..
...........
At the police station, Raghu and Chotu gestured the constable. He came close.
Raghu: Kyu be? Paise mil gaye hai toh chod hume?
Constable: Abhi nahi, abhi sb tum dono pr nazar rakhe hue hai..
Chotu: to kb chodega?? Tera vo inspector phir marega..uske baad? (to Raghu) sahi me bohot maarta hai..
Constable: Tumne haath bhi iss baar bohot bade ghar ki bahu pr daala hai....uske sasural wale aur maiyke wale- dono hi bohot bade log hai...tum chinta mt karo...mai jb sahi waqt dekhunga tb bhaga dunga tum dono ko...
.........
It was night time at Birla Hospital, Abhimanyu was feeding a bowl of soup to Akshara. Akshara gestured at him. Abhimanyu understood what she meant.
Abhimanyu: Haan, mai kha lunga...
Akshara frowned.
Abhimanyu: Arey Jaan, vo dekho, uss thermos me mere liye bhi soup hai ...tum kha lo phir mai bhi kha lunga..
Akshara raised her eyes at him.
Abhimanyu: Off course! Tum aise sb khana kahogi toh maine kaise kuch aur kha lu?
Akshara smiled sweetly and kissed his jaw. Abhimanyu blushed. Akshara's smile broadened.
Abhimanyu: KL tumhe discharge mill jayega...waise ye ek special privilege hai doctor pati hone ka....mai tumhari dressing kr skta hoon...ab hr kissi ka pati toh docman hota nahi hai...
He smirked. Akshara hit his shoulder lightly and pointed a finger at his face.
Abhimanyu: Hoye!
Akshara's eyes widened.
Abhimanyu: I don't need words to understand you Akshu...
Akshara nodded at him, gesturing him to come closer. She put her soft hands on his face and kissed his eyes. A tear fell off them. She wiped those and shook her head. She patted the place next to her.
Abhimanyu: Nahi Akshu, you sleep. Mere hone se kahin-
Akshara gave him an angry look.
Abhimanyu: Mai couch pr so-
Akshara held his hand and pulled him. Abhimanyu himself was craving her warmth. He finally gave in and laid in the bed with her. Akshara wrapped her small arms around his torso and kept her head on his chest. Abhimanyu couldn't help his tears as he wrapped his hands securely around her. After the emotional rollercoaster of the day, Abhimanyu finally retired for the night in her arms. Cocooned in her warmth- he was finally at peace.
Akshara felt Abhimanyu's breathing become even. She looked up and saw him asleep. She laid her head back and thought about her day. She was really scared to lose her voice! It meant so much to her. She recalled all those times when music made her feel less lonely. Her music bought Abhimanyu to her. Losing her voice felt like losing a piece of herself. She had not spoken anything since she had woken up- her own silence felt deafening to her.
Akshara: I am so scared Abhi...so so scared. But tum ho na mere pass to mai haar nahi manugi...promise..
She snuggled into his chest, letting the medicines and fatigue do its work on her.
............
xoxo