I love you.
The figure from the shadows turned as Akshara's eyes widened.
Her hands raised to her mouth, shaking her head. "Nahi, tum nahi."
Abhimanyu awkwardly nodded. "I know that was meant for Sharma-ji."
Akshara gave him a dopey smile. "Haan vahi. Unke liye."
Before either could say another word a sharp whisper hissed. "Akshu!" Kairav came charging in, grabbing Akshara by her arms. "Kahan tha na mat hilna."
Akshara pouted. "Na. Phele mujhe meri pati ko 'I love you' bolna hain."
Kairav pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please meri maa, yeh paani pi aur so ja."
Akshara stomped her foot. "Nahi! Kahan na, mujhe meri pati ko 'I love you' bolna hain."
Kairav sighed. "Do whatever you want, but in the morning."
"No now! Take me to my Abhinav." Akshara threw her hands up in the air, dancing and wobbling while Kairav wrangled her in.
Abhimanyu couldn't explain the way his heart twisted when he heard Akshara say 'My Abhinav'
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"Abhinav-ji. Idhar."
A worried Abhinav came rushing when he noticed Akshara leaning on her brother. "Kya hua aapko Akshrara, aap theek toh hain?"
Akshara smiled widely once she noitced her husband and opened her arms. "Abhinav!" She cheered, looping her arms around his neck and resting her head against his shoulder.
"Yeh, kya kar rahi hain-- aap?" Abhinav struggled, not knowing where to put his hands, especially when he Jija/Saala was watching.
Kairav scratched his head and averted his eyes. "Actually, the restaurant we went accidentally got the orders wrong and gave them alcoholic drinks. Muskaan is handling Aarohi while I came to drop Akshara."
Abhinav sighed in relief. "Acha bas itni si baath. Mein toh gabra gaya ji." Feeling slightly better once he realised that Akshara was not hurt.
Kairav sighed in relief. "Haan, now she's your headache."
Abhinav shook his head, chuckling while Akshara patted his face, mumbling something to herself. "She's never a headache."
Akshara perked up, happy she's the topic of conversation.
"Ek baath puchu Abhinav-ji? Akshara was born as my sister, so I didn't have a choice. But you chose this pagal?"
Akshara straightened up, hands on her hip as she glared cutely at her brother. "Pagal kisko kaha?"
Abhinav laughed, pulling her hand. "Kya kare Saale sahab. Akshara to meri pagal hain."
Akshara's frown suddenly melted into a bright smile. "Mein aapki hoon?!"
Abhinav's eyes widened, ducking his head to hide the growing blush. Kairav chuckled and clapped Abhinav's shoulder. "Goodnight Abhinav-ji, aur please aapki pagal ko sambhaliye."
"Arrey, saale-sahab, Abhir kaha hain?"
"Voh aur Roohi khelte khelte thak gaye. Bade Papa ne un dono ko apne paas sula diya."
"Goodnight bhaiya." Akshara said loudly, the two men shushing her, Kairav quietly leaving while Abhinav dragged Akshara to their room.
"Acha ji. Akshara aap chaliye, so jaye varna kal sar dard hoga aapko."
Akshara grinned as Abhinav made her sit down and bent down to remove her shoes. "Aap mere kitna khayal rakthe hain. Mein bohooooooot lucky hoon." She said, clasping her hands.
Abhinav scratched his nose, a little embarrassed but heart soaring in happiness. "Agar mein aapka khayal nahi rakhunga toh kaun rakhega?"
Akshara frowned, scratched her head. "Mujhe aapko kuch batana tha. Par....bhul gayi." She pouted.
Abhinav held back the urge to pinch his wife's cheeks. "Koi baath nahi, kal bol dena. Mein kaha bhaage jaa raha hoon?"
Abhinav helped Akshara lie down, pulling the blanket over her. Caressing her head one last time, he turned, stopping when he felt something pull at his hand. Turning, he saw Akshara clutching his hand.
"Mujhe kabhi chodenge nahi na, Abhinav?"
Abhinav's eye glazed as he remembered Manjiri's words.
"Boliye na Abhinav, chodenge nahi na?"
Abhinav smiled, pressing his forehead against Akshara. "Saansein rukne thak aapke saath nahi chodunga."
Akshara smiled before falling asleep. Abhinav sat by her side, admiring her peaceful smile before getting ready for bed.
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Kairav peeked into Aarohi's room, his youngest sister hugging a pillow, slumbering peacefully.
"Acha hain, dono shetan so gaye." Kairav smiled to himself as he recalled the eventful day. It reminded him of their childhood. When it was a simpler world. Just Kairav Bhaiyaa, Akshu and Aaru. With Sirat Ma and Papa.
Kairav felt his eyes mist up as he gazed up at the sky, trying to spot the brightest stars. "Mamma, Sirat Ma, Papa."
If only they could see them now. Would they be proud of him? Was he doing right?
"Kairav-ji? Aap theek toh hain?"
Kairav hurried wiped his tears but not before Muskaan noticed. "Kuch nahi tum tension mat lo. Aur haan thanks, Aaru ko sambhalne ke liye."
"Kya keh rahe hain, Aarohi-ji meri bhi toh behen hain ab." Muskaan smiled, standing by Kairav's side and glanced up at the sky. "Mamma, Papa ki yaad aa rahi hain?"
Kairav's smiled dulled. "Is it that obvious?"
"Jab mujhe meri Mamma Papa ki yaad aathi hain, toh bhi aise hi unhe taaro mein dundh thi hoon."
"Mein unko bohot miss karta hoon. Aur bechari Akshu usse toh Mumma yaad hi nahi hain. Voh sirf Sirat Ma ko jaanti hain. Aur inke saath bhi vakat kam tha."
Muskaan held Kairav's hand in silent support, letting him pour his heart out. "Par aaj kal unhe thoda kam miss karta hoon. Abhinav-ji aur Akshu mein mujhe Karthik-Naira nazar aane lage hain."
Muskaan smiled, resting her head against Kairav's shoulder. "Mein na hamesha se sochti thi, ki meri shaadi bhi bhai-ji aur Akshara bhabhi ki tarah honi chahiye. Voh phele dost hain, phir pati-patni hain. Aur voh ek rishta mein sabse important hai ji."
"Sahi ka tumne. Badi Ma kehti hai, ki ek shaadi mein raunak tabhi aati hain, jab dono saathi saath rahe. Khair chodo yeh baatein. Aaru ne kafi tang toh nahi kiya?"
Muskaan shook her head as she pulled away a little to look at Kairav. "No, no. She was so cute and listened to everything I said."
"Wow, then I should have sent you to Akshara and taken care of Aarohi myself. Nak mein dam kardiya tha us ladki ne."
"Aisa kya kar diya?"
"Arrey nashe mein pata nahi kya kya zid par adi thi. Ki mujhe mere Abhinav ko I love you bolna hain. Arrey bade bhai se thodi yeh sab bolte hain." Kairav laughed to himself while Muskaan went rigid.
"KYA?!"
Kairav jerked, shushing her, Muskaan's hands flew to her mouth as she remembered the time. "Kya kar rahi ho sab uth jayenge?"
"Sorry ji voh.....apne kya kaha? Bhabhi wanted to say I love you to bhai-ji?"
"Yeah?"
Muskaan's face contorted into a mixture of disbelief, happiness and urgency. "Did she tell him? Did you see her tell him that? Kairav-ji I need to know!"
Kairav stared at her, a little scared at how frenzy she was. "What is happening? Why is this a big deal?"
"It is a big deal for my brother! He has been waiting for this day for god knows how long."
"Doesn't Abhinav already know?"
Muskaan face palmed. "Hey bhagwan, mere naseeb mein itne bewakoof pati likha hain apne. Of course it's a big deal! Did you not remember that Bhai-ji and Bhabhi got married for Abhir's sake and have been living as friends all these years? They are finally moving forward in their relationship."
Realisation dawned on Kairav. "Oh right. That means....."
Muskaan nodded in excitement. "I am so happy for Bhai-ji."
Kairav suddenly stood straighter. "Muskaan. I have an idea for our siblings. But only if you are okay with it."
"What is it?"
"Come here." And Kairav whispered his plan in her ear, Muskaan's smile widened with every word.
"Perfect idea ji."
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Hello guys, this new idea sparked seeing the recent episodes. Absolutely loved Abhinav and Akshara's cute nok jhoks and chemistry. One can feel the adoration and respect they have for each other and a new love blossoming between them.
I don't know if the makers will keep AkshNav together so this is my way of fulfilling what I want to see on the show. Hope fellow AkshNav fans also enjoy this work.
I would love to hear your thoughts about this....