Akshara woke up next day morning and went for a jog. When she returned back, she saw the elders of the house sitting in the hall along with the wedding planner .
" Sir, we have checked over everything catering, decorations, and the podium .. everything is finalized and will be set up by afternoon. The only thing we have to finalize is the ring. We made it in the design you have chosen . If you could call the bride, we can check if it fits . " the planner informed.
" Kairaav, call Aarohi" Manish instructed.
" Papa, she left to the hospital. She isn't at home right now " Kairaav informed not taking his eyes away from the phone.
" Who goes to work on their engagement day" Manish shook his head.
" Sir, we made it in the size you have mentioned. But it will be better if we check once before the ceremony " the planner insisted.
" Hmm.. Akshu.. come here.." Mimi called as Akshara was walking up to her room.
" Manish I remember the ring size of both Aaru and Akshu being the same when I got them the pearl rings last year. If it fits in her hand, it will fit Aaru too" Suhaasini conveyed her idea.
" Ji ma, i guess it will have to do" Manish passed the ring to Akshara who hesitatantly wore the ring and it fit her perfectly. For a minute, she let herself adore it.
Akshara took it off immediately, gave it back to the designer and left to her room
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The house was decorated like a shining bride for the engagement. With fairy lights covering all the sides, and red carpet spread from the enterance all the way to the silver themed podium set up at the middle of the hallway , Goenkas made sure to leave no stone unturned.
They had to make a lasting impression to the Sharmas who held more power in Udaipur's buisness arena.
Akshara got ready in the blue lehenga she had purchased yesterday , draping the dupatta to one shoulder. She opted to keep her makeup minimal and curled her hair at the ends to get a wavy look.
Placing a small bindi on her forehead she walked out of her room to check on the person of importance.
She entered Aarohi's room to see her sister sprawled on her bed texting in her PJ's.
" Di, You haven't got ready yet? " Akshara couldn't hide the astonishment in her voice.
" knock Akshara.. how many times do I have to remind you?" Aarohi reprimanded locking her phone.
" Sorry di.. but Mimi said the groom's family will be here in another half an hour. And you are still not dressed!"
Aarohi turned around and gave a head to toe glance to Akshara.
" Looks like you are more interested in this engagement than me.. why don't you get hitched instead of me?" Aarohi walked up to Akshara , her question leaving Akshara stunned.
" Breathe behna! I was kidding! I will go ,get ready and come. " She picked up her lehenga and went inside the restroom to change.
After some time, Akshara again heard the restroom door click as Aarohi walked out wearing a baby pink lehenga, looking pretty as ever.
She proceeded to her dressing table to put on some makeup as Akshara who was still now sitting on the lone chair in her room walked up to her.
" Di, shall I?" She offered to do her makeup.
" Nah, I'm done" Aarohi shrugged wearing some lip gloss and moisturer.
Akshara who still now thought she was keeping it minimal , but Aarohi had taken it to another level.
She gave a small nod to Aarohi who was now brushing her hair.
" Waise Aaru di, yesterday Mimi showed me the invitation but I haven't seen any pictures of the groom. Do you have one?"
" yeah! I guess it will be somewhere in my phone ,papa sent me one few days back " Aarohi answered casually .
" Oh, can I see?" Akshara was curious.
" yeah! One min" she unlocked her phone .
As soon as she entered her pin, the screen opened showing a whatsapp chat page. Akshara's eyes fell on the name "Neil 💕" on the top of the page showing the contact's name.
Aarohi locked her phone the next second.
" You know what? He will be here in 10 minutes. Why don't you wait till then and see him in person?" Aarohi suggested with a fake smile.
" Akshu..." Mimi's voice came from downstairs . Akshara nodded and made her way downstairs.
But her mind was not at peace.
"who was Neil? Yesterday in the invitation the groom's name was mentioned as Abhinav.. Maybe Neil was her friend ... but why the heart emoji next to her name and the suspicious behavior" Questions kept on running through her head without any answers.
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" Akshu.. you are looking like a doll" Mimi adored her and warded the evil eyes as soon as he got downstairs.
" Did Aaru get ready? They will be here anytime" Mimi questioned to which Akshara gave a small nod.
" Akshu" Her mother's voice came from background.
" Akshu , I have asked Shanti to grind some haldi in backyard. Can you get it from her?" Swarna requested.
" Ji mumma" Akshara gave her a beaming smile and skipped towards the yard, it was the first words her mother had spoken to her in a fortnight.
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Shanti, their maid was transferring the last batch of haldi to the plate Akshara was holding in the backyard when the sound of drums and trumpet filled the air.
" Seems like the groom's side has arrived" Shanti commented focusing on the task at hand.
Akshara nodded her head, eager to catch a glimpse of her future brother in law.
Getting the last batch on the plate, Akshara walked around the house reaching the front garden to check if the groom's side is still at the gate.
Disappointed to having missed their welcome, She quickened her pace to enter the house adoring how the house looked decked in lights, she dashed into somebody sending her tripping backwards when she felt a pair of warm hands surrounded her saving her from the fall. The plate of Haldi in her hand hit the person's torso and fell down on the ground.
Akshara opened her eyes and saw a pair of black shoes , she raised her glance slowly as she took in his black formal pant and suit with a white shirt complete with a red tie. His suit clutching him at right places accentuating his muscles. Shuffling her eyes futher up, her brown eyes met with his hazel one's and recognized it immediately.
"Tum?"
" Aap?"
He took his hand off her bare waist which was saving her from the fall. She steadied herself and came to a standing position.
Abhinav checked himself as his eyes caught the haldi stain on his white shirt just near his torso. Akshara saw his eyes scrunch in anger.
" you.... what are you doing here? Yesterday coffee, today haldi.. why don't I do one thing, I will wait here itself.. go and get the whole kitchen and pour it on me . Will you be satisfied then?"
" Mr. Whoever you are, I should be the one asking the question.. what are you doing here? "
Just then, she saw her cousin ved run towards them .
" Girl, what are you doing here.. omg your shirt.." Ved stopped short when his eyes fall on the stranger's shirt.
" Well accidentally the haldi i was carrying fell on him... " Akshara shrugged not knowing why her cousin was reacting so much for a stranger's shirt.
" Do you even know who this is? This is Abhinav Sharma, he stepped out to take a phone call" Ved told.
All the color faded from Akshara's face as she her eyes widened and she gulped covering a hand on her mouth in shock.
Abhinav gave her a hard stare.
" Really sorry on her behalf, come inside, I will show you to the restroom " Ved offered .
" No thanks.. " Abhinav buttoned his waist coat that covered the stain and walked inside not before taking another glare at Akshara.
" Akshu... come" Ved took the plate off the ground and took her inside.
Akshara couldn't believe that Akdu insaan was her to be brother in law that she has checked out twice in 24 hours.
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Abhinav tried his best to slip the ring into Aarohi's finger but it didn't pass her fingers knuckles.
" Just let it be " Aarohi said taking her hands away from him.
Aarohi with a solemn face slipped the ring into his, not bothering to push it in.
The crowd applauded .
Abhinav's eyes the whole time kept on scanning the crowd for the strange girl. By now, he was sure that she was somehow related to the Goenkas but wanted to find out more .
Akshara kept a low profile after entering the house not wanting to be caught in Abhinav's line of vision.
She took on kitchen duty and blocked herself there. She didn't want to be the cause of problem in her sister's engagement.
Hearing the round of applause she went near backstage to get a glimpse of the ring ceremony. Her heart ached to join the family, but being always left out, it was nothing new to her.
Suddenly out of her peripheral vision, she saw a toddler running alone towards the kitchen , where large containers of hot food was stacked. Panicked she ran as fast as she could and picked him up in time before anything untoward could happen .
" Thank god, oh hi there handsome, where is your mom?" Akshara asked the cute boy .
Just then , two ladies walked in a fast pace with a concerned expression towards her
" Viaan, how many times I have told you not to run away like this.. you are in serious trouble mister. Let me call your dad" Muskaan threatened the young boy and tried to get him off Akshara but he just buried his head in her neck closing his hand tightly around her neck.
Muskaan tried once more to same result.
" Mom, look.. you support your grandson everytime when I scold him.. see now what he is doing!" Muskaan complained to Gayathri as Akshara and Gayathri chuckled at her .
" Beta.. thank God you caught him before he went into kitchen or else i cant imagine what would have happened. Thank you so much"
Akshara nodded her head with a smile . Gayathri too tried to get Viaan off her but only his grip tightened around Akshara.
" Looks like he isn't going to leave you any sooner" Muskaan shrugged and bent her head in amusement.
" Let him be.. please don't force him.. I will get him back to you when he is ready to leave" Akshara rubbed the head of the toddler and held him closer. For the first time in her life she felt wanted by some soul.
" Beta.. what's your name" Gayathri asked sensing the longing in her eyes.
" Akshara " she replied with a bright smile.
" Akshara.. Aarohi's sister?" Gayathri questioned as Akshara nodded .
" Suhaasini ji has said so much about you. You are more beautiful than she described " Gayathri carassed her hair as she blushed at the compliment.
"Sorry... Aap..?" Akshara questioned curiously.
" I am Gayathri Sharma, mother of Abhinav and this is Muskaan , his sister" Gayathri introduced themselves.
'Why she keeps on running into the Sharmas? ' For the second time today, Akshara felt the colors leaving her face.
" Beta.. then why are you standing here near the kitchen, you should be on the stage near your sister... come " Gayathri took her hand.
Akshara's breath got stuck in her throat.
" No no no aunty, I mean... I have to take care of the duties here" she pointed towards the kitchen.
" Beta.. there are so many helpers here .. they will take care.. come" Akshara's feet glued to the place she was standing .
" Let's have a complete family picture. Groom's family to the right and bride's family to the left" they heard the voice of photographer.
" Now you have to come.. no excuses.. " Muskaan said and Gayathri pulled her to the front of the stage .
Abhinav eyes did a double check when the girl he had been searching for ball night just came to the front of the stage flocked by his mother and sister and his nephew in her arms.
Akshara's eyes locked with Abhinav's for a second and she averted trying to look anywhere but at him.
" Akshu.. where did you go? I was searching for you all along?" Mimi came near her and questioned.
" Wo.. I was helping in the kitchen " She made up an excuse.
" Looks like you have met Jamai sa's family " she commented passing a smile to Gayathri and Muskaan.
" Haan Suhaasini ji.. we have met your laadli and she is really a wonderful girl...look how viaan is clinging to her" Gayathri's eyes went to Aarohi who was busy texting somebody and back at Akshara but she shrugged off the thought.
" come Akshara.. I'm sure you haven't met Abhinav yet"
'Nooooo' her heart screamed
Gaythri pulled her on stage in front of the face she wanted to avoid all along.
" Abhinav.. this is Akshara ... Aarohi's younger sister " Gayathri introduced.
Abhinav's eyes slightly widened at the revelation.
She passed him an awkward smile , to her amazement he didn't glare or stare just gave her a curt nod.
" Ok.. both the families pose for the picture " the photographer called.
Muskaan tried but Viaan was still not accepting to leave Akshara.
" Beta, already there are many people on that side, why don't you stand here itself.. " Gaythri made Akshara stand between her and Abhinav.
With Abhinav's eyes pinned on Akshara, and both standing next to each other , the camera flashed capturing the moment.
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