Abhimanyu’s POV

“Today I’m going to interview the famous singer Miss. Akshara Goenka”. I chuckled at my statement. Miss. Akshara Goenka was and is my only true love. Look at my fate; today I’m going to meet her face to face after so many years. While my colleagues so wanted to do this interview, but my boss rejected them all and selected me for the interview as he considered me the best journalist.

I entered into the cabin where the interview is going to be held. I took a deep breath in but I won’t be able to make it. I won’t be able to see her eyes. So I requested my boss for a dark room and he didn’t question me why, he instantly approved my request, much to my surprise.

I came back into the cabin and sat on my chair. The room was filled with darkness and I could hear my fast breaths and pounding heart. This is the reason why I asked for the dark room permission. I settled up everything for the recording and closed my eyes completely lost in my deep thoughts.

Akshara wanted to give her personal information which she had always kept in secrets. I knew that I would be a part of her secrets. I’m going to cherish this moment like the way I cherished all our moments together.

Akshara has always loved being with music. She just loved me the way she loved music. I have seen the spark whenever she sang. I just loved her voice, her beautiful eyes, her everything. I left Mumbai after getting apart from her and now Udaipur.

Nothing was the same after I came here. I had to change my looks, identity for her. I didn’t want her to find me but I’m already being proud of her great achievements.

The cabin door got opened a little. This made me to break my thoughts; I could see a petite figure entering into the room. I know it’s her. Taking deep breaths I tried to control my emotions.

“Miss. Goenka, please move ahead forward and at right u have your seat there” I sounded professional. Professional in the way that she cannot find that’s me.

“It’s a great idea; I love this dark room interview. It’s going to be great.” She was amused. Her voice has turned sweeter than before.

“So, Miss. Goenka why have you planning to disclose your secrets now? And of course, why would you chose our magazine?” I asked turning on my recorder.

“Well, it was just like that. I want to encounter my secrets to everyone and about your second question I just love your magazine” She answered with a deep voice.

“Did you have any support to get into this industry?” I asked.

“No, I had none and with my own efforts I did came up this way high”. Her voice sounded professional too.

“There were rumours that you sing and compose each and every single song for the one you love? Is that true?” I asked knowing the answer already.

“Hmm…. Yes it’s true” She agreed making a big smile on my face.

“May I know your name?” She asked making my heart stop for a movement. Should I tell her my real name? No No… I shouldn’t.

“My name is Maan” I said with no emotion.

“Maan” She repeated my word.

“Can I tell you something? Don’t take me wrong but no man’s name can come correct in my tongue except his”. My heart sprang into puddles hearing her words.

“What do you want to share to us Miss. Goenka?” I asked her.

“It will be better if you call me Akshara, which will be great for me.”

“Sure miss…. Akshara” I closed my eyes and after years I was calling out her name. My heart beamed with happiness just by saying her name out.

“That’s better. She smiled.

“Should I ask you questions or do want to tell it yourself?” I asked.

“It will be better if I say it myself, I guess”.

“Is that all about him you are going to tell about?” My heart yelled at me for asking a question which I already know the answer myself.

“Everything starts and ends with him, Maan” These words are enough for me to smile once again.

“May I know his name?” I chuckled at myself silently. I was asking my own name to her but I just wanted to hear my name from her.

“Ha…Nope not now maybe I tell you…as I finish” she said.

“Continue” I said.

“I met him when I was eleven in Mumbai. I came to the temple which was in outskirts of Mumbai. He helped me to light the lamp when I was struggling to leave them in the river which was behind the temple. That is where we became friends. Talking about us we got to know that we both were from Mumbai and belong to same school. I came to Mumbai and we both met in our school. Years just passed and unknowingly I started liking him so much. I was nervous whether he will accept me, but I was confirmed that he likes me in return. He accepted wholeheartedly and I was jumping in joy.” She smiled remembering those memories.

“He used to be there whenever I sang. We spent so much time together, even though I was getting so busy in practicing singing. I loved him the way he was. He was just perfect for me. My parents didn’t support me in anything so I had to stand up on my own. All those times whenever I was broken and needed someone… he was there for me. Abhimanyu was a perfect man whom every girl dreamed of! Well, I said that in flow. His name is Abhimanyu…Abhimanyu Birla”. Her voice was filled with love.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard my name from her after so long years.

“Then how did you miss him?” I questioned.

“Actually we completed our schooling at it was time to go for our college. I was leaving my city for the college as I was selected for an audition for my voice and I was going to my study there itself. I had already told him about it and we met near a small pond that evening. I was happy but I never expected that day to be one of the worse in my life. His words still ring up my mind whenever I think of him” her voice sounded sad.

I closed my eyes and I felt my cheeks getting wet with tears. Unknowingly I was crying…

Flashback:

Akshara came happily with her guitar and saw Abhimanyu standing looking at the pond with folded arms near his chest.

“Abhimanyu” She squealed. Abhimanyu looked at her.

Abhi: When are you going?

Aks: Tomorrow morning, you are also coming naa…?

Abhimanyu held both her arms in his.

Abhi: I won’t be able to make it Akshara.

Aks: But why? (Shockingly)

Abhi: You will be busy with your studies and recordings Akshara. What will I do there?

Aks: No Abhimanyu, even here we had our time naa? Then why not there also?

Abhi: No Akshara. I can’t leave back everything here…

Akshara tried to interrupt but Abhimanyu didn’t let her and held her more closely to him. Akshara’s eyes were moist. Abhimanyu felt bad but he had to do this.

Abhi: I know very well that u will be achieve what u want, to become a singer but we can’t be together.

Abhimanyu took her in his arms. He felt her tears wetting his shirt.

Aks: No…. Please.

Abhi: No Akshara. We have to do this. It is needed for us.

He closed his eyes tightly. Akshara broke the hug and looked at him with hurt and pain in her eyes.

Abhi: you will be surrounded with so many handsome, hot men more than me. You will forget me when the days go by.

He chuckled sadly. Akshara was totally shocked at his words. How can he think that way? When he knows that she can’t look at another man except him in her life. Abhimanyu smiled sadly sensing her thoughts.

Abhi: Goodbye, My love.

He gave a kiss on her forehead, both shared a short eye lock and Abhimanyu left leaving wiping his tears which came on his way as he couldn’t control anymore leaving behind the shattered Akshara.

Flashback ends….

There was complete silence for a few minutes. I very knew well know she would be crying silently.

“With no other option to go, I left the town. I didn’t know why he did that but later on I got to know why he told me. He wanted me to stand on my own feet, achieve my dream. He didn’t want me to depend on him. Maybe if we were together like I wanted before then…Ahh… he was right. I was busy with recordings the whole day and at evenings I had to attend my college. I had no time and I would not have time for him too. It would have led to our breakup too. I am so proud to have him as my love”. Her voice was filled with proudness.

I just smiled and wiped my tears. “Didn’t you search for him?” I gulped in my tears and asked her.

“Yes I did. After my very first recording I went back to my place and searched for him but he wasn’t there. I heard that his parents passed away and he left somewhere. He stopped talking with his friends too. I really felt bad as Abhimanyu’s mom and dad weren’t there. They loved me like their own daughter. His mom and dad would have been so much happy if they would have got to about our love”. Her voice was filled with emotions.

I smiled sadly.

“Why do want to share this now?” I questioned her.

“I tried many times to find him but I couldn’t. Maybe he can reach me through this interview. Maybe he can read this and contact me. I still have my old number just for him. Every day I wish to get his call but alas that has never happened!” She said sadly.

I asked her a few more questions before the interview ended.

“The interview is done thank you for the interview Miss. Goenka” I stood and wished her.

“That’s my pleasure” She said.

I switched off my recorder.

“Can I use my mobile for a minute?” She added.

“Yes u can” I answered and went to the switch board.

She took her mobile and started checking something. I don’t know how she will react seeing me. The one whom she loves and misses so much. I don’t know how I’m going to handle her. Taking in a deep breath I switched on the lights and looked at her.

I had seen her in many times in the news, concerts but today she was real in front of me. She looked more beautiful than before wearing a white shirt with leather jacket and jeans with hairs left free. She was dressed up in a rock star avatar. Her style had increased.

She was still looking at her mobile.

“Thanks Maan, it was great being with you” She looked at me and was saying in a professional tone.

I was looking down, I didn’t want her to see my eyes. “Same here” I replied and went out. I can feel her standing behind me for the exit.

I came out, my boss and Akshara were talking. I stood at one corner and was admiring her. Sensing that she is going to look at me I looked at something else.

“Abhimanyu, come everyone let’s take a picture” my boss called me and she looked at me surprised.

I nodded my head without looking at her and stood beside Akshara and all the other staff. We took a group picture.

“It was great you here in our mist Miss. Goenka” my boss said.

“My pleasure…Maan oh sorry Abhimanyu” she said and took out her coolers, wore it and left.

I immediately took an excuse from my boss that I have personal work and he agreed. I just wanted to tell her that I’m her Abhimanyu. I would have told her that time itself but I didn’t want to. I wanted to spend time with her for some time alone after so many years.

I reached my bike in the parking lot. Taking in a deep breath I dialled her number. How can I ever forget that number? The phone rang and after few rings she took the call.

“Hello” She said, I was just lost in her voice. That sweet voice which I have craved to hear them….Closing my eyes to control my emotions I continued.

“Abhimanyu here” There was no more professionalism here. It was just she and me!

“Abhimanyu” Her voice sounded surprised and shocked.

“Hmm” I just hummed.

“How are you? And……” I didn’t let her speak.

“Come to the place where we met for the first time at 9:30” I said and disconnected the call before she would say anything about it.

The day I dreamt of for years is here today. With my happiness I took my bike and started driving to that place as already it was 8:30 and it will take three hours as the temple is situated in outskirts.

(Abhimanyu’s pov ends)

AKSHARA’S POV:

Am I dreaming or what? Is that really my Abhimanyu who called me? Now this is too much to wait. I immediately wore my chudidhar which was in red, his favourite colour. Made my hairs free with silver hooks in my ears, the ones he had gifted. After a long time I was looking like a real me. I started my car and drove it on my own. Every single time whenever I miss him I go to that temple, the place which made both of us get together. I’m so much excited to meet him. His voice was still the same but it was manlier. I’m sure he would look too handsome like that time itself… girls will fall for him so much.

*******************************************

Here I am! I’ve reached the place. The river which was in the backside of the temple. Lamps were lit up. I saw a man who was tall but I could see only his back.

“Abhimanyu” I called out his name and the young man looked at me.

I was literally shocked seeing him. Was he Abhimanyu? I looked into his eyes and yes he was my Abhimanyu. I can feel million emotions flowing into me.

He came near and immediately hugged him tightly. How many days I craved for this hug, His arms! And today it’s happening. Was I dreaming? No…I could feel his hot temperature.

I broke the hug but still we were in the same position.

“Why the hell you didn’t tell me that it was you?” I started yelling at him and that is when something striked my mind.

“Oh that is why you were not looking at me na?” My tone turned soft, while he gave his smile which made my heart skip a beat.

“Sorry” he held his ears with a sorry face and then wiped my tear filled face. He was soooo cute.

“Its okay” I sniffed and smiled back. We smiled at each other.

“Why did you come in this dress Miss. Goenka?” His statement was meant to tease me.

“Dare u call me Miss. Goenka and I’m here as Akshara, your Akshara not as the famous Akshara Goenka” I said in a soft voice.

“You look too beautiful” he caressed her cheek making me blush hard. His intensive gaze was burning me alive, yet I loved that feel. He took his hand of and took my hands in his.

“Are u still angry on me, Akshara? Actually I didn’t want to encounter this in my office so…..” His said.

After a long time I was hearing my name from him. I was feeling each and every second a blessed one today.

“That’s fine, I can never be angry on my Abhimanyu”. I said lovingly.

We both shared an eye lock. An eye lock which held many emotions at once. Our words cannot explain the way which our eyes do, isn’t’ it?

“You are still single?” I teased him.

“Hmm…… No” he replied making me shocked.

“What?” I said trying to hide my shocked face.

“Yes! She is my life, my love and in fact I’m going to get married soon” he said all smiling but this sentence was enough for me to break.

How can he do that to me? I loved him so much that I didn’t look even a man after I loved him but he…… How can he cheat me?

“Congrats” I said in a heavy voice while my eyes turned glassy.

I took two steps back from him as we were standing close, I was looking down.

“You didn’t ask who it is.” He said while he tucked my hair strands behind my ears which were coming on my face due to air as I was in free hair.

God this man is killing me already and now I had to ask him this ah? I swear if I see that girl I will kill her for snatching my Abhimanyu away from me.

“Who?” I asked just to know her and kill her, in my mind obviously.

“You…. Miss. Akshara Goenka” he smiled brightly.

“Oh……” I replied in sad tone.

Wait, wait he told me “you” that’s me then. I looked at him and he looked at me.

“Idiot girl, how can I ever think of another girl when you have already stolen away my heart and soul” he said wiping my tears once again.

“Will you marry me?” He asked sitting on his knees and asking me to give my hand.

“Yes, damn yes” I made him stand.

I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back. I was just feeling the moment. We both looked at each other with lots of love showing in our eyes. He made his forehead connected with mine.

“I love you Akshara”

“I love you too Abhimanyu”

THE END