Pravaham anugacchantu.
'Go with the flow': sounds profound in Sanskrit and boring in English, to be honest. But wasn't it the truth?

Arohi Goenka's plan in life was decided when she was eight years old, alone and crying in a corner of her grandmother's house. She had decided to study hard, become a doctor and get a job in a city far away and save people's lives. That's all she wanted. To get away from her family and to save lives. But, she met Neil Birla and everything changed, and here she was, with her family, being a part of a family. The person who had decided to isolate herself from people at a young age, learned to be a better person, and to be grateful for the wonderful people in her life- all because a chamgadar unintentionally clung on to her.

Akshara Goenka wanted to be a singer her entire life. Since she was three, she had an emotional attachment to music, and especially after her parents' death, music turned out to be a healer for her, like a lamp in darkness. Becoming a singer and falling in love was what she expected her adulthood to be. But she couldn't achieve her dream, all her efforts, the time she spent on music, all went down the drain after the Goenkas had experienced financial problems. She decided to go for a financially safer career, and she forgot about her biggest life plan.

Neil Birla wanted to become a doctor and wanted to leave, but the love he had for his mother and his brother never let him escape. He created plans to leave a thousand times, but just couldn't. And then in AIIMS he met his chipkali Arohi Goenka, and his adoptive father apologised, so he stayed back. He stayed back to be with his family. He stayed back to forget forgive and move on. But he couldn't, he couldn't forget and forgive. So he went, he went a little away from his loved ones, to be a better person for them. He went away to figure himself out and to be a person they deserved to be around.

Abhimanyu Birla, just like his brother always wanted to leave, but he knew that if he'd leave, his mother would experience hell with his father, and in no way was she going to escape with him and Neil. She was always going to stay with his father. So Abhimanyu always grew up thinking he had no escape from a place where his mother and brother suffered, and he couldn't do anything about it. Anything. So he did what his father wanted, became a doctor and stayed away from relationships and companionship because it was all a facade. Until Akshara Goenka entered his life and wrecked his plan of dying as a single man.

All four individuals whose plans were changed as the four lives were intertwined, the four were always meant to be around each other, the four were meant to heal each other's scars and that wouldn't have been possible if their original plans had worked out. And that's why it's important to just 'go with the flow', it's important to adjust according to the various situations life presents you with.

Pravaham anugacchantu.

It was the middle of the night and the four were sprawled in the theatre room of the house, each one of them had fallen asleep as they watched 'Modern Family'. Akshara got up randomly, feeling thirsty. She got up and drank some water as she walked again towards the other three sleepily. Just as she lay down beside Abhi, as a reflex, he wrapped his arms around her and she sighed.

Everything. Akshara had everything, but something still felt wrong. Or rather, something was missing. What more could I want?

Akshara closed her eyes, trying to invite sleep. Instead, her mind travelled to Rose, now known as Meera. What did she say about me going in the opposite direction?

Akshara lay in bed, not able to think properly and not able to sleep properly. Thirty minutes passed, and then she finally slept, leaving all the worries for the next day.

🍁

It was the next day, and Neil was ready to leave for Mumbai. This time as he left, everyone was more comfortable with the arrangement than the last time. After bidding adieu, everyone was back to their work. Akshara got unwillingly ready for work, but today, she knew- she knew that she was done with teaching. It was not her calling. Yes, shaping the young minds and everything was good, her students were good, but it was what she chose for money and now she wanted to do something for her happiness, she wanted to find a purpose- a purpose to fulfil her. She had decided to talk to Abhimanyu and give her resignation soon. She wore a yellow kurta and black leggings and got on her bike, her decision helping her find the energy to do her current job.

The day was a 'normal, nothing new and interesting day.' A lot of their time went in the annual concert practice. Akshara was feeling the difference in herself today- and she loved it. Yes, her mind was ready to spoil her mood by reminding her of 'what she should be doing after this', but Akshara kept the thoughts at bay, wanting to have one nice day.

The school hours were soon over and she went back home, surprised to see Abhimanyu in the kitchen, cooking and singing songs.

"Hi Abhi, tum yaha?"

"Yes hey!"

"How are you free today?"

"Took some time off, desperately needed it" he said with a smile.

"That's good, Abhi. You do need some rest, go and sleep. Why are you working?"

"No, I can't and don't want to sleep. I want to just relax!" he said and she nodded.

"Alright, I'll freshen up and come downstairs"

"Yeah"

🍁

Akshara took her own sweet time to change and go down. She had decided to tell Abhi about her decision. Abhimanyu being a very career-oriented person himself, she was unsure about his reaction and approached him nervously.

"Abhi? Abhi."

"Yes love?"

"I want to talk" she affirmed and he nodded, "It's important"

"Give me two minutes, then we'll sit and talk,"

Abhimanyu turned off the gas and covered the utensil in which he was cooking sabji. He came and sat beside his wife who was sitting in the sofa.

"Ji boliye" (What happened?) he asked, leaning back on the couch and relaxing.

"Abhi, I have everything in my life. You, a beautiful family, if you haven't noticed, the distance between me and Aaru is also decreasing. I have everything, everything"

"Is there a however, Akshu?" Her husband asked and she let out a sigh.

"Yes. I just can't shake off this feeling, that...that something is missing in my life. It feels like that the corner and smallest piece of the puzzle of my life is missing. It doesn't leave the puzzle incomplete, in truth but the puzzle as a whole feels...just odd. It loses its beauty, in a way." She tried to explain.

"Wow, how metaphorical Akshu. Can't you tell me what you're feeling in words I understand? Just be straight to the point, Akshu. Why are you hesitating? This makes me feel like a bad husband!"

"I don't want to be a teacher, Abhi. At least not a history teacher," she said nervously and Abhimanyu looked at her surprised.

What are you surprised for, Abhimanyu?

"Bass, itni si baat?" (That's it?) he asked with a smile, wanting to comfort her and she nodded.

"Akshara, you're an intelligent and a talented woman- you can do whatever you set your sights on!" He reassured her and she smiled.

"Really? Are you okay with me resigning?" She asked with a bright smile.

"Akshu, of course. It's your life, and your career to decide" he said and she hugged his neck.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

"So no work from tomorrow?" He asked.

"No silly, I am going to leave after completing the academic year. I can't possibly abandon those kids" she said.

"Oh, so it's written in your contract that you can't leave mid-academic year?" He joked and she softly hit his shoulder.

"It is, but you can leave in certain situations. But Abhi, do you really think I would do that to my students?" She asked, her eyes widened.

Abhimanyu thought she looked super cute with her big, round eyes. He quickly pecked her lips, surprising Akshara.

"Did I tell you that I love you?" She asked and he nodded.

"Yes, but I'd love to hear you say it again" he said.

hi, i am sorry but i don't really have any ideas for this story. im mostly going to wrap it up soon, thanks for all the love❤️