"Hey Akshara!" Mishti, Akshara's friend and colleague in the firm she worked, greeted her enthusiastically.

 "Hey Mishti! Congratulations for the big win! Mam will be proud of you. You have brought a new client to Legal Eagles firm," Akshara congratulated her.

Mishti had been engrossed in a challenging case for months, and finally, justice prevailed, and truth emerged victorious.

"Thank you, Akshu! By the way, congratulations on your win too," Mishti replied, her face glowing with the satisfaction of a job well done.

"Oh! Thank you so much," Akshara responded, her eyes filled with genuine happiness for her friend and colleague.

But the joyous atmosphere was quickly disrupted by Antara, a notorious troublemaker in the firm. With a sly smirk on his face, she slyly remarked, "What's up, Akshara! Are you feeling down because your colleague got all the praise from Mam for a case you helped with? Jealous that she's ahead of you with the big cases?"

Akshara felt her blood begin to simmer as Antara's words hit a nerve. Her words were like a dagger, aimed directly at her ambitions and achievements. And she knew the reason about her behavior. 

Antara was always envious of  Abhinav's success and she often made snide remarks to create a rift. All she did was to satisfy her brother Achint's ego. The rivalry between Abhinav and his brother, Achint, was infamous. It all began back in college when Abhinav had stood up against Achint for spreading fake rumors about him having an affair with Sheena, the girl who had rejected Achint's proposal.

Sheena, being Abhinav's close friend, had confided in him about Achint's unscrupulous ways. Enraged by his malicious intentions, Abhinav confronted Achint, leading to a physical altercation that resulted in Achint's broken nose.

However, Achint's animosity towards Abhinav only grew over the years. The jealousy and resentment brewed within him like a storm waiting to unleash its fury. It manifested in various ways, be it in professional settings or personal encounters.

The breaking point came during a conference in Delhi, where Abhinav and Akshara had been to architectural conference. Achint, fueled by envy, had passed snide remarks to Abhinav and Akshara but Akshara had outsmarted him.

Antara, Achint's sister, the day she knew that Akshara was working in the same firm where she worked, started to trouble her.

But Akshara was not one to be easily provoked. She knew Antara's games too well.

With a calm demeanor, she replied, "I'm happy for Mishti's success, Antara. And as for me, my journey may seem slow, but I trust in my abilities and hard work. I choose to focus on my growth rather than comparison."

Mishti nodded in agreement, knowing Akshara's resilience and determination all too well. "You're right, Akshara. Your time will come, and when it does, it will be well-deserved."
Antara felt unbothered and rolled her eyes. She then left the spot.

''Such a nosy person and such a mean woman!'' Mishti remarked.

''Just leave it. She will never change.'' Akshara replied.

''Attention everyone!'' The legal head of the firm- Mrs. Mayuri took everyone's attention.

All the employees gathered around, whispering and talking to themselves.

''As our prestigious firm has gained a prestigious client by the efforts of Mishti, we are having a party in the evening!''

All clapped and cheered.

As all dispersed, Akshara went to Mayuri. ''So sorry but I will not be able to join you all mam''

''Why Akshara?''

''Because today is a Saturday''

''I see. Okay then enjoy your saturday evening with you family-!"

Akshara gleamed with joy.
-------------

Abhinav unlocked the door of the house and entered with his son Abhir. "How's your day going?" he inquired. "Bahut accha gaya. Aaj maine football practice mein teen goals kiye!" 

Abhir exclaimed with excitement.

"Waah! Matlab iss baar tumhari school ki team ek dum taiyaar hai," Abhinav remarked proudly.

"Haan," Abhir replied with a big smile. "Chalo, abhi jaldi se lunch karte hain phir hun dono office jaayenge," Abhinav suggested as he hung his coat over the hanger and waited for Abhir at the dining table.

''Waise aapke designs finalize hogaye?''

''Unhe pasand bhi aaye aur finalize bhi hogaye!"

''Sacchi!''Abhir exclaimed.

''Mucchi nikkeji! Aur pata hai aaj poore office staff ne milkar ek model taiyaar kiya hai.''

''Mujhe bhi dekhna hai-"

''Khaana khakar waise bhi hum jaa hi rahe hain. Dekh lena model!"

Akshara, had already prepared lunch during breakfast. Abhir joined his father at the table, dressed in a t-shirt and white trousers.

"Ek minute, Master Abhir. Did you wash your hands?" Abhinav asked. 

"Yes!" Abhir replied enthusiastically. 

"Washed your feet?" Abhinav continued. "Yes," Abhir replied, slightly amused. 

"Washed your face?" Abhinav asked with a grin. "Yes, yes, yes," Abhir replied, rolling his eyes playfully.

"Moisturizer? Body lotion?" Abhinav checked off his mental list. "ALL DONE," Abhir replied with a chuckle.

"Ab jaldi se khana khane baitho," Abhinav instructed after ensuring Abhir was all set for lunch. Abhir's stomach grumbled in agreement.

"Wow! Mumma ne rajma banaye hain?" Abhir beamed with delight. "Rajma chawal for lunch, and I've also brought gajar ka halwa from the Halwaiwala shop," Abhinav announced, knowing Abhir's love for sweets.

"Sacchi! Wow! Jaldi khana lagao papa, mujhe bahut bhookh lagi hai," Abhir exclaimed, eagerly waiting to dig into the delicious meal made by his mother.

"Haan, abhi lo!" Abhinav replied, serving the piping hot meal with love. His phone rang when he was serving himself.

''Teri mumma'' he said and Abhir put the phone on speaker.

''Khana..'' Akshara started but was shushed.

''We are eating now, tumne khaliya?" Abhinav questioned.

''Abhi baithi hoon khana khane keliye. Kaisa laga Abhir ko rajma?"

''Bohot yummy! Aur pata hai papa aaj gajar ka halwa laaye hain''

''Halwaiwala se laaye tum?"

''Of course. Aur bhi hai, tumhare liye''

''Sach bataoon- I was literally craving for gajar ka halwa. You just read my heart's desire.''

''Phone de mujhe'' Abhinav asked for his phone and Abhir gave it to him.

Abhinav putting off the speaker mode, talked to Akshara.

''By the way do you know my desire?" He said in a whisper.

''Wh..what..desire?" Akshara spluttered, feeling her  cheeks warm.

''How about a romantic night? I have brought luxurious chocolates and you know I have brought, bath bombs for a hot tub.

''Hot tub?Kis khushi mein?"

''Designs finalize hogaye!"

''Sacchi? I am so proud of you!"

''Thank you par bina kisi party ke maza thodi aayega. Chalo thik hai party na sahi toh hltub hi sahi''

''Abhinav, you will make me choke on my food.''

''Oh my! Akshara it will be fun. It will be us- only you and me in hot water with rose petals and bath bombs with candle lights and of course romance''

''I am..blushing so hard Abhinav''

''I can feel it.''  Abhinav chuckled. He could almost picture her eyes widening in disbelief. The idea of a romantic night clearly caught her off guard, which only added to his excitement.

As they continued their conversation, Akshara couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart. The thought of a night filled with romance, luxurious chocolates, and a hot tub sounded too good plus the news of Abhinav's designs being finalized was making her excited. She was impressed by Abhinav's thoughtful gesture and couldn't contain her smile.

After exchanging a few more sweet words, they said their goodbyes, both looking forward to what the evening might hold. As Abhinav hung up the phone, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building up inside him.

Later that evening, Akshara arrived only to see her sweet husband and son preparing dinner.

''Don't tell me that you all are preparing hakka noodles!''

''Yup!"

''Gajar ka halwa tha na- main roti kar deti aur sabzi bana deti!"

''Akshara- aaj Saturday hai aur khushi bhi toh hai na. Let's celebrate it with noodles! Tumne aaj case jeeta aur mere designs finalize hogaye isiliye'' Abhinav said.

''Parso humne restaurant mein dinner kiya aur kal humne chat khayi thi''

''Come on Akshara!" Abhinav exclaimed

''Mumma will not eat fast food- until next month!'' Abhir promised.

''Theek hai'' Akshara said and sat on the chair.

She saw the reflection of Abhinav in the mirror, placed in the hall and smiled while he made the sauces.

Later that night, Akshara after setting up the kitchen for the morning came to her and Abhinav's room and was greeted with the sweet aroma of  candles. The bedsheet was neatly made and there were rose petals on it.

''Impressed?" Abhinav chimed in from behind making Akshara startled.

''Abhir so gaya?"

''Haan. So gaya hai woh''

''Waise kehna padega Sharma ji, kaafi romantic hain aap!"

''Thank you'' he whispered near her ears making her shiver.

As he locked the door, Akshara felt her insides warm.

''You look beautiful.'' Abhinav said scanning her from head to toe.

She was in a simple blue kurti with printed pyjamas, her hair braided neatly.

As Abhinav inched closer, Akshara felt excited.

''Chalein phir Mrs. Sharma, the hot tub is waiting for you'' he leaned and said huskily turning Akshara's face a deep shade of pink.

''Shy even after eight years of togetherness, my my!"Abhinav pulled her in and embrace and then scooped her up in his arms making her gasp in happiness.

They made their way to the hot tub,  sinking into the warm water surrounded by rose petals and the soft glow of candlelight.

As Akshara laid her back on Abhinav's chest, she felt a sense of contentment washing over her.

Abhinav's soft kisses on the crook of her neck made her feel happy. As Abhinav touched her bare back and lathered it with soap she felt heat rising in her body.

All of a sudden she felt relaxed and safe.

As they relaxed in each other's arms, a feeling of satisfaction washed over them.

The night was indeed filled with romance, laughter, and memories of their sweet and sour moments during their first year of marriage.

............................

Another update!

This is filled with moments of happiness amd love!
Because I always wanted Akshnav to explore their personal space- dkp did not show such moments. And when the chai scene came- when Akshara and Abhinav were reminiscing the moments spent with Abhir- the other fandom saw it as disgusting and commented 'disgusting'

ANYWAYS- THESE MOMENTS ARE PRECIOUS AND I HOPE THEY MAKE ALL AKSHNAV FANS HAPPY BEFORE THE STORM STRIKES.

Do comment and vote and yes- inline comments take my heart.

Until the next update- TOODLES.