Akshara got home later than usual.

"Where were you?" Anupama asked, muting the TV.

"Overtime," Akshara said, crashing on the couch and placing her feet on the coffee table.

"Go take a shower," Anupama said, tapping her feet.

"Going," Akshara replied, taking the remote from her mother and changing the channel. Anupama shook her head with a smile.

"How is your new job going?" Anupama asked, looking at the TV.

"Good," Akshara said, nodding while still changing the channel. "I am almost done my first demo; I just hope the director likes it."

"He will," Anupama said with a smile.

"Where is Aarohi?" Akshara said, looking around.

"She is still at the boutique," Anupama said, looking at Akshara.

"What? I told her to work from home, not to stay the night at the boutique," Akshara said, pulling her feet from the table with a worried expression.

"I told her this is the last time," Anupama said.

"I am going to her," Akshara said, getting up.

"How are you going to the boutique?" Anupama asked.

"Taxi," Akshara said, pulling her phone.

"You need to learn how to drive. How long will Aarohi drive you around?" Anupama asked.

"I will soon," Akshara said in a nonchalant tone.

"Taxi is here!" Akshara exclaimed, running out with her handbag.

Anupama shook her head with a smile, watching Akshara run and mumbled, "Where there is Aarohi, there is Akshara.

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Whistling, Akshara stepped out of the taxi, only to find the "Closed" sign on the boutique with curtains closing the windows. She took out the keys and unlocked the door. Walking in, she noticed the dim lights in the showroom.

She walked to her office and opened the door. "Aarohi," Akshara whispered.

Aarohi turned around with a startled look. "Akshara," Aarohi said, breathing out in relief. She continued as Akshara sat opposite to Aarohi. 

Aarohi said, "Why do you always have to give me a heart attack?"

"Cause it's fun," Akshara said, winking. Aarohi couldn't help but chuckle at Akshara's mischievousness.

Akshara leaned back in her chair and glanced around the office. "You really shouldn't be working so late, Aarohi," she said, a hint of concern in her voice.

Aarohi sighed and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know, but there's just so much to do with the new collection coming in. I wanted to make sure everything is perfect."

Akshara sighed "next time call me when you are working late"

"Yes maam" Aarohi said turning to her laptop

"Guess what I brought," Akshara said in a singing voice, pulling out a food bag. "It's from the restaurant you wanted to try this morning."

Aarohi's eyes lit up at the sight of the food. "You're the best. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They enjoyed their impromptu dinner together, catching up on each other's days and sharing a few more lighthearted moments.

After dinner, Akshara went to the washroom to freshen up while Aarohi was still eating, looking at her laptop.

While Akshara was in the washroom, her phone on the desk dinged. Aarohi ignored it the first time, but then it dinged again and again. So, Aarohi decided to take a look. It was texts from 'Dr. Birla,' and the texts said:

"Hey! Blood test results will come in tomorrow evening."

"You will know soon if you can donate or not."

"Please come by the hospital tomorrow."

Reading the texts, Aarohi's eyes widened, and she quickly put her phone away. Akshara came and sat down.

"How was overtime today?" Aarohi asked in a nonchalant tone.

"Good," Akshara said, wiping the desk.

"Did you change your mind about liver donation?" Aarohi asked, wiping her mouth and throwing away the paper plates.

"No," Akshara said, wiping her hands.

"Why are you lying?" Aarohi asked, getting agitated.

"I am not," Akshara defended herself.

"Akshara, I saw your texts," Aarohi said, getting up. She continued, "about blood test from a Dr. Birla."

"Aarohi, I was going to tell you," Akshara said, slowly getting up.

"When? After donating?" Aarohi exclaimed and continued, "and I thought we already decided this; you are not donating your liver."

"I am not," Akshara said. "I was just testing to make sure that I am negative."

"We already decided," Aarohi said in a louder tone, and in a quieter tone, "if you aren't thinking about it, why even test?" She said, walking out of the office with her handbag and keys

"Aarohi," Akshara said, following her and turning off the lights as Aarohi locked the main door.

Akshara widened her eyes as she saw someone behind her. She held Aarohi's wrist and said in a tensed tone, "I think somebody is following us."

Aarohi took off Akshara's hand, rolled her eyes, and locked the door. "That's just Neil, he leaves after I leave," she said, turning towards her. "Don't change the subject," she said, walking around her car to the driver's seat. Akshara settled in the passenger seat.

They argued all the way home, their voices filled with tension and frustration, the unresolved issue between them weighing heavily on their minds.

Reaching home, Akshara and Aarohi got out of the car. They continued to argue as they walked into the living room. Hearing the heated argument, Anuj and Anupama looked from the dining room, leaving their dinner behind.

"No, Akshara, and do you know what's worse?" Aarohi said, sighing and looking at Akshara. She continued with tears, "You lied to me, and for whom? Mr. Shah and her daughter, whom you just met a few days ago." In a quieter tone, she added, "You picked them over me."

Anupama and Anuj were confused as they entered the living room, trying to understand the source of the argument and the emotions that ran deep between Akshara and Aarohi.

"What is it?" Anupama asked, her concern evident in her voice.

"Ask her," Aarohi said, pointing at Akshara before turning to walk upstairs. Akshara watched with tears as Aarohi ascended the stairs.

"What's wrong?" Anuj asked, concern filling his voice. 

The tears that Akshara had been holding back finally spilled out, and streams of tears came pouring down her cheeks. Without a word, Akshara turned and went upstairs, leaving the others in the living room, her emotions clearly overwhelming her.

"What happened?" Anuj said, still confused, looking at Anupama.

Anupama shrugged, expressing her concern. "Akshara was excited to see her, and now this."

Aarohi and Akshara rarely fought, but when they did, it was something beyond anyone's control. The two of them had always shared a deep connection, but at times, their differences and emotions clashed.

Anupama sighed and said, "Let's give them some time to cool off and sort things out. I'm sure they'll work through it."

Anuj nodded in agreement.

__________

Akshara composed herself and opened her bedroom door. She heard water running in the washroom, indicating that Aarohi was inside.

Akshara sighed, sitting on the bed. Aarohi came out in her pajamas.

Akshara got up and, without saying a word or even looking at Akshara, Aarohi picked up her pillow and phone and left the room. Akshara made sad eyes as she watched her go.

Akshara sighed again, sitting down. She knew this would happen. Aarohi did this whenever she was upset or hurt.

'You picked them over me' kept ringing in Akshara's head, and tears spilled out again. The door slightly opened, and Bella came in, wagging her tail and emitting a whiny sound.

Akshara patted her head. "It's nothing, Bella. Aarohi and I are having a little fight, but it will be over soon." Bella, sensing Akshara's sadness, licked her face. "I am not sad."

Sighing, Akshara said, "Aarohi will be sadder," and then, looking at Bella, she said, "Go to Aarohi." Bella wagged her tail and left the room.

Akshara sighed as she watched Bella leave. Closing the door, she went to her cupboard and pulled out her Tweety Bird blanket. Wrapping it around herself, she settled on her bed, seeking comfort in its warmth and familiarity.

________

In the guest room, Aarohi lay on her stomach, resting her feet on the pillow. She murmured, "How could she? We decide everything together." Anger and hurt were evident in her voice as she angrily wiped away her tears.

She heard scratching sounds on the door, and she knew exactly who it was. Aarohi wiped her tears and opened the door to see Bella. Aarohi smiled and opened the door, letting Bella in.

Bella sat on the bed, and Aarohi placed her hands on her hips and said, "Bella, get down. Mom will be upset if she finds out you sat on the bed."

Bella whined and hopped down. Aarohi scratched her ear and asked, "Is Akshara sad? Did she cry again? Is she wearing her Tweety Bird blanket? She's always cried because of them, and she's thinking about helping."

Aarohi's voice quivered with concern and frustration as she thought about the situation between Akshara and the people she had been prioritizing over their relationship.

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