Love...

It's just a word with four alphabets but it holds lots of emotions, lots of promises. Promises to be together always, promises to be with each other not only in good times but in bad times too, promises not to hurt each other, and promises not to break the trust.

Trust, the most important thing in love.

Trust is needed in all relationships. Every relation is built on the basis of trust. It is needed more in between lovers. You can never love a person if you don't trust them. In love your two hearts remain connected, two lives remain connected and you obviously need to trust the person with whom you are connecting your heart. So without having trust on that person you can't love that person.

And this is what Akshara is scared of, trust. She is scared to trust people. It's not like she never trusted anyone or she was always scared to trust people. She was the girl who once trusted everyone even if she met that person at that very moment. And that was her mistake. No, her mistake wasn't trusting everyone, her mistake was trusting one wrong person blindly.

The worst thing was that she trusted him more than herself. She loved him with all her heart. But in return only got pain. He promised to be with her always, to never hurt her but he broke all his promises at once and left her heartbroken. Since then the girl who was once talkative, fun-loving and bubbly became all silent. The girl who once trusted everyone became scared to trust people ever her near ones. It's easy to break trust but not easy to build it and this is applicable for Akshara. Her trust was easily broken by her so called lover but no one was able to build her trust again but one person changed it. He taught Akshara to trust people again. He made Akshara Happy again. But will that last?

When Akshara thought that her world was falling apart, a person entered her life and helped her to put it back together. When she thought that she will never be able again to trust people, he taught her to trust again. She thought that she won't be able to love anyone again but he made her fall for him. He helped her to become the previous Akshara again. He was her knight in shining armor, her prince charming...Abhi...Abhimanyu Birla...!

Out of all people Akshara never thought to fall for him, Abhimanyu. He was a well-known playboy of the college. And after what happened to Akshara it was hard for her to believe that she trusts him and falling for him was the most unexpected thing. But that's how life works, isn't it? Abhimanyu's friends were well known for their idiotic bets and challenges and every time it's Abhimanyu who takes it up.

"Yrr...Abhi...this time you have to do this..."said his friends.

"What??? Are you kidding me....?!!"said Abhi.

"The great Abhimanyu Birla seems scared...then leave it" said his friends.

"Abhi is not known to back off from any deals okay...I will do it..."

This was the trick every time his friends used on him. Surprisingly he falls for it EVERY DAMN TIME.

The love story started with a bet. A bet given to Abhimanyu by his friends. It was during a college annual party. While Abhimanyu was surrounded by a bunch of students, Akshara was standing all alone in a corner of the hall.

Akshara was wearing a dark blue off-shoulder gown she wasn't looking any less than a princess. But her life was nothing like a princess. A prince charming, a perfect love life, a happy ending, she had none of these. The only thing she had in her life at that moment was pain.

The girl looking like a princess, plastering a smile on her face while greeting people had only pain in her life and one could have understand only if they looked in her eyes, which was full of pain. But people were too busy to notice the pain hidden behind the beautiful smile of this girl.

Also Akshara didn't want to let people show her pain. She didn't want people to see her pain, to show her pity or sympathy. A common problem of people that they can't feel ones pain they only can show pity and sympathy, which Akshara hates so she always stay on her own.

Some time passed, Akshara was still on her own while Abhimanyu was playing truth or dare with his so called friends.

"Abhimanyu, look at that girl. Isn't she beautiful?" asked Akash, one of Abhimanyu's friend.

"Which one? The girl in the blue gown who is standing alone?" asked Abhimanyu.

"Yeah that girl only."

"She is beautiful," Abhimanyu said.

"So Mr Abhimanyu Birla, I challenge you to make her fall for you," Akash said, "I bet you won't be able to do it."

"It's so easy. Every girl in the college wants to be with me. I'll do it easily," Abhimanyu said.

"She isn't like the other girls," said Akash.

"Let's see," Abhimanyu said replied and went to Akshara.

"Hi gorgeous!" he said to Akshara but Akshara completely ignored him.

"May I have the pleasure to dance with you?" he further said and forwarded his hand but rather than accepting the proposal Akshara walked away and mixed in the crowd.

"Akash was right, she's different. But no one can resist my charm for too long," Abhimanyu said and smirked.

The next day, like always Akshara reached college early and was sitting in the first bench all alone reading a book. Suddenly Abhimanyu came and sat beside her.

"Good Morning" he greeted but Akshara didn't even look at her.

"Scared that you won't be able to resist yourself from falling for me if you look at me," he said while smirking and received and angry glare from Akshara.

"Why aren't you talking? Lemme guess, speechless by my charm," he said with a broad smile and received another angry look from her, looks like he was having fun.

"You look so cute when you are angry," he said and Akshara slammed the book and got up to leave the class. But alas! It was too late the teacher already entered the class. So she had to sit where she was.

Soon the class started. During the class Abhimanyu was continuously teasing and sometimes poking Akshara which made Akshara angry and irritated but she tried her best to ignore him.

Days passed by like this. It became their daily routine. Abhimanyu used to sit beside her daily and blabber things and Akshara used to pretend that she wasn't hearing but actually she used to listen his blabbering.

And something about him told Akshara that he wasn't as bad as he seemed. So she decided to give him a chance. "And the next day is friendship day a great timing to give him a chance and make him friend,' Akshara thought.

So she bought a yellow rose for him and was waiting for him to come. As usual Abhimanyu came and sat beside her and for the first time Akshara turned towards him without him calling her or poking her.

"Hi!" Akshara said to him and he became shocked that couldn't speak.

"I know I've never talked with you but I think you're not as bad as you seem. So I wanted to give you a chance," she paused a bit and took out the yellow rose. "Will you be my friend?" she asked forwarding the rose and his eyes went bigger and his mouth formed an 'O' shape.

He pinched in his hand to be sure if it was really happening. 'Ouch' it hurt him means it was true but it couldn't happen. He couldn't believe what was happening. Was it really Akshara? No, she couldn't be. Maybe she is some alien, he thought. Or maybe she is drunk.

"What happened? Are you angry with me?" Akshara asked.

"Who are you and what have you done to my Akshara?" he asked. "Are you an alien?" he further asked.

"What??!" Akshara exclaimed.

"Then you must be drunk," he said.

"If you don't want to be my friend then tell me directly. Why are you insulting me?" Akshara said and turned the other way.

"It means you are okay..." he said.

"I just asked you if you want to be my friend or not?" Akshara said.

"Of course I want to be," Abhimanyu said, "But are you sure that you are okay?" he asked and she gave him an angry look and he laughed. Akshara tried to look angry but couldn't, she also smiled.

From that day on wards they became friends. They used to sit together every day like before but something changed. Now not only Abhimanyu but Akshara also used to laugh and talk. Laugh...smile...Aksharaa couldn't believe she was smiling again but what could she do when he used to crack funny jokes. All thanks to Abhimanyu that she helped her to smile and laugh.

They shared everything with each other. They were best friends.

Akshara told him everything about Neil, her ex- so called boyfriend who broke her heart. While telling about him she was almost breaking but he comforted her and was ready to break his bones for breaking his bestie's heart.

Also Abhimanyu told Akshara everything about his life, he told her what his friends always asks him do to. He told her everything without the bet his friends gave him. And listening to this Akshara asked him to leave his so- called friends because they were spoiling him. She made him understand that they wanted his bad and he left their company.

And when he did so his so called friends became angry on him especially when he was spending his days happily while having fun with Akshara so they plotted to ruin his happiness.

Here Abhimanyu and Akshara were developing feeling for each other.

By talking with Akshara Abhimanyu understood that she was a good-hearted girl, she was kind with others, she was full of life, and she used to behave maturely but was a child at heart. Everything about her made him fall for her.

How she helped others, how she behaved with others, how she played with the kids, her smile, her eyes everything. He loved everything...

He took time to realize it but when he did he was more than happy. Akshara was his first true friend and his bestie and he fell in love with his bestie who brought the good out of him. Because of her now everyone liked Abhimanyu; because of her Abhimanyu is now a good student.

And he loves the girl who did all good things for him what could be happier than that.

And so he thought to confess his feelings.

Akshara too started to develop feelings for him. Abhimanyu was the one who helped her to be her real self. He made her smile when no one could. He was a good person at heart. He was funny, friendly, trustworthy, caring. He was all she could ask for. When she started to understand the feeling at first she was confused if she actually loved him or not then happy that she loves her Abhimanyu and then scared that what if he doesn't.

She was scared that if he doesn't love her and she confess her feeling then he might break the friendship and this friendship was precious for her. So she decided not to confess her feelings whereas Abhimanyu was already planning to propose her.

Abhimanyu prepared himself to propose Akshara. He chose a beach side location and decorated it nicely. White tables and chairs, a vase with white and pink rose flowers in it, a heart shape made around the table with petals of white rose and the beach decorated with flower petals and candles overall the decoration was beautiful with the beautiful smell of the rose and the sunset adding perfection to it.

Akshara should be here anytime, he thought and she texted him. He went to her. She was wearing a beautiful white top with jeans. Ahh..perfect, Abhimanyu thought. He took a cloth and blind folded her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"It's a surprise. You believe me right?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied.

"Then come with me," said and guided her while side-hugging her.

When they reached the spot he opened the blind-fold and stood on his knees in front of Akshara. After opening her eyes Akshara found him like that.

"Akshara, I know you must be confused so let me clear it. I love you Akshara, I really love you. Don't know from when but I truly do. I love everything about you, your eyes, your smile, your madness, your voice everything. You're the best thing that happened to me. I love you Akshara," Abhimanyu said bringing tears in her eyes.

The love of her life proposing her what else could make her happier. She was in cloud nine, feeling the happiness of heaven.

"I love you too, Abhimanyu," she said slowly while crying.

At that very time Abhimanyu's friends came some clapping, some whistling. Akshara was confused why they were here as she knew Abhimanyu broke friendship with them Abhimanyu too was confused as it's been almost three months he stopped talking with them why they were here.

"Abhimanyu Congrats bro. You won the bet," said Rahul.

Before Abhimanyu could say Akshara spoke," What bet? And why are you here Abhimanyu isn't your friend anymore?"

"Who said so? Abhimanyu is still our friend, he lied to you only to impress you so that he can win the bet," said Abhimanyu's friend while smirking which went unnoticed by her.

Listening to his friends Akshara's world broke she was feeling empty. She ran away from there while tears were falling from her eyes. While running in the road aimlessly she went inside the forest area. Abhimanyu too was following her but when she went inside the forest he lost her he couldn't find her anywhere though he tried.

Akshara was sitting under a tree in the jungle. She was completely broken. Once again

she loved someone, trusted him blindly and he broke her heart, he broke her heart completely into million pieces. No one can mend it now. Here Abhimanyu too was broken as he thought he lost his Akshara, his first love, his life.

The next day Abhimanyu went college only to find the first bench empty. "Maybe Akshara is late," he thought and waited for her but she didn't come. In fact she didn't attend any classes. She was absent for one whole month.

After a month she came to college only to give exams. She was so quiet, didn't talk with anyone. She used to come give exams and leave the campus early so Abhimanyu couldn't catch up with her.

But Abhimanyu knew she would come in the farewell as the results will be given that day so it was a must to come. And so he thought to confess her again that day.

At the farewell Akshara was standing in a corner all alone like always but this time Abhimanyu was alone too. No friends around him.

Akshara was continuously looking at the floor while Abhimanyu was watching her the whole time. Soon she was called to take her award for being the first on the whole college. She was supposed to be happy but Abhimanyu saw she wasn't.

It was his entire fault, Abhimanyu thought. He should have told her everything. His Akshara was hurt because of him. He had hurt his jaan. How could he? He thought.

As Abhimanyu expected Akshara went out from the hall after receiving her award. Good timing everyone was enjoying the party so he could talk with her. Abhimanyu also followed her. When he exited the building he saw Akshara moving towards her car.

"Akshara," he called her. His voice was broken but when he called her name it came with love. Hearing her name Akshara stopped.

He was calling her. It's been month since she heard her name from him she was missing it. She was missing him too. Yeah after this entire fiasco she still loved him she couldn't forget him. She stopped for some moment but then started walking again.

"Akshara please stop. I want to talk with you," he said.

"But I don't. I loved you Abhimanyu but you broke my heart. Last time it happened you could mend it but this time no one can," she said while crying.

"I didn't Akshara," Abhimanyu said he too was crying, "You have to listen to me Akshara. I love..."

"You don't ....this all is just a bet for you!!!" she said.

"No, I really love you Akshara. Please listen to me once," he begged.

"Okay... say what you want to but you've got only two minutes," Akshara said sternly.

"I love you Akshara...!! I truly do. Yes at first it was for bet only but when we became friends, I started to really fall for you. Also I actually broke my friendship with them. I did it all for you Akshara. Because I love you too. That day....they... they were lying because they wanted to take revenge. Please believe me Akshara. I love u and can't live without you. Look in my eyes Akshara. Can't you see how much I love you," he said and held her from her shoulder and made her look in his eyes.

He was right there were only love for her in his eyes. He too was in pain after losing her. He actually loved her. Akshara was shocked knowing the truth. She should have listened to his story too, so that they didn't waste so much of a precious time because of her stupidity.

She didn't want to waste a second more.

"I love you too Abhimanyu,"

Akshara said while crying and hugged him. Abhimanyu hugged her back. Both of them were crying. They remained in each other's embrace for a long time without talking. There was only silence. But they could feel each other.

THE END