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The next day:

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently nudging Akshu awake. With a soft smile, she turned to her husband, Veeransh, who was still lost in the world of dreams. She reached out to brush aside a few stray locks of hair that danced on his forehead.

"Good morning, dear husband," she whispered, her voice carrying the warmth of affection. "Happy Birthday, Veeransh," she added, her words a gentle melody in the quiet morning.

Akshu couldn't contain her excitement. With a playful giggle, she planted a quick kiss on Veeransh's cheek before darting off to the bathroom, her heart brimming with anticipation.

As the day unfolded, the rest of the family members pretended to go about their usual routines, their excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.

Everybody sat on the breakfast table to have morning breakfast, when Riansh and Hriday descended the stairs, their arms tangled in a fierce tug-of-war over a single t-shirt, the rest of the family's attention snapped to them like magnets drawn to chaos.

Riansh, with a comically exasperated expression, cried out, "Hriday ke bacche, meri t-shirt chod!" (Hriday, let go of my t-shirt!)

Hriday shot back, his glare matching his elder brother's intensity. "Yeh meri hai, Bhabhimaa ne gift ki thi!" (This is mine, Bhabhimaa gifted it to me!)

The siblings locked eyes in a battle of wills, their arms straining as they pulled back and forth, each refusing to relinquish their hold on the prized garment.

Riansh, with a dramatic flourish, attempted to appeal to the family's sense of justice. "Lekin, ye t-shirt toh mera size ka hai! Teri kaise ho sakti hai?" (the t-shirt is my size! How could it be yours?)

Hriday smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Arre bhai, size toh kya, yeh mera style hai! Bhabhimaa jaanti hai ki main hi isko justify kar sakta hoon!" (Oh brother, size doesn't matter, this is my style! Bhabhimaa knows that only I can justify it!)

Riansh squinted his eyes and said, "Shakal dekh apni aaine me, bandar ki prajati ka dikhta hai" (look yourself in the mirror, you look like an ancestor of monkeys )

Their argument escalated into a flurry of playful jibes and exaggerated gestures, drawing amused chuckles from the rest of the family.

Akshu, unable to contain her laughter at the sight of her brother-in-laws engaged in such a ridiculous squabble, stepped forward with a grin. "Riansh baccha, chalo, main tumhe aur t-shirts kharidke deti hoon." (Come on, Riansh, I'll buy you another t-shirt.)

Riansh and Hriday paused mid-tug, their faces breaking into sheepish grins as they realized the absurdity of their situation. Riansh playfully showed his tongue to Hriday, who was looking annoyed and both of them moved towards the dinning hall.

All the members glanced at each other while eating, they couldn't hold their excitement to surprise Veer. Veeransh, oblivious to the plans being woven around him, headed off to work with the other male members of the family, his mind occupied with the day ahead.

As Veeransh prepared to leave for the office, Akshu stole a moment alone with him in the hallway. With a shy smile, she reached out to adjust his tie, her fingers lingering on the fabric as she met his gaze.

"Have a good day at work, Veeransh," she murmured softly, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue.

Veeransh's heart skipped a beat at her gentle touch, a warmth spreading through him at her words. He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her cheek as he whispered, "Thank you, Akshu. I'll see you tonight."

Their tender moment was interrupted by the coughing of his siblings, reminding them that they were in hallway. "Bhaiyya, aapko late nahi ho raha?", Pakhi teased and Veer gave a fake smile and said, "Yes, princess I'm going. "

With one final lingering glance, Veeransh reluctantly tore himself away, his heart lighter than ever as he headed out the door, his thoughts filled with anticipation for the evening ahead.

Meanwhile, the ladies of the house sprang into action, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they busied themselves with preparations for the evening surprise party. Streamers were hung, balloons were inflated, and delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen as they whipped up Veeransh's favorite dishes. Akshu, prepared Veer's all favourite dishes for the night. She doesn't want anything less.

With each passing moment, the anticipation grew, the air tingling with excitement as they awaited Veeransh's return and the unveiling of the birthday surprise that awaited him.

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Akshu's POV:

As I made my way through the corridor, anticipation pulsed through me. The jeweller had assured me my order would be ready today. I needed to leave before Veeransh and the other guests arrived.

Descending the stairs, clutch in hand, I caught sight of Pakhi and felt the urge to inform her of my imminent absence. "Pakhi Baccha!! Come here," I called out, and she hurried over. "What happened Bhabhimaa? You're going somewhere?" she inquired. "Baccha, I'm going to the market and will be back in an hour. If Maa asks, tell her not to worry," I instructed.

"Okay Bhabhimaa. I'm going, Chachi is calling me to help select her saree," she replied, slightly out of breath, and I couldn't help but giggle. With a final glance at the beautiful mansion, a strange feeling gripped me. It was as if I was saying goodbye to it for the last time. Pushing the thought aside, I left for the market.

Arriving at the market, I thanked the cab driver and headed to the jeweller's shop. "Welcome, Mrs. Singhaniya," the jeweller greeted me warmly. "Is the order ready?" I asked eagerly, and he nodded, motioning to one of his salesmen. A few minutes later, I held the chain in my hands, marveling at the exquisite design of the pendant. Its simplicity captivated me, and I hoped Veeransh would love it.

After paying in cash, obtained from the fees I earned teaching my students, I left the shop. While booking a cab, I sensed someone watching me, though I couldn't spot anyone nearby.

[Mujhe darr lag rha hai!! tum logo ko lag rhi h??]

A young boy caught my eye, selling roses to passersby. My heart swelled at his determination to make ends meet. Smiling, I bought all his roses, and he planted a kiss on my cheek before I urged him to focus on his studies. Watching him go, I felt a mix of emotions.

As I walked on, the crowd thinned, and I struggled to find a cab. Resorting to booking one online, my mind wandered to Veer. Today, I resolved, I would finally confess my love to him.

Suddenly, rough hands seized me, a cloth pressed against my mouth muffling my cries. I fought against my captors, but they were too strong. "Take her quickly, brother. We can't be seen," one of them ordered, shoving me into a waiting black car. My limbs bound, I could barely hear their conversation over the rushing in my ears.

As consciousness began slipping away, panic surged through me. Who were these men, and why were they taking me? Desperation clawed at my throat as I realized I might never get the chance to tell Veer how I felt.

"I love you, Veeransh," I managed to whisper before darkness consumed me, tears staining my cheeks.

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On the other side, everybody in the mansion got worried for Akshu. She is out for 2 hours and she is not picking their calls. The guests will be arriving anytime. That's when Veer came entered, and he was surprised to see this grand decoration. He looked around to see his posters and name hanged around. He then, remembered it was his surprise birthday surprise.

The pale, anxious faces of his family members caught his attention, and his gaze darted around, searching for Akshu. But she was nowhere to be seen, intensifying his eagerness to find her.

"Vee...Veer," his mother Meera stammered, gathering her courage. "Veer beta, Akshu isn't here. She's been gone for two hours, and she's not answering her phone."

Veer felt a chill run down his spine as if his worst fears were materializing before his eyes. Despite the rising panic within him, he forced himself to remain composed as he approached his mother. "Maa, where did Akshu go?" he asked in a low, grave tone.

"Pakhi said Akshu told her to let you know she went to the market and would be back in an hour," his mother replied, her worry for her daughter-in-law evident.

"Why did you let her go alone?" Veer's voice rose with frustration and fear. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Akshu. Swiftly, he dialed his most trusted confidant, instructing him to search every corner of the city for Akshu.

Driven by desperation, Veer raced through the streets, his mind consumed with thoughts of Akshu's safety. He disregarded all caution, his only focus on finding his beloved wife. As Veer dashed through the crowded streets, his heart pounded with a mixture of anxiety and determination. Every passing moment without Akshu by his side felt like an eternity. His mind raced with worry, imagining all the possible dangers she could be facing.

Ignoring the honking horns and bustling crowd, Veer's focus narrowed solely on finding his wife. He scoured every corner of the market, his eyes scanning the faces of passersby, hoping to catch a glimpse of her familiar figure. With each step, his desperation grew, fueling his resolve to bring her back safely.

As he navigated through the maze of stalls and shops, a sense of dread gnawed at his insides. The fear of the unknown threatened to overwhelm him, but he pushed it aside, refusing to succumb to despair.

Spotting Akshu's abandoned clutch and the gift box, Veer's heart lurched in his chest. He knelt down, his hands trembling as he picked up the items, a surge of anguish washing over him. Clutching them tightly to his chest, he whispered a fervent prayer for Akshu's safety, his eyes welling up with tears.

Determined not to lose hope, Veer pressed on, his footsteps echoing against the pavement as he continued his frantic search. With every passing minute, the weight of uncertainty bore down on him, but he refused to give up.

As the night wore on, Veer's desperation deepened. Exhausted and consumed by worry, he tirelessly worked his connections, calling in favors from every influential contact he had. His once joyful birthday celebration had transformed into a somber vigil, overshadowed by the absence of his beloved wife.

Driven by sheer determination, Veer refused to succumb to fatigue or hunger. His stomach churned with neglect, but he pushed aside his own needs, his sole focus fixated on finding Akshu. His heart heavy with grief, he clung to the flicker of hope that still burned within him, praying for a miracle that would bring his beloved Akshu back to him.

"I will find you, Little Birdie. Wait for me."

Meri Akshu😭😭😭 Veer meri Akshu ko bachalo.

Guys chapter kaisi thi?? Readers be like: we went from this 😍 to this 😭

You will see Akshu's Pov in the next chapter.

Until then enjoy reading.

Okay Bye

Love Authorshyra❤️❤️