A word from the Author

Dear Readers,


My apologies for the long absence. I am currently working on Part 2 of this story and will soon provide a link to it. Thank you for your patience and happy reading.

Click here to continue reading part 2.

Greetings,
Cyco

Chapter 370

Akshar didn't get a chance to give Diya a call back until he got to the airport. Unfortunately it went to the answering machine but the he left a message back as he was egar to see her. He played back Diya's message again and again and the third time he paid more attention to it. "Hey! It's me Diya. Wanted to see if you are free tonight. I know it is a weekday but I was hoping maybe we can meet. Give me a call once you get this message. There was a pause and her message continued. I had called you a couple of times earlier today and.... I guess you are very busy. Let me know... I don't mind driving over to your place if that works for you. And... Call me... There was a pause again. Give me a call and... she stammered for a minute and the message continued... Ok then, give me a call. Akshar was not sure exactly sure why he felt a compulsion to listen to it over and over again. Finally when he was called in for boarding, he turned off his phone and boarded the flight. He realized that he was tired only after closing his eyes. He was neither aware of the turbulence nor about the person sitting next to him experiencing travel sickness. He was fast asleep.

He was relieved to find out that Carissa was on the path of recovery and was showing good progress to her medicines. The latest test results showed no issues and he also knew that she was getting an excellent care. The fact that she was thinking of adopting a child made him very happy. He realized that they both had grown closer that ever before. He had a new found respect and love for her. Akshar work up just before the flight landed in Newark. As it had been a last minute his return flight was only available to New Jersey. After a good nap he was quiet refreshed especially after a cup coffee from dunkin donuts. He turned on his phone and there were four missed calls and three of them were from Diya and one from Carissa. She had left a message inquiring if he had reached home. Diya had not left any messages. Akshar called Carissa and while getting into a cab. Just left a message and immediately called Diya. She picked up on the first ring and there was an excitement in her voice. Akshar said, "I just landed in Newark and I am" Before he could finish his sentence Diya interrupted and said, "Are you getting of at my place?" Akshar asked her to hold for a minute and spoke to the cab driver and gave him Diya's address and got back on the phone with her and said, "Now I am. I will see you in an hour?" Diya replied, "Sounds great."

Both of them had no idea that their life would be changed forever.

Chapter 369

Akshar's phone was on vibrating. He was in Chicago with Carissa. Carissa was at her doctors, her follow up. This time she had also combined her visit with business and a charity event. Akshar was accompanying her and instead of waiting outside she had requested that he go with her. So when Diya called him, he looked at the caller ID and noted in his mind to call her back later as he was flying back the next day morning. He was sitting in a chair at the corner of the examination room while she was being examined. Carissa had undressed and had a hospital gown covering her front but partially revealing her back. Akshar admired her for her courage and strength and what she had gone through in his mind and gave a smile when she glanced at him. He realized that even with all physical ailments she was still so beautiful. He had recently learned about her younger ages and how she had suffered the betrayal of her step-father and how she had suffered long before he had met her. When the doctor was examining her she gave out a cry of pain. Akshar felt a dagger go through his heart as someone so selfless and so beautiful has to go through such hardships in their life. What he felt was not pity but pain; he felt a surge of pain for her. He thought that God was not being fair to her. He really wished that he could do something to help her, make her life better, but there was nothing he could do at this point. His inability to help her made him feel very frustrated and angry at himself but he just pounded his right fist onto his left to let it all go and calmed himself and looked at her.

The doctor was doing a thorough examination while keeping up a light conversation with her. Carissa seemed to keep up with the conversation by answering her questions with an occasional moan of pain. During the examination the she was questioning Akshar too but mostly he gave out a smile or kept his answer short. He was not interested in small talk but was eager to know how Carissa was doing. Carissa was very special to them, the nurses, the receptionist, the doctors and everyone there. It was not just because she was a famous but also because she had donated a huge sum to their organization and when she revealed her illness she had spoken very highly about them too. Akshar was happy that they went out of their way to take care of her but was still not thrilled that to some extent it was all because of the money. He tried to ignore the fact and concentrate on what the doctor was saying. The examination was quick and seemed that Carissa was doing fine. She suggested that Carissa continue on her current medications. She also gave the paperwork for more tests to make sure everything was fine. When the examination was done and when the doctor said that she would like to see her after six months and left the room, Carissa got up to change her cloths. Akshar got up and said that he would wait outside while she changed; Carissa waved her hand indicating that he stays and she didn't mind. For a couple of seconds she was completely naked and Akshar could see her back from where he was standing. She was breath taking even with a few scars yet to diminish from her back. She was done in a minute, turned around and smiled at him with the same spark in her eyes that he had seen when he fell in love.