|| 11 Months Ago ||
|| Continued from the previous Flashback ||

The next morning, the two of them stood at the marriage registration office, a sense of anticipation swirling around them. It was a quiet, formal space, the walls lined with wooden panels, and the room was filled with other couples waiting for their turn.

Abhira and Armaan held hands, their fingers intertwined, as they sat side by side, their hearts thudding in sync. They had already completed the legal paperwork, and now it was just a matter of minutes before their names would be called.

When the clerk finally announced their names, Armaan squeezed her hand and stood up, helping her to her feet. As they stood before the registrar, the formalities felt surreal. The monotone voice of the officer reading out the legal vows blended with the racing thoughts in their heads. This was it. They were getting married.

“Do you, Armaan, take Abhira to be your lawful wife?” the registrar asked, looking up from the paper.

“I do,” Armaan responded, his voice firm and steady, though his heart raced with excitement.

“And do you, Abhira, take Armaan to be your lawful husband?”

“I do,” Abhira said softly, but the smile that lit up her face was bright, and her eyes shimmered with joy.

In the span of a few more signatures and exchanged smiles, it was done. They were married, and the weight of that realization settled in their hearts like a beautiful, fulfilling dream. Armaan looked at Abhira, a sense of triumph in his chest, as though they had finally claimed what was always meant to be theirs.

As they stepped out of the registration office, Abhira couldn't stop smiling. She looked up at Armaan, her heart swelling with joy. “We’re finally married,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Armaan chuckled, pulling her closer by the waist. “Finally, Mrs. Armaan.” he teased, kissing the top of her head as they made their way to the car.

The next stop was the Siddhivinayak Temple, a place of devotion that held special meaning in both their hearts. As they stood before the deity, their hands folded in prayer, they sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha for their future together. The temple bells echoed in the air, filling the sacred space with a sense of peace and purpose. The fragrance of incense and fresh flowers surrounded them, and for a moment, everything seemed to fall into place. Together, they whispered their prayers, asking for strength, love, and unity as they began this new chapter of their lives.

For the next couple of days, they found themselves immersed in the rush of being newlyweds. There was an excitement that colored their days as they explored the streets of Mumbai, hand in hand, visiting local spots, eating street food, and managing their work schedules in between. Every moment felt precious, as though they were living in a beautiful bubble of happiness.

Evenings were spent in cozy cafes or watching the sunset at Marine Drive, and nights brought them back to their home, where they basked in the warmth of each other’s presence. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, laughter filling the air, as they soaked in the joy of finally being together without any barriers.

But the blissful days flew by too quickly, and soon, Armaan’s work in Mumbai was nearing its conclusion. He had been working on case here and since the final verdicted was announced today it meant that he had to return and that his time in the city was coming to an end. That evening, as they sat at the dining table, sharing dinner, Armaan broke the news.

“I have to leave for Udaipur tomorrow,” he said softly, his eyes cautiously meeting Abhira’s.

The words hit her like a wave crashing onto the shore. She looked up from her plate, her fork suspended in midair. “What?” she whispered, her heart sinking. “Tomorrow?”

Armaan nodded, his gaze gentle. “The case is over and the news of it has reached Udaipur and the poddars.”

A flash of hurt crossed Abhira’s face, and she put her fork down, her appetite suddenly gone. “And so you’re leaving… just like that?”

“I don’t want to, Abhira,” Armaan said, reaching out to take her hand. “But I have to. We agreed to this right? It is important for keeping the Poddars at Bay”

But Abhira pulled her hand away, frustration and sadness bubbling up inside her. “I know I Agreed to this and I know it's important, but i don’t want u to leave especially because i dont even know when u would be back.”

Her voice was thick with emotion, and Armaan could see the tears welling up in her eyes. He stood up and walked around the table, kneeling beside her chair. “Abhira, look at me,” he said softly, cupping her face in his hands. “I’m not leaving you. I never will. It’s just a matter of time, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

But the reality of him leaving so soon felt too much for Abhira to handle. She had just begun to get used to the idea of waking up next to him, of sharing every little moment of her day with him. And now, he was going to be gone, leaving her to face the silence alone.

She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor, and walked to the bedroom, her heart heavy. Armaan followed her, his eyes filled with concern.

“Abhira, please don’t be upset. I hate this as much as you do,” he said, his voice pleading as he walked toward her.

Abhira stood by the bedroom window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the curtain, her eyes fixed on the city lights. The usual comforting hum of Mumbai now felt distant, a reminder that Armaan would be far away soon. She felt a quiet tension in the air, something unspoken between them that weighed heavily on her chest.

Armaan walked up behind her, his presence warm and familiar. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her gently into him. His chin rested on her shoulder as he whispered, “I am sry for breaking it to you this way, trust me abhira i hate this feeling of being away, but jaan i can't help it?”

Her body instinctively relaxed against him, but her heart still felt the unease. "You're leaving tomorrow," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the night. "It feels like you just got here, and now you’re already going."

He tightened his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “It’s just for a few days, Abhira. I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone.”

But she couldn’t help it. A part of her didn’t want to let him go. The two weeks they’d spent together had been filled with stolen moments, gentle touches, and the kind of closeness she’d never imagined could grow so fast. Now, the thought of waking up without him beside her left her feeling hollow.

She turned in his arms, facing him, her fingers coming to rest on the edge of his shirt. Her eyes searched his, the dim light casting soft shadows across his face. “I know it’s only a few days, but… I don’t want to be apart from you,” she admitted, her voice cracking slightly as she laid her vulnerability bare.

Armaan’s gaze softened as he cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek. “I don’t want to leave either,” he murmured, his voice laced with tenderness. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, then her temple, before trailing his lips down to her cheek. “Please love, don’t make it difficult for you as well as me.”

But Abhira couldn’t shake the deep ache in her heart. She pressed her lips to his, not with the gentle affection they usually shared, but with a sudden urgency, a need to feel him, to make this moment last. The kiss was filled with raw emotion—her fear, her love, her desperation. She poured everything into it, as if trying to anchor him to this moment, to her, so that nothing could pull him away.

Armaan responded instantly, his hands moving to her back, pulling her flush against him. His kiss was just as intense, matching the unspoken need in her heart. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her chest, a mirror to the frantic rhythm of her own.

When they finally pulled away, breathless, Armaan's gaze fell on her neck, where her mangalsutra lay against her skin, a symbol of their new beginning. His fingers gently traced the chain, his touch featherlight, as if he was committing the feeling of it to memory. Slowly, he leaned in, his lips brushing against the pendent of the mangalsutra, his breath warm against her skin.

The sensation sent a shiver through Abhira, and she instinctively reached up, her hand gently wrapping around his wrist, holding onto him. The moment felt too raw, too full of emotion, and she wasn’t sure if she could handle what might follow. The depth of her feelings for him had caught her off guard, and now, with him about to leave, it felt overwhelming.

Her fingers traced the lines of his face, her touch soft, lingering, as if memorizing every detail. The stubble on his jaw, the curve of his lips, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. "Stay" she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with longing. "Stay with me tonight. I need you."

Armaan’s gaze flickered with uncertainty for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a determination that mirrored her own. He took her hand in his, guiding her toward the bed, each step filled with a heaviness that matched the pounding of her heart. The world outside faded into nothingness, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in their shared emotions, caught in the delicate balance between desire and the ache of impending separation.

As they reached the bed, Armaan paused, looking into her eyes as if searching for any hint of doubt. "Are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice gentle but laced with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

Abhira met his gaze, her heart swelling with a love so deep it almost hurt. "I don’t want to spend tonight thinking about tomorrow," she replied, her voice trembling but resolute. "I just want to be with you. Now. Completely."

With that, the last of the hesitation dissolved between them. Armaan pulled her close, his hands tracing her waist before finding the hem of her shirt. He lifted it slowly, his touch reverent, as if this moment held a sacredness neither of them wanted to rush. Abhira’s breath hitched as his fingers brushed her skin, sending warmth coursing through her veins.

She reached for him, her hands shaking slightly as she tugged at his shirt, needing to feel him beneath her fingers. Armaan’s muscles tensed under her touch, and he let out a soft breath as her hands roamed over his chest, memorizing the feel of his warmth, his strength.

Their movements were slow, deliberate, each touch carrying the weight of everything unspoken between them. Armaan’s lips trailed down her neck, leaving a path of heated kisses that made her shiver. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, needing him closer. Every kiss, every caress, felt like a silent promise—a promise that no distance could come between them.

When they claimed each other, it was with a tenderness that took Abhira’s breath away. Their connection went beyond the physical; it was a merging of souls, a deep intimacy that transcended words. Each movement was slow, unhurried, as if savoring every second they had together.

Time seemed to stretch, and with it, their emotions intensified. The room filled with quiet whispers, soft gasps, and the sound of their heartbeats, syncing as one. Abhira clung to him, her body trembling from the overwhelming flood of emotions coursing through her. Armaan’s lips found hers again, sealing their shared moments with a kiss so deep, so consuming, that it left her breathless.

When the night finally gave way to quiet, they lay entangled in each other’s arms, their bodies pressed together in a cocoon of warmth and safety. Abhira rested her head on Armaan’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across his skin.

"Promise me," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "Promise me you’ll come back soon."

Armaan pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, tightening his arms around her. "I promise," he murmured, his voice filled with the weight of everything he felt. "You are my home Abhira, I’ll always come back to you, no matter what."

And in that quiet moment, as the world outside began to stir with the first hints of dawn, Abhira felt a sense of peace settle over her. No matter what tomorrow brought, she knew that tonight—this connection, this love—would always be hers.

The morning light crept through the curtains, soft and golden, casting a gentle glow over the room. Abhira stirred in bed, feeling the warmth of Armaan's body beside her. For a fleeting moment, everything felt normal—like they had all the time in the world. But as she slowly opened her eyes, the harsh reality crashed over her like a wave. Today was the day he would leave.

She turned her head to find Armaan already awake, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of love and something heavier—a sadness that mirrored her own. His fingers gently traced her cheek, as if trying to memorize her every feature, every curve, before he had to say goodbye.

"Morning," he whispered, his voice soft but carrying the weight of the day ahead.

Abhira swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions at bay. "Morning," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn't want to ruin this fragile moment between them, but the lump in her throat grew bigger with each passing second.

For a long while, they lay in silence, the only sound the soft rustling of the sheets and the distant hum of the world waking up outside. Abhira’s heart raced, the ticking clock at the back of her mind growing louder with every beat. She knew that soon, Armaan would have to leave, and the thought of it sent a sharp pang of longing and fear through her.

Armaan shifted slightly, sitting up in bed, his hand still resting on her cheek. "I have to start getting ready," he said quietly, his voice reluctant, as if speaking the words made the reality even more unbearable.

Abhira nodded, though her heart screamed to ask him to stay, to beg him not to leave her alone. But she knew she couldn't. He had to go, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Instead, she bit her lip and watched as he rose from the bed, her eyes following his every move.

Armaan gathered his things, moving around the room in quiet efficiency, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the reluctance in his movements. Every time he glanced her way, his gaze softened with love and concern, as if he too was feeling the heavy pull of separation.

"Leave that shirt for me" Abhira said as sat up slowly pulling the sheets along with her as she saw him packing the shirt he had worn last night, "I need something to hold onto till u come back."

Armaan passed her a soft smile while she pulled her knees to her chest, watching him in silence. Each passing moment felt like sand slipping through her fingers, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hold onto it. The minutes felt cruel, ticking by too quickly.

When Armaan finished packing, he turned to her, his expression torn between duty and the pull of his love for her. He crossed the room in a few strides, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in his. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, his touch gentle but grounding.

"I’ll be back before you know it," he whispered, trying to offer her the reassurance nth tike since yesterday for she so desperately needed it. But the words felt hollow, like they weren’t enough to fill the void that had already begun to settle in her heart.

Abhira nodded, forcing a smile she didn’t quite feel. "I know," she said softly, her voice strained with the effort of holding back her tears. But as soon as the words left her lips, her chest tightened, and she couldn't stop the tremor in her voice. "I just... I don’t want to be without you."

Her vulnerability hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Armaan’s eyes softened, filled with an emotion so deep that it made Abhira’s heart ache. He reached up, cupping her face, his thumb brushing away the single tear that slipped down her cheek.

"I don’t want to leave you either," he admitted, his voice low, filled with his own sorrow. "But it’s just a few days, Abhira. We’ve been through so much together. We can handle this, too." His words were meant to comfort, but they only made the ache in her chest worse.

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, savoring the warmth and familiarity of his presence. "I know we can," she whispered, her voice shaky. "But it doesn’t make it any easier."

Armaan leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. "I’ll come back to you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Like i always have because i have nowhere else to go."

The finality in his words broke something in her, and before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. Her face buried in his neck, and her tears began to fall freely, soaking the fabric of his shirt. She clung to him, not caring if she was being selfish, not caring if she was making it harder for both of them. She just needed him, needed this moment to last a little longer.

Armaan held her tightly, his hand stroking her bare back in soothing circles, but she could feel the slight tremble in his body, the way he fought to keep his own emotions in check. They stayed like that for what felt like forever, tangled in each other, neither willing to let go.

Eventually, though, the world came calling, and Armaan gently pulled away. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he gave her a soft smile, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I’ll call you as soon as I land," he promised, his voice a low murmur against her skin.

Abhira nodded, her heart heavy, and watched as he picked up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. The sight of him standing there, ready to leave, sent a fresh wave of pain through her, but she forced herself to wear his shirt and stand, to walk with him to the door.

At the threshold, Armaan turned back to her one last time, his eyes filled with love and regret. He took her hand, pressing it to his lips, and then placed it over his heart. "You’re always with me," he said softly. "I my heart no matter where I go."

Abhira’s lip quivered, and she bit down hard to keep from breaking down. She leaned up, brushing her lips against his in a tender, lingering kiss, one filled with all the emotions she couldn’t put into words.

When she pulled back, she whispered, "I’ll be waiting."

With one last look, Armaan turned and walked out the door. Abhira stood there, frozen, her hand still pressed to her chest where his warmth lingered. The sound of his footsteps echoed down the hall, growing fainter with each passing second until they disappeared entirely, leaving an aching silence in their wake.

She closed the door, her legs trembling as she leaned against it, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. The emptiness of the apartment seemed to swallow her whole, and the weight of his absence settled heavily on her chest. She slid down to the floor, her knees drawn to her chest, and finally let the tears she had been holding back fall freely.

Each sob wracked her body, the pain of missing him already too much to bear. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, but it did nothing to warm the coldness inside her. She pressed her face into her knees, her heart aching for the man who had just walked out the door, knowing she wouldn’t feel whole again until he returned.

The hours stretched endlessly ahead of her, and all Abhira could do was hold onto the promise Armaan had made. He would come back to her. But until then, she had to face the loneliness that seemed to grow with every second that passed without him.

________

For the next few days, life moved in a bittersweet rhythm for Armaan and Abhira. With Armaan back in Udaipur and Abhira in Mumbai, they both fell into a routine, trying to adjust to the distance. Every morning, Abhira would wake up to a good morning message from Armaan, followed by brief phone calls during his lunch breaks. They missed each other terribly, and though the phone calls were often short, they clung to them like lifelines.

At night, when the world was quieter and the day's work had wrapped up, they would talk for hours. Armaan would make sure to sneak out of the Poddar Mansion to sit in the garden, away on the streets when he would call abhira to avoid any possibility of his family knwoing about her and just to hear Abhira’s voice uninterrupted. He would recount the day’s events, how things were progressing with his cases, and how much he missed being by her side.

Surprisingly, the Poddars had noticed a change in Armaan. He seemed better after his trip to Mumbai — more grounded, more focused. Though his relationship with the elders remained strained, especially with Dadi Sa and Vidya, he had begun to soften toward the chorus gang, those cousins who had always been neutral. They still would share casual conversations as they used to before but conversations flew easy and not forced. Armaan warmed a little to Rohit also, but the conversations limited mostly about work or the legal cases they was managing, and though it wasn’t much, it was a step in the right direction.

One particular afternoon, while Armaan sat in his cabin, sifting through a pile of legal documents, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was a new case, forwarded to him from a nonprofit trust that employed people associated with the Poddar firm in their legal teams. It was a land dispute case, the kind of challenge that always excited him. But when Armaan read further into the details, his heart leapt with joy — the dispute was in Pune.

"Pune!" he murmured to himself, the thought of pune being just a short drive away from Mumbai and Abhira lighting up his face. The happiness that filled him was almost palpable. This case felt like a blessing, an opportunity not just for his career but to be close to Abhira again, even if only for a while.

Without hesitation, he accepted the case and dove into work, determined to wrap up everything he could in Udaipur before heading to Pune. He worked late into the night, his focus unwavering, the thought of seeing Abhira soon driving him to push harder.

_____

One morning, around 4 AM, Abhira stirred in her sleep, a faint noise pulling her out of her dreams. Her eyes fluttered open as she tried to pinpoint what had woken her. The sound came again — the doorbell, ringing softly but persistently. Groggy and annoyed, Abhira threw the blanket off, grumbling under her breath as she got out of bed.

“Who in their right mind rings the doorbell at 4 AM?” she muttered, already fuming at the idea of someone disturbing her sleep.

Ready to give the person at the door a piece of her mind — or maybe even break a few bones — she stormed to the entrance, her frustration mounting. But as soon as she opened the door, all her anger melted away.

There, standing on the doorstep, was Armaan, a soft, tired smile playing on his lips. His eyes sparkled with the joy of seeing her, and in that moment, Abhira’s heart swelled with happiness. She blinked, not quite believing he was there.

“Surprise,” he said in a low voice, stepping forward.

“You… what… how…?” Abhira stammered, completely caught off guard.

Before she could say another word, Armaan dropped his bag, pulled her into his arms, and held her close. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to see you,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

Abhira melted into his embrace, all the annoyance she had felt moments ago vanishing as warmth spread through her chest. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Armaan, you’re here… at 4 in the morning?”

He chuckled softly. “I have a land dispute case to work on in pune. The first hearing being day after tomorrow so I wrapped prep early for couldn’t wait to be with you. I got on the earliest flight I could find.”

Without another word, she pulled him inside, hugging him close not will to remain away for even a second. Armaan gather her in his arms and walked to their room to get some sleep not before shutting the door behind them. The world outside didn’t matter — in this moment, it was just the two of them, reunited in the most unexpected way.

This vicious cycle continued for them over the next few months— Armaan would get pulled back to Udaipur for work, and then, whenever he could manage it, he would surprise Abhira with late-night or early-morning visits. Sometimes it was 3 AM, sometimes 5 AM, but every time, he would arrive at her doorstep, his tired eyes filled with love and longing. It became their routine, their way of staying connected amidst the chaos of their lives.

But amid the peace they found in this cycle, they never realized that something was about to shift. Something that would test the very foundation of the life they were trying to build.

Four days had passed since Armaan left afyer his last visit, and the emptiness in Abhira's heart had only grown heavier.

It was call from Udaipur, informing Armaan of Ruhi’s miscarriage, had shaken their already fragile peace. Krish had explained the gravity of the situation back home, and despite Armaan’s reluctance to leave, Abhira had reassured him, telling him he should go. “Rohit would need you,” she had whispered, masking her own need for him in that moment.

Since then, her days had blurred together, each one more exhausting than the last. Fatigue crept in far too easily, and she found herself constantly drained, her body betraying her despite her will to keep moving forward. She couldn’t pinpoint when exactly it started, but her appetite had vanished almost entirely. Each bite of food felt like an impossible task, and her usual sharpness and energy had faded.

Abhira brushed it off as stress — after all, with Armaan gone and the situation with Ruhi, it was natural to feel overwhelmed, right? But deep down, something felt off.

_______

One morning, after a grueling court hearing, Abhira stepped out of the courtroom, her legs shaky, her vision blurry. She tried to shake it off, convinced it was just exhaustion. As she walked down the steps, a wave of dizziness hit her hard. The world around her spun uncontrollably, her breath hitching in her throat.

Before she could even comprehend what was happening, her knees buckled, and everything went dark.

The next thing she knew, Abhira was lying in a hospital bed, her head resting on a soft pillow, a faint smell of antiseptic in the air. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the dim light in the room. Her colleagues had helped her, she realized, grateful for their intervention. A small relief washed over her, knowing she hadn’t been alone when she fell.

Just then, the door creaked open, and the doctor walked in, her expression calm but serious. Abhira’s heart pounded in her chest as she sat up slightly, bracing herself for whatever news was coming her way.

“Abhira” the doctor began, her voice gentle, “I’m glad you’re awake. You had quite a scare today. But I wanted to let you know that your vitals are stable now.”

Abhira nodded slowly, still feeling weak. “What… happened to me?”

The doctor smiled kindly and took a seat beside her bed. “It seems you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, but that’s not all. We ran some tests, and there’s something important we need to discuss.”

Abhira’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath, the doctor’s eyes softened. “Congratulations, Abhira. You’re pregnant.”

The words hung in the air, almost unreal, and for a moment, Abhira could only stare at the doctor, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.

Pregnant.

Her hands instinctively moved to her belly, her heart racing. She was going to be a mother. She and Armaan were going to have a baby.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but they weren’t tears of joy — they were tears of overwhelming emotion, a mix of happiness, fear, and an aching sense of loneliness. She had dreamt of this moment for so long, but Armaan wasn’t here. He wasn’t beside her to share this life-altering news, to hold her as they absorbed the reality of this miracle.

Abhira’s body trembled as the tears began to fall freely. Her hands shook as she clutched the hospital sheets, trying to calm her racing thoughts. What would Armaan say? How would he react when he found out? Would he be overjoyed or devastated by the timing? He had always wanted a family — a baby to love, to cherish — but was now the right time?

Her emotions spiraled uncontrollably, the weight of the revelation pressing down on her. She felt so alone, so vulnerable, and in that moment, all she wanted was to hear Armaan’s voice, to feel his arms around her, to know that everything would be okay. But he wasn’t here.

“How will I tell him?” she whispered, her voice shaky as she wiped her tears away.

The doctor placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Take your time, Abhira. This is a lot to take in, but you’re strong. When you’re ready, tell him.”

Abhira nodded through her tears, but her heart ached with the thought of how much she needed him right now. She could picture the look on his face when he heard the news — the love, the disbelief, the joy that would flood his eyes. She imagined how he would pull her into his arms, whispering words of comfort and excitement. But the fear lingered, the worry that their world was already too complicated, too fragile, to bring a child into.

As she lay back on the hospital bed, Abhira allowed herself to cry, her emotions spilling out uncontrollably. She clutched her stomach, feeling the tiny life inside her, and whispered into the quiet room, “Armaan… I need you.”

The ache of his absence, the weight of this new chapter, and the uncertainty of what the future held overwhelmed her. All she could do was hope that when the time came to tell Armaan, his love would once again pull them through the storm.

As the minutes passed, a sudden realization struck Abhira like a bolt of lightning. Her heart raced, and her mind swirled with panic and confusion.

How Could it be true?

With trembling hands, she immediately pressed the call button for the doctor. The seconds felt like hours as she waited, her thoughts racing back to that dreadful day a few months ago.

The Sangeet Night, hearing the devastating words that she could never conceive, came flooding back. It had crushed her.

Finally, the doctor walked in, her face concerned as she noticed Abhira’s pale expression.

"Is everything okay?" the doctor asked gently.

Abhira sat up straighter, her voice soft but filled with an almost desperate need for reassurance. "Doctor... are you sure? About the pregnancy?"

The doctor’s brows furrowed in slight confusion. “Yes, your blood reports indicate that you're pregnant, Abhira. Why do you ask?”

Abhira took a deep breath, her voice shaky as she explained. “A few months ago… I had sudden, sharp abdominal pains. The doctor, after some tests, they told me... they told me I couldn’t conceive. They said it would be impossible for me to carry a child.”

Now, the doctor’s confusion mirrored Abhira’s. “That’s unusual,” she said slowly. “Your current reports clearly show you're pregnant. But,” she added, “we can be cautious. To ensure everything is as it should be, we’ll conduct a sonography tomorrow. Bring your previous reports, and we’ll compare them.”

Abhira nodded, her heart heavy. The doctor left her with a reassuring smile, but her mind remained a whirlwind of emotions.

She tried to absorb everything that had happened.

Pregnant?

How could this be?

She had already mourned the loss of the future she thought she couldn’t have, and now, here she was, carrying life inside her.

As she lay back on the hospital bed, her hand instinctively moved to her belly, her palm resting gently on the soft curve. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by everything — the shock, the fear, and the tentative hope that had begun to bloom inside her.

Her lips trembled as she whispered to herself, "Is this real?"

The weight of the day settled heavily on her, but despite her confusion, a tiny flicker of hope lit up her heart. Tomorrow would bring answers, one way or another.

For now, all she could do was wait — and pray that this miracle she never thought possible was truly hers to keep.

With that final thought, she drifted off into an uneasy sleep, her hand still protectively resting on her belly, a silent promise to the life she hoped was growing inside her.

*..*..*..*..*..*..*

One More part to go for the flashback.

Do tell be in comments how do you like the story or the plot or would there be something u people wish to see.
(A confrontation of the poddars and Armaan will happen)

The truth of the reports would be revealed in the next part.

~TheLostSoul