WARNING! Mention of Cancer & Death

To Mossa ji, You are dearly missed.

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After nearly nine hours of restless anticipation in the air, Aditi's flight finally touched down. Her nerves were frayed with anxiety, replaying every memory she cherished from India-both joyful and melancholy-but outwardly she remained composed. Gathering her baggage, she settled into a waiting area for her connecting flight to Chandigarh. As a supermodel, she was accustomed to the flexibility of travel, able to jet off at a moment's notice.

Pulling out her phone, she swiftly texted her brother and Gigi to inform them of her arrival in India. Just as she finished, she noticed a missed call from Shubman. Her heart skipped a beat with anticipation. With 45 minutes to spare, she hesitated briefly before deciding to call him back.

After a few rings, Shubman answered. "Aditi?" His voice carried a mix of surprise and warmth. "Shubman," she replied softly, a smile evident in her voice. Their initial exchange was followed by a brief, serene pause, reflecting the peace they felt hearing each other's voice after so long

"I'm in India, Delhi actually," Aditi added, feeling a rush of excitement. "Oh, tussi aagye ho? Chandigarh kab tak aaoge?" Shubman responded, his voice filled with genuine interest. "Haan, I'll be in Chandigarh in about 1.5 hours," she said, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Can I come pick you up?" Shubman asked suddenly, his question catching her off guard, yet warming her heart at the same time. The thought of seeing him again after five long years was both daunting and exhilarating. The prospect left Aditi momentarily stunned, but before she could fully process, she found herself agreeing absentmindedly, "Great! I'll be at the airport in an hour."

"Only if you're free, Shubman. I don't want to burden you," she added quickly, her concern evident in her voice. "No, no, of course, I want to come. I'll be there, don't worry," he reassured her, his happiness palpable through the phone. "Alright. See you soon," she said softly, a hint of blush coloring her cheeks.

"Bye," Shubman replied warmly, his voice lingering in her ears even after the call ended. Aditi couldn't help but smile to herself as she put her phone away. The mix of emotions-excitement, nervousness, and a touch of longing-swirled within her as she waited for her flight to Chandigarh, anticipating the reunion that awaited her.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

As Aditi prepared to board her flight, her heart sank at the message from her mother: "Bacha, the reports are in. When are you reaching?" The news hit her like a thunderclap, draining color from her face. Fear gripped her as she quickly replied, promising to be at the hospital in two hours.

With a heavy heart, she boarded the plane, her mind spinning with worry. She was terrified-terrified of the possibility that it had returned. Tears threatened, but she fought to maintain her composure. She couldn't afford to break down now, not when her family relied on her strength.

As she settled into her seat, she found herself lost in memories of her Dad-his warmth, his wisdom, the way he always made her feel safe. The thought of him in the hospital, facing uncertainty, tore at her heart. She silently prayed that the reports would bring good news, but the fear of the worst outcome lingered.

Lost in her thoughts, she momentarily forgot about Shubman eagerly waiting to pick her up. The weight of her family's concern overshadowed everything else. As the plane taxied for takeoff, she stared out the window, her mind consumed with a mix of fear and hope. The uncertainty ahead weighed heavily on her heart, but her determination to support her loved ones kept her going.

During the flight, she remained lost in her thoughts, the air thick with unspoken worries. Each minute felt like an eternity until finally, the aircraft landed in Chandigarh. Taking a deep breath, Aditi gathered her belongings and hurried off the plane, her steps quickened by urgency and apprehension.

Checking her phone, she saw missed calls and messages from Shubman. Guilt gnawed at her for forgetting his excitement to see her. With a heavy heart, she dialed his number, hoping he would understand.

"Shubman," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "The reports are in. I'm heading straight to the hospital to see Dad. I'm scared... I fear it may have returned." There was a brief pause on the other end before Shubman responded, his voice calm and supportive, "Aditi, I understand. Don't worry. My family and I will be there with you soon. Everything will be alright, I promise. Your Dad is strong, and so are you."

Touched deeply by his reassuring words, Aditi felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, Shubman. Your support means the world to me." "Of course, Aditi. We'll face this together. Take care of yourself, and give my regards to your Dad," Shubman replied with sincerity.

"Thank you, Shubman. I'll see you soon," she whispered gratefully, feeling a renewed sense of strength as she hung up. With Shubman's comforting presence in mind, Aditi hurried towards the hospital, her thoughts solely focused on her Dad's well-being and the hope for positive news.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

Entering the hospital, a wave of anxiety gripped Aditi as she spotted her brother Sidhant at the reception. "SID!" Her voice echoed through the sterile air, drawing Sidhant's red-rimmed eyes towards her. It was evident he had been crying. Without hesitation, she hurried over and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "I'm here now, don't worry," she murmured, feeling his silent nod against her shoulder.

"Have you spoken to the doctors yet?" Aditi asked softly, concern etched in every line of her face. Sidhant shook his head, his grip on her tightening as if seeking solace and strength from her presence. Aditi rubbed his back soothingly. "It's okay, let's face it together," she reassured him, gently pulling away to encourage him towards the doctor's office.

As they walked, thoughts raced through Aditi's mind, her worry extending beyond Sidhant to their mother. "Mumma?" she inquired tentatively, searching his eyes for any hint of their mother's condition. Relief washed over her as Sidhant's face cleared with understanding. "Don't worry, Auntie Keart took her home," he explained quietly. Aditi closed her eyes briefly, gratitude flooding her for Gill family who had always stood by them in times of need.

The Aroras and Gills shared a bond that was deeper than friendship; they were practically family. It began years ago at a school event where Sidhant and Shahneel, inseparable best friends, first connected. From that initial meeting, a lasting connection grew stronger over the years. The families supported each other through joys and sorrows, celebrations and crises, forming a tapestry of mutual care and love.

In this tight-knit circle, Shubman and Aditi found their own love blooming. Initially brought together by their siblings' friendship, their bond deepened as they shared in each other's joys and lent support during difficult times. Their relationship was a testament to the enduring strength of family ties and the profound connections that bind hearts together.

As they approached the doctor's office, Aditi squeezed Sidhant's hand reassuringly, silently conveying her unwavering support. Together, they would face whatever news awaited them, strengthened by the love and unity that defined their intertwined lives.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

Knocking hesitantly on the door of the doctor's office, the sibling duo stepped inside, their hearts heavy with dread. "Come in, Mr. Arora," the doctor greeted Sidhant, while Aditi extended her hand with forced composure, "Aditi Arora, daughter of Ajit Arora." The doctor nodded gently, a small, sympathetic smile flickering across his face as he shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arora."

They settled into the chairs offered, the doctor retrieving the reports with a solemn expression. "I'm afraid... Mr. Ajit's cancer has returned," he delivered the crushing news. Aditi felt her facade crack, but she held on tightly to Sidhant's hand, refusing to let herself crumble. The room fell into a thick silence, memories of their father's previous battle with illness flooding back.

Years ago, when Aditi was just thirteen, their father's initial diagnosis had shattered their world. Yet, chemotherapy had seemed like a miracle, bringing them hope and healing. Now, faced with this cruel twist of fate, Aditi struggled to reconcile the past with the stark reality before her.

Aditi wanted Sidhant to speak up, but seeing his own turmoil mirrored in his eyes, she gathered her resolve and asked the question herself, "How bad is it?" The doctor's response was devastating, "Last Stage," his voice laced with remorse. Desperate to cling to hope, Aditi pleaded, "But it went away last time. He can beat it again."

The doctor's tone turned regretful, "Unfortunately, that's not likely this time, Ms. Arora. Previous treatments have weakened his immune system. Chemo now could do more harm than good." Aditi's anger surged, her voice cracking with raw emotion, "So we just watch him fade away?" The doctor's response was calm but firm, "We're doing everything we can. Sometimes, all we can do is hope."

Frustration boiled over, "Hope? Is that all you can offer?" Her words cut through the heavy air, filled with pain and disbelief. "I'm sorry," the doctor replied softly, "Given the circumstances, he may have about six months left." "But-" Aditi began, only to be interrupted by Sidhant, who thanked the doctor and gently guided her out of the office. "Chalo yahan se tum," he murmured, pulling her away.

Silence enveloped them as they left the sterile environment of the office. Aditi's facade cracked, her pent-up emotions threatening to spill over. She ran a trembling hand through her hair, trying to steady herself, repeating hollow reassurances. "It's going to be okay. We'll get through this. Dad will be alright." Her fragile calm shattered when Sidhant pulled her into a tight embrace, his own tears on the brink of falling. "Shhh, it's okay," he murmured, rubbing her back soothingly.

They stood there in the corridor, clinging to each other for support, the weight of their father's prognosis heavy on their hearts. Aditi struggled to control her sobs, her anguish echoing through the corridor.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

Their moment of shared grief was interrupted by a gentle voice behind them. A nurse approached quietly, "Excuse me, are you Aditi and Sidhant?" They nodded silently. "Your father has requested to see you," the nurse informed them softly.

Aditi's heart clenched at the mention of her father's wish. Despite the overwhelming sorrow, a flicker of hope stirred within her. Sidhant squeezed her hand tightly, his eyes reflecting both sorrow and determination.

They followed the nurse down the corridor, each step heavier than the last, uncertain of what awaited them. But they drew strength from each other, knowing they would face whatever came next together, their bond a beacon of solace in the face of impending loss.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

"Dad?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and apprehension. Ajit turned from the window where he had been watching the city skyline, his face lighting up with a weak but genuine smile at the sight of his daughter. "Aditi," he breathed, his voice hoarse with emotion. It had been over a year since they had last seen each other, and now their reunion was tinged with the heavy weight of his illness.

Aditi crossed the room in quick strides, her eyes welling with tears as she embraced him carefully. "Dad, I'm so sorry I couldn't be here sooner," she murmured into his shoulder, her words muffled against his hospital gown. Ajit held her close, his hand gently stroking her hair. "You're here now, beta. That's all that matters," he reassured her softly.

Ajit looked between them with a faint smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Aditi, did you bring me some macarons from Paris?" he teased gently, his attempt at humor bringing a momentary relief to the somber atmosphere. Aditi chuckled through her tears, "Dad, I wish I could have. But I brought something better-me." Her voice wavered with emotion, but there was a hint of her usual playful spirit in her words.

Ajit's eyes twinkled with love and pride as he looked at his children. "You both are my greatest gifts," he said softly, his voice filled with a father's unspoken gratitude. Aditi squeezed his hand tightly, her heart overflowing with love and sorrow. "We're going to get through this, Dad," she promised, her voice steadying with determination. Sidhant nodded beside her, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We're right here with you, Dad," he added quietly, his voice a pillar of support.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

Ajit's smile faded slightly as he looked at them both, his gaze tender but tinged with sadness. "I know my time is short, children," he said gently, his voice carrying the weight of acceptance. "But seeing you both here, by my side, fills my heart with peace." Aditi shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Dad, don't say that," she pleaded softly, unable to bear the thought of losing him.

Ajit reached out to wipe away her tears, his touch gentle and reassuring. "It's okay, beta," he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet resolve. "I've come to terms with it. What matters now is that we cherish every moment together."

In that hospital room, amidst the fragility of life and the steadfastness of love, they found solace in each other's presence. Time seemed to pause as they held onto hope and cherished every precious moment together, knowing that their bond would carry them through whatever lay ahead.

The trio sat closely together in the serene hospital room, bathed in the soft glow of the video call with Mrs. Arora. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, they found solace in each other's presence, their faces illuminated by the screen as they listened intently to Mrs. Arora's reassuring words.

In that moment, they shared a silent understanding that no matter the challenges awaiting them, they were united as a family. The quiet determination in their eyes spoke volumes-whatever the future held, they would face it together, drawing strength from their bond and the love that bound them.

*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

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➺ CHAI PE CHARCHA WITH ARIA~

*2454 WORDS!

*This chapter was too long so divided it into two parts

*i had a really hard time writing this, i lost my uncle to this disease 5 years ago and im still not over it.

*What do you think about it?

*Hope y'all liked it.

*Don't be shy! Interact and comment!!

yours only,

aria 😼

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