Core of My Existence#2(AR Story]Part 25 Page 132 - Page 94

Update soon, missy x

Hey glad to see you're comment :D makes me happy :)

I am glad you're even liking the other stories, and the way they're building on. It takes me a lot of time to think how to carry on their story ahead because AR never leave my mind 😆 but they're important to me, because they're related to Armaan and Riddhima. I hope you like how the story leads ahead too. And you'll get all your answers about whose hiding what. 😛

Its okay Shru take your time, I am glad you read 😃 and I miss you :( I have so much to catch up with myself 😆

"Bas bas.. you'll feel better in a while Basket, abhi davai di hai na, have some patience hmm," Armaan whispered softly in Riddhima's ears, while she was settled in front of Armaan, leaning her back on his chest and he was caressing her back lovingly. Riddhima's stitches had been opened ten days back after which she had been under the guidance of a physiotherapist who had been guiding her with exercise's. Armaan would always be with her through every session because he wanted to know everything she was being made to do, so that he could guide her even when the doctor wasn't. He himself would make her do the same exercise later on, even though making sure she was never exhausted. He would take care of her like a that a parent took care of his baby, pampering her, cajoling her, supporting her guiding her. And Riddhima not only admired him for it, but almost worshipped him. But her love and concern was no less, even in all the pain that she was, she never ever forgot to look out for him, take care of his health, his emotions and give him the strength even if he tried to pretend like he was superman, which she knew he wasn't.

Her lower limbs had started feeling sensation now. Earlier even if she had a back ache, she felt no pain in the lower limbs, but ever since the surgery, gradually she had begun to feel pain, discomfort contrary to the feeling of being rigid and frozen. Even when she exercised and Armaan lifted her legs, she could feel the touch, she could feel that if she tried to move her legs now, she would probably be able to, but she never dared to, lest it left her disappointed...

"Armaan"

"Hmm?"

"Hum ghar kab jayenge?" Riddhima asked him uncertainly. It had been 2 months since she had been there, and now she was getting restless. Even though Armaan being there had helped her recuperate much easily. She couldn't help miss the homely atmosphere she had been living in the last few months.

"Riddhima ! Hum abhi ghar kaise ja sakte hai? You haven't recuperated entirely, and we're yet to have the session when we try and make you stand." When he got no reply he kept his chin on her shoulder and keeping his finger on the tip of her chin made her face him." Kya hua ghar ki yaad aa rahi hai? " Riddhima nodded, her disappointment clearly visible on her face. Armaan smiled slightly and taking her face in his hands kissed her forehead, then caressed her shoulders assuringly," You've been so brave Basket, you've spent the last 2 months here, now it's just a matter of a few days before we return home."

He could see that it wasn't entirely about missing home, it was also because of the fear to accept a failure again. Tomorrow was the day when they would try and make her stand for the first time after her surgery, she was looking forward to it, but she was fearful and it was completely natural to be uncertain about it. After all that had happened, even though she hadn't been entirely hopeful and blinded herself to any possibility of a failure, but in the corner of her heart and even his, tomorrow was what their life ahead entirely depended upon. But he had to make her cheerful, he had to make her forget the fear and distract her. There was no way around and no two options to it, they would have to deal with it, and they were in it together.

"Basket, you haven't told me all you're going to do once we're back home. I mean ghar jaane ka time paas aa raha hai aur Basket na ab tak mujhe list nahi di, how can that be?" he teased her, trying to provoke a fight, a sure shot way of distracting his Basket from anything but himself. She smiled slightly obviously understanding his intentions. If it were the old Riddhima she would have not responded but sulked or even let her fear take over. But now she wasn't the same Riddhima who'd let her fear win over her confidence or bog down her courage. She was Armaan's Basket, who was brave enough to take life as it comes, who was educated, a doctor and who knew how to find a way to live life overcoming any crisis that came her way. She didn't want to brood anymore, she wanted to be happy and live life. Why did she even have to fear when her Armaan was with her. She knew no matter what happened, he would always be there, that was a constant.

So picking up the discussion from where he had left it, she teased him back," Hmm list toh tab dungi na, jab all that I want will fit into one. It'll be too exhaustive for you Armaan. Soch lo poori nahi kar paoge."

"Jao jao, tumhe kya pata Armaan Mallik kya cheez hai, tum bol ke toh dheko. "

"Acha? Jhoot mat bolo, maine jo list yaha aane se pehle tumhe di thi, woh toh tum poori nahi kar paye, how can I trust you on this one?

"Haww, of course woh list maine poori ki, I've done everything it said, don't accuse me without proof."

"REALLY? The top most wish wasn't fulfilled."

"Which one? ...Basket I swear I fulfilled all of them," he frowned not liking how she was playing this back on him.

"You didn't take care of my Armaan," she said softly caressing the gash on his head, and her face slowly turning into a frown. Armaan smiled at her, touched at how she never forgot anything, her sweet adorable expression wanting him to cuddle and kiss her.

"Tch forget that na, aur waise bhi not like I purposely went and banged my head to the car, jo ho gaya so ho gaya, I promise I will be careful the next time."

"Ab next time kabhi aayega hi nahi Armaan, I am never going to leave you again, for you to be so careless about yourself."

"And neither am I going to let you go anywhere ever again. "

"You won't even need to."

They both smiled at each other, understanding the deep meaning behind the simple words they had uttered, understanding the others intention of encouraging the other, and not letting uncertainty cloud their feelings.

Armaan took her in his arms and cuddling her he swayed her side to side, "I promise, mai meri Riddhima ki har wish poori karunga, tum kaho toh sahi, trust me."

She smiled enjoying all the pampering and love, "Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye, tumhara saath always, when you're with me I don't need anything at all. Jab bhi mujhe realize hota hai that you're my responsibility, that I am your family and you're mine, when you come to me for the smallest of things, be dependent on me for everything, it's the best and the most secure feeling in this world Armaan, and I don't want anything but to feel that all my life."

Armaan was touched by her words, and overwhelmed with the thought of how everything in their life always came around to prove the fact that they were each other's Core of existence. What would he not do to make her feel that love and security all their life. He understood the deeper meaning of the words, her desire to be able enough to take hold of every responsibility that came along with their marriage, to be able to do everything that she wanted to do for him, from the simplest act of waking him up in the morning, to running around after him to get him ready or get him to eat his breakfast, for them to work together again, to earn together, to share every responsibility and duty towards every daily chore and their entire life together. And she had not only asked him for a security but she had also taken a promise from him to always be truthful to her, which he promised himself to always be.

Rahul was looking eagerly at the door time and again, waiting for Muskaan to come home. He hadn't accompanied her to the care centre today, because had been suffering from a cold since a day or two and it would be harmful and contagious to the kids. He was smiling to himself at Muskaan's concern for him, she had taken care of his every need, not let him get up from the bed, serving him coffee and medicines, messaging him regarding his every dose even while she was away. Her gestures proved her deep love for him, and it was extremely touching. She yet kept a little distance from him, but he realized it was his own fault, and it would take some time before she would entirely trust him. He heard the door open and saw a visibly tired Muskaan walk in.

Muskaan walked in and saw Rahul instantly rushing towards the kitchen, she wondered why he wasn't resting, and was about to go in the kitchen, but she banged Rahul on the way.

"Hey, sorry.. aur tume ye kya aate hi kitchen mai ghus rahi ho, come on sit down .. chalo.."

"Arey Rahul, par.."

"Par var kuch nahi Muskaan chal... CHAL.." he asserted when he saw her almost wanting to argue again.

He made her sit down gently and gave her a glass of water he had gone to fetch for her. She smiled at this gesture and took the water, drinking some she kept it aside. She was really tired today, the kids had been naughty and one of them hadn't been well. She leaned back on the sofa and shut her eyes. She felt a hand softly caressing her head, and opened her eyes slightly. She saw Rahul admiring her and smiling slightly. She felt a jolt in her stomach, a fizzy feeling with the love he was showering on her. She had missed all these moments so much, all this love and security. She didn't want to dwell on the past anymore, but like always with all the love coming her way, she couldn't help pray and beg to the almighty to never snatch it ever again. Sometimes she felt like stopping him from doing what he was, in fear that she would be hopeful again, and forget how to live a lonely life. But she would stop herself from doing so, because she didn't have the guts in her to hurt Rahul's emotions. Now that she looked back, she couldn't blame Rahul entirely, because though his actions were wrong, his intentions had been right. He had done what he had out of his love for her, and only because he had wanted to see her happy, even forgetting his own happiness in all of it.

"Careful.." Armaan held Riddhima's leg, tilting it upwards, making her do her exercise's. Armaan let her relax and settled her legs back on the bed, after placing cushions below them, to make her comfortable. He took a soft wet cloth to her and standing next to her wiped the sweat of her face, while she rested her head on his stomach. Keeping the napkin aside he smiled at her, sitting by her side, "You okay?" Riddhima nodded, she smiled even though she was panting. The pain she was feeling in her lower body rather making her happier.

They were having their banter over her food, and she was sulking over how annoying he got when he had to convince her to finish the food, when Tyler walked in, rolling his eyes at the scene that was playing for the millionth time in front of his eyes.

"Excuse me you two, can we take a break? We've got to move to much more important things now." Armaan who was almost all over Riddhima scattered to his feet in a haste making Tyler giggle and Riddhima flush with embarrassment.

"Dr Armaan, why do you trouble my patient so much?" and then looked at Riddhima and flirtatiously said, "Why pretty lady?" Taking her hands in his he made her sit up, but before he could do anything further, Armaan interrupted and held his Basket's hands back in his, "May I?"

Tyler just smirked at his possessiveness while Riddhima fidgeted uneasily, sudden fear taking over her. Even though both Armaan and Tyler were trying to make the atmosphere lighter and jovial for her, she was now suddenly feeling fearful of the entire exercise that they were going to carry out.

Tyler and Armaan could both see the change in expression on Riddhima's face, but this time neither thought words were going to help, she'd have to face it to overcome it. He spoke to Armaan asking her how she was recuperating, and enquired about where she had felt pain, where she still felt numb, which he had ordered Armaan to keep check on.

"Come on Riddhima, I want you to move your legs down on the floor," Riddhima just looked at Tyler and then Armaan on hearing the words. She didn't know how she would do it, she felt stiff with fear to even move a muscle in her body, let alone drag her feet down on the floor. Armaan came forward to support her, help her doing so, but Tyler stopped him in the way, indicating him not to interfere. Riddhima looked at Armaan, uncertainty and helplessness visible on her face. Her sight almost melted Armaan, wanting to reach out to her, even though his brain was struggling to make him realize why she had to do this herself.

He just blinked at her reassuringly, trying to impart some confidence to her. "Come on Riddhima, it's nothing, just drag your feet down, yourself this time. "

Riddhima heard Tyler, his voice stern this time. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, making up her mind, slowly and painfully, tried to move her legs. She felt pain erupt in her back, but she ignored it and pushing herself and her legs with the help of her hands, she lay them downwards, but even before she could face her feet down on the floor, Armaan held her feet from below. He placed his palms slowly below her feet, and held them tenderly, looking at her into her eye all the while. He slowly placed her feet on the floor.

Riddhima's eyes erupted with tears at the touch of the cold floor below her feet, and she scrunched her eyes shut immediately. She hadn't felt this sensation in months, and suddenly the tears which had flown out due to an unknown sensation changed to an outburst in the excitement of feeling something but numbness in her lower body. It was too much for her to take, suddenly so many emotions struggled to overcome her, she was excited, somewhere happy, but yet fearful. Armaan obviously understood her every emotion, he sat next to her on the bed, and held her hand tightly in his. He pressed her palms together and she looked up at him, in his eyes, tears swarming in them too, but she knew they were of happiness and they didn't make her panic this time, but gave her a surety, and the comfort, that nothing else in this world could replace. She blinked back at him, and he stood up again.

"That's amazing Riddhima, I need you to be confident now. I am sure you can feel a sensation below your feet, but now we need to know the sensation your entire lower body feels. You now need to try and get up. But I know you can't do it alone, you can take the support of this walker" Tyler signalled at the walker he had gotten along with him.

Riddhima looked away, and shut her eyes once again, she didn't want to lean on another support once again, if she had to be dependent at all, it rather be the pillar of her life, her own Armaan. At that thought she held Armaan's hands. Armaan smiled, understanding what she meant when she gripped his hands tightly. Armaan bend down and put his one arm around her waist and grasped her tightly, she held onto him as if clutching her life closer to herself. He mumbled soft words of assurance in her ears and kissed her hair, and with one swift motion pulled her up. Her feet were placed on his, and she looked below, trying to take in and digest the magnanimity of the situation, but she was so baffled and overwhelmed, that tears just poured out of her eyes, she trembled and shuddered, and today she couldn't gauge what she was feeling, it wasn't fear, it wasn't pain, it wasn't insecurity. It was an out of body experience, and she didn't know what to name the feeling or how to describe the unknown emotion anymore. She hugged Armaan, while he cried along with her. Armaan hugged her closer, embracing her as if she would disappear the moment he'd leave her. He caressed her back to ease her down, calm her racing heart beats.

Tyler let them be, he didn't and obviously couldn't take it fast. They had been through too much to not let them have this moment.

Armaan managed to control his emotions, and held Riddhima tightly, pressing a kiss on her head, he held her around her waist with one hand and with the other wiped the tears gushing out of her eyes. He slowly tried to move his feet from below hers, to let her take the first step by herself. But she clutched on to him, shaking her head at him crying not to leave her lest she fell down. She was so used to not being the way she had been, that it was beyond her imagination leave alone actually trying to take a step on her feet.

"Sssh, come on.. sssh," Armaan calmed her down, and held her again, trying to move his feet from below her. She felt the same unknown feeling take over her, when she felt the cold floor beneath her, losing the warmth Armaan's touch below them had provided her. She looked at Armaan questioningly, her eyes asking him what to do next, while she was rooted where she was, yet holding onto Armaan tightly, her hands around his neck, not ready to leave him. Armaan pulled her hands down, and held them tightly, even while Riddhima was trying hard to struggle. She felt herself sway, feeling incapable of holding her weight, and she mumbled a shaky 'Armaan'.

Armaan held her hands tightly, while she tried to lean over to let him support her weight. She felt like she would give up, unable to stand. But she heard Tyler explain," No Riddhima, you're not going to lean, I know it's going to feel weird, you're going to feel totally out of life when you stand, but you have to stand, keep standing. Hold onto Armaan's hands tightly, but bear the weight of your body yourself."

Armaan nodded at Riddhima, assuring her again. Armaan turned her around, by picking her up and making her face the entire room, she resisted and tried to move back to hold him. But she instantly felt him holding her tightly from behind and then again, holding her all along, faced her from the front.

"Come on Riddhima, take a step ahead, just hold me tightly and look at me.." but Riddhima wasn't looking at him, she was just shaking and looking down at her own feet, perplexed with the idea of even moving them ahead. She could feel that she couldn't stay up on them for long.

"Come on Riddhima, " Armaan said a little more loudly this time and but she just shook her head in a no, not even being able to look into his eyes. But Armaan held her elbows tightly, and urged her again, " Come on Riddhima, we have to do this, you don't have to be scared, you're not going to take a step ahead without me. "

Tyler moved forward and squeezed her shoulder ensuring her that she'd be fine. "Riddhima move ahead..."

When she just continuously shook her head refuting him and the doctor's pleas, Armaan made her look up and jerked her, "Come on Riddhima, you're not going to back out, you're not going to give up, you heard me," he didn't bother being tender or soft, as he raised his voice to get through her obstinacy.

Riddhima just glared at him for being so harsh with her, but when she looked into his pleading eyes, she couldn't stay angry. She nodded, giving in, and unsure but yet trying her best, she moved one step on her feet. But she felt like she couldn't stand, she was swaying, feeling powerless in her limbs to take her own weight and move ahead. But Armaan held her by her elbows tightly, egging her to move ahead. She moved ahead, stumbling on her feet that couldn't stay still, and staggered with imbalance. She couldn't articulate the feeling she felt with the sensation of the numbness in her limbs fading, and the power to hold her own self taking over her, her brain accepting the change, but her heart yet clutching on to the fear. Her tears were continuously flowing, fighting a smile. And the same emotions reflected on Armaan's face. Tyler smiled and for the first time in his whole career he felt an upsurge of emotion on this sight he had been witnessing for years now. He had never been attached to anyone as much as he had grown to admire both Armaan and Riddhima.

Both of them were crying and laughing both together. Rejoicing this beautiful feeling and moment in their life they both clung to each other, as Armaan yet again tried to make her step ahead. Riddhima held on to her life and staggering and swaying moved a few steps ahead, but she couldn't take it any longer, the pain in her back and the restlessness made her tired. Her limbs weren't used to any activity from the last 7 months, it was too much to take all of a sudden.

"Bas Armaan, I want to sit..." and Tyler had judged her condition, so he quickly supported her. "Yes Armaan that's enough for the day, it's the first time today, we can't make he do more than this. Her back is yet recuperating after the surgery." He understood how direly Armaan and Riddhima both would have waited for this day, it was only natural to feel these emotions, and to be overwhelmed. He was sure, that they were immensely happy and they would obviously want to cherish the moment together. "Riddhima you're a brave girl, and you're doing perfectly. Today 20 days after the surgery, that I exclaimed was successful, it's been proven yet again, that it definitely was. Just keep at it Riddhima, I need this room empty within the next week."

Riddhima first just looked at him agape wondering if he was serious, too confused to even understand his words but when she saw Armaan giggling, she laughed at his joke too. She smiled a thanks to him, while he left the two to live the happy moment together.

Armaan looked at Riddhima and embraced her tightly again, he picked her up in his arms and made her sit on the bed, he moved apart to get her cushions to provide comfort to her. But all Riddhima needed that moment was her Armaan. She pulled him down besides her on the bed and crashed into his arms. Armaan pulled her towards him tightly and hid his face in her hair. She held onto him and he held onto her shaking frame. They both hugged each other, in happiness, in joy of the achievement they had made, the first step into a new phase in life. They were yet unable to believe what had happened. Riddhima was yet struggling to manage her emotions, unable to feel or react. But they were both immensely happy, and they both knew, that nothing could go wrong now, there was no way back. This was just the first step towards their new life, there were more such instances and joyous moments to come. As Armaan held on to his Basket, he felt so proud of her.. the girl who had lost the hope to live a few months back, even to the extent of thinking herself as a burden, had finally overcome her adversities. She had overcome her fears, her weaknesses and developed into the same Basket he had met 4 years ago on the basket ball court, who took up each challenge, ONLY to win.

As he thought of that, he kissed her on the head, while he was yet hugging her. Freeing her off his embrace he held her face in his hands and kissed her on her cheeks, and then her forehead. He slowly wiped the tears off her face. They both leaned their foreheads on the others. Both were silent, unable to articulate their emotions and put it into words. Armaan pulled Riddhima on the bed, and this time didn't get up to get away in order to provide her with comfort. He knew she and he both would only be comfortable with the other. He lay down besides her, and put her head on his chest. And as she clutched him tightly for protection, he began caressing her back, trying to provide her with the same and calming her down. Ensconced in his arms and under the warmth of his love she fell off to sleep, tired not only physically but mentally as well.

Armaan looked at her, sleeping in his arms peacefully. He had never seen that expression of serenity and calm on her face in the last few months. As he caressed her, he thought about her behaviour in the last few hours, and he knew that she had gone through an emotional upheaval , naturally anyone would. It had been six months since her world had changed, she had broken down, been shattered and depressed, but her own will power and his love had helped her back to normalcy. But in all these months, somewhere she had given up on her life, given up any hope that she would walk again. She had learnt to be dependent on him for everything. She had come here to the centre also only his insistence. He knew what she would have gone through to reach where she had today, fought with her insecurities, struggled with her fears, and waited helplessly for this day to come. Even though she had always pretended to show she had given up, he knew a part of her always hoped for things to get back to normal. He could very well gauge the upsurge of emotions in her, he knew each feeling she would have gone through, and her outburst was proof enough of that. It was a very crucial time for the both of them, and he knew she would be very sensitive for days to come. On one hand where she would be happy, and much more confident, her fears were waiting to overcome her. On achieving what she had always wished for she would also fear to lose it all again.

Nikita rushed back to the locker room, she had been paged by Atul to come to the locker as soon as she was free. She ran in to see Atul waiting for her , already talking on the phone to someone.

"Kya hua Atul is everything okay, aur aaj Armaan ka phone aane wale tha na, did he call to inform? "

"Saans le le Niki, and I am on conference with Rahul and Muskaan, Armaan bas abhi phone karne hi wala hai, he informed Rahul to add all of us."

Nikita calmed down and sat next to him, while he put the phone on the speaker. They were all talking to each other, waiting for Armaan to call. Rahul saw a call waiting and Armaan's number flashing, and immediately added him to the convo.

They all started ranting together, Rahul was yet trying to figure out if Armaan could hear them. Muskaan had already started to fire questions," Armaan, Ridzie theek hai na, what did the doctor say? "

"Hello Bhai, kuch bol toh, we're all so worried.." Atul spoke in between Muskaan's rant, while Niki was just trying to shut them up," Guys shut up, let him speak, Hello? Armaan... kuch bol toh, why aren't you talking, is everything okay?"

They all just stopped, halting their rant midway for Armaan to speak, but in the silence they could hear soft sobs on the phone. They all were surprised, and instantly concerned, the worst thoughts coming to their mind.