Just A Bend Not The End - AR FF (Thread #5)

Hi guys so as usual my old thread has been shut down so here we are with a new one. Linking thread 4 that has links to all older versions of the story below for your reference ☺️

Thread #4 (ALL PARTS)

Part 19 - Page 1

~ Just A Bend Not The End (AR Version)~

Recap: Ridhima wakes up from a very scary dream and just seeing her getting all panicky Armaan realises that he cant delay her treatment any further. He soothes her a little and also convinces her to go out on a breakfast date with him. He then takes a chance and talks to her regarding the need of her treatment, he clarifies that he wouldn't send her to the care facility again but would appreciate if she willingly agrees to see the psychologist. Ridhima doesn't respond to him and he too lets her be as he knows she would need sometime to think about it and hence just brings her home where she straight up goes to sleep or at least pretends to do so while Armaan just sits beside her and finishes up some office work.

PART 19:-

Sleeping for god knows how long he shifted a little because of his rather uncomfortable half sitting and half lying position which eventually forced him to open his eyes. Straightening his sore back he looked around the now rather dark room and it took not more than a minute for him to realise that he too had ended up falling asleep while going through some office file. Sighing, he rubbed his slightly aching temple before turning to check on Ridhima only to be left frowning for she wasn’t there on the bed. Getting a little alert he first switched on the side lamp and checked the time. Seeing that it was already past seven in the evening that is more than three hours since they had come in the room he calmed down a little assuming that she must have gone down in the living room, although the chances seemed very less for in the last week she had almost refused to keep him out of sight but yet he wanted to be hopeful. So quickly getting up and checking the room one more time in case she was in the washroom or balcony he finally walked out of the room hoping to find her soon and safe for try as hard he couldn't help but remember how many times she had harmed herself and after the conversation he had with her earlier that day he knew she wasn't in the best frame of mind.

“Ridhima…Ridhima…” he called out as he made his way towards the living room only to find it empty, frowning he moved towards the kitchen while still calling out for her. “John, have you seen Ridhima anywhere?” Armaan asked the butler who was busy mixing some ingredients on the stove, while he himself scanned the kitchen and dining area hoping to get some glimpse of Ridhima. “No Sir…I last saw her go upstairs with you” Replied John honestly but that just increased Armaan’s worries and so without any further conversation he ran out to check for in the garden only to be left disheartened yet again. “Kaha ho tum jaan?” He thought as a stubborn, fearful tear rolled down his eye while his mind began imagining all sorts of horrible things….“Nahi aisa kuch nahi hoga…Kuch nahi hoga Ridhima ko…” He affirmed while wiping away the tear and trying to think a little calmly as to where could she be. He first decided to check with the watchman if he had seen her leaving the house which thankfully was not the case. Glad that she was at least in the house he decided to go in and check once again. Knowing how much she loved the terrace he decided to go and check there first but just as he was proceeding he saw some light coming from a room that had been locked for almost a year now, the room that had some of the best yet worst memories of their life. The room that they had so fondly decorated for their baby, that baby who never got the chance to see that room, this thought itself brought a tear to his eye but he swiftly wiped it off wondering who opened that room…As far as he remembered he himself had locked that room after Ridhima’s breakdown post her miscarriage, also of course it was very painful for him as well to see that place and dwell on what could have been. Just then he realised that he hadn't found Ridhima yet and as if on cue his eyes at once snapped up towards that room…Was she inside? But how was that possible, she had literally been running away from that horrid memory then how?…He couldn't help the million questions rising in his mind and so with a thumping heart he walked forward to just check if she was inside or not. Standing by the slightly open door he took a moment to calm his nerves knowing it was gonna hurt bad to see that place again but he had to…He just had to and so taking a deep breath he gently pushed the door completely open only to find the room exactly how he had seen it last, every piece of furniture, every colour on the wall and even the pain he felt looking at all those things was exactly the same…Exactly the same.

Phool Mehke Nahin

Kuch Gumsum Se Hai

Jaise Roothe Huwe

Kuch Yeh Tumse Hai

Gulping back his tears he looked around to check for Ridhima and rightfully so he did spot her silhouette standing by the beautiful French windows that till date had those tiny fairy lights that Armaan had himself designed and hung. He for once felt relieved to have finally found her but at the same time he couldn't help the anxiety building up within him on seeing her in ‘THAT’ room, he was worried that opening this wound would only end up in her having a panic attack or even worse in her hurting herself. Keeping all these thoughts in mind and with a heart beat raised ten time more he walked towards her and very gently placed his hand on her shoulder “Ridhima…” he called out in the softest tone only to get no response. Coming right beside her he called her out one more time but she stood absolutely still and thats when he noticed the small doll in her hand. A weird fear began to creep in his heart and he was just gonna take that doll away to snap her out of her thoughts when she herself spoke up “I killed the baby…” she whispered in an almost inaudible tone but he heard her crystal clear and what she said did no good to his already anxious mind. “Ridhima tum…” “Maine mara tha…I had those sleeping pills to kill….To kill the baby” just as he was gonna say something she spoke yet again with her gaze still fixed out of the window. Shocked was understatement, Armaan always knew what had happened that night but somehow hearing it from her mouth just made reality hit hard. Further he was really disturbed as to where this moment was gonna lead them…Why was Ridhima suddenly talking about this? Did she have another attack or is gonna have one ? He knew nothing and that really cause a lot of uneasiness within him. “Jaan tum yeh sab….” He couldn't help but ask however she yet again cut his words “ Dar tha mujhe….Ki baby mujhse dur chala jayega…Chod dega mujhe…I…I didn’t want to go through that…Koi chodke chala jaye to bohot dard hota hai…Bohot zyada dard…” She choked on her words and this time he too had nothing to say as he himself felt a painful lump form in his throat. “I didn’t want anybody to give me that pain again…Isliye Maine khud hi…Khud hi baby ko dur Kar diya….Maar Diya use…” she said while biting back a sob while he too had to place a palm on his mouth to hold back his cry. Slowly turning her face towards him she looked at him with her tearful gaze and continued “Le…lekin dard to aaj bhi ho raha hai Armaan…Bo…bohot dard ho raha hai…” before helplessly breaking out into hysterical sobs to which Armaan at once gathered her in his arms as his heart too could no longer bare the pain that it tried to so skilfully store within.

Khusbooein Dhal Gayi

Sath Tumblebug Ab Jo Nahi

“Shh…Shh bas…Sab theek ho jayega Jaan…” Armaan consoled her amidst his own tears while hugging her even closer and gently rubbing her back to soothe her. However this time Ridhima was too restless to be consoled and so she at once pulled away from the hug and vigorously shook her head “Tum…Tum sahi the Armman…Tum sab sahi the…I…I am not normal…Main main pagal hoon Armman…Pagal hoon main…” She cried while covering her face in her palms but her words were enough to stab Armaan’s heart and stab it deep so without wasting another second he took two quick steps and holding Ridhima by her shoulders he forced her to drop her palms and face him “Pagal nahi ho tum…” He whispered making sure to emphasis on each word while looking at her straight in the eye but she was not willing to accept it and so once again shook her head and was just gonna say something when he pulled her closer and repeated himself in a tone so dangerously firm yet assuring that she was left with no choice but to actually zip her lips and just listen to him. “Pgal nahi ho tum Ridhima and dare you think otherwise…” He continued in the same tone while lightly caressing her face as she dropped her gaze and let her tears flow. “Janta hoon ki humare sath, tumhare sath bohot kuch ho gaya hai and I know its been rather painful to go through all that lekin main hoon na tumhare sath jaan?” Said Armaan in a very gentle tone while placing his finger on her chin and making her look at him once again. “Humare baby ko ma…maar Diya Maine, phir bhi tum mere sath rehna chahte ho?” She finally asked the question that had been haunting her since the day they lost their child while boring her tearful eyes into his. He said nothing for a few seconds making her chuckle painfully “Ab bhi Kahoge ki main pagal nahi hoon? Pichle das din se…Dus din se tumhe ek second bhi khud se dur nahi hone diya hai…I…I have turned clingy and whinny not even as much as letting you attend to your work. Aur agar galti se tum thodi der ke liye kahi chale jate ho to puri Tarah se bokhla jati hoon…Ab bhi Kahoge ki main pagal nahi hoon…?” She questioned again but before he could say anything she herself answered her question making him shut his eyes painfully “Main Pagal hoon Armaan…Pagal hoon main…Nahi sambhal sakti khud ko…Nahi sambhal sakti humare is…is rishte ko…Main…Main to humare bache tak ko nahi sambhal payi…” She cried while helplessly leaning onto him. “Ridhima tum…” “Mujhe wapas care centre bhejdo Armaan” just as he was gonna say something she spoke up shocking him out of his wits “WHAT? Do you even know what you’re saying ?” A bewildered Armaan asked but his reaction had absolutely no affect on Ridhima. “Tum sahi the Armaan, tum…Tum sab Sahi the…I…Shouldn't be here…I…I am dangerous Armaan, jo insaan…Apne…Apne bache ko maar sakta hai…Woh kuch bhi kar sakta hai…Tum…Tum mujhe bhej do..Just send me away…” She spoke earnestly while wiping her continuous tears that refused to stop flowing from her eyes while his face expressed a state of helplessness of seeing his love so vulnerable and not being able to do anything.

Kuch Kum Roshan Hai Roshni

Kuch Kum Gili Hai Baarishein

“Aur tumhare bigair main kaise jeyunga?” He asked after a few minutes during which nothing but Ridhima’s cries could be heard. “Tum ek baar…Ek Baar mere bina reh chuke ho…Ek baar aur jeena seekh…Sekh jaoge “ she replied after a few seconds without realising how much her words could hurt him because at the moment her own heart was overflowing with too much pain and further she realised in the hardest way possible that her presence could prove to be dangerous for him and just that very thought scared her to death. It took him a moment to take in what she said and it stung, every word that she just said stung as he recalled those painful moments of his life… “Marna…” he corrected her as his heart felt burdened yet again with sheer guilt for what he considered as his biggest mistake ever. Stunned at his response she looked up at once to find him staring at her with blood shot eyes. “Tumhe waha bhejkar main ek baar mar chuka hoon Ridhima aur ab agar maine tumhe khud se phir dur kiya to main puri tarah maar jaunga…Maar jaunga main…” He said in a pained voice as a tear rolled down his misty eyes… “Tum nahi samaj rahe Armaan…” She cried helplessly trying hard to explain her point of view but he was not having any of it “Tum nahi samaj rahi Ridhima…” he spoke cutting her in between while once again stepping forward and holding her shoulders he brought her closer to himself. “Tumhe ek baar khud se dur karke maine bohot, bohot badi galti ki thi Ridhima…And there is no chance in hell that I am going to repeat that mistake” he continued while looking at her straight in the eye and stating his point loud and clear. He could feel her body shudder in his hold and that at once sobered him up.

“Ridhima kabhi kabhi humare life main aise kuch hadse hote hai jo na chahkar bhi humari zindagi Badal deti hai…Un hadso ke ghave itne gehre hote hai ki woh pal-pal humare dil ko teer ki tarah chubte hai…” He spoke gently while cupping her face in his palms and softly making her look towards him. “Tumhare sath bhi aisa hi kuch hua Ridhima…You just have a traumatic past that unfortunately you're unable to leave behind…A past thats haunting your mind and making YOU go through so much pain…So much pain” he continued while resting his head against hers as his heart bled just by thinking of how much she had been suffering all these years. “Tum pagal nahi ho Ridhima…Tum pagal ho hi nahi sakti Kyuki Itna kuch sehne ke baad bhi, roz apne aap se ladkar khadi hoti ho, duniya ka samna karti ho aur to aur mujhe khush karne ke liye muskurati bhi ho…Yeh pagalpan nahi hai…This is a sign of strength Ridhima jitni Himmat tumne dikhayi hai nai shayad hi koi aur dikha sakta hai…” he spoke honestly while she held onto his hands that still held her face and just continued to cry feeling rather drained with her own life…“You just need a little help to sort your thoughts and rightfully so jaan…Rightfully so…” He continued while wiping her continuously flowing tears and pulling her even closer to himself than she already was. “Mujhe bas ek mauka do tumhari madat Karne ka Ridhima, tumhare is dard ko tumse dur Karne ka, Tumhari hasi ko sahi maiono main wapas dekhne ka…Sir ek mauka dedo Ridhima…Sirf ek mauka” he said while now tipping her chin up a little and making her look straight into his honest and appealing eyes.

Kuch Kum Lehrathi Hai Hawa

Kuch Kum Hai Dil Mein Kwahishein

There was so much going on in Ridhima’s mind, a part of her just wanted to give up on everything including her own life but Armaan, something about his words, something about his eyes were forcing her to do otherwise. She had a million apprehensions about his suggestion but also couldn't deny that the constricting pain that she felt more often than not was getting rather burdensome for her to bare. “Please…” her thoughts came to a halt as she heard Armaan whisper and once again felt his fingers slide her tears away, There was something about that moment that she almost unconsciously decided to agree. She had to give this a chance if not for herself then for Armaan, for the man who loved her so much that he even forgave her for killing his child. Nodding a little she gave him her reply only to be rewarded with his teary dimpled smile “Thank you…Thank you so much for trusting me jaan…Just….Thank you…” he spoke while taking her hands in his and kissing her palms as he felt immense relief wash over his veins because this time he was sure she was herself willing to give this a chance. Not wasting a single moment more he pulled her against his chest and hugged her tight. “I am sorry..So…Sorry…” she cried while holding on to him for dear life and he knew at once that she was apologising for the baby, the guilt of which he knew would not be easy to erase from her heart. “Shhhhh…Its not your fault sweetheart, it really isn’t your fault….” He cooed while tightening his hold around her and rubbing her back to give some comfort as he felt her fragile body tremble under his hold. “Bas kuch dino ki baat hai Ridhima…Phir sab kuch theek ho jayega…Sab kuch…Tumhari har Khushi main tumhe wapas dunga and thats my promise…” he promised her honestly as he continued to sway her in his arms while glancing at the baby doll that was by then kept on a chair nearby.

Tham Sa Gaya Hai

Yeh Waqt Aaisi

Tere Liya Hi Tehra Ho Jaise

~END OF PART~

NOTE: Hello my lovelies…I hope you all had a lovely start to 2022 and that this year treats you all wonderfully. I know I am super late tp update and I am extremely sorry for that, also I know Abhi bhi part kafi chota hai but I thought Kuch to update kardu specially for “Just A Bend” since most of you have asked for it :) As a compensation for my mistake I haven't left a cliffhanger this time :p…To be honest I dont know when can I update the next part but I will try my best ki is Baar ek Saal jitna wait to nahi ho…Of course uske liye apko bhi thoda sa feedback dena hoga to please do that and I will definitely try my best to update sooner than last time.

-Tani (Tanishka)

Never read this story. Will be back to start at the beginning.

Hiiiii ,

Welcome back!! So glad that you've finally been kind enough to give us poor readers some content to read, so shukriya.

Now though I'm really happy to have gotten the part but equally sad after reading it 🥺 Why Oh why!! Poor AR! I was so hoping that hopefully she's just down cooking or idk doing anything normal, but naiiiii you've to make us cry. It was tooo sad but very well written as always. It was super sad how he has been trying his best to console and comfort her while he's going through the same pain; but then again that's the most Armaan-ish thing to do! It's very heartwrenching but still a treat to read it since it was crafted very well.

Now I'm eagerly waiting for next part but please give us some AR moments, like khushi khushi wale finally. Aise rate pe toh Devdas couple ban jayenge dono 🤭 so please khao some rehem on us and pehle toh update soon baki sari baatein baad mein.