AbhiMaan OS : Promise

Since there will be no hospital scene and there's a long road ahead for Armaan's redemption, a haphazardly put one shot 🥲

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Armaan sat in the hospital waiting area, his mind a tumultuous sea of emotions-guilt, fear and a desperate longing for Abhira’s recovery. And disgust. He felt disgusted with himself as the memory crossed his mind. How could he stoop so low, to an extent that he disregarded the sanctity of his marriage with Abhira? The memory of dipping his finger into the alta bowl made him recoil in shame. If not for her intervention, he would have committed a grave sin.

“Armaan” came Ruhi’s voice, interrupting his thoughts.

“Return to the resort, Ruhi.” He spoke calmly, exhausted beyond limits.

“How can I leave you alone?” She insisted, trying to touch his shoulder. Armaan instinctively stepped behind, creating a physical distance between them.

“I’m not a kid who will be lost without your guidance,” he asserted, determination burning bright in his emerald eyes, “I have a wife to take care of, don’t force me to create a scene here. I’ll deal with whatever you’ve done today once my wife recovers.”

Ruhi’s heart sank at his stern words, a mix of frustration and hurt crossing her features. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stalked away, wiping her remaining tears.

“How…how is she?” He enquired anxiously, as the doctor approached him.

“She’s going to be okay,” the doctor said, her voice filled with relief. Armaan exhaled the breath he was holding back, finally cracking a small smile. “We managed to clear her airways and stabilise her breathing. She’s a fighter, Mr. Poddar.”

“I know,” he nodded, overwhelmed, “can I meet her now?”

“In a couple of minutes. We’ll shift her to her ward, then you can meet her.” The doctor added before leaving.

Armaan thanked her profusely before slumping on the plastic chair. He called back home, updating them with Abhira’s health status before disconnecting the call. He glanced at his watch, wishing for the minutes to pass faster. Each second felt like an eternity, heart racing with anticipation to see her face and assure himself that she was truly okay.

A few minutes later, a nurse came to inform him. “Sir, you can go inside now. Make sure you don’t strain her too much though.”

As he entered her room, he saw her lying on the bed in a peaceful slumber. The sight of her brought a flood of emotions and Armaan took a moment to compose himself before approaching her bedside. She looked frail and tired, the bruises on her face twisted a sharp dagger in his heart.

He silently pulled a chair beside her and reached out to take her hand in his. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles, thanking all gods who ensured her safety.

“You scared me there, you know,” his eyes glossed, voice thick with emotion, “meri jaan chali gayi thi tumhe behosh dekhkr. Aese kaun kasam deta hai yaar. Aur…Aur kya kaha? Tumhare jaane se kisiko fark nahi padega? Mujhe padta hai god damnit! Agar aaj tumhe kuch ho jata na, kisi se bhi nazre nahi mila pata. Khud se bhi nahi. Don’t you dare put me in such a situation ever again.”

Time seemed to slow down as he watched over her, wondering how could someone be so stupid and courageous at the same time? It was possible by his one and only choti height wali Abhira Sharma.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open, scrunching her nose at the unpleasant smell of sterilisers that filled the hospital room. As her vision adjusted to the dim lighting, memories flooded back on a cue - her struggle with the ropes, the suffocating smoke, the struggle for breath and eventually slipping into unconsciousness.

“Abhira?” A soft whisper made her turn to her left, finding Armaan beside her teary eyed. She smiled at him weakly before the last memory of theirs extinguished the flicker of warmth from her face. The divorce papers.

“Where are the divorce papers?” She asked, her voice meek as she avoided his gaze, “I’ll relieve you from this burden humesha humesha ke liye. Then you don’t have to worry if I was alive or dead.”

Armaan’s heart clenched at her words, the weight of guilt crushing him even further. He knew he failed to be the husband and friend she deserved.

“Chup rehne ka kya logi tum?” He questioned gruffly, making her drink water, “I tore those papers, they must be in some dustbin by now. Nobody is getting divorced, do you understand?”

“Funny, you got those papers ready and now you dumped them in the trash can. Such an unpredictable character you are.”

“I did not get those papers ready, Abhira.” He mumbled, trying to defend himself.

“Then who did, if not you? Or did you dream about them while sleeping and they magically appeared from the sky.” She taunted, words stinging with sarcasm, rolling her eyes at his poor or rather lack of defence.

Armaan looked down. He knew he had failed to be transparent with her and the consequences of his mistakes were staring back at him. He was intent on resolving the tension between them and earn her trust once again.

“Just leave, Armaan. I don’t want to see your face. I’m used to being left out, humesha toh yahi karte ho. You always leave me alone whenever I need you. Even on mumma’s birthday…khair.” She trailed off, wiping her tears with the hand not attached to the drip, staring at the white wall of her room.

He took a deep breath, speaking to her, “Your anger and your ignorance, Abhira, I deserve them all. In fact I deserve the worst of all punishments for hiding many things from you. But I promise you, I’ll come clean about everything once you get alright. This is your husband’s promise to you.”

As Abhira listened to his words, she turned to him before looking away, afraid her heart would be influenced to sway if she gazed into his eyes any longer. She felt the warmth of his hand enveloping hers, a silent plea for forgiveness that she refused to acknowledge, allowing the weight of silence to settle between them.

Ahhh this is so perfect 🥹

Loved it

Oh this is absolutely perfect. I hope this is how the conversation materialises between them in the show, but I know it wouldn't. So i will help my imagination with this wonderful OS that you have penned down❤️

Oh man this is SO perfect. Exactly what I want Abhira to do.

Thank you. Please write more.

Amazing 🤩 just what we needed

Loved it ..❤️

Originally posted by: Fortnight

Ahhh this is so perfect 🥹

Loved it

Thank you so much 😊🤍

Originally posted by: Nocturnal7

Oh this is absolutely perfect. I hope this is how the conversation materialises between them in the show, but I know it wouldn't. So i will help my imagination with this wonderful OS that you have penned down❤️

Thank you so much 😊 🤍. There's so much we wish from the show but never get *sigh*

Originally posted by: Pinecone

Oh man this is SO perfect. Exactly what I want Abhira to do.

Thank you. Please write more.

Thank you so much 😊 🤍. Abhira in the show is struck hard by cupid's arrow, she'll hardly be shown angry at him right now.

Originally posted by: 8Lucky88

Amazing 🤩 just what we needed

Thank you so much 😊 🤍