Warning: This Chapter Is Unedited!!!

Chapter No 23: Intertwined Names.

Armaan was sitting in his room. He placed the files back on the table and then he moved towards the red gold washed canvas and sat in front of it.

Kya ker rahe ho?

Armaan gasped and looked at the sofa only to find Abhira there.

The world around him faded into insignificance as he lost himself in the thoughts of her. He sat there, engrossed in his work as he unknowingly started painting Abhira on the red gold washed canvas. His brush strokes were deliberate and precise capturing every detail of her with reverence.

He imagined her sitting on a sofa across him, her fair complexion flowing in the soft light of the room, her warm brown eyes framed by thick, long, black lashes sparkled with a mixture of delight and mischief as she laughed freely, her head thrown back in joy. Her hand was clasped at her throat, adding a touch of elegance to her carefree demeanor.

Armaan,s hands trembled but he took a deep breath trying to compose himself as he felt a mixture of admiration and an undefinable emotion flooding through him which left him puzzled. A frown formed on his forehead as he continued to paint, each stroke was filled with emotion, the expression on his face, so raw, so intense was a proof to his growing feelings for her which he was unable to realize.

Armaan,s hands trembled, a lump formed in his throat as he her memories flooded his mind.

When he stepped back and opened his eyes to admire his work, a gasp escaped his lips, a startled expression crossing his features.

What the hell.

He gasped, his voice trembling with shock. His eyes wide in surprise.

There, on the canvas before him, Abhira was all in her glory. He stared in disbelief with his breath held captive unable to comprehend how he ended up painting her and how he had managed to capture her essence so perfectly. The painting seemed to come to life, her laughter echoing in his ears causing his heart to skip a beat and his breath left him in a trembling whoosh.

He gazed at the couch once again only to find it empty and his heart skipped several beats. His gaze moved back to the painting.

His breath caught in his throat as he studied every detail of the painting. The way her hair cascaded down her back, the curve of her smile, the twinkle in her eyes - frozen in time, on the canvas before him.

Another startled gasp escaped him as he stared at the painting in awe. It was a sight he admired, her laughter and mischief which seemed to be lost now.

His heart pained at the thought.

He had painted her in the joyous and mischievous mode. But as he gazed at the painting carefully. He found a quite vulnerability in the eyes which he often saw in her.

A vulnerability which tore the mask of happiness she wore.

He felt as if he could see past her strong and carefree facade. It was like her defenses had grown weak and she couldn't stop the vulnerability that slipped past them.

Ma...r mar jaunga main.

Her trembling words played in his ears and his breath hitched.

No.

He shook his head sideways, his heart pounding wildly against his chest at the thought.

She can't die.

He said to himself, a lump formed in his throat and his mouth opened in a silent gasp then.

A memory flooded through his mind and his already shattered heart shattered loudly in his ears all over again and he covered his ears.

NO!!!!

He screamed with his heart pounding in his chest and fell onto the floor, tears blurring his vision.

No. She won't do this. Woh yeh nahin karegi. She's strong enough.

He said to himself rubbing his chest, the trauma still fresh in his mind.

Think positive.

He said to himself closing his eyes and a memory flooded through him causing his lips to curve into a tender smile.

Flashback!!!!

A 16 years old Armaan walked through the halls of the school looking around for someone, his heart filled with a mixture of longing and anticipation.

He saw a door slightly open and his feet carried him forward before he could make a decision.

He looked through the space and noticed a girl crying. She was junior to him.

Main aisi kyun hoon rabb maine toh kabhi kisi ka bura nahin socha toh mere sath aisa kyun hua. Mujhe mar jana chahiye tha na.

The girl cried, her back facing him.

Armaan,s heart shattered loudly in his ears hearing her words and he moved back.

Then taking a deep breath to compose himself, he walked towards his classroom. He entered the classroom and fished out a chocolate from his bag.

He then tore a page from his register and wrote something down on the paper.

Hey queen. Ro mat. Achi nahin lagti tum rote huye. You look best when you smile. I understand tumhari life mein bahot si problems hain but face with a smile. You are strong and jo tumhare paas nahin hai uske liye mat ro. Rabb sabko utna hi pain dete hain jitna woh bardasht ker sake. Yeh dard ek test hai jo jaldi khatam ho jayega. Just stay strong. Jo tumhare paas nahin hai uske mat ro, jo hai uske liye thankful raho. You are a fighter. You have to fight. Life isn't easy. Life throws you under the pass every single day. All you have to do is stand up, put your crown back and aage badho. I'm by your side humesha.

He folded the letter carefully and walked back. He kneeled and slid the paper from the space.

He moved back from the door and leaned against the wall holding his breath as he heard her footsteps echoing softly onto the floor.

There was a beat of silence. Then Armaan,s heard her softly unfolding the paper, her voice was a hushed whisper but he could hear the smile in her voice. He watched through the slightly opened door and sighed in relief as he caught the sight of her smile.

Flashback Ends!!!

Maine bola kyun nahin?

Armaan said to himself, a sigh escaped his lips.

Per ab bolunga. I promise.

Armaan said softly, his eyes shone with determination and he placed a hand on his heart pleading silently to quite down but it roared in his ears.

Armaan.

Armaan turned and gazed at the balcony hearing Abhira,s voice only to find her standing there with a soft smile on her face.

Kya soch rahe ho?

She asked softly coming to stand beside him. Armaan couldn't help but smile despite the guilt that threatened to consume him completely. He looked at her, her presence grounding him against the memories of the past that flooded through him.

He smiled softly at her and asked amused

You here?

There was a twinkle in her eyes

I thought you needed me.

Armaan smiled softly, his heart skipping a beat. He didn't say anything and continued to gaze at her.

She stepped forward and held his hand, her warm touch sent a shiver down his spine.

Relax.

She said, her voice a soft whisper and he nodded in a state of daze.

The creaking of the door startled him and he looked around with his heart racing in his chest.

Mujhe calm kerna ache se aata hai tumhein. Just like always.

He said with a shy smile.

He walked forward then taking a deep breath, a determined glint in his eyes.

Feeling a surge of courage, he opened his diary and pened their names down.

Armaan Abhira.

He stared at their names penned on the paper and took a deep breath.

With his heart pounding, he interviewed their names giving birth to two new names

Abhimaan.

Maahira.

End Of Chapter!!!!

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