Warning: This Chapter Is Unedited.

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Armaan turned, the rich aroma of basen halwa wafted into his nose and he looked ahead.

Armaan yeh dekh.

Sharda Devi spoke stepping inside the room, a smile playing on her lips. The dishes covered and she placed the tray on the small table.

She uncovered the lid, the rich aroma wafting through the air and Armaan walked towards the chair, the hunger unbearable.

Sharda Devi walked away.

A flicker of delight crossed his features as he ate, the halwa tasting different yet perfect on his tongue. His heart swelled as he allowed the child inside him to come out for few moments.

A gentle breeze caressed his cheeks and his heart skipped a beat before starting to race feeling a sense of warmth that had became familiar since last few months.

Abhira.

He thought and looked up as Abhira stepped in and the familiar scent of jasmine and sandalwood met his senses. He stood from the chair slowly.

Abhira smiled, her expression was one of a smitten lover as she stepped forward.

Armaan,s heart pounded in his chest at a wild rhythm as he looked at her, his usually composed expression faltering.

Dolled up in a simple white net Shalwar kameez, she looked no less than a princess while strands of hair framed her face in the most beautiful way possible.

She lifted her eyes and their eyes locked. The world around them blurred into insignificance leaving only the two of them in their own bubble. Armaan stepped forward not daring to blink his eyes and break the spell that has fallen over them.

He watched as she moved through the room as if she owns it.

Aap ko pata hai aap bahot ajeeb ho. Apne kapde tak theek se fold kerne nahin aate.

She said, her tone soft yet teasing as she let out a small laugh and folded the shirts with a sense of care that surprised him.

He refused to answer her and doesn't look at her and turned pretending like she doesn't exist. It pained him to ignore her like this but he had no option. It was for her betterment.

She walked through the walk in closet placing the shirts inside. The smell that hit her was familiar and comforting and her heart skipped a beat.

He watched as she held out a cup of tea in front of him.

He looked at her, an unspoken question dancing in his gaze.

Thand lag jayegi. Bimar ho jayenge. Chai pi ker nikla kijiye bahar thand hai.

She said softly, her eyes full of love. She knew that he was avoiding her and her heart ached at the thought but she brushed the thought away. If he was being stubborn then she's no less.

She placed the cup on the small table knowing that he won't take it from her hand. A smile lingered on her lips as she looked at him.

Armaan,s heart twisted rather painfully in his chest but he managed to keep his expression composed. His hands clenching at his sides. A wave of pain crashed over him and his throat tightened.

Aapko pata hai Mr Armaan....

He looked at her, his eyes staring at her side profile, his heart swelling with an emotion he wasn't able to name.

Mostly hamesha humein insaan ki value tab hoti hai jab woh humse door chala jata hai.

Armaan,s breath caught in his throat and he gazed at her. For a moment, he dared to imagine his life without her. He held back a gasp, his composed facade faltering for a moment and he felt a familiar yet unfamiliar emotion crash over him like a tidal wave.

Chai pi lijiye ga.

He couldn't hear her and she let out a heart melting smile looking at him and turned to leave. Her presence fading as quickly as it appeared.

Armaan,s legs wobbled and he sank to the chair. A wave of pain crashed over him and he gripped the sides of his chair to fight against the rising tide of pain he wasn't ready to face. A wave of coldness swept over him. His heart hammered in his chest, each beat echoing the unspoken longing that was crushing him bit by bit.

He gulped softly. His eyes simmered as they glazed over, staring into nothingness.

And it came crashing back. A mixture of longing and helplessness crashed over him in cold waves and a shiver raced down his spine.

I hate it.

He said to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

Armaan looked on, a mixture of longing and frustration crashing over him.

He leaned back on his chair. He was immersed in a world of longing, confusion and pain since he has started avoiding her. A wave of longing and irritation crashed over him. He missed her greatly.... The stolen moments, her gentle smile, her kind eyes, her comforting words. He missed her a lot. The absence of her presence became an unbearable ache that consumed his thoughts and filled his days with a sense of loss. He missed her greatly, the gentle curve of her smile, the warmth of her gaze, her words of comfort.... He missed it all.

It was one of those moments when he wanted to cross the distance that existed between them. He wanted to reach out for her, to hold onto her but he knew that he could not. He didn't had the courage to reach out for her. It felt like she was far away from him. She was a fairy, so beautiful, kind, gentle and pure while he was a demon, tainted, cruel, unkind and hated.

Main usse dard ke ilawa kuch nahin de sakta.

He thought bitterly.

Usse kisi aur ke sath hona chahiye.

A bitter taste filled his mouth and he swallowed hard at the thought.

His heart raced, caught between longing and an emotion he couldn't make out. The bitter taste that filled his mouth was unbearable and he quickly took a bite of the besan halwa hoping that the sweetness will wash away the bitter taste that filled his mouth. His eyes fluttered close.

I have to let go.

He said to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

Later!!!

Abhira worked sitting on her desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard, in a rhythmic motion. Her eyes glued to the computer screen.

Abhira.

Preeti called out, tugging at her arm. Abhira looked at her best friend, startled, as if jolting out of a trance. She blinked her eyes, her fingers were cold as she fisted her hand and smacked her forehead.

Kya?

Abhira asked lifting an eyebrow.

Preeti rolled her eyes before standing on her feet, her body aching from sitting in the same position for so long.

Chal na.

Peerti said in an adorable tone.

Abhira blinked her eyes and asked, her brows knitting together in a delicate expression of confusion.

Kahan?

She asked.

Preeti looked at Abhira, a wave of frustration crashing over her.

Nark mein.

Peerti said sarcastically, her frustration evident.

Chalegi?

Peerti added, her voice trembling with frustration.

Abhira rolled her eyes.

Nahin abhi mann nahin hai.

Abhira said with a casual wave of her hand and resumed the task at hand.

Peerti looked at Abhira in shock before shaking her head and pulling her up with a jerk giving her a look, the kind which caused Abhira to swallow the words that were about to escape her lips.

Irritate ker ke rakha hai.

Peerti said, not bothering to hide her frustration.

Abhira gulped softly, a twinge of fear flickering in her eyes before she shook her head sideways, composing herself.

Main kitna important deta bana rahi thi pata hai tujhe?

She said in a questioning manner.

Peerti turned and glared at Abhira.

Nahin. Mujhe kaise pata hoga, kyunke main chane bechti hoon yahan.

She said sarcastically, her frustration evident.

Abhira visibly struggled to keep up with peerti,s pace and she looked at her.

Itna badhak kyun rahi hai?

Abhira asked, her voice laced with a mixture of confusion and concern.

Main badhkungi kyunke mere andar tere jitna patience nahin hai.

She said, her anger calming slightly.

As they both sat for the lunch, Abhira pulled out her tiffin and lifted the lid.

Basen Halwa and puris?

Preeti spoke, her lips curling into a delighted smile as her eyes sparkled and she hurriedly took a bite, the halwa tasting perfect on her tongue and she closed her eyes.

Yum.

Abhira smiled, her eyes crinkling at the edges.

Preeti looked up curiously.

Lagta hai aunty ne nayi recipe nikali hai.

Preeti said, her voice laced with a mixture of delight and curiosity.

Abhira paused, the bite halfway to her mouth.

Aaj sab free mein maa ki tareef kyun ker rahe hain?

Abhira asked slightly annoyed.

Peerti looked up from the food.

Matlab?

She asked.

Abhira rolled her eyes eating her halwa and puris.

Once she was done, she looked at peerti and replied.

Yeh halwa mumma ne nahin maine banaya hai

Abhira said rolling her eyes.

What?

Peerti exclaimed in shock, her hand flying to her mouth.

Abhira sat on her chair comfortably and lifted an eyebrow, frustration etched across her face.

Yeh sab mere khana banane  shock kyun ho rahe hain?

She asked, her voice trembling with a hint of frustration.

Kamal hai.

Peerti exclaimed standing up from the chair and clapped.

Mann gayi main....

She trailed off, her voice quivering with disbelief.

Abhira looked at her friend, her expression unreadable.

Tu pagal toh nahin ho gayi?

Abhira asked concerned.

Haan ho gayi hoon.

Preeti said.

Shock se. I mean maine suna tha pyaar sitam karata hai but mujhe aaj pata chal raha hai ke pyaar khana bhi banwata hai.

Preeti said, her voice quivering with disbelief and she sat on the chair once again.

Preeti...

Abhira trailed off, her voice tinged with a mixture of tiredness and frustration.

By the way tu gussa Kyun ho gayi?

Abhira asked softly, raising an eyebrow.

Mere paas tere jitna patience nahin hai iss liye.

Kya?

Abhira asked struggling to make sense of Preeti,s words.

Main teri tarah uss sanki Poddar ko nahin jhelti na iss liye.

Abhira felt a twinge of anger mixed with anguish hearing Preeti. Armaan was misunderstood here too.

Woh sanki nahin hain.

Abhira said keeping her tone calm.

I mean he's known for his anger and all the negative things.

Peerti said rather quickly.

Abhira struggled to keep her expression composed but the frustration in her eyes betrayed her.

Zaroori toh nahin ke suni sunayi baatein humesha sach ho.

Abhira said calmly and Preeti nodded her head in positive lost in thought.

You are right.

Preeti said and turned slightly.

Maybe we misunderstood him.

Preeti said, her voice tinged with guilt.

Abhira sighed, her face softening.

Maybe nahin pakka.

Abhira said softly and stood on her feet and turned to leave.

Preeti stood up rather quickly with a coffee cup in her hand.

Abhira teri coffee....

Preeti trailed off and rushed towards the exit with the coffee cup in hand.

Just as she was out to exit, she stumbled forward and the coffee slipped from her hand.

WHAT THE HELL!!!

Armaan yelled out, frustration etched across his features, his clothes drenched with coffee.

Preeti looked up, her heart pounding out of fear as she looked at Armaan.

Armaan crossed his arms across his chest, frustration crashing over him in waves.

Yeh kya kiya?

He asked through gritted teeth.

Sorry sir woh Abhira apni coffee bhool gayi. Woh dene ja rahi thi maine aapko dekha nahin and gir gayi coffee sorry.

She said quickly, fumbling over words out of fear.

Armaan,s felt his frustration melting away hearing Abhira,s name and he looked at her.

You can go.

He said in his usual emotionless tone.

I'm sorry.

She said and Armaan walked forward.

Itna bura bhi nahin hai yeh. Maybe Abhira was right about him.

Preeti thought, a hint of admiration evident in her gaze.

End Of Chapter!!!

Coming Up Next: The Silent Care.

Here's the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Love you all take care stay home and stay safe ❤️