Yun Hi Tu Mere Saath Rehna - An Abhimaan x Mishbir Fanfic (C18 : P11) - Page 12

lovely update

loved abhira decision to fight for the dance academy and armaan should realise what his family is that only give conditional love

This is just awesome....

Do continue sooooooooon

Waiting for the law suit on the Goenkas....

And everyone's reactions on the same....

Chapter Nineteen

“Kya main andar aa sakta hoon?” Armaan asked, softly knocking on Abir & Mishti's door.

“Armaan?” Mishti smiled, opening the door immediately. “Of course. Please, aao na!”

Armaan grinned, stepping inside. This was the first time he was inside their room, and he took a moment to take it in. Mishti & Abir's room was very different from Abhira's. It was painted in soft pinks and blues. A wood carving of a world map sat above their bed, littered with polaroids. He could faintly make out the faces of the two of them, interspersed with the rest of the family. He could see the life they'd lived together in them. It was so weird for him to imagine them as anyone other than the Badi Maa & Bade Papa he knew, but here they were - a young Abir & Mishti, probably even younger than he was right now, newly wed Abir & Mishti, new parents Abir & Mishti, Asha Kiran's owners Abir & Mishti, Abir & Mishti with the rest of the family - their own parents, siblings, kids, grandkids - growing old together and sharing everything with each other. What a fulfilling life it seemed to be. He could only hope that he & Abhira lived a life as full of love as theirs.

On the opposite side, a painting of Mishti took up most of the space on the wall. There were a few other paintings hung around it. Armaan didn't really understand their meaning, but he was sure they were important, given how well loved they were - a paper wind chime, a bunch of red, heart shaped balloons, a lakeside, a pair of bicycles, and the crowded rooftop of a bus. Above all of them, was a nameplate that read Mishbir.

One side of the room housed a dressing table & study table while the opposite side had their wardrobes on one side, most of the space taken up by their balcony which had a small sitting area and a reading nook.

“Aao, Armaan. Baitho,” Mishti gestured to the bed. Armaan obliged readily. He took one corner of the bed while Mishti sat opposite him.

“Itni raat ko kaise aana hua? All good?” Mishti probed.

Armaan sighed, shaking his head. “Abhira ne mujhe bataya ki woh Manish Uncle pe…”

“Oh,” Mishti breathed. “Kya tumhe lagta hai uska decision galat hai?”

“Nahi, bilkul nahi,” Armaan answered immediately. “I think she's right. Manish Uncle ne Akshara Maa ko hi jab ghar se nikaal diya toh phir Akshara Maa ya unke parents ki kisi cheez pe unke haq nahi hai. Woh academy, Naira Nani ke baad unhe hi milni chahiye thi na. Aur unke baad Abhira ko.”

The transition from calling her Akshara Ma'am to now calling her Akshara Maa was one that Armaan didn't even realize. In the time that he had met Abhira's family and they had become his own, his teacher had also become his mother.

“Bilkul sahi keh rahe ho tum,” Mishti agreed. “Akshu ke paida hote hi, Naira Di ne woh academy uske naam kardi thi. Toh uss lihaaz se unki death ke baad, it belonged to her. And as Akshu's only living child, ab woh academy Heera ki hai.”

“Ira ka faisla sahi hai, Badi Maa,” Armaan added. “Lekin, uska raasta bohot mushkil. Mujhe darr lag raha hai. Kahin woh kamzor na pad jaaye. Mujhe pata hai… Woh mujhse kayi zyada strong hai. Mujhse kya, woh saari duniya se zyada strong hai. Usne life mein bohot struggle dekhi hai, aur uske bawajood woh kabhi hichkichayi nahi. Par ab baat alag hai. Akshara Maa ko leke woh waise hi itni emotional hai. Aur woh dikhati nahi, lekin Manish Uncle ka sach jaanke usse bohot takleef pohonchi hai. Woh unse bohot pyaar karti thi, bohot respect karti thi unki. Ab yeh sab… It's not going to be easy for her.”

“You're right,” Mishti murmured. “It's not going to be easy. Lekin hum haina uske saath. You, me, and Abir. We'll handle everything. Usse kamzor nahi padne denge.”

“Mujhe yeh darr nahi hai, Badi Maa,” Armaan admitted. “Mujhe darr yeh hai ki kahin main kamzor na pad jau. Pehle bhi jab Abhira ko meri sabse zyada zaroorat thi, main uska saath nahi de paaya. Iss baar main har kadam uske saath chalna chaahta hoon.”

“Hum tum dono ke saath hain, Armaan,” Mishti assured him. “Sirf Abhira nahi, hum tumhe bhi kamzor nahi padne denge. I promise.”

“Thank you, Badi Maa,” Armaan smiled. “Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai, aapke aur Bade Papa ke bina main aur Abhira kya karte?”

“Thankfully, aisa kabhi nahi hoga,” Mishti promised. “Ki tumhe ya Abhira ko yeh sochna pade. We're always there for you.”

“Badi Ma… Aapse kuch maangu toh aap dengi?” Armaan asked softly after a moment of silence.

“Tum maang ke toh dekho,” Mishti grinned.

“Main… 2 minute aapki god mein sarr rakh loon? Please?” Armaan whispered, his voice breaking.

Mishti sucked in a sharp breath, before reaching up to pull Armaan's head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his hair in an attempt to soothe him. So much had been happening around him. Mishti understood very well how he felt. He was trying to find balance between Abhira & his family, dealing with his brother's hatred, and his grandmother's ego. Inadvertently, she knew that their offer to him was also a source of unease for him. And, he had been trying to stand strong in the midst of all this, supporting Abhira as she processed the truth about her family. It had not been easy for him.

“I'm sorry, Armaan,” Mishti mumbled. “Abhira aur Goenkas ke issue mein hum sab itna ulajh gaye, ki mera dhyaan hi nahi gaya… Ki mere bete ko bhi meri zaroorat hai. But I promise, dobara yeh galti nahi hogi.”

Mishti felt his tears wet her kurti at her words. She belatedly realized that maybe no one had ever apologized to him. How unfortunate that his own family didn't recognize his worth. She wished that they could see him for the brilliant man he was - so kind and loving, driven and passionate, responsible and trustworthy.

Armaan turned his head, hiding his face in Mishti's stomach. “Thank you,” he choked out. “Aapne yeh kaha yehi bohot hai.”

“Kaafi nahi hai,” Mishti countered. “You deserve better. Sirf Abhira hi nahi hai jo iss waqt itne badlaav aur tanaav se guzar rahi hai. Har cheez se tumhe bhi toh utna hi farq padta hai. Aur sirf isliye ki tum dikhaate nahi, iska yeh matlab toh nahi tumhe support ki zaroorat nahi hai? Agli baar, itna wait mat karna. Meri god aur mera kandha, hamesha tumhaare liye haazir hain.”

“I love you, Badi Maa,” Armaan mumbled, and then stopped short. This was perhaps the first time he'd said those words to someone other than Abhira. He'd always been so awkward in expressing his love to anyone. It stemmed a lot from the fact that no one was vocal about their affection in his family. Yet, in this moment with Mishti, it felt as natural as breathing.

“And I love you, Maani,” Mishti replied, the nickname slipping from her lips effortlessly. Armaan looked up at her, surprised. “Mumma mujhe woh bulaati thi,” he admitted. The way he said it, Mishti understood, he wasn't talking about Vidya.

“I'm sorry,” she apologized. “Main nahi bulaungi.”

“No!” Armaan cried, immediately. “Please… Aap Maani bolengi toh mujhe achcha lagega. Mumma ke baad, aapke paas hi mujhe woh security mehsoos hoti hai, Badi Maa. Aap hoti haina, toh mujhe lagta hai sab sahi hoga… Waisa jaisa Mumma ke saath lagta tha. Aap, please… Sorry mat boliye.”

“Okay, Maani,” Mishti smiled. “Abse yehi bulaungi tumhe.”

Armaan smiled, sitting up. “Thank you, Badi Maa!” He hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder.

Mishti ruffled his hair, dropping a kiss to his forehead. “Abhi itne bade nahi huye ho, ki mujhe iske liye thank you bolo!”

___ ___ ___

“Armaan!” Abhira cried. “Hum kahaan jaa rahe hain? Kuch toh batao!”

“It's a surprise,” Armaan repeated for the hundredth time. After speaking with Mishti, Armaan had felt much lighter. But, one thing he realized was that for the past few weeks, he & Abhira had only been putting out fires. One thing after the other kept plopping in their laps, and they kept dealing with it. Yes, he'd spent a lot of time with Abhira in the past few days, but most of it had been them trying to comfort each other. He wanted to spend time with her, away from all the worries that seemed to hound them off late. And so, he had decided to take her out for some much needed ice-cream. Both Abir & Mishti had been only too happy to oblige his request.

“Hum kya phir poora time aise chup-chap baithe rahenge?” Abhira asked.

“Tum chup reh sakti ho kya?” Armaan laughed. “Mujhe laga bhagwaan ne tumhaare andar woh setting hi nahi bheji hai.”

“Haha,” Abhira laughed sarcastically.

“Achcha chalo… Tum batao mujhe, chehra kyun milta tera, yun khwabon se mere, yeh kya raaz hai?” Armaan serenaded, making Abhira blush a deep scarlet. Armaan grinned, proud at the effect he had on her.

“Mujhe nahi pata tha ki Khadoosmaan type ke logon ko aise flirt karna bhi aata hai,” she commented lightly, trying to hide the fact that her heart was about to beat out of its chest. She'd never heard Armaan sing before. And she hadn't known he was so good at it either. As if his melodious voice wasn't enough, his choice of lyrics hadn't helped either.

“Khadoosmaan ko aur bhi cheezein aati hain, Sharma Ji,” Armaan fired back slyly. “Aap kabhi mauka dijiye dikhaane ka.” He wiggled his eyebrows in an attempt to make his intentions clearer, not that it was needed. Abhira understood what he meant very easily.

“Shut up, Armaan!” She cried, whacking his arm. The car swerved a little, scaring Abhira. “I'm so sorry!” She exclaimed, holding on to his sleeve tightly. She had closed her eyes and was trying to fold into herself. Seeing her condition, Armaan parked the car on the side of the road. He pushed his seat back and tugged Abhira to him, gathering her in an embrace on his lap. Abhira hid her face in his neck, clutching him tight.

“It's okay, Ira,” Armaan murmured softly. “Kuch nahi hua. Tumne kuch nahi kiya. Car mein control mein thi. Main bas thoda mazaak kar raha tha.”

“Armaan!!” Abhira shouted at his words, pulling back to look at him angrily. “Aisa mazaak koi karta hai kya? Meri jaan nikal gayi thi. Agar kuch ho jaata toh?”

“I'm sorry,” Armaan apologized. “I really am. Maine socha nahi. I didn't want to scare you. Sorry, sorry, sorry!” He pleaded, holding his ears. “Please maaf kardo!”

Abhira huffed, moving off his lap and sitting on her seat once again. “Phir kabhi mat karna,” she commanded.

“I promise,” Armaan readily agreed. “Phir kabhi nahi karunga.”

Abhira hummed and flicked on the radio. Armaan took it as his cue to start driving again. “Iraaaa, I'm sorry!” He coaxed again. “Main pakka aise phir kabhi nahi karunga. Tum bas please ab gussa mat karo. I'm really very sorry. Mujhe kya pata tha tum itna zyada darr jaogi. Aise toh poori sherni bannke ghoomti ho, aur ab dekho.”

“Aisa nahi hai, Armaan,” Abhira sighed. “Mujhe bhi darr lagta hai… Aur tumhe pata hai, mujhe sabse zyada darr kis cheez se lagta hai?”

“Kisse?” Armaan asked in a whisper.

“Tumhe khone se,” Abhira replied. “Mumma ke baad maine bohot mushkil se khudko sambhaala hai. Ab agar main tumhe bhi kho dungi, toh main phir shayad nahi sambhaal paungi.”

“Toh main kahaan jaa raha hoon?” Armaan questioned. “Kahin nahi jaunga main tumhe chodke. Hamesha tumhaare saath hi rahunga.”

“Promise?” Abhira looked up at him.

“Promise,” Armaan swore. He reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss to the back of it. He kept holding her hand after that, even as he shifted gears, entwining their fingers together.

Finally, they reached their destination. “We're here,” Armaan declared. Abhira's eyes lit up when she saw that they were in front of an ice-cream parlour.

“Thank you, Armaan!!” She cried, reaching up to hug him tight. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Armaan laughed, kissing her temple. “Tum sach mein ice-cream se hi mujhse zyada pyaar karti ho. Aaj tak kabhi mujhe dekhke aisa reaction nahi diya!”

“Shut up, Khadoosmaan!” Abhira whined. “Ab jaldi chalo. Zyada late ho gaya toh yeh dukaan bhi band ho jaayegi.”

“Don't worry, Ma'am,” Armaan said. “Mujhe pata hai ki ice-cream ka luft uthaane mein aapko kitna time lagta hai, isliye main aisi jagah leke aaya hoon jahaan yeh tension hi naa ho!”

The only ice-cream parlour that was open 24x7 in Udaipur was a forty minute drive from their home, but so worth it. The spot was located in the heart of the city, in the middle of all the palaces and hotels, which were famous tourist attractions, and popular wedding destinations. Which is why, the markets in the area were open till late hours, catering to their ever-growing customer base.

Armaan guided Abhira inside the shop, which was decently occupied despite the late hour. A lot of customers were decked out in traditional wear, probably catching a break from whatever wedding they were attending. Abhira took in the lively atmosphere of the place as she walked to the counter, Armaan taking up her rear.

“Arre! Armaan Sir!! It's been a while,” the cashier grinned in recognition. “Aajkal aap aur bachche dikhte hi nahi. Sab theek?”

“Haan, haan,” Armaan smiled. “Sab theek hai, Mohit. Bas bachche aajkal thode zyada busy ho gaye hain. Unhe apne Armaan Bhaiya ke saath bitaane waqt kahaan hai.”

“Mujhe toh lagta hai ki Armaan Bhaiya ke paas waqt nahi hai bachchon ke liye,” Mohit laughed, his eyes lighting up on seeing Abhira. He had never seen Armaan bring a girl in so many years that he'd frequented. Mohit had started off as a part-time employee and had gone on to become the manager of the place. For as long as he could remember, Armaan would bring his cousins over for ice-cream. This was the first time he'd brought someone else. A girl, at that. Definitely his girlfriend by the looks of it.

“Mohittttt,” Armaan reprimanded, blushing a little. “Aisa kuch nahi hai!”

Abhira looked at Armaan in askance. “Pehle, main aur chorus gang yahaan weekly aaya karte the. Unki ek treat for getting through the week. Lekin aajkal time hi nahi milta.”

“Toh tumhe mujhe batana chahiye tha na!” Abhira exclaimed. “Aaj unhe bhi le aate hum! Iss bahaane sab ek saath thoda time bhi spend kar lete. Jab se main saamne shift hui hoon, aisa lagta hai ki unn chaaron ko bina dekhe hi kitne din nikal jaate hain!”

Armaan rolled his eyes. “Har jagah unko leke ghoomo tum bas. Yeh sab na tumhaare hi laad-pyaar ka nateeja hai ki woh sab har time galat waqt pe aa jaate hain! Kabhi apne pati ke baare mein bhi soch liya karo! Lekin nahi… Tumhe toh bas gharwale hi dikhte hain!”

Abhira laughed at his little tirade. “Achcha, baba. Tum mood mat kharab karo! Ice-cream lein?”

Not giving him a chance to answer, Abhira turned back to the counter. “Mohit Bhaiya, kyunki yeh mera first time hai… Aap hi flavour suggest kar dijiye na, please?”

“Bhabhi, aap yeh Belgian Chocolate wala try kariye. Mera personal favourite hai!” Mohit recommended. He directed one of the employees to give it to her.

“Thank you!” Abhira thanked as she took the ice-cream.

“Aur yeh lijiye aapka staple,” the employee gave Armaan one too, which he took after muttering a quick thanks.

They took a seat in one of the corner booths. “Mmmm,” Abhira moaned in appreciation. “Yeh toh bohot hi achcha hai!!”

“Abhiraaaaa,” Armaan groaned. “Tum thoda mera khayal kar liya karo, please!”

“Maine kya kiya?” Abhira asked, confused.

“Tum yeh kaisi awaazein kar rahi ho? Thoda toh socho!” Armaan exclaimed.

It took a moment for Abhira to understand what he meant. When she did, she whacked him. “Armaan! Stop it. Kitne besharam ho tum!”

“Main? Main besharam?” Armaan cried, offended. “You're making all these noises! Lekin besharam main hoon! Waah!”

“Shut up!” Abhira ordered. “Chup-chap ice-cream khao!”

“Main nahi. Tum chup-chap khao,” Armaan told her.

“Haan, haan,” Abhira agreed. “Main chup-chap khaungi.”

They ate their ice-cream in silence for a minute before Abhira said something again. “Waise… Armaan. Tumhaara kaunsa flavour hai?”

Armaan offered his ice-cream to her. Abhira took a bite and made a face. “Ewwww! Yeh toh bilkul toothpaste jaisa hai!”

Armaan laughed. “Toothpaste nahi hai. Ice-cream hai. Mint chocolate.”

“Kachre mein fek do!” Abhira cried. “Aisa hota hai chocolate ka taste? Barbaad bilkul.”

“Abhira, tum na… Rehne do! Itni badhiya ice-cream hai. Tumhaara hi taste kharab hai!” Armaan exclaimed.

“Waise yeh baat toh tumne sahi kahi,” Abhira agreed. Armaan looked surprised at her quick acceptance, till she added, “Tum bhi toh ho… Mere bure taste ka nateeja!”

“What nonsense!” Armaan burst out. “Udaipur ki saari ladkiyaan paagal hai mere peeche!”

To prove his point, he gestured around the ice-cream parlour, and sure enough, a lot of girls were looking over at them and whispering amongst themselves. Abhira pouted. “Toh jao na unke paas! Mere paas kyun baithe ho?”

“Nahi, mujhe toh tumhaare paas hi baithna hai!” Armaan told her, hugging her around her chest and resting his head on her shoulder.

“Haan, kyunki tumhe pata haina… Yeh jo tumhaara boring sa munh khulta hai, uske baad mere alawa kaun hi hoga jo tumhe bhaav dega?” Abhira taunted.

“Hmmm, aisa lagta hai tumhe? Main try karun kya?” Armaan asked. Without waiting for her answer, he moved to get up, but Abhira stopped him. “Stop it!” She ordered. “Yahaan se kahin hilne ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai. Samjhe?”

“Okay, okay,” Armaan agreed. “Chalo ab… Ice-cream khate hain. Warna poori melt ho jaayegi.”

“Yeh aaj ice-cream ka plan kaise bann gaya?” Abhira asked as they both slurped on their respective cones.

“Bas, yun hi,” Armaan replied. “Maine socha ki itne time se hum dono bas problems hi solve karne mein busy hain. Ek saath time hi nahi milta. So, aaj… Only Armaan & Abhira, and no stress. Na Dadi Sa, na Rohit, na firm, na NGO, na Goenkas. Hum kisi cheez ke baare mein nahi sochenge. Bas ek doosre pe focus karenge.”

“Not bad, Khadoosmaan,” Abhira grinned, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Yeh baat toh tumne sahi ki.”

“Main hamesha sahi baat hi karta hoon!” Armaan boasted.

“Zyada udo mat!” Abhira told him. “Ice-cream pe focus karo.”

Once they were both done eating, Armaan paid.

“Ghar jaana zaroori hai kya?” Abhira asked as they sat in the car.

“Tumhe nahi jaana?” Armaan wondered.

“Nahi,” Abhira pouted. “Kitna achcha lag raha hai. Bas tum aur main. Let's not go back.”

“Aapka har hukum sarankhon par, Sharma Ji,” Armaan whispered, kissing her forehead.

They went on a long drive after that, driving around the sleepy streets of the city, blasting music and singing along. They made stops along the way, admiring the view from a few scenic locations. When they got home after sunrise, they were caught trying to sneak in by Abir & Mishti, who teased them mercilessly. Abhira was embarrassed at being caught red-handed, but when she looked at Armaan's bright smile, she realized she didn't mind it that much, for she couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him grin so wide. For that smile, everything was worth it.

A very sweet and cute update.