Chapter-25

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The door creaked open, and Abhimanyu stepped inside the dimly lit room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the walls. His eyes immediately fell on Aarushi, sprawled across the bed, a chaotic whirlwind of papers surrounding her.

The sight was both endearing and concerning. She was bent over with concentration, her brows furrowed in frustration as she muttered to herself, the words barely audible but laced with exasperation.

"Why are you still awake love? It’s quite late "Abhimanyu said, moving closer, his voice gentle yet concerned.

Aarushi barely registered his presence. She flicked her pen against the paper with a sharp *tap, tap*, her attention glued to the task at hand.

The papers fluttered slightly with each movement, but she remained oblivious to him."Baby what's going on" he asked again, his tone softer now, almost coaxing.

With a sudden jerk, Aarushi slammed her hand down on the scattered papers, her frustration bubbling over. "Aapko dikh nahi Raha mai kam ker rahi hu..Pehle hi mera dimag us principal  ne kharab ker rakha hai.Aapko pata hai kitna Kam hai mujhe. Abhi Attendance count kerni hai or ye papers ke marks evaluate kerne, phir ek hi chij ki teen list banani ek principal ke liye ,ek ptm ke liye or ek record rakhne ke liye or aapko hai ki baar baar disturb kerna hai bich mai "she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended, echoing in the quiet of the room.

Abhimanyu stood there, taken aback, a mix of surprise and concern washing over his features. He watched her for a moment, the tension in her shoulders evident.

He didn't say anything for a minute.Aarushi took a deep breath, pausing to collect herself."Ab bolo Kuch” she demanded, her eyes narrowing at him, daring him to respond.

“Should I tell the principal to stop giving these types of works? Or should I change him?"Abhimanyu suggested, his voice casual, as if he were discussing the weather. "Or should I kill him?"

Aarushi stared at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and irritation. "Aap thode se pagal hai kya... Ye to kam hai sabko kerna hi padega. Kuch kerne ki jarurat nahi aapko or agar mujhe pata chala ki aapne kuch kerne ki koshish ki to dekh lena "Her voice rose again, fueled by the frustration that had been building all night.

“Okay,” he muttered, holding up his hands in mock surrender, the hint of a smile threatening to break through his facade of seriousness.

She shot him one last glare before returning to her papers, the scribbles of ink and crumpled sheets around her a testament to her struggle.

Abhimanyu glanced at the clock on the wall. It was well past midnight. She had to get some sleep. She is already tired He thought to himself.

"Tell me what to do. I’ll do it,” he offered, his tone shifting to something more earnest, his heart softening at the sight of her weary form. "You should get some rest, baby. It’s quite late."

Aarushi paused, her irritation fading as she looked up at him, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "Sacchi" she asked, her voice lower now, almost vulnerable.

"Bilkul ji" he replied, chuckling softly at her sudden shift. "My bad man is such a good person, come here, I will tell you "She grinned, the tension in her face melting away as she made space for him on the bed.

Abhimanyu settled beside her, a comfortable warmth radiating between them. She leaned closer, her excitement bubbling over as she began to explain the convoluted mess of work that lay before them. "Okay, so this is what you need to do..."

He listened intently, nodding along as she outlined the tasks, her hands gesturing animatedly. Occasionally, he would steal glances at her, admiring the way her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, the way her lips curled into a smile when she explained something she was passionate about.

"I’ll just lay on the couch while you work here," she said, a hint of weariness creeping into her voice.

"Absolutely not," Abhimanyu replied, shaking his head firmly. "I’ll take this to the couch. You sleep here."

Aarushi frowned slightly, her brows knitting together in concern. "But it’ll be uncomfortable for you!"

"Nope," he insisted, gathering the papers and sorting them into a neat pile. "I want you to sleep well, jaan. You’ve been working too hard."

She opened her mouth to argue but found herself at a loss for words, her heart swelling with gratitude instead. "Thank you so much" she said,  the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile as she watched him set up his workspace on the couch.

With a resigned sigh, Aarushi finally settled into the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress. "You better finish quickly, or I’ll never forgive you."

"As you say my love" he replied, his fingers already skimming over the first sheet of paper.As she closed her eyes, the sound of his pen scratching against the paper became a soothing lullaby, lulling her into a deep sleep.

Abhimanyu worked diligently, his focus unwavering. The clock ticked on, the minutes slipping away like grains of sand, and with each passing hour, he felt the weight of responsibility lift off her shoulders.

Three hours later, he finally placed the last paper on the bedside table, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He turned to Aarushi, who was now peacefully sleeping, her face relaxed and serene.

A smile crept across his face as he went towards her , he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, the warmth of her skin lingering on his lips.

"Goodnight, beautiful," he whispered, pulling away and making his way to the couch.

As he settled in, the soft rustle of the papers and the distant sounds of the night faded into a comfortable silence.  Abhimanyu closed his eyes, allowing the exhaustion of the day to wash over him.

Next morning ~

Abhimanyu lay on the couch, the soft hum of the ceiling fan barely whispering against the oppressive silence of the dimly lit room. As he drifted deeper into sleep, the peacefulness began to fracture, splintering into the jagged edges of nightmares.

He stirred, his brow furrowing as shadows from his past clawed their way into his consciousness. Abruptly, he found himself thrust into a familiar scene, the same flashbacks — his father’s angry face, contorted with rage.

"Pathetic fool. Such a bad omen....why are even in our lives " the voice echoed in his mind, drowning out the sound of his own whimpering. "Good for nothing! You should die!"

"Why are you alive. You always destroy everything with your useless presence"

"Stop making everyone's life hell with your presence"

The pain was sharp and visceral as he relived the horror. His father’s hands were rough and unforgiving, shoving his head against the wall, the dull thud merging with the pounding of his heart. Blood trickled down his temple, a warm reminder of his worthlessness.

"Please please, I’m sorry!" he cried, his voice a mere whisper against the cacophony of torment that reverberated in his ears. The memories twisted like a serpent around his chest, squeezing tighter, suffocating him.

Suddenly another flashback, he was hanging from the balcony, his wrists bound. The ground below seemed to call to him, a void filled with despair. "I’m sorry....help some–someone... I will not go anywhere,sorry" he screamed again, the words tearing from his throat, but they were swallowed by the darkness that surrounded him.

In the depths of his dreams again he got another flashback, he was pushed into cold water, the sensation of drowning overtaking him. Panic surged as he gasped for air, the water filling his lungs, choking him. He clawed at the surface, desperate, pleading for help that never came. "Anyone! Please please I am so–sorry.... someone plea––"

With a jolt, Abhimanyu awoke, the remnants of his nightmare clinging to his skin like a second layer of dread. He shot up, his breaths coming in heavy gasps, each inhale a struggle against the weight pressing down on his chest. Sweat dripped from his brow, tracing a path down his face as his hands trembled violently.

He swung his legs over the side of the couch, heart racing, each beat a reminder of the torment he couldn't escape.

The suffocating grip of anxiety clawed at him, relentless and cruel. He stumbled to his closet, fingers fumbling through the chaos of his life, searching for the small white medicine box that held his temporary salvation.

With trembling hands, he opened the box, the clattering of the pills echoing in the quiet room. The sight of the two pills brought a momentary calm, but the memory of the doctor’s voice cut through the haze of desperation.

"Sir, you’re taking an overdose of this medicine. It’s not healthy,” doctor said  said, her tone steady but concerned. "It’s harming your heart. You need to stop taking them frequently. You have to control yourself.Its very dangerous for your life. Let's schedule another therapy session, what if this one works"

He tried many therapy and counseling sessions, but nothing seemed to work. He keeps getting those attacks. It's really occasional for him to sleep peacefully for hours.He had to take those overdosed medicines because nothing worked except them.

His mind flashed back to that day in the doctor's clinic, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling the air. He had sat across from her, a storm of emotions swirling within, the pain in his chest and head unbearable." But I can’t… I hate feeling this way,it's suffocating" he had confessed, his voice barely a whisper.

"Those medications are for emergencies only. You can’t rely on them. If you keep using them, your heart will stop working . Look at this report, these medicines are harming your heart. Stop taking them frequently , yo–you can lose your life sir try to understand this" she warned, her eyes searching his for understanding.

But understanding had eluded him then, just as it continued to now. He had left the office with her words echoing in his mind, but the darkness that followed him didn't relent. Each night brought fresh terrors, and the pills became a lifeline he clung to. He had to take those medicines to calm him , he can't able to breath during attacks if he doesn't take them.

He could feel the weight of the box in his hands, a stark reminder of his choices. He had managed to resist for a month, but every breath was a reminder of how close he felt to losing himself.

He had no fear of losing his life before his marriage but now he wants to live with his wife. She is worth of fighting everything  .He wanted to be with his jaan, to build a life that was filled with joy, but the shadows of his past were relentless.

With a deep breath, he placed the pills back into the box, closing it with a resolve he didn’t feel. He shoved it back into the drawer, the action grounding him momentarily. He held his hands tightly, willing them to stop trembling, to find some semblance of control. He was feeling pain inside his chest.

It took ten long minutes, but eventually, the shaking subsided, though his breaths remained shallow, each one a reminder of the darkness that lurked just beneath the surface. He had to calm himself.

He stepped outside the room, drawn to the soft light spilling from the bedroom where Aaruhsi slept peacefully.

The sight of her serene face filled him with a warmth that contrasted sharply with the chill still lingering in his bones. He sat on the edge of the bed, his heart aching with the desire to shield her from the darkness that plagued him.

Gently, he took her hand, caressing it softly, as if he could absorb her calmness into himself. “You’re my light love” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. He watched her as she slept, each rise and fall of her chest a reminder that he was not alone in this fight.

For the first time in hours, he felt the tightness in his chest ease, if only slightly. He could almost forget the nightmares that haunted him. He wanted nothing more than to be the man she deserved, to bring her happiness instead of dragging her into his abyss.

But the clock on the wall chimed softly, pulling him from his thoughts. Six o’clock.

Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a moment, allowing himself to bask in the warmth of her presence. “I love you so damm much,” he murmured, the words a promise he intended to keep.

With one last look at her beautiful face, he rose and stepped into the washroom, the coolness of the tiles a shock to his system. He splashed water on his face, feeling the droplets mix with the remnants of sweat and anxiety. Each droplet seemed to wash away a piece of the darkness, if only temporarily.

The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the pavement as I stepped outside with Abhimanyu , him walking by my side,the fresh air filling my lungs.

"You know, you really don’t have to walk me to my car every morning,” I teased in a light voice light. He smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “And miss my chance to spend a little more time with you ? Never.” He stepped in front of her as they reached her car, his expression shifting to one of mock seriousness.

"Take care–– he was going to say the same thing, but I cut him in between and said in a playful voice, trying to mimic him, "Take care of yourself.Don’t forget to eat something. If anything bothers you, call me immediately."

(Aaruhsi outfit)

(Abhimanyu outfit)

He chuckled, that deep, rich sound that always made me smile. "You’re like a walking reminder service, you know that?"

"Guilty as charged,"I laughed, feeling the warmth of his gaze. It was the same routine every morning, but it never got old.

"Seriously, though," he said, his tone shifting slightly as he looked at me with that soft expression that made my heart race, “you better follow them love. Don’t exhaust yourself.okay "

I nodded, trying to ignore the way his concern made me feel both important and anxious. "I appreciate you doing my work last night. I owe you one."

He opened the passenger door for me, a chivalrous act that always made my cheeks flush. "Don’t say thank you to me; it’s my privilege, baby."

I slid into the car, feeling grateful for his presence, and he leaned in, his face close to mine. "Have a good day, okay?"

"You too,"I said and He closed the door. After few seconds driver uncle started the engine, I caught a glimpse of his smile fading as he walked away. It was as if a switch had flipped, the warmth replaced by something colder and more distant.

I shook off the feeling as the car pulled out of the parking lot, The drive was uneventful, just the way I liked it. I always found solace in the soft rhythm of music during rides, a comforting hum that accompanied my thoughts.

But then, my phone pinged, breaking the serene hush. I glanced down at the screen, my brow furrowing as I noticed a message from an unknown number.

"Hello,"it read.

"It's an unknown number "I muttered, typing back quickly. "Who’s this?"

There was no response. The sender went offline, leaving me staring at the screen in confusion. I shrugged it off, thinking it was probably a wrong number. Just as I was about to put my phone down, it pinged again.

Another message from another unknown number.

"Hello."

Seriously? I rolled my eyes and typed again, "Who’s this?"

Once more, the sender went silent. This was getting ridiculous. I blocked the number, shaking my head. Just as I did, my phone rang, the screen lighting up with another unknown number.

My stomach twisted with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. What if it was someone important? I hesitated, my finger hovering over the block button. What if it was someone I known?

With a deep breath, I accepted the call. "Hello?" I said, my voice tentative.Silence

"Hello?" I repeated, irritation creeping in. "Who’s this? Can’t you speak?" Nothing. Just the sound of my own pulse pounding in my ears. I ended the call, frustration bubbling to the surface as I blocked the number too.

What was going on? Was this some kind of prank? I felt a chill run down my spine, the morning sun suddenly feeling less warm and more oppressive.

I again started looking outside from the window but the unease lingered.

As I navigated through traffic, my thoughts spiraled. What if it wasn’t just a prank? What if someone needs any help or I don't know? I shook my head, trying to rationalize it.

I needed to put it out of my mind. I had a busy day ahead, and I couldn’t let some random messages ruin it. I took a deep breath. "Just a weird morning," she reassured herself.

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