As she stumbled and collided, her heart raced with fear and confusion, her breaths shallow and rapid. But as she felt strong arms wrap around her, supporting her, a wave of unexpected comfort washed over her. In the chaos of her panic attack, his presence felt like a lifeline, grounding her in the midst of her turmoil.
As she opened her tear-filled eyes, she found herself gazing into his concerned yet reassuring gaze, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt safe. His touch on her waist and the nape of her neck sent shivers down her spine, but they were not of fear; they were of an unfamiliar yet undeniable sense of security. She didn't speak anything for a while, just kept staring at him.
Eventually, he spoke, "Hey! Are u okkk??? " in his concerned voice. Aarohi didn't reply, he asked again, "Are you hurt, miss? " she was silent again. After a minute or two, when reality hit her, she stood up straight, moved out from his hold, and in low voice said, "Sorry...I didn't mean to." and ran away, leaving him still there standing. He couldn't understand what was happening,he kept staring at her running figure, disappearing in the crowd. Then he heard someone's voice, "Sir, Mr. Armaan is waiting for us, " which brought his attention back from her he said, "Yes, yes, let's go, " and looking back once again in her direction though she had long gone. A smile crept his face, and he began walking to Armaan's cabin.
KNOCK KNOCK...Armaan said, "Come in." Armaan looked in their direction and became shocked and nervous all at once he said, "Rudransh, Sir, welcome pls you would have called me. Why did you have to come all the way here. Pls be seated and do you need anything, water, tea, coffee, milk...wait, why will you drink milk? You are not a 12 year old... I'm so stupid. Sorry, I think ..."
Rudransh came forward and kept his one hand on Armaan's shoulder said, "it's ok Armaan...calm down, you don't have to panic or be nervous about anything I was just in the town so I thought I would drop by and check how you're doing, that's it. And we did try to call you but your phone was not reachable so we came directly to the hospital. I'll sit and you too have a sit and relax." They both sat, and then Armaan said, " Sorry sir, I just paniced. I thought what you'll think of me. And Eren pls you too sit, make yourself comfortable. "
"Sir's comfort us my comfort. So no, thank you, " Eren said with a stern face. Armaan just nodded, and then Rudransh said, " it's okkk. Eren, you cab have a seat. And Armaan pls don't be so formal it's not like the first time we have met and call me bhaiya that would be more appropriate we are going to be a family soon so ," he said smiling.
"So bhaiya, how's everyone at home ? " Armaan asked.
"They're fine, and they'll arrive soon. I have early because I had some work here, so i thought i would drop by. So how are you doing. Are you nervous??" Rudransh asked.
"Yeah, bhaiya, I m fine. I'm just a little nervous it's just that I 'm a little scared. I know I've told you all about my family and everything, and I m so happy you all accepted me so happily with open arms. I'll be forever grateful for that. But still, in a corner of my heart, I feel what if I won't be enough for her. I love her bhaiya a lot, and she loves me too. I know that. So, I am ready to take my life ahead with her. I'll keep her happy, I promise. " Armaan said .
"I know you will. I trust you. " Rudransh said, assuring him.
"Bhaiya, I want to tell you something."
"Go ahead."
"Actually, I wanted you all to set meet my family with whom I grew up. Although I've told you all, still they're the only people I've in the name of family and someone as parent figure. So I would be really happy if you all come to our house instead of staying at all the hotel. Actually, they were insisting that everything would be done at their place, so if you all are okk with it." Armaan said hesitantly.
Rudransh smiled and said, "okk... if that's what you want. So we'll meet in the evening. I also have some work to wrap up before." He said, standing up.
"Sure bhaiya, I'll see you out. Come"
Both stood up and started walking towards the main entrance of the hospital.
As Rudransh walked through the bustling corridors of the hospital, his mind was still reeling from the unexpected collision with the mysterious woman. Though their encounter was brief, her presence lingered in his thoughts, her hurried apologies echoing in his ears.
He glanced around, his eyes instinctively scanning the crowd for a glimpse of her. Amidst the sea of white coats and hurried footsteps, she stood out like a ray of sunlight on a cloudy day. But she was nowhere to be seen.
Frustration tugged at him as he made his way towards the hospital entrance. Why was he so fixated on a stranger he had barely exchanged a few words with? Yet, there was something about her โ a fleeting connection that left him wanting to know more.
With a sigh, Rudransh pushed open the glass doors and stepped out into the cool evening air. Saying his goodbye to Armaan with a hug, he headed towards his car, he couldn't shake the feeling, why the he'll was he thinking about her. Then his phone rang, making him come out of his thoughts. He answered in a stiff tone,
"I'll be there in 10 minutes. Keep him alive till then."
he sat in his car and said, "To the dungeon Eren. "
"Yes, sir."
With the screeching sound of their tire, they left.
ยปโโโขโโยซ
๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ก๐ข'๐ฌ ๐๐๐
I came back to my cabin and shut the door behind me. My breathing was heavy. I was panting, slowly sliding along my locked door, and sat against the door. I kept my onw hand on my chest and rubbed it to calm myself down.
I was okk...nothing happened I m fine. He didn't see me and he won't ever...I m safe I m okkk...and eventually my breaths became calm.
I brought my knee to my chest and hid my face, then slowly I didn't know tears started to fall from my eyes.
I wiped away the tears, and my vision still blurred as I tried to make sense of my emotions. The memory of colliding with that man flooded my mind, his strong arms enveloping me in a protective embrace. Despite the chaos around us, there was a strange calmness in his presence that I couldn't explain.
His touch lingered in my memory, a sensation of warmth and safety that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if his large, warm hands were a shield against the world's cruelty, offering me a refuge I hadn't known I needed.
But why did I feel this way? Why did I find solace in the arms of a stranger? I couldn't shake off the feeling of comfort he provided, nor could I understand the unspoken connection that seemed to form between us in that fleeting moment.
And his eyes... those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me, yet held a depth of understanding that was both unsettling and strangely comforting. In their depths, I found a reflection of my own turmoil, a silent acknowledgment of the pain I carried within me.
I shook my head, trying to shake off the confusing thoughts that swirled in my mind. But no matter how hard I tried to push them away, they lingered, taunting me with their unanswered questions.
With a heavy sigh, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. For now, I needed to gather myself. I can't be weak, and I need to be strong. Encouraging myself, I stood up and went to the washroom to clean myself.
โฐโบ Time skip
I was standing my the window of my cabin sipping my coffee. I m not really a coffee or tea kind of person but I needed it today. Then I heard a knock on my door. "Come in" I said.
Armaan came inside shuting the door slowly he came up to me smiling, "Hey, I called you so many times why didn't you pick up ?" He questioned.
"Actually my phone's battery died." I answered.
"Ooh "
"Yeah... by why did you call me you would have come to me i was here only." I said.
"I would have but actually Ruchi's brother came to meet me. So I was with him we talked a little, he came for some work. Her family will arrive today by evening. And also aunty kind of said that they will stay with us in your house so I was hoping if you were okk with that. I know you have social anxiety. If you are not okk just let me know I'll do some arrangements you don't have to..." He was speaking.
"Hey hey Armaan...stop. it's okk you have to ask me anything and when did it became my house and not ours. Abhi se paraya kar rhe ho. Samajh rhi hun sb mai...hayee bhagwan kya din aa gya hai, gairo se ky shikayat kare ghaw toh apno ke jaada chubte hai..." I said dramatically.
He laughed and slapped my shoulder and said, " pagal hai tu puri"
"Bachapan se..." I said laughing.
We both laughed and talked for a while. It felt so relaxing after what all events happened it was nice to take my mind off something like that. We both were engrossed were in our laughter when we heard a knock.
"Come in" I said.
"Hey, Riya. What's up??" Said Armaan .
"Hey Armaan, I m good. Actually i was coming here to inform you about the patient you brought this afternoon. " said Riya.
" what about him?" I asked.
"He's better noe and wants to see you." She stated.
"Ooh...okk let'sgo then " I said.
We all three left for his room. He was shifted to VIP ward. I was rich I guess. There were guards outside his room and not one two but almost 10. Woah... what is this man!! I thought.
Then we all entered his room, there weren't much people. Someone was sitting infront holding his hand I couldn't see his face as his back was facing me. Coming forward I saw the old man's face, he too looked at me and smiled I also smiled.
"Hello, uncle how are you feeling"
I said coming to the other side of the bed.
"Beta, I m okk. Thanks to you, I own this life to you. Thank you so much for saving me." He placed his hand over mine.
"Uncle, it was my duty. " I said assuring him.
He smiled at me and said,
"No beta, it's not about duty it's about humanity. There were so many people there but none of them came forward to help me or even they didn't care I was alive or not. Then you came called the ambulance, tried to stop my bleeding and even fought for ne and brought me here. Thank you so much beta I donโt know in this life I'll ever be able to return your favour but trust me. You have my word if you need anything in life any moment I there will be a chance that I could help me. Pls don't let me back out. I'll do it. If i had a daughter, she would be surely like you. "
My eyes teared up, I held his hand a d said, "uncle you don't have to say all this. And I m really glad you're okk.
And pls don't flatter me so much. I don't deserve this my appreciation i just did what my heart said. And pls take care of yourself and take your medicines on time you will back in a blink. okkk??"
"Yes, beta" he said reassuring.
Riya told his family about the vitals and all about the incident and then me and Armaan took our leave. As we stepped out of the VIP room, someone shouted, "excuse me ", we both turned.
"
Yes??" I said.
"Hey...I m vikram. Thank you so much for helping and saving my dad. You don't know what you have done it means a lot. " He said forwarding his hand.
I smiled, " it's okk. You don't have to just make sure he takes his medications on time and gets healthy sleep. And keep him away from stress and come visit next week for a check up. He'll be fine. You don't need to worry, " I said taking his forward hand and shaking it.
"Okk." He said. But still didn't leave my hand. I furrowed my eyebrows and said, " my hand?" ,raising my eyebrows.
He quickly took his hand back and smiled awkwardly and said, " Sorry sorry I didn't mean to. I m so sorry. "
" that's okk." I said and turned back to walk. Armaan was smiling looking at me, "What??" I questioned.
"He's totally into you." He said.
"No. He's not." I said.
"Come on Aarohi. It was so obvious. He couldn't take his eyes off you whole time when you were talking to his father. And now also he came to talk to you running."
"Aren't you reading too much books. It's nothing like that he just came to say thanks about his father that's all."
"Keep denying. " He said
"Shut up or I'll slap you." I said.
" for that you Have to catch me first shorty." He said puting his hand above my head making it like a stand.
"I m not short. I m 5'6'. " I argued back.
"Yeah, right shorty" he said and pinched my cheeks and ran.
"You're so dead Armaan. "I shouted and ran behind him.
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