Moving Ahead

Part 3

As Abhimanyu sat in the cozy hospital cafe, sipping his coffee, he took a moment to reflect on the past few days. It had been a whirlwind of activity since he had moved out of Sharma House and started his job at the city hospital. The change in his living arrangements hadn't been easy, but he was determined to make it work.

Despite his busy schedule, Abhimanyu had made it a point to meet Abhir, his son, every day. He cherished these moments, where he could hear about Abhir's day and be a part of his life. Living within walking distance from Sharma House made it convenient for Abhir to spend time with both his parents and Abhimanyu. The bond between Abhimanyu and Abhir was growing stronger with each passing day.

Abhimanyu also made sure to stay in touch with Ruhi, every day. He understood that she missed having him around, but he had explained to her that his work at the hospital and spending time with Abhir is important for him. Ruhi understood it quite easily. She has had him with her for 6 years now so it's okay if he spends some time with her brother as well. Despite the physical distance, their conversations brought them closer, and Abhimanyu found solace and entertainment in their daily interactions.

In the midst of his new routine, Abhimanyu hadn't had the opportunity to meet Akshara, or Sharma Ji. And truth be told, he was relieved. The busyness of his schedule allowed him to stay out of their way, and he was grateful for that. Since Abhir often visited his place, there was no urgent need for him to go to Akshara's house.

As Abhimanyu sat there, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite the challenges of his new life, his children were his anchor, providing him with joy and a sense of purpose.

—---

Ridhima sat in her cabin at the Kasauli hospital, her mind drifting back to the events of six years ago. It was a time when her life had taken an unexpected turn, shattering her dreams and leaving her emotionally scarred. She was supposed to be engaged to Armaan, the love of her life, but one fateful incident had changed everything.

She vividly remembered the day she was shot, the excruciating pain ripping through her spine. The following week had been a blur as she lay in a comatose state, fighting for her life. When she finally woke up, her first thought was of Armaan. But to her utter dismay, she discovered that he had left her. The person she had thought would stand by her side through thick and thin had abandoned her, believing she would never walk again.

The hurt, betrayal, and emptiness consumed Ridhima, making it unbearable for her to remain at Sanjeevani, the place that held so many memories of their love. In search of solace, she made the decision to leave for the United States for a year. The distance gave her a chance to heal, both physically and emotionally.

Upon her return, Ridhima stumbled upon the truth that Armaan hadn't left her because of her medical condition but because he himself had suffered a severe head injury. The revelation sent her spiraling into madness, desperate to find Armaan and seek the answers she so desperately craved. However, her search yielded no results, except for a letter from him that only left her with more yearning. That was approx 5 years ago.

Over the past years, Ridhima slowly picked up the broken pieces of her life. As a doctor, she couldn't afford to let her personal turmoil overshadow her professional aspirations. She poured her heart and soul into her work, striving to become the best pediatric surgeon she had always dreamt of being. Alongside her career, she also focused on her mental health, seeking help and finding ways to rebuild her shattered self-esteem.

Now, Ridhima found herself in a better place emotionally. She had learned to live life day by day, embracing the present and going with the flow. Thoughts of Armaan would occasionally cross her mind, wondering what she would do if he ever reentered her life. She is not seeing anyone romantically but wasn't even waiting for him now. She had moved forward, and her life no longer revolved around him.