Destined Heart's

chapter 8

The First Cracks

The next few weeks brought a fragile calm to Abhimaan and Anshika's relationship. They had managed to carve out time for each other, sharing moments of tenderness and understanding. However, beneath the surface, the pressures of their individual lives continued to mount, threatening to fracture their newfound balance.

---

One evening, Anshika was on her way to meet Abhimaan for dinner when she received a call from her brother, Rohit. "Anshika, Mom's not feeling well. Can you come home?"

Anshika's heart skipped a beat. "I'll be there as soon as I can, Rohit."

She quickly texted Abhimaan, "Something came up at home. I need to cancel our dinner. I'm really sorry."

Abhimaan read the message just as he was about to leave his office. He felt a mix of concern and frustration but replied, "I understand. Let me know if you need anything."

Anshika rushed to her family home, her mind racing with worry. When she arrived, she found her mother, Sunita, resting on the couch, looking pale and exhausted.

"Mom, what happened?" Anshika asked, kneeling beside her.

"It's nothing serious, just a bit of dizziness. I didn't want to worry you," Sunita replied, offering a weak smile.

"You should have called me earlier," Anshika said, her tone gentle but firm.

Rohit stood nearby, looking equally concerned. "The doctor said she needs to rest and avoid stress. I'm here to help, but I thought you'd want to know."

"Thank you, Rohit," Anshika said, grateful for her brother's support. "I'll stay with her tonight."

---

Meanwhile, Abhimaan was dealing with his own set of challenges. The merger was in its final stages, but new complications had arisen, demanding his full attention. His father, Vikram, was relentless in his pursuit of a successful outcome, and the pressure on Abhimaan was immense.

"Abhimaan, we need to address the concerns of the board members. They're worried about the financial implications," Vikram said during a late-night meeting.

"I know, Dad. I'm working on a solution," Abhimaan replied, his voice weary.

As the meeting dragged on, Abhimaan's thoughts drifted to Anshika. He wished he could be with her, offering his support. But he knew his responsibilities couldn't be ignored.

---

The following day, Anshika called Abhimaan to update him on her mother's condition. "She's doing better, but the doctor advised her to take it easy for a while."

"I'm glad to hear she's okay. How are you holding up?" Abhimaan asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm managing. It's just... everything feels so overwhelming," Anshika admitted.

"I understand. I've been dealing with a lot at work too," Abhimaan said, his tone sympathetic. "Maybe we can meet for dinner tonight? We both could use a break."

"I'd like that," Anshika replied, a small smile forming on her lips.

---

That evening, they met at a quiet restaurant. The ambiance was warm and inviting, a welcome respite from their hectic lives. As they talked, they shared their worries and frustrations, finding solace in each other's company.

"I'm sorry I've been so distant lately," Abhimaan said, reaching for her hand across the table.

"It's not your fault, Abhimaan. We're both dealing with a lot," Anshika replied, squeezing his hand gently. "But we need to make more time for each other. We can't let our responsibilities come between us."

"I know. I'll do better, I promise," Abhimaan said, his voice filled with determination.

---

Despite their renewed commitment, the challenges continued to mount. Anshika's responsibilities at the hospital increased, with more critical cases demanding her attention. Meanwhile, Abhimaan's work on the merger consumed him, leaving little time for anything else.

One evening, as Anshika was leaving the hospital, she received a call from Dr. Arjun Mehra. "Anshika, we have an urgent case. Can you stay a bit longer?"

"Of course, Dr. Mehra. I'll be there," Anshika replied, already heading back to the emergency room.

She quickly texted Abhimaan, "Emergency at the hospital. I'll be late."

Abhimaan read the message, feeling a mix of concern and frustration. He had been looking forward to spending the evening with her, but he understood the demands of her job. "Stay safe. We'll talk later," he replied.

---

As the days turned into weeks, the distance between them grew once again. The constant pressures and missed opportunities began to take a toll on their relationship. Small misunderstandings and unspoken frustrations started to surface, creating the first cracks in their bond.

One evening, Abhimaan decided to surprise Anshika at the hospital, hoping to steal a few moments together. As he arrived, he saw her talking to Dr. Mehra in the corridor. They seemed engrossed in conversation, and Abhimaan couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

He waited for a moment before approaching them. "Anshika, I thought I'd surprise you," he said, trying to keep his tone light.

"Abhimaan! What a surprise," Anshika said, her face lighting up. "I was just finishing up here. Give me a few minutes?"

"Sure," Abhimaan replied, forcing a smile.

As Anshika and Dr. Mehra continued their conversation, Abhimaan couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He knew he had no reason to doubt her, but the constant distance and stress were starting to affect him.

---

Later that night, as they walked to Anshika's car, Abhimaan finally voiced his concern. "Anshika, are you and Dr. Mehra working on a lot of cases together?"

"Yes, he's one of the senior doctors here. Why do you ask?" Anshika replied, sensing the tension in his voice.

"It's nothing. I just... I feel like we're drifting apart, and seeing you with him made me realize how much time we're spending apart," Abhimaan admitted.

"Abhimaan, there's nothing to worry about. Dr. Mehra is just a colleague. I love you," Anshika said, her voice reassuring.

"I know. I trust you. It's just been hard with everything going on," Abhimaan said, his tone softening.

"We'll get through this, Abhimaan. We just need to communicate and support each other," Anshika replied, leaning in to kiss him.

---

As they drove home, both of them felt the weight of their responsibilities pressing down on them. They knew that their relationship would continue to be tested, but they were determined to face the challenges together.

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