Destined Heart's

chapter 9

Shifting Sands

As the weeks turned into months, the delicate balance that Abhimaan and Anshika had worked so hard to achieve began to feel increasingly tenuous. Both were committed to making their relationship work, but the pressures from their respective worlds continued to mount, testing their resolve.

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One Saturday morning, Anshika was woken up by a phone call from her mother, Sunita. "Anshika, dear, can you come over today? We've invited some relatives for lunch, and they would love to see you."

"I'll be there, Mom. I've missed everyone," Anshika replied, trying to hide her exhaustion.

After hanging up, Anshika sent a quick text to Abhimaan, "Going to my parents' house for lunch. Want to come along?"

Abhimaan, who was reviewing some documents in his home office, saw the message and sighed. He knew he needed to spend more time with Anshika and her family, but the impending merger was occupying all his thoughts. He replied, "I wish I could, Anshika, but I have a crucial meeting. Rain check?"

Anshika felt a pang of disappointment but understood. "Okay. Good luck with your meeting."

---

At her parents' house, Anshika tried to focus on the conversations and laughter around her, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Abhimaan. Her cousin, Priya, noticed her distraction and pulled her aside.

"Is everything okay, Anshika?" Priya asked, her voice filled with concern.

"It's just work and... Abhimaan. He's been so busy lately. I hardly see him," Anshika admitted.

"Relationships are tough, especially with someone as driven as Abhimaan. But you both love each other, right? That's what matters," Priya said, offering a comforting smile.

"You're right. It's just hard sometimes," Anshika replied, feeling a bit reassured.

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Meanwhile, Abhimaan's meeting stretched on, leaving him drained and frustrated. His father, Vikram, was relentless in his pursuit of a flawless merger, and the pressure on Abhimaan was immense.

"We can't afford any mistakes, Abhimaan. The board is counting on us," Vikram said sternly.

"I know, Dad. I'm doing my best," Abhimaan replied, feeling the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

After the meeting, Abhimaan's thoughts turned to Anshika. He realized how much he missed her and decided to surprise her at her parents' house.

---

As Anshika helped her mother clean up after lunch, she heard the doorbell ring. She opened the door to find Abhimaan standing there with a bouquet of flowers, looking apologetic and tired.

"Abhimaan! What a surprise!" Anshika exclaimed, her face lighting up with a smile.

"I couldn't stay away. I missed you," Abhimaan said, handing her the flowers.

"I'm glad you're here. Come in," Anshika said, pulling him into a warm embrace.

The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories. Abhimaan found himself enjoying the warmth and hospitality of Anshika's family, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in a long time.

---

Later that evening, as they drove back to Abhimaan's apartment, Anshika reached for his hand. "Thank you for coming today. It meant a lot to me."

"I should be thanking you. I needed this break more than I realized," Abhimaan replied, squeezing her hand gently.

As they settled into the cozy living room, Abhimaan turned to Anshika, his expression serious. "I know things have been tough lately, but I promise I'll do better. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me, Abhimaan. We just need to keep talking and supporting each other," Anshika said, her voice filled with determination.

---

Despite their renewed commitment, the pressures of their lives continued to intrude. Anshika's responsibilities at the hospital grew even more demanding, with longer hours and more challenging cases. Meanwhile, Abhimaan was consumed by the final stages of the merger, leaving little time for anything else.

One evening, as Anshika was preparing for her night shift, she received a message from Abhimaan: "I have a surprise for you. Can you come over after your shift?"

Curious and excited, Anshika replied, "I'll be there. Can't wait!"

After a grueling night at the hospital, Anshika made her way to Abhimaan's apartment. She was exhausted but eager to see him. When she arrived, she found him waiting with a candlelit dinner and soft music playing in the background.

"Abhimaan, this is amazing," Anshika said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"I wanted to do something special for you. You've been working so hard, and I wanted to show you how much I appreciate you," Abhimaan said, pulling her into a warm embrace.

They spent the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. It was a rare moment of peace and connection, a reminder of why they had fallen in love in the first place.

---

The next day, as Anshika was preparing for her shift, she received an urgent call from Dr. Mehra. "Anshika, we have a critical situation. I need you here immediately."

"I'm on my way," Anshika replied, her heart racing.

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

Abhimaan read the message and felt a familiar pang of frustration. He had planned another special evening for them, hoping to build on the previous night's success. But he understood the demands of Anshika's job and replied, "Stay safe. We'll talk later."

---

As the days passed, 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.

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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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