~ AbhiMaan: Echoes of Silence ~

Chapter 1

Well, AbhiMaan have finally forced me to wake up from my hibernation. I'm writing a fanfiction after 4-5 years. The last I wrote was for MishBir. Let's see how this goes. 

P.S.: Not proof-read

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Pushing the outhouse door wide open, Abhira stumbled inside, panting heavily. With wavering steps, she made her way towards the bedroom, trying to find a shred of peace she had been yearning for months. 3 months had passed since the most beautiful day of her life: her wedding to her Khadoosmaan. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world when he took the vows with her and made her wear the nuptial chain and sindoor. But everything after that was a blur. She hadn't seen her Khadoosmaan after that day. Though they share the same room and even go to the same office, she couldn't identify that person with her Khadoosmaan. This Armaan acted like a complete stranger; too distant, too detached... She knew he was going through his own pain and trauma and she tried to be there for him. She tried her best to be understanding and patient. But with each passing day, her patience was wearing thin. The strong walls of resilience that she had built were crumbling down. With each taunt and each cruel jibe of the family at her inability to nurture a life inside her, she was dying bit by bit. And Armaan's absence only added salt to the open wounds on her heart, leaving it to fester. 

And today, the last thread of strength she was holding on to snapped. It has been a week since they learned about Ruhi's pregnancy. She was happy for Ruhi and Rohit, she really was. However, with the news came another onslaught of insults and accuses for her. She was holding it all in and acting strong until a few minutes back. She had made some Kheer for Ruhi as she was craving it. But just before Ruhi put a spoonful of the delicious Kheer in her mouth, Vidya came out of nowhere and snatched the bowl and spoon from her. She threw it down on the floor, shocking Abhira, Manisha and Ruhi, who were present there. Vidya turned her hateful gaze to Abhira as she spewed the venomous words which scalded her entire being like acid was poured over her. "Who permitted you to cook for Ruhi? Don't you know that she is pregnant? Do you want to pass on your misfortune to her?! I'm warning you! I won't let the shadow of your bad omen fall on my daughter-in-law and grandchild. Stay away from her! Leave this place right now!!" 

Abhira couldn't stay there any longer. She couldn't break down in front of them. She staggered on her steps and made her way out of the house, ignoring a teary-eyed Manisha who was trying to stop her. Now that she was inside the confines of her old bedroom in the outhouse, she let out a gut-wrenching wail that she was suppressing till now. She dropped down on the floor, letting the stream of tears freely flow for the first time in 3 months. She hugged her knees close and rocked herself, trying to comfort her broken heart. But the dam of her emotions had burst open, and nothing she did could calm her. As the panic rose, she felt her heartbeats rise. She trembled violently as she gasped for breath. She held her head with both hands as a splitting headache hit her with full force. She felt her throat clog and her windpipe constrict, making breathing difficult. Feeling utterly helpless, she tried to get up by holding on to the bed frame. But the sudden spell of dizziness made her fall on the floor again. As she lay there, losing consciousness, the last thing she felt before her world turned blank was the warm blood slowly dribbling down her nostril. 

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Manisha entered the outhouse in search of Abhira. The house was shrouded in darkness, with no single light switched on to illuminate the room. If Manisha thought about it on a deeper level, it represented Abhira's state of mind. The poor child was stumbling in darkness, trying to find one ray of light. But alas! Try as hard as she may; everyone around her pushed her right back into the dark abyss of helplessness. Her heart cried for the lost child who only knew how to lighten up everyone's world. Abhira was a sunshine who spread her warmth everywhere she went. She only had love and happiness to offer to anyone who approached her. And to see that child of hers in such despair killed her. She may not have said it a hundred times like Jethani Sa, but she did consider Abhira as her daughter from the bottom of her heart. Abhira was no different than Kiara or Aryan for her. That child had won her over in the short duration she spent with them and had awakened the motherly warmth in her. And seeing her daughter in such peril, a storm was raging inside her. Only she knew how hard it was to maintain her usual calm and meek persona. Honestly, she had started detesting the same Jethani Sa she once loved and respected. And today, she had crossed all the limits. She tried to knock some sense into her. But seeing that it was futile, she gave up and made her way to the outhouse to check on Abhira.