Shadows Of Autumn

Chapter 1

So... I know I need to update A Home For Us but this idea had been bugging me since like September. However I found very little motivation to continue the plot until this track began on the show.

Though this is a sequel to Spring of Love but you may as well skip it, keeping just this in mind that Abhira suffered a terrible accident and ended up losing her memories related to Armaan and Poddars. She's currently healing and also decided to give a fair chance to their marriage again.

The timeline is about four months after AbhiMaan' wedding anniversary, when Abhira decided to give their marriage another chance. She hasn't recollected much except for certain incidents like their first meet, couple of their fights etc. Also Armaan did tell her about his and Ruhi's 'past'. It was the only truth he thought was best for her to know for time being :)

So, enough of my chatter and here we go. Happy reading!

*****

“Open your eyes.”

Armaan’s eyelids fluttered open at her soft command, his vision adjusting to the scene before him. On the small table in front of him sat a beautifully decorated cake, its pastel frosting smooth and inviting. His gaze landed on the words written across the top in delicate cursive: “Coming Soon Mumma & Papa.” 

For a brief moment, his expression froze in confusion, his mind struggling to connect the dots. But then, as realisation dawned, his eyes widened in disbelief. His breath caught in his throat as a slow, radiant smile spread across his face, blending awe with joy. “Is this…?”

Abhira’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears of happiness as she nodded enthusiastically, her emotions bubbling over. “Yes!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.

In one swift movement, he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off the ground, twirling her in the air as he let out a soft laugh of disbelief. “You’re serious?” he murmured and she nodded, her smile growing as she leaned her forehead against his, lost in the warmth of the happiness that blessed their lives.

But then, the warmth began to slip away, the room blurring and fading. Abhira’s face contorted into a frown, as she felt the joyful atmosphere dissolve. The air around her grew heavy and almost suffocating. 

“Armaan!” she screamed, but the name felt distant, echoing back at her in the stillness of the night. Panic surged through her as she gripped the steering wheel, trying to anchor herself, but her reality slipped further away like grains of sand through her fingers.

The headlights of a truck loomed in the distance, too bright and too close. Her heart raced as it grew closer, the noise overwhelming. She felt herself spiralling, the light blinding her until all she could see was white.

Metal crumpled, glass shattered, and a violent impact sent her world crashing down, pulling her into a chaotic whirlwind of pain and despair. 

And then… silence.

Darkness swallowed her whole.

“ARMAAN!”

A shriek tore from her lips as she jolted awake, gasping for breath, her heart pounding violently in her chest. Sweat beads lined on her forehead and neck and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, seeking comfort from the trembling that coursed through her. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperate to erase the haunting flashes that danced behind her eyelids. 

“Abhira?” Armaan’s voice broke through the haze of her panic, rough with sleep but laced with concern. She hadn’t even noticed him wake beside her, but his arms encircled her trembling form, pulling her gently into his chest.