yun hi tu mere saath rehna

Chapter Forty Seven

Previously On...
Kaveri finds out the connection between Abhira & the Singhanias and decides to marry Armaan to her so that she can use the power & name of the Singhania family to revive the dwindling Poddar & Associates.

She announces the same at a family dinner with all the Poddars and Rajvanshes in attendance, making it seem like she is giving in for Armaan's happiness and has no ulterior motives.

Chapter Forty Seven

For a moment following Kaveri's announcement, there was pin-drop silence, and then… Pandemonium. Everyone was shouting, cheering, squealing. It was difficult to make out exactly what was happening. 

The chorus gang rushed forward, pulling Armaan & Abhira into tight hugs. “Congratulations!” Krish screamed directly in both their ears, taking advantage of the fact that he was closest. 

Armaan's hands instinctively went up to cover his ears even though Abhira laughed at his excitement, her grin matching hers. “Thank you, Krish!”

The rest of the kids took turns congratulating them, though they were a little muted as compared to Krish. Only a little, though. They still managed to make Armaan's ears ring. He would feel this for days, he was sure. 

Manisha was next, pulling both of them into the tightest of hugs, followed by Manoj. As the two of them were blessing Abhira & Armaan, Krish started dancing around the living room, roping in the rest of his cousins, too keyed up to stand still. Laughing, Manoj & Manisha joined them, and they all performed ghoomar, delighting Abhira, who also stepped into the mix a moment later. 

Armaan, happy to watch from the sidelines, stood still. He was still trying to process everything. It seemed easy. A little too easy. To get that approval he'd been craving for so desperately just like this? It felt like a dream. Any moment, he would wake up, and none of this would be true, and he'd still be struggling with everything going around him. He was sure that this couldn't be real, but then, Vidya was there, reaching up to kiss his forehead and bless him, and he was sure it was. Because, he knew that if he ever dreamt of this, it wouldn't be Vidya, but Mishti, who would affectionately congratulate him like this. 

It had been weeks, yet Vidya's callous words had left too deep a mark to ever be forgotten. Armaan still didn't know how to behave around her, so he still kept his distance from her. Yet, it wasn't easy. For so long, Vidya had been the closest thing to a mother he had. He knew he deserved better than the kind of love she was capable of now, but there was a sense of duty towards Vidya that lingered still, too ingrained in his being to leave behind easily.

Perhaps, that was why, when she blessed him, Armaan didn't step away, no matter how much he wanted to. He wasn't able to hide the way his body flinched when she kissed his forehead, but he didn't step back, because that's what he had always done. He had always done his best to be the perfect son. And now, he'd gotten so good at it that this woman who claimed to be his mother in front of the entire world didn't even realize that her son couldn't stomach being in the same room as her. 

Mishti, as attuned to him as she was, instantly noticed his discomfort and stepped up. Threading their fingers together, she squeezed Armaan's hand, grounding him. Armaan exhaled sharply, his entire body unclenching with her touch. He looked away from Vidya as he felt Mishti's presence, a calm settling over him instantly. Armaan hugged her tight, trying to erase Vidya's touch from his memory, seeking the solace only Mishti could grant him. 

“Congratulations, Maani,” Mishti whispered softly. She reached up and kissed his forehead, the exact place that Vidya had kissed a moment ago, and lingered. Armaan smiled, amazed at how she understood what he needed without him ever having to say anything. He was so lucky to have her.