23. Reality checks (Part-I)

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Armaan shocked and numb... he look at aru...
Mihi saw the devastation in Aru's eyes the raw, deep wound the slap had inflicted, combined with the forced exposure of his good deeds. She couldn't stand the unfairness anymore...

Mihi Teary, her voice shaking with protective anger

mihi - You are being brutal to that boy for no reason, Armaan! That boy deserves some love! Uski family usse chhin gayi saalon pehle... Akele usne itna bara naam bnaya hai Agar ek galti ho bhi gayi toh baccha samajh kar use maaf bhi toh kar sakte ho na? Uske achhe kaam toh dekho

Aru could feel the walls closing in. The tension, the noise, the shame of being hitt was all too much. He didn't want Mihi to fight his battle anymore.

Aru Feeling utterly drained out, his voice a low, painful rasp

Aru -  Let it be, Bhabhi, please...

Aru slowly pushed past Abhi and Ayu. He walked right up to Armaan, who stood frozen, unable to look Aru in the eye after Abhi’s revelation...

Aru Quietly, exhausted, addressing Armaan formally

Aru - Mujhe samajh mein aa gaya, Mr. Raisinghaniya... ki main chahe kuch bhi kar loon, aapke liye humesha ek badtamiz ladka hi rahunga.

He looked around the beautiful, chaotic living room.

Aru: Aur meri wajah se har roz ghar mein tamasha ho, I don't want it. Mujhe yeh sab aur nahi chahiye. You want me to stay away na??  I will...

Ayu cried out, stepping toward him.

Ayu: Noo, Buddy! Please

Aru Gently shushing him, his voice soft but firm

Aru -  Shhh, Ayu... please understand. I cannot bear this again and again. I'm tired... just stop all this. Main aaj hi apne ghar chala jaunga. And please, mujhe koi mat rokiyega, please!

Saying this, Aru didn't wait for another word. He turned abruptly and rushed toward the stairs to pack his things.
But as he took the first step, the world tilted.

The sudden rush of adrenaline followed by the emotional crash, the slap's residual shock, and the exhaustion finally caught up to him. He felt intensely dizzy, his surroundings getting blurry and swimming before his eyes.

He missed the second step entirely.

Armaan, who was still staring at the floor, looked up sharply, seeing the boy stumble, eyes wide with horror.

Armaan His voice ripped from his throat, pure panic...

Armaan - ARUU...!

Armaan lunged forward instinctively, driven by a primal reaction he couldn't control. He reached the stairs just as Aru's legs gave out completely.




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