Chapter 8

Aliena

@BlessedSoul

Part-22

Riddhima has just finished her lunch when her pager beeped, it was an emergency, and she got up to leave when she found her friends coming towards Caf. Armaan was teasing Muskaan while Rahul was trying to save her. Atul was saying something to Anjali to which she was blushing. Wait a minute Anjali was blushing! Really! So, Anjali can blush. Riddhima giggled at her own thoughts and to the fact that her bossy Di can blush but her chain of thoughts were broken when her pager beeped for second time. "Hey Ridzy, come we will have lunch" Rahul who approached her from opposite side asked. Armaan did not bother to stand near her and sat down on the table. His rudeness was clearly visible, maybe he wanted to show that to her deliberately. "No, thanks Rahul I already had my lunch moreover I got pager twice; some emergency and to the top I don't want to force myself on people who don't want me here." Riddhima said looking towards Armaan and then left.

"That was very mean Armaan" reprimanded Rahul after Riddhima left while taking a seat next to Muskaan. "Raaool, she don't understand anything, Sid coming here at Sanjeevani is not good for her. And she needs to understand that" replied Armaan. "Really now Armaan, if she thinks she can handle Sid, then, she can. After all she is mature enough to understand what is right and what is wrong for her. And let me inform you it's more of your insecurities, you are afraid that Sid will try to win over her again and may be you will loose her." deciphered Rahul. Muskaan nudged him to keep quite but Rahul didn't stop. "What rubbish Dadu, aisa kuch nahi hai" reprimanded Armaan. "Rahul even I am not happy with Ridzy's decision" Anjali joined the conversation which she was just listening while having her lunch. "Dekha, uski apni behn yeh keh rahi hai" replied Armaan. "Guys she has faced things which you guys can never even imagine, may be you are forgetting but in Lonavla Riddhima clearly stated that Sid is closed chapter for her and now she is behaving utterly professional. Her patient needs her and Sid equally, she is not selfish that due to her personal differences she will let her patient suffer. She is a doctor. She cleared na that she tried to avoid this situation stating that she don't want to work with Sid. But the main doctor who is operating Dr. Baneerje requested both to work together. And Armaan don't forget just because of that patient needs Riddhima as a doctor Vardhan is allowing their patient to shift here at Sanjeevani. No hospital does that. Do you know what picture it will portray in front of other patients, it will be like Vardhan hospital was not capable of handling the patient that is why they shifted him at Sanjeevani. They are putting their repo at stake just for Ridz's comfort and patient's need. And you acting all kiddish." deciphered Rahul. Armaan understood what exactly Rahul was trying to convey. Atul who was just listening spoke "Armaan Rahul is completely right and let me tell you one more thing. Riddhima and Siddhant got divorced just because of insecurities and lack of faith in each other. He always doubted that Riddhima is having an affair with you and his insecurities and dominance suffocated Riddhima and bro you are also doing the same thing. You are dominating her to change her decisions and you are insecure of Sid and Ridzy's relationship or the space they will share here. Don't repeat the same mistake, be the man in her life whom she can depend, on whom she can have blind faith. Be his friend like you always are. Don't act like act like Armaan. You always supported her, she always shared a clear faith bond with you, don't spoil that. Don't be his possessive boyfriend, be his best friend like you are." "I think Atul has a got a point" Muskaan agree.

Anjali and Armaan looked towards each other and realized that they were wrong. Everything that Rahul and Atul said made sense in their brains. "Champ, Dadu you guys are absolutely right I will surely apologize from Riddhima and thank you guys for knocking my senseless brain" said Armaan. "What friends are for" said Atul.

In the evening everyone was ready to leave for their respective homes and were chit chatting in the locker room, when Riddhima entered "Di I won't be able to come with you, I will get late you go. That emergency case is of road accident needs some more of monitoring." "But Ridz you haven't brought your car today, remember, you accompanied me." asked a concerned Anjali. "Don't worry I will manage" replied Riddhima and left before Anjali can enquire further. Armaan who was waiting to talk with Riddhima did not get his chance of saying anything too. "Yeh ladki bhi na, humesha bhaakti rehti hai" said Anjali "How will she manage alone, it's not safe. I think I should wait, or Atul you drop me in your car and I will give my car keys at nurse station and will page Ridzy to collect them from there." "Anjie, its okay you go, I will wait for her. I have to talk with her too" Armaan intervened. "You sure?" asked Anjali and Armaan nodded his head in a yes.

It was 11.30 p.m when Riddhima got free and entered locker room and found Armaan sleeping on one of the wooden desks in the locker room. She went upto him, he was looking cute while sleeping, she bent down to wake him up but suddenly she remembered the way he behaved with her in the canteen today, so annoyed she stood up and went to her locker and started adjusting her files, stethoscope and lab coat and thought that why is he here, he don't have any duty, so does that mean he is waiting for her. She locked her locker and approached Armaan "Armaan" she called out, but Armaan did not responded. So she bent down up to his level and patted his back and said "Armaan, why are you sleeping here? Do you have night duty today?" Armaan opened his eyes and said while rubbing his eyes and yawing "Basket kitna time lag gaya tumhein. I am waiting since 8. Was the case so complicated" Riddhima laughed at his cute antics and said "Hmm, ribs are fractured, compound fracture of right tibia. Right shoulder is dislocated and few injuries at forehead and concussion of brain. So you see I had to monitor him." "How is he now?" Armaan asked "Stable' replied Riddhima "But why are you waiting for me?" "Basket, do you expect me to allow you travel alone at night hours alone? And you don't have your car either. Public transport is not that safe at late night you see." Riddhima smiled at his concern "so you are concerned?" "Obvio yaar, and moreover I have to apologies" "Apologize, why?" asked Riddhima. Armaan took her hand in his and said "For behaving like a prude. I didn't trust your decision that you can handle that stupid Sid alone and being so bossy and dominant. I am very sorry." "Hmm. You were acting prude Armaan" said Riddhima and giggled. Armaan lowered his gaze in shame. Riddhima lifted his face with her other hand "Armaan I know you are concerned. But I can handle everything" explained Riddhima. Armaan nodded in a yes. "So Mr. Supercool want me to accept his apology and wants forgiveness" said Riddhima. Armaan nodded in a yes. "Hmm, but only one condition" replied Riddhima. Armaan looked at her questioningly "If you give me an ice cream treat" said Riddhima and giggled. Armaan smiled and replied "Done"

Armaan stopped at the ice cream parlor and bought her favorite chocolate, strawberry mixed flavor ice cream. She enjoyed the treat while Armaan drove his car. "You sure you don't want? Or are you acting miser and saving your money" asked Riddhima. Armaan laughed and nodded his head in no. They chatted for the rest of the way. He dropped her at home wished night and drove back his home.

Next morning Armaan entered locker room and found Riddhima and Sid engrossed in the case file but what bothered him was their close proximity. They were sitting as if they are joined by glue. Sid was suggesting some points and Riddhima was noting it down. Armaan whispered to himself "Saala, kaise chipak ke baitha hai, door se bolega toh wo sun nayi payegi kya?" but then next moment he remembered what Atul and Rahul told him. So he again whispered "Armaan no insecurities" and then spoke aloud "Good morning Basket" Riddhima who was totally lost in case looked up "Morning Armaan, how come you came Sanjeevani early" "Basket, I have a surgery but I am surprised to see you here early." said Armaan. Riddhima stood up and approached Armaan "Han wo kya hai na Armaan, main Sid se case ki development pooch rahi thi jo mere baad huyi" replied Riddhima. "Oh! So Mr. Singh shifted?" asked Armaan not paying attention towards Sid who was giving a smile to greet him. "Ya, just an hour ago. I hope I do justice with him." replied Riddhima. "Of course Basket you will do. You are best" replied Armaan to push her morale. Riddhima smiled and said thank you and hugged him. Armaan hugged her back. Sid who was witnessing this fumed in anger. He spoke to break that embrace they were sharing "Riddhima baaki ke details bhi le lo" Riddhima came out of Armaan's embrace and said "Ah, ya.. okay" Armaan grinned because he understood that Sid is getting jealous. "Dr. Modi don't worry, Riddhima will excel" he said to put some more oil on his rage. Sid smiled a fake smile and Riddhima smiled genuinely. "Armaan how can you be so sure?" asked Riddhima "Because Basket I trust you" he smiled and replied and left. Riddhima's eyes welled up listening to this. She excused herself and rushed behind Armaan. "Armaan" she called out loud to stop him as he was about to take a turn towards nurse station. Armaan halted and looked back. Riddhima ran from her spot and reached where Armaan was standing, she halted for a moment and then she hugged him. Armaan was taken aback at sudden affection of Riddhima but still he responded her. When she found that Armaan too has taken her in his arms she pushed herself more into him and hide her face in his crook of neck. Armaan was not able to understand that why suddenly Riddhima is behaving so cosy and next moment his doubts increased when he felt his neck getting wet by her tears. She pulled her back from his embrace and saw her crying "Basket kya hua? Us Sid ne kuch kaha kya?" Armaan asked in concern. Riddhima nodded in a no and said "Tumne kaha" Armaan scrunched his eyebrows and said "Matlab?" "Armaan you said you trust me, I thought I will never listen to these words in my life. No one will ever lay his trust on me." Armaan realized what Atul actually meant. He realized that Riddhima is shattered and broken emotionally "Basket I will always trust you, han I was being prude earlier but that was just because of that Sid. But now I know you can handle him. And Mr. Singh is really lucky to have you as his doctor. And you are a fighter, meri Jhansi ki raani." Riddhima smiled, Armaan wiped her tears with her thumb and took her into a warm embrace and said "Basket I am and I will be always there for you and I mean it." Riddhima smiled in his embrace and said "I know Armaan"

And they shared the bond of trust, warmth, affection and love.

With Love

Aliena