Part-23
Armaan pulled Riddhima out of his embrace and brushed her tears with his thumb and said "I will always trust you Basket and will always be there for you." Riddhima looked deep into his eyes and saw assurance and the truth. She was melted by the emotions that she saw in his eyes. They were intense and they were pure. She was spellbound by his intensity of emotions, she was trying to read those eyes but she was not able to so finally she spoke "Armaan your eyes.."but before she can complete Armaan intervened "ya I know they speak volumes. Basket u have already told me that in the disc, remember, lonavala." Riddhima just huffed and said "okay then Mr.Supercool I better leave. Sid is waiting for me." And she retreated to leave but somehow Armaan was not feeling right the way she said that Sid is waiting. He felt something unusual, something strange. So he ran behind her and grabbed her arm and made her turn to face him and he spoke "Riddhima don't trust that jerk much" Riddhima was left perplexed "Armaan I thought I cleared everything. Its just professional" Armaan was overpowered by his emotions and blurted out "Basket I cant afford to loose you" with the same intensity and emotions in his eyes. Riddhima was mesmerised by the intensity of his eyes. But then she realized what he was saying and said "what do u mean Armaan. I am not going anywhere and what is the funda of loosing me." Armaan realised what he said in the flow of emotions and he stuttered" A.. a... i mean Basket after ur marriage with Sid our friendship status was not same. You use to talk less na. Kind of avoided me. I missed you. Just that." Riddhima chuckled "Pagal! I was doing that to save my marriage. Why would i avoid you now. Bilkul bacche ho tum" and she nudged him on his head and left. Armaan saw her retreating figure and said " Basket I wish u could understand my feelings. But this time that Sid won't be able to get you. I will fight for you and for your love.


Muskaan was sitting in the hospital library trying to concentrate on her books but was not able to do. Rahul who was also accompanying her and was reading his case looked up and saw her tensed and asked "Muski tere 12 kyun baje hai ?" Muskaan nodded her head in a no " nothing Rahul, just a case." Rahul was not convinced so he continued "which case?" Muskaan who was lost just stuttred and said "umm just a new case of mysthenia gravis. He is not showing any improvement. So I am here to study about that" Rahul looked at her and then at her book and spoke " you are worried about mysthenia ; a nervous and muscle disorder and you are studying cardiology book and that too preface of the book. Why? Clearly something is bothering you.c'mmon speak up" Muskaan looked down at her book and found that she is still at the starting preface page of book. She was clearly caught. Muskaan finally spoke with hesitation "Rahul Papaji called" and then again she was silent. Rahul scrunched his eyebrows in confusion "So?" Muskaan continued "Rahul he wants out relationship to get official. And I know you are not ready for marriage. So I don't know what to answer him." And then she looked down dejectedly. "Bus, itni si baat. Swee heart I know I am not ready for marriage but we can get engaged so that they are tension free and relationship also gets official. Don't worry I will talk to my parents and yours too. And we will get engaged on this new year." Muskaan could not believe what she just heard. She was elated, so she got up from her seat and hugged Rahul and muttered a thank you.

Meanwhile Dr. Baneerji arrived Sanjeevani. He met Dr. Shashank, checked OT and took a round of hospital. Then he went to meet Riddhima and Siddhant. "Oh so the lovely couple is here. How are you doing Mr and Mrs Modi? It is so good to see you people." Armaan who was passing by the cabin halted when he heard this. His blood was boiling in anger. He could not bear his Basket's name getting attached with Sid. He was about to enter to tell Dr.Banerji that they are not together but he stopped thinking that may be Riddhima will not like his interference and waited for Riddhima's response. Sid was smiling like a fool after hearing Banerji's remark. But Riddhima spoke " sorry doc but me and Sid are not together now. We got divorced. And before you ask the reason. I would like to tell you that it was mutual decision. And Sir please I dont want to discuss about this anymore. It would be better if we stick to case and Sid is just a colleague for me now. Nopersonall attachments." Dr. Banerji nodded in assurance while sid was dejected and Armaan who was standing outside smiled and left from there assured.
Armaan entered general ward and found a worried Anjali talking to Atul about Sid's presence affecting Riddhima's life. "Don't worry Anjie your sister is really grown up and as she assured she is tackling Sid very well." Assured Armaan and then narrated the whole act. Anjali smiled and Atul was impressed.

Sid and Riddhima gave Dr.Banerji the case detalis and then they took Mr. Singh in the operation theatre. Riddhima checked his vitals, everything was okay and then the operation was started. After 3 and half hours of long surgery they came out. Sid assured the attendants of Mr.Singj that he is alright and will gain conciousness in anothet hour. Dr. Banerji congratulated Sid and Riddhima for doing nice job. After Dr.Banerji left Sid moved forward, Riddhima got nervous when he decreased the distance. He took her hands in his and spoke "Riddhima, I know I have lost this right but still I cant get over you. I still want you to be there in my life." He stopped for moment, gulped and sighed and again said " I love you Riddhima. I still love you." There was a moment of silence and then there was a noise of trash. Riddhima looked towards the source and she found Armaan standing dumbstruck. She saw a kind of pain in Armaan's eyes. Somehow for the first time Riddhima got an instict to rush towards Armaan and wipe out that pain in his eyes. She was completely lost in his eyes when again Sid spoke " Riddhima I am saying something". She came back to her senses and jerked his hands off and said "Sid, these words are useless now." With this she left him alone and approached where Armaan was standing and then she hugged him. Armaan was taken back by her sudden action on contrary Sid was left perplexed. He was not able to bear this. He moved towards them and separated both from their embrace "Riddhima what are you doing?" Riddhima looked towards Sid. She too did not understand why she hugged Armaan. She stamered and said " what? I just hugged my best friend there is no big deal" it was more than an assurance to herself than an answer to Sid's question. Because she was not able to understand why she hugged him. She looked towards Armaan and turned crimson red, she was not able to understand why she is feeling shy. On the other hand Armaan was too left perplexed that why did she hugged. Sid was now boiling in anger he moved forward and held Riddhima's hand furiously. She winced in pain. Armaan jerked his hand and stand in front of Riddhima and spoke " don't you dare touch her like that. She is not alone I am there with her." Riddhima looked towards him and felt secured. Sid said in fury "Armaan this is none of your business" Armaan said "of course this is my business. Riddhima is my responsibilty. No one can touch her till i am there with her. No one can harm her." Riddhima was touched and her eyes welled up. Sid felt defeated and left. Once he left Riddhima looked towards Armaan and suddenly an urge took over her and once again she embraced him. This time Armaan too responded her hug. He pulled her more into himself. Riddhima was lost in his embrace. She felt secured. Armaan took her scent and tightened his grip more. Riddhima too tightened her grip. But then reality struck both and they came out of the hug. Riddhima and Armaan both were feeling shy. " A.. a..um.. wo... so... I mean how was your surgey Basket?" Armaan stamered. Riddhima who was avoiding looking towards him spoke "ya.. that... it was great. Mr. Singh is alright." "Lunch?" Armaan asked. "Ya i am hungry" Riddhima responded.
They entered cafe and saw rest of their friends already seated and for some reason Muskaan was smiling. Armaan asked her "what happened moti why are you blushing?" "Armaan I and Rahul are getting engagedbon jan 1st" Muskaan answered. " oh wow Muski that is a good news. Congrats yaar. And congo Rahul" Riddhima congratulated them. "Kya baatvhai dadu... teri tohbnikal padi" Armaan teased him. Anjali interrupted " sorry guys for interruption but tomorrow Ridzy's interns have called her for the party. So are we going?" "Of cource we are going Anjie. We will accomapny her" Atul replied and Riddhima smiled. "Par wahan Sid bhi hoga na" Muskaan asked. " I dont care Muski you all will be there for me and I don't care because I know Armaan won't let anything happen" Armaan who was busy eating suddenly looked up, Riddhima smiled looking towards him. His heart was flying; hr was elated " ya sure. I will be there with you always" and smiled assuringly.
so was this a new development in their relationship.

With love
Aliena