PART SEVEN A
Exams are finally over, and the results have come out.
R: (fidgeting with her dupatta) Oh my God, I'm really nervous. Why is the postman late? Arghh, out of all days!
K: Di, relax! We both know you've topped the year... why are you so worried?
Asha: I agree. Riddhima beti, you've done so well darling. You're tense for absolutely no reason. (hears the doorbell) And what do you know, the post has arrived. (smiles)
R: Mamma, can you please get it... I'm just too nervous. I hope I got good marks. (starts panicking) I know I stuffed up at least one exam, that stupid question. I should have studied the treatment for cardiomyopathy further. Breathe, Riddhima, breathe!
K: (looks alarmed) Riddhima, if you think you stuffed up, then there's a sure chance I FAILED. (starts breathing heavily) No, no, no. I can't have failed. I studied so much. I'm so sure I did well... but ahh, they say those who think they're so sure always end up disappointed. That means I did fail. (wails)
Asha: Girls! Kya hua tum dono ki? Let's all breathe deeply... inhale... exhale. Calm yourselves down. Now which do we open first? We'll start with Khanak. (smiles) Darling, don't believe all those sayings.
K: (gulps) (in a tiny voice) Alright Mamma. (takes the envelope) Mamma... if I do bad, you won't hate me will you? (opens the envelope) I mean, I can't have done that badly, but still, don't hate me.. (opens the letter) Please, please, please let it be good... (skims the letter) I PASSED! (screams estatically) I ACTUALLY PASSED!
Asha: Wow, congrats darling! See, you did extremely well. And what exactly were you worried about? (looks mischieviously at Khanak) Alright, let's open Riddhima's now... in fact Riddhima has two letters, as does Nikita. Interesting.
R: Two letters? For both of us? Oh no, did Nikki fail as well? (sniffles) I'm so scared. I don't wanna look.
Asha: Acha, chal, I'll open it. (opens and scans the first letter) Well, let's see.. it says that Miss Riddhima Shashank Gupta, you have earned... 100% in all your exams!
R: Huh? (snatches the paper) Let me see! WOW. I passed everything. I passed everything... NO WAY.
K: (hugs Riddhima) See Di, I told you there was nothing to worry about.
R: (breathes in relief) I can't believe it. Maine top ki hai? That's just... wow. I can't wait to tell Abhi!
Asha: Hold up Riddhima. (smiles mischieviously) There's still one more letter to open up...
R: (gulps) One more letter? (fidgets with her dupatta)
K: (notices Asha's smile) Mamma, you look like the cat that ate the canary... is there something we're meant to know?
Asha: Well, there is... (hears the front door open) Aaah, your father's home.. and look, so is Nikita. Hi darlings.
Shashank: (kisses Asha on the cheek) Hi sweetheart. (notices letters in Riddhima and Khanak's hand) Oh, opening letters are we? Exam results perhaps?
N: Exam results?! Oh my God, where's mine? I've been waiting for this for ages! (takes letter sitting on table) Wait... there's two. Huh? (thinks) Ohhhh! Ooooh, which do I open first? (smiles)
R: What do you mean, which do you open first? What do you know that I don't? Papa, what did you tell Nikki? (stomps her foot)
N: (giggles) Di, you actually stomped your foot? Arrey, koi aisi waisi baat nahin hai... the second letter is from Sanjeevani... and I plan to open this one first. (opens the letter) Hmmmmm... oh I have yours Riddhima...
R: (screeches) Mine?! Give it to me Nikki!
N: Shhhh... let me read out your fate yaar. (in a dramatic voice) Miss Gupta, Sanjeevani...
K: Sanjeevani what? Di, don't keep Ridzy Di in suspense... she'll tear up her exam results in a second. (giggles)
Asha: Nikita... apni didi ko dekh... don't do that to her. (smiles)
N: Alright, alright. Miss Gupta... Sanjeevani...
Asha/Shashank/K/R: Nikita!
N: Alright! (really fast) Miss Gupta, Sanjeevani is pleased to notify you of your acceptance into our internship program! (looks over at Riddhima)
R: (shocked) I got accepted? Dad, you actually accepted me into Sanjeevani?
Shashank: Correction. The board accepted you into Sanjeevani... I had nothing to do with it. (winks)
R: (hugs Shashank) Dad... thanks. (gets misty eyed) My dream... is fulfilled today. I got into the best hospital in India... I'm going to help people in the way I know how to.
K: Awwww Di. I know you're going to make a brilliant doctor. I can picture it now... Dr. Riddhima Gupta, head cardiologist. All the interns running after you trying to figure out your brilliance. (giggles, picturing her thought)
Asha: What a way to picture Riddhima. And I hope it turns out like that beti. (smiles, and hugs Riddhima)
Shashank: Asha, I'm sure it will be like that... but you're forgetting that she won't be the only intern in Sanjeevani... ahem, Nikita.
N: Mr.. I mean, Dad... (breathes slowly) You weren't meant to say anything until dinner tonight. (realises what she said) Oops. (blushes)
Shashank: And Nikita, you weren't meant to say anything about the dinner tonight either. (chuckles)
Asha: Dinner? Oh, wow. Well, with our girls doing so well.. of course this calls for a celebration!
Shashank: Definitely. Well, lovely ladies of the house, the reservation is for 7pm. Maybe everyone should get ready? (chuckles watching Asha, Khanak and Riddhima rushing to their rooms)
N: (smiles) You always know how to get things moving, huh.. Dad.
Shashank: Well of course, someone needs to do it around here. (looks at Nikita) Beti, I'm very touched. You know that right? Tum jo muhje accept kardiya... I promise I'll do my best to be a good father to you.
N: (tearing up) I know that. You truly are the greatest father... even Papa doesn't come close to you. I'm just sorry it took me awhile to realise your worth. (tearingly hugs Shashank)
Shashank: Don't be sorry... we're family. You're my daughter. And that's all that matters.
Asha: (thinking from the top of the stairs) She's accepted him... finally. (smiles) I just hope she accepts me again. After today, I promise you Nikita, we're going to be a family again. No one will take you away from me, and I will be that mother you craved all your life. (walks away to get ready)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Guptas have finally reached the restaurant that night, and the girls are surprised to see who's there waiting for them.
Balwinder Malik (Billy): Arrey, Shanky... about time you rock up!
Shashank: Haan Billy, blame the four beautiful women I have with me. (smiles, and hugs his old friend)
Rishabh: It's because of them that we forgive your lateness Shashank. (chuckles)
Girls&Asha: (blush and sit down)
Prerna: Asha, it's so good to see you. (smiles) Been busy with work na? I miss our lunches.
Asha: Oh I agree.. but now, I've got all the time in the world. (winks)
Mu: Ooooh. Chachi, I saw that. (giggles)
Asha: I'm glad none of the kids did.. (points out the gang all talking between themselves)
Ab: That's great news baby! Topped the year huh... well, I'm glad you beat Mr. Malik over there. (winks)
R: (giggles) Well, all I care about is that you're going to Sanjeevani with me. (kisses his cheek)
Ab: (smiles, and puts his hand over hers)
- - -
Ar: Khanak! That is excellent sweetheart. I know you're going to become the best teacher. Just two more years, and then I'll have completed my internship...
K: (looks quizically at Armaan) Darling... any thoughts you might be harbouring, not right now. Thanks. (giggles) Think about it two years from now.
Ar: (fake pout) Awww, that's not fair. (notices Riddhima and Abhi) (thinking) Two years is a long time... and who knows what might happen...
K: Armaan? (smiles) Acha baba, you can think about it... just don't tell me. Alright?
Ar: (still thinking) There's no way I could tell you Khanak... just no way. (smiles wistfully)
- - -
N: Shaan. Keep it to yourself. Dad hinted it out.. but I don't think the girls realised. Thankfully.
S: (rolls eyes) How can you expect me to keep such a thing to myself? It's killing me already you pagal girl.
N: (kicks Shaan's leg under the table) Shut up and smile. (giggles) I want it to be a surprise, alright?
S: (angry look at Nikita) Stop kicking me when you wear heels... (painfully smiles before anyone notices) You're truly evil.
N: (blows a kiss at Shaan and laughs)
Shashank: Ahem... everyone's attention please. (smiles) Now, I know the kids are very happy with tonight's dinner... yes boys, free food.
Everyone: (chuckles)
Shashank: Yes, well, the adults would like to formally congratulate everyone for their amazing exam results... and a very big set of congratulations goes out to Armaan, Abhimanyu, Riddhima and Nikita for being accepted into Sanjeevani's internship program!
Ar/Ab/R/K: Nikita!
N: (blushes) Yeah.. I got in. Now shhhh, the food's coming. (cracks up)
Everyone: (laughs along with Nikita)
Billy: (stands up) Hang on sweetie, before dinner comes, I'd like to make an announcement.
Rishabh: (under his breath) Yes, the casanova has an announcement.. Billy style.
Prerna: (lightly backhands Rishabh's chest)
Billy: (raises eyebrow at Rishabh and smirks) Yes, I have an announcement Rishabh. Can I inform everyone now? Good. Well kids, you've all done so well... we have four interns, and two students accelerating their degrees. In honour of your achievements... yes, honour, Armaan... we've decided to reward you all with a trip...
Gang: A trip? Where? (they look at each other confused)
Billy: Should we tell them... or should we leave it till they get there?
Shashank: Billy, tumhare ideas hamesha bakwaas hote hain. Chal, abhi batao.
Billy: Excuse me Shanky Pants.. yeh dinner mera idea hi tha. Bakwaas to nahin tha, hai na kids?
Girls: Of course not Billy Chachu... Please tell us where we're going.
Boys: Yeah please...
Prerna: Arrey batado.. Muhje bhi toh pata honi chahiye ke hum kahan jaayenge. (smiles)
Mu: Maa, aapko pata nahin? Dad already told me... we're meant to be going to Goa.
Ra: Muskaan!
Mu: (confused) Kya hua Rahul? (realises) Ohhhhhhh... (blushes) Dekho, the food's arrived.
Ra: (glares) You can never keep quiet... at least yeh to mat batao ke hum ek maine wahan rukne wale hain...
Mu: (laughs) Rahul, you said it for me.
S: Bhaiya, bhabi.. aap dono kamal ho. Thank you. (grins)
Asha: Well I'm glad someone told them. Between the men... nothing would have been said. Instead they bicker like teenagers... isn't that right Bhabhi? (smirks at the men)
Prerna: Absolutely right. Well now that we've got that sorted, maybe we should have dinner now?
Everyone has a great time at dinner; and the gang is pretty excited to know that they'll be heading to Goa for a month - it'll be Riddhima and Khanak's first time.
So off they go to Goa... to a vacation they'll never forget.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
PS: I know, I know. You were expecting them to be in Goa by now. They will be. I pakka promise they will be.
I just had to get this freakin' part over and done with... three weeks of dilly-dallying, rewrites, and fustration.
<3
Seher Hone Ko Hai
