Chapter 3

JennyPenny

@JennyPenny

Part 2 ' The bitter truth.

"Sir aap?"

" Haan mein Armaan"

The figure turned around to be no other than Shashank. Armaan was shocked to see him and to know the truth that Riddhima loved Armaan. He flashbacked to the time that Riddhima did not want anyone to know about their relationship then how could she confide in her father all of a sudden? Armaan felt as he was seeing a dream. Shashank sat him down slowly on the bench while the other person disappeared into the darkness.

"Armaan, sometimes life goes off in such a way that we never began to realize that maybe life wanted our path to go this way."

Armaan was confused by what Shashank was saying.

"Armaan. You must be thinking as to how I know about you and Riddhima. How do I know that Riddhima loves you"

" Yes sir"

" Armaan, my little girl is someone who is overly protective. I love her so much. Even though she is not my blood, she means the world to me and I know that You are her world. I knew a long time ago that there was something between you guys therefore whenever you were with her, I used to get angry because I didn't want my girl to get hurt. If it had not been you Armaan and any other guy, I would have reacted the same way. Riddhima is very special to me. I love her more than my own daughter.  So I knew that Riddhima and You share something beyond Friendship but it was Riddhima who finally confined in me that night"

Flashback:

Shashank was sitting down in the den of his house when a knock came. " come in" " Papa." " Are Riddhima beta, come in."

Riddhima came around and talked to Shashank . " Haan beta, tell me what is up?"

" Papa, I don't know what's gonna happen but I have to tell you something"

" Nothing is gonna happen Riddhima"

" Papa, remember how in our childhood, di, used to always tease me that I will get married soon one day and have kids and not become a doctor."

" Yes, I did and you used to get quite mad at that"

" Yes Papa. I did and I still do get mad sometimes but Papa, now I want to get married and have kids before Papa."

" No beta, don't say that. But so my little one wants to get married?"

" No Papa, I don't want to get married to someone. I want to get married to the one who is my life Papa.

" Life?"

" Papa, I love Armaan. He is my life Papa"

To her surprise, Shashank was not angry infact he was not surprised either and had a huge smile on his face.

" Papa?"

" Haan beta, you sound so surprised? Am I that grumpy that I don't see anything going on here?. I have seen you and Armaan in those lovely dovey thoughts. I have seen Armaan talking to himself and As a doctor , I am aware of what those thoughts are. I was a boy before I became a doctor Riddhima. I am aware of those feelings and the way he behaves around you. And you smiling when he is around and crying when is not there. I can understand that feeling no matter how much you try and hide it from me. I knew it from Camp to this day that you both love each other. I was just waiting for you to confess it. So when are you gonna tell him?"

" Papa, I can't tell him now. You know Papa'."

" Beta, I am aware but he has a right to know about this and especially about your love for him"

" Papa, I don't want to be a burden on him that;s why Papa I have decided to go"

" What?????"

" Papa, I know what you are thinking of'but it would be right decision. Who knows Papa, after I might go, my life and his life will change forever. "

" Beta."

"Papa, promise me you will never tell him the truth. You will never let him know why I left and you will never tell di this either. Papa, I can't watch Di and Armaan die each day. I can't see this"

" Riddhima beta, but.."

" Papa, promise me."

She extended her hand out to Shashank who put it there and smiled and said.." Nothing is gonna happen Riddhima. Have faith in God"

Flashback over..

"Sir, what is going to happen? Why did Riddhima leave? She told me she does not love me?" Why did she say that?"

" Yes dad, why did Riddhima say this?"

The figure appeared out of the darkness. It was Anjali and Shashank was shocked.

" Anjali tum?"

" Haan Papa. Me. I have every reason to know the truth Papa. I also knew that Armaan and Ridzi are in love. We are not blind Armaan. We can see it but we chose not to speak about this because I wanted you guys to tell us. But I want to know the truth Dad. Why did Riddhima go to London? Why did you let her go? What happened Dad, tell me."

" Haan Sir, Please tell us now"

Anjali sit on the next bench and shook Shashank. " Dad, tell me"