Chapter 8

Part 8:

Shilpa walked towards the locker, a feeling of complete disbelief and shock finally giving way to some dismay and sadness. She still couldn't believe that she was suspended. When Dr Shashank announced that it was her that was going to be suspended, she felt an intense pain pierce her heart. It was as if she didn't really understand what was happening around her. But then again, she was doing this for someone she really loved… Nobody should find out what really happened yesterday. She reached her locker and started removing her coat, and gathered her bag and keys and turned around to face-to face with Riddhima.

Riddhima, on the other hand was really annoyed and irritated. She had never really known Shilpa or liked her very much. And after seeing her interactions with Armaan and other interns, she had to admit that while she was a good person she made Riddhima really jealous. So, the one time that Shilpa slipped, Riddhima saw as an opportunity to lash out at her.

"So, Dr Shilpa… How do you feel? Being responsible for such a careless mistake… I have always warned you to not take everything so lightly… Har cheez mazak nahi hoti hai Dr Shilpa!!!" Riddhima said.

Shilpa looked at her, feeling insulted and hurt that she should say something like that. Sid, Armaan, Muskaan and jp soon came in, a confused expression on their face as to what was going on.

"Why did you come to Sanjeevani if you are not serious about your patients.. you clearly don't belong here…"

"Riddhima…" Sid tried to stop her.

"Nahi Sid… she needs to understand that just because her parents are rich and have doted and spoilt her till no ends doesn't give her the license to play with other people's life… arre har cheez ki koi limit hoti hai!!! Ab tak toh aapko pata chal hi gaya hoga Dr Shilpa ki you don't really deserve to be here !!!" Riddhima scolded her.

"Riddhima!!! Just stop!!!" Armaan yelled. "Kuch bhi bole jaa rahi ho!! Do you even realize what you are saying??" he scolded her. the shock and defiance on Riddhima's face was almost comical, that Armaan should support Shilpa over her.

Armaan turned towards Shilpa to see tears burning her eyes, she picked up her bag and ran towards to door.

"Shilpa!! Shilpa wait… meri baat toh suno Shilpa!!" Armaan ran after her. But she didn't stop, just left from there. Everyone was shocked by Armaan's behavior, even Muskaan. Armaan turned around and looked at Riddhima, giving her a look of utter disgust and anger.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Armaan came to stand in front of her.

"Armaan don't you tell me what to do and what not to do!! And why are you encouraging her mistakes anyway??" Riddhima said.

"You don't even realize what you have done!!"

"What did I do? Someone had to burst her little bubble where she's the princess and everything she does is right and perfect!!"

"Oh god!! Are you listening to yourself!! I never expected this from you Riddhima!!"

"Arre!! Tum mujhe kyun kuch keh rahe ho?? Go and tell that to the person who is responsible for Anant's poor health!! Uska gussa mujhpar kyun nikal rahe ho?"

"I may as well have been…" Armaan yelled.

"What?" Riddhima asked taken aback. This was not the answer she was expecting.

"What? Armaan yeh kya bol raha hai? " Sid asked.

Armaan sighed. He looked at Riddhima and said in a low sad voice…

"Shilpa wasn't the last person to check in on Anant… Riddhima was…" he finished in a soft voice.

Riddhima was shell shocked. Everyone was. Riddhima tried to recall the events yesterday…

"But if that was the case why didn't Shilpa tell the truth… why did she accept the punishment leading everyone to believe she was the culprit?"

"I talked to Shilpa before she came to the locker room…"

*********FLASHBACK*************

"Shilpa!! Wait!!" Armaan shouted.

Shilpa turned to see Armaan running towards her with the records…

"Shilpa you weren't the last doctor to visit Anant. I checked the prescription slip… though the last assigned doctor was you, when I checked, the slip wasn't signed by you… it was signed by---" Armaan continued.

"Dr Riddhima…. I know… " Shilpa completed.

Armaan looked at her in surprise.

"You know?"

"Yes"

"The why the hell didn't you say anything? Why did you accept the punishment?"

"I will tell you but please don't tell anybody about it… please…" Shilpa pleaded.

Armaan looked at her angrily.

"That I will decide once I know the reason. Why?"

"Well… when Dr Shashank accused me, I soon figured it out that I hadn't given it because I didn't change any medication for him. He was fine when I left. But I also knew that only Dr Riddhima and Dr Sid had late duties yesterday. And since Dr Riddhima was attending the same patients as I was I knew it was Riddhima… but Armaan I didn't want her to feel ashamed and embarrassed about such carelessness in front of her father. He is her role-model… she wouldn't want to disappoint him like that!!! So, I just kept my mouth shut…"

"But--"

"Look I know that it may not make sense to you… but please don't tell anyone about it… please… and don't worry about me. I know you are concerned about me, but I am a strong girl. Aur waise bhi tumhe mujhse itni jaldi chhutkara nahi milega… If I am not here, who is going to tease and trouble you, huh?" Shilpa teased.

Armaan smiled at her. tum chaho bhi toh main tumhe nahi jaane dunga…. I wont let you leave—Armaan snapped out of his thoughts...

"Us.. I won't let you leave us all so easily, bracelet…" Armaan told himself, as she walked off away from him.

******Flashback ends*******

"And the parents that you think have spoilt her are long gone. Her died when she was five!!" Armaan said.

Everybody in the locker room was quiet, upset with Riddhima that she should talk to Shilpa like that, sad for Shilpa but at the same time proud of the strength of her spirit.

What have I done? How could I have misjudged someone so badly? Oh god Riddhima!! You are a jerk of the first class aren't you…

Riddhima looked at Sid. She saw disappointment and compassion in his eyes, but also pity. He understood. He nodded at her. She looked at Armaan; he was just sad and maybe a little angry. He looked at her and shook his head in disappointment too. She walked off from there.

Riddhima was sitting in the basketball court when Sid came along.

"Yeh maine kya kiya Sid? I literally yelled and accused her of things she didn't even deserve… I did!! Why did she have to be so good? I tried hating her so much!! Maybe somewhere in my heart I knew that she was a good and honorable person but…"

"You were jealous of her." Sid said.

Riddhima looked at him in surprise. "How do you know that? I just got to know about it now!!"

"Because I know you. I know that you are not a bad person. But you have always been the centre of attention where Armaan is concerned. And since that is fast changing now, and since you can easily see Shilpa taking your place in Armaan's life you are naturally jealous…"

"I think you are right. Maybe I did miss Armaan as a friend. And in a way I did neglect Armaan as a friend in my attempt to make things less awkward between us." Riddhima smiled.

She looked at her husband, always by her side no matter what the situation and she realized how much she had wanted to remove that disappointment in his eyes. She turned towards him

"Thanks!!" she said and hugged him tight. Sid was a little taken aback but soon reciprocated…

Shilpa's house:

Shilpa was sitting in her living room, trying to get the incident out of her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled Riddhima's words. Riddhima di hates me so much!! Am I that bad I person? Why does she not like me? I just wanted to look out for her.

And the door bell rang. Shilpa looked at the time, it was nearly ten. She wondered if it was Minnie back from her friend's birthday party. She opened her door to a person she had never expevted to see at her doorstep… Riddhima.

"Dr Riddhima!! What…wh….what are you doing here?" Shilpa stammered.

Riddhima looked at her. "Can I come in Dr Shilpa?"

Shilpa was a little wary of her. Now what have I done? Aur kuch reh gaya hai kya?

"Of Course… come on in.."

Riddhima settled on the couch and Shilpa came to stand opposite her.

"Would you like anything? Tea or coffee? "

"No I just wanted to say that… well…. I " Riddhima struggled with her words.

Shilpa looked at her puzzled.

"Haan… boliye Dr Riddhima… What did you wanna talk about?" Shilpa pressed.

"Wo… I wanted to… to…."

"What's the matter Riddhima? Please don't hesitate… Just tell me what you wanted to say…" Shilpa encouraged.

"I just… I am really sorry for today.. I shouldn't have said all those hurtful things, especially as you were in that position because of me."

Shilpa was taken aback that she knew about the incident.

"But how did you--"

"Armaan told me all about it…"

"us Armaan ke bache ko toh main nahi chhodungi… koi baat nahi rahti uske pet mein, huh?" Shilpa looked at Riddhima.

"I have really misunderstood you, haven't I? well… my only excuse is that I didn't really interact with you and then I thought that you and Armaan had something going on. and I was just looking out for him. But I know now that you are a wonderful person. I don't expect you to forgive me. I mean what you have done for me, how well you understand me, not even my own sister would do that for me… and I am truly grateful for it…"

"Oh Riddhima.. Please don't embarrass me more. I know that you didn't mean to hurt me and that you meant well. Don't be so hard on yourself. "

Riddhima had tears in her eyes as had Shilpa. Riddhima came towards Shilpa and hugged her. Shilpa was taken aback. But she was also so very happy. She hugged her right back. Oh Riddhima di!!! You have no idea I have so long for this moment. I prayed to god everyday that you would like me before I let you know my truth.

"You are a good person Shilpa. If I were you, I don't know how I would have reacted. Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks for being there for me. For all the support that you have given me, Sid and of course Armaan." Riddhima said, trying to gauge her reaction.

And though inwardly Shilpa flinched at the mention of his name, she didn't give any indication of it. she looked at Riddhima and smiled.

"Don't worry about it. Just lemme know whenever you need anything."

Riddhima looked around, and then said

"Do you stay alone here Shilpa?"

"Yeah… I didn't really have time to find any room-mate yet."

"Well, now you won't have to. I am going to stay at my parents' house until the wedding and I would really like you to come and sty with us."

Shilpa looked at her in surprise and hope…

"But I couldn't impose like that.."

"Nonsense, I won't take no for an answer. Come on only until the wedding. I would really like to know you better. Please…"

Shilpa smiled at her and agreed.

"Okay."

Precap:

Well after some real drama how about some romance?

Sid-Riddhima engagement

Some cute arsh moments