Chapter 9

Part 9:

In the dark confines of the room he reached for her. When he touched her, she felt the same magic, she felt every time he touched her, a current zapping through her, making her feel things she had never felt before. He was holding her hand, pulling her closer to him and away from sanity… he gently tugged her towards him so that she bumped into him, and held closely in his strong arms. She closed her eyes, a feeling so intimate and intense pouring into her that she was lost. She wanted to savor that emotion forever. He was so close she could feel his heartbeat. She slowly opened her eyes and she couldn't stop the fluttering of her heart when she gazed deep into the gorgeous dark depths of his eyes.

The air between them was crackling. He looked at her, passion and resolution etched on his face, challenging her to take the next step. She gazed back at him, in turn daring him to finish what he had started… joining him in a sexy duel that got more and more heated the longer it continued. He smiled then. Pulling her closer, he bent his head towards her, ready to claim her lips… he kept coming closer, so close that she drew in the same air as him… until his lips were so close to hers she could feel his breath on them…

Shilpa woke up with a start. She looked around the room. At first she didn't recognize it. Then it all came back, the suspension, the insults and finally the reunion with Riddhima and how she had managed to convince Shilpa to finally move in with her. She looked around searching for any trace or proof that said that it wasn't a dream… it had felt so real.

But it was a dream… she smiled to herself. Armaan…. Yeh kya jadoo kar rahe ho tum mujhpar? Why do you have this effect on me? Shilpa dear sambhal apne aap ko… you don't even know if he feels anything for you. But then again he cared enough to clear all the misunderstanding between you and Riddhima… and he also supported you in front of everyone.

Shilpa blushed when she recalled the part where Armaan stood up for her and had asked Riddhima to stop it. She smiled to herself… Oh god!! This is such a mess… and she soon went off to sleep again, dreaming about her lover-boy.

On the other hand, Armaan had just spoken to Sid. Sid told him about how Riddhima had finally started to warm up to Shilpa. He also told Armaan about Riddhima's attempt to patch up things with Shilpa by inviting Shilpa to her place. Frankly, Armaan didn't know what he found more disturbing the fact that Shilpa was so nice and kind that people may try to take advantage of her, or that he was suddenly very protective of her these days. And he was kinda relieved that Shilpa is now staying with Riddhima, though why the prospect of Shilpa staying alone would bother him, he didn't know. But today's fiasco had definitely affected him strongly and he was too tired and reluctant to analyze these feelings just yet. So he walked towards his bedroom, ready to collapse on the bed…

The next day at sanjeevani:

"Riddhima, try finishing off everything you can today, because after this you are on a leave for about a week. The same goes for Dr Sid and Dr Armaan too…" Dr Shashank said.

All the doctors nodded. Sid had asked Armaan to take a leave for their wedding too. They all dispersed to do their respective work.

Armaan was in his cabin, trying to remove a file from his drawer when something fell on the ground. He bent down to pick it up, only to realize it was Shilpa's bracelet. He picked it up, staring at it, remembering the moment when she had unknowingly left the bracelet with him. A sweet, affectionate smile crept on his face. Suddenly somebody snatched it from his hands. He jerked around to get it back.

"Champ!!! Hey!! You are here!!!" he said.

Atul grinned. "Hey Bro!! Kaisa hai??" he hugged Armaan, both of them realizing how much they had missed their friendship.

"Oye!! Hum sab bhi hai line mein… even we are here to meet him you know!!" rahul said from behind atul.

Armaan looked up to see Muskaan, Anjali and rahul standing there. He grinned at them and quickly went over and hugged everyone.

Riddhima was standing at the door, looking at Armaan and how happy he was. She thought about the days when all these people had meant the world to her, about the days when they as interns had no serious responsibilities and Sanjeevani was a synonym for fun and romance. She thought about how far all had come, Muskaan and Rahul had finally worked out their differences and were now happily married. Atul and Anjali were engaged too, nikki and abhi were having a baby and she was marrying Sid, not Armaan. Life does have its unpredictable ways. Now all that was left was for Armaan to find too… someone who would love him and care for him the way he deserved, someone with a strong sense of devotion and commitment, seeing that Armaan himself was a pretty committed person.

"Arre Ridz kya soch rahi hai? Come here!!! Let's have a group huddle!! Its long overdue…" Muskaan said.

That night everyone sat down at Riddhima's place to plan for the engagement next day. Once everyone had reached and settled, Armaan had also introduced Shilpa to the rest of the gang. They were just lazing around and catching up on what was going on in their lives when Riddhima came in.

"Sid, can I talk to you for a minute?" Riddhima asked a little worried.

"Oh ho!!! Yeh lo, inse to zara bhi wait nahi ho raha. Arre Riddhima shaadi tak to ruk ja." Rahul said.

"Aur tu Sid? where are you going? Chup chap baitha reh yaha…" Abhi said. "Apne bro ki baat mane ga na??" he teased.

Shilpa laughed. Armaan smiled too. Shilpa looked at him to see if he was okay. Armaan looked at Riddhima and then at Shilpa, and caught her darting away from him at the last minute. Mujhe koi farak kyun nahi pad raha? These people are teasing Sid and Riddhima par why is that not affecting me as it use to… aur Shilpa?? Why did she give me that anxious look? Does she really care for me that much?

Shilpa looked at him again. He was still looking at her, but thus time she could move her eyes from his. She kept looking at him and he kept staring at her. They didn't realize that the room was suddenly silent and that they were now the centre of everyone's attention.

Muskaan looked at Atul, rahul and Anjali smirked. She whispered to them

"I told you na… There's something fishy going on between Shilpa and Armaan!!!"

"Haan yaar!!! Armaan's really into her. Ab to pata lagana hi padega ki yeh chakkar kya hai?" Atul said.

Someone coughed then… and Armaan and Shilpa broke their eye contact. They looked around to see if they had been caught but everyone pretended to not have seen that private moment of theirs ;)

Riddhima looked at Sid and signaled him to meet her outside. He nodded. This didn't go unnoticed by Shilpa who could see that Riddhima was a little upset. She stood up to leave too.

"Sid!!! I just spoke to the flower vendor!! He said he is out of orchids!!! Now what are we going to do? " Riddhima said.

"Relax Riddhima!! We'll figure something out. I got so scared… and now you are telling me it's only flowers!!" Sid laughed and turned to look into Riddhima's serious and angry expression. That sure wiped off the grin on his face.

"Arre Riddhima di—I mean Riddhima…" Shilpa amended from behind. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it… I already know a good flower shop very close from here. I go to him the first thing in the morning and get them." She offered.

Riddhima smiled at the person in front of her. Tears filled her eye, thinking about how Riddhima had detested her and how good Shilpa was to help her even after she was bad to her. "You are a such a good person. How can you be so nice to me? " Riddhima cried.

Shilpa got a little sentimental too and hugged Riddhima. And Sid was standing there, wondering…what just happen here? Are they really crying over some stupid flowers!! "Women!!" he sighed.

Next day was a really busy day for all the people. Muskaan and Anjali along with Atul and Armaan were busy looking after the room arrangements. Shilpa and Riddhima were out for Riddhima's dress fittings. Sid was taking care of the caterers along with Rahul.

Same day in the evening:

Muskaan and Rahul were bickering on their way downstairs to where the function was.

"Oye khote!! Tu..tu--- just go hell mujhe tujhse koi baat nahi karni!!" Muskaan said in her filmy style.

"Arre meri baat to sun…" rahul started.

"Phir shuru ho gaye tum dono!!! Can you guys stop it now!!" Anjali scolded. They were all standing there- atul, Anjali, rahul and Muskaan.

"Hey guys!!" Armaan entered along with Sid.

sid was wearing this:

armaan was wearing this:

"Hey Armaan!! Hey Sid!! looking nice you guys!!" Anjali said.

"Thanks saali saheba!! You have no idea how good it feels to hear that from my saali!!" Sid teased.

"Oye Sid!!" Atul interrupted.

"Abe hero!! What did he say wrong? After all, Anjali Sid ki Sali hai, matlab aadhi gharwali!!" Muskaan teased.

"Haan… Waise bhi Anjali isn't even married yet…" Armaan smirked.

"Aur nahi toh kya… Bhai flirt karne ka pura haq banta hai" nikki said.

Atul, cornered by all of them made such a confused and defiant face that Anjali couldn't resist.

"Kyun tum log atul ko sata rahe ho?" she said pulling his cheeks.

"Oh ho!! Zara dekho inhe!!" Rahul said.

And everyone burst out laughing.

Armaan looked around, "Shilpa kaha hai?"

Everybody looked at him. He suddenly realized he had said that out loud. "I mean, wo… Riddhima and Shilpa… where are they?" he tried to cover up. But looking at everybody's expression he knew they are not going to let it go.

"Oh.. Armaan tujhe Shilpa ki aaj kal thodi jyada hi fikar hone lagi hai… kya baat hai?" Rahul teased.

"It nothing like that okay… main toh bas aise hi…" Armaan said

"Oh yes!! You should have the seen the way he had defended Shilpa regarding the whole fiasco that day…" Muskaan ribbed.

"Really… " Atul and Abhi said thoughtfully.

"Guys aisa kuch nahi---" Armaan looked up and stopped.

For the most beautiful sight awaited on the top of the stairs. Riddhima was coming down the stairs, wearing a beautiful pink lehenga…. But that's not what rendered Armaan speechless. It was the person standing next to Riddhima that did it.

Shilpa came down with Riddhima, wearing a beautiful lehenga.

shilpa was wearing this:

…

She was walking with such an endearing mixture of pride and innocence that Armaan was transfixed. Not even the sight of Riddhima in pink could force him to take his eyes off Shilpa.

ridz was wearing this:

Riddhima asked Shilpa something and Shilpa looked around to search for something.

Her gaze clashed with his. Her eyes widened as she took in his attire and then as if just realizing what she was doing she blushed and looked down shyly.

Armaan's heartbeat stopped. He smiled, flashing his dimples at her innocence and beauty. "Oye Hoye" he whispered to himself.

Everyone else also waited for Riddhima and Shilpa to reach where they were.

"Oh my god!! Riddhima you look beautiful." Nikki gushed.

"Yes absolutely beautiful." Sid said looking at her. Riddhima looked him and blushed.

"Ohhh" the gang shouted.

They headed towards the stage where the ceremony was going to take place.

"Oh my god Shilpa!! You look gorgeous!! Where did you get that dress?"

"Oh I wanna know too.!!" Nikki interjected. "And the next time I go shopping you are coming with me."

Shilpa smiled. "Definitely…"

Armaan lessened his pace so that he was now walking closer to Shilpa and Nikki. Armaan looked at her then. Noticing not for the first time how beautiful she truly was. Her hair dark, the color of night, her eyes almond shaped and pretty, her straight pert nose, her high cheekbones that made you wanna caress them with your fingers and never let go, her lips, the shade of dark and irresistible cherries that looked as if they had so many secrets unknown…

"You look Stunning…" Armaan said so softly that only Shilpa heard it.

She looked at him, unsure if he had really said it. but when she saw the expression on his face, she was pretty sure that she wasn't dreaming again. Dream!! Great Shilpa!! Just what you wanna remember now!! First that dream with Armaan in it and now this… Yaha se jaldi nikal na padega… Kuch kar Shilpa… nahi toh tu pakka pakdi jayegi.

She blushed even more, and Armaan wondered what exactly was she thinking about.

"Woh… I have to get the puja thali… I'll be rite back" Shilpa said and ran off from there, leaving Armaan sighing and looking at her while she was going.

Suddenly the lights went off. And then one light focused on the stage where Shilpa stood looking gorgeous as ever.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we are all here to celebrate the engagement of Siddharth modi and Riddhima gupta. And what is celebration without any dance or masti. So, come on guys out on the dance floor for some dhammal and fun!!!" Shilpa said.

Soon the music started and people gathered on the dance floor. A Punjabi music started and people started swaying to its rhythm…

(This song is from the movie Band Baaja Baraat – Baari barsi)

(just look at the song before you read further, and you'll really have a good time imagining Shilpa dancing like anushka in the song.)

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukfoIRM3xJU

(Shilpa started singing…)

Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyandi chaabi
Dekh Shakira jaise thumke le dulhe ki bhaabi

(Shilpa sang pulling Nikki forward and dancing with her) becz nikki is Sid's bhabhi

Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyanda pizza
Style mein desi disco karta ve dulhan ka jeeja

(Armaan was in awe… he was mesmerized with the sight of Shilpa dancing in front of him. He removed his cell and started recording her dance…)

(she pulled Riddhima's jija, Atul forward)

Mehfil ta sajjdi, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche jeeja-bhaabi, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche jeeja-bhaabi, ke mehfil ta sajjdi

(And she made Riddhima's jija and Sid's bhabhi dance together)

Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyande zevar
Paan chhupaye naughty naughty zeh dulhan ke devar

(Next she went towards where Abhi was dancing and brought him to centre of the floor. Armaan followed her, shooting her every move.)

Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyandi daali
Dekh ke unko naak sikode jo dulhe ki saali

(And pulled Anjali forward and turned to see Armaan photo shooting her. she smiled shaking her head, blushed and went off)

Mehfil ta sajjdi, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche devar-saali, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche devar-saali, ke mehfil ta sajjdi

(Soon Anjali and abhi were dancing together according to the relations mentioned in the lyrics)

Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyanda mango
Dulhan ki mummy bhool ke gidda ab ke chede tango

(Shilpa went to where Shashank and Padma were standing and pulled Padma forward)

Dulhan ki mummy (aaja), dulhan ki mummy (come on)
Baari barsi khatn gaya si khat ke leyandi gaddi
Two for tango karne aaye lo dulhe ke daddy

(Soon Sid's dad joined them on the stage and they danced together)

Mehfil ta sajjdi, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche mummy-daddy, ke mehfil ta sajjdi
Je nacche mummy-daddy, ke mehfil ta sajjdi

Sab ki hogi wah bhi wah, nahin kisi ki tuk duk doo
Sab ki hogi wah bhi wah, nahin kisi ki tuk duk doo
Banno banno beech nadi di haye
Banno banno beech nadi di gaddi hoyi shuru
Sab ki hogi wah bhi wah, nahin kisi ki tuk duk doo

Everyone was fully into the dance mode and dancing having fun. Shilpa was dancing right in the middle of them all. Armaan was slowly started towards her, intending to finally enjoy the dance with Shilpa. Shilpa tried to move a little out of the main circle of the dance, planning to slip off. She danced and took steps backwards, nearly out of the crowd but came to an abrupt halt when she banged into someone, and judging by the way her heartbeats were all going hay-wire she had a pretty good idea who it was.

"Running away Shilpa…" Armaan whispered in her ear.

Shilpa turned to look at him, a little nervous. Suddenly Armaan grabbed her wrist, the one closer to him and she gasped.

"Armaan yeh kya kar rahe ho… chodo na…" she tried to free her wrist.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai main kya kar raha hu..?" Armaan teased. "And plus you haven't danced with me yet, so you owe me one."

Dance!! Has he finally lost it? he's asking me for a dance? Her heart fluttered.

"I don't recall you asking me for a dance!!!" Shilpa challenged though the thought of dancing with him made her heart play the conga…

Armaan raised his eyebrow at her challenge. "Well, I am asking you now… and you cannot say no…" Armaan finished.

"We'll just have to see about that won't we?" Shilpa smirked.

Armaan pulled her closer to him and said "We'll see!!"

"Shilpa!!! Puja ki thali leke aana beta!! Sagai ki rasam shuru karte hai" Padma shouted.

Shilpa looked at Padma and said "Aayi aunty!!"

She then looked at Armaan smiling in victory, she pulled her hand free and ran towards the room where the thali was. But before she turned she looked around to give Armaan a triumph look and waggled her tongue at him to tease him and the ran off.

"Haye…" Armaan sighed. She is driving me crazy...