Chapter 28
Recap:
Armaan-Shilpa cute moments during Karwachauth
Part:
It was after dinner that all the people were finally leaving and Sid, Riddhima and Armaan along with Shashank were comfortably seated in the living room. Armaan had become an integral part of gupta house hold due to his history with the family. Shashank too considered Armaan very close to him.
"Phew! That went well. Everybody had a great time." Padma sat down next to Shashank and Shilpa came in from the kitchen carrying a tray with cups of coffee for everybody.
"Coffee ready everyone!"
She served everyone and left the tray on the centre table grabbing a cup for her. She was about to head towards Riddhima when Armaan signalled her to sit next to him. She looked around to see if anybody is noticing and then went over quietly to sit next to Armaan on the couch.
She looked at him and he smiled down at her. Their peaceful moment was broken when '
"We haven't been to Panchagani in a long time now. Let's all plan a trip there." Padma started.
"Panchgani?" everybody said.
"Haan' Long time since anybody at Sanjeevani has had a vacation, you know!"
Armaan felt Shilpa tense next to him. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it in reassurance. Shashank and Sid looked at each other and then at Shilpa. But before either one of them could obl=ject or say anything-
"Great idea Ma! Sid and I were just discussing that we should plan a picnic or something and have the medical camp sort of thing. But doing it at panchgani is an even better idea!"
"Haan! And Sid hasn't even seen the orphanage that Sanjeevani funds yet, have you Sid? It'll be good to get away from the work just for once and go there and enjoy some peaceful days, just like we use to when we were kids." Riddhima was grinning, but soon she was lost in memories.
Shilpa became really nervous about going there. Armaan figured it was because of the orphanage and her connection to it. He had no idea. So he squeezed her hand and whispered "Everything will be okay Shilpa' Riddhima knows about your childhood". Shashank and Sid kept exchanging glances.
"You know guys, I probably haven't mentioned this to you guys, hell I haven't really talked about this to anybody, but when we were young and dad used to take us to panchgani orphanage, that was the best time of my life. Not only because we got to spend it with dad, but also because I could meet my best friend, bittoo' " Riddhima spoke softly reminiscing about the past.
Shilpa froze and looked at Shashank with widened eyes. He looked back at her and nodded as if saying this is the right time Shilpa'
"You know, she was best friend in the entire world, just like my lil sister. The three of us, anjali di, bittoo and me used to eat together, sleep together and do everything together. She was the only one apart from bua herself who could give me a tough competition in dancing!!! Pata hai Armaan, I told you that I learnt dance from bua right? Well, bittoo use to learn dance from her too and I can tell you she was real good too! But then one summer, when we returned to panchgani, we heard that her mother had taken her and that she might not be coming back. I miss her so much! She would always side with me in my fights with Anjali di! It hurts sometimes that she never tried to get in touch or meet me' but I guess it was meant to be'" Riddhima sighed.
But Shilpa's face was wet with tears. To know that her sister had missed her just as much was indeed a big deal for her!
"You know we had this favourite song that we sang whenever we were together '"Riddhima was cut off by another soft voice'
"Tera mujhse hai pehle ka nata koi, yunhi nahi dil libhata koi, Jaane tu ya jaane na, mane tu ya mane na'" and everybody turned to look at Shilpa'
Riddhima's eyes snapped open and she stared at her in surprise. She smiled slightly and said "Haan!! But how did you'" she trailed off as the implications of the situation finally sunk in.
She looked at Shilpa closely and then looked at Shashank, because he was the only one apart from her who knew bittoo. He nodded and smiled.
She looked back at Shilpa and said "Bittoo?" her excitement incontainable now.
Shilpa's tear stained face was proof enough, but she waited.
Shilpa looked at her nodded, and suddenly they were in each others arms. No one knew who made the first move, but they didn't care. They finally had each other.
"Oh my! Why didn't you tell me? Pagal kyun mera gussa aur indifference sehti rahi aise!"
"I was scared. I wasn't even sure if you remember me." Shilpa gave a self-deprecating laugh and got hit on head by Riddhima.
"Remember! Forget remembering, I missed you so much kiddo! I am so happy you have no idea!"
"Ahem-"
Everyone turned to look at Shashank.
"Padma, Riddhima there's something else you all should know'"
Shilpa and Sid looked at Shashank. Shashank stared back at Shilpa and she shook her head.
"Lekin-"
"No Shilpa' I didn't do anything the last time because you were not in the mind set. Nor was it the right time. but its long overdue now! ? I cannot deny you your excistence any longer, I will not."
Armaan looked from Shashank to Shilpa, and then Sid. There was something big going on. He was shocked to know Shilpa and Riddhima shared a connection that went way back! Although it was a little weird, he was happy for them both. But now looking at everybody's faces, he felt a sense of foreboding, as if this moment was going to change their lives forever. Whether it was for good or bad, that remains to be seen.
"Shilpa ka asli naam Shilpa malhotra nahi, Shilpa gupta hai'"
Everybody creased their eyebrows, trying to maje sense out of what Shashank just said.
"Shilpa meri beti hai'" he looked at padma and added' "Meri aur Smriti ki beti'"
And everyone froze'Shilpa was scared. She waited for this time. tears flew out of her eyes, all her apprehension and fear making her numb and she stood there waiting for the shock to ebb away and looked at the people around her for some reaction. She looked at Riddhima' who was now staring at her with mixed emotions of surprise and shock. She looked at Padma, who looked at er with mxed expressions of shock and relief and love?' something she had least expected from her. she turned to Sid, who gave her a small nod of excouragement and understanding.
And then she finally turned to the one person whose reaction she valued the most. She turned slowly, afraid to look at him. What if he was sorry for me too? What if he was angry with me?
She slowly raised her eyes to look at him. And blank. He just looked at her and nothing. She could see no expression on his face. No anger, no shock and no compassion.
"Shilpa, meri'" Riddhima whispered now that the shock had finally settled in.
"Shilpa meri behen hai'" she looked at Shashank.
He nodded and Riddhima let go of Shilpa.
"Di'"
Riddhima moved away from Shilpa. Shilpa extended her hand towards her to stop her from going.
"Di, just listen to me'"
"Don't'" Riddhima said softly.
"Don't you dare call me di! Itne din, are itne din kya itne saal tum mere saath thi, but tumne mujhse itna bada sach chhupaya! I thought you were my friend' You were the one person who knew me inside out, the one who I trusted more than myself'"
"Magar meri baat toh suno'" Shilpa started.
"Kyun? You had all the time in the world! Apparently our friendship wasn't that important to you as it was to me. That's why you did not bother telling me right? Shilpa how could you? Aur papa aap? How can you not tell me something so important!"
And she walked out of the room. Sid gave Shilpa a look of pure sympathy and followed Riddhima out. Shilpa turned towards where Armaan was standing but he was gone too' Suddenly she couldn't bear it anymore' she ran past Shashank and Padma to her room and locked it from inside.
What have you done Shilpa? You have spoilt the life of all these people, now you have driven a wedge between a father and a daughter! Why did I come here at all? What did you think Shilpa? That di will welcome you with open arms? Huh? Oh god! This pain is just too real!!!
She leaned against the door numb with shock' shock of rejection and pain of losing all her loved ones' Riddhima, Sid, papa, Padma aunty, Armaan' oh Armaan' how will I ever survive if he decides to leave me because of this'how will I ever live without all these wonderful people in my life'
She walked towards her bed and sat there in shock, no expression on her face. She just could not comprehend what had happened' she heard a knock on the door'
---
Riddhima and Sid-
Sid unlocked the front door to their house and they entered. Shilpa headed straight for the bedroom and sat on the couch, facing the window' tears streaming own her face' Sid sat down beside her and kept a hand on her shoulder. She hugged him tightly and started crying.
"Why did they do this? Why?" she cried in anguish. "They have destroyed everything'I cannot believe it!"
"Shh' Riddhima' Sambhalo apne aap ko' please'" Sid soothed her by running his hand through her hair, it always did sooth her.
"It was all a lie, her concern for me, our friendship' everything' how will I ever trust her again?"
"Riddhima' please don't cry. I hate it when you are sad. Its just your shock talking sweetheart, give I some time and you will realize that Shilpa is not a fake. She is still that sweet beautiful person that we know' please don't cry'I know it has come as a shock but please just give her one chance'"
"Why are you defending her? huh? She has my own father under her spell, toh shayad tum par bhi usne koi jadoo kiya hai!!! You knew about this before didn't you?"
Sid looked at her in trepedition. She was looking at him intently. He sighed in defeat and nodded.She felt so lonely, everyone was lying to her. What was she going to do? She moved out of Sid's arms and went into the bedroom locking it behind her'
---
"Shilpa beta open the door' Shilpa'"
She snapped out of her reverie and realized Shashank was calling out. She walked towards the door and opened it.
"Shilpa!" Shashank exclaimed in relief. "Are you alright? Don't you ever run away like that and then lock yourself inside'I have been knocking on the door for an hour now! Shilpa sit'" he handed her some water.
"Drink! Shilpa' please don't mind her dear' she's just got the shock of her life. Give her some time' she will come around' believe me'"
Shilpa looked at him and nodded, she dare not shed tears in front of Shashank and upset him more than he already is'
"Everybody hates me'" Shilpa whispered. "I should never have come'I have inly caused grief and pain to my loved ones eversince I have come here' I have even managed to drive Riddhima away from you papa'" she was so disconnected that it was starting to scare Shashank' why is blaming herself for this? He kept his hand on her shoulder, totally clueless of how to console her'
"Shilpa'" a soft voice cooed from the door.
Shilpa and Shashank looked to wards the door'Padma was standing there looking at Shilpa woth the most poignant expression on her face. Shilpa got up from the bed, readying herself for another round of insults and hurt'
Shilpa looked at Padma with guilt written all over her face. "I am so sorry aunty, I have spoilt everything for you. The family that you have managed to unite, the beautiful family that you have created, I destroyed it. I am so sorry, you have no idea how much I regret coming here'"
"Shilpa'Don't'please don't say anything else' do you regret knowing us? Do you regret being a part of this family! If you hadn't come along and supported Armaan and Riddhima and Sid if I may say so, this family would not have existed you fool! What did you think? That you are not a part of my family? You are as much of a family to me as is Riddhima or Sid' Do you know how important a member you are' and what are you apologizing for? We sould be guilty for not taking care of you when you needed it the most. Today because of me you had to stay away from your dad, away from your family'"
"Bas'Please don't embarrass me more' " Shilpa sobbed, hearing padma's words was like a balm to her wound. She walked up towards Padma and folded her hands in sorry, but Padma shook her head and folded her into his arms, giving her a tight hug'
"Oh Shilpa! I always wished that you were my daughter. See god does exist and he has finally fulfilled that wish of mine!" she attempted a lame joke.
Shilpa sobbed heavily, hugging Padma tightly. She had been denied her mom's love for so long, that she was starved for it. "Maa'" she whispered.
Padma blinked back tears, feeling guilty and sorry for Shilpa at the same time. this girl had lost her mother at such a young age. She loked up at Shashank and he mouthed her a thank you. She nodded and turned to Shilpa.
"I know you are worried about Riddhima and Armaan' give them some time Shilpa' they will come around' it is a big shock for them. Get some rest dear, kal subah baat karte hain okay? Chalo now give me abig smile, I should be able to see all your 32 teeth!!"
Shilpa gave her a weak smile and Shashank walked towards them both. He hugged both Shilpa and Padma, hoping that this mess will sort itself soon. He was indeed worried about both his daughters'
Well that's all i got for today... please don't kill me for arsh scenes... but i think this episde was more about shilpa and ridhhima and how their relationship will change... do leave your comments and hit the like button!!! :)
Ciao
Vanshika
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