Chapter 30

Recap –

Ar-Sh fight and break up

Part 30:

"I cannot handle this anymore Sid… Riddhima di's not talking to me; Armaan doesn't even wanna look at me… It hurts them to even look at me. I cannot torture them like this. They deserve better." Shilpa sobbed, finally cracking.

She had had enough. For four weeks, she had dutifully come to the hospital, talked to people normally, as if her personal life was not in ruins. She had made every possible effort to get Riddhima and Armaan to talk to her. But to no avail.

Sid looked at her and wondered what she could have done differently. She himself had tried talking to both the loggerheads but not much success there either. Although he knew that Riddhima and Armaan were hurt, but he also knew how much this was affecting Shilpa. It won't be long when she completely loses faith and just breaks down. He for one would not want that to happen. Shilpa had come to mean a lot to him. She was no less than a younger sister to her, a confidante that he could tell everything. He was also the one person, who had come to know her inside out and she him.

"I think I am going to go away for some time Sid… I-"

"No!" Sid turned to her, shocked that she could even think of leaving them.

"Just-"

"You're crazy if you think we'll let you go, Shilpa!"

"Sid-"

Sid shook his head and glared at her. "You're going to run away from this! I never knew you to be coward!"

Shilpa looked at him, pleading with her eyes for him to understand.

"If I don't go Sid, losing Riddhima and Armaan and my entire family is going to destroy me."

"But-"

Shilpa walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you think it's easier for me to take this decision. Have you any idea how badly I want this to be dream that I can get up from? It was easier for me to stay away earlier, when I did not know Riddhima, when I did not experience Papa and Mumma's adoration and love. Life was so much simpler before Armaan…" Shilpa whispered.

"Then don't go…" sid whined.

"I have to Sid. I staying here is only causing sadness and hurt to everyone I care… "

Sid sighed. "You have already made up your mind haven't you?" his wet eyes looking at her.

Shilpa gave him a sad smile. "I just came to say good bye…" she whispered.

"Wha--- you're leaving now?" Sid yelled, freaking out.

"I knew if I told you earlier, you will try and change my mind."

"But, you can't do that… Give me some time to get used to it?"

"Don't make it any more difficult than it already is… please Sid…"

His eyes welled up. And he asked the question that he already knew the answer to.

"You are not coming back are you?" he whispered.

Shilpa did not say anything. Her eyes said it all. She was going away from their lives forever. She just stepped forward and hugged him a last time. "Thanks Sid… Hamesha mere sabse pyaare dost rehne ke liye… for never leaving my side…"

She broke the hug and sid asked her. "You are leaving without meeting everyone else?"

"It's too hard…" She said and turned to leave.

"I'll take you-"

"No Sid…You know I suck at saying good-byes! " Shilpa smiled and walked away, leaving behind a shell shocked Sid standing in the locker room staring at her retreating back.

--

Armaan was out in the corridor, just about to enter the locker room, when he heard loud noises. He had an early morning shift that day, and did not expect many people in the locker room.

"Sid… sid… what's wrong sweetie?" Riddhima asked.

Armaan walked in to see a sobbing Riddhima crouched down in front of Sid, who was sitting on the bench, looking at Riddhima, tears streaming down his face.

"Sid?" Armaan asked concerned.

He walked up to Sid and stood on the other side. "She's gone guys…" Sid said.

Riddhima creased her brows, not understanding what he was saying. But Armaan stepped back, knowing who exactly he was talking about. "No…" he whispered.

"What? Who?" Riddhima asked. Sid looked back at Riddhima.

"Shilpa…"

"No! You're lying… how would you know?"

"She came to say good bye…"

"What when?" Riddhima asked, panicking at the thought of losing Shilpa all over again.

"Just now… I tried to stop her but-"

Riddhima turned. "Armaan we have to stop-"

But Armaan was not standing there anymore. She turned back to sid. "We can't let her go. I can't lose her Sid… I.. I never meant for her to go…" she tugged at his shirt and he pulled her into his arms.

"I know sweetheart… I know…"

"Get her back Sid…" Riddhima said and Sid nodded, patting her back in comfort and hoping that Armaan reaches on time.

--

He raced to his car. He knew exactly where to find her.

So, that's it!! Tell me how it was :) Silent readers do hit the like button!

Ciao,

Vanshika