29th Aug SR & ArShi OS: Circle of Life - Page 9

Shilpa was sitting by the window of her room , her hair flying across her face and her eyes still brimming with tears. She couldn't get Riddhima's words and lashings out of her head. Did Riddhima really think that low of her ? Did she actually hate her and distrust her enough to think that she was having a scene with Sid? With Sid? And as Shilpa raised her hand to wipe a tear rolling down her cheek, before her hand could reach her eye , a warm hand came and gently wiped it off her cheekbone. Shilpa touched the hand on her cheek and looked up slowly. The protective hand belonged to the man who had been with her throughout last night , just being with her , not knowing how to comfort her but trying to make her feel better. Armaan. Armaan was standing over her head holding a mug of coffee.

Armaan ( coolly sitting by her side)- Crying again? 'I have never understood this. Are you girls born with special water bags in your glands?... No matter how much you cry , tears never dry up.

Shilpa (smiles and shakes her head )- Dr.Armaan.... is this what you are going to teach me during my internship?

Armaan ( taking her hand and putting the coffee mug in her hand and tightening her fingers around it)- That way , you'll never become a doctor.

Shilpa (looking out of the window)- Maybe I'll never become a doctor here'.(sadly)' I had always thought that I can handle this but now, I feel I am fighting a lost battle. Since the day I have come, everything has been going wrong.

Armaan takes a deep breath and comes on his knees. He takes Shilpa's hands in his hands and she becomes conscious of his touch as he warmly clasps her hands. He looks up at her with the most reassuring smile on his face.

Armaan ( wisely)- Look Shilpa. I don't know why you came to Sanjivani or what exactly is your reason to be here. I don't know why you get hurt , why you cry or what battles you fight inside. But what I do know is that you are wonderful girl , an able doctor and an absolute sweetheart.

Shilpa (innocently tilting her head)- Sweetheart?

Armaan ( blinks his eyes for a second or two)- Yes!....Armaan's intern has to be exactly like him. And you are like me'Gorgeous and a sweetheart. Did I say something wrong?

Shilpa smiles softly and shakes her head.

Armaan( smiles brightly)- See! That's my sweetheart'..( a tad serious)' I have been saying this throughout the night and am saying it again. I trust you, I trust Sid and I know there is no way you both can do anything wrong.

Shilpa- But Dr. Riddhima doesn't think so'. She was so hurt' I tried explaining'

Armaan ( sitting beside her)- Leave that to Sid. You tried explaining , Riddhima did not listen. Full stop. And I don't want to see you becoming a twin Riddhima and crying all over the corridors and pillars of Sanjivani.

Shilpa looks at him and Armaan , his face melting into a soft grin pats her head , putting her hair behind her shoulder.

Armaan ' Get up, take a bath , get ready and we are going to Sanjivani'.(shows her his wrist watch) 'Dr.Shilpa Malhotra. You are assisting me in two surgeries today, if you remember. Get going.

Shilpa ( nods )- Yes, Dr.Armaan.

Armaan winks at her and softly thumping her back gets up.

Armaan ( reaching the door)- And Shilpa, if you are going to let a few cross words break your heart' then, you are not the girl I thought you were. Don't you ever forget what you told me'. I AM STRONGER.

Shilpa just looks at him go out of the door and then , a soft smile brightens up her face as she looks at the coffee mug in his hands.

Shilpa ( tenderly)- Sweetheart'.

It was 6.00 am and Sid was in the kitchen, humming to himself as the tea boiled. He was looking at the staircase again and again. Riddhima should be up and about now. She was supposed to reach Sanjivani by 7am today.

Sid ( pouring tea)- Should I go up and see?.....(shakes his head)… forget it. She'll start behaving like a roadrunner the moment she sees me and her questions….(looks at his cellphone)… maybe I should check upon Shilpa.

He is about to pick up his cellphone when he sees Riddhima come down stairs. She is ready. Her eyes look swollen – either she has been crying throughout the night or else she hasn't slept at all. Sid looks at her and she just looks at him with a glum face and sits down on the dining table. Sid brings breakfast and gently puts the tray on the table. He puts his hand on her head and she looks up at him.

Sid ( calmly )- Are you unwell?

Riddhima shakes her head and bending down her head, draws her tea cup closer. Sid draws away his hand and sits next to her , spreading out the newspaper and reading it. But he is not reading it , really. His eyes keep darting to Riddhima who is stirring her tea endlessly. Sid doesn't say anything and pretends to be interested in his newspaper , his coffee and his walnut cookies.

Riddhima ( image of Sid hugging Shilpa plaguing her mind)- Maybe I should have listened to what Shilpa was trying to say….Sid is my husband…(looks at him)… he loves me and only me. …I hope he does. ..(thinks back)….and wasn't Shilpa crying when I saw her in Sid's arms…maybe she was upset.

Sid ( to himself )- Unless you tell me, how will I know what you are going through…. WORD IT, RIDDHIMA. WORD IT.

Riddhima (clears her throat)- Sid…

Sid ( looks at her )- What?

Riddhima ( not meeting his eyes)- Look… I.. I am not sorry, really….( Sid's eyebrows narrow)… but I think … I think I should speak to Shilpa.

Sid ( folding the paper)- Decide first… speak or scream?

Riddhima ( jaw tightens )- Don't RUB it in! I will not scream at her. Do you think am that mad?

Sid ( rolls his eyes )- Let me think……YES.

Riddhima (gets up)- Why don't you just admit it, Sid? You have a soft spot for that girl.

Sid ( nods )- I don't have any issues in admitting that. Yes, I have a soft spot for her and it is absolutely normal. You are my wife , she is my friend and lines get drawn there itself. Your reaction to the whole scenario is immature , impulsive and …. ( gets up)…. JEALOUS.

Riddhima is stunned to hear the word 'jealous ' as Sid looks at her straight in the eye from across the dining table.

Riddhima ( defensively)- Jealous? I am jealous? What makes you think that? Why should I be jealous?

Sid shrugs his shoulders.

Sid ( cockily )- How do I know? I am just GUESSING that you are jealous. If not , then, explain your behaviour to me.

Riddhima bangs the mug down and goes charging at Sid. Sid is clearing the table and she snatches the tray from him and puts it back on the table.

Riddhima ( perturbed )- I am NOT JEALOUS.

Sid thinks for a second and gives a careless nod.

Sid – Okay.

Riddhima ( very unsettled )- You are not taking me seriously. I am telling you I am not jealous.

Sid ( nods again)- I believe you. Happy?

Riddhima (holds him by his collar )- You don't believe me!

Sid ( looking at her hands on his collar)- I do.

Sid slowly takes away her hands from his collar and holds them as they are shivering. He clasps them and looks at Riddhima with a deep expression in his eyes.

Sid (softly )- I believe you when you say you are not jealous…. ( looks at her fingers)… but that is not the point.

Riddhima ( immediately )- Then, what is?

Sid (looking at her searchingly )- Do you believe yourself?

Riddhima is stunned.

wow....dat was a faulous update...it was worth de wait!!!!!!!!.....