Hey everyone my name is Nyla and after being a silent reader of the fantastic ff's finally plucked up the courage to post my own. This is part one but I will start the ff properly after Christmas and the New Year. Ok so here I go'..
Part 1
"Come on, come on u can't die, I wont let u die" bellowed Armaan Malik as he desperately tried to revive his obviously dead patient.
"Dr Malik its no use, we have done everything there is to do. He has gone," stated the nurse gently as she knew Armaan hated to lose any of his patients.
"Fine," Armaan finally gave up realising she was right. "Time of death 21:39. Where are his family I need to tell them," he asked wearily as his head felt like it would explode from being overworked without any rest.
"Actually Dr I think that is a bad decision. You have been working non stop for the last fourteen hours and need to take a break. Somebody else can tell her."
"No. You should know by now nurse Thompson, that I always tell the family of my patients. As he was my patient I tell his family. And never tell me what I should and should not do, ever again," said Armaan in his authoritative voice whilst giving the nurse one of his hard stares.
"Okay whatever you say." The nurse knew not to fight with him, especially after he had just lost one of his patients, something that did not happen commonly with Dr Malik since he was known for his sharp mind and quick thinking, even at his young age. "She is in waiting room number 2".
"Just she?" asked Armaan whilst looking out the window at some more patients, who had just come in.
"Yes. It's just her. He was all she had." Armaan felt a pang of grief for the unknown woman.
As he walked out of the operating theatre sorrow took over every part of him. As much as he loved his job, he hated losing patients, more than any other thing. It made him feel helpless and as though he was not fit to be a doctor. Something Armaan hated to feel. Moreover it meant having to tell families that their loved one had passed away. Although he insisted he done this job himself, so the family could ask any questions and because he felt it was his duty as the doctor it was something he detested to do. He looked around the busy ER and saw the victims of the massive pile up on the m6 (a big motorway in the UK). 12 cars had been involved and already 3 people had lost their lives, including an innocent little baby. Even though Armaan knew none of these patients on a personal level, he felt pain and misery every time someone got hurt or worse died. That was his reason for becoming a doctor in the first place, to try and stop people from suffering the grief of losing a loved one. Ever since Armaan had lost his Bi, he strived to try and save others from the pain. Of course sometimes it could not be done and the patients died, making Armaan feel at his lowest, and refreshing the memories of the horrid day she had left the world, and him, alone. Finally Armaan reached his destination of waiting room 2.
As soon as he looked inside the room his heart skipped a beat as he saw the anxious young woman pacing up and down whilst biting her fingers. There was something about her that just radiated elegance and beauty. Armaan stared at her in awe. He examined her flawless fair skin, her jet black shiny hair that was layered and came up to her shoulders. He stared at her distinctive nose and her beautiful, luscious naturally red lips. Finally his gaze rested on her big, stunning dark green eyes outlined in kohl. As he looked into them he felt as though he had done so before. Minutes felt like seconds as Armaan stood their staring at the unknown beauty before his eyes. Never had he been this taken with any woman before. Finally it registered in his mind that this was Ridhima. Ridhima Gupta'the girl who had lived on his street when they were both teenagers and in India. She had definitely matured but had not lost that look of pure innocence and if anything had only grown up to be more beautiful.
"Urm excuse me. Are you the doctor that was with my father? Shashank Gupta?" her soft voice woke Armaan from his trance like state.
"Actually urm yes, yes I am. Please take a seat," said Armaan as he walked into the cosy room and put his hand out towards one of the many big armchairs. He didn't know why but didn't mention that he recognised her from India.
"I'm ok. Please just tell me how my father is." It was a simple statement from a worried daughter. Armaan felt his heart melt as he realised that he would have to tell her that her father was gone. He had left her, just like Bi had left him.
"I'm sorry to break the news but your father did not survive." Armaan paused and let it sink in. He knew what he said was not the best way of phrasing her father's death, but he was always rubbish at this sort of thing and anyway nothing would take away the shock and pain. Finally he continued, "The impact of the car was just too great on his head. His brain was deprived of oxygen for too long and I'm afraid we couldn't save him. Our best efforts were all in vain."
The woman just stared at him with a blank expression. She could not believe that her father had past away. She would not believe it. "You're' you're lying. Lying!"
"I know it's a lot to take in, It is only natural that you don't want to believe it but I assure you no mistakes have been made."
Finally the enormity of his words sunk in. She felt as though a ton of bricks had just fallen on top of her but didn't know how she would ever get up again. Her knees gave way as she dropped to the floor, shoulders shaking vigorously as she started crying. Armaan was surprised at the sudden movement and stood there, not knowing what to do next. He had been in this situation many a time before but still had not learnt how to deal with grieving families. However after a few seconds, somehow he knew what to do and as though it was a reflex action Armaan sat on the floor next to Ridhima and put his strong arms around her. Without realising she flung her own arms around his neck tightly and sobbed even harder into his neck. Armaan felt his own eyes watering. All he felt like doing was taking her pain away and putting a smile on her radiant face. Armaan wondered how she would look when she smiled'he remembered back and the image of her radiant smile that went up to her eyes flashed in his head. She looked Beautiful, no doubt. The two sat on the dingy floor in a tight embrace, but somehow it felt right and neither had felt safer throughout their whole life. Suddenly Armaan's pager beeped. Ridhima immediately moved back and stared at Armaan with shock written all over her tear stained face. "Oh my god, I am so sorry I don't know what came over me. It's just that'"
"It is alright don't be sorry; after all I hugged you first." There was a short awkward pause, which was finally broken by Armaan. "Urm, I need to go there's an emergency."
"Of course", was the only thing she managed to say.
Armaan left the room, thinking how he had just hugged her like that. It was something he had never done in a long time. The death of his Bi had not left him emotionless but it certainly created a glass wall in front of him that he let no one pass, worrying that any person he got close to just left him. And yet when he saw her crying, grieving for her father it was as though he, himself shattered the glass and let her near whilst he comforted her. "It's only because I know what she is going through." Armaan dismissed it and continued working his way through the large list of patients to see.
Meanwhile, Ridhima had no time for such thoughts. She was still sat on the floor crying violently, for the father she had just lost.
It was just past midnight and finally time for Armaan to head home. His strong muscular body was craving food whilst his sore, red eyes wanted nothing but sleep. He dragged his feet towards the doors of the hospital when he turned around on hearing his name. It was Ridhima.
"Urm hi Armaan, I just wanted to thank you. The nurse told me how hard you tried to save papa. I just wanted you to know I am grateful." She turned around to leave when Armaan called back.
"My pleasure'and my job. So you remember my name then" He smiled and for some unknown reason she smiled back. They didn't need to mention it further, they both knew they each remembered the times when they had lived so near. "Actually, I am just on my way home. You've been here all this time'need a lift?" Armaan's quick brain did not betray him, even in his exhausted state.
"Oh urm no it's ok, I'll take a cab."
"Come on, I won't take no for an answer. Its late you can't go on your own anyway." Armaan was surprised at his own response. He had never before gone out of his way like this for anyone. Yet with her it didn't need a second thought. Ridhima hesitated but on seeing the kindness in his bright, blue eyes agreed.
Only once in the car did Ridhima remember she had no home. She had come to the UK with her papa wanting to build a new life with him'a new life away from the evil Padma. The first few nights they had planned to stay at a hotel until they found a home. Little did they know that the first night itself would be the last for Shashank and Ridhima would have to find her own way. It was a scary thought. Ridhima didn't know how she would get over the death of her father let alone build a life for herself'and that too in a foreign country.
"So, which way is your home?" Armaan's question distracted her from her chain of thoughts.
"oh'urm'uh" Ridhima didn't know what to say. She knew not of any hotel names she could tell him and yet something was stopping her from telling the true fact that she had no place to go. No family, no friends.
"Ok. I'm guessing your oh's and urm's mean you have no home right?" once again Armaan's quick mind did not fail him. There was silence as Ridhima contemplated on an answer. She did not want Armaan to think she was stupid yet had absolutely no idea as to why she had nothing to say.
"Ok, I'm taking you to my place. You can stay there for as long as you need. Plus I think it would be good for you to have some company after what just'"
"No way. I could never ask that of you. You are doing enough already by dropping me in your own car."Ridhima was touched by Armaan's gesture but now way did she feel that she could accept it.
"Look Ridhima stop being stubborn'I'm taking you to mine and that's that. It would be better for you to live with people instead of on your own. Plus I'll introduce you to my best mate Anjali who also happens to live with me. This is just until you find your way." Armaan turned to look at her and smiled. He didn't really know what was pushing him to go out of his way to help her but for some reason he felt he had to. The fact that she had just lost her father was Armaan's way of justifying it all in his head but deep down he knew it was something else.
The car ride was in a welcoming silence as the both of them were lost in their own thoughts. Ridhima was cursing herself for not being hurt whilst papa had taken most pain, but deep down she knew it was not her fault and she wasn't the type to blame herself needlessly. On the other hand Armaan was wondering how Anjali would take the news of Ridhima coming to stay. He just hoped that she would realise Ridhima needed their help.
Ok so that's part 1 please tell me what you think'any comments/suggestions are all welcome. As I said I will start properly next year' probably on the 4th of Jan when everything's done'to be precise lol. If you would like me to PM you just mention in your comment'thanks.
Lots of love
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
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