Stand by my side
Armaan entered the house to find it empty. He went to Riddhima's room and saw that she had switched off all the lights except for the bedside lamp and was sitting on the bed with a newspaper, scratching her head with a pen. She was so engrossed in the paper that she didn't realize that Armaan had entered the room. Not wanting to waste such a golden opportunity, Armaan bent down and screamed at the top of his voice into her ear startling her and making her shriek while he fell down on the bed laughing loudly.
"Armaan!!!!!!!!!!!! It's Not funny!"
" Hahaha basket! It is....God, this is like the hundredth time I've done it and you still shriek like there's a fire in the house! Hahaha"
She threw a big pillow at him with all her strength but he swiftly caught hold of it in his left arm and placed it under his head and lay down, infuriating her even more.
" Basket kya kar rahi ho?" He snatched the newspaper from her lap and found that she had been attempting the sudoku.
"Sudoku? Abhi? Aren't you going to get ready? It's already six, you know?"
Riddhima snatched the paper back from him and got back to her sudoku.
"I'm not going."
"What? Why?" Armaan asked wondering what went wrong. Just yesterday she spent half an hour telling him that she was going to wear her mom's wedding saree.
"Kuch nahi. Mood nahi hai."
"Fine. Then even I won't go. Let's watch a movie or something."
"No, Armaan you go, it's the intern's farewell party in Sanjeevni and they will feel bad if you don't go. You don't have to stay here for me."
"I'm not going if your not coming with me. And they will miss you too."
"Armaan please tum jao na?"
"No way. Is one hour up?" he asked.
She nodded her head and he started unbuckling her calipers. He gently removed the calipers from both her legs and put them away in the bottom shelf of her cupboard. She had to wear them for an hour twice everyday. Since she was a child Riddhima had been suffering from Becker's muscular dystrophy because of which she could not walk properly. Her muscles were wasted due to which they were too weak to support her weight. But she had never let this illness get the better of her and had achieved her dream of being a successful doctor in Sanjeevani.
"Armaan, please go for the party." She held him by the arm.
"Ridzi, tum bhi aao na, please." He sat down next to her with his puppy dog eyes.
"No, Armaan I can't come." She looked down, to hide her face from him because he would know how upset she was in an instant when he looked into her eyes.
He cupped her face in his hands "But, tell me why atleast?"
Riddhima turned away from him. "Ma has an emergency to attend to in Sanjeevani, papa is going there directly and Rahul bhaiyya is already at the venue setting everything up'. So'.so I can't wear the sari."
"Itni choti si baat? Why don't you wear something else? What about that green skirt of yours?" Armaan tried to convince her to wear something else but she had her heart set on her mom's wedding sari. He knew that she had been excited about this farewell party for a long time and he did not want her to sit at home alone, and cry her eyes out. He could not even think of going without her. Deciding that he was going to make this possible somehow, he went to her cupboard and took out the sari.
"Chalo, I'll help you." He told her with a serious look on his face.
"Armaan, tum?" Riddhima asked him. It was not that she did not trust him, he was the only one she trusted more than her life, apart from her family. But, nevertheless, Riddhima was a shy young girl and she had her insecurities. Armaan let out a deep breath not knowing what to say to her. But words were not needed because when Riddhima looked up at his face she saw a guy in front of whom she could be herself, who rid her of all her fears, who had been with her for years together and would not hurt her even in his dreams. Trusting him blindly she put her arms up.
Armaan gave a small reassuring smile and lifted her up in his arms and placed her on the wheelchair, giving her the blouse and the petticoat and pushing her into the bathroom to change. As Armaan closed the door after her, he felt more satisfied than ever before. Today, she had given him the best gift ever'.her trust. He knew Riddhima was a very shy girl and today by placing her trust in him, she had unconsciously reassured Armaan that she loved him too.
She pushed the door with her foot and wheeled herself out. "Armaan" she called.
He turned around and she found him standing there with his eyes tightly shut. She smiled to herself at his adorable way of making this easier for her. She went near him and feeling her arms, he picked her up making her stand. As always Riddhima put her complete weight on him and he held her tight, his arms encircling around her waist. She clasped her hands behind his neck and balanced herself on him.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Hmm." She murmured. "Now just tell me what to do." He told her picking up the sari.
" Take the end which has a fall and tuck it here." As Armaan's cold fingers touched her waist Riddhima felt herself shiver at his touch. They had never been this close together and she felt oddly vulnerable to him. Goosebumps erupted on her skin and she was glad he could not see the uncontrollable blush on her face. Armaan was working blind and her skin felt soft as satin under his touch. He could hear her gasp as he tucked in the pleats, making him want to bring her closer to himself but instead he quickly did whatever she told him to and lifted her and seated her on the stool in front of her dressing table.
He opened his eyes and saw Riddhima looking heavenly in a light pink saree with her long black hair flowing down her back. She was putting on her earrings in a frenzy, trying to ignore the tingling sensations all over her body.
"Basket, bohat soni lag rahi ho. Sirf ek cheez ki kami hai."
"Kya?"
He took out a beautiful antique maang tikka from his pocket and fixed it in her hair.
He pushed a few strands of her hair out of her face and said, "There, now its perfect."
"Yeh kya? Kiska hai, Armaan?"
"Sister Lovely ki hai, par tum pe zyaada achi lage gi issliye mein utha laya.Making a face' Tumhare liye gift hai stupid!" He lightly rapped her forehead and left her there smiling, going to his house to change himself.
He came back and said, "Lets go" putting his arms around her to lift her up into her wheelchair. As he swung her into his arms she said,
"Armaan?"
"Hmm'"
"Can we please not take the wheelchair today?" she asked him softly, knowing he would say no. He looked at her for a moment and smiled and said, " Okay, but promise me one thing. You'll stay right next to me the whole night, okay?" She gave him a wide sparkling smile and a vigorous nod and he walked out with her in his arms and put her in the car gently.
It was always like this. Armaan could never refuse her anything right from their childhood. That look in her eyes would just melt his heart and he always pampered her more than anyone else. He had realized a long time ago that he was in love with Riddhima but was scared to tell her anything. What if she was hurt? What if she did not feel the same way about him? What if she only thought of him as a friend? As he drove, their past flashed through his mind'..their childhood games, studying late into the night with her, him writing exams for her, basketball matches on wheelchairs, getting into medical college and then internship at Sanjeevani'.. He could not imagine life without her anymore. He knew that even if she did feel something for him, she would never come out and voice it to him.
Next to him similar thoughts were running through Riddhima's mind. As they grew up, Riddhima found herself responding differently to Armaan and however hard she tried, these feelings just would not go away'. She would blush at his compliments and shiver at his touch for no reason. Off late she was more than aware of his handsome features and sometimes she would even dream about him or imagine him dancing with her to some film song. But, deep inside her heart she knew that these feelings were useless and he deserved a normal, hassle free life and so she always tried to push these thoughts out of her mind.
They reached the venue and everyone complimented Riddhima, telling her how gorgeous she looked. Shashank gave them a worried look on seeing Riddhima entering in Armaan's arms without her wheelchair, but Armaan reassured him that he would not leave her side. Rahul came and met them both and when out of earshot, told Armaan'.
"Aaj Ridzi ko bata deh."
"No. I want to wait for the right time." Rahul was the only guy who knew about Armaan's love for Riddhima and though he was against the idea initially he reconciled to it after he realized that his sister loved Armaan too but would never tell him.
"Armaan, there is no right time for these things. And if your postponing this thinking she might say no, I can assure you she will deny it even if you ask her 20 years from today. Just tell her tonight. She will refuse but if you really love her, then you've got to convince her yourself." He shrugged and left to go find Muskaan, his chatterbox girlfriend.
As the beachside party went on slowly the senior doctors left and the intern couples began coming onto the dance floor. Armaan saw Riddhima sitting on her chair and gazing wistfully at the couples on the dance floor. He knew she had always enjoyed dancing and she was craving to be on that dance floor but she would never say it.
Armaan held his hand out to her'. " Riddhima, do you want to dance?"
Her green eyes went wide. " Armaan, I'.I can't" she whispered.
He smiled at her. " Of course you can!"
"No Armaan, leave it I don't want to create a scene here, let them all enjoy." Riddhima lightly closed her palm on his to tell him that she was okay. But Armaan took her hand and placed it on her shoulder and picked her up in his arms, carrying her to the wooden dance floor by the beach. He gently put her down so that she was standing on his feet. He slowly balanced her weight and she put all her weight on his body, leaning onto him. The music changed and they started swaying slowly in tune with this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLxTEV5vpyg
If I had to live my life without you near me
The days would all be empty
The nights would seem so long
With you I see forever oh so clearly
I might have been in love before
But it never felt this strong
Our dreams are young and we both know
They'll take us where we want to go
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you
The moonlight was dancing on her angelic face, highlighting her beautiful features and innocent eyes. As Armaan saw a light blush creeping up her cheeks he thought about how the song was perfect for them. Holding her this close to himself gave him an unearthly sense of peace and happiness which he had never felt before.
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing's gonna change my love for you
Riddhima looked at Armaan's keen eyes gazing at her, creating little flutters in her stomach. She thought of how he knew she wanted to dance and how he always looked out for her. He always knew what was in her heart though she never told him. Deep inside her heart she yearned to have the assurance that he would stand by her side throughout her life'.and be there for her. Her eyes welled up with sudden tears as she confronted the possibility of him walking away from her life.
If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead a way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are
So come with me and share the view
I'll help you see forever too
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you
Unconsciously she leaned a little more into him, merging there bodies as one, seeking the warmth of his arms. He saw the tears in her eyes and knew that she was thinking about them too. A sudden rush of emotions overwhelmed the two of them and on an impulse Armaan picked her up and carried her to a secluded corner of the beach.
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing's gonna change my love for you
As he made her stand he felt her small, shaky feet on his own, and steadied her, bringing her so close to himself that their lips almost touched.
"Riddhima, I love You." He whispered to her. At first she didn't respond to him as though she was hearing it in her dreams. "I love you, basket!" he told her again.
With a jolt she jerked away from him. "What???"
"I said I love you baby. I've loved you for ages, ever since we were'"
She pushed him away and losing her balance fell down on the sand, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Armaan, please go away."
"Riddhima," He sat down beside her.
"ARMAAN! I SAID GO AWAY!!!!!!!!" She pushed him hard but he hardly budged. Instead he came closer to her and arranged her legs properly. Then he tipped her chin up and asked her'.
"Riddhima, just look into my eyes and tell me once, that you don't love me and I promise I'll go away." He waited earnestly for her answer.
She looked up at him her green eyes clouded with tears. "No."
"Your lying" he said. "I know it. Your lying." He told her.
"Armaan please. Go find yourself someone else." She looked away.
He turned her towards himself roughly and in a harsh tone said, " Do you take this whole thing as a joke??? For heavens sake I just told you I love you and your saying go find someone else????"
"Armaan, we cannot be together! I cannot ruin your life!!!! You deserve a normal happy life Armaan, not a problematic and depressing burden for the rest of your life!"
"Are you mad??? First of all I'll kill you the next time you say that'.Riddhima, I can't imagine life without you! I can't even dream of spending the rest of my life with anyone other than you."
"Armaan try and understand! I'm not normal , I'm DISABLED!!!!! Don't you get it???? I will spend my whole life on a wheelchair!!!! You'll have to deal with my problems day and night! I cannot do anything a wife does!!!!! You will just have to spend day after day facing my mood swings and my depression'.you cannot take me anywhere! I am an embarrassment for you!
Her words brought tears to his eyes. He just cupped her face in his hands and joined their lips in a long loving kiss.
"Armaan'"
"Ssh! Now you listen to me. I want to be with you throughout my life, come what may. I want to start everyday seeing you smile, and I want to end it kissing you goodnight. I cannot get through my day without you, Riddhima, I cannot live my life without you! I need you to be with me every single moment! I want to be with you because I know you love me from the bottom of your heart. Riddhima, please! I'll die without you!"
"Armaan its easy to say not to do! It's not possible to live with me!!!! I spill my food, I can't write properly, I can't change my clothes, I fall down all the time, I wet my bed, I'm always on medication, I can't even go to the loo on my own!!!"
"You think I don't know that??? I have spent the last 25 years of my life with you!!!!You think I don't know what Becker's muscular dystrophy means???? Riddhima, I love you! Don't you get that? I LOVE YOU!!!! I want you!!!! I want to be with you because I love you! I need to be with you! I don't care if you wet the bed! I don't care if you spill food, and I don't care if your on a wheelchair!!!!
I love you and I want to be there for you always, through anything and everything!
"Armaan your just saying all this out of sympathy'.."
"Riddhima, NO!!!!! Have I ever sympathized with you? Never! I hate it whenever you say these things. I know you better than yourself, Riddhima! And don't you think I know how to handle all this?? Who's stopped you from commiting suicide a million times? Who's pulled you out of depression? Who makes sure you take your medicines in Sanjeevani, who takes of your calipers every single day? Riddhima, please honey I know you love me too'."
She hugged him tight and cried her heart out while he soothed her, gently rubbing her back. She cried for a long time letting out all her pent up emotions. Eventhough she told him every reason she could think of for him to back off, he just would not. And how long could she live in denial? How long could she lie to herself? She knew that she loved him more than anyone else in the world, and would die a hundred deaths if he wasn't around even for a moment. She knew she could trust him with her life because he would love her and be there with her forever. He was the only one who always understood her deepest desires and her unsaid emotions. Saying no would shatter her heart and leave him heartbroken too. Saying yes to him would bring a hundred problems but also unbounded joy and happiness.
After sometime Armaan laid her down on the sand and lay beside her himself, listening to the waves lash on the shore and staring at the stars twinkling above them. She placed her head on his outstretched arms and said,
"Armaan we have to ask ma and papa," she told him seriously.
"They already said yes." He told her'.
"Armaan, are you sure about this? Will you stand by my side forever?"
"I promise. Because I love you basket." He brought her closer and kissed her lovingly.
With tears in her eyes, she whispered, "I love you, Armaan."
5 YEARS LATER
Being married to Armaan had made Riddhima a complete woman. She was a stronger person at heart and more cheerful by nature. Now, she no longer pitied herself. Together they would find a solution to every problem, face every challenge and overcome every difficulty. He made her realize that there was a way around every problem, that impossible is I am possible. Since they could not risk passing on the disease to a child, they adopted a beautiful and bubbly little child, Rushali. Riddhima was in complete control of her household and lived a wholesome family life, that every woman deserved. Armaan scaled new heights with Riddhima by his side and seeing her take care of their family and live a next to normal life made him more content than anything else. Together, they enjoyed their life, standing by each other's side.
Hi everyone!!!!!!!
These days its like one shot season on india forums!!!!
i've read some brilliant AR one shots off late.....and here i am with one of my own!!!
hope you guys will enjoy reading it.....please do listen to the song too!
i know you kinda feel like murdering me for writing a one shot rather than updating my other fics....
so pleaaaaaaaaaassssseeeeeeeeeeeeee leave your comments!
love
sumedha
p.s: i'm sorry for any mistakes, i have only read about the disease on the net!
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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