PART 31:
4.30 PM AT SURGICAL CENTER:
Armaan packed his bag and shut off his computer, checked his watch and got up from his seat to leave. He could not wait to get home to his 'dulhan.' He felt bad about leaving in such a rush that morning, "Riddhima, I will really make it up to you this evening…..I am dying to see you jaan," he said to himself. He was about to call Riddhima from his mobile, when Dr Modi entered his cabin, "Hey Armaan…..I need to talk to you!" Dr Modi looked very excited.
Armaan hung up, "yes sir….boliye"
"Armaan….jaante ho US ki ek team hum logon ko kuch latest burn management techniques ke baare mein demonstration dena chaah rahi thi…they are in Mumbai this evening and I have asked them to be here in half an hour…..so let's get ready to receive them…..we can't let go of this opportunity. Dr Parker is a world renowned Plastic surgeon and he is leaving for Malaysia early tomorrow….his time is very valuable…..make sure you get our conference room ready and notify Dr Tripathi and Dr Gupta also….I don't want a crowd there, so the four of us should suffice."
"B…but sir!" Armaan interrupted
"But what Armaan? If you have any cases scheduled, just cancel them! This is too important for us and I really want you to be there as you are the future of our center….tum se mujhey bahut umeedein hain," Dilip Modi smiled and patted Anagd's back, "in fact next week board meeting mein main tumhara naam recommend karna chahta hoon…..I would like to shorten your training period to 6 months and hire you as a full time staff right away! You are a bright star in our horizon…..we are proud to have you here!" He nodded his head and left Armaan to prepare for the visitors.
Armaan was speechless; what was he to do? Give up once in a lifetime opportunity or not spend his first wedding anniversary with his beloved wife?
He was in a quandary. He sat down and buried his head in his hands. He decided to call Riddhima, "Hello Riddhima? Haan jaan….ek emergency aa gayi hai….main 1-2 ghante mein aa jaaoonga….please don't mind…….you are so nice Riddhima…..main jaanta tha tum samajh jaaogi…..we will go out for a nice romantic dinner….just the two of us…promise…bye!"
Armaan hung up the phone and sighed, "thanks Riddhima! I am the luckiest guy in this world." He got up and got down to his assigned job.
Riddhima hung up, a little disappointed. She put her memory box away and stood at the window. She watched the Mumbai traffic go back and forth, 'yahan sab itni jaldi mein hain…shayad kisi ke paas rukne ka time bhi nahin hai….kahin Armaan bhi tho is bheedh mein kahin kho tho nahin raha?"
The doorbell rang.
She was surprised, 'is waqt kaun hoga? Ho sakta Muskaan ho," Riddhima was happy at the thought of Muskaan visiting her. Muskaan and Riddhima had become really close lately. Muskaan seemed so different from all the other big city doctors she had met. Muskaan was so down to earth, compassionate, and most of all had no airs about being such a successful professional.
"Happy Anniversary!" It was Abhimanyu with a bunch of red roses.
"Oh Abhimanyu aap? Aap ko kaise pata ki hamari anniversary hai aaj?" Riddhima welcomed Abhimanyu into the apartment, "nice flowers!"
"I am sure they are not better than what Armaan must have gotten you." Abhimanyu smiled, but surveyed the room to look for another arrangement of flowers.
"Yeh tho aap ne sach kaha Abhimanyu! Armaan jaise phool mujhey koi nahin de sakta," Riddhima defended her husband and thought of all the wilted flowers, he had presented to her so far.
"May I?" Abhimanyu gestured to sit down. He could not take his eyes off Riddhima, 'you look like a bride tonight….Armaan ka kya haal hoga bechaare ka?"
Riddhima just blushed and thanked him.
"Please…." Riddhima politely offered for him to take a seat
"Tho Armaan aaj late aayega kya?"
"Haan…ek emergency aa gayi hai…..thodi der mein aata hoga, aap kuch peeyenge?"
"No thanks….mujhey abhi Anjali Rai ki nayi movie ke premier mein jaana hai….tum log nahin jaa rahe?"
"Hum? Nahin….hum unhey itni achhi tarah nahin jaante, theater mein hi dekh lenge unki movie," Riddhima replied
"Oh really? I thought Armaan was good friends with Anjali…..I see them together often." Abhimanyu added and waited for her response.
Riddhima was a little taken aback, but composed herself, "Wo Armaan ne unki surgery ki thi na…shayad usi silsilay mein dekha hoga aapne."
Abhimanyu just twisted his lips, "well, I hope you are right…..main aaj kal Anjali ke yahan kaafi aata jaata rehta hoon…you know for the recording, I often see Armaan there…..that is why I was thinking they must be good friends"
Riddhima almost skipped a heartbeat; she felt a heavy sensation in her chest, "main aapke liye paani tho le aati hoon," she got up and turned her face away. She did not want Abhimanyu to notice the little mist in her eyes.
She walked into the kitchen and poured 2 glasses of water, "nahin aisa kuch bhi nahin hai….main kyon shak kar rahi hoon….Armaan apne kaam se hi jaata hoga….Armaan ke baare mein galat sochna mere liye paap hai….mera Armaan kabhie mujhsey kuch nahin chupaayega." She shut her eyes, took a deep breath and went back to the living room with the glasses of water.
Abhimanyu took the glass of water and sat around for an hour or so. He tried to talk Riddhima into joining his group again, but as usual she refused.
Finally, he took leave around 6.30pm, "OK Riddhima….have a great time tonight!"
Riddhima waited for Armaan all evening. She dozed off on the sofa while waiting.
The American surgeons arrived around 6 pm and their demonstration took about 3 hours or so. After seeing the visitors off, Armaan checked his watch, 'Oh God! 9 baj gaye…I need to go."
"Armaan! Kahan jaa rahe ho?" Dilip Modi asked him
"Sir ghar jaa raha tha."
"OH OK…..actually my driver will drop you…..come with me….i need to talk to you about tomorrow's case…..we can chat in the car."
"Sir…mera ghar tho bahut paas hai….i don't need a ride."
"Jaanta hoon…..but I really have to brief you on this case tonight as this is a complicated case….chalo it will only be a 20 minute detour….let's go!" Dr Modi insisted.
Armaan reluctantly agreed. He decided to call Riddhima on their way to the car. Riddhima's phone was in her bedroom; she did not hear the ring, as she was half asleep on the couch.
Armaan hung up in frustration, "phone kyon nahin utha rahi?"
Dr Modi and Armaan discussed their case in the car as they finally arrived at the 'majestic theater'
"Aao Armaan…tum bhi chalo….aaj yahan Anjali ke film ka premier hai…wo tho miss ho gaya…par after premier party ho rahi hogi….come have a drink with me." Dilip insisted.
"Nahin sir! Actually, I need to be home ….it is my first wedding anniversary." Armaan finally mustered some courage to tell the truth.
"OH is that right? Pehle bataana chaahiye tha tumhey! OK….my driver will drop you back," Dr Modi said.
"Hey Armaan!" Abhimanyu came out of the theater to receive his dad, "happy anniversary yaar!"
"tujhey badha yaad raha!" Armaan was surprised
"Arre…aaj poori shaam Riddhima ke saath tha na….tabhi pata chala…." Abhimanyu said
"Oh really?" Armaan was surprised
"Haan bas abhi aaya hoon wahan se…tu tho emergency mein busy tha, tho socha main hi company de deta hoon Riddhima ko…..we had a great time……your wife is quite a conversationalist" Abhimanyu lied.
Armaan was taken aback a little, " that is true! She is quite a chatterbox!"
"tho shayad iss liye phone nahin suna mera….well at least she stayed busy," he reasoned with himself. "Thanks for keeping her company Abhimanyu! Chalo main chalta hoon," there was a sudden sense of urgency in Armaan's voice now. He was dying to get back home.
"Good night Armaan!" Dilip and Abhimanyu waved back
"Dad….ap kal kya kar rahe hain? I want you to come for our recording," Abhimanyu asked Dilip
"Nahin kal nahin beta….I have to play golf with Dr Parker and his team, after all they were nice enough to do their demonstration tonight instead of tomorrow, as was originally scheduled!" Dilip said as they walked to the theater.
Dilip Modi walked into the party and headed to meet Anjali. Anjali was the center of attraction at the party. She was surrounded by hoards of admirers. Dilip managed to squeeze his way through and whispered in her ear, "tumhara kaam ho gaya Anjali!"
"Thanks Dr Modi! Kal donation cheque pahunch jaayega aapke office mein….lekin abi sirf 10 baje hain!" Anjali spoke under her breath.
"Anjali….main sab intezaam karke aaya hoon….don't worry!" Dilip whispered back.
It was 10.30 pm by the time Armaan reached home. He entered the apartment; hung his keys and turned the lights on, "arre Riddhima…tum yahan so rahi ho?"
Armaan loosened his tie, put his bag down and knelt down beside the couch. Riddhima was fast asleep. She looked like an angel, decked as a bride. Her mehndi laden hands and feet enhanced her beauty. He touched her payal on her ankles and gently caressed her feet, 'sorry Riddhima,' he said softly.
Riddhima opened her eyes and got up, "Armaan? Kab aaye tum?"
Armaan sat down beside her and touched her face, "sorry jaan…..bahut der ho gayi…..mujhey chaahe jo punishment do wo kum hai."
Riddhima smiled and took his hand in hers, "emergency bataa kar thode hi aati hai…..koi baat nahin….hamari anniversary tho phir aa jaayegi."
Armaan cupped her face in his hands, "you are so understanding…..chalo let's grab some dinner somewhere."
Riddhima looked at the clock, "Armaan ghar par hi rehtey hain…itni raat ko kahan jaayenge?"
"Theek hai jaisa tum chaaho….main freshen up ho kar aata hoon….," Armaan got up and went to their bedroom
Riddhima had already cooked for them, just in case their dinner plans fell through.
She heated up the dinner, laid the table with candles. She turned the lights off and lit the candles.
"Wow! Romantic candle light dinner?" Armaan's eyes lit up as he walked into the dining room.
He grabbed Riddhima's wrist and pulled her over, "so jaan are you ready for the main course? Ab tho neend bhi poori kar lee tumney…..be ready to stay up all night!" he kissed her lips passionately.
"Armaan…..main tho tumhare liye har raat jaagney ko tayyar hoon…tum hukum tho do," she said romantically.
Armaan was about to kiss her again when he saw the bouquet of roses, "Oh…nice roses…..kaun laaya yeh?"
"Kyon tumhare sivaay mera aur koi admirer nahin ho sakta?" Riddhima chuckled.
Armaan felt a little stab in his heart, he tensed up a little and said, "actually red rose dene ka haq sirf mujhey hai….kaun laaya yeh?"
"Abhimanyu aaya tha shaam ko," Riddhima replied
"Oh…OK…," he said with a faint smile and kissed her again, "mmmm….god I missed you all day," he said as they sat down for dinner, "come sit in my lap," he pulled her on his lap.
Armaan started feeding her with his hands, "aaj tum yahin baith kar khaana khaaogi….aur sirf mere haathon se….samjhi?"
Riddhima circled her arms around his neck, "jo hukum doctor sahib!"
Just as they were enjoying their dinner together, Armaan's mobile went off.
Armaan was a little irritated, "Uffo….kiska phone hai?"
"Hello…this is Dr Malik! Yes nurse Mary….kya hua?"
Nurse: "Dr Malik 304 number patient ko bleeding ho rahi hai."
Armaan: "lekin sister, meri aaj duty nahin hai…please call Dr Mittal, he is on call…"
Nurse: "Sir, Dr Modi ke instructions the ki agar 304 ke saath koi bhi problem ho tho aap ko hi bulaaye."
Armaan: "No there is a mistake sister! Please call Dr Mittal, he is very capable of handling this!"
Nurse: "Sir….mujhey nahin pata….Dr Modi naaraaz ho jaayenge…..yahan chart par saaf saaf likha hai ki aapko hi bulaaya jaaye."
Armaan clenched his teeth and said, "Ok…I will be there!" He remembered what Dr Modi had said earlier that evening; there was no way he could disobey Dr Modi's wishes if he wanted the recommendation to the Board to go through.
Riddhima's color faded as she realized that Armaan had to go back, but as always, she was very patient and understanding, "jao Armaan…main tumhara intezaar kar loongi….I will be right here when you come back," she kissed his cheek and got up from his lap.
Armaan looked at her and got up, "Riddhima…I am so sorry…," Riddhima put her hand on his mouth, "jaldi jao….aur jaldi wapas aao…baaton mein time waste mat karo!"
Armaan smiled and kissed her, "Ok jaan…..jo hukum sarkar!"
PART 32:
Armaan got back around 3 in the morning after attending to various 'emergencies' at the center. He was surprised that none of the cases he was asked to see that night were not true 'emergencies.' They could have easily been attended to the next morning.
"Pata nahin Dr Modi ko itni urgency kyat hi aaj raat?" He thought as he walked back home, "well, who am I to question him? I have to do my duty."
He found Riddhima sitting at the dining table with her head down. She was fast asleep. The food was cold and untouched. The candles had melted into stubs of smoke by now.
Armaan felt really guilty; he lifted Riddhima in his arms and took her to the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and plunked next to her; he was exhausted after the long day. He grabbed Riddhima's hand; closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep.
Armaan and Riddhima spent their anniversary with unsatiated appetites, but held each other's hands all night, as if reminding each other that they still existed in each other's lives. Now it was up to them, whether they would continue to hold hands through the ups and downs of life, or let some unknown and vicious force drift their hands away from each other……
NEXT DAY:
Riddhima received a call from Abhimanyu.
"Hi Riddhima! How was your evening?"
"Oh, it was fine….how was the premier?" Riddhima asked
"It was great! I am sure Armaan would have told you….I met him there." Abhimanyu said with a devilish smile on his face.
Riddhima could not believe her ears. She felt her head spinning; she sat down and paused.
"Hello! Hello! Riddhima…are you alright? I hope maine kuch aisa tho nahin keh diya? Kya Armaan ne bataaya nahin tumhey wo Premier par gaya tha?" Abhimanyu added salt to her wounds.
Riddhima closed her eyes and let a tear escape. Her voice wavered a little, "A..Abhimanyu…aapko koi galat fehmi huyi hogi…Armaan tho poori shaam mere saath hi tha!" She had to lie. She couldn't bear the fact, that the person she worshiped and loved so much would ever speak anything but the truth, "Bye Abhimanyu! Mujhey zara kaam hai…aap se baad mein baat karoongi."
Riddhima felt dizzy and buried her face in her hands. She started sobbing silently, "aisa nahin ho sakta…..Armaan mujhse kuch nahin chupa sakta….Abhimanyu jhooth bol raha hai….mera Armaan sirf kaam mein busy tha…..mera dil jaanta hai….chaahe koi kuch bhi kahe."
She heard the door open.
"Hi Riddhima! Surprise, surprise!" Armaan walked in the door, unusually early that afternoon.
Riddhima was pleasantly surprised; she wiped her tears and got up, "Armaan? Aaj itni jaldi kaise aa gaye?"
"Mere saath chalo!" He grabbed her hand and walked out of the apartment.
"Kahan jaa rahe hain?" she protested
"Ek surprise hai tumhare liye," Armaan grinned and pulled her into the elevator.
Riddhima looked at him quizzically, "kya surprise hai Armaan?"
Armaan just grinned and put his arm around her, 'bas abhi pataa chal jaayega."
They arrived in the lobby and walked to the parking lot. There was a brand new Honda City parked in a spot. Armaan took out the keys and gestured, 'this is for my wife! Tumhara anniversary gift!"
Riddhima had a faint smile on her face, "Armaan…..mujhey car ki zaroorat nahin hai."
"Kyon nahin hai? Poore din ghar par akeli rehti ho….ab kahin bhi aa jaa sakti ho….tumhare driving se tho Mumbai waale bhi darr jaayenge!" Armaan laughed
Riddhima was glad that Armaan had at least thought about her, but a part of her was still not thrilled…..was it the conversation with Abhimanyu? Or was it the fact that Armaan was trying to appease her with material gifts to make up for last evening?
"Main abhi aayi," Riddhima turned around and went upstairs.
Armaan waited impatiently, "yeh khush nahin huyi car se? She should be happy to know how generous her hubby is…..kaam chhod kar aaj poore din car dealership par baitha raha….aur yeh nakhare dikha rahi hai?" he was a little put off.
Riddhima came back with a small statue in her hand, "yeh Ganapati ka statute tumhari car mein rahega tho hamesha tumhari raksha karenge," she entered the driver's side and placed the statue on the dashboard.
Armaan smiled and sat on the passenger seat, "theek hai Ganapati mujhey dekhte rahenge, aur main tumhey!" he took out Riddhima's photograph from his wallet and placed it next to the statue.
Riddhima smiled, "abhi tho keh rahe the car mere liye laaye ho?"
Armaan winked at her, "of course car tho tumhari hi hai, bas main tho driver hoon!"
Riddhima shook her head, "bahut jhooth bolne lage ho tum!" she said sarcastically.
"Jhooth? Aur main? Haan yeh jhooth hai ki main tumse pyaar karta hoon, aur tumhare liye pagal hoon….kyon jhooth hai na?" he chuckled.
Riddhima became a little serious and pondered silently, "kabhie kabhie lagta hai tum sach much jhooth bol rahe ho."
"Kyon kya hua? Itni serious kyon ho gayi?"
"Kuch nahin," she said softly.
"Chalo let's take the car for a ride, utho main drive karta hoon…..memsaab…aap yahan baithiye aur apne driver ko kaam karne dee jiye," Armaan got out and took the driver's seat.
Armaan and Riddhima spent the day with each other roaming around the city.
Armaan was very excited and told her about Dr Modi's recommendation to promote him to a full staff status before his training was over, "jaanti ho Riddhima….what that means?"
Riddhima just shrugged her shoulders, "iska matlab hum Ramgarh jaldi wapas jaa sakenge?"
The car came to a screeching halt as soon as Armaan heard that, "Ramgarh? Abhi itni jaldi wapas kaise jaa sakte hain? Ek baar main staff member ban jaaoon, phir 1-2 saal kaam karke aur kuch saving karke hi wapas jaa sakte hain….you know I have invested a lot in this program….at least I should bear the fruits of my labor…..you don't realize the potential I have….I can earn a lot more and then save enough to move in a year or two….main yeh sab tumhari khushi ke liye hi tho kar raha hoon," he squeezed her hand and smiled at her.
Riddhima was not sure though, "Armaan….meri khushi tho sirf tumhare saath hai…..mujhey zyaada paise mein koi dilchaspi nahin hai…..I just need you, not wealth."
Armaan sighed, "Riddhima! Yeh sab kitaabi baatein hai…..paise ke bina hum kuch nahin kar sakte…remember the horrible fire in Ramgarh? If we had more money and facilities, we could have done so much more."
How could Riddhima ever forget those ill-fated days; after all she had lost her most precious gift from God due to the fire.
"Shayad tum theek kehte ho Armaan….par mujhey darr hai ki is paise ke junoon mein tum mujhse door na ho jaao."
Armaan restarted the car, "Tum se door hone ki tho main soch bhi nahin sakta Riddhima…..don't worry….waise tumne Abhimanyu ke saath gaane ke baare mein kya socha?"
"No, I am not interested," she said
"I think you should do it! Tumhara mann bhi laga rahega, and you can earn some money too!" he grinned.
Riddhima just stared at him silently.
"Kyon? Abhimanyu is working in Bollywood now, I bet he is going to do well….I bet he will pay you well!" Armaan continued.
"I need some time to think about it!" Riddhima replied softly and averted her gaze from him, staring out the window.
…to be continued….
Cricket
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
