QSS thread #2, part 99 posted on pg 149 on 8/9/10 - Page 86

Hi friends, I know the last 2 parts have been a bit different from my usual storyline. But a change is a must. Otherwise this ff would become too dull and boring. I know many of you must be annoyed with me for it but tell u what, I got many silent readers commenting. That was a plus point.

Please excuse me, the next part will be posted on24th Aug, as I'll be away for a week.

Love, Shardha

Happy Independence Day!

to all my Indian friends, and belated greetings to my Pakistani friends

Part 91

Riddhima spotted that it was Armaan on the stretcher and screamt "Armaaaaan". Immediately Armaan opened his eyes and asked the paramedics to hold on. When Riddhima came near him, held her hand and said "Don't worry I'm fine. I've just dislocated my right shoulder. Akshat ko sambhalo" As she turned around to see Akshat in the arms of another paramedic, Armaan beckoned Kartik and said "Please take care of her, get her to eat something, or else she will faint." Kartik could imagine the excruciating pain he must be going through because of the dislocation. Inspite of that all that he was more concerned about Riddhima. Kartik couldn't believe it. Then Armaan was rushed into the OT.

When Akshat saw Riddhima he jumped into her arms crying aloud "mama". She hugged him tight and kissed him, with rivulets of tears running down her cheeks and asked him "Mera Shona kaisa hai?" "Mama, main theek hoon. Lekin dad,"Akshat replied in between the sobs, "Unhe bahut dard ho raha hai, woh ambulance mein ro rahe the."

R: Ab doctors unko injection de denge phir dard kam ho jayega aur woh so jayenge. Tumhe kahin laga to nahi?

"Bus thodi si karoch aayi lekin nurse aunty ne dava laga di hai." He said putting forward his arms. Riddhima saw the lump on his forehead and touching it asked "dard ho raha hai?"

Ak: zara sa.

Lakshmi came to her just then with her cell and told her that akka was on the line and wanted to talk to her. Riddhima realized that in her tension about Armaan and Akshat she had totally forgotten about Akka and Ani. Lakshmi put Akshat on her lap, but he felt awkward and moved to the seat next to her. Lakshmi asked a ward boy to get some ice and started fomenting the lump on his forehead with it.

Riddhima apologised to Akka for not calling her earlier. Akka said that it was ok as Lakshmi was constantly in touch with her. She told her that Armaan had a fracture in his arm (as akka may not understand about dislocation) and that Akshat has a few scratches only. Akka was relieved to hear that both were safe and not very badly injured. She assured Riddhima that Ani was fine and that she and Geeta would bring him to the hospital the next morning.

Just then Archana came searching for Riddhima. So she cut the phone telling akka to go to sleep and she would call later. She asked Lakshmi to take care of Akshat while she went along with Archana. After examining Armaan, the orthopedic surgeon was of the opinion that he would need a minor surgery as there was severe ligament tear. Riddhima signed the assent form and immediately the surgery started. She hugged Archana and said she wouldn't have been able to face this trauma but for them.

R: They say when we are in trouble God sends some angels to help us. That's what you both have been. I won't say thankyou and belittle all that you've done for us today, but I'll be indebted to you for my life.

Ar: Come on Riddhima we haven' done anything more than what any other friend would have done. Had you and Armaan been in our place you would have done the same or probably more. It's Ok, what are friends for?

K: Where's Akshat? I think he might be staring. We need to get him something to eat. The operation will take some time. Let's go to the canteen.

R: Come, Akshat is with Lakshmi, my classmate.

Riddhima took them to where they were seated and introduced Lakshmi to them. Then she asked Akshat to go with Kartik uncle and the aunties to the canteen to eat something. She said she would wait outside the OT. Kartik made signs to Akshat to refuse to go without his mama, and the smart boy understood uncle's intentions.

Ak: Nahai mama main bhi aap ke saath hi rukhoonga. Aap nahi khayengi to mujhe bhi nahi khana.

Riddhima looked helplessly at the others. Come on we'll be back in 10 minutes Archana urged. So they all made their way to the canteen. Kartik got some sandwiches and coffee and some hot chocolate for Akshat. After they returned to the OT, Riddhima requested them all to go home saying she would remain in the hospital alone. But none of them were willing to move. Kartik said that they would leave after the operation was over and Armaan was reported to be fine.

Half an hour later the surgeon came and informed them that the operation was over and that Armaan would be shifted to the ward soon, but would remain sedated for some more hours as the pain would be unbearable.

All of them saw Armaan in the ward and then decided to move out. Akshat was not willing to go but Riddhima coaxed him and emotionally blackmailed him saying Ani would feel lost without all three of them. So being his elder brother, he should be there for him. At last he agreed to go with them. Riddhima hugged Lakshmi and thanked her effusively. A person whom she hadn't heard of for her a month ago, had today been a pillar of strength for her. Lakshmi brushed it off saying it was God's blessings. She only happened to be at the needed place at the needed hour.

After they all left Riddhima went and sat beside Armaan, on the left side of his bed. His right shoulder and hand were in a sling. She could very well imagine the pain he must have borne and inspite of it he had said that he was ok, only because she shouldn't worry. He had mentioned about looking after Akshat also only to distract her. Then she remembered what Kartik had said to her before leaving. He had told her what Armaan had said to him before he was taken into the OT. Tears trickled down her eyes as she remembered it. Putting her hands to his cheeks she said "I do not know what I have done to get such a wonderful husband and howmuch ever I thank God for it, it will be less. I only pray that we never have to part, under any circumstance. Then she bent down and kissed his forehead. She sat holding his left hand, kissing it now and then, staring at his face and waiting for him to open his eyes.

The next thing she knew was the nurse waking her up saying that she needed to give Armaan an injection. It was early morning. She had fallen asleep and her head was on Armaan's chest. While she blinked she heard Armaan's voice.

A: Sister can you give me a few minutes before injecting that sedative. I need to talk with my wife.

Sr: If you are awake the effect of the sedation must have worn off. If I postpone this you will be in severe pain.

Riddhima was still unable to understand what the two were conversing because of insufficient sleep.

A: That's ok. I can bear it for a few minutes. Once you inject me I"ll immediately fall asleep. Let me talk to my wife, then I'll ring for you. Pleeeaaase.

Who could escape Armaan's charm when decide to use it in full dose. "As you wish" said the sister leaving them alone. Then Armaan turned towards Riddhima who was looking at the nurse who left without giving the injection. His "Good morning sweetheart" cut her chain of thoughts and she looked at him with a sweet smile. Then she came close,bent over him and kissed him passionately on his lips. He returned the kiss as ardently, holding her neck with his left hand.

Then seeing the tears in her eyes he asked ever so lovingly, "bahut darrr gayi thi?"

R: Nahi marr gayi thi.

At that he put his fingers on her lips and said humne saat janam ka wada kiya hai, remember. Aur tum pehle janam mein hi chodkar jaane ki baat kar rahi ho. Dekho main Yamraj se ladkar wapas aa gaya hoon. Maine kaha meri Ridddhima akeli kaise rahegi? Usey meri sakt zaroorat hai. Tees, chalees saal bad aana humey lene, ab main nahi aa sakta."

His words brought a smile to her face. "If there's anyone who can joke inspite of such pain, it must be only you. Thanks a million for coming back for my sake. I desperately need you beside me all the time. But for now take the injection and sleep. We have all our lifetime to talk. This time he pulled her and kissed her saying "I love you". "I love you too," she replied. Then she rang the bell to call the nurse.

Originally posted by: nowee10

Hi there! I've been a silent reader of this FF.. your writing skills are just amazing! This FF is one of my faves!

Coming the the recent part... oh no, Armaan on the stretcher! I hope he'll be fine! Will be looking forward to the next update! :-)

-Noreen...

hey...

nice part...

glad that armaan is fine...

instead of his pain he is worried about her eatings n tensions.... he is so sweet...

cont. soon....

thnx for the pm.......