|AN Writing Challenge~Closed*UPDATE pg 150* - Page 28

It was Saturday morning ..... Nikki finished the last day of her night duty and headed out of Sanjeevani with Goofy in her arms. Goofy had to stay at Sanjeevani overnight too, thanks to her night duty. She had taken special permission to keep him just for one night at the hospital. And Ayesha had been elated to have him with her on her B'day night. He had slept with her on her bed the whole night.

As Nikki headed towards her home, a thought struck her. She needed to do something before she went home. So instead of heading home, she changed her direction. She found herself standing in front of the door and ringing the door bell of ......

'Nikki .....' Abhi called out with a surprise, seeing her at his door step so early in the morning. It appeared as if he was just out of his bed, his hair all ruffled and eyes still droopy with sleep. He was looking so lost! And sexy .... in his workout pants and brown vest. Suddenly, blood rushed to Nikki's cheeks and she started blushing.

'What are you doing here, so early in the morning? And what is this goof ball doing with you?' he said a bit irritated.

'Good morning, Dr. Moody! Hope I did not wake you up from your beauty sleep!' Nikki replied pleasantly, and without waiting for him to invite her in, walked inside with Goofy in her hands.

Abhi nodded his head, in exasperation, not understanding what she was doing here at his home, but anyway followed her.

'Nikki, what do you want? Can you please tell me why you are here? I just got out of bed and need to get ready to go to ....'

'Dr. Modi, do you work on Saturday's too?' Nikki mocked at him. And Abhi gave her a surprised look, he had completely forgotten that it was his day off. He lifted his right hand in frustration to weave it thru his messy hair, but suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot through his hand,

'Auwwwwww', he screamed.

Nikki came running to him and with concern in her eyes, she stood in front of him and said,

'Abhi, kya kar rahe ho? Can't you ever be gentle? Have you forgotten you have hurt your hand? Actually that's why I am here now. I thought, I will change your dressing before going home, make sure your hand is healing fine, so that you donot have to drive to the hospital today, just to change the dressing.'

Abhi kept on looking at her, unable to believe that she was at his place so early in the morning since she had been worried about him!

'Abhi, is it paining too much? Let me see your hand.' Gently she took his hand in hers and observed. 'It is a bit swollen. Guess when I change the bandage I will check for any infection! The pain would be worse today .... you need to continue with your antibiotic and painkillers. Go freshen up, please, while I make some coffee for you' she said avoiding his eyes. She knew he was staring at her, surprised with her concern.

Abhi just stood there, not moving, looking at her with his dark chocolaty eyes, which made her melt.

'Abhi, go .....' she turned him around and pushed him gently towards his room.

Nikki walked towards the kitchen, looking for stuff to prepare his coffee.

Abhi walked back into the kitchen in a few minutes .... with an embraced look on his face .....

'Nikki .....'

'What happened, Abhi? Why r you back?'

Abhi lifted, his brush and paste, indicating that he couldnot squeeze out the paste onto his brush with his left hand alone functioning. She smiled at him mischievously and came forward, took the brush and paste from his hand and helped him with it.

'Here you go.' She said handing the brush back to him. But when she looked up, she found him looking at her with loving eyes ...

'Nikki, .....' he whispered, lifting his left hand to move her hair away from her face and cup her cheeks.

But suddenly, Goofy jumped at his legs, barking at him. Goofy seemed upset with Abhi. He didnot like it when Abhi came so close to Nikki, feeling threatened that he was going to harm Nikki.

'Aaaahhhhhh, Dr. Nikita Malhotra, you have one more protector now! He also thinks you need to be protected from me', he said with a mocking smile.

'Goofy, Goofy, it is okay! Don't worry, baby! Calm down!' she said, bending down to him and patting him, trying to calm him down. 'Abhi will never harm me ..... don't worry!' she looked upto Abhi as she said this and saw the surprised look in his eyes. Getting up, she took Goofy in her hands and apologized to Abhi, 'I am sorry Abhi, Goofy, is scared. He is new to this place and so that also makes him a bit skittish too! But his bark is worse than his bite! He will never harm anyone!' she said gently looking at him and then Goofy.

'That's okay, Nikki! I know what you mean!' understanding her double meaning. Then just turn around and went towards his room.

After about 15 minutes, Nikki could smell his lime and spicy aftershave. And before even she turned around to see him enter the kitchen all her senses were highly aware of him. Her heart was pounding. Slowly as she turned, and looked at him, she could not take her eyes of him. He was looking so hot .... fresh from the shower, hair slightly wet ..... and eyes as dark as coal ... burning with .... she could not make out what he was thinking. As she moved her eyes lower, she gave a gasp ..... he was casually dressed in clean set of his jogging pants and a t-shirt. But his t-shirt was not buttoned up. As she looked up from his revealing chest, Abhi's eyes were shining with mischief, knowing perfectly well his effect on her. She was now embarrassed, but realized something when he raised his injured hand once again .....

Nikki's eyes widened and mouth formed a 'O'. Slowly she moved closer to him. Without looking up, she started to button his t-shirt. She could feel his soft breadth in her hair. And could feel his heart beating fast right next of her hand ... as fast as hers. She was blushing red by the time she was done, and immediately moved away from him.

'Your coffee is done. I have also made some toasts. You should eat something before you take medicines. Sorry, but I am a pathetic cook. I cannot cook even if my life depended on it! So you will have to survive with coffee and toast for breakfast today.' She said with a conscious smile.

'That's okay, as long as you don't plan to poison me!' Abhi said jokingly. 'Luckily for you, I love to cook and am great at it too. So we are saved. We will not die of hunger anytime soon! Remind me to dish up a nice dinner for you once my hand is okay and prove it to you' he said with a charming smile. He sat down at the table to have his coffee and toast.

'Was that an invitation for a date, or what?' Nikki wondered, but didnot say anything.

'How about you? Don't you want a coffee? Or don't you trust your own coffee?' he said lightly.

'Just because I confessed that I am not good at cooking, doesnot mean that you have to pull my leg now. And no thanks, I already had coffee at the cafeteria before coming here, so am fine.' She said making a face at him.

She was enjoying herself as she saw him struggling to eat and drink with his left hand. And Abhi was getting irritated at himself and her ....

'What is so funny, Nikita? This is not a circus, so you can stop laughing! I will get back to you for this one day, dekhna!' he said with mock anger.

Finally once he was done, Nikki brought the first aid box. She removed the old bandage, cleaned up the wound. She saw that it was still hurting him quite a bit.

'Abhi, just a minute, I am almost done! I need to make sure that there is no chance of any infection. I am sorry!' she said with pain in her own eyes as she looked at him. Abhi was touched by her concern for him, thinking how angry he had been at her, hurting her and making her cry. Inspite of all that she was here, taking care of him!

Finally, she was done. Fresh bandage in place, medicines given, and she was ready to leave.

'Abhi, I will make a move ....' she said sadly. She didn't want to leave him alone. 'You take care of yourself, make sure that you eat something properly and not strain your hand anymore, ok'. Saying that she turned to leave.

But Abhi's left hand came out and caught her right hand suddenly. Slowly he entwined his fingures with hers and squeezed her hand gently. A quick shiver ran thru her. She was a bit taken back by his gesture. He kept on sitting in the chair, and as she stood close to him, her eyes looking at him lovingly. He didnot want to let her hand go .........

'Thanks! Thanks a lot for coming over and taking care of me,' and then added softly 'sweetheart'. But Nikki did not hear the last word, as he said it very softly.

He slowly but reluctantly let her hand go. Nikki moved away from him, collected Goofy, and started walking towards the door. Abhi followed her,

'Bye, Nikki.' Then slowly patted Goofy on his head saying, 'Bye Goofy, be a good boy, don't bother Nikki and take good care of her' said with a smile.

In the evening, she was surprised to hear from Sid. He called her to see if she was free for the evening and would like to join him for clubbing. He told her, he found this fantastic place for dancing and was looking forward to going there with her. He will let her drive his car too .... especially on the way back since he planned to get completely slozzed out. Nikki could not help laughing at his thruthful, harmless and innocent ways. She enjoyed his light hearted banter. He was completely opposite of that Sadu. She wanted to go out with him, especially to take her mind off Abhi ...... but didnot want Sid to read something else into it so said,

'Why don't you see if rest of the gang also wants to join? They all also love dancing. It will be lots of fun if we have a big group.' She said enthusiastically. Sid agreed to invite everyone and told her that he will come over her place to pick her up at 9:00 pm.

Nikki had enough time to rest, take care of Goofy and then get ready for the evening out. She decided to dress in her simple bright red mini-dress with a low back teamed with her stilettos. The only jewellery she wore was her big diamond loops and a simple silver anklet. She straightened her hair and left it open to flow down her back. She looked classy with her bare face except for red hot lipstick and black eye-liner. She redefined the meaning of 'Beauty lies in simplicity'!

When she opened her door to Sid, he was zapped. He could not utter a word and kept on staring at her with his mouth wide open. Nikki snapped her fingers in front of his face, laughing at his reaction.

'Sid, what happened to you?' she said laughing at him.

'Nikki, ....... oh my god! You are looking so sexy!' then looking embarrassed said, 'sorry! you are looking so beautiful!'

'Sid, thank you .... but you are exaggerating! It is just a simple dress.'

'Nikki, mam .... stop fishing for compliments .... you know exactly how unbelievably hot you are looking! I am glad there is going to be Armaan, Rahul and Atul to protect you from all the ogling guys there at the club .... because I alone would not have been able to keep them away' he said mockingly.

'theek hai, theek hai, chalen ab!' Nikki said with a laugh, enjoying his praises.

Just then her phone rang. Seeing who was calling she was worried and picked up the phone immediately,

'Abhi, what happened, are you okay?' she said with a worried expression.

'Nikki .... don't panic, I am absolutely fine. I was getting bored and was thinking if you had that file on equipments for New Sanjeevani Hospital. If you have it .... can I come over and pick it up ... or maybe I can go to Sanjeevani and get it from there.' He knew completely well that Nikki was having it. He had already called the reception to find out if the file was in the file cabinet. He had been looking for an excuse to hear her voice.

'Oh, thank god, u r okay! Hain, the file is with me. I can drop it across. I was on my way out, so it will not be a problem at all' she said with a relief.

She saw Sid was looking at her intently. He was sure he heard her call Dr. Modi ' Abhi. And he was wondering why she was so worried for him. As far as he was concerned, they both were at loggerheads .....

'Sid, I need to go to Dr. Modi's house ... he needs a file which I have, can you take me there before we head for the club?' she asked him avoiding his curious glance.

'Fine, no problem. But why were you asking if he was fine? Is he unwell or something?' he asked curiously.

'Nahi, Sid. He hurt himself yesterday ... I had to take stitches on his hand at the hospital', she said explaining.

'Oh! Really. But he was okay during the party. Anyway, lets go. We need to reach the club soon. Everyone will be waiting for us!'

Both of them got into Sid's car, and zipped thru the traffic to reach Abhi's place within a few minutes. Nikki told Sid to wait for her in the car, while she dropped off the file.

Abhi had been waiting for Nikki impatiently. It was just 10 munites since he had called her but could not wait to see her any more. He had missed her so much thru the day. File was just an excuse .... he wanted to see her. He wanted to hear her voice .... he had an urge to see her caring eyes. He felt so good to see how much she cared for him! He felt so happy when she was around!

He was so eager to see her that even before she stopped ringing the bell, he had opened the door. And got a shock of his life! He could not believe that it was Nikki who was standing in front of him. She looked so hot in her red dress! She looked unbelievable sexy ....

'Hi!' he heard her soft voice.

'Hi!' he replied in husky voice. 'I can't believe that it is you!'

'Oh! Why? I just told you that I will come over and drop the file. Since I was going out ....' she looked consciously at her dress.

'No Nikki! I meant you are looking beautiful!' he continued. He couldn't take his eyes off her as his hungry eyes roved over her. He kept on looking at her beautiful raven hair, giving her a soft look, her fair skin, rosy cheeks, red lips and beautiful eyes, lined with a black liner. She was looking like an angel. Red suited her and brought out the best in her. He loved her red mini-dress, her stilletoes and her anklet made her look so sexy .... he was a dead man!

'Abhi!' her voice brought him back to earth. 'Here's the file'.

'Won't you come in?' he asked.

'No, Abhi. I have to go. But are you better. How is your hand? Is the pain reduced? Have you eaten? Have you taken your medicines?' she shot questions one after the other, her concern coming to the fore.

'Where are you going?' Abhi asked a bit sharply. He did not like the idea of Nikki going out alone looking so beautiful. There will be men all around who will be ogling at her and that made him so mad, that he curled his left hand into a tight fist.

'I am going out to a club, for dancing. Sid is waiting in the car', she said telling him the truth. Abhi's eyes, suddenly turned dark with displeasure. He had a tough time controlling his jealousy. He hated the thought of Nikki going out with Sid ....

'On a date?' he couldn't stop himself from asking.

She looked up with surprise at him, 'No, Abhi! How can you ask that?' she asked with a hurt voice. ' The whole gang is going to be there!'

Abhi could not control his irritation anymore, ' Ok, fine. Go then! Just leave! I will not hold you up and keep you away from your friends anymore' he burst out angrily and snatched the file from her hand.

Her eyes started to water at his reaction. He had been nice to her for exactly 24 hours ... and now he was back to his angry self. She didn't know why he behaved like this. She stood there, looking at him, directly into his dark angry eyes, trying to read his thoughts. But Abhi, turned away from her, his back facing her, the file clutched tightly in his hand. He did not want to show her how her going out with Sid and others affected him.

'Just go, Nikki!' he repeated again with a hurt tone and the muscles in his back stiffening even more. Just then Sid honked to remind her that he was waiting .....

Nikki was forced to leave ... it would be impossible for her to get through to him now .... he was in his usual sulky mood.

'Abhi, do you realize something? Once again you are doing the same thing! You refuse to understanding or trusting me!' and saying this in a sad tone she just left without even turning around once.

Sid noticed her sombre mood as she came back to the car, and immediately knew that she had an argument. This confused him even more, one minute she was worried about him and the next she was fighting with him. But he did not care, about what was going on between the two. He did not like to see Nikki sad. So he started to joke and make fun of her, forcing her to laugh and smile along with him, making her forget her sad thoughts.

They all partied and danced till early morning hours. They all had loads of fun. Nikki noticed that Armaan was all the time trying to match-make between Sid and her. He was embracing her, but Sid was in his own world not caring about what was actually happening around him. He loved to dance, and was an expert dancer, knowing all different types of dances. She on the other hand was more of a freestyle dancer, but enjoyed dancing with Sid as he lead her and taught her some new steps. She was tiered and sitting for z while, thinking about Abhi and his anger at her today when her favourite song started to play. Armaan pushed Sid to get he and dance with him. Sid took her in his arms flirtingly and started to do a close dance. But as Nikkis heard the words of the song - 'You're still the one', Nikki was complete lost in her thoughts. She remembered the time she was in Abhi's car, and heard this song playing on the radio. Both of them kept on stealing glances at each other, loving each and every word of the song. And now more than ever she felt these words were just written for them .......

How much ever she tried, she could not get Abhi out of her thoughts for the whole evening. His eyes, full of pain, kept on flashing before her. Why did she have to hurt him? Haven't they fought enough? Didn't he prove to her yesterday how much he cared for her? But then why did he react like this? He should understand that her friends were an integral part of her life. She will never be happy without them. He had to learn to accept them, if he wanted her in his life. She knew that there was too much bad blood between Abhi and Armaan, and she will have to push both of them to work towards building those broken bridges.

She took out her mobile and smsed Abhi.

Abhi had been tossing and turning in his bed. He had not been able to stop thinking about her. She was looking so pretty..... thoughts of her had been driving him out of his mind! Once again his jealousy had taken over his head and he had lashed out at her hurting her. He just didnot understand why he behaved like this. He had promised himself that he was going to give her space and time, but no .... he was back to his old self again. She was just going out with her friends, but instead of being reasonable about it, he had got angry at her and upset her ..... now he will have to do something to make up to her ....

Suddenly, his mobile vibrated, and he grabbed it to see who it was ...

'I am missing you, Abhi .... u know which song I just heard ... 'You're still the one' ... do u remember?' she had smsed.

Abhi's heart was beating at a breakneck speed. She was thinking of him, even when she was out enjoying with her friends. She had to be the sweetest person on earth ... he just did not deserve her. After everything, she was still missing him !!! His heart was gladdened and his eyes softened with love for her ....

'I am sorry!' he smsed.

Seeing the sms, there was a trace of tears in her eyes. She could not believe that he had apologized, she didnot remember him ever doing that. She wondered what he was doing up so late in the night. And then another sms came immediately, even before she could answer the first one.

'I am missing you too' he had added as an afterthought.

'Goodnight, ab so jao ... will see u tomorrow'. She added a smiley after that.

Abhi was so happy to see that. It meant that she was going to come see him again tomorrow!

'Goodnight!' he smsed back with a big smile on his face.

As he went back to bed, he recollected that day in his car with Nikki, when they had heard the song together. He had downloaded the song to his mobile and often heard it when he was missing her. Once again he played it on his mobile -

******

Guys please click on the link above to see the song .... the words

Okay everyone...