The World's Oldest Story!! - AR - Page 4

It was a special day for Riddhima. Another turning point of her life! It was her first day as a resident doctor and she couldn't wait to start work! It had been almost a week, they had come back from Goa. During this week Riddhima spent most of her time dreaming about… who else?... Armaan of course. Every waking moment of hers was spent in his thoughts and every sleeping hour she was lost in his dreams. She had fallen bad for him, really bad! The more she tried to avoid his thoughts, the more they made their way into her mind. She didn't feel like doing anything. Her mind rebelled every action she took to get him off her mind! She didn't feel hungry anymore, she didn't like watching TV and most surprising of all was, that she didn't interact with any of her family unless it was completely necessary. She was mostly locked up in her room, her iPod plugged into her ears, dishing out one romantic number after another. She pictured Armaan in all the songs and related them to her feelings. Sometimes she'd imagine Armaan singing some mushy song to her while at other times Armaan and she would be dancing, holding on to each other, while a heart warming song played in the background!! Her favorite was when she hugged her pillow every night while sleeping, imagining Armaan in her arms!!!

The Armaan-fever had reduced a little last afternoon, when Riddhima had got her result. She of course had topped in Sanjeevni! Muskaan had also passed with brilliant grades and Shashank had asked both of them to join Sanjeevni immediately! Riddhima was elated, that finally, she was a Doctor! The smile on her dad's face and the pride in his eyes had given her immense satisfaction. She would never let him down, she thought! Over the last week, she realized, that she had drifted on to a fantasy world, what with love taking over!! But she had to get back to earth now! It was her dream to be a doctor and now that her dream had come true, she was going to live it. She decided that she had to concentrate on her work and behave professionally. She couldn't afford, wasting time fantasizing about Armaan anymore! As much as it pained her to think of it, she knew that she was on the wrong side of the battlefield. She knew, Armaan didn't reciprocate her feelings in any way. For all he cared, he must have even forgotten her by now, she thought! She was determined to end this Armaan chapter now! Obviously it would hurt initially, but time is all-healing! She decided that she would never be able to forget him, but could not afford, to lose herself so much in this madness that it destroys her life. This is the real world!, she reminded herself. As she got ready to go to Sanjeevni in the morning, she recollected her dream. She had dreamt about him again… she smiled unaware of what she was doing... Then realizing, she reprimanded her reflection in the mirror, "That's enough Riddhima! Now you are a doctor. Behave like one! Enough of that Armaan… Get over him already!"

Riddhima and Muskaan reached Sanjeevni spot on time. Both couldn't contain their excitement. Soon they learnt that both of them were the only interns to be absorbed as residents from their batch at the Mumbai branch of Sanjeevni! Some new doctor was going to join from tomorrow, who wasn't an intern in Sanjeevni, they learnt. Soon enough, Riddhima got busy in her work and patients. She felt like she was back home! The dedicated doctor that she was, she visited all her old patients who were still admitted in the hospital. All of them had loved her in her internship days, and so they were more than happy to see her after a 2 week long break. However, as she was aiming to be a pediatric surgeon, her work was now going to be restricted to the children's ward of the hospital, unlike her internship days, when she would have to assist in all types of cases.

After a long day at work, Riddhima finally reached home, all tired and sleepy. As soon as she saw her mom at the door she gave her a bear hug, "I love you, mamma!!"

Padma was taken aback by her daughters sudden display of affection, after what felt like ages. She had noticed the change in Riddhima when she had got back from her holiday. She noticed how lost she was all the time, how she kept to herself and avoided everyone, even her mom! Riddhima always had this calm, far away look on her face now-a-days, which obviously didn't go unnoticed by her… she had also caught Riddhima smiling dreamily to herself one day… she knew her daughter very well and Riddhima had never behaved liked this before. She also did not divulge much information about their vacation to her. She had tried asking Anjali, but she too had dismissed her, saying nothing out of the ordinary had happened except that they ran into Nikki and her friends there and had quite a lot of fun!

"Arre wah! Finally mamma ki yaad aa hi gayi!", Padma said hugging her back, "Goa se aane ke baad, you had almost forgotten me huh! So to what do I owe this affection today?"

Riddhima was taken aback. So her mom had noticed! Of course she had noticed. She was her mom after all! Initially she panicked, but then composed herself and gave her mom a wide smile, "Mamma common. Aisa kuch nahi hai! You know I love you! And I promise ki aaj ke baad I will give you a hug everyday, so that you don't feel left out!"

"Haan haan theek hai, jyaada maska mat maaro! We'll see about that later! Filhaal get ready, we're having guests over at our place today? Remember the Grewaals! They are coming over with their son Rahul.", Padma asked Riddhima to freshen up quickly before the guests arrived.

Riddhima was pleasantly surprised by the guests they were having over. The Grewaals and Guptas were family friends. Her dad and Grewaal uncle both were on the Sanjeevni Board of Directors. Also Grewaal uncle was incharge of the Delhi branch of Sanjeevni! She vaguely remembered their son, Rahul who she had met only once, before he had gone off to the US for his internship. Now he had come back… maybe he s on vacation, she thought.

Dinner was fun with the Grewaals! Riddhima thought that uncle was extremely funny, and she got along with him like a house on fire. Anjali and Rahul were talking about their career prospects and future etc. Riddhima learnt that Rahul was the new doctor who would be joining Sanjeevni from tomorrow, and she was happy that she'll get to work with a family friend. Her mom and aunty were busy catching up on the latest gossip that they had missed out on.

As they all sat in the garden, enjoying coffee after dinner, Riddhima almost fell out of her chair when she heard aunty say, "so Padma, what have you thought about Riddhima's marriage. I mean, ladke dekhne shuru kiye kya? She's almost 25 now na!",her mom just sighed and replied in the negative. That's when she got a bigger shock as she heard uncle say, "Ladke dekhne ki kya jarurat hai. Apna Rahul hai na! Shanky aur maine toh pehle se hi decide kar rakha hai!"

"DAD!!!", Rahul and Riddhima both looked at their respective fathers with pure shock!

"Arre mazaak tha bhai… no one is up for a good joke now-a-days!", exclaimed Shashank!

Rahul and Riddhima were relieved, but the idea had infected both the moms, both of whose brains had started working overtime…

She ran towards the cabin like her life dependent on it! She was late today… "You're a resident doctor now! You shouldn't be coming in late! What will you tell the new interns? How will you yell at them like Dr. Keerti, if you only come late!", she was admonishing herself for getting late on her second day as a full time doctor, running at full speed. She finally reached the cabin and barged inside and 'BANG'! She found herself on the floor with someone on her! It took her a few seconds to realize that it was a guy… wait.. A guy.. In the resident doctors cabin… on her… on the floor… before she could assimilate what had happened, she started cursing, "Aankhe hai ya potatoes? Cant you see where you're going? Now what are you staring at? Get up!! You aren't really light you know!!", getting no response from this stranger lying on top of her, Muskaan decided to take matters in her own hands and pinched him hard on his arm. "Oww!!!", Rahul flinched in pain, and realizing where he was quickly got up, "What was that for?"

"For coming in my way, banging into me and wasting my time! Don't you know I am the new resident doctor here, and anyway this cabin is for doctors! Who are you anyway! A new intern probably, don't you know how to talk to your seniors?", Muskaan's diatribe continued non-stop! She didn't give him a chance to say anything. Luckily for him Riddhima entered the cabin just then, "Arre Muski! Why are you yelling? Teri awaaz bahar tak aa rahi hai! Oh and by the way, this is Dr. Rahul, the new resident doctor who Dad told us about yesterday, remember?" That's when it hit Muskaan as to what this guy was doing in this cabin. To cover up her embarrassment she yelled at him a little more, "oh! Toh tum bol nahi sakte kya? Dr. Rahul… What a clichd name!! Simply mera time waste kar diya!", Rahul completely lost it now. Just because he was bearing with her, didn't mean she could say anything that came to her head. "Hey, what s your problem? Tum mujhse takraai thi! Not me alright! And instead of apologizing to me you're yelling back at me!! What the heck!", but before Rahul could continue, Muskaan burst out laughing at Rahul's accented hindi, "toh yeh Rahul NRI hai..", and with her weird guffawing laugh she took her lab coat and left a very angry Rahul and an extremely embarrassed Riddhima behind!

Things between Rahul and Muskaan got worse over the next few days. They were constantly bickering with each other while Riddhima had to play the pacifier as both were her friends. Looking at them fight, reminded her of Armaan and herself! She wondered how Nikki hadn't disowned both of them at that time. She was so fed up of this bickering. It was almost a month now since they had started working and she had quite settled down in her routine. She thought about him only in her free time, which was very little, as her work kept her on her toes. But every time she thought about him she was left wanting for more! However, a new problem had surfaced recently which had kept her occupied apart from work. Her mom had started throwing hints at her, about how she should hook up with Rahul. Riddhima was extremely irritated! Slowly these hints turned into confrontations and then into emotional blackmail. Rahul was facing a similar situation. So to shut their parents up, they decided to fib to their parents that they indeed liked each other, but needed time to get to know each other. They were great friends, but neither of them had felt that spark for the other and lying was the only way they could buy time, so they went ahead with it anyway!!

As life went on Armaan became more like a fictional character to Riddhima, who had by now accepted, that he was never going to be a part of her life! The time she spent with him in Goa started looking more like a movie to her than ever before. She had accepted the reality and was quite happy with where her life was taking her…. She couldn't keep him out of her mind though… and she felt happiest when she thought about him!!

Someday - MLTR

In my search for freedom

and peace of mind

I've left the memories behind

Wanna start a new life

but it seems to be rather absurd

when I know the truth

is that I always think of you

Someday someway

together we will be baby

I will take and you will take your time

We'll wait for our fate

coz nobody owns us baby

We can shake we can shake the rock

Try to throw the picture out of my mind

try to leave the memories behind

Here by the ocean

waves carry voices from you

Do you know the truth

I am thinking of you too

The love we had together

just fades away in time

And now you've got your own world

and I guess I've got mine

But the passion that you planted

in the middle of my heart

is a passion that will never stop

Someday someway

together we will be baby

I will take and you will take your time!!

It was 11 on a Sunday night. He lay on his bed, trying to sleep… but the sleep fairies were cross with him! He was feeling extremely lonely tonight! He had gone over to Nikki's place for dinner today. The Malhotras were like family and he spent a lot of holidays at their place. He didn't need an invitation to go to their place. Nikki's mom had always treated him like her own son. And uncle had been his support whenever he needed a father-figure in life. But whatever they did for him, they would always be "like Family" and not "his Family". They were no doubt a very important part of his life, and he was grateful to them for being there for him. What would he have done without Nikki and her family! But today as Abhi's parents had inquired about his family over dinner, he realized how alone he was in this world! Nikki's mom had given him a hug and declared to her guests that he was as much a part of the family as Nikki was… But Armaan couldn't help the sinking feeling he always felt when he was reminded of his lonely existence!

He remembered the last time he had felt like this… it was a month ago and they were in Goa… That thought brought forth the memory of HER! He was surprised at the way he had behaved that night. He had bared his emotions in front of her. He had never ever cried in front of anyone before, not even Nikki! Whenever he felt downcast, he would shut himself to everyone around him. He would bear all the pain alone and sometimes cry like a baby. But he never wanted anyone to see him in that pathetic state. He didn't want any pity. He had made a world for himself where he could remain happy and forget his painful past, and kept another world which he visited rarely, in which he could lament over the nothingness in his world. But that day with Riddhima, he had let his guard down. For the very first time both the worlds had existed for him at the same time. He had held on to her and cried his heart out. He was grateful, that she hadn't even questioned him once. She had just been there for him. What surprised him most was the comfort level both of them shared. He had known her for just 4 days and still there was no awkwardness between them. She didn't even tell anyone else about it. The next day, when she was leaving in the morning, she had behaved like nothing had happened! He couldn't thank her enough for that. Thinking about her, brought back all the time they spent in Goa, and this brought a smile on his face. This was the first time he thought of her after they had come back to Bangalore. He suddenly felt like talking to her. They had exchanged numbers when she was leaving. Without wasting any time he quickly looked into his contact list for 'Basket'.

Riddhima had just come home from the hospital. She was dead tired and getting ready to sleep when her phone started ringing. "Hope it isn't an emergency...", she whined and looked at the screen. 'Armaan calling….' as soon as she saw that her heart skipped a beat! WHAT! Why was ARMAAN calling her? They had exchanged numbers when she was leaving, but she never found the courage to call him. Sometimes she would be tempted, but then think that it would be awkward... What would she say to him? But what put her off the most, was that even he, hadn't called her. This fact troubled her, as she thought that she didn't hold enough importance in his life. I mean, they had just known each other for 4 days! He probably didn't even think of her. She had finally stopped hoping and thought of deleting his number in order to forget him. But she hadn't been able to do that either. And now when she had accepted her fate and finally settled down, Armaan was calling her!! Why?!! By the time she got out of her brain freeze the phone had stopped ringing. She was temporarily relieved that she didn't have to talk to him, now. But then she wondered why had he called suddenly, out of the blue! Was he in trouble? Was he OK? Finally she couldn't contain her curiosity and her concern, so she decided to call him back!

Armaan thought that Riddhima must have gone off to sleep as she did not answer her phone. He hoped she had given him the right number. Hopefully she hasn't changed her number, he thought.

He was disappointed that he couldn't talk to her. Giving up, he thought he'll call her the next day. Just then his phone rang… 'Basket calling...' and with a huge dimpled smile on his face he answered, "Hey Basket! Wassup?"

"That's the second time you've used 'Wassup?' on me Armaan! how old do you think I am? 16?", Riddhima was nervous initially, but when she heard 'Wassup?' she couldn't control her irritation. She knew they were back, all awkwardness lost…

"No seriously, how's life? Missing me? ", he teased her grinning to himself, imagining the scowl on her face.

Riddhima did a double take, "What!", then finding ground, "Please! Why would I be missing you?"

"Why else would you be up so late, talking to me, when you could araam se sleep instead!", Armaan couldn't help but irritate her. It was like a compulsive habit. It entertained him to no end.

Riddhima on the other end was confused. Was he being serious? Or was he still teasing her… did he somehow come to know about her feelings for him and decide to confront her! Was that why he had called…

"Yo! Basket, mere khayalon mein kho gayi kya? I know I have that effect!", Armaan was so enjoying himself…

That gibe brought her back, "You wish Mallik! God, your so full of your self! Considering you're the one who had called first, I was just being polite by calling you back. So have you called me to eat my head or do you actually have something to say?", Riddhima was back in the game. She realized soon enough that he was entertaining himself at her expense. She could almost imagine his lop-sided grin and the naughty glint in his eyes!

"Not that I am cannibalistic, but either way I would not have been able to eat your head over the phone. Besides I am not really interested in that empty head of yours!"

"So why did you call Armaan? its 11:30. I don't have all the time in the world to bicker with you… please say what you have to fast or else I shall cut this conversation short.", she decided to act a little pricey. He was getting on her nerves now.

"Well Basket… I know you're busy and all... Itna ke you've forgotten me completely. I know you didn't miss me at all, but I just called to say that I am missing you... a lot", as she heard him her heart raced faster than ever. The sincerity in Armaan's voice was evident and Riddhima didn't know what to make of it! So she just stayed shut.

Armaan realized what he had said... he had just blurted it out. He wasn't sure why he did it. But then with Basket, there were many firsts! So he decided to make light of the situation…"Hey Basket, am I so boring that you fall asleep again and again when I am talking to you?".

"Armaan, I really have to go now… I'll talk to you later, OK", Riddhima couldn't think of anything to say to him. She was so taken aback by what he had said that she found herself stuck for words. So she decided to wriggle out of it.

"Your right Basket, its quite late. I have a morning shift tomorrow… need to get some sleep. So good night and dream about me!!", he said it with a wink and a smirk. Armaan knew Riddhima was feeling awkward. So he cut the conversation short.

As both of them lay in bed, wide awake, they just thought of one thing "they missed each other so much!" They wondered why they hadn't thought of calling each other earlier!

"Nikki! Meri baat toh suno… Accha at least Abhi ki baat toh suno...", Armaan was following Nikki, as she was leaving the hospital to go home, with Abhi in tow. Nikki was mad at both of them for hiding things from her. As she got into her car, Armaan and Abhi both got in and refused to get out. Nikki started the car and zoomed out of the parking lot in rage.

"Nikki sweetheart! At least listen to what he has to say na... ", Abhi tried his luck.

"Why Abhi? Why should I listen to him now? He doesn't want to tell me anything when he makes all the important decisions of his life… now I don't want to hear his stupid explanations…. ", Nikki accelerated the car in her anger.

"Oy, Nikki! Slow down… Nahi toh we'll be having this conversation in hell, and I am in no hurry to go there!", Armaan tried to calm her down, not realizing his stupid remarks were getting her more agitated. She braked the car all of a sudden at the side of the road, and got out. Luckily it was 10 in the night and not much traffic on the road.

"Nikki! Have you lost it. You're gonna get me killed some day!", Abhi was flabbergasted with this rash behavior of hers. He knew Nikki's temper got the better of her most of the time, but this time he thought she was overreacting!

"Abhi you stay out of this", and then turning towards Armaan pointing her forefinger towards him, "And you… how could you make such a decision. Ek baar mujhse baat toh kar sakte the!"

"There s nothing to talk about Nikki! I don't want to move to Mumbai and that's final", Armaan's temper matched Nikki's.

"But why Armaan! This is a big opportunity for you… everybody doesn't get to work at Sanjeevni Armaan! that to under the best Cardiologist in India, Dr. Shubhankar Rai...", Nikki tried to knock some sense into her idiotic friend.

"But Nikki I cant leave you guys here and go. I've been alone all my life, and now that I feel like I have someone, I don't want to lose this. You guys are my only family…", Armaan couldn't hold back anymore. But before Nikki could retaliate he also added with half a smile and a farce of innocence, "And anyway if you want more alone time with Abhi here, just tell me… I will cooperate… you don't have to send me away to Mumbai for that!"

Abhi snorted but Nikki didn't find it amusing, "Armaan get serious, please. Don't behave like a kid. I know you'll miss me and I'll miss you too, but we'll meet Armaan. Even I'll try applying to some hospital in Mumbai. Hopefully things will work out. But you cant let this opportunity go… And besides you wont be lonely, wahan Riddhima aur Muskaan bhi toh hai!"

"Wow, Nikki you're so full of your self! When I said I'll miss 'you guys', I meant Abhi and Uncle and Aunty… wont be missing 'you' for sure...", Armaan couldn't stop his flippant remarks. He wanted to end the conversation but Nikki kept persuading him. Before Nikki could retort Abhi spoke in her support.

"Armaan, Nikki's right, I think you should grab this offer. It is for the better. I mean if tomorrow, Nikki or me decide to go somewhere else for a better opportunity, what are you gonna do? Stop us! Wont you let us go Armaan… I know its difficult but what has to be done, has to be done. Besides you are so outgoing. You make friends in seconds. In no time, you'll make new friends and settle down and probably even forget us!", Abhi tried explaining with as much sincerity as he could gather. He knew Armaan cared for Nikki more than anyone in this world… and hence didn't want to leave her behind. He knew that Armaan had come to Bangalore in the first place, only because Nikki was here. Sometimes he was jealous of the friendship they shared. He had never had a friend like that until Nikki came along.

Armaan understood what his friends were trying to tell him. He also knew that this was a big opportunity. Initially he had been all excited about it, but then the thought of leaving the only people he had in his life had changed his mind. But now that Abhi put it this way, he couldn't help but reconsider. As he sat on the parapet of his terrace, he silently agreed with Abhi. Of course he wouldn't stop either of them from moving on in life. He remembered how initially he had objected even to their relationship, but then relented only for Nikki, and now he had one more true friend to himself thanks to her. Abhi was a great guy, he thought. He was very level headed and would take care of Nikki! So that was not a problem. Besides, he wouldn't be completely alone in Mumbai, Basket and Muskaan would be there, that too in the same hospital. The thought of seeing Basket everyday was very appealing, though he didn't understand why? He had been in constant touch with her since that phone call he had made two weeks back. They spoke to each other every night. It had subconsciously become a routine for them. Their day didn't end till they spoke to each other. Most of their conversations ended with Riddhima getting extremely frustrated and threatening Armaan that she will never talk to him again. However, Armaan always managed to get her talking again, only to irritate her all over again. Apart from the bickering and the witty banter, they also told each other what they did throughout the day etc. This was all new for Armaan, as he had never had anyone to come home to before. Now he looked forward to these conversations with Basket! It somehow made him feel like he belonged somewhere, though he didn't realize it. "what could be better than dancing on Basket's nerves everyday and actually getting to see those deadly glares and flustered scowls?", he thought aloud and grinned to himself, wickedly!

"Arre Nandini, hamara plan toh bilkul kaam nahi kar raha, aur ab tum bhi wapas ja rahi ho...", Padma complained while the ladies had tea in the garden. She had come to see Rahul's mom off as she was heading back to Delhi, now that Rahul had settled down in Mumbai.

"I know Padma, its like we reached a deadlock when they accepted that they liked each other! I was so disappointed. Why don't they just tell us who it is already?",Nandini's whine matched Padma's. Their smart plan had somehow backfired. Initially they thought of getting Rahul and Riddhima together, but realized soon enough that their children held no romantic interest in each other. However, Nandini had caught Rahul gazing into space, smiling to himself etc. She knew the signs…. When she confided this in Padma she too had made the connection… oh! So Riddhima was also in love! But with whom? It couldn't be Rahul, coz she had started behaving like that, way before Rahul had come into the picture. It had to be somebody she met on the trip, she figured. Both the moms had tried coaxing and cajoling it out of their children, but it hadn't worked. Finally they came up with an evil plan…. They thought of fixing both of them together so that they would protest, and then it would be easy to wheedle the truth from them. But both their children had outwitted them. What do they say about the newer generations being smarter?? Their machinations had all fallen flat when Riddhima and Rahul said they would consider each other as marriage material, but needed time to get to know each other… Of course the moms knew, this was only a ploy to buy time, but they couldn't do anything about it. And now Nandini had to go back to Delhi, to her husband!

"Don't worry Padma, anyway I am coming back next month for Anjali's wedding na? Tab kuch aur plan karenge. Till then you keep up the good work here, while I'll try to get things out of Rahul over the phone!", Nandini consoled her. Padma thought she was right, for now she needed to concentrate on her older daughter's wedding… she'll have enough time to plot and plan against Riddhima after that!

"Armaan tune Riddhima ko bataya that you're going to Mumbai? Nahi toh main usse bata deti hoon! She'll come to pick you up". Nikki was feeling very sad that Armaan was leaving. She knew she was the one who had pushed him into this, but now she was feeling very apprehensive about letting him go! But she knew she had to be strong for his sake, and Abhi was always there to support her.

"No, no, no, Nikki! Please don't tell Basket anything! She doesn't know that I am joining Sanjeevni. I want to surprise her...", Armaan hadn't told Riddhima any thing about his move to Mumbai. He wanted to see the shock on her face when she sees him. Hopefully she'll be happy, he thought!

"Fine, I wont tell her, but please don't trouble her Armaan. And please don't start fighting with her again… Aur apna khayal rakhna! Khaana theek se khana! And call me!... ", Nikki's list of instructions was endless…

"OK fine… Aunty! Aapke instructions khatam ho gaye ho toh kya mein jaaun? I don't own the plane you know! It wont wait for me!", Armaan had already been instructed by Nikki's mom when he went to meet her. She had also shed a few tears, and now Nikki was on the verge of crying too. Before the dams broke he decided to cut the goodbyes short and get away! He bade goodbye to Abhi and Nikki and finally boarded the plane… "Mumbai here I come!!", he exclaimed out loud as the plane took off!