|-Sunset,Sunrise-| Siddhant-Shilpa [SidShi]SS Pg 5 - Page 3

Part Two: When It Happened

|-A few days after Sid and Shilpa left for their Medical trip-|

"Dr. Modi?"

Rhiddima's head jerked up, flustered at being caught snoozing; she got up quickly, ignoring the slight wave of nausea that flooded her, "yes, yes Dr. Payal?" she said quickly.

The woman smiled as she made her way in, a sweet young thing the same age as Rhiddima, she had just recently transferred into Sanjeevani.

"Congratulations Mrs. Modi," Payal said, with a beam, she handed a manila folder to Rhiddima, who's hands shook as she grabbed a hold of the folder.

Rhiddima's eyes searched those of the doctor before, looking for confirmation of what she had just said, Payal nodded with a smile.

A wonderfully bright smile erupted on Rhiddima's face as she frantically pulled out the papers in the cover. She scanned over everything as Payal stood watching patiently. After reading the report at least ten times, Rhiddima finally looked up, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Payal burst out laughing, "Dr. Modi-"

"Rhiddima, please."

"Ok, Rhiddima, I think you of all people should know that you and your husband did all the work!"

Rhiddima bit her lip, her cheeks turning red as she realized the truth in Payal's words, "but still Payal, you're the one that brought me the good news, and now you're my doctor! Omygod!"

Rhiddima laughed excitedly, "This is so amazing!" Grinning even wider, Rhiddima swooping a pleasantly surprised Payal into a hug, "I'm going to be a MOTHER!" she shouted excitedly, "A mother!" She spun in a circle, the happy news lifting her spirits to a whole new level.

"Yeh Sid ko bhi abhi jaana tha!" Rhiddima pouted with a stamp of her feet, she turned sharply to Payal, who was quick to tell her that she should be calming down and taking more care of herself.

"Haan haan, mujhe pata hai!" Rhiddima whined, "aur waise bhi, wapis aane ki baad Sid mera poora khayal rakega, I just can't wait to tell him! Yeh baat kisiko maat batana! Main sabse phehle Siddhant ko batana chati hoon." Rhiddima smiled hopefully at Payal, who nodded affirmatively; shortly after, Payal silently took her leave, allowing Rhiddima to rejoice in her happiness.

Through the slightly open door, a silent and dark shadow observed the proceedings. It's hands forming a tight fist as Rhiddima bounced around in happiness. With a last glare, it stalked off, searching for a place to vent the building anger.

Rhiddima finally sat down, an undying smile still lighting up her face. As she reached for her phone, it began to ring. She read the screen in haste, hoping it to be Sid, alas it was not. As an unknown number flashed across the screen, Rhiddima reluctantly pressed answer, offering a passive "hello" as her eyes wandered to the flat screen TV hung on the other side of the office room. It was turned to the news where a young reporter rattled off the statistics of a recent bus accident.

"Mrs. Modi?" a gruff male voice asked.

"Speaking," Rhiddima replied in a bored voice.

"Mrs. Modi we have some bad news."

Rhiddima's back stiffened, she sat up straight at the sense of doom from a few days ago crept upon her again; bracing herself, she spoke with a trembling voice, "What is it?"

The phone fell out of her hands and crashed onto the desk. All the blood seemed to drain from Rhiddima's face as the inspectors voice echoed in her head. As if to confirm his claims, Rhiddima's eyes fell once again to the TV screen, which now flashed images of the remains of a familiar black car crashed halfway through the side of a bridge. Hanging precariously over the rampaging river below, the car was empty, the front windshield fully shattered through.

She stared at the screen, dumbfounded and unaware of the world around her. On the desk lay her phone, through which the inspector tirelessly screamed out her name, ignored until an unwavering hand picked it up, speaking quietly to the officer before hanging up.

Rhiddima's eyes finally left the screen as the anchor moved onto another story, she lifted them sorrowfully to the man before her.

"S-Si-Siddhant?"

"I'm sorry Rhiddima."

The sobs broke through the still silence of the room, Rhiddima screamed out to Siddhant, demanding he come back. All the while the tall figure silently gathered her into his arms, rocking her shuddering body.

"Shhh" Armaan whispered, "I'm here. I'll always be here, Basket, always."