Hi guys!
Long time na! Finally i wrote something but its for someone special. A very special girl had her birthday few days back and i wanted to gift her something. So here is my gift for her, my dear Srishti, a very Happy Birthday!
Plz accept this humble offering, i know i'm late and frankly speaking i'm not at all confident about the material. But i wrote out of my affection for you so plz accept it. So here it is especially for you SRISHTI
DIL MILL GAYYE
He hurried towards the nurse's counter his mind already on the tasks he was going to be alotting to the first year residents. At the nurse's station he grabbed the patient's file and scribbled notes as he waited for the interns to gather around. He heard her laughter first, the deep throated full of fun sound and without his own voilation his lips twisted into a smile. Without even turning around he knew she'll be surrounded by the bevy of male interns who drew to her as a fly to honey. Unable to resist her infectious laughter he turned around and saw her walking towards him her face full of fun and eyes alive with mischief. He grinned back at her as he leaned against the counter taking in the spectacle the male interns were making of themselves trying to impress her, his best friend senior intern Dr. Shilpa Malhotra.
Dr. Shilpa Malhotra looked at the handsome guy leaning against the nurse's counter with a lazy grin on his face. His eyes reflected amusement as he looked at the interns surrounding her, making eye contact she winked at him making the amusement deepen in his eyes resulting in the dimple in his cheek to appear. She sauntered towards him and leaned back against the counter dismissing the men surrounding her.
Shilpa: Hey! Ready to start?
Armaan just shook his head and turned towards the interns to hand out duties. When he was done he looked at the interns: You can leave, now!
As the interns left shilpa turned to him: so whats the plans for today
Armaan: you've got a date with Abhimanyu
Shilpa grimaced: seriously? Why didnt you stop me?
Armaan smiling at her: he's not that bad
Shilpa: oh no! He's worse!
Armaan: well you've said yes you cant back out now.
Shilpa frowning: you are suppose to be my friend
Armaan laughed: I am your friend but you've committed yourself.
Shilpa huffed: you're no good armaan i'll have to think of something myself.
Shilpa walked off leaving armaan to continue with his rounds. As he worked his mind wandered thinking about shilpa. They became friends from the first day of their internship how its a still a surprise to him. He was the serious guy who was focused on the task a little shy but friendly when you get to know him. Shilpa on the other hand was bold, vivacious and brilliant. The amount of time she spent studying and working she spent the equal time partying. To say she was popular was an understatement never short of company or attention but surprise surprise she stuck to him.
They had hit it off from their first meeting, there was no awkwardness, it had taken one smile from her and they had become friends. They talked about everything and anything, boyfriends nd girlfriends came n went but their relationship remained constant. Their friendship was based on one thing that was honesty and genuine respect for one another. Fashion faux pas, bad mood, irresponsible behavior, bad choice in partners they were honest to one another.
Armaan signed the discharge papers and wondered what shilpa was doing. He glanced at his watch and realised it was nearing the end of his shift. He recalled that shilpa was suppose to go out on her date at the end of the shift. Looking around he asked a nurse if he had seen Shilpa who responded that she was at the nurse's station.
Armaan made his way towards the nurse's station looking around for shilpa but didnt see her. His gaze however lingered on a pair of female legs encased in tight skinny jeans with the feet encased in black boots with a 3 inch heel. As the figure bend over bringing in prominence a very delectable denim clad behind. Armaan dragged his eyes away and admired the creamy skin exposed over the halter back of the top. Deciding maybe he didnt need to go directly home, maybe he could ask the lady infront for a coffee.
He approached her from behind: Excuse me! (he waited as she turned around making his eyes widen in shock)
Shilpa turned around at the sound of Armaan's voice: hey! You finally free!(taking in his dazed expression) hey are you alright?
Armaan shook his head to clear it as his mind screamed that he had been ogling shilpa and croaked: yeah i'm fine! (looking closely at her) you look different!
Shilpa flashed him an evil grin: i know! (she did a slow turn and then stuch her foot out showing off her heeled boots) so what do you think?
Armaan gave her a once over: you look sexy and dangerous
Shilpa winked at him: so you noticed! Lets see if Abhimanyu notices.
Armaan looked at her quizically: i thought you didnt want to go with Abhimanyu
Shilpa smiled: i still dont but like you said i had committed, so here i am all dressed up.
Armaan would've spoken but he saw Abhimanyu coming towards them. Abhimanyu was a sweet guy dressed in a conservative suit, he came towards Armaan: Hi! Where is shilpa?
Shilpa grinned wickedly as she turned: Hey Abhimanyu!
Abhimanyu's eyes widened as he looked her over: Why are you dressed like this? Plz go and change we are getting late.
Armaan's brows snapped together at his tone but he controlled himself as he felt shilpa grinned even wider and said: No!
Abhimanyu sputtered: no? What do you mean, no?
Shilpa braced her elbow on the counter: Abhimanyu i think its time we said good bye. Go now and dont come back.(Abhimanyu glared at shilpa and then at armaan who had a bemused expression)comeon go on now(Abhimanyu turned and stalked off)
Armaan turned to shilpa who looked very pleased with herself: what was that?
Shilpa: that was me unloading!(looking at armaan's serious look) he was a jerk armaan a mistake to go out with him in the first place. So i corrected my mistake(she smiled at him)
Armaan just shook his head and grinned: so what now?
Shilpa grinned back: well i was thinking of going out with my best friend
Armaan: going out with a friend (giving her a once over) dressed like that, seems like a waste.
Shilpa: oh well! It would've been a hardship but my friend is one tasty looking thing so no problem (looking at armaan's scandalised expression shilpa couldnt help but laugh) well armaan it helps that you are not so bad looking.
Armaan looked a bit embarassed but tried to hide it: well do you want to go or not?
Shilpa smiled sweetly at him: after you!
They made their way to the parking lot as armaan zipped his jacket as they reached his bike. Armaan turned to shilpa: you, ok with the bike?
Shilpa looked at the bike and then at armaan and gave a slow smile: i've been trying to get ontop of it for some days now(she purred the words out making the words sound like an erotic suggestion)
Armaan blinked completely taken aback making shilpa bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing aloud.
Armaan without uttering a word got on to the bike starting it, shilpa grinning to herself climbed behind him.
Armaan: where do you want to go?
Shilpa wrapped her arms around his waist: anywhere!
Shilpa loved going on bike rides with armaan but what she enjoyed most was teasing Armaan. She leaned in closer her body cradling armaan's, leaning into the curves as armaan maneuvered turns.
Armaan turned his head slightly and shouted: do you wanna eat?(at shilpa's nod he turned the bike towards a food street)
They both enjoyed street food savoring the spicy taste, they shared food with one another with the ease of two people who knew each other a long time. Shilpa swallowed the last bite and moaned: i cant eat another bite.
Armaan looked at her empty plate and grinned: you've already eaten everything(shilpa just grinned back at him) wanna head home or not (armaan asked shilpa)
Shilpa: As we have early duty in the morning it'll have to be home but how about if you take a long winded way.
Armaan got onto the bike and waited for shilpa to climb behind him. Once she settled behind him he started the bike and off they went, shilpa leaned against his back her cheek pressed against his back he hands lying lightly at his waist.
Armaan glanced back: dont you dare fall asleep on me, you'll fall off.(he felt shilpa's smile against his back) wrap your arms around me.
Feeling her arms snake around his waist armaan smiled to himself as he made the 10 minute drive stretch to twenty. Finally he stopped infront of shilpa's house: we're home!(he said to shilpa who hadnt moved from her position)
Shilpa slowly unwound herself from armaan and climbed off, long day at the hospital and good food finally caught up with her and she almost staggered. Armaan grabbed her arm to keep her from falling making shilpa laugh.
Shilpa smiling sleepily: Thanks armaan! Thanks for eveything.
Armaan himself feeling exhausted gave her smile: now go to bed and let me get to mine i can hardly keep my eyes open.
Shilpa leaned against the front door: why dont you crash here? There is plenty of room, stay!
Armaan tired and not wanting to make the drive home gave in, shilpa showed him the guestroom, exhausted both dropped off to dreamless sleep. In the morning both rushed through breakfast and rode together to hospital hence reaching in time. The morning flew by in rounds and other procedures, it was closer to afternoon when they took a break and decided to have lunch at the hospital canteen.
Shilpa bit into her sandwich moodily and glared at armaan who continued to eat his food with focused concentration. Shilpa glared at him: I've been thinking (when armaan didnt respond shilpa threw her napkin at him making him glance up) i was thinking!
Armaan quirked his eyebrow: finally!
Shilpa ignoring him: i've been thinking that i should stop playing the dating game.(grimacing) I have the lousiest luck
Armaan leaned back looking thoughtfully at her: so whats the plan?
Shilpa: i'm going to stop dating! I'm going to stop jumping into things.
Armaan: isnt this a bit drastic? I mean not all of them have been bad (thinking back to her boyfriends)
Shilpa: i know that! Some of them have been nice but there has never been any spark that instant recognition. The worst part is i never loved any one of them, i want more now.
Armaan: i didnt know you felt like this! You've been thinking about all of this
Shilpa sighed: i have! So i'm not going out with anyone till i feel actually something for the guy. Something more than interest, i just hope that i do find someone like that.
Armaan flicked a finger to her nose making her look directly at him: if not i'll be your backup same as you'll be mine.
Shilpa smiled: so how long do you want to wait?
Armaan mulled the question: how about we wait another 5 years and if we both dont find anyone else we'll get married.
Shilpa: 5 years wait to marriage? I'm in!
Armaan and shilpa both grinned at each other as they leaned in close across the table but jerked back as they heard a startled gasp. Looking up they saw a fellow colleague muskaan staring at them.
Muskaan: you are going to wait 5 years to get married?
Shilpa: atleast!
Muskaan: why? I mean both of you are totally in love so what are you waiting for?
Armaan who was in the process of drinking water had the water spewing out of his nose while shilpa choked on the fry she had bit into.
Muskaan: whats wrong with both of you?
Armaan gasping: who said we are in love?
Muskaan looked at them with her eyes wide: everyone knows this!
Armaan and Shilpa looked at one another apalled and then burst out laughing. Armaan looked at Muskaan who was starring at them as they had lost their minds and said: Muskaan you are hilarious
Atul another friend walked upto them and asked what were they laughing about, clearly pissed muskaan filled him in.
Atul's brows furrowed: why are you guys laughing? We all thought you'll be getting married in another year or so.
At atul's comment both Armaan and Shilpa stopped laughing and stared at him.
Armaan almost stuttered: Atul when have shilpa and i, i mean shilpa and i are friends...
Atul confused: when did i say you are not friends? You are friends but much more too, like you two dont need anything or anyone else. You share everything, there is an ease in your relationship which is reflected in your physical relationship.
Shilpa's eyes bugged out: Physical relationship?(she glanced at armaan and then back to atul)
Atul: Dont get me wrong! But we all saw you two last night
Muskaan nodding her head: i saw you on the food street, you two were eating from each others plate. But the giveaway was the way you look at one another and touch one another.
Armaan: i dont understand what you saw but...(he stopped and looked at shilpa who looked stunned, armaan lightly touched her arm)
Muskaan pointed at his hand: see this! This is what i've been talking about
Armaan snatched his hand back: stop this muskaan!
Atul confused: why are you two denying it?
Shilpa swallowed: because there isnt anything romantic here
Atul looked at her quietly: Maybe you need to rethink your relationship coz from where we are standing things are not what you claim them to be.
Atul and muskaan walked away leaving shilpa and armaan looking at one another warily.
Armaan opened his mouth: they dont know what they are talking about
Shilpa slanted him a cautious look: lets just forget all this! I have rounds to do (getting up)see you.
She hurried away leaving armaan to ponder what the hell had just happened. At the end of his shift he went to the basket ball court trying to vent out his frustration over the uncomfortable situation. Shilpa had not met up with him at the end of their shift, he didnt even know whether she had left or not. He ran up and down the court dribbling the ball making the ball swish through the basket.
His mood darkening further he kept dribbling the ball and he did not see shilpa come into the court. Shilpa looked at his face and knew that he was angry her heart softened towards him. Knowing him she knew exactly what will help improve his mood, without his knowing shilpa moved uo behind him and stole the ball away from him. Running with the ball she jumped making the ball sail through the basket.
Shilpa turned around and saw armaan standing with his hands fistedon his waist. Shilpa sauntered back to him: still angry?
Armaan shrugged: you tell me? Still feeling uncomfortable?
Shilpa sighed: i wasnt uncomfortable with you! I was uncomfortable with the situation
Armaan: we both are in this situation shilpa
Shilpa: dont get on your high horse armaan! I'm not blaming you!
Armaan narrowed his eyes: but you are punishing me! We are friends shilpa! Best friends and you are letting others change what we have.
Shilpa rolling his eyes: Armaan stop being so melodramatic! Nothing has changed i'm here arent i.
Armaan seriously: it depends on us shilpa if we want to change anything between us or not, not anyone else.
Shilpa sighed and walked over and hugged him: i know! And i'm sorry i weirded out on you.
Armaan hugged her back: its ok! I know you cant control yourself around me.
Shilpa hit him on his arm in response tightened his arms around her, shilpa tried pushing him away: let me go you are sweaty
Armaan continued to rub his sweaty face to shilpa's side of face making her squirm and try to get away: let go armaan!
Both looked at each other laughing, their eyes caught as they stood close to one another, bodies touching, their breaths in tandem as their hearts also started to beat to a rhthym that they had not been aware to before.
Armaan still looking into shilpa's eyes: Shilpa! What is this?
Shilpa feeling breathles: what?
Armaan: this! Right here between us
Shilpa: we are friends
Armaan: just friends?
Shilpa wanted to say but somehow the words got stuck in her throat: no!
With those words uttered armaan let out a breath he hadnot know he was holding.
Armaan: want to move ahead or continue the way we are
Shilpa: define moving ahead!
Armaan pondered her question feeling impatient shilpa spoke: i dont want to date
Armaan smiled: we've been dating for a couple of years now
Shilpa looked up to deny but one look at armaan made color rush to her face: not exclusively
Armaan grinned: want to give it a try?
Shilpa smile: yes! But i still dont know i believe all that talk about love.
Armaan smiled back: then lets try this! We decide what we feel or dont feel for one another.
Shilpa relaxed: its just we are so not each other's type
Armaan grinned: thank god!
So started the exclusivity clause, initially there was awkwardness, stilted conversation but being friends helped. Once the awkwardness eased it was as if nothing had changed, it was as simple as friends having dinner together. But slowly things started to change and they both realised it. When shilpa took more than 10 minutes to decide which dress to wear for her date with armaan she knew she was in trouble. Armaan realized the change when they went for dinner together and Armaan couldnt stop staring at shilpa. His heart thumped so hard he was sure everyone in the resturant heard it. His anxious heart looked at shilpa and sang
Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de
Chahoon main ya na
Apne tu dil ka pata de
Chahoon main ya na
When shilpa smiled at him gesturing with her hand to emphasize her point armaan knew he was gone.
Itna bata doon tujhko
Chahat pe apni mujhko
Yun to nahi ikhtiyaar
Phir bhi yeh socha dil ne
Ab jo laga hoon milne
Poochhoon tujhe ik baar.. o..
Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de
Chahoon main ya na
Hmm.. Apne tu dil ka pata de
Chahoon main ya.. na..
One day alone after his duty had ended Atul and armaan had decided to play basketball together. Without his conscious thought armaan's mind wandered to shilpa and to the new developments in their relationship.
Armaan who was know for his reserve and serious mindset for the first time became playful and was expressive with his emotions. He suddenly turned to Atul and sang
Aisi.. kabhi pehle
Hui na thi khwaahishein
O.. Kisi se bhi milne ki
Na ki thi koshishein..
Uljhan meri suljha de
Chahoon Main Ya Na
Chahoon main ya na
Aankhon aankhon mein jataa de
Chahoon main ya na
Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de
Chahoon main ya na
Apne tu dil ka pata de
Chahoon main ya na
As armaan was acting uncharacteristically the same was being observed of shilpa also. Shilpa who had never hesitated over anything was hesitant of her own feelings. A girl known to jump into things riding high on her emotions was being cautious or was trying to be cautious.
Mere chhote chhote khwaab hain
Khwaabon mein geet hain
Geeton mein zindagi hai
Chahat hai, preet hai
More than anything shilpa was startled at her own revelations, revelations about self and her hopes and dreams.
Abhi main na dekhoon khwaab ko
Jin mein na tu mile
Ni khole honth maine
Ab tak the jo sile
Mujhko na jitna mujh pe
Utna is dil ko tujh pe
Hone laga aitbaar..
Tanha raahon mein apne
Bunti hoon tere sapne
Tujhse hua mujhko pyaar o..
Poochhoongi tujhko kabhi na
Chahoon main ya na
Tere khwaabon mein ab jeena
Chahoon main ya na
Hugging herself as she realized her own feelings she rushed to meet with armaan to tell him that finally she was in love and that too with him. Armaan waited for shilpa at the gardens at her request, nervous to know what she wanted to say to him, anxious to tell her of how he felt. As they came face to face the words reverberated between them
Tu hi yeh mujhko bata de
Chahoon main ya na
Apne tu dil ka pata de
Chahoon main ya na
Shiv Shakti
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