I WILL BE THERE(AR) part 13(inst.) pg 109 06/06 - Page 44

PART 7

RECAP: Armaan and Riddhima seat in the canteen with their group.Where Riddhima is angry at Armaan's wired and noticeable behavior to avoid her where as Armaan is trying hard to tolerate her presence there.

" Hey Ridzy. .sun na Armaan ek joke suna raha tha. .tune miss kardi. . . bahot funny hai" Muskan quipped controlling her laugh.

"Really?? My bad. . " Riddhima speaks quite sarcastically in a mock unfortunate tone looking at Armaan which though didn't got unnoticed by him but Muskan in her bout of enthusiasm doesn't spare any attention to it and continues,

" Chill. . . main hu na. . .sun . " and she begans narrating the joke that Armaan had told them just now, oblivious to Riddhima's little pretence. .

"Once in a hospital a man had been slipping in and out for a coma for several months yet his wife stayed by his bedside every single day.When he came to consciousness, he motioned for her to come nearer.

As she sat by him, he said, "You know what?

You have been with me all through the bad times.

When I got fired, you were there to support me

When we lost the house, you gave me strength

When I got shot, you were by my side.

When my health started failing, you were still by my side."

She just smiled and held his hand.

He then continued, saying "When I think about it now, I think you bring me bad luck."

. . . . . . . . . . . " as the joke finished everyone again almost rolled off their chair laughing and for a change Riddhima can even notice a small twitch at Armaan's lips also. May be the laughter is quite addictive. Though a part of her heart wanted to see him smile and to some extent even join the laughter to wipe out or at least lessen the intensity of the messy awkwardness between them but her other stubborn part which was annoyed and restless like hell becoz of the doubts which are hurling in her mind about him all these days and his behavior of I-can–do–anything-to–avoid- Riddhima Gupt jumped at the opertunity to take her sweet revenge for all the confusion he has created in her mind and can not help but make a sarcastic reply. She speaks with a fake smile, " Yea. . . very Funny . . but true . .waisebhi kuch logo ki to adat hai apni galti dusro ke sar dalneki. .u know it's the easiest and safest way to cover their own faliur. . " and this time she kept her gaze directly on Armaan while talking.

Armaan eyes snapped up at her remark and locked with her. She can see the anger pouring out of them. But she made no attempt to avert her eyes and stares at him as if challenging him to retort.Their angry eye lock lasted for a few moments and it feels as if he wants to say something but at the last moment stops himself and suddenly gets up pulling the chair harshly and sparing a last razed glance at her direction left from there.

Riddhima stares at his retreating back. "Ahem…" Riddima comes out of her own thoughts hearing the clearing of throat only to find her friends looking at her in a quizical manner. The impact of the situation suddenly drawned upon her. 'Shit. . .Now what should I tell them? "She thinks frantically. In her agitated state she has forgotten or to some extent ignored the part that there are other peoples present there. And now she knows that she had actually messed up the situation more on her impulse as now the cold war between Armaan and her which was to some extent hidden or at least masked is out in open in front of everyone and as a result she found herself drawning in her self created chaos watching the expectant eyes of her friends which are demanding for some explanation.

Anjali breaks the silence first " Ridzy. .is everything alright?"she asked her concerned. Its not that they haven't noticed some kind of tension between these two before but tried not to intervene thinking they would work it out themselves and moreover bcoz the two people concerned here tried to keep it to themselves. So they just tried silently to bring them together so that they can resolve it but seems like it certainly not that easy as today's incident instead of solving it somewhat made it quite obvious and noticiable.

" Yes di. .. everything is alright . .wo I hav to check a case file . .so pls excuse me. ." and she also gets up and walks out of there not giving them any chance for further enquiry. All of them stared at each other's face confused at what is happening.

Riddhima walks out of the canteen and started to walk fast in search of Armaan. How dare he leave her there for facing those quizzical eyes of her friends? 'So what u wants him to do? just seat there and listen to whatever u say????' one part of her mind mocks her.

'No he can at least reply back' her other part of mind argued. ' So that I wont have to face those looks from my friends . .Its feels like I am the only culprit there and its so awkward . . ' She knows it's a lame excuse coz if he started to argue , then also it won't be a plesant situation.

'Oh really !!!u want him to reply so that u can again insult him?' the question comes again.

'Yes. .No . .no . .not that . .." her reasoning part is fumbling searching for the appropriate answers. She knows 'that' is not totally the case but then again 'that' is also one of the reasons. Why? She doesn't know. Yes, she had made a snide comment and also wanted a retort from him but to some extent she knew that an insult game is not the soul purpose of her attack. Somewhere she had expected a reaction from him, a reaction that can break the silence between them as somewhere for her a heated argument will be better than this discomfited cold behavior. And though she doesn't want to admit but in a deep corner of her heart she has thought that may be if they can talk or rather even argue about something that is beyond just their professional sphere and break the stillness then may be they can short out the mess in long run. Well, she knows that possibly there are more direct ways to mend this difference between them but she is too proud to even consider them let alone take them as it can show that the coldness between them is anyway affecting her. And she can not let that happen. But the situation has become more uncomfortable now and she found herself meddeled up too much at the time. She sighs exsaporated, ". .I. .I just wanted him to speak up. ." She finally lets out the truth.

"And why is that important?" again comes the sharp question that made her halt this time as she doesn't have any answer to that question. True, why is she trying to mend the things even unconsciously? Is it not him who started it first and insulted her ? Didn't she wanted him to never cross her path?So, why does she care if he is avoiding her now? She can not find any answer to these questions and now she feels more than confused as to why she is actually annoyed with him, - for being so rude to her or being so cold to her? Why all of a sudden is it important to get a reaction from him? She is perplexed with her own behavior to say the least.

She was walking so lost in her bewildered state that she didn't notice that someone is coming in her way and it takes her a few seconds to realize that she has actually collided with a guy and now was hanging in his arms. She hurriedly gathers herself and stands up to look at the person. The guy is tall, with dark brown eyes and well built, in a word can be described as charming. But there is something in his eyes that made Riddhima uncomfortable instantly. May be the way he is looking at her. " Oh! I am sorry. .i was not looking. ." Riddima immediately cited her apology.

" Don't be sorry. .I am always there to help lovely ladies like u. . ." came the instant flirty reply.

Riddhima's eyes snapped at him but she can not find that disturbing look any more as it was replaced by a humorous glint and it made her bit comfortable and she smiled.

That man forwarded his hand, 'Well, I am Dr. Bhargav, senior doctor here and u would be Ms. .. ." he asked for introduction.

Riddhima shake his hand. " Dr. Riddhima Gupta, Gaeneocologist. ."

Realisation drowned on his face, " Oh, . . u must be the new doctor??." When Riddhima nodded her head in affirmative he said" Well I must say Sanjeeveni has got something to look for. .I mean, such a efficient doctor like u. ." He praised her but again Riddhima is feeling some kind of uneasiness that's when she saw that her hand was still in his. She detangles it as politely as she can from his hold.

" Thank u Sir. ." She said courteously

"Oh no. . . don't call me sir. . .it sounds clich and old. . .I am just Rakesh for charming ladies like u. ."Now Riddhima just wants to slip from there. She is already too much worked up and just can take that much of flattery for one day. But the Rakesh guy seems no mood to let go. She was thinking about making some excuse when a voice comes from behind dr. Bhargav.

" Excuse me Dr. Bhargav. ."

Dr. Bhargav's brows furrowed being interrupted and he turns back only to reveal Armaan standing behind him. Riddhima surprisingly felt some kind of relief seeing him.

"Yes Dr. Armaan??. ." he enquired not in a very pleased way.

" I think Dr. Kirty is looking for u. . Its urgent…" Armaan answers in a curt way stressing the last words which actually made Dr. Bhargav's brows more scrunched up and jaw clenched.

He looks back to Riddhima " Well seems like I hav to go now Riddhima. . anyway feel free to come to me if u hav any problem. . I will see u soon. ." Dr. Bhargav utters the last words quite cheekily then turns and glares towards Armaan as if challenging him which Armaan returns gladly. Dr. Bhargav leaves immediately but the little interaction between the two guys didn't go unnoticed by Riddhima. What was that about? Some kind of rivalry? Men!!! 'Whatever, what I have to do with it?' she thought but Suddenly Armaan turns to her and speaks in a cold yet firm voice, " It will be better if u stay away from him. ." and with that started to walk off.

And Riddhima lost it again at that. Do he thinks he can dictate or order her what to do or what not to do? And if he thinks that she has to show him how wrong he is. Though she herself not really liked that Dr. Bhargav much but she is not a little kid whom he can control. She can take care of herself and she has to make him clear on that. And with strong and angry stride she followed him through corridor. . . .