I WILL BE THERE(AR) part 13(inst.) pg 109 06/06 - Page 74

😃okkkeyyy...1st of all before u start throwing rotten egg and tomatoes at me let me apologies to u all for my disappearance and leaving this ff.🤢..trust me i hav tried to update this more than once but these days my life is so full of turns and twists that it would give Ekta a fair competition😭...so all that i can say is a big sorry...though i don't know how many of u hav left this ff (and i don't blame u at all) and though i cant see many interested in reading this further (except a very few) i thought to give it another and 'final' try...if it does not go well i will hang the sign of "discontinued" not leaving any of u in false expectation...but if i continue this one i am telling u before hand that update will be infrequent more than ever...if u can bear with it i will write more...Thank u...😊

for now i am putting up a veryyy small part and also i hav given a recap for those who hav forgotten it (including myself..lol)..i am expecting to finish the part within this week....

@Sjain and Redrose21 : thank u soo much for the b'day wish😊...it means a lot to me and thank u also for staying with this ff for so long and bearing with me ...this part is dedicated to u two...😊

Recap: Armaan is disturbed about the increasing closeness between Rohan and Riddhima and also with the changed behavior of Riddhima around him. Riddhima had decided to short the difference between Armaan and her and went to his cabin where she gets jealous seening an nurse with Armaan and tried to make him jealous by flirting with Dr. Bhargav which truned as boomerang as Armaan did not fall for it'

PART 13

It was almost 1:00am when Armaan with much effort dragged his tired and exthusted body to the nurse station. He doesn't think he can bear even one more of such labourious night in this hospital and if everything goes correct 'hopefully' this is going to be the last night of his torture. Yes, 'Hopefully', as nothing is confirmed as long as certain Dr. Riddhima Gupta is present in this very hospital who hav a particular knack to make his life hell. He sighed shaking his head. Infact, not only his life but as it seems she has a miraculous knack to invite trouble for herself also. Today afternoon only, he had seen her talking or rather flirting with that Dr. Bhargav. In spite him warning her to stay away from him she seemed to be quite enjoying his company.At first it had quite surprised him because as far as he had realized she was quite thankful to him the other day when he had helped her escaping that Bhargav in canteen. He still remembered that look in her eyes when that Bhargav was holding her hand. At that moment she seemed so helpless and vulnerable which is quite opposite to her usualself and as much as he had tried himself to stay out of her matters, that frantic eyes of her had compelled him to do something. Or had he misunderstood her behavior that day? If today's incident is taken into consideration it depicted an altogether different picture of her character. So, have he mistaken her as a nice girl? Does she really like the company and attention of guys like Dr. Bhargav? Though it's true that he and Riddhima didn't share any type of cordial relation but he still considered her as a decent girl. Or is she right when she said she can take care of herself? He wished the last option to be true as his heart doesn't seem to accept other two possibilities. But if the last option is right that means he should not care about her. Then why does he feel like protecting her from the pending danger? He knew that Bhargav guy only to well and if he had not mistaken this time Bhargav had set his dirty eyes on Riddhima. Then what should he do now? Should he again talk to her? No, doesn't sound like a good plan. She didn't seem to take it in nice way and had already straitaway told him not to interfere in her business and in noway he wanted to be the subject of humiliation in front of the whole hospital once again but his heart is not ready to let any harm come her way if she is an innocent soul. 'I think I should talk to Anjee on Monday. . .She is her sister afterall.. may be she can make her understand. .' he thought to himself and for now it will only be better for him to concentrate just on his work. It is not doing him any good to get all worked up for some Miss Attitude who doesn't even seem like needed any help from anyone. Armaan scrunched his brow and with the thought of talking to Anjali as soon as possible started to move towards the nurse station but as soon as he reached the nurse station he met with the very reason of his every trouble - Riddhima Gupta, standing at the nurse station reading some file.

Riddhima looked up from her file hearing footsteps coming her way only to meet the face which is the one and only cause of all her stupid and unreasonable acts these days. Never in her life was she so out of focus from her work before these few days. And deny as she could she knew that this particular person is behind all these. In fact even now she is actually thinking of him while trying to concentrate on that damn file. A kind of frustration evoked in her at the realization. She noticed him going to the desk, taking a file and concentrating on reading it completely ignoring her presence. His calm posture infuriated her more .She started flipping through the pages of her file furiously making unnecessary noise in the almost silent area only to receive a side way glance from Armaan which he turned almost immideately and again got started going through the file, taking Riddhima to the edge of her tither. Not being able to control her annoyance anymore, she slumps the file shut with a bang and was about to go out from there when the phone kept on the desk started ringing. The lady in the nurse station took it sleepily and then handed it to Riddhima. After hearing the voice on the other end Riddhima rolled her eyes. Now it seemed today is the worst day of her life. "Yes Dr. Bhargav. ." 'God, now what this dumbhead wanted? Moreover what he is doing in hospital at this time. It's not that he could not be here. He is a senior doctor for the matter of fact but if she remembers correctly she has never seen him working this late. Infact there is this rumor that she heard about the indecent night life of Dr. Bhargav for which he never stays at hospital at night. But as he is influencial among the trustees of this hospital he was never questioned for his actions. But at this moment her concern is why he is calling her? She greeted her teeth but still tried to sound polite in the phone. Is this Armaan's presence any less that she now hav to hear the blabber of Bhargav also? She noticed from the corner of her eyes that Armaan had stopped reading the file. But the next words from Dr. Bhargav made her almost pluk her hair out at frustration.." Now?? But Sir isn't the operation scheduled for next weak? " Holy God!! that useless jerk wanted to discuss a case that too at this hour of night when it was scheduled for next weak!!. She is so goddamn tired that her eyes are almost drooping. She felt like throttling Dr. Bhargav then and there nonetheless she put forward her reasons in her defence, "I mean. .The case is quite simple and the patient is also stable right now."But the answer from the other end made her sigh annoyedly. "Fine.. I will just collect the files 'where? Library? 'ok ..i am coming'" She put the receiver down mutturing some curses under her breath and looked up only to meet Armaan's eyes which were staring right back at her. She thought she saw a kind of uneasiness and worry itched in them. For a moment it seemed that he wanted to tell something but then decided otherwise. Riddhima stayed there for a few seconds expecting that he would say what was in his mind as she has some inclination that it was about the phone call of Dr. Bhargav but nothing came from him. Instead he turned around and opened his file again.Riddhima's brows furrowed. Why does she feel that something is not right after the way he looked at her? She could feel Armaan's body had stiffened up and though he was still looking at the file, there was a certain kind of tension that could be noticed. She was quite sure it was not the situation before the call. So, it definitely has something to do with it. But what that could be? She wonders if it's about the rivalary thingy. It's quite known fact that Armaan doesn't really like Dr. Bhargav but that didn't mean that he can impose his choice on others. It would be a childish act on his part. Though she can't deny the fact that she also hated Dr. Bhargav and that man almost gave her creeps whenever came face to face but it could not be ignored that he is their senior in hospital and is a renowned doctor and when work is concerned, she doesn't really feel that their personal disliking should affect their professional relation whatsoever and Armaan is quite professional himself to know it better. But then also she can feel a nagging feeling arise at the pit of her stomach for some unknown reason. Somewhere she can sense that it's not about some rivelary. So is it about the afternoon incident? A small tingle of sensation run through her spine at the thought that may be Armaan is actually disturbed about her closeness with Dr. Bhargav but an inkling feeling told her that his look had not reflected that thing. She would have given it more thought but then she is getting late to report to Dr. Bhargav. So, though reluctant more than ever but her feet moved and with one last glance at Armaan she left from there.

As soon as she went from there Armaan shut his file. His forehead showed some worried lines. He was angry at the fact that Riddhima didn't understand his worry but for that matter he also had not said anything specifically to her and moreover she is bound to follow her senior's order. And as far as he has seen she had actually tried to avoid it but there is only this much a junior can do. For a moment he contemplated on whether or not to follow her. Its not that he is not really unaware of Dr. Bhargav's true colors but what if it's really urgent and more than that what if she noticed him following her and think he is stalking her? It won't be good for him. Morover he has his rounds in about 15 minutes. But there are some reasons that are making him restless. One, Dr. Bhargav's presence in hospital at this hour of night which is rather suspicious in itself. Dr. Bhargav is quite infamous for his night life and that's why he can't be seen in the hospital after 10:30 and now it's almost 1:15 am. Second is library. As per the call Bhargav had asked Riddhima to come to the library instead of his cabin. It only makes the matter more doubtfull as the library here is situated at the 4^th floor at the end of the corridor. It was built there to keep it out from the noise and hustel bustle of the hospital so that the doctors can read there in silence and peace but now it is more likely to be deserted at this hour. As his doubts got the better of him he checked the register and to his surprise he saw Dr. Bhargav had already signed off from his duties. His heart at once doubled its speed and shrugging off his hesitaton he silently moved towards the lift.. .

With each passing moment in the elevator the nagging feeling in her stomach kept on rising making her restless. Something was defenitily not right. One look from Armaan and it has created soo serious impact on her heart that she felt all her confidence level faltering. Should she just back off from going to Dr. Bhargav? But how can she ignore her senior's order based on some assumption imprinted on her mind by some guy who didn't even let her know what is going on in his head? In a corner of her heart she just wanted to go back and shake him to know what he meant by that look and made this anxciousness fade away but it's too late now. The lift had reached the 4^th floor and as soon as Riddhima stepped out of the lift her heart just stopped for a moment. The whole corridor ahead is deserted and dark. The little light, which was coming through the windows, made the place scarier unlike the day time. The emptiness of the place slowly started to engulf her senses. Suddenly her throat felt dry and her breath started to come out shallow. She hates darknes more than anything. It manages to bring up some memories from past that she has tried to bury deep inside her. She tried to inhale as much air as possible and move forward ignoring the rapidly jumping heartbeats and increasing fear that is griping over her whole being. But her feet refused to move. Her head felt dizzy and vision blurred. She leaned on the nearby wall for support clutching the file to her heart. Beeds of sweat began to form on her forehead. Yes, they are coming back- those cruel and sarcastic laughs; that pain and then those screams and that horror- all are coming back trying to shatter her once again. No, she can not let that happen. She won't break down. She will fight. She had done it before and she will do it once more.She shut her eyes tight and her palms clutched in a fist over the file to make her cuckels almost white with the force she implied to shake off those images and sounds. After few seconds she opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes were still blurr and the fear was still there but she had managed to gather some courage to move ahead and though she managed to step towards the library with feets that are still shaky, all the way even a noice as little as a pin drop would made her jump out of fear and made her look frantically here and there. By the time she reached the door of library, she was at her nerves end. Peeking in the library she found it equally empty and dark like the corridor with only a reading light that was on showing an open laptop on the desk but no one can be seen. Riddima gulped the saliva to ease her once again rapidly drying throat and enters the library causiously. She looks here and there but found no one but then suddenly

" Hello Riddhima. ." a voice sounded just near her ear from behind making her jump up and her heart to race like an track one car. She almost snapped around only to find Dr. Bhargav standing just behind her. Instinctively her body created a distance between them by stepping back but the hint of fear and her pale face didn't go unnoticed by Bhargav. He smirked inwardly at it. He moved forward and held her shoulder rubbing it in the process, " Oh, I am sorry…did I scare u?.."He said in a suger quoted consoling voice.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable with his action Riddhima rubbed his hand off from her, " N.. No..its ok..its nothing" but she could not hide the shakiness and shattering of her voice.

Dr. Bhargav moved to the desk and brings a glass of water, "here, have it..u will feel better.." with a smile that tells I –know –that –u –r –lying.

Though reluctantly but Riddhima took it. She knew she needed it and gulped it down in one go..With a small 'thank u' she handed the empty glass to him.

"Anything for such gorgeous lady" was his flirtious reply. Rifddhima rolled her eyes. So he is back in his usual self. Dr. Bhargav showed her an empty chair and went to his seat behind the desk.

"U r fine now?" Dr. Bhargav asked after she had taken the seat.

"so can we proceed with our work?"

Riddhima nodded her head and handed him the file she was carring. Somehow the chilled water and presence of atleast someone, though not the person she realy liked to be with, have made her nerves calmer than a few minutes before.

Dr. Bhargab reads the file and without looking at her speaks in an appreciating tone, "Great..good job Riddhima..u handeled it brilliantly..u r a good doctor I must say…I am impressed..he will be oprated as per scheduled"

May be he is not that bad when it comes to work, I guess I am worried for no reason..and all this for that Armaan…' Riddhima thought in her mind shaking her head and speaks with a gentle smile, "Thank u Sir …so I think I may go now? see u tomorrow.."

"Oh No . .u may not. ." she stops in her track hearing Dr. Bhargav's husky voice. When she turns abruptly he resumes" we r not done yet..pls hav this seat..i want to talk to u about something.."

Though internally getting impatient, Riddhima has no choice but to oblige him. When she seat back, Dr. Bhargav got up and seat on the desk a little far from her. Riddhima suffles in her place,

Do u know Riddhima that Sanjeevani provides recognition letter and an award to the doctor who gets most points at the end or every three months on basis of their performance??. .and this same points will count when we will chose the 'doctor of the year'…? And as per rule, being ur immideate superior, me and Dr. kirty r entitled to provide u guys wid the marks?'" Dr. Bhargab talks in an enquiring voice.

Riddhima nods her head. She had heard from her di about this thing and she is already working to get this award this time. She is an ambitious girl and this type of recognition only will give her more satisfaction and encouragement to work, "Yes Sir…"

"Aha. . its Rakesh for u . .didn't I told u . . " Dr Bhargav speaks in a scolding tone, " So As u know about this I assume u also know what kind of prestige and career opportunity this provides for an aspiring doctor..?" He paused looking at her when Riddhima again nods her head. Then he resumes, "Very good. .And u know something. . This time I want U to win this award and promotion. ."

Riddhima looked at him with wide eyes. She didn't understand why he wanted that but nonetheless she thanked him. "Thank u . ."

"Oh no . no ..don't thank me. . " he started to lean towards Riddhima with a unblinking gaze and just like that her heart again started to double its beat. He came very near to her and Riddhima sifts uncomfortably on her chair making as much space as possible between them. But he didn't seem to notice her discomfort instead he leaned more on her and spoke huskily "It will only be my pleasure…. I hav no problem giving u marks from my end. . but As u know Riddhima everything comes at a price. .u know, give and take. . I will give u something that u need but I am going to ask for something which I want. ." and he eyed her from top to bottom with a smirk.

Riddhima is not dumb to not understand what he is meaning and her heart filled with disgust about this man. He call himself a doctor!!!!. She stands up abruptly from her seat, " Sorry to disappoint u 'SIR'. . .i don't wish to take points in return of anything other than my work. ."she speaks in a firm voice.

"Really??. .but I thought u as an ambitious girl. .??"Dr. Bhargav smirks.

"For a matter of fact. .I am . .but I only take credit for what I do. .i don't believe in unfair dealings. .i hope I hav made myself clear. .now I hav to go. ." She tries to move from there. But Dr. Bhargav abruptly stands befor her,

" Attiude han?? I like feisty girls..Its more fun..from the day I saw u I liked this little cat in u.. it pulls me towars u..and after todays afternoon I knew that the liking was mutual so why hiding it ?..u know..we both can be happy..so whats say ? we can go out or to my cabin for privacy" Dr. bhargav uttered the last words huskly almost in her ear with a cunningless of a fox with lust dripping from his eyes.

Riddhima flinched at his action. Now she understood what her little adventure at afternoon for making Armaan Mallik jealous has turned out to be. She had herself made this mess once again. And as much as she denies but she is now scared. With the calm and composed way Dr. Bhargav has cleared his vulgar wish had made Riddhima understand that he is a pro at this game and as strong as she tried to make herself and wanted to slap him hard, she could not even look into his eyes. Coz at this moment,those eyes are the same.. just like she have seen some eyes seven years before – the same cunningness; the same lust. She started to feel suffocated there. She knew that she can not hold her unafraid pretence for more. The subsided fear was once again beginning to take shape in her mind making her vulnerable with each second. She have to escape from here as soon as possible. So, without any word she just began to move past him readily but again his voice made her stop in the track.

Riddhima's pale face and fearful eyes have not gone past his notice. He knew she is breaking and he just have to hit the right spot now and he knew where to strike, "Dr. Riddhima Gupta… do u know that Dr. Anjali, I mean ur sister, works directly under me. .?"

Riddhima snaped back at his words. What the f**k. She could not take it more. He is now threatening her?? And as much weak she felt now she can not let any harm come on her family. "What the hell r u talking about. ."She speaks in a meancing voice composing her rapidly beating heart.

Dr. Bhargav remains unaffected with her tone. If she thinks she can reject his offer and spat on his mouth than she is just a kid. He has many other ways to get what he wants. He kept playing with the paperweight while speaking. ."Nothing. .just to remind u that ur Sister is a brilliant doctor and has a great career ahead. .And I have heard that she is getting married to Dr. Atul in some months. . isn't it?" He put his tramp card in open as he looks at her with a canning smile which only widens seeing her face loosing its color at once.

Riddhima is getting weaker with each word he is pronouncing. Dr Bhargav is at the moment circling her like preparing to pounce on her the moment he finds her week spot. He stops close to her and whispers in her ear. ." Think. . if tomorrow she finds out a patient has died of her wrong medicine. . what would she do? . .her career, her dream. .it will be doomed. .. . and her marriage. . . just think.. .I don't .. ." but a sudden yet powerful punch from Riddhima had successfully wiped off that smirk from his face.

Though Riddhima was at her most vulnerable point but she can't let this man's intention win over her courage. It's the question of her family; her di and she will not let this man harm her di in any way. She gathers the last bit of strength she has and yelled pointing a finger at him, "Don't . .don't u dare . . U bl***y Bu*****d"

As soon as Dr. Bhargav came out of his shock of that punch, his face gets covered with a beastly fierceness. He wiped the little trace of blood that had come out through the corner of his nose due to the strong hit. No one had ever dared to hit him. He is used to the helpless submission of his prays over his clever scheme. At that presize moment he forgot that he is in hospital. He grabbed her pointed hand and bend it behind her back mercilessly. Riddhima cried in pain and by his other hand he captured her hair and tilted her head towards him " U hit me?? .U bloody Bi*** . .how dare u? ?. . u r gonna pay for this. ." he starts to move her toward the couch of library.

"Leave me. .leave me. ." Riddhima tried to yell but only a whisper comes out of her mouth. All her courage has deserted her the moment he had bent her hand and pushed himself on her. Again that helplessness is coming back. The helplessness that she felt that day; The fear, the horror and the pain that she had faced that day; Those loud sound of music; the beastly and sarcastic laughing; the painful screaming, all are rushing back deafening her ear. It's much more than she can bear.

to be continued...

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Ok guys..here is the next installment..i know i have promised to updt sooner but life can take turns...and on the more sad note this installment or may be this complete part( i will surely try for that) would only can be posted by me for the time being...after this one, this FF is going to be "on Hold" for ..umm..some months...can't exactly say.. don't get angry but as i am shifting it would take some time for me to settle down and get connected wid net...mean while i will definitely try to updt something if i get some chance...i am sorry guys...but i am not leaving this ff..not if i can..i love all u guys and also love the support u have given me..i will surely try to get back to it as soon as possible...

this part is also small and quite clinched but it would lead the story ahead...now tell me what u thought...i will wait for ur comments and likes...or dislikes and criticism..