Core of My Existence#3(AR Story) DISCONTINUED NOTE PG 124 - Page 4

Niki, Atul, Muskaan and Rahul heard his sobs over the phone, and the first thought that came to their mind was regarding Riddhima. They prayed she was fine. Armaan was a man who rarely lost his control, and whenever he had lost control, it was always related to Riddhima. No one spoke, no one had the guts too, and neither did Armaan. Rahul, the only one who was objective towards the situation, controlled his emotions and spoke up.

"Armaan, sab theek hai na? What's wrong? " hearing Rahul speak up, the others controlled themselves and managed to gather courage to question Armaan.

"Armaan tu kuch bol kyun nahi raha hai?" "Haan yaar Armaan bol na, why are you crying?"

"Arey yaar tum kuch bolne doge toh bolega na woh.." Rahul butted in.

"Haan Armaan what's the matter, Ridz theek toh hai na?" Atul asked, worried for his friends.

Armaan on the other end could only smile through his tears, seeing them so concerned for the both of them. When all the four of them had almost started to talk together, making a mess out of the conversation, Armaan butted in... "SHUT UP guys," his voice cracking but yet chuckling in between at the memory all this was so normal, it was so them. None of their conversations had ever ended without them all breaking into the conversation, to the extent when none could even hear their own words.

"She did it guys," he whispered, so softly that the other four couldn't even be sure if they'd heard him speak, or if it was their delusion.

"Armaan?" Nikki whispered questioningly.

"Yes guys, she did it, Riddhima did it. She walked her first step today ..I can't even express how I happy I am," his voice rose with every word he spoke, expressing how overwhelmed he was, how even though he had seen it all happening in front of him, it yet seemed so much like a dream, A dream that had finally come true.

Everyone else was shocked, as Armaan's words hadn't just sunk in yet. So many prayers, so many hopes, so many endless and sleepless nights of waiting for this day had finally paid off. All they could hear was the silence, a comfortable, pleasant silence. Armaan's soft sobs making them realize the sincerity of the situation.

Rahul got a hold on his emotions and even though a lump had gathered in his throat he spoke up, "I can't believe it Armaan, but at the same time, this just had to happen, there was no other way. I can't find words to express how happy I am, and that probably explains the silence on this side. You can probably gauge the happiness surging in all our hearts now.."

Muskaan had begun to cry out of happiness, Rahul had taken her in an embrace, trying to calm her down. There even Nikki wasn't being able to control her happiness for Armaan and Riddhima. She had seen and felt every little emotion they both had gone through, and seeing their life come back a full circle made her belief in the almighty even stronger.

Armaan just nodded hearing the reassuring words , tears of happiness and satisfaction brimming in his eyes, touched with all the concern his friends had always showered on them, both him and Riddhima.

"Congratulations Armaan," Atul's calm voice spoke up. "Ridzie kaisi hai? She must be so happy this moment. Doctors kya keh rahe hai, when will they be able to discharge her? "

"Well, it was her first day today, they'll probably take a few more days to see if this affects her, or it progresses further, and let us know. And I am not going to hurry them up, we've waited so patiently till now, it's just a matter of a few more days.

"Kya baat hai aaj suraj kaha se nikla, Muski kuch bol hi nahi rahi, "Armaan spoke up, realizing that probably the conversation needed to be lightened up, he was sure both the girls were crying their eyes out.

Muskaan realized Armaan was probably expecting to share this moment with her. After all she had been with them through every moment after their marriage, shared and been part of the changing times of their life. She didn't need them to tell her, what her presence meant to them.

"Anything I say won't be able to explain or justify what I feel right now, words are not going to be enough. I just wish aaj hum sab waha hote," Muskaan said through her chocked voice.

Armaan nodded, agreeing with what she was saying. Words were pointless at that moment, as if words could even explain what they all were feeling that moment . He mirrored the same feeling, the same craving of having them with him and Riddhima right now.

But even though were all physically apart, emotionally they had been each other's pillars. Armaan was even frightened to think of how life would have been, had he not had such amazing friends to be by his side, whenever he needed them. They were always there when he needed someone to talk to, always there when he needed to cry, when he needed a shoulder to lean on, always there when he needed to feel that him and Riddhima weren't lonely. And today was the day when he felt all this emotions overpower him and want him to thank his friends for being with them when they needed the strength, love care and support they had selflessly provided.

Then suddenly amidst the silence Nikki spoke up, the one who hadn't uttered a word till now and asked a question that surprised the rest and Armaan himself," How are you Armaan? Tu kaisa hai?" trying to imply to not only her other friends but also Armaan, that they all had forgotten considering his emotions, which were as important as Riddhima's were.

Armaan smiled on the other end, acknowledging the depth of the relation he shared with Nikita. She was one of the very few people he had in his life who cared for him beyond herself.

"Of course Niki, I am fine. I just wanted it let it all out.. and you all were the ones who deserved to know it first. Thank you bol ke insult toh nahi karunga, any gesture is going to be small compared to all the love you have for us..."

"Armaan, stop being so formal now, thanksgiving speech dene ke liye phone kiya kya ? And now I am even tired of saying we're family.." Atul reprimanded Armaan.

"Armaan we'll come to the centre tomorrow.." Rahul urged, hoping they could meet Riddhima..

"Nahi Rahul, let me talk to the doctor first, if he allows me to take her home, then you guys come in the morning of the discharge itself.. if it's going to take some more time, then you guys come in a day or two, I'll keep you guys informed.."

"Acha I think I should keep the call.. Riddhima room mai akeli hai, and it's time for her meal.."

Everyone gave them their best wishes and love and kept the phone. Armaan was just smiling to himself, feeling so much better and happier after having spoken to his friends. He was about to wake up when he felt his phone buzzing again, and he smiled seeing Nikita's name flashing on it.

"Hey Niki, aisi kya personal baat karni thi, jo phir phone kiya? Abhi ke saath jhagda hua kya, uska mooh tod dunga mai," he deliberately tried irking Niki.

Niki just rolled her eyes at the comment," Armaan ! Shut up. Maine tujhse ye poochne ke liye phone kiya tha.. uhm did you inform Riddhima's parents. Ghar phone kiya?"

Armaan went silent at the query, he had initially thought about it too, but then his heart had silenced him convincing him that his friends needed to know this news first. They were the ones who had been a true family... contrary to the one who has been one just in name.

"Nahi Niki, abhi tak nahi, moreover I don't want to talk to Anjali, hum dono mai...

"Jhagda hua tha right?"

"Tujhe kaise pata chala..."

"Atul ne bataya ...Anyways if you want, Padma Aunty ko mai phone kar deti hun..you take care of yourself and Riddhima.."

"Nahi Nikki, acha nahi lagega, Padma Mom bura maan jayengi.."

"Shut up Armaan, stop caring so much. I know we don't have to play a tit for tat, but kab tak Armaan. Tu kab tak sabke baare mai sochta rahega, think about yourself, Riddhima and your life together. Learn how to be selfish sometimes. Sadly toh melodramatic movies ke hero ki tarah banta ja raha hai..don't be so nice, Oscar nahi milne wala hai.."

Armaan entered to see Riddhima already awake, she smiled at him widely seeing him entering the room. Armaan smiled back, and then looked at her amusingly because she was frowning fiddling with her hair. He stood next to her and cutely shook her head with his hand," Kya hua, teda muh kyun banaya hai..?"

"Dekho na Armaan, I couldn't even have a hair wash since so many days. And now my hair are so messy," she pulled him down with his hand on the bed and thrust the comb in his hand.

"Mere baal banao, my shoulders ache in trying to detangle and tie them, upar se itni garmi hai..."

"Acha acha , banata hun, kitna bolti ho tum, saaf saaf order kar deti, mana karne ki himmat hai kya janab mai?"

"Good, honi bhi nahi chahiye, " she said a small smile curving onto her lips, between the persistent frown.

Armaan sat behind her and slowly and gently combed her hair, while she leaned closer like a baby. They both started talking, discussing the lamest of things and annoying each other.

"Armaan hum ghar kab jayenge, it's been so many weeks, I am tired.." Riddhima sulked. Armaan sighed, understanding her feelings. He kissed the side of her head after he had deftly tied her hair into a neat pony. She caressed her hair and turned her head side to side childishly, tickling Armaan intentionally. Armaan smiled and hugged her closer "Jaldi ghar jayenge Riddima, this wait is going to be over now.."

"Armaan.." Riddhima called out softly, while Armaan had found his favourite place, with his head dug into the hollow of her neck.

"Hmm.."

"How was I today?"

Armaan looked up at her, hearing her question and smiled, turning her face to him he held her hand to his lips and kissed it, letting them linger for a while, "Perfect, just like my basket... I can't express how proud I am Riddhima. In fact it's the best and the happiest day of my life" his eyes were teary and voice clearly emotional...Riddhima smiled at his words and leaned back closer to him. "Tumhe pata hai Armaan, when I came here, I was so scared, so vulnerable, I didn't know if what we were going to do was right or not, if this would lead life to anything better than it already was. But as time passed by I realized how this was the best decision we had ever made. I rediscovered myself, found another part of me here, I am going to go back with a new experience. I'll go back being a new Riddhima. The feeling that I'll be able to do things for myself and for you now, is a nice feeling Armaan.." She looked back at him and she could see him mirror immense delight about her words. He held her face in his hands and caressed her cheeks tenderly and said.."You don't know how happy you've made me. I feel so much lighter, as if a burden has been lifted off me, from the last 6 months, every moment after we came here, I was so scared. ..and when you were here, I stayed up every night .." he suddenly stopped between his rant, realizing how he had let out those feelings he wanted to take along with him to his grave. He had unintentionally blurted all that he had intended to hide from her. Riddhima looked at him, surprised at his words, but even further surprised at the fact that he chose to hide his feelings from her. She wanted him to go ahead, she wanted to prod him, but she knew very well that he wouldn't let out a word after the unintentional slip of words. But she was sure she would make him express his feelings, make sure this man realized and respected his own feelings, just as much as he cared about the others.

Days passed by, Riddhima was recovering by the day, her courage in herself making her will even stronger, and hence resulting in her taking more efforts to follow everything the doctors told her to do. At times Armaan had to halt her excitement because she would insist on exercising and walking with help from Armaan more than required or told to her. If Armaan would refuse, sometimes Riddhima would try walking herself with the help of the walker. But when Armaan had caught her in the act he had lost his cool, gotten really angry at her, but she had coaxed and cajoled him into understanding that she was just really eager to walk by herself, and the improvement was only pushing her further. Armaan had understood her point of view and forgiven her on the promise that she wouldn't try and any such feat again unless he was by her side.. Riddhima could only shake her head in agreement, surrendering herself to his love and concern.

Ten days later, Riddhima was finally allowed to be discharged.. Armaan had gone to meet Tyler for the usual feedback session and Riddhima was in the room, sulking because she and Armaan had a tiff because he hadn't allowed her to get off the bed that day..

Due to sudden exertion she had gotten a shooting back ache the night before and had been awake writhing in pain. Armaan had been extremely worried for her, he kept berating at her even while she was in his arms and he was hugging her closely rubbing her back to sooth the pain..He knew it was because she was suddenly over exerting herself. One part of him wanted to scold her, but the other understood her feelings..

Tyler had visited and ruled it out as exertion too, and hence Armaan had totally disallowed any exercise for the day, not even the one in her routine..He kept a tab on her, kept asking her if it was paining, and yet didn't talk much apart from that, trying to show her how pissed he was..

"Armaan tumhe nahi lagta, tum kuch zyaada over react kar rahe ho, you did know it'll pain since I am walking or exercising that part of the body after months.. mujhse kis baat pe naaraz ho.."

"I know Riddhima.. but tum kitni careless ho..tumse Doctor ne khud kaha hai, that you definitely need to exercise but not overdo it, I can understand your eagerness and excitement but we can't make a mistake this time Riddhima.."

"Armaan I know, mai bhi ek Doctor hun, don't you trust me?"

"Is sab mai trust ki baat kaha se aa gayi, tumne suna nahi doctor nai kya kaha?"

"I don't understand, jab mai kosish nahi karti thi tab bhi problem thi, ab karna chahti hun tab bhi problem hai..."

Armaan just glared at her, unable to understand why she was creating such a huge fuss about something even she knew she was wrong about. But he was in no mood to create a ruckus in the hospital and have an argument with her.

He entered the room, happy, haven forgotten all the anger, the tiff in the morning and her unusual behaviour. The happiness and excitement overshadowing everything else..

He went to her and took her into a bear hug, not even giving her a moment to register what he was doing, he suddenly held her face in his palms and kissed him hard. At first she tried to push him away, but when she felt the urge in his kiss, she couldn't refrain herself from responding with the same fervour.

Parting from her, and smiling at her gleefully he whispered, "That's it Basket, we're going home, you've been discharged.." he took her into a tight hug again, overjoyed and unable to contain the happiness.

Riddhima's face broke into a smile, making the frown vanish and her anger melting away. She hugged him back, tighter if that was even possible. They were both elated to know that their wait was going to be over, they were finally going to go back home. And more than anything else they were happy that they were going back victorious. When they had taken their first step towards this treatment, they were uncertain about their decision, but today all the worries were drowned in the happiness surrounding them, all the nights they had spent awake in despair and worry, away from each other, seemed nothing in front of the joy this moment had bought to them.

"I am so so happy Armaan, " Armaan laughed," Me too Basket.." and hugged her again..

"In how long can we leave Armaan?" " Now, right NOW.. I've completed all the formalities with Tyler, he just wants to meet you once before you leave.. Let's get ready, mai packing kar deta hun.." Armaan spoke hurriedly, over excited and the glow on his face expressing the same.

"Armaan, before I leave, I need to meet Steven, Mrs Pinto and all the sister's who helped me through my stay,"

"Of course Basket, un sab se mile bina kaise jayenge, but let's pack up first, get ready and before we meet Tyler, we'll go meet everyone you want to hmm?" She nodded while he gave her his hands for support, while she got up from the bed, it took a minute before she could steady herself, and holding his hands tightly in hers she walked into the washroom. Without any mischief or offering any help, Armaan closed the door after she had entered in. So many months she had taken help from him for everything, even when she had to bathe and change, he would accompany her to the washroom, and even though she had always hoped that she could help herself, today she somehow missed all the teasing and mischief. Armaan had suddenly matured so much over the months. And that feeling kept nagging her repeatedly..she missed her mischievous, childish, naughty Armaan..

While she was changing, Armaan called up both Rahul and Muskaan to share the news with them. They both were elated and had already started making plans over the phone. Armaan had to shut them up and reprimand them. But eventually all the three discussed how they would want to welcome Basket back home..

After changing, and packing their stuff, both Armaan and Riddhima cleared the room, and even though Riddhima was extremely eager to go back home, she had taken to bond with everyone around her in the centre, and no matter how important it was to go back home, she couldn't deny that she was going to miss everyone.. She had found a small family away from her Armaan and her own home. They had given her so much support, concern and strength to cope with one of the toughest days of her life.

She met each and everyone warmly, thanking them all profusely, and promising to keep in touch. Both Armaan and Riddhima then went to meet Ms Pinto, who had tears in her eyes, knowing that Riddhima was allowed to go home. She hugged both Armaan and Riddhima together and showered them with love and blessings for their life ahead.

"I haven't known you two from very long, but I am old and mature enough to see and understand the depth of love you have for each other. I have seen you both pine for each other's company but yet seen you both be each other's greatest strength. I am sure you'll have a wonderful life ahead."

Both were immensely touched at her words and promised to come and meet her as much as possible. They both then move towards Steven's room. He was extremely happy to know that Riddhima was allowed to go back home, seemed like everyone knew how badly Ms Basket had missed her home and her dear husband.

"Hey Mr Mallik, please take care of my girlfriend alright, or I am going to have to come over and teach you the right way," Steven teased Armaan purposely, knowing his possessiveness for Riddhima.

But Armaan who had gone ahead and bonded with him, spoke back in a similar tone," Sure dude, why don't you come over to train me, she seems to be talking more about you than me, I do need to know how to charm her the way you did.."

After having a good laugh, Riddhima went over to his bedside and sat there, "Steven before I leave, I need you to promise me that you're not going to take any decision impulsively. Your life should be valuable to you, and you need to treasure it till you're alive. You may feel let down and bogged down with the situations in your life, but never lose hope. I had lost hope, forgot every logic and education I had ever got, and started to believe the worst in life, till Armaan and my friends took hold of my life, gave me courage, love and support. Even after I had given up, Armaan never did, he took a decision for me, forced me to come here, and even though I never wanted to, but today I can confidently say that this was the best that could happen to me..Life gave me another chance, it always does, just don't give up on life itself. "

"So Riddhima, ready for your new life ahead," Tyler enquired from Riddhima, in a very professional tone. "Of course Doctor, I've been waiting impatiently for this day to arrive, I am the happiest today."

"I can understand Riddhima, it is definitely a huge achievement. Let me tell you one more thing... I am immensely proud of the improvement you've made. I have seen a remarkable change in you ever since you came here. I see a totally different and changed Riddhima now. I hope you take the time you spent here as a learning experience and use it in your life. You have a bright future and an amazing career ahead of you. "

Riddhima beamed at his words and Armaan shared the same happiness with the joy radiating through his smile. "You can live life as normally as you used to Riddhima. You'll need to carry on the exercise's we've taught you for life, as a regular routine. The medicines that I prescribed need to be taken for some more time, and after a few weeks we'll meet again, and we'll decide what to do with those. All I'll say is try and do as much work you can by yourself, that will not only help you gain your lost stamina, it's also going to help you regain all your confidence. But then again don't overdo it, you need to take it slowly and steadily."

Riddhima nodded sighing to herself, understanding that the latter part of his advice was a result of the complain Armaan must have made to him. After discussing some more important details, both Armaan and Riddhima stood up to leave.. both of them thanked him profusely, because had it not been for his expertise, his personal concern and care, Riddhima probably wouldn't have made it this far.

"Thanks so much Tyler, I don't even know what more to say. Ever since we came here, you've been a pillar of strength for me, in making me understand what is best for Riddhima and encouraging me to do the same to her. You've not only been an amazing doctor but you've been an incredible friend too .."

Tyler just hugged him in acknowledgement, and hugged Riddhima too, after talking some more and meeting everyone they had to, both Armaan and Riddhima left the centre, taking home a new experience, taking home a new life. They were going back much more stronger , not only as a couple, but also as separate entities.

Riddhima would always love to be dependent on her Armaan, for his love, concern and caring ways, but even then, the fact that she would now stand up on her own, not only literally but also in regards of her life, made her feel a new surge of pride for herself and for the man who had made it possible. She didn't want to look back at her past, there was a new life waiting ahead, and she wanted to welcome it with open arms. She knew there would be difficulties, not everything would be perfect, but as long as both Armaan and Riddhima were together, nothing else would matter.