Because this is life (AR).. Chap26: 2/12 - Page 6

@cheeky_maddy: Nyc story!!!!😊

Part B

"Here lie down, ill get some clothes for you to change into, don't think you can sleep in all that." Armaan said to riddhima as he helped her lie down on the bed. After calling Rahul they had taken her to the nearby hospital where as suspected she had been given stitches for the deep wound on her neck and a strong painkiller to suppress the burning from the graze on her skin. Although she was under no pain anymore if she made no movement she was extremely drowsy. And since this was the first time she was taking this strong painkiller which was basically second to morphine itself she had to be monitored specially through the night, in case of any negative reaction from the medication. Since no one else knew of the accident apart from Rahul himself, armaan had taken the responsibility of taking care of her himself, which involved an overnight observation and as she had refused to stay at the hospital because of the wedding tomorrow as well as the fact that they just went to the nearby local hospital where the atmosphere was well lets just say less than welcoming. It was not only the condition of the place, but the amount of patients who were scattered around the place, lying on the floor waiting to be treated, but also to their horror the scrutinizing looks from the patients and the doctors as well as the nurses on the appearance of three young people who were by all standards too rich to be in this sham of a hospital equipped with only the basic necessities. The condition of the place was so bad that when armaan had let the doctor know of his own profession, the doctor readily granted him access to the medical facilities and let him treat riddhima on his own, without so much so as a try to verify his claim. This was shocking to both riddhima and armaan but Rahul was aware of this situation and it was this very moment that allowed him to reflect back on his decision to move here and feel proud of his choice. To Rahul, riddhima was an amazing friend and very much like a little sister herself, he wasn't entirely comfortable with her being at the hands of armaan, but he had little to say in the matter as he himself was quite drunk from the night. However seeing him being so careful with her, as well his more than competent medical abilities made him relax a little. Getting out of the hospital both Rahul and armaan had had been made to promise that no one will hear about this incidence till the wedding is complete, also armaan was made to promise additionally that he would not tell his parents about this either lest it reaches her own parents like the last time. With this the boys decided to take her home with them but now instead of staying over at muskaan's where all of her clothes were, she was to be now taken to the farmhouse near the wedding venue, the place was being inhabited by all of the wedding party from the groom's side and so only the rooms that were previously allocated were available. One of these being the room reserved for armaan, now in such a situation Rahul and armaan could have easily shared a room to give riddhima her own space, however due to her strong medications, it was not possible to leave her alone. As well as the promise to keep things a secret left armaan with only one choice and that was to maybe sleep on the floor or if he was lucky to crash on a couch in the room. He had excused Rahul of the job as he was hardly able to stay awake himself in his intoxicated state, as well as the fact of his impending marriage nuptials the next day. If armaan thought that Rahul being protective over riddhima as he had seen him to be in the hospital would object over the fact was shockingly seen to be agreeing immediately and he had just left the two and slipped in his own room.

"Here take this, it's the smallest shirt I have, just change your top and the rest is pretty much a skirt so that should be okay for the night, there's an attached bathroom you can go and change in there" he told her whilst helping her stand up from the bed where she had been sitting and trying to keep her eyes open whilst they closed on their own accord. Grabbing the shirt she began to walk towards the bathroom with utmost concentration when she heard him call out to her from the back. Stopping and slowly turning around she stood still waiting for him to continue. He walked towards her and holding onto her hand to support her he led her towards the bathroom and said, "just lightly close the door, don't lock it. Just in case, I'll just be outside so if you need any help I want to be able to reach you." Nodding her head slightly understanding his point of view she left his arm and entered the bathroom closing the door lightly.

Coming out of there after changing she saw armaan placing a plate with what looked like a sandwich in it whilst putting down two mugs on the side table of the bed. She walked towards the bed when he heard her and turning around told her to have something to eat since she's not going to be getting up for a long time once she sleeps because of the painkillers, and its not a good idea to have them on an empty stomach.

"did you take your iron tablets for the day?"

'I did after lunch, but then I didn't exactly have a proper dinner and then the ice-cream as well didn't turn out as expected'

"well have them now, after eating this.. you've lost blood today, do you have them with you?"

'uh yea… in my bag, could you please pass it over.. walking feels like a task right now'

Handing over her bag to her, he looked around the room to try and figure out his bed for the night, noticing him looking around riddhima wondered what he was thinking about.

'What's wrong ?'

"huh.. nothing eat up quick and then sleep" he said whilst pulling a rocking chair present in the room towards the bed, he then grabbed his coffee mug from the side-table and a pillow from the bed. Placing the pillow on the chair, he laid on the chair resting his legs on the bed, sliding down he just sipped his coffee and exclaimed an "aaah"

'May I ask what exactly is all that' riddhima asked pointed towards his chair et al.

"My bed, quick now get into bed and sleep, I'll be here so if u need anything let me know." Saying so he shut his eyes whilst raising his head to face the ceiling.

'armaan don't be ridiculous, you can't sleep like that all night. You'll hurt your neck, besides why do that to yourself when there's a nice bed waiting for you' she said patting the empty side of the bed.

"no, I'm fine.. you don't worry about me, I just want you to be comfortable"

'well im not comfortable seeing you break your neck, so please get your fat ass moving from that chair.. I agree this is weird, but you know what its just a bed, lets not make a big deal out of it..'

"are you sure..? I mean it's really alright.. plus I'd really rather not, it'll be too weird!"

'armaan stop being a pain in the ass, If I don't have a problem with this, why do you? Besides

We are both mature adults, and considering the situation I think it's quite alright. Now can I trust you enough, or is there something I should know, like you are secretly an axe murderer or something?'

"fine.. I'll move happy?.. dude you really talk crazy when you are lacking sleep, I remember the last time that happened, when I got in front of your car, causing an accident.. and you were feeling so guilty for nearly killing me that even though you were so tired you stayed throughout the night even though I couldn't even keep my eyes open due to the strong medications."

'WHAT? You could hear me.. armaan you heard everything I said that night? You ass.. I was so worried.. I was going crazy thinking I killed you.. and you couldn't even open your eyes to let me know that I didn't!'

"I seriously tried.. and I only heard bits and pieces of what you were saying, I was floating in and out of consciousness. But had I known that you would somehow manage to contact my parents I would have somehow managed to get up to stop you, you completely freaked my mum out you know"

'What was I to do? You were unconscious for a really long time, I was so guilty and none of your ass high friends bothered to even check up on you, let alone help me in contacting your parents..'

A sudden silence prevailed over the room at her comment. It was true that none of his friends were even aware of the situation, being high and all.

She had been on her way back home after work and whilst driving back at night, she hadn't realised what happened until someone, armaan had skidded right infront of her car.. later she had found out that on some kind of a stupid dare as a consequence of losing a drinking game he was asked to show of his skateboarding skills. Only that he was extremely drunk, a little high as she was told by the doctors at the hospital and had been foolish enough to perform his stunts on the road in pure darkness, there was no one she could have known or avoided this crash, yet she felt extremely guilty.. anyone would have knowing you might be causing their life, let alone someone you knew... someone she knew well, someone who has always been kind and considerate to her despite his boisterous ways she was aware of..

"It was never your fault, I was soo screwed up back then, it's a surprise I didn't end up completely screwing up my life for good... And you know what after that incident, and after you called mum I improved for the better, and look here I am.."

'You've really improved your life for the better, its not that you were a bad person.. atleast you never let me know.. I mean you were always nice to me.. anyway what I mean to say is that you just made some really pathetic choices and you were naturally smart it would have been a shame to see you waste your life with frivolous relationships and drugs and alcohol.. it's good that you finally saw the light'

"Okay enough of the nice words.. now go to sleep you've got to feel better tomorrow or your plan of hiding you pain from Muskaan will fail miserably."

With that he just helped her lie down and put the doona over her.

He was glad that she finally thought of him as a nice guy, yes she admitted that he was always nice to her, but somehow he knew that she maintained her distance from him because of his lifestyle.. it was something she disapproved of, heck it was something he was ashamed of everytime he looked at it from her point of view, which was practically every time he saw her purposefully walking away from him.. and he didn't have it in him to stop her.. She was too good for him, she's still too good for him he thought.




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this is just a little something i had already written.. but i doubt i'll be able to post anything after this.. my life has just drastically changed.. personal tragedy of sorts.. if im able to i'll write again i shall post.. otherwise a big thankyou to those who have read and liked what i wrote. 😊

Part C

Opening his eyes after a good few hours of sleep he was met with a strangely pleasant sight of riddhima hugging a pillow with her legs and hands trapping the poor thing completely, she looked peaceful and her even breathing was sign enough that things were alright. So he just got up and sat on the bed rubbing his eyes. Then upon noticing his shirt, the one he gave her to wear last night was falling off one of her shoulder completely, that made him feel weird.. he just raised his hand to pull the sleeve back up and removed his hand back immediately as it accidently touched her skin. That made him feel weirder, he didn't understand why he was feeling so weird, about this, about sleeping on the same bed, about staying in the same room. He had done worse things in his teenage years.. but right now he was behaving like a shy teenage girl himself. Atleast she was mature enough to not make a big deal out of this. But then his gaze wandered back to her neck where the bandage could be seen clearly, knowing she wouldn't be getting up anytime soon he just got up to get fresh, and then came back with a box of first aid ready to change her bandage. On second thoughts he just thought to leave the wound open, her skin as she had said was incredibly sensitive. He could see the whole neck area around the wound that had been covered with the bandage uptill now, was positively blue, and a little swollen he could see, that was kind of expected at least, but even the side of her arm which was trapped under the pillow she was trying to strangle was completely imprinted with the design from the fabric from the pillow cover. That just made him realise how sensitive she really was both in and out. He knew she was shaken from the incident, but she put up a brave front. And as Rahul had pointed out, she always does; he had said something really weird last night.

Insinuating something like she's used to dealing with bigger pains in her life, and she prefers to deal with them alone, she's always been secretive he had said. Not hiding things per say, but choosing to keep private of her own personal matters. He didn't understand that, she was otherwise quite talkative, and although he was aware that she chooses not to share her private life with him, he was still aware that she was really close to Muskaan and she knew all there was to know about her. Afterall, wasn't that the girl code or something, they told each other everything. But when armaan had expressed this very thought to Rahul, he had just said 'Every girl has that one deep dark secret armaan, that she can't even tell her best friend because if anyone else found out, her entire life would change.' Armaan didn't fully understand what Rahul had meant when he had told him that with a faraway expression on his face, whilst they were waiting for the nurse to get her stuff together. But whatever it was, didn't sound good to armaan, not wanting to impose their new friendship on her, as well as being aware of the current circumstances he had chosen not to question Rahul nor riddhima about this statement. But there was one thing he knew and that was that he could never look at her the same way again. Her smile that almost always adorned her face, would now not only make him think of her as a beautiful girl but also the girl that may be broken and bruised but masking it behind that smile. He will always try and wonder and try to find what the reason was. He hoped it wasn't anything permanent and it wasn't anything bad, well not too bad atleast. But in addition to that he also knew that she was strong, and that whatever it was that was plaguing her life, she was fighting it and she was not letting it affect her. Only if he knew, that she was being effected; every decision she had made after finding out that truth was affected by that fact, she had spent many nights crying. She had broken down and lost motivation for anything in life, she had lost hope, the ever optimistic girl in her was lost and engulfed by pessimism but like always she managed to get through the rough phase with the help of her family and friends. Whilst none knew about her grief, they observed her sullen mood and they made her come out of it. Made her feel their love, mostly her mother whom without knowing managed to pull her out of a major depression and Rahul who got to know what exactly was her grief during that period. He didn't give her false hope he just sat down with her and had a grown up conversation with her about her grown up problem. It wasn't solving it as such but it was just reintegrating something that she had decided upon as a determined teenager herself before any of this had been known to her. From that day she fought, she fights everyday because she had efficiently convinced herself that this little fact does not determine her life, it may change her plan of the future as she had thought of them all her life, specially as a little girl but regardless, it was still going to be her life and she was going to live it. Not like she was dying or anything. That's what Rahul had told her when she had gotten too depressed. Since then she had managed to pull her life together and on the outside she was living her life again, back on track but only she knew that she was making decisions for herself that were as a direct result of these facts about her life that she had discovered. Sometimes, even she wasn't aware of that fact herself. And Sometimes feeling the weight of her repressed emotions she would crumble when she was alone, but she had learned to pick up the pieces and start all over again by now. And so this pattern keeps repeating, no one had found out yet, and she would do her best to hide it from anyone and everyone in the future, but she knew one day she will have to answer a few questions, and that day was fast approaching. She was getting older and her parents had already started to joke about her getting married, if only they knew she couldn't, she never will be able to. This was just one fact that she had to come to terms with, just one dream she had to squish, but the worst part was that it wasn't even the worst part of it all.


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because i'm supremely pissed at life and this is my catharsis..

Awesome part. Sorry for commenting late

Originally posted by: araja1234

Awesome part. Sorry for commenting late

Loving the parts and really happy to see u update
I really wanna noe what happened in riddhimas life that she is hiding it
Sorry for late comment

Originally posted by: -AK-

Loving the parts and really happy to see u update
I really wanna noe what happened in riddhimas life that she is hiding it
Sorry for late comment

Originally posted by: cheeky_maddy

all shall be revealed at the right time.. that's all i can say!

Righy tym *sigh*
Im desperately waiting for that right tym :P

Originally posted by: -AK-

Righy tym *sigh*
Im desperately waiting for that right tym :P

Part D

"How are you feeling now"

They were in the reception party post the wedding, which had gone off smoothly enough.. Riddhima had been well rested, and with the help of some additional painkillers and modifications to her wardrobe to mask the scars she was successfully able to hide her pain from muskaan who was beaming and glowing all through the night. Even her farewell to her parents was more joyous than sad, but that was just her. She was excited and she'd be dammed if she'd hide the fact from anyone, she wore her heart on her sleeve. Quite literally so, infact in high school on her one year dating anniversary with Rahul she had given that gold heart that she wore everyday on the sleeve of her school jacket to Rahul, as a symbol of her heart being his officially. That's when Rahul was sure, she was the one! Atleast that's what he had just told everyone in his first official toast post being married. After all of the toasts, including riddhima's which was nothing fancy but truly left the audience mesmerised with the snippet of the song she had sung for them in the end on muskaan's request ofcourse. She had a wonderful singing voice, which was her secret well not so much of a secret after singing on stage at school but still she wasn't a performer or trained anyway so she just sang when she felt the music in her. But today, she sang because she was asked to and she was the most uncomfortable but she did it for her best friend, only the choice of music was a bit off. She sang 'hotel California', she had just escaped all of the congratulations of her singing and had gotten herself busy in looking after the guests as part of her job being the maid of honour. Going to get a re-fill of coffee for her own cup, to satisfy her addiction aswell as in the hopes of staying awake, she was just pouring herself a glass whilst armaan had come out of nowhere and had asked her if she was feeling okay. At first she had thought that he had meant to ask about her injury but turning around she realised he was referring to the bizarre song choice.

'Yea I'm fine.. they just put me on the spot, I didn't know what to sing so I sang the first thing that came out of my head. That song had just been stuck in my head for a while, don't know how, don't know why. And now like you everyone in there probably thinks I'm strange' She said, frowning a little, almost complaining about the unfairness of the entire situation. She looked like a child at the point, even with her grown up make up and gorgeous saree, the one muskaan had asked her to wear. And in true muskaan style it was sexy if nothing else.

Seeing her cute complaining face, he tried really hard not to laugh but he failed miserably when she pulled her hair back in a messy bun that was madly flying everywhere in the cold January wind of Delhi. She really wasn't comfortable in something like this with makeup et al. he could tell, she loved her PJ's and trackies way too much. He knew ofcourse, because as soon as she would enter home she needed to change into them. At first she used to not change till he left for the night, but slowly as he had started to stay over, she stopped bothering. She would change into them anyhow and seemed more relaxed. Even he had most of his clothes kept at hers, since she was doing her laundry anyhow.. so he too used to change into something more comfortable.

And now he couldn't help but laugh at her uneasiness in these fancy clothes, whereas her complete ease in standing in her silly pj's.

"just leave you hair alone, and stop checking on your clothes every now and then, everything looks fine. Why are you so self-conscious?"

'dude this thing is just one piece of cloth, what if it comes undone or something, it's already so transparent, M owes me one for making me look like a bloody hooker on her wedding. I understand the bride always wants to look prettier but seriously I look so cheap. And now with my bizzare singing I seem to have given everyone things to gossip about.' Riddhima said looking around. Only what she didn't realise was that people were discussing how gorgeous she looked, how beautiful her voice was, how caring she was to look after all of the guests as if she was the one responsible to throw the reception and not the parents of the bride and the groom.

"would you just trust me, when I tell you for the umpteenth time, that you look gorgeous and stop worrying about people so much, I know the clothes aren't exactly your style. And that you've never even worn a saree before this, let alone one that's well… so designer. But I'm a guy and if I tell you that you look hot then you do. Just hang in there a bit more, this thing is winding down now anyhow, then you can change. But while I have you here, tell me what muskaan said when she saw your scar."

At that question riddhima paused, everything she was doing for the moment. In that moment her mind transformed back to the conversation that had just taken place, she remembered how muskaan was near tears seeing her definite bruises as well as hearing the story of last night's happenings from Rahul, her newly wedded husband. Riddhima was able to hide the scars and pain from her through the wedding successfully, but soon afterwards M had caught her popping painkillers and Armaan changing her dressing. She had wanted to find out what was going on at the precise moment where she was supposed to be heading to the car, leading them to the reception venue but had been successfully stopped by Rahul who had diverted her back towards the car, assuring her that he will answer all of her questions in the car. Riddhima was supposed to accompany them in the car, along with rahul's best man. That was where Rahul and riddhima had filled muskaan on the night's happenings finally. She had glared at riddhima for hiding this from her, but she knew better than to yell at her after all these years. Muskaan knew riddhima preferred to keep her life, her pain to herself. She knows she's private and although this very fact had caused fights between the two where muskaan complained about her not taking muskaan as a real friend to share her life with in their school days. She had learnt over the years to not expect such openness from riddhima, she knew that if she did decide to share things about her life, she was always the first person to know. And as long as riddhima knew that she will always be there for her, she had learnt to give her space, yet when situations like such arises where she finds that her best friend has been hiding her pain, it always hurt her. She felt like a failure as a best friend to not see past the pretence that Ree put up. It wasn't her fault though, she was just really good at it, and worse of all she knew how to handle herself, she didn't need much support. But sometimes she just worries, worries whether she'll ever find someone whom she'll let her help herself. But atleast this time Rahul and armaan knew, and they had helped her through. Both being doctors aswell, atleast she knew that she was well handled.

Riddhima was more upset with what Rahul had told her after muskaan had left to get changed for the reception.

"Riddhima I've kept your secret to myself for a while now, and although you've never chosen to talk to me about it. You have chosen to never let anyone else know, I have myself never told anyone including muskaan. But now that I'm married to her, I have to tell her. I've promised myself and her that there will never be any secrets between us. And so I'm going to tell her after all of this is over, at the first opportunity I get to do it. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I'm not asking for permission this time, I am just telling you. Know that you not telling her will hurt her at first but I'll try and calm her down. But I know she won't be able to stay mad at you for long, you both can never do that." He said smiling, probably insinuating to their track record of no major fights in all these years of friendship, he had always wanted them to have a girl on girl fight for once, but sadly that had never happened.

'I understand Rahul, honestly I knew this was coming.. I couldn't expect any less from you. Thankyou for warning me, but I doubt I could ever prepare myself for this.. But if possible could you please tell her when I'm not there, I still have no interest in.. I just.. I just don't want to be there, when you tell her. But please tell her I'm sorry I couldn't tell her. But also please tell her, that I'm okay.'

Saying that she had left from there, before her voice broke…Afterwards she had just kept herself busy in attending to the guests, then with the speeches, and the cake cutting and her singing performance, she only now found time to think over what is in store for her soon. She cringed at the thought of that hurtful expression on her best friends face once she comes to know her well kept secret. She still couldn't help but wonder if only Rahul hadn't found out aswell, then no one would have ever known, she hadn't planned to tell him, he just found out unfortunately for her. But she'd rather no one knew, that no one ever finds out. She wouldn't lie, though she'd wanted to tell muskaan, she's wanted to tell her own mother, she'd wanted to tell armaan when he was so curious about the 'look' on her face. Atleast that is what he had said. But she couldn't, she had to be strong, and if she tells people, then it becomes real, and past experience tells her that the more she forgets it the happier she stays.

Breaking out of her thoughts, she decided to answer armaan's question.. he was such a gossip she thought.. always wondering what was happening and asking questions.. figured that's how he knew so much about her life already. Because everytime there was something he wanted to know, he'd just ask.. and she couldn't just help her honesty and just reply back to him. Almost like he had figured a loophole to avert her introvert nature. Otherwise, he would be hardly paying attention when she herself was telling him what he termed 'inconsequential' things like the incident that happened at the shops or the drama of the warring couple from 14 B.

"so muskaan said..?" armaan asked again.

'arg not so much, Rahul handled her well.. but she did give me that disappointment glare she always gives me when I should have told her something that I haven't, and whenever she does I feel like im lying to my mum. Not a nice feeling.. makes my tummy all fuzzy and specially with these medications I can think of nothing better to eat than a warm toast with some margarine on it and the crusts off.. I'll just go see if the chef can accommodate it.. can't eat any of these fancy things and I'm starting to scare people with my grumbling stomach now.. this coffee doesn't seem to be doing the trick anymore'

"Oye wait up! I'll get that for you. Go sit down and rest a little, you are starting to look a little pale again.." with that he just put his hand forward to check her temperature and true to his assumption she was starting to break a sweat. Not surprisingly, she had put her body through immense stress… and now when things were winding down and the adrenaline was leaving her body she was starting to fall apart again. Only she wouldn't complain about it.. she never would he knew, she complains about anything and everything that is not directly related to herself but never things of real substance. He knew from his experience of her as well as the subtle warnings that Rahul had provided him. He somewhere knew that Rahul was trusting him with that piece of advice with riddhima's best intentions at heart. She's living away from home after all, and she's living away from them now… it seemed as though Rahul was almost her big brother and not his cousin.. but he understood that their relationship runs far deeper than blood and since he felt protective over riddhima naturally he didn't needed to be told twice to look out for her. He had been doing that already, so had she… they were both looking after each other.. he didn't know why but he had to admit it made life easier for sure!

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