New Siddhanth and Shilpa FF: Lucky in Love - Page 12

Chapter 24

Riddhima and Armaan had inquired about Sid's room and had gone to check up on him. They both were eager to see their friend, when they reached outside his room all they could hear was laughter. Both of them smiled at each other, it had been a while since they had heard the sound.

When Armaan had come back to Sanjeevini, things had definitely changed. He was no longer an intern, and his innocence had dimmed. His sudden return was motivated by his desire of seeing Riddhima again, even though he had tried to forget her and distance himself from her memories. But if was too hard, forgetting Riddhima would be akin to forgetting to breathe which was impossible. So listening solely to his heart, he had retured to get his Basket back only to find out she was no longer his.

This had made him so angry, first with Siddhant then at Riddhima, and finally he cursed his own destiny. And in his anger he had dropped down to despicable behavior, that even he looking back felt disgusted by. How the mighty had fallen. He had tried every trick in the book to see whether she still felt the burning desire that he did. But as his tricks began to take effect, his friendship began to bud with Sid and he couldn't continue breaking a marriage. He decided to patch them up, and in the process Sid become his brother his "kuchi pucchi". Even though he tried his best to be happy and put on a charade of him being "okay", he wasn't. Armaan felt like he died a new death every time he saw Sid touch Riddhima even though they all had become friends it had become difficult. He soon found out that Riddhima wasn't happy either; Armaan decided it was better to act now then to repent later. Now whenever he thinks about the night in the tent, he isn't too proud of the path he took to bring Riddhima out of her senses so that all their lives could work out for the better. He still remembers the pain in Sid's eyes and the guilt in Riddhima's. He remembers the defeated demeanor of Sid has he had handed over the divorce papers. The only thing that consoled him was that what he had done was for the better. Sid was not meant for Riddhima there was definitely someone out there made for him and only him. Someone who wouldn't care for him or settle for him, but someone who would choose to love him and care for him.

Riddhima's guilt had taken over her when she had seen the anger and anguish in Sid's eyes that fateful night she felt like her own "kismaat" had slapped her in the face. She couldn't walk the same way again, with her head held high. No matter where she went she felt people looked at her with disgust, it was like she had become branded as a bewafa. She wanted to make things right with Sid, but he had handed her divorce papers. Riddhima remembers her parents shocking reaction when the were told of the impending divorce. If someone had told her that after everything was said and done she would be happily engaged to Armaan she wouldn't have believed them. After Sid had given her the green light and told her that he was happy for her she was on cloud nine, no one besides her could say that they had come out a divorce with a friend and lover intact.

While the both had been engaged in their own musings the realized that the both of them must've looked like creeps. Armaan decided he could no longer wait to meet his pal and knocked on the door.

Shilpa couldn't stop laughing , she felt so good. It was undeniable that she had missed Sid. Rohan was her friend whom she would be okay not seeing for months at a time, but not Sid he was much more. He ignited Shilpa like no other person, she truly became herself in front of him.

The knock on the door broke their laugh fest and Shilpa got off from the bed. She still was wearing her sari from last light sans the earrings and bangles her makeup had long since faded and her eye liner had smudged, so when she opened the door the reaction she got was pretty warranted.

Armaan looked up at her with his hand still in midair with his mouth opened, Riddhima was standing next to him looking equally shocked. She couldn't believe that Shilpa was in Sid's room and had stayed their overnight...she was happy that Sid seemed happy at least from the sound of his laughter but there still was a gnawing feeling where she was a little disappointed that he has moved on. When she had gotten back together with Armaan it was warranted...they had history...she couldn't understand how her girl Sid barely knew got so close to him. Armaan on the other hand had a smirk on his face. Before anyone could say anything Sid came to the door.

"Shilpa...who is it..." and then he looked up... he saw Armaan and Ridhimma...he was a little taken a back but now he realized at he looked at her in the eyes that she didn't make him feel the same way...the pain that he had felt yesterday was gone. He felt lighter...so instead of anger or pain in his eyes there was only happiness...

"Oh Arman...Ridhimma...tum log bahar kya kar rehe ho...come inside and Shilpa what are u doing just standing there...you remember Armaan...u met him on my bed" Sid winked at Shilpa.

Shilpa blushed and punched Sid in the arm... "haha...I know...we've met Sid...I seriously don't understand how an idiot like you has such cool friends." She looked back at Armaan and Riddhima and said "come in guys...sorry that we look so terrible...we just got no sleep...I mean its not what you think...like I mean we were talking and you know we've just haven't seem each other in a while so just catching up.. and hurriedly she added "so why don't y'all order some coffee and I'll just go to my room and shower"

Sid could tell that Shilpa was embarrassed..which made him smile...but then again anything she did made him smile. But embarrassed Shilpa was his favorite her cheeks would turn red and she would start rambling. Before she could continue he spoke "ok Shilpa calm down...they are friends they don't make assumptions...except my main man Armaan who just as a sick mind...anyways why don't you just move into my room...I know you hate sleeping in a strange room on a strange bed...plus aunty said that its my job to take care of you. Also call my mom...she wanted to talk to you"

Shilpa smiled...Sid was the best he knew her so well...and replied "ok Dr. Grumpy" she looked at everyone and said I'll be back.

During this whole exchange Armaan whispered to Riddhima "I'm so happy for Sid, they make the perfect couple" Riddhima put on a fake smile and nodded...she couldn't put her finger on what was making her so uncomfortable.

It was a little awkward.

Sid didn't know how to tell his best friends how he missed them and how he felt terrible for keeping them at a distance. But before he could say anything Armaan hugged him. "Mere kuchi puchi...mere yara...I missed you so much...Everyday I would think about you my man...I love Atul but there is nothing that can replace my bhai Siddhant Modi"

Sid felt so emotional at that point of time. Before Shilpa and his mom...he forgot that he had indirectly hurt his brother by being sad. He had an inkling that Armaan knew that he was not ok...even as Riddhima remained unaware he knew that somewhere Armaan still felt some guilt.

Before things got to heavy Sid decided he needed to bring up the mood. "Guys, sit na...How is it going? When are you getting married? Or did you get married and not tell me?" Armaan replied first " No tere bina...not possible...plus there has been a lot to do at the hospital and Ridhima is got another promotion...now she is head of the department...we just don't have the time...but we will I mean its just we've waited for so long so whats a couple more days...right!" Riddhima had a tight smile on her face and said "Yes Sid...we are just waiting for everything to fall into place. What about you...it seems like you a have moved on quite well without us?" She didn't mean to sound like she was accusing him of something...but it did come of like she did. It was just that Riddhima couldn't figure out what she was feeling. At first she was happy that Sid was happy but then it still kind of hurt that he didn't seem to care about her anymore. Sid didn't seem to notice her tone or if he did he didn't acknowledge it.

"No its not like that...actually to tell you the truth" Sid said while rubbing the back of his neck "It was taking sometime for me to get back in the groove in Houston...but once I met Shilpa...everything changed. I don't know how to describe it guys but it was like she held my hand and helped guide me in my life when I was just aimlessly walking...she is just the best! I mean you guys have seen her at her best...especially when she's motivated to create chaos...like I thought I was the biggest prankster...but she takes it to the next level...and I mean the best is when she is confused...it's the cutest thing in the world...this one time she decided to come to a conference with me in Dallas...it was the best...she kept looking at me with her big hazel eyes...oh and when she is sleeping...wow like a nuclear bomb could go off she would still be sleeping. And didn't you just see...Shilpa always rambles when she's embaraased...but at the same time she is so shameless...you won't believe it but she gets actual comfort in my abs...can you believe that she is definitely one in a million."

Before he could continue Armaan interrupted.."accha bhai...we get it...your in love with her! The more important question remains...does she know?"

Sid smiled "nah...I don't think so...I mean Shilpa is a lot of things but she's like the least perceptive person I know...I don't she has a clue...but Armaan I don't know how I should tell her...I don't want to come on too strong...I mean in past almost 6 months...we've been through a lot and she's a bit like me...not so lucky with relationships so she's weary with them. I don't know how to tell her?"

Armaan put his arm on Sid's shoulder and says "I understand dost, what you are going through...but you know what I have learnt in the pursuit of love is that simple is the way to go. Waiting and hoping the other person knows or assuming she doesn't does nobody any favors...I mean just look at us...I made so many stupid decisions in my life which resulted in Riddhima and I coming together, then breaking up, then going our own ways...then almost ruining your life..all I can say is that don't make the same mistakes I did..Sid just go and tell her straight...I mean just go now! She's probably in her room now and tell her you love her."

Sid smiled and decided that it was no or never and left the room to go tell the love of his life how much she meant to him.

Armaan and Ridhimma were left in the room. When Armaan faced Ridhimma he couldn't believe but she was crying. Her emerald eyes were swelling up with tears as she sat on her bed.

Note: Hey guys, another chapter a little shorter than the last but its something. So I kinda have an idea as to how this story is going to go. I think there will be max 5 more chapter and then it will end. There are holidays here so I'm trying by best to finish this up before they end...so I can finally complete this story and hopefully do some justice to it. Sorry for the extremely long hiatus.

Cheers,

KaransWorld