PART 14:
Padma's condition stayed critical over the next few days. Her new heart worked great, but for some reason, her body did not respond to any treatments or medicines given thus far. Riddhima stayed at her mom's bed side constantly. Shashank stayed at his brother's, and Armaan shared the small college dorm room with his brother.
Despite all efforts, one early morning, seven days after the heart transplant, Padma passed away in her unconscious state. The doctors were really puzzled, "we don't understand when her transplant went off so well; her new heart functioned optimally, what triggered her demise?"
Shashank was in a state of shock. He could not believe his wife of 20 years had bid good bye to him just like that. He could have lived the rest of his life just looking at her pretty face; even if she stayed unconscious, but this was a harsh blow nature had played with him. He was upset with his God for leaving him alone in this world. He was upset with himself, for taking her to that Holi get together at the Mallik's where Naina's words affected Padma so deeply that she never opened her eyes again.
Armaan and Riddhima looked for answers from the doctors, but they were just told, "looks like Mrs Gupta had lost the will to live…..we can do our best, but if there is no desire to live, no patient can be saved despite our most heroic efforts."
Riddhima was hysterical when the reality finally hit her. She had done her best to stay with her mother, talk to her, comfort her, hold her hand over the last seven days, but who knew that Naina's harsh words had affected Padma so deeply that she had no desire to face the world or see her daughter's feelings get hurt.
Armaan was angry initially-angry at the false promises made by the doctors, but finally came to terms with the reality. He felt hollow inside; suddenly he felt motherless. Padma had virtually been his mother since he could remember. Whether it was feeding him, mending his torn shirts, taking care of him when he was sick- it was always Padma. Naina had never been a mother figure to him; she was just there to provide him with good clothes, toys, cars and pocket money.
Armaan cried at Padma's bedside for hours. The nurses had to help him out of her room as they got ready to take care of the final formalities.
Riddhima was numb with the shock, and sat outside in the hotel lobby with her feet on the chair, staring blankly. She could not feel, see or hear anything. Shashank rested his head on one of her shoulders. Armaan sat down beside her and buried his head on her other shoulder. He put his arm around her and sobbed loudly. Armaan's warm tears and gut wrenching sobs finally brought tears in Riddhima's eyes. Armaan had never shed a tear in his life before this incident. Rahul was touched to see his brother's sensitive side. What surprised Rahul was that in this moment of crisis, it was Riddhima who was lending a shoulder to Armaan rather than the other way around. Rahul admired Riddhima for her courage and ability to handle the situation so maturely. It was ironical, that the two men in her life- her father and her best friend, Armaan who would ideally be her support at such a time, were actually being comforted by her instead. Rahul whispered into Muskaan's ears, "teri saheli sach much bahut bahadur hai….kaash Armaan bhi uski kadar karni seekh le."
The funeral was held in Patiala the next day. Padma's body lay on the floor of their house, as neighbors and friends poured in to pay their homage. Riddhima, dressed in a white salwaar suit, sat with Muskaan and the other women in one corner. Her tears had dried up from the intense grief. Shashank sat with the men; he had aged 10 years in the last 2 days. Billy, Armaan and Rahul sat next to Shashank as the priest recited the last rituals in the house.
Just then, a tearful Naina entered the house in her pure white silk sari with gaudy large white pearl jewelry and a nest on top of her head. She ran towards Riddhima and hugged her tightly, "meri puttar! Itni si umar mein maa ka saaya uth gaya…..kitna bura kiya rab ne tere saath," she shed loads of crocodile tears as Riddhima sat unperturbed by Naina's histrionics. Riddhima was learning the harsh facts of life at a very tender age- she was learning to see the true colors of people. Riddhima had lived a protected life so far; she had learnt to love and believe that everyone in this world was good, but the events around Padma's death, had taught her that people are not always what they might seem on the outside. Naina's sweet talk could not fool her anymore. In her heart, Riddhima knew that Naina was in some way responsible for her mother's death. Riddhima could never forgive Naina; she just remained silent and did not respond to Naina.
Armaan looked up and was glad to see his mother showing some emotion and responsibility towards Riddhima. He knew Naina was not very fond of Riddhima, but after seeing her hug Riddhima affectionately, Armaan had a warm feeling for his mother.
"Riddhima puttar….Padma tho meri behen jaisi thi….aaj se mujhey hi maa samajhna ….jaise Armaan…waise hi tu…..humein Padma ke jaane ke baad paraaya mat kar dena," Naina wiped her tears with her sari pallu.
The other ladies admired Naina, "dekho, kitni acchi hai Naina bhabhi….itna paisa hone ke baavjood kitna khayal rakh rahi hai Riddhima ka…..Riddhima ko maa ki kami ab kabhie mehsoos nahin hogi."
Riddhima looked at the other women cynically and thought, "aisi maa ki jagah main bin maa ke rehna pasand karoongi." Riddhima had no desire to either talk or respond to Naina. Naina tried her best to impress Armaan and the others by talking sweetly to Riddhima, but neither Riddhima, nor Shashank were impressed. They maintained a dignified silence.
Naina folded her hands, "Shashank bhaisaheb….Riddhima…hum se kabhie koi galti ho gayi ho tho maaf kar dena….kuch galti se bhala bura keh diya ho tho maaf karna…..aakhir padhos ka maamla hai….aise mauke par hum hi tho kaam aate hain."
Naina had realized that the only way to stay in Armaan's good books was to be sweet to the Gupta's especially after Padma's death. She knew that once Armaan was gone, she could revert back to her normal self. Armaan was indeed very impressed and thanked his mom silently for being so considerate. He was comforted that when he would be away, Riddhima would be well taken care of.
The body was finally taken away; Shashank, Armaan, Rahul and Billy gave 'kandha' to the body as Padma went off on her final journey.
NEXT FEW MONTHS:
The months following Padma's death were very painful for Shashank and Riddhima. They tried their best to preserve Padma's memories with a positive outlook, but no one could replace the emptiness they felt inside.
Armaan visited Riddhima and Shashank often, but he was busy with his college finals and formalities for his impending US trip. He had to make several trips to Delhi for his visa and passport. He tried his best to cheer up Riddhima whenever he could, but would end up getting depressed himself without his kaaki's presence at home. In a way, he was looking forward to going to the US; away from the depressing environment in Patiala. He still treated the Gupta's as family and would just barge in just like old days, whether he was hungry, bored or just wanted to be with Riddhima.
Riddhima kept her distance from Armaan; she never hugged him or sat on his lap like she used to. She still loved him with all her heart and firmly believed that Armaan loved her equally. She never talked to him about the outhouse incident or the abuses Naina had hurled on her that day. Riddhima had resolved to never go to the Mallik house ever again. She was confident that one day Armaan would definitely marry her, after all why would he want to take that step with her in the outhouse the other day? She did not mention the word 'marriage' in front of him as she knew it was just a matter of time that he would propose to her. She was willing to face and live with Naina, as long as Armaan's support was with her.
Riddhima applied to the various local colleges, as she was determined to continue her education at this point. Even if she got married to Armaan, she wanted to have a college degree. She had passed her board exams with flying colors.
Shashank kept himself busy with reading and gardening. He started working at the local city library. He still had the 12 lakh debt on his head. Even though, Padma did not survive, they had to pay for the full surgery and hospital bills. Billy, the shrewd businessman that he was, sent a letter a few months after Padma's death reminding Shashank that he had to vacate the house by the end of the year and also start paying off the debt in installments. Shashank did not mention anything to Riddhima.
RIDDHIMA's 18th BIRTHDAY:
Riddhima turned 18 that summer. Her birthday fell one day before Armaan's 22 nd birthday. Armaan wanted to make her birthday memorable for her, as he knew he would be gone to the US in a few days. He missed her smile, and promised himself that he would make her the happiest person that day.
Armaan, Muskaan and a few of her high school friends decided to surprise her that day. Shashank also consented as he was dying to see a smile on his daughter's face too. Shashank was glad that Riddhima's friends really cared for her, but he knew in a few months he would have the hard task of separating her from them. He had started looking at different options- moving to a small place in Patiala itself, or as his brother was suggesting-move to Chandigarh.
Riddhima's friends organized a surprise bash at Muskaan's place, as Riddhima would never suspect anything fishy at Muskaan's house.
Muskaan called her that evening, "chal teri birthday ke liye kahin picture dekhne chalte hain…..ek bahut funny movie lagi hai- DHAMAAL…mere ghar aaja abhi…..please NO mat keh…..mere liye itna nahin kar sakti? Aaj tu 18 ki ho gayi hai!"
Riddhima consented; her 18th birthday had so far been a drab. She had received a few phone calls from friends and relatives. Armaan had always been the first one to wish her at her doorstep every year, but he was in Delhi for some paper work; that depressed her more than anything, "kya Armaan America jaane ke baad bilkul hi bhool jaayega mujhey? Aaj pehli baar usney mujhey wish nahin kiya," she thought sadly, but consoled herself, "shayad busy hoga….warna wo nahin bhoolta."
Riddhima wore a light blue churidaar suit and a delicate pearl set to match. After applying light make up, she set out for Muskaan's house.
She ran the bell to Muskaan's house and looked at her watch, "show shuru honey mein abhi ek ghanta hai…..chalo thodi der Muskaan se baat hi kar loongi…..shayad jee halka ho jaaye."
"SURPRISE!!!!" She was greeted by a bunch of friends at Muskaan's house. Riddhima was really surprised. She covered her mouth in amazement, "tum logon ne tho mujhey darra hi diya!"
Armaan stood with his arms folded and wicked grin in one corner, "Yeh shuru se hi darrpok hai……chalo aaj birthday girl ko bumps zaroor milenge!"
"Nahin Armaan…bumps nahin!" Riddhima yelled, "and by the way main darrpok kabhie nahin thi aur na hoon….tumhare saath saare trees climb kiye hain maine."
Armaan walked past the crowd and lifted her in his arms, "Happy Birthday my not so darrpok chidiya!" he twirled around with her and threw her up in the air like a little girl.
'AHHH! Armaan!" she screamed as she found herself suspended in the air, but landed right into Armaan's arms again. Armaan laughed out loudly and placed her down, "chidiya 18 ki ho gayi par pankh se bhi halki hai! OK come on guys….lets give her the bumps!"
"NAHIN!!!" Riddhima screamed again, but before she realized, a dozen or so friends had her trapped in their hands and gave her 18 solid bumps. Riddhima was in tears by the end. She could not stop laughing; her tummy hurt as she held onto Armaan's shirt. Armaan looked at her tenderly, "yahi tho main chaahta tha….is chehre ki muskuraahat kitne dino se kahin chali gayi thi….aaj kitne dino baad muskuraayi hai Riddhima."
The friends started mingling and munching on the snacks, as Armaan, Riddhima and Muskaan talked away like old times. Rahul was busy with his finals in Chandigarh, so could not attend the party.
Armaan came to the center of the living room and announced, 'OK guys….aaj sab log Riddhima ko uska man pasand present denge….deal yeh hai ki Riddhima hum sab se ek ek cheez maangegi…..aur kyunki hum sab uske sabse ache dost hain, humein uski har marzi poori karni hogi…..yahi hamara gift hai Riddhima ke liye….manzoor hai?"
"MANZOOR HAI!" they all shouted in unison.
Riddhima blushed and thanked everyone, "mujhey aap logon se kuch nahin chaahiye….mummyji ki death ke baad aaj pehli baar mere chehre par muskaan aayi hai…..mere liye yehi sab se badha gift hai."
"Nahin Riddhima…maango….aaj jee bhar ke maango!" Armaan insisted.
"Achha mujh se start karte hain," Muskaan asked, "kya chaahiye tujhey?"
Riddhima hugged her best friend, "main chaahti hoon ki tu jaldi se jaldi apne Rahul se shaadi kar le!"
Everyone clapped as Muskaan blushed, 'apne liye maang na tha stupid!" she whispered in Riddhima's ears.
Riddhima just smiled, "apne liye hi tho maang rahi hoon….teri khushi mein hi meri khushi hai."
So, she went around the room and asked for her various birthday presents from all her friends. She asked for hugs from some, pictures with some, songs from some, poems from some….basically gifts of joy and gifts of words.
In the end it was Armaan's turn.
Armaan stood in front of her and grinned, "Ab mujh se maang chidiya."
Riddhima glanced at him lovingly and thought, "Armaan….kya maangoon tumse? Mera sab kuch hi tho tumhara hai."
Armaan raised his eyebrow, 'kuch kaha?'
Riddhima shook her head, "kuch nahin….baad mein maangoongi….abhi pata nahin," and blushed profusely.
Armaan whispered in her ear, "kiss chaahiye kya?"
She whispered back, "party ke baad bataaoongi…..lekin promise karo mujhey mera gift zaroor doge na?"
Armaan extended his hand, "Zaroor! Promise!"
Shiv Shakti
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