AR's 'Mine Forever.' A Note on pg 76. - Page 17

Chapter 9:

Riddhima dropped down on knees as weakness and fatigue took over her body. She had been walking non-stop through a stretch of unknown land for only God knows what duration in search of a familiar face, an exit or a shelter but there was no out. The place was enveloped in darkness and no matter how fast or long she walked the night dragged on. Her ragged breaths and erratic heartbeats seemed too loud in the complete silence that encompassed her surroundings. She tried to get up to continue her search but even lifting her feet seemed like a herculean task. She sighed in satisfaction digging her toes in the fine sand which was miraculously cool compared to the hot and humid climate. It brought her some relief from the suffocation and restlessness she felt.

"Armaan." Riddhima whispered scanning the area with anticipation of finding him but only an endless sea of darkness was visible. She might not be able to see but she was sure of his presence. She could never forget or be wrong about him as his essence was embedded in her soul.

"Riddhima." Her heart picked up pace as the breeze carried her name in Armaan's husky voice; pleading her to return to him. She rose in haste with renewed energy and will to find him. He was near and she would do anything to be with him. Riddhima took hurried steps towards the tiny spark that twinkled in the distance, praying for it to be her destination; her Armaan. She squinted her eyes as the bright halo around the light source hurt her eyes which had become accustomed to darkness. Her face lit up on recognizing the figure standing behind the sparkling light. She fastened her speed to cover the remaining distance but stilled in her track as she saw him turn away from her.

"Armaan. No." Riddhima wanted to shout at the top of her voice for him to not abandon her now but all that came out of her parched throat was a pleading whimper. She breathed deeply as her eyes moistened and heart twisted in pain.

"I'm right here. Waiting for you. Come back to me. Please." Her head snapped up on hearing Armaan's quivering voice say this to her as he extended a hand towards her. Riddhima slowly put her trembling hand in his which he held firmly before leading her out.

Swirls of pink and lavender splashed across the horizon as the dusk began to fade. The thick grey clouds scattered paving way for the early rays to luminate the land after two days of darkness caused by the storm. Birds chirped merrily on their way to food hunt and the rain washed trees and plants swayed with the wind. Where nature seemed to rejoice at the moment, Armaan had nothing to be happy about. His world was still very much dark and bleak as his life lay unconscious on a hospital bed surrounded by machines and needles. Riddhima drifted in and out of conscioussness in the two days that she was admitted in Sanjeevani but not long enough to communicate or respond in anyway. The paramedics wheeled in machines to record updates and administer the next dose of medicines before the shifts changed. Rahul offered coffee to Armaan, now knowing very well that it was impossible to persuade him to leave Riddhima's side for a while to eat, rest or freshen up. Armaan's crinkled clothes, dishelved hair and red rimmed eyes spoke of the turmoil he was going through. Despite numerous efforts from doctors and a warning from Dr. Harsh, Armaan still denied to move away from Riddhima. He stayed by her side at all times, softly coaxing her to open her eyes and look at him. At times Rahul feared that he would break down but till now he had been holding up well. Even now he was wiping her face and palms with cool strips as her body tingled with fever.

"Armaan." Rahul dropped his empty mug and rushed towards Riddhima as he heard her call out Armaan's name.

"Riddhima. Open your eyes Princess." Armaan hovered above her patting her cheeks and murmuring sweet words. Dr. Shubhankar and other doctors came in to check up on her as Rahul called them.

"Armaan. No." Riddhima whimpered restlessly as the doctors pulled him away. They checked the readings on the charts and discussed her condition. Everyone in the room stilled as the heart monitor beeped loudly before going silent. Rahul snapped out of the shock first and dragged Armaan towards her realizing she was responding to his presence.

"I'm right here. Waiting for you. Come back to me. Please.." Armaan pleaded at the verge of crying while wiping the tears escaping her closed eyes. He gasped loudly drawing everyone's attention towards their hands when Riddhima entwined their fingers tightly and her eyelids fluttered slowly.

"Riddhima." Rahul said kissing her cheeks as she opened her eyes.

"You have no idea what we went through these past two days. We were scared to no limits. Thank God you're fine now." He kissed her forehead and ran a loving hand over her hair.

"Dr. Riddhima, ab kaisa feel kar rahi hain ap?" Dr. Shubhankar asked stepping in front of her. She opened and closed her mouth trying to speak but couldn't utter a word so she blinked in response.

"Water." She said hoarsely. Her own voice sounded alien to her. Her throat felt so dry as if she had swallowed a handful of sand. Rahul quickly picked a glass of water and helped her with it.

"Kya hua? Kuch chahye tumhien?" He asked as her gaze scanned the room from one corner to the other. Rahul heaved a sigh of relief glancing at the monitor which now gave normal readings. Dr. Shubhankar left after briefing him about the medications. His eyes widened seeing Armaan slumped in the chair besides the bed with his head in his hands. He had forgotten about him completely as the other doctors covered him. He now understood what Riddhima was searching for and so left the room silently.

Riddhima's heart dipped realizing she had been dreaming all this while and Armaan hadn't returned in reality. She wanted to go back to that world and never return. At least she could be with him over there. She let out a small cry as sense of desperation took over. Riddhima gasped audibly as her eyes met with a pair of blue orbs and a warm hand wiped her tears softly.

"Armaan." Hearing her whisper his name and look at him so tenderly in a daze tugged at his heart. Armaan lifted her upper body and crushed her in his embrace. He cradled his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled her familiar sweet scent deeply. Having her in his arms after long painful separation and this accident made his emotions go haywire.

"I didn't know my accident could bring you back otherwise I would have attempted it earlier." Armaan shook his head hearing Riddhima say this in a quivering voice.

"Don't you dare put yourself in danger,ever. You have no idea what I went through as you laid here unconscious. Don't do this to me ever again." Armaan pulled back a little and cupped her face. His eyes conveyed the depth of his words. He could no longer control the tears that threatened to escape all along. Riddhima wrapped her free arm around his neck as both of them wept silently for the lost time and a love that couldn't blossom.

"Are you sure Riddhima? I don't have to go, you know." Armaan said almost pleadingly.

"Go Armaan. You need to rest for a while. You'll be here before I wake up. Go now. I'm sleepy." Riddhima mumbled drowning under the effect of sedatives.

"If you say so. If you need anything just call me, I've put my number on speed dial." He said putting the loose fringes of hair behind her ear.

"I think you're forgetting that Riddhima isn't alone. I'm here Armaan." Rahul said amusedly at all the faces Armaan had pulled in hopes of staying back but Riddhima didn't melt; seriously no one could beat her in stubbornness.

"Oh yeah. Ok, I'll go then." Armaan said defeatedly before walking out.

"I'll be back soon." He said peeping in the room.

"I'm sure." Riddhima replied with a eye roll. Her eyes met his as he whispered something before leaving finally. She didn't hear it but her heart picked race none the less wishing it to be the words it desperately wanted to hear from him.

Rahul heaved a sigh of relief as he watched Riddhima sleep peacefully. Sunlight seeping through gaps in the blinds created shadows and the silence in the room provided an amiable atmosphere to ponder. Rahul realized both Armaan and Riddhima were the same. Both gave each others well being more importance than anything else. Armaan put his needs at the back as he looked after Riddhima day and night even when she wasn't aware of it. Riddhima had done the very same thing now. She had forced him to leave and rest though her expressions had given away her desire of wanting him close. Rahul had the urge to tell Riddhima that her love wasn't incomplete anymore as Armaan reciprocated those feelings, more strongly than her but he knew it was something she had to see and believe for herself. It wouldn't take long, he was sure of that. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes wanting to rest a while before tonight's event.

"Why are you here Armaan?" Riddhima raised her hand to stop Armaan as he bend to kiss her forehead. He had returned after relaxing for a few hours.

"What do you mean?" He asked confused at her question and hurt as she didn't allow him to touch her.

"I mean are you here for me or some work? Did Rahul call you? How did you know I'm here?" Armaan gulped hard hearing her questions. He had come prepared to tell her everything clearly himself but her sudden mood change

scared him.

"I came here for Sanjeevani's anniversary celebrations." He said sitting besides her on the bed.

"Oh and here I was thinking you had come for me. Why would you do that after all? No. I don't need your pity or fake concern anymore. Just leave me alone for sometime." Riddhima said facing away from him as he tried to speak.

"Riddhima, he came here for work but has been with you for the past few days for you, just for you." Rahul said intervening.

"Rahul, you knew everything and yet you didn't find it necessary to inform me? Were you two even going to tell me?" She asked her brother angrily.

"Tonight." Both replied together.

"Listen to me once Riddhima. I'll leave after that if you want. I had come here for the celebrations but I was going back home because of you. I didn't know fate would make us meet under such circumstances. I know some things from our past have made you doubt about my intentions but believe me I've been by your side because I lo.. I still care for you deeply." Armaan said looking deep into her green eyes which stared at him with apprehension.

"How are you related to Sanjeevani?" She asked with a raised brow.

"I'm the owner of the Delhi branch." She gasped hearing his answer.

"That means it was you who forced Dr. Kirti to appoint me. No wonder she said all that to me. She must think so poor of me that I used my personal relations to get jobs." Riddhima said shaking her head.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai Riddhima. Dr. Kirti ko tumhara cv maine dia zaroor tha per she appointed you on basis of your qualifications. If you want I can call her right now."

"No need. I believe you." She said holding his hand as he pressed keys to unlock the screen.

"You do?" Armaan asked shocked to which she replied with a nod.

"Mr. Mallik, Dr. Harsh wants you to join them in the auditorium." A nurse entered the room interrupting their conversation.

"Please tell him I won't be able to join." He replied. Riddhima squeezed Armaan's hand softly and motioned with her eyes to go.

"Rahul, what are you doing here? You also go. I'll be fine. The nurse is here to help me. Now both of you go before all the cake is finished and don't forget to bring my share." She said with a bright smile. She knew the looks both of them gave her. They thought she was crazy. One moment she was angry and complaining and now she was asking them to enjoy the party.

"Armaan. Aren't you forgetting something?" Riddhima said as he turned to leave. He frowned. She pointed towards something on the chair.

"Oh yeah I brought this for you." He said giving her a bunch of white roses.

"They are lovely. Thank you." Riddhima didn't know what Armaan thought while buying the roses but to her they signified the purity and innocence of their relationship and her loyalty towards him. She saw them leave for the function. How she wished she could join them too. Her heart ached thinking how she behaved few moments back.

"I'm sorry Armaan. I didn't mean to hurt you. I had overheard a few nurses gossiping and wanted to know if you would tell me the truth or not. It's not easy for me to trust anyone now but I believe you. I only wanted to prevent myself from enduring another heartbreak. You've decided to return for me and I promise to not let you down this time." She whispered to the flowers as if speaking to Armaan. She caressed the soft petals on her cheek and closed her eyes to absorb its sweet fragrance.