"We BeLoNg ToGeThEr No MaTtEr WaT "
PART 33
Riddhima collapsed on the ground hitting her head hard on a stone. She crashed on the Foot path all of a sudden. Riddhima barely registered the fact, the blood was rushing from her head all the way down to her face and to her cheek. Little black dots swarmed Riddhima's vision, the corners of her sight slowly started to turn blank. She let out a small cry, then refused to move. Her head was bleeding. and then darkness swallowed upon her. Riddhima was then swept into the state of unconsciousness. It all faded away until she was left with nothing but darkness. Riddhima's world had crashed in a messy blur.
A Blue sports car happened to pass by, The car zoomed faster and faster and all of a suddent the brakes were applied, The car skidded for some seconds and came to an halt. Vivek got off from his car and rushed towards Riddhima who was lying in a pool of blood. Vivek was shocked to see Riddhima in that state.
Vivek bent down beside Riddhima, He kept Riddhima's head on his lap and Tapped her to try to elicit a response, He kept mumbling 'Riddhima, Can you hear me, Riddhima open your eyes..' but Riddhima wasn't responding. Vivek positioned his cheeks next to Riddhima's mouth and checked whether she was breathing normally or heavily. He repeatedly was talking to Riddhima trying to get response from her.
Picking Riddhima in his arms, Vivek rushed towards his car, He opened the back seat, laid Riddhima there, he took out a Riddhima's dupatta and tied to to her head, Stopping the blood from rushing out. Vivek was in tears seeing Riddhima in that state, but he knew he had to take Riddhima to Hospital, as soon as possible,Sitting in the car he rushed Riddhima to Sanjeevani Hospital.
*------------*-------------------*-----------------*
Armaan and the Mallik's were waiting for Riddhima it was 9pm now, and there was no responce from Riddhima's side. Armaan had dialled Riddhima's number for uptenth time now. Armaan decided to call to the Gupta house.
'Hello...' Armaan spoke while Padma had picked up the call. 'Armaan?..' 'Hello aunty, Wo... Riddhima hai?..' armaan asked 'Riddhima to tumhare ghar ke liye nikal chuki hai Armaan...' Padma said suprised with Armaan's question. 'Oh... Thik hai aunty...' Armaan whispered happily. 'Riddhima abhi tak nahi pahunchi?..' padma asked armaan 'Nahi aunty, Hum sab kabse wait kar rahe hai...' Armaan said sadly. 'Riddhima aur shashank, bahot pahle hi nikal chuke hai...' Padma said suprised. 'Main dekhta hu aunty..' Armaan said, he looked confused.
Armaan cut the call and felt strange, His mind had already started working. He wondered why was Riddhima taking time. Smeeta walked in to Armaan's room 'Armaan, Riddhima abhi tak ayi kyu nahi ?..'. 'Mom, Riddhima bas on the way hai,...' armaan said. 'Acha chalo, niche ajao, Riddhima bhi pahunchti hi hogi...'
Armaan nodded his head and walked with his mother to hall. Armaan felt restless and a feeling of loosing Riddhima, He didn't know why was he feeling that way.
*------------------*-------------------*---------------------*
Vivek rushed Riddhima to Sanjeevani. Dr. Keerthi Rushed towards Riddhima. 'Riddhima, Riddhima ko kya hua hai?..'. Dr. Keerthi enquired. 'Um.. I don't know, when i was passing by, I saw Riddhima lying on the road, Unconcious...' Vivek told crying. 'Okay, I'll take care of her, Sister, Please inform Dr. Shashank immediately...' She said and called out for some nurses and Riddhima was taken inside the ward.
Dr. Keerthi picked up a clipboard with some paper tucked in and started skimming through it. Checking it throuhgly when a panicking Dr. Shashank rushed towards her and spoke,
'Dr. Keerthi, Riddhima kaisi hai? Is she alright, What happened...'. Shashank flashed a series of questions all at once. 'Sir, we are taking Riddhima under an operation...' Dr. Keerthi rattled. 'Operation?..' Shashank was shocked and his tears started flowing down. 'She landed on her head, so she has got some serious injuries on her head...' Dr.Shashank and Vivek stood absolutely still.
'Riddhima's head is injured and we need to operate on her sooner. Dr. Shashank hamare paas zada time nahi hai. Please sign these consent forms, so we can take her into the theatres...' With a watery gaze and shaky hands Dr. Shashank took the consent forms and signed the papers. 'Sir, please sambhaliye apne aap ko, Riddhima bilkul thik hojayegi...' Dr. Keerthi said supporting them.
Gulping back the tears, Vivek made Dr. Shashank sit on the bench outside OT and was consoling him. While Dr. Shashank had sunk his face in his hands.
'Yeh sab, kaise...' He couldn't utter more words. 'Uncle ... Wo, Riddhima footpath main behosh mili, Uske saar se khun beh raha tha...' vivek said. 'Foot path main ? Riddhima foot path main kya kar rahi thi?...' Shashank was confused even more. 'Uncle, Please apne aap ko sambhaliye, Riddhima thik hojayegi, Usse kutch bhi nahi hoga..'
Shashank looked up at Vivek, Vivek nodded his head assuring him. Shashank picked up his cell and dialled to the Gupta House, He told them what had just happened and waited for Dr. keerthi. The gupta's came rushing to Sanjeevani, Padma and Anjali were crying, They all headed straight to the operation theatre.
'Shashank..' Padma said while crying Shashank stood up when padma hugged him, crying Anjali hugged her parents too, 'Dad, ye sab, Riddhima Riddhima kaisi hai?..' anjili asked
'Anjali, Riddhima ko operate kiya jaraha hai...' vivek answered anjilie 'Operation?..' Padma was shocked she sat on the chair crying and praying for the well being on her daughter.
The red light switched off outside OT and the double doors swung open. The family jumped to their feet and ran up to the Dr. Keerthi and nurses scattering out of the theatres.
'Doctor, Riddhima?..' Padma spoke crying. 'Riddhima ab bilkul thik hai, She is sleeping now, Thodi der main usse hosh ajayega. Filhal i have to keep her under observation...' Keerthi concluded smiling to them. 'Thank you Dr. Keerthi..' shashank said relieved and smiling. 'You have to thank Vivek for it, Agar Vivek Riddhima ko time pe nahi lata toh, blood loss ke waje se Riddhima coma main ja sakti thi...' Dr. Keerthi Tapped Vivek's shoulder once and nodded her head. Dr.Shashank went and hugged Vivek.
'Vivek Thank you, Agar tumne Riddhima ki help nahi kya hota toh aaj pata nahi kya hojata...' shashank said. 'Uncle, please Riddhima se main bhi... ( he stopped) Riddhima meri bhi dost hai, Maine jo kiya wo koi aur bhi kar sakta tha...' Vivek said smiling...
'Thank you beta..' padma said . 'Thank god hamari ridsz thik hai, Papa, main Armaan ko inform kar deti hu, They might be waiting for Riddhima...' Anjali spoke she was crying too but was controlling it. while Shashank nodded his head.
*-------------*----------------------*------------------*
Armaan was in the hall, Riddhima's phone was out of reach and The Gupta's landline was never received again after his talk with Padma. Armaan had called up Dr. Shashank too but none picked up the Call. Armaan was very sad, He wondered what really might have happened ? After a long tiring day, all he wanted to do was spend time with Riddhima, But that didn't happen.
He recalled the turn of events happened today, and his talk with Tanya a day back
FLASHBACK
'Tanya... Tanya..' Armaan walks in... Tanya starts crying aload making it obvious for Armaan. Armaan came and sat beside Tanya. 'Hey look, why are you crying.. Tanya.. ?...' Armaan asked her worried. Tanya looks up at Armaan with fake tears.
'Armaan wo, Papa..' tanya said between her fake sobs. 'Papa ? Uncle ko kya hua?..' armaan asked worried. 'Armaan papa ne meri shaadi fix kar ki hai..' She said crying more. Armaan looked suprised. 'To ess main rone ki kya baat hai...Its a great news isn't it?...' 'Great news ? Armaan main kisi aur se pyaar karti hu...' tanya said. 'kisi aur se?..' Armaan questioned. 'Raj naam hai uska, hum dono 1 saal se saath hai...Aur papa ne Raj ko reject kardiya...' Armaan looked shocked.
'Raj? Yeh Raj kaun hai? aur Uncle ne Raj ko reject kyu kiya?..' armaan asked. 'Armaan tum wo sab chodo, Raj abhi Dubai main hai. Wo jald se jald yaha araha hai.. mere paas... lekin...' tanya left in between 'Lekin?...' armaan asked her. 'Armaan, Please meri help karo, Raaj ane tak please...' tanya said
'Tanya stop crying..' Armaan whispered while wiping her tears away. 'Armaan, sirf tum hi mere help kar sakte ho...' tanya said.'Help?..' armaan asked
'Ha armaan, Main chahti hu.. ki tum us ladke se kaho ki tum mere boyfriend ho aur tum mujhse bahoth pyar karte ho...Mujhse shaadi karna chahte ho.. please..' Tanya said still crying. Armaan was shocked hearing Tanya's request. Armaan stood up instantly hearing it. No, he couldn't do it.. 'Tanya ye tum kya keh rahi ho?..' Armaan said angrily grabbing Tanya's shoulder angrily. While Tanya cried more
'Please Armaan, Agar tumne ayesa nahi kiya to main aur Raj hamesha ke liye alag hojayenge,Please..' tanya said crying. 'Tanya, ye galat hai, I can't do it..' Armaan refused Tanya on her face right away. 'Please Armaan, tumhe sirf jhoot hi to bolna hai, Baas aur jab Raj ajayega Hum sab ko sachai bata denge... Please Armaan Please...' tanya pleaded armaan
'Tanya but...' Armaan was cut off by Tanya 'Armaan, Kya tum mere liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte, humari dosti ke liye bhi nahi kar sakte..' Tanya said and cried more. Armaan finally gave up. 'Thik hai Tanya i'll do it for you, Lekin sirf ek baar...' armaan said. 'Thank you so much Armaan...' she said and hugged Armaan
FLASHBACK ENDS
Armaan was thinking how he purposely had to lie, He had to help his friend and he did it, Armaan was in deep thoughts when Riya came forward and held Armaan through his shoulder. Armaan turned back. 'Armaan, Riddhima shayad busy hogi, Tumhi ne to kaha tha, Uski siter ki marriage hai, shayad isliye...'
Riya consoled Armaan, she knew Armaan was very dissapointed. Armaan gave a small smile and nodded his head when his phone rang... Anjali was calling him, Suprised and shocked Armaan picked up the call in a glintch of happiness. 'Thank god Anjy tumne call kiya, Riddhima kaha hai, aur tumhari landline koi pick kyu nahi kar rahi hai???...' Armaan enquired. Riya stood there with Armaan watching him.
'Armaan, Riddhima... Riddhima...' Anjali said controlling her tears and trying to speak. Armaan was shocked to hear Anjali's broken voice. 'Anjali tell me, hua kya hai...' Armaan told when there was no responce Armaan shouted. 'God Damnit, Tell me... Whats wrong with You, and Riddhima where is she, Riddhima Riddhima thik to hai na...' Armaan spoke his voice loosening. His heart was already beating fast... Hoping nothing much be wrong with Riddhima. 'Armaan, Riddhima, Riddhima hospital main hai...' Anjali said slowly.
Armaan's cell phone fell from his hand, Armaan stood still, shocked hearing about Riddhima's condition. His tears started to flow, his worst nightmare it was, never ever in his life would he expect such a thing. His Riddhima was hospitalised, the word scared him more. Armaan rushed towards his room, Picking up his car keys he was running towards the exit.
'Armaan, Riddhima ko kya hua hai?..' Riya asked.. she has seem Armaan panicing when he heard about her. She didn't know what the matter. Armaan was in no mood to reply, he was just running to reach the hospital as soon as he could. Armaan rushed outside, Driving away from the Mallik house. Billy came and stood beside Riya ' Riya, Armaan kaha jaraha hai? Itni jaldhi main?..'.
'I don't know dad, Bas Riddhima ki sister ka call aya aur Armaan achnak bhag pada..' Riya said thingking what might have happened. Billy was suprised too. 'Sab kutch thik toh hai na ??..' billy asked. 'Nahi papa, kuch toh hua hai, Armaan had tears in his eyes, I think Riddhima isn't well...' riya said
'Oh... no... Riya tum ek kaam karo, Varun aur Pari ko kuch bhi bahana banake unhe sulado...' billy said. 'Okay, i will...' riya said
Everyone and everything Armaan saw on his way, was a barrier between him and his destination. He was resolutely focused on getting to the hospital as quickly as possible. Every possible outcome was running through his mind, one moment he is convinced that Riddhima Might be hurt badly,, the next he hopefully speculates that Riddhima has just had a few scratches, He couldn't breath yet he was panting rapidly, he cannot move yet he was running apace. However quickly he progresses, all seems slow motion and the hospital, his Riddhima and fate seem ever further away.
*-------------*------------------*-------------*
Riddhima slowly opened her eyes, Upon awakening, everything was very confusing to her. It took her a few seconds to realize exactly where she was. She felt little droswy,and her head was in pain, she closed her eyes for some seconds.
Riddhima opened her eyes again and looked around. She didn't feel sleepy anymore. There were some wires attached to her hand that snaked across the room till a large machine. She could see a worried nurse sitting beside her, monitoring her. She seemed to look at the machine. Noticing Riddhima the nurse rushed outside to inform her family and Dr. Keerthi about the same.
The gupta's along with Dr. Keerthi noticed and hurried inside with Vivek at their side.
'Riddhima, Are you all right?..' shashank asked when Riddhima didn't answer. 'Riddhima, aab tum kaise ho?..' dr. kirthi asked. Riddhima just gave a weak smile and nodded her head slowly.
'Riddhima, Tumne toh hum sab ko dara hi diya tha..' padma said. 'Yeah... Pata hai ridzy hum sab kitna dar gaye the, Thank god tum thik ho...' anjili said
'Papa, Mom, main ab thik hu...' She said trying to smile. 'waise, Riddhima tum Foot path main kya kar rahi thi, Maine tumhe Dr. Mallik ke ghar par drop kiya tha..' Shashank asked trying to get an answer for Riddhima's state.
Like thunder, every incident hit Riddhima like a crash, Riddhima went through so many emotions at once, anger, resentment, bitterness, grief, hatred, loneliness, despair, helplessness, low self esteem, Armaan's words, his betrayal, Riddhima closed her eyes to stop thinking more about it, but she couldn't. Shashank sat beside Riddhima and kissed her forehead, bringing Riddhima back to reality. 'Riddhima?..' 'Ji...' Riddhima questioned. 'Beta, tum Foot path main kya kar rahi thi?...' shashank once again asked her. Riddhima was confused and shocked to reply, she couldn't tell what really had happened, It was all her fault she thought.
'Um... Wo...' Dr. Keerthi spoke cutting Riddhima. 'I think, hume Riddhima ko rest karne dena chahiye,..' She spoke watching Riddhima close her eyes. The gupta's left the ICU and waited outside. when Armaan rushed towards them. Armaan looked pale and his eyes were red, Dr. Shashank faced Armaan 'Dr. Armaan...' shashank said. 'Sir, Riddhima, Wo kaha hai?..' Armaan asked restlessly.
'Riddhima ab thik hai, She is under observation...' shashank said. 'Kya main Riddhima se mil sakta hu?...' armaan asked. 'Yes, you can lekin ek baat bataeye, Riddhima foot path main kya kar rahi thi? Jabki maine Riddhima ko aap ke ghar drop kiya tha...' Shashank asked little angrily. Armaan was shocked hearing it.
'Riddhima, mere ghar ayi thi?...' armaan asked shocked. 'Ji...' shashank said. 'Par, Riddhima toh andar ayi hi nahi. Main i mean hum sab usse tab se wait kar rahe the... Fir Anjy ka call aya..' Armaan said in a state of shock, He was wondering when did Riddhima come.
'Toh Aap ko bhi nahi pata...' Armaan shook his head in refusal and shashank was confused. 'Sir, Kya main ek bar Riddhima se?...' Armaan spoke, he just wanted to see his Riddhima, Talk with her, assure himself that she was fine. Armaan was having a hard time controlling his tears. Shashank held Armaan's shoulder and nodded his head.
Soon, Armaan was heading towards riddhima's ward, where she was sleeping peacefully. Armaan's heart skipped a beat seeing Riddhima in that state, but also a sense of relief spreaded through his heart when he saw Riddhima sleeping, It was as though Armaan's life had come back to him. Armaan eye's watered, This time it was due to happiness, His Riddhima was all right. He thanked god and sat next to her and kissed her forehead.
'Riddhima...' He spoke softly. There was no movement. He was expecting Riddhima to open her eyes and see her Armaan before her, And smiled kicked around his lips. 'Riddhima, Dekho, Main tumhare paas hu, Tumhara Armaan...' He whispered in her ears. Tears trickled down armaan's eyes and dripped on riddhima's cheek. 'utho na Riddhima. Please mujhse baat karo.. Please Riddhima, Look at me, Ridddhima please..' Armaan rested his head beside Riddhima's head and silently cried.
'Please Riddhima, apne ankhe kholo, Mujhse baat kara, Riddhima, Please, Please wake up...' Armaan begged with blood shot eyes but no response. he gently pecked her lips. 'I love you...Riddhima...'
Somewhere deep inside riddhima, a chord strung, Hearing those three magical words, The muffled voice she was hearing was finally becoming clear. Her sleep was broken Riddhima groaned as she opened her eyes. Even the dim lights of the room blinding her vision for a second, then her view became clearer.
Riddhima saw Armaan sitting beside her, Armaan smiled at her, While Riddhima stared at him.Riddhima looked into his eyes and she could see hurt and pain. The look in his eyes were so lonesome. The glint they had in those eyes were gone and even though he was trying to hide it with a smile, Riddhima could see how much he might have cried for her. The dark, colourless eyes that mourned his despair... But this time she refused to accept.
"Riddhima toh bas ayese hi hai.. bas aur kuch nahi... Pyaar to main sirf Tanya se karta hu...Tanya aur main jaldhi shaadi karna chahe hai..." Those words ecoed Riddhima's brain all over again. Everyword started to swirl in her head.
Riddhima looked away to the other side, She didn't wanted to see or talk to Armaan. Armaan was shocked to see Riddhima's behaviour, He didn't know why she looked away... ' Riddhima..' He said and held her Right hand slowly when Riddhima brushed his hands away.
'Armaan, please go away..' Riddhima spoke while tears swept down her cheeks. Armaan stood up Shocked, unable to believe what was happening.
hah...khatam...do say how do u find it 😊
thnx
love u all ❤️
Edited by megha_kajen - 11 years ago
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