AR OS and drabble gallery: New SS-THE CURSE : PART 2 UPDATED-PMs LATER - Page 34

Armaan please mere paas mat aao... jaao yaha se!!

But he did not budge. There was no way he was going to let her alone in that situation. Her life was at stake and he had to be by her side.

"Dekhiye sir... please samjhne ki koshish keejiye; aapki jaan ko bhi khatra hai aap aage nah---"

He turned towards the officer and spat out furiously;
"Agar Riddhima ko kuch ho gaya toh meri zindagi vaise hi khatam ho jayegi so I don't care... just get away from me..."
The officers could no more hold him back and he was finally beside her.

His heart ached as her face was all red from the continuous tears and helplessness. His eyes drifted down towards her hand that rested over the BOMB that was tied against the now lifeless lying man. He took a step in order to hold her arm when she protested;
"Armaaan pleaseee jao yaha se... meri baat maan lo please Armaan go... Dekho durr raho mujhse mujhe--"

Armaan tried to explain but she wouldn't budge;
"Mujhe kuch nahi sunna Armaan; abhi isi waqt nikal jao yaha se varna main... main police se kehkar tumhe zabardasti yaha se bhijva dungi. Tum jaoo yaha se"

"Riddhima meri--"

"Nahi Armaan just go away; meri vajah se tumhe kuch ho gaya toh? Chale jao--"

Armaan cut her bluntly holding her in his arms; he uttered hoarsely caring least if he sounded rude;
"Shut the hell up Basket! Main kahi nahi jaa raha; tum jo karna chahti ho karlo but I am not moving anywhere till I get you out of here."

"Armaan why don't you underst--"

"Agar main tumhari jagah hota toh mujhe marne ke liye chod jaati tum Basket?"

"Agh...Armaaan!!"
She gasped horrified at his words but came to face with his bloodshot red eyes and realized his pain. Finally she let go off her stubbornness and rested her head on his shoulder sighing deep. Armaan placed a tiny kiss over her head and engulfed her in his arms making sure she did not move her hand. Neither of them realized that the entire scene was not only witnessed by the whole police crew but also their very own gang who were utterly surprised by the situation would be an understatement. They couldn't hear a word of what they spoke but definitely saw them hugging.

The bomb squad arrived and again tried to move Armaan away but he stayed adamant. As they were short on time they let him be and started with the task at hand. Riddhima had no clue if they were going to see the next sunrise; if they were going to survive this or not; but everything else faded as he stood by her side. She could only hear his soothing words that he whispered all along while the team worked on the wires. Her body sweated out of nervousness but her heart had a small satisfaction that he was there for her. Whether they made it or not; it was going to be together!

After a few minutes of thinking and manipulating things the guy approached the yellow wire and was on his way to cut it when she turned her face not wanting to face whatever followed. Their friends who watched from a distance kept praying holding onto each other's hands while Riddhima clutched his arm with her free hand. He himself was scared to death; not that he might die; but that he might not be able to save her! Leaving everything in the hands of destiny he hugged her tight hiding his face in the crook of her neck trying to feel her closely while she did the same! Their eyes shut tightly as they could hear him cut the wire and everything around went quiet. The beeping of the machine stopped but neither of the two attempted to move away or open their eyes.

The squad sighed in relief as the bomb was finally diffused and they couldn't help adore the two lovebirds holding onto each other tightly unaware of reality. The senior officer finally broke their trance patting Armaan's back: "Bomb diffuse ho chukka hai sir; it's all good now. Aap dono safe hai!"

While her tears soaked his shirt; a tiny droplet somehow finally escaped his eye and rested on her neck but he quickly composed himself. Placing a quick kiss on her nape he caressed her head and moved out of her hold as she still seemed lost. Gently he detangled her and whispered;
"Basket... aankhein kholo..."

Riddhima opened her eyes and her gaze instantly got locked with his; their eyes spoke volumes. As the squad declared about the bomb diffusion the entire gang rushed towards the two and took them in a group hug breaking their eye lock.
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She sat hissing as Muskaan dressed her wound while Anjali sat by her side trying to soothe her little sister. All her friends and her parents were by her side but her eyes searched for only one person as he went missing all of a sudden. As sister lovely came in with a glass of juice Riddhima quickly spoke up; "Sister Armaan kaha hai?"

"Pata nahi ji; kaafi waqt se dikhai nahi diye."
She informed and left but Riddhima couldn't get aany ounce of relief till he saw him in front of her eyes but she didn't know how was she to explain this to the people surrounding her since past hours now. As her dressing was done all of them praised Armaan for his bravery and consoled her for all that she had to go through. But she received a happy shock as even Shashank for a change praised him today. That was like a golden moment but he wasn't present to witness it and she regretted it as hell. How she wished to see the shine that would appear in his eyes had he heard all those words of praise; that smile which would have automatically brought up the killer dimple on his cheek. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Somehow escaping everyone she went on to search him. She needed to see him; she knew what he must be going through right now. Knowing that she was hurt, and needed dressing when he still wasn't around only meant... he was devastated.

Rushing towards the fire escape she opened the door with a swing hoping that as always he would be sitting on the second last step lost in his own world. Though she was disappointed as he wasn't there which increased the worry lines over her forehead. He was supposed to be there. Sitting down for a minute she wondered of the places he could be at. She quickly called up at his house when the maid as expected informed her that he wasn't home yet. She as it is knew it; as he hadn't signed the register as yet. Suddenly something struck her and she stood up swiftly. Taking quick steps she made her way to the terrace and as she opened the door she did take a sigh of relief seeing him; but her heart sank seeing his condition. He looked completely worn out; his head bowed down supported with his hands that rested over his bent up knees he sat in a dark corner. He wasn't in a clear view for her but she could see his eyes bloodshot red. He was CRYING... he definitely was!

Taking in her presence he quickly looked away and wiped his tears in a way she couldn't see; but it was already too late. She called out in an almost inaudible voice her voice holding pure pain that she could read in his body language at the moment; but he did hear it!
"Riddhima... tum yaha? Umm... tum jao neeche main OT mein milta hu tumse bas ku--"

"Armaan!!"
She placed her hand on his shoulder as he stood up and turned away trying to send her away but she knew he needed her the most right now. And this time she would be there for him; just like he was for her.

"Vaha neeche sab tumhe dhund rahe honge; tum jao. Agar kisine hume yaha dekh liya toh--"

"Toh? I don't care Armaan... tum yaha dekho... please..."
But he dinot budge so she slowly called him out again softly and turned him around when he tried to hide his gaze not wanting her to notice his tear filled eyes. Riddhima delicately cupped his cheek while her own eyes filled up knowing exactly well what he was going through;
"Koi faayda nahi Armaan; mujhse ye aansoon chupa nahi paooge!"

"Nahi main toh bas..."
Shaking his head he held her hand and tried to drag her along;
"Tum bhi na Basket kuch bhi sochti ho; chalo varna sab hume dhundte hue yaha aa jayenge aur agar firse hume saath dekh liya toh problem ho jayegi."

"Armaan stop it! Mujhe koi farak nahi padta... koi hume dekhe toh dekhe I don't care."
That definitely made him turn around and he gaped at her.
"Haan Armaan I really don't care anymore kaun kya sochta hai. Tumne bina soche samjhe; ye jaante hue ki tumhara apni jaan khatre mein daalna meri jaan nahi bacha sakta. Fir bhi tum aaye sirf mujhe support karne; mera saath dene. Tumhe main akela kaisa chod du Armaan. Aaj jo tumne mere liye kiya hai; uske baad main kaise tumse pehle kisi aur ke baarein mein soch sakti hu? I just want to be with you Armaan; I want to be there for you. I don't care sab kya sochte hai; I don't care Papa tumse khush hai ya nahi; par ab main bas tumhare saath hona chahti hu."
He just kept staring at her trying to absorb her words when she cupped his face and his trance broke. The next minute he pulled her in a rib crushing hug and broke down in her arms like a 2 year old. She knew the thought of losing her broke him completely. It was the first time she saw him so helpless and devastated. She felt his tears wetting her neckline as he hid his face in her neck. For the first time he could sense her letting go all her inhibitions and worries and she took him in a soulful embrace least bothered of the world. He felt utter peace at the same time he did realize that she meant what she said; at this moment she really didn't seem to care of the people around them. She thought of taking things in her hands as she was never used to this weak shattered Armaan.
"Armaan tum kyu ro rahe ho? Rona toh mujhe chahiye na chot toh mujhe lagi hai; aur tum... tum toh meri dressing karne bhi nahi aaye. Bas yaha aake andhere mein baithe ho chupke."

That did knoc some conscience in him and he detangled slowly. Taking her hand in his he caressed it over the white bandage that was draped around her palm neatly;
"I am sorry Basket... bohot jyaada dard hoga na?"

She simply shook her head and held his hand to soothe him. He looked up at her; his eyes still bloodshed though absence of tears now he finally muttered his wory;
"Agar tumhe kuch ho jata toh? Mera kya hota Basket?"

"Par mujhe kuch nahi hua... aur hoga bhi nahi kyunki tum mere saath ho!"
She kissed his forehead letting her lips linger there for a while.
"Armaan maine soch liya hai ab bas... bohot chupa liya humne sabse. Tum sahi the; hume aaj hi chalke Papa se baat karni chahiye humare baarein mein. Vaise bhi aaj Papa bohot khush hai tumse; mujhe nahi lagta ki tumhe unhe aur kuch bhi saabit karne ki jaroorat hai ab."

Armaan for once smiled infecting her with it and shook his head. Cupping her cheek he whispered with all his love;
"Nahi Basket... aaj toh bilkul bhi nahi!"
Surprise clearly written over her face; so he continued;
"Riddhima maine aaj job hi kiya uske balbute pet oh main tumhara haath kabhi nahi maang sakta; I will be ashamed of myself for lifetime if I do so."

"Kya matlab?"

"Riddhima tumhara saath dena mera farz hai; na sirf tumse pyaar karne ke naate par ek acha dost hone ke naate bhi. Haan shayad aaj Dr.Shashank mujhse thode bohot impress hue ho; par is situation se main unhe impress toh nahi karna chahta and nobody can know it better than you."

"Haan Armaan I know par--"

"Shh..."
He placed a finger over her lip and reduced the distance between them dragging her closer by her waist.
"Aaj ke din mein sabse bada sukoon mere liye yahi hai ki tum is waqt mere saamne khadi ho; bilkul sahi salamat. Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye Riddhima. Aur tumhare dad ki haami mujhe unse kisi ehsaano ke tale dabke nahi chahiye. I will be that guy someday; jaisa vo tumhare liye chahte hai. Aur us din main tumhe unke paas lekar jaunga; aise kisi emotional support dene ke ehsaan ke liye nahi! Tumhara haath maanga chahta hu; koi deal nahi karna chahta. And I am sure kisi din vo mere pyaar ko samjhenge aur khud tumhara haath mujhe saupenge."

Riddhima simply stared at him lovingly for a while and then looked deep in his eyes;
"I love you Armaan"

"I love you too Basket..."

"Par Armaan please promise me aaj job hi tumne kiya vaisa doobara kabhi nah--"

"Humesha karunga... I promise!"

"Armaaan!!"

"Basket meri zindagi tumse hai; agar tumhe kuch ho jaata hai toh mere jeene ka viaise hi koi matlab nahi reh jata. Tumhare begair zindagi jeene se toh acha hai ki tumhe bachate hue meri jaan chal--"

Riddhima hugged him tight cutting his words then and there not wanting him to finish those horrendous words. Sighing deep, as the worst day came to it's end with her in his arms, he hugged her back and both stood in each other's embrace closing their eyes enjoying the warmth of love. But soon enough their trance was as always broken by the ringing pager and they detangled;
"Chaliye Dr.Basket... duty calls. Deho kabse baja jar aha hai ye pager; main toh keh hi raha tha neeche chalte hai par tum ladkiyon ki baatein na khatam hi nahi hoti...huh. Humesha late kara deti ho!"

"Haww... main? Maine late kiya tumhe? Tumse kisne kaha tha yaha koso dur aake baithne ke liye; duty ki itni hi chinta hai toh tumhe neeche hona chahiye na."

"Main toh bas aise break lene aaya tha vo toh tum hi yaha aa gayi mera peecha kate hue aur..."

"Peecha?"

"Haan aur nahi toh kya!"
And the endless banter continued as The-Superactive-Armaan mode kicked in and so was Dr.Basket Gupta back! As they walked down bickering like maniacs no one could ever believe even if told that a minute back the two were deep engrossed in each other's arms shedding tears with the fear of losing one another!!
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