'Socha na tha' Updated: Chapter 23: Pg.78 - Page 57

Your signature box is killer, woman "Haan!"

Somethings can never be the same.

Tick tock, no pressure on the update

Anurina, sorry for being soooo late in commenting!! i hope i'll be forgiven! 😊

Originally posted by: ifrahnaqash

Anurina, sorry for being soooo late in commenting!! i hope i'll be forgiven! 😊

now coming to this chapter.. but pehle lemme give you a huge jhappi, like always 🤗🤗🤗 Anu darling, you rock!!

the chapter was awesome... and very, very, very well-written, as usual! 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 have always said that you can be a very good author! just need a nice concept..

loved the subtlety in the fire escape scene. it was phenomenal!

the locker room scene was nice as well!!

Armaan shook his head at her, "Chicken," he taunted again.

"I am NOT a Chicken, ok!" she sharply replied, pointed her finger at him. why does this line remind me of "It's not funny, okay!"? 😆 😆 😆

"Yes you are," he replied, knocking her finger away with his own.

"No I'm not!" bringing her finger up again, right in his face.

"Yes you are!"

'No I'm not!"

"No you're not?"

"Yes, I am!" she replied without thinking

"Haha! Gotcha!" winked Armaan, snapping his fingers at her. 😆 😆 😆

that's how they'd projected Armaan in the beginning na.. cool doctor dude. i wish they hadn't ruined this character! oh well, which character have they spared anyway! **sigh**

Anjali asking Atul for coffee at the end, i guess i was expecting it.. but boy, did i love it!! "So, ready for coffee then?" she asked. "We can go over the list of who all needs to be invited to the party over coffee, cool?"

Good job, Anu!! 👏 👏 👏 👏

Thank you sooooooooo much, Iffy!🤗🤗🤗 Arey what talk of forgiving?? Pshh....perish the thought!🤗🤗

So glad you enjoyed the chapter....and that 'did/didn't' exchange😆😆....That was fun to write😆....and that line WAS meant to remind you of 'it's not funny, ok!' yaar!! That's our all time fav. line after all!😉😆😆

Muahhh! Hope you've reached Bangalore safe and sound and settling in well🤗🤗

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CHAPTER 20: Prelude

Cafeteria:

Atul and Anjali grabbed their coffees and headed over to a table to sit down.

"Mmm…Heaven," said Anjali, taking a sip.

Atul took a sip and grimaced, then forced a little smile, but not before Anjali had managed to see the grimace and laugh.

"A little strong for you?" she asked teasingly.

"Uhh…just a little bit," smiled Atul in reply. "Maybe they were just trying to add that extra 'zing' to keep us 'taazaa' meaning 'zinda' throughout the day," he added with a chuckle.

Anjali laughed in reply, "Guess it's working then….we've both managed to survive the day, haina?"

She had meant it as an offhand quip, but it invariably reminded both of them of the scene in the fire escape and they stared at each other for a bit as that scene replayed in their minds. Anjali was the first to look away, glancing down at her coffee and then taking a sip. Atul cleared his throat and reached for his coffee as well.

"So…" said Anjali, feeling the need to change the topic, "Let's have a look at Sapna's list then?"

Atul glanced at her in surprise again, still not quite able to believe that she actually wanted to go ahead and help with the invitations. But he reached into his pocket and pulled out the list anyway, smoothing it out on the table.

"Hmm," said Anjali, sliding the list over to her side a bit and skimming down the names with her finger before pausing at one and then laughing, "We get the privilege of inviting Hitler?"

"What??" said Atul in surprise, "Are you serious?"

"Yep," she replied, pointing out Dr. Keerti's name on the list.

Atul shook his head, "Toh isiliye she disappeared before we could take a look at the list," he muttered, "Best kaam jo chhod ke gayee hai humaare liye,"

"I think we'll manage, Atul," replied Anjali with a laugh again, "This extra 'zing' waali coffee jo hai ab humaare paas," she lifted the coffee mug.

Atul chuckled at that and raised his mug as well, "Sanjeevani coffee, helping people survive Hitler ka aatank since time immemorial," he laughed.

Anjali laughed in reply as well and clinked her mug with his, "To the amazing Sanjeevani coffee then!"

She took a sip and glanced down at the list again, "Sapna's got pretty much every person down there, it should be a good crowd," she murmured, and then continued almost to herself, "Ridzie should like it,"

But Atul caught the last part anyways and sighed inwardly, putting down his mug before glancing up at her.

"You know, Anjali…you…really don't have to do this…if you don't want to," he said, his eyes letting her know that he was not just referring to the invitations.

Anjali looked up at him. There was no censure or judgement in his eyes, instead that understanding as always.

"I'm fine, Atul," she replied with a sigh, "I…I do want to do it," she continued, sounding a little surprised at herself, "I think…I…should…I…mean…it's the thing to do in a way…and…and…I'm not making any sense," she finally finished with a self-deprecating laugh, blowing out a deep breath.

"It does make sense, Anjali," Atul replied softly, "And it would be a nice thing to do," he nodded with a soft smile.

Anjali just smiled back a little enigmatically, "Well, glad it makes some sense to you atleast….still doesn't make much sense to me," she laughed.

"Ok then," she continued, glancing down at the task at hand once again, "How do we tackle this?….Hitler first?" she grinned at him.

*******************************************************************

Next morning, Sanjeevani:

Shubhankar knocked on Keerti's office door and waved a hello when she looked up and motioned for him to come in.

"Morning, Shubhankar," she smiled at him, "Have a seat,"

"G'morning to you as well, Keerti," he smiled as he sat down, "So, how've you been? Oh btw, word around the hospital is that you were offered a promotion in Sanjeevani-Delhi? True?"

Keerti chuckled slightly at that, "You can always count on news to spread rapidly through the gossip channels, can't you?" She sighed, "Yes, it's true…but I turned it down,"

"Again? How many times will you do that, Keerti?" he asked in exasperation.

"You know I can't leave Mumbai, Shubhankar," she replied quietly.

Shubhankar sighed, "Yes, I know…but do try to think sometimes…"

"I have, Shubhankar….many times…but this is where I want to be…" she picked up the small snowglobe on her desk and slowly shook it, watching the snowflakes swirling around the two tiny figures in it, "….always…because he is here," she smiled softly.

Shubhankar sighed and then smiled at her, "Waise bhi, Sanjeevani-Mumbai wouldn't be able to survive one day without Dr.Keerti now, would it? Especially your interns?" he said in a slightly teasing tone.

"Pulling my leg, Shubhankar?" Keerti laughed and put down the snowglobe, "But speaking of my interns…that's what I wanted to ask you. How's Dr. Atul doing in that case he's assisting you with? Mili Mehra?"

"Hmm…Mili Mehra? A little complicated case," he replied thoughtfully, "She's going to need heart replacement surgery…but you know the situation…endless waiting list…"he sighed, "But…coming back to Dr.Atul…he's doing a great job actually. He's the only one amongst us so far that she seems to have taken any liking to," he chuckled.

She smiled back in amusement at that.

"But he's a good doctor," Shubhankar continued, "Very dedicated…and he has a knack for connecting with his patients and instantly putting them at ease…always a useful quality to have…"

A knock on the door interrupted them and they both looked up. Sapna was standing at the door with a nervous smile. Keerti motioned for her to come in.

"G-Good morning, Dr. Keerti," said Sapna as she walked in and stood in front of the desk, then steadied herself internally and said to Shubhankar, "Good morning, Dr. Shubhankar."

"Morning, Dr. Sapna," Shubhankar smiled at her.

"Morning," Keerti replied brusquely, switching back to her usual stricter persona.

"Umm…these are the case files you asked for Ma'am…of Mr.Puri." said Sapna as she held out the files to her, still slightly nervous.

"Thank you, Dr. Sapna," replied Keerti, taking the files and opening the very first one.

Meanwhile, Sapna nervously steepled her hands together, wondering if she was supposed to leave now or wait for further instructions.

Shubhankar watched her nervousness in slight amusement, shaking his head in wonder at just how much Keerti had managed to incite terror in the hearts of the poor hapless interns.

"So how is your internship going, Dr.Sapna?" he asked her, trying to dispel some of her nervousness.

"Uhh…it's going well, Sir," she replied a little awkwardly.

"Dr.Keerti was just telling me that you've been doing very well so far," he smiled encouragingly.

Both Sapna and Keerti simultaneously looked at him in astonishment.

"Isn't that right, Dr. Keerti?" said Shubhankar turning to Keerti in amusement, putting her on the spot.

Keerti managed a stiff smile, "Uh yes, that's right," surreptitiously giving him an annoyed look.

Sapna was shocked into speechlessness, not quite knowing what to say, unable to believe that the Hitler could actually be praising her when she was one of the people lagging behind the most in the IOTM scores.

"Th..thank you, Ma'am, Sir,"

Keerti nodded briskly, "That'll be all for now, Dr. Sapna. I'll be checking in for an update on Mr.Puri's status tomorrow."

"Yes, Ma'am" said Sapna, nodding and then turning to leave.

"Keep up the good work, Dr. Sapna," said Shubhankar as she was about to leave.

Sapna glanced back and found herself answering his smile with one of her own, "Thank you, Sir…I will do my best,"

And then she opened the door and left the office. As she walked towards the General Ward, she smiled to herself as she remembered Dr.Shubhankar's kind words of encouragement. He's such a nice person, always kind and smiling…unlike that Hitler…It would've been so much better if he had been in charge of the interns…he was so much more encouraging!

**********************************************************************

Later, in the evening:

Armaan pulled open the door to the locker room and saw Riddhima across the room, rummaging around in her locker.

He sighed to himself, This was going to be such a pain…actually trying to get Basket to listen to him?? It's so much easier to just make fun of her!

He shook himself mentally and walked in.

"Hi, Riddhima," he said, in the politest tone that he could fake.

Riddhima turned around and stared at him in surprise. She couldn't recall ever hearing him say her actual name before…and that too in such a polite tone?! She looked at him suspiciously…What was he playing at?

"Yes, Armaan?" she asked in a suspicious and wary tone.

"I've…been thinking, actually," he replied, reminding himself mentally to smile in a friendly manner. "…And I realized that all this time we've been fighting…it's been over such silly things and so pointless…don't you think?"

She just stared back at him in shock, wondering if she'd heard correctly. Armaan was sorely tempted to grin in that moment, but he managed to control himself.

"So…I thought…why not end these pointless fights and make a new beginning? Friends?" he asked.

"Uhh….Armaan…? Umm…are you….is it really you saying all this?" she fumbled, still in shock.

"Of course, Riddhima!" he replied, "It finally hit me that there is no point to all these unnecessary fights…why not be friends instead?" He held out a hand for her to shake.

She looked at it suspiciously, wondering again if this was some sort of trick he was playing on her. She glanced up at him again…he seemed quite sincere and genuine, if he genuinely wanted to make an effort at a fresh start, then I should do my part as well, she thought to herself.

Finally, smiling back at him, she put her hand in his and shook it. "Friends," she nodded.

"Awesome!" he grinned. "So…getting ready to go home?"

"Hmm, yep….just waiting for Di to give me a ride back," she replied.

"Angie?? I think she's already left,"

"What??!! But she knows I'm supposed to go back with her! Are you sure?" she asked in dismay.

"Yep, just saw her in the corridor a few minutes ago and she was heading out."

"Oh god! Why does Di always forget to wait for me?" she said to herself in irritation.

"Don't worry yaar….if you want, I can give you a ride home…I was just getting ready to leave myself."

"Oh that's alright, Armaan…I can take a taxi home…it's not a problem at all…I was just wondering about Di leaving…"

"But why do you need to call a taxi? I'm heading out anyways and I can give you a ride yaar…a friend can't do this much for a friend?"

Riddhima hesitated, "It's not like that, Armaan…I.."

"Come on, Riddhima…now you're making me wonder if you truly consider me a friend or not.." he said, adding just the right amount of reproach in his tone.

"Oh no, Armaan…I didn't mean to imply that at all!...umm, ok, let's go then," she smiled at him.

Bingo he thought to himself in satisfaction.

He collected his things from his locker and they both left. He managed to surreptitiously SMS Sapna that they had left.

*************************************************************

In Armaan's Car:

"Umm, Armaan…I think you missed a turn back there, that was the way towards my house," said Riddhima.

"Oh I didn't miss it, Riddhima…this is a shorter way…you didn't know that?" he replied, smirking on the inside.

"Oh it is?" she asked looking out the window at their surroundings. "Strange…Papa or Di never mentioned it…"

"It's not a very well known route actually," he replied. "But this way, it will be slightly shorter to my house as well, it's further past yours."

"Di told you the address, didn't she?" Riddhima grinned.

"Yep," he grinned back.

Soon, he pulled into a parking lot in front of an apartment complex.

She looked at him in a puzzled manner, "Why have we stopped here?"

"I just have to drop off a few CDs for a friend…I'm really sorry about this, Riddhima….I'll be really quick, ok?" He grabbed some CDs randomly from a stack in the backseat.

"Uhh…that's fine," she said, still a little taken aback and confused.

He got out of the car and walked a few steps, then paused, turned around and came back to the car. Leaning in through the window, he said, "You can come in for a bit too if you don't want to sit here by yourself,"

"Umm…that's alright…I'll be fine….you go ahead," she replied a little awkwardly.

"Riddhima, it's getting kind of dark…do you really want to sit here by yourself in the dark?"

She glanced out the window and noticed for the first time that the sun had almost set. She sighed and then replied, "Ok…but we have to hurry a bit…I'm getting late,"

"Noooo problem…just a two minute stopover," he replied assuringly.

She got out of the car and then followed him in. They took the elevator to the 2^nd floor and Armaan rang the bell to the apartment. There was a pause and a then a few shuffling noises from inside…before the door was finally opened….to pitch black darkness.

Armaan gestured for her to go in first. She took a few steps forward, squinting in the darkness. Armaan followed her in slowly.

"Umm…why is it so dark? Power cut?"she asked in confusion.

Armaan smirked to himself, then leaned in slightly and whispered close to her, "Kyun Basket? Are you scared?"

Her head snapped up towards him in shock and in that moment, the lights came on bright.

"SURPRISE!" yelled everyone.

*faints in shock* Mehak ne reserve kar liya spot???🤣😲

Ooooooh, party time!

Anu....mazza aa gaya...extra zing wali coffee convo padh ke. So Anjie has started trusting Atul quite a bit. Things will get more interesting from now on. And thank you for bringing in this party track. Brought back memories of the good ole days. Yaar leking AA ne hitler ko kaise pataya party ke liye? Tell tell !!!

Awesome 'zing' wala update, Anu! Enjoyed reading it totally!

Anyway, yup, have reached b'lore and have joined the college as well.. missing you guys a lot! 🤗 🤗 🤗 take care!

That was a fun transitional part. Even though there's not much progress in the plot, do I see you setting up Shubb-Saps? 😉 😆 Keerti remains the mystery-women, who is he? 😉 ☢️

Armaan can really be a nice guy if he tries, you know 😆 😆 He came across as pretty genuine, and managed to lure Basket in easily. Atul-Angie's conversation in the cafe is perfect in portraying the ease they are starting to share, and the trust as well as understanding that has fallen in for them in just the right places. Very deflty written, loved it 👏

🤗 🤗 🤗