Armaan's eyes almost popped out as he gasped, "Good God! He's going to propose in front of an audience!"
Mallika closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "Just. Shut. Up. Armaan!"
"Armaan? Mallika? Everything OK?" Ashutosh frowned.
"Yeah yeah. You go on. I'm all ears. Do what you gotta do my friend."
Ashutosh raised his eyebrows. He knew what his friend was thinking. As if he could actually do something so weird! "Nidhi's result and the grant to KGH. Both are great reasons to celebrate. But there is one more thing. I..uh I had dinner with Sunil last night and he mentioned something to me." His eyes fell and stopped on Nidhi. Her eyes wide and curious. "He wants to take Nidhi as a full time Neurologist at CCH." Nidhi blinked, stunned. She honestly didn't know how to react. But the rest of the group compensated for her lack of response.
"I think that's a great idea Ashutosh." Mallika smiled and nodded. Nidhi being out of KGH would be the best thing that could happen.
"What the hell! I hope you said no." Armaan scowled.
"Sir, with this grant and the expansion plans, we need more doctors." Ranganath insisted.
"What did you tell him Dr Ashutosh?" Anji was direct with her question.
Ashutosh smiled at Anji as he replied, "I told him to make her the offer. He would be calling Nidhi tomorrow."
"You want her to accept?"
He shrugged. "Doesn't matter what I want. It's what she wants that's more important."
Anji didn't look away from him. "But what is your opinion sir? Do you think she should take it up and..move away from KGH and..you?"
Ashutosh's calm eyes met Anji's sharp ones. "Yes Anji. I would like her to take it up and move away from KGH and me. Nidhi has an amazing potential to become one of the best doctors in this field. But if she stays back in KGH, she would forever be under my shadow." He shook his head. "And no matter what she would accomplish on her own right, she would still be..people won't recognize or accept that." He shook his head again. "I don't want that. For her to flourish, she should go out." And just like that, he got his smile back. "But if that's not what she wants, I'm OK with her decision. As I said, it's her choice in the end."
For the first time, Anji's face relaxed completely and a wide grin spilt her face. Her lovely brown eyes looked at Nidhi, "What say Nidhi?"
Speech still seemed beyond Nidhi. She really didn't know what to say. The last few days have been like..like..it was like being in a desert for two years and suddenly being surrounded by lush green grass and life-giving rain. She swallowed and tried her best to overcome her overwhelming emotions. "Umm..I don't know."
Armaan smiled at her tenderly. "No issues Nidhi. Think about it. I think Ashu has a point though. But KGH will always be privileged to have you."
On that note, the dinner started. With the exception of Mallika, everyone seemed to be in a jubilant mood, with conversation flowing across the table and the dishes being emptied at a relaxed pace. Mallika glanced once again at Ashutosh and Nidhi. Sitting at the opposite ends of the table yet, not apart at all. What has changed? What brought on this new level of comfort and this confidence? Unlike before, there was no hesitation in Ashutosh now. He wasn't trying to hide his feelings. His gaze didn't slide away from Nidhi like before. It had been so easy to make him feel ashamed of his feelings for the intern before. But not anymore. How did he accept their relationship so fast? And Nidhi? How did she suddenly become so confident? When Ashutosh had broken their relationship, she had thought that was it. Nidhi wouldn't give him another chance. Wouldn't trust him again. So how did this happen? An uneasy suspicion took root in Mallika's mind and she saw red.
Armaan sat back in his seat with a replete groan. "Whoa! I'm stuffed!"
Mallika didn't waste a moment and stood up. "Ashutosh, can I have a word with you please? In private?"
Ashutosh, who was helping HK and Nidhi in clearing the table frowned but nodded. "Sure." He gave the plates to Nidhi. "I'll just be back." Both of them walked to the front lawn. "Kya baat hain Mallika?"
"Ashutosh, are you sleeping with her?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
Fury swept across his face and blazed through his eyes. "That's none of your business."
Guilty flush rode up her cheeks. "I crossed the line and I'm sorry." She whirled away from him. "But then what changed Ashutosh? Why are so..so..accepting of everything all of a sudden?"
Ashutosh took a deep breath before answering. "I'm tired of living like a zombie Mallika. Tired of trying to breathe without her. Whatever guilt, whatever fear I had been dealing with back then, they didn't stand a chance in front of my one chance at happiness. Nidhi. "
"But you were not alone. You had me!"
His gaze didn't waver from her face. "I told you before. You're my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I told you time and again to stop wasting your time with me."
"I can't do that. I love you."
"But I don't."
Her eyes glazed with pain and tears. "S-so now I'm supposed to wish you luck and be happy that you're moving on with someone else? I can't do that."
"Then don't do it." And in his eyes, she saw understanding. He knew what she was feeling. Could relate to it in some way. "It's time you stopped thinking about me and started thinking about yourself Mallika. And do what you think is best for you."
"I thought you were what was best for me Ashutosh!"
"But I'm not. You know I'm not."
She ran the back of her hand roughly over her eyes and cheeks. "I think..I think it's time I left."
Ashutosh nodded and stepped back. "Goodnight."
"Goodbye." With one long look, she turned and walked away into the night.
Ashutosh walked back into the house with his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets, his thoughts miles away.
"Everything OK?" Nidhi's gentle voice brought him back. He tilted his head and found her walking towards him with a bowl of gajar halwa in her hand. "Where is Mallikaji?"
"She had something to do. So she left." Nidhi frowned a little but accepted his statement and extended the bowl to him.
"So, what were you thinking? You looked lost."
He took the bowl, spooned the sweet and brought it to her mouth. With a happy grin, she opened her mouth and ate half of it. With a huff of laughter, he ate the rest of it. "I was thinking about how we got to be where we are today."
"Matlab?"
He gave her a small private smile as he led her to the main hall where Armaan, Ranganath and Anji were sitting and chatting. Armaan took one look at them and got up to stretch. "Chalo, I'm off now. Ranganath, Anji.. move. Don't you see that we are now kabab mein haddis?"
Ashutosh stood facing the three of them. Friends. The family that chose him and his Nidhi. The three people who took it upon themselves to give a helping hand to destiny just so that he could be happy. Who understood his past and believed in his future when he didn't believe in it himself.
"Nidhi, you know something? These three here..mostly these two.." he pointed at Armaan and Ranganath and continued, "We owe them a lot. Tumhaare appointment se leke Delhi ke trip tak sab kuch inn dono ke wajah se hua hain."
Nidhi looked at them. One with a huge grin and an unrepentant look on his face and another, with a shy smile and a slight guilty flush on his face. "Mujhe laga tha. I mean not at first but.."
Anji tried to scowl. "They even made me lie to you about that food poisoning thing." Nidhi bit her lip to stop her own laughter and hugged her friend. "And they sent that other doctor on a vacation just so that.."
Nidhi's mouth dropped open at that. "That too?"
Ashutosh nodded. "That too." He went and stood before both of them. "Thank you. Both of you."
Armaan tried to laugh it off though his eyes had turned misty. "Dr Ashutosh Mathur going all senti on us?"
Wordlessly, Ashutosh opened his arms and all three of them shared a tight group hug until they were sure they had their emotions under control. Even Ranganath seemed to be oddly moved at this gesture from his boss. Armaan patted Nidhi's cheek affectionately and Ranganath exchanged a one armed hug with her and shook his head firmly as she mumbled a teary thank you.
Diye Jalte Hain, Phool Khilte Hain,
Badi Mushkil Se, Magar, Duniya Mein Dost Milte Hain
The same words resonated in all their hearts.
Ashutosh turned towards Nidhi with a smile in his bright eyes. "Come, I'll drop you home."
Nidhi nodded and went inside to collect her bag and tell HK. HK blessed her and took a promise from her that she would come more frequently. A promise she gladly made. A few minutes later, everyone got into their respective cars and backed out of the driveway. Ashutosh, after another glance to make sure Nidhi fastened her seatbelt, started the car and headed out in the direction of her home.
"What are you thinking?"
Nidhi blinked and smiled. "Nothing. Just..so much has happened in the span of a few weeks. Sometimes I wonder if I'm dreaming."
Ashutosh removed his hand from the gearshift and entwined his fingers with hers. "You really think all this is a dream?"
Nidhi remained silent for a few moments before shaking her head. "No," then turned sideways to look at him better. "You really want me to join in CCH?"
Ashutosh shrugged. "I meant what I said Nidhi. Decision is completely yours. You know what's best for you, so think and decide."
"And you would be OK with whatever I decide?"
"Of course I would. Why the doubt? You still don't trust me?" His question seemed casual enough on the surface but she could detect his underlying tension.
She smiled and slid as close to him as the bucket seat would allow. With a blissful sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I trust you Ashuji. It's not about that at all. I just want you to be happy. I don't want you to feel let down or.."
He rubbed his cheek over her hair. "I'm happy. More happy that I ever thought possible to be. And it's your career so you have to decide on your own not because I'm saying something or I want something."
Nidhi paused for a long moment, took a deep breath and replied, "Then I'll go and meet Dr Sunil tomorrow."
"Great." He paused momentarily before continuing, "Talk to your baba too. See what he says. When are you going to meet him?"
"I was thinking tomorrow morning." She would go there early in the morning. It was time she talked to her father and explained everything. If he didn't like.. she sighed..well, if he didn't like, she would face that too. She had her love right beside her now.
The sudden splatter of rain drops on the windshield drowned out the rest of their respective thoughts.
Nidhi lifted her face from its resting place with a broad grin. "Ashuji! Baarish!"
"Yeah." Both of them seemed to be lost in the same memories. Priyanka's wedding, their return, the rain, her blue dress. He had fallen in love with her that night. And from that point on there had been no going back for either of them. Now here they were..three years and a life time of experiences later.. in love, in rain and together once again.
"Chaliye na phirse bheegte hain!"
Ashutosh blinked. "Abhi? Iss beech sadak pe?"
Nidhi squinted her eyes and looked out of the window before exclaiming. "Stop the car, stop the car." Ashutosh obediently slid the car to a smooth halt on the side of the road. "There is a nice small park right here. Chaliye waha chalte hain. No one will be there at this time of the night."
Without waiting for an answer, she opened the door and hit the road running towards the park. Caught up in her exuberance, Ashutosh also got down and followed at her at a relaxed pace. The falling rain wet his t-shirt within moments and he removed his glasses and slid them into the pocket of his t-shirt. His feet slowed as they entered the park. Nidhi, with her arms stretched wide was twirling around in the wet grass. Her face was tilted up towards the sky, eyes closed as the rain showered its love on her.
Abb koyee duree na uljan koyee, bas ek ikrar hai
Abb na kahee ham na tum hd kahee, bas pyar hee pyar hai
Sun sako dhadkane itne pas aao na.
Sab gate hain, sab hee madhosh hain
Ham tum kyun khamosh hain
Abb mere sapno pe tum hee tum chaho na
Aao na, aao na, aao na, aao na
He wrapped a firm arm around her waist and whirled her in an effortless waltz, mimicking the moments that he had seen her making with his shirt that evening. He savoured her giggling playfulness. Yes, his Nidhi was now back. Fun-loving, naughty, passionate, affectionate. Love and yearning overwhelmed him.
"Marry me, Nidhi." The suddenness of his words turned her immobile in his arms. She blinked the rain away from her eyes and stared. And stared. And stared. "Marry me." His voice was more firm now. More intense.
There! He has said it again. Her crazy love-struck heart hadn't conjured up those words. Trembling hands wrapped themselves around his shoulders and she hid her face in his neck and said, "Yes."
He pulled her away from him to look into her eyes. "Say it again."
"Yes." She nodded rapidly and tried to smile and grin. "Yes, I'll marry you."
His arms tightened around her waist. "Say, yes, I'll marry you Ashutosh."
Even with the rain beating down on them, he could feel the heat of her cheeks. "Yes, I'll marry you Ashutosh."
With a sudden groan he pulled her against him, burying his face in her hair. Nidhi closed her eyes, her mind spinning. His body was solid and powerful, hunching over hers to accommodate their difference in height. She felt him tremble in her arms. He wants to marry her. And she has said yes. Oh my God! They were going to get married! Blindly, she flattened her hand on his cheek, against the softness of his now wet beard. "I'll.. I want to marry you Ashutosh."
He turned his mouth to the tender skin of her neck. His hands gripped her closer, and they both began to breathe harshly. He groped for her wrist and brought her palm to his chest, over his thundering heart. He fitted his mouth over hers with a tortured groan, his tongue searching in urgent forays. Nidhi curled her arms around his head, tangling her fingers in his dark locks as if she could hold him to her forever. She could still feel his heartbeat pounding against her flattened breasts. She didn't know how long he stood there kissing her, his mouth sometimes gentle, sometimes brutal, his hands wandering freely over her body. Her legs turned weak, and she knew she couldn't have stood upright without his arms around her. And neither noticed the rain dwindling down to a slight drizzle.
Her breath hitched in and she moaned when his lips left hers to slide hotly down her throat. He smoothed her hair back from her face and pressed his forehead to hers. "Say my name again."
"Ashutosh."
For a moment he was immobile. His breath fanned over her chin. Then he brushed a soft kiss on each of her closed eyes while her lashes trembled against his lips. "This was not the way I wanted to do this," he said roughly.
She smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Ghunjee see hai saree fija, jaise bajatee ho shehnaiya
Leheratee hai mehakee hawa, gungunatee hain tanhaiya
Aao na, aao na, aao na, aao na
He smiled slightly. With arms around each other, they went back to the car and at her apartment, their parting held both reluctance and anticipation of the days to come.
****
The next day morning Nidhi went to her house to meet her baba and DB. There were so many things to tell them that she didn't even know where to start. She called ahead and told her baba that she was coming for breakfast. But when she went, her DB opened the door and stomped off into her room with a huff. Nidhi sighed. She had thought the news of her result would soften her DB a little but high hopes. But her baba made up for it and gave her a warm welcome. He hugged her and patted her repeatedly with a huge proud grin on her face. CS told her that he had made all her favourite items for breakfast and soon both father and daughter sat down to eat. Nidhi bit her lip pondering on how to open the topic of Ashutosh.
"So Nidhi beta, what are your plans now?"
Nidhi cleared her throat. "Ji..Dr Sunil from CCH called me this morning baba. He wants to take me as the attending Neurologist at their hospital full time."
CV nodded and very casually dropped his next question. "And what does Ashutosh think about that?"
Nidhi coughed and sputtered. CV calmly extended the water glass to her and waited for her to stop coughing. He smiled as he asked, "I take it he didn't tell you that he had come and met me?" Nidhi shook her head like a doll. He came and met her father? For what? When? How? Reading the questions on his daughter's face, CV answered them. "He came yesterday morning. We spoke for quite some time." He paused and looked at his daughter intently. "He told me everything. He is a nice man Nidhi. The meeting didn't start out that great but..by the end of it I..liked him."
"You.." Nidhi cleared her throat. "You like him. You are OK with..him and..me?"
CV nodded and shrugged. "I'm not entirely comfortable with the age gap but.. I respect your decision Nidhi. I trust you to know what is good for you. I followed my heart and never regretted it for a single moment. I'm hoping the same in your case too."
Nidhi still appeared dazed. "DB..is that why she is angry today? You told her?"
CV nodded. "She is not going to accept so fast. You have to use all your convincing powers to get her on your side in this issue. You are on your own there."
Nidhi nodded enthusiastically. "I'll do it. Pakka. I'll do whatever it takes." Her baba has accepted. Ashutosh himself came and spoke. Her baba likes Ashutosh. Oh God! When her Ashuji decides to fight, he gets into it armed and guns blazing. She hadn't even known! He hadn't even breathed a word to her. She would do anything to convince her DB now. Oh God! Oh God! She should call Anji. She should..
"You can start by coming back to this house again."
Nidhi nodded immediately. Yes, she would come back home. Right away. "Ummm..baba..he..he proposed last night."
"Shall I tell CS to bring in the gulab jamun now?" Her father grinned.
Nidhi nodded, smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away with the back of her hand, got up and hugged her father. "Thank you baba. Thank you so much."
CV patted her arm lovingly. "Be happy beta. That's all I ask for. Be happy." After a few moments, the emotional tempest subsided and they resumed their breakfast again. "So, this CCH thing.."
Nidhi smiled and started talking.
****
Dr Sunil closed the file with a smile. "So, what have you decided?"
Nidhi grinned. "I'm ready to join sir. But don't you want to wait until I get my certificate, marks list and stuff?"
Sunil waved it away. "I already spoke to your HOD in the college and Ashutosh has given me his own report of your performance there. So just join. Rest will be handled later. We're expanding and we need staff stat."
"OK sir. I will get relieved from KGH next week so I'll start here from the first of the next month?"
"Sounds good." Both of them got up and Sunil extended his hand. "Welcome to CCH Dr Nidhi Verma and good luck. Just go down to the HR. They will have your papers ready for your signature."
"Thank you sir." Nidhi turned and walked out of the cabin with bright shining face. Dr Nidhi Verma! Soon she would be Dr Nidhi Mathur. She hugged the knowledge close to her heart.
****
"Good morning sir."
Ashutosh removed the surgical cap and nodded. "Good morning Ranganath."
"Sir..uh.." after a hasty look around, Ranganath smiled broadly. "Congratulations sir."
Ashutosh raised his eyebrow. "Got the news already?"
"Yes sir. Nidhi called Anji this morning."
Ashutosh nodded and both men started walking towards his cabin. His ears were still ringing with the loud whoop of Armaan that morning. And what more, he was dragging Ashutosh that very evening to buy a ring, dismayed at the thought that his friend had proposed without it in the first place.
"Umm..sir, Dr Mallika has submitted her resignation. She wants to leave end of this month. Back to Australia. Apparently some job offer.."
Ashutosh frowned but then sighed a little dismally and nodded. "I guess she knows what's best for her. I'll meet her later and wish her good luck. Anything else?"
Anji will relax now, was Ranganath's first thought. "Sir, Dr Nidhi Verma's duty is to be relieved next week."
"I know. She wants to join CCH. I trust you guys are not going to do anything to stop her this time around?" He couldn't resist adding.
"Arre sir, why would we do that? We wouldn't dream of it. No way."
"Pakka?" Laughter spilled from his eyes. But his attention got diverted as his phone buzzed with an incoming message. He glanced at it.
Ranganath actually saw the smile that lit his boss's dark eyes. He grinned knowingly. "Pakka sir. Pakka. So I'll get the papers ready?"
"Yeah, sure." The reply was distracted at best. With a nod, Ranganath left. Ashutosh sighed as he sat in his chair. Dr Nidhi Verma. Soon she would be Dr Nidhi Mathur. He tapped the phone and opened the message.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsMUGjG4F6k
Tu mera afsana
Tu mera paimana
Tu meri aadat, Ibaadat hai tu
Tu mera muskurana
Tu mera ghabraana
Tu mere gustaakhi ki maafi bhi tu
"Met Dr Sunil. Joining date - first of next month."
He typed his reply. "Great. Congratulations. Enjoy the outing with your friends tonight. I'll be there by 9-9.30."
Tu meri rag rag mein
Tu meri nas nas mein
Tu meri jaan hai, aur tu meri rooh
Tu hi junun bhi hai
Tu hi nasha bhi hai
Tu hi duaa meri, sajda bhi tu
"Can't wait."
"Me neither."
"Ashutosh..need to tell you so many things."
"Nidhi..I know."
Arziyaan de raha hai dil, aao
Sun lo kuchh keh reha hai dil, aao
Aahatein kuchh nayi si jagi hai
Musiki ek nayi hai sun jaao
Arziyan de raha hai dil, aao
Sun lo kuchh keh raha hai dil, aao
With smiles that held elation at the present and anticipation of the future, they started their day knowing that wherever they go and whatever they do, their love for each other will always remain strong as ever.
****
Walking along the corridor at a fast pace, Ranganath almost collided with Armaan. "Arre sir, good morning. I was just going to message you."
"Don't bother. I already know he proposed and she accepted." Armaan's reply was grumpy. "No ring, no candlelight dinner! They don't even know when they want to get married. That guy can't see anything right now beyond her gold medal. Honestly he will never change." He shook his head despairingly.
Ranganath smiled. "What difference does it make sir?"
At those words, Armaan lost his grouchy look and grinned once again with a nod. "Yeah. And in Mallika's words..here are these two..Ashutosh and Nidhi..as different as chalk and cheese. But at the end they still ended up together. Each had plans and expectations of their own and yet..Destiny had something else in mind." He shook his head thoughtfully and placed a hand on Ranganath's shoulder. "We are all at the end, mere characters of Destiny's Play mere bhai!"
Ranganath agreed. "True sir but we did give it a helping hand, didn't we?"
"Of course! Even Destiny needs a leg up now and then Ranganath. Even Destiny."
Both of them shared a laugh and exchanged a high five.
----x----
And that my friends was Destiny's Play! Hope you all LIKED it!
Once again, thank you Shari, for entrusting me with your story. And thank you my readers.. each and every one of you.. for all your love, support and encouragement. Really enjoyed interacting with you all after each and every update of mine.
And now I will wait for your comments / feedback regarding this last chapter and also the FF as a whole.
Have a great Sunday. Goodnight.
Edited by Suvika. - 11 years ago
Debate Mansion
