The Distance Between Us - An AR FF (Link to TDBU#2 - Page 1) - Page 8

Your work in a very simple word-amazing. But that won't justify it. I have been searching for something like this since ages and finally I got one. Love emotions sadness...I love such type and your story seems a complete package of them. The way you expressed everything. The language, it was simply fantastic. I love it, so please be a regular updater and please send me pms. Great going!

Originally posted by: phoo_honey

Your work in a very simple word-amazing. But that won't justify it. I have been searching for something like this since ages and finally I got one. Love emotions sadness...I love such type and your story seems a complete package of them. The way you expressed everything. The language, it was simply fantastic. I love it, so please be a regular updater and please send me pms. Great going!

Previously on...

Riddhima and gang arrive to LA. :)

Track 2 - I'll Be There For You, The Rembrandts

"Hey, guys. Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go to the hospital. Jaanhavi's been in an accident," he announced to the room.

Nikki gasped.

"Will she be okay?" Abhi asked.

"Hopefully," Rahul replied.

"I have to go. But please, get comfortable. And, I'm sorry, but I don't think anyone is going to be home till she's released."

"I'm coming with you," Nikki declared, not giving him a chance to object.

"I think we should all go," Atul said.

"Champ, you guys must be tired. Don't stress yourself out."

"Rahul, we want to be there for you."

"I can handle myself, thanks."

"I would have believed you if your hands hadn't been shaking so badly," Atul replied.

Rahul looked down to see that his hands were indeed, shaking.

"You won't be able to get to the hospital like this. We'll go with you."

"Thanks, thank... thank you."

They made to leave, but Rahul stopped them. "Just a second." He picked up a bottle of pills kept on the table. "Okay. Let's leave."

They piled into the car in which Rohan had gotten everyone home. Abhi took the wheel and Rahul sat beside him giving him directions.

The entire ride was tense. Nikki was sobbing hysterically and Muskaan was trying her best to console her. Rahul was literally trembling, mumbling and murmuring all the way.

The others didn't know who this girl was to garner such strong reactions from both Rahul and Nikki. Riddhima was completely heartbroken. The brief conversation between Rahul and Nikki had made it clear that this Jaanhavi was really important to Armaan. Who was she to him? Did he love her? Had he finally moved on? Would he be there at the hospital today?

The last thought made her giddy. Would she finally be able to see him after 7 years? 7 years of pain, tears, longing and heartbreak. The longest 7 years of her life. Would he be there? Would he want to see her? What if he hated her for what she had done to him?

That was too much to bear. She didn't know what she would do if he hated her. It was the least she deserved but she couldn't bear the thought of Armaan feeling anything but love towards her. She was spoilt, she knew. But Armaan had loved her so completely and wholly that she couldn't ever imagine a time when he didn't love her. Maybe that made her sound arrogant, but she didn't care. She wanted to be the only girl he loved. She hoped that hadn't changed in the past 7 years. She hoped she wasn't too late.

"We're here," Abhi announced, bringing Riddhima out of her thoughts. Rahul rushed out of the car.

"Jen... Jenny. Where, where is she?" He asked the receptionist.

"They've taken Dr. Jenny to the private rooms on the 4^th floor, Dr. Ray," she replied. Rahul nodded gratefully and rushed upstairs, the others hot on his tail.

Nothing could have prepared Riddhima for the sight that greeted her outside Jaanhavi's room.

There he was, her Armaan. He was sitting on the floor, his back resting against the walls. There was no way to describe his condition other than distraught. His mouth was covered in a frown and his forehead was full of lines. His shoulders were hunched as he rested his chin on his knees. There were tracks of tears on his face.

He was the epitome of a broken man.

Riddhima couldn't see him like this. She wanted to go to him, to run in his arms and surround him with herself. She wanted to reassure him that everything was fine and that everything was going to be okay. She wanted to kiss away all his worries. But, she had lost the right to do so the day she had chosen Sid over Armaan.

She would never forget that day as long as she lived. The heartbroken look on his face, the pain in his eyes, the tears falling freely, covering his cheeks. His anguishing cry as his legs gave out and he fell to his knees when he thought she had left. It would haunt her forever.

7 years ago. Sanjeevani, Mumbai. Locker room.

"Jis tarah Armaan ko lagta hai ki Riddhima par sirf Armaan ka haq hai, us hi tarah Riddhima ko lagta hai ki Armaan sirf uska hai, sirf uska haq hai Armaan par."

Armaan smiled through his tears on hearing her say this.

"Armaan, main jaanti hu ki ab jo main karne jaa rahi hu, woh bohot mushkil hai. Hum dono ke liye. Lekin Sid ab mera husband hai, Armaan. Meri responsibility. Aur main chahe jitna chahu, apni responsibility se peeche nahi hat sakti."

Armaan nodded.

"Armaan, I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too, Riddhima."

"Nahi, aise nahi. Waise kaho jaise hamesha kehte ho," she told him, crying.

"I love you, Basket," he whispered.

A beautiful smile lit up Riddhima's entire face. Armaan couldn't help but smile back.

"Phirse bolo," she demanded.

"I love you, Basket. Main tumse bohot pyaar karta hu, aur hamesha karta rahunga."

"I love you, too, Armaan," Riddhima replied as she moved into his arms.

They hugged each other tightly.

"I'm sorry, Armaan. I'm really sorry," Riddhima kept on mumbling. And she really was sorry. Much as she wanted to stay in his arms, feeling loved and safe and protected and wanted, for the rest of her life, she had chosen not to. It was her fault. It was all her fault.

"Hey, shhh. It's okay," Armaan replied softly, kissing her head. "Main jaanta hu yeh tumhaare liye bhi aasaan nahi hai, Riddhima. Lekin maine tumse pehle bhi kaha tha, tum jaisa chahogi waisa hi hoga."

"Thank you, Armaan. Main jaanti thi ki koi aur meri baat samjhe na samjhe, mera Armaan zarur samjhega."

Armaan smiled on hearing Mera Armaan' from her mouth. He knew these were the last few moments they would spend together and he wanted to leave with only happy memories from his Basket.

She hugged him again, crying bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Armaan. Main bohot buri hu. Maine tumhe kitna dard diya hai. I'm sorry."

"Hey! Maine tumhe koi haq nahi diya hai, apni Basket ke iss tarah burai karne ka, samjhi? Meri Basket ne mujhe bohot saara pyaar diya hai. Phir kya hua agar uske saath thoda dard bhi de diya? Haq hai uska."

"Armaan, tum mujhse itna pyaar kyu karte ho?"

"Ab koi kisise kaise pooch sakta hai ki woh apni jaan se kyu pyaar karta hai?"

"Armaan mat karo mujhse itna pyaar. Layak nahi hu main iske."

"Oye, maine tumse kaha na, tum meri Basket ke baare mein aise kuch bhi ulta - seedha nahi bol sakti."

"I love you, Armaan."

"I love you, too."

"Armaan, mujhse ek vaada karoge?"

"Jo tum chaho."

"Hamesha khush rehna."

"Basket..."

"Nahi, Armaan. Vaada karo, mujhse. Tum hamesha khush rahoge. Hamesha woh Armaan rahoge jisse maine pyaar kiya hai. Mera cute, dashing, charming Armaan, jo hamesha khushiyaan bikher deta hai, jo hamesha sabki help karne sabse pehle pohonch jaata hai, jo apni Basket se iss duniya mein sabse zyada pyaar karta hai. Rahoge na?"

Armaan nodded, not knowing what to say.

"Main jaanti hu, Armaan, ki aaj hum bhale hi alag ho jaaye, lekin mere dil mein tumhaari jagah kabhi koi nahi le sakta. Main apni aakhri saans tak tumse utna hi pyaar karungi jitna aaj karti hu. Aur phir, ek na ek din Armaan aur Riddhima phir se ek ho jaayenge."

"Is janam mein toh hum saath nahi reh paaye, Basket. Lekin agle har janam mein, tum sirf aur sirf meri hogi. Phir chaahe tumhaari life mein 1000 Sid kyu na aakar chale jaaye, Riddhima sirf aur sirf apne Armaan ki hogi."

"Vaada?" Riddima asked, her eyes shining on hearing him say those words.

"Pakaa vaada."

"I love you," they whispered together as they hugged each other for the last time.

Armaan kissed Riddhima's forehead. She smiled a teary smile and then turned to go away.

She couldn't however, bear to just leave. So, she hid behind the walls to look at Armaan. What she saw broke her heart even more, if that was possible.

Armaan fell to his knees, right there in the locker room, the strength that he had been showing in front of her, breaking now that he knew he was alone. And that wasn't even the worst part.

A few seconds later, he started sobbing. Hysterically. He sobbed for 1 hour and 14 minutes before the sobs subsided. He then cried silently for 2 hours and 47 minutes before he stood up. Riddhima knew because she counted.

"Ridzy? Kya soch rahi hai?" Anjali's voice brought her out of her thoughts. Riddhima shook her head.

Meanwhile, Rahul was busy with Armaan. The moment Armaan saw Rahul he all but leapt from the floor and tackled Rahul in a hug. Then, he started sobbing earnestly.

"Jaan... Jaan... Accident... Jaan... Hospital..." he mumbled, unable to construe proper sentences. Riddhima's heart went out to him. She wanted to rush forward and wrap him up in her arms, to reduce the pain she knew he was feeling. To do anything to help him.

"Armaan! Relax. It's okay. We're all here for you. Jaanhavi is going to be all right, I promise."

"Promise?" Armaan asked, like a little kid needing reassurance. Rahul nodded.

"Obviously. Nothing can happen to Jaanhavi till she has her angel, her Malakh. Right?" Rahul asked in a rhetoric manner.

Armaan managed a small smile.

"I'm scared, Rahul," Armaan whispered.

"Hey, don't be scared, okay? I've got you. And Matt is going to look after Jaanhavi. Everything is going to be okay."

Armaan nodded silently.

"Rahul?" He asked.

Rahul nodded, indicating that he was listening.

"Call Juhi Ma. And Rohan. They should know."

Rahul nodded and called Juhi Ma.

"Hey, Juhi Ma. Please get to the hospital as soon as possible. Bring Pa with you. Jaanhavi's been in accident. And please call Rohan. He wasn't home when I got there."

Rahul listened in for sometime before hanging up.

"Rohan isn't in town. Some issues with the Board. He must be on a plane now. Do you want me to leave a message?" Rahul asked Armaan.

Armaan shook his head vehemently. "We shouldn't trouble him. If he gets the call, he'll rush back. If there's something going on with the Board, he must not be distracted."

Rahul nodded. Armaan was right.

"And Tammy?" He asked.

"No way! We're not calling her."

"Armaan..."

"No, Rahul. No way in Hell. You're not calling her, you understand?"

"Armaan. Listen to me. The seminar is going to end in 2 days. I'm sure she won't mind missing it."

"Of course she won't mind! But, I'm not letting her throw it away. You're not calling her. You understand me?"

"Fine."

"Good. And if you call her behind my back, there'll be Hell to pay. You know I'll know."

"Fine," Rahul agreed begrudgingly.

Armaan nodded.

"And what will you do when she gets back?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"Armaan, I think we should call her."

"I know you think we should. But, don't you understand? She'll come rushing back! If... if something happens, we'll call her."

"Armaan! Nothing is going to happen."

Armaan nodded wistfully.

"Hey," Rahul whispered, hugging Armaan. "Nothing is going to happen."

"I hope you're right."

The doctor came out then.

"Matt, how is she? Is she okay? She's not in a bad shape, is she? When can we take her home?" Armaan fired questions one after the other.

"Relax, Armaan. Let him breathe," Rahul interrupted.

"Look, Ammy, I know you're worried, but I'm going to be blunt here, okay?"

Armaan nodded.

"It's bad. She's suffered through some internal bleeding. There's a ligament tear and her hand is in a plaster due to broken bones."

"But, she's going to be fine, right?"

"She's bled a lot, Ammy..."

"Is she going to be okay or not?"

Matt sighed.

"The next 36 hours are critical. If everything is fine, then she'll be fine. We've put her in a medically induced coma so that the medicines can do their work, but if she doesn't gain consciousness in the next 36 hours, she might slip into an actual one."

"No... no... no. You're... you're joking, right? This isn't funny, Matt. This is my baby's life you're talking about," Armaan replied, growing hysterical.

"Ammy, calm down, okay? We're working on it. I'm going try my damnedest to make it alright. This isn't happening if I can help it, no way in Hell."

"Thanks Matt," Rahul replied. He turned to make sure Armaan was okay.

Rahul gasped when he saw Armaan on the floor again, his head in between his knees as he tried to breathe.

"Armaan... Armaan... Look at me. Armaan!" Rahul called, but to no response.

Armaan could hear Rahul calling his name, but his voice was coming from a distance, like he was far away from where Armaan was. He wanted to call out to Rahul. He wanted to ask for help. But his voice wasn't working in his favor.

Armaan could feel as if he was drowning. He so desperately wanted to come up. To breathe. But, as much as he tried to fight it, it felt as if he was sinking further and further.

He just needed to breathe, dammit! Nothing more. But, his lungs weren't cooperating. At all. He needed space. He needed air, but he was just getting sucked in. If he could just move a little.

Then, he would get air. He would be able to breathe. But his arms and legs were shaking and shivering a little too much for him to be able to do that.

Help! He wanted to shout. He just needed someone to come and help him breathe. To stop him from drowning. He tried to flail his arms, to get them to push him up. To come back to the surface, instead of going in deeper and deeper in. He wanted to pull himself up.

"ARMAAN!" Rahul yelled, yanking him up by his hair. "Breathe, with me." He said.

Armaan wanted to say that he was trying, that he wanted to breathe, but he was still having a hard time with bringing his voice to work.

"Pills!" He finally managed to wheeze out before collapsing into a coughing fit.

"Right! Sorry!" Rahul replied sheepishly.

"Get me some water!" Rahul snapped to no one in particular as he fumbled with the pockets in his jacket.

Holly rushed to get him some. Rahul removed the bottle of pills that he had gotten before leaving the house and removed 2 pills from it.

"Fa... fast!" Armaan wheezed again as he got over his coughing fit.

"I know, I know. Holly's getting us some water, okay? Try to relax."

Armaan nodded.

"Get here quick!" Rahul called as he saw Holly in the hallway.

As soon as she was in touching distance, Rahul all but snatched the glass from her hand. He shoved the pills in Armaan's mouth and made him swallow the water, which unfortunately, led into another miserable coughing fit.

Armaan wasn't all the sure that he was breathing now. He was just coughing. He was also drowning. Drowning. Drowning. Drowning. Further and further.

Sweat was lining his forehead and he was shivering a little too badly for Rahul's comfort.

"Holly, please get us a room. It's best not to have an audience for this. There's a room on standby next to Ammy's cabin. Get it ready, okay?" He explained.

Holly scampered out quickly to arrange the room.

"Armaan! Relax, goddammit!"

"Try... trying. Can't... bre ---- breathe!"

Rahul hugged Armaan in an uncharacteristic move.

"Armaan, I know you're scared, but just try to breathe, okay? Just slow breaths. With me. Can you do that?"

Armaan nodded. He could hear Rahul a little clearer now. He was also able to see well as the tears forming in his eyes seemed to have fallen, finally.

"Ray, the room is ready," Holly said as she scampered back.

"Thank you," he replied, gratefully.

He got to his feet and pulled Armaan up as well. Knowing that Armaan was in no condition to even stand on his own, let alone walk, he supported Armaan to the room.

There, he placed him on the bed.

"Armaan, relax!" He burst out as Armaan's breathing grew more labored.

Armaan, on the other hand was sinking. His arms and legs were starting to shiver again. His vision was getting blurry with each passing second as more unshed tears gathered in his eyes. He couldn't get himself to come out of the panic he knew he was in. It was all too much. He couldn't breathe again. He needed space, he needed motion. But, he couldn't lift a finger. Fear was gripping every part of his body.

Jaan. Jaan. Jaan. That was the only thought revolving in his head as he tried to get up. But, he wasn't able to move. He tried again, but Rahul pushed him back.

He wanted to ask Rahul to take him to Jaan. To make the pain go away. To help him breathe. But, he couldn't.

And then, everything was black.

"f**k you to Hell, you bas***d!" Rahul shouted as he saw him go unconscious. This was exactly what he was afraid of.

Armaan had passed out.

"Get Dr. Sanders here. Put in the IV and oxygen," Rahul started. He punched in a few numbers on his phone.

"You're going to have to come here ASAP. It's bad, real bad. He passed out. I'm worried... Yes... Yes... Thank you."

Dr. Sanders came rushing in sometime later.

He wired Armaan in and injected him with a few medicines. "Outside, Ray."

"Right, yes. Of course."

"Shit," Rahul cursed again, sliding against the wall.

"Rahul? What... What's going on?" Riddhima asked hesitantly.

"Armaan... He's..." Rahul started.

"Ray!" A voice interrupted them.

"Dr. Reynolds! Thank God!" Rahul leapt to his feet.

"How is he?"

Rahul nodded towards the room. "Dr. Sanders is looking him over."

"Okay."

"You got in quick," Rahul observed.

"I was in the area."

Rahul nodded.

"I'll go check."

"Dr. Reynolds," Rahul called.

"Yes?" He asked, turning back.

"Thank you!"

"No worries."

xxx

And, I just wanna say ki all the jootas, chappals, tamatars and andas are welcome!

Thank you for reading!

Those of you who didn't understand, Armaan suffers from panic attacks. More light will be shed on it in the next chapters!

Also, I know the title comes from a pretty happy and upbeat song, but somehow the lyrics fit here.

How did you like my version of the iconic 'Armaan sirf Riddhima ka hai' scene? I hope I did it justice!

Please review!

:D

So no one told you life was gonna be this way

Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear

When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but

I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)

You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight

You've burned your breakfast, so far things are going great

Your mother warned you there'd be days like these

But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees that

I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)

No one could ever know me

No one could ever see me

Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me

Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with

Someone I'll always laugh with

Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah!

It's like you're always stuck in second gear

When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year

I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)

I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)

- I'll Be There For You, The Rembrandts

Ress

Loved it. It is a bit confusing but i think that makes it even more exciting to reed. Cant wait to read more.

Res...meggs ko bhaga...alwz steals my place. Mujhe 1st cmnt karni thi.

Spammer aleart.

May I?