Abhi was on his way back to his cabin after he had convinced himself that Nikki and Armaan are just friends. He then thought to himself this would be the right time to order a bouquet of Nikki's favourite roses. As he entered his cabin he started dialling a number on his phone. Why wasn't it connecting?? Abhi was slowly becoming frustrated. He decided he would have to go and personally buy the bouquet. "Oh well.." He thought to himself, "Anything for Nikki... I think today just about proved that." Smiling to himself he grabbed his car keys and made his way out the door.
Nikki blissfully made her way to Abhi's cabin while thinking to herself "I can't believe he would do this much for me... He's so perfect..." She was walking slowly and grinning to herself oblivious to the strange looks she was recieving from people walking past her.
Abhi turned the corner of the corridoor to see Nikki walking ahead of him. "Ohh, shh...." He quickly moved out of sight so Nikki wouldn't see him "I can't go in front of her till i have the flowers. She might still be mad.... But then what if she picks up the flowers and throws it back at me in anger... that is a big possibility.. especially with her." Abhi rubbed his face and thought of the physical pain it would cause him as roses have thorns, he winced slightly before deciding it was worth the risk. He looked to see if Nikki had gone, deciding she was he turned back into that corridoor and made his way to the exit of Sanjeevni.
Nikki walked into Abhi's office calling out his name "Abhi.... Abhi...." but to her dissapointment the office was empty. "Oh Abhi, where are you?" she groaned out aloud. Just then a nurse was walking past Abhi's office, Nikki went out and stopped her, asking her where Abhi was. The nurse replied "Dr Nikita, he did not say where he was going, he just said that he was going out, he won't be long and to page him if there is any problems." "Ok, thankyou, you can go" Nikki told her before she glumly returned back to her duties thinking that she will definitely talk to Abhi in the evening.
Meanwhile, Abhi was driving to a florists before he realised "I can't buy flowers and take them to the hospital.... people will stare at me, they'll wonder who its for- I don't want them to say things about Nikki. What do I do now??...." He parked the car and thought about it before coming up with an idea "I know what i can do, I'll deliver the flowers to her house later tonight..." he said pleased with his idea. "Deliver? Oh my God, i sound like a delivery boy- what people will do when they are in love." he chuckled to himself. "But maybe i should get a single rose and put it in her locker with a note?.... Yes, she'll like that." Having made up his mind he got out of the car and went into the florists.
Back at the hospital Nikki was so annoyed she couldn't find Abhi that she was not concentrating on her duties. Dr Keerti who was walking past noticed this and she was far from impressed. "Dr Nikita!!..." she started marching towards Nikki "Dr Nikita, are you checking this patient or daydreaming?!" Nikki was startled and suddenly came out of her daze. Not knowing what to say, she feebly looked down to the ground and mumbled "I'm sorry, Ma'am." "Dr Nikita, you are not here to be sorry, you are here to work so please let me see you working!!" she bellowed before marching off again.
Armaan who was passing noticed this and came in to console his best friend. "Hey... what's her problem? Why was she shouting at you? Were you bunking your duties again?" Armaan said amused. Nikki didn't answer. "Hey Niki, what's up??.. Say something then- Ok fine, don't say anything but i want to talk to you. Let's go and get some coffee." Armaan suggested and dragged a woeful Nikki to the canteen.
In the canteen, Armaan was chatting away while Nikki sat in silence in her own world. Armaan noticed this and teased her "Oi Nikki, who you dreaming about eh?" he said nudging her. Still no reply but Nikki did react, she looked up and broke into a slight smile. "Oh, so you ARE dreaming about someone then?? Bata na, kaun hai??" Nikki's smile widened to Armaan's surprise. "Nikki yaar, i was teasing you but you... so there is someone?? Tell me- who is he?" but Nikki refused to give any information. "Oh come on Nikki, i'm your best friend, if you're not gonna tell me then who are you gonna tell??" Nikki still smiling just shrugged her shoulders in silence. "Ok fine, don't tell me, but can i guess?.. Just tell me is it someone in the hospital?"
But Nikki was admant that her relationship stay a secret for now "I'm not going to tell you anything Armaan." Armaan gave Nikki a mock upset face and said "Pleeeeaasssee????" in his sweetest baby tone.
"Ok fine, i will tell you that yes i'm in love with someone, we are together but that's it- i'm not telling you anything else. I'll tell you everything when the time is right." she said determindely.
"Acha... so you want time to wrap him round your little fingers so by the time i get to him, he'll be so taken in that he won't listen to my warning." Armaan said amused. Nikki looked at Armaan questioningly. Warning? "If i knew who he was, i would go to him right now and tell him how crazy you are!" Armaan said laughing while Nikki's jaw dropped in shock "Who knows you better than me? I know what you can do to people when you get angry. He should know not to mess with you unless he wants to get knocked out!" Armaan said roaring with laughter while Nikki couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Armaan, don't you dare go near him.... if you open your mouth I'll kill you." Saying this she started punching Armaan on the arm. "See.." he laughed, "See what you are doing to me now. Bechara... he doesn't know what he's got himself into." Armaan was in hysterics by now whilst Nikki was trying to hide her amusement as she knew that it was true that she goes a bit crazy when hitting people.
Later, in the evening, Abhi sneaked his way into the locker room and carefully placed the note he wrote for Nikki in her locker followed by the rose on top. He looked at it and smiled before hurriedly closing it again and deciding to leave the room before any of the interns arrived. Just as he was leaving the room he banged into someone. He steadied the person to see that it was Riddima.
"So.. So.. Sorry Dr Modi." Riddhima stuttered. "It's ok Riddhima, i wasn't paying attention to where i was going." Abhi smiled at Riddhima before he turned to leave but was stopped by Riddhima. "Dr Modi, thank you." she said smiling. Abhi turned to face her "Thankyou?.. For what Riddhima?" he asked confused. "For Armaan..." "Oh, that... it's ok, it was my pleasure." he said before turning to leave again.
"Um... Dr Modi?.. What were you doing in here??" Riddhima questioned knowing fully that he was looking for Nikki. But she still decided to tease him and ask anyway. "Are you looking for Nikki by any chance?" she asked trying not to laugh. Abhi turned red but luckily she couldn't see as he had his back to her. "N..N.. No... Why would I?" he asked. Riddhima tried not to laugh "Shall i tell her you were looking for her?" she asked amused. "Y-No... why? No..." he managed to say before rushing off embarassed. Riddhima let out a giggle "How cute... they love each other so much..." she said but at the same time upset at the fact that she use to have that with Armaan but lost it.
Abhi was rushing back to his office still blushing a scarlet red colour when he again bumped into someone else. Exasperated at himself he looked to see he had bumped into Armaan this time.
"Sorry, Armaan." he said quietly.
"It's ok, boss. Why you so red?" Armaan asked.
"Um......um... I'm really hot, I think the AC isn't working- need to get it checked out." Abhi replied smiling nervously wondering if Armaan would believe him or not.
"Oh, ok. Anyways, I was actually coming to find you." Armaan said smiling widely at Abhi.
"Me? Why?" Abhi questioned.
"Actually, i wanted to thank you again for what you did for me. Seriously, boss, you're a dude." Armaan said sincerly.
Abhi chuckled "Armaan, really it's ok. You don't need to thank me, like i already said it was my pleasure. And before thanking me you need to concentrate on your exam next week. Let me know when you are free so i can help you, ok?"
"Dude, you are the coolest boss." Armaan said cheerfully and grabbed Abhi and hugged him to show his thanks, startling the senior Doctor.
Pulling out of Armaan's strong grip, he straightened himself. "So, when do you want to revise then?" Abhi asked.
"How about tonight?" Armaan replied.
Abhi didn't know what to say. Tonight? But he had promised to take Nikki to dinner... but will she even want to go? "Whether she wants to go or not, i need to keep the option open." Abhi thought.
"Sorry Armaan, i can't do it tonight, i've already made plans and i can't change them, so...." Abhi said dissapointed at himself for promising to help then not being able to do it and at the same time worried whether him letting Armaan down will be useful or not.
"Oh ok, that's cool. Tomorrow after work then?" Armaan asked. "Definitely." Abhi smiled back.
"Cool... so dude, your plans tonight?.... Anything to do with a girl??" Armaan laughed not knowing what to expect but to his surprise Abhi turned red. "Okaaaay!" Armaan laughed nudging Abhi. "So you got a date eh?" Abhi was turning tomato red in silence as Armaan continued to tease him. "You lucky dude! Come on, boss, tell me who it is?" Armaan asked eagerly as he nudged Abhi once again.
"Er.. Armaan..." Abhi didn't know what to say.
"Yes, boss??" Armaan grinned.
"Erm... I... you... I... I have to go. See you later." Abhi finished before getting away from Armaan as fast as possible.
Armaan burst out laughing. "Yaar, what is wrong with everyone in this hospital? They are all so shy. First Nikki and now the boss. Everyone wants to keep their love a secret." he said to himself before a thought suddenly hit him. "Nikki? The boss? Nikki AND the boss? Together? In love?" Armaan could not believe what he was thinking. "No way, the boss is smart, Nikki is crazy, its a complete mismatch.... right?" Armaan didn't know what to think but he was strangely excited. "The boss? Nikki yaar, if this is true, you done well for yourself." He smiled to himself before deciding he would actually find out if he what he was thinking was true before getting too excited.
Scene 5
Meanwhile, Nikki again tried to find Abhi. She walked into his office but all she found was more dissapointment to add to her day of dissapointment- he wasn't there. What do I do? Is he avoiding me? I should go to his house and say sorry. Should i take anything? Do guys accept flowers? Is it too girly? She turned to leave lost in her thoughts, as was Abhi who entered his cabin. BANG!
"Uuuurrggghh, how many more times today am i nearly going to knock someone over? I don't get to bang into the person i want to..." he thouht angrily. But to his surprise, this time he did bang into that person- Nikki. He stopped her from falling and held her in his arms as he was bending over her. For a few moments they were lost in each other's eyes, just staring until Abhi realised Nikki might still be angry with him. He steadied her before reluctantly pulling away slowly and walking towards his desk.
"Oh no!" Nikki thought "He is definitely angry."
"Nikki..." "Abhi..." they both started at the same time. They shared another brief eye-lock before Nikki continued.
"Abhi, please don't say anything. Let me talk." She said firmly.
"But Nikki..." Abhi interrupted.
"No Abhi, please..." Nikki continued, determined to have her say first. "Abhi, i know i have hurt you, and i want to apologise to you and make you understand a few things as well."
Abhi couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So she wasn't angry? She thinks i'm angry?" Mischief took over him "This is great, i can use this to my advantage to see how much she loves me..."
He slowly turned away from Nikki as he could feel a smile creeping up on his lips and he didn't want her to see.
"Abhi...." Nikki was lost for words. How could she make him understand? "Abhi, I'm sorry... I know what I did was wrong, I know I shouldn't have said what I did, but believe me, I didnt mean to hurt you..." she said quietly.
Abhi had no idea just how bad Nikki was feeling, he just wanted to know how important he was to Nikki, what he meant to her, and the only way to find out was hearing her say it herself so he decided to goad Nikki into it.
"Really Nikki?" He asked sarcastically. Sensing the sarcasm in his voice, Nikki's eyes started to moisten. As they both stood in silence, Nikki stared at Abhi who was refusing to turn to her and slowly her eyes started to fill up with tears.
Abhi ignorant of Nikki's tears continued "You always put all your friends before me and then tell me you didn't mean to hurt me?? You make me feel like I don't matter to you, like I'm nothing..."
Without realising Abhi was letting out all his anger and frustration "I thought you loved me, I thought you wanted to be with me but now I realise that you only settled for me because you couldn't have the one you wanted, I'm second best..."
Saying this he turned to Nikki and was taken aback to see tears rolling down her cheeks. He realised what he had done and his anger disappeared "uuggh, what have i done?" he thought, annoyed at himself. He stepped forward to take her into his arms only to have her step back.
"Nikki, i'm...." Abhi was guilt-ridden but Nikki lifted her hand up to stop him talking.
Through the onslaught of the tears stinging her eyes she managed to speak "Don't apologise for something you mean. Gusse mein hi sahi, but at least you told me what you think..." She tried to get rid of the lump in her throat so she could talk again.
"No, Nikki..." Abhi tried to get a word in but Nikki was having none of it.
"No, Abhi... I want you- no i need u to understand that I love YOU! Only you! You are not second best, you are THE best and most important person in my life. I know i've never told you that, but i'm telling you now... I love you, Dr. Abhimanyu Modi!"
Abhi once again try to plead for forgiveness "But Nikki, i didn't....." But once again he was cut off.
"And one more thing, you think i settled for you??!!! I don't think you realise how much i love you! I didn't settle for you Abhi, i fell in love with you.... i didn't even know what true love was until you came along! You are the only one i want, the only one i need- WHY can't you understand that???" Saying this she collapsed onto the sofa behind her.
Nikki's final statement made Abhi break into a smile. He went a placed himself on the sofa. Realising he was there, Nikki moved to the end of the sofa, away from him, but Abhi just followed her and slowly put his arms around her and pulled her in closer to him. She tried to pull out of his grip but he just held on to her tighter and with his smile still intact bent in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I love you too, Dr Nikita Malhotra and i know you love me but i needed to hear you say that i mean as much to you as you do to me. I'm sorry...??" he pleaded and buried his face in Nikki's hair.
The feeling of his warm breath on her sent a tingle through her body. She wiped away the tears and trying to control her feelings but still feeling emotional after her outburst she spoke quietly "So, instead of asking me, you decide to shout at me?? Do you think a person let's out their feelings when they are being shouted at?"
"Erm.... well I don't know about other people but now i know how to get things out of you!" Abhi chuckled. Nikki smiled but putting on a straight face she turned and glared at him. "Sorry??" Abhi pleaded once again with his sweetest smile.
Nikki couldn't help but smile at his baby face and twinkling eyes staring at her. Abhi wiped away any reamaining tears and hugged her tightly from behind. Nikki, in turn, entwined her fingers into his own which where resting on her midriff. The other hand went up to his face and rested on his cheek.
Slightly turning her face towards him, she asked "You do believe me don't you? You are the only one I want." Abhi silently smiled and placed a kiss on on her cheek. Nikki blushed and looked down.
"Haan, ab tumhari baari hai!" he said. Nikki was confused. "Huh??"
"Maine toh tumhe mana liya, ab tum mujhe manao." He grinned.
Nikki in shock managed to pull out of his grip, "What?? Then what was all that just now?? I said all those things and you.... Tum nahi manne? I didn't say all those things for fun, you know. It wasn't a joke, i was being serious."
"I know you were but you didn't show me you were sorry properly..." Abhi said straight-faced.
"What do you mean Abhi, you want me to get on the floor and beg you?? If you do, then you can forget it!"
"No, i don't want that, there's another way..." Nikki didn't understand what Abhi was getting at. "You can show me you love me, like i showed you..."
"How?? By shouting at you??" Nikki said as Abhi laughed at her comment.
"No, sweetheart, but you see i kissed you twice in the last 2 minutes, so i think i deserve one back, don't you? After all loving someone is about give and take. I have given, now i want to take." Abhi smirked.
"Abhi....?"
"Nikki....?"
"Abhi, tum bhi na..." Nikki laughed at his request.
"Haan, Nikki, mein bhi kucch chahta hoon. Ab dheogi bhi?" Abhi didn't wait for a reply. He set his sight on Nikki's lips and moved in. Before Abhi reached his destination, Nikki managed to swiftly pull herself off the sofa and as she did Abhi's lips touched the sofa. Frustrated he looked at Nikki who was trying to control her laughter.
"Nikki...?"
"Abhi, not here, someone will come in!" Nikki explained.
"Not here? Matlab if we were somewhere else in private, say at my house... then will you....?" Abhi inquired as he also got up from the sofa and walked up next to Nikki.
"Haan, of course..." Nikki smiled up at him.
Grabbing hold of Nikki's hand, Abhi said "Toh phir chalo, der kis baat ki? Ghar chalte hain..."
Mischief took over Nikki as she pulled her hand out of his. "No, darling... ghar pe toh tikh hai, lekin shaadi ke baad."
"Shaadi ke baad? Nikki what are you talking about? It's not like you don't know me. I know you want to..." he said and moved closer.
Nikki took a step back, "No, whether i want to or not does not matter. It is wrong so we will wait." she said as she smiled at him sweetly.
At that moment, Abhi realised Nikki was teasing him "Toh phir tikh hai, hum shaadi ki baad bhi ek doosre se milenge."
"What?" Nikki asked.
"Well, if its wrong to kiss your girlfriend before marriage then its wrong to talk to her, touch her, hold her hand and all the other stuff we do. Oh my God, Nikki!" he exclaimed.
"What??" Nikki asked worriedly.
"Nikki, we have commited so many mistakes!" Looking upwards, he continued "Hey bhagwaan, maaf kar dena hamein. Humse bohot baari galati hogayi. Ab shaadi ke baad hi mein iski taraf dekhoonga." Keeping his eyes to the ceiling so he doesn't see Nikki, he turned away from her. "Nikki, please leave from here, i don't want us to make any more mistakes." Nikki just stared at Abhi with a mixture of confusion and shock. Abhi, on the other hand, had to bite his lips to keep himself from laughing.
"Abhi, now what are YOU saying?" she asked. "I was joking Abhi, don't tell me you're being serious?.... Abhi??"
Abhi switched back to his straight face and turned back to her "You were joking?? You were trying to get out of it??" Abhi asked sounding genuinely upset.
"Fine then, don't give me anything back." Abhi stared at Nikki trying to show he was annoyed.
"Oh man, what is happening today? It's like a tennis match. One minute the ball is in my court, the next it's in his? Looks like i will have to do something now." she thought to herself as Abhi went back to the sofa and sat down leaning back.
She went and sat next to him and put one of her hands on his cheek. "Thak gaye kya?" she asked. Abhi moved Nikki's hand and stared ahead of him. Nikki continued to talk.
"Are you really angry? Won't you talk 2 me?" she asked.
"No, abhi mood nahi hai." he replied.
"Want me to say something to change your mood?" Nikki said lovingly.
"No thankyou, i don't want to hear anything!"
"Kuch nahi?"
"Nahi!"
"Mm-hm?" she inquired as she moved closer to him.
Abhi pushed her away gently and got up "Nahi!"
Amused, Nikki slowly got up "Tikh hai! Hum phir bhi kehdete hain. If you want to listen then please do." she said as she went and stood in front of him and caressed his face. Abhi groaned and reluctantly pushed her hands away once again and moved away from her.
"I... love..." she started and Abhi froze waiting for her to finish.
"Actually, if you don't want to listen then i won't waste my breath. I'll say it when you want to listen." saying this she turned towards the door to leave but knew that Abhi would stop her- and she was right! He spun around, grabbed hold of her and pushed her against the wall. His arms on either side of her on the wall, he bellowed "I love what??"
Nikki stared at her her vexed boyfriend and giggled. "Abhi mood nahi hai!" she retorted and managed to bend down slightly and release herself from him.
Abhi was really miffed now. "Eh, ab bohot ho chuka, huh! Ab aur natak kiya na toh..."
"Toh...?" Nikki asked.
"Toh... mein..."
"Mein, kya?" Nikki teased.
Abhi pulled Nikki into his arms "Toh mein tumhe jaane nahi doonga!" He professed pleased with himself.
"Oh really??" Nikki laughed.
"Really, sweetheart!"
"How nice!" Nikkis eyes sparkled with happiness.
Lost in each other, they didn't realise the door open and Armaan walk in on them. Armaan's jaw fell open. "So i WAS right?! The boss and Nikki?" he exclaimed to himself. "Cool!"
Abhi and Nikki still unaware of Armaan's prescence continued to gaze at each other. Armaan thought "If i don't say anything then they'll never get out of this eye-lock!" He cleared his throat which startled the two lovers. Quickly they let go of each other and stepped apart, blushing madly.
"So, dude...?" Armaan moved towards Abhi and nudged him. "You and Nikki eh?? And Nikki? The boss?" Armaan quizzed. "I got to say, this is unexpected. Dude, i did not expect this from you."
Nikki tried to explain to Armaan. "No, Armaan, it's not what you...."
"You, keep quiet! I don't want to talk to you." Armaan said to Nikki and turned to Abhi.
"Erm... Armaan..." Abhi started but was cut off.
"And dude, you? I thought you were smart... how did you get yourself trapped in her web?"
Abhi and Nikki looked at each other and then back at Armaan.
"Dude, you don't know her, she's kinda crazy." Armaan laughed as Nikki's mouth opened wide in shock. "Just look after yourself around her... and good luck!" Armaan advised Abhi.
Abhi laughed at Armaan and said "Thanks man, i'm gonna need it with this one!" Both men stood their laughing as Nikki was in shock at the two of them laughing at her. Her eyes widened. Seeing this, the two guys laughed even harder.
"Fine!! Stay here together and laugh at me, i am going!!" she said and started to stomp her way towards the door. But Armaan stood in the way "Come on, yaar, I'm joking. I'm actually really pleased for you, you found yourself a great guy."
But Nikki was annoyed. She turned away from Armaan only to find Abhi standing right behind her. Abhi with a huge grin on his face winked at Nikki. She turned around again and found herself sandwiched in between the first and second most important men in her life and they were actually getting on; she was ecstatic!
Armaan congratulated the couple and both Abhi and Nikki returned their gratitude by hugging Armaan. Then, Abhi put his arms around Nikki from behind. Even though she was not a big fan of PDA, she was comfortable standing there like that in front of Armaan.
"Anyways, i will tell you why i have come here, then leave you lovebirds to it." Abhi and Nikki blushed which amused Armaan. "Oh come on guys, don't act all coy! Relax!" They all laughed.
"Ok, so i was planning on having a small get together tonight, if you guys are free..?"
Before Abhi could say anything Nikki made eyes at Armaan. He realised she meant that they were busy so changed his statement.
"I mean, are you free tomorrow night?" Armaan asked and Nikki mouthed a thankyou to him.
"Tomorrow? Armaan we are preparing for your exam tomorrow night, aren't we?" Abhi reminded.
"Oh yeah, i forgot. Erm... well tomorrow is Saturday and we all have days off on Sunday so tomorrow should be fine, na? We can all get together after our meeting. If that's ok with you boss?" Armaan replied.
"Er yeah, we are free. Let's do that then." Abhi answered.
"Cool, so i'll let you know details of location tomorrow then. And hey, now that i know, you can tell the others at dinner tomorrow." Armaan suggested happily. "Ok, i will let you get back to romancing now. Congrats once again! See you tomorrow." Saying this Armaan left the room.
Still holding onto Nikki, Abhi kissed her neck which made Nikki squirm with pleasure. "So why did you tell Armaan we're not free today?" Abhi questioned. Nikki was shocked, she realised he must have seen her making signs at Armaan somehow.
"Oh, erm... tumhe jo manana hai na, isiliye." Nikki giggled.
"Toh manao, i'm waiting...." Abhi said still nuzzling Nikki's neck.
"Well, you seem fine now, don't think i need to." Nikki said.
Abhi let go of Nikki and said "I'm not, so please manao na...."
"Ok, ok- I love..."
"Oh please sweetie, not again, ab bata bhi do." Abhi pleaded.
"Food!"
"Huh??"
"I love food and you promised to take me out to dinner tonight. And thats why i said no to Armaan." Nikki smiled at an unsatissfied Abhi, so she decided to add "oh and by the way...I love you too darling, but i will love you even more on a full stomach." she insisted.
"Finally! Kehdiya! And I love you!" He said and took her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Nikki was so happy and content. They looked at each other before Abhi kissed Nikki on her forehead one more time.
"Actually, i am really hungry too." he stated.
"Toh chalo na? What are you waiting for??"
"I'm sooo hungry Nikki, how about a sarter now?" Abhi winked at Nikki who instantly picked up on what he was saying.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm that hungry today, i won't say no!" Nikki winked back.
Both laughed before passion took over them and they moved closer. Abhi cupped Nikki's face in both his hands whilst Nikki, in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck. Abhi slowly reached her lips and as he did they both felt a spark go through them and Nikki returning his love made Abhi even more passionate. Her hold on his neck got tighter as his kisses got deeper and in between the kisses, Nikki managed to mumble "so you finally managed to get your take!" Both of them managed to chuckle before carrying on with their starter. đ
Arjun
Cricket
