YOU'RE STILL THE ONE
Part 9
As Nikki walked into Sanjeevani in the evening, she saw Sid's message on her cell to join him and the gang at the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. Her mood lifted as soon as she saw the message. She had missed her friends! When she joined the group, she was greeted by all of them with a hug. They all inquired about her health and told her how worried they were when Sid informed them about her migraine. Ridhhima reprimanded Nikki for not letting them know about her ill health, one of them would have surely comeover to take care of her if they had known.
'That is the precise reason I did not tell anyone ? I did not want to inconvenience you guys or unnecessarily worry about me ? and bother yourself because of me'.
Armaan walked upto her, and looked into her eyes, and asked her seriously,
'Nikki, I thought I was your best friend. Don't I mean anything to you? Why do you hide things from me? You know how much it hurts me? How come you never mentioned to me about your migraine attacks? How come you never let me know when you need help? You are the first one whom I talk to when I need help! But you ??never tell me anything ??I am really hurt !' he said sadly.
Nikki looked at him emotionally completely drained,
'Armaan, aisa mat bolo! I love you, you are my best friend, you know that! You are my family! You of all people should understand how much you mean to me. But I do not like to bother you or make you worry about me!'
Armaan was still sulking ?..
'Okay, baba, I am sorry, ab maaf kar do, next time I will not do that. I will tell all of you guys, and make sure that you are there to take care of me', she said holding his hand and then looking around all of them.
Sid trying to diffuse the tension ?.. suddenly jumped and came over where Armaan and Nikita were standing and said,
'Guys, it is celebration time! I have great news for you! Nikki is back on to the New Sanjeevani project. Dr. Modi had to relent!'
Armaan looked surprised and looked at Nikki for a conformation. When she nodded, he turned around to Sid and said with a big smile,
'Hey that is really great news! I haven't seen that - Dr. Moody give up so easily. You are great, dude ?.. the first round goes to you Sid! Way to go, man, best of luck! Here, give me five!' saying that they both high fived. Both of them gloating over Sid's success in making Abhi take back Nikki in the project. Suddenly everyone started to speak at the same time ?. wondering how Sid had managed to do it. Except Riddhima and Nikki. They were exchanging knowing glances communicating silently, not saying anything.
'It is celebration time!' Armaan said happily to Sid.
'Yes, it is! And so I am taking Nikki out for dinner today.' Sid said happily.
Everyone was taken back by this announcement, thinking Nikki and Sid were going on a date. They looked at Armaan to see his reaction ?.
'Hey, that is a great idea! Nikki deserves that! She has been working too hard lately and not having much fun!' he said hugging her. In his mind, Armaan was very glad to see that Nikki was going out with Sid. Sid was a good distraction after Dr. Modi. Armaan would agree to anything and anyone, who was ready to take Nikki's attention away from that creep and also show Dr. Modi that Nikki was worth much more than what he had given her.
'Now just wait and see Dr. Moody ? how I get you into trouble. Kal party mein tum dekhna kya haal hota hai aapka! You are going to pay for all the tears you have brought for Nikki and for taking advantage of her and hurting her till now,' Armaan thought wickedly. The match between Dr. Modi and Sid was on now, and he was going to make sure that Sid won hands down. He already had a plan in mind, to help Sid win the second round too?. against the great Dr. Modi. Tomorrow they all will watch as Dr. Modi squirmed and lost his cool once again, Armaan thought with great pleasure!
Nikki was not happy with the way this conversation was going, nor the way her friends were interpreting this friendship with Sid. So to avoid anymore talk about it, she turned to Sid and said,
'Sid, shall we go! We need to finish the work before my night duty starts. We are already late. Bye guys, catch you later, I will meet you all at lunch tomorrow to arrange everything for the party.'
Both Sid and Nikki, left the cafeteria, letting everyone wonder what was going on between the two of them.
'Arre, they both look cute together, na? Mr Lambu and Miss sexy?' Atul blurted out.
'Shut up, Atul!' all of them screamed at him together.
'Kyun, did I say something wrong?' he asked innocently.
They gave him a disgusted look and decided to disperse.
Armaan and Riddhzi were walking back together. Armaan was in a deep thought. This worried Riddhzi, about what was going on in his head. She was sure that he was upto some trouble .... and that scared her. Already the things were so bad between Abhi and Nikki. She didnot want him to make it worse. Nikki had already suffered so much .... Armaan had no idea!
'Armaan, kya soch rahe ho?' she asked casually, trying to find out what was going on in his devious mind.
'Riddhzi, I was thinking about entertainment for the party tomorrow' he said innocently. 'How about having some games for the kids, then for us doctors, so that the kids can enjoy, without getting tired too much. You see, with Ayesha's health so delicate, we cannot make them run around much.' He said with concern.
Riddhima was surprised by his sensitivity and gave him a hug suddenly. 'Armaan, you are so sweet, thinking about and caring for the kids so much. I think it is a great idea. So let us decide on the games.' She said getting excited.
'Okay, you think up of games for the kids and I will think up of games for the adults! I think 2 ? 2 games for each should be good enough. Then we can have some music and a bit of dancing followed by cake cutting and snacks' he said.
'Great! I already have a few ideas, I will get the things ready for them tonite and confirm with Nikki tomorrow! I am sure she will have no problems, since she told us to take care of the entertainment for the party.' Riddhima replied.
Armaan's brain was at its devil's best! It was already working overtime. A wicked smile came on his face, but he was successful in hiding it from Riddhima, since he was sure that she would have never agreed to his idea!
As Armaan and Riddhima, parted and went home, Sid and Nikki were busy getting their work done. Suddenly, Sid realized it was already time for them to go for dinner.
'Nikki, chalo, lets wind up. It is time we left for our dinner, else you will be getting late coming back.'
Nikki once again, tried to get Sid to change his mind about dinner.
'Sid, I will grab something in the cafeteria later, let us finish this today. Already I was not here to help you yesterday, and we are lagging behind.' Nikki said.
'No way, Nikki! I already told you. You are going out with me. I am not listening to you. You need to eat properly. So get going!' he was already closing the files and pulling her out of her chair.
Nikki couldnot help smiling at his forceful ways.
'Okay baba, lets go!' She said with a smile.
She was surprised as Sid walked towards a sexy yellow sports car. And opened the door for her.
'Is she yours?' she asked excitedly.
'Isn't she a beauty?' Sid confirmed proudly.
'Yes, she is!' Nikki gave him a big smile.
Sid took her to a nice Punjabi place close by. Nikki was surprised,
'How did you know I love Punjabi food?' she asked.
Sid said, 'Well only fools don't like Punjabi food! It's my favourite too.' he said jokingly.
Nikki remembered Abhi. She recollected how he loved Chinese and she loved Punjabi food. Suddenly her face became sad. And Sid noticed that.
Sid told Nikki, as they sat down at the table, 'Nikki, I am not sure what is bothering you. But I know that you are hurting. I can see it in your eyes, but don't worry I will not ask you anything about it nor expect you to share it with me. All I want you to do is give me an opportunity to make you forget it, that's all? Will you do that, please? After today I will never bring up this topic, promise! All I want to do is, make you smile!' he said seriously.
'Oh Sid! You are so sweet! And you make me smile always! Thanks a lot for everything!' she said, 'I will try, to smile ...... all the time .....okay?' she replied with watery eyes.
Suddenly, her mobile rang, and she was surprised to see Abhi calling her. Her heartbeats increased as she picked up the phone to talk to him,
'Hello!' he heard her say softly.
'Hi Nikki! How are you? Are you feeling better?' he asked with a husky voice. He sounded so sexy ? she thought.
She didnot reply for a while, lost in her dreams about him and Abhi wondered if the line had got cut.
'Nikki?' he said tentatively.
'Yes! I am better!' she replied a bit curtly trying not to get so affected by him.
'Is your headache gone? Have you eaten something?' he asked again, wondering why she was not answering comfortably. Maybe she wasn't too well!
'I am fine Dr. Modi. I was at the hospital in the evening working with Siddhant. And now I am having dinner with him. In a bit, I will be reporting for my night duty. Anyway, thank you for your inquiring' she replied, a bit stiffly.
Abhi was taken back by her tone. First it was soft, but then she had suddenly become aloof. He couldn't understand, maybe because she was with Siddhant. He was getting more and more irritated now! Why was she eating out when she had just been so unwell? Can't she take some rest and eat at home? But no she had to galavant around the town with that Siddhant. He visualized the two of them sitting across a table in a restaurant enjoying themselves and that got him even more angry. He hated this feeling ?. he was angry, irritated, jealous, everything at the same time. He wanted to shout at her ? but then remembered, he needed to keep his cool. With great difficulty things were under control ?. One more wrong move and everything will be back to as bad as it was earliar ?. they both needed time ?..
'Ok, bye then. I will see you at the party tomorrow! Good night!' saying that, he kept the phone down before Nikki even replied.
Nikki was taken aback. He was so abrupt. But atleast he did not get angry at her. She has to remember to maintain her distance, and not get so affected by him or show him her real feelings else there will be trouble all over again. Even though she was finding it extremely difficult to keep her cool and maintain the distance, she had to do it!
'Nikki, what happened? All okay?' Siddhant interrupted her thought. 'What did he want?'
'Oh, nothing ! He was just inquiring about my health that's all and wanted to know if I was going for the night duty!' she said casually. She did not want Sid to be suspicious about the real relationship between her and Abhi. She did not know how he would react. She wanted to avoid him getting to know her any better than this and complicate the situation.
Both of them got back to their comfortable self again, in no time. They joked about their collage experiences, Nikki talked about all the fun the gang always had and Sid told her all about his experiences at the graduate school in US. Time just flew, they finished their dinner and headed out of the restaurant.
Nikki was shocked when Sid extended his hand and gave his car keys to Nikki saying,
'Want to ride her?'
Nikki eyes started to shine with excitement and she said, 'You ought to be joking!' but when she looked at him, she saw his lazy smile and nod.
'Really? You would let me drive it? Would you trust me?'
'Sure, come on ? get in and let me show you how it works', he said ushering an excited Nikki inside the car in the drivers seat.
Nikki heard him with attention, and when he was done giving her all the instructions, she started the car.
She was so thrilled to drive the car. There was a sudden rush of adrenaline which made her so excited. She was thoroughly enjoying herself. Sid had guessed it right, Nikki enjoyed the thrill and speed. He should remember that for future. Slowly she started picking up the speed and started riding the car fast. As she touched the speed of 100, he said,
'Careful, this is your first time. You need to be a bit slow. Don't go too fast ?..'
Nikki made a face at him, but slowed down,
'Spoilsport! I thought you would let me race', she replied childishly.
'Maybe next time ?. ' Sid said smilingly at her.
By the time they reached the hospital, Nikki's hair was all messed up with the breeze, and her eyes were shinning with all the excitement, that she looked absolutely wild ?. Getting down from the car ? she said,
'Thanks Sid. I haven't has so much fun in such a long time. Thanks for forcing me to go out for dinner. And thanks a lot for letting me ride this beauty ?. I loved it', she said admiring his car once again.
Sid was happy to see that she had forgotten all her problems and was her original self.
'Anytime ?? then we should do this more often, I guess!' he said smiling at her. 'Now go inside and get back to work, mam'. He said waving her bye.
She walked into to the childrens ward, excited to tell Ayesha all about her drive in Sid's car.
Ayesha had been missing her ? she had not seen Nikki for 2 days. As soon as she saw Nikki , she satt up with excitement and gave her a tight hug ?..
'Nikki di, I missed you so much, but Boyfriend told me that you were unwell. I was so worried ?. Are you okay now?' she asked looking at her intently, checking to see if all was fine.
Nikki gave her a tight hug, kissed her forehead and told her that she was absolutely fine. She told her all about her ride in Sid's car and how much fun it was. Both of them talked for a while ?. And then as she saw that Ayesha was hardly able to keep her eyes open, Nikki told her to close her eyes and go off to sleep. She was so happy that Ayesha was looking so much better and would be able to enjoy her b'day party tomorrow.
But before the party, Nikki had a surprise gift for her. She was going to be mad with happiness when she finds out the surprise ?.
After putting Ayesha to sleep, Nikki goes for her night rounds. The night passes uneventfully. In the morning, Nikki leaves without seeing Ayesha ?. She wanted to see Ayesha and wish her when she had the her gift with her ? for that she had to still go somewhere.
Nikki came back in the afternoon with Ayesha's gift and straight went to the Children's ward ?.. there was so much excitement ? and as she entered the ward with a small basket in her hands ? all the kids surrounded her ?
'Nikki didi, what have you got for Ayesha ??. It is her b'day, do you know ? she had been waiting for you '?. All of them were talking at the same time.
She just smiled and went straight to Ayesha ?. And extended her hand and gave the basket to her ?..
'Ta da ?.. surprise ?.' She exclaimed. Ayesha jumped up in her bed to take the basket in her hand peeped inside the basket.
'Oh my god, Nikki di, you got me a puppy' she said excitedly as she saw the most cute looking puppy sitting inside the basket, all curled up and his eyes wide with a bit of fear in them ! 'I love you, Nikki didi, and I love you too puppy' she said with all the love in her eyes. She hugged Nikki and then carefully picked up the puppy from the basket and hugged him.
Nikki could not take her eyes off the two of them. She kept on watching them. She did not notice that someone was watching her too! Abhi saw her when she entered the Children's ward ?.. and had stood there watching her interaction with Ayesha ?? She was so beautiful ?. And when she was happy she looked even more pretty.
Suddenly, the puppy jumped out of Ayesha's hands. He jumped on the bed, and then on to the floor and hid himself under the bed. Some of the kids started to scream in fear and some started to jump up and down on the bed with excitement. There was chaos all around ?
Nikki immediately bent down and tried to get under the bed ? trying to get the puppy out ?. But as she approached him, he got more scared and he moved back. Now he started yelping too ?.
'Don't' worry , baby, I will not hurt you, please come ?..' and she started to make cajoling noises to sooth the ruffled puppy. But it was no use ? the puppy, kept on moving back ?.getting more and more scared.
Seeing all this chaos ? Abhi decided that he will have to take things into hands before Nikki converted the Children's ward into a circus ?.
'Dr. Nikita ?.' He shouted ?..'what are you doing ? under the bed?'
Suddenly hearing his voice, she forgot that she was under the bed, and tried to get up, and hit her head on the underside of the bed, and screamed,
'Auw ?.., can't you not shout at me all the time, Dr. Modi', she said sulkily, still under the bed, with just her butt and legs sticking out. 'See what you have done now ?. I hurt my head all because of you', she said rubbing her head where she had hit it. Her scream scared the puppy even more and he started barking loudly.
'Dr. Nikita, will you bring yourself out of there first, then we will see about my stopping to shout' Abhi told her irritatedly, worried if she was hurt badly.
As she moved back and came out, hand on her head where she was hurting ?
'Let me see, where you have got hurt' Abhi asked her, moving her hand away and feeling her head very softly. He could feel a bump coming up rapidly ?.
'Auw, Dr. Modi, it hurts, can you not touch' she screamed once again, giving him a stare.
'Sorry, Nikki. I need to check, and see how bad it is or if you are bleeding' he said softly, 'please let me see, I won't hurt you, promise!'
Nikki kept on staring at him ?. As he came closer and once again he felt her head. Satisfied that she was not bleeding ? he instructed the nurse to bring some ice immediately ?.
He made Nikki sit on Ayesha's bed ? with Ayesha looking anxiously at Nikki.
'Ayesha, baccha I am fine, donot worry. Dr. Modi will fix my head in no time, and then we can play with puppy, ok?' Nikki told Ayesha lovingly, to make sure Ayesha was not worrying.
Slowly she felt something touch her leg and tickle. A smile erupted her face as she realized, what was happening.
Abhi getting irritated at her asked, 'What is so funny, Nikki? You are hurt. There is a big bump on your head and you are smiling. Has the bump on your head affected you so much that you are going mad?'
Nikki indicated him with her eyes to look near her leg. The puppy was closely standing next to her leg, looking up at her with hopeful eyes? he did not like to be ignored ? so had decided to make his presence felt.
'Can I?' she asked Abhi indicating if she could pick him up.
Abhi couldnot help smiling and allowed her to pick the pup up.
She gently lifted him up, put him on her lap and patted him. In meantime, the nurse got the ice, and Abhi started to apply the ice on her head. They made such a cute site ?..
Nikki sitting on the bed, Ayesha on one side of her, clinging close to her, Puppy in her lap, waging his tail, as she stroked him, and Abhi applying ice on her head.
Abhi thought ?. she was so crazy ?. Getting into trouble all the time ? putting him into trouble all the time ?. But he just couldn't help ?. Loving her naughty crazy mad ways ? he just wanted to take her in his arms and crush her in a hug. He kept on staring at her ?. taking in her happy face ?. full of love for Ayesha and the puppy.
As her bump subsided, puppy relaxed and Ayesha once again happy, Abhi left them and went back to his duties. Nikki told Ayesha, that she will keep the puppy with her and take care of him till Ayesha was ready to go home. Then when she went home, she can take him with her. Now, the first thing they needed to do was find a name for him .....
Ayesha said, 'Goofy!' immediately and Nikki agreed. She loved the name and it suited him perfectly. He was such a goof ball getting her into trouble! And the puppy also agreed. He started wagging his tail and yelping in all the excitement.
Nikki told Ayesha to take care of Goofy till she went and had her lunch. Then she will come back for him. All the kids, were very excited and told Nikki that they will help Ayesha to take care of the puppy ?.
It was already 5 in the evening ?. And Atul had called and told the nurse in the children's ward that he was headed back with Ayesha in be there in another 5 minutes. All off them were waiting in their hiding places for them to enter anytime now.
As soon as they heard them walk-in, they all jumped out shouting ?..
'Surprise!'
'Happy b'day, Ayesha!'
From then on ?.. it was party time! There was so much excitement, fun, shouting and playing. Ayesha loved the decorations and all the gifts she received. Goofy had settled down by now too. He was running around with all the kids, thinking that all the excitement was just for him. He was in love with Ayesha already. As soon as he saw her come into the room, he jumped into her hands ?.. and refused to get down.
Abhi, was there too, though in a sobre mood. He was enjoying all the fun that Ayesha and rest of the kids were having. But he could not take his eyes off Nikki. She was more excited than Ayesha herself. She was having so much fun, making the kids play all the games that Riddhima had arranged for them ?. She was a kid herself and when they were ready to start the last game she insisted that she also wanted to play ? and he knew exactly why ?.. he thought smiling to himself.
In this game, all the kids and Nikki had their hands tied at the back. There was a plate in front of each of them, from which they were supposed to eat ice-cream, directly, without touching with their hands of without any spoons. And the one who finished the first would be the winner. Riddhzi had thought up of this game since she knew Ayesha loved ice-creams, especially the chocolate flavour.
As soon as Armaan whistled, they all started to eat the ice-cream directly from the plates. They all looked so funny .... struggling on their knees .... hands tied back ..... ice-cream smeared all around their mouth, nose, chin and cheeks. It was hilarious! A couple of the kids even collapsed on their ice-cream plates smearing their whole face.
All the doctors were chearing of the kids. They were more excited than the kids themselves. Abhi was cheering for Ayesha, helping her by guiding her what to do. Right next to them was Sid cheering for Nikki. As the game progressed, Sid was sat down right next to Nikki, cheering her to eat faster and faster .....
'Shut up, Sid! I am trying na?' she retorted.
'Here let me clean up your face, you are looking like a clown ' Sid saying laughing at her. And taking the napkin, he cleaned up her nose tip and around her lips slowly.
Abhi kept on looking at both of them. He was getting irritated as their closeness didnot go unnoticed by him. They both were like two kids, innocent, enjoying their crazy game ..... but he was hating it ......
'Fast Sid, else I will be the last, hato jaldi!' Nikki panicked and moved away her face so that she can start eating again.
Armaan noticed their closeness too. He also saw Abhi's angry eyes on them .... and a cunning smile appeared on his face as he thought ?
'Great going, Sid. Dr. Moody is climbing up the wall already. Aur agey toh kya hoga unka?'
Ayesha was the first one to finish her ice-cream, so as soon as she was done, Abhi jumped and declared that Ayesha had finished first and was the winner. Armaan blew the whistle to indicate that all were to stop eating.
'Sid, u are so stupid .... I lost all because of you! If u did not stop me to wipe my face ... I would have finished first.' She sulked and started making faces at him. Ayesha started laughing at her, saying, 'Nikki didi, still I would have won. No one can beat me at eating ice-creams .... that too chocolate one ... it is my favourite, so don't blame poor Sid'.
'Theek hai, theek hai, stop gloating now .... and Sid stop staring at my face and open my hands' Nikki ordered Sid . Sid went behind her, stood close to her and opened her hands. As he was doing this, Nikki looked up she could see Abhi staring at both of them. She could not make out what he was thinking, but his eyes were dark and they were broodingly looking at them. He kept on looking at her ... as if blaming her for something. But didnot say anything. She just could not look away .... as if she was under his spell. They both were lost in each other. Suddenly Ayesha pulled her hand and said,
'Nikki didi, here is the napkin, now you can clean your face yourself, no need for Sid to do it.' She said jokingly.
Nikki suddenly became self conscience realizing how stupid she must be looking with ice-cream all over her face. She looked away from Abhi and started cleaning. When she was done, she asked Ayesha if her face was clean. Ayesha nodded her head, indicating that there was still some more ... Nikki asked her where it was .... all this time Sid and Abhi were observing both of them. Slowly Abhi came close to her, took the napkin from her hand, and started wiping with it. His hand was so close to her lips ? that Nikki's heart jumped and came to her mouth. She was unable to breath. Her lips parted in surprise. He kept on staring at her and then looked at her parted lips. She was so conscious of his eyes on her lips that her cheeks turned completely red and when he lifted his eyes once again, he was glad to see that she was as affected as he was with their nearness. She was looking straight into his eyes. They were both as if frozen in time .... forgetting everyone around them. They were in their own world, all their differences forgotten.
'Nikki, Sid, are you guys ready ?.... We have games for the adults too!', Armaan interrupted, 'Dr. Modi, would you like to join in?' he asked, knowing completely well what his answer would be.
'No thanks, Dr. Mallik. I think ......' but before he could say anything further, Armaan said excitedly, 'Good Dr. Modi, we need someone to referee so you can help us out.'
Gathering everyone together he started explaining the game to the interns and Sid. Since the game was to be played in pairs, he paired them up as ? Anjali and Atul, Muskaan and Rahul, Nikki and Sid and Riddhima and himself. Abhi was observing all this, knowing completely well what was going on in Armaan's head. He was having a tough time controlling his anger. He wanted to go and bash up his face ....
As Abhi blew the whistle, the first part of the game started. Here the girls were supposed to put a knot a tie around their partners necks.
All the girls ran to the counter where the ties were kept and came back to their partners. Each one was struggling, since none of them knew how to do it. Riddhima was having a tough time since Armaan was distracting her by flirting with her and whispering something in her ears, making her blush. As usual, Muskaan and Rahul were fighting, hitting each other and blaming the other for not able to get it right. And Atul was the best! He was telling Anjali, that however she tied it, he will wear it and never remove it, since she was the best. He did not care even if they lost.
But Abhi was distracted by what was going on between Nikki and Sid. He could make out how conscious Nikki was. She was struggling because of their height difference. And then Sid decided to bend down so that she would be more comfortable. Abhi's insides were burning ... he wanted to just grab Nikki's hand and drag her out of this place. There was a shuttered look on his face. He saw Sid was slowly and clearly giving instructions to Nikki, so that she could finish the task at hand. And they were the first ones to finish it?. All the kids were cheering for them as they ran towards Abhi, to show him and declare them as winners of the first round. Nikki was so excited that they had won the first round ..... she had a big smile on her face. But as soon as she saw the grim look on Abhi's face ... her smile vanished. She noticed that he was staring at the way Sid was holding her hand as they had approached him.
There was fighting and blaming going on between the other 3 pairs as they lost to Nikki and Sid. Among all this confusion the 2nd round started. Now this is what each pair had to do ... they had to start from one end of the room and reach the other end. But the way they would be doing it was ? the guy had to carry his partner in his arms, stepping only on the bricks which were already laid down in a line. The first pair to reach the other end wins. Everyone, looked at Sid accusingly ... he had a distinct advantage ... he was the strongest, whereas Nikki was the smallest and the lightest to carry. They knew who would be the winner.
Abhi did not like this game at all .... he just wanted to leave the party and go. He could not take it anymore .... but he had no choice. It was Ayesha's party and he saw she was thoroughly enjoying it.
So he blew the whistle, and all the four couples started. All the guys lifted their partners in their arms. Rahul started complaining how heavy Muskaan was, and asked her why she cannot stop eating so much. Atul told Anjali that she was light as a flower and he was surely going to win this round. Armaan didn't say anything ... for him this was nothing new... he must have lifted Riddhzi a million times. As Sid lifted Nikki in his arms, Nikki just clung to him tightly, holding on to his shirt, to make sure that she was balanced well. Abhi was observing them closely. His expression unreadable. After a few steps, Atul could not balance anymore and was disqualified since he stepped off the brick. Rahul continued to struggle with Muskaan for a few more step, but he also gave up. Armaan and Sid were the only ones in the game now ..... both were neck to neck in the race .... everyone was cheering for both of them. Armaan saw that Sid was right next to him ... and in the last few steps slowed down a bit. No one noticed, but that gave Sid a chance to reach before Aarmaan by a split second .... and so once again Sid and Nikki were the winners.
Sid let Nikki down and in his excitement of winning gave her a hug. They both gave each other a high five happily, but as soon as Nikki turned around she saw Abhi. And she saw the irritated look in his eyes.....
Armaan decided to announce the winners of the game just at that moment ....
'So the Best Jodi of Sanjeevani is .... Sid and Nikki. Dr. Modi can you please give out the gifts to the winners ... here you go' saying that he thrust a gift wrapped parcel into Abhi's hand, giving no choice to him once again. With a grim face, Abhi gave the gifts to Sid and Nikki. All the time he was throwing accusing glances at Nikki, as if she was doing something wrong and letting him down.
While Armaan, noticing this was gloating. He had achieved what he had set out to in the first place. He made sure that the winner of Round 2 ..... of the battle between Dr. Moody and Sid ... was Sid!
He had successfully shown Dr. Moody how good Sid was for Nikki ....
Abhi abruptly left the party ... after wishing Ayesha a happy b'day once again, kissing her on her forehead and telling her bye. He did not talk to anyone, but just turned around and left. Nikki knew that he was angry ... already he had told her to keep away from Sid... and she was defying him once again and getting closer and closer to Sid.
The rest of the time just flew away as Ayesha cut her cake and everyone eat it and the snacks. They all had a great time .... except Nikki.
Ayesha was whining that her boyfriend had left without eating the cake. She requested Nikki if she could go and give it to Abhi. So Nikki was forced to see Abhi ?.. she was trying to avoid him because she knew she was in trouble ? Abhi had left the party abruptly in a huff. With great difficulty they had established this delicate balance ... and she had to make sure nothing went wrong now ?.. otherwise the financing will be in jeopardy once again.
She saw that Abhi was busy working on his lap top, when she reached his cabin. She knocked and came inside.
'Dr. Modi ....' she said nervously, cake in her hands, which were sweating due to the tension.
'Why are you here, Nikki? Is your party over? Don't you have a date with your friend today?' he asked her angrily, not noticing the cake.
'Please, Dr. Modi ...' she started once again trying to explain.
'Please what? Please give you off tonite so that you can go on a date?' he continued as he got up from his chair and walked around the table to face her.
'Abhi, please listen .... Sid is just a good ....' she tried to explain about Sid, forgetting all about the cake, but Abhi interrupted.
'I just don't care !... did I ask you what Sid is to you ?... your action already speaks for itself!' he told her angrily. He kept on coming closer and closer to her, till she was trapped between him and the table. She kept the cake on the table and held on to the table with her hands on the two sides.
'Abhi ... please ?.. !' Nikki pleaded
'Please what, Nikki? Not interfere between you and Sid? You have a right to be close to anyone you choose to be! Who am I to stop you?' he asked her sarcastically. Now they were barely inches apart, his angry gaze boring into her. She could not breathe anymore. He was so close. She was so aware of him, she could feel his heat thru her clothes, could smell his mild aftershave and hear his heartbeat. She was completely lost in his dark eyes, trying to tell him something with her big eyes, unable to say a word.
Abhi's frustration knew no bounds. His jealousy was making him go crazy. He was unable to keep away from her anymore. He hated the way Sid was holding her hand, carrying her and the way she was clinging to him today. Suddenly, he bent his head, and took her lips into a kiss forcefully .... he held her face in his hands, and feasted on her lips as if he had been starving for days .... the dam of his desire was broken ..... and his emotions overtook all his senses .... he could not stop himself ... he was like a man who had found water in a desert after days of going without it. He moved his hands away from her face .... and wrapped them around to collect her in a hug and bring her as close to him as possible, till they became one! Without realizing how hard he was hugging her, he lifted Nikki off her feet. Nikki had her arms around him and was clinging to him helplessly. Neither of them realized for how long they were like this, kissing each other as if their life depended on it. Finally, unable to breath anymore, Abhi lifted his head and let her slide down. But still he was unable to let her go!
He kept on staring at her, looking into her jet black eyes. Suddenly, it hit him, how much he loved her! He realized that the reason for his insane jealousy was his love for her. He just cannot keep away from her .... he cannot see her with anyone else .... nor can he live without her?
******
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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