"Shilpa...It's time. The world awaits you...Let's make the most of it!" The young, handsome doctor said while walking into her private deluxe cell at the Massachusetts General Hospital. With a bright smile on his face and dimples that would send Aphrodite into frenzy, he extended his hand towards her reassuringly.
Shilpa smiled weakly but her eyes looked brighter than ever. The twinkle seemed to make its way back into her green orbs. "I'm going to miss you, Armaan. I'm going to miss the voice that soothes the frowns on my forehead, the whistle that blows melodies of spring, the wink that steals the rhythm of my heart and most of all your arms around me, the embrace that takes away all my pains...Weren't you my Guardian angel?...I'm going to miss you, Armaan!"
"I'm gonna stick around right here until you return with a smile on your face, Shilpa. Let's go now...the sun's looking out for you." he said picking up her belongings.
They walked out of the room, his hand secured around her waist and her head rested on his chest, listening intently to the rhythm of his heart. It was finally over... the torture, the test of her endurance, her trip to hell...
"Now close your eyes...Shilpa. You'll see the world for the first time again...leave your worries here...with me, they'll be safe with me and step back into the world. I know you want it too."
"I'm scared...Armaan." she looked up at him, fear engulfing her eyes.
"You have me by your side. Do you trust me?" he said while offering her his arm like a gentleman.
"More than I trust myself." she whispered while taking his arm.
The sun is shinning bright outside
I think I'll go for a ride
I plan not to ever return
Let's run away from here for good
Forget this dusty neighborhood
The open road is calling and begging for us
They walked over to his car. Shilpa looked at Armaan. It was the silver convertible she said she'd buy when she'd be cured, when she'd be let out from the insane asylum.
"What are we waiting for, Shilpa?"he said recalling the memory.
" Would you drive me to...?" Shilpa asked hopefully. She wanted him to be next to her in the most important endeavor of her lfe.
"I had promised you. You wouldn't be out of my sight until I know you're safe. It's gonna be a long ride but we'll make the most of it while we are at it, Shilpa!"
"Would you forget me, Armaan?" she asked, afraid.
"Never. I'd love to but I can't." he winked at her casually.
"Do you want this? Doesn't it hurt?" she asked with pained expressions.
"It does, a lot. But I don't regret it."
Go roll down the window
Go crank up that radio
Let's drive until we hit the sky
It's not about where we go
Let's start living life before we die
Looking ahead at the wind-screen, he drove the car out of the hospital premises. When they were out on the highway, he pulled off the convertible's roof and turned on the music.
"You're free, Shilpa!" he shouted into the air.
If you want you can stay
But you'll regret the day
That you didn't follow your dreams
Imagine the wind in your hair
Blowing away all of your cares
So take my hand lets plan
never to look back.
Feeling the adrenaline rush into her veins, Shilpa stood on the passenger seat and ran a hand through her hair. A bright smile spread across her face as she looked up at the clear, blue sky."Yes, I am...Yes, I am Armaan." Laughing into the air, she sat back into her seat and hugged Armaan. It was gonna be a long day, a long journey back to stability but as long as Armaan was by her side, she was ready to take the leap and not anticipate a fall. It was going to be fun with him by her side. With this, she closed her eyes and drifted into her troubled past, the memories of her journey towards reconciliation with Armaan by her side.
Flashback...
Two years ago, when he had first met Shilpa...she was a mess. On the day of her first therapy session, she hurled sharp objects at him, screamed at him and scratched his arms with her nails...
"Go away...I don't want help. I don't want to live again. Why don't you understand...I don't want another breath of the coming spring." she screamed at him and pushed him towards the door.
"Dr. Armaan...I think we need to sedate her for now. She's hurting you. Let's go, the attendants will handle her." his colleague, Dr. Rahul Grewal advised.
"No! Rahul, I do not want her to be chained. I'll be fine. I can handle this." Armaan's terse reply was indication enough for Rahul to leave.
"But, better safe than sorry, Armaan." Rahul tried once again, half expecting to get punched by Armaan the next second.
"Go!" running his hand through his hair, Armaan sighed to keep a check on his temper. "I'd like you to leave, Dr. Grewal."
"Very well, Dr. Mallik. I'll see you in my cabin, then." Rahul said and locked the door behind him. It wasn't worth the try... Armaan was involved too deep already.
"Shilpa, We'll cure you. We'll cure you." he said reassuringly, holding her feminine, delicate hands into his strong, masculine ones.
"No, you won't. I'm in a bloody prison and you say I'm going to be fine. Bloody Nonsense!!!" she said freeing her hands from his hold and smacking him hard across his face.
"Shilpa...you're going to be fine. Trust me!"he knew it was hard for her to believe him but he was going to be patient for her. While, he had had his share of failed cases, Dr. Armaan Mallik was well known forhis high success rate and he knew he'd do anything to cure Shilpa, at the very first look of her.
"I'm fine, there's nothing wrong with me. Just go away!" she screamed slapping him hard again.
"You are going to be fine...Shilpa...now look into my eyes and say it yourself." Armaan said holding her shoulders, shaking her hard and jamming her against the wall.
"I don't want to. Just leave me alone." she said jerking her shoulders and trying to wriggle out of his hold.
"I won't...Ever!" he said with a firm resolution, pulling her closer.
"Let go off me." she shrieked digging her nails into his skin.
"I won't...Never" he turned her face towards him. "I want you to be fine, Shilpa. I won't hurt you."
"You would never hurt me?" she asked timidly as the fire and passion in his eyes slowly penetrated her shield.
"Never." he confirmed with a determined look.
"Would you hold me forever?" Shilpa voiced her concerns and worries.
"Forever."
"Hold me now." she asked like a little schoolgirl who had been rebuked.
Armaan's hand snaked around her shoulders. He hugged her gently at first, but pulled her closer to assure her of his intentions. Kissing her hair, he wiped her tears. Shilpa's head rested on his chest as she continued sobbing and clung on to him tightly. Clutching the sleeves of his shirt, she traced the tattoo on his right arm.
"What is it?"
Confused, he followed her gaze and smiled smugly at the object of her intrigue.
"It's a snake ."
"What for?"
"The shackles bind me to you forever...I know you'd want some proof!"
"Of what?"
"My fidelity"
Looking down at her, he saw a small smile forming around the corner of her lips. He had conquered her. He had taken over her. He had broken the ice. This was the first step...there was a long way to go. He thought.
"I'm getting claustrophobic in here. I want to go away, doctor."
"Armaan, I want you to call me Armaan."
"Armaan. Can I stay here, tonight? In your arms."
"You can stay here for as long as you want, Shilpa. I'll be right here with you, for you!"he said warmly.
Laying down on the bed, she pulled him towards her. He hesitated and extended his hand for her to hold.
"I trust you."
Shifting closer, she snuggled into him as his arms enveloped her petite body. With a small smile playing on her lips, she drifted into sleep while Armaan comforted her. She had found solace... in his embrace, bracing her from the dangers lurking around.
The sun is shinning bright outside
I think I'll go for a ride
I plan not to ever return
Let's run away from here for good
Forget this dusty neighborhood
The open road is calling and begging for us
Startled by the sudden voice, she looked over at Armaan. He was singing along with the radio, his silky hair flying in the wild afternoon air and a silly grin sticking around the corner of his lips.
"What has gotten into you, Armaan?" she asked surprised at how the calm, composed and fiery Dr. Armaan has transformed into a wild, ecstatic person. Like someone who had eloped with the bride on the day of her wedding, leaving the bridegroom at the altar.
"It's the alcohol...want some?" Armaan pulled out a bottle of champagne from the ice box behind his seat and opened it for her.
"Yoohooo..." screaming into the air, he took a sip and passed it over to Shilpa.
Gulping down the champagne, she joined him and sang with him, without a care of the world around. She smiled at her trip down the memory lane. True, she was a pain in his neck but she was going to miss it all...she was going to miss Armaan.
Go roll down the window
Go crank up that radio
Let's drive until we hit the sky
It's not about where we will go
Let's start living life before we die
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Salut! Hola Amigos...So what do you think about it? I don't know how this happened but this is probably a three part short ff although it was going to be another huge ff at the beginning. Hope you liked it. What do you think of the past behind this story? As always, I'd be only too eager to read your comments, suggestions and reactions. Please press the tab if you like it and I'd wait for the comments to flow in! Have a nice day!
Please take a look at the note on Page 2! Your opinion is valuable to the development of the story!
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Index
Venturing into Dangerous Waters
Superman needs a side-kick too!
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I do not want to discourage any of my loyal readers with the harsh warning below but since, cases of plagiarism have increased on the forum, I'm putting up a disclaimer as a customary regulation!
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Furthermore, none of my works are inspired by any other concepts/posts on IF unless credited to or permitted by the writer and thereby, if you happen to notice any similarities, they are purely co-incidental and were not intended. Also, I would not appreciate the usage of my titles by other members and would deem it plagiarism. Lastly, if any problems arise in regard to the matter mentioned above, I'd like to be informed of it immediately through a PM and the support of readers would be highly appreciated!
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