Sorry for the delay! But I needed motivation to complete this chapter.
Oooh yeah! The new JeRan article.
Half of it was written before and half after. I'm sure you can spot which is which!
Chapter 25
Several days later:
Shilpa was sitting silently. And whenever Shilpa is sitting silently, you know something either really bad or really weird or really confusing has happened, that has forced her to calm down and think. She was thinking about the following things:
Thing number 1:
Naina was worried about Yuvi. YUVI of all people. Why? Why, you ask? Because she thought he was in love. Why does she think he's in love? Because: a) He sits quietly for hours apparently just staring into space with a faraway look on his face. b) He doesn't laugh or fight or insult her when she (Naina) talks to him. c) Whenever she talks to him, he's just staring at nothing, and doesn't seem to hear her. d) He watched 'A walk to Remember' and didn't laugh. In fact, Naina was highly suspicious she saw tears in his eyes. And this was the second time he watched the movie. The first time he did, he fell asleep halfway. e) When Naina asked him if he was thinking about someone, he just turned his head and walked away. Yuvi turned his head and walked away.
Conclusion: Yuvi really is in love with someone. And Naina was losing her mind.
Thing number 2: As Riddhima's rib was almost healed, they would be leaving for India in one week's time. That meant that Ridz would be separated from Sid for who knows how long, since she wouldn't return to the US as she had graduated. She would be going to a Med school in India.
Conclusion: Siddhima would not be together for who-knows-how-long.
Thing number 3: As soon as they got to India, Papa would surely try to ensure Riddhima's marriage to his friend's son. And Riddhima would never agree.
Conclusion: Things were not going to be pretty.
Thing number 4: It turned out that SR had not slept with each other.
Conclusion: "Oh God, I do NOT want to know what Di and Sid bhaiyya were doing in that room then."
Thing number 5: Shashank had banned Riddhima from going out with Sid. A huge argument had ensued in which Riddhima had said that he didn't have the right to ban an adult from doing what she wanted, especially if there was nothing wrong or harmless. Padma had made it clear that she didn't approve at all of Shashank's motives. But Shashank didn't budge and Riddhima was banned from Sid.
Conclusion: Riddhima sneaking out and Sid sneaking in.
Thing number 6: She (Shilpa) and Sue had devised a plan - "Oh no, here comes Papa looking really angry..."
Shashank came and stood in front of his youngest daughter. Shilpa looked all demure and innocent (something she was really good at), as her Papa asked her, "Shilpa, Riddhima kahan hai?"
Shilpa replied, "Ummm, woh Anjie ke saath bahir gayi hai."
Shashank said irritably, "I thought she couldn't WALK with that 'rib' of hers."
Shilpa said quickly: Kya hua Papa? Why are you asking for Riddhima?
Shashank: I need to have a talk with her.
Shilpa: ABout what, Papa?
Shashank: About her and, that boy.
Shilpa: Oh you mean Sid?
Shashank: Yes, him.
Shilpa: It's no use.
Shashank: What?
Shilpa got up, and shook her head, "Don't say I didn't warn you then. Riddhima is not going to mold, no matter what you say. It'd be better if you just dropped the subject and moved on, Papa."
"She most definitely will, young lady, don't tell me what to do," said Shashank angrily.
"Ok Papa." said Shilpa, still innocent as she made to go across to the door. But then she stopped, and said, "Papa, you know Di almost as well as she knows herself. Riddhima has made a commitment. She never backs away from her commitments, you know that."
"So is that all that boy is? A commitment?" Shashank asked in a somewhat spiteful voice.
Shilpa sighed. "Not in the way you think. It's a commitment of the heart, not the brain," she said in a dreamy voice. "Di will never be happy without Sid now," she said as Shashank snorted disbelievingly, but she went on, "and nothing can change that."
And she went out of the room. Quite politely, nothing rude about the gesture.
Shashank decided to not to ponder too much and dismiss Shilpa's words as something coming from a young teenage girl who watches too many romantic movies.
Plus, it was now time for drastic measures.
---------------
Shilpa got a call from Sue, once she was outside the apartment.
Shilpa was first, "Papa didn't listen to me yaar. I could see it on his face."
Sue: Ugh, bummer. But, Oh - my - God. Shilpa, I have got wonderful, amazing, spectacular news to tell you.
Shilpa (excitedly): Did you - oh God- did it work???
Sue: Ooo, yeeeaaahhh...
(Continued conversation omitted.)
(Yeah i know, I suck at suspense 😛 XD)
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Outside, it was a bit overcast. Riddhima was sitting on a bench in the park. Sid was right next to her. Anjali and Naina were on another bench some distance away. Riddhima was telling Sid sadly that they were going to India next week, and as much as she loved her country and the people and everything, she did NOT want to go this time.
Sid was all, "It will all work out, I'm sure."
"Sid, you don't get it, do you? Once I get there, not only papa but almost everyone I know will be trying to hook me up with that, whats-his-name-again, Rahul."
"Oh, I thought it might be because you'd miss me, but I guess that could work too."
"Si-id! How dare you say something like that? Of course I'll miss you! That's the main reason I don't want to go, at all. I've gotten so used to you, I love you so much I don't even know what I'll do once you're not around. Why can't you come to India too?"
"Ugh, how many times am I supposed to tell you? It's not up to me, it's up to my parents. I've toldthem I want to study in India, and they said they'll think about it. I can come by myself of course, but it'll be hard as my only source of income are my parents, and y'know, their bank is open only when they want it to."
Riddhima smiled. But the smile faded away shortly as her worries took over her, and she started blabbing away again, "Sid, what if -"
"Riddhima -" Sid sighed. "Stop worrying, alright. There's a fair chance my parents will let me study in India, well, a 50-50 chance anyway, so don't freak out yet! Plus once you go to India, no one will force you to marry that guy, if you don't want to."
"But Sid - " Riddhima said despairingly, but Sid cut across her, "And if you mention that Rahul again, seriously I'll just go and kill him myself. i for one think you shouldn't blame the guy he might even be in the same situation you are in!"
"But -"
"Oh, God, what is it Riddhima?"
"What if your parents don't like me?" Riddhima asked in a small voice.
"What?"
"I mean, you have told them about me, haven't you?"
"Yeah, I have. I don't tend to leave these things to the last minute," he said, rolling his eyes, but in an amused way.
"What if they don't like me then?"
"How many times do I have to tell you to not worry!?!?" said Sid exasperatedly. "My mom'll probably be so happy that I didn't run off with some foreign chick that she'll love you even if you don't do anything. Or do something bad, or whatever. Just be sure not to eat meat -"
"I don't eat meat."
"- or mention that Hollywood or better than Bollywood. I am not even kidding. And my dad will definitely like you since you're not loud, domineering, overly aunty-ish, or anything like that. Plus, Sue loves you, and you love her. Dad'll like anyone who likes Sue and whom Sue likes, so no problems there."
"But didn't he want to - errr - set you up - with Natasha?" she asked worriedly.
Sid sighed. "Riddhima, he just liked Natasha because he liked her family and thought it's be comfortable for everyone. But if it wasn't alright with me, it kinda ruined the point."
"But Sid -"
"I refuse to answer any more of your questions RIddhima. You're way over-thinking everything. If it weren't for your rib, and this rain, I'd probably just pick you up right now and- "
"Trust me superboy, you do not want to finish that sentence," Sue was standing right behind them, as she continued in a mock serious voice, "Imagine what your little sister would think if you said something like that in front of her innocent ears."
"Sue," grumbled Sid. "Yeah, I know pretty well how innocent my little sister is, no need to remind me. What're you doing here?"
"I just wanted to ask you if you'd seen Yuvi."
"Yuvi? What? WHy? What do you want with him?" said Sid immediately.
"Oh, stop acting so paranoid bro, I'm not gonna elope with him or something," said Sue, rolling her eyes. "I just want to ask him who he's in love with."
"No you won't," said Sid and Riddhima together.
"Oh yes I will." said Sue grimly.
"Why? WHY do you have to interfere in everyone's personal life?" asked Sid.
"Because it's obvious that those people aren't managing their personal lives very well. Trust me, he'll thank me for my help."
"Yeah, that'll happen," grumbled Sid under his breath.
Sue said, "I heard that. Now tell me, have you seen him or not?"
"Nope," said Sid. RIddhima also shook her head, and said to Sue, "Why don't you ask Naina?"
Sue replied, "Naina is acting really weird. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say she doesn't wantYuvi to fall in love.It's almost as if she... ... ... ...nah that's impossible." Sid and Riddhima exchanged significant looks, but Sue said,"Well, I'll be around town. Call me if you need me. You two shpould get inside, it's about to rain." Snap snap, Sue was gone.
Some time passed. The rain didn't start properly. Just a few drops now and then.Sid took Riddhima's hand in both of his and played with her fingers. "Riddhima?"
"Yeah Sid?"
"Just in case the situation becomes worse, remember, I'd never leave you until you want me to."
"I know Sid. You said that before too. And I still say that the same goes for me."
"Just keep that in mind, alright?"
"Of course. And one more thing, Sid."
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"Good for you."
"Ugh, you're so mean! I tell you that I love you and you reply with something so - so - so mean!"
Sid acted distracted. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"Si-id!!" Riddhima raised her hand to hit him playfully, but he caught her hand in mid-air. "Yes darling?" said Sid in a sarcastic voice, while slowly pinning both her hands to the bench. The rain was turning into a slight drizzle now.
"Sid, what are you doing?" Riddhima hissed, trying to free herself from his grip.
"What does it look like I'm doing, genius?" said Sid, moving forward, while locking his eyes on hers.
"Sid! Anjie and Naina -" Riddhima was getting hysterical.
"They're gone." Sid cut in in a matter-of-fact manner.
"What?"
"They left over 5 minutes ago. You were too busy looking at me to notice, I think." Sid said in a teasing voice. Releasing one of her hands, he tilted her chin upwards slightly. "So anyway, what were you saying?" His eyes moved downwards to her lips while his thumb stroked the edge of her mouth, making her lips part open slightly.
"I was saying that - um - someone will see us! Trust me, you do not want that to happen, because I'll - I'll do something really - really- stupid - or - umm..." Riddhima could feel the blood rushing to her face. To cap it all, the rain was starting to pour now. Not much, but it was raining at least.
"No one's here Riddhima," murmured Sid huskily as he leaned in closer, his eyes closed. The gap between their lips was closing in quickly now.
"Sid..." started Riddhima gain in a half-hearted attempt to stop him from kissing her. Her body was reacting faster to Sid's closeness then her brain. Her arms moved to around his neck before she knew it. Rain matted their hair and clothes. The heat from Sid's body was drawing her closer. Her heart was going wild. "Sid - I-"
"You worry too much Riddhima," Sid's whisper ended with him pressing his lips against hers. Riddhima didn't resist after that. She pulled him as close as she could, so that their bodies were also pressed against each other's. Riddhima poured all of her emotions into the kiss, worry, anxiety, frustration, love, everything, so the longer they kissed, the more relaxed she got. Her wantfor Sid seemed to blaze through her, making her warm and tingly from head to foot.
Then -
"Oh God, get a room you two, will you?" said an exasperated voice.
Sid and Riddhima parted. Well, their lips did, but not their bodies. "God, please go away Naina," said Sid in an irritated tone.
"I would, but the PG-13 ish of your moment seemed to lure me in. Reminds me of when I was ten years old and Mama wouldn't let me watch Titanic," said Naina.
Silence.
"Naina, are you alright?" said Riddhima, breaking away from Sid for real now. She eyed Naina with worry.
"I'm fine," was the grumbled reply.
"Do you - do you want to talk about something?" asked Riddhima in a concerned voice.
"No."
Silence.
"Are you sure?" prompted Sid.
"Yes."
More silence.
"Do you want something Naina?" asked Riddhima.
"No Riddhima, I'm fine!" said Naina.
"Then what are you standing here in the rain for?" asked Sid.
"I could ask you two the same question." Naina said in a disgruntled tone. Sid and Riddhima glanced at each other and smiled sheepishly.
"Ok, seriously, do you want to say something?" asked Riddhima. When Naina shook her head again, Riddhima asked, "Where's Anjie?"
"She went home. Your dad called I think."
"Oh shoot! I forgot about Papa!" Riddhima smacked her forehead. "Sid, I have to go before he gets suspicious." She got up from the bench, trying to get her cell phone out from her bag. She called Anjie to pick her up before going. Luckily, Anjali was just getting in her car.
"Do I have to look away?" asked Naina. "Are you two going to have a goodbye kiss or something?"
"No. Seriously Naina, why are you so paranoid?" said Sid.
Naina sighed in a long-suffering way and said, "It's in my family. Deal with it.". Sid said to Riddhima, "Don't lose your head, okay? Everything's going to be fine!"
Riddhima nodded. Somewhere, a car honked, and Riddhima knew it was Anjali. She pulled Sid for a quick hug before rushing off.
Sid turned to Naina. "You need help getting home?"
"Yes! Thank God my parents are back, I can go home, and not to Yuvi's place! I was getting sick of his lovesick attitude." said Naina in an energetic voice.
"Oh. I see." said Sird as they both walked towards his car. "Hatred still going strong?"
"You bet," said Naina cheerfully. But Sid was sure he heard a catch in her confident tone in her reply.
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Exactly 50 hours later:
"WE'RE LEAVING NOW?????" Riddhima and Shilpa screeched together. It was late afternoon. It was Wednesday. It was 5 days before they were to leave for India. It was insane to come home and find their bags ready and in the hallway. It was dreadful to see their father standing in his business suit and picking up the tickets from the table.
"Yes, we're leaving now. Everything is ready. The bags are packed, and there is no flight to India until next Friday besides today, in five hours," Shashank said in a maddeningly cool and calm voice.
"But - but -" Riddhima stuttered while Shilpa turned to her mother, "MOM! What is this?"
Padma pursed her lips the way she did when she didn't like the way things were going. "I told your father a hundred times if not more that we are in no hurry to leave, that we should wait till next week, but -"
"I have my hospital to attend to, Padma. Plus, we need to get Riddhima to start applying to medical colleges, and have a talk with -"
Door banged open. Anjali walked in. She took one glance around her and said, "WE'RE LEAVING NOW????"
"YES, we are," said Shashank angrily. "We have to leave before anything else - I mean, we have to get to the airport at least four hours before the flight, so we're leaving, NOW!" And he started getting the luggage out of the door.
Riddhima, Shilpa and Anjali moved to one room, under the pretense of checking if anything else was left behind.
"What now?" askes Anjali.
"I call Sue," said Shilpa.
"And I call Sid," said Riddhima.
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Boston Logan International Airport:
3 hours to go:
"SUE! Sid bhaiyya! Over here!" Shilpa and RIddhima were standing by a small McDonald's outlet, looking fairly desperate. Padma, Shashank, and Anjali weren't in sight.
Sue maneuvered her path towards Shilpa and RIddhima, weaving in and out of the crowd. Sid wasn't so smooth, and kept bumping into people, "Oops! Sorry! Sorry about that! Hey! Watch where you're going man!"
To Riddhima's surprise, Sue was wearing the exact same clothes as her own. Shilpa went over to Sue and whispered something anxiously. Sue replied with something that made Shilpa smile hugely. Meanwhile, Sid crossed over to Riddhima, an anxious frown over his face. "You could've given me some notice of this Riddhima," he said.
"I barely had any notice myself, Sid," Riddhima said in an angry tone. Her anger was not directed towards Sid however.
Sid knew this, and he took her hand. "C'mon, have a last lunch with me before you go."
"But Papa -"
"There's a reason Sue dressed up like you, y'know."
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So, while Sid dragged - er I mean took - Riddhima to one of the many restaurants in the airport, Shilpa hung around with Sue. And whenever Papa would look for her and Riddhima. Shilpa would wave from afar, while Sue would go into a shop or something. And Shashank would think it was Riddhima. More than once, he got up to actually see them close-up, but Sue and SHilpa would always rush to the Ladies' Bathroom when that happened. (Typical movie-ishtyle)
Meanwhile, RIddhima and Sid were discussing their plans of action. Sid and Sue would be heading out to India in a few days time too, but for how long, he didn't know.
"I'll convince my parents to let me stay. We'll see what happens."
Riddhima was to reject whatever possible in the her dad's process of getting her and what's-his-name?-oh-yeah-Rahul together.
They sat and talked about everything in those crucial last hours. Finally after, almost two hours of non-stop talking, Riddhima and Sid got up. Riddhima took out her purse to pay for her share. Sid of course told her not to be ridiculous.
"I'm not being ridiculous!" said Riddhima, still fumbling for her money. "I just - don't - want - to be anymore- of - a burden - to you!"
"Riddhima, wherever you got that stupid idea from, please drop it," said Sid, as he handed money over to the guy who brought the bill. Riddhima didn't notice as she was still rummaging in her bag. To Sid's horror, tears started running down her cheeks and into her bag.
"Riddhima! Why are you crying?!? Please don't cry!" pleaded Sid, as he pulld her into his arms. Riddhima cried silently against his chest, "I'm sorry about this mess." said Riddhima, through her sobs.
"Don't be," said Sid in a gentle voice as he stroked her hair tenderly. "Everything will be alright, you'll see."
After a few minutes, Riddhima pulled back, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She cupped Sid's face in her hands and said through red eyes, "I love you, and don't you forget that. I'm serious. You forget it and that'll be the last thing you'll ever do."
Sid smiled. A smile that reached his eyes. "I love you too. Don't you ever forget that." He kissed the tip of her nose. And the moment he moved back, Riddhima immediately pressed her mouth to his, shocking him beyond his wits. But the kiss was short, as Riddhima pulled back within seconds, kissed his cheek and said, "Bye Sid. See you soon."
"Yeah. Hopefully," he said as he hugged her a last time. Riddhima smiled at him before disappearing in the crowd of people, mouthing "I love you."
The waiter looked at Sid gazing wistfully after Riddhima. Shaking his head, he continued mopping the floor.
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Some 40 minutes later:
On the plane to India:
Shilpa was seated next to Riddhima, and they were on the window seats. Padma, Shashank and Anjali were on the aisle seats. Riddhima was looking out of the window, her eyes still red. The plane hadn't started moving yet. Shilpa was checking her email one last time on her phone before take-off. Something made her eyes sparkle, and her mouth spread into a huge smile.
"Di, take a look at this," said Shilpa, handing her phone over to her sister and saying triumphantly, "And please, just tell me once how proud you are of me."
__________________
I know, I know what you're (hopefully not) thinking, "What a drag! That was such a waste of time! Why doesn't she just quit writing already, and go do her homework or something??"
So I'll answer you that a) I have done my homework, and b) Even if this was a filler, you will get a lot of drama in the next update.
Perhaps you all want more SR romance. I KNOW you do. Well, you WILL definitely get it, but keep in mind ke asli story ABHI shuru hui hai, and so you have quite some shocks (as well as romance) coming your way.
Don't hate me please.
LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE!!!!
I love you all!
Anushka
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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