Chapter 22
Riddhima was reading a patients file in her cabin, when she heard a knock on the door. She had lost track of the time, she realized, as she looked up at the clock which showed 5.15 pm at the moment. Her tea break usually was from 5.00-5.30 in the evening, but there were so many pending cases in the hospital that she rarely got a chance to even breathe. Plus, Riddhima had volunteered to do Muskaan's duties while she was one two months leave. Muskaan and her best friend Rahul would be getting married this Sunday, and even the thought of it was overwhelming. The Chaddas' and Gahrewals' had decided that the wedding will be done at a beautiful country house, situated in the outskirts of Mumbai. Finally, everything was set and going perfectly according to the plan. She knew Muskaan was happy, and Rahul seemed extremely ecstatic about the wedding, too. About her? Well, she couldn't be any happier.
For the first time in her life, everything seemed to be falling perfectly falling into place. Anjie di had decided to transfer back to Mumbai and stay here permanently, after she and Atul married, which was the next month. Nikita Malhotra, who was shattered after her boyfriend, Abhimanyu Modi, broke up with her, was way over the moon when Abhi finally came down on his knees and pulled out the ring for her. Underneath the moonlight, he uttered the three most important words of any girls life, and she said yes.
It was only when the nurse entered the room and began speaking, that Riddhima realized that she was not alone in the room.
"Dr. Gupta?" She stood with her head lowered as her voice. Riddhima looked at her and couldn't understand why she was flushing.
"You have visitor." She said, sounding excited about the deal.
"Visitor?" Riddhima was surprised. Who on earth would like who waste his or her Saturday, by visiting an on duty doctor. She knew only one idiot of that kind. Armaan. But she was doubtful. As far as she remembered, Armaan was busy in his band rehearsals today, so he promised Riddhima that he will be meeting her for dinner only.
Riddhima saw the nurse nod slightly and then blush again.
"Oh okay. Send the visitor in." She tried to focus back on her file, thinking that the nurse would nod and leave. When she did not, she looked back at her curiously.
"He is in the canteen, doctor." She answered her unasked question.
"He told you to meet you there." Said the young nurse, almost about to squeal in excitement. Riddhima smiled.
"Alright. Thank you. You can leave." Riddhima thought of finishing the case file, before meeting the visitor in the canteen. This case was important. And she was done for the day, anyways. So, she decided to go and talk to the visitor before she went home. She focused back on the case file. After some time, she looked up and sighed. The extremely ecstatic young woman moves hadn't moved in inch yet!
"Anything else?" She asked, closing the file.
"Um, nothing" She mumbled, which irritated Riddhima.
Silence.
Under Riddhima's constant and prevailing gaze, she nurse got positively nervous and mumbled and thank you. Riddhima nodded and continued to stare at her, until she had left the room. Rolling her eyes, Riddhima got back to rearranging her desk and placing the file in an orderly mannered. When she was done cleaning up her desk, she decided to call it a day.
Picking up her lab coat, purse and stethoscope, Riddhima left the room. It did not take her long to realize that she was currently the main attraction of the room. People stared at her, as she walked in the hallway. She quickly crossed the hallway and entered the reception.
"Sister Lovely." Riddhima's stern voice seemed to have broken her tranced state, that she was previously enjoying.
"Haan Ji." She looked up at Riddhima, with amount of disappointment in her looks and voice, only to remain surprised when she saw Riddhima standing in front of her.
"Oh, Riddhima jee!" Lovely looked at her nervously and then smiled, "hello ji" she greeted her.
"Uhm, register?" Lovely seemed lost, since Riddhima had to remind her about something that she had been doing for years. Lovely looked back at her with more disappointment and froze.
"Sister Lovely, Regis-" She was interrupted by a pair of strong hands that suddenly covered her eyes.
"Hayyo rabba!" She heard Lovely mumble, followed by silence.
She touched the hand and touched it again, until she figured who it was.
"Armaan." She was angry, really angry at him.
A few moments later, the strong pair of hands let go of her and the next moment, she found herself mesmerized by a pair of familiar deep blue eyes.
Fast enough to get a hold of herself, Riddhima had to remind herself that she was angry at him and could not allow herself to melt under his touch. Not here atleast. She looked around and realized that people were staring. But it was hard to keep a track of everything, with Armaan thisclose to her. Yet, she managed to set her mind, staring right back at him.
"What are you doing?" She said through her teeth, extremely conscious of herself right now.
"I am here to take you somewhere."
"I am not going anywhere with you Let go of me, Armaan. There are people here," She looked around, nervously tucking a strand of her behind her ears and then looked back at him.
"Oh, I am not going to leave you, unless and until you come with me." He smirked, challenging a furious Riddhima, which he knew would do him no good. Lately, Armaan had been an extremely busy man and it was not his fault. It was that time of the year, when all the musicians released their albums and he was about to release one too. Not to mention, that there were a number of concerts lined up. That is why he had managed to upset his lady love. So, he decided to make it up to her in a very special way.
"Armaan!" She glared at him, self-conscious of the people gathered around them. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Sister Lovely, who held her hands together, staring at them and squealing in joy. She wasn't the only one doing that. There was a gathering of admirers who couldn't take their eyes off the lovebirds. That only embarrassed her a bit more.
"Riddhima!"
"Armaan?"
"Riddhima?"
"Leave me."
"Nope." He shook his head, laying emphasis on 'p' with a pop.
"I said leave me!" She struggled to get out of his hold, only to fail miserably. Great, so now she was an epic public joke, she realized when the crowd around them smiled.
"Okay, fine! I will come with you. Let go of me. NOW!" She commanded, glaring at him. With that, finally, Armaan let go of her, and let some distance in between them.
"There you go."
Immediately, he grabbed her hands and began walking towards the main entrance, shocking Riddhima even more.
"And there we go."
She was silent, as they walked hand-in-hand out of the hospital and in the parking lot.
"I.Hate.You." She mumbled as soon as they were alone in the dark and empty parking lot of the hospital.
The next moment she found herself locked in between a car, what she recognized was Armaan's car, his arms, again! She did not dare to look away from his magnetic eyes and forgot her anger in no time.
"There is a fine line between hate and love, Riddhima." His eyes were burning with passion and his voice was low and deep with intensity. Yet again, she was lose of words.
With that, he leaned in until the tip of her nose touched his. Without wasting another second, she locked her lip with his. He smiled amidst the kiss, as she threw her arms around him, kissing him with all the energy she had in her. He was gone for two weeks, hence he knew that she wouldn't miss another second fighting when they were alone.
And then it was his turn to show her how much he had missed her. But that had to wait, he thought sadly.
They pulled away, breathing heavily and joined their foreheads, staring at each other for a long time.
"You've been gone for a long time."
"I know."
"How do you know that I did not find another boyfriend in that time?" He smirked.
"Oh, did you?"
"Yes."
"That's good, because I found someone too."
"Really? You, too?" She asked him, trying not to grin.
"Mmm-hmm." His eyes traced the curve of her lips, that were tempting him to capture them.
"So, when do I get.. to meet your boyfriend?" She grinned, which faded away as his lips neared hers.
And then, unable to resist the temptation, he brushed his lips against hers, licking it slightly. When nothing more happened, a very disappointed Riddhima opened her eyes to find him smirking at her. Leaving her wanting more and greedy like that, was torture, and that is exactly what Armaan had intended to do.
"That is for getting yourself a boyfriend while I was gone." He winked at her, letting go of her.
Soon both of them were in the car. The car engine roared before Armaan hit the accelerator, and the long hectic day at Sanjeevni was long forgotten, since Riddhima had finally found what she needed the most.. Armaan.
Part (II):
"Where are we going Armaan?" She demanded to know, exhausted of repeating the same question over and over again, as Armaan pulled over in a building she did not recognize.
At that Armaan leaned over, locked his eyes with hers and whispered, "secret" in her ears, which agitated her even more!
"Fine! You enjoy your 'secret', I am just gonna go home!" She threatened and stepped out of the car immediately, marching in the opposite direction.
"Aw, shit!" Armaan kicked himself mentally and ran after her.
"Wait, wait!" He pleaded and she stopped, crossing her arms across her chest and frowning at him.
"Where are we going?" She stared into his eyes and demanded for an answer. Armaan gulped. She was really furious.. so he wondered what she is going say when he answers her.
"Armaan?" She stared at him warily, when finally he decided to spill the beans.
"Um, uh.." He looked around, scratching his head and smiled at her nervously.
"Are we going, too?" She had a doubt, she wasn't sure. During his entire car journey, she silently hoped that it was not where Armaan was taking her. Alas, her biggest nightmare was coming true!
He nodded in understanding, as her eyes widened, "I am talking you to meet my band mates."
Armaan, for a moment there, thought that he will go deaf, as his girlfriend screamed in his ears.
"What?" She stared at him disbelief.
After a moment of staring, Riddhima finally moved her body and sat back inside the car, shocking Armaan.
"Riddhima? what are you doing?" He smiled nervously, trying to pull the handle as she locked all the doors of the car and sat inside adamantly.
"I am not coming out of the car" She crossed her arms and stared at the 'parking' board ahead of her, as Armaan struggled to get her out of the car.
"Dr. Riddhima Gupta get out of the car!" He used all four of his limbs of break the door. Sadly, he was no superhuman that he could break the door and pull his heroine out of the car!
"Get out of the car!" He gritted through his teeth, when he realized how stupid his behaviour was.
"TADAA!!" Riddhima stared at him in shock and tension as he pulled out of the car keys out of his pocket and opened the door quickly.
Riddhima sighed. Of course! The keys, you idiot! She kicked herself mentally, as she watched him opening the door.
Effortlessly, he picked her up in his arms and began walking towards the building entrance.
That made her wonder-what expression will she leave on Armaan's band mates, if he enters the house with Riddhima in his arms? Not good, not good, she thought.
"Okay, fine." She said, stopping him mid-way.
"I am coming. Put me down."
And soon she was on her feet. Defeated, she followed Armaan silently as he led the way, now knowing that this was going to be one hell of a night.
Edited by Heart - 13 years ago
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