Part 51
Rahul sat down with muskaan beside him and riddhimas family surrounding him. They all supported a terrified rahul outside the emergency room...he didn't know what to do or what to say...he just say there silently...
Muskaan: rahul?? (she said gently as his softly put her hand on his shoulder)
Rahul looked at her blankly...
Muskaan: everything is going to be okay...
Rahul held her hand for support and nodded...
Rahul: thank you muskaan...
Muskaan gave him a reassuring smile...and just then riddhimas mom spoke...
R.mom: don't worry beta, your mother is a very stong woman, she will walk out of that room with a smile on her face, just watch...(she smiled)
Rahul: thank you aunty, for everything...
R.mom: you are welcome beta, and it is a very good thing you called us as the right time...(she said trying to hold back her tears)
Rahul nodded his head and just then the doctor came out of the room...everyones worried eyes laid on him as he walked out besides rahul who looked down to the floor, not being able to make any eye contact with him...
Abhay: Dr Smith, is she okay??
Dr Smith looked at everyone, analysing each and every emotion in the room...he took a deep breath...and thought deeply on what he was going to say to each and every worried person in front of her...
R.mom: is she going to be okay??
Dr Smith looked at riddhimas mom in the eye...and spoke...
Dr Smith: as for now, she is fine, heart rate is normal, breathing is normal. However we must keep her under observation for a few days...
Riddhimas parents closed their eyes and held eachothers hand, they knew what was coming up next...and so did abhay and jay...
Sara: wait, but doctor, you just said that aunty is fine, they why do you need to keep her for a few days?? (and just then abhay held her hand, sara looked at him with confusion)
Dr Smith: (he took a deep breath) i know this will probably be hard for you to hear, but Mrs garewal is on her last stage of brain tumor...she is very serious and needs to be under observation...
Silence had spread about the group...sara and muskaan looked at the doctor in shock...and the rest of the family looked down not being about to make any eye contact...and just then rahul spoke...
Rahul: i know...
Everyone looked at rahul in shock...
Armaan and riddhima reached the hospital and ran to the reception immediately...armaan started to speak to the receptionist...
Armaan: which way is the emergency room?? There must be a new patient admitted under the name of garewal??
Receptionist: umm...
And just then riddhima interrupted and stopped the receptionist from speaking...
Riddhima: sorry, we don't need to go to the emergency room...
Armaan looked at riddhima confused...
Armaan: riddhima, she should be there...
Riddhima: no she wont (she said with a straight face and looked back to the receptionist) where is your oncology department...we need to know what room Mrs Garewal is in she should be shifted there from the emergency room...
Receptionist: okay. Let me just check that for you...
Armaan looked at riddhima confused...
Armaan: oncology department?? (and just then he realised what was goin on) cancer...(he said with a shocked expression) aunty has cancer?? (he looked at riddhima waiting for his answer)
Riddhima looked at him, she bit her lip and clenched her fist...then she took a slow deep breath and nodded...
Riddhima: she has brain tumor...
Armaan: what?? How?? When did you know??
And just then the receptionist spoke...
Receptionist: yes you are right Mrs garewal has been shifted from the emergency room she is in room 79 in the oncology department...which is just down this corridor to the left, there will be another corridor which will lead right to the oncology department...
Armaan and riddhima looked at the receptionist...
Both: thank you...
And they quickly went to find everyone...
There was complete silence in the corridor, they all just sat or stood in the same spot emotionless, not knowing how to react...
Riddhimas mom kept on looking at rahul...her eyes became watery looking at his state, he hardly spoke or looked at anyone, and she knew that he needed his best friends support right now...she kept looking at the time, hoping that riddhima would come any minute now...she needed her to be with rahul right now...
Muskaan looked at rahul with teary eyes... 'you had so much in your mind and you didn't even tell me' she thought to herself...she quickly wiped her watery eyes and spoke...
Muskaan: are you okay??
Rahul looked at muskaan and nodded...
Muskaan: don't worry, aunty will be out and about in no time...shes very stong...
Rahuls: i know...
Muskaan: i am going to get you something to eat, you haven't had anything at all...
Rahul: i don't want anything muskaan...
Muskaan: rahul, please...let me go and get you some water at least...(she said with a lot of concern)
Rahul: okay fine...thank you...
Muskaan: i will be right back, okay...
And she got up to get some water for him...
As she walked down the corridor with a bottle of water in her hands, she saw armaan and riddhima going to the oncology department...she quickly walked up to them and put her hand in front of riddhima...
Armaan and riddhima looked at muskaan in confused
Muskaan: where do you think you are goin?? (she looked at riddhima directly)
Armaan: muskaan, move, we need to go and see aunty...
Muskaan: oh sure armaan, you can go, but she cant...
Armaan looked at muskaan in annoyance...and riddhima looked at her hurt...
Armaan: oh stop it muskaan!!! At least stop your nonsense over here...(he started to get angry)
Riddhima: why are you doing this muskaan?? (she pleaded) i need to go and see aunty, i need to see if she is okay?? If rahuls okay...shes like my mother...please let me go...(a tear dropped out of her eyes)
Muskaan: riddhima, i cant let you go in there, aunty is completely fine. And so is rahul, we are all there for him. But you cant go in there, he already upset with what is going on right now, if you go in front of him, he will be even more upset, especially after you said you hate him...and don't forget, you have a promise to keep...remember...
Riddhima stood there silently...her chest started to hurt again...
Armaan: muskaan, just shut up and grow up...we are going to see aunty whether you like it or not!!
He held onto riddhimas hand and pulled her as he walked...but riddhima stopped and resisted...armaan looked at her...
Armaan: riddhima??...
Riddhima: shes right (she whispered)
Armaan: you cannot be serious right now...(he said shaking his head)
He looked at muskaan...who slightly smiled and walked away down the corridor to everyone else...and then looked at riddhima who let another tear fall from her eyes...
Armaan: riddhima please don't do this...(he begged)
Riddhima: i cant do this armaan, i cant go in front of him, he will become even more upset...
Armaan let go of her hand and clenched his fist...
Armaan: are you crazy riddhima!!! (he said frustrated) you are listenin to what she said!!! Really riddhima?? Really?? Are you forgetting that aunty is in the hospital!!! Your best friends mother is in the hospital, and instead of actually being there for him and supporting him during this time, you are listening to his girlfriend and her promise!!! You are being stupid here!!! Right now you need to be there with your best friend telling him that you are never leaving his side, forget about muskaan, forget about what she said, do whats right riddhima!!
Tears streamed down her face...she looked at armaan helpless...
Riddhima: i can't
Armaan stepped back...
Armaan: i cant believe this...what has happened to you?? You've completely changed (he looked at her shaking is head in disbelief)...you know what riddhima...go on and keep your stupid promise...(he looked at her in anger)
Armaan turned around to leave...and there were more tears streamed down her face as she watched armaan leave...
Riddhima: im sorry armaan, its got nothing to do with the promise...but i cant...please understand (she whispered)
She wiped her tears and ran out the hospital...
Armaan met everyone standing outside the room...he sat down next to rahul and put his hand on his shoulder...rahul looked at him emotionless and still...armaan just gave him a reassuring smile and nodded his head...
Armaan: she will be okay...
Rahul slightly nodded and went back to looking at the ground...armaan got up and went to riddhimas mom who have watery eye from crying...
Armaan: aunty...(he shook his head and wiped her tears)
And he hugged her...
Armaan: no more tears...
Riddhimas mom wiped all her tears away and nodded...
R.mom: riddhima kaha hai beta...rahul needs her...
Armaan looked at rahul upset...and as soon as he saw muskaan he clenched his fist in anger...he looked at riddhimas mom who stared at him waiting to know where her daughter was...
Armaan: woh nahi ayegi aunty (he said as he shook his head) she wont come...
R.mom: what?? Lekin kyun, armaan...i understand that they are not talking, but usse yahaan hona chahiye...
Armaan: i know aunty...and she was coming...but...
R.mom: but what??
Armaan looked at muskaan and back to riddhimas mom...
Armaan: muskaan told her to leave...
Riddhimas mom looked at muskaan with complete disappointment...
R.mom: what??...har baat ki limit hoti hai armaan...muskaan shouldn't have done that...and riddhima should not have listened...
Armaan nodded in agreement: haan aunty...ur right...muskaan told riddhima that if she goes in front of rahul...he will become even more upset also she said that she has to keep her promise and stay away from rahul...and that is why riddhima will not come...shes keeping her promise to muskaan...
R.mom: shes isn't keeping her promise to muskaan...very typical of her...
Armaan looked at riddhimas mom in confusion...
R.mom: she doesn't want to be the reason to make rahul even more upset..she wont come to see him hurt even more even though its killing her inside...
Armaan looked down regretting every word he said to riddhima...
It was 8pm, everyone were still outside in the hospital room, everyone was silent, nobody has said anything to one another...atul has came and he sat down with armaan quietly on is phone messaging riddhima hourly on any updates about rahuls mom...while armaan sat there feeling guilty as ever about what he had said to riddhima...he looked at rahul and new that he needed riddhima to be with him right now, supporting him, but was upset by the fact that she wasn't...and then he saw muskaan and remembered everything she said to riddhima...remembered how much she had hurted her...he got angry thinking about it...and became even mre angry looking at her after what she did today...
Just them riddhimas mom spoke...
R.mom: i think you all should go home now...its getting late...
Everyone looked at her...
Abhay: shes right, we all cant stay here together...
R.mom: its getting late and nobody has ate a single thing...sara beta, its is okay for you to go home and make dinner??
Sara: ofcourse mom, not a problem...
R.mom: thank you beta...
Rahul: i don't want to leave...i want to stay here...
Riddhimas mom went to rahul...
R.mom: rahul beta, i know is tough, and i know you want to be here with her...but i think its best if you go home right now, you have not eaten anything all day long, also it is getting late and you have school tomorrow...
Rahul: but aunty i don't want to eat...and i don't want to go school...i want to stay here with mumma (he said slowely, sounding like a child) please aunty...i don't want to leave her alone...
Riddhimas mom continued to try and convince him to go home
R.mom: rahul, she will not be alone, i will be here with her, all night long, and sweety...she is completely fine okay...and if she were talking to you right now, she would tell you to go home aswell, and go to school beta...haina rahul???...
Rahul nodded his head...
R.mom: toh phir tum fikar na kar beta, mein hoon yahaan and you can see her tomorrow okay...but right now you need to go home, eat something and rest...i don't want you to get ill beta...
Rahul: okay aunty...and thank you...
He said as he held her hand...riddhimas mom smiled and nodded her head...
R.mom: you all go home, i will stay here...
Sara: okay mom...i will come back though to give you dinner...
R.mom: thanks beta...
And they all started to leave the hospital...but armaan stayed put...all he could think about was riddhima...
R.mom: armaan beta, you go too, stay with rahul for a while and go home...your parents must be wondering where you are...
Sara: come on armaan...dont worry...
Armaan looked at them...
Armaan: okay aunty...
As soon as they all left riddhima entered the hospital where she saw her mother sitting outside the room...
Riddhima: mom...
Riddhimas mom looked at riddhima surprised to see her...riddhima rushed to her and hugged her...
Riddhima: mumma (she said on the verge of tears)
R.mom: riddhima, what are you doin here?? How did you know i was here?? (she had many questions)
Riddhima: i had to come and see aunty...how is she??
Riddhimas mom comforted her daughter...and wiped her tears...
R.mom: shes stable beta, and she will fit and fine very soon and we will take her home tomorrow...we are just here because there were no other room free (she said trying to hide the cancer news from her daughter)
Riddhima held her moms hand...
Riddhima: mom, i know aunty has cancer...(she said as her eyes teared up)...i have known all along and so has rahul...and i know that that is the reason why she is hospital...you don't need to hide it from me...
Riddhimas mom looked at her in shock...
R.mom: but how??...
Riddhima: don't worry about that ma, what happened and what did the doctor say?? (she said as she held back her tears)
Riddhimas mom told her what happned in the afternoon, on the state she found her when rahul called her...
R.mom: and then the doctor told us the she is on her last stage of brain tumor...she is very serious and needs to be under observation...nothing can be said right now beta, we can just pray for the best...
Riddhima: and rahul??
R.mom: hes trying to keep a brave face, lekin jo kuch bhi hua hai aaj, use bohot gehra asar hua hai...usse tumhari zaroorati thi beta...
And tear streamed down riddhimas face, and her chest pain came back...
Riddhima: i know mumma, i know...(she said cryng her heart out)...but...(she couldn't finish her sentence but her mom understood everything)
R.mom: i know beta...dont worry, i understand...now stop crying (she said wiping her tears) and go home now, eat something and get some rest, you have school tomorrow...
Riddhima: no ma, mujhe yahaan rehna hai...please mom, i haven't been able to stay all day long, please let me stay with aunty tonight...please...
R.mom: but beta?? What about tomorrow...
Riddhima: i will manage, but please let me stay...please ma...please...
Riddhima pleaded and managed to persuade her mother into letting her stay the night in the hospital...
11pm sara came to the hospital to give food to riddhimas mom afer she had served everyone at home...she saw riddhima and sighed in relief...
Sara: riddhima, where were you all day long?? We thought you went missing...you could have told us that you were here...
Riddhima: im sorry bhabhi...
Sara: its okay sweety, now tell me have you eaten anything...
Riddhima shook her head saying no...
Sara: good, i will take you home now and give you food...let me just give this to mom...
Riddhima: i am staying here bhabhi...im not coming home tonight...
Sara: but...(she started to worry)
R.mom: don't worry beta, riddhima mere saath rahengi...
Sara: but what about the food??
R.mom: we will share...dont worry...you go home...
Sara: okay mom...
But just then riddhima stopped sara from leaving...
Riddhima: wait bhabhi...
Sara looked at riddhima and then at her mom...
Riddhima: bhabhi, take mom home with you...
R.mom: what?? Lekin beta...
Riddhima: mom, you look tired and exhausted...go home and rest...otherwise you will fall ill...
R.mom: no beta, i cant leave you here alone...
Riddhima: mumma i will manage, and if anything does happen i will call you...but please listen to me right now...and go home...please...
R.mom: theek hai, fine, lekin agar kisiki zaroorat pare to phone karna...
Riddhima nodded...
Sara: okay riddhima, but since im taking mom home i want you to eat all of this food okay...
R.mom: haan, mein ghar ja kar kha loongi...
Riddhima nodded...
Riddhimas mom smiled at her daughter...she caressed her daughters face...
R.mom: you are growing to be a very mature lady...i am very proud of you (she smiled)...sabki fikar karti hai, lekin apne bare mein kabhi kabhi soch liya karo beta
Riddhima slightly smiled...and so did sara...
Riddhima nodded: thanks ma, now go home and rest...
Riddhimas mom nodded and left...sara handed her a tiffin full of food...
Sara: take care and eat all of it..okay...
Riddhima nodded and hugged her bhabhi...she held the tiffin in her hand
Riddhima: bhabhi, rahul??
Sara: hes fine, i made sure that he was asleep before coming...
Riddhima: and armaan?? Uncle and aunty must be worried now
Sara: armaan, i told him to go home as soon as we left, i told mom and dad what happened and they understood...
Riddhima: is he...umm...okay though...
Sara: yh hes fine, he was awefully quiet though...
Riddhima: okay bhabhi, thank you...
Sara nodded...and then riddhima watched them leave...and then she sat down on the chair with the tiffin beside her...but all she did was look at the door in which rahuls mom was in...
Riddhima: im sorry (she whispered)
Armaan sat on his bed quietly...lost in his thoughts about everything which happened today...he was so deeply lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realise that his mother has walked into the room with a plate of food...
Armaan: she was so happy this morning...and everything changed in a moment...on top of that you left her alone...you are so stupid armaan, she is supposed to be your best friend and you didn't even understand her one single bit...instead you got angry at her and left her alone...(he mumbled to himself) sure she couldn't be with rahul her best friend, but you should have stayed with her...rahul has everyone looking at him, be with him especially muskaan (he slightly flinched as he said her name) but riddhima, riddhima had nobody...you owe her a big apology armaan...i hope shes okay...(he said to himself worried)...
His mom looked at armaan concerned...
A.mom: armaan, armaan beta, tum theek ho na...
Armaan payed no attention to his mother sitting next to him on the bed...
A.mom: armaan (she slightly nudged him)
Armaan came out of his thoughts and looked at his mom...
A.mom: are you okay??
Armaan: huh...sorry ma...voh bas riddhima...dont worry...what happened...
A.mom: ever since you have came back from the hospital you have hardly said a word or eaten anything...isiliya meine tumhare liye khana layi hoon...please kuch toh khalo...
And just then armaan thought about riddhima...
Armaan: i wonder if she ate...
A.mom: armaan??
Armaan: yh...
A.mom: what happened??
Armaan: nothing ma...
A.mom: khana??
Armaan: ma, mujhe bhook nahi hai...
A.mom: lekin...
Armaan: please ma...i don't want to eat...
A.mom: theek hai beta...im leaving it out though...so when you wish to eat it, let me know and i will heat it up for you...
Armaan: okay mom, but aren't you going to sleep??
A.mom: mujhe nahi lagta ki aaj koi theek se sone nahi wale hai...
Armaan slighed nodded...and armaans mom got up to leave...
Armaan: mom...(he called out before she left)
A.mom: haan beta...
Armaan: i love you...(he smiled)
A.mom: i love you too beta (she smiled and left)
Armaan went back to his thoughts...
Armaan: what if she hasn't ate?? She will fall ill, and shes already weak enough...(he mumbled to himself worried)...i need to call her to see if she is fine...
He called her number but it was unavailable...
Armaan: why isn't her phone available (he said frustrated) what if something happened...no armaan, don't think negative, shes probably fine...probably?...no she is fine...but then why isn't her phone available..(he said worried)...ghar...ghar pe phone karta hoon...
He quickly got his phone and dialled he house number...
Armaan: pick up riddhima, please pick up...(he said impatiently)
And just then someone picked up...
Armaan: hello...riddhima??
But it turned out to be riddhimas mom...
R.mom: armaan beta??
Armaan: aunty?? Hi...emm is riddhima home??...
R.mom: nahi beta...
And just then armaan spoke without letting her finish her sentence...
Armaan: what?!?! ...where could she be?? Voh theek toh hai na??
R.mom: armaan...beta puri baat toh sunlo...
Armaan: sorry aunty...just got a bit worried...
R.mom: its okay beta...i understand...and riddhima is fine, don't worry...
Armaan: but where is she??
R.mom: voh hospital mein hain...usne muje ghar bhejh diya...
Armaan: ohh okay...thank you aunty...goodnight...
Armaan put the phone down...he grabbed his bag and put a few things in it and went downstairs...he started to put his shoes on and his mother came to him...
A.mom: armaan...kaha ja rahain ho?? Its late...(she said worried)
Armaan: hospital ma...its riddhima...i need to be with her...
A.mom: okay, lekin...
Armaan: i will be home in the morning...bye ma, love you (he said quickly, not letting her finish)
Armaan kissed his mother on the cheek and left the house...
A.mom: ...khana toh kha kar jao...(she finished as she heard her front door close)...and hes gone...
Armaans mom looked at the door...she slightly smiled and shook her head as she walked upstairs to her bedroom...
Riddhima just sat there lost in her thoughts...she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples with the index fingers as she felt tears escape her eye lids...she wiped the tears away and opened her eyes...and saw a glass of water in front of her...she looked at it confused and hen then saw who was holding it...
Riddhima: armaan?? (she looked at him confused)
Armaan: drink up...
Riddhima took a sip of the water...and then both sat there in complete silence...until arman broke it...
Armaan: you okay??
Riddhima nodded...
There was slience once again...the two just sat there looking away from eachother...but then armaan spoke...
Armaan: riddhima, i am sorry...i am extremely sorry...
Riddhima looked at him confused
Armaan: i was stupid, actually no, i was an idiot, a complete idiot, i should not have gotten angry at you, and i should not have left you alone...i was stupid and i am very sorry, very very sorry riddhima...
Riddhima put her hand over armaans mouth to stop him from talking...
Riddhima: shhh armaan...its okay yaar...stop saying sorry...
Armaan nodded and there was silence once again...
Riddhima: armaan, what are you doin here...its late...
Armaan: aunty told me that you are here all alone...didn't want to repeat the same mistake i did this morning...
Riddhima: mistake?? (she looked at him confused and then realised what her meant) armaan, you didn't make any mistake, you were looking out for rahul...and were being there for him when he needed someone
Armaan: yeah but i forgot about you, i wasn't there for you when you needed someone...rahul had everyone with him, but you didn't...and me, i left you all alone...some friend i am...(he looked down with regret)
Riddhima: armaan, you did the right thing...and you know i would have told you to go anyway (she slightly smiled)...you are a great friend, an amazing friend (she reached out her his hand and slightly squeezed it) you are one of my best friends, and that's not going to change...ever...okay...
Armaan smiled...
Armaan: but im still sorry...
Riddhima: armaan, if you say sorry one more time i will hit you...(she smiled)
Armaan: okay okay fineee...but...
Riddhima: but what?? (she looked at him confused)
Armaan: i am very hungry...and i know you have not eaten anything...
Riddhima: and how do you know that?? (she raised her eyebrows)
Armaan: i can read your mind...and your stomach (he winked)
Riddhima slightly laughed...
Riddhima: really armaan??
Armaan: no (he slightly laughed) but i noticed the tiffin next to you...and i believe that it is not empty...
Riddhima looked at the tiffin and held it in her hands...armaan took it from her hands and noticed the heavy tiffin full of food
Armaan: i knew it was full...riddhima you have not ate anything since this morning...you think about everyone else...but think about yourself too yaar...(he looked at her worried)
Riddhima smiled at his concern...
Armaan: now why are you smiling???
Riddhima: armaan, i don't need to think about myself...i have you to think about me (she smiled)
Armaan: that true...but still, you need to look after yourself, what if i go away from you...
Riddhima: like that will ever happen...
Armaan: you have a point there (he smiled) anyway...lets eat up its gna be a long night...
Riddhima: long night?? (she looked at armaan confused)
Armaan: haan...im staying here ofcourse...
Riddhima: no you are not...
Armaan: yes i am...
Riddhima: no you're not armaan
Armaan: yes i am riddhima...
Riddhima: armaan!!!
Armaan covered her mouth with her hand...
Armaan: shhh riddhima...its a hospital...
Armaan smiled and winked at riddhima whilst riddhima looked at him jaw dropped...
Armaan: riddhima...how many times do i have to tell me...never leave your moth open..a fly may go in...(he gave her a cheeky smiled and he closed her mouth)
Riddhima: armaan...(she slightly laughed)
Armaan: good you laughed...meaning i can stay (he grinned)
Riddhima: i didn't say that...
Armaan: well i wasn't going to listen anyway...(he said as he opened the tiffin)...yummm food...(he picked up a roti and looked at it) ohh this is definitely di's cooking...she still doesn't know how to make round roti's...(he slightly laughed)
He looked at riddhima who had teary eyes...he put down the food and put it aside
Armaan: riddhima? Are you okay?? Why are you crying??
Riddhima wiped her eyes and looked at armaan with a small smile...
Riddhima: you're the best armaan...
Armaan smiled: i know i am...(he smiled)...but you...you are amazing...
He held her hand and slightly squeezed it...and then he brought the food back
Armaan: anyway, i am very hungry...and so are you...lets eat..
He took a peice of food and showed it to riddhima as if he was goin to feed her...riddhima opened her mouth but then armaan put the food in his mouth...and gulped it down...he looked at riddhima who was looking at him shocked...
Armaan: sorry yaar, but i was super hungry...(he said patting his stomach with a cute expression)
Riddhimas expression softened and she looked at him amused...she took a peice of food and fed him...whilst armaan ate away...she got another peice to feed him but armaan held her hand and made her eat...
Riddhima: no armaan, im not hungry...(she said as she shook her head)
Armaan: open up riddhima...you have to eat something...come on...for me??
Armaan moved the food closer to her mouth...and riddhima looked at him with a tear falling from her eye as she ate...armaan shook his head telling her to not cry as he wiped away her tear...and they both sat down together eating their dinner...
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Precap:
Riddhima is curled up on the floor at the edge of her bed crying...armaan kneels to her and riddhima breaks down in his arms...
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well guys!!! thats it from me...its a really long update, so hopefully it will be enough till i get back from my exams :)
hope you all enjoyed it and please do comment :)
love megs xxx
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
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