Part 53
The whole school seemed silent for everyone. Rahul didn't say a word and neither did riddhima. Everyone thought the matters got worse between them, people decided to not ask anything but to leave them in peace worried that if they did get involved and interfered they would make everything even worse. But that was not the case. They were both worried sick about someone they love a lot...
Armaan and atul kept a close eye on riddhima and rahul...they were both lost in their own world...armaan and atul stood at the fence surrounding the football pitch looking at rahul sitting in the floor rolling the the football back and forth...
Atul: i have never seen him like this...
Armaan had nothing to say...he just kept on looking at rahul...he let out a sigh...
Armaan: in one day everything changed...its affected is all but it has been greater for riddhima and rahul...especially rahul...
Atul: dunno how they managed to keep such a big thing to themselves...cancer...she has cancer and nobody knew...and rahul, he has been behaving as if nothing have happened...and now he seems so lost...
Armaan: back then was a different...rahul had riddhima supporting him through everything...and rahul has never seen aunty in this condition, its hit him pretty hard and there is no riddhima to help him get through it...
Atul: riddhima need to be here...he needs her he most right now...
"No he doesn't atul" and voiced called out from behind them...atul and armaan turned around and saw muskaan standing there with her arms folded...
Muskaan: he doesn't need riddhima right now...
Armaan looked at muskaan agitated and atul rolled his eyes...
Atul: really muskaan?? Why do you think that?? Tell me (demanding her to answer)
Muskaan: not think atul...i know...i know that is rahul sees riddhima he will become even more upset...you know what happened atul...and after all that you really want rahul to see that girl...
Armaan: "that girl" has a name muskaan...its riddhima...remember...
Muskaan looked at armaan annoyed...
Muskaan: whatever...either way, due to that it's not a good idea that riddhima comes in front of rahul...it will hurt him more...
Atul and armaan looked at muskaan...atul walked up to muskaan and folded his arms...
Atul: you and i both know that, that is not the case...
Muskaan furrowed the eyes and looked at him...
Muskaan: what is that supposed to imply...
Atul: don't play dumb with me muskaan...i know what you have done...
Muskaans lips quivered a little...she took a deep breath and looked at atul...
Muskaan: so she told you...
Atul: she didn't tell me anything...
Muskaan shot a look at armaan who was looking at her with anger...
Armaan: don't look at me like that muskaan...you are lucky that only atul knows...im not gna make all her friends hate her when she is not at fault...
Atul: muskaan, what are you going to gain from doin this? They are just good friends, why is it so hard for you to see that...
Muskaan: oh give it up atul...even you thought that something was goin on between them...
Armaan started to clenched hi fists controlling himself...and atul forrowed his eyes and then looked at her amused...he smirked at muskaan confusing her...
Atul: ohhh...so you are jealous??
Armaan lips curved into a small smiled looking at muskaans reaction...
Muskaan: what?? No! Why would i be jealous...that to of her...
Atul: so you are insecure?
Muskaan: im not insecure atul!!! (she shouted in denial) and im not jealous...i already have rahul
Atul let out a small laugh...he looked at her with his arms crossed not believing her...
Armaan stood next to atul and looked at her shaking his head with disapproval...
Armaan: okay okay...(he said putting his hands up as if he were surrendering) lets believe the fact that you aren't jealous, you aren't insecure...okay...(he crossed his arms again) then why shouldn't riddhima see rahul now?? They are good friends, best friends...so rahul should have his best friend back now right??
Muskaan: no (she said immediately) rahul will be a lot happier without riddhima...he has been...
Armaan raised his eyebrow
Armaan: really muskaan!? Happier?? Ave you seen anyone happy since your decision?...
Muskaan looked down not being able to answer his question...
Armaan: all you have done is hurt them even more muskaan...especially riddhima...but enough now...if you hurt riddhima anymore, mark my words muskaan, i will not leave you...i will make sure that you regret everything you have done...
Atul looked at armaan smiling...and then looked over and muskaan who was glaring at him...and just then armaan walked away from her...muskaan and atul looked at eachother...however both were presenting different moods, atul was happy whereas muskaan was in fury...
Atul: btw muskaan...include me in that list aswell...i don't hate people very easily...but you are not making it hard for me to dislike you...
He was just about to walk away with armaan...but stopped at looked at her...
Atul: oh yh, one more thing...dont you worry, because no matter how much we try to convince riddhima to see rahul she will listen to us...because riddhima always keeps her promises, especially ones which are related to rahul...
He was once again going to leave but stopped to face her...
Atul: also muskaan...rahul is not an object where you can "have" him...and secondly if you were not insecure or jealous then you would not have told riddhima to stay away from rahul in the first place...and don't you dare deny it...(he slightly chuckled) it funny how you told riddhima that if she stays away from rahul because you want to see rahul happy, and she even agreed for rahul...not you (he emphasised)...but for rahul, but look...(he glance at rahul and back at muskaan) he doesn't seem happy does he?? And even though rahul needs his best friend...riddhima wont come near him and you wont let her...riddhima still is his best friend and she has proved that well as she is able to distance herself for his happiness...but unfortunately you have been able to prove yourself to be worth rahul...sound harsh doesn't it?? But it's the truth...
He looked at muskaan disappointed and ran after armaan calling out for him to catch up to him...
Muskaan stood in one place looking over at rahul as atuls words stung her...
One side rahul was alone on the football pitch and the other side riddhima sat in the centre of dance studio glancing over her phone every two minutes waiting for some news...she sat their thinking of rahul...she observed rahul quietly through out the day...he was lost...he didn't pay attention in any of his lessons and didn't speak to anyone...it was as if he was a living dead body...the once strong rahul she knew was gone...and now he was an emotionless zombie...it hurt her to see rahul like that...she wanted to be with him...wanted to support him through this tough phase like how she always has...she wanted to give him a huge hug so he can share his pain with her...to tell him that she is always there for him...she looked back at her phone hoping to see a message, waited for her mom to call her to tell he that aunty was fine...she needed some good news...she needed to the the strong rahul back...
But there was nothing...
The gripped her phone in her hand in frustration and threw it against the mirrored wall...the phone fell to pieces as it hit the wall...riddhima looked at it and then looked at the mirror...
She looked the the strange figure in the mirror moved towards it...ignoring her broken phone on the floor...she touched the figure in the mirror in facsination...surprisingly realising the figure was her...was this what she looked like to others?? She thought to herself...she saw the emotionless zomble she saw in rahul in herself...she was paler than usual, eyes slightly puffy...ths was not her...everything had changed...she was no longer the riddhima she knew she was...she was somebody else...somebody else she didn't know...a tear slowely fell from her right eyes...she used her finger to wipe the tear away...she looked at the tear drop on her finger...
Riddhima: nothing new...
Armaan stood outside the dance studio witnessing everything...his eyes welled up with tears...it pained him to see her like this...
Armaan: why do you do this to yourself (he said to himself)
Atul: because she cares too much (he said coming from behind)
Arman rubbed his eyes...
Atul and armaan looked at riddhime through the window...they saw her fall onto her knees leaning against the window...armaan was just about to go to her but atul stopped him...
Atul: no armaan...she needs to be alone for a while...
Armaan looked at atul helplessly and glanced back to riddhima...
Armaan: remember when i told you that something will happen and everything will change...
Atul: yh...
Armaan: its happening...(he looked worried)...if things don't get better now shes going to breakdown completely...and we wont be able to do anything...
The same fear had came across atuls mind and he reflected the same worried expression which armaan had...he knew this was coming...he composed himself...
Atul: armaan don't worry, all we can do is try now...
Armaan: she needs rahul...
Atul nodded: and rahul needs her...
Just then armaans phone rang...he looked at it and saw it was riddhimas mom calling...
Armaan: aunty?? (he looked at atul and immediately answered the phone) hello, hello aunty.
R.mom: armaan! rahul and riddhima ko kya hua, why aren't they picking up the phone?? (she sounded worried)
Armaan looked at riddhimas phone which was in pieces...
Armaan: kuch kuch nahi aunty...voh phone switched off hoga...anyway, what happened? Sab kuch theek hai?? Aunty ko kuch??
R.mom: kuch nahi hua, aur sab kuch theek hai beta...good news. She is conscious now...and is absolutely fine...
A smile appeared on armaans face...
Armaan: really????
R.mom: yess really, there is nothing to worry about...and we should be able to take her home tonight...
Armaan: that's great news aunty...i will just go and tell rahul and riddhima now...
R.mom: thank you beta.
Armaan: bye aunty...
He put the phone down and has a huge smile on his face...
Atul: everything okay...
Armaan: yep, perfect...aunty is conscious and absolutely fine...i need to go and tell riddhima...
And he ran inside to tell riddhima the good news...atul smiled watching him...
Atul: as long as you are with her armaan, i know she will be okay...(he smiled to himself) armaan-riddhima...even the names sound good together...(he looked up talking to God) don't make me wrong this time...even you know they are like those made for eachother couples...
He smiled as he looked through the window and saw riddhima hug armaan...
Atul: sorry guys, im going to have to ruin your little moment
He laughed to himself about the thought and walked inside the gym...riddhima looked at atul and smiled...she hugged him
Riddhima: shes okay atul...
Atul: i know...and im happy so see you a little cheerful...
Riddhima: a little? Atul im superrr happy (she spun around on the spot)...and rahul...rahul is probably jumping with joy...wait...has anyone told his yet...
Riddhima looked at armaan and atul who shook their heads saying no...
Riddhima: then guysss what i we waiting for!!! Lets go tell him...
She linked her arms with both of their and started to walk joyfully...but then she stopped...the smile she had on her face disappeared immediately...atul and armaan looked at riddhima...
Armaan: are you okay?? (he looked at her with concern)
Atul: come on riddhima lets go tell rahul he good news...
Riddhima: i cant...(she said upset)
Armaan and atul knew this was gna happen...
Riddhima: he will be even more upset if i go near him...you know after all that happened...but guys you go and tell him pleaseee...
Armaan: okay okay, we will go and tell him now...
Riddhima: thanks guys...
She unlinked her arms and ushered them to go to rahul...
She watched them leave with a small smile playing on her face...and just then she as a realisation moment..she grabbed her bag and went rushing out from the dance gym...
Armaan and atul made their way to rahul who was now sitting on a bench with muskaan...as they approached them muckaan sat up straight...
Muskaan: what do you guys want??? (She said coldly)
Rahul looked at armaan and atul and then at muskaan...
Rahul: muskaan that sounded rude...shouldnt they see me? (he looked at muskaan)
Muskaan: sorry baby, i didn't mean it that way (she said changing her tone)
Rahul looked at muskaan; he furrowed his eyebrows confused by her behaviour...and then he ignored it and looked at armaan and atul...
Rahul: hey guys (he said quietly)
Atul: we got some good news for you rahul...
Rahul looked at them confused...
Rahul: if its about a football match then...(he started...without even knowing everything)
Atul: no no no...this is something else...
Rahul looked even more confused...
Rahul: what?
Armaan: aunty is conscious and is fine now...she may be even be allowed to leave the hospital tonight itself...(he smiled)
Rahul looked at him surprised...and smile formed on his face and his eyes started to become watery...
Rahul: what??? (he couldn't believe what he was hearing) seriously??
Armaan: yes...
Rahul leaped up and hugged armaan...
Muskaan smiled looking at rahul...
Rahul wiped his tears: thank you so much armaan, you don't know how much this means to me...
Armaan nodded and smiled...
Rahul: i want to go and see mom now...
Armaan: sure why not...but i don't think you will be allowed to leave the school...
Muskaan: why not??? We could ask at least...
Atul: yh...let me go and find out if you can leave...
Muskaan: i will come with you...
Atul and muskaan both left...
Armaan looked at rahul who was still very emotion...
Armaan: are you okay??
Rahul nodded: yeah...i feel like jumping with joy...i need to tell riddh (he paused as he said her name...and his smiled disappeared)
Armaan: riddhima??
Rahul sat down on the bench and nodded...
Rahul: im sure she would be extremely happy hearing this news...but...(he looked down upset) i doubt she even knew...
Armaan sat down next to him...upset about how rahul thought of riddhima now...
Armaan: why do you think that??
Rahul: she didn't even see me yesterday...does she not care about me a single bit?? Does she really hate me that much??? (he said sounding in pain)
Atul and muskaan reached the headteachers office...they knocked and entered when they were allowed...
Miss Taylor: atul, muskaan. What brings you two here...
Atul: hello miss, we actually came here to talk to you about rahul...
Miss Taylor: don't you worry atul, i know everything already. I am very sorry to hear that Mrs Garewal has cancer.
Atul and muskaan looked at her confused...
Muskaan: but mam, how did you know?
Miss Taylor: riddhima just came to speak to me. She told me everything. And even asked for permission for rahul, armaan and you two to leave the school to go to hospital to see her...for which i have granted...but why have you two came to see me...
Atul: we actually came to ask for permission to leave...but riddhima already sorted it out...
Miss Taylor smile: shes a very kind person, she has organised everything, so you just need to go the reception and say that you are leaving...she didn't ask to leave herself saying that somebody should be in school incase anything important happens. She is a very good friend.
Atul smiled and muskaan rolled her eyes...
Atul: i know miss. And thank you. We will take your leave now.
Miss Taylor nodded. Atul and muskaan left her office...
Atul turned around and looked at muskaan smiling smugly at her...
Muskaan: what now???
Atul: do you still think you did the right thing??
He said as he walked off leaving an annoyed muskaan who then followed...
Armaan and rahul sat quietly on the bench...they didn't say anything for a while...and then armaans eyes fell in rahuls ring...
Armaan: she doesn't hate you rahul...
Rahul looked at armaan: and how do you know...
Armaan: look at your ring...riddhima gave it to you for your birthday...
Rahul looked at his ring...
Armaan: do you remember with the ring there was a note...and it said...
Rahul: i will always be with you as your friend..even if it seems i am far away from you..just remember thats (he finished the sentence)
Armaan: exactly...riddhima may be distant from you now...but she is your best friends and always will be...she doesn't hat you a single bit...and you know that yourself..
Rahul smiled looking at the ring...
Armaan: just think of her as your guardian angel, shes always going to look over you...
Rahul nodded and just then atul and muskaan came...
Atul: hey guys...
Armaan and rahul looked up at them...
Muskaan: i spoke to Miss Taylor and she has gave us permission to leave...(she said smiling)
Atul looked at muskaan surprised!!! She didn't do anything, riddhima did!!
Rahul got up and hugged muskaan...armaan smiled as it was the first thing muskaan had done right
Rahul: thank you sooo much muskaan...
Atul: you lying evil witch (he muttered to himself...looking at muskaan)
Armaan heard him and looked at atul...
Armaan: what happened??
Atul: she didn't...forget it..you will find out soon...trust me...
Armaan: okay (he looked confused)...anyway, rahul...come, let's go get your stuff...
Rahul nodded...and they went onto the football pitch to ge rahuls things...atul looked at muskaan in disapproval...
Muskaan: what???
Atul: so you are jealous and insecure...you don't trust rahul and now you lie to him...wow muskaan, you are the perfect girlfriend right now (he said sarcastically)
Muskaan: shut up atul...i am doing this all for rahuls happiness...
Atul: yeah yeah whatever!! (not believing her)
Just then rahul and armaan came back and they mde their way to the reception...
They were all allowed to leave once they reached the reception...
Armaan: bye guys, i will see you later on...
Rahul stopped walking and looked at armaan...
Rahul: aren't you coming with us...
Armaan: nah i will join you later on...i think its best if someone stays...plus somebody needs to tell miss Roberts where you guys are so he doesn't worry...
Atul looked at armaan and smiled...he knew he was only staying behind so riddhima would not be alone...
Muskaan: good idea armaan...(she said coldly)
Rahul looked at muskaan confused once again by her behaviour...
Muskaan: i mean thanks...(she said changing her tone immediately)
Rahul: okay armaan, we will see you later...and thank you for today...especially for our talk...
Armaan smiled and nodded: its okay yaar, that what friends are for...now go...
They all left and armaan went to go to riddhima...
Armaan entered he gym but nobody was there...he started to wonder where riddhima was...just then the bell for lessons had rang...he had tutor period with her so knew that he would find her in their tutor room...he was just about to leave but stopped and turned around finding the peices of riddhimas phone scattered on the floor...he picked up all the pieces and put then back together and turned the phone on hoping that it would still be working...and it was...he smiled and put the phone in his pocket and left the gym to go to tutor...
Armaan entered the tutor room and saw riddhima sitting at a table with a few large folders...he smiled looking at her and relieved to know that she was not missing...
He walked up to Miss Roberts so he can let her know the muskaan rhaul and atul hve left the school to go to the hospital...
Armaan: hey miss...
Miss Robert: armaan, what are you doing here...i thought you were goin to the hospital...
Armaan: nah, i decided to stay, i was just about to tell you that rahul muskaan and atul have left...but you know already (he sounded confused) how did you know..
Miss Roberts: riddhima told me...
Armaan: riddhima??
Miss Roberts: yeah, she asked the headteacher for permission for you guys to leave...which is why i though you would be with them because she told me that you were going...
Armaan looked confused and remember muskaan telling rahul that she got the permission...and then remembered what atul said...
"Lying evil witch" he thought the same at atul now understanding what he meant...
Miss Roberts called out for his name and armaan jerked out of his thoughts...
Armaan: huh...sorry miss...
Miss Roberts: its okay...and don't worry i have authorised their absence...
Armaan smiled: okay miss, thank you...
Armaan was just about to leave...but miss Roberts stopped him...
Miss Roberts: armaan...
Armaan: yes miss...
Miss Roberts: any progress?? (indirectly asking if everything is okay yet)
Armaan: not yet (he said sounding upset)
Miss Roberts: don't worry, it will be okay soon...
Armaan: i hope so too...
__________________________
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.
_____________________________
i know i know its been the same precap, but i just love to keep you guys thinking ;) it will come up in the next part...till then i hope you enjoyed this part :)
hope you like it...please comment :D
love megs xxx
Anupamaa
Seher Hone Ko Hai
272