She Walks In Beauty...Chap 19 pg133-21.07.13 - Page 83

Originally posted by: pansy123

We have already two updates today what if I post my chapter tomorrow?

I have a suggestion if all agree we can organise update postings and can have update a day to read. Few days back we had three updates in a row and then the forum remained silent we had nothing to read...I mean FF's here...We have five writers active on the forum...Suvika JI and indu ji are already posting two to three updates weekly... I think we can manage...and Anuji is also back her update anytime in the week will be a bonus.

What say?

Chapter 17

"Hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation...a desire with expectation of obtainment...to expect with confidence...a belief in a positive outcome."

Malika in her bed mulled over things and decided that she should change her stance towards Nidhi. "Ashutosh is getting irritated seeing my behaviour towards Nidhi...I shouldn't let my insecurities and my indifferent attitude towards her, allow her to pave the way to win a soft corner in his heart...I should change my attitude she resolved"...As the fear and the insecurities sometimes doesn't want us to see the stark reality facing us...evading we shut our eyes in horror...she in her scare concede that only her behaviour makes him to defend her otherwise he would never care for her... he was never the type to mix with girls even in medical college he talked with very few girls... she being his friend was the only exception... and he cared only for her...that was the faith she clung to ever since she loved him. "He always valued hard work, dedication and intelligence and there is no doubt she is very intelligent and efficient... yes I should be careful things haven't turned so bad yet... after all I never saw anything explicit to prove my point...Em...what I earlier suspected was not entrenched... if that would have been the reality, things won't have remained same... in fact things were never the way I thought... past few months I hardly saw Nidhi in his cabin... and the day she was drenching in rain when Ashutosh gave her the lift he hardly talked to her...enough to refute my nagging doubts... my sneaking feelings made me to forget the basic etiquettes... I never behaved with any one like that" with these reflections she decided to let go her fears and doubts and not make a fool of her in others eyes especially Ashutosh's.

Next day morning:

Nidhi in her jeans, knee length white lucknowi Kurti, with white pearl studs and pendant, looking stunning was kneeling before a laptop placed on bed waiting for the laptop to get started...oblivious to the fact how Ashutosh was watching her mesmerizingly at the restroom door. The moment she came and sat beside his bed he opened the door of his restroom...his heart leaps out at the sight...leaning against the door he starts relishing the sight. Fresh cool morning breeze coming in through the open window from the lake ruffling her kempt hair was tickling her... and him at the same time. She tucked some loose strand of hair behind her ears...but the wind seemed adamant made her hair sway...she turned her hair to one side laying bare the smooth and slender neck to his eyes...his eyes smoulder... then a strand swings touching the side of her neck...tickling Ashutosh's insides as she was unaware in her desperation trying to search something in his laptop... Ashutosh's trance gets broken when he hears Dr. Malika yell at her. She couldn't bear to see her touching and having access to his personal things forgetting all her last night resolutions she ticks her off at her behind making her to turn and look at her in surprise:

"What are you doing here? and with Dr. Ashutosh's laptop"

"Sorry ma'm my flash drive is not opening...I think that day I saved a copy of my paper in this laptop...I'm just trying to find that"

"And why do you think he'll keep a copy of your document in his laptop"

Nidhi remained mum she had no answer how she can tell her he can never delete what she saved on his laptop... Malika not hearing anything in response continues...

"you sought his permission first or simply barged into his room to look sneakily in his laptop" Nidhi seemed to be finding right words to answer her question when Ashutosh answered surprising both...they didn't know he was watching them...Malika pursed her lips while she heard him say, "If she is having the password she is having the permission Dr. Malika"

Nidhi glared at him making him to hold back and not to say anything to her...and spoke instantly "Sir I've found the paper can I take your laptop to take its printout." He responds only with... "Please". She takes the laptop to the living room to connect to the printer. Malika also turns to leave when Ashutosh stops her... "Malika you need anything"... "No nothing I just came to see you"... "hmn...If you've got a minute...I want to talk to you"... all her fears returned she thought it is better to avoid to hear him this time "Can we talk later...I've to get ready"...he nods his head in response...on her way out she just looks at Nidhi and leaves his suite.

Nidhi taking an exasperated sigh turns to do her job when she gets caught by strong pair of arms around her...feel of his lips on the nape of her neck make her to hold her breath...in a soft whisper near her ear he utters, "Good morning"...she also responds in a murmur releasing her breath... "thanks my love for making my morning so good"... "Leave me the door is open"... "If I lock the door can I hold you like this" he tightens his grip... "We are getting late"... "who cares"... "I have to read my paper" ..."hmn...and what'll I get in ransom"... "what?"... "You are caged and if you want me to release you...I should get something"...she couldn't respond feeling his lips move instinctively on her neck slowly moving up and behind her ear lobe...she arches her neck to other side the sensations he was creating makes her to whimper and Ashutosh lost the last bit of restrain and nibbles her nape...Nidhi hoarsely puffs out, "Ashutosh!"...he has been falling in love with the way she calls him in such a state...the joy he feels hearing her call his name was ineffable...he turns her and takes her in a tight embrace calming their racing beats. After a while he asks, "How are you feeling today?" and she answers reticently, " Better"...raising her head he places a kiss on her forehead and utters, "you are looking stunning do you know that...a peck goes on her lips...my beauty!"...he leans forward to place a kiss on her cheek...but she pushes him away and takes the print out looking at his chasing eyes and the hands ready to grab her again she makes a swift move, in a tongue in cheek smile and 'I win' look she waves him bye at the door and leaves after receiving a flying kiss in response.

Conference room:

The organising secretary of the conference started the day's proceedings inviting Dr. Johnasen who was sitting in the first row alongside Ashutosh, to begin the conference...Dr. Johnasen a man in his sixties with pepper and salt hair, neurologist of international fame begins the conference sharing all his experiences, acclaiming the contribution of India to neuro-sciences and then applauding the organisers for the conference claiming it to be an experience worth gaining for the budding doctors. After taking questions of many doctors in the hall he thanks many doctors present in the conference and finally to his brilliant student- Dr. Ashutosh...

"It gives me immense pleasure to share with you all that I am the proud teacher of Dr. Ashutosh, I taught him at first during his PG then two years later when he came to receive 'advanced training in neurosurgery and neurosciences' I was his dean at Montreal Neurological Institute, Canada ...he is an outstanding medical expert in India today who combines excellent professional competence as Neurosurgeon with internationally acclaimed scientific research and plays a critical role in development of Neurosciences in India. He has authored some 100 odd papers and has trained many neurosurgeons... His present research efforts dealing with neurological disorders of the nervous system, including developmental defects and foetal neural transplant merits commendation...I won't take much of your time now instead I would like to invite him to share his experiences and knowledge and tell us something about the latest developments in his research work" a round of applause follows and he gets up to address the gathering consisting of doctors, interns and medical students...Nidhi felt butterflies in her stomach for the first she came to know about his contribution to neurosciences...they never discussed their professional lives infact they never had the time...she never asked anyone about him...all she knew was he was held with high esteem in medical fraternity for his professionalism and the knowledge though she had the glint of his expertise on the day he vetted her paper but she didn't know he is doing research as well... and he has authored so many papers but she knew he is writing and has written many articles in medical journals...her eyes were hooked to him displaying...pride and admiration at the same time..her eyes turned moist when she began to ponder and contemplate...What made her so lucky?

He never prepared for the speech... so he carried nothing along... no lap top, no tab or any paper...he was so proficient in the subject, he nurtured and mastered all his life in a consuming passion...he was immersed fully deep down its depths... yet the thirst for knowledge was as unquenched as it was some 15 years back...the way he began his speech and enthralled his audience for two long hours mesmerised Nidhi... after answering questions of the doctors, senior as well as juniors, interns and medical students who were keen to know about his research work...he thanked all which was instantly responded by a tumultuous applause and a standing ovation...Nidhi's heart leaps out finding hard to resist the temptation of yelling and screaming at her loudest to tell the world "He is mine!!! and she belonged to him"

She yearned for a moment with him...he was having his lunch with Dr. Johansen and other senior doctors...though they stole many glances at each other...they were missing each other badly...so close yet they can't talk...Ashutosh could not bear sad look on her face and he didn't miss that she hardly ate anything...her phone buzzes with incoming sms her face brightens...she opens the message "Am I going to have only five spoons of food in lunch I'm starving if you have forgotten I had only soup in the dinner last night" she gives him a questioning look and her phone buzzes with another sms "when are you going to take the sixth one and have mercy on my poor starving tummy" she suppresses her smile and begins her food relishing every bite knowing they are together though sitting in the far corners in the restaurant...after having food she sms him "Howz my poor starving tummy feeling now...want to eat more"...she glanced around and saw him smiling ... "Thanks Jaan you're done"...she gets up to leave and sms' him... "My number is second"... "I know...all the best! and don't worry you'll cover yourself with glory."

After Lunchtime Session:

Nidhi never felt nervous, this is for the first time she was feeling a bit nervy not for the reason she wanted to make an impact on everyone she never bothered for such thing...she always believed in if a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing well...her concern today was what if her hundred percent missed to match his stature...what if she couldn't impress him...she geared herself up giving a glance to him...he returned an assuring gaze as if saying "Don't worry I'm here"...and she began to read her paper...everyone remained deeply engrossed till the end...and when she answered the varied questions of the audience on Epilepsy, Neuro-oncology, stroke, neuro-immunology Ashutosh was knocked for six. It was now his turn to be stunned to see the confidence, expertise of his love. When she ended answering last question on neonatal neurology...her eyes fell on his face...the shine and sparkle in his eyes make her to take a relieved breath in contentment... this is what she wanted to see... to be worth...to deserve his love.

Nidhi was entering her room after the first day's proceedings were over...she was pinning to meet him and talk to him...but she saw him leaving the hall with Dr. Johansson...she wasn't sure whether he was going out or...then suddenly she refutes her thought "No he'll inform me if he moves out of convention centre...he must be here...I'll call him after sometime"...and her phone rings...

Col. Verma: Hello Beta, How are you? How are you feeling now?

Ni: I'm fine Baba... feeling much better.

CV: Good! Take care of yourself...a pause... beta you know your dadi bua's son Mukesh is here.

Ni: Really when did he come?

CV: Yesterday morning...he returned to India last month you know that?

Ni: Yes Baba I talked to him...he wasn't feeling well at that time...howz he now...he is having some neuro problem I guess.

CV: Yes Beta he is here for that only...

Ni: For that...what do you mean Baba?

CV: yes Nidhi...some neurologist Dr. Johansson has referred him to Dr. Ashutosh. He is having medication as per his advice...but he advised him to visit Dr. Ashutosh only... if he feels any need during his stay in India and Beta he is complaining pain from last few days.

Ni: So whatz the problem he can take his advice...and the neurologist Dr. Johansson is also present here in the conference...but I'm not sure Baba whether I can talk to him or not.

CV: You see if you can talk to Dr. Johansson but I think...he is staying here in India for sometime it is better to take Dr. Ashutosh's advice...I tried yesterday...his assistant has fixed an appointment after one month...and then on Dr. Rangnaths reference he gave an appointment after one week...

Ni: Well Baba he is here for the next two days and then he must be having large number of patients already lined up...why don't you talk to him personally?

CV: No Beta I don't want to...doesn't look nice to use personal relations otherwise I could've talked to Baba...but I don't want to...so unethical.

Ni: Baba..You and your army principles...it's a matter of life and in case of medical emergencies we can do that...we can't wait for a patient to develop complications.

CV: Okay! As you wish. I'll talk to him and let you know...you take care, Beta. But Nidhi...

Ni: yes Baba

CV: I had no idea our Lucknow city is having such a famous Neurosurgeon.

Ni: Yes Baba...he is very accomplished in his field. Here in conference I came to know how much he is being admired...his contribution to neurosciences is acclaimed so much. Baba you know he has already 100 papers to his credit and he is currently working on a research project that can do wonders in neurosciences.

CV: Taking a deep sigh...Baba- your Nanu is his mentor...he has brought him up...and seeing that my guilt has swelled...I did so wrong to Nandini...she too could've touched skies...she couldn't complete her course...

Ni: Please Baba...What has happened has happened we can't change that...don't worry I'll fulfil all your wishes...mom's and Nanu's wishes.

CV: Taking a sigh again...God bless you Beta.

Nidhi smiles looking fondly at her phone... lying on her bed she starts pondering how Baba will react when he comes to know about their love... thinking about her Baba she realises she should be the one to tell him first... "Baba may feel bad if he comes to know about our relationship through someone else...I've always shared everything with him...he remained always by my side like a friend...I should be the one to tell him first" she decides to discuss with Ashutosh and gets up to refresh and get ready and see if she can steal a chance to meet him...she was on her way to washroom and her phone rings again:

Ni: Yes Baba

Cv: Beta I talked to him...he was so generous...he talked to your uncle over phone...enquired about his health asked a few questions and then told us to mail the scanned copy of his reports and prescription so that he can advise medicines till he is back and can check him up.

Ni: Oh! That's great.

Cv: yes convey my thanks to him when you see him.

Ni: Okay! Baba.

CV: Take care Beta.

Nidhi tries to call him after freshening up but he didn't answer...presuming he must be busy she waits for his call.

After an hour:

Ashutosh was busy with a conference call when he receives her sms:

"going to see Arabian sea view point"...she was on her way to move out of the convention centre with Dr. Sidarth, when she receives his sms "No love you can't"

She purse her lips "Sorry Siddarth my Baba wants to talk to me I can't come this moment he has to discuss something very important, actually my uncle is not feeling well"...

Siddarth: "Nidhi you tried to give hundred excuses ever since I asked for ...you're not wiling to come...Okay!!! I'll go alone" and with that he leaves.

She couldn't say no when he insisted a lot though she tried to avoid...she too wasn't wishing to go... she won't have been able to enjoy...taking a deep breath she takes the lift to reach her room...the moment she shuts the door and plonks herself in the couch her phone rings, "where are you?"...

"Why didn't you allow me to go?"

He shrugs his shoulders... "My wish"... "but I want to see the Arabian sea"...

"Your wish is my command ma'm"

She smiles... "Fine, let us go!"... Laughing in response... "Not now... may be tomorrow"...

"Why? Why can't we go this time?"... "Okay! I'll take you there but you'll stay away from water"...

"hmn...what is the fun of going there when you can't feel the waves breaking and crashing against the shore?" ...

He laughs at that "you know you can't do that...you want to catch fever again...I promise I'll take you there"...

Taking a resigned sigh she agrees "Fine! But It's so boring here"...

"It's getting dark outside...let us take a stroll to have a lake view"... "Really!"... "hmn...I'll wait in the lawns and we can meet there by chance"... she giggles in response... "Yes by chance"

When she moved out she looked around for him... she saw him on the walkway towards lake chatting with Dr. Behl...when their eyes met he started his amble towards the lake stopping and looking around occasionally and Nidhi followed them...on reaching the lush green embankment they sit on a wooden settee... soothing themselves looking at the serene waters of the lake...presenting a view of moonlit and star studded sky with reflection of moon and lights twinkling on its silent ripples...

Dr. Behl- "Nice view sir and it is quite cool here"

Ash- "Hmn" he never talked much so they remained quite, staring at the tranquil surface of the water...

Nidhi remained a bit away but Ashutosh's eyes followed her averting Dr. Behl's gaze... he wasn't knowing about her presence but soon taking a look around he spotted her and murmured...Dr. Nidhi is also here...Ashutosh turning his head looking towards her their eyes met and she smiled and walked up to the place where they were sitting...

"Hello Sirs!"... Ashutosh kept his mum but Dr. Behl answers, "Hello...Dr. Nidhi! You enjoying?"...

Ni: "Yes Sir, I just love it"

Ashutosh raised his eyes giving her a meaningful look she couldn't comprehend her articulate little frown made clear to him...Dr. Malika's "Vow KGH is here" make them all to look at her...

Nidhi answers "yes ma'm we met here... by chance"...accentuating her 'by chance'...that makes Ashutosh to suppress his smile...

"Hmn...Can I join you?"

Dr. Behl answers, "Most welcome ma'm but I'm sorry I'll have to take your leave as I'm going to meet my Aunt in Bandra" he leaves and Nidhi's phone rings displaying Rohan's call...she moves a bit away to answer her call but within the vivid reach of Ashutosh's gaze.

Malika looking at the lake... "I heard there are some 10 to 12 crocodiles in the lake"

Ashutosh: "hmn" he was staring at Nidhi...who was laughing at something while talking on the phone...her smile was enough to lure him towards her...Malika turned to look at him and was stunned to see him watching her like that...his eyes seemed mesmerised...her doubts were seeing a blatant reality hard to deny... her calm goes bang and makes her desperate to ask and enquire about the reality but at the same time she wanted to hold herself and not to annoy him but his unblinking gaze at her was hard to stand and she blurts out almost in a murmur... "You are falling for her...aren't you?" and waits for him to react...after a few secs when Nidhi ended her call he asks, "Did you ask anything?" she shakes her head.. Nidhi after taking a few steps on her way back receives another call from Anji that makes her stay put with the call... Ashutosh with his gaze fixed on Nidhi utters... "I am not falling for her I have fallen for her" stunning Malika...he turns to look into her eyes and continues "She is my love Malika...the Love I waited for ages"...giving a look to Nidhi he turns his head back... "I wanted to share this with you in the morning but couldn't"

Malika gulps down, the words she would have never wished to hear; the land beneath her feet shook the moment she heard him say... "I have fallen for her"...she felt her breath ceasing as the pain took over the hope filled heart...she gulps down one more time...her pain...her broken hope and asks, "Do you have any idea what you are saying? She is fourteen years younger than you"... "Yes I know Malika...When does love evaluate and analyse it just happens?...My heart doesn't know how old I am and how old she is and just for the gimmick of numbers I can't deny my heart the first joy... my heart ever asked for...I only know I love her and with every fibre of my being...she may be younger than me but she is a mature grown-up person"...

Malika saw her retreating after hanging up the phone, she gets up saying: "I am going back to my room"

Ashutosh: "Malika Please" he grabs her hand... "Sit here"

Malika: "Please Ashutosh I want to be alone for sometime" tears brimming her eyes...Ashutosh felt helpless and released her hand...by that time Nidhi reaches there and notices Malika's changed countenance...Malika averting her eyes walks away swiftly...surprising Nidhi... and the pain and helplessness clearly written on Ashutosh's face prompts her to ask him, "What happened? Everything Okay?"

Ashutosh looks far away to clear the blur, calms himself taking deep sigh holds her hand and makes her to sit by her side... "I told her Nidhi"

She frowns a little then understanding dawns on her and she enquires in response, "About us?"... he nods his head in a yes.

Giving a resigned look she asks, "What was the need? You could have waited for the right time"

Ash: "Right time? What do you mean by right time?...Don't you know how she was behaving with you?"

Ni: "So what? Since the day I came to know I never felt bad"

Ash: "But I felt!...I felt bad for both of you...I felt bad for the way she was behaving ...you expect me to watch silently my friend behaving ludicrously when I could've stopped her...she is not like the way she acted up whenever she saw you"

Ni: I know...I know she is a nice person...you needn't feel bad for that...I never thought about her that way...though I felt bad in the beginning but since the day you told me about her feelings...I never took her behaviour otherwise. A silence of few moments...I think you should go and talk to her...just go and see how she is feeling...

Ashutosh nods in response and they both get up...they walked silently till they reached back...near the reception nidhi breaks the silence... "You go and see her... I'm in my room" he nods silently in response and leaves.

Malika was sobbing her heart out when he opened the door of her room which she hadn't locked in her desperation to enter the room quickly to cry out the pain that was ceasing her breath and give vent to pent up emotions ever since she heard him say "I have fallen for her..I love her"...the words were reverberating in her ears...she in vain attempt tried to close her ears by placing hands on her ears so that the echo of the words doesn't resonate her empty room...the thought 'she can't have him...she lost him and the hope she clung to all these years is broken" makes her to howl in pain. She burrows herself in a pillow so that her sobs doesn't reach other room...she was lying on the bed sobbing when Ashutosh entered her room...seeing him she quickly gets up wipes her tears...tries to calm herself...and manages to mumble, "I am fine"

Ash: Yes I can see that...a pause...Malika I'm sorry

Malika: "Sorry for what? For not loving me??? He purses his lips in response when she looks at him.

Mal: To love or not to love is not in our hands...if it would have been our discretion I would have tried my best not to love you...not even to look at you...taking a deep sigh...someone above plays the game...then a silence of few moments...Does she know about it?...You told her?

Ashutosh nods his head in response... "She loves me too"

Mal: I behaved very badly...didn't I? She must be laughing at me...

He shushes her, "No need to talk about that... she knows you are my friend and she respects you a lot.

A silence of few moments prevails again with Malika's sighs breaking the calm intermittently...after sometime she asks,

"What if her parents won't agree?" and turns to look at him

Shrugging his shoulders in response he takes a deep sigh and keeps his mum again his eyes turn teary

Malika: "Don't worry...what'll HE do with three broken hearts"

A sad smile forms on his lips...then pursing his lips... "Take care...see you at dinner..you are coming? Aren't you?

She nods in response and he leaves.

Originally posted by: rajanigandha26

Update please. We wait for your updates for a week.you can set time table from next week but now I want update.Please don't disappoint.

Originally posted by: Anjani9

Agree...

Originally posted by: deepaligupta197

Pansy plz gv us the update , u can coordinate with the other writers next week onwards!😃

Originally posted by: bc123456

Goodnight😭

Originally posted by: moushu

Hope to read your update today Pansy. Since you have maintained your schedule so well, sunday is not complete without it. How do you expect me to start a new week positively. So please do share your update