AR FF:The Ways Of Love(Part 3:Pg 7) (Page 7)

Part 3

"And,This",Armaan paused,"is your cabin."
"Thanks a lot,Armaan..Its-Beautiful."

Riddhima's eyes wandered about the spacious room just beside the children's ward.It had a stylish interioir design,with a sopisticated touch.

"So",Armaan said,"Welcome to Sanjeevani,Dr.Riddhima Gupta,as the head of pediatrics!"

Riddhima smiled at him.It felt nice.

"Um..So,when do my duties start?"
"Right from today,Come with me,to the children's ward,I'll introduce them."

Riddhima followed him to the children's ward.He paused at the gate.

"My champions!",Armaan called,and all the children glanced at him.

They ran towards him,glad to see their favourite doctor.

"Dr.Armaan!Dr.Armaan!",a little girl jumped out of the crowd.
"Yes,Smita,my lil angel?What is it?"
"You know,all my friends here were telling me that nobody is going to marry me.When I said that you will,they told me that you will grow odl that time,that you will not wait for me"
"I'll wait for you,pakka,God Promise"
"You're cho chweet.",the girl smiled and hugged him.

Armaan lightly patted the girl's back.
Then,a boy came forward.

"Armaan bhaiyya,pata hai kya,aaj Sumit bohot dukhi hai.Kisi se baat nahi kar raha."

Riddhima watched as Armaan got up and went to a bed.A boy of about 8 years was crying softly,his head low,Armaan patted his back.The boy looked up,and hugged him,crying more and more.

"What is it?Tujhe koi ladki nahi mili kya?",Armaan asked,gently.

The boy sniffed and shook his head in a No.

"Toh phir?What happened?Tell me Sumit.I promise I'll try."

The boy sniffed back tears and looked up.Then he started to speak.

"Armaan Bhaiyya...Kal...Kal,meri mummy ayi thi mujhse milne.Unhone mujhse kaha ke,main ab aur football nahi khel sakta.."

He broke down again,Armaan ruffled his hair to comfort him.

"Par kyun Sumit?"
"Bhaiyya...Mummy ne kaha ke mere school ke fees bharne ke liye unhe bohot kaam karna parta hai...mere ilaaz ke liye bhi..Isiliye,mujhe football academy chod..c-chod ni padhe gi...Woh mere p-papa nahi nahi hai na..."

Armaan could sense the pain he was going through.He patted his back again.

"Sumit...I promise main tere mummy se baat karunga."
"Sacchi?"
"Pakka,tere liye.Ab chalo,Smile."

Sumit smiled a little and all the other children shouted,"YAY!!"

"Oh.God."
"Kya hua Bhaiyya?"

Armaan turned to the kids.

"Champions...This is your new doctor,Dr.Riddhima...Tum log sab Hi bolo!"
"Hi Riddhima Didi!!!"
"Hi baccho!Abhi tum log ko koi bhi problem ho,mujhe batana,okay?"
"Okay Didi!"

Riddhima smiled.She felt completely at peace.The children had accepted her.She felt amazed at how easily,effortlessly,Armaan loved and mixed with the children.It seemed as if they were a big family altogether.

"Armaan,can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How do you manage children so well?"

Armaan smiled.

"Riddhima,Children...They're anyone's best friend.I love kids.You know,they trust you,and its important for you,to keep their trust,afterall,they're like family.They like to play with you,make you happy,they teach you how to Love.."

Riddhima froze at the word."LOVE"
Armaan had actually said this word.

"Um..now can I ask you something?"
"Yeah,sure."
"Will you go out for a coffee with me,tonight?Just a friendly coffee."

Is it a date?,was Riddhima's first question that floated in her mind.The thought was nice,she felt.Don't know why.

"Ok."
"Great.7:30,after duty?"
"Uh-huh."

Armaan smiled in happiness.His love had said YES.

Our first date,Armaan thought.

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Maitree