Part 20:
Atul, Muskaan,
Anjali ran up on the stage to compliment Nikki. "tu to badi romantic nikli
Nikki. I've never heard this song before." Muskkan inquired.
"But I've
heard this song before." Adi too joined and spoke with gritted teeth.
Nikki saw his eyes blazing with anger but right now she was more concerned
about Abhi.
"Excuse me.
I'll be right back." She handed over the mic to Muskaan and ran off from
the stage.
Adi started
following her but Divya seized his wrist and stopped him. She dragged him in a
corner and frowned, "Where do you think you are going Adi?
Adi jerked away
her hand and muttered furiously, "None of your business."
Divya's eyes
narrowed with fury. Hurt wrestled with anger as she spoke," Stop making
fool of you, Adi. It's a high time now. You know in your heart why she chose to
sung that song. Adi, try to understand. She is running behind Abhi and you are
running behind her. But look behind you.. for once.. To find out who is
following you. Adi. It's.." She threw her hands in the air as her voice
trailed off. Shaking her head wryly, she left from there.
Stunned, Adi
stared her for a moment. Hell with her and hell with everyone. He wasn't
concerned who is running behind whom.. Right now he needed to confront Ms.
Nikita Malhotra. He muttered an oath under his breath and massaged his
aching temple.
Nikki found Abhi
making his way towards the parking lawn. She ran behind him and grabbed his
hand, "Abhi, what happened? Where are you going?" She inquired
fretfully.
Abhi jerked his
hands out from her hold and grabbed her by shoulders, "Shut up! Just shut
up! Don't you dare to ask me anything, Nikita. Just leave me alone." He
pushed her away.
She stiffened, her
nerves were scraped raw and her own temper strained to the breaking point. Why
the hell he was so furious for no reason. It was just a song.
With the last
effort to sound polite she asked, "Abhi, what's wrong? I thought you'll
like it if I.."
"No. No. Damn
it. No." He held up his hand and fury blazed in his eyes "I told you
not to dig in my past, didn't I? Who told you about this song? Dam it who? Adi?
Divya? I'll never forgive if.."
"No
wait." Nikki shook her head promptly. "Neither Adi nor Divya. I found
that song on my own.,Abhi. You remember that day you gave me your laptop
and..."
"Oh
God!" Abhi rubbed his temple in exasperation. "Oh God, you were
sneaking on my things behind my back?" He asked in a low threatening
whisper. He sounded hoarse and Nikki shivered at his tone of voice. There
was something amiss.
Abhi was trying
with all his might to control his temper. But the strain was taking its toll.
She stood there rigid and his throat ached with the need to roar. "Dam it
answer me?" Abhi exploded.
Nikki stiffened,
her frayed temper sending bright spots of warning color to her cheeks. She
clenched her hands into tight fists, fighting back the tears, "Abhi,
please stop it. I wasn't.. I never.." She was finding it difficult to
speak and her voice trembled.
Abhi stepped
forward and grabbed her shoulders again. She cried out in shocked alarm. In her
panic, unthinking she put her hands on his chest. Abhi's gaze went on her hands
and then it slowly lifted to her face. When his eyes met with hers, her eyes
looked frightened and watery. Rigidity left his jaw and his gripped loosened.
He felt a distinct change in his heart and his eyes softened a bit. But the
change was momentarily. His mind registered back the reality and when he spoke
again his voice was steel cold, "Listen Nikita and Listen me carefully. I
don't like anyone.. I repeat anyone digging my past behind my back." Abhi
grounded out in the most dangerous threatening tone. Yet not releasing her from
his grasp.
Stunned into the
black immobility by his words, Nikki stared at him not certain what she was
listening. She opened her mouth to say something then promptly shut it again.
Her mind emptied of every thought. She stared up at him and simply waited for
his next move. She wasn't afraid of him or his rudeness. Not anymore. She was
confident that he would never hurt her. She started breathing again. Abhi saw
shattering tenderness in her eyes, trying to convince him that she cared for
him. His gaze was no longer hard and indifferent but speculative. Nikki's heart
lurched at complete vulnerability in his eyes. She didn't have any idea how
long they stared at each other. It seemed to her that Abhi was making up his
mind about something but she couldn't read what he was thinking. She was
looking at him with such tender innocent eyes; he could tell from her
expression that he was hurting her. She cared for him a lot and he was hurting
her. That thought took his breath away. He tensed. Hell, why he was always
so harsh on her. He hated himself at that moment. He needed sometime alone
to gather his thoughts. Before Nikki could try to comfort him, he jerked her
away, turned and left.. even without glancing back at her.
Nikki stood there
like a statue, her jaw clenched. She fought against the impulse to go behind
him, shake him and asked for an explanation.
"Wow, I never
knew you are such a fabulous actress."Adi clapped from behind, walking
into lawn where Nikki was standing.
Nikki lurched
around, miffed by Adi's icy sarcasm.
"Hun?"
Nikki baffled.
"So you were
lying all along. You lied to me when I asked you why you were so interested in
Abhi's past life. Oh Man! I was so dumb. I kept my friendship on a stake just
for you.. and you used me."
Fury again blazed
in Nikki's eyes and the simultaneous urge to slap the person standing in front
of her. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She demanded
Adi laughed
bitterly, "Nikita, I've heard it right. You are not that innocent that you
try to portray yourself. I just wanted to know why you sang that particular
song. Was that sum kind of dirty joke or you.."
"I love him"
Nikki cut him off, "Hear me loud and clear, Aditya. I love him. I love
Abhi. Dr. Abhimanyu Modi." She announced loudly.
"What? What
did you say?"
Nikki almost
jumped to her feet as Armaan's infuriated voice erupted from behind, like steam
hissing from a volcano. She took several deep breaths in rapid succession in a
bid to stall the inevitable. She stepped back as if attempting to turn and run
off nowhere.
"What did you
say Nikki?" Armaan closed the distance in three long strides and asked in
exasperation. Nikki blinked her eyes and then stared at him blankly. For one
tiny moment she was completely disoriented. Was she having a bizarre
nightmare? She had a sudden feeling that she was going to pass out there
and then. She curled her fingers in the tight fists. At that moment, alone, she
was facing an impossibly difficult and desperately important task. She mentally
pleaded for some strength. Abhi, please come back. I need you. Please God! I
need him. Her throat felt dry. She swallowed to find her voice.
Armaan rubbed his
face and tried hard to control his temper, yet nothing was helping him right
now. He took a long breath and asked in a dangerously intimidating tone,"
Nikki, answer me what did you say? Are you out of your mind? You.. you love
that.. that arrogant man?"
"Armaan..
Listen.." Adi interrupted but Armaan held up his hand. "Adi please,
stay out of this." He warned him.
"Armaan, I
love Abhimanyu." Nikki spoke again with sincerity and braced herself for
the explosive reception for her revelations.
Adi's heart
shattered into hundreds of pieces. He had lost his chance even before trying.
He felt suffocated all of a sudden. Divya was right. Gritting his teeth
hard, he went inside before he made fool of himself.
Armaan couldn't
believe what he heard. His best friend.. His Nikki wasn't making any sense
to him. Love that Modi? How could that be possible? He released her hand
and cupped her cheeks. His own eyes turned little watery as he spoke again
"That can't be true. No. You are lying. Nikki, is he trying to blackmail
you for something?" He asked concernedly.
"No.
Armaan." Nikki replied promptly. "Armaan, you will have to trust me
when I say I love him and he loves me too. More that you can ever
imagine." Nikki put her palms over his hands and spoke very softly.
Her words flicked
against his lacerated conscience like whips. Nikki met his gaze but his eyes
had turned cold, forbidden. Armaan shook his head and jerked her away. Instead
of retorting with haughty fury, he nodded and smiled wryly," Love Abhi,"
He laughed harshly. "You are making a huge mistake Nikita." He turned
back to gather his shattered emotions. His aloofness and attitude hit hard in
her heart. She opened her mouth to say something but Atul's panicky voice
stopped her dead in her track.
"Armaan.."
Atul walked up hurriedly to them and spoke in one breath, "B.. Billy uncle
has met with an accident. Fortunately Dr. Modi found him on the road. He is in
Sanjivani. "
Armaan and Nikki
froze to their places. Armaan was facing the worst nightmare of his life. Nikki
took a cautious step towards him to comfort him but his deadly gloomy voice
stopped her from advancing further in her track, "Don't, Nikki" He
turned his face to Atul and spoke worriedly, "Atul, please bring the
car."
******
Two days passed
and Billy was recovering pretty fast. Ridhima was surprised to notice change in
Armaan and Aditya's behavior towards Nikki. She witnessed their aloofness
towards her. In fact she noticed that three of them were trying to avoid each
other as much as possible. She tried to talk to Armaan but he kept mum all the
time. Finally she decided to have a word with Nikki when she gets her alone.
*******
Abhi closed his
file and massaged his temple vigorously as if he'd a worst headache. He wasn't
able to concentrate on anything since morning. He'd successfully managed to
avoid meeting Nikki in the last two days. Yesterday she'd left a message for
him which he'd ignored deliberately. As a result, he was feeling edgy and
grumpy. He got out from his chair and decided to take a round in Sanjivani in
the hope that he might encounter with 'the object of his edginess' and could
settle down the things.
In a less than
five minutes, he found himself outside the locker room. Finally he saw her.
Though her back was facing him, he knew she was wretched. It was visible from
her posture. He watched her in haze of pain and fought the urge to rub his
chest where it ached. For a moment, he wanted to stop fighting with himself and
take a shelter in her arms. Absentmindedly, he stepped forward but a shuffle
from behind broke his thought. He looked around and a wave of anger engulfed
him. Oh Man! Abhi, what the hell.. What are you doing? This is your work
place damn it.. And why the hell everyone just disappear nowhere and leave him
and her alone.. Arghhh.. Abhi, you need a psychiatrist. Hell.. He chided
his mind. Frustrated with himself, he shook his head in annoyance and left from
there.
Nikki heard some
noise behind her back. She quickly put Abhi's photo back in her locker. Wiping
her face, she closed the door of her locker. Ridhima entered in the locker room
and found Nikki. She looked around and got to know that no one was there in the
room except her and Nikki. Finally, she found the perfect opportunity to demand
some answers from Nikki.
"Nikki, how
are you?" Ridhima stood in front of Nikki.
"I'm good
Ridhima. How are you?" Nikki tried to sound casual but her voice trembled.
Ridhima noticed
dark circle below Nikki's eyes and her eyes were mildly reddened. "Nikki,
is everything alright?" . She frowned with concern, "Nikki, please
tell me something. Has it something to do with Armaan?"
Ridhima's worry
reflected in her voice. Nikki stared at her for a long minute. Her emotions
started turning loose. She needed to share what was going inside her. She
hugged Ridhima and started crying hard. Ridhima got perplexed and held into her
patience. She simply patted Nikki's back and let her cry out. Nikki somehow
felt comfortable crying in front of Ridhima. After few minutes, she sobered and
stepped back. Ridhima offered her handkerchief and Nikki wiped her face with
it.
"Feeling
better?" Ridhima asked with a reassuring smile.
Nikki shook her
hand and smiled back. "Thanks Ridhima."
Ridhima smiled
again and asked softly," Nikki, kya hua hai? "
Nikki swallowed
and started," Ridhima I love Abhimanyu. Dr. Abhimanyu Modi"
"Well,
somehow I'd already guessed it. So is that a problem?" Ridhima folded her
hands.
"No."
Nikki replied promptly " Ridhima, he loves me too."
"Well, then
what's the problem."
"The problem
is that Armaan got to know about this. And he..." Nikki threw her hands in
the air and told her entire story from the start. When she finished, Ridhima
looked thoughtful.
"Ridhima,
what do you think what should I do? To make him understand that .. that..."
Nikki inquired.
"Give him
some time Nikki. Give him some time. He will come around." Ridhima spoke
sincerely. But the fact was that even she didn't know how to do that.
Nikki's pager
beeped and her heart did a double take. It was Abhi's message for her. She
hadn't seen him in the last two days. He had, tactfully, managed to avoid her
and her message. Then why was he calling her now.. Was he going to..
Whatever it was.. Presently She needed to see him.. She squared her
shoulder and looked at Ridhima.
"Ridhima,
It's Abhi's message." She informed Ridhima.
Ridhima gave her
assuring smile and spoke," Go and talk to him. Everything will be
alright." Nikki sighed and smiled back.
****************
Nikki took a long
breath outside his cabin and knocked. She heard a curt 'yes' and walked inside.
She found him talking with someone on his phone. His back was facing her and
his body looked taut. She wondered whether he was still angry. For one hopeless
moment she actually considered walking behind him, wrapping her arms around his
waist and laying her cheek against the solid wall of his back. She wondered
what he would do. Push her away or would turned and take her in his arms.
At the same
moment, Abhi turned and stared at her with his trademark sullen look. Wrinkle
appeared on his temple as he disconnected the call. For a moment Abhi found it
difficult to tear away his gaze. Her misty eyes exposed her distress and it
panged his heart. Suddenly image of her singing his song entered in his mind
and that thought brought back a gush of anger. He suppressed his tender feeling
for her. Breaking eye contact, he started searching for some file on his table
to hide his own misery.
Nikki saw a muscle
twitched in his jaw and she knew he was not at all regretful'Arrogant man.
She frowned.
"Dr. Nikita,
I've called you to inform you that we've shifted Armaan's father in a special
ward. As you know Dr. Muskaan is on a leave for two days, I want you to look
after him." Abhi spoke in a matter of fact tone.
Nikki wanted
to throw something at him. There, Armaan was unapproachable and here, this
arrogant man was throwing his attitude at her. She had enough of their
arrogance.
"Armaan will
not appreciate it," Nikki replied curtly, depositing her hands in the
pockets of her lab court.
Abhi felt she
sounded pathetic. He looked at her and narrowed his gaze," Excuse me! What
did you say?" He inquired.
Nikki felt
exasperated. She folded her hand and started," Just for your knowledge,
I've told Dr. Armaan Mallik about my private affair. As expected, he didn't
appreciate it. As a result of it, today I've lost my best friend for my love.
And I've lost my 'so called love' for the reason yet unknown to me," She
finished with a chocking sound. As tears welled in her eyes, she didn't stop
for his response and stormed out from his cabin.
Abhi stared at his
closed cabin door. She told Armaan about them. And he must have said
something nasty to her. Why she sounded so miserable.. He threw file on his
table. His fingers curled into fists and he clenched his teeth. What the
hell.. For God's sake why he wasn't there when she needed him the most.. Abhi
felt mortified. Armaan Armaan Armaan.. Enough is enough.. Nikki, now onwards
you are not going to cry over Armaan Mallik.. He made up his mind and went
out from his cabin in search of Dr. Mallik.
Abhi finally found
Armaan in the baseball court. He was sitting on a bench with his head in his
hands. Abhi took a long breath. Let's get on with it Dr. Abhimanyu Modi..
You can do it.. You'll have to do it.. A truce.. With Dr. Mallik.. For Nikki.. He
clenched his jaw and shrugged again. Abhi, you'll have to do it.. For your
Nikki.. His mind repeated it like a mantra.. He released a long sigh and
walked towards Armaan, determined yet confused and nervous the way he hadn't
been in years. He silently sat beside Armaan and cleared his throat to draw his
attention. Armaan's head jerked up and he puzzled to find Abhi sitting beside
him.
Armaan never
got along with Abhi but something was changed in the last forty eight hours. He
had never felt this disoriented in his entire life. Not even when he'd fallen
for his basket. It was Abhimanyu, who was the reason why Billy was still
alive.. In the last forty eight hours, Armaan had seen different side of so
called sadu- Dr. Abhimanyu Modi.. A competent Doctor, a humble senior and a
kind human being.. Abhi's this behavior had disconcerted and perturbed him.
Abhi adjusted his
specs and cleared his throat again. Com'on Abhi get over with it.. Come'on..
His mind encouraged him.
"Armaan I
need to talk to you about Nikki," Abhi spoke firmly.
That was
it.. The wound was opened ... again.
Armaan stood up
hastily. "Dr. Modi, please. I owe you ... but I don't want talk to you
anything relating to Nikki," Armaan clarified.
"Dr. Mallik,
I'm not asking for your permission." Abhi too got up and spoke in his
bossy tone. Then he massaged his aching temple and sobered again, "Look
Armaan, We need to talk. I can't see Nikki like this. She.." His voice
trailed off.
"Well well
Dr. Modi. What do you think you know about Nikki?" Armaan folded his hands
and asked sarcastically. For the record, I would like to tell you that I know
her since.."
"I don't
think I need to answer any of your nave questions. But still i would answer it
Dr. Mallik." Abhi cut him off harshly.
He adjusted his
specs and started. "Well Dr. Mallik, for the record.." He threw
Armaan's words back at him and continued," I know that there's a matured
and emotional girl behind this facade of childish Nikki. What I know is that
she scares of the dark but never admits it. I know that she still mourns over
her Brother's death but she is scared to share it with others. I know that she
still craves for her parent's attention but she is terrified to voice her
feelings. I know that she hates to cry in front of other soul, hence at times
she opts for all kind of silly acts to hide her embarrassment. I know she
fidgets with her hands when she is nervous. And I know she is crazy for
chocolate chips cream ice cream and she hates to share it with anyone."
Abhi smiled for a moment. And suddenly he shook his head, "You know what
Dr. Mallik, I don't know why the hell I'm answering your foolish question? And
I don't have the excuse of being drunk also." Abhi massaged his nape to
hide his nervousness. Why in the name of God was he was feeling so
embarrassed.
Armaan was
dumbstruck and he gaped at Abhi open mouthed. Abhi finally looked up and found
Armaan staring at him blankly but he looked thoughtful. Was that working? Abhi
wondered.
"Armaan,"
Abhi spoke again, " the thing is that I don't like to see her crying over
someone. Be that it may you or whoever. I'll not tolerate that. It hurts me
here" Abhi put his finger on Armaan's heart and continued, "When I
see her in tears. Are you ready to lose your only best friend? Think about it
Armaan" Abhi finished sincerely and left. It was very difficult for him to
believe that finally he has spoken his heart.. That too in front of Armaan. He
indeed needed to consult a psychiatrist.. Dr. Nikita Malhotra you owe me big
time! Abhi muttered to himself and blew air.
On the other side,
Armaan stood rooted to his spot and stared blankly at nowhere for a long time.
Slowly his mind registered the meaning of each and every words uttered by Dr.
Abhimanyu Modi and his jaw tensed.
******************
Armaan opened the
door of Billy's room and he heard the sound of laughter.
"Arey aja aja
mere sher. Hum tumhari hi baat kar rahe the." Billy looked at him and
spoke cheerfully.
Laughter vanished
from Nikki's face and it turned to wariness. She immediately rose from the
chair.
"Umm Billy
uncle I've got some work. I'll catch you later." She spoke hurriedly.
Billy opened his
mouth to say something but Armaan's voice stopped him.
"Billy did
you congratulate Nikki?"
Nikki was startled
by his words and cast a quick wary glance at Armaan. But his face was blank.
"Arey bhai
aisa kya kar diya Nikki ne?" Billy inquired.
"Ab ye tu
batayegi ya mai hi announce kar du. About you and Dr. Abhimanyu Modi?"
Armaan raised his eyebrows.
Nikki was taken
aback and stared him without a blink. She wet her lips and opened her mouth to
speak." A..armaan, Me and Abhi.. I.." She stammered.
"Abhi? "
Armaan probed teasingly. "Tu to badi fast nikli Nikki." Armaan spoke
with his dimpled smile and winked at her.
Nikki felt as if
she was hallucinating. Before she understood what was happening she found
herself into Armaan's friendly hug.
Billy too was
astonished for a moment.
"Nikki, Dr.
Modi spoke to me few minutes back.. About you and him.." Armaan murmured
and sighed. "Nikki I'm happy if you are happy with him." He spoke
sincerely.
If she was
happy with Abhi.. That was an understatement.. Nikki grasped merrily.. Abhi talked to
Armaan.. He kept aside his ego and talked to Armaan.. A truce, he'd promised
her.. And he'd kept his promise. Her eyes gleamed with anew admiration and
endless love for Abhi. Now it's payback time, Nikki.. She made a
determination as tears of joy and relief sprang in her eyes.
To be cont..
Edited by Amy_an - 12 years ago
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