meet me in the afterglow

Chapter Eight

"Ab Ridz kaisi hai?" Atul asked Armaan during a coffee break at work.

"She's much better. Abhi ke liye Dr. Keerti ne uska workload thoda kam kar diya hai toh she's been getting more rest," Armaan replied.

"That's good," Atul commented. "Aur woh Dr. Rahman ki course of treatment ke liye maan gayi?"

"We've reached a compromise," Armaan answered. "I also need it, toh hum saath mein jaayenge. Dr. Rahman se list bhi le li hai maine. We're going to go over our options tonight."

It wasn't that either Armaan or Atul, or even Riddhima for that matter, were ashamed of using the word therapy. But what Riddhima had said was true. If it got out that she was seeing a therapist, it could affect her career very adversely, and so, they all took care not to mention the words plainly at the hospital. There were already too many rumours surrounding Riddhima at work. Adding more to it was only a recipe for disaster.

"Hi, Dr. Armaan! AJ. Can we join you?" Yuvi asked, halting their discussions. He was accompanied by Suvarna and Naina.

"Of course," Atul consented enthusiastically. "Please."

They all made some small talk for a while, enjoying their break, when Sister Stella's cutting voice interrupted them, indulging in petty gossip as always, completely oblivious to who was around.

"Dekha na tumne?" She asked. "Aaj kaise Dr. Armaan ke saath chipak - chipak ke chal rahi thi, Dr. Riddhima?"

"Haan," another nurse commented. "Mujhe toh dekhke bohot bada jhatka lagaa."

"Bechaare, Dr. Armaan," someone lamented, "pata nahi kahaan phans gaye."

Atul was holding Armaan down, not giving him a chance to react impulsively. Armaan had fisted his hands so tight that his knuckles were going white. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Haan. Lagta hai ab Dr. Sid ke baad Dr. Armaan hi Dr. Riddhima ke naye..." Sister Stella was saying, but was cut off by Armaan, who had finally had enough.

"Dr. Armaan Dr. Riddhima ke kya, Sister Stella?" He questioned, seething.

Sister Stella was surprised to see him towering over her. Everyone at her table looked embarrassed at being caught and were looking everywhere else, trying to avoid Armaan's eyes. When Sister Stella remained quiet for a few minutes, not answering his question, Armaan repeated himself. "Main Dr. Riddhima ka naya kya, Sister Stella? Kya kehna chaahti hain aap?"

"Dr. Arrman, woh..." Sister Rohini, one of the nurses sitting at the table, fumbled, trying to explain, but not being able to say anything, knowing they were in the wrong.

"Maine aapse nahi poocha hai," Armaan cut her off. "Sister Stella, please boliye. Aap kehna kya chaahti hain?"

"Armaan..." Atul tried to step in, wanting Armaan to calm down lest he did something he regretted later.

"Champ, aaj nahi," Armaan stopped him, never taking his eyes off Sister Stella. "Please."

Atul backed off immediately, knowing that when it concerned Riddhima, Armaan wasn't likely to listen to any of them. He knew how guilty Armaan felt over not being there for Riddhima when she needed him. Standing up for her now that he was able to, was important to him. So, he didn't say anything and let Armaan lead the way he wanted to.

"Main wait kar raha hoon, Sister," Armaan reminded her. "Jab tak aap mere sawaal ka jawab nahi dengi, hum dono mein se koi yahaan se nahi jaayega."

Understanding that Armaan would not back off, Sister Stella finally said, "Sir... shayad aap jaante nahi hain ki Dr. Riddhima kaisi hain. Aapke bhale ke liye keh rahi hoon. Aap unse door rahiye."