Five days had passed but Riddhima had yet not returned back.These five days seemed like 5 decades to Vansh.He didn’t text Riddhima as he did not wish to disturb her.These were the longest days of his life.His inner soul knew that how he had spent these days….This lie was his life’s biggest burden and he wanted to tell the truth to Riddhima as soon as possible.But she had not returned yet.
Next day,Vansh went to college.He was sitting and staring at the door with a hope that she would come.Other students were coming too but he was just looking for her.And finally she came.At first,Vansh’s face glowed up.The person,for whom he dearly waited,had come.But when he observed carefully,he noticed that Riddhima seemed a bit dull.She came up to him and wished him morning and sat beside him.He thought,
Vansh(thinks): Riddhima never sits quietly like this…she is looking unhappy and dull…..maybe she’s worried for her nani maa…Shall I ask her the reason for her worry or not!
Professor came and started telling something.Riddhima was lost in thoughts but in order to not think about her,Vansh listened to what the professor had told.Professor started to teach.Although Vansh tried his best to concentrate on studies,he couldn’t.He just couldn’t see Riddhima in pain.He waited for the lecture to get over.
The bell rang.After sometime,Vansh and Riddhima were left alone in the class as the other students had already left.Riddhima was still looking at the desk.Vansh couldn’t
control himself and keeping his hand on Riddhima’s shoulder,he spoke,
Vansh: Riddhima…
Riddhima,who was trying hard to control her emotions,couldn’t hold more and immediately hugged Vansh and tears started to roll down from her eyes.Sometimes when we want to share our feelings with someone,but are not able do it,then even a slightest affectionate touch is enough to cry our heart out.After she felt Vansh’s affectionate touch,she felt that there is someone,with whom she share her sorrows,on whom she can rely upon.
She was crying continuously.At first,Vansh didn’t stop Riddhima from crying as he wanted her to vent out her pain.Tears are how our heart speak when our lips can not describe our pain.
After sometime,when Riddhima’s breaths started to become normal,he consoled her,
Vansh(caring): Riddhima,now stop crying.please don’t cry…..Look at me..(lifting her head from chin)look…(he wiped her tears)…Now tell me what has happened.
Riddhima(sobbing): V..Vansh…Na…Nani.She is admitted in hospital…(heavy breaths)Doctors said she is crit…
She couldn’t speak further.Vansh hugged her tightly as he knew,what Riddhima is going through.He also felt same when he was pranked about dadi.He tried to console her.He made her stand up and asked her,
Vansh: Riddhima,come…let’s go out.You need fresh air.You’d feel better.
Riddhima nodded.They were about to leave,when Riddhima’s phone rang.It was Chirag’s call.Riddhima immediately picked up the call.Riddhima tried to remain calm
.
Chirag: Hello Riddhima.
Riddhima: Haa bhai..how’s nani maa?
Chirag: Riddhima nani is out of danger now..(Listening to this Riddhima heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God)…doctors said that she’d be discharged after few days…. achaa I’ve to go to medical store…take care and stop crying now.
He hanged up the call.Riddhima had a bright smile on her face.From her expressions,Vansh had guessed that nani’s out of danger.Vansh called her.Riddhima was on cloud nine,she turned and immediately hugged Vansh.Vansh reciprocated.Tears again started to flow,but these tears were of happiness.After sometime,they backed off.None spoke about for a minute.Breaking the silence,Vansh spoke,
Vansh: Let’s go.
They left for the park.On the way,Vansh was lost in his thoughts.
Vansh(thinking): Thank god,Riddhima’s fine now.I couldn’t see her in such a miserable state….But shall I tell her now?.yes,I should tell her.
Vansh: Riddhima,I wanted to tell you something.
Riddhima: Yes Vansh,tell.
He was about to speak,when he thought,
Vansh(thinking): but she’s happy after many days.She had been worried all these days for nani and now she’s happy after long…And she’ll get hurt,when I’ll tell her about
me.I can’t tell her the truth now…when she’ll be much better,then I’ll definitely tell her.
While he was thinking all this,Riddhima was staring at him as she was waiting for him to speak.She shook him and asked him what he was about to say.
Vansh: I…I wanted to tell you that…that…that you look beautiful when you smile.Keep smiling always.Stay happy.(he smiled).
Riddhima too smiled,but shyly.They went to roam about the park.Vansh tired his best to divert Riddhima’s mind,so that she don’t get upset.He was happy that Riddhima was happy,but the thought of her knowing the truth was killing Vansh from inside.He didn’t want to loose Riddhima,not at any cost.
It was time for their next class and they went back to the classroom.After they had attended all the lectures,they bid good bye to each other and left.
Next day,7:45am
Vansh had reached earlier than normal.He was discussing with Angre,the plan of telling the truth to Riddhima.
On the other hand,Riddhima too reached college before time.She was roaming about,when she saw Vansh with Angre.She was about to go to him,when she heard someone calling her from back.She turned to see.It was Sufia.Sufia came near her and wished her morning.Sufia noticed Riddhima looking at Vansh.She spoke,
Sufia: Vansh is looking handsome,right?
Riddhima looked at Angre and nodded.She thought,
Riddhima(thinking): VR is looking handsome,but Vansh,he is looking the best.
Sufia and Riddhima were talking,when Sufia saw someone taking Angre to side.Angre and that person were talking while Vansh was standing there.He took out his phone and got busy.Meanwhile,Sufia said to Riddhima,
Sufia: Hey Riddhima!Look,Vansh is standing alone.Let’s go and talk to him.You are his friend.So you can talk to him and I’ll just adore him.(and she lost in her own
dreamland)
Riddhima,who was busy on her phone,nodded.She looked up and saw Vansh standing alone.She thought,
Riddhima(thinking): Wait,she just said that VR is standing alone.But it’s Vansh,whose standing alone.VR(angre) is speaking to someone…(looking at Sufia)Has she gone nuts?
Riddhima(to Sufia): But Sufia,VR is speaking to someone.We shouldn’t disturb him.And by the way,I’m not that good friend of VR.But yes,Vansh is my best
friend.We can go and talk to him.
Sufia,who was confused,looked and saw Vansh standing alone and Angre speaking to someone.
Sufia: Riddhima,just see,Vansh is standing alone.
Riddhima: That’s what I am saying.Vansh is standing alone but VR is busy.
Sufia by now had gone crazy.
Sufia: Riddhima,who’s VR?Who’s Vansh?Do you have any idea,what you are speaking.
Riddhima had also driven crazy.Pointing towards Angre,she spoke,
Riddhima(pointing towards Angre): look,he is VR.
(And pointing towards Vansh): And he’s Vansh….now is it clear.
Sufia: Riddhima,have you gone mad?First of all Vansh and VR are the same person.There’s only one Vansh in our class,Vansh Raisinghania.And that guy,whom you are thinking to be VR(pointing towards Angre)..is Angre.He is Vansh’s best friend cum brother.
Riddhima was shell-shocked listening to this.She hardly could speak this,
Riddhima: Yo..You are joking,right?
Sufia: Why would I crack such a lame joke.He is Vansh and that’s Angre.(seeing Riddhima’s condition)someone lied to you regarding their identities??
Riddhima shook her head.She was now understanding everything.Why Angre behaved odd at cafeteria.Why Vansh was introducing his family members himself…She was now able to connect the dots.Seeing her condition,Sufia helped her and made her sit on the bench.She went to bring water for Riddhima.
On the other hand,Vansh was going towards library,when he saw Riddhima,sitting on the bench.He went upto her and seated himself beside her.Riddhima turned her
face to the opposite direction.Vansh noticed that Riddhima was crying.
Vansh: Good morning Riddhima.
Riddhima didn’t say anything.Vansh thought that maybe her nani maa’s ill,so that the reason why she’s crying.He asked,
Vansh: Riddhima,is nani maa fine?…(receiving no answer,he spoke)Riddhima,what happened?Why are you crying?Please say something…you know I can’t see you cry.
Riddhima,who was sobbing,got up and started to leave.Vansh was surprised at her behaviour.He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and stopped her.
Riddhima: leave me!
Vansh: But please tell what happe…
Riddhima(interrupting): let me go.
Riddhima tried to free herself,but his grip was strong enough.
Vansh: Riddhima,just li…
Riddhima(shouted in anger): I said leave me,Vansh Raisinghania.
This came as a 440 volts shock to Vansh.As soon as his grip loosened,Riddhima freed herself and ran crying.Vansh was standing there numb.