Hi, y’all! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. There are about 4-5 more updates of this FF remaining, but I hope you guys are enjoying nonetheless.
LOST TIME – PART 3.1
Two months ago, Raisinghania Mansion, In Vansh’s room:
Vansh brought out a suitcase and stuffed all of Riddhima’s belongings into it. As he packed the final item inside the luggage, Dadi walked inside the room.
Dadi (worriedly): Vansh, what’s happened to Riddhima?
Vansh: She’s not well, Dadi. We’ll have to send her away for a few days until she recovers, so that there’s nothing she can stress herself with.
Dadi: I heard Dr. Mehra say she’s lost her memory. Is that true? Is that why she doesn’t remember any of us?
Vansh (sniffing): I guess, Dadi. We’ve to run a thorough check-up first, but I’m shifting her into one of the service apartments that we offer all of our employees. She can stay there until everything improves.
Dadi: Usse ghar lautne mein kitna waqt lagega, Vansh? (How long would it take for her to return home, Vansh?)
Vansh (picking up the luggage): I don’t know, but We’ve to stay strong, Dadi. This is a tough phase for our family.
A few hours later:
He stuffed the bags inside the trunk of the car and drove Riddhima to the service apartment, near the Hospital. Thankfully, He’d been able to convince his family of the severity of the situation and erased any possible room for doubt.
At Riddhima’s Apartment:
Vansh prepared two mugs of coffee for themselves and they sat on the low-seating sofas.
Vansh (sipping at the coffee): It was easy to convince the family. Now, we’ve to see how we can trap Kabir.
Riddhima: Have you booked Sejal’s flight yet? When’s she coming?
Vansh: Oh yes, she’ll be here tomorrow morning. (mailing her the flight details) I’ve sent you her flight details, but are you sure we can rely on her? I can’t take any more chances, Riddhima.
Riddhima: I’m sure. And it’s not like we’re telling her anything; She’s just going to be here, so I don’t stay alone, right? (smiling at him reassuringly) Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.
Vansh: I hope so. (noting the time on his wristwatch) I’ll have to leave, but please take care of yourself. Dr. Ahuja’s said that you’re very weak to carry this baby because of losing one of the babies.
Riddhima (looking down sadly): Yes, don’t worry. I wish nothing of this had happened, though.
Vansh held her hand in his tightly and tried consoling her. He knew, the tragedy had struck her more than him. She was the mother, after all.
Present, Dr. Ahuja’s Cabin:
The door clicked open and Dr. Ahuja walked inside her cabin. She examined the reports and informed both of them that Riddhima’s internal injuries were slowly healing, although she still needed to take extra care of herself. She prescribed her a few medicines that didn’t have any adverse health effects and asked her to continue her physiotherapy routine.
Next day, Raisinghania Mansion:
Riddhima’s junior, Saanvi, drove the both of them to the Mansion in the morning before they’d begun their day at the Hospital. As Riddhima stood before the Mansion, she remembered the time she’d spent in here and felt nostalgic as her mind was filled in with those moments. She continued to reminisce the time she’d spent when Saanvi walked up-to her.
Saanvi: Ma’am, do we go inside? (Riddhima was lost in her thoughts) Ma’am! Riddhima Ma’am?
Riddhima: Yes?
Saanvi: Can we go inside?
Vansh, who was returning with Aryan after jogging, stopped by and greeted the two of them.
Vansh: Come on inside, Dr. Saanvi and Riddhima (quickly realizing his mistake) I mean, Dr. Riddhima.
The trio walked inside the Mansion, but Aryan stayed behind and looked at them, a sadness cinching onto him.
Aryan (thinking): Bhai, nothing can erase your tragedy. First, you lost your child and then, even your wife doesn’t remember you. You stay around her all day, yet you’re so distant. Don’t know when things in your life will be sorted.
He jogged and caught up with the others as they were entering the Mansion. Riddhima stopped at the doorstep for a short second before walking inside.
Riddhima (thinking): I’m here after two long months. I’ve missed the entire family in all these days, but there was no way I could come here. God knows when everything in our life would be sorted and we would live together happily. At least now I can come here once in a while, making the excuse of Ishani’s pregnancy.
All the members of the family looked at Riddhima sadly but held their emotions to themselves. Vansh had told them several times in the morning earlier that any amount of stress could harm her health. Dadi wiped her moistened eyes and excused herself with Chanchal following her inside.
In Ishani’s Room:
Riddhima: Hi, Ishani! How’re you?
Ishani (surprised since she wasn’t involved in the morning discussion): Hi, Doctor! I wasn’t expecting you, I thought you’d send a junior of yours? Anyway, it’s good you came. I was thinking it’d be better if you could guide me the first day, at least.
Riddhima: You can call me Riddhima, Ishani. (looking at Saanvi) This is Dr. Saanvi; She’s going to be guiding you for these 3 weeks before I assess your progress. After that, depending on the exercises that I prescribe, Saanvi may or may not continue. And you don’t have to worry, Saanvi’s very good at her work. She’s handled many of my patients and she helps me out too, sometimes.
Ishani: Helps you out? Are you fine, Riddhima?
Riddhima (after realizing her mistake, she laughed and tried brushing it off): Like, for the general stuff. If I’ve muscle sprain or something, then.
Aryan (walking in with a tray): Who has muscle sprain here? (looking at Ishani) Did you sprain your ankle again?
Ishani: Arey, no. Riddhima was just telling that Saanvi helps her out when she has muscle sprain or something.
Riddhima: Yes, I was just telling her that Saanvi is really good at her work and she wouldn’t disappoint you, at all. You won’t face anything like what you faced with your previous physio… (berating herself mentally) I mean, you’ll have no problems.
Aryan (thinking): How does Riddhima know that Ishani was facing problems with her previous physiotherapist? Could it be that she’s beginning to remember things?
Ishani introduced herself to Saanvi, breaking Aryan’s string of thoughts. The two shared a formal introduction, followed by a small talk when Ishani remembered about her milkshake.
Ishani: If you guys don’t mind, Can I get myself a drink from downstairs? Dadi usually prepares some milkshake for me. She says it’s good for the baby’s health. (smiling softly) If I don’t drink it, I’m going to get scolded. Please excuse me.
Riddhima (feeling sad; thinking): Had I been here, Dadi would’ve taken care of this kid similarly. She’d have been so happy that she was going to be a great grandmother to two kids. I wish I could tell her everything.
Aryan: Ishani, can you not see? Vansh Bhai asked me to get the milkshake for you. In fact, he insisted Dadi to prepare more so all of us can have some of it. Can you believe him doing that?
Ishani (looking at Riddhima): Must be something special!
Aryan poured everyone a glass of milkshake and walked out when Vansh came to the room. He looked at all of them, especially Riddhima while she looked at him in gratitude. She knew he’d done this for her.
Riddhima (sipping the drink): This is really delicious! Dadi must’ve some magic in her hands.
Ishani (seeing Saanvi also nod): Hai na? I’ve always enjoyed Dadi’s milkshake. It’s like how they show in the ads na, made with love. That’s why it tastes so much better, I guess.
Sometime later:
Riddhima was walking down the stairs with Saanvi by her side. She saw Vansh, Angre and Aryan discussing something in the living room. She assumed it might either be work-related or something regarding Kabir. As her mind wandered off to the possible discussions, she missed a step and had almost lost her balance, if not for Saanvi. She held Riddhima’s hand tightly and looked at her, her eyes widening.
Vansh (running toward her; shouting): Riddhima!
Saanvi (worried): Are you fine? Where were you lost?
Vansh (holding her by her shoulders): Why can’t you take care of yourself? One mistake and you know what would’ve happened. You know I can’t lose the two of you.
He held her hand and helped her climb down the stairs, carefully. Riddhima looked at him before turning her gaze to look at the others. She tried freeing her hand from his hold, but he held onto her tighter.
Once in the living room, he left her hand and asked Saanvi to ensure Riddhima was taking care of herself. Saanvi held her gently and walked out of the Mansion while Vansh stared at their retreating figures in worry.
Aryan (after witnessing the situation; thinking): Two of you? Who all was Bhai talking about? And why didn’t Riddhima react when Bhai held her so firmly? (recalling his plan with Vansh from before) Could it be that Bhai has planned something again, without my knowledge this time?
He recalled all that had taken place from the morning and decided he needed to do something to clear his suspicions.
In the Evening, At Riddhima’s Apartment:
Riddhima dialled a number and waited as the number continued ringing. After discussing with Vansh, the two of them had decided that they needed some other plan to trace Kabir. Hence, Vansh had reluctantly agreed to follow Riddhima’s plan.
After a few rings, A voice: Hello?
Riddhima: Hello, Kabir?
Part 3.2: Riddhima contacts Kabir again. Aryan visits Riddhima’s apartment. Aryan finds Sejal’s behaviour unusual. Angre traces Kabir. Vansh and Angre reach the traced location. Ishani falls ill.
That’d be it for this episode. Please let me know your feedback and opinions via comments and if there are any suggestions or changes, feel free to share them. I’ll see if I can include something over the next few updates. Thank you for reading!
Questions for you guys: What’s unusual about Sejal’s behaviour? Would Vansh and Angre find out Kabir?