Chapter 24: "Its All About Emotions!"

The epsiode starts with Riddhima coming out of VR mansion. She went to the garden and stood there watching the moonlight. Her eyes were teary.

She wanted to cry and calm herself. She wanted to get rid of all the pain that now flows like blood throughout her body. She was feeling as if she had won a battle and at the same time, as if she had lost one. She was feeling guilty for making Vansh fall on his knees for apology but at the same time, she remembered how she had asked for apologies the same way. She was upset for her refusal of forgiving Vansh but the same time, she was feeling the pain that she suffered when she asked for forgiveness. She was utterly dejected.

She was extremely full of emotions and tears. She wanted to scream loudly and expel out all the frustrations and pain of past 5 years in a go. She wanted to remove her mask of being a strong and emotionless person but the reality was that...she is not the one like whom she poses in front of everyone. She had emotions too. Not able to bear anymore, she fell on her knees sitting on the ground and started crying bitterly. She just wanted to cry, to remove out all the burden on her nerves. And she did it. She cried there for almost half an hour remembering each and every memory associated with Vansh, each and every emotion lived with him. Because finally, She was permitted to express her emotions to her own self after a long battle. She just kept on shedding silent tears and sobbs. After crying so much, she sat down and rest her head on her knees by wrapping arms around them. She closed her eyes just to have a moment of peace that could calm her nerves.

But she was unable to get it. She didn't want to think anything. She just wanted to be alone. Obviously, Loneliness was her only friend in all these years and her miseries. After some minutes. Something strike in her mind. She opened her eyes and got up. She took out her phone and called someone.

Meanwhile, In the VR Mansion, The condition of RaiSinghanias was no less. They were completely dejected of how badly had they treated Riddhima. How cheap they had thought of her. Out of all, The most affected were two persons. Sejal and Vansh. Sejal was extremely guilty of misunderstanding and mistrusting her own best friend. Infact, A sister indeed! How can she not listen to the voice of her heart that used to shout alot that her sister, her Riddhima can't be a cheater. She always avoided those voices and kept on believing what she saw. The same case was of Vansh too.

He was standing still at one position just trying to figure out what had happened in his life. What he has done. He was staring the hall entrance, from where for the first time, she came, from where she left pleading for forgiveness and promising to never come again, from where she came back again with a totally different identity and finally, from where she again left without forgiving him. He didn't know how to handle himself. He was remembering each and every memory.

He felt like he should give the same pain to himself that she gave to her Riddhima! Observing his condition, Ajay came forward and pat his shoulder. He didn't look up. Instead, he bowed down his head as if he were extremely embarassed for what he did.

He was not able to meet the gaze of his father. Ajay smiled.
A(smiling): Don't be embarrassed Vansh! You are my pride. Though Riddhima is extremely angry with you but you are her pride too.
Listening to his words, Vansh hugged him and shed some silent tears. Ajay reciprocated too with a smile. Before breaking hug, Vansh wiped his tears and asked Ajay in a low tone,
V: Will she forgive me Dad?
A: It will take time. But She will.
Vansh took a sigh of relief at this. Sejal was also extremely embarrassed. She hesitated but asks,
S: Where had she gone?
Ajay: Having alone time. She is like this. Whenever she doesn't want to show her emotions, she goes away for an alone time. Don't worry. She will be back.
Aryan and Kabir who were silent till now trying to understand all the situation, finally spoke,
Aryan: Yeah! She is like this. She never shows her emotions to anyone. She never shares her feelings with anyone.
K: Whatever happened was according to her plan but still she is hurt beacuse she somewhere expected something different from you. But everything didn't go with her expectations. Thats why, she is hurt.
Ishani: I did worst with her. I always doubted her intentions.
Ajay: It was not your mistake. It was all in her fate.
Sejal: Her beautiful fate, we messed up so badly.
She started crying again. Angre went to her to console her.
A: Its ok! Don't cry. Its not your fault. It was bound to happen like this.
She hugged him and cried more. In her crying voice, she said,
S: No Angre! She kept on aksing me to trust her. But I didn't listen. I am not a good sister.
Angre reciprocated her hug and patted her back trying to calm her.
They were so engrossed in their hug that they forget that some pair of eyes were watching them.
Ishani giggled and hit her elbow on Sia's arm to gain her attention.
I: When will these two love birds realize their love?
S: I don't know it either.
Kabir whispered,
K: Is it some kind of lovey dovey relationship?
S: Kind of? They are both fools to not realize their love yet.
Aryan: I know two other fools too.
Aryan indirectly said it for Kabir and Sia. But no one got it.
They were all talking to enlighten their moods when a Sia received a message. Reading the message, her eyes widened with shock. She shouted,
Sia: What!!!!
Everyone became attentive to her. Vansh spoke,
V: What happened Sia?
S: Bhai! Riddhima!!!
Ajay: What Riddhima? Is she okay?
Sia: She had transferred Lifeline Hospital on Dr. Shekhawat's name. He is the new head. It means...
Aryan: It means that She is going back to Delhi.
Kabir checked his mobile. He also had received Riddhima's message. He read it and spoke,
K: Aryan is right! She left. She texted me that mission is completed. Done with all the pending works. Going back to Delhi.
Everyone was shocked. Vansh shouted,
V: No!! She can't leave me. Angre! Ask the Police authorities and check post to stop her. I am going to get her back.
Ajay: It won't help. You are forgetting. She is the chief. No one can stop her.
Vansh(stopping): You are right! No one can stop her but you! Dad!! You can stop her. She will listen to you.
Ajay: Let me call her.
He took out his phone to call Riddhima but then his gaze fell on the entrance door.
A: Riddhima!
Everyone looked at the gate. Riddhima was standing their with no expressions. She came forward to Ajay ignoring all others.
Ajay: Is it true? You are going to Delhi? Without even telling me?
R: Yes Dad! I am going. Actually, I didn't want to return back but I couldn't go without meeting you for the last time. Now, You are going to live here and Delhi is my place. My work is completed here. I am not needed here anymore. I don't think we will be able to meet again unless you come to Mumbai. So, I came to just hug you for the last time.
Ajay: Riddhima! ....
R(cutting him): Please Don't ask me to stay. Beacuse I won't. And you know that. Please don't ask something that I can't accept. Because I can't deny your request.
She hugged him immediately before he could say something that could stop her from going, wiping her unnoticed tears.
Sejal who was extremely emotional, came forward.
Sejal: Please Don't go Riddhima! There is a lot to talk. I cant let you go this time. I am sorry.
She started crying. Riddhima was emotional too but before entering in VR Mansion again, she had made up her mind that she will not fall weak at this last goodbye. So, she just spoke with firmness,
R: Its ok Sejal! I have no grudge with anyone. As I said before, Mumbai is not my place. Good bye!!!
Saying so, she moved to Sia. She was also crying.
Sia: Don't go Riddhima!
R(cupping her face): You are the best Doctor Sia! I want you to be more and more successful in life.
Sia: It is not possible without you.
Riddhima was trying to ignore her words as she had nothing to say about them in return. To stop her from more requesting, she pulled out a box from her jacket and gave it to Sia.
Sia(wiping her tears): What is this?
R: Open it!
Sia opened the box. It had a wrist watch with rose gold coloured chain and a metal pen of the same colour. "Dr. Sia RaiSinghania" was written on the dial of the watch and on the body of the pen. There was also a note with it,

"For the most beautiful, selfless, responsible, cute, lovely, adorable and intelligent doctor! Sia RaiSinghania! I will miss my lovely younger sister!"

A delightful smile appeared on Sia's face and she hugged Riddhima saying, "Thank you!"
R: You welcome dear!
Breaking the hug, Riddhima went towards dadi who was so emotional that she was not able to say anything. She just caressed Riddhima' cheeks. Tears roll down her face. Riddhima spoke,
R: I am sorry Dadi! The day when I came, I didn't take your blessing. I know I had hurt you that day. But it was just to keep you all safe. I was being watched by enemies. I didn't want to show them that I knew you all a long ago.
D: You don't need to clarify anything now. Infact, I should apologize for not trusting you. I was so bad at...
R(cutting her): Dadi! Dadi! Not a word more. I have cleared it before, that I have NO grudges with anyone. You all don't need to apologize. You all did what was supposed to be done. You all reacted exactly the way it should be. Except from some people.
She eyed Vansh. He was silently staring at her since the time she entered to say goodbye. But because of his embarrassment, he was not able to say anything. He was staring her continuously but when she said that, he looked in other direction as if he understood what she was pointing towards.

Riddhima stared Vansh and then looking at Aryan and kabir, she spoke,
R: Aryan and Kabir! Thank you so much for supporting me in this mission. Both of you live with me but If you want to stay with your news friends, (looking at sia and ishani) You can stay till the time you want to. Take care of yourself you both. And Dad! (Looking at ajay) I will miss you! Good bye!
Saying so, She turned towards the door swiftly. She was trying to maintain her stiffness. However, she was filled with many emotions from inside. But didn't want to show them. Well, she was a pro in this. In hiding her emotions and posing to be stiff and stern. The moment she turned to leave, she heard a voice full of emotions. A voice having pain, concern and plead. It was Vansh who finally got the courage to speak.

V: Won't you say something to me?

She stopped but didn't turn. He continued.
V: Won't you argue with me this time? Won't you say that "Mr. RaiSinghania! Stay in your limits. Mr. RaiSinghania! Don't try to boss around me. Mr. RaiSinghania!......(he stopped for a while) I hate you!"
Listening to him, she turned and looked at him with no emotions. He continued again.
V: The day you came back after 5 years, You came back with lots of memories and emotions. But you yourself were emotionless. You were always ready to fight and argue with me. Whenever I accused you, Whenever I challenged you, you were always ready to fight back. To challenge back. You always had the audacity to face my hatred though you never deserved that. Still you keep on fighting. Even If I just say "Riddhima" in anger, you were always ready with a befitting reply of thousand words to smash on my face.But today... You didn't even say a goodbye to me. I know I am very bad. I know I didn't trust you. I know that I am not eligible to be called as "Vansh" instead of "Mr. RaiSinghania". I know I am the worst but........Am I not even worthy of a Goodbye?

Ridhima was listening to him. She was teary eyed but didn't want to fall weak.

She kept on listening.
V: You were always strong Riddhima! You never cared for my words, for my accusations, for my hatred towards you. You were only bothered about my protection. I am not like you. I never trusted you. I am...I am sorry!!!!

Ridhima swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke,
R: Its not needed now. And Really I don't get the reason for this long speech. What do you want to say? Come to the point directly.
V: Can I ask you something?
Ridhima smiled sarcastically looking in other direction and then look back to him but didn't say anything.
V: Ridhima! Even a criminal who is dying gets the chance of being asked about his last wish. I know I am a criminal in your eyes and I will really die if my wish doesn't get fulfilled. Riddhima!!....
He took a deep breath trying to swallow the lump formed in his throat and then, started to move towards Riddhima slowly.
V: Riddhima!! Please forgive me. I know I have hurt you alot. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. But please Forgive me. Please give me another chance. I won't be able to live without you. I can't bear your hatred Riddhima! I need you! I will die without you.
He stood in front of her,
V: I need my Riddhima! I really need her!

Now these words were enough to bring out her anger and emotions out once again. This was enough to turn her silence into storm. Everyone was watching them and waiting for Riddhima's reply. And she in extreme anger and stiffness, spoke,
R: Wow! So now, You can't live bearing my hatred. You won't be able to live peacefully without my forgiveness. Very well, Mr. Vansh RaiSinghania! Even today, you just think of yourself. You just want to satisfy you soul that I have forgiven you and now I don't have any grudge with you. You just want to assure yourself that you don't have to regret about anything in future.
V: Its nothing like that. I just...
R(cutting him): You can't live in my hatred. Yes or no?
V: You are misunderstanding! I...
R:(loud): Yes or no!!!
V: Yes!
R: You want my forgiveness and lessen your guilt. Yes or no?
V: Yes!
R: You had always hated me for what I did. Yes or no?
V: That was because I didn't....
R: I am asking yes or no?
V(hesitating): Yes! But...
Riddhima again smiled sarcastically.
R: That day, you twisted my statements the same way I did today. Yes or no?
Vansh looked up directly in her eyes. The feelings he had now made him realize how hurt she was when he questioned her.

In his guilt, he spoke,
V: Yes!
R: I have listened what I wanted to. I don't want to have any more explanations.
She again turned to go but Vansh held her by her wrist,
V: Please Don't go Riddhima! I am ready to bear all your hatred but please! I need you.
She became angry. She jerked her hand to remove his grip and turned with fierceness in her eyes,
R(anger): So now that I am proven innocent, you need me? Now you know the reasons behind my actions so I became worthy of you? I again became deserving to be at your side? Tell me? Don't have I any self respect? You leave me whenever you want. You order me to come back whenever you want. What do you want from me Vansh RaiSinghania? I am not your servant!!
V: I am not ordering. I am just requesting you Riddhima.
Riddhima in anger pushed him.

R(anger): Did you listen to my requests that day? Then, why I listen to yours?I killed my self respect that day just for your forgiveness. I pleaded you for one chance to explain myself. Did you give it to me? That day, you all kept accusing me, putting baseless blames on me and calling cheap dirty names for me? I kept on bearing your hatred. I was suffering from inside. Have you suffered a fourth of the pain I have suffered??? Tell me Mr. Vansh RaiSinghania! For what I should forgive you and for what I should punish you? Oh! Why would I punish you. Afterall, I have no rights on you.

V: You have all the rights Riddhima!

She pushed him again and he stumbled backwards.

R: Rights! Huh? You were talking about the last wish. Let me tell you. Even a criminal gets a chance to explain himself before dying. Did I got that chance? And talking about rights and relations, If I had a single right on you or any member of this family, then by that relation, by that right, he/she would have tried to find me when I left. But you! (Loud) You were so busy in honouring your ego and anger that You never tried to find whether I am alive or dead!!! What right you claim on me now???? And what right should I claim on you??? (Taking a deep breath) Can you give a single reason for which I can forgive you? A single genuine reason that could make me believe that I should forgive you. Can you tell me?

Vansh was having tears in his eyes. He knew what she was saying, each and every word was true. He knew what she was going through and he had no way to calm her down. After all, he was responsible for all this. And now a reason. She asked him a reason for forgiveness. Though he had thousand reasons and thousand explanations, at this moment, all of them seemed useless to him except one,

V: Because....because I Love You!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALOT!! From the core of my heart!!!!

Riddhima's eyes turned red. She had tears but of pain and anger. She was extremely angry at that moment. It was the most beautiful reason, but for Riddhima, It was the worst. Afterall, that was the only reason, she was not able to forgive him and Vansh had unintentionally put fuel to fire.

R(Mad, fierce and dangerous...the worst): LOVE!!! What Love? Do you even know the meaning of love? What Love are you talking about? (Loud) THE LOVE YOU CALLED FAKE? THE LOVE ISHANI CALLED A SEDUCTION?? THE LOVE SEJAL CALLED A TEMPTATION?? THE LOVE DADI THOUGHT TO BE JUST A SHOW OFF? Huh???? The love in which you called me a GOLD DIGGER, CHARACTERLESS CHEAP MONEY MINDED PERSONALITY???

I HATE THAT LOVE!!!! I HATE YOU!!...

She was Speaking so loud and angrily that her voice was echoing in the whole mansion. Her voice was dangerous. She was speaking with all her might but then she felt her strengths weakening. She was feeling dizzy. She shook her head to get focus again, she spoke,

R: You killed my self respect that day!! I kept on pleading that I never fake my love. But you!!! YOU HAD DISRESPECTED MY LOVE!! YOU MADE ME STOOP LOW IN MY OWN EYES!! You killed me!! And now you are asking forgiveness in the name of this love???? You know what....you.....

She again felt dizziness. She was getting blurry visions. She was blinking her eyes forcefully to clear her vision and focus again. She felt as if she lost all the strengths in her.

R: You.....

She shut her eyes tightly and then opened them, expecting to get her vision again. She held her head with her hands and she stumbled. Vansh noticed it.

V(tensed): Riddhima! Are you ok?

She didn't reply. She again stumbled. Blood was coming out of her nose slowly. Everyone noticed her and shouted her name.

Everyone: Riddhima!!!

She was about to fall when Vansh held Riddhima in his arms, trying to support her,

V: Riddhima! Whats happening to you??
But all the sounds reaching her ears were fainting. Her face was resting on Vansh's shoulder and blood stains were on his shirt. And at last, she fainted too in his arms.
Vansh: Riddhima!!!!!