Chapter 4

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Rucha

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PRECAP: AR's FIRST MEETING.. WEDDING PREPERATIONS.. RM, ATUL ND SAPNA's INTRO.. AR's FEARS ND DREAMS OF BEING TOGETHER..


Part 3

 
Whole night Ridhhima wasn't able to sleep even a wink.. whenever she closed her eyes she picturised Armaan.. this was a knew feeling bubbling up inside her heart.. though she knew she liked Armaan as a person but she wanted some more to it..

While at Mallik house things were different.. from past one hour Tara was calling Armaan's name but he was sleeping.. she finally went to his room mumbling under her breath.. "pata nai kya hoga iska.. aaj shaadi hai aur janaab ghode beich kar so rahe hain.. pata nai bechari Ridhhima kaise samhalegi isse.."

She shook him hard this time.. "Armaaaaann.. uth ja ab.. ek ghante mein pooja hai.. Armaaannn.. ab agar tu nai utha to teri shaadi cancel.." she said chuckling as just after she completed Armaan sat on the bed with a jerk.. "What is it mom..? shaadi shaam ko hai.. subah se kyun utha rahe ho..?" he said taking Ryan from her nd kissing him..

"Arre shaadi se pehle ki saari rasam to tere saath hi hongi na.. chal ab jaldi ready hokar aaja.. Muskaan wait kar rahi hai.." she said taking Ryan nd turning..
"Muskaan..? kyun..?" Armaan asked confused..

"kyunki Dulhe ke ghodi chadne se pehle bhabhi uski nazar utaarti hai.. Tiya ke time to tumne court marriage ki thhi.. issliye tujhe yeh sab kaise pata hoga.." she said it but regretted it.. she turned nd saw Armaan abit sad at mention of Tiya's name.. She came nd put a hand on his shoulder.. While he just took Ryan nd hugged him close to his heart.. "I'm sorry Ryan.." he mumbled while kissing his cheek with watery eyes..

"Armaan.. Tiya ki death mein tumhari galti nai thhi.. so stop blaming yourself now atleast.. its been almost an year now.." Tara said in a stern voice nd turned to leave.. "Mom.. Ryan shaam ko nai aayega.. vo Bi ke saath yahin rahega.. ghar par.." Armaan said patting Ryan lightly as he snuggled into Armaan's neck.. tara just nodded nd left as she knew arguing with Armaan regarding Ryan would be fruitless..

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Sapna entered the room to find Ridhhima lost in her thoughts.. she was looking serious so Sapna just put a hand on her shoulder to get her back to the world..

"kahan khoyi hai Ridhu..?" she asked gently.. while Ridhhima just nodded in NO.. implying she has nothing to share right now..

"Achha dekh.. tera shaadi ka lehenga aa gaya.. abhi Armaan ka ghar se dekar gaye hain.. dekh.. bohot khubsoorat hai.." Ridhhima smiled nd uncovered the lehenga.. she gasped looking at the lehenga.. It was of Dark Red colour embedded with beads nd serousky nd golden weaving all over.. nd the jwelleery accompanying it was breath taking too.. it had all sort of ornaments from Mang Tika to her toe rings.. 


The same evening Ridhhima sat infront of the mirror looking at herself dressed up as a VERY BEAUTIFUL Bride.. Armaan's Bride.. the glow on her face was different today.. yet she had a few tears in her eyes.. Sapna came in to see her nd was stunned to see her in tears.. "Kya hua Ridhu..?" Sapna asked Ridhhima hugging her gently..

"Pata nai Di.. darr lag raha hai.. jab bhi mujhe khushi milti hai to kuch hi palon mein mujhse chhin bhi jaati hai.. mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai.." Ridhhima said hugging Sapna nd sobbing abit..


Afew minutes later Padma entered the room nd saw Ridhhima nd Sapna sitting.. she sent Sapna away for a few moments so that she could talk to Ridhhima.. as soon as Sapna left Padma turned to Ridhhima with cold expressions nd said "Ridhhima.. aaj tumhari shaadi ho rahi hai.. humein jo karna thha humne kiya.. aaj ke baad iss ghar se tumhara koi rishta nai hai.. ho sake to humari zindagi mein ab vapas matt anaa.. tumhe badaa karna humara farz thha aur ab vo pura hua.." She said in a warning tone but changed it as soon as she saw Sapna re-entering the room..

Ridhhima felt nothing new inside her.. she was used to this rudeness.. she wondered if after marriage she would be having a similar life  'jahan pyar ko majboori aur farz manaa jayega bas..'

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Armaan entered the wedding hall with his family nd friends.. When he met Sapna he was happy to meet a bubbly gujju girl.. as he introduced RM nd Atul to Sapna.. she was surprised to see Atul there..

"Oye Gujju..! tu yahan kaise..? aur Amit kahan hai..?" Atul asked Sapna in an anxious tone.. "Main yahan kaise ka kya matlab..? meri Ridhhu ki shaadi hai.. mujhe to aana hi thha aur tumhari vajah se mujhe leaves bhi kam mili.." she said grumpily.. while RM, Armaan nd afew minutes later Amit came, they were listening very carefully to get the main point of the conversation..

Amit scanned other's faces for a moment nd said "Sapna aur Atul, Delhi mein ek hi hospital mein kaam karte thhe.. Atul ne to job change karli ab.. so Sapna ka workload badh gaya jab tak uska replacement nai mila.. Sapna takes Atul as her brother.."

Finally Amit enlightened the rest.. while Atul was really happy to see Sapna's sister getting maried to Armaan.. he has heard a lot about her from Sapna.. nd even Sapna was somewhere satisfied to have Armaan as Atul's friend as she knew Atul never keeps bad company..

 

It was the time for the Bride's arrival.. since it was not a huge wedding they had done every ceremony very quickly nd simply just as Armaan wished for.. though he once thought of a court marriage but then thinking of what Ridhhima's dreams must have been he opted for an intimate gathering..

Armaan was made to sit in the Mandap.. his eyes were stuck on the door.. nd as soon as Ridhhima entered he couldn't feel the World around him.. he was just staring at her.. the way she was carrying that heavy lehenga elegantly nd was covered with jwellery all over.. the way she was taking every step towards him.. towards their new life.. he could help himself but get up nd give her a hand so that she could settle comfortably besides him..

While at the same time Ridhhima was very nervous.. she managed to look up once but she couldn't match his gaze for even a single second.. she knew he was staring at her nd she was feeling very shy coz of that.. she felt her heart skip a beat as he hald her hand nd made her sit in the mandap..

The ceremonies began.. on one hand Malliks were happy to have Ridhhima in their household from now while on the otherhand Guptas were happy as they felt their luck favouring them.. they were happy to see Ridhhima going away forever now, which means their lil secret would be buried even more deeper now..

As Armaan nd Ridhhima stood up for Pheras, after their first phera Armaan noticed how uncomfortable she was in the heavy lehenga.. He smiled to himself nd held her hand authoritatively yet protectively.. Ridhhima tilted her head abit to look at him  for just a fraction of second nd blushed abit..

Since the wedding was not much of a public issue it ended early too.. by 10pm all the ceremonies were finished.. While Padma nd Shashank gladly bid her goodbye, Tara nd jai Mallik were more than happy to take their Daughter home..

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The Malliks , RM nd Atul dropped AR off to the Mallik House, where AR would be living alone now.. Armaan's parents understood the fact that Since Armaan has some very important business meetings lined up he wouldn't be able to go on Honeymoon right now.. So to provide the New Couple some privacy AR's parents have shifted to their other bunglow which was just 30minutes away from AR's house..

Armaan entered their house with Ridhhima.. at first Ridhhima was abit uncomfortable thinking that they're all alone in the house but initially he made her comfortable..  he presented her a glass of chilled water, which she gulped down in an instant.. He held her hand in his nd stepped towards their room.. Ridhhima was getting nervous by each second..

Entering in they saw the room decorated with flowers nd lovely smell of flowers flowing in the air.. Ridhhima looked at Armaan's face enquiringly, she thought he might be having some expectations for their first night but There he was, calm nd understanding.. She smiled when he smiled warmly at her nd gently asked her to change into something comfortable..

Getting changed she came out of the closet to find him in his casual kurta pajama too.. He took afew steps towards her nd again took her hand in his saying "chalo.. tumhe Bi aur Ryan se milvata hoon.." he said smiling while Ridhima was confused.. She had never heard of those two names ever..

She followed him silently to the room nearby kitchen.. as they entered she had a smile on her face.. the room was done so beautifully, with lots nd lots of toys.. Ridhhima looked at an elderly women sitting on a chair by the bed.. She woke up by the sound of the footsteps.. Ridhhima found it strange.. the woman smiled at her as if she knew her already.. Ridhhima greeted her with folded hands nd bent down to touch her feet as Armaan did so..

"Ridhhima.. yeh Bi hain.. Shehnaaz Bi.. kehne ko meri dai Ma lekin Mom se kam nai hain mere liye.." Bi took both of them into a hug nd blessed them when Ridhhima's gaze fell on the bed.. there laid a small, sleeping baby, perfectly tucked in his blanket with his toy.. She looked at him nd smiled.. "Yeh Ryan hai..?" she asked Armaan as Armaan had mentioned in the room.. looking at Armaan nod, she sat on her knees besides Ryan's bed nd looked at him for a few seconds.. While Bi excused herself nd left them alone..

"bohot pyara hai yeh.." Ridhhima said slightly caressing Ryan's tiny fingers nd kissing them very lightly not disturbing him abit.. while next moment she was stunned by what Armaan said "I know.. bilkul meri tarah haina.. akhir mera beta jo hai.."

Ridhhima quickly took her hand back from Ryan's head as soon as Armaan said that.. When Armaan didn't get any reaction he looked up at her only to find her shocked with tears building up in her eyes.. "aa..aap..ka..beta..? aap..ne..shaadi se..pehle..ku..kuch nai..kaha.. KYUN..?" she managed to fumble with her eyes wide in shock..


While Armaan was also shocked.. he had never expected her to react like this after meeting Ryan so sweetly.. he saw her shaking badly nd finally into the pool of tears.. he didn't know what to do.. he tried to go to her to pacify her nd talk things out but as soon as she saw him coming to her she moved back with a jerk.. Armaan wanted to say something to make her stop crying but before he could do that she ran to their room..

Armaan sat on the floor besides Ryan's bed.. he was still in daze.. he had many sort of questions in his mind.. he eyes were getting teary too.. he decided to let Ridhhima stay alone for sometime nd he would talk to her in the morning..

While sitting in the room Ridhhima was sobbing badly.. she was recollecting her nd Armaan's first meeting.. how she liked him as a gentleman.. the way he held her hand during their pheras nd then Ryan.. "All his sweetness nd concern cannot be fake..!! but what about the truth I discovered just now..?" she thought.. she felt her heart nd mind at War..

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The night which was supposed to fill their lives with happiness nd new desirable bonds took a completely different turn for them.. Both AR didn't sleep a wink that night.. they were both crying nd had many questions in their minds..

As the clock struck 7:30am Armaan got up from Ryan's side nd went ot his room.. he found the door unocked.. he entered after knocking the door twice.. he got no response so assuming her to be asleep he got in only to find her sitting on the bed wide awake with her eyes swollen red..

 
He felt bad for what she was going through.. He married her to give her happiness not to make her cry.. he went nd sat at a considerable distance from her on the bed.. she looked up at him when he forwarded her a glass of water.. she noticed his blood shot red eyes nd felt something stir inside her.. she silently took the glass nd emptied it..

"main tumhe iss rishtey ko zabardasti nibhane ke liye nai kahunga.. yeh ghar tumhara bhi hai.. tum apni marzi se yahan jaise chahe reh sakti ho.. na main kabhi tum par zabardasti apne pati hone ka haq jataunga aur na hi Ryan ko apnane ko kahunga.. rishtey pyar se bante hain.. aur main uss din ka intzaar karunga jab tum dil se mujhe apna pati manogi aur Ryan ko apna beta.." he said not looking at her.. while her eyes were just fixed on him as his words started to sink into her.. she kept looking at him while he again continued "sirf ek request hai.. ho sakey to iss rishtey ki sachai meri family par matt zahir karna.. unhe bohot bura lagega.. I promise main kabhi apni limit cross nai karunga.."

 

Ridhhima was really shaken by his words.. her mind was working overtime now.. though she wanted to shout back nd relieve her all night's anger on him but listening to him all her anger subsided.. Not that she wasn't hurt anymore but she felt like believing each nd every word he said.. the honesty in his voice nd guilt on his face calmed her down abit..

 
Getting no response from her side he felt as if she doesn't believe him.. Disappointed, he got up to get ready for a new day when she said "I'm sorry too.. sach kahun to mujhe thodi der ke laga thha ki aapne yeh jaan kar kiya hai.. main yeh nai keh sakti ki main yeh rishta ek patni ki tarah nibhaungi ya nai.. ya main kabhi Ryan.. Ryan ki.. maa banungi ya nai..lekin meri vajah se aapki family ko koi takleef nai hogi.." she said fumbling while talking of Ryan..

He smiled abit "Thank You.."

"ek baat aur poochni hai aapse.. kya badi ma ya bade papa ko Ryan ke baare mein pata thha..?" she asked nd prayed the answer to be NO but to her utter disappointment he nodded.. she NOW knew, that her uncle nd aunty hated her so much to hide such big fact from her nd getting her married..

Coming out from the bathroom Armaan saw her staring into space when he spoke "Ridhhima.. get ready.. main tumhe tumhare ghar chod aaunga Pag-Phere ki rasam ke liye.." she got up but instead of going to get ready she decided to tell him some part of the truth.. "Nahi.. Badi Ma aur Bade Papa ne mujhse shaadi ke baad unki zindagi mein vapas aane se mana kiya thha.. mera ghar ab bas yahin hai.."

Armaan felt anger building up inside him.. he had never thought Shashank nd Padma to first hide about  Ryan nd then disown her completely from their lives.. he felt her voice abit watery nd found himself so Helpless.. he can't even go to her nd hug her to pacify her as he has promised her to maintain the distance..

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As Bi woke up nd went to the kitchen around 8:30am, she found Ridhhima working in the kitchen already.. she was preparing Halwa Puri as her Fisrt cooking at Mallik household.. Ridhhima touched Bi's feet as she saw her coming.. Ridhhima carefully observed Bi when she was making Ryan's baby food for him nd the temprature at which she heated Armaan nd Ryan's milk for breakfast..

Bi looked at Ridhhima observing her nd smiled saying "zyada waqt nai lagega beta.. tumhe jaldi hi Armaan aur Ryan ki pasand na pasand pata chal jayegi.. Armaan har roz, ek glass dodh zaroor peeta hai.. usse chai-coffee pasand nai hai.."  Ridhhima nodded nd smiled back..

Armaan was waitng for his breakfast eagerly when he saw his parents entering the dinning hall.. Before they could exchange greetings Ridhhima nd Bi came with breakfast.. While Ridhhima greeted Mr. nd Mrs. Mallik nd went to the kitchen, Bi went to get Ryan too..

Everyone praised Ridhhima's cooking skills while Armaan noticed Ridhhima stealing glances of Bi nd Ryan.. He found her abit more distant..

"Armaan.. tu agle kuch dinon ki saari meetings cancel kar.. humlog kal subah Panchgani ja rahe hain.. haveli par.. tumhare naye rishtey ki salaamati ke liye pooja hai.." Tara said to Armaan.. While Ridhhima looked puzzled.. Jai looked at her nd said "Ridhhima beta.. Panchgani mein mein humari ek pushtaini haveli hai.. jahan hum maante hain ki humare Kul Devta baste hain.. ek tarah se aaj humare paas jo bhi hai ussi haveli ki vajah se hai.. aur uski kahaniyaan hum tumhe raste main sunayenge.."

Ridhhima smiled for the first time after that mental turmoil.. while looking at her smiling Armaan had not even a single chance left to avoid the trip to Panchgani..

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Next Morning they were set to leave.. Armaan nd Ridhhima have somehow start to adjust.. They would share the room but not the bed.. As if it was mutual Armaan was sleeping in the couch nd Ridhhima on the bed..  Sharing the room was something they had to do as Bi lived with them for Ridhhima's help nd taking care of Ryan.. Though she has sensed something is wrong as she saw Armaan sitting in Ryan's room last night but didn't ask them..

Armaan had some important documents for signing so Ridhhima, Armaan nd Ryan left for Panchgani two hours late while Tara nd Jai mallik left earlier.. Ridhhima had already packed her's, Armaan's nd Ryan's stuff before Armaan came back from office.. she very well knew her duties of being a wife which she would perform anyhow..

Soon after Armaan came back they started with their journey.. Since it was a long drive from car Armaan prefered to take Driver along.. he knew Ridhhima might not be comfortable holding Ryan while he would drive.. He came with Ryan sitting in his baby holder against Armaan's chest..

For sometime Ridhhima saw Ryan making those baby sounds nd playing with Armaan but soon he was asleep.. Ridhhima too tried to sleep but was unable to do so.. She was never able to sleep during a journey.. So she just closed her eyes nd relaxed abit.. opening her eyes after afew hours as the car jumped abit over uneven road, she turned to the duo, she found Armaan asleep.. his hands supporting Ryan's delicate neck were loose which was making sleeping Ryan uncomfortable.. Ridhhima tried to wake up Armaan but no use.. he was fast asleep.. finally when she realised that next few KM the road would be bumpy she followed her heart..

She carefully unbuckled the baby holder from Armaan's shoulders nd took Ryan from it.. she made him lie in her lap While Armaan just hid a smile.. He was wide awake but he wanted to know, What will HIS Ridhhima do in any such situation.. "haye.. issi apnepan aur saadgi ne to dil jeet liya mera.. Jis bachche ki vajah se tumhari zindagi mein itna bada toofaan ayaa, uski bhi takleef nai dekhi gayi.. ab mujhe pura yakeen hai ki Mera Pyar tumhe mere kareeb le hi aayega.. aur tum khud Ryan ko 'Ma' bolna sikhaogi.."

 

HAPPY NOW..?  MAINE SOCHA THHA KI EK DO PARTS MEIN RIDHHIMA KO BOHOT GUSSE MEIN AUR ROTE HUE DIKHAUNGI.. LEKIN VO PART JAB LIKHA TO ACHHA HI NAI LAGA MUJHE..

I THOUGHT KI JAB ADJUSTMENTS KARNE HI HAIN TO SHURU SE HI KYUN NAI.. RIDHHIMA KA CHARACTER YAHAN BOHOT HI BHOLA –BHALA SA AUR TRADITIONAL HAI..

I HOPE YOU LIKED THE PART.. MAINE ISS TEEN BAAR LIKH KAR PHIR EDIT KIYA HAI.. I HOPE THE ACTION ND REACTION BOTH SATISFIES YOU..

PRECAP: MALLIK'S AT HAVELI.. RIDHHIMA SHOUTING AT ARMAAN.. ARMAAN ND RYAN'S MOMENTS.. RIDHHIMA APOLOGISING.. ND LOT MORE..

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