Chapter 3
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**~PART 6**~
"Armaan?" she looked at him shocked .He stood there wearing black track pants and a white tee with disheveled hair very much unlike the usual set one. But still he had the same disarming look as he flashed her a smile running his hand through his hair .Grinning he waited patiently while she still lay there looking at him under the bed covers. No I am hallucinating she thought….it cannot be him.
"Riddhima?" she saw him sit down on the bed just next to her smiling. She edged away from him and suddenly had her eyes wide open.
"OMG Armaan is it really you?" she asked getting up as the bed cover fell down to her waist and her messed up hair on her face.
"Uhh? Seems so. I guess it is me" he grinned as she narrowed her eyes and looked at him.
"So Mr Mallik does being your assistant also imply that you come into my room without knocking everyday whenever you feel like?" she asked in a hard tone, but then he cannot take me for granted she thought .Coming in my room whenever he feels like. Are these the mannerisms of an heir to an empire like Malliks?
"No I didn't mean to barge in Riddhima, I mean I didn't mean to disturb……" he looked at her wiping the smile off his face as she looked at him sternly.
"Then?" she looked at him waiting for him to continue.
"I came to give you this……" pulling out a red rose he picked up her hand and thrust it in her grip.
"Rose?" she looked at him frowning.
"Yea…" he looked down sheepishly.
"Riddhima….firstly I wanted to apologize for the entire scene today. Believe me I felt really bad, but then at that time in front of Anjali…..and then at lunch…"
"Its really ok Armaan…I didn't take it as any offense. It was my fault too. I mean being your co-worker and not knowing the stock prices….its such a shame, I am really sorry…" she lowered her eyes as he shifted closer.
Taking hold f her hand he looked at her as she looked up.
"Don't apologize…..I am sorry for whatever happened. I know you were hurt Riddhima. I could see it over your face. I promise it wont happen again."
She looked into his piercing grey eyes expressing and saying that every word he spoke was true she blinked.
"Its ok Armaan…I apolo….."
"Shhh" he placed a finger gently on her lips.
"Stop….no more apologies" he whispered as he looked at her face and gently tucked away the loose strands falling on her face.
"I wanted to tell you something more" he whispered he whispered bending closer still.
"What?" she breathed feeling her breath stuck at the extreme proximity.
"That…." He held her hand tighter.
"Armaan?" she looked at him getting weary of his actions.
"That…" bending close he whispered in her ears.
"Don't go by the colour of the rose……I know what red stands for….but right now I couldn't get hold of any other colour so I brought red…that doesn't imply anything" he laughed lightly moving away as she giggled too.
"What if you are lying? What if you were trying to make advances at me?" she teased surprised by her own comments.
"Hmm now why would you ask that? Is someone disappointed that I really didn't mean the red rose?" he teased back as she giggled again.
"Hey no…" she retorted back as he continued looking at her smugly.
"Ok leave all this…." He spoke still holding her hand.
"Tomorrow we have an off….like atleast the morning is free. I don't have to go to the office….and obviously you wont too. I was planning to show you the grounds and ranches and all….so would you accompany me?"
"Oh sure…" her eyes lit up. She looked down at him still holding her hand and gently tried taking it away from his hold.
He noticed her unlocking her hand from his and smiled. Gently he let go as looked up to see her blushing slightly.
"Ok so done deal. Tomorrow morning 7 am sharp, near the garden door. I'll show you the ranches too and the lake…its I guess 15 minutes from the ranch"
"No its just 5 minutes" he looked a t her surprised.
"How do you know that?" he frowned.
"No I just happened to come across the property map and saw the lake and ranch and stuff" she added nonchalantly biting her lip.
"Oh ok…anyways see you in the morning. Goodnight" he suddenly bent forward and placed her swift gentle kiss on her cheek and strode out leaving a stunned Riddhima behind.
She touched her cheek as she lay back on the pillow and smiled lightly.
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Climbing down the staircase dressed in a slim fit body hugging jeans with a sleeveless casual Tee she looked around as she climbed down the last step. She placed her palm on her left jeans pocket to feel her gun safely tucked there barely noticeable. You never know when you might need it she thought as she climbed down the last step. He was no where around. It was just 7am and they planned to go early so that they could be back on time incase any meeting came into picture by then.
"Madam?"
She glanced turning slightly to see John standing there.
"Yes?"
"Sir has asked you to go ahead and wait near the fence, the white one which partitions our gardens from wilderness. He said he will join you shortly and if you wish you can wait here"
"Oh thankyou. No I guess I'll get going and wait there"
Opening the back door she let herself out, feeling the cool air brush her face as she inhaled deeply. The entire atmosphere was so welcoming. The slight dampness from the morning dew could still be felt and murmur of the morning insects cast an overall peaceful glow. She welcomed this calming effect as she strode down the garden path and made her way to the bottom of the garden.
Standing near the fence she waited, a little impatience now setting in. Hearing the soft padding of footsteps she turned around.
She breathed in sharply as she saw him approach her. Wearing a black vest adorned with a black jacket and loose baggy pants he walked to her taking regular long strides and smiled as he can upto her. She couldn't help but stare.
Armaan Mallik was a sight that you couldn't just keep your gaze away from him. Her eyes darted yet again to the perfect features of his face, the extremely well-toned and his charming smile as he approached her. Oh God she was shamelessly staring at him? What was wrong with her??
"Good morning sweetheart" he went upto her and hugged her half pulling her close as she felt her body stiffen. Did he have to pull her so close??
"Good morning Armaan" she replied cheerfully as he stepped back.
"Ok so shall we proceed?" he put out his hand as he slid the other along her waist and took a step forward ignoring Riddhima looking at him surprised by his gesture.
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"So this is our ranch" he displayed it proudly waving his hand as they stood at the entrance. There was a little fence that surrounded it, with the lake just behind it.
"Riddhima you like it?" he whispered as he found her lost gazing around.
"It's beautiful Armaan" she smiled trying to show genuine appreciation. She had already been here. So the marvel and amazement had already died, though in the morning light it looked all the more breathtaking.. the light tapping of the hooves of the horses in the stable could be heard.
"Lets go in" he urged her forward his arm still along her waist holding her. Riddhima stepped along with him matching his step.
"Oh good morning!" Riddhima drew her brows together as Rahul came out from the cottage at the back. He was wearing those typical high Mexican boots, brown in colour with rugged khaki pants rolled up from bottom to reveal the boots and voila!! Riddhima exclaimed in her mind……a mexican hat too??? Did he have to much so much effort in looking like a complete enthusiastic cowboy?? He could have just dressed simply?? But then Armaan might have noticed and suspect. Oh well leave it she thought.
"Good morning" Armaan answered politely.
"Very early today??? I guess you must have come down here for the first time since you arrived right??" Rahul asked as he gazed at Riddhima who was standing still with Armaan's hand still around her waist. She could feel Rahul gazing intently at her, scrutinizing them both and resting his gaze especially on the arm Armaan had loosely put around her waist.
"Yea, just wanted to see the grounds, been ages since I came here and hey…………..wait do I know you??? You weren't here the last time I came, there was some other stable fellow!!" Armaan looked at him narrowing his eyes.
"Oh Sir these duties keep changing, the earlier fellow was my cousin. He fell ill and has a broken leg, poor thing. So I came in his place, your father is a great man" Rahul added lightly as Riddhima looked at him approvingly. The lie was so convincingly put forward that Armaan seemed to buy the story.
"Oh ok that's fine, so how are the horses doing?" he asked
"Haha sir you are asking as if you are enquiring about some children or business, oh by the way I am Rahul "he added unable to control his laughter.
"Oh so you are from India"
"Sort of"
"I am Armaan Mallik" Armaan spoke in a dignified voice annoyed to have a stableman mock at him.
"And this is…….."Armaan opened his mouth meaning to introduce Riddhima.
"Riddhima gupta" Rahul promptly answered flashing a smile.
"How do you know?" Armaan frowned.
"Oh heard the caretaker talking about her staying here. I mean she is very sweet I heard as caretaker's wide was ill and madam had readily handed out the money. Hence………"
"Oh ok" Armaan muttered. From when did a stableman start behaving so friendly he thought.
"Shall we go in? I'll show you around and a young fold too, just two days old"
They entered the stables behind Rahul. Armaan wrinkled his nose at the horsy smell.
"I never knew horses stink so much" he added
"Don't tell me you have never close to a horse before"
Rahul asked unable to hold back his laughter as he opened the small latched door enclosing a block where a mare was tied.
"Aww its so cute" Seeing the young fold besides it while Armaan remained at the door unmoved.
" Armaan atleast come and feel it?" she asked seeing Armaan standing stubbornly with his hands folded across his chest.
"I am not coming in there, that big horse will kick me" he declared dramatically seeing Riddhima bend down feeling the fold as Rahul patted the mare.
"Armaan its not a ' big horse'. It's a called a 'mare', a female horse, this fold's mother" she giggled seeing him standing there covering his nose with a kerchief.
"Riddhima how can you touch it?? Its body, its hair?? There must be millions of germs on it, euuuuuu"
"Armaan these aren't any wild horses, they are tamed ones from your very own stable. Don't worry,………………"
"I am out of here" he declared as he turned to go.
"Hmm your darling boss is a sissy guy huh, chickened of horses, calling a 'mare' as a 'big horse'" Rahul chortled as they got up following Armaan out.
"He is nice…..just because he is scared of animals doesn't mean……"
"Oh taking sides are we?? With that hand of his around your waist you both really made a cute couple I must say" he teased as she glared at him.
"Riddhima can we go now?? I'll show you the lake, come on" Armaan spoke as they stood at the main entrance. The tender rays of sun were just getting warmer by the minute.
"Armaan don't you want to go riding?"
"What?? Are you crazy???? They will drop me Riddhima and you are not riding them either" he added in a matter of fact tone.
"Sir if you don't want to fine, atleast let Miss ride?? She's trained she told me" Rahul asked stifling his laughter. Armaan was a specimen of his kind he thought.
"And I am sure she will ride well" he added stepping close to her purposely.
"No, Riddhima lets go"
"Armaan come on atleast once?" she asked in a pleading voice.
"No way Riddhima, I am not allowing you. These things are scary." He shuddered as heard the hooves clicking inside as horses neighed.
"Its fine Sir, I'll ride with her if you wish and feel scared" Rahul cut in between.
"No" Armaan replied coldly.
"Why sir? I mean if you are fearing she will fall then I'll ride along with her sitting behind her. I am sure Riddhima wont have an issue with it" he added winking at her lightly.
"No enough, Riddhima I don't understand your fascination about these smelly things and I will be really happy if you drop this idea but if you wish I'll am standing here whilst you ride" he added eyeing Rahul fiercely. Flirting with Riddhima in front of him?? Shameless creature……
"Oh Armaan thankyou…." She exclaimed happily.
"Why don't you join me?" she asked.
"No Riddhima please….all my life I haven't even rode a bicycle properly and you are asking me to ride a horse??"
"Its very easy sir, you just have to sit behind her, shall I show you?" Rahul cut in between.
"As you cant obviously ride alone" he added seeing Armaan's glare.
"FINE!!!! I'll accompany you Riddhima, but if I fall……………"
"You wont fall, I promise." She smiled at him and gently squeezed his hand reassuring him.
"So shall I get out a horse?" Rahul interrupted breaking the moment.
"Yep bring it on" Riddhima nodded enthusiastically.
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"Ok now slowly sir, that's right, right leg first on the saddle and then shove yourself up, that's right, perfect. Ok steadily" Rahul kept instructing as Armaan slowly climbed up on the horseback behind Riddhima. Obviously he wasn't riding alone on a single horse he had decided and he had to show this over smart stable guy too that he was no pussycat. Now he couldn't control the horse either from behind and hence the only option left was to sit behind Riddhima holding her tight. He urgently gripped her as he felt the horse neighing impatiently.
"Ok Riddhima slowly, don't pull the reins too hard, you know….." Rahul instructed.
"Yes I know….ok Armaan ready?" she giggled as she felt Armaan nod his head vigorously tightening his grip around her waist even more.
"Ok Hurrrr" she pulled the reins as the horse began to trot gently.
"Don't go faster then this please" she heard him mutter as they left the stables behind.
"Don't worry" she assured him.
"Doesn't the breeze kissing your face feel wonderful?"
"Yea" she heard him mutter softly as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Your hair blowing on my face feels wonderful too." He added as he began to enjoy the gentle trot. It was fun and he could see Riddhima did indeed know how to ride well. The way she guided the horse and lunged forward indicated she had skills.
"Armaan?" she whispered as she felt herself sinking into his mould as he encircled his arms completely around her stomach. The extreme physical proximity was making her feel strangely uncomfortable. It was a complete alien feeling. He kept brushing his lips every now and then against her ears and cheeks. Maybe it was unintentional she thought. But it was definitely more then what she had bargained for.
As the horse came to a halt back at the stables she heaved a sigh of relief. Throughout the entire ride she had felt consciously stiff feeling his arms around her all the time. But worried her was that she felt totally at ease and her body just didn't respond negatively to his touch. It felt warm and welcoming.
"So enjoyed it?" Rahul approached them as Armaan climbed down slowly.
"Oh it was great and Riddhima you are a wonderful rider I must say" he added as she jumped down next to him.
"She sure is……" Rahul muttered smilingly as he took hold of the horse.
"Riddhima we should get going. It's almost 10am and it's getting pretty warm now. We will come in the evening. I'll show you the lake .Its looks gorgeous at twilight."
Armaan held her protectively once more eyeing Rahul.
"Ok sure, see you"
"See you guys later" Rahul waved.
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As they walked out Riddhima suddenly remembered. She had completely forgotten to ask Rahul about the finger print report and the reason he had called her late last night on her cell.
"Armaan I'll just be back, I think I forgot my cell behind" she told him fibbing a reason quickly.
"Oh ok" Armaan looked at her confused as she walked back.
"Maybe I should not allow her to go alone" he decided and followed her back.
"Rahul?" she called entering the stables.
"Riddhima? Oh if you want to know more about horse I am a bit busy, I'll tell you all you want in the evening" he looked at her meaningfully.
"Oh ok" Riddhima nodded getting the clue. It meant this wasn't the time to discuss anything.
"Bye " she called out as she made her way out.
"Ouch" she bumped into Armaan. Loosing her balance she fell on her knees.
"Oh I am so sorry Riddhima" he moved forward to pick her up and stopped short. Riddhima trailed his gaze and froze. Lying on the floor was the black silencer gun that had just tumbled out of her pocket.
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Ok that was long one again folks. i know took a long time to update but then before it was exams and then my net gave real problems. Anyways long one to make for the delay!!
Thanku everyone......
and i am looking forward to ur views. Pls do leave a word folks as i noticed the number of comments decreasing and its only these comments that motivate me.......so please do leave ur critism. Love u all for the support!!Jia
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