Chapter 4
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**~PART 7~**
He stared at the gun in silence. Had it just tumbled out of Riddhima's pocket??? Bending down he picked it up and looked at her standing frozen.
Rahul watched them from a distance. It was better not to interfere in this he decided. He looked at the flustered face of Riddhima annoyingly. Did she have to be so careless????
"Riddhima is this yours???" Armaan asked breaking the silence.
"Errm Armaan it is mine " Riddhima closed her fist crossing her fingers praying Armaan would by her story. Rahul looked at surprised. How was she going to get out of this mess???
"So……." Armaan got up fully and looked at her waiting for an explanation.
Taking a step forward towards him Riddhima looked down a little nervous for the first time. Pushing her loose strands behind her ear she looked up at him as he stood there waiting for her to continue.
"Well Armaan….." she began fidgeting with her fingers mindlessly.
"Ya?" he urged her.
"My father was a member of the UN….just like your father was and…….and Armaan he was gunned down you know…..so…….."
"OMG hang on your Dad was gunned down??" Armaan looked at her stunned.
"Yes" she answered calmly.
"I am so sorry Riddhima……" Armaan whispered in a tender tone surprising Riddhima and Rahul. He was so gentle and soft. His mannerisms were surprising Rahul each minute.
"No Armaan its fine…….hence like from that episode like I carry the gun. Infact the state police had advised me to carry it wherever I go. Hence…….."
She looked at him and gave a watery smile hoping he would buy her story. Part of it was true though. Her father had been gunned down ruthlessly and she did carry the licensed gun everywhere from that day. Infact that was one of the reasons she had joined FBI. But looking at Armaan she couldn't just completely tell a lie. For some reason lying to him somewhere just didn't feel right to her.
"Oh it's ok Riddhima…..but then we here in my house .I doubt if anything would be of danger to you here"
"Armaan ummm I guess it's become a habit now so……" she smiled sheepishly at him.
"Ok its alright Riddhima….shall we make a move?" he held out an arm around and smiled his eyes twinkling as she came forward and took hold of his arm. The knee she fell on still hurt and she was grateful and stunned to see someone caring so much for her.
As they made their way out Rahul couldn't help but smile.
"He is so sweet. Riddhima was right about him" he thought to himself.
"Can I see the charms of the Mallik heir working on my tough Riddhima?? I just hope she can handle this situation well or……but Armaan is definitely some charmer……" he smiled at his thought as he went inside the cottage.
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Riddhima frowned as she looked at the watch. It was almost 6 pm and Armaan hadn't yet returned. He had gone for another meeting with Anjali and then some business associates of his and had asked her to stay home and work on the designs and the stock market report. She wasn't really required today and Riddhima didn't like the fact he was going alone today. But again she couldn't argue and she sensed that he wanted to keep her away from Anjali.
Talking about Anjali she looked up again to see the sun turning faint crimson as it was about to set in. She was waiting again at the fence near the back garden for Rahul. He had asked her to meet him there before Armaan came back.
Hearing the clicking of hooves she strained her eyes and saw the dark silhouette of a horse approaching her. As it came to a halt near her she saw Rahul get down from its back calming it.
"Hello Riddhima!" he greeted her gaily
"Hope your fine after your fall in the stables this morning" he glanced at her meaningfully.
"Oh yes I am perfectly fine." She replied.
"Oh and where is Armaan? He is not to be seen??" he purposely asked very well knowing Armaan wasn't there. But they had to talk as though Rahul was a mere stable man and was talking to Riddhima as a mere new found friend.
"No he is out for some business" Riddhima answered politely.
"Oh great…..so you enjoyed your ride today????" he glanced at and slowly came forward. Silently taking her hand he quickly thrust a piece of paper in her palm and indicated her to see it immediately.
"Oh it was great fun……and Armaan….." Riddhima dropped her watch purposely and bend down to pick it up. As she bent down she quickly opened the chit and froze.
"Anjali is the agent. It's been confirmed with the fingerprint test, meet tomorrow morning in the stables. Come alone"
Getting up she looked at him with fear in her eyes. Armaan had gone to see her today though Atul would be trailing him still him being alone with her……..she felt her stomach churn as she considered the possibilities.
"And Armaan was so scared wasn't he.....pussycat……" Rahul laughed bringing Riddhima back to reality.
"So what if he is scared ……..not everyone can do everything" she retorted surprising Rahul.
"Oh Riddhima you are taking me wrong here…..so you better take care of him huh" he added hoping she would get the hint.
Anjali being the agent was no surprise to him but why was Anjali not surfacing and attacking?? She had done nothing suspicious till now and that's what troubled him. Also Muskaan had given him confirmed news that someone from their FBI was helping her generously. Who??? How?? And why??? Riddhima had to be warned but he couldn't just break this news to her standing there…….He wanted to discuss this in detail with Riddhima but the time right now wasn't the perfect time to discuss the case. They were at a risk of being seen by prying eyes.
"Oh I will….take care" Riddhima assured him meaningfully.
"Ok then I will get going" Rahul nodded. He just wanted her to get the message about Anjali so that she would be alert.
"See you tomorrow morning" he waved her goodbye.
"Hey Rahul??" she called as he tuned.
"Yea??" he looked at her questioningly.
"Armaan isn't a pussycat. So don't call him that. He is very sweet, gentle and a great human being. I would appreciate if you stop poking fun at him."
Riddhima took a deep breath surprised with herself. She hadn't meant to tell him off but he called Armaan that and the morning scene too she had seen him poke fun at Armaan rather shamelessly which hadn't pleased her.
"Ohooo" Rahul gave a soft whistle.
"I am sure you boss is very sweet ……Riddhima I apologize for having poked fun. Your right, not everyone is great at everything….." he winked and turned to go leaving a red Riddhima behind. Why had she told Rahul off for Armaan she mused as she made her way back to the house?
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"Hello??" she sighed with relief as he picked up her call.
"Hey honey……anything wrong??"
"Armaan where are you??? What time are you coming back home?? You said you will be back by 6 and it's about to be 7…..and…"
"Hey hey…..wow someone is very concerned about her boss isn't she???"
He smiled as he could sense her blushing slightly. Opening the car door he got inside and rested his head on the leather head rest. He couldn't help but grin as he heard her hesitantly trying to dodge his direct lines.
"No nothing like that Armaan……." Riddhima bit her lip. It was true she did care for him but being teased by him was something else.
"Oh so you don't care about me??" he grinned further. He had caught her nicely.
"No….Armaan enough ok" she retorted flustered as he cornered her with his flirty remarks as usual and she could never get away from them and would unknowingly be caught unaware everytime.
"Ok ok….well I just left and on my way home. Meeting was great. Anjali is ready to work on our terms."
"Oh so you left the office….??"Riddhima asked feeling relief. She was never ever going to allow him to meet Anjali ever again in alone.
"Yea…..just left .I should be back like in half an hour. Be ready…..we are going to the lake remember??? And did you work on those designs?"
"Yes Armaan I worked on a few and got the stock report ready" Riddhima answered silently heaving a sigh of relief thankful to herself that she had some sense to sit and get that work done.
"Ok I'll take a look at tonight. See you in some time….bye" Armaan couldn't stop smiling as he cut the call. Each moment with Riddhima seemed a pleasure by itself. He never noticed how time would fly when he was her. She was different and unique. Unlike other few women he had been associated with. He had a pretty lonely life and the few women which had been a part of his life never had made an impression on him as her. They were poles apart and yet there was something in her that attracted him.
She might be able to ride the wildest of the horse but one touch of his had caused to her to stiffen up with tension. The tension between them while they were on the horse had not escaped his notice. He loved the effects he had on her. He couldn't put a finger on what this feeling was but he definitely didn't want to shy away. What was the harm in discovering what he had started feeling for Riddhima??
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"Oh this is beautiful!!" Riddhima exclaimed seeing the view in front of her eyes.
"You liked it??" Armaan asked turning towards her.
"Armaan it's breathtaking!! I.....loved it…..It's so beautiful….so serene….so…..am at loss of words really." Riddhima looked beyond with wonder. The view was truly breathtaking as Armaan had promised. She could see the bluish waters now slowly adorning the blackish tinge as the sun was about to sink completely. Armaan had dragged her down to the lake immediately as soon as he had arrived.
And she now understood why……this view was remarkable and too good to be missed.
"I told you its beautiful" he whispered.
"It is….."
"You know I would come here and sit till the sun sank completely. I would love coming here……watching the bright orange glow disappear and seeing the stars rise up gives you such a peaceful feeling. Makes you wonder at marvels of nature"
Riddhima looked at him ranting off with wonder. He was so soft hearted and gentle. And his mind was so serene and pure. He never ceased to surprise her. His gentle gestures, the care, the way he treated her so delicately made her feel elated. He made her feel like some porcelain statue, to be treated with great care and concern.
"The creations for us to admire and preserve
The lake and wildlife for you to observe
After the visit you will surely succumb
To the beauty and peace that has become
To be untouched as intended to be
The land and lake surrounding for all to see.
The fluffy white clouds lined in silver
The dark blue skies that He can only deliver
The brilliant bright sunsets for us to admire
Behind the rolling green mountains of desire
The shimmers of water - this beautiful lake
Is all here for us to fervently partake."
Riddhima gasped hearing his words.
"OMG Armaan you are a poet??? "she exclaimed as he smiled sheepishly.
"Well no…..I just pen my thoughts sometimes……..just nothing really. You call this poetry???" he looked at her scornfully as they sat down near the shore hearing the soft lapping of the water. The first few stars could already be seen twinkling and the night insects could be heard murmuring.
"Armaan that was fabulous. OMG what all can you do?? You can paint, sketch, and write too?"
"Well poetry I wont say is my actual cup of tea, just here and there I play with words sometimes, but sketching yes……that's my forte" he smiled as he humbly confessed.
"Not a bit interesting as your hobbies though" he added grinning.
"Armaan everyone has their taste……why are you…."
"Naah I know Riddhima, made a fool of myself today in front of you and that stable fellow…..what is his name? Rahul….yea….made a nice idiot of myself" he spoke ruefully.
"No Armaan you didn't…." Riddhima shifted her weight closer to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Armaan it's just that you don't like it and tried it for the first time…..everyone has a first time right??"
"Well not that I don't like it Riddhima….but yea definitely my first time .You see I have lived a very sheltered life. Dad has always been over-protective about me. You know when I was like 12 I think I remember…..I was learning to ride a bicycle….and Dad had sent three-four men behind me just too see that I don't fall. Just to take care I don't get hurt. And how I hated it I know. Riddhima till you don't fall how will you learn to drive?? That's the case with life too isn't it?? He has kept me so protected, so sheltered that sometimes I don't even think I have seen what life is really?? But Riddhima I couldn't be rebellious could I??? He loves me and hence I can't help but listen to him…..it was never in my nature to rebel. I would only be hurting the ones who brought me in this world."
He took hold of her hand and held it in his as she squeezed it. Looking at his expression so distant and lost Riddhima couldn't help but feel sorry. What games life could play really. Here was she……totally exposed and always ready to fight when needed….and here was Armaan……a total contrast. No wonder he was so naturally gentle. He loved his parents and could not defy them. Could any guy be more ideal then this???
Placing her head gently on his shoulder she let her hand stay in his.
"But Armaan he loves you right…….and …."
"Yes somewhere I do understand his emotions. He was always protective but it increased after mom passed away. You know Riddhima I was only 10. They never told me how she died till much later .I still remember sitting besides her body and pulling her hand asking her to wake up. Later I came to know. She had been murdered by her very own bodyguards that dad kept for her. Four bullets straight into her body. I mean how brutal can it be……..that meant you can never trust anyone at all. The guy standing next to you with a gun meaning to protect you might just put those bullets in you the next moment!! From that day I defied. I wouldn't have anyone to protect me. However wants to kill me will do their job any way. They wont stop because I am being protected by other bodies. They too are flesh and blood as I am afterall…….."
He paused. Riddhima didn't dare interrupt him. Armaan Mallik was surprising her every minute. He was much deeper then she imagined and so hurt inside.
"I guess those were the effects her death had on us. Dad became all the more protective and I began to rebel and hate it. The sight of those guns itself would make me shudder. I could imagine them piercing in my mummy's body and her screaming. I started to hate any kind of protection. I know Dad hates that but I just cant stand any one with a gun being with me each minute. I hate being reminded every minute that I have to look behind my shoulder and take every step I take carefully. I just want to be normal and feel free……..you know…."
Riddhima looked up to see him staring at her. His hatred for guns and muscle power seemed much deep rooted then she thought. What would be his reaction when he came to know that she………………
"I know I am boring you with my rambling. I guess I should stop. But I was hoping you forgive me for the show I created today morning in front of that stable boy. I bet he had a good laugh….." he spoke breaking her chain of thoughts.
"Armaan….." she looked at him sternly.
"He is just a mere stable fellow….." Riddhima stressed her words cursing Rahul. Dare he ever mock at Armaan ever again……he had it…..she grimed.
"You didn't make a fool of yourself ok and I didn't find you being scared amusing. It's fine. Like I sort of hate insects….each person had different fear doesnt he??."
"You are scared of insects???" he cocked up his brow. Seeing her nod his eyes twinkled.
"Don't tell me the fast and furious Riddhima cant stand the sight of those small lives???" he laughed at the idea.
"Well yes….I do fear them….be it cockroaches or spiders…."
"OMG spiders?? Riddhima they are harmless yaar….spiders…." he continued laughing.
"I think I didn't laugh seeing you ready to run miles when the horses merely neighed today morning" she pouted her lip.
Placing his hand on her chin he turned her face towards him and smiled seeing her indignant face.
"Aww I am sorry….." he held his ears and inched her nose as her lips curved into a smile.
"Ok now I am hungry…..so shall we make our way back?? It's getting late and then you wont be very pleased seeing all your friends come out as the night falls"
"Friends??" she frowned as they got up.
"The night insects……those grasshoppers and fire flies and cockroaches and…….." he grinned as she hit his arm standing up.
"That wasn't funny , you just next time I am going to get you…..OUCH!!" she staggered and fell.
"Riddhima???" Armaan immediately supported her and held her gently as she got up.
"I think I tumbled on some small stone and……ouch…." As she felt the sharp stab of pain as she tried to walk.
"Whats wrong??" Armaan asked her full of concern.
"I think I hurt the same knee on which I fell this morning…." She moaned.
"Oh…..ok I have a solution." Saying so he picked her up gently in his arms as she gasped in surprise.
"Armaan???"
"What??? Your are hurt Riddhima. How will you walk back??? I cant allow you to walk with that bad leg. And I may seem a softie but then I am strong enough to pick a girl up." he grinned.
"Oh really" she giggled as her arms encircled around his neck. She really didn't mind being in his arms she decided. As he spoke his breath kissed her face and she had to look away to avoid looking into his eyes which just kept gazing at her.
"Yup, well I have done karate till black belt" he pompously announced.
"Oh really??? Then what was that show about being so soft and delicate and fragile???"
"Well who said I am delicate and fragile??? I feel women should be pampered and treated with care. And being scared of those horses….well I already gave you a valid reason. So if you ever get surrounded by goons like in those hindi movies I can definitely fight them off…." He winked.
"Oh whatever……" she rolled her eyes "stop boasting" she smirked.
"oh really?? I am not….I sincerely feel women have to be taken care of…..and a beautiful lady like yourself…." He stopped feeling her arms tighten around him. This is what he loved. The way she would react to his remarks and gazes left him with baited breath.
"You are indeed beautiful Riddhima…." He whispered kissing her hair as she gazed into his eyes spellbound. Breaking the spell she looked away nervously. They had almost reached the house. Protecting Armaan Mallik was proving to be dangerous to herself much more then she anticipated she thought feeling his lips almost brushing her ears.
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"What are you talking about???" Anjali gripped the receiver of the phone tighter as she heard the person at the other end of the line speak.
"It's a fact Anjali , why will I lie??? It is Riddhima gupta….daughter of Shanshank gupta whos there watching over Armaan Mallik. "
Anjali closed her eyes falling back on the chair.
"Why didn't you tell me before…..?" she asked in a harsh tone.
"Well it doesn't really matter to you does it??? All you want is to revenge Frank…..and FBI. And ofcourse Abhimanyu Mallik. So what's the point…." Came the reply.
Fine" she snapped. "It doesn't make any difference. My mission will still remain the same……whether it's fighting Riddhima or someone else….and you better keep me updated on the latest developments, you don't want me to tell frank right?? That his most trusted FBI agent is actually helping a Anjali Sharma????" she smirked as she heard the silence at the other end.
"You know I will Anjali…….I have promised. So I will abide by it….." she closed her eyes hearing the gentle tone.
"Fine I'll give you a call later for any other developments" she cut the call and sank back into the chair. She was against Riddhima gupta??? Never in her life had she thought she would be up against her!! Life could be so mean….it had always been mean to her though she mused. But here this could mean hurting Riddhima…….Shanshank's daughter……maybe this mission was not as easy as she had expected she thought as she just could not imagine herself being ruthless to Riddhima Gupta.
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Ok updated within a week!! Nothing to say much except waiting for your views eagerly!! Thanku for all the support and i hope i dont disappoint anyone. Love u all
Will send pms tomorrow morning as its really getting late here!!And ofcourse a VERY VERY HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL AND A PROPEROUS NEW YEAR!! Hope you all have a great Diwali!! Take care!
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