Chapter 17
Font:
Text Size:
Theme:
*~PART 19~*
Recap:
"Muskaan….Rahul is no kid, he is an adult, capable of taking his own decisions. What do you want me to tell him?" Armaan looked at her bewildered. Armaan now was almost ready to shout with the guilt squirming in him. Rahul was ready to leave it all for Muskaan? If he could do it why couldn't I ?? He thought miserably. It was time to talk to Riddhima clearly. Suddenly Armaan knew what he wanted…..the moment Riddhima woke up and was able they would talk……
"I want you to talk him, ask whether he really wants to do this. And……"
Before she could continue further….Riddhima moaned.
"Armaan?" She moaned opening her eyes.
****************************
The moment he heard the faint murmur Armaan rushed to the bed and stood besides the bedside table towering over her….Muskaan came forward and sat down beside her taking hold of her hand.
"Riddhima?" she called out softly.
Riddhima opened her eyes, and closed them again as the light in the room momentarily blinded her. Opening them again slowly she could make out Armaan standing just beside her……she turned her head slowly and felt a warm hand holding hers. Forcing her eye lids to open wider she noticed Muskaan looking at her anxiously.
"Riddhima how are you feeling??" Muskaan asked placing hr palm on her cheek.
"Ummm sleepy…" Riddhima muttered closing her eyes again.
"She is still under the effect of the sedatives." She heard Armaan speak up.
"What happened???" Riddhima asked now feeling a slight stinging sensation on the back of the hand Muskaan held. She opened her eyes to see tubes rising from her hand and her yes widened as she recognized she was on her bed, the tubes stuck to her hand went up to a glucose bottles. Glancing sideways her eyes widened as she saw her arm covered with white strips of bandages.
"I was shot, I remember…" she said quietly looking at Armaan.
"Yes you were shot, the aim was taken from the terrace of the building opposites yours. It a national bank…I don't know how anyone walked past the security with a gun ….and managed to shot to you despite our security measures…..all my fault." He shook his head apparently disgusted by himself.
"Armaan it wasn't your fault…" Muskaan interrupted.
"No it was all my fault….I mean I can't even take care of Riddhima?? What am I doing in those forces if I can't ensure protection to a single woman…I should…"
"Armaan…" Riddhima breathed looked straight into his eyes.
"It happens; stop blaming yourself…Armaan you…" Riddhima tried sitting up….
Her voice cracked over the entreaty and despair welled into him over her eyes. Alarmed by her distress, Armaan automatically reached out and closed his hands reassuringly around her shoulders, which were held too stiffly….sitting down besides her.
"Stop moving…." He glared at her and gently made her lie down again.
"But Armaan…" Riddhima protested.
"Muskaan…" Armaan looked him and glanced at her meaningfully. He wanted to be with her…just Riddhima…getting the message Muskaan stood and patted her forehead.
"I'll be back in sometime.." she whispered and went out closing the door behind her.
"Stop blaming yourself Armaan, it happens. Even if you keep me closed up in a room, they will find a way to get hold of me….if they want to, if that's their mission. Please stop feeling guilty about Armaan….we already have so much going on…the last thing I want is you feeling guilty over something which wasn't your mistake…" Riddhima looked away turning her head away from him.
Despite the drugged effects of the pills and injections she felt awake, not alert but awake .And tired. Her head, her eyes hurt and begged to be closed. But she dint want to let go of Armaan….
"The bullet…….. it was a mercy it did not sink in deep….we could remove it quickly before it caused more damage……." Armaan spoke as he touched her chin and forced her to look at him.
"I know….I was conscious all that time…you carried me here and tried clotting the blood till the paramedics arrived….I guess they gave me sedatives after that….I don't recollect anything after that…though you were so panicky and scared, it was as though I was actually shot….." she paused as he placed a finger on her lips and closed her eyes sighing.
"Thank you, Armaan." she said quietly, forcing herself to look at him face to face. He deserved that acknowledgment for all he'd done, though it pained her to see the darkly clouded eyes of the man on whom she'd pinned so many futile hopes.
"Please don't feel you have to stay" she went on.
"Shutup" . The sharply penetrating look he gave her pierced Riddhima's soul.
"Here I am worried to death about you and all you have to say is a thankyou? And you are asking me to leave? My love perhaps would have seemed worth letting go off to you but I am not leaving you and going anywhere…..nor am I going to forgive myself for bringing this on you.." Armaan spoke angrily holding her healthy arm.
"Armaan….." Riddhima felt like an idiot as tears welled up in her eyes and she rolled her head across the pillow turning away from him. What was wrong with her? They were supposed to be talking….where did her rational sense go? Why did she want to hurt him more? And hurt herself in the process?? One on hand she wanted to hold him, tell him it was all a mistake, her argument had been wrong, her demands had been silly, they would work it out somehow, for the sake of their future….and now he was here…in front of her and she was hell but on pushing him away?? And she was crying??
She felt warm fingers stroking down the hand lying closest to where he'd been sitting, strong fingers spreading hers apart, interlacing, gripping her hand.
"I won't leave you alone tonight,' he said gruffly.
"You just rest now. I'll watch over you."
She shut her eyes tight, but the tears spilled through her lashes and trickled down her cheeks. If he was angry with her, he wasn't showing it. Love flowed from the heat of the hand holding hers and she was too weak to reject it….. Somehow it eased the emptiness that dragged at her, the fear of what she might be told tomorrow.
He stroked her hair with his other hand…….gentle, soothing caresses.
"Rest now," he'd said, and his uncritical acceptance of her situation helped. Even his silent company helped. She felt no judgment in it, or her mind was too stressed out to sense any judgment. It was simply good to be assured she was not alone tonight……
"Armaan…..I am sorry." She whispered looking into his eyes as he bent towards her still stroking her hair.
"Shhh,why are you apologizing Riddhima……I should be the one apologizing, I fought with you, I walked out on you….I…." he paused touching her cheek gently and leaned forward kissing her forehead.
"We will talk about this tomorrow sweetheart. You need rest and the drugs would make you sleepy. I am here…we will talk tomorrow…" he cupped her face and promised.
She nodded taking hold of his hand and holding it close to her heart.
"I love you Armaan." She whispered pressing her lips on her his palms.
Armaan squeezed her hand and bent forward. Placing a light gentle kiss on her lips and he whispered in her ears.
"I love you too." He leaned and smiled tracing her forehead, her cheeks, her eyes with his knuckle….
"Go to sleep now." He murmured.
Riddhima closed her eyes, assured he was here, with her. She couldn't let go of him. He was all she had, all she loved. If she had experienced what was love again after her father's death it was because of him. She wouldn't let go of him…..
She fell asleep holding his hand. The hand Armaan held slackened into limp passivity. He was reluctant to let it go in case she stirred again…..Armaan smiled looking at her. She had said it….she loved him….he wasn't letting go of her ever….never again.
*******************************
Riddhima smiled nervously as she set the tray on the table and glanced at Anjali sitting motionless watching her….carefully as though scrutinizing her or summing her up. Riddhima stood up…..and glanced at her….fidgeting with her fingers. She had no idea what made her so very nervous. And why?
"Riddhima come sit…" Anjali gestured the empty space next to her. It was nearly mid morning….almost afternoon. Three days ago she had been shot….here in this very apartment of hers. It had been pure chance that Armaan had been there when it had happened. Armaan….
Riddhima smiled at the thought as she nodded and spoke.
"I'll just turn of the burner in the kitchen and come." She smiled at Anjali and went in.
Armaan hadn't left her for a single moment in the last three days. In the real sense he had been with her throughout the whole next day after the night she had been shot. They didn't talk much because most of the time Riddhima spent sleeping under the effects of the drugs. And the hours she spent awake.....would go in arguing with him about food…..and other mundane issues. He suddenly had this illogical thought that because she was unwell…she had to develop an appetite of that of a pig and eat like one to. Armaan as careful to avoid any topic on which they could argue or talk about. When she had voiced her opinion saying they needed to talk he had glared at her saying she had enough stress, he wasn't running away and 'the talk' could wait for a couple of days.
And the day after that day…Riddhima started getting up, much to his annoyance, she got down from the bed and walked around, tried helping in a few chores. She also insisted that he ought to visit the office for a couple of hours while Atul or someone kept an eye on her. He had finally agreed……today he went off in the morning promising he would come back by late afternoon. He had also arranged for Anjali to meet her to; keep her company.
Walking back into the living room Riddhima sat down next to her and looked at her. She was tall, dark haired, black infact…elliptical face cut and her eyes…black again gave an impression shrewdness, coolness and a sophisticated aura about her. This was her sister?? Riddhima breathed in deep.
"Um…" she started.
Anjali watched her sibling fumble as she tried starting a conversation between them. She had never really anticipated breaking the news this way to Riddhima, given a chance she would have stayed in shadows all her life. But their father had complicated things….irrevocably. The truth had to come out.
"Riddhima….there is something I need to say…confess at the very onset." She spoke quietly.
Just as she had expected, those innocent green eyes widened a little. Her lips parted a little involuntarily. She nodded a slightly and didn't draw back her hand when Anjali took hold of it.
"Riddhima I guess Atul must have told you….that I am your sister….adopted by our Dad in India…etc…" she paused as Riddhima gazed at her expectantly.
"Well fact is…..I came from a very affluent, political background. My family was…you can say politically important. I am the daughter of an ex-member of the house of the house of parliament in India. I was about 12 when your Dad had been assigned the case of protecting our family….we were being threatened. Your father and mine were great friends too. It was my birthday party that day……my 12th birthday party…….." Anjali stopped closing her eyes as those images which had been haunting her past so many years came flooding back.
"I was about to cut the cake when they barged in……masked men…with gun, open firing.." Anjali closed her eyes, she could still hear the gun shots. Her mother screaming, asking her to run away. She felt Riddhima hand entwined with hers stiffen. The grip tightened. She opened her eyes and gazed at Riddhima who looked shell shocked.
"Your father managed to save me….but my parents….." she paused again looking away.
"Shanshank uncle never forgave himself for what happened. He took the entire blame on himself. Said it was callousness on his part, he had disappointed my family, himself, his duty. We were being threatened…..the attack had been expected sooner or later…I was told. Ofcourse it could have been prevented but then I never can blame your father for whatever happened." Anjali blinked. She could see Riddhima's eyes clouding with moisture.
"Hey.." she leaned forward.."
"Don't cry now….I was left orphaned .Nobody would take my custody for lifetime because of my parents connections. They feared they would be killed too….your dad came forward, became my guardian, the role figure, model in my life. He saw to it that I grew up well, never short of anything, receive proper education…have a life I was supposed to…..the life I deserved….the life I would have had if my parents had been alive….Shanshank uncle filled in the shoes of my dad…."
She smiled tentatively and squeezed Riddhima's hand.
"Whenever he would come to India, he would tell me about you….your life…..so many times he persuaded me to come along, to join you…but…"
"Then why did you not.." Riddhima whispered.
"I thought I would be stealing away your dad. You were his only daughter, the apple of his life, I was just a responsibility he was shouldering….I couldn't bring myself to come here and see the difference. I knew I would envy you and might even feel guilty for taking a share of your father's affection…..I couldn't do that….I did not want to experience unwanted jealousy just because you had a father I did not…."
Riddhima gasped looking at her…..
"But its not that way Anjali, Dad would have loved us both…we could have…"
"I know.." Anjali gave her a wry smile.
"I know Riddhima, you see I was an adolescent teenager mad at the world, at everyone for taking away my family. I used to throw things in fits of rage when I was alone thinking why me??? The realization, the maturity came later as I grew…..by the time I decided I wanted to meet you and perhaps indulge in our life as a family it was too late. You had grown up, knew nothing about my existence…..and then Uncle passed away…" Anjali got up abruptly.
"I went into shock when I had received the news…..my only support, my only family…..he was killed too…taken away from me. I wanted to blow up the entire world. And then the realization dawned…you. His only daughter….left behind just like me….lonely….and no one o fall back on……" Anjali looked back at her….not knowing how to go further. Explaining this had been difficult too…she was a woman of few words, grown up as a lonely loner. Finding words to express her emotions was a difficult task.
"I was already a qualified agent. You see Uncle had been my role model. I wanted to follow his steps….and I undertook the training for CIA…..much against his approval. I wanted to be fierce, to be ready….just to possess the satisfaction that next time if anyone dared attack my territory I would be prepared, not like the helpless 12 year old I had been….."
Riddhima nodded understanding her determination. But the fact that she stayed away not wanting to steal the affection she had from her father……it was too much to digest.
"Are for real?" Riddhima whispered looking at her, she couldn't imagine she had someone out there for her……
"Very real." Anjali gave her a wry smile and settled down next to her squeezing her hand.
"As much as you are, I always wanted to meet you, connect to u…I am so glad we finally are…" she smiled looking at Riddhima who nodded.
"Anyways continuing, I started training and……"
"And that is where you meet Atul?" Riddhima asked without thinking. She bit her tongue and shook her head.
"Sorry…I didn't mean too….." she looked at her apologetically.
Anjali looked at blankly, with a strange look in her eyes. For a moment Riddhima thought something flickered in them, some emotion from deep within but it disappeared before she could comprehend what it was…..
"Yes.." Anjali nodded slowly and spoke in a tight voice and got up.
"I met him there…buts that's another story….we can talk about it later." She stated shortly looking away……
Riddhima nodded and mumbled "sorry…"
"Its fine…some other time….you deserve to be told." She smiled again and sat down besides her.
"I remember how furious I was when Uncle's news reached me. Furious, helpless…..just I don't know, I had felt incredible pain, misery but above all I had felt a surge of protectiveness about you. To protect you away from all this…..I didn't want to undergo what I went through. There was this indefinable bond that I had developed with you…..I wanted to protect you, I knew all about those blueprints….and then came Armaan.." Anjali's lip thinned as she pursed them together.
"His plan…..I defied it openly. It cost me my job and marriage….." she stopped looking at Riddhima…....
"Never mind what I said about marriage…..coming to Armaan's plan….. It was ridiculous…..I didn't what exactly it had been…but I knew I didn't want that to happen. I knew he wanted to ensure your safety…just like me but his plan…..I couldn't prevent him but I had alternatives…"
"So you hitched your own plan and followed us to keep an eye on me.." Riddhima continued now understanding everything.
"Yes…..The first time I met you in person, in that office…." Her lips twitched at the memory.
"I so wanted to smack Armaan….I could see the apparent going on between the two of you…I wanted to kill him, he was playing with you I so clearly saw that. I wanted to fill your mind with distaste about him. I don't know what I wanted to do….but seeing you two together filled me with loathe. So I tried dismissing you as a mere assistant and all that……" Anjali shook her head disgustingly.
"It was so juvenile, so childish on my part. Armaan gave me a good saying on the matter afterwards…"
Riddhima almost smiled at the memory. That night he had come to her room with that rose, to apologize…..what a moment that had been…Riddhima suddenly felt herself wanting Armaan…to see him, feel him…he had know it had all been all a act on Anjali's part and yet he had apologized to make her feel good…..she had been right in falling in love with him.
"Riddhima??" she snapped out of her thought as saw Anjali starring at her smiling.
"Are we talking about Armaan?" Anjali asked shifting her weight towards her slightly.
"No um actually…" Riddhima started…
"I know all about your love story and that when you came to the truth, you had dumped him…everything. Babes I would have done the same believe me. But he does love you." She sighed.
"I know…" Riddhima whispered.
"Then what's the issue??" Anjali looked at her quizzically….
"Well actually…." Riddhima paused looking into her eyes. How she had always wished she had a sibling. Though Muskaan had always filled the gap still….and here she was, her adopted sister, who had gone to great lengths just to protect her….
""Ya?" Anjali prompted.
"I wanted him to leave his job and settle down with me for an ordinary life." She blurted. Anjali looked at her frowning.
"So?" she asked raising a brow.
"He refused…"Riddhima whispered.
"I know I did wrong by asking him to do that….choose between me and his life. How exactly melodramatic and immature? I fought with him….asked him to choose one…and he…he walked out. I know I tackled the situation miserably. I should have been more explicit, more patient and tactful and been more considerate towards his feelings….I mean he cares so much for mine….and has been taking care of me past three days, nursing me….expressing his love….I don't know how to approach the issue. It's still unsolved right? We haven't even talked about it once….though I did tell I love him as much.." Riddhima paused feeling oddly lively. She had been wanting to spill this out since ages.
"Hmm" Anjali looked at her thoughtfully.
"Miscommunication can really destroy relationships" she remarked.
"Talk to him Riddhima, but honestly see for yourself, imagine if you were a normal working, independent woman who had fallen in love with him, under normal circumstances, if he as a guy asked you to leave your job to settle do and do up his home would you?"
Riddhima stared at her repulsed.
"Have you considered what you are going to do Riddhima? Are you ready to leave too? Settle down for an ordinary life? As far as I remember you were the one so very eager to join this…you were one of the best officers FBI ever had….now just because the cover has been blown, you want to leave it?"
"Anjali….." Riddhima looked at her shocked. She had never seen things this way. She hadn't given this a thought? She had foolishly seen future where Armaan lived a normal life…but her?? What was she going to do???
"You see you need to see things differently." Anjali continued softly.
"But what….I mean I was recruited for my own good remember??? To keep me safe and all…..what do I do?" Riddhima stared at her looking for answers.
"Did you like what you were doing?" Anjali asked quietly notleaving her gaze.
"I loved it." Riddhima answered promptly.
"I was one of the best shooters you know…" she continued smiling.
"Then now what??" Anjali prompted.
"I don't know." Riddhima sighed biting her lip.
"Hmmm do you want to leave?"
"I havent given it a thought…how silly of me…" Riddhima shook her head looking flushed.
"No you were put through a lot Riddhima, last thing to cross your mind would be thinking about your job." Anjali patted her back comfortingly.
"What do I do now??"
"Its time for some action for you and Armaan" Anjali smiled wickedly.
************************
Armaan picked up the ringing phone at the fifth ring irritably. With taking care of Riddhima, worrying about her…and his increasing workload, he felt completely drained.
"Hello Armaan Mallik here"
"Sir Riddhima Gupta has left her apartment with Anjali Sharma in her car. It seems agent Atul has given them permission…but Sir the problem is an unidentifiable car has been following their car ever since they left…we are fearing it might cause trouble….they don't even know they are being followed……."
Armaan felt his world stop…Riddhima had walked into trouble????
***************************
Update up at last!!! Ok firstly my very many humble apologies for being unable to reply to comments this time....trust me i really wanted too, but my final semester exam begin this week...thursday and i am buried deep under heaps and piles of books and papers!!
Pls do excuse me this time......though i have to mention its all you guys....your love and support tthat has brought me to fix and squeeze an update here. Trust me if it wasnt for your love, I wouldnt have surfaced from my hibernation....so pls do leave your views as they r the driving fores in making me squeeze in the updates!! And not to mention make smile.....
Pls do leave your views, i am really eagerly looking forward to them, they r like that silver lining in these dark clouds um currently enveloped in....love u all....oh yes before i forget!!
This part....dedicated to all those who are in the grueling boards and currently bracing themselves for semester end like me! Wish you all very very best of luck!!
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
43 Comments