Chapter 17

Chapter 15 A: Sentiments and Saris

 

Three days later.

 

 

Riddhima is sitting in the middle of the bed, clothes spread all around her on the bed, all kinds: traditional, shalwar suits, sarees, western wear. She kept looking at them and making weird faces, as she could not decide what to wear exactly. She had to get ready for some ceremony of Shubhankar and Keerti's shadi, and there was going to be a pooja in evening. She had quietly escaped the last pooja by feigning a headache, but she just couldn't get out of this one. The last few days had gone pretty well, except that she had been a little depressed regarding Rhea and Ryan.

 

As she was again lost in thought about them, Armaan entered the room, talking to someone on the phone. As soon as he saw her, he knew something was wrong.

 

Armaan: (on the phone) yeah listen Abhi…I will talk to you later…bye…

 

Switching off his cell, he put it on the bed side table then sat down on the bed, next to her. After putting a hand on her shoulder, he quietly nudged her.

 

Armaan: Ragz….what's wrong? Kia hua…??

 

Riddhima turned to look at him with a forlorn look on her face.

 

Riddhima: kuch nahi…I was just….thinking about them…and Ma….and Dad…and well…(sighs) everything in general….

 

Armaan considers her reply and then stays quiet for a moment. Then he replies.

 

Armaan: are you okay?? I know its hard to cope with all this…but you have always been so strong about this and…

 

Riddhima: (cuts in between) I don't know Armaan…I don't know whether I am okay or not…(looks at him) I just don't know anymore!! (puts her head on his shoulder)

 

Armaan couldn't understand what was wrong with her today, but he just let her speak.

 

Riddhima: you know…..when I was young, every year on this day, we used to have a simple family dinner….a picnic, sometimes…we used to celebrate his birthday in the simplest manner cuz that's the way he wanted it to be…..(pause)….Ma used to bake a cake and I used to set up the house and then we all used to go out and well…have fun…(got tears in her eyes)

 

Armaan purses his lips at hearing her rant about her past, still holding onto her by the shoulder.

 

Riddhima: I miss those days….i miss her…and I know I sound idiotic and absurd saying this, but sometimes I miss him too….(shifts closer to him)

 

Armaan: (rubbing her back) I know Ragz…its okay…you can miss him…you have all the right…he was your dad, after all….

 

Riddhima: (smirks) the weird thing is, he still is…but he doesn't seem like my old man anymore….i just….(looks into his eyes) why is life so complicated, Armaan??

 

Armaan: because….well, because its what God wants it to be….He tests us and our capabilities and our will power…by putting us through such hardships…He does all that to make us a stronger person, someone who is able to withstand all the cruelties of the world….

 

Riddhima listens to what he is saying and slightly smiles.

 

Riddhima; you really believe in God, don't you??

 

Armaan: its better than believing in nothing…(smiles at her) and He does give me the strength to smile through all my problems…..and well, He is an awesome listener…

 

Riddhima: is He…?? (frowning)

 

Armaan: yeaahh!! Whenever I am sad or depressed or want to talk to someone…I talk to Him…believe me, it works…I feel like all my burdens are taken care of…

 

Riddhima giggles.  Armaan squeezes her shoulder

 

Armaan: yeah, I know…one does sound idiotic talking to Him, seems like you are talking to yourself….hehe…anyways….(looks at the clock) OMG Ragz look at the time…we can have this discussion any other time…come on, get ready…

 

Just as he was saying it, the door opened and Bey-jee walked in. Armaan and Riddhima were snuggled very close to each other on the bed, Riddhima clinging to him, almost sitting in his lap. They tried to disentangle themselves as soon a Bey-jee walked in, but too late. She had seen them in that condition.

 

Armaan: ummm…bey-jee….(standing up) aiye na…bethain…

 

Bey-jee looks at them disapprovingly.

 

Riddhima also stands up, blushing slightly.

 

Bey-jee: tum log abhi takk tayar nai huay…sab wait ker rahay hain…

 

Armaan: haan…who…hum log….

 

Bey-jee: han haan…dekh lia maine kia kar rahay thay…!! (glares at them)

 

Riddhima and Armaan both look down and blush. Bey-jee glares at them for some time and then suddenly starts laughing. Armaan and Riddhima both are surprised.

 

Bey-jee: arey…tum log itne ghabraye huay kyun ho…?? (holds Riddhima's chin) shadi shuda ho….jo cchahy ker sakte ho…(winks at Armaan)

 

Armaan and Riddhima become highly embarrassed at this comment.

 

Bey-jee: mazaak ker rai thi bachon…..(holds Armaan's ear) kyun be, tujhe bheja tha bahu ko tayar kerwanay ke liye, aur tu yahan beth ker romance kr raha hai??

 

Armaan: (laughing slightly) bey-jee….ap ki yeh bahu, mujhe chorti hi nahi…main kia karoo…??

 

Riddhima looks at him, in shock. Then she hits him on his arm.

Riddhima; Armaaan!! Kia bol rahay ho…behave…!! (glaring at him)

 

Bey-jee laughs, and so does Armaan.

 

Bey-jee: choro bahu…yeh to bachpan se hi badmash hai…chal yeh dekh…mein tere liye kiaa layi hun…

 

She takes out a packet from behind her and puts it out for Riddhima, who looks a little confused. Armaan puts an arm around his grandmother and frowns.

 

Armaan: bey-jee…..yeeeehh kia hai…??

 

Bey-jee: tu chup ker….ley na bahu…(putting the packet in front of her)

 

Riddhima takes the packet and smiles. She opens it to find a beautiful olive green sari in it.

 

Riddhima: OMG!! This is so beautiful…thank you bey-jee…(hugging her)

 

Bey-jee: haan haan theek hai…ab jaldi se tayar ho jao…aj tumhain puja mein yehi pehnana hai…

 

Riddhima looks up at her in shock, but Bey-jee is not able to see the look on her face. She just smiles, kisses her forehead while Armaan turns and looks at her. She had a weird look on her face. Armaan shrugged his shoulders at her to ask, whats wrong…??

 

Riddhima: I don't know how to wear a sari…!!

 

Armaan looks at her and clenches his teeth: uh-oh!!!

.........................

Okay guys, i know this a super-super short part and after all these days, you guys expected a longer one. But i am really sorry, i have just not gotten back to writing nowadays. Actually, i write when i want to, not out f compulsion. And when i just have to, then the outcome is not actually tat good, like this one.Sorry guys. WIll update a longer part soon. Sorry to disappoint you.

Kiran