Chapter 30

His hand still near her neck, n his fixed upon her face, n on those
expressions of irritation, slight anger n frustration, all that was so
adorable to him that his lips broke into a smile gazing at his love,
confused n overburdened. Fidgeting alot, n when still she did not succeed,
she frowned even more, making little whining noises, totally unaware about
Armaan staring so very cutely at her. He thought the looks on her face were
worth looking at the whole night long, as if nothing else could be better,
than this type of a shuhaag raat. The sight before him was so cute,
adorable, n sweet, that Armaan was unable to resist himself.
 
He slowly moved his hand towards the lower back of her neck where the
chunari was attatched to the blouse. Her hand could not reach there and when
she felt his fingers brush against her skin, taking out the pin, a small
gasp escaped her lips. Her hands froze at undoing another pin when she
sensed his touch, n she closed her eyes tight. He carefully took the chunari
out, n kept it aside, revealing most of her skin from the back, n her neck
too, was left bare. He then reached out for her neckpiece which was still
dazzling. His face was very close to hers, his eyes fixed at the knot of the
necklace he was trying to untie, n she was breathing very heavily as his
fingers traced her neck, then her ear lobe, n then he bent down to remove
the payals, when she stopped him.
 
Riddhima: yeh..yeh rehne do Armaan...
 
He raises his brows in that sweet cute way, for which I can die even today.
 
Armaan: Kyun?
 
Riddhima: Woh...jab se tumne mujhe yeh pehnai thi, maine tab se inhein nai
kghola...(there is a tint of shyness in her voice)
 
Armaan smiles at her then comed forward to graze his thumb under her chin.
 
Armaan: Itni pyaari hain ye payal kya?
 
She nods n he smiles again. He picks upone of her hands, then speaks.
 
Armaan: Riddhima...(sigh) main tumse kuch kehna chahta hoon... jab bohot
chota tha, tab mere maa-baap guzar gaye the...tabse unka gussa mein sab par
nikalta, kissi bhi rishtey par bharosa na karta, is dar se ki kahin woh bhi
mom dad ki tarah mujhse door na chale jaaye...(he looks up from her hand
into her eyes) Lekin jab se tum aayi ho meri zindagi mein, woh saare dar,
woh ajeeb si feelings sab khatam ho gayi, aur ab, chahe kuch bhi ho, mujhe
pta hai ki tum mere saath hamesha rahogi, aur is se badhkar is duniya mein
mere liye kuch nai hai...
 
Before she can react to what he said, or wipe the lone tear that glistened
her eye, he moves aside, to pick up a tiny box, then opens it, n takes out a
pinch of sindoor from it. She looks at him with trust, warmth n surity in
her eyes. What he said a few moments ago,  would forever be there, she
assured that to him, n without any heitation or doubt, he brought his hand
close to her forehead very confidently, n then in a split of a second he
filled her maang with sindoor, as she closed her eyes absorbling the warmth
n scent of love which filled the atmosphere. He added a gentle kiss to her
forehead then looked down at her again.
 
She was sleepy, he knew that, n exhausted also. So he pulled the blanket
upto her chin when she got hold of his arm. He turns around to face her
 
Riddhima: I love you Armaan
 
That simple sentence which was filled with a thousand emotions n a million
feelings, straight from her heart made him smile n he came back close to her
again, mouthing the same words,
and this time, he didnt drew back, but gently kept his head opposite to
hers, taking a tight hold of her hand, n sliding his other arm across her
small waist. And before he knew it, she was already asleep soundly in his
arms, but he didnt miss the smile that was there on her lips: a satisfying,
peaceful n a contented one.
 
The Next Morning: 10 a.m.
 
He sleepily moves towards  the other side n  feels someone sleeping next to
him. He unknowingly moves his hand up to her face, his eyes still closed. He
feels her eyes, then her nose n reaches her mouth. She frowns. What was he
upto??  He moves his hand across her face still in some other dream,
completely unaware about his actions. When his hand lightly slaps her face,
thats when Riddhima speaks
 
Riddhima: Armaaannnn...! Kya kar rahe ho..? (she mutters, too sleepy
herself)
 
 Taking a firm hold of his hand, she keeps it back next to her, on the bed.
He frees it again from her hold after a few moments, then takes a firm grip
of her waist, n nuzzles his head into her neck, causing Riddhima to wake up.

 
The sun was shinig brightly, as she saw those baem of rays which filled
their room. Most of the candles had now blown away but the tinkling of the
chimes could still be heard. Riddhima smiles as she looks at her room, n
that photograph which still made her look at Armaan n feel how handsome he
was looking. She was really very lucky to have Armaan in her life. Her
memory drifts off to the previous day, making her smile even more as she
remembered the happenings. But what she couldnt recall was that when had she
fallen asleep...?
 
She hears Armaan slowly snoring next to her neck n she smiles. She puts his
collars of the sherwani aside, so he wouldnt feel that hot. Somewhere in his
mind he knows what Riddhima is upto as she blows over his face, making him
feel ticklish.
 
Armaan: Basskkeeetttt... he opens his eyes a few seconds after to look at
Riddhima already staring at him
 
Riddhima: Good Morning Dr Mallik...subah ke 10 baj rahe hain...aapne uthna
nai hai kyaa..?
 
Armaan takes one look at her, she was still in that lehenga choli, that
sindoor was still there n those bangles too. His feet went against her
payals n he smiled. He closed his eyes again
 
Armaan: Nai abhi nai...
 
Riddhima: Fine..sote raho, main jaa rahi hoon...
 
Armaan: Bassskkeettt....taking her by her waist n firmly holding her despite
her wails
 
Armaan: shusshhhh...meri baat suno dhyaan se...
 
Riddhima: Nai Armaan...muhe choro..please...
 
Armaan: Pehle suno tohh...
 
Riddhima: Armaan..(taking his hand but not succeeding) darwaza bhi locked
nai hai...agar koi aa jaye...
 
Armaan: Arrey yaar, mujhe sirf tumhein kuch kehna hai...kuch kerna nai. Ab
meri baat dhyan se suno...
 
Riddhima: Armaannn...!!
 
She stopped fidgeting in his arms
 
Riddhima: Kaho..
 
Armaan: Hmmm...letting her by her waist easy, n properly taking a look at
her. He moved his hand to move those few locks of hair off her forehead , n
tucked another few behind her ear then looked at her again.
 
Riuddhima: Armaaannnn...mujhe jaana hai
 
He smiled at her then brought her ear close to his lips, despite her
reluctance.
 
Armaan: I love you Basket...!
 
She withdraws back from him, looks at him, all sleepy but he still had that
glint of love, he always has for her, n then says
 
Riddhima: I love you too Armaan (as she put her hand on her cheek, her
bangles made a sound, n he kissed them)
 
That was it: Their honeymoon was spent in Goa n perhaps that was why
whenever they used to go there after their wedding, romance filled in the
air, as in their early married days. Three years had passed switfly, but to
their both satisfaction n contentment. He used to get late from Sanjeevani
many a time, but she didnt mind it, instead she would quietly wait for him
to come, even if it was close to two or three at night. He would always take
her to Padma's place whenever she wanted to, to prove himself as a good
damad to them. They were already very impressed with him, so happy for their
little one. Riddhima had always loved playing a wife to him, still did: she
would cook his favourite dishes, pack what he loved for tiffin, scolded him
if ate from the canteen, encourage him with all his surgeries, guide him
whenevr he needed her, n basically was always there for him. Always.
 
 
 
FLASHBACK ENDS: BACK TO THE PRESENT: 3 MONTHS LATER.
 
PRESENT STATUS: Arima has been observed carefully over the past few weeks, n
the doctors have recommended that the surgery would take place once she
attains the age of 7 or 8 years, n not before that. Till then, she has been
advised some medicines, which her mummy n daddy never forget to give to her.
The risk of the hole in the heart growing any larger is absolutely finished
n she would be safe till her surgery that is if she keeps taking the doses
of medicines.
 
Mumbai: 10 p.m.
 
Armaan: Done?
 
Riddhima nods then stands up. She was done tying her shoe lace n got back to
Armaan n Arima. They were out for a walk after dinner with Arima cuddled up
in her pram, which was dragged by Armaan in front of him, as he walked.
 
She comes n takes hold of his other hand again, n they start walking.
 
Riddhima: Armaan kal Muskaan ne humein lunch par bulaya hai, toh tum seedha
hospital se Rahul ke saath wahaan aa jaana
 
Armaan: Basket I dont think main aa paaonga, woh Mr Tandon ki sugery ko 2
din pade hain, aur paper work bohot zyaada hai, plus maine abhi to 2 din
pehle chutti li thi, mujhe nai lagta Dr Kirti mujhe allowe kareingi...
 
Her face drops off
 
Riddhima: Armaaan!! Hum kitnee dinon baad to sab ek saath lunch kareinge,
mujhe to yaad bhi nai ki hum kab last mile the. Phir Muskaan ka baby bhi to
next month ke liye due hai, uske baad to she'll be busy with that naa
 
Armaan: Haan yaar lekin ab main kya karoon? aana to chahta hoon, but I cant
naa...
 
Riddhima: Hmmm...( she pouted her lips as she thought sbout it.)
 
They walk for a few more minutes after which Riddhima feels its time for
Arima to have her milk, n they go inside the house.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Next Afternoon: Muskaan's Place
 
Muskaan: Yeh le...(she bent down to give Riddhima a glass of orange juice,
when Riddhima gasped)
 
Riddhima: Muskaaannn!! Kya kar rahi hai? (She takes the glass, then frowns
at her) Tujhe pta haina ki yeh sab karna baby ke liye nai theek, abhi aise
time par tu chances kyun le rahi hai?
 
Muskaan: Arrey yaar, kuch nai hota, ek to who khota mujhe waise hi kuch
karne nai deta, upar se tu... Main bilkul theek hoon, after all main bhi to
doctor hi hoon na, main apna dhyaan rakh sakti hoon.
 
Riddhima: To phir apne 7th month mein bhi jhuk kyun rahi hai? Kisne bola tha
tujhe khaana banane ko? Kisne kaha tha ki Rahul ko zabardasti kaam par bhej
de aur khud tu akeli reh...?
 
Muskaan: oh yaar woh to Rahul ptanai kab se Sanjeevani nai gaya tha, isiliye
maine use kaha ki aaj kuch der ke liye chala jaaye, yeh chod, bta ki tu
itneeeee dinon baad kyu mujhse milne aayi, haan? Bilkul bhi yaad nai aayi
kya?
 
Riddhima: Nai, woh bas... Armaan apne kaam mein hi itna busy rehta hai,
shaam ko aata bhi hai to seedha khaana khakar sone chale jaata hai, phir
subah phirse jaldi chala jaata hai...aur phir yeh Arima bhi ab badi ho rahi
hai, aur shaitan ho rahi hai, kuch kaam theek se karne bhi nai deti (She
looks at her sweetheart who was sleeping in her pram which lay next to
Riddhima)
 
Muskaan smiles: Abhi kuch hi dino baad meri bhi yahi haalath hone waali
hai...
 
Riddhima: yeah...but its a beautifull feeling Muskaan, you'll figure that
out for yourself...jo khushi milti hai na apne baby ko sabse pehli baar
dekhkar, use god mein lekar, woh bas...its just undescribable...(Her mind
drifts off to Arima's birth :
 
It was four early in the morning, when Ridhima shifted in the bed, n groaned
slighly. She sleepily called out: Armaan...n shook him up as he lay beside
her. When the pain got worse, she nudged him even more, until he woke up, n
decided to take her to the hospital, there n then.
 
Taking Riddhima there was a big problem, as she could bearly walk, n was too
heavy for him to lift her up. They reached Sanjeevani amidst Ridhima's wails
n cries, n Armaan's peaceful encouraging n cautious words.
 
Dr Kirti n a few others were already prepared as Armaan had called them
before. Riddhima was put into labour that very moment. Anjali was called, n
soon they all were there including Atul, Muskaan, Rahul, Padma, Shanshank n
Nani. Armaan had his hands clasped together under her chin awaiting for the
news. But more imortantly, he wanted to see Riddhima, as the images of her
wailing throughout the car throbbed his mind, n he became too impatient.
 
Rahul got him coffee, of which Armaan took a few sips, n then started
walking from one end to the other of the waiting room. It was only after an
hour or so, did they hear a crying sound, which was definitly not of
Riddhima, but of the baby. Muskaan smiled instantly, n clapped her hands
together. Anjali too hugged her mom, n then Atul.
 
Rahul: Armaannn..! Kya hua?? Tujhe baby ki awaaz nai sunai de rahi kyaa..??
 
Armaan: Ummm...mmm...yeh...mere baby.....??...
 
A few moments later when Dr Kirti entered, looking exhausted in that green
operation suit, she smiled at Armaan
 
Dr Kirti: Beti hui hai...Congratulations Dr Armaan!! (she removed her gloves
as Armaan stared at her for a few seconds, then said...
 
Armaan: Main...jaakar dekh loon...?? he was super excited, his emotions were
out of control, n he fumbled with the words.
 
When she noddded, he practiacally ran inside to see Riddhima lying on the
bed, her eyes closed n her face seeming tired, but it also had a sense of
satisfaction n happiness on it. It was then when Armaan's eyes fell upon a
small bundle of white sheets which the nurse was arranging, next to
Riddhima's bed, on a tiny little rocking cage. He knew she was it!!
 
With confident steps, Armaan walked towards it n when he saw those little
eyes emerging from under the sheets n that tiny nose n those even tiny hands
peeping from inside, he was left spellbound. His expressions didnt change
one bit when he walked towards it n then stopped, still staring in a very
loving way. Without blinking his eyes for one second also, he picked his
girl up n that was when Riddhima's eyes opened.
 
That look in his eyes, staring at that little bundle was very hard to
explain. It was priceless for Riddhima, that gaze in his eyes, that unsual
smile that played on his lips, that feeling of immense love for the baby.
She just kept gazing n gazing at the scene before her, which was still
etched in her heart as one of her golden memories with Armaan. Many a time,
she would think of that moment, n those feelings she had felt at that time.
It was magical for her, something which was hers, n she was so happy for
that one.
 
And then, when Armaan had handed her over Arima...aaahhhh!!! What it felt
like! to hold yur tiny girl in your arms for the first time!!
 
She just couldnt explain that to Muskaan, it was beyond words, beyond any
explanation. It was just a expereinece, n Muskaan would soon be dealing with
that.
 
They heard the bell going tinton, n Muskaan got up to see who was at the
door, when Riddhima stopped her.
 
Riddhima: Chup chp bethi raho...bohot bhaagna ho gaya...
 
So Muskaan kept sitting there, playing with Arima's hair as she slept.
Riddhima opened the door for Rahul n beamed at him
 
Rahul: How are you? (he asked her as she gave him a side-hug)
 
Riddhima: I'm fine...Armaan nai aaya? (her eyes searching for him)
 
Rahul: Nai woh..usne tumhein bataya nai kya? (entering with a bag full of
some files n other things)
 
Riddhima: Haan bola to tha ki woh aa nai payega, lekin maine socha shayad...
 
Rahul smiled: Nai actually woh Dr Kirti ne use lunch tak koi kaam diya tha,
uske baad he'll be free, to maine use kaha ki woh seedha yahin par aa
jaaye..so he'll be here in about half an hour...
 
He walked down the coridoor n looked at Muskaan sitting in the living room,
still looking at Arima
 
Riddhima meekly followed him. She was feeling abit low about it. He so often
didnt turn up for lunch, n sometimes got so late for dinners, n then he
would complain about him not feeling well. Neither did he spend more time
with Arima these days, n she couldnt even remember the last time they both
had gone out for a dinner, all by himself. Many a time, he would turn up
late at night, n often he would have to go to Sanjeevani in the middle of
night. Proper, healthy meals would be the last thing in his mind n Riddhima
now seemed to take it all up seriously. She decided to talk to him about it
once he would get back.
 
She was diverted from her thoughts when she heard Muskaan saying
 
Muskaan: Arrey Riddhima kahaan kho gayi..? kabse keh rahi hoon ki Arima ro
rahi hai..
 
Riddhima: Ohh..haan, sorry, main abhi dekhti hoon...
 
.....
Twenty minutes later Riddhima is sitting in one of the rooms, staring at
Arima. She had been fed well by her mummy, n Riddhima was happy that she
had eaten all the custard n even the bottle of milk was almost finished. She
had her hand on Arima's forehead n was humming a nursery rhyme Arima loved.
Armaan would often sing her many of them to put her off to sleep.
 
A few minutes later, Armaan enters the room. He stood there with his lips
pursed, smiling at the sight before him.
 
Riddhima was sitting against the bedpost, with Arima on her lap, n the
bottle of milk in her mouth. Arima was already sleeping, n even Riddhima's
eyes were closed as she leaned her head against the wall. He came towards
them n saw that Arima was done with her milk. He gently took the bottle out
from her mouth n kept it on one side. As he did so, Arima opened her eyes, n
smiled at her daddy
 
Armaan whispered: Heeyyy! aap uthe huye ho..? agar mamma ko pta chal gaya,
to bohot daantengi, chalo jaldi se so jao (putting her blanket on top of
her)
 
Arima did so after Armaan gave her a hi five n a big kiss on her cheek. He
smiled down at his angel as she slept soundly. He was sitting beside
Riddhima, as she now shifted her head on his shoulder. He looked at her
sleeping, with her lips pouted n she smiling at something, perhaps in her
dream. He carefully put a strand of her hair behind her ear, n whispered
 
Armaan: Riddhima...
 
She shook a little, n frowned to herself
 
Armaan: Basket....(putting up a hand on her head)
 
Riddhima stirred again, then opened her eyes to look at him
 
Armaan: Good Morning sleeping beauty (he winked down at her)
 
Riddhima: Armaan...! tum...tum kab aaye?
 
Armaan: Bas abhi...
 
Riddhima: Woh..mujhe pta hi nai chala ki kab main ise sulaate sulaate...(
she rubbed her eyes)
 
Armaan: Hmm..woh to main dekh raha tha (taking her hand in his)
 
Armaan: Khaana nai khana kya..??
 
Riddhima: Mmhhhmmm....mujhe neend aa rahi hai (placing her head back on her
shoulder)
 
Armaan: Riddhima...khaana to khana hai na...chalo cmon, get up (grazing her
chin with his finger)
 
Riddhima: mmmhmhmmm
 
He turned his head to kiss her forehad, then saw that Arima was up again.
 
Armaan: Hey beautiful! tum abhi bhi uthi hui ho...?
 
Riddhima: Uuffo Arima!! yeh ladki naa...kabhi theek time par nai soti...(she
shook her head in disguist)
 
Armaan: Chalo koi baat nai, abhi so jaayegi... lekin abhi hum thoda time
papa ke saath bitaayenge...right junior?
 
Arima clapped back her hand n chuckled when Riddhima hit Armaan on his
shoulder
 
Riddhima: Tumhaari wajah se hi nai soti hai...ab main jaa rahi hoon, sulaate
raho tum ise...
 
Armaan: Haan to sula dooga, lekin pehle mujhe iski saari tiddly winks ko to
dekhne do...
 
He saw the teddy bear n Arima's favourite barbie doll emerging from her bag,
peeping at them. Soon all the toys from her bag were scattered on the bed,
as Armaan cooked up a story for Arima, n they were throwing her tiny pink
ball all around, with Arima chuckling very hard n Armaan playing the joker n
kisiing her now n then.
 
Riddhima, though scowled, n pretended that she was very angry with the two
of them, was happy from inside that Armaan was still there for Arima These
little sweet fights were very rarely seen between Ariman him nowadays, but
she understood that the amount of pressure he had was too much, n perhaps
that was for him, but then he also took out time for Rahul n Muskaan, n to
pla with Arima, n to have some lovely moments with herself, n soon the scowl
faded away, bringing a smile to her lips.
 
Squeals, shouts, laughter n shrieks were heard from the room which brought
Rahul n Muskaan there too. Armaan played with Arima's hair, talked about
Muskaan's belly n pretended to punch it, hit Riddhima which made Arima
squeal harder. Lunch was a hard task for Riddhima n Muskaan to get the guys
into, n after that, they spent some more time with each other, after which
Armaan had to return back for work, n Riddhima went back home with Arima.
 
PRECAP:
 
Ladies n Gentlemen,
Its time to announce the biggest bash of this year,
when our little one, completes her one year!
 
so please be there for Arima's first birthday party
at YU ME AUR HUM on this Saturday
So you better be there!
 
Riddhima n Armaan Mallik
 
P.S. There's gonna be a live performance by Arima n her daddy too!

 

If this part brought a smile on your face, then do let me know

Also tell me which line did you feel was the best one, be it by Armaan, Riddhima, Rahul, Muskaan, or even Arima!

So see you on Saturday!

Take Care

 

Spriha