*Turn to page 127 for the previous update
14th February
3:35 p.m.
'Hey Armaan!'
Rahul smiles at Armaan who was sitting on one of those high stools, next to the wall. The sight of him was so funny that Rahul couldnt help, but laugh. Armaan was surrounded by several balloons, streamers, stars, strings of light n other decorations...some round his neck, others hanging from his arm, n still others resting on his lap. On his right shoulder sat Arima, who had a big torquise balloon round her wrist n smiled at it as she kicked it with all her force. While Arima had a joyous look, Armaan had a frustrated n a tired one. He sighed after cutting a piece of tape, looked at Rahul, n waved at him.
Rahul: Kya hua yaar?? Beti ka birthday hai...teri shakal dekh kar aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise abhi-abhi Riddhima ne tujhe tere saaman ke saath guest room mein shift kar diya hai...
Armaan: Chodd yaar...(as he picked up Arima n handed her over to Rahul who spread his arms n smiled at the little doll)
Rahul: Happy Birthday Sweetheart!! (He pinched her cheek, then dug his hand in his pocket, n took out a little something.)
Rahul: Tadaaa!! Look whats here!!
Muskaan: Oye Rahul!! Tujhe kaha tha na ki gift donon saath deinge... (She wobbled inside the living room, holding her huge stomach in her hands, the same look on her face as it had been over the past several years she had known Rahul)
Rahul: Arrey yaar..abhi toh diya bhi nai hai..dhyaan se aa..bhaagne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai..
Muskaan: Oye Armaan..tu wahaan upar kya kar raha hai??
Armaan: pooch matt yaar...(as he cut another piece of tape n stuck it on a wall-hanging)
'Armaan ne mujhse vaada kiya tha ki woh meri help karega aaj ke din' Riddhima walked in with a few things in her hand, lookig as gorgeous as ever in one of her usual outfits, this one an emerald green...'thats why subah se woh isi kaam mein laga hua hai...haina Armaan?' She keeps some packets on the table n looks up at him with a hint of naughtiness shining bright in her eyes.
Armaan looked at her n smiles fakely at her. He remembered their conversation from the morning which had brought him to the condition he was presently in. Muskaan saw Riddhima looking at Armaan with a victorious look. She asked.
Muskaan: Armaan TERI help karega...woh bhi KAAM mein...??
Riddhima smiles at her, holds her hand n walks to the kitchen with her.
Riddhima: Chal, bataati hoon...
...........................
'BILKUL NAHI!!"
Armaan, Rahul n Atul jumped as they heard their wives shout at them.
Rahul: Par..par...par kyun...? (He walked over n held Muskaan from her arm n looked at her)
Riddhima: KYUN?? Rahul yeh tum pooch rahe ho?? I cant beleive ki iss Armaan ke chakkar mein tum bhi phass gaye ho..
Armaan: Aye..Helloo Madam...(as he walked to the other side of the counter, n came to stand between Muskaan n Riddhima, frowning at his wife)... In case you have forgotten, yeh sab Rahul ka HI idea hai...yeh mujh per kyun ilzaam lag raha hai?
Riddhima smiled at him, clearly it was an artificial one 'Kyunki jahaan shararat hoti hai...wahaan tum na ho, yeh toh impossible hai na Armaan...'
'But Anjali its not fair...' Atul cribbed. 'Whats not fair Atul...?? Yeh drinks ka mention tum ne kiya hi kab tha??'
Riddhima: Aur Armaan yeh Arima ki party hai...humne bachon ko bulaya hai...how can yu expect us to be serving drinks n all?
Muskaan: Bikul theek..aur waise bhi pichli baar kya hua tha yeh hum teenon ko ache se yaad hai...(folding her arms)
Armaan: Abbey yaar...pichli baar...humne kitni baar samjhaya hai ki pichli baar...
Riddhima: tunhaari koi galti nahi thi, balki Abhimanyu aur Nikki ne zabardasti ki thi...HUMEIN PATA HAI!!
Totally frustrated she narrows her eyes at the boys
'Ab dhyaan se meri baat suno...' She pointed a knife in their direction n spoke emphasizing on each n every word, loud n clear. 'Agar mujhe tumhaari shaitaani ki booh bhi aayi...toh!!!' (Armaan gulped) 'Mujhse bura koi nahi hoga...samjhe??'
They all nodded straight...Who would have thought the shy n timid Riddhima would be chidding them one day like this, Rahul wondered!
Riddhima: Good!
Anjali: Chalo now you both go n get ready, main ek baar saara arrangement dekh aati hoon...
Riddhima n Armaan nod, n walk towards the room.
...............................
The little lawn next to their house was dazzling under the starry sky. It was close to six, n the sky had turned a beautiful pink, with streaks of sunlight spread all over the sky. The strings of white n pink lights that were adorning the garden were making it look really mesmerizing under the little moon peeping from behind the clouds n the faint music added to the glory. The two huge trees, on each side of the lawn had a number of balloons hanging on, each branch supporting a different shade. The petite pond at the corner of the lawn was filled with petals n a few sceneted candles, making the overall view looking extraordinarily elegant. It was in every way that Armaan had wished it to be, n now as Rahul n Muskaan looked at it, he put an arm around her n smiled down at her. She smiled back, with her one hand on her tummy, n leaned back on his shoulder.
..............................
'Riddhima please yaar...'
Riddhima hears Armaan say as she looks at the folds of her sari in the mirror n frowns. Then adjusts them a bit n speaks out to him, 'Armaan please...mujhe tang matt karo...'
Armaan: Arrey yaar...kam se kam ek baar bta toh do ki yeh better hai ya yeh?
'Armaaaan...donon achi hai..koi bhi pehen lo' As the pin pulls out, Riddhima groans, n indulges in the tediuos work of putting up her sari again.
Armaan is sitting on the bed, with his elbow supporting him, n his eyes looking down at Arima. He ran his fingers through her hair, n when she looked up he winked back at her.
'Bolo naa...pa-pa...pa-pa....'
Riddhima: Armaan tum please jaldi teyyar hoge? Sab log aa gaye honge aur tumne abhi takk kapde bhi nahi badle hain...
Armaan got up in a jump n walked in front of the dressing area to put his hands on her waist.
Armaan: Toh tum mujhe bta kyun nahi rahi ho ki main kya pehnoon?
Riddhima groaned as she felt his lips on her neck.
Riddhima: Armaan!! Koi bhi pehen lo..kab se keh rahi hoon...
'Pakka...?' He narrowed his eyes n gave her his naughtiest look, to which she slapped his face from one side.
Riddhima: Haan Armaan..ab pleaseeeeee mujhe chodo...
She took hold of his hands n pushed them away from disturbing her in the midst of her sari-wearing. Armaan grabbed her again to plant a kiss on her cheek, then picked up a shirt from the bed n walked into the washroom to change.
............................
'Okay...are we all ready now?' He took a final look in the mirror, brushed his fingers through his hair, n looked at the side.
'Riddhima puh-leez!' He sighed n she frowned. 'Armaan can yu please wait for a minute?...tumhein dikh raha haina ki main iske baal theek kar rahi hoon...ek toh pehle itni mushkil se woh clip adjust kiya tha..then yu just have to spoil it all..now at least let me work on her hair...'
Another 30 seconds later Riddhima stood up, looked at the glass in front of her n then curved her lips, clearly nervous. 'You sure yeh..theek hai na..' She pursed her lips tight n let her fingers play with one side of her sari. Armaan turned to look at her.
His eyes fell on his love, his life, his wife, his lil baby, his darling, his valentine...his lips twisted in a smile on their own...just at the sight of her standing there created a lump in his throat, n he couldnt speak for a moment.
Riddhima...even today she was just the same girl he had met a few years back..she still smiled the same way that he adored day in n day out, she still had the habit of putting her locks of hair behind her ear, oblivious to her, that action of hers made him just go weak in his knees...she hadnt lost her ability to tease n play pranks on him, in fact, over the years, they had both seen many advancements in that field...he could remember the latest tire-puncture prank she had played on him, n his favourite shirt burned for not letting her visit Anji on another day...she still had that love of fighting with him, over the pettiest of all issues...n she still seemed to enjoy it so much...her smile meant the world to him, it truly n really did...n he loved to just love her, to just feel that she was his wife, his, n only his...he loved to feel her sitting beside him in the car, he loved to feel her standing next to him in the lift, he loved to feel his hands brush with hers over breakfast, he loves to see her adjusting his clothes in the wardrobe, he loved to just lay beside her at night...for the simple fact that he was the one who had got this golden chance of protecting her...of taking care of her...of her being dependent on him over little things...he loved it when she asked him to pick up a few things from a store on his way back from the hospital, he loved to hear her speak n laugh on the phone, he loved how she treated others, in a really special way, n how she treated him...in an extraordinarily special way...she was his life, his love, his dream, his reality, his, n just his...
'Nahi achi lag rahi naa...?' she stared back at his blue eyes, as she hesitated n pursed her lips harder. And when she saw him closing the distance between them, taking slow yet strong steps towards her, she wasnt able to look at his eyes any longer. She was wearing a deep pink sari, the colour that matched her cheeks at the moment. It was a light chiffon outfit, with little work done on the front, n a line of stars that adorned her deep-cut blouse. Her hair had been pinned up from one side, n let it fall on her back, which ended in curls. It was neat n pretty, just as he liked. As she yet again put a strand of hair behind her ear, he caught a glimpse of her bangle, the stones of which shined as bright as it had on that night. Her eyes were lined in black, n he smiled in spite of himself to look at those pretty eyes, which now looked anywhere, but at him.
Riddhima shivered as she felt his hands on her back, n as he leaned onto her, she closed her eyes. His face came close to hers, n she breathed heavily as she felt his warm lips kiss her hair, on her neck. He retreated to see her closed eyes, an epitome of beauty. She had never looked prettier to him n he felt him blushing as Arima smiled, looking at them. 'Take care...okay?' he whispered as he patted her stomach.
.....................
Shashank closed the door behind him as he got out of his car, n helped Nani come out. They walked into the house with Padma, who carried a big box, wrapped neatly in a fluoroscent yellow sheet. They were greeted by Rahul who stood at the entrance, talking to Vicky.
'Good Evening Sir...Hallo Maam...kaisi hain aap Nani?' he smiled to them. 'Main to theek hoon..tu kaisa hai..aur Muskaan kahaan hai?' Rahul led Nani to sit where Muskaan chatted with Anjali. They were soon cozily talking to each other, discussing Arima's latest words that she had learnt, n how she now had her milk without troubling Riddhima much... Nani talked to Muskaan about her delivery date, n what all she should be doing at this point of time, n what all she should not be doing...Atul managed Arjun with the balloons, n soon introduced Naveeta n Dhruv to him. They soon made friends, n were busy hiding behind chairs n tables, n stealing snacks from others' plates. As she heard a familiar voice, Anjali smiled, n turned to see Mini standing there, dressed in a plain black skirt n a cute red top with small teddies on it. She wore her hair just the same, n her teeth chatted away like never before. She smiled when Dhruv complimented the little girl n Anjali smiled at them. It was amazing to know that even after so many years, Mini was just the same little angel they had once operated upon. Sure enough, she was now perfectly fine, once returned from London, n went to school, n came to Armaan n Riddhima's house on weekends to chat with Riddhima n play with Arima n tease Armaan.
As Rahul ended his call, he smiled at the people he saw at the door. Abhimanyu n Nikita were still the same, as they walked in, grumbling about one of their many fights. Though they had started seeing each other almost four months back, n were very much 'in love', Rahul knew just too well about all their tiffs they had even today. He looked at Nikki frowning, as she walked, clad in a knee-length black n white outfit, n he went to meet them. Nikita n Abhimanyu were not as close to Armaan n Riddhima as Rahul n Muskaan were, but they were sweet, n as Nikki had been a college friend of Armaan's, they met once a week or something. Everyone loved teasing them about their marriage, to see Nikki blush n Abhi shy. It was fun, n they were nice peeps, working in Sanjeevani too.
When Riddhima n Armaan still hadnt appeared with Arima, Atul pulled Anji to a side to ask her about the matter. And as they talked, they saw them appear....the perfect Mallik Family...
All eyes fell upon them. He was standing there, those dimples of his- a bonus with the million dollar smile, looking as handsome as ever in his black high-neck. He had deep blue, proud eyes, the same colour as that of the sky on a sunny morning. Those magical eyes cried out innumerable emotions, as Riddhima always noticed. He had Arima in his lap, the birthday girl dressed to rule, as a princess, in a very beautiful peach n cream frock, with sparkles that glittered. She was proud of her little tiara Anjali had got for her, n she smiled at her tiny pink slippers which shined bright as the light fell on them. She smiled at the gathering, n they smiled back at her. Her eyes twinkled the same way as did her daddy's n her cheeks were coloured in the same manner as her mommy's. Riddhima had taken Armaan's arm n had a hand placed on a corner of her stomach, as if making the tiny little one inside her very much a part of the party. With she in pink, he in black n Arima dazzling in her cream n pink dress, they looked just perfect.
'Congratulations!' Padma was the first one to wish them. They descended down the steps n walked into the garden. Padma n Shashank handed Arima her birthday present n took her with them. Riddhima could clearly see the joy the grandparents shared in their eyes that evening...She greeted the other guests, n blushed when they complimented her, n smiled when they spoke of Arima, n offered them snacks n juice. Armaan hugged Nikki n thanked Abhimanyu for coming, despite his busy schedules.
'Haan...saare Valentine plans toh kharab kar diye hain...what else do ya want?' Nikki raised her brows at Armaan n he showed his dimples to her. 'Oh really...so what had yu guys planned for Valentines? I'm sure another big fight...' he winked at her n she frowned harder. He gave her shoulders a sqeeze 'But thank yu so much for making it...n by the way...Rahul was telling me something about Abhi proposing yu...' Nikki looked at Abhi n shied as she hit Armaan on the chest. But she spoke immediately, 'Oh please...shaadi n that too abhi... bilkul nahi..I wanna be free yaar...iske saath ek ghar mein tik kar nahi reh sakti..u knw me...' she reasoned out with Armaan. 'Aur phir pyaar vyaar shaadi ke baad...' Nikki shook her head. 'Kisne kaha shaadi ke baad pyaar nahi rehta?' They turned to see Riddhima beaming at them.
Armaan blushed, n Nikki noticed. She teased him for that n after they talked about the whole issue, they heard the DJ change the song to a latest bollywood one, n Abhi was quick for Nikki to ask her for a dance. She laughed as she placed her hand in his. Armaan took Riddhima by her arm n pulled her to a side.
'Tsk..Armaan...' She frowned. 'Riddhima tum aise idhar udhar chakkar kyun lagayi jaa rahi ho?...chup-chaap wahaan Muskaan ke saath kyun nahi beth sakti?' Riddhima looked at him, as he scowled hard n she smiled to think that the days were back. She let him lead her to where a few people sat. She smiled at her mom, who was looking at Arima, dance with the other kids. 'I cant beleive ki yeh itni badi ho gayi hai...I mean...ek dum se hi...ek saal guzar bhi gaya...aise toh yeh bohot jaldi badi ho jaayegi...aur humein ehsaas bhi nahi hoga...' Riddhima felt a lone tear escape her eyes. Padma smiled at Riddhima, knowing exactly how she felt. Padma talked to her for some while, n Riddhima wondered if she should let her little secret out, but then decided against it. She sat there, watching everyone have fun...the songs that played were slow n romantic, yet they all seemed to enjoy dancing on them. Arima was on Rahul's shoulder, balancing her tiara on her head, smiling as widely as she could. Riddhima saw Abhi n Nikki at one end of the dance floor, laughing about a little joke, as they moved in each other's arms. She saw Atul n Anji, n Muskaan standing with Rahul...n as her eyes drifted to her man, she felt herself blushing.
He was standing at one corner of the area, next to the tree, talking to Shubhanker n Kirti. She saw him frown as he moved his hands, explaining something that she considered to be important. It was a case, she was well aware of, n she couldnt help, but sit n admire the way he talked. His hands were dug deep in his pockets, n occasionaly when they came out, he moved them in the air. Once as he laughed, she felt her heart contracting against her chest. His eyes were twinkling n she remembered how once upon a time, very long ago, he had written a poem for her...Twinkle twinkle little star...baa baa black sheep..jack n jill...
Riddhima giggled to herself, lost in an old memory, she was totally oblivious to Armaan staring back at her. When she saw him looking at her laugh, she turned red, n looked down. He winked at her, n a few minutes later, he came upto her n took her hand.
Padma sat with Nani all alone, looking at the young couples sway with the music. She admired them all, but her eyes were fixed on Armaan n Riddhima n Arima...She saw Armaan playing around with the two, n them giggling...they seemed to be the happiest...perhaps they all were, but they had a special glow, a different glow, n Padma thought she probably knew why.
Armaan had his hands placed on her waist n she had her arms curled round his neck. Ocassionaly as he spoke in her ear, she used to turn red at the close contact. As the song changed to 'Tum se hi'...the remixed version, Armaan smiled, n she smiled back knowingly, for this had been the first song they had danced on, together. After a few twirls, Rahul offered to dance with Riddhima, n when Armaan refused Rahul teased them.
It was a perfect night...a perfect Valentines...as Riddhima leaned on to Armaan, n he held her close to him. A special vibe radiated from their bodies, n both of them had never felt happier. The two of them were totally unaware of what Rahul n the others concluded with Armaan fussing around Riddhima the whole day long...
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P.S. Armaan n Arima's performance has been edited out...I would come up with something else soon.
Thats it for now...the next update in a few days. Thank yu for reading, n if u liked any of it, yu can always let me know, or if u didnt like it even one bit, even then yu are welcome to let me know.
All my love
Spriha
KaranShilpa:)2009-03-30 01:17:27
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