Chapter 36
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So I can keep some promises, eh? ;) Happy Reading!
*Turn to page 145 for the previous part
'Dr Armaan...aapki wife ka phone hai..' He heard the duty-nurse speak and turning around at the counter, still engrossed with what went wrong with the patient's cardio tests, he took hold of the receiver n spoke, 'Hello?'
'Armaan..? Tum abhi bhi wahin ho? Kitna time ho gaya hai...aur main kabse tumhein bula rahi hoon...Muskaan ki delivery ko huye almost 8 ghante ho gaye hain aur ab takk tum use dekhne bhi nahi aaye..maine kitni calls tumhaare cell par kiye aur itne saare messages nurse ke saath bhi-- Armaan...?' her voice faltered as she got no response from the other end.
'..umm Riddhima..main thoda sa busy hoon..thodi der mein baat karein..' he flipped another page as he put a hand to his neck n slightly pressed it.
'..Armaan..? kya hua?' he was pissed off by something, but she didnt know why the need to get angry at her arose, 'main toh bass yeh keh rahi thi ki--'
'..haan Riddhima jaanta hun ki Muskaan ki baby huyi hai n all of you are waiting for me there..but I cant come, kuch important cases hain aur mujhe abhi--'
'Armaan tum mujh par kyun gussa ho rahe ho? aisa kya ho gaya ki--'
'..Riddhima...' he closed his eyes n sighed, 'Kuch nahi.' he put the file aside n said, 'dekho, mujhe abhi kaafi zyaada kaam hai, aur tum wahaan se ghar chali jao ab..bohot late ho gaya hai..I'll see you at night..hmm?'
'umm..lekin tum yahaan nahi aaoge toh unhein bohot bura--' then sensing that he might just burst out at her, she said softly, 'par agar kuch aur kaam hai..toh theek hai..I'll tell Rahul, aur please khaana khaa lena... aur nurse ne tumhaari coffee cabin mein ab takk rakh di hogi..'
'Yeah..okay..see you.' click. He turned his head n closed his eyes. He had no idea what time of the day it was n since when he had been working. As Armaan picked up the file n vanished into the Path Lab, he forgot all about Riddhima n her call.
Riddhima kept the phone down n sighed. This was what had been happening over the past few weeks, and even though these small tiffs didnt amount to anything big, still he got so irritated by little things n exhausted at the end of the day, that all he would come home n do was hit the bunk. They seemed to have next to no time at all for each other. It was always these phone calls n this patient with that disease n this surgery n going to Lonavla, or Delhi for a conference or signing some important stuff and placing an order for some new drugs they needed...she put a hand on her head n closed her eyes. A few moments later, she decided to go n see Muskaan. As she entered the room, she stopped in her tracks to look at the sight before her. It was one that she couldnt dare to disturb, n so, retreating back with a small smile she left the two alone with their new-born baby girl.
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'Riddhima!!! Riddhima..Riddhima kahaan jaa rahi ho...??...Rid-Riddhima kya kar rahi ho..Riddhima chodo..RIDDHIMA!!..hosh mein aao yaar!'
She poked his nose with her finger n seeing him getting irritated, she smiled. Her dupatta was tied up randomly on her head n her hair was a big mess. She couldnt walk two steps straight, thats how drunk she was, n now seeing that she totally did not cooperate, Armaan grabbed her hand n made her walk back.
'Choddo..choddo mujhe...Armaaaaaan....!!! Maine kaha chodo...ARMAAAAANNNN!!!' she screamed as he tried getting her back, but the lady was so stoned that she had no idea how loud she was to be shouting at this time of the night on the street. It was Atul's birthday party that night n the place chosen was the Orchid Lounge. It was all going well, till the boys decided to have some 'fun', n now as he looked at her, he could think of everything but 'fun'.
She was so loud man!! He left her hand as he faced a few people passing them wierd looks n giving them a small, embarassed smile, Armaan tried to make out with her before they all got to know about Dr Mallik's real identity. As she walked ahead, singing at the top of her voice n counting her fingers, he knew he could do anything but force her to go back. Thankfully Muskaan had called up her parents n let them know that Riddhima was staying with her that night, but IF by any means they got to know about their darling walking past the streets in this condition at this time of the night, he gulped, their engagement that was scheduled for next week was sure to be cancelled off.
'Okay..umm Riddhima..suno..wahaan sab hamaari wait kar rahe honge na..come on huney, lets go back..please..' he sounded as calm n patient as he could, under the given circumstances, but when she continued to walk ahead, smiling as she sung Shahrukh's latest number, Armaan made a face. Okay, this wasnt working out..he had to do something before people started questioning the insanity of the world.
'Riddhima..agar tum nahi aa rahi ho, toh am going..leaving you all alone..is that what you want?' taking her by her arm he looked into her face, plastering all anger n speaking in his harshest tones. But oh!! he couldnt! she was looking SO adorable at that point. Given that her hair was all untidy n her dupatta hanging from her head n her big eyes moving around n her lips twisted in a very sweet way, she just looked plain n simple cute!
'Almaaannnn matt jaoo naa..dekho naa kitneeeeee saare stars hain wahaan..chalo unko lekar aate hain...chalo..chalo..' she tugged at his hand n he looked down. 'Almaan..challlooo!!!' she screamed, when he covered her mouth with his finger.
'Riddhima..sshhhhh..bohot ho gaya..chalo waapas chalo ab..' he brushed a loose strand of hair off her face. This was getting too much now..the ice-cream vendors who called it a day now, stared at the two of them, twice a car had stopped n asked if everything was fine n then another man, probably not in his senses, was walking their way before Armaan gave him a look n he retreated back.
'Tumm nee aana chahte toh teek hai' she looked in his eyes n frowned, '...main jaa rahi hoon..' she waved at him n getting free of his hold, she walked ahead n Armaan heard her singing..'marjaaniiii marjaaniiiii....'
The best was probably just to let her do what she wanted, n so walking behind her, he took her hand lest she fell back on her unstable legs. 'Hum stars count karne jaa rahe hain...?' she looked at him n he nodded, hoping she wouldn't be that loud the next time.
Even he had no clue as to how long had it been since they were like this, roaming around, walking past god knows how many joints n getting all types of wierd looks. Letting her sip his drink had been undoubtedy one of the worst options, n when she went on n on, one after the other, he had been shocked to know that Muskaan had let her done so. What had followed was the drama queen whining to go out to get some fresh air, n he had ever since been walking behind her seeing her going totally drunk.
'Shahrukh Khan!!!!!!!!!' she shouted in delight, looking at one of his posters stuck on a wall next to a closed shop. 'Armaann..' she turned to him, 'mujhe isse milna hai..plleeaasseee' she pointed out n he sighed, 'Riddhima..please stop it aur waapas chalo. Please' he was tired now. She could not manage to stand properly n was speaking so loudly n that too utter nonsense. 'Mujhe isseee millnaa haiii' she cribbed, putting her head on his shoulder she cried. Armaan looked down at her. 'Riddhima..?' she looked up, n he saw her eyes dancing, 'Armaan pleaaassseee' tugging at his arm. 'Riddhima..main yahaan ab Shahrukh Khan kahaan se laun?' she was irritating him now. He just wanted to go back, grab a bite, n head to bed. 'Aur waise bhi..tumhein yeh Shahrukh kabse pasand aane lag gaya..?' he asked. 'Aaj se!!!' she smiled n he couldnt help but smile back at her excitement n happiness. 'Kyun?' she came back to him to pinch his cheek, 'tumhein jalan ho rahi hai?' she asked him n he laughed, 'oh puh-leez! ab main iss gadhe se jallunga kya? ha!' so she thought she was funny, Armaan looked at Riddhima as she smiled, 'Haan...aur waise bhi Muskaan ne kaha ki shaadi ke baad tum mujhe uski movies nahi dekhne doge..' she giggled, 'tum usse seriously itna jalte ho kya?' Armaan sighed, 'Riddhima..hum please yeh sab chodkar waapas jaa sakte hain..? pleasseee!!' he folded his hands in front of her. 'Lekin tum fikar matt karna Armaan..main tumhein chodkar uske paas nahi jaungi..' she was serious n he laughed. Seriously!! was she really so cute or what??! 'Okay..fine Riddhima..' he took hold of her as it seemed she would fall down any second now, 'Thank you ki tum uske paas nahi jaogi..n believe me main phir bhi uski movies tumhein dikha dunga..abhi can we please go back..??' he brushed off her fingers that wandered all over his face. 'Nahi!' she snapped, 'Pehle mujhe usse milao naaa...' she whined. 'Riddhima main use kahaan se laun ab?? u think thats possible right now? or for that matter for any 'now' ?' he reasined out with her. 'Fine, main jaa rahi hoon' n leaving his arm, she walked to the poster to kiss the actor's face, n then looked back at him. Jealous? Armaan put his head in his hands. Okay, this was going ridiculous now. She walked ahead, as he forced himself to follow her.
It was hot n he had a terrible headache. As he watched her walk n almost manage to not bump into a dustbin, he laughed. She was crazy. He wondered what the others might be thinking about their sudden disappearance. He looked at Riddhima as she finally hit a stone n fell down. He hurried towards her, then stopped as she stood up n rubbed her hands. She was such a baby, he smiled. Knowing that she was still angry with him and thankful that she hadnt got hurt, he let her walk as he looked out for a taxi. His smile faltered as he saw a bunch of men walking her way. He was a little behind her, n so seeming unaware that the lady was not alone, they proceeded towards her, whispering amongst themselves n passing smiles. As they drew nearer, Armaan frowned. 'Riddhima!' he walked faster, as she ignored him n continued with her little dramas.
'Riddhima! ruko!' he spoke loud enough n was sure that she could hear him. As the guys almost crossed her way, n then stopped, Armaan rushed towards her n took her hand in his. 'Riddhima..chalo yahaan se.' she looked up at him n tried to free her hand, 'chodo, chodo mujhe...chodo naa Armaaannn..' she tried to hit her hand, but he held it srongly, n made her walk to one side of the road, as he looked at the boys from the corner of his eye. They were walking back, with their heads down.
'Riddhima..enough is enough..ghar chalo, cmon..' he was angry with her now. She was behaving like a total nutcase n he did not want to stand it anymore. She looked at the men behind them, n though she was not in her senses she could sense that he was pissed off now. She looked up at him then n saw that he wasnt in a mood for anything n so she quietly walked with him as he desperately searched for a cab. As they kept walking with her hand tightly clasped in his, she felt exhausted, herself, n so leaning back on his shoulder, she yawned. He sensed she was not feeling too well as she decreased her pace.
He looked at where they were standing now. Outside Pizza Hut. 'Yayayayy!! Pizza..!' she exclaimed. Turning to him, 'Armaann..mujhe pizzaa khaana hai..' Pizza? at Pizza Hut? at midnight? with Riddhima like this?! What was next, he wondered. 'Riddhima..' he tried to give it a shot. 'Sweetheart, hum kahin aur kyun nahi chalte..?? why dont we go back to where Atul n the others are..??' he spoke as sweetly as he could, not letting her arm go by, incase she would step inside.
'Nahhhiiiiiii!!' she screamed, 'Armaaan mujhhe yahiin jaana hai..plleaaasseeee' she pouted, n his heart skipped a beat. No, this was NOT the time for anything else but to get her back right away. 'Riddhima..lekin..' n before he knew it, she had dragged him inside, n ignoring the waiter she headed towards a table in the center. Armaan gulped. Uh-oh! 'Umm Riddhima..why dont we go n sit there..? see, in that corner..?' he pointed to the farthest corner his eye could catch, n before she could say anything else, the waiter came n smiled at them.
'Am sorry maam, but this table is reserved..why dont you go n sit where sir is saying..?' he asked politely. Armaan thanked his stars, n though with reluctance, Riddhima followed Armaan to that table. He sat down n leaned back. It had been a long day n he was hungry. All he wanted was that Riddhima would behave herself for once n keep quiet n eat her food, n let him eat his.
'Kya khaogi?' he asked her, as she played with the cutlery. Good God Riddhima!! He had to literally take away all her forks n knives so as to maintain silence n keep away from the stares the people out there were passing them. He did not know how, in the first place had they allowed them to come inside, given what a mess she was looking. Though it wasnt vulgar in the least, it was just that she looked a bit strange in her sky blue outfit with her dupatta like that, n her hair in that way. She was still looking pretty, though, as she scanned the place n drummed her fingers on the table, n well she had never appeared any cuter to him, he swore. He smiled as she looked about n then she smiled at..what? the waiters..! 'Riddhima!!' he scowled, 'Riddhima..look at me, aur batao tumhein kya khaana hai..' he took hold of her hand n placed the menu card in it.
She took one look at it then kept it aside. 'Kuch bhii..' she said, n then placing her hand on her stomach, 'lekin mujhe bohot zor se bhookhi lagi hai...pleaseeee jaldi khaana lao naaa..' she banged on the table now. 'Acha okay fine..sshhhh Riddhima..everyone is watching us..ssshhhh..' this was soooooooo embarassing!! He just crossed his fingers that no one he knew popped up any second, though he could almost imagine people coming up n saying, 'Hey Dr Mallik! so this is your to-be fiance..? she looks sweet, except that..umm isnt she a bit oddly dressed, n well why is she singing so loudly..?!'
He ordered as fast as he could n then turning around to look at her, oh!! she was gone! He stood up almost then, all possible ideas turning in his head, until he spotted her going outside n without thinking anything else, he rushed out, calling for her.
'Riddhima!!!!' Oh God! this was gonna be a long night!!
It was...what?? raining!! oh great! this was all he needed! 'Riddhimaa...!!!!!' he shouted her name as he spotted her walking down the lane, dancing n singing to herself. ''Riddhima!' he caught up with her. 'Riddhima..ab bohot ho gaya hai..tum jaanti ho tum already bimaar thi aur--'
'Armaan dekho naa barrish ho rahi hai!!' she loved the rain, if nothing else, and as the drops of water trickled down her neck, n lower still, he felt himself closing down all the distances to get her hand n looking around, searching for a cab, n when he didnt see any, he looked back at her. His heart melted at the sight. She had her face up, her eyes closed, letting the rain fall all over her. Her hair was all wet n as the wind blew through those strands, she smiled, enjoying it. She was standing next to him, so close, his hand slipped in hers and the sky pouring above them. It was just the two of them there, standing in the middle of nowhere, while others rushed passed the street, running as fast as they could to save themselves from the unexpected shower. And they, they just stood there, as he stared at her, not beleiving how lucky he was to have her with him. A small smile crept up his face as he kept admiring her, n then as the wind picked up pace, there flew her dupatta!
Armaan looked at it, as it went out of reach now...as Riddhima, not bothered in the least kept standing in the same position. 'Riddhima?' he smiled. It was too far n he knew he could not get it, so standing right in front of her now, he felt her heart beat against his chest. It was only him who knew what he did to fight against this sudden urge to just kiss her there n then. But at the back of his mind he knew that he had to just shoot out that thought n concentrate in getting her safe at a dry place. As much as he knew she enjoyed the pitter-patter n as much as he wanted to just carry out the night the way it was moving, he knew that that was probably wrrong. His friends must be waiting for them n if no message from him, they might just go back to her parents. 'Taxi!' he called out, n literally dragging her inside, they headed to his place.
'KAISE MUJHE TUM MIL GAYYYYEEEEE!!! KISSSMAT PE AAYE NAAA YAKIINNN...'' she pinched his nose, n he removed her hand. 'Riddhima please...yahaan aas-paas log so rahe hain..please..' he tried his best to reason out with her as he searched for the key of his house in his pockets, while managing Riddhima so as to not let her fall down.
They were standing in front of his house, next to his main door, there in pitch darkness as he fumbled through his pockets n wallet. Armaan had called up Rahul n explained the situation to him n from whatever little Rahul could make out (as Riddhima was shouting all along in the back) he decided with Armaan that taking her to Muskaanz house may not fit perfectly well, n of course getting her back to her own house was out of the question. So there she was with him, holding his arm with one hand as she swinged back n fro singing at the top of her voice.
Ah! the key, finally! He unlocked the door, n switched on the light. 'Rid-Riddhima..kya kar rahi ho? andar aao..' he said. She stood in the doorway, peering inside n smiling up at him. Armaan was not in a mood to put up with her behaviour just then, 'Riddhima, tum aa rahi ho ya main tumhein uthaoon?' from his voice she could make out that it was a command, but still he had no right for speaking to her like this. She folded her arms n frowned. 'Nahi..mujhe nahi aana..' she pouted. He breathed, then bent down n within a jiffy she was there in his arms. 'Ahhh Armaan!! leave mee!!!! Armaaaannn!!!' but to what avail? thud! he almost dropped her on the bed, n flickering on the light he went to his wardrobe. She saw him taking out a towel n throwing it to her, 'bal sukhao..aur ab so jao..' n with that he walked out.
Riddhima put on her scowl. 'Mujhe nee sona!!' she shouted as he left. 'So jao Riddhima!' he replied back. As she tried to dry up her hair n her clothes, she sneezed. Great, Armaan thought. He could see more than a hundred reasons for Dr Shashank cancelling their wedding. She saw him walking in again, this time changed in a new pair of clothes n taking her hand he popped a tablet into it. 'Yeh khao..aur yeh lo paani..' she looked up, still sitting on the bed with her legs crossed. 'Mujhe nahi chahiye..' she looked away.
Oh God, why was she becoming such a trouble? he failed to understand. He sat down beside her n took the glass of water. 'Riddhima..' he took her hand n looked into her eyes, 'whats happening?' he asked, 'tumhein sirf mazaa aa raha hai na yeh sab karne mein na? aur agar abhi tumhein kuch ho jaaye toh?' this was a simpler way of putting it up to her, but just then, she was going to get into anything.
'Armaannn please mujhe nahi chahiye..tum jao' she removed his arm from around her n sat with her back towards him. Fine, if this was what she wanted, then let it be. He stood up n went outside. Placing a cushion beneath his head, he lay down on the sofa, n before he knew it, he had dozed off.
Riddhima, inside, was wondering what to do. She was not sleepy in the least n all she wanted to do was have some food!! Sneezing, she headed to the kitchen as she passed him sleeping there. She opened the fride. Eggs. Ketchup. Jam. Coke. Peanut Butter. Nutella. Doritos. Doritos? in the fridge? this guy was seriously crazy! Taking out the packet, she stuffed a few into her mouth as she glanced through his almost empty fridge.
CRASH! CRASH!! CRASH!!!
A loud noise awoke him as he jumped on the sofa n hit his head next to the all. 'Ow' he went as he stood up n looking at the kitchen light switched on, he walked there. Riddhima looked up at him n smiled sheepishly. He was in his vest n three-fourths n just then she felt herself thinking about how cute he was looking with his hair all messed up n him looking so sleepy.
'Umm..main kuch khaane ke liye bana rahi thi..' she almost whispered now. He nodded, n then on an impulse, 'tum kuch khaoge?' she asked. He turned back n he did not know what happened, but something took over his senses. She wasnt any longer in her clothes, instead she was dressed in his tee and the shorts that came upto his knee, were covering her legs now. Her hair was still wet n something about her just made him walk upto her. It wasnt that she was blushing or smiling..she was just standing there with the box of bournvita on one hand as those big eyes focussed on him n her lips pursed in a different way.
She knew from the look of his eyes what was coming n as she felt him stand right in front of her, Riddhima was helpless in feeling his breath all over her face. His hand went up to tuck the loose strands behind her ear n smiling at the hesitant face he kissed her cheek. Thats when he felt her hands reach upto his chest, n stay there. He kissed the side of her head, n then moving down he planted a little one on her neck as she pulled his shirt towards her. 'Riddhimaa...' she smelled beautiful even after such a long day..and night. She gently placed her head on his chest then n a few moments later, he felt as if she was asleep there. Maybe she was...he could not draw back to look at her, n so taking her in his arms he went to his room n kept her on the bed.
She snuggled, n getting cozy she was fast asleep. He sat there, for a few minutes with his hand on her head. She was such a baby sometimes! Tomorrow, when she she would wake up n hear him out tawk all about her tantrums the drama queen had played last night, she would blush like hell n probably even refuse some of it! She was his doll..his cute little doll..
...It had been long since Armaan had been fiddling with the chemicals in the laboratory. Now, looking at the clock, he sighed. He could have gone home way before, but something wasnt right, n the worst part was that he did not exactly know what he was facing. He knew he was supposed to go n check on Muskaan n her baby that evening, n even though nothing really important had been there..he just did not wish to go n face Riddhima there. Yes, Riddhima it was. Sighing, he headed to his cabin to take his papers, wondering how he was going to put up with her, tonight...n whether it would be again like many of the other evenings...he had no idea.
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