Chapter 25

PART 19

Armaan: don't you dare touch my things! You got that?
Riddhima: Armaan? What's the matter with you! I was just cutting the call so that you could sleep for a while!
Armaan: You shouldn't't be concern okay! Mind you own f**king business!

Armaan went away in washroom; he stood under shower, regretting for confessing what his heart wanted to say from long time and he was denying. He was so hurt! It was like first time someone rejected him. He has for the first time confessed his feelings – his true feelings and what did he god 'I don't feel the same for you!' line shoved right in his face!

He closed his eyes, promised himself to make her his… for ever...

Armaan: I will make you fall for me soon Mrs Riddhima Armaan Malik… and I swear you will beg me to make love to you. Armaan Malik gets what he want, be it a business deal, or his first ever love!

*****

The morning was not fine for Armaan, and now to destroy Armaan's mood further Riddhima's cousin came to visit her… 'Love it is, I am sure about it. Because… I am jealous. I am actually hating this cousin of hers… he is so on her and she is so on him! Damnit!' he thought.

Armaan had been reading newspaper while watching Riddhima and her cousin Sumit from a very long time. He was hating it… he was so angry at one moment that he crushed the corner of new paper in his fist and threw it on side, got up and left the place and went into kitchen, which made everyone startle for a second.

Naina: what happen to him?
Riddhima: I have no idea…
Sumit: your husband must be feeling left out…

Sumit teased her. She frowned and remembered the morning; she looks away and excused herself on the name of making tea for everyone. Sumit started to talk to Atul as Riddhima left for kitchen.

Armaan was noticing her coming towards the kitchen he had the urge to stay back… he couldn't stay away from her; though he had thought to stay away from her and let her decided if she really want him too or not but he just couldn't follow his own rule.

Riddhima's eyes dropped at him, she avoided him and went to fridge to get milk. When he grabbed her elbow and pulled her towards him, turning and locking her between the counter and himself.

Riddhima: what are you doing Armaan! Leave me this instant.
Armaan: what do you think you Doing Riddhima? Don't you know you are my wife? Why are getting so close to that sumit haan? What's with all this cosines and leaning over his shoulder? You never do that to your husband but sumit ahan who is he? Your crush your love?

Riddhima: shut up Armaan! Let me go this moment, someone might walk in kitchen!

Armaan: yea right! You don't have problem in leaning over sumit in front of my family but you have problem when I am close to you in front of my family… I am your husband Damnit!

He held her shoulder tightly, he was so much angry; she winced and withered to get out of his hold. But she kept her tone lower she knew this was no time to create scene esp. in front of her cousin who might go home and tell her family.

Riddhima: Armaan you have gone crazy he is my cousin!! We share a good bonding! That's it okay! Now leave me I have to make tea for everyone!

Armaan: That's it Riddhima! Okay. If I see you any where near that guy now… I swear to god, I will surely claim you as mine tonight, in every damn way!

Armaan moved away from her, sighing loudly to cool his temper…

Riddhima: Armaan….? I mean, he is more of my cousin … why are talking like this…

Armaan: I dare you Riddhima test my patience once more and see what I do tonight!

He steps out of kitchen, and settled on the seat opposite to sumit and waited for Riddhima to step out. According to him, he had it enough! He had been noticing her almost on him, from last 3 hours and she didn't even look at him for a minute all this while, how can she? She was so busy with this man, named sumit, that Armaan's gutter mind could only think of one thing that sumit is some other guy and she has no right to be close to any other guy than him.

On the other hand, Riddhima was a little worried, his words were kind off haunting her… he was back to his ruthless nature, what should she do? If she avoided Sumit than it would look bad too and if she avoid what her so-called Husband just said, than she would be in big trouble. Anyhow, she took the tea out, gave it to everyone including Armaan, who passed her a knowing look.

She gulped as she saw sumit patting the empty place beside himself; she went and settled on a single couch that was on right side of Sumit couch. Sumit was astonish to see that, he could notice Armaan's eyes stick on her wife while he had his tea and he was sure that Armaan was not liking the fact that his wife was over some other guy, sumit thought all of it, smiling.

Sumit: you know Armaan… Riddhima use to look hideous when she use to be young.
Riddhima: excuse me? Hideous? Is that the word you used? Sumit?
Sumit: come on! Don't you remember how you use to come to my place, with your pony tail and walking like duck, Armaan she use to be so fat that she couldn't even join her feet together.

Armaan passed a fake smile while having tea.

Riddhima: I was nottt fat! Sumit! Kids are chubby! Right Armaan?
Armaan: I don't know Riddhima, once you would give birth to my baby, I would see if my kid is fat or chubby. Right Sumit?

Riddhima turned crimson and her eyes dropped down, she wished the floor split into two and she was pushed in it… how he could say so in front of entire family, she thought.

Sumit: hahahahahah yea… but she use to look cute Armaan, when she was young. Do you guys know she always loved to throw herself on my lap? She just use to love to lean over my shoulder from very start. What was my age back then?

Riddhima: you were 10 when I was 3… mama use to tell…! And come on Naina Mom you know he was no less… he use to drive me mad, when I grew up he first use to take me out for Ice cream and all and use to embarrass me in public, after I turned 20 I promised not to go out with him – At all!

Naina: haahahah Sumit now never embarrass my daughter-in-law! Okay… she is our daughter now.
Sumit: hahaha I won't take risk aunty, Armaan might just kill me!
Armaan: yea I might!

Armaan said with all soberness and got up. He could notice his word had brought silence in the noisy room and everyone was looking at him when Atul cleared his throat and gave a fake laugh.

Armaan: it was nice meeting you sumit. But I really need to go; I have some work related office… hope you understand?

Sumit: Oh I do… while talking to you people, I never knew when it got so late … I should leave.
Riddhima: No… stay! It's been so long!

Armaan looks at Riddhima, for a second and looks away shaking his head, sumit and naina noticed it, but Riddhima was much busy looking at sumit while holding his hand.

Sumit: no Riddhima… I have other works too. I am here in this city for two days only. Just came to see you guys and wish you a happy married life…

Riddhima: ohkay… do meet me whenever you come back again okay?
Sumit: Yea sure I will.

He hugged Riddhima, shook hand with Atul and Armaan while touched Naina's feet for blessings before he left...

****

After sumit left, Riddhima helped Naina in cleaning the house and talking to her for a while till naina decided to go to room and rest. Atul directly went off to garden while talking to someone on phone and Armaan left for his room on the very moment, not even sparing riddhima a look.

Riddhima finally went to her room, to see Armaan working over his laptop. He looks up at her, for a second and looks down back to his laptop. She with hesitation walk to her wardrobe – to find it lock, she frowned. She was about to ask about the keys but then she thought to just let it be, she walks to washroom knowing her one night dress was hanging behind the door, she was shock to find washroom door lock… she couldn't take this, in anger she spoke.

Riddhima: why have you locked the doors Armaan?
Armaan: my wish! My room my house.

Riddhima: Armaan cut the crap. Give me the keys now!
Armaan: I won't! Come here – we need to talk.
Riddhima: No not before I get the keys.

She stubbornly stood with her arm crossed. He got up from the couch and shouted,

Armaan: I told you last night that I love you that does not mean you would take advantage of it and dominate this relation – you actually tried to show me your freaking attitude! If I can be soft – I can a lot be harder! So no matter how stubborn you get today Riddhima, If I want, I would surely have sex with you!! No matter what! So stop annoying me and come here. Now! WE need to talk!!

She was spell bounded, firstly at his boldness and secondly as his authorization.
She didn't know what to say? She was damn scared, she turned and quickly started to go towards room door, to get out of the room; which Armaan noticed, so he rushed after her and grabbed her before she could step out of the room.

He was about say something, but his phone started to ring, he pulled it out of his pocket and saw Rahul's name flashing. He received it still holding a withering Riddhima in his arms.

Armaan: yes Rahul… you tracked Vivek? Where is he? Mall? Following… An…

He stopped himself from speaking, and left Riddhima, taking few steps away from her, but her instinct told her that he was going to say 'anjali' so she went after him to hear him out.

Armaan: Rahul keep an eye on her, I don't want vivek to harm her in any way! Do you get that??
Riddhima: who Armaan?
Armaan: keep me informing… bye.

Riddhima: I asked you who Armaan?
Armaan: Riddhima…
Riddhima: was it Anjali Di… you talking about? Haan Armaan?

Armaan looks at her saw her worried and tense, he didn't know he had the right to disclose this big thing to her related to her sister, she would shatter…. He knew that.

Riddhima: tell me Damnit! I am your wife you should tell me everything! Do you understand?

She held his collar, in anger, though this time Armaan remain silent and timid.

Armaan: Yes… it's all related to Anjali. He chose you for this task because you are anjali's sister. It was not a random selection Riddhima – Vivek choose you only because you our Anjali's sister….

He spoke slowly, trying to sink the truth in her. He pulls her hands in his.

Riddhima: Tell me every thing… Armaan. If you really respect a bit… tell me everything….
Armaan: I will. Just settle down.

They sat on bed, Armaan sighed and spoke, trying to choose right words that would hurt her less, but he knew it would hurt her no matter what.

Armaan: almost 5 year back, your family was going through some serious crisis… Anjali didn't have job at all. Your father didn't have job too…. You were quite young that time…

Riddhima: yes I do know a little…

Armaan: Your fees had to be paid, you were about to be expelled from your institute. And your family didn't have enough money at all. There use to be crisis over utilities in your home too.

Riddhima: and I use to think mom never loved me, that is, why she didn't made the food I love….

Riddhima cried silently, trying to picturize her young days where her family kept her protected from all sort of trouble.

Armaan: Anjali got an interview call… from Vivek office, and she went. And after seeing her vivek offered her a deal…
Riddhima: what deal?
Armaan: he would provide her plenty of cash every month, only if she turned his wh**e for a year.

Riddhima's eyes pop out, as she stared at him, with shock. She didn't had a word to say… her eyes dropped tears. He took her in side hug and she voluntarily hugged him back… she was so embarrassed, she was so hurt to know that her di could do something like this to fulfill her family needs….

Armaan: she accepted it for you people. She did lose her self respect to save her family from dying on road from hunger. Don't hate your sister for this Riddhima; she did all this for you people…

He defended Anjali and hugged Riddhima tightly to calm her down. Riddhima remained quite and held him as a support.

Armaan: after a year, as per the contract – anjali applied in Malik Enterprise and she got the job. She made sure you guys shift to this city, so that vivek find it difficult to her again… though now when he came to know he is an illegitimate child of my father – he tried to get two things through one target! That is money from us and anjali through using you…

Riddhima remained quite all the time in his arms, trying to sink all the truth in her…. she didn't know what to say? How to say? On the other hand, he knew she needed time to adapt all of it and if she needed him, he would be here for her… he held on to her supportively, after an hour or so she slept over his chest… and he very carefully took her too bed with him and held her in his arms all time.

In the process, he had got the text from Rahul, that Anjali was oblivious about the fact that vivek was after her and now she was safely at home, though Rahul was still following Vivek to get hold of him.
He kept on thinking that he had to track this vivek out of their life by tomorrow before he could do any damage to Gupta sisters, any more….

'And once vivek chapter is close, if Riddhima want to stay with me she can, if she wants to leave… she can, I won't force her into this relation – she has gone through a lot.' He thought and hugged her tightly.