Chapter 27

PART 21

Armaan: fine Riddhima! If time is what you need, to give this relationship a chance… I shall give you time, I shall give you my entire life… I will not come close to you at all from today from now….And Now Riddhima You will come to me… only then I come close to you… I will not touch you, until you yourself come to me and confess your feelings. I promise on you – on my family.

Armaan got off her, and went away in washroom closing the door loudly. Leaving a confused a little sad, and disappointed Riddhima behind, holding the blanking over her chest…. Was she right in resisting him?

He really needed a cold shower at the moment. He stripped off his clothes and went away in the shower cubicle, let cold water flow off him, inorder to calm his waken desires. He was so annoyed at her resisting again and again, though he knew she liked him, equally as much he did, but she just wouldn't't accept as she got betrayal in past… he was so tired of being understandable all the time…. When will she understand what I want…? He thought.

He came out of the washroom, to see Riddhima already sleeping with duvet hiding her petite figure, entirely. He sighed and settled on couch. He has taken a final resolve this time – he has promised himself zillion times in washroom, that no matter how sensuously beautiful sexy she looks he won't go closer to her, until she begs him!

He dropped himself on the couch and closed his eyes, 'another sleepless night' he thought and kept himself busy in her thought and what could have probably happened if she hasn't't interrupted him.

****

Next morning

Armaan left for office early; and Riddhima was feeling very low as she could meet him. She was so use to his morning teasing that now she was just planning way to meet him, until naina herself advised her to take lunch for Armaan, as he left early with out breakfast, to which Riddhima gladly agreed.

Though she knew he was avoiding her, that is why he didn't't wake her up before leaving, she was upset because he would always wake her up and tell her – he is leaving. She quickly gave breakfast to billy and got herself into kitchen to cook delicious for Armaan, right away. She just couldn't't wait to meet him in lunch…..

At Malik Enterprise

Armaan: I don't think we can trap this guy easily… can we?

Atul: no bhai… he has cleaned his entire messed up track very nicely and wisely…

Rahul: what about Raj…? Did he get to know anything?

Armaan: No… as of yet he is oblivious…. But… hey… I got an idea.

Vivek place

Vivek called Riddhima.

Vivek: heyy babe.

Riddhima: what is it? Why did you call me!

Vivek: Shut up. Just tell me hows the plan going! Its been so long – just meet and take the document and get it signed from him, I can't wait any longer – do you understand?

Riddhima: listen I can't meet you now! I am busy!

Vivek: in doing what? Warming his bed! Or pleasing his family! Don't you dare go cross on me – you know what I am capable of!

Riddhima: I don't Care!!!! You bas***d! Do what you want!

She cut the call and held her head, with mist eyes. Naina rushed in kitchen as she heard Riddhima shout.

Naina: what happened beta? Who was it on phone…?

Riddhima: no one maa… some one was flirting over… phone, wrong number you know na, how they are…

Naina: I know you don't and you can't tell – but don't lie to me beta… I won't force you though I can calm you…

Naina took her in her arms, and rubbed her back, till Riddhima need a shoulder to cry on.

Riddhima: I crossed answered him… maa. I told him - he can do whatever he wants…. I am scared what will he do, ma.

Naina: take this lunch and go meet Armaan, esp. tell him everything – before that guy does anything harmful.

Naina quickly helped Riddhima pack food and took her to car.

Riddhima reached to Malik office, as fast the driver could drive. He was just parking the car, and Riddhima hurriedly gathered her stuff and jumped out of the car, to hear a blast echo, that happened to be taken place in a caf right beside Armaan office.

BOOM !

Riddhima's could only hear a tune in her ear, as she was quite near the blast, she couldn't't hear a word across the place; though driver rushed to Riddhima, and pulled her in Malik Building, she was still dizzy, she just couldn't't believe what just happened, on the other hand, Armaan just saw Riddhima through his window and he was rushing down with all stamina he had, he felt he would die if something happened to her… when he reached to ground floor, he saw driver was having trouble in handling a little dizzy Riddhima, as he himself was effected by toxic of blast.

Armaan grabbed Riddhima his arms and he hugged her tightly; holding the back of her head from one hand and other circling her waist. Her hands were loosing holding on to the lunch box.

Armaan: never do that to me… do you hear that?

He whispered and kissed her hair, rubbed her back, as he could hear her heart throbbing against his chest. He held on to her till Rahul and Atul rushed down. Armaan passed the box to Atul while Rahul helped the poor driver as Armaan Picked Riddhima in his arms. And they all made their way to upstairs to office. As the riots noise was very loud and they might enter in parking area….

Naina was hell worried, she kept calling atul and Armaan, but none answered, as all were busy in one thing or other. So naina decided to make a call to office, and when she was finally connected to Atul – she asked about their well being? And about Riddhima! Her worried ness came to halt after knowing everyone was fine.

****

Armaan office room

Armaan: leave us alone guys.

Riddhima was settled on couch with her head on Armaan's chest, since she was sobbing as her head throb with pain. Once everyone left, Armaan lowered her on couch, and got up to lock the door.

Riddhima: Armaan?

She got up with him and held him and muttered, 'its all fault… its all fault…. He will take you away from me'

Armaan: Riddhima? Relax… I just locking the door, and its not fault baby… and no one is going to take me away from you hmm?

She slightly nodded though hugged him tightly. But he slightly pulled her away from him, lowered her on couch and whispered that he will be back to her after locking the door, while she nodded with unsure.

Armaan was right back to her, only to find her clinging to him again. He knew she was way too scared after seeing the blast. He rubbed her back, to calm her solely.

Riddhima: armaan…. I am really sorry, I am at fault…. This is all because of me! If I hadn't't said to him that I don't care – he wouldn't't do that… I am sorry Armaan… I love you a lot… I can't see him harming you… I will die, if he does anything to you… Armaan. Why can't he just let me live happily with you! What is his problem?

She cried, keeping her head near his neck. He was confused; he held her back to support her.

Armaan: Riddhima? What are saying babe…? Who is he? Vivek?

Riddhima: Yes Armaan… Vivek called in morning… when I didn't see you in morning, I was really sad… I was missing you…

He smiled softly, he knew she would… he knew how to make her realize his importance in her life. Though his heart had melted with her innocent confession but still he would maintain his resolution.

Riddhima: so I was cooking lunch for you, when vivek called – I was… not in a good mood… and over top, he said – he wanted to meet, so he could give me documents related to your property and get it signed from you!

Armaan: what did you say?

He turned stiff, as he heard her narrating Vivek phone's call. How he wished he could just go and shot some nice bullet in his body!

Riddhima: I said I can't come now… I am busy. He turned so angry that he tuanted me, and I told him I don't care – he can do whatever he wants….. It was an unconcious answer aRmaan… I didn't knew he would stoop so low and make blast near you… to harm you… does he know, how important you are to me Armaan? How does he know this Armaan? Is it Raj? It has to be him!!

She got up, flaming in anger as she rushed to door. Though Armaan grabbed her at right time, before she go and burst out on Raj

Armaan: Listen to me Riddhima…

Riddhima: no Armaan, I will kill that raj! How can they do this us!

Armaan: Riddhima… baby you need rest… we will talk about this later, come with me!

Riddhima: No! I will not! I will go and see Raj first!

Armaan: Enough! Come with me!

He grabbed her hand and took her to an adjacent room that was connected to his office. Riddhima was already feeling low and agitated, and his rude tone broke her heart to tear, she started to sob as he dragged her into the room.

Armaan: this is my room; I use to use it when I had to work day and night for the betterment of this industry. You know Atul also used the same room, for playing game – he was in his late education days while I was working for Malik enterprise.

He saw a sobbing Riddhima with her head lowered, he sighed and picked her up in his arms again and took her to a medium size bed, lowering her down, and he brushed her hair off her face, kissed her forehead, and pushed himself away from her, unwillingly.

Riddhima knew why he did that, though it would be lie if she said, she didn't wanted him in bed with her, to caress her, cuddle her, love her…. she wanted all of it today… she was missing him, she was missing his rough hands that explore her very desirably every time. She just couldn't't see him going out like that…

Riddhima: please stay with me for a while…

Armaan: you need rest Riddhima… I will see you in an hour.

He heard Riddhima sniff while hiding her mouth in her pillow, trying to hid the fact that she was crying for his touch from him. He sighed and step out of the room, after dimming the light.

****

Armaan called Rahul and Atul in his cabin, and told them everything, Riddhima had entitled him about…

Rahul: I don't think we should wait for his move, Armaan. Basically we should take a move… I know you are worried about Riddhima, if she went and filed a blackmailing and kidnapping case against vivek – he might harm her, but look at this, we have enough of forces to keep a high check on Riddhima till vivek is sentenced.

Armaan: I guess you are right.

Armaan dejectedly fell on the nearest chair with a hand in his hair. That is when they heard Atul phone buzz loudly.

Atul: its Anjali…

Armaan: talk to her… it might be important.

Atul: hey… What happened? What is Anjali? … yes yes we would come right away! Stop crying we are coming!

Armaan: what is it??

Atul: I don't know bhae! Whatever it is, I can assure you vivek had done something terrible! Anjali was crying a lot! And I could hear uncle aunty yelling fighting at the back…

Rahul: are we going to leave Riddhima here.

Atul: anjali said to bring Riddhima Esp. Mom and dad asking for her presence…

Armaan twisted his feet with unsureness. And looks at Rahul, who nodded in affirmation to go and get Riddhima. First in life, Armaan was getting fidgeted – and scared of what had vivek done now!!!

Riddhima certainly oblivious of that fact that where they were going and why they were going! She didn't't wanted to go… she wanted to rest, though Armaan was feeling helpless – he himself wanted her to rest… after lots of manofying her, she finally agreed. All the while in drive, she kept on hugging Armaan by his waist, and he settled quietly with his arm around her back, securely. He was way out of the place, he was thinking of what possibly could be the problem awaiting for them.

Anyhow the journey to Gupta house was very short and soon they were all out.

Riddhima: Why are we here Armaan?

Atul: Anjali called us Babhi – she was crying… and we don't know what has happened.

Armaan: don't worry, Riddhima. You have me beside you.

He saw her getting stoned at her place and not moving at all, as armaan tried to pull her.

Riddhima: I don't want to go… vivek has done something dreadful Armaan! I can feel it!

Armaan: Trust me Riddhima! Mai hoon yahan!

He came close to her breathed on her face, while locking his eyes with her, transforming his love, his concern, his confidence to her. She slightly nodded and held his hand tightly, gulping all her fears down.

Riddhima cried silently in Armaan's arm as her mother threw picture on Riddhima's face that surely hit Riddhima and Armaan both.

Padma: You lied! You lied all the while! You live with this unknown man telling us that you are married to him! How could you do this to us! How could you Riddhi….

Armaan: Aunty what do you mean? We are not getting you… please before jumping to conclusion… let's just talk like civil people…

Shahank: Armaan is right Padma… calm down.

Shahank took Padma to sitting area, while armaan lowered down to pick photos that were thrown on them. He was shock – he was ragging in anger, his eyes boiled as he saw few pictures of Riddhima tied to chair, with wounds and tear clothes… and some of her pictures with Vivek when they were in relation were modified, edited in unethical manner! Yes, it was her face surely but it was not her body, Vivek played a dirty game! Vivek was destroying Riddhima's character in front of her own parents. He would kill vivek with his bare hands, he promised...

Riddhima trashed down on floor as she saw all those pictures around, she cried till Armaan and Rahul pulled her life-less body, Armaan took her in his arms, and hugged her tight.

Riddhima: why did he do this Armaan! Whyyy….

Armaan: shhh… Riddhima… I am here for you, please I want you to fight these circumstances, I am on your side – so is your sister, rahul atul…! Pleaase jaan… don't cry…

He hugged and rubbed her back till her cries subsided.

****

After telling padma and shahank that Riddhima had relation with a guy, named Vivek; how he kidnapped her, and how he tortured her, and then why he sent her to Armaan, with a plan…. And how she willing went against it and told Armaan everything – Armaan explained both the elders that eventually they have started to like one another by now. However the pictures – modified one – were not true, he kept on saying but Padma was in no sense to believe she had gone ahead and slapped Riddhima for such pictures…. Until Shahank came in between and hugged his crying little daughter, he knew Padma was missing factor that was their daughter was badly tortured for one month on a freaking chair. Once Riddhima hugged her father – her cries is what spoke for her, her built in pain – burst out. she couldn't even cry in front of Armaan, but once she felt her father cuddle her up, her heart gave up… she shouted and cried in his arms, trying to convey him how bad the world had been to his little girl… all the while Shahank held on to her withering body, with mist eyes.

Shahank console her for a very long time till it was very late, he wanted Riddhima and Armaan to stay here for a night, but he knew Padma would not want that – not at least now. Riddhima was still devastated as her mother slapped and told her to leave this place immediately though after knowing the truth – shahank held on to her – and calmed her down as much as he could but soon let Armaan take her, somewhere Shahank knew his part of job was done, now it was Armaan to bring his cheerful Riddhima back. On the way back home, Armaan Thought 'Thank God, that Anjali's truth was still hidden from them or else gupta family might have broken down into pieces.'