~*~* Tera hone laga hoon *~*~
PART 16
Armaan woke up when he felt the warm morning rays on his face. He looked down to see a beautiful Bharti snuggled close to him with her head resting on his bare chest. Armaan couldn't stop himself from smiling as he brushed the tendril of hair away from her eyes. Somewhere he had always wondered whether Bharti was truly happy with him - whether she loved him and wanted to be with him. He felt so happy in this moment with his Bharti in his arms - he felt as if all his doubts had been wiped away. He noticed that Bharti was starting to wake up and he quickly closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Bharti opened her eyes and looked up to see Armaan and she realised that she was in his arms. She suddenly felt a bit self-conscious and she thought about everything that had happened last night. Her relationship with Armaan had progressed so much...they were so much closer to each other now - on every level. She felt confused and wondered how this was going to affect her life, Armaan's life....Bhaskar's life...
She carefully moved out of Armaan's arms, so as not to wake him and went to shower and get ready for work. When Bharti got out of the shower she decided to get herself a cup of coffee, as she would definitely need it to get her through her day. Armaan had watched her go off to the kitchen and he too went to shower. Bharti woke Jiya up and went to go make the empty bed trying to not think about last night and how she would act around Armaan now. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't heard Armaan sneak up behind her and she received quite a shock to feel his arms suddenly wrapped around her waist. He leaned close to her and gently kissed her neck.
Bharti: (feeling shy, but smiling slightly)"Armaan, what are you doing?!"
Armaan: (moving his arms across her waist)"Wishing my beautiful wife good morning...you don't mind, do you?"
Bharti: "Armaan!"
Bharti pulled away from him, but as she was about to go, Armaan held her wrist and pulled her close to him again. He adorned her wrist with a beautiful bracelet of enter-wined hearts, which he had intended on giving to her the previous night. Bharti looked at him with questioning eyes.
Bharti: "Armaan...this...??"
Armaan: "Now don't ask me if I got this for you and for what reason and then tell me I shouldn't have!!"
Bharti: (smiling and not wanting to annoy him early in the morning)"Thank you."
And she stood on the tip of her toes to give him a kiss on her cheek.
Armaan: (with a mischievous smile and holding her tighter)"Hmmm..."
Bharti gently shoved him away and scolded him to go and put some clothes on!
Armaan: (winking)"Do you really want me to? I can be your Ranbir Kapoor..."
Bharti: (rolling her eyes)"Go!"
Armaan: "Okay, okay."
He shook his head at Bharti so that the drops of water from his hair would go on her. He smiled knowing that it would annoy her and he quickly moved away before she found something to hit him with.
Once they were ready they left to drop Jiya at school, leaving Tamanna and Aman to sleep in. Though Bharti was annoyed Armaan the three of them ended up laughing and joking right through the traffic. Throughout the day at MU, Armaan tried to find excuses to walk past Bharti's cabin to see her, but she was always busy and had left the office for an important meeting. Tamanna had phoned Armaan, who was glad for the distraction, to tell him that she and Aman had made plans to go and visit their parents and surprise them with the good news. And together with that, they intended on making it a short holiday of about 3-4 days.
Armaan: "Oh that's a great idea, you guys really deserve it."
Tamanna: "Yeah and we were wondering if we could take Jiya along with us..."
Armaan: "Jiya..but what about her school?"
Tamanna: "Well, when I mentioned it to her she was saying that all their work is done, exams are over and it's just that one project that she has. She said that she could finish that up with her friend this afternoon."
Armaan: "Okay then, there's no problem with me. Oh wait! I have a shoot this afternoon, so I can't take her to her friend's place...."
Tamanna: "Dude, we would have, but we have an important meeting with the contractor about what to do when we are away. Um, what about Bharti?"
Armaan: "She seems quite busy, but I'll check with her and let you know."
Tamanna: "Okay then, see you later."
Armaan: "Bye."
Armaan went to see Bharti who became a bit nervous upon seeing Armaan in her cabin, wondering if he was there to flirt or bring up last night... But Armaan just explained the whole situation with Jiya, which made Bharti feel a lot more relaxed, and she said that she was done for the day so she would take Jiya.
Bharti picked Jiya up and was chatting away with her as Bharti drove to her friend's house. Bharti was glad she had this time for Jiya, as she was really feeling like she was neglecting her princess. They spoke about various things from Jiya's schoolwork to her favourite music to what she wanted to do this holiday. Bharti asked Jiya how her friend was and whether her problems were sorted out. Jiya explained that they were going to meet the very same friend and that things had improved, but not enough.
They reached the house and Jiya went off with her friend Neha to finish the project. Bharti sat in the lounge, not really knowing what to do with herself. She looked around the simply decorated room and noticed the beautiful photographs scattered around the room. There were many pictures with Neha and a woman Bharti assumed to be her mother. The first thing Bharti noticed was how strikingly beautiful Neha's mother was, she seemed to have a light that radiated out of her, even in the photo. Bharti was startled when she heard a noise behind her. She turned back to see a woman and Bharti was just about to ask where Neha's mother was, when she realised that Neha's mother was standing before her. This woman, this shadow of a woman, was undoubtedly Neha's mother. She was difficult to recognise because she was so very thin and she looked pale. Bharti smiled politely at her and then Bharti noticed the saddest thing - the light was no more in her eyes, in her smile and in her presence. She was just there, it seemed like she just had the strength to maybe make it through the day. Bharti introduced herself and the woman came to sit down. They spoke for a bit and then the woman realised that she had not offered anything to Bharti to drink. She immediately woke up, but Bharti touched her hand and made her sit back down, telling her that she was just fine. They continued talking and Bharti wondered if she should say anything, she thought it may not be her place to interfere.
Just then, Neha's father walked through the door, he narrowed his eyes at Neha's mother, who immediately got up and explained that Bharti had brought Jiya for a school project. He just nodded and walked away. Neha's mother excused herself and went to get some tea and snacks for her husband. Bharti noticed how the atmosphere had changed, it was almost like the entire house had gone dead quiet...everything was tense and Neha's mother looked even more nervous than before - scared even...
When Neha's mother came back and sat down, Bharti noticed that her hands were shaking. She moved closer to Neha's mother and held her hand to steady it. Neha flinched at first, but then looked at Bharti and smiled. Bharti knew she had to say something now...
Bharti: "Um, are you okay?"
Neha's mother: (smiling nervously)"Yes, yes. I'm fine."
Bharti: "Well, I don't know if this is my place to say anything, but Jiya was telling me that Neha was having some problems at home and.."
Neha's mother: "No no, Neha is perfectly alright."
Bharti: "Neha told Jiya that you were having a tough time at home. I know you don't know me, but you can talk to me. Sometimes that is easier, talking to someone you don't know..."
Neha's mother: (pulling her hand away)"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about.."
Bharti: "Really?"
Bharti lifted Neha's mother's hand in her hand and showed her the bruises on her arm.
Bharti: "And what are these?"
Neha's mother: "Oh you know, things like this happen at home when you're busy with lots of household chores."
Bharti: "Look, I don't mean to interfere, and I do apologise, but I've been here for just a few minutes and I can see that things are not okay. Now I don't know exactly what is happening, but I can put things together. Especially judging by your past photographs, things have definitely changed for you and maybe not in the best way...."
Neha's mother was silent through this, she looked towards the floor and brushed away her tears before they could fall.
Bharti: "This is entirely your life and you have taken your own decisions and hopefully will continue to do so, but please just remember that Neha's life is always connected to yours. She is completely dependant on you. Please make decisions that are in her best interest, now and for her future. Please don't let her have a childhood where she is scared and worried about her mother, let her be a child. Don't let her future views on life, men and marriage be influenced negatively from such a young age. Believe me, I can speak for both sides of the coin when I say that no man has the right to treat a woman any way he wants to and no woman has to endure it."
Bharti noticed that Jiya and Neha were about to come.
Bharti: (leaning closer and whispering)"Please do think about what I've said and forgive me if I have crossed a line. But do know that all men aren't bad, there are husbands who love and care for their wives deeply....(quietly to herself) And I think I may have found a husband like that..."
Bharti smiled at her and hugged Neha goodbye before leaving with Jiya. They reached home to find supper ready for them. Even though Armaan hadn't had the time to cook, he had bought all of their favourite foods knowing that they would be tired and also as his 'bacha' will be going away for a few days. Bharti smiled at his gesture and told Jiya to go freshen up while she went off to find Armaan.
She found him in their room and he smiled at her and continued working on his laptop. Armaan thought to himself that he had annoyed Bharti enough for one day and that he would let her relax for the rest of the night. Bharti wondered what was up, she seemed to miss his mischievous nature and constant flirtatious comments. She thought about her afternoon and how Neha's mothers life seemed to be..Bharti counted herself very lucky to have found a husband like Armaan....even if it was only for a little while....
Bharti went over to Armaan and wrapped her arms around him from behind and gave him a big loving hug........
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