Part 18 - Blind but knowing
I huffed loudly not caring whether someone heard or not.
My anger was beyond reproach and once it came out it took quite a lot to bring it back in.
I was hard-headed and temperamental but that doesn't mean it'll change the way I feel.
What was so hard for him to call me by my first name?
It was a simple 3-syllable word. Ri-ddhi-ma.
Nothing difficult!
By the time I almost reached outside of the school my thoughts had cleared.
I wasn't wrong. It was his fault. I didn't like pulling the "authority" I had with my reputation.
But I can't stand idiots either.
I sighed once again loudly trying to calm my nerves and opened the school door.
All my thoughts suddenly subsided as I saw what was waiting for me outside.
..
Armaan.
...
What was he doing?
My eyes widened as I saw what he was leaning against.
MY MOTORCYCLE?!
I breathed in deeply as I felt anger rushing threw me once again.
He seemed to notice my stance and immediately smirked.
What was so funny?
I'd knock out a couple teeth out of his lop-sided grin if I could.
But control swept threw me.
I saw something flicker in his eyes as if his breath was caught in his throat as I continued to walk down the thirteen steps with my usual poker-face.
Not wanting to seem as if I lost the imaginary "battle" going through my head with him.
It was war. And he called for it first.
I'd just return the favor.
"Excuse me" I mumbled as I tried to move pass him towards my motorcycle.
MY baby.
But I'm guessing he had different intentions since a hand caught my thin wrist, drowning it completely in his grasp.
I growled slightly. He was pushing it.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked in a husky voice.
"Home." I replied curtly.
"Nuh-uh" he replied with a certain smugness in his expression.
Confusion rushed through me. What was he doing?
His head cocked lightly to the left as he intently scrutinized my expression.
"You have short-term memory." he stated more than asked.
"Huh?" I mumbled incoherently.
Flashback
"Well since you have proven you intelligence Riddhima, I was wondering if you would personally tutor a student."..
"I don't think MS.GUPTA is up for it sir." Armaan said smugly...
"I'll do it." She spoke finally released her jaw
Flashback ends
Her jaw tightened in remembrance.
Armaan caught Riddhima by surprise when he pulled towards a limo that she hadn't
noticed parked behind them. Literally stuffing her into the back seat, her eyes
widened. He came behind her pushing her off to the left side as he sat in the right.
The driver began to step on the accelerator before she could comprehend what was going on.
What was going on?
Was he kidnaping her?
She chuckled slightly at her own thought.
That was a stupid question.
"What are you doing?" she finally asked.
"Sitting." he replied casually.
The idiotic reply made her temperature rise. She obviously knew that.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked threw gritted teeth.
Armaan looked at her as if finding interest to the conversation.
He watched her for a few seconds before turning back to the window.
"Home" he said a few seconds later.
HOME?!
Whose home?!
Nothing was making sense right now. Riddhima raked her brain to find an answer but ended up with nothing.
Giving in, she had to ask.
"Why?!" not even bothering to keep part of the hysterical edge of her voice hidden.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"So you can tutor me." he said nonchalantly.
Riddhima was dumbfounded.
Why couldn't they just study at the school library or something.
Why did she have to go to his house.
Armaan smirked slightly when she didn't ask anymore questions.
After her abrupt leave from the principal's office he sprung out of his chair as well. Seeing that the principal was still stuttering incoherently.
He waiting by her motorcycle.
Surely she wouldn't go to class.She'd probably ending up beating someone's face with all that anger.
Seeing her outside again, his thoughts ran wild. Wind seemed to slightly pick up as well throwing her skirt, shirt, and hair around while she walked down the stairs had caught his unexpectedly breathless.
Why was he feeling this way? When he grabbed her wrist a sudden shot ran through him, as if something pierced his hand. His heartbeat began to race and his voice came out husky because of the lack of breath.
As he pulled her to sit in the car he whiffed her subtle jasmine/lavender scent. Another thing to drive him crazy. He couldn't find his voice. So he stared at her for a couple of seconds trying to find it. And ended up responding in short one word replies. It was all he could muster. Sitting a few feet away from her made his hormones run wild. What was happening, was all he could think of right now. So he was glad when she stayed quiet.
When the driver finally pulled up, reality caught up with him.
What was he doing back home?
This wasn't home.
Not the same place he'd been kicked out from.
Where his father couldn't accept him for who he was.
The driveway was filled with cars.
Probably another meeting.
He smiled bitterly watching his dad proceed inside with one business associate.
Armaan glanced around quickly catching a pair of eyes similar to his.
His mother.
She was staring intently at him, not moving an inch.
She seemed frozen, distant, and cold.
He wanted to reach out to her.
His mother was someone he truly missed. She always supported him.
She stuck up for him when his dad turned his back on him as well.
She was willing to sacrifice everything, even her husband.
But he couldn't be selfish.
He wouldn't be selfish.
Guilt ran through him as he saw a tear descend from her eyes as gravity pulled it toward the ground.
He could almost hear it hit the floor.
However, she smiled. Warmly at him.
As if just happy to see his face once in a while.
As if that was enough.
He smiled back, genuinly for the first time in a long time.
His mother was the most beautiful and intelligent person in the world.
And he'd love her forever.
She waved toward him and he nodded back in recognition.
"Pull out of the driveway." he told the driver.
Riddhima watched with her keen eyes the interaction from afar between them.
They were obviously close. And they looked like each other as well.
She noticed the same eye color in the woman matched Armaan's.
It was obviously his mother.
But why was she crying?
And why was he pulling out of the driveway?
As they were on the road again she remained quiet. She wouldn't probe anything, it wasn't her business.
Armaan noticed that she had seen everything and he waited for her to ask question but she sat quietly staring out the window.
What was she thinking?
He wanted to know badly suddenly.
They sat through the silence thinking about each other. Respecting each other's space.
Riddhima sat while Armaan gave the driver direction saying simple "turn left's" and "turn right's" ever so often. She was so preoccupied in her thoughts she didn't know where they ended up.
Her Home
Riddhima's face shot toward Armaan who was watching her quietly through the whole time.
"What are we doing here?" she asked.
"We're home." he replied simply turning away from her and walking out of the car.
We're
home?!
How did he know where she lived?
Oh..
That day. He followed me home.
She sighed, there really wasn't a point in arguing. She felt the tiredness rush through her limbs as she opened the large gate and entered, not waiting for him to catch up.
Riddhima knocked on the door twice knowing Dai jaan would be home.
As soon as the thought passed her mind she became suddenly alert.
Before she had time to think the door opened swiftly.
There Dai Jaan stood with a huge smile on her face as if she knew someone else was at the door.
"Salaam Dai Jaan." Riddhima said walking in as she kissed her cheek softly.
"Riddhu! Yeh kaun hai?" Dai Jaan said excitedly.
Riddhima giggled watching her as she looked like a child getting more candy before dinner.
"Mehmaan hai. Parhai karne aya hai." she spoke softly.
"Armaan." he said.
"Oh.. Larka?" Dai Jaan said.
She reached out touching Armaan's masculine nose, full lips, smooth face, and broad shoulders.
"Wahh. Kitna khubsoorat larka hai." she said.
"Umm." Armaan said, not knowing what to say.
"Ao beta andar ao. Bahar kyun kare ho?"
Riddhima threw a confused glance to him and he automatically stepped inside the lush edifice.
It was a simple home, not much fancy, nothing to show-off of. He held an instant liking to it.
A voice knocked him back to reality.
"Dai Jaan. Mai nahane jaa rahi hun. Dus minute mein aa jaon gi." she said apprehensively walking away into a part of the house throwing a meaningful look at Dai jaan.
Armaan shook his head again as she said what she was doing.
He was becoming a pervert. Why couldn't he just let it slide.
"Ao beta." Dai jaan said walking swiftly threw various show pieces that she certainly should've knocked over if she was really blind. He was starting to doubt it.
She sat on a small round mahogany table. And gestured him to sit with her eagerly.
"Riddhima bus aati hi hogi. Bichari kitni thaki hui thi pichle kuch dinon se." Dai Jaan said without waiting for a reaction. " Kuch school fair vagera ki vajah se bohot kaam par lagi hui thi. Patha nahin kyun khamkha apne aap ko itna rull thi hai."
Armaan nodded. As if wondering if he could test whether she was actually blind or not.
He pulled his hand forward.
And was taken back when Dai Jaan began laughing loudly.
"Dekhna." she said leaning forward. "Baag ke aye gi. Usse lagta hoga ke main tumhe kaa jaon gi ya kuch."
Armaan hand automatically went down at what she said next.
"Kaye saal ho gaye hain ke usne kisiko ghar pe bhulaya. Patha nahin kya ho gaya tha usko. Bas achaanak bilkul chup ho gayi thi. Uski aane se ghar mein ronak aati thi. Ab... patha bhi nahin chalta." she said with a glum expression and a distant look.
Armaan suddenly felt worried whether Dai Jaan knew about Riddhima and her 'friends'. About her reputation. It surely wasn't normal. But she seemed fragile. She reminded him of his mom. And a certain warmth filled through him as he placed his firm hand over hers. He wanted to comfort her.
Dai Jaan beamed at the gesture and nodded as if understanding.
Riddhima ran through the room suddenly as if anticipating a fight to break out.
Dai Jaan chuckled and patted his hand knowing fully Riddhima's dramatic entrance.
Riddhima's eyes narrowed at their eyes hand on the table then a confused glance passed threw her face. Armaan watched her curiously.
Riddhima's hands flew upto her hips as she stared at Dai Jaan.
"Main dus minute gayi aur aap phir se larkon ko pasana shuru kar gayi?" she said with mock-anger.
Dai Jaan's laugh was loud and full of happiness.
Riddhima smiled completely watching her.
That's all she needed. If Dai Jaan was happy so was she.
Relief struck her and she walked to where they sat.
"Kana thyaar hai beta." Dai Jaan said walking to the dining room with a smile still implanted on her face.
Riddhima followed Dai Jaan as Armaan followed her.
At the table it seemed as if a feast was prepared.
Armaan watched the food with his mouth watering. All his favorite foods were prepared.
Alloo ke parathe, Daal chawal, kheer, Kababs, everything. And it's aroma filled the room.
"Dai Jaan, itna kaana banane ki zaroorat kya thi? Maine kaha tha apse ke mere bhagair kaam mat kijiye." Riddhima said as she sat down.
"Riddhu, ghar par re kar main thak jaa thi hoon. Isliye aaj maine tere liye sare pasandida kaana banaya." Dai Jaan said gleefully.
Riddhima sighed, there really was no use arguing with Dai Jaan.
"Are beta, main bhi kitni pagal hoon. Tu kya kaye ga?" she said to Armaan.
"Uhh ma-ain samosa kaa loon-ga." he said with broken hindi/urdu.
BAHAHAHA
Riddhima looked at Dai Jaan and then both burst out laughing.
He couldn't speak hindi properly for his life.
Armaan looked embarrased and focused on his food.
"Are beta. Hindi nahin bolna ata to phir angrezi mein bolo. Mujhe sab samajh mein ata hai." Dai Jaan said politely.
"Oh. I'll take the samosa's" he said not wanting to seem greedy. He was starving.
"That's it? For a big kid like you should eat more." Dai Jaan said perfectly.
Armaan was taken back for a moment then relaxed. He wasn't used to such hospitality from someone he didn't know.
Riddhima didn't seem to pay attention to what they were saying and it looked like she was literally attacking the food. Three plates were in front of her by the end and filled with a good amount of every dish. She began immediately eating.
Dai Jaan smacked her hand hardly.
"Aye! Dai Jaan!" she whined.
Armaan looked at the old lady bewildered.
"Araam se kana khaa. Mehmaan ghar pe hai." she said sternly.
Immediately Riddhima straightened her posture and ate more slowly.
"You know Armaan beta. Jab Riddhu choti thi na. She barely ate, it seemed like she would become anorexic. She was really skinny and frail. But then slowly I began cooking for her and she used to only eat from my hand." Dai Jaan said proudly.
Armaan looked as Riddhima paused for a brief second and gave Dai Jaan a blank look before returning to her food.
"You cook wonderfully ..."
"Dai Jaan. You can call me Dai Jaan."
CLANK
Riddhima's metal spoon banged into her plate creating a noise by her surprise.
No one was allowed to call her Dai Jaan beside her herself.
"Sorry." she mumbled picking up the spoon once again.
Dai Jaan looked down at her plate as if knowing what was going on in Riddhima's mind.
"Done be shy young man! Eat. No use of staring at me the whole time."
Armaan was caught by surprise, he really was staring at her.
But how did she know?
"I wonder..." Dai Jaan left off.
"Are you dating Riddhu?"
COUGH COUGH!
Armaan began coughing and Riddhima almost spat the alloo out of her mouth.
"DAI JAAN!" she said.
"Kya beta?" Dai Jaan replied with the most innocent look ever.
Riddhima shook her head and sighed.
"Anyways. You two can leave the plates here when you're done. I'll pick them up later. Riddhu araam kar thora. Bohot thaki hui lag rahi hai kai dinon se. Armaan study well. Riddhu bohot hoshiar hai. Jo bhi puchna hai puchlo isse. Achi lardki hai. Thori ziddi liken bohot achi."
"Dai Jaan." Riddhima flushed. "Bas kijiye."
"Theek hai main toh jaa rahi hun. Aaj Kayamath aa raha hai tv pe." Dai Jaan said
gleefully.
"Liken agar aap wahan jayengi. To phir hum kahan parenge?"
"What's Kayamath?" Armaan asked.
"Are beta! TV Serial. Hai! Milind aur Prachi aaj ek dusre ke ho jayenge Riddhu!" Dai Jaan said.
"Ughh." Riddhima mumbled giving a hesitant look at Armaan who was doing the same to her.
Why must Dai Jaan be so embarrasing?
Suddenly Dai Jaan's face held a wide smile.
"Riddhu! Tere kamre mein bhi koorsi aur vagera hai. Kyun na usse wahan leke ja?"
"Parhai karne ke liye..."
---
I know extremely delayed.
I tried posting a long part. With AR the whole way.
Hopefully you like it.
Do comment.
or hit the thank you button. :D thanks you guys.
Anupamaa
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