Part-3
Riddhima gripped her head as she felt the excruciating pain shooting through it. She remembered coming home from the party, she had sat down at the bar and had finished a whole bottle of vodka, so angry was she after witnessing the happy scene between John and Erika. And she remembered passing out on the chair itself…
"Oh!! ****. It must be dai jaan who put me here. Now I am in for a long lecture."
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Come in."
"Ma'am, Mr. Winston is here."
Riddhima sat up in her bed and looked at the maid and than not believing what she heard she questioned her, "Winston….John Winston?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay…send him in but make him sit in the lobby."
"yes ma'am."
Though her head was bursting in pain but she still very well remembered the promise that she had made to herself, a promise to break his happy life. She quickly went inside her washroom and washed her face, brushed her teeth and took an aspirin.
John stepped inside the house and the housekeeper came to him and took him to Riddhima's room but she asked him to stay in the lobby and told him that Riddhima would join him soon. He smiled at the house keeper and sank into one of the chairs. Riddhima took off her robe from over the short black nighty she was wearing and standing in front of the mirror she opened her hair and spread them on her shoulders and walked out languorously into the lobby and as her eyes fell on John she smiled immediately and spoke, "What a pleasant surprise. What would you like to have John? I was going to ask Maria to bring some coffee for me. Would you like some too?"
"Sure why not." Riddhima smiled at him and picking up the phone she asked Maria to bring the coffee for them. While Riddhima was busy on the phone John looked at her face, even though she had just woken up and had no make-up on her face she still managed to look like a wild temptress…and her nighty just added to the charm. Her hair were spread over her shoulder while her white milky legs were bare and the thin nighty did a pathetic job of hiding her beautiful body with her breasts pushing against the cloth and the nipples a little too vivid. His throat went dry and he forced himself to look away. Riddhima placed the receiver back and smiled at John.
"Maria will be here with the coffee in a minute."
John reciprocated the smile and than reaching into the breast pocket of his shirt and taking out her cell phone he handed it to her.
"You forgot it at the party last night."
"Oh!! I must have left it at the table while having dinner. Its so gracious of you to come here specially to return this. Thank you so much and am really sorry for causing so much trouble."
John waved his hand in the air and spoke, "Oh!! Don't give it another thought. It was no trouble for me….it just gave me another excuse to see you." John chuckled while Riddhima grinned and blushed…John's heart flipped a little as he saw Riddhima lowering her eyes and blushing at his small, flirtatious comment. Its always a major thing for a man to know that his words could effect a woman like that. He shifted in his chair and clearing his throat he spoke, "What's your plan for today?"
"Nothing major. I have to leave for my shoot in an hour or so."
"I'll drop you to the sets today and you can tell me about your movie." John spoke with a smile.
"Oh!! that's a great idea but are you sure? I mean I don't want to disturb your busy schedule?"
"Oh cummon now Riddhima don't be stupid and of course its fine otherwise why would I suggest it. And anyways, it's a delight to be in your company."
Riddhima looked up at him with a dazed expression and locking his eyes with hers she spoke in a low but clear voice, emphasizing every word, "Is it really?"
John was taken aback by the rising color in her cheeks, the soft tone and specially her words and the meaning they implied. Their eyes were locked with each other's and John found himself being pulled towards Riddhima but much to his relief Maria entered the room with the coffee and placed it on the table.
"Thank you Maria."
Maria nodded and left the room.
Riddhima, lowering her eyes, handed the cup of coffee to John who extended his hand to take it and his fingers brushed with hers as he took hold of the cup. They both looked at each other and John caught his breath as he saw the expression in Riddhima's eyes…it was something startling…something passionate. Though they had been friends for so long but today Riddhima looked strangely different to him. His hands were shaking. They both kept looking at each other with the silence filling the room. John almost jumped out off his seat as he heard Riddhima's cell ringing.
Oh damnation!!! she had almost cast her spell on the susceptible John Winston but the ******* cell had to ring and disrupt the moment…Riddhima cursed inwardly and excusing herself she picked the cell up and left the room.
"Hello??" She didn't check the number and spoke rudely.
"Err….I hope I didn't disturb you? I am sorry if I did but I really had to ask you….
"Oh Armaan please forgive me. I just woke up and was a little sleepy so er…I am extremely sorry for being so rude." Riddhima was very embarrassed now that she knew it was Armaan Malik she was talking to.
"Its okay Riddhima. I just wanted to ask you about our next meeting. I have got all the papers and plans ready. So when can we meet?"
"Actually I am going to be pretty busy today with my shoot so how about if we meet at dinner tonight. I am throwing a cocktail party today and I would love it if you can join us."
"Oh, I am so sorry but I am having dinner with Samuel and Monica today. Well… guess we'll have to meet some other time."
"Ah…didn't I tell you they both are coming as well."
"But they both didn't tell me."
"Oh well that's because I didn't invite them yet and that's because there never was a cocktail party today but there is now…I just planned it and you are the inspiration."
Armaan chuckled and Riddhima did too.
"Hmmm….nice…cool than I'll see you tonight at your place. Looking forward to it and ya I'll come a little early so that we can discuss some work."
"Sure…will wait for you."
Riddhima threw the cell on her bed and walked out into the lobby and to her dismay, John who was pretty knocked out a moment back had now composed himself completely. She smiled at him and spoke apologetically "Sorry about that."
"Oh its okay. Anything important."
"Nah…nothing but ya you tell me what are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing I guess."
"Well than you have to be at my place at 9:30 sharp to attend my cocktail party."
"Hey!! But you didn't tell me before and what's the occasion or there is no occasion like all your parties."
"Exactly and I didn't tell you before coz I didn't know that I was going to throw this party but now I am and you are invited and just so that you know you are the inspiration…."
There eyes met again but this time Riddhima eye's were amused and smiling "….your visit to be precise. My day started on a good note."
They both chuckled and than John stood up.
"I am going to be in the gallery. You go ahead and get dressed…I'll see you there."
"Sure."
John walked out of her room and Fatima walked in. She noticed the look on Riddhima's face and now remembering her condition last night she knew what Riddhima was up to.
"Hey Dai jaan, good morning."
Riddhima hugged Fatima and than she walked back into her dressing room and stood in front of the row of dresses.
"Riddhima last night you were sprawled in the bar. I told you not to drink so much."
"Sorry Dai jaan…I won't again but ya before I forget there is going to be a cocktail party tonight so please make all the arrangements…please please and I promise that am not going to drink much. Promise" Fatima shook her head at Riddhima but finally agreed.
"Alright I'll get everything ready."
She was about to step out of the dressing room when she suddenly stopped and turning around she spoke in a low voice, "Riddhima,Erika really loves John…beta please don't."
With that Fatima left the room and Riddhima stood looking at her retreating back but Fatima's words hardly had any effect on her firm resolve. She got back to her dresses and picked out a black dress. Black just like her heart…
**********
"Hey John!!" Riddhima stood at the threshold of the gallery and waved at him. He turned around and waved back. He walked out of the gallery and Riddhima wrapped her arm around his hand and spoke, "Lets go have some breakfast."
They both walked down the stairs towards the table in the drawing room and Fatima saw them approaching and she also saw Riddhima's arm around John.
"Hey Dai jaan. What do we have for break fast?"
"haan haan khila is k***** ko….kidee pade iske."
Riddhima glared at Fatima who served them and walked out angrily.
Riddhima sighed and smiled at John. They were peacefully having their breakfast when Riddhima knocked down the glass of juice lying next to her plate and the juice fell on John's black pant.
"Oh my god!!! I am so sorry John. I am so very sorry." She stood up grabbing some tissues from the table and started wiping the stains from his pant brushing her fingers on just the wrong place. John sat stiff on the chair with his hands gripping the chair and his breath stuck in his throat. Riddhima heard somebody's footsteps and immediately stopped. Maria came inside the room and Riddhima spoke to her, "Maria take sir to the washroom. John please go with Maria and hand her your pant and I'll get the stain removed."
"There's no need. There is a bag in my car and it has an extra pair of trousers. I guess I'll just change."
"I am so sorry. I feel terrible about this. Give me your car keys…Maria will get the bag."
John handed her the car keys and Maria left to get the bag. They both sat down and Riddhima continued with her apologies while John kept telling her that it was no problem at all and finally after sometime she stopped and John smiled at her totally unaware that she had deliberately knocked down the glass and it was all a plan cooked up at the moment.
After changing into a fresh pair of trousers John took her to her set and after dropping her there he left for his work.
"Riddhima!! Finally you are here." Riddhima saw Samuel approaching her and take her in a bear hug. She hugged him back and soon they were joined by Monica who was a part of the film they were working on.
"Alright kids you both are invited to Riddhima Gupta's cocktail party which is at my place and you both have to be there at sharp 9:30 pm. Now let me invite Sara and Neena as well."
"Hey but how come we didn't know before. We promised Armaan we'll…
"And Armaan is going to be there too….so chill."
She walked a little away and after inviting Sara she called up Neena.
"Hey babe." She heard Neena cheerful voice and she too broke in a smile.
"Hey Neena. Okay listen I am throwing a cocktail party tonight at my place and you have to be there at sharp 9:30 pm alright. There aren't going to be much people…only you, me, Samuel, Monica, Sara, Armaan and John."
"And you call this a party?"
"Oh cummon Neena…don't be a pain alright and just be there okay and bring whoever you want with you. I don't care."
"Fine honeybun I'll be there and I have a feeling its going to be fun and yes I'll bring some people with me."
"Sure and you are right Neena its going to be a lot of fun."
Riddhima smirked and hung up.
************
Riddhima stood in front of the mirror clad in a silver body hugging halter dress with strings on her back and the dress ended in ruffles. Her hair were hanging loosely around her face in swirls and curls and silver danglers kissed her neck. She checked herself from every angle and than stepped into her black sandals with silver lining. She lined her eyes with the black kohl and applied a silver eye-shadow on her lids and after adding pink mascara to her eye-lashes she finished her make-up with a very pale shiny pink lipstick. She took a few step backwards and looked at her reflection in the full length mirror and spoke to herself, "Just perfect."
She heard the phone ring on the wall in her dressing room. Picking it up she heard the maid's voice, "Ma'am the guests are here."
"Okay I'll be there….and is Mr. Winston there?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh alright…take care of them."
She got back to the mirror and a white shadow fell on her face and her face hardened…the excitement, joy and the beauty fell off and her face was covered with the ugliest of expression.
Today she'll make her final moves, her plan will be in operation and she knew she'll be triumphant. She heard the lightening outside and she knew it was going to rain today.
"Just what I need."
************
"Armaan its so good to see you here and you look divine in the blue shirt." Armaan hugged a delighted Sara. All the guests mingled with each other.
"But where's the host? Fatima aunty where is Riddhima?"
"She is coming. She had an important call to attend but she is done with it and will join you in a moment."
And just than the large door opened and they all saw Riddhima entering the room looking like a vision and her charm at its peak. Every person present was staring at her unintentionally.
"Alright guys I know I am the star but hell stop staring."
They all laughed good- naturedly and Samuel wrapping his arm around her spoke up, "Not our fault. We can't help it and you know what…I want to bring Michelangelo from his grave and get him to paint you but again I wonder if he will be able to do any justice to you for you mite shock him as well….the kind of beauty you posses."
"Oh please Samuel…you are the king of cheesy lines."
"But no he is right and you do look gorgeous Riddhima." She saw John walk towards her and she smiled at him. It was a smile of such genuine sweetness and her face looked so innocent that he felt his heart clench. There was a curious vulnerability in her that made him want to protect her. Her exquisite face with its beautiful features pulled him magnetically towards her like a lodestar and he found himself walking towards her oblivious to the noise in the room, everyone smiling and chatting loudly but just than the door opened with a thump and everybody turned towards it and they all saw Neena entering in with nearly 20 people….all different sort of celebrities.
John heard Riddhima mutter, "Gosh I didn't know she was going to bring so many people. Neeenaaa."
She greeted Neena and her whole gang and decided to kill Neena later. When she had met everyone she sighed in relief and turned towards Armaan who was standing in a dark corner all alone. She walked towards him and seeing her approaching him he walked towards her and as his whole figure came in light Riddhima was startled for a moment by the handsome face which was strangely intimidating though the look was very casual…the loose dark blue shirt with a black scarf tucked in his pocket and the black trousers with his hair in the usual messed style. She was a little fazed for a moment but she got hold of herself immediately and spoke, "I got your message. It's a pity we couldn't talk for I really want to discuss the location for our hotel but I guess we'll have to do it some other time."
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow…fine. I'll see you at your office at around….um…11."
"Fine."
"What are you guys doing here. Cummon the food is served." Neena grabbed their hand and took them to the table.
***********
"It was a lovely evening. God I enjoyed so much and the food was an absolute delight and your beautiful company was like a bonus." Samuel hugged Riddhima and kissing her cheek he bid her goodbye. Now only Sara, John and Armaan were left.
"Armaan do you mind dropping me home? I don't want to drive in this whether. Its raining cats and dogs." Sara looked out and disappointedly shook her head.
"Fine. I'll drop you. Thanks a lot for the wonderful evening Riddhima. Its was great."
"Thank you Armaan for joining us."
When they both had left she turned towards John who was standing there staring at her. Riddhima moved closer and placing a kiss on his cheek spoke in a husky voice, "Thanks for coming John."
"The pleasure was all mine."
***********
Riddhima was sitting in her room waiting for John for she knew he'll come back as his car had a flat tire, courtesy her. She heard someone walking quickly on the stairs and she knew it was him. She quickly got up and grabbing her bath gown she walked into her bathroom and when the door opened she yelled from inside, "Whose it?"
"Its me…John. I have a flat tire. Could you tell Maria to ask Albert to change it."
"Err…John I am sorry but Albert's on a leave."
"Oh! Its okay. I guess I'll call Erika and ask her to send another car."
"John can you wait a moment. I am taking a bath and will be with you in a jiffy and than I'll drop you. Please, I insist."
"Alright."
He settled down on the couch while Riddhima smirked to herself. She turned on the shower and stripping off she got into it.
When she was convinced that she had made him wait enough she stepped out of the bathroom with her hair tied in a turban of towel and her white thin wet robe clinging to her moist skin. She sat down across him and crossed her legs and the towel fell open on her thighs.
"Phew…it feels so good after a warm bath. Just perfect to release all tension in your body. And don't worry we'll leave soon. Why don't you inform Erika."
"She isn't home. She's with her mother."
"Okay."
She unwound her towel and let her hair fall on her shoulder, some strands sticking to her face. She shook her head and some drops fell on John's face who was mesmerized with the wet beauty. The tangle of her white milky thigh impossible to miss and the swell of her breasts visible, pushing to be freed. John was breathing heavily when he heard Riddhima say..
"Care for a drink?"
John nodded, unable to speak.
Riddhima stood up and walked towards the small bar in her room. She moved sensuously with her legs brushing against each other. She was aware of her every movement and she knew John was too. She filled two glasses with white wine and moved her hand through her hair and brushed her hand against her body…every movement of hers was John's undoing. He stood up and walked towards where Riddhima was standing. She felt John pressing his body against her, she allowed herself a triumphant smile and than turned around with a dazed expression. John gasped as he looked at her face. He reached for the wine glass and gulped it down and than raising his hand he moved it to her face, tracing her face with his finger and his finger stopped at her lips while his other hand undid the knot of her bathrobe and as the lightening thundered outside, Riddhima knew that one of these lightening just fell on John's life which was falling apart with his every move towards her and no matter how hard he would try after this…there was no escape.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
286