PART 11
Waking up alone didn't bother her this time instead it made her smile. She was awake when he left last night. He had tried not to wake her but when she felt the warmth of his body leaving her she had almost jolted out of bed. The moment that followed was awkward. He had dressed in silence while she sat clutching the blanket to her heart, covering what? she thought now, a bosom he had already seen and relished? Turning crimson at the recollection she stretched her arms high above her head letting the blanket fall. She would not get to see him today, he was flying off to Delhi and strangely it infuriated her.
Dressing in her work formals she walked in to the living room to see the pictures of her parents still intact. She felt a pang of guilt looking at their smiling faces, this was wrong wasn't it. Her getting involved with Armaan was wrong at least she was sure her parents would feel that way. Come to think of it, it was the first time she had thought about it and the more she dwelled the more she felt that she was living in sin. Oh hell with it, if people like Vivek can walk around this earth then why couldn't she committed a small sin? She wasn't fooling anybody, she was not stealing or defaming someone she was just trying to live her life to the fullest; and dammit there was nothing wrong with that. Tearing her gaze away from her parents she flung her bag over her left shoulder and marched out in her 3 inch heels.
Life is a b*tch and then you die'.
"OyeRidzy, where have you been? How come you didn't show up yesterday? And kya baat hai you like rested and fresh today, almost like'" Riddhima laughed as Muskaan's mouth hung open. "OMG Ridzy are you serious, you mean you and Armaan, Armaan and you, details I want details, OyeSapna get your pretty butt over here"
They spent the entire afternoon gossiping and giggling and not once did Riddhima feel discomfited or embarrassed. There was comfort here she muse and trust; something she hadn't felt in years. She had never had such intimacy between friends and fate had deprived her the chance of a sibling. No regrets, she mentally chided herself. If god had taken away some things he had given her plenty back and her two friends were the breathing example of that. And Armaan? She smiled involuntarily thinking of him something that did not go unnoticed by Sapna. Riddhima threw her a sheepish grin across the table; she knew her friend would badger her about it later. Sapna was like a mind reader and it was probably because she had known Riddhima longer than Muskaan and had actually seen her fall and get up again. It was nice actually, to have a confidant, a special friend who could hear you before you spoke and understood you even before you showed.
"Is it wrong Sapna?"
Sapna sat quietly mulling while Riddhima struggled to read her friends face. Sapna had decided to spend the night at Riddhima's today, it was a spontaneous decision and due to no pre-planning Muskaan could not make it; it was just the way Sapna had wanted. Muskaan was a wonderful person and a very sweet friend but the girl still possessed some childish streaks. The conversation Sapna wanted to have with Riddhima today was something she hoped to do in privacy. Looking back at Riddhima's face Sapna re-thought about Riddhima's innocent query. Is it wrong Sapna? Wrong? Yes, yes it was wrong but in what terms? And to who? This society? This very society that commits atrocious and horrendous acts every day, which freely participates in flesh trade, which beats and murders innocent girls over dowry, which discriminates over the color of a women's skin and which has yet to comprehend that it is the man who decides the sex of the baby and not the women. This, this narrow minded society spreads venom and poison that infects the innocent minds of a child! Yes, this society would say it is wrong, but does it really matter? NO! It does not matter because people will talk no matter what you do, whether you commit an act of chivalry or commit a crime people will always talk so why bother? Let these people talk, why should someone ruin their life over another's words?
"Riddhima I want you to listen very carefully to what I have to say. We live in a age of darkness Riddhima, a terrible time where a brother cannot trust a brother, where people speak bad of those who commit one mistake yet ignore the thousand sins they commit themselves. It's an evil world Riddhima with evil people; I don't think I need to elaborate since you have already come across such evilness with Vivek. You don't need to answer to this world, the only person you need to answer to is god and god can see Riddhima, that you are a pure soul. You have no enmity in your heart, you don't slander, you don't practice trickery in fact you help those in need even when you don't have enough to give; like in my case Riddhima, you gave me a job when you barely had money to get by." Her voice softened as she remembered the day she had asked Riddhima for a job, it was trying times for both of them but thankfully they had pulled through.
"God knows that you are a wonderful person and god Riddhima, is very forgiving. Your happy, actually you are glowing and you have every right to be. Life is too short to worry about the world so don't. Enjoy this day, enjoy this moment, live Riddhima it's ok."
Sapna held Riddhima as she sobbed her soul out. This was needed, to calm herself to clear herself of guilt this was needed and Sapna would help her with it. Silly girl Sapna thought as she combed her friends hair, she's falling for him and she doesn't even know it. I won't tell she grinned this is something Riddhima's going to have to discover on her own, if only god if only Armaan feels the same way.
"Hello?"
"Riddhima?"
"Mr.Malik."
"Armaan"
"My apologies, uh how can I help you, Armaan"
"Uh would you, or rather could you please bring the hotel file over, I uh was home and thought I could review it for the uh meeting with the board tomorrow"
"Yea sure, um give me your address"
"No need I'll send the driver, uh thanks, Bye"
Stupid, stupid, stupid that was very very stupid Armaan, when did you start stuttering? Damn he reprimanded himself I must have said uh like 20 times, she probably assumes I am high or something, I could barely speak! He had arrived earlier in the afternoon and had since been cooped up in his room. Big D and his Mom had forbade him to leave the house, of course they had used their old technique of emotionally blackmailing him about how it had been 2 days since they had seen him and blah blah and like every time he had fallen for it.
He had not seen Riddhima since the night he had left her apartment. It had been 3 days and 2 nights he calculated and well, he was starting to miss her or perhaps he didn't miss her perhaps it was just a craving; a craving to see her beautiful face with her big green eyes that watched him and clouded beneath him or her body which melted with his slightest touch and met his every thrust when they made love. He was getting too involved with her and it was not good; not good at all. He did not want to give her false hope or prospects; because the truth where their relationship was concerned was that there was no hope'there was no future.
He would have to clarify this with her again. He had to make sure she understood that the relationship in which they were involved in was one in which there were no promises and no expectations. Besides, he smiled to himself it's not like he was going to fall in love with her'.
"Yes?"
"Um Namaste"
"Namaste?"
"Uh I am here to meet Mr.ArmaanMalik"
"Sure, come on in"
"PADMA! PADMA!"
Padma nearly dropped the vase she was holding upon watching her mother-in-law run like the house was on fire.
"Ma slow down you will hurt yourself"
"Oye chup kar, I am not that old, here give your hand I think I just pulled a muscle"
Padma giggled while she led her MIL to the sofa, somethings never change "Ma why were you running anyways?"
"Oye kamaal ho gaya, there is a girl here to meet Armaan"
Padma frowned hearing the news, what was so special about that "Ma that is not something to break your back over, what's so new in that"
"Hush silly, this is not just any girl, Padma this girl was wearing Indian clothes and she even touched my feet when I told her I was Armaan's dadi!"
"WHAT?"
Holding her hand Padma quietly followed her MIL to the living room, truth was she had wanted to break in to a run upon hearing about the girl but that would look stupid, plus Ma could barely walk after the marathon she had just completed. Much to her astonishment and utter disbelief there on her sofa sat a young girl clad in a black churidaar. The girl immediately stood up and voiced a sweet namaste before coming forward and touching Padma's feet nearly giving her a stroke.
They sat quietly for a moment while Padma gawked and Ma grinned. The girl was beautiful yet simple; she had a sweet smile and sparkling green eyes. It was awkward yet pleasant to have her in their home.
"So what is your name child?" oh no there she goes her mother-in-law
"Riddhima"
"what's your full name child?"
"RiddhimaGupta"
"Oye Gupta, Padma it is a very khandaani name na" Padma smiled embarrassingly as her MIL jumped like a small child.
"What do your parents do child?"
"Uh.." Padma noticed the discomfort and the sadness that overcame her but before she could say anything to ease the child Armaan came down.
"Riddhima"
"Good afternoon Sir, here is the file you asked for" Armaan had heard bits and pieces of the exchange that took place between his Big D & Riddhima. He would talk to his Big D later for now he had to make sure Riddhima was ok. She looked as if she was on the verge of tears and fact was he didn't like seeing her cry.
"I'll walk you outside"
"It's ok I.."
"but I insist" without waiting for her response he gently grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. "Are you ok?" He cupped her face and sighed when a tear slipped out from each eye "I am sorry Riddhima my Big D can be a little intrusive"
"No, she's actually very sweet and so is you mom. I am really sorry.."
"You don't need to apologize Riddhima and thank you for coming" He wanted to keep her there, maybe hold her but he knew she would want to be alone now, plus he had no right to keep her. Hadn't he just had that conversation with himself a few hours ago?
"I'll see you tomorrow Armaan?"
"Yes Riddhima you will."
When Armaan walked back in he saw his mother pacing the living room while his Big D sat pouting. She could be such a child sometimes.
"What wrong did I say Padma? I mean I was only asking her some general questions. Armaan beta did you see Riddhima off, Haye she is such a beautiful child and so well cultured, and so well..."
"Big D I am not going to marry Riddhima or anyone else for that matter, so please lay off" He heard her mumble a few curses as he walked off and knew she would cool off in a few minutes, he just wondered when she would cool off about the whole marriage deal, he was honestly sick of being asked and told to be married.
"Hi Priya is Mr.Malik in his office?"
"Hey Riddhima yes sir is in"
She was nervous god she was nervous, it felt like the first time she had entered his office and he had caught her sniffing his coat. She wanted to do this though, of course she would chastise herself about this later but for now she really wanted to do this. She twisted and fidgeted with herself before turning the door and took a long deep breath before she walked in.
He always looked dangerous to her behind his desk. Like always he had his coat swung over his chair and she mentally gave it a scornful look He wore brown today, the color looked good on him, heck what didn't look good on him; the man was gorgeous. He was busy reading something and had yet to notice her but the moment she the thought crossed her mind he looked up and their eyes met.
"I wanted to give you this"
"What is it?"
"The key to my apartment"
SURPRISEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Ok you guys have to admit you were not expecting me to update this. Granted I had left a note but still make me happy!
First things first the conversation between Sapna-Ridz is clearly and strictly my own personal opinion, it actually is the cause of an interesting conversation I had with my father over the weekend. I will not elaborate as his argument was sexist towards women and her place in society (yes typical Punjabi man) well unfortunately my father has a daughter who is a bit too free willed and too proud to be a women hence I did not hesitate to voice my views and also produced facts to prove my point. In the end I was declared the winner! Don't get me wrong ladies I am very much a god fearing women, however I don't give a damn about this society and its views.
Many of you had asked for more AR romance and unfortunately I was not able to provide that in this part, however I can promise you AR scenes in the next installment.
I once again want to take a chance to thank everyone for commenting and sending me PM's. I have been overwhelmed with the response, so thank you for the constant support.
As for the next update, I am sorry but I am not making any promises. History says I am terrible with them, hence I won't make any, I will however try to have another part up sometime next month before I leave for my trip.
Thank you once again!!
Love you all Loads,
Sim
Edited by simran1285 - 16 years ago
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