PART XXXV
"So what was it about Armaan that reminded you of the dashing Scarlet Pimpernel?" Atul asked Ridhima as they waited for their starters. Rahul had manoeuvred things to ensure that Ridhima sat between Armaan and Muskaan leaving Muskaan no choice but to sit next to him since Atul had flopped into the chair next to Armaan's.
"Huh? Where did that come from?" Ridhima looked a little confused as Atul's question caught her by surprise.
"From curiosity my girl" Atul responded rolling his tongue, amused at Ridhima's confusion, " I am just wondering what were the sterling qualities in our dear President that made you compare him to your childhood hero?"
"How do you know Scarlet Pimpernel was my childhood hero?" As realisation dawned, Ridhima kicked Armaan under the table, causing him to yelp.
"What happened Armaan?" Atul asked innocently, "hurt your leg?"
"Nothing and shouldn't you be looking at the menu to decide what you want to order for the main course?" Armaan glared at Atul as he dreaded Ridhima's reaction when she figured Atul knew.
"What's the hurry Armaan, I thought we were celebrating? In fact we have more than one reason to celebrate, right Ridhima?" Atul grinned at Armaan's discomfort as Armaan darted a quick look in Ridhima's direction.
"Of course we do, don't we Ridhima?" Atul looked taken aback at this sudden help from a completely unexpected quarter. Muskaan who had been quiet so far, suddenly quipped up as she smiled for the first time since he had seen her today, Rahul noted. Dinner had been a good idea, even if it just made her laugh and smile. He smiled as Ridhima glared at Muskaan ' looked like Armaan and Ridhima were not going to be spared tonight!
"Oh by the way Armaan" Atul continued as he broke and buttered a roll as the soups were served, " do you remember the doctor you took Ridhima too, the night at the pub...when she was not well? It would be good to have his number...difficult to find a doc who's willing to see patients that late in the night! Was he any good Ridhima?"
Clearly glaring at Atul was not going to make any difference Armaan accepted, he might as well save himself the effort. He must have been crazy to agree to join them for dinner with Atul in tow.
"Umm.. ya...he ...was ok..." Armaan had to admit that he was hard pressed too; to stop himself from laughing out loud as Muskaan giggled a little at Ridhima's response...
"What happened Muskaan? ' Atul continued to play innocent as he watched Ridhima give Muskaan a murderous look.
"Nothing... I was just wondering what an inglorious end to an otherwise romantic evening, na? " Muskaan remarked, "dancing with Scarlet Pimpernel and then being whisked away by the man himself'ok, maybe not on horseback, but a Pajero is a darned good substitute! And then to end it at a Doc? Tsk..." Ridhima was torn between the desire to clobber Muskaan or just let her be....seeing her smile and laugh after a week of being quiet and woebegone was definitely worth putting up with all of this, she decided wryly as she braced herself for more to come.
"Which reminds me you never answered my question on qualities Ridhima?" Atul reminded her.
"I can recount a few I think Atul, the qualities I mean ...good looking, sensitive, sexy hidden depths, maturity..." Muskaan responded before Ridhima could say anything.
'Muskaan!" Ridhima almost yelled. Judas! "...and why ask me guys if you don't even want to hear what I have to say... she sulked.
"Fine I'll keep quiet, and, you tell us what was it about Armaan that you liked?' Muskaan asked.
"Muskaan, shut up
!" Ridhima said crossly.
"No, not at all, this sounds very interesting..." Armaan leaned forward, dropping all pretence of examining the menu, "do carry on Muskaan...this I would certainly like to hear...."
"You know in the early days at college, we all rated the 2nd year guys on a scale of 10 and on Ridhima's you got a 9.5! You lost 0.5 courtesy lack of better judgement for your taste in women, which thankfully you've rectified!" Muskaan bit her tongue as she realised what she had just said. She just hoped they would not cotton on to the Anjali reference.
"What about your scale Muskaan? Who ranked a 10 on yours?" Armaan asked Muskaan deciding Ridhima had been teased enough. High time someone was in her corner "a batch mate or a senior?" Ridhima and Rahul looked at Muskaan at the same instant. The last time Armaan had teased her had had disastrous consequences.
"So Armaan, the doctor that you took Ridhima to, where does he stay?" Rahul broke in, deflecting the conversation before Muskaan could say anything.
"Ok guys! That's it! Stop piling on to us" Ridhima said firmly as it finally dawned on her that her tormentors were not going to leave them alone.
"Oh! So finally you admit there is an US!" Atul grinned triumphantly, 'I am deeply and mortally wounded Ridhima that you didn't see it fit to tell me..." he looked at her in a comic tragic repose, "...and I thought we were friends" he finished dramatically raising his hand to his forehead.
"Think about me buddy...we are supposed to be close friends..." Rahul complained as he laughed at Atul's exaggerated gestures.
"Alright guys, back off......stop embarrassing her" Armaan admonished the two as he put an arm around Ridhima's shoulder and pulled her close, "as it is I will have hell to pay for, courtesy Atul here, stop multiplying my woes!"
"You've no idea what's coming your way buddy" Rahul warned Armaan, "you are sure you want to sign up for this?"
"Too late for that now Rahul, you should have warned me earlier" Armaan laughed as he bent down to give Ridhima a quick peck, "for better or worse...."
"Oooooooooooh!" Ridhima turned a beetroot red as Atul, Rahul and Muskaan hooted teasingly.
"I think you should be forewarned Armaan, she's nuts when she has to go out on a date especially with you...I remember the last time..I think she must have pulled out her entire wardrobe...."Muskaan giggled as she remembered their conversation that night.
"...and when she's with a book you could shout yourself hoarse and she will not hear a thing..."
Rahul added glad to see Muskaan slowly reverting back to her normal self.
"...you know she has the hots for Pierce Brosnan and will watch every downloaded episode of Remington Steele ad nauseum, till you are ready to throttle both her and that chap.....give me a desi munda any day over these firangs
!" Armaan couldn't help smile at Muskaan's candid admission.
"...and you don't want to be around to be the guinea pig when she gets into those crazy experimental fits of cooking...Padma aunty and I usually slink off.....the only one who is willing to stay behind is Shashank uncle since he's almost as bad!"
Rahul smirked at some memory" ..and if you are missing a pen, the most likely place you will find it is on her head!" Rahul added.
"She chews her nails and bites her lower lip when she is preoccupied?"
Armaan offered as Ridhima turned to look at him in surprise. So he had noticed. "...and she has this delightfully disdainful way of raising her eyebrows in sardonic expression when she's mad at you...'
"She devours chocolate cake like there was no tomorrow and it does not even show on her"
Muskaan said enviously, " and she hates sharing her icecreams.."
"... she's terribly possessive about her pillow....woe betide anyone who dares to take her pillow..she might be even willing to swap you Armaan, but I suspect not her precious pillow..unless she now plans to substitute it with a real life one now..."
Ridhima made a face at Rahul, resigned to the prolonged teasing session.
"Oh I almost forgot, pillow reminded me, the most important thing of them all... Armaan, she is a grouch when she is woken up in the morning...and be prepared to woken up in the middle of the night while she insists that you listen to some strange music and talk with her..and oh yes, she likes to be woken up with a cup of tea in bed...
." Muskaan complained.
"I think I can think of plenty more interesting and engaging reasons to stay awake late at night Muskaan and even more delightful ways of waking her up" Armaan smiled as Atul high fived him.
"Oh God Armaan, that was so clichd" Muskaan shook her head disdainfully, "I am not sure which is dirtier ' your mind or your laundry!"
"Well tried but an old one Muskaan, you need to think of something new!" Armaan countered back.
"Hello?" Ridhima finally spoke up, "remember me? I'm here too, you know...I would appreciate if you guys wouldn't behave like I was a fly on the wall!"
"I could never do that sweetheart! You are a fairly aggressive fly, if at all!" Armaan responded his eyes twinkling, "I still remember the last occasion I took you for granted..." and turning away from her, "she refused to talk to me till I agreed to whatever retribution she saw fit...and to date I am living in mortal fear of what her evil mind is going to think of!"
"Trust me buddy, you are going to regret agreeing to this" Rahul shook his head mournfully, "I know from experience!"
"So what did you have in mind Ridhima" Atul gave her a conspiratorial look.
"Hmm.... I was thinking that maybe I would get him to cook me a meal!" Ridhima smiled facetiously at Armaan, "won't you cook for me Armaan, please?"
****************************
"Wow! What an awesome study...but you know it-"
"...looks familiar.."
Armaan finished smiling at the look on Ridhima's face. '...honest I never realised till it was too late...and then it seemed providential so why fight the inevitable?"
Ridhima looked around the room with a faint smile on her lips, "the painting's missing " she pointed out, "and the TV".
"Must leave something for you to choose when you come in, right?" Armaan drawled, amused at her sudden embarrassment, as he lounged against one of the chairs.
Ignoring his comment she stopped as she saw the chaise lounge in the study, "Who has a chaise lounge in the study?"
'Clearly I do...."
"That I can see but why in God's name would you have a chaise lounge in the study?" Ridhima looked completely bewildered.
"Young lady, I will have you know, a chaise lounge has some rather convenient & alternate uses especially when used in a study..." Armaan responded teasingly as he walked up to stand right behind her "... and sweetheart, I am warning you, I have full intentions of banishing all thoughts of your precious Scarlet Pimpernel & Prisoner of Zenda with them looking on-".
"Armaan!" Ridhima turned around to glare at him.
"What? Not only am I intended to conduct a clandestine relationship, now you want me to be celibate as well? Didn't someone tell you, celibacy is the worst form of self abuse?" he mocked as she turned different shades of red.
Flustered for a moment, then realising that Armaan was teasing her, Ridhima recovered her poise to ask with sweet deliberation, "Didn't someone tell YOU about the keys to happiness? Abstinence, poverty, fasting and celibacy! Socrates I think it was!"
"Nah, you got it all wrong sweetheart" quipped Armaan as he deliberately traced a finger down her neck, "the key to happiness is celibacy tempered with polygamy?" enjoying sparring with her.
"Really? In your dreams! Don't even think about it...remember I warned you, I'm terribly territorial" she shook her finger warningly, "I don't know what crazy mood you are in but if you think this is going to get you out of cooking a meal, you've got another think coming" cautioned Ridhima.
"Who says I want to?" Armaan protested with mock indignation, "your dinner awaits my lady"
"You mean you actually cooked and the food's ready?" Ridhima looked at him in astonishment.
"Why don't you go wash your hands and freshen up while I lay the table
?" Armaan suggested walking out of the study.
"How lame was that Armaan? And very impolite'..are you suggesting that I was in dire need of cleaning? " Ridhima complained following him.
"I was suggesting nothing of that sort'don't you try and be cute with me" Armaan admonished her, "go and come back quickly so that the food does not get cold! All my labour would have been in vain!"
Ridhima washed her face and looked at herself critically in the mirror. Her face, flushed with the mood of the moment, didn't need any makeup. A quick brush through her hair, a touch of lip-gloss, and she was ready.
She padded across the thick carpet of the hallway and eased her way into the kitchen, and on a childish impulse yelled in his ear from behind as he worked at the counter.
Armaan dropped the butter knife in shock as he rubbed his ear trying to get some semblance of hearing restored. "Just you wait, young lady, this time retribution shall be mine'once I can hear something again'" he reluctantly smiled at Ridhima's obvious delight at his predicament.
As she slid her arms around Armaan from behind, he leaned back and smiled, "delightful as you may be, this is not going to get you off the hook!", as he worked at the counter.
"How much longer Armaan?" Ridhima asked leaning her chin against his shoulder as she watched him add the potatoes and carrots to the chicken on the plates.
"I have yet to meet a woman so obsessed with her stomach!" he said as he turned giving her a quick peck on the lips before taking her hand and leading her to the table, where he held out a chair for her.
"Mademoiselle, please have a seat," he said with a mock flourish, and Ridhima gracefully slid into her chair. Armaan tucked a napkin over her lap, and then he presented her with a wine bottle before dramatically pouring a full glass for her.
Ridhima laughed at his exaggerated gestures, and took a generous sip of wine as he languidly moved about, serving both of them: grilled chicken, roasted potatoes done to melt-in-your mouth perfection, glazed carrots, fresh bread with yummy butter. She looked at the spread on the table in amazement. "When did you get the time to cook all this? It looks awesome!"
"Well, I have this magic lamp and I had saved up the last wish'so decided to use it tonight'but now I am beginning to think maybe it was a waste'especially if you are going to spend your time talking instead of tucking in."Armaan mocked her
"Armaan!" she complained, "seriously, I am impressed, all this fancy cooking. You must have got up really early to do all this, na? I still can't believe that you've rustled up such a delicious meal at such short notice!"
"er'no'it was all ready and in the oven'I do have a domestic help, you know'wait...are you implying that I had nothing to do with this? I am deeply offended! But forget about that, just eat my girl'."Armaan ordered.
"I am sorry, I was not being churlish, it's just that I am so impressed! Imagine a fantastic cook, a great friend, a well read chap'"
"'and
?" Armaan prompted with a half smile looking at her
"And?" Ridhima asked a little unsettled by Armaan's steadfast gaze on her
"And? What else? What about good looking, sexy, sensitive, gentle, caring,'..you can't be lucky just because of what you mentioned'surely, these other things would be important - "Armaan teased her gently
"Oh please! Give me a break'mmmm'the chicken is really good! Armaan'am so glad that I insisted that you make dinner'"
"Right! Just remind me not to let you get your way all the time! " Armaan retorted, "I'll be dead handing the stress, not to mention broke" he muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?" Ridhima asked as she did not catch the last bit.
"er...nothing... why don't you eat before it gets stone cold?"
They savoured their meal, chatting companionably about nothing in particular, but a couple of times, Ridhima caught Armaan looking at her with a worried expression, which she could not quite fathom. However, she brushed the thought away, just enjoying the moment.
"Armaan, you really outdid yourself!" She sighed, sated and content.
"Why thank you, my dear lady -- I'm glad you enjoyed it." He topped up her glass once again and ruffled her hair as he got up, "You've got a bit of butter on your chin. Why don't you go clean that up a bit while I clear the table?"
"But let me help you..." Ridhima started to say, intending to clear the table.
"Shush! Do as you're told and run along....there's still a small matter of the dessert...Madame had deigned that I do everything as part of my retribution, didn't she? So let me be'," he turned her towards the bathroom and turned back to clear the table. Ridhima rolled her eyes but obediently made her way to the basin to wash her hands before sauntering into the living room where the CD player was playing softly. As she flipped through the CD covers to check the music, she was surprised by the bell.
"Will you take that Ridhima?" Armaan yelled out from the kitchen, "need to just put away the stuff. Don't know who it is. Have not ordered anything'.so it may be a wrong delivery'happens all the time'."
Ridhima opened the door to find a guy holding a box, "I am sorry mam. I am from Shatranj Napoli. This is a Tiramisu that had been ordered'."
"No, you've got the wrong house'we have not ordered anything" Ridhima shook her head, glad that Armaan had warned her. Really, it must be quite painful to have your bell rung for all the wrong reasons all the time!
"No mam, there was a slip-up. We forgot to deliver the dessert along with the meal earlier in the evening'" the guy explained, "This is Flat 201, 2nd Floor, Navroze Apartments, Palli Hill, right?"
"Right! So you were to deliver this with an earlier order? What was the order?" Ridhima asked as realisation began to dawn.
"2 plates of grilled chicken with baby potatoes and glazed carrots with 2 plates of Tiramisu" the man confirmed looking at the bill in his hand, "the dessert has already been paid for, our apologies for forgetting to deliver it!" Ridhima thanked the guy and took the dessert, with a devilish grin on her face.
She walked into the kitchen, the packet held in her hand, to find Armaan frantically looking around, ruffling through stuff.
"What happened Armaan?" Ridhima asked sweetly
Armaan, startled by her sudden appearance, whipped around and said, a little flustered, "er'nothing'was just looking for something'you go and sit in the living room I will just join you'."
"Was this what you were looking for by any chance?" Ridhima flashed a sugar sweet smile, holding up the Shatranj Napoli packet, "the kitchen where you had COOKED the dinner,
forgot to deliver it along with the main meal"
***************************
Armaan waved to Atul as stepped out of the airport, signalling for him to walk right to the end of the barricaded exit as he moved out to get the car from the parking lot.
"Congratulations, I believe you managed to rope in pretty decent sponsorships" Armaan remarked as he navigated the car out of the airport.
"Yup, Delhi didn't disappoint us and now I know why you want to pick Delhi you bum!" Atul accused him, "Your dad was awesome. Not only did he sponsor, he called up most of guys whom we had to meet, we didn't have to do any selling! Now we know the reason for Mr Armaan Mallik being the star fund raiser last year even though he was a fresher!"
"Hello, I never laid claim to any greatness but while I am honoured that you give my dad so much credit, you might just want to consider the B-school that you were representing my friend. I doubt if the Dean would be very pleased if he heard that you let my dad walk away with all the credit" the two laughed as they imagined the Dean's reaction, "by the way, do you want to grab a bite of lunch while we wait to pick Anjali up?"
"Didn't Anjali message you?" Atul looked at Armaan in surprise, "she's not coming in today, Ankit and she are flying in tomorrow night.."
"I know Ankit is...he texted me but Anjali..." Armaan trailed off as he evaluated this piece of information. Normally, he would be the first person Anjali would inform but this time....
"That's strange, usually you are the first guy Anjali would call or text" Atul articulated Armaan's thoughts with complete accuracy, " I don't know why-" Atul trailed off as Armaan stopped at a red light and looked at him ruefully, "Ok, perhaps I can hazard a guess why.."
'I have really messed up this relationship, haven't I Atul?
" Armaan sighed as the light turned green, " and I don't know how to get it back to keel...'
'Take a piece of advice Armaan, don't even try" Atul placed a gentle hand on his back, "if Anjali harbours any feelings for you and she feels she is being hurt, then you need to give her space...let her work things out in her own mind before she deals with what you have to say to her...."
"But what is she doesn't? I can't just let things fester Atul...I need to be true to her and to Ridhima...no more shrugging away an unpleasant truth..."
"Absolutely, you do...talk to her when she comes back...but don't push her Armaan...you need to give her time.... if what you fear is true, expect her to be hurt, aloof, to stay away from you, to be angry and take that anger out on you...you will have to deal with that by letting her be...by letting her exorcise her own demons..she's proud and competitive ' these will hurt her as much as loosing you will...you will figure out how to juggle supporting her without alienating or ignoring Ridhima...and I don't envy you...oh hell, I'm sorry Armaan to have brought this up again, let's talk about something else, so tell me how did you fare in Bombay?"
"Oh you'd be surprised how well my friend...the Mallik charm never fails to work...'
"You mean you visited all the female Finance directors in the city...' Atul pulled his leg, "though I am not sure it pulls you through all situations..." As Armaan raised his eyebrows questioningly he continued, 'I am wondering whether it managed to get you through your cooking date with Ridhima?"
"Oh it didn't unfortunately" Armaan shook his head regretfully. Armaan chuckled as he remembered Ridhima's indignation on discovering who the actual cook of the evening's dinner was! He had watched in quiet amusement as she sulked and complained, her face red with indignation just like a petulant child, then unable to help himself, he had silenced her by kissing her. With a promise to actually cook for her one of these days, he'd dragged her to the study where they had chatted very late into the night when he had finally dropped her home. Mercifully, her parents were not at home, Ridhima had declared, otherwise she would have been so busted. As Atul cleared his throat and winked at him, Armaan grinned bashfully before continuing, "she's mad at me for fudging the cooking so now I have to actually learn how to cook since she intends to SEE me cook her a meal. In fact, if I can lay my hands on whoever told her that I hated cooking, I would happily throttle him" he finished giving Atul a meaningful glance.
'Tsk..tsk...I wonder who would do that?" Atul responded with great innocence.
*********************
"Hi" Muskaan looked up as Rahul slid into the chair beside her. The library was desserted save for a few students and for all practical purposes they were alone.
"Hi" Muskaan responded softly, hoping that he could not hear the pounding of her heart. Why was he here?
"Look Muskaan, we need to talk....I have been trying so hard ...but you just ....we-"
"What is there to say Rahul? Except that you think that I am the kind of person who grudges her best friend her closest friendship?"
"Muskaan-" Rahul tried to interrupt her only to be waved off.
"Not just that, but also the kind of person who can't get beyond her small town thinking as far as a guy and girl are concerned" despite her firm resolve not to fight with Rahul,
Muskaan was unable to contain her hurt. After her conversation with Ridhima, she had resolved to bury her resentment and try and talk things with Rahul, to try and fathom what he really felt about her, did he really love her...she had remembered his agitated tirade when he had asked if she had ever stopped to think why he did or said what he did...but somehow faced with the man who had occupied much of her waking thoughts, she was unable to let go of the hurt his words had caused.
As she spoke, Rahul winced with the realisation of the extent to which his words had hurt her.
"Muskaan, I am sorry for what I said, believe me really really sorry.....I can't take that back.....I wish I could, oh God, how I wish I could, but I can't! But can't we move beyond that? You said some things in anger and so did I, can't we just accept that and move on?"
'Easy for you to say" Muskaan retorted, "You weren't the one who...who..."
'Who what Muskaan? You think you were the only one hurt?" Rahul inadvertently raised his voice in agitation. Then realising where he was, he leaned back in his chair and lowered his voice, "You think what you said didn't hurt me? What could be worse than seeing two women I care so much about envious of each other?"
"I am not envious-" Muskaan's lips tightened in anger at Rahul's words.
"Oh god, wrong choice of words at the wrong time yet again!" Rahul smacked his head before continuing, "...but Muskaan if we are going to be honest with each other, then that is what it sounded like to me.....just once stop and think of it from my perspective...Ridhima is my closest friend and you are the woman.." Rahul trailed off as he realised what he was about to say.
"And I am the miserable woman who can't understand or appreciate that friendship, right?" Muskaan wondered at the perverseness that made her go at him relentlessly. Why was she punishing him and herself?
"No you fool, you are the woman I am in love with!" Rahul uttered fiercely, "except that you are too dumb, opinionated and self absorbed to see that!"
Muskaan sat frozen, in complete shock, as Rahul articulated the words that she had wondered about, that she had wanted to hear, unable to respond or look at him for fear that this was a phantasm that would disappear the moment there was a hint of any movement.
"I have been very patient, giving you time to figure your own feelings, to deal with your insecurities, careful not to rush you lest I frighten you...and in this, yes, Ridhima has been my confidant and she always will be, but the relationships are different Muskaan...what is important is what I feel for you and what you, if at all, feel for me...and I know that you do...it's not so difficult to accept it Muskaan...I guess I just couldn't understand your outburst that day though when I thought over it later, I could understand why you could have felt betrayed as you say...if I am willing to look at your point of view, apologise and put this behind us, why can't you? Why is it so difficult Muskaan?"
Muskaan finally looked up at Rahul, unable to respond, still trying to absorb the fact that Rahul loved her and had just confessed to her. Ridhima had been right..it was a confession for Rahul alone to make and hers alone to hear if she loved him.....
Mistaking her silence for unabated angst, Rahul pushed back his chair and got up, "I guess I got it all wrong...and oh please don't allow this to weigh on your conscience...this is my problem and I will deal with it.... I guess sometimes even love is not enough...."
*******************
"Hi Ankit, Anjali...good to have you guys back" Armaan smiled as he got up to hug the two walking into the students council room, "how were your respective trips?"
"Good" Ankit smiled, "except that Hyderabad was a killer. It was so hot. Walking around or even taking cabs in the afternoon really killed me. But it's a neat and clean city. Man, I missed my car! But it was a good trip. I stayed back a day cos there was one more sponsorship cheque to collect and I did not want to leave it for them to courier..but we've done well...what about you guys?"
"Atul and I have done reasonably well on the sponsorship front as well...it's looking good so far.." Armaan smiled.
"Great, so Madame Anjali, looks like you will end up setting a record for collections this year! Quite an achievement girl! " Ankit hugged Anjali as she smiled, 'Yup I am glad at least I have some achievements to my name".
Armaan looked up instinctively at Anjali trying to gauge the sentiment behind her comment as Ankit looked confused, "Huh? I thought you had plenty, girl...don't be modest! I'll be back in a bit guys, have to return some terrifically overdue library books, before the Old Ironhand cancels my membership from the library!" They all laughed at the reference to their strict librarian as Ankit walked out.
"You didn't answer my question Anjali" Armaan walked up and sat down beside Anjali. "how did your trip go? Cracked it I understand?"
"Sorry, was a little preoccupied, I didn't realise you had asked me" Anjali said a little flustered. She did not want to talk to Armaan, not as yet in any case. She had plenty of time last week, being on her own, to think about Armaan, Ridhima and herself. The more she had thought about it, the more it seemed to her that there was no one else that Ridhima could be in love with other than Armaan, and each time she thought about Armaan, the friend and the rational human being in her reiterated the fact that as a friend she should be happy for Armaan and shouldn't grudge him his happiness. Yet, there remained a part of her which cried out in denial, refusing to let go.
Ridhima, Armaan and she were like a fractal, she mused, a fragmented shape that can be split into parts, each of which is smaller copy of the whole..weren't they all similar in an emotional sense, each striving for what the other desired, similar in their desires, aspirations, their failings and their weaknesses? Weren't the fragments an integral part of the whole that defined the fractal? Then why was it that life was singling her out?
Armaan watched the play of emotions across Anjali's face and he wished he could take away some of the anguish that he could see reflected on her face. She was very dear to him, had been a close friend for so long and he hated being the cause for her despair..now more than ever, he was convinced that Ridhima and Atul had been right and he needed to talk to Anjali, the issue was how to tell her?
"Anjali, are you ok?" he asked gently as she continued to remain silent.
"Huh?" Anjali was shaken out of reverie, "I am sorry Armaan..I was thinking-"
"You seem upset" Armaan remarked, "do you want to talk about it?"
"Nothing..."Anjali sighed as she turned to look at the papers in her hand, 'there is nothing to say or talk about anymore or is there?" wondering aloud
"We used to be able to talk about most things to each other Anjali...what happened? We are close friends, aren't we and friends share confidences and problems..."
"Are we?" Anjali cut in, "I mean, are we really friends, Armaan? Do you share everything that is important to you with me?"
"Of course we are Anjali, and I ..alright, I have not been very forthcoming in the last couple of months but I needed to sort out things in my own head before I talked to my friends..."
"Aren't friends supposed to understand and recognise what their friends are feeling, their emotions and their aspirations? Aren't they supposed to be there by their side, to share in their joys and to weep in their sorrows? Then how could you leave me alone?"
"I am sorry Anajli" Armaan knelt down in front of her taking her hands in his, "you have no idea how sorry...but Anjali emotions and relationships come with their own issues and insecurities...and you can't walk every path holding someone's hand, falling back on someone else's support...there are some paths that you need to tread on your own to discover what they actually mean to you...and sometimes some paths do not cross the others and should not, no matter how dear or well travelled the other paths maybe...."
"I thought I was important to you, yet you chose to treat me like a stranger..."
Anjali stopped, her voice breaking a little at the last sentence.
"You could never be a stranger to me Anjali" Armaan responded vehemently, "but sometimes relationships are not always what we want them to be Anjali but that doesn't mean that they are less important to us...we have no control over what we feel for whom and when... Anjali....emotions just happen..." Armaan said wistfully, "I know I should have done this long ago but I have been wanting to talk to you these last few days to explain, to tell you how I feel and ask you to understand-" Armaan stopped as he saw a hint of tears in Anjali's eyes, 'Anjali?"
Anjali looked past Armaan at the wall on which hung a picture of the four of them as newly elected council members. They had been so happy then, SHE had been so happy, everything had seemed perfect and yet today everything seemed to be falling apart. She was losing the man whom she loved and she did not think she would be able to deal with it. "I just...I am sorry....I just feel so.....alone....I don't know....I ....Armaan..." his concern proving to be her undoing. She clutched at his hand for a moment, eyes focused on his face, as she sought to control her despair that seemed to be close to bursting out.
Sensing her anguish, Armaan got up to put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug. He felt so guilty, but there was nothing he could do except comfort her. He could not change the fact that he loved Ridhima much as Anjali could not change her fears, heartache and insecurities. He had to tell her about Ridhima and put an end to this prolonged misery and trepidation all around.
Anjali hugged him back, holding him for a moment, before smiling a little self consciously and moving away, 'I am sorry Armaan, I don't know what came over me..sometimes, I just get emotional"
"It's Ok Anjali, this is only me...you can be yourself and let your defenses down with me.....remember we are friends?."Armaan smiled gently, "just as I should be honest with you.." and taking a deep breath, "Anjali I need to tell you something-"
"Armaan please" Anjali stopped him, "can we talk about it later? I know you have important things to tell me, but I am not sure if I am ready to listen to them yet,...please..."
"But Anjali-"
"Please Armaan, you think of me as a good friend, don't you? Care about me?" Armaan nodded his head, 'then do me this one favour...let me be...give me some time....remember you said you couldn't talk to me before because you needed to sort out some things for yourself? So do I. Please?"
"It's as much about me Anjali as it is about you...I don't want you to ever feel-"
"Please Armaan.." Anjali beseeched him, "if you really care about me, please let me be... just let this seminar get over...I promise we will complete this conversation ...please Armaan?""
Atul's words flashed through his mind as Armaan listen to Anjali. He was willing to give Anjali all the time in the world if he could spare her the heartache, but he didn't see how postponing the inevitable could take away the hurt. If anything it would sharpen the disappointment and her sense of betrayal when he finally told her. But one look at her face made him stop in his tracks. He had obviously been a source of great anguish to her, even if unwittingly. He surely owed her this much, to allow her to choose the time and place...
"Fine" he nodded as she smiled in relief, "whatever you say Anjali...provided you promise that I shall see the old Anjali back!"
Anjali nodded her head as she gave him a hug before stepping out of the council room.
****************************
Ok guys, here's part 35, terribly delayed. I had promised to surprise everyone by updating faster than I usually do but clearly the surprise fell flat on its face....I know I am late but I just got stuck in one part, nothing would come to me...while I have written it, am not too happy with it, but leave you to figure out which one, though you might find that applicable to all of this part, lol! Plus its long to make up a wee bit for the delay!
I had mentioned something which I thought I would explain. A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be subdivided in parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole. Common examples of fractals in nature are fern leaves, snowflakes, a peacock, a pineapple,
Stalagmites and stalactites, starfishes etc...if you look closely they are made of hundreds of identical parts each of which is identical to the other and a replica of the whole ' together yet disparate. I am not sure if I have explained it properly, NJ might be better able to explain since its technically a mathematical phenomenon. I don't know how and why the analogy came to mind, but since it did I penned it down and just thought I would explain.
Lots of people asked me about AR so here they are, just hope you liked them....I know my AR are not overtly romantic but I guess the poor souls have been dogged by heart attacks, hospitals, jealous friends, emotional jealousies, friend's problems to allow them any time for romance, lol!
I am also aware that it's a slow moving ff ' literally and figuratively, lol - but hopefully it shall move a little faster now as I intend to wrap it up in another 3-4 parts.
I am curently in Alexandria (to meet some customers), the second largest city of Egypt, also known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean....2 hours drive from Cairo, founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt and was home to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world - The Pharos Lighthouse! Of course, the lighthouse is no more and that place is occupied by the Fort of Qait Bey...Alexandria remained the capital of Egypt for years till the Muslim invasion shifted the capital to Fustat (now a part of Cairo)...
The city is a sea side town and while the public beaches are wretched, a couple of the private beaches are beautiful and all of Egypt I think descends on Alex (as it is known locally) every summer! Its famous for its sea food and has lots of history - this was where Napolean entered Egypt and where the English defeated the French...I am at a sea side cafe, having lunch while I wait for my next appointment. I have a colleague who thinks I am mad to be obsessed with my laptop and who I suspect believes I am writing some official note, lol! Which I should be doing but since I was long overdue, I thought I would post this! Plus there is great fun in playing truant!
Will send PMs later but guys, please, please do comment even if you don't like the part!
Waiting to hear from you.
Lots of love
Sam
Edited by bernard shaw - 16 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Tum Se Tum Tak
Financial markets and global economy
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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