I'm terribly sorry for not updating for so long. I know its been 3 weeks(gosh I can't believe I took so long!!!) since I updated. But I was very busy with my admission process and I couldn't find time to write this ff. I also want to inform you all that I may not be able to update this ff frequently as my classes start from tomorrow and I want to focus on my studies as much as possible. I thank you all for supporting me and making me want to write this story. Now I'll shut up so that you all can read this part.
Part 4
*~* turn to page 20 for the last update *~*Muskaan comes out of the guest bedroom after changing into her night suit. As she comes down the stairs she notices that Armaan is sitting on the sofa, staring at the door. When she reaches the last step she is greeted by Rahul's embrace. She closes her eyes and let herself drown in the feel of his arms around her.
After a few moments she lifts her head to look into the light brown eyes. All she saw there was concern but as soon as he also bore deep into her eyes it was filled with happiness. 'That's all I need to see in his eyes – happiness. Even if it is due to somebody else', thought Muskaan. But she knew that his happiness only lied in her being happy. And at that moment she was perfectly at peace as she was in Rahul's arms, her fiance.
Rahul and Muskaan were engaged and were going to get married in sometime. Rahul Malik was the youngest of the in the Malik family. He loved his family very much and was very close to them. He could never see any of his family members in pain. He had got engaged to Muskaan sometime back after she had agreed to his proposal.
Muskaan Chadda – she was Riddhima and Anjali's best friend. After falling in love with Rahul she agreed to get married to him after getting approval from both their parents. She worked with the Guptas and held one of the major posts in the office. Armaan had also become one of her good friends and she could not see him sad as after all he was her future brother-in-law.
"I love you Rahul," Muskaan whispered as she gazed into his eyes. "I love you too Muskaan," Rahul replied feeling content to both hear and say those words after a long, long time. Both of them smiled at each other and Muskaan once again buried her face into his chest. He kissed her hair as he felt her smile into his chest.
**********
Armaan sat in his room feeling helpless all of a sudden. He was perched on the edge of his bed with his face buried in his palms and his elbows resting on his knees. 'You promised me Riddhima that you will be mine for the rest of our lives. Then how can you become someone else's?' Armaan thought. 'But before I go to make Riddhima mine I'll have to tell Nikki something. Should I tell her the truth? If I don't then she will not let me get my Riddhima back. She's been understanding even though she's got loads of attitude. I think I should tell her everything.'
**********
Atul was pacing around the Emergency Room for the last ten minutes. Anjali had been inside since the past twenty minutes and he still didn't know what was wrong with her. Just then a doctor came out of the room.
"Doctor Keerti sab theek toh hai na? Ab Anjali kaisi hai?"
"Aap anjali ke husband ho?" she questioned.
"Ji," he answered concern flooding his voice.
"Aap mere saath aayiye." With that she walked towards her cabin and Atul followed her praying in his mind that Anjali was alright.
**********
As the thunder struck, Riddhima got up hearing the sound. It started to rain. Riddhima went and closed the window. As she crept back on her bed and tried to fall asleep she couldn't. The events of the night kept playing on in her head.
"Mere raaste se hato Abhimanyu," she said sternly.
"Agar nahi hata toh?" she could here the challenge in his voice. His eyes had a glint of danger in them. For the first time in her life she was terrified of Abhimanyu Modi. She tried escaping but it went in vain.
He started coming towards her and she moved backwards. After a few steps she felt her back being pressed against the wall. He placed his hands on either side of her face. He leaned forward and skimmed his nose along her face. She flinched as soon as she felt his touch. She was disgusted by it. Only one person had done such things to her – Armaan, the love of her life.
"Agar pehle hi tumne meri baat maan li hoti Riddhima toh aaj yeh waqt na aata. Agar us din tum us Armaan Malik ke side na lekar mera side liya hota toh shayad humaraa ab tak shaadi ho gaya hota aur tum Mrs. Abhimanyu Modi hoti."
These words triggered the stronger side of her. "Kabhi nahi." She said firmly.
"Kya?" he moved back to look at her face. He could not believe what she had said. He had always known her to be the shy and timid Riddhima. She shoved his chest and walked away from him. He caught her hand and pulled her towards him.
"Kya kaha tumne?" he said angrily.
She freed himself from his grip and looked into his eyes. "Aisa kabhi bhi nahi ho sakta ki main tumhaara side leti kyunki chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye main Armaan se hi pyaar karoongi. Armaan mera jaan hai aur humesha rahega. Chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye tum mere bure sapno mein bhi Armaan ke barabar nahi ho sakte."
She walked out of the room leaving a stunned Abhimanyu. He could not believe what he had just heard. For the first time he realized how much Riddhima loved Armaan. As soon as he realized this he fumed in anger.
"Riddhima main tumhe apna bana kar rahoonga. Jab Abhimanyu Modi ne ek baat tay (decide) kar liya hai toh woh karke hi rahega. Aur is baar Armaan Malik bhi kuch anhi kar paayega. Yeh mera vaada hai Riddhima."
Riddhima woke up with a start. Her forehead was filled with perspiration. She then realized that the last part must have been her imagination. Little did she know that it was true.
**********
As Atul sat in Dr. Keerti's cabin he fiddled with the end of his shirt. Dr. Keerti had just started to tell him about Anjali when a nurse had called her as there was some emergency. It had been twenty minutes since she had gone. He turned his head towards the door as soon as heard it creak open. She sat down n her chair and started speaking.
"Mr. Atul kya aap jaante the ki aapki wife pregnant hai?"
"Kya! Anjali pregnant hai?"
"Ji haan. She is two months pregnant. Lekin achanak jyaada stress lene ke karan unke body ko yeh change accept nahi hua. Iske kaaran unhe dard hua tha."
"Lekin abhi sab kuch theek hai na doctor?"
"Abhi toh woh theek hai but she's sleeping. Lekin unki case complicated hai. Unhe bohot hi zyaada careful rehne hoga."
"Lekin kya is haalat mein woh kahin travel kar paayegi?"
"Haan lekin yeh try karna ki jaise hi unke dates paas aaye woh travel na kare."
He sighed. "Kya main abhi use dekh sakta hoon?"
"Sure."
**********
Armaan picked up his cell phone and dialed Nikita's number. Her phone was switched off. 'She must be getting everything done for her fashion show, thought Armaan.
The previous day's conversation flooded back in Armaan's mind.
Nikki had come into his office and he had been surprised to see her.
"Nikki, what are you doing here?"
"Armaan can you please do me a favour?"
Nikki sighed and sat down on the couch in Armaan's room. Armaan sat beside her and took her hand in his.
"You can ask me anything. You are my friend."
"Armaan, can you please come to the fashion show tomorrow night? I'm very nervous coz this is one of the biggest and most hyped show till now. If you will be there I will have some moral support. I will also really owe you Armaan."
"Don't worry, I'll be there."
"Thanks a lot." She pecked his cheek and walked out of his room feeling much more relaxed."
'I need to do something,' Armaan thought as he came back to the present.
He got up and went to get dressed. Fifteen minutes later he came out wearing dark blue jeans with a white full sleeved shirt. His hair was a still wet from the shower. He was looking damn sexy with his hair falling on his forehead. He walked out of the house determined to sort everything out with Nikki.
**********
Nikki was pacing around nervously. Everything was perfect till now. Well except for one thing which was missing – Armaan. "Yeh Armaan kab aayega?" As she turned around she saw Armaan entering the place. Relief washed through her. She went towards him.
"Hi Nikki." Armaan raked his fingers through his hair.
"Armaan!!! Thanks for coming. I am so nervous. Only if this show goes well it will be a big boost to my career."
He placed a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. "Don't worry Nikki you will be a success tonight. Everyone will be proud of your collection tonight."
She smiled and gave a peck on his cheek. "Now I really feel better. Thanks again Armaan."
He smiled and went to sit as he thought about what he will say to Nikki later.
It was almost two in the morning when Armaan could get Nikki away from everyone. The show had been a huge success and the press had made sure that they had snapped enough pictures of Nikki's dress collection.
"Nikki mujhe tumse bohot zaroori baat karni hai." His face was solemn. His voice cracked in between. He was nervous which was very rare for Armaan.
"Bolo na Armaan. Aaj ke show ke baad toh mujhe kisi bhi baat pe dukh nahi hogi."
He took her to one of the benches and made her sit. He sat facing her. He interlaced his fingers and looked down nervously wondering how to start. He wanted to confide everything to her but didn't also want to make her sad. However much he may deny Nikki was not that bad a friend.
"You may feel bad about what I'm going to say Nikki."
She put a finger under his chin and lifted his face so that he was compelled to look into her eyes. "Its okay Armaan. You can tell me anything."
"Nikki, I do not want to marry you. I do not love you. I am in love with someone else. I loved her much before I even met you."
**********
@ sanju(Tanyarox) - you were right again (lolz) anjali is pregnant.
please comment as they are the only reason i write
I'll try and update the next part as soon as possible for i have already started writing it
waiting for your precious comments
love soumya 😊
Jodha Akbar
Anupamaa
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