'Hey...' he cried.
He had hardly looked up at her, when she was already gone, leaving the door ajar for him to come in. Frowning slightly as he wondered what could be possibly wrong with her right now, he made his way to their room. The day had been one of its kind. Exhausting beyond limits, plus he hadnt had a single thing since what he could remember as breakfast that morning in the Sanjeevani Cafe. Dead tired, he placed his papers n his coat on the first table he saw n removed his shoes. He could hear Riddhima in the dining hall n not even realising how damn hungry he was, Armaan went into the washroom to change.
Flexing his shoulders as he walked out in his tom n jerry tee n khaki three-fourths, he was just glancing at some of the bills lying on the cabinet when she entered, looking vexed beyond boundaries, a big frown on her face supporting it. She was holding Arima on her hip, a nipple in her mouth, as she passed him to take out her bib then without looking at him frowned harder.
'Armaan kitni baar kaha hai jute sahi jagah par rakha kero...' she started n he sighed. The last thing after a long, hectic day he wanted was a fight with her. It felt as if he had absolutely no energy left to even say a word, so just nodding his head slightly he retreated to the mails he was checking.
'Uff Arima please ab itna tang matt kero...chup chap tik jao,' she walked back to the dining table, n placing the baby on her chair, she put the bowl of custard in front of her, searching for a spoon now.
As Armaan walked towards the room, he saw Riddhima with a spoon in her hand n sitting down, she started feeding her daughter. Now that was a typical scene, as he placed himself on the chair. Arima was in one of her moods n so was her mother. As Riddhima forced a spoon into her mouth, Arima started wailing. Trying her best not to loose her temper, she tried again, but when Arima threw out the food from her mouth, banging the spoon on the table, Riddhima got up n walked away.
Armaan looked at her from the corner of her eye n then at Arima. Shifting his chair closer to hers, he said, 'Kar diya na mamma ko gussa,' he took her face with one hand then kissed her head.
'Yeah, I know kabhi kabhi bin kisi baat ke mere baby par itna gussa ho jaati hai...dunt worry, mana leinge...lekin usse pehle...,'
As he looked at her with her arms spread, clearly wanting to be in his arms, he shook his head n then whispering something into her ear, she nodded. So then he picked up the small bowl from the side, gently mixing the contents, n slowly placing it into the baby's mouth. Cleaning her mouth with the cloth, n smiling at her affectionately, five minutes n a few more spoons later, she was finished up with her dinner n he kissed her again as he took her out of her chair n placed her in his lap, playing softly with her hair.
As he looked down at her playing in his lap, her head turning up at him every now n then to pass a smile, Armaan couldnt help but wonder what a beautiful girl his baby was growing up into. Her soft brown hair n her perfect face, the blue twinkling eyes, the naughty smile n the babyish voice...he fondly caressed her face, smiling all the way.
He was just tapping his knuckles on the table, trying to amuse her as Riddhima came in n put his dinner down before him. Without passing a word, she quietly took Arima from him n took her to her room, despite her wails.
'Riddhima...,' he said softly as she came back n looking at him she sighed.
'Armaan please apni sab files sahi jagah par rakha kero...phir subah milti ni hain aur tum late ho jaate ho...Kitni baar kaha ki aate hi sab theek se rakh liya kero taaki baad mein koi problem na ho...lekin nahi, bas jaise tumhaara mann kare sab cheezien wahi rakh dete ho...'
'Riddhima main abhi rakhne hi waala tha...'
'Kab?' she snapped at him, 'Jab main tum par aur kuch ghante chillaun? ...Armaan tumhein pta hai ab iss halath mein mujhse yeh sab aasani se nahi hota phir bhi tum..'
'Riddhima main kar hi raha tha na...mana toh ni kar raha hun, tum bin matlab..'
'Bina matlab?' she looked at him, her eyes growing wide in anger, 'You know yeh pehli baar nahi hain jab maine tumhein yeh sab...tum bas bina soche samjhe kuch bhi..'
'Toh Riddhima ab tum kya chahti ho?' What was wrong with this woman?? Couldnt she just let him pass out after a bullshit day.... 'You want me to put those papers back? I'll just do that..n the shoes in the drawer, abhi jaaker kar deta hun...'
'Tum gussa kyun ho rahe ho..?'
'Main gussa kyun ho raha hun??' he shouted at her now.
'Armaan please,' she placed her hands on her stomach as she breathed, 'Ek toh woh Maya ko ptanee kya ho jaata hai...dus minute zyaada kuch kaam dede ti hun toh poora time bolti rahegi...kaha bhi hai ki agar itna problem hota hai toh main kisi aur ko le aaungi..'
'Riddhima tum uska gussa mujh per kyun nikal rahi ho? How many times have I told you just to get rid of this one n bring a new maid...?'
'Armaan itna aasan nahi hai...' she was tying her hair into a pony as the heat got onto her, 'Tum toh aaram se kaam par chale jaate ho...ghar sambhalna, Arima ko dekhna, khaana banana, apna dhyan rakhna...I just CANT do it all now..' she sat on the chair across his n took her head in her hands.
It had been a difficult day for her too. It was becoming irresistably hot in Mumbai, she had gotten over a major fight with her maid that evening, something that didnt happen that often for Riddhima was an easy person as always...Arima was teething again which made her cranky n irritating all the time. Now as she crawled longer distances it was becoming even more difficult to save the glass pieces that adorned their house, n Riddhima had just found out that her blood pressure had increased a lot n hence was worried.
'Tumne khaana khaya?' she heard him ask, n without looking up from the table she mumbled, 'Mujhe bhook nahi hai,'
'Riddhima,' he was seriously angry now, n therefore placing his plate in front of her, he forced her to look up n handing her a spoon, he looked at her with a 'eat or...' look. And then, without another word he walked down to the kitchen n got himself something to eat. As they eat in complete silence the cutlery making a sound, they heard Arima wail. Just as she was about to get up, he stopped her n went inside.
.....................................
When Riddhima walked into the room, she saw him sleeping on his stomach, while the lights were still on. Very quietly as she put them off n flickered on the night lamp, she glanced at him for a few moments. Feeling guilty for having spoken to him in that manner n disgusted at her behaviour, she slowly crept into the washroom for a quick shower n changed into her night dress.
Their room was one that was simply done up all in white...it was one that Riddhima had loved at the very first sight. True, many changes had been brought thereafter over the years, yet it had a certain ambience...it was peaceful, n refreshing, void of any tension n even though they had their share of fights once in a while, there was something that both of them knew was going to be alright in the end. A faint light came from outside, n the bedside lamp flickered.
As she made her way into the bed beside him, she turned over to face him sleeping softly. Putting her palm over his cheek, as expected he did not even stir a bit. She felt a thump in her heart as she took in the sight of his face. He was so tired, she could make out. Moving closer she kissed his cheek as his slight stubble grazed against her neck. He opened his eyes for a mere second, before closing them again.
'I'm sorry Armaan...' she whispered. Without letting him know that she really apologetic for her behaviour, she knew she would not be able to sleep.
'Kyun?' his eyes were still closed as he felt her cuddling to him.
'Kyunki maine tum se yeh bhi nahi poocha ki tumhaari Board ke saath meeting kaisi gayi...' she spoke slowly as her voice drifted off.
'Achi thi...' he looked at her for a moment n smiled a little, assuringly as he pressed his hand against her back, pulling her closer.
'Mujhe tum per gussa ni hona chahiye tha,' she said in a small voice, looking down.
'Riddhima...its okay, main ni tum per kya itna chillata?' he looked at her as she passed him a small smile.
'But I'm still sorry...'
Armaan smiled at the girl she was, n would be forever. She was his baby. His sweet little bacha. Even though it was nothing at all, yet he knew how she was feeling n would always be touched by what a genuinely sweet lady his wife was. Sometimes, during such moments he would just wish the world would stop. So he would spend it just like this...looking at the most beautiful woman in the world, n how she blushed, n how her hair smellled, n how she would apologise over nothing, n how she would get angry, n how she would eat her food when being scolded...Riddhima, she was.
He bent a little low to take her lips in his, a small soft kiss. As he opened his eyes to look at her, he slowly whispered 'Its okay...' before she snuggled closer n then sighing, she closed her eyes.
He didnt shift a bit, as she felt his breath taking the same soft pace as that of a few minutes earlier.
...........................
Okay, this may come to a surprise for some, and a shock for others...uhh well simply I'm not sure if I would be able to give you any more updates for this fic. My exams commence in less than a fortnight from now after which I have some other MUN to be preparing for...plus my cousin is due for August, which means my life will take a complete turn as it would revolve around the baby :D
I am not just simply closing this down for now...but on the other hand I cannot promise ya all anything; All I wanna say is that you guys have helped me ALOT from a confused, silly writer to that of a matured one (I hope) :) This has encouraged me to such an extent, I just have to give it to you guys :D What this fic is to me, is beyond words, so here I would just like ya''ll to have a great time n I hope you have enjoyed this journey as far as I have...
We completed 40 parts, n phew thats big nai? *wipes her brow* I am sorry to many of you from whom I'll get expected responses. Try n understand guys...n then I'll try to make in whenever I can i.e. if u still want me to write of course
Love is Always Worth it' will continue, though dont ask me when...I have few parts ready so lets see about that...umm dunt expect anything for the next month.
Thanks a lot guys, you all have done wonders more than you can imagine...you ALL!!
Lots n lots of love,
Spriha
P.S. n kyunki nids bura maan gayi thi for the last time, 'cheers to nids n the beginning of a new vacation' *chuckles* mwah sweetie wink!!
Shiv Shakti
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