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PART XXXVIII
As she backed off, to her surprise, she was halted in her tracks, her wrist held in a firm grip. "After hunting for me all over the place, where do you think you are pushing off?" the twinkling eyes and the firm grip on her hand, bellying her misgivings. Ridhima looked up, searchingly at Armaan's countenance, her bewildered brain trying to make some sense of what was happening. Armaan was holding her hand firmly with apparently no intention of letting go? In front of Anjali? When they had agreed not to.....? Why? Did this mean he did not mind her intruding in on their conversation? What was he trying to convey? To Anjali? To her? In her agitated state, she did not even realise when Armaan let go of her wrist only to slip her hand in his.
'Knock, knock?" said Armaan gently trying to shake her out of her reverie. She seemed to be frozen, lost in thought. He had noticed the expression on her face when she had realised that he was not alone and sighted Anjali. The impish delight on finding him, the animated excitement had been wiped out in an instant to be replaced by a shuttered look, almost like she willed herself to blank out every emotion lest anyone read what was going through her mind but he had not missed the momentary slip as she closed her eyes in resignation nor the stiffening of her body or maybe he was just sensitive to her every nuance. This was not how he had planned to tell Anjali about their relationship, but Ridhima's vulnerability, implicit in her surrender as she backed off, changed everything. "Ridhima?" he asked questioningly, as he tightened his grip.
"Huh?" Ridhima finally raised her head, her emotional turmoil reflected in her eyes, "I...I am going to the library-"
"But right now you said-" Armaan insisted
"Nothing, it was nothing....just a passing thought..." Ridhima looked hesitatingly in Anjali's direction, Anjali's visceral anguish not lost on her. She could understand Anjali's distress ' her fear of Armaan's reaction to her outburst, the wretchedness of having to deal with his reaction in front of Ridhima. No, matter what Anjali had said, she didn't deserve that ignominy. She wanted to let her know that she hadn't told Armaan anything. And this was not how she was supposed to get to know about them, "we'll talk later-"
"Ridhima.." Armaan said softly, "it's ok swee-"
Ridhima squeezed his hand, and, smiled at him tremulously, hoping that the gesture would convey to him what his had meant to her. Then turning to Anjali, "Hi Anjali...how are you? Didn't ......didn't see you ...the last two days? Trust ...I hope...I mean ...you were well?" as Anjali nodded tentatively, "I am sorry, I was so caught up the last two days that.... I didn't... even get time to talk to Armaan ....and ask him about you" she completed softly.
Anjali looked up startled at her, the import of Ridhima's words not lost on her. The initial relief was accompanied by a sense of bewilderedness, unable to comprehend Ridhima's motivation, only to be replaced by a twinge of envy as her discombulated mind registered the significance of Armaan's gesture. Through all her envy, grudges, resentment, anger and helplessness, she couldn't rid herself of the guilt of having wronged Ridhima. If only Armaan, had not been in the middle, they could have been great friends, she mulled. "I am sorry Ridhima..." she ventured softly, knowing that perhaps, the apology was not enough, 'I am sorry...I didn't mean to bother everyone with my absence" she completed as she noticed the quizzical expression on Armaan's face. There she was, being a coward again, running away from the inevitable. Taking a deep breath, she turned "Armaan, I need to talk to you...about something that happened-"
"So you managed to rope in both of them to go see the Zamfir concert?" Rahul sounded genuinely surprised as he joined them. "Muskaan and I managed to escape, but she was hunting for you Armaan, but I guess she's got both of you roped in. Don't tell me I didn't warn you, she will see it ...sorry hear it ..through to the bitter end."
Armaan sighed in frustration. The undertone to the exchange between the two women had not been lost on him. He had been right, whatever had unsettled Ridhima was connected to Anjali. Just when he thought things were beginning to unravel and they could all finally talk....
"Did I interrupt something?' Rahul asked as it finally registered that no one had responded. As the three heads shook in unison "Coffee anyone?"
******************
Ridhima was looking beautiful in ecru trousers and a burnt sienna chiffon blouse that clung to her flatteringly. Little diamond hoops graced her lobes and Armaan's eternity ring adorned her fingers, the only hint of makeup - an eyeliner and some lip gloss. Her hair had been left open and fell loosely around her shoulders, framing her face. "You are looking delectable. You are sure you want to go hear Zamfir?" Armaan's husky innuendo had suffused her face with colour, before he burst out laughing at her discomfort, which only added to her embarrassment as she realised Armaan had been teasing her. Though said in jest, Armaan would have preferred to be alone with her, but he found himself unable to deny her this pleasure. They needed to talk about whatever had happened, and Ridhima needed to trust him with whatever it was.
As they walked up to the entrance, the ushrer politely asked them for their passes.
"Armaan Mallik" he said putting an arm around Ridhima's shoulder. "I think we are expected."
"Yes, of course sir, this way please."
Ridhima rolled her eyes at this red carpet treatment and mouthed a silent "wow". Armaan smiled, bending down to softly whisper "anything for you my little sea urchin, but this time the credit is not mine" as they followed the usherer in, "by the way, I was dead serious about missing Zamfir, but since you chose him over me.."
Before she could respond, Armaan was enveloped in a bear hug by a handsome man, with salt and pepper hair, probably in his late fifties, "Ah, I am so glad that both of you could make it. Good to see you, my boy" Ridhima looked on bemused as the older man ruffled Armaan's hair, "So are you going to introduce me to this beautiful young lady here?"
"This is Ridhima." Armaan said, "and Ridhima this is -"
"- Armaan's oldest friend, Aman. I've known this young man ever since he was in his birthday suit. I was in town for some work, had some invites to this event, and, he mentioned that one of his friends loved Zamfir, so I thought it would be a lovely opportunity to spend time with him and his friend
" blue eyes twinkled at her as he emphasized the word "his friend", "and you can call me Aman if you want." "Would you be offended if I called you uncle?" Ridhima asked as they sat down. "I would feel really uncomfortable calling you by name even if Armaan does.."
"No, not at all, I can see you are intent on reminding me how old I am" Aman smiled as Ridhima got a little flustered " relax, I am just teasing you Ridhima'I completely understand where you are coming from'even Armaan does not call me by my first name."
"Of course not, why should I call you by your first name when you'"
"When I am much older than you? I can see the two of you are kindred spirits'"Aman interjected "but please you don't have to behave with me like I was over the hill'.my sensibilities are all still intact'.and I think there is nothing as stimulating as an evening spent conversing with young minds'theirs is a different world, exciting to explore'.so tell me Ridhima, you study with Armaan, is it?"
"Well, study is a misnomer, she spends her time tormenting me'" Armaan smiled at her, as he held her hand under the table reassuringly. It was the first time she was meeting someone who represented his milieu and Aman could be a little intimidating. He wanted Aman to get to know this wonderful woman whom he was in love with and wanted to put her at ease'to him nothing mattered except that he loved her but for her sake, he wanted her to feel comfortable.
"Well, you must admit it's difficult to let go of a sitting duck'what is it they say'never look a gift horse in the mouth'" Ridhima smiled in response as she squeezed his hand, grateful for his assurance. Not that Aman intimidated her but she was still unsettled after her interaction with Anjali yesterday morning, Anjali's tormented visage imprinted on her mind, a feeling of guilt all pervasive. To add to it, this was the first time she was meeting someone from Armaan's world, and, somehow, she was anxious not to make a bad impression. "I am sorry, but he seems to bring out the imp in me'and yes, we are at the same college'am a batch junior to him'"
"Ah! You know young lady, it's not the first time Armaan has introduced me to one of his lady friends but it's the first time that I have seen him so protective of one. You can let go of her hand, young man, I do not bite'in any case, this is a supper concert, and I have it on authority, there is good food on offer." Aman smiled at Ridhima as Armaan embarrassed, let go of Ridhima's hand. "So Ridhima, what can I order for you to drink, a wine or something stronger? Armaan?"
Ridhima blushed a crimson red and muttered an acceptance for a glass of wine while Armaan and Aman both ordered a beer. But Aman's words triggered off a sudden urge to know if Armaan had ever introduced Anjali to Aman. She shook off the thought, determined to not let anything ruin the evening for her. She had to stop behaving like a jealous moron, Armaan loved her and that was all that mattered.
"So what do you do uncle?" Riddima asked conversationally sipping her wine. As she looked around, she was grateful that Armaan had warned her to dress formally. This was a black tie affair, and she could recognise some of the corporate honchos who were around, people whom her parents knew. "One of the reasons I ask is that you seem very familiar, it's almost like I have seen you somewhere before, but I can't put my finger on it"
"I work in the Mallik family business, so you may have seen me sharing photograph space with them" Aman grinned in response, "actually call it nepotism since I am related to Armaan's mom, but I am good at what I do, so I guess, everyone lives with it."
"Oh, that might explain the blue eyes, so does Armaan get them from his mom?"
"Sharp girl! Well, let's say they run in the family, even his sister has them'and he does look like his mom..." Aman smiled as he watched Ridhima with interest. "You know, courtesy this boy, I have had some close shaves with his mom, I swear there were times that I thought she would disown me'."
"Like the time she caught us smoking in the bathroom'"Armaan smiled at the memory.
"Oh don't remind me of that! You know while they had a big dinner at home, I caught this young man in the bathroom trying his first puff except that the idiot was lighting the cigarette the wrong way'" Aman smiled at the memory
"'and mom walked in when he was showing me how to light it and puff the right way
'" Armaan continued "'Oh, I got such an earful'about how I was such a bad influence on her son'...no amount of explaining that it was better that I taught him than him learning things off the street where the cigarette may have things other than tobacco, would do'I don't think she talked to me for what was it, a week? I was pretty much persona non grata in the house for a while..'..I am surprised I was not forbidden entry into the house...mercifully, he did not take up smoking otherwise Antara would have never forgiven me for leading her son into the world of sin'
." Aman and Armaan laughed at the memories. The three of them fell into easy conversation with Aman regaling Ridhima with stories about Armaan when he was a child, much to Armaan's embarrassment. One that tickled her pink was a little Armaan talking using the feminine gender'"Well he was surrounded by women all the time, his mom, his sister, the maids'so when he first started talking he only talked using the feminine gender'I am sure Antara must have taped it somewhere..you must get Armaan to make you hear that one day'" Aman and she had laughed at poor Armaan's discomfort.
Aman looked approvingly at Ridhima as she talked about her family, her hopes, aspirations, and her take on relationships - she seemed like a very sensible, bright girl.
As dinner was about to be served, Armaan excused himself and Ridhima was left alone with Aman. She had been pleasantly surprised to find that Aman was aware of who her father was and had met him professionally. As she smiled in acknowledgement across the room at some of her parents' acquaintances, Aman broke the silence "Ridhima, if you don't mind can I say something, presumptuous as it may be?" As Ridhima nodded, "I hope I am not jumping the gun and embarrassing both of us but I meant what I said before Ridhima, I have never seen Armaan so protective of and caring towards a girl'.or this happy' he reminds me of when he was a young boy'.I can see the same unbridled joy on his face and a gentleness that is heart warming to see'..it's like he is a young carefree lad once again and that's a big compliment to you..'as one of his closest friends, he shares most things with me'..though he is of course his mom's baby'..he is a sensitive guy whose emotions run deep though he tends to mask them with most people'..like his doing an MBA to fulfil his father's dreams though we all know this is not what he really wanted to do''he has inherited his mom's love of books'.he is an intense guy and his emotions run deep' he gives of himself completely, and, he will demand the same in return'.sometimes it may overwhelm the other person'they may find it difficult to cope....I don't want to see either of you get hurt..."
"I love him'"
Ridhima said simply looking unwaveringly at Aman, "and I think a relationship is meaningless if you don't give of yourself completely'you don't need to loose your identity in the process but your commitment has to be complete 'I hope to be his strength as he is mine'..and I can't imagine anyone else with whom I would want to be..'." "I can understand why he is in love with you' "
Aman smiled as he raised a fork of food to his mouth, "'you know, in so many respects you remind me of Antara, the same spiritedness, passion for everything she does, straightforwardness, sensible yet sensitive'.. He was interrupted by a round of applause as Gheorge Zamfir walked up onto the stage"'..and a love of the arts" he finished amused at the expressions on Ridhima's face as she gripped his arm in her excitement.
"I have grown up hearing his tapes and CDs, you can't imagine how excited I am to watch him perform live" she whispered, "Thank you so much."
"My pleasure child" Aman looked on indulgently as Armaan came back and Ridhima pulled her seat closer to his in her excitement, and, hand on his arm animatedly proceeded to tell him all about the pan flute. As the sounds of the pan flute filled the room, he watched in amusement as Ridhima closed her eyes and Armaan watched her with a bemused smile on his face. Young Armaan was indeed smitten by the beautiful young lady by his side and for the young could-have-been English professor, a better muse he could not think of.
"Thank you so much, it was a wonderful evening, and it was a delight to meet Armaan's oldest friend. Now I know why he is the person he is'..he has to be'surrounded by people like yourself" Ridhima gave Aman a quick hug, as they stood up, getting ready to leave, "Not to mention that hearing Gheorge Zamfir play in person is a gift that I can never thank you enough for'"
"The pleasure was entirely mine" Aman shook his head, "you have no idea what a thrill it is to finally meet the woman who has brought young Armaan to his knees'in the last couple of days, I have heard of nothing except Ridhima'..and I can see he's going to need to be on his toes..'good for you my girl, don't let him off the hook easily!"
As they walked to the door, the usherer walked up to them with Aman's jacket "hope you had a wonderful evening sir"
"Thank you, we did. The table was perfect, the food was excellent and the young lady here enjoyed the performance very much. Couldn't have asked for a better evening or even better hospitality" Aman patted the young man on his back.
"It's always a pleasure to have you with us, Mr. Mallik" the usherer smiled as he helped Aman slip into his jacket. Ridhima, who had walked a little ahead with Armaan stopped in her tracks, Mr Mallik? Hadn't Aman said he was related to Armaan's mom, so how was he Mr Mallik? As Aman walked up to join them he looked surprised to see a worried look on Armaan's face and a quizzical one on Ridhima's.
"Mr Mallik?" Ridhima asked Aman questioningly, "the guy just called you Mr Mallik?"
Aman sighed as he looked at Armaan and then at Ridhima, and then nodded exhaling slowly "Aman Mallik'.. Armaan's dad"
********************
Armaan glanced at Ridhima who had generally maintained silence so far on the ride home. He had tried to talk to her, make conversation if only to discuss Zamfir's performance, but she had responded initially in monosyllables till even that bit of conversation had died out with Armaan beginning to lose his patience with her. He could appreciate her being upset at having gone through the evening at the receiving end of pretence but it had not been his idea.
Yes, he had not warned her about meeting his dad, but that was more out of concern for her. He had wanted her to be at ease when she first met his dad, and, not getting stressed in the anticipation of meeting his dad. But then, it had not gone as planned. His dad had caught him by surprise at that bit of improvisation and while he had attempted to introduce him, Aman had not given him an opportunity to do so. Realising that his father probably wanted to get to know her as she really was, he had gone along, though in hind sight it had not been a great idea.
But he was still surprised at the intensity of Ridhima's reaction. She had been very polite when Aman had disarmingly apologised for the bit of deception and explained that he had not wanted to Ridhima to be uncomfortable, and hoped that she would find it in her heart to forgive an old man, to which she had charmingly responded that since it had been irrefutably proved that she was incapable of resisting the Mallik charm, he was completely forgiven and had given him a quick hug with a brief, "now I know why Armaan is a such a rogue...". Armaan had been rather relieved which is why her subsequent silence took him by surprise. Much like his dad had, she had put on a marvellous performance and now he was having to bear the consequences, darn it!
After having made numerous attempts to get her to talk, he was beginning to lose patience with her. However, realising that she probably felt like a fool and very upset at what she probably thought was a deliberate "set-up", he took a deep breath and murmured, "you know sweetheart I did not know life is going to be so peaceful when you are angry...most women yell and scream... it's refreshing to know that -"
"Just cut it out Armaan...if you are going to continue with this just drop me off...I'll make my own way" Ridhima's outburst finally got to him and he braked hard; the seatbelts being the only thing that prevented them being thrown against the dashboard.
"What is the matter with you?" he thundered at her, " I have apologised, my dad's apologised but you are still behaving like we.....darn it, it was a bit of subterfuge with no malice in intent..I am really, really sorry and I don't think I've stopped saying that ever since we've walked out....yes, I omitted telling you that you were going to meet my dad, but that's because I did not want you worked up and stressed about meeting him..I wanted you to be yourself and I thought if I told you beforehand you might be uncomfortable...but honest to God, I had not planned on presenting him as an uncle...dad improvised and yes, I went along and for that I have already apologised...it's not such a big thing Ridhima, why are you making it so? I just can't understand what's come over you?"
"You were not the one who was made a fool of, were you?"
"Nobody made a fool of you or laughed at you Ridhima..." Armaan ran a hand through his head wearily, "if anything, you were yourself and dad liked you for who you are..."
"Easy for you to say, you were not at the receiving end...isn't this just like you...you do what you do and everyone else is expected to understand..."
"What? Where the hell are you taking this? What's with you? You realise that you don't even sound like yourself? Are you out to pick a fight? If yes, I am not about to oblige..." Armaan was bewildered by the turn of the conversation. "Fine, I am sorry that I ever took you out or made you meet my dad...just remind me that in future, there is no room for any surprises of any kind in our lives ....since by definition surprise implies the unexpected and if you are going to react each time like this, I don't think I want to go through the rest of our lives having to deal with inexplicable and interminable tantrums."
They drove in stony silence till they reached Ridhima's house. She stepped out quickly uttering a very polite "Thank you for the evening" before letting herself in. Armaan stayed in the car looking after her, wondering what had got into her...it was the first time that he was seeing this facet of her, and his instinct told him there was something more to this...Ridhima couldn't have reacted so violently to this as an isolated event, was there something that he was missing? Darn it, he wished he had kept a reign on his temper and insisted on dragging her for a coffee and getting it out of her......
**********************************
Ridhima looked at her reflection in the mirror miserably. She had behaved in an unbelievably churlish fashion. And why had she reacted so violently? It was not that she did not play pranks on anyone...normally she would have been able to see the funny side of the whole thing; yes, maybe she would have tormented Armaan for a while with mock anger, extracted retribution and then laughed about it...but no, she had to go and make a big issue about it...for no real fault of Armaan's....it's just that her guilt about Anjali was getting to her and it was making her loose her perspective...if she was honest, she was making Armaan the scapegoat for her guilt and self-reproach..
She was shaken out of her reverie by the shrill ring of her cell phone. Thinking it would be Armaan, she took the call without even looking at the number, and was surprised at the baritone at the other end.
"Ridhima, hello, this is Aman Mallik, Armaan's dad"
"Oh!....sorry....I mean...hello uncle...."
"My apologies for calling you this late at night but I got your number from Armaan and I was hoping that it would not be too late an hour to call you, but nevertheless, my apologies for the intrusion..."
"Please uncle, you are embarrassing me...you can call any time you like...it's not an intrusion at all...."
"Thank you Ridhima....I wanted to talk to you about this evening....I thought you must be a little upset about -"
"No, not at all uncle...I am fine-"
"- and you have the right to be..........Armaan just called and gave me an earful and if Antara finds out what I did, believe me I would be a worried man...you are so much like her in some respects, it amazes me...."
".....anyways I am digressing...I just wanted to say something but before I do, Armaan had no hand in this, he had no idea I was going to do this...he did try and intervene but I didn't give him the opportunity...so the blame for it lies entirely at my door....."
"Uncle, please, there's no need-"
"Hear me out child, there was a reason for what I did.... I wanted to get to know Ridhima as the person she is and not as the girl who was meeting Armaan's dad and so needed to be on her best behaviour..... when you are a parent Ridhima, while your child's happiness is your biggest joy, his sorrow is also your greatest concern...no matter how old your child gets, it's difficult to break the umbilical cord....he will always be your child and there is a desire to protect and shield because you assume that you know best....we assume that grey is evidence of greater sensibility, knowledge and the ability to discern and so we try and be the "parent' to our "child" no matter how capable the child may be.......my little subterfuge helped me see the real Ridhima, the concern of the "parent" in me and I can see why Armaan is so in love with you.....I hope you will overlook an old man's whims....."
"No please uncle, don't say that"
exclaimed Ridhima, mortified, "I guess my father would do the same if he was in your place....I....it was not this....I was stressed about something else...and I over reacted ....and poor Armaan had to bear the brunt.....not very mature and sensible, was it?" Ridhima was surprised at how easy she found to talk to Armaan's father....just like she had always found it easy to connect with Armaan. "In fact, I behaved abominably and I am surprised that both he and you are bothered....but more than that....am terribly embarrassed that you had to call me.....I am so...so sorry....", she finished shamefacedly. "We all go through our little insecurities Ridhima and I can imagine some of them may well stem from Armaan's persona.....he can be quite a charmer and that can be unsettling for the woman in his life....but for what it's worth, remember it is you whom he loves .....nothing else is of any consequence..."
"I know that but sometimes...." then realising this was Armaan's dad whom she had only met this evening, "I am sorry I didn't mean to unburden-"
"It gives me great joy and satisfaction that you can......I have always hoped that Armaan's wife and I would be good friends.....I am hoping to repay Armaan back for all the times his mom and he have ganged up on me! I can't think of a sweeter revenge!" Ridhima joined in his laughter, a weight lifting off her shoulders at Aman's words....
"Sometimes, it's good to talk about your fears, Ridhima...you might find that your insecurity exists only in the realm of your imagination....but you will never know if you don't communicate....I think one of the reasons Antara and I have an unbreakable bond is because we spend hours talking to each other, no secrets, no assumptions -"
"...and also because Armaan tells me you are the most romantic person he knows" Ridhima wondered at her own audacity, teasing Armaan's dad when she had just known him for a few hours and that too not as Armaan's dad...but that was what probably made this so easy...she had met him as Aman and got to interact, know and be comfortable with him, and more importantly be herself with him....so why was she so upset? In fact, if she was honest to herself, and looked at it objectively, her relationship with Armaan's dad had got off to a great start courtesy this subterfuge yet she had chosen to make such a noise about it...
"Ah, the Malik charm...completely irresistible like you yourself said" Aman laughed glad to hear the amusement in her voice. He hoped that she would take his advice and talk to Armaan or that his son would have enough sense to talk things through instead of glossing over whatever was the issue....no doubt young minds were a stimulating challenge but sometimes the impatience and lack of maturity of that youth blinded them to the obvious.... "Good night Ridhima...and I hope to be back soon...please convey my regards to your father...it would be my pleasure to extend our acquaintance beyond professional courtesy.."
Ridhima held the phone, smiling, long after the click of the phone indicated that Aman was no longer on the phone. She had to admire him, he had, without openly castigating her, gently reprimanded her for her behaviour, underscoring the need to talk to Armaan...and... he wanted to meet her dad!
But more than that she was touched by his gesture...he had not needed to call her or explain to set things right...but he had....obviously because he loved his son very much and just maybe, at least she hoped so, because he had liked her a little bit....
With her thoughts drifting to Armaan, came the acknowledgement that she had behaved very unfairly and unreasonably with him and she owed him an apology....she just hoped that his temper had cooled down as well otherwise he could be as childish as she could be......she smiled remembering his comment about there being no surprises in their lives going forward...even though he was furious with her, he had still talked about "their" life....and that thought was wonderfully reassuring...she dialled his mobile and was surprised when he answered on the first ring.....
"Hi...." she murmured wondering where to start...
"...er....is the lady in a slightly better mood or have you called to continue your tirade? Just wanted to know...just in case..." he said teasingly
"Armaan please.....I....Armaan...I......I am sorry....I...I don't know what came over me...I was.....I mean... I ...overreacted-"
"That is probably an understatement my love" Armaan smiled in relief, she wasn't mad anymore, "but you don't have to apologise...I didn't acquit myself too well either did I? I am sorry too...for yelling at you...and for what happened....."
"Don't you dare apologise... you..... you'll make me feel even more wretched than I already am......I....I am ...just sorry....I ruined a perfect evening, didn't I?"
"You sure did try very hard" Armaan teasingly responded, picturing the play of emotions across her face as she reacted to his comment, "but it takes more than a petulant child to do that...."
"I love you Armaan" Ridhima broke in, relief washing over her as she heard the gentle teasing note in his voice, " I wish I had behaved a little more sensibly...I...I just...I don't know....I can't seem to get beyond...." she lapsed into silence, close to tears, as the events preceding got the better of her emotions...
"Ridhima?' Armaan uttered softly, sensing her emotionally fragile state " it's ok sweetheart -"
"I wish you were here" it came out before Ridhima could stop herself. All she wanted right now was to be comforted and held by him and have him tell her that he loved her no matter how she badly she behaved.
"I am here..."
"Huh? Here? Where?" Ridhima asked completely bewildered, her remorse and tears forgotten for the moment.
"Outside your house...in fact have been for the past half hour ...I couldn't just walk away..."
"You are completely mad you know.." Ridhima started to smile, "go home!"
"Not before you let me in...you owe me one, young lady for that tantrum this evening"
"Armaan, my parents will freak, you do realise... letting a man in, past midnight...."
'Fine, I will ring the bell then..." Armaan grinned as he pictured the panic his words would have got her into.
"Don't you dare!" Ridhima smiled as she figured Armaan was teasing her. Well two could play at a game. "Fine then, I am going to open my window, and you can come up that way"
"Window? Are you nuts?"
"I thought you wanted to see me any which way, so much so for your ardour!" Ridhima taunted him.
"Alright, if I break a leg in the process, it shall be on your head!"
"Well many have sacrificed a lot more for love, I'll be happy with a broken leg"
"Alright"
there was silence for a moment before he came back on the phone , "I am below your window, open up my girl" Ridhima opened the window and was shocked to actually find him standing beneath her window. She watched in amazement as Armaan climbed up the pipes with reasonable ease.
"Have you..er...done this before?" Ridhima asked still dazed, trying to come to grips with the fact that he had just climbed up the pipes into her room.
"Plenty of times!" he grinned disarmingly, "I used to sneak off for late night gigs and movies with friends without mom and dad knowing....and my room was on the 2nd floor so this is a lesser evil....but I must admit it's the first time I have had to sneak into a girl's room like this...I usually walk in through the front door to a warm welcome!" he winked at her as she made a face at him.
He looked around, taking in her room. Done in brown, beige and cream, it reminded him of his mom's words ' simple and elegant ' and just so Ridhima. A big leather chair and an ottoman, like the one in the study occupied one side of the bed while behind the chair, a built in open shelf in the wall was full of books. A big television mounted on the wall was complimented by a large painting mounted behind the bed. An elegant honey coloured escoterier occupied a corner with her laptop but what caught Armaan's attention was the soft board above that which seemed to have lots of photographs and notes pinned on it....so this is what their room would look like, Armaan grinned as his gaze moved to the bed ' her indecision over what to wear for the evening was clearly reflected in the mess on the bed!
"I was a little confused about what to wear...I wanted to look nice...." Ridhima admitted sheepishly as she saw Armaan looking at the bed with a smile. She moved the stuff aside as she motioned for him to sit down. "Would you like something to munch?" she asked as she opened a drawer to pull out some nuts and chocolates.
"What's with you woman? Seriously, I have yet to meet a woman so obsessed with her stomach" Armaan teased her leaning against the window as he watched her fiddle with the chocolates, "come here..."and as she seemed to hesitate, "please sweetheart...."
As she stood in front of him, avoiding his steadfast gaze, she wondered, not for the first time that night, how could she have behaved stupidly. How could she have ever doubted Armaan's intentions or allowed anyone else to come between them. What had Armaan said the other night "everyone has to bear their own crosses sweetheart'it can be heartbreaking, and, callous as I may sound, everyone has to deal with their own pain'we can at best empathise and try and lessen the burden but we can't take it away". She had to stop feeling guilty about Anjali to the extent of allowing it to intrude on her relationship with Armaan and most importantly she needed to come clean with Armaan....
Armaan intertwined his fingers with her and gently pulled her closer and with the other hand pulled her chin up, softly brushing her lips with his "I am glad we are not fighting anymore..."
Ridhima nodded her head and squeezed his fingers in an attempt to reassure him as well as her. Sensing the edginess in her, Armaan turned her around, pulling her back against his body. Cocooned in his arms, she allowed herself relax against him, a sense of contentment slowly replacing her restlessness. In the comforting silence, Ridhima could not help but wonder at the intimacy of an embrace that could be tumultuous with passion at times and comfortingly reassuring at others.... she twined her fingers through his as they encircled her waist, leaning her head on his shoulder, as he rested his chin on her head, content to stay like this.
"Ridhima.." Armaan whispered softly after a while.
"Hmm?"
"Sweetheart, is there something that you want to tell me?"
Ridhima knew he was referring to her behaviour this evening. She wondered whether she would have the courage to tell Armaan that Anjali was the reason for her insecurities; that Anajli had confessed to her that she was in love with him?
What had Armaan's dad said? "Sometimes, it's good to talk about your fears, Ridhima...you might find that your insecurity exists only in the realm of your imagination....but you will never know if you don't communicate....I think one of the reasons Antara and I have an unbreakable bond is because we spend hours talking to each other, no secrets, no assumptions -"
She owed it to Armaan and to their relationship, to tell him the truth, not so much about Anjali as about her own behaviour & fears, and that, unfortunately was inextricably linked to Anjali.
*****************************
Ah, that was finally Part 38 and a long one at that, I just hope that you guys like it....
The pan flute is an ancient musical instrument and is considered the first mouth organ, the precursor of both the pipe organ and the harmonica and is named for its association with the rustic Greek god Pan. Gheorghe Zamfir (
http://panflute.net/zamfir/zamfir.html) is a very famous Romanian pan flutist and you would have heard him score background scores for many movies with the pan flute though obviously that's not what he's famous for! But I love the sound of the pan flute and if you google him, you'll find a lot of his music. It's an instrument with a haunting sound that I would love to hear on a quiet day, with a book in my hand and just my music for company. As for the confrontation, no more waiting...shall happen soon...
Its late and I am terribly sleepy, so shall send the PMs to those on my buddy list right now (since they are easy to send) and will send the balance tom morning...
Please do comment and I hope this time the delay wasn't much of a delay!
Love
Sam
Tum Se Tum Tak
Cricket
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