PART 57:
Rahul checked Armaan out and said, "let's move him to the hospital…..he is critically ill!"
Riddhima panicked, "Rahul…Armaan theek tho ho jaayega? Kya hua hai usey? Please save him Rahul…..main uske bina nahin reh sakti," she started sobbing loudly.
Rahul patted Riddhima's back, "I will try my best Riddhima….call the ambulance!"
Armaan was transferred to the hospital immediately. Rahul ran a number of tests and came back to Armaan's bedside, "Riddhima, looks like Armaan has Dengue fever…aaj kal mosquitoes ki wajah se bahut faila hua hai….let's hope he responds well to the treatment." Rahul did not have the heart to tell Riddhima that they had been seeing a particularly deadly strain this season; he had seen several deaths in both Ramgarh and Mumbai over the past week or two.
"Kuch nahin hoga Armaan ko!" Riddhima said confidently, "he has to live…for Arnav and me," she started weeping silently.
Rahul gave her a friendly hug, "Riddhima tumhara pyaar hi usey theek karega….he wants to be with you so badly, I am sure he will fight this nasty virus in no time."
Riddhima's self made wall was crumbling; it had crashed into pieces…..all her barriers and defenses were down now. There was only one thing she cared about…..Armaan! She realized, how much she loved him….she could not live without him…..her existence was worthless without him…..she would give up anything to have him back.
Riddhima stayed at Armaan's bedside for the next one week. Armaan went through the various stages of the deadly illness; one could tell his body did not want to give up. Each time his blood pressure or heart rate fell to deathly low levels, they bounced back up with Rahul's expert treatment and Riddhima's healing touch. Riddhima kept her faith in God and her love throughout the tumultuous period. Padma and Tamanna provided support at the home front; Riddhima refused to budge from Armaan's bedside. Padma and Tamanna brought her a change of clothes and food from home everyday.
The people of Ramgarh organized prayer sessions to pray for their beloved doctor. They sent their blessings and 'duas' to him everyday.
On the sixth day of his illness, Rahul was pleased to see the first sign of recovery, "Riddhima…aaj pehli baar Armaan ki dawaa kum kari hai maine….I think he is out of danger now."
Riddhima had tears of joy. She squeezed Rahul's hands, "Rahul….if it were not for you and Muskaan….we would be no where…thanks a lot…tum poore hafte yahin rahe ho, Mumbai ki practice mein bhi nahin gaye….you are a great person Rahul. How will I make it up to you?" she asked tearfully.
"Hmm…apni nayi album ki first copy mujhey dena…OK? That will be your fees…..actually the fact that you and Armaan are one again, is my biggest fees…..is se zyaada khushi mujhey aur Muskaan ko nahin ho sakti….I wish you both the best of luck!" Rahul smiled and patted her shoulder.
The next morning, Riddhima decided to go home and freshen up for a change. She had not seen Arnav in days and Rahul had given her great news again that morning.
She saw Atul waiting in the hallway, "bhaiyya aap? Kab aaye Pune se?"
Atul looked at Riddhima tearfully, "Riddhima….I am sorry…..mujhey nahin pataa tha ki tum aur Armaan ab."
Riddhima touched his hand, "bhaiyya….aap sirf apni behen ki raksha kar rahe the…..aakhir itne saalon se rakshabandhan par aapko rakhi baandh rahi hoon…..apna karza wapas le rahi thi aapse…..par ab aap Armaan ko kuch bhi ulta seedha mat boliyega," she complained as she pointed her index finger at him, "bechara aapki dhamki se itna bimaar hi ho gaya," she smiled through her tears and hugged her brother.
Atul stroked her hair, "promise….ab main sirf Armaan ki arti utaaroonga," Atul laughed and hugged her back.
When she came back from home, she stopped at Armaan's door. She saw Armaan talking to Rahul. She could not believe her eyes; Armaan was up and conscious, talking to Rahul as if nothing had happened.
"Thanks for saving my life, Rahul!" Armaan said
"Well, Armaan tu bhi jaanta hai….mareez teen cheezon se theek hota hai- dawa, dua aur sabse badhkar pyaar! So you need to thank all 3 reasons for your recovery." Rahul said.
"Really? Dawa aur dua tho main samajh sakta hoon…par pyaar….mujhey kaun pyaar kar sakta hai?" Armaan said sadly.
Riddhima was listening to everything from outside the door. She had tears in her eyes; her heart ached at hearing Armaan's comment.
"Armaan….wo pyaar baahar darwaaze ke peeche chup chup kar hamaari baatein sun raha hai aur ro raha hai! RIDDHIMA IDHAR AAO!" Rahul looked towards the door and yelled.
Armaan looked at the door and saw Riddhima standing with her head lowered.
"Come here Riddhima….apne mareez se nahin milogi?" Rahul said
Riddhima walked slowly to Armaan's bedside and smiled through her tears.
"Well….I need to go and see some reports….main chalaa," Rahul excused himself and left the two broken hearts together.
Armaan held Riddhima's hand and pulled her towards him. Riddhima sat down, and lowered her eyes like a new bride.
"Kyon kiya yeh sab Riddhima? Mere jaise kamzor insaan ke liye kyon kiya ye?" Armaan asked
"Kya tum sochte ho tum hi is duniya mein kamzor ho? Kya meri koi kamzori nahin hai?" she asked, finally looking into his eyes.
"Kamzori?" Armaan raised his eyebrow
"TUM! Tum aur tumhara pyaar hai meri sabse badhi kamzori! Hamesha ki tarah mujhey manaa lete ho…..jaante ho na ki mera dil tumhari taqleef nahin dekh sakta," she started sobbing and buried her head in his chest.
"Riddhima, you are not my weakness, but my strength….tum meri kamzori nahin, taaqat ho! But, I don't deserve you!" Armaan said softly
"I know, YOU DON'T DESERVE ME, because YOU OWN ME!" she said tearfully
Armaan caressed her hair gently and said, "If I had known that it would take a bunch of blood sucking mosquitoes to get you back, I would invited them over to dinner a long time back!" he laughed as he teased her.
They held each other for a while, cherishing each other's proximity to the fullest. At that moment, they both knew that their existence was lifeless without each other; they were happiest when they were in each other's arms……nothing else mattered as long as they were together; their love was too strong to be blown away by any storm or any hurdle…..they had found each other again and this time it would be forever, come what may……
"Excuse me sir!" A nurse interrupted them, "sir aapki dawa ka time ho gaya hai."
"Sister….main wo hi tho le raha hoon," Armaan looked naughtily at Riddhima, who got up and felt awkward by the nurse's sudden appearance.
The nurse smiled, "table par hai sir….aap le lena baad mein."
Riddhima got up to leave. Armaan grabbed her wrist, "kahan jaa rahi ho? Mere paas hi raho, abhi tumhara mareez theek nahin hua hai. Apna haath mat chhodo."
"Kaise chhod sakti hoon yeh haath Armaan?" she looked at him lovingly, "kitni kismat se mujhey wapas mila hai."
Enjoy this lovely romantic song (one of my all time fav)
"kismat se tum" from "pukar"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hoFT3ZOres
--FEMALE--
(Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge) - 2
Phir se banti taqdeeron ko
Armaanon ki zanjeeron ko
Jaanam ab na todenge
--MALE--
Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge
Phir se banti taqdeeron ko
Armaanon ki zanjeeron ko
Jaanam ab na todenge
Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge
Kya kahoon kaise lagte hai dil pe zulfon ke saaye
Koi bhoola raahi jaise manzil paa jaaye
Ya koi dil toofaan ka maara
Dard ki laheron mein aawaara
--FEMALE--
Koi pyaara pyaar ke saaye paa jaaye
--MALE--
Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge
Tukde dil ke hum tum milke
Phir se jodenge, yeh sheesha phir se jodenge
--FEMALE--
Phir se banti taqdeeron ko
Armaanon ki zanjeeron ko
Jaanam ab na todenge
Yun Guptaati yun ghabraati aise simti simtaayi
O mere baalam yunhi nahin main jaate jaate laut aayi hoon
Preet meri pehchaani tune
Meri kadr to jaani tune
--MALE--
Ab dil jaaga hosh mein chaahat ab aayi
--FEMALE--
Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge
--MALE--
Tukde dil ke hum tum milke
Phir se jodenge, yeh sheesha phir se jodenge
--FEMALE--
Phir se banti taqdeeron ko
Armaanon ki zanjeeron ko
Jaanam ab na todenge
--BOTH--
Kismat se tum humko mile ho
Kaise chhodenge, yeh haath hum na chhodenge
"Riddhima…..I want my good morning kiss!" Armaan pulled Riddhima close to him.
Riddhima hesitated, "yahan hospital mein?"
Armaan held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes, "kyunki mujhey darr hai ki kahin yeh sab sapna na ho….kahin meri aankh khule, aur tum ghayab ho jaao….agar aisa hua tho main phir zinda nahin reh paaonga Riddhima," he said tearfully.
Riddhima put her hand on his lips, "aaj ke baad phir aisa mat kehna," she bent over and brought her lips close to his. Armaan instinctively put his hand behind her neck and pulled the clip off from her hair, letting her strands fall all over his face. Riddhima touched her lips to his as he gave out a loud groan. The kiss melted all the pain they had carried in their hearts over the last year and a half; neither one wanted to let go of each other.
"*cough*cough* Dr Malik, aapke naye hospital mein bahut personalized treatment milta hai!"
Riddhima pulled back and wiped her lips. She was red with embarrassment and was too shy to turn around and face Muskaan.
"Aao Muskaan….tum kab aayi?" Armaan licked his lips with his tongue and welcomed his friend.
"Kal raat ko hi aayi thi, par ab lagta hai wapas chale jaana chaahiye….kahin treatment plan mein interfere na kar rahi hoon," Muskaan giggled.
Riddhima ran to Muskaan and hugged her. She hid her face in Muskaan's shoulder, "nahin Muskaan….tum kahin nahin jaa sakti!"
Muskaan hugged Riddhima back and winked at Armaan, "You know how I love being the kabab mein haddi!" they all laughed at that comment.
PART 58:
Armaan recuperated at the hospital for another 3 days. He had hordes of visitors visit him everyday; Keerti and Shubhankar flew in from Bangalore too. Arnav spent a good part of his day bouncing on Armaan's knees or chest all day. Riddhima brought home cooked meals for him. The three of them shared the tiffin on the hospital bed. Armaan loved feeding Arnav little bites of the rice and vegetables with his fingers. In between, he would feed Riddhima a morsel or two also, "chalo theek se khao….dekho kitni dubli ho gayi ho? Doosre bachche ke liye thoda weight badhaana padhega tumhey!" he winked at her.
Riddhima gave him a glare, "do bachche hain tho sahi mere paas!"
"Do? Kahan hai doosra? Ab wo tho sach much mera nahin hoga!" he ducked as Riddhima punched him with a pillow; she twisted his ear lobe and said, "khabardaar ab phir aisi koi baat ki tho! Ab gayi, tho phir kabhie nahin lautoongi!"
Armaan grabbed her wrists and pulled her over. He kissed her lips and said, "tum jahan bhi jaaogi, main tumhare peeche peeche aa jaaoonga….kyunki tumhare bina ek pal bhi jeena mere liye bahut badhi sazaa hai," he whispered softly. Riddhima blushed and said, "lagta hai di aur jiju peeche khade hain."
"Oh di? Aap sab bahut galat waqt par aate ho!" Armaan laughed as he saw Keerti, Shubhankar and Sur standing at the door.
Keerti walked in and hugged Riddhima, "Riddhima….lagta hai Armaan bilkul theek ho gaya hai….ab jaldi ghar aane ki tayyari kar lo….I have a surprise for both of you when you get back!"
"Surprise?" Armaan asked, "kahin Anjali tho nahin hai?" he ducked again as Riddhima smothered him with the pillow.
"Sorry…sorry….aise behudaa mazaak karne bhi nahin chaahiye…par kya karoon, I like the possessive Mrs Malik!" he threw the pillow and hugged her.
Rahul entered the room, "Mujhey complain mili hai ki is room ke patient ne poore hospital mein aafat machaa rakhi hai! Iss liye, main yeh order dene aaya hoon, ki patient Armaan Malik ko aaj, abhi isi waqt hospital se discharge kiya jaaye, aur sazaaye…sazaaye-pyaar mein hamesha ke liya qaid kar diya jaaye!" Rahul announced his verdict like a high court judge.
After discharge, Keerti and Shubhankar had their little surprise waiting for Armaan and Riddhima at home.
Riddhima helped Armaan out of the car and then carried Arnav in her arms. She was about to unlock the house, when the door opened, 'SURPRISE!" The whole family was waiting for their arrival- Keerti, Shubhankar, Sur, Padma, Atul, Muskaan, Rahul and Tamanna!
Keerti brought the pooja thali and held it in front of Armaan and Riddhima.
"Main tum dono ki nazar utaar doon….tum dono ki jodi hamesha sahi salaamat rahe, aao Riddhima…apne pair is thaal mein daal do, aur phir ghar me andar aao," Keerti went through all the rituals as if she was welcoming a new bride home. Riddhima graced the floor with her kumkum laden feet. Armaan and Riddhima then touched Padma's feet and hugged everyone.
They all settled down in the living room.
Riddhima handed Arnav to Tamanna and said, "main sab ke liye khaana banaati hoon."
Armaan got up too, "No..No Riddhima…aaj main sab logon ke liye khaana banaaunga."
Riddhima looked at him, a little amused, "tum? Aur khaana? Kahin phir haath kaat liya tho?" she laughed as she reminded him of the last time when he had ventured into the kitchen as a chef.
"Madam…..aap hairaan ho jaayengi….tum soch thi ho ki in 11/2 saal mein maine sirf ghaas khaayi hai, tho galat samajhthi ho….I am the world's best cook now, thanks to my WIFE!" he teased her and forced her to sit back, "yahin baithi raho, give me a hour all of you and then I will see you all at the dining table."
Everyone shrugged their shoulders and waited patiently. Riddhima wandered around the house and thought, "mera aaj sapna poora ho gaya….main chaahti thi ki mamaji ke ghar mein aur is sheher mein hi hamesha rahoon….thank you Armaan, tumney aaj mere saare sapne poore kar diye."
After an hour, the head chef led everyone to the dining room. Everyone was stunned to see a professionally laid out table with delicious aroma of the food whetting their appetites. Armaan had cooked the most delicious meal, Riddhima had ever tasted. She could not believe that he had cooked all those dishes. She gave him loving looks across the table, admiring his culinary skills. Keerti was surprised too, "Riddhima…jis aadmi ko paani boil karna nahin aata tha, tumney usey kitna achha cook banaa diya…Shubhankar, ab main bhi kuch dinon ke liye tumse door jaa rahi hoon, jab wapas aaoon, tho aisa khaana mujhey bhi milna chaahiye!" they all laughed and congratulated Armaan once again.
Afterwards, when they were all cleaning up, Riddhima came behind Armaan and whispered into his ear, "aisa khaana roz milta raha, tho doosra bachcha jaldi ho jaayega!"
"Koi pooche tho keh dena ki yeh bachcha chef ka hai, milkman ka nahin!" he winked and grabbed her waist, "sab log kab jaayenge?" he whispered into her ear, "the chef is dying to spend time with the lady of the house!"
Keerti overheard Armaan, "*cough*cough* hum sab Padma aunty ke yahan chai peene jaa rahe hain….Arnav bhi hamare saath jaa raha hai…..Armaan tumhey aaram ki zaroorat hai, aur Riddhima tum Armaan ke saath raho, kahin isko dawa ki zaroorat na ho!" Keerti smiled mischievously at both of them.
After everyone left for afternoon tea, Armaan stretched his arms and said, "Riddhima mere liye bhi chai banaakar lao na….main thodi der aaraam kar loon."
The mischievous look on Armaan's face told Riddhima, that Armaan had some mischief up his sleeve, "theek hai..tum jao…main aati hoon."
After a few minutes, Riddhima entered their bedroom with two cups of tea. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she was overwhelmed with the fragrance of roses in the room. She looked around and saw fresh red roses decorating the whole room. She looked around in amazement and saw Armaan standing at the window with his arms folded.
She placed the cups down and asked, "Armaan….itne saare roses? Main tho ek se hi khush ho jaati hoon."
Armaan walked up to her and held her hands. He started kissing her fingers, one at a time, sending shivers down her spine. He whispered, "one rose for every day you were not with me….tumhari yaad ke har din ke liye ek gulab hai," his lips traveled up on her arms and then to her shoulders and bare neck. She felt a familiar sweet twitching inside her, and encircled her arms around his neck. He kissed her neck and whispered, "Riddhima…please change into my favorite red sari…please….meri ek khawaish poori kar do."
Riddhima moaned and pulled away; her neck was red at the places his lips had touched her. She went to the closet and took the famous sensuous sari out, "are you sure you want me to WEAR it?" she asked seductively.
Armaan nodded his head, "utaarne mein jo mazaa hai, wo sirf main hi jaanta hoon." He mumbled softly.
Riddhima went to the bathroom and came out, looking strikingly beautiful and elegant in the sari. Armaan glanced at her from head to toe, making Riddhima conscious, "aise kyon dekh rahe ho? Pehle kabhie nahin dekha kya?"
"Main jab bhi tumhey dekhta hoon, tho lagta hai ki pehli baar dekh raha hoon…each time I discover something new about you…..you are my mystery woman," he lifted her and placed her on their bed. He gently kissed her toes one by one, gradually lifting her sari inch by inch, as his lips followed her soft skin contours.
Riddhima moaned with pleasure, as Armaan gently stripped both of them and consumed her completely in a heavenly union of their souls, hearts and bodies one more time.
Armaan and Riddhima lazed around all afternoon in each other's arms. They did not want to let go of this wonderful afternoon. They made love to each other, taking breaks to talk and whisper sweet nothings in each other's ears.
As they spent a lazy day with each other, here is a song to describe their feelings:
"o saath re" from "omkara"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psz2qDABeCs&feature=related
o saathi re din dube na - 2
aa chal din ko roke
dhup ke peeche daude
chaanv chhue na
o saathi re
o saathi re din dube na
aa chal din ko roke
dhup ke peeche daude
chaanv chhue na
o saathi re
o saathi re din dube na
thaka thaka suraj jab nadi se hokar niklega
hari hari kaayi pe paanv bada toh fislega
tum rok ke rakhna main jaal giraaun
tum pith pe lena main haath lagaaun
din dube na ha
teri meri atti katti
daat se khaati katti
re jaiiyo na
o piyu re
o piyu re na jaiyyo na
kabhi kabhi yun kare main daantu aur tum darna
ugal pade aankhon se feenke paani ka jharna
hmm tere kehre badan mein sil jaaungi re
jab karwat lega tu chhil jaaungi re
sang le jaaunga
teri meri angni mangni
and sang laagi sangni
sang le jaaun
o piyu re
o saathi re din dube na
aa chal din ko roke
dhup ke peeche daude
chaanv chhue na
o saathi re
…to be contd…
PAGE 59 (CONCLUSION)
FIVE YEARS LATER:
Armaan and Riddhima are well settled in Ramgarh. They have just completed their eight years of married life. They have two children, Arnav Malik, the little monster, 61/2 years old and Diya, a pretty little 4 year old. Arnav is the naughty and impulsive one, like his dad and Diya is the sweet and tenderhearted girl, just like her mom. They both study in the same school where Riddhima is still the main English teacher. Riddhima sings with Sid's group, and has recorded at least a dozen albums with them. She goes to Mumbai every Saturday and completes her recording. In fact, the whole family drives to Mumbai for the weekend, where they meet Muskaan, Rahul and some other old friends. They also shop and go to the beach every so often. Riddhima still loves to eat the chaat at Chawpaati. Armaan and Arnav usually end up with watery eyes and runny noses after the chaat, but little Ms Diya eats chaat as if it were icecream…just like her mom!
Armaan has managed to expand the hospital to a 500-bedded hospital, thanks to generous grants from Industrialists and other doctors. He is still the chief Medical Officer, but has many young doctors working under him. That gives him more time with his family and enjoys his weekend trips to Mumbai.
Ramgarh is no longer a small town; thanks to "Dr Shashank Misra Memorial Hospital," it has become a major source of employment for a lot of educated and skilled workers. As a result, a lot of small businesses have thrived in the community, including a major call center run by Atul himself. Atul is also married with two kids, who love to hang out with their cousins and bua (Riddhima.)
Padma is older, but still strong and independent. She still lives in her old house, but Riddhima visits her every day on her way back from school. The kids love to hang out with their nani and get pampered by her.
Riddhima has a nanny (aaya) for the kids at home. Occasionally, she goes out with Armaan on long walks along the river and leaves the kids with their aaya, who loves them like an aunt. Armaan and Riddhima still share the same passion for each other, and enjoy each other's company more and more each day. They are the inseparable couple of Ramgarh. Armaan and Riddhima have learnt to take joint decisions about different aspects in their life. Armaan does not force his choices and decisions on Riddhima anymore. He loves to work around the house, and even built a tree house for his kids in the backyard. He cooks the Sunday evening meal and when Riddhima was pregnant with Diya, he pretty much cooked everyday.
They still fight and argue with each other, but the fights never last long enough to not spend the night in each other's arms. They both know that they cannot not live without each other, and so bury their differences quickly with as simple a gesture as a rose presented by Armaan, or a tender kiss on his lips presented by Riddhima.
To end the story: here is a little example of how blissful their married life is even though it may look mundane to an outsider….
Like a lot of nights, Armaan was buried in paper work at the hospital. His days were busy with surgery and seeing patients at the clinic. The evenings went by in completing the administrative work of the hospital; he checked his watch, "Oh God 10 baj gaye…bachche bhi so gaye honge…I still have another couple of hours worth of work….let me call Riddhima, may be she could give me company," he was about to dial her number, when he saw Riddhima standing at the door.
"Arre Riddhima? Tumhey kaise pataa mainey yaad kiya hai tumhey?" His face lit up at seeing his beloved's pretty face in his office. He got up and walked towards her. She circled her arms around his neck, "jab bhi dil se yaad karoge, main aa jaoongi……itni der kaise lagaa di? Bachche tumhara intezaar karte karte so gaye." She complained.
"I am glad you came…I could use a back rub….poore din kaam karte karte, thak gaya hoon." Armaan said wickedly
Riddhima smiled as she knew Armaan's intentions were not entirely honorable, "theek hai…baith jao….main back rub kar deti hoon."
Armaan sat down on his chair, as Riddhima started massaging his shoulders and neck with her soft hands. Armaan moaned in pleasure, "that feels good Riddhima! Thoda neeche bhi rub kar dena…thoda aur…thoda aur…." He kept guiding her to different parts of his back, neck, shoulders and chest. Riddhima teased him by making the massage as seductive as possible by whispering mischievous sweet nothings in his ear and occasionally nibbling or biting his ears.
Armaan could not take it anymore; he pulled her on to his lap, "aisa massage mujhey roz roz chaahiye Mrs Malik!"
Riddhima smiled with her tongue rolling inside her mouth and caressed his bare chest under his shirt, "keemat chukaani hogi pehle."
"Keemat? Jo tum maangogi wo milega Basanti…aaj Veeru bahut generous mood mein hai!" he nibbled on her ear and drove her wild.
"How big is the patient bed in the exam room?" she asked mischievously.
Armaan lifted her in his arms and carried her to the exam room through the deserted hallways of the hospital wing, "it is big enough…TRUST ME!"
"I know…I can trust you Armaan…" she moaned dreamily.
THE END
I hope you liked the story about the two lovers who realized the true meaning of love only after they almost lost everything they had…….Sacche pyaar ka ehsaas tabhi hua jab us pyaar ko unhoney kuch pal ke liye kho diya tha…that true love is all about GIVING and not about EXPECTING or TAKING….…
That true love goes beyond just pure physical attraction…love with respect, understanding and faith is as essential for any relationship to thrive, especially between a married couple!
To end, here is our favorite AR song to celebrate Armaan and Riddhima's dreams for each other….how they have learnt to dream with each other's eyes- it is not about Armaan's dreams or Riddhima's dreams anymore, but 'THEIR DREAMS'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmkx2fVSRf4&feature=related
(Aasmaani rang ho)
TH END
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
