PART 7:
As the days went by, it was becoming quite obvious to Lovely and Dr Shashank Misra that Armaan and Riddhima were more than 'just friends'
Lovely called Padma one day, "Behenji….aap se ek baat karni thi…"
Padma: "Bolo Lovely…."
Lovely: "Aapko Dr Malik kaise lagte hain?"
Padma: "Bahut accha ladka hai, doctor bhi accha hai, uski dawai se mera BP bahut dino baad control mein aaya hai…"
Lovely: "Hamari Riddhima ke liye kaisa rahega?"
Padma: "Tumney tho mere mooh ki baat cheen li….main bhi yahi soch rahi thi….aakhir Riddhima bhi tho ab 21 ki ho gayi hai…..lekin darr lagta hai…"
Lovely: "Darr? Kyon?"
Padma: "Pataa nahin wo Mumbai ka rehnaey waala…..yahan sirf ek saal ke liye hi aaya hai…..aage kya iraada hai uska? Lagta tho mujhey bhi aisa hai ki wo Riddhima ko aur Riddhima usko pasand karti hai, par aage baat kaise badhaaun?"
Lovely: "Main Dr Misra se baat karti hoon……wo shayad Armaan ke dil ke baat jaan sakein"
Padma: "Theek hai! Main Riddhima se bhi baat kar leti hoon….uske dil ki baat bhi pataa chal jaaye tho accha hai…."
After Riddhima's wounds had healed well over the next 3-4 weeks, there was no reason for Armaan to "examine" her regularly. He was very pleased with the results and could not help patting himself on the back, "shayad Dr Misra theek kehte hain, meri ungaliyon mein sach much jaadoo hai…..I should consider plastics as an option after my training…."
At some pretext or another, Armaan started paying regular visits to Riddhima's house-
"auntie main aapka haal poonchney aaya tha"
"Riddhima se kahiye ki clinic mein thoda kaam hai"…..
"Riddhima ke ghaav dekhney aaya tha……"
Padma knew that those were all excuses; Armaan was there for Riddhima and Riddhima only.
One day, when Padma was massaging Riddhima's long thick tresses, she asked, "tujhey Dr Malik kaise lagte hain?"
Riddhima turned red from embarrassment, but Padma could not tell as she was facing Riddhima's back.
"M-maa…..aap kyon poonch rahi hain? He is a good doctor…..aur…aur sab log unhey pasand karne lage hain….aur kya?" Riddhima replied
"Main teri baat kar rahi hoon pagli!"
"Maaaaa…..aisa kuch nahin hai…. Wo ek acche insaan aur acche doctor hain…bas!" Riddhima lied.
"Hmmm…..chalo dekhtey hain….par beta ek baat ka dhyaan rakhna….wo badhe sheher ka rehney waala hai…..hum chote log hain, sab log humein yahan jaante hain, kabhie koi aisa kaam mat karna jo hamari maryada se baahar ho…..aur agar tujhey wo sach much pasand hai tho main bhaiyya se keh kar aage baat badhaa sakti hoon…" Padma caressed her hair affectionately.
Riddhima just blushed and shut her eyes; she knew her mom was right-there was no doubt that what she felt for Armaan was not friendship or a mere fondness-it was beyond that…..she had fallen for him and his charm badly……the way he looked at her, touched her, smiled at her-it was irresistible, but she was too shy to admit to or express her feelings.
One day, when Padma was out shopping and Riddhima was alone at home in the kitchen, Armaan dropped by, unannounced as usual, "kya banaa rahi ho? Bahut acchi khushboo aa rahi hai," he just walked in casually.
"Maa ghar par nahin hai….wo bazaar gayi hain…" Riddhima dropped a hint that she was alone.
Armaan followed her to the kitchen and grabbed her wrist. He pulled her closer and gazed into her eyes, "tho kya tum soch thi ho main roz maa se milne aata hoon?"
Riddhima tried to free herself and lowered her eyes, "nahin….aap maa ka BP check karne aate hai na?"
"Hmm….unka BP tho theek ho gaya, par mere BP ka kya hoga?" he smiled, his twinkling with mischief.
"Chhod iye…please main kitchen ka kaam kar rahi hoon…," she relied softly
"Ek shart par," he was still holding her wrist with his strong hands.
"Shart?"
"Haan….promise ki tum mera dil chura logi….," he came behind her and whispered in her ear, "please….chura lo na dil mera…."
Riddhima pulled away, "na…na..na…"
Enjoy this song as Armaan keeps pleading Riddhima to fall for him and Riddhima keeps denying her feelings:
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-972.html
"chura lo na dil" from "kareeb"
ARMAAN:
Dil mera chura lo
Aankhon mein chhupa lo
Apna bana lo sanam
RIDDHIMA:
Na na na..
Na na na..
Haan haan haan
Na na na na
ARMAAN:
Chura lo na dil mera sanam
Bana lo na apna sanam
Ki tere bin na ji sakenge
Ki tere bin na mar sakenge
Kuchh bhi na kar sakenge
RIDDHIMA:
Chura lo na dil mera sanam
Chura lein kyon dil tera sanam
Na na na..
ARMAAN:
Haan haan haan
RIDDHIMA:
Na na na na
Masala baant loon
Main pyaaz kaat loon
Chhuri kidhar gayi
Uff hai nal khula hua
ARMAAN:
Main keh raha hoon kya
Tu sun rahi hai kya
Tu sun rahi hai kya
Main keh raha hoon kya
RIDDHIMA:
Tera deewanapan hai yeh
O bekhabar kitchen hai yeh
Yeh kyon vahaan utha dhuaan
Kya jaane kya jal gaya
ARMAAN:
Tere bin na ji sakenge
Ki tere bin na mar sakenge
Kuchh bhi na kar sakenge
Chura lo na dil mera sanam
Chura lein kyon dil tera sanam
RIDDHIMA:
Na jaane kya kaha
Kaho na phir zara
Sunoon mein gaur se
Kaho na zor se
ARMAAN:
Kaha jo zor se
To chaaron aur se
Hasenge hum pe sab
Hamaare shor se
RIDDHIMA:
Karenge baat phir kabhi
Jawaab chaahiye abhi
Nahin nahin abhi nahin
Itni bhi jaldi hai kya
ARMAAN:
Ki tere bin na ji sakenge
Ki tere bin na mar sakenge
Hum soch kar kahenge
Armaan finally got frustrated and went into the backyard. He pretended he was really upset and would stop wooing her any more:
Achcaha hua jo pyaar ki pehchaan ho gayi
Dete thay jis pe jaan woh anjaan ho gayi
Mausam to main nahin hoon
Jo aaoonga jaoonga
Rootha jo ek baar to vaapas na aoonga
Na na na..
Na na na..
RIDDHIMA:
Haan haan haan
Na na na na
Riddhima followed him and knew that she could not deny her feelings for him anymore:
Chura lo na dil mera sanam
Bana lo na apna sanam
Ki tere bin na ji sakenge
Ki tere bin na mar sakenge
Hum soch kar kahenge
Dil mera churalo
Aankhon mein chhupalo
Apna banalo sanam..
Armaan was standing with his back to her. She came and leaned her head on his back and said, "mujhey tumhari shart manzoor hai….par kabhie wapas jaane ki baat nahin karna…..warna main jee nahin paaoongi….."
Armaan smiled and turned around. He looked at Riddhima and cupped her face in his hands, "sach?"
Riddhima shut her eyes and nodded silently. He traced the curves of her face and outline of her lips with his thumbs, "God! You are beautiful! Riddhima maine aaj tak tumhare jaisi khubsoorat ladki nahin dekhi…..main tumhara diwana banta jaa raha hoon……mera ilaaj karogi?"
Riddhima's heart was racing at 100 miles an hour; her breath became heavy as the forehead sprouted with beads of sweat; with her eyes still closed, she whispered back, "jo khud bimaar ho, wo ilaaj kaise kare?"
Armaan kept caressing her lower lip with his thumb, driving her into a frenzy of sensations, her body had never experienced before.
He finally bent over and gently touched his lips to hers and whispered into her lips, "aise…"
Riddhima's arms impulsively circled his neck, as he gently pulled her closer by her waist. Their hearts throbbed against each other; beating in unison as Armaan's lips deepened their grip on hers. Riddhima surrendered herself to the sweet and steamy sensation of his kiss and thought she was like a feather floating in the air, oblivious of her surroundings and her identity.
They heard the front door unlock, "RIDDHIMA! RIDDHIMA! Kahan hai tu? Zara yeh bazaar ka samaan andar le aa…..," Padma's voice floated from inside the house. Riddhima pulled herself back in haste, still dizzy from Armaan's passionate kiss. She wiped her lips and straightened her kurta, "Uh…Uh…main abhi aayi maa!" She looked at Armaan; his eyes were still burning with hunger; he did not let go of her.
"Armaan….please mu…mujhey jaane do…" she stuttered, trying to swallow hard as her throat felt parched.
Armaan pulled back, but kept his piercing gaze on her, "aaj chhod diya hai…..ab kabhie chhod ne ki baat mat karna…..main tumhara ghar par intezaar karoonga……please aaj shaam ko wahan aa jaana….I will wait for you….," he smiled and left from the rear gate of the house.
PART 8:
Riddhima was still tremulous after her first kiss. She had never been touched like that before, or for that matter felt that way in her life. She was dazed and confused, Padma's voice was still echoing in the background, but Riddhima's legs felt paralyzed, unable to move.
"Kahan ho tum? Main kab se dhoondh rahi hoon….yeh rahi…..baahar kya kar rahi hai?" Padma came out and saw Riddhima standing in the middle of the backyard staring at the swinging rear gate.
"Kya hua? Sab theek tho hai na?" Padma got worried.
Riddhima flustered, "Oh..maa…wo main yahan paudhon mein paani dene aayi thi, bas ek billi ne mujhey daraa diya the….chaliye main baaher se saamaan le aati hoon…."
Padma followed Riddhima, but was not satisfied with her answer. It was not unusual for stray animals to intrude into their backyard from time to time, but what she saw on Riddhima's face was not fear from an unknown animal-it was a strange expression of heavenly bliss mixed with a trance-almost an out of world expression which she had seen on people's faces in the temple, after they claimed they had seen "God."
Riddhima helped her mother with the groceries. Padma found it strange that her normally boisterous daughter was so quiet. On a regular day, Riddhima would bombard Padma with questions after her trip to the bazaar, "maa aaloo kis bhaav miley? …..Bania ke paise de diye?…..Maa, us Hari Prasad se tho kabhi aata mat lena, wo usmein milawat karta hai…..," she would go on and on. Padma would have to shush her most of the time.
Suddenly Padma saw something on the kitchen counter, "Dr Malik apna stethoscope yahin bhool gaye?"
Riddhima startled, "Oh….haan wo aaye the aap ko check karne, par aap nahin thi tho wapas chale gaye."
"Kuch chai-wai pilaai thi unhey? Kahin aise hi tho nahin chale gaye?" Padma smiled to herself, as she knew his reason for the visit.
"Haan pooncha tha maine….par wo bahut jaldi mein the." Riddhima lied.
"Theek hai tu baad mein jaakar unka stethoscope de aana…..arre main tho bhool gayi, aaj Tamanna aane waali hai….keh rahi thi aaj raat ko bhi yahin rukegi…" Padma remembered that her niece, Tamanna had called that morning.
Riddhima remembered that Armaan had asked her to come over that evening; she decided to stay back with Tamanna-her head was still giddy from the kiss and she needed sometime away from him to collect her thoughts, "maa…aap maamaji ke yahan khaana de aaiye aaj, main Tamanna ke saath ghar reh loongi…aur aap hi Dr Malik ko yeh stethoscope de dena."
"Theek hai…waise bhi Dr Malik mujhey dekhney hi tho aaye the…." Padma lifted Riddhima's chin and teased her. Riddhima turned red as a beetroot and just turned her face away, "nahin maa…mera matlab haan….naa…haan….," her confused mind could barely utter any words; she ran to her room and buried her head in her pillow.
Later that evening, Armaan waited impatiently for Riddhima, but she did not show up. Padma came and dropped off his stethoscope and food for the two doctors. Padma could see Armaan's crestfallen face when she showed up without Riddhima. She did not need any more proof; she was determined to talk to Dr Misra about a possible alliance between the two lovers. Armaan had to attend to a few emergencies that evening, and by the time he got back, it was already past midnight. He tossed in bed all night, craving for Riddhima's touch….he could still feel her lips and tongue….her racing heartbeat….her fragrance….her curvaceous body pressed against his……he was sure she was as crazy about him as he was for her…..phir aayi kyon nahin…..kahin phir se naaraz tho nahin ho gayi?
NEXT DAY:
Armaan started his day early at the clinic after a sleepless night. Around 11 am, there was a lull at the clinic; he could not wait any longer-he had to go and see Riddhima!
Riddhima was teaching a 3 rd grade class when the recess bell went off!
Riddhima looked at her watch, as it was still 20 minutes to recess. Before she could stop the kids, they were on their way to the playground!
Riddhima was baffled; she checked her watch, "ghadi tho kaam kar rahi hai…phir aaj ghanti jaldi kaise baj gayi?" Suddenly she felt two hands blindfolding her eyes.
She felt the hands and instantly recognized the fingers which had been working on her wounds for the last 1 month, "tho yeh maazra hai?"
She turned around and saw her handsome doctor standing in front of her, smiling mischievously.
"Yeh kya tareeka hai Dr Malik? Jab aap apne patients dekh rahe ho, aur main beech mein aa tapkoo, tho aapke kaisa lagega?" she asked.
"Bahut accha lagega! I would love that! Batao kab aa rahi ho?" Armaan pulled her closer.
"Armaan….kya kar rahe ho? Yeh school hai!" Riddhima was mortified
"Main bhi tho tumhara student hoon….mujhey bhi tumhari attention chahiye!" Armaan smiled, leaning his head on her shoulder.
"Armaan! Koi dekh legaa!" Riddhima clenched her teeth.
"Dekh ne do! Agar tum apne vaada thod dogi, tho main kuch bhi kar sakta hoon," he pulled her by her waist.
"Maine koi vaada nahin kiya tha….kal meri cousin Tamanna aa gayi thi….," Riddhima explained.
"Chalo mere saath paas waale dhaabe mein lunch karne," Armaan insisted
"Lunch? Abhi mera ek period aur hai."
"Kya Basanti? Tumhara Veeru itni door se tum se milne aaya hai, aur tum ek period ki chinta kar rahi ho. So what? It is just an elementary class….ek din bacche kam padhenge tho koi farak nahin padhega….chalo mere saath..," Armaan grabbed her wrist and started walking.
Riddhima tried to free herself, a little offended by that comment, "Armaan….aapke liye ek maamooli class hogi, but this is my job, I take pride in my work as much as you do in yours!"
Armaan saw the indignant expression on her face; as usual he felt bad for his offending comments, "sorry Riddhima….i understand….yeh lo..my apologies…..," he took a rose out of his pocket and held it in front of her.
Riddhima was amused, "yeh rose hamesha aapki pocket mein rehta hai?"
"Kyunki tumhari naak par hamesha ek makkhi baithi rehti hai….iss liye main hamesha prepared rehta hoon," Armaan grinned.
"Aapki," Armaan put a finger on her lips, stopping her in mid sentence, "No aapki…just tum…OK?"
Riddhima smiled as she felt a sudden tingle from his finger on her lips, 'OK," she said softly.
"Chalo ab lunch par chalein? Maine principal se baat kar li thi…..he has given you permission to have an early lunch."
"Wo kaise maan gaye?" Riddhima was perplexed, as the school principal was normally very strict.
"You know chote sheher mein doctor ko bhagwan ki tarah pooj te hain….meri baat kaise taal te?" Armaan grabbed her hand again and started walking outside.
"Mujhsey poonch na chahiye…yeh bhagwan kitne shaitaan hain!" she laughed as she picked her bag.
They drove to the nearby dhaaba and ordered some lunch. Armaan sat across from Riddhima, grabbing her hand at one pretext or another.
"Armaan…please yahan mujhey sab jaante hain….aur ab tho tumhey bhi jaante hain….please haath chhodo…," Riddhima felt awkward as she noticed everyone was staring at them.
"Nahin chhodunga!" Armaan teased her
"Jaante ho ek doctor ka ek patient ke saath itni nazdeeki ka anjaam kya hota hai?" Riddhima asked, still trying to free her hands.
"Kya hota hai?"
"Barbaadi!"
Armaan smiled and came closer. He gazed into her eyes and said, "shaadi ka doosra naam bhi barbaadi hota hai…..aur main poori tarah barbaad hone ko tayyar hoon!"
Riddhima was startled. Did she just hear "shaadi?"
"Kya kaha tumney? Sh..shaadi?" Riddhima thought her ears were ringing.
Armaan pulled his hands away and tore a corner from the foil under the plate of 'naans' and rolled it between his fingers. Then he bent the rolled foil into a ring. Riddhima looked at him strangely.
"Laao haath do!" he ordered, "Come on Riddhima, main khaa nahin jaaoonga!"
Riddhima reluctantly offered her hand to him. He slipped the rolled up foil ring into her ring finger and looked into her dazed eyes, "I love you Riddhima! Will you marry me?"
Riddhima felt like she was in a dream-like state; she stared at him and did not realize that tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"abhi se kyon ro rahi ho? Shaadi ke baad tho rona hi hai!" Armaan chided with her, squeezing her hands.
Riddhima got up from the chair and ran behind the walls of the dhaaba.
Armaan followed her, "kya hua Riddhima? I promise main tumhare liye asli anghooti bhi le aaoonga."
Riddhima was sobbing and shook her head, "Armaan yeh baat nahin hai! Main…main…..I love you too…," she could not speak anymore and buried her head in his chest.
Armaan caressed her thick hair with his fingers, "Tho main haan samjhoon?"
She shook her head and looked up, "tum jaante ho tum kya keh rahe ho? Are you sure? Tum sach much mujhsey shaadi karna chaahte ho?"
Armaan traced his finger on her face and softly said, "never been more sure in my life…..main chahta hoon ki tum meri adhoori zindagi ko poora kar do," he kissed her hand and held it close to his heart.
Riddhima wiped her tears and hugged Armaan tightly; her frail arms encircled his strong neck.
Armaan shut his eyes and cherished the warm embrace; there was something very comforting about her…he knew he could face any adversity in his life as long as she was near him.
"Ab chalein? Tumhare period ka time ho raha hai?" Armaan smiled and helped her back to the car.
As they drove back, Armaan took a detour towards a park in the town.
"Yahan kyon laaye ho?" Riddhima asked
"Abhi tumhari class mein time hai…..chalo thodi der baith te hain," Armaan helped her out of the car.
They sat under a tree with Armaan resting his head in her lap.
Riddhima gently stroked his head and asked, "Armaan…ek din tum bahut badhe aadmi ban jaaoge….tab mujhey bhool tho nahin jaaogey?"
"Riddhima…tum mere andar is tarah samaa chuki ho, ki tumhein bhool ne se pehle mujhey apne aap ko bhool na padhega…par aisa kyon soch thi ho? Shaadi ke baad tho hum hamesha saath hi rahenge," Armaan got up from her lap and brought his face close to hers. He was about to kiss her, when Riddhima sang:
"Ek din….tum bahut badhe banoge…ek din"
enjoy this cute song from "ankhiyom ke jharoke se" as Armaan promises Riddhima that he would always be there for her as long as she is:
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-4216.html
RIDDHIMA:
ek din, tum bahut bade banoge ek din
chaand se chamak uthoge ek din
wil you forget me then?
ARMAAN:
how i can, tel me how i can?
RIDDHIMA:
maan lo kaheen ki shahazaadi
baithi ho tumhaare liye aankhen bichhaaye
aur use ye zid ho ki wo shaadi
kisi se na karegi tumhaare sivaay
wil you forget me then?
ARMAAN:
yes i can, if only you can
ARMAAN :
ek din, le gaya tumhe jo koi ajanabi
gair ki jo ho gai ye zindagi
wil you forget me then?
RIDDHIMA:
gentleman, oh no gentleman
ARMAAN:
saans saans mein tumhaari kushabu
kis tarah jiyoonga bolo tumako bhulaake
dil pe jaan pe kar chuki ho jaadu
jaanati ho poochhati ho phir bhi sata ke
RIDDHIMA:
gentleman, sorry gentleman
they drove back to the school humming and whistling together…
…..to be continued….
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