Part 24
She knew something fishy was going around her as everyone was giggling. Preparations for Anjali's n Atul's wedding were on the high. And jus a half n week away from the wedding, it had been decided tht Rahul n Muskaan's wedding would also take place d same day. It sent a wave of frenzy in the Gupta mansion. Every1 got busy wid the preparations and she too got time off her thoughts.
Rahul's parents had asked for Muskaan's hand n neither Shashank nor Atul opposed it anyway. It was like a pair meant to be. She felt happy tht atleast Muskaan's love was going to get a true fairy tale ending. But during all the preparations Armaan was never seen anywhere. She once casually asked Rahul about him to which he carefully replied tht he was out on a bussiness trip n thn excused himself. She got the clue tht he din want to discuss it further n never asked again.
But today, from the time she woke up her cousins n frndz arnd in d house helping wid the preparations were giggling at her. As she was about to confront them padma told her tht Shashank wanted to speak to her n lead her to his room.
Her dad sat on the chair deep in thought. He smiled as she entered d room n padma followed her carefully closing d door bhind.
"Sit beta..i wanted to talk to u" he said n pointed her to sit on the bed.
She did so quietly knowing very well sumthng was gonna hit her very soon.
"Riddhima...u know tht u Anjali and Muskaan r equal for me. Anjali and Muskaan have chosen thr partners. But i was thinkng abt u."
O o ...she shd have have known this was coming.
"Riddhima is there anyone u like?"
His question left her speechless. She thought of telling him but what was the use now.
"No papa." She replied finally.
"Beta...a friend of mine...a very old friend...has asked for ur hand in marriage for his son. Hez a very good guy. I have met him personally. N beta i am sorry. Without ur consent i agreed to the proposal."
Her feet left the ground. So this was it. thts y every1 was bhavng lik tht. Padma quietly sat as Shashank continued.
" But beta if u have any objections we r ready to cancel it. We respect ur decision anyway. What do u think??"
Think?? Was she even in a state to do tht?? What would she do now? Her brain stopped working but she managed to reply.
"Papa would it be fine if i replied u by tonight?" she asked her head still down.
..............................................................
Tonight. It was midnight. but she cdn't undstd wat to tell her dad. How was she to put thngz in wordz? How was she to explain everythng? Or shd she accept thr decision?
She thought over n over again. Her father had already given his word. How cld she break it?
She pulled open her drawer to take out a hanky when she saw the diary. She recollected his wordz.
'This is life'
Yes this is life. She thought again. She had made her decision.
............................................................................................................
He stood at his window watchng the moon. He knew sumthng was special about the night. But good or bad was sumthng he cdn't tell. His ringing cell brought him out of his thoughts. He pickd it seeing an unknown number.
"Hi Armaan' she said
'Riddhima??' was all he cld manage , d shock evident in his voice.
'Thank god atleast u recognized my voice..i had lost hope on tht..'
'how did u get d number?' he asked ignoring her cmment.
'Managd to get it from Rahul...anway..i calld to say sumthng...' she cntinued when she got silence from his side.' dun worry nthng u wld b embarresed abt.'
He noted d sarcasm in her voice n half smiled.
'As u know, Rahul n Muski r gettng married a week from now...n so r Di n Atul....N so am I...'
'What?", he asked, soundng shockd.
'Yeah...me 2...so i jus called to invite you for my wedding too...since we r frndz...it wld b unfair to not invite you...so plz do come....bye'..she disconnected as she cld no longer hold d tearz now.
Yes she was gettng married. Not to her dream man. But to her dads choice. As she realised the implication of d wordz she saw all the promises d had made shatter in front of her. His words echoed in her ears as she cried n heard d phone ringng.
He still stood thr thnkng. Why was he doing all this when she wasn't happy? Though she hadn't cried on d phone he cld feel the constrictin in her voice n knew she was pouring out her tearz. no, he had to talk to her. If she wasn't happpy thn he wld do nothing.
He picked up d phone n called back on d number. She picked in a very contolled voice.
'Riddhima please listen to me once...i need to tell u sumthng.'
'Thrz nthng left Armaan...plz...'
'Jus gimme a chance 2 explain..plz'
'No armaan...plz...i have moved on..thrz nthng 2 talk...i am very happy now...really...ok i have to go...sum work has to b done..bye'
He sighed as the line went dead. He knew she wld nt listen a word now. He slumped on d bed watchng the moon again. So this was special about the night. He closed his eyez n slowly drifted into his sleep still decideng whether d speciality was a good or bad one.
But certain things r better left to God to decide upon...Rnt they??
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Hey frndz...tht was d next part...hope u guyz liked it....if not thn really sorry abt it....i know its a bit cynical n sentimental....but really cant help it at d moment...plz do comment ...will be waiting....n silent readers do press d like tab..if u like it..
Thanks a ton for ur comments guyz.....it means so much to me.....And as for d suspense.....Is thr a suspense?? Cmon yaar itni simple story to hai.....Hope u guyz liked d part...if not thn also comment n tell me....love u guyz...Hugs..
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