DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 32

i just caught up with this ff and ohmywow its so super amazing! i cant tell u how much i love it! pleaseee cont soon and if u decide on doing pms again please pm me!

-Ashu

Chp. 28 Caught in the act

The sun had begun to set casting an orange hue over the palace adding to its lustre and making it shimmer adding to the grandiose of the marvelous structure. The palace beautifully decorated and all the preparations for the pooja and the welcome of Rajkumari Muskan done, the members of the royal family were all eagerly awaiting their arrival. RS and Armaan were sitting in the main hall and discussing business while CR saw to it that everything had been properly done. She finished and came to sit by them and said, "RS, leave business aside for now at least! Kunwar Armaan needs some time for himself."

Rahul who was standing nearby beaming, grinned mischievously at Armaan who just gave him a wry smile. RS heeded her request and stopped discussing about business and smiled at his sons. Armaan was hoping that all of this would get over soon when suddenly his cell phone buzzed. He received the call and listened for a while and then said, "Fine, I'll be there," and hung up.

RS and CR almost asked together, "what happened?"

"Something important has come up at the construction site and the work has been held up so I need to go there and settle the issue," said Armaan.

No ways! Armaan couldn't go, not now! He had to stay here Muskan would be arriving any moment. She had to stop him, thought CR.

"Kunwar, you cannot go, not now. Rajkumari and her family shall be arriving any moment now! Business can wait, you can deal with this tomorrow or maybe someone else could deal with it," she said trying hard to mask her disappointment.

"I'm sorry choti maa, but this is important, it can't wait. I'll be back soon," replied Armaan and got up instantly to leave but was stopped by RS.

"Kunwar Armaan, your presence here is essential too," said RS.

Armaan didn't know what to do when Rahul spoke, "Bhaiyya, mom and dad are right. Bhabhi shall be arriving any moment so you need to be here, as for the issue at the construction site, rest assured, I'll handle it. I'll take Abhimanyu along."

RS and CR also agreed and finally it was decided that Rahul and Abhimanyu would go while Armaan would stay. Rahul left with Abhimanyu.

Muskan's excitement kept increasing with every moment as they neared the Shishodiya palace. Soon they would be there and in another few moments she would be with kunwar Rahul! But her happiness was short lived because as their car entered the precincts of the palace she saw Rahul leaving in his car. He didn't seem to have noticed them. Her happiness just vanished but then she thought of being an optimist. Maybe kunwar Rahul must've gone somewhere nearby and would be back soon.

For a few glorious moments Armaan had believed that he was saved and wouldn't need to be with Muskan, but Rahul had ruined his happiness. Now he would have to put up with Muskan the entire evening! He didn't know how long would he be able to bear her. He sighed frustrated. A guard entered and announced the arrival of the royal guests. The Shishodiyas eagerly proceeded to welcome them and Armaan thought he had no option but to join them. Rajkumari Muskan and her parents were ushered in and both the families exchanged greetings. Muskan was looking gorgeous as ever -though her face was veiled by a gunghat as according to the traditions of the Shishodiyas, the groom could not see the bride until the engagement was done- but Armaan had no eyes for her. He just gave Muskan a feeble smile as they took seats in the elaborately decorated main hall. RS, Armaan and Muskan's father sat at one end whereas CR, Anjali, Muskan and her mother sat on the other. The snacks were served and both the families sat talking. Muskan however was very restless. She kept looking at the door and expecting Rahul to walk in any moment but there was no sign of him. Armaan on the other hand was equally restless to get out of this place. He kept checking his watch hoping that the Rajpurohit would soon announce that it was time for the pooja but time was passing extremely slowly. He felt as though someone had fixed the clocks to work at half their speed. He just wanted the evening to end. Finally he decided to approach the Rajpurohit and find out for himself about the mahurat for the pooja. He excused himself and went to the Rajpurohit from who he learned that the mahurat was only after two hours and Armaan felt nothing but annoyed. CR had followed Armaan and on learning that there was still plenty of time for the pooja she decided to put her plan into action.

She approached Princess Muskan and led her to Prince Armaan and said, "Kunwar Armaan there's still time for the pooja, meanwhile why don't you show Rajkumari Muskan around the palace?"

Armaan gave her a wry smile and nodded. Muskan however was too tired of all this drama, she wanted to rest but she went with Armaan.

*****

Nikita and Ridhima were having a chat in Nikita's room when Ridhima enquired about the preparations in the palace.

"Choti maa has invited Rajkumari Muskan and her parents to the palace for a pooja and she has also arranged for a dinner so that Armaan bhaiyya and Rajkumari Muskan can spend some time together and get to know each other better," Nikita replied.

Ridhima's heart skipped a beat. Her Prince charming was in the main hall right now! If only she could be there she would finally get to see him. How she wished she was there right now! But Nikita didn't look so happy about this whole affair when she had every right to be! After all it was all for her brother's happiness and Ridhima also didn't fail to notice that Nikita hadn't called Princess Muskan as Bhabhi. But Ridhima corrected herself and thought that she was seeing things the way she wanted to. Maybe she was just imagining things and maybe Nikita was happy about it, what reason she had to not be happy. She checked her watch and realized it was time for BR's medicine. She decided to leave but Nikita asked her to take the evening off as she wanted to be with her mother.

Now Ridhima had nothing to do. She had the whole evening to herself, how she wished she could be a part of the pooja, she could see her prince charming. As she was walking absent mindedly, she heard voices that broke her reverie and she realized that she was nearing the main hall. The thought of sneaking around to have a look at her prince was very tempting, luring. But she couldn't do it! She could be spotted and that would mean trouble, but it was worth the risk. She was going to give her luck a try. She decided to sneak up and if she was caught in the process she would pretend to be a servant who'd come to clear the dishes. But if she was caught then her prince would actually think that she was a servant, a mere servant. She didn't want that! But she was hardly ever caught, she had actually managed to get a job in the palace all by her own and she wasn't caught. So she wouldn't be caught this time either. She would succeed!

She walked slowly, making no noise of her footsteps. She crept behind a pillar -making sure that only she could see them and they couldn't see her- but she only had a view of the ladies CR, princess Anjali and another queen, princess Muskan's mother probably, she thought. But Kunwar Armaan was nowhere to be seen. She decided to change her position so that the men would be in focus. She had hardly taken two steps and was trying to figure out if she would be able to see him from here when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and she froze. She heard someone clear their throat behind her and then an authoritative voice said, "We aren't supposed to be here, are we?"

yaar a cliff hanger

grrr

how cud u!!!!?

anyways the part was fabulous as always and i absolutely loved it to the core

updt soon

luv

NIKKI ;D

this is gonna drive me insane

cont soon pleaseee

pleaseee say its armaannn

pleaseee

Ridhima felt her heartbeat stop. She felt numb. Her hands and feet were feeling clammy. She could feel cold sweat down her spine. She was caught! Who would it be? What would she say? Would they believe her? Calm down Ridhima, calm down, she told herself. She'd always gotten out of tighter situations, it was probably nothing. She slowly turned around to face whoever it was and was shocked!

"YOU!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah me, you were expecting someone else?" asked Maan his brows raised.

When Armaan had left with Muskan to show her around the palace, he'd thought that he would have to put up with her throughout the evening and would hardly get a moment alone but to his surprise when they'd hardly moved ahead Muskan had requested Armaan that she was tired and wanted to rest and had retired to her room. Armaan was happily surprised. He decided to remain out of CR's sight because she had wanted them to spend time together and Armaan didn't want her to know that they weren't following her orders. He was going to his room when he caught Ridhima sneaking around the main hall. He was pleased to find her and so went and approached her.

Ridhima heaved a sigh.

"You're scared," he said.

"No," Ridhima lied.

"But what were you doing here?" he asked.

"Er, um, I...," she stammered. Maan gave her a questioning look.

"Well I was just passing by so just stopped to have a look at the royal couple," she said.

"So spotted them?" he asked.

"Nope," she replied.

"You won't, because they aren't here," Maan replied.

Ridhima was surprised. They heard approaching footsteps and ducked behind a pillar. They saw a servant pass by. Maan thought it was unwise to stand here for long so he said, "Let's get out of here."

Maan led Ridhima to another of those secret places where the servants were not allowed without his permission. They sat and resumed their conversation.

"So how did you land there?" Maan asked.

"I've got the evening off," she replied.

Maan felt joyous, not only was he away from Muskan but he was with Ridhima and he could look forward to spending the entire two hours till the pooja with her. He didn't know what to make of it, CR had wanted him to spend time with his wife-to-be (Princess Muskan) and here he was spending that very time with Ridhima whom he thought of as his wife-to-be.

"What about you, shouldn't you be with kunwar Armaan? Wouldn't he be looking for you?" queried Ridhima.

"Nope, Kunwar Armaan is supposed to be spending time with his princess and he is doing just that," he replied grinning.

Ridhima appeared to be lost in thought so Maan asked, "What?"

"Nothing was just thinking about Rajkumari Muskan, I've heard she's very beautiful," replied Ridhima.

"To me inner beauty matters more," Maan replied softly, gazing at her.

Ridhima looked at him and for a moment she was lost in his sparkling blue eyes. It was a while before she realized it and tore her eyes away from him. He looked away too and then said awkwardly, "Erm, yeah she is beautiful, Princess Muskan."

"The prince and the princess must be making a wonderful pair. You're close to the prince, tell me is it a love marriage?" asked Ridhima unable to hide her curiosity.

Maan got the idea and couldn't help but feel elated. "No, it is an arranged marriage," he replied. "It was RS and CR's decision, though they had asked him to decide but he thought it wise to leave it to them."

"But why?" queried Ridhima.

"Because Kunwar Armaan didn't believe in love, not until after his engagement," he replied and deliberately stressed on the last few words and as he had expected, he saw the effect on her face.

Ridhima felt a pang of jealousy this meant that her prince charming was in love with Rajkumari Muskan. Lucky girl Muskan, she thought. She looked up and found Maan staring at her. He raised his brows questioningly. The look he was giving her made her realise that she had actually said it aloud. She smiled sheepishly and Maan asked, "Jealous?"

"Jealous? No! I mean, why would I be jealous?" she replied.

"You are!" he said.

"Well, which girl wouldn't want to be in Princess Muskan's place?" she asked.

"What's so special about Kunwar Armaan?" Maan asked innocently. He was enjoying himself teasing her.

"You stay with him 24X7 and you're asking this question to me?" she asked surprised.

"I'm not a girl, am I? I just wish to know why girls are so crazy about him?" he replied.

She gave him a look which was quite like 'guys' and then said, "I don't know about the other girls, but to me, his bravery, valor, kindness, loyalty and honesty appeal the most. I've heard a lot about him but unfortunately never seen him."

Maan knew it all but he loved to hear it from her. Their conversations went on and on and Maan even forgot that he was supposed to go and attend the pooja.

Abhimanyu returned from the site to find Armaan and Muskan absent from the main hall. RS asked him to go and ask Armaan and Muskan to come down as it was time for the pooja. Abhimanyu nodded and left in search of Maan. He checked almost everywhere but couldn't spot him. Then suddenly it just occurred to him and he knew where to look. Sure enough, he found Maan and the princess but it was Ridhima and not Muskan. Abhimanyu was shocked. He gave her a smile. Maan saw him and asked, "Abhimanyu you're back, the issue at the construction site is solved?"

"Yeah Kunwarj- I mean Kunwar Rudr is still there though. Kunwarji has been called down for the pooja with Princess Muskan," said Abhimanyu, feeling annoyed with himself as he had almost blown kunwarji's cover.

"Fine, I'll let him know," replied Maan.

"Thanks Maan," said Abhimanyu.

Maan gave him a smile and turned to Ridhima, "Ridhima, can you do me a favor? While you're leaving, just go through Rajkumari Muskan's quarters and tell her to be ready, kunwarji will be there in a moment. They've got to go down to the pooja together."

"Sure," Ridhima said and left.

There was a knock on Princess Muskan's door and she said, "Come in."

Ridhima entered and saw Muskan lying on the bed. She was definitely beautiful, thought Ridhima. No wonder kunwar Armaan was in love with her.

"What is it?" Muskan asked Ridhima.

Ridhima conveyed Maan's message and Muskan asked, "Is kunwar Rahul back yet?"

Ridhima replied in the negative. Muskan was feeling too bored to attend the pooja without Rahul but she hardly had any option. Ridhima thought she had conveyed the message and decided to take leave. Muskan nodded, and then as she saw Ridhima, suddenly an idea struck her. She surveyed Ridhima from head to toe and then she thought that she did have an option. She was pleased with herself. Ridhima was about to leave when Muskan suddenly said, "Stop!"

Ridhima stopped, wondering what had happened. Muskan brought out a pink sari from her wardrobe, a diamond pendant in a chain of pearls with matching earrings and silvery pink bangles. Ridhima thought maybe Muskan wanted help in getting ready but what Muskan had to say came as a total shock for her. She was sure she had misheard her because Muskan offered those clothes and accessories to Ridhima and asked her to put them. Ridhima stared at her completely bewildered not understanding what Muskan was up to. She tried to protest but Muskan said, "Just do as you're told."

Ridhima disappeared into the changing room and returned after a while wearing those clothes. Muskan was impressed. Ridhima was looking stunningly beautiful. Only two more things to be done, thought Muskan. She asked Ridhima to undo her hair and leave it loose and then finally a little bit of make-up was only that was needed. Muskan carefully applied the foundation, blush, eye shadow and then the kajal, eyeliner and mascara and finally the lip gloss.

Perfect, she thought and asked Ridhima to look at the mirror. Ridhima was shocked! bhe couldn't help but stare at the mirror agape. She was looking no less than any princess. At that moment she wanted to do nothing but see her prince charming and as though Muskan had read her thoughts, she said, "Now listen, I'm too tired to attend the pooja and I wish to rest. So now, I want you to go and attend the pooja instead of me."

Ridhima stared at her wide-eyed. Seeing the expression on Ridhima's face Muskan continued, "Kunwar Armaan shall be here any moment and you'll have to go down with him. Your face will be veiled by the ghunghat so no one shall recognize you so needn't worry about that. Just relax and speak only when you're spoken to, then everything'll be fine."

Ridhima couldn't believe her ears. This surely had to be a dream. Muskan checked Ridhima once again and realised that she was still wearing her own shoes. Muskan asked her to change and offered her a pair of stilettos. Ridhima looked at the stilettos and thought, Oh uh, this could create a problem.

The sari and everything else she would easily manage but this? She was about to voice out her fear when there was a knock on the door and a voice said, "Rajkumari Muskan, it's Kunwar Armaan."

Muskan motioned Ridhima to quickly put on the stilettos and leave while she went and hid behind the door. Ridhima put them on and opened the door. She was shocked at the sight before her eyes!

you are really going to kill my with these cliffies! i mean killer parts to begin with and on top of that killer cliffies?

ohmydamn

it was sooo cute how armaan was elated to spend time with ridz hehe

im dying to know what happens when ridz realizes he is armaan...

i.e. the next part...

cont soon pleaseee