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Chp. 32 A trip down the memory lane
It had been a week since the pooja and there had been practically no interactions between Armaan and Muskan and this was disturbing CR. Armaan was always busy with work and seldom gave any thoughts to meeting Muskan, whatsoever. CR thought that she had to come up with a plan and the only clear option that came to mind was their engagement and marriage. Now that Rahul was back, it would be easy to execute her plan once Armaan and Muskan were married. She thought of having a discussion with RS and convincing him for their engagement.
Ridhima and Armaan had become very close friends by now. They spent a lot of time together after work and enjoyed each other's company. Ridhima had also become friends with Abhimanyu and the three of them along with Nikita occasionally spent time together. Nikita was very happy for her brother. She found joy in his happiness. BR was being well cared for by Ridhima and she had also become very attached to Ridhima.
Ridhima and Nikita were deep in conversation when there was a knock on the door and Abhimanyu entered. He said his hellos and enquired about the topic of conversation when Ridhima said, "Abhimanyu, since the day I came to the palace, I have never been out to see the city so I was asking Nikita if she could show me around but she's refusing outright."
"Hmm, Nikita, why so?" he queried.
"Abhimanyu, you know I'm not supposed to go out without anybody's permission and if I am to take someone's permission, what do you expect me to say, that I want to go sight-seeing? You know what would be choti maa's reaction," she replied.
"Nikita, when was the last time you got a breath of fresh air? As to permission, then I think there is someone other than CR and RS whom you can go to for permission and I can bet you anything he won't refuse," said Ridhima.
Nikita gave her a questioning look whereas Abhimanyu looked impressed. Every passing day gave him more and more reasons why Maan was so crazily in love with her.
"Well, your brother, Kunwar Armaan, will he refuse?" asked Ridhima.
"Ridhima's got a point Nikita," said Abhimanyu. "You can always ask Kunwarji."
Nikita gave a resigned look and agreed.
"Abhimanyu, you can join us too," said Ridhima.
"No Ridhima, have some work, you guys carry on," he replied.
"Okay, so done. You go and take permission meanwhile I'll just be back," Ridhima said and left.
Nikita also went to take permission from her brother and Abhimanyu happily got back to work.
Ridhima was walking through the corridor when she walked into Maan. He was so engrossed in a file that he didn't look where he was going and crashed into Ridhima scattering the contents of the file on the floor. They bent to pick it up and Maan apologized but was pleased to see Ridhima.
"Look where you're going rather than in the file," said Ridhima.
"Sorry Ridhima, but there's some urgent matter at hand and I'm in a hurry," he replied.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Well, you know the school which the Royal family is making in the village right, so there have been labor issues coming up at the site every now and then. Despite accepting their demands every time, we are having frequent strikes and the contractor too doesn't know the reason behind it. Abhimanyu is sure the contractor is no way involved," he replied.
"Okay, so what now?" Ridhima asked.
"I don't know, this is the third time this has happened and I am headed to the village to see what can be done," he replied.
Ridhima appeared to be lost in thought for a while and then said, "So you guys are sure there is no issue with the contractor but with the workers. But the workers are all provided by the contractor right?"
Maan nodded, "that is exactly what we don't understand. The manager at the site too doesn't have any clue what the problem could be."
"Is there anyone with a grudge against you or the royal family?" Ridhima asked.
"You trying to say something?" Maan asked.
"Yeah, if someone is not so happy about this whole project and wants to get back then this is the likely thing they might do or want to do," Ridhima replied.
"Mr. Batra!" Maan exclaimed. "He wasn't so happy about the project and he had also warned the manager that he would not let the project succeed and would get back to him. He had also gotten into a few brawls a while back with the contractor and the manager."
"Check him out, maybe he's the culprit, you never know," said Ridhima.
"Thanks, I never knew you were interested in business matters," Maan said. Ridhima just shrugged and gave him a smile.
Nikita got permission from her brother and left with Ridhima to show her around the city. First they went to the temple and then Nikita showed her around. They went to all those places where Nikita hadn't been to in ages and with each place she had a story to tell. Ridhima could easily tell from Nikita's chirpiness that she was enjoying herself and Ridhima was glad that she had been successful in convincing her. Nikita showed all the places worth visiting and then her favorite hangouts and shopping malls around the city. By now it was getting dark and they finally decided to go home. They walked back to the parking lot and Ridhima got into the car whereas Nikita was still standing out staring at something. Ridhima saw that she had been staring at a food stall.
"Nikita!" she called out.
"Huh?"
Ridhima motioned her to get in.
The car had hardly moved when Ridhima said as though noticing the food stall for the first time, "Nikita look! C'mon let's go!"
Nikita saw where Ridhima was pointing. She hesitated and then said, "No Ridhima, we're getting late."
"Aw, Nikita, I have heard that the pani-puri of this place is very delicious. Gauri often talks about it. I don't want to miss a chance to try it," Ridhima replied getting out of the car but Nikita still didn't move.
"Nikita, don't tell me now that you're not even supposed to eat!" Ridhima exclaimed.
Nikita gave her a smile and then followed her. They ordered for both of them. The stall owner, an elderly man was surprised to see Nikita and asked, "How are you child? Long time?"
"Yes kaka, I'm fine. What about you?" she replied.
"Going pretty well," he replied.
As they were eating Ridhima asked Nikita how did the old man know her and Nikita told her about their college days when she along with her friends would bunk classes and come here especially to eat pani-puri. A lot of buried memories came back fresh as ever. Nikita, Rahul, Ryan, Ajay and Afra had formed quite a notorious gang in their college days. Nikita and Ajay had sweet memories of this place but now they only brought pain to Nikita. They finished eating and went back to the car and on their way to the palace, Nikita told Ridhima about her and Ajay and how her life had changed for the miserable since his death. She told her everything, how she had become lonely because her father was too busy in the affairs of the kingdom to find out what his daughter was going through, her mother being ill couldn't do much for her either. Rahul was also away studying in Switzerland and she didn't expect any sympathy or love from CR, and Anjali was no better because she insulted her time and again. It was her brother, Kunwar Armaan, and Abhimanyu who were the only ones to console her in her times of grief and pain. They reached the palace and Nikita felt better after sharing her pain with Ridhima who had been very patient and understanding. She wiped away her tears and they went in.
Ridhima decided to walk Nikita to her room before retiring to her own. They had hardly entered her room when Abhimanyu turned up.
"So you guys back! Ridhima how did you enjoy Nikita's company?" he asked.
"We had fun Abhimanyu, got to know each other better," Ridhima replied looking at Nikita.
Abhimanyu looked at Nikita and was shocked at seeing her tear-stained face. He gave her a questiong look. Nikita saw the concern in his eyes and just gave him an assuring smile, telling him she was fine.
"I've got news," Abhimanyu said and Nikita sensed that it wasn't something good.
But before she could say anything Rahul walked in. "Hey Nikita, where have you been?" he asked. "Hey buddy, whassup?" he said giving Abhimanyu a pat in the back.
"Just showing Ridhima around the city," she replied.
He gave her a smile and asked, "Ridhima?"
"Yup, my friend and also Mom's new and best ever nurse," she said introducing Ridhima.
"Hello," he said greeting her.
"Hi," she replied.
"Abhimanyu, you were saying something," Nikita said.
"Well yeah, Kunwar Armaan's engagement has been fixed!"
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
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