DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 40

Armaan, Rahul, Muskan and CR looked at the door to find RS enter the room. He was visibly shocked to see Muskan in the palace at this hour.

Armaan took the initiative and spoke up and tried to explain the whole matter. By the time he finished, RS was crimson with rage and Rahul and Muskan could do nothing but cower behind CR.

"Kunwar Rahul!" he hollered. "How dare you even think about this? Have you forgotten that Kunwar Armaan is your brother?"

Rahul, who otherwise was always prompt, had no words when it came to his father. CR, however was relieved when she saw RS fuming. She was assured that RS would never agree to Rahul's ridiculous ideas. But she surely underestimated Armaan.

"Pitaji, if Rahul and Muskan love each other then what is the harm in this relationship?"

"Armaan, what are you saying?"

"Yes pitaji, I do not have any objection to their relationship, in fact, I'm happy for them."

"Armaan, I can't believe you're saying this," said RS still fuming.

CR was enjoying herself. She could sense victory approaching.

"Pitaji, think about this. If Muskan loves Kunwar Rahul but gets married to me, neither of us will be happy. Muskan would always be regretting her decision and she wouldn't be able to give her heart and soul to this relationship and ultimately nor will I be happy and same will go for Rahul. In fact, isn't it better that we already know the truth about this relationship and can stop three lives from ruination?"

RS seemed to be understanding and he had calmed down a bit. Rahul and Muskan also relaxed. But CR found herself losing the battle.

"Kunwar Rahul, are you sure you are responsible enough to enter into a relationship? Think twice before you answer because then I do not want my daughter-in-law complaining about you," RS asked Rahul.

Armaan was happy whereas Rahul and Muskan couldn't believe what they had heard.

"Yes pitaji," Rahul replied solemnly.

"Well, in that case, I have no objections or issues. Come here, take my blessings," said RS smiling.

An incredulous CR couldn't stop herself from saying, "RS, how can this be possible?"

"CR, I don't think we have any reason to object," he replied.

Rahul and Muskan rushed forward to take RS and CR's blessings. RS blessed them and then embraced his son and daughter-in-law. Rahul mumbled a thanks to his brother who just gave him a thumbs up signal.

"Rahul, it's pretty late, I suppose you should drop Rajkumari Muskan to her palace. I'll have a talk with King Aryabhan about this. Rajkumari Muskan, make sure you get a good night's sleep. You don't want to be tired for the engagement tomorrow," said RS his eyes twinkling.

Thanking Armaan once again, Rahul and Muskan left. RS placed a hand on his son's shoulder and asked, "You okay son?"

Armaan nodded and replied with a smile, "Never better."

RS embraced his son and said, "You should get some rest too."

***

With this major tension cleared Rahul and Muskan were their normal selves again. The ride to Muskan's palace was quiet yet joyful. As Muskan sat beside Rahul, she couldn't help but steal glances at him. She had never really known that Rahul was an emotional person. But when she had seen him talking to his brother about them, she had realised how difficult this had been for him. Choosing between his and his brother's happiness. She not only loved him but also respected and admired him. Rahul noticed her staring at him and asked, "Wanna say something?" She smiled in reply and Rahul said, "I know, you love me. I love you too." Muskan felt content.

They soon reached the palace and Muskan got out of the car and Rahul joined her too. "Rahul, thanks," she said.

"For what?" he queried.

"For everything."

"No need sweetheart, whatever, I did, it was for us."

She laid her head on his shoulder and inhaled the mingled scents of skin and cloth and cologne and shaving cream from his neck. Her pulses throbbed and her bones began to melt. She just relaxed against him basking in the realization that she was his and soon they would be united for ever. After a while she withdrew and said, "Good night."

"Good night," Rahul replied but Muskan didn't move.

"Shall I leave?" she asked quietly.

As Rahul looked at her, his eyes gleamed with pure mischief. "Oh, sure, did I stop you?"

"Rahul!" Muskan began hitting him playfully on the chest.

"Whoa! Relax," he said and held her hands. He looked into her eyes.

She wanted him to kiss her. Her eyes betrayed her innermost desires. A triumphant smile flicked across his lips before his mouth captured hers. He held her against him with one hand in her hair, caressing, until she was overwhelmed with the sensation of a kiss that was both gentle and possessive in its message. She belonged only to him and no power on earth could change that.

*****

Armaan was as happy as could be. He stood at the window admiring the beauty of the night. His hair rustled in the cool night wind. He couldn't believe how the past 24 hours had changed his life. So much had happened. He had been avoiding Ridhima because he was to be engaged to Muskan. Then Thunderbird had made him realise his mistake and when he was thinking of approaching RS and refusing to this alliance, Rahul and Muskan had turned up telling him they were in love and asking him to refuse to the alliance. Life was unpredictable! He wished he could meet Ridhima now and make up for the whole week that he had been avoiding her. He got out his cell to call her but looked at the time and realised it was midnight. He was crazy, he thought. He wanted to share this news with his mom. He decided to go to her room and spend some time there even though she would be asleep.

After feeding dinner to BR and giving her the medicines, Ridhima stayed back for a while in BR's room while the queen dozed off to sleep. Ridhima couldn't help but think about Maan's strange behavior. All the week, he had been avoiding her so much so that she hadn't even been able to see him. But his behavior this afternoon had left her shocked. When she was with Thunderbird, he had appeared out of the blue in front of her. And when he had suddenly hugged her, she had felt his heart thudding wildly which undoubtedly showed his concern. Concern for her safety, her well being. By the day, why was she getting cues that she was more than a friend to him? He cared more for her than one would for a friend. And moreover her own feelings and response was also frightening her. She had missed him like hell this whole week. When she called him and he didn't answer, she'd felt frustrated and hurt. She had been desperate all week to catch a glimpse of him. The day before when she'd spotted him and he'd ignored her, she'd felt humiliated. And today, when he'd come charging in the stables looking for her, all tensed and concerned, she'd felt happy. When he'd hugged her, she'd felt even better, she'd loved it. She'd felt as though that was where she belonged, in his arms. Ridhima was baffled by her own thoughts. What was happening to her? Why did her thoughts revolve around him? Why did he dominate her thoughts? Why did she think about him so much? Ridhima, too occupied with her thoughts didn't realise that it was past midnight and she was still sitting in BR's room. However, she was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the door click. She looked up and was surprised to find Maan standing there. Without intending to, she smiled.

Armaan was surprised to find Ridhima still present in his mother's room. He wondered what was she doing here at this hour. It was past midnight.

"You're awake yet?" he asked.

"You're too," she replied not really answering his question.

"Not sleepy?"

"Nope. You?"

"Nah." He came and sat on the couch beside her.

"But you should be asleep at this hour you must be having a lot of work tomorrow. It's Kunwar Armaan's engagement right?"

She was thinking about him again, why??

"Maybe" he replied with a mysterious smile.

She was surprised. "What?"

"Life is unpredictable Ridhima. One doesn't know what tomorrow has in store for them."

Ridhima was still confused.

"Let's live today Ridhima and not bother about tomorrow. Life is more beautiful then."

"Hmm, no tensions and worries. No fear about tomorrow and what it has in store for you."

Maan smiled.

Maan and Ridhima kept talking till the early hours of dawn not realising when sleep overcame them.

*****