DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 42

One couple down! lol!What now about AR and AN?

Chp. 40 Tum mile…

A chilly wind blew over the palace in the dark night. The moon was hidden behind the clouds obscured from view. Ridhima lay in bed thinking about her village. She was missing her grandma. She was missing her friend, Sohni and the naughty little Gudiya. It had been six months since her arrival at the palace and these six months had been really happy ones. She had found friends like Nikita, Abhimanyu and Maan here who had come to be a very important part of her life. But strangely so, she still hadn't found what she'd come here for. She hadn't spotted her prince charming yet and she didn't know how could this be possible when she had met almost every other member of the royal family. She thought there was something mysterious about him.

A tear escaped her eye and fell on the photograph lying on the bed. She missed her family. She remembered how they spent this day in the village. Her grandma would prepare her favorite almond halwa and all her favorite delicacies. It was her day. But this year she would be alone. There would be nothing special about tomorrow. She just lay there silently reminiscing the moments of the past. The calm of the night was broken by a faint sound, as though someone had knocked at Ridhima's door. Ridhima checked the watch, it was about to be midnight. She was surprised. Who could be sneaking in the corridors at this hour? She decided to find out. She got up, took the dupatta from the bedside and opened the door. She looked up and down the corridor, however, it was deserted. She shrugged and was about to close the door when music, sweet and melodious reached her ears from somewhere in the distance. Someone was playing the guitar, but at this hour? As she listened, she realized that this was her favorite tune. She was drawn towards the source and walked to where she thought she heard it coming from. As she treaded further, strangely so, she felt that the sound too was moving away. She kept walking mesmerized by the tune until she reached a room on the third floor. The music was slightly louder now and it seemed to be emanating from the room. The doors were open but it was dark. She couldn't decide whether to step in or not. She entered the room and to her horror the doors shut and she heard them lock with a click. She shut her eyes too. Her heart began pounding but she was not going to scream. Where was she? The music had stopped now. She was still trying to figure out what was this about. The clock struck midnight.

"SURPRISE!!!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Ridhima opened her eyes and was overjoyed at the sight before her eyes. She was in the music room which was beautifully decorated and Maan, Abhimanyu and Nikita stood before her, beaming.

Nikita came forward and gave her a hug, "Happy birthday Ridhima."

Abhimanyu and Maan wished her too. Ridhima who had calmed down managed to say, "You guys scared me! Whose idea was this?"

Nikita and Maan both pointed towards each other.

Ridhima laughed, "Thank you so much for this beautiful surprise!"

"Oh well, Ridhima there are a lot many surprises coming your way," said Abhimanyu looking towards Maan and Nikita.

"Shall we cut the cake?" Nikita asked pointing towards a delicious looking chocolate cake with a white frosting set on a small table in the centre of the room.

Ridhima nodded and Nikita handed her a knife with a ribbon tied handle. She cut the cake releasing the rich scent of chocolate into the air from below the thickly piped white frosting. Ridhima scooped the first square morsel in her fingers and lifted it to Maan's mouth. Their eyes met as he took it between his lips and licked every crumb of chocolate from her fingers. Nikita and Abhimanyu clapped a little loudly to remind Maan and Ridhima of their presence in the room. Maan smiled coyly whereas Ridhima felt embarrassed. She took another morsel and offered it to Nikita and another one to Abhimanyu. Everyone clapped. Nikita gifted Ridhima a delicate and beautiful gold necklace.

"Nikita, I can't take this," said Ridhima refusing to accept the necklace.

"Oh Ridhima, not today atleast. You cannot refuse a gift. This is your BIRTHDAY gift," replied Nikita.

After a few moments' hesitation Ridhima accepted the gift. Abhimanyu gave her a stylish watch and Maan a beautiful pink dress. She thanked them all.

"Ridhima, I've heard that you can sing really well and Maan here plays the guitar, so how about a song?" asked Nikita.

"Oh no, I don't sing so well."

"Oh yes, you do."

Ridhima had an idea.

"Okay, I'll sing but only if someone dances."

"Erm, you're gonna sing, Maan's playing the guitar then who'll dance?" asked Nikita but she thought she already knew the answer and Ridhima did voice it out.

"Right. How about you and Abhimanyu?" Ridhima knew this statement would stimulate different reactions from each one of them and she was right.

Nikita seemed like she'd swallowed a fly and Abhimanyu too was equally surprised. Both of them were wondering whether Ridhima knew anything. Whereas Maan looked like he had gone into the protective big brother mode. Ridhima wondered why.

"Ridhima, what are you saying? How can I dance with Nikita? She is a princess, you know that," said Abhimanyu.

"Abhimanyu what does her royal status have to do with this when we are all friends?" queried Ridhima.

"Ridhima please, I can't," said Nikita.

"C'mon guys don't be spoilsports. Can't you do this for me? As a birthday present?" Ridhima pleaded. "Maan, say something."

Nikita and Abhimanyu looked at Maan who was standing there expressionless. They feared he might get angry and this whole party would be ruined.

"Ridhima, drop this idea, let's get to bed," said Nikita.

"Yeah Ridhima, Nikita is right," Abhimanyu joined in.

"Guys, it's just about a small dance, c'mon."

Abhimanyu and Nikita froze. They turned and saw Maan ready with a guitar in hand and smiling at them.

"Cool, let's begin," said Ridhima.

Nikita and Abhimanyu had no option but to oblige. Maan tuned the guitar and dimmed the lights. Nikita and Abhimanyu took their place in the center. Abhimanyu placed his hand on her waist and Nikita on his shoulder. As the music began, Ridhima started singing. The song was apt for both the couples. 'Tum mile...'

As Ridhima sang, Nikita and Abhimanyu waltzed to the tune. They tried to stay as aloof as possible but music was the devil's tune and he played it to his beat. As Ridhima continued to sing, Nikita and Abhimanyu were lost in each other's company enjoying the moments of togetherness while their eyes did all the talking.

Maan was all eyes for Ridhima but he also didn't miss to notice the emotions that flowed between Nikita and Abhimanyu. So his inkling was not just baseless, it was not an illusion, it did have a flavor of reality. The song ended and the music stopped, but Abhimanyu and Nikita were still lost in their musically romantic interlude. It was Maan and Ridhima's turn now to clap loudly. Abhimanyu and Nikita were brought out of their reverie.

"You guys were terrific!" praised Ridhima. "Thank you so much! I'll never ever forget this birthday."

Nikita was trying hard not to blush and Abhimanyu did all he could to have a sombre expression.

"It's too late, I should leave now," said Nikita and without a backward glance at Abhimanyu rushed out of the room.

"I'll leave too," Abhimanyu followed.

"Ain't they just made for each other?" Ridhima said grinning after they left. She had been observing them lately and was suspicious that there was more to their relationship than just friendship and she wanted to find out the truth. Dance would be the best medium she'd thought.

"What gives you that idea?" asked Maan sharply.

"Well didn't you see them dancing? Any blind person would easily feel the chemistry between them," replied Ridhima.

"Yes, but don't you know that Nikita is a widow?" he winced slightly at the last word.

"Maan, don't tell me even you care about such sick social ills," said Ridhima with a disgusted look on her face.

"Ridhima what I think does not make a difference but what the royal family thinks matters. Do you think they will react casually about this? Even if news about this reaches RS, he shall not spare a single soul. You must have heard how strict he is regarding his ancestral values and his anger, even his son fears it," Maan tried to explain.

"I don't expect Kunwar Armaan to be a coward and nor do I think he is," said Ridhima.

"Ridhima, of course he is not a coward but think about him. For him it is like choosing between the devil and the deep sea. At one end are his duties as the heir to the Shishodiya throne and at the other is his love for his sister. Just try to imagine what he must be going through. Do you think it is easy for him to see his younger sister living a dull and colorless life? Do you think he can bear to see her being shunned out of every small and big occasion every day? Is it easy for me to see her in pain when I have all the happiness in the world? Is it easy for me to see her dying every day? How can I? Do you know how helpless do I feel? She is my SISTER dammit!"

A shocked silence lingered in the air after the declaration. Maan realised what he had just said. He took in a deep breath and tried to mend his mistake hoping against hope that the harm was not irreparable.

"I mean, Nikita has always been like a sister to me. You can understand why I feel so bad for her."

Ridhima stood shocked. She didn't know that Maan felt so bad for Nikita.

"I can understand but don't you think we can change this? You are very close to Kunwar Armaan right, so can't you slowly and carefully convince him about this?" asked Ridhima softly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Ridhima, Kunwar Armaan himself wants to do something about this but you know it's not easy," explained Maan.

"Okay, tell me, what do you think about Abhimanyu?" she asked.

"Abhimanyu is a very good natured person and a very nice human being too. I know that he will take very good care of Nikita and will never let us down," he replied.

"Great! At present your opinion is only what matters. We need to bring them to accept their feelings for each other and then we'll see what is to be done. What say, are you with me in this?" Ridhima asked extending her hand forward.

Maan knew Ridhima was right. In fact, he too had observed the camaraderie that they shared. He knew that since Ajay's death, it had been Abhimanyu who had helped her deal with the emotional turmoil more than anyone and since then he'd always had this in mind. The only problem was he didn't know how to convince his father.

"Yes, forever," said Maan placing his hand on hers.

"Thank you very much. Now Nikita's life will change for the best and it's a promise," said Ridhima.

Maan smiled proud that his love, his choice for the QUEEN of the Shishodiya kingdom was perfect. Thank you, Ridhima, he thought.

"And thank you for this wonderful surprise I'm sure it was your idea?" Ridhima asked smiling.

Maan nodded.

"You're missing your grandma right?"

Ridhima was surprised, "But how do you know?"

"Well, it's not some big secret. It's evident on your face. Why don't you go visit her? It's been six months. CR won't object if you ask for a leave," Maan replied.

Ridhima was joyous, "Really? Oh, thank you so much."

"You're always welcome," he said flashing her one of those sexy million-dollar smiles.

Ridhima was ecstatic. She hadn't even dreamed of such a perfect birthday, one that would begin with her friends and end with her family.

*****

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