DMG~The Cinderella Way [New thread; pg.143] - Page 44

Though Riddhima is inclined towards Maan these days, she still thinks about Armaan, btw whats Riddhima's feelings on hearing sudden twist in Engagement groom ?

Continue soon !!

Chp. 41 Surprises for Dadi

The afternoon sun was blazing hot in the village and a fierce wind was blowing. The ears of corn swayed in the fields along with the wind. Dadi was missing her darling granddaughter. She had prepared almond halwa and everything that Ridhima loved. Sohni and Gudiya would be coming for lunch like they came every day to keep Dadi company but they would all miss Ridhima. Dadi was growing old and weak with the passage of time and this distance from her granddaughter had worn her down even more.

She settled on the cot to relax for a while. She was sitting there thinking about the past when they would celebrate Ridhima's birthdays together when suddenly the honking of a car was heard outside. Dadi was surprised. By the time she got up and reached the porch outside she was shocked.

"SURPRISE DADI!"

"Ridhima!"

Dadi adjusted her spectacles to make sure that the sight before her eyes was real and not a mirage.

"Dadi, it is me, your Ridhima," said Ridhima smiling as she bent to take her blessings.

Dadi touched her face and tried to feel her and then embraced her in a tight hug.

"My dear, it's been six months since I last saw you. Just look at you, you've lost so much weight, you look so frail. Don't they give you to eat at the palace?" asked Dadi.

"Dadi, I have not lost weight but you are sure looking weak."

"Oh no, I'm not weak. I'm as fit and fine as ever and I really loved your surprise."

"I knew you'd love it Dadi, but what about my surprise? I can smell something really delicious," said Ridhima sniffing.

Dadi laughed.

"Well it's my darling granddaughter's birthday, so naturally I've made some delicious delicacies for her," said Dadi proudly.

"Oh Dadi, I love you!"

Dadi asked Ridhima to freshen up while she laid down lunch. After a while, Gudiya and Sohni also arrived and were happily surprised to find Ridhima there. They wished her and then everyone had lunch together. After lunch, Sohni brought a cake and they celebrated Ridhima's birthday like they did every year.

In the evening they settled on the porch outside. They had six months' worth of gossip to exchange. Sohni told her all about the village and the school which was being built by the royal family while Ridhima told them all about the palace, her friends, Abhimanyu, Nikita and Maan and also about the improvements BR was making. They were happy to hear this, however, the news that Ridhima had not yet been successful in meeting or seeing the prince, disappointed them. But the news of Kunwar Rahul's engagement instead of Kunwar Armaan heightened their happiness even further.

*****

Back at the palace Armaan was already missing Ridhima and the idea that she was gone for three days added to his misery.

"What say Maan?" asked Abhimanyu.

"Huh?"

Abhimanyu had been talking for a while and Maan was in a daze and hadn't heard a single word.

"Bhaiyya, missing bhabhi already?" asked Nikita with a mischievous smile.

Armaan was surprised to hear Nikita address Ridhima as 'Bhabhi'.

"Nikita what are you saying? And what do you mean by Bhabhi?" asked Armaan.

"Well, she's soon to become your wife, so naturally that would mean my bhabhi, right?" she teased.

"Nikita!" Armaan reprimanded.

Nikita laughed.

"Bhaiyya, I can understand, you haven't seen or talked to bhabhi the whole day, so you're naturally missing her. Why don't you give her a call? I'm sure, even she must be missing you," she said grinning.

"Nikita, will you stop it? It's already too late, aren't you feeling sleepy? Go and get some sleep. What about Mom? You're supposed to be taking care of her in Ridhima's absence right? Have you fed her dinner, her medicines?"

"Hmm... Kunwar Armaan Shishodiya, you are very smart. You've devised a nice way to get rid of me but don't worry, I'm going. About mom, she had dinner, her medicines and now she's sound asleep. Abhimanyu, I don't think bhaiyya needs you here either, c'mon let's go!"

Abhimanyu gave a quiet laugh and got up to leave.

"Good night, Bhaiyya. But I still think calling bhabhi is the best idea, give it a try," Nikita winked before she walked out laughing.

"Nikita, go!" said Armaan.

He closed the door and came to stand by the window. Nikita was right. Calling Ridhima was not a bad idea. But she would be with her Dadi and friends, would disturbing her be right? After contemplating for a while he decided to call her. He hoped he wasn't disturbing her. He dialed her number and waited for Ridhima to answer the call. As he turned around, he saw the time in his bedside clock and was shocked. It was 12.30 a.m.! Was he crazy? What was he going to tell her if she asked why he called?

Hang up, he told himself but too late.

"Hello Maan," said Ridhima's voice over the receiver. She didn't sound sleepy. Did that mean that she was awake too?

"Hi. How are you?" he asked.

"Fine. How was your day?" Ridhima asked.

"Nothing special. But yours sure must have been?" he asked.

Ridhima told him about how they celebrated her birthday, Dadi's happiness, her friends and Armaan told her about his day. Their talks went on till the early hours of dawn and neither realized how much time had passed until Ridhima heard the cocks crowing.

"Maan, do you realize how long we've been talking?" she asked.

Armaan looked at the clock and smiled.

"For hours. But you're talking as though it's been days," he replied laughing.

"Maan!" she couldn't believe he found this funny.

"Ridhima?" Ridhima heard Dadi calling her.

"Maan, I need to go, Dadi's coming.

"Bye, take care," Maan said and hung up.

With Ridhima, time just flew by and he wasn't even aware of it.

*****

The three days were just incredibly long for Armaan. After talking with Ridhima the whole night, he didn't call her the next day or rather he was so engrossed in work that he didn't get the time to call her. On the third day when he was returning from the construction site in the evening an idea struck him. Ridhima was returning to the palace tonight. He decided to surprise her. He called her up.

"Hi Ridhima."

"Maan! Hi. How are you?" Hearing his voice after two days was bliss. Why? She didn't know.

"Fine. You coming back tonight, right?"

"Yeah, I'll be leaving in an hour after dinner."

"Step out of your house. There's a surprise for you."

"Surprise?"

Ridhima came out and was surprised to see Maan standing there.

"Maan! You here? I mean..."

"Well, I finished the work at the site and was returning to the palace so decided to pick you up on the way. Any problem?"

"No. Thanks. But why are we standing here? Why don't you come in?" she said.

Maan was a bit hesitant because he didn't want to blow his cover but then Ridhima again said, "C'mon, join us for dinner," and so he followed her in.

"Dadi, look who's here," Ridhima called out to her grandmother.

"Who is it dear?" Dadi asked

"Maan, I'd told you about him remember?" said Ridhima.

Dadi came forward and adjusted her spectacles to have a better look.

Maan greeted her and took her blessings. After the introductions, Ridhima left Maan to talk with Dadi and went to the kitchen to arrange for dinner. Dinner consisted of aalu parathas fried generously in homemade ghee, dal, rice, sabzi and kheer for dessert. Throughout dinner, Dadi observed a lot of things between Maan and Ridhima that told her that there was a lot more to their relationship than just friendship and that made her happy. After a delicious and sumptuous meal which reminded Maan of the food made by his mother, they got ready to leave. Ridhima went in to get her things while Maan walked with Dadi to the garden outside.

"Dadi, thank you for such a delicious meal. I haven't eaten such a meal in ages," said Maan.

"It was an honor to be of service, Kunwar Armaan," replied Dadi.

Armaan was dumbstruck.

"Kunwarji, maybe Ridhima cannot recognize you because she has never seen you but these experienced eyes of this old woman cannot be fooled. I know very well, you are Kunwar Armaan Pratap Shishodiya, the son of Maharaj Shashankpratap Shishodiya. But I don't know what reason would you have to hide your identity from a peasant's daughter who works as a servant in your palace?"

Armaan was surprised. Dadi knew him and yet all through dinner and in Ridhima's presence she hadn't done anything to blow his cover. He owed her an explanation. Moreover, he didn't want Dadi to think of him as a selfish and spoilt prince who used people to satisfy his wishes and desires.

"Dadi, I won't lie. Yes, I AM Kunwar Armaan Shishodiya and I do have a reason for doing what I'm doing. Ridhima is NOT a servant in my palace. She is my mom's nurse and she's doing a pretty good job. She might be a peasant's daughter but she is special to me. More special than any girl has ever been and no girl will ever be. I love her just like she loves me," said Armaan.

Dadi couldn't believe her ears.

"Yes, Dadi, I know she is in love with me and I love her too. Though my family is not aware of this, I promise to let them know about it soon but first I want Ridhima to accept her feelings for me. Today Dadi, I ask you for your most precious possession, your granddaughter, Ridhima. I promise you that I shall stay by Ridhima in every good and bad time. Come what may, I shall not abandon her and be with her in every twist and turn of life. She shall have all the happiness in the world. Please Dadi; if you say yes, I shall be the luckiest man on earth."

"Kunwar Armaan, what are you saying? You are a prince, a Rajput! Whereas, we are peasants! How can this alliance ever be possible? Maharaj Shashankpratap would never agree to it," said Dadi with tears in her eyes. She was still unable to believe that all this was true.

"Dadi, a person is not big or small by his status in the society, but by his morals and values. A peasant is as human as a king. When God created men, did he create us as peasants and kings? No! It has always been man who has created these divisions in the society. About pitaji, you needn't worry because I know he'll understand. I will convince him. The only question is, do you consider me eligible for your granddaughter?"

"Kunwar Armaan! Which parent would refuse to a son-in-law like you? How can a person like you ever be ineligible for any girl?"

"Then Dadi, today I, Kunwar ArmaanPratap Shishodiya, promise you that from today, Ridhima is my responsibility. She is a member of our family and I promise to be by her through every sorrow and hardship in life. I promise to protect her and be her shadow throughout my life."

Dadi could only thank God for all his bounties.

"May you have all the happiness in the world and success all through your life," Dadi blessed him.

"Thank you Dadi, thank you very much! I am going to reveal my true identity to her soon."

Ridhima had finished her packing and walked out with her bag. She took Dadi's blessings and was surprised to see her tear stained face.

"Dadi, you're crying?" she asked.

"I'll miss you when you're gone," Dadi replied.

"Dadi, I'll miss you too. How about if I stay back forever and don't go to the palace? I can be with you and take care of you too. Yes, that's a good idea!" Ridhima said with a cheerful face.

"Oh no, it's a very bad idea. Your presence is more required in the palace and not here. Moreover, I need to learn to live alone because when you are married and gone then I will have to live alone right?" said Dadi with a twinkle in her eye.

"Now Dadi, where did this topic about marriage come from?" asked Ridhima annoyed.

Dadi winked at Armaan who grinned in reply and Ridhima looked from one to the other confused.

"What?" she asked them.

"Nothing."

"Yeah, nothing at all."

As it was getting too late, Maan and Ridhima said goodbye to Dadi with a heavy heart and left for the palace in Maan's car.

As they drove away, Dadi stood in the garden happy and content and thankful that her darling granddaughter's life was soon to take a beautiful turn. She was assured that whatever Kunwar Armaan had said was true. She knew that there was no doubt that he wouldn't keep his promise. He was a Rajput and a true Rajput kept his promise against his life. There was no reason doubting the word of a Shishodiya Prince, they were true Rajputs!

*****