Hey dears!
I truly apologise for the delay in updating. I was supposed to be updating late Wednesday but a power-cut disrupted it all. And then those damn bomb blasts in the city, and rains which just refused to subside, had us all disordered. Anywho, today's a pretty morning and I thought I'd make it pretty for you guys too. So, here you go with the update! And, I am seriously elated to know that you all loved Maan's proposal so much!
Recap: Maan proposes Ridhima!
Chp. 52 Unveiling the mystery
Ridhima sat on her bed, leaning against the headrest, aimlessly fidgeting with the ring given by Maan, unable to make head or tail of what was going on in her life. She couldn't deny her feelings for Maan and at the same time she felt that her feelings towards the Prince also held due weightage. The more she thought about it, the more tangled her feelings appeared. How could two different individuals make her feel the same? How could she react in the same manner to both of them? Why did Maan's touch feel so similar to the Prince? How could a person feel the same for two different individuals? It was practically impossible!
All along, during the dance with the Prince, she was aware only of Maan and tonight when Maan walked away from the garden, she'd smelt musk. Musk was a fragrance worn by the Prince. Why did Maan and the Prince feel so connected? There was some mysterious connection between Maan and the Prince, much deep than the sheen of master-servant relationship that was visible. There was something very important that she was missing here. She didn't know if that piece was actually missing or was she blind and ignoring it all the while when it was flashing her right in the eye.
The effulgent heart-shaped amethyst with tiny initials MR engraved in it glistened in the tiny box in her hands and Ridhima's heart ached as she thought about Maan. A tear trickled down her cheeks and splattered on the amethyst. She had refused him outright despite her heart's craving for acceptance. She knew her feelings for Maan were intense and more than friendship. Though she'd said that their kiss had been accidental, Ridhima knew it was a blatant lie because that was what they had wanted. She needed to find out the reason of this crazy behavior of hers - Her heart responding equally to Maan and the Prince was just absurd! There was a very important piece of this puzzle which was missing and she needed to find out fast only then could she reconsider her decision on Maan's proposal. It was time she set her investigative cells working!
***
Ridhima tried to sleep but she was suffering from insomnia tonight. As she tossed and turned on the sheets, she kept going over Maan's proposal in the garden, in her head for what seemed to be the millionth time. Analyzing everything he'd said, every micro expression, every nuance of tone and wording. It had, no doubt, been straight from the heart and that was what troubled her the most, because despite wanting to, she couldn't reciprocate those feelings. She no longer could deny that she felt the same way about him as he did about her. But the question was of the mysterious mind-boggling connection between Maan and Armaan. She needed to find answers before the mystery ruined her sanity for good!
After a terribly sleepless night, Ridhima got to work as sunshine spread through the clouds. She went about her daily schedule with BR though her mind was crammed with worries, tension, frustration, anger and confusion. Her only source of happiness was the fact that BR was showing signs of improvement lately and this provided Ridhima with a sense of satisfaction.
Ridhima decided to take BR to the royal gardens for a breath of fresh air. Now that BR's condition was improving, Ridhima thought of doing things which would heighten her spirits and help her recover faster. She helped her into the wheelchair and wheeled her towards the gardens. The morning air was fresh and crisp, perfumed with the fragrance of fresh flowers and BR was delighted to see the outside world after long last.
BR sat enjoying the weather while Ridhima's thoughts again played havoc in her mind. There hadn't been much progress since last night.
"Hey Cinderella!"
Ridhima spotted a cheerful Nikita jogging towards her. She greeted her with a wide smile steering her brain free of its resident chaos.
"Nikita, the party is over and Cinderella is gone too," replied Ridhima.
"Hmm... Where's Maan? Did you guys have a talk last night?"
"Dunno, yeah, we talked. What about you and Abhimanyu, huh?" Ridhima asked trying to avoid talking about Maan and her.
Nikita blushed, "Thanks to you, last night was fun. Every moment of it and the dramatic end was simply fabulous. I really enjoyed the oppurtunity of getting even with Anjali for once. Hey but since when do you know about us?"
"Oh, since always. Abhimanyu's a great guy, you know," Ridhima said.
Nikita nodded, "But things aren't so easy. You know pitaji... Traditions, ancestral values and societal customs... They're too sacrosanct according to him."
"Yeah, but I also know Maan. Trust me, he can work wonders. He's a magician," Ridhima replied and Nikita didn't fail to see the dreamy look on her face.
For a moment Nikita was perplexed. Did Ridhima know about Armaan bhaiyya? Had she discovered the truth?
"He'll talk to Kunwar Armaan and I don't think there's any reason doubting Kunwarji's love for his li'l sis, right?" Ridhima continued.
Relief flared across Nikita's face as the realization dawned but disappointment immediately followed suit because she thought it was high time the name game should end and Maan's true identity revealed. However, this was her brother's personal matter and she didn't intend to interfere. A small sigh escaped her lips instantly followed by shock. Armaan bhaiyya knew about Abhimanyu and her?
Nikita narrowed her eyes, "You and Maan were discussing us?"
"No, not really. But we do have eyes and I can assure you that the chemistry is visible. Only a blind person would refuse the fact," replied Ridhima.
BR was a considerable distance away so the duo could continue their chat without fear of being overheard.
"Oh great! Do me a favor, do not tell Maan about us, okay?" Nikita said.
Ridhima was confused, "Nikita, sorry but I don't see any reason there. Don't you want your brother to help you out in this?"
"Yeah, but I'll talk to bhaiyya when the time comes, but please leave Maan out of this. I do not wish to get him involved," Nikita pleaded. She wished she could tell her the mystery about Maan and Armaan. She didn't know how her brother would react if he realised the truth about Abhimanyu and her.
"Nikita, is there something that I should know?"
"Yes... No... Erm, maybe yes, I... I don't know. But please, leave Maan out of this. For now at least. I just can't explain."
Nikita's reply just mounted Ridhima's confusion but she said, "Okay. Relax, I understand, calm down now."
Ridhima's mind was already a madhouse with so many questions whirling in it and now Nikita's behavior also struck her as odd. So far, whatever she'd seen had told her that Nikita and Maan shared a wonderful camaraderie but then what happened suddenly?
"Ridhima, can you do me one more favor?"
"Yeah?"
"I need to return this book to Abhimanyu, but after last night, I know Anjali suspects us and judging by her nature, she'll be on the lookout for any reason to blast us, so we've planned to lie low for a while. Will you return it to him for me?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks. How's mom these days?"
"Fine, she's improving."
"I'm more than thankful to you for being with mom. You've done a lot for her and she really enjoys your company," Nikita looked grateful.
Ridhima smiled.
***
Ridhima had made it a routine lately to take BR to the gardens for recreation and refreshment. Her mind had gone stiff due to excessive thinking about the Maan-Prince mystery so she tried to keep her mind away from the unnecessary trouble. There hadn't been much talk with Maan either because Ridhima felt guilty whenever around him. Her conscience pricked her making her believe she was being unjust towards him and he didn't make things any easier for her because as promised, he behaved like a true friend not letting the proposition and rejection issue to come between them.
Sunlight played across the lawn on the soft velvety grass and Ridhima walked barefoot enjoying the morning freshness. Today, CR was also present in the garden and she sat talking to BR giving Ridhima some time for herself. Ridhima ambled across the lawn discovering the beauty of nature. The breeze played with her hair, whipping it around her face. The leaves in the tree above rustled and birds chirped their morning song while Ridhima just walked around, relaxing herself.
She came across tall shrubs and something on the other end caught her eye. She had never been to this part of the gardens. As she peered through the bushes, her heart fluttered. It was Maan practising archery with kunwar Rahul! The guy had all the royal hobbies-sword fighting, horse-riding and archery. As she looked on, Maan and Kunwar Rahul picked their arrows simultaneously, adjusted them in the bow and aimed at the target. Unknowingly, Ridhima's breath caught in her lungs as she saw them ready to shoot. On the count of three, the arrows escaped their confinements and sliced through the air piercing through apples lined a considerable distance apart before they finally hit the target. However, only one arrow could make it to the target while the other was stuck in a fruit. There was no reason for Ridhima to doubt that it was Maan's arrow that had hit the target. She was joyous. Maan turned towards Kunwar Rahul and gave him a wide smile while Rahul shrugged. He embraced Maan in a congratulatory hug. Rahul released him and said something to which Maan replied with a smile and then picking up the arrow again, he started explaining something to Rahul. He listened intently then picked up an arrow too but instantly jerked his hand away and dropped the arrow. Ridhima knew why. Rahul had scraped his hand with the arrow but Maan's behavior struck her as odd. Though because of the distance, she couldn't hear their talks, he seemed to be reprimanding Rahul. Reprimanding Rahul, Kunwar Rahul? And Rahul wasn't mindful of it either. Maan instantly called for the guards who arrived and bowed to him before they left to return with the first-aid kit. Bowed to him?
***
Ridhima finished her chores for the day and decided to utilise her free time creatively rather than plunge into the depths of thinking which only resulted into a chaotic pandemonium within her brain. As she rummaged through the books in her room for an interesting read, she came across Nikita's book which she'd asked her to return to Abhimanyu.
"Oh-uh, wasn't I supposed to pass this to Abhimanyu that day itself?"
She picked it and left for Abhimanyu's room.
***
Maan paced in his room feeling restless. He hadn't talked to Ridhima or seen her for the past three days since she'd gone to her village. But this was a strange restlessness, not the kind he felt in Ridhima's absence or when he hadn't talked to her, but rather one which arose due to a sense of foreboding, as though something was wrong, terribly wrong... He hoped that Ridhima was fine and everything was well in the village too. Did she need help? Something or someone? He picked his cell to give her a call but dropped the idea thinking he was being silly for no reason. He repeated the exercise umpteen number of times to no avail. Finally, a servant knocked and said, "Kunwar Armaan, the Royal family is expecting you for dinner."
"I'll be there right away," Armaan replied.
Still restless, he made his way to the dining area and greeted everyone as he took his seat. There was small talk about RS and CR's recent trip while dinner was served. The delicacies served to him were of his liking but neither did he look twice, nor cared. There was no appreciation from him about it. He'd barely taken a spoonful of rice and lifted it to his mouth when at that precise moment his cell shrilled. He dropped the spoon with a clatter when he saw the name flashing across the screen.
"What's the matter Armaan, everything alright?" asked RS.
"Yes, pitaji, everything's fine. It's an important call, I need to take it," he replied.
"But Kunwar, you can talk after dinner, what's the hurry?" asked CR. She didn't know why but she could smell something fishy. After all, who could be calling him at this hour of the night that Armaan was so baffled.
"Sorry, choti maa, but this is important, it can't wait," Armaan replied.
"But Bhaiyya, dinner?" Rahul joined in.
Armaan picked a spoonful of rice and stuffed it into his mouth, gulped down a sip of water and said, "That's it, please excuse me."
He walked a few steps and then sprinted up the stairs taking two and three at a time and dashed through the corridors till he finally reached his room. Not wanting to be overheard, he shut the doors. He'd missed the call, so heart slamming against his ribs, he dialed the number.
That sick feeling of something being terribly wrong came rushing back more stronger than ever and it multiplied by leaps and bounds with every passing second till someone on the other end finally answered, "Hello?"
"Ridhima, thank God, you answered! What happened? What took you so long to answer my call?"
"Maan..., Maan Dadi, Da-" Ridhima tried to say something but before she could muster enough strength to speak, she broke into hysterical sobs...
Author's note: Kindly do justice to the efforts of the author and do comment/criticize.
CID
270