~ArBi FF Jab Lurve Hua~Part 271 pg141 - Page 53

The next day, Bharti brought Naina to Men's Universe. Naina was stunned to see Men's Universe and she kept observing the entire place. She had never been to a large office before and she felt lost, looking at the various designs and Bharti realized that Naina had stopped walking. She smiled at Naina and went to her. She nudged Naina who saw Bhaskar's photograph and Bharti told her that Bhaskar too works at MU.

Bharti introduced Naina to Jiya,Raj,Sonali,Mahi and Armaan. All of themw ere smiling at her,admiring her sweet,innocent talks.

Bharti:Ok guys we can catch up later..Come Naina..(brings Naina to her cabin)Ok Naina,take a seat..and you can do what you wish to,k?Yes keep talking to me or else I'll be bored to death...

Naina:(smiled)Mama this room is big..I'm going to draw something..

Bharti:Okay..I'll not disturb you..(smiled at her)

Bharti went about her work and Mahi came to her cabin and both of them were discussing.

Mahi:Ahh I forgot..Amarjeet sir was looking for you..

Bharti:Oh ok Mahi just stay here,k??I'll be right back..Naina I'm going to meet my boss first,k??Mahi didi will be here..

Bharti went to meet Amarjeet while Mahi talked to Naina. Amarjeet told Bharti to have an exclusivve coverage on Sunny's fashion collections, which will be launched in the fashion hsow held over the weekend, for the upcoming issue of the MU newsletter. Bharti agreed and went back to her cabin and informed Mahi of the good news and Mahi danced in excitement. Mahi told Bharti that they could ask Raj to advertise about Sunny's collections in the newspapers and Bharti nodded in agreement. Before Mahi left, Mahi asked Bharti to take a look at Naina's drawing. Bharti was amazed to see that Naina was actually trying to draw her cabin and both of them couldn't help kissing Naina on her cheeks. Mahi left to go to her cabin. Bharti patted Naina's head and continued with her work.

Bharti excused herself from her cabin during luch. Dhe told Naina that she'll be right back,after buying some food for both of them and Naina agreed to wait quietly. While Bharti was gone, Preity and Vinita went to Bharti's cabin and saw Naina. Bharti was queueing to get her food. She finally got her food after 15 minutes and she met Armaan along the way.

Armaan:Heyy..

Bharti:Hi..had your luch??

Armaan:Gonig to..where's Naina?

Bharti:In my cabin..

Armaan:Why don't you bring her here...All of us can have lunch together..

Bharti:That's a great idea...Could you help me keep this tray at the table where you're seated??I'll go and get Naina..

Armaan:Yeah sure..

Bharti went to her cabin but she saw Mahi standing at a corner and Preity and Vinita were walking out of her cbain.Bharti was very much confused.Naina looked pretty upset.

Mahi:Where were you Bharti?

Bharti:Went to get luch..Thought of bringing Naina to the cafeteria to join me and Armaan for lunch..By the way what's wrong??And why were Preity and Vinita here??

Mahi:Bharti..I just came to give you this file when I heard both of them trying to manipulate Naina's thoughts..I didn't exactly hear the exact words but both of them were saying that you were going to send Naina away to some orphanage and that you are just pretending to love her and all...Look i think you should talk to her..I'll bring your lunch here...

Bharti:(almost had tears in her eyes)Yeahh..thanks!!Naina..(spoke in a gentle tone)Heyy why are you crying dear??

Naina:Mama are yuo really going to send me away?

Bharti:No Naina...Why will I do that?I love you so much..And I will never ever elt you part from me...

Naina:Toh phir..woh aapki doston ne aisa kyun kaha?

Bharti:Woh dono mama ki dost nahin hai..Mama ki dost aise baatein nahin karti...I promise you that I'll not let you go...(Armaan and Mahi watched them outside Bharti's cabin)Mama loves you a lot..hhmm??

Naina:I love you too Mama..(hugs Bharti tightly)

Mahi told Armaan to go inside while she excused herself.

Armaan:I'm sorry for ruining the perfect mother-daughter moment but may I come in?

Bharti:Oh hi Armaan..I'm so sorry..Thanks for the lunch..

Armaan:If you don't mind can I feed Naina?

Naina:Sure Armaan uncle...

Bharti smiled, and went to take a look at the file Mahi left for her, in an attempt to hide her tears from Armaan. Armaan occasionally glanced at Bharti who was browsing through a file. Bharti wiped her tears and placed the file on her desk.She turned to face Armaan who was feeding Naina and chatting with her. She just had a beautiful smile on her face instantly,admiring them from a distance.Armaan finished feeding Naina and with Bharti's permission,Armaan brought her to his cabin.

As soon as they left, Bharti's smile faded as she sat on the couch. She totally lacked the appetite to even eat her lunch. She tried to eat but she just kept the spoon back on the plate. She stood up from there and walked to her desk.Tears streamed down her cheeks for she couldn't stop herself. She found it formidable to imagine what Naina must be going through.She felt extremely guilty for having left Naina all by herself. If she hadn't done so,Naina wouldn't have had to hear what Preity and Vinita told her. Just then she heard a knock on her cabin door.

Bhaskar:Hey where's Naina?

Bharti:(wiped her tears)Oh she actually went with Armaan to his cbain..

Bhaskar:Wow she's mingling well with Armaan..cool..

Bharti:Yeah..

Bhaskar:What happened to you?

Bharti:Nothing much..

Bhaskar:Bharti..did anything go wrong?

Bharti:You wanted to meet Naina,na??Go and meet her quickly before I leave..I'll be leaving in 15 minutes'time..

Bhaskar:Ok,apna lunch khatam karna..

Bharti:Yeah..(Bhaskar left from there)

Bharti leaned on the couch and closed her eyes. She just kept thinking of what Mahi had informed her. Meanwhile, Bhaskar headed to Armaan's cabin and saw Naina playing some games with Armaan using her hands.Just then, Naina stopped upon seeing Bhaskar and ran towards him,hugging him. Armaan smiled at them and took a beautiful pic of Bhaskar and Naina. While diverting Naina's attention elsewhere, Bhaskar asked Armaan to check on Bharti who seemed pretty upset.Armaan nodded and went to see Bharti who was resting on the couch and her food was left untouched. Armaan realized that Bharti was very much disturbed.He hd heard of what had happened from Mahi.He knocked on Bharti's cabin door.She got up and smiled weakly at Armaan.

Bharti went to bid Mahi goodbye and went back home with Naina. Armaan went to meet Mahi.

Mahi:Heyy Armaan,you ok?

Armaan:Mahi, Bharti just revealed to me that she had asked me to forget her because of Preity..Apparently she had talked to Preity who told Bharti that her life got ruined due to Bharti who was the reason for my break-up..

Mahi:What??Ok..when did this happen??

Armaan:About a week back

Mahi:And she's telling you now??All of a sudden..

Armaan:she just broke down in front of me and she happened to reveal this matter..

Mahi:Oh goodness is she alright?

Armaan:She went back home with Naina..I just didn't know how to console her..

Mahi:Ahh all guys are the same..They simply get lost for words to console a crying girl and they feel so intimidated..

Armaan:I just couldn't see tears on her face..It doesn't suit her at all..

Mahi:How very sweet Armaan!!I guess hse needs some time by herself..And Armaan,I believe she must be finding it so difficult but she's trying to be open with you..She has so much stress in her life and she's barely taking care of herself..Just give her some time..

Armaan:You're right Mahi..I guess I'll have to cancel my plan..

Mahi:What plan?

Armaan:I had actually planned to bring my mum over to Bharti's palce for dinner..

Mahi:Now that's a brill plan...Why cancel??Don't cancel the plan..Just go to her place and perhaps get some dinner for her and Naina..I'm sure your mum can make Bharti feel better..Mummies have the special effect of healing..

Armaan:Hey,you're right again..(smiled widely)Thanks a tonne Mahi..

Mahi:You're welcome Armaan..Oh hi Jiya..Hey where's Raj??I've got some work to discuss with him..

Jiya:Kaam ko goli maro..I need your help

Mahi:My help..Why???

Jiya:It's Raj..He's terribly moody today..I had even thought of bringing him to the pub..

Mahi:That bad,eh??That you have to bring him there??

Armaan:Malaika left already?

Jiya:Yeahh..

Mahi:Oh boy...I'll come with you..You coming,Armaan?

Armaan:I've actually got to meet a fashion designer to help with Sunny's show for the weekend..You guys carry on first, I'll catch up with you guys later...

Jiya,Mahi and Sonali brought raj to his favourite restaurant in the evening. Meanwhile, Armaan asked his mum to prepare some food to bring to Bharti's place.

Jiya:Hey dude, you won't get a day where the three of us are here together with you..

Mahi:Exactly..Are you ok?

Sonali:When is your darling girlfriend coming back??

Raj:You girls,thanks for trying to cheer me up..Actually..

Jiya:Ok..I have a strange feeling about this..

Sonali:Arre let him speak na..

Raj:We've parted on our ways..

Jiya:What??But..

Raj:It's obvioulsy going to be hard for both of us to maintain our relation away from each other and i couldn't possibly ask her not to go for this was the much awaited opportunity which has approached her. I can't possibly ruin her excitement. Bharti told me that i do love her, i ought to set her free and thus we've parted..

Jiya,Mahi and Sonali hugged him together.

Raj:Ok girls..too much love already...I'm feeling squeezed already..

Mahi:Wow..i call that mature,Raj!!

Jiya:Surprising,isn't that Sonali?

Sonali:Pretty much..but all's well that ends well...Now our Raj is an eligible bachelor yet again!!Hip,hip

Jiya,Mahi:Hurray!!

Raj:Let's order something...I'm starved!!

The girls couldn't stop laughing at Raj and soon they ordered some food and decided to empty Raj's money in his wallet.

Meanwhile,Bharti just got out after having a shower. She saw Naina waiting for her and both of them had chicken soup for dinner,after which,Bharti and Naina sat on the sofa. Naina was chatting about what Armaan and Bhaskar talked to her but Bharti was lost in her thoughts.Naina looked at Bharti and saw a tear gradually falling.Naina caught the tear and blew it away.She wiped Bharti's cheek and Bharti looked at Naina.

Naina:Mama,please don't cry..

Bharti:I'm so sorry, Naina..

Naina:Mama,it's ok..I'm ok..Please don't cry..

Bharti:I love you dear..

Naina:I love you too mama..No more tears from my mama's eyes,ok?

Bharti:(smiled and patted Naina's head)Come,it's quite late..Sone chalte hai..

Naina:(smiled)Yes mama..(went to their room)

Just then the doorbell rang. Bharti wondered who it could be.She went to open the door and was totally surprised to see Armaan.

Bharti:Armaan,tum??Itni raat ko?I thought I told you to cancel the dinner plan..

Sudha:How would he cancel it?Aur waise bhi mujhe Naina se milni thi..

Bharti:Hi Mom..come in!!Naina...

Naina:Yes Mama..

Bharti:Naina,this is Armaan uncle's mama..And Mom,this is Naina..

Sudha:(whispered to Armaan)Armaan uncle?

Armaan:(whispered back) Naina knows me as Bharti's friend..

Sudha:Awww..aap bohati cute ho..These are some dresses for you dear..

Bharti:Mom,we just had dinner..

Sudha:Toh kya hua?Armu and I will have dinner here...Brought some food as well..

Armaan:I'll have dinner a bit later...I want to play with Naina a lil..Come Naina..

Armaan accompanied Naina to Bharti's room. He was in awe of the alterations he had seen in the room.It seemed that the room belonged to Naina filled with her toys and story books. The only few things which belonged to Bharti were her desk,files and folders laid on the desk with her laptop and her notebooks. Naina asked him to tell her some bedtime stories and Armaan just smiled at her.

Sudha had finished her dinner and she helped Bharti in wiping the table. Sudha brought her to the hall to sit on the sofa.

Sudha:You know something Bharti?I'm really,really proud of you..

Bharti:Mom..

Sudha:For making the decision to raise Naina..Armaan was showering praises about Naina to me just now..

Bharti:That's very sweet of him..

Sudha:But are you ok?He told me what had happened today..

Bharti:Trying to be alright,Mom..

Sudha:Look Bharti,I know how you feel for Bharti..In fact, I'm so proud of you for having adopted Naina..You know she's so sweet,beautiful and intelligent..Actually Armaan wanted me to tlak to you..Well he didn;t know what to say when he heard about it...Ok i'm not going to justify for his actions bere but I want you to know something..There will always be people like Vinita and Preity who'll point fingers at yuo and talk ill of you..You may feel that no one's with you..But that's not true for I'm always here for my bahhu..Always!!

Bharti:Aww Mom,that's so,so very sweet of you..I was actually scared to even talk to Naina initially..She was covered with blood when I first saw her...She smiled a bit but she was very much petrified too...I couldn't take it and all I was thinking was since I can't practically save all of the victims,I should at least...at least save this poor soul..I couldn't sleep the whole night for she was shivering and calling out for her mom..

Sudha:Aww...(hugged her closely and thought to herself)"How I wish Armu was hearing this..he would be so proud of her just as how I am...I just wish I could bring Bharti home right away with Naina..Kaash!!!"...I'm really proud of you and I pray that you succeed in raising Naina well..

Bharti:Mom,I don't care about others think of me..I really don't..

Sudha:Not even what Armaan thinks??

Bharti was about to say something but Armaan came.

Armaan:Maa,what's going on?

Sudha:Nothnig..Has Naina slept?

Armaan:Yeah..she slept already..

Sudha:You guys have a chat..I'll be right back..

Armaan:Heyy..you ok?

Bharti:If I have a good night's sleep,I think i should be ok..Thanks for dropping by;Mom made me feel so much better..

Armaan:I'm glad of that..

There were some moments of silence between them

Bharti:Naina's becoming fonder of you..she was talking about you just now

Armaan:She's a sweet girl

Bharti:Indeed,she is..

Armaan:Bharti,listen..you don't have to stress yourself out about Preity and Vinta..We'll get back at them when the right opportunity comes..Trust me on that!!

Bharti:Thanks Armaan..thank you..The fact that you're showing your concenr towards Naina,is really heart-warming..(smiled at him)Armaan,if you don't mind..

Armaan:Yeah?

Bharti:Can I get a hug??

Armaan:(smiled and hugged Bharti)Are you really ok Bharti?

Bharti:Thanks Armaan..I'm feeling so much better..

Armaan:Tears again,Bharti?

Bharti:Sometimes when I'm just frustrated with myself or stressed out,I just can't help it..

Armaan:Bharti,please don't cry..(wiped her tears and held Bharti's face with his palms)They don't suit you at all..Your tears are very precious..Don't waste them on such people,yeah?

Bharti:(gazed at Armaan)I'll try to..

Just then Sudha came and Bharti and Armaan stood a little distant.Bharti had initiated the move abruptly,taking Armaan's hands away and she turned away from him.Sudha realized that she had come at th e wrong time and she soon bid goodbye,expressing her desire to meet Bharti and Naina soon. Bharti smiled and nodded,hoping for the same.Armaan smiled and turned to face Bharti before leaving,wishing her Good night and he left with Sudha.

While Armaan drove,Sudha just glanced to see him.

Armaan:Maa,what?

Sudha:What?

Armaan:What's the look for?

Sudha:I came at the wrong time,didn't I?

Armaan:Well,not really..

Sudha:Oh really?Didn't you want to talk to her longer?

Armaan:Well if you put it that way...

Sudha:Hhmm..(shook her head)

Armaan:Maa,can i ask you something?Why is it that both Bharit and me,are finding it so difficult to open up to each other?

Sudha:It's just fear..

Armaan:Fear of what?

Sudha:Fear of hurting each other..Make sense??

Armaan:Not exactly..

Sudha:Look,it was always much easier to share things when yuo were friends..But now things change..You keep things form the other for yuo don't wish to hurt each other..Bharti didn't tell you about the conversation between her and Preity for she didn't want to hurt you..What you two have got to understand is that by keeping things from each other,there are only bound to be greater misunderstandings..And if both of you truly love each other, there shouldn't be any fear of rejection or hurting other's feelings...In fact,people say that a successful marriage is relaint ont rust and understanding..Well,according to me, a successful marriage is truly dependent on a long-lasting friendship,encouraging openness,respect and love!!