~ArBi FF Jab Lurve Hua~Part 271 pg141 - Page 78

Raj:Did he,like,ask you out again?Come on,i won't tell anyone..I swear!!

Jiya:Well,once or twice!!

Raj:He did?Wow..when?

Jiya:A few days back..

Raj:And???

Jiya:I told him that i was busy and i'll get back to him..

Raj:And have you gotten back to him?

Jiya:No...not yet!!

Raj:Ms Jiya,what are you waiting for?A guy is asking you out and you're simply thinking?

JiyA:I don't know..I don't want to think about it rihgt now..

Raj:Why exactly not?Come on Jiya..You've got to get into this!!Aur waise bhi,he's a good guy,ahem quoting your very own words here..

Jiya:I don't know..I'm not sure if i'm ready for this..

Raj:If you keep waiting for the right moment,it will never happen!!Opportunities only knock once,remember?

Jiya:I don't wish to get hurt in return..

Raj:Don't tell me you're waiting for some Mr Perfect dude who'll not hurt you in any way?Remember one thing in life-->No pain,no gain!!Bachpan mein jab tum kuch naya seekhne ki koshish karte ho,toh tumhe pehle hi koshish mein thodi na safaltha milegi..Just like that,this could be something new to experience.It's normal to fall and get hurt,which is what life teaches us but it also promises us with hope if we learn to bounce back and move ahead..Yeahh i know it ain't easy but who did say that life was easy to lead?But i say that life is worth living for,especially to live through such experiences..

Jiya:WOW!!That's deep!!

Raj:So have I convinced you?

Jiya:Well maybe..Maybe not..

Raj:Ahh i hate that answer of your's..Well i can't compel you but do think about it..

Jiya:I'll think about it but first answer my question..How come you didn't spend the previous night well?

Raj:Didn't I tell you that i was worried about the baby..Yeahh that's the reason..

Jiya:That seemed more like an excuse to me!!

Raj:Jiya..

Jiya:(smiled widely at him)Yes?Tell me frankly..She was jsut an excuse,na?(raj kept quiet and looked away from her but not for long)Hah!!I knew it..

Raj:Ye-ahh!!Happy?(shook his head)

Jiya:It's been quite a while since you dated and if i'm not wrong,the last girl you dated..was Malaika?You haven't gotten over her,have you??OMG!!

Raj:Ok maybe you're right but..

Jiya:I'm 100% right.You really liked her,didn't you?Uff..I hate it when fate plays cruel games..

Raj:Now,why are you being so philosophical for?

Jiya:Ok,i'll go out with Gaurav but on one condition..

Raj:Ahem and what will that be?

Jiya:I'll get you a date and only after that,i'll go out with Gaurav..

Raj:What kind of a silly deal is that?

Jiya:I don;t want to go out like that..I mean..

Raj:Jiya seriously, i'm fine..Just go out with Gaurav,will you?(was about to stand up from the kitchen table)

Jiya:Heyy...(held raj's hand,placing her hand on his,stopping him)I just don't want to feel left out..

Raj:Jiya,I'm alright and i'm definitely not feeling left out for i'm getting additional attention from Bharti..So how can I feel left out?(raised his eyebrows)

Jiya:(withdrew her hand)I should really hit myself for showing concern..To hell with you!!

Raj:Itna gussa?Hhmm..so have you decided not to go out with Gaurav?

Jiya:Who told you that i won't go?I will..and i'm not going to care about you..

Raj:Wow,that's fab news!!

Jiya:(looked at him in irritation but accidentally smiled when she realized Raj's plan)You wanted this,didn't you?

Raj:(nodded in agreement and smiled widely)Yes, babe..Aur please,wear something uncasual,something different..Get yourself a makeover!!

Jiya:Ok fine!!I'll meet you in the evening..

Raj:Ok sure..

Jiya:Raj..(stopped walking and turned around to face him)

Raj:Yeah?

Jiya:Do you still have feelings for Bharti?

Raj was totally surprised at the question which was rather unexpected.He didn't know what or how to answer Jiya at the moment for he wasn't quite sure,especially as he thought of what Bharti had done for him in the past few days.He wanted to call it a stroke of luck for just then,the telephone rang.He excused himself to attend to the call while Jiya left from there.

Meanwhile Sudha was showing Naina some photo albums with her's and Armaan's childhood pictures.Besides that,Sudha showed her the wedding pictures of Armaan and Bharti.Naina was quite confused and quiet at the same time,and Sudha had noticed it.

Sudha:What happened Naina?

Naina:Mama ki tasveer?Mama toh Armaan uncle ki dost hai na??(Armaan came out after getting changed and heard Naina's question and looked at Sudha who was wondering what to tell naina)

Armaan:Naina,chale?

Naina:Armaan uncle,aap bataayiye..Mama aap ke saath iss tasveer mein kya kar rahi hai?

Armaan:Erm,woh kya hai na,Naina..Woh aapke Armaan uncle ki shaadi hai toh,uss waqt aapke mama yeh sari pehni thi aur hum dono ki tasveer keech gayi thi..Hhmm?

Naina:Toh aunty kaha hai?

Armaan:Aunty??Ohh..erm woh..

Sudha:Woh bahar gayi hai..Hhmm??(gestured Armaan to leave with Naina)

Armaan:Toh chale?Aapki mama intezaar kar rahi hogi..

Naina:Ok Armaan uncle..Bye,dadi..

Sudha:dadi?

Naina:Mama keh rahi thi ki main aapko dadi pukaaroo..

Sudha:How sweet!!Take care,ok?(kissed Naina on her cheek)I hope to see you and your mama real soon..

Armaan:Ok Maa..I'll be back at night..

Sudha:Ok,send Raj my special wishes and love to everyone else,including Bharti,k?

Armaan:Sure,will do..Bye!!

Sudha:Bye!!(waved to Armaan and naina who left in Sudha's car)

After some time,the doorbell rang at Bharti's home.Payal went to open the door and hugged Naina and invited Armaan to come inside.Payal was chatting with Naina who told her the fun stories which Sudha told her in the morning.Naina asked her Payal aunty to get her drawing paper for her while she sat with Sanjana and Alsiha who watched her draw and chatted with her.Meanwhile, Payal saw Armaan looking for someone and she tapped on his shoulder while offering him a glass of water as he'd wanted.

Payal:Hhhmm..so?

Armaan:What?

Payal:How's sudha aunty?

Armaan:she's good and well..She's missing all of you so much..

Payal:We all love her food..Missing her too..Once Bhaskar comes back from his trip,we'll come to visit her..

Armaan:Sure,i'll inform her about it!!Waise..erm..

Payal:She'll take some time..She's in her room..Excuse me for a while,i need to get that call..

Armaan:Yeah sure,go ahead..(Payal went to her room and Armaan just walked upstairs)

He saw the door of Bharti's room slightly ajar.He gently pushed a little and saw Bharti having already dressed in a bright yellow dress with a mild peach shawl around her neck.Armaan watched her as she turned around,playing with her shawl.She stopped when she saw Armaan standing outside her room with a wide smile pasted on his face.

Bharti:Heyy..when did you come?

Armaan:Just about 2 minutes ago..Naina's downstairs,in an artistic mood..

Bharti:I hope she didn't trouble you or Mom so much..

Armaan:She's such an angel..She's no trouble,Bharti..

Bharti:Thanks a lot Armaan..

Armaan:Uffo woh sab chodo..Waise i wnated to tell you something...

Bharti:Oops,my mobile..Sorry yaar,i'll just answer it and get back to you,yeah?

Armaan:No probs;i'll wait for you downstairs..

Bharti:Okiezz,sure..(headed to the terrace while Armaan headed downstairs to see Payal having fun with Naina,bathing Naina)

Bharti:Hi Raj,what's up?How's the baby doing?

Raj:So far,so good with the baby but not with me..

Bharti:Why?What's wrong with you?

Raj:You wouldn't believe this..Just an hour back,i received a letter..Annonymous letter!!

Bharti:What?

Raj:And you won't believe it..There was no postal address to it..

Bharti:That's real strange...

Raj:If you can come here quickly,i can show it to you..

Bharti:Raj,Naina is here with Armaan..I'll get her ready and i'll come,k?

Raj:Ok,no worries..Take your time;i'll keep the letter safe!!

Bharti:Ok,i'll try to reach there asap..See you soon!!

Raj:Ok bye..(hung up)

Bharti walked downstairs and placed her bag on the dining table.Just as she was about to call for naina,she stopped to see Armaan wiping Naina's face and dressing her up.She felt amused to see Armaan was trying to get Naina to wear the dress and she went to help him out.

Bharti:Hi Naina..Well,your Armaan uncle didn't realize that the dress should be worn the other way round..

Armaan:Oops,my mistake!!

Bharti:There you go,Naina..Come,I'll tie your hair for you..(Naina sat on Bharti's lap and Armaan passed the comb to Bharti)

Naina:Armaan uncle,is it nice?

Armaan:Something's missing..Just a hair clip by the side and there we have a pretty,gorgeous princess right in front of me..

Bharti:Ahem so you don't need my opinion??

Armaan:Someone feeling jealous?

Bharti:Yess i will for she's already getting closer to you in just a few days..Anyways,you just look great,Naina..It's always fun dressing you up..Anyways I'll check on Payal and see if she's ready..

Armaan:Yeah sure..Come,naina..

Payal:Guys,are you ready?

Bharti:We're only waiting for you..

Payal:Oh ok..Haha,ok toh chale?Come,let's make a move..

Bharti locked the house and sat in the back seat of the car with Payal while Naina sat in front.Armaan drove off to Raj's place and they reached within half an hour's time.By then,most of them have reached except for Sonali and Pushpak.The priest,whom Mahi had arranged for,had also turned up.After some time,Sonali and Pushpak had arrived and joined in quietly as the priest had already started the ceremony.The priest chanted and soon asked Raj for the name which he intended for the baby and he proceeded with the name,Nidhi and whispered in the baby's ears.The naming ceremony was complete and he thanked the priest before leaving.Soon,everyone gathered to have some food and refreshments.Raj brought Bharti to a side to talk to her.

Bharti:You tell me what it is..Weren't you the one who told me that you've forgotten everything and we're just friends?

Armaan:Yeah i did..

Bharti:Then what is this?

Armaan:What is what?

Jiya:Bharti,you're getting it all wrong..It was my question and Armaan has nothing to do with this!!

Armaan:Ok now,somebody better tell me what's going on..

Bharti:Arrgghh!!(shook her head and walked to the kitchen)

Armaan:Jiya!!

Jiya:Erm,i just asked if there was anything..

Raj:Hi guyzz,what's wrong with Bharti's mood?

Armaan:That's what i'm trying to find out..

Jiya:Well i just asked if there was anything going on between her and Raj..

Raj:Jiya!!

Armaan:What??

Bharti:congratz dude...

Raj:This is the letter with no postal address or whatsoever..But read the letter first..

Bharti:Ok.."Hi,this is a very crucial letter.I'm stuck in a dark place infested with pests.Please help me out;I'm in need of dire help for my 8-month old baby is snatched away from me and she must be restless without my presence.I hear the sounds of trains coming in and moving off from the place.I've been tied up here for the past one two months and everytime i try to escape,i get caught.Please help me!!My Nidhi needs me..Whoever who receives this letter,please help me and God will definitely shower miracles upon your lives..Please,this is a mother's earnest wish to be reunited with her daughter..Please help me!!"...OMG!!Is this from Niyati?

Raj:Sshh...I don't know but i believe that she could be the one and she's possibly in deep trouble!!

Bharti:We should do something then...

Raj:But what?How are we even going to find her?

Bharti:Ok,erm..you've got any idea of who could be behind this??Ok,i think that was a stupid question..

Raj:Well,according to yuo and me,it seems more like Gyaan,the only possible suspect!!

Bharti:We've got to inform the police officer about this..I'll ring him up and check if we can possibly meet him tomorrow..Oh hi guys..excuse me!!

Raj:Oh hi Jiya an d Armaan..How's everything?

Jiya:Pretty well..

Raj:actually..Oh hi girls..

Sonali:Hi Raj..

Mahi:Hhmm,so what's this gathering for?

Raj:Ntohing really..Actually,you guys know that i'm..I've been pretty involved in finding Nidhi's parents and have been going to the police station and all...

Mahi:Yeahh Jiya told us about it..

Armaan:Ok i thik i missed out on that..Someone,do the explaining for me..(Jiya volunteered to explain and did so,after which Armaan was pretty much shocked)Gyaan??Just hold on..Niyati does ring a bell...

Raj:Maybe this photogrpah will refresh your memory...

Jiya:Arre yaar,don't you recall Raj having drunk so much that night that he announced all drinks on the house at one of the pub we brought him to after the Valentine's party last year??And practically he was surrounded by all the drinkers except the two of us and the bartenders who showed much interest in his dukh-bhari kahaani of how Niyati went to dance with Gyaan and how she went home with him???

Armaan:Oh yes!!!This is that Niyati,huh?

Jiya:exactly!!

Raj:tHank you so much for the memory refreshment!!

Mahi:You seriously got ditched??(got amused)

Raj:Ok,ok!!Let's get to the big picture,shall we?

Mahi:Oops,yeah..continue!!

Raj:Well,i've gotten a letter..Bharti and I think it's possibly from Niyati but we need further clarification and evidence..And i named the baby Nidhi as coincidentally,the letter states Nidhi's name and she's about 8 months old as well...And my gut instinct tells me that this is indeed Niyati's child..

Bharti:raj!!!

Raj:whoa..that's loud!!Anything exciting??

Bharti:I'll meet the officer tomorrow since they've gotten some evidence form Niyati's home..And if they could match this letter with her diarywhich they got as evidence,we are in sheer luck!!

Raj:Wow,that's awesome news yaar...(hugged Bharti on the spot)

Jiya:Erm,don't mind me asking you...(Raj excused himself for a while)

Bharti:What is it,Jiya?

Jiya:Come with me..(brought Bharti to a corner)Erm..

Bharti:Yes,Jiya??I'm apparently no psychic to read your mind so..ASK!!

Jiya:Is there anything going on between you and Raj?

Bharti:Are you asking on behalf of anyone?

Jiya:Erm..

Bharti:(called out for Armaan)Is it on his behalf?

Armaan:What is it Bharti?

Bharti:You tell me what it is..Weren't you the one who told me that you've forgotten everything and we're just friends?

Armaan:Yeah i did..

Bharti:Then what is this?

Armaan:What is what?

Jiya:Bharti,you're getting it all wrong..It was my question and Armaan has nothing to do with this!!

Armaan:Ok now,somebody better tell me what's going on..

Bharti:Arrgghh!!(shook her head and walked to the kitchen)

Armaan:Jiya!!

Jiya:Erm,i just asked if there was anything..

Raj:Hi guyzz,what's wrong with Bharti's mood?

Armaan:That's what i'm trying to find out..

Jiya:Well i just asked if there was anything going on between her and Raj..

Raj:Jiya!!

Armaan:What??

Jiya:Ok stop shouting into my ears,both of you!!

Raj:Jiya,if you had to ask,you could have asked me!!

Jiya:I did,today in the afternoon,remember?

Raj:(recalled Jiya asking him)Ok,if the telephone didn't ring then,i would have told you..

Armaan:And she thought that i asked Jiya to ask her about it..

Jiya:Ok i'm sorry..

Raj:Both of you,especially you,Jiya..She's just helping me out in my problem!!And she's my good friend..My close friend and colleague!!(Both raj and Armaan hit Jiya's left and right arm repsectively)

Jiya:Ouchh!!!!

Bharti went to make some chappati for Naina to eat and Raj went to help her out.Raj was quietly helping for he felt that Bharti was very much pissed with Jiya's question.Bharti looked at Raj who smiled weakly at her.

Raj:Are you ok?I heard from Jiya what she asked you..

Bharti:Can't a guy and a girl just be friends?

Raj:of course they can be..Who said they can't be??

Bharti:Why do people have to assume,then..Ok,woh sab chodo..(turned to face Raj)There's nothing between us,right?

Raj:Yeah Bharti,we're just good friends..

Bharti:Good friends,ok..That's a full stop,right??No coma's or semi-colons or whatsoever,right?

Raj:Ye-ahh..Full-stop.Nothing else!!

Bharti:And there'll never be,right?

Raj:Yes Bharti..

Bharti:And we're not convincing or hinting to each other,right?

Raj:Nope,I mean...I mean yeah,we're not convincing each other of anything for the truth is the truth..Full stop!!

Bharti:Great,excuse me..I'll go and feed Naina..Come,join us around the sofa..Everyone's gthered around,chatting..

Raj:Yeah,come!!

Pushpak:Well,how am I supposed to know that Raj would call?

Raj:I heard my name..What did I do?

Sonali:hhmm talk about helping someone..

Raj:Ok that was..

Bharti:What happened,Sonali?

sonali:Well, it was pretty late at might,around 11:30 pm after the launch party.Who would even think of claling me up on Pushpak's landline phone at that hour?But apparently Mr Raj did so and just at that moment,my saas had to come out and hear the call which was on speaker mode since both Pushpak and I didn't pick it up..and this janaab was asking how come i didn't help him for the party and if the trouble has finally landed to disrupt my peace..Thank goodness Pushpak quickly took the phone and said it was a wrong number or else i wonder what else Mr Raj was gonna ask..

Raj:Ok how am I supposed to know that your saas was still awake??

Bharti:Good question..(got amused)

Sonali:Never mind...

Just then,Mahi nudged Sonali,and looked to her side.

Sonali:Hhmm,what is it?

Mahi:(whispered)Look at Jiya and Armaan..(sonali saw Armaan and Jiya seated a little diagonal from their direction and watched them pulling their ears and bowing their heads repeatedly in the direction across,where Bharti was seated and she was unaware of it)

Sonali:OMG!!(got amused)What the hell is that?

Mahi:Looks like they're seeking forgiveness from Bharti..

sonali:That's even funnier..Bharti isn't even aware of their gesture by the way..

Mahi:What?Nudge her,quick..(sonali nudged Bharti who was seated beside her and gestured her to look at Jiya and Armaan)

Bharti looked across to see Jiya and Armaan having pulled their ears and bowing their heads.She was stunned but she soon realized that they were saying Sorry.Armaan nudged Jiya to stop and both of them grinned and pleaded instantly.Bharti looked at Raj who gound the gesture pretty much amusing and both of them bursted out laughing,haivng a Hi-5 moment.

Gyaan:Ouch!!

Bharti:What happened?

Vinita:Yeahh..why did you shout for?

Gyaan:Why did you pluck my hair for?

Vinita:What?Are you nutzz?

Bharti:Vini!!Are you serious?

Vinita:Bharti...

Bharti:Gyaan,(gestured him to lend his ears and whispered to him) I think she likes you and is trying to get your attention..

Vinita:Gyaan,why are you looking at me like that?