Another Cinderella Story (AR) Last Part Page 9 - Page 7

Riddhima: Hum bahar ja sakhte hain?

Uday: Yeah sure.

They both walked out to the open field.

Riddhima: Maine kabhi nahin socha tha ki main Armaan Malik ko itna bara lecture doongi.

Uday: I can't believe Iam saying this but mujhe pehli baar ek lecture pasand aaya.

Riddhima: Thanks.

Uday: Mera pura din achcha tha.

Riddhima: Log tumse rudely baath nahin kar rahe thei kya? Ki tumne mera saath diya.

Uday: Kar rahe thei, lekin unhe maine jawaab de paaya.

Riddhima and Uday spent the rest of lunch thinking of ways on how to get rid of Anjali and the others. She felt relieved to be laughing after these days.

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After college Riddhima was walking down the car park where Armaan and the others were standing. She ignored them and kept on walking. Armaan looked at her and ran infront of her.

Armaan: Hi.

Riddhima: Bye.

Armaan: Ruko.

Riddhima: Bolo. Mere paas waqt nahin hain.

Armaan: Tumne subah jo bashan diya tha na mujhe, woh yaad hain mujhe. Just one thing, tumhe agar lagta hain ki mere liye Anjali sahi ladki nahin hain, toh obviously tumhare mann mein koi aur hoga mere liye. Toh tum bata sakhti ho mujhe.

Riddhima: Yes and no.

Armaan: Matlab.

Riddhima: Matlab ki Anjali tumhare liye sahi ladki nahin hain, lekin mere paas tumhare liye sahi ladki hain bhi nahin kyunki tumhare jo expectations hain woh bohot saari ladkiyan puri karneki koshish kar rahe hain. Ab main yeh toh bata sakhti ki kaun genuine aur kaun natak kar raha hain, kyunki mere paas itni fizul waqt nahin hain, par I'am sure tumhare paas hogi, seeing as tumhe apna swayamvar kholne mein bohot shauk hain.

Riddhima walked off. Armaan walked over to the others.

Anjali: Woh Riddhima bohot moo larati hain. Moo bandh karne keliye kuch karna parega.

Nita: Don't worry, maine already kardi.

Armaan: Kya?

Rita: Riddhima, mom ke neeche isliye khaam karti hain kyunki usse isse paise milenge NYU jaane keliye. Toh woh abhi apni zindagi se bohot satisfied hain. Lekin agar yeh paise bandh hogaye toh.

Armaan: Sita, Gita your not serious are you?

Anjali: Nahin, this is brilliant. Rita tumhe yehi karna chahiye.

Nita: Maine already kardi.

Armaan: Listen, tell me your joking! Please!

Anjali: Armaan, tum uske liye itna worried kyun ho? Who cares uske saath kya ho?

Armaan pulled Rahul away from them.

Armaan: Dekh, yeh sab galat hain.

Rahul: Aur yeh sab tu ne shuru kiya subah.

Armaan: Dekh, humare beech jo kuch bhi ho uske zindagi barbad kyun kar rahe hain?

Rahul: Yeh tu apne aap se pooch. Tu ne yeh sab shuru kiya tha.

Armaan couldnt think of anything to say.

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Next morning at school, Armaan was waiting at the door to apologize to Riddhima. But before she arrived, Anjali and her dolls arrived.

Anjali: Yaha kya kar rahe ho? Chalo andar chalte hain.

Armaan: Gita, Riddhima kaha hain?

Nita: Mujhe kya pata?

Armaan: Tumhara matlab kya hain?

Rita: Matlab woh nahin hain. Kal raat ko uske extra khaam tha diner pe, aur raat ko dus baje woh ghar aayi. Thab mom ne usse kaha tha ki uske paise bandh hogaye, aur usne jo paise jama karke rakhe woh bhi mom ne leli. Uske baad Riddhima gussa hoke ghar se chali gayi. Raat baar nahin aayi.

Armaan: Kya? Woh raat baar kahan hogi?

Nita: Well, college toh nahin aayegi. Woh college ke fees nahin barsakhti ab.

Armaan: C'mon you guys, humare beech jo kuch bhi horaha tha woh sab bachpana thi, aur uskeliye itna gussa aagaya tum logo ko.

Nita: Sab Rita ne kiya hain.

Rita: Maine? Maine tumse kaha tha na karne keliye.

Nita: Yeh jhuth bol rahi hain.

Rita: Tum jhuth bol rahi ho.

Armaan: Will both of you just SHUT UP!!

Rahul looked at him. Armaan got into his car and Rahul followed. He started driving madly to the diner. He went in and saw Riddhima hugging Rani. He ignored the 'CLOSED' sign and ran in.

Armaan: Riddhima!

Riddhima looked at him. She wiped away her tears. Armaan walked over to her.

Riddhima: Tumne shyaad dekha nahin darwaze pe kya hain.

Armaan: Riddhima, I'am really sorry, mujhe pata nahin tha ki yeh sab honewaala tha. Sita aur Gita ne mujhe kal bataya ki unlogo ne kya kiya. Uss waqt main kuch nahin karpaaya.

Rani: (angry) Sach mein! Yeh ab bolta hain kuch nahin karpaaya.

Uday: Mann karta hain teri haddiya thorke tere haath mein dedoon.

Armaan: Exactly. Maine khaam hee aisa kiya hain. Tumhe mere saath jo kuch bhi karna hain baad mein, mujhe pehle Riddhima se baath karni hain.

Riddhima: Armaan, please. Mere liye hamdardi mat jatao, kyunki mujhe pata hain yeh sab dikhaawa hain.

Armaan: Yeh dikhaawa nahin, kal subah maine jo kiya aur kaha woh dikhaawa tha.

Riddhima: Kya? Main samjhi nahin.

Armaan looked around.

Armaan: Mujhe tumse akele mein baath karni hain.

Riddhima: Uske liye waqt nahin hain, Urmila aati hogi usne agar mujhe dekhliya toh............

Armaan: Kuch nahin karpayegi.

He looked around again and then sighed.

Armaan: Maine jab tumse date keliye poocha thab main aaya tha aadha ganta pehle.

Riddhima: Jhuth mat bolo, main apne ghar pe-

Armaan: Pehle meri baath suno.

Flashback: Armaan looked at his watch. It was half past 6. He looked outside and saw Riddhima's house. He waited impatiently for 20 minutes and then couldnt hold back. 10 minutes before 7, he went to Riddhima's glass door and heard voices from inside the room.

Uday: Tum thaiyaar nahin ho rahi ho?

Riddhima: Kyun?

Uday: Tum Armaan Malik ke saath date pe ja rahi ho.

Riddhima: Yeah. Well.....no. Agar Urmila ko pata chal gaya toh pata nahin kya hoga.

Uday: Riddhima, I dont get it. Tumhari problem Urmila se shuru hoti hain, lekin iss baar koi problem hee nahin hain toh phir tum problem bana na kyun chahti ho.

Riddhima: Main problem nahin bana rahi hoon lekin problem ban jayegi. Mujhe pura bharosa hain apni tuti hui kismat par.

Uday: Aur Armaan se kya kahogi tum?

Riddhima: Sach. Ki main uske laiak nahin hoon. Aur usse mujhse kahin gunna zyaada achchi ladki milegi.

Uday rolled his eyes and gave up.

Uday: Teek hain, phir yeh batane keliye thaiyaar ho jao.

Riddhima: Thaiyaar hoon main.

He wiped away his tears and went off.

End.

He looked around the room and everyone was listening carefully. Riddhima looked around and everyone seemed convinced.

Riddhima: Humhe yeh kaise pata ki yeh sirf koi kahani nahin suna raha hain. I mean.......

Uday: Ridz, darwaze ke bahar isne jo sunna woh toh hum hee kehrahe thei.

Rani: So technically Riddhima, yeh Armaan ki galti nahin hain.

Riddhima gulped. There was a painful silence in the room which was piercing through both of them.

Riddhima: OK, I get it. I'am sorry Armaan.

Everyone cheered.

Riddhima: Lekin tumhe manna parega tumhe mujhse zyaada achchi ladki milegi.

Everyone groaned. She turned around to see everyone annoyed. She turned to face Armaan.

Armaan: I agree with them.

Riddhima laughed. Everyone in the diner laughed. Armaan took her hand into his. She smiled at him which he returned with a even softer smile. She looked over his shoulder and her smile faded. She quickly went underneath the table.

Armaan: Riddhima?

Riddhima: Sss-

But before she could say another word, Urmila burst in.

Rani: Urmila! Erm.............hi.

Urmila: Riddhima ka uniform, uske paise aur uske- Hi Armaan.

She looked in her little compact mirror and patted her hair.

Armaan: Hi, erm..............Mrs Bill. I mean Gill. Sorry.

Urmila: Kuch chahiye tha tumhe?

Armaan: Erm.......sirf aapke service......compliment karna tha. Its brilliant.

Urmila: Really?

Armaan: Yeah. Yaha ke staff, khana, khana ka DELIVERY.

Riddhima stifled a laugh remembering her exam incident.

Urmila: I know. Tum upar mere saath breakfast karna chahoge?

Armaan: No thank you very much. Main chalta hoon. Waise Rahul you could talk to about our 'new video'.

Armaan nodded at Rahul. Rahul understood what to do. Rahul went to Urmila.

Rahul: Hello, main Armaan ka manager hoon, aur hum ek neyi video shoot kar rahe hain, jisme aap jaisi.............female ki zaroorat hain.

Rahul made her turn around and look the away and started creating a story. Armaan gave his hand to Riddhima. Riddhima took it and got up.

Urmila: Armaan!

Armaan turned around, and Riddhima hid behind him.

Armaan: Yes.

Urmila: I'll do the video.

Armaan: Great.................Rahul inhe sab kuch samjha doh.

Armaan started walking backwards. Riddhima did aswell. He got to the door and turned around making sure Riddhima wasnt seen. They both ran out of the door and into his car in the car park.

Riddhima: Thank God, usne mujhe dekha nahin, agar dekhleti toh pata nahin Rani aur dusro ke saath kya hota.

Armaan: Kyun?

Riddhima: Main waha khaam nahin karti, isliye khulne se pehle main waha nahin ja sakhti. Tum obviously ja sakhte ho, seeing as your you.

Armaan: Riddhima, I just wanna say I'am sorry.

Riddhima: Armaan, tumhari galti thi hee nahin. Maine apna moo kholdiya yeh sochkar ki humesha mere saath bura hoga.

Armaan: Actually.........yeah! Galti tumhari hain.

Riddhima: Shut up! Aur yaha se niklo, mujhe abhi bhi samaan bandhna, Urmila ke ghar jaane se pehle.

Armaan: Yeah, of course. Lekin ghar ka chaabi?

Riddhima: Tumne meri zindagi nahin dekhi, main uss ghar ki caretaker ki thara, harr kamre ka taala mere paas hain.

Armaan: Ohhhh, OK.

Armaan drove to her house. Riddhima jumped over the hedge like usual. Armaan looked at her uncertainly.

Riddhima: Aao.

Armaan: Main.....gate use karta hoon.

Armaan went around the house. Riddhima shook her head and mumbled something that sounded much like 'celebrities!' She was getting down the hedge when she saw Anjali's car arriving. She ran over to Armaan and pulled him into her room.

Armaan: Woah ho!

Riddhima: Shut up! Nita, Rita, aur Anjali arahe hain.

Armaan pulled her to the left side of her wardrobe where they both stood silently. Suddenly the heard the door knob click. Riddhima started panicking. Armaan squeezed her hand and pulled her inside his jacket. Anjali, Nita and Rita got in.

Anjali: Toh tum log kehrahe ho, ki Rose Ball waali ladki Riddhima thi.

Rita: Iss Nita ko sab pata tha, aur woh Cinderella banne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Anjali: Woh sab baad mein, pehle yeh baath Armaan thak pohochna nahin chahiye.

Nita: Mujhe lagta hain Riddhima ne usse already bata di. I mean, tumne kal suna nahin Armaan ne Riddhima ko date par poocha tha.

Anjali: Lekin kal Armaan ne usse jo sunaya uske baad mujhe nahin lagta ki woh ladki uss mein interested hain.

Armaan could make out from the movement of Riddhima's head which was buried in Armaan's chest that she had been smiling.

Anjali: Right, tum logo ne kaha tha, yaha Riddhima ke kamre mein usne Armaan ke baare mein apna diary mein likhi hain.

Nita: Haan.

Anjali: Woh dhundo. Usse lekhe hum usme aisi embarrassing cheeze likh dengi ki Armaan yeh sab dekhe hassne ke elaava kuch nahin kar payega.

Rita: Aur phir Armaan yeh jaane ke baad ki Riddhima woh ladki hain usse reject karna parega.

Anjali: Exactly. Phir Armaan mera, aur Riddhima......well.........

Anjali laughed, Nita and Rita joined with fake confused laughters. Riddhima started panicking more. Armaan looked at her. She pointed to the plastic hanging bag stuck to the wardrobe. Armaan looked behind him and saw the diary. Armaan looked at her and made her calm down. They both stood behind the wardrobe patiently.

Nita: Yaha toh kuch mil hee nahin raha hain.

Anjali: Tum logo ne teek se dekha nahin hoga.

Rita: Sach mein nahin hain.

Anjali: Teek hain, college ke baad tum log phir se dhundoge.

Anjali walked out. Nita and Rita followed her. Armaan waited for a second. Riddhima gave a sigh of relief and fell onto her bed. She closed her eyes for a minute, opened them and saw Armaan reading her diary. She jumped off.

Riddhima: ARMAAN! Wapas dedo mujhe.

She aimed for his hand but he extended his hand so that it was out of her reach.

Armaan: Tumne mere baare mein likha hain toh mujhe jaane ka haq hain.

Riddhima: Haq hain, lekin kisi aur ke diary mein jaane ka haq nahin hain.

Armaan pulled her left hand with his right and twisted it behind her back.

Armaan: Zid karna achchi baath nahin hoti. Aur tum kisi aur nahin Riddhim ho, meri girlfriend, so Iam sure tumhari diary parna mere liye allowed hain.

Riddhima calmed down because of the fact that she was in his grasp. He held the diary in his hand and read out.

Armaan: 'Urmila ne phirse mujhe Armaan ki concert ki tickets nahin lene di, infact khaam pe bhejdiya thaaki TV par bhi na deksakhoon' Ohh, Riddhima, tumne meri photo bhi lagayi.

Riddhima: Armaan, yeh mazaak nahin hain. Mujhe hee kya saari ladkiyan tum par fida thi.

Armaan: Really? Aur tum kitna jalti thi?

Riddhima: Armaan, shut up! Main nahin jalli.

Armaan pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her left cheek. He looked at her, and her eyes had gone round in surprise or shock (both are the same in a way)

Armaan: (whisper) Ab dusri ladkiyan tumse jalengi.

Riddhima smiled and hid her face in his chest. He let go of her arm and gave her a hug.

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Armaan was at college. He had spoken to the principle about Riddhima and had paid fees for upcoming 2 months. He went outside. Rahul was adamant on keeping Armaan's relationship behind the curtains, at which Armaan had to agree in a disapproving manner due to the fact that Riddhima was also teamed with Rahul. Riddhima was in the canteen talking to Uday and Rahul while Armaan were talking to the teacher in the corridor outside the canteen.

Suddenly Anjali, Nita and Rita were going in. There was screech of chairs and everyone was laughing. Armaan and Rahul went in to see Anjali confronting Riddhima. Riddhima was looking down. Armaan went over.

Armaan: Kya hua?

Anjali: Riddhima wapas agayi aur kisi ko yeh nahin pata ki kaise, I mean, tum jaisi naukrani ke paas itna paise kaha se aaye.

Armaan: Anjali, chup karo!

Anjali: Isse batana toh chahiye ki paise kaha chori ki usne.

Riddhima's eyes had gone red. Armaan sensed her pain.

Armaan: Anjali, bohot ho gaya, paise uske hain, woh jo chahe karsakhti hain.

Anjali: Main kaha usse rok rahi hoon, lekin paise kaha se aaye yeh jaana hain. I mean Riddhima koi ameer logo ko nahin jaanti toh udhar bhi nahin lesakhti.

Armaan had his hands in fists.

Armaan: Kisi ke paas paise hone keliye ameer jaankari ki zaroorat nahin hain.

Anjali: Kabhi, kabhi mujhe aisa lagta hain, ki yeh tumhe impress kar rahi hain, aur tum uski madat sirf isliye karte ho Armaan. I mean isme aisa kuch hain bhi nahin jo dekhne laiak ho. Aur Riddhima tum jaanti ho ki Armaan ka tumhare liye concern sab dikhaawa hain.

Armaan; Really, Anjali? Toh phir kya yeh dikhaawa hain?

He walked over to Riddhima, held her hand and placed his lips on hers. He held her cheeks very carefully. Riddhima didnt know how to respond but then realized she didnt have to do anything. Armaan knew Riddhima would never be ready for anything more passionate than this so he just stayed in his position. Everyone looked shocked. There were gasps, cracking glasses, books falling but complete silence.

Uday: Maine kabhi bhi live coverage nahin dekha.

Armaan removed his lips and looked at her with his hand still on her cheek. Anjali had already thrown her cup of coffee on the floor, drowned in jealousy and anger. Riddhima prevented herself from blushing and kept a straight face. Armaan looked at Anjali.

Armaan: Satisfied?

Armaan took Riddhima's hand and both walked out of the canteen. They went into Armaan's car.

Armaan: Riddhima, I'am so sorry. Mujhe pata nahin tha ki main kya karoon. Sirf yeh ek thareeqa tha mere paas. Riddhima, I am so sorry.

Riddhima: Armaan, its ok. Aur waise bhi, I don't think I'll get one again.

Armaan smiled at her and laughed.

Riddhima: Armaan, mere paise kisne diya?

Armaan: Erm..................pata nahin.........shyaad Rani.

Riddhima: Rani, meri thara hain. Bas jo khamaati hain ussi se khaam chalati hain. Par school ke fees.........nahin.

Armaan looked at his wheel, like it was really fascinating. Riddhima looked at him.

Riddhima: Armaan, kya tum mujhse kuch chupa rahe ho?

Armaan: Riddhima, tum ab college mein ho toh.....

Riddhima: Exactly. Principle ne mujhe phone kiya aur yeh kaha ki koi problem nahin main aasakhti hoon, lekin ab sochti hoon fees dene toh parenge.

Armaan: Listen, Riddhima. Tum college mein ho, yeh toh sabse bari baath hain, haina?

Riddhima: Hoti. Lekin main 10 saal ki umar se apne fees, room, khana sab keliye main khud paise khamati hoon, aur agar achanak kisi ne mujhse ek khaam leliya toh pereshani toh hogi. I mean aise koi kyun Rs. 3000 (I seriously dunno how much they take for school, I just seen this in another serial) kharch karega mujhpe. Actually make that Rs.6000, doh mahine ke fees dedi uss insaan ne.

Armaan: Bohot achcha ladka hoga.

Riddhima: Tumhe kaise pata ladka hain?

Armaan: I mean, jisne bhi diya.

Riddhima: Armaan?

Armaan: OK fine, I know tumhe yeh sab pasand nahin, lekin jab tum mujhe paise wapas dogi main mana nahin karoonga. OK. Satisfied?

Riddhima: One purre Rs.6000 two wapas lene parenge and three STOP SAYING SATISFIED.

Armaan: (laughing) Kyun, kuch yaad araha hain?

Riddhima: Shut up.

Armaan took her back to Urmila's house where she still had some of her stuff left over. Riddhima took all the remaining boxes and put them in the car. There was one box left over which contained old books and photographs. She opened the box and went through pictures of her and her dad. There was one in a photo frame, where the corner of the picture was folded creating a crease. She opened up the frame and an envelope fell out. She put the photo neatly back into the frame and opened the envelope. After a minute of reading she smiled.

Riddhima: Armaan, hum pehle waqeel (lawyer) ke paas jayenge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Urmila, Nita and Rita came home from a party. They got out of the car and all had their mouths open. All their stuff was outside and Riddhima was standing there.

Urmila: Yeh sab kya hain?

Riddhima: Aap logo ka samaan.

Urmila: Woh dikh raha hain, lekin yaha kya kar raha hain?

Lawyer: Yeh ghar Ms Saran ka hain aur yaha woh jo rakhegi wohi yaha hoga.

Urmila: Excuse me sir, yeh ghar mera hain, mere pati guzar hain aur unka koi will nahin hain.

Riddhima: Then its your lucky day, cause guess what I found?

She showed Urmila a plain white envelope.

Urmila: What rubbish!

Lawyer: In par aapke signatures hain, matlab aapne inhe dekha.

Urmila: Maine kabhi apne pati ka will nahin dekha.

Armaan: Aapse yeh kisne kaha ki yeh will hain?

Urmila: Mera matlab jo bhi ho.....maine kabhi nahin dekha.

Lawyer: Aapko mere saath aana parega.

Riddhima: Car keys, purleeze!

Urmila turned around made a run for it, but instead she broke her heel. The police took her by the arm.

Riddhima: Erm............Urmila dont worry, main tumhe zyaada derr thak andar rehne nahin doongi.

Uday and Armaan looked at her shocked.

Riddhima: Lekin nikalne ke baad meri kuch sharte hain, jo tumhe follow karne parenge.

Urmila: Kya?

Riddhima: Zyaada kuch nahin, bas diner mein tumhe meri position leni paregi aur main Rani ko waha ki manager banaongi.

Urmila: Kya? Waqeel sahab mujhe yaha se le jaaye. Main jail mein apne wardrobe, straightener, massager, diet manager ke bina rehsakhti hoon lekin iski ghulam nahin.

Riddhima: It was your choice. Have a nice time, mummy!

They went off with her. Nita and Rita looked at her.

Nita: Meri mom wapas aajayegi.

Riddhima: Aayegi bhi toh kya? Yeh sab mere naam pe hain, matlab main maalkin hoon, aur tumhari mom mera kuch nahin bigaar sakhti.

Rita started crying.

Riddhima: Wow! I have never seen that. Lekin tum logo ne mere saath jo kuch bhi kiya, mere saath hee kyun, Rani, diner pe saare logo ke saath, uske saamne yeh ansoon aur dukh kuch bhi nahin hain.

They both walked off on the road. Armaan smiled at Riddhima and put his arm around her.

Armaan: Maalkin banna bohot achcha hain, lekin Malik banna zyaada achcha hain. Trust me.

Riddhima looked at him.

Armaan: Abhi nahin, char paanch saal baad?

Riddhima: Sochungi.

Armaan: Tum na nahin kehpaogi.

Riddhima: Agar kaha toh?

Armaan: Toh utaake le jaounga.

Riddhima: Music video mein ya shaadi ke mandap mein.

Armaan: How about both?

Riddhima: Shut up!

Uday laughed.

Uday: Too funny. Main chalta hoon.

5 years later.