Still Waiting(OS), AR, MAYUR n SAJAN versions pg 8 - Page 5

hi pooja.....

i m an ar fan.......

ok........ the one shot was fantastic..........

tune to dara hi diya punch line se.........

reat work..........

do write more.......

thanks for the pm

bye

"That's ur room, is it?", Atul asked,

"Yeah, i am here, n tht one must be yours", I said,

"Yup, i am glad we are close by, so do u have a roomie?", he further said,

"Nope, not yet, i am still alone, but i dont know if someone else comes", I said,

"Okie, but i have my roomie, its gonna be the two of us, this is him, his name is..."

I suddenly turned to the voice from my room, n missed Atul's conversation, it looked like my roomie had come, so i called to Atul,

"Hey, i think my roomie is here too, i'll talk to u later, bye", n i waved a bye to him,

My guess was right, the girl who had entered the room was Anjali Sharma, i was shocked beyond limit. She was not that pretty actually, but her personality was a shocker. Her tall n slim frame, so well maintained, everything abt her shouted style. I discovered she was a little arrogant whn i talked to hr first, n i never risked talking to her again.

Life began smoothly in the camp, we were introduced to the other people. We all belonged from different parts, but we mingled. I did talk to everyone, made friends, but no one was really close to me. I came to know that Atul's roomie was some Armaan Mallik. I never talked to him, but heard a lot abt him from the others. No doubt the guy was good looking, ok, i shudnt under estimate him, he was handsome, the avatar of a Greek God, but i wasnt too interested since i didnt interact wid him. He was the part of the popular group there, that included Anjali, Atul, n few others. Atul had invited me to join them, but i refused, they all were too classy for me. I was the simple girl, n liked being tht way. I usually stayed wid Sapna, who was similar to me in many ways. She had tried to join the popular group, but had been refused. Somewhere down the lane, even i feared the rejection.

As time passed by, we were involved in different activities, n then did i start noticing Armaan. We went for mountain climbing, rock climbing, biking, hiking, n so many adventure sports. Armaan always used to be the best amongst all, even in simpleboard games n things. Later on i came to know tht he visited the camp regularly, so it wasnt new to him. I still felt tht even after visiting regularly, u needed to have talent to be so good. Well, i did the activities, but on a small scale. Thank God, Miss Keerti had been there, otherwise the others wudnt have stopped making fun of me. Miss Keerti was kind of the guardian of us all, in that camp. She had brought us all for the camp, n it was her job to bring new students for the camp.

Gradually, i took extra notice of Armaan. He was like perfect in everything, n i started falling for him. I sneaked glances in his direction everytime, n many a times, i found him looking back at me. I used to hope it wud be me he was staring at, but i always found out the other person. It was some or his other friend everytime. I was disappointed, but life went so.

I had a habit, i used to get up early in the morning, to walk around the empty roads. Everyday i took a new road, n discovered some new places. One day, i had walked a bit far, n i found a garden. I was mesmerized by it, i wanted to enter it, but i didnt want to trespass. Then i saw a sign board,

'This garden was made by Mr John Smiths, for his beloved late wife, Mrs Anna Smiths. He has left this garden, for all the lovers of the world. You are free to enter this garden, but it will be great if u cud help maintain this garden. There are all the necessary items here, so plz go ahead in making this place more beautiful'

The garden was indeed beautiful. There were flowers of all colours, n in the centre, was a small shed type dome built, with pillars. It had no walls n was open. It was built of white stone, n looked awesome. I picked up some flower seeds, n lost in my thoughts of Armaan, i sprinkled them all over on a apot near the shed, n watered them.

**************************************

One fine day, i came out of the shower, my hair were wet, n the water dropping on my t-shirt irritated me (ok, i wore jeans-tshirt ocassionally). My cell rang, it was Rahul, my bestie, we talked for a long time,

Suddenly, someone had entered my room. I tought it wud be Sapna calling me for breakfast.

"Ok Rahul, gotta go... bye... n yeah, i love u too... haan haan missing u... will be back soon. Ok, now bye. Haaaaaaan Sapna, i am coming, it wasnt my fault, Anjali took so much time in getting ready n then u know Rahul..."

I turned, scattering the water drops, only to find Armaan standing there with tht unknown expression on his face, n rubbing his face where the drops had fallen. I was shocked,

"Tum, oh sorry, i thought ki Sapna hai..."

"Huh, yeah, am sorry too, i shud've knocked. Sorry, wo i thought ki Anjie is here, n i never knocked when i came to meet her, so waise..."

"Its ok, Anjali has already gone down, u can find her there"

I said this much, n turned, trying to control my tears. So, he came to meet Anjali, when i was not in the room. Well, everybody knew they cud find me in the library, rather than the room. So i was oblivious to anything going around. Sapna had guessed, she wasnt sure, but she told me, something going on between Atul and Anjali, but now i was sure tht Sapna was wrong. I was shattered, and didnt want Armaan to see my tears, so, i turned around. I thought he had tried to say something, but when i turned again, he had left. That day, i made some excuses, n changed my room. I shifted in with Sapna, away from Anjali, away from tht room, whose balcony was the place from where i secretely admired my dream man.

************************************

Since my first visit, i only visited the garden once, on my last day there, when i cried my heart out for going away from Armaan, but i also realised tht i was never close to him.

I departed from the camp, with all those things in my mind, and Armaan in my heart. I saw him hugging n saying byes to all his friends, with a dimpled smile. I wish he'd ever smiled to me like that, coz i was crazy for his million dollars smile, as well as his deep dimples. I was hurt again, when he did not even wish m a bye. I said my byes to my other friends, n left.

***************************************

It has been 8 years since then, today i am 25 years old. Armaan had made a special place in my heart, n i cud never give it to anyone else. My parents wanted to get me married, but i just cudnt say yes to anyone. So, after completing my MBA degree with top qualifications, i looked for an idea tht cud save me from the marriage fiasco. And then, it was decided, i went to the company, which organised those camps, n applied for the job. I was easily selected for the job, which Miss Keerti had handled at my time. I wud be travelling most of the time, n mom-dad wont pester me abt marriage. Basically, it was Rahul's idea, he knew everything abt Armaan, n supported me in my decision. At present, Rahul is a doctor, recently married one month back to his love, Dr Muskaan. I have been handling the tours since last 2 years. Rahul sometimes asks me if its worth waiting for Armaan, n i have no answer. He understands my unspoken words.

****************************************

Recently, we had gone for the tour again. I loved living those memories of my days there, they were my lifeline. But this time, something was different, there was this girl Mini, she was just six years in age. I had observed her carefully, n saw my past in her. Not the love thing, but she used to saty away from the others. Even when she was with everyone physically, she was never there mentally. She talked to everyone, but, again, no one was really close to her. I didnt like it, n took her totally under my care. Though i had to treat everyone equally, but Mini was a special one. She became real close to me, she did everything wid me, the other younger children didnt like my closeness to her, they felt left out, but i knew i wasnt wrong. I didnt neglect them, i just paid Mini a little more attention. It was finally the end of the camp, we were in the flight,

"So Mini, who'll come to pick u up from the airport"

"Umm Riddhu, well, i guess mom will be pretty busy, so, maybe dad will come, i am not sure, we havent talked"

"Ok, i'll miss u Mini, here's my number n my email id, do keep in touch"

We landed, parents came to collect their children, i saw them all off. Almost all of them had left, when Mini came n hugged me,

"Riddhu, i'll really miss u"

"Aww, Mini, dont cry, we'll keep in touch, n we live in the same city, right, i'll come n meet u, pakka, plz dont cry"

"You too, clear away ur tears, they dont look nice in ur big eyes"

"Ok honey"

"Hey Riddhu, buddy aa gaye", Mini pointed to a direction, i turned to see, happily, n received the biggest shock of my life, Armaan Mallik strode in our direction. He had not changed much, only he had become more handsome n matured. He was busy talking on phone, n i guessed he hadnt seen me. I immediately moved from there, hiding behind a crowd.

"Hey buddy, aap aa gaye, so cool. I want u to meet someone, see... oh no, where is she"

"Who Mini?"

"Riddhu, i wanted u to meet her. She was the best part of my camp"

"Riddhu (he thought for sometime, then shaking his head), i'll meet her some other time, ok, now we have to go, come"

"Next time, that means u'll send me for the camp, again, wid Riddhu, haina?"

"I promise, now let us go"

Riddhima saw the two figures leaving, father n daughter, hand in hand. She was feeling restless, it had been so long since she had seen him. He was there on the newspapers, coz he was a successful bussinessman, but never did his picture or his personal life come in there. He had been handsome then, but now, he even beat the Greek Gods. His muscularly built body seemed to be tearing out from his nicely fitted suit. His hair, like always, were not gelled. Infact, they were longer, n silky, falling on his forehead. His dimpled smile, when he smiled at Mini, hadnt still changed. The feelings in her heart took a turn on seeing him again, n she left the airport heavy hearted.

*************************************

It had been 3 months since she'd seen Armaan again. Mini had tried keeping in touch wid her, but Riddhima avoided her calls. She did not want to see Armaan again, n getting closer to Mini, wud mean the same. She did not know anything abt his personal life, his family, n she knew staying away from him was the only option. She had sent her wishes to Mini on her birthday, but she never checked back for the reply.

************************************

It is her birthday today, Riddhima was very excited, she was waiting for calls from all her near n dear ones. Rahul n Musakaan had been the first ones to wish her, n right now, she was waiting for her parents' call. The phone rang, n she immediately picked it up.

"Hello!!!", she spoke wid excitement,

"Happy Birthday Riddhu", the voice said,

"Uh... Mini... thanks, so, how are u?"

"............"

"You're angry?"

"Shud i be?"

"Mini, see..."

"No Riddhu u see (Mini started crying), i have been trying to reach u so many times, but u r like ignoring me. You r not at office whenever i come there, u dont pick up my calls, u dont reply to my mails, why are u doing this?"

"Mini, sweety, stop crying, plz plz plz, i know i have been very wrong, n it was unacceptable, but plz, forgive me. We can start afresh, plz"

"On one condition, where is the party tonight?", Mini chuckled,

"Thats like my girl, ok, the party is at my appartment, but how will u come?"

"Mum n dad r busy, so i guess, its the driver again"

"Ok, pen down my address, n see u at 8, n dont be late"

"Love u Riddhu, thanks, bye, see u soon"

Riddhima didnt know why had she done this, but she cudnt break Mini's heart. Riddhima thought she wud try hard to stay away from her parents, that was all she cud do.

*****************************************

It was the night time, Riddhima was dressed in a pink n a bluish churidaar, n was busy with the food preparations, along with Rahul.

"Rahul, when will Muskaan come, its about time?"

"Oh craps, i forgot to mention, she is in an important surgery, n it is a serious one. So, no idea abt when she's coming back, but she's promised to be back asap"

Ting tong,

"I think its Mini, u check upon the cake, i'll open the door"

Riddhima opened the door, n saw a very excited Mini, dressed in pink, a bouquet in her hand.

"Happy birthday Riddhu, how r u?", she hugged Riddhima,

"Awww, the flowers are lovely, these red n white roses are my favourite", Riddhima now noticed the man in black standing at the door with a big teddy bear in his hand, his face covered. She felt a familiar feeling,

"Mini, whats this?", Riddhima pointd to the man,

"Whats this nahi, who's this, he is my buddy, Buddy, meet Riddhu, Riddhu, thats Buddy, n plz keep the gift down", Mini said,

The man kept the teddy bear down, Riddhima was shocked to see Armaan standing there n smiling, in a black suit wid blue shirt.

"Hi... uh Buddy"

"Happy Birthday, Miss Riddhu", he flashed his million dollar dimpled smile, Riddhima melted down, but suddenly seeing Mini there, she remembered,

"Its Riddhima Gupta for you"

"Oh k, Armaan Mallik", he put forward forward his hand, i was abt to take it when,

"RIDZI, COME HERE, SOON", it was Rahul shouting from the kitchen,

"Oh no, he needs help! Mini come inside, i'll just be back"

Riddhima rushed inside, followed by Armaan n Mini who knew something wasnt right, but to their shock, they entered the kitchen only to see a man with apron n a cheff's cap, grinning foolishly at a very angry Riddhima, who took turns to see the guy, n the beautifullly laid chocolate cake.

"So Ridzi, hows it?", the guy asked Riddhima,

"Dunno, u know what am i thinking?", Riddhima asked in a very calm voice, surprising all the three there,

"What???", the guy asked,

"That someday, i'll go to jail for murdering u Rahul", with this she started running behind him. They played the cat n the mous for a few minutes, when Rahul noticed Mini, he stopped, turned n was abt to bump in Riddhima who also stopped suddenly,

"Freeze", he said,

"What?", Riddhima asked, he pointed his fingers to the duo standing there,

"We are missing them in the fun", he said

"Oh, Mini, i am so sorry, ye Rahul aisa hi hai. Dont mind him, so Rahul, this is Mini, n Mini, Rahul", Riddhima said,

"Hey Mini, Ridzi talks a lot abt u, its my pleasure to meet u", Rahul said,

"Oh, same here, nice to meet u too Mr Rahul", Mini said,

"Its Rahul for u, sweety. Hey man, i'm Rahul, Dr Rahul Grewal", Rahul put forward his hand.

"Armaan Mallik, hi", Rahul raised his eyebrows at the name, Armaan took his hand, n suddenly, Rahul winced in pain, he immediately pulled back his hand.

"Ah, Ridzi, lets cut the cake", Rahul said, diverting his mind,

"Hmm, haan, lets cut it, n trust me, its beautiful. Come Mini!", Riddhima stood in the middle, with Rahul on one side, n Mini on the other. She made a wish (i cant tell na, poori nahi hogi), n blew the candles. Now she was in a dilemma, who gets the first piece. If she feeds it to all, she cudnt neglect Armaan. So she only fed Mini, but looks like Rahul wasnt buying the situation. He pouted making a face, n she had to give in. She fed him one piece too. Then they all settled on the couches,

"Mini, u also went to the camp for which Riddhima went, how was it?", Rahul asked,

"It was awesome", Mini replied,

"Oh k, it was very bad for Riddhima", Rahul said while Riiddhima just glared,

"Really, maybe coz she did not have a Miss Riddhu. So Riddhu, u like my gift?", Mini asked,

"Yup, i told u the flowers were my favourite. Even Rahul got the same ones, they r in my bedroom, n the teddy, i love it, its also going to my room"

"Really, Buddy suggested the gifts, so, who wished u first of all?", Mini continued,

"Ah, like always, Rahul was the first one and ...", Riddhima was continuing, when Armaan interrupted,

"Um Mini, we need to go, i hav an urgent work"

"But Buddy, u said w wud stay till late..."

"I know Mini, but its urgent. You can visit Riddhu again, ok?"

Riddhima bade her byes to Mini, n muttered a simple thank u to Armaan.

"So, that was Armaan Mallik? Is it still worth waiting for him, when he's already so happy?", Rahul asked as she closed the door.

Riddhima cudnt say anything, she only hugged Rahul, n cried her heart out.

*************************************

Since the last 1 month, Riddhima was talking to Mini, but Armaan was never again wid her. Riddhima noticed Mini didnt like to talk abt her family, so she never pushed. This time, Riddhima was going again for the tour, and Mini wanted to go with her. Riddhima said she shud go to new places, not the same ones, but Mini was adamant. Finally, both of thm went there. They had lots of fun. Some time later, Rahul n Muskaan, who were on a break, joined them. It was anyways their marriage anniversary next day. The preparations had been made for a nice party. Surprisingly, Armaan also arrived there, the next evening itself. When told abt the party, he was only happy to attend it, even at such short notice. The party went very well, Riddhima was dressed in a red churidaar, which was party going dress. Armaan was also dressed in a red shirt, with a black suit. He looked so dashing, n tempting, tht Riddhima left the party, n strode for a walk. Surprisingly, she found herself, in the same garden of Mrs n Mr Smiths. She walked to the shed, to the spot where she'd planted the seeds. To her surprise, beautiful red n white roses had grown there, making a heart shape. Riddhima sat there, admiring the flowers, when her heart screamed only Armaan's name.

Suddenly, few lights went on, falling all over the garden n the shed. These lights, along wid moonlight, made the view even more beautiful. But, what came next, made her gasp. Armaan walked to her, with big steps, n finally reaching her, he bent on his knees, n pulled out a beautiful diamond ring.

"Riddhima Gupta, marry me"

Riddhima was shocked,

"Why Armaan, why shud i marry u?"

"Because i love u, i've loved u since the first day when i saw u in tht balcony. You were wearing tht loose pink t-shirt, wid blue shorts, n u looked heavenly beautiful, much more than the view outside. Your long silky hair were open, n ur skin was glowing like anything. Your simplicity, took my heart. Then u waved, at me, i was jumping from within. But the wave was for Atul, n i was disappointed. But i never left hope. You never talked to me, n i feared ur rejection, so i too did not take the first step. You always avoided our group, i suggested Atul tht he asks u to join us, but u refused. I was always looking at u, n when u sometimes looked back, i was scared of being caught. So instead of looking away, i turned my gaze to any of my nearby friends. Atul was my cousin, n he'd realised my feelings for u, so, he tried his best to help me. He n Anjali had hit it off, so, he took me to ur room many times, but u were never there. So i used to sit n admire ur room, ur side was always the clean one, with one red n one white rose in the vase everyday, n ur things arranged to perfection. Your balcony window was a blessing, i had askd Anjali to keep the curtains always open, n i saw u so many times through it, ur normal self, in the room, when u were alone.

You didnt know, but just to follow u, i used to get up early, n walked closely behind u. That day, seeing u in this garden, it was heaven on earth. You looked so angelic. And then u planted those flowers, i used to come here everyday to water them. Then came the day, when i saw u in ur room. I'd seen Anjali go out, n i thought it was the best time to catch u alone, i came, n the sight amazed me, the water drops from ur wet hair, it was like faliing in love all over again. But then, the convrsation i'd just heard struck me, u loved some Rahul, n i was totally broken. Now i knew why the most popular guy of the camp held no interest for u. You were already committed, and i respected ur loyalty, so i blabbered whateve cam in my mind first, n went away. Then, we all went separate ways when the camp finished. I didnt have the guts to say even a good bye to u, u were left like a sweet memory in my heart, my Riddhu.

After getting older, my love only grew for u, n this kept me away from committing to any othr girl. I knew i cud not ruin someone elses life, coz it was only u in my heart. Then, when Mini came back from the camp, it was only abt u all the time. I was sometimes irritated, but i liked to hear abt Riddhu, be it someone else. Then, the day before ur b'day, i saw ur picture in Mini's diary. She had been quite upset coz of not meeting u, was talking to ur picture. I recognised u, u'd only grown more beautiful. I was overwhelmed to know it was u, my Riddhu. I jumped when Mini told me u hadnt married. I saw another hope. Then, i insisted she call u, n the result was there. We headed to ur home, i was ready with both colours, blue as well as pink, i had an intuition u wont wear red tht day. You wore red only when u were really really vry happy, but tht was not the day. And yes, wasnt i right? Seeing u was like getting a new life, but Rahul was there too, ur closeness with him burnt me. I now doubted if i really had a chance. So, i took off wid Mini, under pretext of urgent work. Then, i tried avoiding u, i knew abt u from Mini's daily updates, but i didnt want to face u.

Then, after Mini came here again, i recalled our days here. My desire to meet u overcame my resolution of not meeting u, n here i was. But the news of Rahul's anniversary party, made my whole life. He was married to Muskaan, so i talked to him abt u, n he told there was no one present in ur life. I immediately rushed here, n thats it, now, plz Riddhima, say u'll marry me, evn if u dont love me, i promise my love will be enuf for both of us, plz say yes"

Riddhima was crying badly,

"Armaan, Rahul lied to u, thre is already someone in my life, whom i love very much, n after him, i can never love anybody, no one ever"

"He... he lied to me, why? Who is it Riddhima?", Armaan was shattered, again, he lowered his head, n asked.

Riddhima fell on her knees, lifted his face, n staring in his eyes, she answered,

"I love him from the days of my camp, i dont how n when did i fall in love, but since then, i've been falling only deeper n deeper. Even today, i am just waiting for him, the guy who owns my heart, my soul, he owns me, forever. I Love You Armaan"

Armaan heard those words, n hugged her tight. He didnt want to leave her, now that he had her, n his grip on her, told her this. She was only his, she was his Riddhu. They sat in the same position for some time, suddenly Riddhima separated, her eyes went on the ring which was in her finger, she didnt know since how long was it there.

"Armaan, what abt Mini?"

"Mini, she'll be jumping wid joy to have u as family"

"What abt her mom?"

"Anjie! Where does she come in?"

"Mini is Anjali's daughter?"

"Noooooo, Mini is Anjali and Atul's daughter, n they'll also be happy to have u, but why do u ask?"

When Riddhima did not answer, n lowered her eyes, realisation hit him,

"Oh God! You, you thought Mini was my daughter, no no no, i am still the most eligible bachelor of India, trust me, no girlfriends too, i swear"

"You r lying to me"

"Riddhima, seriously, never had a girl friend, n trust me, i am still a bachelor"

"No, u're not, u have a girlfriend, n u are no longer a bachelor, you are mine", she flashed her ring to him, n buried her head in his chest, while he cud only smile at his love.

Riddhima thought to herself, 'thank u God, for fulfilling my wish, n keeping Armaan happy'.