Episode 78 - Thread 4 - Page 78 -
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EPISODE SEVENTY-NINE
Riddhima's Godh-Bharaayi and Armaan's Tilak Ceremonies were performed smoothly by the respective families. Vaibhav got to know that his Girl-friend is to marry his Chachu. Vaibhav and Armaan informed Yash about the same and it was decided that even after marriage, Yash will keep refering Armaan as Superman and not 'Phuphadji'.
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The subsequent week was one of the busiest for both the families as well as for The Marvel Group of Industries. The families have been busy with marriage preparations and the whole Marvel Group was busy celebrating the upcoming happy event. To them their Boss, Armaan Malik was no less than God. They arranged prayers and Hawans to bless their Master, his going-to-be-wife, and for regarding good wishes for their happy married life.
All this while, Armaan was busy trying to finish his work as soon as possible as he knew that around and after wedding, he wont get much time for work. He even preponded a few things so that neither professional, nor his personal commitments suffer from any losses. Other things were taken care of by his professional brigade.
Riddhima came to the office only for two days after Armaan's Tilak. After that Omang asked her to take leave for a while. She knew that Armaan's work-load has shot up all of a sudden, and she didn't want to leave, but she couldn't say no to Omang... and with all those arrangements and rituals going on in her house, she also needed some time for her family.
All this time Armaan never got much time to spend with Riddhima or even ask her the questions that has been bothering him. Of course he was happy that he was finally getting married to the girl he likes (yeah, Our stupid Superman, still wasn't ready to admit that he has fallen for hers), but at the same time he was utterly confused.
He was confused due to Riddhima's casual attitude towards him and their marriage. He knew that whoever girls are about to get married behave in a certain way towards their would-be-husbands. They even react a little differently to their surrounding and its all natural. But here Riddhima still behaved in the same cool way.
Is this her way to tease him? Does she think of him as a man who has been responsible for her break-up with her boyfriend in some ways? Is she marrying him due to some pressure? Is she trying to hide her emotions? Does she even value him as her going-to-be-husband? Or is this her own way to handle the situation? There he go again, with that silly set of questions.
Thousands questions like these and many more hovered over his mind. What was it that he should decipher from her body-language? He didn't know and there was none who could help him with this... this time not even Atul. This mystery he needed to solve himself. And he will do it the first chance he was going to get. But the problem was, he was not getting one.
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Omang asked Atul to hire a few more experts who could handle the media during this course so that they don't make things difficult for Riddhima and her family. But the news that Armaan Malik, the chairperson of country's fastest growing company is getting married was one of the biggest breaking news for every TV channel. Even though Armaan's PRO tried to keep the Media as far as possible, the news still spread like jungle's fire.
It was decided that Armaan-Riddhima's wedding will be a private affair. Armaan didn't want it to be a huge. It wasn't like he didn't want to share the happiest moment of his live with his friends and close acquaintances, however he didn't like showing off things and make his personal affairs a matter of publicity. Only the nearest relatives and close friends were to be invited in his wedding. It was his private affair and he wanted to keep it that way. However, this time wasn't the main reason for his decision to keep it a low-profile and as simple as possible.
Armaan was very well aware that there were countless people who were expecting to attend his wedding. He knew that even though now strong enough, Riddhima's family still has comparatively modest financial background. Considering his really huge circle of acquaintances, if they start sending invites to everyone, it will only burden Rahul and his family unnecessarily.
He could have helped Rahul financially, but knowing the fact that Rahul is a self-respecting man and would never appreciate any kind of monetary favor from him, especially in this case, he didn't want to hurt his feelings. Armaan discussed this with Omang, who was more than happy with his sensible decision and promised him his full support.
Omang further met Shashank in the same regard. He told Shashank, "...Waise bhi bhaisaab, jyaadatar guests ko to bas khaane mein interest hota hai. 70% log to bas 'khaao aur khisko' ki formal philosophy mein believe karte hain... aur kuchh 20-25% ye dekhne mein ki kya liya-diya jaa raha hai..." he laughed, "...shaadi ki rasmo ko to koi dekhta bhi nahi. Itni saari rasmein hoti hai, unpe bhi dhyaan dena hota hai. Jab rasmon mein bas family hi involved hoti hai, to jyada bheed bula ke kya karna hai. Armaan bhi kah raha tha, ki shaadi mein jyada logon ko bula ke bekaar ka kaam kyun badhaana... bas ghar ke log aur kuchh khaas kareebee doston ko hi bulaaya jaaye to achchha hoga. Aur mere hisaab se bhi yehi theek hai. Kam se kam apno ka genuine ashirwaad milega humaare bachchon ko. Baaki log to bas formality ke liye aate hain. Par ye sab tabhi hoga agar ismein aapki marzi involved hogi. Humaari taraf se kisi tarah ki koi zabardasti nahi hai, bas chhoti si request hai." he folded his hands.
Shashank had immediately held his hands to stop him. "Arey bhai saab, kyun mujhe sharminda kar rahe hain. Aap logon ne jo socha hai, wo bilkul sahi hai. Mujhe ya mere parivaar mein kisiko bhi is se koi aitraaz nahi. Jaisa aap aur Armaan bete ne socha hai, waise hi hoga." He assured.
Though Shashank wanted to celebrate this ceremony of their only daughter to the fullest, but he also understood the unlying meaning of Omang's excuses, for keeping marriage to family and some close friends only. He knew that somewhere they were right on this coz if they make the ceremony bigger, it will burden Rahul both financially as well as physically. Not many people among the relatives come forward to help these days. Relatives were never there to help when they were going through bad phase of their life.
Some of the relatives might come forward to offer help on knowing that Riddhima is getting married with the owner of country's one of the most successful businessman and eligible bachelor, 'The Armaan Malik', but that will be for their own selfish reasons. Shashank wanted to keep his daughter away from jealous eyes of such selfish people, especially when she is just to begin her new life.
He also knew that Armaan and his family could easily make things easy and simple for them, in just a click of fingers. It was not even a wink-load of task for them. However, being a self-respecting man, Rahul will never appreciate any help from his only sister's in-laws. And Shashank was proud of his son for that.
Shashank was also aware that all these excuses were actually Armaan's suggestion. Armaan has never said or did anything that reflected his difference towards their financial backgrounds. Shashank was not only touched, but also felt proud of his going-to-be son-in-law. Armaan has once again proven himself to be the best choice for their innocent daughter.
So it was decided that only close friends and family members will be invited in the wedding.
Women from both the families were a little disappointed with this arrangement, as they wanted to celebrate this auspicious wedding ceremony of their most loved couple on a big scale. But they didn't object Armaan and Omang's statement. When they realized why both men have decided to keep it this way, their disappointment disappeared completely.
Keeping everyone's happiness in mind Omang decided to make it up by arranging a huge reception party after Armaan-Riddhima's marriage. He wanted to welcome Riddhima in his family and was looking forward to introduce her to everyone in their friend and professional circle. Whatever dearth would be left in celebrations and enjoyment will be fulfilled during the reception party.
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Only two days were left for their wedding.
Padma-Shashank were out with Aarti-Omang to invite some guests. Riddhima has gone out with Anjali and Atul to meet their dress-designer for some last minute work and fittings to be done on her wedding dress. Dadi was at Aashiyana with Minnie and Kirti.
Minnie though has come to stay with Riddhima's family for the next few days to help in wedding preparations, but today she went to see Kirti for some work. Kirti was at Ashiyana, making a casual visit and ask if they need another helping hand.
Armaan and Rahul had a meeting together, after which they went straight to Rahul's house. Armaan was hesitant initially thinking that Riddhima might be home and Aarti has instructed him not to meet her for a few days before marriage. But Rahul informed him that Riddhima isn't home and on Yash's insistence, he reluctantly agreed to go to Rahul's house. They have picked Yash and Vaibhav from their school on their way back home.
Once they reached Rahul's house, they had their lunch together. Muskaan, with the help of Shaguna, made both Yash and Vaibhav change their school uniforms, fed them their lunch and then instructed the boys to go to Yash's room and play there without making mess of anything. The boys complied. After lunch, Armaan, Rahul and Muskaan sat in the living room talking about various things.
Armaan's eyes fell on Riddhima's picture that hung on one of the walls. She was playing with Yash in their garden in that picture. Half of her dress was drentched in water while Yash held hose-pipe spraying water on her. The shocked look on her face was captured beautifully by whoever has taken that picture. She looked so cute even in that messy condition with her chudidaar messed with mud all the way till her knees.
He smiled thinking about her. He saw a few more pictures lined on the walls. Two of her pictures with Shashank and Padma, a few with Rahul and Muskaan, two more with Muskaan, one with Shaguna, most of them were with Yash, but there wasn't any solo picture.
As his gaze wandered over a few more photographs on the wall on other side, he saw her pictures with some unknown faces as well. He havent seen many of them before this. A few boys/men were also there in some pictures. He recalled the man he has seen with Riddhima in the Hotel a few days back.
Suddenly Armaan realized that now that Atul isn't there to interrupt him, he can ask a few things from Rahul and Muskaan, which might help him clear his confusion. Rahul has gone upstairs to put the boys in bed for afternoon nap, so he thought of talking to Muskaan.
"Muskaan, mujhe tujhse kuchh puchhna tha..." he asked.
"Haan puchh na." She was busy munching her apple.
"Tu kisi Maan Khanna ko to j-jaanti hi hogi na?" he asked hesistantly. He has somehow managed to find the name of the man he has seen with Riddhima in the Hotel few weeks back.
Muskaan looked up at him strangely. Her first reaction was that she thought, 'Who Maan Khanna?' Then as she looked at Armaan's distressed expressions, she tried to think a little harder. Atlast in a few seconds, she recalled who is Maan Khanna? Of course she knows one guy called Maan Khanna. She knows him from Delhi. But then, where did Armaan hear of him? And why is he asking her about him? Why now? That too with such distressed face with a slight hint of fear... Fear? What?
"Maan Khanna... Kyun?" She asked.
"Wo... kya... I mean wo... Riddhima ka... mera matlab, wo Riddhima ka ex-b-boyfriend hai na? To main..." he fumbled awkwardly shifting in his place.
"KYA?" Muskaan stared at him making a silly face. What is he talking about? Maan and Riddhima's Boyfriend... Is he mad or what? "Ye tujhe kisne kaha?" she asked funnily.
"Kyun? Tune hi to kaha tha na ki tu uske ex-boyfriend ko jaanti hai? Aur abhi tune kaha ki Tu Maan Khanna ko bhi... I mean, to phir..." he trialed befuddled at her reaction. Why is she reacting so very surprised? He thought.
"Haan kaha to tha. Par usmein Maan Khanna kahaan se tapak pada?" she asked as making a strangely twisted face.
He looked at her with his mouth slightly open in surprise. She looked like she has just swallowed an Anaconda. Has he said something wrong? "Nahi... wo, a-actually maine kuchh din pahle Riddhima ko ek shopping Mall mein ek aadmi se baat karte dekha tha. Aur, aur kuchh weeks pehle bhi wo use mili thi. J-jab hum ek conference ke liye kahin gaye the..." he tried to explain. "To... Wo-wo Maan Khanna tha... shaayad..." he fumbled uneasily. "I mean, kisi ne mujhe aise bataya..." Recently he has gone out to a Mall to buy something, when he saw Riddhima talking to the same guy whom he has seen with her in that hotel when he shouted on her.
Muskaan narrowed her eyes thinking about something. Then she interrogated, "Achchha? Aur ye kitne din pehle ki baat hai?" he looked at her questioningly, so she raised her brow, "I mean, tere shaadi ke liye haan karne se pehle, ya baadmein?"
"Ahem-Ahem... w-wo... pahle." he admitted.
Muskaan observed his uneasiness, as she inspected him from head to toe making him further conscious in his already distressed state. Hmm, so this was the reason huh, she thought. A minute later, she burst out laughing aloud. Armaan's confusion rose to another level on seeing her amusing reaction as she laughed at him that way.
"Kya hua bhai? Kya joke sun liya tune ab, jo itna hans rahi hai..." Rahul joined them.
Muskaan kept laughing for another minute ignoring Rahul as he sat on the arm of sofa beside her. She asked, "Ooo, to tu isliye shaadi se mana kar raha tha..." Armaan didnt know what to say. He just looked down. "Hmm..." Muskaan nodded taking his silence as a yes, "Tune kya Riddhima ko us se hanske baat karte hue dekh liya phir se?" she asked cheekily. He looked at her strangely and then back on the ground, feeling stupid. "Yaani dekha tune..." she laughed again on his mute confirmation.
Rahul stared from her to Armaan and then again at her noticing their contrasting body languages, "Muskaan... main bhi hu yahaan pe." he nudged her.
"Oh, I am sorry..." she made some space for Rahul to sit. Rahul slid down from the Sofa's arm besides her. He placed a cushion behind Muskaan's back for her support and adjusted himself in his place placing his arms over her shoulder.
Seeing Muskaan's amused and Armaan's confused face, he asked, "Baat kya hai? Tu hans kyun rahi thi? Aur ye abnormal logon ki tarah itna chup-chaap aur confused sa kyun baitha hua hai? Tune phir se koi 'Muskaan-type' bomb pheka ispe?"
Muskaan slapped his arm, "Chup kar..." then informed, "Armaan puchh raha tha ki kya Maan Khanna, Riddhima ka ex-boyfriend hai?"
"KYA? Maan Khanna?" Rahul's eyes popped out.
"Ye Maan Khanna kaun hai bhai?" they looked towards the door on hearing Anjali's voice.
"Arey Anjie, tu aa gayi?" Muskaan asked, then peeped behind her to find others, "Atul aur Baby kahaan rah gaye?"
"Wo dono designer ke paas hi hain abhi..." She came and sat on the other side of Muskaan, "Designer ko thoda jyada time lagne wala tha to Atul ne mujhe wapis bhej diya. Kahne laga ki aisi condition mein mujhe jyada stress nahi lena chaahiye. Aur dekho Baby ne bhi uske saath milke gang bana li hai, usne bhi Atul ko support kiya." she pouted.
Atul sent her to Rahul's place with driver so that she can rest for a while or maybe chill out with Muskaan. She has already been running around to take care of preparations and he didn't want her to take more stress. Though she was now getting close to normal, but Doctors have advised them to be careful. Atul stayed back at Dress-designer's studio with Riddhima.
Armaan smiled hearing her complaint, "Bhabhi, Bhai ne theek hi to kaha."
"Tu to chup hi rah, Bhai ke Chhote Bhai." Anjali glared at him, "Kitna mazza aa raha tha wahaan, Baby ko chhedne mein." she smiled recalling Riddhima's kiddish tantrums when the designer was taking her measurements to re-fit her wedding dress so that it compliments her already beautiful figure appropriately. Riddhima kept pointing out things to keep the dress modest and as simple as possible.
"Oh to ye baat hai. Baby ne zaroor 'ye aise nahi, wo waise nahi... ise itna mat karo, use waise rakhna...'..." she immitated Riddhima, "...ki rut laga rakhi hogi aur tu sun nahi rahi hogi. Isliye usne Atul ko support kiya, taaki wo bhi kuchh bol sake designer ko, tere wapis aane ke baad." Muskaan laughed, "Now I am sure, she is gonna do something silly with her dress. Teri saari mehnat pe paani fir jaayega ab." She shook her head.
"Pata tha mujhe ki wo kuchh aisa hi karegi. Itna to ab main bhi jaanti hu use." pausing for a tiny moment, Anjali smiled wickedly, "...isliye to maine pahle hi saari fielding karke rakhi thi."
"Fielding?" Rahul and Armaan looked confused.
"Haan fielding." Muskaan looked at Rahul repeating Anjali's words. She knew what she is talking about. She looked back at Anjali.
Anjali explained, "Maine pahle hi designer ko strict instructions de di thi, Baby ki koi baat na sun ne ke liye. Aur aane se pahle Atul ko dhamki deke aayi hu ki Designer pe nazar rakhe."
"And why do you think Designer will comply with your instructions? Tere aane ke baad Riddhima use manipulate bhi to kar sakti hai. Uske bhot saare tantrums tujhe abhi pata nahi hai. Ek baar apna bhola sa chehra, thoda aur bhola banaayegi, aur uske maasoom se chehre ko dekh ke I am sure wo designer uski baat maan lega. Nobody can resist that." Rahul interrupted.
Armaan smiled at his words thinking about Riddhima's cute expressions when he heard Anjali.
"No chance..." Anjali disagreed, others looked at her curiously, "Mana uske sab tantrums main nahi jaanti, par uske us bhole-se chehre waale expressions ko main achchhe se jaanti hu. In fact, wo to universal hai, sab jaante hain. Par jo ek extra cheez uske baare mein mujhe pata hai wo ye hai ki, Riddhima ko sab kuchh ata hoga, par kisi ko manipulate karna nahi ata. Wo jyada se jyada kya kar legi... bas itna hi na ki jaise tumne kaha ki wo Atul ke saamne apni masoom si aankhen cutely banaayegi taaki Atul uska saath de."
"And I am sure, Atul will not be able to stand that." Muskaan sighed.
"Haan, par tum log bhul rahe ho wo Atul hai, mera husband. Atul uski masoom aankhon se effect hone se jyada meri khatarnaak aankhon se darta hai." Anjali raised her brow haughtily growing her eyes bigger, "Aur wo jaanta hai ki agar use ghar mein wapis ana hai, to meri baat to use maan ni hi padegi. Warna use bhi raat ko Hera-Pheri waale Akshay Kumar ki tarah 'Ramlal' ke saath sona padega." She and other laughed at her comment.
"Ooo, to aap aise Bhai ko kaabu mein rakhti ho Bhabhi." Armaan chuckled.
"Haan, rakhti hu, tujhe kya..." Anjali threw a cushion at him.
"Ouch..." Armaan pretended to be hurt by the meek cushion.
"Nautanki..." Anjali muttered shaking her head. Then she got back to their earlier discussion, "Achchhe ye Maan Khanna kaun hai, jiski tum log abhi baat kar rahe the? Aur uska Riddhima ke Boyfriend se kya connection?" Armaan sombered at her question looking down.
"Maan Khanna humara Delhi ka purana jaankar hai. Shayad aajkal isi shaher mein hai..." she eyes Armaan pausing less than a moment, then continued, "Mujhe lagta hai ki Armaan ne use aur Riddhima ko ek saath hans ke baat karte hue dekha tha kuch din pehle, aur isne socha ki Maan, Riddhima ka boyfriend hai. Aur do din pehle usne phir se un dono ko ek saath dekh liya." Muskaan said sardonically.
"Armaan?" Anjali glared at him as he looked up.
"To kya tu meri behen pe abhi se shaq kar raha hai?" This time Rahul also played along and asked sadly in a dramatic way. Now that everything is alright and Armaan is also happy with his marriage with Riddhima, he knew that the little amount of amusement wasn't going to hurt much. Even he was enjoying seeing Armaan's guilty-embarrassed face today.
"Arey... nahi yaar." Armaan added quickly. This wasn't what he meant, "Main to sapne mein bhi uspe shaq nahi kar sakta. Wo to bas, jab maine unhe saath mein dekha to..." he found all of them glaring at him for his stupidity. A pause of two more seconds and astonishingly due to some reason, he felt his guilt fade away, "...I was just curious ok." he defended.
Hearing his tone, all of them started laughing, while he pouted. When they calmed down, Muskaan shook her head, "Armaan, tu bhi na..."
"Bilkul pagal hai." Anjali added grinning at him, then asked Muskaan once again, "Waise ye Maan Khanna hai kaun?"
Muskaan and Rahul looked at each other and smiled. They remembered a tall, fair, charming looking handsome boy, Maan Khanna, from their college days in Delhi. Muskaan knew him better as he was her classmate, obviously senior than Riddhima. Rahul knew Maan Khanna through Muskaan.
Muskaan recalled how Maan Khanna used to drool over Riddhima when they were studying in the same College but in a different professional program. Maan had some sort of soft corner for Riddhima and he sometimes even stalked her, but he was a decent guy.
Maan tried to make thousands of moves on her, but Riddhima being a kiddo and apple of everyone's eyes was never left alone. He even approached Muskaan a few times, so as to talk if she could hook them up together, but could actually never muster courage to speak openly about it... Reason was, Muskaan's boyfriend. If it was not for Geetanjali, the handsome guy had still kept stalking Riddhima and someday might have earned a broken nose... once again courtesy Muskaan's boyfriend and Riddhima's possessive Big-B, Rahul.
Geetanjali Huda was Muskaan's another classmate. She had always been besotted by Maan, but he never gave much attention to her. Geetanjali was a beautiful and smart girl of medium height with big brown eyes. She was from a very rich and affluent family. She had a huge crush over over Maan Khanna from the very first day she saw him. She tried her best to grab his attention, but Maan was too engrossed in following Riddhima to notice her.
Riddhima was two years junior to them, so soon Muskaan, Geetanjali and Maan passed the college earning their respective degrees. Despite this, Maan made regular visits to the college in some or the other context hoping that someday he might be able to talk to Riddhima all alone. He was eager to make this innocent girl his girlfriend. But she never gave much attention to him.
After his Post-Graduation, Maan joined his father's business. A few months later they heard that Geetanjali's father has joined hands with Maan's company for some project. After another 6 months there was news that Maan and Geetanjali were engaged and soon after they got married. Seems like Maan had given up on Riddhima by that time and finally Geetanjali managed grabbing his attention.
Muskaan narrated the whole incident and everything about Maan to Atul, Anjali and Armaan. Atul-Anjali laughed hearing the story, while Armaan felt stupid for misunderstanding everything. The best part was that he was relieved from his unnecessary and baseless fear... fear of loosing Riddhima. Now that this confusion was cleared, he was even more embarrassed. However he didn't feel guilty or sad anymore. But there was still one more confusion...
"To kya tune isliye shaadi se inkaar liya tha pahle?" Anjali raised her brow. Armaan once again bowed his head smiling awkwardly.
"Hmm, to ye baat..." Muskaan laughed, "Dont worry mere Majnu Bhai, teri Laila ko koi bhi tujhse nahi chura sakta... wo sirf teri hai." all of them laughed again.
Suddenly Armaan's brow knitted in confusion, and that didn't go unnoticed by Anjali. She knew it immediately that Armaan is about to shake them with another of his quiz-bomb. Before he could ask something (which obviously was about Riddhima's actual Boyfriend), Anjali decided to change the topic to divert his mind. "Waise Armaan tune Minnie ko call kiya ke nahi?" Anjali asked a moment later.
"Nahi. Kyun?" Even though a little bemused, Armaan asked casually.
"Lo, phir to tu gaya." Anjali sighed while he passed her a questioning glance. "Jabse wo apne Honeymoon se wapis aayi hai, tune use ek baar bhi phone nahi kiya. Kal wo complaint kar rahi thi. Aur tune use ye bhi nahi bataya ki teri aur Riddhima ki shaadi fix ho gayi hai."
"Bhabhi you know na how busy I have been these days. Especially due the closing wedding date." Armaan replied sheepishly. "Aur jahaan tak mujhe pata hai, Minnie already knows about my..." he cleared his throat, "...Mera matlab hai wo already jaanti hi hogi, mere aur Riddhima ki shaadi ke baare mein. Waise bhi ye meri galti thode hi hai ki usne apne Honeymoon one and a half month ke liye extend kar liya."
"Honeymnoon extend karne ki baat chhod. Teri shaadi ke bare mein use pata hai, kyunki use humne..." she pointed towards herself and Rahul-Muskaan, "...bataya hai. But I think you know her well enough. Use agar tumne khud phone nahi kiya, to phir dhamaka tumhaare sir pe hi hoga. If you want to save yourself from her tantrums, then call her ok." She instructed while Armaan nodded obediently. Then smiling a little more, she added, "Waise bhi tumhaari shaadi ka thoda bhot credit to use bhi jata hi hai."
"Kya matlab?" Armaan asked.
"Err... Wo..." Anjali got a little flustered realizing what she has blurted. She was thinking about Minnie's contribution in their plan to woo Armaan into the marriage. They couldn't possibly tell him about it, atleast not right now. She looked at Muskaan for help, who passed her a murderous glance for almost blurting out their secret plan. Anjali pleaded with her eyes.
Muskaan sighed and something struck her, "Anjali is right. Minnie ka contribution to raha hai tumhaari shaadi mein." She smiled as others waited for her explaination, "Kaleerein." She said as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Kaleerein?" Rahul asked.
"Haan, remember Minnie's wedding... us din uski kaleereins kis pe mehrbaan hui thi?" Muskaan raised her brow, while others reacalled the day. Muskaan wasn't present at Minnie's wedding, but as usual Anjali has told her about every minute detail.
A soft smile played on his lips as Armaan recalled that day. How can he forget that day when he encountered proximity with Riddhima for the first time? And then the Kaleerein... the ones he bought for Minnie... the whole ritual of playing with kaleerein played in front of his eyes.
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***Flashback***
Armaan was keeping himself busy with some random stuff so as to save himself from Atul and Anjali's prying eyes. There were still an hour left for Minnie's Bidai and the girls have just finished their negotiation on their neg for returning Harsh's wedding shoe. Harsh and Minnie were relaxing in one of the room when one of the relatives remembered something.
"Arey Minnie, tune apni Kaleerein to kheli hi nahi. Aur wo rasm to bhot pahle honi thi na." Toshi Bua reminded Minnie.
Minnie looked at her Kaleerein, "Oh... mein to sach mein bhul gayi Toshi Bua." Then frowned, "Aur mujhe kisi ne yaad bhi nahi dilaya."
"Koi baat nahi, bhul gayi to kya hua, ab khel le." Another woman suggested.
"Theek hai Maasi, to bulaaiye sabko." Minnie smiled sitting straight in excitement.
"Kirti, jaake saari kuwaari ladkiyon ko ikattha kar aur yahaan room mein le aa." Toshi Bua, who has reminded Minnie about Kaleerein said.
Kirti nodded and instructed Anjali for the same. Anjali went to call all the girls in the room.
Since there were many of them, they decided to play kaleerein in the living room, where even all the men were present. As soon as all the girls gathered there, an old relative of Kirti told them to sit on their knees so that Minnie could reach their head easily. Now all the girls were lined up on the floor waiting for Minnie to start.
Minnie got up excitedly and stood in front of the long chain of girls. But soon her excitement faded and she frowned looking around.
"Kya hua re Minnie? Shuru kar na." One old lady urged.
Minnie shook negatively, "Nahi."
"Nahi? Abhi to tu kitni excited thi, ab achaanak kya hua?" Armaan who was standing in one of the corners of the living room, heard Kirti probe.
"Jab tak sab ladkiyaan yahaan nahi aa jaati, main nahi khelungi." Minnie said stubbornly.
"Lekin saari ladkiyaan to hain yahaan pe." Toshi Bua replied scanning faces of all the girls.
"Nahi sab nahi hain." Minnie argued, she turned to Kirti and whined, "Mom, where is SHE?"
Kirti looked confused for a moment, then understood her reference. She smiled at her and called the missing girl out loud, "Riddhima... Riddhima... Riddhima beta..."
All the people started looking around searching for Riddhima.
Armaan's eyes too were searching for the same girl. When she still didn't appear, he walked out of the living room to find her. She wasn't there in any of the room on first floor. Then he recalled that a little while ago, he has seen her going towards pantry. He ran downstairs and went to the pantry that was situated on the back side of the kitchen, a little away, behind the living room.
Soon he entered the pantry. There she was. He sighed shaking his head as he noticed her trying to reach something that laid on the upper shelf of an almirah in the pantry.
Slowly he went near her and spoke softly in her ear, "Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?"
Riddhima who didn't know about his presence got startled and she almost fell while turning around. Thankfully enough, she managed to save herself by holding the almirah. She swallowed holding with her hand placed her hand on her heart to compose herself, then retorted, "Tum kabhi bhi seedhe tareeke se enter nahi kar sakte? Jab aate ho dara dete ho."
"Ohh, so I scared you huh?" Armaan raised his brow smiling mischievously.
Riddhima glared at him, "No you didn't."
"But you just said that."
"It was slip of a tongue." She snapped.
"Ok, so you should try and keep it under control." He teased further.
"Dekho tum..." she pointed her finger towards him while he tried to catch it, "Hey..."
Before they argued further, Armaan hushed her hearing some commotion outside which also reminded him he was there. "Shh... Bekaar ki bahas band karo. Baahar chalo. Sab tumhe dhundh rahe hain." He turned around to go.
"Main nahi aa rahi." She folded her arms over her chest.
"Theek hai mat aao. Main jaake Minnie ko bol deta hu ki tum uski shaadi ki last rasm mein hissa nahi lena chaahti." He opened the door and stepped out.
"Minnie ki last rasm?" she mumbled, "Hey wait..." Riddhima followed him outside.
When she entered the living room, she heard someone call her name, "Lo ye aa gayi Riddhima... Riddhima beta, yahaan aao." It was Kirti. Riddhima saw all the eyes on her. Once again, she felt weird thinking about the stares. Kirti asked as she went near her, "Kahaan thi tu ab tak? Kab se tujhe dhundh rahe hain hum sab."
"Wo main Pantry se kuchh samaan lene gayi thi. Lata Aunty ne mujhe bheja tha." She pointed towards one of the relatives.
"Ohho, main to bhul hi gayi thi. Haan Kirti maine hi ise bheja tha." Lata replied sheepishly.
"Chal koi baat nahi. Ab aake yahaan baith jaa." Kirti told her to sit in the queue.
"Ye sab?" Riddhima asked.
"Baith to sahi, last rasm hai Minnie ki." Kirti encouraged her.
Riddhima looked at Minnie who smiled extra-widely seeing her there. Riddhima smiled back at her. She sat randomly somewhere in the middle of the queue.
Minnie started playing with her Kaleerein, stepping from one girl to the next one as she followed the queue and shaking them vigorously over every girl's head. She frowned as she finished one round, but the Kaleerein didn't go off. "Kaisi kaleerein laaye ho Bhaiya, kitne mazboot joints hain iske, ye to gir hi nahi rahi." Minnie whined looking towards Armaan.
"Yehi to maza hai Minnie. Aaj dekhte hain kitna dum hai tere haathon mein." Atul laughed.
Minnie glared at him and then continued the process. She started doing it again from the opposite end, this shaking her kaleerein even more vigorously. As she reached the sixth girl from that side, it fell over head. Minnie noticed who she was and jumped excitedly, "Yayyy... you are the next one Di." Pulling her up, she hugged her tightly with happiness. She was hoping her kaleerein fall on this girl.
While sitting on her knees in the queue of girls, Riddhima fumbled with her dupatta. When she looked up casually, her eyes fell on the shadow of a strong man who stood leaning over a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Armaan. He was looking at her. Slightly narrowing her eyes she looked away. Is he looking at me? She mused.
To divert her attention, Riddhima looked at Minnie as she started shaking her kaleerein over girls' head from the end that was on opposite side. She looked on the ground as Minnie shook it over her head once and then she stepped towards the next girl. Riddhma sighed. She didn't know what was happening.
Then her eyes fell on Armaan once again. This time she noticed that he was not only looking at her, he was actually smiling while staring at her. She glared at him, but that only widened his smile as if conveying that he will not avert his gaze. His continuous gaze was now making her uncomfortable, but unfortunate for her this time, she couldn't look away.
Then Minnie started playing again from the end that was near Riddhima's side. Armaan was still looking at Riddhima... his heart made a silent prayer. As his charming smile did wonders, Riddhima forgot that she was glaring at Armaan forgetting her anger too. She just stared back at him. Then suddenly she felt someone yell something and pull her into a tight hug.
Riddhima heard Minnie shrieking loudly near her ear while hugging her tightly at the same time, "Yayyy... you are the next one Di..." As she parted, Riddhima looked at her confused and noticed that all others are clapping while looking at her. She couldn't understand anything.
Kirti came and held her face between her palms, "Iska matlab, agla number tera hai Riddhima." She picked something from her head. It was at that moment Riddhima felt something on her head. It was a broken piece of kaleerein that has fallen over her head. Kirti kissed her head and placed that broken piece into her palm and closed her fist. "Ye apne paas sambhaal ke rakhana, Ye tera hai." Before Riddhima could ask what it means or what is happening, Kirti walked away as it was time for Minnie' s Bidai.
Armaan stood at the corner observing everything. He had wished those kaleerein to fall on Riddhima's head. He didn't know why he prayed that, but he wanted Riddhima to win, and she did. He was still gaping at her when she once again turned towards him and glanced up. They looked at each other, Armaan smiling appreciatively at her, while her staring back at him with confusion. What is going on? And why is he not looking away? Riddhima thought.
***Flashback Ends***
~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~
Armaan sat there thinking about the whole incident. It was amusing to see the rapid display of strange emotions on her face. She looked extremely confused about things, especially when Kirti commented that 'next is her turn...'
He could still remember that look she had after kaleerein fell on her face. Before that game begun, she has gazed up at him and narrowed her eyes as if ensuring if she is seeing right. He didn't know what overtook him he kept staring at her shamelessly. Instantly she looked away towards Minnie, probably to ignore his bold gaze.
In next few minutes, her eyes returned to him and then whatever happened neither he knew, nor she did. She seems lost as their gaze got stuck at each other. That second, that moment for the first time, Armaan has really felt something flutter in his heart. He wouldn't admit it, but it has. He still don't understand what made him do that, why he was staring at her, why he wasn't looking anywhere else, or why he couldn't look away?
Armaan smiled genuinely this time. Maybe, that special moment had some kind of magic due to which Riddhima and his eyes were locked on each other. Maybe the fate was trying ensuring that the destiny brought them together as one. Maybe Minnie's Kaleerein had come alive in those moments and thus had sensed something between them. Maybe it was ought to happen. Maybe it was all a signal given by god.
Just then Atul called Anjali and informed that they are about to leave Designer's studio and will reach Rahul's home in next 20 minutes. Armaan got awkwardly restless as soon as Anjali informed them that Atul is on his way with Riddhima.
"Main... main chalta hu ab." Armaan got up hastily.
"Tujhe kya hua? Aise achanak jaane ki baat kar raha hai?" Muskaan asked.
"Wo mujhe ek zaroori kaam yaad aa gaya." He lied glancing at the door.
"Baat kyun bana raha hai, sach bol na Armaan." Anjali said smirking in a teasing tone.
"Bhabhi..." he whined when he was about to pick the keys lying on the table, but Anjali snatched the keys of his car showing him her tongue.
Anjali smirked while Muskaan and Rahul looked at her as she explained, "Wo kya hai na, Armaan ko Mumma ne shaadi se pahle Riddhima ko dekhne ya milne se mana kiya hai... achchha shagun nahi mana jata na shaadi ke liye..." she fluttered her lashes meaningfully, revealing the reason behind his sudden discomfort, "Hai na Armaan, yehi baat hai na?"
"Ooo..." Muskaan hooted, "Par tune to Baby ko phir bhi dekh liya..." Armaan glanced at her baffled, so she added, "...Pictures mein." she pointed towards Riddhima's pictures hanging on the wall, "Kyun, tu itni der se uski pictures ko ghur-ghur ke nahi dekh raha tha?"
"Mom ne use directly dekhne se mana kiya hai..." he managed to snatch his car's keys from Anjali's hand and walked out of the living room.
"Ohh, to uski pictures dekhne se nahi, huh?" Anjali yelled at his retreating back while other two laughed aloud with her.
"Sahi sample hai mera ye bhai." Muskaan added laughing with others.
Armaan heard their comment. Shaking his head and smiling he drove away to his home.
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Hi Friends. NO AR, I know. Sorry about that... yet again. This was just a filler to cover up a few things I left unattended, like the Kaleerein incident and Armaan's confusion about that 'Handsome' stranger Riddhima spoke to.
I have read many of you asking the same question again and again abouT Riddhima's character. Not that I mind answering them again and again, but just wanted to clear it again, coz maybe I havent been good at explaining.
Well, Riddhima isnt actually completely unaware of Husband-wife relationship. But she just isnt a person who has EVER given ANY heed to think about such things. Her personality has been built like that by her circumstances and protective environment she has always lived in. You can call her dumb for sure... Even I do that 😊. But the essence of her character lays in her ignorance. She is slow in understanding such things and thats what which will make her relationship with Armaan stronger, coz here Armaan will be her guide to understand everything about such sort of relationships, which will bring her closer to him.
Any more confusions, I am always more than just happy to answer. It makes me feel connected to all my readers.
P.S. - BTW, too many 'RES' and still NOT edited replies even after over 20 days of previous update...
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Episode 80 - Thread 4 - Page 95 -
Edited by Wild.Aimee - 13 years ago
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