QSS thread #2, part 99 posted on pg 149 on 8/9/10 - Page 93

loved the part di it was awesome especially armaan & ridhima's convo

Part 94

"Oh! I seem to have become famous overnight," joked Armaan.

Rak: Jokes apart, please let me know if I can be of any help to you. I know you are new to Chennai just like the rest of us, but I have relatives here, they'll be able to help.

R: Thanks a lot Rakesh, but we've some good friends here who have been a pillar of support and are helping us. Actually my jeeju was also about to fly in this afternoon from Mumbai. I asked him not to, as Armaan is quite ok now. It's only a question of proper rest now.

Rak: Ok I'll take leave now, but if there's anything you need please don't hesitate to call me. Bye.

A: Bye.

R: I'll e-mail the matter to you right away. And thanks once again.

Armaan was discharged the next morning and he was back home. As soon as Riddhima managed to get him out of the cab as carefully as possible, Akshat ran downstairs to meet them. He put his dad's good arm over his shoulder and helped him walk upstairs. By the time Riddhima had unloaded the things and paid the taxi, Akshat had taken his dad upstairs, inspite of Armaan's protests about helping Riddhima with the luggage. Having made his dad sit comfortably, Akshat again ran downstairs to help his mama to carry the bags.

Riddhima was surprised when he pulled out some of the bags from her hand. When she said "main utha loongi beta," he replied, "mama ab dad ko chot aayi hai to mujhe hi aap ka help karna chahiye na. Main aapka bada beta hoon na? Aap hamesha kehti ho na, main aapka honhaar beta hoon?" Riddhima smiled and nodded at him. Armaan was also surprised to see Akshat trudge in with the bags and saw Riddhima following him with a smile beaming across her face. When she came and sat next to him on the sofa, Akshat came and offered water to both of them. Akka was bottlefeeding Ani in the bedroom. He had just woken up from his sleep, Akshat informed them.

After a few minutes Riddhima asked Armaan to come into the bedroom to rest on the bed. "Tum college jao, Akshat hai na mere paas mera help karne," Armaan said and Akshat also joined in saying "Haan mama aap fikar mat karo, main dad ka dekhbaal karoonga." Armaan pulled his son on his lap and kissed him saying "You are the best beta in this world." Akshat's face glowed with joy.

Riddhima was in a fix as to what she should do, when Priya called up. She had visited them at the hospital the previous evening, after Rakesh had left. She had informed Riddhima that Rakesh's information was not correct, there were some compulsory lectures they had to attend before signing out of the program and Armaan had insisted that she should attend them.

P: Hello Riddhima, I spoke to the lecturers here, they say you'll have to attend these last few days or else you may have to attend the last week with the next batch. That'll be somewhere in July.

R: No, that'll be too much of a problem. Ok, I'll be there in an hour.

Turning to Armaan she said "Armaan andhar chalo, I have to go to college in an hour. You wanted to have a bath na?"

A: Riddhima, you get ready for college. My bath can wait. I'll have it in the evening after you come back.

R: Ok, at least let me make sure you lie down comfortably on the bed.

As she helped him in, Ani who had finished his feed came crawling towards the door from his athai's lap, as he had heard his parent's voice. He came and held Armaan's feet, with his dadada. Armaan broke down at his helplessness. Taking his arm away from Riddhima's shoulder and pulling her arm away from his waist, Armaan sat down on the floor. Riddhima was wondering what he was up to. As soon as he sat down Ani crawled onto his lap. Armaan held him with one arm and showered him with kisses. Ani balanced himself holding his dad's shirt and responded equally. Tears were pouring down Armaan's eyes. Riddhima sat down beside him and wiping his tears said, "Please don't cry Armaan. It's a question of few days only. Then you'll be able to pick him up."

Akka came and picked up Ani, so that Riddhima could help Armaan to the bed. Ani started kicking his legs and trying to get down, when akka wouldn't let him, he started crying loudly. By then Armaan was seated on the bed. Riddhima was arranging the pillows for Armaan to lie down. Armaan asked akka to put Ani beside him on the bed.

R: Armaan be careful. He might unknowingly hurt you. The doctor has asked you to be careful, remember? Or else this problem could recurr.

A: But Riddhima I can't see him cry. My heart pains.

R: Even he knows that and that's why he cries, to get your sympathy. Ignore him a few times and his tantrums will stop.

A: Riddhima he's so small. How could he be so manipulative?

R: Dr. Armaan, you have very little knowledge about a kid's intelligence and attention seeking tactics.

She instructed akka to put him in his cot and give him his toys. But when he pushed the toys away and continued to cry, she just gave him a hard stare. He didn't meet her eye but continued his tantrums. She just gave him a shout "Ani" and his bawling increased. That was too much for Armaan to bear, he got off the bed and went near the cot. Both father and son had tears flowing down their eyes. He got hold of the baby's hand and kissed it. Then indicated to akka to put him on his bed. When akka looked up at Riddhima askance, she just mumbled "Do what you want. Spoil him as much as you want. Then don't ask me why Akshat so obedient and he isn't." With that she walked into the bathroom for her bath.

As he played with Ani, Armaan thought over Riddhima's parting remark. He had to agree she had brought up Akshat in the best possible way. Maybe she was right, maybe he would end up making Ani a spoilt brat, like himself. But he couldn't see him cry, it tore his heart, what could he do?

Riddhima came out of the bath, dressed up, picked her laptop and bag and was about to leave, when Armaan called out to her. "Ab tak mujse naraaz ho?"

R: Nahi

A: To bye bhi nahi karogi?

The pain in his voice made her halt. If Armaan couldn't bear to see Ani in tears, Riddhima couldn't bear to see Armaan hurt. She turned around and walked towards him. She sat next to him, held his face in her palms and kissed his lips, a small and sweet kiss. Then picking up Ani warned him, "Agar mere Armaan ko pareshan kiya to tumhari khair nahi." When she put him down she noticed Armaan holding his ears. "I promise hereafterwards I won't interfere when you correct the kids."

R: Ok baba, bye. Otherwise college ke liye late ho jaoongi. Aur Armaan, please take rest.

He put his fingers to his neck saying "promise" and then blew her a kiss as she ran out. She gave him a sweet smile and caught it.

Armaan smiled to himself and sighed. He closed his eyes savouring the feeling when a light slap on his face woke him up from his reverie. He saw Ani kneeling on his lap and drawing his attention to himself with a broad smile. When he pretended to be angry and asked him "dad ko thappad marega?" Ani just giggled.

Before leaving Riddhima requested akka to prepare some khichdi or such thing for lunch which Armaan could eat by himself, as she wouldn't be there to feed him. Akshat was watching some caartoon show on TV. As she wore her sandals she called out to him and said "Beta please dad ka dhyaan rakhna. Dekho ki Ani unhe sataaye nahi aur please unko khana khane mein bhi zara help kar dena. Main jaldi aane ki khoshish karoongi. Ok?"

Ak: Mama aap bilkul fikar mat karo. Athai aur main Ani ka khyal rakhenge aur dad ka bhi. Aap tension mat lo. Bye, take care."

She kissed him saying "Mera Shona" and left.

Armaan must have called Riddhima practically every half an hour just to ask "kya kar rahi ho? Or Ghar kab aa rahi ho?" Priya noticed her gnashing her teeth and giggled. When she looked up at her she defended Armaan saying "Poor thing he must be getting bored being indisposed like that. That's why he probably wants you home."

"He has the kids to entertain him and akka to give him whatever he wants." Riddhima grumbled. They were very busy for the next hour and a half. When they were proceeding towards the library, Riddhima was checking her cell to see if there were any missed calls. Priya asked "what happened? When he was calling you, you were getting irritated. Now that he hasn't called, you are missing him?" Riddhima blushed and smiled.

She met Rakesh in the library. He had compiled everything perfectly and had prepared the complete report. He gave it to Riddhima to look through. She was very impressed with his efforts and thanked him for his timely help.

Rak: Come on Riddhima, mujhe sharminda mat karo. Agar dost waqt par kaam nahi aayenge, to dosti kis kaam ki? Achcha yeh batao sir, matlab Armaan, kaise hai?

R: Ghar aa gaye hain. Bus aaram karne ki zaroorat hain.

Then she bid him goodbye and completed all the college work, eager to get home as soon as possible. As she and Priya were leaving, they met Geeta and Lakshmi. Riddhima held their hands but no words would come. She was choked with emotion and tears started running down her cheeks. The girls immediately took her into the LCR and made her sit.

L: Riddhima why are you crying now? Your husband and son are fine and back at home.

R: Had you both not taken care of my family that night I don't know what I would have done in this unknown city. God sent you both as guardian angels for my family.

She hugged each of them in turn saying "I'm indebted to both of you for my life."

G: Come on Riddhima, we didn't do anything so great. Instead of sleeping in the hostel room in the sweltering heat, and with mosquitoes and bedbugs for roommates, we slept comfortably on your bed in the A/C room. Akka wouldn't let us sleep on the sofa.

That got everybody laughing and lightened their mood as they made their way out of the college. When she entered the house she heard the sound of vessels being banged. She went into the kitchen to find out what was happening and this is what she saw.

For those of you who are unable to see the picture above here's the link.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GtbeZwmWPz4/THXDHF2zW0I/AAAAAAAAHho/Xo9gEYjt5LU/EE58.jpg

hey...

aweum part....

akshat is true gem but anni is spoilt brat...😆

cont. soon...

thnx for the pm...