Ishq Leta Hai Kaise Imtehan
Ishq Leta Hai Kaise Imtehan
Ishq Mein Jiyoon
Ishq Mein Maroon
Ishq Hi Mera Bhagwan
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Armaan felt a strange pang of pain in his chest after speaking to Nana. He excused himself from everyone and left the party. He was slowly driving to his apartment (yes he has an apartment in mumbai!) and noticed someone sitting alone on a rock at Juhu Beach. There was some strange feeling drawing him towards her. He wasn't sure what the feeling. He shook his head and drove on. As he drove on he felt guilty for leaving the girl alone on the beach. She seemed so broken. Worried he stopped his car and decided to go check on her. Sudednly felt a strange breeze, then he saw her looking around, he quickly hid behind a tree watching her. He was shocked, It was Riddhima!
He wondered if he should approach her or not as technically she didn't know him. But he knew her in a way right? And sometimes the best person to share your pain with is a stranger. As his Bi always told him, sab ke saath bhi dil ka rishta hota hain, aur if you meet someone then there must be a connection.....He made up his mind and slowly walked up next to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
Riddhima turned as she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw a man with blue-grey eyes staring at her intently. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but she couldn't pinpoint. "Hey, I'm Armaan, Armaan Mallik. Tum Riddhima hona? Woh I saw you at Abhi's wedding. I'm a friend of his. Waise I'm sorry." Riddhima looked at him, "Haan, Hi..tum kyun sorry ho? meri kahani sunke?" armaan looked at her, "Tch, nahin woh i mean dont get me wrong, i feel bad aur i wish you didn't have to go through all that pain, par that's not why i'm sorry. I am sorry because you are sitting here on such a beautiful night by yourself." Riddhima looked at him shocked! She was crying and he was trying to flirt with her?
Armaan laughed seeing her facial expression and sat down on the rock next to her. "Don't get me wrong, I'm nott trying to flirt with you. Waise if you want to talk about anything feel free to do so. I'm all ears. Yeh mat sochna ki we are basically strangers ya i don't even know him. You know mere Bi always told me ki there is a reason we meet the people we do. We have a special heart to heart connection with everyone we meet. In fact it's a heart to heart connection that was set when we were born, its nothing new. toh in this sense, tere dil ka mere dil se rishta purana hain. Aur tumhari yeh naya dost ko apne dost ki ankhon mein aansoon nahin dekhna." Armaan wiped Riddhima's tear with his thumb and began singing.
oh dil se dil ka rishta juda armaan nudges ridz
pal do pal mein mitta nahi
bandhan dilo ka tutta nahi, bandhan dilo ka tutta nahi ridz saddens
tere dil ka mere dil se armaan nudges her again
rishta purana hain tears fall from her eyes
in aankho se har aansu ammy points to her tears
mujhko churana hain wipes his tears
mujhko churana hain shakes his head indicating no crying
mujhko churana hain
tere dil ka mere dil se points to their hearts
rishta purana hain smiles
armaan gets up and makes ridz dance with him
teri bechaini ka teri tanhai ka ehsaas hain mujhko sun she pulls away her back towards him
main jo saath tere hu phir tujhe hain kaisa gam he puts his arm around her
dard baat lenge ham sun gives her a side hug
in palko mein khushiyo ka sapna sajana hain puts his hand on her cheek
tere dil ka mere dil se rishta purana hain points to her heart the his
they walk around the beach
kaise main batau yeh tera is tarah rona he walks behind her
dekha nahi jaata hain sun wonders why this is to true
shaam jab dhalti hain subah muskurati hain points to the moon
khushbuye lutati hain sun
dances in a silly mannet - she laughs a bit then stops getting sadden again
udaasi ke lamho mein hamein muskurana hain puts his hand on her cheek and smiles
tere dil ka mere dil se rishta purana hain holds her hands and makes her dance a silly dance with him
in aankho se har aansu her tears stop
mujhko churana hain she smiles
mujhko churana hain he trips and falls in the water
mujhko churana hain she laughs whole heartedly for the first time in 4 years.
Riddhima stood their laughing at Armaan's state. He had fallen into the water in his sherwani which was now all wet and covered in sand. His facial expression was also priceless. he looked like a 3 year old all upset and irritated. "array tum tum your laughing at me? ab chalo dekho what i do to you ms gupta!" Riddhima's face widen in horrer, "nahin please armaan nahin..."
Armaan took a step towards her making her run off. Armaan chased after her and eventually caught her. He swiftly lifted her up and tossed her in the water. He in the process lost his balance again and fell in with her, causing them both to laugh.
After a lot of laughing and masti, the duo came out of the water and sat on the sand.
"Pata hain Armaan, I cant remember the last time I laughed like that, or well laughed at all in fact. Forget laughing, I don't even know when the last I truly smiled from my heart. Thank you." Armaan smiled, "Array buddhu, dosti mein no sorry no thanks toh thanks kis liye? aur i enjoyed too." Riddhima smiled and looked out at the ocean.
The duo sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. They knew they had to go home eventually, but each dreaded going home for different reasons - Armaan because of the solitude at home as he stayed alone, and Riddhima because she couldn't and didnt want to face her family and all the memories which haunted her, even though she was being surrounded by everyone she felt so lonely.
"you know i love coming to the beach, it's so peaceful. Par I really dread coming alone. I hate this constant lonely feeling I have. Hamesha se hi, after my Bi passed on..." Riddhima turned and faced Armaan. He too was lonely, but you couldn't even tell?
"Hey I'll be staying in Mumbai for a while due to business, aur I'm looking for a roommate. I have an extra bedroom. Aur they won't even have to pay as I own the apartment and it's already paid off! Just someone to give me company at home... In return they get a place to stay. Do you know anyone that might be interested or looking?" Riddhima thought for a moment. "Do you mind if I take up the offer? Actually I feel suffocated at home. So many memories haunt me there. I'm always surround by family par I always feel so lonely. I think I need a change of scene."
Armaan pretended to think, "hmm if it's cool with your parents, that sounds good, par one question - can you cook?" Riddhima looked at him puzzled, "haan kyun?" Armaan smiled widely, "good! kyun ki I can't cook for my life! I can't even make cereal right! I always pour too much milk! toh here;s the deal you cook pleaseee! I mean i'll help anyway I can, par you cook theek hain?" Riddhima laughed slightly wondering how someone could ruin cereal, but agreed nonethelesss.
"hmm toh Riddhima here note my phone number" they exchanged numbers and bidded each other goodbye promising to talk in the morning regarding the roommate arrangement.
Riddhima went home without tears or a frown on her face for the first time in years that night.
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Upon reaching home Riddhima saw the shocked and suprised yet overjoyed faces of her parents. Shashank and Padma Gupta, Riddhima's parents, had been waiting in the living room for Riddhima as usual. It happened that way very often. Riddhima would stay out late and her parents would wait up worried knowing she'd come home depressed and in tears as usual. Even after four years she had trouble coping. That's why Shashank and Padma were shocked beyond their wits when their daughter came home with a smile playing on her lips. She was even giggling to herself. If felt so good to see her smile. That was a sight they hadn't seen in years.
But then they couldn't stifle their laughs as they realized that their daughter had walked in her expensive Sari all drenched and covered in sand. Even her hair was wet with sand all over.
"mumma papa stop it!" Riddhima took one look at her parents laughing whole heartedly and then began laughing with them. Soon after their laughs stop, riddhima spoke. "Mumma, Papa, I wanted to ask you something, well ask - tell....um woh I want to move out. I have a friend aur woh ek housemate dhund raha hai...and i said i'll take it. I know I should have asked you first par I just...I need a change. Please try and understand. Waise I'll be shifting tomorrow itself." Shashank and Padma were shocked. Padma spoke up, "kya? par..." Padma's plea was left unheard as Riddhima had already gone upstairs.
Padma was just about to get up and go after Riddhima to tell her this was not happening, when she felt shashank place his hand on her leg. "Nahin Padma. Use mat ruk. Didn't you see she finally smiled after 4 years? If moving out gives her happiness or makes her like any easier then we should let her. Our daughter's happiness should be above all." Shashank tried explaining to Padma. He knew how hard just living was becoming for Riddhima. He wanted to do whatever he could to make his little Angel's life better. "Par Shashank, how will she manage? what if she breaks down there like she does here? who will take care of her? And who is this roommate? As far as we know all of her friends are married. Aur is this friend a girl or a boy? How can we let her go like that?" Shashank sighed, "your worries are justified, but still. Think about it this way. Can her life get any worse? It can only improve from here. How long will we keep her sheltered? Maybe this will help her move on finally! We have to let her do this!"
Padma sighed. She didn't want to let her daughter go, not after everything that had happened in her life, but she could see she had no choice in the matter. She silently went to her room.
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The next morning, Riddhima got up excited and strangely feeling bright. Usually she would hate waking up. She would wonder why bother, but today she looked forward to her day. She was moving today. She had finished her packing last night itself. She had decided to leave a lot of things back,not wanting to be haunted by memories day and night.
After getting ready, she called Armaan.
Arm: hello? Riddhima?
Rid: Hi Armaan!
Arm:hmm toh someone sounds happy! OMG did your parents say yes!
Rid: well i don't think i gave them much of a choice, but yes! I'm ready to shift today itself! I have an off from the hospital today also so...
Arm:hospital?
Rid: haan, doctor hoon na?
Arm: KYA? DOCTOR? NAHIN NAHIN NAHIN!
rid; kya hua?
Arm: woh i'm na woh i'm na super scared of doctors!
Rid: armaan...i'm coming to be your housemate, not give you a check up!
Arm: pakka? you won't start pricking me with those needles?
Rid: bilkul bhi nahin!
Arm: hmm okay then deal. waise i have an off today too! how about i come over and help you bring your stuff over? then I can also meet your parents and assure them ki your safe and I'm not some mass-murderer!
Rid:hmm that'd be so great! I think my dad is okay, par my mom toh she'll full on panic!
Arm: hahaha but i thought it's usually Dad's that panic with daughters?
Rid: hmm well mere ghar mein toh ulta hain!
Arm: haha, hmm toh give me your address i'll come right after breakfast.
Rid: nahin, you'll come for breakfast! aur address hain **********
Arm: jee memsahib jo aapki marzi! haha main rakta hoon ab, i need to get ready. See you soon.
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Riddhima went down and explained how she was going to stay with Armaan to her parents and Nani. They were extremely worried especially because Riddhima did not actually know Armaan personally. They were just about to call Abhi to ask about Armaan when Armaan arrived.
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Armaan walked into the Gupta house with a feeling of nostalgia overcoming his senses. Everything about this house seemed so familiar. It even smelled familiar. He could almost see a younger version of himself running around the house chasing something or someone. But why was everything so familiar? He had never been to this house before. In fact although he had moved to the US only 10 years ago, he actually hadn't been in this part of India since he was roughly 4 or 5.
Armaan tried to brush off his thoughts as Riddhima greeted him, then called her parents. Armaan was shocked when he saw them walk out from the living room. They looked so familiar, but what was it? They seemed older somehow.
His eyes welled up with tears as it struck him...
Flashback:
A young Armaan probably of three years of age, was running giggling around because a man was chasing him to tickle him since Armaan had stolen his readinig glasses once again. Behind the man a young girl of 2 was trying to catch up, but her steps werent so stable yet. On the sofa sat Arjun laughing at Armaan's antics. Armaan then ran into the kitchen and hugged a women who instantly picked him up and kissed his cheek. He kissed her cheek back then said"Hi girlfriend, dekhona buddy mera peecha kar raha hain..." His girlfriend laughed slightly then said, "hmm aur tumhara buddy kyun tumhara peecha kar raha hain?" Armaan smiled and said proudly, "kyunki maine uske glasses jo churaya hain! Buddy na newspaper par raha tha! mere saath baketball nahin khel raha tha...."
Flashback ends
"Bu..Bu...Buddy? Gi..Gi...Girlfriend?"
Padma and Shashank stood there rooted to their spots. There was only two boys who had ever called Shashank Buddy and one was dead. On the other hand, there was only one who had ever called Padma Girlfriend.
Before they could speak Nani walked in and was awestruck by this boy's blue-grey eyes. She had only ever seen one boy with such eyes.
Armaan's gaze slightly shifted to notice Nani.
"Be..Be..Beautiful?"
Nani's face broke out into a smile. Yes it had to be him. it couldn't be anyone else.
Riddhima looked back and forth between her family and Armaan. Why was everyone crying and all teary? For the first time in a long time everyone EXCEPT her was crying and well frankly she had no idea why they were! For the past 4 years she was the reason for her family becoming teary-eyed, well her and her past. But now?
Armaan stared at his Buddy, Girlfriend, and Beautiful and felt all those painful memories flooding back. All those years he had spent in solitude, despite having parents in the next room. These three people were the only ones that ever gave him that love he yearned for. But then they had left and he had lost touch with them. After the incident his parents began ignoring him altogether. Sure they were there physically, they gave him money and freedom. He did as he willed. If he came home injured, nobody cared. There was nobody there to hold him, wipe his tears, and kiss the pain away. He stood there frozen staring at them with tears in his eyes. He felt Padma come out of the shock first. She broke out in a run and embraced him letting both their tears flow openly now. Shashank and Nani soon came out of their shock and also came running and embraced him as well, Nani first. When Shashank embraced him, Armaan completely broke down. He would have collapsed to the floor if Shashank had not been holding him tightly. Padma and Nani tried to see if Armaan was okay, but Armaan was adamant, he would not let Shashank go. "Buddy...woh bhaiya.....phir mom dad....koi nahin.....nobody cared... me.....bhaiya ki baad......bilkul akela.....buddy..."
Shashank rubbed armaan's back to calm him down. "Armaan shant ho jo...shhh....ab hum haina? shant ho jao beta.....tum toh hamesha mera brave buddy the na?" Armaan's cries ceased and he smiled. "Haan main toh tumhara brave buddy the aur basket tumhare dorpok!" Then armaan realized, where was his basket? That little girl that would always try to run after them? His old friend?
Riddhima's head shot up as she heard the name basket. Why did that name sound so familiar? She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then she saw Armaan's gaze stop at her. There was something different about his gaze this time. As if there was a question, confusion, realization, shock, surprise....
Armaan slightly pulled back from Shashank and looked at Riddhima. Then back at Shashank and asked, "Kya...kya riddhima hi basket?"
Shashank looked at Armaan and smiled while nodding. Armaan found himself running over and capturing Riddhima in a hug before he could even realize what he was doing.
Riddhima was shocked and confused as Armaan hugged her. But strangely it felt good. No it wasn't passionate or inappropriate hug in any sense. It was a friendly hug. A hug that indicated they really had some connection other than strangers or new housemates. Riddhima felt herself hugging him back slightly as for the first time in four years she felt safe and comfortable There was something about the way Armaan felt that made her feel relaxed and forget all her worries. He felt warm and cozy like a giant teddy bear. This is how she had always imagined munna bhai's jaddu ka jappi to feel like...only in a sense this was more comforting. There was absolutely nothing sexual to it, nor did Riddhima feel uncomfortable with the hug. Armaan seperated from the hug slightly and smiled.
"Basket tum apna teddy ko bhul gaya?"
Riddhima looked at Armaan and wondered, teddy? why does that sound so familiar? She can vaguely remember waking up at night and crying because her teddy left her, but as she got older she could no longer remember what her teddy looked like. She had always figured it was simply a stuffed animal, but... In fact even now she often missed her teddy even though she couldnt really remember it.
Riddhima was just confused..
"armaan? tum teddy? i'm so confused! I vaguely remember being upset because i lost my teddy bear or it left me or something, but I was so young...I can't really get a clear picture of anything..." Armaan slightly frowned, well in-between a frown and a pout - whatever it was looked super cute. "Array tum toh pura ka pura tubelight ho! kaise apne teddy ko bhulgaya? acha miss tubelight come here aur let's see if we can jog your memory!"
Armaan grabs Riddhima's hand and drags her underneath the staircase. He pulls out his phone and searches for something with the light. "yeh! milgaya! here look at this!"
Riddhima looked carefully and there engraved on the wall it said - 'Teddy and Basket friends forever'
Sure half the letters (the lower case b's and d's, the s's, half the a's and e's, and the f's) were written backwards, but one could still figure it out. Riddhima could vaguely remember her and a young boy slightly older then her hiding here and him writing this on the wall before someone caught them red-handed - no literally red handed as they had been covered in red strawberry jam...
"Armaan...woh tum the? I don't remember it clearly but i can remember bits and pieces, like me coming here with a little boy and him writing this on the wall - as i couldn't write yet - and then we got caught..by someone..mama i think? aur aur phir...mama was mad not because we were writing on the wall but because we were getting jam everywhere? phir i dont remember..."
Armaan smiled at her, "phir I kissed girlfriends cheek and said sorry. Phir she made us clean ourselves and the walls and stairs and well everything up. "
Shashank smiles at the duo, then breaks into realization, "what a minute Riddhima wasn't your new housemate going to come and meet us?"
That made armaan hit his head mentally, "array buddy i totally forgot! That's actually why I came here! I am Basket's new housemate!"
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
