"My last words to you: I hate you!"
"Oh yes it is a lie! You.... you are a lie. Whatever that was between us.... that was a lie. But what you really are is the truth! This is the truth Miss Riddhima Gupta."
"Riddhima.... this... is to the end of our friendship.... To the end of us!"
She woke up with a jerk and a blurry vision. She realised she had been dreaming about all that had happened on her birthday. She wiped away the few tears that had come in her eyes and then looked at the watch. 2:00 AM. She was very hungry, so she decided to go and eat something. Suddenly, her phone rang. "Itni subah kiska phone hai?" She thought. She looked at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing. She hesitantly picked up the phone and said, "Hello."
"Ridzy, Anjie here. Can I come to your room? Mujhe.... umm.... thoda dar lag raha hai." Anjali said.
"Haan.... ok." She kept her phone on the pillow and went and unlocked the door to let Anjali in. She was still pissed off at Anjali, big time.
"Mujhe phone kyun kiya? Knock bhi to kar sakte the darwaaje pe." Riddhima said in a pretty rude tone.
"Tu ro kyun rahi thi? What's wrong?" Anjali said, ignoring Riddhima's question. She was scared for her little sister. No matter how much of a snobby person she had become, she still loved and cared for her.
"Me? I am not crying. Aap so jao. Main kuch khaane ka leke aati hun. Aapko kuch chahiye?" Riddhima continued in a rude tone.
"Nahi, mujhe kuch nahi khaana."
Riddhima went downstairs and got herself a can of coke and a packet of chips. She went upstairs and switched the lights on. Anjali still hadn't slept and Riddhima could see that she had been crying about something. She rushed toward Anjali and hugged her.
"Di, aap ro kyun rahe ho? I am so sorry for yelling at you. I really didn't mean to hurt you. It's just that mera room na, it's very special. And if anyone insults it, mujhe bura lagta hai. And I live a messy life, isiliye I yelled at you for cleaning my room. I am so sorry. I seriousy didn't mean to hurt you di. Please don't-"
Riddhima stopped mid-sentence as she heard Anjali's stomach grumble. "You didn't have dinner? Shit yaar, I am so sorry di. Sab pareshaan karo mujhe! URGH! Kya yaar. Eat these chips. No wait. Main aapke liye kuch banake laati hoon."
"I am sorry Ridz. I shouldn't have done that." Anjali hugged Riddhima tightly and cried. "I have become so greedy after going to India. But you know, Atul ko khone ke darr se, I just want everything to myself. I have become such a meanie. I know mujhe tere room ko insult nahi karna chahiye tha. I have become so weird. I don't know why. No one likes me you know. Atul ke ilawa know one talks to me. I hate my life. To ab mujhe lagta hai ki main jo kar rahi hoon sahi hai. I am so bad Ridz."
"Aye! Shut up! You aren't bad, neither are you a meanie nor are you greedy. Samjhe? Achcha, tell me one thing. Who's Atul?" Riddhima badly wanted to change the topic. She couldn't bear to see her sister crying.
"Tu mujhse ghussa nahi hai?"
"Arre nahi yaar. Jo hua wo hua. Now you are with me na, you will become all normal. Achcha tell me na, who's Atul? Mere future jeeju?"
Anjali blushed at that and said, "Umm... yes. Hum dono shaadi karne ki soch rahe hai, end of next year. He is my boyfriend. India mein we were together and we have been together since semester two of college."
"Hayye, how cute! Mummy daddy ko pata hai jeeju ke baare mein?"
"Pagal hai. Dad will kill me! Uske mom dad ko pata hai. Plan bana hua hai, next year se mom dad mere liye ladka dekhna start karenge. Tab uske mom dad rishta leke aayenge and then I will say yes to him."
"Awww!! Cute! Oh, wait. Main kuch khaane ka leke aati hoon. Dinner nahi kiya na aapne."
"Nahi rehne de, I just don't want to eat. Talk to me, I want to talk to you. Kitne time se tujhse dhang se baat nahi ki."
"Hmm... ok. Umm.... di?"
"Haan?"
"What did you mean jab aapne bola ki Atul ko khone ke darr se......" Riddhima didn't know how to ask her the question and whether she should or should not.
"Third year mein, Atul ka accident ko gaya tha. He became very critical and he was fighting death. I just got too scared of loosing him and tabse main har cheez ko leke itni possessive ban gayi hoon. I hate it you know Ridz. India mein I was the topper of the college and I guess mujhe ussi ka ghamand ho gaya tha. But today, you like always made me realise ki I can be wrong too. Thank you so much."
"Uff god! No thanks. Please."
"Hmm, ok. So, what's troubling you?"
"Me! Nothing at all!"
"Haan, achcha jhoot hai. Tell me Ridz."
Riddhima didn't protest any further and told her about the whole issue. Surprisingly, she didn't even cry once. She just told Anjali everything.
"Meri choti si behen went through so much in one day? She has grown up so quick."
Riddhima just smiled, not knowing what to say.
"Ridzy, teri koi galti nahi thi na to tu tension bhi mat le. I can guarantee wo ghutne tek ke tujhse sorry bolega. And use itni asaani se mat chodna. Samjhi?" Anjali giggled and Riddhima just smiled. How badly she wished Armaan would realise his mistake and ask for forgiveness.
"Achcha, I will sleep now di. Kal job ka interview hai."
"Interview? Kahan pe?"
"Woolworths. Cashier ke liye. It's not bad. I could work weekends, just for fun. Experience is so important on your resume here. So I thought, why not. Muskaan ka bhi hai."
"Hmm... good choice. It's good to work. Prepared for tomorrow then."
"Haha. I really am not so serious about this job. Mil gayi to theek hai, otherwise no big deal."
"Ok. Chal then, you sleep. Main jaake apne room mein soti hoon."
"Aapko agar yahan sona hai mere paas to aap so sakte ho."
"Sure?"
"Yes - yes."
"Ok, good night."
"Night - night." And both went off to sleep.
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Her phone was ringing but she really couldn't be bothered waking up. She didn't sleep last night after talking to Anjali as no music was playing because Anjali was there. So basically, she didn't sleep well. Frustrated, she looked at her phone. It was Muskaan. "Iss Muskaan ko bhi itni subah - subah phone karne ki kyun padi hai!?" She thought. She answered the phone, "Kya hai Muskaan? Sone de na. You know, main raat ko dhang se soi bhi nahi hoon."
"Ek kaam kar, tu ghode bech ke so le. School mat aa, absence lag jaegi. Aur kya hoga, tera interview bhi miss ho jaega aur job kisi aur ko mil jaegi. Theek hai?"
Riddhima jumped up from her bed and looked at the clock. 7:45AM. "Shit!" She yelled into the phone. "Abe yaar, pehle kyun nahi phone kiya. School starts at 8:25AM. Aaj to maths test bhi hai, padai bhi nahi ki hai. Muskaan! Phone to kar sakti thi na."
"Oye, main subah se exactly nau baar call kar chuki hoon. Tenth time tune finally pick kiya. Ab meri koi galti nahi hai samjhi na!"
"Ok, I am sorry. Chal main phone rakhti hoon. Hopefully school time pe pohoch jaungi." And saying so she kept the phone down and rushed into the bathroom. She took a shower in less than 5 minutes. Her hair was all messed up. She had not studied anything for the test and even worse, her portfolio for the job interview was not ready. "Lord knows aaj kya hoga." Riddhima said.
"Kuch nahi hoga. As usual, you will get a good mark in the test and you will definitely get the job." Anjali said.
"Arre kaha di. Main to gayi aaj. No job and test bhi fail."
"Ye le tera portfolio. These are the maths formulas. Inhe pad lena on your way to school." Anjali handed her two different folders.
"Thanks di. I love you." Riddhima said, hugging Anjali. "As usual, you saved me again. :P"
Since childhood, Riddhima never studied for tests. She would always study the night before and then panic at last minutes. Anjali would always give her the notes to study from before the exam.
"But...." Riddhima looked at the clock. "Bus to miss ho gayi hai. Ab to school late pohochungi. Damn!"
"Main tujhe drop kar deti hoon. Mujhe phir aage hospital jaana hai. Internship ka first day. I am nervous."
"Don't worry jee. Jeeju will be there na. :P"
"Jeeju? Anjali? Riddhima kya bol rahi hai?" Padma asked. She was walking past Riddhima's room and because the door was open, she heard Riddhima.
"Arre mom, mazaak kar rahi hoon. Di ko bol rahi hoon ke apne fellow interns mein se koi na koi to mil hi jaega jo mera jeeju banega. :P" Riddhima lied so easily. She always hid her secrets so well. Anjali looked at her giving her a 'thank you' look.
"Oh ok. Tu nahi sudharegi. Tere stupid jokes." Padma wanted to talk to Riddhima and so she signalled Anjali to leave.
"Main jaake Ridz ka lunch pack karti hoon." And saying so she left.
"Riddhima...." Padma walked over to Riddhima.
"Haan ma!" She didn't look at Padma. She was angry at her.
"Haath de."
"Kyun?"
"De na." Riddhima put her hand forward and Padma put a box in her hand. "Ye tere dad ne banvayi thi tere liye jab wo India gaye the. But tum dono ke ego clashes ki wajah se abhi tak unhone tujhe ye nahi diya. Dekh le. Tera birthday gift hai." Padma left Riddhima alone.
Riddhima stared at Padma. She then looked at the box. She opened it and had tears in her eyes. It was a photo frame with a picture of Shashank and Riddhima when she were little. They both were laughing and Riddhima was sitting in Shashank's lap. She didn't even remember this. How far apart had they grown in these years? They hardly spoke. She stared at the photo frame and turned it in her hands to see how beautiful the frame was. It was studded with tiny little diamonds. On the top of the frame, it said "To the best daughter anyone could ask for". The best part of it was that the frame was red, and the diamonds stood out. She noticed there was something else inside the frame. She quickly opened it and saw it was a note from Shashank.
Dear Riddhima
Happy birthday beta! You are 15 years old, already? Itni badi kab ho gayi tu? Gift achcha laga? I hope achcha laga ho. Red tera favourite colour hai na? Aur tujhe diamonds bhi achche lagte hai. To maine ye photo frame banva di. I don't know if you will see this note, because tumhari mom bhi nahi jaanti ki ye note iss frame mein hai. So, aapko laga hoga beta ki main aapke liye kuch nahi laya aapke birthday ke liye, haina? Itna bura bhi nahi hoon. Sabse pehle to, I want to properly thank you for making this house a palace. I love this home. You are so talented my bachcha, I didn't know meri choti si Riddhima ko itna kuch aata hai. Beta, aap mujhse baat kyun nahi karte? Aapke saath ye hi ek achchi photo thi jo main iss photo frame mein laga sakta tha. I guess galti meri hi hai. Maine aapko wo freedom nahi di jo aapko deni chahiye thi. Shayad main hi aapko samajh nahi paaya. I am sorry beta. I realised my mistake today. Will you forgive me? Anjali told me about your interview. Good luck! I am sure you will get the job. Make me proud :). Happy Birthday again.
Yours always
Your Papa.
Riddhima sat down on her bed, crying. She felt so bad all of a sudden for not trying to patch things up between herself and her dad. She just realised that it had been years since she had actually properly talked to her dad and called him 'Papa'. She looked at the watch and realised she was getting late for school. She went downstairs with the photo frame in her hand. She just stared at Shashank who was reading a newspaper and hadn't noticed her yet. Anjali was about to ask why Riddhima was crying, but Padma stopped her.
"Papa!" Riddhima said in a small voice. Shashank looked up, surprised to hear that from her mouth. Padma and Anjali were equally shocked.
"Riddhima, beta aap ro kyun rahe ho?" Shashank asked worriedly.
Riddhima ran up to Shashank and hugged him. "I am so sorry Papa. I am such a bad girl. I didn't even try and patch things up between us. Really sorry papa. Will you forgive me?"
"Arre, it's ok beta. Come on now don't cry. You have to go school. Jao nahi to late ho jaoge. Aaj hum sab family dinner ke liye jaenge. Ok!"
Riddhima just nodded and walked out of the house with Anjali. Padma looked at Shashank, teary eyed. They both just smiled at each other and Shashank said, "Padma, usne mujhe papa bola. Kitne saalon baad usne mujhe papa kaha. She hugged me today."
Padma just nodded. She knew how much he had missed his daughter all these years. "Thank god he realised his mistake." Padma thought.
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In Anjali's car
"Ridzy, I am so happy!" Anjali said.
"Hmm.... me too." Riddhima replied, reading her notes.
"We are happy family finally after such a long time. Can my first day of internship get any better."
"Hmm.... I know."
Suddenly, Anjali's phone started to ring. She answered it and because it was connected to a bluetooth, it was on speakers and Riddhima could hear everything.
"Good morning love. Atul here. Driving?" Atul said.
Anjali went a crimson colour and said, "Umm... yes. I think main 5 minutes late ho jaungi because main Riddhima ko school drop karke aungi."
Atul bit his tongue as he realised that Anjali's sister was listening. (He did not know she was the same Riddhima whom Armaan was talking about). "Ok. No problems, even main bhi late hoonga. Armaan ko school drop karna hai."
Riddhima looked at Anjali as she heard Armaan's name, but Anjali just nodded her head saying "This can't be the same Armaan."
"Alright, see you at the hospital. Bye." Anjali said.
"Ok, see you. Bye." And saying that Atul disconnected the phone.
"Di, jaldi chalo na. Mujhe school ke back side mein chod dena. It will be better for me because meri class waha se paas hai. Ok?" Riddhima said, still reading her notes.
"Ok. Jaisa aap kahe."
5 minutes later, Riddhima's school came and she rushed out of the car. She turned around, ran back to the Anjali and said, "Thanks for the notes and the portfolio. Bye."
"Bye, good luck!" And she drove off to her hospital.
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In Atul's car
"Yaar, bhai jaldi chalo na. School late nahi pohochna. Maths test hai. I don't want to miss it. School ke back side mein utarana. It's closer to my class." Armaan said.
"Theek hai. Aur tu test ke liye itna kyun pagal ho raha hai?" Atul said.
"Bohot memories judi hui hai maths class se." Armaan said with a sigh.
"School aa gaya. Chal bye, good luck." Atul hated to see his brother like this, but he knew Armaan deserved it. It was his mistake after all.
"Thanks. Bye." And with that Armaan dashed out of the car and ran for his life to reach the class in time.
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They both rushed towards the class. Riddhima thought she was going to die. She looked at her watch. "Shit, 1 minute to go. I hope I reach before the bell rings."
Armaan stared at his watch. "Holy crap! Mar gaye beta!"
They both ran at their fastest speed. As they approached the class, they slowed down on seeing each other. Riddhima's expressions automatically changed from tension to hatred. She seriously was hating seeing Armaan's face. No, it was anger. Yes, it was anger, she realised. She wasn't hating seeing his face, she was just angry. She remembered Anjie's words, "I can guarantee wo ghutne tek ke tujhse sorry bolega. And use itni asaani se mat chodna. Samjhi?" She wasn't going to forgive him that easily, if he ever did realise his mistake. "Yes di, samajh gayi." She thought.
Meanwhile, Armaan couldn't even look at Riddhima's face. He was feeling so guilty he pretended to read the piece of paper in his hand which was some random flyer he had picked up on his way to the class. He looked up after a while to see that Riddhima had already gone inside the class. He heaved a sigh of relief and went inside the class to write his test.
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He stared at Riddhima. She too had finished her paper early. Like always, they were the first ones to finish their paper. The teacher came up to them and dismissed them. She knew there was no point making them sit in the class once they were done with their test. So, she took their papers and let them out. "Should I ask her about her test? Nahi Armaan, rehne de. Wo tujhse baat nahi karegi. And besides, abhi 100% confirmed nahi hai ki bhai jo bol rahe hai wo sahi hai. I mean, Armaan, news pehle confirm kar. Uske baad mein baat karna. Don't feel completely guilty. Wo to tujhse baat bhi nahi kar rahi. Waise karegi bhi kyun? URGH! Chod ye sab aur chal basketball courts. BB Courts - the place to be." Armaan thought and he departed off to the courts.
Riddhima just walked outside towards the top quad. Two hours of the bloody test was a torture. She needed some fresh. She thought Armaan was going to ask her how she went with the test and maybe apologise. But he didn't. She closed her eyes as she sat on the bench and took in the morning sunshine. She hated him so much but in such a loving way. "Armaan Mallik, why don't you want to sort things out?" She thought. She needed someone to distract her from Armaan, otherwise she was going to go crazy.
"Test kaisa tha?" Muskaan said, making Riddhima jump.
"Huh. Haan, it was good." She got up and hugged Muskaan happily.
"Kya baat hai ji, bade khush ho? Kya hua?"
"I have a happy family." She told Muskaan everything. She then showed her the photo frame.
"Aw! This is so cute! I am so happy for you. Late hi sahi, tera birthday perfect ho gaya. :P"
"Yup, totally perfect. Aaj hum log family dinner ke liye jaa rahe hai."
"Oh ok. That's nice."
"Tera test kaisa hua?"
"Mast. :D Result aane pe pata chalega. :P"
"Humara great answer to our parents, 'Mom, dad. Result aane pe pata chalega.'"
"Ya, chal yaar. Let's go buy something from the canteen. I am starving."
"Me too!"
So they went to the canteen and ate something. The rest of the day went by. Riddhima had to face Armaan in almost every class but she just gave him nasty looks. Armaan continuously felt bad. Muskaan left no stones unturned in making the guys feel guilty. She gave Rahul and Abhi the nasty looks too. Finally the bell went indicating home time. Riddhima and Muskaan met at the gates. They were going to catch the bus together for the interview.
"We will get the job na Riddhima?" Muskaan asked.
"Muskaan, tu typical Muskaan hi rehna. Tension mat le na. Waise bhi apan time pass ke liye job kar rahe hai. Our main goal is to study. Poori life ek supermarket ka cashier to nahi banana na. Milegi to theek, nahi milegi to bhi theek. Right?"
"Ya, actually right."
They got off the bus and went inside the supermarket. Their interviews went fine and they were told that they would be called in 3 days to know their results. Riddhima and Muskaan just walked out of there with no tension. They had seen the other candidates and they seemed to be the best out of them.
"Yaar, I am confident job to hume hi milegi. In phateechar logo ke saamne we were much better." Muskaan said.
"I know. :P Chal yaar, I will go home and sleep. Main kal school nahi aa rahi. Long weekend banaungi. Seriously, I am so sleep deprived. :P" Riddhima said.
"Ok. To phir main bhi kal nahi aaungi. :P :P Main jaake kya karungi!"
"Hmm.... chal mera bus stop aa gaya. Bye. See ya on Monday. :)"
"Ok. Bye. Have fun tonight with your family."
"Yes, thanks I will." And she got off the bus and walked home happily.
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Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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