35 – Priorities.
"Ridddhima!" he walks in the house, frowning, throwing his bag on couch, he shouted even louder, "Riddhimaaa!!"
"commingg!" she rushed down the stairs, while holding on her sari from front, "what took you so long!!" Armaan complained, hugging her in middle of lounge area.
"What is Wrong with you!" she complained to him, and twisted in hold, "I have run across those bloody long corridors, and this 50 plus steps stair, and that too just because of you I didn't wear my slippers!" pause, "What was the need of shout, please tell my hubby!" she said, circling her arms around his neck,
"I was missing you…" he whispered and pecked her lips, "not here Armaan…" she grew alert in his arms, and looks at Kitchen, "kyun…? Whose at home?" he asked, pulling her strand away from her face and tucking it behind her ear, looking at her with love and glints of happiness visible in his eyes.
"Everyone is at home! Even Muskan and Anjali!" she said, pulling her hand off his neck and trying to push his arm off her waist too, but he didn't budge at all, and remained calm and at ease,
"What?" she asked, after noticing his silence and a pure angelic smile,
"lets go in room!" he held her wrist and started to walk to stairs,
"no no no!! Muskan and Anjali are sitting there! Please don't embarrass me in front of them," she held on to things in her way to stop him from pulling her,
"tchhh! They are not married! Why do they come to our house Yrrr!" Armaan complained settling down on the second last step of staircase,
While Riddhima stood beside him, "acha leave my hand, I will go and make Coffee for you!" she said, smiling, "yea lets go – we can have a little romance in kitchen!" he grins
"NO nooo! No Armaan!" she stopped him, as he again start to pull her towards the kitchen "now what?" he groaned,
"Mama is in kitchen!!" she told him, with a pleading look.
"FINE! I will leave the house then! As I am not getting my wife, whom I came leaving work behind!" he told her and walked out, "Armaan ruko… acha baba sorry! Armaaan!" she ran after her but he settled in his car and rushed away.
She sighed and walked into the kitchen with sadness visible on her face, "where is Armaan, Riddhima?" Naina asked while cooking up some snacks, "I heard him shout for you – as I was working with oil so I gave it pass!" Naina told her, seeing no response she turned to see Riddhima leaning on to the counter with sadness,
Naina walked up to her, "Kya hua?" she asked. Riddhima took a sigh and spoke, "he left…"
"kyun Bhai!!! What happened…?" Naina asked, shocked, "Mama… I am not able to give him time; due to all this arrangements… he looks mad at me, all the time, what I should do! On top those two, Muskan and Anjali have made my room theirs… Armaan more angry over it too! What should I do?" Riddhima complained to Naina.
"uff ya Armaan bhi na – ek dum gussa hojata hai Pagal ! Don't take it to heart – once he comes back na tou talk to him, and tell Muskan Anjali to shift to other empty room! There are many rooms upstairs that are empty..!" Naina told keeping a hand over Riddhima's head, "okay ?" Naina asked, Riddhima nodded and replied, "okay I will go and tell them… before Armaan comes back!" Riddhima ran out of kitchen,
"It's Nine! Rahul and Papa are back from office! Where is Armaaan! Mama!" Riddhima said, pacing around the kitchen area, "drop this dish at dining table," Naina passed her a dish of food, Riddhima groaned and rushed out at table where her friends and her in laws plus Atul were waiting for Food,
"Where is this Armaan? He left office before us!" Billy asked Riddhima as she served them, "I don't know Papa; he is not picking up my phone! He did come home but …. Uhmm we had a little argument and he left…!" Riddhima spilled the beans to Billy!
"Armaan had not even gone on you a bit Billy, even if I use to be at faults in past – you use to make me happy! And your son is so moody!" Naina joked; Riddhima sadly went back in kitchen.
"Riddhimaa!! Armaan is here!!" Naina shouted from outside,
Riddhima took a fresh plate and ran out of kitchen and kept it in front of him as he took a seat, "Where were you Armaan?" Billy asked, "with friends!" Armaan replied, and ignored Riddhima, who stood beside him, and took a dish to serve him, when he held her wrist and stopped her,
"I will take it on my own!" he told her without even looking at her, she felt embarrassed and moved away, moving her feet, awkwardly, she turned and filled him a glass of water, "do you want rice or roti ?" she asked nicely, "Rice…" Armaan mumbled, "okay…" she took it from the centre of table and brought it for him, she was about to serve him, when he held the spoon from her hand, and mumble, "I will do it on my own!"
"What is wrong with you Armaan?" Naina asked, who sat beside him, "Nothing is wrong mom…! Can I eat in peace?" Armaan told his mother, "I would appreciate if you could speak in a better tone!" Billy interrupted him, "sorry!" Armaan mumbled and began to eat,
"Riddhima beta! Settle down and eat…" Naina told her, "No mama… I am not hungry, I just ate… snacks a while a go!" Riddhima turned and walked away in kitchen.
"What is wrong Armaan?" Naina asked, softly and in a better tone from the last time, "mom… let it go please!" Armaan softly told her,
"Armaan…" Anjali who sat on his other side, some uncomfortably "is everything okay?" she asked, "Anjali just let it pass on, okay…!" Armaan laid her off. She frowned and was about retort back when Muskan and Rahul told her to let it go!
"Did you eat Dinner?" Armaan asked, finally as his heart melted down, getting no response, he pout his lips in anger, "I expect an answer?" Armaan said, cutely, she took her night suit and went in washroom, "Meany wife!" he mumbled and lowered his body on bed,
He kept cursing his luck, it had been a month they returned from the honeymoon and from the very day till today, her wife was busy in either shopping or chatting with those two devils, and other time she would just make herself busy for her next semester studies or home chorus…! How he wished to just hold her, love her, but she was so busy that she just ignored him, and he felt really annoyed with the fact.
He grins as he remembered a while back, when he entered home – she ran up to him with a plate and a concern look, he knew she was waiting for him, and was really worried, he liked the fact how she tried to serve and make her available for him only… but his grin turns a sulking face, because he still haven't got her for himself. He bit, chewed his lower lips with a permanent frown.
Seeing her step out of the washroom, he waited for her to join him on bed, when he saw her switching on the study lamp and wearing her glasses, and then settling down on the chair. He frowned and got up went in the gallery shutting the sliding glass door a bit hard, to make it a notice for her! She closed her eyes at the voice of bang, 'what should I Do? God !! help me!!' she thought and held her head in her hands, looking at the assignment, she took few minute while thinking what to do, noticing the incomplete assignment, she groaned and took her pen, began to complete her pending work.
Finishing her assignment she looks backward to notice the bed empty, she stood up – and rushed out of the gallery, by opening the sliding door, she let out a heavy sigh as she notice him sleeping the bean couch in a very unpleasant manner, as his stretched out on floor while his upper body laid on the bean couch,
She went and sat on her knee beside him, slightly shaking his arm, she whispered, "Armaan…" "Armaan…" pause "Wake up Armaan!" "hmm… what time is it ?" he asked, pulling himself up,
"2 at night, get up and lets go inside…." She stood up with her hand pulled out for him, he rubbed his eyes and straightened up on the couch, "you go – I am fine here!" he told her straightly. "Armaan … please, get up! and sleep on bed, this is not the way – if you have a problem, we can sort it out… but this is ridiculous!" she told him keeping her hand over her hips, scolding him.
"FINE!!" he shouted and walk inside, she smiled at his childish attitude and walk after him in the room, he threw himself on bed and pulled blanket over him, she smiled and joined him in bed, "Good night Armaan…" she wished him, smilingly. "whateve!" he replied, hiding his face in the pillow – he closed his eyes…
Next Day, Armaan left without waiting for Riddhima to wake up. After 8, Riddhima woke up to see, Armaan not beside her, she turned to other side and notice clock striking at 8, "SHIT! I am late…!" she pushed herself out of the bed, quickly collected jeans and random shirt and rushed to washroom…
Rushing down stairs, she called out for Armaan, "ARmaaan! I am coming…! Sorry sorry I am late!" she said while holding her books and files, and halting at dining table, "good morning everyone…! Where is Armaan?" she said, looking at her wrist watch, which said 8:30. "He left..!" Billy told while reading news paper. "What? Left…? Without me?" she asked Billy… shocked, he never did that…!"Yes he left around 8!" Naina said, sipping her tea, "par usually tou he goes around 8:30 only…!" Riddhima replied…"Yes but he didn't have his breakfast today and just left…" Naina said, faintly smiling at Riddhima, who gave her a faint smile, "Okay then… I will go on my own…" Riddhima went away… with a sulking mood…
After attending 2 lectures, she called him up, "pick it up Armaan…" she closed her eyes when she heard the other side, he cut the call and she heard the company recorded voices speaking up, a tear prickle out of her close eye."hey Riddhima! We have to go for Shopping lets goo!" Anjali pulled her along with her, towards the parking area… along with Muskan. "oye… why is your mood off? Missing your hubby??" Muskan asked as she saw Riddhima all quite,
"no yr… just the bad start… can we drop the shopping today?" Riddhima said, "no way okay, this is an important shopping – we can't cancel it – and marriage is only 3 weeks away." Anjali told straightly, "I know Armaan is upset with the fact that we are with his wife – all the time, but he should understand that this is important for us – and we need our friends, as you needed us in your wedding…" Anjali told her "no he is not upset with that…" Riddhima lied.. "don't lie Riddhima…" Muskan burst out at her, "your husband is totally insane! What will happen if he stays few weeks away!!" Muskan added, "okay… stop this… I am coming for shopping na, can we leave this topic!" Riddhima frustratingly said, while looking out of the window of car, "yea fine." Anjali replied and told Muskan to let it go.
Reaching home around 6 in evening, Riddhima was followed by her two friends behind her. Riddhima threw her shopper on the couch, and saw Armaan sitting and watching Television with Rahul and Atul. Armaan looks at her, she gave him a small smile but he turned his face away to television she felt bad, hurt, she turned on her heals and went upstairs, "Riddhima… ruk… we will come along to your room!" Muskan said,"okay… you guys come – I am going for a bath!" Riddhima told and went upstairs.
Coming out of the washroom, wrapped in a blue plain sari, she ruffled her wet hair with the towel, Looking up she saw, Armaan staring at her, while pressing his lips together, she looks at him with longing, they both took step to each other, stopping with an inch gap between the two."I miss you a lot…" he said with his whole heart out, she melted, and closed her eyes when he moved his hand on her cheek and tuck her strand behind her ear…. "Why are you doing this to me…" he whispered, moving closer he kissed her cold cheek, she shuddered, and kept her hand over his arm, for support. He cupped her other side of cheek with his hand as he kissed the spare cheek, she sighed as she felt his thumb rubbing across her cheek which resulted to change the color of her cheek. He dropped his lips on her jaw, and then dipping down to her throat, she hissed and moved her hand in his hair, ruffling it in urgency, as she herself was drowning in the moment, when Muskan barged in the room, without a knock.
"ooopps!" Muskan turned her back at them, "are you both done?" she teased, and Riddhima walks away to dressing table while Armaan quite walk pass Muskan and didn't even responded to Muskan. Muskan frowned and walk in to Riddhima, "kya hua…? Is everything okay between you two?" Muskan asked, as Riddhima combed her hair."Yes Muskan everything is fine!" Riddhima replied,
"he doesn't look happy…!" Muskan replied, Sigh, "I am not being able to give him time from last 1 month, after honeymoon and he is just upset – first I never knew I had ignored him – it's just last week, we had a little argument and from then we had an argument tomorrow and today he has kept ignoring me, I am try to get the time out for him and I am not just able to do so…" Riddhima sat on bed,
"Go out for dinner or long drive right now?" Muskan suggested settling down with her, "what about the assignment we have to give tomorrow!" Riddhima moaned,
"Hell with the assignment! Set your priorities! I can never keep Rahul below, everything comes second when I think of Rahul – I don't know why but I feel you keep Armaan secondary…. Do you…?" Muskan asked, concerned,
"uhmm… I don't know… I thought he will understand… that I am busy…" Riddhima replied, shuffling in her place. "see you do…! Anyways what is done – is done!" pause, "make it up… it is never too late…! Go out today… spend some time with him…" Muskan said,
"But you two also bark in my room at wrong time naa!" Riddhima shifted the blame on her friends, "oye teri tou!!! Lock kardiya kar na room!" Muskan hit Riddhima on her arm. Riddhima giggled, "Tuu knock kardiya kar na! shaadi k baad mai bhi tumhare aur Rahul k room mai without knock enter hongi!!" Riddhima teased,
"I don't care! I am not like you… I will continue doing whatever I am doing… you can just enjoy the show!!" Muskan got up, "you are shameless like Armaan!" Riddhima followed her, "thank you!" Muskan replied."Thank you…" Riddhima whispered, hugging Muskan side way, "no problem.. now don't get senti." Muskan teased while Riddhima rolled her eyes,
"Mama… I am not going to do dinner?" Riddhima said, in lounge area, "kyun?" Naina asked, "Me and Armaan going out for dinner!" Riddhima said in lounge area,
"when did I say that?" Armaan frowned and asked, "Armaan you forgot ? in room? Why are you hiding from everyone!" she made an innocent face at him, Armaan was taken back and frowned at her, with a smile at the corner of his lips, "no I don't remember Riddhima? When did I say that?" Armaan retort back and played along with her
"when you know… Muskan barked in! you were saying that we will go out for dinner! Don't lie okay!" Riddhima said, crossing her around her chest in a fake anger, "did I say that Muskan?" Armaan smirked and asked Muskan, "ahh… how would I know…? Last thing I saw was you too ki…" Riddhima kept her palm over Muskan's lips, "shut up will you?" Riddhima muttered in Muskan's ear,
"hehee.. sorry …" Muskan replied to Riddhima, "anyways, even if you had NOT said Armaan – Riddhima wants to go.. TAKE her!" Muskan blasted at Armaan, who pushed himself back on the couch and Muskan stood right in front of him, "Tum le jao apni friend ko dinner par!" Armaan replied back,
"kyun Teri biwi hai ! tuu sambhal!" Muskan fought back, saying she is your wife take her, "Achaaa! When it comes to late night dinner idea – tou you decide to make me her driver! And when it is evening and morning you take her because you want her in shopping! Very fair very fair!" Armaan spoke sarcastically.
"shukar kar – I am giving you for this night – warna tou she was planning to name her night to her assignment!" Muskan whispered to Armaan, Armaan couldn't help but grin, "Thank you Muskan" he whispered back, rolling his eyes at her, "OOk we will go for dinner!" Armaan replied to Riddhima, who smiled greatly and went in kitchen to help Naina.
"can we have a talk…" Muskan said, Armaan nodded and walks outside the house to garden, "she is still new to all this – you know it right! It not even an year to your marriage," Muskan said, "I know… whenever I try to explain her something, she gets so worked out, she can't handle so many things – and over top this studying is getting toll on her …" Armaan said, sadly.
"and you are creating no less problem for her!" Muskan interrupted him,
"sorry?" Armaan asked, "you know I have been dealing quietly for almost a month – after our trip back from Sans Francisco – she had not even sat with me for an hour and talk to me, and even if she had it has something to be related to you or Anjali!" Armaan argued and justified himself.
"and what about all the rudeness you have been showing to her from last one week ?" Muskan asked, "You know how stress out she gets, almost every day in class – professor scold her either for mistakes or for inattentive behavior! And that is just because of you and on top she does not share the problem with us! Dealing it all alone! And you are not helping her at all!" Muskan scolded Armaan.
"okay fine.. I am at faults!" Armaan dejectedly sat on the swing in garden, "I have to make it up to her…" Armaan pressed his lips together, "Muskan…" pause "hmm?" Muskan said, settling beside her, "am I hard on her?" Armaan asked, "no… you are not Armaan, you are the sweetest person ever, even better than Rahul, he is really impatient – unlike you, you tolerate Ridhima, she is just different – her thoughts hre fear are different!" pause, "she is hard to compile with and you it greatly at times you do act like a dork !" Muskan said
"heeey! I take that as an offense!" Armaan complained and laughed, "but she is … she is too important for me… you know that right! I just hope we can work out this relation more beautifully" Armaan said,
"You will – I trust you both… be calm till she get over her studies… then I assure you – the little busy atmosphere will get resolve." Muskan assured him, "Hmm I know," Armaan smiled, "good I talked to you – warna I wouldn't have realize where I was leading this stupid thing!" Armaan said, "No worries, you can talk to me or Anjali!" Muskan politely told him, "This sweet act does Not suit you, sweet heart!" Armaan wrapped an arm around her shoulder,
Muskan wrinkled her nose and frown, "you don't deserve respect you fool!" she kicked his leg and got up "oww! You bitch!" Armaan cursed, she hit his arm as she went inside, "rascal!" she called him, Armaan laughed and rubbed his arm while walking in after her,
"Riddhima…? Lets go!" Armaan walks in the room, "yes Armaan bas coming, she closed her file and got up, rushing to dressing table she combed her hair, "relax… there is no rush…" he stood after her, and kept his hand on her shoulder, she kept the brush down and turned to him, with sigh, "Armaan… I …" he kept his finger on her lips,
"I am sorry… for acting like a dork!" he said, with a look of sadness in his eyes, "no Armaan.. I am at fault… I should have been with you…" she said, "no Riddhima I should have understood that you have many other things lined up… I am at fault!" Armaan said, firmly.
"no Armaan!" Riddhima shook her head in no, "fine, then we both are at fault at some extent… and I promise we will work this small tiff soon… don't worry, I won't act like a pig… you can be care free with the stress I give you, "he said, sadly…
"You don't stress me Armaan…! I love you… it is just… two weddings, its shopping work at home… "Sighed, "and studies… it is all getting on me…" she hugged him and kept her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, "I know and I acted damn fool in last 1 month… but I promise from today onwards I will help you each and everything…" Armaan kissed her forehead,
"And I love you..." he whispered, "I promise to keep you as my first priority and rest will follow…" she whispered, hugging him tightly, with a smile. "I love you a lot…" she added,
"Let's go.. Now…!" Riddhima parts away, "Riddhima I was thinking… why not we order Pizza here, and stay here… spend time… together and you can your assignment too!" Armaan held her wrist, smiling down at her,
"No Armaan, I will come back and do Assignment at night… lets go out…" Riddhima insisted and pulled him towards the door, "Riddhima seriously, at night… you cry next morning if you don't get your minimum sleep!" he grins and pulled her towards him, she landed in his arms, "I don't really cry now!"
"but some sort of water comes out of your eyes, what is it called?" he teased her, "shut up Armaan, and make an order quickly!" she rolled her eyes and went in gallery, Armaan pulls his phone out and made an order!!
Joining her in gallery, he hugged her from behind and kept his chin on her shoulder, they both sighed and closed their eyes, "it feel so good in your arms!" she whispered, "and still you run away!" he tightened his hold on her waist… she smiled, lightly.
"Because you do that in front of everyone! So I have to stop you!" she replied, "you keep me away because of this Zaliim duniya?" he spoke dramatically kissing her cheek, she giggled and raised her hand up to his cheek and affectionately pressed it,
"You will go shopping tomorrow…?" Armaan asked, "as far I know – yes…!" she sighed, "fine, I will come and pick you girls after your classes, and we will go shopping together…! I will bring Rahul and Atul too!" Armaan told her,
"But what about work ?" she asked, looking at him side way, "you come first..! our happiness and together is the most important thing," he stares at her, with love and gives her the most loveable dimples smile, she smiled back and kept her hand over his cheek again and lowered his lips to her level, pecking his lips – ever so lightly, she kissed him… he tightened his hold on her waist and kissed her back, very delicately… and lovingly.
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Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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