Memories (b)
Ridhimaa adjusted her dresses in already empty space for her, which probably Armaan would have left for her as his cloths were already there. She was relieved that Armaan was finally talking to her. Well not talking but teasing. It was annoying but as they say something is better than nothing.
Armaan looked up to ridhimaa and smiled slightly. First genuine smile. Ridhimaa smiled a little, despite of her shock. But, the smile didn't last for too long. Armaan was going throw one of the albums of her childhood. Ridhimaa smacked herself mentally for living her bag open and alone with this Mallik. Ridhimaa wasn't expecting anything from him especially any morals like not to peek in someone's personal things. No. morals and Armaan Mallik can never fit together. He was as shameless as ever.
"Armaan you don't have any morals right?" Ridhimaa marched towards him.
Armaan ignored her remark as if he didn't heard what she said as he flipped through album with wonder in his eyes. The album had many pictures from their childhood. Childhood, which seemed to far to reach. The era he can only reminiscence but can't touch like water reflection which you can see but can't touch as it would dilute if disturbed.
Armaan caress the image longingly and smiled in return to the smiling faces of child atul, rahul, ridhimaa, Anjali, muskaan, niki and himself from the picture. What he can't give to return back to his childhood. It were the days, he was free of every tension, every burden. How he can even die to change everything. To relive. To cherish what he can't...
He pulled out of his thoughts feeling a tap on his shoulder. He looked up at ridhimaa and smiled brightly and little too excited as if he found some lost treasure in those photographs taking ridhimaa by surprise.
"You remember this ridhimaa'" he asked starring back at the image his voice filled with wonder and happiness. Ridhimaa looked at the image. Off course she remembered the image, it was the only picture with all of them together especially Armaan he used to be so high spirit all the time that it was hard to catch him on time.
Ridhimaa shift her attention back to Armaan as she heard him "Panchagani wale farm house me jo garden tha wahiin per yeh picture li thi" a smile creep on Ridhimaa's face as she remember the day too clear to her surprise. It was one of the best days of her life. They all spend entire day together- playing, wandering, dancing, enjoying. It was their last trip together. After that trip Malliks left India.
"Haan yaad hai" agreed ridhimaa sitting next to him.
Armaan turn to the next image "aur yeh yaad hai? Just look at it bhai ki shakal pe oh bara baje hue hai" he chuckled. Ridhimaa's eye lit up as she remembered the event "yeh toh tab ki hai na jab di jij per chilla rahi thi" and she too chuckled.
"Yeah! Bhabhi ne galti se bhai ke favorite plant miss Lily ko gira diya tha aur bhai itna gussa hue thi ki unhone bhabhi ko dant diya aur phir bichare pure din sirf sunte hi rahe" they both laughed while Armaan switched to next photo.
"Pratap uncle" both Armaan and ridhimaa recognized at the same time and smiled looking at each other.
"Pratap uncle se sab kitna darte the na?" ridhimaa asked remembering cruel looking man with his big brown mustache, lit cigar in hand and murderous expression on face.
"Haan especially rahul use unki mucho se bada darr lagta tha" ridhimaa nodded her head in agreement.
"aur yaad hai unka ek garden bhi tha jise humne completely barbad kar diya tha aur' aur yaad hai unhone hame almost pakad liya tha" said Armaan lost in the glory of his childhood shifting his attention completely on ridhimaa.
"Haan yeh sab rahul bhaiya ki wajah se hua tha mujhe toh tree pe chadha diya aur phir mujhe wahiin chodkar khud bhag gaye" ridhimaa's lips pushed out as she pouted remembering how rahul had betrayed her "achacha hua tum time pe aa gaye the otherwise Pratap uncle toh mujhe maar hi dalte" ridhimaa shudders at the possibility.
Armaan shook his head at the distinct memory "hmm' aana toh tha hi na tum kitne jor jor se chilla rahi thi for one second I thought kahiin jungle me koi chudail toh nahi hai"
Ridhimaa gasped at him and slaps him on his arm "tumhe main chudail lagti hoon"
"aaao'" Armaan rubbed the spot where ridhimaa hit him "not actually ab toh tum badi chudail ho gayi ho"
"Armaan" ridhimaa warned raising her hand again and Armaan smiles at her making ridhimaa smile too.
Sometimes it was easy to be with Armaan well only when he is not so mean, thought ridhimaa. "*sigh* achcha hua tum aa gaye otherwise pata nahi kya hota" said ridhimaa looking thankfully at him.
"I know main nahi hota toh tumhara kya hota?"
Ridhimaa raised her brows at him. 'So full of himself', she thought "And tumhe yeh bhi yaad hoga ki wo tum the jiski wajah se hame der hue thi aur sabki daant bhi padi thi" said ridhimaa folding her hands to her chest.
"kya? Main? Excuse me meri wajah se nahi tumhare wajah se der hue thi"
"Oh haan yaad aaya main hi keh rahi thi na ki mujhse chala nahi ja raha main thak gaya blah blah right?" mocked ridhimaa at him.
Armaan looked down self consciously "toh kya I was tired kitni bhari ho tum aur itne bhari vajan ko niche uttarna easy nahi tha"
Ridhimaa's mouth touched ground in shock and Armaan laughed out loud seeing her expressions. Ridhimaa smacked him on his arm "you'you are so mean Armaan. Just the same tum bilkul nahi badle jaise bhachpan me the na bilkul waise hi ho"
Armaan turned serious and looks directly at her "I am the same ridhimaa but tum bohot badal gayi ho" ridhimaa stares at him mystified. The intensity of his eyes always held her in such a spell that she never was able to break it through. What was it ? accusion? Each time ridhimaa tried to comprehend the meaning behind his words she failed.
Armaan called as he turn to door "ridhimaa?" ridhimaa looked up at him while he continues with his back facing her "us din tumhaare pair me chot lag gayi thi isliye main slow chal raha tha" ridhimaa eyes widen. She recalled the entire situation with new sense. She fell that day due to which she was hurt. She remember how Armaan was pacing ahead until she told him that she had hurt her leg and then he started walking slow, making various excuses. Now only ridhimaa knew the actual reason behind them,
Ridhimaa starred at his retreating back for a moment puzzled. Understanding Armaan was getting more difficult with each second she shared with him. His mood changes more frequently then share prices in Mumbai Stock Exchange.
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Ridhimaa waved Anjali good bye on airport. Anjali was going to Bangalore for some medical conference. Though, Anjali was not doctor but she never missed any conference she was invited in. Atul was himself off to Malaysia otherwise he would have come to see her off. So, ridhimaa came along Anjali to airport. Ridhimaa saw Anjali disappearing in the crowd and turned to leave but stopped'
"Tum?"
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"So you are friends now?" ridhimaa stared at him from across the table before nodding her head in agreement.
"Hmm'" Sid murmured frowning lightly as he took in Ridhimaa's tension "what happened ridhimaa? Is Armaan still bothering you?"
Ridhimaa scanned the surrounding anxiously. Though, she knew Armaan can't be anywhere near as she and Sid where still at airport but she was still tense. The meeting was not planned. Sid took her by surprise completely. Ridhimaa composed herself. She had other things to discuss with him, more important one.
"sid wo armaan'.."
"Armaan? What Armaan? Kya kiya usne?" asked sid anexiously.
Ridhimaa rolled her eyes at his overreaction "sid Armaan ne kuch nahi kiya wo but' sometimes he behaves so weirdly'"
Sid sighed. He almost had panic attack seeing ridhimaa's expressions. "ridhimaa tum bhi na" he shook his head "tum bekaar me pareshaan ho rahi ho and by the way tumhe kya farak padta hai wo kya karta hai aur kya nahi' look ridhimaa es time hame sirf aur sirf apne plan pe concentrate karna hai. *pause* waise armana tumse thik se behave toh kar raha hai na?"
Ridhimaa nodded her head in agreement "haan apart from his weird mood swings wo mujhse bat toh karne laga hai but abhi bhi we are not comfortable with each other'."
Sid cut her in between "ridhimaa its almost 2 months and you are saying you are still not comfortable. Ridhimaa I told you na Armaan se ladkar jitana impossible hai. Tumhe us se friendship karke uska trust gain karke hi es rishte se azaadi mil sakti hai"
"I know sid but hamari friendship just abhi abhi hue hai use mujhpe trust karne me thoda to time lagega na" explained ridhimaa. Sid composed himself. He was so worried for ridhimaa that he almost burst on her. he didn't talk to her since they came back from Goa. When he went to Goa he was determined to tell her that he still love her but he didn't expect to see her in such vulnerable condition.
He thought ridhimaa was happy with her husband. He just wanted to tell her what he wanted to say her from so long and then leave forever. But when he saw ridhimaa that day and heard Armaan he came to know the reality about their relationship. And that day he resolved to never leave her again no matter what.
Armaan and Sid were business rivals. So, Sid knew that if ridhimaa continue to fight with him then Armaan will take it as challenge and as per Sid's experience Armaan never back down from any challenge in fact he loves challenges. So, Sid asked ridhimaa to be friends with Armaan and try to gain his trust so may be after some time Armaan will understand his mistake will divorce ridhimaa.
"I sorry ridhimaa' I am just worried. Ridhimaa I don't want to lose you. main ek bar tumhe kho chukka but ab nahi" he sighed and reached out for her hand on table "bas ek baar tumhara divorece ho jaye phir hum hamesha hamesha ke liye ek ho jayenge"
Ridhimaa took back her hand from under his and get up at once "Sid I think I should go now its late." Sid was on his feet at the same moment, checking time." Yeah its late. Main tumhe chod deta huin"
"Sid I don't think that's good idea" said ridhimaa reluctantly.
Sid smiled at her nervousness "don't worry ridhimaa main tumhe Mallik Mansion se thoda dur chod dunga okay?" nodding her head ridhimaa made her way out with Sid.
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"Ok peter I want allo paratha, paneer teeka and yes my favorite palak paneer " Armaan was in high spirit today as he was alone in the house and no one was there to restrict him. He rarely gets rid of his family members and Edward especially. Not like he wanted them to be away but sometimes their hovering over him makes him gag the very breath he was taking.
He felt little guilty for taking advantage of situation like this but then he was left with no other option. He knew his family member cared for him and if they restrict him that is for his own good. Yet, he was tired of that god awful tasteless food.
He can't even remember when the last time he ate his favorite food was. Since Anjali took charge of the household he was on constant diet, his health never cooperated with him either. As soon as Armaan remembered how tasty the food will be he forgot all about the guilty feeling. Of course, he can take brake from that hell of diet plan for once.
"aur aam ka aachar bhi" he further instructed the chef.
"Anything else AM sir?" peter asked politely. Thought peter knew what exactly he was going to make but yet he patiently heard all the orders placed by Armaan. Peter was working for Malliks since almost decade. Hence, he knew that someone will definitely stop the junior Mallik as it was not the first time he tired to override his regular diet.
"That's all for now but I will let you know if I remember something else"
"Really?" came the voice.
"Really" Armaan answered without thinking. Peter smiled, shook his head and motioned with his eyes. Armaan looked at him puzzled as he turned to look at what peter was pointing at.
"Ridhimaa" Armaan smiled at her. Ridhimaa returned the smile and turned to peter. "Peter forget all about what he said and carry on with the regular course"
"Yes mam" peter replied obediently.
Armaan looked at them flabbergasted "wha'what? What do you mean by that ridhimaa?"
"It's simple Armaan you are going to stick to your given diet plan. Anjali di already told me everything. Tumhe doctor ne yeh sab khane ko mana kiya hai na?"
"mana kiya hai nahi kiya tha. I am perfectly fine now aur yeh main nahi reports keh rahi hai"
"aur tumhe yeh sab oily aur spicy food nahi milaga yeh main keh rahi hoon"
"Ridhimaa"
"koi fayada nahi hai Armaan so stop arguing"
Armaan was getting angry now. He was certainly losing his chance. But he was not going to give up just now "ridhimaa main kya khaunga aur kya nahi its my decision. So peter" he turned to peter "carry on with my orders"
"No peter'" ridhimaa contradicted.
"Ridhimaa stay out of it" Armaan warned, trying to look as stern as possible.
Ridhimaa shrugged "fine main di ko bata deti hoon" she immediately pressed the numbers on her mobile.
"Fine' peter go on with that poison" shouted Armaan marching out angrily.
"Everyone is conspiring against me. Pehle wo doctor phir meri family and now' now this ridhimaa. Yeh mat karo, yahaan mat jao, yeh mat khao like I am a kid' they all are just impossible"
Ridhimaa smiled shaking her head hearing his muttering. He was such a kid. Ridhimaa thanked Anjali in her heart. She just called in the evening and told ridhimaa about the diet plan suggested by doctor. Anjali told ridhimaa that Armaan can be really difficult as he hated the diet entirely.
Peter went to kitchen grinning all the way over the scene he had just witnessed. He was happy his master now had another nagger and that too permanent one. He was smart enough to know that his new mistress will certainly take care of his childish master.
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Edited by -SmokySapphira- - 12 years ago
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