Fiend or Friend?
Recap:
Armaan advises ridhimaa to assist Anjali' Armaan and ridhimaa reminiscences their childhood memories'. Sid and Ridhimaa's meeting' ridhimaa makes armaan stick to his not so cool diet plan.
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"Mama but aap boliye toh kya baat hai'. Ok fine main aa joungi'. Armaan? nahi mama uska ahi tak call nahi aaya'. Ok mama bye" ridhimaa sighed and kept the receiver down. Ridhimaa was feeling so relaxed after speaking to her mother. She was glad that padma called her home; she was finding it difficult to find any work in such a big house. Due to no one was home there was nothing more to do.
Sanjay was in Bangalore. He was to come two days ago but instead he called and told Armaan that he will be a week late. Armaan immediately called his pilot and flew for America three hours later. Ridhimaa didn't ask him anything nor did he tell her anything except that he was leaving due to some emergency and will be back as soon as possible.
Ridhimaa was bored reading almost all the magazines in the house, inspecting the front yard garden leisurely, instructing the servants and then switching the TV channels for endless times, ending up finding nothing of her interest. The big house was suddenly feeling too big and too empty. She cleaned her already cleaned room which was a surprise because ridhimaa thought that Armaan would have stuffed his things here and there in the drawers but when ridhimaa checked every single thing was at its place. Ridhimaa knew Armaan was a perfectionist but only at office, not a paper out of place but at home it was a different matter altogether. He never kept any of his things at its right place.
One more thing that ridhimaa found amusing was his study. When ridhimaa tried to open his study to take a nice look it, she found it locked. Ridhimaa was surprised. Leaving everything open he only locked his study. What would be there? Ridhimaa knew he was a bit private person and every person working in the household follow him blindly neither questioning him nor denying for anything. Ridhimaa once asked one of the maids to clean the room while ridhimaa was downstairs, the maid clearly denied saying Armaan had instructed them not to enter his room in his or now Ridhimaa's absence.
Next day ridhimaa went to Gupta house with mini battalion of her guards. Edward was of course with Armaan so Tejas was the head of security. He followed ridhimaa but kept his distance. They even parked out of the gates and didn't disturb ridhimaa for anything, which she was glad for. Padma hugged ridhimaa as soon as the door opened. Ridhimaa was not surprised seeing her mother's radiant face; she felt it in her voice the day before on phone. Ridhimaa was just waiting for the cause of her happiness to reveal.
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Ridhimaa slumped back in the bed sighing. She was suddenly feeling exhausted. She never thought the simple day will turn out this great.
FLASHBACK
When ridhimaa reached Gupta house padma told her about muskaan's pregnancy. Ridhimaa was so shocked for the moment; it took few minutes of padma to shake ridhimaa out of her shock. There was nothing unusual about Muskaan's pregnancy but it was the first baby in the house after ridhimaa. Ridhimaa was really very happy. They celebrated with chocolate pastries which rahul bought on Muskaan's special demand.
Muskaan told her that she was 3 months pregnant and doctor confirmed the news just the day before. Sheshank and padma wanted to celebrate the news with a proper bash but seeing Muskaan's panic they changed the plan. Muskaan was bit panicked as it was her first time, which padma declared was absolutely normal for women. Padma told ridhimaa about the small dinner party they were planning once all Malliks arrived.
Ridhimaa chatted with muskaan for some time and then went to check on padma when muskaan slept feeling exhausted. They settled in the leaving room while ridhimaa asked her mother about Sheshank and rahul. Padma told her that rahul and Sheshank were at office and Sheshank was on his way. Ridhimaa thought that Sheshank was coming earlier to meet her when padma told her that Sheshank went to office after almost a week. Rahul was not happy with this so he literally pushed him out of the office.
Ridhimaa was really angry when she come to knew about sheshank's illness "mama apne mujhe ek baar batana bhi jarrori nahi samjha ki papa ki tabiyat kharab hai"
"ridhimaa he is fine now doctor ne kaha hai ki B.P ab bilkul normal hai tu toh apne papa ko janti hai na kaam ka kitna stress lete hain wo isiliye unka blood pressure low ho gaya tha"
"Doctor? Mama doctor? Mama doctor aaye the aur aapne mujhe bataya bhi nahi?"
"Ridhimaa itni badi baat nahi thi beta aur tum and anjali bhi toh busy thi na isiliye nahi bataya"
"plz mama aap mujhe samjhane ki koshish mat kariye mujhe achchi tarah pata hai papa tab tak doctor ko apne paas nahi aane dete jab tak koi badi problem na ho aur aap keh rahi hai ki koi baat nahi hai"
"Ridhimaa wo toh Armaan le aaya tha, jabardasti, warna tere papa toh doctor ke naam se bhi door bhagte hai" padma chuckled a bit remembering sheshank's face at the mention of doctor whereas ridhimaa was surprised. Where on the earth Armaan came into the picture?
"Armaan?"
"Haan jab rahul ne use tere papa ke bare me bataya toh fauran doctor ko lekar aa gaya. Sheshank toh man hi nahi rahe the per pata nahi Armaan ne kya kaha unse aur wo tabhi tayyar ho gaye. I was toh completely surprised. "
"Armaan yahaan aaya tha?"
"haan wo toh roj yahaan aata tha in fact wo toh jabardasti tere papa ko hospital le gaya aur saare test bhi karwaye' America jane se pehle phone kiya tha usne tujhe nahi pata?" padma asked little lost in the magazine she was reading.
Ridhimaa just shook her head in reply. She was feeling dizzy all of sudden. Armaan was here at her home taking care of her father and she knew nothing about it. Her father, who runs away on the mere mention of hospital, went to hospital and did all the tests. Armaan didn't even mention any of this. What was he enemy or friend? But as always she didn't have the answer to this question.
FLASHBACK END
Ridhimaa sniffed taking seep from the cup of hot tea, Rita brought for her. She pressed two fingers to her temple and applied pressure to get rid of the sensation she was feeling in there. She knew she was being terribly childish last night when she socked herself in rain for god knows how many hours. She was feeling so good standing in the rain, looking at the beautiful surrounding, letting all her tensions, questions washed out in the rain. She felt light and cold till the time she realized night taking over day.
Ridhimaa overslept yet she was feeling terribly sleepy. She turned to the inviting bed. She had the entire bed for herself becoz of Armaan's absence. Though, there were many reasons ridhimaa thanked god for Armaan's sudden trip to America this was the most important one. The couch was extremely small to become bed for one person and ridhimaa was having such a backache due to sleeping in the limited space. She was still not past her backache but was feeling bit fine and was determined to discuss their sleeping arrangement with Armaan as soon as he gets back.
Ridhimaa would have dozed off on the couch but a shrill voice woke her up. She starred at the unknown number flashing on her phone's screen and pressed green button'
"Hello'. Hello'hello" ridhimaa glanced at the phone and again put it back on her ear. She heard a slow breaking noise from other side. She tried harder to listen but nothing happened.
She tried again "hello' hello" but nothing except from the broken whisper. She was still trying to listen when her phone beeped she looked at her screen and saw another number flashing on the screen. She kept the first call on hold and received second immediately. She already knew this number.
"Hello'. haan Sid' yes I remember'. Okay bye" she cut the call and found the first call was already disconnected. She kept her phone aside and went to change. She was going to meet Sid.
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Ridhimaa arrived at the restaurant bit late than decided. She glanced at her back to the black sedans lined up in the parking lot with guards standing besides cars. Ridhimaa was more than glad for the arrangement as she knew she and Sid were to meet at some private place. Ridhimaa was led to Sid by one of the waiters.
Sid, who was tapping his foot impatiently looking at his wrist watch immediately, stood up seeing ridhimaa. Ridhimaa smiled at him, which he didn't reply. It made ridhimaa bit uncomfortable. She mumbled small "hi" and took her sit opposite to him silently sniffing in between. Sid had already placed the order for them so waiter bought two coffees. Sid waited for the waiter to leave them alone and tuned to ridhimaa as soon as they were alone.
"Ridhimaa where were you? Main kab se tumhara wait kar raha hoon"
"*sniff* sid wo'"
Sid cut her in between "its ok tell me sab kuch kaisa chal raha hai? I mean between you and Armaan baat kahaan tak pohonchi?"
"sid maine tumse kahaan na *sniff* ki hamari abhi abhi friendship hue*sniff* hai use mujh pe trust karne *sniff* me time lagega and by *sniff* the way he not in India right now"
"Not in India?" asked Sid surprised.
"*sniff* yeah he is off to America"
"America?" ridhimaa nodded her head in answer. Sid frowned a bit at the information "why America that too this time I mean abhi toh wahaan koi problem bhi nahi hai?" he asked more to himself than ridhimaa.
"How *sniff* you can be so sure Sid?" asked ridhimaa.
"Ridhimaa we are rivals we know about each other's business status" said Sid as if he was talking to a 5 years old. Ridhimaa saw Sid deep in thoughts and tried to turn the topic "leave it Sid *sniff* what do you care *sniff* about what he does and *sniff* where he goes?"
"We have to ridhimaa. We in fact you have to know everything about him. Wo kya karta hai? kahaan jata hai? kyon jata hai? sab kuch ridhimaa. That's way only you can gain his trust. But you won't listen to me, will you?" Sid accused directly looking at her now.
Ridhimaa shifted in her sit "*sniff*but Sid he never tells me anything and'"
"And did you asked him?" ridhimaa shook her head.
"That's the problem ridhimaa you are not taking it seriously"
"What do you mean sid *sniff*" asked ridhimaa getting little irritated with his tone of voice.
"Ridhimaa hum yahaan Armaan ke trust ki baat kar rahe hai and how do you suppose you will get it by just saying we are friends? No ridhimaa. That's not it. It's just the beginning ridhimaa, I know you. Tum Armaan se dur rahkar uska trust gain nahi kar sakti"
"Sid I am trying" Sid pushed the coffee towards her. "I know ridhimaa I know you are trying. I am not denying it but ridhimaa where it will lead. Nowhere."
Ridhimaa patiently took sip from her coffee "what do you think I should do?"
"Ridhimaa Armaan ka tum per trust karna bohot important hai aur agar iske liye tumhe uske karib jana padta hai toh jao. Ridhimaa unke karib jaaker hi tum use dur jane ka rasta dund sakti ho" said Sid starring deeply in her eyes, trying to make her understand what exactly he meant her to do.
Ridhimaa sat their silently. Go near Armaan, what exactly Sid meant by that. There she was trying to find a way to run away from Armaan and here he was saying to go near him. Sid gave ridhimaa her time to let it settle in her system. He knew ridhimaa was one of them who needed to be pushed to do anything out of their wits. He waited patiently for ridhimaa to acknowledge the rightness in his idea when his mobile started ringing which bought ridhimaa out of her thoughts.
Sid cut the call without bothering to answer it. Ridhimaa noticed his frown. He was definitely worried about something. Ridhimaa has notice the change in his behavior since the moment she arrived. He was quite restless and worried. Ridhimaa asked him about it. Sid shook his head and mumbled something about business problems.
Ridhimaa was about to ask him more when he suddenly spoke "ridhimaa I think you should go now your guards must be waiting"
Ridhimaa dropped the thought of further questioning and nodded in agreement. Sid didn't move while ridhimaa gathered her things and got up to leave. She mumbled bye to him and turn to leave when something stuck her "Sid how do you know about the guards?"
Sid smiled a bit weirdly "I noticed them" he sighed and fell back in the chair "I think he is afraid that his wife will run away with someone else"
Ridhimaa was shocked hearing this. She never heard Sid talking about anyone this bitterly and moreover he was indirectly or directly talking about her. Maybe he was too angry to notice this. Ridhimaa knew there was something more than just business problem. Sid was not himself today. She made her away towards guards thinking about what Sid said about getting close to Armaan. She was suddenly feeling very dizzy. Her head was pounding too badly. She was feeling sick and her legs, they seem to give away any moment. Ridhimaa was about to call Tejas when everything went blank.
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Stepping down the swing of steps she finally made it to the ground, gasping panting as her breath speed due to the constant running. She saw the darkness creeping over her slowly as she followed the source of light. It was going away. She suddenly felt suffocated. She ran faster stretching her hand to stop the light source but couldn't reach it. She wanted to shout but nothing come out of her mouth, her breathing accelerated, her speed lowered. She was tired, very tired.
It was like the faster she was running towards figure the more it was getting far from her reach. She stopped as her legs gave out and let the darkness take over her. She was still panting when she heard far slow murmurs. Someone was talking but who? Her eyes were closed tight, she wanted to open them but she was too tired to do that. So, she just tried hard to concentrate on the voice to make out what they were talking'
"Will you stop that?" come the annoyed voice. Someone chuckled.
"I am telling you this for the last time" the same voice spoke.
"What do you want me to stop?" asked the new voice bit amused.
"I know what you are finding so funny but there is nothing to laugh at. Everyone have their weak points. Like you'."
"Okay okay fine" come the voice of second person "but yet that's weird you can't even tie you shoo less or tie. I mean what do you find so confusing?" another chuckle.
"arrh" first person grunted "you are done with your work here old man now leave me alone"
"As you wish boy I will be waiting for you near the car. Don't make me wait." Said the second person bit irritated.
Ridhimaa was still concentrating on the voice when suddenly the light surrounded the environment making her open her eyes as she felt the intensity of light through her closed lids. Ridhimaa blinked for a minute to adjust to the light. She rubbed her eyes as they were feeling too heavy to be kept open.
"About time?" as soon as ridhimaa heart the voice she woke up completely. Armaan pulled the curtains close and turned to ridhimaa. She was trying to get up when Armaan came to her "relax, let me help you" he helped her up and adjusted the pillow behind her back "there you are" said Armaan as he took place besides her.
Ridhimaa made herself comfortable resting her head back on the headrest, still trying to adjust her eyes. She gazed at her surrounding and recognize in a second where she was. She was in her room at Mallik Mansion. But how she got there? The last thing she remembered was going to meet Sid. She tried harder but didn't remember how she got back. She turned to her left feeling warmth besides her.
"How are you feeling now?" asked Armaan placing back of his hand on her forehead and then on her neck checking the fever. Ridhimaa didn't answer but just kept starring at him. There was a note of concern in his voice. She blinked as her hairs fall on her eyes disturbing her view. She never saw such a gentle, caring look on Armaan's face. Well not at least for her.
He gently pulled her hairs behind her ear, making ridhimaa shiver as his finger touched the sensitive skin of her cheeks and ear. Ridhimaa realized how he was leaning on her; his left hand was around her shoulders whereas with his right he cupped her face ever so gently, looking straight into her eyes "are you feeling fine?"
Ridhimaa nodded her head as his warm breath touched her face. Though, the way Armaan held was normal for anyone to look but ridhimaa felt it really intimate for some reason. She would have felt awkward but she didn't. In fact she felt nice. He smiled at her and she replied instantaneously.
"Good." averred Armaan getting up "Dr. Randhava told me you will get around in an hour of two but let me tell you are way fast." Ridhimaa blinked for several times at his back as if she was jolted out of trance. Armaan pulled out a thermometer from the drawer and hold it in front of ridhimaa to which ridhimaa opened her mouth quietly.
She looked at Armaan while holding the thermometer in her mouth. He was in his office cloths, as soon as ridhimaa saw this she remember that he was gone. When he returned? She didn't even saw him returning.
Armaan pulled the thermometer out of her mouth "fever is low" he remarked inspecting it.
"When you came back?" asked ridhimaa hearing her hoarse voice for the first time and felt a weird pierce sensation in her throat. She was defiantly ill.
Armaan looked at her and smiled "2 days ago while you were being kumbhkaran" he chuckled a bit pulling out cell phone from his pocket "I'll be right back" as he made his way out.
Two days' ridhimaa sighed tiredly. She was unconscious for two days. No wonder she was still feeling her head pounding and her eyes drowsy. She shifted at her place to make herself a little more comfortable when her gaze fell on her cloths. She was wearing one of her nightie. But how it can be possible? Last time she remembered she was wearing a deep blue chudidaar and she doesn't remember treading her chudidaar for this silky red nightie.
"Ah'ridhimaa" Armaan dashed in the room with his cell phone still clutched in his hand "I need to go to office. Very important meeting can't avoid but I will be back soon. I just called the doctor he will be here in while" he picked up his blazer and wallet from the couch "Rita will be here to assist you" he stopped besides her and patted her hand "if you need anything just call me. Okay?"
"Armaan' he heard her when he was rushing for the door and turned to her "yeah?"
"a'wo'actually mujhe *cough* mujhe yeh puchna tha ki *cough* *cough*" ridhimaa was feeling hot in face. She was scared to ask him who changed her cloths and mostly about getting the answer she was not willing for. Armaan hurried back to her and gave her a glass of water. Ridhimaa took a sip and then finished the entire thing. She didn't realize before how thirsty she was.
"thik hai?" asked Armaan worried now. "Ridhimaa agar tumhe thik nahi lag raha toh I'll cancel the meeting..." he didn't even finished as he pulled out his cell phone. Ridhimaa stopped him "no'. I am fine Armaan"
"Are you sure?" he asked uncertain.
She nodded her head weakly. She has to ask him otherwise it will chew her head all the time. "Armaan who changed my clothes?" she asked in one breath clutching her fist tight.
Armaan's eyes widen a bit hearing her question. He noticed how the blood was rushing in her pale cheeks and how she was avoiding looking at him. He bit his lip and cleared his throat, trying to look as serious as he can.
"Ridhimaa'." He sighed as if confessing murder "ridhimaa you know you were unconscious and koi aur tha nahi toh i'.i mean'.. I didn't have any option' I know how you feel about it but I am sorry I had to do that"
Ridhimaa sat still as she heard him. What he meant he didn't have option? He changed her clothes?" that can't be truth? How he can? No. absolutely not. He was definitely teasing her.
"Armaan tum mazak kar rahe ho na?" she asked in a low whisper.
Armaan looked at her incredulous "no ridhimaa tumhe lagta hai main tumse mazak karoonga aur wo bhi es mamle me" he looked at his vibrating cell and turn to her "okay ridhimaa I need to go. I will be back soon." and with that he rushed out of the door.
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Edited by -SmokySapphira- - 12 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
270