PART 28
She then walked downstairs and in the kitchen.
A few days passed like these wherein they would care for each other's needs albeit unknowingly to the other one. She would make sure he takes his lunch one way or the other…. She made sure that he would eat well and that everything from his files to his shirt was ready for him.
He on the other hand always left a thankyou note in the tiffin box daily. Because he knew she would open it. He knew that if he tried to talk to her she would go back into a shell and never talk about anything so he was liking this because he knew she cared for her and this was a way in which he was letting her know how much he appreciated her efforts.
On the weekends, since there was no office they were compelled to talk.
And Ananya had assigned this task to Muskaan because she knew Muskaan was an expert at this.
So every weekend Muskaan would force Armaan and Riddhima to talk. She would in one way or the other make sure Armaan and Riddhima come together in one room and talk.
And her efforts indeed payed off. After doing this a couple of weekends things did seem to come to normal between the two of them.
This continued for about two weeks and then with the starting of the third week Armaan did something unexpected.
Instead of writing the thank you note while handling the tiffin he said directly to Riddhima, " I loved the food today" He smiled and left to freshen up. Riddhima smiled and then blushed thinking about that because he said that unhesistantly in front of everyone who was in the kitchen including Ananya, Muskaan and Anjali…..
Nevertheless Muskaan started teasing her after that…..
And inherently she was enjoying it too…..
After dinner, he sat in the living room until everyone left and then when Riddhima was done with the kitchen work he asked her for some time to sit outside in the verandah and talk.
She agreed and came in a few minutes after him.
After the initial awkwardness, they started talking, mostly Armaan was doing all the talking , talking about his day.. and this propelled Riddhima to speak too about her day….. After about half an hour of talking they decided to retire back to bed and went to sleep.
Armaan smiled to himself because his mind was on a mischief mode. He had decided that if Riddhima came in today to talk he would make sure she comes everyday and that is one way he can break the barrier between the two…….
And indeed it did work…..
After about a week of doing so Riddhima became a little more relaxed and started talking to him as a friend rather than as his wife who hardly knew him.
Indeed it did help their relation.
Because now even in front of people, they would talk to each other on just about anything under the sun. On one such occasion:
Riddhima as usal woke up early and started towards the kitchen to make food and help Ananya…
Armaan woke up and as usual saw that Riddhima was not on bed.. He got up freshend and started to go downstairs……. He deliberately went into the kitchen as it was a weekend and he did not have to go to the office….
"So Ma aaj kya ban raha hain" he asked looking towards Riddhima
Ananya busy in her work said, "Aaj toh Riddhima beta sab ki man pasand sabji bana rahi hain tu usi se pooch le"
So he walks over to Riddhima and Riddhima acts as if she is unaffected by his presence, "So Riddhima.. aaj aap kya bana rahe hain…"
Riddhima still not looking at him says, "Well aaj Chole aur Poori…"
"Chole Poori… yeh toh papa ki favorite dish hain…."
"Ji han uske saath dahi chat , bhel, aur Bhindi hain…"
"Hmm" he says "Dahi chat toh Muski ka fav hain… aur bhel shayad Anjali ka….. aur Bhindi toh ma ki favorite hain.. hain na ma…" his mom smiles at his nodding a yes
Aur kya bana rahe ho….." he asks
Playing in the mischief she says, " Bus aur toh kuch nahin ban rahe hum hain na ma" and ANANYA starts laughing…….
"Hmm……. Achha thik hain…" he said looking dejected that she did not make any of his favorites
"Waise Ma" he asked " Riddhima sab ke liye sab ki favorite dish bana rahi hain par Riddhima ki favorite Dish kaun bana raha hain"
Ananya looked startled, " Arre yeh toh hum bhool hi gaye… Riddhima beta tum apni favorite dish bolo main bana dongi…."
Riddhima nodded in a negative saying, " Nahin ma don't worry about me.. today its about the favorites of my family.. not about me…… And I will be glad if you guys like what I make ussi main meri khushi hongi…"
Ananya smiled at what she said.. this reaffirmed that she had not made a wrong choice……. "Par phir bhi Riddhima ….."
"Arre ma.." she said interrupting "Don't worry about it…"
Armaan was observing all this and the way she had worked towards keeping his family happy just made him feel strongly towards her….. but she had not reciprocated when he confessed his feelings to her and instead started talking normally when they started behaving as friedns he did not play around much with that thought at the moment.. but tonight.. no.. not tonight.. he was going to take a risk.. just like the time he had taken a risk when he ahd asked her to come and sit and chat … until it happened daily and made her more comfortable with him…. Yes tonight was the time to take another risk and he was sure this would probably work….
He smiled……
Riddhima was still working and Armaan was standing next to her so she could not juggle around to get the things she needed… So she called his name " Armaan" but he was lost in his thoughts…
So she called his name again " Armaan" he still did not hear anything..
Now as a desperate means.. nbecause it was getting awkward for her to work with him just standing there to bring him out of the trance she just his fingers gently to the pan of boiling water….. Immediately the reflex brought him back to senses….
"Riddhima…."
"Armaan sorry but tumhara dhyan hi kahin aur tha…."
He looked at her… She looked at him and dogded his looks and started working again…..
Realising that she was feeling awkward with him around in the kitchen he decided to leave………
"Chalo Ma main chalta hoon…. Phir luch main milta hoon"
"Thik hain beta" Ananya said….
N he left without giving Riddhima a second glance…
She wondered why he did not look back at her.. but then she guessed he must be mad that she touched his fingers on the warm pan……
She thought well that would all be forgotten when he learns what I have made for him.. saying that she smiled and started working again..
Armaan busied himself with his plan for the evening actually the night…. By the time he finished it was lunch time….
Everyone came on time because they knew that Riddhima was making each ones favorite dish…..
On the table when everyone came Ananya announced…." Ok everyone as you know… Its been about a month now since Armaan and Riddhima got married and a month since we got such a nice bahu in our house.. No matter what happened in the past we have all done it together… especially Armaan and Riddhima… and today…. Riddhima has done something special for us all.. She has made each ones favorite dish……. But make sure that you don't forget to praise her because I know my bahus cooking .. like u all…..and she mentioned that she will be happy not by someone making her favorite dish… which I asked….but by us actually loving her food…..Ok so ending my speech here lets begin…."
And saying so Her and Riddhima started serving everyone….
Armaan for a second was shocked… He had completely forgotten what they had been through….. together…. Nd he actually felt pride in it… that with Riddhima by his side….. he was able to forget the bad things that had happened to him…. That Riddhima has cared so much for him.. for his family….. that just by being next to him.. by her talks she made him forget everything that had happened… THIS thought intensified his decision to go ahead with his plan for the night…..
They started opening the dishes to see what Riddhima had made… and they saw Chole and Poori.., Bhel, Dahi Chat… and Bhindi and Roti…… but in addition they also saw Paneer Makhani and Muskaan was the first one to point this out……
"Hmmm bhabhi Paneer makhani…. Mujhe thodasa lene do before bhaya sara khatam kar de…"
And then Armaan saw that she had also made something for him… but then how would she know.. ofcourse his mom must have told her….. He just couldn't stop looking at her.. at the enormous amout of effort she had put in today……
He smiled
"Aye haye kya Muskaan hai bhia" Muskaan cheered making Riddhima blush
"Cha lab mujhe bhi toh chakne de…. Ki sara tu hi khatam kar degi"
"Nahin bhai main kaha,, par mujhe thodasa toh lene do before you finish everything"
"Muskaan… tu their abhi jaldi se mujhe de varna teri dahi chat gayi"
"Aye bhai .. nahin… ye lo….."
There was a lot of fun that followed…..
Everyone praised Riddhimas effort and the cooking….. they decided to reward Riddhima for her efforts and Billy suggested that they go to a restaurant at night…. Every one was agreeing t o it except Armaan.. He didn't say anything but thought ab mere plan ka kya hoga……
Riddhima saw him.. that he was hardly responding.. she thought that maybe he didn't want to go… so she said….. " Nahin Papa aj nahin aj main thak gayi hoon……phir kabhi jayenge toh chalega…"
Billy agreed that that might be right because today you worked a lot in the kitchen with the heat so its better you rest…..
They stayed in the living room looking at some old pictures…..while Riddhima and Muskaan cleared the vessels and cleaned the kitchen before joining them…….
In the evening they decide to go to the park because it was a weekend and since the day had been so nice….
All this while Armaan had avoided Riddhima…..
She started to feel that maybe he just didn't like what she did for his family… this slightly dejected her but nevertheless she continued with the day not showing her disappointment to anyone…. It was evening and they decided to order Pizza aseveryone was tired and today Billy felt the women of the house must also be relieved cuz Riddhima did such a good thing in the morning……
So when the Pizza came they ate savoringly….. Armaan avoided eating saying he was full.. And Muskaan teasing him that he would definetly be full since bhabhi had made something that was his favorite….. he smiled looked at her… and then back at Muskaan who was busy eating the pizza..
Seeing him not eat she did not feel like eating either.. earlier as well she was dejected that he did not say anything to her regarding the food she made…..she said that she was tired and made an excuse to go up to her room and lay down…..
Muskaan tried to force her to eat… so did Ananya and Billy put she succeded in escaping their persuasion…
And retired to her room….
Armaan decided to stay down until everyone was done….. After a while when everyone was done and started to retire to their beds…. He smiled…. Now was the time…………When everyone was asleep…. He went upstairs and peeped in to see that Riddhima was in bed but still awake… He entered the room and at once she closed her eyes pretending sleeping….He smiled at what she did…. But there was no stepping back from what he had planned…..
He went to her and called her name "Riddhima"
She avoided getting up
But he called her name again…. And again… so that she had to get up
She got up and acted as if woken out of sleep.. he smiled again at that….
"Riddhima we have to go I have just got a call and its urgent.. please get ready"
She woke up startled… what was it who had called this late……and where did they have to go…….maybe Nikki…. Maybe her mom dad… tahts why he was acting strange all day along… She straightened her hair and said Chalo…
Armaan looked at her.. she looked very apt even at this hour of night with absolutely no make up on her….he just hoped she wouldn't get upset with his surprise….
He and her started to walk when she asked" have you informed Ma Papa?"
He nodded a negative… and now she started worrying….
They walked to the car…. And sat in .. He started the car and drove for about 20 minutes until they reached a restaurant….. and he stopped his car….
"Why are we here? Wasn't it something urgent…?"
He nodded and took her inside……..it was pitch dark in there…..
She scared said, "Armaan you are scaring me please tell me what is it…. ARMAAN Armaan where are you?"
"Riddhima" he said and a spotlight came on her.. she at first shielded herself from the light because her eyes hurt turning from pitch dark to bright light after a while she removed her hands from her eyes…..
"ghabrao mat… main yahin hoon …… " and another spotlight came on him……
And then she saw that his hands were behind and she couldn't see them…. She wondrered what was he doing…..
Riddhima he said… don't be scared….. I just wanted to thank you for what you did today and yesterday and all these days and whatever you did when there were troubled times in my life……
Another spotlight shone on a table in front of them…..
She looked at what was there and opened the cover dishes….. sHe saw that they were her favorite dishes Paneer Kofta, Malai Kofta, Aloo ke paratha… and many other items…………
The lights of the place came on at this point and she looked from the dishes to him…….
He walked to her asked for her hand… she questioned his guesture…..
"Ghabrao mat….. I am not going to ask you for a dance…… I am not that good a dancer" She smiled at that and he smiled seeing her smile….. He took her hand and led her to the table…..made her sit…. And then sat himself….. The waiter came in and asked them as to what did they want to drink to which Armaan replied " Two orange juices… right Riddhima" she smiled at him and nodded…
And wondered how did he know everything that she liked from the dished to the drink……….
She asked him, " Thankyou Armaan….. How did you know what I liked…."
"Bus pata hain" he answered
"Ha par kaise" she asked again…
"Riddhima tumhe meri pasand ke bare main kaise pata.. waise……" he smiled while answering…
So then she realized maybe Padma had said these things to him…
"Riddhima kya hua tum kha nahin rahi honn…. Pasand nahin…?"
At that point she started eating….
He smiled at her and watched her eat….
She stopped eating and asked " Tumhari plate kaha hain"
"Maine already kha liya"
"Kab " she asked
"Ghar par" he answered
" Toh kya yahan sirf main akele khaungi"
He smiled
"Armaan sirf smile karte rahoge ya phir answer bhi donge"
"Ha Riddhima because you did such a thoughtful thing for me and my family This is like my token of thanks for you"
"Ohhh toh I canteat then"
"Why?" he questioned
"Because when I made the food I ate with you guys but here you are not even eating with me"
He smiled at her innocence and asked for another plate and then started eating "ab toh thik hain na … now you can eat…"
She said " Yea I think so" she smiled and ate…..
They finished their food Armaan paid the bill and then started to go back to the car…..
Riddhima smiled at what Armaan did today………. This was indeed better.. there was no awkwardness about it and she was happy that he was happy with her……
Armaan looked towards her in the car while starting the car…..he smiling face…… things were definelty looking better for them….. indeed…. He started the car and played the music…..
The music that was on this time was the famous Teri Meri from Bodyguard…….
……………………………………………………
Teri Meri Meri Teri Prem kahani Do lafzo Main Yeh bayan Na Ho Paye………
Ik ladka aur Ik Ladki ki yeh kahani hain Nayi Do Lafzon Main yeh Bayan Na Ho Paye….
Teri Meri Meri Teri Prem kahani Do lafzo Main Yeh bayan Na Ho Paye………
Ik Dooje Se hue Juda… Jab Ik Dooje ke Liye Bane…..
Teri Meri Meri Teri Prem kahani Do lafzo Main Yeh bayan Na Ho Paye………
Tumse Dil jo lagaya Toh jahan maine paya
Kabhi socha na tha yeh milo door hoga saya
Kyun khuda tune mujhe aisa khwab dikhaya
Jab haqueeqat main use todna tha
Ik Dooje Se hue Juda… Jab Ik Dooje ke Liye Bane…..
Ik Dooje Se hue Juda… Jab Ik Dooje ke Liye Bane…..
Teri meri baton ka har lamha sab se anjana Do lafzo main yeh bayan na ho paye….
Saara din bit jaye Saari rat jagaye
Bas khayal tumhara lamha lamha tadpaye…
Yeh tadap keh rahi hain mit jaaye fasle ye tere mere darmiyan jo hain saare…….
Ik Dooje Se hue Juda… Jab Ik Dooje ke Liye Bane…..
Teri meri baton ka har lamha sab se anjana Do lafzo main yeh bayan na ho paye….
Har ehsas main toon hain har ik yaad main tera afsana…. Do lafzo main yeh bayan na ho paye….
Teri Meri Meri Teri Prem kahani Do lafzo Main Yeh bayan Na Ho Paye………
Its like the song took them back to the old times when there was so much turbulence in their relation… when their relation was on the verge of extinction……..
Armaan reminisced how Riddhima had stayed with him the night he told her about him and Nikki and how when he was feeling awkward justifying himself she had said that she did not want an explanantion because she understood……. How during the time when Riddhima was in the hospital… he was scared for her.. scared of loosing her…… At that point he had not understood why he had reacted that strongly.. but he had….They …. Together had come a long way from when they started a month ago.. It seemed like it was ages but alas it was only a month ago…. And now he was sure.. sure that she was indeed the right one for him…… that they were destined to be together…… Now he was afraid… if he continued with the remainder of his plan… how would she react…. She had indeed liked the plan so far but what he was planning ahead was something very intricately tied with their lives… He was hesitant now….
Riddhima was listening to the song….. And it connected with her….. It was as if the song was made on her and Armaan… That one line…… "Ik dujhe se huye juda.. par Ikduje ke liye bane" just touched her heart….. And it was so very ironic… after all that Him and her had gone through… and to think that she was actually rejected by him for someone he loved earlier.. However its as if destiny wanted them to be together.. and that's why through all these situations they came in together…. She still couldn't forget the day when Armaan came forward to her with his feelings saying that he had started to feel for her.. and he had ruthlessly disapproved of his emotion.. stating his loneliness to be a cause of that emotion….
Maybe at that point it was loneliness that spoke but what he did today…. She did not think that he did it just to oblige something… she felt that was a very genuine effort and she started questioning her reasoning…. Maybe she should give a chance to him and her together…. Because so far things had indeed been good for them…. Even for other…..s She thought If indeed destiny wants them together…. It will do something again………
As the song ended they came out of their respective memories into the present……
A while later they reached home.. Riddhima and Armaan got off and started to walk towards the house… Armaan was really hesistant with the second part of his plan and he was thinking of calling it off when something fell from his pocket. Riddhima and him stopped in their tracks. Armaan bent down and looked for the fallen thing…
Riddhima asked him " Kya hua Armaan…"
He looked at her, his hands still searching for the things and his hands then touched upon it…..
He hid it in his palms thinking what to do when it clicked that this was indeed what he was supposed to do.. the ring falling out of his pocket was a sign that he should proceed as planned.. so he stood up and said " Riddhima.. do minute bahan baith sakte hain?" he asked
She looked at him, and wondered, 'what must it be that he wants to talk'
Curious she agreed and they decided to sit outside for a while….
They sat opposite to each other….Riddhimalooked at him but he was looking down trying to muster up the courage to speak…..
"Umm Armaan kafi raat ho gayi hain andar chale?" she asked
"Riddhima" he murmured finally mustering courage… " Riddhima mujhe tums eek baat karni hain"
"Ha Kaho Armaan" she said
"Riddhima… I am not sure whether this is the right time to ask or not……" he looked up into her eyes and as if those eyes gave him the courage to go on he continues "but it looks like the right time to me. You and me… together …. We have gone through so much in so little time……"
She winced thinking that he was thinking about those old times.. and this did not go unnoticed by him
"No Riddhima I don't mean to ponder on those memories….. but only on the part where you were with me and how you have helped me forget those memories" She lloked at him " Yes Riddhima this one month that I have spent with you….. has been the best….. And I cannot explain how… the way you have kept this family intact till today .. I just admire you for that.. the way you have taken care of me…… I feel that we ………. That we were destined together Riddhima"
She looked down now…
"Riddhima" he said getting up and going next to her " Riddhima " he continued and touched her face to make her eyes meet his, He bent down on his knees and brought the ring that he had in his hand…… "Riddhima…. I want to ask this question to you again……… I know I had told you that I wanted to give ourselves a try…. But now I know… there can be no one else who can take your place…. Riddhima.. your place in my life……. In my familys life….." he took her hand and placed it on his heart " in my heart " at his she closed her eyes but he continued…… "Riddhima….. I want you to be with me……I want to grow old with you….. Will you be with me…. With me till eternity………. Because without you …. Riddhima.. my life will be meaningless…… it ….. would not exist…….."
Saying that his heart felt light.. because he wanted to say that to her for a long time now….. but he was hesistant of how she would feel… he waited… for her reaction… her eyes that were closed.. a tear left through them….. she opened her eyes slowly…….and saw that he had a ring in his finger , he was on his knees….. and waiting for an answer……
This was the world to her….. and now there was no reason to say no…..
"Armaan" she said making him sit next to her and him still holding the ring in his hand… "you know " she smiled wiping away her tear…. "I had an inclination that this night wasn't going to end so soon.. especially after that wonderful thing in the restaurant….." he smiled she continued "You want to know my answer…. Hmm…. Armaan….. my answer is…..Yes…….." At this Armaan was flabbergasted and exited.. he couldn't believe she just said yes……
She brought herhand in front of him… and he put the ring on it…….. And her tears… they just couldn't stop…………. He just hugged her in a tight embrace……and she she just responded back…… "thankyou Armaan" she whispered……
"Thankyou Riddhim" he whispred back……….
It was like a moment that they had never experienced….. They lay there for a while in that embrace….. it was like after an eternity they had finally found happiness…. Armaan then broke the embrace but still close to her… he wiped her tears and nodded his head in a negative telling her not to cry anymore……
"Riddhima don't cry … ab there will only be happiness…." She nodded in a positive to that…….. and they hugged again…. It was like there was no tomorrow…..It was like a lovers plight….Parting even for a second was gruelsome…. With a lot of effort they broke the hug….. each wiped the others tear and then they started to go up to their room……. They changed their clothes and lay on bed……each on their side of the bed but still staring at each other and smiling………
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