MPbGD thread # 2, part 70 on pg62 on 18/4/12 - Page 14

hey dear

lovely and cute update...waitng fr whole family reunion...

update next part soon

love

sania

Part 54

R: From the time we've come here we don't even seem to remember the date.

BR: Armaan, I just didn't expect this from you. You should have planned something special for Riddhima.

R: Come on anna (elder brother), such things are for the newly married ones, not for old couples like us.

BR: What do you mean by old couples? And whom did you address as anna? I'm much younger than Armaan, do you know that? Just because I'm a little bald, doesn't make me elder to you.

A: Yes Riddhima he's a full twenty two months younger than me.

Then turning to Bhaskar he said "But my dear friend Riddhima is 5 years younger to me, so you're definitely her anna only."

BR: No, no let's leave it at first names only. No anna or anni (bhabhi).

Laughing at his childishness Riddhima said "Ok if that's how you prefer." Thinking in her mind "You are only as old as you think you are. If he thinks he's young then he definitely is."

BI : Ok, come over to our place and let's get ready.

R: I'm almost ready, I've just to change my saree.

BI: You'll wear a saree for a valentine date? Of course not. Come and try one of my dresses. I'm sure I'll be able to find something of your size and choice.

Riddhima smiled at Bharati and said "I don't wear anything except sarees."

BI: Haven't you heard the saying when in Rome do as Romans do?

R: Please, no I won't be comfortable in anything else. After all this is all I've worn for the last 30 years.

BI: Then you surely must try something different.

A: Bharati, let it be. Riddhima won't enjoy the dinner if she isn't comfortable. For a change why don't you try wearing a saree?

BI: It's been ages since I last did. Even to the temple these days, I wear only salwar suits.

BR: Yes, she must have even forgotten how to drape a saree. But come to think of it it isn't such a bad idea also. I always think saree is one of the sexiest dress, showing off the curves.

Not realizing he was embarrassing Riddhima in the process, he continued "I'm sure Riddhima can help you drape it if you want."

BI: Come on don't be silly. I can drape a saree by myself. But don't expect me to dance if I wear a saree though.

BR: Valentine day dinner, without dancing, is just out of question. But don't worry, you wear a saree, It's my responsibility to make you dance in it.

All of them laughed over it and then Bharati and Bhaskar left to their house to change. When Armaan mentioned that Riddhima and he were first going to the car-rental to hire a car, Bhaskar started shouting, "What do you mean you are renting a car? You take my car I'll pool in with one of the office guys or Bharati will drop me. Won't you darling?"

BI: Of course, not a problem.

BR: That's settled then. Here take the keys.

A: Bhaskar, I don't want to inconvenience you.

BR: When did you become so formal with me? Oh! I see, I see. The act's for Riddhima's sake. Right?

Patting his back and accepting the keys Armaan said "Nothing like that. I don't need to put on any act for Riddhima. She can read me like a book."

Finally all of them dispersed promising to meet in an hour's time. As Riddhima changed her saree she was thinking about the evening ahead. "Would she fit in their company? Would Armaan feel ashamed of her in front of his friends?" Somehow she was getting some negative feelings. She wished they both had left the house as per their plans, before Bhaskar and Bharati arrived.

She walked out wearing the crepe silk saree selected by her athaan, wondering how he would react if she expressed her wish to dine alone but then changed her mind. She had seen how happy he was to be back with his friends. She didn't want to deprive him of their company. And when she saw him come down the stairs in a beautiful suit flashing his dimpled smile and saying "Thanks Bhaskar, you've made my day!" she really didn't have the heart to say anything.

As he put his cell away, he noticed her standing at the foot of the stairs. The way he was eyeing her from head to toe, made her blush. When he came close to her, he put both his arms around her and pulling her to him kissed her thoroughly. Then moving back a little said, "Happy Valentine's day! You look gorgeous as usual." She shyly looked up at him and then pulling his head down placed a sweet kiss on his lips, withdrawing even before he could react to it, and said "Happy Valentine's day to you too and you are also looking very handsome in this suit."


A: ahem, ahem, looks like the American air has started working its magic on you too.

Pouting her lips she asked "What do you mean? Haven't I ever complimented you before?" Laughing at her expression, he said "Of course you have, but not so boldly. That's what I meant. The American air is making you bolder." She blushed yet again and hit him playfully on his shoulder. Holding her hands he pulled her against his chest and kissed her even more deeply this time. Then coming out of the kiss, he took out his handkerchief and started repairing her smudged lipstick "You seem to have become an expert at using make up now. Sorry I spoilt it. You'll have to redo it. I think it was better when you weren't in the habit of using any lipstick" he laughed and got a slap on his arm in return.

R: I used it only because I didn't want you to be ashamed of this country brute in front of your friends.

Holding her face in his palms he said "I'll never be ashamed of you sweetheart. You are my pride." "Looks like the American air is working on you now, what's with all the new endearment?" she teased him. "No it's not the air it's the occasion. It's valentine's day after all." Was his reply in the same teasing tone.

Just as Riddhima was repairing her makeup, Bhaskar called to say that he and Bharati were ready. They went over to their house. Janaki amma invited them in and remarked "see this saree is so pretty and look at you" turning towards her daughter. Bharati was dressed in a bright red chiffon saree with heavy sequins work. Riddhima turned to Janaki amma and said "This saree is also very pretty amma," but she just made a face and walked away.

"Of course you'll like it. After all it was you athaan's choice." Bharati said and burst out laughing seeing Riddhima's shocked expression. Armaan at once clarified "Only the colour was my choice." And then went on to explain "Actually when Bhaskar had gone to India last time, a friend of his had asked him to get a saree for his wife. Bhaskar picked up two, one for Bharati and one for his friend's wife. He wanted it to be a surprise for Bharati, so asked me which one she would prefer. Since usually mine and Bharati's tastes are similar, I suggested red. And she really liked it very much. That's all." Now Riddhima's cheek turned to the colour of Bharati's saree and got teased by Bharati for that also.

Finally all four of them made their way out.

BR: Bharati, you girls carry on in your car. I'll come with Armaan, just to make sure he's comfortable driving my car.

Riddhima was a little disappointed but didn't show it. She just looked up at her athaan and he assured her with his eyes that it was ok. Riddhima envied Bharati seeing her drive with so much ease. But was happy that their conversation was also flowing with as much ease throughout the long drive.

Bharati enquired about Karan and Linda and when she asked "How are your daughter and grand-children?" Riddhima was just bowled over. Bharati explained that they were in constant touch with Armaan on social networking sites, besides talking on the phone. So were aware of everything happening in his life. Riddhima was very thankful that she didn't mention Karuna or Armaan's past life.

When Bharati pulled into a parking lot and stopped the car, Riddhima got out looking at the lighted shops around. Armaan pulled up a few cars away and the 2 males walked towards them. Armaan put his arm possessively around her waist as Bhaskar said "Ok guys, have a wonderful time. See you tomorrow." Riddhima looked surprisedly from one to the other. When Bhaskar continued, "Your athaan had already made reservations here, for the two of you and didn't want to cancel it. So please carry on, me and Bharati have other arrangements. And as a punishment for altering our plans you'll have to treat us to a homemade dinner on Friday evening. Is that ok with you?" Riddhima nodded and the other two sat in Bharati's car and left after waving out to them.

When Armaan took her towards the restaurant, Riddhima asked "Why did you change the plans? They must have felt bad na?"

A: I didn't change anything. I only told them about the reservation that I'd already made. They are my true friends and were in fact happy for us.

Before she could say anything further, they were at the restaurant and the manager came forward to meet them. Shaking Armaan's hand he said "It's been so long sir." When Armaan said "I was in India for 6 months," the manager gave a "Oh I see" look and flashing a bright smile said "Welcome maam." He then led them to a room on the side saying "this way sir."

He led them to a beautifully decorated secluded corner. A bunch of red rose buds adorned the centre of the table. The lights were so dim that Riddhima couldn't see much around. Even if there were other people in the room, they couldn't be seen. Armaan let her relax and absorb the ambience. Then picking a rose from the vase handed it to her and said "Thanks for coming back into my life. As he looked into her eyes the song playing in the background changed. It was the Tamil song "Oru pennai parthu nilavai parthein" wherein the hero says, I saw a girl and then looked at the moon, the moon seemed so dull. I looked into her eyes and then saw the flowers around, they held no beauty. I don't exist without her and she doesn't without me."

"Athaan how did you manage all this and that too in America?" she asked with tears in her eyes, absolutely touched by his action. Raising her hand to kiss it, he said "This is my favourite haunt whenever I felt nostalgic and missed our hometown. The owner is from Tamilnadu and his clientele is also people like me, yearning for a piece of Tamilnadu in the US."

The waiter came to take their orders. In consultation with her Armaan ordered a totally south Indian fare, starting with the mulligatawny soup. The more Riddhima thought she shouldn't compare, the more the thought pestered her, till she finally blurted out "Did you and Karuna come here often?"

Armaan didn't seem flustered by the question at all. Smiling very sweetly he said "I usually came here alone because Karuna hated anything that reminded her of India. According to her and her mother only by forgetting their roots they could adapt themselves wholly to this country. It was for the same reason they disliked my friendship with Bhaskar and Bharati. For that matter they used to feel even Janaki amma was a bad influence on me and we used to have a lot of argument on that. They even passed on that ideology to the boys and hence they too had American friends only.

As if suddenly realizing he was rambling away, he sat up and said "Forget all that. Tell me do you like this place?" She first looked around, smiled at him and said "Yes, very much." Then giving him a naughty look said "Because the only thing I can see here is you." He laughed aloud at that and she too joined him.

They were having their food looking less at the food and more into each other's eyes. In the quietness as one song after another played in the background Riddhima was transformed to an altogether different world, where she was years younger. When he held a morsel of food to her mouth she playfully bit his finger and when he yelped out in pain, held the finger and sucked it to soothe.

As they walked out of the restaurant having finished their dinner, Riddhima said "This is the most wonderful dinner I've ever had. I shall never forget this day and thanks for making it so special." He smiled at her and said "This is only the beginning. From now on each day of our life is going to be as special." Then asked "Are you tired?" when she shook her head at the unexpected question, he said "Ok, then let's extend this evening a little further."

He drove to a riverside, parking the car got out and held out his hand to her, as she got out. Locking the car, they walked hand in hand along the riverside. Seeing her shiver, he took off his coat and draped it around her shoulder. Then he put his arm around her waist and she put her head against his shoulder and they continued their walk.