My first day as a wife, mother and daughter in law.. I thought as my eye opened lazily.. looking around I could see the suitcases piled at one corner.. a table full of heavy jewelry that was laden onto me yesterday.. My lips curled into a loving smile when I felt my little baby, Parth snuggling himself more into me, disturbed by my movement.. I looked over to find Nikki sleeping like she has slept after ages.. Don't be surprised it has been just a few hours that I am married to Armaan Mallik.. An Arranged Love Marriage.. and we're not even allowed share a room till we offer our prayer to one of the temples, his mother has great faith in..
I decided to take a quick bath and then get Parth ready before Armaan starts to run around for his things.. Knowing him for 4 years now, I knew once he gets up he is not going to let anyone rest in peace till we come back from the temple..
Getting myself ready in a pink saree, I first went to get some milk for Parth..
"Good morning ma.." I wished Armaan's mom taking her blessings.. "Good Morning Beta.. tumhe kuch chahiye tha beta..?"
"Parth ki bottle.. phir usko bhi ready karna hoga na.."
"You don't worry beta.. parth ko main ready kar dungi tum jao aur thoda rest karo raat ko tum bache soye bhi der se the.."
"Nahi ma.. mujhe ab neend nahi aayegi please.."
Seeing her pleading face Ananya couldn't help but agree.. As Ridhima went back to the room she saw Parth sitting by the pillow and rubbing his eyes.. picking him up gently she kissed his head lightly.. "uthh gaya baby.." He smiled looking at her saying "mmaaa.."
Laying him down comfortably in her lap she gave him his bottle lightly swaying him.. as soon as he finished he was ready to rush out and move around.. only to be picked up by Ridhima who took him for a bath.. "masti baad mein.. pehle naha ke acha bacha banega mera Parth.."
Confused..?
Well.. I'm Ridhima Armaan Mallik.. Married to my best friend and love Armaan.. though we would have got married an year back but due to some complications in my Di's pregnancy we put it on hold.. Anjali Mallik was my sister, Armaan's sister in law and Parth's mother.. But to our grief she died within a few hours of giving birth to Parth.. Atul Jiju broke down completely after her death.. He didn't even look at Parth but as the time passed, Parth became Armaan's life and Ananya aunty's responsibility.. He resembled his mother very much and for that fact I adored him even more.. Every time he smiles at me I see my sister smiling at me too..
It has been a month after the things started to settle when one day Armaan came to me with Parth.. "Will you marry me and be his mother..?" for a moment I was shocked to even understand what he was saying.. I just took him by hand to my room not caring if my parents were looking at us.. We sat there saying nothing.. but soon I heard his voice, watery and broken.. "He left.. Atul bhai left with all his things and a note behind which says he not coming back ever as this place has too many memories of bhabhi which suffocates him.. mom is too worried for Parth.. the little baby has already lost his mother and now his father has left him too.."
Turning our attention to parth as a cracking cry broke the trance.. I took him from Armaan and comforted him very lovingly with tears flowing from her eyes.. "Mom wants us to take his responsibility.."
I turned with sleeping Parth and gave a small nod.. "hum samhaal lenge na Armaan..?" he just nodded with tears in his eyes and took her in a warm hug, sobbing in each other arms..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Ridhima beta you need to re-think.. I know beta that you love Armaan.. but adopting Parth might not be a good decision beta.." papa told me.. while mama kept mum as she knew that I adore Parth too much to raise him like his aunt when I have an option of raising him up like a mother.. while papa's worry was right on his part as a father.. he was just thinking, what if someday Atul comes back and claims his son.. it will ruin parth's life and break my heart as I will never be able to part Parth from me, years from now..
"Parth ko akela chod doon papa..? voh abhi bacha hai papa itna chota ki apni mamma aur maasi ka farak nahi jaanta.. jab uski responsibility mujhe aur armaan ko hi leni hai ek din toh usko puri tarah apnake kyun nahi..?" I tried reasoning back..
"kya karogi beta agar kuch saal baad atul aake kahega ki usko apna beta chahiye..? kaise bhejogi Parth ko uske saath phir..?" Papa asked out of frustration now.. only to hear Armaan standing at the door.. "Bhai kabhi vapas nahi aayega uncle.. agar unko Parth ke liye vapas aana hota toh kamse kam ek baar usko dekh ke toh jaate na..? aur parth koi cheez nahi hai jo voh kabhi bhi yahan chod jaaye aur kabhi aake usko le jaayein.. parth ab mera beta hai.."
"Humara.." I corrected him with a smile..
While nonplussed Papa went to his room not knowing if this time he is at fault or he is softening in emotions.. he needed time to think and decide..
From that moment onwards Parth was more of a buddy to me rather than a responsibility.. Armaan would take him home when he misses him and then bring him back when he fusses without seeing me around..
Sometimes I would just wave him when Armaan comes.. and keep looking at them till they enter Armaan's house.. he lived just two houses ahead, across the street.. Papa was still abit apprehensive of us adopting Parth but that made no difference to his love and affection towards him.. He would take Parth for joy walks, read him some headlines and he would stare at his nanu as if he is understanding every bit of news he has been read..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Days turned into weeks and Parth was two months old.. He has started to recognize our faces and voices.. he knows if Armaan has come to see him, he would surely be taking him or both of us out for a while.. One such day when Armaan came to take us out, I handed Parth to him and went to get changed.. I had a sleepless night due to Parth being restless but I got my reward.. as I got ready and came down I was awarded his First Gummy Grin for me.. I was so emotional when I saw him smiling at me for real, for the first time.. I immediately captured that moment in my mobile.. it made my day special coz no matter how hard ma, papa and Armaan tried, none of them got that grin from my baby.. I took Parth from Armaan and gave him a light kiss cuddling him, while he clutched onto my hair tightly in glee..
No matter how hard I try to remember, I still forget the fact that Parth is so fond of pulling hair.. be it anyone.. I pleaded Armaan to help me while I held Parth Armaan tried buttering him and getting his grip abit loose on my hair but what he said next made my heart skip a beat..
"Parth chhodo baby.. Mamma ko dard hoga na.."
Though I had started looking at Parth as my own child but listening to Armaan addressing me as Parth's mother made my breath hitch in my throat.. Looking at Parth's daily mischief as my own baby was amusing to me but at that moment imagining Parth calling me 'Mamma' was even more overwhelming..
I guess that was the moment when even papa spotted that motherly affection in my eyes for Parth.. "Ridhima beta.. you and Armaan come to my room.. I have somethings to discuss.." Papa said moving to his room..
Getting in I saw papa sitting there with a lost look on his face.. "I want you two to wait till end of this year.. if Atul doesn't come back still, then you have all my permission to adopt parth and get married.. I'm ready to get you married in January.."
I sat by Papa and hugged him.. "Thank you papa.. aap nahi jaante aapki permission kitni zaroori thi humari shaadi ke liye.. aap jaisa chahte hain vaisa hi hoga papa.. hum January mein hi shaadi karenge.."
"Haan uncle.. aap kabhi humara bura nahi sochenge.." Armaan said keeping a hand on papa's hand.. While papa sighed and patted our hands.. A normal tiring day turned into a celebration for us with Parth's smile, mischiefs and Papa's agreement on our marriage..
Instead of going out we went to Mallik house to share the good news with Ananya aunty.. for hours, we sat there in his room with Parth in a small crib by our side.. I sat with my back against his bed, while he laid with his head in my lap.. "Kuch soch rahe ho..?" I asked..
He just got up and sat by my side and pulled me into a hug.. I never knew when he shifted me into his lap.. as our eyes met I could see all the love and respect in them for me.. I felt a bliss when he lightly kissed my forehead.. "I love You.." I whispered, without waiting for a second he kissed my lips as if expressing how much he has waited to feel this acceptance.. unknowing ruffling his hair making him even more passionate..
Some moments in life mark the starting of a New Phase, a New You.. that was such moment for me.. Although we were not married yet but from my side he had all the respect and authority of a husband on me.. Parth was legally not my son but his trust and my affection knew no boundaries..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Parth was now 4 month old baby.. very active and noisy baby.. he would lie down on his stomach and try reaching everything that's in his sight and failing to do so he looks at me or anyone near him making an angry sound.. sitting with him on a swing makes me relaxed to the fullest coz he keeps squealing in joy.. as the days keep passing both the families started getting busy in shopping and arrangements..
It was October nd it was the time when Parth caught his very first cold..his morning walks with papa has affected him that way.. his wheezing breath caught my attention but what worried me was his uneven breath and next moment he woke up crying abit.. quickly cuddling him and trying to put him to sleep, I went down to inform mamma that I am taking him to a doctor.. His temperature had also risen abit till I got him ready and rang Armaan too.. I was worried because he was not at all at peace.. irritated and tiered he was crying now and then..
We rushed him to Muskaan our friend who happened to be a child specialist.. "Don't worry guys.. it's a part of his development.. kuch serious nahi hai.. slight fever and cold.. Just keep him wrapped up in woolens and regular medicines.. he'll be fine in a few days.."
Listening to Muskaan relaxed me abit but seeing him so uncomfortable worried me still.. I looked over at Armaan who looked even more scared.. Just like The time for Parth's first vaccination, he cried more than Parth.. I handed Parth over to him and turned to Muskaan for some specific instructions.. Returning home we were quite relaxed as Parth was asleep in my lap after his dose..
I took Armaan with me and settled on the dining table knowing the fact that after my call he would have not waited for breakfast.. "I'll be back in a minute.." I carefully laid Parth in my room and covered him properly.. Keeping his toys beside him I went to check on Armaan.. I smiled entering the kitchen when I saw him bickering with mamma over who is going to prepare coffee.. "Aap dono hi rehne dijiye.. coffee main bana deti hoon.." I offered a solution..
"No you have your breakfast Ridhima beta the designer would come any time soon to decide your wedding dress and Armaan you also go with Ridhima.. tumne bhi kuch nahi khaya hoga subah se.." While Armaan smiled and nodded saying "Mere haath ki coffee due rahi phir.."
Waking up all night yesterday, with Parth was taking a toll on me so calling off anymore discussion with the aunties I went in and laid down besides Parth cuddling him closer to me.. He coughed in his sleep afew times and then snuggled even closer into my chest to get some warmth..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was Sunday and papa has invited a few guests for lunch.. Although Parth's cold was gone in 5 days yet everyone keeps checking if he is playing on carpet rather than on floor.. I got him ready first and then settled him on the carpet near papa who was busy reading his newspaper..
As I came out and got ready I heard papa and mama's banter over something.. "Aap bhi na.. kahin bhi samaan rakh ke bhul jaate hain phir saara ghar dhundhte hain.." Mom said to dad.. "Arre main toh apne paas hi rakh ke baitha tha phone.. ab nahi mil raha toh meri kya galti hai ismein Padma..?"
I smiled and walked over to check on Parth only to find papa's phone engulfed in his tiny fist and mouth.. "Papa.. aapka phone mil gaya.." I announced as I picked up Parth.. "parth phone nanu ko de do.." I said in a sugary tone.. while he made a surprised sound and forwarded the wet and sticky mobile on papa's palm making mama giggle.. Papa held the phone away from him and looked at Parth.. "Yeh aapke paas kaise aaya hmmm..?" to which he just smiled and hid himself in my shoulder..
"Mera baby bada ho raha hai ab papa.. aapko ab apna samaan samhaal ke rakhna hoga.. haina parth..?" I asked to which he gave a light nod and squealed wiggling in my hold pointing to the door.. "Kya hua..? kahan jaana hai aapko..?"
"da.." saying so he covered his eyes and then again giggled, implying that he wants to go to Armaan and play hide n seek with him.. I smiled at the way he communicated and kissed him sloppily.. "Chalo.. aapko aapke dada ke paas leke chalte hain.. Mama main abhi aayi Parth ko Armaan ke paas chodkar.."
Mama nodded adding "Beta jaldi aana thoda aaj papa ne Bua ji ko lunch pe bulaya hai.. tumhari shaadi ki discussion karne.."
"Ji mama.." I said knowing dealing with bua would not be easy.. firstly she never liked Atul jeeju..this time we have Parth too and love marriage that to in the same house.. Shrugging off the thought I left with Parth.. as soon as we entered I spotted Armaan in the lounge with his back towards us, I asked Parth to keep quiet and next moment he shrieked with all his might in glee "Dddaaa.." which startled both Armaan and me..
Armaan jumped in front of me and gave us both a sloppy kiss.. He took Parth from me tossing him in the air making him giggle.. then turned his attention to me, raising one eyebrow he whistled saying "Someone is already preparing for marriage.. you looking hot.." he scanned me from top to bottom as if seeing me for the first time in a saree.. He settled Parth next to his pile of toys in his room and pulled me into his lap as he settled in a couch..
"armaan kya kar rahe ho.." I struggled but before I could say anything further he pulled me closer whispering "Mom ghar pe nahi hain so stay still.." I avoided looking at him as his gaze was strictly fixed on me.. I gasped when I felt his lips on my jaw and his cold fingers on my bare waist.. he kept planting warm kisses on my neck and everywhere near my lips, while his hands kept moving on my waist.. I finally sighed and gave up under his hold while he traced the remaining distance with his lips and captured mine into a hungry kiss.. We both moaned as the warmth and passion of that moment settled in.. my hands reached his nape while his clutched onto my waist tightly making me aware of his hold and the havoc that my hands were creating by moving onto his chest..
A little hustle outside the door got us out of the moment not waiting for him to say something I rushed inside the kitchen to gather my senses.. As is stood by the slab catching my breath that's when I noticed my saree completely disoriented, I tried to but couldn't recall when exactly he discarded saree from my shoulder.. quickly settling my saree and washing my face I went outside with a glass of water only to see a few of his cousins in the lounge..
"Ohoo.. see guys why was he so lost.. did we interrupt something.." his cousin asked Armaan looking at me meaningfully while I could do nothing but smile.. "I guess I should leave.. ghar pe bua ji ko aana hai after lunch..
"Go Armaan.. see her off.." another one commented.. to which Armaan got up shamelessly and followed me to the door.. he planted a kiss on my head while his eyes said it all about the moment we shared.. they had all the love and happiness in them that I ever wanted to see..
Continued below..