AR OS#3 : Page 11. Preview to next OS, Page 15! :) - Page 6

He slumped in his couch with defeat written all over his face. He put his head in his palms and began to analyze. He still couldn't digest the fact that his love, his Riddhima, was mercilessly being snatched away from him. In a matter of a few months, he had completely given himself to her and so had she. Be it mental, emotional or physical.

They met through a common friend at a party and hit it off instantly. After meeting each other with Muskaan, the common friend, they decided to start seeing each other alone. And of course Muskaan had no problem'She was very happy indeed.

After continuous meetings, Armaan confessed to her that he liked her and she had hesitantly responded with a yes. He was on cloud 9 that day'but at the same time, he was a little concerned about her reluctance during the confession. But nevertheless, atleast she acknowledged what she felt!

When he asked her about her discomfort, she broke down and told him about her father, who was a man of principles and discipline. He was stone hearted and cared for none, except for his daughter. Atleast that's what he thought! He was against this kind of matrimony, where the girl and the boy are already in love. After he lost his wife, he became even more stern and horrifying to live with and since Riddhima was his only daughter, she took care of him and she would even bear his wrath at times.

Armaan heard of this and was scared for a moment. He had never heard of such a man who was ready to hurt his daughter and tie her to an unknown man instead of accepting her choice and blessing her with a happy life ahead. That very day, he promised Riddhima that he would go to any extent to get her father agreed for their matrimony.

One evening, when Riddhima's father was out on a small trip, Armaan invited her to his house to spend the night with him. Well, she didn't know what he meant. All she thought was that she could spend some time with her Armaan. But Armaan obviously had other plans. He was a man, and just like any other man, he had this wish to make love to the woman of his dreams and he decided, that he would do it that night.

Armaan made a few advances when they were watching a movie on his couch, which got Riddhima under his spell. Even though she was a little apprehensive at first, she gave in later when he promised her he would never leave her side and love her forever.

After it happened once, it kept happening again and again. Obviously. But one unfortunate afternoon, somehow Riddhima's father was made aware of Riddhima's love life and this infuriated him to no bounds. The source still remains unknown, but what was important was that they were in big trouble now. The same evening when Riddhima returned home with a small smile on her face, it was quickly wiped off as she was again a prey of her father's wildness. He raised his hand on her and beat her until she confessed the name of the guy that she had been seeing for so long.

Shashank called Armaan home and questioned him with a rough and deadly tone while Riddhima was curled up in one corner trying very hard to control her sobs which was next to impossible. When Armaan saw Riddhima, more than being angry at her father'.he was scared. This man was exactly how Riddhima had described him to be. He saw the blood dripping down her lower lip and he freaked. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to marry her yet, he knew they loved each other'but staying together for a lifetime? He was still a little messed up in his head about this topic.

After a while Riddhima got up, only to stop her father from hitting Armaan. Shashank decided to place a deal with him.

"How about I let you take your ass and get outta here if you promise me that you will never see Riddhima again?"

"Papa'please I'I love..him!"

"Riddhima not a word from you! Mr. Armaan, deal?" He stayed stern.

Armaan knew this was the only way he could get out of the situation'he would think about getting back to Riddhima later.

"I promise Sir, I will never ever see Riddhima again."

His voice, loud and clear as Riddhima stopped struggling with her pleas and stared at him blankly. That was it for her, she didn't have anything else to fight for. She quietly went up to her room as Armaan left the Gupta house.

After staying away from Riddhima for a few days, he realized that he couldn't possibly live without her. That they were meant to together. What was he thinking when he said he would never see her again?!

Suddenly his phone buzzed, it was Muskaan.

"Yeah Muski'"

"Ar..maa..aan-"

"Muski?? Hey, why are you crying?"

"Armaan its'its Riddhima'"

"What? Riddhima, is she'is she okay?"

"We lost her Armaan'we lost her."

2 months later :

Armaan sat at her favorite park. A park where they had spent ample time together, in each others arms. Discussing their future, their life ahead'together. He looked at the empty grass land in front of him. He would hallucinate sometimes, her running around the ground while he tried to catch and when he would, he would swing her in his arms till they were both exhausted and lay down on the fresh, cold grass.

It still felt as though it was just yesterday that she was in his arms. She was his safe heaven, his angel. His tears had now started to show as he remembered how he had failed her and their love. Their love, that she had placed her trust upon so whole-heartedly. Had he had his priorities right, she would be with him now, in this world where no barriers could keep them apart.

Riddhima committed suicide at an early age of 21. The day Armaan left the Gupta house, she was shattered. Her love had left her, even after she trusted him enough and gave herself to him in everyway, he had left her. Her father, her only family, had hit her mercilessly till she was bleeding for a man who did not even stick with her during the thick and thin of life. She had lost her father and her love.

She waited for a few days. Maybe Armaan would return and take her away with him. Away from all the pain and miseries that this world had caused her. But she only waited'he never came. After a few days she realized that maybe there was no use, no use of waiting and bearing the wrath of her own father..

On a chilly December Morning, Riddhima hanged herself to the fan and killed herself, because she thought Armaan didn't love her. That's what she had written in the note that she left behind and also that no one was responsible for her death. It was wholly her decision and death was her only solace.

Armaan took a walk to the cemetery where Riddhima was buried. He reached her grave and left a bunch of white roses, her favorite. As he sat on the ground next to her grave.

"Exactly this day a year ago, you came in to my life. With an effect so harsh, that I couldn't help but fall for you gradually'" He took a pause as he gulped a dry gulp and began to tear up.

"I'm sorry Riddhima'I'm so sorry baby. The reason that you aren't with me here today is my own coward self. I let you down so much'I'I made you do something that'that you weren't even ready for'I hate myself Riddhima'but you..you loved me every time. Through every problem, you stuck around and I?? I just left you when I was supposed to be there for you and'and fight for our love. I betrayed your trust in me'I'm sorry Riddhima!" He began crying louder'louder than ever!

"I don't deserve to live anymore, I don't want to live anymore! Please take me with you Riddhima! I need you with me'I don't care in which world but I need you by my side'please Riddhima!! Please'" His screams later turned to a whisper, barely audible.

When he left the cemetery, he knew she had heard him and he was one step closer to meeting her and have her for eternity'.

"Some love stories aren't fulfilled, sometimes there are no happy endings'the only thing that remains is memories and an eternity to live in a world without any pain."

******

Done! Yep, a sad one this time because I was missing AR a lot today! Do leave your comments and criticism...would appreciate it! :)

Love

-Fizz