PART 11:
RECAP: "ARMAAN PUTTAR!!!!" Naina's shrill voice interrupted the golden moment, "KAHAN HAI TU???" she walked to the front gate of the Gupta's.
Riddhima got up hastily and ran inside the house, leaving a dismayed Armaan with the bike and tool box.
Armaan parked the bike next to the mango tree and walked towards his mom, "haan mama? Kuch kaam tha?"
"Puttar?" she said in her sweetest, most maternal voice, "zara tujhey kisi se milwaana tha…aaja ghar aaja…..yahan kya kar raha hai andhere mein?"
A frustrated Armaan followed his mom, "kuch nahin mama…Riddhima ki cycle theek kar raha tha."
Naina stopped and looked behind, "tu uska naukar hai kya? Kya zaroorat hai yeh sab karne ki? Ab tum bachhe nahin ho….hum kahan…aur wo kahan?"
"MAMA!" Armaan said angrily, "Riddhima meri dost hai….hum bachpan se dost rahe hain, aur hamesha rahe hain…..uski help karna mera farz hai….balki mujhey achha lagta hai ki main Riddhima aur uske parivaar ke kaam aa sakoon….aap please aisi baatein mujhse na kiya kee jiye," Armaan walked past her and went inside his house. His mom had spoilt his mood; just a few moments ago, Riddhima's lips were close to his- not only did his mother interrupt the sweetest moment of his life, but ruined his mood completely.
As Armaan walked in, he saw a tall, slim woman in a long skirt and top near the staircase.
"Arre Suhani tum? Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" Armaan asked
"Maine bulaaya tha puttar….socha ab tum log alag alag college mein ho tho milna kum ho gaya hoga…iss liye Suhaani ko yahin bula liya….jao kahin ghoom aao….bahar dinner shiner kar aao….ya jo bhi aaj kal ke jawaan log karte hain," Naina suggested.
Armaan looked at his mother angrily, "mama…mujhey kaam hai….kal meri Universities ki applications due hain…..mujhey aaj hi saari email karni hain…sorry…I can't go!"
Suhani smiled sweetly, "koi baat nahin Armaan…we can just go for ice cream….yahan paas mein hi ek naya parlor khula hai….it's damn good you know…we all hang out there after college."
Armaan frowned at Suhani, "I am sorry…I don't like ice cream…I just eat desi kulfi…and that too from the street vendors!"
Suhani made a disgusting face, "eewww…..that's disgusting! Those things are full of germs."
"Sorry Suhani….I can't accompany you tonight," Armaan excused himself and went to his room.
A disappointed Suhani left, "sorry auntie….may be next time."
Naina fumed and fretted; she walked upstairs to Armaan's room, but Billy stopped her, "NAINA! PAGAL MAT BANO!"
Billy walked to her and said, "Aisa mat karo Naina….Armaan ko jaanta hoon…..yadi tum usey Suhani ki taraf dhakelogi tho wo zaroor Riddhima ke kareeb chala jaayega…..aur tumney zyaada zidd ki tho wo kahin Riddhima se shaadi na kar baithe….ek beta tho hamare haath se nikal hi gaya hai."
"Kya matlab ji?" Naina asked
"RAHUL! Rahul aur Muskaan ne shaadi karne ki soch li hai," Billy said
"HAI RABBA! Yeh kya keh rahe ho ji?" Naina was aghast
"Tumhein apni kitty parties se fursat miley, tho pataa rahega na ki ghar mein kya ho raha hai?" Billy said irritately, "aaj Muskaan ke pita aaye the….mujhey bataane ki hum raazi ho na ho….unhey Muskaan aur Rahul ka rishta manzoor hai….aur Muskaan 12th ke baad Rahul ke college hi jaane ki soch rahi hai."
"Hai mera puttar! Kahan hai Rahul?….Wo tho bilkul bhola hai…usey kya pata, kya theek hai aur kya nahin?" Naina went down the stairs in search of Rahul.
"Naina! Rahul Chandigarh mein hai….tu kahan dhoondh rahi hai usey?" Billy followed her.
"Arre mera dimaag bilkul kaam nahin kar raha hai ji….zara Rahul ko phone milaana," Naina sat on the couch with her head in her palms.
"Koi faayda nahin…..Rahul se meri baat huyi thi…usney kaha hai ki yadi hum nahin maane tho wo Muskaan ke saath bhaag kar shaadi kar lega…ek ladka tho haath se nikal hi gaya hai….iss liye keh raha hoon ki Armaan ke saath abhi filhaal zabardasti na kar…jaane de usey America….phir baad mein shaadi ki baat karenge," Billy sat next to her and explained.
AT RIDDHIMA'S HOUSE:
Riddhima ran inside her house, but was shocked to see Shashank at the door. Shashank had seen what Armaan and Riddhima were up to.
Shashank just gave her a stern look and then latched the front door, "Riddhima…tujh se mujhey yeh umeed nahin thi," he said calmly.
Riddhima felt like burying herself somewhere; she was so ashamed, "wo daddyji..meri cycle…wo tire….wo…"
"Jaanta hoon Armaan aur tu bahut ache dost ho aur ek doosre ko pasand bhi karte ho….lekin main chaahta hoon ki meri beti kabhie mera sir neecha na kare….board exam mein pass hokar, college jaana hai tujhey…..phir apne pairon par khada hona hai….Armaan tho chalaa jaayega bahar….tujhey tho apna dhyaan khud rakhna hai na," Shashank explained calmly.
"Sorry daddyji….ab aisi galti nahin hogi….main sirf padhai aur mummyji par dhyaan doongi," Riddhima lowered her head and covered her head with the greased dupatta.
Riddhima went to her room and shut the door. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her desk. She could still feel a tingle on her lips where Armaan's lips had touched her just moments ago, but then she remembered her father's expression when she had walked in, "daddyji kya soch rahe honge? Lekin wo tho jaante hain ki meri aur Armaan ki shaadi hone waali hai…lekin phir bhi….main ab exams se pehle Armaan ko bilkul kareeb nahin aane doongi," she resolved.
As she tried to study for her exams, her mind kept wandering at the beautiful moment in the lawn. She blushed and touched her lips from time to time. She closed her eyes and dreamt about Armaan all evening, "tho Armaan bhi mujh sey utna hi pyaar karta hai jitna main karti hoon?….Jhooth bol raha tha ki uss din behek gaya tha," she shut her books and walked to the window. She opened the windows, stared at the moon and sat with her chin resting on her knees, "kya ek din yeh chaand …..hum dono ek saath ……ek doosre ki baahon mein baith kar dekh rahe honge?" She inhaled the fresh fragrance of the 'raat ki rani' flowers and shut her eyes. She was in a trance like state, as she recalled their kiss in the garden.
Song in the background:
"Na jaane kya hua" from "Dard"
na jaane kyaa huaa, jo toone chhoo liyaa
khilaa gulaab kee tarah meraa badan
nikhar nikhar gayee, sawar sawar gayee
banaa ke aaeenaa tuze aye jaana-ye-man
bikharaa hain kaajal fijaa mein, bheegee bheegee hain shaamein
boondon kee rimazim se jaagee, aag thhandee hawaa mein
aajaa sanam ye haseen aag hum le dil mein basaa
She imagined she was in Armaan's arms and then they were running and chasing each other, climbing trees together, swimming together in the stream. She dreamt Armaan had grabbed her and was kissing her face, then moved down to her lips- Riddhima quivered a little and opened her eyes. She looked around and found herself in her room, all alone; she covered her face with her palms, too shy to even face her own imagination.
aanchal kahaa main kahaa hoon, ye muze hosh kyaa hain
ye bekhudee toone dee hain, pyaar kaa ye nashaa hain
sun le jaraa, saaja-ye-dil gaa rahaa hain, nagmaa teraa
She shut her eyes again and then imagined Armaan and her going around the sacred fire, shehnayis playing in the background, people blessing them by throwing flowers at them- they were getting married and then they were in his bedroom; Armaan lifted her ghunghat as they celebrated their suhaag raat……
kaliyon kee ye sej mahake, raat jaage milan kee
kho jaaye dhadakan mein tere, dhadakanen mere man kee
aa paas aa teree har saans mein main jaaoo samaa
Riddhima felt goose bumps all over as she imagined Armaan making love to her. She got up with a startle, "yeh mujhey kya ho raha hai? Main abhi se itne sapne kyun le rahi hoon? Mujhey apni padhai par dhyaan dena chaahiye…..boards se pehle Armaan ka ek khayal bhi apne mann mein nahin laaoongi," she shut the window and reluctantly sat at her desk.
NEXT DAY:
Riddhima was ready for school after a sleepless and restless night. After taking care of her morning housework, she headed out for school on her cycle. She was a little disappointed not to see Armaan waiting for her outside, "shayad morning mein lecture hoga…warna wo bahut ziddi hai…zaroor meri wait karta," she blushed at the thought, "kitna khayal rakhta hai wo mera….kehta nahin hai par main jaanti hoon wo mujhey bahut pyaar karta hai….utna hi jitna main usey karti hoon," she pedaled all the way to school, lost in her own dream land.
As soon as she got off outside the school gate, she saw Armaan's car right behind her.
She was ecstatic to see him, but did not express her pleasure openly.
"Mere peeche peeche kyun aa rahe the?" she asked him after parking her bike.
"Tu mere aage aage ja rahi thi….main tho chup chaap apni car chala raha tha," Armaan grinned.
Riddhima pinched his nose playfully, "jhooth bolte ho….achha ab mere board exams tak please mujhey pareshaan mat karna…ab jao….college jao."
"Arre….bekaar badnaam karti hai mujhey….khud padhai nahin karti, aur naam mera lagaa rahi hai," Armaan grabbed her wrist and came closer, "achha baba chala jaaoonga….lekin wo kal raat waali kiss poori karke."
Riddhima's jaw dropped to her knees, "pagal ho gaye ho? School ke bahar?"
"School ke andar bhi kar sakte hain," he said naughtily.
She slapped his arm playfully and ran away with her bag, "exams se pehle thenga bhi nahin milega!" she teased him and stuck out her thumb. Armaan placed his finger on his lips and pleaded, "please….sirf ek?" She waved back and ran away.
Armaan just sighed, "yeh ladki din par din chaalak hoti jaa rahi hai….kahan gayi wo bholi bhali Riddhima jo meri har baat maanti thi?" he looked up in the sky and then grinned, "lekin hai bahut soni," and drove off.
NEXT TWO MONTHS:
Padma's health stabilized a little with bed rest and a relatively stress free life. It seemed her body could keep up with the minimal heart function, as long as she took her medicines and did not exert herself. She was on the priority list for a heart transplant. Armaan had promised them that as soon as the hospital found the match, he would leave everything and take Padma kaaki to the hospital, "aap fikr na karo….yeh mera mobile number hai unclejee….jaise hi hospital se phone aaye….mujhey bula lena." Shashank was indebted to Armaan; he was really fond of him and how he wished Riddhima could one day get married to this young man, but he knew it was just a dream.
Riddhima kept her promise to her father, and despite her intense craving to be with Armaan, kept her distance from him, "aakhir ek din tho humein saath hona hi hai….kuch din intezaar tho kar hi sakte hain….main daddyji ka sir kabhie neecha nahin hone doongi."
(note Riddhima's tremendous self control over her emotions…..a virtue not everyone has and she has learnt at a tender age of 17)
Riddhima and Muskaan studied together most of the time, giving Armaan even less access to her. Riddhima told Muskaan about her impending marriage with Armaan, "daddyji aur mummyji ne Naina aunty aur Billy unclejee se baat kar li hai…..ab mummyji theek ho jaaye, aur Armaan America se wapas aa jaaye…bas main phir Mrs Mallik ho jaaoongi…aur tu meri devrani!" Riddhima giggled as Muskaan acted surprised, "sach Riddhima? Wo maan gaye? Lekin Rahul tho keh raha tha ki wo log hamare rishtey se khush nahin hain…tu bahut lucky hai," Muskaan was a little dismayed.
"Wo tho hoon main!" Riddhima smiled, "shayad Armaan ne hi zidd ki hogi, kyunki bhala Naina aunty mujhey apni bahu kyun banaane lagi…tu bhi Rahul se keh ki wo peeche padh jaaye unke," she advised her disappointed friend.
"Haan Rahul keh raha tha ki wo nahin maane tho hum bhaag kar shaadi kar lenge," Muskaan added.
"Sach? Main aisa karoongi…main Armaan se baat karoongi….wo manaa lega auntyji ko…yeh mera vaada hai ki teri aur Rahul ki poori izzat ke saath shaadi hogi," Riddhima said
Muskaan hugged Riddhima, "kitna achha hoga na…hum sab se achhi saheliyan aur phir devrani-jethaani…tu mujhey sataayegi tho nahin na?"
"Haan yadi jethani ke pair nahin dabaaye tho zaroor sataaoongi," Riddhima laughed. The friends were lost in their imaginary world in between their books.
Armaan would give her loving glances whenever they met outside the house and place his finger on his lips, reminding him of their incomplete kiss. Riddhima would just gave him a glare and then blush. Armaan had never seen Riddhima so happy and bashful in his life, "sach much badhi ho gayi hai kudi…..mujhey uska aise sharamaana bahut changaa lagta hai," he said to himself and could just sigh, hoping to fulfill his wish soon.
Armaan decided to work on his passport and visa applications; he had heard from a number of universities already and was leaning towards the University of Michigan post graduate program. He decided to tell Riddhima about his admission after her exams. He kept his promise to himself and refrained from any hurtful or caustic remarks at her. He did not insist on helping with her studies or dropping her to school, as he wanted to keep her distractions to a minimum. He was very excited about further studies in the US. He spent hours researching different courses on automobile engineering; he could not wait to get to the US and fulfill his dream.
(Just like Riddhima could not wait to fulfill her dream- get married to Armaan!)
On the last day of her board exams, a relieved group of students walked out of the exam center, giggling, cheering, and slapping each other's backs. Rahul was waiting on his motorcycle for Muskaan. As soon as she saw him, Muskaan ran and hugged Rahul. They sat on his motorcycle and were off in a jiffy.
Riddhima felt left out as most friends had plans to watch a movie, go out to eat, shop or just hang out. How she wished Armaan was there, but he had really taken his 'punishment' to stay away from her very seriously. She unlocked her cycle from the bike stand and was almost ready to leave, when a pair of strong muscular arms grabbed her by the waist and carried her forcefully.
Before she could protest, she was dumped inside the passenger seat of a brand new convertible sports car. She looked around at the unfamiliar car and then noticed the familiar face she had been waiting for all afternoon, "CONGRATULATIONS! Meri nayi car ke liye congratulate nahin karegi?" Armaan smiled and sat on the driver's side.
"Nayi car?" she was pleasantly surprised, "lekin tumhari purani car ko kya hua?"
"Bore ho gaya tha main," he started the car and zoomed off at lightning speed.
Riddhima tried to regain her balance, "Armaan…zara dheere…..car bahut achhi hai…lekin iski zaroorat kyat hi tumhein? Kuch din mein tho tum America chale jaaoge."
"Mujhey ek bahut achhi university mein admission mil gaya hai….iss liye papa ne mujhey yeh dilaayi hai…tu tho jaanti hai mujhey cars kitni pasand hain," he grinned and showed off the cool features of the car to her. Riddhima was far from impressed, "mujhey tho tumhari purani Maruti bhi theek thaak hi lagti thi."
"Riddhima! Wo outdated model tha….this is new and sporty," he accelerated the car again.
"Tho kya hua outdated tha tho...kya har outdated cheez ko replace karoge?" she asked somberly.
"Kyun nahin?" he laughed, "chal kulfi khaane chalte hain," he looked at her and then removed her hair clip from her ponytail. He threw the hair clip out of the convertible; Riddhima was horrified, "wo mera favorite clip tha…ab mere baal sab jagah udhenge," she whined.
Armaan did not respond and just whistled his way to their favorite street vendor corner. He grabbed her wrist and then ran to the kulfi stand, "bhaiyya do faluda kulfi!"
He knew Riddhima was very fond of the faluda kulfi. He brought two plates and handed one to her, "chal jaldi khaa le…warna pighal jaayegi."
Riddhima smiled and savored her favorite badaam-pista kulfi as fast as she could. Armaan gulped down his and then attacked her plate.
Riddhima complained, "yeh kya kar rahe ho? Meri kulfi bhi kha rahe ho?"
"Kyunki teri har cheez par mera haq hai!" he licked his fingers off her plate and then licked a piece of faluda off from her lip, "mmm….kya mithaas hai!"
Riddhima blushed at his comment, but realized where they were standing, "yeh kya kar rahe ho? Koi dekh lega….beech sadak par hain hum." Riddhima thought, "Armaan, tum sahi kehte ho…meri har cheez par haq hai tumhara….kyunki main hamesha se tumhari thi, aur tumhari hi rahoongi."
He snapped his fingers as Riddhima was lost in her day dream, "Meri kiss abhi tak di nahin hai tuney," he looked at his watch, "tere exams ko khatam huye 1 ghanta 20 minute ho gaya hai…kyun?" he gave her a wicked look.
Riddhima turned red with embarrassment, "Armaan….aas paas log sun rahe hain."
"Mujhey farak nahin padhta….achha bataa kahan chalna hai?" he asked
"Kulche chole!" she threw her disposable plate and pointed to another vendor.
"Kulche chole nahin…main kiss ki baat kar raha tha," he sounded frustrated, but just followed her to the other stand.
They ordered two plates of kulche chole- Riddhima's with extra hot spices and a side order of chili pickle.
"Kaise khaati hai itna teekha? Tabhie tho khud bhi din par din teekhi hoti ja rahi hai," Armaan made a face as he stared at the red chili pickle on her plate.
"Tum jaise badmaash ladkon ko apne teekhepan se hi door rakhna padhna hai," she bit into the chilli pickle as she teased him. For some weird reason, Armaan found that very attractive. Her red lips biting into the red hot chili pepper pickle aroused him like never before. He grabbed her plate and put it away; he tilted his head a little as he came closer and kissed her red hot lips, "AHHH!!!" he screamed, "Hai mirchi! Kitni teekhi hai….bilkul teri tarah!" His eyes and nose watered from kissing her fiery hot lips!
Riddhima could not stop laughing; she ran away from him, "kaha tha na ki teekhi ladki ke mooh na lago."
Armaan wiped his face and chased her to the car.
Song in background: "ik teekhi teekhi si uff karaari si ladki" from "laaga chunari mein daag"
(You won't believe it but I wrote this whole part because of this song…it is cute and adorable, suits our AR very well)
(ik teekhi teekhi si uff karaari si ladki
mere dil mein dil mein ek bijali jaise hai kadki) - 2
thodi behkati huyi, thodi chehkati huyi
gumsum sehmati huyi, kaise jaal bichhati hai pagli
ek tedha medha sa ladkhadaata sa ladka
mere dil mein dil mein ek shola jaisa hai bhadka
ek tedha medha sa ladkhadaata sa ladka
mere dil mein dil mein woh shole jaise bhadka
kabhi hichkichhaata huva, kabhi khul ke gaata huva
baate banaata huva, phir bhi humko woh bhaata hai pagla
hosh le ke udd gaya, usaki kaisi hai jaadugari
dekhati hi reh gayi main toh khadi ki khadi
chatpati chulbuli usaki baate sharaarat bhari
par pichhe pad jaane ki aadat badi hai buri
thodi behkati huyi, thodi chehkati huyi
yuun hi kudkati huyi, kaise jaal bichhati hai pagli, pagla
ik teekhi teekhi si uff karaari si ladki
mere dil mein dil mein ek bijali jaise hai kadki
Vodka ke shot mein ik chhoti si mirchi hari
ik musibat hai jo sar pe hamaari padi
are (hum toh aise hai - 2) bhaiya - 2
paanv toh jamin pe hai par khaabon mein udata hai jo
daadhi ke bich mein dimple chhupaata hai woh
thodi behkati huyi, thodi chehkati huyi
yuun hi kudkati huyi, kaise jaal bichhati hai pagli
ik teekhi teekhi si uff karaari si ladki
usake dil mein dil mein ek bijali jaise hai kadki
ek tedha medha sa ladkhadaata sa ladka
usake dil mein dil mein ek shola jaise bhadka
Armaan and Riddhima had a great time that afternoon and evening. Riddhima had tears of joy in her eyes by the end of the evening.
"Ab ro kyun rahi hai? Ab kya kiya maine?" Armaan asked guiltily.
Riddhima wiped her tears and sniffed her nose, "itni khushi di hai tumney Armaan…ki khushi se rona aa raha hai…..bahut dino baad itni khushi mili hai….vaada karo hamesha aise hi rulaate rahoge mujhey," she smiled through her tears and hugged him tightly.
Armaan caressed her back and squeezed her in his strong arms, "vaada karta hoon.….Hamesha rulata rahoonga tujhey…..jaise bachpan se aaj tak karta aaya hoon," he ragged her lovingly, kissed her ears and hugged her tightly.
Guys sorry for keeping u all waiting...but till next sunday bear with me. Will not be regular :(
Shiv Shakti
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