PART 12:
RECAP: 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.
Armaan and Riddhima finally arrived home after a wonderful time together. They would always cherish this time with each other in the days to come. Over the years they had built so many memories with each other-some bitter, some sweet but all memorable. They had both changed a little since they were kids. Armaan had become a little more soft and tender towards her and Riddhima was not as intimidated by him anymore, especially since she knew he wanted to marry her. She felt more comfortable teasing him, and did not always accede to his wishes. Even Armaan liked this feisty and mischievous Riddhima. He felt a peculiar warm feeling towards her this evening, especially when she hugged him-he had not seen her that happy; he thought, "kaash Riddhima hamesha aise hi khush rahe…..aur main usey hamesha aise muskuraate huye hi dekhoon……uski khushi se mujhey itni khush kyun mil rahi hai?"
"Ab ghar jao….Naina auntyjee intezaar kar rahi hongi," Riddhima pushed him towards his house.
"Arre…Padma kaaki se tho mil loon," Armaan forced himself right behind her.
"Pairi paini kaaki!" Armaan walked into Padma's bedroom, "kya haal hain aapke?"
"Tum sab ki meherbaani hai puttar…..theek hoon," Padma was pleased to see her favorite boy after many days.
Armaan sat at her bedside, "kaaki…parson holi hai….aur iss saal bhi har saal ki tarah aapko hamare ghar aana hoga."
Padma looked at Shashank and then at Armaan, "puttar….mann tho mera bhi hai, lekin aisi halat mein kaise aaoongi?"
"Aapka yeh hatta katta naujawan munda kis din kaam aayega?" Armaan pounded his chest, "aapko main le jaaoonga….maine wheel chair ka intezaam kar liya hai….aap hum sab ke saath baith kar holi khelengi."
Shashank was a little hesitant, "puttar…iss saal rehne de…..rab ne chaaha tho agle saal zaroor aayenge."
"Nahin unclejee….agle 2 saal main yahan nahin balki US mein honga….main naa nahin sunoonga…..aapko aana hi hoga," no one could win an argument with Armaan; Shashank had no choice but to say yes. Shashank was not keen on having very close relations with the Malliks at this point, but Padma's expression told him that she was really keen on going. Padma was not sure if this would be her last holi; so she really wanted to celebrate it with her family and Riddhima's future sasural.
TWO DAYS LATER:
It was the morning of Holi, the festival of colors. After early morning prayers, everyone at the Mallik house got ready for their annual Holi bash. Armaan and Rahul wore white kurta pajamas. They were responsible for filling the water balloons, having the water guns and 'pichkari' ready. They mixed buckets and buckets of colored water to spray and pour over all the guests. Then they inflated their favorite blow up pool and filled it with gallons and gallons of water. The pool had always been the most popular Holi accessory at the Mallik house, since they were kids. Armaan and Rahul had fond memories of pushing the girls in the water time and again; they would usually spray them with the colored water once the girls were trapped in the pool. Armaan could not wait to follow that ritual once again this year. This year was different- his relationship with Riddhima had changed quite a bit. She was still his friend, but their physical attraction for each other had recently made their friendship 'spicier.' He was still hungry for his incomplete kiss and he resolved to get his dues today; after Holi was a festival of 'milan,' he thought wickedly.
Armaan's friends from college arrived early and prepared their favorite 'thandai' with generous amounts of bhang!
'Arre yaar Pratik….yeh kya kar raha hai saale?" Armaan was aghast at the amount of bhang Pratik added to the thandai.
"Yaar Armaan….mast reh! Teri aakhri holi hai….phir tho tu Amrican ban jaayega….aaj tujhey apne Patiala di Holi hamesha yaad rahegi…tu fikr na kar," Pratik reassured him.
The dhol waalas also arrived as did the bhangra dancers.
Rahul tuned his guitar, "Oy Armaan! Aaj main apne dil ki baat sab ke saamne keh doonga."
"Aur wo kya hai?" Armaan passed a snide remark, "ki main ek Muskaan kudi ka deewana hoon," Armaan mocked at his brother.
"HAAN! Main Muskaan ka deewana hoon….tujhey kya? Bachpan se pyaar karta hoon usey….aur aaj papa aur mama ko bhi pataa chal jaayega ki main uske baare mein kitna serious hoon," Rahul said vehemently.
"Abe O Ranjhe! Tera naam badal deta hoon…abhi tho sirf 19 saal ka hua hai…..kaun sa naam pasand hai? Ranjha? Ya Majnu?" Armaan laughed.
Rahul was unhappy with his brother; Muskaan had just told him that Armaan was going to marry Riddhima, then why was he making fun of his little brother? Armaan had always been a bully, especially to Rahul. Rahul was a more sensitive, expressive man and loved arts and music. Armaan, on the other hand was proud of his macho-ness, love for cars and tough exterior. Armaan and Rahul had grown apart over the last few years. Armaan did not approve of Rahul's sensitive nature, crying at the drop of a hat like a girl. Armaan considered music and arts too 'girly.' Armaan was fond of Muskaan, though. He treated her like a little sister; or was he nice to her because she was Riddhima's best friend? Rahul never hid his feelings for Muskaan, but Armaan was still in denial about his love for Riddhima. How could a rough and tough guy like him admit that he loved someone and was willing to give up everything for her?
Padma, Riddhima and Shashank also offered their prayers in the morning. Riddhima had made special sweets like Padma used to prepare every year- 'gunjiya', 'ras-malai', 'mal-puas' and 'khasta kachori' Padma was pleased that her little girl was so independent and efficient in the kitchen now. Padma thought, "ab yadi main zinda bhi nahin rahi tho Riddhima sab sambhaal legi….wo aur Armaan saath saath sab dekh lenge."
"Riddhima puttar…zara idhar tho aa," Padma summoned Riddhima.
"Haan mummyji…kya baat hai?" Riddhima sat next to her mom.
"Puttar….aaj main bahut khush hoon…tuney kitni achhi tarah saare ghar ko sambhal liya hai…..tyauhaar (festival) ki poori tayyari akele hi ki hai…..ab main chain se marr sakti hoon," Padma caressed Riddhima's face.
"MUMMYJI! Aap aisa kyun kehti hain?" Riddhima glared at her mom.
"Puttar….meri ek baat sun," Padma took out a box from her bedside drawer, "yeh le…main isey teri shaadi par dene waali thi…parr pataa nahin wo din dekhoon ya nahin dekhoon….tu yeh kangan sambhaal kar rakh le…..jab Armaan se teri shaadi hogi, tho apni saas ke haathon pehen lena."
"Mummyji," Riddhima hugged her mother tearfully, "aap kahin nahin jaa rahi hain, aur yeh kangan sirf aapke haath se hi pehenoongi……warna kabhie nahin pehenoongi."
"Puttar….chal phir aisa karte hain aaj Holi par hi Billy bhaisaheb aur Naina bhabhi se teri aur Armaan ki shaadi pakki karne ko keh dete hain…..Armaan ke bahar jaane se pehle yadi tum dono ki sagai kar dein tho achha hoga….main sagai par pehna doongi…ab tho khush?" Padma lifted Riddhima's chin. Riddhima nodded and blushed profusely. She hugged her mom, "mummyji…..main bahut khush hoon."
Padma patted her daughter, "jaanti hoon…bachpan se hi tum dono ek doosre ko bahut chaahte ho…mere jaane ke baad ab tu aur Armaan hi sambhaalna is ghar ko, aur apne daddyji ko."
Riddhima pulled away and gave her another angry glare, "mummyji! Aisi baat phir ki na, tho main aap se katti ho jaaoongi!"
HOLI CELEBRATION:
Billy and Naina had invited all the celebrities and who's who of Patiala. Naina was keen on announcing Armaan and Suhani's engagement at the auspicious Holi celebration. Billy tried to stop her from doing so, but Naina insisted, "suno ji…aapki har baat tho main maan nahin sakti….aaj kitna shubh din hai…..sab log haazir honge yahan…..Suhani bhi aayegi…..kam se kam announcement tho kar hi sakte hain na?"
Billy relented, "jaisi teri marzi bhaagwan!"
Armaan, Rahul and their friends were already out in the backyard throwing water balloons, spraying colored water and applying color on each other.
Riddhima, Shashank and Padma walked into the gates and were greeted by a lot of the neighbors. Shashank pushed Padma in the wheel chair as he hesitantly entered the premises.
Armaan saw them from a distance and ran towards them. He touched Shashank and Padma's feet, 'pairi paini," and then gave a wicked look at Riddhima. Riddhima looked so serene and untouched in her white salwaar suit. She had tied her hair in a braid today with a long red parandi for the special occasion.
"Holi ki mubarakbad nahin milegi mujhey?" Armaan stretched his arms towards Riddhima. Riddhima blushed a little, but then hugged him gently, "Happy Holi!"
Armaan took out some red color from his pocket and smeared it all over her head and face, "Happy Holi!"
Riddhima was astounded by his swiftness, "AHHH…abhi se saara rang lagaa diya….kuch aage ke liye nahin chhoda."
"Main time nahin waste karta!" Armaan grinned.
Padma smiled as she saw the red color glistening on Riddhima's scalp in the bright sunshine. The color was most prominent and deeply embedded in her 'maang." Padma said a silent prayer, "Hey mata…inki Jodi hamesha salaamat rakhna." Shashank just remained silent and handed over all the sweets Riddhima had made to the servant so he could serve it with the other dishes.
Riddhima chased Armaan all around the back yard with color in her hands, but Armaan was too quick for her, "main abhi dikhati hoon tumhein Armaan….." she ran after him with fists full of Holi color.
Naina froze in her place when she saw Padma and Shashank strolling amongst the guests, "SUNO! Gupta family ko kyun bulaya iss saal? Padma ki tabiyat bhi theek nahin hai."
Billy looked at the Guptas and then turned to Naina, "ab aa gaye hain tho baat ka battangadh mat banao….rehne do….agle saal yeh jhanjhat bhi khatam ho jaayega….agar kuch kaha tho Armaan hum se naaraz ho jaayega….iss liye chup hi raho."
Naina stomped away, ignoring her neighbors and walked over towards the Mehras. She noticed Armaan being chased by Riddhima. She was enraged, 'iss khasmaanoo khani ki yeh majaal? Mere puttar par naa jaane kya jaadu kar rakha hai maa-beti ne….aaj main inki khair zaroor loongi…..phir dekhti hoon ki kaise mere puttar par dorey daal thi hai?"
Naina turned around and then was even more shocked to see Rahul and Muskaan teasing and playing Holi together. She just cursed the girls with the choiciest Punjabi gaalis and walked towards her guests.
Armaan and Riddhima finally caught up with each other and applied loads of color on each other. The other friends joined in too and sprayed Riddhima with the colored water till she was completely drenched from head to toe. Her cotton salwaar kameez clung to her slim figure like a vine around a tree. Armaan could not help admiring her curves through the translucent white material. He noticed her chest engorge through the thin kurta; the cold water and the wet clothing probably made them stand out more than he had ever noticed.
Armaan and his friends had a competition on who could drink more thandai. The spiked thandai soon became popular among the men folk. Armaan had never gotten drunk before; but whether it was the joy of celebration, his friends, the lingering taste of the bhang, or Riddhima's raw beauty, Armaan could not control himself. He drank glass after glass, his gaze fixated on Riddhima the whole time. Riddhima, on the other hand was oblivious with what was going on in Armaan's mind. She was busy singing and dancing with the other ladies.
A little later, Rahul walked to the center of the backyard with a dhol around his neck. He started playing the drum with the drum sticks in his hands with the familiar bhangra beat.
Soon, most people joined in and started clapping and cheering with the drum beat.
Rahul put the drum down and then pulled Muskaan to the center of the crowd, "aaj main apni jaan ke saath ek gaana gaaoonga!" he announced. Everyone cheered for the adorable couple in the center. Muskaan blushed, as Naina fumed and fretted at her son's daring behavior.
Rahul started singing:
"kaali teri choti" from "bahar aane tak"
kaali teri choti hai paraanda tera laal ni
ruup ki o raani tu paraande ko sambhaalani
kisi manachale ka tujh pe aa gaya jo dil hogi badi mushkil
kaali teri choti hai
Muskaan started dancing with him and joined in:
maine bhi mushkilon se khelana hai sikha
meri bhi tamanna mujh pe aaye dil kisi ka
aashiq ka paraande naal baandh luungi dil hogi kaise mushkil
kaali teri choti hai
A semi-drunk Armaan could not control himself. He pulled Riddhima by her wrist and ran into the center:
daavatein deti hai tere gaalon ki ye laali
ban baitha mera dil tera hi savaali
phuul nahin gaal damakate hain shole
dhone dhone hi bade dil ke hain bhole
o sholon se lipat ke patange jhuumate hain
jal jaayein chaahein shama ko chuumate hain
kisi siraphire ka tujh pe aa gaya jo dil hogi badi mushkil
Both the brothers were on a high as they teased and frolicked around with their girls. Naina and Mrs Mehra were not too happy to see Armaan lift Riddhima in his arms periodically, pull her parandi affectionately, hug her tightly. It was obvious that Armaan was completely smitten by his friend, Riddhima. Shashank was a little embarrassed, but could not intervene given the crowd and Padma's condition.
mar mitane ki tuune baat kaise sochi
na tu mera maahi na tu mera padosi
koyi jo malaayi si kalaayi thaam lega
Riddhima teased Armaan:
kya hote hain maahi tujhe pata tab chalega
jaayuungi tabhi jab maahi dola laayega
tere jaisa haath maltaa hi reh jaayega
sajana ke saath main to jaayuungi nikal…… hogi kaise mushkil
As the song finished, Armaan quickly grabbed Riddhima's wrist and sprinted away from the crowd. No one noticed as the bhangra dancers and dhol players had joined Rahul and Muskaan by now. Everyone was on a high, immersed in the dance and music, unaware that Armaan had vanished with Riddhima somewhere.
Armaan and Riddhima ran a few yards and then Armaan opened the door to their outhouse. He pulled Riddhima in and locked the front door.
Riddhima was panting, but just realized where they were, "Armaan….yahan kyun le aaye?" She was aware of the outhouse as they often played dark room and hide n seek as kids here.
Armaan pulled her dupatta away and looked at her hungrily, "aaj tere saath akele dark room khelne ka iraada hai!"
Riddhima was a little taken aback, "Armaan…tumney kuch zyada hi bhang pee lee hai…chalo wapas chalte hain."
"Nahin pehle mujhey meri kiss chaahiye…phir chalte hain," Armaan insisted, sounding a little slurred from the bhang.
Riddhima blushed a little, her already rosy cheeks turned beetroot, "Armaan….aaj nahin…kabhie aur."
Armaan pinned her against the wall and pressed his body against hers. His intense bloodshot eyes stared into her eyes longingly. Riddhima felt his firmness against her softness as he came closer. She shut her eyes as he tilted his face. His lips pressed against hers; his hands explored her curves through the wet material on her body. He brought her closer with his firm hands and kissed her passionately. Riddhima's arms circled his neck and she surrendered herself in his arms. His tongue and lips guided hers as they inhaled and tasted each other's essence. Armaan's lips moved down her neck and behind her ears. He whispered, 'meri chidiya kis din hansini ban gayi…mujhey pata hi nahin chala.'
Riddhima moaned as his lips bruised and nibbled her ears, neck and shoulders, "tu sirf meri hai Riddhima," he groaned; he traced his fingers on her lips, driving her crazy, "vaada kar yeh honth sirf meri amaanat hain…..jab main chala jaaoon….meri amaanat ko sambhal kar rakhna…..inpar sirf mera haq hai," he kissed her lips again, this time tenderly and more giving than his first possessive and all consuming kiss.
He started unbuttoning her kurta and gradually slid his hand inside, exploring the peaks and valleys of her body. Riddhima groaned loudly, "bas karo Armaan….abhi nahin…please…"
Armaan was deaf to her feeble pleas; he knew she craved him as much as he craved for her, "nahin Riddhima….aaj nahin ruk sakta," he whispered and moved his lips along her cleavage and softness.
"BANG! BANG!" someone banged the front door of the outhouse.
Anupamaa
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