PART 5:
RIDDHIMA & MUSKAAN, 14 years, RAHUL 16 years, ARMAAN, 18 years:
Riddhima, Muskaan, Rahul and Armaan are now all in the local High School. Riddhima and Muskaan are in the 9th grade. Rahul in the 10 th and Armaan is in the 12th grade (Armaan and Rahul started school 1 year later than the girls). Armaan and Rahul usually ride to school together in Armaan's car; Riddhima and Muskaan usually ride their bikes or walk to school. Once in a while, if the weather is bad, they ride with the boys. Naina sneers each time the girls ride with the boys, "na jaane yeh besharam kudiyan kab hamare ladkon ka peecha chhodengi?"
Billy looked up while reading his paper, "Naina! Bacche saath saath badhe huye hainā¦.kuch saal ki baat aur haiā¦ek baar college gaye tho sab alag alag ho jaayengeā¦.ab sayaane ho gaye hain ladkeā¦.ab tho unhey chhod de!"
Naina made a face, "ajee sunoā¦..wo Mehra sahib ki ladki Suhani bhi Armaan ki class mein hai na? Armaan se kaho us se thodi dosti-wosti badhaayeā¦..achha khaasa dahej dene waale lagte hain Mehra sahibā¦ek lauti beti jo hai."
"Naina! Armaan ko pehle college tho jaane deā¦.abhi bahut jaldi haiā¦.aur kahin usey college mein koi pasand aa gayi tho?" Billy replied as he flipped his newspaper.
"Aisa karo jiā¦aap Mehra sahib ke kaan mein Suhaani aur Armaan ke rishtey ki baat tho chhed hi doā¦..phir aage dekha jaayega," Naina advised.
Billy sighed, "theek hai Naina! Dekhta hoon," he got up and left.
"RAHUL! JALDI KAR! AAJ MERA SUBAH SUBAH EXAM HAI!" Armaan yelled for Rahul, who usually took time to get ready in the morning. Rahul was a dreamer and spent most of his time writing poems and songs or humming on his guitar. Of course all his creativity was inspired by Muskaan.
Rahul ran down stairs with his back pack, "sorry yaarā¦chal chalā¦der ho jaayegi."
Armaan smacked his brother's head, 'abbey saale main itni der se kya keh raha hoon?ā¦Der ho jaayegi!...Achha mamaā¦hum jaa rahe hain!"
The boys walked out and sat in the car. As Armaan started the car, he saw Muskaan and Riddhima in their school uniforms and back packs running towards them.
"Armaanā¦humein school chhod dogeā¦.meri cycle ka puncture ho gaya haiā¦aur aaj se exam shuru hain..please," Riddhima pleaded.
Armaan got off and gave them an angry look, "jaldi baithoā¦.mujhey der ho jaayegi!"
The girls thanked him and walked towards the car. Rahul got off the passenger seat and sat on the back seat. It was an unsaid understanding between the friends- Riddhima always sat in the front with Armaan. Rahul preferred that arrangement, as he could share seat space with Muskaan.
As they drove off, Rahul came close to Muskaan and squeezed her hand. Muskaan blushed and came closer. Riddhima, as usual talked the whole time during the ride. Armaan was lost in his calculus equations, Rahul and Muskaan were lost in each other, but Riddhima had to inform everyone about everything and everyone whether anyone was interested or not.
Riddhima turned back to say something to Muskaan and then noticed the two lovers hand in hand, lost in each other's eyes. Riddhima felt a little embarrassed and looked away. Her gaze fell on Armaan, who was focused on the road. She looked down at his hand, which was resting on the gear stick between them. He had held her hand numerous times, but after seeing Rahul and Muskaan, she had a sudden urge to hold Armaan's hand. He looked so handsome in his school shirt, tie and dark glasses. She gently brought her hand close to his on the gear stick. She was about to touch his hand, when Armaan stepped on the brakes all of a sudden. The car came to a screeching halt as a herd of cows appeared from nowhere. The passengers were thrown off balance. Armaan's chest bounced off the steering wheel. Rahul and Muskaan held to each other and were safe in the back seat. Riddhima's hand rested on Armaan's, but she was thrown off the seat; her legs jamming into the dashboard, "AHHH!" she shouted.
Armaan looked Sideways and was horrified to see her head bleeding as Riddhima held on to her leg in pain.
"RIDDHIMA! Tu theek hai?" he asked in horror. She was obviously in pain; she just nodded her head, 'main theek hoonā¦.school chaloā¦der ho jaayegi."
Armaan drove furiously, cutting through traffic as his heart ached on seeing Riddhima bleed, although she was trying her best to not show her pain. Armaan could tell that whenever Riddhima was in any pain or discomfort, she bit her lower lip forcefully.
After they arrived at school, Armaan ordered Rahul and Muskaan, "tum dono jao jaldiā¦tumhara exam shuru ho gaya hoga." Rahul and Muskaan protested but Armaan gave them a dirty look, "JAISA MAIN KEH RAHA HOONā¦ā¦WAISA HI KAROā¦..Main Riddhima ko nurse ke office chhod kar aata hoonā¦.jao ab!" a frightened Rahul and Muskaan obeyed their command and went inside the building. Muskaan tried to stay back with Riddhima, but Rahul pulled her with him, "Armaan hai naā¦.tu jaanti hai na ki Riddhima ka dhyaan wo hi hamesha rakhta haiā¦.usey pasand nahin ki koi aur uski help kare."
Muskaan reluctantly walked in with Rahul, "Rahulā¦kya Armaan Riddhima se pyaar karta hai?"
Rahul smiled, "Aur nahin tho kyaā¦.bas kehta nahin haiā¦.dekha nahin Riddhima ko zara si chhot aayi aur wo kaise pareshaan ho gaya haiā¦.aisa hi hai mera bhaiā¦.apne dil ki baat nahin keh sakta."
Muskaan smiled back, "tumhari tarah shayar nahin hai na."
Riddhima got off the car, but her ankle was swollen; she slumped to the ground in pain. Armaan locked the car and gave her his hand. She tried to get up and walk, but could barely keep up with Armaan. He gave her his handkerchief to wipe off the blood from her forehead. Armaan looked at the time on his watch and lifted Riddhima in his arms.
"ARMAAN!!! KYA KAR RAHE HO?" Riddhima was aghast, 'sab kya kahenge?"
Armaan gave her a stern look, "chup! Jisko jo kehna hai kehne deā¦.itne dheere dheere chalegi tho mera maths ka exam reh jaayega!"
Riddhima could not argue anymore; she knew 12th grade exams were really important for him. She put her arm around his neck and carried her backpack in the other hand. The nurse's office was on the 2 nd floor, so Armaan had to carry her up two flights of stairs. The other students gave them curious and dubious looks, but no one dared say anything in front of Armaan- such was his command in the school. Riddhima just closed her eyes, as she was too ashamed to face her school mates.
Armaan stared at her face; she looked like a little angel in his arms. He had not noticed her thick , long eye lashes before, her flawless rosy skin, few tendrils of hair from her braided hair on her face made her look so differentā¦.so attractiveā¦.so desirableā¦..so beautifulā¦ā¦he could not take his eyes away from hers. He suddenly realized what he was doing and kicked himself, "Yeh main kya soch raha hoon? Dimaag mein calculus ki jagah chidiya ki soorat kyun ghoom rahi hai?" He shook his head, but then found himself gazing at her beautiful face once again.
"Kya hua isey?" the nurse met Armaan at the clinic door.
"sisterā¦.isey zara sir par chhot aayi hai aur shayad pair mein mocha aa gayi hai," Armaan placed her down on the nurse's clinic bed.
The nurse examined her wound and dressed it promptly. She looked at the ankle, "arre Armaan babaā¦.mere paas crepe bandage nahin hai aajā¦.sab khatam ho gayeā¦.zara neeche dispensary se le aana."
Riddhima pulled Armaan's hand, "nahin tumhara examā¦..main aise hi chali jaati hoon class mein."
Armaan just pulled away and gave her a stern look, "jab tak main na aaoonā¦.yahin baithi rehnaā¦samjhi!"
Riddhima had no choice; she felt really guilty about delaying him for his exam, "yeh sab meri wajah se hua haiā¦yadi main car mein aage dhyaan de rahi hoti, tho itni zor se girti nahinā¦..na jaane kyon Armaan ka haath choone ka mann hua aajā¦..kitni baar tho uska haath pakad chuki hoonā¦.main bhi kitni pagal hoonā¦.ab kahin Armaan fail ho gaya thoā¦.tho wo engineer kaise banega? Sab meri wajah se hua hai," she kept blaming herself till Armaan got back with the bandage.
The nurse wrapped her ankle and gave her a pain killer, "ab jaa sakti ho beti."
"Sisterā¦aapke yahan ek wheel chair thi na?ā¦.Wo kahan hai?" Armaan looked around.
"Wo toot gayi haiā¦repair karne bheji hai," the nurse apologized.
Armaan and Riddhima looked at each other; they both knew what the other person was thinking. Riddhima's class room was at the other end of the building; it would take her forever to reach there. Armaan did not ask any questions; he picked her up once again and walked out of the clinic.
Riddhima knew there was no point arguing with him.
Armaan placed her down once they reached her classroom. Riddhima got off hesitantly, too ashamed to face anyone in her class.
"Armaanā¦tumhara exam? Tumhein der ho gayi na?" she asked softly
Armaan dusted his hands and looked at her, "koi exam tujh se zyaada important nahin hai!" he muttered under his breath, and then walked away. Riddhima just stared at him; she had heard what he had just said, although she could sense he did not intend on anyone hearing it.
At the end of the day, as Riddhima hobbled out of her class with Muskaan, she saw Armaan sitting on a bench outside the 9th grade classes eating peanuts. She was happy to see him, "Muskaanā¦dekh Armaan wahan baitha hai."
Muskaan smiled, "lekin uska tho ek hi exam thaā¦.Rahul tho pehle hi ghar chala gaya thaā¦.lagta hai Armaan teri wajah se yahan ruk gaya."
"Pagal haiā¦Armaan ko koi kaam hogaā¦wo kyun kisi ke liye rukega," Riddhima tried to hide her happiness.
"Chal poonch lete hain," Muskaan squeezed Riddhima's shoulders, "ARMAAN!"
Armaan threw his packet of peanuts and walked towards them, "kya hai? Disturb kyun kiya?"
Muskaan was a little taken aback, but Riddhima just looked at him adoringly. Her 14 year old mind had started figuring out what Armaan was all about. She knew in her heart that Armaan was there to take her back home, but as usual his pride would never let him admit to that.
Riddhima let go off Muskaan and said, "chal Muskaanā¦. chalte hainā¦.Armaan ko koi kaam hogaā¦ā¦wo bhala ek langdi ladki ke liye kyun rukega?"
Armaan looked at Riddhima angrily and without saying a word lifted her on his shoulder and walked towards the car. Riddhima protested and hit his strong back with her tiny hands, "neeche utaaroā¦..yeh kaise pakad rakha hai Armaan?"
Armaan dumped her onto the back seat of the car and looked at her, "langde ho tere dushman! Jab tak main hoon, apne aap ko aapaahij (handicap) mat samajhnaā¦samjhi!" he slammed the car door making Riddhima jump up in her seat. Muskaan ran after them and settled next to Riddhima, "Armaanā¦itni jaldi chalte ho tumā¦chalte nahin bhaagte ho tum," Muskaan was out of breath as she scooted over.
Armaan started the car, "teri saheli jo din par din bhaari hoti jaa rahi haiā¦tho bhaagna hi padhega usey kandhe par lekar," he chuckled.
Riddhima was offended, she hit him playfully with her fists, "bhari bhi kehte ho aur chidiya bhi!"
Armaan laughed and started driving, "zara zor se maar chidiyaā¦.thodi maalish hi ho jaayegi."
Riddhima sat back on her seat and folded her arms, "Armaan, tumhara exam kaisa hua?" she asked softly.
"Exam?" he chuckled, "mere bina exam shuru karne ki himmat nahin thi sir koā¦..aakhir unka star student jo hoon," he said arrogantly.
"Kitne ghamandi ho tum Armaan!" Riddhima said
He snapped his fingers at her and said, "I deserve it Ok!"
NEXT FEW DAYS:
Armaan continued to give a ride to the girls to Naina's chagrin. Riddhima's friends continued to tease her as Armaan usually carried her back and forth from his car. Initially, Riddhima would get upset with them, but lately just ignored their comments; she cherished those few moments with Armaan every day and started believing that it was her right to be cared for by Armaan- after all she was his 'amaanat!' Armaan looked forward to these few moments with her as well. They usually did not say anything to each other; their silence and eye contact said it allā¦ā¦..
Armaan's buddies pulled his leg too, "saaleā¦.kudi ko godh mein lekar kya karta rehta hai? Khoob masti karta hai saale!" they teased him. Armaan's glare was enough to shut most of them, but their gossip would continue as soon as Armaan would leave. "Armaan ki masti haiā¦udhar wo 9th class ki ladki phansaa rakhi hai aur yahan Suhaani uspar marti haiā¦.kya life hai!"
"Puttarā¦.yeh Riddhima ke pair ki moch ka theka tuney hi le rakha hai kya? Wo rickshaw mein bhi tho jaa sakti haiā¦uske daddyji bhi le ja sakte hainā¦.tu kyun apna time barbaad karta hai?" Naina caressed Armaan's face one day and asked.
"Meri marzi mama!" Armaan just walked away, ignoring his mother's advice. Armaan had always been a stubborn child and usually did as he pleased, but lately he had started ignoring his mother's pleas completely. He had figured out that his mother was more interested in making sure he hung out with the right 'social circle' rather than whom he liked. What irked him most was when she insisted he make friends with a girl called Suhaani in his class. She was a spoilt brat and he could not stand her. Indeed, Suhani was pretty and sexy; most boys in his class would die if she even looked at them, but Armaan had developed distaste for her the moment he had met her. Suhani on the other hand craved for Armaan's attention and tried to befriend him many times, but Armaan had remained aloof to her advances.
Armaan just went to his room and lay on his bed. He closed his eyes and tried to get some rest. As soon as he closed his eyes, he remembered Riddhima's serene face in his arms when he carried her to the nurse's office. He could feel her warmth and heart beat on himself. He woke up with a startle, "yeh mujhey kya ho raha hai? Riddhima ko bachpan se dekhta aaya hoon, par aaj kal kyun alag alag si lagti hai? Main kyun baar baar uske khayal mein kho jaata hoon? Wo tho abhi bahut chhoti haiā¦..aise khayal mujhey aane bhi nahin chaahiye!" he closed his eyes again and tried to get some sleep.
š
Anupamaa
41