"We BeLoNg ToGeThEr No MaTtEr WaT "
PART 28
'Armaan...tum jaa rahe ho?...' riddhima said with tears in her eyes, though she tried her best not to let him see.
'Riddhima...Tumhe kaise pata chala? Maine, tumhe bataya hi nahi tha...' Armaan said
'Wo... Maine tumhari aur Papa ki baatein sun li...' Riddhima said sadly. Armaan looked away. 'Riddhima..' He whispered softly.
'Armaan... Umm... Jaana zaroori hain kya?...' she said in cracking voice, which grabbed his attention, and he turned towards her, and saw those precious tears in her eyes.
'Agar jaana zaroori nahi hota toh main kabhi nahi jaata. Lekin I promise, main roz tumhein phone karunga, aur jaldi aa jaunga...' he said while cupping her face. Finally the tears rolled down and he kissed them away, letting his lips linger there for a while. 'Don't cry Riddhima, U know, ki tumhara rona mujhe kamzor kar deta hain. I won't be ablt to leave if i see you crying...' he said with his forehead against her.
'Kya karun ? Jab bhi tum mujhse dur jane ki baat bolte ho toh...toh yeh aasoon apne aap hi aa jate hain...' she said in a voice only audible to Armaan.
'Yeh aasoon mere liye bohat keemti hain Riddhima. Please inhe waste mat karo...Varna Delhi nahi ja paunga...' Armaan managed to say. 'Toh mat jao.Armaan mujhe kutch thik nahi lag raha hai... Please.. isse tal do...' she breathed.
'Riddhima, agar main isse tal sakta toh, main kab ka kar chuka hota... Lekin i have to go... warna meri album release hi nahi sakti..' armaan said
Armaan held Riddhima in his arms and Brought himself closer to her. Riddhima opened her eyes and looked into his. He looked at her trembling lips and slowly captured them, with his own. He kissed her gently, yet lovingly. His hand went down to her waist and pulled her closer, while her hands went around his neck while Riddhima ruffled his hair, arousing him even more. Slowly, the gentle kiss, turned into a passionate one. He pushed her to the wall, and kissed her passionately. She clutched a fistful of his hair, making him moan, and he kissed her fiercely, telling her how much he wants her, and loves her. Armaan pressed his body tight on Riddhima's. For a moment they were lost in each other.
A sudden 'thud' made them break apart. understanding the situation. He slowly left her lips and placed his forehead against hers. He cupped a side of her face.
'I'll be back soon...' he said with his eyes closed and Riddhima smiled a bit. Armaan hugged her tight for minutes. when Riddhima spoke. 'Kab jana hai?...'
'Aaj shaam ki flight hai Riddhima. Aur next week tak i'll be back...' He tried to cheer up Riddhima. 'Pakka, and promise me tum mujhe roz call karoge..' Riddhima said pounting. Coming out of the hug, Armaan looked lovingly at Riddhima. wiping her tears with his thumb.
'I promise... i'll call you... Love you..' Saying so He hugged Riddhima for the last time before he left. Riddhima wiped her tears, hoping the week will pass soon and Armaan would be back.
*---------------*---------------------*---------------*
Riddhima squinted her eyes as she went with her family for shopping mall, Anjali's marriage was nearing and they had to do a lot of shopping.Riddhima was not interested at all, Armaan's absence made her look pale..She thought maybe spending time with the family would make her feel less lonely.
'Ridzy common...' Riddhima's chain of thoughts were broken by Anjali. 'Ha di, chalo...' riddhima said
The Gupta's were shopping almost everyday. The marriage would happen grandly. The Gupta's and The Oberiors seemed very excited about it.
'Acha, chalo hum woh shop check karenge...' padma said
'Ha mom, look at those lehenga's wow...' anjili said and saying so The gupta's headed to the shop. Riddhima slowed down walking when she saw Tanya aproaching her, Riddhima stood rooted to the ground. Keeping a fake smile Tanya aproached her.
'Riddhima...tum yaha?...' tanya asked 'Yeah.. Umm shopping..' riddhima said
'Well main bhi shopping ke liye hi ayi hu, You see, Armaan Delhi gaya hai, warna he would be with me... hamesha ki tarak..' tanya replied grinning.
'Well... Thats nice...' Riddhima replied sarcastically. 'Mujhe ab chalna chahiye.. Bye..' Riddhima smirked and was leaving when Tanya's words stopped her.
'Tumhe kya lagta hai Riddhima?...' Tanya said turning towards Riddhima. Riddhima turned and faced Tanya. 'Matlab.?...' riddhima asked
'Oh Riddhima, dont try to act in front of me...' tanya said 'Tum kehna kya chahti ho?...' Riddhima asked
'Tumhe kya lagta hai Riddhima? Yahi, ki Armaan tumse pyaar kar ta hai..!...' tanya said 'Lagta nahi, Mujhe yakeen hai...' riddhima said confidently
'Hahahaha... Riddhima is jhoti duniya se niklo, Armaan mujhse pyar karta hai... Tumse nahi...' tanya said 'Jhooti duniya Meri ya tumhari?...' riddhima asked 'Oh please... Riddhima tum shayad janti bhi nahi ho, Armaan aur main bachpan ke friends hai, We love eachother from the start. Aur tumhe lagta hai wo tumse pyar karta hai ??? No ways... Wo mujhse pyar karta hai, Tumhare saath toh wo sirf time-pass kar raha hai, U will see...aur jald hum dono shaadi bhi karne waale hai... Pehela invitation hum tumhe hi deyenge...' Saying so Tanya walked past Riddhima.
'Rukko tanya...' Riddhima said and walked and stood in front of Tanya. 'Tumhe kya lagta hai Tanya, ki tum ye sab bologi aur main man jaongi... hahaha... nahi... mujhe apne pyar par pura bharosa hai.. tum jaise hazaar log bhi yeh sab keh de, tab bhi main nahi manungi... Sirf ek Armaan hi hai jiske kehne se main shayaad yakeen karpao ki wo mujhse pyar nahi karta... Jab tak Armaan khud ye na keh de... Tab tak... Koi bhi hamein alag nahi karsakta.. (pointing towards tanya) Tum bhi nahi... Bye Tanya...' Saying so, Riddhima walked away, Tanya was all the more furious with Riddhima's talk...
'Ab Armaan hi kahega tumse ki wo tumse nahi mujhse pyar karta hai...' Tanya whispered to herself... Smiling broadly she dissapearred.
Riddhima soon left to go home, She reasoned her family that she isn't feeling well and wants to rest..She was in deep thoughts...Riddhima was sure Armaan would never cheat her, He loved her, But First her nightmare, Then, Tanya's words and now, Armaan staying in Delhi, made her all worried. Never the less, Riddhima dialled Armaan's number,
It had been 3 days since he left for delhi. Armaan had called Riddhima only once.
'Armaan! We need to talk...' she said holding the phone.
Maybe he might relieve her from the insecurity she had build within herself and clear her with all the doubts she had as she finally got through to him. She had left the shopping mall and had dialed his number only to find it switched off. Trying his number for the whole day, only to here the voice of the operator at the other end she felt herself getting impatient.The whole day he hadn't called her. She knew he was busy. It was almost midnight that he finall picked up his cell. Hearing his voice she heaved a sigh of relief.
'Yeah! Riddhima kaisi ho ?? Apna dhyaan toh rakh rahi ho?...' Armaan asked worriedly, Riddhima's tears just couln't stop. She heard him after 2 days...
'Armaan, wo... Tanya... she...' Riddhima whispered in a broken voice.
'Tanya ? Riddhima tum kya keh rahi ho ?? Acha suno..i'll talk to you in sometime. Yeah... Ok Andy, I am coming... Riddhima I have to go..! Please take care of yourself, I love you, bye...' Armaan cut the call.Hearing the dead tone she closed her eyes. Reaching home Riddhima was Drained completely with the turn of events, she slept unconciously.
*------------*--------------*-------------------*
DELHI
'Driver take me to the studio...' Armaan said sitting in the car and instructing the driver, It had been 3 days, since Armaan stayed in Delhi,Armaan had completed his paper work for his next launch, Things soon got finalised, it favored Armaan, he had receieved a request from a Bollywood producer to sing songs for his films, Not letting the opputunity go, Armaan had signed the contract and he worked day and night to compose and execute the songs as soon as possible. Keeping his head on the comforter in the car, Armaan closed his eyes, 3 days seemed to be more than a year to him. He was already missing Riddhima badly, her presence,her touch, her voice...
He picked up his cell and Dialled Riddhima's cell. Riddhima's cell was switched off. How could he forget, she was an intern in Sanjeevani and she wasn't allowed to carry her cell when she was on duty. 'damn' he said, since 3 days whenever he got some free time, specially in the noon, he would dial Riddhima's number, and it always said switched off. Riddhima would be in Saneevani, doing her duty he thought...
Somethimes, in the night when Armaan returned to his hotel, it would be too late to call, He knew, Riddhima might be sleeping after a tiring day in Hospital, He didn't wanted to disturb her. Missing her terribly, Armaan couldn't do much. He just wished to complete his work as soon as possibe and return back.Armaan reached the studio and soon he was introduced to a group of directors and musicians.
'Armaan, The song, need some changes...' andy said 'What?...' armaan asked
'Yes, Armaan, the song you composed yesterday, We need to add beats to that. That's what the director is demanding...' andy said
'But, that's a perfect song, it matched accordingly...' armaan said 'I know Armaan, But we cannot help it, We just have to follow the orders and rise up to their expectations...' Saying so Armaan and Andy rushed inside...
Holding his mike, Armaan prepared himself for the song. Closing his eyes... Riddhima's face flashed before him. Smilingly he started.
Ab se koi khushi nahi
Jiski tum wajah nahi
Ab se koi din nahi
Jiski tum subah nahi
Ab se koi baat nahi
Jo tumse na hogi shuru
Ab se koi raah nahi
Jo tum sang main mudhoon
Abh ke abhi yeh ho gaya yakeen
Yeh zindagi meri ho gayi teri
Abh ke abhi yeh ho gaya yakeen
Yeh zindagi meri ho gayi teri
Tumse hi tumse har baat
Har baat hai
Jab tum ho saath
Tumse hi tumse har baat
Har baat hai
Jab tum ho saath
Armaan started recalling every second, every minute spent with Riddhima. Recalling her in his memories he sang the song... whole heartedly...
Anjaana tha ehmiyat se teri
Yaar mera guzra kal
Kab jaana tha tere vaaste
Hi aaj se hoga har pal
Main karta hoon yeh ilteja
Phir se jeena seekhle zara
Abh ke abhi yeh ho gaya yakeen
Yeh zindagi meri ho gayi teri
Abh ke abhi yeh ho gaya yakeen
Yeh zindagi meri ho gayi teri
Tumse hi tumse har baat
Har baat hai
Jab tum ho saath
Tumse hi tumse har baat
Har baat hai
Jab tum ho saath
Composing, editing, and adding new tunes to it. Composing a new song, did consume a lot of time, if it had to be done in a short notice.but having Riddhima's memories in his mind, he felt at ease.
*--------------*-------------------*-------------*
CANTEEN
'Guyz,To hum sab Anjali and Vikas ki engagement main bahoth maza karenge...' rahul said in order to start the conversation 'Haa, jab se Armaan Delhi gaya hai, Hospital bhi ab boring lag rahi hai...' muskaan said
'Yeah.. right.. Armaan Sanjeevani ki jaan hai...' anjili said 'hmm... I miss him...' niki said
The interns seemed to miss Armaan too, and why not, he was such a wonderfull person, Armaan was always there to help his friends, To advice them to guide them... Riddhima missed him the most, She couldn't say it to all, She missed all the sweet moments spent with Armaan in Sanjeevani, The basket ball court, The fire exit is where they had share such beautifull moments.
Riddhima would simple sit in fire exit after her work, everyone wondered why, She did that because she could feel Armaan's presence there.
'Riddhima Riddhima? abhimanyu called out for Riddhima when he noticed her sitting there pale and upset. 'Huh huh...' riddhima said coming out of her thghts
'Ridzy, kaha kho gayi ho?...' niki asked 'Um... Kutch nahi...wo bas...' riddhima said
'Riddhima kahi tum bhi Armaan ko miss to nahi kar rahi ho na?...' rahul asked her with a glintch of nautiness in it. Riddhima's eyes widened hearing him...
'Huh... Main... wo...' riddhima stammered 'Rahul, sirf Riddhima hi nahi, Hum sab bhi usse miss kar rahe hai... Kyu Riddhima...' muskaan said Riddhima mere nodded, Standing up she walked away..
'Ab isse kya hua?...' Nikita said confused with Riddhima's sudden dissapearance... 'Sab ko pyar ka bhoot jo chada hai...' Rahul said slowly, more to himself...
'Kya.. Kya kaha...' abhimanyu asked 'Nothing...' He said hiding his grin and smilee.
*-----------*---------------*--------------*
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable"
Hearing this she sighed .He had just called her once to inform that he had reached and was fine. And there after whenever she dialed either he wouldn't pick up, or say he was currently too busy or merely cut her call. It had been 6 days since Armaan had left for Delhi. He was very busy with the paper works and his music launch, Riddhima kept calling him every 2 hours, but his cell phone was either switched off or he seemed to be busy.
As Riddhima gathered her clothes, she felt tears in her eyes. This wasn't the first time he had cut her call. Riddhima seemed to notice Armaan's difference.Like he was there with her one minute and next minute not there. Riddhima thought it was the work pressure and his determination to achieve the best that was keeping him busy. He would usually finish his work, reach his hotel and go to bed.
Sometimes he would ask her 'sorry' and she just accepted it, She always felt relieved hearing Armaan, Let that be for a minute or two, but she was happy..Dead tone was something she had gotten used to from 6 days, the silence as now that was her companion...
'Maybe, he is just busy...' She wondered. Its nothing serious she assured herself.Riddhima kept staring at the picture of them which she had clicked on the mobile. How all evening she kept calling him. 'Riddhima i ll call you later, Bye, love you...' he said everytime she dialled him. He was busy with his music which was soaring in the charts.
The night seemed to engulfed her. Why was their relationship failing?? Suddenly feeling lonelier then ever she dialed his number. Hearing the same dialog,She got into bed and sank into its softness pulling the rug close to her. She couldn't help but whisper.
'I Miss you... Armaan, Please jaldhi wapas ajaoo,.. I love you...' riddhima whispered
Riddhima felt that maybe, the limelight had taken him away from her far away. This one week made her feel depressed and upset.Closing her eyes she just wished him to be back soon and drifted to sleep sooner.
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