AR OS and drabble gallery: New SS-THE CURSE : PART 2 UPDATED-PMs LATER - Page 28

To be or not to be...

PART 3

Armaan on the other hand was turning restless as she had turned completely aloof. The gang tried to talk to her but she did not let that happen. Anjali had informed Armaan that she did not want to meet him or talk about anything anymore. She just wanted to stay away from everthing and everybody. She had made arrangements for herself that she would come to Sanjeevani finish her work and leave without having any kind of contact with him. Being busy in his own work he couldn't do much. Shashank too had tried to talk to her but she was just running away from everyone by avoiding the topic. After a span of 4-5 days when water rose above head all his dam broke as he had had enough. She had to talk to him; it was now or never.

Finishing her duty she walked out of Sanjeevani and reached the parking lot which was pin drop silent. It was late night and nobody was around. Certian commotion caught her attention and she turned around to find the source but found nothing. Inserting the key she was trying to open the door but suddenly her hands stopped working. Her gaze moved up and just as she had thought, he stood right behind her. His reflection faintly visible in the window pane but she never needed eyes to recognize him. Her heart already started racing as he was just a few feet away; as far as she remembered his duties were to get over 2 hours before hers but his appearance wasn't a surprise. Afterall he was Armaan; not someone who would give up so easily and this fact was no good for her at the moment. Gripping the key tighter she turned it unlocking the door but in a snap she felt his hand over hers and the door was locked again. Before she could make sense of what was happening he whisked the key and held her arm making her turn towards him.
"Aur kitna bhagogi Basket... aur kitne din tak chupti firogi mujhse?"

Riddhima did not dare look up and simply made an attempt to free her arm but it wasn't an easy task. "Mera haath chodo Armaan... mujhe dard ho..."
"Mujhe bhi dard hota hai Riddhima; takleef hoti hai jab tum is tarah mujhse mu fer leti ho har baar." Armaan wanted a confrontation right this moment but having a word in the doors of Sanjeevani wasn't a very brilliant idea; "Mujhe tumse baat karni hai; chalo mere saath..." He tried to tag her along and as always she retorted. But today wasn't a day to mess with him; he wanted his answers and he would have them! She had managed to rescue her hand out of his hold and was about to move but he did not give her any chance. Holding her hand firm than ever he dragged her along towards the back stairs and took her to the terrace. All through the way she kept struggling but he didnot heed. Locking the door he turned around to question her but she did not wish to answer. She made another attempt and walked towards the door though he still stood in between; "Tum mere saath aise jabardasti nahi kar sakte Armaan... let me go!"

In a swift pull he not only stopped her but had also pinned her behind to the wall. "ENOUGH Riddhima... agar jabardasti se hi tumse baat ki jaa sakti hai toh jabardasti hi sahi! Aakhir chahti kya ho tum; kyun bhaag rahi ho mujhse; apne aap se?"
Riddhima still kept struggling infuriating him further so he simply held her arms and pulled her up. She instantly turned quiet just letting her tears glide down silently; "Har baar tum humare rishte ko hi daav pe kyun lagati ho. Main achi tarah jaanta hu ki tum aaj bhi mujhse pyaar karti ho; aur is baar tumne khud ye accept kiya hai sabke saamne..."
"Nahi..." She shook her head and denied all that he said; "Vo sab bas ek galti thi; haan ye sach hai ki Sid ke saath shaadi sirf ek jimmedari thi mere liye... par tum aur main ab kabhi ek nahi ho sakte."
Armaan cupped her face making her look up; "Agar aisa hai; toh ek baar... just once Riddhima; yahi baat mere aankhon mein dekhkar kaho."
"Mujhe kisise kuch nahi kehna... chodo mujhe..." she tried to push him away but he did not budge. He just kept looking at her for a few minutes quietly and then all of a sudden left her.
"Aisa toh kuch nahi kiya maine Basket ki apne pyaar ki bheeg mangni pade mujhe tumse! Aisa bhi kya hua hai ki aaj jab sab humare rishte ke liye tayyar hai par tum hi khilaaf ho gayi ho humare pyaar ke? Main toh bas tumhe us benaam rishte se chutkara dilane ki koshish kar raha tha Riddhima. Tum mere paas laut aaogi ya nahi ye main soch bhi nahi raha tha; par tumne mujhe is baat ka ehsaas dilaya ki agar mujhe tumhari jaroorat hai toh tumhe bhi meri utni hi jaroorat hai. Fark sirf itna hai ki main ye sabke saamne maan ne se hichkichata nahi tumhari tarah."

"Tumhe jo samajhna hai tum samjho; mujhe koi fark nahi padta!"
She spoke firmly but her courage faltered as he smirked at her words; "Tumhe koi "FARAK" nahi padta... really now?" She stepped back as he slowly approached her till she was once again pinned to the wall; "Agar tumhe vakai koi fark nahi padta; toh tumhari aankhon mein ye aansoon kiske liye hai Basket?"
Riddhima turned her face away as the proximity was killing her. "Mer... mera raasta chodo Armaan; mu...jhe jaane do please!"

"Haan chali jana; bas mujhe in aanson ki vajah bata do. Agar iske baad hum dono kabhi ek nahi ho sakte yahi chahte hai tumhari toh fir ye dard kis baat ka? Aur agar ehsaas bache hai; toh iska matlab sirf itna hai ki; tumhare dil mein aaj bhi kuch umeedein bachi hai! Bas tum unhe bahar nahi aane de rahi... aur agar aisa hain toh tum galat kar rahi ho. Agar vakai farak nahi padta na tumhe toh meri najdiki se aaj bhi tum is tarah kaanp nahi rahi hoti. You wouldn't have had the need to hide your gaze, ki kahi un mein jo jasbaat chupe hai unhe main padh na lu! "

"Armaan please..." She walked a few steps ahead but shut her eyes feeling him grip her wrist again. A lone tear glided down her cheek; "Mera haath cho...ahh..." Her words ended with a gasp as he let his arm slide around her waist from behind. He whispered huskily right over her earlobe; "Pata hai Basket problem kya hai..." she was slowly turned around and pulled closer; "Tum mujhse kabhi kuch chupa nahi sakti." The way he was looking at her she couldn't move her gaze away. They held so much within, she simply couldn't resist. "Tumhari aankhon mein chupa pyaar, dard, tumhari har takleef... sabse wakeef hu main Riddhima. Tumhe kya lagta hai main nahi jaanta tha jo tum itne waqt se mujhe chupkar observe karti rahi ho. Ki jab us din cafeteria mein maine tumhara haath thama toh tum kaanp uthi thi; aur main notice na kar saku is liye vaha se bhaag gayi! Tumhari rag rag se wakeef hu main Basket; par sab dekhkar bhi andekha karta raha. Sab jaankar bhi chup raha toh sirf tumhari khushi ke liye; tumhare faisle ki ijjat rakhne ke liye!"
Riddhima bowed her head overwhelmed but helpless; "Toh jab ab tak samjhte aaye ho toh aaj kyu nahi samjh paa rahe? Mujhe tumse alag rehna hoga Armaan; hum ek nahi ho..."
He cut her words instantly; "Hum kabhi alag hue hi nahi Riddhima. Humare faasle bhi humara rishta nahi badal paaye; na humara pyaar badla hai. Main jaanta hu tumhe kis baat ka dar hai... itna sab hone ke baad humare ek hone se katra rahi ho jaanta hu. Aur maine jo galti ki thi uski naarajgi bhi ab tak hai main samjhta hu; par kya tum khudko... humare rishte ko ek mauka nahi de sakti? Log toh aaj baatein banayenge; kal shayad kosenge par parson bhul jayenge. Mujhe nahi farak padta agar unki nazron mein main galat ya bura banta bhi hu Riddhima!"
He pulled her closer by her waist and nuzzled her nose while his hands held hers securely; "Bas tum ek baar mujhe maaf kar do Riddhima. Mere hote hue koi humare rishte pe sawaal nahi uthayega; na ise kabhi badnam hone dunga main Riddhima." Kissing her tears he stood joining teir foreheads as she cried.

She shook her head and stepped backwards trying to get free of his touch but his captivating eyes held her still. Gathering herself she dragged him down by his collar turning red with continous sobs; "Kisne hak diya tha tumhe mujhe chodne ka. Ek baar bhi nahi socha; ki main kaise jeeungi tumhare begair. Kabhi khayal nahi aaya ki ek bar aakar mujhe dekh hi lete. Mujhe mil lete. Tum kaun hote ho ye faisla lene wale; ki agar tumhare haalat kharab ho jati toh mujhe tumhare saath rehkar apni zindagi nahi kharab karni chahiye thi. Samjhte kya ho tum khudko haan?" She stepped back and started ranting out furiously "Nahi maaf karungi main tumhe... kabhi maaf nahi karungi..."
"Riddhima..." Armaan tried to hold her but she pushed him away; "Dur raho mujhse tum. Nahi maaf karna mujhe tumhe. Koi nahi chahiye mujhe; kisiki... jarurat nahi mujhe. Kabhi... bhi maaf... nahi karungi main tumhe. Yahi sa...ja hai meri... tumse pyaar karne ki. Aise hi tadapna chahiye mujhe..."
He tried to hold her close but she stepped away and stumbled in her attempt to get going. He somehow slowly dragged her back and cupped her face "Kaha ja raho ho Basket; sambhalo... ruk jao; aisa nahi hai..." but she did not wish to hear anything. She simply shook her head pushing his hands away furiously; "Dur raho mujhse tum; koi Basket nahi hu main. Riddhima... naam hai mera samjhe tum? Haath mat... lago mujhe; nahi jarurat mujhe tumhari. Sam...bhal lungi main khudko! "
She blabbered continuosly; her face all red as she kept sobbing hard not letting him speak; not letting him hold her but she cared least; she went on and on framing some broken words between her sobs... "Koi... farak nahi padta mujhe... sab... kya sochta hai isse. Nahi karti main tu...m tumse pyaar vyaar. Koi matlab nahi... mu...jhe tumse. Jab tumhe koi farak... hi na...hi padta main jeeu... ya maru..."
"Basss karo Riddhima... please chup ho jao." As he had held her she started struggling to push him away. "Chodo mujhe... nahi karti main tumse pyaar. Tumhari koi jarurat nahi mujhe... chod do mujhe; chale jao yaha se... mujhe..."
He was reaaly trying his best to shush her but when she had lost all her conscience he thought of making her understand things other way round;
"Theek hai; tum mujhe nahi dekhna chahti toh main chala jaata hu vapas tumse dur. Chod du na tumhe yaha akele? Yahi chahti ho na tum... mera saath nahi chahiye tumhe? Koi jaroorat nahi hai tumhe meri hain na? Toh mera tumhari zindagi se chale jana hi sahi hoga; jab tumhe meri jarurat hi nahi; main jinda hu ya nahi is baat se tumhara koi matlab nahi... toh mere yaha rukne ka matlab hi kya banta hai?" All of a sudden as he gave in she went completely mum. Her face turned pale as he spoke hoarsely seeming quite annoyed. She could see his jaws tightening and her heart thudded hard as he spoke of leaving her alone once again. Though she was asking him to; her heart wasn't ready to let go. And as he loosened his hold and took just a step back all the sleepless nights the lonely days flashed in front of her eyes. Her life flashed in a playback mode in front of her eyes and still she tried her best to be in her limits; but her hand involuntarily gripped his hand's sleeve not letting him move and she had no clue when the words left her mouth; "Nahi... mat jao..."
Armaan smiled as that was all he wished to hear. She had quickly composed and left his hand but her heart had already uttered it's wish. "Mer...mera matlab... I just... mera vo matlab nahi tha!"
She looked into his eyes which reflected her tears so she tried to turn away but he dragged her closer cupping her cheek; "Toh rok kyun nahi leti mujhe? Vo kyu nahi kehti jo tumhara dil chahta hai; kyun ab bhi jid pe adi ho? I love you Basket!!... bohot pyaar karta hu main tumse; mujhe maaf kardo please! Basket... meri taraf dekho Basket; look up at me!" Riddhima shook her head still crying hard when he engulfed her in his arms and she continued pushing him away. Her tiny fists hitting his chest hurt but he did not let her move. "Tum vapas chod doge mujhe... mujhe pata hai. Fir se... chale jaoge... aur main... "
Pulling her out of his arms he cupped her face again
"Kahi nahi jaunga main. Humesha tumhare saath rahunga chahe jo ho jaye." Riddhima shook her head trying to get away; "Tum hum...esha yahi kehte ho... fir bhul jaate ho. Is baar bhi..."
Armaan caressed her cheek wiping off her tears; "Is baar aakhri saans tak nahi bhulunga. Tumhara saath ab tabhi chodunga jab maut..."
"Ar...maan" Riddhima gasped placing her palm against his lips; cutting him instantly. He kissed her palm and shook his head as she still cried. Letting her defenses fall; she cupped his face and her head bowed down breaking the damn of unshed tears. He tried to wipe her tears and arms opened wide and invited her into a hug and she obliged. Her loud sobs muffled against his chest as she kept clinging to him like his second skin.
"I missed you so much Armaan... kyu chod kar chale gaye mujhe tum? I hate you... i hate you so much...I... I hate... I...
...I lo...ve you Armaan... I love... you. Mujhe firse kabhi cho... chodkar mat jana. Main nahi jee sak...ti tumh...are begair. I love... you. Bohot... bohot py...ar karti hu... main tumse. I... I..."

"Shhh..." He shut her up caressing her head as it became hard for her to speak between her sobs. "Bas... chup ho jao Basket; I know; shhh... main kahi nahi jaunga." It became a task to detangle her but he somehow managed and wiped her tears; he planted tiny kisses all over her face holding her close "Bas karo Basket... bas! I don't want you to cry anymore." She tried to hold her hiccups as he cupped her cheek but couldn't.
"I love you Armaan."

"I love you too Basket!"

"I was so glad when you were back Armaan. Jab tumhe apni aankhon ke saamne dekha tha; when I realized that you are absolutely fine... tab mujhe jitni khushi hui thi main tumhe lafzon mein bata bhi nahi sakti..."
"Main jaanta hu Bas..." he tried to calm her knowing well what she meant but she shook her head. She had to speak up the truth today and finish her guilt.
"Nahi Armaan. Tum kuch nahi jaante... us din maine tumse keh diya ki tumhe vapas nahi aana chahiye tha; ki tumhe theek nahi... tum soch bhi nahi sakte ki us baat ko yaad karke main har din ek nayi maut mari hu." She turned around not having the guts to see him in eyes anymore.
"Itne waqt ke liye tumhara intezaar kiya tha par us ek pal mein tumhari maujudki se muh fer liya. I know what you must have felt; aur tumne mujhse kuch nahi kaha. Par aaj main tumhe batana chahti hu Armaan ki tumhare lautne se mujhe sabse jyaada khushi hui thi. Par us waqt main vo jatane ka haq nahi samjhti thi. Mujhe maaf kardo Armaan... tum sari khushiyan; sab sukoon chodkar chale gaye meri khushi ke liye. Un halaton se ladkar vapas aaye sirf mere liye; aur maine tumhe thukra diya. Tumhare pyaar ko itna jaleel kiya par tum fir bhi mere liye ladte rahe. Meri khushi ke liye sab sehte rahe. Mujhe ye tak nahi samajh aa raha tumse maafi bhi maangu toh kaise..."

Her words ended as he hugged her from behind tightly. "Shut up Riddhima; tum achi tarah jaanti ho na ki main vapas aaya toh vo sirf tumhari vajah se. Maut se lad paaya toh tumhari vajah se... theek ho paaya sirf aur sirf tumhari vajah se. Aur jo maine kiya vo apne is dil ke khatir kiya. After all chahe jo halaat ho; ye toh humesha tumhe khush hi dekhna chahta hai. Aur tumhe khush dekhkar hi khush hota hai; fir chahe tum thodi dur hi kyun na raho! I don't give a damn about any situation or any truth Basket; only thing that matters to me is you... your happiness. Tum khush ho toh mujhe zindagi se koi shikwa nahi!"
Armaan showered few kisses over her head rubbing her arms as she trembled. She turned holding his hand tight and caressed his cheek. She couldn't stop admiring this angel in front of her eyes; how could a person be so loving... so forgiving and so giving without any expections in return except for their own happiness. Her mouth opened up to rant out some loving words but she was short on words. Holding his hands up she kissed his palms a numerous times silently thanking God to gift her such a nice being who was crazily in love with her... though she wondered why! Cupping his face she planted a tight lingering kiss on his forehead. "Armaan agar I am being selfish toh yahi sahi; par ab main humesha aise hi tumhare saath rehna chahti hu; I don't want to lose you ever... so can you make that happen? Mujhse shaadi karoge?"

Without any requests he did the needful after he recovered from a happy shock. Engulfed her in a soothing soulful embrace simply nodding his head in reply! He let his lips freely explore her neck with feather light comforting kisses. Riddhima pulled him closer letting herself have his feel; his touch as he caressed her head slowly. She hid her face deep in his neck and arched her neck giving him a better access listening to his sweet nothings that he whispered amidst the lingering kisses over her skin. Nothing and absolutely nothing could match the comfort and secureness she felt right at this moment in his arms. With his every kiss; every single touch against her skin she could feel the pain and longing wash away slowly; she could feel all the hurdles automatically fading away as he held her firm in is arms showering her with his love. He kept trying to shush her but she just wouldn't listen. So as she tried to hide herself in his arms he held her arms not letting her hug him; "Nahi pehle tum rona band karo Basket"
Clearing her tear stains completely he kissed her cheek softly and she stopped crying. Though her hiccups still continued and rubbing her nose she uttered amidst them making him smile; "Paa... paani..."
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Armaan quietly observed her leaning over his car door; as she emptied the watter bottle. Her throat had dried up from all the continuous crying. She returned the bottle and stood mum while he pushed her strands away caressing her cheek. She let herself free into his arms once again and they had then walked over to the place they first met... the Basket ball court! The two sat engulfed in each other's embrace for long long hours. She had not let him move an inch and he too obliged caressing her head letting her believe that he was going to be their forever. Neither of them even bothered to check the time till she recived a call from Shashank as she hadn't arrived home yet. She had not bothered answering the call since she never even noticed it as she sat with her eyes closed, relaxing in his arms. But luckily Armaan had seen the light flashing and seeing Shashank calling he realized the time and reality. He held his hand out as he walked her to the car opening the car door for her; "Chalo mere saath..." She turned quizzical and looked up; "Kaha?"

Armaan took a step closer and spoke earnestly; "Agar mujhpe jara sa bhi bharosa hai ab bhi toh bas koi sawal mat pooch aur chalo." Without giving it another thought she pushed her hand into his hold and she settled in the passenger seat right next to him. Riddhima looked up at him as he stopped the car in front of her house and escorted her inside. He made her stand in front of Shashank and Padma who were waiting for her; "Riddhima... isse pehle ki hum aur kuch bhi decide kare; ya ek naye tarah se zindagi shuru kare; let me make some things very clear! Tumne sahi kaha tha ki in dono ke tumpar bohot sare ehsaan hai aur tumhe vo sare chukane honge!" Riddhima bowed her head down while Shashank and Padma frowned at Armaan; "Armaan ye aap..."

Shashank tried to cut his words but he shook his head; "Nahi sir... she's right. Aapne use ye zindagi di hai; aur uspe aapka jyaada hak hai Riddhima se." He turned towards Riddhima and stated firmly holding her hand; "Toh Riddhima... inke ehsaan agar vakai chukana chahti ho; toh aaj ek vada karo. Ainda kabhi bhi... agar apni zindagi aur farz ke beech chunna pada toh tum humesha apni zindagi chunogi. Ye zindagi tumhari nahi... in dono ki amanat hai; ise khatam karne ka hak nahi hai tumhe samjhi tum?" Riddhima silently nodded her head her tears constant as she realized he was really upset about her attempt of ending her life. Shashank and Padma had tears in their eyes as Armaan made her promise with his own eyes shedding tears. Everyone realized what he must have gone through knowing about her step as the pain was clearly visible in his eyes. She was always used to see a smiling Armaan... a happy Armaan. She couldn't tolerate those tears that were now-a-days residing in his eyes on a permanent basis. So she looked up at him and wiped his tears; "Tum rote hue bilkul bhi charming nahi lagte... infact bohot bure lagte ho. So please stop!"

Everyone chuckled at her words and wiped their tears. "Har baar hum ek hote hote reh jate hai. Par main ye vada karta hu... is baar main aisa nahi hone dunga. Is baar jab baraat lekar aaunga; toh tumhari doli apne ghar liye begair jaunga nahi... kisiko bhi humare beech nahi aane dunga; chahe jo ho jaye!"
Riddhima gave him a wide smile and hugged him once again tighter than ever. She cared least that she stood right in front of her family. The two love birds finally reunited; out from all the pain and longing they moved towards the new phase and painted beautiful, colourful dreams of being together.
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After a happy reunion with her he finally was to leave for home so Riddhima accompanied him to his car, when he held her chin; "Toh ab rona dhona chodo... aur is ghar mein apne aakhri din ginna shuru kardo Basket. Kyunki is baar jab milne aaunga toh..." he bent in whispering over her ear "khidki se nahi aaunga" that made her look up while he continued the rest in a firm tone
"is baar poore shaan se ye dilwala aayega aur apni dulhan ko sabke saamne apna naam dega! Enjoy your last days Ms. Basket Gupta... coz soon you are to turn into Mrs.Basket Mallik and this I promise!"

That change of name in itself churned her insides. With some efforts she finally managed to push him into the driver's seat and she stood at a distance waiting for him to leave. But as he shut the window and she saw his faint image through it; some memories flooded into her mind as she blushed remembering their kiss through window pane. And she thought why not relive it and so just as he had set the key she called out;
"Armaan..."
Though he couldn't hear her through the glass but he could definitely feel her calling for him and he stopped. As he looked up she ran forward to his side and knock the window singnalling him to pull it down.
"Armaan vo..."

"I told you Basket... even I didn't wish to go tum hi... vaise why are you blushing?"

"Vo main kuch soch rahi thi... I remembered something and..."

"Kya?..."

Riddhima shook her head cutting his words as he smirked; though he was surprised as she stepped ahead closer and pointed towards the console and just as he had turned his face to find out what she was pointing at, he got a shock... a happy shock. He felt her soft lips against his cheek placing a lingering kiss and as she parted delicately whispering over his ear;
"I love you Armaan... Good night!!"

Without any delay she ran upstairs before he could gain his senses back. Armaan still sat dazed caressing his cheek where she kissed grinning to himself like a fool. Gaining his conscience he finally looked at the side mirror and could see her trying to hide behind the curtains peeping slightly. He realized what she was busy remembering and his heart did a somersault as she had just with a small step made him realize that she had let the curtains beween fade a little. Running a hand through his hair he passed a flying kiss looking at the mirror and moved his lips prominently so that she could lip-read him;
"I love you too... Basket. Love you!!"

That tomorrow would be soon now...when she would wake up as his bride and they awaited that morning eagerly! The days of pain; longing and sorrows ended and began a journey of their dream come true; To be... MARRIED!!