AR OS and drabble gallery: New SS-THE CURSE : PART 2 UPDATED-PMs LATER - Page 50

PART 5

Riddhima was just done with her dinner and she was busy washing her hands when she sensed some presence around her. As she turned around she found Armaan standing by the door looking at her; "Riddhima... mujhe kuch baat karni thi tumse. Vo... umm... us raat, actually... maine thodi jyaada pee li thi aur----"

"Armaan agar aapko us raat ke baarein karni hai toh mujhe kuch nahi sunna Armaan. Vaise bhi bohot raat ho gayi hai aapko so jana chahiye."

"Maine jaan bujhke kuch na---"

"Armaan please!" She started walking away when his words caught her attention.

"Tum ab bhi mujhe nahi baana chahti ki tumhare aur Mom ke beech kya baat hui thi?"

She stopped in her track and turned around giving him an unbelievable look "Ohh I see... toh asal main aap ye sawal poochne aaye the. Aapne jo kiya uska afos toh aapko hai hi nahi! Aur yaha main soch rahi thi ki shayad aap mein thodi bohot insaaniyat toh baki hogi, kam se kam aapko kisi baat ka toh pachtava hai. Par aap toh humesha ki tarah sirf apne selfish reasons ki vajah se yaha aaye hai; aapko kisi aur se ya uski takleef se koi matlab kyu hoga!"

Armaan strode towards her as his anger was back and pulled her up grabbing her arms harshly; "Tumhe lagta hai ki main selfish hu! Mujhe ehsaas nahi hai meri galti ka? Maine jaan bujhke vo sab... mujhe maja aata hai tumhare saath aise behave karne mein?... "
He sighed hard as she groaned feeling his tight grip and loosened his grip a little but did not set her free; "Riddhima main ek raat chain ki neend so nahi paaya hu, ye sochke ki maine tumhare saath----" He took a deep breath and continued looking deep in her eyes; "Mera aisa koi iraada nahi tha. Par maine itni jyaada pee rakhi thi aur-----" He delicately but firmly pulled her closer whispering right over her face and she looked back in his eyes as his words came out as a plead while his eyes were filled with tears and pain; "Maine aaj tak kabhi apni marzi se tumhe chot nahi pohchayi hai Riddhima. Tumne majboor kar diya hai mujhe. Itna sab kuch ho gaya, fir bhi ek baar bhi tumne mujhe sach nahi bataya ki aakhir tumhare aur Mom ke beech kya baat hui thi! Aakhir chahti kya ho tum Riddhima?"

"Aap chahe is baat pe yakeen kare ya na kare, main sirf itni hi chahti thi ki Ananya aunty theek ho jaye; aur aap humesha khush rahe...Aur ab finally vo theek ho gayi hai. Ab aap mujhse kya chahte hai? Kya ye aap ke liye kaafi nahi ki ab aapki Mom khatre se bahar hai. Ki unhe hosh aa gaya hai. Aap kyun un poorani baton mein uljhe rehna chahte hai?"

"Haan vo theek ho gayi hai, par ye toh mere sawal ka jawab nahi hai Riddhima. Mujhe sach jaana hai, aur main Mom se jaroor pooch leta par vo is waqt itni kamjor hai main unhe takleef nahi dena chahta."

Riddhima whisked his hands away and snapped; "Bas Armaan bohot hua. Main maanti hu ki kahi na kahi meri bhi galti thi, maine agar us din Ananya aunty se baat ki hi nahi hoti toh shayad... par Armaan maine itni badi koi galti nahi kit hi jiske liye aap mujhe itni badi saja de. Mere saath jabardas---- Aapke is sawal ka jawab main aaj bhi nahi de sakti. Aur rahi baat us raat ki, toh main aapko maaf karti hu Armaan."

Armaan looked up at her flabbergasted; "Haan Armaan... kyunki mujhse achi tarah ye koi nahi samajh sakta ki jab kisiko apne kiye ka ehsaas ho, pachtava ho, toh use maaf kar dena chahiye. Varna vo andar hi andar toot jata hai. Main bhi toh aapse ek mauke ki bheek maang rahi thi itne dino se Armaan, par aapne ek baar bhi mudke meri taraf nahi dekha. Aapne jo kaha, jo badtameeziyan ki sab sahi, kyunki main jaanti thi ki aap khud dard mein hai. Aapki ijjat karti thi main. Par us raat aapne khud ko meri nazron mein gira diya hai. Ab mujhe aapko kisi baat ki safai nahi deni, na aapse kisi maafi ki umeed hai. Par haan main aapko us sabse gujarne nahi dena chahungi jisse main khud gujri hu. Is liye main aapko maaf karti hu. Us raat jo hua sab bhul jaaiye. Aur agar aapne mujhe jara bhi samjha hai toh is baat pe yakeen hoga aapko ki main ye sab kisiko nahi bataungi. Par haan... iske baad mujhe aapki kisi baat se koi fark nahi padta. Is rishte ko aaj bhi main utni hi ahmeeyat deti hu; par aapki kisi baat ka, kisi ORDER ka ab mujhpe koi asar nahi hoga Mr.Mallik."

She turned her back and walked away giving him no chance to speak or retort. Ananya had gained her senses that very moment when Tani made him realize; Ananya must have had her own reasons to get him married to Riddhima. He had realized that he should have atleast given her a chance; should have heard Riddhima once. But after that Ananya was out of her paralysis, it had been too late on his behalf to listen to Riddhima. And he could definitely understand her anger. Though he still had no clue of the entire truth but as he had strted noticing her concern for Ananya, the innocence, truth and pain in her eyes, he had known that he had being wrong some where. He only knew the half truth and other half must have been too important as everytime that Riddhima sat by Ananya's side he could see a flash of relief over Ananya's face. As if her mere presence calmed her.
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Ananya was now much better, everyone pampered her to no ends these days making her all the more relaxed. But she had being noticing that things weren't all okay between Armaan and Riddhima, but somehow she was unabe to have a conversation with either of them.
It had just been two days after her recovery and se was sitting in her room relaxing. Armaan was a little tensed in the morning as he left but he did not give away any reasons. It was just after their lunch that she received a call from him and heard his panicky voice; "Mom ghar se kahi mat nikaliye aur baki SAB ko bhi bataiye ki vo ghar pe hi rahe."

"Kya hua Ammy... sab theek hai na? Itna tensed kyu sound kar raha hai?"

"Kuch nahi Mom vo bas... ek opponent hai mera. Uski company aur kaafi employees ka kaafi loss hua hai deal uski company ki bajai mujhe mil gayi is liye. Maine kuch employees ko job offer karne ki koshish bhi ki thi par it seems kisine unhe mere khilaaf bhadkaya tha, aur is liye un mein se kuch, mera gainst plan kar rahe the."

"Kya? Tu theek toh hai na aur Billy?"

"Haan haan Mom relax, mujhe kuch nahi hua hai, aur Papa bhi mere saath hi hai aap tension mat leejiye hume kuch hoga bhi nahi, yaha itni security hai. Par mujhe aaj ek call aaya that oh mujhe dar hai ki kahi vo ghar mein se kisiko nuksaan pohchane ki koshish na kare. "

"Haan beta, main toh ghar pe hi hoti hu, aur Tani abhi niklne hi wali hogi use aaj college jane se mana kardungi. Aur Riddhima..."

"Riddhima kaha hai?"

"Armaan vo... vo toh hospital gayi hai. Use toh is sab ke baarein mein kuch pata nahi hoga, aur Ammy aaj toh vo car leke bhi nahi gayi hai."

"Kya? Par Papa ne uske liye car... anyways aap tension mat leejiye main abhi use call karke batata hu. Bas aap kahi mat jaaiye."

"Haan theek hai. Tu bas use jaldi se inform kar de."

Armaan intantly cut the call and dialled Riddhima's number; "Ghar pe car hote hue taxi se jaane ki kya jaroorat thi! Har baat mein jid..."
He was a littled pissed as after that night's fiasco Riddhima had been purposely neglecting everything that he said. She did everything that she knew he wasn't ok with.

Riddhima on the other hand was surprised to see his name flashing on her screen. After their marriage he had never bothered to call her once for obvious reasons. After a few rings she picked the phone when he didn't even wait for her to say hello; "Riddhima kaha ho tum. Jaha kahi bhi ho vaha se abhi isi waqt seedhe ghar pohcho."

"Kya? Armaan main is waqt hospital mein hu. Main ghar nahi----"

"I know tum kaha ho; isi liye keh raha hu. Bas 5 minute ke liye ruko main abhi gate ke paas gadi bhijvaata hu tum---"

"Ek minute Armaan; aap shayad bhool rahe hai main ek doctor hu. Aap mujhpe apni marzi chala sakte hai par kisiki zindagi pe toh nahi na. Main yaha kaam kar rahi hu. Is waqt ghar nahi jaa sakti. And its high time aap apne ye hokum chlane ke liye kisi aurko dhund le. Main aapke haaton ki kat putli nahi hu Armaan, jo aap jo bhi kahenge vo kar lu!"

Armaan clenched his fist uttering through his gritted teeth as she threw attitude. Hell nobody ever had the audacity to talk to him in that tone but this girl always rubbed on his wrong side; "Riddhima ye bachpana band karo aur meri baat maano. It's not safe for you to go out all alone. Kahi bhi akele mat jaana, taxi is also not a safe option right now just listen to me once; main pick karne aa raha hu tumhe---"

"Safe option? Aapko aaj achanak meri fikar ho rahi hai Armaan... really? Kam se kam mere saamne toh dikhava karne ki koi jaroorat nahi hai aapko. Main apna khayal rakh lungi, aapko mujhpe itne ehsaan karne ki koi jaroorat nahi, I'll manage! Vaise bhi agar mere saath kuch galat ho bhi jaaye toh aapko hi sabse jyaada khushi hogi I am sure, mujhe chutkara jo mil jayega."

"Riddhima... Riddhima listen to me..."
She shut the phone highly annoyed by his words. For God sake; her heart was somewhere overwhelmed that it was the first time he called her, but all he had to say was this. An order as always! She was hurt, and there was no way she was going to follow his instructions anymore.

"Damn you!" He cursed her as on trying to call her back he couldn't connect, as she had already placed her cell in her locker where the network couldn't connect while she left for her rounds. His anger had reached it's peak as worry started engulfing him e instantly made his way out informing Billy that he was out to pick her. All through the ride he tried to call her but remained unsuccessful.
Riddhima on the other hand unaware of everything walked out towards the gate when a man approached her; "Apka Riddhima Mallik hai na?"

"Jee haan, aap kaun?"

"Vo sab chodiye... ye leejiye aapke liye ek surprise hai!" He said handing her a phone.

"What nonsense, raaste se hatiye."

As she tried to get away his wards stopped her in her tracks; "Armaan Mallik tera hi pati hai na? Use zinda dekhna chahti hai toh chupchap baat karle sir se."

She looked back at him as her face turned white as ghost and she held the phone with shivery hands; "Hello Dr.Riddhima. Aapke pati mere kabje mein hai agar use sahi salamat dekhna chahti ho toh chup chap gaadi mein baithke yaha aa jao varna... she could hear a distant voice which she could bet belonged to Armaan."

"Kaun... kaun ho tum, kya chahiye tumhe...tu..."

"Jyaada bakwaas mat karo, aur chup chap yaha aa jao."

With that the line went dead and she was covered with sweat. She cursed herself thinking that she should have once talked to him as he had called. He did sound tensed then; she recalled. Having no other choice she settle in the car unknown to the fact that Armaan was just at a distance of few metres on his way to pick her up.
Luckily Armaan did see her getting inside the car and had followed the car quietly from a safe distance not letting them know. All through the way he kept cursing her for her stupidity, what was she thinking. How could she go with an unknown person when he had informed her it wasn't safe to go anywhere but home.

The car stopped outside an old worn out site and she gulped hard sensing the secluded place. But it was afterall the matter of his life, how could she have not come knowing he was in danger. All her anger had disappeared in thin air thinking of him in some pain, danger! The man guided her inside, as she reached the destuination she foundtwo men at the extreme end, but couldn't see their faces as the area was pitch dark.
"Ar... Armaan kaha hai?" She spoke gaining some courage when the men turned towards her.
"Ahaan... aa ayi aap!" The voice was familiar to her but she couldn't recollect. It was then that the man stepped towardsher and her eyes widened as she saw Mr.Punit; the same guy who had tried to misbehave with her during the party.
"Tum??"

"Haan main. Kya hua, lagta hai mujhe dekh kar jyaada khushi nahi hui aapko!"
She stepped away and turned her face as he tried to get closer; "Dekho tumhare kehne se main yaha aa gayi; ab please batao Armaan kaha hai!"

"Armaan... hoga office mein... ya fir har chala gaya hoga. Tumhara pati hai, tumhe pata hona chahiye na!"

"Kya matlab? Tumne toh kaha tha..."

"Ki vo mere kabje mein hai? Jhut kaha tha... toh?"

"Par kyu? Aur vo... vo aawaaz---" Her words were cut by the same vice and as she turned to look at the source she found the man standing behind; holding a tape. It meant it was all a trap, just a trap to get her here. The next minute she was held tightly the guy who had brought her in while Punit let his finger trace her cheekbone; "Ab kya kare; aapke pati ko bada gurror hai khudpe. Uski vajah se inke boss, Singhania group of industries... unka bohot nuksaan ho gaya. Ab thodi bohot hera pheri toh har company mein chalti hai. Par usne ain mauke pe deal cancel kar di aur toh inhe dhamka raha tha, ki materials mein koi milavat na kare varna case kar dega! Aur sirf teri vajah se mera bhi toh laakhon ka nuksaan karvaya tha."

"Meri vajah se?"

"Haan... tu hi toh rote hue gayi hogi na uske paas party ke baad meri shikayat karne, bas use acha nahi laga ki maine uski biwi ki taraf dosti ka haath badaya toh usne deal cancel kardi. Par hum dono ka itna nuksaan karaya hai use kaun chukayega? In Singhania group ke bechare gareeb labourers ke peth pe bhi toh laat mardi na toh sabak toh seekhana padega na tere pati ko.

Ab usko haath lagaya toh sabse pehla shak toh humpe hi aayega na. Is liye tujhe utha laaye. Teri vo halat karenge; ki tujhe jab bhi dekhega ye yaad karega ki dubara kabhi kisike kaam mein taang na adaye, aur jyaada shareef banne ki galti bhi nahi karega."
She tried her best to get out of the man's grip but remained unsuccessful, while Punit handed some cash into the men's hand and came back to her holding her face.
"Vaise ye kaam poora karne mein mujhe khudko bada maja aata, par kya karein kuch jaroori kaam hai!"
With that he pushed her away and the men attacked her like hungry lions. Riddhima screamed at the top of her lungs, crying hard for help knowing that there was nobody around to hear her out. One of the guys had just managed to tear off her sleeve when she heard a loud thud and she found Punit lying on the floor groaning in pain. Her eyes moved up and found Armaan standing right in front and she finally felt relieved. But his eyes very much gave away his anger as he looked back at her.
The men instantly attacked him but he managed to fight them off and hurt them enough so as to escape. Once that they all were on the floor groaning in pain he looked up at her not at all pleased of course. He could hear her soft sobs as he mercilessly dragged by him through her arm all the way down to the car. As they reached the car and he had just opened the door for her but she wouldn't move an inch. "Gaadi main baitho!!"
But when she still didn't budge she could definitely read the anger in his eyes and she tried to defend herself; "Armaan aap meri baat su----" But he could no more handle his anger as she still stayed adamant...
*SLAP*
A thundering slap came her way before making her stumble back. Before she could gather herself he pulled her up through her shoulders spatting his anger over her; "Kya soch kar unke saath yaha aayi thi tum? Tumhe kya lagta hai, main kyu cheek cheek kar tumse keh raha tha ki kahi akele mat jana, main pagal hu? Aur koi kaam nahi hai mujhe life mein huh? Apni jid mein sahi galat kuch sochti bhi ho tum? Mujhse ghussa ho toh bina soche samjhe kuch bhi karogi without thinking of the consequences? What if..." He left her with a startle and rubbed his face trying to calm himself but today nothing could work. The girl had no clue what could have happened with her just thanks to her stubbornness. He once again strode towards her pinning her to the car door scaring the daylights out of her as he whispered in a dangerously low voice through his gritted teeth while his eyes held fire; "Tumhe jara sa bhi andaza hai tumhare saath kya hota agar main yaha nahi pohocta. Arey pohochna chodo... agar mujhe paanch minute bhi der hoti toh samjhti ho tumhara kya haal bana chuke hote vo log? Mujhse jaban ladana toh chodo, khudse nazrein milane layak nahi rehti tum, zindagi bhar roti ye soch kar ki kaash ek baar sun leti ki main kya kehne ki koshish kar raha tha! Mer-----"
He could have gone on and on had his gaze not shifted down to her state. Her torn sleeve, scratches all over her wrist and arm, her face covered with hot tears, while her dupatta missing from around her neck.
Looking back into her fearful eyes he for once stepped away running his hand through his hair. Unbuttoning his blazer he placed it around her shoulders and commanded but in a soft voice; "Gaadi mein baitho Riddhima, sab humara intezaar kar rahe honge."

Without a word more she settled inside the car and not once did she dare look up. But he had been watching her silently all throughout, through the side mirror as she kept crying silently. He knew he shouldn't have slapped her, it really wasn't intentional, but just the heat of the moment and to top it all; her stuubborness got better of him. He just couldn't stand the thought of her state had he not reached on time. He quickly called up his P.A and asked her to mail the details he had against Singhania group finding which he had decided to cancel the deal. Along with them he asked her to find some details about Punit as well and soon he forwarded them to the cops making sure they were put behind the bars. As soon as they arrived home everyone bombarded them with hundreds of questions but Riddhima quietly dispersed to her room. Ananya followed her while Billy and Tani confronted Armaan about the entire situation.

Riddhima cried in Ananya's arms for a while before stating what had taken place, why did she go along with the guy irrespective of Armaan warning her. And the imprint on her cheek and her dishevelled state told her the rest of the story. Once that Riddhima calmed a little, Ananya decided to go downstairs and talk to her son right away. Since past days after that she had recovered she had been noticing the aloofness between the two, but now that she saw Riddhima in separate room with all her luggage she had understood the untold part of the story as well. But she couldn't let her son spoil his own life, so she approached him determined.
Armaan was settled on the couch switching through channels but she could see how least interested he was. She could see the tension on his face clearly. Snatching the remote she shut the television and spoke in a firm voice; "Mujhe tujhse kuch baat karni hai Armaan."
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Riddhima on the other hand sat running the events of the day in her mind again and again. Undoubtedly she was upset and angry with him, but along with her anger there was a realization... a realization that he still cared. She was so surprised by what Punit had revealed, she had never know; Armaan had cancelled the deal when he knew that Punit misbehaved with her. And definitely she did not know that cause he preferred to keep it hush hush. The way he had called her today; saying he was going to pick her up so that she was safe, how she cursed herself for not listening to him. But had she followed his instructions she would have never seen the concern in his eyes. The incident definitely shook her, but the way he had snapped at her for risking her life, she just couldn't get out of it. Yes she disliked the slapping part a bit, but she knew it was his rage that had come out thinking of the consequences had he not reched on time. He was SCARED...he was WORRIED for her!! And that part gave her an unknown relief.
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"Ye sab kya hai Armaan?"
Ananya spoke up in a low voice but he clearly read the anger in her eyes.

"Mom please, aap jakar aaram keejiye, mujhe is baarein mein koi baat nahi karni. Vaise bhi aap jaanti nahi usne kitni badi bewakoofi----" *sigh* "Us jaise beakal ladki maine aaj tak nahi dekhi."

"Armaan chup kareg tu. Tu ye sab is liye keh raha hai kyunki tu jaanta nahi ki usne jo kiya vo kyu kiya. Jaisi cheejein dikhti hai vaisi hi humesha ho aisa jaroori nahi hota Ammy."
Billy looked up at her understanding that she was about to spill the beans. It wasn't just about today's mishap, but many more truth were about to be unfolded, he realized. Making his way to her he placed his hand on her shoulder giving a soft squeeze makig his support known, encouraging her to go on.
"Mujhe bhi lagta hai ki ab hume Armaan ko sach bata dena chahiye Ananya... varna bohot der ho jayegi."

Armaan frowned seeing hs parents exchanging its-all-going-to-be-okay look. Ananya held his hand and spoke straight to the point; "Armaan galti meri hai, tu Riddhima ko itne waqt se bina baat ki saza deeye ja raha hai."

"Mom please, aap ki halat ab tak poori tarah theek nahi hai aap phir se vo saari baatein----"

"Nahi Ammy, pehle hi maine bohot der kar di hai sach batane mein jiska anjaam bechari us bacchii ko bhugatna pada hai. Uske saath aur galat nahi hone de sakti main."
Armaan looked at her puzzled unable to understand what she meant.
"Armaan us din Riddhima mujhse behes nahi kar rahi thi, mujhe samjhane ki koshish kar rahi thi, meri galti sudharne ki koshish kar rahi thi, par main"

"Ye aap kya keh rahi hai? Meri kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha."

"Ammy... tujhe main bas itna batana chahti hu ki meri halat Riddhima ki baton ki vajah se, usi hui behes ki vajah se kharab nahi hui thi. Mere andar itne saalon se jo raaz maine chupa rakha hai kahi vo tere saamne na aajaye is dar se meri halat kharab hui."

"Kaisa raaz Mom?"

Ananya and Billy once again exchanged a look and Billy settled by her side once again encouraging her before Ananya finally spill the beans; "Main jo bhi batane jaa rahi hu use pehle tu ye jaan le Armaan ki main tujhse bohot pyaar karti hu. Hum dono ke liye tu bohot ahem hai Armaan."
Armaan simply ept looked at her with a blank look unable to understand anything.

"Meri ek poorani medical report galti se us din Riddhima ke haath lag gayi, vo file jis mein mere miscarriage ke reports the."
Armaan was stunned, he was never told about any miscarriage his mother went through, but he kept mum and kept listening to whatever was in store.
"Shaadi ke baad mera carrier bohot ache phase mein tha, main bacha nahi chahti thi us waqt. Par fir meri dost, Sunaina Raheja, usko bacchon se bohot lagaav tha. Us waqt jab main bache ke baarein mein sochna bhi nahi chahti thi, vo humare paas hi ke flat mein rehne aayi, aur tab vo pregnant thi. Kuch mahine baad jab uske ghar ek nanha sa bacha hua, mera aksar use milne ka man karta tha. Us masoom si jaan ne mujhe aate hi jaise badal diya tha. Uske saath waqt gujaarna khelna, sab mujhe acha lagne laga tha, tab maine maa banne ka decision liya. Par fir meri neeyat ko shayad vo manjoor nahi tha. Teesre hi mahine mein mera miscarriage ho gaya... aur fir... meri haalat bohot kamjor thi... bohot nuksaan hua tha mere sharer ko... aur tests se pata chala ki... ki main doobara kabhi maa nahi ban paaungi!" She burst into tears giving away the last bit. Armaan just kept looking at them dumbfound. How was that even possible. He was their son right? So then what tests, what reports was she talking about?

Armaan looked up at Billy and said helpessly; "Dad what is she even saying. Main aapka beta hu right... fir ye tests? Doesn't make..."

"Ananya sahi keh rahi hai Armaan. Humari kismet ne khel hi aisa khela tha ki---"

Ananya shook her head and continued wiping her tears having some control over herself; "Us news ke baad mein depression mein chali gayi thi, par Sunaina aur Amit(Sunaina's husband) jaan bujhkar apne bte ko lekar mujhse milne aate the. Vo jaante the ki main unke bache se bohot jud chuki thi. Aakhir usine toh mujh mein mamta jaagayi thi. Us bache ko dekhkar main apne sare dukh dard bhul jaati thi. Kuch hi mahino baad un dono ko kahi bahar jaana tha, aur us nanhi si jaan kolekar jaana ohot mushkil tha. Bohot shararti tha vo, flight mein shaanti se baith hi nahi sakta tha. Par unka jaana jaroori tha, is liye mere kehne pe vo log apne bache ko mere paas chodkar chale gaye. Ek din mein lautne hi wale the... lekin... unka... unka plane crash ho gaya aur vo..."

His heart ached for the tiny one, and he instantly spoke up "Fir... us... us bacche ka kya hua, vo toh aapke saath----- Vo ab kaha hai?"

There was pin drop silence for a minute as he awaited an answer while Ananya and Billy just kept staring at him. Ananya made an effort to speak up but couldn't finish her words; "Armaan vo... vo bachaa..."

As she fumbled, Billy knew she could never say it out loud, so he blinked at her in assurance and turned towards Armaan; "Armaan vo bacha kahi nahi gaya, vo yahi hai. Vo bacha koi aur nahi... tum the Armaan."
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