EPILOGUE
Do check the note at the bottom of page.
"Tani baad mein dekh lungi na main!"
"Par mujhe bhi toh tera reaction dekhna hai. Kya hai yaar chup chap khol na, Armaan sahi kehta hai tu sach mein bohot jiddi hai!"
"Kyaaa? Armaan ne aisa... use toh main chodungi nahi!"
"Haan bilkul mat chodna vaise bhi aaj toh haq banta hai!"
Se winked at her teasingly leaving her cheeks all flushed instantly.
"Acha ab baad mein sharma liyo, mera gift toh khol le."
"Uff... Tu nahi maanegi na! Tch... Mujhe Armaan ke saath baithke kholne the yaar sare gifts, pata nahi ye bhi is waqt kaha chala gaya. Ruk ja ek minute... main scissor lati hu."
"Ab scissors ki kya jaroorat hai, kaunsa usi wrapper mein tu naya gift daalke mujhe return karnewali hai, khol na yaaar!"
"Taaaniii! Kya karu main iska... "
So today is Armaan Riddhima's wedding anniversary and so Tani had skyped her to wish. Now you all must be wondering ek hi ghar mein rekhar skype kyu... well that's because she doesn't stay with them anymore. She had soon completed her studies and is now at London for her internship. And Riddhima was sitting there all dressed up waiting for her husband who had gone all missing when the party was just about to start.
Riddhima somehow managed to open the box amidst all the hasty encouragements from Tani dearest. But her frown disappeared soon as she found a hugeee digitalized greeting card inside. It had many many images of them in a collage form. And as soon as she opened the car it had a small music set in, a few lines of the same song in his voice that he had once sung for her followed by same melody hummed by Riddhima. She remembered how Tani had asked Riddhima to hum it as she left for London and recorded it saying it would stay with her as her memory. And inside were small messages hand written by Tani for both of them.
"Ohh Goddd Tani, this is beautifulll! Ye sare pictures aur ye messages... Oh my God this song... It's amazing!! How did you manage all this... I mean when?"
She giggled seeing Tani jump seeing her so happy with the surprise; "Thank God you liked it. And of course yaar, ab vaha nahi aayi toh atleast kuch toh special karna banta tha na."
"Aww... It's okay Tani, kal presentation hai na tera toh kaise aati tu? Don't worry hum naraz nahi hai tujhse."
"Acha isi liye tera vo pati kabse baat nahi kar raha mujhse."
"Vo toh hai hi pagal, but tu dekh vo ye gift dekhega na toh khudse call karega tujhe. He's totally going to love it! Lo shaitan ka naam liya aur shitan haazir."
She pointed towards him as he walked in looking smoking hot in his black suit complementing Riddhima's black saree.
"Whoa... Someone's looking handsome!"
Tani purposely complimented but he narrowed his eyes at her ignoring her comment.
"Chalo Riddhima sab wait kar rahe hai humara."
"Haan chalo, but atleast Tani ko hi toh bo do!"
"Is chutku ko...huh... main kyu hi bolu? Vaha London mein jaake baithi hai, humare anniversary pe bhi humare liye time nahi hai iske paas rahe vohi main koi hi-vi nahi bolta."
P.S: (yeah chutku was his new nick name for Tani!)
Tani pouted and Riddhima rolled her eyes.
"Acha Tani main baad mein call karungi theek hai. Best of luck for your presentation. Aur haan uncle aunty (Tani's parents) ko yaad se phone karlena, subah phone kiya tha tab they were sounding a bit tensed about your health. Take care. Chal byeee!"
"Haan thanks main phone kar lungi. Tere us pati ko samjha de mujhe chutku na bulaya kare hump... Anyways once again wish you guys happiest wedding anniversary... Byeee!"
----------------------
The two hardly got any time for each other, though it was their wedding anniversary party, but since no guests were invited for their wedding, the party was held on a huge scale with many many guests coming in. Tired as hell they finally came back to the room all exhausted. He had just sprawled over the bed with his blazer lying on the couch when he saw the card on the side table. "Ohh God kitne log aaye the... aadhe logon ke toh naam tak yaad nahi the mujhe. Hey... Ye kya hai?"
Riddhima placed her earring on the dresser and smiled as she found the greeting in his hand.
"Tumhare chutku ka gift hain. Banaya hai usne khud, humare liye."
She told him placing all the jewellery neatly on the dresser walking back to him. He sprung up looking at her all surprised; "Ye usne banaya hai?"
"Haan... tum bina vajah usse naaraj ho, uska presentation hai Armaan vo kaise aati bechari!"
"Yeah yeah I know... but I miss her yaar, use hona chahiye tha aaj yaha."
"Hmm... aur haan, use na chutku bulana band karo varna vo kisi din screen se bahar nikalke pitegi tumhe!"
Both giggled imagining her words when he pulled her into his lap; "Acha chalo jara dekhe toh itni mehnat se banaya hai. Vaise vo jyaada upset nahi hogi I am sure, naahi hume use jyaada din miss karne ki jaroorat padegi."
"Kya matlab?"
"Tumne mujhse apna anniversary gift toh maanga hi nahi, let me show it, abhi pata chal jayega!"
Armaan grabbed his blazer and handed her an envelope that was hidden in his pocket. She squealed as she saw two tickets to London and roared in excitement almost deafening him.
"Hum London jaa rahe hai?"
"Agar tumari chikh sunke main behra nahi ho jau, toh haan!"
She bit her tongue guiltily but he kissed her cheek forgiving her instantly; "Yes we are going London!! I thought Tani se mil lenge and usi bahane humara second honeymoon bhi ho jayega, what say?"
Riddhima blushed hard while he nuzzled her neck. She smacked his hands and got his attention into the greeting; "This is so beautiful; nahi Armaan? You must thank her!"
"Haan haan ab vaha jaa hi rahe hai na, toh khud milke thanks bol dunga baba aur maafi bhi maang lunga, happy?"
"Very!"
She pecked his cheek and got back to the greeting. All the snaps in the collage held so many memories making them nostalgic. Their engagement ceremony pictures, many images from their honeymoon, some images where they were engaged in some cute fight, one where she was making his tie while he was busy admiring her, but one picture at the corner held her attention and she chuckled. Armaan cocked his brow when she pointed towards the snap making him remember the moment.
------------------
FLASHBACK
Tani had been nagging him to hold Riddhima by her arm, or to give any other romantic pose so that she could click a nice snap but he would just look up at her and plead while she would just shrug her shoulders. Finally frustrated as Tani kept nagging him for a nice picture while Riddhima never budged he blurted out; "Arey yaar toh main kya karu if she has banned me from touching her!"
"Armaaan!!" Riddhima scolded him while Tani's eyes grew wide and she looked back at Riddhima when she replied casually; "Ab main kya karu... isne hi kaha tha that's he's being unfair to me toh saja chahiye toh maine de di!"
And the next minute both Riddhima and Tani burst out laughing leaving Armaan with a huge scowl.
(Well you guys wanna know what and how it happened? Toh chalo jara flashback scene mein chalte hai)
"Acha theek hai I think you are right. Saja toh milni chahiye tumhe."
He nodded his head still with his head bowed; "I am ready to do anything you say."
"Pakka? Jo bhi main kahu?"
Armaan frowned as she said it in a bit challenging manner but none the less nodded; "Jo tum kaho!"
Riddhima smile told him she was upto something and her demand definitely proved him right...
Calling him closer she whispered softly with a straight look; "Tum agle do... umm... Nahi wait your lucky number is four na?"
He puzzled but nodded his head a bit unsure of her words; "Toh tum agle 4 din tak... mujhe haath bhi nahi laga sakte!"
"Haan toh main tu------" His eyes wide with horror as her words sunk in; "Wait what? No you mean... wait that's... that's not right. I mean you know... I..."
"Arey kyu. Tumne hi kaha na saja chahiye. Toh ab de di na."
"But ye... ye saja thodi hai. This is torture, dekho tum kuch bhi aur bolo main kar lunga par ye nahi."
"Aise kaise? Abhi toh bada keh rahe the jo bhi main bolu vo karoge, toh ab kya hua?"
"Riddhima that was... I mean... yaar main kaise---"
He groaned with irritation.
"Kyu sahi hai na, tumne mujhe itne din tak khud ke aas paas bhatakne bhi nahi diya tha,mujhe itna lamba intezar karvaya toh ab ye tumhari saza hai! You have to follow it."
"Par ye... ughhh... theek hai!"
He finally gave in but kept cursing himself for asking a punishment.
"Ise kehte hai khud ke pairon pe kuradhi marna. Bada maang raha tha use saja... ab bhugto!"
FLASHBACK ENDS
-----------------------
"Yes how can I forget this... itni badi saja de di thi mujhe, poore 4 din!!"
She giggled hard at his face placing the greeting away.
"Haan toh, jabardasti saja maang kaun raha tha?"
She replied feigning attitude but another minute burst out laughing.
"You just wait baby, I haven't settled my scores yet with you."
With that she was pushed down onto the bed and tickled hard till she begged him to stop.
"By the way I have another little surprise for you."
She looked up at him panting hard as he started unbuttoning his shirt;
"Ye kya kar rhahe ho?"
"Vaisa kuch bhi nahi kar raha jaisa tum soch rahi ho, you dirty mind!"
He was rewarded with a hard smack at his reply but that couldn't stop his bright smile. Discarding his shirt he threw it off sitting straight still over her, when she found something running down his other shoulder too. She clearly remembered this shoulder had no tattoo till last night. Shutting the lights he bent down on her and guided her hand towards his shoulder skin. On a closer look she realized it was an infinity symbol with their names stringed in. The skin was still a little red which meant it was made just today.
"You like it?"
"Par ye tumne kab----"
"Aaj subah. You really think main apni sexy little wife ko chodke aaj ke din bhi jogging ke liye jaunga, vo bhi extra time?!"
"Ohh so you... it's really nice Armaan. I love it."
"Vo sab toh theek hai, par mera gift kaha hai?"
"Umm tumhara gift na... well that-----"
"Kya ab ye mat bola you forgot."
"No I didn't, but you will get it only if you are smart enough!"
"What's that supposed to mean now?"
She shrugged her shoulders telling him to find it out for himself.
"I'll do that later, for now I need to settle scores for your stupid punishment."
She giggled at his complaint but her voice muffled with his hard kiss.
As their drowsy eyes and tired bodies demanded some sleep he took her in his arms caressing her waist gently as she snuggled into him and both wished simultaneously; "Happy anniversary."
And just like that with a sweet kiss they dozed off with sweet smiles waiting for another wonderful day of their beautiful life with each another.
-------------
He sat by her side patting her head as she fell asleep amidst her story telling, resting her head against his shoulder. They were on their way to London and she looked pretty much excited about it. They were going to surprise Tani big time, also most importantly this was going to be their second honeymoon! He was equally happy, but his happiness multiplied a while ago as they waved a good bye to their families. Something she did, she said had touched his heart and suddenly free him off the past guilt.
As they were hugging each other and Padma was busy instructing her to take care of this and that she hugged her tightly and then got back to him holding his arm firmly; "Maa relax I will be fine. Aur fir Armaan hai na mere saath, uske hote hue mujhe kya hona hai?"
The conviction her voice held, the trust and love her eyes held as she looked up was inexpressible. She had always loved him he knew, but this secureness she declared just by his presence was heart-warming for him. Her small act was a major consolation for his heart. Though many a times she did tell him that he was forgiven, but somewhere deep down he was still guilty. But for some reason her words today with which she assured her mother holding him with authority that he was going to be there for her, told him she actually did feel that right on him and did not need to expect his togetherness anymore, she owned it.
Riddhima opened her eyes due to the weather chaos that was heard but found him staring at her with a smile, lost in his thoughts.
"Armaan kya hua? Pata nahi kab main so gayi, I was----"
Armaan shushed her with a small peck on her lips surprising her, she looked around checking if nobody saw but then realized they were in their private jet!
"Armaan ye kya..."
"I love you Riddhima... I love you. Thanks for being in my life."
She wanted to question him at his sudden confession but his earnesty and the love his eyes held her back and instead she smiled back; "I love you too Armaan."
She knew exactly what he must be thinking. She remembered te look in his eyes as she held his arm authoratively as she spoke to her mother. She smiled remembering how he had made her change the entire look of his room, and changed it from his room to their room. It felt so refreshing as every morning he woke up to a sweet fragrance of beautiful flowers that she without fail changed every alternate day. The room now had her favorite blue coloured curtains so they had settled on his favorite black coloured pillow covers. Bedsheet was also asked for of his choice, but then it would turn out to be a depressing room with black beedsheets, so he had to give up. Just as she had expressed he made sure all the walls were filled with various snaps holding their memorable memories. But of course no happy wedding pictures were available, and when the realization dawned how could he sit quietly! On the special occasion of teej he made her wear her bridal dress while he himself wore his wedding sherwani though looking overdressed for the function but nobody objected. And soon after the function he clicked numerous snaps not only with her but with his and her family which now covered a huge central wall of his room and a central part of their heart as well. Not to forget the photography session was followed by a private photography session in their room where some of their private romantic moments were beautifully captured by him forever. But they were better just in the album restricted to only two of them.
He pecked her forehead when she drowned in her memories; "Ab tumhe kya hua?"
She narrowed her eyes pointing that's-my-dialogue but anyways straightened up; "Hua ye ki mujhe bohot neend aa rahi hai, so now if you don't mind can I go back to sleep?" Not waiting for his reply she already snuggled into his chest pulling his arm around her waist hugging him tight: "Do not disturb!"
He chuckled at her straight orders pulling her closer anyway.
------------------------
A few months later...
Armaan had been too ignorant these days, busy with his own work and so Mrs.Mallik was not on talking terms. They were done with dinner and he was trying to talk to her for quite a long time now but she cared least. She was on purpose busy with Ananya with some silly gossip while he sat afar on the swing pretending to be busy in his file as he secretly signalled her to come to him but she turned a blind eye. After a long wait Ananya finally wished her night and left and Armaan instantly grabbed the opportunity but she crushed all his hopes pushing him away; "Don't you dare Armaan, aaj tumhare jaroori kaam khatam hue toh yaad aaya tumhari ek biwi bhi hai! But now you can very well go to hell, cuz mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni."
"Baby I am sorry, let me explain I di----"
He gulped down his words as he noticed her glare. A small smile knocked on his lips as she looked too cute with the strong winds playing with her hair, her pretty eyes shining in the dark night while her cheeks bright red with anger. But he managed to keep his smile hidden before his wife misread it and killed him with her bare hands. Totally upset with his attitude she turned on her heels and started walking away but the harsh winds decided to turn a little playful and her duppatta was soon flying in air. Needless to say it soon landed on his face and she was left with no choice but to turn back to him. With a faint smile he let her dupatta away from his face remembering thei past good old dyas when they had had some similar encounters. But right now all he noticed was, her standing with her hands folded rolling her eyes at him; "Ye aise ullu ki tarah muskurana band karo aur mera duppatta vapas karo!"
"Uhuh... if you want it toh pehle paas aao."
"Don't act smart, mujhe mera duppatta vapas karo."
"Toh main kaha mana kar raha hu, le lo na yaha aake."
She stepped forward but as he moved a step behind she shook her head at his antics knowing him well and decided to let go of her duppatta, anyways nobody was here to see so who cares. Armaan read her face pretty well and knew she wouldn't bother with him anymore, so instead he simply pulled her pinning her to the tree to receive a loud retort.
"Ughhh kya kar rahe ho, chodo mujheee."
"Tumhe ya lagta hai baby, main kya kar raha hu?"
He whispered against her earlobe smiring at her.
"I... I don't care, just leave me!"
"Chod deta... jaroor chod deta, par ek hoti si problem hai."
She asked softly as her retorts weakened under his nuzzling and also as he sounded serious; "Kya?"
"I love you too much to leave you sweetheart. I just cannot!"
His words brought her back and she pushed him a bit to snap but his twinkling eyes and naughty smile did not allow her to speak. Instead her face broke into a sweet smile as he held hs ears in apology;
"I am sorry for ignoring you, kaam mein itna busy ho gaya ki tumhe time hi nahi de paya. Par o what, der aaye durust aaye. See I am here all free just for you, mujhe maaf kardo please..."
She couldn't stay upset anymore seeing him apologize so cutely and instantly put his hands down; "It's okay Armaan, ab toh duppatta de do."
Riddhima tried to get it back from his hands but he shook his head pinning her back to the tree with a smile very well known to her. Her eyes warned him trying to push him off as he held her waist; "Armaan stop it, hum lawn mein hai, koi bhi aa sakta hai."
"Sab so rahe hai, no body cares."
She made another attempt to snatch her duppatta but it stuck in his button refusing to move away from him making him smile wide. "Dekh lo... tumhe jaha jana hai chali jao, par at the end aana toh tumhe mere paas hi hai, aur tum nahi aayi toh humesha ki tarah tumhara ye duppatta le aayega."
She dropped her gaze as he caressed her flushed cheeks.
"Riddhima do you remember, humare pyaar ki shuruat yahi se hui thi. Vo pal jab tum yaha sirf ek doctor banke aati thi aur aise hi main tumhe yaha baithke dur se bas niharta rehta tha."
"Hmm vo toh shukar hai Mom sab samajh gayi varna tumhare bharose rehti toh aaj tak bas tumhari doctor hi hoti."
"Vo toh tum aaj bhi ho, mere har marz ka ilaaj pa---- wait a minute. Mere bharose rehti matlab? You... you were waiting for my first move. It means you already..."
His eyes turned round as hell as realization dawned upon him;
"Haan main bhi tumse... pyaar karti thi. Tabse jabse tumhara accident hua and I started treating you."
"What the hell... I... you... I just can't..."
He spoke baffled unable to digest the fact that she too loved him since back then.
"Tum sach mein mujhse tabse pyaar karti thi... bataya kyun nahi?"
"Mujhe pata nahi tha na ki tum itne bade buddhu nikloge, and... what do you mean by bataya kyu nahi? Main... *sigh* tum sach mein kitne bade idiot ho na, itne waqt mein tum ye bhi nahi jaan paye!"
She turned around with puffed cheeks and folded hands.
Armaan turned her around snapping instantly;
"Ab dekho ye galat hai, mujhe kaise pata hoga ki tum mujhe tab bhi pasand karti thi, you never gave me any hint."
"Haan par ab tak toh samajh jana chahiye tha na that I did like you back then!"
"Arey hadd hai, mujhe kaise pata chalega bina tumhare kuch kahe? I mean shaadi ke baad toh theek hai par I never knew that..."
Riddhima hit his forehead cutting his words short;
"Agar main tumse pyaar nahi karti toh kyu shaadi karti tumse jab tum aise bewakoofon jaise muh fulake baithe the haan? You seriously are a dumb case Mr.Mallik. Itna sab hone ke baad bhi you are shocked to know ki main tumse pehle se pyaar karti thi."
She pulled him down by his collar narrowing her eyes;
"Mr.patidev, agar mujhe tumse pyaar nahi hua hota na, toh the way you treated me, tumse shaadi toh dur ki baat hai, main toh tumhari shakal bhi nahi dekhti zindagi mein kabhi samjhe tum? Agar mera dil tumhari favour mein nahi hota, agar tumhe apna maankar khud pe tumhara haq nahi samjhti toh aaj mujhe sirf nafrat hoti tumse ki tumne meri baat kabhi suni tak nahi aur faisla le liya bas."
Armaan smiled at her cute complaining tone as he knew her only complaint was that he shoud have known that she LOVED him, no other fault or mistakes of past mattered anymore, atleast to her. He caressed her hand that held his collar and pushing her back kissed her nose tip;
"Riddhima tum janti ho agar tum us waqt mere saath nahi hoti na toh aaj main kuch aur hota. Meri zindagi kuch aur hoti, aisi hoti jo main shayad khud apne liye kabhi nahi chahta."
Riddhima smiled a hearty smile and let her fingers caress his cheek fondly;
"Aur agar ye sab nahi hota, agar tum meri zindagi mein nahi hote toh mujhe pyaar ka matlab hi nahi samajh aata! You have gifted me a beautiful fairy tale life Armaan, I don't care of past mistakes anymore."
To his surprise she leaned in and placed her warm lips against his, no hesitation, no regrets! Within a minute she was pinned back to the tree as he took charge and kissed her with an undying passion. Turning a blind eye to everything around he hugged her closer than ever and pushed her hair away clearing his path. As a reflex she had arched her neck pulling him closer caressing his nape enjoying his hot kisses against her neckline.Her eyelids opened drowsily and she groaned snapping back to reality as they were out in open in their very own lawn. Though just as he said, there was no one around but her conscience made her cheeks flush with probablities of someone bumping into them. With half a heart she pushed him away;
"Armaan hum lawn mein hai, stop it and let me go!"
"Who cares? You are my wife and there's nobody around to care."
"Well then Mr.Mallik, this wife of yours had appreciate if you could continue this in our own room."
Armaan raised his brow dragging her closer by her waist; "Continue what Mrs.Mallik?"
Mrs. Mallik's patented blush was back and just as expected her face was soon hidden in his chest flushed by his gaze. Releasing a soft chuckle he planted a kiss over her head and hed her hand to get going when she stood firm. He questioned her through his eyes to which she just smiled making him frown but soon she uttered a sweet demand in an uber cute tone as he thought of it; "Aise nahi, I want to enter our room just like the first time."
It took a minute to make ssense of her words and as soon that he understood; he picked her up in his arms carrying her all the way to the their room just like their first time. And just like then, her eyes locked with his but her cheeks flushed;
"Oye hoyye, I love you Mrs.Mallik... always have, always will!"
Riddhima smiled at the turthfulness his eyes held and simply nodded before she took him in a soulful embrace. Spending another night in love, they let the setting moon and the rising sun witness their deep sea of love where only the two existed for one another. Armaan gently tucked her traces away as she slept snuggling into his bare chest looking out for some warmth, while her face held a weird sense of happiness. She appeared happy to be his, and to have him forever by her side. Though he still wondered why but no more cared to think otherwise or punish himself in a way that might hurt her in any way. Her eyes fluttered open lazily as she sensed him looking down and raised her brow towhich he shook his head and pulled her in his arms, rubbing her bare back shielding her from the soft cold winds and probably every other darkness in the world. Riddhima happily melted in his arms whispering love you on finally finding her most loved and secure shelter, HIS arms!
Armaan silently admired the angel in his arms as she drifted off to soundless sleep. A silent promise was made by his heart in that very moment to not let any misunderstanding part them ever and keep her trust alive in him by never breaking her heart. All the many days and moments that they lost in the beginning were very much covered by him by showering all the love that he had in store, and hereafter as well he would continue to recreate many more moments, but never let her feel insecure of him or the marriage.
Every other person commits a mistake, it's that opportunity we get to correct our wrongs we must not miss on. Love definitely comes to you all by itself, but it's only if you nourish it, value it, will it stay forever and ever.
------------------------
NOTE: Hello guys, I guess most of you must have guessed it already but since I forgot to mention it earlier let me make it official, yes the last updated chapter was the Last part of the SS. SO here's the epilogue. Hope you guys enjoyed the ss.
P.S: And yes the part contains a small unedited (PM) version, so just like always all those who wish to read it may mention so in their comments. Thank you! :)
Edited by arima_mallik - 9 years ago
Cricket
Udne Ki Aasha
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
317