~Just A Bend Not The End (AR version)~
Recap:"So in that case if I ask you for something will you give it to me??" He asked, hopefulto hear a yes and he was not disappointed for the very next moment he heard her "yes Armaan , I'll give you whatever you ask for" Armaan smiled at her reply and then finally making his mind he said...
Part8:-
"Ridhima, I want you to talk to me..." Ridhima looked at him with confusion seeing which Armaan let out a small sigh and getting up from his chair crouched down beside her chair and held her hands..."Ridhima baby, I know the last couple of days have not been very nice for either of us, certain incidents have occurred that is not easy for either of us to forget and trust me sweetheart I am not even asking you to forgot them because I for one know that it is not easy to do so...kuch cheeze, kuch hadse aise hote hai jisse hum chah kar bhi bhul nahi pate...but Ridhima that does not mean na that we lock ourselves up, that will just worsen the situation na baby?All I want from you is to trust me enough that you can share you're feelings with me...Tumhare dard, tumhari takleef mujhe batao Ridhima, stop hurting yourself baby...I know its not easy but tumhi ne kaha na, that you trust me so then why cant you share your feelings with me??" Asked Armaan with mosit eyes and looking at Ridhima who already had a stream of tears flowing freely from her eyes.. Armaan gently caressed her cheeks and gingerly wiping her tears he made her look up at him "can you give me this Ridhima?? Can you promise me that anytime you feel lonely or upset then you will not hesitate to come and share you're feelings with me? Can you promise me that no matter how bad the situation may be, you wont shut yourself from me...agar hum sath honge na Ridhima to even the most difficult situation will become easy to face...So tell me do u promise?" He asked her looking straight into her eyes. Ridhima was highly overwhelmed...It was the first time he had asked her for something and that too was only her happiness, she was so touched. She nodded her head a little and spoke amidst her tears "I'll try, I promise I will..." Armaan smiled wide hearing her and kissing her knuckles said in a loving tone..."that's all I want baby, I just want you to try and I promise I will make sure that all your tries don't go to waste..." Ridhima nodded and gave a small smile hearing him, it was definitely not her brightest smiles but after days did he see her smile so genuinely and that very fact made him happy..."Acha ab we better get ready and leave for office, nahi to bohot late ho jayega and let me warn you Mrs.Malik you're boss is very strict when it comes to late commers" said Armaan winking at her and making light of the otherwise serious situation while standing up...Ridhima let out a small chuckle "really now? And how exactly do you think will he punish me Mr. Malik??" she asked playing along with him as they went towards their room to get dressed for work. He too smiled heartily seeing her being so lively after days and just as they reached their room he pinned her against the wall and purposely went extremely close to her, she shivered feeling his breath on her neck and closed her eyes feeling him so close after a long time...He bent forward and brushed his lips against her ears "lets just say...he may demand for a kiss or two" he whispered ever so lightly and even before she could comprehend what had happened he quickly kissed her cheek and left to collect his files...She stood rooted at the same place with a hand on her cheek trying to understand what he just said and just as his words sunk in a small smile made its way on her lips while her face seemed to have got coloured on its own...Armaan saw her from the corner of his eyes and smiling contently he looked above and thanked the almighty for slowly bring his Ridhima out of her shell, the candle that was not very long ago flickering in his heart seemed to have found its light again...
Soon enough they got ready and headed towards "Malik Enterprises". Throughout the journey Armaan could sense that Ridhima was still a bit apprehensive after what had happened with Tanya the previous day. He sighed inwardly he knew that she somewhere could not get over what Tanya had said and knowing Antra he was so sure that she was also probably blaming herself for Tanya's lost job..."Pagal" he thought and let out a small chuckle. Hearing his chuckle Ridhima looked at him with a raised eyebrow asking him what was so funny...Armaan looked back at her and asked mirroring the same expression she held "what?"..."exactly, what? What is so funny?" Ridhima asked back..." "Arey...matlab now a man cant even laugh freely...Oh God, these women are trying to curb our laughter also, ab mujh jaise bachre abla mardo ka kya hoga..." Said Armaan dramatically. Hearing his words and dramatic tone Ridhima could not help but giggle "abla mard? Armaan you are crazy, has anyone told you this? You know sometimes I doubt how do you manage such a big company, jab dekho aise jokes marte rehte ho...such a joker" She said still laughing and needles to say seeing her he too smiled widely after all "mission make Mrs. Malik smile was finally accomplished":p...however hiding his smile "Haha...so funny na? Huh :/ I have no value only...humph" he said faking annoyance..."Aww choo cute" she replied pulling his cheeks and the grin that he tried so hard to hide slowly escaped its hiding and as she was busy laughing on his cute antics he was busy admiring her laugh...With a little chatter here and there they finally reached office and being with Armaan the slight amount of apprehension that Ridhima had was long forgotten...The day passed by with both Armaan and Ridhima being busy with work, it was around 5:30 in the evening when Armaan had asked his employees to gather in the conference room as he had to make an important announcement..."Good evening everyone...I am pleased to announce that the deal we have been wanting to sign with XYZ company has finally reached its final stage. The company is highly pleased with our proposal and are more then willing to sign this deal with us however they want us to present them with our marketing campaign for this project before they actually sign it...As most of you know this project is one of the biggest projects that we may be doing and we do except a huge amount of profit from the same...They will be coming after 5 days to see our marketing strategy and thereafter will give their final word...Keeping past records in mind I have decided to appoint Mrs. Ridhima Malik as the head for this project's marketing campaign...while the entire marketing department will be working under her and all other departments too shall coordinate...I hope I have made myself clear" said Armaan in an absolute professional tone and everybody nodded in agreement as majority of them had been working their for years and knew how efficient Ridhima is in her work as she use to work their before marriage as well. However Ridhima was beyond shocked, she did not even have the slightest hint that Armaan would give this campaign to her...As soon as the meeting ended Ridhima decided to have a word with Armaan she was to hesitant to take up such a big project and she had to tell Armaan about it. So without wasting any more time she made her way to his cabin and after knocking she entered only to find him deeply engrossed in a file..."Armaan..." She called him and hearing her voice he looked up for a brief second and then once agin got involved in his file "Yes, Mrs. Malik, how do I help you" he said still in a professional tone. He very well knew why she had come and in no way was he changing his decision, he had taken the decision solely on the basis of her ability and he was going to stick to his decision..."Armaan, the campaign you just allotted me the head of..." Antra tried speaking but he cut her off "Ahh yes! That campaign...I was just going to send you this file, it has all the details regarding the project I am sure it will help you design the campaign" He said passing her a file from his desk and then getting back to his earlier file, clearly hinting that he was not going to change his mind. Ridhima let out an exasperated sigh and finally spoke "Armaan I cant do this campaign"..."Excuse me?" Armaan said with a frown while keeping his file aside..."Armaan, this project is very big and I have not been working for over a year and plus whatever has been happening over the past few days...I don't really think I'll be able to do thi..." She said but he cut her again "Mrs.Ridhima Malik let me remind you, its I who decided what each person does here and I think I know my job well so kindly do not advise me on that and about the campaign well as I said earlier YOU will be heading it and I want no further arguments on this, and don't worry you will receive all the assistance that you need. Let me make one more thing clear because I don't think you heard me properly during the meeting I have taken this decision keeping PAST RECORDS in mind and I need not remind you about your past records, do I? So kindly stop wasting time and get to work" Armaan said in a professional and slightly rude tone. Hearing Armaan's words Ridhima was deeply hurt, never had he spoken to her like that.She bowed her head and spoke in a choked voice "I am sorry Mr. Malik...I'll take your leave now and start working on the campaign right away" without wasting another minute more she left his cabin. Armaan saw her retreating figure and slumped back on his chair..."I am sorry baby, I really am...I know I should have not have spoken to you like this, I know I was rude and trust me sweetheart I hate myself for doing so, but I had no choice, had I not done so you would have opted out of the project which I definitely do not want...I know you are scared to take it up but I trust you and I know you will do well. You need to move on Ridhima and Thats why I had to be rude...I am sorry Ridhima" thought Armaan, genuinely feeling bad, But sometimes even a good deed requires a wrong path...
Soon enough it was time to go home, most of the employees had left already leaving a few and of course Armaan and Ridhima. Armaan after safely packing his laptop made his way to Ridhima's cabin so that they too could go home. As he reached her cabin he found her deeply engrossed in reading the file he had given her earlier it was as if she was unaware about the time. On having a closer look he saw that her eyes were a bit red maybe she had cried and he was not dumb to not know the reason and so once again he cursed himself for being so rude to his princess. Well if he hurt her then he would have to be the one to console her as well and so with complete determination to cheer her up he walked up to her "Arey, Ridhima you're still working? Its time to go home princess, everyone has left" he said casually which made her look up at him. "You carry on Mr. Malik, I have some work left which I think as your EMPLOYEE I should complete" she said stressing on the word employee, getting back to her work and completely ignoring him. Armaan sighed deeply he knew a lot of damage control was to be done and it was to be done fast. He took the file she was reading and kept it on the table and then he pulled her up from her chair making her stand right in front of him, just as she was about to protest he snaked his arm around her waist and caressed her face with his other hand, involuntarily making her shut her eyes..."Gussa ho?" He asked gently seeing his effect on her. However hearing his words she remembered all that happened in his cabin and the way he spoke to her and just as that came back to her she opened her eyes and began to wriggle in his hold "chodo mujhe...leave me" she kept saying and struggling to get out if his hold but who was she kidding his one arm itself was enough to hold her in place...Armaan sighed again and still keeping her in his hold softly said "I am sorry..." As soon as she heard him she at once stopped struggling and turned her face in the opposite side, involuntarily a lone tear escaped her eye which Nikhil caught immediately in his finger...He turned her face towards him and made her look into his eyes..."I am sorry baby, I know I was rude but mein kya karta princess, you were so adamant on not doing the assignment and degrading yourself" He said softly, apologising and trying to make her understand...Ridhima looked at him with teary eyes and spoke in a helpless tone "Tum samaj kyu nahi rahe Armaan, I am not the same Ridhima who use to work here a year back, a lot of things have changed, I have changed. The Ri you are talking about is lost somewhere Armaan and this Antra standing here is not in the right frame of mind to do this campaign. And you know for a fact this project is huge and I know you have worked hard on it, I don't want to mess it up Armaan...off late I have been messing up a lot of things and if you loose this project because of me, I won't be able to forgive myself". "Tum samaj nahi rahi Ridhima..." Said Armaan pulling her tightly from her waist. He absolutely hated how she spoke about hersef when none of it was true and it was high time he gave her a reality check..."First and foremost that Ridhima is not lost nor has she changed she is right here standing in front of me...yes certain incidents have happened that has made her vulnerable and upset but main janta hu apni Ridhima ko she is a fighter, she will fight against all odds and emerge victorious as always...Listen to me Ridhima and listen to me very carefully, I know you are scared to take up this assignment but you really need not be princess, even you know it and even I know it that if there is anybody in this office who can do this then its you and only you...Ridhima whatever happened during the past few days, your miscarria...whatever happened was a part of your personal life and moreover it was a part of your past...stop clinging to it and make it an obstacle for you're present and future baby...Agey badho Ridhima, jitni bar peeche dekhogi utna hi dard badega...pls move on baby" said Armaan resting his forehead against her's. Ridhima had been crying softly all along as she heard his words. She realised somewhere that he is indeed right, she had to move on because this journey called life was a cycle the peddles of which never stop..."You think I will be able to do this?" asked Ridhima seeking assurance from him, just like a small kid asked his or her mother before an exam...Armaan smiled widely hearing her question and wiping her tears he said with a determined tone "I don't think so, I know so...After all my princess is the best".He kissed her forehead gently he asked already knowing the answer "so does that mean that now u will design the campaign?" And needless to say he was not disappointed as after a minute reluctance she did nod giving her genuine consent...He once again kissed her forehead and mumbled "I am so proud of you my baby! Aaj main bohot khush hu"...She smiled at him and without wasting another second took him in a tight hug which he too reciprocated...They stayed in the hug for a few minutes after which Armaan parted away and wiped her face completely "So now that everything is sorted can we pls go home and have dinner because tumhara to pata nahi but mere pet mein to chuho ki race ka finale bhi chalu ho gaya hai" he said tucking her hair behind her ears and making her giggle. She nodded and as soon as she has packed her belongings they made their way to the parking lot so as to go home and this time they both were smiling. Ridhima was calm because she was given her much needed assurance and Armaan, well he was satisfied that Ridhima finally kept her baseless fears aside and decided to move on, and her smile was just a bonus for him...
NOTE: Hello my dear readers...Hehe okay pls don't kill me, I know I am a bit..okay fine very late... Anyways getting to the part, I hope you all liked it and am looking forward for your feedback as well:)
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