Part 17:
Riddhima stirred while sleeping. She lifted her hand from her stomach and placed it on the pillow next to her. She felt something under her hand. She opened her eyes slowly and looked over. There was a beautiful red rose on the pillow with a note.
Riddhima rubbed her eyes to wake herself up properly.
Dear Basket,
Meet me on the roof at Sanjeevani - 1pm.
Armaan.
ps. can't wait.
Riddhima read the note a couple of times. She questioned herself why did Armaan want to meet her on the rooftop. Why couldn't he wait?
What was going on?
She then remembered Anjali would be home tomorrow. She still had to Armaan. This was perfect. She could tell Armaan when she met him. It was just be the two of them and no one would be able to interupt them. She would finally tell him that this charade of a marriage would have to end. Anjali would never tolerate it. Armaan was hers and she had made that clear to anyone who dared cross her path.
Riddhima quickly got ready.
When Riddhima was ready she looked at herself in the mirror. Riddhima noticed that she was glowing. She admitted to herself that she looked beautiful. She then questioned herself again that why was it that today for the first time she felt beautiful. She shyly lowered her gaze. She raised her eyes slowly. Something had changed about her. She didn't know what it was, but something had changed.
Riddhima was running out of the apartment when she noticed a picture of Sita Ram.
"Aap mujhe shakti doh. Aaj mein paka Armaan kao bhatha dungee ki Anajli vapas aa rahee hai….please don't let me ruin this. Ik aur bhath…mujhe maloom jab Anjali vapas aa jaye gi hoa saktha hai ki joh mere aur armaan ki beech samaj voh badal jaye…lekin mein apse vaade khartee hoon ki jab Anjali apna Armaan sai rishta shuroo karegee jahan pai usne chora tha….please Armaan aur meri dosti koa teek takh rakhna. Maine khabie bhi kisi sai yeh nahin kaha kai mein Armaan koa kitna pyar karthe hoon, aur mein vaadha karthe hoon ki agaye vee nahin bhathon gee….please"
Riddhima joined her hands together and closed her eyes. She was startled when someone laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Riddhu thum teek hoa…maine sabh kuch suna nahin…lekin thum bahut pareshan lagtee hoa…sab teek hai na?" Baba said.
Ridz answered back…"jee han…sabh teek hai..mein tho bas…"
Baba had really overheard everything Riddhima had been praying for. He wanted to tell her that Anjali coming back would not change what her and Armaan had…but how was he to do this. He had misled them both into thinking that this was a fake marriage. He had replaced the fake pandit with a real pandit. The mangalsutar that Riddhima wore was real. Instead of telling Riddhima the truth he opted for different type of advice giving.
"Ridhu, mein yeh nahin janta thum kya maang rahee hoa bhagwan sai…lekin itna patha hai ki thum shakti mang rahee the kyun ki thum Armaan koa kuch bhathana chatee hoa. Mein sirf itna kehna chatha hoon…agar thum kisi cheez koa chod the hoa aur voh vapas nahin ata tho voh khabie bhi thumara tha he nahin…lekin agar vahee cheez phir thumari zindagi mein aajay yan phir chodne sai voh thume nahin chod tha tho voh sach mein thumari hi amanat hai" Baba sighed. He wanted to tell Armaan and her were really joined together and putting that thought aside he had seen Armaan and Riddhima together on a regular basis, he knew there was more than just a solid friendship there. Armaan and Riddhima were soulmates who just had not found their way to each other's hearts. Baba decided that he couldn't tell them the way, but he could keep pushing them there…which is what he decided he would continue to do and eventually would tell them that they were in reality a very married couple.
"Thank you Baba…ab mein chaltee hoon." Riddhima hugged Baba and left the apartment.
Riddhima looked at her watch, it was not 12:55pm and she would not be at Sanjeevani for another 10 minutes.
"Are bhaya zara jaldee karo na…." Riddhima pleaded.
"bhay kaha hai tho man kartha hai ki taxi parh pankh laga doon….lekin filaal tires kai saath kaam banana pare ga…baito aur thoree dher aur hai…"
Riddhima sighed as she realized what a silly request she had made. But she was at no fault, meeting Armaan was a priority.
When Riddhima reached the Sanjeevani she quickly rushed past Sapna…"arre Ridz….wait….!"
"no no sapna…..i have to go I'll meet you at lunch…."
"but Ridz I have to tell you something…..Anj……" Sapna realized it was no use…..Ridz was out of earshot range.
"but I have to tell you that Anjali just called she's on route to Sanjeevani …she'll be here in 15 minutes…" Sapna sighed as realized her message was not going to be heard.
Riddhima ran up the stairs…and open the door to the roof.
Armaan look back. The two of them just looked into each others eyes.
Riddhima began to walk to Armaan….."Armaan thume bathana tha kai Anj…."
Armaan held up a finger to Riddhima's lips. "Sssssssshhhhh!. Ab mein bolun ga aur thum suno ghee…."
"nahin Armaan…yeh bahut zaroori bhaath hai…………"Riddhima pleaded.
Armaan held Riddhima by the face….."Riddhima…meri bhi bhaat bahut zaroori hai shayad humari zindagi ki sabse zaroori bhath…."
"lekin Armaan..please…"
"Riddhima please……."
Armaan moved closer to Riddhima. Riddhima looked into Armaan's eyes.
Suddenly the door to the rooftop opened loudly…startling both Armaan and Riddhima.
"Hi Guys…I'm back!" Anjali appeared in her usual attire. "Miss me…I know you did Armaan….right. So tell me what's new, what's changed……and uh! why is Ridzy wearing that wedding necklace and sindoor…what is going on?"
Armaan and Riddhima just looked at each other. While Anjali stood there waiting for an answer.
Preview of Chapter 18:
Armaan and Riddhima explain their fake marriage to Anjali and Anjali surprises them with her response…but little do they know what Anjali is planning to help her seal the deal so that she really becomes Armaan's wife and joint owner of everything owned by the Malik Family.
Anupamaa
Current Affairs
267