PART 11
Jai looked at her in amazement. He was speechless. His Ridu had fallen in love. He couldn't believe his ears. And the reason this was so shocking was because Jai always thought that he and Riddhima would end up together-not because they were in love, but because they were the best of friends and a part from his five years in South Africa they had never been seperated, and because friendship was the foundation to every relationship. Their parents always thought that they would end up falling in love with one another and would eventually marry. So, this was a sudden shock. Even though he always joked around with Riddhima about all of his "girlfriends," he always felt that they would eventually change their friendship into a relationship. Nevertheless, he was happy for Riddhima-genuinely happy. He knew that what was important was Riddhima, not what others wanted for them.
Jai figured that he should say something before Riddhima asked him what was wrong.
J: (still recovering from the shock) Pyaar? Riddhima, tumhe pyaar hogaya? TUMHE?!
He realized that this wasnt the best time to question what she was saying, but he couldnt help it. Riddhima was in love. The words just didnt go together. Since childhood, she was always ahead in studies and prefered reading books instead of hanging out with boys. That was Anjali and Pia's department. In fact, many times he wondered how they-Jai and Riddhima could be best friends? Riddhima never talked to boys other than Jai. She didnt even look at them, much less become friendly with them. He looked away completely dazed.
R: Jai, kya hua? Tum kya soch rahe ho?
J: Main hamara beeta hua kal ke baare mein soch raha hoon. Our past. Maine kabhi nahi socha ke tum kisi se pyaar karogi. Mujhe laga ke tum Pia aur Anjali ki tara pagal nahi ho! I even think that Anjali is more likely to fall in love, lekin tum? Never. Yaar, mein paanch saal chala kya gaya, tum to bilkul badal gayi. Medical school ke paani mein kya hota hai? Meri seedhi saadhi Ridu pyaar mein...its amazing.
He looked at Riddhima with a naughty smile on his face. He wiped Riddhima's tears and she smiled.
J: (smiling at Ridz) Acha lagta hai jab tum muskurati ho. Isi muskurahat ka main intezar kar raha tha. Main jaake mandir mein matha tek ne waala tha. Aur Bhagwan se puchne wala tha ke please God meri Ridu ki ek muskurahat dikhado! Please!
R: (smiling) Apne aap ko bahut smart samaj te ho na?
J: Samajtha nahi hoon darling, mein hoon.
Hearing this, Riddhima went back into her sad mood. She immediately thought of Armaan. That was his favorite line. Seeing Riddhima's smile faint, Jai went closer to her.
J: Dekh, tere mood swings ke baare mujhe kuch pata nahi he. Mujhe ek chart banaa ke dede. Apne bad moods ke timings likh dena. Tere chehre ko parte parte mein bhuda ho jaunga!
R: (embarrassed) Im sorry Jai. Uski yaad agayi.
J: Uski kiski?
R: Uski Jai.
J: (teasingly) Kiski Riddhima?!
Riddhima smiled again. She knew that Jai knew what she was talking about. He just enjoyed pulling her leg. Actually, she was in shock too. She couldnt believe that after so many months, she was talking to someone about Armaan. She never came close to telling anyone about him, but she knew that she could tell Jai anything. Thats what made them best friends. He was always there for her. And Riddhima was starting to think that God brought Jai back to her so that she could tell him about Armaan. Her thoughts were interrupted.
J: Toh is "uski" ka koi naam hai?
Riddhima looked at Jai who was looking at her right in the eye with a blank expression in his face, but care in his eyes. His eyes showed faith and trust.
J: Ridu, tu mujhe bachpan se jaanti hai. Tere saare secrets abhi bhi mere pait mein hai. Daar mat, mujhe bataa de.
R: Mein yehi soch rahi thi. Lekin sochne ki zarurat hi nahi he. You're my best friend and I know I can trust you. Tumse kya chupana. Actually mujhe lag raha he ke isi liye tum wapas agaye ho. Tumhe pata hai ke maine uske baare mein kisi ko nahi pataya? Shayad kyunki tumhi woh ho jisse mein kuch nahi chupati. Tum sach mein mere best friend ho Jai.
J: (laughing) Dekh, tera bashan nahi, naam chahiye.
R: Bataa thi hoon. Jaldi kya hai?
J: Tera ek naya mood swing ajayega aur mujhe teri fikar hai, isi liye. Hum mazaak toh kar rahe hai, lekin sach baat ye hai ke mujhe teri fikar hai. Tu abhi kaisi baat kar rahi thi? Mujhe maar jana hai and all that...daarana koi tumse sikhe. Naam, naam.
R: (looking at Jai) Armaan Malik.
J: Armaan Malik? Woh jo hamare saath intern hai?
R: Haan. Mein use pyaar karti hoon.
Jai slowly got up and paced by Riddhima. The puzzle pieces finally all came together. He thought about his and Armaan's first meeting where he noticed Armaan looking at him strangely. He remembered when they were all in the cafe and talking about Holi and Armaan got upset when Jai told Armaan that he would be working with them. And finally, he remembered Armaan fainting.
J: Aur woh? Kya woh tumhe pyaar karta hai?
R: (looking sad) Lambi kahani hai, Jai.
J: Tere liye agar mujhe yahan saari raat rehna pade, toh mein woh bhi karunga. Waise bhi, Dr. Keerti ne kaha hai ke mujhe tere saath rehna hai. So, we have time. Aur koi problem?
R: (with a faint smile) Nahi.
J: Toh Bhagwan ka naam leke apni kahani shuru karo. Mein sun raha hoon.
Riddhima thought about the past nine months. So much had happened. Their first basketball game, interning together, his teasing, Vivek, Armaan going to jail, the Sanjeevani doctors going to the village, Armaan and Riddhima getting stuck in the jungle...and then their nazdeekiyan. It all came back to her...
She started telling Jai all of the good, and all of the bad, and all of the ugly. She didnt want to hide anything from him. Her past with Armaan was so clear, as if a movie was playing infront of her eyes.
Ok, so now our friend Jai has the name of the man in his best friend's life! Yay!
Cricket
Anupamaa
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