Ariya FF: It's not Easy to Forget You COMPLETED 01/01/2015 - Page 2

Arjun had become like a family member in Sameer-Riya-Karan's life. He literally became the part of their small little gang. He got full freedom in their house... However, his anger and irritation towards Riya didn't reduce. How it'll reduce when Riya always tease him around!!! Whenever Riya was around, Arjun was like a volcano ready to get burst... And... The volcano did burst...

It was a Sunday. After a nice lunch, four of them were chatting in the Sameer-Riya's house. This time again Riya decided to poke her nose in Arjun's life.

Riya: "By the way Arjun, what a weird name you have..."

Arjun (perplexed): "Why? What's wrong with ma name?"

Riya (giggles): "Nothing... Arjun Surykanth... (Giggles) Menon?"

Arjun (loosing temper): "What's soo funny about it? My father is a Malayali and my mother is a North Indian. I like to keep identity of my father and mother... I don't think that there is anything wrong about it..."

Riya: "Nothing wrong about it... It's just that...Your name reminds me of people from Africa.. Too lengthy...Arjun Suryakanth Menon...Hi Hi"

With this she burst out laughing. Sameer and Karan understood the uneasiness of the situation and tried to control Riya but in vain.

Arjun couldn't take it anymore and got up from chair.

Arjun (shouting at Riya): "What the hell do you think about yourself? Always making fun of others huh? Have you ever thought about others? At least for once come to earth and look around if you are hurting somebody..."

Arjun stopped for a second and looked at Riya. The happy face was now filled with fear, sadness and unexplained emotions. This only gave Arjun the urge to speak more.

Arjun: "how can you even think about others? You are the Great RIYA Rathod... The SPOILED BRAT... And about my name... Unlike you Riya, I like to keep both my father and mother's surname... how can you understand the emotion behind that when all you just do is to keep your surname for the glamour quotient it adds to you..."

As Arjun stopped, he realised that everyone became silent... all three were looking at Arjun stunned... Arjun couldn't fathom the expressions of others... a tear slide down through Riya's cheeks... She slowly taking her steps backwards... she turned on her heel and ran towards her room... Sameer called her name and followed her... Just then Arjun realised that he had said too much... he looked at Karan... Karan was gloomy... He composed himself and approached Arjun.

"You shouldn't have done that Arjun ... You shouldn't have..."

Arjun tried to speak. But Karan stopped him.

"You don't know Arjun what you did to her... to us... you had opened the old wounds which we were trying to forget... but I won't blame you... you did what you felt right... (He wiped a lonely tear from his eyes) ... you know Arjun, she is the light in Sameer's life... there is another face behind this happy Riya... the girl who misses her family a lot... the girl who is craving for the mere touch of her parents... the girl who understand that she can never have them... the girl who have no one in this earth to claim as her own...she... She is not Sameer's sister Arjun ..."

Arjun was shocked beyond imagination hearing this

Arjun : "What????"

Karan: "That's the truth... they are not real brother sister... on that ill-fated day 20 years ago, 10 year old Sameer and his parents were going to Ooty in their car... Due to the heavy fog the driver couldn't see the road... suddenly the car hit on a vehicle and the car lost control and banged on a rock... Sameer's parents and the driver were killed in spot and Sameer was left with minor injuries. After waking up in the hostel little Sameer understood that the accident has left not only him as an orphan but also a little girl of 1 year old. The girl was travelling with her parents in the vehicle... which collided with Sameer's... he didn't feel to abandon the kid in the hospital... he took her responsibility... from that day on she is his life... his little sis... even I couldn't stay away from her... so, I also joined them in this house..(trying to smile)... for last 20 years, we are a happy family..."

Arjun lost his control over words... He stammered

"Does... Does Riya know about it?"

"Yes she does... But she never thinks of us as strangers... For her, Sameer is her real brother... even though she seems happy outside; we know she is yearning for the love of parents... Poor girl... And today you touched the raw nerve Arjun ..."

Arjun was feeling soo guilty that his head automatically bent down... he cursed himself for shouting at Riya... he closed his eyes and could see the baby brown eyes speaking volume of pain to him... he wished he could take his words back... but the truth is that he can't... he walked out of the house shattered...

The next day Arjun was in office when Sameer called him to cabin. Arjun didn't know how to face him after the previous day's act. This didn't go unnoticed by Sameer. He patted Arjun's back...

"Don't worry yaar... it's ok... everything is fine now... mistake is in my little sissy's part... What to do? I had pampered her too much that she is out of control sometimes... In fact, she asked me to say sorry to you on her behalf... so, leave everything and start afresh..."

Hearing this, relief washed over Arjun's face.

Sameer: "Arjun, I want your help... I need you to come with e to the shopping mall"

Arjun: "But why sir?"

Sameer: "Because if you don't come, Riya is gonna kill me... I am half an hour late to reach the mall.. she will fry me alive for that... so, if you are with me, she won't tell anything... how is my idea?"

Arjun was hesitant to go. But Sameer pulled him to jeep... on the other hand Riya was waiting for Sameer impatiently. As soon as Sameer steps out of the Jeep, she started walking towards him furiously. When she saw Arjun with Sameer, she rooted to the spot... this didn't go unnoticed by Arjun ... it poked his guilt consciousness... As they approach nearer, Riya smiled to Arjun ... But Arjun knew her smile didn't reach her beautiful eyes...

Riya was busy searching for a teddy bear. Arjun and Sameer were standing outside discussing office matters. Riya at last got a teddy bear which is soo big while she was trying to take it, some other dolls fall down from the rack... she bent to pick it up... As she bent, the mirror near to her broken into thousand pieces... She screamed in horror...

Sameer's condition was worse than this... he was not ready to leave Riya even for one second... he didn't let her sleep alone... he was afraid of someone snatching away his little sis in the dark hours of night... even though Karan always consoled him, Karan himself was scared at the thought of loosing Riya...

A week has been passed after the incident... But their worlds were still upside down... Arjun had arrived at their house with lots of foods and beverages so as to lighten up the atmosphere... and it did work... after a whole traumatic week, Riya and Sameer showed signs of relaxation... they were laughing wholeheartedly... Karan smiled to Arjun in gratitude...

Suddenly Sameer's mobile phone rang... his face grew serious listening to the phone... after cutting the phone, he turned to Riya.

"Ri... I need to go office now... it's really urgent"

Riya's eyes grew wide in horror... Sameer cupped her face and told.

"Ri... don't worry... nothing will happen to you... you are my brave girl na... even i don't want to leave you..." but this is urgent and serious"

Riya: "But how can I stay here alone? That too it's almost becoming night"

Sameer: "Don't worry... you won't be alone..."

He turned to Arjun ... Arjun understood the meaning of his look and nodded in confirmation... a smile of relief blossomed in Sameer's face. After giving a quick peck in Riya's cheeks, Sameer and Karan went to the office leaving Arjun and Riya behind...