Destiny (AR FF) ch 8/pg 5(6/12)

Part 1:

The Mallik household was filled with noise and celebrations. Everyone was running around, celebrating the wedding of Rohan Gupta and Sanjana Mallik. It was a grand affair, as The Gupta's and The Mallik's were top Industrialists of the country. Many high profile people were present there. Everyone were enjoying but there were two people who were least interested in the ongoing wedding. Riddhima was seated in one of the corner dressed in a beautiful pink ghagra choli with a smile plastered on her face. On the other side was a young man on phone talking to a business client. Everything was fine, until someone came rushing to Shashank. Listening to this Shashank ran inside the room, to see worried faces of Balvinder and Ananya Mallik.

"Kya Hua, Mr.Mallik" a worried Shashank aked, Billy. "Wo Shashank, wo..." , seeing their scared and worried faces "Speak up Billy" an irritated Shashank said. "I'm sorry Mr. Gupta. This wedding cannot proceed" Billy finally spoke up. "What? ye kaisa ghatiya mazak hai" a furious Shashank asked. This couldn't be possible. Whole country knew about the ongoing wedding, and there were media persons present, and all high society people were present. They would become a laughing stock in front of everyone. "Kya matlab hai aapka" Shashank asked once again, a little peacefully now. "Wo Sanjana gaayab hai" Ananya said. "Kya matlab gaayab. Ye kya paagalpan hai" Shashank asked now totally losing his cool. "She left. She left a note saying she didn't want to get married and loved someone else" a shamefaced Billy answered. "Kya matlab she left. What will we say to the people. And why did you even bring the proposal when your daughter loved someone else" Shashank asked now totally out of his mind. "She wanted to marry a useless middle class. We couldn't allow that. We would become a laughing stock." An angry and a worried Billy spoke. "And now thanks to you and your daughter now WE are going to become a laughingstock" Shashank sarcastically replied. "But I am not going to let this happen. What am I going to say to the media, the news will be all over and... And I will be RUINED. All because of YOU and YOUR DAUGHTER" Shashank blamed on. "Well we too are going to be ruined Mr.Gupta" Billy answered. "Well it's your daughter's fault. Not mine" Shashank spat back.

"Tum log jhagadna band karo. And stop blaming each other please. We should try solving the problem" Ananya finally spoke. They all sat silently. After a few minutes, Billy spoke up "This wedding should go on. Or else it's going to affect our reputation and companies". "Oh yeah. I will get my son married to your son. How does it sound" a frustrated Shashank answered. "No, But Your daughter can marry my son" Balvinder spoke up. Shashank looked at him. "this is the only way shashank. Plus the market is down and we can't risk our companies. If the media gets a word about this fiasco, we are all going down. This is our last chance. We are going to tell the media that a mistake has happened and the actual marriage is of Armaan and Riddhima, not Sanjana and Rohan". Shashank nodded.

After a few minutes, a girl entered the room. "Haan Papa. Aapne mujhe bulaya" she asked Shashank. "Haan Riddhima. YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED" He answered. "To Armaan Mallik" Shashank answered once again. "WHAT" a booming voice came from the entrance of the room. "Armaan" a worried Billy answered. "Dad, what's going on" a not so happy armaan answered. Billy explained him everything, thinking he would understand. "Well it's not my fault that your daughter ran away. Why would I get married to somebody, to save your so called respect dad" Armaan answered. "Because Son You don't want to lose your tender to Siddhant Modi, now Do you? I Don't think you will be getting your tender if the media gets to know a word about this" Billy answered. He knew he would get Armaan to do any thing he wants, if it involved Siddhanth Modi, Armaan's arch rival. "But what's it got to do with this dad" an irritated Armaan asked once again. "No one would want to work with a company which is the current laughingstock son. And I guess we are going to be one if you didn't marry Riddhima". Armaan sighed. No way was he going to let that Modi win, even if he had to marry some girl for it. After walking around for some time "Fine. I will" he answered, frustrated. In all this fiasco, Riddhima remained silent. She looked at her father, hoping he would interfere. I mean come on no father would just get his daughter married away to a complete stranger now, Would he?. But he never behaved like a father, her heart screamed. Finally she heard, what she dreaded the most, "Good, now hurry up, YOU GUYS ARE GETTING MARRIED" A relieved shashank announced.

Riddhima looked at him, with hurt eyes, but he didn't spare her a glance. "But papa..." Riddhima, finally mustered up the courage. "Yes Riddhima" Shashank asked. "How can I, I mean meri job, mai ye shadi kaise..." "YOU are getting married Riddhima. I think you should go and get ready, while I go and make the announcement. " saying so he walked off, along with Billy and Ananya, leaving Armaan and Riddhima alone." Riddhima looked at his retreating back, and a tear drop trickled down her cheek, which she quickly wiped off. Then she looked at Armaan, who just walked off giving her a glance.

Riddhima sat infront of a mirror dressed in her wedding dress. She looked absolutely gorgeous, no doubt but there was a spark missing which no one could notice as she was a master in hiding her tears, and pain, which she had done from the day she understood what pain was. Suddenly a girl barged in the room shouting " Are you out of your mind. you are getting married to a man, whom you don't even know". Riddhima just looked at her, and got back to getting ready. "Ridzy. Please" she said. "Kya hua Muskaan" Riddhima asked. "KYA HUA. You are asking me KYA HUA. Do you even know, YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED" she said. "I know Muskaan" Riddhima replied. Bending down on her knees Muskaan sat infront of her. "Ridzi. Why are you doing this to yourself?. You don't want to get married. I can see it. Then why? I mean you don't even knw who this guy is. I mean, he might be one of those bas***ds who..." she ratteled on. "Muskaan" Riddhima cut her in between. "I have to do this" "but..." before she could continue, Riddhima was called downstairs. Riddhima hugged her, and got up to go.

Muskaan sighed. "God bless you Ridzi" saying so she got up wiping her own tears. The pandit started the phere's, Riddhima walked around the fire, with few tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes, when Armaan filled her maang with sindoor, and tied mangalsutra around her neck. Now she was Riddhima Armaan Mallik, for good or bad, she didn't know.

After taking the elders blessings Armaan and Riddhima , stood up. "Riddhima, Your stuff will be just arriving. I've sent Mary to get your things for you." Riddhima looked at him a little taken aback. Was it too much to even ask for a proper fatherly hug and a goodbye. But as usual she just hid her feelings and nodded.

She sat on the huge bed, in a room. It didn't look even a bit like a newly wed, couple's room. It looked like a usual room. She rested her head on the bed post. She was too tired to even think about today's current happenings. Her eyes were drooping. She opened her eyes suddenly, when she heard the click of a door knob. She saw her husband, enter the room. All the sleep seemed to vanish, and it was replaced by nervousness and she started to get scared now. He came and stood infront of the bed. She looked down, waiting for him to speak. A few minutes passed but he didn't speak anything. Finally she looked up to see him standing near his wardrobe and taking his clothes out. Without speaking a word he went to the washroom, and emerged out wearing tracks and a vest. She kept on looking at him thinking he would speak.

After a few minutes, he came and stood again in front of her. "Look" he said. "I don't know who you are, and neither do you. I had no idea, that I would end up with a wife, neither am I prepared for it. I don't think you are too. So lets just keep this marriage stuff aside. I don't have time for such stuff. And DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING FROM ME." Saying so he settled on the bed. "We have an early flight to catch tomorrow. You would want to get some sleep. We are leaving at 5 in the morning" saying so, he dozed off.

Riddhima walked into the washroom, taking her night clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror, and sighed. she wasn't going to cry like a weakling, she thought. She was just stupid, thinking her father would even look at her and think about her welfare. She just clutched to a chain, with a dollar S. "I miss you, mum" she whispered. She closed her red, swollen eyes. She didn't know where her life was taking her, but she was not going to expect anything good. That was the only lesson she had learnt. "Never expect, because its you who is always going to get hurt, and when it hurts you wouldn't be able to bear it". Quickly changing into her night clothes, she came out of the washroom to see Armaan on the centre of the bed. She scanned the room, and settled on a couch. As her head rested on the pillow, a tear drop, rolled out. The dams finally broke, but she controlled as tears, made there way, down her cheeks into the pillow. "Mum It hurts. A lot" she whispered and was finally dead to the world as the words 'DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING FROM ME' ran in her mind again and again. After all she was a human, wasn't she......

Part 3

Riddhima sat in their room thinking about the past events. Leaning onto the bed post she closed her eyes. She had gotten married to a complete stranger a day before, developed new relations, shifted to a totally different place with a new identity, a new surname and what not. In short her life was a complete wreck. She had no where to head to, No where to go to, nothing to dream of and no one to look forward to. She just didn't know what to do. She was living this darn life for WHOM? For WHAT? And WHY? She didn't know. She knew nothing. She was just sick of theses games her Destiny had in store for her. Her brain screamed. All she needed was something, Something which she had no idea of. She just couldn't put into words, what she needed, because she herself didn't know what she was searching for. Being idle was the only thing she didn't do since her mother's death. It only worsened her conditions just like it was doing now. It tore her from inside.'No! Stop it'her insides screamed out. She closed her eyes, and let the tears slowly fall, as today's events flashed before her eyes.

'I am so happy for you Bhai' Sanjana hugged him after her final packing was done.

'I should be happy for you Sanju. You are leaving for New York and are going to work for one of the top Interior Designing Company. Gosh, I am going to miss you' Armaan replied taking her into a bear hug.

'Han han pata hai kitna miss karenge aap mujhe. Bhabhi jo agayin hai ab. Mai to gayi tel lene hai na. Ab to har jagah sirf wahi dikhengi' Sanjana teased him only to receive a complete opposite reaction.

'What nonsense. Hum dono ko pata hai aisa kuch nahi hai. She can never take your place in my life. Infact she has no place in my life. She is NO ONE.' Armaan answered a bit rudely.

'Bhai. Aap aisa kyun keh rahe hai. aap hi ne to ye shadi ki thi na. to phir aap ab is responsibility se piche kyun hat rahe hai ab.' Sanjana asked completely shocked.

Armaan closed his eyes controlling his rage. No one, I mean no one ever spoke to him in that manner. No one told him what his responsibility was and No one ever told him his deeds. 'You are forgetting Sanjana, I didn't marry her as per my wish.'

'Wow. Then why did you marry her. dont tell me you married her for that stupid deal of yours. I know you Bhai. That deal has no connection with your wedding.'

'You are right. That deal has no connection with this wedding. You wanna know what the actual connection is, or shall I say who the actual connection is. Its YOU!"

'Me? Please bhai apni galti mujh par kyun kos rahe ho.'

'My fault? Sanjana I married her so no one would raise a finger on you. You don't know this world, or this media. They will ruin your life. I don't want your life to get ruined. Do you want to lead your life with contemptful looks from all over the world. DO YOU?'

Sanjana looked at him with tears, 'You can atleast try to love her. She is an amazing person bhai. She..'

'I don't care Sanjana. I don't care what kind of person she is or who she is. She is just a stranger. I don't care what she does, what she speaks or EVEN IF SHE LIVES. I have had enough with this talk. We need to go. Or else you are going to miss your flight'

Sanjana looked at him with a distant look, 'I guess what they say is right. ARMAAN MALLIK IS JUST A RUDE AND A RUTHLESS BUISNESSMAN. This world has changed you Bhai. You are no more the person I thought was my brother.' Saying she walked out.

Riddhima couldn't get those words out of her mind. she wiped her tears. Mai kyun ro rahi hun. I don't even know him, and I am crying for him. She had build those forts around her, which made her look like she was made of heart of stone. She was the kind of girl who never cried in front of others. She was the kind who never expected anything from others, but why now? Why did she expect anything from him now. She was used to being the unwanted thing everywhere, except at her work. Maybe it was because of those fairytales, that she used to read, that made her believe that there would be a prince charming waiting for her. Was she so wrong in believing that someone might ever look at her with love, someone would love her like hell and... wasn't it every girls dream? To love and be loved by the man of her dreams. She wiped her tears. Her destiny had once again given her a reality check

Yesterday, when Sanjana had said her that Armaan might have liked her, she felt like on top of the world. She felt an unknown sense of happiness, which she had never experienced. But now, it all came crashing down. 'its my fault. I should have never expected anything from him.' Shaking her head, she went down. She knew what she had to do.

It was 10 at night. They were having their dinner in silence. The clattering of the spoon was the only thing one could hear. Riddhima finally thought to ask him.

'Umm... Armaan', she called out a bit nervously.

He rose his head up, totally not expecting to hear anything from her.

'Actually, Mai aapse kuch bat karna chahti thi.'

He nodded her head, asking her to continue.

'Mai wo hospital join karna chahti hun. I mean, mai ek doctor hun aur mai kaam karna chahti hun. Ghar par koi kaam nahi hai, aur maine socha ki apni practice phir se continue karloon. Only if you'd like me to. Agar aap nahin kahenge to...'

'you can.'

As they finished their dinner, Armaan called out. 'Riddhima. Try Fortis. It's a reputed hospital. I will drop you there tomorrow. Be ready at 9. Or else, you can chose the hospital you want to work in, I will drop you wherever you need' Saying so he retire to his room.

Riddhima kept the dishes in the dishwasher, smiling to herself. But that smile vanished, thinking about what he had said to Sanjana.

Whereas on the other hand Armaan felt rotten. He had seen Riddhima hear his and sanjana's talks. He saw that hurt look in her eyes, the same look which he had seen in her eyes, during the wedding. He never wanted her to see him the way she saw her father. It was Sanjana's words while she was leaving that hit him,'Atleast treat bhabhi like a human Bhai. She is an amazing person. Just give her a chance. Show her a little love.'

He sighed.

He sure didn't know where destiny was taking him. He had no idea what he should do. But he would make sure that, he wouldn't hurt her. She was his Wife. And she deserved to be treated like that. He knew he couldn't love her, love was just, not meant for him. But he would make sure she was comfortable. They were together in this for life.

But little did he know that Love was for everyone. And Destiny had given him the person, that would want to make him love her, even if he didn't want to.

Part 4

She stood outside the huge building. She had to admit the place was amazing. Whoever built this hospital had an amazing aesthetic sense. Looking at her degrees in her hand, her life's hard work she entered the building. The atmosphere was silent, just the way a hospital should be. She walked along the corridor and reached the receptionist,

"Excuse me", she called out to the receptionist.

"How may I help you mam?"

"Mr. Amol Khanna? I had an appointment with him."

"Your name mam"

"Riddhima Gup' errr Mallik. Riddhima Mallik"

"Oh yes. Sir is expecting you. His cabin is last but one, on above floor."

"Thank you."

She knocked on the door to receive a reply, "Come in". she looked at a man around forty years of age working in his laptop.

"Please have a seat Mrs.Mallik"

"Thank you sir. I already spoke to you this morning '' I"

"Oh yes. Well you are lucky. The head doctor of the Neurology Department has taken a transfer so we are short in that case. You have done your MD, in one of the reputed colleges, and your professionalism is good. We would love to have you here."

"Thank you Doctor."

"My pleasure. You can join us tomorrow."

"Sure"

Riddhima stood in the kitchen preparing dinner. She was happy now. She got to do something. She looked at the watch and saw it was 8. Armaan would be home anytime soon. Just as she was lost in her happiness of getting the job, she heard her cell ring. She went to see her crazy friend calling her,

"Muski" she answered excited.

"Someone's happy"

"Of course. Guess what"

"What? Tera Divorce hogaya" Muskaan asked sounding a little happy.

"Shut up Muskaan."

"Ok fine bata. Lekin use pehle ye bata kit tu kaisi hai. where are you. Its like you've vanished. Ridzi, tu thik to haina.Wo gadha tujhe tang to nahi karta hai na. tu bol mai uski'''."

"MUSKAAN. Shush. Kuch bolne to de. Han baba mai theek hun. Aur wo gadh'' I mean Armaan mujhe tang nahi karte hai. khush."

"Accha, theek hai. itna kyun bhadak rahi hai. ab bata tu kyun itna excited hai"

"Mai ne ek hospital join kiya hai"

"Achha. Koun si aur kahan"

"Fortis. Bangalore mein"

"Sacchi."

"Haan. Par tu kyun itna excited ho rahi hai"

"Kyunki mai bhi waha arahi hun. Tujhe to pata hai Mamma Papa wahin, Bangalore mein rehte hai aur force kar rahe the mai ajaun. Aur papa ke dost us hospital mein kam karte hai. kehrahe the Gynac mein ek post khali hai. To maine socha ajaun"

"Wow. I love you Muskaan. To kab arahi hai tu."

"Next week. Yahan kuch paper work bacha hai."

"Accha, jaldi aa. Muski lagta hai Armaan agaye hain. Mai phone rakhti hun. Kal call karungi. Chal bye."

Riddhima turned around with a cute smile on her face. Her crazy friend was coming. She felt as if life was getting perfect. But Was it?

Armaan entered the room to see her smiling to herself. He wondered what it was. It was the first time he was seeing her smile in that way, a full hearted smile. Whatever made her smile in that way was surely close to her heart. Is it because of me? He thought. Nah, she probably hates me. Well why do I care?

"Someone's looking happy" he said out unconsciously.

Riddhima looked at him shocked. It was the first time he was speaking to her with last night as an exception.

"Han wo mai, Muskaan se bat kar rahi thi. Wo next week Bangalore shift ho rahi hai"

Armaan smiled at her, while riddhima left on the pretext of setting up table. Armaan was shocked, as to how easily he spoke to her. It was not in his nature to go around speaking freely to people asking reason of their happiness and all, but with her it was as if he didn't need to put any efforts at all. There was something about her or there was something about him when he was with her. But he was not among those persons who wasted their entire life thinking, he just went with what life gave him or with what he wanted.

He went to see the dinner served. The dinner went on in silence. He was expecting her to say something, anything but she wouldn't open her mouth except for taking in her food of course.

"So," he asked finally.

She looked up at him confused.

"Tumhe job milgayi?"

"Han. Wo kal se mujhe report karna hai. Nau baje ki shift hai meri"

"Hmm. Mai kal drop kardunga tumhe. Aur pick up bhi karlunga. Agar mai late hogaya toh, Shyam ko bula lo."

"Hmm"

Riddhima smiled at him. She looked at him having his food. He was trying to speak to her. If he could give a chance to this relationship, then why couldn't she?

Few weeks later,

morning was usual, but one thing was rong. Mr.Perfect was still asleep. Riddhima looked at the time. It was 7'15 and they had to leave the house at 8'30. Usually Armaan was up by this time, but today he was still asleep. He was working on his laptop till late midnight. Seriously this guy doesn't know even A, of health. Shaking her head she stood in front of his bed. She hesitated whether to wake him up or not, then finally decided to go with it.

"Armaan."

"Armaan utho" but he was in no mood to get up.

She pulled his blanket little down and again called him out, but he just turned around covering his face in pillow with a cute frown, which only made her giggle.

This time she shouted his name, "Armaaan"

Armaan woke up with a startle. "Kya ha Riddhima. Sab kuch theek to hai na" he asked still in sleep.

She looked at him, his hair messed up, his eyes half closed, he sure was not in his senses. This made her giggle, but he was so in love with his bed that he just went to sleep again, only to bug her off.

"Armaan utho" she said finally pulling the blanket off him.

"Kya hai yaar" he said irritated.

"Its 7'15. Utho. Tumari koi meeting hai na. aur aaj mujhe jaldi hospital jaana hai. workload zyada hai. utho"

Armaan got up with a deep frown, and walked towards bathroom. "Yahan par koi chain se so hi nahi sakta"

Riddhima shook her head and walked back to the kitchen. Half an hour later Armaan entered the kitchen. He saw her cutting fruits. She was wearing one of her professional clothes. He noticed that she usually wore, suits to her work place. He had to admit, they looked amazing on her. It made her look gorgeous and not to forget sexy too. Armaan shook his head. He didn't want to go there. He didn't want to make this relationship awkward.

"Riddhima meri coffee.", he asked entering the kitchen.

She brought his usual black coffee, with no sugar and some cut fruits.

"Ye fruits kiske liye hai" he asked.

"Aapke liye. Aap breakfast nahi khate hai isiliye socha agar breakfast laungi to aapko heavy feel hoga, isiliye ye fruits"

"Mai breakfast par kuch nahi khata hun, Riddhima. Tum khalo ise"

Riddhima looked at him with a frown, "Subah khali pet accha nahi hota. Aur kya pata aap lunch kab khayenge. Please aap ye khalijiye"

"Par''.."

"Please."

"Accha theek hai. par tum apna face is tarah mat banao"

"Kis tarah"

"Is tarah. Accha chodo. Tum bhi apna breakfast khalo"