Happpy REPUBLIC DAY everyone!!
I have been unable to reply to any messages recently so I am sorry if I missed out on anything, was a lil busy. Here's the part, you guys can enjoy !
PART 2
PRESENT:
She couldn't help but smile at the memory. They had surpassed a new level of their relation that night. But things had only gone haywire thereafter. Now that she recalled things; the past happy memories turned too pricky today as she realized it almost seemed impossible to have them back... ever again!
Her chain of thoughts broke harshly as an ever-enthusiastic Tanishka entered in with a prominent frown; "Hadh hai poora ghar dekh liya... ye Armaan hai kaha?"
"Tani... Armaan ghar pe nahi hai; unhe kisika phone aaya tha yoh vo bas abhi 5 minute pehle hi kisi kaam se nikal gaye."
Her reply surprised Tani a bit; as knowing their status it wasn't so that Riddhima had an idea of his whereabouts. But right now she did and that fact unknowingly brought a smile on Tani's face.
"Vo batakar gaya hai tumhe?"
But she instantly regretted her question seeing Riddhima's faltering smile turning into a sad smile.
"I wish!... unhe koi phone aaya tha na; main tabhi hall mein hi thi toh maine sun liya. Tum kyu pooch rahi thi? Kuch kaam tha unse?"
"Haan main vo tab pe kuch dikha rahi thi kal; baad mein lena hi bhul gayi toh vohi lene aayi thi. Actually mujhe tujhe bhi kuch dikhana tha; thodi help chahiye mujhe."
Riddhima thought for a while and then spoke as if remembered something;
"Haan tab tha unke paas kal; I guess vo apne room mein lekar gaye the. Vohi hoga tu jaakar check kar le na! Mil jaaye toh mujhe bata fir "
Tani turned on her heels but realized Riddhima was still stuck at same place;
"Kya hua chalo na!"
"Nahi main nahi...I mean tum jao you get the tab I'll wait for you here. Tum tab leke yahi aa jao."
But Tani been Tani had to insist and infact held her hand dragging heralong;
"Deakh von a Ammy ka karma hai; vaha koi cheej mujhe 5 minute mein nahi milne wali sab bikhra pada hoga. Toh meri help kar dena thodi si!"
Riddhima tried her best to retort but Tani wouldn't budge. Though somehow as they reached the doorstep of his room she whisked her hand out and spoke out firm; "Nahi Tani main nahi aa sakti."
"Arey par kyun?"
"Kyunki unhe nahi pasand ki main unke kamre mein aau ya unki kisi bhi cheej ko haath lagau."
She blurted out all worked up and Tani just gave her a look that stated clearly she absolutely didn't care what he liked or disliked! And just like that she held her arm and dragged her inside his room completely ignoring her retorts;
"Ye ghar... ye karna ab tumhara bhi hai Riddhima. Main dekhti hu Ammy kaise nikalega tujhe yaha se."
Riddhima shook her head not wanting to go ahead with her stunt but Tani just snapped a look and she went mum. Yes she knew they had been staying in separate room ever since their marriage but things weren't fair on Riddhima's part and Tani was just trying to give her some rights she definitely deserved.
"Dekh Tani tu samajh nahi rahi...agar Armaan aa gaye toh bohot ghussa ho jayenge mujhe yaha dekhke aur..."
"Toh... you think I am scared of him?"
"Nahi lekin..."
"Riddhima relax and just help me search na. And don't worry about that fool; main bhi toh dekhu kya karta hai!"
Riddhima got to work as Tani wasn't someone who would give in; so she decided it was better she searched the tab and escaped the room as quickly as possible. Finally after a long session of search and clearing the mess Riddhima found the tab on his desk under a file and she sighed with relief. Without waiting for her reply she started walking backwards letting her know that she was done and was not going to stay there a minute more; but to her luck she turned and banged into HIM!
His hand held her arm at the sudden attack in order to stabilize her as too busy in his phone e did not realize who it was; and she gasped at his touch. Both of them lost themselves into an eye lock for a minute but the minute his brain registered who it was his eyes turned red while his hand instantly dropped. Her face turned pale white realizing the situation and she took a step back while he spoke through his gritted teeth;
"Tum mere kamre mein kya kar rahi ho? Tumha..."
Riddhima spoke in her defence; "Main bas ye tab..."
"I don't care. Who the hell gave you the permission to enter my room? Tumhari himmat kaise..."
"Armaan main bas--"; but her words were cut midway and she sensed a hand over her shoulder. Tani stopped her from further explanations and looked up at Armaan;
"Ye mere saath aayi hai; maine bulaya tha ise. Mera tab lena tha mujhe vapas aur tere room ki halat toh hum sab jaante hi hai is liye tab dhundne mein help chahiye thi toh use apne saath le aayi... koi problem?"
Armaan frowned deep and he uttered in a managed tone;
"Tani tu ... You know I don't like anyone entering my room."
Riddhima's face prominently fell at his words which obviously did not go unnoticed by any of them. But as she tried to move out Tani held her back;
"Toh matlab mujhe bhi tere room mein aana allowed nahi..."
"I am not talking about you Tani!" He snapped back instantly to get a snap in return.
"Well then I brought her here. Toh agar tu uske yaha hone se naaraz hai toh matlab in short tujhe mera yaha hona bhi manjoor nahi hai. Mujhe laga tha ki main teri dost hu tere kamre mein kuch der aake baith sakti hu..."
"I repeat myself;maine tujhe yaha aane se mana nahi kiya hai!"
"Haan par Riddhima ko mana kar raha hai na. Vo bhi meri dost hai Armaan; aur ye mat bhul whether you wish or not teri wife bhi hai. Uska poora hak banta hai tere kamre mein aane ka par vo kuch keh nahi rahi iska ye matlab nahi tu use kuch bhi bolta rahe. Aur agar vo tere kamre mein aane ki ijaajat nahi rakhti; toh main bhi is kamre mein aaj ke baad aane ki galti nahi karungi. Kyunki shayad tu apni wife ki ijjat nahi kar sakta par main apne dost ki ijjat karti hu aur use nibhana bhi jaanti hu. Grow up Armaan... come out of your assumptions and try to think things out once. Tu vo Armaan nahi raha; tu badal raha hai and trust me it's not something Ananya aunty's going to be happy about!"
Armaan turned his face burning in anger throwing daggers at Riddhima as he had nothing left to answer while Tani held her hand and took her back to her room. This wasn't the first time he had disapproved of her presence but every time that he did, it hurt. It hurt bad than the previous time. She thought of all those days and incidents when he had made her realize she was just Mallik's daughter in law; Mrs.Mallik and she could never get the position of his wife... not any sooner.
Aaoge jab tum o saajana
Angana phool khilenge
The morning when she had come running and handed him a glass of water as his tongue burned due to the spicy chilli. Finishing every drop as he looked up to ask for refill and found her; the glass was down on the floor crushed into pieces.
"Nooraaa... Nooraaa!!" He called out for the maid but she obviously did not turn up and Riddhima spoke; "Vo aapko mirchi lagi thi aur aapko paani..."
"Nooraaa..."
"Uski tabiyat kharab hai she hasn't come; main paani de deti..." She held another glass to fill water when he snatched the jug out of her hold harshly and crashed it on the floor. Grabbing her arm tightly making her hiss he spat his anger;
"Just remember one thing; agar meri jaan jaa rahi ho na tab bhi mujhe tumhare haathon se paani ka ek ghut bhi manjoor nahi hoga samjhi tum! Ainda..."
"Armaaan!!"
Riddhima had run away sobbing to her heart's content as Billy interrupted. She couldn't erase his words out of her memory. His every word; his eyes dripped hatred for her.
Then was another such night when he had dozed off by Ananya's bedside and Riddhima noticed him. Out of care as she tried to cover him with a blanket he woke up to her luck. And seeing her so close he lost his cool already. The blanket was thrown away in an instant and he stood up with flaring nose; "This is the last time I am warning you; agli baar agar mera aas paas aane ki ya meri kisi bhi cheej ko chune ki koshish bhi ki tumne toh main ye lihaaz tak nahi rakhunga ki tum ek ladki ho. I hate to see you anywhere near me... so just STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
Aaoge jab tum o saajana
Angana phool khilenge
The hurt that his words; his behaviour had caused her every single time that he had disowned her was something she couldn't express in words. As she walked downstairs lost in her own thoughts she found Tani and Armaan laughing about some picture that he held. His laughter instantly snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked up at him. She did not know what memory that snap held but she was mesmerized by that dimple which had settled on his cheek after so long. Just as she thought of sending a prayer up; his gaze caught her presence and his smile vanished in a snap. Though he wasn't laughing all to his heart content but little much that he was also disappeared as he saw her and the shine in his eyes was soon replaced by fire. Tani sensed the sudden change in him and turned towards Riddhima;
"Arey Riddhima; aa na yaha humare saath aake baith. Vaha kyu khadi hai?"
But even before she could think of her offer Armaan was up on his feet;
"Tujhse kal baat karta hu mujhe abhi jaana hai. Ek important meeting hai meri...byee!"
Riddhima stood watching his retreating back while Tani sighed at his obvious excuse. Shaking her head at his aloofness she turned to Riddhima but was surprised as her eyes shed tears.
"Riddhima?? Ye kya... tu ro kyu rahi hai?"
Riddhima still kept mum looking at the door with a blank face. His hatred was increasing day by day; she could see that he loathed her and that stung bad. It had been quite a few days now but never had she cried at his behaviour; she had tried her best to keep her emotions in check but somehow she failed today.
Tani brought her to her own room and got some coffee for both. She realized it had been days since she had been hiding her pain and she had to let go; speak out things and get it out of her system.
"Kuch toh bol Riddhima; jo bhi soch rahi hai bol kyun nahi deti maybe it'll make you feel light at heart!"
Riddhima looked up at her and her damn broke;
"Kya kahu main? Main thak chuki hu Tani... I am really tired. Main jaanti hu ki unhe meri shakal se; mere aas paas hone se bhi nafrat hai; par har naye din ke saath unki nafrat badti jaa rahi hai ye dekhke bohot takleef hoti hai! Jab bhi saamna hota hai toh kuch jaroor keh dete hai; ye jaane begair ki mujhpe kya beetti hai; par usse bhi jyaada takleef tab hoti hai jab unki aankhon mein mujhe apne liye nafrat dikhai deti hai. Tani... shaadi se pehle jab main unke saamne aati thi na toh unke aankhon mein ek hasi utar aati thi; ek khushi nazar aati thi mujhe. Par aaj aisa waqt aa gaya hai ki mujhe dekhte hi unki sari hasi cheen jaati hai. It hurts... it hurts to see ki aaj unke har dard; har takleef ki vajah banke reh gayi hu main. Din raat sochti rehti hu ki kya karu; kya kahu unse jisse unki takleef thodi kam ho jaye. Kaise yakeen dilau unhe ki mujhe unke dard ka ehsaas hai; agar takleef unhe ho rahi hai toh uska ehsaas mujhe bhi hai, har pal har waqt hai!"
"Riddhima please stop crying. Aakhir aisa hua kya tha us din... aur jo bhi hai I am sure ki tune kuch nahi kiya tha. Toh tu Armaan ko samjhati kyu nahi ki--"
"Kitniii baar koshish kar chuki hu main; but he just wouldn't listen to me! He doesn't want to know anything... bas vo jo sochta hai usiko sach maana chahta hai."
Tani shut her eyes as she could sense the pain in her voice and she very well knew how adamant Armaan was. She had noticed herself that he just did not wish to know anything other than he believed was the truth.
"Then talk to Billy uncle na...maine pehle bhi kaha tha tujhse. Vo teri madat jaroor karenge; vo agar Ammy se baat karle toh vo kam se kam tujhe aise treat karna toh band karega."
"Nahi Tani Papa pehle hi Ananya mom ki condition ko lekar itne pareshaan rehte hai. Main unhe aur----"
"Nahi Riddhima..."
Both the girls turned as they heard a voice and were shocked to see Billy standing by the door. Riddhima wiped her tears and stood up as Billy approached her;
"Maaf karna main yaha se gujar raha tha toh tum dono ki baatein sun li. Par acha hua sun li; Taani sahi keh rahi hai Riddhima beta"
He patted her head while she shook her head but he continued; "Armaan galat kar raha hai. Jitni usse baat karne ki koshish karo utna hi aur ghussa ho jata hai. Kisi din toh use sach samjhne ki koshish karni hogi na! Tu haar mat manna beta... aur ye mat bhul ki muskurahat toh hum ek ajnabee ke liye bhi rakh sakte hai par ghussa aur narrajgi aksar apne dil ke kareeb jo hote hai unhi se share karte hai."
His words definitely made her think as he caressed her head and walked away. It was true; had he considered her a nobody he would have never reacted to anything that she did or said.
-----------------------
Barsega saawan, barsega saawan jhoom jhoomke
Do dil aise milenge
With a new hope she started the next day and decided to not give up. Tonight was supposed to be party night. Some of his business delegates were invited for the dinner and she was to prepare it. Well technically Armaan had asked the maids but in his absence she had manofied Billy and pulled him on her side so under Billy's instructions Armaan had to stay quiet and Riddhima got the green signal.
Armaan entered the house and found it beautifully set. Every nook and corner shined and he could sense some amazing aroma coming out of the kitchen. Something delicious was been made. Just as he took a few steps in; he could hear her instructing the maids.
"Aur haan vo crockery dhyaan se handle karna thodi delicate hai. Theek hai ab ye sab set hai... I hope unhe sab pasand aaye."
Taking a deep sigh unaware of his presence; she turned around to bang into him. He could see exhaustion clearly on her face but her lips held a smile; a mild one. Nervously playing with her fingers she backed away as he looked down at her and she delicately put her strand away. Riddhima noticed him looking around observing all the preparations; decorations and the arrangements on the table and somewhere a tiny appreciation did shine in his eyes but it never reached his mouth. Looking back at her he gazed for a minute and simply walked away; with no exchange of words.
Riddhima sighed at his ignorance while on the other hand he slammed the door hard as he reached upstairs. Unbuttoning his shirt he slumped down on the bed holding his head feeling helpless. Her appearance flashed in his mind and he threw the cushion away walking over to the window to let some fresh air cool his senses. The cold winds brushed through his hair and his fringes flew freely. He wondered when did life turn out so difficult for him! Some countable days ago standing in the same place had he dreamt of her to be in the same attire in his house waiting for him, welcoming him with a warm smile. When he would return from office; how he had wished to see her setting the table just as she was a few minutes ago. When he would come back; slowly sneak on her and hug her closely forgetting all his tiredness and in return taking away all her exhaustion. When she would turn to him with a smile in search of some words of appreciation; how he would delicately place a kiss on her forehead thanking her for been in his life.
Where had all these moments go now? She was right there in front of him waiting for some appreciation as she set everything so well for him; for his business dinner and stood looking all dishevelled and tired from all the hard work and efforts that she had put in throughout the day for him! But all he had to offer in return was his endless silence. Atleast that was better than the anger he felt. But it was sweet of her to do so much for him; care of his meeting; his reputation isn't it? She wasn't a house wife who had just managed to finish some household errands; but finishing her hospital duty she had arrived home early so she could do all that.
"What for?" He questioned himself! It wasn't an apology she was expecting out of all this, he knew... it was just a try from her end to set things right. To let him know that she wanted this life; she wanted to do things, take care of things for him. She wanted to be around him, for him. He had read that clearly in her eyes and that...hurt!! The more sincerely she did things for him the more it infuriated him.
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Edited by arima_mallik - 9 years ago
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