Part 5
Slamming the car door shut, as her steps traced faster to the door, avoiding the Armaan....
"Jaan, WAIT!", after pressing the break of her feets.....Why the heck he calls me that!....It create such a fuzzy feeling in myself each time he calls me 'jaan' turning to tell him NOT to call her that thing he calls her.....startled at being right behind her, as their face was barley inches apart.....stepping back....pointing at him...."Stop it!"
"Stop what?", giving his confused look
"That thing you say!"
"What?".....working his mind..
"What you said a moment earlier" saying it firmly...
"Uhhh....you mean wait?" seeing her roll her eyes, as she held her hips, "After"
After a moment...."Ohhhhhhh, why not jaan?"
Seeing him moving closer to her, as she read the naughtiness in his eyes.....He's never ever going to change?.....turning to make a run for it, but startled at an elder woman at the entrance with a gold pooja plate.
"Riddhima Beti?"
Another fake rasam? ..... as she began to walk forward but shook at the sudden grip on her waist, as she turned to glare at his face.
"Hi Bi!, here is your choti bhau and my wife" as they reached the doorsteps...
"Kisi ki nazar nahi lagjaya" as Bi place a tikka behind her ear, as both reached down to touch her feet....feeling his lips on her ear, before touching her feet, as they got up, before completely standing up, she nudged him in the chest.....
Holding her cheek.... "Chandi jasie hai, meri bhau!", as she saw Riddhima smile, seeing Armaan rubbing his chest behind Riddhima, as he smiled to her comment...
"Ridzy Chaci!!", Minnie hugging at her waist, looking up "Let's play cricket!"
Looking down at her beady eyes, as she held her face, "Tomorrow, not today, I'm too tired, promise!" as she caressed her head, "Go play with Armaan Chacu" heck anything to keep him from sticking on me!
Seeing Armaan pulled by Minnie into the garden, as they began to assemble themselves.
"Riddima Beti. Chal I'll show you the latest recipe I saw on the cooking show, it does look temping, I have a feeling Armaan will love it!" as she pulled her by the shoulder, into the house.
*After three hours had past*
As she held her forehead, as her elbows rested on the dining table...Yessh....she's Terminator 5,as she remembered how she chopped the carrot as she stirred the saalan,..ahhh this headache is killing me.....
"Beti?....Are you okay?", as she touches her head
Looking up to see such motherly concern....she was taken back too see such mother concern in her eyes, made herself wonder the last time she was touched in such way...
Reading her eyes, she realise her head was hurting, as she saw her pressed her head to relief her pain, as she stood there listening to her, in the kitchen.....even Maya doesn't even do that....
"Riddhima, go up to you room, and I'll bring the oil to massage your shoulder and neck to relief your neck"
Shocked. Never did anyone took effort for her, "Er no Bi it's okay, I'll just take a pill, to relief it and..."
"How can let my children go through pain, and I watch?", holding her arm..
Seeing her looking at her, with such motherly affection, made her agree instantly, "Okay" walking towards the stairs..
Shortly after, giggling as she felt her cold finger trying massage her shoulder, as she scrunched in her shoulders, as she felt ticklish rather than soothing.... "Bi!!, your fingers are soo cold", giggling.
"Hmm, wait lemme try warming my hands", as she got off the bed, leaving Riddhima sitting on the floor.
Pressing her temple as her head rest back on the edge of the mattress... "Argh, I can so feel my head is going to explode!"
Feeling a tap in her shoulder, she lifted herself up, as her eyes were still closed due to the pain, as she shifted ahead to let Bi to sit on the bed, but ended up sitting on the floor, behind her.
Feeling the fingers swoon her escape from the throbbing pain, as she just felt the finger pressing on her neck, behind her ears, up to her side of her temple continuously....
As she indulged in the savour of the soothing massage, while her frame leaned back, as she lost her back support to a relaxing sensation, as she fell back, as her face was next to her's......
"Bi..." as she whispered her name under a whisper
"I so love you for this....."
"I love you too...." as she heard a deep sensuous voice boom into her ears, as she felt his hand massaging down her shoulders, making her pallu dropped in the process..
Frozen, as her eye blearily tried to open, as she felt her frame lean into his chest, as his hands worked up her arms, as she felt weaken with each press, as her arms didn't wanted to move.......but he won't do anything.... while her heart pulse rose as he worked with his fingers, while his cheek was resting on her ear......
Trying to move away from him, in such intoxication of relaxation.....her eyes closed.....feeling him stop, as his arms wrapped around her.....
In his arms........her being in his arms......that's all he wanted.....as he felt her heart beat......
*Knock Knock*
Realising her position, she got up in an instant, as she fumbled with her pallu, as she placed it back into position, as she left a half dozed Armaan on the floor, as he rubbed his blearily eyes...
Opening the locked door, "Ma'am, dinner is ready"
Nodding her head, as she look back to see him walking up to her....her face couldn't make a frown or a glare....as she realised she was taken to such a soothing dream....that she kept a straight face, as their eyes were locked for a moment, being the 1st to end their eye lock as she left for dinner...as Armaan followed behind her....
Kuch paas hai,
Kuch ajnabi ehsaas hai,
Kuch duriyan, nazdikiyan,
Kuch hass padi tanhaiyaan,
Kya yeh khumaar hai, kya aitbaar hai,
As she silently ate her dinner, as she watched Bi scold Minnie for not eating her broccolis...knowing she's being watch from his watchful eyes, as he ate......for some unknown reason she didn't mind it.....but it's comfort was once washed over, once she felt Vivek eyes on her..... as Maya wasn't at the dinner yet.......
As Vivek cleared his throat..... "Bi, I'm going for a medical seminar for the next two days"
"Okay, did you pack your bags beta?"
Nodding his head in agreement, "And was wondering, if Riddhima was interested in coming along, due the similar subject that we will be looking at.... " as he slapped a grin...
Feeling herself panic, as she gripped the spoon in fear, as her eyes were staring at the food, as soon she heard him......no way....anywhere with him......, as she looked up, as her eyes looked up at Armaan's, as he was confused at such emotion....fear?....
"Go where?", as Maya Bhabi sat down, pulling her chair in.
"Oh, no where..." with disappointment said, as Vivek resumed to his food, as he missed such an awesome chance.....
"BI!!, where did he say?!" as she stomped her foot under the table...
"Arree, Maya Vivek offered Riddhima to come along with his business trip, that all"
Giving a glare to Riddhima, as she slipped her arm in his arm.. "Vivek, you'd never asked me before, shall I come?" as she teased his shirt....
Crap.....what have I got myself into.... "Sure, just have your bags ready for tomorrow" seeing her resume to her food in victory.....seriously not what I had in plan....as he drank his water in disappointment.....
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Turning to his side of the bed, as his thoughts hovered over her feared eyes.....what did I do?.....but as he remembered their moment earlier.....it can't be......confused as turned to lay on his back, as these thoughts couldn't make him sleep......once his head moved to his side..... his eyes looked at her back, on the other side of the bed as she hugged herself.....all of his thoughts were vanished....as he stared at her outline of her, in the night....
Knowing she'll awaken if he touches her, he shifted closer to her, as he was just an inch apart behind her, as he hugged himself, as he smelled her freshly washed hair...leading him to a soothing sleep for the night...
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"Riddhima Beti!, come here please!"
Leaving from the kitchen, she face three elderly woman...
"Riddhima, meet my girlfriends!, Hina, Harika and Kat!"
After taking their blessing, "Must say Shenaz, your choti bhau is a gem!" Hina exclaimed, as she warded of the evil eye.
"Man......check out the sari!" as Harika checked out her black with gold embroidery in her sari....
"Haii Rabba!, your Armaan is such a romantic!!, exclaimed Kat, as she read the blush on her face, figuring it was from him...
"Yes, yes, my Armaan chooses the best" stated proudly from Shenaz.
Overwhelmed by such attention from the three ladies, she notice several children screaming and running with Minne, outside the garden.
"Umm Bi....whose are those kids?"
"Oh you see three tall, lean boys, Raj, Angad, Ram, those are Kat's grandchildren, and the smallest girl with the frill dress, Angali and the boy with glasses is Harsh, are Harika's grandchildren and those three curly hair girls, Kripa, Amrita, Amjer are Hina's grand children, and I have invited them for lunch, now beti could you cook something zesty for the kids?"
Seeing her eyes gleam with such an honest request, as her heart couldn't refuse.., "Sure Bi, just have a seat outside on the porch and I'll be out there with sandwich as starters" as she gave her honest smile.
"That's my beti" as she caressed her cheek.
*Moments Later....*
"Arre, Bacho!! Come here and eat you lunch!" as Bi called towards the kids in the living room, due to sudden rain....
Seeing her frustrated and just about to get up, resting her hand in her shoulder, "Bi, I'll go call them, you catch up with your girlfriends", as she gave a wink, before walking off......Armaan you really did chose the right person......
Crashing into someone bigger, as she quickly hugged the person, as she quickly removed her blindfold, she looked up to see Ridzy Chaci smiling down at her.
"CHACI!! Your 'IT'!" exclaimed Minnie
As she heard the chanting and loudness from the children laughing and saying, 'your turn, your turn',
"But the table as set, and it's lunch time!"
"Nooooooooo" as she heard the chant of disappointment, feeling tug at her sari's end, she looked down to see Angali... "Aunty please play with us, then after this, will go eat lunch, promise!" Coming down to her level... "Promise?" as they pinky swear each other.
As her eyes were covered from the blind fold, as Minnie stood on the sofa behind her, as she tied the knot, jumping off the cushion, she was lead by Minnie, as she was held by her hand.
Feeling her blacken sight go dizzy as she was spun around from Minnie, "Okay Chaci! Catch us!" as she heard the giggles, and the screams of kids around, made herself smile at such amusing game....
"Minnie?"
"Over here!", missing her
"Raj?"
"Here!"....dang missed him too!
"Harsh?!"
"Hereee!"... missed again!
"Kripa?"
"Ji?"....argh, I really need to step up my game
As she walked firmly on the floor, as her hands were in the air searching, as her mind and ears turned sharp at any noise, knowing she'll jump right at it........
*Thud*
As her arms grab hold of it neck, as she hugged it tight, and squealed!, "You lost!, you lost!"
"Jaan, I've already lost the day I saw you.." as Armaan whispered into her ear, as she felt his arms slide on her waist, as he hugged her.
Shocked, she lifted her faced away, as she removed her blindfold, realising she came into his study room, as her eyes were lock into his, as their face was inches apart.
Seeing her fumbling to say something, he pulled her in closer, as she was leaning on him...... "You missed me that much?"
Once she heard his question, she snapped back to reality, as she lifted her arms around his neck, as she brought it back to herself as she tried to cross her arms over her chest, in his embrace.... "Lunch is ready" as she said firmly, as she tried to break the embrace, by pushing herself away by her elbows, as he held on stubbornly......
"Hai Rabba!, sooo romantic!" exclaimed Kat, as her hand held her breath.
"I know, must say this Munda is real man" as Hina pinched his red cheeks, as he was looking down....
"But must say, he's real cheeky, as Shenaz says!" as Harika clapped her hands.
Being beetroot red, fumbling at his words, "Ladies, shall we eat lunch?".....
Seeing him run out of the room as the three ladies trailed after him, asking him for advice to give to their sons.
Giggling at his state, she nodded her head....as she pushed the chair back into the desk, she notice her name on a mail envelope, as the it was already open.
Questioning herself, as she took out the paper, and read.....
Oxford University Account Balance : $67,000.
Balance Due: $2,300.00
Due Date: September 26, 2008
PAYMENT-THANK YOU- $67,000 from account 00894539-Armaan Malik
Part 6
Sitting upright on the bed, as he held his phone, in his night attire.......Seeing her at their closet cursing under her breath, as her temper was vivid, as she thrust the fallen clothes back into the shelves,
Wanting to know why she upset..... "Jaan?", as he got up....
Seeing her temper rise, as she slammed the closet door shut, as she ignored him, as she saw him trying to approach her, as she walked towards the washroom, as she held her night clothes in her fist, feeling his hand on her shoulder.....
"DON'T TOUCH me", as she pushed his hands off vigorously, as she faced him.
Taken aback, "Riddhima?!, What is wrong?, you were looking distressed since our lunch meal....."
"It's none of you business!" as her anger resulted in tightening her hands, as she felt her nails digging into her palms, as she turned towards the washroom....
Feeling her being grabbed from the shoulders, as she was turned and soon she was face to face to him......
"Talk to me....." as she felt his breath on her face, as she saw his eyes ached distress of her ignorance of him......
"You always shove me off, like I'm nothing....It hurts you know....it crushes my heart....I'm your husband for god sakes!" as he shook her lightly while tightening his grip on her shoulders....
Facing to her right not wanting to look at his face as she tried to not listen him, "Let me GO" as she tried to use her arms to push out of his grip.....
Sighing, as he regain his composure, as he let her go, he saw her turning to run to washroom, he quickly jumped in front of her, moving his arms right, left, blocking her way, as he saw her cross her arms over her chest, as she gave him a glare...
"I said move!"
Seeing him nod his head, no, as she figured he was determined to get to the bottom of this.....walking towards the closet, as she move for defeat, she threw the envelop at him, as he fumble catching it.
"What is this!?", she asked harshly
Seeing his confused face, once he finished reading..... "What you mean what is it?, I just paid off the rest of the bill....."
"You WEREN'T supposed to pay it!"
"Why?"
"Which haq you paid this bill?!"
"Riddhima it just a bill?........."
"NO it's NOT!, it because you 'men' think you can do any wonders with such power, that you'll try to flaunt in front of me?!, and place me an object of use?!....never again I shall e..v..e " shit these tears now....she quickly turned away from him, as she tried to control for the better of her emotions...
Shocked at such outburst, tears?......as he heard her sniff as he faced her back, before he could say something, he heard her quiet rash voice "You've ruined everything...."
Reaching out his hand to touch her shoulder for comfort, but immediately reflex it right back, knowing it wasn't the right move...... "Riddhima?"
She was standing still, in front of him, with no reply, with his voice full of dedication of love.. "Riddhima.....you are my wife and you are better half and for the worse, and we both made promises to each other on, our wedding day, as we circled the 7 pheres, as we are each other's responsibility for sickness, wealth and....love......"
Pausing....for her to respond.... sighing
"Riddhima, I'm your husband....as you are my responsibility, as I am yours, and it was my duty to pay your bills, since there is no mine or yours as everything is yours.....Riddhima..."
"Then why do I feel like a whore?"
Aghast at her reply, feeling the outraged...
This was going to happen....now or never.... as she dread this confrontation of reality...feeling herself being jerked around......shocked to see his red eyes, as his brows creased.....
"Pardon?" replying harshly
"How could you thi..."
"Let's cut the chase Armaan, I know I ended marrying you cause you offered my greedy father 10% of your business, knowing that...." as she stopped, as she felt him tighten his grip, she looked up, as her wrist rested on her shoulders, to see him nod his head no... "It was never meant to be that way...", whispering
"The damage is already done....knowing that through every day, I'm being paid from you to my father for, it just.....do you know how it feels!?.....worse than a mat.....knowing I'm just a business transaction for him and for you I'..m.un...."
Seeing her choke on her words, as the tears started to brim her eyes, his finger reached for the fallen tears as he wiped it away, as he held her cheeks....feeling his lips on her forehead, as compelled her inner self to feel such secure, respect, honour.....loved...... as the last word hitted her, she opened her eyes to see him looking at her with such tenderness, as he still held her by her cheeks.
Seeing her retreating, as she moved out of his hands, and saw her running towards the balcony, hearing the door slide shut...sighing, turning to see her back, as she swung on bench swing, as she made herself comfortable, as she hugged herself, as she leaned on the ledge of the bench......
"I never bought you Riddhima......I just fell in love with you...." as his look at her swinging, as his fingers reached out to her, as he touched the window glass door..........
Koi arzoo ne hai angdayi li pyaari,
Kya yeh khumaar hai, kya aitbaar hai,
Shayad yeh pyaar hai,
Haan hai shayad..
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Hitting himself on the head, Argh!!, so much for wooing her..., as he sat frustrated on the sofa, being midday with nothing to do, as Minnie was at school, where Bi was at a nearby temple...if only she didn't saw that bil......only if..., as he remembered walking up, to see her gone, as her blanket and pillow were left folded on the sofa....I duno anymore....
*Ding ' Dong*
Opening the door, assuming Bi has come back.... "Shusank papa!?"
"Hi Armaan", as he was seated by him
"Where's Riddhima?, and everyone else?" as scanned the room
"She at the hospital and wil..." stopped as he heard his sniggering, raising his brows, questioning...
"Will that girl ever give up?" as he nodded his head, as he saw Armaan clueless face, "Armaan, beta, as a man to man talk, you should keep women under control, or else they'll leave you, if you give them too much space" Laughing to himself,
"But, Riddhima won't leave me, I trust her..."
"Trust?!?!?, they all say they'll never leave you, and be by your side for a lifetime.....hence they all go back on their words.... " sighing "For instant, look mine....", nodding his dissatisfaction...... "Women...give them everything, and they are never satisfied......."
"Probably........they just want to be loved?......" after a moment, he saw Shusank papa stood up, as he cleared his throat, "It was never that easy...." as he whispered under his voice......coming out of his daze.... "Anyhow, coming to the purpose of this visit, I just wanted to thank you for the payement received, as I knew it was impossible for her pay it all off....how could she even think so....."
"What you mean?!....." as Armaan was confused with the constant criticism that he placed on her......
"Oh she never told you?......"
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Seeing her place her night gown on the bed, as she was fixing the hem of the dress, as she was intently ignoring his presence, as he remembered from the afternoon with Shusank papa, and how the deal was form between the two, when she came home, he saw how cold she was with her father as she didn't even gave an indication of recognition of her father, as she head straight for the stairs, as she ignored his presence...... did I really ruin everything?, as a form of guilt began to form, as he head towards washroom....
Hearing himself lock inside the washroom, instantly slipping on her gown, taking a seat on the bed, as she felt herself trembling, as she remembered her father's face from the afternoon, assuming he was celebrating his victory with Armaan......hugging herself for comfort.....why does it has to be this way, why did he even come.....as she felt nothing but useless.....where her goal to prove herself to her father was .....failed....like herself.......as her eyes were feeling blazing of the tears, as she felt the lowest, as she spent the whole day in the library, as today was her day off, lost in her thoughts, and thought it would be....
"Riddhima?"
Hearing his deep husky voice broke her thoughts, as she instantly stood up, not turning to face him, as she went straight to pick her pillow.....
"Chaci?"
Both surprised to see Minnie standing at the door way, as she held her teddy bear as her side.....
"Is everything okay Minnie?" as she caressed her cheeks....as soon she reached her...
"Can I sleep with you tonight?, I'm having bad nightmares....and Maya momi isn't here, and Bi is mediating..." before she finished, she realised, she was being lead into the room by Ridzy Chaci, as she notice something was odd silent in the room....as she saw Armaan turned towards his study office.......
"So it's like I was eaten up by a mango at the end of the dream!", as she hugged her teddy bear in fear, as she laid down beside Riddhima, as she was on her side up, as she face Minnie, giggling at her dream, "That's it?!"
"Chaacci, it was like I pushed into that swishy thing of it's yellow mush, it was like....Chaaaciii stop laughing" as she pouted her lips, as she crossed her arms.....
"Okay okay", kissing her forehead, as she pulled her in, as hugged her, "No mango will eat you, since you are in my arms, are protecting you, as you sleep, okay?, now go to sleep, you have school in the morning", as she closed her eyes.
Feeling her shifting under her chin, as her small back was cuddled up to her chest........ "Chaci?"
"Hmm?" as she slowly falling to sleep through her closed eyes....
"Where's Chacu?, as he'll protect you in your arms as well...."
Opening her eyes in an instant....There isn't anyone there now.......
Entering the room, as he found them both asleep, as Minnie as cuddled up to Riddhima.....wishing if he could get a chance to explain everything......Riddhima.....please......give me a chance..... as he tucked her hair away from her face, as he brushed his knuckles ever so gently on her cheeks, as he looked at her features up close, as he was yet mesmerised again.....getting into the covers, as he stayed on his side, looking at her, as he remembered Shusank's conversation earlier.......Please don't ever leave me jaan......
As she was cornered, as the temperature rose from the blazing fire that surrounded her, as she tried to escape the untamed fire, that kept pushing her back, as her heart pumped with each pulsating fear of the end of hope of escape, as she scream for help, she staggered back against the wall behind, as she saw everything burning in the sight of her, knowing that it'll be the same fate for her any time soon, falling down on the floor as she hugged her legs, knowing that it was soon over, and no one was there to rescue here, as her eyes shone the fire...breathing her last moments, as she was loosing air to breath.....
*Crash*
Turning to seeing a dark figure trying to fight through the fire, to reach her, in a moment time the figure made through, as her hope for survival had encourage with herself, seeing the figure remove it's helmet.......she immediately hugged him tight as she shrieked Armaan!
Opening her eyes in a jerk, to such a nightmare, as she breathed in and out, as it calmed her nerves....yet still shock to see Armaan in her dream....what does it mean?....but sudden distracted and stunned to see Armaan embraced her arm in his arms, as she was laying on her back, where Minnie was sleeping soundlessly above her bosom.....feeling tickled on her neck of his breath....as she tried to squirm her arm out of his embrace, but felt him grip on her arm harder as he snuggled in closer to her neck.....Sighing.....as she didn't have any strength left, she feel back asleep...unconsciously she dropped her head on his forehead.....as they slept peacefully all together.........
Being disturb from the glare of the shinning sun, opening her eyes slowly as her senses were awaken one by one, moving to stretch, she realised Minnie was gone, and looked down to see the heavy weight that rested on her waist......realising she was sleeping within Armaan's arms, as he was leaning on her, from her back.......why does he care......as she tried to break from his hold....Jaan....don't leave me as Armaan whispered thorough his sleep, as she felt pulled from behind ...stunned and confused....she turned herself around, in his arms, as she face him sleeping soundlessly...
Seeing his black hair in a mess....smiling, at his innocent slumber as his lips were pouted swollen....thinking how soft it'll feel now as she imagine him to kiss on her cheek....as the butterflies rose in her at the thought of it....his beard had rough appearance....as she felt the prickles of his stubble....as she caressed his cheeks, she notice a gap deepening at his end corner of his cheek, snapping to realisation that he was awake all this time.... becoming self-conscious, as she took her hands back, as she felt his eyes on her.... "Why are you doing this?" asking stiffly....feeling his fingers on her cheeks, as it tuck back her hair, as her eyes fluttered at such touch, she saw the sincerity in his eyes and hear him say..... "Baby, whatever it is....we are in together..." After moment, he saw a flicker of acceptance in her eyes....made his heart swell with such happiness that it made him lean closer to just kiss her passionately that was waiting to be released......
"CHAACIIIII!!!!! I'M LATE!!!!!" snapping out his spell bounding eyes....as their lips were inches apart....instantly getting up bed to leave the room to help Minnie to get ready for school....stopping at the door way, she looked back to see him finally smiling like himself once again......
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"Yea, I will tell everyone Vivek Bhai, I hope you and Maya are enjoying your selves...bye", hanging up the phone and he rested back on the chair, in his study room........ thinking Bhai and Bhabi go out a lot and away as well.... and himself got an award function in Dubai to go to in a week's time.... but if he asks her.....she'll definite refuse him, as he knew she was still upset of the bill and all.......but just how to get her to go with him?........
"Looow Ji, your over here!?, I've been looking for you everywhere!, where's Riddhima?, Minnie hasn't come back and.......Armaan are you okay?" as she saw his face creased with a distressing look....touching his head affectionately....
Coming out of his thoughts, "Uh.....nothing, Riddhima is still at work, will be coming at 2:30 in the morning, as she is working late again...."
"Rabba......You guys are working so much!, Why don't you both go away, like Maya and Vivek?", seeing his instant brighten smile vanished to a sulk...
"She'll not agree, as she is dedicated to her work and all...."
"Nonsense!, I'll make her understand, as she is a good girl, and will listen to me, you will both go to your honeymoon, as my gift to you both, as you are both are young, need to make wonderful moment, that'll you'll cherish forever..." sniff... "Unlike you, I do care about you....as you ever thought of me...." seeing her cover her mouth of the end the end of her dupptta, as she turn to leave.....
"Bi!, I'm so sorry, I know I was wrong, I should have informed you right the way when I was to get married, Please don't cry..." as he enfold Bi in his hug...
Part 7 below
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