********************************************************************
********************************************************************
EPISODE FIFTY-FIVE
Riddhima walked out of the room mumbling to herself, "Yahan to do (2) guest rooms hain, kaunse room mein rakhe honge sandals Minnie ne... I think I should ask her." She turned to go back and called out opening the door, "Minnie..." but Minnie wasn't there. She heard some noise in from her attatched bathroom, "I guess she is in the bathroom. Chalo, main pahle saath wale guest room mein dekh leti hu..." she sighed and left the room again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Armaan walked upstairs wobbling a little with the pile of 10 gift boxes in his arms. The boxes were making it a little more difficult for him to see his way, but he managed to reach room. Somehow he kicked the door open. 'Thank god it isn't locked atleast...' he sighed entering the room.
Peeping from behind the boxes, he tried to find a place to keep the boxes. Gift packs, new furniture, packed electronic equipments, gifted clothes, decoratives, utensils, fruits and sweet baskets, flowers, and dont know what all... the room was filled with numerous things. Finally he found a little place on the corner of the bed. He walked towards it.
As he neared the bed, he felt something touching his feet. He tapped his foot twice to make sure he is near the bed. Then considering that he has reached the bedside and his feet are touching the bedfoot, he bent and placed the boxes down at the corner. He turned around to leave when...
"Aaaaaaa..." he almost jumped hearing the loud shrieking sound. And then he saw all the boxes lying here and there on the floor.
"What the hell..." he swore irritably. As he turned back to the bed, he saw her sitting on the floor, making an unpleased face, wrinkling her nose in pain.
"Ufff..." she moaned rubbing her back.
"TUM?" he yelled at once.
Startled, she looked up with a jerk hearing him shout and then, "TUM?" as usual, she asked reiterating his question.
"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" he asked in a loud voice.
"TUM yahan kya kar rahe ho?" she repeated looking up at him, still sitting on the floor.
He jolted back a little hearing her loud shrieking voice and placed his palm over his ear. Then immediately removing it he said, "Main yahan jo bhi kar raha hu, lekin tumne kya chilla-chilla ke mere kaan kharaab karne ki kasam khaayi hai?" he saw her getting up from the floor.
"Achcha, mera chillana tumhe sunayi diya, lekin itni badi 'main' nahi dikhayi di tumhe?" she waved her hand, up and down pointing towards herself.
"Well, agar tum billi ki tarah yahan neeche nahi ghusi hui hoti to shayad dhikhayi bhi deti..." he scoffed wittily in a mocking tone.
"Kya? Main tumhe billi jaisi lagti hu?" she fumed cutting him off.
Riddhima was actually searching for Minnie's sandals, under the bed, bending over her knees. When Armaan entered, he saw the empty corner of the bed, but due to the pile of boxes in his arms, he couldn't see her bending down and as he neared the bed, his foot touched Riddhima's who was peeking under the bed at the same time. So thinking that he has reached the bed, he placed the boxes on HER back, instead of the bed.
"Tum aur billi?" he laughed at her, then added, "Naah... actually billi bhi thoda dekh ke yahan wahan ghumati hai, lekin tum to..." he shrugged his head chuckling in mockery.
"Tumhara matlab, ab kya main billi se bhi buri hu?" she asked angrily.
"Wow, you understood this time... I guess your comprehension circuits are finally working..." he teased as she turned sideways angrily folding her arms over her chest, "By the way, were you compensating for the scanty tables here?"
"I am NOT a table..." she retorted glaring at him again.
"Oh really, then were you playing hide and seek with rats... BILLI...?" he scoffed enjoying their teasing session.
"You... Don't you dare call me billi... you..." she said pointing her finger towards his face, then huffed giving up, "...argh... forget it..." She turned around towards the bed again.
Armaan saw her go around the bed and again bend down. She was searching for something on the other side. He ragged again, "Lagta hai ki tumhara 'Chuha' abhi tak mila nahin tumhe..."
She peeked up from bedside and retorted, "Kyun nahin... Mila na... tum jo mile mujhe... BIG camel sized MOUSE..." she spread her hands wide indicating his big size.
"I don't look like a mouse..." he squinted.
"Oh really? If I can look like a 'billi', then you sure DO look like a mouse... Mousy Camel..." she replied as she came on this side of the bed again, "Anyways, hato aage se..." she waved her hand to make him move since he was standing in her way, "Mujhe janaa hai..."
"Kyun haar maan gayi kya?" he rolled his tongue mischievously.
"Tumhare saath bekaar ki bahas karne ke alawa bhi bhot kaam hain mujhe... ab hato yahan se..." she pushed him lightly.
"Arey..." he saw her go around to his other side and sit down to search something.
She started looking under the boxes Armaan brought with his and which had dropped on the floor. They were all laying scattered on the floor. "Hey bhagwaan, kya gandagi macha ke rakhi hai yahan..." she frowned, mumbling and glancing at him.
"Kuch kaha tumne?" he asked hearing her mumble something. She ignored his question and continued with her search. Then as he saw her move the boxes on the other side on the floor. To stop her, he added, "Hey-hey... ye kya kar rahi ho tum? Ye sab boxes yahan rakhne the..." he pointed towards the bed. He tried to hold her hand, but she shoved his arms away.
"Dur raho..." she commanded, "Wahan rakhne the to wahin rakhne the na, meri peeth ki sawaari kyun karwa rahe the unse?" she said crossly.
"Tumhari peeth ki sawaari karne ka unka koi iraada nahin tha, wo to apni sahi jagah hi rakhe hote, agar tumne unhe giraya nahin hota..." he accused her.
"Maine unhe nahin giraya..." she got up.
"Yes, tumne hi giraya hai..."
"Maine nahin giraya..."
"Tumne hi giraya hai..."
"Main..." she was cut off by someone this time.
"Ye kya ho raha hai?..." They turned to see Minnie standing on the door. Seeing them not reply, she asked again, "Ye KYA ho raha hai?"
"Wo... Minnie, main wo..." Riddhima walked to her. "Main tumhara hi kaam kar rahi thi..."
"Mera kaam? Itni zor se chilla-chilla ke?" Minnie asked. Then added pointing her thumb backward towards the corridor, "Do you guys realize, ki aap dono ki awaaz bahar tak jaa rahi thi..." Riddhima looked down guiltily while Armaan stood tapping his feet at his place unaffected by her aggravation. "Why were you two fighting?" she asked Riddhima.
Riddhima opened her mouth to say something, "Wo..." but stopped as she heard his voice.
"Main koi fight nahin kar raha tha... she is the one who was..." he pointed towards Riddhima but Minnie interrupted him.
"Kya? Mai..." Riddhima looked at him angrily.
"Aap to bas chup hi raho Armaan Bhaiya... I know who would have started all this." Minnie cut her off glaring at Armaan. Then she turned to Riddhima and took her hand, "Di, aap chalo mere saath... Humein aur bhot saare kaam hain..." she said glaring at him looking sideways. With that she dragged Riddhima with her walking away to her room.
As soon as they left the room, he sighed, "Armaan beta, aaj to teri khair nahin... Ye moti sach mein tujhse naraaz hai aaj... Ise manaane ke liye kuch to karna padega..." He walked out of the room thinking how to appease Minnie.
~~~~~~~~~
In Minnie's room, Minnie huffed inside followed by Riddhima.
"I am sorry Minnie, I shouldn't have shouted like that..." Riddhima apologized thinking that Minnie is mad at her for fighting with her favorite brother. By now, she has also realized that no matter what, Armaan was Minnie's favorite and she loves him a lot.
"Arey di, aap kyun apologize kar rahe ho? I am not mad at you..." she replied seeing her guilty face and sat on her bed.
"To phir...?" she asked confused and unsure.
"Main to Armaan bhaiya se naraaz hu..." she picked her pillow placing it on her lap. Making a face, she added, "...Huh, ek to itna late aate hain har baar aur phir milne bhi nahin aate mujhse..." she saw Riddhima who came near her and stood beside her bed. "Zaroor kisi kaam mein lagein honge wahan."
"Minnie, lekin wo kaam bhi to tumhari shaadi ke liye kar rahe hain..." Riddhima said a little hesitantly. She didn't want Minnie to be upset on her wedding day. And knowing that Armaan means a lot to her, she tried not to say anything downbeat about him. She wasn't sure if Minnie would like it or not. Besides, she knew it, that Armaan was actually busy with Minnie's wedding arrangement. She sat besides Minnie.
"Di aap bhi?" She looked at her amazed. Whatever she saw just a minute ago between the two, Minnie never expected Riddhima to defend him almost immediately after that, "Ab aap unhe defend mat karna... Sab ke sab bas wohi karte hain. Isiliye unhe itna sir pe chadha rakha hai. Dekha na aapne, wahan aapse kaise jhagad rahe the wo? Aapse jhagadne ka time hai unke paas, lekin, mujhse aake do minute milne ka time nahin hai..." she said angrily.
"Haan wo to hai... do minute aake tumse mil to sakte hain... usmein kitna time lagta hai..." Riddhima replied in a pleasing tone agreeing with her, to make her happy.
"Aur nahin to kya..." Minnie shook her head.
"Haan... aur waise bhi, jiski shaadi ke liye wo itna sab kar rahe hain, agar uski naraazgi ki hi parwaah nahin kar sakte, to kya fayeda ye sab karne ka..." now Riddhima was sport. She knew that at the moment the only thing which might take off Minnie's mind from getting upset, is to agree with whatever she is saying. Also she has a chance to earn a partner to pull her boss' neck.
"Exactly... that's what I keep saying. Lekin sab bas mujhe hi daante aur samjhaate rahte hain... sirf aap hi ho jo mujhe support kar rahi ho..." she turned and touched Riddhima's hand.
"Don't worry Minnie, you aren't alone now... I am with you." Riddhima smiled touching her cheek lovably.
"Thanks a lot Di..." Minnie beamed hugging her.
Riddhima got up from the bed and walked towards her bed, "Chalo ab tumhaari dress aur dusra samaan pack kar lete hain..."
"Ok." Minnie replied happily. She took out a Jewelry box and other stuff from a table beside her bed. Suddenly she asked Riddhima, "Di, aap to Armaan bhaiya ke hi office mein kaam karti ho na?"
Earlier Minnie didn't know where Riddhima worked, but recently a few weeks back she came to know about it. She never cared to ask Riddhima where or on what designation she works. Apart from that, even though she now knows that Riddhima works in Armaan's company, she is still unaware how close Riddhima stays while working with Armaan. Yes, numerous times, she has heard 'words of honor' from Riddhima about her wicked, stubborn and 'irritating' boss, but didn't know that it is Armaan, she blabbers all 'good things' about.
"Haan..." Riddhima replied as she looked for Minnie's dress in the closet.
"Oh, so you must know how he is?"
"More than anyone else... I have to bear his stupid reactions and over-reactions whole day..." Riddhima turned and said with a tired face.
"Whole day?" Minnie asked perplexed. "But I thought you said you have to spend most time with your boss...? I mean if not with him, you have to look after every single thing related to his work. Thats what you told me, right?" she looked at her unsure of her own knowledge about Riddhima's work.
"I know... and that's why I cant avoid seeing him all the time." She replied sadly.
"What?" Minnie was still confused. Then it hit her. She grasped that Riddhima's boss is none other than Armaan, "Oh god, you mean 'HE' is your boss..." Riddhima nodded, "You mean 'Armaan Bhaiya'?" Riddhima nodded again, "You mean, Armaan Bhaiya is your boss who keeps irritating you?"
"Hmm..." Riddhima mumbled a little embarrassed with the way Minnie asked her. She has been sharing almost all her frustrations about her stubborn boss with Minnie. Now that she knows that Armaan is Minnie's brother and that too her favorite one, she got a little apprehensive about saying all those things about Armaan to Minnie.
Same time, Minnie was amazed with the information. Not that she had doubts about Riddhima's caliber or qualifications. She knows it very well, that no matter how was Riddhima's 'social life' and all, but she is a sincere, hard-working and intelligent girl, who takes her work very seriously. The part of this information which amazed her, was actually... 'Armaan'.
As far as Minnie knows Armaan, he is extremely polite and gentleman with Women, especially if they are professionally linked with him. He has never raised his voice on any women, not even on their mistakes. Yes, he does flirt with them at times, of course in the most harmless ways... But fighting, or teasing or even arguing with any of the girls in his vicinity is not his typical behavior. Its only with Minnie, who is a sister to him. With Minnie, he always has his share of brotherly battles. And as per Riddhima's narrations, he argues and teases her a lot.
So has Riddhima been talking all rubbish with Minnie? NO, it cant be... Minnie thought. Its not possible. Riddhima is not a girl like that. She doesn't even know how to gossip, forget about talking rubbish or making gossip stories about her boss.
Minnie knew that Riddhima is too innocent to cook up such fake stories. Infact, Riddhima has been telling her everything very unambiguously, even mentioning her own mistakes. It means, Riddhima is pure and has been telling the truth about her boss... about Armaan. And the proof to it has been demonstrated to Minnie a few minutes back. She heard Armaan and Riddhima fighting today with her own ear... in her own house. Whatever she heard, it clearly said that Armaan was deliberately irritating Riddhima.
However... What about Armaan...? Why does he behave this way with Riddhima...? How come he was 'fighting', 'arguing' and 'teasing' Riddhima, who is his professional association?
Unknowingly, Riddhima has been updating Minnie about her day-to-day 'battles' with Armaan. Minnie has even passed many tips to Riddhima to handle her boss, oblivious of the fact that it will be her own brother, who will get the smacking ultimately.
Now that Minnie pondered over all that, she found it all a little weird... specifically Armaan's behavior. Something is not fitting into the puzzle. She is missing out on something, she thought. She decided to discuss this with Atul later, when she has time. At the moment, her own marriage was the most important thing for her.
She saw Riddhima who was now busy arranging her dress, jewelry and other required stuff in a bag. They have leave for the parlor after an hour or so. She sighed getting up.
"Di, did you find my sandals?" she asked Riddhima.
"Oh god..." Riddhima slapped her forehead, "Ye tumhaare bhaiya ke chakkar mein main sandals ke baare mein to bhul hi gayi... tum thehro main abhi aayi sandals dhundh ke..." she walked out of the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riddhima walked out the room and strolled through the corridor mumbling things to herself. "Us waale guest room mein to nahin thi sandals, to iska matlab dusare mein honi chahiye. I should go and check it the other room." She went to the second guest room on the other side of the corridor. As she was opening the door, someone bumped into her back.
"Ufff..." she groaned and then turned around to find someone stumbling on his feet trying to save the boxes in his hands from falling. "Arey sambhal ke..." she helped the person by holding the boxes in his hands. Since the pile was too large, the person holding it couldn't see her standing in front of the door and bumped into her.
As the person stabilized on his foot, still holding the boxes in his arms, he said trying to peek from behind the boxes, "Thanks... Could you please open the door for me...?" In preoccupation of their own chores and thoughts, they didn't realize who the other person is.
She opened the door and walked inside. Then she helped him to find a place to keep the boxes.
She stood at his back and saw him bending while placing the boxes down, realizing who he was. She made a tired-of-him face.
'Oh god! Not him...' she thought growning inwardly. Before he could see her and start his stupid banter again, she turned other side and started looking for Minnie's sandals. 'I better concentrate on my work at the moment. We have to leave for the parlor in less than an hour...', she muttered inaudibly.
Armaan placed the boxes down on a table. He has brought the second pile of boxes to the second guest room as there was no more space left in the first one. He stood straight and stretched his arms over his head. "Aahhh... tha..." he turned to thank the person who helped him once again, but stopped as he saw her bending besides a table. 'Oh! So its Miss. Riddhima Gupta... again...', he grinned thinking of another mischief.
"Tumhara chuha phir se bhaag gaya tumhe chod ke?" He commented. She looked up at him and glared, but didn't say anything. "Hmm, lagta hai abhi tak nahi mila..." he commented again.
"Mila na... mere saamne hi to khada hai..." she pointed towards him, "Mousy camel..." she mumbled, but Armaan heard it.
"Tum na, bhot hi confused ladki ho."
"Huh?"
"Haan, confused... Kabhi camel, kabhi mouse... first decide ke tumhe mouse khana hai ya camel. Then only you will be able to search it successfully. Warna bechaare camel ya mouse, jis bhi tum dhund rahi ho, use bhi identity crisis ho jayega." he teased her further.
She got up at once gritting her teeth, "Mujhe kuch nahin khana. Aur tum apne kaam se kaam nahin rakh sakte kya?"
"Kaam? Main to wahi kar raha hu..." he replied cheekily chuckling inwardly. Then added softly, "Waise tum dhudh kya rahi ho?"
"Jo bhi dhundh rahi hu, tumhe uski parwaah karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main apna kaam khud kar sakti hu... tumhari help nahin chahiye." she replied furiously.
"Ok, Ok. Chilla kyun rahi ho? Ye baat tum pyar se bhi to kah sakti ho. I thought of helping you earlier, but if you don't want my hand, then even I don't care..." he shrugged nonchalantly. Then as he turned to leave, his foot hit something, coz of which he almost fell, "Damn! Ye beech raste mein kya rakha hai..." he groaned and bends down to pick up the packet from the floor.
Riddhima glanced at him as she heard him stumble on his feet and then mutter something. She saw him holding the packet in his hand and trying to look what it is. She read something like the name of a footwear showroom on the packet. Recognizing it immediately, she spranged towards him. She almost snatched the packet from him and checked its contents.
"Thank god ye mil gayi..." she sighed relievingly. Then as she was walking out with the bag she heard him comment again.
"Oh to tum is packet ko dhundh rahi thi itni der se. Dekha maine kitni jaldi dhudh liya." He pulled his collar up arrogantly, "Isliye main tumse kah raha tha ki meri madad le lo, mujhe kaha hota to itni mahnat nahin karni padti tumhe..." he said chuckling. She only glared back at him. "Waise ismein aisa hai kya? Your CAMEL or your RAT?" he asked laughing at her again.
"Ji nahin... ismein tumhe khilaane ke liye sandals hain..." she took out a sandal from the packet and raised it in the air as if trying to hit him with it. She added, "Khaani hai to main khila du?"
"Ohhh! No thanks, I prefer eating with my own hands... Waise bhi, I am already full for the day." He patted his belly, "And yes, I am a veggie, unlike you..." he mocked nonchalantly, "But if you need some more diet like this, you can have mine too..." he said pretending as if he is removing his own shoes, "I can see, you look 'very' famished. Tumhara chuha bhi to nahin mila tumhe khaane ko..."
"Tum na... Tum... tum..." she clenched her teeth as she tried to find some way to retort, but when failed she said, "...arghhh... bhaad mein jao..." and stomped her feet walking away, mumbling curses, leaving an amused Armaan behind.
He laughed at her reaction. He loves doing that, making her go mad and crazy with his infinite teasing. It always made him feel at peace. In their office she is his ES-PA, so mostly she gives up soon and never retorts the way she does outside the professional environment. The way she did reacted now... using silly words like what she used today.
Here, he is not her boss and she knows it very well. Thats why, she retorted very openly and inhesitantly... In their office, the only time she has retorted so overtly was his recent encounter with her a few days back, when Atul has scolded him for being harsh on her.
Yes she did reacted in the same unequivocal loud way to some extent with him during his previous encounters with her, when he met her for the first time on the road and then again first time in his office... but they were all short lived and didn't stretch much to lend enough time for their tongue-fight.
He realized that during such feisty situations, she doesn't call him 'aap' like she calls him in their office. Her reference unconsciously and automatically turns into 'Tum' instead, just like the way she called him in the beginning, when she was oblivious of the fact that he is her boss... and recently at Minnie's engagement party. The only time she would refer him 'tum' is when they are alone and he teases her. However, he liked it... he like her calling him 'Tum'. Something about the word made him feel that she is closer to him... Close... The very thought tingled his blood vessels. He smiled to himself and walked out of the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Idiot, moron, bewakuf kahin ka..." Riddhima kept muttering as she entered Minnie's room. "Pata nahin apne aapko kya samajhta hai... mujhe mauka milega na, tab bataongi..." she stuffed the packet in the bag in which she was putting all of Minnie's belongings.
Minnie looked up when she heard her talking to herself. "Kya hua di?"
"Kash pagalon ke sir pe seengh (horns) hote... to kitna asaan hota unhe pahchan na..." Riddhima replied continuing her cursing session unconsciously, as she looked towards Minnie.
"Kya? Pagal... Seengh... Ye kya bol rahi ho aap? Kiske sir pe seengh hone chahiye the?"
"Wo..." Riddhima was about to take Armaan's name, but she stopped, "Err... kuch nahin."
"Arey bataiye na? kya hua?" She asked again.
"Koi baat nahin hai Minnie, bas aise hi... Err... tum jaldi karo ab... humein Parlor ke liye nikalna hai, otherwise we will be late. Aur ye tumhaare sandals mil gaye hain. Inhe main bag mein rakh deti hu." She diverted the topic.
Minnie narrowed her eyes. She could see Riddhima was in foul mood. But she didn't say anything. "Ok... I will go and change. Tab tak aap bhi change karke aa jaiye..."
"Mujhe kya change karna hai... I am ready. But, you should hurry up. Tab tak, I will go and ask Kirti aunty if something else is to be taken along or if she needs some help. Tumhara bag to tayyar ho hi gaya hai, just check it once more."
Minnie nodded taking out her dress, "Ok..."
Riddhima went out to see Kirti.
After a few minutes, Minnie was ready to go. She was sitting turning the pages of a film magazine, waiting for Riddhima when somebody knocked at her door.
"Come in..." she said. She saw somebody come in with a bunch of flowers hiding his face and a gift in his other hand. "Kaun?"
"Hi..." He moved the bouquet from his face and tilted his head to see her.
"Oh... aap? Fursat mil gayi aapko mujhse milne ki?" she commented sarcastically as he came in.
"Wo... main actually..." he fumbled guiltily.
"Wo-main kya? Huh? Aapko zara bhi parwaah hai meri? Kab se intezaar kar rahi thi ki Armaan bhaiya aayenge... lekin aap ho ki mujhe ek baar shakal dikhane tak ka time nahin hai aapke paas... Mr. Busyyyy..."
"I am sorry Minnie... wo actually teri shaadi ke kaam mein hi busy tha..." he kept the flowers on the table beside her bed.
"Pata hai mujhe... lekin do (2) minute ke liye to aake mil sakte the na... jiski shaadi ke liye ye sab kar rahe ho, usi se milne ki phursat nahin hai aapko, phir in sab cheezon ka fayeda kya hai?" she repeated what Riddhima has said.
"I know Minnie..." he sighed and sat down along her, "and I am sorry... and to compensate, tum jo kahogi wo main karunga..." he apologized holding his ear while Minnie kept sulking. "...but please forgive me..." he made a cute puppy face.
Minnie looked at him sideways at him. As usual, she couldn't resist her brother's adorable charm and smiled lightly. "Ok... forgiven... but it shouldn't happen again."
"I promise..." he said squeezing her hand in assurance.
Minnie hugged him finally smiling widely.
In the meanwhile Riddhima has come back and was standing on the door listening to the interaction between brother and sister. They look so sweet together... just like real bother-sister. Anjali bhabhi and Shubhankar Uncle were right, he loves her a lot. She could see that love in his eyes for Minnie... the way he made Minnie smile without putting any special efforts... just by saying Sorry. It might not be a very appealing way for many, but the honesty behind those simple words was cleary reflecting on his face. He really meant it. She could recognize his pure brotherly love for Minnie coz she has seen the same in Rahul's eyes as well... for herself. She smiled recalling Rahul.
"Arey Di, aap wahaan darwaaje pe kyun khadi ho? Andar aao na..." Minnie said as she saw her standing on the door.
Riddhima came in and walked towards her a little hesitantly. Armaan glanced at her for a moment and then diverted his gaze away as if checking other things in the room. Riddhima's brow wrinkled in confusion. He actually hasn't seen me yet, or... is he pretending as if he hasn't seen me? She thought. But why is he doing that?
"Di... maine bag check kar liya hai, aur kuch nahin le jana." Minnie said.
"Huh?" Riddhima turned to Minnie on hearing her, "Haan... theek hai. Chalo waise bhi time ho gaya hai... jaane ka..." she glanced at Armaan yet again who after stealing a glance of her was looking around once again.
"Chalo... driver aa gaya hai na neeche?" Minnie asked taking her bag.
"Haan aa gaya hai... Give this bag to me, tum chalo..." she said taking her bag from her.
"Arey rahne do Di, main utha lungi. Dusra suitcase bhi to hai, jismein meri wedding dress hai..."
"Arey la na... koi baat nahin. Main le lungi dono..." Riddhima insisted.
Both Riddhima and Minnie were holding the bag. Minnie was holding its long strap, while Riddhima held its small handle tightly. The other suitcase was already placed near the door.
Armaan who was watching this butted in all of sudden, surprising Riddhima. "Tum dono rahne do, ye main le leta hu..." He tried to snatch bag from Riddhima's hands. She glared at him pulling it back. Smiling at Minnie he said, "Hone wali dulhan ko jyada mahnat nahin karni chahiye..." Minnie smiled back at him leaving the bag's strap. Then he turned to Riddhima and said, "Aur haan... tumhare chuhe to saare bhag gaye, iska matlab ki tumhaari diet tumhe aaj mili nahin... to tum rahne hi do. Bekaar mein doctor bulane ka kharcha badhwa dogi..."
Riddhima glared at him, fuming again at his comment. She tired to snatch bag from him, but obviously he was stronger, so she left the bag she stomped away downstairs without commenting or even looking back.
Minnie stared at them, all confused. She wanted to ask them why are they fighting again and that too for no reason?
Armaan laughed shaking his head seeing Riddhima walk away. He was already holding the other suitcase in his other hand. Gripping the bag properly he said, "Chal Minnie... der ho rahi hai..."
Minnie nodded walking with him. She observed him carefully. She stared at him with open mouth as they walked through the stairs together... obviously surprised at his comment on Riddhima once again... He never does that... What happened to him?
The little glaring looks Riddhima gave Armaan didnt go unnoticed by her. What is this 'Chuha' thing? She thought in confusion. There is definitely something amiss of her knowledge database, and she has to find out what is going on... but all that later. She resisted keeping mum.
'Right now I should concentrate on my wedding...', she blushed thinking about Harsh and their honeymoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They found the car parked in front of the main gate. Riddhima was standing besides it near car's back with her arms folded over her chest. She was of course, waiting for Minnie. She smiled at Minnie as she saw her approaching. Minnie smiled back.
Armaan glanced at Riddhima standing and smiling near the hood of the car. Before Minnie could reach her, he sauntered hurriedly near Riddhima and stood right in front of her, blocking her view as she was watching Minnie.
Riddhima looked up at him quizzically. He signaled her to move away by raising his brows.
"What?" she asked not able to understand what he is saying?
"Aage se hato, samaan rakhna hai..." he pointed towards Car's back.
"Oh..." she looked back and then back at him. Understanding what he was indicating she moved away towards Minnie.
Armaan opened car's trunk. While placing the bags in it, he peeked on side of the car where Riddhima and Minnie were standing near the passenger door talking about something. He paused for a moment and smiled. Then as he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket he looked down. Irritated with the interruption, and disconnecting the useless call as a reflex, he placed the bags inside. He didn't even bother to check who was calling him.
He closed the trunk and walked towards the girls who seem to be too engrossed in their girly discussion to notice him. He cleared his throat, but when they didn't pay a heed, he opened the door of backseat of the car which unfortunately smacked Riddhima's elbow.
"Ouch..." Riddhima yelped lightly and glared at him.
"Oh I am sorry... tumhe jyada lagi to nahin..." he asked genuinely concerned.
"Tum dekh ke koi kaam nahin kar sakte kya?" she rubbed her elbow irritably, but was a little surprised to see his concerned face.
Armaan noticed, she wasn't hit that bad and sighed inwardly, relieved that she is not hurt. "I said I am sorry..." he replied irritably, "Aur ab tum logon ko der nahin ho rahi..."
"Oh god, we are late. Chalo Di..." Minnie pushed Riddhima inside the car and hopped in herself.
Armaan stood there for a moment before going back inside.
Armaan was oblivious of the fact that a pair of eyes was observing him closely from a distance. The man quinted his eyes wickedly. 'I should keep an eye on him. I have to gather as much information about him as possible... and that too ASAP. Coz, its only then I will be able to outline my plan.' He said to himself. He smiled wickedly conspiring something and walked away rubbing his thinly grown stubble.
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
Hi Friends 😊. I am kind of disappointed this time. The number of responses i got this time was the lowest till now . But then maybe its coz i have also been disappointing all of you 😕.
Initially, i was thinking of updating this episode 55 a little earlier, coz i ws done with it a day before Diwali. But then i saw only 4-5 people had responded to it. So i kept it on hold. I was waiting for more people to respond, but then again, only 2-3 people responded.
I was not going to update it for few more days, however, this is just for those who have been supporting me all through my down-time.
Anyways, i dedicate this Part to few of my very loyal readers, who have always been there for me, an i see they still keep encouraging me with teir comments... as i always say, i dont say that they lways need to praise or say good things about my updates. But the reason i want to thank them is coz, positive or negative, they have alwas been there with Mere Apne. and its only coz of them i am still continuing this FF. Thanks to all you friends -
Nidha - nidha1983
Nruti - arluver15
Simi - simi2
Robin - Robin_M
Sunaina - SunainaTM007
There are some more people in this list, and I know they couldnt respond this time on time, as they were busy with festivle and their families. So i dont have ANY complaints with them. Please dont take it otherwise.
I also thank to rest of the readers, who recently entered into Mere Apne wih their valuable suggestions, I will try my best to ammend my mistakes and make things better.
I hope i havent hurt or disappointed any of my friends here. Sorry if i did that😕...
********************************************************************
aww i love this cutie-cutie doll...
comment:
p_commentcount