THE HEART'S SECRETS AR FF PART 21 NEW PART!!! - Page 18

The sun's piercing rays trickled against Riddhima's closed eyelids, bringing bright colors to the dark and safe world that appeared when she slept. Adjusting to the light in the room, Riddhima slowly opened her eyes and got herself together, out of bed and into the washroom. Her reflection in the mirror didn't bring any good news with it. She was a mess. She had forgotten to take off her makeup, and mascara ran down her cheeks and neck from her tears.

After washing her face twice to get rid of all the black smudges on it, she quickly dressed up and went downstairs into the lobby area to find a good place to eat breakfast. Most of the eating places in the hotel's lobby were expensive restaurants. Just when Riddhima was about to give up and enter an expensive looking French restaurant, she notice through the glass windows a small cafe outside, across the street.

She ran towards the cafe, almost getting hit by a car, and steadied herself from the near-death facing experience. An empty table stood there in the corner of the small, homely looking cafe and she took her spot next to it. The cafe reminded her of Starbucks, back at home, yet minus the people pretending to be important by showing off their laptops, and the teenagers trying to act cool and relaxing in awkward positions on the huge couches. Riddhima set her purse on her lap and took out her notebook, a pen, her cell phone and her wallet. Looking at the menu displayed on the board above the counter's head, she decided on a croissant and some hot coffee. After telling her order to the waiter, Riddhima opened her notebook to the page where a phone number was written in huge numbers by her father.

The number belonged to the client that Riddhima was supposed to meet and show designs to. She quietly opened her cell phone and dialled the digits in. When she pressed send, someone's cell phone rang in the cafe. ''That's strange...''Riddhima thought to herself. When no one picked up from the other side, she ended the call and tried again. Once more, the same ring tone that rang before rang again. Quickly Riddhima cut her line, and noticed the ring tone also stopped at that exact moment. After several more tries and realizing more and more that the ring tone was in fact coming only when she called...Riddhima started looking around the cafe for the receiver of her calls. The cafe which had given a lonely look about half an hour ago was not crowded and packed with people of all ages and sizes.

Riddhima dialled again and followed the music of the ringtone. Finally Riddhima stopped in her tracks and saw a man sitting alone at a table, sipping coffee from a cup and his phone madly ringing on the table. Riddhima cleared out any wrinkles from her skirt and took a deep breath. This was her client and she had to give him the best first impression he had ever seen. She walked and few steps further and then politely tapped him on the shoulder.

Quickly the man turned around. His confused face grew into a LARGE smile and Riddhima almost fainted from the shock. It was Salmaan. SALMAAN? Riddhima felt a huge rush of anger rise within her, but then she immediately controlled herself. Why was she mad at him? He was minding his personal business with his girlfriend. And he did it with his girlfriend, not some random stranger. So, who gave Riddhima the right to be mad? She barely knew this guy. They just met a couple of days ago. Before that, she had never even seen this guy once before in her life.

Riddhima quickly smiled broadly and nodded to his gesture of rising from his chair in respect to her presence. He drew his hand out to shake hers, "Oh my, what a surprise! Seems like destiny keeps bringing us back together at every turn!" She shook his huge, warm hand and took a seat at his table across from him.

"You don't mind if I join you, do you?" Riddhima still had to ask. She told herself that she only asked on terms of seeing if the client was available to speak at the moment...not because of the fact to see whether his girlfriend would be rudely showing up again.

"No, no. Please do. I was going to see Angela today, but she left early. She's always full of surprises...So, how are you finding your stay at Sheraton Hotel?"

"It's really nice. I love the bed!" Riddhima regretted saying the statement after her fat mouth revealed it. That was the most uneducated and babyish response that any adult human being could say.

Salmaan laughed, "Maybe you'd like to show me your bed one day then?" He winked and then took a sip of his coffee, while looking away from her towards the board above the counter.

Riddhima blushed and felt her pulse race inside her chest, "I don't do one-night stands." That was all she could think of to say.

Salmaan laughed once more and then quieted down, "So, who was that man you were with last night?"

Riddhima felt confused, "Last night? Oh! You mean Mr.Naamra? He's a famous artist, you know! His exhibition is just down the street! It's very nice, I went and saw it yesterday and then just stumbled across him..."Riddhima paused from her boring lecture and all of a sudden felt extremely confused. Salmaan and Angela were in the elevator when Riddhima had come back from her date. How could Salmaan have possibly known who she was with or how she even came back!

It seemed that Salmaan had sensed her awkward pause, "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing...I was just wondering, how did you know that I was with a man last night?"

Salmaan laughed out loud, "I actually had no idea what you did last night; I just assumed that a pretty woman like you would definitely have been in company with a man already. Other than that, it was just a wild guess."

Riddhima laughed with him quietly, but that explanation still didn't satisfy her.

"So, what's his name?" Salmaan asked sheepishly.

"Who's?" This felt like the longest and most troubling interview that Riddhima had ever taken in her life so far.

"Your hubby's?"

"He's not my hubby."

"Your boyfriend?"

"No! I just met him yesterday!"

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, well I mean yes..." Riddhima was extremely confused! Why was he asking so many questions at once? And why did they have to be so personal! Plus, if she doesn't have a boyfriend, then she would look like a complete loser from Mars, but if she said she has a boyfriend, then she'd be lying AND she'd look a little decent to him. But, even though Salmaan clearly had a girlfriend called Angela; Riddhima felt that if she were to say that she had a boyfriend, then somewhere, Riddhima hoped, that Salmaan would get disappointed and loose interest in her. Even though Riddhima cared less about men who just looked at a woman for availability, she still had this strange wanting inside of her to MAKE Salmaan want to see her again.

"You do, or you don't? What do you mean by no, but yes?"

"What I mean to say is...no...YES...YES I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!" Riddhima didn't notice that in her confused state of answering the terrible question, she was practically screaming the statement out loud. Each head in the cafe turned around and looked at their table. Silence brought an awkward atmosphere to the setting and people starred at her.

"She's just going through a hard break up people, give her some lack!" Salmaan showed a sympathetic face and the other people in the cafe frowned at her in sympathy and continued to their lives.

Riddhima laughed from the random attempt of covering the awkwardness in the cafe, and looked at Salmaan's dazzled face.

"What's wrong?" Riddhima asked bluntly.

"Your laugh, it's gorgeous."

Riddhima blushed and then laughed again feeling embarrassed, "Thank you."

All of a sudden Riddhima remembered her purpose of talking to him in the first place, "So, talking in only business now, Mr. Salmaan, when would you like to see your designs?"

Salmaan looked confused for two seconds and then opened his mouth widely in shock, "Oh my god, you have got to be kidding me! You're the agent I have to meet here? This is just great!" he commented sarcastically.

"Is this a bad time to talk business?" Riddhima tried to concentrate on his changing expressions.

"No, no! There's never a bad time to talk business...but YOU? Wow...You know, I was trying to avoid this agent ever since I got here because I wanted this to be a non business vacation. That's why when I saw the agent's number appear on my cell phone a hundred times today morning, I didn't pick up the call because I didn't want to see this agent, especially not on a beautiful day like today. But who would have guessed, that my agent would turn out to be my next door hotel neighbour who I've practically been seeing every day, ever since I got here!"

Riddhima blushed, but then felt disappointment reach her heart, "So, are you cancelling the deal?"

"No! Of course not! I just didn't want to see the agent, but I would have phoned you on the last day and finalized the deal!"

"Without even seeing the designs first?" Riddhima had never heard of someone who would agree to something they didn't even know!

"Well, I made you come here, all the way to Greece...the least I could do is finalize the deal!" he said it in such a calm manner, that Riddhima didn't dare to speak another word against his stupid methods.

"Well, I should be heading back to my hotel room now." Riddhima decided this was the best time to leave, before the conversation got any more awkward.

"Do you want me to escort you back?" Salmaan asked politely.

"No, no please. Continue with your breakfast! Well, it was nice chatting with you. See you!"

They both waved each other good bye and Riddhima crossed the street and entered the hotel.

After placing her purse on the side table, next to her bed, she threw herself onto the cushiony mattress and closed her eyes. Even though Salmaan was not an option, Riddhima sensed a draw of attraction towards him. Besides, it wasn't as if he was MARRIED to Angela, break ups were always possible, right? Riddhima chuckled at her evil plotting and began drifting off to sleep, until the phone rang and woke her up.

"Hello?" Riddhima answered.

"Hi Ma'am, there's a message for you from Mr. Naamra," the young Greek boy spoke from the other side.

"Oh yes, what is it?"

"He says to meet him at Athena's Waterfalls and Restaurant at exactly 8:00pm sharp. That's all Ma'am."

"Thank you!"

"Ma'am!"

"Um...yes?"

"We are trying to reach Mr. Salmaan since 7:30am this morning, but we are not being able to contact him. If you see him, can you please inform him that Athena's Waterfalls and Restaurant called back and has confirmed his reservations for tonight? His room is right next to yours, on the left hand side."

"Oh, Athena's Waterfalls and Restaurant? Isn't that the same place where I will be going tonight?"

"Uh...Yes Ma'am!"

Riddhima felt a thousand butterflies rise in her stomach, "For how many people has Mr.Salmaan reserved for tonight?"

"Sorry Ma'am, we can not disclose too much personal information about other residents in our hotel!"

"Oh, ok no problem. Thanks, bye."

"Ma'am!"

"Um...yes?"

"Would you like transportation?"

"Oh...Yes! Please!"

"A taxi Ma'am or a limo?"

"Which one would you suggest?"

The boy on the other end seemed surprised by the concern of his opinion, "Well, if he's special I'd say a limo...but if he's just one of those 'I just need to fill my evening' kind of dates...then I'd suggest a taxi Ma'am." The boy seemed to be impressed by his adult-like advice.

"A limo would be perfect then..." Riddhima smiled as she ended the call.

CHAPTER 23 ~ Armaan or Not Armaan?

That's the real question.

Riddhima stepped out of the limo and onto the paved sidewalk in front of the fancy looking restaurant. It gave a cottage look, but was in fact made out of brown England styled bricks which brought a sense of old-fashion and classiness to the atmosphere it possessed around it. There was a grand double door in the center of the rectangular building and two large windows which revealed the setting inside; bright and dim lights in different shades of yellow and brown with a modern touch to it. Riddhima looked around to see if Salmaan was there. Immediately, after the thought, she scolded herself for not thinking about Mr. Naamra, her date for the evening, first instead of someone else's date. No one from who she knew was around, so she decided to make her grand entrance. The door men opened the doors as she entered, and found that the four walls were surrounded by magnificent grape and olive vines, that swirled around the corners of the large room giving an exotic touch to the beauty and shimmering moments which were captivated within this realm; a different world on its own.

Riddhima shook her head to get out of her thoughts and looked around to see if she could spot Mr.Naamra or even Salmaan: no one. The man at the reception coughed just loud enough to get Riddhima's attention. She turned towards him. He was a tall, fine looking Greek gentleman. He was probably in his 50s, and very slim and fit for his age.

"Excuse me Miss, but can I come of your assistance?" his voice was melodic in its own way.

Riddhima giggled at his awkwardness, "Um...yes! Actually, I'm looking for Mr.Naamra...has he reserved a table?"

The man checked his computer and then frowned at her, "I'm sorry Miss, but there are no reservations for a man by the name of Mr.Naamra..."

Riddhima felt embarrassed. She should have found out first under what name the reservations were made, "Well...is there a reservation under Riddhima?" Maybe Mr. Naamra had started liking her so much that he decided to make her feel honoured by naming the reservation under her name? Riddhima laughed at the silly thought.

"I'm sorry Miss, but as far as I can see in our reservations list, there is no Riddhima either." He frowned at her as if she was a small child who had just scraped her whole entire face and was damaged permanently for life.

"Um...is this the right restaurant? Athena's Waterfalls and Restaurant?"

"Yes Miss, I believe it is!"

"Uh...well...oh! Is there a reservation under the name of Salmaan or Angela?" Riddhima felt her voice tone getting higher with nervousness and anxiety.

"Yes! Yes I have the name Salmaan! Is that your table Miss?"

"Oh! Yes! NO! I mean NO! It's not my table...excuse me, but is anyone sitting at that table yet?"

"Yes, a female is seated at the table at this moment."

"Oh, I see. Well, I know this is a lot to ask, but I really don't know what name my date has put the reservations under...and if it's not too much to ask, then could you possibly tell me the names of those that have reservations for tonight? Maybe if I'm able to recognize one, then it might be the one I'm originally looking for!" Riddhima put on a smile and tried making her eyes look charming and beautiful at the same time. She had seen women in movies do that before and get their way, but this was the first time she was trying it out on her own.

The man looked at her with a bit of uneasiness, but then gave into her smile, "Well, I'm not allowed to do that due to some private customer issues, but I suppose I could do it just this once." He winked at her and then cleared his throat to say the names, "Lilly, Ms. Karen, Jenny, Maria Ann, uh...Linda..."

Riddhima cut him right before he said the next name, "MISTER! Um...maybe just the male names, thank you..." Riddhima smiled sweetly once more.

"Oh yes! Mr. Harold Kumar, Mr. Chow, Mr. Singh, Mr. Armaan, Mr. Smith, James Craig, Johnny Taylor..."

Riddhima cut him off again, "WHAT? I'm sorry, WHAT WAS THE NAME YOU JUST SAID???"

"Hmm...Johnny Taylor?"

"BEFORE THAT!"

"Hmm...James Craig?"

"BEFORE THAT DAMN IT!"

"Hmm...Mr. Smith?"

"OH MY GOD, DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND 'BEFORE THAT'?

"Excuse me Miss?"

"I'm sorry! Just can you please say the name before that man, Smith or something?"

"Mr. Armaan?"

Riddhima heard the man's voice say his name loud and clear. It had been ages since someone had said that name to her. It sounded like the strums from an angel's harp coming from the blessed heavens above. "I'm sorry please repeat that name once more..."

"Mr. Armaan?"

"Again!"

"Mr. Armaan?"

"Oh no..." Riddhima grabbed the chair nearby, and sat down. She felt her head spinning. Could this Mr. Armaan actually be HER Armaan? After all these years, did God finally give her a chance to see, feel, smell, touch, taste, ANYTHING, with him once more? Could this really be true?

"Are you ok Miss? You look like you're having a heart attack!" The man came around the counter and stood by Riddhima's side, trying to ask her for any medical assistance.

"No, no I'm fine. I was...just feeling a little faint...that's all. Can you please tell me if Mr. Armaan is here yet or not?"

The man went back to his computer and typed in Armaan's name, "Actually Miss, he hasn't arrived yet."

"Oh. Well can you just please put me on a table near to Mr. Armaan's?"

After a while, Riddhima was sitting at a table across from Armaan's, but there was no Armaan in sight. Riddhima sighed and put her menu away from her face.

She quickly put the menu in front of her face again when she saw Mr. Naamra coming down the small set of stairs and being escorted to his table. He was wearing his usually black, detective looking coat, along with a black hat that covered most of his face in the shadows. As Riddhima stared in that direction, she almost collapsed.

There he was. It was really him. Not some mirage, or illusion, or even a dream. It was actually his body, his movement, his stride, his everything! It was Armaan.

Right at that moment, Riddhima felt a huge lump in her throat from nervousness and helplessly watched Armaan take a seat at his table. She stared at him with wide eyes, while hiding the rest of her face in the menu. Armaan's eyes quickly looked up to meet hers. Riddhima shoved her entire face into the menu and prayed to God that Armaan had not recognized her.

While Riddhima sat there, with her face buried away, and praying to the bottom of her heart, she felt a cold hand touch her bare shoulder. The sudden coldness sent goose bumps down her spine and she almost jumped from the shock. Standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder was Salmaan!

"Stalking me again?!? Didn't I tell you that I wanted this to be only a vacation! I guess you agents just love me too much to resist the loneliness felt when I'm not there!" Salmaan laughed out loud and then drew out the seat across Riddhima's at her table and sat down on it. "I hope I'm not making too many men in this room jealous!" He winked at her and smiled adoringly.

"I hope you're not making Angela jealous." Riddhima smiled back and then buried her face back into the menu.

"So, who are you waiting for, may I ask?" Salmaan didn't seem to have any intensions on leaving fast.

Riddhima noticed that mostly all the girls and women of all ages and sizes were looking at their table at that moment. It was as if all of their eyes were glued to Salmaan's body. Riddhima stared at all the eyes and felt like she was in some horror movie. She pictured this to be the part in the movie when the hero smiles and then all the zombie princesses fight one another and try to get their way past the shaking earth to touch Salmaan. Instead, Salmaan shoots them all with his gun that always miraculously shows up in the scene on the floor, and then runs away hand in hand with Riddhima, his one true love.

Riddhima shook her head to get the retarded people's thoughts out of her mind. She smiled sweetly at him, "Actually...I'm here alone tonight, and I'd like to keep it that way. Talking about dates, don't you think Angela would be getting upset by your loss in her life at this moment? I think it's time to go back to your nest." Riddhima was sure that her stinging words would make him temporarily disappear for now...no matter how hot he is.

"What?? How unfortunate! You have to be lying to me! YOU from all people tonight, doesn't have a date?? Please, how could this happen! I can't even imagine such a thing!" Salmaan overacted in order to make Riddhima smile a little. It worked; she smiled.

"Don't worry Salmaan. You don't have to stress your mind by trying to imagine, because the live picture is playing in front of you right now." She rolled her eyes and then buried her face into the menu again. Riddhima also noticed that every time she asked a question concerning Angela, Salmaan didn't answer, but he had answered all the unnecessary questions so far.

"Well, we can't let a beautiful woman like you sit here alone tonight and eat by herself, can we?" Salmaan grinned an evil grin.

"Um...actually, I think I'm fine with eating alone tonight. I think I prefer it."

"No, no...no need to be modest my dear!" Salmaan got up from the table and started walking over to another table. Riddhima's eyes widened as Salmaan took another step closer and closer to Armaan's table. Oh God, please no ' those were the only words that were being repeated inside Riddhima's head at this moment.

Salmaan winked at Riddhima once more, before he tapped Armaan's shoulder and started asking him a question.

Riddhima put the menu right up to her face to make sure all parts of it was hidden from the embarrassment. After a while, Salmaan stood next to Riddhima and Armaan stood across her, behind the table. Salmaan looked at her from the side, "*cough, cough* Well, I think my job is done. I hope you both enjoy your evening together, while I go and enjoy mine!" Riddhima gave him an evil eye just before he turned and left smiling. Salmaan bent down and put his soft, tender lips to Riddhima's left ear, "By the way, his name is Armaan. I know it's not me...which I know is a disappointment for you, but at least our names rhyme. You can just imagine my head on his, and turn yourself on!" Salmaan chuckled in a manly, low, exotic voice and then winked at her before spinning on his heel and walking away with his strong, masculine walk.

Riddhima blushed from the feelings that his comment left inside of her, but then froze. OH MY GOD. Armaan was standing RIGHT THERE. He probably thought she was stupid for still hiding her face! Would he want to talk to her again?? After all she did, and how badly her words had come out?!? Riddhima took a deep breath and calmed down. She had imagined this day right after the time she had found his house empty. She knew this day was bound to come sometime or the other...but THIS SOON...no one could have imagined that!

Finally Riddhima took another deep breath and stabled herself. She slowly put her menu down and brought her eyes up to meet his. Right then time stopped. It came to a huge halt. No one else in the restaurant mattered. Riddhima couldn't breathe anymore. He was actually there. It was really him. His curious smile ended. Time ended. The day ended. Their lives ended. The overwhelming beauty of the swirling grape and olive wines ended. The moment ended. This chapter ended.