Episode 63 - Thread 3 - Page 56 - https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1216434&PID=27237706�
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EPISODE SIXTY-FOUR
Although Armaan has been trying to avoid any sort of conversations with Atul and Anjali for the last few days, but he was ready to take a chance to find what is bothering his brother and sister-in-law. They were too important for him then any of his own confusions. He wanted to talk to them and help them, but before he could do or say something, Atul and Anjali went back to their room. Armaan thought of leaving them alone for the time and decided to talk to them later if things didn't change back to normal soon.
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Atul and Anjali both came back to their room. Both were busy in their own thoughts, still thinking about everything... They had their own reasons for the silence. Atul lay down in his bed, while Anjali lay on his chest hugging him sideways. It was clear that they weren't upset with each other and supported each other from within, its just, both of them were trying to figure out how and where to start discussing the matter. They didn't sleep immediately as something was going in their minds and kept thinking for a while before drifing off to sleep.
Actually Anjali was busy thinking about how come she never pondered over the thought of considering Riddhima as a proposal for Armaan? She might have not spent as much time as Atul and Armaan have spent with Riddhima, but Anjali knew her before them. She knows Riddhima from the time when she came to Mumbai.
Anjali likes Riddhima a lot, in fact their whole family likes her. She is no less than a family member. Dadi, Omang, Aarti, Atul and her son Vaibhav, all of them love to talk about her. She herself loves doing so. Riddhima is the cutest girl she know. Now that she thought about it, she knows that they can never find a girl better than Riddhima. She is perfect for Armaan.
Riddhima possess all the qualities Armaan's wife should have. She is intelligent, she is beautiful, she is warm, she is loving, she is responsible, she respect elders, she love kids... she isnt like other glamour dolls of the society who the moment they step in a house, start making plans to built their own separate house.
Even though Anjali was born and brought up in a nuclear kin environment, after becoming a part of such a lovable family, she never had any problem or complaint about living in a joint one. The elders of their house know it well enough to respect their childrens' privacy, while children know how to take care of their elders. Yes like other families they also have their own difference of opinions at times, but none of them argue for worse over anything. Instead they prefer to sit together and share their point of view over things.
When someone makes a mistake, they would themselves confess it to their elders and apologize promising not to repeat it again. They don't need to ask for anything and they don't need tell anyone about anything. If they are in some problem, one or the other member of their family will always figure out the problem of the other. Its all natural in their home sweet home. Nobody has to put in any sort of efforts or make unwanted adjustments. Anjali has always thanked god for giving her such a wonderful family.
They have everything, and now the only concern for them was Armaan and his future. He is the only one who never shares his problems with anyone. Not even with his family. He thinks they will get worried if he share his problems with them. Armaan loves his family and so, he can never see them in pain. But everyone knows, Atul is an exception. Being a brother and his best friend, he can almost read Armaan's mind.
Anjali knows that Riddhima loves their family and if she becoame a part of their family, she will never try to drift the family apart. Anjali is very well aware of her background and thus have complete faith that the boy Riddhima will get married to, will be the luckiest ones. She is an adorable girl, and above all, she is innocent and pure at heart.
Besides, Riddhima works with Armaan, and Anjali has heard it many times from Atul how Riddhima handles Armaan at his work. Armaan is an extremely tender hearted boy when it comes to the family; but at the same time, he is an extremist, an obvious difficult and not at all easy-to-please kind of person when it comes to work. If Riddhima can handle THE business tycoon Armaan Malik so easily, then it wouldn't be too difficult for her to handle him on personal grounds. Anyhow, she is too endearing to be overlooked by Armaan.
Anjali knew that, if not now, some or the other day Riddhima can definitely win Armaan's heart and take all his pain away. She can easily make him forget about his failure with matters of girls and heart. Little did she know the fact that this little girl she is thinking about has already been bothering her dear brother-in-law's heart beats for a long time now?
Atul on the other hand was amazed at the fact that even though unintentionally, but the kids have blabbered what is the best. Unfortunately, it may have never crossed their mind for don't know how long in future as well. As they say that kids speak from their heart coz they are directly connected to god. So, is this some sort of signal from god to show them the right way, to awaken them and open their eyes to see the real thing which they have never noticed or considered till now?
Yes it is... Atul thought. Even though they all love Riddhima and know she is the best girl they have ever met, the thought of considering her as the younger daughter-in-law of their house never crossed their mind. They all know she is different even for them, but strangely enough never tried to do match making between Armaan and Riddhima.
Why didn't they ever give it a thought? Why didn't he, himself ever give it a thought, in a serious way? He is the one who has seen Armaan-Riddhima together more than anyone else. He even felt that there is something very different about their relationship, which is obviously not just a Boss-P.A. thing or a mere friendship, then why couldn't he ever read between the lines?
Atul remembered a Hindi saying ' 'Bagal mein chhora, duniya mein dhindhora...', and smiled. It means that the person they have been searching for in the whole world was actually right bedside them and they never noticed. Its darkest under the lamp I guess, Atul thought.
Recalling the day when Armaan and Riddhima had an argument in their office and Atul has reprimanded them to behave, he thought about Riddhima. Her every word and body language showed that she actually wasn't affected by Armaan's behavior in a 'negative' way. Yes, she was irritated, annoyed and mad at him, but wasn't repelling Armaan due to any of those reasons. Their banters were more like lovable tussles between two friends or lovers... What LOVERS? His eyes widened as the word seeped into his wits. What is he thinking? Armaan and Riddhima in LOVE? How is that possible? He thought.
But why isn't it possible? His second brain replied. Both of them are equally adorable; both of them are so comfortable with each other, even when they are fighting cats and dogs; both of them look great together in every way; both of them are beautiful; both of them are intelligent... both of them... his brain listed numerous reasons for them in love with other.
But are these reasons enough for two people to fall in love? He pondered again. It isn't like all people who possess such qualities fall for each other. They still stay strangers. So could it be possible that even Armaan and Riddhima are not on those lines... means they aren't falling for each other and are just close acquaintances.
Atul didnt need to list Riddhima's qualities. Though, she has numerous traits that prove her to be the best, but some of them were the most important to him. Her innocence and purity reflects in her every gesture. And that's the only quality he needed in the girl who will become his brother's soulmate. Yes she is the perfect match for Armaan.
His mind shifted to Armaan. But the question is what does Armaan thinks about it?
Everyone knows that Riddhima is an innocent girl to show or understand what love is; moreover what is it that he has seen in Armaan's eyes when she is around him? It is something, surreal, pure, energetic, adorable, intimate and, and much more... It is something he has never seen before. Are those gestures for just an ordinary admiration, or something more than that?
Now as he pondered over all those silly tantrums and strange behavior that Armaan has been showing off towards Riddhima, all of it started making sense. Maybe Armaan has started liking her in 'that' way... He was sure that whatever Armaan feels for her, is definitely different from other girls. So could it be possible that Armaan is finally moved on leaving his painful past behind?
It is possible... his heart insisted. Why cant it be? Riddhima is such a sweet Angel... Atul smiled at the word 'Angel' as he recalled his son calling Riddhima with that name. She is really an Angel. She is an uncorrupted girl... uncorrupted at heart, uncorrupted at soul, uncorrupted at mind. Yes she is the only one who could handle his stubborn brother. She is the one who could take all his pain away. She is the one Armaan needs.
This new urge to see Armaan and Riddhima together has rooted itself in Atul's heart. But he still shouldn't rush things. It is the question of Armaan and Riddhima's whole life. Everyone knew that Riddhima is a sensitive girl, but only Atul knew how sensitive Armaan could be.
The idea of Armaan and Riddhima getting married gave him a sudden relief.
Atul glanced at his beautiful wife who was sleeping peacefully beside him.
But will their family accept this relationship? Atul's brain questioned.
Why wouldn't they? They all love Riddhima and know her well enough. She is almost like a family member for everyone. His heart replied.
But considering someone part of family as a friend and making her an 'integral' part of family are two different things. What if they don't see her as Armaan's better half?
Yes it is different. But then again, is it not true that all those girls who have approached our family for conjugal reasons are nowhere close to Riddhima in any sense. She is the best and every single member of this family knows it. Till now nobody has ever tried to think about Armaan and Riddhima as a couple, just like you didn't, his heart replied. But now that you are thinking about it, aren't you finding it the most tempting proposal?
Atul smiled as his heart won the argument. He knew that there is no reason for any of their family member to refuse this relationship, unless Armaan has an objection. They have been looking for appropriate match for Armaan for don't know how long, whereas the best girl for him was so close to them.
Atul turned and kissed Anjali's forehead lovingly. Then lying down beside her, he drifted off to sleep thinking about what should he do now.
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In Gupta House, another soul was restless as usual. Rahul... When he came back from work, Muskaan filled him with all days informations. She told him that one of their neighbors has approached them with another great proposal for Riddhima.
For the last few days, all of a sudden, they were getting too many calls asking Riddhima's hand in marriage. Now even Padma has started thinking about Riddhima's marriage in a serious way. After all she will be 27 very soon. Shashank also agrees that it's the right age for her get married.
Few of their relatives have been coaxing them to think on this line seriously as they believe that girls once cross the age of 25 stop getting proposals from good boys. Though Shashank and Padma never thought this way, but even they were worried about Riddhima's marriage, like any other parents in this world. They just want the best for their daughter.
Here, every passing day was becoming difficult for Rahul. Many times he has tried to suppress or better kill his hidden desire to see Armaan and Riddhima together, but failed miserably. The more he tried to push Armaan from his thoughts more he finds himself closer to him. Armaan's qualities, his kindness didn't let him think of anyone else for Riddhima. Everyday Armaan proves himself to be the best in some or the other way.
Last time Rahul has somehow tricked Muskaan, and with her help Shashank and Padma as well to turn down the proposal for Riddhima, but what now? What should he do now? Who will help him? Should he talk to Atul regarding this? He knew that being closest to Armaan, Atul can help him with this and he can also figure out if Armaan has some feelings for Riddhima. But again the difference between their status and, the fact that Armaan-Atul are his and Riddhima's boss came between his decision.
Rahul strolled restlessly in his room. He went to the window and stood there staring in the space. Unvoluntarily his eyes closed as he prayed to god to do something and fulfil his wish. He wanted the best for his Riddhima.
Muskaan moved her hand over the bed to find him, but when couldn't, she opened her eyes. When she looked around, she found him standing near the window. 'What is he doing there?' She thought. She got up from the bed, and went to him. She saw him thinking about something and placed a hand over his shoulder.
"Rahul?" Rahul turned to her. "Itni raat ho gayi hai, tum abhi tak soye nahi?" He just gave her a tired smiled and hugged her. "Kya baat hai? Tum pareshaan ho kya?" she asked when she felt him sighing tiredly. He nodded. She parted from hug and cupped his face, "Meri taraf dekho..." Rahul looked at her, "Are you worried about our Baby?" he nodded again while she hugged him again, "Aww, tum bhi na..." She took him to their bed as they lay beside each other.
"Muskaan..." he called her all of a sudden after a few moments.
"Hmm..."
"Do you think we will be able to find perfect match for Baby?" he asked.
"Rahul?" she laughed a little and then added looking into his eyes, "Don't worry, tum jaisa life-partner Baby ke liye chahte ho, waisa hi milega."
"Sach?" he smiled while she nodded assuringly. He hugged her again, "Thank you Muskaan... Thank you..." he mumbled as they slept into each other's arms.
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Next day they had to go for the meeting with their foreign delegates from France. First of all they had a seminar in which they were also going to give a presentation about the history and course of intensification of their company. They were also going to show them some of the layouts of their future infrastructures. Vice versa with the Delegated from France.
Armaan and Riddhima reached the Hotel where the seminar about half an hour earlier. He hadn't had breakfast in the morning. Atul informed Riddhima about it. After arriving the hotel, Riddhima first ordered some breakfast for Armaan. Armaan had his breakfast in the Hotel restaurant while Riddhima was busy checking all the document needed for their meeting.
When he finished his breakfast and looked up, she wasn't there.
"Kahan gayi?" he mumbled wiping his lips with the napkin. She was sitting on the next table in front when he started having his breakfast, but now she wasn't there. He got up from his place and went out to check her.
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He looked for her in the Auditorium where the seminar was going to be held to see if she has gone to check the arrangements, but she wasn't there as well. Strolling around, he came out towards the reception area only to find her standing near the lobby on the other side with someone. He stopped where he was and hid behind a pillar to observe from there.
Armaan saw Riddhima talking to a tall, fair and handsome man. His eyes were dark brown, he was wearing a light brown business suit with a bag in his hand, his hair gelled backward. He held Riddhima's hand protectively which obviously Armaan didnt like.
Hiding behind a pillar Armaan decided to observe for a little longer. She laughed as the man said something to her. Then moving closer to him she also said something in his ear making him laugh aloud. 'What the hell...' Armaan cursed under breath. What is she doing with that man? Who is he? And what is so funny about him that she is laughing with him? Why is she standing so close to him? He frowned.
Then he looked at her face again as she pushed her glasses on her nose. He smiled. She looks so sweet when she laughs. The way her artistically designed lips curve upward making them shine more, the way she adjusts her dupatta from time to time... its so pretty.
What? What did you just say? Armaan Malik, are you a thick headed man or what? What are you thinking? Hold your horses before they get out of control. And you were supposed to whip her for flirting with a stranger like that and not call her, pretty. She is your secretary... and PA... and she is also your... his thoughts trailed as he couldnt find any other word.
By the time he shoved his thoughts away and looked up, the man she was talking to had already left and she was walking towards him with a small smile onher face.
As she reached her, he looked at her almost angrily. "Are you done with your nonsense?"
"Yes, that..." she was about to saying something, but realizing his tone she asked, "What?"
"Great... now that you are done with your stupid time-pass, I hope you have saved atleast a considerate amount of energy for some work as well..."
"What do you mean?" she narrowed her brow.
"What were you doing here?" he jeered.
"I was..." she wanted to say that she was talking to one of her old friend from Delhi, but seeing the expression on his face she stopped. This wasn't the place for an argument. Besides they were there for an important assignment. "I was coming over Sir..."
"Oh really? I guess the route was very long... I should have sent a helicopter or a personal limo for your highness..." he taunted.
She was taken aback at his roughness once again. Why is he behaving so strange? "There is no need for that, and I was coming..." she was cut again by another sarcastic remark.
"Oh! So you were coming... how were you journey by the way? It took you almost 18 minutes and 32 seconds to reach this corridor from the bay?" she bent her head down. He turned around and started walking through the corridor in fast pace. She could have whipped immediately, but she didnt want to create a scene in front of people as at the moment he was her boss. He continued "I hope you realize it Miss Gupta that you are at work right now?"
"Yes I do..." she mumbled as she followed him to the Conference Hall.
"Good..." he said walking quickly. Then stopped a few steps before the Auditorium Hall and said "I dont like to be late for my work, you know that very well. Despite knowing this, you were so busy chatting with some idiot boyfriend of yours..."
It was more than enough now. How dare he say that? She was about to retort, but a man interrupted and escorted them to the Auditorium.
All through the meeting Armaan couldnt concentrate as his eyes kept wandering towards Riddhima frequently. He was still not able to understand what was happening to him. He has never been so confused about anything in his life, but this feeling was something different from everything. Riddhima sat besides him busy jotting down the important points of the Seminar. She glanced towards the man lecturing something on the stage and then back in her notebook to write something.
He saw her that her glasses have slipped a little towards the edge of her sharp nose. Her hair was tightly tied backward as always and her long braid hung down on her left shoulder in front. It outlined her body over her soft curves graciously making them look a little obvious, till her stomach. His male eyes slipped down and stopped for a while on her supple feminism. He could feel her heart beating by the way her casket thumped rhythmatically. Within seconds he realized what he was doing and tore his gaze away.
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After the meeting following the seminar, Armaan hurriedly walked towards his car while Riddhima had to run to catch up with his pace. He slipped in the back seat without saying anything. Their ride back to the office went quietly as usual, but there was a difference. Armaan's mind was busy meandering in the unknown regions of an unfamiliar world, while she was half thinking about the seminar and half about his strange behavior.
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As they reached office, once again Armaan went straight to his office without speaking to anyone. In his cabin he sat rolling the paperweight, twirling his chair right to left, then left to right ever so often. Once again, he was lost. He was thinking about her.
'Why did I do that? Why did I shout at her? She was just talking to a man,' he thought.
'Its ok Armaan, you did the right thing, after all she is your employee and she was with you for work. She wasnt supposed to chat around with her 'boy'-friend. She can do that in her free time. This is office time and she is paid to bestow her full attention towards work...' his mind argued.
'Alright, fine. But then why am I feeling restless?'
'Did I feel awful seeing her talking to a stranger?' he muttered.
'No, I didnt. I was just a little concerned. She is Rahul's sister. One of my best friend's sister. And after what happened a few months ago, its very important to keep her safe. What if she lands up in another trouble? How would I answer Rahul? She is my responsibility...'
'What? Why is she your responsibility Armaan Malik? She is just your secretary.'
'Yes I know but she is also Rahul's sister. And till the time she is with me, she is my responsibility. Yes she is my responsibility as an... as an... employee... that's it... nothing else... Stop fretting over you fool.' He chastised himself.
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Next few days the things went on a little bland as there were no arguments, no long discussions between Armaan and Riddhima. Whenever they were with each other, Armaan couldnt look into her eyes. He felt ashamed of his behavior in the conference hall that day. 'He shouldnt have seen her that way. She is his employee and his friend's sister after all. What will Rahul think if he finds out that he was ogling at his sister?'
'People think of him as a well behaved, good charactered man. Its not ethical for a good charactered man to eye his own friend's sister. She is not some random girl, she is different. Because she is... she is...' he couldnt think of the reason why was she being different? But then his brain spoke once again. 'You idiot because she is Rahul's sister. Yes, she is Rahul's sister.'
"I should try to keep myself in control." He mumbled picking up a file from the table.
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That night when Armaan came back home, he saw one of their servants coming out of Omang and Aarti's room. He had some Cigar packets in his hand. Armaan recognized them at once. He knew who they might belong to as only one person smokes in the house. He called the servant.
"Chatur..." servant's name was Chatur.
Chatur turned to him hearing his voice, "Ji Chhote Bhaiya..."
"Ye kya hai tere haath mein?"
"Ji ye..." suddenly Chatur recalled that Omang has asked him to take the packet away so that Armaan doesn't see them, "Ji ye bas... aise hi..." he fumbled scared hiding the packets behind his back. "Ye kuchh nahi hai Bhaiya..."
"Chhupa kya raha hai? Dikha mujhe..." Armaan walked to him, "Dikha mujhe warna ek thappad lagaunga..." he warned.
Chatur though knew that Armaan would never slap him, but he also knew that this is related to Omang, and he Armaan can go to extremes if he didn't comply with his words, "Ji ye..." he showed him Cigar Packets, "Ye B-Bade Saab ke..."
Before Chatur finished, Armaan fumed seeing Cigar Packets in his hands, "Kahan leke ja raha tha inhe? Dad ke paas? Tujhe pata hai na unhe ye sab mana hai?" he yelled at him.
"Lekin Bhaiya, main to ye..." he tried to say something, but Armaan interrupted him again.
"Tum logon ko zara bhi parwaah hai Dad ki? Wo khud to samajhte nahi hain, lekin tum to kam se kam khayaal rakha karo... Kya in sab ke liye hi tumhe salary milti hai?" he shouted.
Hearing his loud voice Atul came out of his room, followed by Anjali. All others were in the outer garden of the house, so didn't hear him.
"Ye kya ho raha hai? Kya hua Armaan?" Atul asked wrapping his robe.
"Ye dekho Bhai..." he snatched the packets from Chatur's hand and showed them to Atul, "Ise ye sab karne ki salary deta hu main." He glared at Chatur who stood there with his head bowed.
"Chatur?" Atul looked at him.
"Bade Bhaiya, main to bas ye sab bahar phekne jaa raha tha." He said tearfully.
"Phekne?" Atul asked as Armaan turned to him surprised.
"Ji'" Chatur looked up and said, "Wo main jab subah Bade Saab (Omang) ka kamra saaf kar raha tha, to ye unki almaari mein se nikle. To maine unhe kaha ki Armaan Bhaiya bhot naraaz honge. Tab unhone hi mujhe kaha ki koi baat nahi, tu jaake ise dustbin mein phenk de kyunki ab mujhe iski zaroorat nahi hai. Maine Cigar peena chhod diya hai."
"Kya? DAD ne aisa kaha?" Armaan asked.
"Ji haan. Wo to main kuchh dusre kaam mein subah busy ho gaya aur ye bahar phenkna bhul gaya tha. Abhi jab unke room mein paani rakhne gaya to mujhe ye table pe hi pade dikhe to main phenkne jaa raha tha."
"Pakka tujhe ye Dad ne kaha tha, ya phir kahani bana raha hai tu?" Armaan asked again.
"Main kyun kahani banunga is baare mein Bhaiya? Mujhe pata hai ki unki sehat ke liye ye sab theek nahi hai... Doctorji ne bataya to tha us din." Chatur said.
"I dont believe this. DAD ne ye sab kaha?" Armaan was shocked to know.
Anjali too was surprised like Armaan, but not Atul. He knew who has done this miracle.
"To phir tune pehle kyun nahi bataya mujhe, bekaar mein itna chillaya main tujhpe." Armaan said finally cooling down.
"Tune use kahne ka mauka hi nahi diya hoga..." Anjali chuckled.
Armaan rolled his eyes, "Sorry yaar, main bekaar mein tujh pe hi chilla pada." He apologized to Chatur and gave the packets back to him, "Jaa, jaake phenk de inhe..."
"Sorry mat bolo na Bhaiya... Aap to bas Bade Saab ke liye chinta kar rahe the na." Chatur grinned taking the packets and ran downstairs.
"Kamaal hai..." Armaan muttered.
"Haan, pata nahi ye chamatkaar hua kaise?" Anjali too joined him in confusion.
"Mujhe pata hai ye sab kisne kiya hai?" Atul said rolling his tongue in his cheek.
"Kisne?" Armaan and Anjali asked in unison.
"Riddhima ne..." he replied.
"Riddhima ne?" Anjali asked while Armaan was shocked to hear her name.
"Haan... wo kya hai na, ki..." he briefly narrated the incident how Riddhima made a bet with Omang, and after winning which she asked him to quit smoking forever.
"My God... Jo kaam hum sab log itne saalon se nahi kar sake wo kaam Riddhima ne ek baar mein kar diya? Great... She is a smart girl." Anjali praised her.
"Hmm, she is..." Armaan mumbled.
Atul and Anjali went back to their room while Armaan to walked to his own.
Armaan placed his bag on the table and loosened his neck-tie. Then he smiled recalling how Riddhima has followed him to Disco, and then kept nagging him to send him back home, and finally convinced him to go to the Puja. 'Hmm, so this was her real agenda...' he thought.
He has seen her with Omang a number of times. They talk like they are long-lost friends. He loves watching her when she interacts with Omang or Atul. She is always like a family.
Family... it sounds so beautiful when the word is connected to 'her' Name.
Then suddenly he recalled their little argument at the Hotel when she was speaking to that guy in the Hotel before their Seminar. His face fell as he felt the same painful feeling in his heart.
Why was he feeling like that? He thought. His head started paining, so he took a painkiller and drifted off to sleep.
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Atul was in his room thinking about Armaan. He wanted to talk to Armaan, but let him go as he was looking very tired. Also, he wanted to talk to him alone when nobody else can interrupt them. He knew it well that Armaan would never open his heart if anyone is around. His thoughts were interrupted by Anjali.
"Kya soch rahe ho Atul?" she said keeping his shirt in their cupboard.
"Huh?" he glanced at her, "Kuchh nahi Anjie..."
"Kuchh nahi?" she raised her brow.
"Bas aise hi Armaan ke baare mein soch raha tha..." he answered tracing lines on the pages of the novel in his hand.
"Armaan ke baare mein? Mujhe laga hi tha." She went to the dressing table and sat on the chair. "Waise mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi..."
"Haan bolo..." he said a little absent-mindedly turning the page of novel.
"Atul, agar tum use padh nahi rahe ho to bekaar mein book ke pages palatna band karo..." she replied while combing her hair.
"Oh..." he closed the novel, "Haan ab bolo kya kah rahi thi tum..."
She came and sat beside him on their bed. "Tum Armaan ke baare mein soch rahe the na?" he nodded, "To kya iska matlab tumne bhi wohi notice kiya jo maine kiya hai?" she asked.
"Kya? Main samjha nahi tumhara matlab?"
"Arey, I mean his weird behavior. He has been behaving so strangely for the last few weeks... Especially for last two weeks its like he is not at all in himself. Kuchh khoya-khoya, kuchh pareshaan sa lag raha hai. Pehle mujhe laga ki kaam ki koi tension hogi, lekin phir laga ki nahi, Armaan kaam ki wajah se aise behave karne waalon mein se to nahi hai. Baat kuchh aur hi hai. Maine us se baat karne ki koshish bhi ki..."
"Achchha? To kya kaha usne?" Atul asked eagerly.
"Kuchh nahi. Tum to use jaante hi ho. Mujhe bewakuf bana ke chala gaya. Kuchh batata hi nahi hai. Tumne us se baat karne ki koshish nahi ki abhi tak?" she sighed.
"Ki to thi, but then as you said, kuchh batata hi nahi hai. Mujhe bhi chakma deke nikal gaya."
"Hmm... But we should do something soon. His behavior has started worrying me. I hope he is not recalling all those days from his past." She said worriedly.
"I don't think so Anjie. I think there is something else going on in his life..." he smiled at her, while she looked confused.
"Something else? Hope its for good." She looked into his eyes.
"Agar jo main soch raha hu, baat wohi hai, to believe me its gonna be for his best." She said staring back into hers.
"Really?" she got excited, "Tum kya soch rahe ho, mujhe bhi to batao..." she asked even though she had an idea what was on his mind.
"Mhmm, abhi nahi. Pehle mujhe us se baat to karne do." He shook his head.
"To kya tum us se tab baat karoge, jab sab kuchh bigad jayega. Why don't you speak to him ASAP." She said in a fake anger.
"Naraaz kyun ho rahi ho? Main jaldi hi baat karunga us se."
"Hmm..." she shook her head and lay in his arms.
Atul saw she had something in her hand, "Ye tumhaare haath mein kya hai?"
"Ye..." she looked at her hand and added, "Arey haan, yehi baat to karni thi mujhe tumse..." she showed him a small card. "Ye kya hai... mujhe tumhaare Coat ki inner pocket se mila."
Atul looked at the card and recognized it immediately. It was the Registry-Card, they were provided by the Hotel Receptionist in Raogunj. He recalled the incident once again.
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***Flashback***
After sorting their quarrel, Atul walked out of Riddhima's room. He has asked the Manager to replace the small sofa in his room with another bed or a bigger couch if possible. The Manager asked two of his Bell-boys to arrange a bigger couch and place it in Atul's room.
As he came out of the room, Atul's eyes once again fell on the Registry-Card of Armaan and Riddhima that Armaan had handed him before he left. Something on it caught his attention.
The Name on Riddhima's card said ' Mrs. Riddhima Armaan Malik. And the relatives traveling with her column said she is visiting with her husband. He checked Armaan's card and found the same mistake in it as well. After Armaan's name, in relatives traveling column, it said he is visiting with his wife.
Actually when the receptionist was asking details from Riddhima to make entry in registry-cards, and he asked her name, Armaan who was talking to someone on his phone near the reception counter spelled out his name to the person he was speaking with on the phone. The receptionist, who was busy writing details in the cards, heard Riddhima's name followed by Armaan's full name. He didn't realize that the voices telling the names were of two different people. So he thought Riddhima's full name is Riddhima Armaan Malik. When Riddhima told him that the man standing near the counter busy on his phone is Armaan Malik, he thought they are husband-wife, coz their ages looked almost same. So obviously she couldn't be his daughter, but wife. Apart from that, Riddhima was still wearing his Jacket. And that is why acting smart; he himself filled rest of the details in the relative's column as per his understanding.
Armaan and Riddhima didn't bother to notice the details in their Registry-cards. Though Armaan got to know about it when the Manager showed him his card and he was shocked to see that, but Riddhima never got to see her card as Armaan has handed their cards to Atul before leaving Riddhima's room. Atul forgot to give them back to Armaan and Riddhima.
Atul's eyes widened with shock as he read the details.
"So this was the reason of their mistake..." he mumbled.
Just then he was interrupted by the Manager, "Sir..." Atul looked at him as he continued, "Aapke room mein ek bada Couch rakhwa diya hai. Anything else sir?"
"No thanks. That's enough for now." Atul shook his head.
"Alright sir..." The Manager started to leave, but then stopped in his track and came back to Atul who was still thinking about the cards. The Manager said, "Sir..." Atul turned to him and raised his brow, "Are you sure they aren't Married?" Atul squinted his brow glaring at him. The nosy Manager added quickly a little scared, "No sir, I was just curious. I mean, wo jaise lad rahe the, unhe dekh ke to koi bhi yehi kahta. Ekdum miyaan-biwi ki tarah lad rahe the na..."
Atul was irritated by his nosiness, "Mr... Mr... "
"Ji, Kothari..." he reminded him again.
"Haan Kothari. Mr.Kothari, would you please arrange something for the dinner. Ya phir humein uska kahin aur se intezaam karna padega?"
"Oh no-no sir. I will arrange everything for you right away. Aur main Mr.Malik aur madam ke naye Registry-cards bhi abhi banwa ke bhijwa deta hu..." he said looking at the cards in Atul's hand as if asking him to return them to him.
"Well, thank you very much..." he saw him gawking at the cards and continued, "Do you mind if I keep them with myself?"
"Oh no-no sir, not at all. Aap beshak inhe rakh sakte hain. It just that, they are the Identity proof of our guests, and..." he trailed hesitating to say it openly.
Atul understood, "Don't worry, they wont be misused by anyone and I promise I will destroy them soon. I need them for some reason."
"Thats ok sir." Manager smiled, "Main abhi aapke dinner ka intezaam karwata hu." With that he walked away downstair to arrange their dinner.
Atul kept standing there for a while. Then thinking about something, he went back to his room.
***Flashback Ends***
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Anjali saw him thinking something as he smiled recalling Armaan and Riddhima's stupid fight. "Kya hua? Tum muskura kyun rahe ho? Mujhe bhi kuchh batao na." she questioned.
"Ye Riddhima ka hai." He pointed towards Riddhima's Registry-card.
"Wo to mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Lekin ye hai kya, aur ye sab ismein kya likha hai?"
"Ye uska Registry-card hai." He pointed towards the label on the card.
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Hi Friends... Haan-haan, i know. Nothing as per your expectation must have happened in this one. But i had already written this one. But i promise, next episode will bring something important. Some action will be there in it...
I will try my best to update next part sooner...
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Episode 65 - Thread 3 - Page 83 - https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1216434&PID=27629483�
Edited by Wild.Aimee - 15 years ago
Debate Mansion
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