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EPISODE SIXTY-SEVEN
Rahul went numb immediately. He has never thought that his dream will come true like this. He has always wanted and prayed for this relationship, but as we know, he has been suppressing his feelings coz of the difference in their social status. He sat there thinking about everything and nothing in specific. He loves Riddhima and respects Armaan a lot. How could he ever say no to this relationship? He has always been dreaming about it.
Atul and Anjali saw the pool of emotions playing on Rahul's face. They saw him go blank, then confused, then shocked, then teary, and then they saw him smiling through tears. Atul and Anjali tried to decipher what is he thinking.
"Rahul... yaar dekh agar tujhe ye rishta manzur nahi to..." Atul said, this time to be interrupted by Rahul as he finally spoke.
"Atul, aisi baat nahi hai yaar... You are right that I want the best for my Riddhima." he looked at Atul, then at his glass, he continued, "Do you really think, I can ever say no to Armaan?" he said this time looking straight into their eyes, "Armaan jaise insaan ke liye na kahke main duniya ki sabse badi bhul karunga."
"Sach? Iska matlab tujhe ye..." Atul trailed since Rahul interrupted once again.
"Haan... Mujhe ye rishta manzur hai." As Rahul said this Atul almost jumped in his chair. Anjali had to hold him to save him from falling from his chair in happiness.
Atul sat straight in his place while Anjali tried to confirm it again, "Rahul are you sure?"
This time he knew what was she trying to ask. "Atul... Anjali... Dont mind, but I also want to confess something today..." Anjali and Atul waited for him to continue. Rahul took a deep breath and started, "Atul, I have told you everything about Riddhima and her background, right?" he asked, while Atul nodded. He looked at Anjali andto see her reaction and understood that she knows what he is trying to say.
"Atul ne mujhe Riddhima ke baare mein sb kuchh bata diya hai Rahul." She smiled.
Rahul relaxed a bit, "She has suffered enough in her past. I always wanted the best for her. Jabse meri family ne apni galti realize ki, tabse humne use bilkul ek chhote bachche ki tarah rakha hai. Mere aur Muskaan ke liye bhi wohi humaari pehli aulaad hai aur Yash dusra. Jab main Mumbai aya, aur Marvels join kiya, tabse sab kuchh badlne laga humaari zindagi mein. Armaan aur tune (Atul) kabhi mujhe ye mahsus nahi hone diya ki main tumhara sirf ek employee hu..." he smiled remembering their time together, "Aur Armaan... Har naya din, mujhe uski ek nayi quality se milwaata raha. Honestly speaking, I never realized it and dont know when I started admiring him. I realized he is the best person I have ever met. I realized that he is the best one FOR Riddhima too." He glanced at Atul and Anjali again, who looked at him surprised.
"Tera matlab tu bhi..."
"Haan main bhi... main bhi humesha se yehi chaahta tha ki Riddhima ki shaadi Armaan se ho." Rahul revealed finally.
Atul thought something, then frowned, "Tujhe sharam nahi aayi zara bhi..."
Both Rahul and Anjali were staggered at his reaction, "K-Kya?" Rahul asked a little scared.
"Hum yahaan itne dino se pareshaan hain Armaan ke liye ladki dundhne mein, aur tune humse kabhi iske baare mein baat tak nahi ki... Tujhe sab pata tha na, phir bhi tujhe zara bhi sharam nahi aayi ye sab chhupaate hue?" he commented ferociously.
For a moment Rahul could only hear his angry voice, but as soon as he realized the meaning of his words, he smiled, "I am sorry Yaar..."
Anjali slapped Atul's arm, "You scared the hell out of me Atul."
"Auuu... Anjie yaar, yahaan nahi..." Atul rubbed his arm. Then becoming serious he turned to Rahul once again, "Sach bata Rahul, tune ye baat humse kabhi ki kyun nahi? Hum to tere sabse achchhe dost hain, phir bhi apne dil ki baat humse chhupayi?"
"I know I shouldnt have done this..." He looked at them apologetically, "...but... Atul, humaari families mein jo difference hai wo... I mean Armaan is our boss and..." Atul cut him.
"WHAT?" he looked at Rahul with disbelief, "Tera matlab tu ye sab soch raha tha..." he paused for a moment, "Rahul, tune khud hi kaha na ki humne tujhe kabhi apne employee ki tarah nahi samjha, to phir tune ye kaise soch liye ki hum teri is baat ko galat samjhenge?"
"I know Atul, but I didnt know how do I..." he trailed.
"Yehi thi teri dosti yehi tha tera pyar, beech mein aa gayi teri bewakufi ki deewar..." Atul added dramatically making a melodramatic pose.
"Atul..." once again Anjali glared at him for his stupid drama. Then turned to Rahul, "Koi baat nahi Rahul, we understand. But you should have atleast dropped a hint."
"I am sorry Anjie..." Rahul apologized.
"Arey ye sab sorry wageraah chhodo ab. Waise hum bhi to itne dino tak sach se bekhabar the. Sab kuchh humaari aankhon ke saamne hote hue bhi hum dekh nahi paaye. Forget it now, it's the time for celebration yaar..." Atul said joyfully.
"Lekin Atul, Armaan..." Rahul interrupted him while the other two gawked in confusion.
"What Armaan?" Atul said lamely.
"Atul, yaar hum aise celebrate kar rahe hain, jabki humein ye tak nahi pata ki Armaan is baare mein kya sochta hai..." This time Rahul spoke without any hesitation.
Anjali and Atul glanced at each other and smiled widely, "Ooo, to ye baat hai... Uski chinta tum mat karo, use hum handle kar lenge. Tum pehle ye batao ki Riddhima is baare mein kya sochti hai? I mean uska kya reaction hoga?" Anjali asked.
"Uski chinta mat karo. Main apni chhoti behen ko achchhi tarah se jaanta hu. Kayi baar maine us se shaadi ke baare mein baat karne ki koshish bhi ki..." he saw Anjali and Atul raise their brows, so he added quickly, "...I mean generally, to know if she is mentally prepared for such relationship or not..." Anjali and Atul nodded understanding what he meant, "...and all I have understood is that Riddhima thinks nothing about this, neither positively, nor negatively... Uski umar jazoor badh rahi hai, lekin wo to ab bhi bachchi hai." He chuckled, "Mera matlab, she never thinks about this relationship, but still I am sure she is ready for it. Haan wo shock zaroor hogi jab use ye sab pata chalega. Lekin agar hum us se, usi ke tareeke se... I mean thoda tactfully baat karenge, to use koi objection nahi hoga is shaadi se. I am sure of it. I know she fights a lot with Armaan, but she also likes him... maybe not in 'that' sense, but yes, she likes Armaan as a human. Aksar bhot baatein karti hai uske baare mein. Bhot badaayi bhi karti hai uski. Waise bhi, kisi ajnabee se shaadi karne ki bajaaye, wo khud bhi aise insaan se shaadi karne mein jyada comfortable hogi, jise wo achchhe se jaanti hai aur jiski family ke saath uski inti achchhi understanding hai. Itni to guarantee hai..."
Atul and Anjali sighed relievingly as Rahul finished with confidence. They knew all this, but just wanted to make sure they are on the right track.
"Hmm, to iska matlab humaari ye ichchha zaroor puri hogi..." Atul said, "What about your family Rahul. Shashank Uncle, Padma Aunty, are you sure they wont have any objections?"
"Kaisi baat kar raha tu Atul? Why will they object? Wo dono to Armaan pe mujhse bhi jyada bharosa karne lage hain. Ye to tu bhi jaanta hai... Agar Armaan aur tu nahi jaa rahe hote, to wo kabhi bhi Riddhima ko Raogunj Trip pe akele nahi bhejte. I am damn sure that they will be the happiest to know about all this." Rahul replied.
"Hmm, aur humaari family ki taraf se bhi koi objection hone ka koi sawaal hi nahi hai." Anjali smiled, "Mumma, Dad, Dadi, sabka dil pehle hi jeeta hua hai Riddhima ne."
"Right, half of out work is done, now its only Tiger who is left to be belled." Atul added thoughfully thinking about something.
"Tiger? Who Tiger?" Rahul asked.
"Armaan aur kaun?" Atul mumbled.
"Kya matlab?" Rahul looked at them bewildered. "Iska matlab tum logon ne abhi tak Armaan se is baare mein baat nahi ki?"
Anjali saw the disappointment and a worried look on Rahul's face, "Arey, aisi baat nahi hai Rahul... Atul ne us se baat ki hai. Tabhi to hum tumse baar kar rahe hain."
"To kya wo tayyar hai Riddhima se shaadi ke liye?" Rahul questioned.
"Actually... yes... and no..." Anjali said softly.
"Ye tum log kya bol rahe ho yaar. Kuchh to saaf-saaf batao. Armaan tayyar hai ya nahi." Rahul was getting restless.
Anjali glanced at Atul, who blinked back and started, "Rahul actually baat ye hai ki..." he narrated him the whole conversation he had with Armaan few days ago. They also told him about Yash and Vaibhav's conversation.
When Atul, finished, he saw Rahul sitting quietly lost somewhere. Fist he looked sad, then he smiled and then frowned. Then all of a sudden he started laughing. "Boyfriend... wo bhi Vaibhav... hahaha..." he slapped Atul's arm, while Atul and Anjali too joined him in the laughter. A little later, they quitened. Rahul slapped Atul again, "Saale, tere bete ko sambhal, meri behen ki shaadi rukwayega wo. Bekaar mein mere dost ko pareshaan kar diya usne."
"Waah-waah, ye theek hai bachchu. Ab bada khayal aa raha hai tujhe Armaan ka. Mere bete ko blame karne se pehle ye mat bhul ki usne to phir bhi Riddhima ko un bekaar ki aurton se bachaane ke liye kuchh solid socha. Tu kya kar raha tha? Bas chup-chaap sab kuchh dekh raha tha. Sach mein kahin Riddhima ki shaadi kisi aur se ho jaati to? Phir 'mere' bhai aur tere dost ka dil nahi tut ta?" Atul defended Vaibhav, indirectly reprimanding Rahul for keeping mum.
"Sorry yaar..." Rahul got serious once again. He knew Atul was right. His silence could have not only broken Armaan's heart, but also ruined Riddhima's life.
"Chal chhod ab is baat ko..." Atul shrugged seeing his glum face.
"Hmm..." Rahul sighed, "Lekin ab humein kya karna chaahiye. I mean Armaan ko kaise convince karenge hum?" he looked at Atul who turned his face towards Anjali.
Anjali had an evil smile on her face, "Uske liye mere paas ek plan hai." She narrated him her plan that she had discussed with Atul as well as Minnie.
As soon as she finished, Rahul was shocked. He stood up from his chair and almost yelled, "NO WAY..." Anjali slapped her head getting the same response from Rahul.
Atul saw his wife's irritated face and pulled Rahul down, "Rahul, shor mat macha, aur baith ke theek se sun... warna abhi mera murder ho jayega." He stole a glance of Anjali, who glared at him, "Anjali darling, I support you in everything... Promise."
Anjali looked at Rahul once again and said, "Rahul, humein kuchh to karne hi hai na..."
"Lekin Anjali, this is wicked. I mean what if Armaan got to know about this? He will be very angry. Tu to jaanti ho na use is tarah ki cheezon se nafrat hai." Rahul disagreed.
"Jaanti hu... main Armaan ko bhot achchhe se jaanti hu, isliye to ye sab kah rahi hu... Wo shayad ek baar ye admit kar bhi le ki wo Riddhima ko pasand karta hai, lekin uske past experiences ki wajah se wo shaadi jaise relationship ko jaan-bujh ke avoid karne laga hai. Hum kuchh bhi kah le, ya kar le, wo nahi manega shaadi ke liye. Aur isliye mere hisaab se, is se achchha plan nahi ho sakta Armaan ko raazi karne ka. Ghee sidhi ungali se naa nikale to ungali tedhi to karni hi padegi na. Hum Armaan ko kuchh pata hi nahi chalne denge." Anjali argued.
"Lekin phir bhi, ye sab karna aur phir Armaan se sab chhupana... Mujhe kuchh theek nahi lag raha..." Rahul said worriedly.
"Tum kuchh jyada hi soch rahe ho Rahul. Achchha theek hai, hum Armaan ko sab kuchh bata denge..." Atul and Rahul both looked at her perplexed.
"Kya? Phir tumhara plan kaise successful hoga?" Atul questioned.
"Wo ho jayega. Aur mera matlab hai ki hum Armaan ko sab kuchh batayenge... lekin..." she paused for a moment and then added with a sly smile, "Lekin humara plan pura ho jaane ke baad." She glanced at the men, "Jab Armaan aur Riddhima ki shaadi ho jayegi tab."
Atul sighed, while Rahul was still skeptical about it. So Atul added, "Rahul, hum tumhaari pareshaani samajh sakte hain. Riddhima se milne ke baad mujhe bhi ye ehsaas hai ki chhoti behen ki chinta kya hoti hai. Ye baat to tum bhi maante ho na ki Armaan se behtar Riddhima ke liye aur koi nahi, bilkul waise hi jaise Riddhima se behtar Armaan ke liye aur koi nahi? Tumhaari bhi to ichchha hai ki un dono ki shaadi jaldi se jaldi ho jaaye, hai na?" Rahul nodded lightly, "To ye samajh lo ki ye humara tareeka hai Armaan ko samjhaane ka. Waise bhi tum to use jaante ho, wo kitna adiyal hai. Ek baat pe atak jaata hai to bas... phir use manana asaan nahi hota. Haan, ye plan tedha hai..." Anjali slapped him so he added quickly, "I mean 'thoda' alag hai, but I am sure it will work. Armaan ko kaabu mein karne ka bas yehi ek tareeka hai... Phir jab sab theek ho jayega to hum use waise hi sab sach bata denge. Wo naraaz zaroor hoga, lekin wo ye bhi jaanta hai ki hum kabhi uska galat nahi kar sakte. Isliye wo maan jayega."
"Haan... manega kaise nahi, after all uski pasand ki ladki se hi to hum uski shaadi kara rahe hain. Ye baat aur hai ki uski akal mein ye baat filhaal theek se nahi baith rahi. Lekin kabhi-na-kabhi to samjhega. Aur Riddhima agar uske paas hogi, to shayad jaldi samjhega. Lekin agar phir bhi usne kuchh danga machaya, to main Riddhima ko kah dungi, wo use khud handle kar legi. Main sab sikha dungi use..." Anjali giggled finally making Atul as well a Rahul laugh with relief.
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So it was decided that they will start working on their plan immediately. Minnie on the other hand had already started working on it. She collected a few things and took them to Anjali. Anjali liked what Minnie showed her. Their 'tools' were going to hit the target bang on. Minnie was happy to see that even Rahul knows about their plan and was helping them.
All four of them made sure some or the other person is always around Armaan and Riddhima. But at the same time they made sure that none of Armaan or Riddhima get suspicious about anything. Next few days went on like this. Atul as well as Rahul made sure Armaan and Riddhima spent most time together, even if they are working.
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Armaan was getting a little frustrated, coz more he tried to stay away from Riddhima; more was he being pushed towards her. On one instance he felt weird when Rahul refused to accompany him to one of the meetings making an excuse and suggested to take Riddhima along. He found it unusual coz Rahul has never refused him for anything till day.
If it was Atul, Armaan could have gotten some hint of about their scheme, since it wasnt unlikely for him to through tantrums and use tricks to bring Armaan and Riddhima together as now he knows everything about Armaan's feelings. However never in his imagination Armaan could suspect Rahul for contriving anything like this.
As mentioned, some of the trusted staff members were also involved in the plan. Though Atul, Rahul or Anjali never told them the exact reason to why they were asking them to spy Armaan and Riddhima. Moreover, they were smart enough to get ideas about their motive, after all they worked for the Marvels.
The staff involved in the plan also sensed this new developing feeling between Armaan and Riddhima while keeping eyes on the two. They were aware of the fact that Armaan had something for Riddhima in his heart. It was evident with the way Armaan speaks to Riddhima, the way he looks at her secretively and then immediately averts his gaze so that nobody catches him staring at her. It was all getting obvious.
To their surprise, even Riddhima looked worried about Armaan in her own innocent ways. She has started caring a lot about Armaan, which was now like more than just her duty. Sometimes when his strange behavior worried her, she would share it with some of her friends from staff. The girls found that even though Armaan behaved cranky at times, but Riddhima never complained about anything. In fact, she always defended his crankiness and talked only about, how to calm him down.
Soon the whole lot of self-hired detective mob gathered enough ammunition to hit their target.
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A week later, that evening, Atul, Rahul, Anjali and Minnie met at a caf to finally bring some action into their plan. Before they do anything, Rahul suggested that they should also inform elders about Armaan and Riddhima. Anjali agreed with him and so after discussing a few more things, they left for their respective homes.
Minnie had already told everything to Harsh ans was now waiting for the time when she reveal it to Shubhankar and Kirti. Atul and Anjali went back to their home. While, Rahul went to his home; he was going to tell everything to Muskaan today.
When Rahul reached home, Riddhima Yash and Shashank has already retired to their respective rooms. Padma served dinner for Rahul, before she left to sleep.
As soon as he finished his dinner, Rahul went to his room where Muskaan was resting in her bed. He went to the bed and laid besides Muskaan. Muskaan opened her eyes as she felt him near herself and smiled snuggling into him. Rahul hugged her lovingly and kissed her forehead. He repeated the same thing again and again a few times. He kept kissing Muskaan, sometimes on her forehead, sometimes her cheeks, sometimes even pecking her lips lightly.
Muskaan was a little surprised at his behavior. It wasnt that he never showered her with love or kisses, but todays she felt something else as well. It seemed like he was very happy and wanted to share it with her. But since he didnt know how and where to start the conversation, he kept trying to get her attention. And Muskaan was right.
When he kissed her once again, she asked, "Kya baat hai, aaj biwi pe bhot pyaar aa raha hai?"
"Kya matlab, main tujhe humesha pyaar nahi karta kya?" Rahul frowned.
Muskaan smiled, "Karte ho, lekin aaj kuchh khaas baat hai. Bolo kya batana hai."
"Wow Muski, you know me well." Rahul smiled back kissing her once again.
"Bas-bas, ab batao bhi kya baat hai?"
"Wo actually mujhe sach mein tujhe ek baat bataani hai. Something very-very interesting and very-very important..." he said excitedly.
"Hmm, wo to dikh hi raha hai. To kya kahna hai tumhe Riddhima ke baare mein?"
Rahul's jaw fell open, "Tujhe kaise pata ki mujhe Baby ke baare mein baat karni hai?"
Muskaan laughed, "I know you well my dear hubby. Aur koi reason to ho nahi sakta. Aajkal tumhe uske alawa aur kuchh sujhta bhi kahaan hai." Rahul pouted, so she added, "Dekho, meri delivery ab tak hui nahi hai, to obviously us se related to kuchh ho nahi sakta, Mumma-Papa se bhi koi baat nahi hui hai tumhaari, aur Yash, uska to bhul hi jao. To bachi sirf Riddhima. Obviously Riddhima se related hi hoga na kuchh. Waise mujhe kuchh andaza hai ki tum kya baat karna chaahte ho..." Rahul raised his brow, squinting she said, "Dont forget, Anjali mujhse bhi kabhi-kabhi baat kar leti hai..." she revealed.
"Kya? Usne tumhe pehle hi sab bata diya?" Rahul was surprised coz, Anjali has told him not to share their plan with anyone till they gather some concrete evidences, "Kya yaar, mujhe to mana kar rahi thi, aur tumhe khud hi bata diya..."
"Usne mujhe bataya? Haan, aur nahi..." she replied.
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ye, ki usne mujhe kuchh kaha to nahi, lekin maine khud andaza laga liya ki tum, Atul aur Anjali, teeno aajkal kuchh planning kar rahe ho, aur wo Riddhima se related hai. Kyunki aajkal Anjali aur Atul jab bhi milte hain ya Anjali phone karti hai, to Riddhima ke baare mein bhot sawaal karte hai. Sach-sach batao kya chal raha hai tum logon ke dimaag mein? Aur mujhe kyun nahi bataya ab tak?" she glared fakely.
"Oh, my smart wifey..." Rahul hugged her, while she pushed him away. "Achchha theek hai, batata hu. Baat yeh hai ki..." he told her everything about Armaan and Riddhima. What he want for them? What are Atul, Anjali and him planning to do to convince Armaan... their whole plan. Muskaan was initially shocked, but then was very happy to know everything.
"Tum sabne itna sab plan kiya aur mujhe bataya tak nahi. Not fair..." she pouted.
"Muski, hum tujhe batana to chaahte the, lekin Anjali ne mujhe mana kar diya. Tera 8th month chal raha hai aur wo nahi chaahti thi ki tu kisi tarah ka koi bhi stress le ya excite ho le ya excite ho jaaye. Tu waise bhi bhot over-excite ho jaati hai baat-baat pe..." Rahul said calmly.
"Ye kya baat hui... main itna bhi excite nahi hoti. Aur mujhe bi to jasoosi karni thi un dono ki. Kitna maza aya hoga in sabmein." She whinned disappointedly.
"Isiliye..." he laughed, "...isi wajah se humne tujhe nahi bataya."
"Achchha, to aaj kyun bata rahe ho?" she glared.
"Kyunki ab plan ko finally implement karne ka time aa gaya hai. Mujhe teri help ki zaroorat padegi. Humne wo saari cheezein collect kar li hain jo humein Armaan ko convince karne ke liye chaahiye thi. Aur aaj Atul-Anjali, Aarti aunty, Omang uncle aur Dadi se bhi baat karne waale hain is baare mein. Uske baad hum apna plan apply karenge aur phir bas... balle-balle..." he chuckled.
"Wow, tum logon ne sach mein sab achchhe se organize karke rakha hai. Kitna achchha hoga ki Armaan aur Riddhima ki shaadi ho jayegi. Riddhima ke liye mere bhai Armaan se better aur koi ho hi nahi sakta. I am very happy and very excited." She boasted excitedly.
"Jaanta hu... Lekin meri behen bhi kuchh kam nahi hai." He replied proudly.
She couldnt agree less, "Ek minute-ek minute..." she turned to look at him again and raised her brow, "Ek baat batao, to kya isi wajah se tum humesha Riddhima ki shaadi taalne ke bahaane banaate rahte the... huh?"
"Well..." Rahul scratched his head apologetically nodding in agreement.
"Aww my sweet-sweet hubby..." she pulled his cheek laughing aloud, then getting a little serious she asked, "Lekin tum mumma-papa se kab baat karoge is baare mein?"
"Main to abhi baat kar leta, lekin Atul ne kaha ki wo pehle Omang uncle aur Aarti aunty se baat karke unhe raazi kar le, uske baad wo log khud Armaan ka rishta leke yahaan ayenge..."
"Hmm, ye bhi theek hai. Pehle unhe baat karne do, warna jab tak wahaan se koi jawaab nahi ayega, tab tak Mumma ko tension hoti rahegi..."
"Hmm... lets just pray ki sab theek ho jaaye..." Rahul said while Muskaan closed her eyes praying for Armaan and Riddhima.
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Same time, after discussing everything with Rahul, Atul and Anjali went for a dinner in a restaurant. When they reached home, it was very late so they couldnt discuss anything with Omang, Aarti of Dadi. So they decided to talk to them next day.
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Atul had to leave early for an urgent meeting next morning, while Anjali got a call from Ashraya regarding some issue. Both of them planned to return home ASAP after finishing their work, so that they can talk to elders in Armaan's absence. They were oblivious of the fact that someone was already on his way to their house. They still had to face another hurdle before they reach Armaan.
Atul and Anjali both met at a restaurant and had their lunch together. After that, they went back their home. Both were very excited as well as happy about what they were going to share with their elders. They were sure that the elders will be extremely delighted to know who have they chosen for their dear Armaan.
They stepped in their house smiling at each other when they heard Aarti calling them.
"Atul, Anjali, achchha hua tum dono aa gaye. Hum log tumhara hi intezaar kar rahe the."
"Haan Mom, humne socha ki aaj ghar jaldi aa jaaye..." Anjali smiled.
"Achchha kiya, humein tumhe kuchh zaroori batana hai..." Aarti said excitedly.
"Humein bhi aapko kuchh bhot khaas batana hai Mom..." Atul added smiling.
"Tumhaari baat baad mein sunenge hum, pehle tum chalo jaldi. Dekho to kaun aya hai humaare ghar pe..." she pulled Atul's hand, who looked at Anjali questioningly. Anjali shrugged since even she didnt know who has come.
As soon as they stepped in the living-room, they heard Dadi's voice. She was talking to someone, who was sitting on the sofa, with his back facing them.
"Ye to aapne bhot hi achchhi khabar sunayi hai. Hum aapko bata nahi sakte ki kitne khush hain aaj hum. Ek umeed nazar aa rahi hai ab... ki sab theek ho jayega Armaan ki zindagi mein." Dadi spoke to their honorable guest. She looked up to see Atul and Anjali entering and added, "Ye lijiye bachche bhi aa gaye. Ye bhi bhot khush honge ye baat sunkar..."
"Dadi..." walking towards them, Atul was about to say something, but his gaze fell on the guest. He was surprised to see him at their home. "Arey Guruji aap?" he bent to touch his feet and take his blessings, "Pranaam Guruji..."
"Sada khush raho..." Guruji blessed him.
Anjali too touched his feet, "Pranaam Guruji..."
"Sada Suhaagan raho... Tumhaari dil ki muraad puri ho beti..." as he blessed her, she looked at him confused. Guruji blinked at her assuringly as if telling her that everything will be alright. She smiled back and went to the other side of the coffee table.
"Guruji, aapne achanak Mumbai aane ka program kaise bana liya? Agar aap humein bata dete, to hum aapke liye kuchh khaas intezaam karke rakhte..." Atul said politely.
"Dekha, main bhi yehi kah rahi thi... Guruji to aaj hi jaane ki baat kar rahe hain." Dadi added.
Guruji laughed softly, "Jana to padega Shobha behen. Aur main nahi chaahta tha ki aapko bewajah ki koi takleef du... Balki aap logon ko is baar main surprise dena chaahta tha... Mujhe to darasal Aradhyapur jana tha, ashram ke kuchh kaam se. Lekin phir socha ki, ek jo zaroori kaam yahaan itne din se adhura hai, saath mein use bhi pura karta chalun..."
"Ismein takleef ki kya baat hai Guruji. Aap yahaan aaye, humein to bhot achchha laga. Aap humein sewa ka ek mauka nahi denge kya?" Anjali asked.
"Beti, aap log itna samman jo dete hain, mere liye wohi bhot hai. Main to bas ishwar ka ek chhota sa bhakt hu. Ye sewa wagerah mein vishwaas nahi rakhta." Guruji replied calmly.
"Lekin phir bhi Guruji, agar aap ek-do din yahaan ruk jaate to humein achchha lagta." Omang added. "Armaan se bhi mil lete aap. Wo thoda der se ayega aaj, uski koi meeting hai aaj der tak."
"Lagta hai wo kabhi nahi sudhrega..." Guruji shook his head laughing, "...ab bhi har waqt bas kaam mein laga rahta hai kya?"
"Ji Guruji, hum to use samjha-samjha kar thak gaye, ki kuchh apna bhi dhyaan rakh, lekin wo hai ki sunta hi nahi. Ab to bas yehi ichchha hai ki kisi tarah uska ghar bas jaaye to uski patni khud use sambhaal legi..." Aarti said.
"Koi baat nahi beti, wo bhi bhot jaldi hoga." Guruji replied while others looked at him questioningly, "Darasal main jis kaam se yahaan aya hu, wo Armaan se hi sambandhit hai."
"Armaan se related?" Omang asked excitedly.
"Ji..." Guruji nodded and took out a little book from his bag and kept it on the table, "Ye Armaan ki kundali hai, jo aap mere paas pichli baar chhod ke aaye the. Maine iska achchhe se adhyyan kiya, aur paya ki bhot jald uske jeevan ek bada parivartan aane wala hai."
"Kaisa parivartan Guruji?" Omang asked worriedly.
Guruji smiled seeing his worried face and took out another similar looking booklet from his bag. He kept it beside Armaan's Kundali and said, "Ye... ye parivartan aane wala hai."
"Ji matlab? Aur ye kya hai?" Atul asked pointing towards the other Kundali, while rest of all looked at Guruji, confused and curious.
"Ye Kundali hai..." he glanced at all once again and then picked up the second Kundali, "Ye Kundali us ladki ki hai jo na sirf Armaan ko pareshaaniyon se bachayegi, balki uski jeevan mein phir se pyaar leke aayegi..." he added.
"Kya? Ladki ki Kundali?" Anjali uttered, a little disappointed as well as shocked. She had sensed what is on Guruji's mind when she saw him keeping the other Kundali beside Armaan's.
Guruji was though surprised by her reaction, but didnt say anything. He turned to Dadi and said, "Behen, Ye Kundali Armaan ki Kundali se bhot hi achchhe se milti hai. Agar is ladki ka vivaah Armaan se ho jaaye to mujhe pura vishvaas hai ki wo humesha surakshit bhi rahega aur humesha khush bhi."
"Sach Guruji?" Aarti exclaimed, "Kya sach mein ye Kundali itni ahchi hai?"
"Bilkul."Guruji nodded assuringly, "Agar mujhe vishvaas nahi hota to main yahaan aapke ghar swayam nahi ata ise lekar... Dono Kundaliyon ko dhyaan se dekha hai maine. Kayi dino tak jod-tod karta raha, aur jab pura yakeen ho gaya, tab kahin aapke paas aya hu."
Both Atul and Anjali were not at all pleased to hear that. They wanted to talk to everyone about Armaan and Riddhima, but this news has brought another hurdle in their path.
"Kundali ki baat to theek hai Guruji, lekin aapko kya lagta hai ki Armaan is shaadi ke liye haan kar dega? Wo to is ladki ko jaanta bhi nahi hai. Mera matlab, hum kaise kisi anjaan ladki ko, bas uski Kundali dekh ke haan kah de?" Atul said unsurely.
"Atul, Guruji agar kah rahe hain, to ye ladki achchhi hi hogi. Tum aise kyun baat kar rahe ho Guruji se?" Aarti reprimanded him.
"Mom, main jaanta hu ki Guruji agar ye rishta suggest kar rahe hain to ye ladki achchhi hogi, lekin phir bhi zara sochiye, Armaan kyun bhala kisi anjaan ladki ko haan kahega?" Atul argued.
"Atul tum..." Aarti was about to scold him again when Guruji raised his arm to stop her.
Guruji looked at Atul, "Mujhe ye dekh ke bhot khushi ho rahi hai bete, ki aaj ke zamaane mein jahaan log apne sage bhai ki parwaah nahi karte, tumhe Armaan ki itni chinta hai..."
"Parwaah kaise nahi hogi Guruji, usne bhi to hum sabke liye bhot kuchh kiya hai. Mere liye wo sage bhai se bhi badh kar hai..." Atul replied sentimentally.
"Hmm... Manta hu..." Guruji blinked contently, "Aapke parivaar se mere itne sneh ki wajah aap logon ka ek-dusre ke prati pyaar aur samarpan hi to hai..." he inhaled respitely looking at Atul, "Lekin main tumhe yakeen dilata hu ki is ladki ko Armaan bhi na nahi kahega..."
"Ye aap kaise kah sakte hain?" Atul interrupted.
"Kyunki main is ladki ko utni hi achchhi tarah jaanta hu, jitni achchhi tarah Armaan ko..." Guruji saw other looking at him curiously, "Wo bhot chhoti si thi, tabse dekha hai maine is bachchi ko. Karodon (carores) mein ek hai... bhot hi sundar aur gunwaan. Har tarah se Armaan ki jod ki." He replied softly smiling at others.
"Wo sab to theek hai Guruji, lekin koi zaroori to nahi ke Armaan ko ye ladki pasand hi aaye. Aisa nahi hai ki Armaan aaj tak kisi khubsurat ladki se mila hi na ho. Balki, is duniya ki sabse sundar ladkiyaan uski ek haan ke liye bakaraar hain, par usne aaj tak kisi ko apne kareeb nahi aane diya. Iska matlab ye ki roop ki sundarta se use kuch khaas fark nahi padta. Ohir is duniya mein itne saare achchhe log hain, par un sabse humara rishta to nahi ban sakta... To phir ye bhi koi zaroori nahi ki Armaan is shaadi ke liye haan hi karega..." Atul argued again.
"Sahi kaha bete, bilkul sahi kaha... Tumhaare har tark (reason) se puri tarah sahmat hu main. Ismein koi do-raay (two opinions) nahi ki hum sabse rishta nahi jod sakte. Par main phir bhi kahunga, ki Armaan is ladki ko na nahi kah sakega..." Guruji replied calmly.
"Aap to aise yakeen se kah rahe ho jaise aapke paas iska proof hai..." Atul scoffed.
"ATUL..." Omang glared at him to stop, but Guruji stopped him again.
"Koi baat nahi Omang bete. Atul apne bhai se bhot pyaar karta hai, aur wo ye sab sirf uski khushi ke liye kah raha hai..." he turned to Atul again, "Atul beta, mere paas proof hai... in dono ki Kundali ek dusre se judi hui hai..." Everyone present in the living room stared at him curiously, "Dono ek dusre ki purak hain. Inki Kundaliyon ka adhyyan karne ke baad, maine paya ki inki dono ka vivaah zaroor hoga... phir chaahe koi bhi badha kyun na aaye. Aur ismein in dono ke parivaaron ki badi khaas bhumika hogi, khaas taur se uske sabse kareebi kisi insaan ki..." Guruji looked at Atul once again in a meaningful way. Atul flinched for a moment thinking what is he trying to refer by looking at him like that. Guruji added, "Lekin tumhaari duvidha ka samadhaan bhi hai mere paas." Guruji said.
"Wo kya Guruji?" Aarti asked.
Guruji turned to her, "Aap log chaahe to is ladki aur uske parivaar se asaani se mil sakte hain. Wo log yahin, Mumbai mein hi rahte hain."
"Kya? Wo log yahin rahte hain?" Dadi asked elatedly.
"Haan behen. Ye log bhot paise waale to nahi hain, par main is baat ka aapko bharosa dilaata hu ki wo hain bhot hi nek aur sanskaari. Jaise aap logon ko main itne saalon se jaanta hu, waise hi un logon se bhi meri bhot purani pehchaan hai. Achchhi baat ye, ki unhe bhi apni beti ke liye upyukt (appropriate) var (groom) ki talaash hai. Isi wajah se wo bhi apni bitiya ki Kundali mere paas ashram mein chhod gaye the. Kuchh samay pehle, us din achaanak meri nazar in dono ki Kundali pe gayi aur maine jab dono ko mila ke dekha, to paya ki ye to ekdum ek-dusre ke jod ki baithti hain. Aur bas main yahaan chala aya apko bataane..." Guruji informed.
"Aapne bhot upkaar kiya humpe Guruji. Aap kabhi kisi ke ghar nahi jaate, lekin phir bhi aap yahaan swayam aaye, is se badi baat humaare liye kya ho sakti hai. Humein aap pe pura vishvaas hai, ki jo bhi parivaar aap sujhayenge, wo achchha hi hoga. Rahi baat paise ki, to daulat mein kya rakha hai Guruji? Bhagwaan aur aapke aashirvaad, aur mere bachchon ki mahnat ki wajah se humaare paas uski koi kami nahi hai. Humein to bas ek aisi ladki chaahiye jo Armaan ko sachche dil se chaahe. Uski khushi ke siva humein aur kuchh nahi chaahiye..." Omang said, "Aap kah rahe hain to hum in logon se zaroor milenge. Aapse ek chhoti si request hai bas..."
"Haan-haan, kaho beta..." Guruji replied as a reflex.
"Meri ye request hai ki aap ek-do din humaare ghar hi vishraam kijiye. Aur ho sake to in logon ko kal hi yahaan bula lijiye. Agar ye rishta hona hai to hum jald se jald ise pakka karna chaahenge. Jo hona hoga abhi ho jayega..." Omang requested folding his hands.
"Ji Guruji, waise bhi aap hi ne kaha tha na, ki Armaan ki shaadi is saal March tak ho jaani chaahiye... To agar ye rishta uski kismet mein hai, hum jald-se-jald is pakka karna chaahte hain. Der karne se kya hoga? Aap humaari itni madad kar dein, hum aapke bhot abhaari honge." Aarti too joined her hands requesting politely.
"Ismein abhaar ki kya baat hai Beti, ye to mere liye bhi khushi ki baat hogi. Maine jin do bachchon ko apni aankhon se bade hote, aur apne jeevan ki har mushkil ka saamna karke bhi jeet paate hue dekha, agar wo dono ek ho jaaye to mujhe khushi hi hogi. Main abhi baat karta hu un logon se..." Guruji got up from the couch and went in the garden to make the call from his mobile while others waited for him to come back with some news.
In the meanwhile, Atul and Anjali were thinking worriedly what to do now. It wasnt appropriate to say no to Guruji. They all respect him a lot. They decided to keep quite for the time coz they didnt want to say anything that hurt anyone's feelings. Guruji has always been a figure of high regards for them. He was not one of those fake greedy 'Babas' who are after people's money. Beside everyone knew that he loves Armaan and will never suggest anything wrong for him.
But what about Armaan's feelings? How will he react when he come to know about all this? Will he able to accept this girl? No, not possible... Armaan likes Riddhima, and even if mistakingly he thinks that she is attached to some other guy, he will never say yes for ANY other girl... atleast not so soon. Their thoughts were interrupted when Guruji came back in the Living room beaming happily.
"Liijiye Shobha Behen, meri baat ho gayi unse. Wo kal hi yahaan aa jayenge..." he informed.
"Arey waah, ye to bhot achchhi baat hai. Agar sab kuchh theek raha to phir to hum jaldi hi sab pakka karne ki koshish karenge." Dadi said, "Aarti beti, tum kal ke liye tayyar karo."
"Ji maaji..." Aarti nodded.
"Behen wo log bhot simple aur saade log hain. Kal bas Ladki ke tau-tayi hi aayenge." Guruji said.
"Tau-tayi?" Aarti looked at him confused.
"Haan, wo ladki apne tau-tayi ke saath hi rahti hai." Guruji replied.
Aarti wanted to ask something else, but Dadi signaled her not to act too nosy.
So Guruji decided to stay at their home for another day. They made arrangements for his stay in their guest room. After dinner everyone retired to their rooms.
Armaan came back very late, so he took his dinner alone. Nobody could talk to him about anything. Besides they thought its good not to tell him anything right now, coz otherwise he will once again find a way to escape. So Armaan stayed unware of Guruji's presence in the house.
Atul and Anjali decided to let the elders do what they want. They thought of first of all seeing who this girl is, and if she is not fit for Armaan, which they were more than just sure will not be, they will reveal it openly to everyone that they didnt like the girl. If possible they will even say no at their own, on Armaan's behalf too... no matter what happens after that. They called Rahul to talk about it next day. Rahul was on leave next day as he has to accompany Muskaan for her routine checkup, so he asked them to come over to his house.
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Next day, once again Armaan left early for the Site inspection of Worker's colony. Obviously, he remained oblivious of Guruji's arrival. Aarti apologized on his behalf to Guruji, who didnt mind it knowing that he didnt do it intentionally. It wasnt hidden from him, what type of Workaholic boy Armaan is. They waited impatiently for their important guests to arrive, who were supposed to meet them at around 10:30am.
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Rahul accompanied Muskaan for her early morning, routine checkup. Everything was fine and their baby was doing great. They came back home at around 11:00 am with Atul and Anjali. Atul and Anjali have made some excuse to leave the house early before their guests arrive. They went straight to Muskaan's doctor's clinic and then followed them to their house.
When they reached Rahul's home, nobody was home except their maid Shaguna. After serving them tea and snacks, Shaguna too got busy with her house-hold chores.
"Ab bata Atul, baat kya hai? Itna pareshaan kyun lag raha hai tu?" Rahul initiated the discussion as they all settled in their Living-room.
"Ab kya bataun tujhe Rahul, ek bhot badi problem aa khadi hui hai..." Atul replied.
"Problem?" Rahul glanced at Anjali questioningly.
"Haan Rahul..." Anjali explained him and Muskaan everything.
As she finished, Muskaan exclaimed, "Lekin tum log aise kaise kar sakte ho? Armaan agar Baby ko pasand karta hai to ye sab Kundali ka chakkar kyun?"
"Relax Muskaan..." Rahul tried to calm her down, "Hum baat kar rahe hain na. Tu araam se baith ja, tere liya excite hona theek nahi hai."
"Kya excite hona theek nahi hai... huh? Yahaan Baby aur Armaan ki puri zindagi ka sawaal hai, main kya chup-chaap baith ke dekhti rahu ye sab hote hue?" Muskaan said angrily.
"Muskaan please..." Anjali interrupted her, "Rahul theek kah raha hai. Tu relax kar. Rahi baat Armaan aur Riddhima ki, to tu chinta mat kar, ab hum chaaron saath hain na... Hum unhe mila kar hi rahenge, chaahe uske liye humein kuchh bhi kyun na karna pade."
"To phir tumne apne un, Guruji-wuruji, wo jo koi bhi hain, unhe kal hi kyun nahi kahi ye baat?" Muskaan made a face irritably.
"Muskaan, Guruji humaare parivaar ke liye bhot hi respectable personality hain. Humaare boore samay mein unhone bhot hausala badhaya tha humara. Unhone humesha jo bhi salaah di hai, us se humara fayeda hi hua hai. Ghar ke sab log, including Armaan, unki bhot izzat karte hain. Hum unhe is tarah ekdum se na nahi kah sakte the. Lekin iska matlab ye nahi ki hum unki baat maan hi jayenge. Aur ye sab itni jaldi mein hua, ki hum soch hi nahi paaye ki kya karein. Humne socha ki wo jo kar rahe hain filhaal unhe karne dete hain, baad mein dekhtein hai kya kya karna hai. Hum dono kal se isi baare mein soch rahe hain, aur aaj hum tumhaare paas bhi isiliye aaye hain, taaki sab milke discuss kar sakein ki aage kya karna hai." Atul explained.
"Haan Muskaan... aur tumhe kya lagta hai, ki humne koshish nahi ki? Atul ne to bhot koshish ki is baat ko taalne ki, aur unse baadmein Mumma-Papa se daant bhi khaayi iski wajah se..." Anjali made a sad face, "Par hum Guriji ka apmaan bhi to nahi kar sakte the na..."
"We understand that Anjali. Lekin ab hum kya karein?" Rahul asked worriedly.
"Yehi to samajh nahi aa raha... Lagta hai humein direct Uncle-Aunty se baat karni hogi. Unki marzi jaan le, phir mom-dad ko manana asaan ho jaayega. Waise Uncle-Aunty hai kahaan is waqt?" Atul suggested looking around.
"Wo log kisi friend ke yahaan kuchh kaam se gaye hain, shaam taka a jaayenge. Aur tumhaari baat..." Rahul was about to say something, when Atul's phone rang.
Atul narrowed his eyes on seeing the caller's name. He cut the call first, but in the next moment it started ringing again. He switched the call on and went out of the room to talk.
As soon as Atul went out, Anjali started, "Pata nahi hum kya karenge, lekin ye baat pakki hai ki Armaan aur Riddhima ke rishtey ke liye hum pura zor laga denge..."
"Hmm..." Rahul nodded.
A few minutes later Atul came back looking a little vexed, "Guys humein jana hoga... Ghar se phone aya hai." Muskaan and Rahul looked at him worriedly, so he assured, "Dont worry Muskaan, hum aise hi sab kuchh bigadne nahi denge." He turned to Anjali, "Chalo Anjie..."
Anjali nodded and said to Muskaan, "Dont take too much stress and take care ok..."
"Ok..." Muskaan mumbled.
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In their car, on their way back home, Anjali asked, "Kya hua Atul? Kiska phone tha?"
"Mom ka... Bhot ghussa ho rahi thi ki hum abhi tak ghar kyun nahi pahunche... Unhone immediately ghar wapis aane ko kaha hai..." He frowned.
"Oh... wo to hona hi tha. Lekin tum achaanak itne upset kyun lag rahe ho? Kya sochne lage?" she asked seeing his wrinked brows.
"Mom ne phone pe daanta to, lekin phir bhi wo bhot excited lag rahi thi. Pata nahi kyun Anjie, lekin mujhe aise laga jaise wo kisi baat se bhot khush thi..." he said sardonically.
"Oh god, kahin un logon ne rishtey ke liye haan to nahi kah diya?" her eyes widened in concern.
"Pata nahi... ye to ghar pahunch kar hi pata chalega..." Atul mumbled as he took a next turn towards their house.
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Hi Friends... Many of you had asked me if i forgot about the Kundali thing. I hope this proves that i havent. This one was to bring it back into the picture. Next few parts will ensure things to bring Armaan-Riddhima together...
Thanks to all of you for your immense support. Its only coz of you all i have been able to cross another century mark.
I guess everyone got the PMs this time as well.
Oh yes, the most-important things...
WISH YOU ALL HAPPY HOLY ⭐️...
Thanks to all my silent readers who pressed the like button for the previous episode.
Please comment after reading to tell me how was it and let me know if there has been any mistake. Like button pe click kar dena agar ho sake to...
P.S. - PMs will be sent only to those -
1. Who request for PMs.
2. Who continue to reply in future as well.
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