Muhabbat Ki (Nayi) Raahon Me [Part 433: Page 47] - Page 25

PART 431:

Armaan was fumbling with the keys. He was holding Ridhimaa in his arms and was trying to open the door lock, simultaneously.

Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Armaan: Ridhimaa please… do minute… main kuch kaam kar raha hoon…
Ridhimaa: Jo tum kar rahe ho… wo sirf bewkoofi hai…
Armaan: Maine tumhari opinion maangi?
Ridhimaa: (gently) Armaan… mujhe utaar ke darwaaza khol lo…
Armaan: (irritated) Itni mushkil se to haath aayi ho… tumhe utaarunga to tum bhaag jaogi…
Ridhimaa: Aur main bhaag ke kahaan jaungi?

Armaan thought for a moment and sensed that Ridhimaa had a valid point. He put Ridhimaa down on her feet.

Armaan: (warning) No shaitani… okay?
Ridhimaa: (saluting) Yes Sir!

Armaan smiled and turned to open the lock. As soon as Armaan unlocked the door and flung it wide open, Ridhimaa rushed inside and shut the door on Armaan's face.

Armaan: (flabbergasted) Ridhimaa!

But Ridhimaa wasn't there to hear him. She knew very well that one locked door wouldn't prevent Armaan from taking revenge. Ridhimaa took off her heels, placed them on the shoe rack and ran barefooted upstairs to the bedroom. She hurled the door open and locked it behind her, a glow of victory on her face. Then she faced the room and got the shock of her life.

The room was decorated as beautifully as it had been decorated two nights before. Flower drapings and scented candles adorned the place while rose petals bejeweled the bed, arranged in a heart shape. White roses formed the words "I Love You Ridhimaa" on that red heart.

Ridhimaa was so astonished that she moved forwards distractedly and tripped over the basketball that had been left on the floor. A small shriek left her mouth and she closed her eyes tightly, anticipating the fall, when she was sweeped into two strong arms. Feeling warm, heavy breath on her face, Ridhimaa opened her eyes surreptitiously and found Armaan bearing down on her.

Ridhimaa: (sighing in relief) Armaan!

Armaan did not speak. Nor did he leave her. Ridhimaa realized the game was up. It was time for her punishment. She tried to divert Armaan's mind.

Ridhimaa: Armaan… wo… tum andar kaise aaye?
Armaan: Pipe se…

The answer was so obvious, yet so amusing that Ridhimaa burst out laughing. Armaan left her in shock, thinking that she had gone nuts. But Ridhimaa waas laughing so hard that it seemed that her legs wouldn't support her weight for long. Before Ridhimaa could fall down, Armaan picked her up and put her on the bed. Ridhimaa's laughter did not stop.

Armaan: (annoyed) Kya hai? Kyun bina baat ke hansi ja rahi ho?
Ridhimaa: (trying to compose herself) Bina- bina baat ke? Tum – Armaan – tum…

She fell back laughing uncontrollably on the bed.

Armaan: Huh! Pata nahi kya samajhti hai apne aap ko? Pehle mujhe bewkoof banaaya… uske baad darwaaza mere muh pe de maara… fir upar bhaag aayi… aur ab paagalon ke jaise hansi ja rahi hai. Oh God! Ye kaisi paagal biwi de di mujhe?

He was mumbling all this aloud, hoping that Ridhimaa would hear this and would stop laughing. But Ridhimaa heard his chatter, stopped laughing for a second and then erupted into a fit of giggles.

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum poore paagal ho!
Armaan: Mujhe tum bhi poori paagal lag rahi ho…
Ridhimaa: Lekin kum se kum main apne ghar me pipe se chadh ke to nahi aayi na…
Armaan: (displeased) Ye naubat bhi tumhari hi wajah se aayi hai… aaj pipe pe chadhaaya hai… kal to ghar se baahar hi nikaal dogi.

Ridhimaa glanced at his cute pouting face and smiled.

Armaan: Ridhimaa! Hansna band karo mere upar…
Ridhimaa: (laughing) Ok-ok… I'm trying…

But her laughter soon died as Armaan's weight setteled on top of her. Her eyes grew wide as Armaan's hands cupped her face. The blush that rose upto Ridhimaa's cheeks was enough to drive Armaan crazy beyond limits. Unsure whether he could handle his passion or not, Armaan quickly let go of Ridhimaa and sat up straight, leaving Ridhimaa amazed.

Ridhimaa: Armaan?

She too sat up and placed her hand on his shoulder. Armaan wasn't looking at her.

Ridhimaa: Armaan… I'm sorry… I'm really…

Before Ridhimaa could complete, Armaan turned around and hugged her, hiding his face in her shoulder.

Ridhimaa: (one hand around Armaan's back and the other hand caressing his hair) Armaan… kya hua? I'm sorry agar mera hansna bura laga tumhe…

Her voice was getting watery.

Ridhimaa: I promise… ab main kabhi, kisi baat pe nahi hansungi…

Armaan immediately extracted himself from Ridhimaa's embrace and placed his hand on her lips.

Armaan: Shhh… paagal ho kya? Aisa nahi kehte. Tum mere liye hansna chhod dogi? Tum hansti achhi lagti ho…
Ridhimaa: (tears sparkling in her eyes) Armaan… meri zindagi tumse wabasta hai… tumhari hansi se… tumhari khushi se.

Armaan stared down at Ridhimaa for long moments. Tears were ready to spill from Ridhimaa's eyes but she was controlling them expertly.

Ridhimaa: (continuing) Agar tum khush nahi ho… to meri khushi, meri hansi ka koi wujood nahi reh jaata Armaan.

Saying that, Ridhimaa shifted to get up, wanting to leave before she succumbed to her tears. But Armaan pulled her back down. His hand cupped Ridhimaa's chin, turning her face up to his. When Armaan spoke, his voice too was filled with emotions.

Armaan: Aur aisi khushi ka main kya karunga Ridhimaa…. jisme tumhari khushi, tumhari hansi shaamil na ho?

Ridhimaa felt the moisture gathering at the corner of her eyes. She tried to lower her eyelashes, lest Armaan should see those tears which caused him so much pain. But Armaan was faster than her. Using his thumb, Armaan swiped away the single droplet that had formed, betraying Ridhimaa's thoughts, and his promise.

Armaan: Tumhare aansoon mujhe takleef dete hain… iska ye matlab nahi ki tum unhe mujhse chhupane ki koshish karo. Tumhe kya lagta hai Ridhimaa? Tum agar meri taraf se muh mod logi… to main tumhare aansuon se bekhabar rahunga? Tumhare aansoon tumhari aankhon se gir kar seedhe mere dill tak pahunchte hain…

Armaan wiped another tear that was lingering on Ridhimaa's cheeks. Gingerly, he reached out, placing the tiny bit of moisture upon the tip of his lips, kissing it with his finger. Ridhimaa took his hand in hers and wept.

Ridhimaa: Nahi dena chahti main tumhe aur takleef… kabhi koi takleef nahi dena chaahti…
Armaan: (helpless) Tum mujhe kabhi takleef nahi deti Ridhimaa…
Ridhimaa: Lekin mere aansoon to tumhe takleef dete hain na?

Armaan was left gazing at her for a few seconds. Even though she was crying, Ridhimaa wanted to win this argument. She wanted to prove to Armaan that she was, is and would always be a reason of his anguish. As if reading her thoughts, Armaan shook his head, raised the hand which was being held by Ridhimaa and lowered his mouth to brush a fleeting kiss across her fingers.

PART 432:

Armaan: (his eyes dead serious) Haan… tumhare aansoon mujhe takleef dete hain… bahut takleef dete hain. Mujhe takleef is baat se nahi hoti ki tum mere saamne ro rahi ho… mujhe takleef is baat se hoti hai ki main tumhare pass hoon… lekin kuch nahi kar sakta… tumhare aansuon ko khud me samet nahi pata… mere hote hue bhi tumhari aankhein roti hain… mere hote hue bhi gum tum tak pahunchta hai. Main khud ko bebas mehsoos karta hoon Ridhimaa. Ye dard meri bardaasht ki hadd se baahar hai. Is takleef ki shiddat kabhi kum nahi ho sakti… chaahe… chaahe meri jaan hi kyun na chali jaaye…

Armaan smoothed a lock of hair out of Ridhimaa's tearful, captivated face.

Ridhimaa: Main… main kya karun Armaan? Main kaise tumhari takleef kum karun? Main khud ko kya saza doon Armaan? Main tumhe takleef me nahi dekh sakti Armaan. Main kya karun?
Armaan: (smiling at last) Muhabbat karo…
Ridhimaa: (solemnly) Kissey?
Armaan: Ussey… jissey main karta hoon… un aankhon se… jo meri muhabbat me roti hain… us dill se… jo mere liye dhadakta hai…

Armaan saw Ridhimaa's lips curving into a little smile and a grin formed on his face. His gaze fell on Ridhimaa's hands entwined in his.

Armaan: (caressing Ridhimaa's bangles) Un bhari-bhari choodiyon se… jinhone mera chain, sukooon, meri neend aur karaar mujhse chheena hai… aur un choodiyon ki maalkin ne to mujhse mera dill hi chura liya hai. Saza to tumhe milni hi chahiye… aakhir tum meri zindagi se is kadar jud gayi ho… ki main humesha sirf tumhare bare me hi sochta rehta hoon…
Ridhimaa: (puffing her face) Haan… isme bhi meri hi galti hai na?
Armaan: (kissing Ridhimaa's forehead) Of course tumhari galti hai. Tumhari galti ye hai ki…

He smoothed his thumb across Ridhimaa's lower lip and leaned towards her.

Armaan: (whispering) Ki tum meri jaan ho…
Ridhimaa: (smiling and leaning away so that Armaan missed his aim) Ye tum kya kar rahe ho Armaan?

Armaan groaned, lifting his head to chase Ridhimaa's mouth with his own, purposely not answering her question. He didn't want this moment to be marred by any of the small talks. The time for that was much later, if at all. Ridhimaa knew what was going on in Armaan's mind and slid off from the bed.

Ridhimaa: (moving towards the door) Main jakar dinner prepare karti hoon…
Armaan: (sulking) Mere liye mat banaana… mujhe bhookh nahi hai.

Ridhimaa smiled.

Armaan: Maine to isiliye itna sab kiya tha na… ki tum mujhse door bhaagne ke bahaane dhoondho…

Ridhimaa looked around the room, its decorations and realized her mistake. Armaan had done so much for her and she was being so ungrateful. Ridhimaa came back and sat down on her knees in front of Armaan.

Ridhimaa: (keeping her head on Armaan's lap) Maine aaj tumhe bahut pareshaan kiya na Armaan? Tum mujhse bahut gussa ho na?
Armaan: (sighing) Kaash ho sakta…

He took Ridhimaa's hands and made her sit beside him on the bed.

Ridhimaa: (rubbing her hands against Armaan's, providing him warmth, love, satisfaction) Ye sab… bahut sundar hai Armaan… lekin tumne kyun… I mean… kab… I mean…

She did not know the words with which to frame her questions.

Armaan: (replying her unasked questions one by one) Aaj subah, RIDZ se waapas aakar… maine socha… tum pagpheron ke baad pehli baar humare ghar aaogi… to kuch special karna chahiye…
Ridhimaa: Tum already bahut special ho mere liye… fir in sabki kya zaroorat?
Armaan: (hesitating) Zaroorat thi… kyunki… actually… main tumhare saath… suhaagraat manaana chaahta tha.
Ridhimaa: Suhaagraat?

Armaan nodded.

Ridhimaa: Mere saath?

Armaan nodded again.

Ridhimaa: (controlling her smile) Kyun? Pehle kisi aur ke saath manaayi thi kya?

Armaan nodded for the third time automatically, but then shook his head vigorously as Ridhimaa raised an eyebrow

Armaan: Nahi… actually wo waali to ainvayi thi… subah kitni jaldi utha diya tha…
Ridhimaa: (blushing) Mujhe… mujhe lagta hai ki tumhe bhookh lag rahi hai…
Armaan: (naughtily) Bhookh nahi… pyaas lag rahi hai…
Ridhimaa: (finding it an excellent excuse) Main pani leke aati hoon…
Armaan: (holding her hand, speaking softly) Ye pyaas pani se thode hi bujhegi…

Armaan pulled Ridhimaa close, onto his lap and kissed her neck gently. Ridhimaa turned round to look him in the eye, and saw nothing but burning passion in those soft blue eyes. Her cheeks glowed red in knowing that she had created the flaming desire there at that moment.

Armaan: (holding Ridhimaa's hand to his face and kissing her fingers gently one by one) Mujhe tumse kuch poochhna tha…
Ridhimaa: (pulling herself close to him and purring) Poochho…
Armaan: 'Ehsaas Dillon Ke' ke Director ne mujhe approach kiya hai. Wo isey TV par air karna chaahte hain… live… every Saturday…
Ridhimaa: (lost in his eyes and voice) Hmm…
Armaan: Mujhe 2 hours time devote karna hoga… 4pm to 6pm…
Ridhimaa: Hmm…
Armaan: Ridhimaa please… pehle meri baat suno fir aaraam se dekh lena mujhe…

Ridhimaa lowered her gaze, her face red.

Ridhimaa: (without looking at him) Kab se aayega show?
Armaan: Maine abhi unhe haan nahi kaha hai…
Ridhimaa: Kyun?
Armaan: Pehle tumse poochhna chaahta tha…
Ridhimaa: Kyun?
Armaan: Kyunki tum President of India ho. Stupid! We're married, remember? Main jaunga to tum akeli ho jaogi…
Ridhimaa: Main TV pe tumhe dekh ke kaam chala lungi…
Armaan: Tumhe nahi lagta ki hume kuch din sirf ek doosre ke saath rehna chahiye?
Ridhimaa: (looking back at him) Armaan… sirf ek din ki hi to baat hai… roz to tum mere saath hi hoge… and as a fan, main jaanti hoon ki kitne log tumhari aawaaz sunne ko, tumhe dekhne ko taras rahe honge… aur mujhe achha lagega tumhe TV pe dekhke.
Armaan: Hmm…
Ridhimaa: Armaan?
Armaan: Lekin main to humesha sirf tumhare saath rehna chaahta hoon… sirf tumhare pass…

He lay back on the bed and pulled Ridhimaa upon him.

Armaan: Bahut pass…

Ridhimaa closed her eyes and kept her head on his chest, listening his heartbeats. Armaan brushed her hair aside and captured her lips. When he pulled away, their lips clung for the briefest of moments. Armaan drew her closer, lifting up both of them so that he could tug the comforter free. He managed to get them both under the covers without once letting Ridhimaa go, and Ridhimaa settled in his arms as if she belonged there, snuggling close.

Ridhimaa: (sighing with contentment) Kaash ye raat kabhi khatm na ho…

As candlelight danced along the edges of midnight, they began to feel the heat of their love. Armaan was strong yet sensitive. He knew Ridhimaa was delicate, yet she seemed unafraid.

Armaan: (whispering) I want you Ridhimaa…

He stroked her hair, her cheeks, her lips. Ridhimaa gasped at his each touch.

Ridhimaa: (whispering) I love you Armaan…

Armaan pulled Ridhimaa as close to him as he could. He gazed into her eyes and saw a love that was fathomless. They burrowed together into the pillows and nestled together in the light of the still glowing candles. As they enfolded into each other and exchanged kisses of desire, Armaan whispered those eternal words.

Armaan: (murmuring softly, welcoming their passion to engulf them) I love you too Ridhimaa… I always will.