Part 1
*****
Anjali's POV
I was not able to sleep for some reason. Was it because my dearest little sister's wedding is happening tomorrow? I could not be sure of the answer. I turned around, on my bed.
"Ridzie," I called out her name, still hugging my bolster.
I reached out for the bed next to me, which was separated by just a small, round lamp table.
I touched Riddhima's blanket and pulled it slightly, "Ridzie."
I was surprised that Riddhima did not answer me.
I thought, "She can't be already asleep," as I struggled up and out from my bed.
I made my way towards Riddhima's bed. I pulled off her blanket lightly only to be surprised by the sight of the bed being empty. There were two pillows, lying vertically on the bed, hidden by the blanket. I was surprised at this peculiar sight.
"What in the world? Where is Ridzie?" I whispered to myself.
Suddenly, a jolt of panic attacked my nerves, "Oh, God. Hone wale dulhan is missing?"
My hands intertwined one another, wet with light perspire, "What am I going to do? If someone finds out, then I'm dead."
Suddenly, images of dad's stern face passed through my eye lenses. My panic level increased and I knew I needed to do something. Instantly, I picked up my mobile phone and dialled Naina's number. After a few beeping, someone picked up the phone on the other side.
A slightly hoarse and sleepy voice answered, "Hello. Kaun hain?"
I replied rapidly, "Naina, it's me, Anjali. News falsh, Riddhima is missing."
There was a hustle of blanket in noise and Naina cried, "Kya?"
I replied impatiently, "Ha. Riddhima is not in bed. Mein kya karu? Should I call Ma and Nani....."
Naina cut me off and said, "Nahi. Don't do that. If you tell, then ek naya problem will start."
She paused a while, breathing in heavily, before answering, "Meere pass ek idea he."
I asked bluntly, "Kya?"
Naina said, "You stay there. Mein Riddhima di ko dundongi."
Then, I said hesitantly, "Fine. Make sure after you find her, you call me."
I ended the call and sat on my bed. I tapped my leg, impatiently while waiting. After 11 minutes, I knew I could not wait any longer. I made up my mind and went towards the door. I opened the door to see Atul, standing there with in mid motion, his hand raised to knock the door.
I exclaimed in surprise, "Atul, tum?"
Atul gave one of his famous comic, innocent smiles.
*****
Naina's POV
I measured my footsteps carefully as I walked. I knew better than to let my presence to be known. I walked through the corridor slowly.
As I walked, I thought, "Where did Riddhima di go? Itni der raat pe."
I heard a creaking noise. I turned around to see what it was, with anxiety gripping me heart. I let out a sigh of a relief as it was just the windows creaking because of the night breeze. I turned around, just to bump my head to Yuvi's head, which was somehow expectantly there, waiting.
I rubbed my head, "Ouuch."
I looked at Yuvi, who was standing, looking as though nothing happened.
I asked, "Tum?"
Yuvi answered with a smirk, "Ha.Mein."
I asked in frustration, "Tum yahan kya karahi ho?"
Yuvi, with his-ever-so-sexy smile on his face said, in his ever-so-sexy voice, "Mein bhi iss sawal tumse puche ne wala tha."
I fought back, "I asked first."
Yuvi replied coolly, "And I asked second."
I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Whatever, Yuvi," I said as I flipped my hand in frustration. "Tumhara bakwas kiliye, mere pass time nahi he. Mujhe kisse ko dunne padegi."
I started walking away, angrily. All of a sudden, I was pulled back by a sudden force. In just few moments, there I was standing, slanting in Yuvi's arms with his brilliant, piercing eyes, shooting 'love arrows' into mine. Little by little, I was losing myself. At that precise moment, I remembered nothing as I was utterly hollow. I tried to with the deepest conscious side of me, to stay rational but failure fell upon me drastically. I stared into his eyes willingly; yet unwillingly.
He whispered, "Naina."
My name sounded miraculously sweet, in his voice. I felt speechless at my own thoughts. I did not and could not do anything but to stare into his eyes continuously. Slowly, he removed the distance between us by moving closer and closer as his left hand wrapped around my waist lightly. Soon, his lips were inches away from mine and I still could not decide what to do and what to say. I felt his hot breath on my lips and I shivered a little. My eyelids dropped down and I stood there, not sure what I was waiting for. Maybe I was waiting for what may be my first kiss ever.
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Part 2
*****
Anjali's POV
Atul accidentally
bumped into the deco table that was by the side of the wall. I watched in
horror, holding my breath as the vase on the deco table started falling. Just
as the vase was about to hit the floor and break into the pieces, Atul caught
it.
I heaved a huge sigh, putting my hand on my chest, "Thank, God."
Atul smiled at me reassuringly as he placed the vase back at its former position, "Not to worry, Angie, when tumhara Atul yahan he."
I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself, "Yeah right. On the contrary, whenever you are around, that's when I need to worry the most."
I walked away,
turning my back on him, with Atul following behind me, like a little kid.
I groaned,
clenching my fists, "Yeh, Ridzie bhi na. Where did she wander off to? Voh bhi
at this time."
Atul replied in a rather small voice, "Don't worry, Angie. Riddhima yahan se iss ghar pe hu but tumhara pass nahi hu."
I said,
sarcastically, "That's convenient."
Then, suddenly,
my eyes caught the sight of two figures moving, further in upfront of me and
Atul.
I called
Atul, "Vahan dekho, Atul," pointing in front at the two figures.
Atul turned
and looked intently, "Hei, koi ha vahan pe."
As the figures moved closer, I realised it was Naina and to my utter surprise, it was Yuvi, by her side. Much more to my astonishment, I saw Yuvi and Naina holding their hands interwined together.
I stopped in track, so did Atul.
Atul, being the idiot he was, called out loud, "Naina, tum?"
Upon realising my
and Atul's presence, Naina pulled her hand away, hastily from Yuvi, who seemed
very unwilling to let go of her hand. Even in the darkness around us, it was
easy to see the red blush on Naina's cheeks.
She flustered lightly,trying hard to hide her embarassment, "Di. Uhmm, aap yahan. Kaise? And Atul, tum bhi yahan."
I folded my arms, "I can ask the same question to you, Naina."
I turned towards Yuvi, with my hands respectively on my hip, "Yuvi, aap yahan pe kya karraha hu?"
Yuvi
replied shyly, somehow not in his usual-confident-and-mysterious way, "Kuch
nahi. I was just looking around for some fresh air and I found..'"
I cut him across smartly, "And you found a more refreshing Naina."
Naina looked down at her toes, refusing to acknowledge the embarrassing moment while Yuvi ignored me completely.
I asked Naina, after a moment of silence, "Naina, tum Riddhima se milli ya nahi?'"
Naina shook her head in denial, "Nahi, di."
I exhaled in frustration, "Fine, let's look for her together. I just hope we would find her in time. If not, the shaadi wala din would be a chaotic din."
*****
Riddhima's POV
I let my head
slip slowly onto his shoulders. I felt an instant essence of warmth inside me
as an extensive relief and joy expanded in me. This was ,is and always has been
the way I feel every time whenever I am with Armaan. Armaan, the name that
meant a million and a zillion words in my life. Armaan, the one I loved,
Armaan, my fiance and Armaan, the meaning of my life. The list could go on and
on. Well, how could I stop when it is Armaan I am thinking of? Then, I thought
of my life's biggest event tomorrow.
A smile crept on
my face upon the thought marriage. "At last, I would be his and Armaan would be
mine," I thought.
Armaan, who realized very quickly of my smile, "Why are you smiling? Ek naya joke he kya?"
I shook my head, still holding onto his arms, "Kuch nahi. Meine kaal ke bare me soch rahi ti."
Armaan grinned, "Mein bhi."
I looked at him, questioningly, with my eyebrows curving, "Now, why are you grinning?"
Armaan just
looked at me, without answering me. I could not stand the intensity of his gaze
that I had to look away from his eyes. He raised his right hand, slowly
reaching for my face. He took my chin and turned my face towards his. With
hesitancy, I looked up to meet his wonderful grey eyes. He took his hand away,
and gently touched my left cheek. A feeling, somewhat warm and sweet but yet,
electrifying sensation spread through my cheeks, then, spreading throughout me.
I closed my eyes, edging my face nearer to his touch, enjoying every bit of the
sensation.
Armaan whispered, "I love you, Riddhima Gupta."
The truth of his
words kept on ringing in my ears, over and over again like the sound of the
bells in temple, striking around my heart like a ball.
I looked up and cupped his face with my right hand, "Mein tumse bauhout pyaar karthi hu, Armaan."
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