33 – Talk lightens the Atmosphere
She closed her eyes, while Armaan lowered his hand and circled his arm around her hip and pulled her up to his level, as he deepened the kiss. A random flash black of Rohail sitting over her laid body came in her vision, she dig her nails in Armaan's shoulder and pushed him away abruptly, and she herself was about to fall down, when Armaan notice her slippery act, he grasped her wrist and held her, though there was a distance of hand between the two from past moment to now!
"Riddhima?" he step closer to her, when she pulls her hand out of his grasp and turns her back at him, her both hands went up in her hair as she nailed her scalp with close eyes, rain was pounding on them, as they stood far from each other, "Are you alright Jaan…" he came behind her and hugged her with the fear of that she might shield herself from him too, he didn't wanted that – he was afraid if she created a wall around her and let none come to her even not him!
"Leave me alone Armaan!" she whispered pushing his hand away she went and grabbed the stone railing of the open terrace, "What is wrong… Jaan, Talk to me…" he stood beside her, feeling really low about the sudden change of her behavior – a moment back she was asking his help – that would help her make forget those unforgettable tragedy and now she was telling him to leave her alone as she shall handle it on her own…!
"I don't want to talk about it! You are not helping me in any way!! You are making me remember those moments that are now part of my Life! Damn it!!! Get away from me!! Your touch… your kiss…! Your hand over my skin! Makes me remember that disgusting moments that I lived few hours back!! It's not helping! You are NOT Helping! Get AWAY from Me!!!" she shouted on his face as she slid down on wet floor crying, while banging her head back on the railing wall…!
Armaan stood there with a slight mouth open he didn't knew if he should stay or leave. Pressing his lips together, he lowered down on his knee in front of her, "Armaaan! Don't!" she said, glaring at him, with tears in her eyes, Armaan raised his hand up in peace, and moved back a step on his knee and settled in front of her on wet floor, quietly. He kept on looking at her, and then kept on thinking what to do? What to do? What to do? as she kept on crying!!!
"Accchhhu!" Armaan Sneezed, Riddhima looks up at him, "we should… get in…" she whispered and held the railing wall to stand up while Armaan quietly nodded and stood up quickly, he thought to talk to Naina asp, she would surely guide him. Without thinking twice he grabbed Riddhima's arm and hurriedly ran towards the door – and sneezed thrice in a way. "Get changed before you get cold!" Armaan stopped at door, and opened the room door for her, "cl..oths?" she asked, "rahul said, its available in cupboard! Grab something from there, I will pay the owner!" Armaan said sneezing in middle.
"I will come in 5 minutes and make you soup okay!" she said, softly. He held his head as it pained due to sneeze, "no I am fine, you don't worry – if you want to sleep, after changing you can take rest!" Armaan replied and walks away, sadly down stairs, pulling his phone out. On the other hand, Riddhima felt guilty, about her behavior, but she went in room and locked it!
"Accchuuu Accchhuu Accchhuu!" pauses, "hello Mom! Mommm… Mom Listen to me!!! Accchuuu! Yea yea I am Fine! I got wet under rain! Accchuu! Sorry mom, momm? Mommm! Its serious Will You listen to me? OR I cut the phone?" Armaan blackmails Naina on phone, rolling his eyes at his mom's continuous banter.
"Yea, good now listen, Mom. Riddhima is locking herself…." Pause, "No mom! She is NOT locking herself in a Room, Gossh! Will you stop Interrupting – and come to an isolated place away from others and especially Padma aunty! Accchuu!" pause,
"Good, mom Riddhima is pushing me away from her… she is going through pain – and is not confronting me, nothing happened mom! We saved her on time but still she is regretting the moment… No mom, they DID NOT do anything! Trust me! And DON'T doubt Mom… I called you for help… can you tell me what should I do --- I can't see her crying…." Armaan said, helplessly, and remained mum as he heard his mom
After few moments of silence,
"Thanks Mom, you are a great Help, Accchuuu! Yes I will have something hot, I hope Riddhima gets better… she is just stressed out mom – they had hit her I guess, and kept her all tied… yes mom it was Vivek…" Armaan ignored to refer Rohail as it would create more problem, "mom don't tell much to Padma aunty… you know na they create…" Armaan was interrupted, "Thanks mom you are the best, okay Bye... Love you and dad…" Armaan quickly cut the phone as he saw Riddhima descending from the stairs, "who was on the phone?" she asked frowning, as she notice Armaan fumbling with the phone and finally getting it out of his hand and making it fall on floor and then picking it up, smiling nervously… he unbutton his wet shirt and kept it on a couch, and spoke, with bear chest….
"Mom… mom, she was asking if we are okay! Accchuuu! And not getting wet in rain Accchuu!" he said, she nodded and walks to the kitchen, Armaan hit his own forehead, "idiot!" he mumbles to himself, and notice her wearing a loose cotton gown, "it's a night dress!" Armaan commented walking in the kitchen after her, "yes, rest of the dresses was too fancy, and I am tired… this was relaxing," she said, looking at him, blankly… "You look nice!" Armaan replied and took a seat away, not bothering to give her smile, "hmm…" she replied, and took a packet of soup, and mixing the soup product, in to water and keeping it on stove.
Standing beside stove with her back at him while he played with an apple kept in the basket. "Riddhima…" he spoke, walking up to her, she remained quiet, "I know, you are hurt… I know somewhere I am at fault… I know it's not easy to forget those moments, I know, you love me… and I love you… please… let's sit and talk… I know, it will get unbearable for you to talk about it – you might feel lots of pain inside, but I promise – I will sit by your side and we will get through this very soon. I know, you don't want to talk… I insist… I request, even if you say I will beg – but don't throw me out of your life like this – we are one soul, we are meant to be together in good and bad phase! We had promise to take care of each other on our wedding day… please… please say yes…" he held her hands, together, while he notice her eyes dropping tears, he held her face in his palm while he held her one hand with other hand and squeezed it lightly, "I will throw this pain out of you – you will forget it… I promise, just…. Just let me help you!" he whispered, crying along with her, she nodded twice and hugged him, circling her arms around his neck as he circled his arms around her, just hugging her, tightly. He sighed, and hugged her; he thanked Naina in his mind, as she was one who told him to talk to Riddhima directly, and even if Riddhima tell him to go away, he should be with her! No matter what!
He closed the stove and poured the soup in two bowls and kept it on the table and then they both took opposite chair, and silently drank it… both were jotting down points how to start this conversation? How to get rid of this feeling?
"Rohail… came to our room." She stated, Armaan moved his free hand and held her free hand while they sipped the soup with other hand, "I fought…!" she justified herself, "but…. He had some chloroform in a napkin… I even banged a lamp on him, but… but he was acting so… fast that I couldn't do much…" she said, as tear stroke her eyes while Armaan squeezed her hand… encouraging her to blur it all out so that it can get over once and for all… "I fainted and …. When I woke up, I was in that cottage, all tied up!" she whispered, slightly hiccupping, "Armaan… you know I was soo scared at that moment…" she hiccupped, "i… I felt so insecure… so alone…" she cried silently, Armaan stood up and picked her up in his arms, while she hugged his neck crying on his shoulder, he quietly walk out of the kitchen towards the couch area, settling down along with her in his lap, she hugged him tighter, crying over his bare skin.
Staying mum, while Armaan ran a hand over her back, soothing her, "it's okay… we can talk later…. Forget it…" he kissed her ear, making her relax… as he whispered, "I love you… remember that…"
"i.. I am ok.." she whispered, and kept her chin on his shoulder, so that her face was facing other way, and making it impossible for him to see her face, "I told him… that I belong to you… I told him I love you and I can never be his… he… he slapped me," she whispered, as tears stroke out of her eyes, Armaan clinched and tightened his palm over her waist, he closed his eyes to control the sudden urge of anger passing through his vein…
"He… didn't give me water… and food, just because… I told him how much I hate him and how much…. I love you…" she gulped and nuzzled her nose in his neck, silently crying….
"After hours…. And hours, he took me to Th…at… room…. I tried to fight Armaan… but I couldn't help myself – for the first time I knew … how...Weak I was …! I am so weak that I can't protect myself…f…" she said, with tears, neither she looks at him nor he wanted to look at her, because both were crying in each other's embrace…. Holding on to each other….
"I told Vivek the same… how he was back stabbing you… I kept on calling you… but you didn't hear me…" she complained quietly, "I shouted for you…. But you didn't hear me…! Why didn't you…?" she pushed her head away and glare at him, "haan? Why didn't you hear me? I shouted out for you and you were roaming around? Haan! Why didn't you come early? You know they tore my top!!! Just because you came late! How can you!!!" she said, as dig her nails in his bare skin, almost grabbing his shoulder tight in her hold, glaring at him... both shed silent tears, Armaan kept staring in her eyes, "I felt so open…
Vivek held on to my feet! Rohail on top of me! They were about to Rape me damn it! And what were you doing nothing!!! How can you! Haan! How can you!" she hugged him tightly, almost choking his breathe by wrapping her arms over his neck
"I am sorry…I was at fault" his voice trembled… his heart pierced, thinking of her in such condition…"yes you were at fault..!" she cried, saying it to him, "I should have taken care of you…" Armaan said, "yes you should have!" she cried saying to him, as they cried. "I am sorry, I am sorry…" he tried to hold but couldn't… his voice trembled as he cried, "I am sorry… it's my entire fault… I don't deserve you… I am the wrong choice you ever made…" he cried, shifting her on the couch, he held his face in his palms, and cried hysterically…
Riddhima looks at him, and cried, biting her lower lips, she moves a hand over his shoulder, pressing it lightly, when Armaan started to cry digging his finger in his face, she cried, hearing him cry like this, moving forward she brought his face to her chest and hugged his face, ruffling his hair, she didn't wanted him to feel guilty, she knew it wasn't his fault… it was not any one's fault… it was just time and God playing with them, "I am sorry, I am sorry Riddhima!" he mumbled soaking her with his tear,
"shhh… I didn't mean to hurt you Armaan please…. Don't cry… if you would cry even… I would…" she muffled and sniffed, he gently nudged his head in his even more, finding solace in her, she curved back and kept her head on the arm rest of the couch while he straightened her legs and kept his head over her chest both remained on the small couch in each other's arms, silently calming their soul….
She sighed and wrapped her arm around his head as she relaxed, she felt calmer, and someone rightly quoted; by saying everything you put your heart and soul at ease…. She closed her eyes feeling much more calm and lighter, and soon within a mere of minute she fell in the dream world…
Armaan felt her steady heart beat, he remembered this heart beat, he faintly smiled and nuzzled her warm body, knowing that she had fallen to sleep, he knew she was tired and needed sleep… he moved apart, very carefully he got off her and picked her up effortlessly, "my… little bride!" he whispered kissing her forehead he walk up the stairs – and kicking the door open, he lowered her on bed, and brought the quilt up to her neck, rubbing his thumb over her forehead, he bend down and kissed her forehead.. He thanks God and Mom, as he saw how calm she looks – finally he was sure at least her soul was at peace…!
He turned and walks towards the wardrobe, opening it he notice some of the men wear cloths, he picked out a loose knee length shorts, beige in color and a white vest, and then went to the washroom.
Armaan stayed in bathroom for a long period, and silently tired to throw away the ache he felt in his heart due to his minor mistake today this life was being spoiled, he had to get everything at the right place, and he promised himself that he shall bring that sparkling smile at her faces again…
Coming out he rubbed his hair with the towel and notice the rain was still pouring out really hard, he sighed and got into the bed in the comforter. He thought, to move closer to her will be a wise decision or not…? He kept thinking for a while
And then he heard her mumble his name, he grew tense as he saw her frowning in her sleep, he didn't wanted her to even dream about those awful moments, he nested closer, and sacredly hugged her, "Armaan is with you… right beside you…. You are safe… Jaan… you are safe… in my arms, I love you…" he whispered in her ear and then he felt her arms around his shoulder and soon she relaxed again and fell into sleep with a calmer look.
Waking up, Riddhima flattered her eyes and gathered the environment in her eyes, "Armaan…" she whispered and notice the fact that she laid on her stomach, looking down she saw Armaan below her, sleeping, she smiled and pull herself off him by slipping on bed beside him, she circled an arm around his waist and kept her head on his chest, looking up at him, she sighed in happiness….
She felt her heart go light and at ease, her pain seem to fly away, she thanked him silently for relaxing her within few hours of just talking. Talking wasn't a bad thing… she thought and move up to kiss his cheek when his eyes open to look at her,
She turned startled and stared in his eyes while he did the same, she moved her lips away and kept her cheek on his chest, he smiled, "go on, you can kiss me… I am your husband after all…" he teased turning her beetroot red!
"if you were at my place tou would have pushed me away but I won't… you can kiss me – the pleasure is going to be mine only!" he teased her more, wrapping an arm around her, "Armaan please… okay… I was just…" she fumbled rubbing her nose on his vest,
"you were just?" he asked, pulling her up so that her face dragged up and came in front of him, "Armaan chodo… kyaa kar rahe hou…" she said, pulling herself out of his arms, "I wasn't doing anything Riddhima… it was you alone okay!" he moved forward to kiss when she moved her face away, "Armaan, let's go out..!" she said, pressing her palm on his chest and pulling herself up,
"And what will we do outside?" Armaan asked, still holding on to her, "shopping…. Relax …! What else..!"She replied, "And rain had halted too! Now leave me and get up!" she added,
"Fine… go and change, we will go and shop for Rahul and Muskan," pause "and Anjali Atul too!" Armaan said, "oh I forgot, Engagement shopping!" Riddhima said, getting up…
Armaan smiled and yawned in the bed, pulling his wrist up and turned and twist them… "I guess these two wedding would surely bring out the old Riddhima back… Damn it, she runs away from me!!!" He hit the bed and got up, "you have to remain calm Dude… be with her – she will be the same Riddhima really soon… Relax and calm your desires for a while…!" Armaan mumbled to himself and pulled a tee shirt!" throw the vest away he wore the shirt over the same beige short and waited for Riddhima to come..!
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Walking around the shopping lane, Riddhima bought things while Armaan carried the shoppers, "Armaan we should leave by night, everyone must be waiting at Sans Francisco!" Riddhima said, "Yes we will go, but I was thinking to go in morning!" Armaan said, "Okay – then let it be Morning..!" she agreed as they grabbed a seat in the restaurant, "I am tired!" he complained, "what did you do?"She teased, selecting from menu, "excuse me I carried 2 dozen shoppers and you say what did you do? Shame on you Riddhima Malik, torturing your husband! So bad and evil of you!" He pouted his lips angrily and throwing the entire shopper beside the table, while taking a seat opposite to her,
"Aww… my baby…!" she giggled and pinched his chin, "stop that! I am not your baby!" he pushed her hand away while she giggled more and call waiter…
"Armaan I need to go to the shop after this!" she told, while waiting for food, "which shop?" he asked as he placed his phone on the table, "uhhmm The girl shop!" she tuck her strand behind her ear, "ohhhooo!" he teased her,
"stop it!!" she smacked his hand over the table, "why should I ! The girl shop ehh? Where you buy those little tiny winy dresses to seduce husband and crush them under the power of girl power haan? Haan? Whose plan is this? Must be that devil Muskan!!! Are you going to buy some sexy outfit for yourself? Haan Haan?" he spoke, excitedly with button eyes,
"Armaaan!!! Shut up!!" she stared at him with mouth dropped, "why should I – you devil women have destroyed all men life..! And now you are following that Devil Muskan's steps!! I thought you were my little cute bubbly humbly Bride! But look at you!!!! You asking me to take you to THE GIRL SHOP!" he said, making comical faces,
"Okay stop exaggerating! You look fool!" she threw her head back and laughed whole heartedly… "hahah" Armaan gave a fake sarcastic laugh and picked up the phone which was ringing, "hello Devil Muskan, want some Lingerie to manipulate my bro in room! Haan?" Armaan spoke boldly shamelessly, "thank you for that compliment, and No I won't shut up! Why are you spoiling my wife she is good the way she is!!" he replied,
"No we don't spice in our life – we ALREADY have lots of Spice in our life Muskan Chada!!! Right Riddhima Jaaan!" he replied, laughing while Riddhima hit her head in embarrassment! "Armaan Stop ittt!" she screeched at she heard him go more shameless with her friend, getting up she pull the phone and spoke to Muskan, "I will talk to you later BYE!" she cuts the phone and Smack Armaan on arm, hard, who was laughing like manic, she smacked him again…
He kept laughing though was rubbing the place where she had smacked him hard… "That was fun!!! No?" he asked, as the waiter serve,
"No and Shut up!" she replied, angrily….
"No I won't… hahahah" he laughed again and began to tease her all the more…
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Reaching home, they walk up the stairs, when Armaan got a phone call from unknown Number, "hello? Yes this is Armaan Malik speaking," Armaan replied,
"oh …. Hmm.. That's good, the court made decision.. I am happy thank you for informing such a good news officer; I am really thankful to you…." Armaan bid bye and hung up the phone, and walks in the room to see Riddhima keeping the shopper at the corner neatly..
"They are locked in jail, for 15 years!! The central jail of Oakland…!" Armaan announced, "hmm…" she looks away, mentally thanking God, "aren't you happy?" Armaan asked, as he pulls his shirt out of his head, "no I am not happy…. what did they have by this… they not only brought me under a stress… they also destroyed their life Armaan! Life… 15 years…? You understand 15 years – the value of 15 year of their life will be wasted in jail…" she commented
"Good they deserve it!! And this different system Riddhima, here people get the due Punishment not like our country the criminal roam around street even after committing severe crime…! I am happy they shall live in jail and curse the moment they led a hand on you… for now they are in hospital going through some surgeries… then once they get better they will be thrown in jail… I wish they could rot in hell right now!!!" Armaan said, going in washroom leaving a stunned and shock Riddhima behind…
She remembered how she notice Armaan banging Vivek's head with a glass vase and how the blood had oozed out of vivek's head… she remembered the moment of him beating both so badly… she was happy that he came and beat the hell out of them… but somewhere she grew afraid of his anger… what possible could this anger lead him too… she shook her head and thought to live her life with the flow… and not to think much, picking up the same cotton gown that she wore in morning and waited for Armaan to step out..
Seeing her step out with her hair dripping water, Armaan pressed his lips together, and slightly lick his lower lips, he slid down on bed and pulled the comforter over his head, instantly, to calm the urge that was building in his heart….
Riddhima notice all this from the mirror and giggled quietly… she rubbed her hair with towel and went to her side of bed, "Armaan…?" she called out for him, trying to pull the comforter away, "let me sleep and stay away… warna if I do anything… then you would start crying and I don't want you to cry anymore," he said all this from inside the blanket…
She was in awe, for a second… she was feeling so blissful at this moment, he was controlling himself so that she does not cry… he heart gave out to him and she laid beside him, "I won't cry anymore Armaan… I am over those bad memories… I guess," she whispered… "Still stay away from me… I don't want any hurry…. Let's just stay away… for a time being!" he said, from the comforter,
"Get that effing comforter off my way! I can't see you!" she complained, angrily, "and that would be my line, not yours mister!!" she said referring to point of 'staying-away'
"whateve! No I am at a flow of desire hhahahaha ! babes stay away!" he spoke loudly, she laughed and laid straight on bed, "you are shameless!" she commented,
"thank you! And please stop talking!" he said,
"you are RUDE!" she hit him over the comforter,
"lady Stay away!! Or else!" he challenged,
"or else what haan? Or else what?" she hit him again,
He came out of the comforter, pushed her down on bed with an evil smile and kissed her, right on her lips, she closed her eyes and felt his lips move over her, softly and delicately..
Armaan was unsure so he breaks the kiss, "that … .was nice," she whispered, blushing, "yes it was…" he replied, smirking as he kissed her again…. And this time it grew longer and incredibly more passionate…. He nudge her chin with his nose – an indication to her to pull her head up – she did which expose her neck to him, he kissed his way from jaw to neck and then rubbing his lips below her ear, making her shudder under his silent exposure, she placed a kiss on his cheek, lightly hearing his groan… kissing each other, they forgot the everything – those tragic moments, pain full feelings… and fell under the shadow of love.
She moved away, as she felt breathless, smiling in shyness, she told him to move off her while he just stay on top of her, "I want to…" he was interrupted,
"No… I am tired… let me sleep," she said with naughtiness in her eyes, he pouts his lips and slid off her, "you are bad!" he replied, "Thank you – being with you had turned me bad!" she replied, laughing and moving closer to her as she kept her head over his chest and kissed his cheek, "good night my baby!" she whispered,
"I am not your baby!" Armaan said as he circled his arm around her smiling and closing his eyes… "yes you are…" she whispered,
"no!" he whispered and closed her mouth with a kiss
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