Mere Apne4(AR) - Epi71-88 - Note on Pg147 - Page 31

AHHH!! back with a bang! loved the update! we have waited so long for it to continue.. and it did.. and with such an awesome episode.. really really great reading and having you back..

hey di

Welcome back...hope to see ur updates soon...!!

hey di welcome back...
the part was awesome...luvd it..
continue sooonnn

Aimee please do update soon...😊

Episode 73 - Thread 4 - Page 39 - https://india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1379093&PID=44562415�

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"Nahi Dadaji, Chachu to apne room mein so rahe hain." Vaibhav informed.

"Ab tak so raha hai?" Omang checked the time, "Aaj ise kya hua? Un logon ke ghar aane ka time ho gaya hai, aur jiske liye ye sab ho raha hai, wo khud hi ab tak so raha hai." he shook his head sighing, "Ab sab mera muh kya dekh rahe ho? Jao jaake use uthao bhai."

Just then, they heard some commotion outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Riddhima got ready, they all left to go to Ashiyana. Though, she knew everyone in Armaan's family, but Riddhima was still apprehensive about going to their house. She wasnt much of a social girl who visited houses of her friends or family frequently. But somehow she was also relieved about the fact that atleast she have Muskaan and Yash with her. She was aware that Shashank and Padma might get busy with Aarti, Dadi and Omang; Rahul might be with Atul, but atleast she will have Anjali, Muskaan and Yash besides her. So she wont get bored.

When their car reached in front of a huge black rot-iron gate, Rahul peeked out of the window and smiled at the guard. The guard saluted and smiled back in respect and opened the gate for them.

As they drove through the lane inside, Riddhima saw a huge, beautiful White-Army-Green Mansion. The Mansion was painted majorly in pure white, whil its Roofs, a few ornates, sculptures and moulds designed over and around the mansion, were all painted in Army-Green color. There were two beautiful and decently organized gardens in front on either sides of the driving track, with thousand varieties of flowers.

She saw a few gardners digging the ground, taking care of the plants. Both the gardens had a fountain each right in the middle with magnificent white stone effigies. There was another bigger fountain right in front, around which a path was made in circular shape that finally led towards the main entrance of the magnificent mansion. Around those fountains were circular strips of flowers of different varieties in tricolor.

Riddhima looked around to view more but couldn't see as the car entered the shed in front of the main entrance of the mansion. Their car halted near the porch area in front of a big door that led inside the Mansion. Before any of them could react, another guard came and opened the door for them. Muskaan smiled at the guard and stepped out with Padma's help. The guards greeted them as well as Rahul and Shashank.

Riddhima and Yash were sitting at the rear-most back seat of their Toyota Innova. Riddhima was still looking outside, observing the magnificent mansion, trying to cosset another look of the beautiful garden, when she heard someone shout.

Yash exclaimed, "Bua, chalo na..." he pulled her hand.

"Huh..." she looked at him. She felt it but actually still didnt realize that the car has stopped and all others have already left. She looked at the front seats of their car and found that everyone is now standing outside, waiting for her to come out. "Sorry..." she mumbled.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, she saw a few men turn to her with big smiles on their faces. They all stood on the path in a queue, with their hands folded respectfully. Hearing their car's voice, the gardners had left their chores and ran towards the door to have a look of the girl their Armaan Baba was going to marry. They were all as excited as his family.

Riddhima was surprised to see so many men staring at her, smiling. Unsure how to behave or react, she smiled back a little awkwardly. Their continous gaze on her was making her conscious. Her tiny hidden frown smoothened as soon as she heard Shambhu Kaka's voice.

"Kaisi ho Riddhima Bitiya?" Shambhu Kaka asked as he neared her. She looked up at him went to touched his feet. He blessed her, "Khush raho."

She smiled widely, "Main theek hu Kaka. Aap kaise ho?" she stood up straight.

"Main bhi theek hu bitiya." he smiled.

All others gaped at them shocked and astonished by the fact that this girl, who is soon going to be their Master's wife, was touching one of their colleague's feet without any hesitation. None of the girls who visited the Ashiyana Mansion earlier for the same reason has ever shown such respect towards any of the servants.

"Aur aapke daant mein dard tha na, wo ab kaisa hai?" she asked.

Shambhu laughed touching his jaw, "Wo bhi ab theek hai Bitiya. Tumne wo Dentist bataya tha, usi ke paas gaya tha. Bhot badhiya dawa di usne." Riddhima smiled back and was about to say something when Yash came back running to her, followed by Vaibhav.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leaving Riddhima behind, all other entered the Mansion, escorted by one of the Guards. Yash was way ahead of them. All of them heard some commotion.

"Vibhi..." Yash came inside running. "Hi Vibhi, main aa gaya."

"Hi Yashu." Vaibhav hi-fived him.

They saw all the elders entering the living room, Shashank and Padma, followed by Rahul and Muskaan and smiled at them. Muskaan tried to ruffle Vaibhav's hair, but he managed to save himself. After a friendly exchange of pleasantries, all of them settled on the couches.

Soon, Vaibhav observed that Riddhima was missing, "Angel nahi aayi?" he asked dolefully.

"Arey haan, Riddhima kahaan hai?" Dadi too asked not finding her there. "Aayi to hai na saath?"

"Ji Maaji, aayi hai. Wo shaayad baahar hogi." Padma replied looking at the door and instructed Rahul, "Rahul, bete zara jaake dekh to Riddhima kahaan rah gayi." Rahul nodded getting up, but sat back again when he heard them.

"Rahul Uncle, aap rahne do. Hum leke aate hain Angel ko." Vaibhav offered, "Chal Yash..." And before anyone else could say or do anything, he held Yash's hand and they ran outside. All others smiled seeing them run away.

~~~~~~~~~

Riddhima saw Yash running towards her, followed by Vaibhav.

"BUA..." Yash called from distance and ran to her, "Aap yahaan ho, aur sab aapke baare mein andar puchh rahe hain." he pulled her hand, "Chalo na andar..."

"Hmm..." she nodded, "Achchha Shambhu Kaka, filhaal main chalti hu. Baad mein araam se milungi aapse." she folded her hands again.

"Koi baat nahi Bitiya, tum jao, tumhara andar bhot besabri se intezaar ho raha hai aaj." Shambhu smiled meaningfully.

Riddhima felt that meaningful tone, but couldn't understand what he meant. Before she could ask anything, Yash pulled her inside.

Shambhu stood there along with other servants looking at her retreating back. Shambhu was smiling to himself, while others had different type of expressions displaying on their faces. As soon as they were out of site, all the servants, gardners, guards and other house-help, who have gathered their to see Riddhima, surrounded him.

Still looking at the door where Riddhima had just disappeared, one of them asked, "To ye hai wo ladki jis se Armaan Baba ki shaadi hone waali hai?" Shambhu nodded in agreement.

"Kamaal hai... maine to aaj tak aisi ladki nahi dekhi jo naukron ke bhi paav chhuti ho, phir chaahe wo uske hone waale sasuraal ke naukar hi kyun na ho." another man commented amazed at Riddhima's gesture of touching Shambhu's feet.

"Hmm... Ye sab to sanskaaron ki baat hai bhaiya. Armaan Baba bhi to sab buzurgon ke paav chhute hain, phir chaahe wo unke naukar hi kyun na ho." a maid added.

"Haan, sahi kaha. Par mujhe to badi khushi hui ye dekh ke, ki jaise Armaan bhaiya hain, waise hi ye ladki bhi hai. Bilkul su-sanskaari, aur itni sundar." a servant in his mid-twenties said.

"Bilkul... zara sa bhi ghamand nahi hai dono mein." third one added.

"Haan bhai, abhi to nahi dikh raha, baad mein pata nahi kya hoga." another maid called Sarla, added with a slight sarcasm. When others looked at her confused, she continued, "Sanskaar wageraah to theek hai, par jyaadatar ladkiyaan pahle-pahle bhot achchhi hi hoti hain. Ye to waqt hi bataayega ki ye kaisi hogi. Hum to bas Armaan Baba ke liye achchhe ki dua karte hain."

"Arey nahi Sarla, aisa nahi hai. Tune dekha nahi Rahul saab bhi saath mein the uske? Ye Rahul saab ki chhoti behen hai. Main is ladki ko achchhi tarah jaanta hu. Kayi baar mil chuka hu use pehle bhi. Maine to aaj tak aisi ladki nahi dekhi. Ye bachchi dil ki bhot saaf aur nek hai, bilkul Armaan Baba ki tarah. Abhi tum use jaanti nahi ho na, isliye aise kah rahi ho. Jab wo yahaan aa jaayegi, to tum khud hi samajh jaaogi ki ise hi kyun chuna gaya hai Armaan Baba ki patni ban ne ke liye. Aur main daave se kah sakta hu, tab tumhi sab jagah uske gun gaati phirogi. Main to bas yehi dua karta hu ki bhagwaan in dono ko humesha kush rakhe..." Shambhu defended Riddhima and blessed Armaan-Riddhima.

~~~~~~~~~

Yash pulled her hand, dragging her inside.

"Yash... Yash araam se." she cried.

"Hi Angel..." Vaibhav greeted her with a big smile when they reached the door.

"Hi Vibhi." she bends down and pulled his cheek lovably.

Soon they were inside. Yash ran to her mother, while Vaibhav walked besides her matching her steps. Seeing Yash, all heads turned to the door. All of them had the same thing in their mind. She is looking beautiful. Riddhima was wearing a simple, yet beautiful full-sleeved Magenta suit, with a little golden embroidery work all over its edges. Her hair were tied back, like always, but in a slightly different type of braid.

Riddhima entered the living room with Vaibhav, but as soon as she felt all the eyes on herself, her eyes dropped down. She didnt know why, but she felt coy and hesitant all of a sudden. Their continous stare made her conscious. She pushed her glasses on her nose. Slowly and quietly she walked towards Padma. Vaibhav followed her like a gentleman and when she stood beside Padma, he went and stood near his mother.

Riddhima greeted everyone by touching their feet. Everyone blessed her one-by-one. After she was done, she went and sat with Padma.

Seeing her hesitation, Dadi called her, "Riddhima beti, yahaan aake mere paas baith."

She nodded and sat besides Dadi. They all chatted about Random things for while to make her feel comfortable. Soon her hesitation started shedding away.

Servants served them a few snacks and drinks. Yash and Vaibhav stayed with them for a few minutes as they shared munchies with everyone. But afterwards, they felt bored when the elders started their usual grown-up type of chat. They left for Vaibhav's room to bring some toys to play. Yash too brought his toys from Rahul's car.

About half an hour later, suddenly Omang asked Atul, "Arey wo hai kahaan hai? Ab tak utha nahi kya?" he was talking about Armaan.

Atul nodded, "Pata nahi... abhi tak neeche aya hi nahi."

"Main gaya tha unke kamre mein unhe bulaane. Wo to ab tak so rahe hain." Chatur informed placing the tray of juice on the table.

"Kya?" Aarti exclaimed, "To tune use uthaya kyun nahi?"

"Meri kya shaamat aayi thi Badi Maa... main unhe uthaane ki koshish karta to mujhe utha ke seedha khidki se baahar phenk dete wo." Chatur made a face.

Dadi-Atul-Anjali smirked seeing his funny face, while Padma, Shashank and Omang smiled. Riddhima only gaped at them confused thinking that who they are talking about.

"Hai to tu isi ke laayak. Lekin tune humein pehle kyun nahi bataya ye?" Aarti rebuked Chatur.

"Bata to deta, par phir mehmaano ki seva kaun karta?" he replied grumpily.

"Haan-haan jaise sab kuchh tu hi karta hai is ghar mein." Aarti glared, "Bhot behas karne laga hai tu aajkal." Chatur looked down.

"Arey Aarti, tum ise kyun daant rahi ho? Apne us laadle ko jaake uthao. Aaj use hua kya hai jo itni der tak so raha hai? Roz to kitni jaldi uth jata hai." Omang said.

Aarti nodded and stood up to go when Dadi said, "Aarti beti, tum rahne do. Atul jaake utha dega use. Tum zara Lunch ki tayyari dekh lo jaake."

"Theek hai Maa." Aarti replied and signaled Anjali, "Chalo Anjali." Anjali nodded getting up.

"Bhabhiji, chaliye main bhi aapki madad karti hu." Padma offered.

"Arey aap rahne do Padma Bhabhi, hum dono dekh lenge." Aarti said.

"Koi baat nahi Bhabhiji, ghar ki hi baat hai." Padma smiled.

As their sweet little argument continued, Muskaan interrupted, "Aap log agar aise hi main bhi-main bhi, karte rahe to phir aaj ka lunch kal tak bhi nahi milega. Aur mujhe thodi der mein bhuk lagne waali hai." She rubbed her grown tummy pouting.

Dadi, Omang and Shashank laughed while Aarti and Padma looked embarrassed.

Anjali added, "Ek kaam karte hain, Mom-Aunty aap dono yahin baith ke baatein karo, Kitchen ka kaam main dekhti hu."

"Haan ye theek rahega, aur main tere saath chalti hu." Muskaan got up excitedly.

"Tu to rahne hi de. Aisi haalat mein araam kar, kaam to ho hi jaayega." Dadi objected.

"Mujhe kuchh nahi hoga Dadi, please..." Muskaan requested.

Dadi interrupted again, "Na, bilkul nahi."

"Par Dadi, main yahaan bore ho jaungi." She pouted.

"Oh, to ye bol na ki tujhe gappe maarne hain Anjali ke saath." Rahul teased only to get Muskaan's glaring response as Dadi laughed.

"Dadi, agar aap kaho to Anjali Bhabhi ki help main kar deti hu. Muskaan Bhabhi ko kuchh karna nahi padega, wo wahaan baith kar unse baatein bhi kar lengi." Riddhima offered.

"Ye hui na baat. Haan ye theek rahega." This Dadi approved.

Anjali, Muskaan and Riddhima nodded and went to the kitchen. Atul went upstairs accompanied by Rahul to wake Armaan while other sat in the living room chatting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upstairs, Rahul and Atul couldnt find Armaan in his room. Vaibhav have heard their elders talking about Armaan. So when Yash was busy with his toys, he ran upstairs to wake him up, to save his Chachu from getting scolded. This is what happened when Vaibhav went there.

Vaibhav slapped his forehead as he entered Armaan's room. He was still sleeping on his stomach. Vaibhav went straight and sat on his back. Armaan remained unaffected. He just squirmed a little, turned his head and continued sleeping.

Vaibhav slapped his back with his little hands, "Chachu... Chachu utho..." Armaan sighed in his sleep. Vaibhav slapped him again, a little harder this time, "Chachu utho na..."

Armaan squirmed slightly, opening his eyes slowly, "Kya hai Champ, yaar sone de na..." he replied sleepily turning on his back.

"Chachu utho, warna Dadi gussa hogi..." Vaibhav sat on his stomach and said patting Armaan's tummy again and again.

"Dadi kabhi gussa nahi hoti yaar..." he grabbed his pillow and kept it over his head.

Vaibhav pulled the pillow back and added, "Main aapki nahi, meri Dadi ki baat kar raha hu. Badi Dadi nahi, par Dadi, yaani aapki mumma to daantengi na..." When Armaan didnt move, "Theek hai mat utho..." with that he started jumping on his stomach.

"Aaa - Aaauuu... Champ, bas kar yaar..." Armaan tried to stop him by holding his shoulders, but Vaibhav didnt stop and kept jumping.

Turning him around, Armaan came over him and started tickling him on stomach. Vaibhav started giggling and laughing holding his tummy. Armaan too kept tickling him laughing with him. Their little play continued for a while, then sitting up he stopped and pulled Vaibhav on his lap. Yawning he kissed his cheeks and sighed.

"Chachu jaldi utho, warna Dadi naraaz ho jaayegi. Neeche guests aaye hain." Vaibhav nudged.

Armaan placed him on his feet, "Theek hai yaar." he got up from his bed and stretched his arms over his head. Taking his towel he went into the washroom.

Vaibhav fixed his hair and ran downstairs; once again getting busy with Yash.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here when Atul-Rahul entered Armaan's room, he wasnt there.

"Lo, Chatur to kah raha tha ki Armaan so raha hai. Ye to yahaan hai hi nahi." Rahul said.

"Chatur ka to dimaag kharaab hai, isiliye to sabse daant khata rahta hai. Lagta hai Armaan uth gaya." Atul sctratched his head.

"Abey, yahaan nahi dikh raha to iska matlab uth hi gaya hoga na." Rahul patted his back.

"Hmm..." Atul mumbled thoughtfully.

"Par wo is waqt hai kahaan?" Rahul probbed.

"Must be in the bath." Atul walked to the washroom door to check and called, "Armaan..." Armaan wasnt there either, "Ye to yahaan bhi nahi hai." He closed washroom's door.

"Gym mein to nahi hai?" Rahul questioned.

"Shaayad..." he shrugged carelessly, "Uth gaya hai, to thodi der neeche mein aa hi jaayega. Waise bhi disturbing him while he is Gymming means waking a sleeping tiger. And I am in no mood to take that risk... atleast not today. Chal hum chalte hain, baad mein Chatur ko bhej denge use bulaane ke liye." Atul grinned while Rahul smiled following him downstairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Downstairs in the Kitchen, Muskaan, Anjali and Riddhima were busy chatting and discussing random things. Anjali and Riddhima were cooking something with the help of a house-maid, while Muskaan sat on a chair near the counter munching snacks.

"Aur phir kya tha, Vibhi to to bas jaise mauka chaahiye tha. Usne to sara ghar hi sir pe utha liya. 'Mujhe Chachu ke saath jana hai-mujhe Chachu ke saath jana hai'." Anjali laughed mimicking Vaibhav while narrating one of the incidences.

"Baap re, ye Vaibhav bhi na..." Muskaan laughed too, "Sach Anjie, tera beta mere waale se kuchh kam nahi hai. Apni baat manwaane ke liye kya-kya paitare (tricks) apnaate hain ye dono."

"Wo to hai..." Anjali agreed, "Ek mauka milna chaahiye Vibhi ko to, aur bas shuru ho jata hai. Dono Chacha-Bhatija milke hum sabke naak mein dum kar dete hain. Vibhi to pura ka pura Chachu ka chamcha hai."

Riddhima was listening to them carefully. She too smiled hearing the interesting stories about Vaibhav and his Chachu. Who is this man? She thought as she stirred the gravy for Daal. She wanted to know who they are all talking about. She knew that when they were in the Living room they were talking about the same man, who is probably Atul's younger brother and Vaibhav's lovable Chachu.

How come she never met him? She knows everyone in their family. Then why havent she seen him? Curious to know about this person's identity about whom none could stop talking about ever since they came, she turned, "Bhabhi ye..." unfortunately she bumped into Chatur, who was going towards the Refrigerator on the other side with a bowl of Vegetable Curry, "Uff..." she exclaimed as the Curry fell over her dress.

"Arey, maaf karna Didi..." Chatur apologized as he saw her dress ruined due to his mistake, "...maine aapko aate dekha nahi..."

"Kya hua?" Anjali who was standing along Muskaan, turned to look at them. As she came closer, she noticed her dressed all drenched in Yellow Curry. "Chatur, ye kya kiya tune..." Anjali yelled, "Saare kapde kharaab kar diye tune uske."

"Shory Bhabhi, galti ho gayi..." Chatur looked guiltily.

"Ab sorry kahne se kya fayeda. Dekh ke kaam nahi kar sakta tha tu?" Anjali rebuked.

"Arey Bhabhi..." Riddhima interrupted her, "...inki koi galti nahi hai. Main hi yu achaanak bina dekhe mud gayi aur takra gayi inse."

"Nahi Riddhima, tu ise nahi jaanti, ye hai hi laparwaah." Anjali said.

"Bhabhi, jaane dijiye na. Bas thodi si sabzi hi to giri hai, ho jata hai kabhi-kabhi. Unhone jaan-bujh ke thode hi kiya hai." she defended Chatur who looked gratefully at her.

"Theek hai... tu kahti hai to chhod deti hu ise." Anjali nodded glaring at Chatur, while he glanced down. She noticed her dress, "Lekin teri dress dekh, ye to kharaab ho gayi na."

"Koi baat nahi, main saaf kar lungi." she smiled.

"Achchha to jaake ise abhi saaf kar le, warna daag pad jaayega haldi ka. Phir dikhne mein kharaab lagega." Anjali advised to which Riddhima nodded obediently. Turning to Chatur she instructed glaring at him, "Ab khada kya hai, jaa jaake ise washroom tak chhod ke aa."

Chatur made a sorry face and walked out of Kitchen followed by Riddhima.

They stopped on their way in the corridor near the stairs, when Dadi called Chatur from the living room, "Chatur... arey oo Chatur, zara yahaan aa to."

"Aya Amma..." Chatur yelled back. Turning to Riddhima he said, "Didi Sorry, mujhe Dadiji bula rahi hai... jana padega."

"Koi baat nahi, main khud chali jaungi. Uh... Washroom kahaan hai?" she asked.

"Wo upar jaake ulte haath (left side) pe pahla wala guest room hai. Usmein washroom bhi hai. Wahaan ka washroom istemaal kar lo aap." He replied pointing towards upstairs.

"Theek hai." she said. He made an apologetic face looking at Riddhima once again, to which she smiled back assuringly. He ran to the living room, while she ascended upstairs holding her suit.

~~~~~~~~~

Riddhima found two doors on the left side. She walked to the first door and clicked it open. She looked around casually for any doors that might lead her to a washroom. Seeing a door on the left side of the room she went into it. It was indeed a washroom.

In the washroom, she looked down at her dress once again. The Curry has actually spilled all over it. She tried to clean it with some water, but since the stain was larger than she thought, she didnt know what to do. She couldnt even go downstairs now as her Kurta was all wet due to water and was stickered to her body. She looked around to se if there is any bathrobe to wear, but found none. Reluctantly, she picked her phone and dialed Anjali's number.

"Bhabhi..." Riddhima spoke as soon as she picked call.

"Riddhima... Kya hua? Phone kyun kar rahi hai? Koi problem hai kya?" Anjali asked.

"Nahi kuchh khaas nahi Bhabhi, wo actually, saaf karte-karte mera suit pura geela ho gaya hai. Aur abhi bhi daag baaki hai. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki kya karun..." she said worriedly.

"Oh... mmm..." Anjali heaved. Thinking about something a moment later she said, "Ek kaam kar, use utaar de phir..."

"KYA?" Riddhima interrupted.

"Haan... use utaar de." Anjali repeated casually.

"Utar du, aur... aur phir main kaise..." she hesitated anxiously.

Anjali paused for a moment at her retort, then understood what she meant. She laughed, "Arey mera matlab, apna suit utar de aur main tab tak, Chatur se kahke room mein tere liye koi dusri dress bhijwa deti hu. Dekhti hu, mera shaayad koi suit fit ho hi jaaye tujhe."

"Oh..." Riddhima sighed, "Par Bhabhi, yahaan... I mean aise main is room mein... aur... mera matlab koi aa gaya to?" she asked hesitantly.

Anjali laughed at her innocent worry, "Arey tu chinta mat kar. Us guest room mein koi nahi jata. Aur main Chatur ko bhi bol dungi ki kisi ko wahaan jaane na de... theek hai?"

"Ji Bhabhi." She smiled.

Riddhima removed her Kurta and cleaned it with water. Since Chatur was taking too long, she decided to wear her wet Kurta once again, till he come with another dress for her. She went outside in the guest room wearing the same damp Kurta. A business magazine was kept in a Magazine-basket mounted on a wall. Taking out the magazine from the basket, she sat on a chair on the other side of the bed near window and started reading it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After woken up by Vaibhav and exercising for about 45 minutes, Armaan was doing his crunches once again, when Chatur entered his Gym and called, "Bhaiya..." he looked up at Chatur, "Armaan Bhaiya, aap ab tak kasrat (exercise) hi kar rahe ho? Neeche Badi Maa naraaz ho rahi hai. Kah rahi hain ki ghar mein mehmaan aaye hain aur aapka kuchh pata nahi hai."

"Mehmaan? Kaun aya hai?" he got up taking his towel from his work-out machine.

"Wo aapke dost hain koi. Apka bhot der se intezaar kar rahe hain." Chatur didnt tell him that its Rahul and his family, coz Anjali has warned him not to. She wanted to see the surprised look on his face. She has missed the dramatic play of expressions on his face earlier (when Atul talked to him about Riddhima) and didnt want to miss it this time.

"Dost? Kaunsa dost?" Armaan wiped his face.

"Mujhe nahi pata. Jaake khud dekh lo..." before he was interrogated further, placing Armaan's juice on a table, Chatur left the room abruptly. Staying in Armaan's Gym for more than 2 minutes while he is working-out, means putting ones hand in Tiger's mouth. Besides, he knew it very well, that if he stayed for another minute, Armaan will find out something fishy from his behavior and then he will have to face Anjali's wrath for ruining her surprise.

Armaan looked at the closing door strangely. "Ye aise bhaga kyun?" he mumbled. Then shrugging the thought, "Idiot..." he hung his towel around his neck, and picked his juice glass.

He went to his washroom. Taking one sip of his juice, he placed the glass on the Wash-Basin counter. He hung his towel on hanger and turned on the shower in the Shower cubical of his bathroom. Unfortunately, it didnt pour anything... not even a single drop of water.

He tried turning the knobs again and again, but no use. No water came, "Damn... what the hell is wrong with this?" he tried the knob once more which seem to have gotten chocked, "Lagta hai taps jam ho gaye hain..." he mumbled. He came out of the washroom, "Ab kya karun? Mom agar upar aa gayi to bhot daant padegi aaj?" scratching his head he thought about something. Then he went back to his washroom, took his towel, his robe and juice glass and walked out of his room.

~~~~~~~~~

Armaan went to the Guest room next to his room and locked the door from inside. [Yes, it was the same guest room where Riddhima was also there. Riddhima has left the door open for Chatur.] Without looking anywhere else, Armaan placed juice glass on the table near washroom door and hurried inside the washroom for a quick shower. Once again, hung his towel and robe on the hanger, and entered the Shower Cubical. He checked the shower... thankfully it was working. He stepped into the cubical and closed its translucent glass door.

~~~~~~~~~

In the meanwhile, out in that guest room...

"Didi..." Chatur knocked the door of the guest room.

Riddhima went to check the door when he knocked. She peeked out hiding behind the door, as her Kurta was still wet. "Hmm..."

"Anjali Bhabhi ne ye suit bhijwaya hai aapke liye." he gave her the suit Anjali sent for her.

"Thank you." thanking him she closed the door.

~~~~~~~~~

Armaan, after showering took his towel and scrubbed his face with it. He walked out of the washroom casually, rubbing his wet hair. As he stepped into the room, his wet eyes fell on the back of a slender figure sitting on a chair on the other side of the bed. When he rubbed eyes to clear his view, he was shocked to find a girl in that room.

Immediately he stepped back into the washroom. Who was that? He thought holding his breath. Is there a girl in this room or is it my imagination? He peeked out again to confirm his doubt and saw the same girl doing something with her dress. Looked like she was trying to... she was trying to remove her kurta. Shocked, panic-stricken, terrified, apalled and alarmed, he pulled his head back inside the washroom, closing the door a little loudly.

Riddhima got startled due to the sound of closing door. Stopping to remove her Kurta, she turned around looking at the door, puzzled... She has left the door open for Chatur, but she was damn sure that she has definitely and perfectly locked it safely after taking Anjali's suit from him. Then what was that sound? To confirm that she has locked the door, she went to check it again. It was still locked from inside. Maybe its just my imagination, she sighed thinking about the sound she has heard.

Sighing, as she walked towards the other side of the bed, her eyes fell on glass of juice placed on the table near the washroom door. She knew it wasnt there earlier, when she came in the room.

"Ye kahaan se aya?" then thought, maybe Chatur has brought it for her while she was in the washroom earlier, and she didnt notice it.

'But then why is it half-empty?' She thought looking at it anxiously. She looked around the room, but nobody was there. Then it striked her. 'Kahin koi washroom mein to nahi hai... Jab main wahan chair pe baithi magazine padh rahi thi, tab koi andar to nahi aa gaya? Tab to darwaza bhi khula tha...'

Alarmed and gasping she decided to check the washroom. She gathered courage and walked sneakily towards it. She tried to open the door, and it did click open. Riddhima peeked inside and got shocked to see him standing stickered besides the wall near the door, with his eyes closed tigher than tightly if possible and he was mumbling something.

"TUM?" she yelled astounded with his presence.

Of course, he knew whose voice was that. Opening his eyes, he reiterated, "Tum?" he didnt know till now that the girl in the room was Riddhima, but now he knows.

"Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?" she yelled again.

Riddhima was also in the same room. She was sitting on the other side of the bed near the balcony, with her face towards window on that corner. She was too busy reading her magazine and thus she didn't hear or notice him enter the room. Similarly when Armaan entered the room, he didnt scan it for anyone's presence in haste. As it is, mostly this guest room used to remain empty since nobody used it unless they have some guests to stay in their house.

"Main yahaan..." he mumbled for a moment forgetting why he was there. He scratched his head in confusion, "Main yahaan kya kar raha hu?" He looked at her waiting for his answer and looking at him angrily. Composing himself immediately and ignoring her question, instead of answering, as usual he retorted back, "Tum is room mein kya kar rahi thi?"

"Sawaal pe sawaal mat puchho. Pahle maine question kiya hai, jawaab tumhe dena hai pehle. Tum Atul Bhaiya ke ghar pe kya kar rahe ho?"

"Main..." Armaan was about to retort back, but then he realized that she still doesn't know that he is Atul's bother and they live together. Hmm, to ye baat hai. He smiled inwardly, "Yehi sawaal main agar tumse puchhu to?"

"Phir se sawaal..." She nodded squinting and added, "Anyways, main Atul Bhaiya ki bhot close family-friend hu..." she boasted naively stressing on 'bhot close', "...aur unhone mujhe aaj yahaan specially invite kiya hai." She replied haughtily, "Lekin tumhe kisne bulaya yahaan? Khadus kahin ke." she made a face.

"Khadus? Oye, main Khadus hu?" he stepped out and stood in front of her with his hands on his hips. He was surprised she had the audacity to call him Khadus on his face. She might have had a few many chitchats with him, but have never called him with names... atleast not on his face. But then he reflected that she knows he isnt her boss at the moment. Looks like that's the only thing she seems to know.

"Haan, tum Khad..." she stepped ahead to retort with her finger raised, when her eyes fell a little below his waist, "Aaa..." shrieking she turned around.

Armaan looked at her confused. Why did she yell now? "Ab kya hua?"

"Tum... tumhe sharam nahi aati?" she asked keeping her palm over her eyes.

"Sharam? Kyun, mujhe sharam kyun aayegi?" he shrugged heedlessly, "Maine kya kiya?" he held his towel that hung around his neck, safely hiding his bare upper body. Confused, he was still not able to understand her reaction.

"You are really sick..." she gritted her teeth with her eyes still hidden behind her palm, "Kisi ladki ke saamne aise khade hote hain?"

"Ladki ke saamne aise khade hote hain, matlab?" he scratched his head, and then as he glanced down, he realized that he was only in his boxers. Horrified, he spranged towards the towel-hook and grabbed his robe. Wrapping it instantly around his body he turned to her. "Sorry..." he mumbled, and immediately retorted again dramatically holding onto the collar of his robe, "Tumhe sharam nahi aati, ek gair ladke ko aise dekhte hue?"

Her eyes open widely on his comment as she removed her hand from her eyes, "Mujhe? You... mujhe koi shauk nahi hai, kisi GAIR ladke ko aise dekhne ka... especially not YOU." she made a face glancing him sideways, careful enough only to look at his face and not his bareness (even though he was now safely covered by his robe), "Lekin tumhe itna nahi malum ke kisike room mein aane se pahle knock kiya jata hai?"

"Hahh, O hello? Ye mera guest room hai, aur main yahaan jab chaahe aa sakta hu, jo chaahe wo kar sakta hu, aur wo bhi bina knock kiye... Meri marzi." He argued.

"Tumhara? Ha-ha-ha..." now turning towards him, she laughed sarcastically, "Ye Atul Bhaiya ka ghar hai, and that makes this, HIS guest room. Ye tumhara kabse ho gaya? Dusro ke ghar mein aise... aise bina kapdon ke ghumte hue sharam nahi aati?"

"Well FYI Miss.Feisty Gupta, it has been mine ever since I bought it..." he replied mordantly, then to put ice on her hot temper, he swiftly added, "Aur waise, tum yahaan is room mein kya kar rahi thi? Kisi dusre ke guest room mein aise kapde utaarte hue TUMHE sharam nahi aayi?"

Hearing his words, she realized what she was doing. He was in the same room. Has he seen her changing dress? He must have, thats why he is saying all this. She flinched. Oh god, it means he has seen me changing... She stared at him horrified and turned around covering her bossom. She still didnt register that she had un-chained her Kurta from back.

As she turned around, his eyes widened seeing her slightly exposed back. Gasping, he looked away. But his gaze came back to her the very next moment. Again he looked away closing his eyes tightly. A few seconds later, he opened one of his eyes and saw that she still havent moved. Perplexed, he walked around in front of her and noticed that she had her eyes closed, tightly. Before he could react, they heard a knock on their door.

***KNOCK-KNOCK***

"Riddhima, kya hua? Ab tak change nahi kiya kya?" It was Anjali.

Riddhima's eyes opened with shock as she heard loud banging on the door. What now? What will she do now? She realized that the door is locked from inside. What if Anjali finds out that she and Armaan are locked in the same room? What will she think of her?

Armaan too looked at the door alarmed. What now? Bhabhi ko kya jawaab dunga ki main yahaan, is room mein, Riddhima ke saath, akele, is haalat mein, kya kar raha tha? He glanced down at himself. Oh god, what should I do? He looked at her. Drained color of her face told him what she must be feeling. "T-tum... Bhabhi tumhe awaaz laga rahi hai." he nudged her. She looked at him questioningly, "Answer before she breaks in." He whispered.

She glanced at him and then at the door and nodded, "J-Ji Bhabhi..."

"Maine puchha ab tak change nahi kiya kya?" Anjali asked again.

"Bas ho gaya Bhabhi." Riddhima replied.

"Theek hai. I am waiting." Anjali stood there with her arms crossed waiting for her to come out.

Armaan went to the door and kept his ear over it. He sensed that Anjali is still standing outside. He went back to Riddhima and said, "She is still outside. Tell her you need a little more time."

"Why?" She asked.

Now irritated, he pointed towards himself and then her and then the room with the locked door from inside, "Understood or shall I call for an interpreter."

She gasped again understanding what he meant and spoke loudly to Anjali, "B-bhabhi, m-main abhi aayi." she stuttered. Armaan slapped his head, so she added unsurely, "I mean, mujhe abhi thoda time lagega... m-maybe 5 minutes aur... s-shaayad..."

"Oh." Anjali exclaimed, "Achcha theek hai to main neeche jaa rahi hu, par tu jaldi aana. Sab tera neeche wait kar rahe hain." Anjali replied and walked away.

"Ji Bhabhi." She replied.

Once again Armaan went back to the door and heard fading sound of Anjali's steps. Both of them sighed a bit relieved. But again as he looked at her, he recalled that she was still standing there in the same position. Now, he averted his gaze, respectfully.

When she looked at him, she found him looking elsewhere. First she got confused, but then as he gestured towards the kurta she was wearing with his eyes, her eyes widened with shock. Not knowing what to do, once again she turned around towards wall, to hide her face with shame. Just then she felt a soft piece of cloth again her partially bare back.

Armaan looked at her as she turned around. Turning his head, he saw her dupatta lying on the bed. He picked it up and walked to her. A little hesitantly, with his eyes safely closed for any sight, he covered her back with her dupatta and walked out of the room without saying anything.

Riddhima realized that her back was exposed when she felt her dupatta. She turned around to find him gone. Holding her dupatta tightly around her body, she looked down coyly. She felt her heart beat calming down that she seems to be holding for too many minutes. Two minutes later she heard footsteps outside the room. She picked Anjali's suit and walked into the washroom and changed hurriedly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Armaan closed the door of his room and stood beside it, trying to calm his speeding pulse. He closed his eyes to see flashes of the same scene he saw a little ago. Opening his eyes with a jerk, he shook his head. Whats wrong with me? He walked to his closet and took out a Kurta to wear. His phone rang, so he got busy with tha call for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Downstairs, she stirred the vegetables in the pan thinking about what happened upstairs in the guest room. After changing hurriedly, she walked out of the room to find Yash and Vaibhav running through the corridor. Riddhima smiled at them and went to the Kitchen once again to help Anjali. Thankfully for her, Anjali was too busy gossiping with Muskaan, so she didnt notice her enter the kitchen. Quitely, she started cooking once again.

"Arey Riddhima, tu kab aayi? Humne notice hi nahi kiya." Muskaan asked, "...aur itni der kaise lag gayi?" she saw her stirring the vegetable curry.

Startled she turned around, "Wo... wo Bhabhi main..." she looked at them, staring back at her, "b-bas abhi aayi, paanch (5) minute hue hai... bas..." she looked down.

Anjali noticed her pink face and gazed at Muskaan questioningly, who too look as if she has seen that color on Riddhima's face. She danced her brows in amusement.

"Hmm, lagta hai Armaan se saamna ho chuka hai iska." Anjali muttered near her ear.

"Hmm, mujhe bhi yehi lagta hai." Muskaan giggled with her gaze fixated on Riddhima.

"Par aisa kya hua ki ye itni laal ho gayi?" Anjali raised her brow.

She looked at Anjali giggling, "Ye to har chhoti baat pe sharam se laal ho jaati hai. Lekin is waqt kya hua hai, ye yaa to bhagwaan jaane... Ya phir Armaan."

"Hmmm..." Anjali nodded meaningfully.

Chatur came in call them outside. "Bhabhi, Bade Papa aap sabko baahar bula rahe hain."

"Haan chal hum aate hain." Anjali said, "Riddhima..." she called.

"Ji Bhabhi?" Riddhima half-turned towards her.

"Chal baahar bula rahe hain."

"Bas Bhabhi, aap log chalo, main ise band karke paanch minute mein aati hu." she replied.

"Arey ye sab ye Chatur dekh lega, tu chal humaare saath."

"Ji theek hai." she nodded and handed the spoon to Chatur.

"Aur tu jaldi se ye sab khatam kar. Jab ho jaaye to humein bata dena." Anjali instructed Chatur, who shook his head obediently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Armaan came downstairs, he was surprised to see Rahul's whole family in the living room, chatting and laughing at some random jokes. He went straight to Dadi and touched her feet, followed by Aarti, Omang as well. Then he went to Shashank and Padma to greet them as well by touching their feet. He also greeted another man sitting on a couch, who was a Pundit. Armaan was surprised to see him at their home, but kept quite, well aware that his family has something on their mind.

Shashank and Padma were touched to see his respectful gesture.

"Jeete raho..." Padma blessed touching his head while he smiled back respectfully.

"Lo ye to abhi se apne sasuraal-waalon ko makkhan lagaane laga." Anjali chuckled mumbling into Muskaan's ear as they walked back into the living room. Armaan was touching Shashank and Padma's feet when they came in.

Riddhima couldnt hear what did she say. She was still a little dazed, but their giggling sound made her look up. This time she wasn't surprised or shocked to see Armaan. She has already met him. She smiled softly when she saw Armaan greeting her parents respectfully.

As Armaan hugged Rahul in a friendly way, Atul commented, "Duniya bhar ke sab ghode-gadhe aaj hi bechne ka irada tha kya tera?"

"Nahi filhaal mera to aisa koi irada nahi hai, lekin tujhe pasand hai to kal hi kisi dealer se baat karu... tere liye?" Armaan shot back.

"Lo, ye log bhi aa gaye." Omang saw the girls coming, interrupting their friendly banter.

"Itni der se kya gappe maar rahi thi tum teeno andar?" Aarti smiled, "Aur Riddhima, Beti teri dress ko kya hua?"

"Wo Aunty... main..." Riddhima looked at Anjali for support.

"Actually Mom, Chatur ne iske dress pe sabzi gira di thi. To ise change karni padi." Anjali informed on her behalf. Riddhima passed a thankful smile to her. Now Armaan understood why she was in the guest room.

"Chatur ne? Ye ladka bhi na, koi kaam theek se nahi karta. Kitni baar samjhaya lekin ise sunaayi hi deta. Har waqt ki laparwaahi." Aarti mumbled unapprovingly.

"Nahi Aunty, usne jaan-bujh ke nahi kiya. Main hi bina dekhe mudi aur ye sab..." Riddhima defended Chatur, thinking that he may get another dose of scolding from Aarti.

Aarti smiled walking towards her, "Lo bhai, isne to abhi se is ghar ke logon ki taraf-daari karni shuru kar di..." she hugged Riddhima sideways, "Padma Bhabhiji, ab to aap bhi kuchh nahi kar sakte, ye to sach mein abhi se humaari ho gayi."

"Wo to ho hi gayi hai Bhabhiji." Padma laughed looking at her daughter as all others smiled.

Riddhima just looked at their faces, confused on what they were talking about. But as usual she didnt think much about it. She just smiled at them, taking it all as a friendly comment. When she looked up again, her eyes fell on Armaan, who was smiling to himself looking at the coffee-table. Her brows wrinkled, now why is 'he' smiling like 'that'?

"Bhabhiji, ab jis kaam ke liye aaye hain, pehle wo kar lete hain." Shashank suggested.

"Bilkul." Aarti replied and looked at Dadi, who nodded approvingly. "Aaiye Punditji..." she glanced at the other man sitting at one of the couch. Punditji stood up and instructed Anjali to bring a few things that were required for rituals they were going to perform.

Armaan looked at Aarti questioningly who smiled back at him and walked away to follow Punditji's instructions. Puzzled he sat besides Dadi, "Ye ho kya raha hai?"

"Ab bhi nahi samjha tu?" she asked, he shook his head negatively, "Ye tera aur Riddhima ka Roka ho raha hai... iske baad tum dono ka rishta fomally pakka ho jaayega."

"Kya?" he stared at her shocked with the news, "Lekin aap logon ne mujhe kyun nahi bataya?"

"Agar pahle bata dete, to tere chehre pe ye funny expression kahaan se dekhne ko milta?" Atul commented laughing at his face, joined by Rahul.

"Tu bhi ye sab jaanta tha Bhai?" Atul shook his head, "This is not fair, aap logon ne mujhse ye sab chhupaya..." he pouted childhishly.

"Tu humse apne dil ki baat chhupa sakta hai, to kya hum tujhse ek chhoti si baat nahi chhupa sakte." Omang added joining them in the pull-Armaan's-leg session.

"Dad? Aap bhi?" he looked at him surprised, "Main nahi baat karta aap logon se..." with that he walked away towards the backyard.

Omang, Dadi, Rahul and Atul laughed at his childish behavior. Though he has walked out, but all of them knew that he is happy and right now, must be smiling to himself.

Anjali, Aarti, Rahul, Shashank and Padma were making arrangements for Roka ceremony. Riddhima offered her help, but they refused instructing her to sit quietly with Muskaan.

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Hi Friends... Thanks for your patience. I hopw i am not too late this time. Here is the next episode. I hope you like it. I want to thank those who have responded or hit the like button on my posts. Also, a special thank to those who are taking keen interest inmy stories and suggesting me new ideas. Its an inspiration for me. Thanks again for being such supportive readers. If you like this episode, kindly reply.

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res. :D

hey di the part was AWESOME, Amazinggg👏👏⭐️
⭐️⭐️👏⭐️awww armaan is sooo cuteee❤️..luved the whole part...
plllsss try nd update the next part sooonnn