Mere Apne4(AR) - Epi71-88 - Note on Pg147 - Page 39

EPISODE SEVENTY-SIX

Next day, everything was back to its usual state. The only difference was the addition of an extra cheerfulness and excitement. Riddhima had once again overslept. Muskaan tried to wake her up when she didn't find her on breakfast table, but when she saw Riddhima's tired and drooping eyes, she understood that she couldn't get enough sleep. She let her sleep till a little late. Muskaan wanted her to be alert and in a good mood when she speak to her regarding the marriage proposal.

It was around 3:00pm in the evening now. They have finished their lunch an hour ago.

"Andar aa jaayiye." She heard the knock on her door.

"Baby..." Muskaan peeked in.

"Bhabhi aapko kabse mera darwaja knock karne ki zaroorat padne lagi?" Riddhima smiled.

"Zaroorat to nahi thi, par socha ki tu shaayad kaam mein busy hogi." Muskaan came in.

"Wo to main humesha hi hoti hu, par is se pehle to aapne kabhi mera door knock nahi kiya." she raised her brow wittily.

"Haan, ab kuchh dino baad sab badal jaayega to maine socha ki kuchh aadatein abhi se sudhaar lu, warna baad mein tujhe hi problem hogi." Muskaan replied in a similar witty way.

"Bhabhi, ye kya bol rahe ho aap? Meri to kuchh samajh nahi aa raha. Aur kya badalne wala hai?" she saw her going towards her closet. Muskaan had some suits in her arms.

"Wo to tujhe tab pata chalega jab tu meri baat sunegi. Itne din se tune ek baar bhi meri baatein nahi suni." Muskaan opened the door of the closet.

Riddhima chuckled, knowing what 'Baatein' her Bhabhi is talking about. "Achchha, nahi suni?" She teased while Muskaan pouted. Riddhima laughed, "Tabhi main sochu ki pichle kuchh din se mujhe colony ki koi nayi gossip kyun nahi pata chali..." she tapped her chin with a pen. Muskaan glared at her, so she added batting her eyes, "Err, aap batao na kuchh naya."

Muskaan smiled turning to her closet again, "Tujhe pata hai, wo H-44 waale Sharmas hai na, unki beti ki shaadi ho gayi last week."

"Achchha?" Riddhima rolled her eyes as Muskaan turned around. She scribbled something in her file quietly continuing her work.

"Haan, aur N-76 waale Tauraanis, unke bete ne ek mahine pehle America mein khud hi shaadi kar li, wo bhi apne parents ko bina bataaye..." she placed one of her suit on a shelf.

"Oh..." Riddhima nodded adding another line on paper.

"Aur Sandhya (one of their neighbors) ki behen ki shaadi bhi fix ho gayi hai..."

"Hmm..." Riddhima nodded checking something in the next file.

"Anjali kah rahi thi ki Ashraya mein jo Rati Ram ji kaam karte hain, unki beti ki shaadi bhi hai do din baad..." she added, placing her suits in order.

"Haan..." she was still busy.

"Aur Kal Chandigarh se phone aya tha. Kamini Massi ne apne bete aur beti, dono ka rishta pakka kar diya hai. July mein kar denge dono ki shaadi ek saath." This time not getting any response, she turned around to find her engrossed in her file. She frowned, "Main yahaan is se itni important baat karne ki koshish kar rahi hu, aur ye hai ki apne bekaar ke papers mein gussi hui hai." she mumbled and slammed the door of the closet loudly to grab her attention.

Riddhima looked up confused on hearing the loud noise, "Kya hua?"

"Mera sir'" Muskaan scowled, "Kuchh nahi hua, aur mujhe nahi karni tujhse baat ab." Muskaan glared folding her hands over her chest.

"Aap aise gussa kyun ho gayi?"

"Mujhe shauk hai gussa hone ka, isliye." Muskaan growled sarcastically.

"Bha..." Riddhima noticed her gritting her teeth glaring at her files like they are her worst enemies. She understood that Muskaan needs her attention. Biting her tongue, she pushed her papers a little aside, "Achchha boliye ab main dhyaan se sunn rahi hu."

"Jaane de, tujhe is raddi (waste paper) se phursat kahaan hai." she pointed towards her papers lying around on the bed and turned her head away.

"Bhabhi, ye raddi nahi, mere office ki files hain."

"Haan pata hai. Lekin mere liye to raddi hi hain..." she made a sad-downfallen face, "...tere paas mere liye to time hi nahi hai... aur aajkal meri koi baat bhi tu dhyaan se nahi sunti."

"Arey..." Riddhima felt guilty to see her sad. True, she hasn't been able to give her much time. She got up from her bed stood in front of her, "Bhabhi..." Muskaan shrugged her hand away when she tried to touch her shoulder and turned around. Riddhima hugged her from behind, "Bhabhi, meri pyaari Bhabhi..." She noticed that Muskaan was still not smiling and held her hand, "aapke liye to mere paas time hi time hai... aur kya baat nahi suni maine aapki?"

"Achchha? To bata ki abhi main kya bol rahi thi?" Muskaan raised her brow hiding her smile.

Riddhima pursed her lips. She wasn't actually listening to her and just heard one or words here and there, "Hmm... lets see..." she thought for a moment, then added, "...ermm... wo-wo... haan, aap shaadi ke baare mein kuchh bol rahe the, hai na?" she prayed that she is right.

Muskaan turned to her holding her arm, "Tu sun rahi thi?"

Riddhima nodded quickly, but the look on her face told that she wasn't actually. When Muskaan narrowed her eyes, she looked down guiltily, "Wo actually..." Muskaan knew that she wasn't actually listening, but maybe she heard one or two words of their one-way conversation. Showing her unpleased state, she turned her head away again. This time Riddhima kissed her cheek sloppily, "Bhabhi, please mujhe maaf kardo... please, aage se aise nahi hoga... please..."

Muskaan looked aside to see her as she made a puppy face. Aww, how could she stay angry with her. But right now, she has to resist this temptation, "Theek hai, ja maaf kiya..." she said coldly.

Riddhima observed that even though she has said that she was forgiven, but she was still not pleased, "Achchha ab main aapki baat dhyaan se sunugi, promise."

Finally Muskaan hold back her smile, "Hmm..."

Riddhima pulled her near her bed. Muskaan glared at her papers and files, so quickly she cleared corner of her bed, keeping her files away to make space for Muskaan to sit.

"Ab theek hai." Muskaan sat down and pushed rest of her files as away as possible, "'aa baith yahaan zara..." she patted beside her. Riddhma sat down. Muskaan touched her hair, "Teri maalish kar du?"

"Ji Bhabhi..." she brought the bottle of oil and handed it to Muskaan excitedly.

"Baby, to bhi na..." Muskaan shook her head at her child-like excitement. She gestured her to sit on the floor. Muskaan disentangled her braid as she sat down ans started rubbing her hair. Riddhima closed her eyes as she felt relaxed.

Around 15 minutes later Muskaan asked, "Maza aa raha hai tujhe?"

"Bhot..." Riddhima mumbled with her eyes still closed. She always enjoyed hair message.

"Riddhima, tune sach mein meri koi baat nahi suni na." She affirmed.

She opened her eyes and glanced at her, "Sorry Bhabhi... mujhe bas ye sunaayi diya ki aap kisi ki shaadi ke baare mein baat kar rahe ho."

"Chalo atleast sabse important word to suna tune." Muskaan mumbled sighing.

Riddhima didn't actually hear what she said, but the look on her face told that she wants to speak to her, "Aapko kuchh baat karni hai kya mujhse?" Muskaan nodded vigorously showing her teeth, making Riddhima giggle, "To saaf-saaf kaho na."

"Bataati hu, par promise kar ki is baar tu meri baat dhyaan se sunegi." Muskaan patted on the bed, gesturing her to sit beside her.

Riddhima sat along her pouting, "To kya main humesha aapki baat dhyaan se nahi sunti?"

"Uska jawaab to tune khud he de diya abhi-abhi." Muskaan chortled while Riddhima looked down. Muskaan continued, "Tch... Sunti hai, par aaj tera thoda extra time chaahiye mujhe..." she took her phone, "...aur special attention bhi." she pointed at her phone.

Riddhima looked at her for a moment, then taking her phone back, she switched it off. "Theek hai... Lo maine phone band kar diya. Ab to khush?"

"Good..." Muskaan smiled, "To..."

"Pehle aap paanv (legs) upar karke baitho, warna phir se sujan aa jaayegi." Riddhima interrupted her asking her to keep her legs on the bed.

Muskaan sighed lovably, pulling her legs up on the bed, "Le bas ab to?" Riddhima nodded back, "Hmm, dekh Baby, jo baat main tujhse ab karne waali hu uske baare mein dhyaan se sochna, aur mujhe soch-samajh ke jawaab dena, lekin jald-se-jald."

"Theek hai Bhabhi. Aap kahiye ho kya kahna hai."

Muskaan took a deep breath as Riddhima waited for her to continue, "Tujhe pata hai Riddhima, humaari colony ki saari ladkiyon ki shaadi ho chuki hai, I mean teri age ki saari ladkiyon ki. Aur ab to tujhse age mein chhoti ladkiyon ki shaadiyaan bhi shuru ho gayi hain."

"Haan pata hai, to?" she replied non-chalantly.

"Sunanda Aunty Monday ko aayi thi." she glanced at her carefully.

"Phir se?" Riddhima's expression changed into worry. She knew why Sunanda visited them. She was one of those self-appointed match-makers, and presently her latest and seems to be the most favorite target is Riddhima. In the past three months, she has been coming to their house quite frequently. Especially ever since Minnie's wedding almost a month ago, she visits them atleast thrice a week. Sunanda have already suggested over 100 proposals for Riddhima by now in just last month. Riddhima's family even liked a few of them, but somehow Rahul has managed to reject them. Riddhima was thankful to her brother for that.

"Haan..." Muskaan knew the effect of Sunanda's name on her. Riddhima always preferred to stay away from her, "Is baar jis rishte ki baat wo kar rahi thi, Papaji ko wo bhot pasand aya. Ladka America mein kisi Finance ki company mein Senior Manager hai, agle 2-3 mahino mein uska Promotion bhi hone wala hai. Income bhi kaafi impressive hai. Maine photo dekhi uski, dikhne mein bhi theek-thaak hai... aur..." she was interrupted by Riddhima.

"Bhabhi, aap ye sab mujhe kyun bata rahe ho?" she interjected unhappily.

"Kyunki ye rishta teri shaadi ke liye aya hai..."

"Par mujhe..."

"Shaadi nahi karni..." this time Muskaan cut her in, "...pata hai humein. Kam se kam 10 carore baar sun chuke hain hum sab ye."

"To phir aap baar-baar kyun mujhse ye baatein karte ho?" Riddhima sulked.

"Kyunki ye important hai... Dekh Baby, aaj nahi to kal shaadi to tujhe karni hi padegi. Phir jaise maine bataya ki teri age ki saari ladkiyon ki shaadi ho gayi hai. Aur ab to tujhse 5-6 saal chhoti ladkiyaan bhi kuchh dino mein married ho jaayengi. Tu kya bhuddhi hoke shaadi karegi?"

"Par shaadi karna koi zaroori to nahi hai." Riddhima squabbled.

"Zaroori hai..." Muskaan insisted, "Baby, har ladki ko ek na ek din shaadi karni padti hai, yehi rule hai zindagi ka..." Riddhima looked at her strangely, so she added, "Nahi main ye nahi kahti ki shaadi ke bagair zindagi kaati nahi jaa sakti, par aksar zindagi mein ek aisa waqt ata hai, jab hum apne aapko bhot akela aur majboor mahsus karte hain, humein kisi ke pyaar ki zaroorat hoti hai. Us waqt sirf humara jeevan-saathi hi humein sahara aur pyaar deta hai."

"Ye koi zaroori to nahi. Apni family bhi to hoti hai humaare saath." Riddhima got restless.

"Haan hoti hai, aur humesha rahti hai. Family se badhkar kuchh nahi hota, khaas taur se ek ladki ki life mein. Lekin kuchh cheezein humein sirf ek life-partner hi de sakta hai... jaise pyaar aur..." Muskaan tried to explain, Riddhima interrupted.

"Achchha? Lekin mujhe nahi lagta ki aisi koi cheez hai jo humaari family humein nahi de sakti... specially pyaar. Balki Pyaar to sabse jyada humein apni family hi deti hai. Mumma bhi to yehi kahti hain na." she tried to justify.

"Mumma bilkul theek kahti hain."

"To aap log phir mujhe kyun shaadi ke liye bolte rahte ho? Mujhe nahi karni shaadi wageraah." she got up from bed and went to her study table.

Muskaan went to her, "Riddhima..."

"Nahi Bhabhi, mujhe nahi karni shaadi. Main aap sabse dur nahi jana chaahti." she sobbed.

Muskaan understood her problem. She had also gone through the same phase once. She knew how difficult it is for a girl to leave her family she love so dearly, forever, and go with a complete stranger to spend her whole life. There is no guarantee she will get the same love at the new place, no proof to justify that her in-laws will accept her the same way her family has, her parent did.

Above all, the biggest fear is that a girl has to prove herself on every little thing. None of your mistakes are assured to be forgiven. No matter what people say, but there exists no in-laws in this world who could treat you the same way your own parents does. People have a tendency to expect a girl to do everything PERFECTLY in her 'Sasural' immediately after she gets married. They think, she should know and learn everything before-handed. Instead of treating her like a normal human, many times they expect her to behave like a robot or a perfect super-human. The list of expectations from a girl is always longer than the distance between the Sun and the last star in our galaxy.

There are only a few expectional in-laws in this world, maybe less than the lowest number you can think of, like the ones Muskaan has, who treat their daughter-in-laws like their own skin. Of course, Muskaan knew that Armaan's family is another exception on the list. But, things still doesn't remain the same after a girl gets married.

Placing her hand on her shoulder, Muskaan turned her around. She was not at all surprised to see tears in her eyes, "Aww, Baby..." she hugged her lovably soothing her by rubbing her back for a while. She held her hand and brought her back to the bed.

"Bhabhi..." Riddhima kept sobbing on her shoulder.

Parting from their hug, she cleared her tears. Riddhima kept her head in her lap lying on the bed. Muskaan kissed her forehead. "Riddhima, main jaanti hu to kya soch rahi hai. Main bhi ek time pe aise hi daur se guzar chuki hu. Aur main kya, har ladki ko is se guzarna hi padta hai."

"Par mujhe nahi guzarna is se. Mujhe nahi karni shaadi-waadi." she hid her face in her lap.

Muskaan sighed. She knew there is no use to try and convince her with social excuses. She has to use some other way to convince her. Maybe the best method is to use emotional black-mailing. She knew well enough to use this ammunition. And the best part is, it works bang-on with Riddhima. Her soft heart and emotional personality could be melted to bones by the slightest emotional friction. And her weakness is her family and the people she loves.

"Riddhima... sun meri baat." she held her hands firmly, "...parents ko apni beti ki bhot chinta hoti hai. Especially ek kuwaari beti ki chinta unhe har waqt pareshaan rakhti hai." Instead of beating around the bush, she decided to come down to the target as quickly as possible, "Tune teri office ki house-keeping maid se suna hai na, ki aajkal ke log kitne ghande hote hain?" Riddhima shook her head tearfully, "'ye bhi pata hai na, ki kaise wahaan chauwl ki ladkiyaan pareshaan rahti hain unke area ke gundo se?" Riddhima shook her head again, her sobs were dying down slowly, "Soch zara, kitne pareshaan hote honge un ladkiyon ke parents. Har parents ko ye chinta rahti hai ki kahin unki beti ko kuchh ho na jaaye. Wo use humesha surakshit rakhna chaahte hain."

"Kya isliye hi Mumma-Papa humesha pareshaan ho jaate hain jab main ghar pahunchne mein late ho jaati hu?" She frowned confusingly. Her sobs have already died by now and she was listening very carefully to whatever Muskaan was telling her.

"Haan, aur isliye wo teri shaadi karna chaahte hain."

"Ismein shaadi karwaane ki kya zaroorat hai? Main to humesha time se ghar aati hu na, aur agar late ho jaati hu to phone bhi kar deti hu... Rahul Bhaiya ne hi to kaha hai na aisa."

"Phone karne se kya hota hai? Us se hum sabko pata chalta hai ki tum kahaan ho, par jab tak tum ghar wapis nahi aa jaati tumhaari chinta to hum sabko phir bhi rahti hai na."

"Par shaadi karne se kya hoga?"

"Shaadi karne se phir tumhara husband tumhaari dekh-bhaal karega. Us se Mumma-Papa ki chinta kam ho jaayegi." Muskaan explained.

"Ye kya matlab hua? Mujhe to lagta hai, ki main itni buri hu ki Mumma-Papa meri shaadi karke mujhe ghar se dur bhej dena chaahte hain." Riddhima brooded.

"Nahi re, Mumma-Papa teri shaadi isliye thode ho karwana chaahte hain..."

"To phir kyun? Kyun meri shaadi karwana chaahte hain wo? Kyun wo mujhe is ghar se dur bhejna chaahte hain? Main kyon nahi rah sakti humesha aap sabke saath? Wo Sunanda Aunty ko bol kyun nahi dete ki main shaadi nahi karna chaahti?" she looked deeply troubled.

"Baby... Tu kyun nahi samajh rahi ki sab parent ke liye unki sabse badi responsibility apni beti ki shaadi karna hota hai. Haan dusri responsibilities bhi hoti hain, lekin wo sab to koi bhi puri kar sakta hai. Par yehi ek cheez hai jo parents ke alawa aur koi theek se nahi kar sakta. Isliye ye unke liye sabse important hoti hai... Mumma-Papa ke liye bhi ye bhot maayne rakhta hai. Kitne sapne dekhe hain unhone teri shaadi ke. Tu nahi jaanti, par teri shaadi ki responsibility ko lekar wo bhot pareshaan rahte hain. Mumma to kitini baar royi bhi hain teri chinta mein. Main jaanti hu kyunki maine dekha hai. Tu kya chaahti hai ke Mumma-Papa apni ye responsibility na puri kar sake aur humesha aise hi pareshan rahe?" she persisted.

Riddhima blinked again perplexed. Muskaan observed her carefully. She knew that at last their Baby's mind has started turning in the correct directions, "Riddhima... ye samaaj aisa hi hai, ismein har ladki ko shaadi karke jana hi padta hai. Koi bhi is sach ko nahi badal sakta, na hum, aur na koi aur. Har ladki ki shaadi sahi time se hona parents ke liye bhot important hota hai. Aur agar wo aisa na kare, to log unhe taane de-de kar unka jeena haraam kar dete hain..." She glanced at Riddhima who has quitened by now.

"To phir kya sach mein sabko shaadi karni padti hai?" she questioned simply.

"Haan... dekh na, main bhi to apne Mummy-Papa ko chhod ke yahaan aayi hu, Anjali bhi apne parents se itni dur Atul ke saath rah rahi hai; aur Minnie, wo bhi to shaadi ke baad apne sasuraal chali gayi na. Hum kya pehle se hi shaadi karke hi paida hue the? Tu kya samajhti hai, hum sabko dukh nahi hua tha apne parents ko chhodte hue?"

"Wo.." Riddhima didnt know what to say.

Muskaan knew that she has understood what she means, "Baby, in sab baaton ka matlab ye nahi ki ab humaare parents humein pyaar nahi karte... Wo to humein humesha humein pyaar karte rahenge. Par, ye to unki responsibility hai, jise unhe pura karna hi hota hai."

Riddhima thought for a moment, "Iska matlab meri shaadi bhi ho jaayegi?" she asked innocently... her eyes a little misty.

"Haan, hogi to sahi..." Muskaan stated with a straight face as she hid her smile at her innocence.

"Achchha? To ab mujhe kya karna chaahiye?" she asked lamely.

Muskaan couldn't stop herself from laughing at her naiveness, "Wohi jo har ladki karti hai."

"Matlab?" Riddhima asked.

"Matlab ye ki is baar jab Mumma-Papa tujhse shaadi ki baat karein to shaadi ke liye haan kah dena... Har baar ki tarah rone mat lag jana."

"Hmm... Theek hai'" she nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, Padma peeked in to see whats happening. Muskaan gestured her that all is in control. Padma nodded happily and gestured her to come out for a while.

Muskaan excused herself for a while to let Riddhima think about it, "Baby, ab tu apna kaam kar, main neeche dekh ke aati hu ki tera wo badmaash bhatija kya kar raha hai."

Riddhima nodded dazely. With a last look at her, Muskaan left the room.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, Padma dragged her in her room. Bolting her door, she sat on the bed with Muskaan, "Ab bata kya hua?"

Muskaan chuckled at her excitement, "Mummyji, aap to aise excite ho rahe ho, jaise shaadi Riddhima ki nahi, aapki honi hai... wo bhi dobara."

"Dhatt... badmaash. Bata na kya hua?" Padma hit her head playfully.

"Aur kya, wohi jo hona chaahiye tha."

"Jo hona chaahiye tha, matlab?"

"Matlab ye ki uske dimaag mein starter to laga diya hai maine. Bas ab button dabaane ki deri hai, aur phir humaari pyaari si tube-light jal jaayegi."

"Paheliyaan bujhaana band kar aur theek-theek bata ki kya hua? Wo maani ke nahi?"

"Maan hi gayi hai samajhiye. Aisi chaabi bhari hai ki ab aap baat karoge to, I am sure, wo na nahi karegi shaadi ke liye. Aur agar kuchh kahe to thoda sa emotional blackmail ka tadka aap bhi laga dena, kaam ban jaayega. Wo melodramatic daily-soups ke dialogues waise to kisi kaam ke nahi, par humaare liye kaam ke ban sakte hain." she laughed again.

"Arey waah, ye to bhot achchhi khabar hai." just then, they heard a knock on the door.

"Maaji, chai bana du kya?" Shaguna called.

"Haan bana de." Padma replied.

Padma and Muskaan had their evening tea in their lawn discussing how to push the matter further, so as to convince Riddhima ASAP. Shashank and Rahul have gone out for some work, Yash accompanied them. Riddhima stayed in her room.

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

It was late evening, Muskaan was resting in her room for the past two hours. Men havent returned yet. Padma was putting clothes in her closet when she heard a knock on her door.

"Kaun?" she saw Riddhima open the door, "Arey Riddhima, aa na andar beti." she placed a small pile of folded clothes on the shelf and closed the door of her closet.

Riddhima came in quietly and saw a few unfolded clothes lying on her bed. She went to the bed and started folding them silently, piling them on the bed corner. Padma knew that she must be thinking about what Muskaan has told her. She went to the bed, caressing Riddhima's head, she sat down and started folding clothes herself.

A little later after they were done folding all the clothes, Riddhima laid down placing her head in Padma's lap thinking about everything. Padma kept combing her hair with her fingers.

"Mumma, kya parents ke liye beti ki shaadi karwana bhot zaroori hota hai?" she asked all of a sudden breaking the silence. Its not that she didn't believe what Muskaan had told her, but at the time all she could think was this question. She didn't know where else to start.

After Muskaan left her room, Riddhima kept thinking about everything again and again. She tried to work, but her brain was now occupied with all types of thoughts. Is it really so important for parents to get their daughter married? Is she such a big responsibility for her parents? Are they really worried for her marriage? Will people actually bad-mouth them if they didn't get her married? Is it that bad, if she stays at her parents' home forever?

Her innocent brain has never thought about anything like this. She never meant to cause any pain or trouble to her family. But now, is she really being one by not agreeing to get married? Was she really being selfish by not letting her parents finish their responsibility?

She had seen Padma-Shanshank getting worried whenever somebody talked about Riddhima's marriage. Though they never spoke to her or forced her to think over this issue, but she knew they often discuss it among themselves. She had also heard them talking about her and her marriage in their room a number of times, while she is passing through the corridor. They did sound worried and cautious about her future.

At times, she had seen many people asking her parents that when they are getting Riddhima married. But everytime they shoved the topic away. Earlier, Riddhima didn't give much heed to it, but now that she thought back about everything again, she knows better that she has been a matter of big concern for everyone in the house.

A few months back when she went with Vivek at his farm-house, her whole family looked extremely troubled on the breakfast table next morning. When she asked the reason, they pushed her question away saying its just something related to a family friend. They also told her that she got home very late last night and they were getting worried about her.

Riddhima was still unaware of the actual reason, but one thing she was sure of, is that Muskaan is right that making a call can inform them where she is, but doesn't actually soothen their concerns. Even that day, she did call them to inform where she is, however their worried faces told her that they weren't too pleased with her late return. They advised her never ever to do that again, which she obediently complied.

Her family has always been possessive about her, but after that day, they gave her strict instructions not to go anywhere with any person other than her family and close friends. She never questioned them for the restriction they planted on her. It wasn't in her nature. Ever since then, it was always either her office cab, Atul, Rahul, Minnie or anyone else from their families who would accompany her wherever she has to go. Whenever she it out, she has to continuously keep informing them about her well being.

"Bataaiye na Mumma?" Riddhima asked again looking at her this time.

Padma glanced into her innocent eyes and smiled. She knew that Riddhima will come to her to talk about this. This is what makes this girl different from rest of the females on this earth. She will always talk to her family without a second thought whenever she is confused about something. She has no secrets.

'

"Haan hota to hai." she caressed her head. She heard slight sounds of sniffing and looked down, "Kya hua Riddhima? Tu ro kyun rahi hai beta?"

Muskaan has just come out of her room and was passing through the corridor. She came in,

"Aur kisliye royegi ye, maine is se iski shaadi ki baat ki thi na isliye ro rahi hogi... humesha ki tarah." Muskaan informed sitting on the bed besides them.

"Oh, to itni si baat." Padma shook her head.

"Aapko itni si baat lagti hai ye? Mumma, mujhe shaadi nahi karni." Riddhima kept sobbing.

"Offo, itni badi ho gayi hai, lekin ab bhi bilkul bachchon ki tarah roti hai." She said clearing tears from Riddhima's cheeks.

"Haan, aise to Yash bhi nahi rota." Muskaan teased.

"Bhabhi, jao main aapse baat nahi karti." She turned her face away.

"Arey ye kya baat hui..." Muskaan added, "Mummyji, main to bas ise ye samjha rahi thi, ki iski umar ki sab ladkiyon ki shaadi saalon pehle ho gayi. Jab main iski age ki thi tab mera Yash to paida bhi ho gaya tha. Ab to iski bhi shaadi ho hi jaani chaahiye. Bataaiye kya kuchh galat kaha maine?"

"Kaha to tune bilkul sahi hai." Padma concurred with Muskaan.

Riddhima looked at her shocked, "Iska matlab aap mujhe pyaar nahi karte, isliye mujhe yahaan se bhej dena chaahte ho na? Jaaiye main aapse bhi bilkul baat nahi karungi." she tried to get up, but Muskaan pulled her back.

"Riddhima, maine tujhe itna samjhaya phir bhi tu aise baat kar rahi hai. Ye baat to tu bhi jaanti hai na ki Mumma-Papa sabse jyada tujhe pyaar karte hain, phir bhi tu unpe ye ilzaam laga rahi hai? Very bad..." Even though she knew Riddhima didn't mean what she said, Muskaan still looked at her pretending to be surprised and hurt.

Riddhima looked at her for a moment and realized that she was right. Her parents love her the most. How could she even think that they don't love her? She looked down guiltily.

"Ab aise udaas mat ho. Tu aise bilkul achchhi nahi lagti." Muskaan sighed, "Baby, tujhe pata hai parents sabse jyada apni beti ko pyaar kyun karte hain?" Riddhima just blinked slowly.

This time Padma spoke, "...kyunki betiyaan apne maa-baap ke dil ke jyada kareeb hi nahi hoti, balki wo unhe sabse jyada samajhti bhi hain." She caressed her chin, "Aur beti teri jaisi ho to bhala kiska dil bharega pyaar karke." Padma held her closer and continued, "Beti, sab parents jaante hain, ki bete to saari zindagi unke saath rahenge, par beti... ek na ek din unki beti ko unhe chhod kar kisi dusre ke ghar jana hai, hum chaah kar bhi ye sachhaayi nahi badal sakte. Koi bhi mata-pita apni beti ki shaadi sirf isliye nahi karwaate kyunki ye unki responsibility hai ya unhe us se peecha chhudaana hota hai, balki wo to apni beti ke bhavishya ke liye aisa karte hain..." Riddhima looked at her confused. She continued, "Hum maane ya na maane, lekin har insaan ko ek din ye duniya chhodni hoti hai, aur parents bhi..."

"Nahi Mumma..." Riddhima placed her hand over Padma's mouth.

Padma smiled and took her hand away, "Riddhima, beti mujhe kahna to nahi chaahiye, lekin Kartik Bhaisaab aur Smriti bhi to accident mein..." she trailed as she saw Riddhima's eyes welling up remembering her deceased parents.

"Aapne mujhe mere Mumma-Papa se bhi jyada pyaar diya hai Mumma. Mere liye to ab aap hi meri Mumma ho aur Shashank Papa, mere Papa..." Riddhima said tearfully.

Padma caressed her head engulfing her in a hug, "Mujhe pata hai... aur mujhe maaf kar de wo sab tujhe phir se yaad dilaane ke liye meri bachchi."

"Aap sorry bolke mujhe guilty feel mat karwao Mumma." she pleaded.

"Theek hai, nahi bolungi sorry." she continued after a brief pause, "Riddhima, har parents chaahte hain ki unke baad koi aisa ho jo unki beti ka zindagi bhar saath de, uski har zaroorat ka khayaal rakh sake. Isiliye wo uski shaadi kisi aise se karwaane ki koshish karte hain, jo uska pura dhyaan rakh sake aur use dher sa pyaar de." Ridhhima still looked confused.

"Mumma ke kahne ka matlab hai ki waise to saari ladkiyon ke paas apni family ka support hota hi hai, par shaadi ke baad uska pati use har tarah se protect karta hai..." Muskaan butted in, "Haina Mummyji? Aap yehi bolna chaahte ho na?"

Padma agreed, "Haan... waise to har ladki ka parivaar humesha uske saath rahta hai, par jaise-jaise umar badhti jaati hai, parivaar ke dusre logon ki zimmedaariyaan badhti jaati hain. Bhai-Behen, sabki apni life hoti hai. Unki apni families, unke bachche, unki zarooratein badhti jaati hain... aur aise mein aksar anjaane mein hi, unka dhyaan betiyon pe se hatne lagta hai. Ismein unki bhi koi galti nahi hai. Zara soch, jab humaari family mein koi naya ata hai, to humein uske khaas dhyaan dena padta hai na?" Riddhima nodded, "aur uske chakkar mein aksar jo time hum parivaar ke dusre logon ke saath spend karte hain, wo baantna bhi padta hai. Mere bachche, ye sab to hota hi rahta hai. Par jab ek ladki ki shaadi ho jaati hai, to uski zindagi mein ek naya insaan khaas taur se unki dekhbhaal ke liye aa jata hai, jo humesha uska saath deta hai. Mata-pita aur kya chaahte hain, bas yehi, ke unke baad unki beti ka special dhyaan rakhne wala koi ho... isliye wo uski shaadi karwaate hain." Padma smiled.

Riddhima looked at her a little convinced now which didn't go unnoticed by Muskaan. She was watching different sort of emotions playing on her sweet face. She knew that, if they poured in some extra emotional element, it will hit right between the eyes. Riddhima was so lost in her thought that she didn't notice when Muskaan nudged Padma.

Padma looked at Muskaan questioningly. Muskaan signaled her to use one of the senti-dialogues from those daily-soups. Padma understood what she has to do. She was no less, "Phir ye zimmedaari puri kiye bagair kisi bhi Mata-Pita ki atma ko mukti nahi milti." Padma sobbed slightly rubbing her eyes as if wiping her tears.

Riddhima jerked back from her thoughts when she heard Padma's fake-sobbing, "Mumma..." she sat straight, "Please Mumma, aap ro mat..." Of course she thought that Padma is crying for real, "Mumma please..." she hugged her trying to sooth her.

Padma hugged her back, still sobbing. She winked at Muskaan, who clapped silently praising her acting skills. Wow, my Sasumaa is no less, she thought proudly. Soon Padma quietened.

Before they could talk further, Yash ran into the room and dragged Riddhima with him. Rahul and Shashank have bought some new toys for him and he wanted to show them to Riddhima right away. Padma and Muskaan were also kind of relieved to see Yash. They could have continued the conversation to get the immediate results, but somewhere even they knew that they should give some time to Riddhima to think about all this. They were assured by her reactions that sooner or later, her answer will be in yes.

The dinner went quietly. Riddhima retired for her room silently. A little later, Padma-Muskaan informed Shashank-Rahul about Muskaan's conversation with Riddhima. Though they knew that Muskaan will be able to pull it off, but were surprised to know the inputs of Padma. What so ever, they were happy about the fact that Riddhima is now thinking about Marriage. Her quietness has told them she was pondering over the thought.

Riddhima had to force herself to sleep that night. Padma's sentimental drama and Muskaan's emotional melodrama has left a deep impact on her. She didn't know what to do. She had no clue where is her life going to take her. All she knew was that she wanted to see her family happy and not be a cause of their troubles.

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