8.Riddhima Weds Armaan
Riddhima sat on the bed with her head lowered while Armaan's female cousins, Muskaan, and Anjali sat beside and talked. They were waiting to be called for the wedding ceremony to start. Riddhima's hands make their way to her stomach and caresses it. In about eight months her and Armaan's child will be born. Riddhima's reflects back on yesterday, how Armaan was looking at her. She closes her eyes and pictures Armaan smiling at her. Riddhima opens her eyes with a slight smile. Riddhima feels a hand around her shoulder. Riddhima turns her head to the side to see Muskaan. "Nervous?" Muskaan asks. Riddhima nods, looking back down. "Kuch bhi nai hoga. Armaan hai," Muskaan said, with a smile. Armaan couldn't bring a harm to anyone. Riddhima smiles and nods slightly. They heard a knock and Anjali went to open the door. Anjali nods at the lady then walks back. "Its time," Anjali says. Riddhima looks up at Anjali with nervousness in her eyes. Anjali helps Riddhima stand with Muskaan's help also while the other girls make their way out. Riddhima walks out with Anjali and Muskaan on each side. The girls were lined up in two lines outside the room so when Riddhima passes them, they will follow behind her.
Riddhima walks through the double doors of the hall with her head lowered. Everyone had stood up for her to enter. She lifts her eyes to see Armaan sitting at the mandap with the pandit and his parents behind, Rahul, and Atul behind him. Riddhima lowers her eyes back down as her hands rested on her stomach, making it look like she was holding her hands. Armaan notices her hands on stomach and he thinks about their child. Riddhima reaches the mandap and sits next to Armaan. Soon, the pandit started all the rituals. Armaan tied Riddhima's end of dupatta to Armaan's that was around the back of his neck. They stand up for the first few pheres with Armaan in front, then Riddhima in front, while the guests threw petals at them. Sitting back down in there places the pandit hands Armaan a black beaded mangalsutar. Armaan takes it and leans over to tie it around Riddhima's neck. Riddhima was positioned slightly towards Armaan so it would be easier. Riddhima feels the tip of his fingers brush against her nape making her shiver. Armaan looks down at Riddhima when he finishes tying the knot of the mangalsutar. Riddhima could feel Armaan's gaze on her, so she looks up for a brief second then looks back down. Armaan takes a pinch of sindoor and puts it in the partition of Riddhima's hair. Feeling Armaan's finger brush her head, Riddhima closes her eyes. She is officially Armaan's. Riddhima opens her eyes and looks up at Armaan, whose eyes were already on her. Armaan and Riddhima stand up to take elders blessings and hugs from their friends.
Armaan and Riddhima arrive back home with half of the family behind them and half of them inside the house. Riddhima enters the house as a true bride with Armaan by her side. Armaan and Riddhima are seated next to each other on the big couch in the middle. Relatives and friends came and sat by them to take picture with them. Throughout the whole time Riddhima's head was lowered. Armaan looks towards Riddhima then back in front. "Armaan, Riddhima ka haath pakdo," everyone hears Billy saying. Riddhima becomes nervous on the mention of Armaan touching her. Armaan looks at his dad then around to see his relatives and friends smiling at him. "Come on. Don't be a coward," yelled one of Armaan's male cousin's. Armaan shakes his head at his cousin then holds Riddhima's hand and entwines their fingers together. Again, the flashes took off. It felt like they were a celebrity couple who just got married. Riddhima steals a glance up then at Armaan then back down.
Everyone settled around the living room with Armaan and Riddhima still on the couch. Armaan's and Riddhima's hands had become loose. Later, Armaan leaves Riddhima's hand and puts it in his lap. Riddhima moves her hand back slowly to her lap. She didn't like the feeling of Armaan's hand moving away from hers. "Thak gayi?" Armaan asks Riddhima. Everyone else were engrossed in their conversations. "Thodi si," Riddhima replies in a whisper, but Armaan heard. "Kya chup ke baatein ho rahi hain?" Ananya asks her son and daugher-in-law. Armaan and Riddhima's head turn towards Ananya while everyone else had stopped talking. Riddhima turned a deep shade of red while Armaan smiles with a slight blush on his cheeks too and looks in his lap. His head turns towards Riddhima to look at her condition and sees her in worst condition than him. She's a girl so it should be normal. Everyone hoots and laughs. "Chalo bas. Meri bahu ko ab aaram karne do," Ananya said, helping Riddhima up. Riddhima stands with the help of Ananya and Anjali. Riddhima stops abruptly to notice her dupatta stuck to Armaan's sherwani. Riddhima turns and looks at Armaan then down at her dupatta which was stuck to his sherwani. Armaan looks down when he feels a slight pull on his sherwani. He sees Riddhima's dupatta stuck to his sherwani. Armaan looks up at Riddhima and sees her looking at him. Armaan untangles the dupatta from his sherwani while Riddhima was walking away with Anjali and Ananya and other ladies and girls. Her head was turned still looking at Armaan while Armaan's eyes were on Riddhima and Riddhima's dupatta slid out of his hand.
"Hm, toh aaj raat ko kya hoga...bhabhi," teased Sonali. Riddhima was sitting in the middle of the bed which was decorated with flowers around and rose petals on the bed. Riddhima looks at Sonali then at Ananya, Anjali, and Muskaan. They give Riddhima assurance look while Riddhima looks down in her lap. Armaan walks in with his dad, uncles, cousins, and friends. "Nai nai," Richa yells as the girls get off the bed and stand in front of Armaan. "Kya?" Armaan asks as he sees his little cousins staring up at him. "Agar aaj raat ko yahan raat guzarni hai toh rishwat deni padegi," Richa says. "Tumhe lagta hai ke main tum chudailo ko paise doga. Already itne paise de chuka hoon jab mere joote churaye the," Armaan complains. "Bhabhi," the girls complain and look at Riddhima. Riddhima looks at them and didn't know what to say. Everyone's eyes were on Riddhima and Riddhima felt like an idiot as she didn't have anything to say. If she defends the girls then Armaan may not like it and if she defends Armaan she will get teased for that every single time. "P...paise...k...kal le lena," Riddhima took the option to defend Armaan. "Oh ho," everyone teases. Riddhima blushes and looks down in her lap. Armaan looks at Riddhima with a smile on his face. "Ab toh tumhari bhabhi bhi meri side par hai," Armaan said, looking back at the girls. "Bhabhi ne kaha ke kal le lege," Sonali said. "Lekin kal toh tum sab jaa rahe ho," Armaan replies with a witty smile. The girls frown as the guys hi-five each other and laugh. The girl walk out with frown, soon followed by everyone, leaving Armaan and Riddhima alone.
The door closed and locked, scented candles around the room, and flowers everywhere. Armaan looks around the room as his eyes land on Riddhima, sitting in the middle of his bed. Armaan walks over to the bed and Riddhima's breathing increases. Armaan sits down at the edge of the bed with his back to Riddhima's side. Riddhima turns her head slightly and looks at the back of Armaan's head. "Tum thak gayi hona? Pehle tum change karlo phir main change karlo ga," Armaan said with his head turned to the side. "M...mere kapre?" Riddhima asks. "Closet main hain," Armaan replies, remembering his mom coming in with Riddhima's clothes a few days ago. Riddhima gets up from the side Armaan was sitting. Her heavy lehenga gets stuck under foot making her fall. Armaan gets up as a reflex and holds Riddhima from her waist. Riddhima looks up at Armaan and Armaan looks down at Riddhima. Armaan's eyes go down to her lips then back up to Riddhima's eyes. Riddhima sees his eyes flickering from her eyes to lips causing her lips to part and breath heavily. Armaan could feel Riddhima's breathing against lips. Armaan leans his head closer down to Riddhima's. Riddhima slowly closes her eyes, waiting for Armaan to place his lips on hers. Armaan was just less then a centimeter away when he turns his head away. Not feeling anything in the next few seconds, Riddhima opens her eyes to see Armaan's head turned away. Armaan helps Riddhima stand up. "Aaram se chala karo," Armaan says, then walks to the other side of the room. Riddhima looks at Armaan's back then walks in the bathroom.
Riddhima looks at herself in the mirror and sees herself in her bridal attire. Riddhima's mind goes a few moments back. Armaan wasn't ready to accept her, her eyes started to sting with tears. Riddhima sniffs and blinks back her tears. She looks away from herself then looks back to see her eyes red. Riddhima's eyes spots the mangalsutar and the sindoor on herself. Riddhima walks in the closet to see her clothes on one side and Armaan's on the others. She runs her hands across Armaan's clothes. Riddhima holds a black shirt and cuddles it to herself and takes in its fragrance.
Armaan stood by the window with his mind on the kiss that he was about to give Riddhima a few moments back. He didn't know how he lost his senses, but he shouldn't have given the clue that there could be something because he doesn't know if there could be something between them. Armaan was feeling weird and he didn't know what is making him this way. He was confused himself that he didn't want to make things complicated for Riddhima. Armaan needs to stay away from Riddhima, but now that's going to be hard because he's going to see her everyday. When he goes back to work, he won't have to see her the whole day, because Riddhima will be on maternity leave. His child, he totally forgot about in the moment. Armaan is going to have to be there for Riddhima and his child. He can't leave them alone. They are his responsibility now and he's going to take care of responsibility the best he can. So the plan to stay away from Riddhima is going to be harder than Armaan thought.
Riddhima walks out of the bathroom to find Armaan standing near the window. She quietly makes her way to the bed and stares at it. She didn't know which side to take. This is Armaan's bed so he should decide where she should sleep. Armaan turns around when he hears footsteps. He finds Riddhima looking at the bed making him puzzled. "Bed ko aise kyun dekh rahi ho?" Armaan asks. Riddhima looks up at Armaan, startled by his voice. "M...main...kaunsi...side par so?" Riddhima asks. Armaan looks at the bed then back at Riddhima. He forgot that they'd be sharing a bed after they are married. Armaan remembers telling Riddhima that they will share the room and the bed as true husband and wife. "Jahan tum chaho," Armaan replies and walks in the bathroom. Riddhima sighs and sits on the bed. He made it more harder, but Riddhima chose the right side and laid down.
Armaan walks out of the bathroom to find Riddhima already asleep. She must have been really tired that she fell asleep less than ten minutes. Riddhima was facing the left side where Armaan would sleep. Armaan lays down in bed and stares at Riddhima's face. He could tell by her soft breathing that she is in deep sleep. Armaan stretches arm out and closes the lamp that was on his side on the bedside table, and the room became pitch dark. Armaan stares into the dark while for a while until his eyes adjust to the darkness. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he looks towards Riddhima, again. Today, he has a reason to live for his wife and child. Armaan turns his head to his bedside table to find Anu's and his picture of their wedding day. Armaan sits up and takes the picture frame. He walks in the bathroom and closes the door behind him. Turning on the light, he looks at himself in the mirror. Armaan takes the picture out of the frame and crumbles it in his fist and throws it in the trashcan. Armaan stares at the crumbled picture in the trashcan then walks out. Armaan lays back down in the bed, facing Riddhima. Slowly, his eyes started droop and Armaan falls asleep.
At around three in the morning the shrill of Armaan's cell phone woke both Armaan and Riddhima with a startle. Armaan picks up his phone. "Hello," Armaan says in a sleepy voice with his eyes closed, while Riddhima looks at him with her eyes squinted. "Dadajan, aap subah ke teen baje phone kar rahe hain," Armaan says annoyed at his grandfather. "Wahan ke teen baj rahe...subah ke?" asks a deep voice. "Ji," Armaan replies. "Sorry, beta so jao." the old man says. "Nai, ab toh uth gaya hoon. Bataye phone kyun kiya?" Armaan asks. "Tum aur apni biwi neeche aa sakte ho?" Dadajan asks. "Kya?" Armaan asks. "Neeche toh aao," Dadjan said. Armaan looks at with a confused face, but heard some giggles in the background. "Acha, aate hain," Armaan said and hangs up. "Kya hua?" Riddhima asks. "Mere Dada ka phone tha. Keh rahe the ke hum dono neeche aaye," Armaan tells Riddhima. Armaan and Riddhima get up and walk downstairs.
"SURPRISE!!!" the lights turned on to reveal all the relatives and Armaan's grandparents. Armaan was shocked to see his grandparents as it has been more than five years he has seen them. Armaan runs over to them and hugs them tightly. "Aap dono yahan kya kar rahe hain?" Armaan asks, standing next to his grandmother with his arm around her shoulder. "Humare pote ki shaadi thi aur hum na aaye aisa toh hi nai sakta," his grandmother said. "Dadi, shaadi kal ko thi," Armaan said. "Toh lekin khushiyaan toh manayi jaa sakti hai," Dadi said. "Subah ke teen baje?" Armaan asks. "Nai...lekin hum kal manaye ge," Dadi says. "Lekin hum nai kal honge," said one of the relatives. "Too bad," Dada says. Everyone laughs at Dada's reply. Armaan's dad's parents were the most chilled out parents ever. They would act like they were kids instead of grandparents. Riddhima stood outside of the circle that had formed with a smile on her face. Dadi's eyes notice Riddhima from the corner of her eyes. Dadi walks towards Riddhima making Riddhima conscious. Dadi stands in front of Riddhima and Riddhima looks at Dadi as everyone else looks at them. "Yeh hogi mere pote ki biwi," Dadi says. "Of course Dadi. Haina khoobsurat?" Sonali said with her hands on Dadi's shoulders and her head resting on Dadi's shoulder. "Hm," Dadi replies with her hand on Riddhima's cheek. Riddhima blushes at the comment and looks down with a shy smile. "Acha bhai chalke sote hain...kal sab ko jaldi bhi uth na hai," Billy says aloud so everyone hears. Everyone disperse to their rooms while Armaan shows his grandparents their room. Riddhima watches Armaan walk away with their grandparents then walks in their room.
Riddhima sits on the bed and smiles. She's happy that everyone is accepting her in their family, but most of the people don't even know the real reason to why all this is happening. But the main people know and accept her. If Armaan's parents can accept then Riddhima's sure the rest can accept her too. Armaan walks in the room to see Riddhima lost in her thoughts. He sits next to her. "Riddhima," Armaan says softly. Riddhima turns her head to Armaan. "Kya soch rahi ho?" Armaan asks. Riddhima shakes her head and looks down in her lap. "Kuch nai," Riddhima answers. Armaan holds Riddhima's hand and puts it in his lap. "Main hamesha tumhare saath hoon. Hum hamesha ek dusre ke saath hain, hm?" Riddhima nods at Armaan and Armaan wraps an arm around Riddhima's shoulder and hugs her. Riddhima rests her head on Armaan's shoulder with a soft smile playing on her lips.
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I'm trying my best to make the parts long, but they don't end up long. I still hope you all enjoyed this part.
NOTE: I have decided to re-start Take My Hand. Most of you have been requesting me to start my old FFs and I'm going to start Take My Hand, but I will not start Fanna again. The reason is that it was already far into the story and I actually didn't have anymore ideas for the FF. Since Take My Hand wasn't that into the story, I will write the parts again the best I can. I don't know when I will start writing the FF again, but right now I want to focus on this FF. Thank you for all the support you all have been giving me. I'm so happy that you all love my FF and from the support you all give me, motivates me to keep on writing. I have had moments to stop, but then I read your all comments which make really happy. Keep the comments coming and thank you so so so much!!!!!
If you reserve, please make sure to edit it.
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Anupamaa
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