Mere Apne4(AR) - Epi71-88 - Note on Pg147 - Page 63

At the parlour, like expected, Riddhima whined and complained about things again and again.

'Please don't make this too bright... Please don't apply that... I don't like this... I wont feel comfortable in it... That color will look weird on me... It might not suit me... Keep it as simple as possible... I will look like a joker... I have never done that... I will do it myself later on... Please don't bother about it... I wont wear this... oh my god, what happened to my dress?... That designer didn't make changes as per my instruction..." and don't know what all. Riddhima kept making faces on every second thing.

Minnie groaned at her antics and was sick and tired of them. The ladies from the parlour were also getting frustrated. They looked at Minnie for some help. Minnie gritted her teeth, then an idea clicked her. She went and whispered something into Riddhima's ear, hearing which Riddhima's eyes widened in shock. Minnie knew she has hit the right spot. Then what? Riddhima sat quietly and didn't utter a single word after that, while the beauticians sighed with relief and started their work quickly as it was late. Riddhima has wasted their 2 hours already.

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Back at Ashiyana. Armaan moaned and groaned umpteenth time. He glanced at the clock. 05:10pm. Its been almost three and a half hour he has come upstairs and he was still sitting in his gym. Why Gym? Well he couldn't sit in his room with haldi and oil applied all over his body. He pumped some more weight to distract himself.

"Pata nahi kahaan se dhundh ke laaye hain the ye log ye... ye haldi aur ye... yucky oil..." he mumbled, "Kambakht sukhne ka naam hi nahi le rahe..." he stared in the mirror in front. "Hey bhagwaan, aur kitni der aise hi rahna padega ab. Please Mom ko jaldi bhejo." He didn't realize that by excersining he was making it more difficult for himself, coz his perspiration was making the haldi paste damper.

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"Anjali bte, sab tayyar ho gaye hain na?" Dadi asked.

"Ji Dadi." Anjali replied.

"Aur Armaan, wo kahaan hai?" Aarti asked looking around.

"Wo? Wo apne room mein..." Then Anjali recalled something, she muttered, "Oh crap..."

"Kya hua?" Omang looked at her.

"Hehehe..." Anjali grinned awkwardly.

"Anjali khadi kya ho. Jao jaake use neeche bula lao ab." Dadi said.

She turned to Aarti and said, "Wo... Mom... Please aap jaake Armaan ko bula laaiye na."

"Anjali, mujhe baahar jaake kuchh kaam dekhna hai. Pahle hi bhot der ho chuki hai. Tum jao use neeche bula ke lao." Aarti said in hurry.

"Mom, w-wo sab kaam main dekhti hu na. Aap chinta mat karo kaam ke baare mein. Aap bas... aap Armaan ko bula lao." Anjali stuttered. Aarti, Omang, Atul and Dadi stared at her suspiciously, so she added, "Wo Chatur... haan Chatur bula laayega use neeche... CHATUR..."

"Chatur ko maine gaadiyon mein samaan rakhne ke liye bheja hai baahar." Omang interrupted.

"Atul... yes, to Atul leke aayega na Armaan ko neeche." She turned to Atul and pushed him towards stairs, "Jao Atul, jaake Armaan ko neeche leke aao. Joa na..."

"Anjali..." Aarti glanced at her still looking suspiciously.

"Hehehe..." Anjali passed an uncomfortable smile at her.

"Kya kiya hai tumne ab?" Aarti asked her comfortable state while others waited for her reply

"K-kuchh bhi to nahi." She saw them still not buzzing, so she sighed biting her tongue, "Alright. Armaan ab tak ready nahi hua hai."

"WHAT? Wo ab tak kya nahi hua hai?" Aarti asked looking at the watch, "Its already 08:00pm, aur wo ab tak ready nahi hua?"

"Haan, wo actually..." then Anjali explained them everything. How she has tricked Armaan.

As Anjali finished telling them everything, Dadi said, "Oh, to isliye sab rasmo ke khatam hone ke baad wo ab tak neeche nahi aya?"

"Ji..." Anjali nodded looking down.

All four gaped at her. But before she could say something, she heard their loud laughter. Everyone started laughing thinking about Armaan's condition.

"Aap log jao main jaake Armaan ko tayyar hone ke liye kahti hu." Aarti said going upstairs, "Aur Anjali tum jaake baahar ka kaam dekho. Atul tum Armaan ke saath yahin rukna. Jab wo tayyar ho jaaye, use apne saath leke baahar aa jana. Hum log baahar intezaar karenge tum dono ka."

Aarti went upstairs and asked Armaan to get ready. He quickly ran to the washroom hearing that as he was still in that miserable state. Aarti shook her head laughing at him and Anjali's trick. After an hour of scrubbing and scratching, he could finally get rid of that sticky oil-haldi paste and its smell.

Armaan came out rubbing his hair with his towel. Throwing it over his bed, he picked up his sherwaani that was placed on his bed by Anjali, who sneaked into his room when he was in the shower. Taking his Wine colored Sherwaani with embriodery with thread of cream and golden colors all over it, he got ready immediately as Chatur informed him that everyone was waiting for him downstairs.

All eyes fixated at the stairs widened, not in surprise, but in proud as they saw the most handsome guy stepping down towards themselves. He looked exquisitely handsome.

"Aarti bte, Armaan ki nazar utaarke iski aarti kar lo ab." Dadi instructed.

"Ji Maaji..." Aarti did as told by Dadi. After that all of them left for Rahul's house.

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On the other end, Rahul stood by the main gate of Party hall, while waiting for baraat. His eyes still fixated on what Elvis and his assistants were doing. Guptas have booked a small party hall where there will be a little get together and dinner. Then after a while all the close relatives will leave for his house for actual wedding ceremony.

A little later, seeing Rahul not concentrating fully on the wedding and instead busy keeping an eye on Elvis and his men, Shashank finally told him that Elvis was actually sent by Armaan and he has seen Elvis during Minnie's wedding preparations. It was only then Rahul eventually cooled down and diverted all his attention on the wedding. Thank God, Shashank had sighed.

Soon Armaan arrived with his family. Rahul, Shashank and a few other men welcomed them and asked them to have something before they could leave for wedding. Everyone had their dinner and praised the arrangements. After that at around 10:40 pm, some of the guests left while other close ones left for Rahul's house which was not too far away.

The Baraat was again welcomed whole-heartedly at Rahul's place. This time the ladies, Padma and Muskaan with other women welcomed them at the door. The women as expected gaped and drooled over the handsome groom whispering things into each other's ear.

Guruji was going to come to their wedding, but due to bad weather, his flight got cancelled at the last minute. He called them to inform that he will be joining everyone at the reception party.

The Mundup has been set in the little garden of Rahul's place.

"Riddhima bitiya ko neeche le aaiya ab." The Pundit instructed.

It was finally the time for wedding. Armaan was already sitting in the Mundup performing rituals as told by the Pundit. Soon he felt the gush of an exotic fragrance pass through the air. He looked up to see everyone's eyes fixated in the same direction.

Riddhima fidged with her fingers as she walked slowly towards the Mundup. Minnie helped her walk by holding her heavy lehenga from behind, while Muskaan held her arms from other side. Anjali, Aarti and Dadi who were conversing with Padma came to see her before she could reach the mundup. The ladies couldn't help but stare at her. She looked out of the world. Riddhima looked at the ground shyly as she heard them complimenting her.

"Anjali bte, ye kya kar rahi ho?" Dadi asked as she saw Anjali pulling Riddhima's dupatta over her face covering it.

"Dadi, don't you want this wedding to finish as soon as possible?" Anjali replied. Dadi shook her head looking at her confusingly. "Then let it be like this only."

When they still looked confused, Muskaan added, "Armaan." All the ladies understood their reference and laughed aloud, ushering Riddhima towards the Mundup.

Armaan looked towards the door from where Riddhima has just stepped into the garden, where Mundup has been set. But before he could get a glance of his going-to-be-wife, he saw Anjali, Dadi and Aarti block his view. He groaned hearing them laugh at something. He looked back into the Mundup's fire. Soon something touched his arm and his spine went stiff.

Looking sideways, he realized that Riddhima has just sat beside him. He then sighed inwardly as he saw her sitting there with her face covered with Dupatta. The Pundit started his work.

Finally the souls were knotted with each other in an eternal bond of marriage, where everything related to them became 'US' instead of just you or me. Armaan and Riddhima got married.

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It was now early morning, around 03:30am. Armaan was sitting in the living room facing all the women from Riddhima's family. They asked him for their shagun as they have stolen his wedding shoes earlier. Armaan glared at Atul, as he has instructed him to keep an eye on them. Atul just shrugged looking away. Actually, Anjali and Atul have helped Minnie in stealing his shoe. Right now, Minnie was negotiating with him for them.

"5 lakh."

"WHAT?" Armaan as well as the others present there looked utterly shocked.

"5 lakh." She repeated casually.

"Minnie..." he got up from his place and touched her forehead, "are you alright. Meri behen, meri pyaari doll, teri tabiyat to theek hai na?"

"Aah..." she shoved his hand away, "Meri tabiyat ko kya hona hai. Main bilkul theek hu."

"Are you sure..." he stared at her with extra big eyes, "I mean, phir tu aisi behki-behki baatein kyun kar rahi hai?"

"Main behki baatien nahi kar rahi hu, apna neg maang rahi hu."

"Neg?" he asked while she nodded, "Wo bhi 5 lakh?" he looked at her implausibly.

"Haan, ismein itna hairaan hone ki kya baat hai." She spoke casually, while blowing on her nails, "Actually main to pahle 2 Lakh maangne waali thi, phir socha, aap India ke itne bade businessman ho, 2 Lakh jaisa chhota'" she stressed, "sa amount maang kar mujhe aapki insult to nahi karni chaahiye. To maine use round figure mein 5 Lakh kar diya."

"Par 5 Lakh? Ye kis type ka round figure hai?" he was baffled.

She looked at him innocently and asked, "Mere type ka. Aur amount kuchh kam hain kya?"

"Kam? Are you sure you are asking for neg, or is it some kind of ransom-money that you fixed for hijacking my shoe? Sirf ek jodi shoes ke liye koi 5 lakh maangta hai kya?" Armaan looked at her shocked with his eyes spread extra wide.

"Koi nahi maangta to kya hua, main maang rahi hu. This is my bid." She blew her nails.

"Minnie, are you sure ye tera bid amount shoe ke liye hi hai? I mean kahin koi aur cheexein to nahi daba ke baithi na tu meri." Armaan looked around to check if thereis anything else missing.

"Sirf Shoes ke liye hi hai. Dusri cheezon ke liye itna chhota amount thode hi maangungi."

"Atul Bhai?" Armaan shouted, "Please call the doctor." Looking at her he said, "Minnie, doll, tu araam se yahaan baith ja, Doctor abhi ata hi hoga."

Minnie pulled her hand by which Armaan pulled her near the sofa. "Aah, Bhaiya."

"Na Minnie na. Itna gussa theek nahi hai. You surely need a doctor. Please baith jaa. Mujhe lagta hai ki tera blood pressure badh raha hai." Armaan requested worriedly.

Minnie snatched her hand and said, "Bhaiya, Stop it. You are India's one of the most successful businessman; and you are whining about such a little amount of money. Ab jab Riddhima Bhabhi..." she stressed on Bhabhi trying to tease him. "aapke ghar aa jaayengi, to dekhna aapki aur bhi tarakkee ho jaayegi. Aise pata nahi kitne lakh currency notes aap yu..." she clicked her fingers, "...chutkiyon mein kamaa loge. Come on now give it to us." She waved her fingers asking for neg money.

"Wo sab to theek hai, par 5 lakh? Minnie I promise they are just ordinary shoe. Nothing extravagant. Koi jewels bhi nahi jade hain unmein. Aur waise bhi, itne sab paison ka kya karegi tu?" he tried to speak when she replied.

"Bhaiya apni nautanki band kijiye. Aur un paison ka main jo bhi karun, us se aapko kya matlab? Waise bhi ye 5 lakh sirf mere liye nahi hain, yahaan pe aur bhi saaliyaan hain aapki, unhe bhi share dena padega mujhe. So its not a big amount. Laaiye jaldi kijiye." She pointed towards some of the girls sitting behind her.

Armaan looked up at Anjali and Atul for help, but realized that he had to face all this all alone. He went back to the couch where he was sitting earlier. She wasn't going to buzz that easily. For a moment he fell silent thinking about something, then smirking slightly, he said, "Well baaki sab baatein to theek hain. Par phir bhi 5 lakh is a little too much."

"Bhaiya itne bade businessman ho aap..." she spoke only tobe interrupted by him this time.

"Tabhi to bol raha hu, I dont approve this ransom amount of yours... after all I am one of the biggest businessmen of this country. There has to be some negotiation." Minnie's jaw drop open as he continued, "Aur waise Minnie ki bachchi, tujhe to bilkul bhi kuchh nahi milega."

"KYUN? Mujhe kuchh KYUN nahi milega?" Minnie shouted looking at him baffled.

"Because..." He shut her mouth with his palm, "You just called Riddhima your 'Bhabhi'. Jahaan tak mera khayaal hai, ye neg to saaliyon ke liye hota hai na? Aur tu to meri sister hai." He snapped tapping his chin.

"Ooohhh..." they heard everyone hooting while Armaan smirked pulling his collar.

Minnie squinted her eyes angrily. Then added, "Ok fine, to ab se main aapki sister nahi hu. I am Riddhima Di's Sister." She stood up and went near him, "To JI-JA-JI..." she stressed again, "Now give it me." She held her hand out.

"Nope..." Armaan shook his head. "Har saal Rakhi ke din itni saari investment kar chukka hu, aise kaise maan lu ke tu meri sister nahi hai. Aise thode hi hota hai. I don't agree to this. Tu meri sister hai, and you cant deny that."

"Arey lekin..." Minnie tried to say something but he cut in.

"Alright... ok... Lets do something that makes both of us happy... You and me." Minnie looked at her expectantly, 'Which is not so, considering the fact that I am the one who is being mugged here.' he muttered under breath. Then he continued in a loud voice, "Since you are my sister and I cant say no to you, we can have a deal." He suggested.

"What deal?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Well, the deal is ' You bring the amount down and I will give you that money in exchange of my shoe." He pretended to think and before she could say anything, he added, "Mmm, lets see what can wrap it up on... Ok, I got it. We can seal the deal at 20 thousand. Fair and straight."

"20 THOUSAND? NO WAY?" Minnie yelled at him in shock as he presented the deal. Stubbornly she said, "Agar aap is country se itne bade businessman ho, to main bhi usi bade businessman ki behen hu. I wont agree to a deal that brings me a loss of... err..." she calculated.

"4 Lakh 80 thousand..." he spoke instantly.

She glared at him while he grinned back smartly, "Yes, 4 Lakh 80 thousand... that's like... thats like..." before she said anything, he butted again.

"A loss of 96% on the original bid amount." He showed his teeth grinning even widely. Before she says anything he argued again, "But if you look at it from actually market value of the property-in-question's point of view, and agree on this 20 thousand deal, then you still stand over around 120% profit."

"Arghh... Would you stop interrupting and behaving I-AM-THE-BIGGEST-MORON-BUSINESSMAN, for once?" She mimicked.

"No." Was his straight answer, "I never said that I am one of 'the biggest businessmen'. To begin with, it was YOUR statement. Now deal with it." He made a fake sorry face.

"Bhaiya aap seedhe-seedhe humara neg dete ho ya nahi?" Minnie asked in a warning tone.

He interrupted yet again in a very dramatic tone, showing his hand to her to stop her, "Bas Minnie, bhot ho gaya ye atyachaar." Then putting up a mischievous smile he continued, "Either you bring the amount down, or just forget about it. Waise, you can keep those shoes as your tip for feeding me today." With a dreamy look he mumbled, "Mmm, the food was yummy." Again looking at her, he said, "I will buy another pair of shoe. Actually na, mujhe to khareedne ki zaroorat bhi nahi hai, ghar pe pahle hi bhot saare pairs rakhe hain. Aur its not like I have to walk back home on my bare foot."

"Armaan Bhaiya aap..." Minnie was about to snap again when Omang interrupted.

"Kya ho raha hai bhai? Abhi tak tum logon ki bahas khatam nahi hui? Bidai ka mahurat ho raha hai. Jaldi finish karo tumhara ye sab lena dena." Omang said looking at his watch. Its already been around an hour they have been arguing. Armaan pointed towards Minnie and other girls.

"Ho jaane dijiye mahurat Omang Uncle. Par Armaan Bhaiya tab tak Riddhima Bhabhi ko nahi le jaa sakte, jab tak wo humaari ransom..." she bit her tongue and corrected herself, "...err I mean humara neg nahi de dete. KANJOOS..." She muttered loudly looking at Armaan sideways and stood there with her arms folded stubbornly.

Omang looked at Minnie and then Armaan. Both of them were stubborn. He sighed thinking about something and then added casually, "To phir theek hai. Take your own sweet time. Araam se apni wasooli karte rahna. Balki main to kahta hu, ki isko yahin rakh lo..." Armaan's head shot up to look and saw Omang pointing towards him, "...chaho to humesha ke liye. Hum apni Riddhima bitiya ko leke jaa rahe hain." He turned to go to be stopped by Armaan.

"Woah... Wa-wa-wa-wait a minute Dad..." Armaan stopped him startled and baffled at his comment. He hadn't expected this, "Aise thode hi hota hai. I mean..."

Omang cut in, "Hota hai ya nahi, I don't know about that, and I don't care either. Lekin ye meri problem nahi hai ki tu ye deal seal nahi kar pa raha, Mr.Big-Shot. Main to jaa raha hu apni ghar ki amaanat leke. Tu baitha rah yahaan Kanjoos banke."

"DAD?" Armaan got up and walked towards him. "Ye..." Omang crossed his arm and raised his brow. Armaan looked at him, then at the girls looking at him expectantly. He knew, now that Omang has stood up in their support, there was no point arguing with the girls. After a minute of pause, he roared, "Ok FINE..." He signaled Atul who gave him a bag. Taking out a bundle from it, he gave it to Minnie. Minnie raised her brow looking at the small bundle. He asked, "WHAT?" Irritated he added, "Oh come on, who walks around with 5 lakhs in his pocket?" when instead of taking the money, Minnie tapped her feet, he groaned, "Arey yaar, I will give rest of the money later on, Promise." Still getting no response he warned, "Ok, if you don't need this as well for the time being, then I am taking this back." And it worked.

"Arey..." Minnie snatched the bundle from his hand and then nodded, "Hmm..." she glanced at him haughtily, "But make sure you deliver rest of the amount ASAP." She said in a warning tone. Armaan just sighed giving up. Minnie took the bundle from him and turned to girl, "Girls... Yayyy..." She yelled making a victory sign. Then there was a round of shrieking, clapping and celebration among the girls.

Armaan looked at the girls grumpily. "Tujhe to main baad mein dekh lunga Minnie ki bachchi." He mumbled to himself.

Atul grinned at him placing his arms around him, only to get a menacing glance from him. He pulled his hand back at once and looked on the other side where Anjali was standing, "Anjali wo packets jo wahaan..." and he walked away.

Armaan sighed looking at everyone celebrating. He could never win from his beloveds. Well actually he never wants to. He loves them too much to defeat them in any ways. They weren't a business deal, they were his own. He smiled looking at everyone's happy faces. Then he felt the laughter die down as all looked up towards the stairs. He followed their gaze. Riddhima was being brought down by Muskaan and Padma. Her face still covered with a pallu...

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It was irritating. Way too irritating. He was now married for more than last 12 hours, and he still hasn't got a chance to get a single glance of his WIFE. Plus, there seems no chances for that in don't know how many more hours. They have returned to Aashiyana as around 6:15am after Riddhima's bidai from Rahul's house.

The only time he has spent with her was when they came back to Ashiyana and a few rituals were performed. Even during those things, he hadn't been able to see her lovely face. Why? Will tell you soon. Ever since then, she has been kept away from him, for god knows what all reasons.

Armaan glanced at the screen of his Laptop. It was one of Riddhima's pictures he had at Minnie's wedding. This was the only way he could see his newly wedded wife. Well, the girl in the picture was not his wife at that time, but now that she IS, where is she? He thought.

He closed his laptop and paced in his room. Chatur has come and left a glass of juice for him around two hours back which still lay on his study table, untouched. He picked the glass, but didn't feel like drinking it, so he placed it back on the table.

What is happening? Why am I getting so restless? She is here in this house... somewhere. Its not like she is going to disappear or run away anywhere. Then why am I getting so fidgety? He mused. What is this strange feeling? Why am I behaving like this?

And whats with my family? Looks like they have completely forgotten about my existence. Nobody except Chatur or Kammo, nobody at all has come to see him till now. And even those two idiots have dropped in just to give him food and then ran away like he is plagued. Where is everyone? And where is SHE? He thought again. And why the hell am I bothered?

Tired of waiting, he thought of checking himself. He felt like a fool as not even once he himself haven't tried to go out of his room and check whats going on in his house. Instead he got himself engrossed in his work.

Stepping out of his room, he saw Chatur carrying a tray with around half a dozen glasses of soft-drink. Chatur went straight into Anjali's room. Armaan followed him. He stood at the door, hiding himself from everyone's view to see whats going on in there.

"Anjali Bhabhi, ye lo soft-drinks." Chatur forwarded the tray towards her.

"Ye do glass wapis le jaa. Itni der laga di tune, Minnie to waapis ghar chali gayi, aur ye dekh ye bhi so gaya." Anjali pointed towards Vaibhav who was sleeping soundly on the bed.

"Wo Bhabhi main sabziyaan dhone lag gaya tha." Chatur muttered.

"Chal koi baat nahi. Ab ye dono glass aur baaki faltu cheezein leke ja aur Kammo ko bol ki dinner ki tayyari kare." Aarti saw Chatur nod and start collecting empty saucers from there, "Aur haan, ek baar Neeche waale guest room mein bhi dekh lena, kisi ko kuchh chaahiye to nahi." She instructed while running a hand in sleeping Vaibhav's hair.

A few of their guests were still there in the house as their return flight was for the evening.

"Ji Badi Maa..." Chatur nodded again and walked out taking all the empty saucers, cups and bowls with him. The ladies had just had their evening snacks. Armaan hid himself behind a pillar in the corridor as Chatur walked out.

"Riddhima bete, tune Padma se baat kar li hai na. Wo teri chinta kar rahi hogi." Dadi asked.

"Dadi, aap to aise bol rahi ho jaise Padma aunty kisi dusri city mein rahti ho. Bas 30 minutes ka rasta to hai yahaan se unke ghar ka. Phir Riddhima ko yahaan aaye abhi 24 ghante bhi poore nahi hue hain." Anjali chuckled taking a biscuit from the plate.

"Jaanti hu, par beti chaahe 30 Lakh minute ki duri pe ho ya sirf 30 minute ki duri pe. Pehli baar us se dur hone ka matlab kya hota hai, ye sirf ek beti ki maa hi jaan sakti hai." Dadi explained.

"Par aapki to koi beti hai nahi, to phir aapko kaise pata?" Anjali probed dancing her brow.

"Kyun, kyun nahi hai? Radhika thi na. Aur Aarti, tu aur ab Riddhima, tum sab meri betiyaan hi to ho. Tum logon mein se koi bhi mujhse thodi dur bhi ho jata hai, to mera mann bhi to udaas ho jata hai." Dadi sighed emotionally.

"Aww, Dadi..." Anjali cooed. Getting up from her place she hugged Dadi sideways, while Dadi signaled Riddhima to join the hug. Riddhima smiled and joined the group hug. Aarti sat there observing the lovable scene, smiling widely.

"Mera Parivaar, aaj poora lagne laga hai Maaji." Aarti commented.

"Mujhe bhi." Dadi nodded smiling satisfactorily.

"Arey, no emotional stuff... Dadi, Mom. Riddhima ka pehla din hai aaj yahaan. We should be smiling, not shedding tears for any reason, what so ever it is. " Anjali pouted as she observed tears brimming from corners of eyes of Dadi and Aarti.

"Achcha-achcha theek hai. No tears." Aarti replied clearing her teary eyes. "Shaam ke saat (o7:00pm) baj rahe hain. Ab tum dono kuchh der araam karo. Phir dinner ki tayyari bhi karni hai thodi der mein. Aaj sara din to Riddhima ki muh-dikhaayi mein hi nikal gaya. Sabko itni jaldi thi ise dekhne ki, jaise baad mein hum ise locker mein band karke rakhenge taaki ise koi dekh na sake." She chuckled slightly. Then added, "Kal bhi reception ki wajah se bhot sara kaam hai. Subah jaldi uth ke sab tayyari karni hogi."

"Theek hai Mom." Anjali replied.

"Hmm..." Aarti shook again. "Main bhi thak gayi to thoda araam kar leti hu. Maa, aap bhi ab chalke thodi der rest kar lijiye. Main aapko aapke room tak chhod deti hu." She told Dadi and held her wheelchair. She stopped at the door, "Aur haan Anjali, ek baar tum Chatur ko yaad dila dena Armaan ke room mein jaake us se puchh le ki use kuchh chaahiye ya nahi. Jabse room mein ghusa hai, ek baar bhi baahar nahi nikla ye ladka."

"Aap chinta mat kijiye Mom, main bol dungi Chatur ko." Anjali blinked assuringly.

"Achcha ek baat aur, wo Riddhima ka samaan neeche waale room mein hai. Chatur se kahke wo bhi upar mangwa lena. Use zaroorat padegi na." She spoke to Anjali.

"Don't worry Mom. Aap jaake rest kijiye, main sab dekh lungi." She replied.

"Theek hai." Aarti said before leaving.

As soon as Aarti disappeared with Dadi, Armaan who was hiding behind a pillar in the corridor, came and stood beside the door, ensuring nobody could see him.

Anjali turned to Riddhima, "Riddhima, you don't worry. Tumhaara sab samaan main set karwa dungi. Bas 2 din aur ruk jao." Anjali said taking a samosa from the plate.

'2 din?' Armaan thought.

"Kal shaam tumhaari aur Armaan ki reception hai, isliye kal bhi thoda busy schedule rahega. Aaj to sara din tumhaari muh-dikhaayi aur guests ke chakkar mein hi nikal gaya." Anjali said.

'Oh, so they have been busy with Riddima's Muh-dikhaayi.' He mused. 'But what is Riddhima doing here in Anjali Bhabhi's room now? Weren't they supposed to send her in my room... err in her room... uh... I mean in OUR room?'

"Ab tum thoda araam karo. Tum kal se soyi nahi ho, thak gayi hogi na." Anjali suggested.

"Ok Bhabhi." At last Armaan heard Riddhima's soft voice after too many hours.

'YESS, now tell her to go to my... I mean, OUR room to get some sleep. Come on, go on...' Armaan instructed Anjali inwardly from the same place he was standing. But his bad luck, Anjali's next words made him frown.

"Ye lo, ye duvet theek hai na tumhaare liye?" Anjali asked.

"Ji..." Riddhima shook her head.

"Lao is shaitaan ko main iske room mein chhod aati hu, tum araam se yahaan let jao." With that she picked Vaibhav from bed.

"Bhabhi ise yahin sone dijiye na." Riddhima said.

"Arey nahi, tumhe problem hogi. Bhot haath paanv chalata hai ye sote waqt."

"Nahi Bhabhi, mujhe koi problem nahi hogi. Itna bada bed to hai. Ise yahin rahne dijiye. Kahin iski neend na tut jaaye ise uthaane ke chakkar mein."

"Tum ise nahi jaanti, sone ke maamle mein kumbhkaran ko bhi competition de sakta hai ye. Aur tu iske sone ke style ko nahi jaanti. Sote time bhi poore bed pe dhamaa-chauwkdi machata rahta hai." Anjali chuckled. "Tum araam karo, main abhi aati hu thodi der mein."

Riddhima nodded and saw her leave the room. She lay on the bed, covering herself with a bedsheet. Her back was facing Armaan, so he still couldn't see her.

Armaan ran back to his room as he saw Anjali coming out of her room carrying Vaibhav in her arms. As he turned towards the stairs, he bumped into someone.

"Haayyee maar dala..." Atul groaned holding his back lying on the floor. Then he looked ahead and saw Armaan getting up while straightening his kurta. "Abey tu?"

"Haan main." Armaan replied and gave him a hand to get up.

"Saale tere peeche kya Interpol lagi hai? Aise andhe saandh ki tarah kahaan bhaga ja raha tha? Meri kamar tod di kamine." Atul looked at him angrily.

"Kya? Main kahin bhaga nahi jar aha tha. Tu hi bina dekhe chal raha hoga." Armaan replied.

"Achcha bachchu, mujhe bewakuf samajh rakha hai kya?" Atul squinted, "Maine sab dekha saale. Tu mere room ke paas se bhaag ke nahi aa raha tha?"

Armaan who was looking back towards the corridor just to ensure Anjali wasn't around, looked back at Atul, baffled at his sudden question. "Er... wo..."

"Wo-wo kya huh? Ruk, main abhi Anjie ko bulata hu... Anj..."

Before Atul called Anjali, Armaan shut his mouth with his palm. "Bhai shut up, warna main Anjie Bhabhi ko bata dunga ki meri shaadi mein tu kaise us chocolate-brown suit waali ladki ko ghur-ghur ke dekh raha tha..." he blackmailed.

Atul forced his hand away and snapped, "Abey, main kaunsi ladki ko dekh raha tha, jhoothe..."

Armaan thought for a moment. He knew Atul wasn't gaping at any girl. He just said this to scare Atul. But he still shot back, "Ok, agreed tu nahi dekh raha tha. Par ye baat Anjie Bhabhi ko kaise prove karega?" He danced his brow in amusement.

"Main..." Atul stopped in between, then scratching his head he mumbled, "Arey haan yaar, ye to maine socha hi nahi?"

"Kya nahi socha tumne?" Both the boys looked at Anjali as she walked towards them. She was coming back after tucking Vaibhav in his room.

Armaan grinned wickedly, "Anjali Bhabhi, wo chocolate-brown dr... aaauuuch..." Before Armaan could finished, Atul stomped his foot on his.

"Kya hua?" Anjali looked at Armaan's foot as he fidgeted.

"Kuchh nahi Anjie darling. Wo actually Armaan mil rahi ko shirt-brown chocolate uski nahi thi, to usne kaha ke shaayad wo dhone daali hogi. To maine ye socha hi nahi ki, ye to maine socha hi nahi..." Atul rattled stupidly uttering sentences that made no sense.

"Kya?" Anjali as well as Armaan looked at him making a weird face.

Atul composed himself and explained hurriedly, "Err, mera matlab, mujhe meri chocolate-brown shirt nahi mil rahi thi, to Armaan ne kaha ki shaayad wo tumne laundry room mein dhone daali hogi. To usi baat ke liye main kah raha tha ki, ye to maine socha hi nahi..."

"Hmm..." Anjali looked at him suspiciously, but didn't drag further as she was called by Aarti.

Atul as well as Armaan sighed as soon as she left.

"Mera aanhein bharna to samajh mein ata hai, tu kyun saans rok ke khada tha?" Atul looked at him as he heard Armaan's loud sigh.

Armaan glanced him and paused, then replied, "Wo mujhe laga ki teri maar padne waali hai aaj. Par teri kismat achchhi thi ke tu bach gaya." Before Atul could interrogate any further or beat him, Armaan ran from there.

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

It was late night and there was still no sign of Riddhima. Armaan twisted and turned in his bed waiting for her, but looked like she wasn't going to come. Then as he heard the click on his door knob he slumped back into his bed. Turning his face on other side he pretended to sleep. Within next few seconds, he heard something rub over his bedsheet and then felt the mattress pressing down as if someone has just lain on his bed.

Armaan smiled unknowingly. With his eyes still closed, he turned around to face the person lying next to him. He felt a hand over his face and placed his own on it. He caressed the hand lovably with his. But then confused... he flinched. This is so... Why is it so...?

He opened his eyes and, "AAA..."

"AAA..." matched the other person.

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