Posted:
A New Amity
Recap:
Ridhimaa's pranks'..armaan with a coming out of any other girl's room'a party'..armaan and ridhimaa fight in party'..Sid is back in the scene.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goa trip was certainly one memorable trip for both of them and the following two weeks were the worst of all. They return to Mumbai the very morning. Ridhimaa tried her best to talk to armaan but armaan was so angry that he outdone her every attempt. Ridhimaa never felt this rejected ever in her life. Sometimes, she just wanted to leave it but then she can't let it go like that. It was so really unlike of armaan, she had seen him angry, teasing, blabbering continuously nonstop but this time he was quite- so quite that he didn't utter a single syllable to her after that night. Each time ridhimaa created such circumstances to make him talk to her but he ended up writing it to her- that too in strictly formal way. Ridhimaa spent most of the time at home- each day trying to find new ideas to talk to him. On the contrary, armaan was digging himself more and more in his work. he stayed in office quite late which seems like midnight and returned dead tired.
Even sanjay noticed his behavior and strictly ordered him to stop this. Bless him- ridhimaa was actually happy seeing armaan early but to her disappointment he locked himself in his study as soon as he was done with his dinner. Ridhimaa slumped in her couch grunting, which reminded her of her strong backache. Since they returned to Mumbai they were back on the track- ridhimaa on couch and armaan on bed. Though, armaan didn't said anything to her but ridhimaa knew he won't want her on his bed. Many a times she thought if armaan could just switch the arrangement but then he was never that considerate. Ridhimaa starred at the bed longingly waiting for him almost every night but ended up sleeping on the small uncomfortable couch.
Ridhimaa learned few important things in this 2 weeks- armaan was ultimate destructor. He broke 7 coffee mugs, 3 vases, 2 medium sized French statues and but naturally several injuries that were resulted due to this disaster. Ridhimaa got actually shocked seeing the fire in his study. It was small and he just burned his finger lightly trying to stop the fire. Ridhimaa frowned noticing that the room had nothing, nothing at all to catch fire from but didn't said anything. why to add fuel to fire when it was already in full flames, she thought. He got almost everyone worried about him 'even the servants became extra careful. Ridhimaa was actually surprised when she saw peter- master of kitchen- stood right near armaan during the entire dinner not giving armaan any chance to touch any bowl or plate. armaan was off course more occupied to notice this.
Everyone was relieved that Edward was driving for him. Edward, he was rather more interesting person. He was back a day after armaan and ridhimaa left for goa. Sanjay wanted to tell this to armaan right away knowing Armaan's bonding with Edward but never got a chance to talk to armaan. Ridhimaa was actually surprised seeing the bonding they both share. Edward was a middle aged, well built and very attractive sort of person. Later, anjali told her that Edward was Armaan's personal bodyguard. Edward was the one who spent his most of the time with armaan. Edward's history was quite interesting too. He worked for an American security agency but they thrown him out accusing him traitor. He even spent 6 month in jail.
He had lost both his job and his home. he took a large some from a one of his friend to pay the reimbursement so he could get out of jail. The agency, after getting compensation took the case back and he got out. Roaming aimlessly one day he saw a group of men pushing a struggling boy in van. His instinct told him that something was wrong. He was not sure he will be able to reach them before they left. Edward, actually surprised got when he saw that boy kicking two men between their legs and sent them crawling down on ground. The other man was about to strike the boy but Edward stopped his hand in midway.
Sanjay literally run to armaan, talking him in his arms. Once he was calm armaan told him about Edward who saved him. Sanjay was more than grateful. He offered money to him but Edward was very honest so he simply denied. Edward was about to leave when armaan took hold of his arm and asked sanjay if he could have Edward for himself. Both sanjay and Edward were surprised by this unusual request. Though, sanjay was grateful to Edward- he had his doubts but the next moment he saw Edward looking admiringly at armaan with armaan having the same expression for him, he understood there was no way to worry about it. And from that day Edward was like second skin to armaan. Wherever he goes, whatever he does Edward was always there. He was his driver, his travel mate, his guide, his body guard, and most of all his very special friend!
Ridhimaa soon became familiar with the close acquainted between armaan and Edward. Thought she never get a chance to have a chat with Edward. In fact, for some reason ridhimaa felt uncomfortable around him. The cold stare he gave ridhimaa on their first day stopped ridhimaa from risking any talk with him. Ridhimaa didn't dwell much on this as her mind was already on other worriers' armaan. It was more than necessary for her to talk to him, which seemed very impossible. Turning swiftly ridhimaa turned her attention to armaan who was looking straight ahead-fully focused on road. Apart from his maniac like driving- he always drive with his full attention.
They were on their way to Armaan's friend's party at pool side. Armaan was indecisive to go but later agreed saying he won't stay for long. Ridhimaa heard the conversation and an idea clicked into her mind. She knew it was risky but yet she took the chances and it worked. She went to sanjay with long face; sanjay saw her keeping the cup on the table and turning to leave. He stopped her and asked her about it. She was dying to tell him but restrained herself.
Sanjay asked her again and ridhimaa didn't said anything-just kept her head down. Sanjay was about to ask third time when he saw armaan coming downstairs whistling to himself. Armaan ignored ridhimaa and told sanjay that he was going to party. Sanjay asked him if he was going alone to which armaan replied with a yes matter-of-factly. Sanjay understood well he thought he understood reason for ridhimaa's long face and asked armaan to take ridhimaa with him.
Armaan looked at sanjay stupefied. Confirming for second time from sanjay he shift his gaze to ridhimaa scoffing. Ridhimaa ignored armaan and beamed at sanjay when he told her to get ready quickly. Armaan was left with no other choice but to take her with him. Ridhimaa thought to approach armaan giving into the advantage of Edward's absence- sanjay stopped Edward at home for the sake of privacy to which neither armaan nor Edward objected which was a surprise- ridhimaa hold back as the car came to halt.
Ridhimaa sneered at Armaan's back, he was as rude to her as earlier. he introduced her to his friends and left her all alone. Well not alone the host's wife was very pleasant to her and kept occupied her most of the time. Armaan wanted to leave earlier but his friends didn't allow him. Ridhimaa thought armaan would talk to her at least in front of his friends but no his was hell of stubborn to do it.
Ridhimaa scolded herself mentally; her decision to accompany armaan was turned out to be a complete flop. Standing at the lone corner ridhimaa stared from unknown faces to her husband's. he was frowning over something, may be uncomfortable, standing alone. Ridhimaa made her way to him as she didn't knew when again she will get him alone. Patting sweat beads from his forehand armaan pressed his temple to stop the heavy sensation he was feeling in his head. Ridhimaa saw armaan closing his eyes and frowned at it. She was few feet away from him and about to call his name when a waiter collided with her and with the sudden push she went straight to armaan and *splash*
Ridhimaa stopped with her hand on her throat on the edge of pull, she never realized armaan was standing so near the pool and when she was pushed at him with a sudden jerk and imbalance he fell back in the water. But what came following surprised her, actually shocked her. Armaan was throwing his hands and feet frantically, going out and in of water.
"Help'.help'..a'.*gasp* *gasp*"
Ridhimaa was too shocked to react she never knew armaan doesn't know how to swim. She didn't realize when armaan was pulled out by his friends, what the huge crowd circling the pool were murmuring, her all attention was turned to armaan-who was looking as pale as dead, half conscious. Very slowly ridhimaa made her way toward him still horrified-someone pressed Armaan's stomach and water spilled from the corner of his mouth before he drifted to unconsciousness.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bhasker how is he?" sanjay asked anxiously to doctor coming out of Armaan's room. Bhasker nodded slightly at him.
"Well I gave him injection hope he will come around soon' I won't give you any false hopes sanjay, You very well know the reason for his illness" bhasker looked at sanjay from corner of his eyes and kept his hand on sanjay's shoulder "oh come on sanjay give him some credit he is fighter and it's not first time, he will be fine. Okay"
Seeing he won't gonna get any response from sanjay bhasker squeezed sanjay's shoulder slightly in assuring gesture "don't worry. I'll come in morning. Call me if you need anything."
"I'll usher you" offered Atul and they left.
Sanjay turned to face anjali who gave him assuring smile "don't worry papa he will be fine soon. You need rest papa." She saw sanjay starring past her to armaan- unconscious with IV running to his hand; ridhimaa was also sitting beside him- pale just like everyone else.
"Papa don't worry ridhimaa is with him" anjali pulled him out of his thoughts, with a weak nod sanjay made his way towards his room.
Ridhimaa kept the cool strap on Armaan's forehand, looking at his pale face. Her hand touched his warm skin making her inside churn. It's been two days from the incident yet the fever was so high. No wonder he didn't gain his consciousness for once. She was so worried. she knew it was accident but still somewhere she felt herself guilty and after knowing his problem the guilt optimistically doubled. He was phobic to water! She would have known but then how? He never told anyone. Only sanjay, Atul, rahool and now anjali- Atul told her about it- knew this.
Once she come to knew about this suddenly everything was coming back to her, she remembered how armaan always denied for swimming classes saying it was waste of time and they aren't fish to swim. "How can you like beach? What's good in beaches? They are dist'.disturbing'.distracting'I 'I hate beaches'too much water." He had said in goa.
Now only she knew the reason for his weird reaction and it brought another realization even when they were kids armaan never joined them for any beach trips- all the kids used to go with their parents- sanjay always tried his best to persuade Armaan but failed. Armaan always was very private sort of person, that's why even sanjay didn't understand his stubbornness earlier.
Till armaan was 15 no one knew about his fear with water only when one of the doctor who were treating veena observed him quite closely and confirmed his doubts with sanjay. Sanjay never discussed it with armaan, he knew if armaan didn't wanted to tell him that simply means he was may be ashamed of his fear- sanjay didn't wanted Armaan to feel low of himself. He just told the same to Atul. The doctor had advised sanjay to not to push armaan but try to lessen his fear.
Sanjay was always very careful dealing with armaan he started taking armaan with him to beaches, pool sides but armaan always escaped. The worst was when he took armaan to cruiser and armaan fell ill. Armaan kept his hand on sanjay's and told him "it's just sea sickness dad' it will pass" it never passed. Sanjay chuckled agonizingly sharing the incident with ridhimaa.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ridhimaa came out of her thoughts feeling the slight stir under her hand- armaan was shaking his head. Ridhimaa was fully alert now. Her first was to call sanjay but a burning hard thing grasped her hand. Ridhimaa turned and realized armaan was holding his hand trembling badly. Ridhimaa saw his lips move and knew he was murmuring in his illness'unconscious- she knew people murmurs during illness. Ridhimaa automatically reached for him hearing his half formed word. She was unable to make out anything out of his blabbering.
Armaan used both his hands and legs to get out but the more he tried his way out he was feeling himself drowning farther below. He tried to open his eyes but just felt pressure on his head- pushing him down. he was drowning! He was dying! He knew it. But it was something else' the water' it was warm' hot' as if someone had set him on fire. He felt as if he was drowning in lava. He struggled to release himself from the pressure pushing him down. He wanted to shrike but nothing came out of his mouth.
He asked for help, requested whoever it was to stop but nothing happened and then the pressure was gone' his head came out- felt the cool air and open his eyes' there she was- standing at far end, looking at him with those innocent eyes as serene as ever and then her calm face broke into smile- got broader and broader and tuned into a devilish laugh'. Beautifully devilish!!! "ria" was his last word before drifting to blackness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ridhimaa grunted loudly as she heard the machine crying in delight from the room next to theirs. 'Here he goes again' muttered ridhimaa to herself. It was a week and half since he came to unconsciousness. He recovered quite well though once he opened his eyes. And moreover he was extremely obedient to her. she fed him, took care of his medicine but when it came to clean up and his other needs there was Edward always present. It was a silent arrangement between them. Neither Edward interfered her nor she did to him. Though, the tension was still there between Edward and ridhimaa.
As more the color returned to Armaan's pale face more the house came alive. Sanjay was more cheerful spending most of his afternoon with armaan, Atul updated armaan with the latest work progress and they watched the game together. Ridhimaa on the other hand, kept herself busy with anjali, who was suffering from work overload. Only 3 months were left for inauguration of cardiac ward and lot of paper work was remaining.
Ridhimaa gave anjali second hand in her work- kept checking on armaan at the same time. Armaan was quite as ever speaking in monosyllable or just nodding in yes or no. sanjay assured her that armaan will get normal soon. Ridhimaa kept her fingers crossed all this time. She was dying to talk to him but she didn't want to stress him out in such condition.
The door fell opened snapping ridhimaa out of her thoughts. She saw a armaan merging out of gym patting his face with towel. His slow actions told ridhimaa that he was not fully recover yet to enter that idiotic gym and now she was determined to get straight to him. She really had been calm with him. He needed his peace of mind and she was only one to give him that.
"Armaan"
Armaan turned to her-eyes wide seeing her with her hand on her hips. Ridhimaa bit her lower lip. She was loud, actually loud she startled him. it was clear on his face.
Ridhimaa soften her tone "armaan tum kya kar rahe ho.. tumhe doctor ne aaram karne ko kaha hai na then why armaan? Tum thode din gym se door nahi reh sakte?"
Armaan didn't said anything just starred her at the moment "no thanks Eddie I am fine I'll manage...Bye" armaan pulled the Bluetooth from his ear and placed it on the near table, and then only ridhimaa realized how stupid she had been. Ridhimaa sighed hearing the washroom door shut, it was going to be difficult to talk to armaan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ridhimaa was getting nervous by every second. She already warmed Armaan's breakfast and tea for third time. she marched impatiently front and back to relax herself- she was to face armaan. he really must be feeling well as during his entire illness Edward has helped him, today after so many day armaan was finally feeling well enough to do without any assistance. Ridhimaa came to halt and turned to look at armaan clothed in white shirt and black blazer with upper 3 button opened, hair perfectly set with few flickers on his forehand making him look more reckless than mature.
Ridhimaa exhaled looking at him rather annoyingly. He was such a workaholic- can't stay at home in such condition too. She tried to talk to sanjay about it but he told ridhimaa it will be good for armaan to get back to work as it can distract his mind from other things. Well she understood his point but still armaan's slow pace itself witnessed for his weakness. But then he never listens to anyone and no one actually denied him for anything' stupid-stubborn-workaholic.
Ridhimaa took sit opposite to armaan and poured tea for him before armaan could touch it. Armaan narrowed his eyes at her eager actions and took the cup without saying anything. Ridhimaa duck her head sidewise to see Armaan's face which was hidden behind the newspaper. Armaan finished his tea and pushed the paper aside to keep the cup on the table when he noticed ridhimaa straightening herself immediately. Armaan deliberated for few minute as he had a feeling that ridhimaa wanted to talk to him but got up when nothing happened.
Ridhimaa was still struggling with herself- not knowing how to continue when she saw armaan rushing towards door and called him even before thinking "armaan".
Armaan turned to her and stood still. Ridhimaa tried to comprehend his expression but it was quiet and serene. Ridhimaa stood two steps towards him- fiddling with end of her duppatta'
"WO mujhe tum se kuch baat karni thi' *ahem* us din meri wajah se tum pool me gir gaye I am sorry for that but seriously maine jaan bujh ke kuch nahi kiya" she looked up for a moment to see his expression. He was starring with no emotion on his face at all. She dropped her head and continued "armaan I know things are really weird between us but I want to end this armaan. I am really sick and tired of this fight and clashed. Armaan can't we start a new? Can't we become friends forgetting past?"
she looked up this time "armaan we can't do anything about what happened in the past but we certainly can change future. Armaan I am taking the first step, friends" Armaan looked at ridhimaa's face and then her extended hand. He kept starring at her hand for few minutes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ridhimaa looked up at the clock nervously as it stuck to 6.00 armaan will be home any moment. she wouldn't have been this uneasy if not for Edward. Armaan was still pondering over ridhimaa's word. She saw the slight change in his expression may be a yes but before he could answer Edward shown up. Without a word armaan left with him. but now as he was coming he will talk to her, that's what she thought. God knows if armaan was having any second thoughts. Ridhimaa flew to kitchen hearing the screeching noise of breaks.
Armaan slowly made his way towards his room- his eyes scanning for her but she was nowhere. He kept himself busy entire day, Atul patted on his back and told him to not to stress himself but it didn't stopped Armaan. However, the car journey was quite Edward didn't disturbed armaan which helped him to ponder over what ridhimaa said in morning.
He had seen how she had cared for him during his poor health. He was very angry with her due to whatever happened in Goa. but now as his anger was gone he can remember how much she was changed since she came to Mumbai. She even tried to talk to him but he dismissed her every attempt. This morning she offered armistice'friendship. He was grateful to Edward ' helped him rescue from the tumult. But now he was home' he will have to face her' answer her in fact.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Ridhimaa slowed her steps looking at him. she felt hot under her skin. She was feeling herself back in school- nervous about results; her results were always perfect though, he was still clothed in his business attire starring at her from behind his study table. Ridhimaa kept the coffee mug down and took one step back gulping at his business like expression. He was more fearsome when he was serious.
"Sit" he commanded.
"No I am fine'" muttered ridhimaa.
"Sit down ridhimaa" ridhimaa sat down not able to deny his stern command.
"I have two important things to tell you, first *pause* thanks" ridhimaa looked up surprised thanks from armaan Mallik was itself a bombshell. Armaan nodded smoothly seeing her surprised expression before continuing "whatever you did for me I am really grateful to you" armaan paused. Ridhimaa exhaled getting over her surprise and smiled acknowledging his thanks.
Armaan relaxed himself resting his head back "and about morning. I thought about it not just today but from few days I was getting on to it. I know whatever happened was not good but what happened is happened. You were right we cannot do anything about past but at least future can be altered and moreover it will bring Pease, I am running short of it already."
Ridhimaa starred at him as he spoke looking at sealing "we should stop it now" he exhaled after a brief pause and smiled his heartbreaking smile looking at ridhimaa "friends" the reaction was so instantaneous that ridhimaa couldn't keep herself and smiled at him -shaking his hand "friends"
So, they were bond again in the commitment only with the difference that this time it was not forced, there was no hatred, no pain, no guilt only a new beginning of their relationship' a new bond'..a new amity''.
Hey guys,
Hope you all are doing well. Here is the update and now I have two things to tell you very strictly.
1. No one will ask me how ridhimaa's behavior changed towards armaan and all because I won't tell you just now😆. So just be happy that armaan & ridhimaa are now friends.
2. As I have updated so quickly I want nice comments'
Love
Sonu😊
Debate Mansion
43