Mere Apne4(AR) - Epi71-88 - Note on Pg147 - Page 81

EPISODE EIGHTY-SEVEN

Armaan was in his study working on his laptop and checking a few of his files. As per his routine, he has entered the house and went straight to his room, took a shower, got busy with his work. Played for a while with Vaibhav, had dinner, then came back to his room, eventually getting busy with his work yet again.

All this while, he saw Riddhima at the dinner table only. Like always, she was busy with either of the family members or some other chore. He has seen her musing over something when on dinner table. She looked cute with those funny expressions she made while thinking. They could easily give away what kinds of thoughts are fabricating into her brain.

It wasn't too difficult for him to understand that maybe she was thinking about him, coz during the dinner he has noticed her giving him deadly glares. He didn't let her know that he has noticed her doing so. At one moment, he almost lost his control and would have smirked vocally seeing her expressions, but Vaibhav distracted them all.

It has been over two weeks Armaan Riddhima got married. He was still not able to understand why Riddhima is behaving in such a strange way with him. Every night, she would try to force him to leave their room. He has been trying to make her understand the reality about the room, but somehow they always end up with silly stubborn-upshots.

The first thing he wasn't able to grasp was her casual behavior towards him and their relationship. Secondly, her argument over the ownership of the room was another weird thing. Does she actually not understand that they are supposed to stay in the same room or is she only playing around? Naah, she doesn't look like she is playing around, he thought.

But if she doesn't understand they are to live in the same room, then why... then why is it different for her? Its not a rocket science. Every married couple shares a room. Oh forget sharing room, they share everything... everything means everything. The view of that comfortable bed in their room appeared in front his eyes. He cleared his throat to pull his thoughts back from where they were heading all of a sudden.

Thinking about their funny and feisty-conversations, he smiled. Not that he minded their banters. He liked any kind of interactions with her. He has started realizing her importance in his life. She was always special to him, however the feelings he has been trying to ignore or overlook by calling them with other names, have now started surfacing. He has started thinking about them in the light of reality.

Armaan has understood that his feelings for Riddhima are not merely affection or just liking. They are much more than that. Much deeper and penetrating. So very intimate that his heart never forgets to flutter just by the mention of her name. Earlier, like his heart admitted his liking for her, it has now admitted that he is in love with his wife. The only thing left was admitting his love for her, in words.

He entered his room to see Riddhima locking the door and jump excitedly mumbling something. His eyes narrowed see her smiling widely. Her smile was good enough to send him into daze, yet her words were something that made him squint. He heard her say, "Hmm... now what will you do Mr. Armaan Malik."

Is she planning to try something new to throw me out of this room today? He thought. Doesn't matter anyways, he wasn't going to buzz, no matter what. As it is, he is already on his way towards his bed... his cozy bed. He shook his head and went to the closet. Taking out his duvet, he went back to his bed to sleep. Lying down covered under the duvet, he waited for his daily dose of Riddhima-special-stupid-banter.

Riddhima was too busy celebrating to notice him enter the room. She twirled around happily, but as soon as her eyes fell on the bed, again she frowned. "Ye kya..." she mumbled seeing the duvet on the bed and as soon as she saw it moving, realized that someone, or rather Armaan was under that duvet. "Tum andar kaise aaye?" she yelled at the top of her voice.

Armaan knew this was coming and was ready, so didn't react and just laid there with his head covered with his duvet.

Riddhima knew that he was still awake. It wasn't possible for anyone to fall asleep within 2-3 minutes, and even if it is, the loudness with which she has yelled just now, can break anyone out of their deepest slumber.

She marched towards the bed, like everyday and said, "Armaan..." and like always he didn't answer, "Armaan utho." She nudged his toes. "Armaan utho yahaan se." she went to his side of bed and pulled the duvet away from his face.

He mumbled something as if talking in his sleep. "Mmmabmmm... sonnn dddnnn'"

She bend and tried to hear what he was saying, but frowned when couldn't understand anything. "Armaan utho, mujhe pata hai tum soye nahi ho. Sirf naatak kar rahe ho." She tried to pull the duvet, but couldn't. "Aah... Duvet ko apni skin ke saath stitch kar leta hai kya roz... Aah..." she tried again. Atlast, tired of it, she stomped off to study. "Arghhh..."

Armaan smiled and sighing he drifted off to sleep.

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Next day Riddhima was too upset with the failure of her little plan to keep Armaan out of her room. All the time she was thinking what to do. Anjali noticed her mood. She knew it then that it about the room-issue... again. This is dragging a little too much. When will these two understand? She decided that before things turn into a wrong direction, she should do something about it.

Riddhima has gone to pick Vaibhav and Yash from the school. Anjali waited for Armaan to come back home. She knew that today he was going to come home for the lunch. He had a meeting in a hotel very close to Ashiyana and so has decided to have his lunch at home. Anjali heard Armaan's voice in the living room.

"Kammo, jaldi se khana laga. Armaan ko wapis office bhi jana hai thodi der mein."

"Ji Bhabhi." Kammo replied.

"Lunch is ready." She announced as she saw Armaan placing his laptop on the coffee table.

"Hi Bhabhi." Armaan greeted her with a smile.

"Jaldi se jaake fresh ho jao, khana thanda ho raha hai." Anjali said.

"Ok..." Armaan ran to his room. A few minutes later he came down wiping his hand with a towel.

Anjali was setting things on the dining table when he entered the dining hall. She noticed him looking around as if trying to find someone.

Armaan smiled at her taking his place as she served him. "Aapne lunch kar liya?"

"Na..." She shook.

"To aap bhi lunch kar lo na mere saath." He took a plate, placing a chapaati and some rice on it, he slid it towards her.

Anjali smiled and sat down opposite to him. While having their dinner she noticed him looking around. She knew who he is searching for. "Ghar pe mere siva aur koi nahi hai." She informed.

"Huh?" his gaze swept to her.

"Dadi aur Mom Aashray gayi hain. Dad aur Atul to tumhe pata hi hai office mein hain. Aur..." she paused purposely.

He stole a glance of the door looking back towards her. "A-aur?" he probed when she kept quite.

"Aur? Aur kya?" She acted ignorant.

"Um... no nothing." He played with his food.

"Vibhi ko lene gayi hai wo." She said suppressing her smile as he stole another glance at his watch and then at door. She added, "Thodi der se aayegi."

"Ji?" he looked confused.

"Wo Vibhi aur Yash ko school se leke Muskaan se milne jaayegi, aur shaam tak lautegi." She informed drinking water.

"Kya? Kaun?" She raised her brow, he added acting ignorant, "Um... aap kiski baat kar rahi ho?"

She smirked, "Hota hai-hota hai, sabke saath hota hai. You are no new Armaan."

"Nahi main to wo..." He fumbled.

"I know what you mean." She shook her head, "Mere buddhu devar, tumhaare chahre pe saaf-saaf likha hai ki tumhaari aankhen kise dundh rahi hain itni der se."

"Tch, main thode hi Riddhima ko dhundh raha tha Bhabhi, aap..." He bit his tongue the moment he realized his words.

Anjali grinned, "I knew it."

Understanding what she meant he went back to his food smiling sheepishly.

Anjali shook her head, "Waise Armaan, do you have some urgent work at office today after this?"

"Not really, just a few things to check." He replied having another morsel. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to have a little talk with you."

"Haan to kahiye na." He said passing another glance towards the door.

"Mujhe tumse usi ke baare mein baat karni hai." When he looked at her, she said, "I mean, Riddhima ke baare mein."

"Ji... kahiye." He smiled slowly.

"I didn't know Armaan Mallik could also blush." She chuckled.

"I-I wasn't b-blushing." He defended.

"Yes you were." She teased. He opened his mouth to retort, but knew there is no use, so kept mum. "Anyways, Riddhima ne mujhse tumhaari complaint ki hai."

"Complaint?"

"Hmm..."

"What complaint?"

"Yehi ki tum use bhot pareshaan kar rahe ho."

His mouth opened in surprise, "Main use pareshaan kar raha hu, ya wo mujhe pareshaan kar rahi hai?" Looking bewildered, he said, "Bhabhi pareshaan to usne mujhe karke rakha hai. Bada ajeeb sa behave karti hai mere saath."

"Achchha ajeeb sa? Wo kaise?" She raised a brow.

"Wo actually..." he paused thinking about something. How could he tell her Riddhima's weird behavior and opinion over their 'Room'

She knew what he was thinking, "Room ke baare mein soch rahe ho na?"

"Aapko kaise... pata?" he spoke without thinking.

She laughed again and just shrugged. Then added, "Main jaanti hu tum uske behavior se confused ho. Aur main isi baare mein tumse baat karna chaahti hu."

That bought all his attention. He gave her a go-on look.

Anjali sighed, "Mujhe pata hai Armaan ki 'room' ko leke Riddhima jaise tumse behave kar rahi hai wo thoda, I mean bhot jyada ajeeb hai. But I would rather say that she isnt at fault in this."

"Matlab?" He asked.

"Matlab ye ki Riddhima thodi different hai."

"Thodi?" he raised his brow while she giggled.

"Achchha thodi nahi kuchh jyada hi different hai..." she smiled. Pausing momentarily, she started, "Armaan sab ladkiyaan jaanti hain ki shaadi ke baad husband-wife ke beech kya rishta hota hai, apne pati ke saath kaise behave karte hain wageraah-wageraah. Wo jaanti hain ki shaadi ke baad pati-patni apni zindagi ki har cheez ek dusre ke saath share karte hain. Aur room..." she laughed again, "...room bhi share karte hain."

"I know." this time he too laughed recalling Riddhima's antics.

"Par wo dusri ladkiyon jaisi nahi hai Armaan." He looked at her as she said that, while she continued, "Riddhima bhot alag ladki hai. Wo ye sab nahi samajhti. Ya yu kah lo ki, usne aajtak in sab baaton ke baare mein sochna hi nahi kyunki use us tarah se sochna ata hi nahi."

"Main kuchh samjha nahi Bhabhi."

Sombering a little, she said, "Tum Riddhima ke past ke baare mein jaante hi ho na?"

"Jaanta hu. Rahul told me everything." He replied seriously.

"Hmm... Rahul aur Muskaan ne mujhe aur Atul ko bhi sab kuchh bataya." She said thoughtfully.

"Par ismein Riddhima ka dusri ladkiyon se alag hone ki baat ka kya lena dena?"

"Hai Armaan, lena-dena hai."

"Apka matlab ye ki Riddhima aise ajeeb sa behave usi wajah kar rahi hai?"

"You are right to some extent, but I would rather blame Rahul and his family more for this."

"Kya? Kyun?"

She saw him looking at her quizzically. "Kyunki jo kuchh bhi Riddhima ke saath us waqt hua, I mean wo kidnapping and all... uske baad uski family, especially Rahul aur Padma aunty Riddhima ko leke kuchh jyada hi possessive ho gaye."

"Wo to natural tha Bhabhi, lekin main phir bhi samjha nahi ki iska Riddhima ke behavior kya lena dena hai." He asked passing his plate to Kammo who has came there to clear the table as they were done with the lunch.

"Possessive hona natural hai Armaan, par OVER-possessive hona bhi to ajeeb hai."

"Haan, hai to sahi." He agreed.

"Actually, ye Rahul aur Padma aunty ki over-possessiveness hi thi jiski wajah se Riddhima dunyadaari ki sab baaton se dur rahi. Muskaan ne mujhe bataya ki kaise Rahul kabhi bhi Riddhima ko, kisi bhi naye ya ajnabi insaan se baat nahi karne deta tha. Wo jahaan jaati thi Rahul bodyguard ki tarah uske saath hota tha. Riddhima ko Rahul ya Shashank uncle ke bagair kahin bhi akele jaane ki permission nahi thi. Baadmein Muskaan ka naam bhi is list mein add ho gaya. Padma aunty TV, parties aur socialize karne wagerah ke baare mein bhi bhot strict thi, to Riddhima hardly kabhi TV dekhti, ya baahar jaane ka use mauka milta. Aur jab kabhi wo Rahul-Muskaan ke saath baahar jaa bhi paati, to Rahul use bilkul ek 2 saal ke bachche ki tarah treate karta. Muskaan bata rahi thi ki sometimes she used to get pissed off by his behavior, coz he always managed to forget, ki wo bhi uska saath hai. He would get too busy baby sitting Riddhima. Apni behen par se uska dhyaan ek second ke liye bhi distract nahi hota tha'" Anjali chuckled, "College ke baad bhi Rahul, Muskaan ya Shashank uncle har waqt uske saath hote the. Us din Maan Khanna wala incident bataya hi tha na unhone?"

"Haan..."

"Unhone tumhe adhuri baat to bataayi thi us din."

"Adhuri baat?"

"Haan adhuri." She sighed smiling.

"To poori baat aap hi bata dijiye. I mean agar aapko pata hai to."

Anjali smiled at his interest. Then chuckled remembering what Muskaan has told her about Rahul and Maan Khanna after Armaan left that day.

"Bhabhi?" Armaan nudged her noticing her smiling and chuckling to herself.

"Darasal, ek baar Maan Khanna ne bhot himmat karke Riddhima ko propose karne ka faisla kar liya. Usne sab bhot achchhe se plan kar rakha tha. But poor guy, his bad luck ki Muskaan ko sab pata chal gaya. Aur humaari Muskaan ko to tum jaante hi ho, uska muh band rahta hai kabhi?"

"Bilkul nahi." Armaan added laughing lightly with her.

"Haan, to bas, madam ne sab Rahul ke saamne bak diya. Aur phir us bechaare Khanna ki jo haalat ki Rahul ne, uske baare mein to Muskaan aaj bhi bataate hue apne aapko rok nahi paati hasne se. Rahul ne us ladke ki na sirf pitaayi ki, balki use itna dara diya ki poore 2 mahine wo ladka Riddhima to kya, uski kisi dusri classmate ke aas-paas bhi nahi fatka." She laughed loudly.

"I didn't know Rahul could threaten somebody like that." He was amused with the information.

"Initially even I couldn't believe it. Its like assuming Mother Teressa could man-handle someone. I mean he is such a soft-hearted person, so mature and decent, who could say that he could act like a typical-elder-brother... you know what I mean."

"I know." He smirked.

"Hmm, but when Muskaan was telling me about all this, the look on Rahul's face told me that it was all true." She said amusingly.

"Rahul loves her a lot." Armaan said thinking about Rahul and Riddhima's relationship.

"He does." She sighed. "Aur Padma aunty, wo to jaise Riddhima ko apni parchaayi hi maan ne lagi thi. Ek pal ko bhi apni aankhon se dur nahi hone deti thi use. Riddhima ek minute bhi late ho jaati ghar wapis aane mein, to sara ghar sar pe utha leti thi. Shashank Uncle bhi Riddhima ko leke bhot careful the, par wo aise ajeeb sa behave nahi karte the. Muskaan bataati hai, ki Shashank Uncle ne kayi baar Rahul aur Padma aunty ko samajhaane ki koshish bhi ki, par koi faayeda nahi hua."

"Bhabhi, Kuchh aur laaun kya?" They were interrupted by Kammo.

"Armaan tum kuchh aur loge?" Anjali asked.

"Bas ek coffee." He answered.

"Do coffee leke aa. Aur tu khud bhi jaake khana kha le." She instructed. Kammo nodded and went back to the kitchen.

Anjali resumed her narration, "Rahul bata raha tha ki Riddhima shuru se hi chup rahne waali, apne hi duniya mein khoyi rahne waali ladki rahi hai. Wo shuru se hi kisi cheez ke baare mein jyada nahi sochti. Uski zindagi mein to bas uski padhaayi aur baad mein uska kaam, yehi dono baatein rahi hai, jiske baare mein wo sochti thi. Baaki sab to jaise usne apne parivaar ke haathon pe chhod rakha tha. Rahul ya uski family mein koi bhi use agar ek baar kuchh kah de, Riddhima uske baare mein dobara sochne ki zaroorat hi nahi samajhti. Uska swabhaav hi aisa hai."

Anjali paused for a moment to have some water, then started again, "Ek to uska aisa swabhaav, phir upar se Rahul aur Padma Aunty ke over-possessive behavior ki wajah se Riddhima ko kabhi socialize karne ka, ya kisi se jyada interact karne ka mauka nahi mila. Wo duniya ki un bhot saari baaton se dur rahi hai, jo hum sabke liye ek routine ya bilkul casual si baatein hain."

Armaan recalled his brief conversation with Padma and Shashank before his wedding. They have also mentioned similar things about Riddhima's nature. Padma has even commented that most people think of Riddhima as an unreal and foolish person, but she knows nobody could take care of her better than Armaan. She said that she has complete trust in him that he will understand their daughter, give her enough time and help her grow into a woman. At that time, even though Armaan couldn't understand half of what they said, he still had assured them with a pleasing smile. His chain of thought broke as he heard Anjali calling him.

"Armaan, kya sochne lage?"

He shook, "Kuchh nahi Bhabhi. Aap kuchh kah rahi thi na Riddhima ke baare mein. Uske baad kya hua? Padma Ma aur Rahul ne Riddhima ko yahaan kaise itna independently chhod diya... I mean, in Mumbai?" He smiled.

Anjali knew what he meant. "Bataati hu. Muskaan kah rahi thi ki Riddhima jis jagah kaam karti thi, wo actually Rahul ke hi ek friend ka restaurant tha. Isliye, wo bhi Riddhima ko apni chhoti behen ki hi tarah treat karta tha. Waise bhi us bewakuf Rahul ne apne us friend ko ultimatum diya tha, Riddhima ka special dhyaan rakhne ke liye. Aur special se uska matlab tha, ek chhote bachche ki tarah dhyaan rakhne se tha."

"Ye Rahul bhi na..." Armaan chuckled.

"Really, I mean how weird is that?" Anjali too laughed, then resumed, "Job karte hue bhi, Riddhima ka sara dhyaan sirf apne kaam pe hi hota tha. Idhar-udhar ki baaton mein na uska dil lagta aur na hi uska swabhaav aisa tha." Anjali paused for a while.

"Par phir Rahul aur Aunty ka hridya-parivartan kaise ho gaya?" Armaan chortled.

Anjali smiled continuing further, "Darasal, Rahul-Muskaan ki shaadi ke baad, bhot se aise incident hue jab Rahul uske saath har waqt nahi ho sakta tha. Aunty ke kahne pe Shashank uncle ne Rahul ki absence ko compensate karne ki koshish ki. Riddhima ki industrial training ke time pe aur yahaan tak ki baad mein use job milne ke baad bhi uncle hi use uske office tak chhodne jaate aur phir wapis leke bhi aate the. Par tum to jaante hi ho, har waqt to wo bhi Riddhima ke saath nahi rah sakte the."

"Obviously." He mumbled.

"Hmm... Usi beech Rahul aur Muskaan yahaan Mumbai shift ho gaye, aur Rahul humaari company mein kaam karne laga. Phir ek din wahaan Delhi mein Shashank uncle kisi wajah se Riddhima ko office se lene time se nahi pahunch paaye. Tab pahli baar Riddhima ne akele hi khud ghar aane ki koshish ki. Par use ye bhi nahi pata tha ki kaunsi bus leni hai, kaunse bus-stop pe utarna hai wageraah-wageraah. Taxi ya auto lene se use strictly mana kiya gaya tha. Badi mushkil se wo kisi tarah apni ek office colleague ki help se ghar pahunchi. Muskaan bata rahi thi ki Shashank uncle ki bhot daant padi thi us din. Padma aunty itna naraaz hui thi unse, ki poore ek hafte tak uncle se baat tak nahi ki unhone. Riddhima ke bhot manaane pe kahin jaake maani wo..." she smiled. Sighing she added further, "Phir aise kayi chhote-bade incidents hone lage jahaan Riddhima ko apni family pe itna dependant hone ki wajah se problem hone lagi. Halaanki Riddhima ne kabhi complaint nahi ki, but I think those incidents were enough to make them realize their mistake. Dheere-dheere Aunty aur Rahul ko ye ehsaas hone laga ki Riddhima ko atleast thoda bhot to self-dependant hona hi chaahiye."

"Bhabhi, Bhaiya ji coffee..." Kammo placed their coffee on the table.

"Thanks Kammo." Armaan smiled at her.

Kammo smiled back, then turning towards Anjali she asked, "Aur kuchh chaahiye aapko?"

"Nahi, tune khana kha liya?"

"Ji Bhabhi." Kammo replied.

"Aur Chatur ne?" She asked.

"Pata nahi Bhabhi. 2 ghante pahle dekha tha use. Par uske baad se pata nahi kahaan gayab hai." Kammo answered frowning.

"Ye Chatur bhi na, kabhi nahi sudhrega. Pata nahi kahaan matar-gashti kar raha hoga." Anjali mumbled. "Jaake use dhundh to kahaan hai wo. Aur agar nahi mile to uska khana nikal ke rakh diyo. Jab bhuk lagegi tab khud kha lega. Waise bhi bhukha rahna uske bas ki baat nahi hai." She said while Kammo shook her head and went back into the kitchen.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Anjali spoke to Armaan, "Haan, to main ye bata rahi thi ki, Muskaan ne bhi Padma Aunty aur Rahul ko samjhaya ki Riddhima ke liye bhot zaroori hai ki wo thoda self-dependent bane. Use duniyadaari ki samajh hona bhi zaroori hai. Uske baad wo log jab yahaan Mumbai aaye, to Padma aunty aur Rahul ne Riddhima ko thoda space dena shuru kiya. Wo kuchh hud tak use independent banaane mein kaamyaab bhi hue, but I guess by that time, it was too late for a few things to change."

"What things?" he probed when she paused taking another sip.

"Riddhima apne kaam wageraah ke baare mein to phir bhi bhot smart thi, waise bhi wo sab to wo pahle se karti aa rahi thi. Lekin baaki sab baatein, jaise socialize karna, achchhe bure logon mein fark karna, kisi ki sahi-galat intensions ko samajhna, ye sab wo nahi seekh paayi... kyunki ye sab to insaan dheere-dheere bachpan se apne chhote bade experiences aur ek independent freedom se seekhta hai na." She saw Armaan shook in agreement, "Arey haan ek bhot important cheez to main bhul hi gayi..."

Armaan raised a brow, "Kya bhul gaye?"

"Wo ye ki Ladke-ladki ke beech ke relationship wageraah ke baare mein bhi Riddhima ki samajh bas 7-8 saal ke bachche ki tarah hi ban kar rah gayi. Phir, you know ek 26-27 saal ki ladki ko aise rishton ke baare mein samajhana, thoda awkward ho jata hai na... especially uske parents aur bhai-bhabhi ke liye. You know what I mean...?"

Armaan nodded perceptively siping his coffee, "I think I do..." he mumbled.

Anjali sighed, "Shaayad isi wajah se aaj bhi Riddhima ek bachchi hai."

"She is precisely the one what everyone calls her." He mumbled again.

"Kya?" she looked at him puzzled.

"Baby." Armaan stated.

Anjali chuckled, "Absolutely..." smiling softly she said, "Par ab tum uske saath ho. Tumhaare siva aur koi use ye sab nahi samajha sakta Armaan. Wo to ekdum buddhu hai. Lekin ab tumhe hi apne aur uske rishtey ko aage badhaane ke liye kuchh karna padega."

"Aap kahna kya chaahti ho Bhabhi?"

"Yehi ki uske bharose mat baithe rahna. Agar uske bharose baithe rahe to poori zindagi ke liye brahamachaari banke rah jaaoge." She laughed hitting his head playfully.

"Bhabhi..." Armaan looked away self-consciously.

"Aww... Mere pyaare se Armaan, ismein sharmaane se jyada samajhne ki baat hai. Arey, I should also get a chance to spoil your kids, just the way you keep spoiling Vaibhav. Aur tum aage nahi badhoge to tumhaare bachche kahaan se aayenge?" She pouted while he shook his head. Coming back to the issue she said, "Anyways, coming back to the main topic, actually Riddhima ka jo ajeeb sa behavior tumne room ke baare mein dekha na, wo in sab rishton ke baare mein uski ignorance ka kamaal hai. Waise, sometimes I feel, ke wo thoda bhot jaanti to hogi in rishton ke baare mein, after all, Muskaan ki nanad hai, aur Muskaan ko to tum jaante hi ho."

"Haan, but I don't think so, I mean Riddhima ke baare mein... Muskaan ki sangat ka asar dikhta to nahi hai." He sighed disappointedly.

Anjali smiled, "Hmm, I guess you are right... I mean on this issue. After all, wo hai to Baby hi, isliye in sab ke baare mein sochna uski fitrat mein hi nahi hai.

"You are right. Sochne ke kaam wo thoda kam hi karti hai." He laughed.

"Absolutely, I am glad you understood this." She chuckled, "And now that you have understood the glitch, you should also understand that you are the only one who can fix it."

"Main? Main ismein kya kar sakta hu?" he shrugged.

"Main kya kar sakta hu matlab?" She frowned and waved his hand in air, "I don't know, thats upto you how you make her understand. Lekin soch lo agar nahi kar paaye, to ab tak to ye room waali baat mujhe aur Muskaan ko hi pata hai, lekin jab sabko pata chalega to sabke sawaalon ko kaise handle karoge? Aur phir, Riddhima se dur rah paoge?" She teased.

Noticing the teasing smile on Anjali's face. "Bhabhi?" he squinted uncomfrotably.

"Kya Bhabhi? Maine kuchh galat kaha kya?" she grinned dancing her brows in a teasing way, "Buddhu Ram, Riddhima ke liye teri feelings tere chahre pe saaf dikhti hain." She pulled his cheeks playfully.

Before he could say anything further, his phone rang. "Haan... ok." Closing the call, he spoke to Anjali, "Bhabhi, I got to go now. Thanks for the lunch and coffee."

"You are welcome. Par meri baat ka dhyaan rakhna Mr.Smarty Pants." Anjali yelled seeing him leave in hurry with his Laptop.

"OK..." he yelled back.

Anjali shook her head thinking about him, "Pagal kahin ka. Ab tak nahi samajh pa raha ki uske dil mein kya hai." She looked up and prayed, "Please uske dimaag mein thodi si akal daal do bhagwaan. Bas thodi si."

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When Armaan came back in the evening, as usual Riddhima wasn't there in the room. On dinner table, she was once again busy with Vaibhav. As Armaan stared at Riddhima recalling his conversation with Anjali from earlier that day, he smiled. Anjali noticed his dazed state and kicked his foot lightly.

Feeling someone's foot thumping his, Armaan stole a glance to look under the table. He realized that's Anjali. He looked at her questioningly. She silently asked if he is alright, through her eyes. He returned a soft smile assuring her.

"Armaan, come to my room for a while after dinner. I need to discuss some factory related issue regarding our new setup in Gujrat." Omang said.

"Ok Dad." Armaan replied.

"Atul, you too." Omang instructed to which Atul also said ok.

After finishing their dinner, everyone got back to their room. Armaan and Atul were busy with Omang. They discussed the issue in hand till a little late.

Armaan was already feeling sleepy when he turned the door knob of his room. "What the..." he tried again except his efforts stayed useless. "Arghh..." he groaned as he understood what exactly has happened and how.

~~~~~~~~~

In the meanwhile, when Riddhima returned to her room, she was thinking of the ways to shove Armaan out of their room. She checked the bathroom and his study to see if he is there, but he wasn't. She was a little surprised when she didn't find him in the room. After that, she has instantly locked the door, to keep him out.

She was feeling blissfully happy today. After trying for so many days, she has managed to keep Armaan out of the room. Yes, Omang has unknowingly contributed to her victory, but whatever and however it happened, she was happy.

"Thank you Bhagwaanji." She thanked god joining her hands and looking up. She took out her night wear from her cupboard and went to change in the bathroom. Then she combed her hair and looked at the comfortable bed. "Atlast..." sighing happily, she crashed into the bed.

~~~~~~~~~

After finishing their dinner, everyone got back to their room. Armaan and Atul were busy with Omang. They discussed the issue in hand till a little late.

Armaan was already feeling sleepy when he turned the door knob of his room. "What the..." he tried again except his efforts stayed useless. "Arghh..." he groaned.

"Ab ise kya hua?" he pulled the knob again. "Uff..." then he recalled, "Arghh, Riddhima... Where should I sleep now? Mujhe to apne room ke alawa aur kahin neend bhi nahi aati." He whined, "Guest room mein so jata hu aaj." He sighed moving towards the Guest room.

But his bad luck, "Arey, ab ise kisne lock kiya? Ye to humesha khula rahta hai." He pulled the knob angrily, "Ab kya karun?" he ran his hand in his hair.

He went to the entertainment room. "Thank god ye lock nahi hai." He went inside and placed his files and Laptop on the table, "Ye Chatur bhi na, jis room ko lock karna chaahiye, us khula chhod deta hai, aur jise khulla chhodna chaahiye use lock kar deta hai. Idiot kahin ka. Mom se kahke iski remand leni padegi." Removing his shirt, he slumped back onto the bean bag and sighed, "Aaj yahin so jata hu." Closing his eyes he tried to relax.

About 2-3 minutes later...

"...Riddhima ka jo ajeeb sa behavior tumne room ke baare mein dekha na, wo in sab rishton ke baare mein uski ignorance ka kamaal hai."

He turned to his right on the bean bag.

"Par ab tum uske saath ho. Tumhaare siva aur koi use ye sab nahi samajha sakta Armaan."

"Meri baat ka dhyaan rakhna."

Slouching further he turned on his left.

"'soch lo agar nahi kar paaye, to ab tak to ye room waali baat mujhe aur Muskaan ko hi pata hai, lekin jab sabko pata chalega to sabke sawaalon ko kaise handle karoge?"

"...Riddhima se dur rah paoge?"

He twisted again adjusting his legs on the floor.

"... ab tumhe hi apne aur uske rishtey ko aage badhaane ke liye kuchh karna padega."

Anjali's words kept ringing in his ear.

"Wo to ekdum buddhu hai."

He frowned feeling his back bend uncomfortably.

"...uske bharose mat baithe rahna. Agar uske bharose baithe rahe to poori zindagi ke liye brahamachaari banke rah jaaoge."

"NAHIN..." His eyes flew open. He sat up somewhat panting. Running his hand into his hair, he mumbled, "Ye Bhabhi ne bhi kis musibat mein phansa diya yaar." He punched the bean bag cursing it, "Ye sala bean bag bhi sone nahi de raha."

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