Final Part
Sealed with a kiss
*****
Inside the bubble, the preparations were in full swing, Riddhima was all decked up with the rarest of gems, her orbs shone brighter than any stones or pearls yet there wasn't a trace of joy in them. Colorful petals formed a thick carpet on the floor while rose petals adorned the bed, beside which frothy steamed milk contained in a self-recharging silver cup had already been placed next to the book, a manual for-that-which-shall-not-be-named. Riddhima had been waiting anxiously, tension mounting as it got closer to midnight. She had been on the edge ever since his forceful aggression earlier in the day – she knew she just had one chance at escape. His urgency had been alarming not to mention very desperate! Not surprisingly, she had paced back and forth in this chamber as her mind took her back to the events that had transpired in her room when her look-alike had warned her of some foreign inconvenient intrusion in her life.
*****
Just what had Sookie told her?
"The word is Stall!! S-T-A-L-L…" Sookie's high-pitched voice and her unfaltering hypnotizing gaze had Riddhima's complete attention; and despite the absurdity of the situation all she could do was nod her head in a defenseless passive acquiesce.
"Why do I have to explain everything twice with you?" Sookie shook her belligerently.
"Because this is crazy, you are crazy. What the hell is happening?"
"Just listen to me, make sense of what I've told you. And when you fear that the worst has happened, trust your instincts and use your brains…for a change"
"But how can I stall him…, Can I?" Riddhima looked at Sookie naively with a look that said, is that even possible?
"I didn't mean stall…?" Sookie looked aghast, "You perfectly idiotic thing…stall him from the onset…got it?" A slightly disturbed Sookie nodded her head hoping Ridhdima would nod along.
"What you are telling me makes no sense. Fine, even if I manage to stall him - Fontana di Aqua is something that exists in myths, it doesn't even exist!"
"If that's true, what am I doing here? Look at me; do I look unreal to you?"
"May be I'm going slightly mad?"
"Slightly is hardly the word, and it's not you – it's going to be me soon, if you don't do as I say…stall him Lady because your life sure as hell depends on it"
"But why do you care so much for me?"
She had vanished after giving a lame ass excuse, "Because I'm all for women empowerment…"
That was last night, its practicality was going to be tested very shortly, and her only defense was that word STALL. There had been something illusionary about the other Riddhima who had driven home that five letter word, and then magically vanished out of the room. But things had ceased to surprise Riddhima after her surprise engagement to that playboy, whose dreams hadn't stopped bugging her since then. Almost like her entire being had been held in a trance captive to those pearly grey eyes, and that devilish smile, behind those rogue nastiness, was still a prize to be had. Riddhima was after all a mere girl whose heart did flutter a few times at the sight of that muscular body, her own Johnny Bravo! Who was she going to kid with blatant lies, let's face it; there wasn't a female specimen on the land who did not go all gooey-eyed for the mortal Adonis. After all he was destined to turn into a new leaf the moment he got hitched and therefore he was perfect husband material. That was a given, mostly worthless scumbags would be redeemed after marriage according to the town's latest bestselling book the Adventrues of Harley-Queen that she had dutifully read like any hormonal teenager. So hoping on Armaan didn't seem so irrational after all, everything started as impossible dreams! He possessed all the traits that Harley had – that Queen had fallen for.
Back to the present -
But the present was more precarious than anything, Riddhima may have been a complete idiot at times but even she was smart enough to interpret that the decorated suite with its intoxicating mixture nauseatingly scented air and the cheesy heart shaped master bed with satin bed sheets flush in the center of the room sprinkled with petals of exotic flowers, all red, yellow and green eerily resembled a bridal suite! She needed to think fast to get out of this desperate man's hold, but what? She tried hard to make sense of her bizarrely brief conversation with her look alike.
"Even a tinge of truth sprinkled with the purest waters unmasks lies…Lies cover truth"
"But, he who lies carries the burden of truth wherever he goes…"
"And the purest of waters, there is no such thing; it is a myth, is it not?"
"The waters of Fontana di Aqua is the purest of them all"
*****
F.O.T.W: At this point, I'm going to make a brief appearance and remind you of that powder that Sookie had asked her then boy-friend Armaan to gather from the shop in town. Remember how it had accidently been retrieved by a wrong Arrman? There lies one end of a solution, the other shall unravel soon.
*****
The late afternoon sky with its rosy horizon reflected as molten gold off the windows of the adjoining wing brought in a lazy shade to the room that mixed with the constant sound of running water from the Love fountain below added to her woes, everything was all too real and near perfect. "This is not how prince charming is supposed to woe his girl… this is crazy..!" With every trickle of sand in the hour glass that lay on the table beside her, the uneasiness in her kept growing. Add to that the queue of the chamber maids, un-naturally excited over the prospect of a loving-union between two other people seemed just wrong - heck, she may have been a little cheesy but desperate she was not! She had cringed every time they had uttered the word SR! The soothing sound of water from the Love fountain below made her look out, and as if on a divine cue, she got an idea. But when she heard the mocking creak of the door, an instant panic set in her heart… STALL all but screamed in her head. He was back and so was that fear!!
*****
His visit to Venus had yielded no ideas to go around Riddhima's conditions, so he had returned to her with the intention of intimidating her to make her accept his proposal. He needed her approval because he wanted her to love him – to accept him. So Arrman followed no mortal customs before he entered his chamber all things he was least interested in doing – that involved getting married to the girl but in his humble opinion marriage was a nuisance and he had no plans of going through with it! So everything had been promptly fast forwarded to his preference and now it was the big deed that awaited him on the other side of those massive copper doors. He didn't bother knocking, he had been told, and girls swoon over such aggressive passion. This was the act for the final play – the drama to inflict fear on her mind.
His rosy dream turned into a complex reality as soon as he entered the room, for there by the window stood Riddhima. He smiled, her innocence was even more attractive than those lusciously red lips, or the black silky hair tied up in an ungainly bun at the back that his hand was itching to let loose, "Riddhima, you look better with open hair…may I?"
So entrapped was he by her beauty that reality had blurred ages ago and now traces of what was left was being burnt in the altar of lust every second. He lived on borrowed existence and what was once a sacred thing had now become a joke of sorts – he who was Cupid was now playing with young hearts like some crude villain blinded by a mortal vice. There was one catch however, tonight was the full moon and he knew better than anybody else that come dusk, he would have to veil himself if he wished to get his way; his powers of deception were at their lowest ebb on this one night. O! Crude irony that he had to choose this night of all nights for the sweet deed! If he delayed any further in granting the grumblings of his heart its object of throbbing desire, nature would rob him cruelly. He had to act fast and that he was determined to.
Unaware of his presence, Riddhima still pondered over the ridiculous past few days that she had experienced. First was her rushed engagement after that forced hot first kiss whose traces still lingered in her mind and scorched her lower lips where he had nibbled away endlessly. And now she had been whisked away to this gorgeous villa for a quick marriage, the reason for which her arrogant fiance had refused to divulge. He had kissed her once before taking her leave earlier that day– strange that had done nothing to sate her heart's desire that had been building up ever since that first kiss had ended days ago. Either there was something amiss or she had been too delusional that fiery moment whatever it was – the second kiss had left her cold, literally. Now she wanted answers, like the first one she had asked upon their arrival after that brief kiss– where is the engagement ring Armaan? That had been met by a staunch silence.
"I see my lovely is …" His words broke her out of her thoughts, and forced her to acknowledge him, "You are back…"she stepped back instantly to increase the distance between them.
"Indeed…where else would I be but here in the bosom of love" He smirked as if he loved the wordplay. She thought that was a cheap shot but then he didn't really care about what she thought.
She saw him saunter towards her with a lazy arrogance that was a trifle bothersome, in an attempt to stall him, she blurted out, "You didn't answer my question earlier…"
"Which one…" his roving eyes were wandered in between her lips and her heaving bosom she could tell.
"Where is your ring?"
"I don't know…of any ring" His gaze now was steadfast on her lips.
"What the!?" she stopped when it hurt her back; she had been totally back tracked to the solid wall entrapped by him and his strong arms on either side.
"Shh…" he placed a finger on her trembling lips, "You talk too much"
"But…" her heart was pounding in her chest by now, most of it was fear of course, there was no way she was remotely attracted to this viciousness. He didn't answer instead glared at her, looked at her lips earnestly again and attempted to shut her up the most obvious way – but she had been alert enough and pushed him away. Only to be pulled back right into him, they were momentarily so close brushed up against one another that she swore she could feel the pain that stung her…where his muscular arms held her passionately of course! And while he looked like he would devour her like the hungry wolf any moment she stood like a deer caught in front of car lights! So close, that she could inhale the musky masculine cologne and also notice how the sizes of his nostrils were irregular – minute irrelevant details but things certainly looked a lot different from up close. So close that in fact if, FOTW had been present he would have been crushed between them and left gasping for air for there was no way in hell that even air passed through those two bodies that just weren't snugly at all. She paused briefly almost expecting their music to blare through but there was nothing, there were no floating violins or flurry unicorns in sight, there were just bruises and tiny bumps. He threw lavish obscenities at her and paralyzed the crap out of her, she was scared because this man was anything but the gentle lover she had dreamt of – the prince was some beast disguised. He smirked at having finally tamed her, and now attempted to kiss her once again even if it was forceful, he didn't care, and kindness was not his prerogative. He wanted her at any cost – to have her – to possess her and revel in that glory was his ultimate prize. She closed her eyes in fear, tears trickled down her cheeks, every myth had now shattered, and her life had come to this – thoughts of love and happily ever after had been mercilessly exposed to cruel realities that played out in such hideous fashion that she had been put off life itself. Oh she wanted to die, and never be born again! There were no princes, there were no love stories and there certainly were no happily ever after! Screw them all she thought!
Riddhima trapped in his arms could feel his lips trailing wet and repulsive kisses along her jaw line – she heard the rapid beating of her heart which was in a flurry of activity. It was then she heard the bells from the church, evening mass it was – and that's when the kisses stopped and he swore some more obscenities. She conjured up all the strength in the world and pushed him away. May be there was a god somewhere, she thanked silently!
He wiped his lips and looked at her smugly, "I'll be back at midnight for the rest. Be prepared" was his decree.
She stood dazed for a few seconds, unable to comprehend anything but greatly relieved to be free from the clutches of his aggressiveness.
"What are you?" starring at the demonic flurry in his eyes, she felt scared. But she had to act brave if she had any hopes of survival from the inevitable.
"Armaan…what else, your prince charming"
"Please…" she was no more the nave young woman, "What do you want?"
"Oh mortal dumblings!...even after all that, you ask?" he paused to catch his breath even as he looked down at her for her naivety. "Innocence is a virtue they say" he walked around her, looking at her, his eyes no doubt undoing the layers that shielded her vulnerability.
"I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of fun with you, oh nave one. Rest now, and try to loosen up. Trust me, you will like it too" He looked at her suggestively, she felt like beating the crap out of him at the core of his villainous desire where it would hurt the most - only if she had the strength or the characterization of Jane, sadly she possessed neither.
By now, she felt more than repulsed at this man whom she had gotten engaged to and wanted to throw the ring at his face, hoping to salvage some ground, she stood defiantly and looked up to meet his eyes, "What if I refuse you?"
"Ha!" he stopped dead in his tracks, "No one refuses me"
"May be you just haven't heard it before, I say No. Take me home"
"Home is where the sweetheart is…this is your home now, for as long as you shall live. Forget everyone else…"
She thought about it for a minute while he waited for her response curiously, "Fine, I will agree to your demands but fulfill my condition"
He leaned over and whispered in her ears, "I like my women fiery…" a slight pause, "makes it that much more enticing…" he stepped back finally giving her some maneuvering space, "What is that condition?"
"I will come to you at the stroke of midnight by my own volition if you shall wait for me by the Fountain outside. When I am there, I shall kiss you under a moonlit sky by the Love fountain…" She could see he was getting excited by that, "But…all that will happen, only if, you bring the waters of the Fontana di Aqua to the Love fountain. That is my full condition"
"But why? There is already water there…"
"To solemnize our ...being together. That is all I ask for Arrman. You have brought me here, virtually held me hostage. You will have to grant me my one wish. And then perhaps, I may consider your other requests as well"
"You mean?" he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice after that, "Good, it's better that way too"
She nodded.
"I see you've given up on the non-consummation clause, how appropriate?"
"Grant me my one wish that will be all Armaan"
"Fine. I will be there, but remember, not a moment before midnight or else…"
"Deal"
It finally occurred to Arrman that twilight was upon them even inside their cocooned existence, he did not possess such powers to curb nature completely. The itching on his back told him in no uncertain terms that he was undergoing a change over and that he needed to get away from her soon.
Hastily without acknowledging her any further, he turned away abruptly and took off, " If you do not show up at the fountain as you promised, I will come here and have my way…either way!" there was something ominous in his words and subsequent glare which gave Riddhima the shudders. She had surprised him with her defiance, it was going to be harder than he thought!
*****
Just before midnight.
When the villa was surrounded by the darkness of the night, the entire place was engulfed in this mesmeric yet evil light, Riddhima quickly grabbed the nearest candle-light and dashed off towards the fountain of love, running through the spooky corridors full of grotesque decorations and weirder sounds, she ran till she was outside the villa, where she could see hear faint sounds of trickling water. She tiptoed her way towards the fountain, where she could see a dark reclining figure; he seemed odd, she squinted her eyes but could not recognize him. As she got closer, she struggled to keep quiet, or hush her shocked senses, for there before her lay a youthful looking lad untainted by age or sin with no hint of cruelty on his face or lines that spoke of sins, a man she had never seen before, and from his back emerged two wings like some celestial being!
Fighting back her fears, a mesmerized Riddhima took the candle closer to his face, and slipped her hands into the pockets of his trousers, and took out the sealed envelop that Sookie veiled as her conscience had directed her to. In doing so, she noticed how his face shone radiantly under the candle light, and how in his peaceful slumber; he seemed so unlike the brute that had held her captive. In a way, she felt mesmerized starring at him; he seemed picture perfect, lean, mean and muscular!
Riddhima did not realize when or how, but it happened, a drop of molten wax fell upon his cheeks, and his eyes opened instantly, gone was the allure, replaced by this cold sheen of anger and blaze! He got up and instantly, his form changed back to Arrman's! He spewed fire from his eyes. Before he could act, Riddhima took out the contents of the envelop and threw it up on the air so that its contents mixed with the waters of Aqua di Fontana and sprinkled upon Cupid's head. The purest waters had undone not just the curse of INVISO but all other spells including deception that spun Cupid in its mix.
A third voice broke their eye-lock, it was Armaan's "Riddhimaaa….stop! This man is an imposter!! I'm the real Armaan…"
Riddhima gasped, "Armaan…!"Turning sideways she saw another Armaan riding on a beautiful black horse, Elron sped towards them in lightning speed before screeching to a halt, "Armaann..." she was in tears soon as her eyes fell on the bright diamond of their engagement ring on Armaan's finger, suddenly she felt safe. Her knight was here!
Armaan got off the horse and embraced Riddhima tightly, showering a million kisses on her eyes, nose, right cheek-left cheek, her ears, neck…making his way to her lips…capturing them passionately like there was no tomorrow making the plants, fountain, water, air, invisible fire and even the atoms around sizzle in slight discomfort except for the female gods who were secretly spying them.
Finally, the thirsty souls parted to get air, Armaan's protective arm held her firm without which Riddhima would have melted to a pool of jello, so swarmed was her entire being robbed of sanity by that one scorching moment of passion, now this was how true love's kiss felt, hot and scorching! They turned around but gone was the imposter who had held her captive.
A few hours later…
Somewhere on the base of mount Olympus, an introspective young man sat cleaning the last remaining arrow as the fire-flies swarmed around him illuminating the night sky in a dazzling splendor. He looked lonely and sad as realization of his folly dawned on him. All his acts of mischief came back to bite him on his near-perfect ass – he felt like an idiot who had ruined his shot at redemption. And more importantly lost the battle of wits, now he would be forever enslaved by his beloved. As he was cleaning the shiny metallic arrow-head, a sparkly reflection caught his eye; he turned his head to see a teal butterfly hovering above the ground –fluttering its dazzling wings.
He smiled, "You bring good news, I reckon…" and looked up to see Sookie walking towards him with a victorious smile on her face.
He knew what that meant, "I should have guessed you wouldn't sit through the entire thing doing nothing"
"You lost with an arrow to spare?" She asked him as she walked towards him and stood in front of Cupid.
"I used it on them…figured they could use some more loving"
"Who?"
"The flies…of course"
Sookie laughed as she saw the two love birds fly off towards the top of the mountain.
"Not on Armaan and Riddhima then?"
"No…apparently true love needs no intervention, it's destined"
"So you've learnt an important lesson it seems" Sookie held his hands and gently guided him to his feet so that they were facing each other.
"So it seems…" he closed the gap between them, and tightened his hold on her hands, "Yes, you win. I couldn't deceive true love…no one is bigger than their calling. And I must apologies for all the discomfort that my irresponsible actions must have caused to you. Can you forgive me?"
"How the mighty have fallen…" Sookie gave him a smug smile, and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Welcome back Cupid. I forgive you because it was not your fault but the arrogance of your powers that misled you; you were under your own powerful spell. It goes wrong when you misfire, so you must use each one judiciously"
"I've learnt my lesson…"he replied back, "What a fool I've made of myself! And a greater fool for not recognizing you too…you gave me a hard time back there in the alley…"
"I suppose everyone is entitled to their share of the fun…but now I want some quiet. We've spent the last nine months quite spectacularly but I want the next three to be quiet"
"What?" he moved his head back, "You too? I thought it was just me…"
"It was but since I've been stalking you on this mortal realm all this while, I'm condemned too…"
He laughed, "Till death do us part…"
"We don't even have that luxury…" Sookie brought him closer.
"True…" Cupid was cut off before he could complete his words, "Now kiss me soon or else I will take off with Hermes, he is quite the catch, I've learnt"
"I wouldn't want to tempt fate anymore Psyche, I love you …"
And they kissed under the starry night sky.
They flew towards an undisclosed location; Cupid had been quiet along the way so Psyche asked him, "What's wrong?"
"I was thinking…"
"About?"
"I don't understand"
"Understand what?"
"Why she didn't fall for me…I did what they liked…"
"What do you mean?"
"I was a bad boy, I was aggressive…hot headed, aggressive passion, isn't that what they want?"
"They?"
"Mortal women?"
"Hmm…I wonder where you get such an impression…" Psyche said out loud, "Far from it…"
"I was just following what I was told is the norm down there…I thought they liked aggressive raw passionate loving…I thought she would fall head-over-heels frankly…Those mortal dramas of course, every single one of them are replete with such pairings!...and are most popular. I thought I had a full proof plan…how she got hold of that powder and think of the purest waters – and better yet put those together"
"Yeah. There must have been some divine intervention Cupid" Psyche couldn't suppress a faint chuckle.
And that was his clue. He shook his head, "So it was all your doing?"
"I may have done some tweaking"
"So what's next?"
"Some quiet"
*****
Thank you to everyone who's been part of this thread. This FF started out as a result of one crazy gtalk session with Sookie - was supposed to be something we wrote together but somehow I ended up writing it alone I'll have to mark this one thread as one of my favorite threads because some of the best interactions between readers has happened here, and by best I mean completely crazy. And thats usually so much fun... As has been writing about three Armaan, Riddhima, one crazy Lady aka Sookie and the crowd favorite FOTW As its happened this past few months, I've planned on doing one thing and ended up doing something else, the idea was to continue writing PM and possibly end it...but this is the one that gets its last part today. Hope you guys had fun reading it. I certainly have had a blast writing this one.
xoxo
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