Mere Apne5(AR) - Epi91, Pg11(29/08)

EPISODE EIGHTY-NINE

Armaan silently observed his family pampering and praising Riddhima and it made his heart feel contented. The glow on her face didn't go unnoticed by him when they complimented her. She loves his family and vice-versa, what else he need?

Well, he just realized, he does need something else as well... He needs much more and this was the first time when he needs something for himself. She will be living with him now on and he will get that soon enough. He shook his head smiling softly to himself. Leaving Riddhima with everyone, he went back to his room to change.

A little later, Riddhima entered their room. Armaan was in his study at that time. She changed into comfortable clothes and prepared to go to sleep. That day, Armaan had slept in the study while working on one of his file.

***Flashback Ends***

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Armaan got up and went to the closet. He pulled the door of her closet open and caressed her dupatta lovingly. Smiling slightly, he pushed it inside properly and closed the door again. Then, taking out his night wear, he went to change. As per his routine, after dinner he went into his study to work.

Riddhima too, like everyday came back a little later. After changing, she combed her hair and went to her bed. As she lay on her bed closing her eyes, the noise of the door of study made her open them again. She saw Armaan enter their bedroom while reading a file in his hand.

"Tum aaj phir se yahaan aa gaye?" She groaned.

"Huh?" Armaan looked up from his file.

"Sach, tum na ek number ke stubborn insaan ho. Itne dino se roz tumhe samjha rahi hu, par tum ho ki roz chale aate ho is room mein." She said removing her duvet and sitting up.

"Ye baat to main tumhaare baare mein bhi kah sakta hu." He replied casually.

"Mere baare mein kyun? Ye room to mera hai na?" she answered.

"Maine kab kaha ki ye room tumhara nahi hai."

"To tum maante ho ki ye mera room hai?" She asked suspiciously.

"Hmm..." He shook flipping another page of his file.

"Agar tumhe pata hai ki ye room mera hai, to phir tum yahaan kya karne chale aate ho roz?" she stood up, ready for another tussle with him.

"Sone..." As she opened her mouth, he added quickly, "Kyunki ye mera room bhi hai." Closing the file, he folded his arms over his chest.

"Matlab?" She scowled.

He sighed recalling his conversation with Anjali.

"Wo to ekdum buddhu hai."

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

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

"Ab chup kyun ho gaye?" She asked again as he stood there thinking about how to make her understand about this room thing.

"Chup nahi hua, soch raha hu ki tumhe kaise samajhaaun." He mumbled loudly. He knew it's the time to finally sort this out. He was tired of this everyday tussle.

"Mujhe kya samajhana hai ab?" she knitted her brow.

"Agar tum bina argument ya jhagda shuru kiye, meri baat thoda dhyaan se sunogi to I promise ye problem dobara nahi aayegi."

"Tum kahna kya chaahte ho, main tumse jhagadti hu?" She got angry.

"See, what else you are doing now." He pointed his finger at her.

She made a face, but also realized that he was right. There was no use of arguing with him. She has been doing so for so many days and yet not reached at any conclusion. This way they will never find a solution to their room related problem. She mumbled, 'OK.'

Armaan smiled and gestured her to sit on the couch. After a moment of hesitation, she did. He went and joined her on the couch and placed his file on the table. She flinched in her place as he sat beside her, which didn't go unnoticed by him. He slid a little away, keeping some distance from her. He knew that to solve this issue, he has to take things a little slowly. Starting another argument due to some lame reason was the last thing on his mind.

"Riddhima, main is room mein roz isliye ata hu, kyunki ye room mera bhi hai." He saw her opening her mouth to say something, so added immediately before she could utter a word, "I mean, ye room tumhara aur mera, hum dono ka hai."

"Par ye kaise ho sakta hai?" she asked lamely.

"Ho sakta nahi hai, aisa hi hai." He saw her looking at him questioningly, "Riddhima, I think you are forgetting that we are... ehem... we are now married... to each other."

"I haven't forgotten that. I know we are married now. But, so what if we are married?" she argued again. "Iska matlab ye thode hi hai ki tum mere room main rahoge?"

"Ji haan, iska matlab yehi hai." He replied calmly, while she frowned. "Madam, shaadi ka matlab sharing hota hai. And it means room as well." Seeing her staring at him, he thought about something. I think, I need to show her live examples. He got up and said, "Achchha chalo, mein tumhe kuchh dikhata hu."

"Kya?"

"Chalo to sahi, tumhe sab samajh aa jaayega."

She shook her head and followed him outside. Armaan went out of the Mansion and walked towards the servant's quarters. On reaching one of the rooms, he stopped in front of a door and waited for her to join him. When she too came and stood beside him looking puzzled, he gestured towards the room and asked, "You know whose room is this?"

"Haan." She replied. When he raised his brow, she added folding her arms over her chest, "Ye Shambhu kaka aur Dhooli Kaki room hai."

"Hmm, aur yahaan kaun-kaun rahta hai?"

"Ye kaisa sawaal hai. Agar ye Shambhu kaka aur Dhooli Kaki ka room hai, to wohi dono yahaan rahte honge na yahaan?" she glared.

"Absolutely. Ab ye batao, ki Dhooli Kaki, Shambhu Kaka ki kya hain?"

"Wo unki wife hain." She replied irritably. What is this? KBC?

"Good, now come." He gestured her to follow him again while she made a face and followed him again into the Ashiyana mansion.

Armaan stood in front of a door and said, "Ye kiska room hai?" he pointed towards the door.

Riddhima looked at the door and replied, "Ye Mom aur Dad ka room hai."

"Very good. Chalo." Once again, he started walking towards another room.

'Ye kar kya raha hai?' she mumbled going after him.

Once again, he stopped beside another door and was about to ask the same question again, when she interrupted him, "Pata hai-pata hai tum kya puchhne waale ho." She made a face and replied as he raised a brow, "Ye Atul Bhaiya aur Anjali Bhabhi ka room hai."

"Excellent. You are so intelligent." He exclaimed cheerfully, "Chalo ab."

'Chalo ab.' She mumbled imitating him, not moving from her place.

Armaan felt no movement after him and turned back to her to find her still not moving and muttering something to herself. "Kya hua? Chalo ab." With that he started walking again.

"Armaan... Armaan..." she saw him turn and walk again.

Finally, he opened the door of their room and entered, while she kept calling him, "Armaan, ye sab kya bakwaas hai. Tum mujhe kya sabke rooms se introduce karwaane le gaye the?" she asked as she followed him into the room.

Armaan closed the door once she was inside. "Haan... aur nahi."

She frowned at his vague answer as he sat on the couch once again, "Tum kahna kya chaahte ho? Meri samajh mein to kuchh nahi aa raha."

"Pata hai mujhe." He replied casually, suppressing his smile.

"To phir?"

"Riddhima, achchha ye batao, ki Dad-Mom aur Atul Bhai-Anjali Bhabhi ek dusre ke kya hain?"

"Are you playing KBC with me, I am not answering any of your stupid KBC questions anymore." She retorted stubbornly folding her arms angrily.

"Riddhima, don't you to solve our room problem?" he asked.

"I want to. Par ye sab kya bakwaas kar rahe ho tum?" She glared.

"Ye sab bakwaas nahi, tumhaare room waale question ka jawaab hai." When she didn't reply, he added, "Achchha tum mere question ka jawaab to do, I promise tumhaare question ka answer tumhe khud hi mil jaayega." He said calmly.

She looked at him from the corner of her eyes, then looking straight, she said, "Mom, Dad ki wife hain, aur Anjali Bhabhi, Atul Bhaiya ki wife hain."

"Correct. Ab kuchh samajh mein aya?" he coaxed her to think further.

Pausing a little she asked innocently, "Nahi... lekin in sab baaton ka humaari problem se kya lena dena? Aur hum dono ek room mein kyun rahenge?"

He smiled as her stupid question. Alas, she was really slow. But he has to do this. If it was someone else, it would have sounded really idiotic. But the way she asked it, it was so cute and extremely innocent, "Tumhe yaad nahi?"

"Kya yaad nahi?"

"3 hafte pahle..." he cleared his throat, "We both got married. Abhi thodi der pahle bhi to phir se bataya tha tumhe maine."

She placed her finger between her lips and said, "Haan main to bilkul bhul hi gayi thi."

Armaan smiled, "To ye batao tum meri kya ho?"

"Ye tum..." she turned to him glaring again, he interrupted.

"Batao to sahi..."

Looking at him she said, "Humaari shaadi ho gayi hai to hum husband-wife hue na."

"Hmm..." he chuckled, "Main husband, aur tum wife."

"Hmm..." she replied. "Main tumhaari wife hu."

"Exactly." He saw her looking at him questioningly. Smiling he pointed towards the couch telling her to sit down, which she did. He said, "See, Dhooli kaki aur Shambhu Kaka ek room mein rahte hain kyunki wo husband-wife hain, Dad aur Mom ek hi room mein share karte hain kyunki wo bhi husband-wife hain, and same goes for Atul Bhai and Anjali Bhabhi... wo dono bhi Husband-wife hain. Am I right?" he looked at her raising her brow.

She looked at him unsure of what he is referring to, but her little brain was now starting to think a little now, thanks to Armaan's very-clear references. She fumbled, "Y-yes."

"Aur wahaan Gupta house mein bhi to Mumma-Papa, Rahul-Muskaan apne-apne rooms share karte hain ke nahi, kyunki wo ek dusre ke husband-wife hain? Hain na?"

"Haan." She mumbled.

He saw her nodding in yes, "Hmm... to usi tarah, tum bhi to ab meri wife ho, aur main tumhara husband. Isliye... hum dono ko bhi ek hi room main rahna hai ab se. I mean, ye room hum dono ka hai. Humein ise share karna hai... abse humesha ke liye." Armaan explained smiling. 'Please god tell me she understood. I cant be more clearer than this...', he prayed silently.

She thought about it for a minute. Her expressions calmed down telling him that she has understood. She smiled widely. But again... she made a face.

"Kya hua? Koi aur confusion?" Armaan asked noticing her frown.

"Haan..." she nodded innocently.

'Oh... Please, this time an easier one. I am too tired for a twisted challenge at the moment.' He thought. Then gestured her to continue.

Riddhima twisted her nose and said, "Mumma kahti hain ki ek ladki ko kisi ladke ke saath ek hi room mein nahi rahna chaahiye."

Armaan looked at her carefully. "But I guess, jyadatar couples mein ek ladka aur ek ladki hoti hi hai... If you didn't notice then let me tell you... abhi jo sab couple maine tumhe ginwaye hain, un sabmein bhi ek ladka aur ladki hai."

She replied thoughtfully, "Arey haan, wo to hai." She tapped her chin, "Par phir mumma ne mujhse aise kyun kaha tha?"

Armaan rolled his tongue. Narrowing his brow, he asked, "Waise ye sab Mumma ne tumhe kab kaha tha, humaari shaadi se pahle ya uske baad?"

"Tch, abhi nahi, ye to Mumma be bhot pahle kaha tha. Jab main 8^th standard mein padhti thi na Delhi mein, tab." She replied.

"Oh... Tab theek hai." he sighed, "Unhone theek hi kaha tha. Par Riddhima, is baat ko ab I guess yahin koi 15-16 saal ho gaye hain. Tab tum ek bachchi thi aur tumhaari shaadi nahi hui thi. Lekin ab tum bachchi nahi ho, kya ye nahi bataya unhone tumhe?"

"Bataya hai." She replied meekly.

"Good. To ab jab tum bachchi nahi ho, aur tumhaari shaadi mujhse ho chuki hai, to I guess you can share this room with me, just like other couples are sharing theirs... cant you?"

She fell quite again. 'Baat to sahi hai...', she thought. Then said out loud, "Haan."

"Excellent. Then problem solved." He sighed relieved slumping back into the couch.

She frowned again, "Par phir bhi, main kahaan soungi ab? I mean ye room pahle se tumhara hai, main to yahaan nayi hu, to iska matlab tumhara ispe jyada haq banta hai, aur us bed pe bhi." She pointed towards the bed, "Par yahaan jab ek hi bed hai to main kahaan soungi?" she said dejectedly. Then glared at him, "Tumhe pahle se pata tha na ki main bhi yahaan rahne waali hu, to tumne ek aur bed kyun nahi mangwaya?"

He looked at her with his mouth slightly open in amazement. He has never expected this coming. But now Padma's words made absolute sense. How can someone be so understanding and stupid at the same time? She finally agreed that this has been his room for a long time, so he has more right on it. But now again she is fussing, that too about an 'extra-bed'. Do I have to show her again that none of the couples have TWO beds in their rooms? They share their beds too. What yaar, I am really tired now? He mused inwardly.

He asked with a glint in his eyes, "Waise wo bed kaafi bada hai. Hum dono uspe so sakte hain."

"Nahi, aise kaise ho sakta hai. I mean..." She was still puzzled.

Before she misunderstood him, he added quickly, "Baaki sab couples ke room mein bhi ek-ek hi bed hai. It means, they share their bed too."

"Hmm... wo to hai." She mumbled dazely.

"Tumhe koi problem hai?" he asked suppressing his smile.

"N-nahi, jaise tum kaho, ye room to tumhara..." Riddhima replied unsurely.

He interrupted, "Hum dono ka hai. Haan main yahaan pahle se rahta hu, par ab se ye room tumhara bhi utna hi hai, jitna ki mera. In fact its more yours than mine now."

She looked at him astonished. She has never seen this side of him. "Sach?"

"Sach." He smiled calmly.

She saw him lying on the couch and asked, "Par tum soge kahaan?" As he squinted, she said, "Nahi, agar tumhe lagta hai ki ye bed... I mean... wo..."

Armaan thought for a moment observing her apprehension. He knew she needed time to understand things in a better way. By now he also grasped what Padma, Shashank and Anjali has been trying to convey, "Arey, don't worry about me, filhaal ke liye tum bed pe so jao. Main yahaan so jaunga." He patted the couch.

"Yahaan?" she pointed at the couch as he nodded. She looked unsure. The couch was big, but still not as big as the bed and he was huge for it. But then she didn't know how and what to say, "Ok..." mumbling she just stood up and went to the bed.

He noticed two suitcases laying near the bed and asked, "Waise, ye suitcases kiske hain aur yahaan kyun pade hain?"

"Ye?" she followed his gaze, "Ismein meri jewelry aur kuchh important samaan hai. Us din apna samaan arrange karte time mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki inhe kahan rakhu, to maine ise Anjali Bhabhi ke room mein rakh diya tha. Par Bhabhi ne kaha ki apna kimti samaan mujhe apne room mein hi rakhna chaahiye. Isliye, aaj main ise waapis le aayi thi."

"Then, why don't you keep them at safe place."

"I want to, par mujhe samajh hi nahi aa raha ki inhe kahaan rakhu."

He got up and went to the dressing chamber. Parting the curtain, he cleared his throat to grab her attention. "Ahem-Ahem..."

"Kya hai?" she looked at him as stood there with his arms crossed over his chest.

He shrugged his shoulder raising his brow, gesturing her look behind him. When she did, he touched something behind the looking glass to reveal a hidden shelf behind a painting on the other wall of the dressing chamber, "Yahaan tum apni saari jewelry rakh sakti ho." He said before walking back to the couch.

Riddhima followed his steps till he sat on the couch and took hold of his file. Then she glanced back towards the dressing chamber. She stood up and walked there. She was surprised to find a big in-wall almirah with an iron door hidden behind the big painting. She looked back at Armaan on hearing his voice.

"Dressing shelf ke first drawer ke andar, ek secret side-pocket hai, left side pe. Chaabi wahaan milegi." He said marking something in his file, without looking at her. She retrieved a key from the place he mentioned. Then as she opened the door of the almirah, she found a keypad. She heard him again. "19821012." She narrowed her eyes. He was still engrossed in his file. She looked back at the keypad, he repeated, "19821012."

She looked at him again. He was shaking his head with his eyes stuck in his file and one of the brow raised. She thought for a moment, then punched the number in the keypad mumbling it at the same time, "1.9.8.2.1.0..." she paused thinking of remaining numbers.

"1.2." he finished for her.

She punched remaining two numbers imitating him, "1.2." The door made a clicking sound. She pulled the knob, and it opened. There were a few shelves inside that locker type almirah. A few jewelry sets were already lying there. Some men's jewelry was also there, like some rings, chains, some bracelets etc. Of course they belonged to Armaan.

"Wo sab mera hai. I can remove them, if you want." He said.

"Nahi. No need. This safe is quite huge and there is enough space here." She replied. She placed her jewelry boxes in the almirah and securing it safely, placed the key back at its original place.

"Waise, you don't have to put your important papers and cash in that. That one is only meant for jewelry." He said.

"How did you...?" she trailed, surprised. How does he know that she has also placed her important papers and some other things in the safe-almirah.

"There is a similar, bigger almirah behind the second book rack in the study. The key is kept in the second drawer of my study table. You can keep your papers, documents or even your cash in that almirah."

Riddhima sighed. "Fine." She took out her papers and other things from the jewery locker and went to keep them in the study's safe-locker. As told by him, she found the safety-almirah behind second book-rack. Once she was done, she kept the keys back.

"You don't need to put those keys back in the drawers. You can keep them with yourself." He said as she came back into the bedroom.

"No. I think they will stay safe where they always have been." Sighing relieved, as she laid on her bed covering herself, she heard him.

"Good Night Riddhima."

"Good Night." She replied.

As she turned on other side laying on the bed and drifted off to sleep, he sighed. Atleast she understood that they have to share this room. 'Even the kids these days are smart enough to understand things easily. Gosh, what will happen when people will get to know how childishly I had to explain this to my wife? Really, it sounds so weird and idiotic. Meri image ka kya hoga yaar?' He mused comically making a funny face. Humor of the situation brought a smile on his face as he slept.

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Anjali noticed Riddhima as she stirred the gravy for Shaahi Paneer. Today Riddhima was making food for the first time after marriage. She has been helping her and Aarti here and there in little chores while cooking, but has never cooked anything herself ever since she came here.

As per their family tradition, she had to make a dessert first. Riddhima made some Moong-Dal-Halwa to be served as Prasad in the morning prayer. Then she prepared saabu-dana kheer for everyone and kept it in the refrigerator.

After that, Anjali and Aarti made breakfast, while Riddhima helped them in it. Later in the afternoon, even though Anjali and Aarti have asked her to relax but Riddhima requested them to allow her cook something for everyone in the lunch. So, half of the Lunch was her responsibility for the day.

Ever since morning, not even once Riddhima has complained or talked about the same old room problem, about which she has been eating Anjali's brain for the past two and a half weeks.

Guess the problem has been sorted, Anjali mused. She asked Riddhima, "Riddhima, kya baat hai, tumne aaj subah se koi complaint nahi ki."

"Complaint, kaisi complaint Bhabhi?" Riddhima asked while adding some spices in the gravy.

"Wohi, jiske baare mein tum roz baat karti ho. Room waali..." She pointed.

"Oh, wo? Wo problem to solve bhi ho gayi." Riddhima replied casually.

"Solve ho gayi?" Anjali asked.

"Hmm..."

"To kya Armaan ne room chhod diya?" She asked confusingly.

"Tch, wo kyun room chhodega Bhabhi. Wo room uska bhi to hai." She replied turning around to grab some tomatoes from the basket.

"Kya?" Anjali looked shocked. She has been trying to make her understand the same thing for last two and a half weeks, and have been failing conituously. What happened overnight all of sudden that she understood this now. Anjali reflected on, silently.

"Aur nahi to kya." She replied putting chooped tomatoes into mixer to prepare tomato puree.

"Par... Par tum to us room mein akele rahna chaahti thi na?"

"Maine aise kab kaha Bhabhi." She turned to her after pouring tomato puree in the gravy, stirring it and simming the gas knob, "Main to bas ye kah rahi thi, ki agar wo room mera hai to wo Armaan ka nahi ho sakta."

"Haan, mera bhi yehi kahne ka matlab tha." Anjali said.

"Oh... Par Bhabhi wo to mera sirf confusion tha. Aapko pata hai, wo room mera aur Armaan, hum dono ka hai." She saw Anjali giving her confused look, she explained, "Offo Bhabhi, jaise, aap aur Atul Bhaiya, Mom-Dad, Mumma-Papa, Rahul Bhaiya-Muskaan Bhabhi, aur Shambhu Kaka-Dhooli Kaki, apne rooms ek saath share karte ho, kyunki aap ek dusre ke husband-wife ho, usi tarah main bhi to Armaan ki wife hu ab, aur wo mera husband. Isliye abse hum dono ko ek hi room mein rahna hoga."

Anjali gaped at her. Wow, she understood. "Who told you all this?" she asked dazely.

"Armaan Sir." Riddhima replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Armaan?"

"Haan. Aur pata hai Bhabhi, usne mera ek aur confusion bhi dur kar diya."

"Kaunsa confusion?" Anjali narrowed her eyes.

"Arey wo ladke-ladki wala." Anjali continued to gape at her in confusion while she continued, "Tch... Actually na Bhabhi, jab mein eighth standard mein padhti thi, tab Mumma humesha kahti thi ki ek ladki ko kisi ladke ke saath ek room mein nahi rahna chaahiye, unless wo brother-sister ho. Warna bhot buri baat hoti hai. Par Armaan Sir ne kaha ki wo baat to tab ke liye thi jab main bachchi thi. Lekin ab main badi ho gayi hu, meri shaadi ho gayi hai Armaan Sir se. Aur aap sabki tarah abse main bhi apne husband, yaani Armaan Sir ke saath ek hi room mein rah sakti hu. Balki mujhe ab se humesha aise hi rahna chaahiye."

"Achchha?" Anjali listened her blabbering. Yes she was stupid as well as so innocent at the same time. She could barely keep secrets. If it was any other girl, she must have chosen to wave off the topic, but Riddhima, she has told her everything with such a pure heart.

"Haan..." Riddhima shook. Her gaze feel on the stove, "Lijiye, ye gravy bhi tayyar ho gayi. Main ise thanda hone ke liye rakha deti hu thodi der."

Anjali saw her pour the gravy in a bowl and place it aside. Atlast, what was needed to be done, is done. She atleast understood that she has to share her room with her husband. Armaan did quite a good job on this. She smiled thinking how Armaan is gonna make her understand other things related to their relationship. 'Dilli ab bhi bhot dur hai Hero... Poor you Armaan.'

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Armaan returned home around lunch time to find everyone waiting for him in the lounge area. He didn't know why Aarti has specially ordered him to come back home for lunch today.

"Chachu..." Vaibhav ran to him.

"Hey Champ..." He placed his laptop on the table and held an approaching Vaibhav. "Kya baat hai, tu aaj school se jaldi kaise aa gaya?"

"Arey Chachu, aap bhul gaye, mere termly exams chal rahe hain. Isliye jaldi chhutti ho gayi."

"Oh..." Armaan nodded, "Ghar kiske saath aya tu?"

"Dadu aur Shambhu Kaka mujhe school se le aaye aaj." He answered as they settled on the couch in the lounge.

"Ye sab kya ho raha hai?" Armaan asked noticing everyone in his family sitting in the lounge sitting and glancing at the dining hall repeatedly, as if waiting for something.

"Mch, pata nahi." Vaibhav shrugged.

"Arey Armaan, tum aaj lunch ke liye time se aa gaye? Now that's a surprise." Anjali commented as she entered the lounge wiping her hand.

"Bhabhi..." Armaan rolled his eyes, "Mom ne aaj subah, lunch pe jaldi aane ko kaha tha."

Anjali chuckled and turned to Aarti and Dadi, "Dadi, Mom-Dad, chaliye, lunch lag gaya hai."

Omang was the first one to get up, "Haan-haan chalo."

Armaan looked at him strangely. Why is he acting so excited? Its just a lunch.

"Chalo Armaan, Vibhi, lunch kar lo." Aarti instructed. "Atul kahaan hai?"

"Wo to pahle hi Dining hall mein baitha hai Mom." Anjali answered.

Vaibhav ran into the dining hall, while Armaan followed everyone lazily. When he reached there, everyone was already settled on their respective places, gawking impatiently at the covered dishes. Whats with everyone today? He thought settling in his place.

Armaan was busy checking a few messages on his phone while others have already started their lunch, when he heard Aarti.

"Armaan, whats this? Kitni baar tumhe ye samjhana padega ki dining table pe, sirf khaane pe dhyaan diya karo."

"S-sorry Mom, wo ek important message tha." He stammered looking at her.

"Tumhara to har message important hota hai. Par khaane ke time pe, khaane se jyada important kuchh bhi bahi hona chaahiye." She scolded.

"Exactly." Atul commented grinning widely, but his closed his mouth when Aarti glared at him.

"Ji Mom." Armaan shook his head obediently like a little boy. He heard Anjali smirking slightly and narrowed his eyes at her while she pretended to concentrate on her food. Shaking his head, he stretched his arm to grab a serving spoon. As he brought the spoon over his plate to pour vegetable curry, he was surprised to see his plate already full with food.

Armaan looked up to see if anyone has noticed him doing so or not. To his relief, everyone was busy cherishing their food. Keeping the spoon back in serving saucer, he started having his lunch. The first morsel made his eyes shine with delight. "Mmm..." After that, he forgot everything but his food.

By the time Armaan finished his food, others were already wiping their hands... they finished earlier and had even washed their hands. He was the last one to get over.

When he came out of the Dining hall, he noticed everyone sitting in the lounge yet again, waiting for something. Soon, Anjali, Chatur and Riddhima entered holding trays with saucers filled with something that looked like a white sweet dish.

Armaan settled beside Vaibhav. Anjali was offered a saucer to him which he took casually, but she surprised him by winking at him playfully. He narrowed his eyes as she settled on the other side of Vaibhav, taking a saucer for herself.

'Kuchh gadbad to nahi hai?' Armaan thought thinking about Anjali's wink.

He noticed everyone cherishing their sweet-dish gladly. Taking a spoonful, Armaan held it close to his nose, smelling it carefully for something fishy. It smelled awesome, and his mouth watered in an instant. Inhaling the frangrance, he licked it. Then he just waved off everything and like others, started having his sweet-dish. It was delicious.

"Riddhima bte, ye lo." Armaan glanced up on hearing Omang.

Before Armaan could understand or listen further, his phone rang. Placing his empty saucer on the table, he got up and walked to the back-lawn to attend the call.

In the meanwhile...

"Ye kya hai Dad?" Riddhima asked seeing a packet forwarded by Omang.

"Ye hum sabki taraf se tumhara neg." Omang saw her looking him puzzled, "Tumne aaj pahli baar khana banaya hai. Usi ke liye, just a small gift."

"Par iski kya zaroorat thi Dad. Main to pahle bhi ghar mein khana banaati thi." She protested.

"Banaati thi. Par tumhaare is ghar mein aaj tumne pahli baar khana banaya hai. Aur ye ek rasm hai ji ghar ki lakshmi jab pahli baar ghar mein khana banaati hai, tu ghar ke sab bade use kuchh na kuchh shagun ke taur pe dete hain." Aarti replied.

"Ghar ki Lakshmi?" She looked confused, "Par main to Riddhima hu, Lakshmi nahi."

It made all of them laugh. Anjali shook her head, "Riddhima, unka matlab tumhi se tha. Ghar ki bahu ko Ghar ki Lakshmi bhi kahte hain. Aur tum is ghar ki bahu ho na."

"Par Dad ne to us din kaha tha ki main is ghar ki beti hu?" she asked lamely.

Omang chuckled hugging her sideways, "Beti hi ho mere bachche."

Dadi smiled and spoke clearing her confusion, "Riddhima, bte ghar ki bahu ka matlab beton ki wives hota hai. Aur wo bhi beti hi hoti hai. Tum humaare bte Armaan ki patni ho, to humaari bahu bhi hui, aur beti bhi."

"Oh..." She understood, "Arey haan, main to bhul hi gayi, Mumma ne bhi bataya tha ek din." She smiled and turned to Omang asking, "To phir Anjali Bhabhi ka neg kahaan hai. Unhone bhi to khana bhanaya hai?"

Aarti shook her head at her innocence and replied on Omang's behalf, "Ye neg sirf pahli baar ghar mein khana banaane par diya jata hai Riddhima."

"Oh." She understood. "Now I remember why Mummy-Papa also gave all those gifts to Muskaan Bhabhi when she made food for the first time after her marriage." She pondered loudly. Then pouted slightly, "Aur unhone mujhe bewakuf banaya tha, ye kahke ki Muskaan bhabhi ne mujhse jyada achchha khana banaya hai, isliye wo sab unhe gifts de rahe hain."

The family laughed, while Omang added smiling at her, "Oh, to ye baat hai. Par yahaan koi tumhe bewakuf nahi banaayega. Aur agar koi aisa kare, tu mujhe batana. Main ek minute mein seedha kar dunga sabko, ok?" he saw her nod at him.

Taking the gift-box, she held it close to her heart and smiled cutely at everyone, "Thank you."

Armaan entered the lounge again seeing Riddhima sitting beside Omang as he held her hugging sideways. He noticed others smiling at her and she returning the same.

"Hey Armaan, kya hua?" Atul asked noticing him standing beside the door looking at everyone.

"Kuchh nahi Bhai, office se phone tha. Wo Mr.Garret ke saath meeting thi na uske liye sab wait kar rahe hain. Mr.Garret office jaldi aa gaye hain."

"Oh, to chal main bhi chalta hu." Atul got up.

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