Mere Apne5(AR) - Epi91, Pg11(29/08) - Page 3

EPISODE NINETY

"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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It was dinner time again. When Armaan came down, Omang, Aarti, Vaibhav and Dadi were almost done with their dinner. They had their dinner a little early today on Riddhima's insistence after which they were about to retire to their respective soon.

"Arey Armaan bhaiya, aap aaj itni jaldi dinner ke liye neeche aa gaye?" Chatur commented looking at the wall clock.

Armaan followed his gaze. It was only 08:40pm. They usually had their dinner at or mostly 'after' 09:30pm, when everyone's at home. He is always the last one to join the dinner table... always. To everyone's surprise, he was early today, "Err..." he fumbled.

"Arey Armaan, tu aaj itni jaldi?" Aarti asked as she came out of the kitchen.

"Wo Mom..." before he could say something...

"Arey Armaan, tu aaj is time?" This time it was Dadi.

"Armaan, tu..."

"Ek minute..." Armaan roared interrupting Atul as he entered the dining room and was about to ask the same question. Glancing at the faces in the dining room, who were all staring back at him, "M-Main sirf paani lene aaya tha." He said thoughtfully. Then picking the water jug and a glass from the dining table as he tried to escape, a hand stopped him.

"Kahaan?" Anjali stood blocking his way. "Kahaan chale mister."

Armaan held up index finger of his free hand, "Apne room mein."

"Were you really thirsty?" Anjali blinked her lashed playfully.

Aarti shook her head as they teased each other. Then she, Omang and Dadi left for their rooms.

Armaan knew what Anjali was trying to imply. "Bhabhi, ise water-jug kahte hain, aur ismein paani hota hai..." he held the jug up in front of her eyes, "And if I am holding this, it means I am thirsty." He tried walking out.

"Zaroori nahi hai. Jug haath mein hone ka matlab ye thode hi hai ki humein pyaas lagi hi hai. Kyunki is logic se to Chatur to din mein poora tank bhar paani pe leta hoga..." Anjali tapped her chin, "Iska matlab ye hi hai aajkal paani ki kami hone ka..." Her eyes grew wide in shock.

Armaan gaped at her unbelievably. What?

"Nahi Bhabhi, maine nahi piya sara paani..." Chatur defended almost immediately.

Armaan passed a glare at Chatur. Taking a cue, Chatur slipped towards the kitchen to save his back, while Armaan rolled his eyes at Anjali as she pursed her lips to suppress her laughter.

"Theek hai. Mana tum apni pyaas bujhaane ke liye paani lene aaye the..." she teased further, "Par ab aa hi gaye ho, to dinner pe bhi mehrbaani kar do thodi si." Anjali continued, "I mean, har baar bechara dinner tumhara wait karta hai, ki kab Armaan babu aaye, aur mujhe khaaye. For a change, aaj aap 'dinner' ka thoda sa intezaar karke dekhiye na."

"Bhabhi..." He raised his brow, "Roz main 09:30pm ya uske baad dinner karta hu na... to aaj bhi usi time karunga. And by the way, question to mujhe puchhna chaahiye, how come you all are having your dinner so early? Roz to mere aane ke baad karte the na, but I can see that nobody waited for me today." He crossed his arms.

"Well..." She paused dancing her brows, "Wo actually aaj kuchh khaas baat hai na."

"Achchha, aur wo khaas baat kya hai?"

"Yahaan baithke dinner karo, tumhe khud hi pata chal jaayega." She patted on chair.

"Bhabhi..." He said in a warning tone.

She said, "Trust me, later you will thank me for this."

He sighed taking his seat, "Ok... Thanks Bhabhi." He smiled at Anjali as she served him. "Aapne kha liya?" he asked tearing a morsel from his chapaati.

"Kha to rahi hu." She replied sitting beside him as she continued eating.

"Riddhima ek aur." Atul yelled. While Armaan-Anjali were talking, he has been stuffing himself with the delicious food all this time.

A moment later, Riddhima entered the dining room with a plate full of Rotis. "Ye lijiye Bhaiya." She served two of them to Atul.

"Atul bas karo, pahle hi kitna kha chuke ho tum. Ab use bhi khaane do." Anjali scolded.

"Koi baat nahi Bhabhi." Riddhima smiled.

"Riddhima, koi baat nahi ki baat nahi hai. Abhi to over-eating karega, phir raat bhar yahaan se wahaan chakkar lagata rahega pet pakad ke. Exercise karne ka time hota nahi hai janaab ke paas." Anjali replied, "Ab tum bhi baitho aur apna dinner karo." She pulled her on the chair.

Armaan who was enjoying his food, commented, "Absolutely bhabhi, exercise karne mein to waise bhi Bhai ki jaan jaati hai."

Atul replied, "Abey chup kar. Nazar mat laga samjhe. Waise bhi, mere appetite ke saath-saath mera digestive system bhi tujhse jyada achchha hai, isliye mujhe exercise karne ki zaroorat nahi padti, unlike you."

"Haan wo to dikh hi raha hai. Dekho, dekho to Bhabhi, pet bhi badhne laga hai inka." He pointed towards Atul's growing tummy.

"Abey saale..." Atul was about retort.

"Tum to bas rahne hi do Atul..." Anjali interrupted taking Armaan's side, "Wo bilkul theek kah raha hai. Kitna pet nikla aya hai tumhara." She glared looking at his stomach.

"N-nahi Anjie darling. Wo to bas aaj khana bhot achchha bana hai na, isliye thoda jyada ho gaya... warna itna thode hi nikla hai mera pet." Atul replied sheepishly covering his stomach with one of his hand and taking a deep breath to pull his stomach in.

"Tumhara matlab aur din khana kharaab hota hai?" She fumed.

"Arey n-n-nahi... mera..." Atul exhaled with a jolt.

"How dare you Bhai?" Armaan interrupted adding fuel to the banter, "Bhabhi ke khaane ka itna apmaan? Bhabhi itna achchha khana to banaati hai roz."

"Haan... wo to hai, pa..." Atul was interrupted again.

"To phir teri himmat kaise hui aisa kahne ki?" Armaan added dramatically.

Atul glared at him, "Saale, aag mein ghee daalne ka kaam mat kar, warna..."

"Warna kya?" Anjali flared her nostrils.

"Warna... warna ku-kuchh nahi..." Atul gulped seeing her angry and turned back to his food again, cursing Armaan under breath. It wasn't his day.

Armaan chuckled. Then turned to Anjali, "Waise Bhabhi, khana to aap roz hi bhot achchha banaate ho, par aaj kuchh khaas hi baat thi. Wo subah jo Shaahi Paneer aur Sabu-daane ki kheer bani thi na, they were awesome." and asked cutely, "Agar, usmein se thoda sa kuchh bacha hai to aur mil sakta hai kya Bhabhi?"

"Itna achchha khana bacha hoga, ye tumne socha bhi kaise?" She said tearing another piece of her Chapati and putting it in her mouth.

"Oh..." Armaan's face fell, "Chalo koi baat nahi." He sighed, "Waise ye khana bhi achchha hai." He said having another morsel.

"Don't worry, abse roz tumhe aisa hi tasty khana khaane ko milega." She replied passing a meaningful glance at Riddhima, who was too busy having her dinner and silently looking and listening to their interaction.

"Good." Armaan mumbled casually without understanding Anjali's reference.

Anjali thought of teasing him a little. Turning to Armaan, her expressions turned teasing, "Achchha tumhe subah ka khana sach mein bhot pasand aya kya?"

"Bilkul. Mera to mann kar raha hai ki aapke haath chum lu..." He grabbed Anjali's hand and kissed it appreciatively, "Muaahh..."

"Tch-tch-tch-tch-tch... Wrong number mister. Aaj tum galat jagaah pe apni admiration waste kar rahe ho." Anjali commented rolling her tongue.

"Matlab?" Armaan looked at her smiling.

"Matlab khana banaya kisi aur ne, aur kiss tum kisi aur ko kar rahe ho." She saw him narrowing his eyes. Signalling eloquently towards Riddhima with her eyes, she added, "Ye kiss to aaj ki special master chef ko milna chaahiye tha."

Atul couldn't stop himself from smirking aloud. Armaan followed Anjali's gaze and looked at Riddhima who was looking at them bamboozled. He then understood Anjali's reference, but before he could say something, Riddhima spoke.

"Special Master chef nahi Bhabhi, aaj ka khana to maine banaya tha." She pouted.

Coughing loudly, Atul burst out laughing, while Anjali too snorted seeing Armaan's baffled and Riddhima's cute expressions. She teased Armaan, "Arey haan, aaj ka khana to Riddhima ne banaya tha, tu ye kiss bhi use hi milna chaahiye." She pointed towards her hand which was still in Armaan's hand.

Armaan looked at her hand and left it with a jerk. "Ahem-ahem..." clearing his throat, "Em... could you please pass that salad Bhai?" he tried to divert the topic. Unfortunately, he was still very hungry and wasn't done with his dinner, else he had escaped.

"Nahi-nahi Armaan, pahle Riddhima ko uska special reward to de." Atul showed him his hand telling Armaan to kiss Riddhima's hands.

"Bhai..." Armaan glared at him.

"Kya Bhai? Kyun bachchu, ab tak meri class le raha tha tab kuchh nahi. Ab teri baat aayi to Bhai yaad aa raha hai?" Atul played.

To everyone's surprise, Riddhima jumped into the conversation this time, "Aur nahi to kya. Abhi jab Atul Bhaiya ko tease kar rahe the tum, tab ye nahi socha ki wo kitne pareshaan ho rahe honge, ab jawaab do na." She smiled widely seeing his baffled state. In her excitement, she didn't notice what sort of reward Anjali-Atul had been referring to.

For a minute, Armaan didn't know what to do. Then thinking about something, his expression turned slightly naughty, "Oh, to tumhe jawaab chaahiye?" Riddhima shook her head. He asked Atul and Anjali, "So, as per you both, I should be rewarding her for the good food, right?" As expected, Atul-Anjali nodded vigorously. "Alright then."

Armaan got up from his place and went to the other side where Riddhima sat beside Atul. Riddhima looked at him first smiling then she narrowed her eyes as he took her hand bending lower. She looked at him strangely as he looked back into her eyes for a moment with a glint of something she couldn't understand. Next, she felt a sudden spark scamper through her body.

Still looking into her eyes that had a clear puzzled look, Armaan grabbed Riddhima's hand and placed a little kiss over the back of her hand. The slight flutter of her eyes when his lips touched her skin didn't go unnoticed by him.

She took her hand back almost instantly feeling that strange current. What she didn't realize was the fact, that apart from that current, her cheeks too has changed their color. She kept looking at him confused as well as embarrassed, clueless how to react.

Armaan rolled his tongue into his mouth. With a last victorious look, he strolled back to his seat.

Anjali was looking at Armaan amused at what he did, while Atul had his mouth open in shock. They have never expected him to do something so openly and that too this quick.

"Wow..." Anjali mumbled blinking slowly.

Armaan chuckled at their funny expressions. He saw a shocked Atul, amazed Anjali, Shocked+Baffled+Confused+etc. Riddhima. Sitting casually on his place, he resumed having his dinner and commented, "Muh band kar Bhai, warna aaj dinner mein itne tasty khana ke saath-saath, makkhi bhi khaani padegi."

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Next day, Anjali narrated the whole incident to Muskaan over the phone, who couldn't stop laughing. She couldn't help but imagine Riddhima's expressions when Armaan did that.

Even though she didn't know how to react or what to do or say, Riddhima was in foul mood.

Over the next few days, things went on smoothly. Riddhima has started taking care of small things related to her new room, like cleaning, arranging and other stuff. She even started participating in other house-hold tasks, she was banned from earlier.

Yash still visited Ashiyana regularly, while Vaibhav too was growing attached to Riddhima. She took care of his and Yash's home-work when they were both together. She spent most of her time, either with Anjali or Dadi as Aarti was mostly busy in her social work and Omang was helping Armaan and Atul in Riddhima's absence.

Dadi was always fond of Riddhima, but now with her two grand-daughter-in-laws, one mature (Anjali) and the other a total baby (Riddhima), she was enjoying her life to the most. Many a times, Dadi and Anjali felt it difficult, yet at the same time amusing explaining things to Riddhima. She was piece of entertainment in her own way... a real baby.

Though as compared to others, she spoke very less with him, Armaan couldn't help but admire the rapport Riddhima has built with each and everyone in his house, in such a short span of time. Be it be a family member or any of the house-help, she was wonderful with everyone. He was now waiting for her to join the office once again, so that he could have a little more time with her, no matter if it was at work.

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'Kya yaar?' His heart sighed weakly. Why is luck playing games with him? He sat in his hotel room feeling sad and disheartened. He knew he shouldn't be feeling this way, but what could he do? He wasn't doing it intentionally. He couldn't help and feel cheerless.

He sighed heavily glancing at her picture he has kept in his wallet. Its been over a month he got married and Riddhima was still away... not only mentally, but now physically as well...

Closing his eyes, his mind drifted to the event that took place a few days ago.

~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~

***Flashback***

It has been finally a month of his wedding day. It was Saturday. Armaan was happy, coz now from next week, Riddhima was finally going to join the office, He was happy coz now he would get some extra time to spend with her.

The moment he has admitted that he has fallen in love with his wife, he has been desperate to spend some moments alone with her. But at home, it wasn't possible as she was always busy with some or the other person. Today, she has gone to see Muskaan as the Drama-queen has again whined to meet Riddhima.

"Ab tak aayi kyun nahi?" He glanced at the watch yet again. "11:25 pm ho gaye hain." He decided to go and check downstairs. Closing the door of his room, he went down.

Anjali was instructing something to Chatur and Kammo, who were clearing things from dining table while listening. "Aur haan, crockery ke sets ko dobara dhulwa ke rakhwana kal subah."

"Bhabhi..." Armaan said grabbing her attention and looking at the wall-clock at the same time, "Itni raat ho gayi hai. Sab ghar aa gaye hai kya?"

"Haan, sab aa gaye hain." Anjali replied casually.

"Achchha?" Armaan paused, "To wo... I mean, wo kahaan hai?"

"Tu apni biwi ke baare mein puchhne mein ab bhi itna drama kyun karta hai?" She smiled at him while looked at her sheepishly. Shaking her head, she informed, "Aaj nahi aayegi wo. Bhot der ho gayi thi isliye Mom ne use wahin rah jaane ke liye kaha hai. Waise bhi humaari drama-queen ka naatak chaalu tha." She chuckled recalling Muskaan's antics.

"Oh..." Disheartened he went back to his room.

"Paagal." Anjali saw his retreating back.

Though he got to sleep on his bed after a long time, yet Armaan spent a sleepless night. He missed her. He has gotten used to her banters in a short time.

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It was Monday. Armaan was impatiently looking at the door of his cabin while having his breakfast. He has come early to the office today. Riddhima still hasn't returned from Rahul's house. She has called to inform Anjali that she will go straight to the office on Monday, then will come back to Ashiyana in the evening after attending office.

"09:45am ho gaye hain, aur ab tak in Madam ka kuchh pata hi nahi hai." He mumbled checking time in his wrist-watch for the umpteenth time.

He has come early to the office in excitement of meeting Riddhima after two long days. Leaving his half-eaten breakfast getting from the couch, he went to the door. He peeked out of his cabin and looked at the empty passage outside. No sign of her.

Back inside the cabin, he checked her cabin. Again, no sign of her. How could there be any, if she wasn't there? Pacing restlessly, he took the intercom, "Julie... come to my cabin."

As soon as she entered, he spoke even before she could answer, "W-Where the hell is that file of GynCom Elements?"

Julie looked at him strangely. His tone was surprisingly restless. It sounded as if he wanted to ask something else, but end up asking something different. "Sir, its on your table." She pointed towards the pile of file on his table.

"Huh?" he looked at the pile, "Ah... which one?"

Julie went to his side and took out the file. Forwarding it to him, she said, "Here sir."

"Err... thanks." He mumbled.

She smiled and before leaving, she asked, "Anything else sir?"

"Huh? Nahi. Nothing." He looked at her, then back onto the file in his hand.

Sighing she turned to go back. She paused at the door to look at him again and couldn't help but smile at his restless state. He still hasn't opened that file and was busy making faces while scratching his head. She knew why was he behaving like this. Well, everyone in the office knew. Giggling to herself, she left the cabin.

~~~~~~~~~

He opened his eyes with a jerk on feeling someone shaking him forcefully, "Haan, midmmma..." he mumbled sleepily.

"Abey, kya badbadaa raha hai?" Atul looked at him strangely.

"Huh? Bhai?" Armaan sat up straight, "Tu..." he yawned, "Tu yahaan kya kar raha hai?"

"Aise ajeeb sawaal kabse karne laga tu?" Atul said sitting beside him on the couch, "Ye papers aaye hain legal department se. Discuss karne hain tere saath." He showed him a file.

"Oh..." he rubbed his eyes and drank some water. They discussed the papers for a while.

Once done, Atul asked, "Tu aaj office mein is time pe kaise so gaya tha?"

"Kuchh nahi Bhai, bas raat ko theek se neend nahi aayi, aur ek file check karte-karte, pata nahi kab meri aankh lag gayi."

"Aajse pahle to teri kabhi aise galat time pe aankh nahi lagi, phir chaahe tu do din tak bhi soya na ho." Atul probed.

"Kuchh nahi' bas aise hi." Armaan stretched his arms. Unknowingly his eyes fell on Riddhima's cabin, and this didn't go unnoticed by Atul.

"Wahaan kya dekh raha hai?" he asked.

"Huh? Kuchh nahi... bas wo..." Armaan trailed.

Atul got up to go. Before walking out, he stopped in his track and said, "Arey haan, main tujhe batana bhul gaya. Rahul ka phone aya tha. Wo aaj office nahi aayega."

"Kyun? Kya hua?" Armaan questioned.

"Kuchh nahi, bas Muskaan went into labor. Riddhima bhi usi ke saath hai." He added the last line knowing very well that this is what Armaan actually was wanting to know.

"Oh... Kya delivery ho gayi?" Armaan asked curiously.

"Nahi, abhi bas hospital mein admit karaya hai Muskaan ko."

"Sab theek hai na?"

"Haan sab theek hai. Anjie wahin hospital hi gayi hai. Kah rahi thi ki bas shaayad thoda time aur lagega." Atul informed.

"Alright." Armaan mumbled.

***Flashback Ends***

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Ever since then, Riddhima has been staying back with Muskaan at the hospital to take care of her. Muskaan hasn't delivered yet. Looked like Muskaan's new Baby has too pledged to torture him. If this wasn't enough, his work added to his misery.

He could have gone to see Muskaan as well as Riddhima to the hospital, but unfortunately an urgent meeting came up with the Labor Welfare Minister for which he had to come Delhi for a few days. Now he has been here in Delhi for the last two days. He will be flying back to Mumbai day after tomorrow.

Armaan was annoyed with the delay the Govt. Officials were putting in finishing up the formalities of a certain contract with Labor-Welfare department. The work that should be done within a day has already taken two and another one will be the coming tomorrow. 'Why cant these people work instead on lingering on things?' He thought.

His phone rang making him sigh, "Hello..."

"Ye kaisa lazy hello hai yaar?" the person on the other end said.

"Rahul?" He felt that Rahul sounded too happy.

"Chalo, atleast janaab ko doston ka naam to yaad hai." Rahul chuckled.

"Rahul mere dost, Atul Bhai aur Muskaan ke saath rahte-rahte, tera bhi screw dheela ho gaya hai kya? Kaise behki-behki baatein kar raha hai."

"Abey, mein jaisi bhi baat kar raha hu, tu kyun aise lazy behave kar raha hai." Before Armaan could answer, Rahul added, "Chal chhod, bas ab to tu tayyar rah ek aur shaitaan se apne kandhe tudwaane ke liye."

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye ki tu phir se Phupha ban gaya hai. Aur is baar ek chhoti si Muskaan ka." Rahul

"Kya? Sach?" Armaan was delighted with the news. "Hey congratulations second-time-Dad."

"Congratulations to you too second-time-Phuphaji." Rahul laughed.

"I wish I was there yaar." Armaan mumbled a little disappointedly.

"We all too. Waise tu wapis ka baa raha hai?" Rahul asked.

"Arey yaar, main to kal shaam ko hi wapis aa jata, par ye saale sarkaari log ya to kaam karte nahi ahi, aur karte hain to latka-latka ke." He cursed annoyingly.

"Ohhh, to isliye itna irritated lag raha hai tu. Anyways, main ab rakhta hu. Jaldi aaiyo, we are waiting for you." Rahul smiled.

"I will fly there immediately once my work is done." Armaan replied keeping the phone down. He was very happy for Rahul and Muskaan.

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He sat in his cabin checking the last few things related to sewerage work of Worker Colony's. The construction of the structural part of the colony was 60 percent over. Within a few months, rest of the work will be over and then the over-head work will start, for which they have to call tenders.

"Good. Everything is alright, but somehow the sewerage plan seems inappropriate and out-of-the-place." He pointed towards a few things, "It's one of the most important basic amenities. Hygiene of the whole colony depends of this. The whole drainage system will also crumble if this isnt right. Get this checked and if possible get it redone by the engineers."

"Sure sir." The guy (one of the employee from Construction Department) got up and walked out.

Armaan saw him leave the cabin. It has been a hectic day. He has been attending back-to-back meetings since morning.

"What a tiring day yaar..." Atul mumbled stretching as he laid on the couch in Armaan's cabin.

"Yeah, it was." Armaan agreed.

The two laid there lazying around for a few minutes. Armaan was yet again thinking about Riddhima. He remembered the day he has returned back from Delhi. Instead of going to Ashiyana, he has driven straight to the Gupta House to meet the new baby and congratulate everyone. The truth was he wanted to see Riddhima.

He smiled as he recalled her cooing and playing with Rahul and Muskaan's little daughter. She looked so cute. Err, means the baby... err, means Rahul-Muskaan's baby girl. *Sigh* forget it, who was he kidding. She, his baby, his wife, his Riddhima looked cute. Well, actually both of them looked cute... little as well as the bigger one, baby.

Padma and Shashank had insisted and told him to have dinner with them, which after informing Aarti, he did. Though Guptas wanted him to stay back for the night too, but he apologized for not being able to do so for the time and has driven back to Aashiyana later.

Anyways, when he was returning, he has expected Riddhima to come back with him, but to his disappointment, she has stayed back at Gupta house, yet again. And she was going to stay at Gupta house for another few weeks, 4 weeks and 5 more days to be precise, to help Muskaan with the new born. The baby was already a week and two days old now.

He will have to stay away from Riddhima. The very thought irked him. Thankfully, she will be visiting Aashiyana regularly on week-ends. She has also informed that she will also make regular visits to office atleast 2-3 days a week to help him. And for the time, he has to bear with that.

"Bhai, would you care to share now?" He asked all of a sudden recalling something.

"What?" Atul shrugged casually.

"I am talking about the secret." He saw Atul look at him confusingly, "The one you promised to reveal at the right time. The one you mentioned when you first spoke to me about Riddhima at that beach-side restaurant, at Shine-Dine that night, remember?" (Refer Episode 65)

"Oh, that one?" Atul recollected.

"Ya, that one. You promised me to tell me about it as soon as I agreed to marry Riddhima. You should have told me that a long way back. But now, technically I am more than just eligible to know the secret. If you think the secret is now comfortable enough for its public appearance, I want to know that right away." He asked looking at Atul sit straight for a moment and then sliding back into the couch.

"Well... the secret is surely comfortable enough, but..." Atul paused.

"But what?"

"Ok, but mind it we are in office, so don't create a fuss here, ok." Atul said.

"I wont. As it is, I don't create a fuss over anything... its your personal trait." Armaan replied.

"Really?" Atul commented sarcastically. He thought for a moment, then said, "Well, actually its not a very big secret yaar. Its just, Rahul and I always wanted you and Riddhima to get married. You know from the very beginning... the day when you two argued first time in the office." he stressed, "And we have been trying to fix you both ever since then."

"It means, my gut-feeling was right." Armaan smiled rolling his tongue.

Atul noticed that sly smile on Armaan's face. 'Its only a small secret you have come to know about. What will happen when you will get to know about the real conspiracy we carved to get you married to Riddhima?' Atul mussed silently praying for their safety. 'God save us all.' He had a feeling that the day is now very close.

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Muskaan's baby-girl was now a month and 10 days old. She was completely fine and two days ago, they Gupta family have even performed her 'Naamkaran' (Naming) Ceremony. The baby girl is named Misha, means 'smile', just like her mother.

Anjali, now in her fifth month of pregnancy was also doing quite good. Atul made sure to take her for her regular check-ups. When he wasn't available, Armaan will accompany her. Both the families were happy. And Riddhima has already returned to Aashiyana today in the afternoon.

Armaan placed his bag on the bed and lying beside it for a moment. Tired he was. His eyes flew open as he heard the voice of water. "Ye paani?" he got up from the bed, "Lagta hai Chatur ne phir se water-tap chalu karke chhod diya hai."

Before he opened the door, she stepped out of the washroom, "Tum?" she asked startled by his sudden presence, then sighed relieved, "Oh tum."

"Tum yahaan?" He was surprised. Armaan just knew that she was supposed to come back in next few days, but she will come today, he wasn't aware of it.

"Main yahaan nahi to aur kahaan?" She walked towards the closet.

"Par tum to Rahul ke ghar thi na?" He scratched his forehead.

"Haan thi to?" She replied taking out her night dress.

"Tum-tum sach mein yahaan ho kya?" He whispered near her looking at her suspiciously.

Riddhima turned and looked at him strangely. What kind of question is that? Cant he see her skin and bones? Maybe he is trying to mock her. She whispered back in the same tone, "No, its actually my ghost."

"I knew it." He mumbled and went into the washroom.

While Armaan entered the shower, Riddhima shook her head. She noticed that the water-jug was empty. After changing, she took the jug and went to the kitchen to bring some water. Armaan came out of the washroom with a towel wrapped around his lower body. He changed into his night suit and taking his laptop went to his study.

About an hour later, he stretched his neck to relax his muscles and closed his eyes. Her face flashed bringing a smile on his face. Her absence has affected him so much that he has started envisaging her at almost every place.

He recalled how he has made himself a fool a several times. Thankfully enough, he wasn't fooled in front of anyone, but just Atul. Mostly he was alone when he would visualize her. Its been only on two occations when Atul was there with him. Today yet again he saw her in their room. He glanced at the door. He closed his drooping eyes for a few moment. Within moments he got up and closed his Laptop and stumbled back into his bedroom sleepily.

Armaan laid on his side of bed with his eyes closed. He was tired and his eyes felt heavy, but like many other times, sleep wasn't helping him. Almost everyday he missed her. He turned around towards the other side with his eyes still closed. From under his drooping eyelids, he saw the back of a figure lying on the bed. He knew who was she. Who else she could be?

"Not again..." Groaning he pulled his pillow and placed it over his eyes. Few minutes later, feeling slightly chilly, when he tried to pull his duvet that was lying near his feet on the bed, his fingers touched something that felt like a pile.

Confused he opened his eyes to see what it is. He realized that it was the duvet spread over something, making it look like a pile of stuff. Then he felt some movements due to which that pile of something slid near his legs. Rubbing his eyes again, he looked up and noticed back of a slender figure... again.

He sat up immediately. Earlier, he thought like always he was imagining her. Rubbing his eyes again, he blinked rapidly. Is she really here?

She moved again, this time turning around to face him in her sleep. Still blinking continuously, he bend towards her and very lightly touched shoulder.

She didn't DISAPPEAR. She really is here. He wanted to be 1000 percent sure of it, so he bend more on her. She adjusted her head into her pillow and he felt her sigh that blew cold air on his face. She really is here. He was damn sure now.

"Yay..." he almost yelled out loud in joy.

Damn Armaan, he stopped himself at the last moment from doing so by placing his palm over his mouth. He laid beside her with a slaphappy smile. With his hands joined together and his head resting on his joined hands over his pillow, he didn't know till when he kept staring at her with the same smile. Then slowly, he got up and taking his pillow, went to sleep on the couch. He didn't want her to freak out when she wake up in the morning.

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Hi Friends😃... First of all thanks a lot for the congratulations and heartly wishes. This thread is possible only because of my wonderful readers out here. Anyways, enjoy the update, if you can 😆...

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