Part 38: Acceptances and Announcements
In the next few days, Angad took more time to think and care about Kripa and the baby. Naina and Dilip were finally leading a happily married life. Armaan and Riddhima also stole tons of romantic moments from their busy schedules. Khushi was still crazy and constantly making jalebis while Arnav tolerated her insanities with a smile on his face.
Kripa was half way through her eighth month of pregnancy when she got a big surprise—a call from her mother.
"M-mom?" Kripa stuttered disbelievingly.
Angad and Naina who were sitting with her, making sure that she took all her supplements looked at each other and then back at her.
"How are you Kripa?" Her mother said with a shaking voice.
"Mama!" Kripa's eyes filled with tears of joy. "I'm so happy you called! I hope you're not mad at me! Please tell me you forgive me, mom!"
Gayatri sniffled. "I can never be mad at my princess for too long. Yes, I was hurt that you didn't share this with me."
"I know I should have told you right away but everything happened so fast..." Kripa sniffed.
Angad stood up, and went to take a seat next to her.
"Bygones are bygones. How have you been? You and...And baby are both doing well?" Gayatri inquired.
"Yes we are. The doctor said the baby is growing at an excellent rate. Mom and dad here take good care of me too. Angad is always on my case to eat and take medicines on time...I miss you mom."
"I miss you too sweetie...but you know how your father is...He doesn't know that I'm calling you right now. Oh No. I think he just got home. I will call you back some other time honey. Take care of yourself and the baby. I love you."
"I love you too mom. So much." Kripa bit down on her lower lip to keep from bursting into loud sobs.
Once Kripa hung up, Angad draped an arm around her shoulders and she automatically leaned into him for support. When she had calmed down, Naina kissed her forehead.
"Why don't you two go for a walk? Some fresh air will make you feel better."
Angad led Kripa out the door and Naina quickly dialled a number. She knew what would make Kripa happy.
*
When Angad and Kripa came back, Riddhima practically ran to Kripa and hugged her.
"I got the job Kripa! At last!" Riddhima exclaimed.
The two girls squealed and giggled in celebration. Armaan announced that he would be joining Dilip's company too. A few rounds of congratulations later, everyone sat in the living room, talking about random things.
Dilip and Naina were whispering amongst each other, unknown to the fact that everyone was looking at them after a while. When Naina's eyes caught Kripa and Khushi's goofy smiles behind Dilip, she cleared her throat and moved back a bit.
The youngsters giggled at Naina's shyness and Dilip's sheepishness. After a few seconds, He looked at Naina and held her hand. She looked at him with wide eyes but he ignored her look. He loved her and she was his wife. He didn't have to hide his affection from his own children.
"We have an announcement to make. Next week is our 25th anniversary." Dilip was interrupted by a rupture of gasps and murmurs as everyone started talking at once. "AND..." Dilip said loudly to regain the attention. "And someone has given me a wonderful idea."
Dilip looked at Kripa and Khushi. The two girls smile and sat up straighter in anticipation. Dilip stood up, pulling Naina up with him.
Kripa and Khushi were bursting with excitement, while everyone else's eyes widened in surprise, as Dilip went down on one knee, still holding Naina's hand.
"I know I've made mistakes in the past that don't deserve forgiveness but you have forgiven me. You have accepted me despite my flaws. I probably don't have the right to ask for anything else from you but I will dare to ask anyway. Will you, Mrs. Naina Khanna, do me the exceptional honour of renewing our vows on our 25th anniversary?"
A tear of joy escaped Naina's eye and rolled down her cheek before she nodded her head in approval. Dilip stood up and embraced her while everyone else stood up clapping too. Khushi and Kripa shared a high-five.
Angad walked to his parents, with tearful eyes and embraced them both. He glanced at Kripa and saw her smiling lovingly at them.
In that moment, Angad had made up his mind. He wasn't going to let her walk out of his life. Despite being separated on separate paths in life, he had never stopped loving her. In fact, as days passed by, he loved her even more. How could he let her walk out of his life after all she had done was change it for the better? She had restored the happiness in his parents' lives. She had fought her own parents to protect the child that was a symbol of his love for her. She had ignored the fact that her father was angry with her and put so much effort—more than he ever had—into clearing misunderstandings between his parents.
He decided that he would honestly and genuinely care for her and her child. He would try his best to make himself prepared to accept the baby. He would try his best to ensure that she forgave him and stayed with him.
"Okay listen up everyone!! We don't have too long to prepare for everything so everyone's going to have to work extra hard!" Kripa announced with her hands on her hips.
"Oh no you don't. If I see you so much as lifting a vase, you're going to hear from me." Dilip rounded on her.
Kripa made a puppy face but Dilip shook his head. "That's not going to work with me Kripa. You have to be careful. You only have a couple months more to go."
"He's right. You need to make sure you rest these days. The last two months, you have to be extra careful." Naina chimed her husband's opinions.
"Don't worry mom. I'll take the responsibility for making sure she rests." Angad offered.
Kripa pouted and crossed her arms. "This is so unfair! I want to help with all the preparations too!"
"Okay then, How about this. Your job is to make sure that everyone else is doing their job properly. You can be our supervisor." Armaan offered cheerfully.
"Hmm" Kripa put a finger to her chin. "I like that. I like that a lot. Well then. Khushi, you're obviously in charge of all the food. Arnav, you can handle all the budgeting and payments and such since you love paperwork so much. Riddhima, I'll leave the bride and groom's clothing and such to you. Angad and Armaan can do all the decorations."
"My job is to keep a watch on you, Patel." Angad crossed his arms.
"We can all help each other out. Let's get to work" Khushi hopped in the spot.
*
On the big day, the house was decorated just like it would be for a wedding. All the guests were busy mingling with each other. Armaan, Riddhima, Khushi, and Arnav were around and about finishing up last bits of preparations. Kripa was sitting with Naina, who was dressed just like a bride.
After a few minutes of nervous anticipation, Riddhima and Khushi walked into the room along with Angad to bring Naina down. Naina elegantly walked down the stairs flanked by Angad and Kripa. Riddhima and Khushi walked behind them—everyone grinning wide.
As soon as Naina took her seat, the priest started the chants. Angad sat Kripa down on a chair and took a seat next to her. Khushi also took a seat next to Arnav and looped her arm through his. Armaan offered Riddhima his hand before she even sat down. She took it with a smile and took her seat.
The two exchanged many knowing looks as the ceremony took place. When Naina and Dilip stood do their pheras, Riddhima looked at Armaan lovingly. She recited each vow represented by each rotation to him.
"Are you reminding me what seven vows I took when I married you?" Armaan whispered to her once Naina and Dilip sat down again.
Riddhima shook her head. "You've always stayed true to your vows. I'm reminding myself of the vows I took. I can't change the past or the mistakes I made back then but I promise you that I'll stay true to every vow in the future."
Armaan squeezed her hand. "I've forgotten all about that Riddhima. You should too. We can't have a perfect future if the...not so great past keeps tainting it. All I know is that I love you and you love me just as much if not more...nothing else matters to me more than that."
Riddhima smiled tearfully at him. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead at the exact moment Dilip put the mangalsutra around Naina's neck. Khushi sighed dreamily when Dilip applied sindoor on Naina's 'maang'.
"Only for more months Khushi..." Arnav whispered huskily.
Khushi smiled and blushed a crimson red.
Once the ceremony was complete, Naina and Dilip were showered with good wishes and blessings from their friends. Armaan and Riddhima caught their parents together.
"Where have you two been?" Shashank, Riddhima's father questioned.
"Papa we were just getting some last minute preparations done. I'm so glad to see you all!" Riddhima touched their feet and hugged all four of them and Armaan followed suit.
"It's your first anniversary soon, I hope you remember." Billy, Armaan's father teased.
Armaan draped an arm around Riddhima's waist. "Of course I remember. How could I forget? Riddhima and I already have plans to go away on our second honeymoon."
"Armaan!" Riddhima gasped at his shamelessness.
"What? They're our parents. I'm sure they understand."
Billy was glad to see that his son and his daughter-in-law had managed to work out their differences. It also brought Padma, Riddhima's mother, great joy to know that despite having married a stranger—pretty much—Riddhima had found happiness in her married life. She knew that she owed to Kripa. Riddhima had told her mother the truth soon after she had resolved her differences with Armaan. On one hand, while Padma was happy for her daughter, she was also saddened by Kripa's story.
"She's doing fine. We're all always here fussing over her. She just spoke to her mom last week.' Ridhdima answered.
"Angad is coming around slowly...but she understands him more than any of us. Leave it to Kripa to forgive and forget so easily." Armaan smiled as he looked at Kripa talking to Khushi.
Both, Armaan's parents and Riddhima's parents paid Kripa a visit. She was, of course, as ever pleasant and cheerful.
Soon, as the afternoon faded into the evening, guests started retiring to their respective places. Armaan and Riddhima's parents stayed back upon Naina's request. As the big group sat down for dinner, there was constant chatter at the table. May it be Khushi fussing with Arnav regarding their wedding details, or Angad fussing over Kripa not eating enough, or the parents cracking jokes and discussing business, or Armaan and Riddhima who flirted with each other quietly and join in on conversations here and there.
Dilip, however, interrupted the chatter by standing up and tapping his wine glass with a fork.
"I'm no good at speeches so I'll make this very quick. I want to thank Kripa, from the bottom of my heart, for fixing all the wrongs in my life. I've always wanted a daughter and I swear...If I had her, I would have wanted her to be exactly like you! I want to thank Angad for being the most forgiving son. And for being the person who introduced Kripa into our lives. I also want to thank Naina for being ever so patient, ever so loving, and ever so forgiving. Perhaps this line is cheesy but I must be the luckiest man on earth to have someone like you as my life-partner. I love you, Naina."
Kripa and Riddhima aw-ed while Khushi whistled.
"And lastly, thanks to everyone who put in so much effort to make this day as special as it was." Dilip raised the glass in the air for a second and sat down.
After a joyful dinner, Armaan and Riddhima's parents left thoroughly satisfied with the happy married life their children were now leading. Naina convinced Armaan and Riddhima to stay the night.
After a couple of hours of fun and games, Kripa started falling asleep on the couch. Angad led her to the bedroom and put her to sleep. On his way out, he bumped into the Riddhima and she gave him a kind of smile that he couldn't figure out.
"She just fell asleep." Angad said before Riddhima even said anything.
"I know. I came to talk to you." Riddhima smiled warmly at him. "Look, I know that you and Kripa aren't officially together anymore but I was wondering if you two wanted to have lunch with me and Armaan tomorrow. I know she will refuse if I invite her because she'll want me and Armaan to spend some alone time together. But I really want her to be there and I know that you should be there too."
Angad frowned in confusion. He had no idea what she was getting at. He started speaking but Riddhima interrupted him.
"Don't ask me any questions. I can't answer them right now. I just need Kripa and you to be there at lunch tomorrow."
After a few seconds, Angad shrugged. "Why not? We'll be there."
And as promised, Angad and Kripa were ready to go for lunch the next morning. Kripa caught Riddhima in the living room as the two were waiting for the boys to come back. Riddhima didn't say much to Kripa but she could feel Kripa's analyzing eyes on her face.
"Is there something you want to tell me, Ridzie?" Kripa asked when Riddhima tried to avoid eye contact.
"No. Not really." Riddhima avoided eye contact.
Kripa didn't believe her, of course, but she knew not to press further. Riddhima would tell her when she was ready.
When Armaan and Angad showed up, the four bid bye to Naina and Dilip and left. Riddhima directed Armaan as they drove. Once they reached the restaurant Riddhima wanted, they made their way in: Armaan and Riddhima were hand in hand while Angad put an arm around Kripa's shoulder as he supported her.
Kripa ordered a lunch big enough for two adults along with Angad's favourites. He couldn't help but look at her with a warm feeling in his heart. Armaan tried to be as romantic as Kripa and order for Riddhima but she stopped him.
"I don't want to eat my favourites today." She smiled at him and turned to the waiter. "I'll take the Baby greens salad, baby veggies stir fry, and baby bananas split for dessert."
Kripa raised an eyebrow at her. Armaan just shrugged at the randomness. Angad just looked between the three of them and took a sip of water. The four talked away and ate their food as soon as it was served.
Twenty minutes after Angad, Armaan, and Riddhima were done eating, Kripa set down her fork and sighed.
"That was the best meal ever!" She patted her stomach and smiled widely.
They began chatting again as they waited for the waiter to bring their bills.
"OH! Kripa! I got the cutest shirt!! Do you wanna see?" Riddhima said excitedly.
Armaan rolled his eyes while Angad chuckled. He leaned over to Kripa.
"My vibes are telling me that she's going crazy." He whispered to her, earning a playful punch on the arm from Kripa.
"I left the bag in the car..." Riddhima made a sad face.
"Why don't you two go ahead, we'll be there as soon as we pay." Armaan handed her the keys.
Riddhima took the keys, kissed his cheek, and stood up. Angad began to get up when he saw Kripa get up but then he saw that Riddhima had already given Kripa a hand and he sat back down.
"When did you go shopping?" Kripa asked her.
"When I went out shopping for the anniversary ceremony for uncle and aunty. I saw the shirts and I just couldn't resist. I got one for me and a matching one for Armaan." Riddhima answered as she unlocked the trunk of the car.
She pulled out a shopping back and reached in. She pulled out a package wrapped in purple gift wrap and handed it to Kripa.
"Let me know what you think." Riddhima said in response to the confused look on Kripa's face.
Kripa opened the package and unfolded a simple t-shirt. She read what was written on it and looked at Riddhima wide eyed. Kripa screamed and threw her arms around Riddhima—precisely when the men were walking towards them. Alarmed and scared out of their wits, they ran towards Kripa thinking she was in labour. However, when they reached them, they found the girls laughing, squealing and heard Kripa's chants of 'Oh My God.'
"Wow...you two are sure excited over a shirt!" Angad gave them a look.
Kripa squealed again and almost hopped on the spot and Angad immediately walked to her side. She folded the shirt and shoved it back in the bag.
"Riddhima has one for you too!" Kripa said excitedly.
"I think my level of enthusiasm may disappoint her after yours." Said Armaan, taking the bag Riddhima handed him.
He opened the package, unfolded the shirt and held it up in front of his face. He froze in that position. Angad started to speak but Kripa shushed him. On the other hand, the shirt slipped out of his hands and landed in a pile on the floor. His face, however, was alarming. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide.
"Are you serious?" He asked Riddhima.
She gave him a small smile and nodded. The next second, Armaan jumped two feet off the floor and threw a punch in the air with a loud cheer. He walked to Riddhima, and lifted her in his arms as he twirled her around. Kripa smiled widely looking at them.
"Yes, yes, yes!!! I'm going to be a dad!!" Armaan yelled joyously, putting Riddhima back on the floor and embracing her tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!!! I love you so so so much!"
He pulled away from her, backed her up to the car, and kissed her passionately. Angad was shocked in his spot. He looked at Kripa and she held up the shirt Riddhima had showed her. It read: 'I'm the Mama!'
He turned back to look at Armaan and Riddhima and saw Armaan picking up the shirt and holding it up for them to see. His shirt read: 'I'm the Daddy!"
Kripa stepped up and gave Armaan a hug. Armaan also gave Angad a brotherly hug. Angad smiled at his best friend's joy. Suddenly tearful, Armaan went back to Riddhima and hugged her, pressing her head right against his heart and resting his chin on her head.
"This is the best surprise ever! Thank you so much! I feel like the happiest man alive!"
Riddhima had also become a bit emotional. Angad saw Kripa quickly wipe the corner of her eye. He felt a stab of agony as he recalled his reaction to her announcement of the pregnancy. He looked at Armaan and Riddhima and realized how different their situation was. They were both happy; there was a shift in the way they looked at each other already. He always knew Armaan loved her but to see him expressing it to her so often and her reciprocating his sentiments was a slap in the face to Angad.
Even Kripa had tried to make this announcement a surprise—except for her, the surprise has gone disastrous. Kripa walked up to Armaan and Riddhima, congratulated them both with her best wishes and hugged them. Angad followed suite—although not quite as emotional as the other three of them.
"Angad and I will go home. You two should spend some alone time together." Kripa smiled at them. She knew that they would probably want to celebrate this news privately.
Once Angad and Kripa left, Armaan opened the door for Riddhima. Once she sat down, he walked around to the driver's seat and drove out of the parking lot, heading towards their house. The entire way there, he didn't utter a single word. He sat there with a big smile on his face, driving with one hand, holding Riddhima's in the other.
Once they got home, Armaan led her directly to their room, sat her down on the bed and positioned himself so that his head was against her stomach and his arms wrapped around her waist. Riddhima was confused but she didn't say anything.
"Huh...I don't hear anything..." Armaan said sitting up. "I guess I'll have to wait a little..."
Riddhima laughed out loud at his silly innocence. "Armaan! It's too soon to hear anything...and yes...you'll have to wait a few months before you hear or feel anything."
"Riddhima, promise me that you'll tell me as soon as you feel the baby moving...I don't want to find out weeks later." He frowned at her. "Like this news...how long have you known?"
"I took the test two weeks ago...it was positive but before I told you about it, I wanted to make sure...those tests can sometimes be inaccurate. So I went to see a gynec and she confirmed the pregnancy." She cupped his face in her hands. "It's been so hard to hide it from you. I wanted to announce it last night when everyone was there but then I thought that it would take away from uncle and aunty's special day. Besides, I wanted you and Kripa to be the first ones to find out. You two are the most precious people in my life...well...were...now there's someone else competing for a spot." She put a hand to her tummy and smiled at Armaan.
Armaan kissed her forehead again and hugged her. "I love you Riddhima. From the bottom of my heart."
The two joyous lovers spent a couple of hours just enjoying each other's company, already planning out the next nine months. Armaan was already super concerned and Riddhima knew that he was going to fuss over her and the baby for the rest of their lives. She couldn't deny that she had been nervous when she waited for his reaction—just in case it was similar to Angad's. To have this amazing reaction from him was more than she had asked.
Armaan invited his parents and his in-laws for dinner that night. Riddhima made the calls to Angad's family. Kripa and Angad hadn't told anyone the news yet because Kripa had guessed that Armaan and Riddhima would probably want to do the announcements themselves.
That night, everyone was once again together for dinner. The house was alive with constant chatter and laughter. After the dinner, as everyone was seated in the living room, Armaan and Riddhima handed a gift bag to Armaan's parents and another gift bag to Riddhima's parents.
"For being the best parents in the world!" Armaan said in response to their confused expressions.
Once everyone became distracted by what the bags contained, Armaan and Riddhima subtly took off their hoodies which were concealing the t-shirts from everyone. Kripa glanced at them and smiled. They looked so cute together wearing the "I'm the mama" and "I'm the daddy" shirts. When Kripa looked away, she saw that Khushi had also noticed the shirts and before Khushi could scream, Kripa had slapped a hand over her mouth effectively shutting her up.
The parents worked on unwrapping the flat rectangular object. Once unwrapped, they realized it was a photo frame...but there was no picture in it. Billy looked closely at the small writing and read aloud "Picture to come in about eight months".
A couple of seconds of silence later, cheers broke out in the room and Armaan and Riddhima were once again surrounded by their loved ones' embraces, joyful tears, and wide smiles.
Life couldn't get any better for Armaan and Riddhima. Both had found the starting points of their careers, their marital life was full of happiness and love, they were surrounded by loving family and friends, and now they were about to start their own little family with a baby on the way.
Hey guys! There's chapter 38 for you! I'm sorry for the delayed update. I wanted to update both of my fanfics together (its easier to send out the PMs) but since I'm not done the chapter for the other fanfiction yet, I decided to update this one since I've made you guys wait long enough. let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you for your wonderful comments on the previous chapter.
Love,
Katie <3
Cricket
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
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