"a picture perfect.. isn't it??" riddhima shivered hearing the sudden whisper in her ear.. nd automatically her eyes blinked breaking her trance nd a sweet smile came across her lips.. now it is going to be a perfect picture to her with HIM beside her cherishing this moment TOGETHER.. she sighed contently nd looked side ways to see the love of her life...
There HE was.. the love of her life.. her husband.. her armaan.. who was busy looking lovingly at his daughter n grandson cherishing the moment wen he heard her saying.. "I miss u armaan.. I miss u very much.."
armaan's gaze broke nd he looked at his wife who is on the verge of crying now.. "mujhey bahot boora lagta hain armaan.. jab tum aisey apni arima aur armu ko dekhte ho.. chah kar bhi unhe choo nahi pate nahi baat kar pate ho.. kyun hua aisa armaan.. kyun hua woh accident.. kyun chalein gayee tum humhey chod kar.. tum tum.."
riddhima broke down completely but before her hiccups becomes louder, armaan quickly put his hand on her mouth.. "riddhima.. jaan.. sshhh' arri uth jayegi.."
armaan pleaded nd she kept on staring at him helplessly.. her eyes were bleeding.. bleeding wth immensely painful tears' but still she nodded her head positively controlling her hiccups nd armaan removed his hand slowly' riddhima gulped lungful of air as soon as he removed his palm nd shut her eyes tight nxt'
"jaan.. tum aisey toot nhi sakti.. remember u promised to me to stay strong.. u can't break down riddhima.. u simply can't"
armaan kpt on saying this taking her palms in his nd riddhima looked at him at once feeling the difference in his voice' nd wat she saw made her gasp.. she wasn't expecting this in her wildest dream.. the sight juz made her panicked as well as shocked.. oh my god!! he is crying.. riddhima thought nd shattered seeing his vulnerable condition.. he never, till now, broke down in front of her but today all his resistance broke.. riddhima wanted to engulf him within her arms but failed miserably.. arima n armu are still on her lap.. she can't move in his direction properly.. she felt helpless'
"armaann.." she whispered but he was still in his critical condition.. he was still saying all dose lines again n again holding her palms tightly as well as shedding lone silent tears' it was like he is repeating dose wrds for himself only.. he wants him to stay strong becoz it's not riddhima but he who is breaking now' riddhima called him again but no use.. he is lost.. lost in the immense darkness of loneliness, pain n agony' he needs her but she is stuck.. wat she should do.. she looked at her lap, then at armaan nd thn back at arri n armu nd sighing deeply, she released her right palm from armaan's ti8 hold wth gr8 difficulty' armaan was too lost in his own thoughts to realize anything nd this gave her opportunity to do wat is now needed most..
Riddhima patted arima's head lill loudly nd after some time arima opened her eyes.. it took some time to realize that she was sleeping on her mumma's lap.. nd as soon as she realized, she got up wth a jump nd looked at her mother guiltily.. "mumma.. pair (leg) dookh raha hain,na?? I'm so sorry mumma.. pata nhi kaisey aankh lag gayee.."
Riddhima plastered a smile quickly nd answered keeping her voice as normal as she could' "nahi arri.. aisi.. (sigh).. aisi koi baat nhi.. wohh mainey socha tujhey aur armu ko sone mein takleef ho rahi hogi, jagah kam hain,na.. iss liye.." but in stead of trying so much, her eyes welled up wen she felt armaan putting his head on her left shoulder nd a fat tear dropped dere from his eyes.. nd wth this all her try broke to control her calm..
"mummaa??" arima panicked' "mumma.. kya hua?? Aap ro kyun rahi hain??"
Hearing his mothers loud panicked voice, junior, too got up quickly nd found his naani crying..
"naani.."
Now it's going to be hell difficult for her to control the situation' wat can she say now!! she felt clueless nd as if it was not enough she felt armaan's hold tightened around her hand.. he is still not in his senses.. "plz god.. plzz hlp me.."
"naani' aap ro kyun rahi ho??" now it's junior's turn to get panicked.. he can't tolerate his darling granny sad.. nd wat he hates most is tears of his mom n granny..
"mmm.. armuu.. wohh.." riddhima was searching for an excuse but was failing miserably.. but it was like god heard her prayer nd decided to help her because arima's next question gave d solution for her problem..
"mumma.. pair mein bahot dard ho raha hain na?? move nhi kar paa rahi ho na aap??" arima's voice was slow as whisper due to immense guilt.. how can she be this much of irresponsible.. she should hve thought this before sleeping on her mumma's lap.. how can her old fragile legs bear the weights of the two..
When arima felt sorry, junior sighed in relief.. he thought on diff track.. he thought his granny was missing naanu all of a sudden but hearing his mother, he accepted her doubt to b correct nd went quickly to bring spray'
"here.." junior extended his hand which was holding spray to his mom nd smiled understandingly.. arima looked at junior wth teary eyes nd took d spray thankfully.. but before she could apply, riddhima said.. "now it's better arrii.. tu yaha rakh de.. agar zaroorat hui toh main laga lungi' aur.." riddhima paused.. "I'm fine.. guilty feel karna bandh kar aur jake so ja.. main sach mein thik hoon bachcha.." arima nodded her head meekly putting the spray on the side table..
Riddhima looked at her nd felt bad but how she can handle arima now.. she has alrdy a vulnerable armaan beside her.. but arima too needs a support now.. her eyes fell on junior who mouthed to her "I'll manage naani.. u dnt wrry.." riddhima smiled in between all chaos seeing how her lill armu is being mature day by day nd she blinked her eyes thankfully.. junior in return smiled nd thn coming closer to his mom, he patted her hand nd said in a complaining voice.. "wat's ds mom?? It's 1AM now.. na khud so rahi ho na humhey sone de rahi ho.." arima looked at him lill startled.. but thn smiled understanding this sudden accusation from her son.. she caressed his head lovingly nd turning to her mother said.. "good 9t mumma.." riddima, too, smiled nd said.. "good 9t arri.. gud 9t armuu.."
Soon both left switching off the light but as soon as they left, riddhima switched on the lamp kept beside her bed.. it was spclly made for her as she has a habbit of studying books till late night but her darling husband was nvr able to sleep wth lights on.. dat's why after lots of bickering armaan allowed a lamp set nxt to their bed but only at her side so that he can slp peacefully holding his wifey nd his wifey,too, doesn't get cranky for not being able to read her fav story books.. god.. she is such a book worm.. it was armaan (senior) 's patent complaint.. he alwaz said that his wifey loves her books more than him..
Back to the current scene,
Riddhima switched on the light nd turned towards him.. who was still lost in his pain.. today finally she got d chance to meet his pain.. although armaan nvr expressed his pain before nd alwaz behaved normally in front of her but she knew he, too, miss their old time.. yes, it's good that at least they two r still together but it's nothing compared to their old happy time.. she knew how difficult it is for him to see his princess in front of his eyes every time but still he can't go nd hug her.. nd armuu.. he nvr got a chance to feel him, touch him, love him.. riddhima sighed miserably to see the raw painful emotions of armaan.. she alwaz expressed how she missed him but she alwaz forgot wat he is missing.. he is missing lots more than her.. he is missing his LIFE' nd wat can be worst dan dat.. she felt rotten inside her feeling how selfish she had been all d tym, she nvr thought for a moment before brkng dwn in frnt of him nd he, too, nvr complained but hlped her thoroughly to recollect herself nd become normal all over again.. nd may be she would nvr realize his side of torture if he won't hve broken dwn in frnt of her.. today she actually felt wat he has gone through while cheering her up.. how much his heart bled during cracking stupid jokes.. how much he fought wth his pain to control his tears seeing her in pain.. nd this juz increased the burden of guilt inside her.. she nvr doubted d depth of his luv today she actually felt its intensity.. he alwaz said, he loves her more dan she does but she nvr agreed but after today dere is no doubt about this.. yes, he loves her more.. much more than she can imagine.. much more than she actually deserves..
"armaann.." riddhima turned completely nd hugged him tight.. without wasting a second, he made himself comfortable in her embrace.. but stayed mum..
"armaan.." riddhima tried once more but no reply.. she knew wat he needs now.. he needs her nd now no wrd is required.. it's the silence dat can calm his shaking heart' so, she stopped calling him..
They stayed in each other's embrace for a long time.. god knows how long but finally wen armaan got his solace in her arms, he composed himself nd broke d hug..
"u okk??" riddhima asked as lovingly n caring way as she can nd in return he juz nodded in yes, plastering a faint smile..
"I love u.." nd as alwaz riddhima's confession erased all pain from his heart nd he smiled truly.. "I know.." he winked nd got a playful smack on his chest nd in return he hugged her lovingly pecking her forehead..
"sorry jaan.. pata nhi achanak se aaj kya ho gaya tha mujhey.." armaan said slowly putting his head over her while hugging her within his arms..
Riddhima smiled hearing him nd said.. "achanak se kuch nahi hua armaan.. parhaan aaj pehli baar tumhari asli feelings merey samne ayi hain.. kyun chupaya itney din apney aap ko apni riddhima se armaan.. kyun kiya tumne aisa??"
Armaan closed his eyes n sighed deeply.. "kyunki main tumhey dard mein nhi dekh sakta, riddhima.. aur mujhey pata hain tum toot jati ho jab bhi mujhey rote hue rekhti ho.. after all main tumhara superman jo hoon, (armaan chuckled saying this nd got another smack from her).. i knw i knw tum yeh kabhi nhi manti nd issey alwaz joke kehke bhag jati ho but (again seriou).. i knw yeh joke nhi sach hain.. tum jab bhi problm mein hoti ho tumhey pata hota hain ke main ayunga aur tumhari problm chutki mein solve kar dunga.. tum bahot zyada dependent ho mujhpe riddhima, nd i knw dat.. aur jab kabhi main toot jata hoon toh tum bahot dar jati ho.. aur na chahte hue bhi tum wohh dar mujhsey chupa nhi pati.. tumhari ankhey mujhsey sab keh deti hain.."
Riddhima was mesmerized hearing him.. he knows!! of course he knows!! ussey pata nhi hoga toh kissey hoga.. after all he is her armaan who knows her better dan she knows her, herself... she felt blessed to hve such an understanding and caring life partner..
he kissed her head once again nd said.. "nd i dnt want u to be afraid of ANYTHING.. tumhara superman sari duniyan ko toh bacha nhi sakta par tumhey zaroor protect kar sakta hain.. har mushkil se.. har darr se.. har dard se.. itni takat hain usmey.."
Riddhima broke d hug nd looking straight to his eyes, she said.. "par iss ka matlab yeh nhi na armaan ke tum apni true feelings ko mujhsey chupao.. apney dard ko mujhsey chupao.. itna bhi pyaar na karo armaan ke apney dard ko hi bhool jao.."
"riddhima.." armaan tried but she stopped him.. "ek baar soch ke dekho armaan.. agar main aisa karti toh tumhe achcha lagta?? Tumhey andaza bhi hain ke kitni guilty feel kar rahi hoon main abhi.. I'm feeling rotten.. I'm feeling terrible armaan.. kaisey.. kaisey nhi dekha mainey aaj tak yeh sab.. kaisey main itni selfish ho gayee.. kaise armaan.." she broke dwn again but this time with guilt but before he could handle her she started.. "aur fir bhi tum mujhsey itna pyaar karte ho.. kyun armaan?? Kyun meri khushi ke age tumhe kuch nhi dikhta?? kyun tum merey samney apney aapko bhool jate ho? tum itney achchey kyun ho armaan?? kyun?? u knw wat.. i dnt deserve u' tum bahoot achche ho armaan.. bahot zyada.. aur main.. main kitni selfish hoon... jissey aapni feelings ke age koi dikhta hi nhi.. woh bhi nhi jiski duniya srf main hoon, srf aur sirf main.. joh bas merey liye jeeta hain.. merey liye hasta hain.. i'm sorry armaan.. i'm truly vert sorry.. u desrved better armaan.. u deserved better.. tumhey mujhsey shaadi nhi karni chahiye thi.. main.. main'" she choked'
"aaj keh diya riddhima.. fir kabhi kehna toh door sochna bhi mat.." armaan's determined voice made her look towards him.. "tum bahot achchi ho riddhima' aur merey liye tumse achchi koi ho hi nhi sakti thi.."
"par armaan.." but armaan again cut her in between nd wiping off her nonstoppable tears, he said.. "kaha na nahi.. mujhey meri patni ke khilaaf kuch nhi sunna.. khud ussey bhi nhi.. samjhi tum??" nd he embraced her in most loving way..
"no matter wat.. but u was, are nd will b my priority jaan.. meri khushi tumse hain.. jab tak tum khush ho, I'm happy' aur mainey aapney aapko nhi chupaya, bhala armaan bhi kabhi riddhima se chup sakta hain.. mainey sirf unn jazbaato ko dafan rakha tha joh humari khushiyoon ke beech aney ki koshish karti hain.. unn dard ko joh humse humari hasi ko cheen na chahti hain.. aur tumhi ne kaha tha,na' ke unn yaado se door rehna hi achcha hota hain joh aaj ki khushiyo ko cheen sakti hain.. aur main bhi bas wohi kar raha tha.. par pata nhi aaj kaisey main kamzor pad gaya aur band kiye hue sarey dard bahar aa gayee'"
Armaan paused nd riddhima tightened her arms around him..
"par aab main thik hoon ridhdhima.. I'm fine' so relax, okk??"
Armaan asked but dint get any reply, only felt her arms getting tightened more'
"riddhimaaa'"
He asked detangling her wth gr8 difficulty nd cupped her face lovingly..
"kya hua jaan?? Dekho.. I'm fine now.."
But riddhima removed his hand nd again held him tightly..
"plz armaan.. plz.. dnt leave me now.. juz stay.. plz.." riddhima pleaded..
"par jaan wat happened..??" he got panicked
"plzz kp holding me armaan.. mujhey fir se unn yado mein jane mat dena.. plz armaan.. mujhey unn yado mein nhi jana.." riddhima pleaded more.. nd in return armaan hugged her tightly knowing where she is landing all over again.. nd he has to bring her from there as soon as possible before she got drowned into her most painful memory.. he felt her shaking in his arms nd tried to save her at once..
"jaan.. dnt.. dnt think about that day.. u won't think about dat day.. suna tumney' u won't .. rriddhima.." armaan tried his best to divert her mind but it was too late.. she is alrdy on that very dreaded lane'
"ridhima.. jaan.. dnt think about that plzz.." his voice broke as well knowing she is alrdy lost in dat memory.. the most painful memory of their lives.. he,himself, never dare to step on that lane.. it was a close door for him alwaz but today he couldn't hlp but entered that past after soo many years' may be today he is really weak over his emotions.. after breaking dwn in front of her juz a few minutes ago, he collected himself wth gr8 difficulty but now this shaking nd crying riddhima in his arms doing nothing but taking him along wth her to live dose horrible day despite of his unwillingness' feeling himself getting lost today for d 2nd tym, he closed his eyes at once nd automatically his grip against her tightened as dat day starts playing in front of his eyes giving him second round of torture'
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"hello.. kaun??"
"hello janeman.."
"armaannn' u moron.. stop being cheesy.."
__________________________________________________
Ri : "hello.. kaun??"
Ar : "hello janeman.."
Ri : "armaannn' u moron.. stop being cheesy.."
Ar : "achcha toh I'm being cheesy?? Aur yeh kis tarah tum reply de rahi ho apney pati ko,haan??"
Riddhima bit her tounge in embarrassment.. "wohh.. wohh toh itney din Belgium mein rehna ka asar hua hain warna main aisey baat kaha karti hoon.." she whispered nd he smiled fully flashing his both dimples nd all teeth..
Ar : "oyyee hoyyee.." riddhima turned crimson hearing him..
Ri : "armaan.. kyaa tum bhi?? Kuch toh saram karo, grand paa banne wale ho aurr abhi bhi romance se fursaat nhi tumhey??"
Ar : "kya karoon sweet heart.. jab biwi itni khubsurat ho toh dill pe zor kahan??"
Ri : "arrmaannn' aab bahot zyada ho raha hain, haan.."
Ar : "arrey sach mein yaar.. aur waisey bhi hum toh besharam category mein belong karte hain.. humesha se' yeh toh tum hi ho joh bekar mein mujhey tokne mein apni sari energy waste karti ho.."
Ri : "uff!!! Okkey merey besharam pati dev.. main harr manti hoon.. u carry on wth ur nautanki.."
Ar : "hayyee!! Patthar ke sanam.. merey pyaar ko nautanki keh rahi ho.. hey bhagwan.. kis kis.. mmm.. kya kehte hain hindi mein yaar.. well.. forget it.. haan toh kaha tha main.. yeah.. kis cruel hearted ladki se shaadi ki mainey.. mera toh bad luck hi kharab hain.."
nd with this riddhima burst out into laughter' nd dat's all wat armaan intended.. the sole reason behind all his nautanki is her melodious laughter.. he juz love to see her laughing her heart out.. nd jab haste haste uski aankhe bhar ati hain, he juz loves to kiss them off her face.. goshh!! He is missing her terribly all over again.. it's being two months he is away from her due to his foreign assignment.. now he is very excited to engulf his love wthn his arms..
Ri : "omg armaan' I so so soo love u.. mujhey aaj tak yeh samajh nhi aya ke tum humesha mujhey kaisey hasa dete ho.. main chahe jitni bhi koshish kar loon par tumse naraz?? juz impossible.. nd u knw wat.. I'm missing u soo much now.. come soon,na.. plzz.." riddhima confessed..
Ar : "my pleasure sweet heart.. aur yeh toh mera secrect hain.. u knw i'm a magician.. merey pass ek magic potion hain.. main woh roz tumhe chup chup ke pila deta hoon tumhari coffee mein daal ke.. dat's y u're ful2 fida on me.." he said proudly mainly d last line..
Ri : "achcha ji??" she teased smiling beautifully..
Ar : "aur nhi toh kya?? aisey hi na tum fida ho mujh par woh bhi itni boori tarah??" now it's his turn to tease her..
Riddhima smiled widely bt thn said slowly.. "i missed u armaan.. i missed u so muchh.. tumhey andaza bhi nhi hain kaisey yeh do mahiney guzarey hain mainey..."
Ar : "me too riddhima.. me too.. aisa ek pal nhi tha jab mainey tumhari kami ko mehsoos nhi kiya ho.." he said in a loving whisper..
Ri : "armaan.." she called him painfully nd he came bck to d reality..
Ar : "by d way, where is my princess?? Wohh thik toh hain na??" armaan's sudden off track question made riddhima shake her head sideways.. he is truly a sweetheart.. nvr he leaves any possible try to divert her mind nd cheer her up.. smilingly she answered.. "yess boss.. aapki princess ekdum thik hain.. mainey poora khayal rakha hain.. dnt wrry.."
Ar : "good work mrs. mallik' i must say dat mr. mallik is truly impressed.." nd wth ds both laughed out loudly at their crazy banter..
Ri : "armaan.. sach mein.. tum sath hote ho, na.. toh main apni umar (age) bhul jati hoon.. aisa lagta hain.. ki aaj bhi main wohi school jati riddhima hoon jissey abhi abhi ek pagal ashiq se pyaar hua hain.."
Ar : "arrey wat do mean by 'umar bhul jati hoon'.. hello madam.. hum itney bhi buddhey nhi hue hain.. juz bcoz princess ne jaldi shaadi karli, we r gonna be grand parents dis soon.. warna abhi toh main bahot young hoon.. dubara shaadi kar sakta hoon.. u see.. gals still go ga-ga over me, mrs. Mallik.."
Ri : "haan haan merey handsome pati dev.. I knw kitney young ho aap.."
Ar : "yeh compliment tha ya sarcasm??"
Ri : "wat do u think??"
Ar : "tum aur mujhey compliment do.. is dat possible??"
Ri : "correct.."
Ar : "I knew it.. sarcasm tha' oyee hello madam itna bhi lightly mat lo mujhey, koi churake le gaya mujhey toh pachtati (regret) rahogi.."
Ri : "regret my foot!! I'll throw party in happiness.."
Ar : "says who?? Huh.."
Ri : "achcha.. toh u dnt believe me.. good.. bhag jao.. fir dekho main kitni badi party deti hoon.."
Ar : "arrey yaar.. ajeeb patni ho tum bhi.. khud apney hi husband ko bhagne ki salah (opinion) de rahi ho??"
Ri : "well.. u knw wat mr. mallik.. I knw the extreme limit of my husband.."
Ar : "aahaan' itna confidence apney husband pe??"
Ri : "issey bhi bahot zyada.. u've no idea" nd hearing ds, again armaan flashed his most charming n satisfied smile'
Ar : "I love u riddhima.. I love u a lot.."
Ri : "i love u too armaan..."
a lone tear escaped from their eyes as they remembered how they spent these two months.. 1st time in their lives, they were away from each other after their marriage nd dat's becoz of arima's pregnancy.. their son-in-law works at navy nd dats y arima stays wth dem nd now due to her late pregnancy she wasn't allowed to take flight nd hence for their daughter they hve to stay away from each other nd it was d worst torture after their marriage.. they are to used to wth each other so much that every second they felt the absence of their partner.. yes, they did video chat during these months around thousand times but that cant gve the satisfaction of feeling each other's warmth..
Both r still on phone but silent.. both r now emotional nd dreading to talk.. they knw if they strt talking other will guess that he /she is crying.. so both stayed mum..
Armaan was 1st to recollect himself.. he wiped his tear nd checked the traffic.. still long distance to be crossed to meet his wife nd daughter' he calmed himself down nd controlling his emotion he asked..
"princess jag rahi hain kya, riddhima??" hearing his sudden question she became lill startled.. she wasn't expecting this.. but soon she answered..
"haan.. she's in her room.. t.v dekh rahi hain.. wait I'm calling her.."
Ar : "arrey nhi.. let her relax.. ussey disturb karne ki zaroorat nhi.. waisey bhi bahot mushkil hoti hain iss time move karne main.. I knw.. mainey dekha tha tumhey.. kitni takleef hoti thi na tumhey.."
Armaan said remembering riddhima's pregnancy days nd on the other hand riddhima smiled remembering those days.. how possessive he used to be' nd not to forget all panicky.. every lill thing used to mke him worried for her nd their baby..
Ri : "armaan.. it's okk.. uskey room mein chordless hain.. she won't hve any problem.. aur waisey bhi tumhari princess morning se bahot excited hain.. bass mind divert karne ke liye t.v dekh rahi hain.. warna poocho mat.. subah se sau bar (100 tyms) pooch chuki hain.. 'mumma , dada kab tak ayenge?"
Riddhima finished her painful story pouting widely nd armaan laughed loudly..
Riddhima shouted from their living room.. "arrriii' bachcha' dada ka phone hain.. receive kar le.."
Armaan heard her shout nd waited smilingly to hear his princess' voice.. god!! he loves his princess soo much nd he still can't believe dat his lill princess is going to be a 'mumma' soon.. time truly flies so fast.. again a tear came to his eyes.. but soon his smile widened wen he heard his princess..
Ari : "dada??" armaan clearly understood how excited his princess is..
Ar : "kaisi hain meri princess??"
Ari : "ekdum rocking.. aap kaha tak pahuche,dada??' she is really impatient..
Ar : "cool down princess.. abhi time hain.. kafi traffic hain road pe.. I guess 1 nd half hour toh lag hi jayega.."
Ari : "ohh" she became disappointed..
Ar : "bachcha' thodi hi der ki baat hain.. main bass aa hi raha hoon.." armaan consoled his ladli princess nd finally she smiled..
Ar : "achcha princess.. yeh toh batao mera junior kaisa hain?? zyada tang toh nhi karta na aapko??" nd hearing this arima blushed badly..
Ari : "haan dada.. he is fine.." armaan smiled sensing her pink cheeks.. she is juz lyk her mother..
Ar : "he?? aur yeh khushfehmi aapko kaisey ho gayee?? for ur kind information madam.. Mujhey aur merey betey (talking about arima's husband) ko toh ek pyari si gudiya ka wait hain.." nd with this arima blushed more..
Ari : "kya dada, aap bhi.." that's all arima was able to utter..
this father-daughter pair is really close.. there is no distance or hesitation like many father-daughter pair.. one can say that arima has two mothers.. armaan is nothing less dan a mother to her.. she is his every thing.. he spent sleepless nights to mke his lill princess sleep staying all awake after hectic days at office.. he nvr hesitated to give her bath or changing lill arima's diapers.. he is juz a too sweet n caring father nd best frnd of her.. there is no secret that arima nvr shared wth her dada.. he is her angel, her best frnd, her councillor, her guide.. in short her dada is d most perfect nd best father to her..
Ar : "ok ok.. stop blushing like ur mother.. I won't tease u any more.." armaan chuckled nd arima blushed even more..
Ari : "dada' stop,na.." she said pouting..
Ar : "okk baba.. zip locked.. happy??" armaan said nd arima juz smiled..
Ar : "by d way princess.. aapki mumma apka dhyaan rakh rahi hain,na??" armaan asked to chnge d topic but wat he dint know that some one else was still there on the other receiver..
Ri : "armaannn.. u stupid.. tumhey meri baat ka bharosha nhi kya jo tum arrii se confirm kar rahe ho?? dnt forget mr. over protective father, i'm her mother.. not step mother.. joh tum ussey confrm kar rahe ho.. stupid.."
actually riddhima thought of putting dwn d receiver but she couldn't able to resist herself hearing the father-daughter conversation.. she juz loves nd adores d bonding they share.. sumtyms she thinks agar wohh nhi hoti, toh kya sach mein arri ko koi problem hoti.. after all armaan 'maa' se kuch kam nhi hain uskey liye..
Hearing her mother's fuming voice arima laughed out loudly where mr. poor hubby juz wanted to beat his head on the glass window of his car.. now this is gonna be hell difficult to manofy his darling wifey.. stupid!! Idiot!! Jerk!! Tujhey yehi topic mila tha arima ki mind divert karne ke liye?? Armaan cursed himself in mind.. wait a minute!! Why is she listening to our convo.. well.. well.. well.. mrs. Mallik, u hve to pay for ds now.. huhahaha' armaan laughed evilly in his mind as he got his most fav pass tym.. 'teasing mrs. Mallik''
Ar : "princesss' yeh apki awaz ko kya ho gaya, bachcha?? Meri koyel jaisi princess ki awaz, aisey kauwey (crow) jaisey kyun sunai de rahi hain..??" armaan asked in ful2 innocent manner..
Ri : "wat?? Meri awaz kauwey jaisi hain?? armaan.. u juz come home.. fir tumhari khair nhi.." riddhima fumed more..
Ar : "oh ho.. riddhimaa.. tum ho.. tabhi main sochoon.." armaan said dramatically..
Ri : "mr. mallik u r soo dead today.. aao tum ghar pe.. fir main dikhati hoon.." she was hell angry now..
Ar : "aahaan.. galti khud karo aur meri khair nhi.. yeh achcha hain.." he said innocently..
Ri : "wat?? Kya?? Galti?? aab mainey kya kiyaa??" riddhima became confused wth ds sudden accusation..
Ar : "yeh loh princess.. aab aap hi apki mumma ko batao EAVESDROPPING karni boori baat hoti hain aisa wohi kehti hain,na.." armaan finished streching d particular wrd more nd arima again strted laughing like a maniac.. while riddhima closed her eyes tight in embarrassment..
Ar : "aab kya hua.. bolti bandh kyun ho gayee kisi ki??" armaan teased more nd riddhima juz turned crimson in embarrassment..
Ari : "hahahaha' haan haan mumma.. bolo na.. aab kyu chup ho aap??" arima joined too..
Ri : "arrii.. tu kabhi meri side pe ho sakti hain kya??" riddhima complained'
Ar : "tch tch tch.. jealous ppl.. keh do bachcha.. ke u love ur dada more.." armaan teases again..
Arima smiled where riddhima pouted' "nahi dada.. I love u both.. lots n lots n lotss.. u two r d best parents one can hve.." arima said smilingly nd thankfully.. nd her parents smiled hearing her.. they also luv their daughter very much nd feel blessed to hve such a caring nd sweet daughter..
"sureshh.. dhyaan se" armaan's sudden shriek broke d happy moment'
" kya hua dada??"... "armaan.. kya hua.. tum thik toh ho,na??" both his sweet hearts asked him all panicked..
"yes ladies.. relax.. I'm fine.. wohh signal red ho gaya toh suresh (driver) ne suddenly break press ki.. dat's all.." armaan assured..
"sorry sir.. achanak signal red ho gaya.. mujhey laga tha hum crossing cross kar lenge signal red hone se pehle.." suresh, his driver, apologized..
"it's okk suresh.. no problem.." armaan said smiling understandingly..
"thank god.." he heard both arima n riddhima sighing in relief hearing the cause..
Ar : "main thik hoon princess.. (thn after brief pause, with more care in his tone).. riddhima.. main sach mein thik hoon.. u calm down, plzz.."
Ri : "hmm.." riddhima juz whispered..
Ari : "mumma.. dada is fine.. relax, okk??" arima assured her too..
Ri : "yes.. I'm fine.. mmm.. armaannn.. aur kitna time lagega??"
Ar : "45 minutes I guess.. achcha riddhima.. I'm putting down nw.. office se call aa raha hain.. i've to attend dat one.. u both relax.. see u soon.. love uu.."
Ari : "okk dada' come home safely.. luv uuu.."
Ar : "luv u too princess.. u take care.. bye.."
Nd wth ds the call ended. Armaan received his work - call while riddhima still held d receiver near her heart nd whispered' "come home safely armaan.. I'm waiting eagerly.."
_________________________________________
PART - 18
Riddhima put down d receiver nd went to see their daughter' she knws aftr talking to her dada, she is more eager to meet him now nd not to forget.. one thing that their princess hates most is to wait.. riddhima chuckled as she very well knws frm whom arima inherited this particular nature.. it's she, herself, who showed big tantrums whenever armaan kept her on wait' she literally threatened him on the 1st date of them after their confession dat do whatever but nvr evr kp me on wait.. or unless she will brk up wth him.. nd poor soul' wat could he do?? Like an obedient BF n later an obedient husband, he alwaz came early on their dates nd kpt on waiting for his lady love!!! Aww' isn't it sweet??? She thought nd sighed contently' "oh my god armaan.. I nvr thought staying away from u mke me realize hw much I love u.. kitni baar tumhey dhamki deti thi.. armaan meri baat nhi manogey toh main papaji ke pass chali jayungi aur woh bhi humesha ke liye.. aur tum.. humesha darr jatey the.. haan.. yeh sach hain.. I used to say this in anger only nd may be smtyms I actually meant it also.. par aaj pata chala.. tumsey kai zyada merey liye yeh mushkil hain..tumsey door rehna.. tumhari stupid non sense bato ka itni adat jo ho gayee hain.. tumhara har choti badi bato ke liye mujhey bulana.. meri daant chupchap sunna'fir mujhey pyarr se manana..lagta hi nhi ke hum 24years se married hain.." she was smiling remembering her crazy husband wen she heard..
"mumma.. why are u smiling this much??"
It was arima who asked her amused.. only then riddhima realized dat she is now actually in arima's room.. so stupid of u riddhima.. abhi bhi apney armaan ke barey mein sochney bhaithti hain toh sab kuch bhool jati hain.. lehh.. aab jhel arri ki teasing' she mentally kicked herself nd looked at arima smiling sheepishly..
Nd with that arima knew why her mother was smiling so much.. she thought not to tease her but is that possible for mr. mallik's daughter?? Nd with this she smiled devilishly in mind nd decided to cont. their (her dada n hers) fav pass tym.. 'teasing mrs. Mallik'..
She raised her one eye brow nd asked.. "don't tell me mumma.. u r in love wth sum1??" arima couldn't hlp but chuckled aftr spatting her wrds..
Nd poor riddhima.. juz sighed hearing their princess.. like father, like daughter.. juz a few minutes ago, her darling hubby left no straw to tease her nd now it's their sweet princess who is following her dada's path.. sweet?? Naah.. she is juz an evil sumtyms juz lyk her father.. riddhima thought nd chukled at her thought..
"still lost in ur BF's thoughts?? I dint knw aap itney mod ho gaye ho??.. I mean extra marital affair nd dat too u?? mrs. Mallik, the conservative one' hmmm' lagta hain Belgium ka asar kisi pe bahot boori tarah hua hain.. tch tch tch.. poor my dada.. aab kya hoga unka?? woh toh bilkul akeley pad jayenge,nahi?? (she pretended to think nd th said).. actually i'll suggest dada to mke a GF for him,too... aab biwi nhi rahegi toh GF se hi toh kaam chalana padega na merey dada ko.." she said in pure melodramatic manner'
Riddhima couldn't help but her eyes got widened hearing her lill arima.. she is truly not lill anymore.. 'extra marital affair'.. isn't dat wat she chose for today's teasing session?? but ofcourse she is a big grl now to tease her on this topic.. afterall.. she, herself, is gonna be a mother of lill arima or lill samrat soon.. Samrat..!!! nd wth this her thoughts diverted towards her son-in-law.. the best son-in-law one can hve.. it will be more appropriate if he is being mentioned as her son, rather dan a mere son-in-law, who alwaz supported her whnvr this dada-princess team stood against her.. before arrival of samrat, it was impossible for her to beat this cazy duo.. god knws frm where they get such unique topics to tease her... no doubt they are too witty to be handled by someone naive nd sweet like riddhima.. who alwaz end up pouting or blushing or throwing fake threats to them.. armaan toh fir bhi kabhi kabhi uskey threat ko blve karke chup ho jata hain but arrii... she is one step ahead of her father nd nvr let me blackmailed her darling dada emotionally... poor me.. i was alwaz a single fighter nd not to forget at the losing end... but everything changed after she got this son.. nd needless to say, he truly has d capability to shut their princess' mouth.. riddhima chuckled remembering how arri alwaz end up tongue-tied in front of samrat.. nd how she alwaz huffed n puffed whnvr samrat side hugged her or got soothing head massage from her... according to arri, he stole her place.. stupid gal.. how can sum1 steal her place?? she is her blood aftrall.. ofcourse she loves samrat very much but she loves both of them equally now.. bcoz the left out place of having a son in her life was filled by samrat.. nd wth him at home.. home turns more heavenly dan before.. suddenly riddhima strtd missing her son more.. juz one week nd he'll be here' she smiled nd looked at arima lovingly.. she really took a great decision allowing arri to marry him.. yess.. lill early but he is a gem by heart nd not to forget loves their daughter very much..
Arima thought her mother will show tantrum or she will fight like she alwaz does wth her dada or wth her but it was juz d opposite.. she is smiling genuinely now.. but it's not the shy smile dat was adoring her lips wen she entered her room.. thn for wat she is smiling now?? She became confused nd came near her..
"mummaa??" she asked softly nd riddhima's chain of thoughts broke nd taking her palm in hers, arima asked again.. "kya hua mumma??" riddhima smiled nd pecked her forehead lovingly.. "kuch nhi' bas merey betey ki yaad aa gayee.. woh hota toh tu mujhey aisey tang nhi kar pati.." riddhima pouted stating d last sentence..
"awww' u r such a kid sumtyms mumma.. dada is soo ri8.." nd wth this arima pulled her cheeks making riddhima blush in embarrassment ' "nd nw u're blushing' hawww.. mummaa' I'm not ur hubby dear.. hold it for sumtym more,na.." arima teased'
"arriii'" riddhima complained nd blushed heavier' but their sweet moment broke wen their land line rang again'
"dada ka hoga'" arima turned excitedly to receive the call but stopped.. thn turning to her mother she said..
"aap receive karlo mumma.. main abhi aye.." arima smiled at her mother assuringly making riddhima blush even more.. truly their princess has grown up now.. nvr before she gave them space to stay alone but now wen she is married to sum1, she knws even her parents need some space' ridhima saw arima leaving the room nd thanking her fate for hving such a wonderful family,she received the call'
"hello.. armaan??"
"excuse me maam.. kya aap bata sakti hain yeh kiska no. hain nd aap kaun bol rahi hain??" an unknown male voice asked her in formal way..
Riddhima's heart stopped beating.. her brain stopped wrking.. she felt her limbs getting numb sensing some disaster in her way.. something very bad..
"cuse me.. anyone dere??"
Riddhima regained her sanity nd with gr8 difficulty she replied wth her trembling voice..
"yeh.. (deep sigh).. yeh mr. armaan mallik ka ghar hain.. (pause).. aur .. aur main unki wife bol rahi hoon..( pause again.. she took deep breathe n asked).. mmm.. kya.. kya hua hain merey' (she stopped n corrected)' I mean armaan ko?? Wohh thik toh hain,na??" riddhima asked holding her breathe.. no.. nothing bad can happen to him.. plz god plz' she was impatient for an answer .. better to say for some positive ans..
"sorry maam.. main inspector Desai bol raha hoon.. yahan highway pe ek accident hua hain aur.."
"aur??" she asked in a whisper.. almost feeling dizzy wth ths sudden pressure..
"I'm sorry maam but ur husband is no more.."
That was enough.. enuf to destroy her strength .. enuf to be handled by her.. her head started spinning.. everything started to get blurred.. she felt that the person is saying something more ovr d phone but her mind is paralyzed now.. nothing is making sense to her.. she felt her limbs loosing all strength.. she felt her legs twitching making impossible for her to stand.. her hands were also no less.. in fact a mere receiver is feeling lyk a burden to hold anymore.. nd automatically her hand started falling dwn from her ear slowly like a paralyzed person nd finally the receiver fell on the floor making one more huge 'thud' sound next.. which was due to her fall on the floor harshly.. she felt her head being crashed wth sumthing.. she felt a loud thud sound.. she felt sum1's cry after that.. she felt wth her almost close eyes that someone was entering her room being extreme panicked.. she felt that sum1 sat in front of her wth gr8 difficulty.. she felt that sum1 is slapping her cheeks slightly so dat she gets her senses.. she felt dat sum1 calling her 'mumma..' nd crying her heart out but her brain is paralyzed.. but even though her brain cells r not wrking she knws who is crying for her thn.. her subconscious mind is urging her to get up nd mke her shush.. engulf her in her arms.. wipe the tears of her cheeks but she has no cntrl ovr her mind n soul now' darkness nd blankness were calling her.. she felt herself getting lost dere but still she tried to kp her eyes open for d person in frnt of her but the vacuum is stronger dan her weak will now.. nd not to forget appealing.. she doesn't wanna stay in this wrld now.. she has lost every single hope to breathe now... she used to live for one person but where is he?? isn't he in dat vacuum?? isn't that wat ppl say that death takes our souls to some ultimate vacuum.. yess.. he is there.. in the darkness.. waiting for her.. calling her.. he has no one except her.. nd she promised to him not to leave him ever.. no.. she won't leave him alone.. she'll go.. she'll go into dat ultimate blankness.. finally she felt darkness engulfing her vision nd an unknown calmness soothed her nerves.. unknwngly a smile came to her lips.. nd wth dat everything stiffened...
_________________________________________
PART - 19
"riddhimaa" she heard a soulful whisper near her ear nd quickly turned at dat direction.. there he is.. standing in front of her eyes pouring all his love n care through his gaze.. she smiled at once seeing the face she was dying to see nd hugged him at once..
"tum aa gayyee armaan.. kitni der kar di.. main kabse wait kar rahi hoon pata hain tumhey??"
She asked in between her tearful smile..
"kitna darr gayee thi main .. tumhey pata hain kisi ne kitna ganda mazak kiya tha.. ek phone aya aur kaha ki'" she shivered nd hugged him tighter..
"sshhh'" he stopped her to say anything more nd rubbed her back soothingly..
She stayed there in his arms for sometime, thn finally she broke d hug.. nd smilingly she said.. "mujhey pata tha mera armaan mujhey chodke kahin nhi jaa sakta.. mera armaan kabhi bhi apni riddhima se kiya hua wada nhi tod sakta.. hain na armaan.. sahi kaha na mainey??" she asked hopefully nd he juz cupped her face by both of his hands lovingly..
"I love u riddhima.."
It was the ultimate answer she was dying to hear nd hearing him she couldn't hlp but bloomed in happiness.. though her extreme happiness was too much for her to handle at dat tym nd dats y her eyes strted flowing..
"I love u too armaan.. I love u too.. i love u soo muchh.." she hugged him tightly once again.. "chalo, ghar chalte hain armaan.. kafi derr ho gayee hain,na.. aur pata hain mainey tumhari fav dishes bhi banayi thi..waisey toh aab tak toh thandi ho chuki hogi.. par koi baat nhi, main fir se garam kar dungi.. bahot bhook lagi hogi na tumhey?? nd I'm sure tumney flight mein luch bhi nhi kiya hoga.. ghar akey apni riddhima ke hatho ka khana jo kha na tha tumhey.. ri8??" she whispered in his ear lovingly while making her head comfortable in the gap of his head nd shoulder, inhaling his fragrance, feeling contended.. he sighed hearing her.. it's gonna be truly difficult.. much more dan wat he thought.. he placed his hand on her head nd hold her head more protectively across his chest absorbing each second in his heart n mind.. thn finally kissing her vermillion filled mang tenderly, he softly announced.. "haan jaan.. aab tumhey jana chahiye.. sach mein bahot der ho gayee hain.." he said d last sentence with a dual meaning although but riddhima's attention was stolen by his 1st sentence.. she frowned hearing 'tumhe' nd broke d hug at once.. thn looking straight into his eyes she asked complainingly.. "wat do u mean by dat?? Dnt u dare to act smart mr. mallik.. I'm not going anywhere without u.. got it??"
Juz a minute ago wen she saw armaan's face juz a few inches away from her,she felt all those ph call nd all was her nightmare only.. everything is actually fine.. her armaan got no harm nd most importantly her armaan is wth her nd dat too aftr whole two months.. god!! how much she craved for this moment.. only she knws how torturing last two months were.. everyday she checked d calendar nd counted days which were left for his arrival.. nd wen it reduced to 10 from 60days.. she literally became ecstatic.. armaan ke aane par yeh karna hain.. uskey liye yeh banana hain.. yeh gifts deney hain etc etc' she planned nd re-planned everything during those 10days.. nd today she was wide awake before it hit dawn.. actually she wasn't able to sleep properly last night.. too excitement stole all her sleep gifting her a restless yet exciting long night..she tossed herself on the bed whole 9t smiling stupidly in between, occassionally checking her mobile to see the time... never in her dreams she thought she'll feel this teenage feelings again after so many years of their marriage nd now she knows d truth.. their love is beyond the effect of time.. it can nvr grow old but can become deep to deeper as time passes.. but all her happiness, excitement nd restlessness evaporated as soon as she received that horrible phone call.. nd without giving her a second to mend the loss, she was announced to her death.. yes death.. was there any life if her armaan is not there by her side?? No.. there wasn't nd there won't be too.. he is her life.. her every reason to breathe nd naturally that phone call gifted her the most horrible nervous breakdown.. but in spite of all this, wen she saw his face, all her tension, her fear, her pain.. in short every every negative feeling vanished' he is truly her medicine.. her one n only drug for her survival' on d othr hnd, he was soo calm nd composed dat she thought it was all a stupid dream.. due to lack of sleep, she saw ds vry bad dream.. but now every thing will be normal once again juz like before.. they will be together again.. happy to hve each other feeling blissful n contended.. but armaan's answer juz raised all those burdened fear nd pain in her heart once again.. her nerves again felt the tension.. her brain agn strtd becoming heavy.. in short he again made her restless but this time for worse..
"jaan' tum samajh nhi rahi.." armaan felt the color - change of her face.. her face which was glowing juz a few seconds ago, now completely pale nd blank.. as if all her blood is sucked away from her body.. nd at once he felt d urgent need to mke her normal..
"main nhi samajh rahi?? Really armaan?? Main tumhey nhi samajh rahi??" her voice was painfully demanding.. "u knw wat armaan.. jo chahey karlo.. i knw vry well tum exctly kya karne ki koshish kar rahe ho par tum bhi yeh achchey se samajh lo mr. mallik.. ke koi faida nhi hoga iss sab ka..bcoz I won't leave u ALONE no matter wat.."
He sighed deeply nd calmed himself dwn.. he can't break dwn.. he has the toughest wrk to do now.. nd he'll do it anyhow.. as he knws only he can inject sense within her.. "go back jaan.. princess ko tumhari zaroorat hain.."
But before he can say more she asked d ultimate question.. "aur tumhey??"
He closed his eyes painfully fighting with his tears.. ofcourse he needs her.. she is his everything.. his each n every antic is related to her.. his love, his care, his craziness, his drama, his pain.. everything.. she is everywhere of his life n soul but unfortunately he can't hve her anymore.. he hs to let her go.. he sighed deeply controlling his emotions nd whispered.. "dnt mke it more complicated jaan.. plz.. plz dnt mke it complicated.. its alrdy too difficult.. much more dan my capacity.."
She sighed sensing his share of pain nd cupping his cheek by her ri8 hand she said each wrd clearly mking him understand her side of story.. "arri akeli nhi hain armaan.. she has her own family.. samrat, junior' wohh sambhal jayegi par tum akele ho jaoge armaan.. kyunki hum dono ke pass hum dono ke alawa aur koi nhi hain.. aur mainey wada kiya tha na.. chahey jitni bhi mushkil aa jaye par main humesha tumhara sath dungi' tumhey kabhi bhi akela nhi chodungi.. aur armaan.. Humesha ka matlab sirf zindegi tak nhi hota.. merey liye humesha ka matlab hain, zindegi mein bhi aur uskey baad bhi.. mainey promise kiya tha na ki main tumharey liye jiyungi par tum yeh bhool rahe ho armaan main tab tak jee sakti hoon jab tak tum merey sath ho, mery pass.. tumharey bina main chah kar bhi nhi jee sakti, armaan.. haan, yeh alag baat hain ki main chahti bhi nahi.. armaan.. humara rishta sirf khushiyo ka nhi hain.. dard ka bhi hain.. ek baat bahot achchey se samajh lo tum.. chahey jitni bhi koshish karlo par main wapas nhi jayungi' tum nhi aa sakte mere sath toh kya.. main toh tumhari duniya mein aa sakti hoon,na??"
"yeh pagalpan hain riddhima.." he said helplessly..
"toh mainey kab mana kiya.. aur waisey bhi had se zyada pyaar kissey kehte hain tumhi se sikha hain mainey.. aab kuch nhi ho sakta armaan.. main baawri ho chuki hoon tumarey liye.. aab toh kuch bhi ho jayee.. main tumhey chod kar wapas nhi jayungi.."
"rid.."
"sshhh'" but she shushed him talking anymore kissing him lovingly' pouring all her love n care.. promising him once again dat their love is beyond life.. they are non-separable souls no matter wat' armaan, although wriggled once but couldn't hlp but kiss her back with equal love n longing.. because he knew he was feeling her for the last time, he has to go away from her.. he has to make her understand.. she dusn't knw the whole incident yet.. their princess needs her.. much more dan he needs her beside him.. really? No.. he needs her badly too.. he is actually afraid of this blankness of loneliness.. But dat's not done..he can't be selfish.. he's a father too.. he can tolerate this torture for their princess nd he'll surely.. he made his mind.. yeshh.. he can't tke her life away from her dat too juz for his need.. he can't let her die for him.. she has to live.. nd she'll.. but in all this chaos wat he forgot is, he is HER LIFE.. so, if she has to live, he will hve to stay wth her as well'
_____________________________________________-
PART - 20
"nurse.. nurse.." the doc asked lill loudly examining the ECG machine.. her heartbeat is going slow to slower..
"yes doctor??" nurse asked at once nd got the order from the doctor at the very nxt moment..
"electric shock.. be fast.." the doc said quickly examining her almost inaudible heartbeat nd pulse rate..
Nurse nodded quickly nd got busy to follow the necessities..
'''''''''''''''''''''''''
"riddhima.. jaan??"
armaan tried once more to get any response from her but she juz kpt mum nd kpt on clinging onto him as desperately as before.. she was too afraid to free him from her embrace.. if she breaks the hug, he'll flee away.. nd this thought juz turning her insane.. so, she juz kpt on holding him securely in her arms, nesting her head in the crook of his shoulder, inhaling his fragrance deeply, chanting nd re-chanting in her brain dat he's dere.. he's dere against her.. he hasn't leave her.. yess!! he's still dere wth her.. she can feel him..
At first armaan didn't wriggled to break d hug..nd let her stay like dat as long as she like but now she's extending the time too much.. he heard wat doctors say.. her pulse rate is dropping nd so is her heart beat.. if she doesn't go bck now, it'll be too late to return to her body.. he can't kpt on holding her soul against him anymore.. although he,himself doesn't want her to let go but he has to do it.. spcly for their princess.. nd so, armaan tried hard to bring riddhima bck to her senses by calling her again..
But as usual riddhima is lost in her own world.. she didn't stir or utter a single whisper.. she juz kpt on saying in her brain dat he's still wth her.. nd she won't leave him no matter wat.. but her chain of chants broke wen suddenly she felt herself being detangled from him wth harsh pull.. she felt horrified nd looked at the source at once too anxiously as if her life has snatched away from her body nd in deed it was her life wat was separated from her. thn. her armaan, her life.. both are identical to her.. but d nxt moment she felt herself dumbfounded seeing it her armaan only who detangled her from him.. she became highly confused..
"armaan??" she asked meekly not believing dat he actually separated her from him..!!
"go back riddhima.." his voice was as steady as ice.. his eyes were fixed at distant voidity.. he nvr shifted his gaze on her.. as he knws if he does it, it'll be d biggest mistake now.. his mind will lose to his heart nd he won't be able to allow her to go.. godd!! he badly insanely desperately needs her by his side..
"no.." she was adamant juz like before..
"u hve to.." armaan said again..lill helplessly this time.. "oh god riddhima..plz agree wth me jaan.. dnt mke it this difficult.. dnt mke me weak.. plz jaan.." armaan hoped in his heart..
"I won't.." riddhima's voice was too firm..
never till now armaan felt her voice this much of confident.. nd automatically his gaze landed on his lady who was standing straight wth utmost confidence fixing her gaze on his eyes only.. he felt strong urge to go nd crush her in between his arms but he controlled.. he fisted his palms as tightly as possible.. "u've to be strong armaan.. u've to be.." he kpt on saying in his mind while showering endless love upon her through his heavenly soft admiring gaze.. goshh!! he loves her too muchh.. how can he send her bck wen she too wants to stay.. he felt vulnerable.. he sighed nd thn finally concluded to disclose the bitter incident that happened aftr riddhima's horrible nervous breakdown.. 'yess.. only this can chnge her decision..' armaan thought again..nd strted..
Ar : "princess ke liye bhi nhi??" his voice was calm nd soft like feather..
Ri : "she'll manage armaan.." she replied helplessly.. 'godd!! how mny times she has to say this to him to mke him undrstnd..' riddhima thought looking at him pleadingly..
Ar : "tumhey sach mein lagta hain she'll b able to manage??" there was a hint of mystery in his voice which made riddhima restless.. still she managed to stay calm nd said softly mking him understand..
Ri : "samrat hain,na.." she managed a small smile aftr dat.. god knws how she managed to curve her lips into a faint smile but nxt momnt her lips regained its previous position getting no response frm his side..
Ar : "haan samrat hain but don't u knw wohh kitna door hain?? (pause.. riddhima looked at him being all confused).. chah ke bhi rahul nd muskaan ussey contact nhi kar paa rahe hain, riddhima.. (pause..her restlessness came bck immediately..).. jabki uski patni ki abhi operation chal raha hain aur uskey sath koi nhi hain.. na uski dada aur na hi uski mumma.."
his voice trembled..
Ri : "what' do.. u.. mean?? Arri ka operation?? abhi?? par Kyun?? Uski delivery mein abhi bhi two weeks hain,na.. fir abhi kaisey??"
Riddhima's voice chocked wth ds new revelation.. she felt another harsh blow nd trembled in fear.. no!! arri ko kuch nhi ho sakta.. she looked at armaan pleadingly for clarifying further..
"jab ambulance aya nd tumhey neechey laya jaa raha tha, toh princess bhi zabardasti ane ki koshish kar rahi thi.. muskaan nd rahul ke sath but.." armaan paused nd looked at riddhima hesitantly.. should he tell her?? hasn't she fced enuf alrdy??
"but what??" riddhima demanded..
"but ' but she was too panicked for u riddhima.. aur isi liye tensn mein jab woh seedi (stairs) se utar ne ki koshish kar rahi thi toh.."
"no!!" riddhima shouted at once stopping armaan to say anything more..
Armaan closed his eyes.. he was dreading this only.. he cant see her breaking again n again that too on the same day during last a few hours.. but he tried to send her bck wthout revealing it.. didn't he?? he felt pathetic nd helpless.. unwilling to him, two tear streams strtd flowing frm his both closed eyes overflowing his unbearable pain..
"woh slip ho gayee riddhima..princess.. princess slip ho gayee.." armaan whispered wth lots of difficulty.. his voice was chocking remembering the condition of his darling princess wen she,too, was taken to hospital along wth riddhima.. her shrieks.. her pain.. her tears.. nd above all her blood.. all are still fresh in his mind.. god knws how he managed himslf seeing his princess in dat state.. how he cursed his luck for being there but not being able to do anything.. how he craved to go nd hold her hands.. run his own hands ovr her forehead to soothe her.. support her saying..'kuch nhi hoga princess..ur dada is here,na..' ... armaan opened his eyes at once unable to stand by those flashes now but he couldn't able to see riddhima's condition thn as his eyes were too full wth his own tears.. he strted wiping his eyes wth his hands while saying..
"aur abhi princess ki condition bahot kharab hain, riddhima.. kafi blood loss.."
"stop armaan.. plz stop.."
Armaan looked at her at once feeling her vulnerable state nd there she is.. trying hard to kp on standing but failing miserably.. her head is whining making it impossible for her to stnd steadily.. armaan rushed to her quickly to give her support.. she looked at him helplessly.. her face is again pale nd blank..
"I told u na riddhima u've to go back.." riddhima kpt on looking at him hlplessly..
"ar..maan.. (pause).. main.. (pause).." it was too hard to talk now.. her voice was cracked.. throat is dry like desert.. head is paining as if sumone is hitting a hammer against it.. her limbs are again too numb to carry her load.. in short she's back to the moment wen she got dat phone call.. once again she became a lifeless doll.. her whole wrld is destroying in front of her eyes nd she cnt do anything.. she felt too weak nd involuntarily her head bent over armaan's chest for support.. armaan also kpt on holding her against him warmly occasionally patting her head lovingly.. but riddhima didn't hug him back.. raising her own hands felt impossible to her thn.. she stayed like dat putting her whole weight on him.. her head was too occupied to think anything more.. she felt blank.. she juz kpt on blinking in between along wth her shallow irregular breathing..
After some minutes ridhima tried to talk agn.. "armaan??"
"haan riddhima.." he said lovingly still protecting her wthn his arms..
"main chah kar bhi wapas nhi jaa sakti armaan.." she stated d most imp info without dragging the issue..
He looked at her at once..
"I .. I want to go.. I want to be wth arri, armaan.. mujhey pata hain ussey meri zaroorat hain par armaan main chah kar bhi jee nhi payungi tumharey bina.." she said slowly..
"riddhima?? plz jaan aise mat socho.. u cn do it.. i knw u can.." he said trying to shw his confidence but his voice betrayed him badly.. his voice trembled.. godd!! he was dreading this only.. he knws how much connected they are.. nd he alwaz had this hidden fear in his heart if sumthing hppns to him will riddhima able to survive alone?? is he doing ri8 mking her so involved wth him?? but in spite of all these contrary thoughts he nvr was able to stay away frm her.. they were alwaz too dependent on each othr for every big or lill things.. armaan felt guilty for mking riddhima too engrossed within him nd naturally felt himself breaking dwn seeing its consequences.. but he can't.. he simply can't brk dwn in frnt of her dat too at this time of severe crisis.. he controlled once agn..
"meri sanse tumse judi hui hain armaan.. tum nhi hoge toh saans lena bhi mumkin nhi hoga merey liye.. aur yeh tumhey bhi pata hain ki main sach keh rahi hoon.. meri zindegi tumsey suru hoke tumpe hi khtm ho jati hain armaan.. itney saal srf tummey uljhi rahi hoon main.. tumharey alawa kabhi kuch socha hi nhi mainey.. abhi tum chahte ho toh I'm going par koi faida nhi hoga.. it'll result my death only.." riddhima stopped nd tried to look at him but he didn't loose his arms so she strted agn..
"par arri ko meri zarroorat hain aur tum mano ya na mano par i knw ki tumhey bhi meri utni hi zaroorat hain.. par armaan.. aabhi main kya karun?? kaisey sambhalun sab kuch?? aur kissey sambhalun?? Aur ussey bhi imp yeh hain ki khud ko kaisey sambhalun?? Main.. main.." riddhima suddenly strted getting hysteric.. so many questions.. but no answer.. she wanna solve all but there's no way to balance both.. how can she choose between her husband nd her daughter.. how can she conclude wat comes 1st.. wife or mother?? oh godd.. she want dem both.. she truly want to be wth dem both.. but how?? she felt her head thudding to loud as if it'll burst at any moment..
"sshh'" armaan stopped herself thn n there feeling her trembling vigorously against him nd hugged her more warmly enveloping her wthn him, as if wanting her to protect all these mental torture but he,too, knws dat he cnt do dat.. they hve to fce it.. they hve to solve it but is dere actually any solution?? armaan thought..
"aisa kyun ho raha hain armaan?? Sab kuch toh thik tha na.. kuch der pehle bhi hum kitney khush the.. toh fir achanak sab kaisey beekhar gaya armaan?? abhi main kya karun?? Kaisey sambhalun?? Kissey sambhalun?? Oh armaannn.." riddhima felt dizzy..
"riddhima..jaan..bass.." armaan tightened his grip around her kissing her forehead immediately..
'''''''''''''''''''''''''
"doctor?? Aab kya karenge?? Mrs. Mallik toh respond hi nhi kar rahi??" nurse asked the attendant doctor worriedly...
"I'm afraid that we won't be able to save her.. but still her heart is beating very slwly.. kp her under observation nd if any thing happens do inform me at once.." the doctor suggested..
"yes sir.." nurse agreed nd the doctor left for other duties..
'''''''''''''''''''''''..
They stayed like dat for sum tym more nd finally after thinking lots armaan suggested.. "if I stay wth u jaan.. tab toh tum manage kar logi na??"
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