AR's 'Mine Forever.' A Note on pg 76.

Girl: Good morning Rahul.

Ra: Morning Riddhima. It looks like you didn't have a good sleep.

Ri: No, couldn't sleep well due to the emergency case last night. She said stifling a yawn.

Ra: Coffee? He said while forwarding her a cup of hot coffee. Riddhima took the cup and moved with him to the high chairs placed in the kitchen besides the sparkling black marble counter.

Ri: Thank you so much Rahul, you are my savior, what would I do without you?

Ra: oh please Riddhima; don't start with your "Thank you" song all over again. I can understand that you don't get tired of repeating the same thing for the past 7 years but believe me I'm fed up. Yaar why can't you say something else that's nicer to listen every morning, like Rahul you look hot, handsome or even smart would do, but please.

His banter was stopped by a napkin shoved on his face by Riddhima, who was shaking her head at his stupid talks.

Ra: So all done?

Ri: Yup all done, just a little left. I'll do that now.

Ra: It's ok, leave it to me. You go and get dressed; Mike will be dropping us at the airport.

Ri: Ok. The luggage is in guest room, you just have to put it in the suitcase that I've left open.

Ra: O My God! Riddhimaaa.

Riddhima rushed to the room on hearing Rahul's scream.

Ri: What happened Rahul?

Ra: What is all this? Please say you are not taking all this with you. We have already exceeded the limits; you know that, don't you?

Ri: Of course I am Rahul, it's ok we'll get the luggage through, you just don't worry.

Ra: As far as I remember I had helped you pack all your stuff, where did all this come from?

Ri: I went shopping yesterday morning. She said smiling sheepishly.

Ra: I can't believe it! Why did you have to go again, you finished buying gifts for everybody last week, didn't you? He said counting the number of shoppers in the room.

Ri: I did, but you know I'm going back after such a long time, so I need to buy more things and then the matching accessories for Pari's dresses were left and on the way I liked a few things for Di and Nikki, so it resulted in all this. Its ok I'll do it.

Ra: Shut up. You don't have to do anything, go and change fast if you don't want to be late.

Rahul started working thinking about Riddhima. She had a heart of gold, which could not bear anybody's pain and speaking about her friends; she loved and considered them her family. She could do anything for them. Rahul was glad to have her in his life.

Ra: Ridz your suitcase can't carry all your stuff, it's overloaded, and I'm taking the remaining things with me. I'll finish this and change. You wait for me over here. He said closing the door of the apartment.

They arrived at the Logan International Airport, Boston, to take a flight to Delhi scheduled at 4 pm. They still had 4 hours left but due to tight scrutiny at airports they had to come early. After the luggage was booked and they had received their boarding passes, they made way to grab a proper lunch.

Ri: Oh God, I'm so tired now. Don't know how I'm going to sit this long in the plane. She said munching on her tuna sandwich.

Ra: Don't worry, it'll be fine, you'll go to sleep with in an hour the flight takes off and I'm sure you won't even wake up for meals. I wonder how you never get up on your own.

Riddhima was lost in her thoughts, thinking of what must be awaiting her once she reached home. She had tried her best to delay her trip to India and had been successful but now this sudden wedding had forced her to go back. She loved her family and friends a lot and missed them too but she had her reasons for staying away.

Rahul noticed the lost look on Riddhima's face and understood she was disturbed due to something but he knew her very well, she would never share her problems with anyone.

Ra: What is disturbing you so much Riddhima that you are least enthusiastic about your trip back home? I've seen you lost somewhere from the day we planned our vacations. Now don't deny! I know you don't want to share it but just remember that I'll always be there for you whenever you need me.

Riddhima's eyes got moist on hearing Rahul. She placed a hand over his left hand on the table and squeezed it lightly mumbling thanks. He was gem of a person and the only one with whose help she had settled here in Boston. It had always been impossible for her to adjust in new surroundings but Rahul had made it all easy for her. He helped her in every way possible yet never interfered in her space and she was thankful for that, because she was one of those who didn't speak out her heart.

They had boarded the flight and were waiting for the plane to take off. Riddhima closed her eyes and clutched the armrests of her seat tightly as the plane started moving, she was scared of take offs and landings. Rahul chuckled seeing her scared expressions. He put her head on his shoulder and held her hands firmly. She opened her eyes and saw Rahul smiling at her; she smiled back and put her head on his shoulder.

Rahul moved out of Indira Gandhi International Airport with a trolley loaded with suitcases followed by Riddhima. Nobody had come to pick them up because Riddhima had kept her arrival a secret for her family and friends. So they hired a cab to the Gupta Villa. After good hours' drive they reached the Gupta Villa at 11pm. Riddhima and Rahul nodded towards each other and moved to the entrance which was open. Riddhima slowly tip toed inside and hugged an old lady, who was folding dresses.

Ri: Bi meri pyaari Bi.

The lady turned around and stood in shock. Riddhima giggled seeing her shocked expressions.

Bi: Riddhima. Bi spoke softly. Ridz nodded. Bi cupped her face in her palms and looked at her affectionately. She kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. Both had tears in their eyes.

Anjali: Bi ye lo ap ne jo saree..Ridzie. Anjali dropped the sarees in her hands and rushed down the stairs towards her sister.

An: Ridzie tu yahan achanak. I mean tu to next week anay wali thi phir, sab theek to hai na?

Ri: Di, main bilkul theek hun or main ap ko surprise dena chahti thi to isi liye wrong date bataya. Ab ap aise hi mujhe dekhti rahein gi ya hug bhi karien gi? She asked pouting. Anjie engulfed her in a tight hug.

Rahul cleared his throat to gain the ladies attention who were now busy chatting.

Ra: I suppose you've forgotten I'm also present here.

Ri: oh I'm so sorry Rahul. Bi, he is Rahul, my friend from Boston. We've been together since I moved there. Rahul, meet my Bi.

Rahul bent & took Bi's blessings.

An: you both must be really tired, go get fresh, till then I'll get the dinner served.

Both Rahul & Riddhima moved to their respective rooms. After dinner, Anjali gave them a tour of the villa, since it was built in Riddhima's absence. Later, they all settled in Riddhima's room chatting about the happenings of the past years when they weren't together. When Bi noticed that the trio was nowhere near stopping their talks even at 5 am, she forced all of them to sleep.

The birds were chirping in their musical voice & the sunrays peeped in through the glass roof of the plant nursery where Bi was busy in her prayers. The serene atmosphere was disturbed by the sound of slow steady steps that were approaching the nursery. A tall, well built, handsome man emerged through the back doors and made his way to where Bi was sitting.

Man: Bi, ap yahan hain, maine apko sab jagah dhoond lia. I went home and found you haven't returned yet. Is everything fine, why did you stay here?

Bi: Armaan tu kab wapas aya? Mujhe laga tu aj shaam tak aaye ga isi liye main ruk gayi, ghar per bhi koi nahi tha na.

Ar: Jee Bi, mujhe shaam mein ana tha but kaam jaldi khatam ho gaya to socha laut jaon. Per ap yahan kyun ruki?

Bi: Riddhima returned home last night.

Armaan stood motionless with eyes wide open and a thousand thoughts running through his mind. When he didn't respond for few minutes, Bi nudged him and broke his thought process. Armaan took a deep breath and spoke: kaisi hai wo?

Bi: Aik dum Pari jaisi. I forced her to sleep an hour ago because her talks weren't ending although she was really exhausted. She's in her room, go.

Armaan nodded and moved upstairs to her room. Armaan stood at the entrance staring at the beauty in front of him. He slowly moved towards her and kneeled down beside her bed.

Ar: Welcome back Princess. Armaan whispered while moving his hand on her head.

Armaan held her soft palm in his hand n stroked it lightly with his thumb. He was lost in the memories of their past. A smile came on his lips as he remembered all the moments they had spent together, but then his smile vanished and got replaced by a frown and his eyes turned moist, remembering how he had to stay apart from her for seven long years. This happened because Riddhima had pushed him away for some unknown reasons and cut complete contact with him. But now he was determined to find answers to all his questions. Armaan raised himself and kissed her forehead lovingly and then walked backwards towards the door, whispering something and continuously looking at her.

Ar: Bi you can stay here, it's okay, and Riddhima needs you. I'll manage, please don't worry.

Bi: Nahin Armaan, it's okay, I've informed Anjali about it. Riddhima to ab dopehar tak hi uthey gi. Main phir aa jaon gi us key paas.

Armaan nodded and picked his coat from the couch and left the Gupta Villa with Bi.

It was around 3.30 pm that Riddhima woke up due to the grumbling of her stomach. She sat up with her head rested on the headrest. She looked around her room and admired the interiors. All was done just according to her likes, although she wasn't here. Riddhima's eyes stopped on the full blown poster on the wall of her friends. She stood up from her bed and walked towards it lost in the memories of all the masti they did together. Riddhima's hand rose on its own accord and caressed the face of one particular person who she'd been running away from but unsuccessfully. He followed her everywhere during the days and haunted her dreams at nights. She sighed deeply closing her eyes, and went for a hot bath to relax her body.

An: Oh at last the sleeping beauty is awake.

Ri: Di! Please, I know I'm late but don't make fun of me. What could I do, no one came to wake me up.

Ra: Oh we are so sorry sleeping beauty, we thought you were waiting for your prince charming to come and wake you up.

Ri: Di I'm hungry. What's for breakfast? Riddhima spoke ignoring Rahul's comment.

An: Breakfast! Ridz are you okay? I mean, have you seen the time, it's past lunch time and you're asking for breakfast.

Ri: What it's past lunch time? She turned around to look at the large black clock in the lounge, it was 4.45 pm. She turned back to Anjie and Rahul smiling sheepishly.

An: Baith ja, I'll serve the lunch.

Ri: Rahul have you eaten. Rahul gave her a nod. She nodded back and settled at the table. The delicious smell coming from kitchen made her hungrier.

Mmm.. Bi you are the best. Ap ko yaad tha that I love chicken biryani. Riddhima said taking a deep breath.

Anjie stepped out of the kitchen and told her that Bi had left early in the morning.

Ri: What? Per Bi said she wouldn't go till evening. How can she go without meeting me? Riddhima said pouting.

An: Armaan wapas aa gaya tha na subah, isi liye wo wapis chali gayin. She'll come back in evening. Anjali smiled and ran her hand on Riddhima's head lovingly.

Ri: Akeli gayi wo wapis?

An: No Armaan had come to take her back. And he only brought the lunch for you when you were asleep.

Riddhima's face dropped hearing this. So he didn't want to meet me even once. Why will he, after all I am nobody to him. Anjali shook Riddhima out of her thoughts and served the lunch.

An: Ridz, Billy uncle ka phone aya tha, he wanted to talk to you. But you were sleeping, so he said not to disturb you.

Ri: okay Di, I'll call him now.

An: No, he's out of country now. He has asked us to come over for a day tomorrow and be there at Mallik Mansion before he arrives in the morning. He's so eager to meet you. They all missed you a lot.