AR FF MUHABBAT KI RAAHON ME "final pt-116" - Page 3

omg yaar i loved ur ff..i started to read it today and i ws soo into it and i finished it....i jus wanted to read more n more....pleaes update soon

hey dese partzz were awsome...

PART 31:

 

Ridhimaa and Anjali were sitting in the living room at night watching TV. Armaan was having his checkup done by Shashank. Nani and Padma were gossipping away. Just then Shashank entered the room supporting Armaan.

 

Nani: Aao Armaan beta baitho. Aaram se.

Ridhimaa: Sab theek to hai na papa?

Shashank: (helping Armaan to sit on the sofa comfortably) Sab theek hai. Progress bahut achhi hai. Dr.Armaan bata rahe the ki ab dard bhi kam ho gaya hai. Ab bahut hi jaldi aap theek ho jayenge.

Armaan: Main aapse ek baat poochun sir?

Shashank: Poochiye.

Armaan: Ye aap mujhe aap-aap kyun kehte hain. Main to aapse umr me bhi chota hoon aur designation me bhi. Kya aap mujhe abhi bhi paraya samajhte hain?

Shashank: (smiling) Nahi... nahi. Aap... mera matlab hai tum mujhe galat samajh rahe ho. Main to aise hi...

Armaan: Par ab nahi. Mujhe achha nahi lagta. Aisa lagta hai jaise main koi ajnabee hoon. Mere liye tum hi theek hai.

Shashank: Achha baba aaj se main tumko tum bulaunga. Ab to theek hai?

Armaan: Yes sir.

Shashank: Fir tum mujhe sir keh kar kyun bula rahe ho. Yahan ghar me to main sir nahi hoon.

Armaan: Fir main kya keh kar bulaun sir?

Shashank: Kuch bhi jo tum chaho.

Armaan: Hmm... fir main aapko sasurji keh kar bulaunga... kaisa rahega? Kyun Ridhimaa?

 

Ridhimaa threw a cushion at him.

 

Armaan: Ouch! Chalo kuch aur socha jayega. Tab tak to sir se hi kaam chalana padega. Nahi to basket ke haathon...

 

He stopped as Ridhimaa glared at him.

 

Anjali: Armaan tum dad ko meri tarah dad keh kar kyun nahi bulate?

Armaan: Nahi. Main unhe kaise... I mean wo tumhare dad hain...

Anjali: Kyun nahi bula sakte? Ridzi bhi to unhe papa kehti hai jabki wo to uske apne...

Shashank: (shouting) Anjali.

Anjali: (looking at Ridhimaa who had gone still) I... I am really sorry. Mera wo matlab nahi tha. Ridzi... please... I am sorry.

Ridhimaa: It's OK di. Waise bhi aapne kya galat kaha? Main to hoon hi adopted.

 

Her eyes leaked with tears. Padma's eyes had gone wet too.

 

Shashank: Ridhimaa tum meri hi beti ho. Tum Anjali ki baat ka bura mat maano.

Anjali: Haan Ridzi. Tum meri behen ho. Please...

Ridhimaa: Bura kya maana. Sachchai to yahi hai na ki main...

Armaan: Ridhimaa kya tumhare papa se zyada tumhe koi aur pyar kar pata?

Ridhimaa: (crying) Nahi.

Armaan: Kya tumhe Anjali se achhi behen mil paati?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Di se achhi...

Armaan: Aur kya tumhe tumhari nani ke pyar me kabhi koi kami lagi?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Wo to mujhe Di se bhi zyada pyar karti hain.

Armaan: Ridhimaa rishte janm se nahi pyar se bandhe hote hain. Kai baar apno se zyada hume wo pyar karte hain jinka humse koi rishta nahi hota. Tumhe chaah kar bhi isse zyada pyar karne waala parivaar nahi milta. Mujhe hi dekho main to tum sabka koi nahi hoon, fir bhi in sabne mujhe itna pyar diya hai ki mujhe lagne laga hai ki mera tum sab se koi na koi rishta zaroor hai.

Nani: Ridhimaa tum humari utni hi apni ho jitni Anjali.

 

She got up and hugged her and Ridhimaa cried hard.

 

Nani: (patting Ridhimaa's back) Meri bachchi.

 

Ridhimaa parted with nani and ran and hugged Shashank.

 

Ridhimaa: Main bahut buri hoon na papa. Maine aapka bahut dil dukhaya hai na.

Shashank: Nahi. Tum to meri sabse pyari beti ho.

 

Ridhimaa hugged Anjali too.

 

Ridhimaa: I am sorry Di.

Anjali: Ridzi. Hum sab tumse bahut pyar karte hain.

Armaan: (piping up) Main bhi.

Ridhimaa: (leaving her) Mujhe pata hai ki mera parivaar mujhse bahut pyar karta hai. Main bhi aap sab se bahut pyar karti hoon.

Armaan: Aur mujhse?

Shashank: Tumse hum sab bahut pyar karte hain.

Armaan: Aur tum Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa: (smiling) Pata nahi.

Armaan: Achha?

 

Ridhimaa blushed and hid her face in her sister's arms.

 

Armaan: Oye hoye!!!

 

Next morning. Ridhimaa came to Armaan's room to call him for breakfast. He was in the bathroom. She sat on the bed, waiting for him. He appeared, bare chested and didn't notice Ridhimaa. He pulled up an iron and delved for his shirt in his bag and then proceeded to iron the shirt.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Main kar deti hoon.

 

Armaan turned around to find her, sitting there, very red in the face.

 

Armaan: Nahi main kar loonga.

 

Ridhimaa walked over to him and snatched the iron from his hand. Armaan backed away, to give her space. Ridhimaa started to iron. There was a few moment's silence, when both of them remembered a similar scene happening in the farmhouse. Ridhimaa's hand stopped as she remembered how close they had got there. A smell filled her nostrils. She looked down to find that she had burnt Armaan's shirt. She prised the iron away to examine it, and during this she touched the hot pane of the iron.

 

Ridhimaa: I am sorry Armaan. Aah... ouch... I am really very sorry.

 

Armaan made his way towards her furiously. He pulled her injured hand.

 

Armaan: (caressing her injury) Tum koi kaam theek se nahi kar sakti? Dekho kitni tez jala diya apna haath.

Ridhimaa: (surprised) Armaan tumhari shirt...

Armaan: (blowing air on her hand, to make it feel better) Shirt zyada important hai ki tum? Shirt to doosri pehen lunga lekin agar tumhe kuch ho jaata to main kya karta?

Ridhimaa: Armaan.

 

Armaan kissed her hand.

 

Ridhimaa: (pulling her hand back) Armaan ab main theek hoon. Sach me.

 

Armaan left her hand.

 

Armaan: Chalo. Is par medicine laga lo.

 

He grabbed another shirt from his bag, pulled it over himself and dragged Ridhimaa out of the room. Others were surprised on seeing Armaan doing so.

 

Shashank: Kya hua Armaan? Tum aise kyun...

Armaan: (showing them Ridhimaa's hand) Ye dekhiye. Kitni tez jal gaya hai.

Padma: (laughing at the small bruise) Arrey. Kahan? Ye to dikh hi nahi raha hai.

Ridhimaa: Main yahi to keh rahi thi. Lekin Armaan zabardasti...

Anjali: Armaan itni chhoti si chot ke liye itna hungama!

Armaan: Chhoti si chot? Agar Ridhimaa ko kuch ho jaata to?

Shashank: Ridhimaa Armaan bilkul theek keh raha hai. Waise ye hua kaise?

Ridhimaa: Wo main Armaan ki shirt press kar rahi thi aur wo jal gayi. Tabhi ye...

Nani: Armaan ki shirt jal gayi?

Armaan: Usse kya fark padta hai? Haath to Ridhimaa ka jala na.

Ridhimaa: Armaan dekho. Kahan jala?

Armaan: Jala to tha.

Shashank: (smiling) Chalo koi to hai jise mere se zyada Ridhimaa ki chinta hai.

 

 

PART 32:

 

In the afternoon, Ridhimaa was very anxious. She goes to Anjali who was sitting in her room.

 

Anjali: Kya hua Ridzi? Tum itni pareshaan kyun ho?

Ridhimaa: Di aapne Armaan ko dekha hai?

Anjali: Haan bahut baar.

Ridhimaa: Di aapne abhi Armaan ko dekha hai? Wo kahin mil nahi raha.

Anjali: Oh to Armaan ki yaad aa rahi hai?

Ridhimaa: Di please bataiye na... wo apne kamre me nahi hai.

Anjali: What! Kamre me nahi hai to kahan hai?

Ridhimaa: Wahi to main bhi pooch rahi hoon. Aapne use kahin jaate hue to nahi dekha?

Anjali: Nahi to. Tumne baaki sab se poocha?

Ridhimaa: Abhi jaati hoon poochne.

Anjali: Main bhi chalti hoon.

 

They both move out of the room to the living room where the others were sitting.

 

Ridhimaa: Nani... Mom... Papa.

Nani: Kya hua Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa: Aap logon ne Armaan ko kahin jaate hue dekha?

Shashank: Armaan to apne kamre me hi hoga.

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Wo to kahin nahi mil raha.

Padma: Kya? Lekin wo is haalat me jayega kahan?

Ridhimaa: Pata nahi. Kahin use kuch ho na gaya ho.

 

She started crying.

 

Shashank: Ridhimaa. Apne aap ko sambhalo. Main abhi jaata hoon use dhoondhne. Waise tumne uska mobile try kiya?

Ridhimaa: Nahi.

 

She dials Armaan's number. Armaan picks up.

 

Armaan: Hello.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum kahan ho? Tum theek to ho na? Armaan...

Armaan: Main bilkul theek hoon Ridhimaa. Abhi aa raha hoon. Fir bataunga.

Ridhimaa: Armaan...

 

Till then Armaan had entered the house. Ridhimaa ran up to him.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: (holding her at a distance lest she collided with him) Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum kahan chale gaye the? Yahan par sab log kitne pareshaan ho rahe the.

Armaan: (wiping off her tears) Wo to mujhe dikh raha hai.

Shashank: Tum kahan gaye the?

Armaan: Sir... wo main... Sanjeevani gaya tha.

Shashank: Sanjeevani! Par kyun? Aapko wahan kya kaam tha?

Armaan: Bi se milne gaya tha. Phone aaya tha ki wo bahut pareshaan hain. Jab se goli lagi hai tabse unse mila bhi nahi isiliye...

Ridhimaa: Armaan Bi se milne gaye the to hum me se kisi ke saath chale jaate. Akele jaane ki kya zaroorat thi is haalat me?

Armaan: Ridhimaa ab main bilkul theek hoon.

Ridhimaa: Armaan...

Armaan: Maine Dr.Kirti ko bhi keh diya hai ki main kal se Sanjeevani join kar raha hoon. Wo maan gayi.

Shashank: What? Main abhi Dr.Kirti se baat karta hoon. Aapki tabiyat...

Armaan: Bilkul theek hai. Wahan par apna poora checkup karwane ke baad hi mujhe permission mili hai.

Nani: Maine kaha tha na. Bilkul bandaron ki tarah hai. Bimari me bhi boriyat satati hai isko.

Ridhimaa: Bi ab kaisi hain?

Armaan: Theek hain. Aur ek aur khush khabri aap sab ke liye.

Padma: Wo kya?

Armaan: Maine aap logon ko yahan par bahut pareshaan kiya hai na. Ab nahi karunga. Kal main yahan se wapas apne ghar ja raha hoon. Ab jo main theek ho gaya hoon to yahan par rehne ki kya zaroorat? Hai na?

 

He looked around to find all of them glaring at him.

 

Armaan: (cowering) Aap sab mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe hain? Maine kuch galat keh diya kya?

Nani: Tumhe yahan par koi pareshaani hai?

Armaan: Nahi to.

Padma: Hum sabse koi galti hui hai kya?

Armaan: Nahi aap kaisi baat kar rahi hain?

Shashank: Hum sab ke pyar me tumko koi kami lagi kya?

Armaan: Nahi sir.

Anjali: Fir tum jaane ki baat kyun kar rahe ho?

Armaan: Wo main tum logon ko aur pareshaan nahi karna chahta.

Shashank: Aur tumhare chale jaane ke baad jo hum log pareshaan honge uska kya?

Armaan: Kya matlab?

Shashank: Matlab ye ki tumne apni marzi bahut chala li. Tum kal se Sanjeevani join kar rahe ho wo theek hai lekin tum yahan se tab tak nahi jaoge jab tak poori tarah se theek nahi ho jaate.

Armaan: Lekin...

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum akele rehte ho. Agar tumhe tumhare ghar me koi pareshaani hui to kya karoge?

Armaan: Mujhe kya pareshaani hogi. I am fit now.

Shashank: Armaan sir ki chot me baad me bhi pain hota rehta hai. Aur kabhi kabhi bahut zyada hota hai. Tumko to ye pata hi hoga. Isiliye jab tak tumhari recovery nahi ho jaati tab tak tum kahin nahi jaoge.

Nani: Bas ab koi behas nahi. Armaan apne kamre me jaakar aaram karo.

Armaan: Haan. Chala lo apna hukm sab log. Meri itni hi parwah hai to meri shaadi kyun nahi karwa dete aap sab.

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Armaan apna muh band rakho.

Armaan: Arrey tumse thode hi shaadi karunga.

Padma: To fir kisse karoge?

Armaan: Aapse.

 

He sits on his knees.

 

Armaan: Kya aap mujhse shaadi karengi?

Padma: Dhatt!

Armaan: (standing up) Lo. Ye proposal bhi reject ho gaya.

Shashank: Better luck next time. Achha ab jao.

Armaan: Wo... main... main...

Anjali: Kya?

Armaan: Main Ridhimaa ko kuch dena chahta tha.

Ridhimaa: Kya?

 

Armaan takes out the selfsame kada and payal which he had gifted Ridhimaa.

 

Ridhimaa: Oh!

Armaan: Tum ye guest room me bhool aayi thi.

Shashank: Ye kya hai?

Armaan: (pulling the kada up Ridhimaa's wrist) Ye humara pushtaini kada hai. Aur main Armaan Maliik aap sab ko witness maan kar ye us ladki ko pehna raha hoon jiske saath main apni poori zindagi bitaana chahta hoon. Main waada karta hoon ki kabhi apna koi waada nahi todunga.

 

Ridhimaa's eyes filled with tears.

 

Anjali: (in a watery voice and indicating the payal) Aur ye?

Armaan: (going down on his knees once more and wrapping the payals around Ridhimaa's feet) Ye payal isliye ki tum jahan bhi raho, jahan bhi jao, main humehsa tumhare saath rahun... har pal. Agar kal ko mujhe kuch ho bhi jaaye to ye payal tumhe yaad dilayegi ki tumhe aagey badhte rehna hai. Kyunki agar tum khush rahogi, tabhi mujhe jannat naseeb hogi.

 

He stood up. Ridhimaa flung herself into his arms.

 

Ridhimaa: (crying) Tumhe kuch nahi hoga. Tumhe kabhi kuch nahi ho sakta.

Armaan: (patting her) Marna to ek din hum sabhi ko hai. Meri to bas itni si khwahish hai ki main tumse pehle is duniya se jaun.

Ridhimaa: Armaan bas. Please!

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Tum mujhse waada karo ki agar kal main na raha to bhi tum khush rahogi. Mere liye. Please.

Ridhimaa: (crying very hard) Armaan please aisi baat mat karo.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Chup ho jao. Main to aise hi keh raha tha. Abhi to meri zindagi bahut lambi hai.

Shashank: Haan. Ab is topic ko yahin khatm kijiye aur jakar aaram kijiye.

 

Armaan and Ridhimaa separated. Ridhimaa's eyes were still wet. She was still crying.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

 

Ridhimaa wiped her eyes.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa. I am sorry. Mujhe maaf kar do.

Ridhimaa: Ek shart par.

Armaan: Mujhe pata hai. Main fir kabhi aisi baatein nahi karunga.

Ridhimaa: (smiling) Haan. Main tumhe kuch nahi hone doongi. Kabhi bhi.

Armaan: Dekho... tum to mujhe bhi rula kar chodogi.

 

He wiped the tears coming from his eyes and turned around to hide them. Shashank engulfed him into a hug and he desperate for comfort, hugged him tighter.

 

Armaan: I am sorry. Mujhe...

Shashank: It's OK. We also have a right to show our emotions.

 

 

PART 33:

 

Next day at Sanjeevani's Nurse Station. Dr.Kirti was assigning duties to the interns. She was not looking in a good mood.

 

Kirti: Dr.Muskaan, Dr.Rahul Path Lab. Dr.Anjali, Dr.Atul ICU. Dr.Ridhimaa General ward. Dr.Armaan aap bhi General ward lekin aap zyada stress nahi lenge. Am I clear?

Armaan: Yes Mam.

 

All the interns heed to their duties.

 

Kirti: Dr.Armaan.

 

Armaan who was about to follow Ridhimaa stopped in his tracks.

 

Armaan: Yes Mam?

Kirti: Kal aapne jo CT Scan karwaya tha uski reports aaj din tak aa jayengi. Apni duties ke baad mere cabin me aaiyega.

Armaan: OK mam.

 

He also goes away to perform his duty.

 

In the General ward.

 

Nana: (to Armaan who was checking his pulse) Apple... mujhse zyada to tujhe doctor ki zaroorat hai.

Armaan: Aap ab normal hain. Lekin abhi bhi lungs par stress ho raha hai.

Nana: Ye to chalta hi rehta hai. Tu bata tere aur teri bulbul ke beech kya chal raha hai? Suna hai tera sasur maan gaya.

Armaan: Haan. Ab aap aaram kijiye. Main zara bulbul... I mean Ridhimaa ko dekh kar aata hoon.

Nana: Ja warna teri bulbul kahin ud na jaaye.

 

Armaan approaches Ridhimaa and waited for her to check her patient. Ridhimaa, when free, turned around to find Armaan standing behind her.

 

Ridhimaa: Kya hua Armaan?

Armaan: Mujhe tumse ek bahut important baat kehni thi.

Ridhimaa: Kya?

Armaan: Aise nahi. Kaan me. Top secret.

 

Ridhimaa brings her ears closer to his lips.

 

Armaan: (whispering) I... love... you.

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Armaan sab dekh rahe hain.

Armaan: Dekhne do. Jab pyar kiya to darna kya?

Ridhimaa: Good afternoon Dr.Kirti.

 

Armaan revolves around, terrified. But no one was there.

 

Ridhimaa: (laughing) Arrey... jab pyar kiya to darna kya?

Armaan: (holding her hand and pulling her to his chest) Achha!

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Armaan...

 

Armaan kisses her cheek.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan... Dr.Kirti.

Armaan: Bahut ho gaya Basket. Ab main nahi darne waala.

 

But Ridhimaa had turned around. Armaan too turned around to find Dr.Kirti standing there.

 

Armaan: Good... Good afternoon mam.

Kirti: Dr.Armaan. Aap abhi mere cabin me aaiye.

Armaan: I am sorry mam.

Kirti: Nahi. Koi aur baat hai. Aap mere cabin me chaliye.

 

Ridhimaa glanced enquiringly at Armaan who shrugged, but nevertheless followed Dr.Kirti to her cabin.

 

Kirti: (sitting down) Please sit down.

 

Armaan sits, foreboding danger.

 

Kirti: Dr.Armaan kal aapke sir me dard hua tha isiliye aap yahan test karwane aaye the.

Armaan: Yes mam.

Kirti: Aapko aisa sir dard pehle bhi hua hai?

Armaan: Mam do teen baar hua tha.

Kirti: Us din goli lagne ke baad? Ya fir usse pehle?

Armaan: Mam pehle ek ya do baar zyada kaam karne par hota tha.

Kirti: Well that's normal...

Armaan: Yes mam. Lekin us accident ke baad har din hota tha. Isiliye mujhe laga ki test karwa lena chahiye.

Kirti: You were right.

Armaan: Mam meri reports aa gayi?

Kirti: (seeming a little nauseated) Yes.

Armaan: Can I see them? Kya hua? Sab normal to hai na?

Kirti: Sab normal to nahi hai. Lekin... treatment ho sakta hai.

Armaan: Mam please saaf saaf bataiye.

 

Kirti didn't seem to be able to speak. She hands him the reports. Armaan saw them and his expression grew from wonder to horror.

 

Armaan: Brain haemorrhage! Lekin brain haemorrhage to bahut fatal hota hai fir main abhi tak...

Kirti: Dr.Armaan. Calm down. Aapka case thoda alag hai. Aapke sir me blood clot ho gaya hai. Isiliye aap abhi tak... Lekin isi wajah se hume ek treatment mil gaya hai.

Armaan: But there is a risk. Agar operation sahi nahi hua to I think it would result in... coma.

Kirti: Yes. Lekin we have no other alternative. Agar surgery nahi ki gayi to death is inevitable.

Armaan: (calmly) Kitne din hain mere pass?

Kirti: Teen dino ke andar surgery karni hogi nahi to...

Armaan: Three days. They are enough.

Kirti: Dr.Armaan. Aapko surgery karwani hogi.

Armaan: Main ye operation nahi karwaunga. Coma se achha to marna hai. Coma me to na main jee paunga aur na hi mar paunga. I'll prefer to...

Kirti: Dr.Armaan. Aap ye faisla akele kaise kar sakte hain. Apne parivaar...

Armaan: Mera parivaar to hai nahi. Isliye the decision lies with me aur ye final hai.

Kirti: Lekin Dr.Ridhimaa...

Armaan: (his voice shook for the first time) Mam please aap kisi ko is baare me mat bataiyega. Please. Meri aakhiri wish samajh kar poora kar dijiye.

Kirti: OK.

 

Armaan emerged from Kirti's cabin. He was not afraid of death. It was nothing. But he was afraid about what would happen to Ridhimaa after he...

 

There was a bump. He had walked straight into Shashank.

 

Armaan: I am really very sorry sir.

Shashank: It's OK Dr.Armaan. Main aap hi ko dhoondh raha tha. Aap thodi der ke liye mere cabin me aiye.

 

They both enter his cabin. Shashank gestures Armaan to sit down.

 

Shashank: (indicating Armaan's reports which were kept on the table) Ye file?

Armaan: Ek patient ki hai.

Shashank: Dr.Armaan inspector Tripathi ka phone aaya tha. Wo pooch rahe the ki Function kab rakha jaaye. Maine unse kaha hai ki ek hafte tak bilkul nahi kyunki aapko rest ki zaroorat hai.

Armaan: Ab to rest hi rest hai.

Shashank: Pardon?

Armaan: Nothing sir. Aapne sahi kaha.

Shashank: Theek hai aap ja sakte hain.

 

Armaan stood up and left. He was feeling a little depressed. There won't be time for anything. He would have to make Ridhimaa and others forget him so that they wont miss him when he would be gone. And he would have to make sure that no one knew about his state. He would keep the file secure... As he looked at his hand, expecting to see the file, he realised that he had left his reports on Shashank's table. He ran back to the office and entered without knocking. Shashank was bent over his file.

 

Armaan: Sir... wo file...

 

Shashank looked up. His eyes were wide with fear.

 

Shashank: Armaan aap... aapko... ye aapki reports hain?

Armaan: (in a small voice) Ji sir.

Shashank: Par iske mutabik to agar tumhara teen din me operation nahi hua to... to... tum operation Sanjeevani me karwaoge ya fir...

Armaan: Main operation nahi karwaunga.

Shashank: Armaan. Tum samajh kyun nahi rahe. Agar operation nahi hua to tum ...

Armaan: Mar jaunga. Yahi na. Operation ke baad agar main Coma me chala gaya to? Aadhi zindagi se to maut behtar hai.

Shashank: Armaan. Tum kaisi baat kar rahe ho? Ridhimaa ko pata chalega to ...

Armaan: Sir please... ye baat kisi ko mat bataiyega. Main apne aakhiri teen din hanste chehre dekhna chahta hoon. Main nahi chahta ki Ridhimaa... please sir. Aap mujhse waada kijiye ki mere jaane ke baad aap Ridhimaa ko humesha khush rakhne ki koshish karenge... please...

 

Armaan lost his control and broke down. Shashank got up from his chair and hugged Armaan.

 

Shashank: Main koshish karunga. Lekin aap apna faisla badal lijiye. Agar operation successful raha to...

Armaan: Sir. 100 me se 99 baar ye operation unsuccessful rehta hai. Ab koi ummeed nahi hai. Main apna faisla nahi badlunga.

 

He got up and left the cabin leaving Shashank gazing hopelessly at his vanishing silhoutte.

 

 

PART 34:

 

That evening at Ridhimaa's house.

 

Nani: Aa gaye tum log?

Armaan: (hugging her) Ji nani.

Nani: (patting him) Aaj bahut pyar aa raha hai mujh par.

Armaan: Main to aapse humesha se bahut pyar karta hoon. Main aaj chahta hoon ki aap zindagi bhar ka pyar aaj hi mujh par luta de.

Nani: Abhi to poori zindagi padi hai.

Armaan: Kya pata nani? Kal ho na ho.

Ridhimaa: Fir shuru kar diya Shahrukh Khan ki films ke dialogues marna. Tum kabhi nahi sudhroge.

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Hmm...

Armaan: Ridhimaa tum khush raha karo. Humesha.

Ridhimaa: Jab tak tum saath ho tab tak main khush rahungi.

Armaan: Aur mere jaane ke baad?

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Shut up!

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Waada karo ki kuch bhi ho jaaye, tum humesha khush rahogi.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tumhe aaj kya ho gaya hai?

Armaan: Kuch nahi.

 

They all change and then come for dinner. Armaan was a little secluded.

 

Padma: Armaan. Aaj tumhare chehre par barah kyun baje hue hain? Tum bimar ho?

Armaan: Nahi to. Main to bas kuch soch raha tha.

Anjali: Kya soch rahe the?

Armaan: Yahi ki tum sab ne mujhe itne kam samay me itna pyar diya hai.

Anjali: Wo isliye tumhara hum sab ke saath janm janm ka saath hai.

Armaan: (muttering) Kash is janm ka saath thoda aur lamba hota.

Anjali: Kya?

Armaan: Kuch nahi.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum pareshaan ho? Kisliye?

Armaan: Nahi. Main kahan pareshaan hoon. Sir kahan hain?

Ridhimaa: Ek emergency thi. Papa Sanjeevani se der se lautenge.

 

Shashank enters Armaan's room after knocking.

 

Shashank: Armaan!

Armaan: Yes sir.

Shashank: Armaan. Tum ek baar fir soch lo. Agar operation ho gaya to...

Armaan: Maine soch liya hai sir.

Shashank: Armaan tum itne selfish kaise ho sakte ho?

Armaan: Kya matlab sir?

Shahshank: Matlab ye ki tum sirf apne baare me kyun soch rahe ho? Tumne hum sab ke baare me... tumne Ridhimaa ke baare me nahi socha?

Armaan: Usi ke baare me soch kar to ye faisla kiya hai.

Shashank: Lekin Ridhimaa to...

Armaan: Sir mujhe pata hai ki mere marne ke baad Ridhimaa bahut dukhi hogi. Bahut royegi. Lekin kisi ke marne se kisi aur ki zindagi to nahi rukti na. Kuch din, kuch mahino baad wo mujhe bhula kar fir se jeena seekh jayegi. Lekin agar maine operation karwa liya aur Coma me chala gaya to Ridhimaa zindagi bhar mera intzaar karegi. Uski zindagi wahin ruk jayegi. Aap hi sochiye sir ki apni aadhi zindagi ke liye main Ridhimaa ki poori zindagi kaise barbaad kar sakta hoon?

Shashank: Lekin...

Armaan: Sir agar aap Ridhimaa se pyar karte hain to mujhe mera faisla badalne ke liye mat kahiye.

Shashank: Theek hai. To tum kal se Sanjeevani nahi jaoge?

Armaan: Main Sanjeevani kyun nahi jaunga? Sanjeevani me hi to mera parivaar hai aur abhi kuch kaam hain jo mujhe poore karne hain.

 

Shashank left the room. Armaan clutched his head.

 

Next day in Sanjeevani's locker room.

 

Atul: Armaan. Meri problem solve kar na.

Armaan: Teri problem. Oh! Aisa kar tu aaj Anjali ko date par le ja.

Atul: Arrey haan uske baare me to main bhool hi gaya tha. Tu na hota to pata nahi mera kya hota?

Armaan: Mere na hone se koi fark nahi padta. Aur tu doosron ke bajay khud apni madad karna seekh.

Atul: Iski kya zaroorat hai jab tak mere pass tu hai.

Armaan: Aur agar kabhi main na rahun to?

Atul: Ye kaisi baat kar raha hai?

Armaan: Kuch nahi.

 

At the nurse station.

 

Kirti: Dr.Muskaan, ICU. Dr.Rahul, General ward. Dr.Atul aap bhi General ward. Dr.Anjali Path Lab. Dr.Ridhimaa aur Dr.Armaan... aap dono ke liye ek naya case hai. Uski details is file me hai. Lijiye study kar lijiye.

 

She gives them the file. Both bend over it.

 

Ridhimaa: Rape case!

Armaan: Lekin ye to sirf 19 saal ki hai.

Kirti: Yes Doctors.

Atul: Itni chhoti si ladki ke saath...

Anjali: How disgusting!

Kirti: Interns. Go back to your work. Dr.Armaan, Dr.Ridhimaa aap dono mere saath chaliye.

 

They follow her to a room. Inside was a young girl lying on the bed. Her mother was sitting beside her looking forlorn. A young man and the girl's father were standing outside the door.

 

Kirti: Wo aapki bachchi hai?

Father: Ji.

 

Armaan, Ridhimaa and Kirti entered inside and approached the girl. The girl shrieked at the mere sight of Armaan.

 

Girl: (shrieking) Nahi. Mujhe chod do! Mere pass mat aana!

Armaan: Maine... maine kya kiya?

Mother: Ye kisi bhi ladke ko apne pass aate dekh aise hi chillane lagti hai. Apne papa aur mangetar ko dekh kar bhi aise hi chilla rahi thi.

Ridhimaa: (sitting beside the girl and lovingly holding her hand) Hum tumhe kuch nahi karenge.

Girl: (with tears in her eyes, looking terrified at the sight of Armaan) Nahi ye mujhe...

Armaan: (sitting on the floor beside the girl and holding her other hand) Main tumhare bhai jaisa hoon. Aur bhai ka farz hota hai behen ki raksha karna. Hai na? Isiliye main tumhe kuch nahi hone dunga.

 

The girl, moved by Armaan's words, hugged him. Armaan patted her hair.

 

Girl: Aap sach keh rahe hain?

Armaan: Sach... God promise.

 

The girl smiled.

 

Mother: Ye to muskurana hi bhool gayi thi.

Kirti: Ye sab hua kaise?

 

 

PART 35:

 

The mother did not say anything.

 

Armaan: (to the girl) Tumhara naam kya hai?

Girl: Jyoti.

Armaan: Jyoti kya tum apne bhai ko bataogi ki tumhare saath kya hua tha? Ye jaanna zaroori hai.

 

Tears dropped from her eyes and Armaan swiped them off.

 

Jyoti: Do din pehle main aur Vishal kuch doston ke saath ghoomne gaye the. Wahin par mujhe akela paakar uske ek dost ne mere saath... Vishal bhi wahan tha par usne kuch nahi kiya.

Armaan: Ye Vishal kaun hai?

Mother: Iska mangetar tha.

Ridhimaa: Tha matlab?

Mother: Usne shaadi se mana kar diya...

Armaan: What? Wo hai kahan?

Mother: Bahar khada hai.

Armaan: Mam main jakar usse baat karke dekhun?

Kirti: Go ahead.

 

Armaan patted the girl's head and went outside. Ridhimaa followed him. Shashank was also present there. He was talking to the girl's father.

 

Armaan: Tum Vishal ho?

Vishal: Ji.

Armaan: Tum Jyoti ke mangetar ho?

Vishal: Ji. Tha.

Armaan: Ab kyun nahi?

Vishal: Tumhe lagta hai ki uske muh kaala karwane ke baad bhi main usse shaadi karuga? No way!

Armaan: (grabbing his collar) Ye sab uski marzi se nahi hua tha. It was a rape. Isme uski kya galti hai... you scoundrel?

Vishal: (gasping for breath) Leave me!

 

Ridhimaa pulled Armaan's hands off Vishal's collar.

 

Armaan: Tum to uske saath the na jab...

Vishal: Haan. Tha.

Ridhimaa: Tab tum ye sab hone se rok sakte the. Tumne kuch kiya kyun nahi?

Vishal: Madam. Us Monty ke haath me chaku tha. Agar maine kuch bhi karne ki koshish kari hoti to wo mujhe maar daalta.

Armaan: Tumhe Jyoti se zyada apni jaan ki fikr thi? Tum to kisi bhi ladki ke kaabil hi nahi ho. Har insaan ka farz hota hai ki wo mushkil me pade insaan ki madad kare. Aur har ladke ka farz hota hai ki wo har us ladki ki raksha kare jise uski zaroorat ho. Aur tum to uske mangetar ho.

Vishal: Ye sab kehne ki baaten hain. Aaj kal aisa koi nahi karta.

Ridhimaa: Aisa hua hai. Tumne teen din pehle newspaper me wo article padha tha jab kisi ne apni jaan par khelkar ek ladki ki izzat bachai thi aur robbery hone se bhi roka tha?

Vishal: Wo kisi Dr.Armaan wali?

Ridhimaa: Haan. Wo Dr.Armaan yahi hai.

Vishal: Oh. Lekin wo to theek hai na. Unki jaan ko to koi khatra nahi. Ek baar kisi ki raksha kya kar di, ab sabko lecture dene chale aaye. Agar isi me inhe kuch ho jaata to aaj ye hi aisa karne se tauba kar rahe hote.

Shashank: (furiously) Inhone ek baar nahi baar baar meri beti ko bachaya hai. Agar koi kisi se bahut pyar karta hai na to wo apne baare me nahi sochta. Aur tum keh rahe ho ki agar unhe kuch ho jaata to wo aisa karne se mana kar dete? You are wrong. Tumhe pata hai, is injury ki wajah se inhe brain haemorrhage ho gaya hai aur do din baad ye shayad na rahe lekin agar aaj bhi kisiko inki zaroorat padegi to ye haste haste uske liye apni jaan de denge.

Armaan: Sir!

 

Shashank looked at Armaan and realised that he had said more than he had intended to. He and Armaan both glanced quickly at Ridhimaa whose face had gone pale.

 

Vishal: Mujhe nahi pata tha. I am sorry.

Shashank: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Papa aap ye kya keh rahe hain. Aap itna bada jhooth kaise bol sakte hain ki Armaan ko...

Shashank: (without looking at Armaan) Ye jhooth nahi hai.

Ridhimaa: (tears flowing from her eyes) Nahi. Armaan dekho papa kya keh rahe hain. Tum to ab bilkul theek ho... hai na?

Armaan: Haan Ridhimaa... main bilkul theek hoon.

Kirti: (emerging from the room) Dr.Armaan. Ab jhooth bolne se kya fayda? Sach do din me to pata chal hi jayega. Dr.Ridhimaa, Dr.Armaan ko Brain Haemorrhage hai. Aur do din baad ye nahi bachenge.

 

Atul, Rahul, Anjali and Muskaan who had just arrived were stunned by the news.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Tum chinta mat karo. Tumhe kuch nahi hoga. Main tumhe kuch nahi hone dungi.

Atul: Armaan.

 

He hugged him.

 

Atul: Haan Armaan. Koi na koi treatment zaroor hoga.

Rahul: Brain haemorhage. Ye kaise ho sakta hai. Zaroor koi galti hui hai.

Kirti: Koi galti nahi hai. Inke brain me blood clot ho gaya hai isiliye ye aaj tak zinda hain aur agar do din me operation nahi hua to hum inhe nahi bacha payenge.

Anjali: (in a heavy voice) Tab to Armaan tumhe jaldi se jaldi operation karwa lena chahiye.

Muskaan: (shuddering) Warna... Nahi, tumhara operation kab hai?

Armaan: Kabhi nahi.

Rahul: Kya? Lekin Armaan...

Armaan: Ye mera faisla hai ki operation karwana hai ki nahi. Mujhe isme kisi ki help nahi chahiye.

Atul: Armaan. Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya?

Armaan: Atul tumhe pata hai ki agar ye operation unsuccessful raha to main Coma me chala jaunga?

Atul: Agar unsuccessful raha to na.

Armaan: 99% chances hain iske. Aur Coma me jaane se achha to marna hi hai.

Ridhimaa: (flinging herself onto his chest and crying hard) Armaan! Tumhe ye operation karwana hi hoga.

Armaan: Ridhimaa meri baat suno.

Ridhimaa: Nahi main kuch nahi sunungi.

Armaan: Ridhimaa please meri baat suno.

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Mujhe kuch nahi sunna. Tum ye operation karwa rahe ho bas. Tumhare bina main bhi mar jaungi.

Armaan: Ridhimaa koi kisi ke bina nahi marta.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum kal operation karwa rahe ho.

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Nahi...

Armaan: Ridhimaa please...

Ridhimaa: Nahi...

Armaan: (thundering) Ridhimaa.

 

Ridhimaa felt silent and the others gazed at the pair.

 

 

PART 36:

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa main operation nahi karwaunga.

Ridhimaa: Main ye nahi hone doongi.

Armaan: Tum kaun hoti ho mujhe rokne waali?

 

Ridhimaa's eyes which were glazed with tears, widened with shock.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan main...

Armaan: Tum koi nahi ho meri... Waise bhi sab tumhari galti hai.

Anjali: Armaan kaisi baat kar rahe ho?

Armaan: Isme Ridhimaa ki hi galti hai. Ridhimaa ko bachate bachate hi mujhe goli lagi aur isi wajah se main marne waala hoon. Sab iski galti hai. Isne na mujhe kabhi chain se jeene diya aur na ab mujhe chain se marne degi. Tumhari wajah se hi main is haalat me hoon. Sab tumhari wajah se.

 

There was a silence after that. Only Ridhimaa's sobs could be heard. Ridhimaa spoke after she had found her voice.

 

Ridhimaa: Tum apne aap ko bahut smart samajhte ho? Is sab me meri galti hai?

Armaan: Haan sab tumhari galti hai.

Ridhimaa: Tumhe to jhooth bolna bhi nahi aata. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum aisi baaten kar ke mera dil dukha loge aur main tumhe operation karwaane ke liye force nahi karungi. Armaan aisa nahi hoga. Aur tumhe operation karwana hi hoga.

Armaan: (in desperation with tears in his eyes) Tum bahut buri ho. Ridhimaa kya tum chahti ho ki main zindagi bhar doosron ka mohtaj rahoon? Kya tum waada kar sakti ho ki mere Coma me jaane ke baad tum mera intzaar nahi karogi?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Main ye waada nahi karoongi.

Armaan: Fir main bhi ye operation nahi karwaunga. Main tumhe dukhi nahi dekh sakta aur ye tum jaanti ho.

Ridhimaa: Armaan agar tumne ye operation nahi karwaya to main abhi apni jaan de doongi.

Armaan: Tum aisa kuch nahi karogi.

Ridhimaa: Main aisa hi karoongi. Ye dekho.

 

She points a knife at her wrist.

 

Shashank: Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Koi mere pass mat aana warna main abhi apni nerve kaat loongi.

Armaan: Ridhimaa mazaak chodo.

Ridhimaa: Tumhe ye mazaak lagta hai. To lo.

 

She proceeds to cut her vein.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa! Ruko!

Ridhimaa: Pehle tum bolo tum operation karwaoge ki nahi?

Armaan: Ridhimaa! Meri baat suno.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum bol rahe ho ya main...

Armaan: Theek hai. Main operation karwaunga.

 

Ridhimaa looked up at him and Armaan santched the knife from her and hugged her.

 

Armaan: Pagal ho gayi thi kya?

Ridhimaa: Armaan I love you. Main tumhare bina nahi ji sakti. Isiliye...

Armaan: Main operation karwa loonga lekin meri ek shart hai...

Ridhimaa: Main tumko kabhi nahi bhoolungi...

Armaan: Theek hai to agar main Coma main chala gaya to main nahi chaahta ki mujhe kisi bhi tarah ki artificial help di jaaye.

Ridhimaa: Ye tum kya keh rahe ho?

Armaan: Main theek keh raha hoon. Agar tumko ye manzoor hai to hi main ye operation karaunga.

Shashank: Lekin...

Armaan: Theek hai to main ye operation...

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Apni zidd chodo.

Armaan: Main har baar tumhari baat kyun maanon? Is baar tumhe bhi meri baat maanni hogi. Agar tum chahti ho ki main operation karwaun to...

Ridhimaa: Theek hai. Main tumhe kuch nahi hone dungi. Dekh lena.

Armaan: Tum hi dekhna kyunki main to...

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Rahul: Tujhe kuch nahi hoga.

Armaan: Agar mujhe kuch ho bhi gaya to sabse zyada khush to tu hi hoga.

Rahul: Armaan tu sach me pitega.

Armaan: Achha baba. To kal ki operation ki date fix. Kaun karega mera operation?

Kirti: Hume bahar se ek specialist bulana hoga.

Armaan: Kyun Sanjeevani me se koi...

Shashank: I dont think so. Yahan par hum sab aapse bahut pyar karte hain isiliye...

Armaan: Sab?

Ridhimaa: Haan sab.

Armaan: Ye sab tumhari wajah se ho raha hai. Main mar jaunga na tab bhi bhoot ban kar tumhara peecha karunga.

Ridhimaa: Uski zaroorat hi nahi padegi kyunki tum humesha mere saath rahoge.

 

All have gone back to their duties. Armaan and Ridhimaa are about to go back to the room when Vishal approached them.

 

Vishal: Excuse me.

Armaan: Yes.

Vishal: I am sorry man. Please mujhe maaf kar do.

Armaan: It's OK.

Vishal: Abhi mujhe kisi aur se bhi maafi mangni hai. May I?

Armaan: OK.

 

They all enter together. Armaan nears Jyoti.

 

Armaan: Dekho tumse milne kaun aaya hai.

 

Jyoti sees Vishal and turns her head to the other side.

 

Jyoti: Bhaiya inse keh do ye yahan se chala jaaye.

Vishal: Jyoti please mujhe maaf kar do. I am really very sorry. Maine bahut badi galti ki. Ab us galti ko sudharna chahta hoon. Kya tum ab bhi mujhse shaadi karogi?

Jyoti: Huh! Bade aaye shaadi karne waale.

Vishal: Jyoti. Main Monty ko kadi se kadi saza dilwaunga. Use apne gunah ki saza zaroor milegi. Tum mujhse shaadi nahi karna chahti to theek hai mujhe ye bata do ki meri saza kya hai.

Jyoti: Tumhari saza?

Vishal: Haan meri galti to bahut badi hai. Main apne pyar ki raksha na kar paya. Batao main kya karoon? Chaho to mujhe maar lo.

 

He takes her hand and slaps himself.

 

Jyoti: (crying) Vishal. Maine tumhe maaf kiya. Please. Ab tum guilty feel karna chod do.

Vishal: To tum mujhse shaadi karogi?

Jyoti: Lekin main to...

Vishal: Jyoti maine tumse aur sirf tumse pyar kiya hai. Bolo kya tum mujhse shaadi karogi?

Jyoti: Haan.

Armaan: Ye hui na baat. Congratulations!

Vishal: Thanks. Aur Best of Luck!

Armaan: Yeah! I need it.

 

 

PART 37:

 

All were sitting in Shashank's living room, looking glum.

 

Nani: Armaan ko...

Padma: (crying) Armaan tumhe kuch nahi hoga.

Armaan: Hmmm...

 

He takes her hand and touches it to his eyes.

 

Armaan: Agar mujhe kuch ho bhi jaata hai to aap Ridhimaa ka khayal rakhiyega. Uski aankhon me kabhi aansun mat aane dijiyega. Please ye meri aakhiri...

 

He could not complete his sentence as Padma put her hand to his mouth.

 

Nani: Aisi baaten mat karo. Abhi to tumhe bahut jeena hai.

Armaan: (smiling inspite of himself) Arrey haan. Abhi to meri shaadi honi hai... bachhe hone hain... fir...

Padma: Haan haan bahut ho gaya...

Armaan: Ye kya sapne to dekh lene dijiye chahe poore ho na ho...

 

Ridhimaa was sitting quite still.

 

Anjali: (shaking her) Ridzi...

Ridhimaa: (as if shaken from a reverie) Haan di.

Anjali: Tumhe kya ho gaya?

Ridhimaa: Kuch nahi.

 

Armaan stood up.

 

Armaan: Main ja raha hoon sone. Aap log bhi so jaiye jaakar.

 

He goes off.

 

Padma: Mujhe to bahut chinta ho rahi hai. Abhi to wo bachha hai aur...

 

She shivers.

 

Nani: Haan. Kitna pyara bachha hai. Sabko hansata rehta hai. Kitna khayal rakhta hai sabka. Itni badi baat ho gayi aur usne kisi ko bataya bhi nahi.

 

Both Padma and Nani go away. Shashank too follows them.

 

Anjali: Ridzi chalo.

Ridhimaa: Aap jao di main aa jaungi.

Anjali: Ridzi tum chinta mat karo. Armaan bilkul theek ho jayega.

 

She too goes off and Ridhimaa makes her way towards Armaan's room.

 

Ridhimaa knocks at the door.

 

Armaan: (from inside) Aao Ridhimaa.

 

Ridhimaa was taken by surprise but she enters the room to find Armaan standing in the balcony, gazing at the stars. She approaches him. He turns to face her.

 

Ridhimaa: Tumhe kaise pata ki main hoon.

Armaan: Mere sir par aerial jo fit hai.

Ridhimaa: Armaan batao na.

Armaan: Ridhimaa ye jo dil hota hai na wo bata deta hai. Ise khud pata chal jaata hai.

Ridhimaa: Achha. Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?

Armaan: Main in taaron se baaten kar raha tha.

Ridhimaa: Kya baaten kar rahe the?

Armaan: Yahi ki mere jaane ke baad ye meri Ridhimaa ko humesha khush rakhein. Ridhimaa agar tumhe kabhi bhi meri yaad aaye ya fir ek dost ki kami lage na to yahan aa jaana. Meri ma kehti thi ki marne ke baad log taare ban jaate hain. Jab main chala jaoon na tab tum yahan aakar mujhse baaten kar sakti ho.

 

Ridhimaa's eyes were again full of tears.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Tumhe sach ko sunna seekhna hoga. Yahi sach hai. Tum aansoon baha kar sach ko jhuthla nahi sakti.

Ridhimaa: Ye sach nahi hai. Jaise tumhara dil tumhe bata deta hai na ki main aayi hoon usi tarah mera dil keh raha hai ki tumhe kuch nahi hoga.

Armaan: Tum kab sudhrogi? Ridhimaa agar main mar gaya to...

Ridhimaa: Nahi...

Armaan: Ridhimaa ek baar socho agar main mar gaya to tum kya karogi?

Ridhimaa: Main bhi mar jaungi.

Armaan: Nahi. Tum zinda rahogi. Tum khush rehne ki koshish karogi. Yaad rakhna main jahan bhi rahunga tumhe dekhta rahunga aur tumhare aansun mujhe wahan bhi takleef denge. Tum apne liye nahi to mere liye khush rehna.

Ridhimaa: Tumhare bina meri zindagi...

Armaan: Dekhna ek din tumhe mujhse achha koi dost milega jo tumhe mujhse bhi zyada pyar karega. Uske saath rehkar tum mere gam ko bhula dena aur apni zindagi ek naye sire se shuru karna. Theek hai?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Ye namumkin hai. Tumse badhkar kya tumhare jaisa koi doosra nahi ho sakta.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Tum mujhse pyar karti ho?

Ridhimaa: Haan.

Armaan: To ek waada karo. Mere baad tum mujhko bhula kar khush rahogi...

Ridhimaa: Armaan agar tumhari jagah ye bimari mujhe hui hoti to...

Armaan: (sternly) Ridhimaa... tum kaisi baat kar rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Armaan ek baar socho agar aisa hota aur main tumse wahi karne ko kehti jo tum keh rahe ho to tum kya karte? Sach sach bolna.

 

Armaan kept mum.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan bolo.

Armaan: Main tumhare bina kaise ji sakta hoon?

Ridhimaa: Yahi baat main tumhe samjhana chahti hoon. Isiliye Armaan tumhe zinda rehna padega mere liye.

Armaan: Tum baat ko mat ghumao aur mujhse waada karo...

Ridhimaa: Armaan I am sorry. Main ye nahi kar sakti.

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Armaan kuch mat kaho. Main kuch nahi sunna chahti.

 

Armaan turned his back on her. Ridhimaa held his hand. He turned back to look at her, but couldn't. It was like gazing into bright sunlight.

 

Ridhimaa: (jamming herself onto his chest) Armaan I love you(she kisses him on his forehead). I love you(she kisses him on his left cheek). I love you very much(she kisses his right cheek and then blushes and turns to leave).

 

Armaan who was dumbfounded at this professing of love, turned her around and embraces her.

 

Armaan: Mera jawaab sune bina hi jaa rahi thi?

Ridhimaa: Armaan main... wo... mujhe ... neend aa rahi hai.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Please ruk jao. Aaj mera dil chah raha hai ki tumhe ji bhar kar dekhun.

Ridhimaa: Ek cup coffee piyoge?

Armaan: If you insist.

 

They both move out. Armaan whiles the time in the kitchen while Ridhimaa makes the coffee. They both then come

and sit in the living room's sofa. Armaan sips the coffee and Ridhimaa rests her head on his shoulders.

 

Armaan: I love you Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Me too Armaan.

 

She was comfortable. Her eyes drooped and she slept, still resting on his shoulder.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

 

As he shook her, she fell into his lap, in a deep sleep. Armaan didn't had the heart to wake her up. He spent a few minutes just gazing at her beautiful face and then feeling sleepy and resting his back on the sofa, went into a slumber himself.

 

 

PART 38:

 

Next morning. The others come out of their rooms. Anjali was looking worried.

 

Nani: Kya hua beta? Ridhimaa abhi tak nahi uthi?

Anjali: Pata nahi nani. Jab main raat ko sone gayi to wo living room me baithi thi aur jab main abhi uthi tab bhi wo kamre me nahi hai.

Padma: Jogging karne gayi hogi.

Anjali: Haan.

 

They approach the living room and what a scene met their eyes. Ridhimaa was lying asleep in Armaan's lap and Armaan who was in a sitting position, was too asleep with his back against the sofa.

 

Anjali: Arrey ye dono yahan pe. Zaroor Ridhimaa der raat tak jagi hogi aur roti rahi hogi. Fir Armaan use chup karane aaya hoga aur dono thak kar so gaye honge.

Shashank: Anjali tumne to poori situation discuss kar li. Ab zara un dono ko jagaya jaaye.

 

Shashank comes near the pair.

 

Shashank: (a little loudly) Ridhimaa, Armaan. Ridhimaa...

 

Armaan yawned and his eyes flew open. He looked around dreamily and found Ridhimaa still asleep and Shashank towering over them.

 

Armaan: (yawning) Go.. Good morning sir.

Shashank: Ye kya ho raha hai?

Armaan: (looking at Ridhimaa) Wo Ridhimaa so gayi thi isiliye maine use uthana theek nahi samjha aur pata nahi kab mujhe neend aa gayi. I am sorry sir.

Shashank: Its OK Armaan. Main to mazaak kar raha tha. Ridhimaa to abhi tak so rahi hai. Uthaiye use.

 

Armaan kept his hand on Ridhimaa's head and stroked her hair.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Ridhimaa utho.

 

Ridhimaa stirred and finding Armaan so close to her, asked, horrified.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum mere kamre me kya kar rahe ho?

Shashank: Ridhimaa ye tumhara kamra nahi living room hai aur jis par tum leti hui ho wo bhi tumhara bed nahi hai.

 

Ridhimaa jumped up. And looked down to see that she had been sleeping on Armaan's legs.

 

Ridhimaa: Main yahan kaise... main to... Oh! Main yahi so gayi. Tumne mujhe jagaya kyun nahi?

Armaan: Tum sote hue itni pyari lag rahi thi...

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum theek ho?

Armaan: (trying to get up but his leg pained) Aah! Haan main theek hoon.

Ridhimaa: Lao main dekhun.

 

She puts her hand on his leg. He shoved her off unceremoniously as if burnt.

 

Armaan: Ye kya kar rahi ho?

 

He gets up unnoticing the pain in his leg.

 

Armaan: Maine kaha na ki main theek hoon.

 

He goes off leaving Ridhimaa ashen faced.

 

Before leaving to Sanjeevani, Padma calls Armaan.

 

Armaan: Aapne mujhe bulaya?

Padma: Haan. Haath aage badhao.

 

Armaan extends his hand. Padma ties a string on his arm. Armaan gazed at it stupidly.

 

Armaan: Ye kya hai?

Padma: Kuch nahi maine tumhare liye mannat mangi hai. Ye usi ka dhaaga hai. Ye tumhari raksha karega.

Armaan: I am sorry par main in baaton ko nahi maanta.

Padma: Mujhe Ridhimaa ne ye bataya tha. Maine usse bhi kaha agar hume shraddha ho to koi bhi kaam impossible nahi hota. Tum nahi maante to kya? Ridhimaa to aaj tumhare liye...

 

She halts mid-sentence. Armaan looks at her enquiringly. But she does not elaborate.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa to aaj mere liye kya?

Padma: Kuch nahi.

 

Ridhimaa arrives near the pair.

 

Ridhimaa: Chalen? Late ho rahe hain.

Armaan: (rounding at her) Tum kya kar rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Main kya kar rahi hoon?

Armaan: Mera matlab hai Padma aunty bata rahi thi tum mere liye...

 

Ridhimaa looks at her mother angrily.

 

Padma: Maine sab nahi bataya.

Ridhimaa: Thank God!

Armaan: Ridhimaa tum mujhe batati ho ya nahi?

Ridhimaa: Armaan tumhe in sab chhezon se kya lena? Tumhe to in par vishwas nahi hai na?

Armaan: Mera har us cheez se lena hai jo tumse matlab rakhti hai. Batao Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Maine sirf ek chota sa vrat rakha hai.

Armaan: Kaisa vrat?

 

Ridhimaa keeps mum.

 

Armaan: (turning round to face Padma) Kaisa vrat? Aapko meri kasam...

Padma: Ridhimaa jab tak tum theek nahi ho jaate tab tak na kuch khayegi aur na hi kuch piyegi.

Ridhimaa: (meekly) Haan to ab chalein?

Armaan: (thundering) Ridhimaa. Tum yahi ruko.

 

Armaan goes off in a hurry. Shashank, Anjali and Nani come towards the remaining pair, looking worried.

 

Anjali: Ye Armaan ko kya ho gaya? Itne gusse me yahan se kyun gaya?

Padma: Use pata chal gaya ki Ridhimaa ne uske liye nirjal vrat rakha hai.

Shashank: Oh no! Pata nahi kya kar raha hoga?

 

But Armaan was coming towards them with a plate laden with food. All stared at him. He thrusts the plate at Ridhimaa.

 

Armaan: Lo khao.

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Mera vrat hai.

Armaan: Kisne kaha tha tumse vrat rakhne ke liye? Agar main mar gaya to kya tum saari zindagi bhookhi rahogi? Aur aap log... (he rounds at the others) aap logon ne ise vrat kaise rakhne diya? Aap log nahi jaante bhookhe rehne se iski tabiyat kharab ho jaati hai? Khao(he orders Ridhimaa)

Ridhimaa: (pleading) Armaan!

Shashank: Kha lo beta.

Ridhimaa: Abhi mujhe bhookh nahi hai. Main operation ke baad kha lungi.

Armaan: You think you are very smart? Lo paani piyo.

Ridhimaa: Armaan please!

 

Armaan forces her mouth open and tips the glass of water. She gulps. Tears come down her face.

 

Armaan: Ab ro kyun rahi ho? Tumhi to kehti thi na ki mujhe kuch nahi hoga? Aaj main tumhe assure karna chahta hoon ki mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Believe me.

 

He hugs her.

 

Outside Sanjeevani's Operation Theatre. Everyone was hugging Armaan and assuring him of recovery. Lastly only Ridhimaa was left.

 

Armaan: (hugging her) Tum zyada chinta mat karna. Mujhe kuch nahi hoga.

Ridhimaa: Mujhe pata hai. Tum bilkul theek ho jaoge. I... I love you. I love you very much.

 

Armaan looks at her about to say that he too loved her.

 

Armaan: I...

 

Dr.Pronita called him inside the O.T. Armaan goes inside with a reassuring nod at Ridhimaa. The operation starts. Ridhimaa sits outside on the bench. Two hours passed and no one spoke anything. Nani had been chanting continuously under her breath. Shashank was moving up and down the corridoor. Padma and Kirti were sitting on the bench. Shubhankar, Atul, Rahul, Muskaan and Anjali were looking at each other, each trying to reassure the others wordlessly. Ridhimaa was standing just outside the door of the O.T. The red light went off. The operation ended and Dr.Pronita came out looking grim.

 

 

PART 39:

 

All stood up.

 

Ridhimaa: (shaking hard) Armaan! Dr.Pronita Armaan...

Pronita: Operation ho gaya hai. Lekin Dr.Armaan ko do ghante observation me rakha jayega. Wo bilkul theek hain. Lekin...

Ridhimaa: Lekin... lekin kya?

Pronita: (smiling) Lekin aap log unse do ghante baad hi mil sakte hain. Abhi unko hosh nahi aaya hai.

Ridhimaa: Thank you. Thank you so much.

 

Dr.Pronita marches off back to the O.T.

 

Ridhimaa: (muttering) Armaan theek hai... Armaan theek hai... Armaan

Anjali: (running to hug her) Haan Ridz. Armaan theek hai.

 

Ridhimaa smiled amidst her tears then ran to hug her father, who patted her. The others too were hugging each other. Shubhankar hugged Kirti who blushed. Muskaan and Rahul hugged each other tight and then realising what they were doing, left each other, feeling embarrassed. Anjali hugged Atul.

 

Anjali: Atul mujhe pata hai tum Armaan se kitna pyar karte ho.

Atul: (hugging her back) Haan. Wo mere bhai jaisa hai. I am so happy.

 

Nani and Padma both came near Ridhimaa and they too hugged her. Till then Dr.Pronita had came back.

 

Shashank: Aapne to miracle kar diya.

Pronita: Thanks sir. Wakai ye bahut unusual case tha. Lekin mujhe lagta hai ki surgery se zyada aap sab logon ki duayen kaam aayi. I am surprised to see that Dr.Armaan ne itne thode se waqt me kaise poore Sanjeevani ko apna bana liya hai. Aap log hi nahi saare ward boys aur nurses bhi un ke liye prayer kar rahe the.

Shashank: Well... Armaan hai hi aisa.

Pronita: Unki condition stable hai. Abhi unko room me shift kiya jayega fir aap sab unse mil sakte hain.

 

The ward boys come with Armaan on a stretcher. His face was pale but other than a stiff turban of bandages on his head, he was quite well. They all follow the procession to the room. Armaan was laid down comfortably. He was still unconscious. Ridhimaa came and sat near his bed. The others took their seats around him forming a semicircle. Ridhimaa gazed at Armaan, wishing him to open his eyes. She wanted to check for herself that he was alright.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan...

Shashank: Beta. Abhi Armaan ko hosh nahi aaya hai. Wo bilkul theek hai. Tum chinta mat karo.

Ridhimaa: Ji papa.

 

Ridhimaa was looking at the tall, lean silhoutte of Armaan, now resting on the bed. She took hold of his hand and tears flowed down her cheeks.

 

Anjali: Ridzi! Tum chinta kyun kar rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Di. Armaan ab theek ho jayega na. Main Armaan se bahut pyar karti hoon. Agar use kuch ho jaata to...

Anjali: Ridzi. Armaan bilkul theek hai. Tum rona band karo. Abhi Armaan ko hosh ayega aur wo tumko rote hue dekhega to pata hai kya karega? Wo uthega, tumhe hug karega aur kahega...

Armaan: (in a weak voice) Ridhimaa tumhare rone se mujhe takleef hoti hai.

Ridhimaa: (looking at him) Armaan tumhe hosh aa gaya!

Armaan: (weakly) Haan. Tum mujhse itna pyar karti ho. Agar mujhe kuch ho jaata to...

Ridhimaa: Tumhe kab hosh aaya aur tum kabse humari baaten sun rahe ho?

Armaan: Jab se tumne mera haath itne pyar se apne haath me pakda hai tab se.

 

Ridhimaa leaves his hand quite hard and he winces.

 

Armaan: Aaah!!

Ridhimaa: Oh! Sorry! I am very sorry.

Armaan: Its OK.

Shashank: (standing up and coming closer to him) Armaan ab tum kaisa feel kar rahe ho?

Armaan: Bilkul theek. Operation to kamaal ka hua. Medical history me aise operations bahut kam hi hue hain. Is case me to bachne ke chances...

Ridhimaa: Tum ab zyada mat bolo. Aaram karo.

 

The others too come up to him.

 

Atul: Armaan. Ab tum kaise ho?

Armaan: Fine Champ. Rahul. Muskaan. Tum logon ko khushi nahi hui?

Rahul: Nahi. Ab tu jo aa gaya pareshaan karne ke liye.

Armaan: To main chala jaoon?

Rahul: Armaan. Kaisi baat kar raha hai? Of course hume khushi hui.

Armaan: I know.

Anjali: Thank god tum theek ho gaye. Warna Ridzi...

Armaan: Haan tumhari Ridzi... I mean meri basket... I mean humari Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Nani: Chalo. Mera bachha theek ho gaya.

Padma: Haan. Lekin abhi aaram ki zaroorat hai.

Armaan: (protesing) Nahi.

Others: (together) Haan.

Kirti: Abhi aapko Sanjeevani se discharge nahi kiya jaayega.

Shubhankar: Haan. Sir bata rahe the ki tum ghar me ek jagah baithte nahi ho. Isiliye Sanjeevani me tum Kirti ke under hoge.

Armaan: Lekin...

 

His protest faltered under the stern gaze from Kirti.

 

Padma: Kirti aapko bhi humare ghar me hona chahiye tha. Aap hi is bandar ki harkato par nazar rakh paati. Dekhiye aapki wajah se kitni shanti se leta hai.

 

The others laugh. Armaan gives a meaningful look to Shashank who nodded and got up.

 

Shashank: Ridhimaa tum Armaan se baatein karo hum log bahar baithte hain.

Ridhimaa: Ji.

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: Hmmm...

 

Ridhimaa remains silent.

 

Armaan: Bolo Ridhimaa kya keh rahi thi.

Ridhimaa: Kuch nahi.

Armaan: Ridhimaa!

Ridhimaa: Haan Armaan.

Armaan: Kuch nahi.

Ridhimaa: Armaan.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Tumne meri surgery se pehle I love you bola tha na...

Ridhimaa: Haan...

Armaan: I love you too Ridhimaa.

 

Ridhimaa blushed.

 

Armaan: Oye hoye!

Ridhimaa: Armaan maine kaha tha na tum bilkul theek ho jaoge. Dekha.

Armaan: Agar tumhe pata tha ki main bilkul theek ho jaunga to tum ro kyun rahi thi?

Ridhimaa: Main... main kahan ro rahi thi...

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Tumhe jhooth bolna bhi aata hai?

Ridhimaa: Main wo...

Armaan: Tumhe laga tha na ki shayad tum fir kabhi mujhe zinda nahi dekh paogi. Hai na?

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: Mujhe bolne do. Pata hai jab main O.T. me gaya aur surgery ke liye tayyar ho raha tha to mujhe laga ki maine bahut badi bhool kar di. Mujhe tumko khud se involve hi nahi karna chahiye tha. Agar main tumhare peeche na padta to shayad tum kabhi mujhse pyar na karti aur shayad mere jaane ke baad tumko itna dukh na hota.

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Please...

Armaan: Ridhimaa jab tumne O.T ke bahar mujhse I love you bola aur main surgery ke liye chala gaya to ek baat mujhe pareshaan kar rahi thi ki agar main tumhe jawaab diye bina hi mar gaya to...

 

Ridhimaa stood up hiding her face which was full of tears.

 

Armaan: (holding her hand) Ridhimaa!

 

Ridhimaa jerked his hand away, and tried to run from the scene lest Armaan should see her tears, and as she turned around, her eyes blinded with the tears, she bumped into someone.

 

 

PART 40:

 

Ridhimaa looked up to find Shashank's worried face. She broke down and started crying hard in her father's arms. Shashank was stunned and did not know what to do. He patted Ridhimaa, who was sobbing hysterically and was not looking as if she would ever stop crying.

 

Shashank: Ridhimaa... kya hua... Ridhimaa... (adding warningly) Armaan tum lete raho.

 

Ridhimaa raised her face and turned around, still sobbing, to see Armaan trying to get up. He was holding his bandaged head with one hand, the bed with another and his face showed vestiges of unbearable pain due to the effort. Ridhimaa ran to help him.

 

Ridhimaa: Ar... Armaan... lete raho...

 

She placed her hand on his back and made him lie down on the bed.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Tum uthe kyun?

Shashank: Armaan tumhe abhi bed se uthna allowed nahi hai.

 

But Armaan wasn't listening. He had his eyes only for Ridhimaa's face glazed with tears.

 

Armaan: I am sorry Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: (still crying) Its OK.

Armaan: (again trying to get up) It's not OK. Ridhimaa... Aah!! Ridhimaa I really... Aaahh!!

 

Ridhimaa placed her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down again.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan please lete raho. Bahut dard ho raha hai na?

Armaan: Hone do dard. Maine tumhara dil dukhaya hai iski saza to mujhe milni hi chahiye.

 

Ridhimaa gripped his hand.

 

Ridhimaa: Armaan please. Aisi baat mat karo. Main tumhari wajah se nahi ro rahi hoon.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. I am really very sorry. Main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta tha.

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Main nahi ro rahi. Dekho.

 

She wiped the tears off her face and smiled. Armaan wasn't reassured.

 

Armaan: Maine tumse waada kiya tha ki tumhari aankho me kabhi aansoon nahi aane doonga aur aaj meri hi wajah se... main bahut bura hoon na?

Ridhimaa: Nahi Armaan tum bahut achhe ho.

Armaan: Achha. To ab is achhe Armaan ki baat maano aur khana khao. Tumne subah se kuch nahi khaya na? Sir!

Shashank: Main abhi khana lekar aata hoon.

 

He goes off, leaving Armaan and Ridhimaa alone again. Armaan brought Ridhimaa's hand which was now in his grip, closer to his lips and kissed. Ridhimaa's face flushed.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

 

His voice cracked with the strain. Ridhimaa bent lower to hear him out. Armaan kissed her cheek too.

 

Ridhimaa: (going red) Ab zyada hero banne ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Armaan: Arrey! Main to hero hi hoon. Tumhara!

Ridhimaa: Haan haan pata hai sab.

Armaan: Ridhimaa please tum Dr.Shashank ko manao na.

Ridhimaa: Kisliye?

Armaan: Main hospital me nahi rahna chahta.

Ridhimaa: Lekin ghar me to tum...

Armaan: Nahi. Tum galat samajh rahi ho. Main tumhare ghar jaane ki baat nahi kar raha hoon.

Ridhimaa: To fir...

Armaan: Main apne ghar jaane ki baat kar raha hoon. Jab se goli lagi hai tab se ya to main hospital me hoon ya fir tumhare ghar me. Please. I want some change. Aur... main tum logon ko zyada pareshaan nahi karna chahta. Mujhe pata hai ki mere tumhare ghar me rehne se tumhe bhi achha nahi lagta hoga. Aunty aur sir kuch kehte to nahi lekin mujhe pata hai ki maine unhe apni bewkoofiyon ki wajah se bahut pareshaan kiya hai. I don't want to trouble them any more. Ridhimaa tum samajh rahi ho na.

Ridhimaa: Haan Armaan. Main jaanti hoon tumhe kaisa lag raha hai. Armaan tumhare humare ghar me rehne se mujhe koi takleef nahi hai. Lekin Armaan agar tumhe problem hai to main papa se baat karti hoon.

Armaan: Mujhe pata tha tum zaroor samjhogi.

Padma: (entering with nani and Shashank) Achha ab zara hume bhi samjha do.

Ridhimaa: Mom wo Armaan...

Nani: Humne sab sun liya hai.

Ridhimaa: To fir Armaan apne ghar ja sakta hai?

Shashank: Of course...

Armaan: Thank you si...

Shashank: (cutting across him) Lekin poori tarah theek hone ke baad.

Armaan: Lekin...

Padma: Ridhimaa mujhe laga tha tum samajhdar hogi. Lekin tumhe bhi Armaan ne apne jaisa bana diya. Tumne ye nahi socha ki is haalat me Armaan akele kaise manage karega?

Ridhimaa: Oh! Main bhool gayi ki Armaan...

Shashank: Ki Armaan Superhero nahi hai?

Armaan: Aap log samajh nahi rahe.

Padma: Hum sab samajh rahe hain. Tumne abhi tak hum logon ko apna nahi maana.

Armaan: Nahi maine to humesha aap logon ko apne parivaar ki tarah...

Nani: Agar parivaar ki tarah maana hota to tum aaj ye zidd nahi karte. Chalo tumhara mann Hospital me rehne ka nahi kar raha hai to tumhe humse kehna chahiye th ki hum log tumhe apne saath le chale aur tab tak na chode jab tak tum theek na ho jao.

Shashank: Armaan ab faisla tumhe karna hai ki tum Sanjeevani me rahoge ya fir ghar me.

Armaan: Main Sanjeevani...

Padma: Faisla ho chuka hai... Armaan humare saath ghar chalega.

Ridhimaa: Lekin mom...

Nani: Tumhe koi problem hai Armaan ke ghar me rehne se, Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa: Nahi.. nahi to.

Armaan: (looking as if Ridhimaa had cheated) Basket mujhe tumse ye umeed nahi thi.

Shashank: Hume bhi tumse ye ummeed nahi thi ki tum hum sab ko apna banakar itni jaldi paraya kar doge.

Armaan: I am sorry.

Anjali: (entering with the others) You should be.

Armaan: Ye aap Gupta ladies ki yahi problem hai. Saari baat manwa leti hain.

Shashank: Wo to hai.

 

The others smirked while Armaan scowled.

 

Kirti: To Dr.Armaan aapko parson discharge kar diya jayega.

Padma: Aur fir tum seedhe ghar aaoge. Warna... warna Ridhimaa tumse kabhi baat nahi karegi. Kyun Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa: Wo main...

 

Anjali stepped on her foot.

 

Ridhimaa: Haan... haan.

Armaan: Main bhi tumse gussa hoon. Main bhi tumse baat nahi karoonga. Miss Dalbadloo.

Nani: Haan to Ridhimaa beta chalo.

 

Ridhimaa turned to go.

 

Armaan: Haan haan jao. Mujh bechare, lachar insaan ko akela chodkar jao sab log. Dekh li tumhari dosti.

Atul: Ridhimaa nahi to kya hum teen dost to hain tumhare paas. Hum tumhe kabhi akela nahi chodenge.

Armaan: Kabhi kisi aur ne bhi ye waada kiya tha. Wo to bhool gaye par hume yaad hai. Jao Ridhimaa lekin main humesha tumhara saath doonga. Tumhari tarah nahi jo...

 

He stopped as Ridhimaa turned back and ran up to him. She hugged his limp body. Armaan, taken by surprise, patted her.

 

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Main to mazaak kar raha tha.

Ridhimaa: Mujhe pata hai. Main tumhe sirf itna batana chati hoon ki main bhi kabhi tumhara saath nahi chodungi.

Muskaan: Haan. Ye fevicol ka jod hai.

 

The others laughed.

 

Armaan: Achha ab mujhe chodo aur khana khao.

.................................................................................................................................

plzz comment

Edited by Riddss - 15 years ago

u knw u really had me in tears in dis one😭......plz continue soon.........😊😊😊

hey i just loved it do continue soon.

hey yaar i hv readed once more time oh god nd wnt to read more waise to sare parts pad chuki hu pata nahi i cnt control myself frm reading jaldi or prts post karo waiting
cont sooon
luv yachna

hey wen will d nxt parts b up?????????????

heyy freds,
thanks for the comment.



i will post next part soon.


plzz read & comment



Edited by Riddss - 15 years ago

PART 41:

Armaan woke up next day, feeling very thirsty.
He opened his eyes to find Ridhimaa sitting on his bedside.
He smiled at her.

Ridhimaa: Good morning.

Armaan: Good morning.

Ridhimaa: Armaan tumhe pyas lagi hai na?

Armaan: Haan. Tumhe kaise pata?

Ridhimaa: Tumne raat me uthkar paani manga tha. Yahan paani khatm ho gaya tha. Jab tak main paani lekar aayi tum so chuke the.

Armaan stared at her.

Ridhimaa: Kya hua Armaan?

Armaan: Tum raat se yahan par mere liye pani lekar baithi ho?

Ridhimaa: Haan to?

Armaan: I am sorry. Tumhe meri wajah se...

Ridhimaa: Ye sab tumhare liye thode hi kiya hai maine. Ye sab to maine apni khushi ke liye kiya hai. Achha ab chalo pani piyo.

She helps him sit up and then makes him drink the water.

Armaan: (holding her hand) Tumhe mere liye raat ko uthna pada. Bahut thak gayi ho na?

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Main bilkul fresh hoon. Aur tumhare liye ek raat ki neend kya tumhare liye to main apni poori zindagi kurbaan kar sakti hoon.

Armaan: (kissing her hand) Ridhimaa!

Ridhimaa: Kyun kewal tum hi ye sab kar sakte ho Dr.Armaan Mallik? Tumhari information ke liye bata doon ki main bhi tumse utna hi pyar karti hoon jitna ki tum mujhse karte ho...

She faltered under the gaze of Armaan. Armaan puts her hand to his heart. Ridhimaa tried to pull her hand back.

Armaan: Kya hua? Meri dil ki dhadkano me tumhe apna naam sunai nahi diya?

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Armaan main ghar ja rahi hoon. Abhi wardboy aayega tumhe sponge bath dene. Tum fresh ho jaana. Fir tumhe aaj discharge kiya jayega.

Armaan: Ridhimaa tumhe sach me koi problem nahi ki main tumhare ghar me...

Ridhimaa: Nahi Armaan.

Armaan left her hand. She stands up and comes near him and kisses his forehead.

Ridhimaa: Take care. Bye.

Armaan: Bye basket.

Shashank was going to leave Armaan to his house. Ridhimaa was very anxious.

Armaan: Ridhimaa main tumhare ghar ja raha hoon LOC par nahi.

Ridhimaa: Tum jahan bhi jao meri bala se. Mujhe kya padi hai. Lekin agar tumne zyada uchal kood karne ki koshish ki to mujhse bura koi nahi hoga.

Atul: Ab hitler ke farmaan ke baad kya majaal jo Armaan uth bhi jaaye. Kyun Armaan?

Armaan: Haan.

But Ridhimaa was still not satisfied.

Armaan: (in a very passionate voice full of emotions)

Tum wakai achhi ladki ho
Ya mujhko achhi lagti ho
Chehre ki udaasi door karo
Kyun ji apna ranjoor karo
Wo waade wafa nibhane ke
Tum bhool gayi mujhe yaad rahe
Ab kin baaton me khoi ho
Ab kin sochon me doobi ho
Chehre ko zara uthao to
Aankhen bhi char karo dekho
Tum gam chodo dil ki baat kaho
Tum hansti achhi lagti ho.

Ridhimaa looked at him in pure shock.

Atul: Wow Armaan!

Ridhimaa: Ye kiski lines hain?

Armaan: Mere dil ki. Kyun?

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: Tumne lines to suni lekin unhe samjha bhi ki main samjhaun?

Ridhimaa blushed.

Shashank: Lagta hai samajh gayi. Achha Armaan tumne ye lines kahan se li?

Armaan: Kyun sir? Padma Aunty ko fir se patana hai kya?

Shashank: Haan.

Armaan: Koi baat nahi sir, main aapko private tuitions de diya karunga.

All laughed.

Ridhimaa: Achha ab jao sab log.

Armaan: Bye. Fir milenge.

Ridhimaa: Meri khushnaseebi hogi jo aapke darshan honge.

Armaan: Tathastu.

He waved and set off with Dr.Shashank who was supporting him. But he had done what he had intended. Ridhimaa was smiling to herself.

Ridhimaa and Anjali reached home after the day's work.

Ridhimaa: Hye nani aaj bahut thak gayi.

Nani: (hugging her) Meri bachhi.

Anjali: Armaan kahan hai?

Ridhimaa: Usne zyada pareshaan to nahi kiya na aap logon ko?

Nani: Nahi Ridhimaa. Aaj to wo bed se utha hi nahi. Lag raha hai use kisi ne bahut zor se daanta hai.

Ridhimaa: Maine use daanta thode hi tha. Bas warning di thi.

Anjali: Bechara Armaan. Achha Ridz batao tum dono ki ladayi kaise khatm ho gayi?

Ridhimaa: Kaun si ladayi? Hum log lad kab rahe the?

Anjali: Poochna hi bekar hai. Main jaakar Armaan se mil kar aati hoon. Coming?

Ridhimaa: Main fresh ho jaati hoon. Fir aaungi.

Anjali goes to meet Armaan while Ridhimaa goes to her room. Anjali brought Armaan to the living room and they helped him to the sofa. Ridhimaa too enters, oblivious of Armaan's presence.

Ridhimaa: Aaj to kamaal ho gaya. Armaan apne bed se nahi utha. Wow!

Padma: Bahut pyar aa raha hai kya us par?

Ridhimaa: (smiling) Haan bahut. Wo to hai hi pyara.

Armaan: Really?

Ridhimaa looks around and finds Armaan sitting on the sofa. She turns to leave but the way was blocked due to Shashank standing in the doorway. Ridhimaa's face had turned a deep shade of red.

Shashank: Aaj meri beti ko kis par bahut pyar aa raha hai?

Ridhimaa bowed her head.

Armaan: Main bhi wahi poochne ja raha tha. Aakhir main bhi to jaanun wo kaun hai.

Ridhimaa: (embarrassed) Main... main ja rahi hoon.

Shashank: Arrey abhi to aayi ho. Thodi der sabke saath baitho.

He pushes her on the sofa beside Armaan and he himself goes and sits beside Padma.

Armaan: Haan to batao basket wo kaun hai jin par aapko bahut pyar aa raha hai.

Ridhimaa: Armaan... main ja rahi hoon.

Armaan: Ye kya ek hi line bole ja rahi ho?

Nani: Meri bachhi ko pareshaan karna chodo.

Ridhimaa looks at her gratified.

Armaan: Main kahan aapki bachhi ko pareshaan kar raha hoon? Usko pareshaan karne ka matlab hai khud pareshaan hona. Aur banda is haalat me pareshaan nahi hona chahta. Aur Ridhimaa. Tumne nahi poocha main kaisa hoon?

Ridhimaa: Kaise ho?

Armaan: Bahut pyara hoon. Hai na?

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: Haan main Armaan. Tumhara Armaan.

Ridhimaa blushed while the others smiled.



PART 42:



Next morning at breakfast.

Padma: Armaan is baar tum zyada uchal kood nahi kar rahe, kya baat hai?

Armaan: Ab kisi se waada kiya hai nibhana padega... chahe nibhate nibhate aadmi bore hi kyun na ho jaaye.

Ridhimaa: Is haalat me bhi tum bore ho rahe ho?

Armaan: Madam jo mere sir par laga hai wo bandage hai koi radio ya TV nahi jo har samay entertain hota rahun.

All laughed.

Ridhimaa: Achha aaj to Sunday hai. Chutti hai.

Armaan: Haan to chalo...

Anjali: Kahin mat chalo.

Armaan: Huh!

Padma: Ridhimaa beta zara kitchen se Armaan ke liye jo juice rakha hai wo le aana.

Ridhimaa: (getting up) Ji abhi laayi.

She goes to the kitchen. A crash sounded from there.

Armaan: (trying to get up) Ridhimaa!

He gets up finally and runs as fast as he could towards the kitchen with others at his heels. Ridhimaa was bending on the ground. A glass had shattered at her feet. She was picking up the broken pieces of glass. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum yahaan...

Armaan: Ridhimaa chodo use. Tumhe chot lag jayegi.

Ridhimaa: Main kar loongi. Tum jao.

Just then a glass piece cut into her hand and blood oozed out from it. Armaan rushed forwards.

Armaan: Dekha maine kaha tha na?

He makes Ridhimaa stand up. Anjali rushes to bring the first aid box. Armaan drags Ridhimaa to the living room.

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Aah!

Armaan: Bahut dard ho raha hai na?

Ridhimaa: Haan.

Armaan: (angrily) Good! Meri baat to sunni hi nahi hai na tumhe. Dekha uska natija?

Ridhimaa: Armaan chhoti si chot hai.

Armaan: (thundering) Chhoti si chot? Agar zyada chot lag jaati to?

Ridhimaa: (timidly due to Armaan's anger) Tum... tum daant kyun rahe ho?

Armaan: Daantun nahi to kya aarti utaroon? Pehle to kisi ki baat nahi sunti ho fir jab kuch kaho to behas karti ho.

Tears welled up in Ridhimaa's eyes.

Armaan: Haan ab roti raho. Apni fikr to hai nahi kam se kam humari fikr to hoti. Chal padi kaanch uthane. Kisne kaha tha tumse ye karne ko?

Ridhimaa: (crying) Kisi ne nahi.

Till then Anjali had brought the first aid box. Armaan pulled Ridhimaa onto a sofa and sat beside her.

Armaan: Anjali.

Anjali handed him the box without any word. The others looked at each other, surprised at the happenings. Armaan cleared Ridhimaa's wound and the bleeding stopped. Then he applied the ointment. Ridhimaa winced and clutched Armaan's other arm for help. Her nails cut into his flesh. Armaan meanwhile bandaged her hand.

Armaan: (gently) Ab kaisa lag raha hai?

Ridhimaa: (surprised at the change of his tone) Ab theek hai.

Armaan: Dard to nahi ho raha?

Ridhimaa: (taking off her hand from Armaan's arm) Nahi.

Armaan massaged his arm. There were scratch marks.

Ridhimaa: Sorry.

Armaan: It's OK jangli billi.

He patted her hand lovingly.

Armaan: Ab kyun ro rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Tum aur daantoge to nahi?

Armaan: Nahi daantuga. Maine kab daanta tumhe?

Ridhimaa: Abhi abhi to mujh par chilla rahe the.

Armaan: Oh! Sorry. Mujhe dhyan hi nahi raha. Tumhe chot lagi thi na...

Padma: Nahi nahi Armaan. Tum ise khoob daantna. Ye daant khane waale kaam jo karti hai.

Armaan: Wo... I am sorry.

Shashank: Tumhe sharminda hone ki zaroorat nahi hai. Achha hai Ridhimaa ko kisi se to daant padni chahiye.

Armaan: Aap log use nahi daantte? Tabhi itni sensitive hai aur mere zara se daantne par ro jaati hai.

Ridhimaa: Zara sa? Ek to mujhe hi chot lagi fir mujhe hi daantte ho fir khud hi bandage karte ho aur khud hi chup karate ho.

Armaan: (seriously) Mujhse tumhara dard dekha nahi jaata Ridhimaa. Isiliye kabhi kabhi gussa ho jaata hoon.

Nani: Bilkul sahi karte ho.

Armaan: Waise bhi... humesha thode hi daantuga. Humesha to pyar karoonga. Aise.
He kissed her wounded hand. Ridhimaa's pain vanished and she smiled.

A few days later, at the breakfast table.

Armaan: Mujhe aap sab se ek baat karni hai.

Shashank: Kis baare me?

Armaan: Apne baare me.

The others curiously looked at him.

Shashank: Kaho.

Armaan: (meekly) Wo... wo main...wo main soch raha tha ki... main soch raha tha ki main...

Nani: Beta khul kar baat karo. Daro mat.

Anjali: Aisa lag raha hai jaise Armaan apni shaadi ki baat karne ja raha ho.

Armaan: Wo main soch raha tha ki ab maine aaram kar liya hai aur ab meri health bhi achhi hai to kyun na main kal se Sanjeevani join kar loon.

Shashank: To isme itna darne ki kya baat hai?

Armaan: Aap... aap sab... I mean main Sanjeevani join kar sakta hoon?

Shashank: Bilkul jab tum chaho.

Armaan: To aaj se...

Shashank: Of course.

Ridhimaa: Ab to khush? Ab to bore nahi hoge?

Armaan: (smiling just like a child) Nahi.

Anjali: Arrey isme itna khush hone ki kya baat hai?

Armaan: Khush hone ki to baat hai.

Padma: Aur agar tum ghar jaana chaho to hum tumhe ab nahi rokenge.

Armaan: Sach?

Nani: Haan. Lekin ek shart par.

Armaan: Kya?

Nani: Yahi ki tum roz raat ka khana humare saath khaoge. Aur subah ka
nashta bhi yahi karoge.

Padma: Koi bahana banane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tum roz subah yahan
basketball ground me to aate hi ho, wahin se yahan aa jaya karna. Do kadam ki doori par to hai. Aur shaam ko Sanjeevani se lautte waqt tum yahan se khana kha kar jaaya karna.

Armaan: To kya main ghar sirf deewaron ko muh dikhane ke liye jaunga?

Anjali: Haan.

Shashank: Manzoor hai to bolo.

Armaan: Theek hai.

Nani: Ridhimaa beta tum is par nazar rakhna aur jab tum subah jogging par jaana to wahin se kaan pakad kar isey yahan kheench lana.

Ridhimaa: (looking at Armaan mischeviously) Kaan pakad kar?

Armaan: (staring back at her) Tum chaho to haath pakad kar le aana. Zyada romantic lagega.

Ridhimaa who was looking at Armaan, bowed her face and blushed.

At Sanjeevani's nurse station.

Kirti: Dr.Rahul, Dr.Muskaan ICU. Dr.Atul path lab. Dr.Anjali OPD. Dr.Ridhimaa General Ward. Dr.Armaan...

Armaan was looking at Ridhimaa.

Kirti: Dr.Armaan any problem?

Armaan: Yes mam? No mam.

Shubhankar: (coming up from behind) Dr.Kirti ye pyar hai pyar.

Kirti blushed. Armaan gratified, heaved a sigh of relief. Ridhimaa looked at him angrily.

Kirti: Dr.Armaan aap bhi Dr.Ridhimaa ke saath General Ward. Happy?

Armaan: Yes mam. Very happy.

Shubhankar: Good work Dr.Kirti.

Saying so he left. Kirti followed him.

Atul: Arrey waah aaj hitler tujhpe bahut meherbaan hai. Kaash mujhpar bhi hoti.

Anjali: What do you mean?

Atul: Kuch nahi.

They both go to their respective duties.

Rahul: Chal yaar Armaan. Tera kaam to ho gaya.

Muskaan: Haan. Ab mera kya hoga. Tu to apne pyar ke saath duty karega aur main is langoor ke saath. Meri to kismat hi kharab hai.

Rahul: Itna bura bhi nahi hoon main.

Muskaan: Haan tu to isse bhi zyada bura hai.

Rahul: Agar tu mujhse itni hi nafrat karti hai to theek hai. Main Dr.Kirti se baat karke apni duty change karwa leta hoon. Tab to tujhe koi problem nahi hogi nahi.

Muskaan: (holding his hand) Oye. Mujhe marwana hai kya? Main to mazak kar rahi thi. Tu ab jaakar Dr.Kirti se meri chugli mat karna.

Rahul: Theek hai theek hai. Ab to mera haath chod.

Muskaan left his hand, embarrassed and they both move to the ICU.

Armaan: (standing against Ridhimaa and bringing his face closer towards her) Dekha mera kamaal. Ab to khush ho?

Ridhimaa: Main kyun khush hone lagi? Tumhare saath duties dene me mujhe koi khushi thode hi milti hai.

Armaan: Kya kaha?

Ridhimaa: Wahi jo tumne suna. Aur tumhe kya zaroorat thi sabke saamne mujhe ghoor ghoor kar dekhne ki?

Armaan: Achha. Tumhe ghoor ghoor kar nahi dekhta to kise dekhta?

Ridhimaa: Kyun... dhoondh lo na apne liye koi girlfriend.

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Agar tumhari yahi ichha hai to yahi sahi. Aaj ke baad main tumhe kabhi ghoor ghoor kar nahi dekhunga. Lekin Ridhimaa tum batao mujhe kis tarah ki girlfriend banani chahiye? Tumhari tarah salwar suit wali ya fir modern dresses wali?

Ridhimaa: (angrily) Mujhse kyun poochte ho? Jo mann aaye use bana lo. Sab ladkiyan tumhare liye hi to mari ja rahi hain mere alawa.

Armaan: Haan tumhe to koi lift nahi deta mere alawa isiliye na?

Ridhimaa: Achha? Main bhi apna boyfriend bana sakti hoon jo tumhari tarah na ho.

Armaan: Rubbish! Tumhe mujhse better koi nahi milega.

Ridhimaa: Huh!

She left.


PART 43:

At the end of their duties, all the interns were gathered in the locker room. Armaan and Ridhimaa came together and nearly walked into each other. Then made their way to their respective lockers without looking at each other.

Anjali: Not again!

Atul: Tum dono me fir se ladayi ho gayi?

Muskaan: Kis baat ke liye?

Armaan: Wo kya hai na Dr.Ridhimaa sochti hain unhe mujhse bhi achha ladka mil jayega boyfriend banane ke liye.

Anjali: Ridzi. Ye Armaan kya keh raha hai?

Ridhimaa: Aur jo Armaan apni ek nayi girlfriend banane ke baare me soch raha hai wo?

Atul: Armaan!

Armaan: Kya hai? Ridhimaa ne hi to mujhse kaha hai ki main apne liye ek girlfriend dhoondh loon to main kya karun?

Ridhimaa: Tum dhoondho apne liye girlfriend. Main bhi apne liye ek boyfriend dhoondh loongi.

The others laughed at her.

Atul: Tum apne liye... ha...ha...ha! Tum apne liye boyfriend dhoondhogi?

Ridhimaa: (flaring up) Kyun... main kyun nahi dhoondh sakti?

Armaan: Because you are just not that type basket! It's impossible for you. Hey guys. Imagine. Humari Ridhimaa in a salwar suit going to a guy and asking "Suniye. Kya aap... kya aap mere boyfriend banenge?" Who will accept her proposal?

Ridhimaa: Enough! Main ja rahi hoon.

Armaan: (piping up) Darpok!

But Ridhimaa had left.

Anjali: Armaan tumhe uske saath aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi.

Armaan: Anjali. Dekho ab wo kya karti hai. Just sit back and enjoy.

All left. Armaan went with Anjali to their house for dinner.

At the dining table.

Padma: Ridhimaa beta kya hua?

Ridhimaa: Wo main kuch soch rahi hoon.

Shashank: Kya?

Ridhimaa: Papa. Kya change achha hota hai?

Shashank: Of course. Change is very important in our lives.

Armaan: Kis cheez ko badalne ki soch rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Khud ko.

Shashank: Kyun?

Ridhimaa: Bas aise hi. Abhi aap hi ne to kaha ki change is very important in our life.

She left the table.

Nani: Ise kya ho gaya hai?

Next day, all were gathered in the locker room except Ridhimaa.

Muskaan: Anjali Ridhimaa nahi aayi?

Anjali: Usne mujhse kaha ki main jaun use ek bahut zaroori kaam karna hai. Fir wo aa jayegi.

Armaan: Aaj basketball ground me bhi usne kewal mujhe ghar chalne ko kaha aur fir ruki hi nahi.

Atul: Arrey wo tujhse gussa hogi. Teri kal ki baat par.

Armaan: Oh! Haan! Use manana hi padega.

Rahul: Wo to hai.

Just then a young girl entered the locker room. She was wearing a body hugging black jeans and a tight red top. Her hair were loose, which she had styled with gel. She looked really smashing. On a closer look, they found that she was Ridhimaa.

Anjali,Atul,Rahul,Muskaan: (together) Ridhimaa!!

Armaan was standing dumbstruck and was just gazing at Ridhimaa.

Anjali: Ridzi. Ye tum... what happened?

Ridhimaa: Kuch nahi Di. Bas zara sa change kiya hai khud ko.

Rahul: Ridhimaa tum to bahut hi...

Muskaan glared at him.

Atul: Haan Ridz. Tum to bahut hi hot lag rahi ho. Hai na Armaan?

He looked at Armaan. Armaan who was gazing at Ridhimaa a second before, averted his eyes from her.

Armaan: Pata nahi.

Anjali: Come on Armaan. Tum bhi jaante ho ki Ridzi bahut achhi lag rahi hai.

Just then they were summoned at the nurse station. All left except Armaan and Ridhimaa. The latter proceeded to her locker. When she turned around, to go, Armaan held her hand.

Ridhimaa: Mera haath chodo Armaan.

Armaan: Pehle tum batao ki ye tum kya kar rahi ho.

Ridhimaa: Kya matlab?

Armaan: Tum achhi tarah jaanti ho ki main kya keh raha hoon. Tumne ye dress kyun pehni?

Ridhimaa: Tumhe koi problem hai? Tum nahi chahte ki sab meri taareef karein?

Armaan: (leaving her hand) Maine kal jo baat mazaak me kahi thi tumne uska galat matlab nikal liya Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Maine koi galat matlab nahi nikala Armaan. Aajkal ka yahi to
fashion hai. Maine ye apna liya to isse tumhe kya problem ho rahi hai? Aur waise bhi sab bold ladkiyan hi pasand karte hain na.

She left, leaving Armaan confused.

At the nurse station, Dr.Kirti was assigning duties to the interns. She too was surprised at Ridhimaa's attire.

Kirti: Dr.Ridhimaa. Aapne ye dress. I mean...

Ridhimaa: Mam. Main ye nahi pehen sakti kya?

Kirti: (smiling) Kyun nahi? Zaroor pehen sakti hain. Aaj kal sab hi to pehente hain. Maine to aise hi... Well interns back to your work.

Ridhimaa was assigned duty in the General ward again with Armaan. People were turning around to look at her. She was looking so beautiful. Armaan watched her going from place to place sadly. After their duties, they met in the canteen.

Atul: Ridhimaa aaj kitno ko deewana banaya apna?

Ridhimaa: Atul! Mere jaisi ladki kisi ko apna deewana kaise bana sakti hai?

Atul: Arrey nahi yaar. Tum to bahut achhi lag rahi ho aaj.

Ridhimaa: Kyun? Pehle nahi lagti thi kya? Waise mujhe bhi achha lag raha hai.

Armaan: Huh!

Ridhimaa: Kuch kaha tumne?

Armaan: Nahi to.

Anjali: Armaan tum kis liye gussa ho rahe ho? Kal tumne hi to kaha tha aur aaj...

Armaan: Main kahan gussa ho raha hoon? Mujhe kya padi hai. Ridhimaa kuch bhi pehne mujhe isse kya? Mujhe to bas lag raha tha ki ye dress Ridhimaa par suit nahi kar rahi.

Anjali: Jealous haan!

Armaan stood up.

Armaan: Main ghar ja raha hoon. Nani se keh dena maine khana hospital me hi kha liya hai isiliye ghar nahi aa paunga. Waise bhi bahut thak gaya hoon.

He left.

Atul: Lagta hai use Ridhimaa ki dress pasand nahi aayi.

Ridhimaa: Haan. Use baaki sab ladkiyan to is dress me achhi lagti hain. Main na use salwar suit me achhi lagti hoon na is dress me.

Anjali: Koi baat nahi Ridzi. Tum apna style change mat karna OK. Tum isme bahut achhi lagti ho. Achha ab ghar chalen?

Next day, Armaan was furious on seeing Ridhimaa talking very happily to a young man. She was wearing a halter neck, white top and a pair of blue jeans. He came near the pair.

Ridhimaa: (introducing) Armaan. Inse milo. Ye hain meri ek friend ke cousin, Karan. Aaj bahut dino baad mile. Aur Karan ye hain Dr.Armaan.

Karan: Hey man. Mujhe to pata hi nahi tha ki aapke hospital me itni gorgeous doctors bhi hoti hain.

Ridhimaa blushed.

Karan: Waise Ridhimaa. Aaj mera birthday hai.

Ridhimaa: Oh! Happy birthday.

Karan: To aaj sham ko ek party hai yahi pass wale restaurant me. Aap ayengi to Ruchi se bhi mil lengi.

Ridhimaa: Of course. Main zaroor aungi. Ruchi se mile hue bahut saal ho gaye. Shaam ko kitne baje?

Karan: Aath baje.

Ridhimaa: OK done. Papa mujhe chod denge.

Karan left after shaking hands with her.

Armaan: Tum kahi nahi jaogi.

Ridhimaa: Kyun?

Armaan: Kyunki mujhe us Karan ki niyat theek nahi lagti.

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Wo bahut achha ladka hai.

Armaan: Kyun tum use kitna jaanti ho?

Ridhimaa: Wo meri friend ka cousin hai.

Armaan: Tumhara cousin to nahi na. Tum uske baare me itna sure kaise ho sakti ho?

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

Armaan: Jaana hai to jao. Main kaun hota hoon tumhe rokne waala? Salwar suit pehen ke jaogi na?

Ridhimaa: Kyun in dresses me kya kharabi hai?

Armaan: Jao. Kuch bhi pehen ke jao. Aajkal tumhe bada craze chadha hai na modern banne ka.

Ridhimaa: Armaan. Tumhe main in dresses me buri kyun lagti hoon. Saari ladkiyan, yahan tak ki Di bhi to aisi hi dresses pehenti hain... tum unse to kuch nahi kehte.

Armaan: Wo isliye ki mujhe tumse pyar hai. Tumhari fikr rehti hai... Ridhimaa. Baaki sab apne aap ko sambhalna janti hain. Par tum bahut maasum ho. Tum sabko apni tarah achha samajhti ho. Lekin duniya itni achhi nahi hai Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Armaan lecture dena band karo. Main bewkoof nahi hoon. Mujhe bhi khud ko sambhalna aata hai.

After saying that, she left.

Shashank was driving Ridhimaa to the restaurant. Ridhimaa was wearing a black velvet gown. She was looking very beautiful.

Shashank: Aaj meri beti to bahut sundar lag rahi hai.

Ridhimaa: Thanks papa. Pata nahi kyun Armaan ko mere in kapdon ke pehne se aitraaz hai.

Shashank: Wo tumse bahut pyar karta hai na isiliye thoda sa possessive hai. Achha beta jab tumhara mann party me na lage na to mujhe phone kar dena. Main tumhe lene aa jaunga.

Ridhimaa: (stepping down from the car) Ji papa.

She waved goodbye to him. He drove off. Ridhimaa entered the restaurant. It was dimly lit. She saw Karan at a distance and walked towards him. She was surprised to find him alone.

Ridhimaa: Baaki sab kahan hain?

Karan: Aate hi honge.

It had started drizzling. He made her sit down. Fifteen minutes passed. It was raining hard. No one came.

Karan: Lagta hai ab itni barish me koi nahi ayega.

Ridhimaa: Mujhe bhi chalna chahiye.

Karan: Mujhe tanha chod kar kahan ja rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Ji?

Karan: (hurriedly) Main cake to kaat loon.

Ridhimaa: Of course!

Karan cut a small cake. He gave the first piece of cake to Ridhimaa. When she tried to give him the cake, he kissed her on her cheek. Continous flashes of camera light appeared. Ridhimaa somehow freed herself from his arms and jumped back.

Ridhimaa: (shouting) Ye sab kya hai? Main ja rahi hoon.

Kran: Haan. Jao. Ab tumhara koi kaam nahi. Jo mujhe chahiye tha wo to mil gaya.

He waved a camera infront of her. Ridhimaa made a snatch at it, but he held it out of her reach.

Ridhimaa: (slapping him hard in the face) You bas***d...

Karan: Bas. Ab ek shabd bhi aur kaha to kal in tasveeron ko modify karke saare newspapers me chhapwa doonga.

Ridhimaa: (crying) Nahi. Please...

Karan: Ab tu ja yahan se warna tera wo haal karunga...

Before he could complete his sentence, Ridhimaa ran from the place, out in the rain.

Ridhimaa was running hard. She was afraid of what would happen to her. Rain was pouring upon her. She didn't see a car coming towards her. Brakes were applied hurriedly. An accident was averted, but Ridhimaa ran into the car and fell down. A man stepped down from the car and came near her and turned her face.

Armaan: Ridhimaa!

Ridhimaa looked up. She knew this voice. Armaan helped her to stand up.

Armaan: Tumhe chot to nahi lagi?

Ridhimaa flung herself into his arms, crying hysterically. Armaan patted her.

Armaan: Ridhimaa kya hua? Tum is tarah itni barish me bhag kyun rahi thi? Ridhimaa? Mujhe batao. Please.

Ridhimaa: (shrieking) Armaan!

Ridhimaa's body went limp. She had fainted. Armaan was shocked. He carried her into the car. She was burning. He patted her face.

Armaan: Ridhimaa! Ridhimaa! Aankhen kholo.

Ridhimaa opened her eyes.

Ridhimaa: Main... main kahan hoon?

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum... main...

As she remembered what all had happened, tears started pouring from her eyes.

Armaan: Ridhimaa batao kya hua? Ridhimaa. Please batao. Tum is tarah bhag kyun rahi thi? Tumhe to aaj birthday party me jana tha na Karan ki.

Ridhimaa: (sobbing) Koi birthday party nahi thi uski.

Armaan: Ridhimaa mujhe poori baat saaf saaf batao. Tumhe mujh par vishwas hai na? Fir batao ki kya hua.

Ridhimaa: Armaan... wahan restaurant me Karan ne mujhe akela dekh kar...

Armaan: (demanding) Bolo Ridhimaa. Usne tumhare saath koi badtameezi to nahi ki?

Ridhimaa: Usne mujhe cake khilane ke bahane... usne... usne mujhe kheech kar apne pass kar liya aur... aur mujhe gaal par kiss kiya aur mere saath zabardasti karne laga...

Riddhima  was breathing heavily.

Ridhimaa: Usne meri photos kheench li aur jab maine use thappad mara to wo mere peeche... aur main wahan se bhaag aayi. Usne kaha ki wo un tasveeron ko modify karke... Main... main mar jaungi Armaan. Mujhe jaane do. Tumne mujhe kyun bachaya?

She tried to push his hands away from her shoulders, but he wasn't loosening his grip.


PART 44:

Armaan: Ridhimaa...

Ridhimaa: Armaan please mujhe jaane do. Mujhe ab aur zillat bardasht nahi karni. Mujhe pata hai tum bhi mujhe hi galat samjhoge. Sab mujhe hi galat samjhenge. Mujhe ab nahi jeena... mujhe chod do.

Armaan: (thundering) Chup chap gadi me baithi raho. Main tumhe tumhare ghar chod kar aata hoon.

Ridhimaa: Armaan...

Armaan: Bas ab ek shabd nahi, warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Aur lo ye jacket pehno. Tumhare kapde bilkul bheeg gaye hain.

He wraps his jacket around her shaking body and drives her home. The distance was cut in complete silence except for Ridhimaa's sobs. Nani opened the door.

Nani: Arrey Armaan! Anjali ne to kaha tha ki tum aaj nahi aaoge.

Then she sees Ridhimaa.

Nani: Ridhimaa! Kya hua? Ridhimaa!

Ridhimaa ran and hugged nani, still crying hard. Nani took both of them to the living room where the others were sitting.

Padma,Shashank,Anjali: (seeing Ridhimaa's condition) Ridhimaa!

Nani deposits the shaking Ridhimaa near Padma who looks at her. Ridhimaa hides her face and totally loses control. She breaks down completely.

Shashank: Armaan! Kya hua Ridhimaa ko?

Armaan tells them the story Ridhimaa had told him. Hatred was etched in his face. The others' faces showed complete shock.

Shashank: Us Karan ko to main chodunga nahi.

Ridhimaa: (crying) Main... main... main ja rahi hoon.

Shashank: Ridhimaa isme tumhari koi galti nahi thi. Tumhe to...

Ridhimaa: Aisa aap samajhte hain papa. Baaki log to mujhe hi doshi manenge.

She stood up and swayed on the spot.

Armaan: (authorotatively) Ridhimaa. Baith jao aur meri baat suno.

Ridhimaa does not sit, nor does she moves from the place. She just hid her face in her hands and cried.

Armaan: (coming near her) Ridhimaa. Aaj jo kuch bhi hua usme tumhari koi galti nahi thi. Main sach keh raha hoon. Main khud par shak kar sakta hoon par tum par nahi. Ridhimaa mere dil ko pata hai ki tum kitni paak ho. Tumhe khud ko chhupane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.

Ridhimaa glanced at his face, unbelievingly. But he was telling the truth. She could tell from his eyes. Armaan engulfed her into a deep hug that assured her that everything would get alright. Thet he was there with her so there was nothing at all to fear.

Ridhimaa: Armaan... kal wo photos...

Armaan: Kuch nahi hoga. Believe me. Main tumhe kuch nahi hone dunga.

Ridhimaa: Mujhe bahut darr lag raha hai Armaan.

Armaan: Kuch nahi hoga Ridhimaa. Main hoon na. Mera ek friend press me hai. Agar us kamine ne kuch bhi karne ki koshish ki to wo aisa nahi hone dega. Aur main abhi jakar police me uski report karta hoon.

Shashank: Tum ruko. Main Inspector se baat karta hoon.

He goes to talk over the phone.

Armaan: Main jakar dekhta hoon. Agar wo wahin par baitha hoga to aaj uski khair nahi. Uski himmat kaise hui...

Anjali: Nahi Armaan. Aise logon ka koi bharosa nahi. Unke pass guns, revolvers, pata nahi kya kya hota hai. Tum wahan gaye to tumhari jaan ko khatra ho sakta hai.

Armaan: Mujhe apni jaan ki koi parvaah nahi.

Padma: Magar hume to hai. Agar tum aaj Ridhimaa ko nahi dekhte to pata nahi wo kya kar baithti.

Armaan looked at Ridhimaa. She was looking at the door.

Armaan: (shaking her) Tum abhi bhi bhagne ka soch rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Na... na... nahi. Nahi to.

Armaan: Jhooth mat bolo. Tumhe meri koi baat samajh me aati hai ya nahi? Maine tumhe wahan jaane se mana kiya tha na? Magar tum gayi. Maine tumhe aisi dress pehenne se mana kiya tha, magar tum nahi maani. Kam se kam ek baar to meri baat maano.

Ridhimaa: Main bahut buri hoon. Maine tumhari baat nahi suni. Mujhe
iski saza mili hai.

She again starts crying.

Armaan: Tum buri nahi ho. Ye duniya hi buri hai jo tum jaise logon ko apna shikaar banati hai. Aur tumhe saza nahi mili hai. Ye tumhari saza nahi hai. Ye to us... us kamine ki galti hai. Usko laga hoga ki tum darr jaogi.

Ridhimaa: Aur uski chaal kamyab ho gayi. Main to hoon hi darpok.

Armaan: Ye tum keh rahi ho Ridhimaa? Tum to bahut bahadur ho. Tum usse darr kar nahi baithi ho. Tumne ye baat sabko batayi. Yahi hota hai courage. Aur mujhe pata hai ki tum usko saza dilwa kar rahogi... Ya fir usko maaf kar dogi?

Ridhimaa: (angrily) Usko aur maaf. Main usko jail bhijwaungi, usko kadi se kadi saza dilwaungi. Usko...

Armaan: Dekha aap sab ne meri basket kitni brave hai? Aur isi Ridhimaa se mujhe pyar hai jo kabhi to meri zara si daant pe aansun bahane lagti hai aur kabhi itni nidar ho jaati hai ki saamne wala bhi darr jaye.

Ridhimaa smiled. Shashank came in. He too was smiling.

Shashank: Ek khushkhabri hai. Karan aur uske dost sharab pikar gadi chalaate hue pakde gaye. Wo sab is samay jail me hain. Camera un se cheen kar police custody me bhej diya gaya hai.

Armaan: Chalo. Achha hua.

Ridhimaa heaved a sigh of relief.

Armaan: Haan to basket. Kya ab kal se mujhe meri wali Ridhimaa dekhne ko milegi jo salwar suit pehen kar bhi apni saadgi me duniya ki baaki sab ladkiyon se zyada khoobsurat dikhti hai?

Ridhimaa blushed.

Next day in the interns' locker room.

Atul: (to Ridhimaa who was wearing a red coloured suit) Arrey Ridhimaa. Tumne apna dress style fir change kar liya?

Ridhimaa: Wo mujh par yahi kapde suit karte hain.

Atul: Arrey tum kaisi baat kar rahi ho. Tum un kapdon me bhi kitni sundar lag rahi thi.

Armaan: Lekin mujhe to Ridhimaa jaisi bhi rahe achhi lagti hai.

Atul: Mujhe bhi.

Armaan: Oye. Tu uspe line maar raha hai?

Anjali: Arrey bas bas. Tum dono ladna band karo OK. Aur chalo warna Dr.Kirti hum sabko suspend kar dengi.

They all move out.

Kirti: Interns. Aaj aap sab duties ke baad auditorium me aa jaiyega.

Muskaan: Kyun Mam?

Kirti: Kyunki aaj Dr.Shashank ek surprise announcement karne ja rahe hain.

She left.

Armaan: Ye sasurji kahin humari shaadi ki date to announce karne nahi ja rahe?

Ridhimaa: (her face reddening) Armaan apna muh band rakho.

Atul: Sach tum log shaadi karne ja rahe ho?

Ridhimaa turned scarlet.

Armaan: Chinta mat karo Champ. Tujhe aur Rahul ko settle karke hi main apne baare me soch sakta hoon.

Muskaan: Oye Rahul. Tu kya kisi se pyar karta hai?

Rahul: Kyun main kisi se pyar nahi kar sakta kya?

Saying so, he left. Muskaan followed him. They went bickering all the way.

Anjali: Ye kya announcement ho sakti hai? Dad ne kal to kuch nahi bataya tha.

Ridhimaa: Haan. Kya baat hogi?

Armaan: Shayad sasurji apne hone waale damad se sabko milana chahte ho.

Ridhimaa: Shut up Armaan!

Armaan: Main to Anjali ke liye baat kar raha tha. After all wo tumse badi hai.

Anjali: Shut up Armaan!

Armaan: Tum dono behne ek hi dialogue mujh par kyun maar rahi ho?

Anjali: Chalo Ridzi.

Armaan: Haan Ridzi jao. Agar aaj sasurji humari shaadi ki baat nahi karte to main sabke saamne announce kar doonga. Fir mat kehna ki warn nahi kiya.

Ridhimaa: (angrily) Tum aisa kuch nahi karoge.

Armaan: You never know!!

He left, leaving Ridhimaa to discuss her fears with Anjali.

Anjali: Don't worry Ridz. Wo to mazaak kar raha tha.

Ridhimaa: Uske mazaak se hi to mujhe darr lagta hai.


PART 45:

That day... All the interns along with other doctors and staff of Sanjeevani were assembled in the auditorium. Dr.Shashank went up the stage and came before the mike.

Armaan: (whispering to Ridhimaa) To tayyar ho basket?

Ridhimaa stared at him but Armaan had never learnt to be serious. He easily ignored her angry glare.

Shashank: So doctors and staff of Sanjeevani. Maine aaj aap sabko isliye bulaya hai taki main ek bahut zaroori announcement kar sakoon. Ye announcement hai is year ke Sanjeevani ke achievement awards ki. Ye awards Sanjeevani me hui secret survey se tay kiye gaye hain.

Armaan: Lo inhone bhi dhokha de diya.

Ridhimaa heaved a sigh of relief. The others clapped.

Muskaan: Arrey aaj awards mil rahe hain. Mujhe pata hota to main aaj achhe se tayyar hokar aati.

Rahul: Tujhe tayyar hone ki kya zaroorat. Tu to humesha achhi lagti hai... mera matlab ki tujhe koi award thode hi milne wala hai.

Muskaan who had gone red a second before, glared at him after his last words.

Shashank: Pehla award hai best helping staff of the year. Aur wo jaata hai... Ahmed bhai ko.

Everyone clapped and Ahmed, wiping his tears, received his award from Shashank.

Shashank: Next award is for best nurse of Sanjeevani. And it goes to Miss Lovely.

Lovely clambered up the stage. Shashank gave her the trophy and gift cheque as award.

Shashank: Ab aate hain kuch mazedaar awards. Inme se pehla award hai 'Chatterbox of Sanjeevani' ka.

Rahul: Muskaan. Socho ye award kisko milna chahiye.

Muskaan: Mujhe kya pata. Kisiko bhi mile meri bala se.

Shashank: Ye award jaata hai Dr.Muskaan Chaddha ko.

Rahul: Lo mil gaya tujhe teri bala se.

Muskaan jumped and ran up to the stage and then quickly ran back after receiving the award.

Rahul: (thumping her back) Waah Muskaan mujhe aaj pata chala ki teri baaton se tujhe award bhi mil sakta hai.

Muskaan: Thanks.

Shashank: Next award hai most stylish doctor of Sanjeevani. Afsos ye kewal female category ke liye hai.

Atul: Gaya tumhara chance Armaan.

Armaan: Haan mujhe lag raha hai ki mujhe ab koi award nahi milega.

Ridhimaa: Ye award to Di ko hi milega.

Shashank: Ji haan. Ye award jaata hai Dr.Anjali Gupta ko.

Anjali smiling and waving, goes up to the stage and hugs her dad.

Atul: (when she came back and took her seat) Congrats Anjali.

Anjali: Thanks Atul.

Shashank: OK... Ab next award hai ek aise insaan ke liye jo Sanjeevani ka most sober person hai.

Rahul: Ye award to Dr.Shashank ko milna chahiye.

Shashank: And this award goes to Dr.Rahul Garewaal.

Rahul: Mujhe?

Muskaan: (pushing him) Ab ja bhi.

Rahul receives the award and comes back.

Muskaan: Pata nahi ye log kaise kaise awards rakh lete hain.

Shashank: Ab baari hai senior doctors ki. Best senior doctor of
Sanjeevani is... Oh! It's a tie. Dr.Kirti and Dr.Shubhankar. Aur inke liye votes diye hain humare interns ne.

Kirti and Shubhankar both go and receive their awards.

Shashank: Now is the turn of most decent person of Sanjeevani ki. Aur ye award jaata hai...

Armaan: (loudly) Dr.Atul Joshi...

Atul: Arrey Armaan kya kar raha hai.

Shashank: You are right Dr.Armaan. Dr.Atul Joshi. Please come on the stage.

Atul too receives the award. When he came back Anjali hugged him.

Shashank: Next award is for the most loved doctor of Sanjeevani. Is award ke liye humne doctors, nurses, wardboys aur patients sab me poll karwaya tha...

Ridhimaa: Maine to papa ka naam liya. Tum sab ne?

All: (together) Tumhara!!

Ridhimaa: Mera?

Armaan: To kya Dr.Kirti ka lete? Tumhe nahi pata Sanjeevani ka bachha bachha tumse pyar karta hai?

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Ye kaise ho sakta hai?

Shashank: (smiling) This award goes to Dr.Ridhimaa Gupta.

Ridhimaa sat stunned in her seat.

Armaan: Ridhimaa jao...

Shashank: Dr.Ridhimaa Gupta!

Ridhimaa nervously makes her way towards the stage. Everyone applauded her. Shashank too kisses her forehead and hugs her. She comes back, very embarrassed.

Armaan: (when she had taken her seat) Kya hua? Ro kyun rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Kuch nahi...

They were not listening to what Shashank was saying.

Shashank: Next award hai Best Friend ka. I mean ek aisa insaan jo har kisika dost ho. Har kisike gam me sharik ho. Har kisi ki problems solve kare...

Armaan: (holding her hand) Ridhimaa chup ho jao.

Ridhimaa: (sniffing) Main ro nahi rahi hoon.

Armaan: Ro nahi rahi to ye aansun kya kar rahe hain tumhari aankhon me?

Shashank: ...aur ye award jaata hai Dr.Armaan Mallik ko.

Armaan who was wiping tears off Ridhimaa's face, stopped.

Armaan: Ye mera naam kyun liya gaya? Kisliye?
Shashank: Dr.Armaan Mallik.

Armaan stood up.

Shashank: Armaan aapko award mila hai. Aap kar kya rahe hain?

Atul,Rahul,Anjali,Muskaan,Kirti,Shubhankar: (together) Kisi ke aansun ponchh rahe hain!!

Shashank: Then you really deserve this award of Best Friend.

Armaan made his way to the stage. Shashank hugged him.

Shashank: Aap itne shocked kyun hain? Poll me to sabne aapka hi naam liya.

Armaan came back and took his seat. Ridhimaa, who had been crying, had wiped off her tears and was beaming at Armaan who was still stunned.

Muskaan: Oye hero. Tujhe nahi pata tha ki hum sab ne kiska naam liya hai?

Atul: Ab hum sab tera nahi to kiska naam lete? Tu hi to hum sab ki problems solve karta hai mere dost.

Shashank: Ab ye last award Sanjeevani ki har branch ke liye ek hota hai. Aur is baar ye humari branch me se kisiko mil raha hai. Ye award hai "Sanjeevani's Bravery Award". And this award of courage, bravery and gallantry, owing to past incidents, goes to Dr.Armaan Mallik.

This was again a bombshell.

Armaan: Main!!

Shashank: Yes Dr.Armaan. Ye Sanjeevani federation ne hi nahi Mumbai police ne bhi announce kiya hai. Aaj apko Sanjeevani me award mil raha hai aur kal shaam ko aapko CM bhi award denge. Its a matter of pride for all of us. Dr.Armaan please come on the stage.

Armaan once again went up the stage. There was a deafening roar of applause. When Armaan made his way back, people gathered around all of them, congratulating them. Armaan somehow managed to shake everybody off and reached Ridhimaa who was still surrounded by people. She, seeing Armaan, came near him.

Ridhimaa: Congrats.

Armaan: Tumhe bhi. Waise mujhe ek baat ka dukh hai.

Ridhimaa: Kis baat ka?

Armaan: Yahi ki Dr.Shashank ne humari shaadi ki announcement nahi ki. Lagta hai sasurji ko apni jawaan hoti beti ki koi chinta hi nahi hai. Main abhi unse jaakar kehta hoon ki...

Shashank: Kya kehna hai?

Armaan: (stammering) Aap... kuch nahi... kuch bhi to nahi.

Ridhimaa giggled.

Shashank: Maine sab sun liya. Agar aapko itni hi jaldi hai shaadi ki...

Armaan: Nahi. Main to bas Ridhimaa ko chidhane ke liye keh raha tha.

He scarpered from there, leaving Shashank and Ridhimaa laughing.


PART 46:

That evening, at Ridhimaa's house.

Shashank: (to Padma who was serving dinner) Pata hai aaj humare bachhon ko Sanjeevani awards mile hain.

Padma: Achha. Kise kya kya mila zara dikhao to.

Anjali shows her trophy and the gift cheque. Ridhimaa too shows her trophy and her gift cheque.

Nani: Armaan tum bhi dikhao. Padma ne tum sab se dikhane ko kaha hai.

Armaan hesitates and then shows his trophies and gift cheques.

Padma: Friend to tum ho hi sabke. Aur...

Anjali: Aur superhero bhi ho.

They all laugh.

Nani: Shashank tum bata rahe the ki kal Chief Minister Armaan ko apne haathon se award denge.

Shashank: Ji. Inspector Tripathi ne mujhe call karke permission maangi thi. Ab Armaan theek hai to maine bhi haan kar di. Aur kal CM auditorium me press conference bhi hogi.

Armaan: Kyun?

Shashank: Arrey. Tumne itne bade robbery gang ko pakadwaya hai wo bhi akele. Sab tumhare baare me jaanna chahte hain. Wo reporters to Sanjeevani me bhi aana chahte the par maine mana kar diya. Hospital me achha nahi lagta na.

Anjali: Main bhi chalungi tumhare saath Armaan.

Shashank: Tripathi ji ne hum sabko bulaya hai jo us waqt wahan maujood the. Haan ek bahut important baat aur.

Ridhimaa: Wo kya?

Shashank: Wo Sanjeevani me Armaan aur tum kuch baat kar rahe the... wo shaadi ke baare me...

Nani: Achha kiski?

Armaan: Aapki.

Nani: Dhatt!!

Armaan: Sach nani. Main to tayyar hoon. Bas thoda sa hi to age difference hai.

Nani: (smiling) Age difference nahi generation gap hai.

All laugh heartily.

Padma: Aapne bataya nahi kiski shaadi ki baat ho rahi thi.

Ridhimaa reddened while Armaan tried to get up.

Armaan: Ab main chalta hoon. Bahut raat ho rahi hai.

Shashank: Haan haan jao. Ab shaadi ki jaldi nahi hai?

Armaan: Sir. Please...

Shashank: Ye tum ghar me mujhe sir kehna kab band karoge? Koi aur naam nahi soojha mere liye?

Armaan: Abhi sir hi theek hai kyunki...

Ridhimaa: Kyunki tumhe abhi bhi papa se darr lagta hai. Hai na
Armaan?

Armaan: Haan tumhare papa se bhi aur unki beti se bhi. Bye!!

Next afternoon in the canteen. All were assembled there.

Shubhankar: So Armaan! Big day today haan?

Armaan: Aap log bhi aa rahe hain na?

Kirti: Of course. Hum zaroor apko company dene ayenge.

Muskaan: Mam aap kya pehen ke aane waali ho? Wahan press waale
bhi to honge.

Rahul: Haan aur sab tujhe hi to capture karenge. Aakhir itna bada kaarnama jo kara hai tune.

Muskaan: Kya?

Rahul: Do second chup rehne ka.

Muskaan: Tu pit jayega.

Anjali: Guys stop. Aaj Armaan ko itna bada award milne ja raha hai aur tum dono lad rahe ho. Waise Armaan tum kya pehen ke jaoge?

Armaan: Main soch raha hoon aaj wahi dress pehen ke jaoon jo maine Ridhimaa se pehli baar milne par pehni thi.

Atul: Kya? Kaun si dress? Batao na?

Shubhankar: Yes Dr.Armaan. Hume bhi to bataiye.

Armaan: Nope. Main nahi bataunga.

Atul: Ridhimaa chal tu hi bata de. Tujhe to yaad hoga. Hai na?

Ridhimaa was very embarrassed.

Ridhimaa: Wo... Armaan ne... usne...

Rahul: Arrey itna sharma kyun rahi ho?

Muskaan: Haan. Kya pehna tha Armaan ne? Batati kyun nahi?

Ridhimaa: Wo Armaan ne white trousers pehne the.

Atul: (eagerly) Aur...

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Bas...

Anjali: Armaan! Tum bina shirt pehene jaane ki soch rahe ho?

Armaan: Of course. Aakhir Ridhimaa ko itna pasand jo hai mera wo style.

Everybody's head turned towards Ridhimaa.

Ridhimaa: Shut up. Maine kab kaha ki mujhe...

Armaan: Achha to fir kya pasand hai?

But Ridhimaa stood up angrily. She turned to leave but her foot tripped and Armaan, with the speed of lightening, caught her before she could fall down. Their eyes met and Ridhimaa, smiling, shook her face.

That evening, all were gathered in the auditorium. The place was huge and there were flashes of cameras everywhere. Armaan was the guest of honour. The rest were seated in front seats. All were beaming. Chief Minister came and shook hands with Armaan.

CM: Ladies and gentelmen. Aaj hum ek aise shakhs ko honour karne ja rahe hain jisne desh ke sabse bade robbery gang ko pakadwa kar na kewal ek masum ladki ki izzat bachayi balki humare desh aur sarkar par bahut bada ehsaan kiya hai.

Everyone clapped. Cameras clicked as Armaan received the cheque of Rs.5,00,000 from the CM.

CM: Humare desh ko aap jaise naujawaano ki sakth zaroorat hai. Keep it up.

Armaan: Thank you sir.

CM: OK. I am getting late. Mujhe abhi ek official meeting ke liye Delhi jaana hai. Par aap sab dinner karke jaiyega. Haan pehle aapka interview hoga. I take your leave.

He went off with his bodyguards. The managing director of the auditorium took Armaan to the two chairs which were kept in the middle of the stage and made him sit down on one. On the other, a young lady reporter of national news was sitting, waiting eagerly. They shook hands.

Reporter: Hye. And welcome to National News. Mera naam Priti Sahni hai aur aaj main janta ki taraf se aapka interview loongi.

Armaan smiled. Ridhimaa was sitting in the front row, facing him. She was looking very beautiful in a purple colour suit. He too was looking very handsome in the jeans and white shirt, which she had gifted him.

Priti: May we start?

Armaan: I am at your service mam.

Priti: Aapka naam to hum sab jaan chuke hain Mr.Armaan Mallik.

Armaan: (correcting her) Dr.Armaan Mallik.

Priti: Oh! Oh yes! So Dr.Armaan Mallik. Aapne desh ke itne bade robbery gang ko pakadwaya hai. Aapko kaisa lag raha hai?

Armaan: Fine.

Priti: Please elaborate!

Armaan: Oh! Mujhe bahut khushi ho rahi hai. Mujhe ab pata chala ki ye ek bahut bada robbery gang tha. Aur ye ek accident tha. Main koi hero nahi hoon jo in logon ko jail bhijwata firun. Ye kaam humari police ka hai.

Priti: (shocked) Aapne ye sab unko pakadwa kar prize jeetne ke liye nahi
kiya tha?

Armaan: Nope.

There was silence in the auditorium. all were gaping at Armaan, who was sittng as if he was feeling bored.


PART 47:

Priti spoke when she got over her shock.


Priti: To fir?

Armaan: Miss Priti Sahni. Wahan mall me wo gunde kewal robbery nahi kar rahe the. Unhone wahan ek aisi harkat ki jo mujhse dekhi nahi gayi...

Priti: Wo ek ladki ko...

Armaan: Yes. Unhone ek masum ladki ki izzat se khelne ki koshish ki. Isiliye mujhe gussa aa gaya aur main...

Priti: Par abhi to aap keh rahe the ki ye kaam police ka hai.

Armaan: Maine kaha tha ki gundon ko pakadne ka kaam police ka hai. Jahan tak baat hai kisi ki izzat aur jaan bachane ki, wo hum sab ka farz hai. Maine wo apna farz samajh ke kiya.

Priti: Aur wo ladki...

Armaan: I am sorry. Main isse zyada uske baare me aapko kuch nahi bata sakta aur na hi aapko aise sawaal poochne chahiye.

Priti: (smiling) To chaliye hum aise sawaal poochte hain jo poochne chahiye. Aapki shaadi ho gayi?

Armaan: Ji?

Priti: Ji haan. Aap abhi tak kunware hain ya fir...

Armaan: (glancing at Ridhimaa) Aji humara aisa naseeb kahan?

Priti: Kyun aap to bahut si ladkiyon ke dil ke armaan honge? Aapko koi pasand nahi aayi kya?

Armaan: Aisi baat nahi hai.

Priti: Oh. To aap kisi ko like karte hain?

Armaan: Like nahi. Lekin haan muhabbat zaroor karta hoon.

Priti: Really! Kitni?

Armaan: Ab muhabbat koi sabzi to hai nahi jo main bata paoon ki kitni. Mujhe to bas itna pata hai ki main usse pyar karta hoon, usse ishq karta hoon. I really love her very much.

People clapped. Armaan started. He had forgotten that he was in the public eye. He blushed. Ridhimaa too was deeply embarrassed.

Priti: Agar wo aapko na mile to?

Armaan: To... to main uski khushiyon ki dua karoonga. Main chahta hoon ki wo jahan bhi rahe khush rahe. Usko kabhi koi takleef na pahunche. Usko koi garam hava bhi chhookar na jaaye. Uski aankhon me kabhi aansun na aayen.

Priti: To wo aapko mili?

Armaan: Ji zaroor.

Priti: Kahan hai wo?

Armaan: Isi auditorium me hai.

Priti: (crying out) Really? Kaun?

Armaan: Bas. Maine aapko itna to bata diya. Aap khud hi dhoondh lijiye.

Priti scanned the audience.

Priti: Koi clue to dijiye. Usne kaun se colour ki dress pehen rakhi hai...

Armaan: (closing his eyes) Wo to mujhe pata nahi. Haan itna zaroor jaanta hoon ki is samay is poore auditorium me ek wo hi akeli aisi ladki hogi jiske honthon pe halki si muskurahat, aankhon me bahut se aansun aur chehre par dher saari sharm hogi. Haan aur ab meri taraf gusse se dekh rahi hogi.

He opened his eyes. Ridhimaa was looking just as he had described. Armaan gestured her to stop crying. But she shook her face.

Priti: Mil gayi. Wo saamne front seat par, purple suit me. Hai na? Inka naam kya hai?

Armaan: Mam interview khatm?

Priti: Ho jayega. Pehle apni muhabbat se kahiye ki stage par aayen.

Armaan: OK. Ammm... Ridhimaa. Dekho main nahi bula raha hoon.

Priti: Oh! Ridhimaa. Wo hum Dr.Armaan ko honour karna chahte hain to hum chahte hain ki aap stage par aakar unko ye bouquet de.

Ridhimaa, taking small steps, came on the stage.

Priti: Kya aap bhi Dr.Armaan Mallik se pyar karti hain?

Ridhimaa: (turning a deep shade of red) Wo main... main ja rahi hoon.

Armaan: Haan Ridhimaa chalo.

Ridhimaa: Nahi tum yahi raho. Main yahan se jaane ka rasta jaanti hoon. Tumhe takleef karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Armaan: Maine kya kiya?

Ridhimaa: Haan. Tum to kabhi kuch nahi karte. Bade hero jo ho.

Armaan: Wo to main hoon.

Ridhimaa: Haan. Lady Diana ne tumhare liye hi to Prince Charles ko choda tha.

Armaan: Tumhari General Knowledge to kaafi achhi hai. Tumhe kaise pata chala?

Ridhimaa: Inhone news me dikhaya tha.

The audience laughed. Armaan and Ridhimaa blushed for having fought in the public.

Priti: Aap dono ki jodi kamaal ki hai. Ab end me ek photo aap dono ki.

Cameras clicked. Armaan and Ridhimaa made their way down the stage.

Outside the auditorium, another argument had broken out between Armaan and Ridhimaa. Others were watching them hopelessly.

Ridhimaa: Tumhe zaroorat kya thi mera naam lene ki?

Armaan: To kya kisi aur ka naam leta? Tumhe bura nahi lagta?

Ridhimaa: Ab bahut parwaah hai mujhe bura lagne ki. Pehle kyun nahi socha?

Armaan: Basket tum to jaanti ho. Mera dimaag bilkul tubelight ki tarah hai. Der se chalta hai.

Ridhimaa: Achha baatein banane me to bahut tez chalta hai.

Armaan: Maine kaun si baatein banayi?

Ridhimaa: Wo kya tha... haan... ki main chahta hoon ki use koi garam hava bhi chhookar na guzre.

Armaan: (very seriously, holding her by shoulders and bringing his face near to hers) Ye bekaar baaten nahi thi. Ye mere dil ke jazbaat the. Sach Ridhimaa. Main tumhe kaise yakeen dilaun? Main sach me chahta hoon ki tum kabhi dukhi na ho. Aur agar koi dukh tumhare paas aaye to mujhse guzar kar. Yahan tak ki maut ko bhi tum tak aane se pehle mujhse hokar guzarna padega.

Ridhimaa kept her hand on his lips to prevent him from saying any further. Armaan kissed her hand. Ridhimaa hugged him. Others, who were enjoying the fight a second before, had tears in their eyes.

Ridhimaa: Armaan maine tumhe kitni baar mana kiya hai ki aisi baatein mat kiya karo. Mujhe achha nahi lagta.

Armaan: Aur jo tumhare rone se mujhe takleef hoti hai wo? Tumhe to koi fikr nahi. Har waqt water tap ki tarah aansun bahati rehti ho. Mujhe bhi ye achha nahi lagta.

Ridhimaa: (pushing him away) Tum bahut bure ho. Khud hi to mujhe rulaate ho. Main apne aap thode hi roti hoon.

Armaan: Tum... tum meri wajah se roti ho? Maine kya tumko itne dukh diye hain?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. I... I am sorry Armaan. Main... tumne mujhe kabhi koi dukh nahi diya.

Armaan: Par tum to mujhe dard de rahi ho.

Ridhimaa: Kya?

Armaan: Haan. Kab se mere pair par khadi ho.

Ridhimaa jumped and looked down. Armaan was joking. Their feet were apart.

Ridhimaa: (angrily) Tumhe mujhko bewkoof banane me bada maza aata hai na?

Armaan: Bani banayi cheezon ko fir se banane ka kya fayda? Kya kabhi tumhare papa ne jo itne bade doctor hain unhone kabhi tumko bataya nahi?

Ridhimaa: (puzzled) Kya nahi bataya?

Armaan: Yahi ki tumhare dono kaanon ke beech ki jagah khali hai?

Ridhimaa: (furious) Achha?

Armaan: Haan. Aur kya? Aur ek baat aur hai jo kisi ne tumko nahi batayi.

Ridhimaa: (very angry) Kya? Jaldi se bolo.

Armaan: Yahi ki tum gusse me bhi hamesha ki tarah bahut khoobsurat kagti ho.

Ridhimaa, who was going to start arguing, blushed and turned away. Armaan smiled and waved everyone goodbye.


PART 48:

It was Sunday. All the interns were invited to Ridhimaa's house, for a get together in the morning which would continue till night. No one had arrived yet. Ridhimaa had been collecting flowers to decorate the flower vase, in the garden. She was going inside when she bumped into Armaan who had came in that very moment. All the flowers were scattered around them. The others too came up but stopped a few feet from them. Armaan and Ridhimaa didn't notice anyone else coming.

Armaan: Wow Basket! Log to kehte rehte hain par tumne to kar dikhaya. Tumne to meri raahon me phool bichha diye.

Ridhimaa: Ye phool tumhare liye nahi decoration ke liye hain. Tum dekh ke nahi chal sakte kya? Saare phool kharab kar diye. Ye jo tumhari aankhen hain unko use kyun nahi karte?

Armaan: In aankhon ki to maine ek hi duty laga rakhi hai.

Ridhimaa: Kya?

Armaan: Tumhe dekhne ki.

Ridhimaa: Bahut fizul kaam karti hain tumhari aankhen. Duty badal do inki.

Armaan: Mere bas me kahan hai. Na ye aankhen aur na ye dil mere control me hai.

Ridhimaa: Bas ab shuru mat ho jaana. Mujhe bahut kaam hai.

Armaan: To maine kab roka hai? Jao apne raste.

Ridhimaa: (without thinking) Tumhara aur mera rasta ek hi hai isliye zara saamne se...

Armaan: Sach Ridhimaa! Agar ye baat hai to main waada karta hoon ki main humare raste ke har kaante ko apne haathon se chun loonga. Tumhe kabhi bhi girne nahi doonga. Humesha tumhara saath doonga. Har waqt, har lamha...

Ridhimaa: Hain! Ye tum... maine kab... oh!

As she remembered what she had said, her face turned pink. She wanted to flee. But Armaan who knew what was on Ridhimaa's mind, held her hand.

Armaan: Tumhe mujhse bhaagne ki kya zaroorat hai? Tumhe mujhse bhi sharm aati hai?

Atul: Agar mera dost besharm hokar sabke saamne ye sab keh sakta hai to zaroori nahi sab log tumhari tarah besharm ho jaayen.

Armaan and Ridhimaa jumped. The others laughed at their reaction.

Padma: Chalo sab log living room me chalkar baitho.

All were still laughing at Armaan and Ridhimaa's red faces.

Nani: Haan to Armaan. Tum Ridhimaa se kya keh rahe the?

Armaan: Ji main... main... main...

Muskaan: Ab ye bakri ki tarah main main karna band karo.

Anjali: Waise Armaan tum apne dialogues kahan se laate ho?

Armaan: Wo main... main...

Rahul: Mujhe to bas itna pata hai ki Armaan apne dialogues kahi se bhi leta ho, lekin jo baat uske dil me hoti hai, wahi bolta hai. Hai na Ridhimaa?

Armaan looked at Rahul, gratified, while Ridhimaa stood up.

Shashank: (pulling her back down) Abhi kahaan chali? Abhi mujhe bahut important baat karni hai.

Anjali: Important baat. Kya?

Shashank: Armaan aur Ridhimaa ke baare me.

Armaan: Humare baare me?

Shashank: Haan. Main bahut dino se soch raha tha aur ma aur Padma ne bhi is faisle ko sahi kaha hai.

Atul: Kaisa faisla sir?

Shashank: Yahi ki ab bina koi der kiye Armaan aur Ridhimaa ko ek kar diya jaaye.

Armaan and Ridhimaa were shocked.

Rahul: Wow! Ye to bahut achha idea hai. Shubh kaam me deri kaisi.

Muskaan: Haan ab jaldi se dono ki shaadi kara dijiye.

Nani: Kyun Armaan beta? Tum kya sochte ho?

Armaan: Main wo... mujhe sochne ke liye thoda sa waqt chahiye.

Padma: Sochne ke liye ya fir Ridhimaa se baat karne ke liye?

Armaan: Aapko kaise pata ki main...

Padma: Kyunki main jaati hoon ki tumhare liye tumse zyada important Ridhimaa hai. To Ridhimaa tum batao...

Ridhimaa: Ma. Mujhe galat mat samajhiyega. Main abhi shaadi nahi karna chahti. Pehle di...

Anjali: Stop it Ridz.

Shashank: Hume pata tha tum yahi kahogi. Waise bhi hum abhi tumhari shaadi thode hi kar rahe hain. Hum to bas tum dono ki engagement karna chahte hain. Tum dono ke rishte ko ek naam dena chahte hain. Ab to koi problem nahi hai na?

Ridhimaa blushed.

Armaan: Lekin...

All turned towards him.

Shashank: Kya hua Armaan?

Armaan: Wo main... main Ridhimaa se... main Ridhimaa se...

Nani: (voicing her fear) Tum Ridhimaa se shaadi nahi karna chahte?

Ridhimaa grew pale. Others were horrified.

Anjali: Kya?

Armaan: (holding Ridhimaa's hand) Nahi ye baat nahi hai. Aapne ye kaise soch liya? Main to bas Ridhimaa se akele me kuch baat karna chahta hoon.

Others: (together) Oh!

Colour flooded Ridhimaa's pale face.

Shashank: To fir karo. Jao tum dono Ridhimaa ke room me jakar baat kar lo.

Armaan stood up and looked at Ridhimaa, whose hand he was still holding. Ridhimaa looked at him puzzled but nevertheless moved towards her room with Armaan.

Rahul: Ye Armaan ko kya ho gaya hai?

Anjali: Haan. Kal tak to Ridz ko shaadi ke baare me bol bol kar pareshaan kar raha tha. Aur aaj...

Padma: Mujhe pata hai ki wo kya baat karne gaya hai.

Muskaan: Kya?

Padma: Wo jaanta hai ki Ridhimaa sab ke saamne kuch nahi bolegi. Wo usse akele me baat karke assure hona chahta hai.

Shashank: Oh!

In Ridhimaa's room. Ridhimaa enters and puts on the light. She sits down on her bed and gestures Armaan to sit down too. Armaan came towards her and sits down before her on the floor in a kneeling position and again holds her hand.

Ridhimaa: Armaan upar aakar baitho.

Armaan: Nahi main theek hoon.

Ridhimaa: Tumhe mujhse koi baat karni thi?

Armaan: Haan. Bahut important baat. Is par hum dono ki life depend karti hai.

Ridhimaa listened with bated breath, wondering what Armaan was about to say.


PART 49:

Ridhimaa: Kya baat hai?

Armaan: Ridhimaa tum is rishte se khush to ho na?

Ridhimaa: Haan Armaan. Tum ye kyun pooch rahe ho?

Armaan: Bas aise hi.

Ridhimaa: Armaan please. Mujhe sach sach batao.

Armaan: Ridhimaa wo... mujhe darr lag raha hai.

Ridhimaa: Kisliye?

Armaan: Ridhimaa. Main tumse bahut pyar karta hoon. Main nahi chaahta ki tum kabhi bhi mujhse door jao.

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

She was moved by the tears glistening in his eyes.

Armaan: (in a watery voice) Ridhimaa tum bhi mujhse pyar karti ho na?

Ridhimaa: Haan Armaan. I love you very much.

Armaan: Tumhe mujhse, meri aadaton se meri kisi bhi baat se koi shikayat to nahi hai na? Agar hai to bata do. Main khud ko change kar loonga. Bas tum mujhe chod kar mat jaana.

Ridhimaa: (kissing his hand) Armaan main tumse pyar karti hoon, tumse, tumhari har aadat se. Main kabhi tumhe chod ke nahi jaungi.

Armaan: Agar kabhi meri koi purani girlfriend tumhare saamne aa jayegi to bhi?

Ridhimaa: (smiling) Nahi kyunki mujhe pata hai ki Dr.Armaan Mallik sirf aur sirf mujhse pyar karta hai.

Armaan: Sach! Agar kabhi hum dono me ladayi ho jaaye tab bhi tum mujhe chod kar nahi jaogi?

Ridhimaa: Nahi Armaan.

Armaan: Aur tumhe mere baare me kuch aur nahi jaanna? Jaise meri family ke baare me?

Ridhimaa: Armaan tum unke baare me baat nahi karna chahte to mujhe bhi unke baare me nahi jaanna. Mujhe tumse aisi koi baat nahi karni jo tumhe dukh pahunchaye.

Armaan: Lekin tumhari family ko to unke baare me...

Ridhimaa: Tum unki chinta mat karo. Hum sab tumhe jaante hain. Aur wahi hum sab ke liye kaafi hai.

Armaan: Ridhimaa agar kal tumhari family humare rishte ke khilaaf ho gayi to... to tum kya karogi?

Ridhimaa: Tum batao Armaan mujhe kya karna chahiye?

Armaan: Tumhe apne parivaar ke liye apna pyar qurbaan kar dena chahiye.

Ridhimaa: Nahi Armaan agar isme humari koi galti nahi hui to main apne pyar ke liye apno se bhi lad loongi.

Armaan looked up at her and smiled.

Armaan: Ek aakhiri baat.

Ridhimaa: Kya?

Armaan: (singing) 'Mujhse shaadi karogi'?

Ridhimaa blushed and nodded.

Armaan and Ridhimaa came out of the room holding hands and with beaming faces.

Shashank: Kya hua?

Armaan: Ridhimaa... I mean main is rishte ke liye tayyar hoon.

Padma: Achha to tumne Ridhimaa se khud uski marzi pooch hi li?

Armaan: Ji lekin aapko kaise pata?

Padma: Tum ek hi sawaal baar baar pooch kar thak nahi gaye? Mera jawaab wahi hai.

Armaan smiled.

Atul: (hugging him) Congrats yaar Armaan. Aur tumhe bhi Ridz.

Armaan: (going red in the face) Thanks.

Rahul: Teri to baat ban gayi. Ab mere baare me bhi to soch.

Muskaan: Jab tak tu hum sab ko batayega nahi ki wo gadhi kaun hai tab tak koi teri kaise help karega?

Rahul: Tujhe is baare me chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Muskaan: (going to Ridhimaa) Congrats.

Ridhimaa: (blushing) Thanks.

Anjali: Congrats Ridz.

Ridhimaa hugged her sister and then went over to her mother and father who hugged her tight.

Anjali: (to Armaan) Congrats to you too Armaan or I should say Jijaji.

Armaan: Thanks Anjali or I should say Saali sahiba.

Both laugh heartily. Nani, Padma and Shashank come towards Armaan.

Nani: (kissing Armaan on the forehead) Khush raho.

Armaan sat on his knees and touched her feet with both hands, just like a typical son-in-law..

Nani: Arrey! Tum ye... Humare yahan damaad kisike pair nahi choote.

Armaan: (touching her hands to his eyes) Par duayein to lete hain na?
Waise bhi... pehle to main aapka beta hoon... fir kuch aur...

He stood up. And went towards Padma and repeated the procedure. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

Armaan: Aap sab ki problem yahi hai. Har baat par rote rehte hain. Saamne waale ko pata hi nahi chalta hai ki usse kya galti ho gayi.

Padma: Tumse koi galti nahi hui. Ye to bas khushi me...

Armaan: (standing up and wiping her tears) Khushi me aansun baha kar apni khushi ko chhota mat kijiye.

He then moves towards Shashank who gives him a searching look. Armaan tries to bend but Shashank held him and hugged him.

Shashank: Waada karo ki meri beti ko...

Armaan: I promise ki main Dr.Armaan Mallik aapki beti Dr.Ridhimaa Shashank Gupta ko humesha khush rakhunga. Uske har gam ko apne seene me daba lunga aur apni har khushi usko de dunga.

Shashank, relieved, separates Armaan from himself, who, without wasting any second, dives for his feet.

All were sitting at the dining table.

Atul: Armaan! Ek baat bata. Tu Hindu hai ya Muslim? Mujhe tere naam se bahut confusion hota hai.

All looked at Armaan.

Armaan: Main Hindu hoon ya Muslim. Isse kya fark padta hai? Aur kya aap log nahi jaante ki main kya hoon? Kyun Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa: Nahi. Mujhe nahi pata.

Armaan: Agar main Hindu na hua to tum kya karogi?

Ridhimaa: Mujhe isse koi fark nahi padta. Main bas itna jaanti hoon ki tum mere ho.

Armaan: Good!

Atul: Armaan bata na ki...

Armaan: (to Shashank) Aapko kya lagta hai?

Shashank: Mujhe waise pakka pata to nahi hai lekin I think you are a Muslim.

Armaan: You are half right. Meri ma hindu thi aur unki shaadi ek muslim se hui thi. Lekin maine kabhi apne aap ko na hindu maana na muslim. Main God ya bhagwan ya khuda par believe hi nahi karta. For me, humanity is my religion.

Anjali: Ye to bahut achhi baat hai. Lekin jab tumhari shaadi hogi to tum nikah padhwaoge ya fir phere loge?

Armaan blushed.

Rahul: Sharma kyun raha hai? Bol na ki jo Ridhimaa chahegi wahi hoga.

Muskaan: Oye Armaan. Tum dono na Church wedding karna.

Armaan: Kyun?

Muskaan: Maine kabhi church wedding nahi dekhi na isliye.

Nani: Tum bachche bhi na. Abhi tak mangni to hui nahi shaadi ki baat karne lage.

Padma: Armaan engagement me tumhe apni taraf se kisi ko invite to nahi karna? Tum mujhe apni list bhi de do.

Armaan: Mujhe to bas... lekin...

Shashank: Bolo...

Armaan: Mujhe to bas Bi ko bulana hai. Wahi to mera parivaar hain.

Shashank: Theek hai. Unko ek din ke liye Hospital se chutti de denge. Aur tumhe apne... I mean tumhare pita...

Armaan: No!

All looked at him, shocked. A shadow had crossed Armaan's face which didn't go unnoticed by anyone. He had just jumped at the mention of his father. His face was red, not with excitement, but with fear, with anger, with disgust.


PART 50:

Shashank was wondering what had happened to Armaan. Why was he so disturbed at the mention of his father? There was something definitely fishy.

Atul: Kyun? Armaan tum apne papa ko nahi bulaoge?

Rahul: Atul. Tu chup kar na. Tujhe kya karna hai Armaan kisi ko bulaaye ya na bulaaye.

Muskaan: Armaan. To kya tu apne Mummy Papa ko nahi bulayega?

Armaan: Meri ma ab is duniya me nahi hain.

Muskaan: To apne Papa ko to bula lo.

Armaan: Enough. Main ja raha hoon. Jisko jise bulana hai bula lo. Lekin agar main mar bhi gaya to bhi main nahi chahta ki us... us aadmi ka saaya bhi mere upar pade.

Armaan stood up. The others were looking at him shocked. Ridhimaa held his hand.

Ridhimaa: Armaan!

But Armaan did not turn. Ridhimaa too stood up and went to face him.

Armaan: Kya hai?

Ridhimaa: Tum kyun ja rahe ho?

Armaan: Mera yahan rukne se faayda? Jab tum logon ko apni hi manmaani karni hai to main yahan ruk kar kya karunga? Tum sabko jisko invite karna hai kar lo. Lekin agar kisiko us aadmi ko bulana hi hai to main nahi aunga.

Padma: Armaan!

Armaan: I am sorry Padma aunty. Aur Ridhimaa I am very sorry. Maine tumse pehle hi kaha tha...

Ridhimaa: Mujhe yaad hai. Isiliye to main tumhe rok rahi hoon. Papa. Hum sab Armaan ko jaante hain kya ye humare liye kaafi nahi hai?

Shashank: Armaan koi tumhare pita ko nahi bulayega jab tak tum nahi chahoge. Humare liye tum hi kaafi ho. Ab baith jao.

Armaan sits down and then looks at Ridhimaa.

Armaan: Kya hua? Tum aise kyun dekh rahi ho?

Ridhimaa: Nahi kuch nahi.

Muskaan: (changing the topic very cleverly) Achha to engagement party hai kab?

Nani: Ye to humne socha nahi.

Rahul: Main to kehta hoon ki abhi engagement kar dijiye aur kal shaadi.

Armaan: Tujhe pitna hai kya? Agar nahi to apna muh band rakh.

Nani: Khair shaadi to abhi nahi hogi lekin pandit ji se pooch kar engagement isi hafte me rakhwa denge.

Armaan: Ye har kaam pandit se pooch kar hoga?

Padma: To kya tumse poochkar hoga?

All laughed.

In the evening. All were getting bored. Padma, Nani and Shashank had gone to see the pandit.

Muskaan: Oye Rahul. Tu bore nahi ho raha?

Rahul: Haan yaar. Arrey Anjali kuch exciting karo na. Dekho sab log bore ho rahe hain.

Anjali: Sab log to nahi ho rahe hain.

She indicates towards Armaan and Ridhimaa, both were immersed in each others eyes. Both were oblivious to anybody else's presence.

Anjali: Hey love birds! Yuuu... huuuu...

Armaan and Ridhimaa looked around deeply embarrassed.

Atul: Oye tum dono hum logon ko bore chod kar khud ek doosre se aankhen lada rahe ho. Ye nahi chalega.

Armaan: Tum logon ki kya problem hai. Dekh nahi rahe the ki hum log kitna important kaam kar rahe hain.

Ridhimaa blushed.

Rahul: Achha chodo. Chalo ek game khelte hain.

Ridhimaa: Not again.

Anjali: Suno to Ridz. Bahut achha game hai. Main kuch chits banaungi aur sabko baari baari se apne liye ek chit uthaani hogi aur jo us chit par likha hoga wo usko karna hoga.

Armaan: Kis liye?

Rahul: Hum logon ko bore karne ke liye. Chalo Anjali chits banao.

Anjali makes a few chits and drops them into a bowl.

Anjali: To chalo. Sabse pehle kaun aayega?

Muskaan: Tum hi aao Anjali. Ye game ka idea to tumhara hi tha na.

Anjali: Fine. No problem.

She comes and picks up a chit.

Anjali: Its written: 'Dance on your favourite tune.'

Atul: Wow! Chalo Anjali. The floor is all yours.

Anjali danced. The others clapped.

Atul: Ab main.

He goes and picks up a chit and then glows.

Atul: Isme to likha hai ki 'Sing a song to your love'.

Rahul: To ga na. Roka kisne hai?

Anjali: Oh no!

Atul: (singing) You're my love... my love...

The others clapped.

Anjali: Maine to ye chit Ridz ke liye banayi thi. Koi baat nahi. Ab kaun aayega? Muskaan.

Muskaan: (picking up a chit) Hain! Isme to likha hai 'Confess something.' Mujhe kuch confess nahi karna.

Armaan: Kuch to karna hoga. Kuch bhi. Koi aisi baat jo aaj tak tumne hum sab se chhupayi ho.

Muskaan: Aisi to koi baat nahi.

Rahul: Haan. Bechari ke pet me koi baat hi kahan rehti hai jo wo ise chhupaye.

Muskaan: Haan ek baat confess karni hai. Ki jab ye Rahul ka bachha marega na tab mujhe jail hogi. Kyunki kisi na kisi din main is gadhe ka gala daba dungi.

The others laughed while Rahul scowled.

Anjali: Chalo Rahul. Your turn.

Rahul too picked up a chit and then turned pale.

Anjali: Kya hua?

She takes the chit from his hand and then smiled.

Anjali: 'Tell you heart's secret.'

Rahul: Secret bhi koi kisi ko batata hai?

Anjali: Game hai. Batana to padega hi.

Muskaan: Haan. Chal us gadhi ke baare me bata jisse tu pyar karta hai.

Rahul: Wo gadhi... I mean wo ladki... haan wo ek aisi ladki hai jo mere dil me rehti hai. Jisse main bahut pyar karta hoon. Aur main waada karta hoon ki thode din baad main tum sabko uske baare me zaroor bataunga.

Atul: Chalo theek hai. Ab to do hi chits bachi hain. Ridz tumhari baari.

Anjali: Oh no! Oh no!

Ridhimaa: Kya hua?

Anjali: Nahi. Wo maine ek chit me kuch... chalo tum chit to uthao.

But due to Anjali's words, Ridhimaa was not extending her hand.

Armaan: Hey basket. Darr gayi kya?

Ridhimaa picked up a chit and then blushed.

Ridhimaa: Wo isme likha hai... 'Tell how you would like to be proposed.'

Armaan: Oho!!

Muskaan: To jaldi se batao.

Ridhimaa: Mera Mr.Right apne ghutno par baithega aur mera haath pakdega. Aur fir dher saara pyar apni aankhon me bhar kar mujhse poochega...'Mujhse shaadi karogi?'

Anjali: So sweet! And so simple!

Rahul: To Armaan. Tu aisa kab karega?

Armaan: Mujhe kuch karne ki zaroorat hi nahi.

Others: Kyun?

Armaan: Kyunki guys. Main aisa already kar chuka hoon.

Others: Kab?

Armaan: Aaj subah.

Anjali: Lo Ridz. Tumhari dream to poori ho gayi.

Armaan: Ab to Ridhimaa jo bhi khwaab dekhegi un sabko poore karne ki zimmedaari meri. Hai na Ridhimaa?

Ridhimaa turned a deeper shade of scarlet.

Rahul: Chalo Armaan. Ab last chit bachi hai. Game khatm karo.

Armaan picked up the chit. He opened it and then looked at Anjali who looked very apologetically back.

Anjali: I am very sorry...

Ridhimaa: Kya hua?

Atul took the chit from Armaan and read aloud.

Atul: 'Kiss the person you love most in the world.'

Everyone looked at Armaan, who was glaring at Anjali.


...............................................................
plz comment

Edited by Riddss - 15 years ago

wow yaar.......luved it........!!!!!!!