AR OS and drabble gallery: New SS-THE CURSE : PART 2 UPDATED-PMs LATER

Character Sketch

MALLIK's:

ARMAAN MALLIK: Hero of the story; our very own handsome and dashing Mallik; CEO of Mallik Empires. Can make any girl go weak in her knees! King of Pranks; adorable; charming; focused and owner of the word workaholism! But when it comes to professional attitude short tempered angry young man also would be an understatement to define him!

AARAV MALLIK: Armaan's younger brother and Apple of Armaan's eye. A very hardworking; yet carefree about life, prankster; exactly like elder brother. Can do anything Armaan says without even thinking once!

BALVINDER MALLIK(BILLY): Head of the family; Father of Armaan and Aarav Mallik. Owns the Mallik Empires. One of the top business tycoons very well known for his kindness and honesty in work.

ANANYA MALLIK: Wife of Balvinder Mallik; mother of Armaan and Aarav Mallik. A very sweet and caring mother and a loving wife; but when it comes to discipline and health; can turn into a strict teacher feared by any category of student!

GUPTA's:

RIDDHIMA GUPTA: Heroine of the story. Innocent, smart, simple, caring and, a very sensitive girl! Her beauty and innocence can mesmerize any heart. Adopted daughter of Shashank Gupta; the rest info will be revealed in the story.

SHASHANK GUPTA: Head of Gupta family. Own Gupta Empire and is very focused with what he wants in life.

SAMAIRA GUPTA: Younger and real daughter of Shashank Gupta. But unfortunately been a 18 year old still has a brain of a 6 year old due to the mental defects while birth! Loves Riddhima to the core and takes her as her elder sister as well as her mother!

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Part 1

She was crying over her fate when she heard the click of the door and her husband; Armaan Mallik stood right in front of her. He locked the door and turned back to her but she still remained unaffected. She looked as though in some deep thoughts; while the tears obviously didn't go unnoticed by him. He felt a little sad but then soon as he remembered the mean and selfish girl hidden behind that innocent mask; his anger was back.

A: Dekho tumhe ye sab naatak karne ki koi jarurat nahi hai. Is shaadi ka sach tum bhi jaanti ho aur main bhi. Tumhe jo chahiye tha vo tumhe mil gaya; so just be happy. Duniya ki nazron main tum meri biwi ho aur rahogi; but there can be absolutely nothing more to this relationship ever.

Vaise bhi I don't think you yourself wish anything more. So ab tum so jao and let me sleep too!

In a split moment he removed his sherwani and throwing it on the couch laid down on his stomach on the bed. He turned off the lights and turning on the ac drifted off to sleep within minutes.

Sleeping on the same bed with him was not anywhere near her choices. The couch looked very uncomfortable yet it was the only option preferable. She slumped down on the couch rewinding the rituals and customs that they followed which now felt like a game. She looked down at her bridal attire and then at her husband who was sleeping least bothered about the happenings. Anyways why was he going to bother; this marriage hardly meant anything for him while she was an absolute nothing!

Tears streamed down her eyes as if they were now going to reside there forever. This was going to be her life for the next six months. She didn't know whether to cry that next six months she had to bear all this or be happy that thankfully this is just for six months not for a lifetime! But even after six months nothing better was waiting for her? So it wasn't going to matter anyway!

The next day arrived and there was a slight knock on the door.

An: Armaan...Armaan...beta darvaja kholo!

Riddhima who was wide awake quickly wiped her tears and gathering herself together she opened the door with a fake smile plastered to hide the pale look due to the tears and lack of sleep.

Ananya smiled widely as she saw Riddhima at the door and kissed her forehead. She could feel looking at her face that maybe something was wrong but as Riddhima touched her feet she just chucked the thought as her assumption. "Riddhima, vo pooja rakhi hai na beta; toh dono jaldi tayyar ho jao. Thodi hi der main panditji aate honge theek hai.

Riddhima smiled at her and nodded her head in approval; Jee maa!

She now stood in a big dilemma in front of him as he was still sleeping peacefully while his mother was waiting downstairs for them to get started with the pooja!

" Ab ise kaise uthao? Maa ko bolti toh unhe ajeeb lagta; par main kaise..."

Somehow gaining courage she finally called him out but he just frowned and slipped back into his beauty sleep. After two three calls he turned his face around and covered his ears with the pillow which made her roll her eyes in anger.

"Mujhe kya; sona hai toh sota rahe; main jaakar tayyar hoti hu. Ise jab uthna ho uth jaye!"

 She came out fresh from shower while he was still in the same position enjoying his beauty sleep. Now she had no choice but to wake him up somehow as he still had to go for a shower! She calmly tried few more times but when he never even budged to move she pulled the pillow out of his strong grip and started tapping his shoulder.

He was highly frustrated as someone kept nudging him disturbing his sleep;

" Kya hai Yaar Mom...sone do na!"

Riddhima frowned and felt like hitting him with the same pillow as he was now been adamant and was so sleepy that couldn't even recognize that it wasn't his Mom but her. " Armaan main Riddhima hu mom nahi! Utho; Maa ne pooja ke liye tayyar hone ko kaha hai."

He frowned still in his sleep; " Kaun Riddhima yaar; whoever you are just GO-AWAY-LET-ME- SLEEP!"

She couldn't stand his attitude anymore as she was least bothered even if he slept for the entire day; but the situation forced her to wake him up and he was busy throwing tantrums. Chucking the gentle taps she started tapping his cheek to bring him out of his lala land.

On the other hand as soon as he felt someone tapping his cheek he lost it as who dared touch him trying to disturb his sleep. His anger took better of him and the next moment he pulled her hand harshly making her collapse down on the bed on top of him while he woke up scowling;

" What the he...

He was tongue tied as; the moment his eyes opened they met with those green orbs opened up wide in fear. The drops of water from her hair dripped on his face while her fragrance hit his nose making him hold his breath. He tried to remember the last time he found a face as innocent as the one that he was staring up at; but failed miserably. But the moment he saw a shadow of fear and pain wash those eyes he was completely out of his sleep and realized what he was doing;

Leaving her hand instantly he set her free and sat up straight. She frowned at his act while caressed her hand as his tight grip left an imprint on her wrist. She glared back at him and instantly moved out of the bed;

"Maa humara wait kar rahi hai. Agar tumhari beauty sleep poori ho gayi ho toh naha lo aur neeche aa jana. Aur mujhe koi shock nahi tumhe uthane ka; bas Maa ne dono ko jaldi aane ke liye kaha  tha isi liye majbooran mujhe tumhe uthana pada!"

Not waiting for his reply she strode out of the room. As she reached downstairs; she saw the house still decorated with the flowers and lights; reminding her of their wedding while she saw Billy and Ananya busy in their mandir room with the preparations of Pooja.

Aarav arrived with some fruits and handing it over to Ananya was about to say something but stopped as he saw Riddhima walking towards them!

" Wooow...bhabhi you are looking amazing! Aap toh bilkul kisi pari jaise lag rahe ho. No wonder bhai ab tak neeche nahi aaye. Aapko aise dekhkar vo apna roz ka routine; tayyar hona vegera sab bhool jo gaye honge!"

Riddhima smiled at Aarav and went towards Ananya to offer help.

Bi: Haan bhai; I completely agree with my son! Meri beti toh vakai bohot khubsoorat lag rahi hai aaj! He caressed her head and gave her his blessings.

An: Vo toh lagegi hi na; afterall pasand kiski hai!

Aa: Vaise seriously; bhai kaha hai bhabhi? Sach main aapke khayalon main kho gaye ya...

R: Aaarav!! Vo tayyar ho raha hai; he will be down in few minutes.

How much ever she hated Armaan; she adored his family. Ananya and Billy had accepted her as a daughter and Aarav was just like a younger brother to her. Before marriage every time that she had come to their place Aarav had always been her savior as he had been her company and by now they were best of friends!

Armaan too joined in few minutes later; while during the entire Pooja he just kept wondering whether whatever Shashank told him was true or some misconception! She looked like a goddess of beauty while her face depicted pure innocence. The way she respected his mom dad and the bond she had with Aarav looked so realistic! She didn't look like a girl who was behind his money; but he chucked the thoughts assuming that maybe he was thinking too much about her unnecessarily.

Any which way they were always going to be husband and wife just for the world; nothing more nothing less; so how did it matter. Shashank had told Armaan that Riddhima was always attracted towards money; and was a money oriented girl. Armaan had tried to reject the marriage proposal after knowing this truth and convince his dad; but Billy was adamant on bringing her and only her as his daughter in law and Armaan was never out of Billy's words so he HAD to marry her!

Days went by and her bond with his family grew stronger. Armaan on the other hand was getting confused by her behavior; she was very simple and hardly wore any jewellary. From the day she had come into his house she had never demanded for a single thing. Above all; her eyes that were so innocent always made him think against Shashank's words; but then her own father would get nothing from lying about his own daughter. Moreover he thought it was just a mask that she wore to hide her real self and so he continued been rude to him.

Ananya and Billy could feel that something was weird about their relationship; but as they tried to confront Armaan he said that it was just their assumption and that they were just not yet adjusted in their life. So maybe they just needed some time to know each other and stuff.

On the other hand as Riddhima got to know Armaan; even she thought that Armaan was a nice guy. He loved his family to the core and adored his brother. Both of them could not stay even a day without each other. Both of them had to have a debate on daily basis on some topic or the other and ultimately Aarav would always be supported by Riddhima as she could never ever see him losing. Armaan was amazed that in such a short span of time Aarav had teamed up with her. Recently she had become his bestest friend and he would share almost everything with her. All the things that he feared to confront Armaan about were also told to Riddhima! He was lost in own thoughts but was harshly brought back as he heard Aarav and Riddhima laughing about something and giving a hi-five to each other.

Aa: Vaise bhai; galti aapki hi hai. Aapne mujhe itni pyaari si bhabhi laake di hai toh aapka haarna toh laazmi hi hai! Kyunki vo toh humesha meri hi team main rahengi!

As he said that both Armaan and Riddhima looked up at each other and hundreds of questions surpassed their minds. They kept looking at each other as if trying to find the answers to their own questions in the other person's eyes. But soon the loud shrill of her phone broke their trance and she smiled widely and walked upstairs to their room receiving the call.

R: Hello bacha; how are you. Kaisa tha aapka din?
Sa: Bohot acha tha didi. Pata hai maine aaj bohot maje kiye. Din bhar khoob khela aur vo pados main jo Charu hai na usko khoob sari daant bhi padi!

She giggled happily as she said that.

R: Samairaaa... Aisa kisi aur par hasna buri baat hai na. Tum good girl ho na toh aisa nahi bolte!
Sa: Sholly didi...par vo mujhe kitna pareshaan karti hai! Bin baat ke ladti hai aur...suddenly her voice turned low and she sounded sad; didi aap vapas kab aaoge; main aapko bohot miss kar rahi hu.
R: Main bhi aapko bohot miss karti hu baby. 
Sa: Jhoot; aap miss karte toh mujhe milne aate; aap toh kitne din se mile bhi nahi mujhse. Jab se vaha gaye ho mujhe bhool gaye na aap!
R: Main aapko kaise bhool sakti hu Samaira. Vo bas...yaha kuch kaam hai na. Aap daro mat; main aaungi na; kuch din baad jarur aa jaungi aapke paas.
Sa: Par mujhe aapse milna hai. Abhi!
R: Abhi kitni raat ho gayi hai na bacha ab...
Sa: Ok...toh aap kal subah aa jao. I missh u didi. Aap aao na yaha.
R: Main nahi aa sakti bacha; vo Papa...

The phone was snatched out of her hand and she frowned as she found the source. Armaan who stood right behind her listening to the whole convo. took the phone and started talking to Samaira.

A: Hello Sammy...how are you?
Sa: Ammy bhaiyaaa...main toh ekdum achi hu; aap kaise ho dost?
A: Firse bhaiya! Anyways I am Handsome as always; toh maine suna meri beautiful girlfriend apni sis ko bohot miss karahi hai!
Sa: Oops sorry no bhaiyaa; vo boyfriend dekho na didi vaha jaake mujhe bhool hi gayi hai. Mujhe unse milna hai.
A: Sirf didi se; mujhse nahi. Huh...how mean is that!
R: Armaan tum... she tried to take the phone but he just glared at her and turned away.

Sa: Arey nahi; aisa nahi hai; par vo...
A: Vaise main toh soch raha tha ki kal toh Sunday hai toh aapko yaha le aau; aur hum sab fir din bhar masti karenge. Par ab aap sirf apni didi se milna chahte ho toh theek hai...
Sa: Nahiii...main aap se bhi milna chahti hu boyfriend. Nahi na aap naraz mat ho; sholly! Sholly na; dekho maine apne kaan bhi pakad liye. 
Armaan smiled at his cute angel over the phone and shook his head at her antics;
A: Aapka boyfriend aapse naaraz ho sakta hai kya girlfriend! No sorry and no thank you in friendship bola tha na.
Sa: Ary haan...sho...no no...no sholly.
A: Toh aap kal aaoge yaha humare ghar?
Sa: Yesss...yes yes yes...
she started jumping out of joy.
Sa: Thank thank you sooo much boyfriend; pata hai yaha main kitna bole(bore) ho gayi thi. Ab main kal vaha aake khoob masti karungi; lekin sirf aapke saath; vo Aarav aur didi ke saath nahi. Vo Aarav bohot idiot hai; mujhe pareshaan karta rehta hai. Aur didi se toh main naaraz hu na.
A: Okay baby; hum dono kal milke khooob masti karenge aur un dono ko apni team main nahi lenge ok?
Sa: Okay. Par aap didi ko humara plan mat batana haan.
A: Ofcourse not! Main kisi ko nahi bolunga. It's our secret. Acha ab toh khush na!
Sa: Bohooot jyaada.
A: Chalo fir ab phone rakho and sleep like a good girl. Phir jaldi jaldi subah uthke aapko ready bhi toh hona hai na yaha aane ke liye!
Sa: Haaan...ok ok; bye goodnight. 
She cut the call all excited about tomorrow not even letting him wish her back.

He smiled looking at the phone and shook his head at her antics. While Riddhima who stood watching the entire fiasco pulled the phone out of his grip.
R: Tumne kisse poocke use ye sab kaha? Kya jarurat thi use ye bo...
A: Ye mera ghar hai and she is my little sweetheart; mujhe use yaha laane ke liye kisi ki permission ki jarurat nahi hai! Get that?

R: Tum ek baat samajh lo ki vo me...

He pushed her out of her way cutting her in between and went away to freshen up. She kept staring at that closed washroom door unable to make any sense out of his behavior. He was such a mystery. Every other day he amazed her with some or the other thing. 
Within last two weeks as Riddhima and Aarav had teamed up; similarly Samaira and Armaan too had become really close. But this is what Riddhima feared. She did not want Armaan to come close to her little sister. She did not yet trust Armaan as a person to be with. Sometimes it seemed as though he treated her just like his small sister; but then as she thought about the contract she was again in a pool of questions!

As always walking out of the washroom he slumped down on the bed tired after a hectic day and turned the bed side lamps off. She sat on the couch staring back at his sleeping figure in pitch dark.

His words kept ringing in her ears;

she is my little sweetheart; mujhe use yaha laane ke liye kisi ke permission ki jarurat nahi hai! Get that?

She felt so helpless; so weak. The way he spoke to Samaira was what she could always adore; but still she could not trust his intentons. He was so good for some reasons but considering Samaira and the contract all his good points went down the drain.

She remembered the night before her engagaement when she was so happy that finally she was going to start a new life and no more be blamed for coming in between Samaira's happiness. Though she was upset that she would go away from Samaira but then maybe that was only the best for her.

FLASHBACK

She sat in her room caressing Samaira's head making her sleep. She sat going down the memory lane; remembering her days in that house when she heard a soft knock on the door. It was Shashank standing at her door calling her out.  
R: Kya hua Papa...aapne itni raat ko...
Sh: Shh...meri baat kaan khol kar suno aur ache se samajh lo. Kal tumhari engagement hai aur kuch hi dino main tumhari shaadi; toh khush ho na bohot?
She was taken back for a minute by his question as he never bothered to know about her opinions or her happiness regarding anything ever till date.
R: Jee?...Haan...
Sh: Tumhe kya lagta hai? Meri Samaira ko peeche rota hua chod main tumhe khushi khushi vida kar dunga! Huh...ek baat samajh lo; ye shaadi koi mamuli shaadi nahi; ek samjhauta hai. Tumhari shaadi sirf ek contract hai; mere aur Armaan ke beech!
R: Kya...matlab?
He showed the contract papers and Armaan's signatures on it.
Sh: Is contract ke hisaab se; jaise hi Mallik aur Gupta Empires merge ho jaayenge; aur deal poori ho jaayegi; tumhari shaadi ka contract bhi khatam ho jaayega. Just after six months you will be back to square one.

Shocked would be an understatement for her state as she heard him say that. She couldn't believe that he had actually made a contract on her; and also had Armaan agreed on it!

R: Ye...ye sab...par aapne...aisa kyu...
Sh: Main toh sirf dono companies merge karna chahta tha; par Balvinder ko tum pata nahi kyu bohot pasand aa gayi; aur vo tumhe apne ghar ki bahu banana chahta tha. I couldn't lose this contract; par tumhari shaadi main aise ghar main karva bhi nahi sakta; afterall Balvinder mera dost hai uska ghar tumhari vajah se main kaise barbaad hone de sakta hu. Par Balvinder manne ke liye tayyar hi nahi tha.

Isi liye maine ye socha ki tumhari shaadi karva dunga; just till the merger. Ek baar contract poora ho jaaye fir ye shaadi ka natak khatam; aur fir meri Samaira banegi us ghar ki bahu!

R: Kya??...bahu? Par Papa Samaira abhi nadaan hai; usko is sabki samjh  nahi hai; uski shaadi ka...
Sh: Main achi tarah jaanta hu ki main kya kar raha hu. Tumhe mujhe ye sab batane ki jarurat nahi hai! Tum bas itna yaad rakho ki tum vaha bas 6 mahino ke liye rahogi;duniya ke liye uski biwi rahogi; par uske alawa tum dono main koi rishta nahi banna chahiye; samjhi?

R: Aur Uncle aunty? Vo bhi...
Sh: Unhe kuch nahi pata is sab ke bare main; aur pata bhi nahi chalna chahiye; varna tum jaanti ho ki is sab ka anjaam kya hoga! Aur haan Armaan se bhi is baarein main tum koi baat nahi karogi...kyunki pata nahi kab kya ho aur kaun sun le. Is barein main vaha pe kisi se bhi baat hi nahi karni hai tumhe; samjhi?

FLASHBACK ENDS