RECAP: SHASHANK REJECTS ATUL'S PROPOSAL FOR ANJALI.. ATUL RETURNS TO LONDON.. AR ND NIKKI PLAN SOMETHING BIG TO GET ANJALI ON TRACK.. ANJALI IN HOSPITAL.. 

Part 24

Seeing anjali's declining health Ridhhima for once decided to end this plan nd stuff but then Armaan nd Nikki gave her strength.. Since Shashank had gone to lonavla for some work Padma had taken a really good care of Anjali.. she would make her eat nd talk to her about Atul giving her strength nd support making her strong again.. One night Anjali even called Atul.. they kept silent for long.. Anjali was just crying silently listening to his breath in silence while Atul took no time in realising that it is Anjali.. he disconnected the call after saying:

Dekho chodke.. kis raste vo jaate hain..
Saare raste vaapas mere, dil ko aate hain..
I still Love you..

Anjali hugged his picture nd burried her head in the pillow crying terribly..

"I Love you too Atul.. I Love You.."

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Next day nikki was very excited.. Abhi was coming to mumbai just to meet her nd convince Ridhhima for their relationship.. Nikki told Ridhhima that she would be going out for shopping today taking Arav along.. Ridhhima knew there was something more to it but didn't question thinking Nikki will tell her on her own..

While on the otherhand, Padma was also ORDERED by Shashank to pick up a good saari for her as in the evening they have to go nd meet boy's family..

 
As if it was destined to happen the mall where niks nd Abhi were meeting nd Anjali nd Padma were going was the same.. Walking around Padma felt that she had just now seen Arav.. Anjali looks around trying to figure out if Arav was there not finding him around they just thought of it as an illusion nd moved to the shop..

While on the otherhand, Nikki was waiting for Abhi outside the mall.. Suddenly a car passed them with gr8 speed nd scared them.. Nikki got furious looking at the arrogant man who got down from the car.. as he stepped closer he saw Arav..

"Agar gaadi chalani nahi aati to try bhi kyun karte ho.. bloody jerk.." Nikki blurted in anger.. "Hmm.. attitude haan.. Ohh.. so pretty girl with you wants me to apologise Arav.." he said looking at Arav who hid himself behind Nikki.. "How do you know him..?" Nikki asked the stranger.. he smiled shamelessly nd winked at nikki saying "Lucky boy Arav.. abhi se hi itni sexy ladki ke saath hai.."

Fuming now seeing his disgusting driving first nd then scaring Arav nd finally his flirty comments, Nikki slapped him hard on his face.. just as he was about to get back a hard figure came nd stood in between Nikki nd the stranger.. Nikki knew who he was nd hugged him from back.. mumbling "Abhi.."

"Ab tu kaun hai be.. samne se hatt.. how dare that b***h slap me.." the stranger said to Abhi.. as soon as he completed Abhi caught hold of his neck nd said "Mera naam Abhimanyu Modi hai.. Modi Building Corporation ka MD.. naam to suna hoga na.. ab agar tu yahan se nahi gaya to tere level pe aakar baat karni padegi.."

(Yes, it was Abhimanyu Modi, Nikki's love.. )

 

Looking at Abhi's angry eyes the stranger was scared abit but left saying "Raaj Khurana aasaani se apni insult nahi bhulta.. yaad rakhna.." nd left..

(Yes the guy who misbehaved with Nikki was Raaj..)

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Looking at the new stranger smiling at him Arav was confused..

"Ohho.. to aap hain meri girlfriend ke boyfriend.. hmm.." Abhi said bending down on his knees infront of Arav with a sweet smile.. "yeh meli girlflend hai.. aapti nai.." Arav said frowning making Nikki nd Abhi smile wider.. Abhi then put his hand forward nd said "mera naam Abhimanyu modi hai.. aap mere friend banoge..?.. mere paas pocket mein bohot saari chocolates hain lekin vo sirf mere friend ke liye hi hain.." listening to him Arav couldn't stop himself coz chocolate nd ice cream were his weakness.. he nodded gleefully putting his tiny hand in Abhi's.. Abhi smiled nd picked him up.. he gave him a big chocolate nd smiled towards Nikki raising his eyebrows, giving how-was-I kinda look..

As they moved in they first took a round of the whole place where Anjie nd Padma spotted them.. they were confused as they've seen Abhi for the first time nd Arav nd Nikki were very free with him.. they saw Nikki pulling his cheeks nd kissing his cheeks too.. Anjali felt disgusted.. "what is this now.. Nikki is getting married to Atul then why is she getting so close to this guy..?.. friend nahi yeh to uska boyfriend lag raha hai.." Anjie said to Padma who nodded in agreement..
Padma then decided to stop bothering for them nd look for a few more dresses..

It took them around 2 more hours.. Anjali picked up her car from the parking nd left for Gupta house thinking about Nikki nd that stranger..

While driving through Anjali halted abruptly with a jerk.. Padma saw her shocked daughter nd traced her view.. She saw Nikki nd Abhi standing by the Ice Cream parlour's table near the glass wall nd sharing an ice cream.. while Arav was nowhere in site.. On the otherhand the truth was that Arav was playing in kids section of the parlour while Nikki nd Abhi thought of having some romance.. they were so lost in their ice creams nd themselves that they didn't realise someone from outside the parlour was observing their closeness.. just then by mistake their lips brushed against eachother.. although they had no intension of doing PDA.. Abhi grinned nd Nikki blushed while on the other hand Anjali fumed with rage..

"Mom.. Nikki is cheating on Atul.. vo bechara vahan itni dur akela hai aur yeh yahan kisi aur ke saath.. how disgusting can someone get.." saying this as Anjali Stepped forward to catch her red handed Padma tried to stop her but in vain.. Anjie didn't listen to her.. all she could think of was Atul getting hurt again.. She needed a clarification nd not getting one god knows what would she do to Nikki..

Next moment Anjie was in the parlor.. as soon as she stepped in she saw Arav running to Nikki nd Abhi's table.. Abhi scooped him in his arms nd made him eat his ice cream.. "Now what.. yeh dono yahan akele nahi hain.. Arav is still with them.. she'll easily get away saying she was on a dayout with her friend nd Arav.."Anjie thought nd cursed Nikki under her breath..

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"Ummm.. bhabhi vo.." Nikki started when Ridhhima was in the kitchen preparing dinner.. Ridhhima didn't turn around to face her just said in a plain voice "when can I meet him kiddo..?" listening to her Nikki was shocked.. "can she read my mind or something..? OMG.!. did Arav told her..? No.. he promised me not to tell anyone.. then did she saw us somewhere..? OMG I'm so dead now.."Nikki thought making weird faces nd ruling out all possibilities one by one..

"Don't stress that tiny brain kiddo.. just ask me what you want to.." Ridhhima said teasing Nikki coz she knew Nikki must have been surprised..
"Bhabhi.. how did you know..? I mean.. umm.." Nikki said in a hesitant tone..
"Anjali di told me.. she saw you with him at the mall nd then at an ice cream parlour.. the way she discribed you nd him, I was sure that you will not get this close to anyone else.." Ridhhima competely nd Nikki was confused yet again.. "Anjali Gupta saw me with Abhi nd she came to tell you that.. but why..? that none of her business.. I can go around with anyone.."

"No kiddo.. she isn't bothered about you.. she is bothered about her lover's fiance getting close to someone else.. vo tumhare liye nahi Atul bhaiya ke liye mujhe yeh sab batane aayi thhi so that I can realise how wrong I was bringing you nd Atul bhaiya together.." Ridhhima said in a serious tone..

"But bhabhi, I think that's good for us isn't it.. I mean she still cares for AJ.. Well I hope she does.." Nikki said nd then as if something struck her so she continued in a concerning tone "Bhabhi today I met a really digusting man outside the mall.. he almost bumped his car into me nd Arav nd when I abused him, he was talking as if  he knew Arav.. as he got angry on my remarks Abhi entered nd kicked him off from there.. How does he know Arav.." Nikki said frowning nd arching her eyebrows.. listening to Nikki's words when she said he almost bumped his car into us Ridhhima became alert.. as soon as Nikki told the complete encounter she quickly turned to nikki nd asked "Do you remember anything alse about him.. his name or something about how he looks.. coz  all the people we know are not like this.." there was no points for remembering this Nikki is very good with recognising nd remembering about different individuals coz she was trained for it during her LLB course.. "Yes.. his name.. some Raaj Khurana.."

 
Ridhhima froze listening to the name.. "Vo vapas aagaya.. lekin ab kyun.. aur vo kahin Kiddo ko jaan kar to nahi mila.. Is he spying on us.. nahi aisa nahi ho sakta.. last time itni marr khane ke baad vo vapas nahi aa sakta.. lekin Raaj itni jaldi apni insult bhulta bhi to nahi.. Oh god.. ab kya hoga.." Ridhhima's mind was working overtime.. Nikki looked at her shocked face nd shook her a little.. Ridhhima gathered her senses nd said in a warning tone "Kiddo.. aaj ke baad vo kahin bhi miley just avoid him.. no need to talk to him at all.. khud ko aur Arav ko Raaj se dur rakhna.. you get that.."

Nikki just nodded nd decided she'll ask about Raaj later.. as Ridhhima is not seeming to be normal right now..

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In the evening Shashank nd Padma were to go to meet boy's family but due to some emergency Shashank got late nd went there alone.. he informed Padma too.. Padma wanted to go badly.. she wanted to know who the groom is but to her bad luck she was at home with Anjali.. she sat on the rocking chair in the balcony nd kept on looking at Arav nd Nikki playing in Mallik house's garden.. She got surprised when she saw the same man whom she had seen with nikki at the mall, entering the house with some gifts.. he was wearing blue denims nd a lemon yellow linen shirt.. she frowned when Arav ran nd hugged him nd Nikki did the same..

While scene at Mallik house was different.. Ridhhima came out of her room nd saw Armaan sitting grumpily on the couch in the lounge.. Ridhhima knew he was unhappy due to Abhi's sudden appearance..

"Armaan.. Kiddo is growing up now.. you can't take all decisions for her.. she needs her space to breath nd think.." Ridhhima said in a soft tone trying to make Armaan understand.. "Yeah.. I know.. but I wanted to know more about him.. I mean I care for her yar.. I can't let her chose wrong man for her life.." Armaan said his feelings truly.. Ridhhima smiled at his concern nd sat besides him "Armaan.. jaanu we need to support her.. we must not make her feel weak nd incapable for making decisions for herself.. I'm not asking you to say yes now nd get her married today.. I'm only asking you to behave nicely nd give him sometime.. let him feel comfortable before you start firing questions on him okk.." listening to Ridhhima's words he smiled.. how perfectly she knew him.. he nodded nd kissed her.. she was surprised at first at the sudden kiss but then gathering her senses she pushed him off saying "Kuch to sharam karo Armaan.. hum apne room mein nahi hain.."

"Ohh.. so you mean you'll not object this when we're in our room.." he asked naughtily..

They both stopped with their banter when they saw Nikki nd Abhi entering..

Armaan practically scanned Abhi from top to bottom, frowning abit.. on the contrary Ridhhima greeted him with a smile nd invited him to sit.. soon the servant came with the drinks.. Armaan took his juice nd kept it aside.. it has been 5 mins. since Abhi's arrival nd Armaan was continuously staring at him.. Ridhhima tried to warn him but no use.. Nikki was embarressed too.. "What the hell is bro upto.. Abhi unhe pagal samajh raha hoga.." Nikki thought nd looked at Ridhhima for help..

Armaan got distracted from his examining phase when Abhi introduced himself.. when Abhi put his hand forward to Armaan for a hand shake, Armaan got up from the couch nd went to his room without a word.. leaving behind Ridhhima nd Nikki who were now concerned for Abhi looking at Armaan's serious expressions..

Next moment Armaan came back with Ridhhima's reading glasses.. they were half rim glasses with red frame.. he put it towards Abhi nd in a very serious tone said "Yeh pehno.." Ridhhima gasped unbelievingly at Armaan's behaviour.. A few minutes back he had promised to behave nicely nd now he was doing this..

"Armaan yeh tum kya kar rahe ho.. these are MY READING GLASSES.. he can't wear them.." Ridhhima asked frowning nd implying her point.. but Armaan took NO notice.."Maine kaha yeh pehno.. I wanna check something.." Armaan again said to Abhi.. Nikki looked at Abhi helplessly nd pleade him to do it for THEM..

 
Abhi nodded nd wore it.. Armaan again looked at him nd moved forward.. he then flattened all the spikes Abhi had made in his hair.. Abhi frowned while Nikki nd Ridhhima seemed mortified as Abhi's hair now looked horrible.. "What do you think you're doing..?" Abhi said in a perplexed tone settling his hair back in shape nd Armaan broke into a smile.. "Hmm.. ab kuch jaana pehchana lag raha hai.. so do you recognise me now Mr.Moody.." Armaan said smiling widely.. listening to him Abhi got up instantly.. he looked at Armaan with scrutinising gaze nd was shocked "NO WAYS.. Ammy Mallik..?.." they hugged eachother while Nikki nd Ridhhima were confused..

"Mr.Moody, the bookworm turns into a happening dude.. huh.. unbelievable.." Armaan said mocking at Abhi only to get a teasing reply back in a same tone

"Ammy Mallik, the biggest flirt happily married man.. loyal to one girl.. now thats incredible.."  Armaan smiled at his comment nd pointed towards Ridhhima saying "Yup dude.. that's true.. meet my wife.. Ridhhima.."

"maine bohot suna hai yar inke baare mein.. Niks se kabhi bhi ghar ki baat karo to bas ya to Arav ya Ridhhima bhabhi ki baatein karti thhi.. glad to meet her finally.. lekin itni achhi ladki tujhe kaise mil gayi..?" Abhi said teasing Armaan..

"Excuse me now.. I think me nd Bhabhi are being left out in this.." Nikki finally interrupted.. "Kiddo.. we were in same collage.. After that I did my MBBS nd he went for Architecture.. we guys used to have loads of fun.. he was the only guy who was my actual friend others were just girls around.." Armaan said winking only to get a punch on his arm from Ridhhima..

"aur tumhare questionarre ka kya hua Mr. perfect nd caring brother.." Ridhhima said in a taunting tone.. "What questionarre..?" nikki asked immideately

"Well kiddo.. your brother had planned to scare your boyfriend by bombarding whole lot of questions on him.. he wanted to know everything about him immideately.. thank God they know eachother or else poor Abhi would have been fighting for breath right now.." Ridhhima said giggling.. looking at all of them giggling nd laughing at him Armaan made a puppy face nd crossed his arms..

Nikki nd Ridhhima were quiet at ease nd tension free knowing Armaan nd Abhi already share a great bond.. Dinner went off in a joyous mood with a lot of embarressment for girls coz Armaan nd Abhi were discusing their love lives.. sometimes they got smaking for flaunting their list old girlfriends too.. while bored nd tiered Arav fell asleep in Ridhhima's lap when AR nd AN were chatting about their old days..

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Its been a week since Abhi's visit to Mallik's.. Abhi still had his share of short visits to Mallik house.. sometimes in AR's presence nd sometime to be all alone with Nikki.. Armaan had started to like them together as a couple as it is Abhi has nothing in his past or family background to face any objection from Jai Mallik.. Armaan nd Ridhhima knew 80% of things will be settled as soon as they approve of Abhi nd rest 20% would be father's satisfaction.. MR.Mallik would definitely dig Abhi's past nd background before giving his daughter's hand in marriage..

As the things in mallik house were settling down abit.. miles away in london Atul was closing himself in a shell.. he had completey drowned himself in work.. the D-Gang nd Mr.Mallik were worried about him.. they tried to cheer him up but all in vain.. Same was happening with Anjali here.. she has given up on starving coz of Padma's promise but she has also taken up a lot of responsibilities of Sanjeevni.. 24*7 she had her mobile nd pager on nd most of the time she is in her cabin..

Dil Me Teri Yade Basi Hai Tu Samjhga Nahi
Jo hei mere paas.. hai tera..
Mera Kuch Nehi
Kyo Akhiya Chupau
Kyo Tujhe Ko Satau
Dil Tode Ke Tera Main Kya pau
Bol Piya -Bol Piya -Bol Piya Bol ..

Shashank was worried but he wasn't ready to accept it.. he wanted Anjali to behave normally, just as a bride to be should behave.. he was angry coz even after knowing that her father has fixed a date for her Roka ceremony, she didn't bother to even ask for the groom's name, picture is not even in question.. he feared losing his daughter oblivious of the fact that he already has lost her.. she was even more strict with her juniors now.. neither was she responding to Shashank or Padma's talks nor was she affected by Nikki's taunts anymore.. she was shattered completely..

 Sajan teri baatein badi
Ke Main Raat Bhar Soi Nehi
Chanda Ne Bhi Dekha Nehi
Aur Taro Ko Ye Malum Nehi
Ke Mene Tujhe Dil Diya Tera Dil Le Liya
Mera Tuhi Hai Bahana Kyo Manta Nehi

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It was the day for the boy's family to come to Gupta house with Shagun.. since it was Saturday it was chosen as Sunday could be spent in dicussing about marriage.. Shashank made Anjie stay back.. she was dressed like a doll.. yes, the comparison was perfect.. just as a doll is dressed by a small kid in his own choice of clothes nd as per his own will the same way was Anjali dressed by Padma, as per Shashank's will.. After dressing her completely Padma held Anjali tight nd cried while Anjie didn't let a single tear spill out of her eyes as if all her tears have dried now.. her own father was turning her life into a living hell just because his misconceptions nd ego..

The groom's family was at Gupta House now.. after afew minutes Anjali was brought down accompanied by Padma.. Anjali froze for a second looking at them.. she knew the family nd the groom pretty well.. she felt all the more miserable looking at his shameless smile.. the groom was none other than Dr.Raaj Khurana.. she dug her nails deep in her palms nd her jaw tightened as she was made to sit besides him.. she cursed her fate a hundredth time in last few minutes coz her father had chosen this disgusting beast over Atul.. she knew his aim was nothing but to rule Sanjeevni nd revenge from Ridhhima's family..

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"Dad main Raaj se shaadi nahi karungi.. aapko Atul pasand nahin na theek hai.. maine usse apna har rishta tod diya.. lekin main kisi bhi halat mein Raaj Khurana se shaadi nahin karungi.. chose anyone else for me I promise to marry anyone else in this world except Raaj.." Anjie finally spoke for herself the next day before Shashank was going to fix the engagement nd wedding date..

"Anjali.. maine Khurana ko promise kiya hai.. pehle hi Ridhhima has let me down by marrying Armaan aur ab tum bhi.. dekho Anjali Raaj ek achha ladka hai.. aur tumhari shaadi uske saath hi hogi that's final.." saying this enraged Shashank left Gupta house to meet Khuranas..

Looking at Shashank's departuring figure Anjali fell on her knees nd hid her face in her palms.. she cried histerically while Ridhhima's words continuously rung in her ears.. "yeh aapki marzi hai di ki aap haar maano aur apna pyar kho do ya phir lado aur usse apni zindagi bana lo.."

she got up nd wiped her tears.. without a word with Padma she left for Mallik house.. she knew all three of them woud be home coz it was Sunday so she just walked straight to the lounge.. she found Ridhhima sitting there on the floor playing with Arav nd his building blocks.. "Ridz.." she said in a low tone..

 
Ridhhima turned to look at Anjali's pale face.. she knew something was wrong or else Anjali would have never came over.. she nodded in acknowledgement nd turned to Arav for a moment who was looking at Anjali nd Ridhhima.. Ridhhima kissed his head nd said "Arav aap ab thodi der papa ke saath andar jakar khelo.."

 
As soon as they both sat Anjali said in a determined voice "tu sahi thhi Ridzie.. pyar ki haar sach mein bohot dukh deti hai.. lekin ab maine soch liya hai.. main usse shaadi nahi karungi.. (she broke down in Ridhhima's lap saying) main Raaj se shaadi nahi karungi.. I'll not marry Raaj ever.." listening to her Ridhhima was shocked.. putting the pieces together "isiliye vapas ayaa hai vo.." Ridhhima thought..

 
For sometime Ridhhima let Anjie cry her heart out.. when her sobs subsided Ridhhima calmed her down nd asked "ab aapne kya socha hai di.. you want Atul bhaiya back in ur life.." it was more of a statement than a question..

"Haan Ridz.. you were right.. pyar zindagi hota hai.. aur agar pyar na ho to zindagi kisi kaam ki nahi.. I have decided I would either live with Atul or Die without him.."

looking past Ridhhima Anjali saw Nikki standing leaning on the door.. she stood up nd faced Nikki saying "I know its too late.. but are you still ready to help me if I chose my Love..?" Anjie's confession in cracking voice melted Nikki too.. she smiled nd nodded.. Nikki came forward nd told Anjali the whole truth of her faking her nd Atul's relationship nd she loves Abhi.. listening to this Anjali was happy that atleast something good has happened in her life today..

 
THIS WAS THE PART.. I KNOW IT IS SHORTER THAN THE USUAL BUT NEXT PART HAS ITS OWN SCENES WHICH I CAN'T PUT IN HERE OR ELSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SUPER LONG ND BORING FOR YOU GUYS..

HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THE NEW TWIST..

PRECAP: ANJIE ND ATUL'S CHAT.. ATUL IN MUMBAI..

frnd.of.frndz2009-05-09 04:40:25