Chapter 41
Recap : A day at beach.. Ridhima gets uncomfortable and AR have their first ever heated fight.. Armaan manaofys ridhima.. Ridhima accepts Anjali as her sister again.. Their first fight ending at a romantic note..
Part 40
Armaan Ridhima as planned stayed back leaving rest of them to go out, while they get sometime to romance.. Around afternoon Ridhima realised that its been too more than 12 hours that they've been staying in their room and for sure others will tease them now.. moreover her empty tummy was asking her to get ready and get something to eat.. She tilted her head abit on his chest and mumbled his name "Armaan..?"
"haan.."
"aap jaake naha lijiye ab.. main aapke kade nikaal deti hoon.."
"But I love staying like this.." he argued..
"Armaan plz na.. M hungry now aur itni der se Ryan se bhi nai mili hoon pata nai kya kar raha hoga voh.. jaiye na.." she whined like a baby to which he giggled and gave into her plea..
After half an hour they both got ready and went down to see the cottage very calm and quiet.. They found Bi's room empty then they moved to garden then Ryan's room but they were nowhere around.. Ridhima looked at Armaan calculatively who smiled assuringly and moved to the other cottage to see they were there.. But they were not there either.. worried Ridhima quickly called Sapna who assured that Ryan was with them and Bi was visiting some churches and mosques..
Soon they started with a movie.. they sat together and switched onto the laptop to see some movie.. Armaan sat with his head in her lap while she was massaging his hair time to time.. Ridhima got up to get their brunch in between to which he grumbled as he lost his pillow but soon resumed.. "Aapko khana hai kuch?" she asked to which he lazily shook his head as he thought he will have to get up from his comfortable position.. She had daal chawal which smelt good to him.. he controlled for sometime then he finally sat up and rested his head on her shoulder.. he looked at her to see her reaction but she was into the movie.. he saw her filling the spoon but he caught her hand midway and moved it to his mouth.. this continued for a while till Armaan was almost ful and Ridhima's stomach grumbled with hunger again.. she looked at the bowl and saw some rice still there.. she looked at him frowning to which he gave a sly smile mumbling "Yummy daal chawal.. aur tumhare haath se khane mein aur bhi tasty lag rahe thhe.."
"Armaan.. pehle poocha tha na maine ki aapko khana hai ya nai.. tab hi keh dete main aur le aati.." she said glaring at him..
"par tab mann nai tha na.. tum abhi lekar aayi toh mann kar gaya.." saying so he was about to lie down in her lap again but she quickly shifted away.. "Ridhuuu.."
"Ab seedhe hi baithiye.. aapko har 2 min mein kuch na kuch shaitaani sujhti hai par mujhe movie puri dekhni hai.." she huffed, he sat quietly and slipped away to the kitchen from her side.. Ridhima saw a spoonful of hot daal chawal in front of her and then looked at Armaan holding it for her sitting with another bowl for her.. she immideately took that bite.. she was done with her lunch and movie and was moving the the kitchen when she heard Ryan's wails.. She quickly put the bowls on the nearest table and ran to the door only to see everyone wet due to unexpected rain..
"Guddo.." he called her which somehow worried her.. she calls her 'Mamma' but she becomes 'guddo' when he is scared or in pain.. On an impulse she took Ryan from Sapna and craddled him but he was shivering due to wet clothes and wind.. without a word she took ryan to their room asking Armaan to warm some milk for him till she changes him.. Armaan nodded and moved to the kitchen asking everyone to change till he makes coffee for them..
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Ridhima put shivering and sobbing Ryan on he bed and freed him off his wet clothes.. she sobbered when he wailed all the more she quickly hid him in her embrace covering him in her shawl.. rubbing his back and calming him down.. He clutched her kurta in his palms and began whimpering "mum mum.." she kissed his head afew time assuring him with her love.. She made him sit in her lap covered in her shawl from head to toe and then started again dressing him properly into his warmers.. first putting it through his head nd then his small arms.. she whimpered again when he felt the shawl sliding down but soon the warmer has covered his tummy..
On the otherhand Armaan stood at the door with Ryan's bottle.. he stopped when he saw Ridhima hugging Ryan now and then while dressing him to calm him down.. She gently cupped his face and cleared his tears away kissing his puffy eyes.. catching his tiny palms and rubbing them.. "Mamma.." he called hiding himself in her chest for a hug which she resonded without a doubt and cradled him in her warm embrace till his breath was normal..
Armaan smiled at them and moved forward lightly rubbing Ryan's chest as he coughed.. he offered some water and then his warm milk.. Armaan kept sitting in front of the duo as Ridhima crossed her legs and laid Ryan in her lap cradling him lightly.. all the while Armaan kept brushing Ryan's head lightly.. "Kya hua tha isko..?" he asked Ridhima "Thand lag rahi thi.. koi warmers nai pehne hue thhe, upar se bheeg gaya tha.. hum dono paas nai thhe toh darr bhi raha tha.." she mumbled hiding her own tears.. She was also scared to see him shivering and crying like he was.. she did evrything she could to calm him as soon as possible..
Seeing Ryan lightly closing his eyes she shifted him comfortably on the bed and lied down hugging him and lightly patting him.. she kissed his temple and closed her eyes.. she opened her eyes to look at him when she found a tiny hand under her head and other on her cheek.. There he was nose to nose resting his head on ridhima's folded elbow.. "Mum mum.."
"yeash my little mum mum.." she caressed his head talking in sugary tone.. "ganni baalish, mamma.." he said hiding his face in her neck.. she rubbed his back when she heard his muffled mumble "Lyan mamma shaath hi ghoomi jayega.." implying he'll not go anywhere without her as he did today.. she kissed his head and temple embracing him more if possible "Bas betu.. ab mamma hai na aapke paas.. ab koi problem nai hogi mere baby ko.."
He gave her a toothy smile "Mum, pa paash.."
She gave him a small smile, nodding.. she first touched his toes and palms to see if they were still chilly but she smiled abit more when his feet felt warmer to her palm.. taking her shawl and covering him with his jacket she put him to his feet but instead he tugged at her dupatta asking her to pick him up.. surprised she did pick him up, as always he love to be on his own and be his mischievious self..
She moved to lounge where she thought Armaan to be but was abit apprihensive when she everyone sitting there with their coffees.. Armaan went to Ridhima to take Ryan from her as he spotted them.. "Hey baby.. daraa diya tha mamma papa ko aapne.. chalo ab kishy karo jaldi se.." Armaan forwarded his cheek to Ryan in his arms but instead of a sweet kissy he got a wet sloppy kissy.. Armaan smiled seeing Ryan clap for himself and planted a small kiss on his head..
As Ridhima sat Ryan snuggled into her lap again.. he would move to low table get a few chips in his tiny palm and then again come back.. He whinned angrily when Rahul tried to settle him in his lap.. "hupp.. mum mum.." seeing Rahul about to pull him again Muskaan smacked Rahul's arm.. "Oye khote.. chod de usko.. vaise hi itna rula chuke hain uss bechare ko aur tang matt kar.."
"jhalli.. kitni zor se maarti hai tu.." Rahul retorted they were about to start with their banter when Anjali's guilty voice interrupted them.. "Ridhu.. i'm sorry voh subah Ryan ko maine ready kara tha aur Bi pehle chali gayi thi toh mujhe pata nai laga ki usko kya pehnana hai aur kya rakhna hai uske bag mein.."
Ridhima for once wanted to retort back but then something stopped her.. She saw her guilty face and first and foremost she was admitting her mistake herself.. Ridhima couldn't get herself to say that she had forgiven Anjali because she has not, not for Ryan atleast.. but she didn't want to say that she has not forgiven Anjali so she just said a little "HMMM.." and let go of the moment..
Armaan went to get coffee for Ridhima when he saw an envelope saying "Mrs. Ridhima Mallik".. He picked it and looked inside only to find a picture of her parents.. seeing her parents' photo in his hand, Ridhima took it from his hand and caressed the picture with moist eyes.. "Yeh yahan kisine kyun bheja hoga?" Armaan said thinking aloud..
"Armaan yeh akhri baar tha jab main Ma-Papa ke saath kahin bahar gayi thi.. iske 2 din baad hi mamma ko achanak se hospital mein admit karvana pada tha aur phir dheere dheere sab khatam ho gaya.." she said hiccuping abit.. Armaan put the coffee cup aside and picked up the envelop again to see if it had something else for them too.. he took the picture and turned it only to find a bank name and locker number written on it with "I've helped you the maximum I could.. The key to the locker will only be retrieved once the clause of Shubhankar Gupta's will are fulfilled.."
"iska kya matlab hua.. jab puri baat nai batani thi toh kyun yeh mazaak kar raha hai koi aise.." Ridhima said sobbing in Armaan's arms.. While Armaan held her in his arms and called his lawyer asking him to get all the needful inforamtion.. He also asked everyone else to go and start with dinner they'll join later.. he picked her in his arms and took her to the sofa making her sit comfortably in his lap.. Everyone except Anjali left from there giving them some time to balance themselves as they were somewat confused at this sudden development..
Anjali knelt infront of Ridhima and held her palm tightly in between hers.. Ridhima felt that known squeez and looked at Anjlai with teary eyes.. Anjali too gave the same look saying "Chal har baar ki tarah pray karte hain.." Ridhima nodded and held onto Armaan and Anjali's hand.. Armaan had no clue of wat was going on but still he held Ridhima's hand in between his palms just like anjali was holding.. he saw Anjali and Ridhima closing their eyes and them opening them with a small smile.. She hugged Ridhima close and patted her head lovingly and assuringly.. "Thank You.." Ridhima mumbled..
"no.. I should be sorry.." Anjali said..
Ridhima moved when she heard Ryan whining and Sapna calling for her or Armaan to calm him.. as soon as she left Armaan turned to Anjali.. "Wat was that.?"
Seeing confused Anjali he reframed the question "Mera matlab.. wat was that prayer thing..? Ridhima relax kaise ho gayi thi ekdum se?"
"Voh issiliye kyunki hum jab school mein thhe tab ek teacher ne humein kaha tha ki jab hum apne dil se kuch maange toh voh mil jaata hai.. tab se jab bhi Ridhu, apne parents ko leke sad hoti thi toh hum aise haath pakadke pray karte thhe aur phir usko lagta tha ki usne ek baar aankh band karke apne mamma papa ko dekha dil se.. aur main uska haath pakad ke kehti thi ki meri Ridhu ki sab problems mujhe de do mere paas toh Mom dad hain unn problems ko solve karne ke liye.." Anjali explained in a heavy voice with tears flowing from her eyes..
"Ridhu ke saath ek behen banke humesha rehna Anjali.. I know I've hated you sometime back.. par tum meri Ridhu ko bachpan se jaanti ho.. kisi waqt agar mera pyar usko pura sahara na de paaye to tumhara saath aur apnapan usko samhaal lega.."
"Sure Armaan.. voh behen hai meri aur ab aisa kuch nahi hoga jis se main usko pohonchaungi.. ek aur baat.. can I call you Jeeju..? main Ridhu se humesha kehti thi ki usse shaadi akrne ke liye mere jeeju ko aisa hona padega vaisa hona padega.. par ab tum dono ko dekh ke lagta hai sahi insaan nahi sahi ehsaas rishtey banata hai.. I'm sorry for all bad words and for hurting you two.."
She turned to go when she found Ridhima and Sapna standing there.. one with teary smile and one with proud smile.. Sapna knew Anjali's possessiveness for Ridhima and Ridhima felt as if a burden was lifted off her heart.. Ridhima wiped her tears and hugged anjali.. As they seperated Armaan coughed and turned to Anjali saying "So friends now..?"
"Sure jeeju.. Friends and Team Ridhu.." she said giggling seeing Ridhima frown.. Ridhima smiled abit too when she saw them happy but somewhere her mind was still over that secret information.. She left from there as her mind was full of questions.. and each of them ended in WHY and HOW..
Why was someone hiding this secret for so long? Why is he helping her now? How does anyone know about this secret? How does he know that Ridhima was in Goa and Where? Was this person really with some good intentions?
All of it was confusing her all the more.. looking at everyone she knew she now has a huge family of friends to support her and ofcourse her husband to give her all the love she needs and even more than that.. But questions in her mind were not going.. Questions with No answers are not easy to handle especailly when they include someone who ruled affected your life the most.. and here was Ridhima full of questions.. she didn't know why she lost her parents.. they were the ones who used to save her of al the miseries.. bring her to life again when she was sad.. But then looking at Armaan and Ryan she was not all that alone.. One Thing she has not learned ever in her life was to ask "WHY ME..?" because to her that meant "Why not someone else..?" and she was not someone who believed in wishing bad for someone else no matter whoever it is..
Armaan saw her going to the room so he also followed her there knowing her well.. he picked her parents' picture.. he kept standing at the door when he saw her crying holding her lucky charm, mumbling mamma-papa in between.. Armaan went and sat besides her when he saw her settling abit.. he didn't say anything he just sat by her looking at her with those loving blue eyes.. Armaan turned when he heard Anjali at the door.. he nodded lightly asking her to come in.. Anjali came in looking at crying Ridhima.. she sat on the other side of Ridhima and took her into a hug.. "ridhu.. tu kyun ro rahi hai.. uncle aunty toh har waqt hain na tere paas.. aur tujhe kaise pata ki yeh note genuine hai.. ho sakta hai kisi ne sirf koi ganda mazaak kara ho..baaton pe tab tak bharosa matt kiya kar Ridhu jab tak unka source strong na ho.. jis mein itni himmat nai hai ki tere saamne aake teri madad kare tu uspe itna bharosa kaise kar sakti hai?"
Though Anjali said it all just to calm Ridhima but it surely did ring bell in Armaan's mind.. No one except Malliks and Guptas knew where they exactly are staying.. His jaw tighten when he could put all puzzles together.. They got to know through Anjali that Armaan and Ridhima were alone at cottage.. that was the best time to drop the envelope.. Triggering Ridhima's grief and armaan's eagerness to know the truth so that they would do something wrong and illegal hastily.. he signaled Anjali to take care of ridhima while he went to talk to Mr.Sharma, Shubhankar's Lawyer..
The lawyer adviced exactly same as Armaan had thought though he had confirmed that the information is 100% correct but after that Mr.Sharma chose to keep quiet.. Armaan entered the room and thanked Anjali for taking over.. Anjali saw Armaan was waiting to talk to Ridhima so on purpose she went away making an excuse..
Armaan sat in front of Ridhima and took her hand into his.. "Kuch nahi hua Ridhu.. shashank Gupta ki ek ghatiya chaal thi yeh.." Ridhima looked at him with those red puffy eyes making his face glum.. "K.. kai.. kaisi chaal..?" she fumbled..
"Chaal taaki hum emotions mein beh ke kuch galat kar dein jisse ab tak ki kari hui saari mehnat bekaar ho jaaye humari.. yeh chaal iss baat ka saboot hai Ridhima ki hum apne raaz ke bohot kareeb hain.. Shashank Gupta knows ki uss locker mein kuch aisa hai jo unke liye bura hai.. aur tumhe legally disown karvana hi tareeka hai tumhe vahan tak pohonchne se rokne ka.." Seeing that shine and confidence in Armaan's eyes she knew he was right.. everything that happend was not making any sense to her.. but Armaan's POV did relax her.. she knew she can depend on him for any confusion or complication..
Armaan kissed her forehead taking her into an embrace.. he leaned forward to kiss her lips but was soon shaken off with a strong whin.. "Mum Mum.." they saw frowning Ryan standing at the door.. Ridhima put out an arm for Ryan to come.. he grinned and ran to her.. as she picked him up and made him sit he frowned saying "govve geela.." pointing at his toes.. Ridhima touched his toes only to find one of the socks wet.. "Ryan.. yeh socks hote hain.. gloves toh aap haath mein pehente ho na.." she changed him and tucked him in middle of the bed.. both armaan and Ridhima stretched at either sides of him holding his tiny palm.. Ryan grinned when they both bent to kiss his temple at the same time..
"mamma loves Ryan.." Ridhima said with a smile..
"Papa loves Ryan too.." Armaan added with a dimlpy smile..
"lyan lubj you thhee.." Ryan said giggling why the other two joined him soon..
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Next Morning was more calm than expected.. breakfast was a treat from Atul and Anjali's side.. as no one missed to notice the ring on Anjali's finger.. To tease them Armaan winked at Rahul to join and purposely asked "Atul yar yeh aaj treat kis khushi mein hai.? Tuney Sanjeevni kahreed liya kya.?"
"Nai nai Armaan.. kuch personal hoga.. isne toh MBBS karke bhi humein treat nai di thi.. haina Atul.." looking at Atul getting all embarrassed Anjali cut it short saying "Guys stop it okay.. you guys know everything toh phir kyun usko taunt kar rahe ho.."
"Nai Anjie humein kuch nai pata.. bata na aisa kya hua Atul ke saath ki tum dono itna embarrass ho rahe ho..??" Sapna said rolling her tongue and controling her giggle.. "Sappy.. atleast tu toh matt tease kar.. okk fine.. sunna hai toh suno.. everyone.. Atul proposed to me Last Night and we are engaged.. vapas jaake we are planning to get married.."
"Aap atul se shaadi kar rahi hain..??" Ridhima looked at her in surprise.. though she too noticed the ring but it was not easy for her to digest the fact that Anjali was truely in love with Atul so soon.. but then love seeks no reason to blossom.. "Shayad Atul ke intezaar aur pyar ne unhe sach mein badal diya hai.." She thought..
After lunch everyone lazed around as they had their flight in the evening.. Armaan saw Anjali's hone buzzing and it flashed Shashank's name.. he involantarily diverted all his senses to her one sided conversation.. He was irritated when nothing more than plesantaries and flight informations were exchanged.. but Armaan smiled when Ryan ran to Anjali with his ball calling her "maashi.."
"Beta ek min.. abhi khelenge hum.." she said ruffling ryan's hair.. It was then that Armaan heard what he wanted to.. "Mom.. Ridhu meri behen hai.. I know you guys don't love her but you can't dominate my life.. No I don't love him.. he is my Brother in law.." Armaan smiled when he heard her saying that gritting her teeth as if frustrated with constant nagging..
Finally she disconnected saying "ghar pe baat karenge mom and yes for the final time.. I don't love Armaan.. I Love Atul Joshi.. bye.." The constant and repeated nagging about one thing brings out worst of Anjali.. Armaan smiled with satisfaction.. Shashank Gupta has lost yet again.. "Ek chaal ne humare rishtey pakke kar diye Mr.Gupta, aur ab tumhari apni beti, meri Ridhu ke saath khadi hogi.." He smiled wider when he saw Ridhima and Ryan sitting with Anjali and Sapna..
Ridhima looked back at him and gave a smile while he blew a naughty kiss making her blush.. Anjali noticed Ridhima blushing and nudged Sapna whistling & saying "Ridhu you look so sweet when you blush.."
"Exactly main bhi yahi kehti hoon isko.. ki yeh jab bhi blush karti hai toh bohot sweet lagti hai.. aur jab Armaan ho tab toh ekdum red ho jaati hai.." Sapna teased while armaan who was seeing Ridhima getting more red was confused he wanted to know why.. "Tum dono mil ke meri Ridhu ko pareshaan kyun kar rahe ho.." he said sitting besides ridhima lightly kissing her cheek.. while Sapna and Anjali rolled in laughter seeing Ridhima actually going red.. "aap jaiye na vahan Rahul ke paas.. humari baatein kyun sunni hain aapko.." Ridhima retorted to which Armaan shamelessly sat behind her pulling her into his lap.. "main toh aise hi baithunga.. Meri Biwi.. meri saaliyaan.. jab marzi aake baat sunon.. vaise bhi baat toh meri hi ho rahi thi na.."
"Armaan chodiye mujhe.." Ridhima struggled but stopped when Ryan came to them and he was trying to open his knoted palms around her.. after wasting considerable energy, Ryan just bent abit and dug afew teeth on Armaan's finger.. Armaan immideately withdrew his hand rubbing the spot.. "Ryan.." he called abit strictly.. but as soon as Ridhima shifted away she pulled Ryan into her lap explaining that its bad to bite someone.. "Isko durr rakho uss Lucky se.. uske saath rehke kaatne laga hai, kal se sunghne bhi lagega humein.."
"bas kariye armaan.. voh bas meri help kar raha tha.. aur mera buddy bohot samajdaar hai.. aise matt kahiye uske baare mein.." she cuddled him saying "Mera paara beta.." While Ryan flashed his incomplete set of teeth at everyone..
The mystery is now unfolding.. was it really shashank's trick..? how will Armaan Advantage of this trick..? Will Gupta's accept Atul and Anjali's love..? most importantly will Atul's mother accept Anjali..? keep reading to know more..
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