Chapter 47

Rucha

@frnd.of.frndz

RECAP: ARMAAN TAKES RIDHIMA FOR HER FIRST CHECK UP.. RIDHIMA'S TANTRUMS.. ANJALI ADVICES ARMAAN TO READ RIDHIMA'S DIARY.. ARMAAN COMES TO  KNOW WHY RIDHIMA IS SO AFRAID OF GUPTAS.. HE PROMISES HIMSELF TO NOT LET HER SUFFER ANYMORE..

Part 46

Armaan sat in the lounge with the new scrapbook that he was maintaining.. it had pictures of his family but mostly of Ridhima who seemed to be changing week after week.. he looked at her wedding pic that he had copied and pasted from their wedding album.. she looked so slim, fragile and shy.. next his eyes travelled to her pic when she was a month pregnant.. she looked troubled and weak.. all coz of him.. he cursed himself for hundredth time for scaring her so much that time.. he now knows that it is all coz of Shashank and Padma's scolding and screaming voices she has heard since childhood that she still flinches with any sudden clatter sound or even thunder..

A light smile graced his lips when he saw the next pic.. it has Ryan snuggled into Ridhima's lap just like a baby monkey does.. next had Ridhima smiling at him with her pasta plate in her hand that she sooo wanted that moment.. he smiled when he saw a small patch of pasta sauce stuck on her lips.. he giggled thinking how she smacked her lips having the first bite as the pasta was made in sour sauce at her request..

It was just like maintaining Ryan's scrapbook.. Ridhima nowadays was no more than Ryan to him.. whenever Ryan would be home both mamma and beta would huddle together and play games and watch all sort of animation movies.. while Armaan would be busy making him useful by picking up stuff Ryan has left everywhere he played, serving Ryan with popcorns and Ridhima with fruits or chips as she was not allowed popcorns..

He giggled when he saw the pic where Ridhima and Ryan both pouted to the camera giving their side pose, making and imaginary gun with hands acting like james bond.. he loved looking at them playing and smiling all day but still he keeps and eye on Ryan to prevent him from jumping or kicking Ridhima by mistake..

He has manier times tried to ignore Ridhima's diary for a while but everytime he does that he feels as if he was pushing RIdhima's fear away from his knowledge.. everytime he read it he gets hurt very deeply.. everytime, every couplet, every poem, every story she wrote had a part of her and her pain.. her pain of loosing her parents.. her pain of getting hurt every minute in the house that was supposed to be her family.. he felt bad when he read that at the age of 16 she gave up thinking of her prince who would love her.. coz after her suicidal attempt she knew her uncle and aunty would never let any prince charming come close to her.. she will not be given any authority to chose the guy so she just stopped thinking of it..

He came out of thoughts when he felt lucky licking his feet.. Armaan closed the scrapbook and patted his knee, lucky quickly climbed onto his knee putting his face forward for some patting and scratching.. after pampering lucky for a few mintues he got up to check upon the duo.. he entered the room only to see Ridhima getting up from the bean bag with some difficulty.. he quickly rushed to her and supported her waist.. she gulped seeing him angry..

"Tumhe samajh nahi aata hai ki tumhe lower sitting pe nahi baithna hai..?" he asked like he does when he scolds ryan for something..

"Armaan main itni der se upar bed pe hi thi.. par phir screen ka view sahi nahi hota bed par se toh main yahan Ryan ke paas aake baith gayi.." she said sweetly and honestly making all his anger melt..

He lightly kissed her head and left nodding after making her comfortable on the bed.. he had a few plans roaming in his head and he has to take them into action very soon.. he made a few calls and sighed looking at the time.. "Bas ab khel shuru hota hai Shashank Gupta.." he said looking at his phone..

He entered the kitchen to get juice for Ridhima only to see her standing in front of an open fridge with a confused look, tapping her nails on the door of the fridge.. he stood behind her and peeked inside asking "Kya ho raha hai..?" she jumped at his sudden arrival..

"mujhe pata tha ki aap juice leke aayenge to maine socha ki aaj kuch kha loon juice ki jagah.." seeing him about to retort.. "Arre juice ki jagah fruits hi khaungi.."

"toh phir usmein itna sochne vali kya baat hai..?" he asked
"Soch rahi hoon ki kya kahun.. apple toh abhi thodi der pehle khaya tha.. grapes ka bhi mann nahi hai.. aur melon aur orange mein mehnat bohot lagegi.."

"Ridhu.." he looked at her in disbelief.. he was surprised when she said she felt  too lazy to cut melon or peal orange for herself.. he encircled her waist and kissed her cheek saying "Tum mujhe batao kya khana hai..? main khilata hoon apni kangaroo baby ko.."

"mujhe orange khaana hai.. aur chips bhi.." she added quickly.. he shook his head at her kiddish behavior and bowed infornt of her saying "Aap chaliye madam.. main aapke liye orange aur chips abhi laata hoon.." she smiled and left after coochi-kooing his cheeks..

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Atul looked up from his laptop when he saw his mother entering his cabin with a smile.. he looked at her with a small smile.. that was all he could manage as nowadays he just felt like a machine.. he has left contacting Anjali for almost 4 months now.. he doesn't visit Armaan or Rahul.. he just calls sometime to enquire about Ridhima..

"Atul.. aaj ki 7 baje ke baad ki saari meetings cancel kar do.. we have a guest coming over for dinner.."

"Mom its important.. aap apne guest ko sorry keh ijiyega par main shayad late ho jaunga.." he said making an excuse as he was least interested in socializing anymore..

"maine poocha nahi hai Atul.. I'm just informing you.. be home before 8.."
she left leaving Atul helpless.. he could feel something was about to happen.. his mother was not someone who orders around.. he just prayed that it was another of his mother's friend who would keep enquirying of him for her some distant relative's daughter..

"Kahan phasaa diya tuney mujhe Ammy.. main doctor hi acha tha.. yeh business mein to itni tension hai har waqt.." he muttered sighing..

While on the otherhand Gupta was upside down.. After just one request from Armaan, his friend has approached Shashank Gupta for a good business.. but what he wanted as a guarantee was the only thing Armaan wanted.. Armaan knew that Shashank has only 49% of the business to call his Legally..and if anyone approaches him with a good deal demanding an explaination to this then Shashank Gupta will definitely do something..

Shashank was in deep thought whether to present those documents to the new client or not.. while Padma was busy thinking of some plan to get Anjali home..

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Atul reached home around 7 only to see his mother busy in the kitchen.. he was amazed to see all his favourites.. "Kya baat hai mom..?" he asked

"You go and get fresh first.." she said thrusting a plate of sliced cucumber that he was very fond of.. he smiled and left kissing her cheeks.. "Thanks mom.." She looked at his retreating back and smiled continuing her work.. she has a lot to do before her guest arrived..

After a few minutes Atul came to the kitchen only to find his mother missing.. he  entered her room only to find her standing in front of her cupboard admiring a necklace.. "Kya hua mom aap iss necklace ko aise kyun dekh rahi hain.." he asked

"yeh bohot special necklace hai beta.."
"Kyun..?"
"kyunki ismein bohot sa pyar aur aashirwaad hai.."

Before he could ask any further questions they heard the door bell ring.. "Atul tu jaake dekh zaraa.. main abhi aati hoon.." she said closing the cupboard..

"Par mom.. they are ur guests main kya baat karunga..?"
"Jao Atul.. aise kisi ko darwaaze par wait karana achi baat nahi hoti.." she said sternly..

Atul grumpily came to attend the door.. putting a fake smile on his face he opened the door but was shocked to see who was standing at the door.. he wanted to say so much but it was as if someone has snatched away his voice.. while she too was in the same state.. just abit more confused and nervous..

"Andar nahi bulaoge Atul.?"
"haan.. ohh.. sorry.. aao na.." he fumbled finding back his voice..

He made her sit in the lounge.. but every minute he kept looking at he room where his mother was.. he didn't know what was going on.. "Kaisi ho Anjali..?" he asked in a little voice..

"Jaise tum ho.." she said looking into his eyes.. he immideately looked away when  he felt her gaze on him, feeling his pain.. he too grew nervous when he heard his mother approaching.. he anticipated some sort of drama as his mother doesn't like Anjali but he was surprised when his mother presented Anjali a glass of juice..

"Anjali is your guest for tonight..?" he asked in amazement.. seeing her nod he could only muster up courage to ask "Why..?"  Mrs.Joshi sat besides Anjali.. "Maine tumse kaha tha Atul ki agar tum kuch waqt Anjali se durr rahoge toh main Anjali ko jaane ki koshish karungi.."

"Aur..?" he asked hopefully

"Aur jitna maine pata kiya aur dekha.. mujhe laga ki Anjali utni buri nahi hai jitna maine socha tha.." Naina said smiling.. "Tumne apna vadaa nibhaya aur maine apna.. pichle kuch waqt se mujhe Anjali ki har baat ka pata lagta tha.. aur maine jaana ki jo ladki apni behen ke liye ladke apne ghar se alag reh sakti hai voh aage chalkar tumhe kabhi dhoka nahi degi.."

"Kya matlab ghar se alag reh rahi hai..?" he asked while Mrs.Joshi left the two alone for sometime to talk their differences.. she knew they had a lot to catch up.. while they had nothing to say.. they just sat holding hands, letting their eyes talk and express how happy they are at the moment.. their moment was disturbed when Mrs.Joshi called them for dinner..

The dinner was taken in silence though but it was not killing anyone.. everyone was happy inside.. Mrs.Joshi could see them stealing glances of eachother from time to time.. she smiled when she saw Atul eating his food without any attention in his plate.. he has already swallowed 2 green chillies.. while Anjali was all nervous.. though she didn't like a few dishes served to her but at the moment she was least interested in food.. she was just taking in the fact that she was sitting and having dinner with Atul's mother.. in peace..

After dinner when Anjali was say something Mrs.Joshi asked her to wait and went to get something.. Atul saw the same necklace that his mother was admiring sometime back.. he gave his best smiles after months.. "Yeh meri taraf se mera aashirwad hai beta.." Mrs.Joshi said thrusting the box in Anjali's palms.. Anjali looked at Atul who gave her an assuring nod..

Anjali touched her feet and hugged her with tears.. "Thank you so much aunty.."

"yeh aashirwaad maine Dr.Anjali ko diya hai beta.. Anjali gupta ko nahin.. tum samajh rahi ho na..?" Mrs.Joshi cleared herself..

Seeing Atul about to retort Anjali quickly nodded saying "Main samajh rahi hoon aunty.. aur main koshish karungi ki aapka vishaas na toote iss baar.."

As Anjali was at the door Atul heard his mom say "Atul bohot late ho gaya hai.. Anjali ko uske hostel tak drop kar aao.."

"Sure mom.." he said grinning looking at both the ladies smile..

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Armaan stirred abit when he felt something on his leg.. he lightly shook it off and was in deep sleep again.. but soon he was alarmed when he felt something wet on his face.. he tried opening his eyes but his view was blocked by her thick hair.. "Ridhu.." he whispered and tried to move her hair off his face but stayed put when he felt her stiffening next to him..

He shifted abit closer and put his arm around her pulling her closer into an embrace.. he caught her in his embrace when he felt her shifting away towards the edge.. "kya baat hai..?" he asked lightly setting her hair behind her ears.. she just got out of his embrace and started walking out of the room.. he kicked off the comforter and followed her.. he finally pinned her to the fridge when she was about to take out a kulfi for herself..

"Kuch hua hai..?" he asked in a confused tone as he was not able to understand why was she planting wet kisses on his face and why did she back out all of a sudden..

She shook her head saying "I'm fine.. aap jaake so jaiye.."
"No you are not.. batao mujhe kya chal raha hai meri Ridhu ke mann mein..?" he said pulling her into a side hug and taking her to the lounge..

"Maine kaha na kuch nahi hua hai.. pareshaan matt kariye mujhe.."
"acha theek hai.. yahan aao.. main kuch nahi poochta okk.." he said pulling her into his lap..

She finally kept her kulfi plate on the table and got up surprising him.. "Mazaak lag raha hai aapko yeh sab..? maine kaha na jaake so jaiye matlab jaiye.."

"Ridhu lekin.."
"kuch nahi sunna mujhe.. jab aapka mann ho tab aap mujhe apne kareeb bula lete hain.. aur jab mann hota hai toh aise rehte hain mere aage jaise jaante bhi nahi mujhe.. 3 mahine se ek hi kamre mein mere saath ajnabiyon jaise rehte hain.." she finally sobbed giving words to her irritation.. he puller her into his embrace but she kept mumbling non stop.. "mujhe yeh har waqt aage peeche ghumne vala Armaan nahi chahiye.. mujhe vahi Armaan chahiye jisse pyar hua tha mujhe.. har waqt mujhe chhedne vala.. voh jo mere saath waqt bitaane ka mauka dhundhta tha.. maine padha tha blogs pe ki pregnant hoke wife moti ho jaati hai toh husbands ko voh attractive nahi lagti phir.."

He was visibly too shocked to say anything.. but feeling her getting away from him again he caught hold of her hand and took her to the swing outside.. making her comfortable he himself sat beside her.. "meri taraf dekho Ridhu.." he said gently turning her chin to his face.. he lightly wiped away her tears.. caressing her face.. "Tum attractive hone ki baat kar rahi ho Ridhu.. meri Ridhu toh kisi pari se bhi zyada khubsoorat hai.. kyunki uska dil bohot masoom hai.. aur pichle kuch waqt se main kis tarah khud ko rokta hoon yeh tumhe kaise samjhaun main..? har din tum aur bhi zyada pyari lagti ho ki mujhe darr lagta hai ki kahin mere kareeb aane se tumhe ya baby ko kuch problem na ho jaaye.."

She looked into his eyes as he said this.. seeing him nod with love.. "tumhe raat ko kahin bohot zor se na pakad loon issiliye thoda durr hoke sota hoon.. tumhe kisi baat ki tension nahi leni hai Ridhu.. koi stress nahi lena.. issiliye harr waqt tumhare aage peeche tumhare kaam karta ghoomta hoon.. tumhe nahi acha lagta toh tum pehle keh deti na.. ab se aisa kuch nahi hoga jo meri Ridhu ko pasand na aaye.." he said pulling her closer into his chest and caressing her back..

She looked up into his eyes gulping and blushing.. she has not planned to discuss her desires with him so openly but somewhere she felt lighter being his arms.. he winked at her and took her into a kiss long enough to not leave her breathless.. "Bas ab kal se sharafat khatam.."

She smiled to see him back to his original self..she so wanted to hold herself but couldn't do so.. she just tilted her head and planted open mouth kissed on his neck, encircling her arms around him.. while he was feeling so passionate.. her kisses were taking him to another world altogether.. she sighed when he finally caught hold her her hair and arched her neck to get a better access to her neck and shoulder.. with his each and every kiss  she understood that he himself was putting a lot of effort to control himself from being mischievious.. she followed the suit not knowing when he lifted her up and took her to their room.. she looked at him with those shining eyes making him crazy..

"Bas  Ridhu.. ab tum so jao.. verna agar kal late ho gaye toh Ryan bohot drama karega.."he said planting a final peck on her eyes.. she very well knew tomorrow was Ryan's day.. every Saturday they go to race course where Ryan watches horses running and also meets a lot of kids.. while lucky also gets a day out as he is put into the dog area where he plays with other dogs.. and those few hours Armaan and Ridhima walk around giving Ridhima ample excersise..

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It was late in the evening when Armaan sat with Ridhima to massage her feet.. Ryan was already asleep as he was very tiered after running and jumping all day.. he sat in Ridhima's lap keeping his head on her chest as she caressed his head lightly.. she gave him a kiss before armaan took him to bed..

After a while he came back after settling Ryan in his bed.. he saw Ridhima writing her diary.. he sat by her side just when he peeped into it she closed the diary saying "Aapko kya kaam hai iss diary mein..?"

"mujhe bas padhna tha ki meri Ridhu kya likh rahi hai ismein.."
"meri diary hai.. aapko kyun padhni hai..?" she asked like a baby..

"kyunki yeh diary meri Ridhu ki hai.. aur mujhe haq hai yeh jaane ka ki meri Ridhu ke dil mein kya chal raha hai.." he said rubbing his nose lightly with hers..

"Armaann.. aap toh vaise bhi padh hi lete hain na sab.. toh bas jab main so jaun tab din mein padhna.." she said as a matter of factly, catching him off guard..

"Tumhe kaise..? I mean tumko kisne kaha ki main.. I mean.." he fumbled making her smile.. she kept the diary away and sat keeping her head on his shoulder saying "Mujhe pata lag jaata tha armaan.. jab aap mera kuch purana likha hua padh ke aise react karte the ki sab theek kar denge.. jis din aapko pata laga ki mujhe orange sunflower issiliye pasand hain kyunki voh Ma ke bhi fav thhe uss din se aap ab har roz mujhe sunflower de rahe hain.. aapne padha ki mujhe bachpan se bas animated movies ka shauk raha hai toh aapne Ryan ka pura room animated movies se bhar diya taaki hum dono baith ke dekhe.. haina..?" she asked to which he nodded..

"Main darr gaya tha Ridhu jab maine pehli baar tumhari diary padhi thi.. mujhe pata hai maine galat kara.. mujhe tumse poochna chahiye tha.. par uss waqt tumhare darr mujhe bade lage.. gussa aaya aur dard bhi hua jab maine mehsoos kiya ki kitna akelapan tha ab tak tumhari zindagi mein.."

"Akelapan tha Armaan.. ab bas pyar aur khushiyaan hai.. ab mujhe sapne dekhne se darr nahi lagta.. kyunki mujhe pata hai mere sapne aapki aankhon mein bhi hote hain.. aur aapne abhi kaha tha na ki diary aapki Ridhu ki hai.. toh apni Ridhu ki har cheez par aapka haq hai.. main kuch bhi aapse chhupaane ke liye nahi likhti Armaan.. bas apni khushi ke liye likhti hoon.."

He looked at her with love and pinched her nose lightly making her grumpy.. he giggled but caught her in his embrace.. kissing her warmly on her lips he took her and laid her down the bed comfortably.. she shivered when he planted afew kisses on her face and settled beside her.. he smiled when she caught his arm and circled it around her waist saying "Aap neend mein bohot pyar se pakadte hain.. bas jab shaitaani soojhti hai tabhi tezz pakadte hain.." She blushed realizing what she just said.. she felt his breath on her lips so she just laid there wwaiting to feel him.. he obliged yet again with a very lovable kiss..

He laid there caressing her waist and her hair till she laid fast asleep in his arms.. how innocent she looked sleeping like that.. he recollected how after his and Ryan's accident they started sharing one bed mutually.. that time he didn't even know that he used to hold her every night while sleeping.. reading that day's entry he finally got to know since when has she started accepting him as her own family.. true, they started off as friends but somewhere his unconditional love did entice meek and timid Ridhima to realize her feelings for him.. he slept after planting a feather kiss on her temple.. not able to wait for tomorrow when he could read more about her feelings for him and Ryan..

If the road ahead is not so easy,
Our love will lead the way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are

So come with me and share the view
I'll help you see forever too
Hold me now
Touch me now
I don't want to live without you