Chapter 50

Rucha

@frnd.of.frndz

Recap: Ridhima's Godh bharayi.. AR come to know that they will soon be having a baby girl.. Armaan comes to know the reason behind Guptas trying to harm Ridhima..

Part 49

Everybody was gathered around Ridhima, who felt like she was some queen as only she was provided with a comfortable couch and pillows to her wish.. all others were sitting around her in their most manageable positions.. chance by chance they were keeping their heads on her belly listening to the shuffling sounds and feeling the movements of the baby..

For sometime they were all fascinated at none of them has yet experienced the bliss of parenthood.. even though with all them mumbling around her she managed a small nap which was disturbed by a shrill scream.. she got up instantly with a pain in her tummy.. not able to understand what has happened she clutched at Armaan's hand making her aware of her pain..

"Ridhu..?" he looked at her sweating abit.. he pushed others away abit and caressed her tummy as Anjali explained that may be the resting baby was disturbed by a sudden noise.. she sighed in his embrace when the pain starting normalizing.. he kept kissing her head trying to relax her abit.. "hum room mein chalte hain Ridhu.. you need rest now.. hmm.." she looked at his worried face and gave him a small smile saying "Atleast aapko yaad hai ki main bhi yahan hoon.. varna yeh sab toh sirf baby se baatein karne baithe hain.."

She looked at others who were making faces at eachother saying "meri kya galti hai.. tumne shuru kiya tha.." Ridhima shook her head and got up to go to her room with Armaan's help.. Armaan settled her on the bed comfortably and kissed her lips gently saying "Meri Jaan aur meri nanhi si Ridhu ko ab zyada exhert nahi karna chahiye.. Anjali ne bataya tha na ki yeh waqt sabse carefull rehne ka hai.. theek se khana.. theek se uthna- baithna.. aur jitna ho sake utna rest.."

"Aapko bohot besabri se intzaar hai na apni beti ko dekhne ka..?" she asked out of the blue.. he looked at her surprised at the question only to see her eyes glued to his face with a dreamy look.. "Humari beti Ridhu.. mujhe sirf tum aur humari beti healthy aur fit chahiye ho after ur delivery.. I can't think of choosing between either of you.. sahi kaha tumney ki main toh bas days count kar raha hoon ki kab tum iss ghar mein ek nanhi si lakshmi lekar aaogi.. voh kaise sabki zindagiyo mein aur bhi khushiyaan aur apnapan bhar degi.."

While outside everyone else was busy deciding wat to do next.. here Armaan and Ridhima were busy planning their future with their kids..

"Armaan.." she looked at him lightly caressing his palm that she was holding onto.. "mujhe delivery se pehle ek shaam sirf aapke saath bitaani hai.." she avoided looking into his eyes because she knew he will see through her fear.. her fear of something bad happening during her delivery.. she wanted to catch his essence in her breath before she was to be taken to the hospital as she was just three weeks away from the delivery..

"Yeh bhi koi kehne ki baat hai.. bas yeh shaitaano ki toli chali jaaye 2 din baad.. phir ek nahi saari shaamein meri jaan ke naam.." he said kissing her hand..

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He let her rest in his embrace.. after a while when he felt her breathing relax.. he stared at her face.. she looked so innocent to him unknown of the storm waiting to hit her after a month.. "I hope ki tum mujhe maaf kar paao Ridhu.. maine tumhe kuch aur waqt uss sach se durr rakha.. sab jaante hue bhi main iss waqt unn logon ko iss waqt kuch nahi kar sakta kyunki main darta hoon ki kahin voh tumhe kuch na bata dein.. parmain unhe yahan se tumhara sab kuch lekar bhaagne nahi dunga.." he whispered to his sleeping wife..

Leaving that thought for a while he thought of something to make her evening special just as she demanded.. tomorrow his friends will be leaving to their respective work.. Ryan will be off to school and then they'll have ample time to go and shop for the baby.. they already have Ryan's portable baby bed and other things.. but Armaan being Armaan has to shop a lot for his little baby doll..

Next morning everybody was busy packing their stuff, sulking and not feel like going.. Muskaan and Sapna left first as Sapna was to drop Muskaan home.. then Atul left for a meeting while anjali sat with Ridhima as Armaan was busy dressing Ryan for school.. "Meri delivery mein koi complication to nahi hai na di..?" Ridhima asked looking at Anjali.. Anjali was not surprised by this question though as most of the mothers to be, ask her the same question..

"nahi Ridhu.. we have everything under control.. teri aur baby ki health bhi theek hai ab toh.. sab theek hoga I'm sure.." Anjali said patting Ridhima's head that was on her shoulder..

"main kabhi aapko thank you nahi keh paayi di.. aapne aaj tak job hi mere liye kiya uske liye.. sabse lad kar aapne mujhe har khushi di jo aapke bas mein thi.. main bas aapko batana chahti hoon ki mujhe pata hai ki main bohot lucky hoon ki aapki jaisi behen hai mere paas.." Ridhima hugged Anjali..

"I know Ridhu.. tu humesha se hi apni feelings apne andar rakhti thi.. aur tu mujhe thanku bolegi hmm..? agar maine tere liye ladai kari Ridhu toh kuch waqt main tujhse bhi toh ladi na.. voh bhi galat baat par.. apni Ridhu ko kitna galat samjha tha maine.. par tuney phir bhi mujhe itni asaani se maaf kar diya.."

"Main bohot khush hoon aapke aur Atul ke liye.." Ridhima said flashing a sweet smile.. Anjali smiled saying "Atul nahi hota toh pata nahi main apne pagalpan mein kya kuch aur kho deti.."

"Chalo chalo.. ab senti talks khatam karo aur breakfast ke liye chalo.." Armaan announced standing at the door winking at the emotional sisters..

"hmmm.. maine abhi juice piya hai Armaan.. m not hungry.." Ridhima complained.. to which Armaan made a face saying "meri baat kabhi ek baar mein maan bhi liya karo Ridhu.. har roz tumhe manaane ke naye naye tareeke dhundhne padte hain.. tumse jaldi toh ab Ryan doodh pi leta hai.."

"Fine.. aap jaiye main aati hoon.." Ridhima said throwing a pillow at Armaan making Anjali giggle..

"its tough to handle a pregnant lady.." Anjali said sighing at Armaan's face..
"yes.. but I don't even know the kind of pain and irritation she feels at times when she wants to pick up something or eat something she wants.. Ridhu is still to sweet to trouble me with her tantrums but I know.. she gets tired very soon now a days.. even if she feels like it she doesn't opt for fruits because she feels too lazy to cut them.. so I just cut them for her.. I like doing things for her, bugging her to take rest, to take medicines.."

Seeing Ridhima coming to the table taking her baby steps and supporting her tummy, Armaan circled her back and supported her making her smile.. "mann nahi hai toh zyada matt khana par thoda sa kha lo Ridhu.." he kissed her head making her sit on the chair.. During breakfast, Anjali also asked them to visit her after two weeks..

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After coming back from school, Ryan sat quietly looking at what his papa was doing to his and mamma's closet.. he looked around to see many new things scattered around Ridhima on the bed.. he saw some frocks and rompers that his papa was piling in his mamma's closet with some diapers.. some toys that were kept in his room.. "mamma yeh kya kar rahe ho aap..?" he finally asked as he has already heard a lot about the baby after his mamma's godh bharayi..

"beta aapki choti behen aayegi na thode din mein ghar.. toh mamma papa uske liye samaan set kar rahe hain.. mera Ryan toh phir big brother bann jayega na.."

Ryan nodded his head in NO and hugged Ridhima saying "Ryan toh mamma ka small baby hai na.."

"Voh toh hai hi.. par aapki behen toh aapse bhi choti hogi.. ekdum doll jaisi.."
"toh big brother kya karta hai phir choti doll ke liye..? he asked..

"aapko bas usko bohot saara pyar karna hai.. voh aapke saath khelegi, aapko pyar karegi.. aur bohot saari baatein karegi.." Ridhima tried to explain him..

"Voh meri baat maanegi..?" Ryan asked..
"Haan.. voh apne bhaiya ki baat maanegi.. aur mera superman hi toh apni behen har time smile karayega.. mera Ryan apni behen ka bhi superman banega na.." Ridhima said buttering him up.. only to make him smile.. "Haan.. Ryan doll ka superman banega.." he announced making his parents smile..

He still looked around abit apprehensively when he saw all new toys for his sister but then he squealed seeing the huge remote car for him.. "Mere liye bhi toys laye ho..?" he asked excitedly.. Ridhima cuddled him kissing his head "mera Ryan apni mamma ke liye sabse pehle aata hai toh aisa kaisa ho sakta hai ki mamma Ryan ke liye kuch na laaye hmm.."

"I love you mamma.." Ryan kissed her clinging to her neck.. while Armaan smiled to himself thinking, with in a few months he will have not one but two chatterboxes clinging to their mamma..

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It has been a week ane Ridhima was hugely pregnant.. easily tiered.. easily irritated and easy to pacify too.. Armaan has planned an evening for his Ridhu as Ryan was off to his Sapna Massi's place for the night.. he has checked everything to be perfect just as his Ridhu likes now a days..

He turned the key to the room where he has locked Ridhima for last 10 minutes to keep her from coming out and spoiling her surprise herself.. "Ab kyun aaye hain..?" she asked making a grumpy face.. he grinned at how adorable she looked in those pink airy capree and a white over sized shirt.. he leaned in and pecked her nose lightly saying "mere kangaroo baby ka surprise ready hai.. toh bas usko lene aaya hoon.."

She placed her hand in his as soon as he asked for it.. seeing her get up in excitement he stopped her immideately "Kahin bhaaga nahi ja raha hai surprise.. aaraam se utho tum.." helping her out he kept his palms infront of her eyes making her angry now..

"Gir jaungi main.. haath hataiye.."
"Aise kaise gir jaogi.. main hoon na tumhe samhaalne ke liye.."

he finally let go off her and stepped back.. while she was surprised when she saw the backyard decorated with lights and barbeque was set near a table set for two.. he settled her comforatly and bent down like a gentleman presenting her favourite sunflower.. she looked at the barbeque with curiousty "toh kya khana pasand karengi madam..?" he asked making her giggle..

"mera kuch mann nahi hai Armaan.. jo aapka mann ho aap vahi.." she was cut short "nope.. I have ur favourite kababs here.. aur voh hum dono khayenge.." his face showed he will not take NO for an answer so she agreed to his demands with a nod making him grin..

"Toh aur kya kya plan kiya hai aapne..?"
"hmm.. ek light sa dinner with ur strawberry crunch ice cream.. and then if u wish so I might also have the pleasure of dancing with my gorgeous wife.."

His cheeky reply made her chuckle.. he would always leave her awed at his ways of loving her.. he would cope up with all her changes in her mood and body with so much ease keeping a track on all her latest likes and dislikes..

Finishing with their dinner they stepped away from the table to a corner which was very dimly lit.. Ridhima was surprised when the songs started to play as soon as they stepped in.. she kept gazing into his eyes as he sang the lyrics himself..

Listen to this song please

Thehri si, yeh dhadhkan meri..
dekha tumhe toh, chalne lagi..
saason ko mil gaya junoon..
ab duniya meri badalne lagi..

Hoo.. sunoo.. sunoo you're beautiful
Hoo.. sunoo.. sunoo you're beautiful
hoke bhi na ho yakeen..
You're so beautiful..

She rested her back onto his chest as he held her from back.. taking hold of her hand that were on her tummy.. swaying away to the beats.. she just didn't need anyone else at the moment.. Armaan was mumbling the lyrics into her ears very lightly and passionately taking her to a different world all together..

They didn't know when she turned and he grabbed her into a kiss.. he sighed when he felt her stiffening in his hold but he was not yet ready to break that kiss.. but next moment he was shocked when she pushed him from the kiss and clutched onto his shirt.. he could easily read the pain on her face.. he held her close to steady her but he knew it was time as she shrieked painfully..

"Ridhu.. calm down.." he picked her up and carried her to the car.. putting her in back he rushed to drive calling Anjali and Sapna on the way.. he was hell worried it was still 10 days for her due date.. he drove with great difficulty worried that she has fainted may be because he was not hearing anything from her.. he called her manier times but she was not replying.. he started to panic and parked the car at the enterance of the hospital tossing the keys at Atul who was waiting there with Anjali..

He sighed when he found her conscious but her face showed that she was in pain.. she was wheeled in immdieately for Anjali to check her.. as soon as Anjali came outside Armaan bombarded her with questions "How is Ridhu..? its still 10 days for her delivery.. toh voh itne pain mein kyun hai..? bolo Anjali wats happening..?" he asked in a scared voice..

"koi problem nahi hai jeej.. your baby girl is just too anxious to enter the world.. pre-mature delivery hai.. but everything is under control.. Ridhima is in labour.."

"Ridhima ko kuch hoga toh nahi na..?" asked a very scared Armaan..
"kuch nahi hoga.. kuch hi der mein aap dono apni beti ko baahon mein liye baithe honge.." Anjali assured in a confident voice..

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Armaan was very worried as he was thrown out of the labour room by Anjali as he was giving more instructions than Anjali herself.. he stopped when a nurse came out with a small buddle of cotton in her hand.. he looked at the nurse to confirm, and rushed to take the baby as the nurse came to him with a nod.. he didn't realize when Atul and the nurse congratulated him.. his vision clouded with tears when he saw his delicate doll sleeping in his arms.. he came back to the world when he felt Sapna taking baby from him..

"Kya hai.. dekhne toh de meri beti ko.." Armaan said blinking his eyes letting his tears slide down his cheeks.. Armaan quickly took out his phone to capture first look of his baby doll.. "Kitni jaldi thi aapko papa ke paas aane ki.. haina.." Armaan said resting her near his cheek feeling her breath on his face.. he looked back at the room to know about Ridhima when he saw Anjali wheeling her out to her room.. Armaan reluctantly gave the baby to the nurse to be taken for cleaning.. "Dhyaan se please.." he whispered letting go of his baby..

The nurse smiled and went away while Armaan joined Anjali and Ridhima.. he sat by Ridhima kissing her head.. "Ridhima kaisi hai Anji..?"

"Bilkul theek Armaan.." Ridhima answered instead of Anjali making Armaan grin.. "tumne dekha humari beti ko..? kitni choti si hai.. ekdum meri choti si Ridhu.." he caressed her head while she was too tiered to talk so she just noded..

After afew minutes the nurse came back with the baby for her first feed.. everyone except AR and the nurse left the room making calls informing about the new arrival in the family.. They all decided to finally come back in the morning when Anjali said that none of them except Armaan can stay there for the night..

Next morning Armaan sat feeding Ridhima some fruits and milk.. "Toh ab batao kya naam socha tha tumne humari iss nanhi is gudiya ka..?" Armaan asked smirking as they both thought of names but never discussed them..

"Main bataungi toh aap naraaz nahi honge na..?"
"Main kyun naraaz hounga Ridhu..? tumhari bhi beti hai tum jo chaaho naam soch sakti ho.."

"main soch rahi thi ki hum apni beti ka naam TIYA rakhein.." she said taking Armaan by surprise.. he has never though of keeping that name for their daughter.. he looked at her nervous face but he was abit apprehensive about the name.. "Maine bas aapke liye.. I mean maine.."

"Tanya.. hum apni beti ka naam Tanya rakhenge.. aur pyar se usko tiya bulayenge.." he said looking at her with a small smile.. "Tanya Armaan Mallik.."

She nodded as soon as the full name struck her brain.. he was right on his part to get abit apprehensive when he thought of his daughter being called Tiya Armaan Mallik.. but still he was thoughtful enough to think of something to satisfy both their thoughts..

"Tanya.." Ridhima whispered looking over at their baby.. she nodded at Armaan asking him to come closer.. as he sat by her side she took him a gentle hug.. "Aapse hi meri har khushi hai Armaan.. kyunki bas ek aap hi hain jo apne har sukh se pehle meri khushi dekhte hain.." she kissed his hair sighing as he too pulled her into a hug.. they stayed like that for a while trying to soak in the new and pleasant change in their lives..

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After lunch Armaan has gone to ask for Ridhima's discharge papers.. Ridhima was about to lie down when she saw sobbing Ryan running into the room followed by Anjali.. Ryan quickly climbed the bed with Ridhima's help and hugged her hiding himself in her chest sobbing badly.. Ridhima was getting worried as he was not answering her any question and was just crying.. she finally looked at Anjali asking "Ryan itna kyun ro raha hai di..? kya hua isko..?"

"Ridhu voh mere cabin mein tha.. toh 2 min ke liye main ek patient se milne gayi toh mere peeche se mom dad aaye the vahan.. nurse told me.. and just as they were about to leave Ryan came out running here.." Anjali explained while Ridhima's heart shuddered with fear listening to Gupta's name..

"Kya kaha unhone mere Ryan se..?" Ridhima asked gently cupping Ryan's face..
"Ryan mamma ka beta nahi hai.. Ryan sirf papa ka beta hai.. aur tiya hi bas mamm ki beti hai.. mamma ab Ryan se bilkul pyar nahi karegi na..?"

Listening to his cracking voice and facts that he stated Ridhima was shocked.. she pulled him closer planting swift kissed on his face saying "mera Ryan dusro ki baat maanega ya apni mamma ki..?"

"Mamma ki.." he said sniffing abit..
"Toh mamma ne aapko kabhi kaha ki Ryan mamma ka beta nahi hai..? mamma toh kehti hai na ki Ryan mamma ka best buddy hai.. mamma ka sabse pyaara beta.. toh phir mera Ryan kyun ro raha hai..? hmm.."

Ryan nodded looking at Ridhima and kept his head on her chest.. "main aap aur Tiya, dono ki mamma hoon.. aur mamma aap dono se humesha pyar karegi beta.." she caressed his hair not understanding what her uncle and aunty wanted from her now putting all these facts in Ryan's head..

"Toh unhone aisa kyun kaha ki Ryan, mamma ka beta nahi hai..?"
"Pata nahi beta.. aap ro matt ab hmm.. hum abhi thodi der mein yahan se ghar jayenge mere Ryan ki doll ko lekar.."

She was abit relaxed when Ryan smiled thinking they will be at home soon.. she hugged him closer caressing his back.. she looked up to see Armaan standing at the door with a frown.. he had little Tanya in his arms.. "Ryan.. aapki doll aayi hai aapse milne.. dekho.." Ridhima whispered into Ryan's ears who at once turned with a huge smile.. he has been waiting but everytime someone or the other would tell him that he is too small to hold his doll..

"mamma Ryan bhi doll ko uthayega.." Ryan said excitedly as  he knew his mamma never says no to him.. seeing Armaan about to retort Ridhima just gave him an assuring nod.. as Armaan came forward and placed the baby in Ryan's lap, Ridhima moved her arms around Ryan supporting the baby..

"mamma yeh toh so rahi hai.." he pouted..
"Haan baby.. abhi thode din toh yeh bas soyegi hi..abhi aapki doll, mere Ryan ki tarah strong nahi hai na.." she tried explaining him to which he just nodded lightly touching the baby's nose with his finger..

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It was almost a month that Armaan and Ryan's little doll was brought home.. ever since she was home either of them would huddle next to her cot all the time.. while Ridhima was busy coping up with her health issues post her delivery and also taking care of all her three babies.. she would love how both Ryan and Armaan would hug her and sleep while her little girl would sleep peacefully in her cot.. seeing Ridhima satisfied to such extent worried Armaan as the following day will bring some dreadful memories back into her life.. but this is it, he cannot delay this any further.. Ridhima has all the rights to know the things that her dying father wanted to tell her..

Armaan announced a party to celebrate the arrival of his princess into his family as her naamkaran ceremony was also very intimate.. so this time he wanted to have a full party for his daughter.. and also that would be the perfect time to expose Gupta's infront of their whole social circle.. Armaan sighed thinking how difficult was it for him and his friend to stop Gupta's from selling every asset that belonged to Ridhima legally and leave the country forever..

His train of thoughts was disturbed by a meek whimper.. he smirked and peeped into the cot to see his doll wet and hungry again.. he very carefully freed her of her nappy and picked her cocooning her into his chest.. "Ridhima.. Tiya's hungry.." he called out knocking at the closet where Ridhima was changing her clothes.. he was bouncing her gently but with every second her impatience was increasing..

"Ridhu.. jaldi aao.. yeh aur zor se roye ja rahi hai.." he said in a tone of urgency.. seeing the door open he quickly handed the baby to Ridhima, who was still in her robe.. taking the baby she settled on the bed calming the baby cradling it to her chest.. "bhukh isko lag rahi hoti hai aur bechain aap ho jaate hain.." Ridhima said smirking at Armaan..

"Main tum teenon mein se kisi ki bhi aankh mein aansoon dekh ke bechain ho jaata hoon Ridhu.. humare bache ho ya tum, main tum mein se kisi ko hurt dekhta hoon toh tumse zyada dukh mujhe hota hai.." he said kissing her head and sitting by her side providing her a support to lean on as she fed the baby..

More to come in the next post.. stay tuned..