Chapter 51

Rucha

@frnd.of.frndz

Part 50

Everythingat Mallik house was moved from it place to make room for the huge number ofpeople that were invited to celebrate the new addition in the mallik family.. AlthoughArmaan knew that Ridhima wanted the party to be abit low profile but this timehe had other plans.. Plans to finally place every missing piece of Ridhima's puzzledlife together in place..

"Ridhu..tum ab tak ready nahi hui..?" he asked when he saw her sitting besides thekids, still in her regular suit.. she shook her head and made herselfcomfortable in his arms.. "Kuch acha nahi lag raha Armaan.. bohot bechaini siho rahi hai.." he gently pulled her closer and kissed her lips assuringly..

"Aajkuch bhi ho Ridhu.. bas yeh yaad rakhna ki tumhara Armaan tumhari ek khushi keliye kisi bhi hadh tak ja sakta hai.. You have a family to fall back on.. wehave two very beautiful kids to live for.." his glassy eyes held hers as theyboth felt the same rush of nervousness..

"Aapaaj kya karne vale hain Armaan..?"
"vahi jo meri Ridhu ke liye sahi hai.. tum ready ho jaao jaan main itni derapni iss nanhi si gudiya ko taiyaar karta hoon.." he said scooping sleepy Tanyain his arms..

Hehimself was ready before time as he still had a few calls to make.. he had totake Anjali under confidence to bring Gupta's for the party.. and then he hadto make sure that Mr.Sharma arrives on time too.. He grinned when he saw hisparents and Bi all dressed and seated near the cradle that was placed forTiya.. Armaan gently put the baby inside the cradle and sat by his mother..

"haina ekdum pari jaisi..?" he asked looking at his daughter proudly who was asleepdressed in a pink princess dress.. Mrs.Mallik nodded putting a tiny black marknear the baby's ear.. "Yeh toh bilkul apni mamma jaisi hai.."

Hegot up to receive the guests as first his friends arrived and then Atul camewith his mother.. he was surprised to see Anjali entering with her parents muchbefore the time he expected them to come.. he smiled when Anjali at once pickedup the baby cuddling and nudging her to look at her maasi..

"Arrebas kar yar.. kyun pareshan kar rahi hai meri Tiya ki beauty sleep.." Armaanretorted when the baby whimpered in Anjali's arms.. While Anjali joinedeveryone around the baby Guptas preferred to sit abit far away.. they didn'twant to see the baby as Anjali said that she looked exactly like Ridhima..

Aseverybody sat chatting and laughing the other guests have arrived too.. Armaanwho was busy greeting everybody with his father was also keeping an eye onRidhima who had Tiya in her arms.. Ryan all the while was busy roaming aroundplaying with Sapna and Muskaan.. Armaan excused himself when he saw Mrs.Joshiapproaching him..

"Mr.Sharmais waiting outside Armaan.." she informed him.. that one information made himgulp.. He wanted his Ridhu to be happy today atleast as much as he wanted toexpose Guptas.. but then a long term relief was better for him than a shortterm happiness.. he nodded and left..

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On the otherhand Shashank and Padma were shockedwhen they saw Mr.Sharma entering.. before anybody could greet him Shashankrushed to him..

"Mr.Sharma.. aap yahan kaise..? aaiye na baat kartehain.." Shashank tried to take the advocate away only to be stopped by Armaan.."Mr.Sharma is my guest uncle.. if you don't mind I would like to introduce himto dad first.." Armaan's stern voice didn't go unnoticed by Mr.Gupta..

Shashank had no choice but to stand at a distanceand look at Armaan talk to his father who was frowning over something.. hecouldn't even go as Anjali has promised to leave with them when they go out ofindia only if they stay for the party today.. he gulped when he saw Mr.Sharmaand Armaan approaching Ridhima.. Ridhima felt awkward when all of a sudden herfather's lawyer was standing in front of her blessing her daughter..

"clause pura ho gaya hai Mrs.Mallik.. I am here tohandle your father's will and contents of his locker to you.. hopefully youwill get all your answers now.."

Ridhima looked at Armaan with tears in her eyes..she felt so weak as if the baby will fall from her hands.. she quickly turnedand handed the baby over to Bi and grabbed the envelop.. she ignored the Willcompletely, her eyes only wandered at the photographs and the letter thatArmaan had got from the locker the other day.. she kept caressing thephotographs trying to feel her parents in them..

Soon her silent tears turned into uncontrollablesobs when she read the contents written at the back of the photograph that hadMalliks in it.. seeing her in that state Mrs.mallik and Mr.Mallik rushed tosupport but were shocked when she handed that photo over to them..

"Aapne mere papa ka bharosa tutne nahi diya.." shewhispered.. she shivered as her hands ripped open the letter only to see herfather's handwriting in it..

Meri Pari
Mujhe samajh nahi aaraha ke kin shabdon mein samjhaun tumhe ki kya guzar rahihai mujhpar iss waqt.. yeh shayad mere aakhri shabd honge meri beti ke liye aur pata nahi ki kaise ekchote se khatt mein main tumhe zindagi bhar ki samajh dekar jaunga..

Waqt bohot kam hai aur kaam bohot hain.. agar tumhariJaan ki baat na hoti toh zaroor tumse milkar jaata main Ridhima par mujhe patahai mera ek kadam tumhari taraf shayad tumhari zindagi khatre mein daal saktahai.. tumhare chachaji ne vada toh kiya hai ki tumhari dekh bhaal karenge magarbharosa nahi hai mujhe apne bhai par, iss liye apna sab uski jagah tumhedekar ja rahahoon beta.. shayad voh tumhe kabhi na bataye ki usne kaise tumse tumhare mapapa ko alag kiya.. par ab jab yeh khatt tum tak pohonchega tab tak tum itnibadi ho gayi hogi ki samhaal paogi khud ko..

Shashank ne tumhe apne ghar pe rakha hua hai mujhemajboor karne ke liye ke main apna sab usko dekar khud ko khatam kar loon..tumhari ma toh pehle hi sahi time par operate na hone ke kaaran chali gayihai.. mere paas aur koi raasta nahi hai ab beta.. agar shashank mujhe aurtumhari ma ko itna dard de sakta hai pata nahi tumhara kya karega.. umeed haimeri ke meri beti ko yeh khatt tab mile jab voh khud ek nanhi si jaan ko jeevande chuki ho aur koi hogajo uska haath pakad ke uska sahaara bana hua ho.. tumhare chachaji ne sabtumhari behen ke future ke liye kiya beta kyunki usko darr tha ki Anjali kotumhare jitney haq kabhi nahi milenge.. par ho sakey toh apni behen se nafratmatt karna voh bohot pyar karti hai tumse..

Kuch aur yaadein chhod ke jaa raha hoon apni pari keliye jo tumhe iss khatt ke saath hi mil jaayengi.. mujhe maaf karna Ridhima kitumhare liye kuch nahi kar saka main jab tum akele apne ma papa ke liye ro rahihogi..

Tumhare papa

Reading the letter Ridhima looked around only tofind Guptas standing there with a frown.. she walked to them with heavy steps..for the first time she looked into their eyes with so much pain and anger.. "Aapnesirf paison ke liye mere papa ko marne pe majboor kar diya..? meri mamma kaoperation aapki vajah se nahi hua na..? kya mila aapko yeh sab karke..? Merepapa marte hue bhi aapki beti ke liye maafi maang rahe the.. itne ache insaanko aapne itna bada dhoka diya aur zindagi bhar mujhse kehte rahe ki mere papane aapko dhoka diya..? boliye kya dhokha diya unhone aapko..? apni jis beti keliye aap itna girr gaye aaj aapki vahi beti aapke saath nahi rehti.. seedhamaang lete toh mana nahi karte mere papa aapko.. unko maarne ki kya zarooratthi..? bolo shashank gupta..!" she shouted catching hold of his collar..

Just as Shashank was about to shirk her away Armaancaught his arm.. Armaan's one look was enough to tell Shashank that any moremisbehavior will harm himself.. "Yeh kya bakwaas kar rahi ho tum.." Padmafinally found her voice.. "itni insult ke baad nahi rukna humein yahan.. chaloAnjali.."

"Kahan Mrs.Gupta..?" Anjali asked spitting fire.. she has always seen hermother cursing Ridhima but now she knows why.. because Ridhima still had majorshare of Gupta empire and was always an obligation onto them..

"Aaj ke baad mere koi parents nahi hain Mrs.Gupta..bachpan se mujhe lagta tha ki aap Ridhu se naraaz rehti thi har waqt.. par aaptoh khud se naraaz thi.. har waqt ek bachi aapke aankhon ke saamne rehkar aapkoharaati rahi.. har 6 mahine mein uss bachi ki security check ke liye policeaati thi.. verna aap toh kab ka meri Ridhu ko bhi kuch kar dete na.. aapko darrtha ki aapka raaz khul jayega issiliye aapne Ridhima ko maarne ki koshish kari jabvoh pregnant thi.. aur jab voh bhi nahi hua toh aap pichle hafte india se jaanachahte the humesha ke liye.. par aap apne hi jaal mein phas gaye Mr. and Mrs.Gupta.."

Shashank looked over to Mr.Mallik, gulping knowing he was trapped.. while allothers present there were shocked.. at times everyone close to AR wondered whyArmaan would never let Ridhima alone in those last few months.. but now the truthsfrom Anjali's mouth cleared it all.. Mr.Mallik  knew that he will deal with Guptas later butfor the moments he at once ordered security to escort Guptas out of themansion.. Armaan tried consoling Ridhima only to see her pushing his hand offher shoulder.. seeing her rush to her room he followed her.. he knew, he has toanswer her questions.. he closed the door behind him only to see her sitting atthe edge of the bed.. he tried taking her into the hug but she just shruggedaway.. he finally picked her up and made her sit in his lap..

"Aap jaante the na ki unhone maara mere ma papako..? kabse..?"
"kuch mahino se Ridhu.. uss waqt tumhare liye stress bilkul theek nahi thaissiliye.." he was cut in between..

"Issiliye aapne itna bada raaz itne din chhupayamujhse..? kya samajhte hain aap ki main samjhungi aapki yeh baat..? zindagibhar jis baat ko jaane ke liye tadapti rahi voh aise kyun pata lagni thiArmaan..?"

"haan chhupayi maine.. jaanta tha ki kitni zaroorihai yeh baat tumhari zindagi mein issiliye aaj hi tum tak yeh sach pohonchanatha.. par uss waqt nahi Ridhu.. tumhe ya Tiya ko kuch ho jata toh..?"

"Toh kya hota..? marr jaati na main, par aapki betiko kuch nahi hone deti.."

He looked at her in shock at what she just said..he looked into her eyes saying "Maanta hoon iss waqt tum gusse mein ho.. dukhibhi ho.. par phir bhi jo tumne kaha abhi voh main kabhi nahi bhulunga Ridhima..itne saalon mein bas itna hi jaan paayi ho na apne Armaan ke pyar ko..? sirfTanya ki fikar hoti na toh kab ki yeh baat tumhe bata di hoti.. haq samjha thatumpar apna issiliye tumhare liye ek faisla liya par tumne toh ek hi pal meinparaya kar diya.."

"iss waqt toh apna naam bhi jhoot lag raha haiArmaan.. toh aur kisi pe kaise bharosa kar loon main..? jinn logon ke saath 15saal tak rahi vohi itna badaa raaz chhupaye baithe the.. aur voh bhi sirf paiseaur taakat ke liye.. jis behen ke sahare main itni badi hui, ussi behen ke liyehua yeh sab.. anjaane hi sahi iss sab ki zimedaar toh Anjali di hi hain na.."Ridhima said..

Armaan at once made her stand in front of him andshook her taking hold of her shoulders.. "Tumhe samajh bhi aaraha hai ki kyabakwaas kar rahi ho tum..? mujhpe bharosa nahi hai tumhe.. Anjali apni nahi lagrahi tumhe.." he was cut in between by Ridhima who by then had no power tothink she needed time to recollect herself.. "Haan Armaan.. koi apna nahi lag rahamujhe.. sirf meri Tanya hai iss waqt jiske iss duniya mein hone se aaj mujheyeh sab pata toh laga hai.."

Its been long since they have been in the room sayingnothing at all.. Armaan sighed looking at her, who sat clutching the letter andphotographs close to her heart and turned his back to her.. he knew she was inno state to understand what she has been saying.. he was disturbed by a knockat the door.. it was Sapna with whimpering Tiya in her arms.. "Guests areleaving Armaan.. Tiya is hungry I think.." before Armaan could take Tiya, Ryantoo rushed into the room..

"Mamma Ryan khana khilaega.." he said with a platein his hands.. Ridhima stared at Ryan for a while blankly and then at Armaan..she took Tiya in her arms when she heard Armaan saying "I'll keep Ryan awayfrom you till u are sorted.." he said so thinking maybe she just wants to bewith Tiya.. it did hurt him thinking that she has distanced Ryan from herselftoo.. "Chalo Ryan.. beta mamma ko abhi bhukh nahi hai aap papa ko khilao naaaj.." Armaan said picking Ryan up..

"Ryan ko matt lekar jaiye please.." he stopped whenhe heard a whisper.. Armaan sighed of relief.. he just kept Ryan on his feetand followed Sapna ouside the room..

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After a lot of contemplation he entered his roomonly too see the kids asleep on the bed.. he for once forgot his worries whenhe saw both of them sleeping so peacefully but as he turned he saw Ridhimasitting on the chair.. she was just staring into space.. as he moved to her, hesaw her froze.. he sighed and stopped.. she turned when she saw him going outof the room..

Armaan moved out of the room cursing the Guptas..he had never seen Ridhima so distant before.. in his heart he knew she was verybadly disturbed but he also knows that she will fall ill like this.. one momenthe wanted to fight with her for neglecting her health for people like them butanother minute he realizes what she might be going through after knowing whatpainful and lonely death her parents had..

Afew days passed like this only.. Armaan would tryto talk to her and sometimes give some space to her.. he would always look afterher perfectly irrelevant of her noticing or not.. While Ryan was feelingirritated.. His papa was quiet and working all the time.. his sister would besleeping or crying.. and his mamma would just sit and stare at things orsometimes cry hugging him close, saying afew things that he doesn'tunderstand..

"Papa.. mamma ko kya hua hai..? jab se Tiya aayihai mamma toh Ryan se baat hi nahi karti.." Ryan said hugging Armaan andsobbing in his embrace..

"Ryan.. beta kuch nahi hua hai.. mamma bas thodipareshaan hain.. aise thodi na rote hain choti si baat pe.." Armaan said tryingto calm hin making him understand.. "Toh mamma saare time Tiya ke hi saath kyunrehti hai..? Ryan ki baat bhi nahi sunti.." Ryan complained..

Armaan sighed and thought to let Ryan stay atSapna's place for a few days.. may be that will make him fresh and also givetime to Ridhima.. Armaan picked Ryan in his arms.. "Acha chalo.. ab aap ronaband karo toh phir papa aapko ghumi lekar chalenge.. Sapna maasi aur Mohit sebhi milne chalte hain hmm..?"

Ryan finally calmed down.. after a lot ofpersuation Armaan was able to take him out without Ridhima.. to cheer him upArmaan first took him to Sapna's place and then treated both Ryan and Mohitwith ice creams and chocolates..

"Ridhu ab kaisi hai Armaan..?" Sapna asked whenRyan got busy with Mohit..
"pata nahi Sapna.. usko samajhna mere liye aajkal mushkil hota ja raha hai.. issiliyeRyan ko laya hoon yahan.. 2 din tumhare aur Mohit ke saath rahega toh fresh hojayega.."

"Don't worry.. waqt lagega par voh samhal jayegiArmaan.."

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Ridhima frowned when she saw Armaan enteringalone.. she waited for a while but when she didn't see Ryan she got up to go totheir room.. he came out changing into his night dress.. he lightly bent by thecot and picked up Tiya in his arms cuddling the sleeping doll close to hisheart.. he turned keeping Tiya in the cot when he heard her payal..

"Ryan kahan hai..?" she asked in a worried tone..
"I know tumhe akele waqt chahiye.. Tiya ko toh iss waqt tumhare siva aur koisamhaal nahi sakta par Ryan ko maine 2 din ke liye Sapna ke ghar bheja hai..voh bhi iss waqt ghar ke mahool se pareshaan tha aur tumhe bhi apne liye timemil jayega.." Armaan said turning his face away from hers trying to hide hispain..

Ridhima felt a slight jolt to the present as Armaansaid this.. she knew she has neglected everybody around her but she has neverseen Ryan complaining to Armaan.. "Ryan maan gaya Di ke ghar stay karne keliye..? usko mere bina.. I mean aap.." she was not able to find words but sheheard a quick reply..

"Voh pichle kuch dino se tumhare bina hi manage karraha tha Ridhu.. main majboor nahi kar sakta tumhe kisi bhi cheez ke liye..tumhe waqt chahiye na toh vahi de raha hoon.. Sapna ke ghar se Ryan mom ke paaschala jayega.. you take as much time as you want.. bas sawaalon ke jawaabdhundhne se pehle apne sawaal ek baar theek se khud samajh lena.. aisa na ho kikahin tum sawaal hi galat lekar baithi ho aur sahi baat ka jawaab tumhariaankhon ke aage hi ho.." Armaan said in a stern voice making his way to Ryan'sroom with his pillow..

She was not able to understand anything for amoment.. yes she needed time but that didn't mean she wanted Ryan to stayaway.. Armaan's words made a mark in her mind when he said Ryan was alreadymanaging without her for last few days.. was she really ignoring the little kidbecause of her inner turmoil..? all she could recollect was the times when Ryanwould keep blabbering about somethings and she would not register even a singleword he said.. how at night he would get bored and sleep when she was not ableto frame a story to tell him.. how afew times he would just keep staring whenshe would change Tanya's clothes..

It was 3 in the night.. her face was drenched ofher tears of realization.. Already Ryan was insecure about the baby and now allthis happening must have hurt him a lot.. after giving Tiya her last feed forthe night Ridhima made her way to see Armaan.. seeing him shifting in every fewminutes she knew he was still not asleep.. very quietly she settled in front ofhim and sobbed hugging him.. feeling his arms tightening around her she gaveinto louder sobs..

While Armaan finally felt at relief when he felther sobbing leaning onto him.. may be now she would come back to normal.. hegently took her into a hug and caressed her back to calm her down.. he stilllet her sob till he felt her hiccupping too much.. he finally let go off herand made her sit.. she quickly held his hand as he started to slid off thebed.. "Kahan ja rahe hain..?" she asked in a fearful voice as if she feared himleaving her too..

"Paani lekar aaraha hoon tumhare liye Ridhu.." hesaid kissing her head.. "bas ek minute mein aaya.." but to his amazement shenodded in NO and settled on his lap hugging him.. "Mujhe sirf aap chahiye aurkuch nahi.. mujhe bas aapse maafi maangni hai.. aapse apne dil ki baatein karnihai.. aaj jab aap Ryan ko chhod aaye toh ehsaas hua ki kitna durr kar rahi thimain aapko khud se.."

She hid her face in his neck as her breath gotnormal.. while Armaan sat still letting her say it all.. "Kuch bolenge nahiArmaan..?"

"kuch faisle koi aur nahi le sakta humare bare meinRidhu.. voh humein apne aap hi lene padte hain.. kehne ko har koi kehta haiTHEEK HO JAYEGA.. par humara dil yeh manta hai ya nahi, yeh humpar hai.. faislakhud karo ki aage badhna hai aur ek nayi zindagi shuru karni hai, ek nayi umeedaur smile ke saath.. ya phir vahin rehna hai jahan se sab sirf khoya hua hidikhta hai.. vahan rukna bohot asaan hai Ridhima jahan har koi aapko sympathydeta hai aur aap rote rehte ho.. aur aage badhna mushkil hai.. kyunki kuchcheezein badalni padti hain.. khud ko badlo itni mazboot bano ki tumhare apnetum par dependant ho sake.."

They kept looking into eachother's eyes as Armaansaid so.. "mujhe samajh hi nahi aaraha ki main aakhir karun kya Armaan..? mujheaage badhna hai par kaise..? maaf nahi kar sakti main Shashank Gupta ko.." shesaid fuming..

"maaf karne ko keh bhi kaun raha hai Ridhu..? jissesabse zyada darr hai ussi ka saamna karo.. kya hoga..? zyada se zyada ek baargirogi na.. main hoon tumhe samhaalne ke liye.. peeche chhodo unko jo tumharebadalte haalat nahi samajh pa rahe aur aage badho kyunki tumhe apne saath aurbhi bohot logon ka dhyaan rakhna hai..jinn yaadon mein tum khokar tutt rahi hona vahi Yaadein sabse badi taakat hoti hain Ridhu.. yaad karo apne papa ko,kaise har waqt voh tumhe khush karte thhe.. marte dam tak lade voh.. sirftumhare liye.. ab tumhari baari hai.. unke bikhre sapne purey karne ki.. unkodikhao ki unka bharosa tumpar galat nahi tha.."

Seeing her in a deep thought he could see his Ridhuback but still her actions and reactions would be different now.. he pulled herclose and made her sleep caressing her hair.. he too drifted off to sleepknowing the fact that his Ridhu will be more quiet now for sometime but thenthat will be for her own good.. it will give her a vision to rediscover herselfand be herself from now on..