Humrahi [Part 1]

Rucha

@frnd.of.frndz

My first day as a wife, motherand daughter in law.. Ithought as my eye opened lazily.. looking around I could see the suitcasespiled at one corner.. a table full of heavy jewelry that was laden onto meyesterday.. My lips curled into a loving smile when I felt my little baby,Parth snuggling himself more into me, disturbed by my movement.. I looked overto find Nikki sleeping like she has slept after ages.. Don't be surprised ithas been just a few hours that I am married to Armaan Mallik.. An Arranged LoveMarriage.. and we're not even allowed share a room till we offer our prayer toone of the temples, his mother has great faith in..

I decided to take a quick bath and then getParth ready before Armaan starts to run around for his things.. Knowing him for4 years now, I knew once he gets up he is not going to let anyone rest in peacetill we come back from the temple..

Getting myself ready in a pink saree, I first went to get some milk for Parth..

"Good morning ma.." I wished Armaan's mom taking her blessings.. "Good MorningBeta.. tumhe kuch chahiye tha beta..?"

"Parthki bottle.. phir usko bhi ready karna hoga na.."

"Youdon't worry beta.. parth ko main ready kar dungi tum jao aur thoda rest karoraat ko tum bache soye bhi der se the.."

"Nahi  ma.. mujhe ab neend nahi aayegi please.."

Seeingher pleading face Ananya couldn't help but agree.. As Ridhima went back to theroom she saw Parth sitting by the pillow and rubbing his eyes.. picking him upgently she kissed his head lightly.. "uthh gaya baby.."  He smiled looking at her saying "mmaaa.."

Layinghim down comfortably in her lap she gave him his bottle lightly swaying him..as soon as he finished he was ready to rush out and move around.. only to bepicked up by Ridhima who took him for a bath.. "masti baad mein.. pehle naha keacha bacha banega mera Parth.."

 Confused..?

Well..I'm Ridhima Armaan Mallik.. Married to my best friend and love Armaan.. thoughwe would have got married an year back but due to some complications in my Di'spregnancy we put it on hold.. Anjali Mallik was my sister, Armaan's sister inlaw and Parth's mother.. But to our grief she died within a few hours of givingbirth to Parth.. Atul Jiju broke down completely after her death.. He didn'teven look at Parth but as the time passed, Parth became Armaan's life andAnanya aunty's responsibility.. He resembled his mother very much and for thatfact I adored him even more.. Every time he smiles at me I see my sistersmiling at me too..

It hasbeen a month after the things started to settle when one day Armaan came to mewith Parth.. "Will you marry me and behis mother..?" for a moment I was shocked to even understand what he wassaying.. I just took him by hand to my room not caring if my parents werelooking at us.. We sat there saying nothing.. but soon I heard his voice,watery and broken.. "He left.. Atul bhai left with all his things and a notebehind which says he not coming back ever as this place has too many memoriesof bhabhi which suffocates him.. mom is too worried for Parth.. the little babyhas already lost his mother and now his father has left him too.."

Turningour attention to parth as a cracking cry broke the trance.. I took him fromArmaan and comforted him very lovingly with tears flowing from her eyes.. "Momwants us to take his responsibility.."

I turnedwith sleeping Parth and gave a small nod.. "hum samhaal lenge na Armaan..?" hejust nodded with tears in his eyes and took her in a warm hug, sobbing in eachother arms..

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"Ridhima beta you need to re-think.. I knowbeta that you love Armaan.. but adopting Parth might not be a good decisionbeta.." papa told me.. while mama kept mum as she knew that I adore Parth toomuch to raise him like his aunt when I have an option of raising him up like amother.. while papa's worry was right on his part as a father.. he was justthinking, what if someday Atul comes back and claims his son.. it will ruinparth's life and break my heart as I will never be able to part Parth from me,years from now..

"Parthko akela chod doon papa..? voh abhi bacha hai papa itna chota ki apni mamma aurmaasi ka farak nahi jaanta.. jab uski responsibility mujhe aur armaan ko hileni hai ek din toh usko puri tarah apnake kyun nahi..?" I tried reasoningback..

"kyakarogi beta agar kuch saal baad atul aake kahega ki usko apna beta chahiye..?kaise bhejogi Parth ko uske saath phir..?" Papa asked out of frustration now..only to hear Armaan standing at the door.. "Bhai kabhi vapas nahi aayegauncle.. agar unko Parth ke liye vapas aana hota toh kamse kam ek baar usko dekhke toh jaate na..? aur parth koi cheez nahi hai jo voh kabhi bhi yahan chodjaaye aur kabhi aake usko le jaayein.. parth ab mera beta hai.."

"Humara.."I corrected him with a smile..

Whilenonplussed Papa went to his room not knowing if this time he is at fault or heis softening in emotions.. he needed time to think and decide..

Fromthat moment onwards Parth was more of a buddy to me rather than aresponsibility.. Armaan would take him home when he misses him and then bringhim back when he fusses without seeing me around..

SometimesI would just wave him when Armaan comes.. and keep looking at them till theyenter Armaan's house.. he lived just two houses ahead, across the street.. Papawas still abit apprehensive of  usadopting Parth but that made no difference to his love and affection towardshim.. He would take Parth for joy walks, read him some headlines and he wouldstare at his nanu as if he is understanding every bit of news he has beenread..


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Daysturned into weeks and Parth was two months old.. He has started to recognizeour faces and voices.. he knows if Armaan has come to see him, he would surelybe taking him or both of us out for a while.. One such day when Armaan came totake us out, I handed Parth to him and went to get changed.. I had a sleeplessnight due to Parth being restless but I got my reward.. as I got ready and camedown I was awarded his First Gummy Grin for me.. I was so emotional when I sawhim smiling at me for real, for the first time.. I immediately captured thatmoment in my mobile.. it made my day special coz no matter how hard ma, papaand Armaan tried, none of them got that grin from my baby.. I took Parth fromArmaan and gave him a light kiss cuddling him, while he clutched onto my hairtightly in glee..

Nomatter how hard I try to remember, I still forget the fact that Parth is sofond of pulling hair.. be it anyone.. I pleaded Armaan to help me while I heldParth Armaan tried buttering him and getting his grip abit loose on my hair butwhat he said next made my heart skip a beat..

"Parthchhodo baby.. Mamma ko dard hoga na.."

Though Ihad started looking at Parth as my own child but listening to Armaan addressingme as Parth's mother made my breath hitch in my throat.. Looking at Parth'sdaily mischief as my own baby was amusing to me but at that moment imaginingParth calling me 'Mamma' was even more overwhelming..


I guessthat was the moment when even papa spotted that motherly affection in my eyesfor Parth.. "Ridhima beta.. you and Armaan come to my room.. I have somethingsto discuss.." Papa said moving to his room..

Gettingin I saw papa sitting there with a lost look on his face.. "I want you two towait till end of this year.. if Atul doesn't come back still, then you have allmy permission to adopt parth and get married.. I'm ready to get you married inJanuary.."

I sat byPapa and hugged him.. "Thank you papa.. aap nahi jaante aapki permission kitnizaroori thi humari shaadi ke liye.. aap jaisa chahte hain vaisa hi hoga papa..hum January mein hi shaadi karenge.."

"Haanuncle.. aap kabhi humara bura nahi sochenge.." Armaan said keeping a hand onpapa's hand.. While papa sighed and patted our hands.. A normal tiring dayturned into a celebration for us with Parth's smile, mischiefs and Papa's agreementon our marriage..

Insteadof going out we went to Mallik house to share the good news with Ananya aunty..for hours, we sat there in his room with Parth in a small crib by our side.. Isat with my back against his bed, while he laid with his head in my lap.. "Kuchsoch rahe ho..?" I asked..

He justgot up and sat by my side and pulled me into a hug.. I never knew when heshifted me into his lap.. as our eyes met I could see all the love and respectin them for me.. I felt a bliss when he lightly kissed my forehead.. "I loveYou.." I whispered, without waiting for a second he kissed my lips as if expressinghow much he has waited to feel this acceptance.. unknowing ruffling his hairmaking him even more passionate..

Somemoments in life mark the starting of a New Phase, a New You.. that was suchmoment  for me.. Although we were notmarried yet but from my side he had all the respect and authority of a husbandon me.. Parth was legally not my son but his trust and my affection knew noboundaries..

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Parthwas now 4 month old baby.. very active and noisy baby.. he would lie down onhis stomach and try reaching everything that's in his sight and failing to doso he looks at me or anyone near him making an angry sound.. sitting with himon a swing makes me relaxed to the fullest coz he keeps squealing in joy.. asthe days keep passing both the families started getting busy in shopping andarrangements..

It wasOctober nd it was the time when Parth caught his very first cold..his morningwalks with papa has affected him that way.. his wheezing breath caught myattention but what worried me was his uneven breath and next moment he woke upcrying abit.. quickly cuddling him and trying to put him to sleep, I went downto inform mamma that I am taking him to a doctor.. His temperature had alsorisen abit till I got him ready and rang Armaan too.. I was worried because hewas not at all at peace.. irritated and tiered he was crying now and then..

We rushedhim to Muskaan our friend who happened to be a child specialist.. "Don't worry guys.. it's a part of his development.. kuch serious nahi hai..slight  fever and cold.. Just keep himwrapped up in woolens and regular medicines.. he'll be fine in a few days.."

Listeningto Muskaan relaxed me abit but seeing him so uncomfortable worried me still.. Ilooked over at Armaan who looked even more scared.. Just like The time forParth's first vaccination, he cried more than Parth.. I handed Parth over tohim and turned to Muskaan for some specific instructions.. Returning home wewere quite relaxed as Parth was asleep in my lap after his dose..


I tookArmaan with me and settled on the dining table knowing the fact that after mycall he would have not waited for breakfast.. "I'll be back in a minute.."  I carefully laid Parth in my room and coveredhim properly.. Keeping his toys beside him I went to check on Armaan.. I smiledentering the kitchen when I saw him bickering with mamma over who is going toprepare coffee.. "Aap dono hi rehne dijiye.. coffee main bana deti hoon.." Ioffered a solution..

"No youhave your breakfast Ridhima beta the designer would come any time soon todecide your wedding dress and Armaan you also go with Ridhima.. tumne bhi kuchnahi khaya hoga subah se.." While Armaan smiled and nodded saying "Mere haathki coffee due rahi phir.."

Wakingup all night yesterday, with Parth was taking a toll on me so calling offanymore discussion with the aunties I went in and laid down besides Parthcuddling him closer to me.. He coughed in his sleep afew times and thensnuggled even closer into my chest to get some warmth..

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It wasSunday and papa has invited a few guests for lunch.. Although Parth's cold wasgone in 5 days yet everyone keeps checking if he is playing on carpet ratherthan on floor.. I got him ready first and then settled him on the carpet nearpapa who was busy reading his newspaper..

As Icame out and got ready I heard papa and mama's banter over something.. "Aap bhina.. kahin bhi samaan rakh ke bhul jaate hain phir saara ghar dhundhte hain.."Mom said to dad.. "Arre main toh apne paas hi rakh ke baitha tha phone.. abnahi mil raha toh meri kya galti hai ismein Padma..?"

I smiledand walked over to check on Parth only to find papa's phone engulfed in histiny fist and mouth.. "Papa.. aapka phone mil gaya.." I announced as I pickedup Parth.. "parth phone nanu ko de do.." I said in a sugary tone.. while hemade a surprised sound and forwarded the wet and sticky mobile on papa's palmmaking mama giggle.. Papa held the phone away from him and looked at Parth.."Yeh aapke paas kaise aaya hmmm..?" to which he just smiled and hid himself inmy shoulder..

"Merababy bada ho raha hai ab papa.. aapko ab apna samaan samhaal ke rakhna hoga..haina parth..?" I asked to which he gave a light nod and squealed wiggling inmy hold pointing to the door.. "Kya hua..? kahan jaana hai aapko..?"

"da.."saying so he covered his eyes and then again giggled, implying that he wants togo to Armaan and play hide n seek with him.. I smiled at the way hecommunicated and kissed him sloppily.. "Chalo.. aapko aapke dada ke paas lekechalte hain.. Mama main abhi aayi Parth ko Armaan ke paas chodkar.."


Mamanodded adding "Beta jaldi aana thoda aaj papa ne Bua ji ko lunch pe bulayahai.. tumhari shaadi ki discussion karne.."

"Jimama.." I said knowing dealing with bua would not be easy.. firstly she neverliked Atul jeeju..this time we have Parth too and love marriage that to in thesame house.. Shrugging off the thought I left with Parth.. as soon as weentered I spotted Armaan in the lounge with his back towards us, I asked Parthto keep quiet and next moment he shrieked with all his might in glee"Dddaaa.." which startled both Armaan and me..

Armaanjumped in front of me and gave us both a sloppy kiss.. He took Parth from metossing him in the air making him giggle.. then turned his attention to me, raising one eyebrow he whistled saying"Someone is already preparing for marriage.. you looking hot.." he scanned mefrom top to bottom as if seeing me for the first time in a saree.. He settledParth next to his pile of toys in his room and pulled me into his lap as hesettled in a couch..

"armaankya kar rahe ho.." I struggled but before I could say anything further hepulled me closer whispering "Mom ghar pe nahi hain so stay still.." I avoidedlooking at him as his gaze was strictly fixed on me.. I gasped when I felt hislips on my jaw and his cold fingers on my bare waist.. he kept planting warmkisses on my neck and everywhere near my lips, while his hands kept moving onmy waist.. I finally sighed and gave up under his hold while he traced theremaining distance with his lips and captured mine into a hungry kiss.. We bothmoaned as the warmth and passion of that moment settled in.. my hands reachedhis nape while his clutched onto my waist tightly making me aware of his holdand the havoc that my hands were creating by moving onto his chest..

A littlehustle outside the door got us out of the moment not waiting for him to saysomething I rushed inside the kitchen to gather my senses.. As is stood by theslab catching my breath that's when I noticed my saree completely disoriented,I tried to but couldn't recall when exactly he discarded saree from myshoulder.. quickly settling my saree and washing my face I went outside with aglass of water only to see a few of his cousins in the lounge..

"Ohoo..see guys why was he so lost.. did we interrupt something.." his cousin askedArmaan looking at me meaningfully while I could do nothing but smile.. "I guessI should leave.. ghar pe bua ji ko aana hai after lunch..

"Go Armaan.. see her off.." another one commented.. to which Armaan got upshamelessly and  followed me to thedoor.. he planted a kiss on my head while his eyes said it all about the momentwe shared.. they had all the love and happiness in them that I ever wanted tosee..