Chapter 19

Sana

@sweetangel_25

Part 19
 
Armaan was occupied with his routine workout session in his terrace garden…when he hears his mom call out to him. He suddenly remembers its time for them to leave for the airport…and he was supposed to drop them. All drenched in sweat, he immediately leaves to freshen up.
 

There was a marriage ceremony invitation from a friend of Sajid and Rahim…in Bangalore….and so both of them along with their wives were going to attend it.

Armaan drops them at the airport and then goes to office.

It was almost evening…and Armaan realizes he hasn't seen Muskaan since morning. He tries to call her but she doesn't respond. Upon enquiring Naazneen informs him that she wasn't keeping well and so Naazneen had asked her to stay back at home.

Back at home…

Muskaan was lying on her bed…feeling unusually weak and drained. The whole day had passed like that. She didn't show her condition much to Farhat as she didn't want to come in the way of their trip. But things had gone worse through the day. She had barely eaten and was feeling quite dizzy. It could be due to the trip she had to the factory 2 days back.

She tries to get up and manages to get to door…but just as she was about to step out…her vision suddenly gets blurred… she loses balance and falls down. But Armaan catches her in time.

Armaan: Muskaan!!! Are u ok??

She doesn't respond. She wasn't in her complete senses. He makes her lie down on the bed. She opens her eyes and sees him there. He calls for a doctor.

The doctor says its a viral infection…and she needs rest.

Naazneen and Zaheer were also home by then and in Muskaan's room.

Zaheer goes to have a talk with the doctor…and Naazneen goes to the kitchen to arrange for something to eat for Muskaan.

Muskaan had gone unconscious. The Doctor had given her an injection and informed everyone that she should be conscious in another 2 hours.

Armaan puts his coat aside and settles on a couch in the room staring at Muskaan. He shudnt have let her come with him to the factory, he thinks. Zaheer comes there.

Zaheer: tu ja fresh ho ja…m here

Armaan reluctantly gets up and goes to his house.

After an hour Muskaan begins to stir. Naaz sits by her side as she slowly opens her eyes and gets a hold on herself.

Naaz: u ok Muski?

She touches her forehead to check for temp.

Muskaan nods. She looks up to see the three tensed faces in front of her.

Muskaan: I am ok. Bas..thodi weakness hai

Armaan takes the tray of food that a servant had got for her.  They make her have her dinner…and medicines. After a while…as she drifts to sleep again…both the guys leave for their respective rooms.

Two days pass by…her fever fluctuating frequently. But she was getting better. She could get up and sit…and even walk around a little.

It was afternoon…she opens her eyes after her short nap…and notices Armaan on the couch.

Armaan: how r u now?

Muskaan smiles: much better.

She gets up and sits.

A servant gets a tray of food and hands it to Armaan. Armaan keeps it on the table near her bed.

Armaan: have your soup…then u have to take ur medicines

Muskaan: tum office nahi gye?

Armaan: jakar aya subah..ab Zaheer is handling…soup [he points at the bowl]

Muskaan makes a face…:…mujhe nahi peena…I had breakfast

Armaan: that you had about 3 hours back…ab jaldi se ye peelo

Muskaan: naah…Armaan…do din se ye soup hi pi rahi hu me…I am sick of it

Armaan: I understand Muskaan…but doctor said that we cannot give u a lot of solid food…or oily stuff… [he sits by her bedside and picks up the bowl to give her]…common have it

She folds her hands and makes a face at him. He fills up the spoon and takes it near her face.

Armaan: please Muskaan…u want to get well soon and get out of this routine soup right? So listen to me common…good girl?

She looks at the spoon near her face and his cute pleading face.. she finally smiles and takes a sip from the spoon.

Armaan: that's like a good girl..

He continues to feed her.. and she is happily having the tasteless soup with his sweet hands.

As the bowl is getting empty…Muskaan's gaze on him is getting stronger. She recollects how he was always around when opened her eyes during the last few days.

She wasn't used to this.

Back in London…she had no time to fall ill or rest like she was doing now. Even if she felt uneasy or ill she would just manage a few pills in between her schedules. When anyone in the house would find her unwell they wud check on her a few times amidst routine work. Naaz was the only one who wud always be around her. But this kind of pampering..OMG…she had never known it exists…or could feel this ….heavenly.

She is in awe…admiring his care for her. Every time she would feel uneasy he would try to make her comfortable… he wud be around her…checking on her temp..her medicines..her food…that yuck soup…making her smile..laugh..or simply keeping an eye on her while she was asleep. And doing all that while managing time between his meetings and work.

The following day..

Armaan was in office. She is lying on her bed lost in her thoughts. Naaz comes in the room to check on her. Then goes back to check on house work.

Muskaan looks at the clock as a servant gets her a cup of tea in the evening. She was feeling dizzy…the medicines seemed to make her condition worse. She smiles looking at the cup of refreshing hot tea. But the moments of her happiness were numbered…coz jus then Naazneen barges in the room and notices the tea.

Naaz: ye kya…u r not supposed to have tea na

Muskaan: y not Naaz…I really wanna have

Naaz: lekin Muski doc said no for these beverages…I will get u soup or something

Muskaan: arrrrr…don't u dare talk of that soup again..m …m tired of that Naaz…plzzz let me have this.. a few sips

Naaz: tu nahi manegi na…lagta hai Armaan bhai ko hi bulana padega

Muskaan makes a face and sulks in her bed.

Naaz: ok fine…but only a few sips..[she turns to the servant]..kaka plz iski baat mat sunna…agar ye kuch mange na to pehle mujhse puchlena

Kaka: ji bitiya

Muskaan gives her a hard stare..but instantly brightens up holding the cup of tea in her hand. Naaz leaves.

Muskaan thinks thank God Armaan wasn't here…warna wo to kabhi allow nahi karta…ya shayad karta…for her sake. She smiles thinking that. He is so sweet…and kinda pampers her. She loves it when he is around…the warm feeling that he leaves…that his presence gives…she gets a wide grin thinking of that. She feels like talking to him..pulling his leg...or even if it's a formal business discussion..he is so impressive with his business tactics too. She looks around the room…his absence was making her restless…the tea had turned cold halfway…she puts it down. She looks at the clock… atleast 4 hours till he comes home…what if he decides to come early tonight?? Hmm…hopeless. She picks up a magazine nearby and starts to flip pages.

3 hours. Still long enough. She gets bored. Naaz walks in.

Naaz: hello dear…I see you are much better now

She smiles a little.

Naaz sits by her…: bore ho rahi hai??

She nods her head fast.

Naaz: hehe…enjoy kar…I don't remember when was the last time I saw u resting like this…n myself working like this…ye itna sara house work…tu kaise manage karti hai…m tired yr…mom dad ko ane me abhi bhi 2 din hai..*sigh*

Muskaan smiles a little again. She looks at the clock..then at her cell…even the cell didn't ring once the whole day. May be there is a lot of work in office today..

Naaz: Muskaan are u ok? Or feeling dizzy again?

Muskaan: na.. I am fine

*sigh*..she looks at the clock again…no use…she better go to sleep again. She pulls the blanket and closes her eyes.

She looks at the clock..only 20 mins gone??!!! OMG…how will time pass…she is not able to sleep even…why is she feeling so restless…n this damn clock. She changes side on her bed…and OMG…is she dreaming…hallucinating??

He puts his coat on the couch and sits there..quite tired perhaps.

She immediately gets up and sits. He was for real…seated on the couch with his head rested back and eyes closed. He was a sight! Black color suits him so much. She gets a nice grin on her face.

He opens his eyes and looks at her. He gets surprised to see her happily smiling at him…he thought she was sleeping.

Armaan: how r u feeling

Muskaan [grinning widely]: very well…tum itni jaldi kaise agaye

Armaan: umm…jaldi jaldi sab kaam karke

She looks at him. He is too far. She looks at her side on the bed.. where he would take a place these days. He is too far now. She waits for him to change his place…while he pours himself a glass of water. Too long. She starts coughing. It works. He quickly fills another glass of water and comes to her. She smiles to herself and takes some sips. He takes the usual place next to her. That's better.

Muskaan: u didn't even call me during the day…I was so bored [she makes a puppy face]

Armaan: I am so sorry…busy day…I had called actually…landline pe..Naaz said you are good today

Muskaan: ohh…n how was your day

Their conversation flows…as he tells her about his activities during the day…n so does she. Sometimes she would keenly listen to something important…sometimes she would get busy in admiring him…drinking in his presence in her heart…that warmth…that closeness. She was grinning widely…beaming with an inner glow and happiness.

Its 8 pm…Armaan had gone home to freshen up and had come back in a casual t-shirt and jeans. He was seated on the couch..working on his laptop…discussing things with Muskaan and simultaneously putting it down in the laptop.

Naaz comes in with a servant carrying a food cart.

Naaz: Muski…here…Zaheer bhai is on the call [she hands Muskaan her cell phone]

Zaheer asks of her health…Muskaan assures him she is alright. He informs her that he will be coming late so she should be taking care of herself. She agrees and disconnects.

Naaz [to Armaan]: bhai might have told u right …that he will be coming late

Armaan: yes…n so I will be waiting back here tonight…he will come by morning infact

Muskaan beams: wow…seriously?!

Armaan smiles…: yes dear

Naaz arranges the food on a table in the room.

Naaz: we will have our dinner together tonight after days..cummon bhai…work later

They have a nice dinner together chit-chatting.

Naazneen clears the table and goes back to the kitchen to wind up remaining work.

Armaan gets Muskaan's medicines. She looks at them and sulks.

Armaan: chalo…quickly have them

Muskaan frowns.

Armaan: common Muskaan…bas 1-2 din aur…I think your quite well now

She picks the tablets from his palm and haves them.

He goes back to the couch and puts on his laptop. Muskaan rests back on the bed post and stares at him. There was cool breeze blowing through the window…the dark sky…and twinkling stars…it all seemed unusually pleasant tonight. The fact that he will be here the rest of the night…right in front of her…with her…felt so…happy…beautiful...contented.

Muskaan: Armaan…zyada kaam hai??

Armaan: na…nothing important…why??

Muskaan: may we go down to the garden… I am bored

Armaan: umm…but its quite cool outside…you may get fever again

Muskaan: oh no m fine now…plzzz…kitne din se bed par hi hu

Armaan: ok..chalo [he shuts his laptop]

They go down to the garden. Naaz gets a call from Farhat..so she tells them that she will join them in a while.

Both of them are strolling around silently. They walk to a bench nearby and take seats.

Muskaan: hmm…tumse ek baat puchu

Armaan nods.

Muskaan: I am occupying a lot of ur time na? Farhat chachi yaha nahi hai to…tumhe itna time dena pad raha hai…hai na?

Armaan: tumhe lagat hai ki chachi nahi hai isiliye me yaha hu?? 

Muskaan: emm…I mean..wo hote to…tumhe baar baar is tarah…mere liye..i mean

Armaan: tumhe sach aisa lagta hai?? Matlab agar chachi yaha hote to…tab mujhe tumhari fikr nahi hoti??

Muskaan is quite. She didn't have an answer…infact…she wanted him to answer that. She was waiting to hear. But his stare was so intense…she looks down.

Armaan: I don't believe in formalities Muskaan…I only maintain relationships if I whole-heartedly wish to……and you are a very special friend of mine…though its only been a few days since we met…but I have been hearing about you for years…and have always admired u…personally and professionally…I was waiting to meet you…and I am glad to say I wasn't wrong in judging you…you are a very beautiful person Muskaan…n u have become a very good friend to me too…n I really care for you.. honestly…[ he smiles…staring straight at her]

He feels his cell vibrating in his pocket…he excuses himself and goes a few steps away to talk.

Muskaan is thinking over his words. She didn't have any idea he thought that good of her. She was feeling elated…contented…a beautiful feeling was blossoming inside of her that she had never experienced…that she cudnt put in words. She was just gazing at him…admiring him…and that was all she wished to do…simply see him infront of her…for every moment that will follow…

A beautiful song can be used to express her feelings at that point….

[song: teri ore ;movie: singh is king]

Dil kho gaya

Ho gaya..kisi ka

Ab rasta mil gaya khushi ka

Aankhon me hai khwab sa ..kisi ka

Ab rasta mil gaya khushi ka

Rishta naya rabba…dil chu raha hai

Kheeche mujheee koi dorrr teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Armaan puts the phone away and comes to her.

Armaan: its getting late…we should go upstairs now

She agrees. Both of them go up to her room.

Khulti fizayein…khulti ghatayein

Sar pe naya hai asmaan

Charo dishaein…has ke bulae

Kyu sab hue hai meher baan

Armaan gets back to his laptop…Muskaan takes the edge of the bed…her gaze not moving from him for even a minute. Again he is so far…too far. He looks up at her…and gives a smile…one if his most adorable… and it warms her heart..

Ho hooo..

Hume to yahi rabba..

Kasam se pata hai

Dil pe nahi…koi zorrr koi zor

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Armaan is busy with his laptop...while Muskaan's eyes and thoughts are fixed on him. All the beautiful moments that she spent with him..right from their first meet are flashing in her mind. 

Ek heer thi aur

Tha ek ranjha

Kehte hai mere gaon me

Sacha ho dil to

Sau mushkile ho

Jhukta naseeba paon me

Armaan sees Muskaan lying on the bed with her eyes closed…he goes to her and pulls the blanket over her properly…Muskaan opens her eyes and smiles at him…she pulls the blanket further and caresses it near her cheeks..

Aanchal tera rabba

Falak ban gaya hai

Ab iska nahi

Koi oor koi chor

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Dil kho gaya

Ho gaya..kisi ka

Ab rasta mil gaya khushi ka

Aankhon me hai khwab sa ..kisi ka

Ab rasta mil gaya khushi ka

Rishta naya rabba…dil chu raha hai

Kheeche mujheee koi dorrr teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Teri ore teri ore teri ore hai rabba

Teri ore teri ore teri ore

Muskaan drifts off to sleep with a beautiful smile on her face. Naaz occupies the other side of the bed…and Armaan goes to the guest room adjacent to theirs.

Part ends.

Comments plzzz

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