Chapter 9

As the clock struck 9 pm a normally exhausted Armaan entered his house with the biggest smile plastered onto his face. Today had been one of the best days of his life. He couldn't believe how a few hours ago his life had completely changed. He had not only learned about who Riddhima truly was but he had also gained her love. He had been slightly afraid after he had told Riddhima about Ava and his past but she had surprised him by not only accepting his past but had accepted Ava too and for that he couldn't be more happy. Armaan had been so lost in his thoughts that when the sound of someone calling him finally entered his ear drums he popped out of his dream land.

"DAD!"

"Oh sorry Ava. I didn't hear you."

"I can see that. Where are you lost? And why are you calling me Ava? And why are you smiling like an idiot?"

"Okay first of all don't call your father an idiot. And I was not lost. I was just thinking about something. And what I can call you Ava. I don't always have to call you Kiddo and besides I kind of have to talk to you about something."

"Oh no! G-Ma told you about Adam didn't she!"

"Um..no. But who's Adam?"

"No one! You were saying."

"Okay we are so getting to that later. But for now I need you to sit down. It's kind of important."

Ava stared at her father as he finished speaking. She had never seen him behave in such a strange way before in all of her 10 years of life. He usually came home and asked her the usual questions. Like how school was? Or if she had eaten yet. But today something was wrong. He had not only come home smiling for no reason but he had called her by her name. He only did that when she was in trouble. Other wise he called her Kiddo. Then what did he want? Oh well she thought better find out. And so following her father to the sofa she sat down beside him.

"Go ahead. I'm listening."

"Well.. You know how you are always telling me that I should spend less time at work and that I should find a girlfriend."

"Yeah. I say that like almost everyday."

"Well. I..

"Oh just say it dad! I'm 10 years old. I can handle it!"

"Okay. I have a girlfriend."

"OMG! OMG! OMG! REALLY?"

"Yeah."

"AAAHHH! I'm so happy!!!!! Finally!!!!!! So? What's her name? Where is she from? What does she look like? When can I meet her?"

"Whoa! Hold your horse's lady. One question at a time."

"Sorry. I got excited. Okay so what is her name?"

"Her name is Riddhima Gupta."

"Ooo. That's a cool name. Okay next question. Where is she from?"

"She's from New York too."

"What does she look like?"

"Well.. she has green grey eyes. Long black hair. Beautiful smile. Delicate lips. She's just..perfect."

"Awww. Dad! You're so cute! Okay now I really need to meet her! So when are you bringing her here!"

"How about tomorrow afternoon when you are home from school."

"YESSS! I am so excited! Omg! What am I going to wear? I need help! G-ma!!!"

Armaan watched as Ava jumped from the sofa and ran to find her grandma. He couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected Ava to agree so fast. But then again Ava wasn't an ordinary 10 year old. No she was more mature then most adults were. She knew more then most kids her age did. She knew what to say and when. She didn't need anyone to tell her anything. And if they did try to she would argue back until they admitted defeat.

Wow. That went smoother then I thought. Now I just hope that when she does meet Riddhima that everything will go just as smoothly.

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Riddhima nervously looked around her as she sat on the sofa. It had been a year since she had been allowed to step foot out of her prison cell. It felt strange being around normal civilization. But today after Armaan had gotten special permission from the chief of police she had been allowed to leave. She had been so excited when Armaan had come in the morning to tell her that Ava had agreed to meet her. And now here she was in Armaan's house waiting to finally meet Ava.

I can't believe this is actually happening! I'm actually in ARMAAN'S HOUSE! I'm about to meet his family! Omg! Someone pinch me!

"Riddhima!"

Riddhima popped out of her thoughts as she finally heard Armaan's voice boom into the room. It was finally the moment of truth.

"Oh. Your back. I'm sorry. I was just looking around."

"That's okay. Anyway Miss.Riddhima Gupta I would like to present to you the apple of my eye Miss.Ava Mallik.

Ava who had been standing behind her dad the whole time finally walked out from behind him.

Riddhima stared at her from her seat. She had never seen a more beautiful girl in her life. She had short black hair. Blue grey eyes and the smile that made you want to smile too. Just looking at her brought a tear to Riddhima's eye. If Samay had been alive he would have been the same age as her.

"Hi. I'm Ava. And you must be..Rid..Ridd

"Riddhima. But it's okay you can call me what ever you feel. And it's very nice to meet you."

"Same here. And really I can call you whatever I want!"

"Yes. Anything you want."

"Okay...let me think. Ummm...can I call you...Ri-Ma!"

"Ri-Ma? Now that's a new one! What does it stand for?"

"Well I'm glad you asked. Ri-Ma stands for Riddhima Ma. AKA Ri-Ma!"

Riddhima felt her eyes begin to tear up once again. She had never thought that she would be able to hear the word Ma again. And here this 10 year old little girl had unknowingly given her the most biggest gift she could ever ask for.

"Ava! Look what you did. You made her cry!"

"I'm Sorry Dad. I didn't mean to. I was just trying to give her a cool nickname."

"Well she doesn't like it! Now say sorry!"

"I'm sorry Riddhima. I didn't mean to make you cry. It's just that. I don't have a mom. I never saw her. So when I heard that you were my dad's new girlfriend I thought maybe I could finally feel what it would be like to have a mom or even just another lady in the house other then my G-Ma,"

"Ava. There is no need to say sorry. I love the name. And you know what. I only want you to call me that. Nothing else. And don't listen to your Dad. He's just jealous. And one more thing. Don't ever say that you don't have a mom. I don't know what the future holds but I will always be there for you and you can always consider me to be your mom."

"Really! I can!"

"Yes you can!"

"YAY! I HAVE A MOM!!!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!! I'm going to go tell G-ma and G-pa! I'll be right back!"

Riddhima smiled as she watched Ava skip out of the room. She had come here to see Ava and she would be leaving with a daughter.

Armaan who had been listening silently finally sat down beside Riddhima and spoke.

"I can't believe you just did that."

"What. I may have lost my own baby Armaan but that doesn't mean that I can't be a mom to Ava."

"You're amazing. And I love you."

"I love you too!"

"Now shall we go?"

"Go where?"

"You still need to meet my parents!"

"Oh yeah. But before we go..I want to ask you something."

"Yeah sure go ahead."

"Okay I know this is crazy but I don't care...Armaan Mallik will you marry me?"

"Excuse me?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Are you insane?"

"No! I'm not insane! Just answer me!"

"Let's play a game."

"What?"

"Just do it!"

"Fine!"

"I'll say a word and you say the first thing that pops into your head and then I'll do the same."

"Okay. Go!"

"Love."

"You."

"Blue."

"Sky."

"Car."

"Fast."

"Honeymoon."

"Paris."

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

Riddhima stared at him as he finished talking. Had he just said yes.

"Did you just say yes?"

"Yes I did Miss.Soon To Be Mrs.Riddhima Armaan Mallik."

"Really!"

"Really! Now stop talking and hug me!"

Riddhima didn't need to be told twice and so without waiting a second more she flung her arms around him. She didn't care if anyone was watching. She had just been given a reason to live. She was going to have the family she always wanted. She was going to be a mom again. But most of all she was going to be his.

-6 Months Later-

"Good Night Av!"

"Good Night Ri-Ma!"

Closing the door behind her Riddhima sighed in content. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in the past 6 months. It was like she was living in a dream. After Armaan had accepted her marriage proposal courtesy of her trying to trick him they had gone off to meet Molly and Billy along with Ava to tell them the good news. Ava had been over the moon! She hadn't expected that she would be getting a new mom and that to so soon. But nonetheless she was so happy. Molly and Billy on the other hand were beyond happy. They couldn't believe their son had finally found true happiness. They had seen how much pain he had been fighting with but now that he had Riddhima in his life they knew everything was going to be alright. Riddhima had come in like a breath of fresh air. She had brought life into their house and made it a home.

And now 6 months later she was not only about to be married in a few days but she was a free woman. Yes Armaan had kept his promise and fought for her. He did everything in his power to save her and in the end he had won. The judge had seen the honesty in Riddhima's eyes and how much pain she had gone through. He had seen that she had been wrongfully accused of killing her own child when in reality she had been only trying to save him. Aryan was then later arrested in his office after the police had spent day and night tracking him down for not only causing the death of his own child but for giving a false statement to the police saying that Riddhima had killed their child. When in reality Aryan had only wanted a baby so that his father wouldn't kick him out of his inheritance. But since his current wife hadn't been able to have a child. Aryan had used Riddhima. But that was now the past she thought I don't need to think about that anymore.

"Peaaanuttt!"

Riddhima smiled as she heard him scream for the umpteenth time. He was never going to change.

"I'm Coming You Baby!"

And with that Riddhima walked towards their room before he woke up the entire neighborhood.