Previously On...
Armaan & Riddhima arrive in Patiala and convince Rahul to not elope with Muskaan.
Track 57 - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
“Maine naa kehdi na? Bas!” Manjeet Chadda ordered. “Tereko kisi aur de saath vyaah nahi karna, mat kar… lekin uss Rahul de saath tera vyaah kabhi nahi hone wala!”
“Papaji… please!” Muskaan replied. “Mujhe pata usne hum sabka dil dukhaya hai. Usne bohot saari galtiyaan ki hain… usne… usne mujhe bhi bohot dukh pohonchaya hai but main usse pyaar karti hoon, Papaji! Aur.. aur aap bhi toh yehi chaahte the na? Ki mera vyaah usse ho jaaye?”
“Puttar, woh tabki baat thi,” Tajinder Chadda answered, taking a moment to explain things to her daughter lest her husband’s temper make things even more difficult. “Tab sab alag tha. Ab sab alag hai. Rahul achcha ladka hai… humaare saamne hi bada hua hai, aur mujhe yeh bhi pata hai ki jo kuch tum dono ke beech hua… Rahul ne jo kiya woh kyu kiya hum sab samajhte hain… lekin puttar, usne dil toh toda na hum sabka? Kal agar woh phir yeh sab sochke darr jaaye aur tujhe chod de… toh hum kya karenge?”
“Mummy woh aisa nahi karega!” Muskaan defended Rahul. “Thoda toh bharosa karke dekho.”
“Wohi toh hum nahi kar paa rahein hain, puttar,” Muskaan’s dad replied.
Muskaan sighed. She couldn’t refute what her parents were saying. Rahul had broken all their hearts. It would take her family some time to come to terms with it. But the way they were refusing to even give Rahul a chance to prove that things would be different bothered her more. She could understand why they didn’t want to do that as well, but that didn’t mean that she had to like it. Getting married without her family’s approval seemed to be the only way to be with him. She didn’t want to do it, but what choice did she have if they wouldn’t give him a chance? She hoped that once everything was said and done, her family would forgive her. They had once before. They would do it again. Or so she convinced herself so that she could actually go ahead with the plan of marrying Rahul in secret without her family’s knowledge.
The ringing of the doorbell halted their argument and Muskaan used the excuse to quickly leave her parents behind. She was extremely surprised to see Riddhima standing on the other side of the door. Overcome with emotions, she immediately pulled her best friend into a hug. “It’s going to be okay, Muski,” Riddhima promised, caressing Muskaan’s hair.
Muskaan sighed and leant into the hug even tighter, before she looked up and saw Armaan standing a few feet away. “Hero,” she whispered, awestruck and relieved. Releasing Riddhima from her hug, she ran to Armaan, throwing herself in his arms with a wrecked sob. “Heyyyyy,” Armaan shushed her, rubbing her back. “It’s going to be okay, Muskaan. Shhhh. Hum sab theek kar denge, okay? Tu itni tension mat le. Main hoon na… I’ll talk to Uncle and Aunty… tu itna chinta mat kar. It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Muskaan just burrowed closer into the safety of his arms, immediately believing every single word out of his mouth. Armaan had always been the one she’d turned to whenever she’d had any problems, no matter what, and he’d always been there for her, rescuing her and being the best friend a girl could ask for. She knew that he would do something, just wave a magic wand like he seemed to, and make everything okay again, like he always had for her. When he was here, she didn’t have to worry, because she knew that he’d do what he said. He would convince her family and he’d get them to accept Rahul. She was sure of it.
Armaan pulled back from the hug and reached up to wipe her tears. “Oyye… Punjab di sherni… itni si baat ke liye itne mote - mote aansu? Yaar, abhi pichle hafte hi toh mili thi mujhse… itna zyada miss kiya kya? Chal hatt.”
Muskaan laughed at his words. He always knew how to make her feel better. “Tujhe miss kiya isliye nahi ro rahi thi,” she replied. “Tu aa gaya toh ab tujhe jhelna padega isliye ro rahi thi.”
Armaan chuckled. “Theek hai… toh main waapas chala jaata hoon,” he said, and turned to leave. Before he had managed to take even a single step, Muskaan’s hand shot out, holding his arm tightly. Armaan turned back to see she was on the verge of crying again and immediately gathered her in another hug. “Achcha baba, nahi jaa raha,” he placated.
“Are you two done?” Riddhima called out from where she was standing - at the door, with Muskaan’s mother beside her. Tajinder was looking at the two of them with unabashed hope and Armaan immediately understood that things were going to be very difficult. He had not known that Muskaan’s parents still had ideas about the two of them more than a decade later.
“Namaste, Aunty,” he greeted her, seeking her blessings.
“Jeeunda reh, puttar!” She blessed him instantly. “Inne saal ho gaye tujhe dekha… Hayye… aur bhi zyada sundar dikhne lag gaya hai tu toh!”
Armaan immediately looked down, uncomfortable by her scrutiny. He smiled bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thank you, Aunty,” he mumbled.
Tajinder ushered the three of them in, happy to see both Armaan & Riddhima, as was Manjeet who gave both of them a very hearty welcome… enough that Armaan worried for his air supply when he was pulled into a hug by said man.
After getting the two of them something to eat, Manjeet and Tajinder sat with them, asking the purpose of their visit. “Tum dono ko dekhke dil ekdum bagh bagh ho gaya… lekin ithe kaise?” Manjeet asked.
Armaan & Riddhima looked at each other, some silent conversation happening between them before Armaan took the lead. “Uncle woh… Muskaan…” he hesitated.
“Haan, puttar,” Tajinder encouraged. “Muskaan kya?”
“Aunty woh actually… Muskaan ke baare mein baat karni thi aap dono se… woh uski… uski… ab uski shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai, aapko nahi lagta?” Armaan asked, and then promptly wanted to leave because why was he doing this? Why was it so difficult for him to broach this subject? And even if it was… why would the first words out of his mouth be the ones that were? Shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai… he scoffed to himself. Who talked like that?
“Oyye shaadi ki umar toh iski kabse ho gayi hai,” Tajinder lamented. “Lekin yeh kisise shaadi kare toh na!”
“Aunty… isliye toh main aaya hoon! Mujhe na… perfect ladka pata hai Muskaan ke liye!” Armaan said, committing to it now. He had already dropped the ball and he would salvage this in any way that he could.
“Achcha?” Tajinder’s eyes lit up. “Kaun? Tune apna mann badal liya kya?” She asked, excited.
Armaan coughed awkwardly when Riddhima turned to look at him, eyebrows raised in question. He was definitely not ready to go there right now. His less than stellar past when it came to the Chadda family was not on the table for discussion today. Or any day, if he could have it, but definitely not today.
“Nahi, nahi!” He exclaimed, immediately wanting to put a kibosh on even the idea of him and Muskaan — he shuddered. Never. “Main nahi,” he added, just in case his earlier denial was misconstrued. “Woh actually…” he trailed off, sighing.
“Aunty,” Riddhima started, seeing how Armaan was struggling with the whole thing. They had decided that Armaan would take the lead in the conversation, but clearly, he was not in any position to be able to do so. “Dekhiye… mujhe pata hai ki hum dono ko iss tarah beech mein interfere nahi karna chahiye… lekin Muskaan hum dono ki dost hai aur hum sirf uski khushi chaahte hain… Aunty, Muskaan Rahul se…”
“Riddhima puttar,” Manjeet interrupted. “Agar tum dono Rahul ki waqalat karne aaye ho na… toh beta fir yahaan se chale jao. Muskaan ki shaadi Rahul se nahi hogi.”
“Uncle… Uncle, please!” Riddhima tried. “Aap dono sirf Muskaan ki khushi chaahte haina… Muskaan Rahul ke alawa kisi ke saath khush nahi rahegi, yeh aap bhi jaante hain. Itne saalon se usne kisise shaadi nahi ki kyuki woh ab bhi Rahul se pyaar karti hai, yeh pata hai aapko. Phir bhi… aap yeh kyu kar rahe hain?”
“Woh jo bhi ho,” Manjeet waved her off. “Rahul nahi toh matlab nahi.”
“Uncle… Rahul bohot achcha ladka hai,” Armaan spoke up, getting his bearings. “Woh bohot khush rakhega Muskaan ko.”
“Rahul achcha ladka hai yeh toh hum sabko pata hai, Armaan,” Manjeet replied. “Tum sab se pehle humein samajh aayi thi yeh baat… isliye hi toh Muskaan aur uska rishta tayy kiya tha… lekin puttar ji, Rahul Muskaan ko khush rakh paata na… toh aaj hum sab yahaan nahi hote.”
“Uncle, mujhe pata hai Rahul ne bohot galtiyaan ki hai. Usne aap sabka dil dukhaya hai, aur especially Muskaan ka… lekin aap usse ek aur mauka deke toh dekhiye… woh iss baar aapko niraash nahi karega,” Armaan pleaded.
Manjeet sighed tiredly. “Armaan… Rahul ne jo kuch bhi kiya hai… aisa nahi hai ki humein samajh nahi aata usne kyu kiya. Uss waqt haalaat aise ho gaye the… shayad Muskaan ki zindagi se chale jaana hi usse sahi laga aur ho sakta hai ki yeh sahi baat thi. Lekin uss wajah se Muskaan ko kitni takleef hui yeh main kaise bhool jau? Woh sab peeche chodke, kaise aage badh jau? Kaise de du apni beti ka haath uss ladke ke haath mein jisne usse sabse zyada dukh aur takleef di? Tu menu ek gal dass… kal agar fir haalaat bigad gaye, aur Rahul fir Muskaan ko chodke chala gaya, toh hum kya karenge?”
“Uncle, Rahul aisa nahi karega,” Armaan insisted. “Main iss baat ki guaranty leta hoon. Main Rahul ko kabhi Muskaan ko chodke nahi jaane doonga. Aur agar… kabhi galti se… mujhe pata hai ki aisa kabhi nahi hoga, lekin agar fir bhi… kehne ke liye… ho bhi gaya… main aapse vaada karta hoon, Muskaan kabhi akeli nahi rahegi. Main uske saath rahunga, uska dhyaan rakhunga.”
Manjeet looked away. “Uncle… Uncle please. Sirf isliye ki aane wale kal se humein darr lagta hai, iska yeh matlab thodi hai ki hum uss kal se munh hi mod lein? Agar kal ki fikr mein aaj bhi kho baithe… toh kal sirf pachtaava reh jaayega. Aap bataiye mujhe… aapne agar aaj Rahul ko mauka nahi diya toh aapko iss baat se kabhi fark nahi padega?” Armaan asked.
Hearing his words, Manjeet stood up, prompting the others to do so as well. “Tum dono itni door hum se milne aaye, bohot khushi hui. Lekin puttar ab… please chale jao. Iss baare mein aur baat nahi hogi.”
“Papaji… Please… ek baar…” Muskaan tried again.
“Muskaan, tu apne kamre mein jaa. Bas aaj ke liye bohot baatein ho gayi,” Manjeet ordered.
Muskaan sighed helplessly. She knew it wouldn’t be easy to move her father. He looked to be the jovial and fun-loving type but he was very stubborn when it came down to it. He wouldn’t give in so easily. Even still, she hoped that Armaan & Riddhima’s words had some impact on him.
“What do we do now?” Riddhima asked Armaan as the two of them made their way back to Rahul’s ancestral home.
“We’ll think of something,” Armaan sighed, rubbing Riddhima’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
“I’m very scared, Armaan. Muskaan will never be happy without Rahul. I know her parents also know that, but they’re being so adamant,” she said.
“I know…” Armaan replied. “But they’re not wrong either. Whatever happened in the past, it’s understandable that they’re wary. And I’m afraid that if we try to pressure them into it, they might get even more determined to not let it happen.”
“You’re right,” Riddhima answered. “Pushing them into this will not get us anywhere… but what else can we do apart from trying to convince them?”
“I think we should ask Mummy,” Armaan declared after thinking for a moment. “It might make a difference if she tries talking to them.”
“You think?” Riddhima asked.
Armaan shrugged. “I’m not sure. The way things are, they could very well say no to her as well. It doesn’t hurt to try, though. Does it?”
Riddhima nodded. “You’re right. I’m just scared.”
“Me too,” Armaan confessed. “I knew it would not be easy for Rahul & Muskaan after everything, but I didn’t think that Muskaan’s parents would be so against it, even if I can’t blame them for being this way.”
Riddhima sighed. “I just want them to be happy.”
She rested her head on Armaan’s shoulder, not thinking twice about it, making them both jump after a moment. It felt so natural to do this, to be with him the way they used to be, as if no time had passed. But then, in the next moment, it felt like an eternity had, and even the smallest of interactions felt awkward. This was so unlike the hesitance Riddhima had felt at the start of their relationship, when she hadn’t even been sure if what she felt for Armaan was love, and even from those days long past when Armaan had forgotten all about her and their relationship, but had still fallen for her anyway. This was new, and in some ways uncomfortable in a way that she had never felt around Armaan.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
Armaan shook his head and pulled her into a light hug. “It’s okay. It’s just a hug. Don’t get so spooked.”
“Right,” she choked. “Right. We can do this now.”
“Yes,” Armaan agreed. “We can. Does that bother you?”
“No,” Riddhima replied instantly. “It doesn’t. It’s just… so awkward. Isn’t it awkward for you?”
“It is,” Armaan told her. “Which is weird for me because I have never felt this way around you before… but the only way to get over it is to face it. I’m not going to not hug you because it feels weird. I think, in fact, that means we should hug more, so that we get used to it quicker.”
Saying so, he pulled her into another hug. And though they were both stiff as he did it, not overcome by emotions as they were the last couple times they hugged, it really was very weird. But, Armaan kept holding onto Riddhima and slowly, she relaxed into his embrace, and Armaan felt her start breathing again, which prompted him to take a breath of his own.
“Better?” He asked.
“No,” she replied honestly, making him laugh.
“We’ll get there,” he assured her, pulling back. “Abhi toh bas ek din hua hai since we started talking normally again.”
“How long do you think?” She asked him, genuinely curious.
“I give it a week,” he decided, after a few minutes of deliberation.
“So soon?” She wondered, surprised.
Armaan shrugged. “How long did it take us to fall back into our pattern in New York?” He questioned her, already knowing the answer. It hadn’t taken them long to find a middle ground, to be at ease around each other, laughing and joking as if they had always been friends.
"Okay, you've got me there," Riddhima admitted. "I think it's because, at the end of the day, no matter what has happened, we both trust each other in a way we don't trust anybody else."
"Well, of course!" Armaan exclaimed. "I don't divulge my deepest, darkest secrets to just anybody, you know," he joked, trying to diffuse the tension.
"Oh?" Riddhima asked. "What secrets are we talking about?"
"So many," Armaan sighed. "They might not seem to be a big deal now, but they meant everything back then, Riddhima… Like the fact that my parents hated each other, or that Bi was the only person I felt safe around for years, or even something as stupid as my love for comics. Do you think anybody apart from you knew about those things? No. Because I didn't trust anyone with those secrets. Not like I trusted you."
"I know," Riddhima said. "Just like I didn't trust anybody else apart from you. Because I knew that nobody else cared about my well being the way you did. And I still think so. We might not be as close now, but I still think that you're the one person in my life who cares so much about my happiness and who only wants to see me succeed. Don't you?"
Armaan's reply was instantaneous. "Of course! I want nothing more. Not ever."
"Me either," Riddhima confessed. "I just want you to be happy, Armaan. No matter what. Whether this whole thing between us works out or falls apart… I just always want you to be happy and live your life to the fullest… Be the Charming Armaan Mallik I know and love… The one you promised you'd always be."
"I know," Armaan murmured. "I've tried to keep that promise so hard. And I like to think I've succeeded. Don't you?"
"You've gone above and beyond," Riddhima assured him. "I don't think I've seen you happier than I did back in New York. You've achieved what I always wanted for you. It makes me so happy."
"I'm glad," Armaan told her. Riddhima grinned at him, wild and carefree, in a way he hadn't seen her smile in so long, and his heart skipped a beat. Yeah, he thought. We're going to be just fine.
_________
"Do you think it'll make a difference?" Rahul asked. "Calling Mummy? I don't want to drag her into this, Armaan. Chadda Uncle is welcome to curse me as much as he likes, but if he says even one untoward thing to Mummy… I don't want that. We shouldn't call her."
"Don't be ridiculous, Rahul!" Armaan exclaimed. "I know Chadda Uncle talks first and thinks later, but itne manners toh unme hain that he won't say anything to Mummy."
“Isn’t it childish?” Rahul pressed, still not convinced. “I’m a grown adult. I shouldn’t need my mother to smooth things over for me like this is some playground fight between kids.”
“This is so much more than a playground fight, Rahul,” Riddhima scolded. “Which is why you should call her. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean that you can’t need your parents. That’s not what being an adult means. Heck, you could be 60 and have a gaggle of grandkids and there will still be times when you need your parents. That’s not wrong, and it doesn’t make you less of a grown up.”
“She’s right,” Armaan agreed readily. “Rahul, why are you so hesitant to ask Mummy for help? She’s your mom! Apne parents se help maangne mein kya sharam?”
Rahul shrugged, not knowing how to explain why he felt this way. He felt he had to do it on his own. He was the one who broke Muskaan’s heart, he was the one who left her, he was the one who created the distance between them. So, it should be him who made things right again too. Asking Armaan for some help to steer Muskaan’s parents in his direction was not the same as asking his mom to come and talk them into getting them married. But, he didn’t see any other choices as of now either. He had been trying his hardest, going to see them every day, waiting for Chadda Uncle to talk to him, only to be refused each time. Even Muskaan’s mom, a woman who had adored him in the past, seemed disinterested in listening to him. He knew that his mistakes were huge and that it would take them time to move on from it all, but he had not thought it would be so hard to just get one conversation in.
He could see that in the given situation, asking his mother to intervene was the best course of action. So, much as he didn’t like it, he gave his begrudging acceptance. “You’re right,” he mumbled. “I don’t like this, but you’re right. I just… I wish I didn’t have to ask her. I wanted to do this on my own. Feels like I’ve failed at this relationship already.”
“You have not!” Armaan & Riddhima exclaimed in unison.
“Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re a failure,” Armaan added. “You were the one who taught me that, aren’t you? Do you remember, when I first moved to New York with you, and I was struggling… but didn’t ask you for help because I wanted to do it on my own? What did you tell me then?”
Rahul sighed. “I told you that asking for help requires more courage than suffering alone. That you’re brave. And that me helping you doesn’t negate your efforts, or put down your victory. I remember.”
“So, why don’t you think that applies to you?” Armaan pressed.
“That was different,” Rahul argued. “You were…”
“I was having relationship troubles,” Armaan cut him off. “That’s what it was. Don’t try to spin it into something it wasn’t. That’s the plain, hard truth.”
Armaan hadn’t wanted to say all this in front of Riddhima lest she start feeling guilty about what had happened back then, but convincing Rahul was more important. And, he didn’t want to lie about how bad things had been, not to Riddhima. To move forward in their relationship, it was important that they reconcile with their past. That was the only way they would have any kind of future together.
“You’re right,” Rahul finally gave in. “As always. We’ll call her.”
“That’s my boy!” Armaan cheered, pulling him into a hug.
“You’re making the right decision, Rahul,” Riddhima reassured him. “Armaan is right. Asking for help doesn’t make you any less, no matter what the situation is. And… even if it does, don’t you think it’s better to try your hardest in every way possible than be stubborn and lose Muskaan? Don’t fret, okay? It’ll be okay.”
“I won’t,” Rahul told her. “Getting Muskaan’s parents’ approval is more important than my pride. You’re right about that.”
“We’ll convince them,” Armaan told the duo. “We will.”
_________________________
Simran Garewal arrived in a flurry of activity, commanding the trio with ease and putting them all to work as she prepared to go talk to the Chaddas. She was a little miffed that Rahul had waited so long to tell her what was going on, but also understood where her son was coming from and vowed to do her very best. Rahul & Riddhima immediately ceded control to her, but Armaan was surprisingly the one who was suddenly sceptical about the whole thing, mainly because Simran’s solution to the problem was to take Rahul’s rishta to Muskaan’s parents as if nothing had happened.
“Mummy, hum aise rishta leke kaise jaa sakte hain?” He asked her.
“Kyu? Kyu nahi jaa sakte?” Simran replied.
“Mummy… aap jaan boojhke aise anjaan mat bano. You know the history between the two families has not been the best,” Armaan answered.
“On the contrary,” Simran told him. “The history between the two families has always been the best, my love. It’s just our kids who didn’t get along well. And, I guess I understand why too. Chadda Bhaisaab and Raj had been the best of friends ever since they were children. That’s why, Rahul & Muskaan basically grew up together… And you know how it is… people used to tease them about getting married even before they understood what marriage meant. Maybe that’s why they never saw eye to eye and rebelled so hard when we tried to get them married the first time… to say no to the life that had been laid out for them since they were babies. I love Muskaan… She's like my own daughter, but I never wanted this. I was always afraid that if we tried to talk them into a wedding, they would never say yes… which is what happened. But, Raj really wanted Muskaan to be his bahu and he didn’t listen to me. Now… Well, now that Rahul wants this too, I have to see it through. I can’t disappoint both him and Raj. I would never be able to live with myself.”
“Mummy!” Armaan cried, pulling her into a hug. “Why are you thinking like this? Aap dekhna, sab theek hoga. And, whatever happens with Muskaan’s parents… you won’t disappoint anyone. Not Raj Uncle, and definitely not Rahul. Stop thinking this way. You’re the best mom and the best wife.”
Simran laughed through her tears at his words. Her son was the best. “Pehle try toh karte hain. And then we’ll see how it goes.”
The next morning, Simran, along with Rahul, Armaan, and Riddhima, arrived at the Chadda residence, dressed to the nines, all of them carrying various thaals filled with sweets and presents.
“Oh, Simran Parjaai, aap?” Tajinder asked, pleasantly surprised. “Inne din ho gaye! Bohot hi changa laga ji aapko dekhke!” She exclaimed, pulling Simran in a hug which was wholeheartedly returned.
“Vadiya ji vadiya,” Simran returned Tajinder's greetings. "Tussi daso… Ghar vich sab bhale change haina?"
"Oh ji… Bas rabb di mehr hai," Tajinder replied. "Aaiye na!"
Simran walked inside with the kids trailing behind her. "Ji… Yeh thode meete namkeen," she gestured to the thaals. "Aap sab ke liye."
"Yeh sabki ki zaroorat thi? Aap aaye yehi bada achcha laga!" Tajinder exclaimed.
"Arreee… Aise kaise? Itne dinon baad aaj mauka mila hai… Khaali haath kaise aati?" Simran asked rhetorically.
One of Muskaan's cousins helped Armaan & Rahul put everything away while Simran & Riddhima greeted everyone else. Everybody was extremely happy to see Simran. It had been a few years since she'd visited. After coming back from New York, she'd elected to stay in Delhi, near her daughter rather than coming back to Patiala. This was her first time visiting in a very long time.
Once they'd all settled down, she wasted no time in broaching the topic of Rahul & Muskaan. Addressing Muskaan's Dadi, who was the eldest in the house, she said, "Maaji… Menu pata hai ki mere puttar ne saara beda gark dita si. Muskaan da dil dukhaya te baaki sab da bhi. Par saari galti uss di na hai. Menu pata hai mera Rahul humse bohot pyaar karta si, isliye aise sochta nahi… Lekin uss waqt… Raj nu bhi Rahul di zaroorat si. Aur main bhi ekdum akeli pad gayi si. Hum dono nu sahara dene vaaste, Rahul ne vadi zimmedaariyaan apne upar le li.
Shayad agar aisa na hota, te woh Muskaan de saath naat aage badhaane di koshish karta… Shayad bachche aapas mein baat karke baat ka hal nikaal lete. Par Rahul jaanta si, ki jis tarah uss di zimmedaari hai, Muskaan di bhi hain. Isliye dono apne raaste nikal pade kalle.
Par ab toh baat badal gayi hai… Ab dono saath reh sakte de hain. Aap hi dasso menu… Inne saal Rahul de begair, Muskaan kya khush si? Jab bachchon nu ek aur mauka milya si khush hone da… Toh humaara farz ni bannta ki unki khushi mein shaamil ho?" She asked.
"Woh sab toh theek hai, Parjaai Ji," Manjeet replied. "Par kal ko phir jo Rahul chod ke chala gaya, te kya karenge hum aur kya karegi Muskaan?"
"Bhaisaab, maine kaunsa inn dono da vyah hi kara dena hai kal ke kal. Aap nahi chaahte toh hum mangni bhi nahi karenge… Bas chota sa roka… Aur phir… Tussi parkho Rahul nu. Dekho ki woh badla hai bhi ya nahi. Jado woh aap sab nu mana le, jab aapko lage ki woh Muskaan ke liye sahi hai, tab hi baat aage badhegi.
Par… Aap mauka nahi denge, toh pata kaise chalega ki iss baar bhi pichli baar jaisa hoga ya nahi? Galtiyaan toh bachche hi karte hain… Maa baap ka farz hota haina… Unhe sudharna aur ek aur mauka dena?" Simran argued.
"Parjaai… Aap ek vaar mere nazariye se bhi toh dekhiye. Aap de deti kya apni beti ka haath aise ladke ke haath mein itna sab hone de baad?" Manjeet pressed.
"Isliye toh haath nahi maang rahi, Bhaisaab. Sirf ek mauka maang rahi hoon. Raj di badi tamanna thi… Ki Muskaan humaare ghar ki bahu bane… Rahul aur mere liye na sahi… Ikk vaar Raj de vaaste… Ek mauka toh dijiye… Phir jo aap chaahe, sab waisa hoga," Simran pleaded.
"Please, Uncle," Riddhima added. "Aap jaante hona… Hum sab sirf Muskaan ka bhala chaahte hain… Aur aap yeh bhi jaante ho ki Muskaan Rahul se kitna pyaar karti hai. Uski khushi ke liye… Aap Rahul ko ek mauka bhi nahi de sakte kya?
Uncle, aap jaante hain ki Muskaan sirf aapki wajah se ab tak chup hai… Agar uska bas chalta toj woh Rahul ko kabhi mana nahi karti. Kya aap yeh chaahte hain ki iss sabki wajah se Muskaan ki khushiyaan chinn jaaye? Aur kya aapne socha… Agar iss sabke baad, Muskaan ne aapki baat nahi samjhi, aapko maaf nahi kiya toh? Aap Muskaan ki chodiye, aap khud bhi Muskaan ko dukhi karke khush reh paayenge? Maaf kar paayenge apne aap ko?"
"Aur… Uncle aap jaante hain… Rahul aisa nahi hai. Usse bas ek galti ho gayi. Iss galti ki saza kya aap saari umr usse denge? Aur sirf usse nahi, Muskaan ko bhi? Iss sab mein uski kya galti hai? Usne toh bas Rahul se pyaar kiya hai… Toh kya woh ab saari zindagi saza bhugte jabki usne kuch galat nahi kiya? Yeh toh galat haina?" Armaan said.
He added, "Main aapse vaada karta hoon, agar Rahul ne phir koi galti ki, main sabse pehle aapke saath khada rahunga. Agar aap nahi chahenge, koi baat aage nahi badhegi. Par aap ek mauka toh dijiye! Please. Sirf ek mauka."
Finally, Rahul said, "Uncle Ji… Mujhe pata haina bohot badi galti ki hai. Maine aap sabka dil bohot zyada dukhaya hai… Aur specially Muskaan ka. Usne mere liye bohot kuch kiya lekin main hi uske pyaar ki qadr nahi kar paaya… Shayad mujhe laga ki aage chalke, humaari problems ke saamne uska pyaar pheeka pad jaayega, lekin main galat tha. Uske pyaar ke aage toh humaari saari pareshaniyan haar gayi.
Jitna pyaar Muskaan ne mujhe diya haina, utna hi main usse dena chaahta hoon. Usse duniya ki har khushi dena chaahta hoon, itni ki… Maine jo uske saath bura kiya, woh halka pad jaaye.
Mujhe pata hai ki maine jo kiya hai uske baad aapka mujhpe bharosa karna asaan nahi hai, lekin main vaada karta hoon, ki agar aapne sirf ek baar mujhpe thoda bhi yakeen kar liya, agar aapne sirf ek mauka diya, toh main Muskaan ka saath, zindagi bhar nahi chodunga."
"Oyye, Manjeet!" Muskaan's Dadi, Manpreet Chadda, exclaimed. "Itni bhi zidd achchi nahi hai, puttar. Apni Muskaan di khushi vaaste, inn sabki baat maan le. Rahul bhi toh saade ghar ka bachcha hai. Bade hote dekha hai tune usse… Uski ek galti nahi maaf kar sakta tu?"
"Oh, bebe…" Manjeet tried to rebuke her, but was cut off.
"Nahi. Maine ab kuch nahi sun'na. Muskaan da roka hoga Rahul de naal. Aur iss hi hafte hoga. Tujhe apni bachchi di khushi di fikr nahi hogi, par menu hai. Kya bolungi main tere papaji nu? Ki apne gadhe puttar ke chakkar mein maine apni bachchi ki khushiyaan qurbaan kardi? Naa oyyee… Muskaan agar sirf Rahul ke khush rahegi, toh main unn dono da vyah karake rahungi," Manpreet vowed.
"Maine aapki baat kabhi taali hai jo aaj taalunga?" Manjeet asked rhetorically. "Theek hai. Jaisa aap chahoge, waisa hoga."
A cheer rang out through the room at his proclamation, Armaan hooting the loudest. Hugs were exchanged as everyone celebrated. Riddhima looked at Rahul who was glancing at her over Armaan's shoulder, as Armaan hugged both him and Muskaan tight. Rahul mouthed a thank you to her while she congratulated him. As she saw the brilliant smile light up Rahul's face at her words, she dreamt that maybe one day, their positions would be reversed, and he would be congratulating her and Armaan. Hopefully, someday soon. For now, she was happy that her best friend was happy. Nothing else mattered.
__________________
Hello, everyone! I won't even try to apologize now LOL. I had this chapter finished in the week but did not get time to post it due to work, so here it finally is. The good news is that I have already written like 1k on the next chapter! Idk when it will be finished, but I will try to post something again soon. Otherwise, 20 August ko toh karna hi hai. So rest assured, the next update will not be later than that :p
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please let me know in the comments! :D
Le jayenge le jayenge
Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge
Le jayenge le jayenge
Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge
Aji rahey jayenge rahey jayenge
Paisewaley dektey rahey jayenge
Le jayenge le jayenge
Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge
Tum ho kali to gulab hum hain
Ho hthon se lagalo toh sharab hum hain
Kahete hain log ke kharab hum hain
Teri har baat ka jawab hum hain
Hoo apne do haathon se
Kamaya hua khanewale
Apna paraya kabhi khanenge.. Sasurji
Le jayenge le jayenge teri shon machariya
Le jayenge
Le jayenge le jayenge
Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge
Le jayenge
Main bhi tere saath hoon
Dil bhi tere saath
Oh oh chahey jab aaja chanda leke baarat
Hoo mere pas khoti hai na car sajni
Kadka hai tera dildar sajni
Kothi bangla na mujhey car chahiye
Dil chahiye dildar chahiye
Hoo ho chal phir soniye
Thodiye na baliye
Dil ki hi duniya basayenge, o bulbul
Le jayenge haan le jayenge teri baag ki bulbul
Le jayenge le jayenge
Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge
Le jayenge
Dhar pe khadey hai
Kalyan kar do
Hoo kaam koi ek toh mahaan kar do
Kharcha dahej ka bhi bach jayega
Lagey haathon kanya ka dhan kar do
Hoo hokabhi kabhi tere ghar
Tirth samaj kar darshan ko hum aayenge
Sasurji, le jayenge dilwale dulhaniya
Le jayenge
Aji rahey jayenge rahey jayenge
Paisewaley dektey rahey jayenge
Rahey jayenge.
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle
Originally posted by: coderlady
Did you go back and change the last chapter?
Yes! I did. If you check the note on page 76, you'll find why!
Yay! An update..
Finally they were able to convice Muskaan's parent's. Calling Rahul's mom was great. Loved Dadi's line in the end :D
Also, the mini AR moment glimpse was sweet :)
Waiting for more
Previously On...
Muskaan's family agrees to get her and Rahul engaged after Armaan, Riddhima, and Simran (Rahul's mom) convince them.
Track Fifty Eight - Aise Kyu
The morning of Rahul & Muskaan's roka ceremony was beautiful. Armaan woke up to the chirping of birds, way before his alarm was set to go off. He trudged downstairs to an empty home, everyone still in bed, and brewed himself some coffee to start his day.
He'd only just washed his mug and kept it away when Tamanna bounded down the stairs. She'd arrived along with the rest of their friends from Mumbai a couple nights before. Jaanhavi, Rohan, and their family had also made the trip to participate in the festivities and had only arrived in the wee hours of morning. Armaan had been the one who had received them at the airport and had only gotten a couple hours of sleep, but he still looked fresh as a daisy, owing to his excitement about the ceremony.
"Good morning!" Tamanna greeted him with a hug.
"Good morning," Armaan replied. "Why are you up so early?"
"Because I knew you'd be," she answered. "And I thought I'd help you."
"You didn't have to," he said. "I can manage. There's not much to do anyway. Go get some rest."
"I won't be able to rest either," Tamanna protested. She didn't think she would till she had a proper conversation with Sid and put the whole episode behind her. She hadn't anticipated how heavily it would weigh on her mind. She hadn't spoken to him yet because she didn't want to spoil the atmosphere with her problems. From what she remembered about Sid, she couldn't be sure that he'd accept her rejection graciously. She needed to be prepared for that. And, she thought, it would be best to discuss the whole thing with at least Armaan before making any firm decisions.
She knew that Armaan had gotten extremely close to Sid in the time he'd been in Mumbai, and she wanted to make sure she wasn't making a mistake by doing what she had decided to. She didn't think Armaan would be able to change her mind about it, because Sid being a good friend didn't automatically make him a good partner or a good father.
She wanted Armaan's validation, she supposed. He hadn't ever steered her in the wrong direction before, and he cared more about her well being than she did herself. He'd never let her make a decision that would be bad for her.
Momentarily, she was surprised by how much she trusted Armaan. It felt good to be able to trust this way, to know that there was someone who cared about her so much. After Aniket, she didn't think she'd ever be able to have such faith in someone, not even herself, but her elder brother had proved her wrong and she was so grateful for that.
"You okay?" Armaan asked her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into his side, breaking her chain of thought.
"Yeah," she replied. "I'm fine. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you."
"Stop it!" Armaan rebuffed.
"Room for one more?" Jaanhavi's voice echoed around the kitchen, making the duo turn to her.
"Always!" Armaan exclaimed, opening his other arm. Jaanhavi grinned and ran into his embrace.
"I missed you guys," she mumbled.
"We didn't miss you at all," Tamanna teased. Jaanhavi gave her a wounded look, making Armaan laugh.
"Now, why are you also up so early?" He asked her.
"Jet lag," Jaanhavi muttered. "I'm hungry."
Armaan chuckled and pulled away from his sisters. "Take a seat. Let me get you both something to eat."
"I see how it is," Rahul commented, also entering the kitchen. "Now that I'm getting married, you've forgotten about me."
"Exactly!" Armaan exclaimed. "Thank god I didn't have to sit you down and explain how things are going to change now! I always knew you were smart, Jaana!"
Rahul glared at him in reply. "Draame karna band kar and sit down!" Armaan instructed him.
He kneaded some dough and fried parathas for them all, placing them in front of the trio with a serving of raita and pickle. "Here you go! Bon appetit!"
"Thank you!" The three of them murmured gratefully, biting into the food.
"So, Rahulllll," he drawled, taking a seat beside the man and biting into his own paratha. "How excited are you?"
"I think I'm more nervous than excited," Rahul answered honestly. "Still feels a little surreal."
"I can imagine," Jaanhavi agreed. "Do you remember how I was on the day of my engagement?"
"I'd rather not!" Tamanna snorted. Jaanhavi had been a mess that day. She'd been too anxious and jittery, not sitting still for a minute. She'd snapped at everyone the entire day and had cried right before the ceremony.
"I hope I'm not that bad," Rahul said, shuddering at the memory. He hadn't known what to do. It was the first time he'd seen Jaanhavi so extremely worked up. He'd been worried that she'd have a panic attack with the way she'd been behaving but thankfully it hadn't come to that.
As always, Armaan had been godsent. He'd handled Jaanhavi like a pro, as if he'd done it several times before, which maybe he had. He'd stuck with her the entire day, despite her boorish attitude, and had continuously assured her that things would be okay.
"Don't worry," Armaan assured his best friend. "Even if you are, we're all here for you."
Rahul smiled, turning to kiss Armaan's cheek. "Thank you!"
"Why was I not informed of this little rendezvous?" Rishika Kashyap asked as she made her way down the stairs. Rishika was Rahul's elder sister by a solid decade. Her and her husband, Ahaan Kashyap, had made the trip for the roka too. Rishika was a very doting elder sister whose younger brother was her entire world. Owing to the large age gap between them, she'd always been a little too protective over Rahul, and had been a second mother to him. Over the years, she had come to love all his friends in the same way.
"Good morning, Jiji!" Armaan greeted, using the moniker Rahul had given her, springing up from his chair to hug her.
"If there was a secret meeting, as the leader of your little group, I should have been the first one to be informed," she continued, even as Armaan hugged her. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"We didn't plan this, Jiji," Tamanna clarified. "I guess everyone is too excited and just ended up waking up so early."
Rishika couldn't argue with that. She was so excited as well. For as long as she could remember, she had wanted Muskaan to marry Rahul. A complete daddy's girl, Rishika had always taken her father's words to heart, and for her, Muskaan had been her sister-in-law since the day her father had declared his intention to see the two wed. Rishika had always adored Muskaan ever since they were kids, loving the way she challenged Rahul. She'd known, even then, that Muskaan would be the perfect partner for her younger brother. When Rahul had opposed the match initially, she'd tried her hardest to change his mind, but her efforts had yielded no results. But now that it was finally happening, she was ecstatic.
She just wished her father was here to witness this day with his own eyes. It had been his greatest wish. It had also been the one regret he'd carried with him in death. Rajveer Garewal didn't have very many regrets in life, but failing to have helped his son in finding his happily ever after had been the biggest. He was still here, she knew, watching over them and silently blessing them in a way only he could. But she wanted him to be physically there with them, not just spiritually. He would have been so happy.
Shaking her head to rid herself of such sad thoughts on the morning of her brother's engagement, she took a seat at the table and started gobbling up the parathas. Armaan got to work, making more food as the house came to life. Slowly, all their guests made their way into the kitchen in search of food and Armaan was only too happy to serve them all. Once they were done with breakfast, Armaan drove to the Chadda's, taking with him some things necessary for the ceremony.
At Muskaan's house, he was greeted with the most pleasant sight of a freshly showered Riddhima, clad in a beautiful blue anarkali, opening the door for him. "Hi," he breathed.
"Hey," she smiled. The two of them kept looking at each other for what felt like an eternity, till the moment was disturbed by the shrill voice of one Tajinder Chadda, enquiring as to who was at the door.
Riddhima shook her head, a few drops of water from her wet hair falling onto a mesmerized Armaan. Oblivious to the effect she was having on him, she stepped aside to let him in. When Armaan made no move to enter the house, she turned to him and snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. "Armaan!" She called. "Don't you want to come in?"
Her voice successfully brought him out of his trance. "Uh, right. Yes!" He exclaimed, hastily rushing inside. In the process, he collided with her and dropped the tray he'd been carrying.
"Sorry!" He exclaimed, immediately bending down to pick everything up. Riddhima shook her head fondly and bent down alongside him to help.
They both started piling stuff back in the tray almost blindly. Their hands brushed at one point, sending a jolt through Armaan's spine. He immediately pulled his hand back. Riddhima looked up at him, worried at his hasty retreat, making him chuckle. "Still awkward, I guess," he mumbled.
Riddhima laughed at that, lightly hitting her forehead. "Soon," she wished out loud.
"Soon," he agreed. They both put the last of the things on the tray and stood up.
"Arrre, Armaan puttar? Othe kya kar raha hai? Andar aa!" Tajinder ordered when she spotted Armaan. She'd come outside to check, never having received a reply from Riddhima.
"Jee! Namastey, Aunty!" Armaan greeted her. "Yeh thoda samaan Mummy ne bheja hai!" He said, handing the trays to her.
"Changa ji!" Tajinder exclaimed. "Thank you, puttar ji. Cheti se aa jao. Main nashta lagati hoon."
"Arre, nahi, Aunty! Maine nashta already kar liya hai!" Armaan assured her.
"Aise kaise? Chal… Ek parantha toh kha le!" Tajinder insisted.
"Bilkul time nahi hai, Aunty! Aaj bohot kaam hai," Armaan denied. "Phir kabhi."
"Chal, theek hai!" Tajinder acquiesced. "Aajke din nahi zabardasti karti."
"Thank you, Aunty!" Armaan cried. "Achcha… Main chalta hoon. Mummy ne jaldi ghar bulaya tha."
"Okay, puttar ji. Aaj shaam ko milte hain!" Tajinder said her goodbyes.
Riddhima offered to walk Armaan to his car. He agreed almost instantly. The two of them didn't speak as they walked, content to spend their time together in silence. When they reached the car, Riddhima looked around to make sure they were alone before giving Armaan a hug. Armaan was surprised at the sudden gesture, but nevertheless wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. Quickly, almost a little too quickly, Riddhima pulled back as well. She had taken Armaan's advice to heart and had been trying to initiate contact between the two of them to reduce the awkwardness they felt, and slowly, it was starting to work.
"See you in the evening," she murmured.
"See you in the evening," he echoed, getting inside the car and driving off.
Riddhima went back to the house, a smile on her lips. The past few days had been very exciting. She'd moved from Rahul's to Muskaan's house for the duration of her stay, helping the Chaddas with the preparations. Her & Armaan hadn't been spending as much time together as she'd like, given that they were both so busy, but whatever time they'd had together was nice.
She scoffed to herself. Nice. She'd never used that term to describe her interactions with Armaan before. It felt too… Impersonal, somehow. But, a lot had changed, and they were both still coming to grips with it all. She figured she was lucky that Armaan had at least decided to give their relationship another chance. She had certainly not been as accommodating as he was being when she was on the receiving end. Perhaps, Armaan had always been the more understanding one of the two of them.
Focus, Riddhima! She scolded herself, shaking her thoughts away. Now was not the time to concentrate on her non-relationship with Armaan. Muskaan needed her complete attention. She would talk to Armaan once the roka was done with and set some concrete ground rules. For now, there was a lot to do, and very little time to do it in.
_________
"Do I look okay?" Muskaan asked Riddhima & Nikki as she adjusted her pallu. She was dressed in a beautiful lavender lehenga. It was almost time for the roka ceremony and the Chaddas would be leaving any minute. Nikki had arrived a couple hours ago to help Riddhima in getting Muskaan ready while Anjali elected to stay back and get some rest before the ceremony.
"Absolutely gorgeous!" Riddhima replied.
"I agree," Nikki seconded. "Rahul is not gonna know what hit him!"
Muskaan blushed at that. "Ladkiyon! Tayyaar ho kya?" Tajinder asked, entering the room, dressed in a heavy patiala. She stopped short on seeing Muskaan.
"Kisi ki nazar naa lage!" She exclaimed, applying a nazar ka teeka behind Muskaan's neck. "Muskaan… Tu kinni soni lag rahi hai, puttar!" She hugged Muskaan tight, doing her best to control her tears.
"Tum dono bhi bohot hi soni lag rahi ho," Tajinder complimented Riddhima & Nikki.
"Thank you, Aunty!" They replied in unison.
"Cheti-cheti aa jao! Mahurat ka waqt ho raha hai," she instructed.
"Yes, Aunty," Nikki assured her. "Hum bas Muskaan ko leke aa hi rahe the."
"Chalo, phir," Tajinder demanded. The four of them made their way outside where the rest of the family was already waiting. Once they had all blessed Muskaan, they made their way to the Grewal's, where they were greeted with great aplomb.
"Aaiye, aaiye!" Simran welcomed them all. She hugged Muskaan tight and welcomed her home. She helped Muskaan to the middle of the room where the ceremony was to take place. Rahul was already seated there, talking to Rohan and Shilpa. He immediately stood up when he saw Muskaan, his eyes never leaving hers. Muskaan blushed at his intense gaze, making him smile.
"Shuru karein?" Bebe asked once everyone had been accounted for.
"Ji, Bebe!" Simran agreed. To Tamanna, she said, "Tamanna, beta… Bring the aarti out, please… And the shagun."
Tamanna immediately left to do as asked, pulling Jaanhavi along with her.
"Mummy… Where's Armaan?" Rahul asked, looking around for him.
"Oh! Yeh ladka!" Simran muttered. "I'd sent him to check on the food."
"I'll bring him," Riddhima volunteered.
"Thank you, Riddhima," Rahul replied instantly, not giving anyone a chance to comprehend what was happening. "That'd be great!"
He smirked at her retreating form, happy at the turn of events. Something definitely was brewing. Just as soon as the roka was done, he would be speaking to Armaan to get to the bottom of it. If Armaan had decided to go out with Riddhima again, he needed to know. He saw that Nikki was observing everything just as intently. A moment later, she turned to him and their eyes met, silent communication passing between them. Good, Rahul thought. He wasn't the only one. She'd noticed too. That would definitely make things easier.
"Armaan!" Riddhima called. "Where are you?"
He wasn't anywhere to be found. After checking a few rooms, when she found the kitchen empty, she was about to go to the hall when she heard a muffled sob from one of the rooms on the far end of the house. She followed the sound and sure enough, Armaan had found himself a quiet corner to cry.
"Armaan," she whispered, sitting beside him. "Are you okay?"
Armaan turned to her, the sunniest smile on his face even as tears rushed down his cheeks. "Of course! I'm great!"
"Are you sure?" She asked him.
"Mhmmm," he mumbled. "I just…" He sobbed out, unable to form words. Unable to stop herself, Riddhima wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Armaan hugged her back fiercely, hiding his face in the crook of her neck and sobs shook his body. Riddhima rubbed soothing circles on his back and murmured soft encouragement in his ears.
A few moments later, Armaan pulled back. "I'm good," he told her. At her disbelieving look, he added fiercely, "Really! I am! These are happy tears!"
"Happy tears? Aise?" Riddhima questioned.
Armaan shrugged sheepishly. "I was overwhelmed," he confessed. "I have waited for this day to come for so long. Rahul, finally moving forward in his life… With Muskaan by his side. It seems like a dream that it's happening. I've wanted this for just so long, Riddhima. My Rahul deserves all the happiness in the world, and now he's getting it… So I'm feeling a little emotional."
"Little?" Riddhima laughed. "I'm afraid to see what happens when you're very emotional," she joked.
Armaan scoffed despite himself and turned away from her to wipe his tears. "You know," Riddhima whispered conspiratorially, "You're always making fun of me saying meri aankhon mein water tank hai jo bas leak hoti rehti hai… But actually it's you! Tumhaari aankhon ki water tank mujhse zyada leak hoti hai. You're the real one… Meena Kumari, kahin ke!"
"Nooooo!" Armaan whined. "Not Meena Kumari!"
"That's who you are. Meena Kumari! Meena Kumari!! Meena Kumari!!!" Riddhima gloated, slipping into their old routine of teasing and banter so naturally.
"Baskettttttt!" Armaan complained. "I'm not Meena Kumari!"
All of Riddhima's mirth flew away in a second at his words. She forgot everything else, but one word. One name. Her name. Basket. Basket. Basket. How long had it been since she'd craved to hear him call her that? An eternity, it seemed. She couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes as she remembered just why he'd stopped calling her that.
Nahi hoon main tumhaari Basket! Tumhaari Basket marr gayi hai! She'd shouted at him all those years ago, when all she'd wanted was to hide in his arms forever. But, she'd been married then, to a man who she still didn't understand if she should hate or not. It had been important then, to put that distance between herself and Armaan, to kill the intimacy of that special nickname that had become a living, breathing part of their relationship. But now… Now, there were no such boundaries. Nothing stopping her from being Basket. Armaan's Basket. That's who she was, who she would always be.
Armaan misinterpreted Riddhima's tears, also remembering her words from back then, and immediately rushed to apologize, even though it broke his heart to do so. "I'm sorry!" He cried. "I'm so, so, so sorry. I didn't mean to, Riddhima. I shouldn't have. I know you don't like it when I call you that. I promise I'll never do it again."
"Don't you dare!" Riddhima snapped back, her heart thundering in her chest at his words. Never be called Basket? That was her worst nightmare. The one she'd been living in for the past eight years. "Phir se bolo," she commanded him.
"Ridd…" Armaan started, but stopped when Riddhima placed her hand on his mouth.
"Mera naam Riddhima nahi hai," she said. Armaan kept staring at her, unblinking, trying to make sense of what was happening. It seemed like a fever dream, an alternate reality, too good to be true. Everything in him screamed to say something, anything, to call her by the name only he called her by.
"Armaan, please," she begged, moving forward to rest her head on his chest. For a moment, Armaan was stunned by the closeness, his heart beating even faster as her breath tickled his skin. How long had it been since she'd been so close to him? Since she'd wanted to be so close to him?
"Please," Riddhima continued. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for back then. Main… I never wanted to say that, Armaan. Lekin main kya karti? I was afraid… I couldn't handle being so close to you without actually being so close to you. If you'd called me that… Armaan, I'd have ran into your arms to never leave. I couldn't do that. Not then… So I was forced to put a distance between us. But trust me, I never wanted that. I always wanted to be… To be your…" She trailed off.
"Basket," he whispered, but she heard it as though he'd shouted it from the rooftops. "Basket," he repeated, his silken voice meant for her and just her. Fresh tears made their way to both their eyes as Riddhima turned and threw herself into his waiting arms. He wrapped her up in embrace, snug and tight, his mouth only moving to call out to her, her name a prayer on his lips.
A few moments later, when they'd both calmed down a little, Riddhima pulled away. She reached up to wipe his tears. "See," she laughed, and Armaan's heart skipped a beat. "Meena Kumari."
He laughed despite himself. Maybe, he could warm up to that stupid nickname, especially if it made her smile the way it did. He reached up and wiped her tears as well. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Armaan wrapped an arm around Riddhima's shoulder and pulled her into his side. The sort of casual intimacy that the two of them had gotten very used to back in the day, seemed like a miracle now.
"I told you, didn't I?" Armaan asked rhetorically a moment later. "We'll get used to it. This doesn't seem awkward now, does it?"
Riddhima beamed at him. "It doesn't," she agreed. Her heart was still hammering, but not because of the awkwardness. She should've known. Being with Armaan had always felt so natural. Even at their worst, it had.
"We should go," Riddhima said a moment later, reluctantly leaving Armaan's embrace to stand up. "It's time for the ceremony. We shouldn't make them wait long."
"The ceremony!" Armaan cried, jumping up. "I completely forgot!"
Riddhima laughed. "How?"
"I just did," Armaan replied, looking away. He couldn't admit to her that she'd made him forget that a world outside their little bubble existed. Not just yet.
"Come on," Riddhima prompted, offering him her hand. Armaan looked at her outstretched hand and then at her face, staring intently into her eyes before dropping his gaze to her hand once more. Just as Riddhima was about to step back, thinking it might have been too forward to offer herself up like this, Armaan reached out to hold her hand in his. The two of them shifted, their gaze stuck on the image of their entwined fingers. When Riddhima felt Armaan's eyes shift to her, she looked up at him and smiled, her happiness threatening to burst out of her body.
"We'll be late," Armaan whispered softly, almost as if he was sad to leave the privacy of this room, as if he never wanted this moment to end… Which he didn't. But, he wouldn't miss Rahul's engagement for anything in the world. Not even Riddhima.
"Right," Riddhima agreed. "Let's go."
Silently, the two of them made their way back to the function, Armaan helplessly following Riddhima's lead. His eyes refused to look anywhere but their joined hands. Armaan smiled to himself. Falling for Riddhima was proving to be much easier than he'd anticipated. If things kept progressing the way they were, he might as well be confessing to Riddhima even before he went back home in a few days. The thought didn't seem as scary as it had before he'd come to India to talk to her.
Just a few steps before they'd be in full view of all their family & friends, Riddhima turned. Looking at their hands, she reluctantly pulled hers from his grasp. "Not yet," she told him, when he looked at her in question. "Ek baar hum khud toh sure ho jaaye about what this is. I don't want to tell the others till we decide, Armaan. Please."
Disappointed as he was, Armaan understood her concerns. "You're right," he agreed. "Not yet."
Riddhima smiled in gratitude. Armaan couldn't resist reaching out to give her hand a quick squeeze in reassurance. The rest of the very short walk passed in silence much like before.
"Armaan!" Atul cried when he spotted them. "Kahaan tha, yaar? Kabse wait kar rahe hain tera!"
"Sorry, Champ!" Armaan replied. "Bas woh thoda last minute prep."
Riddhima smirked. Armaan knew that look all too well. When Atul turned around, he immediately turned to her, begging her to keep quiet. Nikki saw him pleading with her and decided to make things a little difficult for him, the amazing best friend that she was. "What's up, Maani? Riddhima se akele kya baatein ho rahi hai?"
"No — not — nothing!" Armaan cried out. "Nothing. Just, you know me! Pshhhhh!" He scoffed.
Before anyone else could ask him anything, he said. "What's all this 50 questions? We should focus on the ceremony! Late ho raha hai ab."
"Haan, cheti karo!" Bebe ordered.
The ceremony started after that, both Rahul & Muskaan's family performing the requisite rituals. Muskaan's parents were still not too thrilled about what was happening, but the glowing happiness on Muskaan's face made up for their reluctance. There was a time when they'd thought they would never see her so happy. But now, thanks to Rahul, that brilliant smile was back on her face. For that they were grateful.
Once the important rituals were done, it was time for some entertainment, and of course, Armaan was put on the spot, asked to sing. "Come on, Maani! Aaj tu mana nahi kar sakta," Rishika ordered. "It's Rahul's engagement!"
"I'll sing," Armaan acquiesced. "But only if Rahul & Muskaan dance!"
"Of course they will," Simran agreed immediately.
"Mummy…" Rahul tried to protest to no avail.
"No," she cut him off. "You're not participating in Dance India Dance that you need to be a good dancer. Chalo, chalo!"
"Haan, Mummy!" Muskaan cheered. "Of course." Turning to Rahul, she added, "Drame mat kar! Come on. We'll dance!"
Rahul sighed, giving in. He would never be able to win against these two anyway. "Fine!"
"Yay!" Everyone cheered.
Armaan walked up to Sonakshi and cleared his throat loudly, pulling her away from her conversation with Karan and Nikki. "What?" She asked, looking up at him. Wordlessly, Armaan offered her his hand.
"Me?" She probed, confused.
Armaan rolled his eyes. "No, Nikki," he snarked. "Of course you! Who else is gonna sing with me?"
"I'm not singing!" Sonakshi exclaimed.
"Of course you are," Armaan replied. "I wasn't asking," he added when he saw her open her mouth to say something again.
Maaniiii," she whined.
"Shonaaaaaa," he sang right back. "Come!"
"Don't be a spoiltsport, Sona!" Nikki interrupted. "Jaa na. Waise bhi it's been years since I heard you two sing together! I miss it!"
"Haan, haan. You're the queen of the world na that I should sing just cause you want me to," Sonakshi intoned sarcastically.
"Right you are!" Nikki cheered in a fake haughty accent. "Now that you understand, you must do my bidding."
"Please, Sona!" Rahul added. "Dekh… Main bhi dance kar raha hoon na! You can't sing for me? Please? It's such a special day for me. And I'm asking for just this one little thing!"
"Stop hanging out with Armaan so much," Sonakshi replied. "You're getting really good at this emotional blackmail thing." A moment later, she added, "Fine. I'll sing. Just for you. Cause you got engaged today!"
"Thank you!" Rahul exclaimed, pulling her in for a hug.
Iss qadar tu mujhe pyaar kar
Jisey kabhi na main sakoon
Phir bhula…
Zindagi laayi humein yahaan
Koi iraada toh raha hoga bhala
Ki darkhast hai yeh
Jo aayi raat hai yeh
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Jo ab lamhaat hai yeh
Bade hi khaas hai yeh
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de (x2)
Raahon mein mere saath chal tu
Thaame mera haath chal tu
Waqt jitna bhi ho haasil
Saara mere naam kar tu
Waqt jitna bhi ho haasil
Saara mere naam kar tu
Ki armaan hai yeh
Guzaarish jaan hai yeh
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Jo ab lamhaat hai yeh
(Jo ab lamhaat hai yeh)
Bade hi khaas hai yeh
(Bade hi khaas hai yeh)
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Lamz jismon pe aise sajaaye
Baarishon se bhi woh dhul na paaye
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Ho.. naksh lamhon pe aise banaaye
Muddaton se bhi woh mit na paaye
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Hmm.. tujhse toh hoon main yun bohat mutassir
Par kya karoon main hoon ek musafir
Kaisi khushi hai jisme nami hai
Jaane tu ye ya jaane na, o…
Jo jazbaat hai yeh
(Jo jazbaat hai yeh)
Bade hi pak hai yeh
(Bade hi pak hai yeh)
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Jo ab lamhaat hai yeh
(Jo ab lamhaat hai yeh)
Bade hi khaas hai yeh
(Bade hi khaas hai yeh)
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Bhula de, bhula de
Wo.. tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Bhula de, bhula de, bhula de
Ki darkhaast hai yeh
Jo aayi raat hai yeh
Tu meri baahon mein duniya bhula de
Once their performance was done, Armaan & Sonakshi were flooded by friends and family, praising them for the beautiful rendition of the song. Cheers and hugs echoed from the little group surrounding them. Riddhima, however, stood in the periphery, surprising Armaan. She had enjoyed the performance, that he was sure of. The wide smile on her face as he sang had been proof enough. He wasn't expecting her to throw herself in his arms with exuberance, but he had been expecting a small compliment, in that shy cadence of her lovely voice, her eyes not meeting his, but her words sincere and heartfelt just the same.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who noticed. Nikki did too. And she roped Riddhima into the conversation, pulling her leg as she did so. "Ridzyyyyy!" She called. "As our resident number one fan, you need to pitch in!"
"Number one fan?" Sonakshi asked. "This is the first time I've sung in front of her."
Nikki laughed. "Not you," she clarified. "Armaan! Riddhima is his biggest fan."
Armaan grinned, looking away to hide his blush. It was surprising that such a silly thing made him so happy, but it did. He prided himself in the fact that Riddhima was a fan, even before she knew who he was. He hoped that knowing the truth made her love him even more.
"It was… Breathtakingly beautiful," Riddhima finally murmured. Armaan looked up at her when she said that, and was rewarded with a sight he didn't think he'd ever see again. That quiet happiness that he'd grown to relate to just Riddhima - the small smile on her face, that didn't quite do justice to her beauty, her sparkling eyes weaving a million dreams of them together. Eyes, that he was surprised, were looking directly at him as if staring into his very soul. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, feeling shyer. In the back of his mind, he laughed at their little role reversal. Riddhima being the one staring at him while he felt too nervous to look at her.
"Thank you," he managed to utter at last, two words of appreciation from her meaning more to him than whole magazine spreads from the past. "Glad you liked it."
And even after that, he felt that something was disturbing her. He was quickly becoming attuned to her once again. He had thought that they had both changed too much in their time apart, but apparently not as much as he'd thought, if he could read her so easily once more. Maybe he hadn't been trying hard enough earlier, or was in denial about how he could understand her silences, not wanting to acknowledge whatever fragile thing had started taking up space in his heart once more on seeing her. Maybe, he'd never stood a chance. Maybe, it was fate. Maybe, it was too stupid to try and fight it. Maybe, he'd never stopped loving her. Maybe, it was time he started admitting it. If not to anyone else, at least to himself.
________
"Hey!" Armaan's quiet whisper pulled Riddhima out of her musings. Armaan & Rahul had convinced Muskaan's family to let Muskaan and her spend the night at Grewal's. After more merry making late into the night, the others had finally retired to bed, and Riddhima had taken the opportunity to find some time to herself. She'd set up camp in one of the lounge chairs in the backyard, looking up at the stars, reminiscing about Muskaan & Rahul's happiness at the ceremony.
"Hey," she smiled in greeting.
"May I?" Armaan asked, gesturing to the chair beside her.
"Of course," Riddhima agreed immediately.
"The moon is so beautiful tonight," he murmured when he looked up. There, that wasn't so hard. He'd said it without even saying it. He remembered reading about it years ago, a phrase that surprisingly stuck with him even after all the years. How it was another way of saying I love you in Japanese.
He wasn't ready, not yet, to say it out loud, even to himself, let alone anyone else. But, he didn't want to deny it either, didn't want to pretend it didn't exist, because it did. He was a little in love with her. He always had been. But, he'd promised himself he'd not be hasty, wouldn't get swept up in everything that was Riddhima and his love for her, and hers for him. He would take time, he would go slow, he would give both of them the opportunity to see for themselves that they could be happy. And he would. They would be happy, and they would be together. Because the moon was beautiful, and so was she, and he was maybe in love with her, just as he'd always been.
"As are the stars," she pointed out.
"I didn't even notice. The moon outshines them all," he confessed. How could he, with her beside him, looking radiant in the moonlight, gorgeous as she'd always been, but also, happily glowing.
"Do you remember that night in New York when we saw stars?" Riddhima asked him.
"I do," he replied. "Muskaan had just confessed to Rahul that day, and he'd said no. And today, they just got engaged. Seems like a lifetime ago."
"It does," she agreed. "I never thought this would happen."
"I always knew," Armaan told her. "They both are too in love with each other to not let it happen. Once Muskaan confessed, I knew Rahul would give in. His resolve was already crumbling with every minute in her presence. Frankly, I'm surprised he went so many years without her."
Laughing, he added, "Raj Uncle and I had had a bet going on about how long he'd hold out. I was so confident he would go back to India and grovel years ago. But clearly, Raj Uncle understood his son better. He had told me, even back then, that no matter how long, Rahul would only tell Muskaan he loved her if she told him first. He'd never initiate anything. Said he was much too afraid to ever do that.
Which makes sense. Rahul always felt he wasn't good enough for Muskaan, even before he found out about his issues. He loved her so much and he tried to support her the best he could, but Muskaan had rebelled and left home, coming to Mumbai, just so she didn't have to marry him. And he didn't like her much either back then, but sometimes he'd think that because she rejected him that once, she'd never love him enough to stay with him. Which is very silly, but then, love makes you silly, doesn't it?"
"It does," Riddhima agreed. "It made me silly too, didn't it? Thinking the worst every time because I thought that it would take you away from me. You know, it wasn't just you who was scared of losing me. I was so scared of losing you too. I guess I was just better at hiding it."
"I guess you were," he answered. "Do you think that maybe if you'd told me, things would have been better between us? That I would understand your insecurities and your anger better, and it would make it easier for us to talk to each other?"
"Maybe," she acquiesced. "But I was too afraid to voice it out loud back then."
"And now?" He questioned.
"Now?" She echoed. "I'm always afraid, Armaan. You know that's why I lied to you for so long. I'm just so scared. I don't want to lose you. Not ever. I don't care if you're my friend or my boyfriend or my husband or even just my best friend's brother in - law. I need you to be a part of my life, in whatever capacity you decide. I'm not just saying that. I mean it. I can't promise I'll be the most civil person to be around if you decide you'd rather be just my friend, but I'll get over it. Eventually… Because a life without you is much worse than a life where you're just my friend. I really love you, Armaan. I always have. I always will."
Armaan pulled her into a hug at that, holding her close. Riddhima snuggled close to him and was rewarded with the rapid beating of his heart under her ear. It was thrumming like a humming bird, a mile a minute. It made her happy. He was just as affected by her as she was by him.
"We'll get there," Armaan promised. Riddhima pulled back and smiled. "I know," she said.
"Let's not get all serious on such a happy day though," Armaan stated. "Tell me a happy memory… From the past few years when I wasn't around."
"There were many," Riddhima told him. "So much happened. We've all come so far. So many happy moments that passed, big or small."
"Which was the happiest?" He pressed.
"If I really had to choose… Well, I won't between two, I guess. It was the day Di proposed to Jeeju and the day Nikumbh was born," she replied.
"Anjy proposed to Champ?!?" He exclaimed, surprised.
"She did," Riddhima confirmed. "I mean… You know Jeeju. He would've taken a few more years, I think, to muster up the courage to do it. But I guess Di had enough of waiting around and did it for him. I don't think I've ever seen Atul aa happy as he was that day. You know, he immediately proposed the next day, too. The only reason he had to wait a day was because he didn't have the ring on him when Di did. So he brought it from his bank locker the next day, where it had been kept for who knows how long, and got down on one knee in front of the entire hospital."
"Champ proposed in front of people?" Armaan questioned, shocked.
"He did," Riddhima confirmed. "Honestly, I'm not a fan of public proposals at all, and I wouldn't know what to do with myself if someone did that to me, but you know Di. She loves a spectacle, all the attention. She was very pleased. That's all that matters in the end, doesn't it? Jeeju looked so confident and debonair that day. Wait… I think I have photos!" She exclaimed, as Armaan filed all the information for later use. So, not a public proposal for them, he decided. And then, hit his head for thinking that way. Time, he reminded himself. We need time.
"Look!" Riddhima cried, shoving her phone in his face, utterly oblivious to his internal struggle. Armaan couldn't help but grin at the picture in front of him. It was clearly clicked at the nurse station. Atul was down on one knee, his hand presenting the ring to Anjali while she was looking at him, absolutely shocked. She swiped across the screen, showing him more photos from the day, Atul and Anjali looking ecstatic in each one of them.
"They look so happy," he murmured, his hand automatically coming up to caress their smiles. Looking at the photo made him more emotional than he was ready for and he quickly turned his face to the side to wipe the tear that had fallen from his eyes.
Riddhima laughed lowly. "Oyyee, Meena Kumari! Do you want to look at more photos? Or should I be wary of a flood if we decide to do that?"
Armaan scoffed. "Don't act smart."
"I'm not acting. I am," Riddhima replied smugly. Armaan rolled his eyes. He snatched the phone out of her hand and scrolled through the gallery to see more photos of the happy couple.
"Can't believe I missed this," Armaan whispered as he stopped at a photo of Atul & Anjali hugging each other.
"We really missed you," Riddhima assured him. "You and Rahul… Everything felt so incomplete without the two of you there. And especially at the wedding, it was so hard. We all did miss you, but Atul missed you guys so much. He tried to hide it from others, but he wasn't able to hide it from Nikki and me. He cried after almost every ceremony, not from happiness, but because he hated the fact that you weren't there."
"I spoiled all the fun, huh?" Armaan questioned rhetorically. "Champ finally married Anjy, and not only was I not there to see it happen, I also made them both sad on what should have been the happiest day of their lives. Especially Champ. He's my brother… And what did I do?"
"Armaan… No. Nobody blames you for anything, least of all Jeeju. He could never. He loves you so much. And that's why it hurt that you weren't there for the wedding. But, he knew that wherever you were, if you knew about the wedding, you'd have been the happiest… because you were the only one who ever supported the idea of him and Di together. He missed you, we all did. That made us sad, but that's not your fault, okay? You didn't do anything wrong," Riddhima told him. "Promise me you won't blame yourself for anything. And most certainly not for missing out on these moments. You couldn't help it. I know that if you'd known, you'd have come back, no matter what. Wouldn't you?"
At Armaan's nod, she continued. "See, you would have. But you didn't know."
"Because Champ didn't know how to contact me," Armaan argued. "Because I didn't give him a way to keep in touch."
"Because you needed a fresh start," Riddhima fired back. "If anyone is to blame, it's me. If I hadn't been so stupid, if I had understood what you were trying to tell me… That I could never be happy with Sid… None of this would have happened. So, if anyone is to blame, it's me. Okay?"
"No!" Armaan cried vehemently. "It's not your fault. You were only trying to make your marriage work. A marriage that occured in the first place because I lied to you and left you when you needed me the most. After the shoot-out, if I had been truthful, none of this would have happened."
"And you wouldn't have been involved in the shoot-out if I hadn't arrived at the hospital to meet you," Riddhima fought. She stopped for a second, took a deep breath to clear her thoughts, and then spoke. "Armaan, we're just running in circles here. Tumhaari galti, meri galti… None of it matters. It wasn't just you and it wasn't just me. Circumstances back then were such that we ended up living a life like this. Digging into our pain is not going to help anyone. It wasn't your fault, okay? None of it was. And nobody blames you for anything."
She scooted forward, just a little, not having realized before how close her and Armaan had gotten as they volleyed back and forth. But now? Now she was much too aware of their close proximity. If she shifted even a little, her lips would be on his. Armaan seemed to realize that at the same time she did. He shuddered, his eyes flicking to her mouth before he looked at her again. Suddenly nervous, Riddhima did the only thing she could think of. She pressed forward, and hid her face in Armaan's chest, as she had done countless times before, hugging him tight. She could feel a shiver run up Armaan's entire body before his arms reached out to hold her in return.
"Riddhima?" Armaan's voice reverberated all around her, making her smile. "Ek baat poochu?"
Riddhima nodded, not making a move to separate from Armaan. "Are you jealous of Shona?" He asked cheekily.
"Armaan!" Riddhima cried, whacking his back and pulling away.
With a smug grin, he repeated. "Tell me. Are you jealous of her?"
"Yes," Riddhima answered defiantly, surprising Armaan. He'd thought she'd deny it, like she always did. Riddhima had always been a very possessive partner, not that she'd ever admit it. But, Armaan reasoned to himself, that her insecurities made sense given his history in dating before he fell in love with her. However, never ever had she admitted to her jealousy so easily. Armaan had always seen through her and understood her need for reassurance. But for her to say it so unapologetically was both refreshing and shocking. He didn't know how to process this.
And then, Riddhima started speaking again, not giving him a chance to say anything. "It's just that… The two of you looked so cosy together! You have such great chemistry."
"She's happily married," Armaan reminded her. "And we're just friends."
"I know," Riddhima agreed. "But it's just… It's more than that. I'm jealous of her not just because I think you'd make a great couple in another life… It's that… She had you for all those years that I didn't. You're so comfortable with her. She's already a part of your family. And in many ways, I'm not yet, not the way she is. I'm jealous of that."
"I guess I understand," Armaan replied. And he did. Hadn't Riddhima spent the past few years surrounded by others while he hadn't been by her side like they'd both always envisioned? "I'm jealous too," he added bravely, before he could chicken out. "I know that Sid and you are not romantically involved anymore, but the two of you are still so close."
"Were," Riddhima answered sternly, not even letting Armaan finish what he wanted to say. "Sid and I were close. Not anymore."
"It's just a fight," Armaan shrugged. "You'll make up."
"Not this time," Riddhima said resolutely. "Not ever."
"Basket?" Armaan asked, confused. "Is everything okay?"
Riddhima smiled at that. He was always so worried about her. It warmed her heart to see how much he cared. It warmed her heart even further to see how easily he'd slipped back into his old ways, calling her Basket without a second thought. She'd missed that. So very much.
"Now that you're here, everything is awesome," Riddhima promised.
"Basket," Armaan reprimanded.
Riddhima sighed. "Let's just say I have become disillusioned by Sid. I thought he was my friend, but lately, he's proved that he isn't. I'll tell you everything, I promise. Just not today. We're supposed to be happy today, remember?"
"You'll tell me if you're in trouble, won't you?" Armaan pressed, not probing further about Sid. If Riddhima said she'd tell him, she would. He'd wait till she was ready. "I'm not saying you can't handle things on your own. I'm sure you can. But I just… I worry. I'd feel much better if you confided in me about your problems. I want to help you. I haven't been there for so long and you had to manage everything on your own. I don't want that. Not anymore."
"What a coincidence," Riddhima murmured. "I don't either. I'll tell you. I promise."
Armaan grinned at her at that, pulling her in for a hug. "I love you," Riddhima whispered into the crook of his neck, unable to stop herself. She hadn't said it after that night when she'd confessed all her deepest secrets to Armaan in New York, mindful of the fact that he needed time. But right now, she couldn't help herself.
Armaan didn't say anything, but his arms tightened around her and he snuggled in closer. To Riddhima, that felt a lot like an I love you.
________________________________
So, here it is! Finally!! This was actually supposed to go up on 20 August but I was busy with the ILYLTF wedding and didn't get time to write it then, and after... I sorta binged on all of Qubool Hai in like a week when I had some free time before starting my new job. And since then, zero time. I've been writing this on and off in little pockets of time I get when I travel to and from work. So, yeah, that's why it's over a month late.
I hope the long chapter makes up for the delay, though. And of course, the sheer amount of AR content... it is insane. I loved writing them so much in this chapter. I hope you love reading this as much as I loved writing it! I felt that we slowly started getting the essence of AR back in this one! So yay!
Drop me a line and let me know how you like it. And, please stream the Mismatched S2 album IT IS SUCH A BOP! (That's where the title of the chapter comes from.)
Love, Prags
Aise kyu,
Kuch toh likhti hoon,
Likhke mitaathi hoon main raat bhar,
Aise kyu,
Baatein khud ki hi,
Khud se chupaati hoon main aajkal,
Kal yeh sab sochna,
Dil ko yoon kholna,
Sab kuch kehkar hi sabko batana zaroori hai kya?
Aise kyu…
Aise kyu,
Uske hothon pe,
Achcha lagta hai mera naam,
Aise kyu,
Kuch bhi bole woh,
Mann mein ghulta hai zafraan,
Girta hai gulmohar,
Khaabon mein raat bhar,
Aise khaabon se bahar nikalna zaroori hai kya?
Aise kyu,
Haan kyu,
Woh kuch bole na?
Aise kyu,
Haan kyu, haan kyu,
Woh kuch bole na?
Aksar tumse milkar mujhko,
Ghar sa lagta hai,
Phir kyun dil hi dil mein koi darr sa lagta hai?
Aksar tumse milkar mujhko,
Ghar sa lagta hai,
Phir kyun dil hi dil mein koi darr sa lagta hai?
Beeta jo wakiya,
Sochun main kyu bhala?
Beeti baaton se dil ko dukhana zaroori hai kya?
Aise kyu,
Haan kyu, haan kyu,
Woh kuch bole na?
Aise kyu,
Haan kyu,
Tu kuch bole na?
- Aise Kyu (Ghazal Version), Rekha Bharadwaj
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