Here is the update. Hope you guys like it😊
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The gang was having a chilled out lunch at the canteen when Nikita and Abhimanyu graced them with their presence after about four days.
"Hello people!" Nikita chimed, and grabbed Rahul's half eaten apple. Abhimanyu, on the other hand, gave a civil greeting to the group and settled next to Armaan. "So guys", Nikita started to speak at once, not even waiting to sit or at least swallow the apple in her mouth. "The engagement has been scheduled for tomorrow, and I have already asked Dr. Keeti for permission. For what? For a half-day today and a holiday tomorrow!"
Rahul and Muskaan jumped out of happiness at the latter news, while Anjali went up and hugged Nikita and Riddhima followed suit, for the former news. Armaan soon joined Rahul and Muskaan in their celebration.
"Nikki, tell us how was your visit to Ahmedabad?" Anjali quipped, only to give Nikita another cue to start talking. Muskaan joined the gang as Nikita filled in the girls about their trip to Ahmedabad, where Abhi's parents live.
The guys, a lot more calm and composed, sat around the table and asked Abhi about the same. "It was amazing, guys", he began. "Mom and Dad have come here, and Nikki's parents are also reaching by today evening. Engagement will be a very low key affair, just the few of us. And shaadi will be grand, of course. But" Abhi paused, and looked down frowning deeply.
"Kya hua bhai?" Armaan asked with concern. "All okay? I hope no issues."
"Big issue, man." Abhi replied, and looked at Nikita with a longing look.
"Abhi, we are getting worried man. Bol na kya hua?" Rahul asked.
"Shaadi ki date chaar mahine baad ki aayi hai", Abhi answered gravely.
As soon as Abhi had completed the sentence, Armaan and Rahul burst out laughing. Rahul got up and held his stomach in pain, laughing like a possessed man, while Armaan fell off the chair and literally rolled on the floor, laughing his mind out. The duo caught attention of the whole canteen, and of the girls too, who were now looking at them quizzically.
"Guys, behave. It's a hospital", Anjali reprimanded them at once. But for once, they paid no heed to the boss and continued to laugh. The queries of the girls were in vain, as they went unheard to the duo's spree of laughter, and Abhi, strangely to them, sat silently on his chair, with a grumpy and depressed look.
After a while, Anjali lost her temper and screamed. "Armaan and Rahul! Stop right now, or it won't get any worse for both of you."
This subsided their laughter, and they stood straight, but with immense effort. "Now, will someone care to tell me what is so funny", Anjali fired, clearly stating things weren't really funny to her at all.
Rahul, the first to recover, as Armaan was still having a tough time controlling his laughter, spoke up to the girls. "Actually Anje, Abhi's really sad." Anjali raised an eyebrow, hinting him to go on. "Because unki shaadi ki date chaar mahine baad ki aayi hai."
Anjali pursed her lips, which soon curved into a smile, and soon, despite herself, she had sunk down in the nearby chair, laughing worse than the guys had. And then, of course, everyone one was laughing at Abhi's plight, including his merciless fianc. This only ignited Abhi's frustration and he stormed off the canteen, muttering, "Stupid Pandit."
While this caused the others to laugh even more, Nikita ran after him in an attempt to pacify her angry boyfriend, soon to be fianc and not very soon to be husband.
Armaan saw his friend run out, shook his head, and continued to laugh endlessly at the stupid; yet amazing love Abhimanyu and Nikita were in. And as he was shaking with laughter along with Rahul, he turned his head towards the girls and stopped short. Not only did his laughter stop, but his mind stopped working and his heart skipped and beat or two.
There she was, one hand gripped on the chair and the other midst her hair, laughing her beautiful, melodious, merry laugh. Her eyes had watered a little, the corners of them crinkling as she smiled her widest smile, her cheeks flushing a beautiful tan as she laughed uncontrollably. Armaan stared at her, once again struck with amazement. While mulling over her beauty, he wondered musingly that how this one girl managed to awe him a hundred times.
He hadn't seen her laugh this way before. And this was absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous, so satisfactory, so pleasing to the eyes and replenishing to the soul, that protecting and ensuring the long life of this laugh could easily be the purpose of Armaan's life.
Meanwhile, as the girls' laughing spree ended and they all settled down, a content smile still playing on their lips, Rahul turned to Armaan. He saw his friend's eyes glued to a spot, and curious, followed the gaze. He saw his sight ended at Riddhima, sitting on the table and smiling wide at one of Muskaan's jokes. He looked back at Armaan, and was a shade baffled by his expression- not very baffled, because he had been noticing the same thing since the last few days. But then again, no matter how many times he noticed it, it did not fail to baffle him.
The first time he had encountered this completely new, foreign and not-so-Armaan look on his face, was on Riddhima's first day in hospital after returning. They both had come back from the terrace, shockingly drenched in rain water, and were having quite a merry talk. Later, when Riddhima had gone to fetch her belongings from the locker, Armaan had stood staring at her, just as he was now.
And that was when Rahul had been baffled- shocked, taken aback and puzzled to no bounds. Who was this guy? Armaan Mallik did not give that' look to girl. It was the look, in fact, which he received from numerous girls- dazed, unwavering, completely lost. And besides that, he saw a certain glow, a compelling sincerity and a trace of that something' on Armaan's face which was not normal. Rahul had then known that something is wrong, or maybe right- whatever it maybe, but something is out of place definitely. If what he was thinking was true, by any means, things were ready to get messed up very soon.
And, fortunately or unfortunately, Rahul was being forced to get even surer of his thoughts by each passing day. Armaan was an open book, and even if he tried a hundred times, he could not conceal his feelings. Maybe also because he never needed to. Either way, things were pretty much evident to Rahul, and he was waiting for the right time and Nikita Malhotra to bring up this topic with Armaan. The latter had arrived, and the former had to be summoned very soon as well.
"Doctors", came in the voice and they all turned to Dr. Keerti, who unusually, was beaming. Following her was Dr. Shubhankar, her dear husband, and the couple of attention- Nikki & Abhi.
They all greeted her in chorus and they sat down around the table. "So guys", Dr. Keerti began, catching everyone's attention. "It's a half day for all of you today. Girls, you all can go shopping. And boys, you have to accompany me and Shubhankar to make all the arrangements for tomorrow." Dr. Keerti delegated the work as it was a major operation and not an engagement party. "All of you can disperse at four. And Dr. Anjali, please come with me. If you don't mind, some work before you leave."
"No problem Ma'am", Anjali said, and the two women walked out, leaving the delighted and excited gang behind.
"Okay sab log", Nikita said, taking command. "We leave for Blue Water Juhu Mall at 4:15 sharp. Tab tak kuch kaam hot oh kar lo. Done?" "Done", the girls chorused, excitement dripping from their voices. "And Armaan, dude. Lend me your SUV for today, please? You guys have Dr. Shubhankar's, Abhi's as well as Rahul's car."
"I will, but only at one condition, Nikita. You won't drive", Armaan stated. And there was no kidding! There was no way he would leave his beloved car in Nikita's rash and careless hands.
"I know that mister", Nikita said grumpily. She was very well aware of Armaan's age old condition. "I am not even driving. Abhi will drive us there."
Before Armaan could give his consent, Abhimanyu cut in. "Nikki, I am really sorry, but I cannot accompany you guys. Mujhe bohot important kaam hai, and I have to go to Marine Drive Lab Centre today. Sorry baby, but really can't come."
And by the time he completed, Nikita was fuming. She stood up with a thump, and shouted at the top of her voice. "Abhimanyu Modi! You're ridiculous. You are not free for our engagement shopping? I wonder whether you will be able to make it even for the engagement! Yaa uske liye bhi phone kar ke appointemtn lena padega? Nahi, even that's not required. Ring post karva dungi tumhe! Whenever you get the time, wear it. Do as you please, like always! God, why are guys such jerks!" And with her best sarcastic remarks, Nikita stormed off the canteen in rightful anger.
"Kya karta hai yaar tu Abhi!" Muskaan exclaimed, the first one to break the stunned silence. "Engagement ke ek din pehle koi apne fianc ko naraaz karta hai kya? Rahul, bol na usko kuch!"
Rahul, for once agreeing with his girlfriend, turned to Abhi, but seeing his crestfallen look, his heart melted and the the guy in him sympathized with poor Abhi. "Muskaan yaar", he said. "Why do you girls make such big issues of trivial things? Kaam hai Abhi ko, mazze karne thodi naa jaa raha hai!"
"Hawww", Muskaan said, making a big O from her lips. "Nikita is right, you all men are jerks! Kammena", Muskaan declared, furious at Rahul to side with Abhi, and got up to leave. "Chal Riddhima", she said. "Inn ladko ka kuch nahi ho sakta." She pulled Riddhima by the arm, who simply smiled sheepishly, seeing her friends fight like kids.
Just as Riddhima got up, Armaan suddenly remembered the little plan he had in mind and shouted suddenly. "One minute!" The others looked at him with puzzled eyes. "Riddhima", he said, going to her. "I need to speak to you." The others saw him with rapt attention. Armaan felt awkward, and cursed his luck, as this was not how it was supposed to go. But then, he had no other option.
"Haan Armaan, bolo..." But before Riddhima could complete, Muskaan pushed her behind herself and screamed at Armaan. "Bilkul nahi! You won't say a word to Riddhima. Tu humaare team ke member ko behka raha hai? Kaemeene! Main tera khoon pee jaungi."
"Muskaan", Rahul cut in. "Yeh kya bakwaas kar rahi hai."
"Tu chup reh!" Muskaan said, wagging a finger at Rahul. "I will protect Riddhima. Tum mein se kissi mein bhi himmat nahi rahegi isko chune ki."
"Lekin Musk..."And before Armaan could even utter her name, she was out of the canteen, dragging away Riddhima with her, in some useless war mode.
"Teri girlfriend paagal hai! She needs a psychiatrist", Armaan said to Rahul, shouting in exasperation.
Poor Rahul, who had no argument to that, thanks to Muskaan proving nothing less of mental, played another card. "Meri girlfriend ko rehne de. Tu yeh bata Mallik, tujhe Riddhima se kya baat karni thi?" Rahul asked him, raising a questioning eyebrow.
As Armaan fumbled and hesitsted, Rahul stifled a laugh. "Bol na bhai", Rahul probed further, putting an arm around Armaan's shoulder. "Itni kya urgent baat thi?"
Armaan racked his brains for an excuse, and between murmuring nothings, exclaimed loudly. "Abhi!" He freed himself immediately from Rahul's grip and ran to Abhimanyu, who was sitting on the table, his head engrossed in some reading. "Abhi ke bache! Saare fasaad ki jad tu hi hai."
Rahul let Armaan go, and laughed at his friend's antics. He then followed him to Abhi's table, and both of them were met with a shock. Abhi, who was supposed to be morose and worrisome with Nikita fuming in some corner of Sanjeevani, was in fact humming his favourite tune and smiling away to glory. "Oh bhai?" Rahul asked. "What's going on? Itni khushi kiss baat ki? You know Nikita could happily murder you right now, don't you?"
Abhi looked up at Armaan and Rahul and flashed a cocky, patronizing smile. And as they were about to fire a volley of questions, the girls came in and Nikita barged between the two of them to come face to face with her fianc. Rahul did not miss how quick Abhi's expression changed, and how he got back into the helpless, sorry mode.
"Mr. Modi!" Nikita almost grunted. "How do you plan to purchase my ring? For your information, tomorrow is a Sunday."
"Nikki", Abhi said, his voice a mere creak. "I will tell Mom to get something for you."
Nikita's nostrils flared in anger. "Get something", she repeated furiously, and as Abhi was about to say something in probable defense, Nikita shot up her hand, clearly signalling him to shut up. Giving her fianc a final, cold stare, Nikita declared. "Armaan, I am taking your car, come what may. Keys?" She put forward her palm, her gaze still fixed on Abhi, who shifted uneasily in his chair.
"Nikki, shall I drive you girls?" Armaan asked meekly, scared of Nikki's anger like everyone else.
"No way", Nikita answered, her eyes not leaving Abhi for a second. "Give me the keys Armaan."
As Armaan stood their dubiously, Nikita shouted with finality. "KEYS! RIGHT NOW!"
Armaan quickly shuffled out the keys from his pocket, and with the greatest reluctance and worry, handed over the keys to her. But his mind could not help but wonder what would happen to his poor car. Nikita was as it is a rash driver, and with a temper as such- God bless his dear car.
As Nikita walked off the canteen, with Muskaan by her side, Riddhima noticed the worried expression on Armaan's face. She smiled a little seeing how possessive he was about his car, and even felt bad that poor Armaan was getting crushed in Nikita and Abhi's fight.
So she quietly walked up to him and waved her hand in front of his eyes.
"Riddhima?" he said, flashing a small smile. "Kuch chahye?" Armaan asked. He was too lost in the thoughts of his car to realize that he had the perfect moment to carry out his plan with Riddhima, which thanks to Muskaan, could not be done earlier. But the worry for his car overpowered his mind right now.
"I just wanted to say that, don't worry Armaan. I'll drive your car. And I drive pretty carefully. That will be okay, right?" Riddhima smiled a comforting smile to him, and awaited a reply apprehensively.
Armaan swallowed hard. Ideally, he would scream a yes and tell her that he could trust his life to her, what's a big deal with a car? He would even tell her that even if she did damage the car, Armaan had the heart to forgive all her mistakes in return of that smile of hers. And he wanted to add how touched and overwhelmed he was by her concern. But obviously, and sensibly so, Armaan settled for a much milder answer. "Oh yes, sure. Thank you, Basket." He flashed his dimpled smile
Riddhima blinked at Armaan reassuringly, and something inside her jumped a little at hearing that special name with which he addresses her. She then left, leaving behind an elated Armaan.
Rahul, of course, had a view of this little exchange unadulterated. "Wow", he whispered to himself. "Mallik ne apni SUV kisi ko itni easily de di? There has to be something fishy in here." Smiling inwardly, Rahul turned to Abhi and saw that cocky, devilish smile again. He tapped on Armaan's shoulder, and signaled him to have a look at Abhi.
Armaan frowned in confusion. "Eh le", he said. "Oh Abhi? Who tujhse itna gussa ho ke gayi and you are sitting here and smiling. Maamla kya hai bhai?"
Abhimanyu got up from his chair and popped up his collars. "Brothers", he said. "I have a plan. Come with me."
Rahul and Armaan shrugged at each other, following Abhi with no further questions, and the threesome set out to carry out whatever plan Abhi had in mind.
***
"I am really sorry Nikki", Anjali said, squeezing Nikita's shoulder. "I really hope I could accompany you guys today, but aaj hi ka date aaya hai."
"It's okay Anje", Nikita said, a little awkward with discussing Anjali and Atul's divorce. She clearly remembered how harshly she had treated Anjali after finding out the truth. And though her, and everyone's anger was justified, now when they were finally separating, Nikita felt terrible. "You take care, okay?"
Anjali nodded, and was engulfed in a hug by Nikita. Muskaan too, coming from behind, rubbed Anje's shoulder and sobbed a little.
"Kya ho raha hai?" came the voice, and they all stiffened hearing Riddhima enter the locker room. "Kuch nahi Ridzi!" Muskaan said quickly. "We just got a little emotional about Nikita's engagement."
Riddhima smiled hearing this, and went up to Nikki and took her in a hug. Anjali felt a little guilty, and thanked Muskaan from the corner of her eye.
"Okay then, girls", Anjali said. "I will take your leave."
"Di?" Riddhima asked. "Are you not coming with us?" she asked in disappointment.
"Nahi Ridzi, I have got some work yaar. Really cannot make it." Anjali shrugged.
"Oh come on, Di. At least try, please? Nikki, bol na!" Riddhima urged her to convince Anjali.
"Arrey Riddhima", Nikita said, ready with an excuse which she knew Riddhima could not retort to. "Anjali has to go with Atul. You know how busy she has been, and hasn't even been to the house lately. Aise mein, how can I stop?"
"Ooohhh!" Riddhima hooted, teasing Anjali, who shifted uncomfortably on her feet, and smiled awkwardly. "Phir toh aap jaao, Di. If I like something, I will buy it for you."
Anjali nodded at her sister, and then at Nikita, who held her ear and apologized silently for the most unwelcome excuse.
The girls walked out to the parking lot, and had they been even a second early reaching there, they would have seen Abhi's car speeding off, with Rahul and Armaan in company. But luckily for Abhi and his plan, they did not.
"Hi jeeju", Riddhima said, greeting Atul, who was standing by his car and waiting for Anjali. She hugged him, and then winked as she pulled out. "Have a great time with Di."
Atul smiled awkwardly in return and opened the door for Anjali. Bidding his goodbyes to the girls, he went to his side of the door. Before getting in, he closed his eyes and the last few months flashed before his eyes. Letting out a quick sigh, Atul got into the car and they sped off to the lawyer's office.
Riddhima, standing in between the other two ladies, saw the car make way out of the Sanjeevani gates, and said softly. "I hope they stay like this, happy and in love, forever and always."
Both Muskaan and Nikita looked at her, feeling awful about how unfairly clueless she was. They had nothing to say in return, other than a helpless sigh, just like that of Atul's.
And in the next moment, the girls too settled in the car and drove off to the mall, with Riddhima at the wheel.
***
Atul and Anjali drove in complete silence. While Atul had is focus on the road, his face set hard and un-revealing, Anjali was idly looking out the window, a tear or two escaping her eye as the roads passed by with a swift speed, just like all the meaning of her life was slipping away in a fierce speed.
"Atul", she croaked. "I didn't tell you something." Atul said nothing, as usual. He had stopped talking to his wife altogether, no questions asked and none answered. And it was his silence that haunted Anjali the most. After the night Anjali had told him the truth, and he had shouted on her like crazy, not once had Atul spoken to her, directly or indirectly. He had secluded into a scary cocoon of silence and solitude, and it had trapped within it the Atul they had all known, and whom each and every one of them missed dearly. And undoubtedly, the only person responsible for these turn of events was Anjali.
Now, they were heading for a divorce. A divorce after a debacle, it was seemingly a legal solution. But to Anjali, it was very clear that divorce was just another dead end, and not even close to a solution. It would solve nothing. And so, Anjali wanted to try for one last time to make things better.
She continued. "Our appointment with the lawyer is at 6, not 5."
The tires screeched as Atul hit the brakes. "Kyun?" he asked plainly, looking straight at the road, both his voice and expression void of any hints of emotion.
"I wanted to talk to you, Atul. Please, this is important for me. Ek baar, bas ek baar Atul, listen to me." Anjali spoke deliberately and carefully. And when she received only silence in return, she took it as a yes and continued again. "Yahaan se thoda hi aage Manor's Park hai. Can we go there?"
Atul waited for a moment, debating. Did Anjali really deserve this opportunity? After all that had happened, what was left to say? The angry, impulsive Atul, which had lately come into being, would have drove off straight to the lawyer's.
But there was still the forgiving, compromising, golden-hearted Atul in him, which, despite all that had happened, woke up only at Anje's insistence. And that was the reason why he had left the house as soon as he had found out the truth. He loved Dr. Anjali Gupta a bit too much for his own good. And it would not have taken him very long to break and fall weak in front of her, and let go of all the resolve had he stayed with her under the same roof.
Atul was hurt, betrayed and devastated. This could not be forgiven or forgotten. But whatever the reason maybe, however deep the wounds must be, he could never hate Anjali. In fact, he could never stop loving her, and that's what made him drive to the park's direction.
***
They both sat on the bench near a flower bed, and for a change, Atul broke the hovering silence. "You have something to say, Anjali. But frankly, I have nothing much to hear or understand."
"Divorce is not a solution, Atul", Anjali whispered, her fingers intertwined nervously.
Atul's jaw clenched. "So what is?"
"Maybe we can see a counselor? Or try and mend things with the course of time?" Anjali spoke eagerly, but confidence betrayed her and her voice shook. "I love you, Atul. I still do."
There was the longest pause that followed, and then Atul spoke softly. "I love you too." Anjali's heart ached and eyes stung as she heard those words, because those beautiful words were ironically filled with pain, sadness and regret. "And I don't think I will ever stop doing so. But who knows better than me that it takes a lot more than love for a relationship to survive? Sadly, Anjali, we have nothing of that sort- not trust, not sustenance, not meaning. And", he said, raising a hand, signalling Anjali to let him finish. "Don't even suggest to try working on our relation. I think it could not be more clear that neither I am ready to forgive, nor to forget."
Atul heard Anjali sniff and turned to look at her. She was wearing a light blue top on deep green jeggings. Atul saw that she had no make-up on today, and the little bit of the kohl in her eyes were washed away by the tears. He looked down to her hands, which were obviously intertwined. It was an old habit of Anjali's, to entwine her fingers together whenever she was nervous, or scared or sad. And today, she was all three.
He quietly moved closer to her, and took one of her hands in his. Anjali looked up as Atul idly moved his thumb over her engagement ting. She looked closely, and noticed how much Atul had changed over the last months. The pallor, the lines, the hardness- was it the age taking a toll on him, or the emotional drain? Of course, it had to be the latter. She wanted to cup his face in her hands, kiss away all this pain and let him cry in her arms for all the time he wanted.
Their eyes met, and for a brief second, all the walls that stood between them fell off and the love that brewed in their eyes shone through. Then, abruptly, Atul pulled out his hand. But Anjali quickly held back his hand, looked down, and laced their fingers.
"I understand that you cannot come back to me Atul", she said, "but at least come back. Come back to yourself, Atul, to your older self."
"My older self", Atul repeated, and laughed bitterly. He looked away and said in a far off voice. "If that's the cause you're fighting for, let me tell you Anjali, it's a lost cause."
Anjali's heart tugged with pain. She saw that look on Atul's face which broke her to no bounds- the look of a defeated person. Of course she had realized that this once action of hers had hurt Atul so much, but she realized the intensity of it in this one moment.
Not only had she taken away Atul's love, his wife and family, but she had taken away from him the very person he was. His unwavering trust, not only on her but on everyone, his unfailing love, not only for her but for life, the innocent child in him, admired by everyone who knew him, and his faith and hope in people and relations, which made him the most loved person of all- these were the things of which Atul was made, and she had taken away all of it. She had broken his trust, betrayed his love and killed the child in him, stole away the faith his heart and mind was made of. He was defeated now, disarmed of his own very self.
This took away Anjali's breath. She could not live with his. How could she divorce this man, to whom she meant the world, and who had given her the choicest bliss of life, and just sign off from this relation? How could she leave Atul, broken and defeated? And though it was all because of her own self, and Atul was rightfully opposed to any reconciliation, wasn't it Anjali's duty and responsibility to make things right for him? It was, as a tribute to Atul's love and to bring order in the chaos which she had created. She had to bring back Atul, and this time, not for her, but for Atul himself.
And hence, Anjali played her trump card. "Riddhima", she whispered, and Atul's head spun back. Anjali very well knew that if there was someone Atul loved almost as much as Anjali, it was her sister Riddhima. They shared a special bond which even Anjali could not fathom.
"What about Riddhima?" Atul asked, concerned at once.
Anjali looked up, secretly loving the fact that there hands were still intertwined. "She won't be able to take this, Atul. And especially not now, when she hasn't even recovered from her own demons of past. I have hidden this from her until now, but I cannot and I should not, if we get divorced. I can't even imagine how furious she will be at me, and on top of that, the news of divorce as well. She won't be able to handle it."
Atul nodded. "I have been worried about her too, you know? So, what do you want us to do?"
"Delay this?" Anjali proposed hopefully. "Give me some time, Atul. I will talk to Riddhima as soon as possible, and then we can do whatever you say. But just give me some time. For Riddhima?"
"For Riddhima", Atul whispered. "I'll call the lawyer."
Atul got up to call the lawyer and cancel today's appointment. Anjali, sitting on the bench, smiled wryly. She had bought some time in the name of Riddhima. And what she had told Atul was not entirely wrong. It would actually be a hell of a task to talk to Riddhima about this. But for now, her priority was to bring back Atul. She did not know how she would do it, but she promised herself that she would bring back the Atul Joshi she had fallen in love with.
***
Rahul and Armaan, after returning to Sanjeavni victorious, with Abhi's amazing plan being carried out successfully, drove in Rahul's car to the Blue Water Juhu Mall, reaching there around 9 in the night.
As they reached the parking lot, Rahul called Muskaan and they summoned the girls out of their idea of heaven. The three of them, after around ten minutes, walked out with a myriad of bags accompanying them.
"Woah!" Rahul exclaimed, as the two boys went up and shared the load. "God, girls! Kitni shopping kar hi hai tum logo ne?"
While Riddhima giggled at him comment, the other two ladies stared at him with deadly eyes. And Muskaan soon vented out her anger in words too. "Chup reh tu kameene! Sabke liye hain isme, sirf humaare liye nahi." And following that, Muskaan narrated the entire shopping list to deaf ears.
After bidding good night to each other, and Nikita making an inquiry about Abhi, but in vain, Rahul and Muskaan went to their car and Armaan took his, with Nikita and Riddhima to company.
By 10:30, after dropping a still furious Nikita at home, Armaan and Riddhima reached the Gupta Mansion and he stepped on breaks while on the drive way, on quite a distance from the main gate. Armaan laughed nervously, taking a look at Riddhima's house.
"Kya hua?" Riddhima inquired, even puzzled as to why he had stopped this far from the house.
"Dr. Shashank Gupta, the fearsome Dean ke ghar ke bahaar hoon main. Who bhi unki beti ke saath. Darr to lagega naa."
And though Armaan was earnest, Riddhima burst out laughing. "Tum bhi naa Armaan", she said, shaking her head at him. Armaan smiled his dimpled smile as he witnessed that beautiful laugh once again. God bless his luck!
"By the way Armaan", Riddhima said. "What was it that you wanted to talk about today? Jab Muskaan ne baat nahi karne diya?"
Armaan cursed himself mentally. It was just now that he was blessing his luck, and now it was cursed again. He was already nervous about two things- 1: him outside Shanky's house, with his daughter and 2: the contents of his pocket. Why had to Riddhima increase his nervousness by posing that question right now?
"Actually Riddhima, you won't get angry, would you?" Armaan said, frowning like a kid.
Riddhima smiled. "Of course not, Armaan. Bolo naa."
Armaan let out a sigh. "I wanted to take you out for coffee. I thought you have come to Mumabi after so long, toh Barsaat Caf toh janna banta hai naa?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
"That's really sweet Armaan", Riddhima said. "Thank you for the thought. Ab mujhe chalna chahye, good night Armaan."
"Yeah, good night", Armaan said, and as Riddhima got out of the car, Armaan felt his jeans pocket and started exhaling successively. "Come on Armaan, you can do it. Come on, be a man dude."
"Riddhima!" he called out from his window, and she stopped in her tracks. She turned back and looked at him questioningly. "Go Armaan", he whispered to himself. "Zyaada se zyaada thappad maregi, tho khaa lena naa. Come on."
He got out of his car, his heat beating at the rate of a maniac. Luckily, his voice came out as even as ever. "Riddhima, I have something for you."
"For me? Kya?" Riddhima asked, clueless.
Armaan fished out a red box from his jeans, opened it and presented it to Dr. Riddhima Gupta- a pair of sliver earrings, his first little gift to this woman who had surely secured a place in his heart.
"Oh my God", Riddhima gasped, carefully taking the box in her hands. "This is so beautiful." Riddhima carefully studied the absolutely gorgeous sliver danglers in the shape of a water drop, adorned by an intricate silver work on the inside and a little sliver ball hanging by it.
It was a jewel she would love to have, but then, looking up, she frowned and made her point. " I cannot take this Armaan. This must be so expensive, and you don't have to do this, and you hardly know me, and who am I to you..."
"Riddhima, Riddhima, Riddhima", Armaan said, placing his hand delicately on Riddhima's shoulder to put a break on her ramble. "Shhh", he said, and looked straight into her eyes. "For the last time, I do know you." Riddhima felt Armaan's breath on her lips, and pulled her face downwards. Armaan, realizing their proximity, pulled out quickly and said. "And who you are to me? You're my Basket yaar! You broke my heart", Armaan said, mocking a crest fallen face. Riddhima looked up, and seeing his puppy dog face, started to laugh. "Armaaan", she said, shaking her head at his antics.
"But really Armaan, how can I take this?" Riddhima asked seriously.
"Riddhima", Armaan replied equally seriously. "You're my friend, and you believe it or not, a very special one indeed. Dekho, I know we know each other since merely one week. But for me, time does not really matter to know a person. Only in the last few days, I know what an amazing person you are, and it would be my privilege to have you in my life."
Riddhima stared at Armaan, speechless. She was at a loss of words, and whatever had happened in the last few minutes was an unfathomable swirl to her. "Armaan", she said again.
"Oh come on Riddhima!" Armaan said. "Dekho, this is my token of friendship for you. The day you consider me your friend, my lady, return the favour. Done?"
Riddhima took a moment. "Done", she said finally. Riddhima smiled warmly at him and added. "Thank you, Armaan. This is beautiful."
"It isn't yet, Basket", Armaan whispered, taking a step closer.
"Matlab?" Riddhima enquired innocently.
Armaan shook his head, smiling at her. He winked at Riddhima and said, "Good night, Basket."
***
And sleep evaded everyone that night.
Rahul and Muskaan sat with piping hot mugs of coffee, as Rahul narrated his ideas of what he was thinking about Armaan and Riddhima over the last one week. While Muskaan saw this as quite an amazing development, Rahul expressed his deep worry over how Riddhima's past could hinder.
Nikita paced up and down the room, her phone in her hand, furiously awaiting Abhi's apology call. And her anger only heightened when it was past 3 and he hadn't called. Tears streamed down her face as she sat on the floor cross legged, her lehnga spread on the floor, and the box of ring she had bought for Abhi held tightly in her hand.
Abhimanyu, on the other hand, sat on his couch, the little surprise he had for Nikita held in his hand. The excitement in him for tomorrow kept him from even blinking. And though his fingers itched to call up Nikita, he kept his resolve with great difficulty. After all, some little happy moments had to be given up for bigger surprises.
Atul was still in his cabin, like almost every other night. But tonight was different. Instead of his project file opened on his computer screen, today the LED flashed his and Anjali's wedding picture, at which he had been staring since quite some time. Memories, both good and bad, ran like a film in front his eyes, and Atul lay awake on his seat, mulling over the nothingness he had ended up with.
Anjali walked around her empty house, tracing her fingers over things and places which screamed with memories of her and Atul. She had come to the worrisome conclusion that the trump card she had used on Atul, that is Riddhima, was the only way to bring back the old Atul as well. If someone could reach to him in a state like this, it was only Riddhima. And for that, she had to tell Riddhima everything, and that was one thing she had feared since the day Riddhima had arrived.
Riddhima, unaware of the turmoil in her Di's life, sat on her study, staring at Armaan's gift. She was, like always, amazed and perplexed by Armaan's actions. His words echoed in her ears, and she felt weirdly elated. And midst this, in her new found happiness, her past flashed in front of her. She slowly walked to her drawer and took out a little red box from her bag. She flipped it open and saw the platinum band that had adorned her ring finger for over two years. She traced her finger at the little S' that the ring bore. She looked back, her eyes welling up a little and laid her eyes on the earrings. Riddhima smiled, sniffed back the tears, put the ring back in her cupboard and walked to her table. She bent down, and whispered in the box of the earring. "Thank you, Armaan. Thank you for everything."
Dr. Armaan Mallik was on a roll. He was dancing around, rock music playing in the background and a bowl of chocolate fondue was being licked off by him. It had been an amazing day, and even more amazing week. Not even in his wildest dreams had Armaan imagined himself to go head over heels for a girl, that too in such a short span of time. But then, who cares! What he knew was that Riddhima made him feel different, and that different feeling was something wonderful and beautiful. He wasn't in a mood to answer or mull over the numerous questions which crop up in times as such, because all the answers would boil down to only one thing and he knew what that was. Armaan sat down on his, and mused. "I think I am in love."
*
Like memories of past of plague our present, thoughts of the present plague our nights. And hence, no one slept that night.
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