14.Welcome Baby Mallik
Armaan has left for his business trip, leaving Riddhima with his parents and grandparents. Somewhere he felt he was doing the wrong and when he was going away, it felt like he had been leaving a part of him behind. Since its home so there will always be a part of him, but Armaan felt like he was leaving a part of him with Riddhima. Armaan could see the pain in her eyes when he had announced that he is leaving. Riddhima had held her tears when Armaan left.
Its been about two weeks that Riddhima is without Armaan. Riddhima barely talks, but she does it because she knows that she'll get a wrath from Armaan if she doesn't. Riddhima didn't want Armaan to get angry at her anymore.
Riddhima looks at herself in her mirror and puts her hand on stomach. Her baby will be here in a month. She is excited and yet nervous at the same time. What if she couldn't be the perfect mother to her child? What if the child doesn't like his or her parents relationship? Those types of questions roamed her mind, making her head ache a bit. Riddhima lays down to get some rest when she feels a sharp pain in her stomach. Riddhima scrunches up her face in pain then relaxes as the pain subsides, but it starts again and that is when she realizes that it is time. Riddhima, doing her best makes her way downstairs, inhaling and exhaling. "Ma!" Riddhima yells and she sits on the last stair because she couldn't take it anymore. All four of them rush over to Riddhima and see Riddhima clutching her stomach and crying in pain. "I think time aa gaya hai," Dadi said, sitting next to Riddhima. "Jaldi se gadi nikaliye!" Ananya yells and helps Riddhima up with Dadajan. Dadi follows with Riddhima's bag that the three ladies packed a few days ago.
Armaan on the other hand was sitting in a meeting at the head of the table. He was listening to the presentation carefully, but his mind would always drift off to Riddhima. Armaan tried his best not to let Riddhima effect him during this trip, but not wanting to, she still is. Armaan feels his phone vibrating in his pocket and he checks it under the table. It was Rahul calling which made him confused. What did Rahul need? His phone kept on vibrating and the other men had heard his phone vibrating. "Mr. Mallik it may be important that your phone keeps on vibrating," said the presenter. Armaan gives them a apologetic smile and picks up his phone. "Kya chaiye hai tujhe?" Armaan says in a low voice in gritted teeth, but with a smile. "Riddhima is in labor!" Rahul yells over the phone. Rahul and the rest had found out fifteen minutes after because Billy had called them once they reached the hospital. "What! But she is like a month early!" Armaan yells, causing the heads of the workers turn towards him. Armaan didn't care about them as he was in shock. "Aise cheeze hoti rehti hai lekin tu jaldi se aaja," Rahul says. "Yeah, yeah I'm coming," Armaan said, hanging up then standing up. The colleagues looked at him confused. "I'm sorry, I have to leave. My wife's in labor," Armaan said and he ran out without them even answering. On the way to the airport, Armaan booked himself a flight. The flight should be an hour back instead of a car drive which is five hours.
An hour later, Riddhima is still in the hospital and on the other hand, Armaan has just reached at the airport. Armaan tells the front desk to send his luggage to his home then runs out of the airport.
Armaan reaches the hospital and runs in the waiting room where his family and friends were waiting. Everyone had a worried expression on their faces which he didn't like a bit. Armaan runs over to them. "Kya hua?" Armaan asks, panting. "Riddhima, abhi andar lekin she's not doing well," Anjali tells Armaan, worriedly. "Matlab?" Armaan asks, confused and still catching his breath. "She won't push hard enough!" Muskaan yells at Armaan. "Muskaan, calm down," Rahul puts his hands on Muskaan's shoulders to be able to calm her down. The doctor walks out. "Mr. Mallik we need you inside. Riddhima won't cooperate." Armaan follows the doctor inside. She was the same doctor that has been doing Riddhima's monthly check ups.
Armaan walks over to Riddhima who looks exhausted and sweating. Armaan puts his hand on the railing and holds Riddhima's hand with him leaning over. "Main aa gaya hoon," Armaan whispers. Riddhima turns her head towards Armaan with a tear slipping out. "Main nai kar sakti," Riddhima says, crying. "Shh, tum kar sakti ho," Armaan encourages Riddhima. "Meri aankhon main dekho." Riddhima looks in Armaan's eyes. "And do the best you can," Armaan says in a soft voice. Riddhima starts pushing while holding Armaan's hand tight and sweating. Armaan's hand stayed locked with Riddhima's while his eyes stayed gazing in Riddhima's eyes. Riddhima closes her eyes and arches her neck and pushes, as she groans. A beautiful cry of their born child is heard in the room. Riddhima closes her eyes as tears escape her eyes. Armaan leans down and kisses Riddhima's forehead. Riddhima slowly opens her eyes and looks up at Armaan. Armaan looks in Riddhima's eyes and slowly leans down. He presses his lips on Riddhima's, giving her soft peck.
The nurse hands Riddhima their son wrapped in a blue blanket. Riddhima, carefully takes her child in her hands and admires it. "Congratulations! Its a boy!" the doctor said with a happy smile. Armaan and Riddhima smile at the doctor with thankfulness. The doctor understands their smile and gives them a nod. "I'll call your family and friends," the doctor walks out of the room. Riddhima looks up at Armaan with a grin. Armaan smiles and looks at his son. "Naam kya rakhe?" Riddhima asks. "Aarav," Armaan whispers, looking down at their son. Riddhima looks up at Armaan with moist eyes. Armaan turns his head to look at her but at the same time Riddhima looks down at Aarav. The door opened of the room and walks in Armaan's parents and his grandparents along with their friends. Everyone gasp at the sight of the new born baby in Riddhima's arms. Ananya stands beside Riddhima's bed and strokes her hair. "Tumne aaj sabko khushi di hai," Ananya says, stroking Riddhima's hair. Riddhima gives a tired smile to Ananya and looks down at Aarav, who just opened his eyes. His eyes were exactly like Armaan's. Muskaan gasps,"Iski aankhen toh Armaan jaise hai." Armaan looks at Muskaan then at his son's eyes to find them the same eyes. "Well, abhi se hi pata chal raha hai ke yeh Armaan par gaya," Dadi said. "Iski naak toh Riddhima jaise hai," Dadajan said, poking Aarav's nose lightly, making him squirm a little. "Tum dono ne naam kya rakha?" Atul asks. "Aarav," Armaan says. "Aarav Armaan Mallik," Billy announces. Everyone smiles and just admire the beautiful, baby Mallik.
"Jaldi karo woh aate hi honge!" Anjali yells throughout the house which was decorated with balloons and a banner which said 'Welcome Home Aarav.' Ananya and Dadi put the dishes on the dining table, so when they arrive the food is ready. Upstairs, Atul and Rahul were doing finish touchings on Aarav's room. Billy and Dadajan are putting up decorations, while Anjali and Muskaan were setting the table. Riddhima is returning from the hospital with Aarav after two days of staying in the hospital. Armaan had stayed with Riddhima throughout those two days.
Armaan drove the car while Riddhima sat in the passenger, and their new born baby in the backseat, buckled in a car seat. Armaan parks the car in the driveway of their house and they look at each other. They get out and Armaan takes out Aarav's car seat and carries it to the front door. Armaan unlocks the front door with one hand while the other one held the car seat. Riddhima's face a different glow along with Armaan's. They walk inside. "SURPRISE!" Armaan and Riddhima look around to see the house decorated the big banner and the closest people in their lives. Riddhima smiles and looks around the house again. Dadi walks over to Riddhima and hugs her as Armaan sets the car seat on the floor. Ananya walks over and takes Aarav out of his car seat. Armaan smiles seeing his family and friends with such excitement. Everyone followed Ananya as she had Aarav while Armaan and Riddhima stayed back. Armaan and Riddhima look at each other with a smile. Armaan holds Riddhima's hand and they walk in the living. Their shoulders were touching so the others couldn't see their hands entwined with each others, and they were too occupied with Aarav. "Jab tak yeh sab nai jaate, I don't think hume mauka mile ga apne bete ko dekhne," Armaan mumbles to Riddhima. Riddhima giggles silently and looks at everyone crowded around Aarav, who was laying on the carpet with a blanket underneath him.
Later that night, Armaan walks in their room to see Riddhima holding Aarav in her arms. She looks up at Armaan then back down at Armaan. They resembled to each other so much. Riddhima caresses Aarav's cheek with her eyes moist a little. Armaan gives one glance at her then goes in the bathroom to change. Tears fell from Riddhima's eyes. She's have given birth and Armaan still hasn't realized his love for Riddhima. How long is Riddhima suppose to wait? They have a son now. Their son needs love by both of their parents together not separately. Riddhima gets up and puts Aarav in the crib that was in their room right now. She watches Aarav for a while then walks back to the bed when she hears the bathroom door open. Armaan turns off the light and gets into bed. He hears Riddhima sniff and he could have a slight chance to know why she is crying. Armaan turns Riddhima around so she is facing him and hugs her. Riddhima cries in his arms and holds Armaan tight. If this is the only way to get Armaan to hold her and feel some care or love from him, then she doesn't care. He presses his lips to Riddhima's forehead and Riddhima lets out a staggered breath and it hits Armaan's neck. Armaan sighs and buries his face in Riddhima's neck. He's starting to realize a little that Riddhima is effecting him badly. Armaan lifts his head up as his cheek rests against Riddhima's. He stares at Aarav's crib as a tear strolls down his cheek. Armaan never wanted to hurt Riddhima, but then losing his first love, then marrying the girl that is the mother of your child. Things took such a big turn and that to quick that Armaan wasn't ready to face any of it. What did he do that he deserves all this, Armaan wondered. He's been holding this in himself and now he couldn't take it anymore. Armaan lets it all out by crying. By the time he had started crying, Riddhima had fell into deep slumber.
Riddhima wakes up to see Armaan laying next to her with his eyes staring up at the ceiling. She sits up and looks around to find Aarav still sleeping in his crib. Riddhima looks at Armaan and sees his eyes bloodshot red making her gasp. Armaan was broken from his thoughts by Riddhima's gasp. He looks at Riddhima and Riddhima stares at him wide eyed. "Aap ro rahe the?" Riddhima asks in a whisper. Armaan sits up and turns his head in the opposite direction. "Nai. Main kyun ro ga?" Armaan said, getting off of the bed, but Riddhima grabs his hand. "Aap mujhse jhoot nai bol sakte," Riddhima said with her voice filled with confidence. Armaan turns his head and stares at Riddhima with a hard expression. "Your right! Ab tak jo meri zindagi main hua hai, I wasn't ready. Anu ko khona, tumse shaadi karna, aur ab bacha paalna. I can't do it Riddhima, I just can't." Armaan sits down at the edge of the bed with his elbows resting on his thighs and his face buried in his hands. "Sab kuch bohut jaldi ho raha hai." Armaan says in a soft voice, while crying. Riddhima's eyes had gotten moist to. Riddhima puts her hand on Armaan's shoulder and looks at his face from the side. "Main aap ko kuch karne main zabardasti nai karogi. Jab aap chahe toh aap kuch kar sakte hain, main aap ko roko gi nai. Mere liye bhi sab kuch itni jaldi hua hai. Aap akele nai hain. Please, aap yeh boaj apne upar se hata de aur apni zindagi jiye," Riddhima says, then gets off the bed and walks in the bathroom. Armaan stares at the closed bathroom door in which Riddhima walked through. He's starting to realize even more about his feelings and that to for Riddhima. Armaan stands up and walks over to Aarav's crib. Armaan looks down at Aarav and light strokes Aarav's small cheek with his big hand. Aarav stirs and wakes up, crying. Armaan started to panic and didn't know how to make Aarav stop crying. Armaan, carefully picks up Aarav and rocks him gently. Soon, Aarav stopped crying and looked up at Armaan. Armaan with his wet eyes, smiles at his one day old son. "Hey," Armaan whispers. "Tum kabhi aise mat rona. Mujhe acha nai lagta, okay?" Armaan said. Aarav moved his hand like he understood Armaan and agreed. From the bathroom door, Riddhima was watching Armaan with a huge smile on her face. She also panicked when she heard Aarav crying. So, Riddhima opens the door to find Armaan holding Aarav. Riddhima was right all along. Maybe Aarav can make Armaan realize his feelings for her. Riddhima turns around, slowly because she did not want to take her eyes off of the beautiful scene in front of her, but knew Armaan would give Aarav to her when he sees her. So, Riddhima closes the bathroom door quietly and continues what she was doing.
Armaan sits on the single couch that was in their room with Aarav in his arms. Armaan rocks the couch back and forth with his feet, lightly so Aarav doesn't get scared. While Armaan was staring down at Aarav, he could see glimpses of Riddhima in him, even though he mostly looked like Armaan. By seeing the glimpses of Riddhima in Aarav, he remembered the first time he met her at her interview.
Riddhima walks in the conference room where her interview is held by the CEO of the Mallik Empire. It is one of, actually the most successful business in the history of businesses. Riddhima has head a lot about Mr. Mallik and also seen his pictures. She thought to give it a shot to fill out her application and send her resume in. Riddhima thought that she won't get the job because she is new in the business world and also that a huge company like the Mallik Empire would hire her. Then, luckily, one day she got a phone call and it was from the Mallik Empire.
Riddhima walks in the conference room to find a guy in his mid twenties, sitting in a black suit and having a files and papers in front of him. When he looked at Riddhima with his electrifying blue-gray eyes, Riddhima couldn't breathe. "Hi, Ms. Riddhima Gupta, right?" he said, standing up. Riddhima could barely nod, but he saw her nod. "Hi, I'm Armaan Mallik," he said with his arm outstretched for Riddhima to shake his hand. Riddhima, hesitantly and slowly put her hand in his and shook it. Riddhima felt a new feeling in her body that she couldn't explain. "Please, have a seat," Armaan said, taking a seat himself and Riddhima in front of him. Armaan started asking question and Riddhima answered them smoothly. She was surprised at herself that she answered them so easily, because seeing Armaan when she entered, she was stiff and her mouth was dry. Armaan had noticed her nervousness when she walked in, but hadn't seen the effect he had on her.
Now, Armaan sits here with his and Riddhima's son in his arms. Things are so different now and feelings are different. Basically, everything is different now. Nothing has stayed the same as before. Obviously, people miss things before the changes, but then get use to the new things in life too. Armaan couldn't believe that Riddhima did all of this. She went against her parents and did this. Any girl wouldn't have done this, she would care more about herself than her friends. Riddhima is a girl that could is found one in a million. He should appreciate and give Riddhima the respect that she deserves, not the coldness and loneliness she is getting. Today, Armaan has promised himself another thing. He will make sure that Riddhima gets the whatever she is yearning for. It will probably take Armaan time, but he has to live with Riddhima for the rest of his life. His heart always betrays his mind whenever he is close to Riddhima.
Armaan looks up when he hears someone clear their throat. He finds Riddhima staring down at him. "Aarav ko bhook lagi hogi," Riddhima said. "Oh, haan," Armaan hands Aarav to Riddhima. Riddhima turns around to walk to the bed to feed Aarav, but then turns her head slightly back towards Armaan. Riddhima was shy to feed to Aarav in front of him. Armaan understood and went out of the room. Riddhima was touched by this even though it was the tiniest thing ever.
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I hope this part was good. What do you all think?
PS: There will be leaps in this FF.
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