EPISODE EIGHTY-FOUR
Before Armaan could react, Falak who understood her mother's reference, interjected impatiently, "Haan Chachu, hum sab abhi Riddhima Chachijaan se milke hi aa rahe hain. Wo bhot-bhot khubsurat hain Chachu. Bilkul jannat ki hoor dikhti hain."
"She is really beautiful Chachu." Zayan who was usually a quite boy, too complimented.
"Sach mein Armaan. Main humesha sochti thi tum jaisi shaandaar personality match kar sake, aisi koi ladki bani bhi hai ya nahi. Par Riddhima ko dekh ke dil ko bada sukun mila hai. Wo bilkul tumhaari takkar ki hai. Tumhaare Bhaijaan aur dusron se jitni taarif suni thi, wo us se kahin badh kar hai. Bhot hi pyaari hai tumhaari begum." Naazneen mused.
Armaan was taken aback at their sudden open reference. He was prepared for the teasing, coz it came quite naturally with Naazneen when it comes to him. But he wasn't not expecting such open mention of the person he was missing most, who was technically supposed to be with him at the moment on this special day. But no, nothing is supposedly normal in his life, especially when it came to his relationship with her.
He groaned inwardly. Why are they all after his life today? Every person he was meeting today was singing praises of his newly-wedded-wife's beauty, whom he hasn't even seen yet. "Yeah right..." he mumbled smilingly awkwardly as unknowingly his gaze swept through the crowd to find her. Alas, she was nowhere in sight.
~~~~~~~~~
Same time... at the ladies table.
"Angel ab aap araam se yahaan baitho. Aur kisi cheez ki zaroorat ho to, call us any time. Hum baad mein aate hain." Vaibhav said while pulling a chair for her like a gentleman before running away, with Yash in tow.
"Ye kya tha?" Minnie smirked looking at their retreating back.
"Main bataati hu..." Anjali offered, "Mom ke guests se milne ke baad Riddhima wapis yahaan aana chaahti hogi aur Mom ne use akeli nahi aane diya hoga. To humaare Mr.Vaibhav Joshi aur Mr.Yash Gupta ne humaari pyaari si dulhan ko yahaan tak escort karne ki responsibility li hogi... Hai na Riddhima?"
"Ji." Riddhima smiled at her nodding in agreement.
"See..." Anjali gestured proudly.
Next few minutes, the ladies sat there chatting about things.
"Agar izaazat ho to kya hum bhi aapke jashn mein shaamil ho sakte hain Bhabhijaan?"
The ladies looked back to see Naazneen standing there with her kids.
"Naazo Bhabhi?" Anjali got up quickly and hugged her, "Kaisi ho aap?"
Naazneen hugged her back, "Main to badi achchhi hu. Lekin tum batao, humaari aane waali nayi khushkhabari ka theek se khayaal rakh rahi ho na?"
Anjali blushed, "Rakh rahi hu Bhabhijaan."
Naazneen laughed, "Bhot achchhe..." She looked at Muskaan, "Aur Muskaan, tum kab humaare haathon mein naya gudda ya ek pyaari si guddi rakhne waali ho?"
Muskaan replied chuckling, "Bas bhot jaldi Naazo Bhabhi."
"Arey..." Anjali saw the kids standing behind Naazneen. She pulled them ahead, "Tum dono peeche kyun chhup ke khade ho?"
"Aaj to humaari Falak bhot hi pyaari lag rahi hai." Muskaan commented while Falak blushed. "Aur Zayan, tum bhi ekdum Hero lag rahe ho." Zayan looked at her embarrassed as the ladies laughed at their reactions. The kids greeted Anjali, Minnie and Muskaan.
"Arey bachchon, tum dono ne hum sabko to wish kar diya, par tumhe nahi lagta ki aaj ki sabse special insaan ko to wish karna tum bhul gaye ho?" Minnie said.
Falak, the bubbly one understood her indication. She smiled at Riddhima who sat beside Anjali, "Nahi Minnie Aunty, hum to aap sabse pahle unhe wish kar bhi chuke hain."
"Pahle hi?" Minnie asked.
"Haan, pahle hi." Falak shrugged.
Riddhima saw Anjali, Muskaan and Minnie looking at her questioningly while she was smiling at Falak. She replied, "Wo main jab Mom ke saath thi tab ye log wahin mile the."
"Oh..." They exclaimed in unison.
Naazneen took place around the table along with her kids.
A little later Anjali, looked towards the Patio. Earlier Armaan was surrounded by guests, but she noticed that now he was almost alone and only Rahul and Atul were there with him. She stood up, "Riddhima chalo." Without questioning Riddhima followed her. She was meeting too many guests today. Anjali might be taking her to meet few more.
~~~~~~~~~
As they reached the patio, Anjali called, "Hey Armaan."
"Hey Bhabhi." Armaan looked at her and smiled weekly.
"Sab theek hai na? You look lost." she asked.
"Lost? Nahi to. Everything is alright." He repudiated.
"Ok." She nodded. Pausing momentarily, she asked, "You sure you don't want anything?"
"No Bhabhi. Thanks." He said politely.
"Then aren't you forgetting something?" she raised her brow.
"Bhabhi, whats with you today? Bola na I am fine and I don't want anything." He replied a little irritably. Why was she fussing so much?
Anjali knew why he was getting cranky. Suppressing her smile, she sighed, "To theek hai. I thought I should return something that we borrowed from you a little ago. But now that you don't want anything, main use wapis apne saath le jaati hu." With that she turned around and took Riddhima's hand, who was standing behind her talking to Rahul, "Chal Riddhima."
Armaan didn't notice Riddhima earlier as she stood behind Anjali with her back facing them, hidden from his view. But as soon as Anjali turned, his eyes widened as he realized what she was trying to say. He called, "Bhabhi." Anjali stopped but didn't turn towards him, "Err... you wanted to leave something here na?" he asked expectantly looking at Riddhima's back.
Anjali suppressed her smirk. She half-turned her head and smiled at him. Aww, he looked like a kid whose favorite ice-cream was being taken away from him, especially when he is damn hungry. Shaking her head at his child like expressions, she turned towards Riddhima and spoke to her, "Riddhima, ab tum yahin pe baitho. Baaki guests tumse yahin milne aayenge. Ok?"
"Ji." She shook her head, but she saw Anjali moving away, she called, "Aap kahaan jaa rahi ho Bhabhi?" Riddhima asked nervously.
"Mujhe kuchh kaam hai." Anjali said.
"Par Bhabhi, main yahaan akeli..." Riddhima said unsurely.
"Tum akeli kahaan ho, Armaan hai na yahaan." Smiling she gestured towards him and before Riddhima stopped her, walked away hurriedly.
"Par Bhabhi..." she tried again, but no use. Anjali was gone.
What now? She thought. Yes, for a change, Riddhima was thinking. What am I supposed to do now? Here at the patio... How should I behave? Do I have to keep smiling, even when my nervousness has started taking over once again? Am I supposed to sit... somewhere?
She looked up for a moment to see guests hovering around the place. Then got back to her thinking mode. Should I just stand here and keep looking somewhere in particular? But where? And if I have to stand, then in which direction should I face? Should I turn on the other side?
Riddhima was too busy trying to figure out answers to all her stupid or non-stupid questions. She completely missed that Anjali has told her about Armaan being there beside her.
Armaan smiled at Anjali as she left winking at him meaningfully. Then straightened, what the hell? Why am I smiling? And what was that wink for? His gaze then fell on Riddhima once again. Her back was facing him.
Why isnt she turning around? He mused. His breathing shallowed just by the thought of her standing just a few feet away from him. He haven't been able to see her in the past three days... actually its been almost two weeks now.
She was on leave before marriage for about a week and even before that he couldn't see her for many days due to his work-schedules. Then, Aarti told him not to see her in face as a part of some ritual, wherein a groom and bride aren't supposed see or meet each other after the day they are enganged till they get married.
Who made that rule? He has been in a funk for a while... secretly. But then, he hadn't protested. And why should he have? Aarti is his Mom, and whatever she says is for his own good. However now, after he got married to her, which is now more than 42 hours, he still hasn't been able to look at her even once, because of many random reasons.
Today, ever since the reception party started two hours back, things have turned weird. She has been quite busy, meeting guests... Aarti's friends; Omang's friends; Atul's friends; Anjali's friends; his own friends's who instead of meeting her with him, met her when she was with Atul. Wasn't she supposed to meet them with him, instead of Atul? She even met Vaibhav's friends and don't know who all she was being introduced to.
His friends have even commented that he is lucky to have such a beautiful wife. Rest of the guests also passed similar remarks, calling her the prettiest bride they have ever seen. Their statements about her have only added fuel to the desire lit like a fire that burned in him to see her. His rising frustration was now forcing him to think, if everyone who spoke about Riddhima have teamed up against him to play this teasing game.
He was quite surprised by his family's behavior, which seem to have completely forgotten that HE is the one who got married, and he needs some attention too. Besides, isnt that obvious for people to make sure that the newly wedded couple spend some time together, atleast on their first night. Forget spending time, atleast they should be able to 'see' each other... literally.
He sighed. He couldn't have a first night, nor had he got a chance to look at her face. Anyways, that's all gone. He couldn't do anything about it. He didn't know why he was feeling so bad about not having a first night. It wasn't like he had a love marriage. To him it was still an arranged one. But his heart knew better.
His heart knew the truth already' for a while actually. Now even his brain has started questioning him about his feelings.
Why has he started behaving differently all of a sudden?
He has been restless all these days about many things. He wanted to see her, listen to her voice, talk to her, ask her something, say something to her and what not. Nevertheless, all those things can still wait. Right now as she stood beside him, there was only thing on his mind... to look at her face... just once.
He didn't know why he was feeling so impatient, just to see her. He did like her, that's what he has admitted to himself, but the word called love, still hasn't crossed his mind. All he knew was that he wants to be close to her. And in these past three hours of the party, the only thing he had been able see, is merely a glimpse of her back... and that has been pushing his patience to limits.
She looked absolutely different person from the back. Not that he never has seen her back, of course he has. But today she was dressed very differently... the way, he has never seen her before. Her Silver-Lavender lahenga, her thin matching silver dupatta, her blouse, every item of her dress has been designed to make sure that whoever sees her from the back, will be a fool to miss meeting her; coz if she could look so sexy and beautiful from back, then how enticing will she be... when seen face to face.
The change in Music, which was a comparatively faster number now, made him come back from his thinking-planet. He looked away for a second. Then his brow knitted as he looked at her... this time in full control. She was still looking other side. What is she doing?
"Ahem-Ahem..." he cleared his throat to get her attention. She didn't react. "Err... Ahem-Ahem..." he repeated again, a little louder this time. But of course... no use. Confused, he moved closer to her just to hear her mumbling something softly, to herself.
"Bhabhi aise mujhe akele chhod ke chali gayi. Ab main kya karun?" she mumbled to herself. "Itni der se atleast koi to tha mere saath, ab yahaan akele..." she was getting nervous again.
What does she mean by akele? Cant she see me here? Its not like I am in an invisible mode. She can be with me. She should be with me. Armaan thought.
"Yahaan akele khade rahne se to achcha hai, main waapis Muskaan Bhabhi aur Minnie ke paas chalu. Atleast koi to baat karne ke liye hoga. Anjali Bhabhi to kaam se gayi hain na." She muttered. "Par ye Lahenga..." she held her Lahenga from side, "...its too heavy..." then exhaled leaving it, "Koi baat nahi, I can manage..." she assured herself and held it up again to go back.
What? Armaan got alarmed. She is going... do something man, he told himself before abruptly moving further closer to her, "R-Riddhima..." this time his voice was loud enough to be heard by her, maybe coz her question round was done by now.
Startled, she turned around and... stumbled backward. Her abrupt movement made her step on her own Lahenga making her fall in the opposite direction.
But whats this? She did not fall? She thought with her eyes closed. Only her wrist was getting warm as if something... no as if someone is holding it. Her eyes shot open.
Armaan held her wrist immediately as he noticed her falling. Half hanging in air with her spine twisted backwards as she bend in the opposite direction, she was facing him now. His heart stopped momentarily before thumping again at a faster pace. Before he thought anything further, something happened that pushed his heart-beat further more... she opened her eyes.
Even though there was no physical contact between the two of them, except that Armaan strong palm was firmly wrapped around her soft wrist, the sparks still ran through their veins. If looking at her back has send him into a restless state on thinking-planet, then THIS has definitely thrown him somewhere nobody could reach, except him and her.
Armaan stared at her dumbfounded, as if watching her for the very first time, while Riddhima too stared back at him with her eyes wide. They haven't seen each other in such groomed state, especially this close.
Riddhima was startled not only by his sudden appearance; there was something very different about him today. She could feel a strange throbbing in her wrist around which his palm was wrapped. Within few moments, her frown disappeared as she found herself staring back into his intent gray eyes, which bored back deeply into her own green ones.
Feelings they didn't know existed, were trying to make their existence felt by emanating through their eyes. If his eyes were deep and drowning, then the look he had in them was more enticing, surreal, and captivating. Armaan felt exactly same about hers.
He didn't know when but he found his other hand lightly placed over her other hand... just about near his heart. It was only when the song changed again to yet another fast number, he came back to reality. He didn't move his gaze though, he couldn't... but blinked slowly, as if not wanting her to break out from her dazed state.
But, she moved. As soon as he blinked, she too snapped out of it. She looked away and gulped slowly. Stealing a glance of him, she found him smiling at her. Some kids were playing near the Patio, and their loud shrieking voices brought her back completely.
She tried to turn away, but couldn't as her hand was trapped. She noticed that he was still holding her wrist. She tried to pull it away, but his grip was as firm as it was earlier. In fact, both her hands were under his control. The wrist of one of her hands was held tightly and was stretched out a little away in air; while her other hand that was near his heart was held lightly. She tried freeing her other hand from near his heart. He didn't let go.
"Hi Armaan." One of Armaan's friend came there to meet the couple, which made Riddhima increase her struggle to free herself.
Armaan left her hand that was near his heart, but didn't leave her other wrist. He looked at his friend and replied, "Hi Samrat."
Riddhima too turned towards the man who came to congratulate them. Again, she tried to free her hand that was still in his hold. Armaan tightened his grip a little more, and whispered near her ear, "Stay here." Then he left her wrist.
Riddhima looked at him surprised while he hugged his friend. She rubbed her wrist to ease blood flow through her veins frowning slightly.
"Hi Bhabhi." Samrat greeted her.
She smiled looking up, "Hello..." not knowing what else to say, she continued rubbing her hand.
Samrat noticed her doing so. He has seen Armaan holding Riddhima's hand. "Armaan, man you shouldn't try your martial art techniques on her. Atleast spare Bhabhi." He laughed.
Flabbergasted by his comment, Armaan mumbled, "You saw." Samrat nodded. Covering up, he said lamely, "I wasn't doing that. She was... err... she was about to fall."
"Ooo... I understand. I completely understand man." Pausing a little he added, "But looked like it worked well for you." Samrat pursed his lips smiling meaningfully.
Armaan glared at him, then glanced at Riddhima, who didn't seems to have understood his comment. Her confused frown clearly told that. He muttered, "Shut up Samrat."
"Arey ismein shut up ki kya baat hai." Samrat said. "Achcha chhod. Ye bata..." with that, he started talking about random things. Armaan tried his best to keep Riddhima involved so that she doesn't feel out of the place, and he succeeded a little when she giggled at one of their jokes.
After Samrat left, Armaan smiled looking at her. When she smiled back at him, he asked, "Loads to handle na?" she returned a questioning glance. He pointed towards the crowd, "You are meeting so many people today."
"Hmm... too many." She said softly.
"Don't worry. Not a big deal. Its just for today that you are feeling nervous. But I am sure you will get used to it." He said.
"Tumhe kaise pata ki..." she looked surprised. How does he know that she doesn't feel too comfortable when in such big crowd?
Armaan just smiled and turned to look at the crowd. A moment later he asked, "You want something? I mean its late, you must be feeling thristy or something."
"No I am fine." She replied playing with her dupatta. "Tumhe kuchh chaahiye?"
He shook negatively and mumbled, "Jo chaahiye tha, wo to mil gaya."
"Huh?"
"Huh?" he looked back at her. "Err... Nahi, kuchh nahi chaahiye mujhe."
"Ok." She sighed looking away.
"Why don't you sit down." He saw her fidgeting with her Lahenga. When she turned to him, he added, "Your Lahenga seems too heavy. You can sit here if you want." He pointed towards the Big Royal Couch behind them. Riddhima nodded as they went to sit on the couch.
Few more people came to congratulate them. Armaan couldn't help steal glances of her. How he wished they could be alone for a while. Looking at her today, he felt something twist in his heart. He realized that, maybe this twist was always there, but the way she looked today, it played a catalyst for something deep. Something has definitely changed, and he could clearly feel that.
Sometimes later when they were alone, he thought of saying something, but like always, they were interrupted by people. In no way, they were going to be left alone today.
"Armaan..." He got up surprised hearing that soft-soothing voice.
"Guruji aap?" Armaan neared Guruji and touched his feet only to be stopped by him.
"Uhun..." Guruji saw him giving a confused look and smiled, "Aaj bhi akele hi aashirwaad loge?"
"Oh..." Armaan understood and looked back at Riddhima.
Riddhima have already stood up and was waiting for Armaan to give her a side so that she could also take Guruji's blessings. Armaan gestured her to come ahead. Then bending down he asked her to do the same along with him. She complied.
"Ishwar tum dono ki Jodi humesha banaaye rakhe. Sada khush raho." He blessed the couple. As they stood up, Guruji continued, "Tum dono humesha ek dusre ka waise hi saath dete raho, jaise aaj tak dete aaye ho."
Armaan-Riddhima looked at him confused while Guruji just smiled.
"Aapko bhot-bhot abhaar hai Guruji. Aap humaare bachchon ko aashirwaad dene yahaan aaye." Omang said who had accompanied him to the patio.
"Mujhe to ana hi tha Omang... vachan jo diya tha. Waise bhi in dono bachchon ki shaadi pe main nahi aa paya, aaj kaise nahi ata." Guruji replied politely. [vachan = promise]
"Yo to aapka badappan hai Guruji." Omang said.
Guruji smiled. Then turned to Armaan, "Tumhaare har sawaal ka jawaab tumhe khud hi dhundhna hoga Armaan. Aane waale samay mein bhot si chhoti-badi cheezein hain jo tumhe hairaan bhi karengi aur thoda pareshaan bhi." He laughed a little, "Par chinta mat karna..." He glanced at Riddhima while talking to Armaan, "tumhaari hairaani ka kaaran aur tumhaari taaqat, dono ek hi hai. Aur wo ab tumhaare saath hai."
Armaan stared at him for a moment. What does he mean by 'hairaan-preshaan'? Though he couldn't get everything Guruji said, but he knew that there must be some reson behind what Guruji was saying. The only thing he could make out was that, it has something to do with Riddhima and his relationship, "Ji Guruji." He shook his head obediently.
"Jeete raho." Guruji blessed him again. Then he spoke to Riddhima, "Riddhima bitiya, tumhe abhi bhot si baatein seekhni hain. Waise to mujhe poora yakeen hai ki tumhara masoom dil tumhaare liye sab raaste khud hi saaf kar dega, par phir bhi thoda saiyyam (patience) rakhna." He sombered slightly, "Aane wala samay tumhaari bhi pareeksha lega. Bhot himmat ki zaroorat padegi tumhe tab. Tumhaare is naye parivaar ke paas sab kuchh hai. Dher sara sneh milega inse tumhe. Par samay aane pe tumhe inki taaqat banna hoga. Mujhe poora vishwaas hai ki tum apni har pareeksha mein khari utarogi." He finally smiled placing a hand over her head.
Apart from the blessings, like Armaan, Riddhima too couldn't get even a single word of Guruji. However the girl she was, she didn't think too much about it and just nodded politely.
"Ab hum chalte hain." As guruji said that, Armaan-Riddhima once again touched his feet, to which he blessed again, "Sada ek dusre ki saath raho, ek dusre ki raksha karo."
Omang has been observing them silently till now. He flinched a bit hearing Guruji's comments, but kept quite which didn't go unnoticed by Guruji.
As they moved away from the patio, Guruji spoke, "Omang..."
"Ji Guruji?" Omang stopped with Guruji when they were a little away from the crowd. Guruji has already met everyone else in the family and was now leaving.
"Theek samay se shaadi ho gayi. Ek dusre ke liye bilkul sahi hain ye dono. Mujhe yakeen hai ki ab jo bhi hoga, ye ek dusre ko sambhaal lenge."
The somber look on Guruji's face worried Omang, "Par Guruji, ab to Armaan par koi..."
Guruji remained calm, "Omang, humaare bhaagya mein jo Ishwar ne likha hai, hota to wohi hai, use hum badal nahi sakte. Par haan, uska saamna karne ki taaqat zaroor juta sakte hain. Ye bhi ek satya hai ki sahi saathi mil jaaye, to wo taaqat dugni ho jaati hai. Riddhima bitiya, Armaan ki na sirf saathi hai, balki wo uske liye wohi taaqat bhi hai. Wo shaayad Armaan ko un khatron se dur to nahi rakh paayegi..." pausing momentarily, Guruji said, "Par haan, use un khatron se surakshit bacha kar nikaal zaroor laayegi." Guruji smiled again, "Ishwar par bharosa rakho. Usi ne un dono ki Jodi banaayi hai. Usne agar Armaan aur Riddhima ko milaya hai to ye bhi wohi nishchit karega ki wo dono theek rahe. Chinta mat karo, maalik sab theek karega." He pointed towards the sky. [nishchit = guarantee]
Omang sighed finally relieved. He was worried earlier and remained worried for Armaan even now. But getting worried wont save Armaan from whats written in his fate. Guruji is right. If God has saved him till now and brought Riddhima into his life, then there must be some reason behind it. He had complete faith in Guruji's words, and now in Riddhima as well.
~~~~~~~~~
Aarti came at the patio with Anjali to take Armaan-Riddhima to have their dinner.
"Anjali bete, in dono ko dinner ke liye le jao. Tum, Atul aur Rahul bhi saath hi dinner kar lena. Aur haan, Muskaan ne bhi abhi tak kuchh nahi khaya hai, kah rahi thi ki tum sabke saath hi khaayegi. Aisi haalat mein tumhara aur Muskaan, tum dono ka jyada der tak bhukhe rahna theek nahi hai." Aarti said.
"Ji Mom. Main bas Vibhi aur Yash ko dhundh rahi thi. Unhe bhi dinner karwa deti. Aur aap bhi saath chaliye na khaane ki liye. Aur Naazo Bhabhi bhi Falak aur Zayan ko dekhne gayi hai. Wo dono bachche bhi thodi der pahle kahin gaayab ho gaye. Sab aa jaayenge, to hum saath hi dinner kar lenge." Anjali said looking around to find the boys.
"Unki chinta tum mat karo. Chaaron bachchon ne Maaji ke saath dinner kar liya hai. Filhaal wo Maaji ke saath andar Party Hall mein hain. Naazneen ko maine bata diya hai, wo bas Kabir ke saath yahin aa rahi hai. Rahi baat hum badon ki," she meant herself and Padma, "...to hum tumhaare Dad aur Shashank Bhaisaab ka wait kar rahe hain. Wo log kuchh guests ke saath thoda busy hain. Jaise hi wo log free ho jaayenge, hum sab bhi dinner kar lenge. Tum log jaake dinner karo." Aarti left.
Some artists and performers were called to entertain the guests, so most of them were now in the party hall enjoying their performances. The elder lot of family and others went to have their dinner after this. The cuisine and buffet arrangements were on the other side in another lawn.
Anjali took Armaan-Riddhima for the dinner. They had their group dinner together, while teasing and pulling each other's leg. Like always, Riddhima couldn't understand most parts of their chitchat. But she was now getting used to such banters. In fact, even though she couldn't understand, yet enjoyed it. She was happy seeing everyone happy.
On the other hand, Armaan couldn't help but turn red at some of Atul and Rahul's secret jokes that they mumbled into his ear. Even Anjali and Muskaan weren't leaving any chance of teasing him. Armaan was first conscious of the way and the things they were talking about, but then he eased up a little. There was no use of getting fidgety. They wont stop and if he kept reacting, it will only add to their amusement. His eyes were on just one person... Riddhima.
Apart from Armaan and Riddhima, only Atul, Anjali, Muskaan, Rahul, Minnie, Harsh, Naazneen, Kabir and a few more young couples were left in the lawn area. Armaan was sitting with men at one table, while Riddhima accompanied ladies at another table at a little distance.
Armaan stared at her in amazement, struck by her new look, her innocence, and by the glow on her face despite of the clear display of nervousness. That nervousness only adding color to her cheeks. His heart skipped a beat as she looked up towards him. After that he forgot everything. Their gaze held immobile. Something pulling them towards each other. Something very strong. Something, who's meaning atleast one of them have started understanding, while other was still somewhat oblivious.
Anjali and Muskaan were continuously noticing Armaan as he steal glances of Riddhima. They were not only pulling his legs openly, but their coded personal conversation was also on full show. They have tried to coax Armaan to eat in Riddhima's plate, but he refused. He wished he could share his food with Riddhima, but the look on Riddhima's face made him refuse... atleast for the time being.
Riddhima's expression made Anjali and Muskaan not to push it much as she looked lost.
"Kya baat hai Anjie, your plan worked. I can see the sparks flying in the air." Muskaan whispered in Anjali's ear.
"Hmm, me too. But you should have seen Armaan's expressions when I took Riddhima at the Patio. They were priceless." Anjali giggled.
"I am sure they were." Muskaan said giggling along with her, "Baby lag hi itni sundar rahi hai aaj. Nazar hataane ka mann hi nahi kar raha uspe se. Bas ghar jaake uski nazar utaar dena." She glanced at Riddhima who was busy toying with her food, then looked back at Anjali, "And its all because of you." she eulogized.
"Uski nazar to Mumma aur Dadi pahle hi utaar chuki hain, par I think main ghar jaake ek baar phir kar dungi." Anjali smiled, "Aur I didn't do anything. Baby is already beautiful. She has always been." She too glanced at Riddhima, then smirked, "She just loves hiding herself."
"I agree. But its only because of you that we have been able to see her this way. I have been trying to do this for don't know how many years."
"Aah, don't mention it. Maine ye sab sirf Riddhima ki liye thode hi kiya hai. Wo to bhot bholi aur thodi buddhu hai. I was more worried about our smart-genuis yet stupid-idiot Armaan." Anjali grinned. "Use uski feelings ka ehsaas dilaane ke liye, aisa jhataka dena zaroori tha."
"Correct." Muskaan couldn't agree less.
Riddhima concentrated on the glass of water she had in her hand, lost in her own thoughts. Whatever happened on the Patio with Armaan, his presence, his hold, his whisper, everything has stirred something. She didn't know why, but today it felt different to be with him, to have him around. He looked different in that Silver-Lavender Sherwaani.
Armaan's friend Samrat has spoken in the same code language like others. Even though she couldn't get the meaning, she knew it had something to with her. She made a mental note to confront Armaan as and when she got time. But right now, she felt thirsty. She lifted her glass to drink and felt as if someone was looking at her.
He was sitting a few tables away, but right in front of her. She could clearly see him and he could see her. She looked up to see Armaan looking at her, or rather staring. She frowned as even after getting caught, he didn't move his gaze away. Maybe he is looking at something else. She turned her head to look behind her and found none.
Riddhima fiddled with her dupatta and then again glanced up to find him still not looking away. He looked lost somewhere. And it didn't take too long for her to loose herself. His intent stares hijacked her, engaging her into the staring session, the reason of which she was unknown to.
Atul and Anjali saw them staring at each other. Everyone was done with the dinner and they were now just relaxing in the lawn. The mob of the gentlemen was all sitting together, while ladies' gang sat a few tables away in front. Obviosuly Armaan was with gentlemen and Riddhima was with the ladies. But there wasn't anything that could block their views.
It was not only Anjali and Muskaan, he too has been observing Armaan and Riddhima. Atul smiled to himself as he found the newly wed not averting their gaze from each other. He could clearly see the ocean of Love floating in Armaan's eyes, while Riddhima's innocent eyes mostly held confusion, not that she was not liking Armaan's stares. Her lost state mentioned that she was also falling for him; its just she doesn't know anything of such feelings.
Atul said something into Rahul's ear. Rahul shook his head in agreement and went to the musicians to borrow a guitar from them.
Anjali saw them whisper something to each other and then Rahul walk away. She knew what her husband was upto. She told Muskaan about it. Then she, Muskaan, Minnie, Harsh, Naazneen, Kabir and all the young ones waited at their places for Atul to start.
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