Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me - Parts 326-350

DISCLAIMER: The characters, events, places and procedures of law and/or medical treatments depicted in this series are purely fictitious. Readers’ discretion advised

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** TITLE SONG **
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Dost ban jaate hain dill ki aawaazon me,
Dost ban jaate hain dillon ke armaanon me,
Dost ban jaate hain muhabbat ki muskaanon me,
Dost ban jaate hain muhabbaton ke jazbaaton me,
Dost ban jaate hain Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me!

Rishta jud jaata hai ek pal ki saugaaton me,
Rishta jud jaata hai kuch palon ke ikraaron me,
Rishta jud jaata hai ek gam ki parchhaiyon me,
Rishta jud jaata hai kuch gamon ke lamhaaton me,
Rishta jud jaata hai Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me!

Dill mill jaate hain dushman ki nigaahon me,
Dill mill jaate hain dushmani ki sadaaon me,
Dill mill jaate hain dost ki duaon me,
Dill mill jaate hain dosti ki fizaaon me,
Dill mill jaate hain Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me!

Muhabbat ho jaati hai doston ki ruswaiyon me,
Muhabbat ho jaati hai rishton ke afsaanon me,
Muhabbat ho jaati hai dill milne ki sard raaton me,
Muhabbat ho jaati hai aise ishq ke parvaanon me,
Muhabbat ho hi jaati hai Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me!


PART 326:

Armaan was terrified.
Shashank: (gravely) So...
Armaan: (squeaking) Sir...
He felt that his voice seemed very feeble out of fear. He coughed and then started.
Armaan: Wo to... wo to main Ridhimaa se keh raha tha ki aap to... you are the best doctor in the world. Hai na Ridhimaa? Yahi keh raha tha na main?
He looked at Ridhimaa with imploring eyes who, shocked at seeing Shashank before him, shook her head in refusal.
Armaan: Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: (nodding) Nahi... haan... Armaan yahi keh raha tha... yahi...
She could not lie properly. Shubhankar let out a guffaw of laughter which he managed to turn into a cough.
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... main jaanta hoon ki aap Dr.Ridhimaa ka kidnap nahi kar rahe...
Armaan: Sir wo...
Shashank: And I'm so sorry ki main beech me aa gaya...
Armaan: Sir... I'm very sorry...
Shashank: Nahi-nahi aapko sorry bone ki kya zaroorat hai? Sorry to mujhe bolna chahiye. Mujhe to kuch bhi nahi aata.
Armaan: Sir mera wo matlab...
Shashank: Infact mujhe to aapse lessons lene chahiye... right?
Armaan: Right... I mean... wrong... I mean I'm sorry sir... main to bas...
Shashank looked at Armaan's petrified face to Ridhimaa's concerned face to Shubhankar, who was trying hard to control his laughter and betrayed a rare smile.
Armaan: (looking at the ground) Sir wo main... actually...
Shashank: Relax Dr.Armaan...
Armaan looked up hopefully.
Shashank: (in a grim voice) Iska matlab ye nahi ki jo kuch aapne kaha wo main bhool gaya...
Armaan: Sir I'm...
Shashank: Lessons to main aapse lunga... medical ke nahi, singing ke.
Armaan heaved a sigh of relief.
Shashank: (smiling) Ab aap dono jaaiye... aur Ridhimaa ki dressing karwa dijiye... aur haan... no wheelchair...
Armaan: Par abhi thodi der pehle hi to aapne kaha ki mujhe ita stress nahi lena chahiye... fir...
Shubhankar: Dr.Armaan... really! Dr.Shashank ka matlab tha ki Dr.Ridhimaa khud chalkar jaayengi...
Armaan: What? Is haalat me?
Shubhankar: Ye tum keh rahe ho Armaan? Jo ek goli pair me, do goliyan haath me, ek goli chest par lagne ke baad teesre din hi duty par aa gaye the?
Armaan: To kya hua? Mujhe to dard sehne ki aadat hai... aur ussey kisi ko fark bhi nahi padta... lekin... lekin...
He did not know how to say it.
Shubhankar: (completing for Armaan) Lekin aapse Ridhimaa ka dard nahi dekha jaata. Hai na?
Armaan remained silent. He slightly nodded his head.
Shashank: Do as you wish Dr.Armaan... hum ab kar hi kya sakte hain? Humse zyada to aap hi sab jaante hain.
Saying so, he and Shubhankar left. Armaan wheeled Ridhimaa into the General Ward.
Meanwhile in the OPD, Rahul was trying hard to avoid Muskaan. Muskaan did not know what had happened to him. She was trying to talk to Rahul continuously.
Muskaan: Oye Rahul... sun na...
Rahul: (without looking at her) Bol...
Muskaan: Rahul... kal jo maine kaha tha... tu...
Rahul: (in an odd tone) Haan... kal... theek hai... hum sabko bata denge ki humne shaadi nahi ki hai... ye sab sirf ek naatak hai... humare beech koi rishta nahi hai...
Muskaan: Oye tu aise kyun bol raha hai? Wasie bhi... ye sab jhooth hi to hai... na humne koi shaadi ki hai, na hi koi pyar-vyar...
Rahul looked at Muskaan with angry and hurt eyes.
Muskaan: Kya? Tu kis baat par gussa ho raha hai? Pata hai... kal se bilkul ajeeb type harkatein kar raha hai tu... problem kya hai teri?
Rahul: (thundering) Tu hai meri problem...
Muskaan was taken aback. Many a times, she and Rahul had quarreled, but it always accompanied an element of fun and enjoyment in it. But today, Rahul seemed to be very serious. She was scared. Seeing Muskaan terrified at his outburst, Rahul came back to his senses. He started feeling guilty and rushed out of OPD on excuse of some work. Muskaan could not understand what the matter was.
In the General Ward, Armaan was dressing Ridhimaa's feet. After that, he bandaged her hand and forehead. Ridhimaa was looking at him while he did so. When Armaan turned to look at her, she cleverly averted her gaze which Armaan was quick to notice.
Armaan: (softly) Aur kahin chot to nahi lagi?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... bas...
Armaan: Kya?
Ridhimaa: Wo... dard ho raha hai...
Armaan: (concernedly) Kahaan? Pair me?
Ridhimaa: (raising her wounded hand) Nahi... aaah... haath me...
Armaan took her hand in his and felt the bandage.
Armaan: Itni zyada chot lagi hai... dard to hoga hi. Tum dekh ke nahi chal sakti thi? Agar tumhe kuch ho jaata to?
Ridhimaa: (repeating, simply) To?
Armaan: (confused) To... to... kuch nahi. Chalo... tumhe injection lagaana hai...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... injection ki zaroorat nahi hai... really... I'm fine... bilkul bhi dard nahi ho raha...
Armaan: Don't lie. Waise bhi ye injection pain ke liye nahi hai... tetanus ka injection hai. Bilkul dard nahi hoga... I promise... mujh par bharosa hai na tumhe?
Ridhimaa: (extending her hand) Haan... lagao...
Armaan injected her. Ridhimaa did not wince, but smiled.
Armaan: Dekha... dard hua?
Ridhimaa: Nahi...
Armaan: Ghar jaakar agar dard kum na ho to pain killer le lena...
Ridhimaa: (proceeding to descend from the bed) Yes doctor...
Armaan: Ye tum kya kar rahi ho?
Ridhimaa: Kyun? Mujhe duty...
Armaan: Koi duty nahi karni hai tumhe...
Ridhimaa: Armaan please... ab bahut ho raha hai...
Armaan: Kya bahut ho raha hai? Tumhe chot lagi hai... tum aaraam karo... is haalat me...
Ridhimaa: Aur tum? Tum jo bandaron ki jagah is haalat me bhi uchhalte firte ho... uska kya? Ye to waise bhi chhoti si chot hai...
Armaan: Chhoti si chot nahi hai ye...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... hato... mujhe jaane do...
Armaan: Nahi jaane dunga... tumhe rest karna hai...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... papa ya Dr.Kirti mujhe aise dekhenge to bahut gussa honge...
Armaan: Hone do... main keh dunga ki galti meri hai... koi tumse kuch nahi kahega...
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Kirti: (appearing as if from nowhere) Dr.Armaan...
Armaan turned and nearly bumped into Kirti.
Armaan: Yes mam...
Kirti: Aapko Dr.Shashank ne apne cabin me bulaaya hai...
Armaan: Mam wo... actually galti meri hai...
Kirti: I know galti aapki hi hai... aap jaaiye...
Armaan: Mam... Ridhimaa...
Kirti: Dr.Armaan... just go...
Armaan left. Ridhimaa looked at Kirti who was smiling.
Ridhimaa: Mam...
Kirti: Aapko agar zyada dard na ho raha ho to aap duties kar sakti hain, otherwise canteen me ja sakti hain...
Ridhimaa: Main duty kar lungi...
Armaan entered Shashank's cabin after knocking.
Armaan: (as soon as he entered) Sir... actually... I'm sorry...
He looked up to find six pairs of eyes staring at him. Armaan was startled.

PART 327:

Tamanna, Matthew, Nani and Padma were standing. Shubhankar and Shashank were sitting.
Tamanna: (brightly) Hye Ammy...
Armaan did not speak. He was surprised to find them all here.
Shashank: Dr.Armaan...
Armaan: (remembering their last encounter) Sir... I'm really sorry sir... I didn't mean...
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... please take your seat.
Armaan came forward. He first hugged Nani and Padma, both of whom blessed him and then sat down, still wondering why they were all there.
Tamanna: Pata hai Ammy... aaj main aur Matt...
Armaan: (warningly) Shh...
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... I think ye mera cabin hai aur yahaan orders bhi main hi deta hoon...
Armaan: Sorry sir...
Shashank: Go on Tamanna...
Armaan was shocked. Tamanna looked smug. Armaan scowled at her.
Tamanna: Haan to main keh rahi thi ki Ammy... aaj main aur Matt aur Nani aur Padma aunty Mumbai ghoomne gaye. Abhi abhi sab jagah ghoom kar aa rahe hain... itna maza aaya... sach! Pata hai, Mumbai me itne saare malls hain... aur...
Armaan: (coldly) Haan pata hai...
Matthew: Oh haan... tumhe to pata hi hoga...
Armaan: Bas ye nahi pata ki tum log yahaan kya kar rahe ho.
Tamanna: Tumhare inspection ke liye aaye hain... ye dekhne ke liye ki tum kaam theek se karte ho ya nahi...
Armaan: Mere inspection ke liye? Matt ka to main samajh sakta hoon, lekin tum? Please... meri itni buri haalat to nahi hai ki tum mujhe inspect karo...
Tamanna: Ammy!
Matthew: Tammy... cool down. Ammy... hum log to sirf Shashank uncle se milne aaye the. Nani khaana laayi thi... to hum bhi aa gaye...
Padma: Haan... waise bhi abhi hume jaana hai...
Tamanna: Matt aur aap log jaaiye... main to yahin rahungi...
Armaan: Kyun? Ye tumhara ghar hai jo...
Shashank: Dr.Armaan please...
Tamanna: Dekha uncle... main kya yahaan nahi ruk sakti?
Shubhankar: Of course ruk sakti ho. Dr.Armaan kaun hote hain tumhe rokne waale? Tum Dr.Shashank ki beti ho... ye Sanjeevani tumhara hai...
Shashank: Haan... bilkul theek kaha aapne Dr.Shubhankar.
Tamanna: (to Armaan) Ha... ha... haa!!!
Padma: Tamanna... mat tang karo Armaan ko... waise hi iski darr ke maare jaan nikli ja rahi hai...
Armaan: Aapko kaise pata?
Nani: Padma kya... hum sab jaante hain ki tum Shashank se kitna darrte ho. Aur abhi aate hi tumne sorry-sorry ki jo rat laga di thi... ussey saaf hai ki...
Armaan shook his face.
Tamanna: Haan to Ammy... tumne kya galti ki?
Armaan: Tumhe kyun bataun?
Shashank: Kyunki aaj Tamanna faisla karegi ki aapki galti hai ya nahi. I'm sure she won't be biased towards you.
Armaan: Wo to mujhe bhi pata hai...
Tamanna: Uncle aap hi bataiye kya kiya Ammy ne?
Shashank told them all in short what all Armaan had said and done. Armaan was sitting guiltily in his chair.
Padma: Armaan... tumne ye sab kaha?
Matthew: Tum uncle ko lessons doge?
Nani: Mujhe to vishwaas hi nahi hota ki tum aisa Shashank ke saamne keh sakte ho...
Armaan: Sir ke saamne thode hi kaha tha... wo to Ridhimaa se keh raha tha... sir...
Shashank: Ma... main hi beech me aa gaya.
All present sniggered, except Armaan.
Shubhankar: To... Tamanna... Dr.Armaan ki saza kya hai?
Tamanna: Ridz... Ridz ka accident hua tha?
Shashank: Haan... aaj subah...
Tamanna: Ab wo kaisi hai?
Armaan: Abhi theek hai... maine usey bed se uthne se mana to kiya hai lekin...
Shashank: What? Dr.Armaan... aap kaise samjhenge? Tamanna tum hi samjhao...
Tamanna: Main kya samjhaun? Bilkul theek to kiya Ammy ne. Ridz ko chot lagi hai... aise me use koi kaam kaise karne de sakte hain? Use bahut dard ho raha hoga na?
Armaan smiled at Tamanna's concern. The others were stunned.
Padma, Nani, Shubhankar: (together) Ye bhi?
Matthew: She loves Ridhimaa very much... just like Ammy...
Shashank: Tamanna... tum bhi... tum bhi sochti ho ki Armaan ne jo kuch kiya theek kiya...
Tamanna: Of course!
Armaan: (proudly) Aakhir behen kiski hai?
Tamanna: Uncle... main Ridz ko dekhne ja rahi hoon... Matt... tum aunty aur nani ke saath chale jao... Armaan tum mere saath aao...
Shubhankar: To case ke decision ka kya hua?
Tamanna: Cleared of all baseless charges!
Armaan beamed. Tamanna went out. Armaan looked at Shashank.
Shashank: (smiling) Ab mere kuch kehne ka kya faayda? Jaaiye... aap bhi jaaiye...
Armaan went after Tamanna, leaving the others bemused.
All the interns, Tamanna, Shubhankar, Shashank and Kirti were sitting in the canteen. Armaan was looking angry. He had found Ridhimaa limping around in the General Ward, monitoring the patients. They had rowed and were now sitting stonily, without talking to anyone.
Tamanna: Come on... now Ridz! Tumhe bhi pata hai ki Ammy bilkul theek keh raha tha...
Ridhimaa: No. He was wrong.
Tamanna: Tum Ammy ki jagah par aakar socho na. Kya tumhara mann nahi karta ki Ammy ko tum koi kaam nahi karne do. Tum nahi chaahti ki Ammy ko dard na ho? Kya tum usey dard me dekh sakti ho?
Ridhimaa: Tamanna please...
Tamanna: Ridz... I know ki Ammy ek emotional fool hai…
Armaan glared at Tamanna.
Tamanna: (continuing) Par tum ye bhi to socho ki wo tumhari kitni care karta hai. Apne dard ki parvaah kiya bagair use tumhari fikr hoti hai. Ussey tumhara dard nahi dekha jaata... aur na hi mujhse.
Ridhimaa did not answer. One by one, all stood up and went and sat at a distant table to give Armaan and Ridhimaa some time to talk alone.
Anjali: Ye dono bhi na...
Atul: Bilkul... bilkul ek doosre ki tarah hain.
Kirti: Lekin ye dono to baat hi nahi kar rahe.
Shubhankar: Karenge... zaroor karenge.
Shashank: Let's wait and watch.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... tumhe agar baat nahi karni to tum ja sakti ho...
Ridhimaa: Ja sakti hoon... lekin Tamanna ko bura lagega.
Armaan: Iska matlab hai ki tumhe Tammy ki chinta hai, meri koi value hi nahi hai tumhari nazar me?
Ridhimaa: (rudely) Kyun? Tumhare liye Tamanna important nahi hai? Main sirf usiki khushi aur muhabbat ki wajah se yahaan baithi hoon warna mere pass yahaan baithne aur tumse baat karne ki koi wajah nahi hai.
Armaan: (instigated) Sirf uski muhabbat? Meri muhabbat aur pyar koi wajah nahi hai? Fir ye gussa, ye ladaayi... ye sab kya hai?
He paused for a second.
Armaan: (angrily) Tum kya karna chaahti ho? Aaj bata hi do. Kaho ki tumhe mujhse muhabbat nahi hai. Bolo ki tum mujhse pyar nahi karti. Yahaan tum kisliye baithi ho? Bolo ki tumse bhi mera dard nahi dekha jaata. Bolo... chup kyun ho Ridhimaa?
Ridhimaa looked up at Armaan. Her eyes welled up. She was trying hard to control those tears which were attempting to come out of her eyes.
Ridhimaa: To maine apni muhabbat se kab inkaar kiya hai? Main to humesha se tumse pyar karti hoon... aur main ye baat chhupaane ki koshish bhi nahi kar rahi hoon... lekin tum...
She started looking at her hands as if it was the most important work to do. Her tears were wetting her lap. Armaan was dumbfounded.

PART 328:

Armaan stood up from his place and came and sat before Ridhimaa. He pressed her hand and raised her face.
Armaan: Lekin main... kya kiya hai maine? Kyun tum mujhse naaraaz ho? Main jaanta hoon ki aaj jo maine kiya wo ek doctor ke liye sahi nahi tha... lekin... lekin tumhe to pata hai na... main kuch bhi bardaasht kar sakta hoon... kitni bhi chotein kha sakta hoon... lekin tumhare zakhm, tumhari chot, tumhara dard mujhse nahi bardaasht hota. Agar tum is wajah se gussa ho to... I'm sorry.
Ridhimaa: Kyun Armaan? Kyun? Tum mere liye aisa kyun soch sakte ho? Kaise soch sakte ho? Ye jaante hue bhi ki maine tumhare saath kitna bura kiya...
Armaan: Kya bura kiya?
Ridhimaa: Maine... maine tumhare pyar, tumhare vishwaas ko dhokha diya... tum meri wajah se hum sabko chodkar...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... please... main wo sab bhool...
Ridhimaa: Tum bhoole nahi ho. Mujhe pata hai. Bas tum ye sab chhupa rahe ho. Tumhe mujhpar gussa hai... lekin tum dikha nahi rahe. Kyunki tumhe lagta hai ki mujhe bura lagega. Armaan main jaanti hoon... tum kuch bhi nahi bhoole.
Armaan: Haan... nahi bhoola main kuch bhi. Mujhe sab yaad hai ki kis tarah sabne mera vishwaas toda tha... mujhe yaad hai ki kisi ne meri baat nahi maani thi... sabko laga tha ki main ek bahut bura insaan hoon. Mujhe yaad hai ki tumne mujhse apne saare rishte tod liye the. Mujhe yaad hai ki kis tarah main kidnap hua... mujhe sab yaad hai Ridhimaa.
Ridhimaa's tears were falling on Armaan's hands. He held her face in both his hands.
Armaan: Lekin mujhe ye bhi yaad hai ki us sab me sirf tumhari galti nahi thi. Jitni tum logon ki galti thi, utni hi meri galti thi. Mujhe tum par bahut gussa tha... bahut... uska tum andaaza bhi nahi laga sakti. Mujhe lagta tha ki main tumse nafrat karne laga hoon... lekin pata hai... jis din main interview dekar baahar aaya aur tumse mila... us din mujhe pata chal gaya ki main tumse kitni muhabbat karta hoon. Itni shadeed muhabbat ki koi bhi misunderstanding, koi bhi galti, yahaan tak ki maut bhi mere dill se tumhari muhabbat nahi nikaal sakti. Tum mujhe dekh kar ro rahi thi. Main bhi ro raha tha Ridhimaa... lekin mere aansun kisi ko dikhaayi nahi diye. Maine khud se aitraaf bahut pehle hi kar liya tha ki main tumhe kabhi nahi bhool sakta... haan... mujhe wo sab yaad hai... lekin sirf isliye kyunki un yaadon me tum thi... tumhare saath bitaaya har lamha mujhe bahut achhe se yaad hai... main tumhe kabhi bhool nahi sakta...
Ridhimaa was not looking convinced. She was just staring at Armaan.
Armaan: (continuing) Main jaanta hoon ki main un dino se beparwaah tha... wo bhi sirf isliye ki maine tum sabko dill se maaf kiya tha... mere dill me un dino ke baare me kuch bhi nahi tha. Main soch bhi nahi sakta tha ki meri itni si carelessness ko tum is view se dekhogi. Tumne bhi to mujhe kuch ehsaas nahi hone diya. Tum mujhe yahi bata deti ki meri muhabbatein tumhe sachchi nahi lagti. Meri chaahatein tumhare liye kum hain...
Ridhimaa: (amidst sobs) Nahi Armaan... aisi baat nahi hai...
She did not know what to say. Armaan was looking hurt and disappointed. She was feeling very bad for him and also for herself. The others were just listening attentively.
Armaan: (cutting across Ridhimaa) Aisi nahi to fir kaisi baat hai Ridhimaa? Aakhir kyun tumhe mujh par, mere pyar par vishwaas nahi hai ki I love you and only you? Mere dill me tum ho... sirf tum. Meri saansein tumhare hi pyar se mehek rahi hain. Meri dhadkanon me sirf tumhara naam hai. Aao suno aur mehsoos karo... dekho meri aankhon me kiska aks hai. Apni muhabbat ka yakeen hai to kya apni muhabbat ke asar par aitbaar nahi hai? Tum mujhse muhabbat karo aur main tumse muhabbat na karun ye ho sakta hai?
Ridhimaa: (in an emotional voice) Hone ko to bahut kuch ho sakta hai...
Armaan: (gravely) Yes, you are right. Hone ko to kuch bhi ho sakta hai aur hone ko ye bhi ho sakta hai ki main tumhe yakeen dilaate-dilaate aakhiri hadd se guzar jaun. Mujhe batao tumhe kaise yakeen aayega ki mere dill me tumhare liye koi shikwa, koi shikaayat nahi hai. Kaho to apni jaan de doon ya fir...
Ridhimaa quickly put her hand at Armaan's lips to prevent him from saying further. She was terrified at the seriousness of his tone.
Ridhimaa: (angrily) Tumhe bekaar dialogues hi bolne aate hain...
Armaan: (kissing her hand) Abhi bhi mera pyar dialogue lag raha hai tumhe?
Ridhimaa: To aur kya? Kitna darra diya hai mujhe. Meri heart beats badh gayi hain.
Armaan: Aur tumhe pata hai, jab se tumne ye naatak shuru kiya hai, mera heart kitni baar beat hua hai? Dr.Shubhankar se poochh lo. Mujhe to ab cardiac help ki zaroorat padegi. Kitni raatein main is darr se nahi soya ki kahin tum mujhse fir se door na ho jao… kyunki tum door chali gayi to meri zindagi ki har khushi bhi door chali jaayegi. Ridhimaa... hume jeena hai, hume humare future ke khwaab dekhne hain. Beete dino ki dhool nahi udaani. Please Ridhimaa! Mera vishwaas karo. Meri zindagi ki pehli aur aakhiri tamanna tumhare saath jeena hai. Guzre dino ki parchhaiyon se apne saath-saath mujhe bhi mat darrao.
Armaan was holding Ridhimaa's hand and trying to make her believe his emotions and the truth of his love. Ridhimaa had believed him. When she nodded and smiled through tearful eyes, Armaan raised her hand, touched it to his eyes and then kissed it.
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Armaan: (mischievously) Shhh... tumne mere dil ki dhadkanein to sun li... ab zara mujhe sunne do ki tumhare dil ki dhadkan kya kehti hai...
He tried to bring his ears closer to her chest. Ridhimaa pushed him away.
Ridhimaa: Armaan! Stop it. Zara sa hans kya do, tum to kuch zyada hi free hone lagte ho. Paagal ho gaye ho kya?
Armaan: (smiling) Paagal to nahi... haan deewaana zaroor ho gaya hoon...
Ridhimaa slightly slapped his head.
Armaan: Aur... bahut dard bhi ho raha hai... tumhe manaane ke chakkar me...
He stood up with shaking legs.
Ridhimaa: (worried) Kya hua?
Armaan: (sitting down on the chair beside her) Kya hua? Aaj tumhari wajah se maine tumhare papa ke baare me pata nahi kya-kya keh diya...
Ridhimaa giggled.
Armaan: Haan-haan… hans lo. Mujhe bata nahi sakti thi ki wo saamne khade hain?
Ridhimaa: Unhone tumhe daanta kya?
Armaan: Daanta? Apne cabin me bulaaya tha... aur meri itni khinchaayi ki... wo bhi sabke saamne...
Ridhimaa: To ye tum mujhe kyun bata rahe ho?
Armaan: Isliye madam... ki tum unhe samjha sako ki main jo bhi kar raha tha tumhari bhalaayi ke liye kar raha tha... aur unhe kuch bhi karne se pehle ek baar soch lena chahiye. Infact... unhe mujhse poochhkar...
Shashank: Yes of course Dr.Armaan. Mujhe aapse poochhkar hi saare kaam karne chahiye... hai na?
Armaan saw Shashank towering over him and was angry with himself.
Armaan: Oh no! Not again. Aapne sab kuch sun liya?
Shashank: Nahi...
Armaan felt slightly relieved.
Shashank: Bas wahi suna jo aapne yahaan kaha...
Armaan: Sir mera wo matlab...
Anjali: OK... OK... relax Armaan... dad sirf tumhari taang kheench rahe hain...
Armaan: Meri taang? Meri taang to pehle se hi zakhmi hai... aur kitna...
Shubhankar: Waise Dr.Armaan... aap Dr.Shashank se kitna darrte hain... tchh... tchh...tchhh...
Armaan was embarrassed.
Ridhimaa: Darrte hain lekin sudharte nahi... kyun Armaan?
Armaan did not answer.
Tamanna: Chalo tum dono ki ladaayi to khatm hui...
Armaan: Humari ladaayi... kaun si ladaayi?
Atul: Haan bhai... tum log kahaan ladte ho? Ladte to hum sab hain... hai na Rahul?
Rahul and Muskaan were sitting quieter than ever. Rahul looked at Muskaan, who did not meet his gaze. Rahul knew he would have to tell the truth to everyone.
Rahul: Guys... wo main...
Shashank: Doctors... lunch time khatm ho gaya... paanch minute baad aap sab Conference Room me aa jaiyega...
Shashank left.
Kirti: Yes Doctors... hume ek bahut important baat discuss karni hai... especially Dr.Ridhimaa and Dr.Armaan... chalein Shubhankar?
Shubhankar: Yes... of course!
Shubhankar and Kirti also left. Rahul also stood up and went away. Anjali, Atul and Muskaan followed him.
Armaan: Tammy... tum...
Tamanna: Main bhi tum logon ke saath chal rahi hoon... uncle ne mujhe wahaan rukne ke liye kaha hai...
Ridhimaa looked at Armaan.
Tamanna: Waise agar tum logon ka romance khatm ho gaya ho to tum log bhi chal sakte ho...
Armaan: Tum jao... hum aa rahe hain...
Tamanna: (smiling) Tum ruko... main Ridz ko le jaati hoon... aao Ridz...
Tamanna helped Ridhimaa and went away with her. Armaan, outwitted, followed them.

PART 329:

In the Conference Room. Tamanna was sitting beside Shashank. The others were seated around the long table.
Shashank: Doctors... I know ki aap sab soch rahe hain ki maine aap sabko yahaan kyun bulaaya hai. Pehle to hum sab ye kewal Dr.Ridhimaa aur Dr.Armaan se discuss karne waale the, lekin ab mujhe lagta hai ki aap sabko is discussion me shaamil hona chahiye.
He paused and looked at Tamanna, who smiled and nodded.
Shashank: Dr.Shubhankar and Dr.Kirti you go on...
Shubhankar let Kirti speak.
Kirti: Interns... I'm sure ki aap sabko Sanjeevani ki internship se bahut faayda hoga... aapki life me bhi aur aapke career me bhi. Lekin aapme se koi ek aisa hai jise ek bahut badi opportunity milne ja rahi hai. Dr.Tamanna ko US ke top hospital Life Care ne apna ambassador bana kar India bheja hai...
Armaan: (exclaiming) What?
Tamanna: (professionally) Yes Dr.Mallik. Aap shaayad nahi jaante honge lekin Life Care Hospital ke owner Mr. Samuel White hain. Unki chief advisor hone ke naate...
Armaan: Chief Advisor!
Tamanna: Please Dr.Mallik... let me complete... unki chief advisor aur hospital ki Indian ambassador hone ke naate Mr.White ne mujhe ye responsibility di hai ki main India se ek intern wahaan lekar jaun. Us intern ko wahaan na sirf apni internship poora karne ka mauka milega balki world ke top doctors se bahut kuch seekhne ko bhi milega. Internship ke end me job ki 100% guarantee bhi hai. It's a very big opportunity. Understood?
All nodded, stunned, except Armaan who shook his head in refusal.
Ridhimaa: (elbowing him) Armaan...
Armaan: Tammy... ye koi prank hai?
Tamanna stood up.
Tamanna: Dr.Armaan Mallik... na hi ye koi prank hai aur na hi koi joke. I'm serious... aur ye ek demonstration...
She showed them few slides to give them a full view of what was in store for them at the Life Care Hospital.
Tamanna: You see... waise to pehle Dr.Matthew White aap sabko ye presentation dikhaane waale the lekin... I couldn't resist the temptation. Isiliye maine Matt... I mean Dr.White se kaha ki ye kaam main khud karungi.
Armaan smiled. He now knew that Tamanna was serious.
Shubhankar: Aur kyunki pichhle ek saal me jis intern ne sabse zyada progress ki hai wo hain Dr.Armaan aur Dr.Ridhimaa isliye maine, Dr.Kirti aur Dr.Shashank ne ye decide kiya tha ki un dono me se kisi ko ye opportunity milni chahiye.
Shashank: Lekin Dr.Tamanna ne mana kar diya.
Tamanna: According to me, you all have an equal right for this opportunity. Isliye... ye faisla ki wahaan kaun jaayega, voting se hoga. Majority will win. Dr.Atul we'll start with you. Aapko kya lagta hai, kisey US bhejna chahiye?
Atul: (truthfully) Main nahi jaunga... warna mere plants... mere hisaaab se Armaan ya Ridz me se hi kisiko bhejna chahiye.
Anjali: I think Atul is right. Armaan aur Ridz ne hi hum sabse zyada Sanjeevani ke liye progress ki hai.
Muskaan: Bilkul... Armaan aur Ridhimaa...
Rahul: Armaan aur Ridhimaa...
They were all very honest and truthful. They knew that Armaan and Ridhimaa were the best, while Armaan and Ridhimaa were shocked.
Tamanna: Good... majority wins... Ammy... Ridz... I mean... Dr.Mallik and Dr.Gupta... aap dono hi yahaan ke interns as well as senior doctors ki choice hain. Dr.Ridhimaa... aap kya chaahti hain ki aap dono me se kise ye internship milni chahiye?
Ridhimaa: Main kahin nahi jaungi...
She was sure about that. She won't leave her family and friends.
Tamanna: But Dr.Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: Bas... maine keh diya... mujhe kahin nahi jaana.
Tamanna: To fir aap chaahti hain ki Dr.Armaan...
Ridhimaa was in a fix. She didn't want Armaan to leave her too. She kept silent.
Shashank: Dr.Ridhimaa... aapse kuch poochha ja raha hai... answer her...
Ridhimaa: (half-crying) Main... main wo... mujhe nahi pata.
Kirti: Dr.Ridhimaa... aap apna vote dijiye...
Ridhimaa: I don't know. I don't know. Jisey bhejna ha bhejiye. But I won't go... aur na hi...
She did not complete but burst into tears.
Tamanna: (softly) Ridz... bas do saal ki to baat hai... aur wahaan tum akeli nahi hogi... main aur Matt tumhare saath honge...
Ridhimaa: (sobbing) Please Dr.Tamanna... it's my decision. Main kahin nahi jaungi aur aap me se koi bhi mujhe meri marzi ke bina kahin nahi bhej sakta.
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... aap...
Armaan: Mujhe agar kahin jaana hota to main bahut pehle hi chala jaata. Mujhe pehle bhi offers aaye the... Dr.Gloster ne khud mujhse unke saath chalne ko kaha tha... lekin mera jawaab aaj bhi wahi hai. Mera aur meri ma ka sapna tha ki main Sanjeevani join karun... ab main apni ma ke sapne ko nahi tod sakta... aur na hi apne khwaabon ko tootte hue dekh sakta hoon...
Shubhankar: Dr.Armaan aapko dill se nahi dimaag se...
Armaan: (smiling) Sir... maine ek baar kaha tha... ki main dimaag se nahi sochta... bas ussey patients ka ilaaj karta hoon... mera dill hi mere saare decisions ko govern karta hai. Na main ye change kar sakta hoon aur na hi karna chaahta hoon. Chaahe aap log na samjahte ho, lekin mere liye Sanjeevani meri family ki tarah hai. Main isey chodkar kahin nahi ja sakta.
Tamanna: Ammy...
Armaan: Tammy please. At least tumhe to meri baat samajhni chahiye. Main tumse bahut pyar karta hoon... aur mere liye isse badhkar baat kya hogi ki tum meri nazron ke saamne raho. Lekin... agar tumhara mere pass rehna sirf isliye ho sakta hai ki mujhe apna desh, apne log, apne dost, apni muhabbat chod kar jaana apde... to I'm sorry. Aisa nahi ho sakta. Tum Matt ke saath khush ho aur main humesha tumhare saath hoon. Jab tumhe zaroorat hogi... I'll be there for you. Uske liye mujhe US jaaney ki zaroorat nahi hai.
His voice was bordering on finalty.
Tamanna: (tentatively) Agar Ridz bhi wahaan jaaye... to bhi... to bhi tumhara decision yahi rahega?
Armaan: (looking straight at Tamanna) Haan... mera decision tab bhi change nahi hoga. Lekin mujhe pata hai ki aisa kabhi nahi hoga... agar hua...
Ridhimaa: Aisa kabhi nahi hoga Armaan. Main kahin nahi jaungi...
Armaan: See... I think ki Dr.Tamanna ko koi aur volunteer select kar lena chahiye...
He turned to look at Shashank.
Shashank: Well I can't say ki main aapke decision se khush nahi hoon. Main bhi itne behtareen doctors ko khona nahi chaahta tha... so... ab kaun volunteer karega?
Nobody volunteered.
Kirti: Koi nahi? Dr.Anjali... aap... aap to emotional aur sensitive nahi hain... fir...
Anjali: Yes mam... mujhe koi problem nahi hai kahin jaaney me... lekin main apni internship yahaan Sanjeevani me hi karna chaahti hoon... uske baad...
Shubhankar: Dr.Atul to bata chuke hain... Dr.Rahul, Dr.Muskaan... aapko kya problem hai? Aap dono ko to koi problem nahi honi chahiye. Agar koi ek bhi jaana chaahta hai to uske spouse ko bhi...
Rahul and Muskaan looked at each other.
Rahul: Main nahi jaunga... Muskaan jaana chaahe to ja sakti hai.
Armaan: Lekin Rahul... Muskaan tere bina...
Rahul: Kya mere bina? Wo kuch bhi kare... mera ussey kya rishta?
Atul: Tu uska pati hai...
Rahul: (angrily) Nahi hoon main uska pati... koi rishta nahi hai humaara...
Muskaan: Rahul!
Rahul: (standing up) Kya? Tu yahi to chaahti thi na Muskaan. To lo... maine sabko bata diya... ab tu khushi-khushi ja sakti hai...
Rahul left the room. The others looked at Muskaan, stunned.
Kirti: Dr.Muskaan... ye Dr.Rahul abhi-abhi kya keh kar gaye?
Muskaan: Mam... ye... ye... ye sach hai... Rahul aur meri shaadi sab ek naatak tha...
She told them all about why she and Rahul had pretended to be married. They were all shocked at this revelation.
Armaan: Tum dono ne itna bada jhooth hum sabse bola?
Ridhimaa: Ye tum dono ne achha nahi kiya Muskaan...
Muskaan: Ridhimaa... meri baat...
Kirti: Ab kuch sunne ko hai hi nahi Dr.Muskaan. Aapne sirf apne doston se jhooth nahi bola, balki mujhse bhi bola... I'm sorry lekin Dr.Rahul ko mera ghar chodkar jaana padega...
Shubhankar: It's awful.
Shashank: Terrible!
They all left. The last one to go out from the room was Muskaan. She was dreading confronting Rahul.

PART 330:

Rahul had left Kirti's house that night, before they all could confront him. Muskaan was very worried for him. She tried to reach him on his mobile but it was switched off. Kirti had let her live in her house, owing to her problems. Tamanna had decided against inviting any of them to US. She had told Matthew about it. He comforted her. That night, Ridhimaa was in her room, sitting on her bed. She was feeling lonely. Anjali was downstairs, chatting with her parents and nani. Ridhimaa stood up and went and stood beside the window. Just then her mobile started ringing. She went to the table and picked it up.
Ridhimaa: Hello...
Armaan: Mere baare me soch rahi ho?
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Armaan: Haan main... tumhara Armaan. Kya kar rahi ho?
Ridhimaa: (rolling her hair on her finger) So rahi hoon... disturb kyun kiya?
Armaan: Oye hoye... to madam ko mujhse jhooth bolne me bada maza aata hai? Achha dekho... apne zulfon ko aur na uljhao... warna main unme ulajh jaunga.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tumhe kaise pata...
Armaan: Kyunki main tumhe dekh sakta hoon... mann ki aankhon se... itni khoobsurat lag rahi ho ki mann kar raha hai...
Ridhimaa: (blushing) Armaan... goodnight.
She ended the call and flung the mobile on her bed. She had hardly turned when her mobile rang again. She took the mobile in her hand and glanced at the number. It was Armaan. She did not receive his call.
Armaan: Arrey utha lo... ho sakta hai koi important baat karni ho...
Ridhimaa stared at the mobile. It was still ringing but the voice had come from somewhere near. She turned and bumped into someone.
Ridhimaa: (screaming) Aaaaaaaah!!!!
Armaan: (putting his hand on her mouth) Hey... ye main hoon... Armaan...
Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum... tum yahaan... kaise?
Armaan: (glancing at the window) Waise jaise humesha aata hoon...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho? Chalo jao... warna...
Armaan: Warna?
Ridhimaa: Warna main papa ko bulaungi...
Armaan: Kyun? Meri jaan pyari nahi hai tumhe? Itni jaldi marwaane ka iraada hai kya?
Ridhimaa: (putting her hand on his lips) Armaan!
Armaan kissed her hand as always.
Ridhimaa: Tum yahaan kyun aaye? Phone par baat to ki thi...
Armaan: (scowling) Phone par baat to ki thi! Lekin mera ye jo dil hai na... wo nahi maana... dekho kya keh raha hai... dekho...
He put Ridhimaa's hand to his heart. Ridhimaa tried to prise it away when the door of her room flung open.
Anjali, Padma, Nani and Shashank entered. They were staring at Ridhimaa, whose hand was on Armaan's heart, held there by Armaan. Ridhimaa tried to pull her hand back but Armaan was so terrified at the sight of Shashank that he even forgot to leave her hand. She pinched Armaan's elbow.
Armaan: (leaving her hand and rubbing his elbow) Ouch!
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... aap yahaan? Kaise?
Armaan: (afraid) Sir wo... main... wo... main...
Padma: Pipe se... hai na Armaan?
Armaan glared at her.
Shashank: Pipe se?
Armaan wanted the ground to melt before his eyes and that he should be buried inside it. The others were having difficulty in suppressing their grins.
Armaan: Sir wo...
Shashank: (suspiciously) Aur Ridhimaa... tum chilla kyun rahi thi?
Ridhimaa: Wo papa... Armaan itni achanak se aa gaya... to main darr gayi... mujhe laga pata nahi kaun hai...
Shashank: Hmm... to Dr.Armaan... aap itni raat me meri beti ke kamre me kya kar rahe hain? Aur aane ke liye normal way kyun nahi chuna?
Armaan: Sir wo... actually... main... main to sirf...
Anjali: (piping up) Ridz ko goodnight kiss dene aaye the kya?
Armaan, Ridhimaa: (together) Nahi!
Nani: To fir... yahaan kya kar rahe ho? Wo kaunsi baat hai jo subah nahi ho sakti thi?
Armaan: Main to sirf basket... mera matlab hai Ridhimaa se milne aaya tha.
Anjali: Yaad aa rahi thi Ridz ki?
Armaan: Haan... nahi... wo...
Shashank: Kuch baat karni thi?
Armaan: Yes sir... wo...
Shashank: To kijiye...
Armaan: (under his breath) Ab kaise karun?
Shashank: Kyun? Sharm aati hai? Itni raat me khidki se aane me sharm nahi aayi?
Armaan was terrified at Shashank's words. Padma burst into laughter. Shashank looked at her and he too started laughing. Anjali and Nani were already smiling. Armaan looked up. Ridhimaa was embarrassed.
Armaan: Main bas dekhne aaya tha ki Ridhimaa theek to hai... usko chot lagi thi na...
He was serious. He had really come there to find if Ridhimaa was alright.
Ridhimaa: Achha... lekin tum keh to kuch aur hi rahe the...
Armaan: Wo to... bas aise hi...
Nani: Achha... neeche chalo... baithkar baat kar lena...
They all trooped downstairs.
They were all sitting in the living room. Armaan was unusually silent.
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... aapko is haalat me khidki se chadhkar to at least nahi aana chahiye the... darwaaaze se aate to hum mana thode hi kar dete aapko Ridhimaa se milne ke liye...
Armaan: Wo... main to bas...
Anjali: Dad... try to understand. Agar Armaan darwaaaze se aata to hum sabko pata nahi chal jaata? Aur Armaan to Ridz ke saath akele me baat karna chaahta hoga...
Shashank: Oh...
Armaan: Ab main chalta hoon...
Padma: Waise Armaan... mera khyaal hai tum yahi ruk jao...
Armaan: Nahi... Tammy aur Matt ghar par akele hain... unhe akele thoda time spend karne dene ke liye hi to main ghar se baahar nikla tha to raaste me Ridhimaa ki yaad aa gayi...
Anjali: Ridzi ki yaad aa gayi? Cho... chweet!
Armaan blushed.
Shashank: Dekh liya aapne ki hum aapki Ridhimaa ka achhe se khyaal rakh rahe hain ya nahi?
Armaan: (grinning) Yes sir... sir ek baat poochhun?
Shashank: Of course... poochhiye...
Armaan: Sir... aap... I mean... aap fir se mujhe aap-aap kyun kehne lage?
Shashank: Wo... pata nahi. Mujhe laga ki aapko bura lagega... aap hum sabse naraaz the to...
Armaan: Lekin ab to main naraaz nahi hoon na. Fir...
Shashank: OK... OK ab se aap nahi kahunga. Happy?
Armaan: Yes sir.
Shashank: Itne din ho gaye... abhi tak mere liye sir ke alaawa koi naam nahi socha?
Armaan: (smiling) Nahi... ghar jaakar sochunga.
Shashank: Zaroor sochna... ho sakta hai ussey tumhara darr kum ho jaaye.
Armaan left. All smiled.
A few days later, in the locker room. Rahul was not talking to anyone. Muskaan had apologized for their pretence but Rahul had not said a word about it to any one of them. Just then Ridhimaa entered. Armaan, who was busy in his locker, looked up.
Ridhimaa: Hye...
All: Hye...
She went to her locker. Armaan came towards her.
Armaan: Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: Hmm?
Armaan: Ridhimaa... mujhse ek waada karogi?
Ridhimaa: Kaisa waada?
Armaan did not speak. He looked at the box he was holding. Ridhimaa too looked at it and for a moment, looked stunned. It was Armaan's treasure box. Ridhimaa gasped slightly.

PART 331:

Ridhimaa stared at Armaan.
Armaan: (taking her hand) Idhar aao...
He drove her to the locker room bench and made her sit down. He sat down before her, on his knees.
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Armaan: Ridhimaa...
He opened the treasure box and took out the kangan and the payal. Now all were looking at the pair. They were all thinking the same thing, including Ridhimaa.
Armaan: (indicating the kangan) Jaanti ho Ridhimaa... ye kya hai?
Ridhimaa: (glumly) Ye tumhara pushtaini kada hai... ma... I mean tumhari ma ka...
Armaan: Maine kaha tha na ki tum unhe ma keh sakti ho... mujhe bura nahi lagega.
Ridhimaa smiled dryly.
Armaan: (pulling the kangan up Ridhimaa's left wrist) Ridhimaa... main ye kangan ek baar fir tumhe pehna raha hoon... ye dua karte hue ki ab tum isey kabhi bhi nahi utaarogi... agar hum kabhi alag ho jaayein... tab bhi nahi... Ridhimaa...
He looked at Ridhimaa, whose eyes had filled with tears.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... mujhse waada karo ki tum isey humesha apne pass rakhogi... aur isey mujhe tabhi waapas karna... jab tumhare dil me mere liye zara sa bhi pyar na ho. Jab tumhe lage ki tum mujhse bilkul bhi pyar nahi karti... tum mere dil par haath rakh kar kehna ki tum mujhse pyar nahi karti. Us din chaaho to mujhe ye waapas kar dena... sirf tab... theek hai?
Ridhimaa: (in a watery voice) Main isey kabhi waapas nahi karungi... kabhi nahi...
Armaan: OK... aur ye...
Armaan took Ridhimaa's feet in his hands and wrapped the payal around them and then kissed her feet.
Ridhimaa: (uneasily) Armaan... ye kya...
Armaan: (leaving her feet) Shhh... jo main keh raha hoon wo suno... Ridhimaa maine ye payal sirf aur sirf tumhare liye kharidi hai... isliye ab main kabhi ye tumse waapas nahi lunga... ye humesha tumhare pass rahegi... meri yaad bankar... chaahe tum mujhse muhabbat karo, na karo... lekin main ummeed karta hoon ki tum isey kabhi apne se alag nahi karogi. Mere marne ke baad bhi ye tumhe yaad dilaayegi ki tumhe aagey badhte rehna hai... kabhi rukna nahi hai... sab kuch bhool kar aagey badhna hai. Jab main chala jaun...
Ridhimaa: (crying) Armaan...
Armaan: (ignoring her tears) Jab main chala jaun, tab bhi... tab bhi tumhe jeena hoga. Jis tarah tumne mere jaane ke baad hansna, bolna, sab chhod diya tha... ab tum aisa nahi karogi. Tum khush rahogi... apne liye nahi to mere liye. Ye sochkar ki main jahaan bhi hoon... tumhe humesha khush dekhna chaahta hoon... tumhare aansun mujhe kal bhi takleef dete the, aaj bhi takleef dete hain aur humesha takleef dete rahenge.
He raised his hands and wiped off Ridhimaa's tears. Ridhimaa shook her face. Tears again welled up her eyes.
Armaan: (taking the bracelet in his hands) Ab ye... ye main tumhe aaj nahi dunga...
Ridhimaa was surprised. She looked at him, enquiringly.
Armaan: Mujhe nahi lagta ki ye sahi mauka hai... fir kabhi dunga... OK? Aur tum rona band karo please... warna... warna... main...
Ridhimaa stared at him. He was looking odd.
Armaan: (keeping his head on her lap) Warna main bhi ro dunga...
Ridhimaa was stunned. Armaan was crying. She could feel his tears wetting her lap. She stroked his hair and looked at the others, as if asking for help.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... Armaan please... Armaan...
Armaan raised his head. His eyes were blinking with tears but his face was dry.
Armaan: Ab main tumhe kabhi bhi khud se door nahi hone dunga... kabhi nahi... tum kahogi, tab bhi nahi... I swear!
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Armaan hugged her. She hugged him back, tightly. Ridhimaa had again started crying but Armaan had controlled his tears. He had to comfort Ridhimaa. If he would also lose his control then how Ridhimaa would be pacified. Armaan let Ridhimaa cry her full.
Armaan: Ro lo Ridhimaa... aaj jitna mann kare ro lo... kyunki iske baad tumhe sirf aur sirf muskuraana hai... ab tumhari zindagi me sirf aur sirf khushiyon ke pal aayenge... ye Armaan Mallik ka waada hai. I promise... main tumhe wo saari khushiyan dunga jin par tumhara haq hai.
Ridhimaa: I love you Armaan...
Armaan: (separating Ridhimaa from himself and kissing her right cheek) I love you too Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa kissed her forehead. Armaan touched his forehead to hers. They were sitting in this position, looking into each other's eyes when there came an announcement for all the interns to report at the nurse station immediately.
Armaan: (frowning) Lo... do minute chain se romance bhi nahi karne dete...
Ridhimaa smiled. They all reached the nurse station where Kirti was waiting for them.
Kirti: Aaj aap sab itni der se kahaan the?
Shubhankar: (coming up from behind) Dr.Armaan aur Dr.Ridhimaa ki love story dekh rahe the...
They all looked at him.
Shubhankar: Main bhi wahi dekh raha tha... Kirti ne mujhe aap sabko bulaane bheja tha... jab Dr.Armaan Ridhimaa ko...
He stopped. Kirti smiled.
Kirti: Interns... ab kaam ki baat kar li jaayein? Dr.Rahul OPD. Dr.Muskaan aap patient number 7 ka CT scan karengi. Dr.Armaan, Dr.Atul General Ward. Dr.Anjali ICU. Dr.Ridhimaa Path Lab. Now get back to your work.
Rahul was the first one to rush away from there.
That afternoon, Ridhimaa was busy in the Path Lab when someone came and hugged her from behind.
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Armaan: (leaving her and coming round to face her) Tumhe kaise pata chala ki main hoon?
Ridhimaa smiled at his question.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... actually it's a very silly question. Tumhare alaawa aur kaun yahaan aakar mujhe hug karega? Aur main to tumhe...
She stopped mid-sentence and blushed.
Armaan: Kya? Tum to mujhe...
Ridhimaa: (looking steadily into his eyes) Main to tumhe tumhari saanson ki khushboo se pehchaan sakti hoon.
Armaan was pleasantly surprised. It was not Ridhimaa's nature to say such things.
Armaan: Basket... tumhari tabiyat to theek hai na?
Ridhimaa: Haan... kyun?
Armaan: Tumhare muh se aisi baatein sunne ki aadat nahi hai na.
Ridhimaa: (not understanding) Kaisi baatein?
Armaan held her hands and pulled her towards himself. She was jammed onto his chest. Her heart, thumping against his heart.
Armaan: (in a very passionate voice) Yahi... ki tum mujhe meri saanson ki khushboo se...
Ridhimaa lowered her gaze but did not try to separate herself from Armaan. Armaan was surprised for the second time.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... upar dekho...
Ridhimaa looked up and her eyes got fixed on Armaan's blue eyes. She could see love in his eyes.
Armaan: Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa could feel his warm breath on her face. Armaan held her face and kissed her forehead.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... tumhe pata hai... tum aaj bahut khoobsurat lag rahi ho...
Ridhimaa: (smiling) Mujhe pata hai... main to humesha hi bahut achhi lagti hoon...
Armaan: (in a trued filmi style) Wo to hai... tumhari ye jo kaali-kaali, behad khoobsurat aankhein hain unme doob jaane ko mann karta hai. Lekin kya karun... mujhe swimming aati hai.
Ridhimaa smiled at the element of humour. Armaan kissed her eyes. Her cheeks turned pink.
Armaan: Aaj shaam ko tayyar rehna...
Ridhimaa: Kyun?
Armaan: Arrey... aaj ladke waale tumhe dekhne aa rahe hain...
Ridhimaa: What?
Armaan: Haan... achhe se make-up karna... jisse tum abhi se bhi zyada khoobsurat lago...
Armaan went away, leaving Ridhimaa wondering.
That evening, somebody rang the doorbell at Shashank's house. Padma went to open it. Armaan, Tamanna and Matthew were standing in front of her. She let them in and took them to the living room. Shashank and Nani were sitting there. Armaan hugged Padma and Nani and shook hands with Shashank. Tamanna hugged Shashank. They all sat down. Armaan's eyes were searching for someone.
Tamanna: Uncle aapne Ridz ko bataaya tha ki hum log use dekhne aane waale hain?
Anjali and Ridhimaa, who were going to enter the room, were stunned at these words.

PART 332:

Ridhimaa looked at Anjali, who exclaimed.
Anjali: Ridz ko dekhne!
The others sitting in the room saw Anjali and Ridhimaa, standing at the door, looking perplexed.
Tamanna: Hye Anjali... hello Ridz!
Matthew: (smiling) Hello Ridhimaa.
Ridhimaa: (faltering) Tum... tum log... yahaan...
Shashank: Ridhimaa... tumhe kisi ne bataaya nahi? Ye log to tumhe...
Anjali: (piping up) Ridzi ko dekhne aaye hain.
Tamanna: Haan.
Ridhimaa was startled, then, feeling very embarrassed, ran away from there.
Tamanna: Usey kisine ne bataaya nahi kya?
Armaan: Maine to subah hi bata diya tha...
Matthew: Usey laga hoga ki… you were joking.
Anjali came inside and hugged Armaan, Tamanna and Matthew. Then she sat down beside Padma.
Tamanna: Arrey... jisey dekhne aaye hain... wo to bhaag gayi...
Nani: Main leke aati hoon.
She gets up.
Padma: Main bhi chalti hoon aapke saath.
They both turn to leave when Armaan's mobile started ringing. He looked at the caller's number and a big smile came to his lips.
Tamanna: Kya hua?
She peeped into his mobile and then she too smiled. She took the mobile from his hands, and put it on speaker.
Ridhimaa: (angrily) Hello Armaan... ye sab kya hai? Dekho... sharaafat se yahaan se chale jao warna...
Padma: Warna?
Ridhimaa: K... kaun? Mom?
Padma: Haan... aur tum phone par baat karna chhodo... aur seedhe-seedhe yahaan aao... tum ho kahaan?
Ridhimaa: Kitchen me... lekin...
Padma ended the call.
Anjali: Main jaakar lekar aati hoon Ridz ko.
She goes away to the kitchen. The others, sitting in the living room could hear the voices emanating from there.
Anjali: Wow... tumne coffee bana li. Chalo ab lekar chalo...
Ridhimaa: Di... aap lekar jao aur Armaan se kaho ki wo yahaan se chala jaaye...
Anjali: Arrey... wo log tumhe dekhne aaye hain... tum jaakar change karke aao aur...
Ridhimaa: Kyun? Wo koi India ka President hai jo uske liye main change karun? Main nahi ja rahi kahin...
Armaan smiled.
Anjali: Ridz... Armaan...
Ridhimaa: Sabko itni hi fikr hai uski to usey adopt kyun nahi kar lete?
Tamanna stifled a snigger.
Anjali: Kyun? Tum usey apna bhai banaana chaahti ho?
Ridhimaa: Di!
Anjali: Dekho... rona mat...
Ridhimaa: Main nahi roungi...
Anjali: Kyun? Armaan ne kaha hai isliye?
Ridhimaa: Di... please! Baat karna hi bekaar hai. Main coffee aur snacks lekar jaati hoon aur Armaan ko dhakke maar kar nikaalti hoon...
Anjali: Sirf Armaan ko? Tamanna aur Matt...
Ridhimaa: Nahi... sirf Armaan ko. Usey to main chhodungi nahi...
Anjali: Arrey... thoda sharmaao to... aise muh phulaaye mat jaana sabke saamne. Aur jaakar kuch bolna nahi. Tumhe dekhne aaye hain...
Ridhimaa: Dekhne aaye hain! Huh! Bhaad me jaayein!
Just then Ridhimaa entered the living room and all turned to look at her. She had not changed her clothes. Still, she was looking as beautiful as ever. Ridhimaa kept the snacks and the coffee on the table.
Padma: Ridhimaa... apne Papa ke pass baitho...
Ridhimaa, who was about to say something, went to Shashank.
Matthew: Nahi Ridhimaa... yahaan Ammy ke pass baitho...
Ridhimaa then turned to sit beside Armaan, furiously.
Tamanna: (pulling Ridhimaa's hand) Ridz... abhi nahi... abhi mere pass baitho.
Ridhimaa was angry. She sat down beside Tamanna with a thump.
Shashank: Haan... to Armaan... aap kitna kama lete hain?
Ridhimaa looked at her father, shocked.
Armaan: Jitna mil jaata hai, ussey do waqt ki roti to kha hi leta hoon.
Shashank: Hmm... lekin shaadi ke baad to aapki zimmedaariyan badh jaayengi... fir aap kya karenge?
Armaan: Sir... responsibilities se mujhe darr nahi lagta. Jab tak main zinda hoon... tab tak apni biwi bachchon ko koi takleef, koi kami nahi hone dunga. Khud bhookha reh lunga lekin unhe chaar waqt ka khaana zaroor naseeb hoga.
Nani: Good... achha beta... ab tum logon ko Ridhimaa se kuch poochhna ho to pooch lo.
Tamanna: Ridhimaa... aap khaana banaana jaanti hain?
Ridhimaa nodded.
Tamanna: Silaayi, kadhayi, ghar ka kaam... sab kuch?
Ridhimaa nodded again. She was too angry to speak.
Armaan: Tammy... ye poochho ki ye bolna bhi jaanti hain ya nahi.
Ridhimaa glared at Armaan.
Ridhimaa: Dekhiye Dr.Mallik...
Armaan: Dr.Mallik?
Ridhimaa: Ji... aap ladki dekhne aaye hain... koi bakri nahi. Aur agar aapme sharm hoti to kab ka yahaan se ja chuke hote...
Tamanna: What a girl! Zabaan hai ya kainchi?
Padma: Ridhimaa... shaanti se baitho... guests se aise baat karte hain?
Ridhimaa: Huh!
Anjali: Ridz... sabko coffee do...
Ridhimaa poured the coffee in mugs.
Matthew: 2 spoon sugar.
Tamanna: 1 spoon sugar.
Ridhimaa: (through grinded teeth, to Armaan) Ab aap bhi bata dijiye...
Armaan: Meri coffee me sirf ungli hila dijiye...
Ridhimaa gave the coffee to everyone. She gave the coffee without sugar to Armaan.
Armaan: Main pi loon?
Ridhimaa: (remembering that Armaan wasn't allowed coffee) Nahi... rehne dijiye...
Armaan kept the mug back on the table.
Matthew: (after finishing his coffee) Ab hum log chalte hain.
Tamanna: Hume aapki beti pasand hai aur I'm sure mera bhai meri baat nahi taalega.
Padma: Hume bhi Armaan pasand hai...
Shashank: To rishta pakka samjhein?
Tamanna: Of course! Ab Ridz humari hui.
Nani: Aur Armaan humara.
Armaan: Main to humesha se hi aapka tha nani. Waise aaj maza bahut aaya... nahi? Ye typical dekhne waali rasm kitni interesting hoti hai. Hai na basket?
Ridhimaa could not understand anything.
Armaan: (coming upto Ridhimaa) Hum log to sirf aise hi aaye the... tum logon se milne. Lekin meri ek advice maano... kisi ladke ke saamne aise mat jaana. Wo to tumhari baatein sunke hi darr jaayega. Ye to main tha jo haan kar di...
Ridhimaa glared at him.
Ridhimaa: Tum log bhi na... bus mazaak hi soojhta hai...
Armaan: Lekin main to serious hoon.
Ridhimaa looked up at him and Armaan slipped the bracelet in her right hand.
Armaan: (kissing her hand) Ye shagun... humara rishta tay hone ki khushi me. I love you...
Ridhimaa blushed and gazed at the bracelet.
Armaan: Well... actually main to kuch aur bataane aaya tha yahaan. Padma Aunty... aapke liye good news hai. Kal shaam saat baje Radio City zaroor suniyega. Aapka favourite show ek baar fir on-air hone ja raha hai.
All (except Tamanna, Matthew and Armaan): Kya?

PART 333:

Anjali: Wo show... Ehsaas Dillon Ke?
Armaan: Yep! Aur usey host pata hai kaun karega?
Ridhimaa: Kaun?
Armaan: So silly of you basket! Main aur kaun?
Anjali: Tum?
Armaan: Waise karunga to main hi... lekin naam wahi hoga...
Shashank: Dil...
Armaan: That's right! Achha... ab hum chalte hain... jo kehne aaya tha, keh diya... jo dene aaya tha... wo bhi de diya...
Tamanna: Hold on! Ridz... tumhare pass ye kada kaise?
She was looking at the kangan in Ridhimaa's left hand.
Ridhimaa: Wo ye...
Armaan: Maine diya hai.
Tamanna: (holding out her right hand) Mera waala bhi bilkul same hai.
Armaan: Haan... ma ne mujhe do kangan diye the. Ek tumhare liye aur ek us ladki ke liye jiske saath main apni poori zindagi bitaana chaahun.
Tamanna: Oh!
She came towards Ridhimaa and caressed her kangan.
Tamanna: (exclaiming) Ridz... ye kya hai?
She was indicating the tattoo. Armaan was uneasy now.
Padma: Ye kya hai Ridhimaa?
Ridhimaa: Wo ye... ye...
Anjali: Ridz! Tumne bhi... Armaan ke liye... kab?
Ridhimaa: Wo maine... uske birthday ke liye...
Shashank: Ridhimaa! Tumhe dard nahi hua?
Ridhimaa: (looking at her father and then at Armaan) Nahi Papa! Bilkul bhi nahi.
Matthew: Really! Ammy aur Ridz ek doosre se bahut pyar karte hain. Dono ne ek doosre ke liye...
Anjali: Ridz ka tattoo to chhota sa hai...
Armaan: Anjy... tumhe ye tattoo chhota sa lagta hai? Tum ye socho ki us Ridhimaa ko... jisey abhi bhi injections lagwaane se darr lagta hai... usne ye tattoo kaise banwaaya hoga. Aur wo banwaate waqt jitna dard hua hoga...
His voice quivered. He turned away from all of them.
Armaan: Chalein Tammy?
Tamanna: Kya hua Ammy?
Armaan: (looking at her and smiling, forcefully) Nahi... kuch nahi. Chalo...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... maine bataya tha na... mujhe bilkul dard nahi hua tha...
Armaan looked at Ridhimaa. There was something in his gaze which forced Ridhimaa to lower her gaze.
Shashank: OK... maan liya ki bilkul dard nahi hua tha. Ab to khush tum dono?
Tamanna: Uncle... main soch rahi thi ki abhi ek hafte ke liye main aur Matt yahaan par aur hain. To isi beech Ammy aur Ridz ki engagement karwa di jaaye to...
Armaan and Ridhimaa both looked at each other and blushed.
Shashank: Main sochunga is baare me OK? Ab tum log jao warna bahut raat ho jaayegi. Aur Armaan... zyada chinta mat karna... Ridhimaa bilkul theek hai.
Armaan smiled and they all left.
The next morning, all were very excited at the news Armaan gave them about his show coming back on the radio. They were gathered in the canteen.
Atul: Armaan... tune ye show fir se shuru karke achha kiya.
Armaan: Champ! Is show ki wajah se mujhe bahut kuch mila tha. Ab jab unhone fir se mujhe approach kiya to main mana nahi kar saka. Lekin maine unhe bata diya ki main unhe ek hafte se zyada ka time nahi de sakta. Isiliye ye saat special episodes karne ka agreement kiya hai.
Shubhankar: Bas saat din! Kyun?
Anjali: Armaan... tumhara show to bahut hit tha. Tumne kewal seven days ke liye kyun...
Armaan: Arrey... main bhi insaan hoon. Ye ek-ek ghanta main roz to nikaal nahi sakta. Jab tak meri ribs poori tarah se heal nahi ho jaati, tab tak main apni usual boxing exercises nahi kar sakta. Usike schedule me se maine time nikaala hai. Warna mujhe koi shauk nahi hai ye sab karne ka. Mujhe laga ki ye mauka achha hai ki main sabko thank kar sakun mujhe itna pyar dene ke liye...
Kirti: Show ka format kya hoga?
Armaan: Wahi same Dr.Kirti. Main host karunga... kuch gaane sunaunga... aur log apni feelings share karenge.
Atul: Oye Armaan... is baar mera call zaroor receive karna.
Armaan: Champ. Main to tujhse roz milta hoon tu mujhse aise hi baat kar sakta hai. Aur kiski call leni hai, ye main thode hi decide karta hoon.
Muskaan: Kya? Lekin mujhe laga ki ye tu hi karta hoga... tabhi Ridhimaa ka call receive kiya tha aur Atul ka nahi.
Armaan: Tum log bhi na... aur agar mere haath me hota to main basket ki call kyun receive karta? Remember... main bolta tha ki main ussey nafrat karta hoon.
Ridhimaa: Fir tumhe kaise pata padta hai ki kiski call leni hai?
Armaan: Control room kisi ek caller ki call mere pass transfer kar deta hai... bas...
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... aap apne naye gaane sunayenge ya fir puraane?
Armaan: Sir... maine decide nahi kiya hai. Main jis caller se baat karta hoon... uski baat sunkar jo gaana mere dill me aata hai... wo suna dunga...
Rahul: Agar kabhi Dr.Shashank tujhe phone karein... to tu kya karega? Mujhe to lagta hai ki teri bolti band hi ho jaayegi.
Armaan: Jis tarah se do din se teri bolti band thi. Hai na... Dr.Rahool Garewaal?
Ridhimaa: Waise idea achha hai... papa ko tumhe phone karwaana chahiye... bahut maza aayega.
Armaan: Papa kyun? Papa ki beti se karwaana... waise bhi tumse baat karne me bahut maza aayega.
Armaan: Yaad hai... jab tumne call ki thi... to kya hua tha?
All: Kya hua tha?
Ridhimaa: Kuch nahi...
Armaan: Kuch nahi kaise? Guys... main pehchaan gaya tha ki wo basket hai. Fir...
Ridhimaa: Fir mujh par ilzaam lagaaya ki main ussey flirt kar rahi hoon.
Anjali: What?
Ridhimaa: Haan... maine sirf itna kaha tha ki mujhe uski awaaz sunkar kisiki yaad aati hai. Fir Armaan ne mujhse poem sunaane ko kaha...
Armaan: Ha...ha...haa! Sach basket. Mujhe us waqt bahut maza aa raha tha. Waise tumne jo poem sunayi thi wo buri nahi thi... main to soch raha tha ki tum kahin Jhony-Jhony na sunaane lago...
Ridhimaa: Jhony-Jhony? Main tumhe itni bewkoof lagti hoon?
Armaan: (looking at his watch) Achha... ab mujhe chalna chahiye... paanch baj rahe hain aur agar jaldi nahi gaya to bheed lag jaayegi. Waise bhi announce kar diya gaya hai ki show fir se shuru hone waala hai. Kahin bheed me...
Ridhimaa: Bye... and best of luck.
Armaan: Thanks...
Ridhimaa: (smiling) Dosti me no sorry... no thank you... yaad hai?
Armaan: (kissing her hand) Sorry nahi, thank you nahi to I love you hi sahi. Happy?
And he went away, leaving Ridhimaa blushing before the others.
At sharp 7:00 p.m. Armaan's programme started.
Armaan: Hello friends and welcome to aapka apna show Ehsaas Dillon Ke. Main hoon aapka host Dil jisse aap apne dil ki baat share kar sakte hain. Number bhool to nahi gaye na aap sab? Bhool gaye to koi baat nahi. Main yaad dila deta hoon. Jaldi se apne ya apne padosi ke mobiles uthaiye aur dial kijiye 22334455! Come on... yes... humare is season ka pehla call. Hello!
Caller: Hello... Armaan...
Armaan: Ji nahi... shaayad aapko galatfehmi hui hai... mera naam hai Dil...
Caller: Haan... wahi... Dil... mujhe aapse kehna hai ki I love your voice. Aur aapne gaana chhod kyun diya? Please aap fir se apni koi album nikaaliye... please... bye.
Armaan: Well... main waada to nahi kar sakta ki fir se apni koi album nikaalunga lekin main itna assure zaroor kar sakta hoon ki maine gaana nahi chhoda hai. Main kabhi gaana nahi chhod sakta. Aur proof ke liye... ye gaana...
He started singing "Ehsaas ke labon pe".
Armaan: (after finishing the song) Agar aapko gaana achha laga to der kis baat ki? Phone uthaiye aur number lagaiye. Aur apni feelings hum sabke saath share kijiye...
After three four calls, it was the time for the last call.
Armaan: Aur ye humari aaj ki last calls. For others... stop trying. Hello... who's this?
Voice: Hello...
Armaan recognised the voice. He smiled.

PART 334:

Armaan: Yes... who's this?
Voice: Main... Dr.At... Dr.Altaf Hassan Muhammad.
Armaan: (smiling) Really? Waise agar aap apna asli naam bataate to bhi humare listeners ko bura nahi lagta.
Voice: Asli naam hi to bataaya...
Armaan: Waise main to pehchaan gaya hoon ki aap kaun hain...
Voice: I knew it. Mujhe pata tha ki tu zaroor pehchaan jaayega. OK...OK... mera naam hai Dr.Atul Joshi. Ab khush?
Armaan: Haan to Champ... I mean Dr.Joshi...
Atul: Oye... Champ bol na...
Armaan: OK baba... Champ...
Atul: Ek minute Armaan... ye Muskaan bhi na... Muskaan main baat kar raha hoon...
Muskaan: Mujhe bhi baat karni hai... de na phone...
Anjali: Mujhe bhi Atul...
Atul: Ek second Anjali...
Tamanna: Fir mujhe haan?
Armaan: Champ... I'm warning you. Kisiko phone diya to...
Atul: Anjali ko de doon?
Armaan: Nahi... kewal ek insaan hi ek call par baat kar sakta hai...
Atul: Tab main hi baat karunga... pichhle season se phone try kar raha hoon... aaj jaakar laga... waise Armaan...
Armaan: (correcting him) Dil...
Atul: Haan wahi Dil-wil... ye baaki sab tujhse hye to keh sakte hain na?
Armaan: Achha... bhai... lekin jaldi... bus paanch minute hain tere pass...
Anjali, Tamanna, Matthew, Muskaan, Rahul, Shashank, Padma, Nani: (together) Hye!!!
Armaan: Itne saare log kya kar rahe hain?
Atul: Sab nahi hain... Dr.Shubhankar aur Dr.Kirti yahaan nahi hain...
Armaan: Waise ek hye kum hai...
Atul: Oh! Ridz... wo tujhse baat nahi karegi... bechaari kitchen me coffee bana rahi hai... haan lekin usne kaha hai ki wahaan Radio Station par tujhe coffee peene ki zaroorat nahi hai... agar pi to achha nahi hoga tere liye.
Armaan: Fine! Nahi piyunga... aur main to bhool hi gaya tha... ye radio programme hai... to koi feelings share karni hai aapko?
Atul: Ek gaana sunaun?
Armaan: Champ... ye koi singing reality show nahi hai... pehle din hi band karwaana hai kya?
Atul: Ridhimaa se pichhli baar poori poem suni thi... main ek gaana nahi suna sakta?
Armaan: OK... jaldi suna... agar tere gaane ke baad ye show band kar diya gaya to fir bolte rehna... main waapas nahi aaunga...
Atul: (singing badly)
Tujhe ishq ho khuda kare, koi tujhko ussey juda kare.
Tere honth hansna bhool jaaye, teri aankh pur-nam raha kare.
Tu milan ki har pal dua kare, tujhe ishq ho fir yakeen ho.
Main kahun ishq dhong hai, tu nahi-nahi kaha kare.
Armaan: Oye... bad-dua kyun de raha hai?
Atul: Bad-dua nahi mere bhai... aaj to tujhe sirf duayein hi milengi. Waise tu programme karte hi seedhe Ridhimaa ke ghar aa jaana...
Armaan: (curiously, forgetting that he was live on radio) Kyun?
Atul: Arrey teri engagement ki planning ho rahi hai yahaan...
Armaan: What? Mere bina?
Then Armaan remembered that all must be listening this on the radio.
Armaan: Achha bye... teri to wahaan aakar khabar leta hoon.
Atul: Sorry... bye.
Armaan: Haan... to... main bahut khush hoon ki aaj meri... I mean... aaj main aap sabse fir se rubaru hua hoon. Isliye aaj ka aakhiri gaana... humare last caller ke liye...
Armaan closed his eyes and started singing.
Armaan: (singing)
Dard me agar maza nahi hota,
Pyar dil me jama nahi hota.
Jaaney kya ho gayi khata mujhse,
Aajkal woh khafa nahi hota.
Jisne duniya ke gam churaaye hain,
Uska kuch bhi bura nahi hota.
Usse milne ki justuju kyun hai,
Wo jo mujhse juda nahi hota.
Uske chehre pe jo likha hai padho,
Pyar ka tarjuma nahi hota.
Hausle raasta dikhaate hain,
Jab kahin raasta nahi hota.
Aaj ke liye itna hi. This is Dil signing out. Agar zindagi rahi to kal isi waqt fir milenge. Till then Alvida! Radio City sunte rahiye.
Armaan ended the programme and rushed out to meet the show's director and apologise. But he was surprised to find the director beaming. After hugging him off, Armaan got into his car and made his way to Ridhimaa's house. Reaching there, Armaan stepped down from his car and rang the bell.
Nani: (opening the door) Arrey Armaan... tum itni jaldi aa gaye?
Armaan: Aap logon ne hi to kaha tha ki main jaldi se aa jaun.
Atul: (coming up from behind) Oye... tu sach me itni jaldi aa gaya...
Armaan: Tujhse to mujhe bahut baat karni hai...
Then he hugged nani who blessed him.
Armaan: Main andar aa jaun ya fir...
Nani: Arrey haan... aa jao...
She takes him inside to the living room where the others were sitting. Armaan hugged Padma and Tamanna came upto him and hugged him.
Tamanna: Aaj ka show bahut achha tha Ammy.
Armaan: Thanks... shukr karo mujhe daanta nahi gaya... aur Atul... tune phone kyun kiya tha?
Atul: Kyun? Nahi karna chahiye tha kya?
Armaan: (sitting down beside him) Karna hi tha to thoda soch samajh kar bolna chahiye tha na. Aur wo gaana...
Atul: (proudly) Achha tha na?
Armaan: Nahi. Aur ye sab bhi koi radio par kehta hai ki programme khatm karke ghar aa jaana? Tu baad me phone nahi kar sakta tha? Mujhe to laga ha ki director bahut gussa honge... lekin unhe to lagta hai ki agar din me aise chaar calls aur aa jaayein to unhe bahut profit hoga.
Anjali: Really? Fir hum roz call karenge.
Armaan: No ways! Ab koi call nahi karega. Understood? Tum logon me se to koi nahi... baat karni aati nahi hai aur...
Muskaan: Achha-achha... jis kaam ke liye bulaaya hai, wo to kar lein.
Armaan fell silent.
Rahul: Lekin is kaam me tu humaara saath nahi de sakta. Tu baahar ja kamre se.
Armaan: Kyun?
Shashank: Kyunki ye bachchon ki baatein nahi hain...
Armaan: Main bachcha nahi hoon...
Matthew: Uncle ka matlab ki ladka aur ladki is conversation me part nahi le sakte. Tum jao... dekho... Ridz bhi yahaan nahi hai.
Armaan: (looking around) Kahaan hai wo?
Tamanna: Kitchen me.
Armaan: Tab se ab tak kitchen me hi ghusi hui hai?
Anjali: Pehle to coffee bana rahi thi... busy thi isliye nahi aa rahi thi. ab jab usne Atul ko tumhe phone par bataate hue sun liya ki tum dono ki engagement fix ho rahi hai to sharm ki wajah se nahi aa rahi. Tum bhi jao... go...go...
Nobody listened to Armaan's pleas and pushed him out of the room and closed the door behind him. Armaan had no other alternative. He went to the kitchen. Ridhimaa had her back towards the kitchen door. Armaan sneaked up behind her and pulled her closer to him.
Ridhimaa: (looking around to find Armaan's face very close to hers and blushing) Armaan! Chhodo mujhe...
Armaan: Oye hoye!
Ridhimaa pulled herself free from his grip.
Armaan: (in a serious tone) Ye sab tum kya karwa rahi ho? Atul keh raha tha ki tumne humari engagement ki date...
Armaan could not complete. Ridhimaa was looking at him in pure shock.

PART 335:

Armaan: Kya hua?
Ridhimaa: Maine... maine kuch nahi kaha. Sach... maine kisi se kuch nahi kaha... tum poochh lo...
Armaan: Oh! Mujhe pata hai meri basket aisa kuch nahi karwa sakti. Lekin tumhe khushi nahi ho rahi ki kuch din baad hum dono...
He left his sentence incomplete. Ridhimaa smiled and turned back towards the gas stove.
Armaan: (holding her hand and turning her to face himself) Ye kya har waqt kaam karti rehti ho? Tumhare ghar me tumhare alaawa aur koi nahi hai kya kaam karne ke liye?
Ridhimaa: (holding Armaan's face gently) Armaan... main kaam isliye nahi karti hoon kyunki koi mujhe kaam karne ko kehta hai. Balki isliye karti hoon kyunki mujhe achha lagta hai...
Armaan: (removing Ridhimaa's hand from his face and kissing it) I promise... jab humari shaadi ho jaayegi to main tumhe ko kaam nahi karne dunga...
Ridhimaa's smile deepened.
Ridhimaa: Achha?
Armaan: Haan... lekin abhi mere liye ek cup achhi si coffee bana do...
Ridhimaa: Coffee bana doon? Tumhare liye?
Armaan: Ridhimaa please... please... please... please... please... please...
Ridhimaa: Armaan stop it. Main koi coffee nahi banaungi... tum thode din aur wait nahi kar sakte? Tab tak tum kuch aur try karo...
Armaan: (n fake disappointment) Ab tum hi batao main kya piyun?
Ridhimaa: (handing him a glass of fresh fruit juice) Ye lo... it's good for you.
Armaan: (sulking) Good for you! Ab main coffee tabhi piyunga jab tum khud mujhe apne haathon se coffee banakar pilaogi.
Ridhimaa: Achha baba theek hai...
Armaan: Hey basket... chalo chalkar dekhte hain baahar kya ho raha hai
Ridhimaa: Humara baahar jaana mana hai... mom ne dekha to...
Armaan: (pulling her hand) Tum darrti kyun ho? Main hoon na... chalo...
They both went and stood outside the living room door and put their ears to the door.
Padma: Maine aaj pandit ji ko bulaaya hai. Wo bata rahe the ki teen din baad ki date achhi hai.
Tamanna: Main to in sab baaton me bilkul Ammy ki tarah hoon. Mujhe in sab baaton par belief nahi hota. Main chaahti hoon ki engagement jaldi se jaldi ho jaaye...
Armaan: (to Ridhimaa) Dekha... meri behen hai...
Ridhimaa: Haan... dekh liya...
Shashank: To fir teen din baad...
Anjali: Shhh...
They all fell silent.
Armaan: Ye sab log chup kyun ho gaye?
Ridhimaa: (leaning against the door) Pata nahi...
The door opened all of a sudden. Ridhimaa was about to fall forwards when Armaan caught her in his arms. They both looked at each other.
Shashank: Ye sab kya ho raha hai?
Armaan: (embarrassed, straightening up) Kuch nahi sir.
Ridhimaa was very embarrassed. She was looking for a reason to flee away from there.
Padma: Kisne kaha tha yahaan aakar humari baatein sunne ke liye?
Armaan: Wo actually... Ridhimaa ne kaha tha ki hume yahaan aakar...
Ridhimaa: (shocked) What? Maine kaha tha? Tumne kaha tha ki “chalo Ridhimaa chalkar dekhte hain baahar kya ho raha hai. Tum darrti kyun ho? Main hoon na...” kaha tha na tumne? Aur yahaan aakar mujhe blame kar rahe ho.
Armaan: (giving up) OK... maine kaha tha... Ridhimaa to aana hi nahi chaah rahi thi... main hi pakad kar le aaya...
Tamanna: Pakad kar ya fir uthakar?
Armaan: Tammy!
Nani: Achha ab jab aa hi gaye ho to andar aa jao.
A few minutes later, they were all sitting in the living room, very excited when Nani came inside with a panditji. He sat down.
Armaan: Ye kaun hai?
Ridhimaa: Shh... panditji hain...
Nani: Panditji... ye hai Ridhimaa... aur ye Armaan... inhi dono ki sagaayi ki baat ki thi maine...
She beckoned both of them towards herself. Armaan came very reluctantly.
Armaan: Nani... aapko to pata hai na ki main...
Nani: Shh...
Panditji: Beti... apna haath dikhao...
Ridhimaa extended her left palm in front of her. The pandit scanned her lines.
Pandit: (after a few silent moments) Hmm... beti tumhari kismat bahut achhi hai. Tumhe bahut saari khushiyan milengi. Tumhara hone waala pati tumse bahut prem karega. Bahut khush rakhega tumhe.
Ridhimaa looked at Armaan, who nodded, smiling.
Pandit: (adding) Lekin kuch grahon ki mahadasha ki wajah se tum swayam kinhi kaaranwash apni khushiyon ko apne se door kar deti ho. Apni is aadat ko sudhaaro warna bahut pachhtaogi. Meri salaah to yahi hai ki...
Armaan: (piping up) Ki apna dimaag zyada mat chalaana. Jo ho raha hai hone do, mere upar bharosa rakhogi to tumhari khushiyan humesha tumhare pass rahengi.
All glared at Armaan. The panditji also looked up to see who had spoken.
Armaan: (a little afraid) Sorry...
Panditji: Haan beti... ye bilkul sahi keh rahe hain... jo ho raha hai hone do... apne upar poora bojh mat daalna... khush raho...
Ridhimaa stood up.
Nani: Armaan... ab tum...
Armaan: Main? Main nahi...
But he then went to the pandit on Ridhimaa's glare.
Panditji: (examining Armaan's palm) Beta... jo main kahunga, usey dhyan se sunna. Darrna mat. Har mushkil ka upaay hota hai...
Armaan: Aap saaf-saaf kahiye, kya kehna hai aapko.
Panditji: Beta... maine pehli baar aisi rekhaiyein dekhi hain. Kya tumne apne jeevan me bahut si kathinaiyon aur dukhon ka saamna kiya hai?
Armaan: (in a small voice) Ji...
Panditji: Beta… in pareshaaniyon se bachne ka ek upaay hai... tum swayam apne liye achha karo. Doosron ki seva bahut ho gayi. Ab apni khushiyon ke baare me socho. Doosron ko khushi baantne se khushiyan zaroor badhti hain, lekin apni khushi hi doosron ko de dena achhi baat nahi. Pyar hi duniya me sab kuch nahi hai. Apne pyar ke liye apna sab kuch de dena, apni khushiyon ko apne se door kar dena theek baat nahi hai. Tumhe apne liye jeena hoga.
Armaan pulled back his hand as if burnt. He stood up and walked backwards, not knowing where he wanted to go. All were looking at him, stunned. Armaan had bumped into someone. He turned around to find Tamanna's worried face.
Panditji: Beta, mujhe pata hai ki tumhe meri baatein sahi nahi lag rahi. Tum un kuch logon me se ho jinke liye apne jeevan se zyada apna pyar maayne rakhta hai... lekin...
Armaan: (in a quivering voice) Please... mujhe aur kuch nahi sunna. Mujhe aapki kisi baat par vishwaas nahi hai. Aapne jo kaha, main waisa bilkul nahi hoon. Mujhe pata hai ki mere liye kya important hai.
Tamanna: (keeping a hand on Armaan's shoulder) Ammy...
Nani: Panditji sagaayi me koi pareshani to nahi hai na?
Panditji: Koi pareshaani nahi hai. Aap bahut khushkismat hain ki aapko aisa damaad mila hai. Agar wo aapki beti se pyar karta hai to apne se zyada uski raksha karega. Teen din baad bahut shubh muhurt hai.
Nani escorted panditji to the door. She came back to find the others sitting stonily. Armaan was still standing as she had left him. Nobody had dared to approach him. Tamanna stood up from her place and went to Armaan.
Tamanna: Ammy... are you OK?
Armaan: Haan... I'm... I'm...
He wanted to say that he was fine but couldn't. He pulled Tamanna closer and hugged her and hid his face in her arms.

PART 336:

Tamanna: Ammy... Ammy...
Armaan was not leaving her. He was afraid of showing his face to anyone. Tamanna could feel her arms wetting. She was frightened.
Tamanna: Ammy...
They were all surprised. They did not know what had happened to Armaan all of a sudden. Tamanna bent under Armaan's weight. Armaan was not helping. He seemed to be falling down. A second later, Tamanna was supporting Armaan, who was sitting on the ground, on his knees. All rushed upto them.
Shashank: Armaan... Tamanna... kya hua?
Tamanna: (looking up for help) Pata nahi uncle... Ammy... Ammy... what happened?
Rahul: (keeping his hand on Armaan's shoulder) Armaan...
Armaan's head was still on Tamanna's shoulder. Nobody could see his face.
Atul, Anjali, Muskaan: (together) Armaan...
Padma: Armaan kya hua?
Nani looked at Ridhimaa. She was terrified. Nevertheless, Ridhimaa came up and gestured Tamanna to leave Armaan. As soon as she left him, Armaan looked up. His face was glazed with tears. Ridhimaa's heart wrenched to see him in that condition.
Ridhimaa: (quickly sitting down beside him and holding his face) Armaan... kya hua? Armaan... please batao... mera dill ghabra raha hai... Armaan...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... tum mujhse door nahi jaogi na?
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tum... kya...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... meri sabse badi khushi tum ho. Main tumhe kabhi apne se door nahi karunga... chaahe jo bhi ho jaaye.
Ridhimaa: Wo to theek hai Armaan lekin tum... tum is tarah... Armaan!
She hugged him tightly. Armaan found it a divine experience. The delicate, sensitive girl was trying to pacify the strong man.
Armaan: (wiping his tears) Kuch nahi hua... kuch nahi. Sab theek hai.
He prised her away from him. Ridhimaa wasn't crying and Armaan was relieved to see that. He stood up on his feet and then helped Ridhimaa to her feet too.
Shashank: Armaan... hua kya tha?
Armaan: Kuch nahi sir. Ridhimaa theek hai...
Shashank: Ridhimaa nahi main tumhari baat kar raha hoon.
Armaan: Main? Mujhe kya hona hai? Main to bilkul theek hoon. See.
Anjali: Armaan... ye tumhari sabse buri aadat hai. Apne dukh tum kabhi bhi kisi se share nahi karte.
Atul: Armaan abhi hum sabne tujhe rote hue dekha tha... bata na kya hua?
Armaan: Maine kaha na...
Matthew: Ammy... Tammy says ki tum ye sab baaton me believe nahi karte. Fir... how...
Armaan: True. Main in sabme believe nahi karta. Bas... kuch soch kar darr gaya tha...
Padma: Kya sochkar?
Armaan looked at Padma, then at Ridhimaa and then shook his face.
Armaan: Kuch nahi... to engagement ki date fix?
He had cleverly changed the subject.
Muskaan: (excited) Haan... teen din baad...
Tamanna: OK... then decided. Teen din baad Ammy aur Ridz ki engagement. Kisiko koi objection?
All: No.
Shashank: OK... to fir teen din baad... matlab 9th December ko Armaan aur Ridhimaa ki engagement hogi... humare ghar par.
Armaan: Sir...
Shashank: Yes?
Armaan: Sir... engagement to hogi lekin yahaan nahi... venue main aapko kal bataunga.
Padma: Lekin Armaan...
Armaan: Padma Aunty please... pichhli baar to bahut short notice par engagement rakh di gayi thi... lekin is baar bahut saara time hai. Aur main khud is din ke liye arrangements karna chaahta hoon... is din ko khaas banaana chaahta hoon... aur Venue maine pehle se decide kar rakha hai. Sach... koi problem nahi hogi.
Rahul: To iska matlab tera kaam poora ho gaya?
Armaan: Yep!
Anjali: Kaisa kaam?
Armaan: Patience Anjy... patience. Maine kaha na... kal pata chal jaayega.
Padma: Ab chalo... sab log khaana kha lo.
Ridhimaa: Lekin mom... maine abhi khaana banaaya nahi.
Muskaan: Kya? Mujhe to bahut zoron ki bhookh lagi hai.
Rahul: Haan... tujhe to sabse zyada...
But he stopped. Muskaan was surprised.
Armaan: Koi baat nahi... ek din tum khaana nahi banaogi to kya kisiko khaana nahi milega? Tumhare alaawa itne saare log to hain... koi bhi bana dega. Kyun Anjy?
Anjali: Hey... leave me out of this. Main kuch nahi banaungi. Mujhe khaana banaana nahi aata.
Muskaan: Aur mujhse koi ummeed na kare to hi achha.
Armaan: Kya hoga tum logon ka? Jab tumhari shaadi hogi to apne patiyon ko bhookha maarogi kya?
Tamanna: Haan... hum log apne patiyon ko bhookha maarenge lekin tumhari to mauj hai. Ridz roz tumhe achha-achha khaana banakar khilayegi.
Armaan: Roz to nahi banaayegi... haan Sundays ko zaroor banayegi. Kyun basket?
Ridhimaa: Ab zyada muh chalaane ki zaroorat nahi hai...
Matthew: Kyun roz kyun nahi banayegi?
Armaan: Arrey... Ridhimaa thak bhi to jaayegi. Waise bhi hospital me itna kaam hota hai...
Atul: Oh... matlab tum Ridz ko kaam karne se nahi rokoge?
Armaan: Main kyun rokunga? Aur waise bhi agar Ridhimaa Sanjeevani me nahi hogi to mera mann kaise lagega?
Rahul: Haan... baat to tune bilkul sahi kahi.
Muskaan: Sundays ko to Ridhimaa khaana bana degi... baaki din kya karoge?
Armaan: Karna kya hai? Ghar ka hotel hai... wahin khaayenge.
Ridhimaa: Ghar ka hotel hai. Kya matlab?
Armaan: Kuch nahi...
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Armaan: Mujhe bahut bhookh lag rahi hai. Kuch khaane ko milega?
Nani: Achha... to aaj Ridhimaa ki chhutti. Aaj Padma aur main khaana bana denge.
Half an hour later, all were in the dining room, having dinner. Armaan was eating less, goggling at Ridhimaa more. Ridhimaa was feeling very embarrassed, knowing that she was in continuous glare. She kept blushing.
Matthew: Ridz... are you OK?
Ridhimaa: Haan...
Armaan: (whispering) Basket sharmaana band karo...
Ridhimaa, not able to avoid Armaan any other way, kept her hand on the table, half hiding her face and bent on her plate.
Armaan: (again whispering) Apni ankhein bhi chhupa lo... warna main khud ko rok nahi paunga...
Ridhimaa glared at him but finding him looking at her in a very passionate and romantic manner; blushed very hard.
Tamanna: (clattering her spoon) Ye kya ho raha hai?
Armaan: Kuch nahi ho raha hai... tum Matt ko dekho na... hume kyun dekh rahi ho?
Atul: Haan Tamanna... aisa karo Armaan aur Ridz ke saamne 'do not disturb' ka sign laga do.
All sniggered while Ridhimaa turned a deeper shade of red and Armaan glared at Atul. They all again turned to their plates.
Shashank: Ridhimaa... khaana kha lo beta...
Ridhimaa: (very embarrassed) Ji papa...
Armaan: (muttering) Hey basket...
Ridhimaa: (out of the corner of her mouth) Kya hai? Mujhe disturb mat karo. Chupchap khaana khao.
Armaan: (whispering) Arrey suno to... parson tum mere saath date par chalogi?
Ridhimaa: (highly shocked) Kya?
All looked at her. Armaan quickly bent over his plate of food, trying hard to look innocent. Ridhimaa wasn't expecting this offer. They were all gazing at the pair.

PART 337:

Padma: Kya?
Ridhimaa looked up. Evidently everyone present had heard her.
Ridhimaa: Nahi... kuch nahi...
Anjali: Ridz kya hua?
Tamanna: Ammy ne kuch kaha kya?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... wo... kuch nahi...
Shashank: Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: (in a fix) Papa wo...
Armaan: Shh...
Shashank: Armaan... tumne kya kaha Ridhimaa se jo wo itna baukhla gayi?
Armaan: Maine? Kuch bhi to nahi...
Nani: Armaan...
Armaan: Maine... maine bas ussey... bas date par jaane ke liye poochha tha.
Shashank: Date?
Armaan: Yes sir... no sir... wo sir...
Matthew: To Ridhimaa... tumne answer nahi kiya?
Ridhimaa: Main abhi aati hoon...
She tried to get up.
Tamanna: Bata to do Ammy ko ki tum uske saath date par jaogi ya nahi?
Armaan: (muttering to himself) Shit! Akele me poochhna chahiye tha... tum sabke saamne to kabhi haan nahi kahegi.
Atul: To jao... jaakar akele me pooch lo...
Armaan: Shut up!
Rahul: Waise Armaan... mujhe tujhse ye ummeed nahi thi. Mard bankar sabke saamne poochhna chahiye tha... aise chhup-chhupa kar...
Armaan: (standing up and facing Ridhimaa) Ridhimaa... tum parson mere saath date par chalogi?
Ridhimaa: (baffled at this unexpected question) Wo main...
Then she looked at Armaan and his determined face.
Ridhimaa: (taking a deep breath) Haan chalungi... lekin pehle...
Armaan: (before she could complete) Sir... kya main Ridhimaa ko parson date par le ja sakta hoon?
Shashank: (smiling) Le jao.
Armaan: (to Ridhimaa) Ab chalogi?
Ridhimaa: Haan theek hai.
Armaan: (sitting down as before and looking at Rahul, Anjali, Atul, Muskaan, Tamanna and Matthew) Happy?
All: Very happy!
Next day, at the Nurse Station. Kirti was assigning the duties to the interns.
Kirti: Dr.Muskaan ICU. Dr.Rahul OPD. Dr.Anjali Special Ward. Dr.Atul Children's ward. Dr.Ridhimaa Path Lab. Now get back to work.
As Kirti turned to put her file on the counter, Anjali spoke.
Anjali: Ridz... Armaan ne tumhe call kiya tha aaj?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... aur na hi wo aaj basketball court me gaya tha.
Atul: Aur aaj to wo Sanjeevani bhi nahi aaya.
Rahul: Kisine Armaan ka mobile try kiya? Shaayad koi problem ho...
Muskaan: Haan... aise to Armaan bimaari me bhi kabhi chhutti nahi karta.
Kirti: (revolving back on the interns) Interns... aapne suna nahi? Aap logon ko apni duties par report karna hai... agle paanch minute ke andar...
Ridhimaa: Mam... wo... Armaan nahi aaya?
Kirti: Dr.Ridhimaa... ghar par wo aapke liye Armaan honge, lekin yahaan wo Dr.Armaan hain... aur wo aaj subah saat baje hi aa gaye the. Now please...
She marched off.
Atul: Lekin mam...
But Kirti had already went away.
Rahul: Gabbar ne ye to bataaya nahi ki Armaan ki duty kahaan hai.
They all also go away to report at their respective duties, wondering where Armaan would be.
In the lunch break, all the interns were sitting in the canteen except Armaan. Kirti and Shubhankar also came and joined the interns. A little while later, Shashank also came there and was beckoned by Anjali.
Anjali: Dr.Shashank...
Shashank came there.
Shashank: Yes Dr.Anjali...
Anjali: Sir... if you would please care to join us.
Shashank: Of course!
Shashank sat down beside Anjali. Ridhimaa's gaze was fixed at the canteen door. There was no sign of Armaan.
Ridhimaa: (out of anguish) Armaan aakhir kar kya raha hai?
They all looked at her, smiling, but she was still watching the door for an answer.
Kirti: Dr.Armaan apni duty kar rahe hain Dr.Ridhimaa aur abhi thodi der me aate hi honge...
Atul, Ridhimaa: (together) Lunch time me duty?
Just then, Armaan came there, looking haggard. He dropped himself ungraciously on the chair beside Ridhimaa.
Armaan: (keeping his head down on the table, sighing) Hye basket...
Muskaan: (whispering) Ab isey kya hua?
Armaan: (without raising his head, in a tired voice) Waiter...
The waiter came there.
Waiter: Dr.Armaan aapke liye kya laaun?
Armaan: Mera sir...
Ridhimaa sent the waiter away. Then she put her hand on Armaan's head.
Ridhimaa: (softly) Armaan...
Armaan did not raise his head even then. He only turned his head in the direction of the voice. Ridhimaa's hair caressed his face. He felt nice and smiled. He touched her hair with his hand and kissed them.
Armaan: (in a sleepy voice) Basket... tum... main... yeaaaaahhh...
Ridhimaa: (a little louder) Armaan...
Armaan did not stir.
Ridhimaa: (clapping his shoulder hard and shaking him) Armaan...
Armaan woke up and sat up straight, rubbing his eyes.
Armaan: (yawning) Good morning...
Ridhimaa: (angrily) Armaan... tum yahaan so rahe ho?
Armaan: (looking around, blinking stupidly) Nahi... nahi... main so kahaan raha hoon?
Ridhimaa: Achha to abhi-abhi tum kya kar rahe the?
Armaan: Main... main wo...
Then he looked at his watch.
Armaan: (exclaiming) Arrey... chaar baj gaye. Mujhe jaana hai... bye.
He tried to get up but Ridhimaa held his hand and pulled him back down.
Armaan: Kya hai?
Ridhimaa: Tum ja kahaan rahe ho? Aur subah se tum kahaan the?
Armaan: Main to Sanjeevani me hi tha... duty kar raha tha... General Ward me.
Shashank: Lekin Dr.Armaan... itni subah-subah...
Shubhankar: Sir aaj Dr.Armaan ko koi zaroori kaam tha isliye wo subah saat baje se duty kar rahe the. Uske baad unhone mujhe surgery me assist kiya...
Atul: Lekin Armaan tune to lunch bhi nahi kiya...
Armaan: Main baad me kar lunga...
Rahul: Lunch kya shaam ko karega? Aur tu to breakfast bhi nahi karta hai... tujhe bhookh nahi lagi?
Armaan: Main keh raha hoon na... mujhe ek bahut important kaam hai. Aur haan... main to bhool hi gaya tha.
Ridhimaa: (again holding his hand) Armaan... tum kahin nahi ja rahe.
Armaan: (smiling) Basket... mera haath chhodo... sab log dekh rahe hain.
Ridhimaa left his hand. Armaan went away and came back after a moment, holding a packet in his hands. He took out something shiny from it and spread it out on the table. All fixed their eyes on the card kept on the table.

PART 338:

Anjali: Ye...
Muskaan: Ye to...
It was a beautiful, white, stylish card, exquisitely designed for Armaan and Ridhimaa's engagement. Ridhimaa was gazing at it in awe.
Shashank: Wow!
Armaan: Thanks sir... aap logon ko pasand aaya?
All: (in unison, except Ridhimaa) Of course!
Armaan: (to Ridhimaa) Tumhe pasand nahi aaya?
Ridhimaa: Bahut sundar hai.
Armaan: Achha? Lekin tumse kum...
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Atul: Lekin Armaan... ye card tune chhapwaaya hai na to isme Ridhimaa ka naam upar kyun hai?
Shubhankar: Samjha kariye Dr.Atul. Ab to Ridhimaa ka naam hi upar hoga har jagah...
Armaan: Haan... jab okhli me sir diya hai to...
Ridhimaa: (demanding) Kya kaha?
Armaan: Kuch nahi.
Armaan took out some more cards and gave one each to Muskaan, Atul, Rahul, Kirti and Shubhankar. They beamed. Rahul opened the envelope. A fragrance emanated from it.
Muskaan: (leaning over to smell the card) Arrey waah! Kitni achhi khushboo hai!
Rahul looked at her. She too looked up to find that she was almost leaning on Rahul and retreated apologetically.
Atul: Ye kewal Rahul ke card me hai ya...
Armaan: Sabke me hai. Wo kya hai na, ye Ridhimaa ka favourite perfume hai... hai na basket?
Ridhimaa nodded.
Rahul: (reading) You are all cordially invited to the engagement ceremony of Dr.Ridhimaa Gupta (daughter of Mrs.Padma Gupta and Dr.Shashank Gupta) and Dr.Armaan Mallik (son of Mrs.Nivedita Salmaan Mallik)...
Rahul stopped abruptly.
Rahul: (to Armaan) Tune... unka naam bhi nahi...
Armaan: Rahul...
Rahul: Achha... OK... haan... to main kahaan tha?
He found the spot from where he had stopped and then continued from there.
Rahul: (reading) ...this will take place on 9th of December, 2008. Time: 9:00 p.m...
Ridhimaa: Nau baje?
Shashank: Itni raat me?
Armaan: Haan... Nani keh rahi hi ki shubh muhurt 6 to 10 tak ka hai. Aur saat se aath tak to main radio programme me busy rahunga... to isliye...
Anjali: Tum parson bhi radio programme karoge? Apni sagaayi ke din bhi?
Armaan: Of course! Mera contract hai.
Atul: Lekin tu to keh raha tha ki tune paise nahi liye hain...
Armaan: Lekin maine waada to kiya hai na... meri duty banti hai ki main use nibhaun. Lekin agar tum log chaahte ho to...
Ridhimaa: Nahi Armaan. Mujhe bilkul achha nahi lagega agar tumne apna kiya hua koi bhi waada toda.
Armaan: Dekha... I knew ki tum mujhe zaroor samjhogi.
Rahul: Haan... to time theek hai... R.S.V.P me Tamanna, Matthew, Shubhankar sir, Kirti mam, main, Atul aur... aur...
Muskaan: Aur kya?
Rahul: Aur Shahrukh Khan?
Armaan: Haan...
Kirti: Kya wo bhi...
Armaan: Yes mam. Shahrukh sir ne hi mujhe idea diya tha cards banwaane ka. Aur unhone mujhe warn kiya hai ki agar maine unka naam nahi likhawaaya to... to he'll kill me. Ab bechaari basket ki shaadi se pehle hi use vidhwa thode hi banaana tha mujhe...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... I warn you. Agar tum aisi baat karoge to Shahrukh se pehle main hi tumhe maar daalungi.
All smiled.
Rahul: Lekin Armaan... venue nahi likhi tune.
Armaan: Next page...
Rahul opened the next page and stared at the print.
Rahul: To ye hai wo?
Armaan: Haan yahi hai. Kaisa hai?
Rahul: Lag to bahut achha raha hai... Ridhimaa ko khush karne ka tu koi mauka nahi chhodta na?
They all didn't know what Armaan and Rahul were talking about.
Shashank: Ye aap dono kya bol rahe hain?
Ridhimaa: Mujhe khush karne ka...
Muskaan: De card mujhe... khud hi hansa ja raha hai...
Muskaan snatched the card from Rahul. One by one, the card passed on from Muskaan to Atul to Anjali to Shashank to Shubhankar to Kirti and then to Armaan.
Ridhimaa: Mujhe bhi dikhao na... ye sab log aise chup kyun ho gaye?
Armaan: Tum na dekho to hi achha hai.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... do mujhe... do...
Armaan: Nahi dunga...
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
She tugged the card off Armaan's hand and opened it. It was a very beautiful card in rose petal design. She turned over the page and then gasped.
Ridhimaa: Hotel... hotel... hotel Ridhimaa?
Armaan: Yep!
Ridhimaa: Ye kab bana?
Rahul: Bana nahi banwaaya gaya hai. Armaan ne ye hotel khola hai...
All others: What?
Armaan: Haan... maine kaha tha na ki main us terrorist attack ke baad logon ke liye kuch karna chaahta hoon? Isiliye maine ye hotel open kiya hai. Ab issey jo bhi paisa milega, uska 50% un victims ke relief fund me jaayega.
Atul: 50%?
Anjali: Ye to achhi baat hai Armaan ki tum un sabke liye itna kar rahe ho. Lekin 50 percent? I mean... ye banwaane me bhi bahut kharch hua hoga. Don't you think pehle tumhe apna money recover karna chahiye?
Armaan: No I don't think so Anjy.
Muskaan: Ye hotel... kaisa hai?
Armaan: Parson tum sabko pata chal jaayega. Parson hi iska inaugration hai. Isme ground floor par restaurant aur ceremony hall hai, first floor par offices hain aur baaki floors par visitor rooms hain.
Shubhankar: Kitne floors hain isme?
Armaan: Nine.
Muskaan: Aur...
Armaan: Bas... bas... sab kuch abhi hi pooch loge kya? Ye ek surprise tha. Isiliye maine card me sirf map aur hotel ka naam print karwaaya hai. Aaj tak to maine Rahul ko bhi nahi dikhaaya ye... bas wo mere saath Registration office gaya tha, plot kharidne ke liye.
Shashank: Lekin ye itni badi building bahut jaldi ban gayi.
Armaan: Sir ye pehle se hi bana hua tha... shaayad pehle koi mall tha... maine sirf isey renew karwaaya hai. Waise agar aapke pass important resources ho to koi bhi kaam chutkiyon me ho jaata hai. Maine ye baat seekhi hai isse... Shahrukh sir ne bahut help ki... foreign se bahut se equipments mangaane the... agar wo nahi hote to shaayad main abhi bhi plan hi kar raha hota.
Atul: Lekin Armaan... tu bhi kum nahi hai. Tu jab itni mehnat, itni lagan se koi kaam karta hai to wo poora zaroor hota hai...
Armaan: Haan wo to hai. Aaj tak ke jo sabse difficult kaam kiye hain maine, usme se ye number three par hai.
Rahul: First two kaun se hain?
Armaan: Second sasurji ko pataana aur first... infact the most dangerous, the most risky and the most difficult task was and is... sasurji ki beti ko pataana.
Ridhimaa: Achha? Jao yahaan se...
Shashank: Dr.Armaan... aap rukiye. Ridhimaa... Dr.Armaan subah se bhookhe-pyase kaam kar rahe hain aur tum... Dr.Armaan aap lunch karke jaiyega.
Armaan: Nahi sir. Bahut late ho raha hai. Mujhe abhi thode se cards aur dene hain. Padma aunty ko to Tammy cards de chuki hogi. Haan... Anjy... unse request kar dena ki kewal important invitations hi bhejein... kyunki... wahaan kuch… I mean… Shahrukh sir, Karan sir bhi honge to I don't want them to be uncomfortable. OK?
Anjali: Theek hai... waise bhi is baar kum log hi bulaaye jaayenge... warna pichhli baar to...
She stopped as she didn't want anyone to feel bad or hurt.
Armaan: (standing up) OK main chalta hoon. Sir... shaayad raat me main ya Tammy aayenge... kuch discuss karna hai... bye all!

PART 339:

That night, after attending the radio station, Armaan called Tamanna and found that she and Matthew were having dinner out. He did not deem it proper to disturb them and made his way to Ridhimaa's house himself. Armaan was dead tired. He rang the bell. Nobody opened the door. After five minutes of continuous ringing, Padma opened the door. Armaan entered, holding his guitar, without greeting her. A loud noise welcomed him. The song 'Ishq Leta Hai Kaise Imtihaan' filled his ears. He hit his own head in annoyance and went straight to the dining table and sat down there, keeping the guitar on the chair beside him.
Armaan: (angrily) Ye sab ho kya raha hai? Main kitni der se baahar khada bell baja raha hoon koi sun hi nahi raha.
Padma: Armaan... wo hume pata nahi tha ki tum...
Armaan: Pata nahi tha? Kaise pata nahi tha? Maine to Anjali ko kaha tha ki wo aapko bata de. Tammy ne bhi bataaya hoga. Jaanti hain aaj subah se main kitna busy hoon. Ek minute bhi chain se nahi baitha. Aur yahaan pe to kisi ko parvaah hi nahi hai. Koi bell bajaate-bajaate boodha hi kyun na ho jaaye...
He then turned his head upwards, listening to the music and then held his head.
Armaan: Aur upar se ye... itna tez music kaun sun raha hai? Sir dard se phata ja raha hai.
Padma: Wo... wo... hum sab gaana sun rahe hain na to...
Armaan: Gaana sun rahe hain ya dekh rahe hain ki kitni tez volume ki ja sake jisse mujhe migraine ho jaaye? Band karwaaiye sab.
Padma stared at him. Armaan had never talked to her like this. She could not understand what she should do.
Padma: (calling) Anjali... Ridhimaa...
Armaan: Aise koi nahi sunega. Dekh nahi rahi sab paagal ho gaye hain!
He stood up and called.
Armaan: (thundering) Ridhimaa... music band karo!
A second later, the music stopped. Armaan flung himself back on the chair.
Armaan: (to Padma) Ek glass paani milega?
Padma: Haan... main abhi laayi...
She went away. Armaan heard some footsteps running down the stairs. The next moment, Shashank, Nani, Anjali and Ridhimaa were standing before him.
Nani: Armaan...
Armaan tried to stand up but didn't have the energy to do so and kept sitting.
Shashank: Armaan tum aise kyun chilla rahe the?
Ridhimaa: Tum theek to ho?
Armaan: Haan... abhi to theek hoon... jao jaakar aur tez music chalaao aur mujhe torture karo...
Padma: (giving him a glass of water) Armaan... paani.
Armaan took the glass of water and drank it all in one go. After drinking, he felt a little better. His head was still pounding and he was still feeling very low on energy levels. He felt a burning sensation in his eyes.
Armaan: (giving back the glass) Thanks Padma Aunty... and sorry. Main shaayad bahut zyada hi bol gaya. Mujhe itna gussa nahi karna chahiye tha... wo bhi aap par.
Padma: (ruffling his hair) Ye to rishton ka haq hota hai beta. Tum agar hum par apna gussa nahi dikhaoge to aur kis par dikhaoge?
Armaan: Lekin is tarah... aapko bahut bura laga hoga na?
Padma: (smiling) Nahi... bilkul nahi... sach.
Armaan: Padma Aunty bahut bhookh lag rahi hai...
Padma: Tum baitho... infact aap sab baithiye, main abhi khaana lagaati hoon.
Ridhimaa: Main bhi aati hoon...
Padma: Nahi beta mujhe kitchen me karna hi kya hai? Tum yahaan table set kar do. OK?
Padma went away. The others sat down. Ridhimaa started setting the table.
Shashank: Anjali... tum bhi kabhi kuch kar diya karo...
Anjali: Dad... aaj nahi. Aaj bahut kaam kiya. Main thak gayi hoon.
Nani: To kya Ridhimaa nahi thaki hogi? Wo din bhar khaali baithi rahi thi kya? Kyun Shashank?
Ridhimaa: Nani... main kar rahi hoon na... Di sach me thak gayi hain.
Armaan smiled slightly. He liked this quality of Ridhimaa. She never used to think about herself before helping others.
Shashank: Aur tum nahi thaki?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... abhi to main fresh hoon...
Nani: Haan… aur saath do apni behen ka. Jab tum chali jaogi tab pata nahi kya hoga. Ye to ek kaam bhi nahi karti.
Ridhimaa: Di seekh jayengi... aur main kahaan ja rahi hoon?
Anjali: Kyun? Shaadi karke bhi yahin baithi rahogi?
Ridhimaa: (her face reddening) Di! Main koi shaadi nahi kar rahi aur main aap logon ko chhodkar kahin nahi jaungi.
Anjali: Fir kaise chalega Ridzi? Fir to Armaan ko bhi yahin rehna padega... to Armaan... tum tayyar ho?
But Armaan wasn't listening.
Shashank: (holding Armaan's hand) Armaan... arrey... tumhara haath to jal raha hai.
Armaan: Nahi sir... wo sir...
Shashank: (feeling his forehead) Tumhe to bahut tez fever hai. Tumne dawaayi li?
Armaan: Nahi... khaali pet kaunsi dawaayi asar karegi?
Ridhimaa: (shocked) Tumne abhi tak kuch nahi khaaya?
Nani: Kya?
Ridhimaa: Tumhe sir dard bhi ho raha hai... hai na?
Armaan: (admitting) Haan... bahut tez ho raha hai...
Padma: (entering with food bowls) Aur jo tum log paagalon ki tarah itni tez awaaz me music sun rahe the uski wajah se aur badh gaya hoga. Waise bhi subah se poora din bechaara kaam hi karta aa raha hai... pehle Sanjeevani, fir cards baantne ka kaam… fir radio station... ab chalo jaldi se khaana kha lo.
They all started having food. Ridhimaa was eating less. She kept throwing occasional glances at Armaan. Armaan felt someone's gaze on himself and looked around to find Ridhimaa looking quickly away from him.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... theek se khaana kha lo... main theek hoon...
Ridhimaa: (embarrassed) Wo main... tum...
Armaan: Maine kaha na main theek hoon...
Ridhimaa: (sincerely) I'm sorry Armaan... mujhe bilkul nahi pata tha ki tumhari tabiyat... agar pata hota to...
Armaan: To tum kabhi itni tez volume me gaana nahi sunti... I know that. Waise baat kya thi? Itni volume par to tum gaane nahi sunti... tumhe to slow, soft gaane hi achhe lagte hain...
Ridhimaa: Haan... aaj mann kar raha tha kuch different sunne ka.
Armaan: Different? Wo bhi ‘Ishq leta hai’? Paagal ho kya?
Anjali: Ridz ko yahi gaane achhe lagte hain. Kuch naya sunna hoga to bhi isike alag-alag versions sunegi. Aur kuch nahi.
Armaan smiled. They finished their food. Ridhimaa quickly went away and came back with medicines. She gave the tablets to Armaan.
Ridhimaa: Lo... dawaayi khao...
Armaan: Mujhe nahi khaani...
Shashank: Agar dawaayi nahi khaoge to theek kaise hoge? Aur agar theek nahi hoge to kal date par kaise jaoge? Main to apni beti ko kisi bimaar aadmi ke saath nahi bhejunga.
Armaan: (tentatively) Chaahe wo bimaar aadmi aapki beti ko is duniya me sabse zyada pyar hi kyun na karta ho? Chaahe us bimaar aadmi ke chehre par aapki beti ko dekhne se muskuraahat hi kyun na aati ho? Chaahe wo bimaar aadmi khud se zyada aapki beti ko muhabbat kyun na karta ho? Chaahe wo bimaar aadmi aapki beti se milne ki tamanna liye hue apna dum hi kyun na tod de? Aap tab bhi us bimaar aadmi ke saath apni beti ko nahi bhejenge?
Shashank was dumbstruck. Ridhimaa was scared.
Ridhimaa: Armaan ye tum...
Shashank: (getting over the shock of Armaan's words) Agar us bimaar aadmi ka naam Dr.Armaan Mallik hua to wo chaahe, na chaahe... main apni beti ko uske saath zaroor bhejunga kyunki main jaanta hoon ki meri beti ki khushiyan usi bimaar aadmi ke saath judi hain. Hai na?
Armaan: Wow sir! Aap to bilkul meri tarah baat karna seekh gaye! Basket... kuch seekho apne papa se. Har waqt, har baat par muh nahi phulaaya jaata...
He took the medicines and ate them. Then he stood up and swayed on the spot.
Shashank: (standing up and holding Armaan) Armaan... tum... baith jao. I think tumhari tabiyat zyada kharaab hai. You're looking very weak.
Armaan had his checkup done. He had high fever, headache and was feeling weak and tired.
Ridhimaa: (keeping a hand on Armaan's forehead) Dekha itna kaam karne ka nateeja... kisne kaha tha ki tum ye sab karo? Haan?
Armaan: Tumne hi to kaha tha ki tumhe achha nahi lagega ki main apna kiya hua koi bhi waada todun... hai na?
Ridhimaa looked at Armaan in pure shock and pride.

PART 340:

Armaan was made to stay that night at Ridhimaa's house.
Armaan: Lekin ghar par Tammy aur Matt...
Padma: To unhe phone karke keh do ki tumhari tabiyat kharaab hai... Ridhimaa... Tamanna ko phone kar do.
Ridhimaa: Ji mom.
She called and Tamanna picked up the phone.
Tamanna: Hye Ridz! Ammy ko kya humesha ke liye apne pass rakhne ka iraada hai? Ab usey bhej bhi do.
Ridhimaa: Tamanna... Armaan ki tabiyat bahut kharaab hai...
Tamanna: Kya hua Ammy ko?
Ridhimaa: Usey bahut tez fever aur headache...
Armaan snatched the mobile from Ridhimaa's hands.
Armaan: Tammy... main bilkul theek hoon. Zyada bukhaar nahi hai... tum pareshaan mat hona...
Tamanna: Ammy... tum dawaayi khao aur so jao. Mujhe Ridz se baat karni hai... usey phone do...
Armaan: (giving the mobile back to Ridhimaa) Huh!
Tamanna: Hello Ridz...
Ridhimaa: Haan?
Tamanna: Ammy ki tabiyat zyada kharaab hai kya?
Ridhimaa: Haan... bahut weakness...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... phone rakho...
Tamanna: Achha... to aaj usey ghar se baahar mat nikalne dena. Aur tum phone rakh lo... warna Ammy aur gussa ho jaayega. Bye.
Ridhimaa: Bye.
Armaan rounded on Ridhimaa.
Armaan: Usey ye sab bataane ki zaroorat kya thi?
Ridhimaa: (timidly) Wo Tamanna ne poochha ki...
Armaan: Usne poochha aur tumne bata diya. Ab kitna pareshaan ho rahi hogi... tumme zara si bhi akal hai ki nahi?
Ridhimaa: Agar tumhari jagah Tamanna bimaar hoti to kya tum ye chaahte ki koi tumhe uske baare me kuch na bataaye jisse tum pareshaan na ho sako? Armaan... jinse hum pyar karte hain, hume unki fikr hoti hai. Hume uske liye pareshaan hone me bhi satisfaction milta hai. Lekin agar tumhe lagta hai ki maine tumhare baare me Tamanna ko bataakar galat kiya... mujhe ussey jhooth bol dena chahiye tha ki tum theek ho... to I'm sorry.
Armaan: (realising his mistake) Ridh...
Ridhimaa: (coldly) Good night!
She went upstairs, straight to her room. Armaan looked at the others, apologetically.
Armaan: I'm sorry...
Shashank: Tum dono bhi na... har waqt ladna hi aata hai. Aur ab tum pareshaan hokar mat baith jaana. Ridhimaa theek hai. Tum jaakar aaraam karo. Padma... Armaan ke liye haldi doodh bana do.
Armaan: Haldi doodh? Nahi... main theek hoon... I'm off. Good night.
Armaan ran away. The others laughed at his scampering away.
That night, Ridhimaa woke up at 3:00 a.m. She was a little disturbed. She tiptoed out of her room and made her way to the Guest room, where Armaan was sleeping. Armaan was sleeping on the bed. Ridhimaa came near him. Armaan had not bothered to pull the quilt upto him. He was shivering. Ridhimaa spread the blankets over Armaan and sat beside him. He was turning his head from one side to another. She kept her hand on his forehead and quickly withdrew it. The fever had heightened. Ridhimaa went out to her room and started calling Anjali but she would not wake up. Then she went to her parents' room.
Ridhimaa: Mom... mom...
Shashank heard her voice and woke up. Padma too opened her eyes. They both came out of their room to find Ridhimaa very worried.
Shashank: Kya hua Ridhimaa?
Ridhimaa: Papa... wo Armaan... usey... usey kuch ho raha hai... fever bahut badh gaya hai...
Padma: Kya?
Shashank: Ridhimaa... tum jaldi se thande paani ki pattiyaan lao... main jaakar usey dekhta hoon...
Ridhimaa went to the kitchen while Shashank and Padma ran to the guest room. When Ridhimaa arrived there, Shashank was checking Armaan's blood pressure while Padma was stroking Armaan’s hair. Armaan was still writhing.
Ridhimaa: (sitting on Armaan's left hand side and putting wet bandages on his forehead) Papa... Armaan?
Shashank: Thank God Ridhimaa tumne isey dekh liya... Armaan ki tabiyat sach me bahut kharaab hai. Uska BP bhi kaafi low hai.
Padma: Ab kya karein?
Shashank: Padma... tum jaakar Anjali aur ma ko uthao... Ridhimaa… tum paani ki pattiyaan rakhti raho... shaayad fever kum ho jaaye. Tab ho sakta hai ki BP bhi normal ho jaaye. At least kuch to... agar Armaan ki tabiyat theek nahi hui to subah Sanjeevani le jaana padega... main ek injection laga deta hoon...
Padma went away.
Ridhimaa: (before Shashank could give the injection) Papa... dheere se...
Shashank: (smiling, giving Armaan the injection) Abhi Armaan behosh hai... usey pata nahi chalega.
Ridhimaa: (voicing her fears) Papa Armaan theek to ho jaayega na? Main so rahi thi to mujhe lag raha tha kuch galat hai... isiliye main check karne aayi thi...
Shashank: Ridhimaa... tum zyada pareshaan mat ho... is waqt Armaan ka hosh me aana zyada zaroori hai...
A little while later, at 5:00 a.m. Anjali, nani and Padma had all arrived. They were now sitting beside Armaan.
Anjali: Kal jo Armaan ne itna kaam kiya tha... ye sab usiki wajah se ho raha hai...
Padma: Ladka hai ya... kuch bhi ek baar me samajh me nahi aata isey...
Nani: Haan... aur subah se bhookha-pyasa kaam kar raha tha... BP to low hona hi tha...
Shashank: Aur fir headache...
Shashank glanced at Ridhimaa's face. But Ridhimaa was quiet. She was still putting wet bandages on Armaan's forehead. She wasn't blaming him or anyone. Her priority was Armaan to get alright. At nearly 6:00 a.m. Armaan opened his eyes slightly.
Armaan: (weakly) Paani... paani...
Ridhimaa jumped. Armaan had regained consciousness.
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Shashank put a glass of water to Armaan's mouth. Armaan drank it, not knowing where he was, who all were there. He again closed his eyes.
Ridhimaa: Armaan...
Shashank: Shh... so raha hai.
Armaan turned on his side, facing Ridhimaa. The wet bandage fell off. Ridhimaa found out that the fever had gone.
Ridhimaa: (to others) Bukhaar ab nahi hai...
Shashank: Chalo... achha hai... usey hosh bhi aa gaya... ab isey sone do. Ho sakta hai ki wo subah better feel kare aur Sanjeevani aa paaye...
Nani: Shashank! Is haalat me Armaan kahin nahi jaayega. Aaj use chhutti de do...
Shashank: Main to chhutti de doon lekin Armaan maanega?
Padma: Usey maanna padega. Anjali, Ridhimaa... beta tum dono jaakar thodi der rest kar lo.
Anjali: OK mom...
Ridhimaa: Mujhe neend nahi aa rahi... main jaakar fresh hoti hoon.
She stood up.
Anjali: Mujhe to neend aa rahi hai. Main ek ghanta jaakar soti hoon. Ridzi... mujhe saat baje utha dena.
Ridhimaa: Yes Di.
They both stood up and turned to leave.
Armaan: (mumbling in his sleep) Ridhimaa... I love you Ridhimaa. Hum dono...
Rest of his words were not audible. Ridhimaa and Anjali both turned back and found Armaan deeply asleep.
Anjali: Armaan to so raha hai fir... oh!
Padma: (smiling and ruffling Armaan's hair) Sapna dekh raha hoga...
Anjali: Aur sapne me Ridzi ko dekh raha hoga...
Shashank: Waah! Kya pyar hai! Sapne me bhi I love you bola ja raha hai... good!
Ridhimaa ran away from there, blushing. At 7:15 a.m. Ridhimaa again entered Armaan's room. Nobody else was there. All having gone to freshen up. She moved across the room noiselessly and went and sat on the bed. Armaan moved in his sleep and held Ridhimaa's hand and kept it under his cheek after kissing it.
Armaan: (mumbling) Tum aa gayi Ridhimaa? Mujhe tumhari...
Ridhimaa smiled. She gently pulled back her hand. Due to this movement, Armaan woke up. Ridhimaa bent to kiss Armaan's forehead when he opened his eyes and found Ridhimaa's face an inch away from him. Ridhimaa was embarrassed. She tried straightening up.
Armaan: Ridhimaa?

PART 341:

Ridhimaa: (hesitating) Armaan... wo main... tum ab kaise ho?
Armaan: (truthfully) Theek hoon.
He tried to get up and Ridhimaa helped him.
Armaan: Thanks... tum yahaan? Time kya ho raha hai?
He glanced at the bed side table where he had put his mobile last night and was surprised to see the BP machine, some injections, medicines, the water bowl and wet bandages kept onto it.
Armaan: (curiously) Ye sab? Kisliye?
Ridhimaa: Tumhare liye... Armaan... tumhari tabiyat bahut kharaab thi. Tum behoshi me... dard se tadap rahe the. Hume to pata hi nahi chalta. Tum bahut bure ho. Agar tabiyat itni kharaab thi to kisi ko awaaz hi de dete. Agar main raat me tumhe check karne ke liye nahi aati to pata nahi kya hota?
Armaan: Kya?
Ridhimaa: Haan... teen baje meri neend khuli to mujhe kuch ajeeb lag raha tha. Main yahaan check karne aayi to... tumhe 104 degrees fever tha. Tumhara BP bhi bahut low tha. Subah chheh baje jaakar tumhari condition stable hui.
Armaan: Mujhe to pata hi nahi chala...
Ridhimaa: Tum behosh the... tumhe kaise pata chalta? Humse poochho... pata hai... papa keh rahe the ki agar tumhe hosh nahi aaya to... main kitna darr gayi thi... tum jaante ho?
Armaan chanced a glance at her face. She was looking quite fresh but her eyes were wide with fear and worry. He could see tears clinging to her eyelids.
Armaan: (casually) Haan... wo to dikh raha hai...
Ridhimaa: Armaan! Tum waada karo fir kabhi itna stress nahi loge ki tumhari tabiyat hi kharaab ho jaaye. Aur abhi tumne nani, mom aur di bhi aake daantengi. Fir papa tumhe seedha karenge. Mere kehne par to tum kuch karoge nahi...
Armaan: Tum keh ke to dekho. Tumhare kehne se main ye duniya bhi chhod sakta hoon... bas ek baar keh ke dekho...
Ridhimaa pulled Armaan closer to her and hugged him.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tum please... apne liye na sahi to kum se kum humare baare me hi soch liya karo. Khud ki to koi fikr hai nahi tumhe. Kum se kum humari hi fikr kar liya karo. Pata hai... kal tumhari wajah se raat me koi nahi soya. Maine sabse kaha tha ki wo log jaakar so jaayein... lekin sabko tumhari fikr thi.
Armaan: (guiltily) Tum sabko bahut pareshaani uthaani padi na meri wajah se?
Ridhimaa: Armaan... maine tumhe ye isliye nahi bataaya ki tum guilty feel karo... balki isliye bataaya hai ki tum aagey se fir kabhi aisi harkat na karo. Mujhe raat me jagne me koi pareshaani nahi hai... ek raat ki neend kya... tumhare liye to main...
She faltered under his gaze.
Ridhimaa: Mujhe pareshaani is baat se hai ki tum meri koi baat nahi sunte. Bas har baat ko lightly le lete ho. Tumhe har baat mazaak lagti hai. Agar kal tumhari jagah main chaar ghante se behosh, bukhaar aur dard se tadap rahi hoti aur tum...
Armaan: (putting his hand on Ridhimaa's lips to prevent her from explaining) Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa took Armaan's hand into hers and kissed it.
Armaan: OK baba... ab se itna stress nahi lunga. Happy?
Ridhimaa: Hmm... achha Armaan... aaj tum kya sapna dekh rahe the?
Armaan closed his eyes in concentration. A smiled played about his lips as he remembered.
Armaan: (opening his eyes) Kyun?
Ridhimaa: (blushing) Nahi... bas aise hi...
Armaan: Tum to aise sharma rahi ho jaise tumhe pata ho ki maine sapne me kya dekha.
Anjali: (entering with her parents and Nani) Kewal Ridz ko hi nahi, hum sabko pata hai ki tum sapne me kya dekha rahe the.
Armaan: (unbelivingly) Achha? To batao main sapne me kya dekh raha tha?
Anjali: Tumne sapne me Ridz ko I love you bola tha?
Armaan: (shocked) How do you... tumhe kaise... I mean... wo ‘mera’ sapna tha.
He was indignant. Nobody had the right to see ‘his’ dreams after all!
Padma: Tum neend me bol rahe the na... usi se andaaza lagaaya.
Armaan: (relieved) Oh!
Nani: (sitting beside the bed) Ab kaisa lag raha hai? Bukhaar to nahi hai?
Armaan: Nahi Nani...
Shashank: How are you now?
Armaan: Much better!
Anjali: Tumne to hume dara hi diya tha. Aise bhi koi bimaar hota hai kya?
Armaan: I'm sorry... Ridhimaa bata rahi thi ki raat ko meri wajah se koi so bhi nahi paaya...
Padma glared at Ridhimaa.
Shashank: (to Ridhimaa) Ridhimaa... tumne...
Ridhimaa: Wo... bas muh se nikal gaya tha Papa...
Armaan: Lekin fact to yahi hai na... meri wajah se aap sabko...
Padma: Armaan... maine kal bhi tumse kaha tha... aaj fir se kehti hoon. Tum humare utne hi apne ho jitne ki Anjali aur Ridhimaa. Hum tumhe in dono se alag nahi samajhte agar unme se koi bimaar hota tab bhi hum yahi karte jo kal kiya. Tumne hi shaayad aaj tak hum logon ko apna nahi maana.
Armaan: Nahi... aisi baat nahi hai... maine to humesha...
Shashank: Agar aisa hota to tum ye sab bekaar baatein nahi karte.
Ridhimaa: Papa Armaan ko to aadat hai bekaar baatein karne ki... uska ye matlab bilkul nahi tha...
Nani: Tum to hume na hi samjhao...
Anjali: Ridz... Armaan ki side lene ki koi zaroorat nahi hai... waise bhi abhi sagaayi ke liye ek din baaki hai...
Ridhimaa: (furiously) Di!
Armaan: Main wo... I know mujhe aisi baatein nahi karni chahiye thi. Lekin jab bhi mujhe apne liye koi pareshaan hota hua dikhta hai to bahut bura feel hota hai. I know ki aap log mujhe apna samajhte hain lekin...
Padma: Kyun? Jab tum chhote the to tumhare mummy-papa tumhare liye raat ko nahi jagte the?
Armaan kept silent. At the mention of his family, some memories had come to his mind unwantedly and he wanted to erase them.
Anjali: Lekin Armaan ke dad to...
Armaan: (slowly) Haan... jagte the.
Anjali stopped speaking. They all had never heard Armaan talking about his family before and wanted to give him full time to speak.
Armaan: (resolutely speaking) Jab main chhota tha to mujhe yaad hai meri zara si chot par Abi Jaan pareshaan ho jaate the...
Ridhimaa: (not able to stop herself) Abi Jaan?
Armaan: (looking at her) Mere Abba jaan... wahi Salmaan Mallik... unhe main Abi Jaan kehta tha...
Suddenly Armaan's expressions grew worse. Hatred was etched on his face. Ridhimaa held his hand.
Ridhimaa: Aur?
Armaan: (pacifying due to Ridhimaa's healing, comforting touch) Aur fir turant doctor ke pass jaane ki zidd karte the jabki wo khud medical profession me the...
Padma: Tumhare papa doctor the?
Armaan: Well, he was an anesthetic. Ma ne bataaya tha ek baar humare ghar me aag lag gayi thi. Us samay main ghar pe akela tha. Jab Abi Jaan aur ma waapas aaye to main behosh pada tha. Abi Jaan us raat mujhe god me uthaakar poore Kasauli me ghoomte rahe doctor dhundhte hue... lekin fir... thode hi din baad wo badal gaye. Wo Abi Jaan jo meri zara si chot nahi bardaash kar paate the... unhone mujhpar haath uthaaya. Ek baar nahi, baar-baar, har roz... pata hai kisliye?
Armaan demanded. They all looked at each other, dreading the answer.
Armaan: (answering himself) Isliye kyunki main apni ma ko bachaana chaahta tha. Unhone ma ko bahut takleefein di. Main un takleefon se usey bachaana chaahta tha. Unhone doosra nikaah kar liya tha, jisse unki ek beti bhi thi. Meri ma jisne apne parivaar waalon, samaaj se ladkar unse shaadi ki thi uski aur uske pyar ki unki nazron me koi value hi nahi thi. Wo mujhe apne saath rakhna chaahte the kyunki main unka waaris tha. Us waaris ko janm dene waali ma ki koi kadar nahi thi unhe. Unhe apni doosri biwi se pyar tha. Wo usey uska mukaam dilaana chaahte the... lekin apni us beti se pyar nahi tha jo zindagi bhar unki ek pyar ki nazar ko tarasti rahi. Isiliye maine us Salmaan Mallik se keh diya ki...
Armaan stopped.
Shashank: Ki?
Armaan: (savagely) Ki agar wo mujhe zinda dekhna chaahte hain to ghar se nikal jaayein... agar nahi gaye to main khud ko khatam kar lunga.
The others were stunned.

PART 342:

Armaan had closed his eyes. His face was impassive. Nobody knew whether he was happy or sad.
Ridhimaa: (coming over her shock) Tumne... tumne ye sab kaha? I don't believe it.
Armaan: Mujhe achhi tarah se yaad hai... maine kaha tha: "Mr.Salmaan Mallik... main aapka beta nahi hoon. Mujhe aapka pyar, aapke paise nahi chahiye. Mujhe meri ma aur meri ma ki khushiyan chahiye... aur wo aap jaise aadmi ke saath rehne par nahi mil sakti. Agar aap mujhse zara sa bhi pyar karte hain, meri zara si bhi parvaah hai aapko to aap yahaan se chale jaaiye... warna aapko mera mara muh dekhna hoga." Haan... bilkul yahi words the...
Shashank: Aur... aur wo chale gaye?
Armaan looked at Shashank with tearful eyes.
Armaan: (controlling his emotions) Haan... pehle to wo thodi der tak mera muh ghoorte rahe jaise maine koi aisa kaam kiya ho jiski unhe mujhse ummeed na ho... fir... haan fir wo chale gaye... bina kuch kahe, bina kuch kiye... mujhe aur meri ma ko akela chodkar chale gaye... apni doosri biwi ke pass. Lekin ek galti ho gayi unse. Wo bhool gaye ki unki doosri biwi ke saath unhe unki beti bhi milegi jise wo kisi bhi keemat par apnaana nahi chaahte the. Jab unhone apni doosri biwi ko zyada torture kiya ki wo apni beti kisi orphanage me de dein... to wo dono wahaan se chale gaye... aur Salmaan Mallik akele reh gaye. Tab wo kabhi-kabhi humare ghar waapas aa jaate... lekin hum unke bina jeena seekh gaye the. Kuch saal baad ye silsila bhi khatm ho gaya. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki mere... mere...
Ridhimaa: (supplying) Abi Jaan?
Armaan: Haan... wo kya kar rahe hain. College me pata chala ki wo kya se kya ban gaye. Nafrat to mujhe unse kai saal pehle hi ho gayi thi lekin college ke baad main unka muh tak nahi dekhna chaahta tha.
Armaan completed.
Ridhimaa: (softly) Lekin Armaan... is sab me kahin na kahin tumhari galti bhi to hai. Agar tum Abi Jaan ko apni jaan ki dhamki na dete to shaayad wo kabhi tum logon ko chodkar nahi jaate. Wo tumse kitna pyar karte the... agar tum unko achha banne ke liye kehte... to shaayad wo kabhi bure nahi bante.
Armaan: (to Ridhimaa) To tum mujhe blame kar rahi ho us sabke liye jo humare saath hua?
Ridhimaa: Armaan... main bas picture ko doosre perspective se dekh rahi hoon. Ye tum bhi jaante ho aur hum sab bhi ki Abi Jaan tumse bahut pyar karte the. Tumhare ek baar kehne par wo ghar chhod gaye... wo waapas aate the to bhi tumhare liye... I'm sure agar tum unhe samjhaate to wo zaroor maan jaate. Apni doosri biwi aur bachchon ko chodkar waapas tum logon ke pass aa jaate. Ho sakta hai ki aaj tumhari ma aur tumhare Abi Jaan dono zinda hote.
Armaan stared at her for so long that his eyes began to water. And then he blinked back the tears in his eyes.
Armaan: Tumhara matlab hai ki main apni ma aur Abi Jaan ka kaatil hoon. Dono meri wajah se ab is duniya me nahi hain. Unhe maine maara hai... hai na?
Shashank: Nahi Armaan... ye Ridhimaa to bas aise hi... Ridhimaa... tumhe ye sab kehne ki...
Armaan: Use aap kyun daant rahe hain sir? Aapko lagta hai ki Ridhimaa pehli insaan hai jisne mujhse ye sab kaha? Nahi... na to wo pehli hai aur na hi main ye sab pehli baar sun raha hoon. Ek baar aur mujhe in sabhi baaton ka gunehgaar thehraaya gaya tha...
Armaan: Ajeeb co-incidence ye hai ki dono baar unhi dono ne mujhe apni ma aur Abi Jaan ka doshi banaaya hai jinse main is duniya me sabse zyada pyar karta hoon... aur shaayad wo dono bhi mujhse is duniya me sabse zyada pyar karti...
Anjali: Doosra kaun? Tamanna?
Armaan: Nahi... chaudah saal pehle jis din maine apne Abi Jaan ko ghar se nikaala... usi din meri apni ma ne mujh par pehli aur aakhiri baar haath uthaaya. Wo mujhe maar rahi thi... aur main... main chupchaap unhe dekh raha tha. Meri aankh se ek bhi aansun nahi nikla... I was stunned… ki jis ma ke liye maine apne Abi Jaan ko ghar se nikaala... wo mujhe unka doshi bana rahi hain. Unhone bhi mujhse yahi sab kaha tha ki mujhe kum se kum ek mauka Abi Jaan ko dena chahiye tha.
Ridhimaa: (tentatively) Tumne unki baat nahi maani?
Armaan glanced at Ridhimaa's face. She was curious but her face was showing pain at hearing Armaan's story. Armaan, who was angry with her for blaming him for his parents' death was surprised to find his anger vanishing away. Love took it's place.
Ridhimaa: (finding Armaan gazing at her) Armaan... tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho?
Armaan: (taking her hand) Dekh raha hoon ki main kitna lucky hoon.
Nani: Kaise?
Armaan: Wo main baad me bataunga... pehle Ridhimaa ke sawaal ka jawaab de doon. Ridhimaa... main apni ma se bahut pyar karta tha... aaj bhi karta hoon...
Ridhimaa: Mujhe pata hai...
Armaan: Bilkul usi tarah jaise main tumse pyar karta hoon aur tum mujhse. Pehle tum mere sawaal ka jawaab do. Kya tum us shakhs ko maaf kar paati jisne mujhe ek nahi, do nahi hazaar takleefein di ho? Jiski wajah se main zindagi jeena hi bhool jaun? Jiski wajah se har waqt meri aankhein nam ho jaayein? Bolo...
Ridhimaa kept silent.
Armaan: Achha... yahi bata do... tumhe lagta hai na ki main tumhari wajah se tum sabko chodkar gaya tha? Kya tum aaj tak khud ko maaf kar paayi ho? Ye jaante hue ki main tumhe un sab baaton ke liye doshi nahi maanta?
Ridhimaa: (slowly) Nahi...
Armaan: To fir main us insaan ko kaise maaf kar deta jiski wajah se meri ma... Ridhimaa... maine tum sabko maaf kiya tha kyunki mujhe pata hai ki tum sabse galti hui thi... tum sab mujhse bahut pyar karte ho. Lekin wo... wo insaan nahi tha Ridhimaa... tumne wo sab nahi dekha... dekha hota to mujhse ye nahi poochhti. Use maaf karne ki taakat mujhme nahi thi...
Ridhimaa: Lekin ma bhi to chaahti thi ki..
Armaan: Haan... ma chaahti thi ki main unke shauhar ko na sahi, apne pita ko maaf kar loon. Wo mujhe khush dekhna chaahti thi. Lekin main jaanta tha ki agar maine Abi Jaan ko maaf kar bhi diya to bhi main unhe apni ma ko pyar karne ke liye majboor nahi kar paunga. Pyar zabardasti nahi karwaaya jaata Ridhimaa. Wo apni doosri biwi se bahut pyar karte the... aur main apni ma ko pal-pal marte nahi dekh sakta tha.
He paused for a second.
Armaan: (continuing) Maine kabhi bhi Abi Jaan ko force nahi kiya ki wo waapas humare pass aayein. Mujhe unki doosri biwi aur unki beti se nafrat zaroor thi lekin... lekin main nahi chaahta tha ki meri wajah se un dono ki zindagi kharaab ho. Main us raat apni ma ke kamre me gaya. Wo bed par baithi thi. Main unke pairon ke pass neeche baith gaya.
Ridhimaa: (smiling) Haan... manaane ka best tareeka tumhe yahi aata hai...
But Armaan didn't smile.
Armaan: Maine kaha: "Ma... mujhe maaf kar do... lekin main jaanta hoon ki maine ki galti nahi ki hai. Main us aadmi ko nahi jaanta... main bas yahi jaanta hoon ki main tumhara beta hoon aur tum meri ma. Mujhe tumhare alaawa aur koi nahi chahiye... koi nahi... koi nahi..."
Armaan had succumbed to tears remembering that scene. All were horrified.
Padma: Armaan...
Armaan: (amidst his tears) Main ro raha tha aur ma mere saath ro rahi thi. Unhone mujh par pehli baar haath uthaaya tha... jitna dard mujhe nahi hua, ussey zyada unhe ho raha tha. Fir humne kabhi is baare me baat nahi ki. Mujhe nahi pata ki ma ne meri baat samjhi thi ya fir wo sirf mujhe hurt na karne ke liye ye topic nahi chhedti thi. I don't know ki main unka ya fir Abi Jaan ka kaatil hoon ya nahi... I really don't know.
Ridhimaa: (changing the topic) Armaan... tum kisi ke kaatil nahi ho. I'm sure tumhari ma bahut achhi thi... hai na?
Armaan: (wiping his eyes dry) Haan... bahut achhi thi wo. Raat ko jab main exams ke liye padh raha hota tha to mere saath jagti thi... lekin mere saath soti nahi thi wo. Mere mana karne par bhi ek roti zyada de hi deti thi. Mujhe doodh bilkul achha nahi lagta tha... lekin mujhe zabardasti pilaati thi. Ma kehti thi... "Maani... tumhe duniya se ladna hai... iske liye tumhe taakat chahiye... aur taakat ke liye doodh peena zaroori hai..."
Padma: Maani kaun?
Armaan: Main... Armaan... apni ma ka Maani.
Ridhimaa: Hmmm...
Armaan smiled.
Armaan: Pata hai... ma ne marne se pehle mujhse do waade liye the... pehla ye ki main ek bahut achha doctor banun.
Shashank: Yes... we know that one...
Armaan: Aur doosra ki main apne Abi jaan ki tarah bilkul na banun. Wo jaanti thi ki kaisa lagta hai jab kisise itna pyar karte hain aur wo aapko kisi aur ke liye chodkar chala jaaye... wo chaahti thi ki main jis bhi ladki se pyar karun... apne marte dum tak ussey wafa karun. Agar wo mujhe na bhi mile to kisi aur ke baare me na sochun jisse koi aur Nivedita Mallik na ban paaye. Main chaahe poori zindagi akela rahun lekin kabhi bhi ussey shaadi na karun jiske saath main apni zindagi nahi guzaarna chaahta. Mujhe ye sab bahut bekaar baatein lagti thi tab...
Ridhimaa: Achha?
Armaan: Haan... aur maine apni ma ko keh diya tha ki main kabhi kisi se pyar hi nahi karunga... kitna boring kaam hai... nahi?
All smiled except Ridhimaa who grew angry.

PART 343:

Armaan: (glancing at Ridhimaa's angry face) Waise bhi... mujhe pyar ke naam se hi darr lagne laga tha. Mujhe khud par yakeen nahi tha. Main shuru se hi aisa tha... school me bhi meri paanch girlfriends thi. Maine soch liya tha ki kabhi kisise pyar hi nahi karunga jisse mujhe apni ma ko diya hua waada todna pade.
Ridhimaa was perplexed.
Armaan: Mujhe lagta tha ki pyar me bahut dard hota hai... maine apni ma ko dekha tha... apne Abi Jaan ko dekha tha. Dono ko pyar me dard mila tha...
Ridhimaa: (completing for him) Aur tumhe bhi pyar me dard mila... hai na?
Armaan: Ridhimaa... tab main nahi jaanta tha ki jab main college se niklunga to mujhe ek aisi ladki milegi jo mujh jaise hardcore love-hater insaan ko badal ke rakh degi. Tumse maine jaana ki zindagi ka asli maksad kya hai. Tumhare bholepan, pyar, helpful nature se maine seekha ki ek achha insaan meri tarah nahi hota... balki tumhari tarah hota hai. Tumhe bhale hi khud par confidence nahi tha... tum chhoti-chhoti baaton par darr jaati thi... aur main ek super confident ladka, jisne kabhi darrna seekha hi nahi tha... main jaan gaya tha ki in reality, tum mujhse kitni superior ho. Main khud ko change karne laga tha... tumhari baaton ki wajah se... main change ho gaya Ridhimaa. Main ab keh sakta hoon ki main bura insaan nahi hoon... main kabhi bura nahi ban sakta. Tumhara pyar mujhe kabhi galat raaste par jaane nahi dega.
Ridhimaa: Lekin... tumne mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... tumse pyar karke maine jaana ki pyar kya hota hai. Ye sach hai ki jab-jab mera dil toota, mujhe dard hua. Jab-jab tum mujhe chodkar gayi, mujhe dard hua... bahut dard hua. Par main khud ko tumse pyar karne se kabhi rok nahi paaya. Maine to logon ko kehte hue suna tha ki jab kisi ka dil tootta hai to dubaara nahi judta, agar judta hai to usme daraar pad jaati hai... lekin mere saath aisa nahi hua. Jab-jab hum dono waapas ek doosre ke kareeb aaye, mera pyar aur gehra hone laga. Pyar se muhabbat... muhabbat se ishq... mujhe kabhi nahi laga ki mere dil me daraar pad gayi. Shaayad ye isliye bhi ho sakta hai kyunki mujhe humesha vishwaas tha ki tum bhi mujhse pyar karti ho. Aur mujhe yakeen hai ki main ma ko diya hua waada zaroor nibhaunga. Pyar hota hi aisa hai... I love you... and will always love you. Isiliye maine kaha ki main bahut lucky hoon. Mujhe tumhari wajah se mere dost mile. Atul mila... jo meri problems solve kar sakta hai... Rahul mila... ek aisa insaan jise shaayad maine kabhi jaana hi nahi tha ya fir jaanne ki koshish hi nahi ki thi... Sapna ke roop me ek aur behen mili... Muskaan mili... jiski baaton se, harkaton se main hans sakta hoon... Anjy mili... jo kabhi kisi ke saath zyada free nahi hoti lekin main jaanta hoon ki wo dil ki bahut achhi hai...
Anjali: Thanks Armaan...
Armaan: Anytime Anjy... Dr.Shubhankar, Dr.Kirti mile... jo chaahe mujhe daante, na daante... but I know ki unki pyar aur daant dono mere bhale ke liye hain. Aur pata hai Ridhimaa... tumhe pataane ke chakkar me mujhe tumhari family ka pyar bhi mila... Nani ki pyar bhari daat... sir ka zindagi jeene ka nazariya... mujhe bahut kuch mila. Padma Aunty mili... jo sabse itna pyar karti hain... aur...
Armaan: Aur sabse badhkar Ridhimaa... mujhe tum mili. Jiske milne ke baad mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye... it's all because of you Ridhimaa.
Ridhimaa glowed. Armaan stopped and rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
Armaan: Kabhi-kabhi ye sab dekhkar mujhe ma ki bahut yaad aati hai. Tum sabse pehle itna pyar sirf meri ma ne mujhse kiya... wo mujhe chodkar kyun chali gayi? Mujhe bhi unke pass jaana hai. I really miss her very much...
Nani: Armaan... aisi baatein nahi karte.
Anjali: Armaan... Ridz tumhari mom ko ma kehti hai, tumhare dad ko Abi Jaan kehti hai... to fir tum kyun nahi?
Armaan: (opening his eyes and asking) Aap logon ko bura nahi lagega?
Padma: Bura kyun lagega? Tum humare bete jaise ho...
Shashank: Aur shaayad hume mom-dad kehne se jo tum mujhse darrte ho, wo darr bhi khatm ho jaaye...
Armaan: To fir theek hai... aaj se main aapko ma... ma...
He hesitated.
Armaan: Mamma aur Daddy keh kar bulaunga.
Padma and Shashank looked at each other.
Anjali: Mamma-Daddy?
Armaan: Padma Aunty... wo main...
Padma: (kissing Armaan's forehead) Ma to sirf ma hoti hai... aur ye Padma Aunty kaun?
Armaan: (hugging her) Mamma...
Padma: Ye hui na baat!
Ridhimaa: Bas... ab zyada chipakne ki zaroorat nahi hai meri mom se.
Armaan: Kyun? Jealous? Ye meri mamma hain... hai na?
Padma: Haan...
Nani: Chalo... Armaan beta... ab to tum Shashank se nahi darroge na?
Armaan: (prising himself away from Padma and then looking at Shashank) Pata nahi...
Shashank: (coming forwards and engulfing Armaan into a hug) Ab Armaan ke Daddy aa gaye hain na... to koi bhi Shashank-Washank mere bete ko nahi darra sakta.
Armaan's tears wetted Shashank's collar.
Shashank: (separating Armaan and then wiping his tears) Ye kya hai?
Armaan: Kuch nahi... aap sabne kitni jaldi mujhe apna bana liya. Mujhe to khud par yakeen hi nahi hota...
Shashank: Apnon aur apnon ki muhabbaton par yakeen karna seekho Armaan. Main apne kisi bhi bachche ki aankhon me aansun nahi dekhna chaahta.
Armaan smiled and then glanced at the wall clock.
Armaan: (exclaiming) Arrey... saadhe nau baj gaye!
All: What?
Shashank: Armaan... tum tayyar ho jao aur mere saath chalna. Ridhimaa... Anjali, tum log jao. Dr.Kirti bahut gussa hongi.
Anjali: (rushing out) Haan... Armaan to daant se bach jaayega.
Ridhimaa: (running) Not fair papa!
Armaan: Ha! My Daddy's the best!
Armaan and Shashank reached Sanjeevani. They arrived at the nurse station. Ridhimaa and Anjali were standing with Kirti, both had their heads bowed. Kirti was scolding them.
Kirti: Doctors. Aap dono ko kisi ke time ki fikr nahi hai. Aapka reporting time kya hai?
Ridhimaa was too scared to speak.
Anjali: 9:00 a.m. mam.
Kirti: Aur abhi time kya ho raha hai?
Anjali: (looking at her watch) 9:45 a.m.
Kirti: (shouting) Aap dono poore 45 minutes late hain.
Anjali: Mam actually wo...
Kirti: Mujhe Dr.Shashank ki betiyon se ye ummeed nahi thi ki wo is tarah se hum sabka time waste karengi. Aaj aap dono teen baar rounds par jaayengi...
Ridhimaa: Teen baar?
Kirti: Dr.Anjali... aap jaaiye.
Anjali went away.
Kirti: Dr.Ridhimaa aaj aap chaar baar rounds par jaayengi.
Armaan: (stunned) Chaar baar?
Kirti: (without looking up) Paanch...
Armaan: (coming upto Ridhimaa) Paanch?
Kirti: Chheh...
Then she realised that Ridhimaa had not spoken a word.
Kirti: Oh! Aap bhi aaiye Dr.Armaan... aaj aap bhi chaar baar rounds par jaayenge.
Ridhimaa: Mam... main... main Armaan ki duty kar lungi... aap please use do rounds se relieve kar dijiye...
Kirti: (furiously) Dr.Ridhimaa... ab aap mujhe bataayengi ki mujhe kise kya duty deni chahiye?
Ridhimaa: Mam... wo Armaan...
Kirti: Ek to itna late aayi hain aap. Upar se mujhe bata rahi hain ki mujhe kya karna chahiye? How dare you? Main aapko kisi bhi duty se relieve nahi karungi.
Ridhimaa: Mam main apni baat nahi kar rahi... Armaan...
Kirti: Dr.Ridhimaa... Dr.Armaan ne galti ki hai... aur uski saza unhe milkar rahegi/ aap agar unki zyada tarafdaari karengi to aapko aaj double duties karni padengi. Waise may I know ki aap Dr.Armaan ki duty khud kyun karna chaahti hain?
Ridhimaa: Kyunki... kyunki...
Shashank: (coming to Ridhimaa's help) Kyunki Dr.Armaan ki tabiyat aaj theek nahi hai.
Kirti, Ridhimaa and Armaan, all three looked up. Shashank was looking serious.

PART 344:

Shashank told Kirti about Armaan's condition.
Kirti: Dr.Armaan ab aapki tabiyat kaisi hai?
Armaan: Better Dr.Kirti. Aur Ridhimaa aur Anjali bhi meri wajah se late hui hain...
Kirti: Oh! To aap logon ko extra duties karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. But be careful next time. Now get back to work. Dr.Armaan aapki duty bhi Dr.Ridhimaa ke saath ICU me hai.
Armaan and Ridhimaa sped away.
Ridhimaa: Thank God papa aa gaye... warna...
Armaan: Warna humari aaj ki date ka kya hota... hai na?
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tumhe date ki padi hai? Agar chaar baar rounds lagaane padte to tumhari tabiyat ka kya hota... ye socho.
Armaan: Meri tabiyat to tumhe dekhte hi theek ho jaati hai...
Ridhimaa: Bakwaas band karo... warna agar Dr.Kirti aa gayi to...
They both started the monitoring of patients.
That afternoon, after the duties, outside the cafeteria. Armaan bumped into Shashank as they both tried to enter the canteen at the same time.
Armaan: Sorry sir... I am extremely...
Shashank: It's OK Armaan... chalein?
Armaan: Of course!
They both entered and joined the table occupied by other interns.
Armaan: Hye guys...
Atul: Hye Armaan... Ridz bata rahi thi teri tabiyat kharaab hai...
Rahul: Ab tu kaisa hai?
Armaan: Ab theek hoon...
Muskaan: Teri wajah se Ridhimaa aur Anjali bhi late ho gaye...
Anjali: Lekin ye achha hua ki Dad ne humari side le li...
Ridhimaa: Humari side nahi li thi... jab Armaan aaya... tab uski help ke liye aaye the Papa.
Armaan smirked.
Armaan: (to Shashank) Waise aapko meri help ke liye aane ki zaroorat nahi thi... Basket bahut achhe se meri help kar rahi thi.
Ridhimaa: Shut up Armaan! Mujhse to tum baat hi mat karo.
Shashank: Tum dono ladna mat... dekho Dr.Kirti aa rahi hain...
Kirti and Shubhankar too came and joined them.
Shubhankar: Hye doctors... Dr.Armaan... kal raat ko aapki tabiyat bahut kharaab ho gayi thi? Ab aap kaise hain?
Armaan: I'm fine sir.
Shubhankar: Aapko apna dhyan rakhna chahiye...
Armaan: Yes sir. Waiter...
The waiter came there and placed a mug of hot coffee before him.
Armaan: Oye... maine coffee laane ko kab kaha?
Waiter: Ye aapke liye order ki gayi hai.
And he went away.
Armaan: Mere liye... kisne?
Ridhimaa: Maine... aaj se tum coffee pi sakte ho.
Armaan: (jumping, beaming) Really? Wow! I love you!
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Armaan: To theek hai... main aaj tumhare saath date par chalunga.
Ridhimaa: Hain? Bol to aise rahe ho jaise maine tumhe apne saath date par chalne ke liye offer kiya ho.
Shubhankar: Tum dono aaj date par ja rahe ho? Wow!
Anjali: Kahaan lekar ja rahe ho Ridz ko?
Armaan: Main kyun bataun? Jisse tum log hume disturb karne ke liye aa jao? No... never!
Rahul: Tere pass paise nahi hain Ridhimaa ko kahin achhi jagah le jaane ke liye isiliye tu nahi bata raha? Hai na?
Armaan: (scowling) Haan nahi hain paise mere pass...
Atul: Teri bhi kadki chal rahi hai? Meri bhi... pata hai meri landlady...
Anjali: Shut up Atul! Armaan mazaak kar raha tha.
Muskaan: Aur kya... Armaan to hum sabse zyada ameer hai... hai na Rahul?
Rahul did not answer.
Shubhankar: Armaan... tumne bataaya nahi... kahaan ja rahe ho tum log? Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: I don't know sir.
Muskaan: Tchh...Tchh...Tchhh... Ridhimaa... tujhe nahi pata ki Armaan tujhe kahaan lekar ja raha hai? Tu uske saath aise hi kahin bhi chali jaayegi?
Ridhimaa: (simply) Haan... kyun?
Armaan: (finishing his coffee) Tum logon ko chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. LOC par nahi lekar jaunga main usey. Ridhimaa... tum shaam ko aath baje tayyar rehna. Main tumhe pick kar lunga.
Ridhimaa: Papa...
Armaan: (to Shashank) Daddy... aap isey written me apni permission de hi dijiye... ye aise nahi maanegi.
Kirti: (exclaiming) Daddy?
Muskaan, Atul, Rahul, Shubhankar: (together) Kaun Daddy?
Armaan: (standing up) Keep guessing! Bye...
Armaan left for the radio station.
It was nearing eight. Armaan's program was going to end for the day. Only two more calls could be taken.
Armaan: Hello... who's this?
Caller: “Roothe the wo is tarah ki unhe manaana mushkil ho gaya, Kya pata humse koi khata ho gayi, ya unke koi kareeb ho gaya.”
Armaan: Ji? Kaun? Aap kaun bol rahi hain? Please apna naam bataiye.
Caller: Oh to ab mera naam bhi bhool gaye tum Ammy? Pehle to Tanz-Tanz karte nahi thakte the...
Armaan: (steadying his voice) Tanya?
Tanya: Tum mujhe Tanya keh kar kabse bulaane lage? Main to Tanz hoon... tumhari Tanz... sirf tumhari Tanz...
Armaan: (very formally) Aapko humare saath kuch feelings share karni thi?
Tanya: Haan... kehna tha... I love you. Ammy main abhi bhi tumhara intzaar kar rahi hoon. Mere pass aa jao... main Mumbai me hi hoon... hum fir se...
Armaan: (calmly) Tanya... I don't think ki ab tumhe ye baatein karni chahiye. Main apni zindagi me bahut khush hoon aur dill se chaahta hoon ki tum jahaan bhi raho, khush raho. Hum ab dost nahi hain... lekin kabhi to the... isiliye I wish you all the best.
Tanya: Hum dost nahi the Ammy... hum ek doosre se pyar karte the...
Armaan: Excuse me! Main tumse pyar nahi karta tha. Aur na tum mujhse... tumhe sirf aur sirf... khair chhodo. Main ye sab tumse pehle bhi keh chuka hoon... sabke saamne tamaasha nahi banaana chaahta. Apne Papa ke pass US waapas chali jao.
Tanya: Aur tum apni us 1950s ki model Ridhimaa se engagement kar lo? Haan?
Armaan: (angrily) Tanya! Thank you for calling.
Armaan ended the call. He could not contain his anger more.
Armaan: To listeners... ye agla gaana... har us insaan ke liye jisne kisi se kabhi bhi sachchi muhabbat ki hai... wo muhabbat jo paison me tauli nahi ja sakti.
He closed his eyes and started the song.
Armaan: (singing)
Kar diya jo dil se begaana mujhe,
Tune jaana tune pehchaana mujhe.
Bazm me saaki ke haathon agar,
Zeher mil jaaye to pi jaana mujhe.
Dekh li dard bhari aankhein teri,
Ab nahi hai chhalkaana paimaana mujhe.
Hosh mere kyun udaaye the ki ab,
Kar rahi ho tum deewaana mujhe.
Ishq me aakhhir ko karaar aa gaya,
Mar ke jeena jee ke mar jaana mujhe.
Armaan: Ab time hai aaj ki last call ka... hello! Who's this?
Caller: Haan... ab mera naam kyun yaad rahega? Apni usi Tanz ke khayaalon me khoye hoge ab tak.
He recognised the voice and was pleasantly surprised.

PART 345:

Armaan: Ridhimaa!
Ridhimaa: Chalo naam to yaad hai... abhi-abhi kya baat kar rahe the tum radio par?
Armaan: Kya matlab?
Ridhimaa: Matlab wahi jo tum samajh rahe ho Armaan.
Armaan: Mera naam Dil hai...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... don't try to be over-smart with me... OK? Programme khatam hone ke baad bhi...
Armaan: Programme abhi khatam nahi hua hai... tum radio nahi sun rahi kya?
Ridhimaa: (perplexed) Sun rahi thi lekin last call ke baad maine gusse me band kar diya. Par... par... ye to tumhara personal mobile hai na?
Armaan: Ab ye kisne kaha tumse? Radio City ka number aur mera personal mobile? Tum theek to ho na?
Ridhimaa: Lekin Tamanna ne to kaha tha ki programme khatam ho gaya... usine mujhe tumhara number milaakar diya.
Armaan: Good! Badi samajhdaar ho gayi hai Tammy! Ghar aake use thank you bolna padega...
Ridhimaa: (very embarrassed) Main... main... main...
Armaan: Kya vocal cord atak gayi hai?
Ridhimaa: (with difficulty) Tamanna bhi na... main rakhti hoon...
Armaan: (hastily) Tum usey daantogi to nahi na?
Ridhimaa: Daantungi... ek tumhari Tammy aur ek uska Ammy... dono ek doosre par hi gaye ho.
Armaan: Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: Main rakh rahi hoon... bye...
Armaan: (singing) Na jao saiyyan chuda ke bahiyaan...
Ridhimaa: Tamanna... hansna band karo... Armaan tum gaana band karo.
Armaan: Arrey... lekin ye programme to gaanon ka hai... main to gaunga...
Ridhimaa: Fine! Gao... main...
Armaan: Phone mat rakhna. Ab jab phone mil hi gaya hai to baatein bhi kar lo...
Ridhimaa: Mujhe koi baat nahi karni. Tumhe karni hai to apni usi Tanz se karo... main to 1950s ki model hoon.
Armaan: (angrily) Ridhimaa... shut up! Ab bahut zyada ho raha hai...
There was silence on the other side. Armaan heard a sniff. Ridhimaa had evidently burst into tears.
Armaan: Ridhimaa!
Ridhimaa: (in a voice choked with tears) I'm sorry... bye!
Armaan: Ridhimaa... agar tumne call end ki to... to... to main raat bhar ghar nahi aaunga... itna kaam karunga, itna stress lunga ki jaise aaj behoshi me tadap raha tha... kal fir...
Ridhimaa: (sobbing) Tum aakhir chaahte kya ho Armaan? Mujhe koi baat nahi karni... please...
Armaan: Tum pehle rona band karo.
Ridhimaa: (angrily) Nahi karungi. Aur roungi... itna roungi ki rote-rote main mar jaun. Tab to tum aur tumhari Tanya bahut khush hoge na? Achha hai ki main tum logon ki zindagi se chali jaun...
Armaan: (thundering) Ridhimaa! Tum ye sab us ek phone call ke liye kar rahi ho? How could you even think like that? Kya tum nahi jaanti ki main kisse pyar karta hoon? Tumhe lagta hai ki main us Tanya ke pass fir se chala jaunga jise maine khud apni zindagi se dhakke maar kar nikaala tha? Jab tum meri zindagi se chali jaogi to mere pass jeene ki wajah hi kya bachegi? Agar tum mar gayi to tumse pehle to meri saansein...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... please... aagey mat bolna.
Armaan: Kyun? Tumne itni bad baat keh di... aur main kuch na kahun?
Ridhimaa: (convulsively, amidst sobs) Maine kaha na main bahut buri hoon...
Tamanna: Ammy... ghar aake baat karengi... Ridz bahut ro rahi hai...
Armaan: Tammy... Ridhimaa ko phone do... turant...
There was silence. Armaan knew Ridhimaa was holding the receiver. He could hear her sobs.
Armaan: (singing) Tum hansti achhi lagti ho.
Ridhimaa smiled, inspite of herself.
Armaan: Mujhe tumhari hansi sunayi nahi di...
Ridhimaa loved this Armaan who could bring smile to her teary lips. She laughed.
Armaan: Wow! Teri har hansi meri hansi se judi hai. Teri har khushi meri khushi se badi hai.
Ridhimaa: (wiping her tears, sniffing) Bas... ab zyada makkhan maarne ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Armaan: Chalo... tum theek se boli to sahi... ab koi Tanya-Wanya ke baare me nahi poochhna?
Ridhimaa: Nahi.
Armaan: Tum ab daantogi to nahi na mujhe?
Ridhimaa: Maine kab tumhe daanta?
Armaan: Hain? Sun rahe hain aap sab? In madam ko dekhiye... bol rahi hain maine kab tumhe daanta? Basket lagta hai tumhari yaaddasht kamzor ho gayi hai...
Ridhimaa: Ab zyada mat bolna warna...
Armaan: Warna fir se gussa ho jaogi? No problem. Main fir se mana lunga tumhe.
Ridhimaa giggled.
Armaan: Waah! Achha... tum tayyar ho gayi?
Ridhimaa: Tayyar... kyun?
Armaan: Bhool gayi? Humari date? Chalo ab jaldi se tayyar ho jao... waise bhi rone ke baad tum aur khoobsurat lagti ho.
Ridhimaa: Armaan! Bye.
Armaan: Bye... to listeners... aaj ka programme yahin khatm. Ye ek aakhiri gaana... sirf aur sirf us shakhs ke liye jisse main is duniya me sabse zyada muhabbat karta hoon. Ridhimaa... this one's just for you.
Armaan sang the song 'Asmaani Rang Ho' and ended the episode.
Fifteen minutes later, Armaan was ringing the bell at Ridhimaa's house. He was wearing a fashionable jacket with white shirt and black trousers and was looking exceedingly debonair. Tamanna opened the door, looking grim.
Armaan: (beaming) Hye Tammy!
Tamanna: (very subdued) Hye... ab kaise ho?
Armaan: Main to theek hoon... lekin tumhe kya hua?
Tamanna: Wo... wo Ridz... uski tabiyat...
Armaan: (anxiously) Kya hua Ridhimaa ko? Kahaan hai wo?
Tamanna: (successfully hiding her smile) Apne kamre me...
Armaan pushed Tamanna away and ran inside. He made his way straight upstairs while Tamanna made her way to the living room.
Padma: Kya hua Tamanna?
Shashank: Armaan is tarah se kyun...
Tamanna: Maine ussey kaha ki Ridz ki tabiyat...
Anjali: Ridz ki tabiyat... kya?
Tamanna: Basi itna hi kaha... wo itne me hi pareshaan ho gaya.
Matthew: Tum bhi na Tamanna.
Tamanna: I know... I'm too good na?
Armaan reached Ridhimaa's room and pushed the door but it was locked. He banged loudly on the door. Ridhimaa opened it. Armaan did not see how beautiful she was looking. He straight away pulled her into a hug. Ridhimaa was stunned and flushed.
Armaan: Tum theek to ho na Ridhimaa?
Ridhimaa: (trying to prise herself away) Haan... main to bilkul theek hoon.
Armaan: (separating herself and looking at her, surprised) Lekin Tammy to keh rahi thi...
He stopped, now knowing that Tamanna was lying. Then he looked at Ridhimaa from top to toe. She was wearing a black coloured suit, it was sleeveless and the whole suit had exquisite embroidery done with silver and golden stars. Ridhimaa was not looking beautiful in it; she was looking more gorgeous than ever Armaan had seen her. Ridhimaa blushed on seeing Armaan scanning her. Armaan saw her face reddening and tore his gaze away from her.
Armaan: (unable to find words to describe her beauty) Bahut... bahut... bahut... bahut... bahut...
Ridhimaa: (quickly) I know... tum bhi. Ab chalein?
They both glided downstairs. Armaan was still holding Ridhimaa's hand. He forgot that he was angry with Tamanna for her joke and met the others at the door.
Shashank: Ready... both of you?
Armaan: Ji Daddy... hum jaayein?
Padma: Jao... sambhal ke jaana.
They all hugged them off. Armaan drove his car to a new location at Santa Cruz road. Ridhimaa stepped down to find a building towering before her.

PART 346:

Ridhimaa: Armaan... ye...
Armaan: Ye hai... Hotel Ridhimaa.
It was a huge, nine-storied building. The doors and windows were of glass. The building was coloured in a deep shade of red. It was night time and the surroundings were plunged into darkness. Still, the glasses were dazzling with the lights of the street. There was a big parking area outside, a large lawn and a swimming pool.
Ridhimaa: Beautiful! Lekin... name board kahaan hai?
Armaan: Aaj hi paint hua hai to dry ho raha hai.
He showed her the name board. Ridhimaa went near it. Paint and brushes were kept near it. Ridhimaa dipped the brush in the paint and wrote on the name board.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... kya kar rahi ho?
Ridhimaa was now standing back and enjoying the effect. Armaan came near her. The name board now spelled "HOTEL RIDHIMAAN". Ridhimaa had cleverly added an 'N' at the end of the name.
Armaan: (in fake anger) Ye kya kiya?
Ridhimaa: (smiling) Hum dono ko ek kar diya.
Armaan wasn't expecting this answer. He was dumbstruck
Ridhimaa: Tumhe achha nahi laga?
Armaan: I love you Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: Me too Armaan.
Armaan: Andar chalein?
Ridhimaa took his offered hand and went to the big main gate.
Armaan: Ek second... tum yahin ruko... main abhi aata hoon...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tum kahaan...
But Armaan went away and came back, holding a polished board, coloured in gold. He placed it carefully at the entrance.
Ridhimaa: Ye kya hai?
Armaan: Main is Hotel me tumhare pehle kadam ko humesha ke liye mehfooz karna chaahta hoon. Is par bana nishaan kabhi nahi mitega.
Ridhimaa took off her sandals then she looked at Armaan.
Ridhimaa: Tum bhi apne shoes utaaro.
Armaan: Lekin main to...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... ye hum dono ke liye special hai. Hum dono saath me rahenge... humesha... ye board uska proof hoga.
Armaan: (taking off his shoes and socks) OK...
They both put their right leg forwards at the same time and entered. Armaan took off the board from the ground.
Ridhimaa: Yahaan itna andhera kyun hai?
Armaan: Kyun? Darr lag raha hai?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... jab tak tum mere saath ho...
Armaan pressed a button on a remote and light flooded the scene. Ridhimaa found that she was standing in an enormous hallway. The walls were coloured in different shades of red. There were numerous paintings, wall pieces, sofas, lounges, etc.
Armaan: Ye is Hotel ka reception hai. Yahaan se ek lift neeche basement me jaati hai aur baaki chaar lifts upar. Andar ek ceremony hall hai... jahaan kal humari engagement hogi. Aur ek bada sa restaurant hai...
Ridhimaa: Wow!
Armaan: Chalo... tumhe ek special cheez dikhaata hoon.
They entered a lift and stopped at the third floor.
Armaan: Yahaan par visitor rooms hain.
He opened one room and switched on the lights. It was a big, well furnished room, having every luxury thing.
Ridhimaa: Bahut sundar hai... saare rooms aise hi hain?
Armaan: Hain to aise hi lekin... ye waale thode se special hain. Is floor ke saare rooms se Juhu beach ka view milta hai.
Ridhimaa: Main jab aaungi to mujhe isi floor ka room dena.
Armaan: Basket... agar tum bhool gayi to main bata doon ki hum log yahin Mumbai me rehte hain... hume in rooms ki kya zaroorat?
Ridhimaa: (disappointed) Oh!
Armaan: Cheer up! Shaadi ke baad... hum yahaan ek din zaroor rukenge...
Ridhimaa: (reddening) Armaan!
They both move out. Armaan took her one floor down.
Ridhimaa: Yahaan kya hai?
Armaan: Yahaan offices hain.
There were at least ten rooms on that floor. Armaan showed her each room.
Armaan: Ye... manager's office. Humare hotel ke manager ka...
Ridhimaa: Kaun?
Armaan: Main aur kaun? Ye doosra is hotel ke staff ka. Jitne me bhi staff workers hain... un sabke liye. Isme wo apni meetings, etc. rakh sakte hain. Ye teesra office Atul ke liye... attached room aur garden ke saath. Fourth for Anjy, fifth for Rahul, sixth for Muskaan, seventh for Matt and Tammy...
Ridhimaa: Un dono ke liye sirf ek?
Armaan: Arrey... ye joint offices waale bade rooms hain... dividers bhi hain... eighth for Mamma and Daddy, ninth for Nani and tenth for Shahrukh sir.
Ridhimaa: In sabme se sabse chhota to tumhara hi office hai.
Then she saw two more doors.
Ridhimaa: Ye?
Armaan opened the door and let her inside.
Armaan put on the lights. It was a big room, bigger than the rest. All around the room, Ridhimaa's photos were there. On the walls, on the tables, even inscribed on the glass panes. The room was of white colour, different from the rest. But arrangements were made such that it bathed in red light, giving a mesmerising effect.
Ridhimaa: Wow! Ye kiska office hai?
Armaan: Guess karo...
Ridhimaa: Mera?
Armaan: (smiling) Nahi... mera. Mere office me tum... aur sirf tum. Achha hai na?
Ridhimaa: Bahut sundar hai.
Armaan: Aur dekho... ye hai mera room... office se attached.
He opened a door and they entered into another room. It was very beautiful, painted in red color. The wallpapers all around the room had RIDHIMAA written on them with occasional photos of Ridhimaa. There was a large, king size bed, a desk, chairs, sofas, TV, computer table, music space, gym, everything. It also had an attached balcony from where; they had a beautiful view of the sea-side. That room had an exclusive lift to reach all other floors.
Ridhimaa: (in awe) It's... it's... so beautiful!
Armaan: Chalo... ab last room...
He took Ridhimaa to the door next to his room's door.
Ridhimaa: Ye kiska office hai?
Armaan: Is Hotel ke owner ka.
Ridhimaa: Tumhare teen offices?
Armaan: (opening the door and entering) Mujhe nahi pata tha Ridhimaa ki tum apne room ko bhi mera room kahogi. Thanks Basket!
Ridhimaa: Mera room? Lekin tumne to kaha ki ye room is hotel ke owner ka hai...
Armaan: Aur owner to tum hi ho... is hotel ki bhi aur meri bhi. You own both of us. Achha... ab sharma baad me lena... pehle apna room to dekho.
Ridhimaa looked around. It was simply the best room she had entered till date. The room had rose petal design, a large table and chairs and sofas. Armaan took her to the attached room and Ridhimaa gaped. The room was beautiful with a large queen's bed, attached balcony and everything which one could desire. On the walls, apart from Ridhimaa's own photos, there were photos of her family, Shahrukh, Tamanna, Matthew and her friends. But there was not even one photo of Armaan.
Ridhimaa: Tumhari photo kyun nahi hai?
Armaan: Main khud tumhare saath is room me rahunga na basket... fir photo ki kya zaroorat?
Ridhimaa: Armaan... sach-sach batao...
Armaan: Wo... apni photo ke liye paise nahi the.
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Armaan: Achha... bataata hoon. Wo... maine socha tha ki jab humari engagement hogi... tab wo photo agar tum chaaho to yahaan lagwa dunga.
Ridhimaa: Lekin... haan... Armaan... ek kaam karoge? Wo tumhara jo poster humne Music shop me dekha tha... wo yahaan lagwa doge... please? Please...please...please...please...please...
Armaan glared at her.

PART 347:

Armaan: To tum nahi maanogi?
Ridhimaa: Nahi... aur tumhe wo poster lagwaana hoga...
Armaan: OK baba... lagwa dunga.
Ridhimaa: (hugging him) Thank you Armaan... thank you so much! I love you!
Armaan smiled.
Armaan: Pata hai... ye jo balcony hai na... issey next waali balcony meri hai. Wo dekho... jab zaroorat pade... bas awaaz de dena.
Ridhimaa: OK.
Armaan: Ab chalein? Humari dinner date ko aur wait karwaana achha nahi hoga.
They both went to the lift, attached to the room and went straight to the terrace.
Armaan: Ye hai terrace-cum-lovers point. Yahaan... aaj ke baad humare jaise lovers aise hi apni dates par aayenge.
Armaan had had the whole terrace decorated in hearts and flowers. There were numerous tables, chairs and sofas. Armaan took Ridhimaa to a short flight of stairs. Climbing up, they reached a small terrace. Only one table and two chairs were place on it. Here too, it was decorated beautifully. A candle-light dinner had been arranged.
Armaan: (offering Ridhimaa a chair) Here...
Ridhimaa: (sitting down elegantly) Thank you.
Armaan occupied the chair in front of her.
Armaan: To madam... dinner shuru karein?
Ridhimaa saw the table laden with food and drinks.
Ridhimaa: (nodding) Hmm...
They started the dinner.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tum humesha... ye sab... kaise kar lete ho?
Armaan: Magic! Remember?
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Armaan: Achha... ek aur magic dekhogi? Wo dekho... upar...
Ridhimaa looked up at the sky. There was a flash of fireworks, emblazoning the star strewn sky with "I Love You Ridhimaa". Ridhimaa was stupefied. She looked at Armaan to find him smiling at her.
Armaan: Kya hua? Achha laga?
Ridhimaa: Hmm...
Then her gaze fell on a small chocolate cake kept on the table.
Ridhimaa: Ye cake to pehle yahaan nahi tha...
Armaan: Haan... magic... maine kaha tha na... chalo...
He cut a piece of cake and fed it to Ridhimaa. After she took a bite from it, Armaan put the remaining piece into his own mouth. Ridhimaa blushed hard.
A few minutes later, they were both standing against the railings, gazing at the stars.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tumhare saath bitaaya har din mere liye bahut special ho jaata hai.
Armaan: Really? What a co-incidence! Tumhare saath bitaaya hua har pal mere liye bhi bahut special ho jaata hai. I don't know how...
Ridhimaa: Tumhe nahi pata... lekin mujhe pata hai... wo special isliye hota hai kyunki tum usey special banaate ho... tumne mere liye itna kuch kiya... maine tumhare liye kya kiya? Kuch nahi.
Armaan: (cupping Ridhimaa's face in his hands) Ridhimaa... tum jaanna chaahti ho tumne mere liye kya kiya? Ridhimaa tumne mujhe ye zindagi di hai. Aaj main zinda hoon to sirf tumhari wajah se. Tumne mujhe itna pyar diya hai jitna aaj tak kisine nahi diya... yahaan tak ki ma ne bhi nahi. Sach... tumhare saath bitaaya hua har pal special hai... isliye nahi ki main usey special banaata hoon... ye sab to koi bhi kar sakta hai... balki isliye ki tum khud bahut special ho... at least mere liye. Pata hai... mujhe tumhare alaawa aur kuch nahi chahiye. Kuch nahi. Wo kehte hain na...
Bahut khoobsurat hain aankhein tumhari,
Ye ban gayi hain zindagi humari.
Hume nahi chahiye zamaane ki khushiyan,
Agar mil jaaye muhabbat tumhari.
I love you Ridhimaa. I love you very much.
Ridhimaa: I love you too Armaan.
They both indulged into a close, deep embrace.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... kal humari sagaayi ho jaayegi...
Ridhimaa: Haan Armaan...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... main tumse ek baat kahun... tum bura to nahi maanogi?
Ridhimaa: Nahi...
Armaan: Ridhimaa... main tumse bahut pyar karta hoon. Tumse door jaane ke baare me soch bhi nahi sakta. Lekin agar kabhi... kabhi kuch ho jaaye... jaise agar main na rahun... ya fir... koi aisi baat ho ki hum dono ek doosre se fir se alag ho jaayein...
Ridhimaa was did not want to listen.
Armaan: Ridhimaa... please... rona nahi. Tum meri baat dhyan se suno. Agar kabhi aisa ho jaaye... to tum waada karo ki tum hansna, muskuraana nahi chhodogi. Tum zindagi jeena nahi chhodogi. Aisa kuch nahi karogi jise dekhkar mujhe takleef ho. Tum please humesha yaad rakhna ki chaahe humare beech meelon ka faasla ho... lekin main humesha tumhare pass hoon. Ridhimaa maine humesha tumhi se pyar kiya hai... aur tumse hi pyar karta rahunga... apni aakhiri saans tak. Aur main chaahta hoon ki tum har haalat me, har musibat me ye yaad rakho ki main tumhare saath hoon. Tumhare har kadam me... chaahe koi aur tumhara saath de na de... main humesha dunga… yaad rakhogi na?
Ridhimaa nodded through tearful eyes.
Armaan: Aur Ridhimaa... main tumse waada karta hoon ki kabhi bhi khud ko us galti ke liye nuksaan nahi pahunchaunga jo maine nahi ki. Kabhi bhi... kisi bhi haalat me tumse door nahi jaunga. Agar jaunga to tumhe sab sach-sach bataakar. OK?
Ridhimaa nodded again, knowing her voice won't help her to speak.
Armaan: Tum... tum khush raha karo. Humesha. Tum khush rahogi to main bhi khush rahunga.
Ridhimaa nodded for the third time.
Armaan: Tum kuch kahogi nahi?
Ridhimaa shook her head in refusal. Tears dropped from her eyes. Armaan went down on his knees and took Ridhimaa's hand into his.
Armaan: Ridhimaa… kya tum humesha mera saath dogi? Mere saath rahogi? Meri zindagi me zindagi bankar aaogi?
Ridhimaa nodded. Armaan kissed her hand. Ridhimaa could not control herself anymore. She flung herself into Armaan's arms.
Ridhimaa: (crying on his shoulder) Hum kabhi alag nahi honge Armaan... kabhi nahi. Tum mujhe kabhi chodkar nahi jaoge. Nahi jaoge na?
Armaan: (kissing her hair) Nahi jaunga... kabhi nahi jaunga.
His eyes too were wet. They both stood in that position for God knows how much time. Ridhimaa felt herself safe and secure in Armaan's arms. Armaan was aware of nothing except him and Ridhimaa. Ridhimaa first came back to reality. She prised herself away and wiped her tears. Armaan opened his eyes. Ridhimaa wiped his tears too and kissed his forehead. Armaan kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose(Ridhimaa smiled) and then parted her lips slightly with his thumb. Ridhimaa looked at him, surprised.
Armaan: Tumhare chehre ki is hansi par mar-mitne ko jee karta hai.
Ridhimaa: Aur mujhe tumhari muhabbat par khud ko qurbaan kar dene ka jee karta hai.
Armaan: Arrey... meri basket to bolna seekh gayi hai...
Ridhimaa: Sab tumse hi seekha hai.
Armaan: Main to tumhe aur bahut kuch sikha sakta hoon. Jaise... how to kiss...
Ridhimaa: (punching his chest slightly) Armaan!
Armaan held her face suddenly brought his face closer until their noses brushed against each other.
Armaan: (passionately) Ridhimaa...
A breeze swept over their hair and the only candle, which had been burning blew off. They were enveloped in total darkness. Ridhimaa hugged Armaan, out of fear.
Armaan: (kissing the nape of Ridhimaa's neck) I think ab hume chalna chahiye... warna aaj tum mujhe hug karne ka record tod dogi.
Ridhimaa: (inspite of her fear, blushing) Armaan!
Armaan: Main complaint nahi kar raha hoon basket... I love you na!

PART 348:

Armaan drove the car upto Ridhimaa's house. It was nearing 11:45 p.m.
Ridhimaa: (nervously) Papa daantenge to nahi na?
Armaan: (afraid himself) Dont worry basket... kuch nahi hoga. Main hoon na tumhare saath...
They rang the bell. Shashank opened the door, looking grave. Armaan tried to hide behind Ridhimaa.
Ridhimaa: Armaan!
Shashank: Armaan... ye tum kya kar rahe ho?
Armaan: (emerging) Wo main... kuch nahi...
Shashank: Mujhse chhup rahe the?
Armaan: Nahi to... main aapse kyun chhupunga? Aap to mere Daddy hain.
Shashank: Daddy hoon to iska matlab main tumhe daantunga nahi?
Armaan: Wo... main... galti meri hai...
Shashank: Pehle tum dono andar aao...
They both enter inside. Shashank took them to the living room, where the others were sitting, waiting for them.
Anjali: Arrey... tum dono ko kya hua? Itna darre hue kyun lag rahe ho?
Armaan glanced at Shashank, who was now sitting comfortably, on the sofa.
Shashank: (to Tamanna) I'm good na?
Tamanna: You're superb uncle!
They both gave each other a high five.
Armaan: (sulking) To ye sab... naatak tha Daddy?
Shashank: Naatak nahi tha... acting thi Armaan.
Tamanna: Uncle tumhare Daddy kabse ban gaye Ammy?
Armaan: Tumse matlab? Tumne bhi mujhse jhooth bola tha na Ridhimaa ki tabiyat ke baare me?
Tamanna: Maine to kaha tha ki Ridz ki tabiyat... tum meri baat sune bina hi bhaag gaye to main kya karun?
Armaan: Tumhe pata tha main aise hi react karunga... isiliye tumne... khair chhodo.
Matthew: How was your date?
Armaan and Ridhimaa looked at each other. Ridhimaa blushed while Armaan felt himself going red too.
Armaan: Good.
Padma: Sirf good?
Ridhimaa: Mom... mujhe neend aa rahi hai...
Nani: Tum dono ne khaana khaaya?
Ridhimaa: Kha liya nani. Main jaun?
Armaan: Hume bhi chalna chahiye. Ridhimaa... mera guitar leti aana. Guest room me rakha hai.
When Ridhimaa came back, she found Armaan sitting in the living room, chatting with the others. She glanced at the wall clock. It was 12 o'clock.
Ridhimaa: (holding out the guitar) Tumhara guitar...
Armaan: (taking the guitar) Thanks Basket...
Tamanna: Ridz... tum bhi baitho na... baatein karo humare saath...
Ridhimaa sat down beside Tamanna.
Tamanna: Ammy to bata nahi raha... tum hi bata do... Ammy tumhe date par kahaan lekar gaya tha?
Ridhimaa looked at Armaan who shook his head.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... wo... wo...
Armaan: Maine kaha na Tammy... kal bata dunga.
Tamanna: Fine... mat batao.
Ridhimaa: Armaan... tumhe yaad hai... ek din tumne mujhe challenge kiya tha gaane ke liye...
Armaan: Haan to?
Ridhimaa: To maine ga diya tha. Tum challenge haar gaye the. Ab shart poori karo.
Armaan: (knowing what was on Ridhimaa's mind) Kaun sa challenge? Kaun si shart? Bahut raat ho gayi hai... tumhe jaakar so jaana chahiye... Good night!
Anjali: Oh haan! Mujhe yaad aaya. Ridzi ka i-pod toot gaya tha. To Armaan ne kaha tha ki wo uska i-pod banega.
Tamanna: Yes... I too remember!
Ridhimaa: (smugly) Dekha... ab Armaan ko gaana gaana padega... chalo... start karo...
Armaan: Abhi?
Ridhimaa: Haan... abhi isi waqt. Gao.
Armaan: Nahi... mujhe nahi...
Ridhimaa: (angrily) Armaan tum gaate ho ya...
Armaan: Tum har baat me itna darrati kyun ho?
Ridhimaa: Bina darraye koi kaam karte ho?
Armaan: Karta hoon na... tumse pyar...
Shashank: Armaan romance baad me kar lena... pehle gaana gao...
Armaan: Lekin Daddy...
Padma, Nani: (together) Ga do na... Armaan!
Matthew: Yes Ammy...
Ridhimaa: Armaan... please!
Armaan: OK fine... ga raha hoon...
Armaan started singing the song 'Every night in my dreams' but stopped.
Ridhimaa: Kya hua?
Armaan: Is music par to dance hona chahiye. Kyun Tammy?
Tamanna: Haan... bilkul...
She stood up. Anjali switched off the lights. Armaan stood up and came before Ridhimaa.
Armaan: May I have the pleasure of this dance?
Ridhimaa gave her hand into his. Armaan pulled her closer to his chest and put his arms around her waist and started the song afresh.
Armaan: (singing)
Every night in my dreams...
I see you, I feel you...
That is how I know you go on...
Far across the distance...
And spaces between us...
You have come to show you go on...
Near, far, wherever you are...
I believe that the heart does go on...
Once more you open the door...
Tamanna and Matthew and Shashank and Padma too came onto dance. Anjali and Nani watched them excitedly.
And you're here in my heart...
And my heart will go on and on...
Love can touch us one time...
And last for a lifetime...
And never let go till we're gone...
Love was when I loved you...
One true time I hold to...
In my life we'll always go on...
The others grew tired and left the dance area. Now only Armaan and Ridhimaa were dancing. Both were gazing into each other's eyes. Armaan was singing just for Ridhimaa. Nothing else in the whole world mattered for them.
You're here, there's nothing I fear...
And I know that my heart will go on...
We'll stay forever this way...
You are safe in my heart...
And my heart will go on and on...
The song finished. Armaan kept humming. Seeing both mesmerized, Shashank signaled Anjali, who clapped hard.
Anjali: Superb!
Armaan and Ridhimaa jumped apart. The others smiled.
Shashank: Ho gaya dance?
Armaan did not answer.
Armaan: Now I think hume chalna chahiye. Goodnight. Chalein?
Tamanna: Hum dono to kab se tum dono ka dance khatam hone ka wait kar rahe the. Chalo. Bye...
They all bid goodbye and went away. Ridhimaa was about to turn to go to her room when her mobile beeped. It was Armaan's message: I Love You.
Ridhimaa blushed. Seeing her blushing, Anjali peeped into her mobile.
Anjali: Oho! To I love you message aaya hai? Kisne bheja? Any guesses?
Ridhimaa ran away from there, leaving Anjali, Nani, Padma and Shashank smiling at their Ridhimaa's luck to have got Armaan as her soul mate.

PART 349:

Next evening, at 8:30 p.m. at Ridhimaa's house.
Padma: Anjali... Ridhimaa... jaldi karo...
Anjali: (trooping downstairs) Ji mom... bas... I'm ready.
She came in front of her mother. Padma was left staring at her.
Padma: (hugging Anjali) Aaj meri beti bahut sundar lag rahi hai.
Anjali was dressed in a pink coloured saree and was really looking gorgeous.
Anjali: Thanks mom.
Padma herself was wearing a purple saree for the occasion. Shashank too came there with Nani, the former wearing a two piece party suit and the latter, wearing a saree.
Shashank: Arrey waah... aaj to saari Gupta ladies bahut achhi lag rah hain. Chalein?
Nani: Anjali... Ridhimaa abhi tak tayyar nahi hui?
Anjali: Ho gayi Nani... maine pehle usko hi tayyar kiya tha. Wo dekhiye...
Ridhimaa came downstairs they were all left stunned. Nani quickly came upto her and took her ‘balaayein’ to ward off the evil eye.
Nani: Bahut sundar lag rahi ho...
Shashank: (hugging Ridhimaa) Very beautiful!
Ridhimaa: Thanks Papa.
Muskaan: (from the door) Ridhimaa... aaj to Armaan tujhe dekh ke behosh hi ho jaayega.
Anjali: Muskaan! Kitni der laga di. Ab hum log chalein?
Shashank: Haan... tum log aao... main car nikaalta hoon.
Fifteen minutes later, they reached the venue and were left gazing at the tall, large building.
Shashank: Ye...
Ridhimaa was looking at the building for the second time, but this time it seemed completely different. Tonight, it was full of lights and was looking even more magnificent and majestic. Fountains were in full spring. It was all looking very beautiful. At least fifty cars were there in the large parking area. There were also a number of security guards. Though, it was not crowded and they could not see even one guest around, still, they knew that it was only because of the tight security. Armaan had made it a point not to invite guests who were not important. Majority of the guests were from Ridhimaa's side only.
Muskaan: Arrey... Armaan ne to kaha tha ki Hotel ka naam Ridhimaa hai... lekin is par to Hotel Ridhimaan likha hai.
Nani: Muskaan... dhyan se dekh...
Muskaan: Kya?
Anjali: Wo jo end me 'N' likha hua dikh raha hai wo Ridzi ki handwriting hai... hai na Ridzi?
Ridhimaa: Haan Di... kal maine hi...
Shashank: Oh! To tum dono kal date par yahaan aaye the?
Ridhimaa nodded and then blushed. They all moved towards the entry.
At the gate, the guards saluted them and then started to check them of any ammunition. The security guards checked Shashank and the female security guards checked Nani, Padma, Muskaan and Anjali. They also didn't mind, knowing it was for their benefit.
Security: Now you all can proceed.
Ridhimaa: Lekin... meri checking to hui nahi.
The security guards looked at each other and smiled.
Security: Hume Armaan Sir ke strict orders hain ki yahaan se koi bhi insaan bina checking ke andar na jaaye. Yahaan tak ki jab wo aayein to unki bhi checking ki jaaye...
Ridhimaa: To fir...
Security: (bowing to her) Mam... hum aapki checking kaise kar sakte hain? Armaan Sir ne hume aapki photo dikhaayi thi aur kaha tha ki aap yahaan ki owner hain... aur unke liye unke Bhagwaan ki tarah hain. Agar hum aapki checking karenge to iska matlab hoga Khuda par shak karna.
Ridhimaa: (not able to stop herself) What? Armaan paagal ho gaya hai...
The Security Guard sniggered.
Security: Yes mam... sir sach me aapke liye paagal ho gaye hain.
Shashank: Aapke Armaan Sir sunenge ki aap unke baare me ye sab keh rahe hain to...
Security: Well sir... main ye sab personally unse keh chuka hoon. Unhone bilkul bura nahi maana. Friendship me ye sab chalta rehta hai... let me not keep you waiting... aap log andar ja sakte hain...
They all entered inside. From there, one security guard escorted them to the reception which was in its full glory.
Padma: Security Guards se friendship!
Just then Tamanna came running to meet them. She was wearing a green coloured saree. As soon as she reached there, she pulled Ridhimaa into a hug.
Tamanna: Ridz! Tum aa gayi! Koi problem to nahi hui na?
Ridhimaa: Nahi...
Tamanna: Arrey... aap log yahaan kyun khade hain... chaliye Ceremony hall me chaliye. Ammy ne kaha tha aap logon ko seedhe wahin lekar jaun.
Muskaan: Armaan aa gaya?
Tamanna: Nahi... abhi uska phone aaya tha. Wo Radio Station se pandrah minute pehle nikla hai... uske pass itne calls aa rahe the congratulate karne ke liye to ab uske mobile hi switch off kar diya hai. Ab pata nahi kahaan hai wo.
Ridhimaa started looking worried.
Tamanna: (holding her hand) Ridz… abhi aa raha hoga…
She took them all to the Ceremony Hall, next to the Ball Room. The Ceremony Hall was decorated, better than the rest. They could not believe their eyes on seeing the grandeur. When they all had accustomed their eyes to the scene, they saw Atul, Rahul, Shubhankar, Kirti and Matthew coming towards them. They all exchanged pleasantries.
Padma: Ab tak kaun-kaun aa gaya hai?
Kirti: Lagbhag sabhi log aa gaye hain except...
Shubhankar: Dr.Armaan himself. Haan... aap log, aur fir Lonavla se Bua...
Padma: Wo aa gayi... kahaan hain?
She saw Bua and rushed upto her and hugged her. Bua hugged Nani, Anjali and finally Ridhimaa.
Bua: Armaan ne khud mujhe tickets bheje the...
Ridhimaa: Sach?
Bua: Haan... aur saath me ek letter bhi tha... jisme usne likha tha ki ab agar main nahi aayi to tumhare saath-saath wo bhi mujhse kabhi baat nahi kargea.
Ridhimaa: Lekin maine to ussey ye sab nahi kaha tha...
Bua: Mujhe pata hai...
Atul: Anjali... aao main tumhe bataata hoon ki baithna kahaan par hai...
Rahul: Chalo... Muskaan... tu bhi chal...
The four wandered away.
Matthew: Uncle... Aunty... nani... chaliye...
They all too went away along with Tamanna, Matthew, Kirti and Shubhankar. Ridhimaa was left staring at their retreating backs. Just then someone tapped her shoulder. Ridhimaa turned and found Shahrukh before her.
Shahrukh: Main Armaan se kitna keh raha tha ki mujhe koi kaam de... to usne mujhe tumko sambhalne ka kaam diya hai.
Ridhimaa smiled.
Shahrukh: Why're you smiling? Waise tum hansa karo... achhi lagti ho. Aur aaj to kuch zyada hi achhi lag rahi ho. Chalo... chalkar baitho... warna Armaan aakar kahega ki tumhe bekaar me hi khada rakha...
Shahrukh took her to the front row, where along with the others; Karan, Gauri, Aryan, Suhaana, Sapna and Ashutosh were also sitting with Harshit on their lap.
Sapna: Hye Ridhimaa...
Ridhimaa: Hye...
She sits down beside her and starts chatting. There were a very few people except the lot. Only a few doctors of Sanjeevani, some personalities from Bollywood, John, Parul, Nana and Bi were there. Ridhimaa saw Bi coming towards her. She stood up and hugged her.
Bi: Aaj to bahut khoobsurat lag rahi hai....
Tamanna: (exclaiming) Ammy aa gaya...
They all turned to look at the entry. Armaan was coming up the red carpet, strewn with flowers in splendor. He was wearing a white Sherwaani with a black muffler and was looking very handsome and dashing just like a prince of fairy tales. Well... nobody could carry off white as Armaan did. It was as if white was the colour made just for him. He came up and was searching for someone. His eyes caught that ‘someone’, clad in a golden lehenga, embroidered with crystal and zardozi work, with heavy golden jewellery, light, minimal makeup, and her long hair left loose in curls. Ridhimaa, who was looking extremely beautiful, just like the perfect princess, elegant and charming, felt Armaan's eyes upon her and turned a deep shade of scarlet.

PART 350:

Armaan: (not having words to describe Ridhimaa) Wow!
Ridhimaa heard him and shook her face even more.
Matthew: Ammy... you're looking so good.
Atul: (proudly) Aakhir bhai kiska hai?
Tamanna: Ammy... tum achhe to lag rahe ho... lekin Ridz se kum.
Armaan smiled and nodded. He hugged them all, of course, except Ridhimaa.
Shahrukh: Itni der kaise lag gayi? Hum log kabse wait kar rahe hain... Ridhimaa to keh rahi thi ki agar do minute me tum nahi aaye to wo mujhse sagaayi kar legi.
Ridhimaa looked up, shocked.
Ridhimaa: Kya? Maine kab kaha?
Guari: Ridhimaa... Shahrukh's just joking!
Ridhimaa was very embarrassed.
Anjali: Ridzi hum sab jaante hain ki tum kisi aur se sagaayi nahi karogi...
Rahul: Waise tu tha kahaan? Tu to Radio Station se aadhe ghante pehle nikal chuka tha.
Armaan: (looking at his watch) Lekin main to theek time pe pahunch gaya hoon... Dekho... it's sharp 9 o'clock.
Karan: Wo to hai Armaan… lekin tum to host ho.
Shubhankar: Aur tumhe sabko welcome karne ke liye yahaan pehle se hona chahiye tha. Mehmaanon ki tarah sabse aakhir me thode hi aana tha.
Armaan: Sorry... wo Security Guards se thodi baat kar raha tha. Sab log aa gaye na?
Tamanna: Haan...
Armaan: OK... one minute...
Armaan took out a small walkie from his pocket.
Armaan: Hello... anybody there?
Security: Yes sir!
Armaan: Sir mat bol yaar! Gate band kar do. Sab aa gaye hain.
Security: Yes sir!
Armaan: Fir sir? Achha... haan gate band karke andar aa jaana... Jenny aa gayi?
Security: Yes... si...
Before he could say sir again, the security guard himself ended the call.
Armaan: (smiling) Fir sir!
He pocketed the walkie back.
Shashank: Ye kaun tha?
Armaan: Joseph... wahi... Security Guard... aapko gate par mila hoga.
Muskaan: Aur ye Jenny?
Armaan: Uski girlfriend.
Atul: Tujhe apne security guard ki girlfriend ka naam bhi pata hai?
Armaan: Of course! Wo mera dost hai. I mean itne dino se main ussey mil raha hoon... kai-kai baar to uske saath yahin site par so gaya tha... main to uske baare me aur bahut kuch jaanta hoon.
Shahrukh: (impressed) Good! Pata hai...tumhari ye baat na bahut achhi hai. Har kisiko dost bana lete ho... it's very good of you.
Armaan: Thank you sir!
Shahrukh: Dekho... mujhe sir mat bulao. Bahut ajeeb lagta hai...
Armaan: Yes... I know that feeling. Jab yahaan par sab mujhe sir bulaate hain to mujhe bhi bahut odd lagta hai... maine to unse keh rakha hai ki mera itna achha to naam hai... Armaan... wo keh kar bulaayein... lekin nahi...
Shahrukh: Waise main to poochhna bhool hi gaya. How are you now?
Armaan: Fine... lekin aapko kaise pata ki meri tabiyat kharaab thi?
Shahrukh: Come on! Us din main hi to tumhe Mannat leke gaya tha jab tum road par behosh ho gaye the...
Armaan: (trying to remember) Kab? Oh... wo?
Padma: Armaan... tum road par behosh ho gaye the? Kab?
Armaan: Wo main...
Gauri: Aapko nahi pata? 2nd November ko... Shahrukh ka birthday tha to hum log ice-cream treat ke liye baahar nikle the... shaayad subah ke do baj rahe the...
Shahrukh: Tabhi hume Armaan dikha... roadside par bench par baitha hua tha... aur fir wo behosh ho gaya tha. Raat bhar use bukhaar tha. Subah jaakar theek hua tha... don't you all know about this?
All: Nahi!
Shahrukh and Gauri glared at Armaan.
Anjali: Ye to tabhi tha na jab tum humare ghar se nikle the jab mom ne galti se tumhe...
Armaan: (changing the topic) I think... ab function shuru karna chahiye.
Shahrukh: Lekin hua kya tha? Us din tum bahut depressed lag rahe the...
Nani: Wo... hum logon ne Armaan ko... bina galti ke...
Armaan: Shahrukh please...
Shahrukh: OK...OK... to function shuru karte hain.
They all stood up. Tamanna made Armaan sit beside Ridhimaa on the stage. Both were looking very good together, made for each other. Padma passed Ridhimaa the same ring which once used to be there on Armaan's finger. Ridhimaa held the ring in her hand. She was feeling very shy.
Tamanna: Ab pehna bhi do Ridz. Chalo... Ammy ka haath pakdo...
Ridhimaa: (stunned) Kya karun?
Tamanna: I mean... use ring pehnao.
Ridhimaa looked at Armaan, gesturing him to put his hand forward.
Armaan: Na! Ring to tumhe khud pehnaani padegi... I can't help you in that!
Ridhimaa: Fine!
She took Armaan's hand and slipped the ring into his left hand ring finger.
Armaan: Arrey waah Basket! Itni jaldi score kar liya!
Ridhimaa dropped her gaze, feeling embarrassed.
Shashank: Koi baat nahi... tum bhi Basket karke scores level kar lo.
Kirti: Ye lijiye Dr.Armaan...
Kirti handed him the selfsame ring which Armaan had once before given to Ridhimaa.
Armaan: Chalo ab achhe bachchon ki tarah haath aagey badhao.
Ridhimaa: (scowling) Huh!
Tamanna: Ammy... Ridz ko tang mat karo...
Armaan gazed into Ridhimaa's eyes and took her hand into his. She could not avert her gaze from him. Armaan slipped the ring in the fourth finger from left and everyone clapped. Ridhimaa now tried to pull her hand back.
Armaan: Abhi nahi... ruko to sahi... ek gift dena hai...
Ridhimaa looked at him enquiringly. Armaan raised her hand and caressed it with his lips. Ridhimaa's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.
Armaan: Oye hoye!
All: (repeating) Oye Hoye!!!
Armaan left Ridhimaa's hand, blushing himself. He then stood up and hugged Bi. Ridhimaa followed him and hugged Bi too. Then Armaan touched Nani's feet, sitting in a kneeling position. Nani blessed him and pulled Ridhimaa as well as Armaan into the hug. Armaan then went to Padma and touched her feet. She blessed and hugged him. Then she hugged Ridhimaa too. Now came the turn of Shashank. Armaan touched his feet and when he stood up; he was pulled into an embrace by Shashank.
Shashank: God bless you.
He also hugged Ridhimaa and kissed her forehead. Ridhimaa's eyes were sparkling with tears.
Shashank: (patting her) Shhh... rote nahi hain...
Ridhimaa: Papa!
Shashank hugged her again.
Shashank: I'm sure mera beta tumhe kabhi rone nahi dega... hai na?
Armaan nodded without betraying his own tearful eyes. All congratulated and hugged both Armaan and Ridhimaa. Lastly, Armaan went near Tamanna and stood before her with Ridhimaa. She first gazed at them both.
Tamanna: Waah waah Ramji... Jodi kya banaayi! Bhaiyya aur bhabhi ko... badhayi ho badhayi!
Armaan: Tammy!
Tamanna spread her arms wide and both Armaan and Ridhimaa flung themselves into her widespread arms, hugging her tightly.
Tamanna: I love you... I love you both!
Armaan, Ridhimaa: (together) We love you too!


This is the last part for the meanwhile. I’m going on a break, I don’t know how long, but I promise, that I’d be back soon and would resume MKRM if you wish. Thanks for your comments, love and support.

It's OK if you all don't have time to comment, because I'm not coming back to read them for a few days. And if anyone wants to contact me, [not to call me back], but for any help, I'll always be there for you at lovy2u@gmail.com

Love you Karan Armaan Mallik Singh Grover,
Love you Sukirti Ridhimaa Khandpal,
Love you all,
Lovy

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