part 14 : Come Back to Me

Riddhima looked over at the wild weeds and over grown lawn with surprise as she got down from the car with Rahul. Armaan had always made it a point to keep the garden well maintained and trimmed. Looking at its state she felt as though it had been years since the grass had been cut. She looked at Rahul with confusion. What was happening here??

She walked behind Rahul to the porch and was astonished to see Rahul opening the door with a set off spar keys. From where on earth did Rahul start keeping the keys to Armaan's place??

But none of the initial surprises could match the astonishment Riddhima felt entering the place. As she stepped in the main hall she gasped. The entire place looked like it had been closed up for months. Here there small cobwebs hung from places and the amount of dust that was accumulated dimmed the entire place to a great extent. Covering her nose she tapped Rahul.


"Rahul? What is going on here? Is this some joke? I don't even think Armaan stays here anymore and you said……." She looked at him with questioning eyes.

Part 26 : Love Me always

"Hmm so continue….Armaan, Anjali with your discussion. Do you mind if I join?? I am sure you wont right?? "

 He strode in coolly.

Armaan clinched his fists as he saw him. Anjali walked over and stood next to him devoid of any reaction.

"Yes so Dr Armaan Mallik? You thought you will beat me in my own game huh? Actually hats off to you….you managed. You convinced your darling wife somehow and made her sign……these papers"

Shanshank threw a bunch of papers on his face. Looking down Armaan realized they were a Xerox of the very papers he had made Riddhima sign while transferring the entire property on his name.

part 13 : Come Back to Me

Armaan stared at her as she stepped down from the white limo behind Rahul and Muskaan. Closing his eyes he composed himself as he feel the familiar lurch in the pity of his stomach. Their eyes met and Armaan wasn't surprised to Riddhima averting her gaze away from him. I deserve it he thought. As she walked down the red carpet alongside Rahul, Armaan felt a stab of pain. As the camera flashed all around them.



He could have been there in Rahul's place. Been there with her on the biggest day of their life . Their talents and achievements were being recognized and they could have been celebrating together now, only if he hadn't………they would have been over the moon with a new addition to their lives, only if he had……

Part 25 : Love Me always

"Riddhima I want you to put everything on my name, whatever your Dad has legally put on yours, I fear very soon he will retransfer everything back under his name. Hence we have to work fast and the immediate action we need to take is put everything on my name. As your legally married husband then your dad can't do much and we will be able too......................"


"But I thought you didn't want this property and money anymore Armaan?" Riddhima's voice quivered as she spoke.


Sensing the change in her tone Armaan came forward. Holding her by the shoulder he guided her to the bed. Making her sit down he kneeled down besides her holding her hands in his.

part 12 : Come Back to Me

Stepping into her apartment Riddhima gave a deep sigh closing the door behind her and sank into the couch nearby. Her tears had all dried up now as she shed them all on Armaan and the pain he had given her.

He now wants me back?? She thought. But I can never forget the countless wounds he has given me, those times when I would just sit there waiting for him and he was never there. He promised to be there with me forever and he could not even provide a mere friendly support when I needed him the most.

And how can I forget he killed our love, he killed his own child with his own hands. The love is now lost and he can never bring it back. He can never ever reignite that trust, that love ever again.

Part 24 : Love Me always

"Yes Riddhima it me, but my gosh you are some wild tigress"

Riddhima freed herself from his grip and retorted.

"Tigress huh?  Armaan you scared the hell out of me. I was so scared and ..."

"Hmm you didn't look like some scared woman. You looked like tigress ready to pounce upon her prey"

"How many times will you emphasize on that word tigress? I would call it self-defence, presence of mind to fight intruders like you who turn up in the middle of the night to take advantage and by the way Armaan how did u ever land up here? You said that you don't even know how to climb pipes then in the middle of the night how come?"

part 11 : Come Back to Me

Armaan opened the door and saw her looking up at him as she shifted her weight nervously away from him. She sat there looking so vulnerable and pale sitting with her back against the bed hugging her knees, lowering her eyes not wanting to look at him..


He walked upto her as she suddenly edged further away shifting her weight on the cold wooden floor away from him. Sitting down beside her he took her hands forcefully and his and looked into her tearful eyes.


"Riddhima?" he uncertainly spoke gentle looking at her fingers in his hands.

Part 23: Love Me always

Shanshank looked at her as if he had been slapped hard on his face. She wanted to go back?? He could his plan failing, he needed to act fast.

"Go back to see that guy?? Riddhima he just threw those divorce papers on your face and you want to go meet him? For what? " Shanshank asked her raising his voice.

Riddhima closed her eyes. She knew this was expected. But right now meeting him was more important and besides the man standing in front of her was the one actually responsible for creating such a mess in her life. Armaan had been just a pawn in his game…..but why….this question she failed to answer. With me?? His own blood?

Answering back in a small but a firm tone she spoke.

arsh os : CELEBRATIONS

Her body was still sore from last night's 'celebrations'. She moaned feeling the pain between her legs..drawing her hand to hide herself in him, she moved it on his side of the bed. Frowning at not finding him, she turned in her sleep hoping to get closer to him some way or the other. She found his hand and the smile reappeared..she moved her hand again to find his face, her eyes still close.. "mhhmm.." he murmured sleepily when her fingers poked his eyes and nose.. she opened her eyes to look at him, only to find him kneeling beside the bed and sleeping with his head on the bed and she wasn't sure if what she saw in his hand was a diamond ring.. she thought she was still asleep..she called out his name and shook his hand. "armaan..bebu?"

part 10 : Come Back to Me

It had been their first ever kiss and it had been nothing but full of love of love and passion. The love they held for each other. The love she held for him which I failed to understand he thought bitterly as Armaan turned on the shower. The cold water poured down as he felt his insides still hot from the anger he felt for himself. How was he to face her when she got up? What would he say? That he was responsible for the wrecked state she was in? He ran his fingers through his hair frustrated.


Riddhima got up and felt the cold marbled floor touch her feet. She was still in the same one piece from last night. Who brought me here is a wrong question she smirked to herself. I know it has to be him .But why?
When everything has been torn apart by him itself then why this pretense .It was him. She could feel him and his cologne fragrance from herself .Taking a step forward she immediately took hold of the table beside as she felt her head swirl. She looked about. Seeing the bathroom light on she decided to take the chance. Trying to walk steadily she made her way to the door just as the bathroom door open. Trying to quicken her pace she stopped as she his voice.

Part 22: Love Me always

Armaan got up looking at her and softly whispered

"The truth Riddhima?"

"Yes the truth Armaan, the complete truth. I want you to tell me everything. I dont want anyone else to come and tell me things about you be it my own father in that case."

Armaan looked away closing his eyes. Seeing no visible reaction from him Riddhima proded further. "Armaan dont i have the right to know? I should be...."

"Riddhima our marriage was a deal. I wont deny that . Your father was partly right but the was a complete lie. I swear on you it was a lie. And that time it was like...."

AR/KASH OS : THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNINGS

His hand held her from the waist and her hand rested over his. One of his legs was sprawled over both hers and his face was hidden in her neck. Just like any other night.. but it was quite different today, coz she wasn't asleep. He had been long asleep, his heavy breathing on her neck showed that, but she couldn't sleep. It was raining so heavily outside. And the thunderstorm. She was not scared of it, no, never say that. Let's just say, she didn't like thunderstorms. And lightning. She stretched her arm to tilt the bedside clock, it was 2. A.M. the lightning again, distracted her and she held on to armaan's hand even more tightly.. "mhhm.." he nuzzled in her neck and kissed her clavicle.

"armaan.." riddhima turned around and put her palm on his cheek..

"hmmm.." he let out in almost a whisper and held her tighter..

"armaan its raining.." she put one arm around his neck and the other on his cheek..

"yeah baby.." he held her waist and brought her almost over him..

part 9: Come Back to Me

How I wish I had taken control over everything Riddhima he thought.
You kept supporting me and never lost hope and I.....I pushed you to the wall.You had so much of trust in me and I......
Armaan felt tears brimming in his own eyes....he had been awake the whole night and tired though his eyes looked they refused to close...
It was as if he just couldn't close them...seeing the sight beside him.

"Will you ever trust me again as you did?" he whispered looking at her.
"You trusted me the most naa....I wish I could build up the same trust all over again" Armaan spoke softly as he recollected the immense trust that she had always shown in him....
He smiled as he remembered her telling him later what exactly her reactions were after he left that night leaving an awkward silence.........

***************************

Part 21 : Love Me Always

Armaan felt as if he had been given a tight slap on his face as he saw Riddhima running up the stairs sobbing. He looked over at Shanshank looking at him coldly with a blank expression.
'What did u tell her?' Armaan gritted.
'Now now'..Armaan you have just been asked to get out of my house and your still standing here? You don't me to show Riddhima how I am throwing you do you? Get out for now, we can have our little chit-chat later '.goodbyee Armaan'
Armaan felt hard controlling himself as he felt a huge surge to catch hold of Shanshank's neck. Feeling it more appropriate he quietly walked out making a mental note to get to Riddhima somehow.
I need to talk to her, what has happened? She just left me like this??? I mean, what the hell? Atleast a chance to explain. I am her husband for God's sake. Not her father's servant.
'Riddhimaaaaaa, honey atleast one chance to talk? You just threw me out??' he muttered feeling his anger ebbing away as the new feeling of loneliness and helplessness took over. As he dialed her number''hearing unreachable he clenched his jaws. After what we shared you just ditched me? Is this your faith in me. Riddhima how could you?

AR os : JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY

A girl quickly punches a number into her phone and waits until she hears the other line pick up.


"muskaan, I don't know what to do, I really don't. I love him so much and I don't think he thinks of me that way. I mean, whenever I see him or think of him, I can't help it, this smile comes across my face. Sometimes he sees me smiling and smiles back. That's when my knees turn to jello and I get butterflies in my stomach. I know you think that he's is so totally adorable and cute, but if you look past that and actually listen to what he has to say, you find a totally different person. He's so caring and considerate and he makes me feel like I don't deserve him. Well, actually, I don't deserve him. He's too perfect, I mean, look at all the girls that fall over for him. I could never be one of those. Their all so pretty and bubbly and….. not me. I couldn't even start to compare myself to them. But whenever I think of him or see him, I can't help it, I smile. Now I didn't tell you this but he called me the other day about homework. I tell you now, I made a complete fool of myself. I'm so embarrassed. I stuttered the whole time, but he was so sweet and just kept talking and making me feel better. He's so perfect muski, I don't deserve him, so why do I keep wishing and praying that he will notice me, why?............muski? muski are you there?"

part 8 : Come Back to Me

"I love you Armaan"

These words were still ringing fresh in his ears. He recalled how stunned and taken aback he was himself when he heard those words from her. She stood there whispering what he wanted to hear, those three words that his heart ached to hear. And, when the moment arrived he was too stunned to even react. As she shifted her weight a little edging away from him, he pulled her back again and looked at her.

" Riddhima please say that once more? I want to revive that moment when you confessed all over again. Our moment.......

******************************************
Flashback

"I love you Armaan"


She whispered looking at him stopping in his track, his hand still on the door knob of his car. She waited as the stillness of the night fell between them and saw him still with his back facing her.

Part 20 : Love Me always

Armaan looked at her nervously as she handed over the cell to him.

That slimy old politician again ? Why did he call up now ?To talk to me? Oh I hope he doesn't mess up things now. Armaan thought frowning as he took the cell and got up.

Riddhima looked at him leaving the room. Why did he have to go out to talk now to her dad? He could have had his conversation in front of her itself. But Riddhima he doesn't know that you now know about some deal going on between him and Dad. Oh Armaan cant we just sort this out? Tell me the truth Armaan. Promise I won't desert you. Atleast you won't have to pretend and go all nervous in front of me. And there wont be this thin veil separating us, with you always dreading I will leave you. Armaan how much long? I need to sort it out. Oh well you have some time more or I take things in my hand and probe you myself. How can do that Armaan? Please don't ever force me to do that as I know I cant'''..