Kismat Connection

Part 4

Arjun had concluded that Riya was speaking to someone over the phone.......though he wasnt keen to know the exact conversation, he was a bit curious to know who the person was.......it was quite late and only someone very close to her would dare call her at this hour......but who could it be?? another side of him smacked himself for trying to poke into her life......He told himself a thousand times that it was none of his business before retiring to the confines of his room.......

Arjun's mind and heart were closed books and nobody could read it........though his eyes spoke thousands of words, his face and expressions were always inscrutable.......none could understand the depths of it......he also spoke out scarcely....so understanding him or his mind was almost impossible......he shut down anyone who even dared to try it.....Riya was no exception......He literally pushed her away from him each time he felt that he was getting close to her......or opening up to her.....He preferred to remain a closed book to all.....but somehow, Riya's presence had an unexplainable effect on him......he couldnt throw her out just like that......something prevented him from doing it.......He felt the solace of Roshni's presence all around him when Riya was with him......Neither did he want to lose that comfort nor accept Riya whole heartedly.....he was in a strange fix!

but he knew very well that he was doing injustice to Riya by marrying her and binding her in a meaningless matrimony.....so he had also decided on the future of their relationship!!! he just waited for the right time to disclose it to Riya....he didnt know if what he did or what he intended to do was right...neither did he bother to care about it......he just stubbornly stuck to his decisions, be it right or wrong!!

Riya's entry into his life was at a time when he was all heart broken and shattered......though he hated to admit it, she had been a good companion and helped him sail through the rough tides......And she was an important part of his life today! WIFE, FRIEND OR her MERE PRESENCE....whatever be it, it really mattered.....and that was the truth.....but Arjun never wanted to face that truth of his life.....he was trying hard to run away from it! His wandering thoughts kept him awake most of the nights! and tonight was even worse!

Next morning......Arjun returned from his usual jog to find a glass of lemon juice on his table......A lemon juice with honey and a pinch of salt was a regular routine......

Riya had started doing this from the very next day she stepped into this house.....but he had scolded her and warned her not to repeat it in future......That incident came to his mind when he saw the glass today.....

Flashback: Several months back......

Arjun: [staring at the lemon juice and posing a stern face] RIYAAAAAAAAA........

Riya: [came running to him and looked a bit scared seeing his furious face] kya hua????

Arjun: [pointing to the glass] yeh kya hai??

Riya: [trying to lighten the situation] yeh neembu paani hai na??? katti hai kya??? ya phir zyaadha meetaa hogaya??? woh kya hai na? main inn sab kaam mein weak hoom.....kabhi kiya nahi hai na?

Arjun:[glaring at her] yeh sab mazaag tum apne paas hi rakhna Riya!! [pausing for a moment] dho din ke mehmaan ho.....mehmaan bankhar raho, gharwali bannae ki khoshish matth karnaa.....[pausing for a moment and staring back at her] samjhi ya samjhaavum??

Riya: [rolled her eyes in anger but controlled herself and nodded] hmmmm.....samjhi! [not another word or glance from her......She just strolled back to her room with an expression that he couldnt read!]

[Riya had kept her word till the present day.......She never once crossed the lines or dared to disobey him.......Arjun, himself had felt a bit awkward at sometimes when they had behaved like total strangers under the same roof but he also didnt make any effort to make it any better.....Riya had joined ETF soon after....Arjun was surprised by the fact that she got into ETF without much hindrances.......and within a brief time, she was one among them......she got along very well with Shree and Chotu.....they became best of friends......giggles and jokes, they behaved more like college students rather than responsible ETF officers.....but there was no flaw in their work....So the fun part wasnt much of a botheration to Sameer too.....Infact, Sameer Rathod also developed a brotherly liking towards Riya!]

Coming back to the present day......Arjun couldnt help smiling at the note which Riya had placed beneath the glass "plzz pllzzzz dont scold me......ab gharwali hoom, toh yeh sab kar hi sakthi hoom.........

aapki chaai flask mein hai......"

He took the glass in his hand and looked around but not a trace of her.......She was in her room and it was locked......Arjun's initial frown had now transformed to a naughty smirk.....he sipped the juice and the taste was a lot better than the last time.....[yeah, he had drunk the juice last time she made it too] the taste reminded him of Roshni.....He brushed off the thought and continued with his work out and then got ready for work......

At the same time, in Riya's room......She was quite relieved that Arjun hadnt scolded her for doing his chores......She was busy selecting her dress.......She had managed to pick a few salwar suits and sarees from the nearby boutique......She pulled out the lilac and half white salwar which she was her favorite...She stood before the mirror and found it a perfect fit which seemed to suit the mood of the day too...She filled her hair parting with sindoor and the mangalsutra looked apt just touching the neck line......She wore some bangles and a long earring.....

Arjun was waiting for her at the living room wondering what was taking her so long....."yeh ladki kya kar rahi hai?? kitna time se room ke andhar hai!!! kahi so tho gayi nahi????" just as he opened his mouth to call her.......She walked out of the room in elegance and style.....

Oblivious to himself, he was gaping at her for the first few moments before he shook himself up and spoke up "yeh tumne kya pehan rakkha hai?? hum kisi shaadi ya mandir nahi jaa rahe hai......"

Riya: [a little annoyed at his insensitive talk] maine sochaa.....[he snapped her short]

Arjun: jaao jaakhe kapdae badhlo.....hum office jaa rahe hai.....toh uss isaab se kapdae pehano!!! Aur haan, jaldi karo.....I am already late because of your fancy dress competition!!!

Riya: [glares at him....she loses her cool and replies back] agar aapko late ho rahaa hai....tho aap jaayiye......main khud aa sakthi hoom....

[Saying this much, she closed her door at his face.....He turned around and walked out of the house closing the front door behind him]

[To be continued]

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