Aryan: Arrey idiot; he knows we trio are friends and vaise bhi you both don’t have much work for today it seems so we can go out and am not going to take a no as an answer
Riddhima: It’s not right Aryan; you taking permission from my superior for a personal outing
Aryan: Dekho Riddhu; he’s my best friend same like you both and I don’t like hiding matters from him and so I directly asked him if there’s any important work and I asked for outing permission only when he informed me there isn’t any important work. So, relax
Aryan: Sejal, you pick your bags; am bringing my vehicle
Riddhima (afraid): Wh…at if ka….bir gets to know!!!!
Aryan: Relax Riddhu; he can’t come during office hours right. He can’t even call or message you so he won’t get to know you aren’t in the office. And we’d return before your office timings end
Sejal: Riddhu; everything is set, just let’s leave now.
Aryan went to bring the vehicle while Riddhima was still skeptical but eventually gave in and along with Sejal reached Aryan and started their journey. Aryan was driving with Riddhima sitting on the passenger seat emotionless while Sejal sat behind. The ride was all calm with Riddhima staring out of the window with her hand on her stomach clutching it unable to bear the pain.
Aryan (thinking): Riddhu, I know it’s hurting you horribly but it’d give you pain until your mind doesn’t divert and for that, I have to do something so that your concentration shifts from pain to something which you might enjoy!!! But what….!!!! Think Aryan… think…. she loves eating and cooking…
His thoughts were interrupted by a poking over his shoulder from behind; he craned a bit making sure Riddhima doesn’t notice
Sejal (whispering): What’s the plan?
Aryan (whispering): Even am wondering…..
Sejal (smacking his back) (whispering): Idiot… didn’t you make any plan?
Aryan (whispering): Ouch!!! Yaar Seju… acha forget it!!! I was wondering she could move from her pain only if her mind diverts and for that we need to do something which might give her happiness. She likes eating and cooking but… cooking isn’t possible now and eating…
Sejal (whispering): She won’t eat anything….
Aryan (whispering): She loves to read…
Sejal (whispering): Now she won’t do that too…
Sejal (whispering): She loves shopping too but…
Aryan (whispering): She won’t…. think Seju… think
ArJal (unison) (whispering): Beach
Sejal (sighing) (whispering): Not possible….
Aryan (whispering): It’s an afternoon… hey… Nature
Sejal (whispering) (excited): She finds peace vaha….
ArJal (whispering): Khandala
Aryan (whispering): Yes… Kune Waterfalls… We’ll first go to the falls then we’ll eat something on the way and next ka let’s think tab
Sejal (whispering): Perfect!!!
Aryan: Riddhu….
Riddhima turned to his side and raised her eyebrows
Aryan: We’ll first go to Kune Falls and then we’ll decide
She didn’t react and once again turned her back to them and was staring out of the window. After a ride of 1 ½ hr, they finally reached their destination. The Kune Falls is a three-tiered waterfall with a total height of 200 meters (660 ft); the highest drop being 100 meters (330 ft) surrounded by lush green vegetation serves a great visual experience.
Reaching the point; Riddhima’s eyes immediately widened in excitement and happiness. She almost ran towards the edge mesmerized by the stunning falls that felt like they are flowing intensely giving her some relief from regular stress. She closed her eyes spreading her arms across trying to immerse the cool breeze released from the falls; a serene smile spread across her bruised lips when she was inhaling the fresh breeze over there at that height. She was so emerged into the scenery that seeing her ArJal were smiling with moist eyes.
Sejal gestured Aryan to turn the music; he did and being the lover of music; Riddhima’s attention was shifted to the music; she turned around to find her friends arranging a music spot for her. She saw Sejal moving her hips to the music smiling at her; making Riddhima chuckle. Sejal pulled Riddhima and was dancing around her making Riddhima to join finally. Aryan was clicking their pics and changed the song to ___ making Riddhima smile wholeheartedly. She pulled Aryan too with the duo while ArJal was all singing the lyrics for Riddhima
Tu jo rootha toh kaun hansega
Tu hi wajah
Riddhima took his phone and changed the song making ArJal bang their heads while Riddhima was all laughing
Tere jaisa yaar kahan
Meri zindagi sawaari
Aryan: Seriously yaar Riddhu, who can dance on this song (making face)
Sejal: Now, it’s my turn I’ll change the song
She took the phone and was searching an apt song while RidYan were patiently waiting and listening to the song; the trio smiled and started imitating the steps
Chadi Mujhe Yaari Teri Aisi
Aryan: Now it’s my turn
Riddhima: But am hungry…. (pouting)
Sejal: Even am tired dancing … my poor legs are aching (making face)
RidYan: Drama Queen
The duo laughed making Sejal pout.
Aryan: You guys be here; I’d get something for eating.
RidJal settled themselves on the car bonnet when he came back after few minutes with some chocolates, chips, soft drinks, and biscuits
Aryan: Sorry guys, I didn’t find anything apt so here you go
The duo pounced on it eating as if they have been hungry for decades. Unaware of them a pair of eyes were glaring/ gawking / scrutinizing them. That person was clicking some pics of Riddhima and was observing her every move
Aryan: Yaar even am here and even am hungry; please if you both Dayan’s are done can I the poor me get something to eat (pouting)!!!!
RidJal (angry): Dayan!!!
Aryan: Aren’t you both? Look at yourself… you toh totally forgot ki here a poor guy is standing hungry, hell tired. But nahi… you are so selfish ki didn’t even bother to share with me (making face)
Riddhima: Oh, hello the so-called poor guy; stop being overdramatic. We aren’t here for some auditions ki your this act will get selected
Aryan: So mean yaar Riddhu….
Sejal: Oh, hello you mean guy, let us eat; we are tired
They both were munching making Aryan mutter curses on them under his breath while the girls were all chuckling. Riddhima gestured to Sejal something and Sejal winked. Sejal forwarded her packet of chips to Aryan whose eyes widened in happiness; he was about to take them when she pulled back making him frown leading to girls laughing.
Aryan: This is not fair (pouting) It’s like am not related to you both (making faces)
Sejal: Hey Mr. who are you? And what are you doing here? Are you here to tease us? These guys I tell you Riddhu; always waiting to tease beautiful girls like us (rolling eyes)
Riddhima was laughing while Aryan’s jaws dropped
Aryan (pouting): Am your friend Seju
Sejal: Is it??? I didn’t know
Riddhima: Hey…. I got a song (excited)
ArJal (confusing): What song?
Riddhima jumped down of the bonnet and snatching Aryan’s phone she turned the music on and the song made the trio chuckle. The trio started singing the lyrics together and shouting on top of their voice
Yeh kaisa ladka hai (Turururu – Pa..ppara)
RidJal: But he is our best friend ya
Aryan: But you both are my best friends ya
Haye haye re haye yeh ladka
Kabhi yeh hamse ladta hai
Yeh ladka hai
Haye haye re haye yeh ladki
Karti naadaniyaan kyun poocho to haye
Kabhi yeh hamse ladti hai
Kabhi akadti hai
Karo door se chhedh khaani
Yeh ladki hai
Aryan: The last song is on me and this song is all dedicated to my Riddhu.
Riddhima smiled and then listening to the music RidJal guessed the song and shouting; they started dancing wholeheartedly ignoring the world; while Aryan was all happy seeing his old Riddhu at least for few minutes and started clicking their pics
Yaara tere sadke
Singing, dancing, clicking some pics they enjoyed the afternoon wholly, and during their return journey Riddhima was no more silent spectator; but they were living their past days thoroughly when they used to go to such trips before the beast Kabir entered their lives most importantly Riddhima’s life. They were having their time with each other unaware of being followed by another 4 wheels who were keeping a clear watch on them. The trio halt their vehicle on a roadside stall on the highway and took 3 plates of Paav-Bhaji and some pakora’s and were having it while the unknown person too sat few feet behind them and he could listen to every conversation they might have. Sejal received a call so she excused herself when Riddhima saw Aryan who was busy in licking his plate saw Riddhima glaring at him; he turned to her and raised his eyebrows
Riddhima (smiling): Seju told you right?
His eyes widened and to avoid being caught; he swiftly turned to his plate and with nervousness he spoke
Aryan (trying to be casual): Ab..ou… I mean about what?
Riddhima: You know right, you don’t even know A of Acting; then and lying to me is something you can’t even learn in all these decades so why are you trying now?
Aryan sighed and turned to her and saw a heartfelt smile on her lips; he couldn’t hold back and pulled her into the hug which she reciprocated.
Riddhima: She told you right!!!
He just nodded and hummed; she could feel him shaking in anger; she broke the hug and held his hand
Aryan (anger): I… I swear I want to rip him off and bash him until he cries blood tears
Riddhima: Aryan!!!
Aryan: What Aryan Riddhu!!! How … how dare he hurt you even when you….
He couldn’t complete his statement and turned around to avoid his anger being vent on her. She held his hand tight
Riddhima: This is the first time he did this; because till yesterday he never touched me when I was …. but don’t know what happened last night, he was stating he lost some illegal deal with some dealer regarding only he knows.
Aryan: But still Riddhu; I am least bothered of his work. I am concerned only of you and when you told him then why the hell did he….
Riddhima: He (sarcastic chuckle) felt I was giving reasons to avoid him. But trust me Aryan, now I feel relaxed…. thank you (tears) thank you so much for diverting my mind from my pain and giving me my past days once again back. This day is going to be my all-time favorite; I … (breaking) I totally forgot am married and my life is miserable. This day reminded me of our past trips which we used to make at the last minute making uncle and aunty to kick us (chuckle). You both gave me my past back Aryan… I felt relieved…. that Riddhima which I felt died months back is still alive and I could see her once again because of you today. I enjoyed my day Aryan…. (excited) I once again enjoyed my day like the past days. I turned into that past Riddhima (crying) which ….
She couldn’t speak further and seeing her in tears he instantly pulled her into a warm hug; while their conversation was held by 2 pairs of eyes of which one pair of eyes was shredding tears of happiness and which even held pain that was Sejal.
Sejal: Seems like the duo here forgot another musketeer among them is missing (pouting)
RidYan smiled at her antics and stretched their hands for her to join them which she did in split seconds. The trio was reminiscing their childhood; their teenage and adulthood which held their love, care, joy, fun, and lots and lots of enjoyment. After a while, they decided to go to the beach but Riddhima objected saying it’s late and
Riddhima: Guys, I had lots of fun after many months and now I don’t want to get delayed in reaching home varna I don’t know what might happen
Aryan: It’s okay Riddhu; let’s move towards your office so that you can leave for home. We shall have another outing some other day
They agreed and Sejal informed the cab driver to come to the office to pick them and dropping them at the office and making sure they left Aryan moved towards Vansh’s cabin with all smiles to find…….