Page 4 of ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire

"Namaste!" Vijay Singhania, the eldest of this family and bhabhi's father greeted us all as we stepped inside their mansion.

Greeting them back, we made our way inside and sat in the living room.

"Uh..Gunjan aunty didn't come?" Narmada Singhania, bhabhi's mother directed her question at mum.

"She had some work but don't worry she would be there in other functions." Mum hesitated with her answer.

I don't think she wants to but she would. Just because of her name and reputation.

All the elders started talking on random topics. So, I decided to divert my mind somewhere else.

"What was the surprise you were talking about?" I whispered to Rishika who was sitting right beside me.

"I'm also trying to figure it out." She whispered back.

"Mr. and Mrs. Singhania, let's not delay it anymore." My father, Manoj Rathore, suggested which earned everyone's attention.

Vijay uncle nodded and called out his daughter, "Ridhima!"

A woman in a yellow saree stepped inside the living room with a tray in her hand.

She was looking simple yet pretty.

"Namaste." Ridhima Singhania, my soon-to-be bhabhi greeted us while serving the tea.

"Manish bhaiya, don't stare at her like this. She is going to be all yours now." Dhruv, who was sitting beside bhaiya's other side, whispered.

"I know but she is too beautiful to resist." Manish bhaiya whispered back.

"Every guy in this family is whipped for his lady." Dhruv mumbled to himself, loud enough for me to hear.

Where is the lie though?

"Ridhima, bache come, sit with us." Mum gestured bhabhi to sit beside bhaiya.

Rishika shifted to a different seat, followed by me to make space for bhabhi as she sat beside bhaiya.

They are looking great while sitting together, no evil eyes.

"I think we should leave the youngsters alone in this room." Mum kept her suggestion, "They know better."

"Yes." Narmada aunty agreed, "They are getting shy in front of us." She added, earning a nod from everyone.

All the four elders went to the garden, leaving us behind in the living room.

"So…please let me start." Rishika exclaimed out of excitement, getting bhaiya's permission, "Go on."

"My future bhabhi, first of all, I would like to ask you what special you found in this monkey?" She pointed at bhaiya.

"Rishika!!" Bhaiya shook his head as we all chuckled.

"Ridhima bhabhi, I have a request." Dhruv started, "What is it?" Bhabhi asked.

"If you don't mind, can I see your childhood picture?" Dhruv pleaded, on which bhaiya glared at him which is absolutely justified.

This Dhruv acts like a creep sometimes.

"Umm.." Bhabhi hesitated, fidgeting her fingers.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable. Your name seems familiar as I think we used to be in the same school." Dhruv explained.

"Oh." Bhabhi nodded in acknowledgement.

Meanwhile, I looked in Dhruv's direction, narrowing my eyes. This weird peice of shit.

"Do you know Aridhi didi?" Rishika chirped between them, widening my eyes.

My eyes drifted at her in surprise and shock. Because how come Aridhi's name is mentioned here?

"Aridhi?" Bhabhi looked between Rishika and Dhruv, losing herself in memories.

After a few seconds of nostalgia, a faint smile appeared on her face, "Aridhi is actually my best friend!"

Rishika and Dhruv looked at each other and started to whistle. Bhaiya shut them out, even though he was clueless.

What the fuck is this connection? My mind became a pool of numerous unasked questions.

"But how did you two know about her?" Bhabhi asked, her face glowed with curiosity.

"You know, we were actually classmates before you shifted to a different state after 7th." Dhruv replied.

Wagging his eyebrows, he looked at me before continuing, "You and Aridhi were always sticking together."

I can see the way he is trying to tease me with his actions and with Aridhi's name. Asshole.

Bhabhi giggled before accepting Dhruv's statement, "Okay, I remembered now. We were in the same school. Later in 3rd class, Nandini also joined our duo."

The fact that Dhruv started blushing due to Nandini's name is the proof of his love for her.

But it is still unacceptable that Dhruv knows my Aridhi more than me. He met her before me. He has seen her since they were like little kids.

That ultimately means that I met Aridhi too late. But now, something in me seems to be exciting about this setting.

My heartbeat suddenly increased as I thought further.

If Aridhi is bhabhi's best friend it definitely means she would come to attend her wedding.

She would come to Delhi.

I have a chance to meet her. My Aridhi. My Ardhangini.

"What about you Rishika? How do you know my– sorry, I mean how do you know Aridhi?" My eyes turned a shade dark as I glanced at Rishika.

This mischievous little sister of mine.

Yeah, I did tell Rishika that I have a girl I love and her name is Aridhi. And that too because she noticed me swooning over Aridhi's photos once.

But at that time, she was like, 'Oh, I don't know if I ever met a girl with that name.'

She was in the same school as mine but wow, I was the one living in the dark until today.

Rishika smirked, "She is actually my idol." I scrunched, "What?"

She nodded, "I met her when there was a boy in my class who used to annoy me. She helped me to fight against him and I did."

"After that day we got to know each other better. The junior-senior bond between us was really good." She winked.

Well done!

Here, everyone knows about Aridhi.

I'm the only person who is a fool. Whenever I talked about Aridhi with Rishika, she never mentioned something like this.

And now, secrets are revealing.

"I don't know what you all are talking about but now the end of the discussion." Bhaiya interrupted, "Rishika, Dhruv and Ruvit, out of the room now!"

*

"That's not fair. He just kicked us out of the room." Rishika complained like a small kid asking for a chocolate.

"But at least we got some fair information." Dhruv smirked while hitting my shoulder with his.

"Yeah, yeah. It's fine if you know about her more than me but remember, that day is not far when I will be the only one she is going to stick with."

Huh!!

Just wait until I make my Aridhi my wife.

"Bro, don't be delusional. What if Aridhi doesn't remember you?" Dhruv made a point, "It's been so many years."

Right, I met her in 10th Class when she was 15. And she should be 25 by now.

After 10th class, Dhruv, me and her were in the same stream, that is commerce.

As a trio, we spent a lot of time together.

That's the time when I fell for her, so hard that I could never get up again.

After our 12th, we got separated and then she broke all the connections with everyone.

As much as I respect that decision of hers, I was desperate for her but still I let her.

Therefore, I don't have any idea what she is doing now, where she is, or how she is.

There is nothing I know about her current status.

"I will make her remember if she forgot me." I answered, sincere and genuine.

Of course she can't forget me like this. At least not as her best friend.

She will get punished if she forgets me, huh. And I will make her fall for me this time.

Rishika patted my shoulder, mouthing good luck.

*

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Rathore."

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Singhania."

The two of the families congratulated each other as the date of the engagement has been fixed.

Bhaiya and bhabhi hugged each other. Dhruv was enjoying the sweets along with Rishika.

But I was thinking.

Thinking about a certain someone. I just can't wait to see my Aridhi once again.

I can't believe this woman has the audacity to make me so desperate for her without even trying.

I just want to see her. My eyes are dieing for her. I'm in need to see her again.

Just come in front of me, Ardhangini and after that, I promise I will worship you all of my remaining lives.

I will never let you go far away from me ever again.

My Ardhangini. My Aridhi. My love.

Come fast, your Ruvit is waiting for you.

"Papa, mummy!" Bhabhi called out her parents, "I wanna tell you something." Uncle and aunty gave a nod.

"ARIDHI'S FLIGHT IS GOING TO LAND IN INDIA SOON." Bhabhi shouted with full enthusiasm in her body.

Her voice echoed in the hallway, and suddenly my heart started to beat louder and clear.

"Aridhi?" Mum looked at bhabhi and then at me surprisingly. Of course she knows about my woman.

"Yes, aunty. She is my best friend forever." Bhabhi chuckled, spinning herself excitedly.

"Oh." Mum stared at me and her expression was worth noting. She was looking more than happy.

"Now I have a request." Bhabhi said, looking at her father, "Can I go and pick her up from airport?"

"Of course Ridhima. In fact you all can go. She would like to see you all." Uncle claimed as bhabhi hugged him.

We all can go? WE ALL CAN GO?

It means I'm gonna see my Aridhi soon. Yes, I can't wait anymore.

Looking at my wrist watch, I was surprised to check my pulse. It was never this high before.

"Sorry, I won't be able to make it up. I have some late night work." Bhaiya informed, which initially made bhabhi sad but later she understood.

Bhaiya left early but mum and papa stayed.

As we were about to leave for the airport, I noticed mum.

As she made her way towards me, I stopped on my tracks.

"I thought I just decided on Manish's marriage but now I think that I'm going to end up with your marriage too."

I glanced away as I felt my ears heating up.

I always thought I was a cold guy, but when situations are like this, it all seems like a facade.

"I never knew you could become like this because of a woman." She patted my head, smiling lovingly.

"Mummy!" A chuckle left my mouth on her teasing. I will definitely go crazy now.