Chapter 16

Here goes part B. Chota hai, i know. Par sorry guys, i am really stuck on a few things right now. Hope you guys will understand and co-operate.

Armaan walks into the caf of the shopping mall and sees the three girls sitting at the corner table, laughing hysterically about something. He walks over, smiling to himself as he sees Riddhima trying to explain something, wide-eyed and using her hands in expression. She had this habit of using her hands while talking a lot.

He walked over to their table and stood next to their table, smiling.

 

Armaan: hey guys!!

 

Riddhima sprang up from her seat as she saw him.

 

Riddhima: HEY!! Armaaaan!! Finally you are here…(hugs him quickly) See I got you so much stuff….(picks up a bag) see….you wanted new shirts na…lemme see…ummm…(takes out a shirt) isn't this good…oh and I got this awesome new belt for you too….

 

Divya and Aditi snicker to themselves at her non-stop banter. Armaan puts his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

 

Armaan: Ragz…Ragz…..(still keeps talking) RAGZ!!! (shakes her)

 

Riddhima: yeah….(befuddled)

 

Armaan: chill!! Main ghar ja ker dekh lunga…for now, lets umm…sit? (raising his eyebrows)

 

She blushes, embarrassed and sits down. Armaan laughs, kisses the top of her head and sits down next to her. Although he often kissed her on top of the head in an affectionate way, but the way Divya eyed him and Aditi winked at him made him slightly blush. It was a simple, small gesture but showed so much: love, affection, protection.

 

Divya: arey Armaan…ghar per sab tayarian ho rahi hain na….sahee se..?

 

Armaan: hmmm…Mom to itni busy hain ke saans lene ka time nahi hai unke pass….Bhai aur Dad as usual, OFFICE main hain…

 

Divya: aur Arjun…? Who bhi ghar per hai kia?

Armaan: arey nahi yar….tumhare uss dedh foot ke bachay ne sab ko itna pareshan kia hua tha…to Arjun bhaiya usse bahar le ker gaye hain…ghumanay…

 

Divya: Armaaan!! (holds his ear) mere bte ko kuch matt kaho acha…aur wese bhi…tum ne hi bighaar rakha hai ussay…

 

Riddhima: well…bachon ko to Armaan bigharta hi hai…(laughs).

 

Armaan: acha madam..(narrows his eyes at her) maine kaunse bachon ko bighara hai…haan?

 

Riddhima: Ryan aur Rhea ko maine bighaar rakha hai kia??

 

As soon as she said those two names, a cloud of gloom comes over her face, followed by anxiety. She becomes quiet at once, deep in thought. Armaan looks at her closely and guesses that something is wrong.

 

Aditi: Ryan aur Rhea….yeh kaun hain??

 

Armaan: ummm…I guess humain chalna chahiye…ghar per late ho raha hai, sab wait ker rahauy honge..lets go…

 

Standing up, taking hold of Riddhima's hand, he steers her out of the caf.

 

………………………………………

 

All the way back home, Riddhima stays quiet and doesn't say much. She is lost somewhere, deep in thought and Armaan thinks it better not to ask her anything before they reach home.

 

They all reach home, and Divya and Aditi leave the car. Riddhima is still sitting, deep in thought. Armaan parks the car, then turns over to his side to look at her and puts a hand on hers.

 

Armaan: Riddhima…??

 

Riddhima turns to look at him, and realizes they had reached home.

 

Riddhima: hum agaye…?? I am sorry I didn't notice….i was…

 

Armaan: sssshhh!! (puts a finger on her lips) kia hua…?? Mujhe batao…why are you upset…??

Riddhima gtes slight tears in her eyes. She hugs Armaan and starts crying.

 

Riddhima: Armaan…how could I do this to them..?? I mean, I totally forgot about them before today….what kind of person does that??

 

Armaan rubs her back smoothly and pats her hair.

 

Armaan: listen Ragz…meri baat suno…(pulls away from her) first of all, stop crying…u know na, I don't like seeing you cry…hmmm?? (wipes away her tears)

 

Armaan: aur dusri baat…iss main itna upset honey wali baat nahi hai!! I know who tumhari responsibility hain…par we will sort it out na…..dekhna…kal shaam takk who yahan tumhare pass honge…

 

Riddhima looks at him, her eyes full of hope.

 

Riddhima: promise??

 

Armaan: pakka promise!! (holds his neck skin, then smiles) trust me!! (blinks his eyes at her)

 

She smiles and nods her head.

 

Riddhima; I do!!!

 

Armaan: acha chalo…stop being so upset…rotay huay tu puri dian lagti hai…

 

Riddhima : (wide-eyed) Armaaaan!! (starts hitting up) SHUT UP!! Main dian nahi hun…

 

Armaan: hai to hai!! DIAN!! Diaan…diaan…diaaan…!! (irritating him)

 

Riddhima: Armaan!!! Ja I don't wanna talk to u…(gets out of the car and starts walking)

 

Armaan smiles to himself, then gets out and starts running behind her. After seeing him running after her, Riddhima starts running too, squealing. Armaan pulls her up from her waist and swings her around, tickling her, as she screamed with laughter. They both stopped after some time, looked at each other and Riddhima hugged him really tight.

 

Riddhima: Armaan…thanks a lot…I love you!! You are simply the best…

Saying that…she rushed inside the house, while Armaan keeps standing outside, thinking what to do next.

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So...how bad was it?? Pathetic, i knw. Still, a bad attempt at humor cuz i am seriously screwed over with some stuff rite now. Khair, i know this wont make up for the wait but anywys...sorry!! So...who do u think Rhea and Ryan are,...??? Keep guessing. WIll update as soon as i can. This one goes out to my PRG....love u guys...heeheh

Kiran