Chapter 14

Part 13:

After the heartfelt convo with Sid, Armaan had gone into introspection mode, a condition he rarely found himself in. he thought he had himself all figured out. Where on one hand the fact that he loved Shilpa astounded and surprised the hell outta him, (excuse my language), on the other hand it also filled him with a great bliss and joy. In the days to follow, his attitude towards everyone had changed too. He had grown a lot closer to Sid and was now trying to ease the awkwardness between him and Riddhima. Such was the effect of the revelation for him that he had altered from a somber and depressed Armaan to a playful and happy one. Even the gang acknowledged as much. And though nobody was sure for the reason of this change, the gang guessed as much that Shilpa did play a significant role in it.

Muskaan had caught him chatting with her, laughing with her at lunch and dinners and had often caught him staring at her when he thought no one was looking. And while she was pretty sure that he had feelings for Shilpa she pretended not to know about it when that gang discussed it. She didn't want to say anything until Armaan said something about it himself.

Shilpa had noticed the change in him too. He was definitely spending more time with her. He even insisted on accompanying her to Sanjeevani when she had mentioned that she had some work there. He teased her mercilessly, laughed even on her silliest of jokes, helped her with anything she did and smiled at her attempts to do it independently. She could see the glimpses of the Armaan that people around him were so fond of.

How can you not love someone so adorable and cute? Armaan, why are you making it so hard for me to resist you?

Armaan had just got up from a dream. His dreams were starting to have a pattern now; they always, always, always had Shilpa in it. He got off the bed and went to stand in front of the window. He closed his eyes, the gentle breeze soothing him and reminding of the one person he really wanted to see.

Resham Si Hai Yeh Hawaein Sanam
Aao Zara Paas Aaye Sanam
Resham Si Hai Yeh Hawaein Sanam
Aao Zara Paas Aaye Sanam

Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum

Ho Jaane Do Ab Faasle Kuch To Kum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum

Resham Si Hai Yeh Hawaein Sanam
Aao Zara Paas Aaye Sanam
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum

At the hospital, he was busy talking to the craftsmen in for the wedding when suddenly a soft, feminine scent surrounded him. He looked around to see Shilpa coming towards him. She looked at him and smiled, but he was lost.

Angdaai Leke Hawaein Chali To Kyon Na Khushboo Bikhre Kali
Khushboo Hawaon Mein Kaise Bhare Kaliyan Hai Sharmaati Haay Kya Kare
Kya Pata Hai Yeh Kya Sharam Hai Ya Saja
Kyon Hai Betabiyaan Intezar Ek Zara
Ek Pal Ki Bhi Doori To Ab Hai Sitam
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum

He looked at her and imagined her dancing with him.

Chup Rehna Chaaha Tha Rehna Sake Phir Bhi Jo Kehna Tha Keh Na Sake
Tum Mujhse Kuch Bhi Kaho Na Kaho Aise To Khoye Huve Na Raho
Ab To Jo Ho So Ho Baat Dil Ki Suno
Kehti Hai Dhadkane Keh Bhi Do Keh Bhi Do
Tumhare Hai Hum Tumhari Kasam
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum

Resham Si Hai Yeh Hawaein Sanam
Aao Zara Paas Aaye Sanam
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Ho Jaane Do Ab Faasle Kuch To Kum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Armaan Hai Jaage Jaage Hum
Jaage Jaage Jaage Jaage Jaage Jaage

Shilpa clicked her fingers in front of him and he snapped out of it and smiled at her. She looked at him, taken aback by his million dollar smile, when they were soon joined by the gang as they had a lot of details they had to finalize.

The wedding was in three days, and the Gupta household was busy as ever. Sid hadn't told anyone about the phone call and finally decided to do something about it after the wedding. Riddhima was excited, nervous and happy that Sid and her relationship had finally culminated into this grand celebration. Shilpa was fighting her own fears and revelations. As of now he was making plans to know what Shilpa felt for him. Though he had a fairly good idea of her feelings for him, he still wanted to be sure. Pata lagana padega ki Shilpa ke dil mein kya hai?

On the day of mehendi, the gang was in the main hall decorating it and preparing for the evening. The boys were discussing how they are going to enter the hall, since it was a no-guys affair.

"Arre yaar!!! This is such a mess. Why can't guys enter the mehendi function? Wahan aisa kya hone wala hai?" Atul said.

"Pata nahi' but this is all nikki's fault. The girls did not know that it's an only-ladies function. And if not for nikki, we would definitely have entered the function!!" Rahul said, a little annoyed.

"Chhod na Rahul !! Waha jakar karna kya hai??" Armaan asked

"Suno zara' Abbe jab teri koi girlfriend banegi na, tab batata hu tujhe'"

Sid and Atul started laughing. "Waise, aur bhi ladkiyan hongi waha' Sonia, Tanya, priti' Shilpa'." Sid teased Armaan.

Armaan looked at him and narrowed his eyes. Sid looked at him and smiled back, giving him an mock-innocent look. Armaan shook his head and signaled towards rahul and atul. Don't start now' not in front of them. Armaan warned with his eyes.

How exactly are you going to stop me? Sid retorted innocently.

"Sid, I need to talk to you. We have some work to do remember." Armaan said.

"Yeah' But let's finish this first-" Sid started.

"Now!" Armaan said.

"Guys!! I need your help'" Shilpa barged into the room, barely managing to balance a large basket full of flowers in her hand.

"Arre Shilpa!! Why are you holding such a big basket? Here, give it to me'" Armaan said, walking towards Shilpa and taking the basket from her. Shilpa looked at Armaan' taken aback by his concern' and they shared a cute eyelock'

Someone coughed behind them.

"Haan'Haan' The basket looks heavier than you' Saamajh hi nahi aa raha tha ki tum basket utha rahi thi ya basket tumhe'" Atul interrupted.

Everybody started laughing, and Shilpa looked a little embarrassed.

"Actually, I need to decorate the entrance, and I need some help. Can one of you come along?" Shilpa asked.

"Sure, Armaan can go along. And anyways, we are almost done here'" Sid replied quickly. Armaan smiled at the thought of spending some time with Shilpa alone.

Shilpa looked a little apprehensive.

"Okay'"

Armaan followed Shilpa out to the entrance. Shilpa placed a big stool in front of the door. She stood up on the stool and turned towards Armaan.

"Armaan, pass me the flowers please. No, the ones next to the pink roses'" she pointed.

Armaan picked up the bouquet and passed it to her. While fixing the bouquet, Armaan looked at Shilpa and asked'

"So, Riddhima and Sid look really happy, don't they?"

Shilpa looked at him, lost in her own thoughts.

"What? I'm sorry, didn't catch you."

"Well, Riddhima and Sid are really happy, aren't they?"

"Yes' They look fabulous together. I am really glad that Riddhima has taken this decision' they really are made for each other." And she suddenly stopped short' "I am sorry Armaan' I didn't mean it that way-"

"Hey! You don't need to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed' I am totally okay with it. Shilpa' you of all people should know that'"

Shilpa looked at him. "Why would I know that?"

Armaan raised his eyebrow. You want to play it that way, do you Shilpa? Well, challenge accepted. I am pretty sure that what I feel for you isn't one-sided. And mind you, you will confess your feelings about me and very soon sweetheart'

Armaan looked at her, marking her, challenging her to deny what he was saying. Shilpa turned away. She tried to reach the top of the door but because of her height she couldn't'

Armaan looked at her, and smiled. "You won't reach it' Let me do it."

Shilpa looked at him and grinned, "Not that tall am I??" she joked and climbed down the stool.

Armaan started decorating the entrance, with Shilpa instructing him. Soon Armaan was really fed up of her instructions. Both of them acting like typical school kids fighting and arguing over every detail.

"Armaan, arre where are you putting the yellow flowers' thoda niche lagao na!! God!! What are you doing?"

"Arre' But yellow doesn't go with pink!! Shilpa, do you have no choice at all?" Armaan retorted.

"If you would have let me completed what I wanted to say, you would have known that I wanted the yellow flowers close to the purple flowers you dim-wit!!"

"Well, madam they don't look very good either--" Armaan stopped short when he realized what Shilpa had called him. "You called me a dim-wit! " he said incredulously.

Shilpa smiled at him giving him a fake sugar-smile. "Well! Someone had to do it! I am glad I am the one!"

"This coming from someone who can't reach 6 feet even standing on her tiptoes! You really are so short!" Armaan teased, delighted to see how adorable she looked when she was all fired up.

"And you are color blind!!" Shilpa snapped.

"I am color blind? Look who's talking-"

Unknown to both Shilpa and Armaan, they were being watched by Riddhima and Sid. They looked at each other and smiled.

"They are so adorable, fighting like kindergardeners'"

"I know' I haven't seen Armaan this happy and carefree since-"

"So you agree that Shilpa is good for him?" Sid asked.

Riddhima smiled and nodded. "I see that now. I was so wrong. Shilpa is perfect for him. He looks so relaxed and contented around her. It's as if she brings him peace'."

"Exactly" Sid said. "I started noticing the sparks when he brought her along for dinner. Armaan had a very honest and solemn expression when he talked about her. And believe it or not, his eyes almost sparkled when they fought!!"

THUMP!!!

Both Riddhima and Sid turned towards the noise, to see Armaan sprawled on floor. Riddhima started towards him, but stopped when she saw Shilpa rushing towards him, a worried expression marring Shilpa's face.

"Riddhima!!! Sid!!! Anjali!!! " Shashank called

Riddhima and Sid looked back in the house to see Shashank waiting for them. Riddhima looked towards Shilpa and Armaan and said..

"Well, it's just as well. We should leave them alone anyways'" she looked and Sid and winked.

"Armaan!!" Shilpa exclaimed in utter shock. "Are you alright?"

Shilpa rushed towards him. Armaan was sprawled on the floor, some cuts on his hand bleeding. Shilpa crouched down, and clutched his hand, sheer fear gripping her when Armaan didn't open his eyes'.

So thats it for today... do add your comments and suggestions for the track... look out for more fun and drama...

Until then..

Adios :)