What is love? *AR* ff PART 9 PAGE 27 - Page 7

"Kahin nahin mom. Bas Armaan said to meet me for lunch...nothing big'just lunch'we'll be back before the guests come."

"Beta how many times do I have to tell you not to call them guests'I really want you to decide on this on your own'not because I made you."

"I know mom'don't worry, I'll be fine." She said with a reassureing smile. Padma smiled back and Riddhima was soon out the door. Seeing this, Padma quickly picked up the phone. "Armaan yeh kya ka raha hai tu'"

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Riddhima entered the restaurant and saw the beautifully decorated tables, and the lights. It reminded her of New York. And then she saw the amount of people. "Oh well, it is India after all." she thought, coming back to her senses. It took her a while of searching to find Armaan sitting at a table in the corner with his hands folded.

"Armaan kabse dhoond rahi hoon'Why didn't you say anything?" she asked genuinely confused. He didn't answer. Simply, he looked up at her in sure aggravation.

"Why is it that anytime I try to do something nice for you, you end up screwing it up anyway?" he asked.

"What? I didn't do anything Armaan!" said Riddhima, wondering why he was acting this way.

"Aunty ko kaha ke tum mere saath ho?"

"Yeah. So what?" she asked confused.

"Yeah so what?" he imitated her in a high voice. His expression softened and he mumbled. "She made me promise her I would not tell you who it was."

"WHAT?!" screamed Riddhima, and suddenly looked around to see if anyone noticed her sudden expression of emotion.

"No one cares that much Riddhima," he said, seeing her look around. "And anyways, you are as lucky as it gets having a smart, intelligent friend like me. I've worked a way out of this fix" he said cunningly.

"Wow, really Armaan! What?" she asked, getting excited.

"Ok Im in a good mood, so i'll just tell you. Ok I cant tell you who it is'.But they can cant they?" he said, keeping that cunning smile on his face. Riddhima's eyes widened.

"He'll be coming over by this table soon. Just wait a bit" he said, as Riddhima looked in all directions. From her left, she could see a man with an innocent face, smiling sweetly at her.
"Armaan'is that Atul?" she asked. Armaan nodded. "Wow Armaan he looks exactly the same" she said with a giggle.

"And look over there," he said pointing. "That's Rahul." Riddhima was shocked.

"That's RAhul?! WOooow" she exclaimed. "Kitna badal gaya!" she said looking at the skinny but fit man with blue eyes and a warm smile.

"One more", said Armaan. "That's Vicky!" she looked over to see Vicky. He was wearing a shirt similar to Armaan, but his face was looking very different. He smiled without the dimples Armaan had.

"Yaar, phir se mera style ki copy ki. Yeh Vicky bhi na." Armaan said with a sigh. Before she knew it, Riddhima saw all three of them walking towards the table. Her heart began to race as she began to wonder who it would be, what they were like, and whether they would be friends, whether he would love her. And then she thought of Armaan. She looked over to see him smiling at her, seeming as excited as she was, but he showed no signs of nervousness. He simply smiled at her.

As the three were almost at the table, Padma appeared in front of all three. Seeing her, the three ran.

"Armaan!" Padma said as Armaan began to get up out of his seat. He squinted while not facing her and slowly turned with a cheesy smile. "yeh kya kar raha that u huh? Chalo Riddhima." Padma said in a stern way. She pulled Riddhima next to her and they began to walk when Padma turned around to smile at Armaan sneakily. He chuckled at her great acting, and Riddhima turned to see his dimpled smile. For some reason, she was happy that she didn't find out who this mystery person was. For some reason, she felt like she was happy right where she was. Why was she starting to feel like she could easily stay single like this. That marriage and love wasn't everything. Wait, what was she even thinking, she didn't know what love was'and she was fine with whatever she was feeling right now. The support of her family, a best friend like Armaan, what more did she need. That was it. She had it decided, whoever came tonight, she would say no. It would be easy to fish an excuse. 'His nose is too big' 'He's too tall' 'He likes himself too much'. This wouldn't be hard, she thought as she turned away from Armaan's smile.

"Mom, why do I have to wear all this?" asked Riddhima as she fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Come on beta. You have to look a little formal." Said Padma, trying to get Riddhima to stay still.

"Why?!" yelled Riddhima annoyed. "Is this the same person who I'm possibly gonna be with forever? What's the point of this. If he really wanted to marry me, he still would even if I was in a tshirt."

"Ok ok look were done." Said Padma as she looked at her daughter lovingly. "Kitni pyaari lag rahi hai." She said hugging Riddhima. "Best of luck. I know you'll like him."

She thought all this as she was walking towards the room across the hall. She could hear voices downstairs, alerting her that they were here. Her mom stopped by the door and smiled.

"Ok beta you go from here. Meet him and talk to him. Then make a decision. I know you will make the right choice" Riddhima nodded. She was feeling as nervous as ever when she reached out for the doorknob. She hadn't been in her home for 4 years, and she didn't remember this room. Her mom must have put t together when she wasn't around. The room was draped with red cloth curtains and the room had a certain glow to it. On the far corner she saw someone looking at something on a wall. She squinted to see what he was looking at. She saw the painting she had done when she was in New York. The painting was for the culturl project, and she painted an Indian bride in red and gold. She noticed that the whole room was decorated according to that. She decided to just tell him straight out and not bother with too much. It would be easier that way. She slowly walked up to him and spoke very softly.

"Um'actually, main yeh kehna chahti thi ki'" And he turned around. She looked up slowly and saw none other than Armaan. He was wearing a black suit with a casual white shirt under the black blazer. **like what he wore in PS engagement**

"Tum yeh kehna chahti thi ke tum mujhse shaadi nahi kaogi." He said in his normal joking voice. She just stared at him, not being able to say anything. "Waise, kaafi achi hindi bhi boli. Lots of practice for this rejection huh?" she just kept staring.

"Armaan tum?" she said, just as softly as before, but now her voice was a bit shaken. He could see her nervousness.
"Ha, Riddhima mai..Armaan!" he laughed, but she was no where close to it. "Well, enough introducing. Its nice to meet you Riddhima. I know you probably don't want to marry me, after all that I've done to you since we were kids, and even in the last few days, but the thing is that its not gonna be that easy to say no anymore." She glared at his ego. "Dekho na, youre not saying anything. If you were going to say no, you would have already punched me a couple of times and left, but youre still here, aren't you." He said showing his dimples. She couldn't help but to look up and smile at him. So many thoughts entered her head. Why would he do this? He kept confusing her so much and then it was actually hiM?! She couldn't help but being a little angry but along with that there was a strange feeling of relief. She knew Armaan. For the past few days, shes been totally comfortable with him. Just a few hours ago, she was deciding not to get married so that she could be friends with him as they were. But then she thought whether friends was the right word. He made her feel special, even if he was always making fun of her. She knew she was the one that he had he most fun with and that maybe she liked him a little more than friends. Then she thought of how he behaved with her. No matter how much he annoyed her, her pain bothered him. Then she tought maybe this wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Bas bohot soch liya, now we cant stay up here for long so weve got to come to some sort of decision." He said, and then he smiled at her and held her hand softly. She smiled up at him, and suddenly changed her tone.

"So you expect that you'll say a few things to me and then rush me trough a decision? No way Armaan. You think youre smart? Since we haven't got much time, I'll say yes to Mom, but its not the end of it ok?" she said raising an eyebrow.

"Intresting. I really am a moron." He said, sighing. She hit his arm lightly.

"That you are." She said with a big smile, as she looked up at him. Then he slowly lifted his hand and stroked the side of her face.

"Waise, youre looking very beautiful today." He said smiling warmly. She glanced up and quickly lowered her eyes. He looked down to see her blushing.

"Itna bada moron bhi nahi hoon."

Hey ,

nice update. i am very happy with the groom. i was guessing him to be armaan, but then i was doubting you might bring some twist. your VM is very nice. i watched it and i liked it very much

yay, knew the guy would be armaan himself but it's still a relief to know for sure. do update soon i can't wait to read more about this charming couple😳