°o The Kill o°| AR Part 26(12/02) - Page 48

Part 24 – & took you on your first date.

"Besides, I was the one who kissed you first."

"And how would you know that?" she replied feisty. Enough was enough. Riddhima could obviously understand his feelings for her. But to dig that deep, he was merely digging his own grave. Did he know how dangerous it was to get on her bad side? Of course he didn't know everything she was capable of, but common sense and genuine instinct would surely hint at the danger that may suffice with his over-confidence.

He seemed at a loss of words and deeply hurt. Yet she was amazed at how quickly he bounced back. As if he knew she was lying. Was she that obvious or was she letting her guard down?

Quickly taking a grab at her wrist he pulled her out along with him through the right limo door and ran towards the mall. This boy was crazy.

"Why are we running?" she managed almost stumbling across garbage thrown on the sidewalk. Heels and a gown definitely were not made for actions like this.

"Because the faster we get there, the faster our date starts."

"Eh?!" she squeaked; now almost tripping over her own footing.

That ba.stard was making it harder for her to run… that ba.stard – was taking her breath away.

Finally stepping foot into the commercial establishment, things were getting worse – for Riddhima. Afraid of being noticeable in regular clothes was a hassle. Dressing as a princess and running around a mall would definitely pull attraction towards them. She didn't want to ruin this 'date' – for him, of course. After all, he did spend 1.9 crore to simply go out with her.

"I need a hat!" she exclaimed pulling him a couple inches toward her before being dragged through a crowd again.

"NONSENSE! Who wears a hat with a freakin' gown?! Stop trying to ruin this!" he retorted back pulling her harder and faster towards all the people burning holes through them with their stubborn gaze.

People were beginning to point at her or them, she wasn't sure. But the anxiousness rose as quickly as it fell once she tried listening to their conversation as she and Armaan passed them by quickly.

OMO! Look! A new-wedded couple!

But they're so young!

Wahh, they look so in love!

Such a good-looking couple they are!

Riddhima's eyed involuntarily blew out of proportion. Married? Says who!

"Shaadi Mubarak ho bachon. Sukhi sukhi jiyo!" a passer-by greeted them.

"SHAADI?!" Riddhima exclaimed, unable to believe this was actually happening.

"Kekeke SHUK-RIYA UNCLE!" Armaan yelled frantically in his barely adequate hindi, laughing and running simultaneously.

Riddhima's eyes shot daggers at the 'uncle' then toward the ba.stard himself. What is he doing? This news will spread like wildfire!

"Haha this is so amusing! Look at your face! These people probably think we're eloping or something. Haha!"

Frantically searching for some sort of resemblance of a full-length mirror she hesitantly looked into the full-glass window of a boutique. There she was, Riddhima Gupta, notorious-fiery-haired-gangster in a dress made for Disney princesses like Cinderella, holding hands, no – entangling hands, warm hands at that, with Armaan Mallik, the ba.stard-who looked like a freakin' prince yanked out of a glass-box.

And they looked so Married.

Nothing more, nothing less.

But so so married.

"C'MON!" he yelled excitedly running again, a smile plastered that covered almost half his face.

"What's so funny?!" she breathed fiercly.

"Nothing, hehe." He responded not even sparing her a glance.

Riddhima bit her lip from all the things shooting at her at once. Then it occurred to her.

THIS was the first time Armaan laughed so merrily in front of her.

This was the first time she'd seen him so happy.

He looked like a child licking his favorite flavored ice-cream cone.

He looked …handsome.

"Why is your face so red?!" he shot at her pulling her out of her entangling thoughts. Closing in on her he began poking her cheeks lightly yet randomly.

"W-what are y-you doing?"

"Are you tired from running?" he asked, his greyeyes staring innocently back into her emerald ones.

His eyes were so wide … so pure.

She didn't want to taint them.

"Y-yeah." She lied turning her face away 90 degrees to the left.

"Don't worry. I'll massage your feet for you when we get there. But for now climb on", he turned swiftly and bended downward.

"Huh?"

"Climb on. I'll carry you there."

"That's not necessary."

"Of course it is. Now stop arguing with me. We're wasting time. I promise I don't have cooties." He sarcastically rolled his eyes and bended further.

Unable to say anything, since all the words were stuck in her throat, grudgingly she loosely put her hands around his neck. Maybe he'd get the idea.

But Armaan Mallik knew nothing about subtleties. Seeing that she wasn't hurrying her pace, he grabbed her right and left leg with his right and left arm, respectfully and easily pulled her body in a sitting position.

Riddhima frantically searched for something to grab on as he pulled her off the ground. Holding his neck tightly her upper body was lying on his back, legs apart in his hands as the trail of her dress flowed as he ran.

Ahhh, how cute!

.

That groom is so handsome.

.

Man, she's a babe.

.

Why can't you ever do that for me?!

SMACK!

"AHH!"

"We're almost there. Hang on – for me."

----------

"Aliyah! Where are you going?" Muskaan asked in the dining hall. She noticed the subtle interactions between Ali and her. And with these sudden happenings, her head was spinning. Aliyah couldn't possibly be falling for Ali, one of those bloody wanna-be gangster, could she?!

"I'm just going to clear my head, Muskaan. I'll be back in 5." She said smoothly before slipping away into the crowd.

Muskaan knew Aliyah would never lie to her, hell she had a 16-year friendship to back it up. So wherever or whatever she was going to do, she was honest with her intentions.

She watched Aliyah pass through the backdoors and crowd before heaving a sigh.

"Stop stalking her, will you?"

Muskaan turned, her short brown curls bouncing in the same direction, softly hitting her bare shoulders then making their place perpendicular to the wooden floor.

Rahul

"What do you want? I'm not in the mood." She replied haughtily before bumping shoulders into him and passing by.

But Rahul wasn't the one to be pestered by such lame things, unfortunately for Muskaan. He merely followed her to the drinks section and leaned sideways, an arm propped on the marble desk beside him as Muskaan sat on the stool slipping her non-alcoholic beverage into her throat.

"Why are you so worried about her?" he asked softly, noticing she really wasn't in the mood.

"Because she's my friend." came another haughty reply.

"Of course, but I can assure you one thing."

Wait for it … wait for it.

"What?" she said turning to him with an eyebrow raised, curiosity written all over that beautiful face.

BINGO!

So he leaned in to her, for the dramatic effect of course. Gazing into her eyes, he was surprised how calmly she watched back, completely focused on the subject at hand and not once faltering to his exuding charms. How riveting.

"Whatever is going on between Ali and Aliyah" he began loosely wanting to be in control of her emotions, "it won't end. I can assure you. " he lingered.

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"Well, let's just say Ali isn't that type of guy. If he's interested, he'll stay interested. " he left off.

Rahul watched as the fair beauty's questioning eyes searched high and low for some clue to prove otherwise. She searched for re-assurance, from him. So that's what he gave her.

"I promise.

Now …

Let's dance. "

----------

As she sat on the swing outside in the schools yard, she couldn't help but feel a little lonely. Swinging her petite legs back and forth her mind simply wandered off.

I'll protect you.

What was the meaning of that? How was she supposed to interpret that?

Aliyah knew her feeling for Ali. They became as plain as sight once he hugged her. There was no holding back now.

Aliyah Khan was unwaveringly and irrevocablyin love with Ali Ibrahim.

And she wouldn't deny it anymore. But how would Ali take it—

SQUEAK*

Aliyah head flew to the sound, God that made her heart jump in her throat. But all she saw was the door going back and forth. Turning around, her mind instantly yet finally felt at peace, but only till she thought of how she'd break the news to Ali. Would he find it ridiculous? Would he laugh at her?

No, she wouldn't do this to herself. She'd wait patiently for him to come to her; a 16-year girl's confidence could only go so far. Should she play hard to get? Flirtatious and tempting? Oh god, I'm going to get a headache.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Oh SH.IT!" she fell off the swing backwards. She definitely wasn't expecting that! Ahh, now her head really did hurt.

"Aliyah! Are you okay?" he rushed to her side gently pulling her up with her forearm. Worry, concern, and confusion painted on with his expression.

"I'm fine." She managed to mutter bitterly, well, so much for being flirtatious and tempting, she thought rubbing the back of her head.

Ali watched amusedly at the girl in front of him. She was something else. Thick-skinned yet so fragile underneath the surface. No confidence whatsoever he thought mentally shaking his head. If only she acted out on her thoughts, things could be so much better for her.

Aliyah turned her head away embarrassed at the sudden turn of events. Just mere seconds ago she was going to start portraying herself as a mysterious yet sexy woman, only to end up her naturally clumsy self in front of him.

"So, why are you out here?" she heard him ask politely. He probably wants to laugh so bad right now.

"Umm no reason. Just wanted to clear my head."

"And did you?"

"Kind-a?"

"You need a ride home?" he offered slightly chuckling. He needed to keep talking. It was the only way he wouldn't let his teenage hormones whisk her away. Her fragrance was driving him crazy and man those curves were killer. Did he have a fetish for beautiful women?

Or did he simply have a fetish for her?