· FF: One Step At A Time(AR) - [Part 5 - Pg.11] - Page 5

PART 4:

Now what he thought?? What am I going to say to these people?? He just got an idea!!

'Ummm…yeah why don't we meet up today? I'll call you and just be ready…' Armaan said.

'Well Armaan I didn't think you would agree so quickly…hmmm surprising!' Raj said.

'I think we better get going now…I have some things to do and these two need to get ready for their 'big' date.' Priya said. (By the way Priya is Armaan's mom)

Armaan just rolled his eyes on that comment and thought FINAALLY!! out of this house…!

Everyone bid their goodbyes and the Maalik's left and Riddhima made her way up to her room. She went out in to the balcony and recalled everything that happened between her and Armaan. She liked Armaan but the question was did he like her? She's just to 'bad-looking' for him. But then why would he have said yes to go out today? Maybe he did like her?

'Riddhima'

I was Shashank! He must be here to talk about Armaan.

'Did you like Armaan? I mean was he nice to you and all?'

'Yeah he was nice…'

Shashank knew that she wouldn't talk much with him and just say the basic things she needed to say and not anymore.

'Well I hope so…I hope this relationship works out for both of you.' Shashank said and he left.

8:00 PM:

Riddhima was still in her room and was deciding what to wear today. All she had were salwaar suits but she didn't really have a good one. Her best one would probably be with a lace or a few sequins but nothing more. The fact was she hated going shopping and preferred wearing salwaar kameez most of the time and plus she didn't really have the money to buy anything.

RINNGG—RINNGG!

It was her phone…and it was a unknown number! Maybe it was Armaan. He did tell her that he would call her wether they're going or not. She picked it up.

'Hello'

'Heyy Riddhima it's Armaan'

'Oh hi Armaan'

'Well I have bad news…we can't go today. I mean I'm not really feeling well and plus I'm tired. I had a lot of work today soo sorry!'

'It's okay'

'Okayy then talk to you later! Bye!'

'Bye…' and she hung up the phone.

She was a bit upset but she wondered was he really sick or was it just a simple excuse for not going out with her. He didn't really sound sick or tired on the phone. Maybe he just didn't want to go with her…this is hopeless she thought! Why am I looking up at him so much? It's not like he'll change my life or something. If he was really interested in her he would have taken her out before. Her thoughts were interrupted by a huge growling sound. It was her stomach…she was really hungry because she didn't have lunch or anything after breakfast. So she went downstairs.

In the kitchen Padma was there preparing the food for dinner.

'I thought you were supposed to go out with Armaan…' she said sarcastically.

'He can't come anymore…he's sick'

'He's sick or was it just an excuse? Face it Riddhima no one wants to go out with you. Do you think one day some guy will just come into your life and take you out? Don't act like you don't know anything! You very well know what's going on…don't try to be smart…! You know that Armaan doesn't want to go out with you today nor will he ever want to so why are you being so desperate?'

'PADDMAA' Shashank called her.

'Well anyways Riddhima what can I say to you. Here's your dinner.' with that she left.

As usual she took her food and went out to the garden and sat on the swing. She thought about Padma, what she said to her and all. Was she right? Armaan really doesn't care about her? It just then striked her…her life was like a story…a Cinderella story. Getting treated like a slave and hated by everyone but what about her prince? Was she ever going to get a person who looks after her and wipes her tears when she cries? I need some one she thought. But was there any person out there for her? For her to call her own, some one who she can rely on for the rest of her life? She started having high doubts that the person would be Armaan. She started feeling cold and went inside. She finished up her dinner in the kitchen and went to her room.

She took a canvas and some paints and went out into the balcony. If there was one thing she loved to do it was painting. She usually painted abstract things or things what she saw outside from the balcony. She painted when she felt really sad or sometimes just like that. But by painting she let out whatever she felt. Riddhima even brought her small radio to the balcony and turned it on and the perfect song was playing for her:

I'm not the type to get my heart broken
I'm not the type to get upset and cry
Cause I never leave my heart open
Never hurts me to say goodbye
Relationships don't get deep to me
Never got the whole in love thing
And someone can say they love me truely
But at the time it didn't mean a thing

My mind is gone, i'm spinning round
And deep inside, my tears i'll drown
I'm losing grip, what's happening
I stray from love, this is how I feel

This time was different
Felt like, I was just a victim
And it cut me like a knife
When you walked out of my life
Now i'm, in this condition
And i've, got all the symptoms
Of a girl with a broken heart
But no matter what you'll never see me cry

Did it happen when we first kissed
Cause it's hurting me to let it go
Maybe cause we spent so much time
And I know that it's no more
I shoulda never let you hold me baby
Maybe why i'm sad to see us apart
I didn't give to you on purpose
Can't figure out how you stole my heart

My mind is gone, i'm spinning round
And deep inside, my tears i'll drown
I'm losing grip, what's happening
I stray from love, this is how I feel

This time was different
Felt like, I was just a victim
And it cut me like a knife
When you walked out of my life
Now i'm, in this condition
And i've, got all the symptoms
Of a girl with a broken heart
But no matter what you'll never see me cry

How did I get here with you, i'll never know
I never meant to let it get so, personal
After all I tried to do, stay away from loving you
I'm broken hearted, I can't let you know
And I won't let it show
You won't see me cry

This time was different
Felt like, I was just a victim
And it cut me like a knife
When you walked out of my life
Now i'm, in this condition
And i've, got all the symptoms
Of a girl with a broken heart
But no matter what you'll never see me cry

This time was different
Felt like, I was just a victim
And it cut me like a knife
When you walked out of my life
Now i'm, in this condition
And i've, got all the symptoms
Of a girl with a broken heart
But no matter what you'll never see me cry

All my life...

As the song ended she too finished her painting. Today's painting was the most abstract one she ever painted. She suddenly heard faint noises coming from them main gate. From her balcony she could see the front view from her house which meant that she could see whoever came into the house. She saw a red colour 4WD entering into the compound but she couldn't see who was driving it. The car stopped and some people came out. It was Anjali but why didn't the driver come out she thought. The driver's door opened and it was Armaan and he came out and hugged Anjali and they were quite close to each other she thought. I mean the way they were hugging and all. Riddhima felt her eyes welling up. She ran inside her room and broke down on her bed.

That meant Armaan lied to her? He wasn't really sick it was just that he didn't want to go out with her after all. He didn't like her and all those things he did this morning was just a show! Mom was right she thought. No one will ever like her or get close to her. She was just a plain Jane! But were Anjali and Armaan a couple? He did say they were in university together for a year and that they were in the same gang and all so does that mean – that Anjali and Armaan were really in love? It was kind of obvious now…THAT HE WASN'T INTERESTED IN HER! But Anjali doesn't know that Armaan is supposed to get married to her. She is unaware about it. But if she finds out what will happen? No she thought, if they love each other how can Armaan get married to her? She had to refuse to this marriage…for her sister. But what will her parents say? Riddhima thought by getting married to Armaan they would be atleast a bit happy with her and finally get out from their lives which they want. Now what she thought? She thought about this the whole night and even cried and finally came up with a decision.

THE NEXT DAY

Everyone was at the breakfast table except Anjali as she leaves early for university. Riddhima came down and took a deep breath and went towards the table.

Padma saw her and was a bit shocked. Riddhima didn't really have the courage of being around them so what happened today?

'I need to tell you guys' something.' she said after a lot of courage.

'What happened?' Shashank said curiously.

'Well it's like—well—ummm'

'Oh just say what you want to say and stop stammering!' Padma shouted.

'I'm not ready for marriage.'

Shashank stood up from his chair angrily.

'What do you mean you're not ready? You're the one who said you're ready. In fact, I even asked you to think about it but you were the one who said yes right away! How am I supposed to tell Raj?? He had so many expectations from this relationship and now if I tell him that you're backing away…?? What's wrong?? Why are you saying no now??'

Riddhima just closed her eyes and listened to Shashank silently.

'Riddhima I'm talking with you! What's wrong??'

He came up to her and held her by the shoulders and shook her to get a reply.

'Look Riddhima don't be scared! Did Armaan say something to you yesterday or do something?? If you don't tell me how will I know what's the problem??'

He knew she wouldn't reply like this. He took her hand and put it upon his head and said 'I swear by your mother if you don't tell me you'll see my dead body!'

She opened her eyes which were red. She had to tell him the truth…there was no way out now.

'Because Anjali di and Armaan love each other.'

Padma and Shashank were shocked to their guts. ARMAAN AND ANJALI?? Where was this coming from they thought?

'Riddhima don't blame Anjali! You must have done something yesterday!' Padma said.

'Padma, let her speak.' Shashank said whispering.

'Yesterday I saw them hugging and all at night.'

'Where'?

'Outside, near the main gate. I think that's why Armaan didn't want to go out with me.'

'Were they alone?'

Riddhima nodded her head. Shashank let go of Riddhima and turned the other way around running his fingers through his hair.

'Padma, we need to talk to Anjali.'

'But Shashank, Anjali would've told us or atleast you. She never hides anything from you.'

'I know but we need to clear the misunderstandings here. I need to talk to her before talking to Raj. Riddhima—' he said as he turned around but saw that she wasn't there.'