Maslow's hierarchy of needs (AR FF) Pt 23 pg 153 - Page 44

OMG i can't believe i missed this one
reserved

haahh hinz...dtz funny!! OMG!!

awesome update sam!! finally smg i think i was wishin for a long time....a one on one of d two main charz of yur fic!! i usually lke to comment on wat i lke abt d fic and best bits of it..bt it yur updates....i cnt pic a fav....d story ur weavin ive finally realized...is so unusual and maybe dtz at stuck my mind ..as so to ma alst comment!..u dnt hve d hopelessly in love juss by settin eyes on tem...nor terz ne close bondin....dt easy! ma fav riters by far are ma close frdz...kratz/hinz/nj and i luv kat n bheegiz too!! soo i think i was comparin yurs wit ter ficz...!! no similatirites!! and d dts d best bet!
y d unasked for explanation...haha make a wild guess!

bck to d part..wats cookin in ankitz mind...m anxious to know!! armaan-ridz...ter love for d obvious...books and ritinz..d base of ter bondin..is it! hiz hardened feelins for her casual questions...nicely ritten!! ter was a definite flow...ant even wen tey r both such bright eggs...ahhah!! not for a sec are tey both thinkin abt a possibility...yeh too early...bt human tendency....!! i like dt!...yur fic..makes me think yaar!! hahah dtz a second from njz! :D

grt update!

nij =)

p.s ...takin a break....shd i say u need it...hve fun...bt wwell miss yur quick updates! d beginn frm d last update...m nt sure..wat it was abt it...i never luked bck on it...
*edit* again!
yup i had to read dt bit and tell yah..hmm i guess i didnt c hw tey bth juss hit it off...atul-ridz i mean..maybe for a split second i didnt lke ter easy convo...i think i wanna c her tlk to her own bunch of frds..her batch! or maybe i was annoyed it wasnt armaan..ter! still cnt say for sure! and yeh rid-anjali were a bit heavy for me!

Originally posted by: sea_nyx

hey sam,

Vous parlez franais? I'm impressed Madame 😆. And I love Caf Coffee Day, though I feel Java Green is the best especially their Death by Chocolates?truly sinful. The way Atul and Ridz ganged up on Armaan was really adorable 😆. Ridz is really making a place for herself in his gang isn't she? No wonder Angie feels so threatened. Yes!!!! You added Ankit into the mix just like I asked for 👏?well maybe it's not exactly because of me, but I'm going to take credit anyway 😆. The cauldron is bubbling away and like the guys at Mac Donald's, I'm loving it!!!!! 😉 Ooh, aren't I wicked! 😈 But I swear what with your characters and all the no doubt numerous readers of the ff, booksellers must be bewildered by the sudden demand for Orczy's classic 😆. Btw, do I sense a certain amount of competitiveness on part of Ankit towards Armaan? Won't be surprising I guess and will certainly add spice to the plot?so add away chef!!!😈

I loved your description of Ridz's study?it's truly an amazing room and comes close to my concept of an ideal space for myself. Come to think of it, it comes close to my room at home, except mine is a lot more messy 😳(the books are less on the shelves and more on the floor) and there is no Guernica on the walls. Btw, thanks for introducing me to it, I hadn't head of it before. 20^th century art, actually any art but especially this period has always been one of my blind spots . But I looked it up and the details are truly fascinating though I'll freely confess the painting itself is completely above me. Though perhaps I saw it in reality instead of on a website, it might affect me differently. Anyway thanks once again. But you've been to Madrid??? Lucky you!!!!

Omg, I had almost forgotten The Prisoner of Zenda, or did I deliberately push it out of my mind cause unlike SP there was no happy ending to the story?I wonder? 🤔I'll definitely have to hunt down my copy. *sigh* looks like you won't rest until you make me unpack all the stuff I put in storage (with great reluctance?but I guess it's the price of growing up and moving out of the parental nest ). Hey how about Scott? I remember sitting at my window seat and poring over Black Arrow and Ivanhoe 😳. And that comment about that single lock of hair is so true.

Sometimes I feel you can start a fan club dedicated to it alone, it has turned up to so many ffs not to mention dmg threads 😉. I hope Karan or rather his stylist takes special care of it 😆. You're right of course, that particular blend of vulnerability and strength is incredibly appealing in a man 😍.

But your words about the joys of reading really touched a chord. A non-reader can never really understand the sheer excitement of starting a new book, how it touches and tantalizes each and every one of your senses from the very smell of the paper to the texture of the pages. Each one a gateway to a new world?btw to digress for a second, have you ever watched a Disney movie called the Never Ending Story? If ever anything has come close to explaining the sheer wonder of loosing yourself in another person's imagination, it's that. Armaan's story was truly poignant and the way Ridz provided a silent yet sympathetic ear and yet saved the situation from getting overemotional?just brilliant. That part was amazing?I was going over it again and again. You know I generally finish the average ff update in max 5 minutes but yours takes around an hour or so each time because I savor each sentence, going over paragraphs again and again, imbibing every bit of the flavor and taking notes so that I can respond properly. Anyway I'm really glad they had this "time out of time" together. It's going to do wonders for their relationship. But really Armaan is just evil!!! 😈And I love him for it 😆.

On a happier note, I can't believe you like Steele as well!!! Most people I talk to haven't even heard of the series. But I loved it and found it so sexy 😍. But I was only 13 or something when it was aired so my mom thought it too "adult" for me (one of the disadvantages of being the first child, parents are so much more protective 🤢. My sister never had to face half the restrictions I did 😡?mainly because by the time she came along, I had already fought and won most of the battles)

Btw, you got the reference absolutely right, in fact you're one of the first actually make it the first to do so, so hats off to you 👏. Nyx/Nix/Nox (the spelling varies) was the daughter of Chaos and the consort of Erebus the God of Darkness. With my love of the night and my extremely out of control life I thought it would be an appropriate choice?besides, a bit of girl-power is always welcome and Nyx has more than her share of that besides being deliciously dark and mysterious ☺️. As for the sea, well I'm a Piscean and despite my hatred of sand, have a deep abiding love for water in any of its forms but especially the ocean. Thanks for saying you don't mind the novellas because honestly I don't think I can stop them from coming 😛. Bu this one seems to be the longest yet and I still haven't finished analysing the part to my satisfaction. But I guess you can't get everything you wish for in life so I'll (reluctantly 😭) stop now.

arati

Originally posted by: sanayq18

u obviously deserve all the praise....u actually deserve more:)..srsly...words are not enough for whatever u are writing...reading this ff really takes my mind off things i dont want to think about:)...u really make reading much more fun and informative...and absolutely wonderful for readers who love romantic stuff:)...love love love ur work

Originally posted by: missypatel

haahh hinz...dtz funny!! OMG!!

awesome update sam!! finally smg i think i was wishin for a long time....a one on one of d two main charz of yur fic!! i usually lke to comment on wat i lke abt d fic and best bits of it..bt it yur updates....i cnt pic a fav....d story ur weavin ive finally realized...is so unusual and maybe dtz at stuck my mind ..as so to ma alst comment!..u dnt hve d hopelessly in love juss by settin eyes on tem...nor terz ne close bondin....dt easy! ma fav riters by far are ma close frdz...kratz/hinz/nj and i luv kat n bheegiz too!! soo i think i was comparin yurs wit ter ficz...!! no similatirites!! and d dts d best bet!
y d unasked for explanation...haha make a wild guess!

bck to d part..wats cookin in ankitz mind...m anxious to know!! armaan-ridz...ter love for d obvious...books and ritinz..d base of ter bondin..is it! hiz hardened feelins for her casual questions...nicely ritten!! ter was a definite flow...ant even wen tey r both such bright eggs...ahhah!! not for a sec are tey both thinkin abt a possibility...yeh too early...bt human tendency....!! i like dt!...yur fic..makes me think yaar!! hahah dtz a second from njz! :D

grt update!

nij =)

p.s ...takin a break....shd i say u need it...hve fun...bt wwell miss yur quick updates! d beginn frm d last update...m nt sure..wat it was abt it...i never luked bck on it...
*edit* again!
yup i had to read dt bit and tell yah..hmm i guess i didnt c hw tey bth juss hit it off...atul-ridz i mean..maybe for a split second i didnt lke ter easy convo...i think i wanna c her tlk to her own bunch of frds..her batch! or maybe i was annoyed it wasnt armaan..ter! still cnt say for sure! and yeh rid-anjali were a bit heavy for me!

Part XIII

Late Saturday afternoon a bunch of freshers was lazing on the steps and chatting. This weekend was going to be a light one with most of them having finished their assignments, and, making plans for the weekend. Armaan and Anjali were chatting with them as well, waiting for Atul and Ankit to join them.

"Hey guys, there is a new karaoke night club Oyster that opened in town about a month ago." one of the first year students mentioned. "its got great reviews, and I believe it's a hip happening joint. They have karaoke till around 11-11.30, and then its great music and a lot of dancing. Are you game to go tonight?"

"I am game! Hey Muskaan, Ridhima, you guys want to go?" Rahul asked "Armaan, Anjali would you like to join us?"

"No thanks, you guys go ahead, I am sure you don't want a bunch of 2^nd year students piling on all the time." Armaan smiled as he shook his head.

"No, please....." Ridhima urged. "......seriously, we would love to have you guys join in, won't we Muskaan? Anjali, come on, it will be fun"

Anjali looked at Ridhima a little surprised. After their conversation the other day, she had been a little embarrassed to talk to Ridhima ,and the last thing that she had expected from her was an invitation to join them. "Are you sure you want us to pile on?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course!"

"Oh so we are piling on but that's ok?"

Armaan asked with a lazy smile

"No, I did not mean piling on.....

" Ridhima was a little embarrassed as she saw Armaan raise an eyebrow, "I meant of course we would love to have you join us."

"Yup, come on Anjali, it will be fun. The more the merrier!" Rahul joined in. "Where are Atul and Ankit? Ask them to come along as well..... So we'll catch up at Oyster at 9 o'clock? Anjali, will you fix up with Ankit and Atul?" and as Anjali nodded in affirmation, "Ok guys lets go..... " as all of them started to get up

"Sure, we'll do that......." Anjali responded, and, as they started walking away, she put out a hand on Ridhima's shoulder and walked up to her. "Thanks, Ridhima that was really sweet of you, especially after......."

"Hey, we'd love to have you guys come......and Anjali nothing happened except that I behaved like a silly kid.....honestly, I have not given it a thought......" Ridhima was surprised.

"So, friends?" Anjali asked, holding out her hand.

"Friends!" Ridhima smiled as she shook Anjali's hand "shall see you in a bit?"

Armaan had been watching the exchange between the two women . As Ridhima walked away, he walked up to Anjali and threw an arm around her shoulder giving her a quick hug. "That was a nice gesture.....that's more like my Anjali!" They both smiled as they waited for Ankit and Atul to join them.

**********************

It had been a couple of weeks since Armaan had dropped in for coffee at Ridhima's place. He had a pleasant time with Padma and Ridhima, with Padma fussing over his food. For Armaan it had been a special evening. First, the conversation with Ridhima, and, then having Padma fuss over him reminded him of his own mom. He ended staying around late chatting with the two of them. He discovered where Ridhima got her impish sense of humour from. Padma teased him, poked fun at Ridhima and generally chatted with them. He finally left with a promise to drop in more often to enjoy Padma's cooking, and, as he hugged her while leaving, he disarmingly confessed that he would just have to be back, because he thoroughly enjoyed Padma fussing over him.

And while Ridhima and he continued to swap words, banter and mock each other at college, there was an unspoken yet acknowledged change in their relationship. Having shared his unfulfilled dreams with Ridhima, Armaan felt a sense of closeness with her which he was unable to explain, and, he sensed that she felt it too..it was apparent in their comfort with each other?. He smiled as he remembered her softly uttered words. "......a prisoner of his own sense of what was right for which, him I shall always admire......" she had encapsulated his predicament so eloquently yet simply....no sympathy or pity had been proffered and he was grateful, for none had been asked for....it was a simple statement of what she thought, and he knew that it was heartfelt and genuine....

Armaan and Ridhima had taken to coming in early, and, they would often discuss books or chat about things in general in the morning, sipping tea on the steps.....her take on life, and, her view of some of the books fascinated him?in fact he looked forward to the mornings when they would just sit and chat.....quite often the others would join them as well....

However, not once did Armaan offer to pick her up nor did she ask, even though they lived close by.....Armaan figured that Ridhima had a strong independent streak, and, he was reluctant to presume on a relationship which was just starting to settle down......he enjoyed their morning cuppa and chats and was not willing to question his motivation beyond that......she still referred to him as Scarlet Pimpernel except if they happen to be alone when she would tease him calling him The Prisoner of Zenda.....Armaan appreciated this tacit acknowledgement and assurance that his personal ramblings were to remain personal.....

**********************

Rahul was one hell of a lucky guy, Armaan mused as he shaved to get ready...but somehow in the last couple of weeks he had begun to wonder about their commitment to their relationship, well at least Rahul's. He had seen Rahul spend an inordinately large amount of time with Muskaan, and wondered if there was more to it than met the eye......Ridhima did not seem to mind them spending time together, and, that is what made him wonder about their relationship..... while the thought of Rahul and Muskaan together was welcome, he did not want Ridhima to be hurt......but what could he do...... Walk up to Ridhima and say "Hey your boyfriend seems to be having a bit of fun on the side? He is your boy friend, right?" But in all his interactions with Rahul, he had come across as a sensible, straight and sensitive guy who cared a lot for Ridhima. Armaan couldn't imagine him fooling around. Oh God, this was all really confusing, he wanted to know whether Rahul and Ridhima were really together, whether she knew about the growing bond between Rahul and Muskaan, maybe he would try and have a conversation with Ridhima sometime later in the week, the thought of her being hurt bothered him.

"Ouch!" he yelped as he cut himself with the razor. He really needed to focus instead of letting his mind wander, he admonished himself. He had offered to pick Ridhima up as logistically it made sense. Logistics? Who was he kidding? The least he could do, was be honest with himself, he had offered to pick her up because he wanted to spend some time with her, Rahul Garewal notwithstanding! It should be a fun evening, and, he was looking forward to it, and, tonight, Miss Ridhima Gupta would figure it was not a good idea to mess with Armaan Mallik!

**********************

Ridhima looked at the clothes on the bed with exasperation. She had been through a number of outfits but was not sure what she wanted to wear. College was so much easier, she rued, just any salwaar kameez or a pair of jeans and t-shirt would do, but going to night club was a different ball game all together. Normally, she was quick to make a choice, but tonight she felt like making a special effort. Well, it was the first time all of them were going out to a night club together, so the effort was justifiable, right?

Armaan had offered to pick her up since they lived in the same area, and, it made more sense than anyone else coming to pick her up. Muskaan had teased her no end about having the Scarlet Pimpernel as her date.

"He's not my date! He's just picking me up because he lives next door, you idiot." Ridhima had retorted.

"Right, he's not a guy, you're not a girl, he's not picking you up, both of you are not going out to a night club, you shall not be spending time together nor shall you be talking......and neither shall you be dancing together......of course, he's not your date!" Muskaan had rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Oh really? Then I guess you've got yourself a date as well, specifically one who seems to have been paying you a lot of attention recently." Ridhima had quipped back smiling at Muskaan's embarrassment. The fact that Muskaan and Rahul had been spending a lot of time together recently had not escaped Ridhima. She had been planning to corner Rahul and ask a few questions, but she figured they both needed some more time to let something develop......

"Whatever, don't you dare try and deflect attention from the fact that you're going out with the coolest dude in college! You have to admit, he's quite a dish.....and I suspect he fancies you just a teeny weeny bit .....he was rather quick to offer to pick you up" Muskaan had recovered quickly.

"Oh shut up Muskaan. Have you forgotten Anjali? We are just good friends and enjoy each other's company." Ridhima had retorted

"Well, Scarlet Pimpernel would have better taste than Anjali! And please don't give me the movie stars' line .....oh we are just very good friends! How can you not be excited? I would be if I was going out with Scarlet Pimpernel!" Muskaan had tossed her head dismissing Anjali.

"Actually I would be a lot more excited about the Prisoner of Zenda?......" Ridhima whispered softly to herself, as she finally decided on the outfit that she wanted to wear.

**********************

The bar was noisy and crowded. Luckily they had a table because of Muskaan's foresight in booking one, albeit with great difficulty and using all her powers of persuasion.

Rahul had picked up Muskaan and they had been the first to walk in. Muskaan was looking beautiful in black dress that fell to her calves and a short grey jacket. Rahul was quite taken aback at her appearance, much to Muskaan irritation. "You know I do look decent once in a while when I make the effort" she snapped at Rahul.

"Yes, I can see that. I am just wondering why you don't make the effort more often." Rahul quipped back, recovering his poise.

"There has to be someone to make the effort for!" She continued getting really irritated.

"Well, I am there, aren't I?" Rahul smiled.

Muskaan smiled at his compliment in his question. She was not sure where this was heading, but it was a heady feeling that made her feel light hearted "Right, and frogs have beauty spots......" she stopped as she saw some of the others walk in.

"Where's Armaan?" Anjali asked. She had not been too happy about Armaan picking up Ridhima but she could hardly object. She did not want Armaan to think she was acting like an insecure, possessive girlfriend, they had just got past the last incident. Ankit watched her in quiet amusement. This was promising to be an interesting evening! But he was looking forward to seeing Ridhima, and, chatting with her. So maybe, Anjali would have to thank him after all!

"Ridhima had called and said they'll be here soon?" Muskaan responded, "Ah, there they are! Hi guys, what took you so much time?"

Ankit turned around and whistled softly. Ridhima was looking gorgeous in a simple sleeveless a-line black dress that came just below her knees, black stilletos, and a aquamarine chiffon scarf loosely draped around her shoulder. She had no accessories save a pair of pearl & diamond hoops and a chunky pearl bracelet, and her hair had been hurriedly piled up on her head, the whole effect was one of sensual grace. She and Armaan, dressed in black shirt and jeans, Ankit had to admit with a twinge of jealousy, looked very good together, turning around to look at Anjali to see her reaction. He felt just a little bit wicked tonight. "Wow, dressed to kill, aren't we? " he grinned giving Anjali a side glance, "I must admit, you guys make a stunning pair!

***************************

Originally posted by: armaans*basket*

Hey Sam...!! Again a simply awesome update. The whole Armaan-Riddhima scene stole the limelight for me...i could so understand Armaan's feelings and his deep affiliation with books...believe me, that is how i feel in a room full of books....it intrigues me, how much knowledge is preserved in there and how little is in store in my head hehe...

Anyways...i loved the sensitive side of Armaan, and believe me, i could SO relate to Armaan's feelings of being the one child able to fulfill his parent's wishes...my story goes on the same road too....hmmm...*sigh* ...khair, LOVED the update....the teasing part was awesome too...update super soon love..

Kiran

reserved :)

great part! plz cont soon! hopefully AR get together soon! :)

Hey sam i cant believe how good ur ff is!