AR:'IF YOU'RE NOT THE ONE''(VERY imp. note:pg 56) - Page 9

heyyyy guyz...1st of all a BIG BIG BIG hug 2 all of u'll 4 such awesome comments...m tryn smtn new n so wz a bit hesitant but ur comments were reli encouragn...i tried replyn 2 sum comments yest.(sony_123...i read all ur comments sweety n i REALLY do appreciate them!!) cz i cud c dat u'll hv reli taken out the d tym 2 rite such detailed ones but there was sum prob wid either my comp or the site coz it kept cmn webpg not displayed...nyways...i read ALL ur comments!! thnk u sooo much...n yea, herez part 2..njoy readn..=)

PART 2

'What's there to eat?? I'm starving!' Anjali declared as she plopped down on the sofa next to Rahul...her question was directed towards him, however, he didn't acknowledge her...instead, he was glaring at Muskaan who was seated opposite him. Riddhima and Atul were seated on either side of her..he hadn't missed the look she had given him as they entered the apartment...seriously, this is what pissed him off...she was such a drama queen sometimes...he didn't think he had said something so rude to her that she had to sport that 'wounded animal' look on her face...she was just seeking sympathy from everyone as usual!! he really liked her but sometimes she really annoyed him..take now for instance!! he couldn't for the life of him figure out what great crime he had done that she was all tearful and hurt...

He got up angrily and marched towards the kitchen where Armaan and Adi were already present trying to fix up some light snack for everyone.

'Wassup bro...why you looking soooo happy?' Adi asked, smiling slightly as he watched Rahul pace along the kitchen, giving everyone and everything murderous looks.

'Women,' Rahul grumbled, 'One can never figure them out!!'

'I'm guessing this has something to do with Muskaan,' Armaan said as he poured soft-drinks for the girls.

'Who else?? OK, you guys tell me honestly...was I too mean to her or something?? I mean all I asked her to do was shutup for a while and can you blame me for it knowing how much she talks??'

'Well, when you put it that way,' Adi said carefully, 'but there's a way of saying things Rahul. I don't think you should have snapped at her like that in front of all us. That's what offended her,'

'But we are all friends here,' Rahul said, failing to realize the point Adi was trying to make here.

'And she's your girlfriend!' Adi emphasized, 'there's a difference,'

'Whatever,' Rahul said, looking away...however, he had understood what Adi was trying to say...it wasnt wrong on his part to ask Muskaan to keep quiet, however, there was a way of saying it...he should have been a little more considerate towards her...he had unknowingly taken out his frustration of his exam on her...

But it's not only my fault! he thought defensively, OK maybe I shouldn't have snapped at her like that but she's also over reacting!

'You know what,' Armaan said, giving him a slight nudge, 'you need to cill. Here, have a beer!!'

Rahul smiled reluctantly as Armaan thrust the can of opened beer in his hand and carrying the tray of other eatables, walked out into the hall.

'Armaan's right. Forget about it. No big deal,' Adi smiled and followed Armaan out.

Rahul sighed...they were right...it was the end of their week long grilling exams!! he was supposed to relax and enjoy...not work himself up even more over the whole Muskaan issue...it wasn't even an issue...they just needed to talk about it, that's all...he was simply worrying about something that was not something to get worked up about! He smiled as he remembered Armaan's and Adi's 'words of advice'...Armaan, as usual,had preferred to just stay out of it and had simply tried to lighten his mood...that was something he really liked about Armaan...the guy would never get involved with anyones personal issues...ofcourse that did not mean that he didn't care..Rahul knew Armaan was one of his genuine friends who had his best interests at heart....however, he kept himself out of all issues unless it involved him...he would prefer cracking some stupid pj to make you laugh rather than dish out advice...as for Adi?? well, he was quite the opposite! he was dreadfully honest...he would analyse the situation carefully and then truthfully give his opinion even if it meant saying that it was his friend who was wrong...Adi was a guy who gave genuine and honest advice...not diplomatic answers!! There were many a times when Rahul had been too furious with Muskaan or anyone else for that matter, to realize his fault. At such times it would be Adi who would make him see reason and help him realize his mistake...Rahul really appreciated Adi for that..sometimes in life we need someone to honestly tell us when and where we are going wrong...for Rahul, that person was Adi...it was wierd how different both Adi and Armaan were and yet, both of them mattered so much to him.

'Here you go,' Armaan offered a glass of soft-drink to Anjali and took the seat next to her.

'Thanks,' she accepted it gratefully...she was feeling really out of place at the moment..it was wierd...these were her supposed friends and yet, with all these vibes and different reactions towards the whole Rahul-Muskaan issue, she definitely felt a little left out. Atul and Riddhima had been sticking to Muskaan like glue the entire time...as for Rahul, she sensed that the small tiff with Muskaan had messed up his mood as of right now and she would rather not talk to him when he was angry about something...Adi, ofcourse was just all over the place as usual...that's the way he was, he would flutter around the room, making conversation with everyone. It was only Armaan, with whom she felt the most comfortable...he was the most neutral person in the group when it came to such matters...never intefering, never poking his nose into anyone else's business...

'Penny for you thoughts?' Armaan gently asked Anjali as she seemed totally lost in her thoughts.

'Oh, it's nothing really. I was just thinking how one can feel totally left out even in a group of people who are all apparently your friends,' Anjali said, taking a sip of her soft-drink.

'It happens,' Armaan nodded, gently squeezing her hand, 'It's just one of those days,'

'I guess,' Anjali sighed and then looking at him, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, 'Thanks Armaan,'

'For what?' Armaan asked, grinning.

'For being the most awesome friend I could have ever had.' Anjali said, honestly.

Armaan nodded, smiling and gently tweaked her nose, 'You're not so bad yourself,'

Armaan glanced at Riddhima as he said that...he hadn't meant to...it was just a casual look and he found her looking right back at him...there was something in her eyes...he couldn't figure out what exactly...however, it made him feel really uncomfortable..seriously, this whole thing of her liking him which he'd figured out lately wasn't the best of things that had happened to him. It complicated things...he felt that his every word, every move could be miscontrued by her and so he had to be extra careful around her as to what he said or did incase she misintepreted it as something else...and he hated it!! she had never been a very good friend...infact, in the past one year that they had all gotten close, she was probably one of the few in the group who he was not very close to...she was nice and everything...they just never had bonded that well...or maybe they had never got the chance to..whatever be the reason, it was wierd when you were not even close friends to begin with and then you realize that the person has a crush on you....it could get complicated and that would effect not only them but their friendship with a lot of people in the group...exactly the same way as a small fight between Rahul and Muskaan had divided the group unknowingly..all of them were close to different people in the group and tended to side up with that person...many a times he had thought of going and talking to her about it but had scrapped the idea the very next minute...it wasn't like she had made any moves on him or something!! and what would he say anyways? uhm hi riddhima..listen I know you like me but I don't..not in that way...so...uhm...stop giving those wierd vibes that you do????!!!! talk about embarassing!! he would just have to put up with it...it would probably die down after a while...atleast he hoped so...

Riddhima quickly looked away as she caught Armaan's eye...try as she might, she couldn't the stop the slow blush creeping up her cheeks...god!! could she bury herself underground at this very moment??? I mean, how kiddish can you get Ridzy?? she thought furiously...she was behaving like a lovestruck 13 year old who blushes like crazy everytime her crush looks at her...OK...maybe love was not the right word...infatutation was more like it..yes, she was infatuated with Armaan Mallik and she had a horrible HORRIBLE feeling that he was aware of this...well, how could he not when she was so obvious..take now for instance!! She was very conscious after that moment of Armaan's eyes on her...ofcourse, she would have liked it to be out of affection but she was sure he was just analysing just how wierd she could get.

She abruptly got up and muttering an excuse of 'wanting fresh air' she walked out to the balcony...come to think of it, she actually needed some fresh air...

She stood there, closing her eyes, feeling the cool wind on her face...she could feel her nerves calming down under the influence of the peace and serenity surrounding her. Behind her, she heard wild laughter in the room...seemed like the ice had finally broken and everyone was back to their normal selves...however, she did not feel like joining them..she didn't think it was important to question herself as to why...however, she knew she definitely did not want to face Armaan so soon again...Armaan...his name had always intrigued her...desire...it was different and had a catch to it...however, that was not the only thing that had drawn her towards him...ofcourse, apart from the fact that he was really cute(like really REALLY), she liked him as a person...she didn't exactly know when she realized that she had begun to like Armaan...however, he had this charm about him...basket-ball star, cute, slightly reserved and a genuinely nice guy...heck! who wouldn't be infatuated by him?? however, she could see that he didn't think of her in that way...infact, if she didn't know better, she thought he kind of liked Anjali...it sort of hurt when the guy you like did not reciprocate your feelings...but it was OK, she guessed...it was just one of those crushes which she would grow out of...hopefully!! unless ofcourse, there was a possibilty of her and Armaan-?? nah, who was she kidding?? that was so not happening...in that case, she just hoped she got over him soon and that she could put up with his open affections towards Anjali...because she had a feeling that Anjali liked him too.

'Pretty peaceful huh?'

She looked around to find Adi standing at a little distance away from her, smiling at her...he seemed like he had been there for a while and yet, she hadn't heard him coming...or probably she had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't realized...

'When did you come?' she asked as he came and stood next to her.

'A while ago. I didn't want to disturb you though.'

'Oh, well...I was just thinking..you know...about general stuff,' Riddhima fumbled...she wasn't very close to Adi..infact, she couldn't remember a time when they had had a conversation alone like they were having now...they were almost always surrounded by people..and even though, she thought he was a pretty OK guy, it was just wierd....

'It's OK,' he said gently, 'you don't need to explain,'

Maybe it was the way he said it or probably the fact that he was drawing the line about the fact that he wasn't here seeking for any answers...whatever it was, Riddhima suddenly felt a lot more relaxed around him...she had been right about him...he was alright..

'Thanks,' she smiled gratefully.

'So, how were your papers?' he asked, triggering a friendly and comfortable conversation between them.

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Armaan watched as Rahul and Muskaan laughed along with the rest...apparently, somewhere along the way, they had made up...

He sighed...well, it was all good as long as no one was fighting...everyone finally seemed to be having a good time now and he was glad...he silently sipped his soft drink as he observed everyone..Rahul and Muskaan were seated at the end of the sofa...infact, Muskaan was practically on his lap...both whispering sweet nothings each others ears...Atul and Anjali were deep in conversation regarding one of their common subjects..it was indeed rare to see Atul and Angie in a conversation of any sort...and speaking of rare, Armaan watched as Adi and Riddhima came into the hall from the balcony...they had been out there for quite a while..he had seen Riddhima go out there and he suspected it was because she was embarassed to face him...however, what surprised him was when Adi suddenly got up from his seat and followed her out...that had really intrigued him..moreover, they'd been there for nearly half hour and that was quite a long time...he had never thought Adi and Riddhima were close...from whatever he'd spoken to both of them, he'd gotten the vibe that they were cordial with each...not too friendly...but obviously that was not the case now, he thought as he watched them laughing over something...well, it was cool with him..anything to distract Riddhima's attention from over him was welcome!!