Second Fiddle (AR) Discontinued! - Page 25

Originally posted by: simran1285

I will be posting the next part this evening. I am trying to reply to all the comments before I post 😃

ok
but do update today only
& & ya update ur other FF also


love
Riddss

heyyy simran,
do update

I'll Be There

Manzil

also


plzzzzzzzzzzzzz



love
Riddss

hey simran plz answer to everyone later plz post the part first,we r waiting to read it.plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.and make it very long.thanks.

Originally posted by: aanchal_c

hey simran plz answer to everyone later plz post the part first,we r waiting to read it.plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.and make it very long.thanks.

Before I start the part I want to once again mention that I DO NOT do PMs. I am not good with them hence, I tend to steer clear from sending them. A lot of you keep requesting that I add you to my PM list and as much as I would love to, I can't. I don't have a PM list hence, if you can kindly bookmark this page or check it from time to time I would appreciate it J

Happy Reading Folks!!

PART 6

Her day had not been going as per her liking first that idiot Sid had spent hours ogling her and then even had the audacity to flirt. She felt horribly uncomfortable and his asking her for dinner tonight had been the last straw; she finally excused herself on the pretense of picking up a patient's reports. 'A quick walk might do me good, it'll shake off the uneasiness' she mumbled while heading towards the entrance.

"Rahul?" The idea of shaking her uneasiness went down the drain when she spotted Rahul with an appalled looking Muskaan

"Bhabhi, there you are" he grinned ignoring Muskaan's bulging eyes which now bore in to Riddhima

"What are you doing here?" she could see the questions swimming in Muskaan's eyes, looks like the cat was finally out of the bag.

"I had a meeting in the building next door so, thought I would stop by. Did you know Bhabhi, that this place is only 10-15 minutes away from our office, you should have lunch with bhai and I one day."

"Yea, that sounds like a plan"

"well, I just stopped by to say hi so, why don't you carry on and I will see you at home." Riddhima was thrilled to say bye but, she knew this meant a tirade of questions from Muskaan.

"Come with me" Muskaan bellowed dragging her to the terrace "what is going on here Riddhima? Why was that guy calling you bhabhi?"

"because I am his bhabhi Muskaan, I am now Mrs. Riddhima Armaan Mallik"

"What!! wait, Armaan Mallik, I thought he was married to your sister" was she missing something, how could a man marry two women? From what little she knew about the law; that was illegal.

"No, my sister didn't marry him, I did, Muskaan it's a long story"

"Don't worry it's lunch time, so, spill"

Muskaan listened intently as Riddhima spent the next hour talking and occasionally crying about how she married Armaan. It was not that she was unhappy with the marriage, Armaan and Rahul were family now and she couldn't imagine not having them in her life but, there were those moments when she wished her sister had not run away and married Armaan like she was supposed to. Things would have been much less complicated.

"I am sorry Riddhima and stupid me here was trying to hook you up with Sid, you do know he is smitten by you"

"I know he asked if I would have dinner with him tonight"

"OMG, are you serious?? I wonder how Armaan Mallik would feel about that" she laughed while Riddhima glared "you have to admit though, Armaan is hot, I've seen him on a few magazine covers and newspapers and man does he look yumm" Riddhima blushed and joined Muskaan in her laughter finally feeling light that she had shared this with somebody. Though the feeling was alien to her but, she was beginning to see a true friend in Muskaan.

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

"Hi Riddhima"

"Sid, you startled me" she stated shaken by his sudden presence

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you" he was giving her that look again, the look which she was starting to detest.

"Did you need something?"

"Uh, no, well, yea. You never answered my question" he looked at her, hopeful and anticipating a yes.

"Look Sid, I don't like mixing my professional and personal life. I think we would be better off as friends"

"Hi guys!" Riddhima thanked Muskaan silently for making a timely entry and saving her from more embarrassment. "What were you guys talking about?"

"Oh nothing, I'll see you guys later"

"Bye Sid" Muskaan waved giving a quick wink to Riddhima.

"Thanks, he was really making me uncomfortable"

"maybe you should tell hubby dearest, I am sure your muscle man will take care of him"

"Muskaan" she grumbled as Muskaan broke in to another fit of giggles.

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

It was well past 7 when she made it home and nothing looked better then the sofa which had Armaan and Rahul's jackets on it. Typical. As if the mess they made in their rooms was not enough, they also had to go messing up my living room.

"Riddhima is that you?"

"Yes, it's me" he had just come from his work out and was dressed simply in track pants and a vest. She was dazed for a moment remembering Muskaan's 'muscle man' comment. The man did have nice muscles, damn him for coming out like that; sweat droplets resting on his chest and face.

"Yoohoo, earth to Riddhima" he waved his hand in front of her completely ignorant to the fact that his wife was actually checking him out.

"uh, I am sorry, I was thinking about something" yea, wondering how you would look without that vest.

"ok, I am going to go take a quick shower, I'll see you at the dinner table"

She was unusually quite today, he noted. He hoped everything was ok at work. "So Rahul told me he stopped by at Sanjeevani today" he spoke at last trying to gain her attention.

"I seriously think we should do lunch together some times, right bro?" Riddhima only smiled and nodded. Her eyes were wandering again and they seem to have only one object of affection, Armaan. Does he always look so good after a shower? She liked his messy hair still dripping of water; obviously he hadn't bothered to dry them.

"Sure, if Riddhima doesn't have a problem with it" she was staring at him with that far away look again.

"Do you mind bhabhi?" she was jolted out of her thoughts and shook her head. "Cool, then how about tomorrow? We could pick you up and drive over to that little caf across the street"

"That sounds good Rahul" she looked over at Armaan and saw the worried look he was giving her, she gave him a small smile and felt a tad bit guilty for acting so aloof. Thankfully he hadn't picked up the little fact that she was gawking at him.

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

"Riddhima? can I talk to you for a minute" he knocked about an hour after they had retired to their rooms. "Hey, sorry I know it's a bit late" he walked in, gently closing the door behind him.

"it's ok, I was just reading over a case." She took off her glasses and gestured him to sit

"Riddhima is anything the matter?"

"huh? What do you mean?"

"well you have been looking rather lost today so, I just wanted to make sure everything was ok. Did someone say something to you? And listen if you didn't like Rahul stopping by then I assure that it will never happen again"

There was that guilty feeling again. Obviously the man had taken her detachment all wrong and here she thought he had come to question why she had been staring at him like a hawk today. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the situation at hand but, her slight giggle sure did shut him up.

"I am sorry to have worried you. I am absolutely fine and no one has said a word to me. I am just a little stressed about a surgery tomorrow" she lied not meeting his gaze.

"oh, then I apologies for bothering you so late." He smiled visibly embarrassed at his over assumption. "Good night then"

"Armaan" she called before he could walk out "I really like the idea of us all having lunch tomorrow" she returned the smile he gave her and went to bed with that smile still plastered on her face.

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

She was feeling awfully giddy today and had looked at her watch every hour in anticipation for lunch time, 30 more minutes to go she smiled. Muskaan had looked at her quizzically but she had been saved from the questions when Dr. Kirti arrived.

"Riddhima" Sid came in front from nowhere taking her off guard. She swore in shock coming to the conclusion that he would give her a heart attack one of these days if he kept appearing like that.

"Hey Sid"

"Hi, you look nice today, that color really suits you" Red, Rahul had mentioned that it was Armaan's favorite color. She wasn't exactly sure why she wore his favorite color but, it just felt nice when she took it out this morning.

"Thanks"

"Riddhima, have I done something wrong?"

"what do you mean?"

"umm, you seem to be ignoring me. Listen I am sorry about yesterday and I totally understand that you don't want to mix business with pleasure but, we could at least be friends." He moved his hand out and grinned when she shook it.

This was unusual to her. She had made two friends within a week but, she would have to be careful with Sid it was obvious he wanted something more than friendship.

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

"Hey, you ready for lunch? bhabhi must be waiting" Rahul frowned seeing him drowned in his files.

"Yea, I am coming Rahul, why don't you get the car out?" he didn't know about her but he knew how restless he'd been all day. Throwing the pile of files on his desk to the floor he all but ran out behind him. His phone buzzed just as he reached the elevator, must be Riddhima his instincts stated. Seeing the "unknown number" flashing on his display left him bewildered he took the call as he ran for the stairs; frustrated with the long line by the elevator.

"Hello?" no answer "Helloooo?" still no answer. He saw Rahul waiting for him and disconnected the call.

"Bro, I'll get a table booked while you go get bhabhi, the caf is right across the street" Armaan nodded as Rahul whizzed by 'this kid never slows down' he mumbled while making his way inside.

"OMG, Riddhima, Riddhima look, it's your muscle man" Muskaan shook her ferociously

"Muskaan" she griped at her looney friend who was now busy drooling at her husband. "Stop staring at him Muskaan"

"how the hell am I supposed to do that, look how gorgeous he is"

Gorgeous he was. He wore royal blue, she liked him in blue she decided; the color suited his complexion and really brought out his chocolate colored eyes.

He saw her standing at a distance with a sweet smile playing on her lips. She was dressed in red. He slowed his pace a little, just so he could gaze at her longer. Anjali never wore red, even though she knew how much he yearned to see her in that color. 'It doesn't flatter my skin tone' she had stated.

"Hi" he approached her breathlessly

"Hi" she replied back in equal fervor

"Haye, haye what is this. The least you guys could do is hug…oh by the way, Hi, I am Muskaan"

Armaan smiled at the girl and shook her hand when she offered. "You are even more handsome in real life" Muskaan gushed not even paying attention to Riddhima's glare.

"Thanks, you ready to go Riddhima?"

"where are you guys going?"

"um across the street for lunch, my brother's already waiting for us. Hey, would you like to join us?" Riddhima frowned, why did he have to invite her?

"you sure, I don't want to intrude"

"not at all, it's was just the three of us anyway"

"great let's go" great let's go Riddhima mimicked in her mind. This is just what I needed; Muskaan will spend the entire lunch eyeballing MY husband!

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

'What the hell is bro bringing with him? I thought I told him to go get bhabhi not Shirley Temple!'

"Hey Rahul, meet Muskaan, she works with Riddhima"

"we've met" Armaan frowned and looked over to see Muskaan ignoring him and plopping on a chair away from him. The frown deepened, he was hoping to sit next to Riddhima. What's their story? He hoped she wasn't an ex-girlfriend.

"oh, how do you guys know each other?" he gazed longingly at Riddhima who was now seated across from Rahul.

"We met at Sanjeevni the other day when I went to meet bhabhi" phew not an ex-girlfriend then

"He came looking for a Dr. Mallik and Riddhima still goes by Dr. Gupta" Riddhima looked down uncomfortably not meeting Armaan's eye. She felt a tad bit horrible about the whole thing, they had been married for a few months now but, she still felt awkward at being referred to as Riddhima Mallik.

"so, you could have told me that nicely, you didn't have to be so rude" Rahul spat

"RUDE?? OMG I was so not rude"

"you were too" Rahul leaned over the table

"were not" Muskaan too leaned forward

"Ok guys seriously, stop behaving like kids" Armaan finally decided to step in and play mediator "Rahul say sorry to Muskaan"

"Bro, I.."

"Rahul?"

"I am sorry Muskaan" he slouched and crossed his arms

"Now Muskaan can you please also apologies to Rahul"

"I am sorry"

After a few minutes of silence they finally relaxed and fell in to a friendly conversation. At times Muskaan would deliberately fall silent and watch the trio conversing so effortlessly. She had known Riddhima for a couple of years now but, never had she seen her so carefree and chatty. The way the three of them communicated so comfortably she almost felt envious. It was apparent that Rahul and Riddhima shared a very warm relationship but, that easiness was not present between Armaan and Riddhima. It was not that they had a problem with each other in fact she could feel the understanding and friendship but, there were just these slight tremors. She didn't miss the bashful eye locks they shared so, obviously there was something more between them or, could occur in the future.

It was a good day Riddhima sighed, closing her locker. Though the lunch had started off on a wrong note things had eventually calmed down, heck Muskaan and Rahul even had a handshake after the lunch and had finally called it truce.

"Hey Riddhima, can I ask you a huge favor?"

"Sure Sid"

"would you mind giving me a ride home?, uh, actually my younger brother took my car since his was at the shop, so, I kind off didn't have a ride" Sid explained when Riddhima raised a brow.

"Yea, no problem"

"thanks, you are a lifesaver"

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

It was almost 8 and she was still not home yet. This was not like her, she would usually call or text if she was running late but, so far he had received nothing. Her sudden absence and delay was beginning to worry him. He had called but it had gone straight to her voicemail, even his texts had gone unanswered.

"is bhabhi home yet?" Rahul walked in to see him looking so perplexed

"no, she isn't and she hasn't called or texted. She didn't pick up when I called and did not even reply to my texts" Armaan rambled giving his cell phone a poignant stare.

"maybe she got caught up with something"

"yea but she could at least notify us" he replied irritated at his brother's careless attitude towards the situation

"chill, why are you so worked up? She's not a little girl you know"

"Shut up Rahul"

"Fine, let me call Muskaan, maybe she knows something"

"wait? where did you get Muskaan number from?"

Rahul grinned when Armaan rolled his eyes "I asked her, I think she's kind of cute. She's a firecracker no doubt but, she's a cute firecracker, now hush it's ringing"

"hi Rahul!" she chirped happy that he'd called so soon

"hey Muskaan, sorry to bother you but, do you know if bhabhi's still there?"

"Riddhima? no she left at 6 why?"

"Oh, that's odd, she still hasn't made it home yet" now he was slightly worried too. Sanjeevani was not that far of a drive from home then why hadn't she made it back yet? "anyways, thanks for the help Muskaan, I'll catch you later"

"well? What did she say?"

"she said bhabhi left around 6, it's been almost 2 hours bro"

"I know that's why…" he stopped when he heard the front door open and both Rahul and he made a run for it.

Riddhima walked in agitated and worn out from the events that occurred about an hour ago. She was on her way back after dropping Sid off when some idiot had rear ended her. As expected the unknown moron had driven off leaving her stranded with a bad scrape on the head and a car that refused to start again. It was worse when she discovered that she couldn't even call Armaan owing to the fact that her phone had died hours ago. Luckily an elderly man had come to her rescue and had helped bring her car to life.

"Riddhima!!" Armaan ran towards her perturbed about the state she was in. He did something which she was desperately hoping he would do. He hugged her. "where have you been? I've been worried sick.." he released her and noticed the head wound. "your bleeding, Riddhima what happened? Rahul, grab the first aid kit" she didn't want the tirade of questions right now, she just wanted to be held, to be comforted and the only person who she wanted to do all that was..him.

He nursed her like a mother would a child; hissing when she hissed, and blowing air every time she squirmed. She didn't mind when he forcefully ushered her to bed and showed up a few minutes later with food. He fed her tenderly and tucked her in as if she was two. He gazed at her as she pretended to sleep and when he finally left, she cried.

She woke up around midnight, achy and restless; with a high fever. Tired of tossing and turning she finally got up and faintly walked over to Armaans room.

"Armaan" she called in desperation "Armaan, wake up" finally shaking him

"Riddhima, what's wrong?" he blinked to see her crouching by his bed. The darkness encumbering a clear view of her

"I don't feel good" she whimpered, grabbing his immediate attention.

He sprung from the bed and crouched beside her. The heat radiating from her came in contact with him when she leaned in. Picking her up from the cold floor he laid her on his bed and rushed to get some medicines. He was not good with the ill, life had never presented him with such a situation before so for obvious reasons he felt a little lost and petrified. It had been him and Rahul for a long time now and the only time he had tended to Rahul was when the latter had been highly intoxicated. Dealing with an actual sick person and a person who was puking with an impaired judgment was a whole different ballpark.

"Riddhima here have these" he lifted the glass to her lips and forced her to drink nearly half of its contents. The lights had been turned on now and his view of her told him how ill she really was. Her face was as pale as the t-shirt she wore and her slight shivering confirmed that she was freezing. He fixed the temperature on the AC and watched her uncertain of what to do next.

He observed her for another two hours, checking and rechecking her temperature to see a decline. It must have been a little after 3 when he finally felt satisfied and slipped in to bed beside her. The lack of sleep and his level of concern for her hazed his judgment therefore, blocking his knowledge of whether lying next to her was right or wrong.

Ok here's part 6 folks. Thank you for all the PM's and comments they really mean a lot to me and are a highly encouraging force. Not much happening here as I am trying to move the story forward. Armaan and Riddhima are becoming comfortable and even dependant on each other. Rahul and Muskaan are slowly coming around. Sid is being an annoying pest and most importantly Riddhima is beginning to harbor new feelings for Armaan.

Love you all loads

Simran

wooooow. that wwas one awesome update! i loved how muskaan was really sweet about riddhima not even telling her that she was married, and of course the rahul muskaan equation...the two don't seem to be able to live without having a fight 😆😆 but it was really sweet how armaan picked up that riddhima was not herself and oh yeah, how she wore red because that was his favorite color...that was absolutely sweet of her...
hmm and oh yeah how rahul and armaan were worried because of her,,,err sid -_- well, at least riddhima kinda told him off, just kinda but oh wells, loving how the relationship is progressing and looking forward to more ar and rm soon!

do continue soon!

~Naina

woahhhhhhh that was AWESOME!!!!!!!!
i totally love your ff=)
plzzzzz update whenever you get a chance!

heyy dear
gr8 part
loved it
cont soon
luv dhruvika

hey super part.....continue soon this time....

Lovely part!!! loved the comfort shared by AR.... Sid is annoying really, but atleast Ridz has put him off....so now the doc is ill & A will take care of her, it would be a treat to see how you pen down the next part!