DMG: Head Over Heels Part8 Rahul's Concern pg 20 - Page 12

Part 7

Since the day and forth, me and Armaan developed a casual friendship. I think he understood my dilemma or call it paranoia if you want, about realtionships and had decided to give me space, or he has just given up altogether. Either way, I was glad to have the breathing space and a bit disappointed that he hadn't pursued me further. It's not like I want the whole " Oh Riddhima my life is meaningless without" type of guy(wouldn't be too bad to feel appreciated once in a while though). But I wouldn't have minded him flirting with me. But he did neither! How disappointing.

Instead he chose to act like he has been my friend for years! GUYS I tell you! Have no idea what girls are all about. I swear we should write a manual for them.But why should girls do all the work.
As for me,fate sure has one cruel and twisted way of palying with me, or was it a sign from GOD? For me and Armaan were once again paired off for an assignment. Our task for once was quiet an easy one. Our proffesor had provided us with a set of instuctions and we were supposed to take a picture of our partner which would go into the yearbook. We were given the whole class off to complete the assignment and me and Armaan were the first ones out of class. What can I say, I'm rubbing off on him. I opened up the envelope to find the folllowing set of instructions.

1) Share something personal with your partner.

2) Lighten up. Do an impression of a celebrity or a famous character.

3) Admit something that worries you, or something you are afraid of.

4) What do you want to be in ten years? and

5) Tell your partner a secret.

Me: This is it? This is our assignment? Easy! Lets see. Share something personal with you...Hmm.. Not as easy as I thought. I frowned and thought of something I could possibly tell him. Armaan looked at Riddhima's pouting lips and had an urge to kiss her. Instead, he took a calming breath.

Armaan: Let me go first! I was named Armaan after Captain Armaan Verma! He was a major in the Indian Army and died trying to save my grandfather's life. My grandfather owed him his life so he named me after his saviour.

Me: When I was 8, my mother fell seriously ill. During summer, all my friends were going off to this new summer camp with horse riding and skating and campfire. I really wanted to go so without any consideration to my mom, I begged for her to let me go and I had the time of my life, hanging out with my friends, having fun till I got a phone call. Apparently my dad had a maid call to inform me my mom was dead. You want to know what she said? She said 'Miss Riddhima you better get back home immideately your mom will be buried at dawn!'

Armaan: Oh Riddhima! Please don't tell me you balme yourself.

Me; I never got a chance to say goodbye to her. At this I broke down and sobbed violently in Armaan's arms. Armaan hugged Riddhima close to him, feeling her pain and wishing with all his heart to help ease it.

Armaan: Riddhima it is not your fault. Never ever think it is even for a second. Your mom would be so unhappy to know that her daughter blames herself. Now smile before I do this, he said tickling me. Now I happen to be a very ticklish person and soon I was on the ground laughing so loudly that I had a stitch on my side, with Armaan pretty much on top of me. Then I stopped lauging and all of a sudden, I noticed the close proximity between us. He came closer till our nose almost touched but then moved away almost immideately. Is it regret that I'm feeling instead of relief?

Me: Ohkiee second on the list..Impression of a charachter..You go first.

Armaan: My precious! Give me back my precious. I rolled about on the floor laughing because of his perfect mimicry of Golem.

Me: My turn! I am Captain Jack Sparrow! I said dramatically.

Armaan: Who?

Me: Jack Sparrow! You know..Pirates of the Carribean! Please don't tell me you haven't seen Pirates of the Carribean i said when he continued to look at me blankly. He continued to stare at me.

Me: Great! I then stood up and did the best impersonation of Scooby Doo. Oh don't laugh! I actually do it perfectly which makes it all the more embarassing but I had no other option. Armaan nearly had a fit laughing his head off.

Armaan: You know Riddhima there is only one thing in the whole world that scares me. Just the very thought of it makes me weak but it is also what drives me to do better. FAILURE! I'm scared of being a failure, of letting my parents down, of letting myself down and this very thought is one that drives me to success.I want to succeed in every aspect of life, Armaan admitted solemnly.

Me: And you will! You are the most smartest, caring and hardworking person I've ever met! There is no way your parents or anyone else wouldn't be proud of you.

Armaan: Oh Please do go on! I love it when beautiful girls praise me.

Me: Oh and conceited too. As well as being stubborn and tempermental.

Armaan: I think thats enough! He said laughing.

Me: What worries me more than anything in the world is the thought of forgetting my mom. I keep forgetting what she smelled like, what she looked like, the sound of her voice whenshe sung to me and that seriously scares me. I use the same shampoo, lotion and perfume she used but I cannot preseve her smell. When I was young, I used to hug her shirt so that I could feel her presnce in the lingering fragnance but now it smells more like me and less like her.

Armaan didn't say anything but hugged Riddhima closer, she had so much love to give and he wanted all of it, he realized and this realization filled him with renewed tenderness. He turned her to face him and wiped he tears away with his thumb. She offered him a watery smile and Armaan's heart went out to her.

Me: So what's your secret?

Armaan: If I thold you, I'd have to kill you! he joked.

Me: LAME!!Come on..There's hardly time left before the class ends. Armaan closed the remainig gap between the two and bent closer to her lips and whipered.

Armaan: There is a definite possibility that I am falling in love with you,he said softly. I stared at him. Was he serious? I hardly dared to breath..What if it was all a cruel joke but looking into his eyes, I saw nothing but tenderness, love and hope.

Me: There is a definite possibilty that I might be falling head over heels in love with you too, I said before he crushed his lips to mine in a mind altering kiss maent to drug all the senses.