Lifeline... An RM FF... Pt. 7 pg 17 - Page 13

Surveying herself in the mirror for the last time, Muskaan bit her lip, she hated the way the dress looked on her, but it would have to do, she was running late already.

'Chalein Muskaan?!' Riddhima shouted from the foot of the stairs.

'Coming! Just a minute!' Quickly twisting her hair into a French chignon she secured it with a clip and rushed downstairs. Armaan, who was waiting at the bottom with Riddhima, let out an appreciative whistle as he saw her.

'Looking great Muskaan' Agar main Riddhima say pyaar na karta' I'd run away with you right now' he winked at her teasingly, earning him a playful glare from Riddhima.

'You look gorgeous Muskaan' Riddhima smiled.

'You think?' It's not too short?' Muskaan pulled at the hem of the dress trying to cover her legs a little more.

'Nahin Muskaan' It looks fine'. It's just a little above knee-length, chodo usse'' Riddhima pulled lightly at Muskaan's hand. 'Trust me, Rahul won't know what's hit him. Right Armaan?' She smiled mischievously.

'Right. Seriously Muskaan, stop worrying. I can't wait to see the look on his face' Armaan said, imitating a dumbstruck Rahul.

'Chalein guys? Ya yahin kadhe hi sari raat bitani hai?' Muskaan started walking towards the car, deliberately ignoring Armaan & Riddhima's conversation.

***

Rahul glanced at the door for what felt like the 100^th time. The party had started half an hour ago, she should have been here by now, where was she?

'Kisse dundh raha hai Rahul'?

'Huh? Oh' Nobody yaar' Rahul turned back to the group of friends he'd been talking to.

'Koi toh hai, jo tu bar bar us door ki taraf aakhein par par ke dekh raha hai' teased one of his friends.

'Leave it out Angad, meh toh bas' Atul ko dundh raha tha, Kahin dikhayi nahi de raha' he pretended to look around. Excusing himself, he walked over to the door, where Atul stood greeting the guests.

'Hey Champ'

'Rahul, mere bhai!' Atul grinned at him. 'Tu Yahan kya kar raha hai? Enjoy the party!'

'Tu ja, meh yahan sambhal leta hu kuch dair ke liye' I need some fresh air'

'You sure?'

'Absolutely' Rahul watched as Atul walked away, then turned back to the door.

Still no sign of Muskaan. Rahul decided to ring Armaan and find out what was going on. He had barely had time to get out his mobile when he saw Armaan making his way towards him, with Muskaan and Riddhima following close behind.

'Hey man, you finally made it huh? Rahul hugged Armaan.

'Yeah' Armaan laughed

'And this must be Riddhima' Hi, I'm Rahul' he extended his hand towards her.

'Hi, It's great to finally meet you' I've heard so much about you' She shook his hand, smiling warmly.

'Really?'

'Yeah, Muskaan can't stop talking about you, looks like you've made quite the impression on our Muski'

Muskaan, who had been quietly watching the exchange between her friends, coloured slightly. Trust Riddhima to try and match make. She'd have to talk with her later and explain, her and Rahul were just friends, nothing more.

'Oh look Riddhima, there's Atul, Chalo mein tumhe us sey milata hoon' talking Riddhima by the arm, Armaan steered her towards the dance floor, where Atul was chatting to a group of people.

Watching them go, Rahul smiled slightly. He knew matchmaking when he saw it.

Turning back to Muskaan, he grinned.

'D'you get the feeling we're being set up?' He asked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Muskaan groaned. 'Tell me about it, they were as subtle as a knock to the head'

'Surely you don't hate my company that much?' Rahul laughed.

'No, you're right, I don't' Maybe that's why I don't mind Armaan & Riddhima's bluntness today' She smiled at him.

Rahul was struck by how gorgeous Muskaan looked at that moment. How had he missed it?

She was wearing a black lace, half sleeved dress with a scoop neckline, the material clung to her curves like a second skin. The length of the dress accentuated her long legs.

The black kajal she'd smudged around her eyes was in complete contrast to her dress. Making her look mysterious' Almost seductive. Understated yet sexy. He smiled, it had Muskaan written all over it.

'You look' Amazing'

'Thanks' Muskaan blushed slightly. 'You don't look half bad yourself' She joked, raking her eyes appreciatively over his black button down shirt and blue jeans, noting how the black shirt made his eyes seem darker, more intense than usual, the sleeves were rolled up to half way, showing off his muscular arms.

'Not half bad? That's all I get?' Rahul pretended to be offended.

'I guess I could stretch to you look great' Muskaan teased. Insanely handsome wouldn't be an understatement either.

Shaking her head at the thoughts circling in her mind, Muskaan tried distracting herself. 'The party seems like a success'

'Yeah, Atul's really done great' Rahul grinned looking around, his tiny apartment was crammed with people, half of which he couldn't remember even meeting. He laughed.

'What's so funny?'

'Nothing, just thinking, I don't even remember half the people here' Rahul grinned.

'Dr. Keerti did say it'd take time for your memory to recover'

'I know, speaking of Dr. Keerti, have you been able to get vacation time for the trip to Mauritius?' Rahul asked.

'Ughhh, don't ask' Muskaan pulled a face. 'Ever since you've left Dr. Keerti's been piling on the work, as if I don't have enough to do already with the Health and Social Care course she's put me on, now she wants me to join Sanjeevani's new Home Care team.'

'Sounds tough'

'It is, I swear I run around that hospital like a headless chicken most days' Muskaan laughed. 'Anyway, enough with me and my rants, How does it feel being back home?'

'It's' Interesting. I'm getting used to it, it's just really weird being back after all this time.'

'You could always come back to the hospital, God knows, I need you down there' Muskaan joked.

'You do?' Rahul almost whispered, surprised by what Muskaan had said.

'I mean' I' You know with Dr. Keerti and everything' Muskaan backtracked, but she knew Rahul didn't believe her for a second, not the way he was staring at her with that intense gaze of his.

'Rahul darling! How great to finally see you home!' Before Rahul had a chance to react, the woman had pulled him into a hug.

Pulling away, he looked at the woman, she was dressed in a red halter neck dress, so short Rahul wondered how she managed to walk in it without exposing herself to everyone.

'I'm sorry I don't'' Rahul was confused, who was this woman?

'I'm Maya, Maya Malhotra?'

When Rahul still looked blank she added 'We worked together for a while before I left for London?'

'Uhhh' Sorry, I've got nothing' Rahul grinned apologetically.

'Don't you worry honey, I'm sure everything will come back to you soon enough' She winked at him suggestively.

'Ok, well enjoy the party' Rahul looked around for an escape.

'How about a dance? For old times sake?' Maya gripped his arm as he was about to leave. 'Please?' she pleaded.

After hesitating a while Rahul agreed. One dance couldn't hurt, right? 'Just give me a minute to ask Muskaan if she needs anything'

'Oh you mean her?' Maya pointed towards a woman with her back to Rahul. 'She looks fine to me'

'No, that's not her.' The back of this woman's dress was so low it was almost backless. The only thing holding the back together was two strings tied in a bow at the top of her spine.

'Was Muskaan the woman you were talking to when I showed up?'

'Yeah.'

'Well then, that's her.'

'No' I-' Rahul stopped mid-sentence as the woman turned slightly, laughing at something Angad had said.

It was Muskaan.

Forget understated, this dress was just'

Rahul was lost for words. To say that he was dumbfounded would have been an understatement.

He was' He didn't know what he was right then'

Because he couldn't think.

That was Muskaan.

That was her.

How could he have missed that before? And Angad was all over her like a rash.

Why was Angad so close to Muskaan?

Possessiveness reared up in Rahul.

'Ooh I love this song!' Maya's excited squeal brought Rahul back to earth. 'Let's dance!'

'N- Maya please, not right now' I just-' But whatever he was about to say was lost in the noise of the crowd as Maya pulled him onto the dance floor.

***

Loud music pounded in Muskaan's ears as she made her way towards the balcony, pushing past crowds of people, the party was in full swing. People were crammed into all corners of the apartment, some dancing, some talking and some' Romancing.

Muskaan's headache intensified by the second, She needed fresh air. She needed to get out. Now.

***

Rahul stood in the doorway to the balcony, breathing in the fresh night air like a man starved of freedom, after the stifling atmosphere of his apartment the balcony was a welcome change.

He slowly made his way towards the railing, as he did so he saw Muskaan stood a few feet away. His steps faltered slightly. Should he go up to her? She looked so peaceful, stood there, looking up at the moon, he almost didn't want to disturb her.

Rather out here than in there he thought to himself remembering the party.

'A penny for your thoughts?' He asked coming to stand next to Muskaan.

Muskaan laughed. 'Believe me, they're not worth even that' she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

'Huh?'

'Oh nothing' Muskaan smiled.

Realising now was not the time to ask what she had meant, Rahul shrugged slightly, turning to stare out into the night.

Both stood in silence a while, each lost in their own thoughts, looking out into the distance, before Muskaan finally spoke.

'Looks like the party's in full swing' Muskaan pointed towards the balcony door, through which the sounds of the party could still be heard.

'Yeah it is' Rahul looked over to the balcony door with a mix of horror and fascination.

'So what's the host of the party doing out here then? Muskaan asked, grinning.

'Getting some fresh air' Rahul smiled.

'Aah ok' Same as me then, Couldn't take the noise anymore?'

'Try couldn't take any more Maya' Both Rahul and Muskaan burst out laughing at the mention of her name.

'You' looked like' a deer' caught in' h'h'headlights' when she was' dancing with' you' Muskaan managed to get out between bursts of laughter.

'I can't believe you're laughing at me' Rahul pretended to be hurt.

'Awww' I'm sorry' Muskaan grinned, choking back her laughter.

They both descended into silence once again but this time it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable just' Peaceful.

'Dance with me' Rahul spoke softly, in an almost whisper.

Muskaan looked at him in surprise. 'What?'

'Dance with me' He repeated.

'I don't know'' She stared at Rahul's outstretched hand, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

'Come on, You know you want to' Rahul grinned.

It was true, she did want to. For once in her life she wanted to forget everything and just live in the moment.

Slowly, she extended her hand, placing it in Rahul's palm. Pulling her towards him gently, Rahul closed the gap between their bodies. Gasping slightly, Muskaan stiffened as Rahul slid his arm around her waist.

'Relax Muskaan, I won't bite, I promise' Rahul said, grinning, amusement glinting in his eyes.

Muskaan laughed, forcing herself to relax. Of course Rahul wouldn't hurt her, he wasn't'

No.

She wouldn't think about that right now. Not when it was such a beautiful night and she was having so much fun.

Instead, As the starting chords of Enrique Iglesias' Hero floated through the air towards them, Muskaan thought about how happy, how contented she felt, until this moment she hadn't realised how unhappy she had been, until the day she had met Rahul.

She smiled to herself.

'What are you thinking?' Rahul's voice interrupted her thoughts.

'Just' About how great it is being here tonight' She smiled at him. 'Thank you for inviting me.'

'I'm glad you came' He said softly.

'Me too.'

As the tempo of the song changed, Rahul twirled Muskaan out bringing her back in so that her back rested on his chest, his arms encircling her waist.

As they swayed to the music Rahul bent close to Muskaan's ear and whispered 'You know, your hair looks better when it's down.'

Muskaan blushed slightly as Rahul reached up and unfastened the clip from her hair. Reaching over, he fastened the clip to the railing.

Reaching for her hand, Rahul twirled Muskaan out again, as she turned back in towards Rahul, her heel gave way, losing her balance, Muskaan grabbed instinctively for the front of Rahul's shirt, just as he take hold of her waist to steady her.

That's how Riddhima found them, both clinging to each other, oblivious of everything around them except for one another.

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