Part 6
Early October(small leap)(was September when ff started and now is October)
Lunch table with Muskaan and Riddhima.
Muskaan sat bored and irritated. All she had been hearing for the past twenty minutes was Armaan, Armaan, Armaan. Riddhima could not shut up about him. If it wasn't his smile, then it was his cheeks. If it wasn't his muscles, then it was his eyes. God, isn't there other things to talk about in the world? Muskaan was exasperated. She new that Riddhima liked Armaan and Armaan liked Riddhima. She new that they were good together and that he respected her. She knew that he would keep Ridz safe and happy. But, Armaan 24/7 was something she definitely did not want.
Ri- And then, he looked up at me and just stared at me. Then, he said that your eyes. And at this point, all i could think about is why is he looking at me? And i said, what about my eyes? Then he looked down and then looked back up with small, cute smile of his and said...
M- (cutting Riddhima off) Yeah, yeah, yeah he said they shine like small jewels.
Ri- Yeah, how did you know?
M- (taking a deep breath to calm herself) Riddhima, I've heard this story before. Remember in the morning you told me about it?
Ri- Oh really? (oblivious) Oh, I probably forgot. Thinking of Armaan sometimes does that to me. Hayye Armaan. You know what shirt he wore yesterday?
M- Ridz, please. I know you guys are hitting it off real well, and I'm very happy for you. Really, I am. But, can we please just talk about something else for once?
Ri- Oh sorry, Muski. I didn't mean to. Okay, tell me what's new with you lately?
M- Nothing yaar. What else can be new. School, classwork, homework. The usual. (rolling her eyes)
Ri- Yeah I know, right. I'm so tired of it and its only October. But, at least we get some breathing room in Computers. Easy class I would say.
Muskaan agreed and was concentrating on her food.
Ri- Speaking of computers, how are you and Rahul. Are you guys hitting it off?
Muskaan choked.
Ri-(continuing) Oh, that would be great if you did. We are best friends and Armaan and Rahul are best friends. That would be so cute right?(looking at Muskaan, who was trying to drink some water to clear her throat)
M- Riddhima, do you know what you are saying? Me and...and Rahul? Is this a joke or something?
Ri- Oh come on, Muski. So you are telling me that you never ever feel anything towards Rahul. I mean you are always ragging on and on about him saying Rahul is this and he annoys me a lot and blah.
M- Because he is annoying. He won't stop bugging me. Every little thing he always disturbs me and then i get frustrated. I mean why can't he just ask someone else. He always has to come to me. God. And the flirting he does with me. I can't stand it. It's just so...
Ri-(cutting Muskaan off right) See there (points to Muskaan) Right there. You always start to rag on him and you can never stop. You know most love stories always start off as the couple fighting and hating each other. And then, they never know that sooner or later they will love each other.
M- Oh really? (annoyed)
Ri- Yes.
M- And why is that?
Ri- Because hate usually turns in love.
M- Yeah right.
Ri- Really, Muskaan. You just wait and watch. Sooner or later, you will have to face the truth that you have feelings for Rahul.
M- Yeah, whatever Ridz. (rolling her eyes)
Ri- Oh come on Muski, I was just saying what I...
Atul- Heys Guys, kya hal chal hai?
Ri- Hey Atul, Kuch nahi. Aaj tum bohot khush ho?
At- Are, this weekend Navrati hain na. Issiliye me bohot excited hoon.
Ri- Oh really, sounds fun. Where is it?
At- Its going to take place here. You know, I convinced the Principal that we should celebrate Indian culture along with American. And i told him about Navrati and he agreed.
Ri- Wow. Really?
At- Yeah. He said since our school is very multi-cultured its good to have different holidays. He even agreed that since a lot of the kids here are Indian, it would be nice for us Indians along with others to celebrate such a vivacious holiday.
Ri- Wow, Atul, that amazing, yaar. I'm so excited. Do you need any help with anything?
At- No everything is covered. Music, food, etc. I just need you guys to spread the word.. i mean, I got fliers and banners up, but i need you guys to hype it up.
Ri- No problem, Atul. Muskaan and me will take care of that. Right Muskaan?
No answer.
At- Okay i have to go work on a few arrangements, so I will talk to you guys later. Bye ( waving as he was running to get some Navrati work done)
Ri- Muskaan?
No answer.
Ri- Muski, Come on yaar. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that about you and Rahul. Please, come on talk to me. Please I'm really sorry. (holding her ears)
M- (turned around to face Riddhima) You promise you won't bug me about Rahul anymore?
Ri- Ha babba. I won't. I'm sorry.
M- Okay, fine. Chal. We will be late for class.
Ri- So, I can't wait for Navrati. The first person i will ask to come is Armaan.
They exit the Cafeteria.
M- (looks at Riddhima annoyed)
Ri- Sorry, sorry. Anyway, you know Rahul will be there right?
M- Huh? Where did Rahul come into this? Are you going to invite him?
Ri- No you are going to invite him.
M- (makes a face) What? Are you kidding? Yeah right. Pagal hai kya?
Ri- Muskaan, come on. Armaan will only come if Rahul comes, so please for me, will you ask him?(makes a puppy dog face)
M- Why can't you just ask him?
Ri- Because i don't talk to him, so it would be weird. You talk to him everyday, so it outta be easy. Right? Okay i gotta go...Muski, please ask him. (running away) Thanks. Bye!
M- Riddhima, wait. I don't...(Muskaan couldn't even finish her sentence, by then Riddhima had left)
Yeh Riddhima bhi na. God, now i have to invite Rahul. Oh god, please help me!
Muskaan sighed and walked to her math class.
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Computers!
Armaan and Riddhima!!!
Armaan and Riddhima were talking to each other. You know the occasionally eye-locks and compliments.
Ri- Okay, Armaan. Enough. No more.
A- Wow. Riddhima, you have to be the first girl who doesn't want compliments.
Ri- Armaan, I like hearing compliments but you just never stop. I mean we can never talk about anything. You always start to talk about me and then I get shut out.
A- Okay, fine, fine, fine. So, gorgeous, what would you like to talk about?
Ri- Armaan. If i ask you something, then you will think about it right before answering? You won't just jump to an answer. And may I add in, that this is very important to me, so I hope you take me into consideration before you answer.
A- Riddhima, will you just tell me already!
Ri-Okay, okay, okay.(putting her hands up) Well, this weekend, Navrati is coming up and there will be a....a...function here at school. Armaan, before you say no, please think that i really want you to be there and if you don't come then i won't..
A- (cutting her off) Okay i will come.
Ri- (stopped talking and looked at Armaan shocked) Really? You will come?
A- Yeah, obviously i would come. I mean you will be there and plus i would get to see you all dressed up. Looking beautiful. I wouldn't miss that.
Ri- Armaan(shaking her head) you are something. If you keep looking at me at Navrati, then people will think that there is something going on between you and me.
A- Like they don't know already, Riddhima. I think people know that me and you like each other. And if they don't, then at Navrati, people will definitely see Armaan Mallik and Riddhima Gupta together.
Riddhima blushes looking down at her work.
A- You know you look adorable when you blush?
Ri- Armaan. Stop. We have a lot of work to do now.
A- Fine whatever you say. (looking at Riddhima, while she tried hard from smiling)
Armaan and Riddhima both got to work.
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Rahul and Muskaan!!!
Rahul and Muskaan were in their own world today. Rahul, for a change, was actually doing work and not bothering Muskaan. Which made Muskaan restless.
M- (in her mind)Oye, kamine, why aren't you talking to me today? Out of all days, you decide to shut up today? Every day, you have something to say and today when i need to ask you something, you choose to stay quiet. Faltu aadmi.
Muskaan went through as many curses in her head. She needed to ask Rahul about Navrati. Even though, she hated talking to him, Riddhima had asked her too. Muskaan knew that Armaan meant a lot to Riddhima. The only way Armaan would come is if Rahul came. As much as she wanted to not invite Rahul, she knew she had to. For Riddhima.
Muskaan breathed in and out deeply. She tried to think of scenarios in her head of ways she could talk to Rahul. "Rahul, Um. I want to invite you to the Navrati celebration this Saturday. Will you come?" No, no, no...That sounds all wrong. Okay another try. " Look, Rahul, I'm being forced to say this but I want to invite you to the Navrati celebration this Saturday." Muskaan, come on yaar. Think of something that sounds right.
Muskaan kept thinking and turning down options.
Rahul looked over to Muskaan.
R- (in his mind) Wow, that girl is always thinking of something. Must be some type of work. Rahul, why don't you ask her about Navrati. She might be going. Plus, if she goes then at least you will get something to look at. Yeah. I wonder how she will look. I hope she straightens her hair, but i like her curly hair too. And she wears something pink or red. Those colors look amazing on her. Really suit her skin tone. And whoa. If she puts on slight make-up like she does sometimes, then that would be good. Eyeliner. Yes that always brings out her eyes. And maybe some light pink eyeshadow. Wow. I can imagine her eyes glowing. He eyes. wow. Big and beautiful. I remember when she dressed up that one week. She looked amazing. Better than any of the girls here. God, I wish she would dress up like that one week again. (coming out of his trance) Whoa. Rahul, You okay, man? I mean she's just a girl. She's just like the rest of them. Yeah, she's just like the rest of them. Oh, dude, ask her about Navrati.
M- (in her head, still thinking of a way to tell Rahul)
R-(straightens up) Ahem....(no comment from Muskaan) Ahem. Ahem. Muskaan?
M- (jumps up) Huh? What?
R- No, nothing. It's just me. I just wanted to ask you something.
M-(in her mind) Finally this kamine said something. Okay Muskaan as soon as he is done asking you a useless question, you just tell him about Navrati. (to Rahul) Sure. Ask me?
R- Are you going to Navrati?
M- (shocked, in her mind) Oye teri. He just took those words right out of my mouth. (to Rahul) How do you know about it? (shocked)
R- I saw posters and fliers around school today. I mean it might be cool. So are you going?
M- Um...yeah..I'm going.
R- Nice. See you there.
M- Um...the hall is big and a lot of people are going to be there so I doubt we will even see each other. (Muskaan really didn't want to spoil her fun and celebration by seeing Rahul there. But this was all for Riddhima)
R- (curious about her words--Dude, why does she always act like she doesn't want to see your or ever talk to you? I mean, she always just ignores you?--Rahul felt bad. He didn't like the fact that a girl like Muskaan just ignored him half of the time. It annoyed him---It's okay Rahul. Who cares? Just go along with what she says)(to Muskaan) Oh yeah. Of course. I mean i will probably be hanging out with all the girls you know? I probably won't even see you there because i will be busy talking to people. Mostly girls, so I'll be busy to even notice anything else. (looked at his work)
M- Yeah, of course. Why even go to Navrati if that's what you are going to do the whole time? (annoyed at his response )
R- (caught off guard by her tone) I mean I will watch all the girls do garba and then you know i might try you know try doing garba with them. It should be fun. (he said this casually)
Muskaan looked back at her work. For some reason, she didn't like Rahul's answer. It angered her. Why did Rahul always think of girls like that? I mean he acts like they are toys. If one gets boring, you get more. It angered her. Muskaan also felt mad because Rahul flirted with her during Computers. When, Rahul, talked about girls like that, she feels like one of his toys. It disgusts her.(to Rahul) Yeah. It should be fun. (in her mind) Oh god, please I don't have to see his face during garba. Please!
Kahin yeh nafrat, pyaar mein nahi badal jaye?---Wait and see!
Promo- Navrati/Garba
Okay guys here is Part 6...Hope you guys like it. Comments, criticism and suggestions are welcomed. Every words mean a lot to me. So please comment and let me know what you think!
Edited by MuskaanGarewal1 - 16 years ago
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Mangal Lakshmi
35