Part 4
Next Day in the Cafeteria!
Armaan- Dude, did you apologize to Muskaan yet?(whispering so that nobody could hear)
Rahul- (leaning in closer, whispering) No man, not yet.
A-(nudging at his shoulder, shouting) Why not?
Anjali- Guys, something wrong?
R- (Stuttering) Noth...Nothing.
An- Sure? (Pulling up an eyebrow)
A- Yeah, yeah. Angie. You were just buddies talking(hugging Rahul)
R- Yeah buddies. (Squished in Armaan's hug, smiling)
An- Okay. (Turning back to the rest of the group talking)
A- (Turning around facing Rahul) Why didn't you apologize yet?
R- Dude, I didn't see her all day. And...and...
A- And what?
R- And...I haven't come up with a way to apologize to her. I mean I don't really know how?
A- What?(making a face) All you say is Muskaan, I'm sorry. What happened was my fault and I'm sorry that Angie said all that to you blah blah blah.
R- I know. But, you know it's my first time. Like I'm really apologizing. Usually I will just give a fast "Sorry" and a puppy dog face and people will forgive me but I doubt that will work with Muskaan. She will beat me up.
A- Okay, listen. Just relax dude and take a deep breath(breaths in and out. Rahul does the same.) Now, Rahul. You just get up, go to Muskaan and say sorry. Okay?
R-Okay.. Okay(get ups, trying to get himself pumped) Oh wait(sitting down)
A- What now?(annoyed)
R- What is Anjie sees? What if she comes over and says something worse to Muskaan. Then I'm done. Even an apologize won't work.
A- Are, you stop worrying about Angie. She's too busy looking at herself. Come on, I'll come with you. So, I can keep a look-out for Angie. Okay?
R- Okay. Okay come on Rahul. You can do this. Come on.
Rahul and Armaan walked over to Muskaan, Riddhima and Atul's table. But, Muskaan wasn't there. Atul and Riddhima were but Muskaan wasn't. Where could she be?
A- Uh. Hi. Riddhima.(waving his hand)
Riddhima looked up and gave a very cold hi and went back to studying.
Armaan and Rahul gave each other a face, both asking," What wrong with her?"
Armaan try to give it another try. But this time to Atul.
A- Hi. I'm Armaan(extending his hand forward)
At- Hi, Atul. (Shaking his hand)
Armaan smiled seeing some improvement. But then, Riddhima shot Atul a deadly look and he quickly took his hand away. But, he still faced them
R- Hey. The names Rahul. (Extending his hand too)
At- Hi. (But totally ignored his hand)
R-(talking to Armaan) Dude, I think we should go back and eat. Everybody probably waiting for us.(leaving)
A-(holding Rahul back) Bro, we haven't even apologized. Come on man, we made it all the way here. Let's just do it and get over with it.
R- Fine(shrugging his shoulders)
A- (turning back to Riddhima) Uh Riddhima?
Ri-What Armaan?(giving attitude)
A-(shocked, but trying to keep his face) Where is Muskaan? Is she not here today?
Ri- (still the same attitude) No, she is. (Not looking at him)
A- Uh. Where is she?
Ri- (gave a deep sigh and looked up) Why Armaan? So you and Rahul and humiliate her even more? Huh? Don't you have anything better to do than make fun of people?
A-(confused by Riddhima's attitude) What? We just want to see Muskaan? Why won't you tell us where she is? What's your problem.
Ri- (banging her hand on the table and getting up) YOUR MY PROBLEM!
A- (Shooting back at Riddhima) I'm your problem?!?! What did I do?
Ri- Nothing. That's it. You did absolutely nothing. You just stood there while YOUR friend said all those nasty things to my best friend. And you(looking at Rahul) you just stood there laughing. What can of man are you? It was your fault to begin with and then you let Muskaan take all the blame and YOU JUST LAUGH AT HER? (Riddhima was mad and fuming. She let all her anger out. All the pain Muskaan had suffered from yesterday was also suffered by Riddhima and she let it all out. Rahul and Armaan just stood there wide-eyed and mouth open. They couldn't believe that Riddhima said all this to them. But she did. They didn't say a word to Riddhima. They waited until she cooled down. Riddhima breathed in and out and soon sat down with her head in her hands.
A- (Calmly) I'm sorry Riddhima that we hurt your friend. We just want to apologize to her.
R-(looked up. and did not yell at them rather she spoke sternly) Sorry? Apologize? Do you really expect me to believe that you want to apologize to Muskaan? Well, you know what you're wrong. And please just get out of here. I don't want to loose my anger again, so before that happens just leave.
At- Riddhima? You okay? (Putting his hand on her shoulder)
Ri- (nodding her head) Yeah..Yeah.
At- Come on, let's go. (Getting up)
Riddhima also got up and left the lunch room, without ever looking back at Armaan and Rahul.
R- Dude that sucked. I mean we didn't get to even apologize and instead we got yelled at.
A- Yeah. I know. I didn't expect Riddhima to yell like that. (Lost in his thoughts and the convo between him and Riddhima)
R- Come on man, let's go. We have class.
A- Yeah, let's go(coming out of his thoughts, following Rahul and leaving the cafeteria.)
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Computers!
Rahul- Dude, okay you know what to say? Right? Practice. Okay lets go(claps his hands) Muskaan...I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I was wrong. Please forgive me?(pause) Dude, will that be enough? Hey at least it's more than a flower and a puppy dog face. I think she will by it. My charm will woo her over. But, wait Rahul, she's not like all the other girls, she is a jungli billi just waiting to bite my head off. Oh god, Rahul. You're done for. What do I do know?(cupping his face in his hands)
Rahul grieved over the fact that he couldn't find a great way to apologize. Little that he knew that Muskaan was about to walk in. Muskaan slowly walked in and as soon as she did a breeze flew against her and her straight hair starting to flow with the wind. Everyone immediately stopped talking and stood there mesmerized. It that Muskaan Chaddha? Were thoughts that ran through each and everyone's mind. Muskaan wore a white dress with blue flowers all over. The dress has frills at the ends and suited her body really well. It was sleeveless and went to her mid-thigh, showing her smooth, white legs. She wore heals but not too high just the right amount. The heals were white and complemented her dress very well. She wore blue earrings and a blue necklace that matched the blue flowers. She wore light make-up but just enough that made her glow. Eyeliner with a little eye shadow and lip gloss that made her lips sparkle In fact, her whole face glowed.
Rahul, still grieving, became curious as to why people suddenly became quiet. Did the teacher come in? If she did then where is Muskaan? Is she absent? But Riddhima said she was here? Or was she lying because she didn't want to tell us that Muskaan didn't come to school because of what happened yesterday? Question after question ran through Rahul's head. He couldn't take the curiosity anymore and looked up. When he looked up, everything he was thinking just vanished. He felt nothing. He felt as if he'd seen a pari. A pari so beautiful, a pari he'd never seen before. He was caught in her beauty and could think of anything. The pari started to walk towards her seat, towards Rahul. Rahul was still looking at her, mesmerized.
Muskaan sat down in her seat. She got all her papers together and started to do her work. Rahul kept staring. (In Rahul's mind) Wow, Muskaan's looking hot. Better then any girl I've dated. Work your charm Rahul. Wait, no. You have to apologize. Just say sorry and get it over with and don't use your puppy dog face and flower trick.
Rahul sat up straight and began to say," Muskaan." He waited for her to look up as he twirled his pencil in his hand. Muskaan didn't hear. Rahul cleared his throat. "Muskaan." He said again. Muskaan looked up and looked at Rahul. "Yes." Rahul froze. Her voice sounded like an angel. So sweet, so pure and her beauty mesmerized Rahul
R- (stopped twirling his pencil and held it up, ) Flower.
M- (Confused)(in her head) Isse kya hua? That's not a flower. It's a pencil .. (To Rahul) (Snaps her fingers in front of his eyes. And he was out of his trance) Um..Rahul..This isn't a flower.(takes the pencil) It's a pencil.
R- (Feeling completely stupid) Uh..Yeah sorry.(takes back the pencil) Uh. Muskaan?
M- Yeah?
R- (Again Rahul forgot what to say.. And without even thinking he made a puppy dog face)
M- Rahul. What is this? Why are you making this face?(confused)
R- Uh...Uh..Um...Muskaan..Um..I..(Stuttering)
M- Huh? Rahul. You know what? Forget it. Its better that I don't know. (She gets up to leave)
R-(Rahul grabs her hand and Muskaan falls back on her seat.) Muskaan. This whole time I 've been trying to say I'm sorry.(takes a deep breathe and say softly) I'm sorry for whatever happened yesterday. I should have been looking before I bumped into you. I'm sorry I accused you and then starting yelling. If I didn't I know Angie wouldn't have gotten in to it. And if Angie didn't get into it then you wouldn't have to hear all those cruel things she said to you. She was wrong though. Whatever she said. All wrong. I am sorry I stood there laughing. Now, I know that that was just plain stupid. Please, Muskaan, forgive me. I am sorry. Really sorry. (Rahul looked down not knowing what Muskaan would say? Would she yell at me? Obviously. Rahul just let her yell.)
M- (Shocked that Rahul could say sorry like that) (he even seemed really sorry. It wasn't one of those petty stories. He meant it. But, what if he faking it, Muskaan? And plus, he humiliated yo in front of everybody. What about that? But, why would he say sorry. What would he get by saying sorry to me? Maybe he really meant it. Let me test him to really see if he's sorry.) So your sorry?
R- Muskaan, I really am. Please forgive me..(looking down)
M-(in her mind) Wow, Muskaan. He's looking down. It really looks like he's sorry. Maybe you should forgive him. But let's tease him a little)(to Rahul) So you think that just saying sorry like that is enough?
R-Muskaan, I am very very sorry. I've been coming up with an apology since yesterday. I really am sorry. Please forgive me.(putting his head back down again)
M- Well, your forgiven. (Smiles)
R- (Looked up) astonished really?
M- (Shaking her head up and down) Yes. (Went back to her work)
R- (In his mind) wow. She forgave me? She didn't even yell at me? Whoa, Rahul. Cool.(to Muskaan) Muskaan?
M-(looking up again) Yes, Rahul?
R- Friends?
M- (Pulled one eyebrow up) Um Rahul. Friends already?
R-Yeah I mean you seem nice. Smart. Oh yes, definitely Smart and very very beautiful. Very very beautiful.
M-Oh, so you wanna be my friend because I'm very beautiful? huh? Now, I'm beautiful to you?(Looking at Rahul in a stern way)
R- No, no. I mean yes. I mean well we outta be friends since I mean we will have to sit next to each other.
M- Uh, Rahul. I don't make friends with people easily. Sorry.
R- (Mumbling) Its okay. Tomorrow's another day. You will definitely be my friend.(smiles)
M- Did you say something?
R- No. Nothing.(shaking his head)
They both went back to their work.
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Armaan and Riddhima!
Armaan was confused. Riddhima, when will you see that I didn't mean to hurt you? Riddhima didn't look up once at Armaan as usually. She concentrated on her work. But, she seemed more irate today. Usually she would do her work so sweetly. Like nothing bothered her. But today, she seemed annoyed. At me. (Armaan saying this all in his mind)
A- Ughhh...(put his head in his hands)..He didn't know what to do. Riddhima being angry was killing him. He looked around trying to think of a plan when he saw a student passing a note to his girlfriend. The girlfriend seemed angry at him. You could tell just by the way she looked angrily at him and opened up the letter. But as she kept reading, her anger vanished and was becoming a smile. Once she read the entire thing, she looked towards him and blew him a kiss. Wow, what an idea.(he thought) Wow, what an idea!!)He thought harder. I will give Riddhima and apology letter. That way all she has to do is read it. Then, she will blow me a kiss.. (Smiling) Wait, Armaan, hold your horses. You'd be lucky if she smiled at you. Hopefully she forgives me. Well, let me give it a go. Armaan took out a white-lined sheet of paper and took out all the ridges. He needed this apology to be perfect.
Dear Riddhima,
I know you're mad
(Nah Armaan thought, I need a better way to start off. He crossed it off)
Riddhima,
Please forgive me I'm sorry that i hurt you. I didn't mean to. It's just..
A-(No, No, NO, This isn't good enough. Gosh, I'm so corny. Okay wait i got something.)
Dear Riddhima,
I know your mad at me. And you have have every right to be. I know we hurt your friend. That was wrong, I know. But, I seriously didn't mean to. I had no intention of hurting Muskaan. But, unfortunately we did. I am really, truly sorry. I should have stopped Angie. But, I didn't and that's my fault. I know, I also hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you. I would never intentionally hurt you. I will never hurt you again. Please, forgive me.
Sorry. Sorry for everything.
-Armaan
Armaan put down his pen and folded up the sheet up paper. He held it in his hand, waiting for the right moment to give it to Riddhima. He couldn't give it to her because all she was doing was looking at her papers and finishing up work. If she saw Armaan put it then, she wouldn't even read it. Riddhima soon got up to give her assignments to her teacher. Class was almost over and Armaan was running out of time.
A-(in his mind) Okay dude, this is the time. Put the letter right on top so she can read it as soon as she comes back. Armaan quickly placed his note on top of her desk and turned away, trying to concentrate on his work . Riddhima sauntered back to her seat and was organizing her papers. Armaan was looking through the corner of his eyes to see if she had read the note or not.
A(in his mind) Come on Riddhima. Read the letter.
Jake- Hey Armaan!(Patting Armaan on the shoulder to get his attention.) You coming to practice today, right?
A- Um...(looking at Jake) Yeah dude. I'll be there.
J- Cool. Cuz i really wanna work on my lay ups and you're pretty good at lay ups, so i was thinking you could help me. Armaan?
A- Uh..What? Sorry i didn't catch that?
J- Can you help me with my lay ups at practice today?
A- Oh sure, man.
J- Thanks man.
A- No problem.
As soon as Jake walked away, Armaan looked at Riddhima. The note wasn't there anymore. Where'd it go? Did she read it? Oh, no. She still mad isn't she. That's why she hasn't said anything. Damn. All these questions kept roaming through Armaan's head.
The bell rang, while Armaan was dozed off in his thoughts. Riddhima quickly met up with Muskaan and left the classroom. Armaan saw her leave and felt disappointment. Gloomily, he picked up all his work and put them in his folder. He went through everything to see if he had all that he needed. Then, he notice a sheet of paper that was folded.
A-Must be some homework. Lemme check.
Armaan opened up the sheet and started reading.
Armaan,
I know your sorry. I know you had no intention of hurting me. I shouldn't have yelled at you like i did in lunch. It was rude and I am very sorry. Thanks for the letter.
P.S.-I I forgive you.
-Riddhima.
Armaan smiled so hard. He was ecstatic. Riddhima read his letter and forgave him. She wrote back and forgave him! Armaan kept smiling and got his things together. Meanwhile, Rahul walked over to Armaan.
R- Dude, you seem happy? What happened?(pulling an eyebrow up)
A- Nothing man. It's just one of the those days. (still smiling)
R- Yeah, i guess it's just one of those days.(now smiling too)
Both Rahul and Armaan walked out of the classroom, smiling.
Hey guys, well that's part 4.Took me forever to write so i hope you like. I tried to put some romance, but not much because they are just getting to know each other so be patient with me. I will do my best to put more scene in my next updates. Please leave your comments, suggestions, critism. And for my silent readers, I'd really appreciate your comments. So let me know what you think. Thanks you all!!!
Siddhi😊
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