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here is another awaited part, plz do comment or press the like button.
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PART 7
They kept looking for Riddhima everywhere, Nikki had made up a short list of where she expected Riddhima to be, and they made groups and started their search. They looked for her at her home, their own homes, whole school, the club, the park where she jogged, the cemetry where her mom was buried, the market, library, beaches, temples, discs, hotels, restaurants, churches and every place they cud think of. They finished searching almost the whole city quickly, since the whole school had been searching, even some of them from the other schools. They all met up again to think of places they'd left. Just then Nikki received a call, it was from home, she answered immediately. After talking, her face showed some relief.
"Fatto had called", she said. Fatima Bi, in short Fatto, had been taking care of Nikita and Riddhima since they were born. Though she was their nanny as well as their housekeeper, she was also their parent when ever Shashank was out. They both loved her a lot and respected her like their parent.
"Fatto told me that Ridzi had called, n she asked all of us not to worry about her. She doesnt want to be come out yet, she's safe n shall come home later" Nikki continued.
"But we shud continue looking for her, we'll find her", Samrat said.
"Its no use Sam, we've tried our best, n u've seen, we cant find her unless she wants to be found out. So it'll be better, if u all go back to ur homes. I'll inform u guys as soon as she comes in", she added.
Almost everyone left, except those ones of their gang, Mayank n Nupur, Samrat n Gunjan, Benji n Dia, Uday n CJ, Prithvi n Damini, Sameer n Avni, Varun n Roshni, Aditya n Suhani, and Rahul. They all called their respective homes to inform that they'll be spending the night at Nikki's home n went with her. She protested but they were determined n shut her up (looks like the contagious genes are spreading soon enough).
After reaching home, Fatima bi ordered the servants to make coffee n tea for everyone, Nikki told her in brief abt what had happened. Nikki advised each one to take a separate room and go to rest, but they declined. They all preferred waiting in the hall itself.
It was 6 am in the morning, Fatima Bi had been awake whole night. She came to take a round in the hall n was amazed to see the 18 people sleeping in various places. Some were on the dining table, some on the sofa, some on the other tables here and there, on stairs and on carpet. Though she was worried, still she cudnt resist bringing her camera n clicking pictures of evryone. She had been careful enough to switch off the flash as well as the sound. She was sure Riddhima wud love these pics. Just then, she heard a phone call which woke up everyone, it was the watchman who informed that Riddhima didi has just returned.
Riddhima walked in the hall, only to see all her friends come upto her and take her into a huge hug. She was surprised, she had thought they all might have gone, but she forgot that her friends did just the unexpected. She recalled last night, she hadnt expected any of them to stand by her, n unexpectedly, all of them had stood by her, giving her a shield. When she finally cudnt take anymore, she'd run away n reached the club. She had gone to the court where Armaan played, which was luckily open, instead of her own court. Her friends had come looking
for her n searched just her court. Thats when she decided to call Fatto n informed her of her arrival. She knew she had many decisions to make before she walked out of the court. She took her racket n practised with the wall, hitting every next ball with more anger. She cursed tennis, coz earlier she had been only attracted to Armaan, but after the tennis match, she had fallen in love. She knew it was love, coz infatuation never hurt. After playing continuously for the whole night, she'd come here with her decision.
"Guys, just forget the last night as a horrible nightmare. I've decided to move forward in life n so shud u all. I've decided what i want in my life, i'm gonna join the sports academy in the States, n Nikki too shall do her fashion designing course there"
Nikki nodded to say she agreed with her. They all had already talked abt what they wanted to do previously, n only Nikki n Ridzi had not decided. Now even they had made up their minds. But Fatima Bi had another tension,
"Ree beta, if Nikki goes for designing and u go for sports, then who shall take care of the business?'
"Dont worry Fatto, Nikki and i've talked over that too. I'll take my sports training and then i'll go gor business management course. After tht i'll concentrate on my sports career and take over the business when ever dad asks me to. He can also advise me abt business side by side when i'm playing so that i'm not totally inexperienced when i take over"
With this, it was a start of my new life. I knew i could not forget Armaan, neither cud i love anyone else. At the sports academy, i met Abhimanyu Modi, a cricket player, now Abhi for me. We both saw a passion for our games in each others eyes, n our morning jogs brought us more closer. We immediately striked off n became bestest buddies. I told him all abt Armaan n my past, he seemed to understand everything. After the loss of Rahul, i'd found a true friend in Abhi. Our separation was not Rahul's fault, but i was the one at fault. I did not want to face Rahul, coz i felt guilty, for embarassing him, as well as separating him from his cousin. I started avoidng Rahul, n maybe he had realised it too, coz he never called back again. During this time, as i came close to Abhi as friends, Nikki started to like Abhi. Since we lived in different hostels, Nikki only came at weekends to visit me. After some time, Abhi also admitted of liking Nikki. They started going around as a couple, n i knew that Abhi was the only right person for Nikki.
After we finished our training, i joined the business school there itself, whereas Abhi was sponsored by his dad, Mr Amit Modi, to play for the Indian teams in the States. Nikki came to India and started her own fashion designing. They both became very successful in their own fields. I ocassionaly played some championships while i was at business school. I was also sponsored by Mr Modi, coz according to Abhi, i played better if i knew i had to win the match for someone else. The fact tht i was responsible with the hopes of people i loved, made it essential and sure for me to win. I was sure Nikki had given him this mantra, remember the cheerleading in the bb match.
At the B-school, Rahul had come one day barging at me. He had been frustrated at the fact that we both were punishing ourselves for something which had no mistakes from our side. I agreed with him and he started visiting me regularly. During this time, he met Muskaan, Muskaan Rai, my friend in the same classes as me. They also started hanging out as a couple, n i was happy again. I spent all my free time with Abhi, sometimes with Rahul and Muskaan. Nikki had reduced her visits once she had set up her career, but she talked regularly with Abhi and me. She didnt neglect either one of us. On one of his visits, Rahul mentioned Armaan, coz he cud still see in my eyes that i loved him. He told me that they both behaved as before in front of their parents and their grand father, but otherwise, he hadnt spent a second with Armaan. I suggested he patch up with Armaan, but Rahul refused straight away. He further told me Armaan had taken training for tennis from France, and was now the top player in India. What Rahul was unaware of was, that i was aware of Armaan's every move, i surfed the net abt him, kept every article on him in newspapers with utmost care, even when 90% of them were abt him and his new girl friend in a new party everyday. Nikki and Abhi were aware, n had tried stopping me, but i was 'ME', i guess the hard determination contagious genes from dad yet again. I knew i loved Armaan, but it didnt mean tht i'd forgiven Armaan for what he did to me. I'd decided i'd never forgive Armaan, never. I cud love him, even without forgiving him. Actually, i was confused with my feelings. So, to satisfy myself, i'd finally decided, tht Armaan deserved someone better than me, someone girly and more of his types, and i deserved someone better than him, someone who respected people for as they are. But in one corner of my heart, i still wanted to beat him after finshing the B-school. I hadnt gone back to India once i'd come here, but now, my patience wud pay off.
After coming back to India, i put all my focus on my tennis games. Shubhankar sir had agreed to coach me, and he was the only one i trusted with my skills. I began playing matches under him, and my determination paid off. I became 2nd best tennis player and i just had to beat Armaan to gain the number 1 position. I was lagging behind as i had started late due to my management classes. I won each and every match i played, giving the media a hot news. But i avoided them as much as i could, so none of them had been able to get an interview from me. Result being, now they considered me their big rival and often printed news on me being a pampered tennis star, who is full of arrogance and attitude because of her success. I never cared, but Nikki did. She had appointed herself as my official manager, who organised all my matches and practices with help from Shubhu sir. The day an offending news abt me was printed, the next day in the same column there wud be an apology note from the editor for the news of previous day. Nikki had really scared off the media as the bodyguard sister, and i loved her for this. I still cant figure out how does she manage her time for mine as well as her career. But its Nikki after all.
I had avoided playing any match against Armaan, coz i feared him. Not that i feared him professionally, coz I was sure i cud beat him in the match, but my fear was personal. I was scared of the feelings he cud stir in me, those feelings which i had tried to store in a small corner of my heart, and had been little successful. I guess i just wanted to avoid him for as long as possible, i cud always defeat him later on.
As for today, i had heard tht Armaan was going to his friend's party and wont attend this party, so i had agreed to come. But fate was not with me, he not only came to this party, but we had that close encounter. I cant believe that just looking at him can shake me up to down, his presence still has this deep effect on me, like it used to be, only, its worse now, more stronger than before. Right now, they've announced all the couples to dance, and the single boys have been asked to choose a girl partner and dance, coz couple dancing is the tradition of the party since many years. Nikki is standing besides me, and i was looking for Abhi to come and ask me. Abhi????? Yes Abhi, u dont expect Armaan to come and ask me now, do u????? Oh! You mean shudnt Abhi ask Nikki, well actually it should be like this only, but it wont be, coz we have this little plan. Abhi n Nikki know of my Armaan phobia, so their Anti Armaan plan is called Abhi. With Abhi around me, Armaan wont come near me, and i agreed, coz i did want to avoid Armaan, which ever way i had to do it.
Suddenly the lights go off, and i am pulled by a strong pair of arms to the dance floor. I had closed my eyes when i was pulled suddenly. No! This cud not be happening, i cud recognise his touch anywhere, plz God, Armaan did not pull me for dancing, plz. I smell in his perfume, it was a very rare one. I open my eyes only to look again in the grey-blue eyes, this time again looking at me with deep intensity in them. I tried hard not to lose myself in them, but my heart did not agree. The world had stopped right there, and i did not blink my eyes lest i missed any of his expressions.
"Does she really think so, then she's gone nuts for sure. Riddhima, do u really think i'd even look at u when all these beauties are by my side, i'd rather advise u to go n look for a girl who might be interested in you. And do remove this hat of urs, we all wanna see ur reality"
These words replayed in my mind, and i immediately came out of the eyelock. To avoid seeing his face, i started seeing people on the dance floor across his shoulder. He suddenly brought his face closer to mine and whispered in my ear,
"Dont worry if u dont know how to dance. I'll manage, just follow me"
I felt weak again, his voice and his hot breath on my face did magic, but as the meaning of his words sunk in, i felt insulted. He had recognised me, as the same old tomboy in school who had a crush on him. What did he think, that i didnt know how to dance, coz i am a tomboy. Well Armaan Mallik, u just made me hate u more. What u dont realsie is that this tomboy danced with her sister at the ball, coz of which she was chosen as the princess. Dad loves to dance with his daughters, and hence taught us all the different styles he knew. Trust me, i've never met a more fine and polished dancer than him. Today, u'll be in for a surprise Mallik, and maybe me too.
I started twirling with him as the music started. Instead of allowing him to take the lead, i myself took the lead and he was forced to match his moves to mine. Shock was written all over his face, but he soon composed himself and started following me. Now it was my turn to be shocked. He seemed to dance with so much ease, so well and refined and polished. Perhaps a little bit more than dad, but just little bit, ok? I knew it that he was following me, but no one else cud tell that. According to the other people, this was a well synchronised dance, participation from both the sides. People had stopped dancing just to watch our dancing and chemistry. I knew this had to stop, but how, was my question. God just answered my prayers again, and a fast song took place of the slow song. People started dancing, and i was again pulled away.
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Hey guys
here is the next part. Plz do comment or press like button, i'll wait.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
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