~ArBi FF Jab Lurve Hua~Part 271 pg141 - Page 103

Vinita:Hello..(spoke in a low tone)Haan,jaldi bolo ki aage kya karna hai..(paused for a while,leaving Bharti confused)Woh sab toh kar diya hain maine par ab toh yeh socho...Niyati ka kya karna hai??Uski waje se toh tum salaakhon ke peeche ho..

Bharti:(murmured to herself)Niyati??Yeh Vinita kisse baat kar rahi hai??

Vinita:Seriously,main tang aa gayi hoon woh saare blank calls karte huwe..Humein kuch aage karna hoga..Aur waise bhi,main kuch kar rahi hoon taaki tum wapas Men's Universe mein aa sako..Bas ek baar woh Bharti apna internship khatam karle...

Bharti:(widened her eyes in shock)What the hell!!Yeh zaroor Gyaan se baat...That's it!!Gyaan ne toh Niyati ko kidnap kiya tha na..(continued eavesdropping)

Vinita:Par woh toh waise hi internship khatam karke..I think do hafte mein chali jaayegi...Toh usse jaane do na;main toh waise hi Amar se baat kar rahi hoon na..Main kuch aisa chakkar chalaaongi ki..(paused)What???Nahin Gyaan,no wayzz!!!

Bharti:Arre jaldi bol ki kya karne waali ho...(grew impatient)

Vinita:Main maan thi hoon ki Raj aur Bharti ki waje se tum salaakhon ke peeche ho..Par woh toh waise bhi jaa rahi hain na??Ek minute..Filhaal,hum Niyati ke baarein mein kuch soche??Iss Niyati ka chapter jaldi khatam karo!!Maine Raichura se baat kar li hain aur woh tumhaare case reopen karne ke aur bahaar le aane ki pora zimma le lenge..Khush??Main rakthi hoon..Bye!!(hung up and Vinita left from there,slamming the door)

Bharti got out of the cubicle and opened the door.Seeing that Vinita had gone from there,she locked the door of the washroom from inside and wondered what she ought to do.She kept pacing up and down and decided to call up Raj.

Bharti:Raj,pick up the phone yaar...Kya kar raha hai yaar??Phone uthaaoo!!Bharti,chill...Shayad party ke mood mein apna mobile..(heard an engaged tone)Crap!!Ab tum kisse baat kar rahe ho??Arrgghh!!!

Just then,Mayank called her up and she picked it up,thinking it to be Raj.

Bharti:Rajjj..Kabse tumhe phone lagaa rahi hoon aur tum ho ke...Kahin tum woh toh nahin kar rahe ho na Niha..

Mayank:Bharti...It's me Mayank...Tum kya pooch rahe the Raj se??

Bharti:Mayank????(bit her tongue and thought to herself)"Thank God maine Niharika ka naam nahin liya warna main toh gayi.."

Mayank:Bharti...??

Bharti:Huh??Haan...Ohh tum the Mayank..Maine toh socha tha ki main Raj se baat kar rahi thi...Kya baat hai Mayu??

Mayank:Wohi toh main tumse pooch raha hoon...

Bharti:Actually uski ek file ke baarein mein poochna tha...Anyways how's Mahi's party??

Mayank:Tum nahin aa rahe ho kya??

Bharti:Mayu,i don't think i can make it yaar...Naina intezaar kar rahi hogi...Mayu,main tumse baad mein baat karti hoon ok??Bye,bye!!(hung up)Phew!!!

Mayank:Isse kya ho gaya hai??(hung up)

Bharti:Ab kisse phone karoo..Mayank ko toh main kuch nahin bataa sakthi...Armaan ko phone kar deti hoon,issi bahaana woh mujhse baat zaroor karega aur madat bhi zaroor karega,kyun nahin??(smiled widely)Bata nahin ki woh Mahi ki party mein hain ya bhi nahin...

Meanwhile,Armaan was getting ready to go to Mahi's party,after Shreya had called him up several times.Just then,he saw Bharti's name on his mobile.She was calling him up at this hour and he wondered what it was all about.He looked at her name but decided not to pick up her call.Sudha,who was preparing dinner,heard his mobile ringing and just waited till Armaan picked up the call.The call got disconnected and Sudha thought Armaan had already attended to his call but just then his mobile started ringing,making her slightly irritated.

Sudha:Armuuu!!!Phone uthaaoo,kitni baar ring karta jaa raha hain...Armuu!!

Armaan:Haan Maa,uthaathaa hoon...(took a deep breath and answered)Yeah?

Bharti:Oh thank god Armaan...Where the hell were you??

Armaan:Kya chahiye tumhe Bharti?

Bharti:Tum mujhse aise kyun baat kar rahe ho??Tum busy ho kya?Did i liek interrupt you at the wrong time or something??

Armaan:Bharti,will you just answer quickly??

Bharti:Armaan,actually mujhe tumhaari madat ki sakh zaroorat hain yaar..In fact,maine Raj ko phone kiya tha par woh toh phone hi nahin uthaa raha hain;lagta hain Mahi ki party mein hain..Tum waha nahin ho kya??(heard no response)Hello Armaan,are you there??

Armaan:Bharti,jaldi karo..

Bharti:Madat..Yeah,tumhe bata hain actually main washroom mein thi aur achanak..Okay,look..Mujhe samajh mein nahin aa rahi hain ki main tumhe kaise samjhaao...In fact,yeh baat..Bohat hi serious aur risky bhi hain..Tum...

Armaan:You know something Bharti??Tumhe madat ki zaroorat hai toh main kya karoo??Aaj kal toh tumhaare paas tumhaari dost hai na,Mayank Sharma..Ussi se madat maang lena,ok??

Bharti:Inn sab mein Mayank kaha se aa gaya,Armaan??

Armaan:Oh really??Mayank humaare beech mein bilkul bhi nahin hai??I mean,are you really sure??

Bharti:Armaan,what's wrong with you??

Armaan:Nothing's wrong Bharti...In fact,thank God ki tumne phone kiya tha..

Bharti:Kyun?

Armaan:Well,aaj ke baad tum mujhse kuch bhi ummeed matt karna..Nahin mujhe tumhe madat karne ki shok hai aur nahin mujhe tumhaari dosti ki bhi zaroorat hai...Alright??

Bharti:Armaan..

Armaan:Aur haan,yeh matt sochna ki main mazak kar raha hoon..In fact,main bohat serious hoon aur aainda se mujhe phone bhi matt karna..Main aage badh chuka hoon aur mujhe tumhaari dosti nahin chahiye har haal mein..(Bharti widened her eyes in shock,not being able to fathom a single word which Armaan was saying)

Bharti:Hello Armaan..Arm..(the phone line went dead and Bharti was hell shocked)He just hung up on me without even hearing me out..What the hell's wrong with me??(thought to herself)Uski aage badhne se aur humaari khaas dosti se kya matlab hai??

Just then,the washroom lights started to flicker and Bharti wondered what was going on.

Sudha:Armu,tum Bharti se baat kar rahe the??

Armaan:(looked away from her and combed his hair)Haan..

Sudha:Par iss tone mein kyun??Phir se koi problem toh nahin hain na??

Armaan:(turned to face her)Maa,main bohat late ho gaya hoon..Main Mahi ke party ke liye nikal raha hoon aur shayad thoda late ho jaaonga..Shreya ke saath waha se niklunga aur mujhe khaana nahin chahiye..Bye!!

Sudha:Par yeh baat toh bataake jaao..

Armaan:No time,Maa..Bye!!(closed the door,confusing Sudha)

~Club 99~

Raj watched Niharika sitting all by herself while the rest were mingling and dancing,enjoying themselves on the dance floor besides the other clubbers who were present in Club 99.

Raj:Hey,could i buy you a drink?

Niharika:Buy??Dude,it's on the house,remember??Well,you've asked so i'm going to say that i'll help myself..No offence!!

Raj:None taken!!Actually,i've been wanting to talk to you..Mahi and i had everything sorted out..

Niharika:I can definitely see that..

Raj:Good..I was just wondering about a rumour i have heard about you..

Niharika:Rumour??And about me??That's news!!Come on,share it..(sipped her drink)

Raj:Well,that you are in love!!(Niharika almost spat out in the direction of Raj)Do you by any chance...

Niharika:What?

Raj:Know any guy named Gaurav??

Niharika:Yeahh i do,he's Mayank's business partner..You heard about me and Gaurav??

Raj:Yeahh,at the Friendship's Day party..

Niharika:You weren't even there for the party..You know what??I gotta go..

Raj:Heyy,listen..(Raj held her wrist and instantly let go,not wanting to create a problem for her since Mayank was around)I just wanted to know...

Niharika:For your kind info,i'm not..Anyways,what's with you if i were dating anyone??(raised her eyebrows)Just mind your own biz!!(went towards Mayank)

Raj:Shux!!I shouldn't have asked at all..I'll ask Jiya about this but where the heavens is she??

Bharti:Ok,what the hell's really going on??Okay Bharti,isse pehle ki kuch ho jaaye,apna bag uthaa aur nikal yahaa se...Ghar jaa kar sochenge!!Yepzz that's a better idea..(grabbed her tote bag and proceeded to go but stopped upon hearing a voice)

Meanwhile,Sudha decided to call up Bharti and looking at the clock,she thought of calling her at home.Payal and Naina were playing with each other when she heard the telephone ringing and Payal asked her to wait for a while.

Payal:Hello..

Sudha:Hii..Payal??Tum wahaa pe kya kar rahe ho??

Payal:Sudha aunty,hiii..Kaise ho aap??

Sudha:Theek thaak hoon..Tum kaise ho??

Payal:Main bhi kaafi theek hoon..Main bas yaha Naina ke saath khel rahi thi;woh kya hain na Bharti ne mujhe aur Bhaskar ko phone kiya tha Naina ke saath rehne ke liye kyunki usse aaj office mein kuch zyaada hi kaam hai aur Naina bhi toh akeli hain na...

Sudha:Par waqt toh dekho,bohat dher ho gayi hain na..Abhi tak nahin aayi??

Payal:Aunty,aap befikr rahiye..Woh bas aati hogi..Aapko Bharti se kuch kaam tha??

Sudha:Nahin,kuch khaas nahin..Bas uski yaad aa rahi thi!!Tumne Mahi ki birthday party ke liye nahin gayi??

Payal:No Aunty..I volunteered to stay with Naina par Bhaskar abhi abhi nikla hain party ke liye..

Sudha:Payal,i don't know if i'm over-reacting as of now par i don't really think all's well between Armaan and Bharti...Bharti ne usse phone kiya tha kuch dher pehle par Armaan ne toh..Mujhe lagta hai koi baat hai par Armaan ne toh mujhe kuch bhi nahin bataaya hai...

Payal:Really Aunty??Main usse phone karke dekh thi hoon...

Sudha:Payal,relax..Don't ask her anything directly,k??Par agar tumhe kuch bata chalti hai,toh mujhe zaroor inform karne ok??

Payal:Ok Aunty...Aap apna khayal rakhna aur Bhaskar aur main jaldi aapse milne chalengi,ok??

Sudha:Hhmm theekh hain,mujhe kuch kaam hai..Tumse baad mein baat karti hoon..

Payal:Bye!!(hung up)

Sudha:Tch,isse bhi kuch nahin bata hai??(hung up)

Raj:Finally,tum yahaa khade ho aur main tumhe kabse dhoondh raha hoon..

Jiya:Kyun??

Raj:Bas ainvayi..(Jiya turned to look at him skeptically)Kya??

Jiya:Jaldi bataao ki kya kaam hai..Main tumhe achi tarha se jaanti hoon aur..

Raj:Acha theekh hain..Tum uss Friendship day's party par gayi thi na??Exactly kya hua tha Niharika aur Gaurav ke beech mein??

Jiya:Wohh...Tum yeh sab achanak kyun pooch rahe ho??

Raj:Jiya,tumhe kuch pata tha?

Jiya:Ok,listen i'm not sure par..

Raj:What is it Jiya?

Jiya:Gaurav did tell me that he's in love and that he'll introduce her to me soon,at the right time..In fact,uss party ke baad usne toh mujhe phone hi nahin kiya tha..Haan,uss din mujhe yeh zaroor bata chal gayi thi ki Niharika aur Gaurav achi dost hain aur Gaurav Mayank ke kahin business partneron mein se ek hain..I kinda hesitated to tell ya par tum Mahi ko lekar parishaan the aur yeh baat mere mann se bhi nikal gayi thi..

Raj:Jiya,tumhe bura nahin laga ki Gaurav Niharika se..

Jiya:Dude,abhi tak yeh baat saaf nahin hua hain ki Gaurav aur Niharika ek doosre se..And for God's sake,Niharika se kuch bhi matt poochna,samjhe??Waise,tumne Armaan ko kahin dekha hain kya??

Raj:(murmured to himself)"I can really screw things up for myself.."(got nudged by Jiya)Armaan..Shreya ke saath aa raha hoga shayad..

Jiya:Uff!!Yeh Armaan kpo kya ho jaata hai kabhi kabhi..

Raj:Shaitan ka naam lo,shaitan haazir ho gaya hai..Woh dekho entrance ke ore..Maine kaha tha na..??(raised his eyebrows)

Jiya:Tabhi toh Raj...Nahin,jab tak tum usse taane nahin maaroge,tab tak tumhe chain nahin milega na..

Raj:(grinned sheepishly)Hhmm..ab kya karoo Jiya,aadat se majboor jo hun..

Jiya:(shook her head)I'll talk to you later..

Shreya and Armaan had walked forward towards Mahi to wish her a memorable year ahead.Mahi felt awkward about Shreya hugging her but tried not to reveal it outrightly.Instead,she thanked both of them for coming and soon,she excused herself to get a glass of water.She was startled when Raj just tapped on both of her shoulders with his palms.

Mahi:Raj!!You just scared the hell outta me..Wait,why aren't you on the dance floor yet??

Raj:It's nothing..I just don't wanna steal the limelight from you tonight,after all,it's your birthday..(Mahi rolled her eyes)

Mahi:What is the matter Raj?

Raj:Ok..it's Niharika..I kinda confronted her about..I asked her about Gaurav!!

Mahi:KYA??Pagal ho gaye ho kya?

Raj:Ok,stop giving me the creeps!!Didn't you tell me of how you felt about her and Gaurav at the friendship's day party??So,why are you so disturbed by me asking Niharika about Gaurav??

Mahi:Ok,this is it!!This is it..There's nothing!!

Raj:What...What??I'm confused!!(Mahi waved to Sonali and gestured her to come over to her)Mahi,what's going on??

Mahi:Raj,nothing is true..Whatever i've mentioned about Niharika and Gaurav is just baseless,a lie..There you go!!

Sonali:Hey guyzz,what's up??Hello??(saw the still glance on Mahi's and Raj's faces)Koi maragaya hai kya??

Mahi:Haan..(whispered to Sonali)Tum!!!

Sonali:Ok,shut up!!

Raj:Tumhe lagta hai ki main mazak kar raha hoon??

Sonali:OMG!!!(bursted out laughing)I'm sorry dude par tumne usse directly pooch bhi liya...This is just fantastic news!!(continued laughing till she saw Raj glaring at her)Sorry dude!!If i can do anything to..

Raj:Rehne do,waise bhi tumne toh already pehle se hi bohat kuch kar diya hain..

Sonali:What?Mahii...

Raj:Sonali,you planned a prank on me abut Niharika and Gaurav??(Sonali's eyes widened in shock and looked in the direction of Mahi who was slowly turning back to lok at her;Sonu calmed herself down)

Sonali:Raj,i can seriously explain..

Payal fed Naina dinner and pondered over what Sudha had informed her over the phne.She knew that Sudha aunty does not usually get worked up on things but only when it was linked to Bharti and much to Payal's surprise and disappointment,Bharti had not informed her anything regarding her tiff with Armaan.After some time,she let Naina watch TV for a while as she had dinner,while of what she ought to do.

Raj:Yeahh,go on..

Sonali:Ok,we were pretty mad at you for not turning up at Friendship's day party for we were pitying you and i had coaxed Mahi into attending for just a while..Hence,i decided to pull a prank on you and i had also asked Mahi to help me out and voila...It worked!!

Raj:Why??Kyun Sonu??Maine tumhaara kyaa bighaada tha??Maine toh Mahi ke baarein mein soch kar nahin gaya tha..

Sonali:Tum na apna faltu bahaane apne paas hi rakho!!Tum toh yeh dekhna chahthe the na ki kya Niharika ke upar kuch asar hoga ke nahin..Aur yeh tumhaara bahaana ek cover up hi hoga,kyun??

Raj:Jab tum sab kuch jaante ho toh phir pooch kyun rahe ho??Mera toh band hi baj gaya aur wh bhi iss prank ke waje se..

Sonali:Kyun?Kuch hua hai kya?

Raj:Maine Niharika se pooch bhi liya Gaurav ke baarein mein..

Sonali:Ok,shut up!!

Raj:Tumhe lagta hai ki main mazak kar raha hoon??

Sonali:OMG!!!(bursted out laughing)I'm sorry dude par tumne usse directly pooch bhi liya...This is just fantastic news!!(continued laughing till she saw Raj glaring at her)Sorry dude!!If i can do anything to..

Raj:Rehne do,waise bhi tumne toh already pehle se hi bohat kuch kar diya hain..

Sonali:As you wish..Excuse me!!

Call it a weird place of communication,Shreya was getting herself and Armaan a drink when she saw Mayank standing nearby,sipping wine.She got the drinks from the bartender and headed to socialize with Mayank,who wasn't really looking forward to conversing with her when his concentration was on his sister.

Shreya:Hi sir...What are you doing here all alone?

Mayank:Nothing really..I'm fine!!

Shreya:Frankly speaking,sir..I had no idea that you would turn up for Mahi's party,form what i've heard from Ash..

Mayank:Excuse me?

Shreya:Well,that you aren't much of a socialite but i was so wrong..

Mayank:Yeah,whatever..(seemed disinterested)

Shreya:Sir,have you had your drink?

Mayank:(looked at her)I believe you haven't had your's..Two glasses??

Shreya:For me and Armaan..

Mayank:Carry on..

Shreya:Waise Sir,choti mu badi baat..You should ask Mahi for a dance!!

Mayank:Go ahead,your friend must be waiting!!

Shreya:Ohh yeah,bye sir!!(Mayank felt annoyed by the overfriendliness which Shreya was rubbing off on him)

Mayank couldn't believe that Shreya wuld ask him to do that.a suggestion which Niharika had proposed earlier but thanks to Mahi who was equally not interested;he didn't end up on the dance floor,embarassing himself.He did knw that if it were Bharti,she wuld have forced him to dance right away.Thinking about her made him wonder where she really was at this hour.

~Men's Universe~

Bharti was shocked to hear the familiar voice and as she gradually turned around,her emotions melded into a fit of annoyance for KK was standing on top of a ladder,fixing the flickering lights of the washroom.

Bharti:KK ji,what an amazing coincidence..What are yu doing in the ladies' loo??

KK:Ohh,you do remember me;how very nice of you!!Well,don't you see what i'm trying to do??Fixing the lights..

Bharti:Yeah yeah i can see that par kyun??The lights flicker due to your annoying presence so why do you even bother??(KK smiled widely)

KK:Aww,someone's in a terribly awful and sarcastic mood..I'm so sorry that i couldn't drop by earlier on but i am definitely aware of what's going on in your life..

Bharti:Don't even think about it KK cuz you know what?I really care a damn about your crazy,wild imagination of what..Erm yeah,the love angle of Armaan and me and all those freakingly stupid pep tlak of your's..(pointed her index finger and interrupted KK who was about to say something)Ohh yes,i'm in a horrible mood right now..And i'm not done yet Mr KK..(continued pattering)I don't wish to hear anything about how a new chapter is gonna be opened in my life or whatsoever so just back off...I hope that i don't even get to see your face again!!(stormed out of the washroom and left the MU building)

KK:Itna toh sunn leti ki ab Gyaan rihaa hone waala hai jail se aur Vinita ke saath,woh tumhe MU se baahar karne waala hain..Woh bhi tumhaara internship khatam hone se pehle..Kya karoo main iss ladki ka..Jo gussa Armaan ke upar hai,woh mujh par nikaal rahi hain!!Isse aaghaa karna padega..(vanished into thin air)

Bharti was walking along the roadside while waiting for an auto.While murmuring to herself,a thought just striked her.That she just managed to shut KK up without even letting him talk her up about how some new chapter is going to pop up in her life or start chanting his mantra on her love story which is going to bloom.Bharti caressed her cheek and smiled widely while she sat in an auto,ready to go home.Just then,her smile faded as she thought of her conversation with Armaan.She still didn't understand the last few words he had uttered to her in anger,"Woh mujhse aise kyun kaha ki woh aaga badh chuka hain aur ab usse meri dosti ki koi zaroorat nahin hai??Uske aage badhne se aur humaare dosti se kya connection hai???".Just then,she snapped out as she had heard the autodriver calling her to inform her that her mobile was ringing.

Payal:Bharti,hello??

Bharti:Haan Payal..hi,main bas ghar pohanch rahi hoon...

Payal:Kya hua??Itni dher tak kaam thi kya??

Bharti:Actually maine Mahi ko uske birthday party ke liye bheja tha aur socha ke saara kaam khatam kar doo..Aur iss liye..Acha,tum mujhe yeh bataao,Naina soyi ke nahin??

Payal:Haan,bas abhi abhi soyi hain..Tum..

Bharti:Paayu,main kaafi thak gayi hoon aur tum kuch khaana banaa doge mere liye??Zoro se bhookh lagi hain yaar aur..Tum abhi nahin jaaoge na??

Payal:Kya baat hai Bharti??I mean,sab theekh hain na??

Bharti:Huh??Haan haan..Payal,actually..(sighed)I waana talk,ghar par mera intezaar karna,ok??

Payal:Oh gawd Bharti,kabhi kabhi tum mein aur Bhaskar mein koi farqh nahin hota hain..Aur don't be surprised agar main yeh kahoon ki shayad tum dono na kisi janam bhai behen hua karte honge...

Bharti:Hahah Paayu,tu bhi na...But tell you what??Agar Bhaskar mere bhai hota toh uski childhood na bohat zyaada troublesome hoga..

Payal:Haha soh toh hain...Kya main tumhe nahin jaanti??

Bharti:Arre!!Chalo,mere liye khaana banaa;main bas pohanch rahi hoon..

Payal:Aapki hukm sar aakhon pe!!Bye!!(got amused and hung up)

Bharti:Bye..(hung up)

~Club 99~

Mahi was switching on her mobile and was about to call Bharti when she received a message from Bharti herself,stating that she had completed the work and that Mahi had nothing to worry about.Mahi felt bad that she had made Bharti do all the work and that Bharti won't be able to make it to the party.Just then,someone tapped on her and she was surprised to see that Armaan had come to talk to her.

Mahi:Yeahh..Erm Armaan,what is it??

Armaan:Mahi,is all well??

Mahi:Why are you asking me that Armaan when things are surely right with everyone and to add on,why are you concerned when all you've been doing is ignoring your colleagues..I mean it!!Dude,what the hell's your problem??

Armaan:Mahi,i don't understand..

Mahi:Ahh,why would you??The only person you can probably spend time with is Shreya,i guess..Ok,i admit i've got no right to say all these but all of us are equally hurt by your attitude,Armaan..Especially Jiya!!What?What the hell is wrong??Ok,i understand she's been a truly supportive friend in your earlier years but..How does that make you neglect us??Forget us??

Armaan:Mahi,you're getting it all wrong..I'm not at all neglecting you or anyone...Ok fine!!I've been a jerk but you've got to hear me out..

Mahi:Shoot right away..

Armaan:You guys didn't do anything wrong,it's just me..I am struggling to move on..I just want to..

Mahi:(held his elbow and brought him to a corner)Is this about Bharti??(Armaan's silence further confirmed her assumption to be true)Oh my,Armaan!!!You've been ignoring us just to move on;to forget everything that has happened??Yaar,aisa thodi na hogi yeh sab kuch??You know something??By ignoring all of us,you're jsut making it plainly obvious that you..

Armaan:Mahi,i just don't know what i ought to do..Jab main Shreya ke saath hoon,toh woh saari baatien bhool jaata hoon aur aisa lagta hain ki sab kuch theekh chal raha hain aur achanak jab Bharti saamne aa jaati hain toh..(Mahi held his hand in assurance)

Mahi:Main tumhe achi tarha se samajh thi hoon..Kyunki maine bhi toh aisi hi dor se..Par Armaan,at least Jiya se toh baat karo aur Raj se bhi..Iss tarha apni feelings aur jazbaaton ko apne ander chupaaoge toh kaise chalega??

Armaan:Mahi,maine apna aur Bharti ki dosti khatam kar diya hain..(Mahi's eyes widened in shock)I think this was the best thing to do right now!!

Mahi:Bata nahin Armaan par tumse ek baat kahoo..Main aaj tak usse bhula nahin paaya par Sonali aur Maa se jhooth bolte aayi hoon..Aur aaj bhi agar..

Armaan:Mahii..

Mahi:Woh mera pehla pyaar tha,Armaan...Aur shayad Bharti bhi tumhaara pehla pyaar...Laakh chaho bhoolne ke liye par bohat mushkil hota hai yeh sab karna..Par agar tum bhool paaoge,toh achi baat hai..Aaj bhi yeh aankhen usse dhoondh thi hain!!Par...Khayr!!(Armaan hugged Mahi and Mahi wiped her tears)Armaan,i'm fine!!Aur please..(withdrew from the hug)Sab se jaa kar baat karna,khas kar Jiya se..(Armaan nodded in agreement)Aur kisi se kuch matt kehna..

Armaan:(caressed her hair)I promise!!

Mahi:Ab jaao!!(smiled and went to get a glass of water for herself)

Meanwhile,Raj ordered a drink and instructed a waiter to pass the drink to Niharika who went to the dance floor.The waiter voiced out to Niharika who was dancing on her own to the loud music in the background.She was interrupted by the waiter who had instantly passed her the note written to her by Raj and upon asking,the waiter simply turned to look towards the roundabout table,where Raj was enjoying his wine.Niharika unfolded the note to read.

"I'm sorry!!I didn't mean to ask but you've gotta understand..I got pranked for not coming for your Freiendship Day's Party by Mahi and Sonu".Niharika felt amused and imagined of a real innocent guy apologizing to her with the only truth being that she had clear knowledge of Raj being no innocent.She took the pen from the tray the waiter was holding on to and enquired about Raj's drink before writing a reply below his message,gesturing the writer to take the note back to Raj,who was offered a special cocktail on Niharika's request,with her reply,"This cocktail will intoxicate you further..I'm sure you'll not forget this night so easily..;)". Raj drank the cocktail while watching her dance.

Mayank was trying to contact Bharti who had apparently switched off her mobile.Mayank was standing near the roundabout table too.Niharika saw Mayank and smiled to herself,as she waved to Mayank while secretly looking at Raj.Raj who noticed her gesture,was a bit stunned by her direct style of flirting and wondered if he should go forward.Just then,Jiya stood beside Raj and saw Niharika dancing and smiling.She looked around for Armaan who got her by surprise when he brought some wine for herself.As she turned to her right,she was appalled,not because she saw Mayank standing in close proximity to Raj but due to the fact that Raj had moved forward to go to the dance floor,and Jiya held on to Armaan's wrist,quickly turning to face the dance floor.That was when Raj stopped and both Armaan and Jiya glanced at each other.Sharing a moment of silence amidst the loud music,Jiya pressed her lips before both of them bursted out laughing.

Armaan:(offered his palm and Jiya mildly hit and held his palm)Lollz...

Jiya:OMG!!That's hilarious...He thought she was asking him to join her..

Armaan:She was actually calling Mayank instead..Ok,stop being a meanie,Jiya!!

Raj:(turned around as he saw Mayank and pretended that nothing had happened)Oh,hey guyzz..What's up??(pulled a straight face)

Armaan:Well,the latest buzz being that you having misread a girl's gesture..Isn't that bad news for ya??

Armaan:Jiya..(whispered to her)Stop it!!

Raj:I'm heading to the washroom..Excuse me!!

Jiya:Sure..

Armaan:Raj,just that the loo is in the opposite direction..

Raj:Thanks!!(Armaan and Jiya giggled while Raj rushed to save his face)

Just as he was taunting himself from within,he bumped int Mahi who had spilled some water on his shirt.

Mahi:I'm so s...(noticed Raj's face and got amused)Tujhe kya hua hain??

Raj:Tumhaari aur Sonu ke kaaraan,main kuch zyaada hi theekh hoon..

Mahi:Raj,i really didn't mean to do it..Par tum toh Sonu ko jaante ho na??Ab tumhaari shakal iss tarha kyun hai jaise kuch zyaada hi bura huwa ho??

Raj:Ab kya bataaoo tumhe??Ek mazak bankar reh gaya hoon..(told Mahi of the embarassing situation he was in,a few minutes back)

Mahi:Chalo acha hua..Kam se kam..

Raj:Oh hello!!Yeh tumhe kis angle se achi baat lag rahi hain??

Mahi:Main tumhaare baarein mein nahin,bal ke Armaan aur Jiya ke baarein mein baat kar rahi thi..Ab sab kuch theekh hoga!!

Raj:Coming to think of it,you're kinda right..Yeh achanak Armaan Jiya se baatein kar raha tha aur mazaa bhi le raha hain..Interesting!!

Mahi:Yeppzzz,and the credit goes to you!!

Raj:Me??Woh kaise??

Mahi:Obviously,tumne jo unn dono ko iss tarha se entertain jo kiya tha..(winked at him)

Raj:Very funny,Mahi..Yaar,yeh Bharti kahaa reh gayi??Tumhe toh usse saath lekar aana chaahiye tha..

Mahi:Woh toh zidd pakad kar baith rahi thi ki kaam khatam karne ki aur uski message thodi dher pehle mili thi mujhe,ki woh ghar jaa rahi hain aur nahin aa paayegi..Raj,main bhi chalti hoon,kaafi thak gayi hoon..

Raj:Arre,aise kaise??Aaj tumhaari party hain aur tum ho ke ghar jaana chahthe ho??

Mahi:Raj...

Raj:Fine,par mere saath ek dance ho jaaye aur uske baad tum ghar jaana..

Mahi:No wayzz,Raj..Please,yaar!!Mujhe baksh do..

Raj:I'm not hearing anything Mahi!!Just wait right here!!!

Mahi didn't know what to make of what Raj just said to her.She was about to go when she saw Niharika and Mayank coming forward in her direction.

Niharika:Heyy Mahi..

Mahi:Hi..Leaving??

Niharika:Not yet,definitely not before i do something..

Mahi:Erm,may i know what's exactly the matter??Err..is it about the dance??Actually,i don't dance and that's why i refused..

Niharika:Goodness,you two are just so alike and that's why i want the two of you to shake hands and be friends!!

Mahi:What?

Mayank:Come again...Just excuse us,Mahi...(whispered to Niharika)What do you just think you're doing???

Niharika:You very well know what i'm doing...So just do as i say and i'm sure you'll thank me for this!!(smiled widely at him)Come on..(walked in front)

Mayank:(thought to himself)And i'm not liking where this is heading to...

Niharika:So sorry for the interference,Mahi...So yeah go ahead...

Mahi:What??

Niharika:(turned to look at Mayank who just gave her a blank expression)Come on..(took his hand by force in front of Mahi and withdrew her hand)Mahi,both of us,as in,me and Mayank agreed that he'll start afresh with you..(Mahi just found it all so weird and awkward)

Just then,Raj diverted Mahi's attention to his announcement,voicing out to her.

Armaan:Maa,main shaadi nahin karne waala hoon..

Sudha:Kyun??

Armaan:Maa,maine keh diya na..Main shaadi har ghiz nahin karunga aur aap itni force kyun kar rahe ho?

Sudha:Arre,kyun kya?Main tumhaari Maa hoon..Maa!!

Armaan:O meri filmy Maa!!Maine faisla kar liya hain aur is baarein mein main aur zyaada behes nahin karna chahtha..

Sudha:Tum toh aise keh rahe ho jaise ki tum boodhe ho gaye ho..Jab tak tum shaadi nahin karoge,meri toh koi ummeed bhi nahin rahegi na..(Armaan just got astounded and blinked in disbelief)

Armaan:Excuse me?

Sudha:Kya?

Armaan:Aapka matlab kya hai?Aap iss umr mein doosri shaadi karna chahthe hai?

Sudha:Tum itni hairaan kyun ho rahe ho?Waise bhi,mere umr ki log bhi shaadiyaan karte hain..

Armaan:Oh just stop it,Maa!!Aap iss tarha soch bhi rahe ho?Aap Dad ke saath bewafaai kar rahe ho?

Sudha:Excuse me...Bewafaai??For your info,tumhaare Dad bhi shayad yehi soch raha hoga ki kaash main kisi aur ke saath milkar khushi se rahungi par main toh kuch kar hi nahin sakti na,jab tak tum doosri shaadi nahin karoge..

Armaan:(stood from the table)Maa,naa main doosri shaadi karunga aur naahi aapko karne doonga..(went to the kitchen to wash the plates in the basin)

Sudha:(followed him and placed more dirty tables in the basin)Yeh matt sochna ki main tumhaare baat maanne waali hoon..Get a reality check for yourself,Armaan..Ab main poori tarha se samajh chuki hoon ki tumhaare boring si life mein Bharti ke alaava aur koi nahin ho sakta aur tum aaj bhi usse bohat pyaar karte ho..

Armaan:(turned on the tap and washed his hands before turning off the tap to look at her in the eye)Main aapki beti se pyaar nahin karta aur jitni jaldi aap yeh baat samjhegi,utna hi behthar hoga!!Filhaal main mall jaa raha hoon,kuch saamaan khareed ne ke liye aur shaam ko lautunga!!Bye...(left from there)

Sudha:Arre,yeh plates kaun saaf karega??

Armaan:(shouted to her from his room)Aapko bolne se pehle soch lena chahiye tha!!

Sudha:Arre wah Sudha,kya beta paaya hai tumne!!

Before Armaan left,Sudha voiced out to him.

Sudha:Armaan,ho sake toh jaldi aana,theekh hai?

Armaan:Kyun?

Sudha:Woh actually kuch mehmaan aane waale hai ghar par,iss liye..

Armaan:Koshish karunga..Aapko mall se kuch chahiye?

Sudha:Haan,woh kuch batteries chahiye thi meri laptop ke mouse ke liye..Chote waale,i think AAA..

Armaan:Theekh hain,main chalta hoon..Bye!!(left)

Sudha:Oh teri!!Main toh main muddha poochna hi chod diya,ki uske aur Bharti ke beech mein kya hua tha..Uff!!!

Bhaskar went to wake Bharti up in her room but she had already woken up,sipping her mid-day coffee while flipping through magazines.

Bhaskar:Heyy..good morning!!

Bharti:Bhaskar,apna ghadi theekh kar..It's 1:30 pm right now!!

Bhaskar:Acha??Itni dher tak so rahi thi tum..Maine toh at least do teen baar bulaaya bhi tha..Kab uthi thi tum?

Bharti:Ek ghanta pehle..Naina aur Payal ke jaane se pehle!!Payal th keh rahi thi ki tumhe kuch shopping karna tha..

Bhaskar:Haan,woh agle hafte business trip hain London mein,so i need some stylish attire...Ek baat bata,kal raat itna saara kaam kaise paidha ho gaya tha MU mein??As far as i'm concerned, tum toh aaj tak bohat kam partiyon ko miss kiya hain,especially those of your friend's..Kya hua tha??

Bharti:Kuch nahin yaar,waqay mein bohat kaam tha aur main Mahi k madat karna chahthi thi taaki woh zyaada stressful naa rahe..Main toh do hafte aur kaam karne waali hoon na MU mein..Kal raat,iss liye thak gayi thi aur seedha ghar pohanch gayi thi..Bhaskar,give me 10 minutes and we can go,k??Waise,hum jaa kaha rahe hain?

Bhaskar:Pehle Paragon Mall chalte hain aur agar waqt hai,toh koi doosra mall bhi chalenge,k??(Bharti agreed and went to get dressed)

Raj was groping for his ringing mobile,stretching his arm around to feel his mobile before waking Nidhi up,whom Raj managed to rock her to sleep two hours ago.He was having a throbbing pain in his head when he opened his eyes to answer the call.

Raj:(yawned out loud for a long while)Hhmm..Hello??

Mahi:Raj??Heyy,Mahi here..

Raj:Subah subah hi tujhe mere yaad kaise aa gayi?

Mahi:Subah??Dude,it's 2 pm for God's sake..Aur tum abhi tak subah mein atke ho??(paused for a while)Ahh,main toh bhool gayi thi ki tumhaare bas chale toh tum saare din bas sona chahoge..

Raj:Yaar,tum bhi taane maarne lage ho Jiya ki tarha?Kuch dher pehle uski phone aa gaya tha..Kal raat ki embarassing situation ko bhoolne ki koshish kar raha tha aur uske bukhaar hone ka kya faayda,woh toh taane maar kar phone rakh diya..Aur ab tumhaari baari hai,toh shuru ho jaaoo..Hass lo!!

Mahi:Main kya itni bhi buri hoon,boyfy??Maine toh hassi bhi nahin,woh toh Armaan aur Jiya the na..Chod na woh sab baatein..

Raj:Thhekh hai..Ye bata ki tumne phone kyun kiya,kuch khaas kaam tha kya??

Mahi:Arre haan..Woh agle hafte do teen khaas runway shws organize kar rahe hain aur tumhaari aur Armaan ki madat ki sakh zaroorat hain..Toh aaj main tumhe Armaan ke ghar par mil sakti hoon??

Raj:Tu yahaa aa jaana..I'm feeling so lazy today!!

Mahi:No wayzz Raj,jaldi se uthoo!!Armaan keh raha tha ki woh thoda busy hain aur sirf shaam ko hi free hoga aur mere ghar toh ek total mess mein hain,bilkul tumhaare ghar ki tarha!!

Raj:Very funny,Mahi!!

Mahi:Toh Armaan ke ghar par milte hai shaam ko,ok?Sudha aunty ko milke bhi bohat din ho chuki hain..Aur mujhe saare detais kal Amarjeet sir ko dena bhi toh hain!!

Raj:Theekh hain,theekh hain!!Shaam ko milenge,ok?

Mahi:Thanks yaar..Chal,bye!!(both of them hung up)

Mayank was going through some of his official reports when he saw Niharika unlocking her room door and coming out.Mayank smiled widely and stood in front of her,stopping her.

Mayank:Main jaanta tha ki tum mere kaane ko naa nahin kahoge..Khaane ki khushboo jo tumhe baahar keech rahi thi,na..So ab jagda khatam;chalo milkar pehle khaana khaate hain!!

Niharika:Yeh galat fehmi mein bilkul bhi matt rehna ki humaare beech ke jagda khatam ho chuka hain..Mere kamre mein washroom nahin hain,iss liye doosri bathroom mein nahaane jaa rahi hoon!!(took his hand off her shoulder lightly and went to bathe while she thought to herself)"Agar tum ziddi ho,toh main kuch kam nahin hoon,Mayu!!"

Mayank:Ab main isse kaise samjhaaoo??(looked up in desperation)

~Paragon Mall~

Bhaskar and Bharti were checking some vests and suits from Reid & Taylor before heading to Raymond's.The advertisement of Raymond's just sprung into her mind and she just laughed,stopping Bhaskar from looking at other suits.

Bhaskar:Ab kya hua?

Bharti:Kuch nahin..You remember the ad on Raymond's?The feel of a complete man..I was jsut wondering,if this brand makes a man complete,which brand makes a woman complete?Yeahh,if not this,then why do men pursue girls?Just substitute girls with Raymond's na??

Bhaskar:As much as i would love to laugh at your lamest thoughts or statement,that is..What's wrong with you today??

Bharti:Heyy,it wasn't that lame,alright??Argghhh,who am i kidding?Just forget it yaar...

Bhaskar:How's this vest?

Bharti:Haven't you bought quite a number of vests already??

Bhaskar:This one's for you,come on just try it!!(saw Bharti trying it on)Perfect!!I'm getting this for you...

Bharti:Thanks dude but..

Bhaskar:No buts..Get me some ties from the corner;choose some rare colours for me!!

Bharti:No black ones for you;you've got way too many black ties!!Or else,i'm not getting that vest!!

Bhaskar:Fine!!

Soon,Bhaskar and Bharti checked other stres before heading to a new ladies' apparel store,having a great sale up to 50% and Bhaskar saw Bharti eyeing the store frm afar.Bharti pulled Bhaskar inside and checked out some of the maxi dresses and corsets which looked really tempting.Being a shopaholic,she jsut couldn't resist bringing whatever she could grab with her tw hands,to the dressing room while Bhaskar checked if there were any dress which he could get for Payal.

Armaan:(on his mobile)Mahi,main Paragon Mall mein hoon aur shaam tak ghar lautunga..Bring the layout of the entire event and we can discuss at home..Raj's coming as well??

Mahi:Mmhhmm..Erm Armaan,Bharti ki koi phne?

Armaan:Surprisingly No..Par ek musibat aa padhi hai Maa ke dimaag mein..Filhaal,sab theekh hain,nothing to worry about..

Mahi:Okay..Sure,there's nothing to worry??Agar main thodi dramatic ho jaaoo toh shayad yeh koi toofaan aane ki signal toh nahin hain na??

Armaan:What tooofaan yaar?Iske baarein mein shaam ko baat karenge,ok?Bye!!

Mahi:Haan haan chal,bye!!

Armaan:(hung up)Maa ko kisi bhi tarha pataana toh padega..Koi acha sa top khareed kar leta hoon Maa ke liye!!(went t Alisha's Apparel,where the great sale was bring held)

Just as he found the perfect top for Sudha with the help of the salesgirl,he bumped int Bhaskar and smiled.

Bhaskar:Dude!!

Armaan:What are you doing here??

Bhaskar:My exct question to you..Well,since you asked,i'll answer first..Some last-minute shopping for my business trip in London next week and trying to find a dress for my girlfriend..And you??

Armaan:Well,i'm trying to buy a top for someone to bribe her into diverting her attention apart from me..(Bhaskar looked confused)Before you misunderstand,it's for...(turned his right to face the dressing room where Bharti had paused while calling for Bhaskar)

Bhaskar:(noticed the change in expression on Armaan's face but turned t Bharti)Heyy Bharti,look who i bumped into??

Armaan:Bhaskar,i'll talk to you later..Bye!!

Bhaskar:Arre!!Rukh na,Armaan..(Armaan paid for the top and rushed to go)

Bharti called out to Armaan but he didn't respond.Bharti followed him madly in the corset top that she chose but didn't realize it till the security guards stopped her upon hearing the alert siren at the entrance of the store.Bhaskar hit his forehead with his pam and instantly went to her rescue.Somehow,after much pleading and knocking sense into Bharti's head about the fact that she hadn't paid for the top,the guards led them to the cashier to pay.

Bhaskar:Bharti!!!(held her wrist by force)What the hell yaar??(faced the security guard)Sorry..Hum bas abhi pay karenge;yeh phir se nahin hoga,Sir..(hit Bharti's head mildly but Bharti had the slightest worry of almost being accused of shoplifting)Bharti..Bharti!!!(nudged her)Aur koi dress hai jo tumhe pasand hai??

Bharti:Main abhi aati hoon;woh kuch aur dresses hai fitting room mein..(went towards the fitting room,feeling indignant by Armaan's ignorance when she had waved to him and changed back to her previous top)Something is so bloody wrong with him but what??(went to Bhaskar for the dresses)

BHarti asked Bhaskar to pay while she offered to carry the shopping bags.She instantly rushed to check where Armaan was but there wasn't a slightest trace of him.Bhaskar came out of Aisha's Apparel store and prised open the shopping bags from Bharti's fingers after attempts of voicing to her went unheard.Bhaskar cleared hgis throat and snapped at Bharti,who got a bit startled.

Bharti:Heyy,tum kab baahaar aa gaye the?

Bhaskar:Jabse tum iss tarha gehri soch mein doobe the..Where were you lost that you didn't even realize me taking the bags from you??(Bharti noticed her empty hand and offered to carry the other bags but Bhaskar didn't let her)

Bharti:Main theekh hoon..(she saw him staring vacantly at her)Arrgghh,who am i kidding?Main bilkul bhi theekh nahin hoon aur sab uss idiot..

Bhaskar:Hhmm,tum kabse Armaan ko daatne lagi??(saw BHarti glaring at her)Erm,continue..

Bharti:Ab jab tum samajh hi gaye ho ki main gusse mein hoon,toh tum mujhe kyun taane maar rahe ho??

Bhaskar:Uff,mazak tha yaar..Ek kaam karte hain na,wahaa Ben & Jerry's hain..Wahaa chal kar baat kare??

Bharti:Haan chalo..(narrated about her phone call to Armaan last night)

Meanwhile,Armaan smiled while riding on his bike,thinking of his victory.

Bhaskar:Whoa,ermm..(looked slyly at Bharti)

Bharti:Dil mein jo kuch bhi hain,bol do..(shook her head)

Bhaskar:Sach kahoo toh mujhe pehle se shak tha..Par ab seriously,woh ek number ka confused type ka hai aur mera yakeen karo,tumhe chinta karne ki ki zaroorat bhi nahin hai..

Bharti:Kyunn???

Bhaskar:Dekho Bharti,yeh toh iska roz ka kaam hain na..Pehle gussa karo,phir bohat kuch sunaaoo aur thodi dino ke baad aa kar sorry kaho..Just chill!!

Bharti:Chill??Tumne aaj tak kisi ko yeh kehte huwe sunaa hain ki usse aage badhne ke liye apni dosti ko pehle thodna hai??What crap yaar;koi logic bhi nahin hai aur upar se woh toh mujhe ignore kar raha hain yaar..(buried her head in the menu card while waiting for their order)Bhaskar,kuch socho na...

Bhaskar:Kya sochna hai yaar??Waise,usse achanak ho kya gaya hai??Mall mein bhi tumhe woh ignore kar raha tha..

Bharti:Wohi toh!!Agar maine koi galti bhi ki hain toh usse mujhebataa dena chahiye na;woh toh ignore kar raha hain..Usse toh aage badhna hai!!Arre,main kab rokha hai aage badhne se??In fact,by qall means aage badhona shauk se par inn sab mein dosti kahaa se aa gayi beech mein ki usse dosti thod kar aage badhna hai??(paused as she saw a few customers looking at her chattering away in front of Bhaskar)Ok,was i that loud??

Bhaskar:Aage badhne ki bhooth chad gaya hai uske mann mein..

Bharti:Sach toh pata karnaa hi hain!!Main usse aasaani se chodoongi hi nahin..Bohat ho gaya!!Arre,koi mazak hai kya dosti thodo aur phir maafi maango..

Bhaskar:Idea!!!Woh toh tumhe ignore kar raha hai aur baat bhi nahin kar raha hain..Tum uske ghar jaa kar iss maamle ko khatam kardo..Cnfront him!!

Bharti:Mom ko iss baarein mein khabar hain ya nahin,yeh mujhe nahin bata lekin Mom ke saamne toh Armaan ko apna mu khol ke mujhse baat toh karna hi padega na??

Bhaskar:Exxactly!!

Bharti:Awww Bhasku,you're such a genius yaar!!(pinched his cheeks real hard)

Bhaskar:Jaldi khaao aur main tumhe drop karunga,ok??

Bharti:Cool!!

~Armaan's place~

Armaan unlocked his home dooe and entered while voicing out t his mum about his purchases for her when he noticed her talking to a girl who seemed to be in her mid-twenties and he just shut his mouth.He just stared vacantly at this girl and fell deep in thought,wondering who she could be.Just then,it struck him.His mum had been bugging him since morning about some guests arriving and how she had woken up earlier to prepare those amazing mouth-watering paraathas but little did he realize that the gravity of the suggestion she had popped into his head just five hours ago,would morph into a prospective girl by the time he got back from the mall.The very prospect of his mum working to find a girl without his knowledge had almost infuriated him,had it not been for his ringing mobile.

Sudha:Armaan,this is Khushi,my colleague's daughter..

Armaan:Yeah hi..Excuse me!!(turned away and went to his room)Hello??

Raj:Hey dude,Mahi and i will be reaching your place in 10 mins..Tum kahaa ho??

Armaan:Oh thank god Raj..Main ghar par hi hoon par ek bada musibat aa pada hai!!

Raj:Kaisa musibat?

Armaan:Raj,mujhe kisi bhi haal mein tumhaare madat ki zaroorat hain..

Raj:Tum hesitate karna band karo aur bataao ki aakhir baat kya hai...

Armaan:Ok Raj,suno..(shut his door as quietly as possible)Maa aaj subah mujhse doosri shaadi ke baarein mein baat kar rahi thi aur..

Raj:Doosri shaadi??Arre wah!!!Tarikh pakki kar liya tumne??(snorted with laughter and Mahi hit his elbow to stop taunting Armaan)Aage bolo..

Armaan:Aur ab jab main mall se lauta tha,toh ek ladki hai yahaa pe Maa se baat kar rahi hain aur Maa mera introduction karwaa rahi thi Khushi se..

Raj:Khushi...Yeh baat sunn kar tum toh kaafi khush sunaayi de raha hain mujhe..

Armaan:Raj,please..I'm begging you!!In fact, why don't you utilize your impeccable social proowess to help me out,please???

Raj:Whoa..It's coming from Armaan Sinha,who had apparently embarassed me at Club 99??

Armaan:If you were to remember correctly,it wasn't me but Niharika instead who embarassed you??

Raj:Thanks a tonne for reminding me of the mockery last night and now,my answer is still No...Don't you know me Armaan;that's simply not enough to convince me to help you out!!

Armaan:Raj,pleasee!!!!You can always count on me to do anything for you..Trust me!!!

Raj:Nahh Armaan...

Armaan:Raj,i'll do whatever you say but pleasee help me out now...

Raj:Ermm...Let me think about it!!(hung up and smirked)

Armaan:Hello Raj??(heard the engaged tone and hit his forehead,feeling totally hopeless)Ab main kya karunga??(went to change his attire)

Just then,the doorbell rang and Sudha opened the door and welcomed Raj and Mahi inside.

Mahi:(held his palm and muttered under her breath while Raj heard her)Raj,you better help him out..

Raj:I'm not going to..Why should i??

Mahi:Ok,this is seriously not the time to take revenge...It's a matter of his life yaar...Not now!!And just look at the girl..Surely you can strike a conversation with her and win her heart!!

Raj:Uff,there's nothing about her..She's not my type,you know!!

Mahi:You think i really care about that??Right now,just go and help Armaan...You can get back at him at any other opportune moment but you've got no right to screw up his personal life...

Sudha:What's the matter with you two??Baitho yahaa pe..Aa jaaoo!!

Mahi:Raj,tujhe meri kasam hai...Please yaar!!

Raj:Argghh,damn you Mahi!!!

Mahi:I totally don't mind being damned by you...Now,come on!!!Aunty,Armaan kahaa pe hai?

Sudha:Woh change karne gaya hai..

Raj:Waise sudha aunty,yeh aapki mehmaan kaun hai?

Khushi:Hi,I'm Khushi Dixit..

Raj:Khushi,what a lovely name..In fact..(held Khushi's palm and sat next to her while he squinted and saw Sudha looking skeptically at him)Aunty,bad manners!!

Sudha:Huh?

Raj:Main maan tha hoon ki main aapke iss mehmaan se kaafi charming hoon par iska matlab yeh nahin hain ki aap mujhe bas dekhthe hi rahe aur kuch bhi naa pilaaye??(smiled winsomely at her)

Sudha:Chal hatt..Tu bhi na;main bas abhi aati hoon..

Raj:Waise Khushi,tumhaare pati kya karta hai?

Khushi:Pati?

Raj:Haan,who's the lucky guy who seemed to have charmed your heart??Ab please yeh matt kehna ki tumne abhi tak..

Khushi:(took her hand from Raj's gentle grip gradually while sliding her thumb beneath her chin)I'm not married aur compliments ke liye bohat shukriya..

Raj:Ahh,that means i'm still lucky..

Khushi:Excuse me??

Raj:Well,i heard that you're on a groom-hunting spree and maybe i might be of some help..(Mahi was taken aback by Raj's direct approach)

Khushi:Really??Who would have misinformed you about me when we've only met a few minutes back??

Raj:(tried to cover up with an excuse)Well,if it were not me,anyone would have just come up with cheesy lines to flirt with a hottie like ya..But i'm not the type at all!!

Khushi:Thanks!!If it weren't for you,i wouldn't have understood the thoughts of men..

Raj:(grinned sheepishly)You're mostly welcome!!

Mahi:Ahh there you are,Armaan..(Mahi heaved a deep sigh of relief but Raj gritted his teeth and clenched his fist huffily)

Raj controlled himself and turned to face Khushi snd apologized secretively,whereby Khushi read his lips.She smiled and winked at him in return.Raj too read her lips which spoke of Khushi's instant forgiving nature.

Armaan:Oh hi guyzz..Mahi,Raj..

Mahi:We just arrived a few minutes back!!

Khushi:Hi..

Raj:How do you know Sudha aunty by the way?

Khushi:Well,i am her colleague,Dr Nisha Dixit's daughter..Just got back from London..

Mahi:Just excuse me and Armaan for some time,please..(went to Armaan's room)

Sudha:Raj,you seem to be mingling..(raised her eyebrows)

Raj:Aunty,that's my social prowess you're talking about..

Sudha:Well Raj,she's new to India since this is her first trip and now that she's graduated from fashion designing,i was actually thinking of asking,if there's any job available for her at MU..

Raj:Have you worked before,Khushi?

Khushi:I've actually worked as a fashion columnist for The Style and Vogue magazine for about a year,roughly 6 months for each magazine and had worked as an intern before that for the DP too..

Raj:You mean,Digital Photography Mag??

Khushi:Yeahh..Had assisted the photographers on several occasions,runaway and trunk shows included!!

Raj:Impressive!!So,what kind of a job are you looking forward to doing right now??

Khushi:Well,currently i would love to be a fashion coordinator but i have dreams of becoming a creative director in the long run..

Raj:actually Aunty,Bharti's internship will be over in 2 weeks and Khsuhi,i can't guarantee you anything but i'm going to put my word forward to the boss and will want you to bring in your portfolio to MU by Tuesday or Wednesday..(searched his wallet and took a card)This is my card;call me tomorrow when you're free and i'll confirm the time and date tomorrow,how about that?

Khushi:That'll be great..Thanks!!(Sudha went to the kitchen and checked on the dinner to be served)

Raj:I'll be right back,Khushi!!

Mahi:Ab yakeen ho gaya hai tujhe??(both Armaan and Mahi had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Raj and Khushi)

Armaan:Arre,tum mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe ho?Mujhe thodi bata tha ki..

Mahi:Main bas dekhi rahi hoon par tumne dekha nahin ki Raj kaise ghoor raha tha?Aaj toh tumne uski naak katvaadi hain..Mere kehne pe woh maan gaya tha tumhe masat karne ke liye par ab dekho..

Raj:Mahi...Oh wow,ab kya karne ka iraada hai tum dono ko mere peet peeche??

Armaan:Sorry yaar,sach much main toh yeh soch raha tha ki woh sach much..Sorry dude!!(Raj rolled his eyes)

Raj:Mahi,main kaafi thak gaya hoon,iss liye main tumhaari events ki discussion mein shaamil nahin hone waala hoon aur dinner ke baad,chalaa jaaonga!!(left from Armaan's room)

Mahi:Arre!!(turned and glared at Armaan,who made an apologetic face which only annoyed her even more)

~Dinner Time~

Sudha was surprised at Mahi's revelation when she asked Mahi and Armaan of what was going on with Raj when he had gone to attend an important phone call.

Khushi:Ohh...So that's why i was apparently on a groom-hunting spree,Sudha aunty??

Sudha:So sorry,Khushi..Sometimes,Armaan can be such an idiot!!

Armaan:Really sorry,Khushi..I was worked up because of some personal issues with my mum..

Sudha:Oh wow,nw you play the blaming game on me??

Mahi:(thought to herself)"Oh God,yeh aapne mujhe kahaa phasaa diya hai??"

Just then,the doorbell ranf and Raj opened the door,smiling widely.

Bharti:Raj,tum yahaa pe?

Raj:OMG Bharti!!Yepp main Mahi ke saath aaya tha...Come,join us for dinner..Ok wait,hide behind me;let's surprise everyone else!!(Bharti agreed and walked behind him to the dining table)Sudha aunty,guess who's home??(Bharti came forward and smiled)

Sudha:OMG!!What a pleasant surprise,hunni!!Where's Naina??

Bharti:(hugged Sudha)She went with Payal to Shaz's home..I had been out shopping with Bhaskar and i just thought of dropping by..

Sudha:It's great that you did..Come,sit down and have dinner with us!!

Bharti:Sure,Mom..(saw a guest)Hi,i don't think we've met..

Sudha:Bharti,yeh Khushi hain,mere colleague ki beti;she's just came back from London and it's her first trip to India..

Bharti:London??WOW!!I intend to go there next month for my graduation..

Sudha:Any news od the attachment programme?

Bharti:Not yet,Mom but i'm really crossing my fingers..Oh hi Armaan..(Raj and Mahi noticed Armaan ignoring Bharti)Armaan..

Sudha:Armu,kahaa khoye ho??

Armaan:Kahin nahin..Hi!!(Bharti smiled)

Bharti:Mom,didn't Armaan tell you that he saw me and Bhaskar at Paragon Mall today??

Sudha:He did??(Mahi looked at Armaan who was engrossed in eaitng instead)

Bharti:Yeahh..In fact,i was voicing out to him but he simply ignored me instead..I would have followed him but then i got caught by the guards..(Armaan stopped eating)

Mahi:Guards..Kyun??

Bharti:Stupidly at that point of time,i was trying on a corset and had come out of the dressing room but i kept on voicing out to Armaan but he simply didn't bother to acknowledge..

Raj:Really??Phir kya hua?

Bharti:Phir kya..Bhaskar aur main kisi bhi tarha uss guards samjhaa bhuja kar aur manaa kar paisa bhar diya aur wahaa se nikal pade the..

Raj:Ab Mr Armaan Sinha,aapko kya ho gaya tha achanak?

Khushi:Sudha aunty,main uthoo?Actually Maa intezaar kar rahi hogi..

Sudha:Haan,chalo..

Khushi:Main chalti hoon..Raj,i'll contact you..(bade goodbye to everyone else before leaving)

Sudha:Armaan,bolo..Kya hua tha?

Armaan:Woh...(paused as he looked at Bharti and simultaneously tohught of an excuse)Mujhe kisi ko milna tha official emergency ke liye..

Sudha:(wasn't convinced)Acha Bharti,tum bataaoo..Mahi ki party kaisi thi?

Raj:Arre haan,tum toh aane waali thi par kya hua tha?Aise hi ghar chali gayi thi MU se??Bata hai ki sab tumhe dhoondh raha tha??

Sudha:Matlab Bharti party mein nahin aayi thi??

Raj:Nahin Aunty..

Sudha:Kyun Bharti??Jahaa tak main tumhe jaanti hon,tum toh party ke liye hamesha ready rehte ho..

Bharti:(sighed heavily)Ab kya bataao Mom??Pehle toh main thodi si thak gayi thi aur upar se maine toh ek dost ko phone kiya tha yeh soch kar ki woh meri madat karega..(Armaan got up and went to the kitchen)LEkin...

Raj:Lekin kya??

Bharti:Lekin bata nahin ki usse kya ho gaya tha..Kehne laga ki ab usse meri dosti ki zaroorat nahin hain aur woh aage badh chuka hain..

Sudha:KYAA??Armaan ne aisa kaha tha?

Bharti:Nahin Mom,maine aisa kab kaha??Main toh ek dost ke baarien mein baat kar rahi thi,Armaan nahin..

Sudha:Hhmm..

Raj:Bharti,it just seems to me that he just used you!!

Bharti:Meaning??

Raj:Aur nahin toh kya?Shayad woh tumse bore ho gaya ho aur ab tumhaari dosti ki zaroorat nahin hain..So,just forget it!!

Bharti:No Raj..(made it loud and clear)Jab tak main yeh nahin jaan leti ki achanak aisa kya ho gaya tha jo usse aage badhne ke liye meri dosti khatam karna pade,tab tak main uska peecha chodne waali nahin hoon...Dosti ki hain aur main usse bar khoobi se nibhaangi!!

Mahi:Par agar woh tumhaare dost nahin bannaa chahtha hai toh?You should give him space and respect his decision too..

Bharti:Mahi,ek din main aa kar yeh kahoo ki ab mujhe tumhaari dost nahin banni hai,toh tumhe kaise lagegi??Tum yeh toh zaroor bataa kar leti na ki aisa kya ho gaya tha ki main iss tarha bartaav kar kyun kar rahi hoon,right??(Mahi looked at Armaan secretively as Armaan p[oured himself a glass of water)

Mahi:Right!!

Raj:Par yeh banda hai kaun Bharti??(saw BHarti's eyes looking at Armaan for a few seconds before she turned to Raj)

Bharti:Hai koi jisse yeh lagta hai ki woh kabhi bhi kuch bhi kar sakta hai mere saath..Hold on!!(heard her mobile ringing)Hello..(paused)Helloo???(hung up but before she continued,her mobile rang again;this time it continued for four consecutive times)

Raj:Who's that?

Bharti:Bata nahin..Unknown number aur bol bhi nahin raha hain!!Lo phir se..(answered the call angrily)Hello,who the hell is this??Number ghumaaya hai toh baat karne mein problem kya hai,huh??

Mayank:Bharti,it's me Mayank..

Bharti:Mayank??Tum the jo mujhe chaar blank calls karke parishaan kar rahe the?

Mayank:Blank calls aur main?Are you out of your mind??

Bharti:Oops,my bad!!Srry yaar,bata nahin kaun tha..Anyways,what's up??(listened to Mayank while she washed her hands and wiped them dry before sitting on the sofa beside Raj)What?Par main kya..Shaadi????

Mayank:Phir maine usse samjhaane ki aur dhyaan hataane ki koshish ki;humaare pact ke baarein mein bhi baat ki par Nihatika ne toh tumhaari example le liya tha..

Bharti:Par woh toh contract shaadi thi yaar...

Mayank:Chaahe woh kaisi bhi shaadi thi,par woh shaadi thi na aur tumne humaara pact thod diya tha na..

Bharti:Uss waqt toh BHaskar aur Payal milkar mujhe yeh idea diya tha aur mujhe thodi na bata hoti ki Armaan fatt se maan jaayega..(Raj noticed Armaan's expressions as he sat beside Mahi and lsitened intently)So Mayank Sharma,kaun hai woh ladki?

Mayank:Yaar,uss waqt tum toh apne parents ke pressure mein thi aur ab mere upar Niharika ki pressure hain..Zidd pakad kar baithi hain ki jab tak main iss shaadi ke liye naa maanoo,tab tak woh mujhse baat nahin karegi..Please madat karo na yaar..

Bharti:Main??(Armaan held Mahi's wrist in an impulse and Raj controlled his laughter)Kya matlab??Tumhaare ishaare ka matlab yeh toh nahin hain ki main tumse shaadi..

Mayank:Arre yaar,nahin!!Har ghiz nahin;bas Nihu ko aa kar samjhaao kisi bhi tarha taaki yeh problem yehi pe khatam ho jaaye..You know,i hate it when she doesn't talk to me,na??

Bharti:Aww,don't worry;main bas 20 mins mein pohanch thi hoon,ok?Haan,not to worry at all!!Aisa hi samjho ki sab ache ke liye hone jaa raha hain..See you!!(hung up and got amused)

Sudha:Sab theekh hain na,Bharti?

Bharti:Mayank ke ghar jaana padega abhi;ek zaroori kaam liptaana hai..

Sudha:Kya?

Bharti:Woh sab main baad mein aapko bataaongi,pakka!!Aap mere liye thode paraathe pack karenge??I just lurve them and Naina'll surely lurve them too!!(Sudha caressed BHarti's hair and smiled)Raj,free ho kya?(Raj placed the magazine aside)

Raj:Alwayzz free for you babe..

Mahi:Raj,remember what we're here for?

Bharti:Never mind Raj..

Armaan:Nahin Mahi,jaane bhi do kyunki isse toh koi chahiye na apni shaadi ki preparations ke liye..

Bharti:Kya??(Armaan walked away and Raj smiled to himself,feeling the taste of revenge despite having done practically nothing to trigger Armaan's emotions)

Raj:Kuch nahin Bharti..Mahi,maine already kaha hai ki main yeh discussions mein shaamil nahin hoon..

Mahi:Arre!!

Sudha:Yeh lo Bharti..(smiled as Bharti hugged her warmly)Apna khayal rakhna!!

Bharti:Aap bhi Mom!!

Sudha:(Raj hugged her and she whispered)"Fill me with the details as soon as possible!!"(Raj withdrew from their hug and winked at her)

Raj:Bharti,i'll be right there...Tum baahar wait karo..(went to Mahi)I'm going there for Bharti and not to meet Nihar,if that's what you're thinking..That's all,hhmm??I'll call you when i'm home..Bye!!(left from there with Bharti)

Mahi closed the door and bumped into Sudha,who was watching her.

Mahi:Sudha aunty,you don't mind if i were to stay a bit longer??

Sudha:Not at all,Mahi..Main jaanti hoon ki tumhe kaam hai Armaan se par ek minute..Main kuch jaanna chahthi hoon..

Mahi:Ji Aunty??(felt a lil nervous and hesitant,wondering if Sudha had figured something out)

Sudha:Tumhe kuch ajeeb nahin laga jis tarha Bharti baat kar rahi thi apne dost ke baarein mein??

Mahi:Woh..woh toh hain Aunty par main kya keh sakti hoon??Main thodi na uske dost ko..

Sudha:Maine kab kaha ki tum uske dost ko jaante ho??Par tum itni ghabraa kyun rahe ho??Relax,Mahi!!

Mahi:Aunty,aisi koi baat nahin hain..Main bas..Mujhe Armaan ke saath milkar agle hafte ki events ki tayyaariyaan karni hai Aunty,main chaloo??

Sudha:Haan..(smiled)Par tum apne iss dost se zaroor kehna ki main uske doosri shaadi ke baarein mein kaafi serious hoon!!Woh meri baat shayad lightly le raha hoga par tum zara usse yeh zaroor bataa dena,ok??Enjoy your discussion..(smiled and left but Mahi felt her stomach tighten for she felt as if Sudha aunty hinted at something which she herself wasn't sure of)

Bharti:(kept hitting his shoulder blade while she turned to him)She gave lotsa blank calls to Niyati..And i received blank calls tday at Armaan's place and i'm sure it wasn't Mayank...Is she behind those blank calls as well??Raj,we've really got to do something yaar before it may be too late!!But before this,i need to reach Mayank's place for he's in trouble too..That was why i even rushed from there yaar..

Raj:Hhmm,but what's wrong with Mayank??(Bharti confided in Mayank about Niharika not talking to her brother and her condition which left Mayank in a deep state of worry)Acha!!Bharti,did you just realize something??Coincidentally,the house which we just left from and the house which we are going to go are in wedding prep sorrows!!(Bharti bursted out laughing)