Another Cinderella Story (AR) Last Part Page 9 - Page 4

Riddhima: Uday, Rose ball hain, fancy dress nahin.

Uday: I'am still in black.

Riddhima: Toh ja rahe ho.

Uday: Tum bhi ja rahe ho.

Riddhima: No.

Rani came over.

Rani: Tu ja rahi hain. Upar ja, dress waha hain.

Riddhima: Dress! Maine kaha main nahin jaane waali.

Rani: Tere papa chahenge ki tu apne baare mein soche, enjoy karo. Tumhare papa ne tujhe dukhi dekhne keliye yeh duniya nahin chori.

Riddhima: Par.................Urmila.

Rani: Uss churail ko main sambhaloongi tu ja.

Riddhima: Khaam kitna hain yaha, pata bhi hai tumhe?

Rani: Hum karlenge, tu ball jayegi, tujhe meri kasam.

Riddhima: What the-?

Rani: Ab toh jayegi?

Riddhima sighed and threw the cloth on the floor.

Riddhima: Dress kaha hain?

Uday: Excellent!

Rani: Upar.

Riddhima skated up. She took out the dress. It was a red knee length dress, the skirt part had 4 parts in frills stuck to each other, and the top had a attached shoulder going to the left and a straight shoulder strap added to the right shoulder. Her mask was red with a rose drawn on the side.

She quickly put it on. She took a black shawl, and covered herself with it.

(Sorry lost the picture I had)

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At the ball, the twins dressed in bright yellow were hovering around Armaan. Anjali came and walked over to him. Armaan was wearing a normal black suit, white shirt, with black trousers and shoes. His top buttons were undone, and his hair was messy.

Anjali: Hi Armaan.

Armaan: Erm......................do I know you?

Anjali took off her mask.

Armaan: Oh..................right...............yaha sab mask pehen rahe hain................I didnt realize.

Anjali: How do I look?

Armaan: Erm..............................g......................good..................

Anjali: Thanks. Dance.

Armaan: Erm.........I'll wait a while.

Anjali: OK.

Uday and Riddhima came. They were at the door.

Riddhima: Lisen mujhe diner bara bajne se pehle pohoch na hain.

Uday: Chill. Dekho, I'll be on the watch. Bara bajne se pehle hum chale jayenge. Ab toh shawl utaaro. Waise I must say I love your mask.

Riddhima: Thanks.

Uday: Listen main drinks ke waha rahoonga kuch zaroorat pare toh kehdena.

Riddhima: Tum mere saath kyun nahin hoge.

Uday: Yaha, Nita, Rita, Jas, Pam Anjali sab hain. Maine mask nahin pehna agar unhone mujhe tumhare saath dekhliya toh jaan lenge ki tum tum ho.

Uday started walking down the stairs to the crowd and he didnt realize, Riddhima wasnt behind him. He looked at everyone to see they were staring at him. He followed this boy's gaze and saw they were staring at Riddhima at the top of the staircase. She walked down fast and stood there.

Armaan who had been watching looked at her.

Armaan: Delhi mein tha, ek bhi achchi ladki nahin thi. Yaha Mumbai, ek Riddhima, ek woh dancer, aur ek yeh. Rahul.

Armaan looked at Rahul who was staring open mouthed at Riddhima.

Rahul: Tujhe kya lagta hain? Yeh kaun hosakhti?

Armaan: Mujhe nahin pata lekin main pata lagaonga. Bye.

Armaan went over to Riddhima. Riddhima looked at him startled. She touched the mask to make sure it was still on so that he couldnt recognize her.

Armaan: Hi. Waise yeh dress bohot achchi hain tum par.

Riddhima: Thanks. Erm......................aap bhi bohot achche dikh rahe hain.

Armaan: Thank you. Erm.......................dance?

Riddhima: Dance? Erm................OK.............I guess.

Armaan gave his hand forward and she took it. They walked over to the middle of the dance floor. Everyone stared. The music went off, instead some calm and tango music came on. Riddhima looked at the DJ and saw Uday next to him. He gave her a thumbs up sign.

Armaan put his left hand on her back, she put her right hand on his shoulder and both put their spare hand clasped together.

For the first time, Armaan felt that his dance was complete. He had always felt his dance had something missing, a special boost or a missing piece. Today he had felt the energy he needed for dance.

Riddhima, unaware of the effect she was having on him, kept on dancing. She had always loved dancing and didnt care who it was. Armaan, (his hand around her waist) lifted her off the ground, and she did a little pirouhette around Armaan's left leg. Armaan looked at her.

Armaan: Woh kya tha?

Riddhima: Dance meri dusri basha (language) hain.

Armaan pulled her close.

Armaan: I guess we know the same language.

Anjali kept on looking at them jealously. Jas and Pam went over to the refreshments where there were little round sweets in a big bowls. They took a bowl each and went to the dance floor. Anjali smiled evilly and the girls threw them down when Armaan had twirled Riddhima. She had 3 twirls when she slipped and fell on the ground.

Armaan: Hey tum teek toh ho?

Armaan let her get up.

Riddhima: Oh this is so embarrassing.

Armaan: Your brilliant.

Riddhima: Main ghir gayi.

Armaan looked at the Pam and Jas.

Armaan: Agar tum dono iski dance kar sakhte ho, toh jalan kis baath ki? Khud toh kuch karna nahin aata, doosro ko bhi kuch karne nahin dete.

Everyone went quiet. Riddhima looked at Armaan, and then behind him at Uday who was pointing at the clock. It said quarter to 12.

Riddhima: Oh my God! Listen Armaan, aaj raat bohot special tha mere liye, thank you very much ab mujhe jaana hain, bye.

Armaan: Par.................

Riddhima ran up the stairs and outside. Uday ran behind her, and both jumped into his car. He drove really fast. He stopped the car at a traffic light.

Riddhima: Jaldi karo.

Uday: FYI, red means stop.

Riddhima: FYI, agar tumne ek aur baar stop kiya toh meri red signal aajayegi.

Uday started driving again. He drove non stop to the diner. Riddhima got out of the car. She ran in using the back door. She quickly put her jeans, back on. Instead of taking her dress of, she slipped her black tshirt over it, took off her mask. Her skates were lost. She went behind the food counter and started covering herself with flour.

Urmila came in.

Urmila: Riddhima! Kahan ho tum?

Riddhima: Yaha peeche.

Urmila: Oh good. Anyway, tumhara khaam jab khatam ho jaaye toh ghar jhaake safay karna. Kal Nita, aur Rita ki 16th birthday hain.

Riddhima: Kal meri sixteenth birthday hain, aur parso unka 19th birthday hain.

Urmila: Woh dono abhi bhi solah saal ki hain.

Riddhima: Urmila, woh dono mujhse theen saal bare hain.

Urmila: Agar aisa hain, toh tum thera saal ki ho. Meri betiyaan thab thak solah ki rahengi jab thak main chahti hoon.

Riddhima: Lekin kal unka birthday nahin hain.

Urmila: par party kal hogi. Parso mujhe kitty party mein jaana hain, isliye party kal hogi.

Riddhima: OK.

Urmila: Get to work.

Urmila went off. Rani and Uday came over.

Rani: Phew! Aaj bach gaye uss ke changool se.

Riddhima: Main upar chalti hoon, yeh dress woh dekhlegi. Bye.

Riddhima went upstairs. Rani and Uday looked at her go.

Uday: Aaj toh bach gaye.

Rani: Waise waha hua kya?

Uday: Riddhima waha pohochi aur sab ka dihaan uss par tha. Armaan ne usse dance keliye poocha, un dono ne dance karna shuru kiya, Pam aur Jas ne floor pe kuch giradiya aur Riddhima ghir pari. Uske baad kuch nahin hua, bas jaldi yaha aagaye.

Rani: Woh Armaan ke saath dance kar rahi thi? Phir toh kal woh celebrity ban jayegi school mein, aur Urmila ko pata chal jayega ki woh ball gayi thi.

Uday: Not exactly, Riddhima ne mask pehna hua tha, toh kisi ne usse pehchaana nahin, Armaan bhi nahin. Aur waise bhi kisi ko pata bhi nahin hoga ki woh Riddhima thi, kyunki Riddhima ko ball jaana manna kiya gaya, aur yeh baath colege mein sab ko pata hain.

Rani: Thank God.

Uday: Anyway, guess what, I seriously think Armaan likes her.

Rani: What?! Pagal hogaya ho. Yeh celebrity log pyaar mein vishwas nahin karte.

Uday: Normal insaan hota woh, toh jab Riddhima giri toh woh bhi unke saath hassta, lekin Armaan ne uska side liya aur Jas aur Pam ko suna ne laga.

Rani: Image, you idiot! Woh uska mazaak urayega, toh itni achchi dance partner kho dega.

Uday: Tum toh bilkul nahin chahti ki Armaan Riddhima ke saath jhure.

Rani: Maine Rajdeep (Riddhima's dad) se vaada kiya tha ek baar, agar Raj nahin raha toh main Riddhima keliye perfect joridaar launga. Aur mujhe nahin lagta woh Armaan hoga.

Uday: Lekin agar hua toh?

Rani: We'll see.

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Next morning everyone was talking about 'the girl that left Armaan'. Riddhima was walking around as if she knew nothing about it. She was sitting on the stairs reading a magazine, when Anjali, Nita, Rita, Jas and Pam went past, over to Armaan.

Anjali: Armaan, usse behtaar ladki hoon main, I mean achchi thara se dance karna bhi nahin aata tha usse.

Armaan: Anjali, agar tum dance zara sa bhi jaanti na, toh tum kal raat usse dekhar yeh bilkul nahin kehti.

Anjali: Well, main bhi karsakhti hoon. Aur tumhari search itni bari bhi nahin hain. Kuch ladkiyan toh waha thi bhi nahin. For example Riddhima.

Riddhima looked up. Anjali went over to her.

Anjali: Kyun? Anyway main bas yeh kehrahi thi, ki Armaan ki cinderella tum nahin ho, isliye umeedhe mat lagao.

Riddhima looked back down.

Anjali: Well, tumhari galti nahin hain, ek naukar toh waise bhi parties mein nahin jaata, well waitress banke jaa sakhti hain.

Riddhima slammed the magazine shut. She stood up and looked at Anjali. Everyone who had been minding their own business now looked knowing there would be some big fight. Armaan and Rahul looked closely.

Riddhima: Anjali, tell me EXACTLY how your feeling right now?

Anjali: Why the-

Riddhima: Jealous?

Anjali: Why wou-

Riddhima: Happy?

Anjali: You listen-

Riddhima: No you listen. Mujhe nahin pata tum kaisa feel kar rahi ho, happy ki tumhe mujhe neecha dikhaane ka ek mocka milla, ya jealous ki Armaan tumhe nahin kisi aur ladki ko dhoondh raha hain. I doubt it ki tum khush ho.

Anjali: Tum jaanti bhi kya ho kal raat ke baare mein? Tum toh waha nahin thi?

Riddhima: Oh well, you see there's this thing called gossip, and it's been going around a lot today. 'Armaan Malik looks for his cinderella, not his going to be girlfriend Anjali Gupta,' 'Armaan apni honewaali girlfriend Anjali ke saath dance nahin kar raha tha, par ek anjaan ladki ke saath,'

Anjali: And you seriously think tum Armaan ki cinderella banogi.

Riddhima: Oh please, shyaad tumhe nahin pata lekin kal raat main apna khaam kar rahi thi, aur main dance pe nahin thi.

Anjali: But you seriously think you have a chance?

Riddhima: Listen, please, will you just shut up?

Uday came over, holding a can of cola.

Uday: Kya hua?

Anjali: Well, Riddhima humne tumhari khami mehsoos bhi nahin ki, aisa lag raha tha ki tum bilkul invisible thi.

Riddhima: Right.

Riddhima got the can of cola, she shook it really hard.

Riddhima: Now check out my totally invisible hand.

She burst it open and it all fired on Anjali. Riddhima threw the can on Anjali. Everyone started laughing. Armaan fell to the floor holding his ribs. Riddhima quickly got her bag, and both her and Uday ran off.

They went out to the car park.

Uday: Ridz, ab mujhe lagta jaha bhi tumhari aur Anjali ki larai hogi, waha mujhe ek can leke zaroor jaana chahiye.

Riddhima: Woh hoti kaun ho, mujhe apni aukad samjhaane waali.

Uday: I know. Waise ek baath bataon, Armaan bohot koshish kar raha hain tujhe dhoondne keliye.

Riddhima: Listen, kal raat bohot special tha, lekin ab fantasy peeche chorna parega, aur asliyat yaani ke ab aaj mein jeena parega humhe. Armaan ko ek baar pata chal gaya ki, uski dance partner main thi, toh woh apni soch pe pachtayega, aur phir meri beizati hogi. So think of it as me doing him and myself a favour.

Uday: Right. OK. Good. Lekin tujhe nahin lagta tu bohot overeact kar rahi hain.

Riddhima: Nahin. Bilkul nahin.

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Riddhima was in her class working when Armaan came in with Rahul. All the girls started screaming. Riddhima looked at Uday and then at Armaan.

Rahul: Hi, sir humhe permission diya gaya hain, class mein aane ki.

Teacher: Kyun?

Armaan: Hum kisi ko dhoondh rahe hain. Aur usse dhoondh mere liye bohot zaroori hain.

Teacher: Aur agar nahin mila toh mar jaoge?

Armaan: Haan. Bilkul.

Teacher: Make it quick.

Armaan: Thanks, only five minutes.

Armaan looked at the girls.

Armaan: Tum sab jaante hee hoge, kal raat ball mein maine kisi ladki ke saath dance ki.

All the girls nodded.

Armaan: Well, main usse dhoondh raha hoon, aur mujhe pata hain, woh issi college ki ladki hain. Seriously usne woh raat mere liye itna special banaya ki jo bhi kahoge woh kham hain. Agar tum me se koi bhi woh ladki hain jiske saath maine dance kiya tha, please saamne aao. Erm..................tum me se koi hain?

All the girls put there hand up, apart from Riddhima.

Anjali: Obviously Riddhima bilkul nahin, kyunki woh toh waha thi hee nahin.

Everyone laughed.

Armaan: Aur mujhe yeh bhi pata Anjali, ki woh ladki tum bhi nahin ho, aur Pam aur Jas bhi nahin.

Everyone laughed.

Armaan: Right, tum sab keh rahe ho ki tum ho, lekin isse saabith karne keliye tumhe mujhe yeh batana hoga ki tumhari dusri basha kaunsi hain.

Girl: English!

Armaan: Sorry yeh nahin hain. Anyway abhi mat batana, break time mujhe dhoondhke kehna. Thanks. Thanks sir.

Armaan gave one last glance at Riddhima and then walked out of the room. Uday looked at Riddhima. Everyone started talking.

Uday: Dusri basha?

Riddhima: Hum dance ke waqt baath kar rahe thei, aur maine apni dusri basha batayeti.

Uday: Lekin woh toh english hain.

Riddhima: Yeh basha alag hain. Infact maine jo kaha woh basha nahin hain. Woh basha dance hain. Toh koi kabhi nahin saabith karpayega ki woh Armaan ke saath dance kar rahi thi.

Uday: Clever.

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At breaktime, girls were lining up in the canteen to tell Armaan their second language.

Girl1: Russian.

Armaan: Russian? Erm.................no. Bilkul nahin.

Girl1: Ek clue toh desakhte ho?

Armaan: Agar tum woh ladki hoti toh clue ki koi zaroorat nahin hoti. Sorry. Bye.

The girl went off. Riddhima and Uday were looking at them.

Riddhima: Yeh toh serious tha?

Uday: Tumhe jhaake bata dena chahiye isse pehle koi aur hungama shuru kar de. Aur basha dance hain yeh sirf tum jaanti ho, lekin agar koi itna smart ho ki yeh baath woh jaanle. Thab kya karogi?

Riddhima: Kuch nahin.

Uday: Usne kaha woh raat uske bohot special tha.

Riddhima: Thab thak jab thak usse yeh nahin pata chal ta ki woh main thi.

Riddhima went off. Uday followed her. Nita who heard everything between Riddhima and Uday was shocked. She smiled to herself. She got up and went over to Armaan pushing in the line of girls.

Nita: Your search is over! Tumhe tumhari cinderella mil gayi hain!

Everyone looked at her. Armaan looked at her head tilted back. She was acting like she was some saviour.

Armaan: Er...............really? Erm...............kaun hain?

Nita: Main! Tumhari cinderella!

Nita went to hug him, but he jumped on the table.

Armaan: Erm....................right..............lekin tumhe sabith karna hoga. Erm......................basha pata hain tumhe.

Nita: Haan! Basha hain DANCE.

Armaan looked at her shocked.

Nita: Haina.

He jumped back down. He stood infront of her.

Nita: Maine kaha tha, dance. Aur dance hee hain.

Armaan: Erm...............yeah.

Nita went to kiss him, but he moved back.

Armaan: Wait! Pehle hum dance karenge.

Nita: KYA! Lekin tumne kaha tha sirf basha jaaneki zaroorat hain.

Armaan looked at Rahul and smiled.

Armaan: Ab dance bhi hain.

Nita: Lekin koi music nahin hain, aur maine practice bhi nahin ki.

Armaan: Well agar ladki tum hoti toh tumhe music aur practice ki zaroorat nahin hoti.

Armaan and Rahul were going past her. Nita ran infront of them.

Nita: I love singing and dancing, 'teri ore, teri ore, teri ore hai raaabba, diillllllllllllllllllllllll hogaya le gaya kisi ne, dil de diya phir liya kisineeeeeeeeeeeeee.'

She started doing some nagin dance infront of him. Armaan smiled relieving himself.

Armaan: Nita tumhe pura gaana bhi nahin aata, gaana gaa bhi nahin sakhti, aur dance toh bhul hee jao.

Nita: Par tumne kaha tha sirf basha jaana hain.

Armaan: Sorry, sirf basha nahin, mujhe ladki bhi chahiye.

Nita: Armaan, teek hain. Lekin aaj raat humari birthday party tum aur Rahul zaroor aana.

Armaan: Erm.....................sure.

Armaan and Rahul went off.

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At night, Riddhima was getting the cushions and sofa ready for the party. Nita came over with a DVD.

Nita: Yeh aaj raat ko play honi chahiye, aur isse dekhna mat, warna NYU toh dhur, ghar ke bahaar bhi nahin ja paogi. Samjhi.

Riddhima: Yeah.

Nita went off. Riddhima put the CD into the DVD player and left it there.

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Half an hour later, the room was filled with guests. Riddhima (she was wearing a knee length grey button dress with a pink sixteen badge) was going around serving people drinks. Armaan finally came in with Rahul. Armaan saw Riddhima and went over to her.

Armaan: Hi, happy birthday.

Riddhima: Er thanks, lekin party meri nahin hain.

Armaan: Birthday toh tumhara hain.

Riddhima: Right. Drink?

Armaan: Thanks. Riddhima tumne toh suna hoga, main ek ladki dhoondh rahi hoon.

Riddhima: Haan.

Armaan: Kya tumne aisi koi dancer dekhi jo mujhse bhi achcha karti ho.

Riddhima: Erm..................actually-

Nita: Ladies and gentlemen, main aaj aapko ek DVD dikhaana chahoongi, bohot enjoy karenge aap.

Everyone's attention was on Nita. Riddhima and Armaan both looked. Nita put the DVD on. A little girl about 11 wearing sky blue pyjamas came on, she was dancing childishly to Armaan's first ever song that he sang when he was 15. Everyone in the room was laughing. Riddhima looked mouth open. Armaan looked at it surprised. The girl was none other than Riddhima five years ago. Armaan then saw Riddhima. A tear was coming down her eye. She put the drinks on the table and was about to run off when Nita stopped her.

Nita: Ridzi, hum toh Armaan ko woh dikha rahe hain, jo tum usse paanch saal pehle bhejne waali thi.

Armaan: Woh ladki, Riddhima-

Rita: Haan. Riddhima hain. Woh jab gyara saal ki thi, toh tum par itni fida thi ki kya kahen. Haina Riddhima?

Riddhima pushed past Nita and ran to her room. She took off her uniform and put on her normal clothes. She opened the door to get out when she was blocked by Armaan. Riddhima looked at him. He smiled.

Armaan: Are you OK?

Riddhima: Armaan, mujhe tumse kuch kehna hain.

Armaan: Kaho.

Riddhima: Woh ladki jisne ball mein tumhare saath dance kiya.

Armaan: Haan.

Riddhima: Woh.....................woh..................woh tumhe mil jayegi.

Armaan: Kya! I mean............haan................mujhe laga tum...............anyway, main bas dekhne aaya tha ki tum kaisi ho?

Riddhima: Thanks. Armaan...............woh CD bohot puraani hain aur main thab bachi thi.

Armaan: I know. Erm...........tum kahin ja rahi ho?

Riddhima: Bahar.

Armaan: Can I give you a lift?

Riddhima: Nahin paas hee hain. Main chali jaoungi. Thanks.

Armaan: Right. Bye.

Riddhima: Bye.

Riddhima walked off and Armaan went to his car.

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Riddhima walked fast to Uday's house. She knocked on the door and he opened it.

Uday: Tum yaha kaise? Mujhe laga party-?

Riddhima: Chor ke aayi hoon.

Uday: Aao.

Riddhima went inside and sat down. Uday went and sat infront of her.

Uday: What's wrong?

Riddhima narrated the whole story. Uday looked at her shocked.

Uday: Par kyun?

Riddhima: Aisi harqat ki hain vajja toh hain, woh aaj raat mujhe ghar jhaake pata chalega.

Uday: Aur tu ne Armaan ko bataya nahin, ki ladki tum ho kal raat waali.

Riddhima: Batane waali thi lekin ruk gayi.

Uday: Impossible.

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The next day everyone was pointing and laughing at Riddhima. Armaan kept on threatening people that said anything to her. Riddhima went off to her class, but Uday went to find Armaan.

Uday: Armaan, kya tumse ek minute baath karsakhta hoon?

Armaan: Yeah sure.

Uday: Parso raat jo ladki tumhare saath ball mein dance kar rahi thi, woh mujhe pata hain kaun hain?

Armaan: Kaun?

Uday: Riddhima.

Armaan: Kya?

Uday: Yeah. Yeh jhuth nahin hain. Mujhe exactly pata nahin kya hua lekin log mujhe bata rahe hain, kal Nita ne tumhe sahi basha bataya dance. Isse mujhe kuch sujha. Nita ko pata chal gaya hoga ki ladki Riddhima thi, jab woh mujhe basha bata rahi thi, usne iska fyda utaake tumhe haasil karne ki koshish ki. Jab tumne na kaha, thab usne woh DVD dikhaayi, thaaki Riddhima sabke saamne badnaam ho thaaki tum bhi usse ek joke samjho.

Armaan: That's sick. Main Riddhima ko joke nahin samajh tha..................infact mujhe khud nahin pata main Riddhima keliye kya feel karta hoon, lekin itna zaroor pata hain ki woh nafrat nahin hain.

Uday: Riddhima tumhe isliye nahin bata rahi thi kyunki usse lagta hain tum usse pasand karne ka natak karoge.

Armaan: Uday woh galat samajhthi hain. Main aisa-

Uday: I know.

Armaan: Woh ab hain kaha?

Uday: Class chali gayi.

Armaan: Class mein phir se nahin ja sakhta principal khush nahin honge. Erm..................school notice. Chalo mere saath.

Both went to the office where they give mic notices to pupils. They met the head lady.

Armaan: Excuse me, kya aap meri madat karsakhte hain?

Lady: Boliye.

Armaan: Kya aap ek notice desakhte hain, Riddhima Saran ko. Yehi kahiyega ki..............erm...............uski ek khoyi cheez woh mere paas hain.

Lady: Lost and found mein dedo.

Armaan: Actually....................mujhe khud dena hain.

Lady: Kyun?

Uday: Ma'am, ab yeh ek aisi cheez hain, jo Armaan ko apni haatho se dena parega kyunki, aise lost and found mein dekhar bohot embarrassing hoga. Erm............you know Armaan and Riddhima.....................their like..................a thing.

Lady: I see. Toh phir jab Riddhima ko milega thab nahin desakhta.

Uday: Riddhima usse rooti hain. Agar aap yeh kahengi ki erm........Riddhima ka ek cheez hain, Ashwin ke paas hain, aur usse lene keliye Riddhima locker room jaaye.

Lady: Yeh Armaan hain.

Uday: Exactly. Armaan ka naam sunegi toh bilkul nahin jayegi. Please.

Lady: Teek hain.

The lady turned around to the mic. She put it on.

Lady: Ek important notice, Riddhima Saran keliye. Aapki ek cheez yaha ke ek student ke paas hain, please senior locker room jhaake collect kijiyega from our student Ashwin. Right now.

In the classroom, everyone was curious. A lost item would usually go to the lost and found or would be brought to the classroom. Why would the teacher tell her to go a locker room for a lost item?

Riddhima got up and walked out.

Armaan quickly ran to the locker room. He went inside. Riddhima came a minute later.

Riddhima: Yaha toh koi nahin hain?

She looked around and then she heard the door lock. She turned around and saw Armaan.

Riddhima: Tum. Darwaza kyun bandh kiya? Aur yaha toh Ashwin aane waala hain.

Armaan: Woh sab maine kiya tha?

Riddhima: Kyun?

Armaan: Mujhe pata hain ki tum uss raat ball mein thi.

Riddhima: Kya? Maine kyun? Main...............main.....ball....nahin gayi.

Armaan: Jhuth bolna nahin aata, bolo mat.

Riddhima: Tumse kisne kaha ki main ball gayi thi?

Armaan: Pata chala. Long story. Pehle tum batao tum waha se bhaagi kyun?

Riddhima: Main waha gayi nahin toh main kaise bata sakhti hoon?

Armaan went closer to her. She moved back. He went even more closer and she moved even more back. She felt the bench behind her and was about to fall when he grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him. He kept on staring at her not fiercely but not lovingly but a kind of one with no emotions. She looked at him. She tried to push him back, but it felt impossible.

Riddhima: Armaan, please. Mujhe choro.

Armaan: Tumne mere sawaal ka jawaab nahin diya.

Riddhima: Main................waha.........waha nahin thi.

Armaan used his free hand to tuck her fringe behind her ear. He whispered in her ear.

Armaan: Maine kaha jhuth bolna nahin aata tumhe. Mat bolo.

Riddhima: Armaan, mujhe.........choro.

Armaan used his free hand again to make her face him. She felt her spine tingling at his touch.

Armaan: Jab thak tum sach nahin bologi thab thak nahin chorunga.

Riddhima: Fine.............main.....main gayi thi. Lekin sirf isliye kyunki mujhe force kiya gaya.

Armaan: Aur mera sawaal tha tum waha se bhaagi kyun?

Riddhima: Kyunki.................bara baje se pehle mujhe diner pohoch na tha.

Armaan: Tum atleast mujhe bata sakhti thi.

Riddhima: Kyun? Tumhe batake mujhe bheek (charity) ke elaava kuch nahin milta. Ek tharaf pasand karne ka natak karte dusri tharaf mujhse humdardi jatane keliye yeh sab dusro se kehte.

Armaan: Bheek. Main tumhe dhoondh thei dhoondh thei pagal hogaya hoon, aur tumhe yeh lagta ki mujhe tum par daya aayegi.

Riddhima: I'am pretty sure of it.

Armaan: Well your wrong. Riddhima, uss diner pe bhi tum thi, jo dance kar rahi thi.

Riddhima: Dance? Diner mein?

Armaan: Washroom ke bahar ek kamra hain, jaha tum uss din dance kar rahi thi jis din main waha ayaa tha.

Riddhima: Toh?

Armaan: Jabse aaya hoon, thabse theen ladkiyon ko dekhe mujhe kuch hone laga. Pehle tum, phir woh diner dance jo tum ho, aur uss din ball dancer aur woh bhi tum ho. Riddhima you don't realize how important you are for me.

For the first time, Riddhima looked at him and then saw what she had never seen before; love. She looked away.

Riddhima: Armaan, mera haath choro please. Aur meri baath suno.

Armaan thought about it for a moment. He then let go. Riddhima looked at him.

Riddhima: Armaan, tum ek star ho...............ek aisa insaan jo mere laiak nahin hain. Main ek diner pe khaam karti hoon, ek naukar ki thara hoon main...............hum dono ka ek hona bohot hee ajeeb hain. Tum please mujh par tharas khaake mujhe bheek(charity) mat dena.

Armaan: Bheek ke baare mein kisne kya kaha? Riddhima, main tumhe dhoondhte dhoondhte pagal hogaya, aur tum ho yeh samajh thi ho ki yeh sab mere liye ek mazaak hain.

Riddhima looked at him. He looked at her seriously.

Armaan: Tum bohot achcha dance karti ho.

Riddhima: What? I mean........really.........I mean...yeah....no.............I mean..............thanks.

Armaan: Riddhima, I wanna...........I mean.....................agar tum chaho toh................main tumhe bahaar le jaana chahta hoon.

Riddhima: What? I mean......yeah. Teek hain.

Armaan: Really?

Riddhima: Haan.

Armaan: Great............er...............kal saath baje?

Riddhima: Erm...................ok.

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Riddhima was in her room 10 minutes before the date. Uday was with her.

Uday: Tum thaiyaar nahin ho rahi ho?

Riddhima: Kyun?

Uday: Tum Armaan Malik ke saath date pe ja rahi ho.

Riddhima: Yeah. Well.....no. Agar Urmila ko pata chal gaya toh pata nahin kya hoga.

Uday: Riddhima, I dont get it. Tumhari problem Urmila se shuru hoti hain, lekin iss baar koi problem hee nahin hain toh phir tum problem bana na kyun chahti ho.

Riddhima: Main problem nahin bana rahi hoon lekin problem ban jayegi. Mujhe pura bharosa hain apni tuti hui kismat par.

Uday: Aur Armaan se kya kahogi tum?

Riddhima: Sach. Ki main uske laiak nahin hoon. Aur usse mujhse kahin gunna zyaada achchi ladki milegi.

Uday rolled his eyes and gave up.

Uday: Teek hain, phir yeh batane keliye thaiyaar ho jao.

Riddhima: Thaiyaar hoon main.

20 minutes past 7 and Armaan still hadnt come.

Uday: Woh abhi thak aaya kyun nahin?

Riddhima: Dekha? Armaan ko sirf yeh jaana tha ki ladki kaun thi. Jab usse yeh pata chala ki main hoon toh woh kya karpayega. Isliye usne mujhse date pe poocha aur phir main haan kehdoongi phir woh nahin aayega aur phir main usse nafrat karne lagoongi.

Uday: Riddhima, I'am sure koi problem hogi.

Riddhima: Yeah. Exactly. Problem. The things that kick in like hormones in my life.

Riddhima got into bed without changing into her pyjamas.

Riddhima: Jaate waqt darwaza bandh karke jaana. Good night.

Uday sighed. He went out and closed the doors with a bang.

Next morning at college.

Riddhima and Uday are walking down a corridor where they see Armaan, Rahul, Anjali, Jas, Pam, Rita and Nita and another group of girls. Riddhima sees them and carries on walking but Uday goes over to Armaan. Riddhima turns around to talk to Uday and sees him infront of Armaan in conversation.

Armaan: (loudly) Uday, tum apni dost keliye itna mat karo. She doesnt deserve it.

Riddhima looked at him. She started walking over to him.

Uday: Lekin, Armaan tumne hee toh usse poocha tha.

Armaan: (loudly) Haan, maine Riddhima se date par jaane keliye poocha tha, lekin do you seriously think ki main yeh date par jaata.

Riddhima was now next to Uday. Armaan looked at her with cold eyes.

Armaan: After all, yeh mere laiak hee nahin hain.

Riddhima looked at him with the same cold expression. He took Anjali's hand and made her stand next to him.

Armaan: Riddhima, don't mind lekin mujhe tumse kahin zyaada achchi ladki milegi.

Riddhima supressed her tears.

Armaan: Riddhima, tum apne mom ke saamne ek naukar ke elaava kuch nahin ho toh phir main kyun tumhe zyaada maayne doon. After all woh tumhari mom hain, aur woh tumhari respect nahin karti toh koi bahaar waala kyun karega?

Riddhima got angry and looked at him. She went infront of him and faced him.

Riddhima: Tumse moo nahin lagna chahti lekin kuch kehna zaroor chahoongi. Ek main kya deserve karti hoon, kya deserve nahin karti hoon woh TUM decide nahin karoge. Doh mujhe koi farac nahin parta ki tum mujhe pasand karo ya na karo, kyunki main tumhe pasand nahin karti. Theen, main tumhare laiak nahin hoon, yeh mujhe pata hain, lekin mujhe tumse sunne ki koi zaroorat nahin hain. Char tumhe achchi ladki miley ya na miley I dont give a damn, lekin agar tum isse (nods her head towards Anjali) apna perfect girl samajhte ho toh phirse sochne ki salah deti hoon. Aur paanch, Urmila mujhe respect nahin karti toh koi asmaan toot nahin parega kyunki woh bhi meri mom nahin hain aur main yeh nahin chahti ki woh meri mom ki jagga le.

Everyone in the corridor was quiet because they were all into the argument and Riddhima Saran had answered back to someone.

Anjali: Tum bas jalti ho, ki Armaan ne mujhe apna perfect girl samjha.

Riddhima gave a derisive laugh and looked at Anjali.

Riddhima: Anjali, next time you think your perfect try walking on water.

She went off. Armaan was surprised by the response.

Uday: It was as easy as 1,2,3,4,5 and she does it today.

Uday followed her.

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