The World's Oldest Story!! - AR - Page 7

"Hey Muskaan! Aaj Basket nahi aayi! Subah se dekha nahi usse...", Armaan questioned Muskaan in an off-hand tone. He had been dying to see her… he had even come early so that he could accost her and clear out all the misunderstanding that had developed between them. After yesterday's incident and the ice cream date, he felt that he got his Basket back! But then why had she been behaving so strange with him. Apart from that, he had taken to betting with himself what color her dress will be everyday… today he was betting on Green - to match her eyes… He had long stopped caring as to why he felt these things… it just made him happy and he was happy with that! However, she hadn't turned up today. He was quite disappointed, but thought he'll meet her at lunch. As he entered the canteen and saw only Rahul, Muskaan and Atul his face fell…

"Nahi yaar, yeh Atul aur Anjy ki shaadi ke shopping ke liye gayi hai. Aaj Anjy bhi toh nahi aayi. Dekh na bechare Atul ka face kaise latka hua hai!", she said this and nudged Atul's shoulder, teasing him.

Atul who Armaan had always known as a funny and happy-go-lucky guy was unusually morose today. Armaan wondering what was wrong asked him, "Kya hua Champ, koi problem hai kya? Ya jo Muskaan keh rahi hai woh sach hai!"

"Stop it guys, aaj mera mazak ka mood nahi hai!", saying this he was about to leave when Armaan blocked his way, "Champ… Champ… Champ!! Hum mazak nahi kar rahe alright! Sach bata kya hua hai, I've never seen you like this before...", Atul calmed down and sat back on the chair and looked at them with a sad expression…

"Actually shaadi ko sirf do hafte baaki hai… and you know I don't have any family… toh mujhe kya preparations, etc karni hai woh kuch bhi pata nahi hai. Plus mujhe weird lag raha hai ke shaadi mein meri taraf se koi nahi hoga...", Atul was adopted by Dr. Omi Joshi who was Dr. Shashank's old colleague. However he had passed away a few years ago leaving Atul behind with no one to call his own. Armaan could totally relate to Atul's situation, "Atul tu kya bol raha hai yaar. Main hoon na teri taraf se!", Armaan tried to cheer him up. Muskaan also joined in, "Haan yaar, main bhi teri taraf se!!"

"Mere parents toh Anjy ki taraf se hi honge… toh main kya...", but before Rahul could complete his sentence, "Oy tu toh kisi ki taraf mat ja… simply kaam mein taang adaayega!"

Rahul gave Muskaan a 'Shut-up-or-I'll-kill-you' look and left shaking his head!

Atul on the other hand was touched by Armaan's gesture. He had known him for just about a month and still Armaan treated him like he was his best buddy. He smiled warmly at Armaan and thanked him and Muskaan for being there with him!

Padma was busy in the kitchen making dinner. It had been a long day of shopping for the Gupta ladies who had splurged on clothes and jewelry. Padma had been picturing how beautiful her daughter would look in the sari she had chosen, when the doorbell rang, "Riddhima beta, dekho darwaze pe kaun hai? I think who electrician hoga. Maine usse lighting karane ke liye bulaya tha. Bhai, shaadi waala ghar lagna chahiye na!"

Riddhima came down running to answer the door expecting to see the electrician. As she opened the door, "ARMAAN!"

"BASKET!!", Armaan imitated her tone.

"Armaan tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?", Riddhima was shocked to see him standing at her door.

"Woh kya hai na Basket, main tumhare bina ek minute bhi nahi reh sakta. Uper se tum aaj hospital bhi nahi aayi toh I was missing you so much. I just couldn't stop myself from coming Basket...", Armaan said all this very sincerely with a tinge of drama coming close to her a little. "What?", Riddhima was left in a daze. Was he serious!!

"Hey Ridzi! Padma Aunty ya phir Nani ghar pe hai kya?", Muskaan who didn't know what conversation took place between the two of them came in huffing.

"Kya? Kyun???", Riddhima was confused with Muskaan's presence there and looked at Armaan who answered all her queries by giving her a wink! That's when Padma entered, "Arre Riddhima kaun hai?", then spotting Muskaan, "Arre Muskaan aao na… kya hua beta??"

"Aunty hume poochna tha ke ladke waalon ki taraf se kya tayarian hoti hai. Who kya hai na aaj se Armaan aur main ladke waale hain, Atul ki taraf se...", she said all this in a rush.

"Armaan?", Padma had heard of this name for the first time, "That'll be me, beautiful!", Armaan who was quiet till now made his presence felt and taking Padma's hand kissed it lightly. Riddhima now understood the situation and was mad at Armaan for deceiving her again! Padma smiled at Armaan's flirtatious remark, "Nice to meet you Armaan! Main Riddhima ki mom...", but before she could finish, "Mom! Its unbelievable, you look like her elder sister!", Padma giggled while Riddhima just rolled her eyes. 'At least leave my mom you moron!!', she cursed him mentally. "No really, now I know where Riddhima gets her beautiful smile from!", before he realized what he was saying he blurted out. Both Riddhima and Padma were shocked by that comment of his. Riddhima blushed crimson while Padma held his ear and pulled him in, "Nice one Dr. Armaan, but it isn't the best idea to flirt with the mom and the daughter at the same time!"

"Nahi… I wasn't flirting… I mean… you know...", Armaan was embarrassed and just smiled sheepishly.

"Oh God! Armaan! Are you blushing? Yehi dekhna baaki tha! Your so cute...", Muskaan gushed. Riddhima wasn't very pleased with what Muskaan had said while Armaan just wanted to stop this conversation and so he changed the topic, "So Padma 'Aunty' hume please help kariye na… we need to get the arrangements done from Atul's side...", as he stressed on 'Aunty' all the three ladies giggled. But before she could reply the doorbell rang again. She opened the door to find Nandini and Rahul there. Nandini looked excited about something! Armaan and Muskaan were surprised to see Rahul there. They did not know that Rahul and Riddhima were family friends. They greeted Rahul's mom and proceeded to the living room.

"Padma, do you know any Muskaan by chance!", Nandini asked Padma excitedly as she made coffee in the kitchen for all of them!

"Muskaan! Haan, of course I know Muskaan! Kyun kya hua...", Padma was intrigued by Nandini's question.

"What! really? Kaisi hai who? Kahan rehti hai? I know that she's a doctor.. But how does she look? Is she pretty?", Nandini's rapid fire didn't seem to end.

"Hold on Nandini! Yeh tu khud hi pata kar le. Muskaan bahar hi toh baithi hai!", Padma replied calmly still amused at her weird behavior.

"Kya!!", Nandini shrieked! "Muskaan bahar hai? You mean the curly haired girl? Oh my God! She's so pretty! Rahul ki choice ko maan gaye!", Padma was shocked to hear what Nandini was saying, "Rahul likes Muskaan! Wow! Usne tumhe bataya? How? When did this happen?"

"Arre, he didn't tell me anything? Actually a few days back when I called Rahul he sounded very depressed, but he obviously wouldn't tell me anything! So I came to Mumbai yesterday to surprise him. Like old times, he slept with his head in my lap, and blurted Muskaan's name in his sleep! I am so sure she is the one! But he didn't answer any of my questions today morning. Said she was just a colleague and nothing else...", Nandini narrated the entire story which Padma listened to with rapt attention.

Just then Muskaan came in, "Aunty actually hume late ho raha hai! Aap please hume sara kaam bata dijiye… phir Armaan mujhe ghar chod dega..."

"Arre beta hum tumhe drop kar denge..", Nandini jumped at the opportunity, "Tumhara surname kya hai beta?"

Muskaan was confused as to why this lady was suddenly interested in her surname but since she'd asked so sweetly she replied, "Jee Chaddha… mera naam Muskaan Chaddha hai..."

"Punjabi! Excellent!! I love my son!", Nandini blurted in her excitement. Muskaan was alarmed now… Padma quickly changed the topic, "Arre the coffee is ready! Chalo main tumhe sab samjha deti hoon!"

Anjali was showing them her designer jewelry. While Muskaan and Riddhima oohed and aahed, Armaan and Rahul were stifling their yawns and pretending like it was the most interesting thing they could be doing on a Friday evening! Then Anjali went in to get her dresses, to show it to them… that was more than enough for Armaan!! He decided to take matters into his hand. So he asked Muskaan to go and fetch aunty so that they could leave before Anjy empties her wardrobe in front of them! Thankfully, before Anjali could get her shopping down, Padma entered with coffee for everyone, with an ecstatic Mrs. Grewaal and a visibly confused Muskaan behind her. As they had coffee, Padma told Muskaan and Armaan about the rituals etc. She also told them not to bother much as Atul was like a son to them, and she was agreeing to this, only so that Atul doesn't feel weird or left out! During this entire conversation, Nandini had observed how Rahul was looking at Muskaan, and an idea struck her! 'This is the only way I can get him to speak', she thought. So after Padma had finished talking she deliberately spoke out aloud before any of them could get up to leave, "Arre Padma! Main soch rahi thi ki sangeet waale din we should get Rahul and Riddhima engaged!!", three people spat their coffees as they heard her, Rahul, Riddhima and Armaan! Muskaan would have followed suit, only she had already finished drinking hers! Padma on the other hand was shocked and confused… she didn't understand why all of a sudden Nandini was talking about Rahul and Riddhima's engagement! Shouldn't she be talking about Rahul and Muskaan's engagement?? When she looked at Nandini, she saw her winking and pleading with her eyes… it didn't take long for Padma to figure out her plan and so she played along, "Haan Nandini, main bhi yehi soch rahi thi! I think we have given them enough time. Now at least engagement toh kar hi dete hai!"

"Mamma lekin...", Riddhima started but was cut by Nandini, "Lekin kya Riddhima? Kya tumhe Rahul pasand nahi hai?"

Riddhima didn't like the situation she was stuck in. She didn't know what to say. She glanced at Armaan and was surprised to see that he was staring at her waiting with a bated breath to hear her answer, "Aisa nahi hai aunty… who.. I mean… of course I like him, but...", Armaan's breath got stuck somewhere in his lungs. He couldn't believe what he had just heard! Rahul and Riddhima! Never in his wildest dreams he would have thought of the both of them together. There was this pain that was taking over him, that started from his heart and stung his eyes… Before anything else was said, he got up abruptly and said, "Guys bohot late ho raha hai… Plus I have somewhere else to be… Muskaan tu chal rahi hai..."

But Nandini didn't let her answer, "Muskaan ko hum chod denge beta! you don't worry..."

Riddhima was sure that Armaan wasn't happy with what he had heard..., why?, she didn't know!!

Armaan was driving back thinking to himself… I should be happy that two of my friends are getting married! But why am I feeling bad about it! Why am I feeling like stopping Basket from marrying Rahul? As that thought crossed his mind he was blinded by a surge of emotions. For the first time since he'd come to Mumbai, he felt lonely. He just parked his car at the side of the road, laid on the bonnet and stared at the stars, trying to figure out his feelings!

"Hey Riddhima! Good morning!", Armaan greeted Riddhima next morning as she entered the cabin. Riddhima however had a worried expression on her face and was lost in her own world, so she didn't answer him. "Riddhima! Riddhima!! Kya yaar ab engagement hone waali hai toh doston ko bhul gayi kya?", as Armaan said this Riddhima came out of her thoughts only to be taunted by Muskaan, "Rehne de na Armaan… who kyun baat karegi… hum uske dost hai hi kahan..."

"Muski tu meri baat toh sun le… kal se baat karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon… just give me a chance...", Riddhima pleaded with Muskaan.

"Main kyun sunu… tere Rahul ko bata jo batana hai!", saying this she left for her rounds.

Riddhima held her head in both her hands and sighed.

"Are you OK?", Armaan asked with genuine concern.

"Do I look OK to You! And why are you being so nice… cut the drama short and deliver your punch line already!", Riddhima blasted Armaan. Armaan was completely taken aback. He had thought about their situation a lot, and decided with a heavy heart that he is going to support his friends coz they were happy. He knew something wasn't right though… What he felt for Riddhima was way different from how he felt when Nikki and Abhi had decided to get married. However Riddhima's tone had baffled him… Why was she getting angry! He was just trying to be nice!! As he saw her leave he sighed with a heavy heart. Soon she would be Dr. Riddhima Grewaal and she wouldn't be his 'Basket' anymore… Rahul might have a problem if he called his wife that!!

Armaan was finding it impossible to concentrate on his work. He was sitting in the cabin and studying a case… but his mind always wandered to Riddhima and the fact that she was getting engaged to one of his best friends! Try as he might he couldn't absorb a single word written in that file, so he decided to have lunch and then continue… Maybe then he would concentrate better… As he was walking towards the canteen, he saw Muskaan walking really fast and Riddhima trailing her, trying to get her to talk! Muskaan had felt betrayed, that her best friend had hidden the fact that she was romantically involved with someone, let alone it was her enemy!! She had decided to boycott Riddhima's engagement and not talk to her for life!! Armaan too had felt betrayed, but the pain had overshadowed his anger and he had forgotten to be mad at the two of them… Entering the canteen he saw Rahul and Riddhima trying to pacify Muskaan… "Muski I swear, just listen to me once!", Riddhima almost screamed at her, turning a lot of heads in their direction, but Muskaan didn't budge.

"Rehne do Riddhima… its all going to fall on deaf ears anyway!!", Rahul tried to persuade Riddhima to stop groveling in front of Muskaan.

"Teri toh… Deaf kise bola tune… tu hi deaf hoga!!", Muskaan caught Rahul's collar, but instead of getting agitated, Rahul just stared at Muskaan. She was so close… her proximity left him in a daze! As Armaan came walking towards them he saw the contrasting emotions on both their faces while Riddhima sat frustrated with her head between her hands.

"Hey guys! Uh.. Yeh kya ho raha hai?", he came and spoke aloud in Rahul's ear on purpose! Rahul suddenly pulled away from Muskaan and turned the deepest shade of crimson, feeling hot around his collar…, "Kuch nahi… who… uh… who… "

"Who… who.. Kya kar raha hai, mujhe deaf bola na… tu dumb!!", Muskaan was seething.

Armaan had noticed the change in Rahul's expressions and hadn't missed the stutter either… he knew something was amiss…"Calm down Muskaan! Chillana band kar aur ek baar Basket ki baat toh sun le!", then realizing what he had said looked at Rahul, "I hope you don't mind me calling her that!!"

Riddhima looked up at Armaan in surprise. She hadn't missed the seriousness in his voice… he surely didn't sound like the Armaan who had teased her about having a crush on him at every opportunity he got! But Rahul whined at his comment, "Awh! Man! Not you too! Armaan tu bhi hume chidha raha hai!"

"Nahi yaar main serious hoon!", Armaan gave him a somber expression!

"Toh sun le… Call her what you like… I don't care Ok! Aur iss Muskaan ko bhi kehde ki her best friend is not in love with her Dushman!!", Rahul couldn't bear it any more and this outburst was the consequence.

"KYA??", Armaan and Muskaan exclaimed, again to turn all heads in their direction…

Riddhima didn't waste time explaining, "Haan Muskaan! Main kabse yehi kehne ki koshish kar rahi thi!", then turning to Rahul, "Sorry Rahul… no offence… and Muskaan doesn't think you are her dushman!!"

"Yes she does!!", Muskaan quipped but then continued, "Toh tum dono ki engagement kyu...", but Rahul didn't let her complete, "Because Riddhima aur main family friends hain, and humari moms ne socha, ki hindi filmon ki tarah, hume bhi dosti ko rishtey mein badalna chahiye..."

"Aur iss liye mamma aur aunty, haath dhoke Rahul aur mere peeche pade the! So to shut them up humne unhe jhoot kaha ki we like each other, but need time!", Riddhima finished Rahul's story!

For a moment everything was quiet… then Muskaan spoke up, "Toh tumne yeh sab mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya Ridzi!!"

"Kyunki tujhe batate toh saari Sanjeevni ko hamare jhoot ke baare mein pata chal jata!", Rahul taunted Muskaan!

"Armaan please stop being sarcastic and help yaar!", Rahul pleaded.

"What can I do? You guys are family friends! You guys are in Luurve…! You guys are getting engaged!! Sach kahun toh you guys make the perfect couple! Anyways, tum dono ko aur koi milega toh nahi… meri maano toh karlo shaadi!!!", with every comment of Armaan's, Riddhima's temper was rising! Finally she blew, "Tum help nahi kar sakte toh stay out of it! Hamari problems aur mat badhao!!" She just walked out of there and Muskaan followed her… Now she was the one trying to get hold of Riddhima!

Armaan and Rahul were left behind in the canteen. Armaan had a smirk on his face… He was bursting with excitement! Thank God! Basket doesn't love Rahul!!, he thought. Now he could trouble her without bothering about Rahul! He was so relieved… it was like a huge burden had been lifted from his heart… he felt light… he had a huge grin on his face that wouldn't go even if someone slapped him at that moment!

"So… kab bata raha hai usse!", Rahul saw Armaan's expressions and asked him.

"Kya?... Kisse?...", Armaan was a little confused and... a little embarrassed, he didn't know why?

"Teri Basket ko!!", Rahul said simply. Armaan was getting the hint of what Rahul was getting to, "Kya? Basket ko kya batana hai? And waise bhi what do you mean by teri 'Basket'?"

"Armaan don't act like you don't know what I am talking about!", Rahul got to the point seriously.

But Armaan wasn't about to fall in the trap so easily, "No Raool, I don't know what you're talking about! Unless you're trying to tell me that you're in Luurrve with Muskaan!!"

Rahul almost fell off his chair, "What? What… crap…I … don't … I .. What???"

"Gotcha Brother!!", Armaan put his arm around Rahul's shoulder and spoke, "So.. Kabse chal raha hai yeh sab!!", Rahul tried to retort and get away but Armaan held him in a tight grip, "Kab tak bhagega Rahul. Bolna! When you telling her? Or are you even planning to? You might not live to hear her answer!! She'll murder you before that!"

"Exactly!!", Rahul's face fell. "Oy Raool! Main mazak kar raha tha! Problem kya hai?", Armaan left him and tried to get serious! "Armaan Mallik!", Rahul said in reply.

"Haan.. Who mera naam hai! Tu topic mat badal! Hum teri problem discuss rahe hain!", Armaan was confused with Rahul's answer.

"Tu hi meri problem hai yaar… yaad kar... jab bhi mujhe koi ladki pasand aati thi toh kya hota tha?", Rahul meant to ask a rhetorical question but it fell flat… "Hum dono ladte the! I still don't know why though?", Armaan answered dumbly scratching his head. "You know what! Just forget it! Tujhse baat karne mein koi matlab nahi hai!", Rahul scowled and got up to leave. As he walked towards the exit Armaan called him from behind, "Yo Raaool! Muskaan is NOT in love with me! I just have that effect on women!", saying this he winked at Rahul and walked away in the opposite direction!