*|One Year From DMG|* UPDATED P67/68|7th Aug,'011 - Page 16

They entered in and the cool air-conditioned air was a relief..! He looked at her.. She was dressed in a red saree and looked completely gorgeous.. He looked down at himself.. He was still in his wedding sherwaani.. ROFL! He did some quick calculations and figured they would look like retards or some runaway couple if they travelled like that.. Moreover, it was going to be a long flight and they were both tired..

They went and stood in the queue to get their passports stamped..

"Basket.. I think we should change?"

She looked him up and down..

"Yeah.. I don't know about me.. But you REALLY need to!" She laughed.

"I was not expecting myself to land up at the airport.. !!!"

"Whatever.. That doesn't change the fact that you look like someone dragged you out of bed.. Only difference is you're wearing a heavily embroidered sherwaani instead of spider man T-shirts and shorts!"

"Fineee..! Lets just go and change first..!"

"Armaan.. We'll have to open up both our bags..! I'm so lazy to do that..!"

"I'm sure these guys must have put something in the handbag..! Wait let me call and ask..! I still can't believe we're at the airport.. ! And we're going to be on the flight to Switzerland in the next 3 hours! I hope these guys packed everything we're going to need..!"

"Armaan..! Tum itna tension kyun le rahe ho..?! Switzerland is not a gaav ki humein wahaan kuch nahi milega..! And neither are we going to the Arctic Zone that we won't have any facilities out there..!"

"Okay madame.. ! I'll call Rahul and ask if he's put any extra pair of clothes or then we'll just buy new clothes from the airport here.. Khush?"

She nodded..!

"Riddhima.. You remind me of Noddy..!" He placed his hand on her waist and smirked' !

"Huh..? How random is that Armaan?" She laughed..

"Achha call and ask about the clothes.. We have a flight to catch.. Remember?"

"K.. Im calling..!" Rahul picks up the phone.. Hey Rahul.. Have you kept an extra pair of clothes in the handbag or something..? Armaan wanted to change.. Since he's looking like a run away groom here..!"

"Runaway groom..?! HAHAHAAA..! Achha I'm not sure.. I think I kept a pair of jeans and a shirt.. Just check.. !"

"K.. And Rahul.. Thank you for everyyyything..! We love you guys.."

"We love you too..! Oh.. And btw, Nikki is saying that don't forget her chocolates..! Bhool gayye naa toh waapas Switzerland bhej degi..!"

"Yeah.. We won't.. ! Anyway, we're getting late already.. Bye.. Take care..!"

"Have a safe flight you two.. And I don't have to say it.. But have fun..!"

"Shut up Rahul.. Bye..!"

She looks at Armaan.. "Check in the handbag.. He's put a pair of clothes.. I don't want to change.. I think I'm comfortable in this..!"

Armaan rummaged the handbag and found his jeans and a checked shirt..! He smiled at the thoughtfulness of his friends.. After all of the tears, high voltage emotional drama and painful memories of last year.. His life was beautiful.. He had all his friends with him.. His family felt complete and the biggest reason of this beautiful phase in his life- Dr Riddhima Armaan Mallik was married to him and she was all his.. He could rightfully, confidently, proudly and legally say that..!

"Yo..! Wifey.. I found them.. I'll go change.. Are you sure you don't want to change?"

"Yes.. I'm too lazy.. You change fast..!"

"Kay.. I'll be back in 5 minutes..!" And he pecked her on the cheek.. ! There was something about this man.. He was one person in the world with whom she could share anything and everything.. He would understand her difficulties and comfort her before she could even spell it out.. But that slightest romantic gesture.. Even after all the intimate moments they'd had after they were officially engaged made her blush and smile like a 16 year old..

She thought she would BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) Anjali since she was waiting for Armaan anyway.. !

She reached out for her Blackberry that Armaan had gifted her as her one month engagement anniversary gift.. ! Her Blackberry nickname was Riddhima Gupta.. She smiled at that.. 24 hours back, she had been Riddhima Gupta.. But now she was Riddhima Mallik.. She was used to introducing him as her fianc but now he was her husband.. And she wondered how long it would take for her to get used to that.. After all the ups and downs in their relationship it was hard for her to digest the fact that they were finally together..! She felt like she was floating around in a bubble..! She changed her nickname and couldn't stop smiling..

Edit Info>>>> Change Display Name: Riddhima Gupta. She erased the Gupta.. So now it read Change Display Name: Riddhima

She smiled at looked at her phone blushing away.. She couldn't believe she actually had butterflies in her stomach while she was changing her BB nickname.. ! She added "Mallik".. !

Change Display Name: Riddhima Mallik

OK Cancel

She clicked on OK.. Her eyes had moistened up.. Armaan came out of the cloak room at that very moment..

She looked at him and on an impulse hugged him tight.. He stumbled a few steps backwards..He was so confused at her behaviour.. Just 5 minutes back she completely fine.. And now she was all emotional and hugging him like no tomorrow on the airport..

"What happened Basket?"

She pinched him hard on the arm.. "Ouch..! What was that for?!"

"When I hug you.. You are supposed to hug me back..!" And she hugged him tighter.. He smiled and hugged her back tight and stroked her hair.. "But what happened?"

"Nothing..! I just changed my BB nickname.."

"So your BB nickname reads Riddhima Mallik now? Oyyehoyye!"

She pecked him lightly on the lips and mouthed a silent "I Love You!"

"Lets go.. We need to proceed to check in now.. Boarding has started already..!"

---

Would you like some tea/coffee sir.. Ma'am?

Riddhima: "Yes.. One black coffee with one teaspoon sugar for him.. And a cappuccino for me.."

Riddhima all of a sudden intertwined their arms together.. And kissed his cheek.. Armaan wondered why was she being so random.. He looked up.. The air hostess was totally checking him out.. "He's my husband.. We just got married.." Riddhima told the air-hostess with a fake smile on her face.. The air hostess got the point.. She quietly poured them their coffees and went away.. Armaan chuckled at Riddhima's behaviour.. !

"Stupid air hostesses.. ! Can't keep their eyes to themselves..!"

"Riddhima.. Its okay.. She was just LOOKING at me..! Afterall I'm so handsome.."

"Shut up..! Whatever.. ! Anyway, I'm watching a movie now.. You go to sleep.. You look tired..!"

After a while, Armaan was busy sleeping away to glory.. And Riddhima was watching one of her favourite movies- Vivaah. It was a sweet romantic movie about two people who don't know each other at all.. Riddhima found the movie very endearing.. The little things they got to know about each other.. The small conversations they had trying to get to know each other better.. ! And the innocent love.. It was about arranged marriage.. She wondered what it would have been like to actually have an arranged marriage.. She always thought she would have an arranged marriage.. She sighed.. Who could tell 4 years back that a girl like her would actually have a boyfriend and fall in love and actually have a love marriage? It was always this joke in their family that they would have to start finding Riddhima a boy because she had always been kind of shy and introvert with the guys and would barely have any guy friends.. Anjali was like one of the boys, infact, the only friends she had in college were guys.. She smiled watching the Shahid Kapoor-Amrita Rao starrer.. And she looked at Armaan sleeping.. Thank God he slept off.. He wouldn't have let her see this movie otherwise.. He hated Hindi romantics.. He looked like he was half awake now.. He looked like an angel when he slept.. His mouth a little open and his eyes scrunched a little.. She moved the hair falling on his eyes a little back.. And Armaan opened his eyes.. She knew he was kind of awake.. !

"Riddhima.. I'm bored.. ! You're STILL watching this stupid, dirty movie?"

"Yaa.. It's the end almost..!"

"Whatever.. You're not watching it.. I'm bored..! Lets talk..!"

"I KNEW IT.. !!"

"What?" He was confused now.. !

"I knew you weren't going to let me watch the movie if you woke up.. And I also figured you were half awake before you actually woke up..!"

"Wow Basket.. You know me so well..!" He made a surpise "haww" expression and smiled..

She frowned.

"Yeah.. But its so boring.. I mean.. Its like.. I don't want to know you.. The little little things.. You know getting to know each other after marriage..!"

He narrowed his eyes..

"Armaan.. ! Lets pretend to not know each other..!" She squealed in delight.. As if it was the most brilliant suggestion.. !

"Riddhima.. You've lost it.. !"

"No.. Armaan.. Lets pretend.. It'll be fun.. Like a game?"

"Kay.. Whatever..!" And he went off to sleep while Riddhima finished her movie..

"WOW.. ! What a cottage! " She exclaimed as soon as she entered..

The cottage bedroom was an elegant master suite with a huge master bed that was covered with satin beige and maroon combination sheets and looked so comfortable that Riddhima immediately realized how much she craved to sleep. It had a huge window which faced something so picturesque that Riddhima could have sworn it had been painted. It wasn't anything too elaborate. Just one stream of water passing in the middle with a dark brown small bridge made over it. There were a few trees around and a few cars passed by. She was in love with the place already.

"I know! Look at the bed ! " Junior Hulk was already on the bed springing himself up and down a little.

She laughed. "Yeah.. ! This is all so beautiful.. I can't thank Mom and Dad enough for this! "

"Haan.. ! Pehli baar kuchh achha kiya! "

"Oye Junior Hulk.. ! Stop being so mean.. ! Tumne toh woh ghissa pitta Goa ka trip plan kiya tha! Toh tum chup raho"

"Riddhima jeeee.. Aap tameez se baat karo. And Junior Hulk? Kaun.. ? Aur ghissa pitta Goa trip.. Maine kab plan kiya tha..? "

Now Riddhima was confused. There was a glint in his eyes which told her that she was completely missing something..

"Armaan?"

"Armaan nahi.. Tameez se baat karo!"

"Armaan!! WHAT is wronggg with you?!"

"Tumhara hi idea tha.. We are getting to know each other.. Toh tum mere Goa plan ke liye kuchh nahi bol sakti.. Technically, tumhe toh ooske bare mein pataa bhi nahi hain.. !"

"Ok fine.. ! "

He got up and walked up to his suitcase. There was something special that he had got for her.. But he wasn't going to reveal that to her.. Not yet.. He was just waiting for the right moment.. He took out a neatly folded crisp white shirt and a pair of black track pants. They were his favourite pair..

"Riddhima, I am going to shower.. Agar tumhe.. I mean aapko kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho.. Toh please abhi boliye!"

"Armaan.. Actually.. I can't remember if I took the Home Alone series with me.. Do you have it in your bag?"

"Jee.. ? Home Alone 3..? "

"Uhhh.. ! Armaan.. ! Fine.. I'll find it myself.. !"

"Haan lekin mere suit case ko haath mat lagaana.. Naa jaan naa pehchaan.. "

"FINEEEE.. !"

He walked into the bathroom. And shut the door behind him. Riddhima was actually getting frustrated now.. But the game was fun.. ! And she knew it would.. Get better.. ! ;)

.. 20 minutes later

Riddhima was still searching for her Home Alone 3 DVD.. And Armaan came out of the shower.. Riddhima stopped searching for the DVD and looked up at him.. He caught her eye.. And walked towards her.. Slowly.. Her eyes trailed down to his bare chest.. And his perfect six packs.. She continued to stare at him.. Because he looked so.. Niiiiiccceeee.. ! She took one baby step towards him and he was now close to her.. He smelt so fresh.. He smelt of fresh water and peach mint soap.. She ran her hand along his chest and let it rest around his stomach.. He was so muscular that she felt like a teeny girl who was in love with her rom-com hero.. She inhaled.. And looked at his lips.. She inched a little closer.. Till she could feel his breath..

Armaan, clutching his towel, hurriedly walked up towards his suitcase and pulled out his robe.. And there came his evergreen ghissa pitta line..

"Dekhiye.. Mujhe yeh sab pasand nahi hain.. ! Aapke ghar mein baap bhai nahi hain kya.. !?"

And Riddhima broke out from her state of trance.. Excellent.. She was dreaming about having intimate moments with him.. In a towel.. And now he was accusing her of doing cheap things.. ! Wasn't he supposed to be playing this part? :/

"I wasn't even looking at you.. ! Stop accusing me! " She made a face.

"Liar.. ! Badtameez.. Tum meri izzat par haath daal rahi thi.. Just because hum yahaan.. Is kamre mein.. Akele hain.. Iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki tum mere saath kuchh bhi karogi aur mein kuchh nahi bolunga.. Aap please apne limits mein rahiye! "

Uh-Oh. He was still playing that 'We-are-getting-to-know-each-other-still' game.. ! She looked down in embarrassment but she played along anyway..

"Armaan jee.. I am sorreeeeee' Mujhe maaf kar dijiye..! "

"Haan haan theek hain.. ! "

Riddhima looked at him.. He had the audacity to talk to her like that.. ! On their HONEYMOON.. ! Wasn't HE supposed to be completely into her? Being all mushy and romantic and lovelorn..Here, he was acting as if she was going to forcefully claim his virginity..! -______-

She just shut up without saying a word more.. ! She was jet lagged.. All she wanted to do was shower and sleep..

An hour later, Armaan was bored to death.

Riddhima had showered, plopped on the bed, announced that since they were playing we're-getting-to-know-each-other she wouldn't want him near the bed and dozed off to sleep leaving Armaan to find the Home Alone 3 DVD of hers.. Armaan knew all along it was in his suitcase and found it within a minute.. He stifled a yawn.. He was so sleepy himself.. Sleeping in the flights was something he could never do..

He looked at Riddhima peacefully sleeping like a panda on the extremely comfortable bed, saw the Home Alone DVD in his hand and sulked at the unfairness of things..

He thought to himself.. "I searched for the DVD for her.. So the game ends by default anyway.. Do hell with that stupid thing.. I didn't even want it in the first place.. It makes no sense.. "

He rolled over onto the bed and dozed off to sleep..

About two hours later, Riddhima got up.. Someone was hugging her.. She could feel Armaan's soft breath on the back of her neck.. His hand rested on the side of her waist.. His face buried in her hair.. He had pulled up the blanket and she realized at that moment that they were sharing the blanket.. This was the first time that she had been so intimate with him.. They were sharing the bed.. Sleeping in the same blanket.. She had been sleeping in his arms.. It felt so perfect.. Life was beautiful.. If this was a dream she never wanted to wake up to reality.. She twisted to face him.. He looked so handsome and innocent.. A naughty smile spread across her face.. Her revengeful mind taking over..!

"Bachhhaao bachao!"

And she pinched him hard.

Armaan woke up with a jerk.

"Huh.. !? Riddhima.. ?!" Then he saw her expression. "No. You're kidding me!"

"No.. I am not.. You seemed to be enjoying it sometime back!"

"Riddhima.. ! For God's sake.. ! I was SLEEEPING.. ! Don't be cruel.. ! We can't keep playing that stupid game or whatever.. It isn't even a proper game.. Its just one of your DUMB ideas, Riddhima.. !"

"How dare you.. !? You had agreed as well.. Its so beautiful.. All those getting to know each other conversations.. The innocence, the shyness, the surprises!"

"Do hell with that.. ! You are going to stop watching romantic hindi movies ASAP! Shahrukh Khan movies especially.. "

"Shut up! Vivaah was not a Shahrukh Khan movie.. It was so cute.. The ultimate.. She doesn't know him.. He doesn't know her.. And they are bonded together by a special bond.. So pleasing and adorable.. " She almost looked dreamy.

He looked like he was going to cry.. "Arrey yaaaarr.. ! Tum apni life par concentrate karo naa.. ! Tum Dr Riddhima Armaan Mallik ho.. Thodi bohot beautiful.. Educated.. Paagal ladki ho.. ! Aur mein Dr Armaan Mallik hoon.. Mein handsome hoon.. Rich hoon.. Cute hoon.. Educated bhi hoon.. Achha sense of humour hai.. Almost 6 feet ka hoon!Aur hum ek doosre ko chaar saal se jaante hai.. ! Hum ek doosre se pyaar karte hain.. Aur ab Hamaari Shaadi ho chuki hain.. ! *points a finger at her* Lekin tumhe koi C-grade film ke ghissa pitta B-grade hero heroine ke jaise behave karna hain.. !"

"Armaaannnn.." And she made a sulky baby face.

He sighed. She did so much drama. "Theek hain.. Lekin hum sirf 12 baje se lekar 6 baje tak yeh stupid drama karenge' ! I can't believe I am actually agreeing for this!"

"Nai.. ! Atleast 10 o'clock tak! "

"Ten O'clock.. ! Riddhima.. ! ARE YOU MAD..?!"

"Achha theek hain 9.. !"

"Saat baje se ek minute zyaada nahi!"

"Theek hain saade aath tak!"

"No way! Riddhima.. Tum kya bargaining kar rahi ho..?!"

"Achha.. Last offer.. aath baje tak!"

He thought for a moment. "Hmm.. Okay.. !"

"Coollll.. !"

Armaan couldn't believe he had actually signed up for this stupid thing! Screw that movie! He hoped the next time she didn't expect him to act like wizards and pretend that Hogwarts was their home! He suspected that she was quite capable of that as well.. Or even worse, expect him to be like that vampire who looked like he was made of sparkly white wood or something he couldn't even understand! Girls could get so filmy sometimes.. *sigh* And that was not good!

He looked at the clock.. It was only 7 30 yet ! Half an hour more to go..

He was so bored.. He cursed himself silently for going along with this stupid idea in the first place.. It made no sense..

"Intehaan.. Ho gayi.. Intezaar ki ! Ohooo O'ooo-oo.. Intehaan Ho gayi.. Intezaar ki.. Hmm.. Hmmm.. Intehaan'"

"Armaan.. ! Kya kar rahein ho tum?!"

"Piyyaaaaa Tuuuuu.. ! Abbb toh aaajaaaaa.. ! Something something something something aa ke bujaa jaaa.. ! OOhhhoooo.. Aahahaaaahaaa"

"Riiiiigggghhhtttt.. Yeh koi bathroom singing one-man show hain?!"

Armaan was enjoying this. He walked up to the door.. Put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the outside.. And for the dramatic effect, kicked the door shut..

"Hum tum' Ek kamre be band ho.. JIGCHIGPUKPUK.. JIGJIGPUKPUK.. Aur chaabi kho jaaya.. Chikpukchikpuk.. Boom.. Hum tum.. ". And he did some jig kind of a step somewhat like what Govinda did in his lame movies !

"Are you trying to rap the songs?"

"Yes.. !"

"Stop rapping them like this.. They are old classics.. And atleast rap them well.. You're spoiling them!"

"These are my songs.. And its my rap.. I'll do it the way I want to!"

"Fine.. ! Rap them.. Who cares..!"

It was getting really dark.. She switched on the side table lamps and the other big light above their bed.. The room looked so beautiful.. She watched her reflection in the mirror. She looked so.. different.. She was wearing her same old white kurta and light blue pajamas she wore usually.. Only this time.. He hands were covered in white and red wedding bangles, she had a pretty, simple mangalsutra around her neck.. And sindoor.. She looked so perfect.. Pleased, she smiled to herself.. She loved her new self.. Ever since Armaan and she had started dating, she had begun to love herself even more.. And today, she loved herself more than ever before.. She was married.. ! To Armaan Mallik- The man of her dreams! J She got up from the bed and walked towards the window to draw the curtains..

"Ridddddhhhiiimmmaaaa' Oh My Darling! Oh haseena zulfien waali jaane jahaan.. Sochti hain kafir aakhir kiska jahaan.. Mehfil mehfil oh sama.. Phirti ho kahaan! Riddddhiii----"

"SHUT UPPPPP.. ! On our first wedding night together.. You are sitting and rapping old hindi film songs Armaan! "

"I am just waiting for the right time baby.. "

"Whatever!"

"Teheee.. This was all your idea!"

"I had no idea you were going to rap old hindi songs.. That wasn't part of my plan.. "

"I always do unexpected things!"

Armaan rolled onto her side of the bed.. He pulled her down.. And rolled onto her.. He caught her hand and twisted it above her head.. Then he moved the flick from her face and kissed her lips.. A soft peck.. A promise that was sealed.. Forever..!"

"For example, did you have any idea I was going to roll over you right now and totally charm you with my amazing wits and personality?"

Riddhima couldn't breathe.. ! It was for a fraction of a second..! He was so sweet and tender..She was craving for more of him.. She pulled his face closer to hers.. And closed her eyes.. Leaning in for a kiss.. For her first kiss!

"Basket.. As you have known me for almost 4 years now.. And since you are not supposed to know who I actually am right now.. And I am supposed to do things that are not only unexpected but also avoid things that you very obviously expect me to do.. To keep your so called spark alive.. I shall not do what you are expecting me to do at this very moment.. Even though.. I want to do that and a lot more.. But we shall wait.. For the right time."

"Huh?" Riddhima was not in her senses.. She could make no sense of what he was blabbering about.

"Never mind" And he rolled off her.