*|One Year From DMG|* UPDATED P67/68|7th Aug,'011 - Page 27

*|Beautiful Life-I |*

Riddhima woke up to the alarm at 6 in the morning.. She snoozed it and went back to sleep.. 10 minutes later the alarm rang again but she was still half asleep.. She had gotten so habituated to Armaan waking her up that alarm rings were actually immune to her sleep.. Alarms had been a part of her life ever since her 9^th grade.. and she could easily wake up to it earlier.. between anjali and her, she was always the one to get up first and her dad wouldn't be in town most of the time or even have the time to wake her up for school, college and later hospital everyday.. but now, she had taken to all the pampering in the morning by Armaan and allowed herself to be spoilt rotten with it..

Half an hour later, she felt her pillow shaking.. In her sub-conciousness, she realized it was her cell vibrating.. with her eyes still shut, she pulled it out from underneath her pillow and slurred into the phone..

"Hello.."

"Good Morning Basket!"

"Hmm.."

"Wake up.. Its already 6 30..!"

"Hmm? Hmm.. Ya.."

"You have a surgery scheduled at 8 15 Riddhima! Get up'.!!"

"Let me sleep.. Good night" And she kept the phone on the side.. Armaan was still talking on the other side of the line.. "C'mon Basket! I haven't slept in 24 hours now.. Wake up please.. I'm not at home to get you out of bed.. ! Oootho naa! Basket..! Basket..? Basket..?? Hello..?! Hello Basket..?" So she had put the phone on the side and gone back to sleep..Fuming, he called her again..

"Hmm?"

"Dr Riddhima Mallik, if you don't get up RIGHT NOW! ABHI KE ABHI.. You wait and watch!" He was literally yelling on the phone.. He'd had a long day.. And she just wasn't waking up from her world of sweet dreams.. He had already called about 15 times before she even picked up the phone anyway..

She heard the tone of his voice and jerked awake.. She realized he wasn't next to her on the bed, but infact, yelling at her on the phone..

"Armaan.. Tum ghar pe kyun nahi ho?" She asked sitting up groggily and pulling the blanket higher..

"Kyunki hospital mein emergency thi.. Surgery kaafi complicated thi.. Aur abhi patient under observation hai.. I have to monitor him for the next 12 hours so I couldn't come home.. "

"Oh okay!"

"Are you awake now?"

"Hmm Yaa..!"

"I don't trust you Basket.. Tum waapas so jaogi.. Mein tumhe jaanta hoon! I know you too well by now.."

"Arrey nahin so jaoongi.. I'm awake!"

"Nai.. Go get up.. Go to the bathroom.. Let me hear the sound of the running water.."

"Armaan.."

"Kya Armaan..?! Ootho.. Aur jao..! I have to go check on the patient.. !"

"Tum subah subah itne chidchide kyun ho?!"

"KYUNKI MEIN 24 GANTO SE SOYA NAHI HOON..!"

"Okay okay.. Mein jaa rahi hoon!"

She immediately pulled the covers off her and headed to the loo.. Armaan was the crankiest person on this planet when he didn't get enough sleep and he was on the verge of probably hitting something in frustration.. She put on the light and turned down the tap..

"I am fully awake now.. I'm in the bathroom and you can hear the running water.. Tum shanti rakho.. ! Go check on your patient and sleep for sometime.. I'll come to Sanjeevani and wake you up.."

"Haan..Ok.. Bye!"

He was about to cut the phone..

"Armaan..?"

"Kya..?"

"I Love You!"

He smiled, despite himself.. However cranky or upset he may be, she always made him feel better.. He loved it when she said those three words because they somehow made his life worth living.. Only and only Riddhima could actually manage to make him smile after a continous 24 hour day without a break, 4 surgeries back to back alongwith a presentation to prepare for..

"I Love You too..!" He said knowing she was blushing on the other end of the phone like she always did..

He kept the phone and headed to check on his patient.. He thanked God for Riddhima.. She had unknowingly saved someone's life today- his intern's..! If it hadn't been for her.. His next plan after hanging up had been to fire the intern left, right and centre.. He chuckled at the thought and resumed his work..

Riddhima was ready and left the house with a huge grin on her face.. Last night, waiting for him, she had fallen asleep while recollecting the most memorable moments of her life.. She blushed at how she'd planned the whole "surprise" for him.. To pull off filmy acts, both she and Armaan always banked on their ipods.. She chuckled to herself as she got into the lift.. And she had to give it to Nikki for her choice in lingerie.. She hadn't even had the time to plan any of it given her hectic and crazy marriage schedules and work at Sanjeevani.. But what are friends for? She'd remembered them teasing her about it and asking her to specifically check for some stuff and immediately dug into her bag.. It had turned out better than she had even expected it to.. Armaan was the love of her life and she had no qualms about being the one to initiate.. She loved him and trusted him and more importantly she had wanted this herself.. She couldn't think of a better way to thank him for all the love and support he had always given her.. It was always he who tried to make her happy.. But she wanted to be an equal in the relationship.. Ever since the day she had confessed.. She had always made it a point to be an equal and to take initiatives.. Because after all, it was about "us" and not only her or him.. Their honeymoon had been a bliss was an understatement.. She couldn't recollect ever enjoying herself so much ever before.. ! She smiled as she drove.. However, she had to put her thoughts and blushing to a hold as her patient's relative called her to inquire into a few details..

She had a bounce in her step and she wanted to go and hug Armaan right away.. But that would have to wait as she had a surgery to do and Armaan would have left to go home by the time she was done..

The day had been very hectic for both of them.. Armaan had come home early and crashed into the bed.. He hadn't slept for almost 30 hours and he was too zonked out to even move..! He even took a cab home instead of driving back because he would have probably fallen asleep on the steering wheel.. He could barely keep his eyes open.. So Riddhima had given him strict orders to take a cab and had said she would drive back when she was done..

Riddhima entered the house at 9 in the night.. Armaan was in the shower, he'd just gotten up a while back.. She went to the kitchen to see what was made for dinner.. She was dying of hunger.. To her disappointment, nothing had been cooked at all.. She went into her room to ask Armaan why the cook hadn't made any dinner.. She knocked on the bathroom door..

"Armaan..!"

"Haan Riddhima.. Good you're home! How was your day?"

"Very tiring.. Armaan, khaana kyun nahi bana hain?"

She heard him muttering to himself.. Something like.. "Oh Shit!"

"Armaan..?! Khaana kyun nahi bana hain?!"

"Woh Riddhima.. Actually I think cook aai hogi.. But I was sleeping.. Toh maine shayad door bell nahin suni..!"

She kicked the bathroom door..

"Armaan..! Tum kitna sote ho..?! Why didn't you open the door? Limits..! Aur tum abhi bahar niklo!"

She was so angry.. She kicked the door again.. And then sat on the bed, fuming like.. Well, fuming like Basket..

He came out within 5 minutes..

"I'm sorry Riddhima.."

He noticed she was really angry so he went up and hugged her..

"I'm sorry naa..! Aagey se aise nahi soounga.." He said rubbing his nose on the side of her neck..

She softened up.. And pulled back..

"Armaan.. Mujhe bohot bhook lagi hai.. Meine lunch ke baad kuchh nahi khaaya..!"

"Aww! He said kissing her forehead.. "Tum ek kaam karo.. Take a quick shower.. Phir hum kahin chalte hain?"

"Theek hain..!"

She got out of the shower wearing a towel..

"Basket.. Listen.. Raj had just called.. Since he's just gotten engaged.. He wants all of us to meet his fianc! So he wants us to go clubbing.. Woh bohot insist kar rahaa tha.. I couldn't say no.." Armaan said.. Raj was his second cousin.. But they got along pretty well whenever they met.. Though they hardly ever got a chance to meet as they were so busy with their own lives..

"Haan theek hai.. Toh chalte hai naa.."

"Lekin tum kaafi thaki hui ho.. Mein oosko thodi der baad call karke bol doonga ki hum nahi aa sakte.. I'll say there's an emergency in the hospital.."

"Nahin Armaan..! I'm not even that tired.. Lets go! I really want to meet Shweta anyway.. We didn't even go for their engagement.. It doesn't look nice.."

"Ohokay.. So we'll grab a bite first and then head.. You get ready.."

"But I don't know what to wear.. Main kya pehnoo??"

"Kuchh bhi pehno.. You look so good in everything baby..!" He said and switched off the AC because she was visibly shivering.. He drew her into him and hugged her from the back..

"Mere paas pehenne ke liye kuchh nahii hai! I don't have anything nice to wear.." She said making a baby face..

"Ey Basket.. Hum jab bhi shopping jaate hai.. Tum almost aadha mall ootha ke laati ho..! Aur phir bhi tumhare paas pehenne ko kuchh nahi hota hai..!"

"Achha tum select karo.. I'll wear that.."

"Theek hai.. Hato" He walked towards her cupboard and opened it up.. She stood next to him with her hands crossed.. He couldn't believe that she said she had nothing to wear! Her cupboard almost had 300-400 indian wear as well as western formals all neatly folded in stacks or hung on the hangers.. He pointed out to a dark blue dress..

"You'll wear that?"

She shook her head saying no..

"Achha toh phir yeh?" He pointed to a shiny grey one

"Nahinnn..!"

"Riddhima kuchh bhi pehenlo.. You look good in everything! Achha wear this.." He pulled out a black dress which had single strapes and had a slight flair..

"Are you sure? I think its too casual.." She said skeptically..

"Riddhimaaa.. "

"Achha theek hain.."

"Tum ready ho jao.. I'll call Raj and tell him we'll be there by around 11 30?"

"Okay! Do that and get ready.. I want to go.. I'm really really hungry!"

He nodded and pecked her on the forehead and called Raj while she went in to change..

After a while..

"Okay so where do you want to go?"

"Kahiin bhi.. Lets grab a frankie or a grilled sandwich from somewhere.." She said getting into her high heels..

"Yaa.. We'll drive around for a bit.."

"You call for the lift I'll just come.." She ran in to check if she was looking fine.. She'd accessorized her dress with a silver necklace that had a really pretty cubed shaped pendant..The heels made her look taller and even thinner.. Satisfied she came out..

"Basket! What are you doing?! Lift aa gayi hai.. Come fast..!"

"Coming coming coming..!" She said running a little..

She shut the door behind her and they finally left..

--

"Hello?"

"Haan.. Hum bas pohoch hi rahein hain.. "

"Nahi.. "

"Haan haan.."

"Achha im driving.. I'll be there in 5 minutes.."

They were about to reach the place and Riddhima had asked Armaan a zillion times if she was looking fine.. She has never met Raj before as he and Armaan had never been close.. But he seemed to be like a very nice guy and she was really looking forward to meeting Shweta and Armaan's other cousins.. She'd met a few of them once on her marriage but she barely knew them..

"Riddhima! Tum kya kar rahi ho?" Armaan said in irritation as she moved his rear view mirror towards herself and checked herself out..

"Ek minute Armaan.. Ruko naa.." He just sighed in exasperation..

They reached the place and he drove in and handed over the keys in the valet..

"Basket you're looking beautiful.." He said kissing her cheek.. "And very very hot!" He whispered into her ears..

She held onto his arm as they walked in..

..............................................

They entered the place and were hit by the loud music blasting.. The DJ was playing Like a G6.. Armaan looked around for Raj and the others.. The place was over-crowded and every lounger was full.. He caught Riddhima's waist and positioned her so that she was standing in front of him and steered her through the crowded club.. He tried calling Raj.. But he wasn't picking up.. He wouldn't have heard obviously! They crossed the dance floor.. They looked around the lounger area and spotted them..
Ar: " Hey guys! "
Raj: "Hi Armaan.. Hi bhabhi..!"
Raj got up to hug the armaan and riddhima..
Raj: "That's Shweta..Shweta.. Riddhima bhabhi and that's Armaan"
Riddhima and Shweta hugged each other..
Sh: "So nice to meet you bhabhi!"
Rid: "Yes.. Finally hum mil rahein hai"
Raj introduced Riddhima to his younger brother Ranveer and his girlfriend Tania, their other cousin Rohit , his sister Shikha and her husband Varun. Everyone greeted each other and they squeezed onto the C shaped lounge.. They bonded really fast.. And were visibly seen chatting and having a fun time.. Shweta, Riddhima, Tania and Shikha got along like a house on fire and soon transformed into a typical "gang of girls" chatting and gossiping away to glory... while Armaan and the guys stuck to their "guy talk".....
Raj: Guys! Baatein baad mein karenge.. Let's hit the floor!
Armaan: Arrey nai yaar.. Mujhe dance nai karna.. I've had a long day!
Shweta: Armaan.. C'mon! Bhabhi also won't join in then..
A: No.. I really don't feel like it..
Sh: Arrey phir bhabhi bhi nahi aayegi! Don't spoil the fun!
Riddhima was really pissed off that Armaan was refusing to dance! He had slept off after coming back from the hospital and had literally slept through the whole afternoon and evening! And he was acting like such a moron.. But she didn't want to spoil everyone's fun! You cannot go clubbing and not want to hit the dance floor!
Rid: Why won't I come? She said with her nose up in the air.. She didn't want to dance without him but she didn't want to spoil the fun!
Shweta brightened up at that.. "Oh awesome! Let's gggggo! And rock the floor! " And she dragged Riddhima by the hand to the dance floor.. All of them joined as the DJ belted out crazy numbers.. ! Only Armaan and Rohit stayed back chatting..
Riddhima was having the time of her life with all his cousins..They were a crazy bunch of people. None of them made her feel a least bit uncomfortable and insisted that they all dance together in a group so that no one feels left out. They hit the bar and everyone downed shots while Riddhima and Shweta the only teetotallers stuck to mocktails! None of them were drunk.. But they were definitely high on music and fun!
After a while Riddhima was really missing Armaan as all of them were in couples and she didn't want to be like an intruder.. But her ego got the better out of her and she didn't want to ask him either.. So she decided to just take a break for a bit..
She walked over to their lounge and sat herself next to Rohit, ..
Rohit: Bhabhi.. You're an amazing dancer.. !
Riddhima: thank you! Only if you would give me company *sigh*
Rohit: Bhabhi.. Nai! I would end up injuring a few people on the dance floor if I attempt to dance.. Poora bandar lagta hoon jab dance karta hoon..
Riddhima eyed Armaan at the word Bandar and scowled at him .... She was soo pissed off at him!
Rohit: waise bhabhi.. I have to say ki aap bohot khoobsoorat hain! Armaan bhaaiya is so lucky! *nudging armaan* Armaan gave a broad smile, shifted next to her and caught Riddhima by the waist..
Ar: I know!
Riddhima gave a fake smile too and attempted to remove Armaan's hand from her waist.. She tried but he was too stubborn.. Finally she gave up and let him be.. She was talking to Rohit for a while and giving Armaan dirty looks every 2 minutes.. Varun and Shikha also joined them after sometime..
Armaan whispered into her ear.. "Basket! Wanna dance?"
"No!" She mouthed
"Please?"
"I thought you were tired ?"
"Now I'm not.." He said running his hand up and down her waist..
"Nai.. Mujhe dance nahi karna tumhare saath.. You go and dance alone!"
"Kya hua.. Why are you getting upset?" He said pulling her half over his lap..
His cousins were really chilled out people and there was no childish teasing and laughing at couples among them..
Rohit who had overheard the conversation butted in..
"Bhabhi jao naa.. Enjoy yourself!"
"No its really okay! I'm tired now.."
She said giving Armaan another glare..
"No.. Nothing doing bhabhi.. You have to dance! Dedicate it to me!" He added cheekily.. And pulled her up and placed her hand in Armaan's..
He led her by the waist to the dance floor and pulled her into him.. Swaying to the fast beats.. Riddhima was still pissed off and maintained a distance..
Armaan knew she was going to be upset.. But he didn't say a word and just pulled her closer to him everytime she tried to get away!
She didn't want to dance with him.. She really found his attitude ridiculous! Yes.. He could have been tired.. But today he had slept for a good 6-7 hours and she was the one who was tired.. They were out with his cousins and he really didn't have to behave anti-social with her in front of his cousins.. Armaan pulled her closer and this time she didn't back away.. His cousins were watching them.. And she didn't want to make a scene.. So she whispered into his ear..
"Armaan.. I don't want to dance!"
"You are angry because I said I was tired earlier right?"
She didn't say anything..
He pulled her close..
"Riddhima.. Listen to me.. I said no earlier because Rohit.. How do I say this.. Rohit can't dance! He lost one of his legs in an accident.. Normally you won't even realize! And he's really cool about it... But he can't dance! So I was just giving him company basket!"

"Oh my God!!!!..Why din't you tell me before Armaan..I din't know that..Shit he must have felt that I purposely asked him to dance in spite of knowing the truth....What must he be thinking about me??"

"Basket you over- think so much.....Why will he think anything bad about you?...He knows that you don't know about the accident...And FYI he loves you...a little too much if you ask me...but anyway he thinks your great and that I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have you...Din't you hear him say that before?

"Yes..but still Armaan..these things are so sensitive...you should tell me such things before hand..what if I would have told him something else without knowing the truth....I could have hurt his feelings na??

"Ok baba..SORRY...I will tell you the entire life history of every person we are about to meet next time...OK...HAPPY ??? We can have a pre-meeting session where I can brief you on them and then we can go ahead and meet them...."

"Shut up...Armaaaan...That's not what I meant....U don't take anything seriously...U know what I am going..I don't feel like dancing...U can dance alone if you want.."

Saying this she turned and proceeded to walk away from there but he caught her by the waist and pulled her towards him...Riddhima tried to get away but Armaan had locked his hands behind her back and was not letting her budge.

"Leave me Armaan...Leave me right now...Ahhh...Leave me...I want to go.." She hit him on the chest trying to get out of his hold.

"Nope...I'm not letting you go anywhere basket...Not till I get to dance with my wife..."

"Thats your problem not mine...Leave me na......leeeaaaavvvvv meeee....Armaan...Haath chodo na...

"Yeh haath meine chodne ke liye nahi pakda hai jaaneman..."

"Oh God!!!! stop maroing stupid lines...Armaaaaaa"

After squirming and trying to get away for a while Riddhima gave up and pouted her lips making it clear that she was upset with him.

"Awwwww....My baby is upset....Basket you know you look like a cute little baby when you pout like that..Sooo cutteee...." He pulled her cheeks and pecked her on her lips....Riddhima almost wanted to smile at his gesture but she controlled herself and pouted further. Armaan chuckled looking at her.

"Acha baba..I'm Sorry....I won't joke again...Please forgive me baby,,,,Please please pleaseee...Lets just dance peacefully....And ya before I forget..I love you..." He held his ears while saying all this. Riddhima finally smiled and gave in.. She closed in whatever little distance that was between them.. Her toes half on his.. And wrapped her hand around his neck.. " I love you too!" She whispered and planted a soft kiss on his earlobe..

Armaan was intoxicated by her perfume and hugged her back.. Holding her to himself.. His hands wrapped around her waist.. Swaying to the music..

The song changed and the DJ made the beats faster and the music louder!

Lehraake balkhake tu, duniya bhula ke naach
Dhun ko ae gunguna le, gaane tu gaa ke naach
Rangeeleon mein to kho ja, pee ke peela ke naach
Matt bhare naino se tu, naina mila ke naach

"By the way Armaan I am sorry too....I got pissed at you for not dancing earlier....I din't know na...Sorry about that..."

"What basket??...I can't hear you...." The music was too loud.

"I AM SORRY!" She screamed above the music.. They were dancing really close.. And she was enjoying the music..

"Oh...Apology accepted....By the way Basket! Just to clear it out.. I more than wanted to dance with you! You are looking so HOT!" He screamt back and twirled her around..She hit him on the arm and they began moving to the beats of the music.

Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you

He twirled her around and held her by the back.. He held her close.. And wrapped his hands around her once again.. Her back facing him now.. She totally leaned into him.. Her face almost buried in his chest.. Totally at peace after a long day.. !

Sun le sahiba ..
Tu hai ik nasha ..
Hosh hai mera ..
Saara kho gaya ..

Hosh gawa deewane, hosh gawa ke naach
Paas tu aa deewane, paas tu aake naach
Dil mein hai armaan jitne, saare jaga ke naach
Tann mein badan mein jaise aag laga ke naach
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Dekh ke bhi nahi ho yakeen
Itni kyun hai btaa tu haseen
Tere husn se zindagi haseen
Tere husn ke aagey koi haseena kujh bhi nahi
Aankhon mein mere saare sapne saja ke naach
Mujhko tu dil mein rakh le, dil ko dhalka ke naach
Pyaar agar hai mujhse, pyaar jaga ke naach
Jaan o dil hai jo teri, mujhpe luta ke naach
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you

The song ended and the DJ announced a 5 min break. Armaan and Riddhima headed back towards the lounge and were greeted by an applause by the group as they all gushed about how cute and "made for each other" they looked when they danced together. They sat there a chilled for a while...

Ranveer: chalo guys...thoda aur dance karte hein..The DJ is playing really good songs now..

Riddhima: Hmmm. Actually guys Armaan and I were thinking that all of us should leave from here and go to our house...We have danced here for so long...And none of you'll have come home before...Its not very far and we can all chat and catch up...watch a movie and just hang out....Wat do you guys think?? And Shweta wanted to see our wedding album and videos too.. We can do that...

Shweta: WOW that sounds great....I wanted to see your wedding lehenga and jewellery too...U now tips for what I want for mine...Yeahh...Lets go..

Raj: Bhabhi are you sure...You want all of us to come home now...Its quite late...U must be tired na..

Riddhima: You call me bhabhi on one side and then act so formal....Buddhu...Ya I want all of you'll to come....It'll be fun....Its so noisy here we can hardly talk.....It'll be comfortable at home..and Rohit I'll make my special mayo sandwhich for you..

Rohit: Seriously bhabhs....U would do that...WOW..Bhaiya was praising your sandwhich so much and you know I love mayo....I can't wait...I'm hungry already..(He smacked his lips)

Riddhima chuckled and hit him on the head..

They got out of the club.. And waited for their cars to come as they'd given it in the valet.

"Okay Armaan.. So I take left from the Phoenix signal right? Where State Bank is?" Varun asked Armaan..

"No.. Don't take the left.. You go straight from the bank and there is Casablanca next to it.."

"Arrey bhaiya.. Now you are confusing me.." Rohit butted in..

"Dekho you go straight from Phoenix .. You'll see this signal.. Go straight from the signal and enter Casablanca.. You will see it.."

"Armaan.. Let them follow our car naa.." Riddhima said..

"Basket.. So many cars.. They might just lost track.."

"Okay.. Now my car is here.. If there is any problem I'll just call you.." Raj said!

"Cool.. !" Armaan said while Raj and Shweta got into the car..

--

"So Riddhima jee"

"Haan?"

"I hope you enjoyed.."

"Haan Armaan.. Your cousins are so so sweet..!"

"Just like me.. Aakhir cousins kiske hain haan?"

"Tum chup raho.. Maine aaj tak tum jaisa anti-social insaan nahi dekha hain..!"

"Anti- social?? Woh woh wohhh.. ! Pehle tum mujhe kya kehti thi? Armaan.. Tumhari life mein parties aur ladkiyaan ke alaava aur kuchh bhi tha?" He replied imitating Riddhima..

She had nothing to say.. "Tummm.. Dekho.. Mein woh.. Mein woh.. Mera matlab.."

"Mein wohh mein wohh.. Mera matlab.."

"I don't want to talk to you.." She said turning on the music volume..

"Why not?" He turned the music down..

"Just.." She replied turning it on..

"Basket.. This is my car! My music player.. So I decide the volume!"

*smack!* "Kya kahaan tumne?? MY car?! I am married to you.. And whatever that is yours is mine now!"

"Oww.. Okay I agree.. Sorry.. Lekin tum kitnaaa zor se marti ho! That hurt.." He said rubbing his arm..

They drove into their building entrance.. And parked the car in their reserved parking place..

Shweta and Raj had already reached.. They waited for the rest of them in the lobby and then went up once everyone had come..

-

"I have to say bhabhi.. This album is so so so cute! Armaan bhaiya and you are made for each other.." Shikha told Riddhima as Riddhima was making coffee for them in the kitchen.. She had taken out their wedding album to show the girls.. And they were drooling over it! It always made her happy when people commented on their wedding pictures.. She personally thought that the pictures had come out really good! She always considered herself to be non-photogenic.. She barely ever liked any of her pictures with Armaan because he always looked so good in all of them.. And she made it a point to upload only a select few pictures on facebook.. Even her profile pictures were well selected in which Armaan looked a little less handsome than he normally did.. He had like some 1000 random friends on his profile and they always commented stuff like "OhMyGod Armaan.. You still look the same like you did in college.. Even better infact!" or.. "I heard you got engaged! Lucky girl.. You look so good!" or even worse.. "Its been ages Mallik.. We HAVE to catch up sometime soon.. I'll call you sometime this week" There was nothing bad about this comments except they were from girls who normally threw themselves at him at every opportunity they got! Stupid irritating things!

"Thanks!.. I'll show you our engagement album too.. !" She picked up the coffee tray and went out of the kitchen..

"I'll get the other sandwich tray bhabhi.."

"No Shweta.. Its really okay..!"

"C'mon bhabhi.. Don't be so formal.. I can't believe Rohit actually told you to make the sandwiches at 2 in the morning.."

"Arrey.. Toh oosme kya hain.. It barely takes any time!" She said as she placed the tray on the couch table.. They had all made themselves comfortable on the floor with coffee mugs and sandwiches..

Raj: "Achhaa guys chalo.. Lets play something!"

Armaan: "Haan chalo let play truth or dare.." Stretching his hand out a little to Riddhima as she sat between his legs..

Shweta: "No.. Not truth or dare.. That's boring!"

Raj: "You say that you are just scared!"

Shikha: "Okay guys time out.. How about.. We just select a person.. And spill that person's secrets? And the person who has the most interesting secrets is the winner?"

Varun immediately caught onto Shikha's idea.. "Yeah yeah.. That is fun!"

Armaan: "What rubbish that's not even a game!" He knew exactly what they were trying to do..

Raj followed Varun's cue.. "No no.. That is an amazing idea! It will be fun.."

Armaan: "Arrey.. Truth or dare khelte hain naa.. Kyun tum log darr gayye? Cowards!" His cousins had made plans to reveal his secrets to Riddhima.. And Riddhima was not even realizing.. Which was a good thing for him! Because she would never let this "game" of theirs go then.. But it seemed like his cousins were in no mood to let him have a peaceful life..

Shweta: "No.. !! We should play this game.. Truth and dare is for kids! Anyway, what dares will we even give? This secret popping thing is so much more fun!"

Riddhima: "Yeah yeah.. Sounds good!"

Varun: "Okay.. So lets select one person.. And then we'll go on to the next person once that is done!"

Raj: "Yeah.. Everyone says something about that person.."

Armaan muttered to himself.. "Kameeno.. Why do they have to say one person.. Obviously that is going to be me! Saalo.. !"

Rohit: "Okay so lets start with Armaan bhaiyya!"

Riddhima: "Theek hain.. !" She looked back at him and winked.. While he gave a fake smile and continued to mentally curse his cousins..

Raj: "Okay.. So secret no 1.. This was when we were about 14 or something.. I was about 13 and Armaan was 14 I guess.. And we were at someone's wedding.. We must be in about the 7^th grade or something? And guess what happens..?"

Armaan: "Saale Raj.. Gadaar.. ! Tune mujhe bola tha kit u yeh sab kisi ko nahi bataayega!"

Riddhima: "Arrey Armaan.. Childhood secrets hain naa.. We all have our childhood secrets! Bolo naa Raj.."

Raj: "Yes.. So we were at the wedding.. And guess what happens? All of a sudden.. I see Armaan getting up.. And hiding behind the pillar.."

Riddhima: "Why?" Looking at Armaan..

Raj: "Because the bride's cousin sister.. Happened to be the girl he had screwed over with!"

Riddhima: "What?? He was only 14!"

Raj: "Yeah.. But that's not the point! The point is.."

Armaan: "Raj.. That's it! Enough.."

Raj: "Arrey.. Bhabhi se kya chhipana.." Armaan could have killed him then and there.. !!

Shweta: "Haan toh phir?"

Armaan: "Kuchh nai.. I had promised to marry the girl and make her meet mom!"

Raj: "Liarrr.. ! Corre-c-t-ion.. ! You had apparently taken pheras with the girl around one of your canteen tables after-school!"

So Armaan had been around girls since the age of 14..?! Like 14..?! Well obviously.. What was she expecting? She hated it when any of his ex-girlfriend's ever came up in conversations.. Her blood boiled and she always got irritated at any such mention.. It wasn't that a big deal.. But she could just imagine a 14 year old Armaan flirting with girls at his school!

Riddhima looked at Armaan while he just smiled back with his "oh.. its nothing really" look!

She just turned his back to him..

Riddhima: "Canteen tables? How sweet Armaan.. ! Who chanted the mantras? Your canteen lady?" She said in a sugary sweet tone..

All of them howled with laughter at that..

Raj: "By the way Shweta.. I just realized.. Thanks to Armaan bhaiyya ofcourse.. We can have an economical wedding.. Hu.. Hum..Humarein school ki canteen mein.." He said, in between fits of laughter as Shweta smacked his arm..

Armaan: "Basket.. I was just a kid at that time okay.."He said looking at her..

Riddhima: "Aww.. My Ballika Vadhu!" She said clenching her teeth a little

And everyone burst into fits of laughter again..

Damn this Raj.. Bas**rd of the decade!

Rohit: Arrey Raj.. What about that one? When Armaan bhaiyaa was in the hostel and he got caught?

Armaan: "Bas bas bas.. Game over.. Its 2: 30.. Mujhe bohot neend aa rahi hain.. Aap sab bhi ghar jao.. Bye.. Good night.. Sweet dreams" He said.. Hoping that by some miracle they would just get up and LEAVE!

Riddhima: "Tum log Armaan ki mat suno.. Don't listen to him.. Yeah.. So what happened in the hostel?" She said giving him another dirty look..

Armaan: "Riddhima.. Babyyy.. Kal hospital jaana hai naa?"

Riddhima: "Armaan.. Kal Sunday hai.." She replied in a syrupy sweet voice..

He was dead meat now.. After this story.. He definitely was.. : )