"I would know what to do in my sleep, the amount of times you've told us every step." Armaan grumbled, making Riddhima giggle.
"But he never used to be late. Preferred coming on time." Riddhima voiced, then it suddenly hit her. Armaan was the one who rushed late and made an entrance. Always. And Sid, well, was he trying to copy Armaan? Was that why he'd broken up with her? Did he want to attain the single status again so that he could get the attention from Sanjeevani staff? No. He wouldn't break her heart like that just for mere attention. But then again..
"Well, madam, can I ask you for this dance?" Armaan's charming features blocked her thoughts as she gave an impressed look at him then nodded. He graciously escorted her to the dance floor, while Nikki made her way to the DJ.
"So much charm and still single?" Riddhima questioned him, feigning ignorance. In all honesty, she wanted to ask him why he liked her so much when he had such could win over any girl! And there were definitely better looking girls around her. He could have anyone of them with those hypnotic eyes!
"Let's say, I like being single." Two could play at a game, he thought to himself. If she was so desperate to act like she had no clue whatsoever, he could act the same as well.
"Guys, this one is for all those romantic couples out there, then we'll bring the beats up" The DJ's voice clouded the music and at once, the beats died down to give place to a slow, soothing piece of music. Riddhima realized it was Gravity by Sara Bareilles. She frowned as that song reminded her of the reason she was on the dance floor with another guy.
Something always brings be back to you,
It never takes too long,
No matter what I say or do,
I still feel you here to the moment I'm gone.
"Uhmm Armaan.." she whispered as they swayed slowly to the music, the atmosphere getting tense. He looked at her, as opposed to when he had been staring past her. "We're supposed to act like we have feelings for each other. Not ten year olds who hate the sight of the other person." She said tentatively after she caught Nikki's glare and a sign to get closer to him. Why did Abhi have night duty?
Armaan smiled, and suddenly jerked her forward, forcing her to hold her breath.
"As you say, sweetheart." He replied mockingly, and it took some time for Riddhima to get back to her senses. Closing her eyes she willed herself to lean forward as nervousness pumped through her veins, just so that their faces were barely centimeters apart and his nose was brushing her cheek as his arms tightened around her protectively.
Set me free leave me be,
I don't wanna fall another moment into your gravity,
Here I am and I stand so tall,
Just the way I'm supposed to be,
But you're on to me and all over me.
She shut her eyes, picturing Sid as those lyrics sailed through her head. They were so right. But was she doing the right thing? Will she ever actually get him?
Armaan shut his eyes too, trying to live in the moment. Who knew whether he'll get to be this close to her ever again? If things worked out well, he probably only had like two weeks at the least with her to break Sid's ego and pride. But if things didn't go to plan, then it could take a month, maybe more. He sincerely hoped for the latter. Because he could then probably enjoy the time spent with her and treasure it inside himself till, well, till he could move on in life. But with her in front of him, would he be able to move on?
He daren't breathe, incase her scent drove him crazy and he started doing things he would regret later. That's why shutting his eyes was the best option and taking one long breath and holding it in was even better.
But you're neither friend nor foe though I,
Can't seem to let you go,
One thing that I still know,
Is that you're keeping me down,
Keeping me down
She relaxed against his hold and eased up. If she would act so tensed up all the time, it would be a lot harder than it already was for Armaan to act like the perfect boyfriend. Though he would be, she was sure. Armaan was an amazing person. If only she hadn't met Sid before, fallen crazily in love with him, enough to overlook his antics of trying to be like Armaan, then maybe her and Armaan could have been perfect together.
You're on to me on to me slowly,
Something always brings me back to you,
It never takes too long.
The song ended, and as the magic faded, the real world became more vivid for both, Armaan and Riddhima as they split apart. She saw Armaan's dimples deepen on his cheeks as he gave her a reassuring look. She found herself smiling back at him as he laced his hands through hers and led her off the dance floor. They had an understanding. A common ground that both could lean back on. They were friends, and if nothing, each was sure that this step they took would deepen their friendship.
"Hi guys.." Riddhima said brightly to Nikki and Sid. Sid's eyes fell on Armaan and Riddhima's linked hands, while Nikki was almost bursting out of sheer happiness. If Sid felt uncomfortable, he didn't say anything. He merely swept his gaze away to his date who was dressed in a jeans mini skirt and a shocking pink top that showed her belly piercing, and bit too much cleavage. Frowning at the lack of response, Riddhima questioned Nikki through her eyes who sighed and excused both of them.
"He's not even slightly reacting!" she whispered furiously. She knew this was a bad idea. And to drag Armaan into it, even worse!
"Sweetheart, his eyes were only on you two throughout the dance! How did you make it look so real?" she questioned excitedly.
"I don't know.." Riddhima answered back quietly as she tried to comprehend the situation on the dance floor.
"Crackling chemistry! And both of you had your eyes shut. It looked so romantic! Seriously, if I hadn't been in on this plan I would have thought you were dating too!"
Riddhima smiled nervously at her. Well, there was a hell lot of tension between them present. She looked over at Sid and Armaan. What were they going on about?
"Armaan, meet Shalini." Sid introduced them, and all Armaan could do was pass a friendly smile at her. She however, flipped her hair and replied in a babyish tone,
"Not Shalini Sid. It sounds like such a good girl. Shalz or Shalu for everyone.." she winked at Armaan.
Okay, seriously, was Sid raving mad?! He left Riddhima for that? That girl who looked so shallow and such a bimbette that she probably couldn't even tell the difference between her right and left! Well, it was wrong to call a girl so shallow, but sometimes, they couldn't really prove otherwise.
"Yeah..uhmm..hi.." Armaan spluttered as she leant across the table to give her hand but also providing a full view of what was exactly inside her top. Sid winked at Armaan as Armaan threw a W*F look at him.
"Ahem ahem.." someone cleared their throats right behind Armaan. He did not need a single look to know who that was. Behind Sid, Nikki gave Riddhima a 'thumbs up' sign and motioned for her to go on.
Riddhima wanted to puke. No, not really, but what the hell? Was this girl really Sid's date to the party? What had seen in her? And clearly she was making a beeline for Armaan, but was Sid that blind that he could not even see that? Sure, Armaan was hot, good looking, dashing, handsome, you name it, with girls dying for him. And Sid wanted all that, but that didn't mean he could choose any random person and replace her like that! The nerve of that son of a b**ch was so much, that all she wanted to do at that moment was throw the red liquid she was holding in her hands, onto his face, and slap it so hard that he finally came back to his senses! Enough pretending to be Armaan! Armaan never stooped that low! And as a friend, she was proud of saying that. But Sid?! She gave Nikki a 'can you believe this girl?' expression, while Nikki just tutted through her eyes and motioned Riddhima to go forward with the plan. Well, if that complete ass of a human needed to see things right, then she would make them much more obvious!
She glanced at Armaan's confused facial structure and realized that he really could be cute when he wanted to. At that point, all she felt like doing was pulling his cheeks. Hard! Smiling at the cute scene in front of her and momentarily forgetting what she was actually supposed to do, she felt herself grow numb to the surroundings. What would it be like if she and Armaan dated? Honestly, would it be the same? With walks along the beach, hands linked, her leaning onto his strong, broad shoulders, him kissing her at regular intervals. No. it was Sid. Siddhant Modi, that name was etched inside her. Even when he was acting like such a moron, jerk pig!
Her eyes suddenly fell on Sid and his date muttering sweet nothings to each other. Immediately, the fire ignited inside her. Fine, she was here to make him realize what he had missed out on. First thing, make him notice her, how though? Nikki, who had gotten tired of motioning to Riddhima and Armaan for the next step, sat down next to Sid, glaring at both couples. Her glare however, immediately vanished and confusion replaced it as Riddhima turned on her heel and rushed away.
Before long, she came back with a triumphant smile adorning her face and placed herself next to Armaan, completely ignoring Sid, who didn't even look like he cared. He was used to her acting like he didn't exist after her 'hi's and before her 'bye's. Mourning sickness, he called it.
"Yo peeps, here's the latest hit By Kat DeLuna, Dancing tonight, dedicated to Armaan Mallik! Hope you like it." The DJ blared out over the fading music, and immediately the crowd screamed.
Different beats took over while all Nikki, Armaan, and even Sid could do was stare open mouthed at Riddhima who had got up from her seat and was now leading Armaan onto the dance floor, with one of her most seductive and charming smiles she could enlighten her face with. Though in all honesty, after seeing the expression of utmost shock and bewilderment on Sid, it wasn't a difficult thing to do.
"I am too surprised to dance right now..you know that right?" Armaan whispered into her ear as she just giggled.
"It was so worth seeing Sid's face! Did you notice it? Come on, lighten up!" She started swaying her body around his stiff one. He could just smile, shake his head at her attitude, and go with the flow.
"Is he watching us?" she murmured as she had her back turned to him.
"You bet," he replied, and pulled her closer to himself, while he watched Sid's mouth drop open then turn to Nikki to converse with her. But Nikki played her part well too. Every now and then, Armaan could lip read his and Riddhima's name (his looked beautiful, combined with Riddhima's) from the corner of his eyes and saw Sid cringe slightly. Mission was already working. Riddhima would be so happy to know that!
Suddenly, the world fazed out around him as he felt Riddhima's body push up against his, closer than he had ever imagined it would. Blood rushing through his veins and pumping inside his head ordered him to keep the distance, not to play with the fire else surely, he would be scorched. But who could not endure a bit of pain from the one they loved? All he could now see was her swift body, moving to the beats, her back on his chest as she lost herself in the music.
Riddhima was really enjoying herself. She felt Armaan's arms tighten around her but the energy inside her didn't drain. She had seen Sid's quick and furtive glances at her and Armaan. It was a start. And a good one. Turning to tell, or show, her partner in crime, she suddenly stopped when her eyes met his. The defeated, amused and surprised expression was replaced with seriousness and what was it in his eyes? Longing? She couldn't fathom it, but abruptly stopped her moves against him with her hands around his shoulders.
Armaan didn't know what to say, how to react. What could he do? Say it out loud, that he loved her? Yes, he loved her. And probably had for a long time. Just the thought of her being happy with Sid was what kept him quiet. But now that she wasn't, why was he silent? Why couldn't he just tell her? Because she would reject him. And the friendship he had so carefully preserved would come crumbling down. No way could he let that happen. But about the torture he was enduring inside himself? In her black, stylish party dress, her green eyes stood out, and now that they were locked directly into his, with apprehension, maybe guilt of some kind, he could not tear himself away. Why was the world sometimes such a cruel place?
She shouldn't have done that. She shouldn't have lost herself in her happiness so much that she never realized who would bear the brunt of her patched relationship, if it happened. She shouldn't have dedicated a song to him just to make Sid jealous. She shouldn't have led him to the dance floor, where she was bound to get closer to him. She just shouldn't have done all that. She dropped her gaze.
"I'm sorry.."
Her eyes widened as once more she glanced at his blue hues. Why was he saying sorry?
"No, I am." She whispered. "I shouldn't have done all that. Armaan, please if you don't want to do this, don't. Please. I'll probably feel like the most rotten person in the whole world." He just looked down but she continued. "You're a great friend. And you don't need to prove it."
"I'm not proving anything. I just want you to be happy." He replied back quietly, and as the song faded, she could hear him clearly.
"You're amazing." This came genuinely from the bottom of her heart while she couldn't break her gaze from his.
"Unfortunately, not amazing enough." He grimly muttered back, but as the next song was pumping into their ears, Riddhima didn't hear him.
Her face portrayed confusion and he led her away from the dance floor, arm around her waist, making sure Sid could see them.
And Sid's eyes never left them, unless they were in front of him, for the rest of the party. Nikki beamed at their acting skills whenever she could while Riddhima and Armaan fell back on their common ground, the friendship they shared, and eased up with each other once more. Everyone left the party with tired out grins etched on their faces except, of course, Sid. Even Shalini found someone else to entertain when Sid's attention diverted away from her for the rest of the night. It was definitely a great beginning.
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