Part 8
Riddhima woke up a bit early to study for the history test. "Stupid history test!" She said with a frown on her face. The frown was replaced by a smile as she looked at Armaan's photo. "Good morning!" she said looking at his photo and then chuckled at how madly she was in… love? Or… was it just a crush… "Lord knows!" She brushed her teeth and washed her face to feel fresh and then began studying.
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"Good morning Riddhy! I know you have already woken up to study! My studious Riddhy." He shook his wondering how madly he was in love. "Boy are you in love Armaan!" he said smiling dreamily.
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History Class
"Oh shit! I didn't say good luck to Riddhy!" Armaan thought. He took his calculator out and reflected the sun rays off the screen so that it would shine in her eyes.
Riddhima got pissed off. "What is this!? Main yaha apna test karne ki koshish kar rahi ho aur koi ghada apne calculator se sunlight shine kar raha hai meri eyes mein." She looked around and saw Armaan shining the sunlight. "Urgh! Stupid Armaan!" she thought. Armaan smiled at her and showed her thumbs up indicating a 'good luck'. Riddhima's anger vanished. She smiled and showed him thumbs up and then resumed writing her test.
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"Test kaisa tha?" Nikki asked.
"Fantabulous!" Riddhima said happily.
"Kuch to baat hai! Batao, batao!" So Ridz told them.
"Ooohhh!!! So ye baat hai! Good, good. Kisi ki love story mein progress ho rahi hai. Good to know that! :P :P" Muskaan said.
Riddhima hit her lightly on her arm and blushed. Then she said, "Achcha guys! I was thinking ki for my birthday tum log next weekend mere ghar aa jana for a small celebration. What say!?"
"Ya sure."
"I am cool with it." Nikki said.
Soon days passed and Ridz and Armaan were falling for each other every second.
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Next Week: Monday
It was English and it was a free period. No teacher had turned up to take Riddhima's class and Armaan's class had joined their class as they had a free period too. Suddenly a girl asked Riddhima to sing a Hindi song. She didn't want to. It would be embarrassing if she sung badly.
"Come on Ridz! Please!" The girl said.
"Ya come on Ridz. Sing for us." Armaan said. Suddenly, Riddhima felt a confidence boost up.
"Alright, alright. I will sing." Riddhima took a deep breath and started to sing.
Riddhima:
Mujhe teri aankhon ki gehrai mein doobne de
Mujhe teri baahon ki jannat mein khone de
Tere bina yeh jeewan
Jaise suna sapna
Tere bina tujhko har pal
Dhundhee yeh dil mera
Mujhe Teri aankhon ki gehrai mein doobne de
(Just when she was about to sing the guy's part, Armaan started to sing.)
Armaan:
Na-Na nahi jana pyaar kya
Nahi jana hota hai yeh intezaar kya
Teri aankhon ne sab kuch kaha
Kyun na kahe teri zubaan
(He said he didn't want to wait anymore. Her eyes said everything then why is she not confessing.)
Mana-mana mene pyaar hai
Kaisa chaya dekho mujhpe khumaar hai
Mere sang zameen aur aasmaan
Phir kyun hai khoyi meri har dishaa
Riddhima:
Mujhe Teri aankhon ki gehrai mein doobne de
Mujhe teri baahon ki jannat mein khone de
Armaan:
Tere bina, Tere bina
Har pal suna sa
Ek tujhse hi banta mere
Jahan pyaara - pyaara
De do na mujhko
Woh har khushi
Haan kehta hai mujhse yeh dil mera
(He told her that he missed her every second and that with her, his world was beautiful.)
Mujhe Teri aankhon ki gehrai mein doobne de
Mujhe teri baahon ki jannat mein khone de
Aaa-aaa aaaaa aaaa
Aaa - aaa aaaaa aaaa
Aa - aa - aa - aa aaa
Aa - aa -aa aa aaa
Riddhima:
Har zarei mein, har jagah mein, mahsus karti hoon mein
Ek tujhko hi, haan tujhko hi, mehfooj rakhti hoon mein
Khayalon mein, dil mein, meri saanson mein
Gungunati hoon tujhko, har baat mein
(She told him that he was on her mind every second and that she felt him everywhere she went.)
Mujhe Teri aankhon ki gehrai mein doobne de
Mujhe teri baahon ki jannat mein khone de
Nan na - na - na
nan naan aaan nanan
nan - nan anana
Aan aaa aa
Nan na - na - na
nan naan aaan nanan
"Hey you sing really good Ridz. And you too Armaan." The girl said.
"Thanks." Armaan and Riddhima said. The bell went and they started walking to their next class.
"Thanks." Ridz said.
"For what?" Armaan asked.
"Umm… for singing with me."
"Oh that, my pleasure. It was fun."
"Ya it was. And before you ask what we have, we have maths. And before you ask what room, we have to go to room 6."
"Wow! You know a lot about me!"
"It's been two months since I met you. I think that's enough to know a person."
"Really!? Ok, so tell me. What else do you know about me!?"
"You love playing and watching basketball and cricket. Sauce wala laal, you favourite colour. You and Rahul are like brothers and you cannot live without him. Tumhe apna timetable zindagi mein kabhi bhi yaad nahi hoga :P. Tum music ke bina zinda nahi reh sakte. You have never had a girlfriend because you believe in true love and tumhe wo abhi tak mili nahi hai. You - "
She was cut short by Armaan who said, "Wait! Mujhe wo mil gayi!"
"Really?"
"Really! Bata du?"
"Bata do!"
"Bata du?" He was almost whispering now and they had stopped walking. He inched closer to her.
"Bata do!"
"Bata du?"
"Nahi :P." She pushed him back and ran away from their laughing.
"Wo… wo tum ho!" He said blushing and running his hands through his hair.
All through the maths class, Armaan kept staring at Ridz and Ridz, wo tamater ki tarah laal ho rahi thi. :P
"Riddhima, are you ok?" the teacher asked.
"Yes miss. Why?" Riddhima asked.
"You are going red, that's why."
"Oh… ummm… I... a… I am just feeling a little hot."
"You are feeling hot in 18 degrees temperature? Very weird!" And she continued teaching.
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"Ridz, Armaan bata raha tha that you know a lot about him!" Rahul said.
Armaan pulled him aside and whispered, "Abe ghade, tujhe ye bolne ko kisne kaha?"
"Oh! Sorry."
Everyone was laughing at Rahul's stupidity. Riddhima looked at Armaan and they had an eye lock. They weren't speaking but their silence was speaking volumes to each other.
"Ridz, Ridz!" Muskaan yelled to get her back to her senses.
"Hmm... Bol!"
"Chalo madam, tera ghar aa gaya hai!"
"Oh ya, bye guys." And she got off the bus and went to her home.
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"Ma, please mujhe mera surprise batao na. I am dying to know!" Ridz said.
"Riddhima, do din mein pata chal jaega. Tera birthday Wednesday ko hai, Monday, yaani ki aaj nahi. Tujhe apna birthday to yaad hai na. :P"
"Oh shit. Maine to boys ko party ke bare mein bataya hi nahi. Kal bata dungi. Aacchuu!!" She sneezed.
"Tujhe sardi ho gayi hai?"
"Nahi ma, aise hi."
"Mujhe pagal bana rahi hai? Jaake rest kar."
"Pagal ko pagal kya banau. :P :P Kidding! Don't kill me please."
"Jaake rest kar."
Riddhima ran upstairs to avoid anymore scolding and Padma laughed at the bubblyness of her daughter. Riddhima passed her day and waited for tomorrow.
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Tuesday
Riddhima didn't go to school. She had a little temperature. She wanted to go but Padma ordered her to stay home. She missed everyone terribly, especially Armaan. In the evening, at around 6PM, Muskaan and Nikki came to see her.
"Umm… Armaan, Rahul aur Abhi nahi aaye?" Ridz asked.
Nikki and Muskaan looked at each other worriedly but then remembered their promise to Rahul and Abhi. "You will not tell Riddhima anything, understand. Armaan has said that." They remembered the hatred in their voice. They remembered Armaan's face. They remembered those red, swollen eyes. Nikki spoke, "They are busy, apni - apni family ke saath."
"Oh ok. Why are you guys so tensed?"
"Kuch nahi. Teri… teri tabiyet theek nahi hai na. Isiliye." Nikki's voice was thick with tears.
Ridz hugged her and said, "Arre I am fine yaar. Don't worry, sab theek ho jaega." Muskaan hugged her. They three were hugging and Ridz was thanking the god for such good friends while Muskaan and Nikki thought, "Sab kaise theek hoga?" They broke away from the hug.
"Hum dono kuch khaane ka leke aate hai tere liye!" Muskaan said.
"Nahi, nahi! It's all cool. I am fine. Tum mere saath baitho and tell me about all the masti you did without me. And did you guys miss me? Did anyone miss me?" Ridz asked. She was wishing that they would say that Armaan missed her terribly.
"Arre meri ma. We all missed you a lot. And tere bina there is no masti. Ok :)" Muskaan smiled forcefully. "Achcha, ab hum kuch khaane ka leke aate hai. Eat, and you will get well soon. Chal Nikki." And they both ran downstairs. Ridz was wondering why Muskaan and Nikki were acting so weirdly but then pushed her thoughts aside.
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Downstairs
"Nikki, we have to be strong for Ridz. If we do something that will make here suspicious, then wo humse sach bulwa kar rahegi. We have to be strong." Muskaan said, tension clearly visible on her face.
"I will be strong for her yaar. But the thing that is worrying me is that… that it's her birthday tomorrow. When Armaan talks to her, she will be broken down and if we tell her now, she will not talk to Armaan. And then unhe pata chal jaega ki humne usse bata diya hai. Aur tu jaanti hai ki wo kya karenge. Do you remember what they said?"
"Yes, I do remember. She is strong. I know, I am 100% sure she will be able to take the blow."
"Ya. Chal let's go upstairs."
"Ya, let's go." And they both went upstairs.
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Flashback (Muskaan's POV)
Morning: In the bus
I read the message from Ridz. It read: "Hey Muski, sorry but I m not coming 2 skool 2day. Mom wudn't let me becuz I hav a lil temperature. Nikki ko bata dena 'cuz I am outta credit. And 1 more thing, tell the guys abt my b'day party plz. Thnx. Luv ya heaps. Mwahz. Ridz/Riddhima. :D"
I frowned reading the message. "Aaj ye bhi nahi hai. Nahi Armaan, Rahul aur Abhi. I hope Nikki comes on the bus." Nikki came and we chit-chatted our way to school.
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I spotted Rahul and Abhi but Armaan was no where to be seen. I went up to them but they just walked away.
"Bad luck. Baad mein baat karna!" Nikki said to me.
Periods one and two passed. Recess came and I spotted all the three guys. I saw Armaan's face, examined it, rubbed my eyes to make sure I was looking at the right guy, asked Nikki to double check and then got a big shock. Armaan's face was pale and his eyes were red and swollen. We walked up to them to ask what was wrong.
"Armaan, what's wrong?" Nikki asked.
"What's wrong? You are asking us what's wrong. Oh just get out of here, we don't want to see your face!" Abhi said rudely.
"Abhi, ye kya battameezi hai?" I asked. Nikki was hurt by his comment.
"Kya battameezi hai? Oh please don't act as if you don't know. That friend of your's, Riddhima, what she did with Armaan, you would know… right?!" Rahul said, hatred dripping from his voice.
"Nikki, chal yaha se. We are not here to listen them speak bullshit about Riddhima and ourselves." I stormed off dragging a hurt and confused Nikki.
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Lunch
"Muskaan, I think we should ask them once again what's wrong!" Nikki said.
"Nikki, I am telling you nicely. I – am – not – going – to – talk- to – them. Wo kuch bhi bole, aur hum kuch bhi sun le. Let them go die!" I said.
"Haan but - " Nikki stopped mid sentence as she saw Rahul and Abhi approaching us.
"Kya hua? Tu kya dekh rahi hai?" I looked in the direction where Nikki was looking at and started to fume with anger as I saw the guys. "Tum yahan kya karne aaye ho? Get – the – hell – outta – here. We don't want to see your face!" I yelled.
"Just listen to what we are saying carefully!" Rahul said.
"Oh no, no, no! We don't want to hear anything!"
"Muskaan please!" Nikki pleaded.
"Fine! Bolo." I agreed because Nikki had asked.
"Alright. In recess, I said a lot without explaining. It got a bit too much." Rahul said.
"To sorry bolo!"
"I won't say sorry because it is still your mistake."
"What do you - "
"Can you just listen to what I am saying?" We both noticed the rudeness in his voice. We also noticed that he had been talking in English to us all this while. This wasn't him… right? We stared at Abhi and Rahul blankly. Rahul continued, "Armaan… he-he is heartbroken, all because of that girl Riddhima. I know that you two were involved in this f***ing game of her's. When we found out, we were disgusted. We couldn't believe that she would do this just for her popularity. Armaan… she used him, just for her popularity. You… you used us, just for you popularity. And we are sure that you two are involved in it as well. We know that you spread these rumours. What happened? Why are you standing as if you are surprised to know all this? Don't act as if you didn't do al - " Someone had to stop him. I couldn't. I was stunned too know all this.
"Rahul, we didn't do all this shit! We didn't spread those rum - " This time Abhi cut Nikki off and even he spoke rudely.
"Nikki, just stop acting for god's sake. You all three could be like this. I can't believe it. Even after we found out, you continue to act. You are such bitches!"
That was it for me. I was shocked to hear that word from his mouth for US. That was enough to take my silence away. "Stop it Abhi. How dare you say this shit about us? We have been listening to all this for a while, it doesn't mean that you keep bullshitting. You know what! We don't give a f**k if you don't listen to us, if you don't believe us; because you are nothing in our lives. Go, get the hell outta here, we don't want to see your face." I swore, I bellowed, I acted hard; but in reality, I was drinking those tears back through my eyes. I was crying inside. I was breaking apart, I was breaking away from Rahul. But friends come first. I was not going to hear all this about Riddhima and Nikki. We couldn't hear this. But the saddest thing was that two months of friendship was breaking apart. Just then Rahul said, "We are going. Bye!" All this while he was speaking with hatred, but this time I noticed the sadness in his eyes that he was trying to hide all this time. He was breaking inside as well. I know. I know he was.
"You will not tell Riddhima anything, understand. Armaan has said that." Abhi sounded like he was drained out, he sounded like he had lost his energy. It was as if he was lifeless now. "You better not tell her, or we will make your life miserable! Armaan will talk to her himself." And they went away, breaking all the ties from us.
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Flashback ends
"So guys, tell me what you did today?" Ridz asked. Muskaan came back to reality hearing Riddhima's voice.
"Umm… sorry what did you say?" Muskaan asked. She was not paying attention to anything as she was lost in this afternoon's memory.
"Oye hoye! Kya baat hai? Rahul ke khayalon mein kho gayi thi… haina?"
Muskaan felt herself tearing apart but kept herself under control. She smiled a bit and nodded in agreement, acting as if ki wo sharma rahi thi Riddhima ke remarks pe.
"Arre wah beta, kuch hua kya aaj?" Ridz teased.
"Nahi re, kuch nahi. We didn't do much today. The school felt empty without you, so ya!"
"Oh ok! Umm… guys!?"
"Haan… bol!" Nikki said. She was keeping quite because she was afraid something will slip from her mouth.
"Um… I was thinking ki I will tell Armaan tomorrow because… I think he likes me as well." She blushed.
Nikki's POV
Yaar, ye har baar ghoom pheer kar Armaan pe aa jati hai! Hum ise bata bhi nahi sakte. Ab kya excuse banaye!! Mujhe ab dar lag raha hai.
Muskaan's POV
Bhagwaan aisa kyun kar raha hai iske saath. Itna kharab birthday hoga iska. Ab kya excuse banaye!!
In the real world
Nikki and Muskaan's phone rang at the same time. They felt a wave of relief run through them. They both went outside and talked. They came and told Ridz they both had to go home and that they will talk later. Ridz wanted them to stay, but didn't ask them to because their parents had asked them to come back.
"Oh shit… I didn't ask them if they told the guys about the party. Whatever, I will tell them tomorrow." She decided she would read a book and then sleep. She wanted to get a good rest before her birthday. Little did she know that she would need to store a lot of energy for the big day. She read the book and then went to bed, but she couldn't sleep. Armaan's face kept popping in front of her eyes. It was 8 PM and she felt hungry. She went downstairs to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich and ate it. Then suddenly she remembered something. "Oh – my – gosh! How can I forget? IPL ka first match aur main bhool gayi. :O" She ran upstairs and turned her laptop on and started to watch. Soon the match was finished. It was 12 in the night now, (Wednesday) her birthday, but still she wasn't sleepy. She wished herself 'Happy Birthday' and received a ton of messages. Sadly, no messages came from Armaan, Rahul and Abhi. She told herself that maybe they slept and will definitely wish her tomorrow. She was wished by her mom and dad. She asked them about the surprise and they told her that she will get it when she reached home from school.
All she could think of was how she will tell Armaan tomorrow. The perfect song played in the background to describe how she was feeling. Soon it was 2 AM in the morning. The song that was playing (on repeat) was "Next to you" by "Jordin Sparks".
Two 'o clock and I wish that I was sleeping
You're in my head like a song on the radio
All I know is that I got to get next to you
Yeah I got to get next to you
Sitting here turning minutes into hours
To find the nerve just to call you on the telephone
You don't know that I got to get next to you
(She wondered if Armaan was thinking about her as well!)
Maybe were friends, maybe we're more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
I asked around and I heard that you were talking
Told my girl that you thought I was out of your league
What a fool, I got to get next to you, whoa
Yeah it's five in the morning and I can't go to sleep
'Cause I wish, yeah I wish that you knew what you mean to me
Baby let's get together and end this mystery, oh
(She badly wanted to tell Armaan about her feelings for him. It was too much to hold in.)
Maybe were friends, maybe we're more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do?
How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do?
How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do?
How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to do?
How ya get the one you want to want to get next to you?
Yeah, yeah, to want to get next to you
Maybe were friends, maybe we're more
Maybe it's just my imagination
But I see you stare just a little too long
And it makes me start to wonder
So baby call me crazy
But I think you feel it too
Baby call me crazy
But I know you feel it too
Maybe I, Maybe I
Just got to get next to you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I got to get next to you
She slept for a few minutes and just then her alarm rang. She got up, her eyes red and swollen from the lack of sleep. "URGH! I hate you Armaan." She said, not quite meaning it.
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"I hate you Riddhima." Armaan said, looking at their photo from the day when they had performed. One of Armaan's friends had clicked a photo for him. Riddhima was in his arms and they looked like they were made for each other. Fresh tears formed in his red eyes. His brother was coming today and he had done all the preparations for his welcome. He was going to find him home when he returned from school. He would be feeling much, much better after school; after all, he would have, by then, broken all ties with her…… with Riddhima. He kept the photo down on his bedside table. He wanted to throw it away, but something stopped him from doing that. He remembered Monday evening and Tuesday. The last two days, they had been hell for him and today…… it will be hell for Riddhima.
Flashback
Garry D'souza was a new student at school. It had been a few weeks since he had been at the school. He had started to fall for Muskaan but he knew she liked Rahul, he could see it on their faces. He found out that Rahul was close to Armaan, so he became friends with Armaan. Armaan trusted him so he told Garry that he liked Riddhima. Garry soon created a plan. His plan: he was going to tear Armaan and Riddhima apart because he knew that Rahul would then break all ties with Riddhima and her friends. He became more close to Armaan and then implemented the last stage of his plan on Monday evening.
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Monday evening (Armaan's POV)
"Garry, tu chal na mere saath mere ghar pe. Rahul aur Abhi bhi aa rahe hai. Maze karenge!!" I said to Garry. We all were hanging out at Westfield and were going to depart to my house. Garry didn't want to come but I pressurized him and so he agreed. Soon we were at my house in my room chit-chatting. Suddenly, Garry's voice became serious.
"Abe, tu kyun itna serious ho gaya hai?" Abhi asked.
"Actually, mujhe tum logo ko kuch batana hai… regarding…" Garry paused and then said, "regarding Ridz, Muskaan and Nikki." All three of us became more attentive to what he was saying. "The other day I heard them talking about the rumours. I heard them say ki they were successful in spreading them and that wo popular ho ga-"
Rahul stopped Garry. "What the hell? Har kuch mat bol, samjha na!" Even I was getting a bit angry. How dare he say that!?
"Ek baar poori baat to sun le!" Rahul looked away with disgust on his face. I signalled Garry to continue. "Maine ye sab suna and trust me, main jhoot nahi bol raha hu. Tum practically socho. Wo new hai school mein and they would want some popularity. So unhone tumhe use kiya, in teeno ne tumhe use kiya. They started those rumours so that they would attract more attention. Rahul, Armaan; tum dono hi socho. You are so popular, wo aisa karenge; right?"
"But… no… they are not like that!" Rahul protested. For some reason, I believed Garry. It all seemed to fit in. Rahul looked at me and understood what was going through my head. Even Abhi believed Garry. "Armaan! You possibly can't be believing this?! Right?" Rahul's voice was concerned. When I didn't reply, Rahul got his answer. We sat there for a few minutes when Rahul broke the silence, "I guess you are right. Yahi hua hoga. Garry, thanks for telling us man!"
"Ya! Thanks for telling us. She… she used… us - " I couldn't speak anymore. I chocked on my tears. I couldn't believe how low people can go. She used me, pyaar ka natak kiya usne. It made sense, fit in. All this while, maine Abhi aur Rahul ko notice nahi kiya. Ye nahi dekha ki wo kitne sad ho gaye the.
"Armaan… I was thinking ki I will go home now. I am getting late now." Garry said, but I paid no attention to him. All those memories… correction… false memories of us together played in front of my eyes. I did not realize when Garry, Rahul and Abhi left. It seemed like hours had passed when I came out of my thoughts. I realized I was alone. My mom and dad came and reminded me of the preparations to welcome my brother. I realized that life was not going to stop just because some girl named Riddhima hurt me. I decided I would move on. I hope I succeed. I haven't been able to move on since Monday. I know it's only two days, but still. I didn't sleep well that night. I cried a lot because I was frustrated and irritated. I hated this feeling. I hated the fact that I had fallen for her… her out of all the people. Just when I thought my life was full of happiness and perfect, this came. I was hurt and wounded again. Every time I looked at our photo, fresh wounds formed. But I guess these wounds were going to make me strong… and I guess that's why I kept this photo.
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Tuesday
She didn't come to school today. I came late to school. I didn't meet anyone. I was hiding in mine, Rahul and Abhi's secret place. It had been my hiding place since my first day in high school in 7th. Primary school had its own hiding places. Me and Rahul had discovered this on our first day. Rahul and Abhi found me. I hadn't spoken to them since last night. They thought I was still in a state of shock and so decided to get the frustration out of me. They started to say bad things about Riddhima, Muskaan and Nikki. Even now I felt bad hearing all this about them. They asked me one particular question again and again. The question: "How can they do this? Actually, how can she so this?"
I had to stop them, so I yelled, "Guys just shut up! Stop it! Ok!" I took a deep breath as I saw shock plaster their faces. "Maana ki unhone jo kiya wo galat tha… galat hai; but phir bhi, unke bare mein bura bol ke tum apne paap kyun bada rahe ho?" I didn't tell them that I felt bad because they might think that I had gone crazy in love
+
- love that was always ONE SIDED! "So please guys, just stop it. And… I am not in a state of shock. I just want to stay alone for a bit. I don't mind you guys around though. It's ok if you stay." I sat down on the ground. A few tears made their way down my face and I wiped them of quickly; not because I wanted them to think that I was strong, but because I didn't want to hurt them. I knew they felt bad to see me hurt. I also knew that they were weak at heart, so I have to be strong for them. In recess, Muskaan and Nikki came to ask "What was wrong?" Rahul and Abhi fought with them and Muskaan being the short tempered one, walked away along with Nikki. I told the guys to tell them everything patiently and to emphasise on the fact that I will tell Riddhima, not them. In lunch, they came back as two lifeless bodies. I knew they were hurt and I also knew that they were being strong for me. I guess they knew life was just not going to stop because of some girl. They knew we will have to move on, but the question was......... will we be able to?
Flashback ends
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Wednesday Morning: Nikki's house
ND = Nikki's dad
NM = Nikki's mom
"Nikki beta, we have to tell you something." ND said.
"Jaldi bolo dad, main school ke liye late ho rahi hoon." Nikki said.
"Nikki, aaj tum school nahi jaa rahi ho!" NM said.
"Pagal ho gaye ho kya?! Aaj Ridz ka birthday hai and.... it's important." She remembered sadly.
"Tum.... hum.... India move kar rahe hai."
"What!?!?!? Is that why saara samaan pack hua hai? You lied to me about moving houses! Urgh! I hate you both!"
"Nikki!" ND yelled. Nikki was always scared of her dad so she agreed.
"Fine, but can I at least meet my friends once?"
"Ya.... ok!"
Nikki got changed into her travelling clothes and in the car thinking how she will break the news to her friends. She reached school and stepped out of the car and set her foot in Parramatta High School for the last time.
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Top Quad
Riddhima came in and was greeted by everyone but Armaan, Rahul and Abhi. (They were late) Nikki was nowhere to be seen. "Maybe the guys want to surprise me. Nikki ke saath kuch planning ki hogi." Ridz thought nervously. Suddenly she heard Nikki's voice on the PA system and the whole quad.... no wait.... the whole school fell quite.
"Hi guys! Nikki here. First of all I want you all to sing Happy Birthday to my bestest friend Riddhima with me!" Riddhima beamed as they sung her happy birthday. Armaan, Rahul and Abhi were late so they missed the celebration. "Umm.... so now to the sad part." Riddhima' s face fell hearing this. She also noticed that Nikki's voice was suddenly thick with tears. She looked at Muskaan and found her standing there confused. Armaan, Rahul and Abhi had heard the last line spoken by Nikki as they entered. They wondered if Nikki was going to tell Riddhima everything. They rushed to the top quad waiting for Nikki to continue. "I.... am really sorry. But what can I do? Nothing is in my hands." Nikki continued. "I.... I am going to India.... today. I just came to see you guys.... for the last time. I'll miss you so much!" Nikki kept the microphone down as she burst into tears. She cried for a minute but then controlled herself. Muskaan and Ridz were crying. As she saw Armaan, Abhi and Rahul walk down the stairs, Muskaan controlled herself. The three guys were hurt too.... but Abhi was hurt the most. Nikki came to the quad and bid her goodbyes to both the girls and then went tot he guys.
"Please, Ridz ko zyada hurt mat karna. She's very weak!" Nikki knew that no matter how tough and strong Riddhima acted, she was weak at heart. She looked back at Ridz and Muskaan and then ran out of the school, not able to control her tears.
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Riddhima was crying badly. That was not a good start to her birthday! One of her best friends was not with her and.... and she'd probably not see her again. In all this, she had forgotten that Armaan, Abhi and Rahul had still not wished her. She was crying terribly. Muskaan was trying to console her but it was no use.
"Riddhima.... please.... listen to me. Please, look at me.... look here." Muskaan said, making Riddhima look at her. "Wo waapas aayegi. I promise, ki wo waapas aayegi."
"But usne bola ki.... ki.... ki wo humse last time.... last time milne aayi hai." Riddhima said between her sobs.
"Wo aayegi. Trust me... she will."
"But kaise?"
"Aeroplane se Ridz. I thought...... tch - tch. I didn't know you were so dumb." Riddhima hit her lightly on her shoulder and smiled. "You look sooooo good when you smile. Keep smiling. :)"
"Ok! I will.... because Nikki waapas aayegi. I will be positive. :)" Ridz smiled and then headed of to her class. Period 1, 2 recess and Period three passed in a daze. Muskaan kept Riddhima busy so that she wouldn't notice the guys' absence. When period 4 came, Muskaan got scared. "Health.... shit. Armaan Riddhima ko sab kuch bata dega." Muskaan thought. They went to get changed and when Ridz saw Armaan, she blushed.
"Muskaan!" Ridz said.
"Hmmm.... bol!" Muskaan said.
"I will tell him today!"
"Kise kya bataegi?"
"Ammy.... use apni feelings bataungi!"
"Ok everyone! What do you guys want to play today? It's your choice today. :)" The teacher said. Muskaan went and joined her class.
"Miss.... why don't we play basketball today? It's my favourite game and someone else's too and it is a special day for that person." Ridz smiled at Armaan's comments. The sarcasm in his voice went unnoticed by Riddhima.
"Not through basketball!" Muskaan thought in pain.
"Ok! As you say. Armaan you be one captain, Riddhima you can be the other captain." The teacher said.
"Ok!" Riddhima said. They played their game and Riddhima's team won. Riddhima sat down with a smile on her face. She was recollecting all of her memories with Armaan. Someone interrupted her by tapping her on her shoulder. She knew it was her Ammy. She turned around to look at him but what she saw...... scared him a bit. Armaan's face was full of hatred.
"How about a basketball match Miss Riddhima Gupta?"
"Miss Riddhima Gupta? Very weird." She thought and then said, "Sure why not. Get ready to loose."
" No! You get ready to loose." You could see the hatred in those eyes.
Riddhima was shaken on hearing Armaan's voice. She was, all of a sudden, scared of him. " Ye aise kyun baat kar raha hai?" She thought. She came back to her senses when the basketball hit her head.
"Too scared to play are you Riddhima?" His voice was cold.
"No! Let's start!" They started the game. Armaan played roughly. Riddhima fell a few times and had a grazed knee and elbow but Armaan, he didn't care. In the end, Armaan won.
"Told you Miss Riddhima Gupta! I will win and I did too. Looser!" Armaan said, his voice still cold and harsh.
"Ammy tum - "
"Shut up! Don't you.... dare.... call me Ammy! You have no rights to!" Armaan bellowed.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I mean that I know everything. Everything that you have done. You spread those rumours Riddhima, you spread them for your popularity. You pretended to fall for me. You made me fall for you. Do you know how much it hurts? Of course you don't know. Because you.... you never felt anything for me. But I.... I did... and now I have fallen for betrayal. It hurts a lot Miss Riddhima Gupta. My last words to you: I hate you!"
Riddhima tried to defend herself. "Armaan... please... don't say this. I swear this all is a lie."
"Oh yes it is a lie! You.... you are a lie. Whatever that was between us.... that was a lie. But what you really are is the truth! This is the truth Miss Riddhima Gupta."
"Armaan please listen to me once!" Riddhima pleaded. She nearly cried when she felt a hand on her shoulders. She turned around to find Muskaan standing there.
"Ridz.... koi faida nahi hai. Ye nahi maanenge. Humari bhi nahi suni thi." Riddhima gave her a confused look. Muskaan narrated the whole incident from yesterday to her. Tears streamed down Riddhima's face.
"Armaan please...."
"Ridz chal.... he won't listen." Muskaan dragged Riddhima away from there and took her in a place where no one came. While Riddhima was shedding tears, someone was smirking and feeling great about their victory. Garry couldn't help but smile. The guys were hurt too and they were annoyed to feel hurt. Armaan had expected to feel good after breaking all ties with Riddhima, but for no reason, he felt empty from the inside. He felt guilty and he hated this feeling. "Maybe I need some time off." He thought.
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"Muskaan, ye kya ho raha hai? Why does Armaan hate me? Why does Rahul hate you? Why does Abhi hate Nikki? Why do they hate us? Humne to kuch bhi nahi kiya na! Then why.... why do they hate us? You know maine aaj subah ghar se nikalne se pehle bhagwaan se ek cheez maangi thi. And you know what I asked for? I asked for Armaan. Ab to bhagwaan par se bhi vishwaas uth gaya hai." Riddhima burst into tears again. Muskaan didn't console her this time, she didn't ask her not to cry. She wanted Ridz to cry her heart out. After crying for another 15 minutes, Riddhima controlled herself. The bell went and they went to the hall. There was some little concert and they knew that Armaan was performing. All Muskaan could hope for was that Armaan wouldn't do anything else.
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"Guys! There is a change in plan. We are not performing the song we were going to." Armaan said. Others nodded in agreement. They went out on the stage and got ready. Armaan's voice filled the silent hall. "Riddhima.... this... is to the end of our friendship.... To the end of us!" Riddhima and Muskaan's eyes widened in shock as they heard him speak those words and started to sing.
I need to see you cry
I wanna, I wanna see you cry
Won't rest until I see you cry
Yeah, I cry, I cry, I cry
Had me convinced that I just wasn't enough
Me and you fussin' and fightin', cussin' all of that stuff
Now I know that I might've done you wrong
Didn't know I'd pay so long 'til you did the same
I know I'd done you wrong, I was makin' it up to you
I apologized in a million ways
But I thought that was that
But I guess you got me back
Didn't know it'd be like that but you did the same
Now we're caught in a circle, a constant battle
The day that you hurt me
The clouds cast a shadow on us
And I hope that you're happy we're even now
So cry, baby, cry
Let me see you cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Want ya tears to fall down on me
Cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Want ya tears to fall down on me
Before the love just turns to hate
Before I ask for you to stay
And just before you walk away
What is this what happens to relationships?
Started off so good and ended up so bad
Baby, I just wanna know, ooh, tell me do you know, baby?
Before we knew it we were at it again, no, no, no
Somehow I don't think we can ever be friends
Wish it wasn't so, ooh, wish it wasn't so but you did the same
Now we're caught in a circle, a constant battle
The day that you hurt me
The clouds cast a shadow on us
And I hope that you're happy we're even now
So cry, baby, cry
Let me see you cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Want ya tears to fall down on me
Cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Fall down on me
So we go on and on-on this merry-go-round
Tryin' to chase a love that can never be found
Time to say goodbye and step off of it now
It's over, girl, it's over
So we go on and on, on this merry-go-round
Tryin' to chase a love that can never be found
Time to say goodbye and step off of it now
It's over, girl, it's over
Let me see you cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Want ya tears to fall down on me
Cry, cry, cry
I need to see you cry, cry, cry
Until your tears run dry, dry, dry
Like the deserts need the rain
Want ya tears to fall down on me
I need to see you cry
I wanna, I wanna see you cry
Won't rest until I see you cry
Yeah, I cry, I cry, I cry
Halfway through the song, Riddhima had gone out of the hall. She couldn't bear it anymore. For walking out of the hall without permission, she got into trouble. Hadn't he seen her cry enough? Wasn't that enough pain to give her? Enough pain to give her on her birthday!?
"Can my birthday get any worse!?" Riddhima thought.
O~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~O Hey Guys...
So, Part 8 is up. I hope you all like it. 😊
Just one small request. I would really like it if your comments were a bit longer than just a "Nice part" or "Thanks for the PM, update soon!" I really like to read big comments. I know I might be sounding rude, but I feel a tad bit sad when I read small comments and not long ones. I hope you understand. 😳
Anyways, I hope you all like this update too. 😃
Love you all
🤗 
Anupamaa
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