Chapter 3: Feelings: harder, better, faster, stronger?
Another summer morning and like the usual, Riddhima was jogging around the Central Park. Dressed in track pants and a v-neck tee along with her chuck taylors, she jammed to Weezy on her iPod. She saw a bunch of kids playing on the grass besides the sidewalk and she waved and smiled as she passed them. She was still waving at the kids who innocently waved back at her when suddenly, she felt someone bump into her. Before she could even look at the person, he took her in his arms as they both tripped and rolled over on the grass. Armaan shook his head to move his hair away from his face. He saw Riddhima staring at him blankly and he smiled slightly, confirming that this wasn't a dream. When Riddhima saw him smile she immediately blinked her eyes and frowned.
"Tum hamesha girte kyun rehte ho?" Riddhima scrunched her brows.
"Madam, aap aage dekh ke chala karo!" Armaan snapped back.
"Main aage he dekh ke chal rahi thi okay?" she quickly defended herself so he doesn't think that she's stupid.
He smiled cheekily, which didn't go unnoticed by Riddhima "Ab why are you smiling? Hato mere uppar se!" She yelled, moving his arms. They stood up and fixed their clothes, Riddhima pulled out her earphones and rolled them up.
"By the way, good morning", Armaan said as he saw her glaring at him.
"Good morning, and thanks for falling on me!" she added with a fake smile.
"No problem! Agar tumhe itna pasand hai toh I'll keep falling, don't worry", he smiled back innocently.
"No thanks Armaan" she rolled her eyes and starting walking as Armaan automatically walked along.
"So tum yahaan kaise doctor? Don't you have work today?" Riddhima asked Armaan who was busy going through her iPod that he shamelessly took out of her pocket.
"mmhm, yea I have work. I was just playing around with the kids", he said without looking up from the iPod. Riddhima smiled, him and the kids…he will never change, she thought.
"So, what are you doing today?" He asked as he returned her iPod.
"Work and then Muskaan and I are going shopping" she said excitedly.
"No you're not!" he shook his head immediately.
Riddhima narrowed her eyes, "Tumhe kaise pata? And yes we sure are!" she confidently said.
"Nuh uh…Muskaan aur Rahul date pe jaa rahe hain", he nodded confirming it as Riddhima's mouth dropped open.
Riddhima stopped in her track, "What?!" she almost screamed while Armaan continued walking. He turned around when he heard her and sighed, "Kya "what" ? You didn't know?" he asked walking back to a stunned Riddhima.
"No I didn't know!!" she yelled.
"Toh chila kyun rahi ho? Now you know, chalo ab" he said walking ahead. Riddhima angrily followed, "Muski ne mujhe bataya bhi nai!" she mumbled loudly, more to Armaan than to herself.
"Kaise batati? Rahul ne abhi usse call karke bataya hai" he quickly replied.
"Toh…god! Mere saare plans kharab ho gaye! Who would I go shopping with?" she whined. Armaan was least bothered about her problem so he casually said, "Kissi aur ko le jao. Don't you have friends Riddhima?" Then he quickly added looking at her apologetically, "Oops! Sorry I forgot that you don't!"
Riddhima slapped his arm as he laughed out loud.
"I do have friends, but they are all busy! Plus, Muski is my shopping buddy, hum hamesha ek saath shop karte hain!" she started whining again.
Armaan shook his head while Riddhima pouted. However, that pout turned into a sly smile when an idea hit her slow mind. She held onto Armaan's arm and smiled adorably at him. He frowned and gave her a "what's up" nod as he somewhat knew that the smile on her face was shady.
"Armaaan", she stretched his name out, still smiling wide.
"Riddhima?" he said confusedly.
"When do you get out of work?" she asked innocently.
"Umm..at 5",his frown got deeper as he suspiciously asked... "Why?"
"5? Perfect!" Riddhima excitedly clapped her hands together. Armaan on the other hand just stared at her confusedly…okay, I get out of work at 5. Why the hell is she so happy about it? He thought for a while and then he realized the reason behind her happiness. "Ohhh", he mumbled to himself. But then looking at a very excited Riddhima, he instantly said…
"Nononono NO!"
"What no? Dekho you'll be out of work by 5 and I'll finish my work by that time too! Please Armaan, mere saath shopping chalo naaa", she pleadingly held his hand.
"Oh Heck no! Tum pagal ho gayi ho kya?! Tumhara saath shopping jaa ke I don't wanna D I E!" he yelled walking away from her. Riddhima quickly ran after him, "Arey! I promise, I'm not a pain in the butt when I shop! Please Armaan!!"
"Accha? don't bother lying Basket. Saari ladkiyaan ek jaise hoti hain", he said straight up refusing her offer.
"Really? And how do you know ki main bhi waise he hoon. Come on, sirf ek baar, first and the last time, I promise", she begged but Armaan still refused by shaking his head. "I pinky promise", she said pouting and putting out her pinky. Armaan looked at her puppy face, then at her pinky. He couldn't help but giggle and when he did, Riddhima's face broke into a wide smile and she jumped in the air screaming "Yayyy!"
"Bas, bas. And it's the first and the only time, ok?" He said looking at her seriously.
"Ok", Riddhima quietly nodded, nervous about his serious look.
Armaan smiled seeing her all afraid, "Ight, so I'll hit you up later when I'm out of work. Peace", he threw the deuces up and started jogging away.
"Armaan, ruko!" Riddhima quickly ran behind him, stretching her hand out to stop him.
"Kya?" Armaan asked as he turned around.
"How will you hit me up dummy when you don't have my number?!" she asked catching her breath. He smiled at his own foolishness, but as he was about to say something, she took his phone out from his sweatshirt and started dialing her number. Riddhima called herself from his cell phone and said, "There, now you can call me", she smiled as he smiled back.
"Thanks", he muttered and she nodded in response.
"Bye" Riddhima said walking away as Armaan waved a bye to her.
*Buzzz* Riddhima felt her phone vibrate as she walked down the stairs of her building. She took it out and went to the text… the screen read:
ARMAAN:
Ayo Basket! Tum kahaaan ho?? We're meeting up at Times Square, be there or be square ;) No, I really mean it. HURRY UP!! Agar tum 5 minutes mein nai aayi toh I'll change my mind and ditch you!
Riddhima gasped as she read the last sentence, so now he was threatening her. She quickly walked out and called out for a cab. As a cab stopped, she sat in the car and quickly said, "Times Square" and the driver nodded. She texted Armaan on her way to ask where he was in Times Square cause obviously, he ain't that noticeable! "At the red stairs", he answered back. Paying the cabbie, she got out the car and crossed the street to climb up the stairs. In front of it, stood Armaan in a light blue shirt, dark blue pants and white vans (shoes).
"Armaan!" He smiled as he heard his name, pretty sure of who had called. He purposely turned the other way, just to annoy her. And Riddhima did exactly what he had expected.
"ARMAAN! Idhar!" she screamed her throat out. Armaan chuckled to himself and finally turned around. However, when he faced her, he stopped smiling. His eyes looked at a beautiful Riddhima, walking up to him with a slight frown on her face. She was wearing a simple but cute white sundress and had her hair in a side ponytail that made her hair look pulled together without being too tight. With her matching heels and a brown COACH bag, she looked just perfect! Or at least that's what Armaan thought since he still stared at her in awe.
"Oye! What's up?" she asked bringing him back from his trance.
"Haan? Haan, woh umm", he looked away trying to hide his feelings from her which were definitely embarrassing, "Chalein?" he finally looked at her and tried to smile.
"Sure, but are you okay?" She asked as they started walking.
"yea, I'm fine", he said still not looking at her, to which Riddhima shrugged.
'Fine? Am I? Not at all! Whatever the hell I was doing staring at her like that! But no joke, she looks adorable today! So pretty! Pre..pretty?! W*F bro! Armaan tu pagal ho gaya hai, grab a hold on to your feelings!' he shook his head as his thoughts kept changing his expressions, deep frowns to dreamy smiles. Thank god Riddhima was busy talking on the phone or else she'd think Armaan got some issues for sure!
"Armani Exchange?" Riddhima questioned Armaan who was now kinda back to normal.
"After you", he said letting her go ahead. The whole time Riddhima shopped in the store, Armaan kept thinking about his feelings, those feelings that were once there 3 years ago. Yea, after "that" night with Riddhima, Armaan did start feeling something special for her. It wasn't something really strong or not like he fell in love or anything but somehow he wanted to know her better. He wanted to see if they can ever be in a relationship, if that was possible of course. To him, Riddhima seemed different than any other girl. But his feelings never went on that other level since Riddhima just disappeared after that incident. Everyone tried finding her but there was no clue of where Riddhima went. When he heard that Riddhima left, the first thought that came to his mind was that, he wondered if she was too embarrassed to face him or anyone after whatever happened between them. But he didn't have a lot of time to consider this as the reason behind her disappearance, he just quite thinking about it and went along in his life. But now, she was back. And after 3 years, Armaan was not sure if he should continue with his feelings or just push them far away. Adding to his turmoil, Riddhima got prettier, or at least that's what he thought made it worst.
After shopping in A/X, they went in a bunch of different stores.
"Shoes, Jimmy Choo!" Riddhima exclaimed as she pointed at the store. Armaan rolled his eyes, she wanted everything from a particular store. But he had to admit, shopping with Riddhima wasn't that bad b/c you got to learn about her likes and dislikes, which was fun for him btw.
"White! White wale zyaada acche hain Armaan!" Riddhima whined as she looked at her shoes in the mirror.
"Nahh, black's better or red! Red is the best!" Armaan picked up the same shoe in red.
"But I love white! Mera favorite color hai!" Riddhima said stubbornly.
"I like white, but red is better Basket!" he said still holding up the red show.
"Tumhe pehena hai ya mujhe?" she asked annoyed now.
"Tumhe, but main bas bata raha hoon ki.."
Mujhe nai suna…I like white!" She cut him off and he turned away, pouting. "Can you get the other size 6? Thanks", Riddhima said to one of the workers who was attending her. She turned to Armaan and shook her head seeing him all upset about the small argument.
"Sometimes you can be such a baby" she said pulling his cheeks but he slapped her hands away.
"Don't call me a baby, and don't pull my cheeks!" He said faking his anger.
"Aww da baby!" Riddhima teasingly said to which Armaan just glared madly at her. The girl at the cash register was giggling at the couple's fight.
When Riddhima turned around to pay for her purchase, the girl suddenly asked, "Is he your boyfriend?"
Armaan's head immediately shot up and Riddhima's eyes widened at her question.
"Umm, no! He's my friend", Riddhima quickly denied and nervously smiled at the girl.
Riddhima's immediate denial didn't really please Armaan. He was someone who girls could kill each other to go out with! And then there was Riddhima, who without even thinking for a second about the answer, refused to be called his girlfriend! He frowned at her as she collected her bag, but soon he realized he was overreacting so he pushed the thoughts away.
"Ab, Victoria's Secret for…"
"WHAT?! No! Riddhima, main tumhare saath tumahari lingerie khareed ne nai jaunga!" Armaan repeatedly shook his head in refusal.
"Arey! Fine, tum se toh argue karna he bekaar hai. Toh.. Sephora?" she said hopefully.
"Kya?! No! Dekho Basket, main nai chahata ki ladkiyaan muje make-up ke store mein dekh ke yeh samjhe ke main gay hoon! Mujhe straight rehna pasand hai" he said trying to button up his shirt dramatically.
"Uff, mere drama queen! Stop your nautanki aur pick one…Victy Secret or Sephora?" she said tapping her foot waiting for his answer. He thought for a while, and sighing he said…
"Sephora, make-up he sahi hai!" And Riddhima dragged him inside the store.
After buying a bunch stuff, she came out with a bunch of bills as well. Looking at them nervously, she calculated the total in her cell phone as Armaan tiredly walked next to her. It was almost dark out, the sun just went down and they had shopped for almost 3 hours.
"Holy shit! It's 2000 something! My mom's going to keeel me!" Riddhima hit her forehead and sighed.
"Tumhare boyfriend ka kya haal hota hoga!" Armaan immediately said.
"I don't have a boyfriend, derr", Riddhima said hitting his hand.
"I wonder why? He'd be broke as hell anyway", Armaan taunted as Riddhima hit his shoulder.
"Chalo ab tumhari shopping toh ho gayi. Can I take you somewhere?" he asked as they stopped at a red light to cross the street.
"Sure, where we going?" Riddhima asked as they ran to the other side.
"You'll know", he smiled and called a cab.
Armaan took Riddhima to the seaport, which looked as beautiful as ever at night with all the lights on at the Brooklyn Bridge. First, they got ice cream from a nearby ice cream shop as Miss Riddhima had a sudden craving for Oreo obsession. After getting her ice cream, they sat on one of the benches facing the beautiful sight of the bridge.
They felt relaxed as the wind hit their faces, and Riddhima closed her eyes feeling the cool breeze in a hot day.
Armaan looked at her peacefully, she looked like a little kid who was extremely happy to get ice cream. He giggled at her expressions when some of it spilled on her dress and she quickly took the napkin and wiped it off, gasping at the damage it did to her dress.
"You want it?" Riddhima offered Armaan a spoonful of her ice cream. He smiled and nodded. She fed him the ice cream, but Armaan was far from letting go of the spoon. He clutched it between his teeth and smiled sheepishly as Riddhima started hitting him on his head to get him to let go.
"Bhokar!" she exclaimed as he laughed at her trying to hide her ice cream away from him.
They talked about everything, their college life to their present life and much more! They even mentioned their friends this time…
"Nikki aur Abhi kaise hain?" Riddhima asked.
"Theek hain. They are getting engaged soon, you should meet up with them", he said sipping on his water.
"I know, I should. Nikki will kill me though, for disappearing all of a sudden", she worriedly said.
"True, Anji aur Atul ka kya hua?" he asked.
"Di aur Atul are happily married!" Riddhima declared.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Armaan said as excited as her. "Kab hui shaadi?"
"2 years ago. It was so much fun!" Riddhima exclaimed.
"I wish I was there too…I missed a lot didn't I?" Armaan said sadly.
"Yep, you did!" she said, to which Armaan frowned.
"Yea, all because of you!" he yelled, pointing at Riddhima.
"Hey, not my fault…" she stopped as she realized the truth. It was technically her fault. Then as she remembered all of that, she remembered her promise to Muskaan. It was time to tell Armaan the truth.
"Armaan, I wanna tell you something?" she nervously said. Armaan nodded in response as he saw her get serious all of a sudden. She sighed closing her eyes, then opened them again. In a brief summary of everything, she told Armaan the truth.
"I know, I was dumb! Dumb as hell! So stupid, like seriously who would do that right?" She said trying to control herself from crying over her embarrassments at the moment. All this while, Armaan just stared at her. She was really dumb to go away for that reason, he thought. But what he really was thinking about was how dumb was he to even think of having a relation between him and her! She went away for good, he thought. If she was dumb, them he was even dumber, he thought.
"Right Armaan? I hope you forgive me?" she said quietly, looking down.
Armaan snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. Then he smiled, "Of course I forgave you Basket! But seriously, did you really think that? I mean, no offense but you are dumb!" he said trying to lighten up the mood.
"Really? Thank youu!" she said smiling widely. "And yea, Imma dummy! I forgot that we promised to be friends, and you kept your promise", she said smiling at him.
"With benefits. So I could still flirt with you", he smirked and Riddhima hit his arm and shook her head.
They sat in silence for a while, just lost in their own thoughts when a bunch of girls ran past them, smiling and waving at Armaan. He quickly waved back at them, smiling hard to make sure his dimples showed. Riddhima frowned at the little waving session, "You don't spare anyone do you?", she asked looking weirdly at the girls.
"yes I do", he nodded his head.
"Really?" she said in a sarcastic tone.
"Really! I don't do Whitney, I don't do Britney, I don't do Lindsay…" he counted off on his fingers as Riddhima slapped his hands and laughed at his lameness. He laughed along... and he was back to normal.
Okay, update!! It's been a while, it feels good haha. Well, this is probably the last update cause my spring break ends tomorrow (Monday) and once school starts, there won't be updates for days or weeks :( *tear tear*. So, have fun reading this. I know, not a lot happened but you now how Armaan felt, and how he feels now! Riddhima is being Riddhima and I hope you liked the AR moments ;)
Please comment and like…I'm up all night writing this and I'll appreciate if everyone including the silent readers comment! Thank youuu :) muahhh <33
Love, Simran <33
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Udne Ki Aasha
193