Chasing Shadows - Chapter 6-Pg118, NOTE-Pg120 - Page 73

"You gotta stop sulking, if you ever plan on, umm..what do they call it, moving on?" Riddhima muttered sarcastically, as she placed herself next to Muskaan in the cafeteria, a week later.

"You're the world's worst best friend." She muttered indignantly stabbing her salad with her fork.

"Offended as I am with that remark, fair enough. You're not getting any sympathy from me though, because my life goes way beyond a guy. And since I can't relate to you-"

"-obviously-"

"-I shall just ignore your glum face which makes me want to lecture you on how people should be smiling even through a mid-life crisis, and Rahul barely checks that category-" Riddhima stopped rambling as she got a death glare from Muskaan. "-but don't worry, I won't lecture you. I might as well waste it on someone who will at least consider what I say!" She grinned and happily munched on her sandwich.

"How do you get to be bright and shiny? You're the dork who got humiliated by that Greek-God-Douchebag over there." Muskaan snapped, whilst Riddhima continued grinning.

"Because, I decided that I'm above all that trash. I no longer let people walk me down like I'm a doormat, and least of all people like that - douchebag you called him?" Riddhima shrugged. "By the way, bright and shiny? You think I'm bright and shiny?" She asked happily; Muskaan just rolled her eyes.

"Oh shut up!" Muskaan seethed, making Riddhima chortle.

"I can't. It's the occupational hazard of being a best friend. On a serious note, he seems like he's really sorry and would do anything to get you back. So if its going to make you happy, just go ahead and kiss him, no one's wasted enough to judge you on that! But stop looking at him, all gooey-eyed. Although I'm a sucker for romance, your love life is just making me nauseous now." Riddhima said bluntly.

"You're a mean bitch you know that?" Muskaan said indignantly, making Riddhima grin happily. "And as for your suggestion, yea, that'd make my life a lot easier, now, wouldn't it? Kiss him." Muskaan replied sceptically. "But you know what, maybe I should take a leaf out of your book. Forgiven your childhood sweetheart yet?" She asked sarcastically.

"That is different." Riddhima frowned at the idea.

"I would ask how, and trust me, I am very interested, but I have work to do!" Muskaan sighed and picked up her food tray.

"We've been here 3 weeks. What work can you possibly have?" Riddhima asked astonished.

"Have to call a self-acclaimed Umrao Jaan, since I haven't done it since I got here!" She laughed as Riddhima grinned.

"I spoke to her yesterday. You're in for the time of your life!" Riddhima winked at her, as Muskaan rolled her eyes at her Aunt's tales.

"Better to get done with it than let it keep piling up. See you!" Saying so, she strode off, while Riddhima looked over to where Rahul was sitting, his eyes following Muskaan's back. Grinning, she stood up and walked to his table.

"I see you're still gloomy." She commented. "So I just dropped in to spread some cheer!" She grinned.

"Cheer? Right." Rahul nodded sceptically. "She's pulling it a bit too far now. No one can be this angry. She is still pretending like she doesn't know me." He said indignantly. "And I'm appalled at you!" He turned an angry eye at Riddhima.

"Me?!" She asked surprised. "What have I done?"

"Nothing! That's what! You've done nothing. You talk to me almost like you would before, but you make no effort in bridging this gap between your best friend and I. And for that - I'm appalled at you!" He said angrily.

"Now hold your horses there, lover-boy, its not my fault you screwed up so bad. You're responsible for your own love life!" Riddhima shrugged. "And I talk to you normally, because I was your friend too, so that makes me the common friend, not the mediator."

"You and your technicalities." Rahul sighed.

"Same as before!" Riddhima grinned.

"Man, I'm famished!" Riddhima looked up as Armaan took the seat opposite Rahul. "Oh hey there, Bandit Queen." Armaan waved at her, as Riddhima simply ignored him, stood up and marched off.

"Maybe tomorrow will be your lucky day!" Rahul smirked.

"Maybe!" Armaan grinned and continued eating.

"Ms. Bandit Queen is reading a romantic novel. Now that's a surprise." Riddhima sighed and looked behind her to see Armaan waving at her happily.

If there was one place she hoped she wouldn't bump into him - it was at Sainsbury's. Trust Armaan to prove her wrong.

She sighed again and stared at the huge line in front of her at the check-out counter, and the huge number of groceries each customer had, just like her. She estimated a round up of fifteen minutes, tops. Fifteen minutes of bearing with this idiot. Brilliant.

"C'mon, are we back to the silent treatment? I thought we were being nice to each other?" He called out from behind her, and she rolled her eyes and looked back to glare at him, but his face which was feigning innocence went against her, making her lips curl up slightly. "I at least manage to make you smile!" He whispered in her ear, and she instantly scowled again.

"Yea, but your flirting obviously sends you back right where you came from - the Devil's own home!" She answered back smartly.

"Flirting was never the Devil's quality though!" He retorted. "Getting back to the point however, you're reading a romantic novel." He commented.

"So?" Riddhima asked irritably. Armaan didn't answer, just continued staring at her, making Riddhima conscious.

"For how long are you going to ignore me? I mean, I honestly thought we were past that stage. I was going to thank you actually!" He muttered as they moved forward in the line.

"Thank me for what?" Riddhima asked curiously.

"For being there. Listening to me when I really needed someone to listen. Even though you hate me." He said, and the sincerity in his voice got to Riddhima.

"Its okay, you don't need to thank me, I'm human, I'm not devoid of sentiment. Plus it was my fault, I brought up a touchy topic, so.." Riddhima mumbled uncomfortably. Again, as Riddhima waited, Armaan didn't answer back. She looked back slightly to make sure he was still there, and turned her gaze again when she had got her answer.

"Do you always read books when you're shopping?" He asked suddenly, and Riddhima smiled at his attempts of making conversation.

"Yes, I need something to hold on to, to spare myself the boredom of waiting in queue." Riddhima answered back. "And you suck at small talk." She said after a pause, and heard him chuckle from the back.

"Then c'mon, I see a caf there, have coffee with me, let's talk, sort things out, and then maybe you can find a way of being civil with me." He suggested, his tone friendly, and Riddhima contemplated over the idea.

"I'm sorry, its already late-"

"-its 6.30-"

"-I have a lot to do-"

"-I won't keep you for over half an hour, promise-"

"-and what do we have to talk about anyway?" Riddhima asked him irritably.

"A lot. Look, you listened to me, when I really needed to vent out, and it made me feel better. So you can vent out to me, and I'll listen. If you want, abuse me all you want during the story, I won't say a word. I'll just listen!" He said earnestly.

Riddhima considered the offer, and moved her trolley forward as the customer in front of her marched off towards the exit. She began heaving her things from the trolley to the electric belt, and Armaan - in an attempt to prove his point - began helping her with it.

"Thanks!" She murmured as she placed two cans of Pepsi on the belt.

Once she had closed her wallet and picked up the grocery bags, she turned to leave.

"What about that coffee?" Armaan called out from the back.

"Maybe some other time!" Riddhima grinned at him and walked out of the store.

"I wonder why girls keep telling me that, nowadays; am I losing my charm?!" Armaan muttered under his breath, and saw the young lady making his bill smile at him. "Well, she's gone, how about you? What time do you get off work?" He asked sweetly. She giggled in response; well, nah, his charms were still intact.

Riddhima dropped the groceries on the counter and sighed. Massaging her temple, she bit her lip, rolling her eyes at how badly he still affected her. She hated losing control. She hated having someone else's control on her life and feelings. She had managed to keep her life stable for so long. But it took just one person to shake it all up. And she hated him all the more for that.

Closing her eyes, she counted to ten in her head, calmed her nerves, and opening her bag of groceries, decided to get on with her cooking for the night. Maybe she could invite Muskaan over for dinner? She hadn't heard from her since lunch. But then, Riddhima preferred being alone sometimes; and today, she needed this alone time, to sort herself out, and decide a course of action regarding a certain Armaan Mallik.

The constant beep of her phone in the background broke her spell. Think of the devil, Riddhima smiled, and hit the answer button of her Facetime call.

"Hey biatch, fancy going out tonight as well? Fresher's night, part 2?" Muskaan greeted her a with a huge smile adorning her face.

"Not tonight, just not feeling it.." Riddhima grinned as her best friend rolled her eyes.

"Please tell me you're not thinking about having a date with yourself tonight? You can have it tomorrow." Muskaan sighed, knowing very well that when Riddhima showed signs of complete disinterest in anything and everything - it was time for her stupid 'Me Time' as she called it.

"Well, yes, I need to have my 'Me-Time' tonight.. Just go ahead without me..!" Riddhima smiled.

"You bore." Muskaan scowled.

"You wh**e!" Riddhima smirked.

"Right back at ya, babe! You sure you don't wanna join?" Muskaan confirmed.

"Yep, positive! Enjoy babe!" Riddhima grinned, waving at her friend. Muskaan smiled and blew her a kiss.

"See ya!" Muskaan muttered and rolled her eyes as she cut the call. She knew why Riddhima needed her 'Me-Time'. Although Riddhima never told her what she did in this time, she knew it was this time that she gave herself to gather herself up, particularly when something was bothering her. And she knew Riddhima was all hot and bothered by the hottie she was still charmed by.

"Ah, it would be interesting to see Riddhima all lovestruck and mushy." Muskaan smirked in her mind, then laughed silently before moving on to getting ready.

Meanwhile, Riddhima smiled to herself and plugged in her iPhone to her speakers; music was her best stress buster.

"So I was thinking'" Armaan rambled.

"..that's a surprise!" Riddhima cut across.

"..we should go to the Speed-Date Social together, tonight. Don't you think?" He asked, curiously.

"And I would be interested in that because..." Riddhima snapped.

"Well, because I'm hot, you don't have a date, and I could probably give you a good night" Armaan smirked and winked, while Riddhima shot him a disgusted look as they walked towards the studio. "Just kidding, get a sense of humour!" Armaan said indignantly. Riddhima shrugged in surrender and rolled her eyes.

"You look annoyed, are you annoyed?" Armaan asked, feigning innocence.

"Well, you can say, I have had this annoying shadow since the past 3 weeks, which follows me every where I go!" Riddhima eyed him meaningfully. "So, I think that borders on annoyance." She finished sceptically.

Armaan grinned. "Well, that shadow isn't leaving you any time soon!"

"And why is that?" Riddhima questioned.

"Because he's trying to be your friend!" Armaan grinned.

"How is annoying me going to make you my friend?" Riddhima asked, appalled.

"Well, you're talking to me aren't you? Mission accomplished!" Armaan winked.

"Ugh, I wish life had an un-friend button like Facebook!" Riddhima mumbled under her breath whilst Armaan looked at her amused. "This isn't good for your ego, chasing a girl who doesn't give a damn about you!" Riddhima muttered angrily.

"But I bet I'm good for your's! Bet you've never had a guy give you so much attention. Maybe that's why you find it so difficult to talk to me in a civil way. You're charmed by me!" Armaan winked at her. Just then, he halted, and Riddhima looked back to see him staring at the girl in front of him.

"Oh, hey!" Riddhima looked on, as the girl's face dawned with recognition. "Armaan, right?" She smiled.

"Uh, yea!" Armaan stuttered, as Riddhima's mouth fell open at his nervousness. Riddhima savored the awestruck look on his face - yep, that one was definitely something she would cherish until her grave. "Nikita!" He mumbled, in a very feeble attempt at sounding nonchalant.

Riddhima coughed slightly, drawing Nikita's attention to her. "Hey!" Riddhima said brightly. "Riddhima!"

"Nikki!" Nikki smiled. "So, I see you both are headed for a lecture..So I'll see you guys around?" She said uncertainly, glancing at Armaan strangely - who was still tongue-tied.

"Sure, maybe lunch!" Riddhima smiled, whilst Nikki grinned and nodded. "See you!" She waved as Nikki walked off in the opposite direction. Stifling her giggles, she looked up at Armaan with a sorry expression. "Score!" Riddhima grinned, giving Armaan the thumbs-up. "Speaking of charmed, what's the scoop?" Riddhima batted her eyelashes, whilst Armaan scowled.

"Why, Ms. Un-friend? How are you so interested in my life all of a sudden?" Armaan grinned, trying to get his airs back.

"Oh, its not because I'm anywhere near bothered about your stupid love life. Its just entertainment. Its not everyday I get to see Armaan Mallik tongue-tied in front a girl! Such a wuss!" Riddhima tutted.

"I'm not a wuss." He scowled at her. "Now-" He began as Riddhima opened her mouth to retort. "-can we please talk business?"

"No, we don't talk. Period." Riddhima seethed angrily. Would this man ever leave her alone?! "We just don't talk. Why is it so hard for you to believe?" Riddhima sighed and marched off to take her seat next to Muskaan.

Armaan raised his eyebrows amused.

"'so, as a part of the project, I thought it would be fun if you all went out to London, and explored around a bit. Take a tour, go around less visited areas, and document your journey to the fullest. Yes, this is also for people who have lived here all their life." The tutor's grin turned wider at the look of sheer boredom on everyone's faces. "C'mon everyone, brighten up a little, its hardly been a month into the course, some enthusiasm please?" He asked, both eyebrows raised. As if on cue, a loud round of fake cheers and howls echoed in the room. "Good, well done faking it! Now I know it will be really dull to tour the city all by yourself, so I'm going to put you all into pairs, and you'll can make a date of it. Right, so the person sitting to the right of the person sitting to your right - that's your partner. every third person skips the exercise of course!" He announced. "And once you're done finding out, feel free for some lunch!"

Everyone's heads turned to their right together.

Riddhima, a little disappointed she couldn't team up with Muskaan or anyone else she knew, turned to see Armaan's face grinning at her with raised eyebrows. No, no, no, her mind screamed, and not responding to Armaan's smile, she got up and and followed the rest of her course mates out of the room.

Muskaan and Armaan looked at each other, shocked. Muskaan shot him an awkward look, and shrugged before following her friend out of the room. She could understand where Riddhima was coming from, but her rudeness was a step too far.

Armaan on the other hand finally lost his patience. He knew he had done things to hurt her, and he knew he deserved her anger, but he was sure he deserved a chance to explain himself. Even criminals got more chances than he was getting with this woman, he thought. But this time, he wasn't letting it go. He was tired of beating himself up for a mistake he made when he was a silly teenager. And he was going to let her know that.

"This is unfair." He said coldly as he watched Riddhima heave books from her bag into her locker. "I am talking to you." He repeated, to get no response. "For the f**king love of God, enough." He finally raised his voice, making Riddhima stop what she was doing. "Listen, I am least interested in building a relationship with you, but I was trying only because I know I was the one at fault. Plus, you keep changing your mind. One minute you're angry as hell, second you're extremely nice, third you're friendly, and then we're back to square one. But this is way too much now. I am not going to keep on being treated like shit-"

"-and its fair for you treat others like that all the f**king time?" Riddhima retorted.

"That was years ago! I don't even remember all that had happened-"

"-you wouldn't, because no one ruined your life the way you did mine!" She yelled.

"You're talking about people ruining your life? The bas***d who killed my Mum ruined my Dad's as well as my life. So don't talk about ruined lives here. You're not the only one with sentiments that are hurt. You know what, you can continue being a real bitch to everyone who's ever wronged you in any way, but its you who's going to suffer with that. You don't believe in giving second chances to people? Who the hell are you anyway? You think you're all that? You're not. You think changing your appearance changes things, they don't. You think people would like you just because you look good? They won't. Who will like you anyway-"

"-don't." Riddhima whispered, her eyes bloodshot. She took in every single word Armaan had said, but when he repeated what he had said a good few years ago, it was the last straw. He had managed to unwind the wounded part of her all over again. "Don't."

"No, you need to hear it. This attitude of your's? Who is it for? No one in this world has enough time to deal with it Riddhima, so deal with people. Deal with your attitude. Because you're going to be left all alone if you keep doing what you are-"

"-and what is that?" Riddhima scoffed.

"-isolating yourself from the world. I can see what you're doing. This isn't you. But if you continue putting up this mask of indifference and insensitivity, don't expect people to be any different with you! No one has the time to care about your stupid attitude anyway!" He seethed, and marched towards the door, leaving Riddhma behind. "I really thought we could be friends, that I could earn myself some respect from you. Apparently not. And oh, bright and shiny? You're just as dark and twisted as the rest of us Riddhima, I can't be fooled with it." He said softly before walking out, leaving Riddhima in a whirlpool of thoughts.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Gleighton, I really am, I just got caught up-" Riddhima pleaded.

"I am sorry, but you're late by a whole hour, and thanks to you, I couldn't go for my meeting, and you didn't even call. This isn't working out Riddhima, I think we're going to look for another baby-sitter'I'm sorry." Mrs. Gleighton said, not sounding sorry at all. As the door closed in her face, Riddhima curled her hands into tiny fists, trying to control the urge to bang her head to the wall. Walking out of the apartment, she marched towards her car. "Way to go, Gupta, that's 13 quid an hour you just lost!" She seethed, wanting to kill herself. But it wasn't her fault. It was Armaan's. After his yelling match with her, she had gone straight to the gym to beat the hell out of her punching bag, not realising that she had an appointment with Lucas Gleighton, a 3-year-old she babysits for. It was only 25 minutes after she had noted the time, that she had driven at jet-speed, and still hadn't reached the Gleighton's until 45 minutes after the scheduled time.

"ARGH!!!!!!" Riddhima screeched, banging her fist on the steering wheel, before resting her head on it. She needed to calm down. She needed to relax. So she called up the one person who could help her do so.

"Muski," She murmured into her phone. "I need a night out."

Post part B some time tomorrow :) x