Life Out Of Control #2 - Page 3

"Haan haan bass." Armaan replied, clearing his ear as Muskaan was hugging him. "Abh please aur museebat main matt dalna. Varna sach mein tumse shaadi karlunga."

"Oye!" Rahul intervened. Everyone laughed at that and resumed to their small talks.

Riddhima glanced at Armaan who was joking around with Rahul and Muskaan. That was what she had wished for right? If anything happened to them, then she should always see Armaan like this? Smiling lightly to herself, she averted her gaze away from him and started up a conversation with Sid.

"Riddhima what do you think of that girl there?" Riddhima looked to where he was pointing. There, a girl stood by the bar all alone in a short flashy dress. She had an 'all the single ladies' look, however Riddhima was sure behind that farce was someone else.

"Too desperate." Riddhima replied.

"All the better!" Sid grinned, and was slapped by Riddhima on his shoulder. "Ouch, yeh kissliye?"

"She's desperate! Look at her drink..or drinks! You deserve better."

"Agar aise sab ko meri side se reject karlogi, phir zindagi bhar kunwara rahoonga main!" Sid grumbled, still rubbing the place Riddhima had hit. "Aisa hai, ya phir tumhe mujhse pyaar hogaya hai, aur tu jalti hai main kissi aur ko dekhun toh.." Riddhima's muth dropped open. Surely Sid knew what she felt for Armaan was nowhere near what she had ever, or could feel for anyone else. She saw his teasing eyes and shook her head.

"Ohk fine. Go to her. Have fun. Acchai ka toh zamaana hi nahin raha!" Riddhima gave up and Sid patted her back.

"Don't worry, what about that one there?" he looked towards a group of girls who had just entered and were sitting together. He picked out one in a white and turquoise saree. Riddhima looked carefully, while a wicked glint shone in her eyes, and shook her head.

"Nahin pategi tujhse. She's wayyy out of your league."

"Tu bhi na..Armaan what do you think?" Sid asked as he noticed Armaan was paying close attention to them. Armaan glanced at Riddhima then turned to look at the girl, while a smile formed on his face.

"Nope. Nahin pategi tujhse yaar. Tu rehne de."

"Kyun nahin pategi. Hot hai, sexy hai, confident hai. Haan zara short hai..lekin chalega." Sid replied. "Aur main itna smart, cool.."

"She's too good for you Sid." Armaan said nonchalantly and had a sip of his drink.

"Nahin pategi? Abhi dikhata hoon. Voh 5 minute mein meri baahon mein hogi." Sid grumbled and got up, alerting the others, while Riddhima wished him good luck and Armaan gave him a thumbs up.

The girl also got up at that particular moment, while Sid made his way towards her. Purposely, he bumped into her.

"Oh I'm so sorry." She said.

"No I'm very sorry. It was my fault entirely."

"Really? How can you say that? But it's Ok."

"Voh kya hai, I go temporarily blind when I see a beautiful face like yours. By the way, I'm Sid." Sid flirted openly. The girl raised her eyebrows, seeing the hint, and smiled.

"Thank you Sid." She led him a couple of steps to her table and introduced him to her friends.

"This is Naaz, Tracy, Priya, Kate."

"And your name?" He asked as he glanced at Riddhima's calm expression. The next second, Sid's shocked face was dripping with maroony liquid!

"What the F***?" Sid shouted astonished, then toned down after getting glares from the people nearby. Riddhima and Armaan had been quiet spectators of this whole event, and burst out laughing when the girl threw her drink on him. She waved her hand in front him, showing him a gleaming pretty diamond ring.

"And MY name is Kripa Sharma, engaged to Angad Khanna!!" She replied furiously, waving her hand, with a ring on it, in front of his face. "Next time, be careful who you try hitting on, Jerk! Akeli ladki dekho nahin chalu hogayye. Naa jaane kahaan se aate hain, yeh sab anpar, gawar!"

"Hii Kripa!" Riddhima exclaimed as she came over. Sid frowned in confusion.

"Hii Riddhima!" Kripa exclaimed equally excited and hugged her, while Sid's eyes widened in shock.

"So, Kripa Sharma, soon to be Khanna, here of all places!" Armaan announced, making Kripa turn and squeal in excitement.

"Armaan! Wow. Angad would be so happy to see you! We still haven't forgotten our time in Lonavla, and he still talks about you so much! Lekin voh kaam mein busy hai, aur waise bhi, it's a girl's outing only."

Sid confusion deepened and he couldn't hold himself as he asked,

"Aap ek doosre ko jaante ho?"

"Tu abhi yahaan kya kar raha hai?! I told you I'm engaged, back off Mister!" Kripa answered back narrowing her eyes in anger.

"Chill Kripa. Akeli aayi ho, people are sure to hit on you! I'm sure you've met our friend, Siddhant Modi? Or whom we refer to as Sid." Armaan said, as he shuffled himself next to Riddhima. It was Kripa's turn to be shocked.

"Yeh tumhaara dost hai? Oh my God. I'm really sorry! Please mujhe maaf kardo. You should have told me that you're their friend. Shayad thoda chillati. Lekin I wouldn't have spilt that drink on you." Sid wiped his face with a handkerchief.

"Dost nahin. Inn dono ka dushman lagta hoon!" He grumbled, glaring at them.

"Heyy we warned you. Kaha na tujhse nahin pategi." Riddhima replied still giggling. Armaan and Kripa laughed along with her. "He fell completely into it." Riddhima and Armaan hi-fived at their victory, still laughing with each other. Out of habit, Armaan put his arm around her waist and brought her closer to him. Riddhima felt the touch and shivered as her smile faltered. Being brought closer to him quickened her heartbeat. She looked at Armaan. Armaan however hadn't noticed anything and was still laughing at Sid's grumbling and complaining face. So she let his arm remain there. It felt so natural!

"Sid, main koi setting karwaleti, lekin everyone here is booked." Kripa was telling Sid, who smiled good naturedly and sighed at his luck. He excused himself, to go clean up and Kripa turned to the two.

"Waise, Angad and I are getting married in 3 weeks!" Kripa couldn't contain her excitement. "Shaadi Bangalore main hai kyunki main vahaan se hoon. So please do come if you can! Jaanti hoon, Doctors hain aap dono and what not. But please do try! Invitation toh mill gayaa hoga na? It would mean a lot to us!"

"I don't know, kaam bohot hai. But we'll see."

"So still together? When's the engagement ceremony?" Kripa asked, teasing them. Armaan realized where his hand was and was about to withdraw it, when Riddhima held it there, automatically. She smiled her brightest smile and replied,

"Don't know about the engagement yet." Armaan looked at her shocked. She was blatantly lying by indicating they were still together! He was left speechless.

"Invite toh karoge na?" Kripa joked and both laughed, while Riddhima nodded.

"Achcha..humme chalna chahiye. Say hi to Angad from us." Armaan said finally ending the conversation and almost dragging Riddhima away. She frowned as he turned them away from their table and took her to a far end.

"Armaan.."

"Riddhima yeh kya keh rahi thi?" Riddhima realized what it was all about.

"Uhmm..voh Armaan..main .. it was" she paused, sighing deeply. "I don't know." She finally ended up saying, burying her head in her hands.

"Riddhima kab tak aise sab ko jhoot bolti rahogi?" he asked tenderly. "Ek na ek din in sab ko sacchai pata chaljaayega!"

"Kaise?" she defied him.

"How about, when we don't actually get married?!" he asked and her face fell instantly, but she hardened her features. He realized what effect those words had on her but didn't regret it. Not this time. She couldn't get married to him. She deserved better. "Why have you hidden the truth from Anjali? Why haven't you told Muskaan? Why didn't you tell Kripa the truth, or at least let me tell her?"

Riddhima felt a surge of anger go through her. He didn't know what it was like! Having all those hopes, all those dreams, everything, shattering in front of your eyes! Did he really know what it was like spending 2 months away from someone he loved? If he did, then why the hell was he asking her these questions? Why was she supposed to be the one to tell everyone everything?!

"Why Riddhima? It's going to be worse when they actually find out.."

"It was hard Armaan!" she almost shouted. "By the way, I wasn't the one who put your arm round my waist the first time. Don't you think that gave her a big clue? Plus, I don't know what guys talk about, but two girls, madly in love, talk about their future whenever they're together! That was what me and Kripa talked about in Lonavla whenever we went for those small coffee breaks. And I.." she looked down as she toned her voice down. "I talked about US Armaan. My dreams.. with you! My future, the way I saw it!" Armaan shut up as he stared at her. Her eyes were fixed on the ground beneath them and he wanted to pull her into a hug and promise her a lifetime of happiness! But he couldn't. He just couldn't. He looked down at his fists which were clenched, to stop himself from holding her. She looked back up at him with undefying coldness in her eyes.

"It's easy isn't it? Staying here and answering people's never ending questions!" she asked sarcastically. "Wait, you wouldn't know. After all, you ran away! Watching people smother you with pitying looks is not my cup of tea Armaan! Hence I didn't tell Kripa the truth!"

"Riddhima.." Armaan was speechless.

"Leave me alone Armaan." Was the blunt reply.

"No. Basket..I .." He desperately wanted to tell her his feelings.

"Armaan please! Don't make me hate you any more than I already do. Just let me be!"

After hearing that, the words that were in his mouth were swallowed in a second.

"Riddhima.."

"Please Armaan.." she begged, and he finally nodded and stepped away, making sure to keep an eye on her. When he was a good distance away, she whispered,

"Because I still had hope Armaan. For you and me. But you didn't spare that either."

Regaining herself, she took a deep breath and caught up with Armaan as they silently made their way to the table. They saw Sid talking with Abhi and Nikki. The others had gone to the dance floor and were dancing slowly.

"Finally aap dono aagye! Kahan they?" Sid demanded. "By the way, I'm still pissed off! I expect a million hugs and gifts from you guys to make up for hiding the truth from me!"

Both smiled appreciatively at Sid's baby talk as they sat down.

"Yaar, abh mujhe samaj main aaya Muskaan itni filmy kyun hai!" Nikki exclaimed.

"Arre yaar baap aisa hoga toh beti kaisi niklegi? Over reacting and jumping to conclusions at littlest situations!" Abhi replied making them laugh.

The music changed and Muskaan and Rahul came and sat down, still clearly over the moon about their marriage. Dalraj and Gurpreet had already re-instilled their conditions before they left. To get a court marriage done ASAP. Sid winked at Nikki and asked Riddhima for a dance. Armaan felt his heart pierce with arrows at that vision. Riddhima, after a small glance at Armaan, politely refused but Sid pulled her along with Abhi. Nikki asked Armaan to help her make Abhi jealous, and he led her to the dance floor.

Aaj din chadeya from Love Aaj Kal had just started and couples were mainly on the floor dancing to this slow, romantic beat.

During the introduction, Abhi danced with Riddhima slowly and talked non stop about everything. All Riddhima had to do was smile back and agree with him. She got bored all too quickly and concentrated on the lyrics and the beat of the song instead.

Phul sa hai khila Aaj din

Rabba mere din yeh na dhale

Woh jo mujhe khawab mein mile

Use tu lagaade abb gale

Tenu Dil da Vasta

Nikki was dancing with Armaan, and Armaan didn't bother keeping up with the conversation. He looked over at Riddhima who looked lost in some space barely paying attention to Abhi's on going mouth.

Rabba aaya dar de yaar de

Sara jahan chod chad ke

Mere sapne sawar de

Tennu dil da vasta

Armaan stopped paying attention to the song and continued looking at Riddhima. He stared at her facial features that were quite a distance away from him, having the sudden urge to go and touch them. Nikki clicked her fingers in front of him and he came out of his trance.

Baksha gunaho ko

Sun ke duwao ko He watched the exchange between Abhi and Sid take place

Rabba Pyaar hai Muskaan and Rahul were back on the dance floor lost into each other, as Armaan watched them

Tune sab ko hi de diya

Meri bhi aahon ko He glanced at Riddhima

Sun le duwao ko She was smiling half heartedly at Sid's chatter

Mujhko woh dila mene jisko hai dil diya Her gaze suddenly met his, and their eyes fixed on each other

Aasmaan pe aasmaan usko de itna bata

Woh jo mujhe dekh ke hase She looked away from him, afraid of the slight lump that was forming in her throat

Pana chahun Raat din jise But he could not remove his gaze from her

Rabba mere naam kar use

"Agar tu usse itna pyaar karta hai toh kehta kyun nahin?" Nikki suddenly, bringing him back to Earth as he realized his gaze had drawn back towards her.

"I can't.."

"Kyun?"

"She deserves better. Aur voh mujhse nafrat karti hai." Was his simply reply to which Nikki scoffed at.

"That's impossible! Voh kabhi tujhse nafrat nahin kar sakti." Armaan looked at her slightly confused.

"She told me she hates me a little while ago. So your match making skills won't come in useful."

"Armaan, kehne mein aur mehsoos karne main bohot fark hota hai. I was here for the two months you were in Australia. Even though I know why you guys broke up - and trust me I wanted to murder you for being such a dimwit! - I never saw her talk about it at all. And no one else knows, otherwise they'd all be talking about it. Except I think Sid and Rahul. She just pressed it inside herself and changed completely."

"What do you mean?" Armaan asked, concerned.

"She used to be so happy, so free, when you guys were together. But when you left, she sort of.." Nikki sighed trying to find the right words to describe Riddhima's condition. "..Retreated into this self made shell that no one could get her out of. Hardly laughing or smiling." Armaan glanced at Riddhima again and saw her laugh at one of Sid's stupid jokes. "Oh, when Sid came, she used to hate him. Well hate is a strong word, dislike him."

"Kyun..?" Nikki smiled as she had the perfect answer to that question.

"His antics and behaviour were like yours completely."

"You see, she even hates anything that reminds her of me. I don't blame her." He said quietly, but Nikki shook her head.

"You're getting it wrong! She used to hate him because yes, voh tumhaari tarha hai, but then he wasn't you!"

"I still don't get you."

"He wasn't you Armaan. She wanted to see you! Talk to you..be with you. But all she had was a replica of you! Phir apparently after their trip to Lonavla they became good friends after she split her heart out to him."

"How..how do you know all this?" Armaan asked flabbergasted as he made sense of Nikki's words. Nikki looked away, slightly ashamed of herself.

"Voh..mujhe..Anjali ne bataya tha. She came across Ridzy's diary."

"She read her diary?! That's supposed to be personal!" Armaan exclaimed, as though they had opened his diary. Not that he had one, but..well. It was Basket's stuff!

Before they knew it, the song was over and people were heading back to their tables. Armaan looked around for Riddhima, but she wasn't there. She had probably gone to the bathroom. When he got there, Sid was talking to Anjali and Nikki interfered.

"Anjy do you have Ridzy's diary?" Anjali almost spit out her drink, and gave Nikki a 'SHUT THE HELL UP' look!

"It's important. Iss gadhe ko kuch samjhana hai!"

"Tap it Nikki! Gadha hai yeh bilkul!" Sid replied, guffawing with laughter, and holding his hand out for a high five. Nikki looked skeptically at it then at Sid, whose smile was wiped off as he put his hand down without another word and looked away.

"Oye chup reh! Nikki I'm not going to read anyone's diary!" Armaan announced.

"Lekin.."

"No!" Armaan put his foot down and refused to listen.

"I wouldn't even give it to him. Anyways, it's in her room." Anjali replied. "Aap dono ke beech chal kya raha hai?"

"Nothing Anji." Armaan replied honestly. Anjali looked like she was about to argue, but thought better of it as she saw Riddhima heading to the table.

"Armaan can you drop Riddhima please?" Anjali asked purposely as soon as they were out of the restaurant. Riddhima's eyes shot to Anjali, who busy searching in her hand bag for her mobile. How could her own sister set her up like that?! That was outrageous! If she got her hands on Anjali, alone, murder would be an understatement of what she would do to her! How much more awkward would things get between them? A car would be the first thing she would beg her dad for as soon as her Mom agreed! At least she didn't to beg for rides from people. She glanced at Armaan who was staring at Anjali.

Was Anjali barking? Why would she send Riddhima with him? Anjali gave him a 'sort it out' look and dragged Atul into their car after their choruses of goodbyes. Rahul, Muskaan, Nikki and Sid left in Abhi's car (showing it was full) which left Riddhima and Armaan alone. Armaan went towards the passenger seats and held the door open for her, gazing intently and trying to meet her eyes. She got in without looking at him. It was one of those habits of his that she loved immensely, but now it hurt too much.

"AC?" he asked as soon as he got into the car.

"Tumhaari gadi hai." She replied. He remembered the days when she would act like she owned everything of his. Nodding, he switched it on but at its minimum. She looked outside for the rest of their journey home. She could feel her heart beating at a faster pace than normal. She wanted to talk things out with him. She wanted to ask him what he meant when he said he loved someone else, to Dalraj. She wanted him to tell her he still loved HER! She wanted him to apologize for the way he behaved after their meeting with Kripa. She was sure she would tell him the real reason behind not telling Kripa the truth, if only he told her he still loved her. If only he would express his heart to her! She wanted to tell him how much she had missed him..but she shut up. It wasn't like her to act on her heart. Especially when she felt that her heart was weak. Especially when she thought she was wrong in the way she felt.

Thanking him, she walked inside her house, without looking back. Each step was torture. What would happen if she just told him? Just that once? Her heart was beating wildly. Would she ever get over him? Then again, did she want to? She looked under her pillow for their photo. Sure enough, there it was. Clutching it, she hoped against hope that those days would return. What was wrong in having faith? After all, that was all she had for now.

Armaan sighed as he drove on. He was sure she had a million questions to ask. Heck, he had seen them in her eyes! But could he answer them? When she had been in the car he had wanted to hold her hand, caress her face, tell her how much he loved her, how he had changed so much thanks to her, how it was so bloody difficult having a distance of miles between them. Tu jaane na, which was playing on the radio reflected his situation perfectly. He wished he would come out of his guilt and be able to embrace her. But damn, her life was perfect before he entered it. He had ruined her life. Or so you think, a small voice replied. Damn, he banged his hand on the steering wheel. Why was everything so complicated?

Anyways, tomorrow would be his first day back, in Sanjeevani. And he had to prepare himself for Keerti. Unknowingly, a small smile made its way onto his face. Things had to get better one day wouldn't they? After all, he thought to himself, a storm never lasted forever. Even if he lost his Riddhima for good? He did not have an answer to that question.

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, yeh raat baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, saath baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye hum tham gaye har baat baaki hai
Gaye kyun toh jiyein kyun

Na aaye ho, na aaoge, na dooriyaan dhikhaoge
Na thaam ke woh josh mein yun hosh se udaoge
Na aaye ho, na aaoge, na jhoot se sunaoge
Na rooth ke sirhane mein, remote ko chhupaoge

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, yeh raat baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, saath baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye hum tham gaye har baat baaki hai
Gaye kyun toh jiyein kyun

Aankh bhi tham gayi, na thaki
Raat bhi na bati, na kati
Raat bhi chherti marrti
Neend bhi lutt gayi, chiin gayi
Raat bhi na sahi, na rahi
Raat bhi laazmi, zaalmi

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, yeh raat baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye ho kyun, saath baaki hai
Gaye tum gaye hum tham gaye har baat baaki hai
Gaye kyun toh jiyein kyun
Gaye kyun toh jiyein kyun

Na aaye ho, na aaoge, na phone pe bulaoge
Na shaam ki karaari chai, labon se yun chhudaoge