Life Out Of Control #2 - Page 71

This is for Aanya and Shru!! Love you guys! I don't know how I managed to get this done but it's all thanks to them😆😊 Love you guys..!! Sorry for any mistakes

Chapter 14 - Surprises Gallore

"You're so beautiful, but that's not why I love you, I'm not sure you know, that the reason I love you is you, being you, just you, yeah the reason I love you is all that we've been through, and that's why I.."

"Baassskkett..!!!" Armaan sing songed her name, bringing her out of her song that she had been quietly singing to herself. Seeing him, a smile automatically plastered on her face as she sipped her juice to hide it.

"Kya gaa rahi thi?" he asked, taking a seat next to her on the canteen table. She frowned in response. How did he hear that? Anyways, it wasn't a big deal was it? No, he would make it a big deal. Maybe not? "Riddhima..!" he persisted.

"A song, Armaan!" she replied back, leaning her head on his shoulder, realizing how drained she already was and it was only lunch time with no one to be seen around.

"Which one?"

"I love you."

"I know sweetheart I love you too." He replied cheekily making her grumble.

"That's what the song is called. It's on Avril's new album."

"Doesn't mean I don't love you."

"Armaan!"

"No seriously.."

"I wonder with this open PDA and fighting, why people are still blind to your relationship." Sid muttered as he came in, watching them wistfully.

Riddhima looked into Sid's eyes and noticed something different. There was a sort of emptiness in them, a longing for something. A longing for someone to love, probably. A longing for Preeti. She would know. After all, there had been times when she was surrounded by so many couples, and she had wished for a prince charming to come early. Watching couples dance on the dance floor while sitting at the side feeling like a loner wasn't anyone's cup of tea. She had wanted many a times, before Armaan came back in to her life of course, find a guy who would give her attention. But the thought of finding a guy just for the evening sounded so cheap, she had forbidden herself to think about it let alone act on it. Instead, she had resorted to stay away from all those couples especially during college. Done case. Life was different now. It was much more beautiful, with Armaan by her side, holding her, kissing her, cherishing her. He had definitely been worth the wait. Not that she was waiting for HIM specifically, she was waiting for someone special. And just how special he turned out to be was a magnitude measurement she would not be able to even guess.

But Sid couldn't even help it. He worked around couples. Literally everyone he spent time with was either married or dating. Then how could he evade himself from that feeling? How could he block out those feelings of wanting to have someone love him? True, he was a guy, but all guys needed someone no matter how late they actually grew up. And Sid, by the looks of it, had matured early for his 'guy' age. Riddhima sighed to herself. It would have been great to know Preeti. Closing her eyes, she could only pray for Sid.

"I don't know yaar. They all seem blind! Yesterday, a male nurse randomly stopped me in the corridors, asking me for ways to get a colleague of his. So I told him, the easiest way. Give her attention then make her jealous by flirting with other girls.."

"Armaan!" Riddhima reprimanded him. Were girls toys or something?

"Awesome dude!" Sid high fived him, while Riddhima narrowed her eyes at both of them, evidently pissed and disgusted at such attitude. She was about to leave, but Armaan held her hand underneath the table and linked his fingers with hers, forcing her to stay behind. Feeling a bolt of current shoot through, she listened to that tiny part of her which told her to stay behind and did, however, still not pleased with either of them.

"Tu jaanta hai uss chitku ne mujhse kya kahaan? 'Dr Riddhima single hai na? Toh kya main ussi se flirt karun?' Saale ki itni dhulai karni thi mujhe..!" Armaan fumed as Sid burst out laughing. However, Riddhima immediately saw something else on the horizon.

"What did you reply?"

"Before I could say anything, Hitler turned up, saving him." He grumbled.

"pheww.." Riddhima sighed in relief.

"Riddhima. You're mine, did you really want that chitku to flirt with you?" Armaan questioned, horrified, his eyes round in shock while Sid frowned uncertainly at her.

"Firstly, stop calling him chitku. It's not nice. Secondly," she interrupted him before her could put a word in. "He was probably watching your intentions, because hey, nurses are humans, they like to gossip, so he probably wanted to know whether we are together or not so he could tell his friends too. And if it wasn't him directly, I have a feeling some other girl set him up to it." She frowned slightly. "Armaan, agar un sab se Papa ko pata chal gayya.." she looked at him, trailing off.

"Don't worry basket. Kuch nahin hoga." He squeezed her hand and his pager beeped. "Mujhe chalna chahiye, and trust me, I won't let anything happen to us ever again." Smiling, he kissed her forehead, making her worried frown disappear altogether as she smiled at his reassuring words and actions. "Love you," he whispered in her ear making her heart immediately warm up and start beating faster as he left to go to Dr Khanna, his senior.

"Yeah.." Sid put in. "We'll try and keep these gossiping spies in the dark as much as we can." And before he left, he kissed Riddhima's forehead too, winking mischievously, as she giggled at him. She had a bunch of crazy friends, true. But she adored each and every one of them. Especially the one with charming blue eyes and a dimpled smile, who she was sure, adored her equally. He was her life. Biting her bottom lip, she shook her head as she got up. Armaan would make her go crazy one day! Not that she wasn't already crazily, madly, and irrevocably in love with him. Her Armaan, her desire.

"Abhi no!" Nikki nearly shouted in the locker room at the end of the day when Riddhima entered. Everyone else, for a change Rahul and Muskaan too, were staring at them open mouthed. It wasn't what you got to see every day. Abhi and Nikki fighting?!

"Kya yaar Nikki, itna bhau kyun kha rahi ho? I told you na I'm tired? How about some other day?"

"You're tired? Wow, you've been working 24 hours continuously haven't you?"

"But I've taken you out on a date so many other times. Can't we let it rest tonight? Please?"

"Kehdo na. That you're already tired of me! That's what all guys want. A few months of having fun, messing around, then move on." Nikki fumed, looking away while Abhi was trying to console her.

"Well said Bhabhi!" Sid exclaimed about to clap his hands but the glares from the girls present prevented his hands from meeting as he cleared his throat and looked away.

"Kyun ruk gayye?" Rahul asked. "Inn ladkiyon se darte ho? Oye Abhi, you're tired. She needs to accept that fact."

"Kyun khotte? Aur jab main thakki huwi hoti hoon, yet you still make me massage your back at night, uska kuch nahin?" Muskaan put in seethingly. "And what does Abhi need to do. He just needs to go out with her. How does that take up energy?"

"Of course it does. To please a girl. Kitna dimaag lagana padta hai." Armaan put in and Riddhima's mouth dropped open. Why did he need to interfere?! And now that he had, and had openly claimed which side he would take she could not at all sit back and let him get away with it.

"Accha. Dimaag hoga toh lagaoge na?" Riddhima shot back narrowing her eyes at Armaan.

"Look Riddhima, you stay out of this." He said authoritatively.

"What? Aur tu taang lada sakta hai? Don't tell me what to do Mallik!" She pushed her way to the front, facing Armaan.

"Dekh maine kahaa na stay out of it. It's nothing to do with you."

" So why did you speak? Their whole conversation was centered around you wasn't it, that you had to put forth your baseless and pointless opinions."

"My opinions are not baseless or pointless! Please."

"No, they're very worthwhile. Everyone should get the pleasure of hearing them." She replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Riddhima!"

"What Armaan?!"

"Chaddo na Riddhima. Yeh ladke sab hai hi aise. Ek number ke kanjoos aur kharus!" Muskaan put in, stopping their bickering. "Nikki, tu chal. We'll have a girl's night out."

Nikki's face immediately lit up.

"Haan! And you all can sleepover at mine! It'll be great! Slumber party!" And before Riddhima could think of denying it, the plan was made.

"Aap sab ghar pe baithke bore ho jao! Hum bahar jaa rahe hai!" Muskaan gritted her teeth at Rahul who scoffed.

"Aap sab bahar ho aur hum ghar pe baithe? Yeah right. Watch us. We're going out too."

"Yeah!" the rest of the boys chorused.

"Weren't you tired Abhi?" Nikki asked in a sickeningly sweet voice, her eyes shooting daggers at her boyfriend.

"Was. But now I'm not!"

"Urgh!"

"Whatever. Why are we bothering with these losers?!" Riddhima asked and turned her back on the whole lot. The girls all stormed out, evidently pissed off at the whole gang of boys, who didn't seem to care in the slightest.

Girls were like burdens? They would show them. Girls could have a lot more fun without boys any day, any time!

She got to Nikki's house with all her bags clothes for the night. Nikki had insisted that they change and get ready at her house, that way, they could dress each other up and have a gala time before they left for the club.

"Oh, Hi Ridzy! Kitni der lagaa di." Muskaan complained and Riddhima frowned. She was only five minutes late!

"Heyy, I'm on time. And you're dressed already?"

"Haan, voh I came here half an hour earlier. Nikki's ready too. She's just inside cleaning up the mess we made. Chal."

Doubtfully, Riddhima followed. She should have listened to her second instinct which told her to go to Nikki's house earlier! Argh!

"But you know it's awesome. Now you can be pampered by both of us. Waise there are so many dresses you can choose from Nikki's wardrobe, but we already picked out a special selection for you. By the way, what do you think of this on me?" She had worn a sleeveless, silver, sparkling, short dress that made her stand out. And her hair was left all curly, coming down one shoulder with very light make up, which looked perfect because the dress made her stand out anyway.

"Awesome." Riddhima replied smiling and they entered the room, where Nikki was sitting in front of the mirror and combing her long, straightened, hair out.

"Oh, heyy Ridz. Tera dress bed par hai. Uss box mein."

"Wow Nikki. You look fab!" Riddhima exclaimed without giving another glance to the dress. And indeed, Nikki did. With her flaming Reddish orange, strapless dress, she managed to pull it off with average make up and yellow shoes and purse perfectly! And the result, Riddhima had to admit was WOW!

"You'll look the same, don't worry. Check yours out in the box. I've never worn it before, but I don't know how it'll fit you. Here try it out!" She stuck the box in Riddhima's hand and pushed her towards the bathroom.

"But Nikki, this is a chooridar. How can I wear that to a club?" Riddhima asked, shocked.

"Yes you can, and trust me you'll look beautiful! Go now!" Muskaan interrupted, closing the door on her face. What the hell? Why did they get to wear such pretty dresses and she get to wear a.. WOW!..chooridar? But it honestly was beautiful! A dark pinkish red, sleeveless, with silver embroidery on it. It looked gorgeous from the first sight itself!

She put it on, however, it was slightly loose from the bust. Great. She couldn't go out like that! Coming out of the bathroom, she showed Nikki and Muskaan, whose faces initially with excitement, dropped.

"Yahaan se loose hai." Muskaan commented, as though Riddhima didn't know.

"Jaanti hoon. It has to hold me here and it doesn't. I'll just wear another dress."

"No!"

Nikki was frowning, pulling it from the sides. Suddenly, her eyes lightened up.

"I have thread and needles. Take the top out and give it to me. No wait first." She took a measurement using her fingers and then forced Riddhima out of the dress. So while Riddhima was sitting with the trouser and t-shirt over herself, Nikki was working on the dress and sewing it up for her. After a good twenty minutes, she was finally done.

"Nikki You didn't have to. I told you it was fine.."

"Now it's fine! And if we get late coz of you I'll murder you." She glanced at the clock nervously. At that moment a call came and she picked it up. "Yes we're on our way." Cutting it, she looked up at Muskaan and Riddhima, both who were looking at her curiously.

"I invited my other girl friends. Hope it's ok."

They nodded and she pushed Riddhima inside the bathroom again. When she emerged, the fitting was perfect, and the dress made her look radiant. Even without any make up.

"It's sooo beautiful. He has such a great choice doesn't he?" Muskaan blurted out and Riddhima looked up at her in question.

"My dad. He bought this for me actually." Nikki put in hastily and Riddhima, with doubts still in her mind chose not to pursue the matter, however let them pamper her with make up and hair straightening tools.

"I thought we're going to a club. Why are we heading to a restaurant."

"There's a party tonight. Then we'll head to the club."

Riddhima racked her brains. It wasn't her birthday, she hadn't graduated, they were in the middle of the month so intern of the months wasn't even in question. Then what the hell was it she didn't know about? Armaan's birthday? Nah, they wouldn't keep it a surprise from HER. Plus it was a good three weeks away.

"Looks like we're the first ones here." Muskaan whispered as she led the way inside the restaurant which was quiet besides the hum of people talking in the background. Nikki and Riddhima followed Muskaan to the lift, where Rahul and Abhi were surprisingly waiting for them.

"I thought it was a girl's night out! What are these idiots doing here?!" Riddhima narrowed her eyes at them. Honestly, what were they doing here? Party or not, these guys weren't supposed to be here! And if by chance they did end up at the same place, then they didn't have to go together! Traitors! Then where was Armaan?! She glared at Nikki and Muskaan whose eyes immediately fell down in a sheepish look.

"Well, you see we thought, I mean we do love them after all.."

"Ohh. You love them. Ok, where's Armaan then?" she whispered furiously, conscious of the looks she was getting from passer bys.

"Yeah, Rahul. Armaan kahaan hai?" Muskaan asked, her eyebrows raised up. Rahul frowned in confusion then suddenly said,

"Wait let me call him." And he went away while Riddhima was still evidently pissed off at the the way the girls sold her out. Well, not exactly, but she felt that way! Traitors the lot of them! Now she would never join forces with either of them! And let Armaan come. The girls could forgive the guys, but she wasn't going to let Armaan go that easily! He deserved some attitude! Idiot!

"He's saying he'll be here. Let's go to the terrace where the party is held. It's getting late." He gave a meaningful look at Muskaan, who nodded and they all stepped in the elevator, Riddhima refusing to look at either of them.

"Ridzy, maaf karde humme." Nikki pleaded but was silenced with a glare very much like Dr Shashank's!

Muskaan however didn't have the courage to even look at her and hummed to herself throughout the ride, irritating Riddhima all the more! Firstly, traitors that they were she couldn't tell them anything now, secondly Muskaan was acting indifferent to what she had done?! Oh she was so dead when they met alone. The lift doors opened and Riddhima was the first to step out, determined to get lost in the crowd and give these people her high and mighty attitude the whole evening. Weirdly, however, there was no crowd. Instead, there was no one around.

The terrace however was decorated so beautifully, with a white tent in the middle and flower petals on the floor inside it. There was also a table for two, laced in white and red, with a dim candle in the middle, glowing, bringing out the red around. The rest of the terrace, originally beautifully tiled, was bordered with candles and everything was so simple yet so beautiful and breathtaking!

She gasped looking at the scenery in front of her. It didn't look like it was a party venue! Turning around to question the others about this, she saw that the lift was closed and they must be on their way down. She turned back around to the beautiful scene in front of her, and saw Armaan emerge from the side, his smile, his eyes, and his heart all for her.

She forgot that she had been angry at him. She forgot that she was going to give him an earful. She forgot how she was probably not going to talk to him for a whole day. No, she loved him. And love didn't have space for all these small banters. Or maybe it did. It just didn't have the time to prolong them.

He was walking towards her, and suddenly, she felt herself shying away. He was looking extremely hot with his jeans, a shirt matching the colour of her chooridar and a coat to top it off, while his hair was left gel free like always, just styled in his usual. In short, he was the epitome of the perfect boyfriend. She could not remove her gaze from his blue which captivated her. Oh, how much she adored him!

"Gorgeous," he whispered with a smile, and she felt herself colouring up again. "Basket, ek din meri jaan le logi." He said coming back to normal, in his cheeky tone. She grinned and bit her bottom lip.

"Shut up Armaan!" and his signature wink was back.

"But you look beautiful. And why not. Choice was mine after all." He complimented himself and she frowned.

"So this whole thing was planned from before?" she asked, her mouth dropping low. Finally everything started making sense. Muskaan's little slip about his choice. The call to Nikki. The guys meeting them there. He nodded. "Every single bit?" He nodded once again. "The dress?" One nod. "The girl's night out?" One more nod. "The fight?"

"Yes sweetheart. Every single thing." He kissed her forehead once and she put her arms around him, pulling herself closer to him in a content, satisfied manner. Leaning up very slightly, she joined her lips with his surprising him initially. Immediately, he took charge pulling her closer to himself to have more of that sweet, small, soulful kiss that he couldn't get enough of.

"Armaan, this is beautiful." She said when she split apart, wanting to lock him in her arms forever.

"Our gang helped. A lot." He admitted, slightly sheepishly. She looked up and smiled at him. She didn't care if the whole world helped him. He was still, and always would be, the only one she loved. And why not? It was only he who managed to make her feel so special. He was the only one who managed to make her feel so beautiful, though she was sure she wasn't. He was the only one who brought the glowing feeling inside her, making her believe that she was everything she thought. And for that, she adored him to the core.

"I love you." She half whispered, and half mouthed.

"I love you too. So much."

"Really?" she questioned, her eyes narrowed in fun.

"Really." He replied, narrowing his back, forcing her to smile. It would be safe to say that without each other, life was as meaningless as a blooming rose without observers.

"Riddhima? Robbie Lobster?"

"Don't call him that. Bechara." She pitied the certain Robbie while Armaan held her in his arms and they swayed their bodies to the soft music.

"Yeah why not? Tujhe toh bohot taras aati hogi uspar. Saccha pyaar jo karta tha tujhe." Armaan remarked sarcastically, feeling a bolt of annoyance rush through. How did that Lobster, well his second name was Robster, get so much courage to ask Riddhima out in college? When Armaan had left, Lobster was such a nerdish scarecrow! And apparently the next year he had asked her out already? Wow!

"Atleast someone liked me. Otherwise the one I had fallen for broke my heart and ran away." Riddhima remarked with a hint of tease in her voice.

"And came back only to find that this broken heart was his true home." Armaan's dimple was evident as he pushed his forehead onto hers. This act of endearment always melted her heart then and there. What was it about him that had always enchanted her? What was it about him that she just couldn't put her finger on, that pulled her towards him like gravity? The first time she met him in college, the time he came back after a good five years, those days she resolved to stay away from him after the whole bet and then Sasha fiasco! Yet every time, she was drawn towards him automatically without any strings. And even right now, when he had just implied that she was heartbroken for a good five years. Hey! She hadn't been a female devdas for five years - No way! She thought to herself indignantly.

"Only, it wasn't broken anymore." She argued back softly, countering his cheesy lines.

"Just empty and longing for someone." He pursued and she frowned at him, giving up this mild battle they were going through. Putting her head on his shoulder, she felt his arms tighten around her as they continued their slow movement to the rhythm.

Half an hour ago, she finished a smashing dinner of boneless, roasted chicken along with chips, while Armaan stuck to his stake and potatoes, joking and laughing over nearly everything. They gossiped about the hospital, what her dad would say if he found out about them like this and when Armaan went too far she narrowed her eyes, which was a good indication of shutting up, unless he wanted her cocktail drink down the front of his new shirt. Then they had continued their non-sensical banters until Armaan had risen from his seat and gracefully asked for a dance.

All along, she had been extremely curious to know exactly how much all this would have cost him, however refrained herself from asking lest it show lack of appreciation, of which there wasn't any at all. The surprise had really astonished her and what more could she ask for if it was Armaan at the end of it, with the help of some of their friends?

"So, exactly how much are you planning to spend on me?"

"For the rest of our life? Ooohh uhmmm.."

"Armaan! For tonight!"

"Well, just a little less than a forutne." He answered back honestly but that was not enough for his practical headed girlfriend.

"And what would a little less than a fortune be in figures?" She asked testily.

"My salary." He gave up and told her the truth. Well, part of it anyway. Booking the terrace for the whole evening, having personal waiters having the music system installed all cost him his savings from ages. Then the decorating and the tent and other small side things jobs like getting her a suit and bribing Nikki and Muskaan to go buy it simply because he lacked the time cost him his two months' salary. It was safe to say that doctors did not earn a lot. Especially interns.

"Really?" she frowned slightly disbelievingly. "We aren't paid that much and this must be quite a lot.."

"Basket honestly, it doesn't matter. It's all for you. And forget my salary, tere liye toh jaan bhi haazir hai mehmsaab." He winked as he smirked at her while she groaned audibly. When would he get over his cheesiness? It would do them both a lot of good. And stop her feeling embarrassed!

"Armaan, I want to feel like I'm dating a human. Not some character out of a fiction show!" Riddhima found herself complaining.

"Please, tumhaare SRK se toh sab.." but he couldn't complete it before she interrupted him.

"Armaan, don't drag Shah Rukh Khan into this. He has nothing to do with all this."

"Haan haan, karo uski taraf daari. Jaise Lobster ke liye taras kha rahi thi."

"Armaan, Robbie and Shah Rukh are two different people. And why do you drag Shah Rukh into so many things. Bechara tumhaara kya bigaada hai?" she scowled demanding for a reply. No one was spared when they insulted her first love. Not even Armaan!

"Can we continue this in the car? Humme chalna chahiye."

"Kahan?" she questioned looking at the time. It was only ten thirty and it was not like Armaan to drop her off home so early. He would normally make the most of the time they had.

"Just let's go.." but he found her hugging him tighter. She liked where they were at. All alone, with no one to disturb them. The serenity filled up inside her and all of a sudden, the mention of leaving this place just disappointed her. As much as she loved surprises - well who didn't? ' she didn't want to leave so soon at all.

"I want to be here, alone, with you."

Armaan found himself smiling at her childishness. His heart warmed to see her so close to him. The mere fact she wanted to be alone with him right now showed how much she had missed him over the past week, when time had been so little for both of them. And so had he. In fact, every moment he spent without her seemed like time he had wasted. Every moment he spent thinking about her increased his longing for her. People said true love was hard to find, then how did he, of all people, someone so undeserving, manage to find someone nothing short of an angel to him?

Pulling her apart, he framed her face with hands as his eyes portrayed all the love he could put down at her feet. Without thinking twice, he leaned down capturing her lips in his, in gratitude for ever having stepped into his life. This mere gesture of his caused her to smile against his lips at first, then surrender with all her will, without any resistance. She wasn't perfect, she knew that. But he made her want to be perfect. He made her want to try and be everything he thought she was. And yes, she was a lump of insecurities sometimes. But whenever held her close to himself, whenever he tightened his arms around her while kissing her, like he was doing now, some part of her knew it would last. And right at that moment, she wanted nothing more from the world.

As she pulled out, her eyes automatically shut themselves although she could feel his ragged breath caressing her face, whispering for more. She forced her greens to open, only to be drowned in the intensity of adoration, the depth of care that care all directed at her that was held in his vast blue oceans of endless emotions. Once more, she leaned in to give him what he desired and passion unleashed! There was a craving which only he could satisfy and intensify at the same time, a longing which he could only surface within her and a desire which he could only evoke inside her that she thought she never possessed!

Armaan found his hands pressing her closer like he could not get enough. Her mere presence intoxicated him. Her touch sent his body soaring like never before. His hands roved around her back, daringly coming down lower, while she clutched his shirt collar in an effort to control this new electrifying feeling that was rushing through her veins at the speed of light! She found herself nearly tearing out his top buttons to get better access to his toned chest. Their lips still pressed against each other, their foreheads clammy with the heat of the fire raging within them, they explored the new boundaries they had granted each other.

They had travelled so far away, that it took some time for them to realize that the Nokia tune was actually Armaan's phone and not some background music that they had left unheard in the height of their passion. Riddhima was the first one who managed to step out of this trance, as she pulled out and immediately whispered,

"Your phone.."

He rested his forehead against hers and shook his head.

"I love you." He whispered back, ignoring the phone that was ringing in his pocket.

"I love you too." She replied, with all her heart, meaning every single word just like he did.

When the ringing wouldn't stop, Armaan frowned, very much annoyed at this person who apparently loved being the classic kabab-mein-haddi type and removed the phone.

"Saale ek baar nahin uthaya toh message nahin mila?" he snapped at Rahul while Riddhima, taken aback at first then realizing it probably one of their friends, just hid her face in his neck.

"I called three times buddy! We wanted to know whether or not you're coming to the club. You said you'd be here."

"Uhmm..change of plans. No clubbing." Armaan replied hastily as Riddhima hugged him tighter. After some more small talk, and a lot of teasing from Rahul's side, Armaan cut the phone and jammed it back into his pocket, wishing he could silence it and the tittering annoying voices of their already tipsy friends he could hear, in the background, forever!

"Now can we go?" he asked Riddhima who frowned in confusion.

"Where? I thought.." she trailed off.

"Somewhere."

And without hearing another word, he led her to the exit.

"Armaan tum nahin sudroge.." Riddhima mumbled as she felt Armaan nuzzling into her neck and pushing her hair aside.

"Main nahin sudrunga? Mehmsaab it was you who wanted to sit on the bonnet on the car, while eating your ice-cream. I was content on sitting inside the car where there was more distance between us."

"Accha..so you wanted to create a distance between us? Why?" she asked with a teasing glint in her eyes as she caught Armaan. Armaan, not for the first time this evening, found himself at a loss of words.

He was sitting with his back against the windscreen of his blue, latest model Range Rover, his recent obsession for which he sold off his SUV. Riddhima had placed herself between his bent legs, her back against his chest, turning only so she could give him spoonfuls of her favourite chocolate sundae ice cream topped with a cherry which she was saving for last. He had brought her to her most adored spot, the pier. Unlike other times they had come, tonight the place was brimming with small families and majorly couples, which was the reason ice cream shops and cafes were still open though it was nearing midnight. Well, when else could these people make money if not on a Friday night?

He felt her nudging him for an answer.

"Voh, because..you.."

"Yes Armaan, me? Do tell..I'm waiting."

"You uhmm.. I mean because you.."

"I don't have all night Armaan.." she tutted impatiently and looked away while Armaan felt a grin form on his face as he thought of the perfect answer. Well, perfect to shut his basket up at least.

"Because..you want me to say you look really, really hot, really tempting, so tempting that I find it hard to control myself around you?" he asked seductively in her ear, as her signature blush came up as she forgot about the ice cream for a moment. Lowering her lashes, she felt her heart beat quicken up. He was so amazing. So romantic. The typical sort of Prince Charming people would want. Well, he could be a nutcase, a jerk and a moron at times as well.

"Hah! Not in a million years Miss Basket Gupta!" He looked away, while his arms still circled her waist and her eyes shot up at that last comment, while her mouth dropped open with insult. Hell no! He was NOT romantic. NOT amazing. And he was a jerk and a moron ALL the time! Urgh!

"Accha Mister I-am-so-smart Mallik. Then why did you want to distance yourself from me?"

"Riddhima jee, ek akeli ladki ho. Aura main ek akela ladka hoon. Socho, humaari shaadi toh chod, mangni bhi nahin huwi hai. Agar kuch hogaya toh hum kisise muh dikhane layak nahin rahenge." His saintly, dramatic voice and words hit target as she found herself narrowing her eyes, and anger build within herself. What did this Jackass think of himself? Removing his hands from her waist she found herself retorting.

"Fine then. Main hi chali jaati hoon yahan se." And without a second glance at him, she left the plastic ice cream cup on the bonnet of the car, and slid down before Armaan could hold her back.

"Riddhima.."

"No Armaan.." she walked away from the car as he slid down himself.

"Tumhaari ice cream!"

"Tum khao." She turned back, the breeze of the beach whipping her hair around her face. "Tumhaari bakwaas sun kar mera pet bhar gaya."

"Toh meri bakwaas tumhaare pet tak jaati hai?" he asked cheekily only to infuriate her more.

"Shut up, smart-ass!" she replied back and walked further away, until he ran up behind her and grabbed her hand, forcing her to turn around. "Armaan, chodo mujhe. Mujhe tumse baat nahin karni."

"Lekin mujhe karni hai na.." He hugged her instantly, as she tried to push him away. However the warmth of his body due to the closeness was getting to her, while his grip around her tightened. As much as she tried struggling it was of no use, and it kept getting worse while she felt herself giving up. No, he could not win just like that. Forcing herself to listen to her head for once, finally managed to free herself.

"Aise maafi nahin milegi. Chodo mujhe."

"Accha listen to me at least. You look gorgeous." She stopped fidgeting and he brought his hands up to her face, framing it. "Irresistible, Riddhima. And trust me, not only tonight but every single day I have to control myself around you." That comment made her face flush once more, matching her suit. "Because your beauty doesn't only come from the clothes you wear, the way you do your hair. It comes from deep down, where you have a child hidden inside you, who loves everyone they meet, who plays with everyone they know, who loves to see everyone happy." She couldn't help but stare into his magnetic, stunning eyes that showed every word he uttered was coming straight from the heart. He smiled. "You are so beautiful, because you're one of the strongest woman I've come across. You're independent, you care about others, you love others more than yourself, you have just about the right percentage of emotion, childishness, and adulthood in you. And I could go on but that would leave us here till eternity." He leaned closer to her, and pushed his head against hers. "And if loving you so much means I have to control myself around you every single day, I will still happily fall in love with you for thousands of lifetimes."

Riddhima was speechless. She gently brought her hands around his shoulders and pulled him closer to herself. Closing her eyes, she saw his shut too, and they both remained in that position for what seemed like hours, however were only minutes in the real world. She didn't know that this was what he thought of her. She never knew that he saw her in so much depth, so much light, that she had never pictured herself in.

"I never..knew you thought about me like..that.." she managed to whisper. How much did he love her? She found herself asking this question in her head for about the umpteenth time. Probably more than she had ever loved him. And she had fallen hard for him. Loved him more than she had ever imagined loving anyone in her entire lifetime.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.." he winked at her, as she hugged him, burying her face in his neck.

"Cheesy.." she whispered, but felt the never ending heat rise again.

"Heyy.." he pulled his arms around her tighter, his voice filled with complaint. "I was cool before you turned me into mush.." she found herself giggling and drew back.

"Just to make sure. Me hugging you doesn't turn you on does it?" with a cheeky glint in her eye, and a smile which refused to leave her face, she watched as Armaan's expressions change to surprise and shock at her daringness.

"So this is what I get for pouring my heart out to you?" He brought her closer with a jerk, trying to hide the slight embarrassment he felt while her amused face showed that she had read right through his actions. He narrowed his eyes as her smile grew wider. Finally, she shook her head.

"Flattery always earns you extra marks." And with that, she placed her lips his, taking him by surprise. He however, responded almost immediately and held it for a few seconds before letting go.

"Armaan humme chalna chahiye.." she whispered, slightly aware of the attention they were gaining from the onlookers.

"Nah I'm quite enjoying this." He murmured, his dimples adorning his face as he teased her. She showed mock surprise, then thoughtfulness.

"Accha, abh kya hua tumhaari dramatic line ko? What was it? Yeah. Hum kisise muh dikhane layak nahin rahenge." She quoted him as his dimples deepened, while he adored every look in her eyes.

"Waise, if we continue what we were doing, logon ko bohot takleef hogi humaara muh dekhne. So technically, kisiko muh dikhana hi nahin padega."

"Shut up Armaan!" But she couldn't wipe that wide smile and feeling inside her heart off, as they made their way back to the car, their hands intertwined, looking like two souls meant for each other as the moon casted its shadowy light over them.

We should get jerseys 'cause we make a good team
But yours would look better than mine 'cause you're out of my league

And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
And everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
This jealously, they can see that we've got it going on

I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know, you're more to me than what I know how to say
You're okay with the way this is going to be
'Cause this is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

If anyone could make me a better person, you could
All I gotta say is I must have done something good
You came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must have done something right
I must have done something right

And maybe I'm just lucky 'cause it's hard to believe
Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me

And I know that it's so cliched to talk about you this way
But I'll push all my inhibitions aside
It's so very obvious to everyone watching us
That we have got something real good going on

I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know, you're more to me than what I know how to say
You're okay with the way this is going to be
'Cause this is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

If anyone could make me a better person, you could
All I gotta say is I must have done something good
You came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must have done something right
I must have done something right

If anyone could make me a better person, you could
All I gotta say is I must have done something good
You came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must have done something right

If anyone could make me a better person, you could
All I gotta say is I must have done something good
You came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must have done something right

Hope you guys like it..please do leave your comments or critisms...both are appreciated LOADZ!! 😃

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

Sorryy havent commented on the last update of yours , I thought I had and then realized I havent.

Amazing Job Sanaa.

hey sana aslam
how are you buddy hope yo doing well,
gr8 update buddy
try to continuee son
lov
maria