A Walk On The Beach..#5|AR|Link to New Thread :Pg1 - Page 89

Hey Shruuu...First of all toh A very big HUG to you for this Preview🤗...Love you so much...And oh the Preview is so sad...Poor Ridhima...Feeling really bad for her😭...He prepared so much for Armaan...but where is He yaar😕?...really waiting for the complete part so try to update soon...Take care

Lots of Love
GEET

With Or Without You..

"Just stir it lightly, that's it'" Mumma instructed as I carefully stirred the mix. Reporting for my last of my cooking tutorials sharp after work, a day before Armaan's birthday, here I was in the kitchen, learning the one thing I know I sucked at.

The past week had been the most' Heck, I didn't even know what word to use to describe it. But Armaan Mallik had those effects - to turn a writer into a speechless bum.

After that night of his party - for which I was not invited, I had relented to talking to him only when spoken to. And he seemed to be abiding by the new rule I had set forth, but at least he was over the being-rude phase. If I was lucky, I would even be fortunate enough to get his warm, dimpled smile when we would bump into each other at home. But all I really wanted to do, was to hug him tight and never let go. But since I couldn't do that, I had taken to busying myself in making his birthday extra special. Somewhere, I knew it my attempt to feel him close to me. To feel him around me. To ensure my heart that he still loved me, and lest he had stopped loving me over night, in any case, I wished my attempts to display my affection towards him would change his mind. I almost laughed at my own thoughts. Armaan falling out of love with me was the biggest blasphemy which could ever exist, but even so, it was hard to persuade my beaten, aching heart...

As these thoughts circled my mind, I scanned the changing color of the gravy of the Lasagna I was making. It was turning dark red, but I distinctly remembered the book saying red, not dark red. Was this right? "Mumma, is this right, the color doesn't look okay." I mumbled worriedly.

"Yes Riddhima, its fine." Mumma sighed. I smiled at her sheepishly. "Uh beta'" I heard her hesitant voice and turned to look at her. "I'm sorry'"

"About what?" I frowned, confused.

"About the way my son is behaving'" She said quietly. I looked at her shocked, and embarrassed, and guiltily. I couldn't believe I had just gotten my mother-in-law to-be to apologize to me. Screw you Armaan 'Peanut Case' Mallik.

"Mumma, what are you apologizing for? Its not your fault'" I said lamely. A part of me didn't even know what to say to that.

"Yes, but'. Armaan's behavior is shocking me now'." She said worriedly, as she moved to the counter to stir the sauce herself, which, my guess was, to keep her busy while she talked to me.

"But you said this was normal for him, and that I should let him come out on his own'And I mean there is some progress, at least he isn't snapping at me or anything now! In fact he's pretty normal with me if it comes to human civilized conversations." I mumbled, baffled.

"It is bachcha, but he's hurting you so much, and I know for a fact ki wo kabhi tumhein itna hurt nai kar sakta. And he's still doing this, its just, completely going over my head now." She sighed. "Kya karoon main iss ladke ka. You know beta, if it wouldn't have been for you, shayad humein kabhi uske photography ke passion ke baare mein pata nai chalta." She said, and I noticed her fallen face.

"He was just afraid he would disappoint you and Papa'" I defended him, on an impulse. Mumma gave me a vague smile, which didn't reach her eyes.

"That shows how much he trusts us'" She said, and she couldn't mask the disappointment in her tone.

"And also shows how much he loves you two'" I corrected her, trying to be as polite as possible. "Mumma, wo bas'Aapko aur Papa ko khush karna chahta tha. He thought medicine was what made you happy'" I said slowly, wondering if it was my place to interfere. But after whatever had happened, I understood where Armaan was coming from - it killed him to think his parents were hurt because of him.

"Beta, more than the fact that he hid it from us, it's the fact that he was able to hide it from us, which hurts me. I'm his mother and I couldn't see through his pretence'" She sounded devastated and I panicked when I saw tears in her eyes. Moving to her, I hugged her tight, and for the millionth time that day, cursed the ass named Armaan Mallik, who we all loved to death.

"But that's because he wasn't pretending. Trust me Ma, he loves medicine too'Only, he loves photography as well'And he just hid it very well, ismein aapka fault nai hai'Its entirely his fault." I scowled. "Wo kabhi kuch bhi soch kar nai kar sakta. He never thinks of the consequences of his actions'." I muttered annoyed, and smiled inwardly, when I saw Mumma's face flicker with a slight smile, at my complaints. And so I continued. "And you know Ma, he tells me I'm the emotional fool and the impulsive one between us two, but he's no less' He is in fact, much more impulsive than I am'" I scowled.

"I'm just grateful he fell for you." I looked up and saw Mumma smile at me. I felt my cheeks burn. I hated how elders could embarrass you to an extent you thought could never be possible.

"Usko aur koi milta bhi nai'" I whispered under my breath, but then kicked myself mentally when I saw Mumma throw me an amused glance. I mouthed a 'sorry' to her, to which she chuckled and left the kitchen, probably to sort out her own overflowing emotions.

I sighed, as I thought about just how many people Armaan could manage to hurt with his impulsivity. The moronic ass. And to think he happens to be the one person around whom all our worlds revolve. And he was probably taking everyone for granted. I wished I could just go to him, shake him up, slap him twice or thrice, and make him see reason. But somewhere at the back of my mind, even I knew this wasn't the right time. It usually took a lot more than verbal explosions and dramatic tears to get the Mallik to speak up. And this time would be no different. Hence, I was putting an extra effort in making his stupid birthday special, when I actually wanted to squash his big, bloated, beautiful head into a pulp. All I hoped for, was that his birthday would be enough to send him on a guilt trip - a guilt trip so bad which would make him relent and talk stuff out...

I smiled widely, as I opened the parcel. If Armaan thought he was the only one who had saved up, he was wrong. Grinning at my wonderful plan which had now shown its result, I looked at the SLR Camera sitting on my lap.

I had first mentally calculated the Pros of using up $449 off my $500 savings, all of which I had saved from my University Internship stipend - a huge smile on his face, yeah, that was definitely worth it.

Unlike everyone else, I had saved up all my money, instead of using it up for weekend fun and frolic. At the end of a year and a half, I had made myself proud. But I was never the one to spend money at my whim anyway - except when it came to shoes and clothes. And this time, it was for my someone special.

Finally making up my mind, I had placed an order online, and now 4 days later, here it was, sitting neatly inside its expert packaging. I could hardly wait to see Armaan's reaction to this. He had been using an SLR camera already for his course, but he had bought the cheapest one on the list, and I was pretty sure he had done that to save up for our to-die-for suite in Vegas.. That suite in Vegas bought with it embers of memories, which bought a huge smile on my face whenever I thought about them. But then it was right after that that things had gone wrong.

And just like that, something struck me. I knew for a fact that it wasn't my job which was affecting him - he wouldn't ever lie to me that way. But there were instances where he had reacted this way - when he had found Krish's picture, thinking him to be Aakash, he had ignored me the whole day; his coldness towards me after Andrea had very publicly humiliated me, although it wasn't because he was supporting Andrea, it was because he was confused about his feelings for me. I frowned as the last piece of the puzzle finally began to fit in. Was he behaving this way because of what had happened that night?

"Oh shit!" I muttered, as his aloofness finally sought a reason. But then, he was the one who had wanted to get engaged in the first place. But that was only so that I would stay. But he had seemed pretty sure of it anyway.. But had I turned that around when I revealed I was ready for it? Was he really commitment phobic all of a sudden? No, it couldn't be that, he loved me way too much to hurt me this way, if he was commitment phobic all of a sudden. And besides, commitment phobic and Armaan Mallik didn't seem right if used in the same sentence, let alone be linked to each other. It had to be something else.

But although I tried looking for another reason, my mind kept travelling back and forth between my new-found theory.

I wish I could read minds; just for once I wished Twilight was real, and I was a vampire. I would have definitely feasted on Mr. Peanuts Mallik then, I thought disdainfully. But, now that I could predict the reason of his coldness, I felt relieved. It at least wasn't blasphemous things like he had stopped loving me, which had been haunting my mind since days now. But if he was commitment phobic, it was a problem. And I had to sort him out. When did life get so darn complicated. Right, ever since the ever-so-hot Mallik joined the league. Yes, that would be around the time my life took a 360 degree turn.

Smiling slightly, I pledged to clear this misunderstanding once and for all, and his birthday would be the perfect opportunity for me to do so.

I smiled happily. I had been working on the menu for 5 whole hours, and I felt like I was in MasterChef Australia's Pressure Test, as I worked against the clock to make everything I had planned, everything that was Armaan's favorite'It was his birthday after all!

Like always, I intended on making his birthday special. Not that he cared, he really didn't care about his birthday'Or so he said. But I knew he loved it when I would make a big fuss out of it!

I checked the piece of paper in my hand once, and cross checked it with the items spread out on the kitchen counter - Bruschettas, Lasagna, and Chocolate & Walnut Brownies.

Although I knew it was way too late for dinner, I was going to make him eat everything anyway. We had never followed the normal human cycle anyway, I thought as I remembered with a smile, our wonderful, magical Maggi nights...

The Lasagnas just had to be heated, as I had brought them home frozen after having made them with Mumma's expert help back home, but it had been the Brownies which had been a pain in the ass. Just to make sure this time, I had tasted the food myself first, lest it turned out to be as horrendous as my previous attempts at making edible food.

Satisfied with the day's work, I looked at the clock. It was just past 10. Another 2 hours, and I would make sure Armaan had a huge smile on his face. I was thankful he hadn't come home as yet, and for the first time ever, I was glad he was working out late.

I was going to make sure that all misunderstandings flew out the window today. I had tried my level best to keep my cool while he behaved like an incorrigible donkey, but I was determined to get rid of that distance tonight. I needed my Armaan back. It was time.

Having nothing better to do, I began setting the table, in the best ways possible. I dimmed the lights, and made sure the CD of our favorite songs was in the player, ready to be played and slow danced to. Finally tired and assured that everything was okay, I sat down on the table, waiting for him to come'

My mind kicked in apprehension as the clock struck 11.15, and he yet wasn't home'I hoped it wasn't one of his other late nights, but it couldn't be, he wasn't working at the hospital today, and shoots normally got over by 10. Grabbing my phone, I called him, and waited for him to answer, but in vain.

Sighing, I rested my head on my crossed arms lying on the table, and felt my eyes drooping'Come home quick Armaan, I need to wish you birthday, I thought, as I saw minutes tick by on my phone clock.

23.20'23.25'Where was he, my tired brain asked.

23.35'I called him again, and groaned when again, I got no answer..Anticipation gripping me, I called at the studio where he was working.

"Um, hey, uh, is Armaan Mallik over there?" I asked, as the receptionist answered the call.

"Yeah, Army's here!" The receptionist replied in a cheerful tone. I raised my eyebrows, but my eyes narrowed. 'Army'? Nicknames really had lost their charm these days!

"Isn't his shoot over yet?" I asked, sighing, trying hard to mask my disappointment.

"Uh, it is, it got over an hour ago, but he is still here'" She replied back. Her sugar-sweet voice was getting to me. I frowned when I heard cheering in the background.

"Um, could I speak to him?" I asked, trying hard to listen.

"Hello? Who's this? Listen I really can't hear you!" I heard her loud voice, cutting in at gaps, probably because of all the noise, and rolled my eyes. How could she hear me with hooligans shouting in the background?

"Hello?" I seethed, frustrated.

"Hel-" Her voice was cut midway as the line shut dead. I looked at the phone in my hand, my jaw dropping. Great.

Too annoyed for words, I didn't call back. So he was still at work. I sighed in relief, as the momentary panic of his disappearance began to drain out. I looked at the time. 10 minutes to midnight.

I looked at the food sadly, which was cold and probably lacked flavor by now. A tear slipped out of my eye as the disappointment of my big plans for his birthday went right down the drain. Didn't he want to celebrate his day with me, I asked my tired, hurt and heartbroken mind.

Trying to stop the tears from coming out, I placed my head on the table once again, and shut my eyes tight...

I didn't know for how long I had been crying, I had lost track of time, and I had refused to look at the time - it would just make me feel worse. And so I had just wept.

I sniffed as I heard my phone vibrate for the umpteenth time. Why wouldn't he stop calling me? He had been calling me since the past 20 minutes. Well, he at least remembered he had someone else waiting for him to. But I had refused to pick up his calls anyway. I was in no mood to talk to him.

So he had decided to spend his birthday night at work. Was he even for real? He really didn't want to spend it with me? Was he even aware of the fact that his fiance was up and about, waiting for him to come home so they could have a midnight, candle-lit dinner, dance, and leave everything that had happened behind?

I heard the door open and close, and finally looked up, and first gazed at the time on my phone - 1.15 am.

"Riddhima'" I heard his voice, and it sounded sorry, sounded guilty. And so he was aware. He was aware that I would be waiting for him.

I stood up and looked at him, blinking back my tears, making sure my eyes were dry. I just stood there, looking at him blankly. I didn't know what to do anyway - whether to hug him, kiss him a good birthday, or slap him, kick him hard for hurting me this way.

I saw his gaze fall on the table, which was neatly spread out with food I had made with my own hands, which was now too cold. I couldn't stand looking at it, I was sure my tears would give way if I as much as looked at it from the corner of my eyes.

"Munchkin, I'm so sorry'" I was hardly aware of his presence and his guilty pleas when I felt him come closer and hold my hands tight in his. "I got held up. I swear I didn't want to stay, they just made it impossible for me to leave'And what was I to say when they are singing me birthday anyway? But that's not an excuse, I know, Munchkin I'm so sorry!" He rambled on, but I was barely listening.

"Happy Birthday, Armaan. May God give you everything you wish for." I looked up at him and whispered coldly, as coldly as I could. It was time I inflicted some of the pain on him. Not sparing him another glance, I turned on my heel and paced to my bedroom, locking it shut.

I heard his fervent knocking on the door, and his pleas to open it, but I just wanted to cry'

"Riddhima open the door!" I heard his tired voice, his knocking growing more vigorous with each passing second. "Riddhima we need to talk, please, just open the door! I'm sorry, I know I've behaved like a complete jerk, just let me talk to you, please!"

I threw my pillow at the door, and yelled, "Go away!"

"No! You know I'm not going to do that Munchkin! Please open the door' At least give me a chance to make it up to you! I swear I will!" He pleaded from the other side of the door.

I clutched his picture tight to myself and sobbed on, while his voice and knocking played background music in sync with my sobs.

"Riddhima please stop crying if anything!" I heard his voice, but he wasn't yelling through the closed door anymore. His voice was soft this time.

"Why do you care?" I yelled back, and continued crying, not caring to keep my sobs low in terms of volume.

"Do I need to tell you why? Don't you know already?" He sounded tired, exhausted. Well of course, he had just partied with his friends. At that thought, my tears returned. "Riddhima please let me talk to you!" He begged.

"I can't even look at you right now!" I sobbed.

"Well then shut your eyes and talk to me. Or I'll cover my face. Whatever! But please open the darn door!" he retorted back annoyed.

"Don't you get the meaning of leave me alone Armaan?" I yelled back, angrily.

"Not when it comes to leaving you' You know that's never going to happen!" I could sense his love in his voice, and I felt warmth spread through my out-cold heart. I had been waiting for him, the real him, with his eyes and words full of love, for me, only me. But not this way. This wasn't how I imagined it.

My eyes fell on the wrapped box - his gift. Sitting up, I reached for it, and looked at it. I knew what I had to do. I had to sort myself out, be alone for sometime, without his love and concern filled voice haunting my mind and heart. It would be impossible to hate on him if he continued talking, I had experienced that before. But I knew I had to hate on him for some while, that was the only way I would be able to feel better. Wiping my tears, I walked to the door and opened it. I saw his hand stop midway, which was about to continue rapping on the door. I looked up at him and saw his eyes hopeful, but still sorry. And just like that, I felt a tear drop on my cheek on its own accord.

"Munchkin!" His hands held my face, as he inched closer to me. He frowned when the gift pressed between us, and looked down at my hands which held it against his frame.

"Happy Birthday." I murmured, and handed him his gift. I saw his eyes look at me puzzled, and not being able to meet his gaze, I walked past him, and grabbed his car keys.

"Riddhima, where are you going?" I heard his confused voice, as I reached for the door of the apartment.

"I need to drive." I said in a monotone, but felt his hand hold my arm roughly.

"No way! Its 2 am in the morning, I'm not letting you go out at this time!" He said sternly.

"Too bad, I wasn't asking for permission!" I said icily.

"Too bad, because anyhow, I ain't letting you out." He muttered, and I could sense his irritation mounting.

"Leave me alone!" I seethed, and finally raised his voice, and saw his shocked expressions, which made him let go of me. Grabbing the chance, I walked out, running down and to the car before he could catch hold of me.

I knew he would follow me somehow, and so I didn't care much about moving out into the night although I was afraid. And true to my beliefs, I could see a cab keeping up close behind me. I didn't even know how he had managed to find one at this hour of the night. But I hardly cared.

I was hurt, and that's all I cared about.

With Or Without You'-U2

See the stone set in your eyes'

See the thorn twist in your side..

I'll wait, for you'

Sleight of hand and twist of fate,

On a bed of nails, she makes me wait'

And I'll wait' Without you'

With or without you'

With or without you'.

Through the storm we reach the shore'

You give it all, but I want more'

And I'll wait, for you'

With or without you'

With or without you'

I can't live' With or without you'

I sat up on bed, holding my head, which was about to explode in pain. I sighed and looked at the bright beam of sunrays which had entered the room. Seeing no point in going back to sleep, I got up and started my day.

I had returned home at 4.30 in the morning, and had gone straight to bed after placing all the food - which still lay untouched on the table - in the fridge, without acknowledging Armaan who followed soon after. And I was glad he hadn't been hell bent on talking to me. He probably knew I wasn't in any state to talk. But while a part of me felt happy, sadistic and utterly pleasured at the way his face had fallen, with expressions of guilt, pain and regret clearly contorted, a part of me felt terrible for what had happened, that too on his birthday. From the look on his face, I could tell this was the worst birthday of his life, and I knew he hadn't planned it this way. But then, on the other hand, I didn't know what he had expected either..

I walked out, ready, and hoped I could move out without facing him, and a part of my wish was answered when I saw him snoozing on the couch; I noticed he was cold. Rolling my eyes, and cursing the love I had for him, I stormed into his room, grabbed his duvet and threw it on him callously. That's when I noticed - he had opened my gift, and the note I had written with it..

"If you can save up, so can I.. And dare you compete with me on who's the more romantic one, now.. I win heads down!

I Love You, Peanuts..

Your Munchkin :) x"

I smiled sadly at the note. Picking it up, I gazed at it when I found the paper smeared in blotched ink in the middle. Frowning, I looked at Armaan carefully, to observe any signs of tears. And I saw it: his eyes were puffy around the edges.

Sighing, I placed the note back on the table, next to the gift, and stood there aimlessly, trying to get the two contradictory voices out of my head. While one yelled, get out, he doesn't deserve it, the other one whispered, just give him a small kiss, the poor thing's had a rough birthday night already!

Clenching my fists, I placed a soft kiss on his forehead and ran out of the house, but not before grabbing his car keys and leaving a note behind -

"Its just fair I drive today.. I'm sure you agree!"

Having received a text from Mumma about some important documents needed for my Visas, I had driven home, and all the way, had been anticipating what story I would tell Mumma about last night. I had confided in her about everything till now, but somehow, I didn't want to tell her about last night. Didn't feel right, and I thought it was time I took lone responsibility to deal with the mess.

"Won't you stay for sometime?" Mumma asked me as soon as I had given her the papers and had declared my departure, 5 minutes after stepping inside the house.

"Umm' Ma, had a long day today, and umm' Not feeling all that well'" I mumbled warily. I saw her pass me a suspicious look, and I just knew what question was coming next.

"How was last night?" Bingo.

"It was good, he loved the surprise!" I said excitedly with a smile, and patted myself at how convincing I sounded.

"I guessed. Tum dono apna phone nai utha rahe the." She teased, as I walked to the door, wishing I could just make a run for it.

"Haan'" I muttered sheepishly, and thanked God for not making Armaan pick up the phone!

"Riddhima beta, you don't look okay. You look sick. Are you sure you're okay?" She asked me concerned.

"Haan Ma' Just tired'Been a draining week! With the cooking and all!" I smiled half-heartedly and sighed in relief when I saw her buy the story.

"Usse tumhara khana kaisa laga?" She asked me excitedly, as I opened the front door.

"He loved it, although he thought the Brownies should've been more moist." I lied, and cooked up a story. I had realized very early through my lying techniques, in front of family, add as many details to a fake story as possible - they bought them immediately.

"My son's always going to remain ungrateful." She sighed and shook her head in disapproval. I chuckled slightly and thought, you have absolutely no idea!

Bidding her a goodbye, I stepped out of the house and sighed in relief when the door shut behind me. That was easy, and quick. That proved - God helped liars too!

"Riddhima!" I frowned and turned and looked at Mrs. Chaddha - our nosey, annoying neighbor, who had been on a long vacation to Punjab since the past 2, months waving at me over the bushes separating our houses.

"Mrs. Chaddha!" I smiled and waved back, and sighed when she beckoned me to go to her.

"Gunni, don't go out on the street puttar!" She yelled in her annoying loud voice in her Punjaban english, to her 4-year-old daughter who we all adored for her loud, boisterous naughtiness. "Haan ji!" She turned to me and smiled at me, showing her 32 pearls gleaming in the bright sunlight. "Congratulations, teri aur Armaan di mangni ho gayi, I toh knew only, you both were made for each other!" She chuckled, and I rolled my eyes, and smiled.

Now my readers, do not get me wrong, I was happy she was wishing me, but the last thing I wanted to hear during a love-life crisis was the Armaan and I were perfect for each other. Were we?

"Thank you, Mrs. Chaddha!" I gave her a warm smile.

"Oh, ji, woh nai aaya?" She looked around me, trying to locate my invisible fiance.

"Nai, he's working'" I smiled at her.

"Toh tell him Mr. Chaddha and I wished him ji!" She smiled at me, and I merely nodded, thinking that wasn't the only thing I had to tell him.

Bidding her a goodbye, I walked towards the car, parked across the road and placed my hand on the door's lever to open it, only to hear a loud, booming voice from behind me. Stunned, I turned around and looked at an extremely hysterical Mrs. Chaddha beckoning her daughter to get off the road. I looked at Gunni who was merely smiling and waving back, and then at the car that was speeding towards her.

The driver would see her, surely, he would stop. But then I looked at the tiny piece of a person who had no clue what was happening and realized she was too little for the driver to see. I looked at Mrs. Chaddha, who seemed distraught, and all of a sudden, I felt like I was in a movie going on in slow motion during climax.

Acting on a spilt second, I raced towards the little girl, who was standing a feet or two away from my car, and pulling her out of the way, I swiftly paced backwards, and 5 seconds later, saw the car dash right past us. Sighing in relief, just when I slowed my own pace, I tumbled backwards, toppling over a rock behind me, with Gunni on top of me.

Not paying any heed to the extremely excruciating pain in my right leg, I looked at Gunni was who bawling her eyes out.

"Aww, baby are you hurt?" I asked, in a soothing voice and saw her big brown eyes turn to me, and in an instant, she hugged me tight, crying. I looked across at Mrs. Chaddha, Mumma and other neighbors rushing towards us, while we still sat there, in front of my car.

"Gunni!" I swore under my breath when I heard Mrs. Chaddha's voice, as she sat across us and pulled Gunni out of my arms, while I looked on, my heart aching at the way the poor thing was crying.

"Riddhima, beta?" I saw Mumma, sit on her knees while she scanned me, while I just passed her a vague smile, to let her know I was okay.

"Is she hurt?" I looked at Mrs. Chaddha who was scanning her daughter for any bruises.

"No, she's fine!" She panted, hugging her tight again, and then turning her gaze towards me. "Puttar ji, thank you. You saved her life, thank you ji!" She cried, and I looked at her uneasily.

""Oh, its fine Mrs. Chaddha, honestly, least I could've done!" I smiled at her reassuringly, patting Gunni's head, who had calmed down a little.

Sighing, I looked at them get up, and wait while I got up. Grabbing Mumma's hand, I hoisted myself up, when I felt the worst, excruciating pain issuing from my right leg. Not being able to control, I plopped back onto the concrete road, and swore aloud.

"f**king, son of a bitch!" I yelped, grasping my right leg, tears making their way out on their own.

"Riddhima!" I heard Mumma yell, and I had no idea if it was for my condition or my explicit use of words. "Kya hua?!" She sat down next to me again, and holding my leg, she stared at dirty jeans limply covering my legs.

"I dunno, it just hurts, real bad!" I cried, trying hard to control the stupid embarrassing tears. I looked up at Gunni and Mrs. Chaddha who had extremely sad and guilty looks on their faces. "Probably twisted my leg or something, caught me by surprise! I'll be okay!" I lied straight through my teeth, because I had a very ominous feeling I wasn't okay. I had twisted legs, ankles, even my neck before, but nothing had hurt this bad. But at the same time, I doubted it could be anything serious, I hadn't taken that fall that badly anyway!

"Riddhima, I think you're hurt beta!" I heard the panic in Mumma's voice.

"Nahi Mumma, its nothing honestly! Probably some relief spray will be enough to set it right!" I lied. I knew where such things led you - to the hospital. And that was the very last place I wanted to go to. And there was something else I feared - Armaan's reaction. If it was anything serious, I knew I would never see the light of day again in my life!

"Riddhima, don't underestimate these things, I have to take you to the hospital, now come on!" She held my arms, and for a split second thought she was going to carry me. I laughed at myself when I saw she was just helping me up, and I was careful not to put any more weight on my apparently wounded leg, lest it brought on more tears and spread more joy!

"Mumma, hospital kyun... I'm fine, I swear! Just.. uh, need to sit and...rest.. for a bit' I guess.." I mumbled, and realized I was panting, and then I realized it was because of the pain. I rested my frame against the car.

"Puttar ji, that looks bad, you really should have yourself checked!" Mrs. Chaddha muttered guiltily.

"I'm fine! Please don't make me go to the hospital!" I groaned. I hated hospitals. Even the mere mention of someone being there made me sick. It had real bad memories attached there, and it was a place which gave you nothing but false hopes. At least for me, hospitals had symbolized that. But no, I wasn't going to think about all that. Krish had forbidden me to remember him that way. And that was the last thing I needed right now anyway.

"Riddhima, get into the car, I'm driving you to the hospital. Now." Mumma said sternly, and it was only then that I noticed just how much Armaan looked and sounded like her during such times.

"But-"

"No buts. Get in. Now." She pointed to the car, while I looked down meekly and sat in the backseat while Mrs. Chaddha and Mumma took the front seats.

"For the last time, I'm not on my deathbed everyone!" I groaned, looking at all the pairs of eyes staring down at me as if I were breathing my last. In a line around the hospital bed, stood Mumma, Papa, Rhea and Mr. and Mrs. Chaddha. Thankfully the one person who I dreaded seeing right now wasn't there yet. Where was he anyway?

"Shut up Ri, look at the size of that plaster on your leg!" Rhea reprimanded me. I rolled my eyes at how much everyone was over-exaggerating.

"What? Honestly, this fuss is over nothing. I don't need a plaster, honestly, I haven't broken anything!" I argued, glaring at the doctor, who returned the look. I rolled my eyes, and felt the nausea building as I looked at the hospital room. I didn't even know why I was in this room, with so many drips and saline bottles. What a waste of a hospital bed, I thought.

"Beta are you okay?" Mumma asked me, alarmed. I straightened my face and smiled warily.

"Mumma, I'm fine, I don't even know why they've made me look like a female version of The Mummy, because honestly, I am absolutely okay!" I argued again, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. "Please get this off me!" I groaned, looking more at the doctor, almost trying to glare at him so bad that he's forced to let me off the hook.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Guptta, there's very little we can do!" The doctor - Dr. Williams - said icily. I sighed, looking for something to throw at his annoying face with a stumped, flat excuse for a nose. But before I could put my mission into action, he walked out of the room, with a stupid, 'I'll just get the reports.' Bloody firangi.

"Umm'Papa, you didn't happen to call Mum and Dad right? I mean, they'll catch the first flight here, and I honestly don't want that, because I'm absolutely okay!" I said sheepishly, while Papa just passed me a stern look which told me - 'I have informed your parents, and stop talking nonsense'.

"Puttar ji, don't underestimate, that plaster tells your story!" Mr. Chaddha spoke, and I glared at him, but smiled to hide the curses I was firing at him in my mind.

"Mr. Chaddha." I said pointedly. "I'm absolutely fine. You think I would know if I was hurt that bad!" I rolled my eyes. "In fact, no pain at all now! My leg's just fine, just remove the stupid cast!" I seethed. I wasn't even lying. There was no pain. But along with the no-pain, there was also numbness. Not to mention itchiness.

"That's because you had morphine injected you idiot!" Rhea exclaimed, while I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Big deal, the point is, there's no pain!" I said. Just then, the doctor entered, and I dreaded that look on his face. It was that guilty look. The same one I had witnessed a couple of times before. I gulped the lump in my throat, and concentrated on what the doctor was saying.

"'complete rest for up to 2-3 weeks." He finished, and I looked at him shocked. No way. It couldn't be. How could it? I hadn't hurt myself that bad.

"You've got to be kidding me!" I seethed.

"Riddhima!" Mumma reprimanded me for my tone. I looked at her beseechingly.

"Mumma I'm serious, he's lying, I'm not putting up with this cast for 3 whole weeks when there's absolutely nothing wrong!" I argued. I saw the doctor pass me an 'Are-you-mental' look, but couldn't care less. "You think I could tell the difference if I had a broken bone!" I said incredulously.

"Ms. Guptta, your x-ray says so, I'm sorry!" He held my x-ray up for everyone to see.

"Where, where does it show my bone in two pieces?" I challenged, and saw him throw me a murderous glare.

"Riddhima, enough." Papa said sternly.

"You see this crack here Ms. Guptta, that-" The doctor shoved the report in my hand, and I looked at it pointedly, trying to prove him wrong.

"Where, there's no crack." I argued. "I do not have a fracture, just freaking let me go home!" I groaned.

"Riddhima that will be all." Mumma said in a dangerously calm tone, and I knew I had crossed her this time. I shut my eyes, as the nausea and the sick feeling in my stomach worsened. I felt tears prick my eyes, as familiar images of a hospital bed, with people around it, and me next to him, flashed in my mind.

"Riddhima." I heard the voice I had been dying to hear and dreading at the same time, and instantly, the devastation wore off. I looked at him, standing right in front of me at the door. His hair was shagged, his face pale white, and his eyes looked sleepless, weary and tired. But I knew that look. It was of horror. Although he had just turned 22 today, he looked as if he had aged 10 years. So much for a good birthday. I bit my lip, trying to stop my tears seeing him in that state.

"Armaan." I sniffed, and all I wanted at that moment was to be in the safety of his arms, which would probably save me from the killer looks I was getting from irky-jerkey Williams.

He just silently, walked to me, and stared at me for a couple of seconds, before - my eyes widened in shock - he averted his eyes and turned to Dr. Williams.

"How serious is it?" I heard him ask, his voice barely a whisper.

"Not much, she was lucky to have escaped without any great impact, but she still couldn't escape the crack. It'll take up to 2 weeks or so to heal..And just a small bump at the back of her head, it should heal in a few hours. As for the few scratches on her arms, they're nothing serious." I groaned as Williams said everything that was going to make my life even more difficult than it already was, and was about to start my arguing again, before I saw Armaan pass me a look so cold, it was enough to have me tongue-tied. His eyes spelt betrayal.

"Thanks." I heard Armaan reply in a monotone. I sniffed, and shifted uncomfortably on the bed as his eyes pierced me like x-rays. I hated it when his blue eyes fell on me like red laser beams, it made me feel exposed.

"I'm so sorry for all the trouble puttar ji!" I looked up at Mrs. Chaddha, who had an extremely guilty look on her face, and I could sense from her extremely low and soft voice, just how sorry she was.

"What's the point of saying sorry, after almost killing her?!" I wouldn't have believed it was my Armaan talking that way, had I not seen his lips move.

"Armaan!" Three reprimanding voices echoed together - Papa's, Mumma's and mine. But he stood unfazed.

"Avoid him Mrs. Chaddha, he's just'" Mumma spoke apologetically, while Mrs. Chaddha's guilt laden eyes filled with tears.

"Mrs. Chaddha, it was no one's fault, and besides, I'm absolutely okay, honestly, but if something would have happened to Gunni, I wouldn't have been okay at all! So please don't feel guilty, it was an accident, it happens!" I reached for her hand, while she gave me a vague smile through her tears.

"We'll fund your entire treatment, in fact, puttar ji, come and stay with us, we'll take care of you until you are absolutely fit and fine as a fiddle." Mr. Chaddha spoke, holding his wife's hand tight. I smiled at him warmly, a little embarrassed at Armaan's rudeness, but touched by their gesture.

"No, honestly, I'll be okay!" I assured them.

"Yes you will be, I'm going to make sure of that! 3 weeks tum ghar pe reh rahi ho, and meri har baat sunni padegi!" Mumma spoke sternly, and I looked at her horrified. 3 weeks? At home? Without Armaan? Then how the hell would it be home?

I looked at Armaan pleadingly, who looked just as crestfallen as I did. I tried to convey through my eyes, I needed him with me, there was no way in hell I was spending 3 weeks without him.

"Uh, Mum, I think its better if she comes home with me itself, and I'll be able to look after her'" He said hesitantly, and then gulped as he saw Mumma pass him a stern look.

"Really now?" Mumma asked sarcastically, and my eyes widened. Oh no, that was the last thing I needed - another showdown.

"Uh, Mumma, I, I think Armaan's right!" I spoke, and pleaded her through my eyes to not say anything. I wondered just how many people I was begging in front of today. Life surely made you do weird things sometimes.

"Riddhima-"

"Mumma, please." I said earnestly, and sighed when I saw her give in.

"Fine." Mumma shrugged helplessly, and shot me a stern look which said - 'If I get even a breeze of a complaint about his misbehavior or your lack of care for yourself, I will not spare you."

"Doctor, can I take her home now?" I heard Armaan say, and sighed in relief at his question. I would surely die if I stayed in this death room for another minute.

"No, I suggest she stays here for the night, we have to run some background tests on her, figure how bad her fracture is, because it looks like it can be a lot worse." I heard Dr. Williams say in a formal tone. At that moment, all I could think of was how and when I had managed to offend this guy that he was punishing me this way. I could almost see his red devil horns, with his tail sticking off his big fat ass, and his trident sword clamped in his hand, saying, 'Ha! You ain't going anywhere!'.

"Oh!" I looked at Armaan shocked. No, he can't just give in, not when he knows what hospitals do to me.

"No!" I shouted, causing people to fix all their laser beams on me. "I ain't staying here over night." I declared.

"But-" Dr. Williams began. I turned to Armaan; he was the only one who would understand.

"Armaan, I am not staying here." My voice shook as I held his hand tight, while he looked down at me helplessly.

"Ridd-"

"Armaan, no. You know what hospitals make me feel like Armaan, please don't make me go through that again!" I pleaded, and frowned as a tear slipped out of my eye. I didn't even realize when my eyes had teared up.

"But Riddhima, this is fo-"

"I don't care what its for, Armaan please, just take me home, I'm begging you, please, I can't stay here another minute!" I begged. I saw his eyes soften, and after what felt like ages, I saw his eyes glistening with love, filling my heart with instant warmth and assurance.

"Fine." He whispered, giving my hand a light squeeze. "Listen, Jack, I think I'm going to take her home and have her come here again in the morning for the tests." He turned to the devil of a doctor, who looked like he had been slapped in the face.

"What, bro, are you crazy you're listening to her? What does she know?" Rhea exclaimed.

"Rhe, I know what I'm doing, she's my responsibility, please let me handle it." Armaan snapped back. Rhea just shrugged and threw him an icy glare, but didn't retort back.

"Armaan, no point snapping at her, she's right." Papa stated, while Mumma nodded her head. I knew Mumma was dying to say something, and I could sense what as well, but I was back in my Defend-Armaan mode.

"Mumma, Papa, honestly, I will feel more comfortable at home. I can't stay in hospitals." I mumbled. "Please, I'm the one who's hurt, can I please decide what is best for my comfort?" I asked, looking pointedly at Doctor Devil, who just rolled his eyes. Seriously, what had I done to offend this dude, I thought.

"Fine, beta, anything you want!" Mumma sighed and bent forward to kiss my forehead. Papa followed suit, while Rhea just gave me a bear hug and a slap.

Throughout the procedure of getting me off the bed, to helping me get up a little, not once did Armaan leave my hand, and I liked it that way, until he picked me up and walked to the car effortlessly, when he realized how clumsy I was with crutches as supports for walking. And all I did was stare at him and wondered how much I loved him; and just how much he loved me. And somehow, I knew it was time, time for things to be okay...

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DONE! Like it? Hate it? Comment on it.

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Also, as we are kind-a running out of pages on this thread, a request to everyone, please edit your reserved spaces for each installment where they are and don't make new spaces to fill in..

PMs will be sent later for the part, once I post up a substantial part.. And regarding the PMs, if you guys haven't done so already, please add the account AWOTB_BTHE_PM to your Buddy Lists, I won't be adding anyone, because I barely log onto that account, and its a task for me to add so many people at once..

Also, thanks a tonne to all those who voted for my work in the Nomination Thread! Love you guys! <3

And, thank you so much for the amazing response I got to the previous chapter, really lifted my spirits! Hugs <3

I scanned the changing color of the gravy of the Lasagna I was making. It was turning dark red, but I distinctly remembered the book saying red, not dark red. Was this right? "Mumma, is this right, the color doesn't look okay." I mumbled worriedly.

"Yes Riddhima, its fine." Mumma sighed. I smiled at her sheepishly

Originally posted by: Aanya_taanu4evr

What's the "Res" for? An update?!

Weee 😆

I really AM sorry about the comment though, I'll try my best tomorrow

Originally posted by: armaania13

RES anticipating an update on your RES post!!! 😆😆😆