Chapter 2
"Umm... where would Armaan be right now?" Riddhima asked Muskaan and Nikki, who were busy in their gossip.
"He would most probably be in the courts or he could be in the area behind the science labs." Muskaan answered, wondering if she should ask Riddhima whether or not she was feeling alright.
"You guys mind taking me there. It's... err... I don't know this school that much and I really don't want to get lost here." Riddhima mumbled, all the while partially lost in her thoughts of how she was going to apologise. Jeez, it isn't going to be all that hard. It's just a simple sorry.
"Riddhima, are you okay sweetie? I mean, it's your choice if you want to share your problem with us but... I am just asking."
Riddhima smiled, "Of course I'll share my problems with you. Who else do I have in this school? You guys are my only friends here, the only people who can talk to; so of course I'll tell you." Frowning, she continued, "It's just that... since I've fought with that idiot, I have this guilty feeling in my mind. You know what I mean? I shouldn't have lashed out at him like that. His actions were justified. Anyone would react like that after losing a match for the first time in 4 years. So-"
"Nah, only a jerk like me would react like that." Armaan spoke up from behind Riddhima. She turned to see him standing there with a sorry look on his face. "Look, it wasn't right of me to snap at you like that. I am really sorry."
"No, it's okay. In fact, I am sorry. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
"So let's start this all over again. Hi, I am Armaan Mallik." Armaan said, offering his hand to Riddhima.
"Hi, I am Riddhima Gupta. Ridz for my friends." She shook his hand and smiled. He reciprocated the smile with his sexy, loop-sided, dimpled one.
"I am Rahul, Rahul Garewal." Rahul introduced himself to Riddhima.
"Better known as Muskaan's boyfriend recently." Abhi joked and dodged a punch from Rahul. "I am Abhimanyu Modi, but I like Abhi better, so it's Abhi."
"Ya, he is Nikki's perfect boyfriend." Muskaan giggled.
"Jealous Muskaan?" Nikki smirked and Muskaan rolled her eyes.
"Nice meeting you all." Riddhima said, breaking up their usual banter. She walked back to her back, rummaging through it to find something. Walking back with a spiral book with a colourful cover, she opened it up to a page which looked like a form with a gazillion questions on it. "This is my slam book. I know it is a bit kidish and all, but that's just a way to remember all my friends I guess."
"It's not kidish! This is freaking cute Riddhima! Where did you get this from?"
"Actually, I designed this and got it printed. So ya... But the questions are stolen from the internet."
"Wait what? You designed this book? You're kidding?"
"Of course she isn't kidding Nikki!" Muskaan rolled her eyes and snatched the book from Nikki's hands. "It is so pretty. You are freaking talented Ridz. Multi-talented, I must say. Basketball and then this."
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just... you know, randomness. It's not all that good."
"Are you crazy or something? This is great Ridz! You idiot, how can you not call this good?"
Riddhima turned a shade of deep red as her friends praised her. Mumbling a thank you, she wondered if her work was all that good. She knew she had always gotten the top mark in visual arts, but she wasn't all that sure. She had kept her work under the cloak, hidden from everyone except her family. But even after receiving the praises from her new friends, she wasn't quite sure. What if they were just being nice?
"So who gets to fill this thing first?" Muskaan's voice broke her chain of thoughts.
"It's either you or me!" Nikki said. "After all, we are her first friends here."
"Sorry, but I am the first one to fill this book in." And before anyone could say anything, Armaan had snatched the book from Muskaan's hand and ran off.
"Armaan!" Riddhima screamed at him. He turned out, poked his tongue out at everyone and ran off. "Can we go get him?"
"Err... I am afraid not. He has this special hiding place of his own which no one knows off. So ya, you wouldn't know where he is." Rahul answered.
"Right. Oh well, he'll sign it first. Not a big deal."
"But... but we should to get to sign it first." Nikki whined and Riddhima chuckled.
"You all are the same for. I am sorry for sounding so... rude. But that's just how I am. You all have made me feel so welcome in this school. I hope you'll forgive me Nikki." She smiled brightly, tilting her head a bit.
"Ridz, she's being her normal drama queen. She really doesn't mind." Abhi answered her worries and then hugged Nikki. "And that's what makes her so cute."
While Riddhima watched them both in awe, Rahul and Muskaan rolled their eyes. "Lover boy!" They both muttered and Riddhima let out a small laugh.
"No seriously! Who the hell would say that Muskaan and Rahul are in a relationship! Would you have thought that they are in a relationship had we not told you?" Nikki asked Riddhima.
"It's possible. I mean, you don't have to be all 'koochie-koo' to be in love right?"
"Exactly my point! And that's exactly how me and Muskaan are!" Rahul grinned and Nikki rolled her eyes.
"Relationship talk again?" Armaan asked, making everyone jump. "I am going to walk off! Ridz, you might want to join me. Trust me, when these people start their talks, you'll feel nothing short of an outsider. Oh wait, I won't need to walk away now. I have a new friend I can talk to. Ridz, you're my new best friend." Armaan grinned at Riddhima and she passed him a 'are you normal?' look.
"Armaan! How do you know if she's in a relationship or not? Did you even ask her?"
"Oh... Damn! Ridz, please tell me you're not in a relationship."
"This guy is unbelievable!"
"No, I am not in a relationship! It's okay Armaan, I am not leaving you alone, stranded in between these people who talk about relationships."
"Gosh I love you already." Armaan grinned and pulled Riddhima into a hug.
"Armaan... you... choking... me... dying." Riddhima faked being choked and he let go of her, rolling his eyes.
"Drama queen!"
"I am used to being called by that name, so sweetheart, I didn't get offended."
"Attitude huh?"
"No, that's just me, the real Riddhima that you are seeing."
"Trying to be smart?"
"People, Armaan's deaf."
"Huh?"
"I just told you that this.is.me. I am not faking anything."
"Guys, break it up. Don't fight again!" Muskaan intervened. Riddhima and Armaan looked at each other and the next second, doubled over in laughter. "So what's the joke? Care to share?"
"The joke is that we are not fighting. We're just mucking around, being our normal selves."
"Oh shit!" Nikki muttered and everyone looked at her questioningly. "Muskaan! We completely forgot!"
"Forgot what?" Muskaan asked, confused.
"We both were meant to go see the deputy principle remember? He wanted to see us regarding that show he wanted to organise?"
"Holy crap! Let's go!"
"Wait, we'll tag along. We are in the organising committee as well so..." Abhi said, pointing at Rahul and himself.
"Ya, okay!" And with that, they took off, leaving Armaan and Riddhima alone.
"You're not in the committee?" Riddhima asked, walking over to the tree and sitting under its shade with Armaan.
"Nah. Committee and all, that's not me. I just get into the event and rock the stage. What about you? You're not going to go join it?"
"I'll pass this one. Maybe next time. So, besides basketball, what else do you like?"
"Music, I cannot live without it. Cricket, I will literally kill myself if I skip a match. Law is my passion, so I plan to become a lawyer. And you?"
"Well, I cannot live without music either. And cricket, I am a crazy fan when it comes to cricket. Of course, I am proud supporter of India. I love designing stuff, especially interior designing. I love writing. What else? I am a big fanatic when it comes to dancing. And did you say lawyer? Same here! I am planning on doing a double degree - bachelor of commerce/law. Who knows, we might end up in the same university."
"Cricket... you support India? Hi-fi! Me too!" They gave each other a hi-fi and shared a little laugh. "And it'll be great if we get to go to the same university. At least I'll have someone from my faculty to be with. So... Designing and stuff huh? Sounds cool. Have you designed anything apart from that slam book?"
"I... err... I designed our house here in Sydney, as in, all the interior designing and stuff. I did that. Not completely, but I did assist in it."
"Woah! You're kidding right?"
"No, I am quite serious actually."
"I need to visit your place. Soon!"
"Drop by any time. Actually, I have this idea. Why don't you guys come over to my place to help me set up my room? It will be amazing! What do you think?"
"I am up for it! Anytime! We just need to ask the others. But I am sure they'll agree."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"Me too. Man, I gotta agree, you seriously are freaking talented. Artist much!"
Riddhima let out a small laugh and said, "No, I am seriously not all that good. You guys are just exaggerating about it."
"We'll decide that when we come to your house. And here come the four love struck idiots of our group." Armaan muttered a bit too loudly for everyone to hear.
"Armaan, trust me. The day you find that girl, you'll regret making fun of us." Nikki said, shooting him an angry look.
"I am waiting for her." Armaan grinned.
"Seriously Armaan, you're breaking a lot of hearts you know? You could get a girl for yourself, but no. Mr Mallik is waiting for his 'it' girl." Abhi shook his head with a slight smile on his face.
"So? What's wrong with that? I mean, what's the point of going through heartbreaks? I won't, but the chic who I do go out with will. And to be honest, I hate hurting people so... I think my actions are pretty justified."
"So you'll stay lonely even at the age of 50 if you don't find your girl?" Nikki asked incredulously.
"I am sure I'll find her by then. And what is it with you guys? No seriously," He continued as he saw Nikki about to cut him off, "What the hell is wrong with my beliefs? That's what I believe in and will continue to. I don't get it."
"What don't you get Armaan?"
"I don't get what? I don't get why you are pressurising me into getting a girl for myself. I mean, every time this topic is opened, either one of you have to find a way to say something against it and oppose it. I just don't get you people. To say that you guys are my friends, ya, so much for being friends that you still don't understand me."
"Armaan, what the hell are you getting so pissed off for? And we're just voicing our opinion. We're fine with it if you want to stay alone all your life." Nikki spoke a tab bit too rudely for anyone's liking in the group.
"You know what? Screw this! I am so over your bullshit!" With that, Armaan got up and left. Riddhima tried to say something, but he brushed her off and walked right past her and up the stairs. Everyone sighed and sat down. They were used to Armaan and Nikki fighting, but today just went over the limit.
"What was the need for you to fight like this Nikki?" Muskaan sighed.
"Me? So it's all my fault?" Nikki asked infuriated.
While her friends argued, Riddhima noticed Armaan walk up the stairs of the middle quad and vanish into one of the corridors. So that's what he does? She thought. Go a different way and trick everyone into thinking that he isn't here around them? What a liar! Riddhima excused herself from the others, making up the excuse of using the washroom. She quickly walked down the stairs of the top quad and into the middle quad. Walking into the corridors from there, she heard a door closing behind her. She turned to see the store room door closed and she knew Armaan was there.
He heard the door knob turn and the door open. He knew no one ever came here. It was one of the areas that had been untouched ever since he came to this school. He instinctively stood up and watched Riddhima walk inside the narrow room. "Riddhima?" He whispered.
"So much for being so smart Armaan." Riddhima giggled and saw him give her a sly smile.
"How did you know I am here?"
"I saw you entering the corridors," Riddhima closed the door behind her and faced Armaan. "and I saw you enter the store room. So I followed you here and now your secret hide-out isn't so much of a secret."
"Can you please not tell the others about this?" He realised how rude he'd just sounded and immediately apologised. "Sorry, it's just, ugh, they've been messing around with me about this topic ever since and today, Nikki just crossed the line." Armaan let out a frustrated sigh and looked at Riddhima who passed him an 'I understand' look. "Seriously Riddhima, is there something wrong with what I believe in?"
"Nope, there's nothing wrong with that. Your points are valid enough so it's okay, I understand."
"Thank god there's someone who understands me."
"To be honest, I believe in exactly the same thing."
"Really? Gosh, I don't feel lonely in this world anymore." And they both chuckled. "So you've never had a boyfriend?"
"You think I would? I move almost every year. But this time, there's no more moving. Thank god!"
"So you've moved around the whole world pretty much every year?"
"Sadly, yes."
"But you're settling now right?"
"I hope so. But if my parents even talk about moving, I'll seriously never talk to them."
"Understandable!"
He motioned Riddhima to sit next to him and heard her mutter something like "I can't believe this guy has never had a girlfriend!"
"Just so you know Ridz, I heard that."
"Ya, you were meant to." Passing him a smug look, she sat next to him while he rolled his eyes at her.
Sitting between two tall shelves, scrunched up in the small amount of space, they both talked about anything and everything not realising where the time passed and when the bell for the end of lunch rang and put their chat to a halt.
"Oh crap!" Riddhima muttered under her breath.
"What happened?" Armaan asked.
"I told everyone I wanted to use the washroom, and it's been a while since I left."
"So what? Tell the others you decided to go for a walk and found me roaming around aimlessly like an idiot and ended up spending some time with me. Big deal!"
"Ya, I'll just say that. Either way, I'd have to come up with some stupid story or the other. Might as well just twist the truth and give it to them."
"But you won't tell anyone about this secret hide-out of mine... I mean ours right?"
"Nah, you can count on me to keep secrets. I definitely wouldn't."
"Thanks!" Armaan and Riddhima silently walked out the room but instead of walking into the quad, walked up the stairs of the corridors, taking a longer route so that no one would notice their secret hide-out. "You know Riddhima, there's only five people in this whole world who I have a heart to heart conversation with ' Mom, Dad, Rahul, Abhi and my cousin. But you're now in that list. Thank you for talking to me. I feel much better."
"I feel so special." Riddhima said dramatically and Armaan laughed at her antics. "On a serious note, your most welcome. Glad I helped."
"There you are Riddhima! We were wondering where you went." Muskaan interrupted their talks and Riddhima smiled at her.
"Ya well I decided to go for a walk and check out the school. And then I found this idiot roaming around aimlessly and hung out with him. I realised you guys needed to sort things out so..."
"Ah well, everything's sorted now. Nikki, you had to say something to Armaan right?"
"Look, if it's any of your crap, then save it. I don't want to hear it." And Armaan was back to his foul mood.
"I am sorry Armaan. I realised I went overboard, and I seriously shouldn't have talked to you the way I did. Sorry!" Nikki pouted innocently and held her ears like a kid. Armaan couldn't help but smile and hugged her.
"It's okay. Just don't start it again okay?"
"Oi, keep your hands off my girl!" Abhi almost yelled at Armaan and everyone burst out laughing.
"Never knew you were going to be so protective dude. Sorry!" And Armaan let go off Nikki in an instance. "Now that everything is sorted, I am feeling a hell lot better. And guys, do we plan on asking Riddhima about her timetable and show her the classrooms? So madam, what subjects do you do?"
"Umm... okay. So I chose Economics, Business Studies, Legal Studies, Maths and Maths Extension 1, English Advance and Visual Arts."
"That's like, every single class of mine except for Visual Arts. Depends what line you are though, we might or might not be in the same classes."
"Okay. Er... wait!" She fished out the timetable from her bag and read out her classes. "Economics is on line 4, Business on line 5, Legal on line 3 and Arts on line 6. Any same classes?" She looked up to see Armaan beaming at her. "I take that as a yes?"
"Yes indeed. Every single one of them except for Arts."
"That's so good. And you lot, what subjects do you guys do?"
"We all do sciences and one computing subject. We'll be with you in English and Maths." While Muskaan answered Riddhima's question, the other three looked from her to Armaan and gave them both a smug look.
Trying to ignore the looks on their faces, Riddhima said, "Eww! Science. No offence to you guys."
"No offence taken honey!"
"So do I see four upcoming doctors starting their MBBS next year?"
"Yes. And I don't know how Armaan became our friend."
"See Riddhima! This is exactly what I mean by feeling like an outsider. They always gang up on me. I am so grateful to you for being my support when they decide to be mean to me." Armaan pouted and Riddhima looked on, feeling lonely again. Even though they were including her in the group, she still felt empty on the inside when she thought about not having a best friend.
"Come on! She is so not supporting you, are you Ridz?" Noticing something like sadness cross over her features, Muskaan shook her out of her thoughts and asked if she was okay.
"Ya, I am fine." Passing a smile to them, she turned to her bag, pretending to be looking for something.
"Riddhima, what's wrong? Did we say something we shouldn't have or...?"
"No, no. It's not you guys."
"So something is wrong." Armaan asked.
"No, I am perfectly fine."
Rahul opened his mouth to ask Riddhima when Armaan shushed him up and said, "Screw it guys. We're not important enough for her to share her problems with us. No big deal." Seeing the hurt in everyone's eyes, Riddhima passed Armaan a look and he grinned at her. "Come on, out with it. What's up? What happened to you all of a sudden?"
"I realise there's no point hiding anything from you lot aye?" And she told them everything. She told them how it left like to not have someone who you could call anytime of the day without having the fear of 'disturbing' them. She told them how it felt to watch best friends sit and talk and not have someone with her there every time she went to a new school. She told them how it felt to hear people say 'She's my best-friend. Who's your best friend?' and have no answer to it. She told them how lonely she felt every time her sister would talk of her time at her university and how much fun she has with her best-friends. She told them how much she hated this life of not having a best-friend. "Heck I don't even have a close friend!" She finished. She looked up to find 5 pairs of eyes staring at her with a look that was not really readable. "Sorry for the rant." She muttered and then sat down with a sigh.
Muskaan kneeled down on her knees in front of Riddhima and held her hands. "Ridz, first of all, don't be sorry for taking it all out. It's good that you did, I am sure you'll feel better now. And let me tell you something, and listen to it carefully okay? Me and Nikki, we have known each other since we were born. We're family friends, and no, I am not saying this to make you feel bad. So, as I was saying, we've known each other ever since and then we came to this school. We met these three idiots and many others. But you know, we didn't fit with everyone. There were a gazillion new Year 7 people to choose from, yet we 5 decided to stick together. Since then, every year, some new student came to this school in our year group and we were always the one to welcome them here. But guess what? They never fit with us! And then you came along today, and believe it or not, one look and I knew our group of 5 will finally be a group of 6, just like we had wanted it to be. And... get one straight in your head. I know it's not even been a whole day spent with you, but I already see the sister I never had in you. So stop feeling friendless and all, okay? What the hell are we then?" Muskaan grinned as Riddhima looked at her with watery eyes. "Oh gosh, are you those emotional types too?"
"Yes, I am very emotional." Riddhima sniffed and then giggled. "Is that going to affect our friendship in any way?"
"No, it won't you idiot!"
"And what do you mean by 'emotional types too?'" Riddhima asked, stressing on 'too.'
"Oh, well, leaving me and Rahul out, everyone here is an emotional fool. So, welcome to the group my sweetheart."
"Oi, don't call us fools! Just because we feel something and you don't!" Nikki rolled her eyes at Muskaan who narrowed her's, almost ready to kill her.
"Cat fight!" Riddhima heard the guy mutter and laughed. "No, it's a lot of fun, trust me!" Rahul whispered.
"Really? Oh good, some entertainment coming our way then!" Riddhima grinned and sat glued to her spot as the four looked from Muskaan to Nikki and then back, enjoying their one-liners. If someone saw them right now, they wouldn't hesitate in thinking that they were enemies.
"Come on Muskaan, seriously now, you don't feel anything at all? Like, do you never feel like crying or feel bad for someone or anything? How can you be so heartless?"
"What the - ? Heartless? Me? Heartless? Oh please! I am not heartless."
"Oh really? What's your proof?"
"You want proof? Fine!" Muskaan walked up to Rahul who stared at her, bewildered. What the hell was she up to? Pulling him by his wrist, she dragged him up to where Nikki was standing while the other three guffawed. "This is my proof." She turned and hugged him, snuggling closer into him. The look of bewilderment was replaced by a small smile that spread across Rahul's face as he pulled Muskaan closer to him. "I love him." She mumbled, her voice softer than before. Everyone stared at them in awe and Nikki came and joined the others, a sweet smile playing on her face.
"That's the first time I've heard her say that to him." She spoke in a low voice.
"Nah, they always have their private moments when you and Abhi are busy and they think I am not noticing." Armaan too kept his voice low, as if not to disturb the happy couple.
"Really? And I thought they weren't romantic at all." Nikki continued to stare at them as Rahul leaned in and kissed Muskaan on her cheek.
"Stop ogling over them Nikki. How would you like it if I catch you and Abhi during your kissing session?" Nikki and Abhi turned a shade of red while Armaan and Riddhima chuckled, giving each other a hi-fi. "Oi love-birds, earth calling. Come on, out of your la-la land now."
Rahul and Muskaan lightly bumped their foreheads with each other's and then turned to look at the others.
"Never knew you guys had such moments as well!" Nikki grinned as Muskaan and Rahul turned a red.
"Ya well, we like to keep everything private unlike you and Abhi, public display." Muskaan got Nikki right back.
"Private huh? I wonder what goes on in your private time." Nikki winked but Muskaan was two steps ahead of her.
"Trust me, you don't even want to know. It's too much information for a kid like you Nikki."
Not being able to hold it in anymore, they all doubled over in laughter. After talking for what seemed like eternity, it was time to go home. Much to their surprise, Armaan and Riddhima travelled in the same bus. Not that it was a bad thing, not at all.
Looking back at her first day and comparing it to all the others, Riddhima realised that this probably was the best. She had never imagined of making friends, no, correction, close friends on her very first day at school. She smiled to herself as she walked into her house. She hadn't been this happy in years, she realised. Locking the door, she walked to the fridge, took out a can of coke and then plonked herself down on the black leather couch. Just as she was about to take a swig of her drink, she heard a voice yell out her name and she groaned. Great, there goes my coke.
oO0Oo
I am extremely sorry for the delay. I had written this part AGES ago but I never got around to posting it. Blame my busy life But now that I have posted it, do let me know how it is 😳
Love you guys heaps
Jyotika
🤗
Edited by ..Jojo.. - 13 years ago
🤣🤣🤣 Pehle to, you deserve that credit hon 🤗 SECONDLY! I LOVE ROSS! OMG! Thank you for that avi in this comment, even if it is for something that feeds your huge ego 🤣Anyway, coming to the update. It was asdjlkj AWESOME :| Seriously 😆 Thank you thank you 😳😆The first paragraph is the story of my LIFE. I swear. Shapath 🤣 I'm not a morning person and I have a temper. Not an ideal combination, that 😆 School mornings suck -__- THAT'S ME TOOO! NO WONDER WE ARE TWINS 🤣 Oh well, I loved the way you wrote that bit, it grips the reader's attention :D Thank youuu! Aim of gripping the reader achieved ;)Man, I feel for Riddhima. I've stayed the same place my entire life so idk what it feels like, but I'm sure its not that good 🤔 Buuut I love her character she's cute 😆 I don't know how exactly she'd feel because I've only lived in 4 different places in the 17 and a half year old life of mine, but I guess I know what she feels like a tab bit :PThe way you described the school? It reminds me of mine <3 We have HUGEE buildings, 4 of them. Memories. Sigh :D Haha! :D That's my school right there that I've described :DNikki and Muskaan are cute :D And the bond they share is clearly visible from their talks <3 You'll see their bond more clearly in the time to come :)And finally they meet 😆 The basketball match reminded me of DMG :D The whole thing was so cool ;) I loved how she shattered his ego. Girl power. Yeah baby 😎 Haha! Basketball and AR are inseparable and there is no way in hell I wouldn't put a BB match1 :D And ya, girl power baby ;) And they both have an attitude 🤣 Yup, HUGE attitude issues! But of course their chemistry beats that ;) They've already checked each other out, YAYY 😆 What do you expect from a girl and a guy looking at a really good looking person from the opposite sex ;)Now I can't wait for their apologies and then [hopefully] their friendship :D You will have to wait for the next few chapters to find out :)Erm one more thing. Are they going to be in a relationship before saying I Love You? I mean they he could just ask her out saying he likes her or something. I'd love to see how like changes to love 😆 But that's just me rambling, whatever you write is going to be amazing, you know it 😎 It isn't going to be love straight away, no way in hell! Because that's just weird. I mean, love doesn't happen ek minute mein right? :P It's feelings, infatuation and all but ya! I don't know if they'll be in a relationship before, I haven't thought of that 🤣 [what an amazing writer :D]I forgot to add this. I love the characterization and the setting! They're so vivid and spot on :D And I like the narrative as well, it's interesting <3 :D Thank you thank you! :D I wanted this to be very vivid so people can see everything without the pics :) I've hopefully achieved that :)And if you tadpao us for the confession [kinds like how I'm tadpaoing you 🤣 That's the only thing I hate you for now :P] then:🤣 Enough said! :PAnd this entire comment is SO random. Seriously, I'm losing my touch.I love babe 🤗 You're not losing your touch! This is totally Aanya-ish :DAnd lastly, I Love Youuu dher saara 🤗 You're one of the most important people of my life and I can't not talk to you because you're my twinno and it makes me feel adhoora 🤣 You are very important to me as well! You have no clue how much I miss you these days because of our lack of talks! Totally sucks But we'll talk soonnn!:D LOVE YOU TOOO! 🤗^^ It can't get better than that, admit it 😳 Bestest comment man! Tom Felton and Ross in one sig! Now that's love <3 =DxoxoAanya
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