|DD|5|AR|6th Thread Open|05.06.12|

"Hello?"

"Riddhima? Haan. Main Atul bol raha hoon. Hum aaj dus baje aayenge. Ek bohat important kaam aa gaya hain. Please humara wait matt karna." I heard Atul say from the other side of the phone and hung up before I could say anything else. I don't know why, but something about his tone told me he was lying. I immediately called Anjali to see if he was saying the truth.

"Hey Anji. Ek savaal puchhna tha yaar. Atul keh raha tha office mein bohat kaam hain. Kya kaam hain?" I asked politely.

"Office mein kaam? Nahin yaar. Office mein toh koi kaam nahin hain. Aur sab vahaan se ek ghante pehle hi nikal gaye the." This really surprised me. If they had left the office an hour back, why did Atul lie? Angry at him for lying to me, I immediately picked up the phone and called him after saying bye to Anjali.

"Riddhima?" I heard Abhi answer the phone.

"Abhi. Tum sab kahaan ho?"

"Atul Bhai ne bataaya na. Hum office mein hain."

"Jhooth mat bolo Abhi! Mujhe pata hain tum dono office mein nahin ho so don't you dare lie to me! Tum sab abhi ghar aao. Aur Armaan ko bhi lekar aao. Now!" Saying this, I hung up the phone without hearing what he said. I was just too angry at them for lying to me and in anger I walked up to my room, knowing they won't be here any time soon.

In about an hour I heard footsteps coming from downstairs and I walked down to see them coming, looking very tired. I walked down and stood in front of them.

"Tum sab fresh ho kar aao. Main tum sab se baad mein baat karti hoon. And no excuses ok?" They nodded with a small smile and saw them walking up to their rooms. I looked at the door, searching for Armaan but he was nowhere to be found. This really frustrated me. Where was he? His absense was starting to anger me. I wanted to see him. I wanted to see if he was alright. With these thoughts, I sat down on the couch, holding my head. In a few minutes I saw them coming down and I stood up with my hands crossed.

"Ab bolo. Mujhse jhooth kyun bola?" I asked directly without beating around the bush. I wanted answers.

"Woh Riddhima..." Atul started, "we didn't want to hurt you and-" I interrupted him, even before he could finish.

"Hurt? Guys tum logo ne mujhe bohat hurt kiya hain. Meri shaadi huyi hain Armaan ke saath lekin usski life ke baare mein mujhe kuch bhi pata nahin hain. Mom-dad kaun hain, kahaan hain... I don't know! Kya main iss ghar ka hissa nahin hoon? Kya mujhe itna bhi jaanne ke haq nahin hain?" I spoke, removing all my frustration and anger on them while they just stood there with their heads hanging low. "Guys, please! Aise chup mat raho! Mujhe sach jaana hain guys! Please batao mujhe!"

"Sach jaanna chahti ho na tum!" Abhi yelled at me and I was taken aback by his tone. I probably had crossed my limits. "Haan? Sach jaanna chahti ho na? Toh suno!"

"Abhi stop it!" Rahul yelled at him, trying to hold him back, he jerked away from him.

"No Rahul! Ab bas! Bohat ho gaya! Ab main aur chup nahin reh sakta! Bro ki zid aur usske ego ke liye main Riddhima se sach nahin chhupaaunga! Riddhima sahi keh rahi hain! Usse humaare baare mein jaanne ka haq hain! Usse jaanne ka haq hain, that we are bloody orphans!" His last line snatched the Earth beneath my feet. They were... orphans?

"Wha-what?" I whispered.

"Haan Riddhima. Hum anaarth hain. We are orphans! Tumhe kya lagta hain Riddhima? Humaari zindagi humesha aise khush-mizaar aur sukhi rahi hain? No! Humaari zindagi dukhon se bhari hui hain Riddhima! Humaara bachpan humse chheen liya gaya tha Riddhima. Hum bikhar jaate agar-agar Bro nahin hota toh." Abhi staggered back and fell on the couch while the other 2 moved towards him to help him. I regained my posture and spoke again.

"M-matlab?" I knew this was going to be painful for everyone, but I needed to know this. Next I heard Atul talk.

"Riddhima yeh sab humare bachpan ki baat hain. Bhai sirf dus saal ka tha jab mom ki car accident mein death ho gayi thi. Mom ki death ke baad Bhai toot gaya tha, lekin hum bohat chhote the. Hum mein inn sab ki samajh nahin thi. Dad toh bilkul hi toot gaye the. Apne dard pe se dhyaan hataane ke liye woh poora din office mein rehte the. Lekin inn sab mein woh hume bhool gaye. Iss liye himmat karke Bhai aage badha aur woh hi humare liye humara dad ban gaya. Woh khud bhi padta tha aur hume bhi padhaata tha. Woh khud se pehle humaare baare mein sochta tha.

"Phir ek din dad ko finally realize hua ke woh hume neglect kar rahe the. Unhone hume bulaaya aur humse bohat achhe se baat hain. Kuch waqt tak woh humare saath bohat time spend karte the. Hume baahaar ghumaane le jaate the, humaare saath games khelte the. Hume laga hi nahin ke hum apni mom ko kho chuke the. Lekin ek din woh Vasudhara ko ghar le kar aaye. Unhone humse kaha ke woh phirse shaadi kar rahe hain. Unhe Vasudhara se pyaar ho gaya tha. Kuch din tak woh humaare saath bohat achhe se peshaati thi. Hume laga ki ab hume humari mom ki kami mehsoos nahin hogi. Humari nayi mom hume bohat pyaar karegi. Lekin hum bohat galat the.

"Shaadi ke agle din hi ussne apne asli rang dikhaane shuru kar diye. Main aur Abhi toh chhote the. Hum mein itni samajh nahin thi. Lekin Bhai tha. Jab dad office jaate the toh Vasudhara, Bhai se ghar ka saara kaam karvaati thi. Humme school humesha aanth baje jaane hota tha lekin woh Bhai ko chhe baje utha deti thi. Woh Bhai se ghar ki safaayi karvaati thi. Unse khana banvaati thi. Aur agar unse koi galti ho jaaye, toh unhe belt se maarti thi. Humaari aankhon ke saamne! Hum rote the, lekin koi faayeda nahin. School se aane ke baad woh Bhai se khaana banvaati thi. Usse apne jootthe bartan saaf karvaati thi. Aur jab dad ghar aaye, toh unse sab chhupaati thi. Unnke saamne ek achhi maa banne ka dhong rachaati thi. Ussne Bhai ki zindagi nark bana kar rakh di thi. Roz usse maarti thi, usski insult karti thi. Aur hum kuch nahin kar sakte the.

"Kuch waqt ke baad dad ka business loss mein jaane laga. Unhone bohat saare loans le rakhe the aur unhe repay karne bohat mushkil ho gaya tha. Saara business dheere dheere karz mein jaane laga. It didn't take long for the entire business to shut down. Aur jaise hi business band hua, Vasudhara ne dad chhod diya. Ussne dad ko bataaya ki usse ek bohat hi rich aadmi mill gaya tha aur woh humme chhod kar chali jaayegi. Dad toh sach mein Vasudhara's pyaar karne lage thi. Jab unhe Vasudhara ke dhoke ke baare mein pata chala, toh woh puri tarah se toot gaye the. Shock ki vajah unhe heart attack aaya aur unki death ho gayi. Yeh dekh kar Bhai bohat darr gaya tha. Ussne Vasudhara ko rokne ki bohat koshish ki, lekin woh toh pathar dill ki thi. Dad ko marta hua chhod kar woh apne boyfriend ki car mein baeth kar chali gayi.

"Hum sab bohat rote the. Lekin Bhai badal gaya tha. Dad ka antim sanskaar bhi Bhai ne hi kiya. Woh bhi bina aansoon bahaaye. Unhone khud badal diya tha. Jiss Armaan ko hum jaante the, woh toh Dad ki maut ke saath hi kahin kho gaya tha. Iss Armaan ko toh hum jaante tak nahin the. Unke dill mein sabke liye nafrat thi, sivaayi humaare. Woh humse bohat pyaar karta tha. Humaare liye kuch bhi kar sakta tha. Hume laga tha ki ab sab theek ho jaayega, lekin hum phirse galat saabit hue.

"Bohat jald humse humaara sab kuch chhin gaya. Hume ghar khaali karna pada tha. Hum sadak par aa gaye the. Humaare paas rehne ke liye ghar nahin tha. Khaane ke liye paise nahin the. Hume saari raat sadak par rehna pada tha. Hume paison ki zaroorat thi. Iss liye Bhai ne kaam karna shuru kar diya. Din bhar pathar todna, khana banaana, gaadiyaan saaf karna, bas yeh hi sab karte the woh aur phir raat ko hume padhaate the aur khaana khilaate the. Phir raat bhar jaag kar khud padte the aur school ke baad phirse kaam. Unhe khud ki nahin, humaari parva thi. Lekin unki laparvaahi unhe mehengi padne lagi.

"Ek din woh kaam karke phirse humaare paas aa rahe the, ke woh bimaar pad gaye. Unhe chakar aaya aur woh gir gaye. Vahin par unhe Bi milli. Bhai ne unhe sab bataaya aur Bi ne hume sahaara diya. Woh ek orphange ki owner thi. Vahaan par unhone hum sab ka dhyaan rakha. Hume rehne ko aasra diya, do time khaane ko khana diya. Dheere dheere sab kuch theek hone laga. Humaari padhaayi achhe se huyi, hume achhi maa jaisi Bi milli, sab kuch achha jaa raha tha. Dekhte dekhte hum sab bade ho gaye. Lekin saath hi mein Bhai ne yeh business shuru kar diya tha. Jaise jaise time beetta gaya, yeh business bhi bada hota gaya. School aur college ke saath saath Bhai business ko bhi bohat achhe se sambhaalta tha. Bhai bhi dheere dheere pehle ki tarah hasne muskuraane laga tha. Itne mein Rahul bhi humaare saath aa gaya. Hum bohat khush the. Sab kuch achha jaa raha tha lekin Bhai ki zindagi mein aur problems aana baaki the.

"College mein ek ladki thi. Mallaika Sehgal. Woh college ki sabse hot ladki thi. Ladkon ko kapdon ki tarah badalti thi. Sirf apne satisfaction ke liye. Lekin Armaan ko woh pasand aane lagi thi aur Mallaika yeh baat jaanti thi. Ussne Bhai se pyaar ka naatak kiya. She spent a night with him and when he talked about marriage, she insulted him in front of the entire college. Usske baad woh Mumbai se bohat dur chali gayi. Lekin saath mein woh mere Bhai ko tod kar chali gayi." Next I heard Rahul talk.

"Armaan puri tarah se toot gaya tha Riddhima. Usse lagne laga tha ki duniya ki saari ladkiyaan ek jaisi hi hain. Usse ladkiyon se nafrat hone lagi thi. Gusse mein aakar woh ladkiyon ka isstimaal karne laga tha. Har roz ek nayi ladki ke saath ghumta tha woh. Kissi ki emotions ki kadar nahin thi usse. Armaan Mallik ek aur baar kahin kho gaya tha."

"Bro bohat badal gaya tha Riddhima. Usske andar ek-ek junoon sa baeth gaya tha. Ek bohat bada aadmi banne ka. India ka sabse paise vaala businessman banne ka. Din-raat woh kaam karta tha. Mehnat karta tha. Itna bada aur aalishaan ghar khada kiya ussne. Lekin inn sab mein woh hume bhool gaya. Tumne ek baar mujhse poochha tha na, ki main Bro ke saath aise behave kyun karta hoon? Woh iss liye, kyunki main humaare Armaan ko wapas laana chahta tha. Woh Armaan , jo hume galti karne par daantta tha, hume sahi rah dikhaata tha. Main chahta tha ki woh mujhe daante, mujhe maare, kaan pakad kar sahi rah par laaye. Lekin aisa toh kuch hua hi nahin. Usse apne dard ke alaava kabhi kuch aur dikhta hi nahin tha! Ussne apna aas paas ek aisi devaar khadi kar li thi, jisse koi aur laang nahin sakta tha. Hum usska dukh baantna chahte the. Lekin woh hume apne kareeb aane hi nahin deta tha! Din-raat office, office, office!

"Lekin tumne Bro ko badla hain Riddhima. Bro pehle ki tarah hasne muskuraane laga hain. Tumne hume humaara Armaan lautaaya hain Riddhima. Aur tum soch bhi nahin sakti yeh baat humaare liye kitna maayine rakhti hain. Bro tumse bohat pyaar karta hain Riddhima. Unka pyaar unki aankhon mein saaf jhalakta hain. Aur mujhe pura vishwaas hain Riddhima. Agar tum unke saath hogi, toh Armaan bohat jald humaara Armaan ban jaayega."

I heard Abhi say to me, but I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I had tears in my eyes by the time Abhi finished. I couldn't believe all this happened to them. Never in my worst nightmare had I thought Armaan had to go through all that. But he did. And it broke my heart into several pieces. If the mere thought of living through this hell sent chills through my spine, what would've happened to Armaan ? He had lived through this nightmare! He had spent years living in darkness and what did I do? I said so many things to him. I told him things that probably hurt him so much. I hated myself for saying all that to him! How I wished I could back and change things. I wanted to be with him right now, hug him and take all his pain away. But... where was he?

"Guys. Ar-Armaan kahaan hain?" I asked, trying to sound firm but I knew I was failing. They didn't say anything but kept staring at the floor. "Guys?" I said, trying to gain their attention but no avail. They kept stealing glances which made me furious. Where the hell was Armaan!

"Guys... tum log mujhse kya chhupa rahe ho?" I asked worriedly as my heart thudded against my chest. They kept their heads low and didn't say a word. Their silence was killing me! Where was he! "Guys kuch toh bolo! Kahaan hain Armaan!" I yelled, not knowing what else to do as tears started rolling down my eyes. Why weren't they telling me anything!

"Riddhima... Bhai..." Atul started and his voice trailed off, but then he came back firm and clear. "Bhai ME ke paas jo chhota sa beach hain, vahaan par hain. And if I'm not wrong, he's drunk right now. He needs you Riddhima. Jao." As soon as those words left his mouth, I ran out the door and got in one of the cars parked outside. The car roared to life as I placed the key in the ignition and I literally raced through the lonely streets of Mumbai, not caring about the consequences. I needed to see Armaan. Now.

Like Atul told me, I stopped in front of the small beach located in front of ME and immediately got out of the car. I ran on the sand, trying to find Armaan. I looked everywhere, not caring about the ferocious wind fighting against me. For the first time in my life I wish I was like the Volturi from Twilight series. If only I could track people! No, I'm not a vampire, but still! I wanted to find Armaan! That moron! I'm sure he's gonna be lost in his own drunk world!

"Kutta, kamina, idiot, stupid, bevakoof, gadha, moron, asshole, douchebag! Humph! Duniya ki saari gaaliyon ke laayak hain woh! Yahaan meri jaan nikli jaa rahi hain aur Armaan pata nahin kahaan hain!" I said out loud with tears streaming down my face. At this point, I didn't even care how horrible I looked wearing my PJ's and oversized shirt. I wanted to see Armaan damn it! "ARMAAN!" I screamed over the top of my lungs, trying to find Armaan, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, my gaze focused on a figure sitting near the water. I immediately recognized him from his body structure and his clothes and I ran to him. I fell to the sand as I touched his shoulder and said his name aloud. He opened his eyes and looked at me. I felt something break inside as I took in his appearance. His eyes were puffy and red, probably because of all the crying and his clothes were wrinkled. I could see the dried tears on his cheeks which made fresh tears stream down my cheeks.

"Armaan?" I whispered, shocked and hurt at his appearance. I could faintly smell the nauseating odor of alcohol coming from his body but I didn't care. His lips curved into a big childish smile as he recognized me.

"Arre, Riddhima! Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?"

"Armaan... tum... main... main tumhe lejaane aayi hoon."

"Achha? Tum mujhe kahaan lekar jaogi? Ghumne?" he asked me very cutely and I smiled through my tears.

"Nahin. Hum ghumne nahin jaa rahe." I saw his smile disappear and a pout take its place.

"Kyun?" His question made me laugh and I sniffed.

"Itni raat ko kahaan jaana hain tumhe? Hm?" I saw him ponder over this question and I swear I had never seen anyone so cuter than this man sitting in front of me before.

"Ummm... haan! roller coaster ride!" His answer made me laugh so much while he looked at me confused. "Itna has kyun rahi ho?"

"Armaan. Raat ke gyaara baje koi park khulla nahin hoga." He pouted and thought again.

"Toh phir hum kya karein?"

"Ghar chalte hain." I saw him become all whiny and irritated like a little baby.

"Nahin. Mujhe ghar nahin jaana."

"Kyun nahin jaana?"

"Kyunki..." He started and I heard his voice trail off as he looked down. He turned his face away from me and stared at the calm sea in front of him and circled his arms around his knees. "Kyunki... uss ghar mein... sab mujhse naaraaz hain." His answer broke my heart once again.

"Nahin Armaan. Koi bhi tumse naaraaz nahin hain."

"Nahin. Mujhe pata hain. Sab mujhse gussa hain. Atul, Rahul, Abhi..." he stopped and looked at me, "... tum." I was stunned hearing this. He thought I was angry at him?

"Armaan?" I whispered his name while he continued saying what he had in his heart as if he didn't hear me.

"Sach hi toh keh raha hoon. Atul mujhse gussa hain kyunki main usse apne dill ki baat nahin kehta. Rahul gussa hain kyunki main sab ke saath humesha sakti se peshaata hoon. Abhi gussa hain kyunki main pehle ki tarah hasta, muskuraata nahin hoon, sab ke saath time spend nahin karta. Lekin koi yeh kyun nahin samajhta ki mujhpar kya beethti hain? Mujhe bhi apne bhaiyon ke saath pehle ki tarah rehna hain. Main chahta hoon ki main unse saari baatein share karun, pehle ki tarah hasun, muskuraun. Lekin mujhe darr lagta hain Riddhima. Darr lagta hain ki-ki kahin phirse mujhse mera sab kuch na chhin jaaye. Jab bhi main kissi ke paas jaata hoon na, toh sab khatam ho jaata hain. Woh insaan humesha mujhse door ho jaata hain. Mom se pyaar kiya, toh woh mujhe chhod kar chali gayi. Dad ke paas gaya, toh woh bhi mujhse door ho gaye. Malliaka se pyaar kiya... toh woh mera dill tod kar chali gayi. Main nahin chahta ke mere bhai bhi mujhse door ho jaaye. Riddhima, agar woh bhi mujhse door ho gaye toh?" I stared at him, not knowing what to say. It hurt me seeing him like this. It hurt me seeing him all vulnerable and hurt. It pierced my heart seeing him like this. I wanted to hug him, kiss him and comfort him and tell him everything will be alright, but I just couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to say anything. "Pata hain Riddhima? Christmas ka time mera favorite tha. Harr saal mujhe gifts milte the. Mom aur dad mujhe humesha ghumaane le jaate the. It was the best time of my life. Lekin... phir mujhe Christmas se nafrat ho gayi. Pata hain kyun?" He asked me with hurt visible in his voice though I didn't say anything. "Kyunki... maine Christmas pe hi mom aur dad, dono ko kho diya tha." This came to me as a blow. Now I understood why he hated Christmas. On such a great occasion, he lost his parents. This did nothing, but bring fresh tears to my eyes.

"Aur... tum bhi toh mujhse nafrat karti ho. Haina?" He asked me and I shook my head immediately.

"Nahin Armaan. Main tumse nafrat nahin karti." I said in a broken voice. I don't know why, but I said this without any hesitation. I meant what I said, from the bottom of my heart and I knew I wouldn't regret this later. I saw his eyes turn to me and I saw a thin layer of water in his eyes.

"Really? Tum mujhse nafrat nahin karti?" I shook my head slowly and sniffed several times. "Tum jhooth bol rahi ho. I know you hate me. And I deserve your hatred."

"Main jhooth nahin bol rahi Armaan. Main tumse nafrat nahin karti. In fact, koi bhi tumse nafrat nahin karta. I..." I spoke while giving into my tears and looking down with my eyes closed. I was breaking from the inside. His honesty and sincerity made me feel like someone had wrenched my heart. I felt his soft hand cup my face and wipe my tears with his thumb and I opened my eyes slowly.

"Tum-tum ro kyun rahi ho?" he asked me very innocently.

"Pata nahin."

"Please ro matt. Pata hain? Jab tum roti ho na, toh mujhe yahaan," he said pointing to his heart "yahaan bohat takleef hoti hain. Please stop crying." I kept staring at him as I understood the meaning behind his words. He cared, didn't he? He cared about how I felt. It hurt him if I cried. It hurt him if I was hurt. I felt something stir inside me as his words repeated itself in my head. We didn't say anything as we both stared into each other's eyes, separating ourselves from the rest of the world when I saw him look down and more tears run down his cheeks, which worried me.

"Armaan?"

"Maine... bohat... galat kiya hain na... tumhare saath? I know... tum soch rahi hogi ki... main ek bohat hi.. bura insaan hoon. Lekin mera yakeen maano. Main bura nahin hoon. Main-" I stopped him by placing my palm over his lips and he looked at me.

"Shhh." We stared into each other's eyes as the wind slowly played its silent and soothing music in the background. "Mujhe pata hain. I know tum bure nahin ho. In fact... tum bohat achhe ho. Sabse achhe. Aur ek baat dhyaan se suno. Koi tumse nafrat nahin karta Armaan. Sab tumse bohat pyaar karte hain. Aur haan, sab gussa hain tumse. Lekin sirf iss liye kyunki sab tumhara bhala chahte hain. Aur rona band karo." I said wiping his tears slowly. "Tum rote hue bilkul bhi achhe nahin lagte. Hmm?"

"Toh... tum bhi mujhse pyaar karti ho?" His question took me by surprise. What was I supposed to say? How could I answer the question that even I didn't know the answer to? I didn't know what to say. Did I love him? I didn't know.

"Armaan..." I tried to move my hand away from him but he pulled me closer.

"Bolo. Pyaar karti ho na?" He asked me softly. I could see the hope and millions of questions in his eyes. I couldn't say I didn't love him because that would be a big lie. I did feel something for him. But, it couldn't be love right? Or was it?

"Pata nahin." I said honestly, looking into his gorgeous eyes which captivated mine. I saw his lips curve upwards into a dreamy smile. We stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like eternity to me. I could hear the soft waves of the water coming and crashing onto the shores. The silence of the night spoke volumes as we drowned in each other's eyes. I don't know what happened to me but I suddenly came back to reality and looked away from him.

"Armaan. Chalo. Bohat raat ho gayi hain. Ab hume ghar jaana chahiye. Atul, Rahul, Abhi, Bi, sab ghar par wait kar rahe honge. Haina?" I saw him nod several times as he heard me and I smiled.

"Haan. Woh sab mere liye bohat worried ho rahe honge na? Chalo!" I saw him ask me with his big eyes and then smile widely. He tried to get up at an instant but he fell and I held him immediately.

"Kya kar rahe ho? Gir gaye na?"

"Hmm.." He said with a pout and lowered eyes.

"Chalo. Main tumhe car tak le jaati hoon." He looked at me and I smiled and the next second I saw a big smile make its way through. I stood up and made him stand too. Very slowly and carefully, I took him to the car and made him sit inside. As I got in the car and wore the seat belt, I heard Armaan ask me.

"Riddhima?" I turned and looked at him. "Main radio on karun?"

"Haan, karo." He smiled widely and turned on the radio and I was shocked hearing the song that was playing on the radio. I looked at Armaan and he looked at me with wide eyes. A wide smile came across our face as the lyrics played.

Armaan sang loudly as I turned the volume up and tapped along to the beats of the music. This was one of my favorite songs! I know, I have a pretty weird taste in music but hey! That's me! I love this song! Plus it was a relief. No more crying now! As the guy's part finished, I started to sing.

I sang while swaying to the music and then I heard him sing his part.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him singing while looking at me intently. I didn't know why, but there was something about those eyes which sent shivers down my spine. I tried to concentrate on the road and on the song which was playing and swayed to its tunes.

The next second, I saw him open the window of the car and stick his head out yelling and screaming like a lunatic. I couldn't believe this was the same Armaan that always behaved like a douchebag towards me. This Armaan was INSANE! But I had to admit he was cute. I swear, if I wasn't driving this car, I would've kissed him right here in the car and then- CONTROL RIDDHIMA ARMAAN MALLIK! Focus on the song and car! Not Armaan and his sexy hot body and lips and- AHHH! SHUT THE HELL UP RIDDHIMA! STOP ACTING LIKE A TEENAGER WITH RAGING HORMONES DAMN IT!

I slowly and carefully looked at Armaan while singing, but looked away before he could catch me ogling at him.

Singing and humming like that, we reached home in no time. Getting out of the car, I walked with Armaan inside the house and saw everyone sitting there, along with the girls. Maybe the boys told them.

"Guys dekho, Riddhima aa gayi!" I heard Nikki say happily and everyone looked at us. They immediately stood up and walked to us. They bombarded us with questions and I just stared at them in shock, while Armaan was enjoying this attention.

"Guys!" I yelled and they stopped talking at once. "Sab theek hain. Aur Armaan ko aaraam ki zaroorat hain. Main usse uppar kamre mein le kar jaati hoon." They nodded and I took Armaan upstairs to our room.

As we entered the room, I could feel Armaan shifting all his weight completely on me and I knew he was really tired and sleepy. I slowly and carefully laid him down on the bed and relaxed for a moment. Then, I took his shoes off and covered him with the blanket. I sat beside him and stared at his calm and peaceful face, admiring his features. I slowly saw him open his eyes and I immediately looked away.

"Armaan. So jao. Bohat raat ho gayi hain. Tumhe aaraam ki zaroorat hain. Ab main chalti hoon." I said softly to him and tried moving away but he caught my wrist and pulled me close, making me lose my balance and fall on top of him.

"Armaan. Chhodo mujhe." I said slowly but he just shook his head, surprising me.

"Nahin. Main tumhe nahin jaane dunga."

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki... kyunki mujhe pata hain. Main apni aankhein band karunga, aur tum bhi mujhe mom, dad aur Mallaika ki tarah chhod kar chali jaogi. Haina?" I just stared at him with surprise. I couldn't believe he was so insecure about his relationships. But I couldn't blame him. He had gone through so much in life. If I was in his place, I would feel the same.

"Nahin Armaan. Main kahin nahin jaane waali. Main yahin rahungi, humesha tumhare saath." I said earnestly and I meant every word I spoke.

"Promise?"

"Promise." He smiled and closed his eyes and I could tell he fell asleep immediately. I caressed his hair, adoring his cute dimpled smile. I never knew when I fell asleep, dreaming solely of him.

****