Armaan-Riddhima: Life as we know it. part16,pg 46 - Page 14

Armaan was glad to be back in Delhi. He remembered his earlier conversation with Riddhima,Delhi will grow on you.It certainly did. A certain small glitch in his heart seemed to be lost when he saw his basket.The ever smiling face had a special glow today. Her eyes, soo subtle and shy. Whyy was she shy??May be he was reading too much into it.He carefully noticed the different expressions playing on her face. She was soo happy to see me, yayy!! Shocked to see the three of them. But why was she acting over excited. May be she wasn't as excited as she sounded..He made sure to ask her the reason, but the next moment she again hugged her sister. It cleared all his doubts. She sure is something. Then he realized how easily could he read her expressions,he gave himself a pat on his back mentally.

Atul and Anjali carefully walked behind Armaan and Riddhima handling a naughty Krissh. Riddhima got some time with Armaan. She was trying to say something, she could'nt."Basket!! What is it? You are thinking too much. I know you are happy to see me. Say it." he said without sparing her look. He loved acting all cool and smart. "Shut up Armaan. Thankyou for the surprise.And i am glad you are back." she said, "So am I.By the way whats with the Armaan look?" he was curious when he saw Riddhima wearing a White crisp shirt with blue denims. That was his style.Riddhima wanted to surprise him with this new look. She knew he'd be wearing something very similar. She was right. "Wha what do you mean?" she hesitated. "Nothing! Nothing at all" Armaan replied. Boy, this girl was behaving so strangely.

Anjali pointed out to Atul how perfect the both of them looked together. Atul tried to stop her, she did'nt. She had come here for a purpose. She was sure Riddhima Armaan were not just friends. Armaan's visit back home had cleared it all. She had seen him talking about her.She just had to see the perfect time and try to talk Riddhima out. Little did she know, somebody already had done it.On the drive to home, Armaan and Atul were talking about Delhi streets and Atul was telling him about his college days. Krissh had chose to sit on Atul's lap. The sisters sat at the back deeply engrossed in their conversations. The brothers could'nt really figure out what were they talking about.Riddhima s phone started ringing, when Anjali saw the caller's name she grabbed the phone.

Muskaan was very nervous. She had tried stopping Riddhima. This was not the time to say all this. It was just a five day realization. She wanted Riddhima to give herself some time. When she saw the time, she was sure by now they would have met. She dialed Riddhima's number. Without speaking a hello, she started asking. "Ridssy!! kahhan hein?? Have you guys started talking? Kuch kaha tune?", "Muskaan!! " Anjali spoke. Muskaan was hell shocked. "Anjali, Hyee!! " she said. Anjali was about to ask her about what she was saying earlier. When, "Are you in Delhi?? woww!!" Muskaan tried to change the topic. "Yeah! I am in Delhi. " she said. With that both of them started talking. Riddhima later explained Muskaan how this was Armaan's surprise. Anjali invited Rahul Muskaan for the breakfast, lunch and dinner the next day. Sunday!!Riddhima all through the drive was stealthily looking at Armaan through the mirror, totally unknown to the fact that Armaan could see her. She even blushed once or twice. One such time, Armaan looked back at her and winked at her. She went deep red in embarrassment and dared not to look up again.Armaan smirked.

Soon they reached home, Padma and Shashank were taken aback at the sight of Armaan caryying all the luggage and walking inside. Armaan sure was a lovely kid, but was he shifting here? Padmaa thought.Her thoughts came to a halt when she saw her elder daughter, son in law and grand child walking. She literally jumped in joyy.Shashank was quick to react and engulfed his kids, all of them in a big hug. Padma was in tears when she saw Anjali. It had been more than a year she last saw her. Shashank chuckled followed by Armaan. All the three ladies gave a deadly glare to Shashank and them Armaan. Shashank for once glared back but Armaan was super sacred. Riddhima's eyes were still familiar but Padma aunty and bhabhi. He realized how these three women were soo similar.He immediately said"Ahhm, i was just reminded of my mom crying when she saw me.Sorry!!" With his comment, everybody started laughing.They had their dinner and Shashank forced Armaan to stay for the night. "Beta, its very late. You must be tired." Padmaa added. Riddhima jumped at the thought of Armaan sleeping under the same roof. Armaan had to give in the request.Atul Anjali and Krish, tired from the air travel quickly retired to the room for a sleep.

Riddhima quickly freshened up and went to the terrace. The weather today was surprisingly nice and pleasant.. She grabbed her diary and i pod along.This was the best way to not think too much. She knew sleep was far away tonight. She sat near the parapet and started de tangling the ear plugs. She was startled to hear him say "I missed you Basket."She turned around and saw Armaan with two cups of coffee.She was scared for the first time in her life. She didn't knew how should she react.She was sure of one thing, she could'nt talk to him about her feelings at her home. She immediately hided her diary, no way could she let him see. She smiled at him and made some room for her. Armaan sat near her and handed her the cup. Both sat together ,drinking the same coffee from two similar cups, both trying to start a conversation. "Yuck!Armaan stop making coffee and spoiling the taste."Riddhima won the race of who will speak first. Armaan was amused at her words. "Basket, i didn't. Aunty made it.And it is yummyy" he genuinely spoke. "I knoww!!I was just trying to do what you have failed to." she said. Armaan smiled, a warm smile. Riddhima could die for such a smile and dimples. It is now that she realised howw cute this guy was."Hmm,Riddhima" he started saying. "One more time you call me that and i am gonna kill you. Seriouslyy!!" she said anoyyed. "Okay! As you like it." he said, after a pause"Bakset, i am really sorry for that day.I was just loosing my cool on everybody that day, including mom. I didnt realise how rude i was. I know you said it was alright but i still want to make sure you are completely okay with it." he said."Armaan, trust me ,it broke my heart, The way you spoke was heart breaking. I was soo angry and sad that i could kill you. You should'nt have said what you said. And there was no need to lose your cool with aunty." she replied, all the nervousness long gone.. "Hah!! what is it with you guys, there mom dad are all praises for you.By the way Dad told me how you co-ordinated with him for the gestures surprise. You know Riddhima, he was talking so fondly about you. He said you are gonna make it big. Mom was also very happy with the way our friendship had turned.She said you were one of my most sensible friends." he said. Riddhima obviously was flattered with the praises. She smiled. "But anyways, thats not what i wanted to say.I am sorry is all i can say." Armaan said. "Yeah! there is noo need to say sorry. I understand. It happens. You must be pre occupied with stuff. It was all fair to get it out on somebody close. I have noo issues with that. And trust me we are okay, no problems, noo grudges." she said. "Wow! you understood soo well. I was exactly feeling this way. You are a genius. " he said. "Hmm, actually i blasted the same way at Muskaan. But i was much more polite and gentle" she admitted. "Come on, you blasted and you were polite. How is that even possible?" he accused her. "Well,compared to how you behaved."she replied. "Okay! But why did you? that too muskaan. She must have been shattered. " he asked. "Well, She was upset but she understood that it was just the heat of the moment. She is much more smarter and sensible than i am" Riddhima explained. "Yeah, that i know. you did'nt tell me why did you shout at her" he was curious. "Armaan, i was missing you. We hadn't talked toe each other and you weren't picking my calls. It was all soo messed up. I am not used to handling such situations." she said. "Aww, Basket trust me i felt the same. But now i am glad to be back.And this is our celebration coffee date." he winked at her and hugged her."Yeah, but i am not sparing you easy. You have to take to the cafe. I havnt visited ever since you went." she complained. "Sure thing!" Armaan agreed. With that the two chatted all the night. Armaan told her about Mumbai and what all he did. Riddhima patiently listened.

[size =3]The next morning -Sunday,the gupta household was un usually noisy!! Krissh was too excited to be with his maternal grand parents. Anjali was throwing her weight around. Atul and Shashank were catching up. Muskaan 's arrival added to the madness. Anjali and Muskaan shouted excitedlly.Rahul Armaan Atul were having a gala time reminiscing about their days back in Mumbai. Padma was totally absorbed in kitchen. She prepared numerous dished especially for krissh and Atul. Both her daughters weren't actually fond of food. They stayed away from kitchen as well. Padma used to crib a lot, luckily Anjali's in laws weren't the stereotypical people wanting their daughter in laws to stay in kitchen all day long. What would happen to Riddhima.Her thoughts lead to the realization that Riddhima wasn't up yet. She immediately called out to every body in the living room to go wake her up.Anjali deliberately ordered Armaan.Muskaan immediately cut her and went her self. She wanted to make sure if Riddhima was alright.[/size]

"Riddhimaa!!" this waas the seventh time, Muskaan called out to her. Muskaan was fuming by now. "Basket" she tried her luck. Riddhima just on cue shot up. Seeing a fuming Muskaan she tried to cover herself up with the blanket "Are you insane?" Muskaan has had enough. "Muskyy! Good morning"Riddhima sugar coated her wish. "Riddhima i have no time for your drama. Everybody is waiting for you. Get up, get ready and tell me how are you? Is everything alright?" Muskaan asked her. "Ohhfoo!! I will get ready in fifteen minuted , don't worry and yeah i am fine"Riddhima assured her. She was about to tell her how things are controlled at the moment, Armaan came. "What is it?" he aksed. "What? " came the two whats together. "The secret you guys are talking about?" he further asked. "Nothing that should interest you. I am going downstairs to see if Aunty needs my help. Her daughters are totally useless" Muskaan commented. "Muskaan how can you say so?"Armaan asked. Riddhima exactly wanted to know the same. "Anjali bhabhi is veryy nice." he said and smirked at Riddhima . "Oh ! yeah that she is. So only one daughter is useless."Muskaan said. Riddhima quickly shot two pillows at their directions. Muskaan went away. Armaan and Riddhima continued their banter about who's useless and who's not.

After lunch, everybody was just sitting in the living room, lazying around. Shashank went for some work in his office, promising to be back by an hour or so. Pdmaa took a quick nap. Muskaan still wanted to know more about Riddhima's decision about talking to Armaan.She had observed them for the complete day. Riddhima sometimes was staring at him like a maniac and he would just shy away. Muskaan found Armaan's situation extremely funny. She would often laugh loudly at him confusing every person in the room. Not only Muskaan was observing the two of them, even Anjali was. She knew they were close and stuff. But the rapport the two of them shared was amazing. She saw the two bicker like enemies and then patching up the other moment. She even saw how Armaan was continuously touching her, hugging her and Riddhima reciprocating the same.. Not that she minded but ,Riddhima was always the touch me not. She never let any guy that close.

Soon, Muskaan grabbed Riddhima to the other room."Muskaan, kya hain? Lets go back, we were enjoying soo much." Riddhima said. "Riddhima, you are getting me wrong, I am not going to ask you, what did you guys talk about last night, i never have, i never will. That is completly between the two of you. None of my concern."Muskaan told her. She thought may be Riddhima wanted to keep it private. "Noo, its not what you think.Come on Muskaan, we have been through this. Remember, when you started dating Rahul.I know you will understand if i don't want to talk about things just like i did. But its not that. And for god's sake we are just friends...as of now.What made you think this way. " Riddhima was taken aback at Muskaan's reason for worrying. "Hmm, since you were not ready to talk about it. Chuck it, I just wanted to ask you if you are sure. I mean its just a five day realization. Don't you think its too early. I mean even though you guys are soo close but this may spoil things. "Muskaan said."I know where you are coming from. Muskaan its just that, we are mature individuals. I am sure of one thing, it is not the teenage crush or infatuation. My feelings for this guy are way beyond that stuff. I am not going to propose him or something. Just want to talk to him about what is bothering me. I think we can handle that. More over its not just five days. I have been feeling different since a long time. Its just that this distance actually made me thinking.If di wasn't with him that day, i would have said it."Riddhima said. "Hmm, yeah. I guess your reason are fair enough. "Muskaan agreed.

"Ridssy" anjali called out to her baby sister softly.She was hurt would be an understatement. Here she was trying to bring the two together and now what she hears is, her sister already likes this guy and hasn't told her yet.She just came in to check on the two of them. They were acting all strange today. "Dii, i was just" Riddhima turned around and saw her sister. It killed her to see her sister in this condition. Anjali was hurt. "No, nothing. I was just..."Anjali tried to move away. "Dii, listen. I was about to tell you." Riddhima tried to stop her. "Noo Riddhima you weren't. Infact you are totally unhappy with me showing up. I was soo happy to finally be able to fly down here. I thought you'd be the happiest. But ever since, you have seen me..all my hopes came crashing. I thought may be you were over worked with something. But no, you weren't happy because i came down and spoiled your little rendez -vous with Armaan.My baby sister who would seek my approval on every single dress she buys, likes a guy and hasnt' even bothered to tell me, forget about asking."Anjali was angry noww. Now, that the picture became more and more clear, she thought of the various times Riddhima snapped back at her for teasing her with Armaan. Also, the idea of destroying the 'it' moment of her life wasn't too appealing. She mellowed when she saw two fat tears trickling through her eyes. Muskaan immediately moved forward to hug her. "Muskaan, you are the limit. You told me about Rahul even before you told her. But when it comes to Riddhima, you chose to stay mum.Riddhima, i still can understand but you.. You always were the more responsible one. Couldn't you just tell me or give me some feeler.Don't you think it was something important to be discussed with me"anjali said. "Anjali, you are overeacting.It was not my place to tell you when Riddhima herself wasnt sure."Muskaan replied. Riddhima now started sobbing loudly. She couldn't see her sister and best friend fighting.Muskaan quickly consoled Riddhima and gave her a tissue to wipe her face. She grabbed the two of them by their arms and went ahead.

"Guys!! We are going on a girls day out.Tell uncle aunty, Will be back till evening. "Muskaan announced to the three men. They nodded back , didn't spare a look. Thank god for the video games they were playing.. Muskaan ordered to the two of them sit in the car. Riddhima sat in the front. Anjali protested, but Muskaan glared back at her.Sulking, she agreed. They reached, Rahul-Muskaan's apartment. She offered the two of them water and went to do some house hold chores. Riddhima and Anjali sat at the opposite ends of the couch and did'nt speak a word. Riddhima didn't know what to say and Anjali was waiting for her to say something. "Dii , I am sorry! I wanted to tell you but " Riddhima started. "Riddhima, don't give this crap.You very well know you were not about to tell me anything."Anjali said."Dii, listen to me. "Riddhima argued. "I am listening to you, but don't lie" Anjalii said. "Okay! fine. I wasnt about to tell you anything. Not before i was sure."Riddhima said. "You are sure, thats why you were going ahead and telling Armaan." Anjali said. Riddhima explained her everything in detail. About the past five days and what circumstances forced her to finally accept her feelings. Snd she gave a brief about how their relationship was before that. Riddhima obviously did'nt exactly explained about her feelings. She never could.Riddhima told her how she wasnt sure yet and she would have eventually told her, every body infact. "Oh!! Ridssy, you are such a fool. But you could call me straight away."Anjali said. "Diii, it took me two days to figure it out. When i did, i was just too happy to think straight. You really think i could have called you."Riddhima was noww pissed at his sister."Whatever, but I am soo happy for you. Armaan is the right guy."Anjali dropped her ego and hugged her sister. "Why do you cry soo much??"She teased her. "Excuse me, you were shouting at me!!"Riddhima replied."Come on, i was hurt. I wanted to be a part of your life's such a big event."Anjali honestly said. "I know di"Riddhima replied.Muskaan came and the three of them hugged. Anjali apologized to Muskaan for her rude behavior. Muskaan forgave her. With that they decided to join the guys back. They drove back to Gupta house. "Di, you aren't going to tell jeeju anything as yet. Give me a day more."Riddhima told her sister. "Yeah fine." Anjali replied.

They reached back home.All of them chit chatted, pulled each other's leg, fought, played games.Went for a small picninc in the evening, had their dinner and the day ended. Armaan went with Rahul ,Muskaan.Anjali, Riddhima slept together in Riddhima's room and chatted all through the night. They had a lot to catch up.Riddhima was miffed at the fact that she couldn't spend much time with him.She texted him a good night. He replied back. Riddhima again texted him: *Meet me at the coffee shop tomorrow.*. He replied, *Noo, meet me at the parking lot tomorrow.Will pick you up and then the coffee shop.;)*Riddhima smiled. He always made her smile.

Life as we know it is sometimes the best when we are patient.

This was the next part.Sorry, not much of Armaan Riddhima.Hope you guys like it. Give your comments :).