Core of My Existence#3(AR Story) DISCONTINUED NOTE PG 124 - Page 10

I don't really have anything to say, but I wanted to post here LOL :$ Umm, and, some people should be aware, cause I am ready to do some band bajaoing :)

Originally posted by: roshni_A

Heyyy...i am sooo sorry for the late reply...i don't know but it seems like i am in a real mess these days...but that is no excuse ..

so i will go strait to my comment...

.the part as always brilliant...u know one of the best things about ur ff is its individuality which is blended with unity...each character is profoundly described and at the same time amalgamated with the story so effortlessly...because of these reason there is a beautiful continuity in the story line...its mainly an AR story but the way u portrayed each characters and their situation and emotions, the story goes beyond a boundary...

in this part also the way u showed the emotions of AR's friends is brilliant...good friends can be like pillar for anyone. I missed the way Armaan lacked his friends in DMG-2...its like they just snached every bit of comforting thing from him...i am sorry that i always compared ur ff with DMG but its just that ur Ff seems to fulfill the gaps and the wishes that i always wanted...it is another reason that COME is so close to my heart...when i read COME i always felt like it should have been in DMG...

Another thing i must mention is the way u portrayed Armaan's emotion when he called his friends ...it was so real for a character like Armaan...and the way Riddhima is getting impatient is also natural..is is just really worked up to get back to her life...i love the way Armaan is trying to cooperate with her..but there is a limit for everyones tolerance...so i am quite afraid with ur preview...

do continue asap...its been long...

Originally posted by: caprigurl

Sincerest apologies madame, for my ignorance :P

Call me a kid but the bestest parts of the stories I read are the ones in which the characters are at their childish cutest best 😆 I dunno, but that phase when you can be a tantrum throwing or a cute and naughty one with someone close to you is what life's little joys are about- so when Riddhima here ordered him to comb her hair cos they were oh-so-messy , I had to smile 😛 And then how he teases her about it being an order for him, lol good guy, jaldi samajh gaya 😆

It's little trivia like this that I kept dreaming for AR when the show ended, heck itna kuch dekhna tha mereko , so thanks for the FF :D

And the part where he's senti about her first steps, over his phone cal to friends - ah the GANG :) I so loved how everyone was hanging onto his words, and most liked the way Nikki got down to business asking about how HE was- it's a tad unfair how he's taking such a toll on himself- I loved Nikki's true blue friendship and concern there.

And I so wish things settle out with Riddhima's family- else, like they say naa, sab kuch ho kay bhi kuch missing lagega Riddhima ko , aint it?

And whoa, what happened in the end :O Basket's irritated? Confused? Actually angry? Feels cloistered by all that support? Hope you update soon , so that I can make up my mind, aisa kyun ?:S Cos Armaan rarely loses temper on such things but then he DOES have to let go of her a little, it is time, or isnt it?

-Ishi

Originally posted by: Ankita.M

Guys My exams were to get over last week, they almost had, just one last paper for postponed, it gets over this saturday and in the meanwhile I have started writing, so definitely this week I update.

AND PLEASE excuse me for the delays, writing takes up a lot of brain and time, and I didn't either of them last few weeks 😆

Clasping onto Armaans hand, and trying to balance herself, while Armaan held her straight, not letting her fall, they both stood outside their apartment. They were finally home, not only literally but in every way, the struggles, the pain and shadows of their past, all forgotten. Even though life would yet test them, even though a lot was yet left to be sorted, they were back to their heaven, for the better and for the best. They both looked at each other at the same time as if they had been thinking about the same, and smiled blissfully at the other.. Armaan raised his eyes in question and Riddhima nodded.. But even before Armaan could ring the bell, the doors opened and an over excited Muskaan stood at the door, with Rahul grinning happily behind her. Armaan held onto Riddhima's hand intending to walk her inside the house..

"Arey arey ruk, itni jaldi kya hai, badi impatience hai," Muskaan halted them, and herself went inside.

Armaan just rolled his eyes and Riddhima looked at both Armaan and Rahul in anticipation..

"Aate hi iska naatak shuru ho gaya, zaroor tujhe bhi bahut pareshaan kiya hoga haina Rahul?" Armaan said a little loudly, intending for Muskaan to hear and get teased. But when he glanced at Rahul, he was just lost in his own thoughts, which made Armaan snigger," Maine bhi kisse pooch liya, ye kyun pareshan honge, hum yaha nahi the toh in janab ke liye to maidaan khali tha, zaroor chauke chakke mare honge, kyun?" Rahul just glared at him even while his face was flushing with embarrassment.

"Armaan ! Tum kitne badmaash ho, besharam kahi ke, kya keh rahe ho?"

Armaan giggled looking at his Hitler Basket, and was going to retort when he saw Muskaan rushing towards them with a Aarti ki thaali. Armaan and Riddhima both smiled in acknowledgment and even though Armaan had the urge to tease and joke about it, he stopped when he looked at the mist that had collected in Riddhima's eyes. Muskaan did the aarti and put some teeka on both their foreheads, giving them both some Prasad, and giving the thaali to Rahul, she bend forward and hugged both Armaan and Riddhima together, smiling amidst her tears which were definitely of happiness.

Armaan and Riddhima had gotten emotional too, and and reciprocated the same feeling of delight and contentment. Rahul was looking at them smiling,wanting to join the hug, just at that moment, Armaan glanced at him standing afar and moved his arms towards him inviting him to the hug. It didn't take him a second to join them, and he embraced them all together. Life had come a full circle for all of them, they had all gone through their own share of disappointments and grief and they had all been companions to each other in the pain, today life had turned towards the better for all of them, and they wanted to bask in all the happiness and celebrate together. Celebrate not only the return of the bliss in their life, but also the love they had for each other, for their friendship and love.

They all got out of the hug and slowly both Armaan and Muskaan held Riddhima, walking her inside the house. They entered the lounge to see the house totally decorated, with balloons and flowers, all Riddhima's favourites, she looked at Armaan who shared the same look of shock. Both their friends had done so much to make this day even more special for them.

"Guys this is all so beautiful, I can't express how amazing it feels to be back home. And back home to such a family. I love you guys.." everyone smiled and Muskaan just kissed Riddhima temple, acknowledging her feelings.

Both Armaan and Riddhima sat down on the couch while both Rahul and Muskaan volunteered to take their stuff inside. Armaan sat down next to her and smiled at the look of delight on Riddhima's face. Her eyes were roaming around the house as if dwelling over every moment she had spent in this house. She must have definitely missed her home, the love and concern they all showered on her and most importantly missed him. Just that moment Riddhima turned her face towards him and smiled at him. He smiled in return and gently moved the locks her off her forehead, leaving a soft kiss there. She sighed and leaned towards him and rested her head on his chest. They were both silent just happy to be hack home.

Armaan saw Riddhima staring longingly at the temple and understood her desire to pray there. But since she wasn't saying anything he assumed she was tired. He caressed her shoulder and slowly moved away from her. He stood up and bent down and in one swift moment picked her in his arms.

"Armaan !! Kya kar rahe ho?" she wacked him, confused about what he was doing and half scared about what Rahul and Muskaan would say if they saw them like that. Armaan moved towards the temple near the balcony. He gradually placed her down, but didn't keep her feet on the floor but placed it on his own, and held her tightly from her waist.

"Armaan ahh," Riddhima held him and giggled..she tried to wriggle out of his arms to look back at him, but he just held her tight and made her face the temple.

"Sssh stop moving, come on pray. Tum aate hi mandir jaana chahti thi na.."

Riddhima smiled surprised, "Tumhe kaisa pata?"

"That's not important, aur waise bhi Armaan Mallik ko hamesha sab kuch pata hota hai," he gloated while she made a face and imitated him.

He again turned her around, while she kept relenting, "Mandir uss taraf hai, ab ye mat kehna ki mere bhagwan toh tum hi ho swami, I don't really believe in the pati parmeshwar theory. " Armaan joked.

Riddhima giggled and just pulled his nose and turned around.She folded her hands in front of the idol and closed her eyes, thanking God for everything that he had given to her, to the both of them. For giving her the strength to cope with all the hard times, for giving her, Her Armaan because of whom she had ultimately drawn all the strength, and for the new life he had granted to her. A tear flowed down her shut eyes and she felt Armaan holding her folded hands with his, and his chin resting on her shoulder. She opened her eyes to look back and nudge him away, but she saw his eyes shut. She thought about the earlier days and remembered how Armaan had never been the one to pray to God, but maybe all the situations in their life had made him believe in the power after all.

She wanted to look beneath those shut eye lids, which held an ocean of love in them, she wanted to stare into the depth of his blue orbs which held the truth she knew he was hiding from her. But like his feelings his eyes were shut to her as well.

They grew apart when they heard Rahul and Muskaan walk in, and he carefully supported her back to the lounge.

They all settled down in the lounge, no one wanted to be parted from there, while they spoke about everything, wanting to know everything about the other, blushing and shy Rahul and Muskaan told them about how they had ultimately given their relation a chance and she spoke about her experiences away from home.

But in all these discussions Riddhima found details about Armaan's whereabouts missing very conveniently. She kept stealing glances at Armaan who was permanently looking back at her, searching her face to judge her feelings. Riddhima found his behaviour absurd but it was something he had been doing from the last few weeks now. And that was what had been disturbing her, and she was at the end of the brink before she could shake him to get her answers. She purposely kept on asking questions about what they had all been up to, where Armaan would be busy that he hadn't called her for so many days in between, about his accident, but all of them fumbled and stuttered and as if making up a story the same moment kept dodging about the facts and confused her even more. It was more than obvious that she didn't know something they all did and were purposely hiding it from her.

In the care centre, the thought that he was hiding something would definitely keep pinching her, but back home with all of them consciously hiding facts from her, it pinched her even more. It was making her worry like sick about Armaan. And as hard as she tried it was hurting her, and the hurt was gradually surfacing in her in the form of annoyance which she was trying to control lest it came out in the wrong way.

Muskaan had prepared a sumptuous lunch for all of them, which was surprisingly extremely tasty, and Armaan couldn't stop teasing her. "Waah yaar Muskaan, three weeks of my absence makes you such a brilliant cook, we should do this more often then. Riddhima what say? Hum dono koi trip plan kar lete hai?"

"No way Armaan, what rubbish, mai ghar ka kaam kar kar ke thak gaya hun, you better be here, nahi toh mopping and sweeping phir mujhe hi karni padegi.."Rahul said in concern.

Armaan and Riddhima had a hearty laugh at that, easily imagining Muskaan the task master ordering him around. Muskaan huffed in anger at how everyone teased her and refused to have the desert she had prepared for the occasion. Armaan and Rahul both pinched her cheeks trying to coax her but she did not relent, faking anger for some more importance.

"Muskaan unko chod na, chal eat from me, bas kar nautanki apni ,"and Riddhima held a spoonful of the mousse to her mouth which Muskaan easily relented to and ate it. Armaan and Rahul just rolled their eyes and got back to their own sweet. But Armaan couldn't miss the chance of flirting with his basket and held out a spoonful of his flavour to her.

Armaan had laid Riddhima down, after everyone had forced her to rest for a while, and even though she had protested to Armaan's pleas, when both Rahul and Muskan blackmailed her she relented, much to the surprise of Armaan.

Even then without a word he took Riddhima to their room and placed her on the bed, setting her pillows around her and giving her medicines. He saw her have them quietly without a word hardly acknowledging that he was in the room. He wanted to ask her what the matter was, or if something was troubling her, but decided against it.

Riddhima's eyes followed Armaan's every moment and expression, she obviously knew how her behaviour was affecting him. She realized that today was not the day to let their anger and despair get the worse of them. But she didn't have the patience to wait anymore, and after having gone through the worst in life, she had realized what procrastinating could lead to. She would make sure they had it all sorted today, and if for that she would have to hurt him in the process she would go down to doing that as well.

She was woken out of her thoughts when she heard his phone ringing. Armaan who was silently putting things at their place, picked up the call in haste after seeing the number.

"Yes Sir.. oh sure, no I think I'll be able to manage a visit today. I'll come over, sure.." he spoke for a while standing at the window, and Riddhima realized it was because he did not want her to hear to whom and what he was talking about. It was a call from the clinic Armaan had been working in which was why Armaan had intentionally moved away.

She saw him coming towards her and looked away, trying to show disinterest.

He sat by her and moved the hair over her face behind her ears," Riddhima" he said softly and the urge in his voice made her look towards him questioningly.

She thought he'd probably come to talk to her, they obviously weren't used to each other's silence.

But she was disappointed when he asked, " Riddhima, mujhe thodi der ke liye bahar jaana hai, mai jaun?"

"Iss waqt kaha jaana hai tumhe?" Riddhima asked, unable to hide her concern anymore.

"Nothing important, woh mera ek friend hai, bas usi se milne jaana hai, he needs some help." Riddhima wondered if he had ever told her about having a friend here. They had definitely not gotten the time to socialize here, to have made any friends apart from the people they knew in the colony they stayed in.

"Armaan yaha kaunsa dost hai? Are you sure tum kisi dost se mine ja rahe ho?" Riddhima asked suspiciously unable to keep her tone calm.

"Riddhima don't worry, it's just someone I know through Tyler, kuch waqt se jaanta hun, aur .. aur woh bhi ek doctor hai, he has been giving me some advice and support.. aur ab, use meri help chahiye toh.." he said quickly, realizing very well how he couldn't lie to her, while facing her and looking into her eyes. Riddhima noticed that too but didn't have any reason to stop him..

"Jao mujhse kyun pooch rahe ho? I can manage.."

"Riddhima ! Are you okay?" Armaan exclaimed questioningly at her tone.

Riddhima was just sitting on the bed after Armaan had left, gazing endlessly but nowhere particularly. She heard the door creak and thought Armaan must have returned, but to her disappointment it was Muskaan. She gave a small smile to her beckoning her to come and sit with her.

Muskaan smiled at her, observing the grim expression on her face, but ignored it and started talking to her," How are you feeling Riddhima?"

"Mai theek hun Muskaan, I am totally fine."

"Mera matlab teri health se nahi tha, I was asking about how you feel after this treatment, jab tu care centre gayi thi, tab aisa lagta tha it was the last place you ever wanted go to, we all used to be really worried and anxious, hoping you'll be able to cope without any one at all. But today it all seems worth it, right?"

Riddhima smiled meekly, interpreting what Muskaan was trying to say," You're right Muskaan, jab mai yaha se gayi thi, toh I definitely didn't want to go, didn't trust my fate enough. Staying away from my only family was an added fear. But today I can proudly say that it was definitely the best decision for ... for me.. I feel like I got a new life, that I am born again. I can't explain this but you know it's a boon to feel the freedom to be able to stand up on your own feet, and to know I won't have to depend on anyone anymore.."

Muskaan squeezed her hand and nodded," I can understand... Aur wakai mai Riddhima we're all so proud of you, you have achieved so much in these months, you've grown stronger, emotionally physically and if that is even possible you and Armaan have grown so much more closer.."

But as she said that she saw Riddhima's face growing grim and her smile faltering. Muskaan's guess was right, she had definitely caught the difference in behaviour between Armaan and Riddhima ever since they had come home. They both were delighted to be back home, but yet, she had observed the contentment missing, which she had expected their behaviour to reflect. It was as if there was something they both were hiding from the other and that lack of communication was showing in the uneasiness in their relation.

"Kya hua Riddhima, is everything okay?"

Riddhima shook out of her daze, and hurriedly changed her expression," Of course, what could be wrong? Tu aisa kyun pooch rahi hai?"

"Riddhima ! Tum aur Armaan bilkul jhooth nahi bol sakte, especially when it comes to the other. I can see there's a problem for sure. Armaan ne kuch kaha hai kya?"

"Woh kuch kehta hota toh koi problem hi nahi hoti, kuch nahi kehta, issi baat se toh problem hai."

Muskaan was lost to what Riddhima was talking about, but she could understand that Riddhima needed to vent her feelings, so she sat comfortably on the bed and prodded her to speak.

"Pata nahi Muskaan, upar se dekhe toh lagta hai jaise sab kuch theek hai, par sirf mai hi jaanti hun, how distanced I feel from Armaan." Riddhima murmured softly, the fact that Armaan was hiding something from her pinching harder.

"Distanced? But why Riddhima, Armaan ne aisa kya kiya, that made you feel like that? Armaan is so honest to you, and his feelings are transparent, and you would know that better than I do."

"But I don't know anything this time Muskaan, jab se mai waha gayi hun, I feel like me and Armaan have grown apart. Agar aisa nahi hota, toh jab bhi mai use maire yaha na hone ke dauran hui kissi bhi baat ke baarein mai poochti toh he wouldn't intentionally escape the discussion,or change the topic and not be able to look into my eyes. Aaj se pehle kabhi bhi, Armaan ne mujhse nazren chura ke baat nahi ki, lekin aaj kal jab bhi mai use baat karti hun, he can never face me. Agar uski baton mai itni hi sachai hai, agar woh mujhse sab kuch kahe bina reh nahi sakta, toh mujhe aisa kyun lagta hai ki woh mujse kuch chupa raha hai. Aisa kyun lagta hai, that he doesn't trust me enough to share his feelings with me. Mai chahe physically strong kyun na ban gayi hun, kya woh aaj bhi ye sochta hai, ki mai mentally abhi utni weak hun?"

Muskaan realized suddenly what all this was about, they might have thought that Riddhima would forget about the incident that took place around Armaan's accident, but she had proved them wrong. She could never overlook anything to do with Armaan. Moreover, his habit of hiding his feelings was leading to mount on her insecurities. Now that she was on the end of the road to recovery, she needed some mental balance and security along with the treatment for her physical problem. But as much as they all cared about Riddhima, everything wasn't entirely about her. Armaan's feelings and his sentiments were as important. She could understand Riddhima's feelings but now it seemed as if telling her the truth was the right thing to do. If she wouldn't let her know the truth, it would ultimately lead to a show down between Armaan and Riddhima, and she could see that neither of them were ready for any such confrontation.

Muskaan held Riddhima's hand in hers once again," Riddhima, ye mujhse kahi behter tum jaanti ho, ki Armaan ke liye TUM se zyaada zaroori, tumse zyaada khaas aur tumse zyaada kareeb aur koi nahi hai. He lives for you, only because of you, aur woh kabhi bhi jaan buj kar, kuch aisa nahi karega jisse tumhe takleef ho. Aur khud ko tumse door karna toh door ki baat hai, if he could have it his way, woh tumhe ek pal ke liye bhi khud se alag nahi hone deta..tum, tumhari feelings, tumhari khushiyan, that is all that matters to him. Maan lo agar tumhari nazron mai use koi galti ho bhi gayi ho, toh kya tumhe lagta hai that he ever intended to hurt you in that. Woh aisa intentionally kabhi nahi karega."

Riddhima implored into Muskaan's eyes, and she could probably decipher very well through her words, that Muskaan did know what the matter was. There was something they were all hiding, small or big, important or unimportant she didn't know.

"Tumhari baton se aisa kyun lagta hai jaise tumhe sab pata hai Muskaan..."

Muskaan on one hand wanted to tell her everything, but her mind kept telling her, that it was matter between two people where she wasn't required to interfere, and it was best to leave it to them to be sorted. But her heart knew that Armaan would continue to hide the truth from Riddhima, thinking that he was saving her some trouble, when in fact it was the exact opposite.

Riddhima saw her uncertain expressions and her face hardened," Theek hai Muskaan, it's okay, I understand ki usne tumhara bhi muh band kar diya hai.. you guys probably think I am some weak hearted, over sensitive girl that you can't let me know anything that YOU think is going to trouble me. I just hope you trusted me enough, I hope Armaan had trusted me enough..."

"Riddhima ye tu kya keh rahi hai, how can you even think that Armaan doesn't trust you, or considers you to be weak hearted or sensitive. Hum mai se aisa koi nahi sochta Riddhima. I can't believe you're taking all this so wrongly. Firstly, you're over thinking into the matter, kyunki Armaan tujhse aisa koi badi baat nahi chupa raha, secondly jo baat chupa raha hai, uske peeche bhi ek wajah hai.."

"Kya chupra raha hai Muskaan, please tell me, whatever it is.. Tujhe pata nahi hai, pichle kuch din maine iss darr mai kaise guzare hai ki Armaan pareshan hai, ya yaha koi pareshani se guzra tha. Every day I see a million unsaid words brimming in his eyes, but he doesn't tell me anything Muskaan and I no longer understand his silence. I am worried for him Muskaan, I don't understand anything more," saying so tears poured out of her eyes.

"Riddhima relax, sssh, ro mat,.." Muskaan moved forward hugging her friend close. She parted and wiped her tears and sighed deeply, it was time she told Riddhima everything. Even though the matter was small, she realized where Riddhima was coming from. Armaan had hidden the truth of his financial troubles from her, but he hadn't just hidden mere facts he had unknowingly begun to hide himself from Riddhima too. Maybe telling her the facts would at least help Riddhima mirror Armaan's those hidden feelings which she was finding hard to interpret from his silence.

Muskaan gradually and carefully, told Riddhima the entire truth about how Armaan's financial issues had come to the fore and Armaan had gone in search of jobs..She told him about all those days he wasn't at home and all those times when he couldn't call Riddhima. She told her about how he hadn't eaten food, hadn't had proper sleep, or smiled or been happy in all these days. He had spent nights working on one hand and worrying about Riddhima on the other.

"Riddhima, when you went from here, if you were unsure about the treatment, so was Armaan, he knew you were fearful, you didn't have the confidence or trust, but were only going there for his sake, even if you had taught yourself to accept that this treatment was the only way of moving ahead in life. He didn't want to trouble you or discourage you any further. It was a sensitive time, when you would take everything to your heart. Agar woh tujhe tabhi ye sab bata deta, on one hand you'd get distracted from your treatment there, and worry about him, and on the other hand you would end up blaming yourself for all of this."

"Aur iss bare mai argue mat karna Riddhima, ek baar pehle bhi tu khud ko use door kar rahi thi, because you thought you were being a trouble in his life, devoiding him of his happiness and success in his career. " Riddhima who was intently listening to her, dazed and in shock over the facts she was learning, shook her head in disbelief," Tujhe ..tuj ye kaisee.."

"Riddhima, Armaan hum sabko sab kuch bata deta hai, all these months he has been calling us and not only informing us about your health, but also telling us everything that happened with the both of you. Woh nahi chahta ki hum tum dono ki zindagi ki kisi baat se anjaan ho, he has always taken us more than a family. Aur hume na sahi par Nikita ko toh woh sab kuch batata hai... aur.."

She went silent, gauging if she should tell her every detail, things that would end up hurting old wounds. But her heart prodded her to go ahead, because somehow she had a feeling it would hurt the wounds only to heal them eventually.

"Aur kahi baar, kahi baar woh phone par roya bhi hai. All those times you cried and he was strong to wipe them off, he wasn't a superman in real Ridzi, he let his guard down in front of us. He cried to us every time you were in pain, he cried to us whenever you were helpless, he cried to us whenever you cried Ridzi. Tere pehle kadam par when you must have cried happily in his arms he cried to us clinging to his phone.In che mahino mai jitni raatein tu chain se soyi hai utni raatein Armaan ne jag kar guzari hai, helpless and uncertain, fearful and weak. And you can't argue over the fact that if he had told you anything, anything at all, whether about his feelings or about those facts he has been hiding from you, toh tu phir kamzor pad jaati. And that is what he was trying to avoid Riddhima. Because you guys certainly didn't have the time in this world to waste on falling weak again. Your treatment was of utmost importance, aur sirf isliye usne tujhse ye baat chupayi..It wasn't that he didn't trust you enough Ridzi but you do know what your own state was that moment. Ek Doctor hokar bhi tera medical facts par se bharosa uth gaya tha. You weren't ready to believe you'd be cured you weren't ready to believe in anything that made sense to you. You were weak and insecure. Aise mai he was driven to the fact that it would be more practical for your treatment to get through Ridzi. And he was right, today when you're physically better, you're emotionally stronger to understand why he had to hide all this from you. But that time you weren't in the condition to go through another jolt of issues. And the treatment definitely required more attention."

" Mai jaanti hun ki tu bhi use utna hi pyar karti hai, you value his feelings as much he values yours, lekin please RIdzi use galat mat samajh.."

And at those words Riddhima finally couldn't hold her tears any longer, and she broke down, hugged the pillow in her hands tightly and embraced it closer to herself. She cried not only for all that she had learnt about him, but also for all those times he had hidden his tears, his pain and his fear from her. He had worked two shifts and not slept nights only for her, he had probably gotten into an accident also because he must have been dead tired and drained. She wouldn't deny that he had been right in gauging her reaction, because she was definitely feeling guilty, but more than feeling guilty she was feeling helpless. Helpless that Armaan's feelings had been avoided and ignored for so long. She realized how everything had entirely been about herself and nothing, not even one moment in the last six months had been about Armaan. If she was in pain she should have known that Armaan would be going through even more ache than she was. All her tears, moans and pain would have stung him harder than it had to her. When she had gotten the chance to breakdown in his arms and vent all she wanted, she realized he had never done that. And she had conveniently ignored it as well, only going by the mask of a superman he expertly wore and not seeing deeper into the child that lived in Armaan's heart, the child she had seen die in him.

But now that she knew everything, she would make sure Armaan's feelings would be valued, his feelings would find an escape and that he would tell her everything. She wasn't interested in knowing about facts, she was only interested in freeing HER Armaan from all that he was caging in his heart. The hurt he must have felt when his parents got divorced, the hurt when her parents did not trust or support them, the despair when he was left all alone to manage her, their life, their financial condition. In all of this, his own feelings had been getting bottled, no one had taken care of his feelings or his wishes and desires. And Armaan who had always been selfless, had suitably just never cared about himself. She realized how gradually Armaan had begun to give up on standing up for himself. He let anyone speak anything against him and never fought back, he let her walk all over him and never answered back. He had forgotten how to value his own feelings.

There had been a time when she hated the childishness in him which made them both bicker and fight like cats and dogs in their earlier years, but now she seemed to realize what the absence of the same spirit had done to him. But it was enough, Armaan and the people around him wouldn't take him for granted anymore, she would make sure that he let his feelings out, and also learn to respect and value them, so that no one, including her and he himself would take Armaan Mallik for granted ever again. Their relation wasn't just about her and it was time she took EVERY mean it took to make Armaan realize that.

Exam tomorrow, but I had completed this part writing it in bits, so updating today <3 There is more ahead about Riddhima and Muskaan's conversation and the main confrontation between Armaan and Riddhima coming up. You guys must be thinking WHY I had to make AR have this confrontation right when they came home. But I wanted their celebration to be complete, and at the moment I definitely thought dealing with Armaan's feelings was important. It was time Armaan's feelings come to the front. I hope you guys understand what I am trying to put across through these parts. This relation between Armaan and Riddhima definitely proves how they are each other's reason of existence but their individuality is as important, whether emotionally or career wise. Just trying to make it real. I shall update the coming part next week. I shall continue writing after my last exam tomorrow. ALSO the precap bit I wrote last time is yet to happen, haven't forgotten about it. It's in the next part.