Because this is life (AR).. Chap26: 2/12 - Page 2

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Part 8- Settling in..

"hey sweets where are you going? Here… sit.. car!" he said whilst dangling his keys in front of her..

'Oh right. Sorry I didn't realise.. funnily enough I've already started to get used to the idea of walking.. never thought I would.. I'm as lazy as they come.. but just this city and the weather.. it's beautiful.. walking suddenly doesn't seem to be the worst thing in life. I might just may make my dad's life a whole lot easier if i quit nagging him about shipping my car here too along with the rest of my stuff.' She said whilst getting into the car and buckling up.

"Shipping your stuff? I thought you had a luggage, that you lost.. am I missing something here?" he couldn't help but ask with his eyebrows scrunched up in concentration as to try and figure out the connections and turned his head a little towards her whilst still driving.

'Don't be silly armaan.. yes I had a luggage but it just had my clothes and immediate necessities.. you can't just assume that everything I've ever owned and will be needing to make that apartment into my home indefinitely will fit into a mere 20 kg capacity suitcase.. im not a saint nor was that bag like the one Hermione Granger owned, the small, purple, beaded handbag, with an undetectable extension charm on it.. able to hold many possessions like the one she used during their hunt for Voldemort's Horcruxes.

"so losing that bag not the end of the world? Then why are you so upset about it?" he just though that if all it had were clothes and things and surely she could buy new ones atleast for the time being till they airport authorities could find her luggage and if she didn't have enough money he could lend her some.. surely that shouldn't be a problem.

'Armaan it still had all my things and those retards.. arg.. it's just wrong.. I've been wronged and I need to atleast try and get it back right? But you know what you are right.. u've got ur shift in a few hours.. I'll go then.. till then we'll do whatever you want to.. what did you..'

"No.. don't be silly ofcourse I'll take you.." armaan cut across in midst her rant.. he never meant for it to sound like it was a burden or something for him to take her to the airport and then to her other chores.. infact this is why he was here.. Sensing that her rant was bordering on guilt and then correction at her behaviour he felt the need to clarify to avoid the formality that was starting to seep in the conversation. "I'm sorry riddhima.. I was just asking about the luggage because I was curious.. I didn't understand before.. I'm a little silly that way but now that you have explained it.. I understand your point of view… and ofcrouse we will go to the airport and figure this mess out, and afterwards we'll hit a shopping centre get you whatever else you will be needing for the week atleast and then see if there is still time for lunch before I have to leave for work.. otherwise we will just get take away and I will drop you back home. I'm sure you'll have plenty of organising to do there.. and maybe rest aswell.. you still don't look completely healthy.. still a little pale or should I say yellow? How does that sound eh?"

'It sounds good.. but seriously I'm not offended or anything.. you really do not need to do all of this.. we can just grab something to eat and you can leave for work.. I really don't want to tire you out.. running around for me, with me.. I can handle it once you have to leave, by myself too." She added not with guilt but confidence and utmost control in her voice and emotions almost as if she was wanting to handle all of this by herself.. maybe to prove something.. although what that point was that she was trying to prove and to whom was still confusing to armaan and just as he was busy thinking about that he realised that she had stopped talking and was probably expecting a reply.. and a quick glance at her face from the corner of his eyes confirmed his doubts as he saw her inquisitively staring in his direction.

"oh god basket.. quit being so formal.. I'm taking you to the airport now will you please quit arguing with me on that please.." and that was the end of the argument.

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"Don't!"

"what I didn't even do or say anything, and do u have a sixth sense or eyes at the back of your head or something?" Riddhima asked seriously inquisitive as to how he may have realised that she was about to say something.. and not just something but apologise for the delay caused at the airport also the very impressive show of colourful language she put on once again to abuse everyone at the airport or their absolute lack of help.

It had taken over 2 hours at the airport in search of the missing luggage.. which completely killed all of the patience and cooperation that the poor soul possessed and after trying everything, including throwing a huge tantrum right there in the middle of the airport, infront of all of the onlookers. Finally exhausted, with a massive headache and hurting vocal chords armaan and her decided that they just can't deal with it anymore. But just then one of the airport officials took pity on them or her and let them know, off the record that the luggage that was accidently sent to Cairo will probably never be seen again as the political state of Cairo in not stable at all. And everything there is shut down and due to the riots and all, finding the luggage will have to be pure luck if they ever manage to do so that is. With that depressing news they strode out of the airport.. but as soon as Riddhima stepped outside she realised just what a seen she had created back there like a lunatic and not to mention wasted so much time, feeling immensely embarrassed as well as guilty as to drag him along with her in the list of lunatics for the airport staff she was about to apologise and had just lifted her had in a pleading manner and had just begun to open her mouth to get the attention of armaan walking infront of her but before she could begin to make a sound armaan without turning around had told her not to.

"No.. no sixth sense.. nor do I hold the ability to read minds.. I just know you.. and I know that you will yet again start with your guilt trip of wasting my time and all that like you did before we went to the airport. But can we please end this discussion here.. and the whole airport and luggage discussion behind because I am seriously bored of the topic and im pretty sure you are too so let's please leave that. And tell me where to now?"

Taking a deep breath with the resolution of not refuting his claim to 'know her' she spoke 'Armaan do you mind just dropping me back home.. this whole airport fiasco took longer than anticipated.. you have to leave for work soon.. and I have a splitting headache.'

"you are not feeling well again? What's wrong?" Armaan asked suddenly stopping and turning towards her as they had both sat down in the car and finished buckling up.

'Urg nothing serious, just a lousy headache.. like I said.. so what do you think.. home?'

"yea ofcourse.. but do you mind if I just drop you there and then I'll leave for the hospital.. as it is I think it will be better if you just take a nap back home after an asprin, that will do you good probably for that headache."

'umm yea I think I might' she added as an answer to his statement but knowing full well that taking an asprin was never going to be the case but she knew better than to mention it.. she'll just handle it herself.. she was already feeling the headache subsiding like it always does with the simple mention of medication.

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Knock Knock..

"oh hi armaan I didn't realise that you would be back.. sorry for the PJ's I wouldn't have changed had I known you would be back" riddhima clarified after opening the door and letting him in whilst stifling a yawn herself she had had an exhausting day after armaan had dropped her off home.. she went straight to bed and took a nap for a couple of hours, waking up fresh she decided to get started on sorting out the house and soon enough she realised all the things she needed to buy to make it habitable.. with a list in hand she strode off downstairs and asked reception to call her a cab, from where she met rajesh.. the cab driver who very kindly stuck with her throughout the day.. and adviced her on the nearest shopping centres and the types of shops for specifics that she required to buy.. so in the end with the help of rajesh and her own willpower to shop and shop she was able to get everything on the list.. finishing around 5 at the shops she was at home in no time and then began her quest of actually sorting out the house with all of the shopping.. but she was a woman on a mission and with music blaring out of her headphones she was singing and dancing her way to cleaning and organising the apartment to turn it into her home… With all the work finishing in the next 3 hours she started to plan for dinner and made fettuccine carbonara.. which took only 20 mintues thanks to her planning yet again with just boiling the pasta and using bottled sauce and shoving the whole thing in the oven. Eating the meal whilst watching a movie she was able to relax her tired body.. but very soon she realised what with the persistent yawns that she was really spent and needed to crash.. so with everything settled and all missions from the day accomplished she got changed into her brand new PJ's and started with her getting ready for bed routine.. but as soon as she hit the bed and shut her eyes she heard a knock on the door. Frustrated but curious she opened the door to find Armaan at the door..

"Oh im sorry.. but seriously don't worry about it.. and I didn't mean to disturb you but I got really late getting off from work and I couldn't make it in time for dinner but hang on…" he was forced to stop his rant midway as he looked around the apartment which looked nothing like it did in the morning.. all nicely decorated and stocked and with candles lighting it up at the side tables. What the hell he thought, is the same place..? who did all this?

"What happened here.. It looks.. Well good.. Really comfy..Did you do all this?" he couldn't help but ask..

'Huh.. oh yea this.. after my nap.. the cure for all my miseries I got up fresh and decided to organise the apartment.. so well now im finally done.. anyway.. have you had anything to eat.. im sorry I didn't think you would come over anymore so I ate.. but I've got leftovers which you are welcome to by the way.. that is if you don't mind.. if you are craving something else.. or don't trust your life with my cooking then please feel free to cook yourself, the kitchen is all yours or order in or something.. really don't think I would mind or anything.'

"What! You cooked aswell? Weren't you not feeling good? Why all this effort riddhima.. huh? And no, leftovers would be great thankyou!.. because a) I cannot cook, the scrambled eggs I made this morning are the extent to my cooking.. b) I'm so hungry that I can't wait for takeaway, I want to eat NOW.. and c) dude trust me I can trust you to not kill me with your cooking.. atleast right now… I've yet to piss you off in years.." he added the last part with a wink and moved along to the kitchen and made himself comfortable on the high chair at the island, whilst riddhima moved behind him and started to take the dish out of the fridge, pull out a plate and put some in there and microwave the dish and voila he got his dinner in about 3 minutes.

"Oh my god.. this is good.. and you know the best thing about this food.. I got it under 5 minutes of my request.. so yummy! You are a good cook you know.."

'Hold you horses man! Nah I'm not a good cook.. I'm just a cook out of necessity.. you should meet my mum.. the world's bestest cook in the world.. but leaving the food aside.. how was your day.. you look tired..'

"oh come on! You're kidding right? Now you are asking me if I look tired.. I should be the one doing that because you were the one that was unwell yet managed to do sooo much work herself in a new city may I add. I always knew you were responsible and independent but seriously you make me look ridiculous and now I'll have to hear from both pepsi and dad about being irresponsible in letting you do all this yourself."

'Arg.. armaan please do not take away my independence.. I love this feeling of being responsible for my own home.. I've always been the little one in my house and therefore I was always kept out of the loop.. I was never asked for advice.. I always had everything handed to me.. but here I hope to find my independence.. and I loved every bit of this organising trust me.. it was exciting.. soo grown up! And to save your neck you are welcome to tell pep.. I mean your bhabhi and dad that you helped in every aspect of my settling in.. I won't hold that against you.. I promise..'

"okay.. but im not going to lie.."

'okay.. but please don't tell the whole truth either.. otherwise the news will inevitably reach my mum and she will stress as to how her little girl must be struggling through her days.. you know mums..'

"fine.. I'll think of something to save both our necks.." he said as he put the dishes in the sink and wondered what a strange girl she was, hiding the fact that she was responsible and capable from her parents.. putting the dishes in the washer he moved to where she was in the balcony of the apartment and upon entering he saw a vase broken on the floor and the flowers he had brought scattered through the floor on the corner edge with the railings. Positively mortified as to why she would subject the flowers with such inhumanity he asked straight out.. " I didn't realised you hated me getting you flowers this much that you subjected them to such torture.."

'What..?' asked a confused riddhima but her confusion quickly changed into an expression of guilt as she followed his direction of gaze.. with no other option but to explain the situation truthfully she began.. 'Woh armaan I meant to tell you in the morning, but you were soo sweet in bringg these flowers that I didn't really have the heart in me to tell you then.. but im kind of allergic to flowers.. well pollen.. and I sneeze and sneeze and get headaches, itchy eyes and itchy everything from them.. hence my headache this morning because they sat right next to me all morning when you were here.. But coming back home I put the vase through the glass door of the balcony so that I could see the pretty flowers yet I wouldn't need to worry about my allergies.. it seemed like a good idea at the time and I was soo proud of myself for it.. but I guess I underestimated the wind and well now its in pieces… I'm an idiot..im soo sorry..'

She said all of that look down or looking all around her and sometimes lifted her gaze at his face.. but finding him looking back at her intently she always looked away immediately. But what she didn't know was that armaan was far from being offended and he was merely trying to supress his smile from the cute scene happening in front of him. Finally hearing her sorry and realising that she was indeed feeling very guilty he though to ease her pain.. "its okay riddhima and you should have just been honest.. im sorry too, I didn't realise that you were allergic to flowers I was merely trying to make you feel welcome and trying to start a new relationship between us.. of that of friends and besides I saw the shop downstairs and I thought of you so I bought them.. no big deal.. but yea your idea was really something… if I may so myself.."

With that end comment they both looked at each other and burst out laughing… Here something was hidden...like sweetness in a sugar cane...an invisible magician who had captured this moment for us to see.. but this moment was still missed by the two people involved but armaan knew something more than her anyway... he knew that 'I love making you laugh because for those few seconds, I made you happy and seeing her happy, it makes me happy too'

Loved the update!! it was soo cute cont soon :)

Part 9- Imma hold you down, like you hold me down!

'Armaan.. wake up!!' She nudged him as he continued to sleep on with his head under his pillow..

'Armaan.. dude you sleep like a monster.. you're half falling off the couch and oye.. stop turning the other way.. I know atleast your subconscious can hear me.. so please do not ignore it and get up NOW.. or you know what don't, like I care.. but you will certainly be getting really late for work.. you still need to go to your house and change atleast..' Riddhima kept screaming whilst nudging him to wake him up.. after their late dinner they sat around in the balcony talking some more and reliving old memories from summerhill but what they didn't realise was how late it got..

And when she couldn't take it anymore and yawned for the millionth time.. and started to get teary eyes she finally decided to call it a day at what was 2am, when they finally spared some attention to the clock.. In hindsight she was only able to even remember the clock was because she wanted to change the direction of the conversation soo desperately when armaan noticed her watery eyes and was convinced that she was crying.. Seeing tears as he termed them or water as she termed it he was positively freaked out as to what and how he had managed to say to offend her to reduce her to tears.. and when he pointed this very fact out to her.. she had laughed it off and said 'Oh this don't worry.. I struggle through tears.. most of the time they mean absolutely nothing.. its basically watery eyes.. I think they are just sensitive..' she had finished off as the most normal thing in the world.. which it was for her.. she had always been like that.. sometimes just sitting somewhere she would be crying and would have to vehemently explain to concerned onlookers that she was absolutely fine and not some freak having an emotional breakdown.. but her chain of thoughts were stopped along with the hand that was brushing away the water that had spilled on her cheek when she heard armaan say.."perhaps, but you know.. nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears".. those words combined with the sincerity in his voice and gaze was enough to settle a seriousness in the uptill now light atmosphere.. and she didn't like it one bit.. so in a desperate attempt to change the topic she shifted her focus on the time.. that was when they realised how late it had gotten.. armaan offered to leave.. but she didn't want him to.. ofcourse she told him it was because It was too late for him to drive back when he himself was completely spent from a long day at work.. and the poor guy had sacrificed his early morning sleep for her sake so she had asked him to crash on her couch.. infact she had insisted.. but she also wanted for him to stay over because she wasn't entirely comfortable being alone in a new place.. she hadn't realised before because she was always tired or sick and or sick as well as tired.. but for someone who had always been surrounded by people it was certainly an adjustment..

"hmm.. what time is it.. and can you please stop screaming soo early in the morning.. don't you become an enemy to my sleep!" he asked whilst slowly getting up and rubbing his eyes.. his voice sleepy and top completely bare… with the satisfaction of being able to wake him up she moved towards the kitchen and replied back.. 'Well I have nothing against your sleep Dr. Malik but wasn't it you who requested me to wake you up this morning last night.. and after your oh so hilarious stories about your tried and tested lies about arriving to work late regularly in the mornings and the not so pleased looks and lectures or rather thrashings I would assume but you refuse to accept that by your darling pepsi or rather Mrs. Keerti Mallik the senior under whom you are interning this week.. but seriously she has every right to yell at you.. she has to look after her husband, her house, her son, her family.. namely you and still manages to get to work on time in the mornings whilst prince mallik thinks of it as an impossibility even though the only thing he is responsible for is himself.. actually not even that fully.. didn't you say that Keerti didi does your washing, cleaning, ironing and cooking and well everything.. you are such a kid man.. sheesh mumma's boy!!' riddhima talked non-stop as she started to prepare breakfast for him.. she wasn't really a breakfast person herself.. she would just have a glass of milk with maybe a couple of crackers if she had any plans for the day that is.. otherwise she would go on an empty stomach and have her lunch straight at noon.. not that she was dieting or starving herself.. she just didn't have that large of an appetite..

"oh quit nagging me will you.. just because I told you a few lousy stories.." he said whilst putting on his shirt after coming out of the bathroom freshening up.. he had listened to her blab away to glory whilst inside but now she had laughed at his expense for way too long and he was going to give her a piece of his mind and get back at her for making fun of him.. but all his plans went to waste at the sight infront of him.. she was there still in her PJ's, her hair in a plait and cooking pancakes.. there was this warmth that spread through his heart at that unasked gesture.. just then she turned around and effortlessly took out a plate from her free hand and began to stack the pancakes.. whilst humming a song.. or something he couldn't really tell what it was.. but it sounded sweet.. the whole thing had a sort of homely feel to it.. something that he hadn't had too much of for a while.. living on his own for years now.. he'd missed on all these small family moments more than he had realised.. even though keerti bhabhi and shubhankar bhaiya were there and he goes over to theirs regularly for meals and stuff its still not the same.. they have their own child.. and both being busy professionals lead busy lives.. even though they don't say it to him, he's sure his presence must hinder in their lives which was why he insisted on not living with them in the first place and getting a place of his own.. but the whole plan had sort of backfired when very quickly he had realised that he was incapable of looking after the responsibilities of running a house let alone organising himself and his own needs as basket had most correctly put forward.. but still he tries to eat out most of the times.. and get a cleaner for the house and stay in his own place to atleast give them as much privacy as possible..

'oh good you're here.. come on and have breakfast quick now everything's ready, I wasn't sure exactly what you preferred in the mornings but I figured since no one in the history of mankind has ever had a problem with pancakes they were a safe bet.. plus they're real easy and quick to make.. and you need to leave soon If you are to make it to work on time' Exclaimed riddhima as she saw him settling on the high chair and reaching out for the carton of milk and pour himself some in the mug..

"Eggs!"

'Huh?'

"eggs, they are the safest bet for a breakfast.. you need not have gone through so much trouble… I could have just gotten drive thru.."

'What? Huh no way mr.. drive thru in the mornings, never..!! I hate that.. and I had the time.. and well about the eggs.. yea I thought of that but then I realised since that's the only thing you know how to make so you must be totally over them by now.. I saw how you picked around in your plate yesterday when I refused to eat if you wouldn't join me in on breakfast..'

Raising his eyebrows at her easy made comment on something so trivial.. but something which was again true and honest to his actions and life and more than that the honesty with which she explained her thoughts, behaviours and actions was something really refreshing to him.. ever since he's been around in the real world.. other than his close family.. one's he cares and loves everyone else has always been full of pretence and selfish motives.. very early in life he had realised that no one really bothers with truly knowing anyone letting alone doing something for them whilst expecting nothing in return.. ofcourse his mom always did that.. but then again he'd thought that she was an exceptional woman capable of insurmountable love that no one else could ever match up to in his life.. but just then he realised that he was right afterall.. in summerhill everytime Tash and him had a fight she was there.. listening to him vent even though she was her friend.. she was careful not to take side.. atleast not till he forced her to… but after what he did.. he didn't think he would ever be forgiven.. his mum wouldn't have forgiven him had she known.. and to him riddhima was always someone who had very similar morals to his own mother.. which was why he never liked to do something that would disappoint her.. because that feeling he got when he did something which he knew she wouldn't appreciate it even if she never voiced her opinions didn't make him comfortable.. and so he always knew during that year she spent in summerhill with him where to go.. what decisions to make.. it was all pretty easy.. somehow pleasing her made him take all the right decisions.. but during the 2 weeks that she went away on holidays and upon her return she wasn't really around.. and he took some decision that doesn't really make him proud now or even back then.. but back then he was just a confused teen living away from home and extremely immature to think of the consequences of his actions.. and well its not like it was completely his fault.. although he knew riddhima would argue with him on that.. she'd once said.. 'destiny and life may produce chance situations but it is upto us realise and decide which path we take; the easy and often the wrong path in life or the harder but honest and correct choice'. Unfortunately for him, in that moment of weakness he had taken the easy way… and continued to do so for a while… but once she left, a couple of months before school finished and then after graduation.. he had finally got his act together.. and had decided that enough was enough and the next girl he would be with would have to be special.. someone he could see himelf having a lasting relationship with.. unfortunately for him the only girl he had thought to be close enough for that description was the girl he had just left behind in an apartment after finishing breakfast..

He had always thought that.. that she was the kind of girl a man would want in his life forever.. as his wife..! whilst that thought scared him to pursue her in those teenage years in summerhill.. the second chance that he has with her now is also hindered by his perception of her being of a superior level to even think of entering his life in that way.. he thought he didn't deserve her.. atleast not that way.. and knowing truly well that she will never accept him that way knowing well his history with what used to be her friend and then the incident..

During those days they hadn't exactly been friends… they had been strangers with memories but now at the least he hopes for them to be friends.. because there was no doubt she was good for him.. that may sound selfish but today he realised that she holds me down.. and he lets her with his whole heart.. now if only she'd let him clarify everything from their past.. then they will be able to start new in this phase of friendship, leaving behind all the awkwardness.

i have finally figured out how to pm.. dont really think anyone might be interested to read my crap..

This was an awesome part
Waiting to noe what incident they r talking abt
I really love ur story and loved the end of this part :)
Do pm me when u update next

Originally posted by: ARMAAN-KSGFAN

This was an awesome part
Waiting to noe what incident they r talking abt
I really love ur story and loved the end of this part :)
Do pm me when u update next

What ever it will be it will be great even if its something small :)
Will be waiting for it :)

Awesome ff.
I'm loving it so much.
Plz add me to ur pm list.
Take care!