Because this is life (AR).. Chap26: 2/12 - Page 3

Part 10 - Perfections within imperfections

"Are you retarded..?? Riddhima look up at me please when I talk to you.. and don't you dare try and avoid my questions now.. did I or did I not ask you upfront just this morning if you were feeling alright when I thought you looked a bit pasty.. and did you or did you not joke it over and told me in clear words you were perfectly alright and I was being a 'sissy'?" seeing her nod a little in a hesitant manner he moved on to his next question whilst pacing up and down her room infront of the bed, walking parallel to the window.. "so then explain to me why I got a call from my dad saying you had been found unconscious in the building elevator, please shine some light on this because apparently you know everything and my diagnosis counts for shit right?" He was majorly pissed at the events that had followed today, it had been close to 2 weeks since riddhima had landed in London and reconciled with Armaan. Since the night he had stayed over.. he had been over at her house in almost any of the free time that he had during the day, since she was only starting her masters in the coming year and the university was majorly closed as it was almost time for Christmas and new year's. When armaan had asked her why she shifted here earlier than required, especially in the holiday season she had just said that she wanted to settle down early and tour the city a little before so that she can focus solely on her studies once the new year starts. With now 2 days till Christmas, she was soaking in all the fun of having a Christmas in London.. which apparently was a dream come true for her.. but because he was still working, infact working more to cover up the workload for her bhaiya and bhabhi who had gone over to holiday with karan.. he was busy as ever and relied on riddhima for food, clothes, and basically everything that her bhabhi would have usually taken care for him.. Which was also the reason why he was over at her's every night for dinner after which he would usually crash on her couch as he would be too tired to drive all the way back and she would also insist that he does, seeing how tired he really was.. also his breakfasts were with her so that just saved him a lot of time traveling to and fro…

All was fine with this arrangement until this morning when a couple of hours after leaving to work armaan had received a call from a very angry and concerned dad of his informing him of the recent happenings and had demanded an explanation as to how he could have let this happen, and what he was to tell Mr. Gupta who was, as they spoke booking tickets to London as soon as possible.

Positively confused as to what his dad was on about, he had started to argue back when his mom had taken the handset of the phone in her own hands and explained to armaan in clear words how they had received a call from a very upset Mr. and Mrs. Gupta about Riddhima being found in a state of unconsciousness. Apparently, she had somehow fainted again in the lift of the building and found by the same worker guy she had previously interacted with.. he had taken matters into his own hands and looked to call an ambulance but finding her slowly gaining consciousness had delayed the idea.. but in the meanwhile her phone lying next to her lying body had given him access to her speed dial list on which was her mum's phone number saved as number 1.. counting it as a safe bet the poor worker, 'Tom' as he had later found out to be his name had told the happenings to her mother whom it seems had a panic attack listening to the news herself.. and had called Mr. Gupta home immediately explaining him the details of the situation.. Mr. Gupta had straightaway called Armaan's dad and Billy had called Armaan in return… wanting to know the facts first hand.. but armaan's obliviousness to the situation had caused anger to brew from his impatience and had resulted in an argument which was going nowhere till Ananya had stepped in to explain everything to Armaan..

Upon finding the facts.. Armaan rushed straight to riddhima and had found her in bed with Tom giving her a glass of water.. Tom had explained how he had found her and then complained to him how she refused to see the doctor.. 'man please explain your girl.. that she should have let me drive her to the hospital.. or atleast you take her.. people just don't faint for no reason.. she had also made me call back to her parents and lie and tell them that there was a misunderstanding and that he had meant to call someone else and had called them by mistake…' hearing this final piece of information the composure that Armaan was so carefully trying to portray was blasted off completely, he had bid goodbye to Tom with a straight face and turned to find riddhima looking down and fiddling with her fingers.. this was when he just couldn't take it in any longer and had finally demanded an explanation for all of her doings for the day..

'Armaan.. look I know you're mad.. oh god that vein on your forehead is really throbbing.. so now its confirmed that you are extremely pissed at me.. probably want to punch me don't you? Tch its okay do it real quick if you must.. it'll help you feel better.'

"WHAT?" his voice boomed the room as he stopped pacing and turned straight to face her, that was certainly not what he had expected her to say when he had asked her to talk..

For a minute he was actually considering whether she really thinks of him as a kind of man who would hit a girl.. let alone hitting her… but all his confusions were soon diffused when she giggled a little and explained..

'god armaan I wasn't being serious.. I was just trying to change the atmosphere and your mood a little bit.. but you should have seen your scandalised expression.. and how quickly it changed.. haha really it was something.. hehehe' she just couldn't stop giggling but all her giggles soon came to an end as she caught an eye of his expression.. so she finally decided to come clean.. she thought he deserved this much.. she had troubled him a lot.. he shouldn't be here right now, he should be at work.. but he has to be here and make sure she's okay.. he shouldn't need to do that.. she's not his responsibility.. infact she's not anyone's responsibility, she should have taken care of this and made sure it never happened in the first place.. but now that it has and she has managed to worry so many wonderful people in her life, she must also be the one to reduce their worries now.. this was why she had made Tom call her parents back and lie.. she was hoping the matter would be settled then and there but unfortunately Armaan found out about it before and now she must make him understand everything to ease his worries too.

'Okay.. fine no more jokes now, but please quit being so angry at me.. im perfectly fine and if you could please sit in one place rather than pacing up and down the room I may manage to tell you exactly what happened and how you need not worry at all' and with that he paid heed to her request and sat down on the bed next to her semi-lying figure.

Okay so I have low blood pressure.. so sometimes if I'm not careful and exhaust myself too much this is what happens.. I just faint.. but a little sugar in me and I'm good to go I swear.. and that's exactly what happened.. although I think it may also have something to do with the glandular fever from before.. I've just been running around trying to fix everything.. everything is so new and then Christmas and new years is coming up.. and I've never been alone and without my family during this time so I guess I was just overcompensating with all the preparations because well I've always wanted to do all this.. living alone.. its been a dream and taking care of my own house its special to me even though it may sound foolish to you.. but that's just the way I feel.. so I guess I over did everything but I'm absolutely fine.

"when did you find out?"

'what?'

"the low blood pressure thing.. you're quite young..when did you find out.. that's not normal.. is it in your family history..?" not knowing whether he had excepted her explanation.. confused she just answered his question..

'Umm well.. I found out last year.. I was having a lot of these dizzy spells and since I refused see a doctor.. muski convinced Rahul to take my blood whilst I was out and they got me tested for EVERYTHING.. so well that's when they told me.." she smiled slightly at the memory and their care.. Rahul, muski's long term boyfriend was like a brother to her even though he made it a point to flirt with her infront of muskaan just to piss her off and test her temper.. but regardless he cares a lot for her too.. which was why he kept her secret till he finally convinced riddhima to tell muski.. it was the hardest thing she had ever done.. say it out loud.. and she had vowed that day to never say it out loud to anyone ever again.. although she guessed somewhere down the line she'll have to face this truth about her life again.. and sooner than she thought perhaps.

"so that's all they came up with?" asked armaan suspiciously and she almost held her breath at his inquisitive eyes looking straight inside her soul almosr.. he was a doctor too.. infact he had just finished his intership he has had a lot of practice with patients, what if he finds out? She wondered..

'uh.. yea ofcourse, or do u think muski would ever let me out of her sight.. haha' I finished off lamely.. 'well that and the glandular fever'

"right, yea getting that makes you weak and susceptible for a long time.. almost a year..urg.. Muski as in M..? your bestfriend.. and Rahul her boyfriend..?"

'you remember? Yea M.. and Rahul her soon to be fiance.. he's going to ask her real soon he's just been waiting for her to finish her studies.. he doesn't want their relationship to meddle with her professional life. But she finished this year so he'll be asking her soon enough… the ring and everything has already been approved by me.. they've been together almost all of high school.. and now uni is over too.. they survived all of that.. they surely deserve this beautiful dream of a future together..'

"You seem to miss them a lot?"

'I do.. I don't have that many people in my life armaan.. sure im friendly and I'll smile and talk to people but there are only soo many people I can trust with my life.. I think I have trust issues.. haha.. but no seriously they are the most closest people to me ever.. and its just a little sad sometimes to think that growing up involves us moving apart.. im here.. I've got my masters and clinic work to do.. and then muski her internship will start soon enough.. I mean she's applied in almost every news channel in the country.. she'll find something I'm sure.. and rahul.. his internship will start too…but atleast they have each other.. but im here nah.. by myself, sometimes I just get jealous of them..its silly I know.'

"you want someone in your life too? Someone you can call your own.. it's okay you can tell me maybe I can fix you up with someone.." he sounded serious but his last comment just made me chuckle..

'Armaan don't you remember what happened the last time you meddled in my love life.. your friend, Akshay.. the one that you gave tips to ask me out.. remember how that turned out?.. I really don't want that kind of drama in my life man! Please just, you stay away.. and besides in the recent years I've realised im not really meant for relationships and all that.. don't tell my parents that but I just have other plans in my life.. and love and marriage and stuff just doesn't fit in..'

A frowning armaan just asked.. "what do you mean It's not for you..? if anything you are just like the kind of girl any guy would love to marry.. no don't argue back.. im serious.. im a guy I should know! And also im really sorry for the whole Akshay thing.. he came up to me and asked for my help.. I thought I could help two friends.. what I didn't realise was that you weren't interested in him and had been trying to ignore him and his questions all this time.. but you could have still said no when he asked you.. why did you say yes.. I mean I always thought u wanted to until that night when you yelled at me for meddling in your life and making you break his heart."

'Armaan firstly i don't have anything to offer such relationships so I've made my peace with the fact that im responsible for my own life and im contend with it, im serious.. so please no more discussion on this topic.. and secondly.. how could I say no when he made such an obvious display of his affection for me infront of so many people.. it was obvious I'd have to say yes..you have any idea how hard it is to say no and break someone's heart.. I can't do that.. it's the hardest thing in the world.. which was why I avoid such situations in the first place.. but then when I had to inevitably end the relationship because he wanted to take the 'next step' he accused me of using him to rise the ranks of social circles in school.. and so we got into an argument and when you had found me at home when you came looking for Tash.. it was completely the wrong time and I ended up saying all of that to you.. im really sorry for that.. I've meant to say that to you.. but after that I was shunned and bad mouthed.. and I just didn't get the courage to approach you because well you were always surrounded with people.. and then I figured you must be hating me too because he was your friend.. and then soon after the whole Tash thing happened and suddenly I didn't want to talk to you let alone apologise and just as things were settling down I had to leave..'

"I know.."

'You know?'

"I never blamed you.. I blamed myself.. I saw the hurt in your eyes that day.. and after I left from yours I went straight to Akshay's and he told me everything.. only he had some drunk chick in his arms and he complained about you not giving him enough to satisfy him.. and just those words themselves made me realise how wrong I was in setting you two up.. but then all I wondered was why you said yes at first but I guess now I know.. and I wanted to talk to you too.. and apologise but you were never around anymore.. and whenever I asked Tash she just accused me of two timing her.. first with bhav and now you so I didn't ask anymore.. and I couldn't ask anyone.."

'She thought what?'

"Like you said she had a sixth sense about me and bhav before we even got together. But I swear I never two timed.. it just happened I fell for bhav whilst still in a relationship with Tash.. and I thought I did the right thing you know.. break it off with Tash and then be with Bhav but its just things turned more messy than I thought.. I didn't realise things would escalate so much."

'really then what else did you expect Armaan Mallik.. they were friends.. really good friends.. you don't dump one friend to go out with another.. that's not how it works man! How could you be so silly? But you know what im doing it again.. I shouldn't blame you.. you were just being a boy!.. its bhav's fault in reality, how could one friend do that to another I just don't understand..

I know I could never..'

"I know.. you wouldn't let yourself.. even if you wanted to.. you have always cared for others more than yourself..i know.."

With those words echoing the room she just stared at him that screamed betrayal to her.. almost as if he had caught her spot on.. almost as if he knew that she reprimanded herself from spending time with him. that she ran away from him on purpose.. avoided him in social contexts because she wasn't sure of what she felt around him.. she always thought it was just her and he felt no such thing.. and that guilt caused her to avoid him.. but now looking in his eyes.. she wondered whether he felt the same too.. whether he knew exactly what she had been trying to do.. whether he let her walk away because he supported her decision.. but then she reprimanded herself.. that can't be true.. he was so preoccupied with Tash and Bhav and the swim team and the basketball team and his studies to even realise her existence.. or care about his girlfriend's roommates thoughts and feelings.

'Armaan let's just leave high school once and for all.. I'll be honest I didn't appreciate the stupid decision you made back then.. but I guess it was a long time ago and well you can't plan such things can you.. falling in love.. and anyway the only thing that really hurt me was bhav lying to me straight to my face when I confided in her about Tash's suspicions.. I seriously thought she was being paranoid and that you and bhav were just good friends and she was just being jealous but I guess I was wrong to assume that.. but if only she told me the truth..'

"It wasn't love..!"

'hmm.. but still it was what is was.. but I'd rather not discuss this after today.. I guess we had to.. I had always known so, just didn't realise it would be tonight.. lets forget this and move on.. in this past week I've seen enough of you to realise that you have matured.. and that's what counts..'

With that he just smiled and ruffled his hair and told her, he'll go order some food and left the room..

Our life isn't perfect, but it does have perfect moments. And even though the talk we just had was serious and had caused an awkwardness it was yet something which had caused a sort of lightness in our relationship..

so i thought i knew how to pm.. but turns out it only does one at a time.. and i really cbf with that..if there is an easier way let me knw please.. otherwise i really can't be bothered..

its ok we will just keep checking the thread
i now there is something more to riddhima fainting waiting to noe what it is and how armaan finds out abt it
the way they discussed their past really showed they had matured with time
it was all in all a great part and i loved it
i specially loved armaans concern for her and awww her parents are so protective of her
i really hope u bring rahul muskaan in the story :)

Originally posted by: ARMAAN-KSGFAN

its ok we will just keep checking the thread
i now there is something more to riddhima fainting waiting to noe what it is and how armaan finds out abt it
the way they discussed their past really showed they had matured with time
it was all in all a great part and i loved it
i specially loved armaans concern for her and awww her parents are so protective of her
i really hope u bring rahul muskaan in the story :)

when i get bored enough to write something.. 😛

Originally posted by: cheeky_maddy

when i get bored enough to write something.. 😛

Lolx u write when u get boredthats sumthing new i've heard :P

hehe.. well im no professional.. and im utterly lazy.. so just been writing in free time 😛

Thats nice i like to read in my free tym not write cuz i dont lyk writing :p

Part 11 – Paradise..

'Mumma.. man you got to give me measurements yaar.. I don't know how much is a little.. I'm not you, remember??'

"sweety I don't measure.. I told you.. I just know how much to put.. but I guess.. I don't know.. wait.. I'll cook with you.. maybe that way I may be able to tell you the exact measurements.. and I'll write them down and then get your brother to email them to you later.."

'haha really.. you're so cute..! okay fine.. lets do this together.. god bless skype by the way.. and oh Ipads.. its simple enough for us to cook together half way across the world.. actually more than that I'm proud of you using this..how did you convince papa to leave his Ipad at home today?'

"the things I do for my kids.. I swear.. and ofcourse he left it with me.. I just didn't remind him to take it in this morning.. ssh.. don't tell him.." with that they both laughed out loud.. it was a known fact that her papa needed her mom in the morning to get himself sorted.. and whilst she did everything for him selflessly and listened and agreed to him in anything he said, she was by no means weak.. she knew where to get what and how to get it.. and never did her dad exploit her leniency that allowed him to run her life.. Riddhima had always mock scolded her mum when she used to sign contract papers or sometimes even blank sheets of papers without a second glance just because her dad had asked her to.. she had always thought why this otherwise well-educated woman does not bother to read such stuff before signing them.. and her mother had always told her that it's because all her life belongs to her dad anyways.. besides she had argued that after 29 years of spotless marriage she has nothing to lose anymore.. this thought although farfetched for riddhima to understand, it was still heart-warming.. regardless she still teased her mum how her dad may have just gotten her permission to re-marry or something.. one such day her mother had commented on how she was going to have to trust someone this way in her life one day… and how she hopes for her to trust that man with her everything.. because according to her she has trust issues..

That thought had left riddhima bemused.. how could she have trust issues..?? she was a psychology student afterall, now completing her masters in criminology; which she felt combines both her passions of the law and the legal system as well as psychology…therefore she knew that people with trust issues generally have those originating as a result of complicated families and specially parental issues.. but nothing of such sort could be said about her life, afterall she was part of the most loving and supporting family there was, she had the most amazing friends in her life at every stage.. so how could she of all the people have trust issues? But then she realised it wasn't a phobia of trusting but more so of the fear of someone shattering that trust that she herself voluntarily places on someone.. it was a scary thought which was why she was careful.. but her naturally introverted nature and general carefulness and rule and law loving nature made her uncomfortable with the idea of trusting someone so easily and overtly.. although to be honest she never met anyone who made her feel that way.. and that's what she had waited for, she had long thought if and when she falls in love would be able to make her feel that way.. but that was before.. before she found out certain things. But now, even this thought was useless to think about.. reaching this conclusion for the millionth time she reprimand herself and put on the radio, her skype call with her mother had long finished and the food was almost ready.. it was just simmering and she was just clearing up the dishes and wiping the benchtops…

And just then the song from the radio poured through the speakers through to her ears and she closed her eyes.. taking in the words.. Coldplay.. man they were soo good in their music she thought.. and just started to sing along to the lyrics..

When she was just a girl

She expected the world

But it flew away from her reach

So She ran away in her sleep

and dreamed of Para-para-paradise..

Every time she closed her eyes…

No wonder.. she thought, everyone.. everygirl in this entire world must have had this sort of something happening in their lives.. that made them think this way about life.. but that damn band disguises it with an elephant's emotions.. how very clever.. the psych mind in her commended their ability to reach so many hearts in such a cunning way, no wonder it became such a hit..

Life goes on, it gets so heavy

The wheel breaks the butterfly

Every tear a waterfall

In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes

In the night the stormy night away she'd fly
and dreams of Para-para-paradise Para-para-paradise

I know the sun must set to rise

'The sun must set to rise' that just reminded her of the sun rise she saw this morning.. it was a new morning indeed.. the first day of the new year.. Christmas had come and gone..!! and whilst she was looking forward to Christmas at her new home with good food and maybe a nice holiday movie.. she was whisked away to a party, a couple actually one thrown by Armaan's work people as part of an annual Christmas lunch meet greet, a quite formal affair whilst the other, a stark contrast being thrown by no one in particular, where him and a few of his mates with their dates got thrashed drunk at a pub and danced, sang and stumbled the night away.. it was quite a sight to watch.. not being an overtly party person herself she was a little unconfutable tagging along and had tried her best to get armaan to go without her, but he had been relentless and even though she didn't want to spend the night away partying with strangers she had agreed for his sake, it was extremely hard saying no in the first place, and it became even harder when it came to him.. he had been a blessing in disguise for her in these couple of weeks for her anyway, and it just didn't seem right to refuse this offer when he himself was excited to introduce her to all of his friends.. They were nice people she had concluded, and quite entertaining too… whilst she had occasionally sipped her cocktail, they all had been downing shots one after the other which had resulted with them being hilarious company throughout the night..

What bothered her, was the fact that armaan was refraining himself because of her.. she knew he would have normally joined his friends in his drunken espionage but wasn't specially for her. Even when she asked him to not worry about her, and let go as much as he wanted he had remained mum on the issue and had just a few bears, nothing more.. to the utter disappointment of his friends. But he was being careful for her, She knew that.. and as much as he denied not enjoying his drinks because of her, he finally admitted to the fact that he wanted to make sure she didn't feel left out.. especially when in this drunken stupor he might be with his friends dancing on top of the bar.. But when she had apologised for ruining his fun, he had almost gotten mad at her, for misunderstanding his intentions.. he had accused her of not understanding his friendship…. Thinking of why he had overreacted to such a simple statement she assumed maybe he was a little drunk after all, but it was only when they were in the car park and he was trying to get all his mates safely in a cab being the most sober one did she realise that he may have been a little drunk.. but not out of his senses to say something wrong but enough drunk to say something he really feels without sieving his thoughts and being careful.. it was then she realised that he meant exactly what he said, that he was offended to think that their friendship should not have such formalities that she was forcing upon their relation unknowingly.. maybe in an attempt to maintain her distance from him yet again she realised..

Regardless, she had been quick to apologise to him once they had stepped into a cab of their own.. and he had forgiven her with a mere dimpled smile. And just like that it was forgotten and that's what she liked about him, he didn't like to stretch issues.. he was plain and simple much like herself and the honesty in him that she saw these past few days were a stark contrast to his flamboyant personality of that of his highschool self.. he was more sorted now, yea she could say that.. He was always a good person, but somewhere he was lost, she had always thought it was due to his loneliness, she knew him to be an only child with both parents busy travelling for business, as Tash had told her, but she also knew that he was close to this parents, closer to his mother than anyone else she knew as he'd once told her.. so she never blamed his parents for leaving him on his own.. it was the mere fact that he was alone or so he felt that he lost perspective a bit, especially after she had returned from her small visit back to Frisco whilst in Summerhill, she had noticed.. after all it was only upon arrival she had been informed on all of which that had been transpired.. she had always wondered how it had all fallen apart so quickly for him, she was only gone for a 2 week break to be with her family in that difficult time.. But more than his choice in hurting Tash the way he did, it had pained her to see him wasting his life away.. Bhav was a bad influence, in a matter of going out with her for a week she had gotten him into fights and drugs not to mention the drinks everynight and underage clubbing.. That was another reason she had stayed away from him afterwards, and to think he lived that way for a good 4 months before his mother found out and pulled him out of that trap Bhav set for him for good.. that's what he had told her anyway..! she was gone from there way before that had happened. But she was happy he saw that phase of his life as a mistake in hindsight it just meant he knew better now.

Post-Christmas and this new familiarity in their friendship they had partied the night of new years eve away to all its glory.. this time just them two.. with some wine, pizza and fireworks at the London eye.. it was freezing cold but the atmosphere hardly let that thought be processed by your brain.. and reaching home took it to the early hours of the morning with the amount of traffic..

Broken out of her reverie with all her benchtops wiped clean and stove now off, she was picking up the broom to sweep the kitchen when she heard an old favourite.. the 'ketchup song'.. that song brought up memories.. and before she knew it she was singing and dancing her way through cleaning and that's how armaan had found her when he opened the door, he was coming over for lunch and had found the door unlocked as usual..

The Language of Companionship is a unique one he thought looking at her. To reach someone through the heart is other than reaching them through words. Besides words, allusions and arguments the heart knows a hundred thousand ways to speak if only she heard it…

Wow that was a really nice part
i lyk how u write from both their pov's
please cont soon :)