Because this is life (AR).. Chap26: 2/12 - Page 4

i will tonight actually.. i just need to edit first.. !!

Part 12- Changes

"Hey Pepsi… happyyy new yearrr!!!!!!!" armaan screamed into the phone as soon as he heard the hello from the other end…

'armaan.. oh god.. what happened..? how are you up so early? Is everything okay?' keerti replied back.

"what a worry wot you are yaar… cut your drama and just wish me back.. and ask your questions later please".. amraan retorted back cheekily.

'happy new year bacha… here karan wants to wish you aswell.. one sec beta, wait na.. chachu isn't going anywhere..'

After hearing some muffling on the other end.. a loud screech wished him a very very very very very happy new year.. although armaan jumped at first and spilled his protein shake he was drinking, he soon found his composure and voice back and smiled his brightest at the enthusiasm in this wish from his little nephew or more like his little monster..

"happy birthday motu…sup yaar?.. chachu ko bhul hi gaya…. How much fun you having huh buddy?"

'bohot bohot.. bohot saara chachu.. lots of games.. no bed time and unlimited chocolates and games… only all the aunties just keep pulling my cheek.. it hurts chachuuu..' karan complained to his armaan chachu almost expecting him to save him from this unwanted female attention.. he was only little but he was very well aware of his chahu's scheming, manipulative mind and his special powers on the female species..

"Buddy I can't help you with that one.. I still complain when girls do that to me.. but what makes me feel better is just pulling their cheeks back.. or if they are really cute and my type just kiss their cheeks.. two advantages of that bro; one if by any chance the girl is interested you don't have to wait any longer in figuring it out after the kiss, you'll find out yourself.. and two..even if they aren't interested or you didn't feel any chemistry you had a reason so they can't beat you up!.. but seeing that no one will beat you up.. you could always just try the kiss technique.." armaan told karan matter of factly. Whilst karan replied..

'but chachu.. I told you I will only kiss a beautiful girl.. not like you.. papa told me he fell for mumma's smile it was beautiful.. so I will only kiss the girl if her smile is beautiful..' hearing this armaan mumbled to himself kya yaar bhaiya will make him into a girl.. tch I must save him, but then again.. lets let him grow up.. I'll ask him this same question when he's a teen and see whether he still believes in his beautiful smile theory..

'Hello.. hello chanchu.. mumma I can't hear anything.. did he fall asleep..?? you said he would be asleep that's why I couldn't wish him this early..' hearing karan complain keerti took the phone from him to confirm herself.. although she was sure that armaan would do no such thing to karan, she still was curious whether karan's theory was right, because she hadn't even expected him to be up this early to take their call.. she had just thought that just like every other new years eve, he would have gotten thrashed drunk with his friends and won't be up till later in the afternoon to greet the world..

"huh.. bhabhi.. sorry woh I got distracted… so how did you guys bring in the new years?? Or don't I want to know??" he fake coughed at that.. knowing that his pepsi would have dropped his mouth low and would be one step away from yelling at him, hurling abuses at him.. but controlling herself due to the presence of his son..

Keerti knowing that she can't effectively reprimand armaan.. her naughtiest kid she chose the only option she had now.. divert his mind off his teasing.. 'forget my new years eve plans bacha.. what were you upto.. a dull night huh?? Up so early?..found no girl to kiss huh.. how sad..and what about your good for nothing group of chums.. did they noy plan a night out this year.. or did they just not invite you?'

"Please pepsi.. I had an awesome new years eve.. a little different and not with the guys or a midnight kiss but still pretty amazing night.. we laughed so much pepsi.. I laughed so much after so long.. no inhibitions what so ever.. just plain entertainment.. and surprisingly hardly any alcohol.. just a couple of drinks.. and I've got to tell you this non hangover morning is making this new years day look a lot brighter and happier.. I can tell bhabs this year is gonna be GREAT!" armaan finished with a smile and grabbing his keys and coat he locked the front door and got out of his apartment to his car and putting the phone on the car Bluetooth, he buckled up ready for his morning stopover at the hospital before his lunch plans with riddhima.

'Armaan.. no drinks, no gang.. no date nor a midnight kiss and you're happy.. infact more happy than ever.. kya baat hai?..'

"kuch nahi pepsi.. it was riddhima's first new years here.. and she already sacrificed her Christmas plans for me so I decided to give her this one.. and we went to the fireworks at the London eye.. it was freezing cold so we just had our picnic basket.. but the sight was breathtaking.. and we just had lots of fun.. there were soo many people there.. you should have been there… the atmosphere was indescribable babhs I mean.. I just can't explain it.."

'hmm.. woh toh I can see.. u really loved it.. but was it safe.. people get so drunk on the streets and then there are all these street fights.. I mean you've seen the kinds of cases that come in on holidays in the hospital.. and riddhima.. oh god she had been keeping so unwell.. why did you guys plan to stand outside in the freezing temperatures.. and such times in the night.. it gets so cold armaan..' although keerti was happy to see the enthusiasm in armaan and sense his happiness but when she thought some more about their plans she got worried.. ofcourse if it was just him she would not have worried half as much but riddhima was delicate.. she had seen her and bonded with her well.. and now she treats her just like she treats armaan.. that is her bacha number three after armaan and karan..

Karan and shubankar hadn't had the chance to meet her yet.. but even they had laughed at some of her antics when she had told them stories of her tantrums with medicine and doctors..

"bhabs chill man.. it was her idea.. and trust me she was fully prepared.. it was me who hadn't anticipated how cold it would really get.. but she had a foresight to bring in a doona and long coats and gloves.. along with hot chocolate and plenty of cake and other food.. plus all the hot dogs we ate there.. along with the wine.. we were more than comfortable.. so you need not worry.. and as you can see I am more than fine right now.. and I assure you so is she.. infact I am going to go and see her this afternoon.. her shipment arrived this morning with her things so she needs help in opening the crates and moving things around.. pepsi, I just parked at the hospital I've got to go now.. I hope you have a wonderful trip.. look after my boys and come back quick.. I miss you guys!!" Armaan finished as he parked and locked his car.. twirling his keys and shoving them in his coat pocket..

After the call, armaan had finished off his work at the hospital early and decided to go to basket's.. he was surprised to find the apartment door unlocked but then thought that he should have actually expected it.. he had asked her several times to lock it when she's alone.. but she had never paid heed and argued that she was perfectly capable to look after herself and she doesn't feel the need to lock the door at all times.. but just for this once he was happy to see the door had been kept unlocked because if hadn't been for it.. he wouldn't have been able to firstly see her dancing away to glory and secondly to tease her once she finally realises his presence..

Cute update but it was short
I love the nickname armaan has given to keerti
I really love keerti as well she is so caring abt everyone and karan armaan convo was really cute.
Cont soon u left at such a cute part i wanna read the teasing and her embarrasment :)

thanks.. but that's all i've managed to write so far.. and i swear it seemed bigger when i was writing it.. ! :I

@cheeky_maddy: Nyc story!!!!😊

Awesome ff.
I love it soo much
plz add me to ur pm list dear.

Part 13- Satisfied

*clap clap clap* "wooh! What a performance.. I didn't know you had moves my friend.. how come you shied away from the dance floor during the Christmas party then?" exclaimed Armaan in his naughtiest tone whilst moving inside and crashing on the couch with his one arm under his head, supporting his head whilst his eyes were fixed upon his entertainment for the moment as she struggled to wrap up her cleaning whilst trying her hardest not to pay any particular heed to his teasing..

'What do you want Armaan? And it wasn't a performance.. I'm just in a really good mood okay, and the song.. it was just an old time favourite, I still remember dancing away to it with my girlfriends.. just one of those childhood memories.. and its incredible how old I am today! You know M, she said 'yes', Rahul.. he proposed.. and she said yes.. and they're getting married.. in a week..! its all soo soon.. I still remember us having a sleepover and talking about when and how each of us would be getting married.. and now its happening.. she is, she really is.. they all always said that I would be the first one to get married.. but I always knew she would be… and I always told her so.. and I even predicted this, her future with Rahul.. I used to tease her about it you know.. before they even got together.. before she had even started to like him, before he had even started to like her.. I just always thought they were absolutely perfect for each other.. and today when I got that call from M.. and she told me how he did it.. we cried, we cried armaan for 20 minutes we cried and we laughed and we relived old memories.. memories of how it began.. and I've never been this happier than this before.. right now, in this moment I don't wish for anything else in this life.. other than their happiness, that's all I want.. for them to be happy.. and as far as the dancing goes, you probably don't know this.. but im a dancer.. a trained dancer.. kathak dancer.. and I dance all the time.. and I enjoy all different genres of dancing but I don't enjoy using it as a method of feeling up your partner.. which is pretty much club dancing.. and besides I didn't know anywhere there.. and to me Dancing is like getting up any time painlessly like a speck of dust blown around in the wind. Dancing is when you rise above both worlds, tearing your Heart to pieces and giving up your Soul. When I dance for myself I dance like I don't have a care in the world.. and I love that feeling.' Finished riddhima with a satisfied smile on her face as she wrapped up her work and crashed on the couch next to him and put her head back and closed her eyes and sighed.. she wasn't lying when she said that she was extremely happy, and with that sense of happiness brought a sense of satisfaction that could clearly been seen on her face, in her smile, in the calmness of her voice and in her even breathing.. she was soo satisfied that any other person would guess that it was her life which had been presented with this once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, and this thought amused Armaan..

"So, when have they decided to tie the knot..? and by the way congratulations to them, I've never met them but all the stories I've heard from you.. I know for a fact that they deserve every bit of this happiness."

'In a week, and in India.. Delhi to be precise.. I know.. I know I was shocked myself..! but apparently Rahul's got his job appointment already.. and he needs to start work in 2 weeks.. so he wants to get married in a week and then they can go to their mini honeymoon straight away because then he'll be busy with long hours at the hospital, settling in and then this one year of his internship is important before he applies for his specialisation.. but I don't need to explain that to you.. you know more about that than me anyways, what with just finishing your internship..'

"Hmm.. did I tell you I got my offers, last night.. both peads and neuro interest me.. and I had applied for both.. but last night I received confirmation for both aswell.. so now I have no idea again!..'

'that's amazing armaan.. and even though im biased for neuro because.. that's more closely related to my field.. I've got to say that although this is your decision.. I sort of know what you are going to end up with..'

"what do you mean, you know? Even I don't know myself." He scratched his shadow of a beard.."

'Nothing, just think about it okay.. and before you ask.. no I will not tell you what I am thinking, it's a decision you must come to on your own, without my interference, without anyone's interferences.. and ofcourse I know.. im a clinical psychologist.. just because I chose be specialised in criminal psychology and im choosing my honours topic relating to the forensics field does not mean that I am only able to read and understand the minds of criminals.. plea-h-se.. I know exactly what you'll end up with.. I could see it when you were talking about your cases last night..i'll just wait for you to come to that decision on your own..'

"okay.. fine no point arguing with you.. not that you'll pay heed to my requests anyway.. but coming back to the topic of the wedding.. what's with India..? I thought you lived in Frisco with your parents and that's where you met Muskaan and later befriended Rahul.. so India, New Delhi? Am I missing something here?"

A smiling riddhima got up from the couch and beckoned him to do the same.. she started walking towards the kitchen and started to set the table for two and put the dishes on the island where they sat.. and she forwarded a hand to give him some halva.. which she had gotten from a mandir nearby, as her mother had wanted her to visit a mandir.. it being the first day of the year and all.. seeing him forward his spoon to dig in.. she moved the box out of his reach, slightly shaking her head.. she said.. 'prasad armaan' he slightly raised his eyebrows and

brought his hands forward, right above the left and ate the halva that she placed in his hands.. she smiled contently and proceeded to take the lids of all the serving dishes and placing the serving spoons in them she let him serve himself whilst she got up to get some water.. whilst answering his previously asked question..

'Rahul is a really simple guy armaan, he has no airs about himself around him.. that was precisely why I liked him at first and bothered to befriend him back then.. we had just started highschool and whilst every guy and girl was out there trying to be popular and the cool person out there.. he was genuine and that's what I really liked about him.. Back then I thought he was a nice guy, ofcourse I did otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to set him up with my best friend.. but I can positively say this today, that I had no idea just how good he really was as I do today.. after I got back from Summerhill, and re-connected with after almost a year.. he shared his plans with me.. his plans for the future.. and that made me admire him even more!

He told me he knew he wasn't smart enough to do breakthrough research in the field of medicine to leave a real impact on society but being the ordinary man he is.. he will do what an ordinary man is capable of.. he will serve the ordinary and the underprivileged and that's what he intends to do.. he wants to practice in India to help those who really need his help.. when he shared his thoughts with Muskaan.. they planned for their future married life to be spent in Punjab, muskaan and her family is from there.. and she used to visit every year.. but because of his internship opportunities and the restrictions in muski's job opportunities in Punjab they decided to shift to Delhi.. it's the closest city and the capital.. It's a good compromise.. Rahul still gets to help people whilst Muski gets to take a shot at all the news channels in the nation's capital..'

Seeing him nod.. she continued.. 'and so I always knew they were going to shift there.. but the immediacy in their decisions just left me a little shocked.. but I guess it's all good.. and this way I can attend their wedding too.. I mean my course is yet to start and I have nothing to do here till then.. I'm done with all the unpacking and settling in thing.. im familiar with the apartment and the transportations and all.. I mean I found this mandir and visited it myself too so as you can see I'm all good to go.. which is what I wanted in the first place anyway.. I wanted to be all settled before my honours program started so that I can focus solely on that later on.. and since they are getting married without much notice.. they are really doing things simple and quick so I can take this coming week off, quickly go to India and enjoy my best friend's wedding and then come back here just in time to start of at uni..'

"oh yea.. I didn't realise.. so you need to book a flight I guess.. I have a guy who can help you with that.. u know what I'll just text him.. and then he can call me back with what he finds, one sec.." as he started to text.. she just smiled and said…

'Armaan don't worry about it please.. I'll just search for something on the net.. but after lunch.. im really hungry..!! the only thing I've had is the Prasad and I've been working my ass off all day making this food.. so will you please put down the phone this instant and eat please..' she finished off in agitation as the hunger was surely taking a toll on her emotions..

"Fine miss hungry monster.. I'm done with my text anyways.. and what is wrong with you.. you never let me help you.. well after that first week.. when a) you were to unwell to argue and b) too new to run off playing miss organise with me.. for instance today you already found and visited a temple.. and then you've cooked all this nice food by yourself.. and when I entered you were cleaning.. and as if that's not enough you want to do your own flight hunting research and even when I told you I have a guy who could help you.. you've refused that offer in not so many words.. may I ask why all this incessant behaviour madam?"

'What hungry monster? Armaan you're an ass! And your nicknames are the worst.. u've already christened me with basked years ago, in addition to whatever the hell you feel like calling me and then you call your bhabhi pepsi.. seriously man what Is wrong with you?'

Armaan just sniggered at her complaints and just took a sip out of his glass to partly cover his smiling face.. to avoid her beatings.. he had discovered that in these few days he had known her.. that she used her hand to do the talking when he annoyed her to such an extent that she literally had no words to reprimand him.

There teasings and talks continued with the lunch.. they were living in the present.. and perhaps that was the smartest decision they had subconsciously taken in a while.. for it is a

a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time. But what if this was not the right decision at all..? well bad decisions make good stories anyways.. ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awesome update loved it.both of them r soo cute. Really love armaans concern for her. Loved the start of the chapter. Ur not writing nonsence but i guess the story shud progress now :) cont soon plzz

Originally posted by: -AK-

Awesome update loved it.both of them r soo cute. Really love armaans concern for her. Loved the start of the chapter. Ur not writing nonsence but i guess the story shud progress now :) cont soon plzz

Part 14- Only time will tell..

"you got everything?"

'huh yea.. I got everything.. but can I go now.. I'll be late!' whined riddhima as Armaan smiled, seeing her being so restless.. but he just wouldn't let her take her hand luggage that he had carried on his shoulder from the car to inside the airport. Armaan's 'guy' had been able to find her a nice deal and she was leaving to india tonight.. Armaan had obviously been her ride to the airport..

'Armaan I swear I'll be late.. if you don't quit your fascinating display of idioticness this instant..' hearing her reprimanding serious tone.. he finally decided to cut her some slack.. she was a planning, and scheduling freak and she needed to be before time everywhere… these were just some things that he had got to know about her in these few days of re-connecting with her.. he had also found her to be short tempered.. but it was never anything permanent.. he had concluded that she was just like a kid.. and when he had told her that once, she pouted to blackmail him into giving into an argument she had groaned and let him know of her hatred towards that name in her life.. she had disclosed how everyone at home treats her like a kid.. and she was going to prove herself in London to be an independent and self-righteous woman.. and seeing her disappointed face at her failed mission.. he had let her know.. that he did think that she was independent and very well capable of looking after herself.. hell she had pretty much been babysitting him in the absence of his pepsi.. but he knew better than to thank her for it.. for the one time he had he had been beaten by her.. physically for the first time..! and that had pretty much made it clear that she didn't appreciate his manners.. which was pretty confusing for him.. considering she usually insists that he has some manners..

"Yea yea fine.. your plane's not going anywhere.. now call or text me once you land.. and I'll be there in another couple of days anyways.. so I'll see ya okay..!" he said as he gave her a quick hug and saw her turn around to leave.. hurrying with the trolley because according to her she was late.. even though she had a good 10 minutes before the gates closed.

Smiling he saw her disappear.. it was true he was on his way to India for the same wedding, only he was only going to be reaching the night before as he wasn't particularly close to Rahul.. They had coincidently found out that him and Rahul were distant cousins.. or well so he thought.. they had apparently been close as kids when he used to visit India often but after that as the trips to India declined so did his bond with Rahul and his family.. well they were kids only, you couldn't exactly blame them.. But his parents were going to be flying in, and he was asked to accompany them aswell, as they were family and according to his parents his presence was mandatory, and since Pepsi and his Shubhankar bhaiya were back too he would be able to take a leave.. it was only for a couple of days anyway so it would not be such a big deal.. But for some reason when he had told this to Riddhima she had been really excited.. She smiled really big, clasped her hands tight under her jaw and just dreamily, softly whispered.. 'it's really a small world after all.'

At that moment she had looked just like a kid.. who was he kidding she was a little kid.. and even though he's scared to admit that infront of her.. lest she beats him up again but nevertheless she was a child.. yes she can be mature and level headed in her best of times.. but that's only when she's out there.. in the real world..! that's how she had been when they had first met in summerhill but then back here, in London he got to see a completely different side of her.. a side of her that she had let him see.. as he was allowed in her house.. in her life as someone who was close enough to her to see her without her mask.. it wasn't a fake mask, but it was just a mask of refinement that everyone puts out to the world.. some, the more introverted people like herself more than others.. but her trust in him, her forgiveness for him, her faith in their friendship and their bond had led him to see this form of her; the most raw form of her there was, the form that she was like in infront of her family he had guessed.. because just like them he was able to see the child and innocence in her even when she put on the front of a sceptic, scientific and confident young woman..

Well she was this way with him, and Karan.. Yes his nephew saw the child in her way before he did actually, maybe to some level she was still trying to be mature with him.. but with Karan she never tried.. and the sight he had got to see the afternoon before really was something amazing..

He was spending the day with Karan as promised after his return from the holiday.. and after hearing a certain miss Riddhima featuring in all of his chahu's answers.. Karan had got a little jealous and had demanded to meet this Riddhima who was taking up all of his Chahu's time.. He was five and he was well aware of his chachu's relationships with most girls.. but this one he did not understand.. and after asking Armaan to explain it a million times and still not understanding their relation he had just asked him to introduce him to her, so that he can decide for himself.. He had the ultimate authority over his chachu anyways.. anything he said goes for Armaan.. and many times Keeti had used this excuse to tame armaan whenever he started to stray, in the absence of his parents and their directions.. Keerti knew armaan was a good guy, but she also knew that he was a little immature, and he had trouble finding out the right path in life.. and whilst as a kid she felt comfortable telling him what to do.. she had decided to use subtle hints in the form of Karan to get her point across these days..

A quick call from Riddhima had confirmed that she was at home.. and that she was more that okay with meeting his little nephew that she had heard so much about.. Only problem was that just 10 minutes after entering and having a few introductions Armaan was paged to the hospital with an emergency, and Keerti and Shubankar already being at work led him with no option but to leave Karan with Riddhima… he hadn't wanted to burden her, but she seemed okay with it.. and since he had no other option he left kissing Karan goodbye and telling him to behave himself for didi.. Armaan was well aware of Karan's well known technique to annoy any girl in his life that he did not approve of.. most of the time Karan wouldn't meet any of his casual dates, but when he would decide to start considering any of the girls as his girlfriends he would first casually introduce Karan to them.. After Bhav, he had realised that he wasn't exactly a great judge of people.. and making such decision.. and so unknowingly the onus had fell on Karan.. He was aware that his Pepsi was probably a better choice for the job.. but girls tend to get either intimidated to meet his bhabhi or get the impression that he was taking things way to seriously in the relationship and so it was a safer bet to use Karan.. he was just as good and no one suspected his interrogation, owing to him being a kid and all.. but the problem with that was that Karan had till this date not approved of any girl for him and not the contrary said, or behaved in such a manner with them that at many time they would leave him dumped.. and not a rough dumping either.. he had always remain friendly with them.. it was really something all together.. his buddy was going to be real heartthrob with girls he knew.. and a bigger one than himself he knew.. but that was later on.. for now because of him he had not been able to get a real girlfriend in years.. and he has been on the verge of revoking his method of approval.. Causal dates were alright.. but what he really wanted was a real relationship.. But as his mother had told him just last night he mustn't rush anything.. when the time is right it will happen.. And so he had let it go..

But when he had asked this same question to Riddhima.. about her concept of love.. she gave him a completely unexpected answer.. something deep and mature.. She had said.. "I no longer believe in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together, but that was before.. now I don't really waste my time with those thoughts.. there are some flaws that you can't force upon others and I plan to live my life not wasting it upon thinking about such matters.." He had seen her expressions change whilst talking and although she spoke with great determination.. he thought he had almost read sadness in her eyes.. and he wasn't sure why such a beautiful lady as herself was talking so pessimistically about love.. she was young.. and as far as he knew all young girls dream about their Mr. right.! But he had just concluded that she was just being kiddish, maybe she wasn't yet ready to be in something so deep, for he knew she had dated before.. but he just thought that was because she knew that was nothing serious.. but because she didn't want anything serious right now she was refraining herself.. She was a kid at heart after all.

That just reminded him of what Karan had called her.. 'Bubbie' he has no idea how Karan had come about that name.. but he just guessed that his own habbit of using pet names had rubbed off on him.. But that wasn't nearly what had surprised him… it was the 5 minute scene that he had been a witness to that had left an impression on his mind.. that moment.. he wished he had recorded it.. but nevertheless it was forever stored in his mind..

Coming back to pick Karan up, after looking after his emergency patient..Armaan had entered her apartment easily, because as usual she had not locked the front door.. Finding the apartment extremely quiet he had tiptoed himself in search of his little monster.. he had looked at the time and thought that he was probably taking his afternoon nap.. expecting to see this, he turned towards her bedroom, as that was the only bed, he would know after all, he crashes on her couch regularly.. But the sight that presented infront of him was something quite unexpected.. He had not found Karan sleeping, instead he had found riddhima sleeping.. she was lying on her side facing Karan who was lying beside her, and gently stroking her hair and sometimes kissing her cheek and something patting her arm gently, just like a mother does to their child, he could only assume that riddhima had tried to put him to sleep as she had her one arm around him protectively, but she must have gotten sleepy herself.. she had been quite weak.. he knew.

She was really low on iron, as he had found out, without her telling him.. that was why she had fainted before too.. but she had chosen not to disclose that fact with him.. he had come across her reports accidently.. but he already had his doubts.. he was a doctor afterall, did she really think she could lie to him so blatantly and he would believe her.. he had confronted her right away and she had admitted her fault.. but she just said that she didn't want her parents to find out, and that's the only reason she hid the fact from him.. he had promised he wouldn't tell them and in turn she had officially appointed him as her doctor for future references.. and as her official doctor she was first ordered to have an iron tablet twice a day.. normally it was only required once a day but since she was extremely low and almost anaemic he had ordered a double dose, she had tried to protest as he had found out that she had trouble taking tablets.. but he wasn't about to bow down and so she had had to surrender..

As he was lost in the moment midst his thoughts whilst admiring the sight.. he saw Karan noticing his presence and smiled his brightest at him.. and wave him a hello.. Armaan walked in and thought to take Karan away so that riddhima could rest properly but was surprised to see karan interject.. 'But chachu if I move bubbie will wake up.. look she's holding onto me..' he whispered. Raising his eyebrows at his comments armaan looked carefully and he was right she was holding onto him.. but it was only lightly and he knew he could go for a quick change maneuver.. so he just indicated for karan to follow his lead.. he picked a small round cylindrical pillow and quickly replaced it with Karan's body as he picked him up with his other hand.. then he put a doona on her and slowly walked out of the door closing the room shut lightly.. Coming out of the room he turned to go to the kitchen to raid her fridge, he was damn hungry! Just then he heard 'Why did you take me away from bubbie, chachu? She'll wake up nah.. she needs me to pat her to sleep.. she's my chotu.. like I'm mamma's..' turning around at that comment armaan picked karan up and made him sit on the counter so that they can talk eyes to eye.. "acha bachu.. she's ur didi.. did I not tell u before leaving.. she's almost chachu's age.." He was cut in between.. 'But she's not nah chachu.. she told me she was two years younger than you..' Karan showed his two little fingers indicating the age.. It was true, she was two years younger.. Well professionally and at school she was only a year younger than him but since she was younger than all by a year in her own year level she was a good 2 years younger to him.. making him 24 and her 22. Getting back onto topic, he exclaimed.. "So what buddy.. so she's younger than me, doesn't mean she's younger than you' Armaan finished pointing his finger at Karan.. "Tch I know.. but she's just like a kiddo chachu.. we played lots of games and ate yummy food and then she told me a bed time story and fell asleep herself.. I couldn't really sleep because she makes really funny face while inventing a story.. and her story was really funny.. just like yours is… and so I call her my bubbie.. and I wanted to take care of her.. you told me that we men take care of our friends… specially our girlfriends.. and just today she agreed to being my friend and shes a girl.. so I was just taking care of her nah..' Karan finished his explanation as if it was the most common thing in the world.. that a five year old was going to take care of a 22 year old grown woman.. granted she was like a child, but nevertheless she was not exactly a child.. but since the whole situation was more comical than anything he decided to let it be.. besides it would be uber fun to tease riddhima when she wakes up about what a 5 year old had concluded about her.. afterall she had thrown a huge fit when he had called her a baby.. so this would only get better.. giving a quick peck to Karan he let go of the topic and started looking back into the fridge in search of some food..

Looking back at that memory.. he was happy to see the bond between Karan and Riddhima.. Karan was a good judge of people.. and he had verified for him that riddhima did indeed have a very good heart.. But it seems that when you have a good heart: You help too much. You trust too much. You give too much. You love too much; it always seems you hurt the most, and as her friend he just hoped that she didn't get hurt… in these few days of knowing her closely he had known that although she talks a lot, she never really talks about her thoughts and feelings.. the only times she had was when he had asked her outright what he wanted to know.. She had never denied anything to him or lied to him yet.. and it was this honesty and respect that she embedded in their relation that he admired and that he intended to follow.. For he knew that he was now close enough for her to share her secrets with.. she trusted him that much.. even if she didn't come to him with her problems she certainly never made him feel like that he didn't have the right to ask her.. and that was just an unspoken agreement.. To her it was probably just friendship, but to him it was a hope of it turning into something more special in the future.. but for now he didn't want to think so much about it.. but he knew he felt something for her back then.. but hid those feeling back then.. but now he knew that the longer you hide your feelings, the more you fall for them.. and now he wants to give his feelings a chance to develop.. he isn't going to stop himself now.. If incase it was love he wants to give it a chance to develop.. for every love has its time.. that time wasn't theirs.. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it wasn't love.. he'll keep a lookout for that one sign that makes him believe that this was just what he had been waiting for.. for he knew she was definitely worth a thought.. Only time will tell he concluded!

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