AR: Ricochet [Thread #2: Page 1/150] - Page 56

Chapter 7: Opia

Opia. n. the ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable—their pupils glittering, bottomless and opaque—as if you were peering through a hole in the door of a house, able to tell that there's someone standing there, but unable to tell if you're looking in or looking out.

Long Island, New York City, Present

It's not very crowded in the supermarket and she's grateful. She hasn't had time to shop earlier for the groceries with what getting an idea for her project last evening. She's cooking Italian tonight, it's her favorite and she's going all out; cooking from soup to dessert. Not having cooked like this in a while, she's looking forward to it, although it's probably going to kill her back. Dropping ricotta in her trolley she turns into aisle three and notices Armaan buying groceries. She moves forward to say Hi, noticing the way he looks so good in his faded jeans and a sweatshirt. And no. That didn't mean she was crushing on him, it just means she has an eye for aesthetics. Obviously.

Before she knows it, he's run into her and he bends down to pick up a few things that had fallen out. She waits for him to stand up and recognize her, and he does.

And she absolutely doesn't flush when he looks impressed with the fancy stuff in her trolley. Except she totally does. They exchange pleasantries and she's left smiling broadly, his Mahalo warming over her. It's a nice feeling, sharing your fondness over a TV show with someone. It makes her feel closer to him, like they have their own inside joke and she shakes her head, moving further when she's interrupted by a text from Ishaan.

Still on for dinner, right? - Ishaan

Yeah, see you :) - Riddhima

What are you cooking? - Ishaan

Have I EVER told you beforehand? - Riddhima

Doesn't hurt to try :P Bye! - Ishaan

Bye :) x - Riddhima

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She's back at the house and sorting all her ingredients, measuring out the ones she needs to use first, when Rahul comes in.

"Do you need help?"

"Yeah, but I thought Muski was doing it? Is she okay?"

"No, she's fine. She had this paper to do for Simon and then a few essays to grade so she slept about two hours ago."

"Oh. Well tell her she's making dessert and that she's not getting out of helping me!"

He agrees and they share a laugh, even as she starts telling him to chop stuff up while she prepares the stock for the soup.

They work in companionable silence and it's kind of tiring but peaceful. At some point they put music on and continue to work in unison. There are moments of conversation where he tells her about his week at work (busy, but excellent) and she tells him she ran into Armaan at the supermarket and that they have a lot in common in terms of entertainment anyway. He makes no comment but after giving her a loaded look that practically screamed "date him, you need to go out", he doesn't have to.

"I'm not going to date him, Rahul."

"I'm not saying-I mean, I am but I'm not asking you to date him, specifically. I'm just saying, Riddhi. You have a stable job, you make good money, and let's face it the job leaves you with a fair amount of time to yourself. Maybe you should consider going out, you know? Like, for something serious. Build a life. A family."

"You're getting all sappy after four years of marriage, man."

"Shut it, I'm serious."

"I'll think about it, okay? I promise I will."

"Okay. I just-I worry about you, that's all."

"I know you do. You always have, but I'm okay. I'm happy and I'll think about dating. If I find someone brave enough to wrestle the daddy issues, that is." she says, cracking a wry smile at him, her face flushed with the heat in the kitchen.

And she was joking, it was self deprecating, sure, but it was a joke. But she thinks maybe Rahul doesn't think like that; when she sees his brows furrow and his stare get intense.

"Don't say that. Don't. You're going to find someone and then you can bitch about your daddy issues and cry and even crack jokes about it. You're going to find somebody."

Still a little surprised by the sudden outburst of sorts she nods back seriously, catching a glimpse for the first time about how much he worries about her. Still worries about her. They'd looked out for each other all their lives, worried for each other all their lives but she thought that was over for them now; now that they had jobs, and lives and just- lives. But it's not over and she realizes that maybe it never will be. They'll probably worry about each other till they're ninety and old and wrinkly and the three of them are in a hospice with their significant others. The image makes her giggle and she huffs out a laugh as he shoots her an amused look.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing, I-I just realized that we'll probably be all worried about each other even when we're ninety and old and smelly and-"

And they're laughing even before she finishes the sentence because the image and because they're like that, sometimes.

"Can you imagine? Muskaan being all old and smelly and telling the nurse off because she couldn't get her breakfast right? And she'll be all Hai rabba, we should've gone back to India only, this place sucks and then she'll be all kaankhajure on you and-"

It's not even funny anymore but they're laughing, heaving breaths and red faces until they shake their heads, have a sip of water and continue cooking still chuckling every now and then.

And it's moments like these when the sense of family hits her hard, the feeling wrapping around her and squeezing her insides warm and fuzzy.

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Its five hours later and they're done cooking. She's cleaning up the mess and he's washing the utensils until it's finally over and they sit down, the exhaustion finally hitting them. He leaves her on the couch and goes to the kitchen to get milk and cookies; they've earned it.

They're done eating quickly, the cooking having made them hungry and he switches on the TV to something soothing, lessens the volume and drops his head back on the couch, his neck cricking comfortably. She mimics him on the bean bag and pretty soon they're out.

And that's how Muskaan finds them, messy, sweaty and conked out, with empty plates and glasses on the floor.

She rouses suddenly when Muskaan shakes her and wakes up groggy and not entirely lucid. "W'time's it?"

"Uh, three-thirty. Go shower and get dressed I'm ordering Pizza once I wake Rahul up. You guys can sleep after. And I'll do the dessert, yeah?"

"Hmm 'kay."

"Don't trip on the stairs sleepyhead."

"Shut up." she mumbles without heat as she climbs upstairs, the idea of a hot shower suddenly sounding appealing.

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Hey Armaan! I wanted to ask you if you were free on Monday? I have ideas on the designs for the Chavez' and I was hoping you'd give me your opinion? Only if you're free, thanks :) - Riddhima

Hey! I should be free, but just in case I'll let Tracy know and she'll tell you when I'm free? Woman knows my schedule better than I do LOL - Armaan

I know what you mean :D Sounds good, I'll see you Monday! - Riddhima

Sure you're not coming for football tomorrow? I promise not to bore you! - Armaan

Yeah I'm sure. Next week, I'll come, I promise :P - Riddhima

Sure, okay :D - Armaan

And she's about to go to sleep when her phone buzzes again.

Wait...you do know I'm not flirting with you, right? I mean, I'm not. Just being friendly, I swear - Armaan

Oh you're adorable. I know you're not flirting, chill. - Riddhima

Okay. - Armaan

Okay - Riddhima

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She wakes up at six and gets freshened up, putting on a grey shirt over her black jeans. Tying her hair into a messy plait, she applies kohl before grabbing her cardigan, just in case. She knocks on Rahul and Muskaan's door and gets sleepy replies. Shaking her head she goes downstairs and settles on the couch, grabbing the T.V remote and checking her recordings for something watchable.

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It's seven when she goes in the kitchen and cuts the tiramisu in squares and removing everything from the fridge. Rahul and Muskaan are out in the front, setting the table and she looks over everything one last time and checking if they have enough beer and the right wine in the house. She can't wait for tonight, it's been a while since she's seen Ishaan and now that things are better with Arjun dinner won't be half as awkward.

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Seven thirty and she's checking her email which is testament to how bored she is considering she never checks her email. And she comes across one of those "Enlarge your penis by 35%" ads and wonders if someone somewhere actually fell for this. That they actually thought, oh hey this is exactly what I need, so I'm going to send $79.99 to this lady at hllywkrsk@mail.com. Because if they did, it's not their dicks they should be worried about. Smiling to herself she deletes the spam mail.

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Muskaan opens the door and she rushes in to meet them. "Finally! What took you guys so long?!"

"Traffic. There was an accident so we were held up till the paramedics arrived!"

She takes Ishaan in, it's been well over a month since she's seen him and she hugs him tight, "It's been a while!" sneaking a sly look at Arjun, she continues with "You look hot." And laughs when she sees Arjun eye-roll.

"Oh. So you're going to hold this over me for the rest of my life." He says, laughing good naturedly.

"Happy realization, Arjun. Now come on, help me with the starters, yeah?"

She doesn't see Muskaan's raised eyebrows or her question. "Since when are they best friends?"

"Oh. I forgot to tell you, I guess." Rahul chimes in; "They made up, apparently."

"Well that's, that's fantastic, dinner will be way less awkward," she says, chuckling.

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They're in the kitchen, Arjun and her. He's plating up with her when she asks him the question.

"Why haven't you proposed yet? Are you stalling? Have you changed your mind? Because I swear to god, if you did…"

"No! No, that's not it at all, I promise. I just-I'm nervous, okay?"

"Nervous. Nervous?! You do know that even if you propose to him in, like, the washroom, or something equally awful, he's going to say yes, right? Trust me."

"I know, but still. Fine, I'll do it soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"Okay now you're just being nosy!"

"Fine I'll shut up. But I want a ring on his finger the next time we meet."

"You can't do that! You can't threaten me into proposing him!"

"Sure I can. I can do anything. I'm awesome."

"Now I see why he's so fond of you; you're exactly like him. And by that I mean, you're mentally five."

"Oh shut up; help me with this tray. We don't get out soon, they'll worry."

"Sure okay, give that to me," he says, taking the tray from her hands.

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"And she tells me, hurt him, and I will break your face." Arjun's telling them how Riddhima gave him the shovel talk years ago and they're all laughing, eating forkfuls of pasta in between.

"Hey, that threat still stands. Even though we're friends now. Which probably means I should give Ishaan the talk. Ishaan, you hurt him and I will break your face."

"No you won't; you love my sexy face."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No. God, no."

"Wise decision."

And the table dissolves in laughter once again even as she passes out second helpings of the pasta.

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Ishaan's helping her with the tiramisu and they're alone in the kitchen when he says, "I know he's going to propose."

"What? Who told you that?" She pretends to be surprised, hoping it isn't ruined.

"Give it up, Riddhima. I saw the ring yesterday."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

"So…are we happy about this? Or…"

"No," he says, grinning, "we're happy about this, very, very happy."

She smiles back, "Alright then. Please be surprised when he pops the question, he's very nervous."

"Sure, okay."

"Awesome. I can't wait to plan the wedding!"

"What makes you think you're planning the wedding?" he asks, mock serious.

"What makes you think anyone else will be doing it?" she shoots back.

"Fair enough. Come on, let's get these out, they look delicious!"

Smiling, she thanks him as they go to the living room.

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Cornell University, Ithaca, four years and three months ago

She meets him at the park and they're sitting under the tree, cross legged and silent. It's been a month since she's seen him, a month since they broke up. He'd offered to move out of the apartment he was subletting with her, Rahul and Muskaan but she'd insisted he stayed. She's sure that had he moved out, they would never speak again and she doesn't want that…he's too good a friend to lose.

The silence is stifling, awkward and she hates it. It's cold outside and she huddles in the warmth of her coat and watches him do the same, neither of them knowing what to say. She exhales loudly. She thought she could do this, could be friends with him again, but seeing him? It's like nothing's changed, but everything has and it's complicated and convoluted and she doesn't quite know what to do anymore.

She finds herself still wanting him and when he looks at her, it's obvious he wants it too and she thinks maybe they were wrong; maybe it's not over yet. People get back together all the time, right?

And then he's framing her face and they're kissing and it's right, it's so right but it's ten kinds of wrong and they break away, bitterness flooding her mouth.

"This isn't going to happen, is it?"

His voice is barely above a whisper when he replies in the negative and it breaks her heart because she'd honestly thought this was it. True love.

"It sucks." And she can hear her voice crack and his breath hitch and the silence is grating even as she hurts inside. "It does, yeah."

"You think we can be friends?"

"It'll take a while, but yes."

"Okay."

"Okay."

There's really nothing else left to say. He puts his arm around her shoulder and she leans into him and it's like before but still so different and they make small talk for a while, about uni, before they say goodnight and leave and she's hoping, praying, begging that they can be friends again because this? It's awful.

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They've just said their goodbyes to Arjun and Ishaan and she's helping Muskaan clean up and put the dirty utensils in the dishwasher.

"Hey Ridzy, are you going to that football thing tomorrow? The one Armaan invited you to?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why? You should go have fun."

"I'll go next time, I guess. I didn't mind going but it's kind of awkward, for me at least. I haven't known him very long and all his friends will be there, so. Besides I need to work on my designs anyway."

"Don't be silly, that's a crap excuse. You're gonna go next time, okay? Don't be shy!"

"Yes Ma'am." She murmurs, grinning. Pecking the other two on their cheeks she goes upstairs, exhaustion pressing her down mentally, more than physically.

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Malik Associates, NYC, Present

She's just shown him her designs and they've discussed the flaws, the merits and after a few valuable inputs from him she thinks she's good to go. Her time with him segued into lunch and he offers to have lunch with her. Since everyone else is busy anyway, she agrees, smiling. They head to the cafeteria and choose one of the tables near the window.

She opts for a sandwich and some orange juice and they're eating in silence when she notices he looks a little worse for wear, a little too tired and feels sympathetic. She can't imagine what it's like to run a company this huge. Must be stressful.

"You okay?"

He looks up, startled and smiles tiredly. "I'm fine, sorry, I just spaced out."

"You want to talk about it?" She's surprised at herself, it's not like her to ask questions like this, but now that she's done it, she follows her question up with a concerned look.

He smiles at her, "It's nothing big, I'm just stressed out. And my mother would like it very much if I got married. You know how moms are." He shrugs and she smiles back, "Sure."

He reads into her monosyllabic answer and asks, "What? You don't know what moms are like? Your mom must be sensible then. I'm jealous of your upbringing."

She huffs a laugh and figures now's a good time as any to tell him. "Actually, I don't. I've grown up in an orphanage all my life so."

And instantly she sees his face look contrite and apologetic. "Oh. I'm-I'm sorr-"

"Oh shut up. And get that look out of your eyes, I'm still exactly the same person I was two minutes ago, okay?"

He exhales, nodding. "Sure, okay. No pity. I can do that."

"Thank you."

He changes the subject then and she listens to him talk about an article in a magazine. Pretty soon, lunch is over and she sees the fatigue in his stance and feels the twinge of sympathy again.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay!" at his questioning look, she continues, "The thing with your mom? It's gonna be fine. She's your mom. She worries about you, I guess. Probably wants you to be happy or something." And she's feeling pretty good about herself, she usually sucks at this kind of thing but this wasn't half bad. But the feeling evaporates when she sees something snap in his demeanor and she backs away on instinct when his words lash at her.

"What would you know?" And there's no mistaking his tone or what he means and for a moment there's a lump in her throat and her eyes are stinging but she doesn't cry; she never has. And there's a world of hurt in those words because they're awful and, and he's awful her brain supplies. Because now she thinks she read him wrong, maybe he's a prejudiced asshole, who knows. And she takes a deep breath even as she watches his horror at what he said.

"Only out of professional courtesy, am I not slapping you across your face right now." She sees the beginnings of an I'm sorry form in his mouth, but she cuts across his apology.

"Save it, Mr. Malik."

And out of all the goddamn things she could possibly be thinking about she's thinking about how it's funny that we automatically revert to formality when we're wounded. It's a wall, of sorts. A defense mechanism. And she'd be worried about what she was thinking right now when she should be thinking of what he said, except she's not because this is a technique she's familiar with. One that she's perfected over time. And she hasn't needed it for a while now but she still remembers how to shut down all emotions. It's really not something you forget when you've practiced it for a long time.

Taking a deep breath, she moves to her office; she's done here for today anyway. She pretends she doesn't see the horror struck look on his face as he goes over what he said.

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read the author's note. and listen to the songs if you can, they're awesome <3

Edited🥳

Finally I am here:) Sorry for the delay but first,exams were there and afterwards the sudden freedom got me plain lazy😆

And now the update,you know the usual stuff of how I loved the update & all! No need to tell you anymore,the updates are,as usual fantastic:) Directly coming to the parts I love😉

And no. That didn't mean she was crushing on him, it just means she has an eye for aesthetics. Obviously.

Yeah so obvious😆 I love her sarcastic mind thoughts:P

,catching a glimpse for the first time about how much he worries about her. Still worries about her.

Okay I really do like Riddhima-Rahul's friendship:) You know how they have looked after each other all their lives but it is so beautiful that they have decided to not give a fixed name to this relationship-in form of a brother or maybe a partner.People always tend to link up people who are best friends (only in the case of a boy/girl) and that is really annoying!I am actually quite surprised that Muskaan didn't have any problems with them in the start of her relationship with Rahul(if she did we don't know😉).We saw some of her frustration in the earlier parts when Rahul didn't tell her about the past but I guess that's solved now.

"Can you imagine? Muskaan being all old and smelly and telling the nurse off because she couldn't get her breakfast right? And she'll be all Hai rabba, we should've gone back to India only, this place sucks and then she'll be all kaankhajure on you and-"

Okay you said in your note that we won't laugh but I laughed okay:) I can SO imagine Muskaan doing that:D

"Enlarge your penis by 35%" ads and wonders if someone somewhere actually fell for this. That they actually thought, oh hey this is exactly what I need, so I'm going to send $79.99 to this lady at hllywkrsk@mail.com.

"Why haven't you proposed yet? Are you stalling? Have you changed your mind? Because I swear to god, if you did…"

Riddhima looks like Ishaan's older brother or something with the threatening she is doing:P

I wonder if she did this with muskaan as well,you know-The "you break his heart and I'll hunt you down'😆

Okay the way you're showing the Ishaan-Riddhima's relationship in the flashback,it is making me really curious about how they broke up.Because they clearly don't want it but they DID break-up.I really want to know what happened that they broke such a beautiful relationship.It is confusing a little but we'll get to know it soon,right?

"Only out of professional courtesy, am I not slapping you across your face right now."

Okay you didn't exactly leave it on a cliffhanger but it surely is for me.Because I so badly want to see Armaan's POV on this last part.I am actually waiting for how he feels after he replied back so rudely to a person he had started liking.

Overall awesome update! Do update really fast:)

so coming to the update...

loved the playfullness u brought... and the points u mentioned in A/N i found it quite reasonable and the way u executed them was so good..

i wanted to ask abt the end but as u hinted... waiting asap for the next update...

i want to read how ridz contemplates over the whole thing... :D