Hope you find it worth reading. The next one might have a romantic moment between our beloved AR depending on whether you leave me some love or not. I need your opinions to make it better and to motivate me to complete this story. So don't forget..
Love...
Chapter 12:
Laughter echoed in the conference room of Mallik Empire as long lost college buddies sat together. Armaan was surprised to see his friends in his office without any prior notice but welcomed them warmly. Time flew away as everyone shared their stories over refreshments. He was happy to meet them again and even more glad that today each one of them stood on their own feet independently as a responsible citizen and human being. It had been over a week since his confrontation with Nikki. She had promised to convince Annie to cancel the dinner date and fulfilled it too. Today seeing Sanya made him a little apprehensive whether this was a ploy by his mother but he was some what comforted by the fact that they were surrounded by people. He wasn't supposed to entertain her alone. He tried to maintain a distance from Sanya lest she mistook it for something else. He had taken a seat between Nikki and Anjali, the two girls who knew his reasons well, as she seemed keen on sticking close to him.
To say Sanya was irritated would be an understatement, she was getting mad by each passing second as her intentions of talking privately with Armaan were ruined. She had had to do a lot of planning to get all friends here under one roof and all because she wanted to pick up from where they left or basically she left. She wanted Armaan to pursue her romantically as she had always wanted. Earlier it wasn't possible as he was stuck on his house guest but now that she was out of the picture she would see that her dream became true. Her intentions were fuelled by Annie's call. She took it as a signal to reappear in his life. Hence she constantly engaged Armaan in a conversation and tried everything to attain his attention. Where Armaan was oblivious to her tricks there were two pairs of eyes watching her each move. The friends had decided to go out the next day and everyone was supposed to bring a plus one. Sanya waited with baited breath for Armaan to ask her out. She was sure he would do so as the rest already had wives or girlfriends. Only he was single and she was the only option. She was disappointed when he dodged the question but thought he would approach her in private and thus continued enjoying the talks.
Riddhima blew out a frustrated sigh flipping through a Forbes magazine filled with pie charts, graphs, stocks and all business stuff. What people found interesting in this subject was beyond her. She dropped the magazine on the coffee table loudly and stood up picking her purse deciding to leave. She had been waiting in the lounge for more than thirty minutes for Armaan to get done with his meeting. She had a break from her cases for around two hours and hence decided to meet him as he hadn't come home for the last two days. It was a beautiful day with sun playing hide and seek with the fluffy white clouds accompanied by a soft breeze. She had wanted to take him out for coffee to his favourite cafe but right now she could see her plans being dampened as he wasn't coming out. Riddhima was getting bored, tired, hungry and cranky as she had been up since early morning so she thought it was better to leave now and catch up with him later.
"Hello there Beautiful. What a pleasant surprise it is to see you?" She bumped in to a guy coming in on her way out. Her brows furrowed as she pondered over his identity. She remembered him from somewhere but couldn't pinpoint as of now.
"You don't remember me! I'm hurt deeply. How could you forget me Riddhi?" He said clutching his chest dramatically.
"Prem? Oh God, I never thought I'll bump into you like this." She put her arms around him. She recognized him as he was the only one to call her Riddhi.
"Aah I'm flattered that finally you remember me." He laughed as she slapped his arm playfully.
"Sach kahoon, I also never thought we'll meet like this. How have you been little one?" He said holding her.
"I'm fine. Ap kaise ho?" She replied with a smile.
"I'm good. It's a shame I arrived just when you're leaving. Can't you stay for sometime? I would love to catch up with you." He asked looking down at her.
"Some other time Prem. I'll just grab a bite and be back to hospital."
"You haven't had your lunch yet? It's past 4 pm. Riddhi, I'm very upset. You still don't take care of yourself. Where is Armaan? Why has he kept you hungry till now?"
"Armaan's busy in a meeting." She mumbled.
"Meeting? He had nothing scheduled for today when I spoke to him in the morning. Did he not see you?" She shook her head.
"Excuse me, is Armaan still busy now?" He asked the receptionist who gave him a one over slowly before answering.
"Yes. Armaan sir has visitors. Do you have an appointment with him Mr..?" She asked batting her thickly coated eye lashes at him.
"Prem Basu. No, I don't have any appointment with him."
"I'm Suzzane. Give me a minute Mr. Basu, I'll inform Sir." She said in an overly sweet voice. Riddhima's jaw dropped on hearing her.
"No need for that." Prem took Riddhima's hand and led her towards the conference room with a stuttering receptionist hot on their heels trying to stop him from barging in without permission.
"Hello everyone!" Prem said cheerfully as he opened the door making all heads turn in his direction. Sound of chairs being dragged filled the room as everyone quickly stood up to greet him enthusiastically.
"Look who I brought with me?" He said pulling a reluctant Riddhima next to him. All halted in their steps and looked at her from head to toe as if she was a piece of art on exhibition making her nervous. It was clear to her that no one recognized her apart from the gang who had weird expressions on their faces seeing her with Prem.
"She collided into me in your lobby, literally, on her way out of the building. I thought you might want to see her so brought her in with me." Prem explained as Armaan approached them with a stern face.
"Why were you leaving without meeting me?" Armaan questioned standing in front of her.
"Because your efficient receptionist decided not to tell you even after making her wait for almost an hour." Prem answered signalling with his eyes to the receptionist who was trying to hide in the shadows.
"Suzzane, why didn't you call me?" Armaan questioned his secretary over Prem's shoulder.
"Sir, you had said not to disturb you unless it was important or from family. This lady didn't have an appointment so I told her to wait till you were done then Mr. Basu came in without permission." The receptionist said not quite understanding whether Boss was mad at these two people barging in or the lady not being showed in earlier. Her unspoken question was answered by Armaan's next words.
"Riddhima is family. Next time don't make her wait. Show her to my room immediately whether I'm in a meeting or not. Understand?" Suzzane nodded, mumbled an apology and left in a haste trying to put distance between herself and her angry employer.
"Armaan, tu mujhe bhool gaya shayad. You didn't ask her to show me in as well. After all I'm your best friend." Prem said lifting the corner of his jacket.
"Sorry to inform you Prem, but you've lost that spot. I'm his best friend now and forever." Riddhima whispered proudly. Prem looked at her with wide eyes and then towards Armaan's in an accusing glare. Armaan's stern expressions softened a bit as she giggled softly.
"Guys, koi bataye ga who this lovely lady is? Do we not get introduced to her?" Dev asked. Riddhima gasped inaudibly on seeing him. She remembered him from that night at the club. She couldn't forget him, not in a nice way. He gave her the creeps with a wicked gleam in his eyes, his numerous piercings, plus his upper body was covered in ink completely making her cringe. He was the one who had been so curious about her place in Armaan's life.
"She's Riddhima Gupta." Prem introduced doubting his move of bringing her here. He had felt her go rigid on seeing the guys and knew that she had recognized them hence tightened his hold. He was one of the few persons who knew the whole truth from that night and what followed later.
"She's my younger sister." Anjali said stepping forward.
"Hi everybody." Riddhima braved herself and spoke as all gazes were trained on her. She was met with a chorus of hi and hellos from Armaan's friends and engulfed in warm embraces by the gang. Nikki's genuine smile and hug left her shocked and confused.
"Get her something to eat man. She still hasn't had her lunch." Prem said as Armaan pulled her hand out of his grip and sat her down on his seat. Riddhima pouted when Armaan glared at her while ordering her a snack and drink making Abhi chuckle over their silent conversation.
"What are you all talking about?" Prem asked as discussions regarding the outing next day continued after the greetings.
"Oh, we have decided to spend tomorrow evening together. It'll be just like old times. Everyone will bring a date with them. I'm so excited. It'll be so much fun." Sanya piped in trying to make herself noticed by Armaan who was solely focused on feeding Riddhima. Anjie and Nikki cringed on her high pitched voice full of fake enthusiasm.
"So who will you bring with you Buddy?" Atul asked ripping the foil of chocolate pudding for his wife.
"Riddhi, will you be my date?" Prem asked.
"She's mine. My date, I mean. She's coming with me." Armaan replied instantly.
"Oh really? Have you asked her out?"
"No."
"Then let her decide."
"Why don't you just drop it?"
"What is your problem Armaan? Us se aik baar poochne to do."
"Prem..."
"Guys, stop it. I can speak for myself." Riddhima spoke after looking at both of them in confusion as they quibbled.
"Riddhi tum mere saath aao gi na?"
"Prem main wahan aa ke kya karoon gi? You all are going with your college friends, why don't you ask someone from your group itself?"
"Exactly tu Mukti ko kyun nahin laa raha apne saath?" Armaan added.
"I'll bring whoever I want. Why don't you ask someone else like Riddhi said?"
"Riddhima said that to you not me."
"Armaan I said that for both of you. It'll get awkward with me being the only outsider."
"Why will you be the outsider? Aren't we your friends any more? Hum sab bhi hon ge na wahan. Infact we'll all miss you if you don't come." Nikki addressed Riddhima directly for the first time and that too softly.
"Bilkul, its been too long since we've gone for an outing and one without you won't be fun." Abhi sided with his wife happy that she was trying to amend her relation with Riddhima.
"Guys.. main.." Riddhima stuttered not understanding how to decline the offer. She would have loved to go out with the gang but the addition of their college friends made her uncomfortable. Plus she didn't want any questions on her relationship with Armaan rising again, she couldn't risk it.
"Common Princess, please say yes. You'll be fine. It isn't the first time you'll be accompanying me to a function. I promise to stay by your side all night." He whispered leaning closer to her. Words of denial stopped on the tip of her tongue when Armaan looked at her with so much hope. She nodded her head in agreement not being able to look away from his hypnotic eyes which sparkled with delight on her answer. It was as clear as day that these two were in love with each other and their friends, the true ones, only prayed that they confessed soon.
Riddhima dropped her head on the desk after writing in the details of her last patient. It had been an exhausting day as she had to cover up for Dr. Kirti's absence as well, who had gone on a weeks leave to nurse her ill daughter back to health. Her eyes darted over the desk cluttered with files trying to locate her beeping mobile. A smile brightened her face on finding a message from Armaan stating he would pick her up at 7 pm sharp. She quickly gathered all the files and piled them one on top of the other without a care of any order or cleanliness, all that could be done another day. For now she needed to get out of here and get dressed for the evening. Though it was nothing personal between them, she still wanted to look good for him. She groaned in annoyance as a tap sounded on her door. She wished she could pretend not to be present and the person on the other side would leave. But as this was not her house nor was some random person knocking, she had to address whatever issue had risen. Riddhima's expressions changed quickly from annoyance to shock to worry and she was on her feet in a moment seeing a very nervous Nikki standing on her door.
"Hi Riddhima. I hope I'm not disturbing you." Nikki said eyeing the huge pile of paper work.
"No. Not at all. I didn't know you had an appointment with me. Are you okay Nikki?" Her concern reflecting clearly in her voice.
"Haan. Main theek hoon. Mujhe tumse kuch baat karni thi. Can we talk now?"
"Yeah. I'm done for the day. Come." Riddhima said gesturing towards the couch next to the window. The sound of the minute hand ticking seemed so loud in the room that was filled with silence making her fidget in her seat.
"I'm sorry." Both of them said at the same time and looked at each other.
"I'm sorry Ridz. I have been so rude and cold towards you without a reason since you came back." Nikki said apologetically.
"No Nikki. You had a reason. You were upset because I hurt Armaan, distanced him from everyone. I'm sorry." She replied taking Nikki's hand in her hold.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. My behaviour was uncalled for. Abhi had tried so many times to explain to me but I was too blind in my concern for Armaan to see there are always two sides to a coin."
"He told you?" Riddhima gasped.
"Yes. He did. I feel so pathetic now. What all rubbish did I say to you when you deserved none of it." Nikki covered her face with her palms and cried.
"I deserved it. I hurt you all." Riddhima whispered dropping her head in her hands.
"Why didn't you say anything Ridz? Didn't you know we were here for you? Do you know how hard it was for us, for Armaan to accept this? We could have solved the whole mess. Why did you leave us all behind? Did you not love us at all?" Nikki questioned while sobbing.
"I'm so sorry Niks. I'm so sorry. I was a fool to have run away. I din't know what I was doing. I didn't know what the outcome would be. I love you all so so much. Please don't doubt my emotions." Riddhima choked as a lump formed in her throat.
"Come here silly. I know you love us. We all love you too. Never leave us like this again." Nikki pulled her into a tight hug.
"Never." Riddhima reciprocated the hug.
"I was thinking how about we both get ready for the evening at your house? Its been too long since we did anything together, only if you're up for it." Nikki asked pulling back after a few minutes and wiping their tears.
"I would love that. Where's Pari? Your dress? Should we pick it?" Riddhima asked.
"All settled. Pari is with Annie aunty for the night and my stuff is in the car. I just need to tell Abhi."
"Cool. Let's go then." Both walked out switching off the lights and locking the door.
Riddhima walked around her bedroom picking up pieces of clothing which she had thrown around in a moment of nervousness while looking through her wardrobe for the right dress. Everything she owned seemed very plain or extremely out going considering tonight's party; according to her. Her friend and sister weren't of the same opinion. They loved almost all of her dresses making her doubt her decision of asking them for help. She eyed the gown they had chosen for her skeptically. It was a beautiful lace gown, she liked it but feared it was too much for the occasion.
"Ridzi, open the door. What's taking you so long?" Riddhima squeaked at the sudden banging on her door.
"Bus Di hogaya. Two minutes. More like twenty minutes." She replied mumbling the last part to herself glancing at herself. She was still clad in her bathrobe with her hair covered in rollers. She thought of asking once more if they were sure about this dress but shook her head remembering their glares and rushed into the changing room.
Anjali, Nikki and her parents wore expressions of shock as she stepped out of her room. Riddhima twirled in front of them urging them to say something but was met with silence. This reaction meant she looked fine or had she gone over board, she mused. Her sister and friend looked so beautiful in their gowns that it made her conscious about her appearance. A loud whistle by Rahul seemed to break their trance as her mother walked up to her and put a black mark behind her ear lovingly.
"You look gorgeous. Am sure Armaan's going to have a hard time looking away from you." Rahul whispered pecking her head. She poked him in the arm but silently wished and waited for Armaan's approval. After all it was for him that she was dressed up tonight.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
193