The Distance Between Us - An AR FF (Link to TDBU#2 - Page 1) - Page 42

Previously On...

Abhi convinces Shashank to stay back till the wedding happens.

A peak into the gang's lives after Armaan moved to NYC.

Track 15 - Marry You, Bruno Mars

As promised, El came over the next day armed with what looked to be the world's hugest binder.

"Good morning, Armaan, she greeted him.

Armaan smiled wide on seeing El and pulled her into a hug. "Good morning, El. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience this is causing you, he apologized again.

"Armaan, really, you don't have to apologize. You're one of my best customers. And you're such a dear friend to me. This is the least I could do. Is Jaanhavi okay? She asked Armaan, dismissing his concerns.

"She's doing good. It's just the stupid cast, Armaan replied. "And the doctor has recommended bed rest for a faster recovery. Which poses problems for us because she won't be able to go to any of the vendors for sampling or testing.

El laughed at that. "Don't worry, we'll handle it. If I remember correctly, the two of us have overcome worse things while planning an event.

It was true. Over the years, Armaan had gotten involved in various charities and he'd even established his own NGO. The charities held regular events and galas to fund them and Armaan participated in the organisation enthusiastically. He'd even gone as far as paying the excess costs from his own pockets in case of issues or over budgeting at any event. Plus, once he'd had a taste of professional event planning, he'd starting enlisting El's services for any and every event. Someone's birthday party, a bachelor party, anniversaries. Anything that required a party, El was summoned. Which is why El was close to Armaan. They'd constantly been working together over one thing or the other and had become really good friends. It was also why El called Armaan her favourite customer. He always kept her in business.

Armaan set El up in the dining room, giving her ample space to spread her work. After giving her some tea and snacks to munch on, he brought Jaan downstairs with Rohan and helped her sit down. The other girls who were very excited that they'd also get to be a part of the planning rushed in, determined to help.

"How's Baby Neal? Armaan asked her. El grinned before answering, "Just about the same. Still just as mischievous. Still idolises his Godfather.

Armaan laughed. "I imagine it's causing Peter a lot of sleepless nights.

El guffawed. "Oh, you have no idea. They made small talk for sometime, catching up on each other's lives before El went down to business.

"Okay, first things first, El began. "We need to send out new invitations and Save The Dates with the modified dates.

She pulled out a couple of samples she'd selected. "I think these will work best for your theme. We're not changing the theme, are we? She asked as an afterthought.

"No, the theme is the same, Jaanhavi answered promptly.

"Good. These will work great for the Punjabi wedding and these ones for the vow exchange. Also, just to confirm, the Indian wedding is on 2 November and the vow exchange the next day? she asked.

"Yes, Armaan nodded.

"Okay. Here's the samples, she said, removing everything.

"This one! Armaan exclaimed promptly on seeing the last box.

He turned to Jaanhavi eagerly, wanting her approval.

"This is the best one, out of them all, she sighed. She loved the box, but she knew it would be expensive. She knew that Armaan was rich. Of course he was. How could he not be? He was an international singing sensation. If that wasn't enough, he was also a 30% partner in the hugest record label in the US. And, he was a Board Member and esteemed doctor at one of the most celebrated hospitals in the city. If all of that wasn't enough, he had the inheritance that their grandparents had left behind. Yes, Armaan was rolling in money. But, she didn't want him to spend money unnecessarily on all this showy stuff. She would have been satisfied with a simple wedding without any show sha.

However, she knew that Armaan had so many dreams for her wedding. She knew he wanted to make up for her mother's absence on this day. Her mother, who'd always wanted to have a huge wedding for her. So, she didn't protest much when Armaan shelled out a ridiculous amount of money for something as simple as wedding invitations which could be bought for much cheaper. And, if she forgot about the cost, the card that Armaan had chosen would definitely be the one she'd have selected.

"I knew it! Armaan exclaimed happily. "What do you ladies think? He asked his friends.

Anjali and Nikki admired the sample and looked at it from every angle before okaying it.

Turning to El, he said, "Now, we need to find sweets to go into the box. So, we'll have to have a tasting for that. And, I want to send a small Ganesha idol with the invite as a wedding favour. So, we'll need a few pictures to select one. Which of course means, we'll have to add a bag so that the card and idol can be sent together.

El nodded. "Yes, I anticipated the need for carry bags, which is why I have a few samples of those. And, for the idols, well, I'm sure you know better than I do. So, why don't you chose an idol, and then we can find a good sculpture to sculpt those? She asked.

"Sounds good, Jaanhavi nodded.

"Great. And, I'll schedule a tasting and let you know asap, El assured.

She then pulled out pictures of a few carry bags for them to chose from.

"The first one, Jaanhavi picked. She looked at Rohan who nodded his ascent.

"Great! So, this is done. You'll have to get back to me for the idol. And, I'll look up good sculptures. Actually, I'll just ask Neal, El laughed.

"Yes, please! Armaan burst out.

El looked at him and smirked. "Really, you're still crushing on him? She asked.

Armaan shrugged. "Look, it's not my fault, okay? I mean, the man is physical perfection. Have you seen his eyes? And his jawline? And his smile? And, gods! He dresses in those Devores and the fedora and just... Armaan trailed off, smiling loonily.

"Yes, yes. I get the picture. You don't have to elaborate. So, I'll ask Neal. I need to talk to him about the cake anyway, she told him.

The women at the table, apart from Jaanhavi, all looked at Armaan, shocked. He was openly admitting that he had a crush on a man? What? How was that even possible?

"Moving on, save the dates for the vow exchange, El commanded, removing samples.

"I know you used the Wine & Chapter' Save The Date earlier, but just in case you want to repeat it, I've got it, she explained.

"I think we're gonna go with Hedwig for this one, Rohan decided.

"Great! El nodded. "Also, Armaan said something about including an apology and explanation in the cards for the delay. And, of course, the promise to pay for anyone's tickets should theirs be non refundable.

Armaan had been gesturing El to keep quiet, but she didn't see him as she kept on talking.

"You what?!?!? Jaanhavi and Rohan burst out together.

Armaan smiled sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. "What? He asked.

"You're promising people to pay for their tickets? Jaanhavi asked.

Armaan nodded skeptically. "I mean, what's the harm?

"Armaan, we're paying for their accommodation. We don't have to pay for their travel too, Rohan explained.

"You aren't, I am, Armaan replied, trying to avoid the topic.

"Armaan, don't get smart with me. Why do you want to pay for people to come here? Rohan asked.

Armaan sighed. "Look, if budget is a constraint for people not being able to come, especially if their earlier tickets were non refundable, I don't want that. If they want to come for the wedding, they should be able to, he explained.

Rohan started to argue but Armaan held up a finger. "Don't argue with me on this, Rohan. I'm doing it, whether you like it or not.

Rohan sighed, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. "Fine, he growsed.

"Good, Armaan smiled. He turned to El and said, "I'll email you the note by the end of the day.

"Okay, so, the invites, El exclaimed, placing a few more samples in front of the couple.

"Please let's do the map this time! Armaan pleaded. "You didn't do it earlier and I didn't fight you, but please, please, please, let's do it this time!

Jaanhavi laughed at his childishness and nodded. "We'll go with the map, she told El.

El nodded enthusiastically.

"El, Armaan began, "All invites must go with a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, 10 Golden Snitch shaped chocolates and a bottle of wine that is labelled Amortentia.

"What kind of wine? El asked.

"The Bordeaux, Armaan replied. "You can talk it over with Neal. He'll know which year is the best for the number of bottles we need.

El agreed. "Don't worry, I'll talk to him. Anything else? She asked, looking at everyone on the table, making sure no one had any other suggestions.

"Good! That takes care of the invites. Armaan, please talk it over with the others and send me the message you want to put in each card and the corresponding timings, she ordered. Armaan nodded dutifully.

"Okay, so moving to the food. Dessert is no issue. Neal has assured me that we can work out a new time with him. But, the caterer for Indian food isn't available on the new dates. So, we'll have to hire another one. And, the caterer for the vow exchange can only make it in the morning for the ceremony, which means we have to find a new caterer for the reception, El explained.

Jaanhavi pouted. "How will that work? I can't go for tastings.

"That does pose a problem, Armaan agreed.

Rohan shook his head. "You're such idiots! Armaan, you can go for those tastings! He exclaimed.

"Me? Armaan asked, surprised.

"Yes, you! Is there any other person named Armaan in this room? He asked.

"No, it's just... I was surprised that you suggested that, Armaan explained sheepishly.

"Really, Armaan. Of all of us, you're the hugest foodie out here. You'll be the best for this job, Rohan insisted.

"Okay, fine. I'll go. But, shouldn't someone else come with me. As a second opinion, Armaan replied.

"You're right, Rohan agreed. He thought for a minute. "Riddhu can come with you! He exclaimed.

Both Armaan & Riddhima looked at him, shocked.

"What? He asked, looking at the incredulous looks on their faces. "I know you guys don't get along much, but please! This is my wedding. And I trust the two of you to make proper decisions in my absence. I would've asked Rahul or Tamanna to go with you, but Tamanna has promised to help mom with whatever she might need and Rahul is already busy with the hospital and working out the logistics for the guests. So, please, for the sake of this wedding and me and Jaanhavi, who I know are your most favourite people in the world, can you please forget this petty rivalry and go wherever it is that El needs you to go? Rohan asked them.

Armaan and Riddhima looked at each other before nodding warily. Really, how could either of them turn Rohan down. He was right. Rohan was Riddhima's best friend. And Jaan was Armaan's world. For the sake of the two of them, they would put their differences aside.

"Thank you, Rohan replied. He turned to El. "These two jokers will go anywhere you need them to go.

El smiled. "Okay. I'll make appointments with the caterers and let you know. We'll need a new florist too. I'll get in touch with those appointments also. She told Armaan and Riddhima. They both nodded.

"Now that those things are taken care of, there's the venue. Sadly, the Plaza, as you probably guessed, is booked for the new date. So, we can't do the reception there. The same goes for the other functions. But, I've made an appointment at The Four Seasons. I also booked one at The Carlyle and The Pierre. Again, I'll email the dates to you once it's all finalized. You might have to pay extra because of the urgency, but you'll be good to go, El explained.

Armaan nodded thankfully. "Don't worry about that. We'll be there whenever you need us.

"Great! Now, we'll send out the invites by the end of day tomorrow so that we can start getting RSVPs. The seating arrangement will need to be planned accordingly. Food, venue and flowers are done. There's an issue with the make up artists also. They can't be present for all the functions, El told them.

Armaan nodded. "Don't worry about that. I'll call Brooke, he assured her.

"Thank you. Please let me know once you've finalized them so that I can get in touch, El replied. "You'll need a new bartender, but I'll take care of that, so don't worry. Um, Armaan, are you still good to go with the band? El asked.

"Hopefully, yes, Armaan replied sheepishly. "I've emailed the DJ to ask him. And, when the RSVPs come in, we'll know for sure, he told her.

"Arre Padma Aunty! Rohan exclaimed. "Come na, he probed on seeing Padma, Shashank and Nani come into the living room.

Padma smiled and sat beside Rohan at the table. He animatedly began to describe the wedding invites that were scattered, seeking her opinion. Nani and Shashank looked on, smiling.

"Excuse me, Armaan excused himself, getting up from his chair. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry. So, I thought I'd get us something to eat.

"Yes! El answered. "I'm famished.

The others at the table nodded their agreement.

"Good, Armaan answered. "Sid! He called out turning towards the stairs.

"Yes, Armaan? Sid asked, coming down the stairs with all the boys in tow.

"Come here, he ordered, gesturing with his hands.

Sid walked over to him and stood beside him, waiting patiently for Armaan to say something.

"Well, everyone is hungry. And, I'm going to get us lunch, Armaan began.

"So? You want me to tell you what I want to eat? Sid asked.

Armaan laughed. "No. I want you to drive me.

Abhi was shocked. Yes, he understood that because of circumstances, Armaan wasn't a huge fan of Sid, but he wouldn't let Armaan insult his younger brother that way. What right did Armaan have to order Sid around like this? Sid wasn't his personal chauffeur! He was a guest at this wedding. And Armaan had no business bossing him around.

Before he could reprimand Armaan, Sid spoke. "Hah, Sid scoffed. "No way.

Armaan pouted. "Please, he begged.

Sid shook his head. "I'm not your driver.

Armaan huffed dramatically. "Fine. I'll just drive my new Bugatti Veyron all by myself, he sighed.

Sid stopped short when he heard that. "What did you say?

Armaan shrugged. "Haan, bhai. Ab tu toh aa nahi raha. Toh main khud hi chala lunga. Aur kya?

"Armaan, don't play games, Sid ordered. "What car?

"The new Veyron, Armaan replied smugly.

"I'm sorry! Please let me drive, Sid begged.

"No, no, Armaan answered. "Tu mera driver thodi hai. I'll manage on my own.

"Is it really the latest Veyron? You're not pulling my leg, are you? Sid asked.

"Mujhe kasam hai Sanjeevani ke cafe ki coffee ki, Armaan replied.

Sid gasped. "It's the new Veyron! Sid whispered in amazement. The others looked really puzzled as to why that made Sid believe Armaan, but Riddhima understood. Armaan really did swear by the canteen's coffee. He had been doing that for a long time.

"Armaan, Sid tried again. "Babyyy. Please, mujhe drive karne do na, he pleaded, hugging Armaan tight and kissing his cheek.

"Sid! What rubbish is this? Armaan asked.

"I thought you loved me, Coochi, Sid pouted. "Tum mere liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte? I swear fir tumhe kabhi apne ghar se nahi nikaalunga. We'll live happily ever after.

Everybody just looked at the scene in amazement. What the f**k was Sid doing? Coochi? Baby? Happily Ever After? What in the world.

"Aur... Aur phone? What about that, huh? Armaan asked, playing along. He still remembered, all those years ago when he was trying to make things better between Sid & Riddhima, he'd used Sid's neighbours, convinced him that he was gay and Sid's boyfriend to enter into Sid's house. Sid had not been impressed and had tried to throw him out numerous times to no avail.

"I'm sorry I was so mad about the phone earlier, Sid replied, suddenly serious. "But, I promise, I'll never get mad about that. And, you can eat whatever you want. Fruits, sandwiches, maggi. I'll make them for you myself, just the way you like it - lots of cheese with thode se sprouts. And, you can play on the XBox all the time. I won't ever, ever, ever shut it off when you're playing, he finished, back to his joking mood.

"You swear? Armaan asked.

"I swear on Rajma Chawal and Butter Chicken, Sid promised.

Armaan smiled. "Oh, my Coochi! Armaan cried, hugging Sid. "Finally! Itne saalon baad. Finally tumne maan hi liya that you love me!

Sid laughed at Armaan's antics. "Does this mean I can drive the Veyron? He asked.

"Of course you can! In fact, Armaan added, "till the time you're here, I'll leave the keys with you only. Take it for a spin whenever you want. Just, bring it back in one piece.

"I love you, yaar, Armaan! Sid cried, delighted. "Thank you. I still can't believe you remember that I told you that I always wanted to drive a Veyron.

Armaan smiled at him, like an elder brother smiling down at his kid brother, and ruffled his hair. "Of course I did. You're my brother.

At the pronouncement, Sid couldn't stop the tear that fell from his eye.

"Aye! Don't go all senti on me! Armaan ordered, wiping Sid's tears, before be wiped his own. "We're getting late. Chal ab.