CHAPTER 9B: BIRTHDAY SURPRISES
Recap Ch9A: All interns are at Armaan and Atul's flat celebrating Atul's b-day and decide to play 21 dares. Sameer was the first one, no 21 landed upon.
"Okay I'm going to give Sameer the dare" Atul said bobbing his eyebrows up and down.
"Nahee yaar, why do I have to be the first one!" Sameer said worriedly "Atul! I'm your senior; don't make me do anything stupid…warna!" Sameer said trying to sound threatening, but instead he sounded scared.
"Abbey..yeh senior ka trump card yah ape nahin chalega" Atul said throwing a newspaper at him. "Your dare is to…talk non stop for 5 minutes" Atul said
"Lekin main yeh kaise karunga?" Sameer asked
"I don't care! Your 5 minutes starts now!" Anjali said looking at her watch.
Sameer started blabbering away, about what not. Talking about how much he hated Atul at the moment, and what new rishtaas his mum brought for him, and how he hates them all. Then he started going on about Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan and how he wanted to be an actor when he was 5. How Riddhima and Anjali used to get him into trouble and how once a doggy pushed him in a pond and this one time a girl threw a basket ball at his behind. Then he started blabbering on about this one time he was admitted in hospital because Anjali pushed him and he fell down and broke his arm. Then he started talking about the hospital-
"3 seconds left" Anjali said looking at her watch.
"-and I'm so glad I met Sapna" Sameer finished.
"Ooooooohhhhhh" Every body teased him
"Sameer's glad he met Sapna" Anjali said making Sapna blush.
"Hey Sameer tumne bataya nahi…why did Anjali push you?" Ray asked interested.
Sameer laughed, as Anjali gave him dagger looks
"Because I used to tease her about this guy, in her class; his name was Rahul"
"Rahul aur Anjali! Just like Kuch kuch hota hai" Aaliyah said joking to Anjali.
"Can we carry on with the game guys!" Anjali said grumpily.
"Okay guys, stop teasing Anjali, lets carry on with the game" Armaan said coming to the rescue.
They all resumed the game. This time Aaliyah was the unfortunate 21.
An evil smile crept up on Riddhima's face as she said
"I'm going to give Aaliyah a dare…Aaliyah I dare you to act like Ray's wife for a week, no shouting no jagrah…Talk to him like a sati savitri wife would talk to her husband…for one whole week!" Riddhima said smirking, whilst everybody fell around laughing.
"WHAT!" Aaliyah shouted, whilst Ray was just rolling on the floor, his booming laughter echoing around the room. Ray put his foot on Aaliyah's lap
"Massage my feet!" He said in an ordering voice
"Tum!-"
Armaan coughed and said
"'Aap' bol kar bulana, he's your husband after all!"
Aaliyah just pushed Ray's feet off her lap and started murmuring like a grumpy child. Ray looked at her and thought 'My Dil goes mmmmhhhhh…'
They continued the game, much to Aaliyah's distaste.
Sapna got the number 21 this time.
"Sapna I dare you to stand on the table and dance to 'Maiya maiya from Guru' just like the way Mallika Sehrawat danced." Anjie said, while Atul put the CD in.
Sapna hesistantly got up, Sameer started laughing and gave her a thumps up sign whilst she shot him a dirty look. The song played, she slowly started moving her hips left to right, and gave a few latkas and jhatkas. Sameer was too busy staring at her, whilst Armaan wolf whistled; Ray threw a pillow at him "Abbey saale, woh meri behen hai"
In the mean while Sapna was fed up of trying to dance like Mallika Sehrawat. So instead she started doing what she was best at; Garba!
Everybody bursted out laughing
"Sapna, Mallika Sehrawat didn't do any garba in this song!" Riddhima said in between gasps of laughter. The song finished and so did Sapna
"That was so embarrassing" Sapna said as she took a seat next to Sameer.
Sameer smiled and whispered to her "You were so cute" Whilst Sapna blushed.
After Sapna's little dance routine they all settled down for another round. This time the unlucky person was Anjali.
Sameer gave a monkey grin to her
"Ab aayaa oonth pahar ke niche" He said smirking "Anjali, you have to be Atul's servant for a whole day, and follow his orders. The time starts from tonight to tomorrow night!"
Atul started laughing and said
"This is going to be so much fun!! Sameer you're the best!" Then he turned to Anjali and said "Jaa mera pura ghar saaf kar!"
Anjali pinched him and muttered
"Saale kamine! Both of them"
After a lot of profanities mostly coming from Anjali they carried on. Number 21= Atul.
Sapna said "Okay Atul, this should be easy for you. Seeing as you love singing! So from now on wards you can only talk to people in songs. You can't verbally talk; you have to sing when you want to convey your message…For only one day"
Atul who had already started feeling the vibe sang
"Yeh kya huwa? Kyun huwa? Kaise huwa, K-" He had changed the lyrics to suit the situation. Before he could finish the song Ray said
"Game finish karre?"
Finally it was Ray's turn. He had been waiting for his turn since they had begun the game.
"So who's going to give me the dare?" He asked excitedly
"I will" Armaan said grinning broadly "If Aaliyah has to act like your wife then you have to act like her husband!" Ray's excitement busted like a balloon, and his face fell instantly.
"Armaan mere bhai mere dost, aisa matt kar!" Ray said
"A dare is a dare!" Armaan said
Ray sulked like a child, and Ali wasn't too happy about it either. They continued the game, this time Ridz said number 21…
"Main Armaan ka badla tum se lunga" Ray said dramatically "If Aaliyah has to act like my wife for a week…then you have to act like Armaan's wife for a week as well!"
Before Riddhima had time to react or say anything Ali said
"Seeing as Armaan is the only one left, ill give him a dare. Armaan if Ray has to act like my husband…you have to act like Riddhima's husband"
Armaan and Riddhima both looked at each other and smiled; secretly rejoicing within, that they got away easily.
Anjali announced that she was getting hungry, and Atul replied "Naukar hau naukar ki tarah raho"
This irritated Anjie, and she said "You can't speak, you have to sing"
and Atul replied back singing "Jaane bhi de jau bhi hua…."
They all set up the table and the food in the dining room, every one took their seat, Armaan pulled out the seat for Ridz, next to him saying "Sit here sweet heart" Everyone teased them, to that Armaan cheekily smiled and said "Well, you did dare us, so I am just being a good husband" Ridz took her seat and said to Armaan "Thanks Honey"
They all laughed, Ray saw how Armaan had pulled the chair out for Ridz. So he decided to pull a chair out for Ali too. Unluckily she was just about to sit down on the chair Ray had pulled out. So Aaliyah fell down on the floor.
"Ow!! Rehaan Ji, what the heck are you doing?" Ali said getting up from the floor, whilst everybody was laughing.
"Sorry begum sahiba, main sirf aapke liye chair nikaal raha tha" Ray said sweetly.
As they sat down Sameer asked him
"Begum Sahiba?"
Ray looked a bit red from embarrassment and said "That's what my abbu calls my ammi"
"That's so sweet" Ali said sipping some water.
"Haa, aapke sasur hain" Ray said nudging her.
"Sunno ji hamaari such much main shaadi nahi huwi hain" Aaliyah said with clenched teeth.
Everyone was busy munching away their food relaxed in the atmosphere, enjoying the soft music playing in the background. Whilst Ridz was having her food, she choked. Armaan quickly handed her his glass of water to drink, and patted her back slowly. Anjali looked at Ridz, and said disgustedly "Tumne Armaan ka jootha paani pee liya!! Chee"
"Tau kya huwa Anjali, sharing is caring. Kyun sweetheart?" Armaan asked Ridz; who just rolled her eyes.
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After dinner, they all decided to split the chores; Sapna and Sameer were given the job to clear the table. Whilst doing so, they both reached for the same item together when their hands touched and they both looked up and got lost. Anjali and Atul were busy clearing off the left over food in the kitchen. Atul was singing to her "Ae kya bolti tu?" to which
Anjali replied "Kya main bolu?"
He said "sun" to which she answered "suna"
"Ye plate waha leke jaa" He ordered her.
She silently cursed Sameer for giving her that dare.
Whilst at the other end of the kitchen, Aaliyah was washing the dishes and Ray was drying them. Ray said to her "You know this isn't that bad, we make a good couple. May be we should get married, what do you say?" Aaliyah gave him an exasperated look and just splashed some water on his face.
Meanwhile away from everyone's prying eyes, the two were left to clear the living room; soft music was playing in the background. Whilst doing the clearing, Armaan said
"pillow fight"
and chucked a pillow at her, it hit her.
They started chasing each other around the sofas, whilst running Armaan tripped and fell on the sofa. Pulling Riddhima with him, she fell on top of him.
Her long tresses fell forward, covering her face; Armaan could no longer see her beautiful face. He slowly reached forward and tucked her hair back behind her ear.
She quickly got up and straightened herself up. Armaan also got up and quickly remembered that Ridz hadn't yet seen his room, and he still had a surprise to give her. Before anyone could come, he quickly caught her hand and said "Come, I wanna show you my room"
She quickly grabbed her bag; before she got dragged to his room.
As he opened the door to his room, he gestured for her to enter first and said "This is my room, actually correction 'Our room' Mrs Armaan Mallik" winking at her.
"Armaan, we're not in front of everyone, you don't need to act" Riddhima said smacking him gently.
She walked in and looked around the room, checking out his CD and book collection whilst he was rummaging through his cupboard. She was looking at a photo frame of him, Atul and their parents on the bed side cabinet.
When he crept up behind her and said "I miss them" she turned around hearing his voice.
She smiled sweetly at him. He made her sit down on his bed and said "I wanna give you something" he pulled out a t-shirt from a bag. "Ding dong" as he held the shirt up for her.
Riddhima read the t-shirt "Armaan Ki Basket" and underneath the caption, she saw a picture of them two from their first day of internship, when they had all gone to the beach. She laughed and said "Aaaawwww… soooo cute, I have something for you too" she said opening up her bag.
He hastily put the t-shirt down on the bed and said "Yay, gift…dau mujhe" he said child like, pulling her off the bed. Riddhima stood facing him and handed him a black box, he took it from her and opened it and saw a silver superman necklace inside it.
(pic shown below)
Before he could say anything, she said "Look at the inside of the lid"
He laughed as he read "Riddhima Ka Superman" They both laughed as they realised that both their mind's thought the same way.
She picked up the necklace from the box and put it on him, while doing that her hands lightly brushed his neck; he felt something stir within him. His hands instantly entwined around her waist pulling her in to a hug, quietly whispering "Thanks for the gift" She leaned on his muscular frame, with her arms around his neck and huskily said "Kitni baar bolu-"
"Yea yea… I know Dosti main no sorry no thank you" He whispered back.
A distant faint sound floated through to his room from the living room…they gently started swaying in each others arms to the rhythm of the music with their eyes closed, still lost in the moment…
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Jaane Kya Bole Mann Dole Sunke Badan
Dhadkan Bani Zubaan
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Jaane Kya Bole Mann Dole Sunke Badan
Dhadkan Bani Zubaan
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan
Armaan felt Riddhima's steady heart beat in sync with his own as if they were an entity; he never wanted this moment to end, why? To which even he didn't have an answer to.
Khulte Badn Hote Labhon Ki Ye Ankahi
Khulte Badn Hote Labhon Ki Ye Ankahi
Mujhse Keh Rahi Hai Ki Badhne De Bekhudi
Mil Yoon Ki Daud Jaayein Nas Nas Mein Bijliyaan
Armaan opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth. He had so much to tell her, but at this moment, he wanted nothing more than to be in her arms.
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Jaane Kya Bole Mann Dole Sunke Badan
Dhadkan Bani Zubaan
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan
Aasmaan Ko Bhi Ye Haseen Raaz Hai Pasand
Aasmaan Ko Bhi Ye Haseen Raaz Hai Pasand
Uljhi Uljhi Saanson Ki Aawaaz Hai Pasand
Moti Luta Rahi Hai Saawan Ki Badliyaan
The moon light shone from the window, not just brightening up the room, but also their souls. Apart from the soft hum of the song, the only other sound that could be heard was their steady breathing.
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan Do Pyaar Mil Rahe Hain
Jaane Kya Bole Mann Dole Sunke Badan
Dhadkan Bani Zubaan
Baahon Ke Darmiyaan
"ARMAAAAN where are you buddy?" Ray's voice could be heard. Armaan and Ridz quickly let go of each other. Ridz put the t-shirt in her bag, whilst Armaan took off the necklace and put it away safely, and made their way to the living room.
Ray eyed them suspiciously as they walked in and asked "Where were you two?"
Armaan lied "Basket wanted to go to the washroom, so I just showed her where it was"
Ray looked at him cynically "tau phir tum waha kya karr rahe the?"
Riddhima quickly cut in and said
"Oh gosh! Look at the time, paune bara bajj gaye…we should get going"
Sapna and Sammer who had finished their cleaning joined them
"Aaje tau mari jaan gaye…mummy!" Sapna cried as she saw the time
Everybody looked around bewildered and confused
"She means she's dead today" Sameer said translating for her "Don't worry Sapna, I'll drop you off, koi problem huwi then I'll talk to your mum" He then said to her.
Aaliyah, Atul and Anjali returned from the kitchen.
"Who's going to drop me off" Aaliyah pouted
"Don't worry begum sahiba ill drop you off, aapka ghar mere raaste main hain" Ray said bowing like a servant. "Oh don't forget, it's my niece's Aqeeqa in a weeks time, after the event" He reminded them.
"What's an aqeeqa?" Anjali asked
"Anjali, he'll tell you guys later…me and Rehaan Ji have a morning shift tomorrow" Aaliyah said emphasising the word 'ji'.
As they were all saying goodbyes at the door, Atul who couldn't speak, sang
"Paune baara bajje, sabb laug ghar kau challe, whats going on?"
"Atul!" Everybody said in unison.
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Armaan tossed around on his bed, looking at the necklace in his hand,
What happened to me today? Why didn't I want to let go off her? I know I like her more than just a friend, but does she? I think, she does feel something… should I tell her, but what do I tell her? What is it that I feel for her? Is it love? I don't think I should say anything to her until I am sure about my own feelings…I don't want to ruin the relationship that I share with her.
With all those questions in his mind, he fell asleep.
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GUPTA RESIDENCE
Riddhima's mind was buzzing with questions, as she made herself comfortable in bed with her laptop. She skimmed through some old photos remembering the good times and sighed and thought to herself
I miss you, I wish you were here… this would have been so much easier with you around.
Hey Guys,
That was Chapter 9B...I hope you liked it... no complaints this time...Im not going to point any fingers *cough*Lubna, Zuzu, Hiru *cough*😉
Enjoy and do leave a comment...Thank you
Luv
Bakri (u can call me that😉)
XXX
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