Meri Jaan Ho Tum (AR)Prt 14/pge 123-*Note pge 140* - Page 88

Part 14

The Shimla camp was tomorrow, and the form for that had to be in a few weeks before Riddhima started college. But, luckily, Shashank had sorted out all the details for her after Padma had been persuaded by Muskaan and Riddhima several times to allow her to go. Padma only approved because the sanskari Muskaan was going. The camp was for the second, third and the fourth year students. A few final year students were helping out with the professors, to make life easier for them. Though the camp was for medical reasons, and to help those in the village, but to most students it was seen as a trip out of college to do masti at night, and work for a few hours during the day. There were four coaches to leave tomorrow, the groups mixed with the three year groups, but as usual the teachers weren't as strict, so the students ended up swaping with others to be amongst friends. Riddhima swapped with a geek in the Fourth year, to be with Muskaan during the ride, not knowing Armaan was in the same bus.

***

'Byee Maa', Riddhima kissed her mum goodbye for another day in college. During her way to college, she couldn't help but hold the jacket Armaan had wrapped around her, yesterday, tighter. It was hidden under her dupatta to avert it from Muskaan's strong gaze. Every now and then she would smile to herself when she remembered her first few days in college, and the times when Armaan had made a fool out of her; showing her to his class when she had asked for the directions. Then again, she would flush when she remembered him making fun of her in front of his friends. That guy sure had several faces; one minute he made everyone hate him, then the next, there would be no reason to hate him, let alone dislike him at all.

'Riddhima', Muskaan nudged her, 'Come on, bus kab ki ruk gayi, college nahi jana kya, or are you waiting for an invitation?' Riddhima finally got up and made her way out of the bus, after putting the jacket in her bag.

'Acha Riddhima… 'Muskaan started awkwardly, 'Now that you're going to Shimla, have you decided what your goning to wear? I mean, waha sardi ho gi bohat, aur hum sab ne kaafi zyaada plans banaye hai. You know, as it is the cottages we're staying at are near the mountains, so were going for mountain walks and stuff… If you want, we can go shopping after last class today, to get you some jeans and sensible wears?'

Riddhima hesitated for a while, she hadn't actually worn jeans since a few years now, and it would look and feel odd if she were to start wearing them now. Not that she liked wearing them anyway; she preferred Indian clothing as they were more comfortable. But Muskaan looked at her pleadingly, she knew Muskaan was talking in circles, and in fact wanted Riddhima to wear some decent clothes when she was with her. So reluctantly, she answered yes, 'Kab chalna hai?'

Muskaan grinned, 'Let's go at 4:30, that's when my last class ends. Riddhima smiled back and nodded yes, she could wait for Muskaan in the caf after her last class ended at 3:40 today.

They both made their way to the college campus. Riddhima kept a look out for Armaan, as it is, she was seeing less of him hanging around the doors less and less since she started college. None of his friends were here too.

Riddhima waited in the outside caf for a few minutes before finally deciding it was too cold to stay outside. The indoor caf normally closed a few hours earlier so there was nowhere else for her to go. She stalled in the library for a few minutes, only to realise it were to close at 4. She didn't want to disturb bade papa, so waited outside the college. It was getting fairly cold and quite dark by now, and was a few minutes after the time Muskaan had given her. She tried not to think about the day before, and the two gundes. Not being able to help it, she chuckled to herself remembering how the two talked.

Suddenly she heard footsteps that became louder as they came towards her. She turned around abruptly when she realised they stopped; only to see Armaan a few feet behind her. As soon as there gazes met, Armaan grinned. One of those se*y grins that only he managed to pull. He hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets and walked towards her lazily, 'Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho', he asked casually as soon as he stood in front of her. He seemed taller, now that she noticed. Must be 6'1, she calculated.

'I'm waiting for Muski… who keh rahi thi ki class khatam hone ke baad seedha aa jaye gi, par abhi tak aayi nahi', she replied slowly. When their gazes met again, his eyes twinkled mischievously. She wanted to ask him what was so funny, but stopped the urge. She should just be glad that he atleast is talking to her now.

'Agar tum kaho, to I can give you a lift?'

'er..nahi… Muski aati ho gi'. She licked her lips nervously.

'Don't worry, its fine by me..Mai bhi ussi taraf jaa raha tha', he gave a one-shoulder shrug, his simple gesture seeming very pleasing to her. His gaze fell to her lips, caressing them as warmly as her tongue had, then lifted it back to her eyes. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way, release the clip from her dark, silky hair, and slide his fingers through the strands, just like he had imagined to do several times last night.

'Nahi, actually Muski ke saath shopping jaa rahi hu, so that's why I'm waiting for her'.

He nodded understandingly. There was an awkward silence then, he had so much to say, but couldn't think of a way to start. He knew she wanted him to go, he could feel her uneasiness. But he didn't want to leave her alone. He had left her alone yesterday, and regretted his decision with a sleepless night, so would wait until Muskaan comes back.

'Armaan… wo, mai kal ke bare mai tumhe—'

'Riddhima…sorry sorry sorry….' Muskaan rushed out, 'Zara zyaada der ho gayi… Actually kuch zyaada kaam par gaya tha, so I got late... Oh Armaan! Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?' She directed her gaze towards Armaan and questioned him when she saw the two standing with each other.

'Ha.. who Riddhima yaha akeli khari thi, to maine socha ke she might want a lift'.

'Oh!... Well, there's no need now, I'm here… Chal Riddhima, let's go… Bye Armaan', she hugged him quickly and walked away, dragging Riddhima along with her.

Riddhima suppressed her anger at Muskaan, she always had wrong timing. Here, she was about to give Armaan his jacket back when Muskaan walked out.

'Riddhima… Armaan kuch keh raha tha kya?' she asked as soon as they were a few meters away from him.

'Nahi tho…kyun?'

'Nahi…I thought he'd still be angry at you for blaming him the other day… I'm actually surprised he's even talking to you now, kyunki Armaan aur uss ka gussa to….it's as if there related… He never forgives easily', she chuckled. 'Aur bohat ziddi bhi hai'.

Riddhima turned around slowly to see if he was still standing there, and could have sworn when she turned around, she saw him wink.

'Muski…' she wanted to tell her about yesterday but opposed to the idea. She wasn't in a mood for Muskaan's lectures, 'Kuch nahi..'.

Muskaan brought several outfits for Riddhima to try, but Riddhima always so a fault in all of them. She didn't like wearing sleeveless, and that's basically the reason why they all were a no-no from her; Muskaan chose all the tank-tops. Though, she did end up buying two pair of jeans, and some t-shirts and a red leather jacket, that Muskaan insisted on buying. Because apparently, that hugged her body , and made her look great.

*******

The first three college buses had left 10 minutes ago, whilst the last 25 students waited for their bus driver to unlock the door to the bus. He was busy checking the engine to make sure they weren't at fault. Finally he unlocked the door and the students made their way in.

Riddhima looked around for familiar faces, and realised that both Muskaan and Sapna were already seated inside. So, she herself made her way towards the bus.

'Yeah right', she heard Armaan's voice, he was talking to Rahul. She smiled to herself and waited until Rahul got in the bus before calling Armaan. He stopped and turned around, smiling widely as soon as he saw her.

'Armaan.. can I talk to you for a minute…', she asked.

He nodded in agreement.

'Jaldi aana… Warna bethna pare ga aage, Dr. Keerti ke saath…', Rahul said, and winked at him when Riddhima wasn't looking.

Not being able to stop himself, he grinned back and walked behind her eagerly.

'Armaan..I..actually.. mujhe tumhe parso ke liye thanks kehna tha'.

His grin vanished. His impression softened when he saw her tension filled face, 'Hey..its ok...er how do you say that--- wo to mera farz tha', he said humorously.

She laughed. The rich, husky sound wrapping around Armaan like a warm blanket.

She handed him his jacket. He was too busy looking at her face to notice she had taken it out from her bag. 'Thanks Armaan...agar tum nahi hote to...I--'

'Riddhima..Maine kaha na..its ok...don't worry', he smiled genuinely and took his jacket from her.

The bus driver honked the horn ad shouted from his seat, 'Bhaai saab chalna nahi hai kya?'

'Aa rahe hai…..' he shouted back, 'Come on, let's go...waisse bhi we're already–'

'Armaan', without thinking, she pulled a handful of his shirt, before he could turn away, shocking herself to how forward she had been with him.

She let go of his shirt, 'There was something else is well', she said innocently.

He bit back a smile.

'Uss din tumne mujhe hostel chora, uss ke liye thanks..'. He nodded. 'Aur… I'm sorry, mujhe tumhe who sab nahi kehna chahiya tha..I shouldn't have blamed you for what had happened… glati merit hi…', she played with her fingers, then met his gaze .

'ARRE CHALNA NAHI HAI KYA… Pehle hi bohat der ho gayi', shouted the bus driver again, impatiently.

'Chalo Riddhima… late ho rahe hai', he gave her a quick side glance and walked towards the bus. Riddhima followed him, clearly annoyed at the bus driver for his timing. She will try to talk to him later on, and would apologise again and again until he forgives her.

He opened the door for her, 'After you', a true gentlemen gesture. Being the only male around his house and growing up with his mother and her friends at his house all the time, he knew how to treat a woman. Even his family friends were all females. He used to complain a lot when he was small, but as he grew up he started to appreciate it as he became familiar with what female admired.

When Riddhima had started college, he had treated her bad, he had to admit, but he was going through rough times. His grandma had a heart attack a day before then, so he was really frustrated and had to take his anger out at someone. Riddhima, unfortunately, had to be that 'someone'. But now that his grandma was normal, he could think straight again. She was the only person in his family who he was close to, other than Sapna and Amit.

Riddhima made her way towards the back of the bus to sit beside Muskaan, who sat a couple of seats in front of the back row. Sapna and Amit sat a few rows ahead of them. There was a seat on the same row but the opposite side of the bus to where Riddhima sat, but was taken up by a second year student. Armaan grinned and walked towards him. Ducking down towards him, he said quietly, 'Yeh meri seat hai...there's a seat at front..'. The boy nodded straight away and got up, picking his belongings and walked to the front, before Armaan could even finish his sentence

Rahul laughed- he sat a seat in front of him- and turned around to face Armaan 'Tu nahi sudhre ga... maine kaha tha na ke jaldi aana warna bethna pare ga aage'.

Armaan grinned slowly and sat down. When he turned around he saw Riddhima looking at him, then the student who had moved seats. He could tell she wanted to say something. Great! Another reason for her to hate him. Why did it always happen to him? Oh how much he hated that kid right now!

He smiled at her but she looked away. Then she looked back and smiled back. He looked on at her curiously, what just happened? He was sure she was angry at him, then what's with the new face?

*

Riddhima smiled back at him, knowing this was a way to make him believe that she was truly sorry.

*

They had been travelling since an hour now, and it was getting unbearably boring. Armaan wanted to do something; he looked around but couldn't see much to do. Muskaan had sat next to Rahul sometime earlier, saying she had to 'ask' him something. Armaan of course knew there was something going on between the two, but he kept that to himself in case Rahul didn't feel the same way about Muski as she did about him.

Riddhima feel asleep around 23 minutes before, and Armaan had been waiting since then for her to wake up. She looked uncomfortable as she kept tossing and turning. Her head was in an awkward position on the seat; her hair was as much out of her bobble as it was in. Armaan's hands itched to touch her. She was breathing softly, he could tell mostly because he had blocked all the other people in the bus, and was just staring at her. There were a few people sitting behind him, but he could careless, plus they knew better than to say something to him.

*

Riddhima finally opened her eyes when she felt someone's gaze on her. She blinked a few times to see who held the gaze that she felt on her. She saw Armaan turn around quickly when he realised she must've been awake. He bowed down, pretending to do something and not have been looking at her, and picked up his guitar. She could feel her face flush a deep red, and sat up quickly and adjusted her dupatta.

Armaan tapped some strings on his guitar innocently.

'Come on guys, let's do something, Bohat boring hai..', Anjie complained when she heard the guitar. She moved from her seat- near the front of the bus- and came back to sit next to Armaan. Armaan groaned inwardly, he could tell she was glad when she saw there was an empty seat next to him.

'Any suggestions Armaan?', she drawled.

'Hmm… I dunno…' he moved closer to the window, to avoid any sort of contact with Anjie. 'Let's play a game or something…'

'Truth or Dare' was one of the main suggestions. Though Armaan knew most of the students in the bus, due to the swapping, he preferred playing that game with his close friends. It was more interesting that way, knowing all the small secrets that people have kept. It was fun that way. Plus, this game was better played with 5 or 6 people.

He would love to play with Riddhima sometime…he thought. There was so much that he could dare her to do… especially when they were alone. He needed to do something, so he could have her alone, when there was no one there. Especially Muskaan. His gut tightened at the thought of Riddhima lying in his bed…waiting for him.. She had haunted his dreams with erotic fantasies, and he couldn't wait to turn them into action..

'Let's play Antakshari…' Anjie interrupted his thoughts. Why did everyone had bad timing today, Armaan silently grumbled to himself 'Waisse bhi, you have a guitar, and we have a great singer amongst us… kyun Riddhima?', she grinned wickedly.

Riddhima looked confused, not remembering when she had sang in front of her.

'Oh come on, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about…remember!....' she giggled to herself and gave Armaan a side glance, hoping he'd laugh along with her, ' TOUCH..and your KISS me dance!...by the way, who were you singing that too' she winked.

A flush made its way across Riddhima's face, and she lifted her lashes to meet Anjie's. She should have guessed what 'song' she was referring about. At that moment, she hated Anjie more than she hated anyone.

Armaan clenched his hands, a muscle in his cheeks twitched, and a spark of anger flashed through his eyes. 'Anjie… if being drunk can make Riddhima sing so well, then I wonder how she'd actually sound when she's in her senses,' he mocked her, then winked at Riddhima mischievously. Anjie looked at him, obviously seeming surprised.

*****

Okay guyz, this was part 14..I'm really sorry for not continuing for such a long time. Have been so busy with school that hadn't actually had time to come on I-F much at all, let alone actually read a fic…lol

Anyway, do leave your comments, and please answer this question and I'll keep it in mind

'Do you like the speed of the fic so far, or do you think things should be moving slower/faster b/w AR?'