Part 8
I know that I haven't updated since the longest time now, but I'm so sorry! I was held up in family and my cousin's wedding, which I had to go out- of-town for! I hope I made up the wait with this part as I think it is the longest I have written so far. Please leave your frank comments—even if it's boring and all—so I know what to improve on because this is my first FF. Please feel free to leave suggestions as that will help me improve. Hope you all enjoy this part..and silent readers please comment—it would encourage me more!
"Do you want to come with me to Atul's house?," Armaan asked Riddhima as they stood outside while Riddhima, who looked depressed, watched the car roll far out of her sight into the dark.
Riddhima turned to look at him. Armaan saw her puffy, red eyes and felt bad somewhere inside. He felt like someone had punched him really hard. For some reason, he couldn't stand seeing her in this state. She had cried uncontrollably when she had bid good-bye to Anjali.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said as I was lost in my thoughts…what did you say again," Riddhima asked focusing her attention.
Armaan looked at her and said, "Well…Rahul just left for Atul's house while Muskaan is riding with Atul and Anjali in their car for their ghar pravesh…and so I was wondering whether you wanted to come with me…I mean I'll take you there since I have to go there obviously," he added with a faint smile on his face.
"And plus, Anjali is your sister…so you should take part in her happiness," he added in order to persuade her.
Armaan wasn't sure why exactly he did that, but he hoped that it would bring a smile on Riddhima's beautiful face as he couldn't see sad.
Riddhima looked at him and smiled whole- heartedly. She accepted his offer as she didn't want to miss out on her sister's happiness. She left with him after informing Padma and Shashank about it.
"Jao beta jao," Padma said. "Anjali ke khusi ke liye tujhe jaana chahiye…Isme pooch ne waali konsi baat hai," she concluded. Padma knew that Riddhima was feeling gloomy since Anjali left. Anjali and Riddhima shared a great bond with one another, although sometimes they fought over petty little things, but deep down, they both cared for one another a lot. Riddhima's separation from her family for those 4-5 months in Delhi had really gotten to her, and so Anjali's going away was also obviously going to affect her somewhat.
Armaan stood outside, leaning against the car, waiting for Riddhima to come. Armaan felt a cold breeze sway against his face and turned his face toward the other way and saw the most beautiful thing ever approaching him slowly as the shine of the moon illuminated her presence. With her hair flying along with the breeze of the wind, he looked toward her admiringly as if an angel had stepped onto Earth. Riddhima walked towards him as she tried to control her sari pallu from flying due to the excessive breeze, however she failed too, and as soon as she came close to Armaan, her pallu came out of the grasp of her hand and started swaying with the movement of the breeze. Her sari pallu eventually fell upon Armaan's face and Armaan immediately grabbed it—for a reason unknown to him still. He slowly removed it off his face as the breeze swept past while Riddhima looked rather nervous. Even Armaan touching her sari, gave her the jitters. A cold shiver ran down her spine, and on an instinct she closed her eyes, as she felt Armaan's fingers making their way across her back as Armaan wrapped the sari around her shoulders.
Armaan cleared his throat, which made Riddhima open her eyes.
"Kitna acha mausam hai na aaj," he said while enjoying the cool breeze and trying to ease the situation.
"Haan, sach mein aaj kitna acha mausam hai," Riddhima said as she smiled. She had missed this type of weather in Delhi and feeling the cold 'mumbai' breeze sweep past her had aroused a lot of feelings…some good feelings while some bad—which she tried very hard to forget.
Seeing a blank expression on her face, Armaan asked "Kya hua?" "Chale??"
Riddhima was startled out of her thoughts and nodded in approval. Armaan opened the car door for her and as she sat, he walked toward the other side of the car, sat on the driver's seat, and started the car.
"Waise, ek baat pooch sak thi ho tumse," Riddhima asked breaking the silence.
"No... Im sorry you can't…You see I don't have any interest in listening to your questions nor I have the time to answer them," said Armaan sarcastically as he turned the steering wheel of the car.
Upon receiving a look from Riddhima, he decided to stop the sarcasm.
"Im joking, Riddhima," he said looking towards her. "Mein sirf mazaak kar raha tha…please feel free to ask me what you want to…lekin limits mein rehke poochna jho bhi poochna hai," he added as he chuckled. "Waise, I'm getting kind of bored of the silence in the car, so it's better that one of us talks," he stated smilingly.
Riddhima smiled looking towards him. "Well…," she said. "Main tumse yeh pooch na chahti thi keh…keh…keh…" Riddhima didn't know how to continue her question. She fumbled to say what she was trying to say. She rolled a strand of her hair around one of her fingers. How was she supposed to ask him why did he all of a sudden give her Atul's shoes.
"Keh kya,"Armaan asked as he noticed her nervousness in asking the question. "Don't be afraid to ask me…I'm not going to bite you," he said teasingly.
"Keh tumne muj—mujhe itni assani se Atul ke jhoote kyun diye the," she said as she looked down remembering their close moment and the way he handed her the shoes.
Armaan quickly glanced towards her and saw her looking down. He could tell from her behavior that she really wanted to know why he did that, but the truth was that even Armaan didn't know why he did just that. He was just as disturbed as Riddhima was. Was it really love that forced him to hand her the shoes? Did her innocent, yet beautiful face really compel him to hand the shoes to her…Why even though he lost the shoe, he felt like he didn't lose anything at all? Why did he get some sort of weird satisfaction when he saw Riddhima smiling? These questions overflowed his mind….
*BEEP BEEP*….A car's horn behind him brought him out of his thoughts and he stepped on the accelerator.
"Oh…sorry, patani mein kahan kho gaya tha keh pata hi nahi chala keh light green ho gayi," he muttered hesitantly to Riddhima.
Riddhima was still eager to know why Armaan had handed her the shoes. "Armaan, tumne mera saawal ka jawaab nahi diya hai," she said looking towards him for an answer. His silence was giving her goosebumps.
"Well, tumhe saach bataoon," he said rather seriously, making Riddhima feel very nervous at what was coming at her.
"The truth is that…." Riddhima was trembling wondering what he would say. Her hands couldn't stop shaking. Armaan noticed her nervousness and smiled on the inside.
Armaan abrubtly stopped the car and leaned toward Riddhima. Riddhima trembled feeling his proximity and closed her eyes. He slowly whispered in her ear…His breath hit her ears causing her to breathe rather heavily…her heart beat became erratic. "Darasal baat yeh hai ke…." Armaan said as he noticed her nervousness. "Ke," said Riddhima stuttering, feeling his breath on her ears which sent shivers down her spine. "Sach sun ne ke liye tumhe intezaar karna hoga cause we have reached Atul's house, "Armaan said as he pulled away from her with a cheeky smile on his face and got out of the car.
Riddhima was stunned—she was expecting an answer out of Armaan, but he somehow evaded giving one. Outside his car door, Armaan took a sigh of relief---"mujhe khood sahi tara se nahi pata keh mujhe kya ho raha hai, to phir mein Riddhima ko kya jawaab deta," he thought to himself. He was glad he drove to Atul's house by taking the shortcut and managed to reach here on time or else he didn't know what he would've done or said in the awkward situation Riddhima dragged him into. "Usko aapne sawaal sun ne ke liye intezaar karna hoga," he thought, "first I need to clear my thoughts and figure out what's exactly happening to me…am I really falling in love with Riddhima?." He took a deep breath, "Riddhima will not get an answer unless I give myself an answer first…she's going to have to wait for her answer," he declared to himself as he went toward the other side of the car and opened the door for Riddhima.
Riddhima slowly got out of the car as she glanced toward Armaan, who had a weak smile on his face as he held the door open for her. Right then, Atul's car pulled up in front of the house. (They took the long way to reach home..lol..) Riddhima, Armaan, Rahul, and Muskaan followed them to the door of his house.
Keerti smilingly opened the door from the inside and got the pooja plate and did Atul's and Anjali's aarti. [Armaan and Keerti were like Atul's family : ) ] She threw flowers on them and then asked Anjali to kick the rice pot with her foot, and enter the house with her right foot. Anjali put her foot in the red colored substance as instructed to by Keerti and took her first steps in the house. Everyone was jovial and ecstatic. Armaan and Rahul patted Atul's shoulder and congratulated him once again.
Riddhima was kind of confused seeing Keerti doing Anjali and Atul's 'ghar pravesh.' She decided to clear her misunderstandings…as far as she knew, Atul's parents were dead…she decided to ask Rahul.
"Rahul, yeh Keerti aunty…Anjali aur Atul ka ghar pravesh kar li hain aur jahan tak mujhe pata hai…"
Rahul understood what Riddhima was trying to say. " Wo darasal baat yeh hai keh Atul's parents are no more and Keerti aunty is like family to Atul after all Armaan.." Rahul was unable to continue as his phone started ringing. "Excuse me," he said.
Riddhima wasn't able to hear what Rahul was saying about Armaan as his phone rang.. "Hmm…I guess I'm gonna have to wait to ask Rahul," she said as she sat down at the sofa where everyone was sitting, chit chatting to one another. After a period of talking, it was time to leave the newly-weds alone.
"Umm…Hume aab chal na chahiye," said Armaan, "In love birds ko akela chor de te hum…" he said teasingly. " Shayad hum inhe disturb kar rahe hain."
Anjali blushed as Atul shook his head, " Kya yaar…"
"Haan aur vaise bhi, kaafi late ho gaya hai," Rahul added in. "Inko bhi akele mein time spend karne de te hain hum," concluded Rahul jokingly.
Riddhima and Muskaan grabbed Anjali and took her to her room which was decorated beautifully. Streams and streams of flowers hung from her bed. Riddhima and Muskaan sat her down on the bed, bid their good-byes to Anjali, and fled out of the room, closing the door behind them. Just as they shut the door, they saw Atul approaching his room with Armaan and Rahul by his side. They blocked the doorway---they weren't going to let Atul in his own bedroom so easily.
"Mere pyaare Jiju, aap andar nahi ja sakte begair hume shagun de ke," said Riddhima with a wicked smile on her face.
"Oye Atul, tum andar nahi ja sakte hume paise diye begair," said Muskaan.
"KYA," said Atul, Armaan, and Rahul combined.
"Yeh kaisi ulti baatein kar rahe ho tum dono," said Armaan. "Atul ko aapne kamre mein jaane keh liye paise de ne parenge," Armaan said confusedly unable to grasp the beauty of this rasam.
"Haan, yeh kaisi faltoo rivajh hai," added in Rahul.
"Jaisi bhi rasam ho, andar jaane ke liye paise to dehne parenge," said a chirpy Riddhima.
"Atul ko aapne kamre mein aur aapni biwi se milne ke liye paise dene parenge??...NO WAY…Atul is Anjali's husband and this is his room…Atul koi zaroorat nahi hai inhe paise dehne ki," said Armaan irritatedly.
"Agar paise nahi dehne to idhaar darwaze ke samne khare rehna padega aapko Jiju…is liye hum to yahan se hat ne nahi wale," said Riddhima adamantly. "Raat baar tarapna Anjali Di se milne ke liye," said Riddhima wickedly.
Armaan saw Atul reaching in his pocket for the money, but Armaan gave him the stare and Atul immediately took his hand out of his pocket.
Armaan stepped closer to Riddhima. His every step made her heart beat race fast. He slowly was closing the distance between them. Riddhima couldn't get enough of his killer looks as he stepped closer to her. 'Riddhima get a grip on yourself,' she thought as she admired his charming looks. 'Why is his presence affecting me so much… Is this really what I think it is,' she thought to herself and quickly brushed away her thoughts. Armaan leaned toward her ear. His proximity gave her goosebumps, his breath touched her ear making her restless. "Aur agar hum ne Atul ko andar bhej diya, begair paise diye tho tum kya kar logi," he said with a cheeky smile on his face and walked back to stand with Atul and Rahul. He knew he affected her. It was clear by the nervousness which was present on her face.
Riddhima was silent. She didn't know how to reply back to Armaan after the proximity they both shared with one another.Muskaan, being the Punjabi kudi she is, decided to give an fitting reply to Armaan.
"Oye Armaan…bohot paar (wings) nikal aaye hain tumhare…agar himat hai to mere aur Riddhima ke samne se Atul ko andar bhej ke dikhao," replied Muskaan bravely as she put her hands on her hips. "Begair paise diye, Atul ko hum andar pau (foot) bhi nahi rakh ne denge," added Muskaan as Riddhima nodded her head in agreement to Muskaan.
"Armaan yaar…yeh ladkiyan nahi manengi…aur mujhe Anjali se bhi milne nahi dengi begair paise diye," whispered Atul in Armaan's ears. "Main to paise de raha hoon," Atul said as he grabbed money out of his pocket and handed it to Riddhima and Muskaan before Armaan could stop him.
"Kya Atul," said Armaan while shaking his head, "tumhare andar patience naam ki koi cheez hi nahi hai."
"Thanks," replied both Muskaan and Riddhima estacticly as Atul put the money in their hands. Riddhima's face gleamed with joy and Armaan couldn't help noticing that. On seeing her happy, a smile appeared out of nowhere on his face also.
"Good Night Jiju," said Riddhima as she let him through the door and closed it behind him.
"Chalo," said Armaan giving his cheeky smile, "ab jab tum logon ko aapne paise mil gaye to hume aab nikalna chahiye."
Rahul, Muskaan, Armaan, and Riddhima made their way outside. Rahul took Muskaan in his car, despite her protesting because he didn't want her catching a taxi so late at night. Keerti had already left when they (the gang) were chatting on the sofa.
"May I drop you home," said Armaan as he noticed Riddhima just standing there.
"Umm…no it's ok…I mean you don't have to go through the trouble… You've done a lot for me already," said Riddhima looking towards him. "I'll catch a taxi."
"It's not a problem for me at all," said Armaan, "Aur vaise bhi itni raat ko agar tum akeli ghar gayi, and that to in a taxi….you know what I mean right?" Armaan maan hi maan mein hoped that Riddhima would be persuaded to catch a ride with him.
She nodded her head. It really wasn't right for her to go home in a taxi this late at night.
"It's safer that I drop you home rather than you going home in a taxi," he said as he opened the door of the car for her.
"You're right," she said as she sat in the seat. "Tumhare saath ghar jaana safer hai, rather than me having to go in a taxi."
Armaan sat in the driver seat and turned the ignition of the car. "WOW, abhi se mujhme itna trust hai," he said sarcastically.
"Armaaannnnn," said Riddhima as she turned to look out the window as her cheeks were turning a crimson red color. Riddhima wasn't able to stop herself from feeling what she was at that moment…She knew that she was slowly being driven into a pool of love—and that too for Armaan. She knew that she was once again falling in love...She loved Armaan openly flirting with her…She loved the fact that he made her feel so welcomed and in place…she loved him teasing her…She accepted the fact that there was some strong force between them---but after facing one devastating break-up in the past, she knew that she would have to suppress her feelings as she didn't want to go through another break-up. Time would have to tell her if he was the right man for her…After all, it was only a mere 3 days since she had known him… 'Can you actually feel attracted to a person and fall in love in a mere three days," she thought to herself. 'No…I need to give myself time…I don't want to mess my life up once again by making another mistake… I don't have the courage to fix my life up again… I'm finally moving on in life… I can't and will not make another decision regarding my life in haste… Yeah, jaldbaazi mein koi decision lena acha nahi hai…aab waqt hi bataye ga keh mere liye kya sahi hai aur kya nahi.' Riddhima was going to stand firm to her decision.
Armaan saw her blushing face as she turned her face toward the window. 'So, she does kind of trust me,' he thought as he smirked on the inside. "Kya hua," Armaan said as he glanced toward her while driving. " I was just messing with you," he said as he noticed her lost in thoughts.
"Oh…wo…kuch nahi," she managed to retort.
"Kuch to hai…lekin it's ok if you don't want to share it with me," he said as he focused on driving and tried not looking at her.
"Aisi baat nahin hai Armaan," Riddhima said as she turned to look at him. But Riddhima very well knew that 'aisi hi baat hai.'
Armaan stopped his car at the red light. "You're sure right," he said as he looked towards her. He couldn't get enough of her beautiful face—it was as if he wanted to stare at it over and over again.
"Yes I'm sure…now stop asking me stupid questions and entertain me," she said adamantly.
"Entertain you?? Do I look like a clown or something…Is it my job to entertain people," he said in a funny tone.
"You don't exactly look like a clown but…well, to tell you the truth…You do a pretty good job of entertaining people…and It looks as if you don't put any effort in it at all," she said as she smiled at him. "You're really natural at it."
"Should I take that as a compliment or…"
"Compliment," she interrupted. "It's a good thing…" "I bet you can bring anyone out of depression and put a smile on their face." she said as he continued driving. "You brought me out of tension…remember at the airport?? I was worried about arrving late and then you calmed me down," she said.
Armaan started laughing. "Yeah I remember…Thanks, I guess." "It feels good to know that I can bring smiles on people's faces," he concluded saying with his killer smile—which made Riddhima melt on the inside.
"Do you mind if I put music on," said Armaan, glancing towards Riddhima who was looking at the scenery outside the window.
"No..not at all…" said Riddhima. She wouldn't really mind listening to music—she loved it!
Armaan turned on the radio, to hear the song 'Jo Ghumshuda'(My favorite song as of right now :] ) from the movie Mission Istaanbul playing on the station.
I advise you all to listen to this song----its really really niceeee!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LwgYrdo1qQM
Jo Gumshuda Aankhon Mein Hai
Jo An Kahin Saanson Mein Hai
Dastaan Wahin Labzo Mein Kaho..
Dil Ki Baathon Ko Dil Mein Rehne Do
Nazar Se Nazar Se Kehne Do
Hongi Hongi Hongi Varna Badnaamiyan
Armaan turned and looked at Riddhima, hoping to see what he felt for her in her eyes, but Riddhima had her eyelashes lowered, obviously feeling strange upon hearing the song. She didn't want her feelings and emotions to be evident on her face for Armaan to see. She would rather hide her feelings than have Armaan know what she felt for him—as she couldn't afford another break-up.
Jo Gumshuda Aankhon Mein Hai
Jo An Kahin Saanson Mein Hai
Dastaan Wahin Labzo Mein Kaho..
Both Riddhima and Armaan felt akward listening to the lyrics of the song, although it was nice to hear the soft and soothing beat to the music. The lyrics to the song along with the relaxing instrumental music were persuading Armaan, each and every moment, to speak out his true feelings for Riddhima out loud—even when he wasn't sure of his feelings himself.
Kaatil Badi Tanhaaiyan Takleef De Ab Duriyan
Samjha Karo Khamoshiyan Acchi Nahin Sarghoshiyan
Jawabon Mein Tum Sawalon Mein Tum
Hamesha Rahe Khayalon Mein Tum
Tumse Hai Meri Madhoshiyan..
Riddhima always seemed to occupy Armaan's mind…Ever since the day they met, Riddhima was clearly occupying space in his mind.
Dil Ki Baathon Ko Dil Mein Rehne Do
Nazar Se Nazar Se Kehne Do
Hongi Hongi Hongi Varna Badnaamiyan
Riddhima looked toward Armaan admiringly, and saw him focused on driving. She definitely was going to keep her feelings inside her heart.
Tum Jo Mile Raahath Mili
Jeene Ki Bhi Chaahath Mili
Dil Ashna Tum Se Hua Puri Huyi Meri Dua
Mere Jism-O-Jaan Pe Chaaye Raho
Panaahon Mein Tum Samaaye Raho
Ooo…Kehthi Hai Meri Bethaabiyan
Armaan somehow agreed to the lyrics playing. Somehow since Riddhima came into his life, he felt different—in a positive way. His mind kept on flowing to thoughts of Riddhima at every free moment he had—even when he was going to sleep. He looked towards her as she shifted her weight on the seat and leaned towards the window.
Dil Ki Baathon Ko Dil Mein Rehne Do
Nazar Se Nazar Se Kehne Do
Hongi Hongi Hongi Varna Badnaamiyan
Jo Gumshuda Aankhon Mein Hai
Jo An Kahin Saanson Mein Hai
Dastaan Wahin Labzo Mein Kaho..
By the end of the song, Armaan had reached Riddhima's house and boy was he glad that the song ended. It would have been even more ackward if he had changed the station in the middle of the song.
He decided to break that ackward silence as he put the car in park mode. "Wo…um…tumhara ghar agaya hai," he said looking towards Riddhima---who had her head lowered and was busy fidgeting with her sari pallu.
Riddhima looked up and out of the window to see that she had reached home. She was so engrossed with playing with her sari pallu—thanks to the song that played—that she hadn't paid attention.
"Oh…wo…thanks Armaan," she managed to say as she flashed him a smile.
"No problem," said Armaan while giving her a friendly smile. "I got you home safe and sound."
Riddhima smiled and opened the door and then closed it. She walked towards her home after waving good-bye to Armaan when she heard someone calling her name from behind.
"Riddhima," yelled Armaan while running towards her.
Riddhima turned around and saw Armaan coming towards her.
"Wo…" he stopped infront of her trying to catch his breath, "Wo, tum apna phone meri car mein bhool gayi thi," he said as he handed her the phone.
"Oh…I completely forgot…Thanks Armaan," said Riddhima as she took the phone from his hand.
Riddhima's hand touched his, sending a current down her body. Armaan felt sparks too as Riddhima's hands made their way on his.
"Ok, to mein chalta hoon," said Armaan, "Bye."
"Bye" said Riddhima and she turned around and took a deep breath as she walked towards the door to her house.
Armaan went back to his home and layed on his bed, trying to fall asleep, but images of Riddhima kept flashing in front of his eyes—making him unable to sleep. He picked up the payal (remember the one that fell at the sangeet while he saved her) and looked at it admiringly. He could feel Riddhima's presence all around him. He sighed and looked at the payal while finally admitting that he felt something for Riddhima. 'I think I have fallen in love…with you Riddhima," he said. He thought about the song that played in the car and smiled as the lines replayed in his mind, "Jawabon Mein Tum Sawalon Mein Tum …Hamesha Rahe Khayalon Mein Tum…Tumse Hai Meri Madhoshiyan.." and with that he slowly closed his eyes for peaceful sleep to come by.
Hope you all liked it! Please forgive any mistakes I may have made!
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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