The Distance Between Us - An AR FF (Link to TDBU#2 - Page 1) - Page 44

Previously On...

Wedding planning. AR to plan the wedding. Sidmaan cuteness!

Track 15 - My Same, Adele

Sid and Armaan had been gone for almost an hour, but they were still the topic of discussion at the Mallik mansion. The gang had left Rohan and Jaan with El in the living room and had moved to the girls' room to discuss what they'd seen. Tamanna, Riddhima and the elders had stayed behind.

"Uh, can you guys believe that what happened downstairs actually happened? Nikki asked the others.

"I know I can't, was Anjali's prompt reply.

"Me either, Muskaan agreed. Abhi nodded in approval.

"Guys, Sid is like a brother to Armaan, Rahul told them.

"You know, when Ridzy told me that, I didn't believe it. I thought she was just trying to make herself feel better. But now, seeing them like that, I think she wasn't sugar coating things, Anjali said.

"Yes, I thought so too, Atul replied. "I wasn't around when Armaan came back. We'd talked on the phone a few times and he never went into much detail about his personal life. I knew he was still in shock about Ridzy's marriage, so I never pried. But, I never thought that he could be so close to Sid.

"Yaar, historically, Armaan was ready to fight people for only flirting with Ridzy, but he's best friends with her husband? Muskaan wondered. "How is that even possible?

"And... And those inside jokes! Abhi burst. "I didn't even understand anything. It was like they were speaking Greek. But, Sid & Armaan understood everything. I don't think even Riddhima understood half of it.

"Uh, coochi? Baby? What was that? Nikki asked. "And did you see them? Kaise ek doosre se chipak rahe the.

"Haan, yaar, Atul & Muskaan chorussed.

Rahul sighed. How was he supposed to explain it to them? Armaan was close to Sid. That was it. Why were they so intent in digging deeper?

"Rahul, Atul turned to him. "Tujhe toh pata hoga na. Please, humein bhi bata, he begged.

"Mujhe bhi zyada nahi pata. Armaan said that Dr. Shashank had asked Armaan to help Sid and Riddhima work out their issues. Because of the circumstances in which they got married, their relationship was very rocky. And, who knew Riddhima better than Armaan? He asked rhetorically. "So, Dr. Shashank convinced him to do it, for Riddhima. And you know Armaan. Jahaan Riddhima ka naam aaya, he was ready to do anything. In the process of helping them, he spent a lot of time with Sid. And, they bonded. Armaan said that Sid reminded him of himself in many ways. And they got along so well. So, they started looking up to each other. When I say they're like brothers, they really are like brothers. Armaan is really fond of Sid. Abhi bhi, many a times he'll sit me down and just blabber about Sid and how much fun the two of them had together.

"Wow, that's... Wow, Anjali muttered. "I can't believe it. Armaan really is God.

"What?! Rahul asked.

"Aur nahi toh kya, Anjali said. "We all know how much Armaan loved Ridzy. He was ready to die for her. And then, I'm sure his heart must have shattered when he came back for her and found out that she was already married. Lekin fir bhi, he helped her husband. Upar se, he actually likes him. Who can do stuff like that for anybody?

Rahul smiled and shrugged. That was such an Armaan thing to do. He was exceptional. There was no other explanation.

"Uh, guys, Tamanna called, coming inside the room and halting their discussion. "Armaan and Sid are here. Come down for lunch.

Rahul smiled at her and immediately stood up. "Chalo! He told Tamanna, throwing an arm around her shoulder and going outside the room. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Muskaan, who resolved to talk to Rahul sooner rather than later.

Lunch was a loud affair. As expected, the topic of discussion was the Armaan & Sid. Everybody had so many questions.

"Armaan, Nikki began, "why did you call Sid, Coochi? She asked.

Armaan laughed. "Arre, he's my coochi, so I called him that, he replied, resting his head on Sid's shoulder.

"Achcha? Since when? She questioned.

Armaan pretended to blush. "Bata du? He asked Sid. Sid shook his head fondly at Armaan's antics and nodded.

"Okay, Armaan said. "Aaj toh bata hai deta hu. Meri aur Sid ki pyaar ki dastaan. Isme romance hai, drama hai, tragedy hai aur thodi comedy bhi hai.

"What? Everyone chorussed, shocked.

"Haan, haan. Listen carefully, Armaan ordered.

"This story began almost 8 years ago. I was in the Sanjeevani changing room. After a long tiring day, I was trying to relax, splashing some water on my face. Then, I looked up, and there he was, Armaan began, smiling dreamily. He place a smacking kiss on Sid's cheek before continuing. "Violons started playing the background, winds started blowing. The wind made his hair look even better. I looked at him, he looked at me and that was it. It was love at first sight. Slowly, he started walking towards me, like they do in Bollywood movies na, that way. I blushed and turned around. He stood beside me and slowly, slowly, very slowly, our hands began moving. Then, our pinkies touched. It was the best feeling the world, Armaan said, pretending to cry. "I turned to him, he turned to me, and again, very slowly, we leaned in. We were just about to kiss, when... Aunty came in the middle! Armaan cried, wiping at fake tears.

Sid started guffawing loudly at the story. The others looked plain shocked.

"Gods, this is the limit, Armaan! You're completely mad. I see now, why Aunty was so adamant that I forgive' you and take you back. Woh story sunnke toh koi bhi flat ho jata, Sid joked, making air quotes for forgive.

"I know! Armaan agreed, upturning his collar smugly. "I'm the best, after all.

"What? Can somebody please explain to me what actually happened? Anjali asked, totally confused.

Armaan laughed. "Arre, nothing Anjy. This is just some fake story I made up and told Sid's neighbours so they'd help me get inside his house, Armaan explained.

"And, why did you want to get inside his house? Anjali questioned.

"Because, reasons, Armaan replied vaguely.

"Leave that. Did you seriously pretend to be gay to get into Sid's house? Nikki asked Armaan.

"Eh, Armaan shrugged. "I think it worked pretty well. I have to tell you, Sid has the best neighbours! Man, they're so accommodating and helpful. That one aunty toh brought us so much food!

"Haha, Sid replied sarcastically. "You do realize she was just over all the time for eye candy, right? She had a crush on you, he explained.

"I know, Armaan replied. "But, dude! She was old. And her husband? Does he actually roam around with a rifle all the time?

"I think so, Sid replied. "I don't even know why. It's not like it has bullets.

The table erupted in laughter at that. After a hearty meal, everybody thanked Armaan. El left after giving strict instructions to Armaan to be available whenever she needed him. Armaan only nodded like an obedient boy.

Later that night, Riddhima cornered Sid to talk. She knew that Sid hadn't really been on board with the whole plan to lie to Armaan about their relationship and she was afraid that he might have said something to Armaan while they were out.

But, Armaan's actions after coming back hadn't given any indication that he'd heard some big news. Had Sid not said anything? Or, was it that he was removed from anything concerning her that finding out she wasn't married still didn't affect him in the slightest? Riddhima desperately hoped it was the first one, for the sake of her own sanity. She didn't want to think that Armaan cared so little about her that he didn't even deem it necessary to talk to her once about her annulment.

"What? Sid asked her, walking into her room.

Riddhima sighed and locked the door before turning to him. She was sharing the room with Nikki and Muskaan and she didn't need either of them or someone else walking in while she had this conversation.

"Did you say anything to Armaan? She asked.

"When? About what? Sid asked.

"Today. When both of you went to get food, did you tell him that we weren't married anymore? She asked him.

"No, Sid replied, looking away. He didn't like this. Lying. To Armaan. One of his closest friends. It felt like betraying him all over again. He'd lied to Armaan when they'd first met, but Armaan had forgiven him then. And now, he was lying again. He didn't want to do that. But, Sid felt like he had little choice in the matter.

"Thank you, Riddhima said. "I know you don't like it and I appreciate you doing this.

"I'm not doing anything, Sid said. "I didn't tell him because I felt that he should have some time to process the news before he sees you. The diner we went to is not even 10 minutes away from the house. There wasn't enough time to explain to him what happened. He deserves to know the full story. And, I didn't want to ambush him like that with such news that he wouldn't have expected to hear. Ever. That's why I didn't say anything. Not because of you.

It hurt Sid to say this, but it was true. Riddhima was his best friend. Had been for years now. But, he still couldn't do this for her.

Riddhima sighed. "Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad you didn't tell him.

Sid smiled half heartedly. "Okay, then. I should get going. I'll see you in the morning.

"In the morning, Riddhima agreed. "Good night.

"Good night, Sid replied.

He unlocked the door and opened it, going to his room. Riddhima smiled at his retreating back, thankful that he hadn't said anything and then went back inside her room once she couldn't see him anymore.

Neither of them noticed the lone figure who'd seen this.

Armaan smiled as he took the scene in front of him. It seemed as if everything was great between Sid and Riddhima. He was happy that they were happy, but as always, the little, sneaky part of him with those feelings for Riddhima welled in sadness and he quashed it, like he did every time.

It wasn't that seeing them together hurt Armaan the way it used to, but it did hurt. If only a little. Not the mind numbing pain he'd once felt, but very small, like the prick of a needle. He supposed that there would never be getting rid of this little pinch. Ever. And he was okay with that. Because, no matter what happened, there had once been a time when he'd loved Riddhima with all that he was. And, it was okay to mourn the loss of that - the person he once was, the beautiful relationship he'd once shared with one of the best people he knew. So, he didn't really try to get rid of this feeling, like he used to earlier. This pain was a part of him, just like everything else was. And, he wouldn't change it for the world, because no matter what everyone said, his relationship with Riddhima was not a mistake.

Those 2 years with Riddhima had changed his entire life. They'd made him a better person - sensitive and aware and caring - more than he'd been before. Even before Jaanhavi had left. No, Riddhima and the rest of his intern gang hadn't turned the Supercool Ammy back into Maani, but they'd definitely started the process and progressed a great deal before he'd found himself again. And for that, he was grateful. He always would be.

Smiling to himself, Armaan walked away, memories from 8 years ago clouding his mind. Love, laughter, happiness, friends. He hoped that everything would be the same again. He'd really missed his friends.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. El had managed to get appointments for the next week for everything, so Armaan and Riddhima were in for a world of pain. So much to do and in such little time? If that wasn't enough of a nightmare, they had to do to it together. Together! What was I thinking, giving into Rohan's pleas? Was the only thought in both their heads. How were they supposed to behave like nothing had happened between them.

They danced around each other, making casual conversation, talking as if they were strangers. The awkwardness surrounding them increased with each interaction. The gang tried to bridge the gap between them, but it was of no use. It ended up making things even more awkward. It was like Armaan was moving farther and farther away with each interaction. From all of them.

One morning, fed up with this distance between him and Rahul and the rest of the gang, Armaan hatched a plan. He just couldn't stand it anymore. These people were his friends. Once upon a time, not very long ago, his entire life revolved around these people. He knew that they couldn't bridge the gap that these years had created in a matter of hours, but it was time that they at least took a step in the right direction.

With this thought in mind, Armaan ordered a huge chocolate cake from one of the bakeries nearby. At night, after another amazing dinner, he set the cake on the table.

"Aye, Armaan, what's all this? Anjali asked.

"Oho, Anjy. Don't be stupid. Of course, the cake is for me. Armaan knows how much I love chocolate cake, Muskaan said.

"It's not just for you! Atul exclaimed. "Even I love cake. I also want to eat. You can't have it alone.

And, the two started bickering about who would get to eat the cake. Atul was using all his force to push Muskaan away, and in turn, Muskaan didn't hesitate before she used her long nails to scratch Atul.

Anjali looked at them fondly. She couldn't stop the few tears that escaped her. Atul & Muskaan hadn't fought over food like this in a long time. It felt so good to see them like that.

"I can't believe I'm happy they're fighting over cake, Nikki commented lightly, standing next to Anjy.

"You and me both, Anjali smiled. Though Nikki and her still talked, Nikki's frostiness with Riddhima had somewhere carried over to their friendship as well. Anjali didn't know how to explain to her friends why she'd defended Riddhima so adamantly. It wasn't just because Riddhima was her sister. It was because Anjali knew that hurting Armaan had hurt Riddhima too. She knew her sister, she knew how much Riddhima loved Armaan and she understood how much it must have hurt Riddhima to send Armaan away.

The others had joined Sanjeevani sometime after Armaan had left. Anjali had been the only one to arrive promptly after she found out about Riddhima's conversation with Armaan and his subsequent decision to leave Sanjeevani. She'd wrapped everything up in Chicago within a fortnight, going as far as paying her hospital because of breach of contract of employment. Sadly, by the time she'd reached Mumbai, Armaan had already left. But she'd seen the lifeless eyes of her sister for weeks after. Riddhima stayed with the Guptas for sometime after Armaan left, composing herself before facing her husband and Anjali had been with her throughout the process.

Abhi and Nikki had come 4 months later, they'd been busy with stuff in Delhi before that, overseeing the new cardio wing established at the hospital there. Atul had arrived a few days after them, having stayed back to finish up some last minute formalities. Muskaan had only arrived 6 months later.

Riddhima had regained some form of semblance in her life by then, and so her friends thought that Armaan's departure hadn't affected her at all. That's when they turned against her, blaming her for everything wrong in Armaan's life, never seeing that she was suffering too.

Seeing Riddhima try to give her relationship with Sid a chance irked them all the more. They all knew that Armaan wouldn't even think of another girl taking Riddhima's place in his life and so, to see her with someone else, when they knew their friend must be in pain angered them a whole lot more.

Things with Muskaan had somewhat settled later, especially after Sid and Riddhima's annulment, and after Anjali and Atul began dating, Atul was a little less formal with Riddhima. Over the years, the two of them had somehow managed to move on from everything and started treating Riddhima like a friend, even if their bond wasn't the same as before. Muskaan and Riddhima even lived together.

But, Nikki still hadn't forgiven Riddhima for anything. And, because Anjali was Riddhima's sister, she didn't treat Anjali with the same warmth and affection either. A fact that bothered Anjali greatly, but something she never said out loud because she didn't want the already distant relationship to crumble into nothingness.

"You want cake na, so have it, Muskaan said finally, fed up. She grabbed Atul by the back of his neck and dunked his face into the cake, gaining everyone's attention.

She started laughing when Atul looked up. Angry, Atul smeared some across her face. She took a piece and threw it at him, but it landed on Armaan. And, that was it. No one really understood how, but soon, Armaan, Riddhima, Rahul, Muskaan, Atul, Anjali & Nikki were involved in a cake fight. Cake was being thrown left, right and centre. Everyone was hitting everybody. It was utter chaos.

The elders, and interns, tried to pry them away, but to no avail. Nobody was ready to back down. Finally, when the cake was over, they stopped. Everybody looked at each other and started laughing. Loudly.

No one realized when Atul's laughs turned into sobs, prompting others to do the same. This was what they'd been missing all these years. Their friends. The bond that they shared with each other was so special and unique, it was impossible to be with someone else the same way. And, for so long, they hadn't behaved that way. They were friends, but strangers all the same, the various incidents in their lives changing everything for them. But, in that moment, nothing else had mattered. They were just 7 friends, happy to be together and having fun with each other.

The memories that they'd all locked away in their heart overwhelmed each one of them - the love, the laughter, the friendship they'd all shared, bringing tears to their eyes too.

"Guys, group hug? Armaan asked, his voice watery. Immediately, he was surrounded by his friends and they all hugged each other tightly, never wanting to let go.