'ladies and gentlemen,' the dj called out. 'the count down has begun'. 20, 19,' he looked around for rahul but couldn't find him anywhere in the darkness of the disco. He proceeded towards the bar to get a drink and that's when he bumped in to her' spilling her drink all over and partly on her as well. 'what the'' she started to say but looked up at him and stopped short.
He was not the most good looking guy she had ever seen. Yet there was something about his eyes that caught her attention. He was dressed typically in jeans and a rugged looking t-shirt but even in the dim light she could make out his lean muscles as he bent down to pick up the broken glass.
'I am really sorry,' he said standing up and handing her a few tissues. 'i'I didn't see you in the dark. I was actually here to look for a friend of mine.'
'whatever' its ok' she said and took the tissues from his hand to wipe the mess on her dress.
'by the way, I'm armaan,' the guy said and extended his hand forward.
'ridzi', she replied shaking his hand. Just then the clock struck twelve and the atmosphere of the room was filled with cries of HAPPY NEW YEAR. Outside they could make out the colours of the crackers against the black sky.
'happy new year', he said with a warm smile which revealed his dimples. She smiled back, more at the dimples than his greetings.
STORY......
***ridzi***
'ridzi, you ready yet?' muskaan called out. 'done,' I replied, took one last look at myself in the mirror and then ran down the steps two at a time till I reached her at the doorstep. She scrutinized me from head to toe, studying every detail of my hastily put-together outfit. 'so can we leave now?' I asked after giving her enough time to memorize every little inch. 'sure,'.
It was my first day of college and I was kind of nervous, which is pretty unusual for me. Before this, I lived with my parents in dehra which is a small hilly town in the north. But then I decided to study medicine in St. mary's college, Mumbai. So first we hunted around for a place to stay in this tiny clustered city and six months later when I had almost given up all hope, my filthy-rich cousin, muskan, who is a year older than me and happens to study in the same college invited me to share her flat with her. And the college still had a vacancy! So here I am'
'what are you doing after classes?' muskan asked interrupting my thoughts. 'nothing really'' I replied wondering why she conveniently forgot that I was new, starting classes in the middle of the year and had no friends yet. 'come over to Meryl's after you are done with lectures. Its right next to the bus stands opposite the main gate. Rahul and a lot of us tend to hang out there so it will be a good opportunity for you to meet people.' 'okay,' I replied, unsure of what else to say or do. Besides, I wanted to meet this rahul, her present love interest whom I had heard so much about.
***armaan***
It's the first day of classes in the new year' the profs could try a little harder to prevent us from falling asleep, you know!.... I read rahuls message and threw the paper in the dust bin. Typical! Sometimes its hard to imagine rahul is my best buddy. I know, hes a really nice guy with good sense of humour, a good heart and loads of talent. But whats he doing in the third year of med-school if all he wants to do is sit and make portraits. He says its cause of his parents' they force this stuff down his throat because he has to carry on the family tradition of a medical practioner! Its hard for him, I know, to study and work on his paintings at the same time. But honestly, if hes so desperate then may be he should just stand up for himself and straighten this out once and for all. Besides that, hes the best roommate, friend and confidant any one could ever ask for. Theres nothing in the world I would hide from him and I know it's the same for him too.
After lectures, we headed towards Meryl's, our daily hangout. All the usual people were there' muskan, rahuls irritating girl friend, my other good friends including atul, anjali, nikita, shubhankar, keerti''
'one black coffee, no sugar,' I said to the guy at the counter and turned around to return to the table. And I crashed into her' again!
Part 1
'what the hell'' ridhima wanted to curse out aloud but as she lifted her head she found herself lost in those same grey eyes from last night. There was something on those eyes that drove her towards them' the innocence, the confidence or was it just her imagination? She wasn't sure herself.
'hey! You are ridzi, right? From the new years party..' armaan said as she straightened out her hair and clothes. 'im armaan, remember me?'
'of course, the guy who spilt his drink on me!'
He laughed. 'ya I guess that would be my description'''
'so do you always go around crashing into people?'
'not really, but yes I suppose you could say that'. He laughed again. 'so are you new to this place? I've never seen you before? '
'are you trying to tell me you know each and every person who goes in and out of here?' she asked him sarcastically.
'well, actually yes. My mum owns this place. So I tend to know everyone, if not by name then atleast by face. '
'oh,' she said dismayed that her sarcasm didn't go anwhere. 'but you're right. Im new, and not just to your restaurant but to this city as well. Today was actually my first day in st. marys med-school.'
'what a coincidence! I study there too!' just then the guy at the counter handed him his coffee. 'by the way, can I get you something?'
'sure. A black coffee without sugar would be nice.' Armaan smiled and handed her his coffee.
'wow, that was quick service.'
'actually that was supposed to be my coffee. But since your taste matches mine and you're the guest here, you go ahead. Ill take the next one. '
Ridhima thanked him and headed towards the table where muskaan and her friends were sitting. Over the cups of coffee and many chicken sandwiches that they shared, she gradually got acquainted with all of them. To her pleasant surprise, armaan joined them soon after. She learnt later that muskan and anjali were the only second years' among them. The rest were all in their third year. Except ofcourse ridhima, who was only a first year. It was a cheerful atmosphere, they laughed, teased each other and sometimes even the profs from college and cracked the silliest of jokes. At first, she felt a bit left out, unable to understand head or tail of their puns, but armaan noticed this and moved over next to her, gently pushing her into the conversation. That broke the ice between them and soon she felt part of the gang.
Two hours later, muskan announced that she had to go to the library for some reference work and pulled rahul along with her. Armaan rolled his eyes, knowing very well where they were headed. Sooner or later, the rest of them left, leaving her alone at the table with armaan.
'so where do you stay' he asked her.
'presently im living with muskan, shes actually my cousin.'
'muskans your cousin!!!!' he gave her a disbelieving look.
'yup, anything wrong?'
'no nothing. Its just'. Forget it. So how are you going to get home. I no where she stays and it's a little far to walk from here. '
'I don't really know. I thought I would go with muskan but since shes conveniently forgotten about me, like always, ''. Hey, you said you know the house. Could you tell me how to get there?'
Armaan smiled, revealing his dimples. Then he shook his head and said,'wait a minute. Ill get the keys of my bike from inside and then ill drop you myself.' Saying so he got up and went inside.
A tiny smile appeared on ridhimas face. Although it was too early to say anthing, she had a feeling this was one ride she would never forget.
Part 2
'can I help you with something?' ridhima looked up to see a middle aged gentleman in a white shirt and jeans walk up to her.
'ya, actually I was waiting for armaan. Umm' he uhh.. asked me to wait for him, here. But he.. hasn't arrived yet.' She finished wondering how to explain her situation to this stranger. She didn't want to sound rude because he had seemed genuinely concerned. All the same, he was unknown to her and she wasn't sure how much she could trust him.
'oh, then you must be a friend of armaans. Sorry, I mistook you for a new client cause I've never seen you before. Gotta show some courteousness, you know. But for his friends this place is like home' welcome anytime.
Ridhima wondered for a moment if she was included in his list of friends. She had known him for only two hours and of that, they'd spoken for barely a minute. But all the same, she refrained from replying.
'Why don't you come in?' he said motioning her to follow him behind the counter. 'we can talk while I finish my accounts.' Looking at her as she hesitated, he continued smiling, 'don't worry, im abhishek, armaans dad, in case you didn't already realize. '
She looked up to see a twinkle in his light grey eyes' the SAME light grey eyes, she thought. Even the dimple was identical. 'oops, guess I missed that'' she said with a small laugh. There was something very warm and comforting about the way he spoke. After they finished with the formal introductions, the conversation was more light hearted. He told her hilarious stories about the different types of people who came to the restaurant, their tantrums and their weirdest demands. She enjoyed herself thoroughly and told him more about herself, her old school in Dehra and her high school in Delhi.
Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, armaan came and stood behind the pillar, listening to their chatter, smiling slightly at the continuous laughter. There was something very familiar about it, something he remembered only too well, something he had run away from almost two years ago and had buried deep in his heart. Yet it had come back, unknowingly, suddenly but still it had the same effect on him. He coughed all of a sudden, revealing his existence to the pair. 'I think we should make a move,' he said. Ridhima smiled and nodded, waved goodbye to 'abhi uncle' and then followed armaan outside to his bike.
'what took you so long?' she asked and then wondering if she had been too curious added quickly, 'I mean, ill find my way if you're busy or something'. Don't intend to be a botheration.'
'hey don't be sorry, its not a problem at all, and I was the one who offered the ride, remember! Actually, it was rahul. He called to say that he and muskan were going out tonight and he wouldn't be able to come over for our usual study sessions.'
'oh great! So I suppose that means I get to spend the entire evening on my own in a new house in an unknown city. Wonderful''..!!!!!!!!'
Armaan noticed the sarcasm in her voice and decided to finally ask her what had been annoying his mind for so long. 'how do you even tolerate that girl? She can be awfully weird at times. Besides shes always involved in the wrong stuff and pulling rahul into it along with her.'
'AHAA! I sense protective brotherly feelings take over!..... and about muskan, you're right. Shes always been this really bratty, whiny, rotten child. Too much money at too young an age, I suppose. But right now ive decided to shut my eyes and ears and let that surpass. The house matters too much to me to lose it over such trivial issues.'
'my sympathies. Any way, I heard you went to high school in Delhi, so I guess that means you're not really a small town girl.'
'small town girl, huh? I wonder why that phrase is always used in such a demeaning fashion.'
'hey, I didn't mean to offend you okay, its just that small town girls are kind of reserved and shy and pessimistic and extremely hard to talk with. You know what I mean, the miss-goody-two-shoes kind.'
'do I look or sound that kind.'
'not really. Cant say much though cause I don't know you that well yet but you seem more of the outspoken and fun loving type.'
'so,' guess that answers your question. And just for your information, not everyone is a stereotype. There are others too, like me'. Typical urban mentality!'
'Sorry ma'am,' he said with a slight smile and then added, 'I wonder how you fit in there, with this rebellious attitude of yours.'
'to be very honest, I never did and still don't. I've always wanted a life like my uncle's, in Singapore. We often visited him during vacations and I was in awe of the whole set up'. The fast life, late nights,'' and the likes. But my parents, they hated all that. Inspite of having been brought up in Delhi, they preferred the quaint and serene town in the heart of the hills.'
'so that's why you came down to Delhi, is it? To check out the discos and night clubs!'
She laughed, 'that's not the only reason, alright? Colleges are also better and more equipped there.'
'oh please, don't you kid me. Anyway, here we are.'
'okay, thanks a ton, good night.'
'yeah, so I guess ill see you tomorrow, at the restaurant.'
'sure, ill be there, but a littlelate, okay. Im going to try out for the debate club after classes. That might take a while.'
'cool, ill see you there then.' He said and with that he started his bike and rode away into the dark before she could say or ask anything else.'
The members of the debate club were using a free lecture room to hold their auditions. The door creaked as she tried to shut it as softly as possible. She looked up slowly, ready to expect anything, but this''. The gorgeous armaan malik sitting on the professors table with one leg placed lazily on top of another and a bored look on his face. Ridhima stood stunned for a moment. That he had an amazing body and a uniquely attractive face, she had noticed before. But that he was totally HOT, how that blatant fact had gone unnoticed by her, she failed to understand. There were a few others behind him, either sprawled on the benches or leaning against the walls with pens and boards in hand, but no one could have the same bearing, intoxicating effect as him.
He looked up as she entered and their eyes met for a moment, each holding the gaze a little longer than necessary. 'so, ms ridhima shashank gupta, am I right?' he asked finally. She nodded and that too with an uncharacteristic confidence, he noticed. 'Lets get started then, have you had any experience in debating before? You know, some basic practice or an award or too in school'. Not that its essential, but we always prefer taking people who atleast know what they're here for.' He added the last part for her benefit.
'Primary speaker of the champion team of the Outlook National Debate, my first year in high school.' She said it just like that, as if it were the most careless thing to say. But the impact on the room was obvious. Some raised their eyebrows in awe; some nodded their heads in approval, but armaan remained unmoved.
'well I suppose in that case, the champion will have to stand up against the champion himself.' And with that he swung his legs on to the other side and got off, as if ready to face her at the podium. 'sure,' ridhima said, keeping her bag aside and bracing herself up to let him know that affecting her nerves was going to be tougher than he thought. The others continued to look with rapt attention.
'shall we begin then?' he asked grinning at her from ear to ear. 'definitely, whenever you feel upto it.' She replied casually.
'so tell me, why debate? What is it that draws you to it more than all other things.'
'simple. I like to debate because it gives me the power to stand up for what I believe, and the courage to speak my mind.'
'what according to you makes a good debatist?'
'the ability to control not only the direction in which the proposition is headed but also the minds and thought-processes of the jury and the audience alike.'
'and you think you can do that? exercise your power on the human psyche, that what has always been beyond the control of any mortal.'
'there is nothing in this world that is beyond human control.'
'RUBBISH!' HE BELLOWED. Suddenly all heads turned towards him. 'control everything, my foot! If we really could then people wouldn't be left to rot away in hell.'
'armaan, you're taking it the wrong way. What I''.'
'ms ridhima shashank gupta, there is no right or wrong way to this, okay! If you're living in the misconception, that you can exercise your power and control on anything around you, then let me get some facts straight for you. There are a lot of things beyond our control. You may think you can stand here and argue with me but if I had a cardiac arrest this very moment, would you be able to continue what you wanted to? Tell me! You may want to go home and watch a good movie at night, but if there was an earthquake this very moment, would you be able to do anything about it? If your mom one suddenly left you forever and never ever came back , would you be able to do anything about it?'
'ARMAAN!!! WHAT'S WITH''''''
'answer me, come on'. If your mom told you one evening that she was going across the street to say hello to a friend and then suddenly you hear a loud crash and you never saw your mom ever again, could you do anything about it? Answer me!'
There was pin-drop silence in the room. No one spoke or moved. Ridhima lifted her eyes to look at armaan. He was panting like he'd just run a double marathon. His eyes were red and swollen and he seemed to be trying his best to hold back tears. She walked up to him and gently put her hand on his shoulder, but before she could speak a word, he pushed away her hand rather roughly and walked out of the room, almost tripping over his own feet in his hurry to do so.
For an entire minute no one spoke or moved. It was ridhima who finally broke the silence, 'what was all that about?'
'just leave it alone for some time.' A girl from the back of the class spoke up. 'I guess he took whatever you said too personally.' 'but i'..' ridhima started to say. 'don't worry, its not your fault, really. I suppose he still hasn't gotten over the whole thing. Just relax. It'll all be fine.'
'but what happened? Why did he get so defensive all of a sudden?'
'it was his mother'''..'
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