Hey friends, i am here with another part, and i know its late, but unfortunately, something happened in the family, and i couldnt make this part as good as i had promised. The problem was real big, or else i wouldnt have delayed the part. Please bear with this one, with some AR scenes as well.
Thanks for pressing the like tab, and commenting as well, love you guys for that. Also, thank you all for those who prayed for my friends.
PART 5
It was a new morning, Armaan got up in his bed as the sunrays filled his room. He felt really good about the day, what was it, he did not know. All he knew was his life had changed. But this was not what he'd expected to feel. His past routine since one week had made him really gloomy, and today, his heart was feeling happy, and this confused him. He went to have a shower (girls, stop drooling and hold your imagination right here, concentrate on the story, i want nothing to happen to my hero, not even in ur imaginations, hehehe). Haan, so, he went to have a shower, and thought over the past week.
One week had passed since the incident had taken place, when Riddhima had been humiliated in the class due to him. Many things had changed since then. Muskaan, she hadnt changed her behaviour towards him, she was the same old Muskaan, but at times, he felt that things had changed between them, owing to the fact that Muskaan now hardly hanged out with him, n her older friends. She was always seen with Riddhima and Rahul, let it be anywhere. Riddhima, she had continued to behave like he did not exist, so nothing changed here, but the change was that her ignorance hurt him a lot, and he could do nothing but accept this fact. Unfortunately, he never questioned the reason for his heart feeling the hurt. Rahul, well, Armaan was least bothered with Rahul's existence. But one major change had taken place, umit was spending lots of time with Riddhima. Armaan had noticed him many times with her, but Sumit always denied to this in front of his friends. Simran also stayed a bit aloof from Sumit. Armaan wondered if they had a break up, and on the rebound, Sumit had succumbed to Riddhima's comfort.
Armaan had seen Riddhima did not talk to anyone usually, but whenever she came to know about anyone's problem, she would help it. Sometimes the people knew about her help, and sometimes, they just didnt. Riddhima had also become the favourite of all the teachers around her, due to her brilliant performance in studies. One teacher was exception though, Professor Raghav, the teacher who had insulted her, thanks to Armaan. Now, all this about Riddhima, led him to believe there could be something going between Sumit and Riddhima, and this thought did not feel nice at all. But this was all the confusion about, Sumit has had some girlfriends in the previous times too, but Armaan had never been jealous, and now...
Woah, wait a second, where did the word 'jealousy' come from? Armaan Mallik was never jealous, that too of his best friend, no ways was it possible. Perhaps it was the slip of his tongue, yeah, this was the reason. Armaan convinced his unconvinced heart, and moved on to college.
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The day in the college was just the same, when she entered the gates. But her heart knew about the changes that would take place today, and this made her heart fill up with happiness. Riddhima crossed the place, where she was used to see the black sports car everyday, but, today the car was missing. She supposed this as a haapy sign to her day, but on the same note, her heart felt something amiss. Still, trying to suppress this feeling of being let down, she proceeded to her classes.
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The lectures went quite normally, with nothing new, and now, it was the break time for the second as well as third year students. Everyone of them was hanging out in the canteen. Riddhima also came in with Rahul and Muskaan, and settled on her usual table. Armaan was settled on his usual table, with Simran, Anny, and Chako. Sumit was missing.
"Sim, where's Sumit?", Armaan asked,
"Ah Ammy, wo wo Sumit, wo he's in the library, for some notes you see, exams are coming na, isliye, ah Anny, lets go and have some coke", Simran answered him, and went away with Anny to the counter. Armaan knew she was lying, there was no way Sumit could be in the library, coz exams were as near as much Armaan was near wearing girl's dresses, and he knew it wasnt that near. There had to be something else, and just then, something caught his eye. Riddhima was looking towards the canteen gate and signalling to someone, and when he saw the gate, he saw the back of a retreating figure, whom he knew was, Sumit.
Riddhima got up after saying something to Rahul and Muskaan, and walked away. Armaan excused himself, and followed her. He was real cautious in his act. Finally, Riddhima entered an empty classroom, and very cautiously, Armaan stood at the door of the room, and observed the happenings.
"So, Sumit, all ready?", Riddhima asked,
"Yeah, kind of?", Sumit answered nervously, Riddhima raised her eyebrows at him with shock, and he answered,
"Well, i am hell nervous, what should i do, i mean its a lot, and u know...", Sumit said, but was cut in between by Riddhima,
"Sumit, its totally ok, i understand, but i am with you, now, i hope you are ready to propose in front of the whole college?", Riddhima asked,
"Whole college, i mean, Riddhima, think about it atleast once, isnt it enough between us two, why the whole college, plz, plz, plz?", Sumit pleaded,
"Sumit, you know na, i want it to be special, so plz, dont ruin my thoughts, n now move, lets go to the canteen",
Listening to this, Sumit moved out of the room, and Riddhima was about to follow him, when, her foot suddenly twisted, and she fell down............(guys, ab u all know what happens next, no suspense there, is it?) in a pair of two strong arms, but like always, she had her eyes closed tight, with the fear of falling down. Dupattas flew around, music played around, and out of nowhere, in a closed area, the wind started blowing, hehehehe, typical lovey dovey style you see. Armaan was busy staring at her face, and Riddhima was busy praying she doesnt falls down. Finally, Armaan removed the strand of hair on her face, which was obstructing his beautiful viewsite, and as he did that, Riddhima opened her eyes in horror. Armaan stared in her big beautiful eyes, wide with horror. Suddenly, out of the blue, Riddhima screamed out loud, piercing his ear drums. Armaan immediately left her, just to see her fall, but our hero was too quick for it. He again caught her, and this time, he also fell, with her falling on him. Armaan had to hug her, just in case he left her. Riddhima lay upon him, feeling his hot breath on her face and staring into his eyes. Armaan had had enough of the eyes, so right now, he was busy caressing her face, mentally. Riddhima tried getting up after some time, but Armaan's grip was rather tighter than she'd thought. Finally,
"I need to get up", Riddhima said softly,
Armaan heard the beautiful voice, and it broke his trance. He was ecstatic to hear the voice which had deprived him of a good night's sleep. Armaan loosened his grip, and she immediately got up. She muttered a thanks, and was about to rush away, when Armaan caught her hand, and stopped her.
"Uh, Riddhima, why did you scream?", he asked her,
She did not turn, but decided to answer him,
"Woh, actually, i, i saw a wasp on your forehead, and it could've bitten you. I got scared, and screamed", Riddhima answered, lookin quite embarassed, while her reason brought a smile on Armaan's lips. She really cares, doesnt she, for everyone, for me, and Sumit???????
"Riddhima, what will be the answer to Sumit's proposal?", he asked with slight hesitance,
"You know him better, no girl will ever say no to a person like him?", Riddhima said,
"So, should i take it as a yes?", Armaan asked, Riddhima nodded,
"Now, can i please go?", she asked, Armaan left her hand, and she walked away to the canteen's direction. Armaan didnt know why, he felt a heavy feeling inside himself. He questioned the reason for it, but suddenly received a text message. It was from Sumit, he had asked Armaan to hurry to the canteen, and Armaan did as told, for the sake of his friend's happiness.
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Armaan entered the canteen, and went to sit with his friends, and saw Riddhima sitting with her friends, and a playful smile on her lips, as she turned her gaze from Rahul to Muskaan, and back to Rahul again. Just then, he heard Sumit's voice through the mike. He spotted him coming from the oposite end of the canteen, in their direction.
"Hello friends, now please stop giving me those special glares for interrupting your fun time, n listen carefully to what i have to say. Waise, i dontmind even if you dont listen, because i know, the one for whom i am doing this, she will definitely hear every word i speak, even if i dont use this mike, hehehe. Sorry, bad jokes, now coming to the point, there's this one girl, whom i love dearly from my heart, and i want to spend my whole life, just with her. She's the most amazing person i have ever met, the best of all, yeah, a little hard nut sometimes, but her heart is really pure, purer than 22 carat gold. So, cutting all things short, i have just ne question, my ldy love, will you stay by me for all my life, and will you..."
"STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!", everyone looked at Sumit, whose voice stuck in his throat, as soon as he heard the loud shout, and then, they turned to watch the direction of the ear deafening scream. They saw it was Rahul, he had gottne up, and immediately settled on his knees in front of Muskaan,
"Muskaan, dekh, i dont care since how long does this Sumit know you, and how deep is his love is, but all i know is, that i really love you, from deepest core of my heart. And before you say anything, just remember you are my first love (hawww, what about the colour blue then?), i love you now, i have loved only you previously, and even in future, i will only love you. Now, go ahead, and please say yes, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, Muski, i love you", Rahul finished it all in one breath, while Muskaan too came down from her chair in front of him as soon as he finished, and hugged him.
"I love you too rahul, and its a yes", the people in the canteen hooted and whistled and clapped, Riddhima also went down to hug her friends, and after breaking the hug, she motioned Sumit with her hand, to continue. Sumit was so shocked with the turn of events, that he just moved to Armaan's table, settled on knees, and continued his line before Rahul had interrupted him,
"...marry me, Simran?", Simran was also overjoyed, she immediately pulled him up and hugged him, Sumit had gotten his answer, and the whole canteen rejoiced again, while Rahul looked shocked, and turned his gaze to Riddhima, who had been initially flowing some tears, but as soon as she sensed Rahul looking at her, she excused hersekf, and ran away abruptly.
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Riddhima ran to her favourite place, the garden, but was closely followed by Rahul and Muskaan, hand in hand. Rahul cornered he rfinally, and Riddhima was playing with her dupatta,
"Miss Riddhima Gupta, i am waiting for your answer", Rahul glared at her,
Riddhima looked at him, n moved a step away, Rahul moved two steps forward, finally Riddhima spoke up, as she still moved backward, and Rahul moved forward.
"See, wo Rahul actually, when i told Muskaan about Sumit asking my help with Simran, then she was like 'how i wish it was Rahul proposing me rather than Sumit and Simran', and i knew it was high time to help my best friends. You both love each other so much, but what about next? And then, it striked me, i knew how i had to make you confess Rahul, because i knew Muskaan would never take the first step. So, today morning, all i had to do was, tell you that Sumit planned to propose Muskaan, and she would say yes, as he was her brother's best friend, and a very nice guy too. And see, this did the trick, and you did not even let Sumit go for his confession, poor guy, after your horrible scream, i wonder how did he speak the last words. Uh, ok, lets not go there, but see, how happy you both are now, and i think i need to leave you love birds alone", saying this, Riddhima ran away, Rahul was about to catch her again, but Muskaan pulled him, and asked him to stop irritating Riddhima, and Rahul had to give in.
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Armaan had still not recovered from the shock of the incident in he canteen. First of all Sumit had proposed to Simran, not Riddhima, this was a heavy relief, and secondly, Muskaan, his little sister Muski, who didnt know even the b of the boys now had a boy friend. All this shook him really bad. Thats when he thought he should be paying attention to Sumit right now, who was speaking on Armaan's favourite topic,
"Guys, you know, Riddhima itni bhi buri nahi hai, i mean wo bilkul buri nahi hai. Few days back, Sim and i had a discussion over the marriage topic, Sim wanted to get married, but i just couldnt accept this. Then she started staying away from me, and i really missed her. One day, i bumped into Riddhima, she saw me tensed and asked for the reason, and i told her everything i still dont know why dod i tell her, but i just did. She then explained me, that Sim wasnt asking me to marry right now, but she needed some assurance, that i do love her, and will not back out, so she suggested i propose u officially, and she said getting engaged wasnt a bad idea either. So, here i did it, and Sim, can i meet your parents today, to ask permission for our relation", Sumit said, Sim just nodded, and went away on the pretext of calling her parents, while Armaan knew she did not want the others to see her tears of happiness.
"Guys, what about Muski, and that guy, Rahul?", Armaan asked his friends, he had wanted an opinion,
"Ammy, i dont know anything about Rahul, but as far as i have come to know about Riddhima, she loves both her friends more than anything else, and if she has helped unite Rahul and Muskaan, then trust me, Rahul is the perfect one for Muskaan, dont worry", Sumit said,
Armaan gathered Sumit's words, and walked off to somewhere.
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Armaan was walking aimlessly in the corridoor of the college, when he heard a giggle, he turned in the direction of the source, and saw Riddhima running across the garden. Suddenly, her dupatta flew away, and landed, no, not on Armaan, but a nearby tree. Riddhima reached the tree, n tried to pull the dupatta by jumping again n again, but she failed. Armaan walked over to her, Riddhima felt very conscious seeing him there, her hands immediately went to cover herself, and Armaan saw this. He turned his gaze away from her, and pulled th edupatta down by jumping once. He closed his eye, and turned again, to give her the dupatta. She took it immediately, and in the process, her fingers brushed his hand. Armaan felt a shiver run through his body, which jerked him n he realised that Riddhima was leaving.
"Riddhima?", though he hadnt expected, but still, she did stop, and once again, did not turn,
"I wanted to say something", Armaan said, and thhis time, she did turn, but did not look at his face, or in his eyes,
"Yes", she only spoke this much,
"I really wanted to thank you for what you have done for Sumit, and Muskaan as well", he continued,
"I did all that for my friends, so you dont need to thank me anyways", she replied,
"I know, i felt i should, so i did, but i also wanted to ask you something, wo Muski, and, wo, i mean do you think...?", his question was cut-off in between,
"Rahul is a very nice person, Muskaan n him, they both love each other very much, i know Rahul will never hurt her, or break her trust, never, i can guarantee that, and about his back ground, he belongs to a good family, i could give you the details..." Riddhima was suddenly quitened, as he placed his finger on her lips, and he leaned really close to her,
"Bas karo yaar Riddhima, tum kitna baat karti ho, chapar chapar chapar chapar chapar, i always thought you never talked, lekin aaj, are you sure you are the same Riddhima?", Armaan said, with an amused expression,
Riddhima did not say anything, but keot on staring at him, making her eyes wider, Armaan didnt understand anyhting, she kept on looking up and down, but he only got confused, finally, she lifted her finger, and pointed ti his finger on her lip, realsiation dawned him, and he took back his hand,
"Oh, i am so sorry, i didnt realise, but how did you know what had i wanted to ask you?", he asked her,
"Tum Muskaan ke bhai ho, so it was obvious you will be worried about her getting into a relationship. And now, if you are done with your questions, can i go", she said this, n walked away,
"Just one last question Riddhima, tum mera naam kyun nahi leti, why dont you ever speak my name?", Armaan shouted his question,
Riddhima pretended she hadnt heard him, and went away, how could she tell why didnt she take his name.
Armaan knew she'd heard him, still ignored it, and her ignorance hurt him, but he was happy atleast she talked to him for so long. He went away humming to himself.
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Armaan saw Muskaan in her room that day, she was talking to Rahul and Riddhima both on the phone (multi people call u see). She was really happy, and Armaan could see it in her eyes, and he knew what Riddhima had said was true. He knocked her door, and Muskaan told her friends she'd call later,
"Ammy, if you have come to talk about what happened in college today, then...", she started to say,
"Muski, i am really happy for you, i am sure Rahul is a nice guy", Armaan said this, and as Muskaan heard him, she hugged him tightly, n cried her heart out.
"Thanks Ammy, i love you, you're the best bro in the world"
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After a few days, it was time for the teachers to select the editor and assisting editor for the college newspaper, and everyone had gathered in the hall, for the announcement. The Principal came n said,
"Ok students, we all are here, for the post of the editor, and i am sure you all know, like always, its none other than your favourite person, Armaan Mallik"
Armaan came on the stage, and flew some kisses to everyone, his friends were whistling and hooting, he saw the place where Riddhima was sitting, Muskaan showed him a thums up, while Riddhima, she was busy talking about something happily with Rahul. Armaan felt ignored, when suddenly, the Princi spoke again,
"And as for the EA, editor's assistant, all the teachers, except one (obviously, that Raghav sir na), have chosen Miss Riddhima Gupta"
Armaan saw Riddhima look at the Principal in shock, while Rahul and Muskaan pushed he rto come to the stage. Riddhima refused, and pleaded her friends, but Rahul spoke something in her ear, she nodded her head, n came upto the stage, n stood nervously.
Armaan was amused at her act. He thought to himself,
'Riddhima Gupta, ab kahan jaogi, Bhagwan aur Princi bhi tumhe mere pass bhej rahe hain, you'll always land up with me'
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thats all for today,
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pooja
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
