Armaan had fallen off to sleep very early in the morning, when it had still been dark, and the stars were still smiling at him, at them, as he almost lay over her on that low diwan on their terrace surrounded by colorful cushions..
He had stayed up for long, with her sleeping self in his lap, looking up at the twinkles, as he thanked them, reverently looking up at them, for bringing her in his life.. She had slept of earlier, in his embrace, tired, physically and emotionally, from the most amazingly bizarre events that had occurred the previous day.. He had been tired too.. But there was something else that occupied his mind now.. He cuddled her, giving her warmth as she snuggled against her very own sun.. And he held her protectively, the fact that she was here finally sinking in.. The fact that she was now engaged to him.. That she was officially his, seeped slowly through every cell of his.. Now there would be nothing between them.. Nothing except time,.. until they get married.. As he looked at that engagement ring on his left hand, his heart raced.. He had imagined several times of when and how they would get married.. At that time he could only imagine it.. But now he could see it happening.. He was so close to home.. Suddenly he realized that all the dreams that they had once dreamt together for their future would now be fulfilled.. He could see it happening now.. It was only a matter of time.. He would have a family.. A real family.. That would belong only to him.. For the first time in his life he could see a clear picture of his future.. It had always been hazy for him.. Since the day he was born, his future was uncertain.. And the uncertainties and insecurities only intensified with time as he grew up.. He had seen all that was there to see in life.. And he had faced it alone.. And just as he had given up hope and made peace with that loneliness, she had walked in, breathing back life into him.. Making his life worth living.. Worth all the struggle and the hardships he had faced.. She was his salvation.. His everything there was.. But still, she didn't belong to him.. He did, in every which way that there was.. But she had her family, her life.. They were surely more important.. At least that's what he had thought.. But he was evidently wrong.. Proven wrong by her.. She had given herself to him, more than he had thought she had.. He didn't know love this intense, ever existed.. He didn't know if he deserved to be loved the way she loved him.. She took away all his pain and emptiness.. But he returned all that to her, but leaving her.. Her empty eyes still pierced his heart.. That pleading, hurt, defeated sight of hers would haunt him forever.. Still, she had taken him back.. How or why she loved him so much was beyond his comprehension.. The only thing he understood was that, he was all she wanted.. And he was never going to take that away from her.. And it wont be very difficult to do that.. Coz that is what he craved for.. The only thing he ever craved for.. And now, she was going to be his responsibility.. He was never ever going to let that beautiful smile disappear from her face.. He was going to be there for her.. Through every second of her life.. Through all the ups and downs that they were yet to see.. He would protect her from every little pain.. Not let anything harm her.. She had suffered a lot because of him.. She had seen this pain only because of him.. He had shattered her perfect life once.. Never again.. Never again would he let anything or anyone hurt her.. Not even himself.. His past didn't matter now.. He had seen worse.. Seeing her in that pain was worse.. He would not let even his pain hurt her.. Coz he knew it hurt her to see him in pain.. All that mattered now was her smile.. He would give his life for it.. And with that resolve he waited, waited for a new dawn, for a new day to begin, for their new life to begin.. He felt her move in his hold, trying to get closer to him as the early morning breeze sent shivers through them both.. The chilly November cold was getting to her.. He realized that she was feeling cold on her back as it lay exposed, while she leaned in, pressing closer to him.. He tried to move her, as he thought he should probably take her down and tuck her in his warm bed, wrap a blanket around her.. But she clung on to him.. When he forced her off his lap, she lay down, deep in slumber, pulling him with her.. He smiled as he watched her frown in her sleep, trying to get him closer, but he was too strong for her, especially when she was in her deepest of sleeps.. As she shivered again by the clod breeze, clutching his collar tight, he gave in to her.. He knew she needed warmth.. But she didn't need a bed or a blanket.. She just needed him.. Covering her securely under him, he pressed close on her, rubbing her arms to stop her shivers.. She smiled in her sleep as he moved his head and laid it on her chest, hiding his face under her chin, as he bore the brunt of another, harsh cold blow.. But he took it all, protecting her, as he had promised he would, from everything that troubled her.. And finally he dozed off in her warmth, feeling at peace with himself, as he felt her fingers in his hair, clutching them softly, pulling him closer still.. If there ever existed a heaven on earth, it was right here, in her arms..
As the birds started to chirp their chirpy morning songs, Riddhima's ears took in the noises she heard.. It was surely a beautiful dream, but she could not remember no head no tail of it.. She only knew that it was a happy dream, as she almost felt herself smile sleepily.. She frowned a little when the cold stung her face and she tried to move towards her source of warmth.. As she tried pulling up what she thought was her blanket, she tugged at his hair, in her sleep.. "Basket.. Lemme sleep yaar..", he said in a hoarse, sleepy whisper.. But when she continued to pull his hair, he looked at her with a scowl, pulling apart a little.. When he saw that she was still asleep and just feeling cold again, he moved up a little, half asleep himself, as he let her hide her face in his chest.. Running his fingers into her hair he eased her into sleep again as he felt her cold nose, nuzzling his neck now.. He smiled somnolently, as he held her to himself, as she held him to her..
Riddhima, felt his warm skin, taking in his scent, snuggling closer, when she realized, something was different.. As her subconcious mind awoke, she frowned a little, trying hard to figure out what was it that was different.. As she ran her hands up to his face, tracing his features, eyes still closed, trying to figure out what was going on.. Armaan was disturbed by all her movements as he held her hand and held it down forcefully, "Basket.. Please lemme sleep..", he whined sleepily, turning his face to the other side.. His voice suddenly sparked up her sleepy gray cells as she started putting two and two together.. His smell, that weight on her, his warmth and soft touch.. This could only mean one thing.. Oh crap!! "Armaan..", she said his name out in realization as she opened her eyes, quickly trying to push him away.. Obviously she couldn't.. "Armaan.. What am I doing here..", she started to recollect that dream.. Oh!.. She sighed in realization.. That was the most beautiful feeling she had experienced.. As those emotions rushed through her, she blushed, feeling at home.. Home?.. Oh no!!.. She took in her surroundings moving her head a little and no.. No.. No. no.. "Armaan.. We're on the terrace..", she told him as she tried to get him off her..
"Tch.. I know Basket.. Stop moving.. Lemme sleep..", he slept on as he buried her face into his neck while she tried to move.. Riddhima smacked him hard on his shoulder and he let her go immediately, "Basket yaar.. Stop hitting me.." he pulled out as he opened his eyes to look at her, irritated with her now.. He was sleepy.. How difficult was that to understand..
But Riddhima was worried.. "Armaan.. Papa.. Where is he.. What will he say.. ", she remembered how her dad had shouted at her the last time she had not gone home last night..
Armaan was clearly frustrated due to lack of sleep, "Riddhima.. He must've gone home.. Mujhe kya pata.. I want to sleep.." and he buried his face in her neck again holding her close..
But she pulled him up by his hair, his stubborn behavior was getting to her.."Armaan yahan meri jaan nikal rahi hai, and you want to sleep.. Get up.. I hope papa doesn't say anything.." she said a little irritated and a little worried..
Those words struck his heart hard as he arched his back up immediately and looked at her worried expression.. He got off her as he looked away, trying not to think about the past now.. "Uh.. Don't worry.. I'll come with you to drop you home.. He wont say anything to you ok..", he assured her, reminding himself that he had to protect her from any pain or worry whatsoever... Getting up now, he sat up straight, smiling a small smile to reassure her..
Riddhima saw his half-smile, changed expression, that he tried to mask very well.. She saw through and through, his eyes just said it all.. She realized, this wasn't the rightest thing to say.. It brought back his guilt to him.. And she didn't want that.. About her dad.. Well they were engaged now.. And he certainly knew where she was this time.. As he was about to get off, "Armaan.. ", she said taking his hand as she lay down again, "I am still sleepy.. Can we sleep for some more time..", she asked him as he scowled at her, "What.. But Dr. Shashank.."
"He wont be up so early.. He sleeps till late on Sundays..", she said as she grinned at him, pulling him down on her..
"Armaan.. ", she said as he replied a sleepy, "Hmm.."
"I love you..", she said softly, caressing his scalp as she ran her fingers through his hair, trying to get him to sleep.. He kissed her softly on her neck once as he mumbled "I love you too..", against her skin and fell off to sleep.. He slept peacefully snuggling close to her, and this time she kept up, caressing his back softly, feeling his warm and steady breath on her skin, as she let him sleep in her warmth, smiling as she looked up at the sky, changing its colors fast now, the stars disappearing as a deep blue turned slowly to a light gray and then the winter morning pink, celebrating the beginning of their new life..
"Padma.. Its seven..", Dr. Shashank was sitting up, with a worried expression, on his bed while his wife slept facing away from him, enjoying a peaceful sleep after a long time..
"Shashank.. I am not getting up early today.. Ek toh aaj Sunday hai.. Plus.. I am really tired.. Aap kyun itni jaldi uth gaye.. Its better when you have work in the hospital.. At least you don't trouble me..", she scolded him, not opening her eyes..
But Shashank wasn't listening to her, "She still hasn't come back.. She hasn't even called..", he said softly..
Padma heard that and turned around and smiled, "Shashank.. Aap kyun apni neend kharaab kar rahe hain.. She must be sleeping.. They all must've been up late.. Aur phir subah ke paanch che baje soye honge.. They wont even get up before 11.. Main toh kehti hoon aap bhi so jayiye.."
Shashank frowned as he heard her.. "Padma.. How can you be so cool about it.. Meri beti hai.. Kisi aur ke ghar mein raat bhar.. I mean.. I know, Armaan ke saath engagement hui hai.. But that doesn't mean ki.. I mean..", he didn't want to sound like he still had a problem with Armaan.. But it was a question of principle..
"Shashank.. Pehli baat.. Uss ghar par jitna haq Riddhima ka hai, utna Armaan ka bhi nahi hai.. Didn't you see that yesterday.. She knows exactly what has to go where.. And I am sure sab ussine organize kiya hai.. It looks just like the way she organizes her room.. And Armaan is so lost without her.. Usse apne hi ghar mein kaunsi cheez kahan hai nahi pata thi.. Jaise kal, he was looking for that coffee jar for such a long time till Riddhima helped him with it..", she chuckled as she remembered his lost expressions as he had vandalized all the shelves in the kitchen cabinets to look for the coffee.. Then finally had gone and asked Riddhima for help.. And she found it in an instant, coz of course she knew where it was.. Then they had bickered over how she had changed the positions of all the things in the kitchen and so he couldn't locate anything in there.. She had only retorted by telling him how unorganized it was before she had made it into a real kitchen.. Padma smiled to herself as she thought of that.. Though her daughter was never that great a cook, she liked everything neat and organized.. That was the only time she used to enter the kitchen.. To help her in cleaning and organizing it..
Shashank realized now, why he was feeling weird in Armaan's house yesterday.. It was because his daughter was acting like it was her place.. "But Padma.. Isnt this a little extreme.. I mean.. Engagement toh kissi zamaane mein humari bhi hui thi.. Sab ki hoti hai.. But shaadi se pehle.. They almost act like they are married.. i mean..", Padma cut him off before he finished.. She knew exactly what he must be going through.. The generation gap surely shows up here.. She had kept up with the times.. But her husband had been too busy in his work to catch up with the world.. "Shashank main jaanti hoon aapko kaisa lag raha hoga.. Lekin aapne un dono ka pyaar dekha nahi hai.. Its permanent.. Its something that will never change.. You don't know how dependent they are on each other.. Their feelings for each other are so intense, sometimes its scary.. You know ek baar Armaan ki tabiyat kharaab hui thi.. It was just a fever, but Riddhima ne saara ghar sar pe utha liya tha.. She had gone insane when he wasn't taking her call.. Tab main unke baare mein jaanti tak nahi thi.. But she was so desperate to go see him, that she even took my permission.. ", she recounted that incident to her husband..
"But why did she take your permission.. I thought she had become the ultimate liar..", he joked, though half-heartedly..
"Coz Armaan ne usse mana kiya tha.. From lying.. Coz they were feeling guilty of fooling us.. Tab mujhe yakeen hua that what they had was not some time pass random affair.. They really loved and cared for each other.. Aur tab se aaj tak unka pyaar sirf badhta gaya hai.. You know when Riddhima had not come home last time round.. Tab Armaan Singapore mein tha.. Lekin jab usse pata chala that Riddhima had been at his place all night, usne sab se pehle mujhe bataane ke liye phone kia.. And guess what he tells me.. 'Please don't be angry with her Padma aunty.. It was my fault.. '..", Padma quoted Armaan in disbelief as she told him all that she had observed about their relationship.. Obviously she didn't know any details.. Riddhima mostly kept Armaan very close to herself.. She didn't like to share him with anyone.. But from what she had observed about them, their love went beyond being in a relationship, or giving it a name.. They just needed each other.. Engagement, marriage.. Whatever else there was that was to make it official was all a formality to show the world..
"But Riddhima is also very protective about his feelings.. She didn't want him to speak to me.. Coz she thought I'll hurt him.. Even when she was angry with him, she didn't want me to say another harsh word to him.. She could take it all, but always wanted to protect him.. She cant see anyone beyond him.. It's a little extreme I think..", Shashank spoke up, breaking her chain of thoughts.. She heard him and knew it was true, but then there was a reason why Riddhima was so protective about him.. There was a reason why Armaan feels so intensely for her, "Shashank.. We'll never know what they share.. And its true that its extreme, lekin its because Riddhima is the only person Armaan has in this world.. She is his only family.. And she feels that for him Shashank.. She knows he cant do anything without her.. All her life she's been protected, pampered by us.. Now she feels the need to protect him.. Just like we protected her.. Aap nahi jaante, aur Riddhima ne mujhe bhi theek se bataaaya nahi, ki uska past kya hai.. I guess its their personal thing.. All I know is that he grew up without parents and a family.. Iss liye both their feelings are so magnified towards each other.."
"Yeah.. I agree.. That is why he took such a big decision to relocate to Singapore without thinking twice.. But this chup chup ke milna.. Jhoot bolna.. Yeh sab theek nahi lagta na Padma.. Call me old fashioned, but agar meri beti kisi aur ke ghar mein.."
"Aap meri baat samajh hi nahi rahe.. Aapko kya lagta hai.. Mujhe meri beti ki fikar nahi hai.. Shashank jab mujhe shak tha ki unn dono mein kucch chal raha hai, aur Riddhima mujhse jhoot bol rahi hai, toh mujhe bhi gussa aaya tha.. Maine bhi ek do baar uss se baat nikalwaane ki koshish ki thi.. But you know na, Riddhima has always been an introvert.. She doesn't seem like one.. But uske dil mein kya chalta hai who koi nahi jaanta.. She never shares the things that are closest to her heart very easily.. Even I thought that it is all wrong and that my daughter was straying.. But when I realized what they mean to each other Shashank, it didn't matter any more.. Wrong and right doesn't matter.. Coz they are in love..", she said, a little dreamy, wishing everyone had her daughter's luck to experience that kind of love..
"Oh.. This stuff is made for movies Padma.. Real life mein practical hona zaroori hota hai.. There are certain rules that make this society.. And you cant go defending anything they do under the pretext of being in love.. ", Shashank made his point and it was valid too..
"Shashank.. Aap phir wahi galti kar rahe hain.. Dono bacche nahi hai.. They are mature adults.. Unki umar mein humari shaadi ho chuki thi Shashank.. In fact Anjali bhi paida ho gayi thi.. They are old enough to take their own decisions and live their life the way they want.. Its just that they respect our opinion too.. Aaj bhi humari marzi ke bina kucch nahi karte.. Why do you think Armaan left her like that?.. Coz he respected you.. And you know why?.. Because your daughter loved you and respected you so much.. Agar aap nahi maante toh who dono aise hi ghut ghut kar jeete, but they would have never gone ahead without you permission.. Aapko pata hai,when Armaan had proposed marriage to Riddhima, he took my permission before doing that.. Don't look at me like that Shashank.. He was scared of you and I knew about them.. He called me up to ask me if he could go ahead and propose or if I had a problem with it.. He didn't need to do that.. But he did.. Doesn't that tell you that they are responsible enough.. That they can be trusted.. Aur agar aapko society ki chinta hai, toh go out there and just see how children treat their parents now-a-days.. We are just lucky ki Riddhima, Anjali aur Atul humari itni izzat karte hain.."
"Aur Armaan bhi..", Shashank reminded her.. Padma smiled at that, "Haan woh toh sabse jyaada.."
"Waise you're right Padma.. Their love goes beyond fairytales and fiction.. Its real but very rare to find or believe.. Par main kya karoon.. Meri princess ko aise grown up dekh kar, mujhe darr lag raha hai.. I don't want to let go of her.. But this is how it works I guess.. I mean I trust them.. And I am happy for Riddhima too.. But I still cant digest the idea.. ", he said honestly, scrunching his nose a little..
"That's true.. Thoda time toh lagega to get used to the idea.. Waise now you'll see a lot of your favorite Dr. Mallik around here..", she teased him..
"Hmm.. And I want that too.. I mean.. If Riddhima is his family, then we are family too right.. And its about time he gets it all.. He deserves all that.. And more so coz he belongs to my princess..", he said, finally smiling..
Padma sighed as she heard that and saw him smile.. "Kaash aapko yehi baat ek mahine pehle samajh aati.. It would have avoided the tears that flooded this house.."
"I am sorry.." he looked away, not wanting to recollect that terrible nightmare of a night again..
"Its ok Shashank.. Jo ho gaya usse yaad karke koi faayda nahi hai.. Koi ek insaan galat nahi tha..", she tried consoling him..
But he looked at her not agreeing with her.. "Main tha Padma.. Baaki sab toh pata nahi.. Lekin ek baat maine bilkul galat kahi thi.. I am sorry I accused you of spoiling my children.. Of being a lenient mother.. You're the best mother and wife anyone could ask for.. Agar tum nahi hoti.. Toh main mere baccho ko kaise samajh pata.. Thank you.."
"Shashank.. Aap bhi na.. Kya baatein lekar baith gaye.. ", she didn't want to remember those words.. That had hurt her a lot.. Beyond measure.. But she had gotten out of it now and didn't want to go there again.. So she sat up straight and was about to get up when he spoke again, "Nahi Padma.. You gave up your career for our kids and I am thankful that you did.. Coz whatever they are today they are because of you.. I am sorry I wasn't around so much.. And I am sorry that I never thanked you for making my children what they are today..", he said, a small smile and moist eyes speaking more for him than those words..
Padma smiled and kept her hand on his in reassurance, "That's not true Shashank.. If it was then why does Riddhima love you more than me.. You have been the balancing force Shashank.. If I understood them, you disciplined them.. And I am sure both my daughters are proud of their papa.. So stop pushing all the responsibility on me .. Lets not think about all that now.. Its a new day.. a new beginning.. Chalo.. I better start making breakfast..", she tried changing the topic before her tears gave away..
He grinned at her reply and as he got up as she did. "Padma.. Main breakfast banaun?.. As a thank you.."
She raised her eyebrows in utter shock and a little fear in her eyes.. "No thank you.. Mera kitchen mujhe bohot pyaara hai.. I don't want it to catch fire.." and she started walking out of the room..
"Common Padma.. I can make very nice cheese omelet.. ", he tried convincing her as he followed her out..
But she just ignored and walked on as he tailed her.. "Shashank I've been married to you for thirty years now and you still have the guts to lie to me.. Don't even try coming near my kitchen..", her voice trailed off as she entered her kitchen..
"Armaan!!.. If you don't come down I am coming up!!", Armaan's eyes opened wide as he heard Rahul's voice and he looked towards the parapet.. Then he looked back at Riddhima.. He looked at her eyes, her lips.. Suddenly realizing that she was so close to him.. Arching his back a little he realized he was lying almost over her.. Their proximity suddenly hit him and he didn't understand why he felt a little awkward.. As he thought of how she had held him all night, how he had held her all night, his heart thudded against his chest.. They had been like this for the past couple of hours but it didn't hit him at all.. The relief of having her with him had overshadowed the mad desire that runs through him whenever he's close to her.. Even their kiss yesterday had been more of a 'welcome back' and a 'never let me go'.. It was something they needed.. Not wanted.. They had transcended to a world of their own where they just needed to be in each others' presence.. But now suddenly as the real world came back to him, he realized that they had been too too close for comfort..
By the time Riddhima came back to the real world the blush had already crept up her face.. She saw him look around and then back at her.. She suddenly realized that he was pressed so tight against her, she could almost feel his heart.. His one hand was holding her tight from her waist, pulling her closer, while the other one was holding her shoulder.. She could feel his breath so close to her face and she shivered at the realization of this proximity.. She had slept so comfortably in his arms, so close to him all night.. But this sudden realization made her as uncomfortable as possible.. She had almost forgotten what this felt like.. They had been so caught up in the possibility of not even seeing each other that she didn't realize how much she had missed his touch on her.. What it did to her.. And now that she thought about it, this proximity of his was not exactly healthy for her erratic heart right now.. He was too close for comfort.. "Armaan..", just a whisper left her lips as he pulled apart and looked at her intently..
"Hmm.. ", he said still looking at her, wondering what to do next..
"Muskaan and Rahul..", she said to get his attention to their voices that were still calling out their names.. That brought Armaan out of his daze as he quickly got off her and sat up straight, feeling all hot around his collar now.. He saw her look around for something under the cushions frantically, and then he realized she was looking for her dupatta as she fished it out from somewhere.. She tugged at it as it seemed to have been stuck somewhere.. Realizing it was stuck under him, entangled, he didn't know how, around his leg, he took it off in a hurry and returned it to her sheepishly.. She took it from him trying to hide the smile that was forcing its way on her lips as she looked away blushing to herself.. Armaan smiled as he saw her blush.. God!! It had been so long since he had seen that on her face.. And she looked so beautiful.. He just wanted to look at her forever.. But Riddhima's heart was racing and she wanted to get away from him to gather herself a little.. All this was feeling so different.. So new.. As she got up he saw her move her hair to one side of her shoulder so she could disentangle the knots in them.. He stared at her retreating back as she walked ahead of him.. When he saw her partially bare back, her kurti held together by those strings, his heart ran onto a mad frenzy.. He shut his eyes trying to suppress his urge to just take her in his arms and kiss her crazy.. He could remember how that felt as he recollected the numerous occasions that they had lost control..
"Armaan.. Chalo..", she called out to him from the topmost step of the staircase that she was about to descend.. She noticed him still sitting where he was with his eyes shut.. She knew there was this new spark between them and they would have to take some time to get back to being themselves.. It felt so weird to be so close after so long.. Armaan nodded as he got up trying to shake off his thoughts and followed her down the stairs.. As they walked down they recollected the trip up the stairs last night, when he had carried her in his arms.. They had been so lost into each other.. The thought itself sent shivers down them.. It was not like they hadn't had their share of close moments earlier.. Of course they had.. And they had come to that level of intimacy before.. But now it felt all new and different.. And it had been long since they had felt these feelings for each other now.. And even if they did, they were obviously overshadowed by all the pain.. And last night had been something similar.. They had been so lost in the feeling of getting each other back, that they didn't realize they had come so close all of a sudden..
"What the hell were you guys doing yaar.. ", Muskaan asked shamelessly as they finally reached down.. Rahul and she were waiting to welcome them near the kitchen door.. They saw the both of them blush and knew what the love birds were upto..
"Yeh bhi koi puchne waali baat hai Muskaan.. Look at their faces..", Rahul commented with a grin..
"Shut up! Raaool!.. Who neend lag gayi thi.. So we didn't hear you guys.. Waise.. What the hell are you people still doing here..", he asked him trying to divert the topic of conversation..
"Babysitting you two for Dr. Shashank..", Rahul replied coolly walking back into the kitchen..
"What!!", Riddhima and Armaan exclaimed together as they followed him and Muskaan inside..
"Aur nahi toh kya.. Tumhe kya laga tha Dr. Shashank will let Riddhima stay here.. Alone with an asshole like you..", Rahul teased them, a smug smile playing on his lips..
"Rahul.. Shut up..", Riddhima reprimanded him..
"Dekha Muskaan.. Ek toh in dono ki help karo.. Upar se shut up.. So ungrateful..", Rahul complained to his wife..
"Shut up yaar Rahul.. Bol na kya kaha tune Dr. Shashank se..", he asked him curiously wanting to know how in the world did Shanky allow Riddhima to stay back at his place..
"How can I shut up and tell you at the same time.. Both of you have lost it..", he replied smartly, irritating them even more..
"Muski please.. Tu bata de.. Rahul's such a jerk..", Riddhima turned to Muskaan..
"Yeah I agree with you on that one..", Muskaan teased her husband to make him frown as she continued, "Dr. Shashank thinks we are having a sleep over.. "
Rahul snorted as he heard that.. "Yeah.. He was very curious to know what we do at sleep overs..", he recollected Shashank's uncomfortable expressions from last night..
Riddhima blushed at that remark.. "Yeah.. You should have seen his face when Nikki told him we just stay up and catch up with each other.. He was wondering why its called a sleep over if we don't sleep..", she laughed with Rahul at that.. Armaan couldn't help but grin at his stupid friends and he could completely picture Dr. Shashank all worked up about leaving his daughter here, when he obviously had some clue as to what they were up to..
But Riddhima didn't find it very funny.. How could she bear them make fun of her dad, "Shut up guys.. Ek toh papa already itni mushkil se maane hain and we already started lying to him..", she said, her face worried..
"Chill yaar Basket.. Technically we didn't lie.. We were sleeping over..", he said cheekily only to make Rahul snort as he high-fived him and they laughed again.. But Riddhima was fuming now as she glared him down.. He saw her murderous expression and shut up immediately while she walked out of the kitchen.. "Basket..", he called out, starting to follow her out to apologize, but Muskaan called out, "Oye hero!!.. Drop us home yaar.. Mujhe bohot bhook lagi hai.. Aur tere fridge mein kucch hai bhi nahi..", she complained as she walked out before him..
"Haan yaar.. Just drop us home fast..", Rahul repeated as he put his arm around Armaan's shoulder, leading him out..
"Yaar.. She's angry with me, aur tum dono ko khaane ki padi hai..", he got out of Rahul's hold and looked around for Riddhima.. She wasn't in the living room, so he went straight to his room..
"Basket.. I'm..", but he stopped short as he saw her sitting at the window ledge and looking inside the room with a faint smile and moist eyes, recollecting all the memories that they had made here..
He went up to her and sat next to her, "Hey.. Kya hua.. "
"Kucch nahi.. Bas it all just feels so different.. But still the same.. This place feels so different, but still familiar.. Itni saari yaadein.. Its like we left ourselves behind here and still managed to move on.. Aise lagta hai we've time traveled.. I cant express it in words Armaan.. Its so weird..", she said, still smiling, but a few tears slipping out..
He kept his hand on hers as he heard her.. "I know.. I know exactly what you're feeling Basket.. Mujhe bhi aise hi lag raha hai.. And I know exactly what will make this weird feeling go away.. ", he said smiling at her.. When she looked at him questioningly he continued, "Time Riddhima.. Waqt ke saath sab theek ho jaayega.. And before you know it we'll have made so many new memories that you'll never feel that there was a gap between the old ones and the new ones.. ", she leaned her head on his shoulder as he said that and put his arm around her shoulder..
"Armaan.. ", she asked, her eyes closed..
"Hmm..", he replied as he kissed her hair..
"We're engaged.. Can you believe it.", she said softly, but in awe of that fact..
"If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have believed it..", he said taking her left hand and kissing her near the ring that adored her finger.. Riddhima smiled as she looked at it recollecting all that happened last night.. So much noise, so many people.. And both of them were so lost.. Then she thought of the first time he had given it to her.. That was a magical night.. Just the two of them and their dream cottage.. Armaan evidently had been thinking on the same lines as he said, "Basket.. Aaj Sunday hai.. Can we go to Lonavla.."
"Armaan..", she looked at him, scrunching her eyebrows.. Of course not!.. What would they tell her papa..
"Kya?.. We'll go see Raunak and Minnie..", he said as he saw her disapproving glare.. Then added, "And then we can go clean the cottage if you want to.." he grinned trying to say it as innocently as he could, as she smiled, shaking her head in disapproval again, "How thoughtful of you Armaan.. Idiot.. Bahane maarna koi tumse seekhe.. I don't believe we've already started lying to papa..", she got up and moved away from the window as he followed her.. "So does that mean a yes.. "
"I don't know.. Tum papa se pucho.. If he allows you to take me then I'll come anywhere sweetheart..", she gave him a saccharine smile.. Armaan frowned as he heard that.. Damn!!.. Now she was allowed to use that trump card.. He'll have to be careful around her.. He was thinking to himself, finding a loophole in that condition of hers , "Basket.. Common yaar.. We have to start making new memories remember..", he held her hand and pulled her back to him as she tried to walk away..
"Maine kab kaha we shouldn't.. I am just saying ask papa.. Like you spoke to him that day.. You have to accept it and all..", she said imitating his stubborn tone as she teased him..
Armaan's face fell at that reminder.. But ignoring the piercing feeling he replied, "Yeah.. Well.. Its ok.. Hum kisi aur din chale jaayenge..", he covered up.. He wasn't ready to joke about it just yet.. He didn't have anything else to retort to her.. Riddhima missed the tone in his voice as she said, "Kyun dar gaye.. Uss din toh..", but he cut her off.. "Basket.. Lets not talk about all that ok.. Uh.. Lets go.. He must be waiting for you..", trying to mask all the uncomfortable feelings that were snaking around him.. This time Riddhima didn't miss his tone.. His body language, the way he spoke without looking at her, gave him away totally, "Armaan.. Kya hua.. " she asked him, standing in front of him..
"Kucch nahi.. Lets go.. We have a lot of answering to do.. And Rahul aur Muskaan bhi jaldi mein hain..", he said, again not looking at her..
"Armaan.. Look at me.. You know you cant lie to me right.. Kya hua..", she took his face in her hands as she turned him to look at her..
But Armaan put up his best smiles as he looked into her eyes and said, "Kucch nahi.. I love you.. I'll just get ready in two minutes.. Then we'll leave.. Theek hai.."
But she wasn't convinced.. "Armaan.."
"Basket.. Stop thinking so much.. " he cut her before she started asking him again.. He didn't want to talk about all that had happened now.. He just wanted to forget it.. And if not that, at least keep all that away from her.. It was good that she was talking so lightly about it.. At least it wont trouble her.. And the faster that happens the better it is..
But Riddhima had gotten the whiff of something being amiss.. She knew it had something to do with what she spoke about that day.. But that was all over now.. How did it matter.. "Not until you tell me what is wrong.."
He sighed at his stubborn Basket.. She wasn't going to give up.. "Fine.. I'll tell you.. Woh Basket.. I was thinking whether I should or shouldn't kiss my fiancee.. ", that was his best bet at diverting her attention.. And he was successful too as he saw that blush creeping up her face and her eyelashes curtaining her eyes.. He knew that she too was feeling this awkwardness.. and though he wanted to just kiss her once and for all and get over this awkward phase, he was sure she wasnt ready for it.. and he used that to his advantage..
"Armaan.. Don't lie..", she said, but took her hands off him and didn't look at him this time..
He smiled at her as he held her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder as he said.. "I am not lying.. Seriously.. If not Lonavla, we can always start the cleaning here..", and he winked at her..
Riddhima blushed more, if she could.. She didn't know why she was feeling these things.. But she was.. She wanted him close, yet wanted to get away when he came close.. "Armaan.. You're gross.. Go get ready fast.." she said taking his hands off her waist..
He couldn't stop smiling at her coy behavior and the fact that he had successfully avoided her grill "Fine.. Whatever.. Its you're loss.. you know I clean very well..", he acted like he was a little hurt and taking his clothes from his bag went towards the washroom, before she comes and whacks him on his head..
Riddhima smiled to herself, still struggling to place these feelings that she was feeling.. She sat at the edge of the bed, remembering all those moments they had spent together in this room.. It felt like a different life.. She couldn't believe they were the same two people as they are now.. Or maybe he was right.. They just needed time to get back to what they were.. As she was busy analyzing their situation, her eyes caught his bag that he had left zipped open.. She went and sat on the floor next to it, wondering if she should open it.. Why shouldn't she, her mind rebelled.. It was Armaan's and now he was officially his.. Still she felt a little awkward to go through his stuff.. But suppressing that part of her mind, she started rummaging through his bag and soon enough all the awkwardness had vanished as she ransacked it like it was her own bag.. She opened one of the inside chains of the bag and found what she had been actually looking for.. The diamond heart and her watch.. Now she could rightfully claim it back as hers.. She smiled as she recollected when he had given them to her.. The diamond was his first gift to her.. And it was too precious coz it belonged to his mom.. She held it tight in her fist and close to her as she closed her eyes remembering that night.. That night would have been their first kiss if her papa had not interrupted.. They had come such a long way from there.. For one, her papa knew that they were together and was ok with it..
"What are you doing.. Chor kahin ki..", she heard his voice right next to her ear as she jumped coming out of her reverie.. He had come out of the washroom to see her near his bag and the platinum chain hanging from her closed fist.. So he went up to her and sat on the floor next to her watching her for two minutes before breaking her thoughts.. Riddhima turned red at the proximity and the remark as she tried to get away, but he held her where she was by her waist, his other hand trying to open her fist that she so tightly held shut..
"Main kucch chura nahi rahi.. I was just taking my things back..", she said authoritatively as she smacked his hand off hers, trying not to think of his arm that was around her waist..
"Can I give them back to you..", he asked her softly, in her ear again, making her blush as his slightly wet hair tickled her ear..
"Armaan.. Let me go.. And what difference does it make.. I have already taken them..", she said trying to act all irritated..
But he didn't let her go smiling at her blush.. "It does make a difference Basket.." and he priced the watch and the chain out of her hand against her struggle.. Then he took her hand and put on the watch as it adored her wrist, "I am surprised it still works.. So now we know that it is indeed shock proof..", he joked reminding her of how she had thrown it on the floor when she was mad at him.. "Armaan..", she whined as she heard his joke.. But he himself didn't find it funny, his face falling as he realized what had followed.. He quickly tried to get that image out of his head as he looked back at her, reminding himself that her happiness was what mattered.. It was all over now.. When he saw her frown, looking at his changed expression, he kissed her wrist before she could question him about it.. And that rightly shut her up.. "Armaan.. Ab chodo..", she said trying to get away..
"Basket I am not eating you up yaar.. Stop moving..", he said, again holding her to himself.. Then he put the chain around her neck, moving her hair to one side, he kissed her nape as she shivered.. "Armaan.."
"I love you Riddhima.. More than my life..", he whispered, nuzzling her neck.. She heard him and turned to look at him, inspite of her blush, "Armaan.. ", as she looked back at him she saw all that love in his eyes, "I love you too..", he smiled at her as she closed her eyes, allowing him to come close to her.. But as he leaned in, he felt her hands take hold of his collar, clutching them tight in apprehension.. He smiled, remembering their first kiss.. She had been as apprehensive then.. He couldn't believe this was the same Riddhima who had just yesterday hugged him and almost kissed him on the airport in front of god only knows how many people.. He felt her tremble as he leaned in closer.. She drew in a breath just as he was about to place his lips on her, but it never came.. Riddhima felt his lips on her forehead, kissing her softly, trying to calm her down.. She opened her eyes to look at him in surprise.. She had been apprehensive, but she was disappointed that he didn't kiss her.. She saw him smile and wink at her as he moved away from her getting up and drying his hair with his towel like nothing had happened.. "Chalo Basket.. Before Raaool and Muskaan die of hunger.. Or worse, eat us up instead.."
"Armaan.. Tumhare sade hue jokes phir se shuru ho gaye.. I thought I got rid of at least one thing.. ", she commented rummaging in his bag again..
"Some things never change Basket..", he said as he winked at her.. She just shook her head disapprovingly as she continued to rummage in his bag.. "Basket.. Ab kya dhoond rahi ho.. I gave you back your stuff.."
"No you didn't.. Where's that shirt..", she almost threw his other clothes out in search for that shirt that she claimed as hers..
"This one.. ", he asked as she turned around to see him wear that very army green shirt..
"Armaan give it back to me..", she demanded getting up and putting her hand forward..
"Come and get it yourself if you want it Basket..", he said cheekily winking at her..
"Armaan stop troubling me.. Please give it to me..", she said demandingly.. Obviously she was not about to take it off him.. And he knew that very well..
"I told you.. Take it yourself..", he said coming closer to her..
"Armaan stop teasing me.. Warna..", she threatened him with a finger pointing right into his face, "Warna kya?.. ", he asked with raised eyebrows and a smirk..
"Warna I'll take another shirt.. Ha..", she said and went back to the bag and picked another one..
"Fine.. Let me warn you.. None of them are washed.. Why do you think I am wearing this one..", he said.. "Eew..", she dropped the shirt that she was holding.. "How can all of them be unwashed.. They are so neatly folded.. "
"You wouldn't know if they were Basket.. Not unless you smell them or something..", he teased her only to see her scowl, another one of those things that he had missed so much about her..
"Shut up Armaan.. You're so dirty.. " she spat making a face at him..
He couldn't help but grin at her "What.. I didn't get time to do my laundry.. What's so dirty in that.."
"Armaan!!.."
"Yes Basket.."
"Arrgh..", and she started throwing all the things in her bag around as she tried to look for something that she could blackmail him against so he would give her back her favorite shirt.. And in the process she hit jackpot.. She could almost do her evil laugh at this.. "Armaan.. Why is my dupatta in your bag..", she asked him with a smirk..
He turned red as he tried to look away from her, brushing his hair.. "I don't know.. Galti se aa gaya hoga.. You had forgotten your clothes here.." he said nonchalantly.. But she saw through his nonchalance, the embarrassment of being caught with it.. And she decided to play his game back on him.. "Oh good.. Toh main yeh le jaati hoon.. I was looking for it kabse..", she said, smiling to herself, knowing exactly why he had it with him..
Armaan frowned as he heard that.. Obviously he still wanted it.. and he knew she knew that too.. But he knew she was going to play dirty.. He walked towards her slowly as she smiled back at him triumphantly.. He saw her smirk and quickly formulated a plan as he moved towards her slowly.. When he was close enough he looked into her eyes giving her a fake smile and without a warning snatched it out if her hand.. Riddhima was surprised by his sudden attack, but her reflexes were too good for him as she held on to one end of it, "Give it back Armaan.. Its mine.. "
"So what.. You're mine.. This is yours.. So indirectly this is mine.. ", he made it sound all logical, still trying to get it out of her hand..
"Oh really.. Fine.. I'll give it to you if you tell me what you do with it.. Do you wear it?.. I wonder how it'll look on you..", she teased him, taking revenge for the time he had acted all smug about her keeping his shirt..
Armaan couldn't help his blush as he frowned at her.. "Bolo na Armaan.. ", she teased him again, enjoying his embarrassment..
"Fine take it.. ", he gave up.. Giving it back to her.. "I don't want it.." he said, smiling back defiantly.. Her face fell a little as she thought she hurt him.. But he came up to her and caressing her face he said, "I don't need it anymore.. Coz I have you with me now.. And I am not letting you go anywhere.. So keep it.." Riddhima just looked back into his eyes as she heard him.. She saw all that he just said and so much more that he didn't in them.. All that loneliness that he tried to get away by holding her dupatta to him.. All the times he must've felt that this was the closest he could get to her.. She knew.. Coz she felt the same when she would look at all the stuff he had given her.. That is why she carried it all around with her.. A tear left her eye at that thought, as her hold on the dupatta slackened and it lay forgotten on the floor.. She brought her hand up to his face and caressed it softly.. How he managed to love her so much was beyond her understanding.. Taken over by this warm feeling that his words had created, she momentarily forgot about all the awkward feelings that she was getting around him.. Standing up on her toes she put her arms around his neck and pecked him on his lips once.. Armaan smiled at her gesture as she looked down immediately blushing to herself.. "Basket.. You so shouldn't have done that.. " he smirked at her as he held her before she escaped from his hold, "Armaan.. Chodo.. Tumhe ungli di toh tume haath pakad lete ho.. Leave me..", she tried to act all irritated..
"Basket.. This is not fair.. You can kiss me whenever you feel like and I cant?.. I think we need to revise our set of ground rules.."
"Armaan.. Rahul and Muskaan are waiting outside..", she tried to change the subject altogether..
"Nice try Basket.. Not going to work..", he said amused by her discomfort now.. "Armaan.. ", she tried again, but he shut her up, putting his finger on her lips, "Shh.." he looked back at her with that fierce passion in his eyes.. Wanting to tell her how much he loves her.. How much he missed her.. And this time she was sure she wouldn't be able to stop him..
She shivered again as she felt him come closer, her heart beat faster as she felt that thrill again.. "I love you Basket..", he whispered on her lips and before she could process that he placed his lips on hers.. His heart pounded against his chest as he felt that touch again.. Bringing her closer from her waist, he kissed her gently.. As his lips moved slowly on hers, she responded taking in this feeling.. It was so familiar, still new.. Her fingers found his hair naturally as she pulled him closer.. Armaan deepened the kiss as she clutched his hair at the rush it gave her.. Soon the kiss had turned passionate and both of them had lost track of time.. He caressed her back with one hand, holding her close by her wiast with the other.. And they kissed each other long, rediscovering those feelings that they had lost touch with.. Creating one of the first of the many to come passionate memories of their new life..
"Armaan.. Riddhima.. You guys are the limit yaar..", came Rahul's voice from the door as he banged on it furiously.. Riddhima pulled out of the kiss as she heard the loud bangs which, now that she thought of it were on from quite some time, "Tch.. He's so irritating yaar..", Armaan complained with a frown as he let her go.. He stormed to the door and opened it to see a fuming Rahul standing there, "Kya hai?..", he asked him rudely..
"Dr. Shashank ka phone aaya tha.. He was trying to call both of you but obviously tum dono ko nahi pata hoga ki tumhare phone kahan hai right?..", Rahul informed them as he took a gibe while he was at it.. Armaan's eyes opened wide in shock at that. "How does he come to know..", he asked more to himself, wondering how Dr. Shashank knew exactly when he was kissing or about to kiss Riddhima.. Maybe he had some sixth sense that he was unaware of.. Maybe he had some superpowers.. "Armaan.. Oye Armaan.. Saale.. Idhar.. ", Rahul caught his attention.. "He has called both of you home.. "
"What.. Why?. Why both of us?..", Riddhima asked him, worried about her dad's intentions now..
"I don't know.. I think you should go home and find out..", he said giving them a smirk..
Armaan just couldn't think of anything to say as he sighed, looking for his car keys.. When he found them he walked out of his room wondering what he had to face now.. "Armaan..", Riddhima called him but he just walked away.. Rahul grinned at his condition, "Riddhima.. Please tell him to straighten his hair before he meets Dr. Shashank.. I don't think he'll be too happy with this ruffled look..", he teased her, making her blush as she closed her eyes in embarrassment..
"Armaan.. Don't worry.. I'll handle him if he says anything..", Riddhima consoled a very worried Armaan as they sat in his car, parked in front of the Gupta residence.. They had dropped Rahul and Muskaan home and then refueled his car.. All through the journey Armaan was driving quietly with a worried frown on his face.. And now when they reached their destination, he was just sitting, not making any effort to get out of his car.. "Armaan..", she kept her hand on his to comfort him.. He looked at her and asked, "Why do you think he's called us.."
"I don't know Armaan.. Main bhi toh tumhare saath hi thi..", she answered him coolly..
"Basket.. What should we tell him if he asks us why we didn't take his call.. ", he asked her, making her blush at the reason behind them ignoring her papa's calls.. That made her worried too.. Earlier, it was just her who used to lie.. So she could get away with anything she said.. Now they would have to synchronize their stories to avoid getting caught.. Armaan saw her worried expression and made up his mind.. He had to make her feel better.. And what better than to get her irritated, "Basket.. Don't worry.. I'll handle everything.. Uh.. Will you talk to him about going to Lonavla..", he grinned waiting for her reaction..
"Armaan.. Tum pagal ho kya.. He might just fire us for not even bothering to call him in the morning or all night.. And you want me to ask about Lonavla.. Lets see you do that.. ", she fumed as she got out the passenger seat and banged the door shut.. She went up to the door and rang the bell furiously, forgetting in her anger that Dr. Shashank awaited them inside with a bomb of his own..
"Ah Riddhima.. Tum akeli?.. Beta where is my son-in-law?..", a very enthusiastic Shashank opened the door, leaving Riddhima in a daze.. Was she dreaming again.. She completely forgot about her anger as she replied, "Papa.. He's parking.. Aata hi hoga..", unsure of how she should react to that bright smile on her dad's face as she blushed a little when he called Armaan son-in-law.. It felt so out of place and weird.. She entered the house in a daze as her dad waited at the door for Armaan..
"Riddhima beta.. Oh god!.. Why did you come.. Please tell me Armaan nahi aaya..", Riddhima was stunned at the contrasting welcome she got from her mom.. But before she could question her mom about it, "Oh no..", she saw Padma stare at the door with fear in her eyes..
"Ah.. Armaan.. Son.. Good morning.. So how was the sleep over?..", Shashank asked a bewildered Armaan at the door as he gulped at the mention of the sleep over.. Riddhima scowled at what she heard and turned to her mom for some answers, "Mamma.. What's going on?..", she asked her mom, who looked at her and said slowly, "Your papa made breakfast.."
"What!! Oh no no no..", Riddhima exclaimed, her face clearly reflecting the fear in her eyes..
"So.. Armaan.. Khao na..", Shashank prodded him to eat as they all sat at the dining table for breakfast.. Shashank had managed to convince Padma of making breakfast and then had gotten an idea.. He thought of calling his soon-to-be-son-in-law over for breakfast and make breakfast for his princess and her prince charming to make up for all the misunderstandings and the trouble that they had gone through because of him in these past few days.. Plus he thought it was time to bond a little with Armaan.. He was after all going to be a part of the family now.. Padma for some reason had tried dissuading him but he didn't listen to her one bit.. She was relieved when Armaan and Riddhima were not taking his calls.. But then he got through to Rahul and she couldn't do anything to save her bechare children..
Armaan looked at the plate in front of him and that white and yellow and brown?! stuff that Dr. Shashank called food and forced a smile at him.. Then he turned to Riddhima who was sitting next to him and grinning at him with raised eyebrows.. "Uh.. Riddhima.. Tum nahi kha rahi..", he asked her, worried if this was really edible stuff that they had served him..
"Haan Riddhima.. Tum bhi khao na..", Shashank encouraged her..
Riddhima smiled back a little making a face, "Nahi papa.. I am not hungry.. I'll let this go.."
"But beta.. I made breakfast for you.. Apne papa ke haath ka khaana nahi khaogi..", he tried to emotionally blackmail her into eating some by telling her that he had made it himself.. Little did he know that she would have willingly eaten it if he had not told her that fact..
"Papa.. Please.. I am not hungry..", she pleaded.. And obviously he couldn't refuse.. "Koi baat nahi.. Armaan tumhare hisse ka bhi kha lega.."
"Kya?..", Armaan almost shouted in shock.. Then sobered, "Nahi.. Matlab.. Mujhe bhi itni bhook nahi hai.. I mean.."
"Oh.. Common Armaan.. You're a young man.. Itna toh kha hi sakte ho.. I made it just for you two.. Ab Riddhima toh nahi kha rahi.. I am sure you can at least eat your share..", he slapped his back as he encouraged him to go on.. Padma, naani and Riddhima suppressed their giggles as they sat there enjoying the show.. Armaan's expressions were one in a million as he nodded and picked up the fork to eat what his sasurji called a cheese omelet.. He took some of it in his fork and slowly played with it, wondering if there was some way to avoid this.. When he had come to the entrance after Riddhima had left in a rage, he had prepared himself to deal with the worst.. He had almost learnt up a few lines that he could throw at Dr. Shashank and also made up a few back up lies to cover up for last night.. Little did he know that this was waiting for him inside.. He had almost got a heart attack when Dr. Shashank had greeted him cheerfully and asked him about their sleepover like it was his idea in the first place.. But that was nothing to this stunt that he was about to perform.. He looked up again at Dr. Shashank as he was looking at him intently waiting for him to put that crap in his mouth.. He knew there was no way out of it.. So he took his fork slowly to his mouth and put the so called omelet in his mouth, praying to god that he doesn't get food poisoned ..
Shashank smiled as he took the first bite.. "So.. Kaisa laga..", he asked instantly..
Armaan's face was blank.. If he had thought that the omelet was going to taste bad, he was wrong.. It wasn't bad at all.. It was the worst thing that anyone could ever put into their mouths and down their throats!! Maybe this was Shanky's way of taking revenge.. And he couldn't do anything about it.. Uper se, he had the audacity to ask him if he liked it.. But what option did he have.. He was his sasurji after all.. "Mmm.. ", he said as nothing else came out of his mouth.. Riddhima burst into fits of giggles as she saw his expression.. "Dekha Padma.. He likes it.. I told you I make this very well..", Padma couldn't help but snort as she burst out laughing too.. "Kya hua?.. Tum log hass kyun rahe ho?..", he asked them bewildered..
"Kucch nahi Shashank beta.. Tu unpar dhyaan mat de..", Naani consoled him grinning herself as she enjoyed the dining table entertainment..
Armaan waited not wanting to put another bite into his mouth when, "Armaan.. Khao na.. Didn't you like it..", Dr. Shashank asked him again.. Armaan winced at his question, then covered up, by smiling fakely at him.. "Nahi sir.. Its.. Very nice.. Very different.. I have never ever tasted anything like this in my life..", he said.. Only Dr. Shashank missed the slight hint of sarcasm in his voice.. "That's my boy.. You know.. Padma says I am not a good cook.. But how would she know.. She doesn't eat anything I make..", he complained to him..
"Kyun Padma aunty.. Aap kyun nahi khaati.. Its very nice.. Lijiye na..", if he had to eat this, he had to find a way to share it amongst as many people as possible..
"No thanks Armaan.. You enjoy..", she returned his fake smile as she leaned her head on her hand held up by her elbow..
"Rehne do Armaan.. She doesn't know what she's missing.." Shashank told him and prodded him to eat some more.. Armaan had no choice but to finish his plate as he slowly put another piece of that terrible breakfast in his mouth..
Riddhima giggled as she saw him gulp it down with water after every bite, trying to hide his disgusted expressions behind that fake smile.. When he was half way through, she felt bad for him so she spoke up, "Armaan.. Its ok.. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to.. Pasand nahi aaya toh keh do.."
Armaan was stuck.. He obviously didn't want to eat this crap.. But he didn't want to upset his sasurji who seemed so happy that a human being actually likes his cooking.. "Nahi.. Aisi baat nahi hai.. Its really nice..", he said chuckling nervously as Dr. Shashank smiled at him proudly..
Riddhima heard him and decided to tease him about it.. She had given him his chance.. "Accha.. Toh aur lo na Armaan.. Papa he really likes what you've made.. So sweet na.."
Armaan glared at her as she said that through a naughty grin, "Nahi Riddhima.. Thank you so much.. I think I am done..", he said taking his plate away before she puts more of that horrendous stuff into it..
"Arre.. Armaan.. Utna toh finish karlo.. ", Shashank reminded him that some was still left in his plate.. Armaan ate it up fast, gulping it down, trying not to think of the disgusting mix of tastes that his taste bud were encountering and drank a lot of water.. He saw all the three ladies giggle at his condition and the loudest of them was Riddhima who was enjoying seeing him get tortured like that..
"Armaan.. Itna pasand aaya.. You finished it so fast.. Wait let me get you some more..", she got up to tease him..
But Armaan had had it.. He pulled her hand and made her sit on her seat again as he said, "No thanks Riddhima.. As much as I think it was the most amazing breakfast ever.. I am full..", he glared her down..
"Riddhima beta.. Don't force him.. Its ok..", Dr. Shashank said.. He was just over the moon that someone had eaten his omelet..
"Thanks sir.. It was really nice.. Now I know where Riddhima gets her brilliant cooking skills from..", he complimented Shashank with a fake smile as he turned to grin at a scowling Riddhima who pinched him hard on his arm.. "Oww.." he winced as he pulled away from her grip, still grinning at her, while Padma burst out laughing.. Naani went to do her pooja shaking her head as she grinned, while Shashank was just wondering what was going on.. But that didn't matter.. He just couldn't look beyond his son-in-law's compliments about his amazing, one in a million cheese omelet..
"So Padma aunty.. Main chalta hoon..", he said as he got off the dining table.. Riddhima had left the table in a rage when her mom and Armaan had made quite a few indirect innuendos, comparing her cooking to her dad's.. Well it wasn't that bad.. In fact she had improved a lot.. She knew Armaan was doing this on purpose to tease her.. So she decided to give him some attitude and left for her room to have a bath and get into something comfortable.. She was still in that heavy chudidaar that she had worn for her engagement yesterday.. She smiled at that thought.. It felt so weird.. She was engaged officially now..
Armaan on the other hand felt all caught in the spot light as Riddhima left.. He couldn't string two words together as Padma aunty left for the kitchen clearing the table while naani had already gone to her pooja room, leaving him alone with Shashank.. Both of them smiled at each other, then looked away awkwardly wondering what the other was thinking about them as they caught each others' attention again and looked away.. When this happened for the third time Armaan had had enough.. So when he saw Padma aunty come to the dining area from the kitchen he got up to take their leave..
"Arre Armaan.. Itni jaldi kahan ja rahe ho?.. Baitho na.. Anyway I am sure tumhe aur ko kaam nahi hai..", Padma asked him to wait.. She wanted him to spend the day at their place.. She didn't want him to be alone.. Coz she knew that it was going to be a little difficult to get used to this new change now.. Plus, it was a good opportunity for him to spend time with Shashank too..
He tried to argue but finally Dr. Shashank managed to convince him to stay back.. So he had no choice.. Plus he was in some corner of his heart happy that at least he'll get to see his Basket if nothing else..
"So.. Do you follow cricket Armaan..", Dr. Shashank brought him out of his deep thoughts as they settled in the living room awkwardly, not knowing how to behave with each other.. When the silence pressed down Shashank thought of switching on the TV and of course his channel of choice was the sports channel..
"Yeah.. Kind of.. I mean.. Waise time nahi milta.. But I do..", he spluttered hoping he had heard his question right..
"Haan mujhe bhi jyaada time nahi milta, but I don't miss the matches that are scheduled on Sundays.. So who do you think will win the World cup this time?..", he asked him, like Armaan was some fortuneteller..
Armaan smiled at his question, not knowing how to answer this one.. "India..", he chanced his luck.. Hopefully Dr. Shashank would want his own country to win..
"Yeah.. All of us can wish that.. But I doubt.. You see our bowling department is a little weak and..", and on and on he blabbered finishing his SWOT analysis of why and why not India had chances of winning the World Cup.. Armaan just listened to him, amazed by his comments.. He never imagined Shanky to be a cricket buff.. He mostly looked like he did nothing but work. But now Armaan realized that he was as human as anyone could be.. But he really wasn't interested in discussing India's cricketing future with him just yet.. He had just gotten back together with Riddhima and obviously wanted to spend time with her. He wondered if he would allow them to go to Lonavla if he asked him.. But then he thought against it.. He shouldn't push Shanky to his limits so soon..
"Papa.. Not this boring cricket again.. Please.. Lets watch a movie..", her voice caught his attention immediately as she came and sat next to her papa on the couch that was opposite to where he was sitting.. He noticed her wearing a tank top with a pair of comfortable turkish pants and his mind flew back a few months back on the night he had stayed over in this house.. And that memory sent his heart and mind in overdrive.. Why did she have to look so hot!.. But she was doing a good job of ignoring him, still pretending to be mad at him for making fun of her more than decent cooking..
"Oh common Riddhima beta.. Its India vs New Zealand and India is winning for a change.. Common.. Sachin is on strike..", he said enthusiastically, like any amount of fanaticism on his part was going to enthuse her into taking this sport seriously..
"That's not fair papa.. Hum humesha Sundays ko cricket hi dekhte hain..", she complained..
"Forget it Riddhima.. Tumhare papa ko humse jyaada humari cricket team se pyaar hai..", Padma came and joined them as she taunted her husband..
Shashank raised his eyebrows at that and turned to Armaan, "Dekha emotional blackmail shuru ho gaya.. These Gupta ladies are experts at this.."
"I completely agree..", Armaan blurted before he knew what he was saying.. "I mean.. No.. I didn't mean that..", he gulped to see both Riddhima and Padma glare at him.. And Dr. Shashank put him further into a spot as he said, "So.. Armaan.. Tum decide karo.. A fair, impartial decision.. Cricket ya movie?.."
Armaan winced at that question.. Why.. Why was this man out to kill him today.. He looked at Riddhima who was daring her through her eyes to say 'cricket.'.. Dr. Shashank on the other hand was looking at him hopefully to get some support from this new addition to his family.. Padma was just sitting back and enjoying, wondering why there was even a need for the TV.. This was a complete Sunday afternoon entertainment..
"So.. What do you think Armaan..", Shashank asked him again..
Armaan smiled a fake smile at him and said, "Cricket.. I guess..", he didn't mind either.. But he thought it was wiser to go with his sasurji here.. But obviously he knew that he would have to face Riddhima's wrath later.. And when she gave him that you-are-so-dead look, he couldn't help but gulp in fear..
"Excellent.. See Riddhima.. Armaan bhi cricket dekhna chahta hai.. Now toh you wont have a problem right?..", he chuckled and shifted his focus back to the game.. Riddhima just rolled her eyes and looked away as Armaan tried to apologize through his eyes..
And so the day went on as the match proceeded killing Armaan over by over, as he wondered why couldn't this have been a 20-20 match.. At least that got over in three hours.. Riddhima was still not talking to him and not even bothering to sit next to him.. Padma aunty was the only one making conversations with him, while Dr. Shashank looked up at him from the match sometimes.. He had heard him clear his throat once or twice when he had caught Armaan looking at Riddhima dreamily or sometimes trying to catch her attention.. Armaan would just smile at him sheepishly and turn back towards the match.. But that didn't stop him from messaging her on her cell phone sending her repeated 'sorry' and 'I love you' messages.. But she didn't find them too appealing as she switched off her phone.. When he started mouthing 'I love you' from across the living room she just got up and left, hoping her dad had not caught their interaction.. She disappeared somewhere leaving him alone with her dad.. Now he couldn't even look at her to pass his time..
"Padma.. Aaj khaana bohot accha bana hai.. I think today's a good day in the kitchen for all of us haan.. Sab ke haath se accha khaana ban raha hai aaj..", Shashank complimented her, indirectly complimenting himself as they ate lunch in the living room in front of the TV today, so as to watch the match.. Armaan heard him and choked on his rice.. Riddhima suppressed her giggle and went in to get him some water.. As he took the glass from her, he indicated her to sit next to him.. But she still put up her I-am-not-talking-to-you farce and looked away.. But before she could resume her position next to her dad, "Riddhima beta.. Why don't you sit next to Armaan.. Kab se bichaara chup chap baitha hai.. Talk to him.. Ask him what he wants.. Shayad sharma raha hai.. ", Padma spoke with a smile.. She had noticed that little interaction between them and also her daughters' nakhras.. Shashank stiffened a little at that, but remembered how he had to be the cool dad now.. so he ignored that and got back to his game..
Armaan grinned at her, then at Padma aunty and winked at her.. Riddhima had no choice but to sit next to him.. She gave him a faint smile and looked back into her plate.. Armaan saw Dr. Shashank engrossed in the game so he stealthily shifted a little closer to her while she just glared back at him, "Kya kar rahe ho..", she hissed at him..
"I am sorry..", he whispered back..
"Shut up and eat Armaan..", she looked away and started eating from her plate..
"Not till you talk to me..", he replied stubbornly, still whispering..
"Naatak mat karo Armaan.. Shut up and eat..", she hissed back..
But he just shook his head and dropped his fork in his half-eaten plate and looked all angry..
But Riddhima was quite smart herself, "Armaan.. Tum kucch kha kyun nahi rahe?..", she said loudly all of a sudden.. He scowled as he heard her.. And she definitely had caught Dr. Shashank's attention now..
"Papa. Dekhiye na Armaan ne kucch khaaya hi nahi.. I think he didn't like the food..", she said faking a disappointed expression.. Armaan looked at her all betrayed.. And then came the final blow when his sasurji started, "Kya hua Armaan.. Pasand nahi aaya?.. I think its quite good.. "
"Yes sir.. Of course it is..", what else could he say..
"Then finish it off fast.. Padma dekha aaj kal ke bacche khaana khane ke liye kitna naatak karte hain.. Riddhima bhi bilkul aisi hi hai..", she complained to his wife..
"Papa..", Riddhima whined at his comment, but Armaan had no choice but to eat up as Riddhima smiled at him triumphantly..
"Armaan.. What are your doing.. Chodo..", Riddhima struggled against his hold as he held her from behind, leaning his head on her shoulder with a silly smile on his lips.. After lunch, he had offered to take the plates inside when he saw Riddhima enter the kitchen to drink water.. Padma had an idea of what was going on between those two, so she didn't create much of a fuss to let her son-in-law help her with the kitchen work.. And as soon as he had entered the kitchen he had dumped the plates and accosted Riddhima who was looking for water in the fridge.. But obviously she was still mad at him for his gibe about her cooking..
"Basket.. I am not letting you go.. So stop bothering to struggle..", he said, nuzzling her neck now as she tried to get away..
"Armaan please.. Tum pagal ho kya.. Mamma and Papa are right outside.. ", she said as irritated as she was worried..
"So.. They know about us now.. Yeh puraane bahaane maarna band karo.. Its not going to work..", he said, turning her around and holding her tight by her waist as she tried to push him away with her hands on his chest..
"Armaan chodo..", she hit him in frustration..
"Not until you tell me ki tum mujhse baat kyun nahi kar rahi..", he said, trying to steal a kiss but she moved away just in time..
"Armaan!!.. Tumne meri cooking ka mazaak udaya.. Tumhe kya laga main kucch nahi karoongi..", she told him with a frown..
"Par Basket.. You know I was joking.. Ek toh I ate that rubbish that sasurji made and instead of helping me you were making fun of me.. What about that..", he asked her, his frown matching hers..
"So.. I gave you an opportunity to not eat it.. Now if you are sycophantic when it comes to papa, its not really my problem.."
"I am not sycophantic.. What rubbish.. I just didn't want to hurt him.. Kitne pyaar se banaya tha unhone.. ", he defied her, taking his sasurji's side now..
"Armaan do you even know what your lying has done.. He was telling mamma that now he'll cook every Sunday.. Do you know what that means..", she informed him of the monster he had created.. His eyes widened in shock as he heard that, "What!!.. We'll have to stop this.. And he thinks I like it.. That means I'll be his guinea pig for all his cooking experiments.. No no no .. We have to save the world..", he dreaded eating 'the cheese omelet' every Sunday for the rest of his life..
"You were the one who started this Armaan.. Now you'll have to bear it..", she teased him..
"Waise.. Agar mujhe har Sunday ko tumhare haath ka yummy lunch khaane ko mile toh I am ready to bear the horrible breakfast..", he said, grinning at her.. Riddhima looked at him in surprise.. "Tumhe kaise.."
"Pata chal jaata hai Basket.. You really thought I didn't recognize your cooking.. I knew you would do it.. To prove me wrong.. And to make up for the terrible breakfast. Thank you..", he said and placed a soft kiss on her cheek..
Riddhima beamed at him.. "Armaan tum bhi na.. Nautanki ho bas..", and she looked away, a blush creeping up her face..
"Please.. Gussa hone ka naatak tum kar rahi thi.. And I am the nautanki.. ", he asked with raised eyebrows..
"Main naatak nahi kar rahi thi.. I was really angry..", she defied him, but couldn't suppress her smile..
"But now you're not right?..", he asked, tracing his finger down her cheek..
She looked at him as she blushed and shook her head in a no.. "I am sorry Armaan.. You had to eat that crap.. Pata nahi papa ko kya ho gaya hai.. He's just trying to make up for all that happened..", she tried to defend her dad..
Armaan smiled at her "I know Basket.. Why do you think I ate his world famous cheese omelet.. And I'll eat it again if I have to.." , he said seriously, looking into her eyes.. His eyes telling her that she didn't have to defend her family to him.. Coz it was his family too now..
"I love you..", she smiled back at him, understanding what he really meant by those words..
His smile widened as she said that, "I love you too..", he replied and kissed her forehead softly.. She smiled at that and both looked into each others' eyes trying to memorize them and each and every emotion that reflected in them.. Riddhima broke the eye lock first as she felt him lean in.. She looked away turning crimson as he sighed and just hugged her, hiding his face in her hair..
She smiled as she ruffled his hair and then asked him cheekily.."You really would eat that again?.."
Armaan grinned as he heard her.. Pulling her closer he replied, honestly this time.."Not in a million years.. I'd die before putting that in my mouth again.."
Riddhima giggled as she pulled out a little.. "Common Armaan.. Itna bhi bura nahi hoga..", she said, grinning at him..
"Oh ho.. Itna bura nahi hoga!!.. How would you know?.. Tumne khaya kaha.. Next time na tumpar try karenge..", he said pretending to be irritated..
But she just looked back at him grinning as she replied.. "Uski kya zaroorat hai.. Main khaun ya tum khao.. Ek hi baat hai haina..", she said nonchalantly..
But Armaan smiled as he heard her and hugged her again .. "Oye hoye.. Kya baat hai.. So smart my Basket has become nahi.. Finally I am rubbing off on you.."
"Shut up Armaan.. Ab toh jaane do..", she scowled at his remark and hit him on his shoulder to get out of his hold..
He pulled back and looked at her as he said.. "Aise kaise.. You know the password Basket..", and he winked at her, putting his face forward so she could kiss him..
Riddhima couldn't stop her smile at his request, but she wasn't going to give in.."Armaan please.. Dekho koi aa jaayega.. Later..", she tried negotiating..
"Nai.. Right now.. Here.. I don't care..", he said obstinately..
"Armaan stop this.. Tum baccho jaise behave mat karo..", she reprimanded him for his stubborn behavior.. He looked back at her scowling to match hers.. Then an idea struck him.. "Theek hai.. I'll let you go.. Lekin tumhe mera ek kaam karna padega.."
"Kya..", she asked curiously..
"Go ask sasurji if we can go to Lonavla..", he asked her smartly..
"We cant Armaan..", pat came her reply..
"You didn't even ask him.. ", his eyebrows scrunched as he asked her in disbelief..
"There's no need Armaan.. Coz we cant even if we want to.. Abhi aur Nikki ka reception hai remember.. Armaan shaadi mein toh we were all.. You know.. Not in a nice mood.. At least aaj toh hume unki khushi mein shaamil hona chahiye..", she explained as his face fell..
But he sighed in agreement as he said.., "Yeah.. You're right.. I forgot about that.. Tch.. Then can we go out till then at least.. Or go back home.. Basket I cant take another second of that cricket match now.. ", he whined, putting his head on her shoulder in defeat..
She giggled at his complaint but then sighed as she said.. "Haan Armaan.. I think you should leave.."
He pulled out to look at her with scrunched eyebrows.. "What do you mean 'you' should leave.. Basket 'we' should leave..", he stressed on the 'we' and pulled her closer by the waist, not wanting to let go..
She caressed his face once as she said softly.. "Armaan.. Main tumhare saath nahi aa sakti na.. What will I tell papa..", she tried explaining to him..
"Then fine.. Main bhi yahin rukta hoon..", he declared..
She smiled at his reaction.. "Nahi Armaan.. Tumhe kitne saare kaam karne hain.. Aaj time hain.. Kal se phir tum Sanjeevni mein busy ho jaaoge.. You have to stock up the fridge.. Do your laundry.. Go get a haircut.. Tumhare baal kitne lambe ho gaye hain.. You're looking so shabby..", she ranted as she listed out his to-do list..
"Not very shabby when you pull them, are they?..", he said cheekily cutting her off mid sentence, only to see her blush.. But she put up a fake frown as she scolded him, "Shut up Armaan.. Don't talk crap.. And haan, wear something nice for the party.. Kucch bhi mat pehen na.. ", she ordered..
"Ok mam.. ", was all he could say, but the grin didn't leave his face..
She was taken aback when he agreed to her so easily.. So she looked away not knowing what to do next.. Then looked back at him.. "Toh ab chodo..", she tried taking his hands off her waist.. But he held her tighter as he leaned into her again, "You know the password.."
"Armaan..", she whined.. She had hoped he had forgotten about the kiss.. But obviously he hadn't..
"That's not it..", he replied smartly as she sang his name in frustration..
"Tch..", she frowned and looked away.. Then looked back at him and gave in, "Fine.. Close your eyes.. ", was her condition..
But Armaan was smarter than she thought.. At least in matters that involve kissing her.. "Mujhe paagal samajh ke rakha hai Basket.. You shut your eyes..", he retorted..
She knew there was no way out of this.. But she till tried making a last bahana.. "Armaan.. I think someone..", but he didn't let her complete her sentence as he placed his lips on hers.. He kissed her gently first, holding her face in his hands, then paced it, prodding her to respond.. And before she knew it, she was the one pulling him closer, clutching his hair, kissing back furiously.. Armaan had not expected the kiss to become so passionate.. He had just hoped for a soft peck or two.. But he often loses his head when he's close to her and that's what exactly happened.. And it drives him even crazier when she responds back and kisses him like there's no tomorrow.. And their feelings were magnified all the more coz they had been away from this for so long.. His hands moved down her back pulling her closer as they kissed each other crazy and they could have gone on forever had they not run out of breath.. Armaan pulled out for air first as he looked at her, breathing heavily while she still had her eyes closed and was clutching onto his hair, frowning a little in her daze, out of breath, and wondering why, he had stopped kissing her.. Armaan, who was as lost as her, came out of his trance as he saw her expression.. He grinned at her as he leaned in again and she took his lips immediately.. But before she could kiss him back he pulled out to tease her.. That got her back to this planet as she opened her eyes, confused by what had happened, only to see Armaan's naughty grin right into her face.. "Basket.. What are you doing ?.. Chodo mujhe.. Koi aa jaayega..", he mocked her as he said dramatically.. Riddhima, who by now was back to her senses, pulled out quickly, blushing profusely at his comment.. Her heart thudded like crazy as she ran out of the kitchen, before he could get hold of her again.. Not daring to look at him and trying to suppress her smile., she left Armaan grinning to himself in the kitchen as he couldn't help but sigh, "Oye hoye.."
It was 7:30 in the evening and Riddhima was waiting in her room impatiently for Armaan to come.. He had called her and told her that he'll come to pick her up by eight.. But she had been so eager to see him, that she got ready much before time.. She looked into the mirror again to see if she was looking fine.. She was wearing a red saari with matching danglers and of course that diamond heart that was shimmering a little from underneath her translucent pallu.. Though it didn't really go with her outfit, she didn't feel like taking it off today.. So she just hid it by draping the saari over it.. She smiled to herself as she clutched it, recalling the morning when he had given it to her.. Then that kiss in his bedroom.. But the most unbelievable had been their moment in the kitchen.. Her heart still raced at the thought of it.. And she was sure it would again go in panic mode, when he came to pick her up.. She couldn't believe that had happened.. She was so embarrassed.. Luckily he had to leave right away.. He so didn't want to.. But he had to.. Coz her dad was hot on his tracks.. She chuckled silently as she remembered what had happened when he left in the afternoon.. And he had not left alone.. Her papa had gone with him!..
India had finally won the match and he got up to take leave when her papa asked him to wait to just chat with him or something.. Maybe about his move to Sanjeevni.. But she had tried saving him by saying that he had a lot of work to catch up with..
"Papa aaj shaam ko Nikki aur Abhi ka reception hai.. Usse jaane dijiye..", she said tactfully to her papa, when he didn't understand her..
"Toh reception shaam ko hai.. Abhi toh ruk sakta hai.."
Armaan answered him this time, making up the first excuse that came to his head.."Who sir.. I have to go for a haircut.. Actually its become a little.."
"Shabby yeah.. ", Dr. Shashank completed the sentence for him, "Main bhi kehne wala tha.. But then I thought you might not like it.. ", he had been actually dying to tell him how shabby he was looking.. But then he didn't want to embarrass him or his daughter.. Things had just started getting better.. And what mattered was that he was a great guy.. Even if he thought he didn't look that great with that overgrown mane of his..
Armaan didn't know what to say to that.. So Sasurji noticed his hair style.. But then he thought of how he had always criticized his look very keenly.. Especially his tattoos.. And this new tattoo he guessed was not a hit with him either.. But he had still kept it to himself, trying to accept him for the way he was.. As much as he appreciated his efforts, he really didn't want him to spend every free moment of his with him.. "Aisa kucch nahi hai..", he said sheepishly, not knowing what to say.. Riddhima just looked uncomfortably at the two of them.. But her papa diffused the tension as he smiled and continued, "So great.. Actually, Padma aur mujhe bhi reception ke liye jana hai.. And I think even I need a haircut.. Do you mind if I join you.. Raaste mein baatein bhi ho jaayengi..", Armaan was stunned with shock, his heart rate increasing with every word Dr. Shashank spoke.. He looked hopelessly at Riddhima who couldn't do anything but give him a half-hearted smile.. He knew there was no way out of this, "He.. He.. Why would I mind.. ", he said, plastering that smile that he had mastered now, having faked it so many times today..
Riddhima spoke up giving it one last try as she said.. "Papa.. I don't think you need a haircut.. Haina mamma..", she hoped her mom would get a hint..
But Padma really felt her husband did need a haircut.. "I think he does.. "
"Mamma..", she hissed at her mom, but she didn't get the hint as she looked at her confused, "What.."
Armaan shook his head in defeat accepting that there was no way out of it.."Uh.. Sir.. Toh.. Chalien..", he said awkwardly, still hoping that he changes his mind.. Why couldn't this man leave him alone!
"Yeah of course.. Just give me two minutes..", he replied enthusiastically as he went to change.. And soon enough both of them were on their way to get themselves a haircut.. Riddhima didn't know whose car they had taken, nor did she know whose hair stylist they had decided to go to.. All she could remember was that defeated expression on Armaan's face as he turned around one last time to look back at her, like he was going for some war.. Riddhima giggled again as she remembered that.. But before she could revel some more in his misery, she heard the doorbell ring.. And as a reflex, she took her bag and ran down the stairs to open the door, overtaking her mom, who was also at it..
She stood stunned as she saw him at the door, smiling back at her.. Her mind wiped clean of whatever it had in it as she just stared at him..
"Hi..", she heard him say.. And the only response she could think of was, "What have you done!!"
"Ah.. Armaan.. Doesn't he look smart Padma.. Kyun Riddhima.. ", Dr. Shashank came and shook his hand smartly as she just stared at him still in shock.. "Of course.. Excellent..", she said not knowing what she was saying..
Armaan felt weird as Riddhima stared at him blankly.. He was sure now that she didn't like what she saw.. "Uh.. Sir.. Hum chalte hain.. We'll see you at the party..", he said before Shashank could invite him in.. And without wasting another second he grabbed Riddhima's hand and took her to his car, leaving a giggling Padma aunty behind..
"Uh.. Basket.. Kucch kahogi nahi..", he spoke, finally breaking the silence that had settled in the car.. He had stolen glances at her as he drove.. She looked ethereal in that red sari.. And he didn't miss the diamond heart, nor that watch on her wrist.. It would surely be an understatement to say that she was looking beautiful.. Her kohl lined eyes and shimmering lips had killed him the moment he had set his eyes on her.. His heart had given up as soon as he had seen her at the door.. But then it had slowed down seeing the smile on her face disappear as she saw him.. And he was sure his surprise didn't go down well with her when she said 'What have you done..'.. He had been apprehensive about her reaction to Dr. Shashank's suggestion but he had managed to coax him into believing that she'll love it.. Evidently he was wrong.. He just hoped now that the damage wasn't severe..
"About what Armaan..", she asked him indifferently..
"I guess you didn't like my haircut..", he stated, chuckling nervously at her response.. She turned her gaze from outside the window to him, then turned away again not knowing what to say to him.. She was still reeling under the shock of what he had done.. "Nahi.. Aisa kucch nahi hai.. Its good..", she tried to keep herself calm, masking her irritation..
"Uh.. Basket.. Its called a crew cut..", he explained to her as they stopped at the signal..
And she lost it at that, "Armaan I asked you to get a haircut.. Not go bald..", she almost shouted in exasperation.. Armaan's eyes widened at her tone.. "What.. I didn't go bald.. Its just a little short..", he defended himself, but she frowned and looked away..
So the damage was severe!!.. He should have never listened to Shanky.. Why was he behind his life.. He felt all betrayed at the moment.. He had assured him that Riddhima would love this haircut.. But apparently he doesn't know his daughter as well as he thinks he does..
Riddhima just looked at him and frowned.. She still couldn't believe it that all that hair was gone.. She sure liked his hair short but not like this.. Now it was like a carpet.. It looked smart, but none of it fell on his forehead like it used to.. And it was so short.. She wouldn't be able to ruffle it.. And she wouldn't be able to fist it at all.. She felt the heat rise up her cheeks as she thought of that.. That was the first thought that had come to her mind when she had seen him and his new look.. And she tried not to think of it again as she had last time, but that's all that came to her mind..
On the other hand, Armaan was just wondering why she was being so hard on him.. It wasn't looking that bad.. And it was his hair.. Not like he had chopped hers off.. Plus it was her dad's idea.. "Basket.. Common.. Its not that bad.. Dr. Shashank said its looking very smart..", but she just glared at him in response.. So he continued, "Arre.. You don't know.. He was telling me about you on our way.. Like I don't know you at all.. And then he took me to his stylist without even asking me once.. And then he said that you like short hair.. So I.. It was his idea. I swear.. But then I thought it looked pretty ok.. But of course you don't think so..", but Riddhima was still lamenting her loss.. She was going to miss his hair so much.. He would think she's crazy if she tells him this, but she was feeling like slapping him for doing this to her..
Throughout the way he kept giving her explanations that were futile in making her feel better in any way whatsoever.. "Basket.. It was your idea.. I wouldn't have even thought of a haircut if you wouldn't have reminded me.. ", he finally put the blame on her when she wouldn't listen to him..
"Armaan you were supposed to trim it a little to make it neat.. Not go and join the army for god sake..", she spat back..
"Basket.. I think you are just over reacting.. I think its looking pretty cool.. " though he was a little doubtful after seeing her reaction now..
"Good for you..", she said looking out of the window again and they bickered on about his now non-existent hair as they drove to the reception..
When they reached the venue, the party was already in full swing with a live band playing and the starters doing rounds.. Abhi and Nikki were up there on a platform, seeing guests as they greeted them a happy married life.. But their expressions clearly said that they were in a hurry to go off for their honeymoon.. Armaan waved at Abhi who was looking upon a flustered Nikki, as she gave a fake smile to some aunty who was hogging a lot of time waiting to get her photo clicked with the newly weds..
"Oh my God!.. What have you done!", Muskaan screeched as she saw Armaan and Riddhima come towards them.. Armaan winced as he heard that, remembering that he wasn't the same Armaan anymore.. Did he really look that bad..
"I know right!", Riddhima quipped.. Thank God someone agreed with her..
But soon her smug expression turned into a scowl as Muskaan continued.. "It is looking sexy Armaan.. Seriously.. Rahul.. Tu bhi aisa haircut karle.. Dekh kitna smart lag raha hai.. ", and this time it was Armaan's turn to smirk at Riddhima.. "Thanks Muskaan.. Tu bhi kaafi hot lag rahi hai..", he returned her favor as Riddhima's scowl deepened..
"So.. What happened..", Rahul asked him with a grin, guessing there was more to the story as he saw Riddhima's sullen expressions..
"Sasurji..", Armaan just needed one word, "Aah.. That explains it..", Rahul pretended like he had resolved a non-solvable conundrum.. But his grin faded as Riddhima glared at him too..
"Hey Ridzi..", Anjali's voice came from behind her as she walked in with Atul.. But soon she lost her voice as she saw Armaan, "Oh my God.. Armaan.. Is that you?.. Yeh papa ne kiya na..", she asked him immediately.. Armaan and Riddhima looked at her in surprise as Atul explained, "He had almost convinced me into doing this too.. But Anjali saved me right on time..", he looked sheepishly at Anjali as everyone giggled.. Armaan just scowled.. He didn't like the fact that he fell for Dr. Shashank's attempts at turning him into his ideal son-in-law.. "Waise.. I must say.. The cut suits you Armaan.. It reminds me of that NDA cadet I had dated once.. Oh.. Was he hot or what.." and that made him feel better at once..
But.. "Ahem.. Ahem..", Atul coughed to get her attention as she blushed looking at him.. "Of course not as hot as Atul here.."
All of them were just suppressing their giggles at this interaction.. All except Riddhima, who was so bothered by the fact that everyone was finding Armaan's haircut all cool and sexy.. Well it was cool and sexy.. But she had her reasons for not liking it.. And she wasn't about to tell anyone that yet.. Not even Armaan.. Now that it had started sinking in, her focus shifted from just his hair to his face and then to the complete him.. She noticed he was wearing that suit that she had bought for him.. And the red tie that matched her sari.. He did look hot indeed.. Like an army guy.. And the rugged look quite suited him though it took away his boyish charms that she so loved.. But the next second she saw him smile his dimpled smile at something her Di said and all that charm returned making her smile involuntarily..
"Basket.. You're staring..", he whispered, as she became aware of her surroundings.. Everyone had gone quiet and was looking at her while she was caught lost in Armaan.. "Uh.. I was not staring at you..", she hissed back, little uncomfortable now, "Yeah right..", came his retort..
But his smirk didn't last for long, "Riddhima.. Armaan.. Hello Everyone..", Dr. Shashank greeted all of them, while Armaan just jumped at that voice.. It was like he was haunting him.. Go away!!
"Hello.. Dr. Shashank.. Hi Padma aunty.. Main.. Uh.. Nikki se milkar aata hoon..", he spluttered, trying to get away, indicating Riddhima to follow him..
But his face turned into a momentary scowl as he heard Shashank, "Mujhe bhi unn dono se milna hai.. Lets go.. We'll all go together.. Same family remember..", and he gave him a light punch on his shoulder and Armaan could do nothing but put up that fake smile again, as his friends tried to control the chortles.. "Uh.. I think I'll just drink some water before that..", he chuckled through his fake smile and tried to get away again.. But this time Riddhima stopped him by holding his hand.. He was making his discomfort too obvious..
Padma noticed that her husband was beginning to get on Armaan's nerves so she controlled her giggling and offered, "Shashank.. Hum pehle chalte hain na.. Bacchon ko enjoy karne do..", and she pulled him away before Armaan lost his head.. Armaan couldn't thank her enough..
He had had an overdose of Dr. Shashank today.. He knew he was just trying to spend time with him and make him feel comfortable.. But too much of anything is bad.. Except his Basket of course, he reminded himself..
As soon as his sasurji was out of earshot he sighed and everyone else gave in to their laughs..
"Oh my God Armaan!!.. What have you done..", Armaan winced again as he heard the same dialogue for the third time in an hour now.. And this time it came from Nikki, who came hurrying towards them as she saw him with Abhi in tow.. "So.. What's the verdict..", he asked her as she looked at him, her mouth still open..
"Awesome..", she said in awe..
Armaan raised his collar proudly as he grinned at Riddhima, "So I guess Basket's the only one who doesn't like it..", he said, smirking at Riddhima..
"Why?.. I think it looks much better than that shabby look that you had going.. Hair sticking out at all angles.. This looks smart.. Like a cadet..", she elaborated on his new look..
But someone was finding this hard to digest.. "Please.. Cadets have a personality.. Some social etiquette.. Sirf baal kaat lene se koi smart nahi banta.. ", a fuming Riddhima taunted him..
"Basket.. Tum bhool rahi ho.. I am Armaan Mallik.. I don't need social etiquette.. Girls swoon over me either way.. ", he said smugly, giving her a wink..
"Don't be so full of yourself Mallik.. I don't swoon over you..", she retorted angrily..
But Armaan just gave her a condescending grin and replied.. "Didn't you hear me right.. I said 'Girls' not 'Baskets'.. Go clean your ears..", he teased..
And how he loved to see her scowl.. "Armaan!!"
"Basket!!", he said matching her tone to irritate her more than she already was..
"Stop it..", she said angrily, pointing a finger at him..
"Stop what??", he asked her, pretending to be all confused..
"Arghh.." and she stormed off leaving him with the others who were quite enjoying themselves..
As she left Rahul spoke up.. "Kyun pareshan kar raha hai yaar usse.. "
"Coz she's Basket.. Basket ko tang nahi karoonga toh aur kisse karunga..", Armaan replied, grinning to himself as he watched her go towards her parents.. He had missed this so much..
"Grow up Armaan.. ", Nikki reprimanded him.. But he just stared after his Basket who looked so cute with that frown on her face, like she was going to complain against him to her papa..
Soon Abhi decided to ask Nikki for a dance and slowly all of them disappeared to the dance floor leaving Armaan behind.. He looked again in the direction where Riddhima was earlier so he could ask her for a dance too.. But when he saw Shanky come towards him, he got up and walked off in the opposite direction, pretending he got a call or something.. As he was hurrying, trying to see if his sasurji was still on his trail, he bumped into "Armaan!. Tum dekh kar nahi chal sakte..", Riddhima scolded as he held her by the waist to stop her from falling..
"Of course dekh kar chal sakta hoon.. But then how would I bump into you and how would you be in my arms..", he replied cheekily, with that naughty grin adoring his face..
"Armaan stop using these lines on me now at least.. We're engaged..", she said condescendingly as she straightened and pushed his hands away from her..
"Oh so now I can use these lines on others?..", he asked her seriously, then grinned..
"Armaan!", she almost shouted in exasperation..
"Kya?", he asked her coolly..
"Don't talk to me!!", she frowned and was about to storm off again when.. "Hey Armaan.. Riddhima..", she stopped as both their attentions were caught by Abhi's cousin Ranbir who was accompanied by a pretty girl almost their age..
Armaan saw him and grinned as he greeted him.."Hi Ranbir.. Oh sorry.. Officer!!", he joked, reminding him of the prank that they had managed to pull on him.. They would have never been able to do it without this guy.. Ranbir just chuckled at that while Armaan was distracted by the pretty girl who was gawking at him now.. He saw a silent Riddhima give her a deadly glare and he took complete opportunity of this moment.. "And who's this beautiful lady here..", he asked, indicating to Ranbir to introduce her..
"She's one of our cousins.. Akshita..", he replied..
"Hi Akshita.. That's a very nice name..", and he smiled his disarming smile at her, as she turned pink at his comment..
For a moment she couldn't say anything.. But then got the courage to answer back.. "Hi.. Are you in the army..", she asked him, awestruck by his looks..
Armaan glanced at a scowling Riddhima once and replied "Do you want me to be..", and he winked at Akshita, leaving Riddhima gaping at him in shock and anger.."Armaan!!", she almost screeched at that.. Armaan grinned to himself, then turned to her, giving her a bewildered expression as he said.. "Oh sorry.. This is Basket..", he started introducing her to Abhi's pretty cousin, but Riddhima overruled him as she said, "Riddhima.. Hi. I am Riddhima. And this.. is my fiancee.." she asserted, glaring at him, then turned to Ranbir and that girl, "Please could you excuse us.. It was nice meeting you..", she said, smiling a fake smile, her tone saccharine.. And before anyone of them could say anything she took Armaan's hand and dragged him out of there..
"Basket.. What are you doing.. Aise koi behave karta hai kya..", he pretended to be all shocked and reprimanding..
"Shut up!!.. What was all that..", she asked him taking him to a corner..
"What!.. I was just talking to her.. You said you don't want to talk.. So I have to talk to someone na..", he said innocently.
"Armaan stop it.. Muskaan is looking hot.. Akshita is beautiful.. Aur main.. Tumne ek baar bhi nahi bataya ki main kaisi lag rahi hoon..".. She complained in her fit of anger.. Then bit her tongue as she saw him grin at her.. "I mean..", she spluttered, then looking away, she tried running off.. But Armaan didn't let her..
He held her hand to stop her, then held her from behind with one arm going around her waist as he whispered in her ear.. "I'll tell you how beautiful you are looking if you let me Riddhima.. "
She blushed the deepest crimson as felt his lips brush her earlobe, "Armaan.. Yeh kya kar rahe ho..", she said softly trying to get his hand off her waist.. But he just turned her around to face him as he said, "Tumhe bata raha hoon ki tum kitni beautiful lag rahi ho.. Coz I have run out of words Basket..", he said giving her a smoldering look.. But as he saw her nervous expression he just couldn't stop his grin.. "Armaan!!.. Tum nahi sudhroge na..", she whined as she understood his stupid scheme to irritate her again.. He shook his head in a no as he brought her closer, but she priced his hands away from her, "Armaan.. Chalo.. Everyone must be waiting for us.."
"Basket yaar.. Can we disappear from here.. Subah se something or the other comes between us.. Kabhi Muskaan, kabhi sasurji, kabhi breakfast.. Toh kabhi yeh haircut.. I just want to spend some time with you.. Just you and me.. And nothing in between..", she smiled as she heard him.. She knew exactly what he was feeling.. But they had to be here for Nikki and Abhi..
"Armaan.. Hum kaise jaa sakte hain.. Tumne Nikki ko abhi thodi der pehle toh kaha that you'll drop them to the airport..", she reminded him, only to see him frown..
"Yeah.. Tch.. We'll tell Rahul to take them.. I am sure she wont mind..", he offered..
"Nahi Armaan. Aise accha nahi lagta.. Plus, what will we tell papa.. Obviously he'll ask..", Armaan's frown deepened at that.. "Sasurji's going to take my life one day.."
"Armaan..", she hit him on his shoulder as she started walking towards the dining area where everyone was gathered.. He just followed her as he complained again, "No seriously.. This crew cut was also his idea.. He said you like short hair.."
"What does he know Armaan.. Like I discuss with him, what type of a haircut I like on guys.. Who tumhe kucch bhi kehte hain aur tum maan lete ho..", she replied, shaking her head in disbelief..
Armaan frowned as he heard her.. Yeah she was right.. But he didn't understand why she was the only one who didn't like the cut.."Whatever.. But I don't understand tumhe problem kya hai iss haircut se.."
"Problem yeh hai Armaan.. Ki Pehle tumhare paas sirf dimaag nahi tha.. Ab baal bhi nahi hain.. Bohot light lag raha hoga na tumhara sar.. Be careful it might just float away..", she teased him, making him scowl for a change....
"Ha ha so funny.. And don't exaggerate yaar Basket.. Itne saare baal toh hain.. See.."
"Please.. Itne chote hain.. Like a carpet.. And peeche se toh they are just bristles.. I cant even hold them.. I mean.. They are too short.. You know.. What I ..", she spluttered mid-way, blushing madly at what she had blurted, cursing her big mouth.. And Armaan had just hit a goldmine.. He grinned his wickedest smile as he heard her.. "Oooh.. So now I understand why Basket was so angry with me.. ", he said, dragging his words to tease her..
"Armaan.. Aisa nahi hai.. I just thought that..", she tried, but failed miserably at damage control..
"That what Basket.. You really loved my hair didn't you.. More than me?..", he asked her teasingly, his eyes glinting with nothing but naughtiness..
Riddhima put up her best frown as she said "Shut up Armaan.. See papa is calling us..", indicating to her dad who was waving at them.. She smiled at him as he sat at a table for dinner, but she couldn't hurry as Armaan had held her hand and was walking at his own sweet pace..
"I am so sorry Riddhima.. Main toh bhool hi gaya tha how much you love my hair..", he teased her again..
"Armaan.. Stop it.. I wont talk to you.. ", she threatened him as she glared..
But he just couldn't stop.. "Don't worry.. It'll grow back.. But till then at least I will be free from that torture.. It really hurts when you pull my hair Riddhima.. You don't realize how much.."
"Armaan.. If you don't shut up, I wont kiss you till your hair grows back.. How about that..", she retorted to see the grin wipe off his face..
"What.. ", he exclaimed, eyes wide in shock..
"Yeah.. And you know what.. that's my final decision.. ", she smirked as she declared.. Armaan just stopped in his tracks as he heard her.. And in the state of shock, didn't realize when she pulled her hand out of his hold and started walking away..
"No.. That's not fair.. It was your papa's idea.. ", he complained, tailing her now, trying to convince her to take her words back..
"So.. ", she said, uninterestedly..
"So what..", he started another protest, but his Sasurji's voice interrupted again..
"Riddhima beta.. Khaana nahi khana kya?..", he called out from the distance to Riddhima.. Armaan could have killed him.. Or himself better still.. Riddhima just grinned at him and walked away, turning around to give him a thumbs down and a wink.. Armaan was left cursing his luck.. This father daughter pair would drive him crazy.. What had he gotten himself into?!!
"Riddhima beta.. Lets go.. Late ho raha hai.. Padma is waiting at the entrance..", Shashank came up to them as all of them sat teasing Abhi and Nikki about their honeymoon..
Armaan looked immediately at Riddhima as he heard Shashank.. Was she seriously going home with her dad?.. Riddhima gave him a dejected look before getting up.. She wished Nikki and Abhi a good time in Mauritius and then hugged Nikki.. Dr. Shashank wished him a goodnight again reminding him of how he was looking all smart in that new haircut of his.. Armaan had no choice but to smile back as he kept hoping that he'll get to spend more time with her.. But she actually left from there.. He stared at her retreating back with a heavy heart when Nikki said, "I think hume bhi nikalna chahiye.. Armaan.. Tu aa raha hai na hume chodne.." Armaan nodded as all of them got up and hugged each other etc.. But his mind was still on his Basket.. He really wanted to spend some time with her.. He had been with her the entire day but they had not spent a single moment just with each other.. And whatever time they did spend seemed too little to him.. It was never going to be enough.. But the thought that he wont see her till next morning was weighing him down.. He couldn't let go if her so soon.. It was just 10 anyway.. He had to stop her.. He couldn't let sasurji come between them again.. Like he hadn't already interrupted hundreds of their moments.. As Nikki and Abhi were about to go and talk to Abhi's parent's before leaving, an idea struck him.. "Nikki. You guys come out, I'll wait at the gate.. Ok..", and without waiting for an answer he ran out, hoping that the Guptas had not left already.. Luckily he found them still in the parking, walking towards their car.. "Dr. Shashank..", he called out, trying to catch his breath and catch up with them.. All three of them turned around to him in surprise..
"Yes.. Armaan.. Kya hua?..", he asked him, wondering why he had run all the way..
He took in a deep breath and readied himself to say what he wanted to.. It was now or never.. "Sir.. We were going to drop Abhi and Nikki to the airport.. So can I take Riddhima with me.. I mean.. ", he faltered mid-sentence.. But Dr. Shashank had got the gist of his question.. He raised his eyebrows at that question and saw the shocked look on his daughters' face.. He wasn't sure he wanted to send his daughter with Armaan so late in the night, when he knew perfectly well that the airport was not the only place they would be going.. But he wondered if it would be appropriate to say a no.. After all he had to practice being the cool dad here.. But all his doubts was solved when he felt Padma's hand in his.. He turned to look at her reassuring smile and then looked at Armaan's hopeful eyes.. "Theek hai.. But I want my daughter home before midnight..", he said, with a small smile as he saw Riddhima's eyes widen in shock and Armaan's face adore a grin.. And without waiting another second before he could change his mind, he walked towards his car, "Chalein Padma.. I have to go to work tomorrow.."
Riddhima watched in a daze as her mum and dad drove out of the parking area .. As soon as they were gone Armaan held her hand and pulled her to his car, "Chalo.. We're getting late.. Nikki and Abhi ko airport phochana hai.."
So they took their friends home so they could change and take their luggage and then finally dropped them off to the airport.. Bidding them a farewell they made their way to the parking.. Armaan looked at her walking next to him in that red sari.. Finally he was alone with her.. Nothing between him and his basket.. At least for a couple of hours.. He watched her trying to keep her hair from falling on her face as the cool breeze whipped it across her frown.. He smiled as her sari too fluttered in the wind, making it difficult for her to walk.. Riddhima looked at him wondering why he was so quiet when she caught him staring at her silently.. "Kya hua.. Aise kya dekh rahe ho?..", she asked him returning his smile..
He looked away from her as she asked him that and smiling to himself he asked.. "Kucch nahi.. Where do you want to go.."
"Home?..", she said, half in a question and half in a statement.. He looked at her and nodded through his smile as he opened the door of his car for her to get in..
Armaan was about to open the door with his key, but Riddhima stopped him.. "Armaan.. Lets just sit here..", and she sat at the doorstep and asked him to join her..
"Kyun?.. ", a surprised Armaan asked as he sat behind her pulling her into him..
"Coz I wont be able to leave if I come in..", she replied softly, leaning into him..
"I was hoping I could keep you here forever..", he said leaning his head on her shoulder and nuzzling her neck..
Riddhima shuddered at his touch as she stiffened again.. But she almost jumped up when she felt his hand go around her bare waist, caressing it as he pulled her in.. "Armaan. What are you.."
"Shh..", he shut her up, caressing her arms with his other hand to calm her down.. "Can we just sit quietly for some time Basket..", he whispered in her ear.. His voice as well as his touch sent shivers down her, but she could feel his thudding heart and knew he was feeling the same as she was.. Slowly she leaned back into him to feel his warm breath on her neck.. Though her heart was racing the comfort she felt when she was in his embrace was returning.. She closed her eyes slowly as she felt him move her hair to one side and place soft kisses on her shoulder, slowly moving to her neck.. She clasped his hand that was on her waist, and entwined her fingers with the other bringing it around her too, asking him to hold her tight.. And he did exactly what she wanted him to.. Just holding her close, burying his face in her hair and letting her feel his being as he felt hers.. And they just let themselves be as the silence did all the talking, the cool night breeze forcing them to snuggle closer..
"Armaan..", she said, breaking a long silence where they just stayed in each others' arms..
"Hmm..", he asked, his head still leaned in on her shoulder..
"I missed you..", she said almost in a whisper a lone tear escaping her eye..
Armaan looked up bending in to look at her as she turned to look at him.. His eyes were moist too.. And they said everything that she wanted to hear as he spoke those unnecessary words, "I missed you too.."
Riddhima smiled her beautiful smile at those words and bringing his face close to hers joined their lips to continue their mostly silent conversation.. And they told each other everything there was to tell and no one else would know what that was or what it felt like.. Armaan explored her back trying to bring her closer, when her hands instinctively went around his neck and snaked up to his hair.. Only she forgot that there was nothing to ruffle this time.. She frowned between the kiss as she felt the short bristles on her hands.. Armaan couldn't help but start laughing when she tried to catch hold of his hair and found nothing.. Riddhima opened her eyes, her frown deepening as he laughed at her.. "Basket.. You're just one of a kind.. Waise I didn't know my hair grew back already.. I beat Harry Potter to it..", he joked, reminding her of her threat, as she just scowled back, "This kiss didn't count.. Fine.. Now no more kisses till your hair grows back..", she said stubbornly trying to get out of his hold..
"We'll see..", he said smugly and kissed her tight again.. "Oops.. Does that not count too?.."
"Armaan..", she glared at him only to get his smirk, "No no.. Please don't start that again.. Lets start counting from tomorrow. Is that ok.."
But he had pissed her off for good now.. "Shut up.. I have to go now.. ", she said irritated and got out of his hold.. His smirk vanished the moment she said that and he couldn't hold her back.. He looked down in dejection as he saw her get up.. What he had been dreading since the time he had come home in the afternoon was happening.. But how was he going to tell her that this place haunts him without her.. The little while that he was here in the afternoon, he had been suffocated with the loneliness.. If he thought he had been dependent on her, he had been wrong.. He was addicted to her presence and it was beyond cure.. Especially after having got her back after that terrible phase of separation.. But he would have to be strong for her sake.. Obviously she had to go back home.. And she would see him the next day.. It was just a question of a few hours, he consoled himself..
When he didn't say another word nor try to stop her, she turned to look at him.. Her heart melted the moment she saw his very unhappy expression.
He got up and started towards his car without looking at her.. But she held his hand and pulled him back.. When he still didn't look at her she took his face in her hands "Armaan..", she said, making him look at her.. As she saw his moist eyes her eyes welled up too.. She didn't know what to say to him.. She didn't want to go too.. And especially coz they had hardly spent any time apart after they had gotten together.. But she couldn't stay back everyday.. That would have to wait.. Till they get married.. But how was she going to console him.. "Armaan.. I have to go..", he nodded as she said that and looked away.. He so didn't want her to go.. But he had no option.. He realized he was being really stupid behaving the way he was behaving.. He had to let her go.. Only it was going to take time to adjust to that routine again.. But his heart still wanted her to stay.. He wished he had an option.. Why couldn't they just run away..
"I'll come tomorrow na Armaan..", she consoled him again, caressing his face.. As he felt that loving touch of hers he lost his resolve and he hugged her tight as he said, "I cant stay alone again Riddhima.. Its just.." and his voice broke a little, letting out that emotions that he wanted to suppress so much.. He didn't want her to worry about him or lose sleep over him..
Riddhima panicked a little when she heard Armaan's voice and she pulled out to see tears flowing down his eyes now.. "Armaan.. Agar tum aise karoge toh main kaise jaaungi.. I thought you were the one who said waqt ke saath sab theek ho jaayega.. I don't want to go Armaan.. But I have to na.. And the good part is we'll see each other tomorrow.. Its just a question of seven hours.. Fine I'll come early.. I'll come at 6:30.. Is that ok.."
"Six..", he said, negotiating, as he sniffed and hardened his expression.. He knew he was being stupid.. And he had already broken that one promise that he had made to himself about not crying in front of her.. He had to take control here..
Riddhima smiled as she heard that, "Fine.. Six.. Ab toh chodo.. We should get going.."
"Please.. Its just quarter to twelve.. ", he reminded her stubbornly as he wiped his eyes dry..
"Armaan it takes fifteen minutes to go home..", she reminded him..
"No Riddhima.. Abhi traffic nahi hoga.. It'll take just 10 minutes..", he argued back, still not letting her go..
"Armaan.. Accha.. Did you get stuff for breakfast or should I tell papa to send his special cheese omelet for you tomorrow morning ..", and he left her immediately, shocked as he heard that.. As she walked out of his hold towards his car she winked at him as he scowled at her, "Basket!!"
"What?..", she said nonchalantly.. But then as she saw him glare she quipped, "Just asking.."
Armaaan couldn't help but give in to his smile as he saw that grin of hers and that naughty sparkle in her eyes.. He reminded himself that that's what he had to live for.. He'd have to bear the terrible feeling only for her.. And it wouldn't be that bad when he had something to look forward to.. So very reluctantly he got into his car and drove her to her other home, consoling himself a thousand times that he would see her in just a few hours.. He dreaded being alone again.. But he put it at the back of his mind and returned her smile as she smiled at him.. Outside her house she pecked him a goodnight and walked towards the door as he watched her go.. He just waited there long after she had gone inside.. he didnt want to go back to that empty house.. He would have stayed there all night, waiting for six in the morning.. But he had to leave when Dr. Shashank peeped through the window for the third time to check if he'd gone.. Having no option he drove back, but didn't couldn't bring himself to enter his house again.. He just went up to the terrace instead and lay back, staring at the night sky.. At least he had the stars for company up here.. He smiled as they twinkled down on him, reminding him of her eyes.. He snuggled against the cushions, thinking about yesterday when she was here with him, in his arms.. Lost in her thoughts he waited for dawn.. Waited till she would be here with him.. Just like she was with him today.. As he replayed the entire day that he spent with her, he prayed that all his days turn out to be like today.. Minus the cheese omelet, his inner voice spoke up..
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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