"Basket.. Get up.. Riddhima.. Baby.. No I forgot that's me.. Sweetheart.. Basket.. Basket.. Basket.. Riddhima.. ", he kept patting on her shoulder, prodding her awake from her beauty sleep..
"Shut up Armaan!!.. ", she groaned sleepily and held onto him tighter, and in her sleep, placed a sloppy kiss on his neck.. Even in her sleep she knew what exactly she had to do to shut him up..
Armaan however turned red as she did that, gulping as he turned to a scowling Anjali, who was sitting next to him on the middle seat of his car with Atul leaning on her shoulder and drooling in his sleep.. Abhi and Nikki were fast asleep in the back seat, while Muskaan was in the passenger seat with Rahul driving them home.. Armaan had thrown a tantrum when he had realized that Riddhima and him would have to sit separately, just because his annoying friends wanted their wives all of a sudden.. Idiots.. After fighting with each other the whole day, now they wanted to cuddle up and sleep next to each other.. They were behaving like WW3 never happened and had taken their seats while he had been busy saying his good-byes to Minnie and Raunak and wishing Gappu luck for his boards.. So when he saw Riddhima sitting in the back seat with Abhi and Nikki and a place for him in the middle, he had refused to enter the car.. He wanted his Basket.. And he was going to get her.. It was his car after all.. They couldn't do this to him.. But Atul and Abhi were adamant themselves and so were their better halves as they tried to convince him, saying that all of them were married while the two of them weren't.. So they would have to sit separately.. Did they really think he wasn't going to take that crap so easily!!.. Not after they had played a major role in keeping his Basket away from him for most of the day.. Heck! They hadn't even gone to their cottage because of that fight.. And though Riddhima had promised him that they'd come back next evening, he was sure he was going to be busy, inspite of it being a Sunday.. He had taken the day off and exchanged it for his usual holiday on Sunday so he could spend the time with the kids and more importantly with Riddhima.. Well the day had not turned out exactly as he had planned.. And so now he wasn't going to let go of any opportunity that he got to be near his Riddhima..
When all of them started fighting with Armaan over the silly issue, Riddhima came up with a solution.. She shut him up first, made him sit in the middle seat next to her Di and then sat on his lap sideways, cozying up with him, her hands around his waist, her head on his shoulder, for once ignoring the raised brows around her.. Even Armaan looked like he had seen a ghost or something.. For a minute, not believing she was sitting so close.. Now he was thanking his friends, smirking at them, that he had his fiancee so close to him thanks to them.. Riddhima smiled as she saw that bright smile light up his face, her favorite dimple restored where it belonged.. She had learnt her lesson today.. She wasn't going to make him suffer without reason.. Plus she too wanted to be close to him.. She felt a little embarrassed initially, but settled down soon, feeling all warm and fuzzy with his scent around her.. And as soon as Rahul had driven out of the gate she had dozed off to sleep.. As had all the others.. Except Rahul of course.. Thankfully!!.. And Armaan.. Who was absolutely unable to sleep with Riddhima's soft breath caressing his neck.. His mind recollecting their evening encounter as he tried to push it away.. He didn't want to get killed at the hands of his sister-in-law to be, in case he loses his resilience and gives in to his desires.. But even Anjali's looming presence couldn't stop him from placing a peck or two on Riddhima's forehead and she slept ensconced in his arms.. Who could have imagined the same Riddhima who was asking him to keep away from while they were going to Lonavla would be sitting in his lap on their journey back.. At least he still couldn't believe it.. He was still in awe of the fact that she had done this only for him, inspite of her inhibitions to public displays of affection, Muskaan's voice snapped him out of his daze, "Rahul.. Gaadi kyun rok di..", she asked her husband sleepily..
"Shauk hai mujhe beech sadak mein gaadi rokne ka..", he replied, irritated with her.. All of them were sleeping away to glory while he had to drive.. And the horrible traffic wasn't exactly making it a pleasurable experience..
As they bickered on, the horrible traffic jam around them caught Armaan's attention.. He hadn't realized, but they were in the same place from the last 20 minutes, trucks, buses, cars and trailers jamming the ghat.. Soon Rahul and Muskaan's bickering had woken up Anjali and Abhi.. But Atul, Nikki and Riddhima slept on and didn't look like they would get up even if an earthquake were to occur.. "Guys stop fighting.. I think it's a bad traffic jam.. Just go check what's the problem..", Anjali almost ordered, shutting Rahul and Muskaan at once..
"Main nahi jaa raha.. Maine theka nahi le rakha hai..", Rahul shot back, flopping his head on the steering, wanting nothing but to sleep, preferably in Muskaan's arms, if she could keep quiet for sometime.. So Anjali turned to Armaan, who tried to avoid her gaze initially, hoping Atul or Abhi volunteer for the task.. He was in no mood to wake Riddhima up.. But Atul was almost snoring in his slumber and Anjali's gaze had turned into a glare.. So he finally gave in and started waking up Riddhima.. But madam didn't want to let go off him.. And she ended up embarrassing him in front of her own Di..
"Basket.. ", he hissed, trying to push her off him.. But the more he pushed, the tighter she held him, "Baby stop troubling me.. ", she said somnolently, completely ruining his image as Abhi and Anjali chortled at Riddhima's blushing baby.. "Basket.. Traffic jam.. Get up.. ", he shook her a little, irritated that she had called him that in front of people now.. But she hit him on his arm, frowning as she hid her face in his chest..
"Its ok 'baby'.. Main dekhta hoon.. ", Abhi teased him as he got out of the car with difficulty, pricing a sleeping Nikki away from himself, and went to find out how long it would take for the traffic to clear..
"Aage landslide hua hai guys.. Traffic's not going to clear for the night at least.. ", Abhi's piece of news made them groan.. "Landslide!! How! Its not even raining.. ", Anjali complained, cursing their luck..
"I know.. They're constructing a tunnel a little ahead.. And the explosion's caused the landslide.. The construction company has taken responsibility.." came Abhi's reply..
"Toh ab hum kya kare yaar.. How long are we going to sit in the car..", Rahul asked, his lack of sleep, adding to his frustration..
"We'll have to leave the car here and go find some place to stay.. Luckily hum itne door bhi nahi aaye hain.. I am sure we can walk a little.. ", Abhi suggested only to make Muskaan go, "No.. No.. I cant walk.."
"Abhi.. I am not leaving my car here.. ", Armaan told him stubbornly.. After Riddhima, he was most possessive about his Hummer.. No way was he going to leave his baby here..
"You don't have an option Armaan.. We are blocked from all sides.. Na aage badh sakte hain na peeche jaa sakte hain.. ", Anjali explained to him..
Armaan was angrily going to retort to that logic of hers, but Abhi intervened, "Don't worry Armaan.. The construction company is taking responsibility of all the vehicles till the road clears.. They said we can park our car here and move out.. Probably come back by tomorrow morning.. "
"Are you sure.. ", he asked, still not liking the idea..
"I am sure. You can go ask them yourself.. "
So finally he reluctantly nodded, and started prodding Riddhima awake as he ranted.. "Tch.. What the hell.. I have duty tomorrow.. Kya kismat hai yaar meri.. Chalo.. We should wake these khumbhakarans up.. "
Riddhima and Nikki threw a huge tantrum when they were informed of the developments and their plan of action.. Atul and Rahul just started walking, a cursing Anjali and Muskaan in tow as they left Abhi and Armaan to handle their girls.. Armaan had to literally drag Riddhima out of the car as he locked it and checked it for the hundredth time before following a bickering Abhi and Nikki.. Apparently Nikki got really cranky when she's woken in the middle of her sleep.. But his Basket was no less.. He was still dragging her as she leaned on him, muttering curses under her breath as they trudged along to God alone knows where!!
"Where are we going guys?.. Pichle aadhe ghante se we are just aimlessly walking.. ", Anjali pointed out, demanding an explanation from the guys.. All of them were wide awake now, sweating as they walked on, mile after mile, looking for a motel or a hotel or just a lift from some vehicle that could drop them somewhere.. But they were too many of them together and almost all their fellow travelers who were also stuck in the jam had already hitchhiked whatever cars or trucks there were in sight..
"So you tell us what to do na Anjie.. Hume bhi shauk nahi hai chalne ka..", boy was Rahul frustrated.. Poor guy just wanted to sleep..
"Oye Raaool.. Bhadak mat yaar.. And Anjie.. We don't have another option do we.. Hopefully ek aadhi lift mill jaayegi..", Armaan intervened before things get heated up.. He was walking with his arm around Riddhima keeping her close and protected from the darkness that had engulfed them.. There were rows and rows of trees on either side of the dark road with no street lights.. It would have been scary if all of them had not been together.. But their constant banter had overcome the silence of the night..
"Armaan.. Its scary.. Yahan jungle se animals bhi aa sakte hain.. We should find something fast.. ", Nikki stated, making all the girls move closer to their guys as they held on to their arms..
"Don't worry sweetheart.. Hum hain na.. And we'll find something soon.. Yeh andhere ki wajah se its all looking scary.. ", Abhi tried to pacify Nikki as they walked hand in hand, carefully beaming the light from their phones on the road.. Unfortunately those phones were of no use as none of them were finding network in the ghats.. They needed to inform someone of their whereabouts.. Shanky papa and Padma mom were sure to be worried if they didn't find their precious little Riddhima at home by morning.. Coz they had already informed them while leaving that they were coming.. If they didn't reach in another two hours, which was a sure thing now, surely hell was going to break lose at the Gupta residence.. But as of now, they really didn't have any option but to walk back to a place where civilization existed and they could somehow contact home.. And just as that thought occurred.. "Guys.. Guys.. Stop.. I think I found something.. ", Atul exclaimed suddenly, halting their aimless march.. All of them strained their eyes to see what he was pointing at.. It looked like a house at the end of a dark alley that branched from the road, partially covered by the bushes that lined it.. The girls were apprehensive about going down that dark alley, but the guys thought they should check it out.. Maybe it was some kind of a guest house.. At least they'd get some help..
Armaan curiously walked on, holding Riddhima tight.. He couldn't place what it was, but there was some weird feeling he was getting.. Like he had been here before.. Riddhima too thought that this road looked familiar but she couldn't point out nor recollect it correctly..
"Wow!.. That's beautiful.. But I don't think anyone's home.. ", Anjali's voice brought to their attention the object of her affection.. And their jaws dropped at what they saw.. Looking as beautiful as ever, bathing in the sliver moonlight, was their dream cottage.. They couldn't believe they had not recognized the way to their cottage.. But they had never been here by foot, and it was way too dark to recognize the trees and bushes that needed cutting now.. And almost as a reflex both of them said, "I don't think we should go in there.. ", they certainly didn't want anyone else know about this dream of theirs. This was something that was private to them.. And they really didn't want to share it with anyone..
But their friends were the ultimate pricks ever.. When had they ever listened to them. "Why not?..", Rahul asked as Abhi and Atul had already started to creak open the gate.. "I know.. See its unlocked.. ", Abhi exclaimed, entering the premises as all of them followed suit, except Armaan and Riddhima..
They looked at each other in shock as they realized what Abhi had said.. Its unlocked!!!.. How!! That's when the memory of the last time they had come here flooded their minds.. It was when Armaan had sent her away from their place when she had defied her dad and come to him.. So she had come here to seek refuge and hide from the harsh reality of it all.. It was here that they had had that horrible conversation.. Where he had blatantly lied to her that he didn't love her.. And she had stormed out of there ignoring his constant requests of letting him drive her back.. So he had followed her in his car.. And in all the hurry, he had probably forgotten to lock the place behind him.. And as that realization hit them, they quickly made their way to the door and stood in front of it, blocking their friends from entering their home.. "Guys.. Koi ghar pe nahi hai.. I don't think we should be here.. I mean.. ", Riddhima protested, hoping they'll just back off..
"Stop being such a kill joy Ridzi.. Yeh kitna filmy lag raha hai na.. We're stuck in a jungle.. Nowhere to go.. Then we find a sunsaan khaali house.. ", Muskaan said excitedly as Rahul continued, "Bas ek bhoot ki hi kami hai. ", wiping all the excitement off Muskaan's face..
"What if this place is haunted.. Mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai.. ", Nikki said, holding Abhi's arm again as she heard Rahul..
Armaan caught that at once.. If nothing else, he knew he could trust the girls and their mindless fear of ghosts and others such ghastly creatures.. , "Yeah.. This place looks haunted.. Lets just go from here ok.. ", he said, as Riddhima nodded vigorously with fake fear in her eyes, hoping this trick of his works..
"Kya Armaan. Tu bhi aisi bakwaas kar raha hai.. ", Abhi mocked him and stepped ahead towards the door..
But Armaan didn't move away still standing in the front.. "How do you plan to get in anyway Abhi.. This door is locked.. ", he told him, rotating the latch but pretending it was locked when it most certainly wasn't.. And he did do a good job of the acting coz Abhi did actually buy that as did everyone else..
"Mere paas ek idea hai guys.. ", Atul said and before they could ask him what it was, he had picked up a stone and thrown it at the window that was placed next to the door..
"Atul!!!", both Armaan and Riddhima screamed, their eyes wide in shock as they witnessed the glass shatter in front of their eyes.. "Are you nuts.. Tumne khidki kyun todi..", Riddhima asked him angrily.
"Chill Ridzi.. Obviously andar ghusne ke liye.. Tu toh aise bhadak rahi hai jaise tera ghar hai.. ", Anjali defended her dearest, but not-so-civilized husband.
"Toh.. Humara nahi hai toh kya hua.. Kisi ka toh hai na.. How can we destroy anyone's property like that.. ", Armaan retorted, coming to his Basket's defense once he was over the shock of what Atul had done..
"Chod na.. Tujhe kya karna hai.. Its more important that we get a place for tonight.. Chalo lets get in.. ", Rahul said, going to the window as he started clearing it for any pointed glass pieces that could hurt them..
Riddhima panicked as she saw him do that. this could not be happening.. "Rahul.. Tumhe lag jaegi.. Don't do that.. ", she quickly pulled him away from the window, stopping his entry.. And thankfully Muskaan supported her this time, "Haan yaar Rahul.. Lag jayegi don't do that.. "
Atul realized he had made a mistake by breaking the window when he saw the glass pieces there.. "I didn't think of that.. I think we should break down the door.. ", he suggested after thinking for a second..
"NO!!!", Armaan and Riddhima shouted again as they heard him..
"Why?? ", Abhi asked again, and this time he was too quick for Armaan as he started slamming his shoulder on the door, hoping the latch gives away.. Soon Atul and Rahul joined him as Armaan and Riddhima looked horror stricken at what their junglee friends were doing to their cottage.. But before they could stop them, they had broken through the door and landed on the floor.. Atul had rotated the latch by mistake while hammering on to it and had resulted in the three of them being thrown on the floor.. "Oh My GOD!!", Nikki exclaimed as they stepped over the threshold, avoiding stepping on the three pairs of feet whose owners were still disoriented on the floor.. Armaan gasped, while Riddhima was too shocked to react at what they were seeing.. For a moment they just stared at the sight in front of them, hoping it was a terrible nightmare.. "This place is wreck.. I am sure kisi ne chori ki hai.. ",Muskaan said as she had a good look around the cabin.. "Ab koi darwaaza khula chodke jaayega toh iss bewakoofi ka koi toh advantage uthaega na.. What else did you expect..", Anjali said smugly while Nikki tried to get the lights on.. "I don't think anyone lives here anyway.. Electricity bhi nahi hai.. ", Nikki informed them as she fiddled with switches on the out-of-order switchboard.. "Yaar this place is so dirty.. Yeh chor bhi na.. Bed ko todne ki kya zaroorat thi.. Now I cant even sleep peacefully..", Rahul said, coughing due to the dust, as he looked at the broken bed.. "Shut it Rahul.. At least aaj raat rehne ki toh jagah mill gayi.. ", Abhi pointed out, asking him to be thankful at least for the shelter..
"Wow!! This view is amazing.. Koi aisi jagah kyun chodke jaayega I don't understand.. ", Atul exclaimed as he opened the door at the end of the cabin that led into the patio.. Everyone was distracted by that comment of his and followed him out through the door.. Armaan and Riddhima could hear them oohing and aahing at the veiw they were seeing.. But the two of them were still standing at the threshold unable to believe the sight in front of them.. He stepped closer to her, slipping his hand in hers, holding it tight as a sense of loss too over them.. She turned sideways to look at him and then back at the wreck that was in front of them.. Armaan's heart twisted seeing the tears prick her eyes as they helplessly looked onto the wreck that had once been their dream..
Riddhima slowly stepped inside the cabin, Armaan following her as he walked with her hand in hand, their eyes traveling from one ruined corner to another. Whoever had done this was such an uncivilized animal. And slowly the feeling of pain and loss was being replaced by anger that was fast turning into rage. Armaan held her hand tighter as a surge of fury flared in him at the sight of the cabin that held so many precious memories for them. He wanted to kill whoever had dared to do this. His jaw clenched tight just at the mere thought. He knew how much time he had spent in making the place what it had been.. Just for Riddhima.. And now all that lay destroyed in front of him.. And he couldn't do anything about that.. That frustrated him the most.. Riddhima on the other hand had allowed her angry tears to run through freely now as she sniffed to keep her emotions in check. Armaan's attention was diverted as he heard her sniffs and at once his anger subsided. What had happened had happened. But it was important to calm her down. To make her feel better. Coz he knew she was as attached to this place. Maybe more than him. And if he was feeling so terrible he could well imagine what she was going through.
"Riddhima.. Please don't cry.. ", he whispered, trying to console her, not knowing what else to say to her at this moment. But as soon as his comforting arm went around her she pulled away from him and inspected every destroyed item that she could see in the dark there. She couldn't believe anyone was so so cruel and brute as to do this to anyone's house. She was mad.. Mad at everything and everyone who had brought their cottage down to this state. It hurt to see their shattered dream. And that hurt flowed out of her eyes and down her cheeks, her sobs increasing as it all started sinking in.. But Armaan held her hand, pulling her closer and caressing her face, as he looked into her eyes, "Riddhima.. Please don't cry.. Main sab kucch theek kar dunga ok.. Just like before.. I promise.."
But Riddhima just shut her eyes, not bothering to stop her tears anymore and tried to get away from his hold.. "Armaan.. Chodo mujhe..", she said through her tears, looking away from him in her struggle..
But Armaan held on, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him, "Riddhima.. Look at me.. Please.. Aise rone se kucch hone waala hai kya.. Nothing's going to change.."
"Armaan.. Please.. Just leave me alone for some time..", she managed in a whisper, her tears still trickling down her face..
"Basket.. Shouldn't we be facing this together.. Mujhe bhi utna hi bura lag raha hai.. I am as attached to this place as you are.. Yeh humara ghar hai.. Remember.. And I want to kill whoever has done this to our dream Riddhima.. I wish I could lay my hands on whoever did this.. But I promise I'll..", but she didn't let him complete as she pulled his hands away from her.. "Armaan please.. Just.. I don't want to talk right now.. Just let me cry.."
"And what are you going to tell the others.. ", he asked her calmly.. If not for him, at least she would stop crying so that they wouldn't have to answer their friends.. He didn't know why, or how, but both of them didn't want their friends to find out.. They had never discussed such a situation arising.. But now that it was here, both of them wanted to keep it close to themselves.. But Riddhima was losing her patience by the minute.. "I don't care.. Anyway.. Yahan bacha kya hai chupane ke liye..", she lashed out, softly yet in a cold tone..
Armaan's jaw clenched at the tone she had taken with him.. Why was she being so difficult.. Wasn't he also as upset about what has happened.. "Riddhima why are you acting like this.. Just calm down.. Try to understand..", he tried explaining to her, but in vain, "I don't want to understand Armaan.. I want this place back.. The way it was.. And that will never happen.. ", she finally raised her voice, almost shouting through her tears..
Armaan, alarmed by her outburst, took her in his arms again and caressed her back to make her understand.. "I'll make it better than before Riddhima.. I promise.."
"No.. But it'll still never be the same..", she said stubbornly again.. And this time he lost his cool..
"Riddhima stop throwing tantrums.. And is all this really that important. We still have our memories Basket.. And that no one can change.. We cant change what's happened na now.. Just accept it as destiny and move on..", he said, taking a harsh tone.. It wasn't as bad as she was making it out to be.. It wasn't like the damage was irreparable.. He would make it better, and if she wanted, just the same as before.. He didn't know what else he should say to console her.. It was bad enough to see his dream destroyed like this than to take her tantrums too.. There was nothing else left to say..
But Riddhima apparently thought otherwise, her anger getting the better of her as she heard his acetic tone.. "You can be all filmy you want Armaan.. But don't blame destiny.. You were the one who forgot to lock the door.. Tum nahi bhulte toh.. This.. Never.. I..", and she faltered, finally realizing the crap she was talking.. And it hit Armaan right in his heart, that wound that had just about started healing, being pierced again.. He gave her a defeated smile, "You're right.. Its my fault.. I am so stupid.. Pshh.. I m so stupid sometimes.. I actually dare to argue with you.. I am sorry.. Toh tum yeh sunna chahti thi.. I forgot to lock the door.. Fine its my fault.. You came here in the first place.. But that is not important.. I forgot to lock the door coz that was the last thing on my mind Riddhima.. You were running away from me.. I was so worried for you.. But that cant be even considered.. Of course not.. Coz you're never wrong Basket.. Its always my fault.. You win.. I am sorry..", he bitterly accused her back..
Riddhima who had been feeling guilty of what she said now was agitated again by his accusation.. Now who was over reacting! And in the heat of the moment she said something that hurt him more than anything in this world could.. "That's enough Armaan.. Fine its my fault.. But you know what.. I wouldn't have come here if you wouldn't have thrown me out of your house that night.. And that too after knowing that I left papa for you.. Where else would I have gone?"
Armaan had no words, no retort to that comment of hers.. It was like he had gone back a month to that terrible time.. That time which he dreaded.. He couldn't think of anything in front of that immeasurable pain that he felt.. Only tears of hurt pricked his eyes and threatened to flow out.. It was always going to be his mistake.. Always.. And he knew it.. He couldn't do anything about it.. She was right after all..
Riddhima saw the hurt in his eyes and her heart twisted in pain.. "Armaan.. I.. Look.. I am..", she tried to caress his face.. She didn't know what else to say to make him feel better.. But he stepped back and away from her..
"Armaan.. Please.. ", she held his arm, trying to figure out what she should say to him as a tear slipped out of her eye.. This time it wasn't for her shattered cottage.. It was for that shattered heart.. That heart of his that she had just shattered just with a few words.. It was true.. But she knew he didn't deserve it.. Not now.. She had to apologize.. But.. "Guys tum log abhi tak yahan kya kar rahe ho.. Armaan.. Tere paas match stick hai kya.. Chal na.. Hum bonfire kar rahe hain.. You wont believe how beautiful the view is.. "
All of them sat there in the patio around the sparkling and warm bonfire that the guys had managed to put up with the small dried leaves and other kachra that they found surrounding the cottage.. All of them had picked their favorite spots and cuddled with their partners as they stared at the rollicking flames that lit up the cool night.. Rahul and Muskaan had taken a pillar as Rahul half lay sleepily on her while she leaned back against the pillar.. He wasn't sleepy after all the work that they had done.. But he wanted to cuddle up anyway.. Nikki was sitting in Abhi's lap as they leaned against the door that led to the cabin.. While Anjali and Atul leaned against another part of the wall, holding each others' hands, with Atul's head leaning on her shoulder.. Armaan and Riddhima however, were sitting apart, frowning as they watched their friends enjoy the ambience of 'their' dream cottage.. The sorry state of their cottage had already set both of them off and they had had a little fight, blaming each other for forgetting to lock the door.. While Riddhima argued that Armaan should have been more responsible since he was the last one to walk out that door, Armaan pointed out that she was the one who had come to the cottage in the first place and so it was her responsibility to lock the door.. They argued on and around the same point, opening old wounds and all those painful memories flooded open in front of their eyes.. In the end Riddhima had ended up crying and hurting Armaan by her careless words. She had realized almost immediately that she had made a big mistake.. But like they say, the word that leaves the mouth, just like an arrow that leaves the bow, cannot be taken back.. And just like that, she didn't know what to say to make him feel better.. Coz there was nothing left to be said.. She had hurt him again for the second time in a day.. She didn't know how she managed to do that.. She wanted to apologize to him immediately.. Take all that pain away.. However as she moved forward to apologize to him, Rahul came in, "Guys tum log abhi tak yahan kya kar rahe ho.. Armaan.. Tere paas match stick hai kya.. Chal na.. Hum bonfire kar rahe hain.. You wont believe how beautiful the view is.. "
Armaan and Riddhima both were alarmed as they heard the word bonfire.. They just hoped they were doing it outside the sheltered patio.. But alas.. Their mahan friends were so mahan that they by the time they reached out in a rush, almost pushing Rahul out of the way, they saw a roaring yellow and orange flame right in the centre of the semicircular patio, warming the entire place, not to mention dirtying it at the same time.. Armaan lost it at his friends when he saw them cheerfully calling him to join them in the party.. He was already frustrated with what Riddhima had said and then his friends had managed to pull the last straw in ruining their already ruined cottage.. All of them were stumped by his sudden outburst and started arguing with him, wondering why he was so angry about the ruined house.. Almost like it was his.. "Seriously Armaan.. I don't understand tera kya jaa raha hai.. ", Abhi asked him, raising his voice at Armaan's unreasonable behavior..
"Cos yeh humara ghar...", he shouted only to be cut off in the middle, "Humara ghar nahi hai toh kya hua.. Agar koi humare ghar ko aise treat kare toh kya hume accha lagega.. Nahi na.. " Armaan had almost admitted to it in the heat of the moment, but Riddhima saved the day, as she cut him off..
"But Ridzi, yeh toh aise chilla raha hai jaise usi ka ghar hai..", Muskaan complained while Armaan just glared at a very sorry Riddhima..
"Chod na Muski!.. Armaan.. Forget it na.. We'll clean it up before we leave.. Theek hai..", she tried talking to him, pleading through her eyes that he should forgive her.. But he didn't say anything and went and made himself comfortable next to his favorite pillar before anyone else could take it away.. But he was most certainly not happy.. Riddhima sighed at him and then looked apologetically to her friends.. They just ignored him and decided to settle down around the bonfire and enjoy the moments while they lasted.. While Armaan sat with his back against 'their' pillar, the pillar which had seen the best and worst moments of their life, Riddhima sat a foot away from him, wondering if he would let her near him after what she had said.. she didn't care about the ruined cottage anymore.. Coz what was more important were his feelings.. And she couldn't think of how to make that pain go away.. All she could do was wait.. Wait till he lets her near him.. So she just watched him frown at their friends as they cuddled and talked to each other while taking turns to stoke the fire that was lit between them..
"This reminds me so much of all the camping trips we went for during college.. I miss those days.. I haven't met my friends in such a long time.. ", Abhi said in general stroking Nikki's hair as she sat leaning against his chest..
"I know.. We were such junglees back then..", Rahul spoke up, sitting up a little, reminiscing their time in college..
"Ahem.. I don't think much has changed now.. ", Anjali pointed out but smiled anyway as she remembered her school and college camping trips, "Camping was so much fun.. Especially in college.. And more so if there was eye candy around.. Just flirt with them a little and they would carry all your bags for you..", and she started laughing making all the girls laugh.. Riddhima however, was looking at Armaan, thinking of a move to get closer to him, while he just glared a fiery glare at the burning fire..
"Yeah yeah.. Has lo.. But we certainly enjoyed doing the bidding.. We looked at it the other way round.. Just pick up a few bags and get a make out session free for being so helpful.. ", Rahul commented making the guys roar with laughter as they agreed with him completely..
The girls scowled at his comment, but Muskaan was the one to wipe off the smile off his face, "Really Rahul!!.. You don't talk about making out and all.. Tune toh mujhe kaha that you have kissed only one other girl.. And I for one know exactly why!!", she teased him and made a face, while the giggles tinkled in the background..
Rahul's face turned red as he shot an angry glare at her for letting out his secret and teasing him about his kissing.. He sat up straight nudging her with his elbow as they engaged in a little argument.. Abhi, Atul and all the girls except Riddhima were busy laughing at him when he decided to take revenge for the reason he had been elusive to all the kisses that he so deserved when he was in college.. "Toh.. Fine.. I didn't make out.. But Armaan toh did.. I remember.. Kabhi kabhi main sara kaam karta tha aur kiss Armaan le jaata tha.." and he grinned an evil smile at Muskaan and then turned to Armaan as he defended his lack of experience in that area..
Armaan and Riddhima who were till now ignoring the banter that was taking place between their friends, suddenly became alert at Rahul's comment.. "Eh.. Raaool.. Tu kaam se kaam rakh na.. Bakwaas mat kar.. ", he said a little rudely, glaring at him to shut up.. Riddhima smiled a little, knowing exactly why Armaan was so uncomfortable with this topic.. He had told her about being a harmless flirt and fooling around a little when he was younger.. But he never elaborated much.. Not like she was interested.. What he did in the past was not a concern to her.. Not things like that which would obviously make her mad.. And she knew he was apprehensive of that very reaction from her.. But if it made him feel uncomfortable it was an opportunity for her to get him to talk to her again.. So she egged Rahul on as she said, "Really Rahul.. Mujhe toh kabhi Armaan ne bataya hi nahi.. So what else has he done that I don't know about?.. ", she asked him, showing fake interest as Armaan turned his glare at her, clenching his teeth as he gave her a fake smile.. And to his horror Nikki started the whole 'Armaan gossip session' that was a major activity amongst the fairer sex back in their college days, "Oh god Riddhima!.. You wont believe what all he has done that you don't know of.. Uske pagalpan pe toh main poori ki poori book likh sakti hoon.. If I start telling you na, time will come to an end, but iske kaarnamon ki kahaniyan kahatam nahi hongi.."
"Nikki.. Tu chup baith alright.. Main bhi teri pol khol sakta hoon..", Armaan got irritated now.. Why were they behind his life!
But Nikki was enjoying this.. It wasn't everyday that you could irritate Armaan.. Plus he was being really rude to them.. So this was perfect revenge.. "Toh bol na.. Jo bolna hai who bol.. Abhi knows everything.. I don't hide things from him.. I hardly have anything to hide..", she openly challenged him, still leaning her back on Abhi's front..
Armaan frowned at that taunt of hers and turned to face Riddhima, who's brows were raised in interest.. "Toh.. even Riddhima knows everything about me.. ", he said, defensively, but looked away from Riddhima, still frowning at Nikki..
But Nikki knew him well enough to read his expressions.. "Really!!.. So does she know that you dated Ms. Roy in junior college.. ", she was sure Riddhima would know nothing of that! And she was right.. Coz as soon as she said that Armaan exclaimed angrily, "Nikki!!.."
While Rahul just guffawed, almost rolling on the floor as he held his stomach and laughed.. "No!.. You're kidding me!!.. And I thought those were rumors.."
Nikki joined in the laughter as she explained to a very confused audience.. "And Ms. Roy my dear friends was our EVS prof who had a major crush on Mr. Mallik here.. ", she announced, presenting Armaan as she pointed both her hands at him, like she was felicitating him at some major achievement..
"Nikki ki bacchi..", Armaan cursed as he got up to do some physical damage.. But Riddhima held his hand to pull him back, while Nikki held Abhi tight demanding his protection..
Anjali however, reacted in her typical manner when she understood what Nikki was saying.. "Usse kyun keh rahe ho Armaan?.. You were the one who did it!.. Disgusting.. ", she spat, and she did have a disgusted expression on her face.. Atul, Muskaan and Abhi however had joined Rahul and Nikki as they laughed at Armaan, who for the first time looked nervous, as he looked at a not-so-amused Riddhima..
"First of all I just went out twice for dinner with Ms. Roy.. And she was just four years elder to us.. And she was hot.. Besides I hated Environmental Science.. Why would anyone study something like that?.. ", he defended himself sheepishly, as he looked at his hands, his right fingers busy playing with the ring that adorned his left hand.. And that almost made Riddhima give up her pretence and giggle.. Why was he so cute!..
Atul however didn't find that remark of Armaan's very cute.. "Armaan.. Environmental Science is the most important subject there is.. And it's a shame that people don't take it seriously.. ", he spoke up, offended by the way his bro spoke about it..
Everyone else just ignored his comment as usual, but took a break from laughing as Rahul put in another comment.. "No wonder you got an A for your EVS project you cheater.. ", he accused him playfully..
"What!!.. I grew a plant.. Why was that not a nice project?.. It was perfectly environmental friendly..", Armaan said, a grin forming on his face as he recollected that time..
And Nikki, with her sharp memory, didn't miss to mention any detail as she blurted.. "Armaan! you bought that plant for ten rupees from the college garden itself.. So save it.. "
"Armaan!!", Riddhima exclaimed, her tone as reprimanding as her glare.. Armaan just chuckled sheepishly as he glared at Nikki for taking his case so royally.. Riddhima saw him threatening Nikki through his eyes and smiled.. At least he had forgotten about her hurtful words thanks to her friends.. But she quickly put up her fake scowl when he turned to her hoping she wasn't going to take all this seriously.. And hoping that Nikki would at least shut up now..
But to his horror a very excited Muskaan shushed the laughing idiots and egged Nikki on.. "Shut up guys.. Nikki tu continue kar.."
"What do you mean by continue kar.. Mere peeche kyun pade ho yaar..", Armaan was mad that they were taking his case..
But then he was quite an interesting character wasn't he.. "Ab tu kaam hi itne interesting karta hai toh its obvious we'll be interested..", Abhi pointed out as Nikki and Rahul thought of more secrets of Armaan that they could spill..
"Nikki.. Enough alright! Basket.. Tell them to shut up na..", he took his complaint to his Basket, completely forgetting that he was angry with her.. Riddhima smiled at his request and moved closer to him, leaning on him sideways as she said, "Kyun.. I want to know more.. Aur kitne professors ko marks ke liyepataya hai tumne?", she teased him as she asked Nikki, "I know how big a flirt he is.. Lekin its hard to believe ki Armaan ki koi girlfriend nahi thi.. Is that true.. Ya mujhe ullu bana raha hai?.. "
"Basket yaar that's not fair..", he protested as he heard Riddhima.. They had had this conversation before and she had refused to believe that he did not have a girlfriend.. Riddhima looked at him, a faint smile on her lips.. She went up to his ear and mumbled "I am sorry.." when he looked into her eyes , he saw the guilt there.. And he knew what she was apologizing for.. But what she didn't know was that he wasn't so mad at her than he was mad at himself.. But before they could dwell on that for long, they were brought out of their eye lock by Nikki's voice as she answered Riddhima's question.. "No.. Armaan did not have girlfriends.. He was a free bird..", Nikki teased him and then turned to Rahul, "And that was Rahul's biggest problem.. Kyun Rahul?" Armaan and Riddhima who had almost forgotten that this discussion was going on looked up at Nikki,
Rahul clenched his teeth, giving her a fake smile as he said, "Of course not Nikki.. When did I ever have a problem with Armaan Mallik.." and he glared at Armaan who was grinning at Rahul now.. He knew he had always been a thorn in all his potential love stories.. But he knew something that irked him even more.. "I don't know about when else.. But you did have a problem with me when you lost to me in that bike race.. ", he flashed a teasing grin to Rahul, as his hand had slowly crept around Riddhima's waist, pulling her closer..
"What race?", Nikki asked.. She didn't know about this..
"Tu bhaag gayi thi.. You don't know about it.. I think third ya fourth year mein tha.. And I had become the bike racing champion of Kasauli.." , Armaan smirked at her and then at Rahul who was looking daggers at him..
"Everyone who was present there, knows I won.. And I am the bike racing Champion.. So don't even bother.. Tere kehne se sach nahi badalne waala..", Rahul finally lost his cool.. That was a sensitive topic.. And he knew Armaan was purposely teasing him about it as he retorted.. "Exactly Raaool.. Tere kehne say sach nahi badalne waala.. Really Basket.. I had won that race.. ", he told Riddhima faking sincerity..
"No Basket!.. I mean.. Riddhima.. I had won that race..", Rahul countered him as Muskaan hit him on his head..
Nikki couldn't believe this was happening.. It was like she just travelled back in time.. This is how childishly they used to bicker about anything and everything they ever fought over.. Including brainless bimbettes.. "Ok.. Shut up guys.. Bacchon ki tarah mat lado..", she reprimanded them as they continued to bicker.. The others were just amused by the two..
"Bike race! Mujhe toh sadak pe bhi bike chalani nahi aati..", Atul joked and laughed at his own joke while Anjali glared at him to shut him up..
"Seriously.. I toh never got time for things like that' ", Abhi put in, looking at Rahul and Armaan like they had achieved the impossible.. Med school wasn't that easy..
"Oh you don't know Abhi.. They got time for everything except doing their assignments.. All through junior college I had to do their assignment.. Rahul was busy chasing girls.. And girls were busy chasing Armaan.. While he was busy fighting on the streets with his gang..", she blurted before she realized what she was saying.. She immediately shut her eyes wanting to take back her words but nothing could be done now..
That statement of hers was met with silence as everyone tried to digest what she had said.. "I don't believe you just said that.. ", Armaan said sternly, giving her a murderous glare.. She just looked at him fearfully and apologetically asking him to forgive her for what she had let slip..
Riddhima's who had been smiling at how Armaan was slowly and discreetly pulling her closer and on to his lap was just left stunned as she felt his grip on her arm suddenly give away.. And she understood why when she made sense of what Nikki had said.. She knew about this side of him a little from the discussion her dad had with him about his tattoos.. but had never asked him much about it after he had brushed it off as nothing.. But to have it been declared in public like this was a little unsettling for her.. Atul and Anjali were just left flabbergasted with this piece of news.. Muskaan however, was the only one who looked excited at that piece of gossip.. "Armaan ka gang tha?!!", she asked in awe, completely ignoring what Nikki had said about Rahul.. That's coz she already knew that about him.. But Armaan's story was much more interesting..
"Dude!! Are you sure you went to med school?..", Abhi asked him, wondering how a dignified doctor like himself had such a notorious past..
"This was before med school Abhi..", Rahul informed him, thinking of the time when Armaan had lost his way.. And he knew that somewhere it was also his and Nikki's fault.. But they didn't do it intentionally..
Nikki too must have been feeling guilty about the same thing as she said, "Yeah.. It was in Junior college.. And I think kahin nahi kahin galti meri hi thi.."
"Nikki.. Why are you bringing this up now?..", Armaan confronted her, glaring at her as he asked.. It was a time that all of them wanted to forget.. And yet they were making a scene out of it.. Till now what they were teasing him about was alright.. But this was going out of hand.. He had not expected them to come up with this..
Riddhima looked at Armaan's expressions and realized that this was certainly a sensitive topic to touch.. It was something that was between the three friends.. And it was certainly something that bothered Armaan and didn't want it being discussed in public.. She was dying to know what had happened.. But she knew that Armaan's feelings were more important.. She didn't want him to be embarrassed in front of everyone or have him hurt again.. She had done enough of that today.. Anyway she had her entire life to talk about it to him.. So she moved closer to him on his lap and taking his hands in her, wrapped his arms around her waist as she spoke casually.. "Guys.. Yeh kya baatein lekar baith gaye.. Armaan koi celebrity hai kya?.. Kabse we're talking about him only.. Lets talk about something else..", she suggested looking at Nikki and then meaningfully at Rahul..
"Yeah you're right Riddhima.. We just give him too much importance.. ", Rahul said, smirking at an angry Armaan, taking Riddhima's cue at once.. But he was feeling more than guilty.. He knew they shouldn't be discussing this here.. And in fact they shouldn't be discussing it at all..
"So what else is there to discuss.. ", Anjali took the initiative of changing the topic as she realized things were getting heated up..
Armaan looked at Riddhima as she turned around to look at him with a smile.. He smiled a small thanks to her for saving him the trouble and the embarrassment of reliving that part of his past.. As Anjali and Atul started discussing about what all of them should do for new years eve and their wedding anniversary, Riddhima took the opportunity to hug Armaan and whisper an "I Love you" in his ear.. And this warm feeling took over him.. Took over them.. He hugged her tight, shutting his eyes and taking in her heavenly redolence.. He didn't want to remember anything now.. All he wanted was his Riddhima.. And he knew he would never have to worry about anything else as long as she was with him..
She smiled as she watched him sleep with his head in her lap while she leaned against the pillar.. It was really cold at this time of the night and Armaan was trying to snuggle closer into her.. She ran a loving hand through his hair and patted his shoulder with the other hand absentmindedly in the dark.. The fire that they had lit in the middle of the patio was out now.. All their friends had gone in the cabin to sleep coz it was getting too cold outside.. But Armaan had dozed off in her lap and she didn't want to wake him up at all.. So she had refused to go in and stayed up from that moment on, just watching him, thinking about what had happened tonight.. She shouldn't have reacted the way she did.. She knew it.. There was no point in bringing up that again.. She had hurt him.. And she wondered how he had forgiven her so easily.. Did he really think that it was his fault? Coz it most certainly wasn't.. She had to talk it out with him.. She didn't want wrong ideas to fester in his mind again.. That was the reason he had pushed her away from himself in the first place.. But she couldn't believe how large hearted he was.. How much he loved her.. It was twice in a day now.. And he had forgiven her so easily.. She would have seriously not given in so easily.. She hadn't.. In fact she had hurt him back when he had merely suggested that the fault was equally hers.. And he had just listened to her.. She was glad that he forgot everything so soon.. But she couldn't help but wonder why he was so forgiving.. Then she realized that he had forgotten about what happened after his friends started talking about his past.. She wondered if that had something to do with why he forgave her so easily.. She had had some idea that he had had a wild college life.. She knew him that much now.. But she always wondered how he had come to be such a sweet person from being a wild child.. Obviously the lack of guidance was the reason that he must have strayed whenever he did.. Like when he was a part of a gang or whatever.. She didn't want to focus on that part.. But really.. It had disturbed him to such an extent that she didn't feel right about the fact that she didn't know.. Maybe she could make him feel better.. But she didn't want to hurt him.. He would tell her if he wanted to.. That is why she had stopped the discussion when her friends were doing it.. And she had seen the relief in his eyes when she had tactfully changed the focus of attention away from him.. Their friends jumped topics fast as they talked about Abhi's college days to Atul and Anjali's anniversary celebrations.. And that reminded Riddhima about what had followed her Di's wedding.. The day when Armaan had finally said those three words to her.. It was a strange time.. A different equation altogether.. She didn't know Armaan the way she does today.. He didn't mean to her what he means to her today.. That time, she had only dreamt of having him as her boyfriend, and probably get married to him after a considerable amount of time together.. Things were so simple back then.. So direct and easy to understand.. And she thought love was complicated at that time!.. Had she known what she was getting into, she would have appreciated the simplicity of it then.. Now that she thought of it, she didn't know him at all at that time.. But one thing was certain.. She did love him all the same.. Now she just loved him more.. And there was so much that had happened between them after that confession.. So many things that were more special, more emotional, more grand.. But that one night would always be the first.. The first time she felt the magic that they call love.. As her Di was busy discussing the party she was lost in thoughts of their confession.. Armaan probably noticed her dazed smile and guessed what she was thinking about as he hid his face in the crook of her neck, his arms wrapped tight around her waist as he asked her in a whisper, "Can't believe it been just a year.. Haina.."
She smiled, still leaning on him, taking her hand upto his face to caress it, as he nuzzled in her neck, "It feels like we've been together forever.. Or that we just confessed yesterday.. So funny na..", she whispered making him smile..
"Hmm.. But so much has changed na Basket.. Dekho.. Aaj tum sabke saamne meri itne paas baithi ho.. A year ago I was scared to even hold your hand..", he teased her..
"Scared!!", she exclaimed, turning a little to look at him..
"Yeah.. Obviously.. Yaad nahi hai kya.. How dare you touch me?.. You don't have a right!.. Aur kya kaha tha tumne.. Haan.. Mujhe haath lagane ke hak nahi hai and shit like that..", he reminded her of that kitchen incident that had been like their first major fight ever..
Riddhima rolled her eyes thinking about it now.. It was so stupid.. Such a silly fight.. And she had thought that he would never talk to her.. How silly.. But then he was silly too.. Always impulsive and crazy.. "Armaan!.. Toh tum itne stupid ho toh main kya karun.. Papa the.. Itne saare guests the.. Aur tumhe wahi time mila apna romance karne ke liye.."
"Romance nahi tha.. Main toh tumhe bataane aaya tha that I love you.. ", he defended himself, frowning a little..
Riddhima smiled inspite of herself and remarked.. "But good you didn't confess that day.. "
"Why?", he asked, intrigued by what her logic was going to be..
"Arre.. Then we would have to share our confession anniversary with Di's wedding anniversary na.. That's not cool..", she said, pouting as she frowned at the very thought..
Armaan couldn't help but chuckle at that.. "Basket.. Really?.. Confession anniversary.. That's what we're calling it?.."
"Yes! And don't act all smug.. Main jaanti hoon tumhare liye bhi who din bohot special hai.. ", she told him defensively..
"Of course hai.. That was the beginning of my doom!.. Tab dekho main kaisa tha.. Aur ab dekho.. Kya se kya ho gaya.. ", he said, putting up a bechara expression on his face as he teased her..
But Riddhima didn't take the joke well.. "Maine tumhe bohot takleef di hai na Armaan?..", she asked him seriously, wondering if life would have been easier for him without a cracked head like her for a life partner..
"Basket.. You know I was joking.. And BTW.. Tumne mujhe meri zindage di hai.. You don't know what you've given me Riddhima..", he told her seriously, kissing her cheek lightly..
"Fine.. Stop your filmy lines now.. ", she said shyly, looking away from him..
"Okay.. ", he whispered back, kissing her on her other cheek..
She giggled, slapping him lightly, but then said.. "I love you.. ", and placed a soft kiss on his forehead..
"I love you too.." he replied, turning her back to him as he held her tighter nuzzling in her hair feeling at bliss.. But that bliss wasn't about to last.. They had almost forgotten that they had company..
"Ridzi!.. Yeh kya chal raha hai tum dono ka.. ", Anjali asked, not looking too happy with the way they were snuggled up.. And absolutely not happy with Armaan's face lost in her sister's hair.. She had turned to Riddhima to take her opinion about what they were planning.. But her question got lost when she saw the sight in front of her.. When did this happen.. Last she remembered seeing Armaan and Riddhima sitting a foot away from each other..
Riddhima was startled by the sudden interruption, but Armaan was just irritated about it, "What is your problem Anjie.. We're engaged..", he reminded her, giving Riddhima a peck on her shoulder..
She squirmed as she saw her Di squirm at the sight too.. "So.. I told you do what you want behind my back.. I don't have to see this.. ", she reminded him..
"What!.. We're just sitting.. Ab saath baithne mein bhi problem hai kya?..", Armaan defended himself and his not so innocent actions..
"Yeah.. Yeah.. That's what you're doing.. Just sitting.. You think I don't understand..", she shot back sarcastically.. All the others laughed at that.. "Anjie.. Its ok na.. Kya farak padta hai.. Like you don't know what they do behind your back..", Muskaan teased them, winking at Anjali..
"Trust me I don't even want to know..", she made a disgusted face as she saw Armaan grinning at her as he held her little sister in his hold.. Riddhima was just blushing profusely as she played with the ring on Armaan's finger, finding her interest in it all of a sudden.. She didn't want to move away from him.. But she was embarrassed at what her friends were discussing all the same.. And in her defense she couldn't help but think that they were technically just sitting..
Abhi however didn't miss his chance to complain about Armaan and his unfairness when it came to PDA.. "So much for the tough time he gave me about staying away from Nikki.. Ab dekha kaise chipak raha hai apni fiance se.. ", he said, looking at them and then at the others' as they laughed at his complaint..
"Abe tu mere saamne Nikki se chipak ke toh dikha.. Ab bhi nahi chodunga..", Armaan shot back threateningly, his chin resting on Riddhima's shoulder..
Abhi was shocked at that threat.. This guy couldn't be serious.. while Nikki as usual, came to his rescue.. "Armaan.. Humari shaadi ho gayi hai.. Toh hum jo bhi kare usse tujhe kya?.."
"Toh karo na.. Maine kab roka hai.. I just like to irritate Modi!.. ", he replied, grinning wickedly as he winked at Abhi..
"Armaan!!..", Nikki and Riddhima both exclaimed, glaring at him..
"What!! You guys lived in before you got married.. You really think main stupid hoon.. Mujhe kucch samaj nahi aata.. So don't give me crap about not getting to spend time together.. The real sufferers toh hum hain.. Koi chain se baithne bhi nahi deta.. ", he complained, hugging Riddhima tight as she tried to get him to shut up.. Maybe she was being too lenient with him..
"Yeah right!! Toh shaam ko party ke waqt uss kamre mein kya chal raha tha.. Tum log kya khana kha rahe the..", Nikki asked him, smirking at the two of them..
But Armaan was no less.. "Nahi.. Chocolate kha rahe the.. Teri problem kya hai yaar..", he shamelessly told her only to make Riddhima go.. "Armaan!.."
"What Armaan!!.. You only wanted me to have the chocolate.. Tell them na..", he defended himself as he naughtily winked at her and pulled her back into him..
"Armaan!", she exclaimed again, the color of her already crimson cheeks deepening at every comment of his, reminding her of the chocolate that he was referring to..
But Atul was a little confused by this conversation.. "Chocolate!.. Yaar mujhe toh koi chocolate mili hi nahi..", he complained only to make Armaan and Abhi snort.. "Toh tu Santa Claus banke ghoom raha tha.. Bacchon ko thoda shock lagta na.. If they saw you having chocolate..", Armaan teased him as Rahul joined them in their laughter while the girls just glared at them..
And Riddhima couldn't help but glare an.. "Armaan!!" at him while he casually shrugged his shoulders and said.. "What!", and didn't let her get out of his hold..
"But Armaan.. Seriously.. When did the code change.. It was coffee back in college..", Rahul said still guffawing ..
"Abbe saale coffee still exists.. But hum sirf chocolate kha rahe the.. You think shaadi se pehle Basket mujhe coffee peene degi?..", he asked him seriously, but then couldn't hide his smirk as Riddhima exclaimed, "Armaan!!! "
He looked at her glaring at him and feigned innocence.. "What!.. Arre in sab ne toh coffee bhi pee hai.. Really!.. I don't know shaadi ke pehla ya baad.. But its ok.. Doesn't matter.. Kyun Raaool.. "
"Armaan!! ..", she clenched her teethe trying to get away from him now.. But he didn't let her escape..
Rahul who was enjoying this discussion joined in.. "Maine toh chocolate bhi shaadi ke baad hi khaayi hai yaar.. ", he complained as Muskaan cursed him.. "Rahul!! Besharam.. Kameena.. "
"Oh.. so chocolate matlab.. ", Atul started as he finally understood.. But Anjali didn't let him complete his sentence, "Shut up Atul.. You guys are so disgusting.. I don't want to hear any of this anymore.. I am going to sleep.. It's better than listening to this trash.. ", and she got up and kicked open the door to the cabin as she went in.. "I swear.. ", Nikki had agreed with her and followed her in..
"Anjali!!.. ", Atul called out as she left.. "Yaar yeh humesha itna gussa kyun karti hai.. "
"Don't ask questions Champ.. Just ghulaami kar.. Issi mein hum sab ki bhalayi hai.. ", Rahul remarked, Armaan and Abhi still sniggering in the background.. Muskaan hit him on his shoulder, trying to get him off her, but he had held her well..
Abhi just got up and started towards the door.. "Chal Atul.. We should go in.. Warna in dono ke chakkar mein hume zindagi bhar na chocolate milegi.. Na coffee.. "
And with that they both went in too, leaving a laughing Armaan and Rahul with a fuming Riddhima and Muskaan in the night.. Rahul and Armaan had been talking about random things and teasing Riddhima and Muskaan by being all disgusting.. But the girls just turned a deaf ear as they started gossiping about other things.. Like whether Abhi and Nikki had their coffee before or after they got married.. And whether Atul did get his chocolate at all from Anjali inspite of being married.. They talked on and on, without realizing that the guys had fallen off to sleep.. Armaan had his head in her lap.. While Rahul had fallen off to sleep leaning on Muskaan's shoulder.. Muskaan decided to go in as it was too cold and had dragged a sleepy Rahul inside.. She was finally left alone with her Armaan.. But unfortunately he was asleep.. She had put up with his disgusting jokes and innuendos only coz she wanted to talk about what she said earlier and apologize to him properly.. But now she didn't have choice.. But her conscience didn't let her sleep.. And here she was.. Wide awake.. Not caring that she was feeling cold.. Just thinking about how her Armaan loved her so much..
Armaan turned to change his side, facing away from her in the process.. But he soon realized that this wasn't very comfortable, frowning in his sleep as he felt a gust of cold air slap his face.. Riddhima smiled at his change in expression and at once tried to turn him back to her, caressing his face.. And he didn't take much convincing as he turned into her again, hiding his face in her stomach, his arms around her waist.. She clutched his hair as he did that, smiling as she leaned down and rested her head on his arm, kissing him at the tip of his shoulder as she tried getting him closer.. In the comfort of his proximity, she sighed, feeling sleepy.. But just as she decided to steal a wink, shutting her eyes, thinking about him, she felt him pull out.. The movements in the last few minutes must have broken his sleep.. At first he looked disoriented, sitting up a little as he took in his surroundings.. Then he noticed his Basket.. And suddenly he realized where they were, the ruined state of their cottage coming back to him.. But he pushed all that away as what concerned him most was the cold and the fact that his sweetheart was sitting uncomfortably while he was aaraam se sleeping with his head in her lap.. "Basket.. I am sorry.. Why didn't you wake me up.. Its so cold.. And tumne yeh kya pehna hua hai.. Its so flimsy..", he said sleepily still rubbing his eyes while he tried to get her in his arms and hide her from the world..
"Armaan.. Main bilkul theek hoon.. And I thought you liked what I am wearing.. Besides.. Mujhe neend nahi aa rahi tum araam se so jao.. ", she said, smiling at his concern, not to mention the cuteness of it all, as she caressed his back while he rested his head on her shoulder and shut his somnolent eyes..
"I love what you're wearing Basket.. So conveniently accessible.. But the problem is you're accessible to the cold also now! ", he shamelessly remarked, coming out of sleep slowly now..
"Armaan!!", and she smacked him on his shoulder hard for that out of control tongue of his.. She had realized that in just one day he had become particularly careless with his words.. Not that he wasn't shameless before.. But today he had crossed all limits..
"AAAH.. That hurts Riddhima..", he groaned dramatically, like she had stabbed him or something.. But in the drama of it all he also managed to sit up straight and pull her onto his lap now, hiding her from the cold..
"Armaan.. Chodo mujhe.. Yeh kya kar rahe ho.. So rahe the tab hi aacha tha.. You become so irritating when you wake up.. You're worse than babies.. ", she scolded him as she tried to free herself off his grip..
"Stop moving Riddhima.. What is your problem.. I am just trying to keep you warm.. Tumhe araam se sone ke liye keh raha hoon.. ", he said holding her tighter as she tried to move..
"But mujhe neend nahi aa rahi hai.. Tum so jao.."
"Kyun nahi aa rahi hai neend.."
"I don't know.. Nahi aa rahi toh nahi aa rahi.. Tum so jao.. Don't bug me..", she told him, looking straight into his eyes, not struggling anymore as she realized her efforts were in vain.. But Armaan saw that there was something that was surely troubling her.. Even in the faint moonlight, he could see her tired eyes.. There had to be some other reason for her insomnia.. "What is it Riddhima?.. Is this about what Nikki said earlier?..", he asked, placing a bet on it.. He knew that if not that fact, his reaction to the whole conversation was surely worth a second thought..
She looked into his questioning blue eyes, realizing that he had figured something was troubling her.. And though his guess wasn't completely wrong, she was more bothered by something else.. "Nahi.. Its about what I said earlier.. ", she told him, holding on to his gaze, trying to apologize through her eyes..
He looked into her eyes for a moment, then looked away.. "Basket.. Forget it na.. Its over.. "
"Its not Armaan.. We didn't even talk about it..", she said, turning his face to her..
"Why is it so important to discuss all those depressing topics.. Forget it na..", he requested, hugging her tight, trying to get comfortable in her embrace..
But this only irritated Riddhima as she pulled out of his grip.. "I cant forget it Armaan.."
"What now? You want me to apologize again!!", he asked, defeated by her attitude..
But Riddhima's frustration only increased at that comment of his.. "What?! I want you to apologize!! Armaan I want to apologize to you.. Coz I hurt you.. Tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakte ho.. ", she asked him, flabbergasted by even the idea.. Didn't he realize how guilty she felt!
But Armaan had a ready reply, "Because it is my fault Basket!.. You can keep defending me.. But it is my fault.. It always will be..", he stated softly, but firmly, his eyes reflecting the pain, the guilt, the helplessness in them..
And to see that, hurt her even more.. "Armaan.. Stop thinking like that.. I am sorry.. I know maine gusse mein keh diya.. But its not your fault..", she tried to pacify him, caressing his cheeks as he lowered his gaze..
He just nodded, knowing very well that she would keep asserting herself whether he agreed with it or no.. So he just gave in.. "Fine.. I believe you.. Okay.. Now lets sleep.." he didn't want to talk about it if he could avoid it..
But she was determined to rid him of his stupid beliefs.. Why was he doing this to her. ."Armaan!.. Meri taraf dekho.. Look at me Armaan.. ", she forced him to face her when he protested by looking away.. Cupping his face in her hands, she looked into his eyes, and spoke with all her heart.. "I am sorry.. I am sorry.. So sorry.. Main humesha tumhe aise apni careless baaton se hurt karti hoon na.. I am sorry.."
But he couldn't look into those guilty eyes for long as he tore his gaze away from her, and forced her hands away from his face.. "Nahi Riddhima.. I wasn't hurt..", he said, in just more than a whisper..
"Stop lying Armaan.. I know you were angry with me.. ", she raised her voice at this stubborn denial of his..
"No Basket.. I was just mad at myself..", he spoke truthfully as he looked into her eyes again..
"And at me.. I know.. Don't lie.. ", she confronted him, almost glaring at him into accepting that he was angry with her too..
"Fine.. A little.. ", he finally accepted, wincing as he gave in, showing her with his finger, how little he was mad at her..
"I am sorry..", she apologized at once, but this time with a smile..
"But you were right anyway.. I was wrong..", and that declaration of his wiped the smile off her face again, making her mad at him.. "Then why do I feel so guilty Armaan.. Tum humesha itni aasaani se mujhe maaf kyun kar dete ho.. ", she almost accused him..
Armaan let out a derisive chuckle at that.. "Main tumhe maaf kaise kar sakta hoon Basket.. I don't have that right.. Not anymore.. Tumhe maine pehle hi itna hurt kiya hai.. I don't think anything you do or say can even come close to what I did.. I don't have the right to get angry at all.. But sometimes I just forget what I did.. But jab yaad aata hai, toh I cant remain mad at you.. Coz nothing matters more than you being with me.. ", he plainly stated all that was there in his heart.. And that more than surprised Riddhima.. She was left stunned for two seconds.. His words not sinking in.. And when they did.. She felt that hurt.. She realized what her few careless words had done.. She had reminded him of that painful time.. That time, which both of them had forgotten to focus on in the wake of their cottage being robbed.. She knew, they would be overwhelmed when they would visit this place.. But the state of their cottage and the presence of their friends had driven those feelings out of their minds.. But she had reminded him.. Painfully accused him.. Stabbed those very wounds that had just begun to heal.. But why was he taking the blame on himself again.. "Armaan.. Tumhe abhi bhi aisa lagta hai.. I thought we spoke about this.. I need you in my life as much as you need me.. ", she told him, not knowing what else to say..
Armaan however, had a lot to say.. "But it doesn't change the fact that it was my fault.. I hurt you.. Hurt you so much.. How could I have sent you away that night Basket.. Why did I do that.. And it was so stupid of me to run away.. To leave you.. I should have stood up for us.. For our love.. I broke all those promises Basket.. So many times I said I'll never leave you.. I should have kept at least one of them.. Tumhara pata nahi Basket.. But I cant forgive myself for what I did.. I don't know how you do it! But I am grateful that you gave me a chance Riddhima.. Tumne meri itni badi galti ke liye mujhe itni asaani se maaf kar diya Basket.. Toh what you said and did doesn't even count as a galti.. Coz you were right anyway.. I don't even have the right to be mad at you for that.. "
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.. Her eyes moistened as his words replayed in her mind.. "Armaan.. ", she whispered his name to make him look at her.. He saw her moist eyes, but couldn't take his words back.. Coz he knew what he was saying was true.. "Don't say anything to make me feel better Riddhima.. Coz its just going to make me feel worse.. ", he requested her, just as she was about to say something..
She snuffled, holding back her tears as she made up her mind to stand up to him.. "Armaan.. I am not saying this to make you feel better.. But what you are saying is not true.. Tumhi ne kaha tha na ki I shouldn't have come home that night.. Instead I should have spoken to papa.. Tried to convince him.. If I wouldn't have left that night, tumhe who sab karne ki zaroorat hi nahi padti.. I mean.. Papa ussi waqt maan jaate.. "
"What's the point Riddhima.. Its not what happened.. If I could have one wish, I would have gone back in time and changed that one decision of mine.. I would have stood with you and faced your papa with confidence.. But that is not possible.. I made a mistake.. I cant change that.. There's no point thinking what could have happened.. ", she could see the regret in his eyes.. The desperation to change their past.. To take back his decision.. Take back those words he had said to her at this very place on that fateful day.. But that was over now.. It was pointless.. And what he had said was exactly what she was trying to tell him.. "Exactly.. The point is.. Jab bura waqt aata hai na.. Toh sabka dimaag kaam karna band kar deta hai.. And we make so many mistakes.. Without thinking.. Without realizing the consequences.. Or just because something feels right at that time.. Tab tumhe laga that you were being a burden on me Armaan.. That you've taken advantage of me.. Without realizing that I needed you as much.. But tumhe yeh sab jo laga who bhi meri wajah se na Armaan.. Coz maine tumhe kabhi bataya hi nahi ki why I need you.. ", she tried to make him see what he couldn't..
"Basket we've already discussed this before..", he pointed out, not wanting to talk about it again..
"I know! And you still don't realize that all that we did was because of the circumstances we faced Armaan.. It was no one's fault.. And if it was.. Then both of us were equal partners..", she asserted, irritated that he wasn't accepting defeat.. But soon enough he did.."Riddhima.. I don't like talking about this.. What I feel is not going to change just because you twist it in sugarcoated words.. You'll never understand what you mean to me.. And its ok if you don't.. I just want you by my side forever.. I cant loose you.. Not again.. ", she froze as she heard that blunt statement of his.. But he was right! She didn't understand him.. What did he want?.. Why did he think he'd lose her.. There was nothing.. Absolutely nothing in this world that was going to make her give up on him.. "Armaan.. I am not going anywhere.. Don't you trust me.. You cant live in this guilt forever baby.."
He felt her hug him tight as she tried to convince him.. But he was sure of what he was saying.. He had laid his heart bare in front of her.. And these feelings of his weren't going to change.. It was a conditional response.. "I am not living in guilt Riddhima.. And I trust you.. But I have lost too much in life to take any chances.. I have been to hell and back.. Next time I go there, I swear I wont survive.."
And those words pierced her heart feeling the first had experience of all the pain that he had endured throughout his life.. She looked into his eyes, reading the finality in them.. She knew arguing with him from this point on would be meaningless.. "Fine.. Its okay.. You can have the last word today.. But I'll make you trust me Armaan.. I'll make you let go of all these insecurities one day..", she stated adamantly, hating the fact that she failed at making him secure enough..
But he just scoffed at her declaration.. It wasn't just about insecurity.. It was more.. Much more.. "Basket I am not insecure.. Its way beyond that.. And its not about you.. Its about me.. I am the one with the flaw here.. Not one.. Many flaws.."
"How come I cant see any of those flaws Armaan.. ", her voice rose as she failed to understand him.. What was he trying to prove..
"Coz you've known me for just a year Riddhima.. You don't know what I was.. ", he softened his tone at once, recollecting what his life was like without her in it..
"So tell me Armaan.. I am listening..", she mumbled entwining his fingers with hers as she brought up his hand to kiss it.. Armaan smiled at her gesture and pulled her closer.. "What if you don't think I am not good enough for you.. ", he asked her in jest! He knew she was as hopelessly in love with him.. But somehow, he was hesitant to open his past in front of her.. His pain that would hurt her..
"Armaan.. Get one thing straight.. Anything that you tell me about whatever you've done in your past wont change the fact that I love you.. And I am not going to let you go away from me.. But its ok if you don't want to tell me.. I don't mind living in the dark either.. I trust you enough to know, that there must be a reason behind what you did in your past.. And I know you cant have done anything so wrong".. He was a little taken aback by what she said.. Her complete and blind trust in him, made him think again about telling her of his past.. "No Basket.. Trust me.. You'll probably be ashamed of me.. ", he said, looking into her eyes, contemplating if he should tell her what he felt..
"Armaan.. Is this about the gang thing that Nikki said.. I don't care if you were in a gang.. You were in college.. You lost your way.. Its ok.. ", she assured him, leaning her head on his chest and sighing.. She couldn't believe something that silly was troubling him so much.. But maybe it wasn't that silly.. Only if he would tell her..
Armaan on the other hand was amused by the cool attitude of hers towards this topic.. The good girl that she was, normally he would have thought she would make a big deal out of it.. "It is? You don't think it was wrong.. ", he asked her in surprise..
Riddhima smiled at how cute he looked when he was caught on the wrong foot.. She kissed his cheek once and then said.. "It was Armaan.. But its ok.. Everyone makes mistakes.. What is more important is that you didn't continue with that mistake Armaan.. You turned out to be perfect.. And that is what I respect more.."
Armaan grinned foolishly as he heard her.. Maybe telling her about this wasn't that bad an idea.. Like she said, talking always helps.. So he decided to continue the discussion.. "Yeah.. But it wasn't really me.. Nikki and Rahul were the ones who brought me back on track.."
"Really?", she was surprised by the revelation.. Last time she checked, Nikki was accusing herself for Armaan losing his way..
But Armaan leaned back on the pillar and recollected those days that he had tried so hard to forget, as he recounted them to Riddhima.. "Yeah.. They caught me at a street fight.. And found out about me being in that gang.. They tried to persuade me to quit it.. But I didn't listen to them.. So we had a huge fight.. And we stopped talking to each other for almost two months.. But when they found out that I was smoking weed and stuff.." and she couldn't help but exclaim.. "You were what!!"
He chuckled sheepishly at her as he continued.. "Smoking.. Never mind.. So they thought that I really had lost my way and it was their responsibility to get me back on track.. So we had this big confrontation one day.. Then Nikki emotionally blackmailed me.. You know.. About mom.. And what she had asked me to be.. That how she was watching me and certainly wouldn't be proud of what I am doing.. And that I was insulting her love and all that crap.. So obviously.. I couldn't bring myself to go back to doing something that mom would most definitely disapprove of.. It was difficult to stop.. You know.. Those guys were dangerous.. But I managed to get them off my back.. ", he told her all casually.. But she realized how much it was costing him to say all this.. He could try all he wanted, but he couldn't hide his feelings from her.. But she was glad he was telling her all this.. It would only make him feel better..
"But Armaan.. What was the need to get involved in this.. I mean.. Kya zaroorat thi iss tarah.. Gang and all.. ", she didn't know how he would take it.. But she had to ask.. After all, she didn't obviously approve of that kind of behavior.. So if nothing else, she was just curious to know why he did that.. Didn't he think of his mom before taking such decisions..
Armaan sighed.. He had hoped this question does not come up.. This was more difficult to talk about.. "Who.. Do I have to answer this?..", he asked her, tongue in cheek..
She looked at his expression.. Embarrassment clear on his face.. She didn't want this.. As much as she was dying to know, she didn't want him to think she was being too pushy.. So she backed off.. "Its okay if you don't Armaan.. Its not important.. ", and that answer of hers did the trick.. He just couldn't deny her that.. Not when she was being so trusting.. He secretly wondered if she was deliberately doing this.. But it certainly was working.. Coz he realized that he could tell her anything.. Coz he trusted her more than his life.. And besides.. She certainly had the right to know.. But he really didn't know how to tell her.. So he hesitantly started, "Uh.. Who.. Its just that.. I was.. You know.. A scholarship student.. When I was in junior college.. And our college.. Well it was for the so called 'elite'.. Just like my school.. You know.. Rich kids.. Chauffer driven cars and credit cards as pocket money.. Those types.. Obviously I didn't fit in.. I mean.. Nikki's parents took care of my school fees and all.. But I didn't like that.. And I didn't want them to pay for my college too.. I didn't have all this money at that time.. I got it after I turned 18.. I didn't even know it existed.. So I applied for a scholarship.. And took admission wherever Nikki and Rahul were taking admission.. You know.. ", he said, looking at her warily, then looking away when she didn't react at all.. And the reason for her lack of response was that she didn't have any.. She had completely not considered this possibility.. She could kind of imagine what was going to follow.. But she didn't say anything.. Just let him continue, "So.. Uh.. Things were great.. We were out of school.. There was this new found freedom.. We could bunk classes now.. Flirt around openly.. ", he chuckled sheepishly, a faraway look on his face as he remembered those days.. "But soon the fun started turning into torture as I realized that I didn't belong to that world.. The party circuit.. The social circle.. And you know that I was popular.. So I was expected to be there for every party..", he said, rather proudly, a glimpse of his teenage self reflecting in those words.. She just rolled her eyes and leaned in on him again, without saying another word so he could continue.. "But the problem was.. That I couldn't afford any of it.. Not the covers, not the food, not the booze.. ", he looked at her warily again, trying to get some reaction.. But she didn't give any.. "Rahul and Nikki didn't even think twice about paying for me.. They used to take turns.. But they didn't realize they made me feel terrible by doing that.. So I started working.. At some small bakery.. At the counter.. So I could have some extra cash for everything else that I wanted.. Like all the comics that I wanted to read.. And then I would keep some aside to save up to buy my own guitar.. I hated to borrow one for our jamming sessions.. And there were so many things.. Stupid things now that I think of it.. Just because others had it I wanted it too.. And I hated being so unfortunate.. But working there created another problem.. I started getting sympathetic looks from people.. It was affecting my so called image.. Plus I didn't get time to hang out with Nikki and Rahul anymore.. But then I didn't have a choice.. So we drifted apart somehow..", his voice was unusually cheerful for the content he was speaking out.. But he couldn't fool her with that pretence of nonchalance.. She, on the other hand, had buried her face in his shoulder, as she heard him speak out so explicitly about his past.. Never before had he mentioned such details to her.. She could not stop her tears when she realized all that he had to go through.. He had to struggle at every damned stage of his life.. She couldn't even imagine how much hurt and anguish a person could absorb.. She was one of those, chauffeur driven, rich kids in school.. She had never had to face any of this.. Never.. Just thinking of the lack of every kind of security that he had to face, was painful.. If she felt so hurt, then she couldn't even imagine what he was going through.. But suddenly she realizing little things about him that she used to wonder.. Like why he loved his guitar so much.. She was sure that was his first guitar.. That he had bought from his savings and struggles.. She didn't have to ask him.. She somehow knew.. She realized now, the reason behind his extravagance.. Why he splurged so much on everything.. On everyone who was close to him.. She always felt he went overboard with his gifts.. Solitaire for an engagement ring.. A Rolex to show how much he misses her.. Or this beautiful dream of a cottage, just so he could preserve that first date forever.. These were all representations of that struggle.. A reflection of all that he had gone through.. Almost like now that he had the money he wanted to make up for everything that he wanted.. Do all that he had wanted to do at that time when he couldn't.. Live life like the way he had seen everyone else around him live.. Just to remind himself that he wont have to face all that again.. And to make sure that no one around him does.. That also explained why he attached himself to orphanages wherever he went.. It was a way of making sure that he makes a difference to someone's life if he could.. And she respected him for that.. He wasn't perfect.. But he was close enough.. But he still had not come to the point of getting into that gang.. Then she realized, she was the one who was lost in her thoughts.. Just as she was about to ask him to continue he started again.. "I didn't want to be a part of that gang you know.. But one night, I was going back to the hostel from the basketball court when I saw a man being beaten up by a few gundas.. I helped him and all.. Par mujhe kya pata tha ki who ek rival gang ka member hi tha.. So then his gang members were impressed by the way I fought and stuff.. And they asked me join them.. But I swear on you maine kabhi kisi ko hurt karne ke liye koi kaam nahi kiya.. I just participated from their side in the street fighting matches that they used to have.. And obviously I used to win na.. Toh they used to be impressed.. I learnt tai quan do and kick boxing at that time.. It was so much fun..", she could see he really enjoyed doing it.. Probably missed it now that he couldn't.. And even in the brainless stupidity of it all she couldn't help but feel nothing but love for him.. He was so cute.. "And I got much more money from those matches you know.. That I could afford myself that lifestyle that I saw around me.. But then.. Obviously.. The bad habits followed.. I felt bad first.. But then got used to it.. Till Nikki and Rahul confronted me.. Upar se.. They are so silly.. They take the blame on themselves.. They still do.. But we don't talk about it much.. Its like a code.. Coz I somehow felt I let them down at that time.. And they felt vice versa.. That they didn't look out for my feelings and crap like that.. " Riddhima smiled at his attempt at keeping their conversation so casual.. But she realized now what Nikki and Rahul meant to him.. Why he was so attached to them.. Why he shifted base and came behind Nikki to Bangalore when he could.. They were more than just friends.. She didn't know what to call that.. But she was happy he had them.. And she'll always be grateful to them for being with him and in some way playing a part in making him what he was today..
Now that he had finished his story, Armaan was sitting pensively, thinking about what all he had revealed to her.. And waiting.. Anticipating a reaction.. Wondering what she was going to say or do.. He was a embarrassed that he had broken that image she had of him.. That perfect flawless image.. What he didn't realize was that her respect for him only increased after she heard all this.. Coz he had accepted his mistake and corrected it.. Not gone on to do anything worse.. She wondered why he thought he had done something that she'd be ashamed of.. For her, it was just a matter of pride.. So she just gave him a kiss on his cheek and hugged him.. Armaan was taken aback by her actions.. So much that he forced her out of his embrace and tried to look into her eyes.. "Armaan.. Yeh kya kar rahe ho?..", she scowled at his over reaction..
"Tum so rahi thi kya Basket?.. All this while I was talking.. Telling you such horrifying stories about my past.. And you didn't give a single reaction.. And now you just kiss me like that.. "
"Toh.. Nahi chahiye kiss?.. Fine!.. I'll take it back.. And I wasn't sleeping.. And your past wasn't so horrifying.. Don't exaggerate.. ", she maintained the casual tone, but her moist eyes said it all.. He smiled a little at her comment as he whispered.. "You weren't there Riddhima.. You weren't there.. ", coz he knew it was a big deal.. It wasn't exaggeration.. The thing was, that time was on his side this time.. She was on his side.. But he was distracted from his thoughts when he heard Riddhima say, "I wish I was with you at that time.. Then I would have slapped you right across your face and brought you back on track.. "
Armaan chuckled as she playfully slapped him, the depression evaporating fast from around them.. "Or you would have hated me.. And never even spoken to a creep like me in your life.. Forget falling in love.. ", he said, jesting with her..
And she just played along.. "Yeah.. Maybe.. So good we didn't meet back then.. "
"Yeah.. Good.. Nahi toh I would have lost my chance to flirt around with the other girls.. You wouldn't have let me.. Where would I have picked up these skills then.. Tum mujhe apne jaisa geek bana ke rakhti.. ", he teased..
"Armaan!!", she scowled.. And he was back!!
"What?.."
She shook her head, annoyed a little with his behavior.. But she didn't miss her chance to ask him, "Waise.. Speaking of girls.. Tumhari sach mein koi girlfriend nahi thi.."
"Tumhe ek baar bataya toh samajh mein nahi aata kya.. Nahi thi yaar..", he told her, rolling his eyes.. Why wouldn't she just accept the fact..
But Riddhima was just wondering why! And now that he was talking, she dared to ask.. "Kyun nahi thi Armaan.. Tum itne hot aur handsome tab bhi the na?.. Ya tab mere jaise geek the..", she asked him cheekily, hoping to get a clear answer..
"Please.. Main tumhare jaisa boring kabhi nahi tha.. Bas.. I didn't believe in relationships Riddhima.. I had never seen one around me that had lasted for long.. And in college, 'love' did not exist.. Whoever was in a relationship, knew they were in it temporarily.. College ke baad sab apne apne raaste nikal jaate hain.. Mujhe kabhi kisi ko dekhkar kaga hi nahi ki this will last forever.. Why do you think I didn't go out with Nikki.. I knew she felt something for me.. But she was too important to lose.. She was family.. Sorry.. Is family.. And I knew her feelings were only temporary.. Coz of all those rumors in college.. ", and he went on about how everyone used to tease them and all.. Riddhima just sat there, looking at him as he talked.. She was still in shock that he knew about Nikki's feelings.. Obviously he would.. Now that she thought about it.. They were best friends afterall.. But like he said.. They were family.. But still.. It was weird to know.. That he knew about it all.. And still nor did Nikki know about it, nor did she till today.. He knew she didn't love him.. Or he didn't love her.. He claimed he didn't believe in love.. But apparently.. He was the one who knew about it all.. He didnt dare to take a chance only coz he had lost every relationship that he had in life.. and he probably couldn't bear another loss.. His words from what he said earlier came back to her.. 'I've been to hell and Back.. Next time I go there, I wont be able to survive..'.. Those words suddenly meant so much more.. they were the answer to what she called his insecurity.. She realized now how different it was from that.. And she was the one who had brought him out of that hell.. But she wondered now, that what made him choose her.. She was grateful for it no doubt.. But what was it about her that made him hers.. It was still a mystery..
He noticed that she was lost in some deep thought, staring at him with a faraway expression, and at once nudged her shoulder a little.. "Kya hua?"
"Armaan.. Toh tumhe mujhse pyaar kaise ho gaya.. ", she asked him slowly, still thinking about it..
Armaan looked at her for a second, then scratched his head.. No.. He didn't have an answer to that question.. He wondered many times why he had fallen in love with her.. How he had fallen for her.. How did he trust her so much.. Why did he give her a right on him.. But it was just something that he could feel.. Not decipher.. Like the concept of God.. When he couldn't think of an answer, he just decided to joke it off, hoping to discover that some day.. "Pata nahi.. I think you did some kind of black magic on me.. Am I living under the Imperious curse?.. Or is it love potion.."
Riddhima, who was anticipating a nice romantic filmy answer from him, sighed in defeat.. She should have known him better than to expect that kind of an answer from him.. "Aren't you too old for Harry Potter Armaan?", she asked him, exasperatedly..
"Yeah I am.. Nahi toh.. For the movies they would have taken me only as Harry Potter.. I don't like that guy who plays him in the movies..", he told her, frowning a little.. And that only made her scowl.. "Armaan..shut up.. Will you please grow up.. "
He nodded his head obediently at that.. "Sure.. Toh I think.. We should get married fast.. Why is sasurjee taking so much time.. ", apparently that was adult talk.. She almost giggled at the change in topic.. From playing Harry Potter to marriage.. She wasn't sure he was ready for it.. But he surely was desperate..
"Armaan.. Papa's not taking time.. The pandit wasn't free..", she defended her papa at once..
"Why cant we hire another pandit..", he suggested, irritated by how long her family was stretching this meeting with the pandit..
"Armaan!! You don't hire pandits.. My god!! Please don't let nani hear you.. You'll be banned from the house..", she reprimanded him, flabbergasted by the idea..
"Okay whatever.. I just want to get married fast.. And then have a lot of babies..", he declared blatantly..
"Armaan! tum humesha bacchon ke baare mein kyun baat karte ho?.. I don't want to have babies so fast.. I want to have some fun before that..", she retorted, without thinking what she was saying.. And she did get punished for that by his next comment, "Of course we'll have fun Basket.. Ek saal theek hai na.. Uske baad toh even we'll be bored of all the fun.. And we can still have fun after the babies are born.. "
"Why didn't I see this coming.. I knew it.. Tumhara dimaag aise hi kachre se bhara hua hai.. Maine keh diya na.. No bacche for at least three years.."
"Madam last time we had this discussion it was two years.. Ab yeh ek aur saal kahan se badh gaya.. "
"Coz I've decided we'll have a pet first.. Dekhte hain tum responsible ho ya nahi.. Ya saari responsibility mujhe hi handle karni padegi.. It'll be like a pilot experiment..", she said, her eyes lighting up with the idea.. She had been thinking about it, ever since she had had a dream the other day about their future.. Sure there were babies.. But there was a cute dog too.. And she had decided at that time to include that in her perfect picture..
But Armaan wasn't too happy with this addition.. "What!! Pet! Riddhima yaar.. What is this new naatak.. "
"Its not a naatak Armaan.. I always wanted a dog.. But mamma never allowed us to keep a pet.. Kehti thi ki saari responsibilty unki ho jaayegi.. And we wont take care of it and all.. Toh first we should have a dog.. Bacchon ki baad mein sochenge.. ", she stubbornly decided for them..
And Armaan chortled as he cracked another one of his disgusting jokes.. "How will you produce a dog Riddhima.. You know its not biologically possible.. "
"Armaan!!!.. You're the limit of being disgusting.. "
"Okay fine.. We'll get a dog and all.. Everything according to your plan.. Theek hai.. Isnt there anyway you can cut short those three years?", he gave in, but asked her hopefully..
"Nahi..", she said, but smiled at the cute pout on his face..
He sighed as he said, "Theek hai.. But when we'll have kids na.. After three years or whenever.. I'll give them everything they want.. Everything.. Even before they ask for it..", his voice soft, but determined.. He would never ever let his kids suffer like he had.. He would make sure they got more than their share.. That they got his share of all the love he had missed out on.. Riddhima's eyes moistened at that look in his eyes.. "Aur mujhe.. Mujhe bhool jaoge.. ", she asked him softly, her voice breaking a little.. But Armaan just smiled, even through the small tears that were forming in his eyes.. "Tumhe kaise bhool sakta hoon Basket.. Yeh jo bhi hai.. Ya jo bhi hoga.. who tumhari wajah se hi toh hai Basket.. How will I ever forget you.. Its all yours anyway.. I'm all yours.. This dream is all yours.. ", and that look in his eyes told her all that she needed to know.. She could clearly see his dream today.. She understood why she was so important to him.. She always knew and believed that she was his everything.. But today she could see the intensity of that belief.. The truth behind it.. He had dared to dream.. He had dared to think of having a normal life when she became a part of it.. She was the only foundation on which he had built these dreams.. She realized the extent of the pain today.. The pain that he must have felt when he decided to give it all up.. She had just lost him that day.. He had lost his entire world.. And he did that just for her.. At that realization, all his pain that she felt flowed out of her eyes as she clutched his shoulder tight with one hand, the other clutching the front of his t-shirt.. He knew it then that he had revealed too much.. He had hurt her.. But somehow, he didn't feel it was wrong.. He knew this was only for the better.. But he couldn't see her cry like that.. He took her in a hug immediately, caressing her back, while hiding himself in her neck, erasing the memories of that night, and daring to dream a new dream with her all over again.. And he knew this one was for keeps..
"Armaan.. I am sorry.. Main uss din cottage ko lock karna bhool gayi.. ", she mumbled into his neck.. After crying her heart out, she had just stayed in his embrace, thinking about all that he had told her.. But she had realized that she had still not apologized for saying those hurtful words.. And though she had somehow managed to break in to his head with those words, she still had hurt him..
But Armaan was adamant as always on not letting her take the blame.. "No Basket.. I was the last one to get out.. Main bhool gaya.. "
They just sat in silence for a few minutes, smiling a little.. This was so typical.. First they blame each other.. And then they take the blame on themselves.. But in all that happened, they were not the only ones at fault.. "Jo bhi ho Armaan.. I just hate whoever did this to us.. Koi itna horrible kaise ho sakta hai.. "
"I know.. And humare dost.. Dosti ke naam pe pata nahi kiss janam ka khunas nikaal rahe the..", he said, scowling as he remembered what his friends had done to their house..
"They didn't know na Armaan.. ", she defended them even if she was equally mad at them..
"Yeah.. And good they don't.. This is our dream.. And I don't want to share it with anyone.. ", he said, kissing her forehead affectionately..
"Me neither..", she smiled as she replied, kissing the crook of his neck..
"And Basket.. I promise.. I'll make it just like before.. Or even better than before.. Really.. ", he promised, pulling out a little to look at her..
"Hum Armaan.. Both of us will make it perfect.. This time I want to share this dream with you.. Hum dono milkar isse theek karenge.. Phir se naye sapne dekhenge.. Deal..", she offered her hand, smiling as he smiled back.. "Only if you promise to stop being so filmy and cheesy.. "
"Armaan!!"
"Yeah.. Fine!.. Now please sleep..", he said, pulling her back into him..
"No.. ", she defied, slapping his back hard as she did..
"Why?..", he asked, not letting her go..
"Coz I am not sleepy.."
"Ab kya problem hai yaar.. "
"Tum meri problem ho.. "
"So jao warna I'll start getting ideas in my head.. There are other better things we could do you know.. "
"I think mujhe neend aa rahi hai..", and she gave a fake yawn as Armaan grinned at her nautanki.. "Of course.. Obviously.. "
She giggled at that, hugging him tight as she nuzzled his neck.. "I love you.. ", she murmured lazily, letting out a sigh..
"Love you too.. ", he replied, smiling as he kissed her bare shoulder, and pulled her closer..
Feeling the rhythm of their heartbeats, in resonance with each other, they drifted to sleep as the sky began to lighten, bringing new light, fresh hope, a new day in their lives, as they wove a new dream together, leaning against that pillar which had been there with them to seed every dream they ever dreamt together.. A witness to them and their broken dream around them.. But this break in had sealed the cracks between them.. Riddhima understood Armaan a little better.. And he had unknowingly let go of another one of his insecurities.. It had given them closure.. It had brought them closer.. This break in was just the end of a broken dream, and the start of a new one..
Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
