AR FF: Love is.. [Link to my work+Thread 2: Pg 1] - Page 97

The next day passed by in a jiffy. Riddhima accompanied Ashley and they shopped for the perfect dress for her and the flower girls too. Riddhima being non-fussy finished pretty quickly. While heading home, Riddhima had a thought. She asked Ashley, "Ash?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't you wanna have a bachlorette party? I mean, come ON you're gonna be a bachlorette only once!"

"I guess you're right! But who's gonna do all the organizing? The wedding is in 3 days Ri.... and if we have the party then it has to be in 2 days. How's it gonna happen?"

"You leave that to me! Maybe we won't have a large scale party....but we can always go clubbing! Just invite all your friends to Chaos! I've heard it's one of the best! It'll be fun!"

"All right then... umm Ri?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't get any strippers okay? My friends, I had to convince them a million times not to organize a totally dirty party with strippers and stuff! When they hear about this party, they're gonna wanna get strippers but don't listen to them okay?"

"Relax Ash.... I'm not a big fan of strippers either!"

"Okay then! See ya tomorrow!" she said, dropping Riddhima at her house.

"Bye!"

The next 2 days flew by with wedding preparations and Riddhima was buried neck deep in work. Not only was she in charge of supervising everything because she was the most organized, but apparantely she was the only one who could sooth Ashley's nerves properly. She met Ashley's friends. They were all lovely and Riddhima fit in quite easily.

It was the night before the wedding, the night of the party. Riddhima sat on her bed, with her knees up to her chin and hugging her knees she sat there, enjoying the silence that prevailed in the atmosphere. She hadn't had much peace and quiet and this was welcome. She recalled the last few days. She'd almost lived Ashley's life. Being with her almost every moment gave Riddhima an impeccable view of her life. And as much as she hated it, somewhere she was jealous of Ashley. Her life is so... protected! Hamesha usske paas koi hota hai. She has the perfect life. Bachpan mein perfect parets.... perfect friends...pefect looks...perfect boyfriend. Perfect...just f-ing perfect. She always has someone to lean on. She's never alone, not for a single moment. Her parents love her; she has the perfect to-be-husband who is madly in love with her and she's in love with him. Na koi dard aur na koi insecurities. Aisa kyun? Usse bin maange hi sab kuch mil gaya aur mujhe...I asked for it every damn day of my life but not once did He listen. Whatever. I'm way past that now. Or am I?

Shaking her head and brushing off her disdainful thoughts (after all it was no fault of Ashley that her life was just about perfect!) she got up and wondered what she'd wear. Not pink. Definitely not pink! She hated pink. She chose a short black dress with a few ruffles. What the hell? Waise bhi ladkiyan hi hone waali hai... I don't have to worry about embarrassing myself! Besides, I want to look good and this nails it! Feeling a little more upbeat she giggled as she thought what Rahul would've said if he saw her like this. Ha! He wouldn't have let me leave the house! Smiling to herself she grabbed her clutch, Ashley's gift and wearing her stiletto's she went out and caught a cab to Chaos.

She reached there, and saw that the others were already there. Quickly going up to them, she said hi to everyone and gave Ashley her gift.

Rachel, one of Riddhima's friends said, that now that Ashley's got all her gifts, she should open them and see what's in it. The girls all giggled because they knew exactly what was there in the boxes.

Ashley laughed and opened her gifts one by one only to find herself being embarrassed more and more as she opened each gift. Each of the boxes contained a piece of lingerie. And by the time they were done, Ashley was red in the face from hearing all those dirty jokes and innuendos that they kept making.

The girls hit the dance floor and rocked it. They were the centre of everyone's attention. Except Riddhima everyone also started drinking, leaving her as the "responsible one". But that was okay...she despised alcohol anyway and would never touch it. Not even if her life depended on it. Wine, she had occaisionally but she refrained from taking hard liquor.

Suddenly a whole lot of other people entered the bar.

Riddhima left the girls to their drinking and dancing while she went to check who was in the large group. They had requested the manager not to accommodate any other large groups today and who the hell were these people?

She walked up to them and tapped on one of the guy's shoulders. He looked strangely familiar. He turned around and she exclaimed, "Armaan!!!"

Armaan turned around, only to face Riddhima. His eyes widened in surprise and then he actually looked at her. She looked beautiful...sexy...hot and ravishing, all at once! The black dress suited her to the T and she'd tied her hair in a ponytail, but it's ends were curled. She looked bloody amazing. He resurfaced out of his musing, once he heard his name being called out.

That's when he saw Ashley and her friends, dancing. And he understood that they were here for the bachlorette. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked in disbelief. This was where the boys were supposed to celebrate Nick's bachelor party!!! And having his fianc here wasn't something he'd anticipated.

Riddhima looked at Armaan. What did he mean by what they were doing here? They'd reserved this place! "Excuse me? WE reserved this place!"

"What the hell do you mean? We BOYS reserved this place!!!"

"No you didn't! We did!"

"Did not! We did!"

"Arghh.... Imma call the manager! He'll tell you that WE are supposed to be here."

"FINE! But he'll tell you that WE are supposed to be here!"

They called the manager who looked at them apologetically and said that his staff had made a mistake and both the groups were booked for tonight. Armaan and Riddhima glared at each other. They'd both prepared this party for their friends and they were NOT going to leave!

After giving each other, a LONG stare down, they said, "I'll make you guys leave!"

"FINE! We'll see who leaves in the end!"

And they stomped off to their respective friends, not wanting their party to be ruined and determined to make the other group leave.

Riddhima went to the bar table and sat on one of the stools. She ordered a coke and sat down to think when she had the most amazing idea. Ha! Armaan Malik was about to be freaked out and she, Riddhima Gupta, knew just how to do it.

Riddhima went on the dance floor. The girls were all drunk. Even Ashley. PERFECT. Taking the glasses from their hands, she huddled them into a group and told them everyone except Ashley that there was a stripper here. The girls, who were in the mood to have some serious fun, asked her who he was. And she pointed towards him.

Armaan was busy thinking about how he should drive the girls when he was hounded by drunken girls who tried to get a piece of him. Terrified, he got up but that only made them come closer. He tried pushing them away and he heard, "Aww a shy guy....we're having some fun with you...after all what's the point of you being a hot stripper and not taking advantage of it?! Roll with us...babyyy..." and the rest of her speech was slurred.

Armaan was astounded. What on earth made them think he was a stripper? Trying to push them away, he unknowingly walked towards the door of the club.

Riddhima was in splits by the time Armaan pushed himself out of the club. She couldn't stop laughing at his terrified expression when they pounced on him! Giving herself a pat on the back she was about to inform the other guys that Armaan had left and they should leave too when someone tapped on her shoulder.

Armaan tapped on her shoulder. After much trouble the girls had told him who told them he was a stripper. Riddhima Gupta.

Riddhima turned around and as soon as she saw his face, she gave out a peal of laughter again. There was lipstick everywhere on his face and all over his white shirt. She giggled uncontrollably while he stood there scowling.

"You think you're very smart, don't you?" he asked her.

"I KNOW I am. Aur waise bhi tumse zyaada smart hone mein koi achievement nahi hai. I mean, tumse zyaada smart toh koi bhi ho sakta hai!" she said, scoffing him.

Armaan walked away to the boys and Riddhima to the girls. They both told their respective friends that the others were. Ashley and Nick, much to the annoyance of others, were actually happy that they were here together.

"But Ash, it's your BACHLORETTE!!!!" said Riddhima, trying to drill the fact into her brain, that bachlorettes are spent without your fiance.

"Ri!!! It's okay! We'll all party together....It'll be fun!"

"Fine! You guys can have fun!"

She went to the bar table again and sat there defeated, when Armaan sat beside her.

"They actually WANT to party with each other!" he told her.

"I know! God.... Main pyaar ko kabhi nahi samajh paaungi!" she said, clinking her glass of coke with his.

"Waise....that stripper waala idea was really dumb!" he said, knowing it wasn't true. As much as he'd hated it, he had to admit it was totally original.

"Was NOT! I even succeeded in getting you out of the club!!!"

"Of course it was dumb! And I got into the club again didn't I? But don't worry...ladkiyon ko waise bhi smart cheezein nahi aati!"

Riddhima's mouth dropped open. "EXCUSE ME??? Ladkiyan kadko se zyaada smart hoti hai! Everyone knows that!"

"Yeah right! You just know how to say it... koi proof hai?"

"Acha...toh tumhaare paas kaunsa proof hai ki ladke smart hote hai?"

"Arre! Maine kab kaha ki ladke smart hote hai! I said girls are dumb!"

"You...you..ugh..just.." she spluttered.

Their argument had grabbed all their friends' attention and one of them said, "Hey you guys! Talk in English! We wanna know too!"

Riddhima told the girls, "He thinks girls are dumb!!!"

A huge Noooo came from the girls while the guys just laughed.

Armaan said, "Fine! You think you're smart? Prove it! We'll compete for something!"

"Sure! I don't mind, because apparently YOU enjoy loosing!" This was followed by a huge cheer from the girls.

One of the guys said, "Here's the competition: You guys have to take shots and whoever has the most without collapsing or getting drunk, wins!" The guys all cheered after this. They were so sure that no one could beat them at drinking.

"What on earth is the relation between smartness and drinking?" asked a stupefied Riddhima.

"Why don't you just admit you can't handle alcohol!" said Armaan smirking.

"FINE! I'll do it! And you will lose. I promise."

"Ooh I'm scared!" he said, sarcastically.

Riddhima went to the bartender and told him what he had to do. He smiled and came to them; he'd seen loads of such competitions.

Armaan came and sat down besides her giving her a thumbs up sign. Just when she was about to reciprocate, he turned his thumb down smirking at her. She scowled at him in response.

The bartender served them their first shot. The second. The third. The fourth. The fifth. The sixth. Each shot was followed by cheers. By now the whole club was split into girls vs boys. The music blasted through the speakers and the beats coursed through their veins making their hearts thump in excitement.

Riddhima was feeling slightly loosened up by now. She was still in control but she knew that a few shots later she'd be kaput. She wished Armaan would stop. The alcohol made her feel freer and she felt a heady, addictive rush that comes with the feeling of letting go.

The bartender served them their seventh shot which was again followed by cheers. Just then Armaan, laid his head on the bartable, not moving. The bartender saw this and smiled. The guy was drunk! He held up Riddhima's hand and announced her winner which drove the girls into frenzy. The crowd dispersed and started partying afer asking Riddhima if she was okay. Riddhima was now feeling better. The pukish feeling had passed and now her thoughts ran free.

She looked at Armaan on the table and giggled. He was so cute! Suddenly, Armaan's phone rang. It kept ringing and an annoyed Riddhima picked up.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hello? Can I speak to Armaan? I'm his mother, Smita."

Riddhima sat upright. His mother? What was she supposed to say? That her son was currently drunk and in no condition to talk? Soch Ridzy soch! Aha! Got it!

"Umm Aunty, I'm Riddhima, his colleague. Woh actually we're at a party and Armaan is umm socializing!"

"Acha theek hai! Beta, can you ensure something?"

"Bolo na aunty!"

"Make sure that Armaan doesn't drink!"

Riddhima stifled her laugh. How to tell her that her son was already drunk!

"Umm kyun aunty?"

"Woh kya hai na...Armaan has a very low tolerance for alcohol. Jitna log raat bhar peeke chadhaate hai utni Armaan ko do glass mein hi chadh jaati hai!"

Riddhima laughed with her at that. No wonder he was drunk so quickly! Saying bye, she kept the phone in Armaan's pocket and sat there drinking a little water.

A while later, Armaan stirred. Riddhima looked at him. He seemed to be lost.

He said, "Riddhimaaaaaaaaaa??"

Riddhima was amused. She was used to seeing a cheeky Armaan, not a drunk one. His speech was slurred too!

"Hmm?"

"Mujhe bahal jaana hai!"

Riddhima grinned at him. Armaan was baby-talking? Playing along she said, "Acha? Kahan jaana hai tumhe?"

"Pata nahi! Par yahaan se doooooooooooor!"

She helped him up and they went to the terrace of the building. Riddhima took one last look at the party below them. They were all oblivious to everything else. It'd do no harm to leave them. Taking him by the arm, she climbed the stairs, making sure he didn't fall.

They reached the terrace after a torturous climb. He'd kept stumbling and it was difficult to support him because she was so tiny compared to him. But she was Riddhima. Of course she managed.

They sat down, taking the support of the wall. Silence prevailed around them and the music of the club was heard, although softly. She looked at the sky. It was a beautiful night. Slightly chilly, but beautiful just the same. They sat there, not saying a word. It was a comfortable silence. One that didn't need useless chatter to fill it.

A while later Armaan whispered, "Riddhima?"

"Hmm?"

"Hum library mein baithe hain?"

Riddhima looked at him in surprise. He was drunk to the extent of having hallucinations? Maybe his mom was right....he really couldn't handle his alcohol!

She whispered back, "Tumhe yahaan library dikhaay de rahi hai?"

"Nahin..."

"To phir?"

"Maine toh isliye poocha kyunki tum itni quiet ho! Itna chup chaap log library mein hi baithte hai!" he said, smiling cutely at her.

Riddhima chuckled softly. He really was drunk.....warna koi itni stupid jokes crack kar sakta hai? She said, "Acha...toh tumhe baatein karni hai?"

"Yep! Tumhe pata hai?"

"Nahi...mujhe kaise pata hoga? Tumne bataaya nahi abhi tak!"

"Bataata hoon....thand rakh puttar..." and then he laughed at his bad Punjabi. She joined him too.

Continuing, he said, "Main keh raha tha ki, tumhe pata hai main Abhi aur Nikki ko bahooooooooot miss karta hoon!"

Riddhima was curious. Who were Abhi and Nikki? "Yeh abhi aur Nikki kaun hai? Tumhaare dost?"

"Mere BEST friends hain. Humaari families bhi best friends hain. But they live in India! Do saal pehle shift ho gaye...I mishh them!"

Riddhima smiled at him. This was a totally new Armaan. And she was afraid she liked him too much.

Without waiting for her response, he started singing.

Hum rahen ya na rahen kal
Kal, yaad aayenge ye pal
Pal, ye hain pyar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya
Chhoti si, hai zindagi
Kal, mil jaaye to hogi khush-naseebi

Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

Shaam ka aanchal, odh ke aayee dekho woh raat suhani
Aa likh dein hum dono milke apni ye prem kahani
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

Aane waali subah jaane rang kya laaye deewanee,
Meri chaahat ko rakh lena jaise koi nishani
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

Hum rahen ya na rahen kal
Kal, yaad aayenge ye pal
Pal, ye hain pyar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya chhoti si hai zindagi
Kal mil jaaye to hogi khush-naseebi

Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal.......

He sang the major part of the song. Riddhima was powerless to stop him. Drunk or not, Armaan Malik could sing. And he could sing well. His voice was beautiful...it wrapped around you like a caress...making you feel the song right from your heart. She looked at him in awe. She didn't know he sang so magically.

A while later when the feel of the song ebbed away and Armaan stopped humming, she said, "Armaan?"

"Bolo..."

"You sing beautifully!"

"You really think so?"

"Yeah! Don't tell me noone has ever heard it!"

"No, it's not like that. They have heard me. I was a part of the college band...I even sang at Abhi and Nikki's wedding! But I haven't sung sice ages..isliye poocha!"

Riddhima looked at him. He looked almost normal! Ajeeb aadmi hai....jitni jaldi chadhti hai utni jaldi utar bhi jaati hai? So he's not drunk anymore? I hope so!

"Ri....Riddhima....Ridzy...tumhaare itne saare names kyun hai?"

"What?" she asked him. He WAS drunk after all!

"Nahi...kuch nahi....bas aise hi!"

Riddhima shook her head. He wasn't even making any sense anymore!

"Riddhima...main tumhe ek secret bataaun?"

"Bataao!"

He leaned closer until his lips were almost touching her ear. Sssh Riddhima! Tu sochna bandh kar...he's drunk...lekin tu toh theek hai na! DON'T pay attention to all this...

His breath tickled her ear, making her shiver. After a pause he said, "Tumhe pata hai uss CD mein kya tha?"

"Kaunsi CD mein?"

"Arre....you came to my house aur 'The Hangver' waali DVD maine tumse kholne ke liye manaa kiya tha...wo waali."

Riddhima remembered it now. She'd thought it was po*n and dismissed it. All guys watched po*n...hell she'd find it weird if one of them didn't!

"I remember...."

"Woh actually uss CD mein movie nahi thi..."

"I know Armaan! You don't need to tell me! I know what was in there.."

"You do? What was it?"

"Po*n...right...I mean why else would you wanna hide it?!"

"It wasn't po*n silly....I haven't watched that since my "rebellious years"....it was something much more embarrassing."

He was still near her although not as much as before. She was attracted to him...and she didn't like it. Not ONE bit.

Moving a little futher she said, "Toh kya tha uss CD mein?"

Once again he came closer to her, and whispered in her ears, "If I tell you, you HAVE to promise you will keep it a secret. Woh CD mein actually mere baby pictures the...in which I was... well let's just say, I was wearing my birthday suit in most of them."

Riddhima giggled....Armaan's baby pictures? Stil laughing, she promised him she'd keep his secret.

They both laughed and their eyes locked, effectively stopping their laughter. She looked into his eyes and he into hers. The silence was almost deafening. That's when she realized they were almost touching.

Armaan looked at her. His foggy brain registered their proximity and all he felt like doing right now was going closer and closer and closer to her. He leaned in, still looking at her.

Riddhima saw Armaan. His eyes were intent and unknowingly she leaned in toward him. He removed the flicks that adorned her forehead and cupped her face. For a long moment they stared into each other's eyes searching for reason, for sanity, for justification of what they were going to do...none of which they found. Unconciously, Riddhima's hand moved forward and touched his face. It was as if her touch catapulted them into another world. They leaned in closer and their lips met. He kissed her slowoly, gently and she kissed him back powerless to stop. Her hand ruffled his hair while he continued to kiss her with the same ardour.

Riddhima was on a high. This was something she'd never experienced. For as long as she could remember, she'd locked her heart away so that noone could damage it further. But this, this wasn't damage. It was bliss. She didn't know what made her do it. Maybe it was the alcohol that had loosened her. Maybe it was something else. She didn't try to figure it out.

Suddenly, her cell phone rang and they broke apart, breathing heavily. The full impact of what she'd done dawned on her and she was embarrassed to no end. Grabbing her clutch, she ran away, climbing down the stairs and then making her way out of the club, texting Ashley that she'd see her tomorrow. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Armaan saw her run away. He ran a hand through his hair. What on earth was WRONG with him? From the time he'd met he knew he was attracted to her. But today, he went a step too far. He knew her. She'd beat herself up about it. The fog on his brain was still as thick as ever but stumbling a little he made his way downstairs and to his car, telling his chauffer to take him home.