TheWorld'sOldestStory!!#9|NewThreadLink[pg1/150]

Its a Date!!

"Mmm... Oh God Armaan... thank you so much.. you're just awesome.. just brilliant.. I've never ever been more satisfied in my life.. mmm... how do you do this.. ", Riddhima said, as she savored another bite of the roast chicken salad that Armaan had just fed her with his own hands while she chomped on the toasted bread crumbs.

"Okay.. Riddhima.. stop orgasming on the food.. I know I am brilliant but agar kisi ne tumhe sun liya toh it'll be very embarrassing for me.. meri koi izzat hain iss hospital mein.. ", he teased her, putting up a fake scowl as he adjusted the collar of his shirt proudly..

For a minute Riddhima didn't realize what he had said. Partly coz she was so lost in the yummy lunch and partly coz his disgusting comment took time to sink in her apparently nave and innocent mind.. But when he started sniggering at his horrendous pass for a joke, "Armaan!!! you.. you.. you're so eww.. Toatally disgusting.. Itni disgusting baatein karte ho.. and then izzat ki padi hai.. tumhe sharam nahi aati kya.. doctor ho phir bhi humesha aisi baatein karte rehte ho..", she complaint, that scowl still on her face as he chortled at her outburst.. but when she immediately prodded his hand for another bite, looking at the food greedily, he burst out laughing.. he put in a big piece into her mouth this time, so she wouldn't be able to talk for some time as he replied to her "Main humesha aisi baatein nahi karta Basket.. these special privileges are just for you..", he winked at her while she tried to chew fast so she could answer back.. but she was so much in a hurry to answer that she spoke with half the food still in her mouth.. "I don't want these privileges Armaan..really! please stop your nonsense.. "

He chuckled at her response as he smartly fired back.. "So would you rather I give these privileges to someone else.. I don't mind really! Mujhe laga tumhe problem hogi.. "

"You're just disgusting Armaan..", her scowled deepened as he winkd naughtily again at her and continued to tease her.."I know that na Basket.. why do you keep repeating it.. "

"Fine! Toh I won't talk to you.. how bout that.. ", if she thought that was supposed to be her 'Ha!' moment, she was completely wrong.. coz he just very nonchalantly said, "No Problem! As long as you're kissing me, I'll be happy to avoid all the talking.."

"In your dreams mister.. Mujhe irritate karoge toh kabhi bhi kiss nahi milegi.."

"Mujhe tumse kiss nikalwani aati hai.."

"Dekh lenge.. "

"Fine!"

"Fine'"

And they bickered on throughout their so called lunch date. They were sitting in Armaan's cabin today instead of going to the canteen like their friends. And Armaan was the chef for today. He had woken up an hour earlier than usual to make Riddhima's choice of lunch for today. Apparently Ms. Gupta had the weirdest of cravings at the weirdest of times. Last night when they were talking on the phone she told him she had had this weird craving to have the Turkish chicken salad that one of the contestants on MasterChef Australia had made while she was watching it that evening. She had almost thrown a tantrum at home, but her mom had refused to oblige. And her wish had remained unfulfilled. Our hero, on the other hand, pyaar ka maara, bechaara, had looked up that particular episode of MasterChef on Youtube and tried to gather a recipe from other online sources. Kya kya karna padta hai pyaar mein!! But he was more than delighted to make that effort. Coz the expressions on her face were worth a million. Plus now he'd have to take care of her tantrums for the rest of his life. So it was good practice anyway. And really! He really didn't mind doing anything for her today. Today finally Shanky papa was going to talk to the Pandit about their wedding date. And to say that he was excited was an understatement. He had had that foolish grin on his face since the time Shanky papa had confirmed the event last night. He had barely been at her place for half an hour when he dropped in to say 'hi'. He had missed dinner time by more than two hours coz he was working. It was sad that he was working on a Sunday, but then he had had an awesome Saturday to pay back for. They had left the ruined cottage at around seven last morning. It had looked even worse in daylight as they saw what they could not see in the dark at night. Both of them didn't have the heart to leave it like that. But their friends were hurrying them and they didn't want them to get suspicious. So they did not have a choice. But they decided that they would restore it little by little as and when they got time. They reached Mumbai at around 9:30 and then had gone off to work immediately after freshening and all. But the disappointment and tiredness of the whole day had been washed out when his sasurjee had asked him to come early the next evening coz they were finally going to decide the date. They were going to decide their fate. And he just couldn't wait to make Riddhima his. Not that she wasn't already. The revelations of his past that night, had brought them closer than they already were. He knew she was his. But he knew his restless mind wouldn't rest till he has her to himself completely. When there would be no one to answer to about keeping her to himself.. No Padma mom, no Anjie, no Shanky! Just him and her.. He did realize he was being selfish. But he really didn't care. Coz he knew she wanted this as much as he did..

"Chalo.. gotto get back to work.." she got up to head out after the most delicious and satisfying lunch she had ever had.. But Armaan wasn't going to let her go so easily, "Basket! What about my payment.."

"What payment?",she asked, though she knew what he wanted..

"Arre. Aren't you going to pay me for my services? Compliment the chef! The way he wants It.", he said, leaning into her as he winked.

She kept her hands on his chest between them to keep a distance as she smiled, "No Armaan. Ghar ka hi toh chef hai. I 'll pay him his compliment later. Now I have to work."

"But the chef cant wait..", he whispered huskily, coming closer to her..

She couldn't stop her smile, but soon put up a stern expression as she replied, "He'll have to wait!"

"Basket!", he scowled, pulling her back in as she managed to move away..

"Armaan.. naatak mat karo.. Dr. Mehra must be waiting for me.", she told him seriously. She wasn't playing hard to get at all. She really had work. And she knew if she lets him near her then she would be distracted for a minimum of 30 minutes. She really didn't want to take that chance when she had an important case to discuss with a visiting doctor.

"Who's Dr. Mehra? ", he asked her, intrigued by the reason she gave. It didn't sound made up. So she really did have work? Damn!!

"She's an associate transplant specialist of Sanjeevni Delhi. Who neurologist hai na Dr. Rahul Mehra.. His wife..", she told him very proudly. He didn't understand why though.. "And What is so special about her?"

"Don't be so mean Armaan. She's a very good oncologist. And she's come to help us with my leukemia patient. Jald se jald surgery schedule karni hai.. so we have to discuss the case with her today. Who saare senior doctors ke saath lunch kar rahi hai. Now I have to explain to her everything in detail.. "

"Toh explain karo na Basket.. maine kab mana kiya.. just give me what I want..", he demanded, pulling her into him again. That was no valid reason according to him that he should be left waiting for his after-lunch desert.

But Riddhima was getting irritated with him now.. "Maine kaha na baad mein.."

"Please Basket..", he pleaded when direct demands stopped working..

"Armaan.. don't bug na.. "

"But..", but before he could plead again, "Good afternoon sir. I wanted to.. oh I am sorry..", and she faltered as she saw Armaan with his arms around Riddhima's waist, both of them pressed against each other. And the sight certainly made her uncomfortable.. Maybe more than just uncomfortable..

Armaan left Riddhima almost as immediately as he realized the presence of the third party.. But he didn't get flustered or embarrassed like they always did when they got caught..He was just flushed a little as he casually acknowledged her presence, walking over towards his desk and said. "No that's okay Payal. And please don't call me sir. We discussed about it that day right!"

"Yes Sir.. I mean.. Armaan..", she said hesitatingly, smiling a shy smile as she looked all over the place.. Riddhima watched the interaction from where she was standing and didn't like what she was seeing at all. As she saw this, that conversation she had had with her friends in Lonavla came back to her. She didn't want to think like them. She didn't want to be affected by this. But Armaan's words and Payal's reaction to them just made her uncomfortable.. She had never noticed before of how she behaved around him.. Why was she so nervous.. Was she blushing? She looked at her closely, monitoring each move of hers for anything that suggested that she was trying her hand on him..

Armaan just smiled at his intern, thinking how silly she is. He had asked her to call him by his name coz he was bugged with how nervous she was around him all the time. And when she wasn't nervous, she'd stare at him weirdly. So he concluded that she must be intimidated by him. Like he was intimidated by Dr. Keerti or Dr. Shashank. So he thought of making the mentor mentee relationship a little more friendly if it was going to help her feel comfortable around him. But it didn't seem to be working.. However, he really didn't have time to think about that now.. So he just decided to ask her what she had interrupted his precious moment for.. "That's better.. So.. kya hua.."

"Sir subah jis patient ki surgery ki thi, uska report dene aayi thi. Abhi tak toh sab normal hai.", she told him, handing him a file..

"Oh.. that's good.. just let me check.. ", he said, flipping the file open as he sat on his table, his one leg on his chair the other on the floor. He started reading and then suddenly realized that Riddhima was still here.. "Basket.. tum jao.. I'll take some time.. tumhe late ho jaayega.. Dr. Mehra must be waiting..", he didn't want to keep her waiting..

But Riddhima didn't really care about anyone at the moment. She didn't miss the way this Dr. Payal was staring at her Armaan, while he read the file.. "No its okay Armaan.. I'll wait..humari baat addhoori reh gayi hai.. I'll wait till you're done.."

Armaan was a little surprised by that. Just a few minutes ago she was in such a hurry and now she wanted to wait what she had left incomplete! Wow! "Basket.. I'll take a little time..", he told her politely, almost asking her to go do her work.. But that only made her determined to stay there even more. "I can wait.. I'll just sit here on the couch.." and she huffed as she plonked herself on the couch with a frown on her face.. Armaan was just amused by her actions, not to mention confused.. So he just settled for an "Okay.. "

He started reading the file, checking if everything was okay with the patient. Scrunching his brows sometimes as he tried to understand something and nodding his head mindlessly when he did. Normally Riddhima would have appreciated the cuteness of it all. But today as she saw someone else appreciating much more than just his cuteness her eyes flamed like fire. She wanted to punch that witch of a woman whose gaze was wavering one time too many on the chiseled contours that were visible through his half open shirt. Fine! He was hot and hard to resist. But that sight was for authorized personnel only. And that included just her! No one else was allowed to do that.. And absolutely not in front of her.. She wanted to slap this chick right across her face. How dare she eye her Armaan! Suddenly all that her friends were saying about her, started to seem true. Yes she was a s**t indeed. But she wasn't going to let her man be the innocent victim of this molestation that she was subjecting him to with her eyes. No she wasn't going to let someone take advantage of that poor guy who was oblivious to this licentious gaze of hers.. "Armaan!!", she called out from where she was sitting on the couch and he looked up from the file at once. "Kya hua Basket?", he asked her, raising his brows questioningly at her, while Payal gave her a wary look, wondering why she was sounding so cold.

"Idhar aao.. ", she ordered him without looking at him, her frown and glare fixated on the enemy.

"Kya hai Basket..", he asked her irritated.. he was in the middle of something. And she was choosing this moment to be weird. That too in front of an intern. Oh dear god! why was she glaring at her?

"First of all.. don't call me Basket.. and just listen to me.. Don't ask questions..", she ordered him again..

Armaan just rolled his eyes, defeated as he got up and went to her, giving his junior a sheepish embarrassed smile. "What is it?", he hissed, going near her, wondering what had gotten into her all of a sudden.

"I love you..", she whispered back, completely shocking him, as she hugged him tight, while shooting a glare to Payal over his shoulder and behind his back.

He was just completely weirded out by this behavior of hers. But coz, his back was towards the intern, he didn't realize what was going on.

When she pulled out, she almost burst out laughing at the expression on his face. He literally looked like he had seen a ghost. She pecked his lips once as she giggled at her baby. But that action just shocked him even more. And before he could come out of that shock he felt her hands on his chest. He looked down quickly, wondering what she was upto now and realized that she was just buttoning up those two buttons that he normally kept open. "Basket what are you doing?", he asked her in a whisper, confused by each and every action of hers.

"Yeh buttons khule rakhne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.", she said a little angrily recollecting how he was being eyed just a few moments ago. But he was just shocked beyond repair, "What!!", he exclaimed. Why was she being so ridiculous!

"No open shirts for you from today Armaan. That's it. Now I am getting late. Baad mein milti hoon.", she said nonchalantly and making sure that his shirt was buttoned till his collar, almost choking him, she walked towards the door, amused by his reaction, but reluctant to leave him in the hands of this lecherous woman. But she had no choice. She had to go now. She knew he was going to ask her a hundred questions later. But she wasn't not going to do anything about it when it was going on in front of her eyes. Giving a last glare she left the cabin with a positively scared Payal and a very very confused Armaan in the cabin. If nothing else, she had embarrassed the two of them enough to be assured that they were not going to even dare look at each other for a while.

An hour after she had embarrassed him royally in front of his junior, Armaan was out hunting for his Riddhima.. She had really crossed the limit of being a whacko today. He couldn't understand what in the world made her react the way she did. Even if Dr. Payal was a little weird around him, it didn't explain that extreme behavior from someone who so much as refused to hold his hand in front of the staff at duty hours. And as far as jealousy is concerned, he thought that they were past that stage where she could possibly be insecure because of another girl. And at the risk of sounding like a bighead, he knew as much as she did, that he does get undue female attention wherever he goes. So what had suddenly awoken that possessiveness in her, he didn't understand. She was being a little unreasonable for sure. More so, coz he had to work with that intern for the rest of the year. And till now he was just trying to make her comfortable around him. He had never taken so long to get along with anyone. And the little attempt that he had made had gone down the drain by Riddhima's embarrassing lunchtime behavior. So after he was done with his rounds he set out to look for her.. He had find out what was disturbing her so much. But the problem was that he couldn't find her anywhere.

"Hey Nikki! Tune Basket ko kahin dekha hai?", he asked Nikki as he saw her hurry towards the OPD..

"I think she's in the residents' cabin.. Maine usse wahin dekha tha..", she said in a hurry barely even looking at him as she hurried off from the corridor.. Armaan hit his head as he heard that.. Of course! The cabin! He had completely forgotten to check there.. He walked off towards the cabin, marching briskly in his hurry, muttering to himself as he turned towards the cabin.. All of a sudden he collided with someone.. He was about to fall when he supported himself by leaning sidelong into the wall and pulling the person he collided with into himself so they don't fall either.. "I'm sorry.. ", he apologized even before looking at who he had bumped into.. When he stood straight and looked at the one he was holding, he found his stupid intern ogling at him.. He just sighed in exasperation.. "Dr. Payal.. Aap dekh kar nahi chal sakti?", he asked her, irritated by her stupidity..

"Sorry sir..", she immediately apologized, coming out of her daze that was rudely cut through by his tone..

Armaan realized he was snapping at her for no reason.. So he just made her stand properly and apologized in return, "Sorry.. Main bhi dekh kar nahi chal raha tha.."

"No sir.. That's okay.. I just.. Its nothing..", she fumbled with her words again as she stole a glance at him..

Armaan just rolled his eyes, running a hand through his hair, wanting to pull it out.. But then he just decided to ignore it and asked her, "Tumne Dr. Riddhima ko kahin dekha hai?..", at least she could be of some help to him if nothing else..

But he soon realized that it was a wrong question to ask her.. Or rather she was the wrong person to ask that question.. She looked up at him terrified as she started to answer the question.. But before she could do that someone else answered it for him.. "Main yahan hoon Dr. Mallik.. Your search is over..", came Riddhima's stern voice from the door of the cabin.. Payal just looked at her, then at Armaan and quietly made the slip from there..Armaan just ignored her and let her go as he went towards Riddhima, "Basket seriously.. Tumne usse darake rakha hai.. "

"Toh tumhe kya problem hai..", she asked him curtly..

"Basket I have to work with her.. At least for a year..", he tried to reason with her.. Why was she being so ridiculous!

But Riddhima didn't think it was a good enough reason.. "So.. You have to live with me.. For the rest of your life.. Who should you be more bothered about.. Her or me..", she asked him, a brow raised, daring him to say another word in defense of his precious intern..

Armaan's eyes widened at her response.. This had to be a bad joke.. "Basket.. Don't you think you are over reacting..", he asked her, genuinely..

"Please.. I am not over reacting.. Tum nahi jaante who tumhe kaise dekh rahi thi.. And yeh kya? Tumne apni shirt ke buttons phir se khol diye..", and she started buttoning them up again.. But this time he held both her hands and pulled her closer.. "Basket!.. Shut up yaar.. Yeh kya ho raha hai.. Don't tell me you're jealous of her..", he asked her, as he backed her into the cabin while holding her close to himself..

Riddhima gladly backed in, hoping no one had heard or seen them till now.. "I am not jealous Armaan.. I am just protecting you..", she defended her actions assertively..

Armaan however was extremely amused by her defense.. "You are protecting me! Basket.. You're unbelievable..", he said as he laughed his head off at her excuse..

"Why am I unbelievable.. Agar koi ladka mujhe aise ghur ke dekhega.. Toh tum kya karoge?", she asked him angrily..

"Mujhe kucch karna hi nahi padega.. Tum usse itna terrorize karogi.. With that glare of yours.. Who khud hi bhaag jayega.. ", he joked as her scowl just deepened.."Armaan you're just ridiculous.. Go to hell..", she cursed as she pushed him to get out of his hold.. But he caught her in time and pulled her back into him as he said.."Only if you come with me.." with a wink!

"Armaan leave me.. I have to go for OPD duty.. I just finished talking to Dr. Mehra.. Mujhe rounds pe bhi jaana hai.. And Dr. Arjun is on leave today.." and she rambled on an on giving him a thousand reasons as to why he should let her go.. He just smiled as he watched her talk, not a single word entering his head as he thought of all that she had said.. It was true.. He was going to have to bear her for the rest of his life.. And that was just what he wanted.. As he thought of that, he remembered about what was going to happen this evening.. "Basket.. I don't know about all this.. Shaam ko paanch baje ready rehna.. I'll be waiting to take you home..", he told her, cutting in through her bak bak..

"Kyun?.. Why so early?.."

"Early? Mera bas chale toh main abhi se chala jaun.. But sasurjee may not approve.. ", he told her quite seriously..

She just giggled at his restlessness.. Was he desperate or what! "Armaan.. Tum na.. ", she smacked him lightly on his head, as she saw his excited smile.. Then kissed him on his forehead and hugged him tight.. "Mere baby ho..", as he heard her mumble that against his chest, his smile disappeared to be replaced by frown, and he let her go at once.. "Excuse me.. Main koi tumhara..", but before he could protest any further, his pager beeped, alarming him of an emergency.. "Sorry Basket.. Baad mein argument continue karenge.. Emergency hai.. I will have to go.. SupArmaan to the rescue..", and giving her a small peck on her lips, he whizzed out of the cabin.. She just shook her head as she smiled at his antics, "Pagal!".. And he was going to be her pagal forever.. She wasn't showing it like him but she was as excited.. Maybe more.. But before that, there was work to be done.. So taking her lab coat she headed out for the OPD..

Riddhima checked the time on her watch.. It was 5:30 in the evening and the Pandit was scheduled to come at 6:30.. As much as she was excited to go home, she had a little pending work to do.. Plus she didn't want to make a big deal out of it.. Technically, they were only deciding the date today.. She wouldn't take so long to reach home.. So she decided to complete her pending paperwork for half an hour or so.. She took her files and headed for the library.. She was walking through the corridor reading her file when she felt her self being pulled hard by her hand.. The next thing she knew was that she was looking into a pair of eyes.. Those blue eyes were her world.. Normally she would have screamed at him for doing such a thing.. He always did it inspite of telling him not to.. But today as she looked into his eyes from this close a distance, she was left mesmerized.. She realized she had not taken time to look into them from so long.. They were the most beautiful eyes in the world.. Though he would hate it if she used that adjective on them.. But it was true.. They were unusual.. Though she liked to call them blue they were not the bright blue that reflected the sky.. Something like grayish blue that melted into a ring of brown towards the centre and disappearing into the deep black depths of his eyes at the pupil.. They were hypnotizing.. Just like she had been rendered hypnotized by them now.. So much that she forgot where they were, why they were, what they were.. "Basket!", she heard him whisper.. And that broke the spell.. Still in a daze, she moved back, trying to focus where she was and what was happening.. "I know mujhe dekh kar tumhari bolti band ho jaati hai Basket.. But common.. Get used to me already.."

"Armaan! Yeh kya hai.. Yeh sab.. Iss tarah behave koi karta hai kya?..", she berated him as she looked around and realized he had pulled her out of nowhere into the store room.. She had thought he was done with those silly antics of his.. But alas.. Kutte ki dum humesha tedhi hi rehti hai!

Armaan however was all nostalgically dramatic about this.. "aah.. Its been such a long time.."

And that just confused her.. "What?"

"Its been such a long time since I did this and heard that dialogue of yours.. ", he explained rather proudly..

"Its not funny Armaan..", she made a face at him and tried to get out of his hold..

"Of course it is Riddhima..", he retorted, keeping her locked in his arms..

"Armaan.. Dekho agar tumhe koi kaam hai toh bolo.. Warna let me go.. I have to finish this paperwork..", she told him seriously only to get him all exasperated.. "What!.. No way Basket.. Main toh tumhe ghar chalne ke liye bulaane aaya tha.. Do you know what time it is.. Panditji aane waale hain.. ", and he started pulled her out with her hand, his urgency, more like desperation, getting to her.. "I know Armaan.. But abhi time hai..", she told him, resisting his attempts at kidnapping her..

"Nahi hai Basket.. How can you be so calm about it.. Aaj finally.. Finally.. Finally.. Date decide hoga..", boy was he excited!..

"Armaan.. Tum toh aise excite ho rahe ho jaise aaj hi shaadi hone waali hai..", she said uninterestedly, trying to play the whole event down..

But Armaan's spirits weren't going to be dampened.. "Its almost like that only na Riddhima.. Ek baar date decide ho gay toh shaadi toh ho hi jayegi..", he told her, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.. But she decided to tease him on that.. "Don't be so sure.. What if I have a change of heart..", she asked him tongue in cheek..

He frowned at that, but made a quick come back with, "Toh main zabardasti tumhe utha ke le jaaunga..", his eyes almost threatening her as he smirked..

But she wasn't about to bog down.. "Himmat toh karke dikhao..", she challenged him back..

"Tum mana toh karke dikhao..", came his quick repartee.. But that was accompanied by a husky voice and a passionate gaze that completely caught her off guard.. As she felt his breath on her lips and his eyes boring into hers, her heartbeat began to race against itself.. A sharp quick breath in and Armaan knew he was going to get what he wanted.. "Armaan.. Chodo koi aa jayega.. ", came her standard response to every such situation, since day one! He could help but chuckle at that thought and replied with a smirk.. "Accha.. Tum meri intern ke saamne mujhe kiss kar sakti ho.. Toh abhi toh hum akele hain.. I don't think ismein koi problem hai.."

And that unpleasant reminder of the slimy intern brought Riddhima back to planet earth.. "Uska naam mat lo Armaan..", she scowled as she seethed..

"Naam kahan liya?", quipped with a wink..

"Armaan!!", and she struggled to get out of his hold again.. So he finally decided to give in.. "Accha theek hai.. Only if you leave everything this moment and come home with me.. How can you not be excited?.. "

"I am excited Armaan.. But you're just going crazy.."

"And you really think I should be blamed for that!", she smiled at that answer of his.. It was true.. After all they had gone through, they truly deserved this moment.. He truly deserved it.. Even more than her.. She knew his excitement was duly justified.. And she was happy for him.. And it was pretty infectious.. Coz it was catching up with her.. He was going to be hers.. This was like the first step towards that dream.. That dream of sharing her life with him forever.. Of having those eyes filled with so much love only for her.. Just like they were right now.. Beautiful and hers!.. Caressing his face once, she smiled as she said.. "Accha theek hai.. Chalo.. Lets go home.. "

"Can I get a kiss first..", he asked her, leaning in..

"No Armaan..", again came her standard reply..

"Basket why is your first answer always a no.. Why cant you just say yes..", he asked her as he let go of her with a frown..

But she just ignored his nagging.. "Armaan.. I really don't want to argue back.. Chalo.. Warna main ghar hi nahi aaungi.. Tum apni date khud hi decide kar lena..", she threatened..

"I wish I could.. I wonder who pandit kitna delay karwaega..", he said as he followed her out of the store room..

"Armaan.. 'Panditji'.. 'Karwayenge'.. Thodi respect doge toh koi delay nahi hoga..", she scolded him..

"Very funny.. But I am not going to leave you after the date is decided.. Celebration toh hona chahiye na..", he winked at her as he held her hand and walked on..

"Haan of course hoga Armaan.. Papa ne Dr. Mehra ko dinner pe bulaya hai.. Celebration ke liye..", she teased him with a smirk..

But Armaan knew how to turn it back on her.. "Kya?!!.. And Padma mom is okay with it?.. Sasurjee toh bade lucky hain.. Shaadi ke baad tum bhi mujhe aise freedom dogi na Riddhima..", he teased her as she glared at him and said, her teeth barred.. "Armaan!!.. Tumhara muh band nahi hua na toh shaadi ke sirf sapne dekhte reh jaoge.. " and she walked on as he followed her..

"Stop threatening me Basket warna.."

"Warna kya.. "

"Main Dr. Payal se shaadi kar lunga.."

"Really?.. Okay.. Fine with me.. Finally peecha toh chhoota.. "

"Very funny Basket.. "

"I know.. "

"Basket!!"

"Armaan!!" and they probably bickered on all the way home.. It was amazingly ironic that they were going to be spending the rest of their lives together.. That just meant the nonstop and maddening arguments were going to continue forever! God save the world!!

"Armaan.. Mere bhai.. Tu baith ja na paanch minute ke liye..", Atul told Armaan, who was restlessly pacing up and down the living room as Riddhima, Anjali, Padma mom, nani and Dr. Shashank watched him wait for the Pandit.. They had been sitting in the same position since the last half an hour waiting for the Pandit on Armaan's insistence.. He didn't want them to disappear just when the Pandit arrived.. He wanted everything to get over as fast as possible..

"Yaar.. He said six thirty.. Abhi six thirty-five hue hain.. Kahin bhul toh nahi gaya.. ", he asked with fearfully wide eyes.. Naani glared at him as she heard him address the pandit so casually while everyone else just sniggered at his condition.. Armaan noticed nani's expression and corrected his statement at once, "Mera matlab hain.. Kahin panditji bhul toh nahi gaye.. I think hume unhe phone karna chahiye.."

"Armaan.. Tumne already unhe confirm karne ke liye paanch baar phone kar diya hai.. Aur pareshaan karega toh shaadi cancel karwa denge..", Anjali teased him only to make him scowl.. Riddhima saw his worried expression and was amused.. But at the same time she didn't want to scare him for no reason.. "Di.. Don't tease him na.. Bechara.. Panditji late hain iss liye pareshaan hain.."

"Of course.. Bilkul teri tarah Ridzi.. Tujhe bhi toh jaldi hogi na.. Shaadi karne ki..", she teased her sister too..

"Di!.. Aisa bilkul nahi hai.. ", she defended herself, a frown adorning her face..

"Accha.. Toh tujhe shaadi nahi karni..", Atul joined in the tease..

"Atul.. Maine aisa nahi kaha..", Riddhima retorted angrily..

"Toh matlab karni hai..", Anjali asked her cheekily..

Armaan who was listening to them as he paced up and down couldn't bear their banter an longer.. "Obviously karni hai yaar.. Ek toh pandit itne unpunctual hai, upar se tum log irritate mat karo.. ", he almost shouted in exasperation..

"Armaan!!", Padma mom gave him a scolding glare, while nani stood flabbergasted at his comments..

"No he's right Padma.. Aise late aana bohot hi zyaada irritating hai.. Jaise Armaan roz breakfast ke liye late hote hai.. Unpunctuality ko inse jyaada aur kaun samjhega.. "Dr. Shashank took a gibe at his eager-to-be-son-in-law while he got the chance at it.. Atul, Anjali and Riddhima burst out laughing at the taken aback look on Armaan's face.. He looked like he didn't know what bit him!.. Armaan looked at Dr. Shashank and lowered his eyes as he fumbled "Sir.. who.. main.. ", then turned to his stupid friends and glared at them to shut up.. But they were rolling with laughter.. He was about to give his witty retort to shut them up when the doorbell rang.. "Panditji!!!", he yelped, his eyes lighting up.. And before anyone could even think of getting up, he had rushed to the door to welcome his Panditji in, leaving everyone else in splits at his reaction.. There was a limit even to desperation!

"Aayiye Panditji.. Baithiye.. ", nani offered Panditji her seat as he came to the living room followed by Armaan, who had a huge grin on his face.. If not for the room full of people, it would have looked scary.. "Haan baithiye na Panditji..", he repeated what nani had said from behind the old fellow.. He just gave him a weird look and took the seat.. Armaan had already scared him by his dramatic welcome.. It was not usual for him to be greeted by a rib crunching bear hug.. And Armaan had almost pounced on him as soon as he had opened the door.. He had been wary of this guy ever since.. And now that he gave it a thought, he was sure this guy was the one who had called him a hundred times when he was stuck in traffic on his way here..

"Kya lenge Panditji.. Chai.. Coffee.. Thanda?..", Padma mom's question brought her to his attention, finally diverting his mind from the over enthusiastic Armaan.. "Jee chai chalegi.. ", he answered with a serene smile..

Padma mom got up and went to the kitchen to make tea for the Pandit as the rest of them settled down around him.. Armaan was the only one left standing.. And he stood right next to where panditji was sitting on the couch.. When he looked up at Armaan, he gave him a wide grin, making him a little nervous.. "Aap bhi baith jaayiye..", he told Armaan, pointing to the chair opposite him that was free.. "Nahi.. Main theek hoon.. Aap date bataiye na..", he told him straightaway without beating around the bush.. Why wasn't this guy hurrying up..

Anjali and Atul snorted at that interaction while Riddhima reprimanded him, "Armaan!!.. Stop it!.." he watched her glare at him but ignored her and turned back to panditji.. Nani who was getting mad by every crazy antic of Armaan's spoke to the panditji, "Panditji.. Who Riddhima ki shaadi tey ho gayi hai.. Toh hume mahurat nikalwana tha.."

"Haan.. Doctor saab ne phone pe kaha tha.. Maaf kijiye main ab tak thoda busy tha.. Who kya hai na.. Shaadi ka season hai abhi..", and he rambled on about how busy he was and how almost all of Mumbai had decided to get married all at the same time.. Armaan wanted to pick him up and throw him somewhere.. Why couldn't he just tell him the damn date!!..

"Jee hum samajh sakte hain.. Koi baat nahi.. ", Shashank interrupted him as he saw Armaan's murderous expressions from behind the Pandit.. "Aap bas hume koi accha sa mahurat nikaal dijiye..", he prodded him..

"Jee zaroor.. Main abhi dekh leta hoon..", and he took out his Tablet PC to start looking for whatever the hell he looked into to find a mahurat.. Armaan, who couldn't resist his curiosity, peeped into him from behind.. The pandit felt his breath near his ear and turned to glare at him at once.. "Jee main bas dekh raha tha..", Armaan told him sheepishly making Atul and Anjali break into fits of silent laughter while nani and Riddhima glared at him.. "Armaan.. Chup chaap yaha aake baith jao..", Riddhima's voice had a finality to it.. He knew he'd have to follow this order of hers.. Riddhima slapped his arm as he came and sat next to her, glaring at him as her Di and Atul enjoyed the show.. Armaan just looked at her apologetically.. But he didn't know what to be sorry for.. Riddhima however, didn't want to get more embarrassed than she already was.. So she just looked at the pandit as he did his panditgiri on his hand-held.. Just then Padma mom brought out a tray of tea cups and snacks for the old man, all of which he almost finished as he continued his work, while everyone else stared at him in silence.. Nani had a serene smile on her face, Atul and Anjali couldn't stop giggling, while Shashank and Padma were smirking at the contrast in expressions on the faces of the bride and groom to be!.. Riddhima's face was painfully contorted in a scowl as Armaan was giving dirty looks to the Pandit for taking so long, probably cursing him in his head.. After what felt like centuries of painful waiting, Panditji finally looked up from his tablet and said, "Jee mahurat mil gaye hain mujhe..", Armaan held his breath as he heard the old man's voice, his eyes wide in apprehension.. "Ek toh agle hafte aath tareekh ka hai.."

"Excellent.. Brilliant.. I love you panditji..", Armaan exclaimed as he got up to go hug the Pandit.. He would have done it too had Riddhima not held his hand and pulled him back.. As he fell back on the couch next to her, nani voiced her disagreement, "Agle hafte!!.. Yeh toh bohot hi jaldi ho jayega Panditji.. Itni jaldi saari tayariyaan kaise hongi.."

Dr. Shashank also seemed to agree with his mother-in-law as he said, "Haan Panditji.. Maa theek keh rahi hai.. Agle hafte toh bohot hi jaldi ho jayega.."

"Nahi hoga Sh.. Papa.. ", Armaan protested.. He was so disturbed by their reaction that he had almost called him Shanky papa out loud.. "Main sab sambhaal lunga..", he tried to convince him as he fumbled with his name..

But even Padma mom was not with him today, "Nahi nahi panditji.. Aap koi aur mahurat nikaal dijiye.. "

"Lekin Padma mom.. Main..", he started protesting again but she cut him off, "No Armaan.. Practically socho.."

"Haan Armaan.. Mom theek keh rahi hai..", Anjali also sided with her mom and Atul too joined.. "Haan.. Next week is too early bhai.. Preparations karna impossible hai.."

Armaan looked like he would cry any moment out of frustration, looking at them like they were his mortal enemies.. As he sat there cursing his fate Panditji looked on the confusion in the family and interrupted their discussion.. "Arre aap log meri puri baat sunenge!.. Ek aur badhiya mahurat hai.. Chaubis mai ka.. Mujhe wahi sahi lagta hai..", he told them fast before any of them start arguing again.. Armaan stood up again, but this time exclaiming in shock.. "Kya!! Chaubis.. Meaning 24th MAY!! No way!! "

"Armaan.. Just shut up and sit will you!..", Riddhima scolded him and pulled him down again.. But he looked at her as he counted the months on his fingers.. "Basket that's almost five months away.."

"Armaan.. Shut up!.. We'll talk later..", she hissed through clenched teeth to shut him up.. She was more than embarrassed of his over reactions now..

"but.. ", he started to retort again only to be hit by her on his shoulder.. "Shh.."

Dr. Shashank took this opportunity to declare the date before Armaan starts another protest.. "Excellent Panditji.. 24th may it is then!.. " and he hugged Padma sideways and got up to take Panditji's ashirwaad..

"Haan yeh accha hai..", Nani also was very happy with the turn of events..

"Toh mubarak ho doctor saab.. Mubarak ho Riddhima bitiya..", Panditji congratulated them as they came over to take his ashirwaad in pairs.. Riddhima had to literally drag a reluctant Armaan to touch panditji's feet.. And even when he did he was giving him murderous glares.. When bent down to touch his feet he was half in mind to take of the dhoti he was wearing and stuff it in his empty head!! "Armaan.. Ho gaya.. Uth jao..", Riddhima hit his back as he was still bent and giving threatening looks to the very apprehensive looking Panditji from down below..

Soon everyone was hugging Riddhima as Armaan stood aside frowning at all of them.. Five months! Damn them!!!..

Riddhima noticed his sullen expression and sighed.. Why was he such a baby.. Anjali realized who Riddhima was looking at when she didn't answer her question and suddenly remembered that someone else also needed to be congratulated.. But before she could reach him, her mom had already gone and hugged him.. He had smiled as she congratulated him, but the smile wasn't his usual bright one.. He continued to give his fake smile as the rest of them hugged him one after the other and then fed sweets to him and Riddhima.. Riddhima was looking at him, asking him to cheer up through her eyes.. But even her attempts were not working.. Finally panditji decided to call it a day as he got up to leave, "Accha toh main chalta hoon..", he joined his hands at nani and Dr. Shashank in farewell..

But something else was going on in nani's head.. She had thought a lot about it.. Decided against it.. Then decided for it.. Now she was just confused.. So she just said it out loud.. "Ek minute Panditji.. Main soch rahi thi.. Ki kyun na kundaliyaan bhi mila hi dein.. Accha rahega..", she suggested what she wanted to since the time of their engagement, but she was wary of everyone's reaction..

And true to her presumptions Dr. Shashank spoke.. "Maa.. Ab kundali milane ki kya zaroorat hain.. Kya farak padta hai..", he brushed it off as unimportant, while Armaan's ears caught on the tone.. It certainly sounded like trouble this whole new Kundali thingy..

"Kucch nahi Shashank.. Bas tassalee ke kiye mila lete hain.. ", nani tried to persuade him..

"Maa lekin ab zaroorat kya hai.. Shaadi tey toh ho hi chuki hai..", Padma mom also protested her mom's suggestion..

"Koi baat bahi beti.. Mila ke dekhne mein kya jata hai.. Zaroor mila denge.. Naniji ko tassalee ho jayegi.." panditji sided with nani.. It was his job after all.. And before any of them could protest or say anything else, he started to open some app on his tablet to tally the kundalis.. "Riddhima beti ki toh kundali mere paas hai.. ", he looked at his tablet again, then turned warily to Armaan, "Beta.. Aapki kundali.."

Armaan looked daggers at him first, but nani's expectant look made him answer.."Meri koi.. Uh.. Kundali nahi hai.. I mean.. I don't know.. Agar hai.. Ya nahi..", heck! He didn't even know what a kundali was!!

"Koi baat nahi.. Main banwa dunga.. Naam kya hai beta..", panditji offered and took all information from Armaan that he needed for making the kundali.. Armaan answered him reluctantly when Riddhima asked him to.. But when panditji asked him, "Ma ka naam..", he froze, just staring at him.. The pandit, a little taken aback, asked him his mom's name again when he didn't answer, as everyone just stared at him, wondering what kind of a response they should expect from him.. No one except Riddhima knew his parents' name.. But even if she did, she had never really addressed them by their names.. They were always Armaan's mom and dad in all their conversations and even thoughts..

Armaan looked at Riddhima as he felt her hand slide into his.. She gave him a small smile and looked and panditji, answering on behalf of Armaan.. "uh.. Ananya Mallik.."

Armaan's eyes almost welled up as he heard that name.. He had not taken that name nor heard it aloud in a long time.. Riddhima had probably found out their names from his passport.. There was an emotional deluge, suddenly making him realize that he had no one on his side here today.. No family that was going to rejoice for him.. Even if the Guptas took him for family and he knew he was.. But still.. It was their daughter who was getting married.. It was obvious they were excited more for her than for him.. That difference was always going to be there.. And whether he liked it or not, it did hurt him.. "Pita ka naam..", he vaguely heard the pandit ask in the background and Riddhima's faint voice.. "Jee.. Balwindar Mallik.." the torture becoming unbearable now.. He just wanted to go away from here.. All the excitement had been drained out of him now..

A tear almost slipped out the corner of his eye when he heard Panditji ask, "Who dono nahi aaye beta.." Armaan tightened his grip on Riddhima's hand, loneliness suddenly taking over him.. Riddhima didn't know how to answer panditji's question this time.. She turned to look at Armaan who was determinedly looking at his knees.. She just wanted to hug him right now.. She knew this must have hurt him more than anything.. She didn't know what to do or say.. She felt really helpless.. Was his parents' absence really going to haunt him all his life!..

Padma mom realized that it was time to change the topic since it had gotten too tensed in the last few moments.. "Panditji.. Aap kundali banwa dijiye.. Hum shaadi ki tayariyaan shuru karte hain..", she told him trying to get him off that topic.. And he caught on immediately.. He had also felt the atmosphere getting tense.. And though he didn't know why, he too wanted to end this discussion as soon as possible.. "Jee.. Mujhe ek ya do hafte lagenge.. Kundali banane mein.. Phir unko milake main aapko batata hoon..", he told them as he saved all of Armaan's information in his tablet..

Dr. Shshank, nani and Padma mom escorted him to the door as he left..

Atul and Anjali again congratulated both of them as they saw the elders go out of sight.. Riddhima returned a smile to them wanting nothing but to spend an alone moment with Armaan.. She really needed to talk to him right now.. But before she could suggest that her parents were back.. Then they all started to discuss the wedding excitedly, making all plans.. They were sure even five months were going to be less.. Armaan and Riddhima sat there, listening to everyone arguing over their wedding and discussing it enthusiastically.. Both had been so excited about this whole date thing.. Especially Armaan! And now that it was decided, both felt like something was missing.. This whole event had ended in quite an anticlimax as far as their feelings were concerned.. Either that, or it had not sunk in.. Riddhima knew her mood was completely dependent on Armaan's.. She felt down only coz she knew he didn't feel really happy.. She could understand that he was disappointed by the delay in the wedding.. And the discussion involving his parents was not doing anything to lift his spirits.. She really wanted him to be happy.. But then happiness was a feeling that didn't come easily nor did it come free.. It was always to be worked at and earned.. Always to be held on to when things look down.. And she was going to give him that share of happiness.. She needed him to be happy about all that was happening.. Coz if he wasn't, then all this made no sense.. Not to her, not to anyone in this world.. But to make things alright, first she had to talk to him.. She looked at her chattering family around her as they went on about their shopping plans, then at Armaan who was smiling fakely and nodding at whatever they were saying.. She sighed, looking at her hand that was still tight in his grip, like he wouldn't let go of her ever.. She recollected his over enthusiasm before this whole event had occurred.. She would take that any day in exchange for his sullen mood.. As she thought of his antics before they came home today, a naughty idea struck her head.. She took her phone from beside her and quickly sent him a text..

Armaan took out his phone from his pocket as he felt it vibrate.. He looked at Riddhima weirdly as he saw the message was from her and saw her smiling a naughty smile as she pretended to agree with what her di was saying about her wedding dress..

Armaan clicked open the text and at once a grin appeared on his face when he read..

'Celebrations?? ;)

My room..

Five minutes! :P '

"Five months Basket!! Five months!! You gotto be kidding me! ", he exclaimed in sheer ridicule and exasperation the moment he entered her room five minutes after she had left him in the living room with her papa and Atul.. She had reminded her mom of the dinner guest they were going to have over to shift the focus from their wedding discussions so that she could make the slip. She made up some silly excuse of going to change or something and indicated to Armaan to follow her. Armaan however was caught behind thanks to sasurjee and his Champ as they pulled his leg saying how another one of their kind was going to be sacrificed to the horror called marriage! Armaan however didn't find it funny at all. Coz at the moment he was too irritated by the fact that he would have to wait so long for their wedding. When their teasing and shaadi-equals-barbaadi-jokes got too much for him to take he made an excuse to go use the washroom so he could go and complain about the unfairness of it all to his Basket..

Riddhima, who was expecting Armaan to be this hyper, went over to him quickly, shut the door behind him first, and then pulled him by his hand towards her bed..

He got irritated by her lack in response and immediately pulled his hand out of hers.. "Basket!.. What are you doing! I am not waiting for five months.. Chalo we'll go tell everyone ki we cant wait for so long.. ", he held her hand and started dragging her back towards the door..

"Armaan tum pagal ho gaye ho kya! ", she exclaimed, resisting his pull, unable to believe his suggestions!.. She was certainly not expecting him to go to such extremities and hoped that he wasn't serious about doing it.. But his tone had suggested otherwise..

"Main pagal hoon Riddhima?! Main Pagal Hoon?.. Its my bloody wedding and I don't get to decide when I should have it.. This is not done yaar Riddhima..", he complained again, frustrated at the turn his life had taken..

"Armaan.. I know.. I know baby ki five months zyaada hai.. But now the decision is made.. And we'll have to follow what the panditji says okay.. ", she tried to explain it to him, taking his face in her hands and looking into his eyes to calm him down..

But Armaan wasn't going to give up without a fight, "But WHY!! Why Riddhima!.. Why do we have to listen to him.. Why cant we decide whatever date we want.."

"Coz none of the auspicious dates are available Armaan!.. Accha mahurat hoga tabhi shaadi hogi na..", she raised her voice a little, hoping the increase in volume would help to get across her point.. But no! When Armaan decides to be thick headed then even ultrasonic sound wouldn't reach his brain! "Oh common Riddhima!.. Tum kiss zamaane ki baatein kar rahi ho? Do you really believe in all this auspicious date and stuff.. ", he asked, his face contorted in a scowl, ridiculed by the very idea..

And Riddhima didn't like his tone at all.. "What if I Do Armaan.. " she asked him, looking at him warily, then continued when she realized that he didn't have a ready reply, "And even if I don't.. Nani toh believes na.. Mamma toh believes na.. We have to listen to them also Armaan.. How can we hurt their feelings and beliefs.. And apart from that yeh sab humare acche ke liye hi hai na.. Main chahti hoon ki sab kuch perfect ho. I don't want anyone to have any kind of doubt in their minds about us..", her voice softened as she made him face her again and caressed his cheek lovingly.. Armaan sighed at the loving touch and looking straight into her eyes asked softly, "What do you mean by doubts Riddhima.. Don't you trust me?.."

"Armaan I do but.."

"No but Basket!.. You can either believe me or believe that auspicious crap.. I mean.. Any day that we get married, it will be the best day of our lives.. It'll be special on its own.. And nothing will go wrong ever.. Trust me..", he tried to get across to her his feelings, holding her face in his hands.. But when he heard her say, "Then why don't we just stick to 24th of May.. Baki sab bhi kush ho jayenge..", he just let her go and turned away.. "No yaar Basket!.. Tum phir wahi bol rahi ho.. There's gotto be some way of explaining to them.. Or making them understand.. Or maybe even forcing them to get us married earlier.. How bout we take a second opinion.. ", he suggested..

"What!..", Riddhima exclaimed in confusion.. He just shook his head at her confused expression and taking her hand he led her to her bed.. As they made themselves comfortable against the bed post he started explaining.. "Haan.. Dusre panditji sey baat karke dekhte hain ki aur koi shub mahurat hai kya.. Like a second opinion!..", he told her like it was the most logical thing to do in the world! But Riddhima found it nothing short of ludicrous, "Second opinion!! Armaan! What is wrong with you.. ", she exclaimed as she slapped his arm that was snaking around her waist away..

"Kyun hum kisi bhi doctor pe aankh band karke vishvaas nahi karte toh yeh pandit kya cheez hai.. "

"Armaan yeh humare family pandit hain.. Mamma papa ki shaadi bhi inke papa ne ki thi.."

"Toh.. Family doctors ke paas bhi toh saari bimaariyon ka ilaaj nahi hota.. Basket why cant we just get another guy and fix another date.. Agle hafte nahi.. But agle mahine hi sahi..", he tried to reason with her, negotiating terms.. But what he didn't understand that these terms were not negotiable at all.. "Armaan tum poore pagal ho gaye ho.. We cant do this.. And besides.. Tum kisi bhi pandit se poochoge.. Shub mahurat toh wahi hoga na.. ", and with that Armaan's hope of getting his way just dimmed a little.. "Riddhima yaar!!.. ", he whined as his brain started to look for better ideas.. And before Riddhima could discourage him from doing so he came up with one, "I know!.. Maine movies mein dekha hai.. Nani ko heart attack.. No but naani is the one who wants to delay the wedding.. Who naatak nahi karengi.. ", he figured the biggest flaw in his unbelievably disgusting plan.. At least Riddhima thought so.. "Armaan!!!.. You're so insensitive.. ", she spat, giving him a dirty scowl as she hear his idea. Armaan realized he went too far in his over enthusiasm and immediately offered, "Fine.. Mujhe heart attack!!..", but as if that was going to earn him any kind of luck.. "Armaan!!!..", this time she whacked him hard on his shoulder glowering at his falling standards.. She was about to get up and get away from the bed when he held her hand and pulled her down.. He had started to enjoy this now, his worry suddenly left behind at the possibility of irritating his Basket, which won hands down as his favorite hobby. And he would take that any day, even over their wedding! And there was no dearth of crazy ideas in his crazy head for preponing their wedding.. "Haaan!! The world is going to end on 24th May.. Yeah lets tell them that.. I don't want you to die a virgin Basket!!..", and he winked at her naughtily only to see her mouth drop open in shock.. But it didn't take her long to get over it and hit his arm black and blue.. "Armaan!!!!!!!.. You ass!!!", she seethed through gritted teeth..

But Armaan just loved to tease her when she got all aggressively embarrassed like that.. "No.. Ok! Die a virgin then!!..", he said coolly like he was shrugging off a big responsibility o f his.

"Armaan!! Stop this bakwaas.. And the world is not ending on the 24th of May..", she spoke while continuously hitting him for being so disgusting.. But that's when he caught her arms and pulled her closer as he grinned at an even more disgusting plan that was forming in his head.. "Fine!.. Oh best option!!.. Lets get you pregnant!.. Phir toh izzat bachane ke liye they'll have to.. " and that was it! Before he could finish, he saw her threaten him through her clenched teeth.. "Armaan.. Maar khaoge tum.. So disgusting.. Mujhe nahi shaadi karni tumse.. Jao.. 24th may ko bhi nahi karni.. Pagal aadmi!!.. ", Armaan just laughed his head off at her reaction.. This was so much fun! "Arrey.. Toh main kahan sach mein pregnant hone ke liye keh raha hoon.. We can always lie na.. ",he continued to tease her.. It was so easy to rile her up that it got addictive.. Riddhima on the other hand was boiling as he made mad suggestions after madder ones which she very well knew was just to get her irritated.. And she could see he was enjoying it the most.. That only added to her anger.. But she knew that the more she entertains his bakwaas the more it would encourage him to come up with these disgusting ideas just to tease her.. So she decided to cut the conversation short before she actually decided to change her mind about getting married to him. "Armaan enough now!! Enough of this childish argument.. Agar tumhe mujhse shaadi karni hai na.. Toh jaise sab keh rahe hain waise hi hoga..", she told him angrily getting out of his hold.. There was a limit to this silly behavior of his..

But Armaan just lost his head as he heard the finality and stubbornness in her tone.."Aur humesha ki tarah mera opinion koi bhi consider nahi karega..", his remark was laced with sarcasm and hurt.. A hurt that went beyond just deciding the date. And that hurt stung her heart as she looked into his defeated eyes.. "Armaan.. Aisa nahi hai.. Main jaanti hoon what your saying..", she tried consoling him, caressing his cheek with her hand.. But he turned away from her.. "No you don't Riddhima.. Tum nahi jaanti.. You don't understand.. No one does.. Just coz mere side pe koi nahi hai.."

Riddhima's eyes moistened as she heard him say that.. But that's coz she was angry at him for playing his sympathy trump card to get his way.."Armaan! Nautanki mat karo.. Tumhe kya lagta hai agar mom dad yahan hote bhi toh agle hafte ke liye maan jaate.. They would have also sided with mamma papa only!.. I am sure.." she told him angrily as he looked at her with a frown.. He realized that emotional blackmailing had also failed him this time.. Basket had become too smart for him to handle.. Why was he even getting married to her! Maybe Shanky papa and Atul were right in asking him to run away before he actually does get trapped in this jail of marriage..

While his distracted head was busy with these mad thoughts, Riddhima took advantage of his silence and attempted to convince him again.. "Armaan.. Its not possible for us to have the wedding next week.. And we cannot defy the panditji na.. It has nothing to do with not listening to you.. Koi jaan bhujkar humari shaadi rokna nahi chahta.. Its just that.. Its not possible to have it earlier.. Tum nahi jaante Armaan ki shaadi mein kitne saare kaam hote hain.. And anyway.. Why are you in such a hurry.. ", she asked him making him look at her as he continued to frown.. "Coz I am tired of waiting Basket!.. I don't want to wait anymore.. I just want to start living that dream.. I am tired of just dreaming.. I want you to myself forever..", he told her looking straight into her eyes.. And his eyes told her that he meant every word of what he said.. She understood what he was saying.. But why didn't he understand her.. "I am already yours Armaan!!.. You know that right!.. Yeh shaadi and all toh bas formality hain.. ", she caressed his face as she said, trying to tell him with her eyes all that her words couldn't.. But Armaan just brushed her hand away.. "Aise nahi Basket.. "

"Toh kaise Armaan!.. ", she asked him, irritated by his behavior now..

"Aise ki tum sabse pehle mere baare mein socho aur phir baaki sabke baare mein.. I don't want to share you with anyone..", he declared obstinately like a spoilt child, his face contorted in a frown with his pout in place.. Riddhima smiled at that sight as well as his words.. He was such a cutie pie that she couldn't help but take him in a tight hug.. "Armaan.. Main ab bhi sabse pehle tumhare baare mein sochti hoon.. You are the most important person in my life..", she declared, talking into his shoulder as she nuzzled his neck.. And she did manage to melt him a little as he hugged her back as he said.. "But you are the only important person in my life Basket.. And before anything goes wrong.. I just want to get over with this shaadi and all..", and that made her pull out and look at him.. Where did this come from!! "Armaan!.. Tum kya keh rahe ho.. Nothing is going to go wrong.. ", she really didn't want him to go back to the insecurities.. She didn't know how to put them away.. She had hers too.. But she didn't think about them much.. But he just kept bringing them up again and again.. But this time he had an explanation and a crazily convincing one at that too.. "It will Basket.. This is life.. Something has to go wrong.. And after a statistical analysis of our relationship so far, I've come to the conclusion ki har che mahine mein we break up.. And 24th May falls outside the six month expiry period..", he told her expertly only to make her burst out laughing.. "Armaan!.. Oh god!. You're so cute!.. ", and she pulled his cheeks teasingly as he pulled away from her.. "Stop it.. I am serious..", he scowled as she tried hard not to laugh at him.. But when he tried to get away from her, she held him back and looked back into his eyes as she said, "Armaan.. Tumhare statistical analysis mein tum yeh analyse karna bhool gaye ki we break up within six months but we make up within less than a month after that.. Toh hum kitne bhi baar lade, alag ho jaaye.. Ultimately ek dusre ke saath hi rehna hai.. So how does it matter!.. Hum chahe tab bhi ek dusre ka peecha nahi chuda sakte.. We'll just keep coming back.. Armaan and Riddhima kabhi alag nahi ho sakte..", she concluded softly as she waited for his response.. Armaan who was listening to her with a frown on his face didn't say anything for a moment.. Just looked into her eyes.. And then without warning just burst out into fits of laughter.. "Basket!! Woo hoo!! You're so filmy.. Kaunsi film sey churayi yeh line.. Pehle toh sirf meri copy karti thi.. Now full time filmy cheese you're using on me.. Tch tch tch..", and he continued to laugh as she hit him while he tried to run away.. But she sat on his legs, her legs, on either side of his, bent at the knees on the bed, putting all her weight on his front as she leaned into him and almost strangled him with her hands on his neck as he laughed at her.. No one could have sympathy for him, could they!.. But Armaan was smarter than that.. He pulled her closer when he realized he could get her off him, pressing her closer to himself, grinning his evil smile till she realizes what was happening.. And when she did realize embarrassment made way to her cheeks in the form of a blush and she immediately looked away from him.. Now she was the one who was trying to get away from him, but he had held her in an iron grip.. As she struggled against his hold, her temper caught up with her again, "Armaan seriously.. I don't believe I'll have to bear with you for the rest of my life.. Mujhe sach mein sochne le liye time chahiye.. Just let me go.. ", she said angrily only to make him smirk even more, "Soch lo soch lo.. Par you'll have to come back to me only na.. Armaan and Riddhima toh kabhi alag nahi ho sakte.. ", and he chuckled at that leaning over on her, not letting her go at all as he lay her on her back, their heads now in the opposite direction of the bedpost, "Armaan what are you doing..", she asked him when she realized she was under him now while he just smirked at the blush on her face.. "Armaan.. Main.. ", but he didn't let her finish, keeping a finger on her lips as he propped his head up with his elbow, laying next to her, but keeping her in place with one leg around hers.. "No jokes okay.. ", he called for truce as he saw her glare at him again.. "I know what you're saying.. But Riddhima.. I am tired of running.. Playing this stupid game of hide and seek.. Basket.. Jab sab kuch itna accha chal raha hai, I don't want to waste any time.. Not take any chances.. I just want you with me now..", he tried to explain all that he felt and why.. Riddhima understood each and every word, his eyes doing more of the talking than his words..

"I am with you Armaan.. I've always been with you.. But before you came to be with me, I belonged here na Armaan.. I am waiting as eagerly as you are for the wedding.. Aur mujhe bhi aisa lagta hai ki we should just pack our bags and run away.. But you know.. A part of me is glad that I have five months.. Five months to say my goodbyes.. To prepare myself to leave behind all that has made me who I am today.. I love you Armaan.. But I'll miss them too..", her eyes welled up as she finally said what she didn't want to.. She didn't want to tell him this coz she wanted it to be just about him. It was always about him.. As much as she was ecstatic to be with him, a part of her heart was sinking at the thought of the fact that these were her last few days with her family.. Armaan realized what a fool he had been to not understand.. To not think from her point of view at all.. Everything wasn't about him.. in fact nothing was about him.. he was the only one who was losing nothing in this whole transaction.. He almost forgot that unlike him she had a family, a place that she'd call home before he came to be.. He felt rotten at the fact that he had been so selfish that he forgot to take into account the feelings of that person who mattered most.. To him and to everyone else around him.. He looked at her guiltily as he apologized, "I'm sorry Riddhima.. Main kitna selfish hoon na.. I was just thinking of myself.. Such an idiot.. Aur tume khush rakhne ke vaade kar raha tha.. I am so sorry Basket.. Main..", but she cut him out with her hand on his lips before he went down that road of guilt again. That is not what she had meant when she said that to him.. "Armaan stop saying sorry.. Maine tumhe yeh isliye nahi bataya.. You're right in feeling what you feel.. But we'll have to accept that and its for the better.. Main bas yeh bata rahi hoon ki jo ho raha hai acche ke liye ho raha hai.. Okay!", he kissed her hand that was on his lips once and nodded as he lowered himself on her nestling his head in the crook of her neck, finally sighing in defeat.. "Tch.. Toh we'll have to wait for five months..", he accepted the fact reluctantly only coz he knew she needed the time..

Riddhima smiled as she felt his arm snake around her waist now, his even breathe telling her he had made peace with it.. But she knew his mind hadn't.. So she turned on her side to face him, pulling away from him a little in the process while he scowled at the distance she created between them.. But Riddhima was on her own mission impossible.. she had to convince him.. coz nothing mattered more than his happiness.. "Armaan.. Paanch mahine aise nikal jaayenge.. You don't know there are a hundred and forty things to plan.. And tum toh aise baat kar rahe ho jaise tum mujhe directly paanch mahine baad dekhoge.. We'll see each other everyday na.. And hume humara cottage bhi toh theek karwaana hai.. Aur phir Rahul aur Muskaan ki shaadi.. Di aur Atul ki anniversary.. Aur phir saare decorations.. And Kaam!!.. Hospital mein kaam bhi toh rahega na.. There's so much to do Armaan.. And I am with you in every minute of it.. Promise.. ", she jabbered on and on, her tempo picking up as she started her never ending list of explanations and what and whys while Armaan was left staring at her.. She realized he was gaping at her, his eyes wide in shock.. It really felt out of place considering what she was saying wasn't that much of a shock.. "Aise kya dekh rahe ho?.. ", she asked him, frowning at his expression.. "Yahi ki you just created the Guinness world record for continuous nonsensical chapad chapad.. And I am proud of you.. ", he told her seriously.. And a moment later laughed like crazy, taking her in his arms and rolling over, pulling her over him.. "Armaan!!.. I hate you!..", she scowled, attempting to free her hands that he was holding tight in his grip between them..

"But I love you Basket.. ", came his instant reply as he placed a quick flirtatious kiss on her hands.. She stopped her struggle, looking into his eyes as he did that.. "Armaan.. Please stop laughing and mujhe seriously batao.. Are you sure you're okay with this.. Agar tum sach mein khush nahi ho toh hum papa se baat kar lenge.. Aisa mat socho ki I don't care.. Coz whatever you do, I am with you in it.. "

"I know Riddhima.. But seriously.. Now that I think of it I think I need these five months.. ", he told her seriously..

"Kyun..", she asked him, intrigued to know what had suddenly had him convinced..

"Apni zindagi jeene ke liye.. Phir pata nahi tum mujhe kaise rakhogi jail mein..", he dramatically answered while she just rolled her eyes, "That was so not funny Armaan..", she replied uninterestedly, trying to get up, as he grinned at her irritation.. "It so was Riddhima.. Sasurjee and your jeeju were all trying to convince me not to get married.. And I am really having second thoughts about it.. ", he teased her..

"Accha.. Too bad Armaan.. Tumhe shaadi toh karni padegi..", she replied, deciding to play along..

"Nahi ki toh..", came his challenge at once..

"Toh zabardasti tumhe utha ke le jaana padega..", she used his dialogue back on him which he didn't miss at all.. He just held her closer as he smirked at her.. "Oye Dialogue chor.. At least size dekh kar baat kiya karo.. Tum mujhe uthaogi..", he ridiculed the very idea.. But it didn't deter her even for a minute.. Apparently she had a complete plan of action in place in case she ever needed to use force on him.. "Kyun its not that impossible.. Tumhe hospital mein anesthesia dekar behosh karungi.. Aur phir stretcher pe rakhkar bhaga le jaungi.. Size ki nahi dimaag ki zaroorat hoti hai.. Jo tumhare paas hai hi nahi..", she declared with a frown, giving away her crazy strategy which only made him laugh at her.. "At least main tumhare jaisa unromantic toh nahi hoon.. Stretcher pe bhaga ke le jaayegi.. Such a bore..", and he slapped her waist playfully before holding her back securely again, lest she run away.. Riddhima scowled at his actions hitting him on his head now as she retorted.. "At least tumhare jaisi paagal toh nahi hoon.. ", but Armaan held her hand and jerked her towards him as he cheekily replied, "Tumhari wajah se hi hoon Basket.. I wasn't this mad before I met you.. You like literally drove me crazy..", and he winked at her as he kissed the tip of her nose.. Riddhima couldn't help but smile at his cheesy line as she hit her forehead against his lightly and brushed the tip of her nose with his.. "Accha.. Now who's being filmy!.. " she exclaimed, smiling at his grin as she pecked him on his lips once before she tried to get up again.. "Accha chalo ab chodo.. Mujhe change karke neeche jaana hai..", she told him, now satisfied that he was happy with their wedding date and everything else that surrounded it.. But Armaan was not too happy with what he heard.. The main reason for this visit, according to him, was the celebration! Which most certainly had not taken place.. And he wasn't about to let her get away with this one.. After all, its not everyday that your wedding date is decided.. "What.. And what about the celebrations.. Tumhara hi idea tha..", he reminded her as he complained with a frown..

"Dekho Armaan.. Maine tumhe celebration ke liye jo time diya tha, who tumne bakwaas karne mein waste kar diya.. Now there's no time.. Sorry.. I have to change.. ", Riddhima smartly replied, grinning as she saw his frown deepen.. But then suddenly it changed into a grin and then she knew that what he was going to say was not what she really wanted to hear.. "Its okay.. I can help you change.. " and he was back to being Mr. Disgusting again..

"Armaan!.. ", she whined his name in frustration.. Not again!! She couldn't have this argument all over again.. But Armaan was unfazed and had a very good excuse to back him up.. "What.. Tum abhi keh rahi thi.. Shaadi is just a formality.. And tum toh meri hi ho.. And all that crap.. Toh ab mujhe mera haq toh milna chahiye na.. ", he teased her, winking at her as he tried to kiss her.. But she moved her face away, slapping him playfully on his face as she smiled at his antics.. "Oh.. Toh ab samjhi Mr. Desperate ko actually itni jaldi kyun thi.. Very smart Mallik.. But get out.. "

"Aur nahi gaya toh..", but she didn't want to get into that silly game of his again.. "Armaan.. Ab bakwaas band karo.. Aur chalo.. Seriously.. Mujhe mamma ki help karni chahiye.. Aur sab tumhe dhoond bhi toh rahe honge.. What are you going to tell them..", she asked him seriously, then looking around.. It was starting to get dark and she hadn't switched on the lights of her room..

"I don't care Basket.. I'll tell them ki I was having a moment with my bride to be! Ab toh official right hai!..", he replied coolly as he made her face him again..

"Armaan.. I have to..", but he didn't let her finish her excuse.. He had to do this before he lost his chance.. He had to make sure she was happy with this.. It was about her.. It always had been.. "I love you Riddhima.. And I promise you ki jaisa tum chahogi sab kucch vaisa hoga.. Just tell me honestly if you're really happy with this decision.. ", he seriously asked her, letting go of her as he did.. But she didn't move away from him.. His gaze was strong enough to hold her there.. Even in the fading light, she could see the love in his eyes.. And she knew, just like she wanted to ensure his happiness, he wanted to ensure hers.. "Are you happy Armaan.. ", she asked him in a whisper as an answer to his question..

"I am happy if you are happy..", he mumbled softly looking into her eyes, finding for even a trace of doubt or dissatisfaction.. But he didn't.. And it was confirmed when she said.. "I am happy as long as you're there.. I just need you to be with me okay..", he nodded as he felt her breath on his lips while she whispered her assurances to him.. Caressing her, face with the back of his hand he pushed the falling strands of hair behind her ear and saw her close her eyes.. "I am with you Basket.. I'll always be.. Promise..", he whispered as his hand went into her hair and lowered her face to his, closing the little distance that was there between them.. His other hand went around her waist and moved up her back as he caressed it lovingly.. Riddhima felt him kiss her gently, her breath stuck somewhere as she felt the intensity of his love for her.. As she responded back to his love she mumbled, "I love you Armaan.. " against his lips before continuing to cherish the moment that they had been waiting for since forever.. The realization that they were now so close to getting what they wanted dawned on them as they felt each others' love.. All those times coming back to them.. The time when they weren't even sure that the other was in love with them.. The time when they weren't sure whether love was actually what was between them.. The time when they weren't sure if their family would accept their relationship.. The time when they weren't sure if they will even end up together.. They had stuck through all those times.. So this one was just going to be a cake walk.. They had gone through all that to achieve this today.. And that realization brought a sense of elation.. A sense of satisfaction.. A sense of achievement.. Suddenly it didn't matter when they got married.. All that mattered was that they were going to be together no matter what.. That was the one thing that was for sure.. And they continued to kiss each other, as the darkness settled around them , not wanting to let each other go now that they were together.. The gentleness of the kiss started wearing off slowly as the passions ran high and fast through their bodies.. Armaan turned Riddhima over as she clutched his hair tight in her ardor and kissed him crazy in response to his maddening fervor.. They kissed each other insane with him clutching her tight to himself conveying all the love that he ever felt for her.. And the madness was so maddening that they didn't want to let go of the kiss even when they ran out of air.. Their breaths came fast and short, as their body tried to keep up with their passion, but their lips didn't leave each other.. There was a need to maintain that contact.. A need that was more important than life itself.. Riddhima's eyes gave in to the tears as she couldn't handle the intensity of these feelings.. She didn't have the capacity to take in his love.. It would just take her life.. But her hands in his hair, still pressed him closer asking for more.. Ignoring the breathlessness, hers and his own, Armaan continued his fervent kissing until it was just impossible to breathe.. Very very reluctantly he pulled away from her, panting as he felt her gasp for air, gulping down all she got before pulling him back to herself.. No she couldn't bear even this much of a distance.. But this time he didn't oblige.. Instead he went down to her neck, pulling her duppatta slowly away to give him access to her skin.. "Armaan..", he heard her let out his name in a whisper as he placed passionate kisses from her shoulder to her collar bone.. And that just fuelled his passion even more making him crazy as she fisted his hair tighter.. Slowly her other hand moved down his back, and made its way up his front, pulling out his tucked in shirt and slipping a hand up to return his favors.. He bit her collar in his ardor the moment he felt her hands on his skin, his desires getting the better of him.. His hands that were caressing her face and arms, made their way up her front wanting her to feel what he was.. and he just drove her insane..

"Armaan..", she spoke softly after a long and still silence..

"Hmm.. ", came his very reluctant response..

"We're so screwed.. ", she simply stated, caressing his scalp as she ran her fingers through his hair..

"I know.. ", he mumbled, not opening his eyes even once..

"Armaan.."

"Hmm.."

"Utho na.. "

"Anyway we're screwed Riddhima.. How does it matter.. ", he replied casually as he nuzzled her neck, moving even closer to her..

Riddhima giggled at his response but didn't push him away, just let him be.. "Armaan.. I still don't believe we're getting married..", she said, smiling at this new feeling that was taking over..

"We are Riddhima.. On the 24th of May.. Not a minute after that.. Get that straight.. ", he said stubbornly as he looked up at her with a frown.. She just giggled at his pout as she said, "Of course we are baby.. It's a date! ", and she winked at him before kissing the tip of his nose.. Once he was convinced that there was going to be no change in that plan, he settled himself back, snuggling into her as he took in her fragrance..

"Armaan.. ", she called out again, as he didn't say or do anything.. They really should get going..

"Don't disturb na Basket.. Shut up for some time.." and he held her close, asking her to hold him just like this for the rest of his life.. Riddhima just kissed his forehead lovingly and continued to argue with him, while he just held on, listening to her beating heart, as his synchronized its rhythm with hers.. He felt at peace here.. There was no need for any hurry now.. Not to let her go.. Not to make her his.. He just wanted to be like this.. With her.. This was where he belonged.. This is where he'll keep coming back.. This is what he'll always want..

All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar (Juno Soundtrack)

If I was a flower growing wild and free

All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.

And if I was a tree growing tall and green

All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

If I was a flower growing wild and free

All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.

And if I was a tree growing tall and green

All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a river in the mountains tall,

The rumble of your water would be my call.

If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow

Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a wink, I'd be a nod

If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod.

If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug

And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were the wood, I'd be the fire.

If you were the love, I'd be the desire.

If you were a castle, I'd be your moat,

And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

congratulationssssssss😃

cngrats 4 d 9th thread

Congratulations..may u have many many more threads of twos..hehe..u really deserved dis love and encouragement for twos....and pls pls update soon

Wow Rachna, I was just searching for the previous thread to post my comment on the last chapter and I stumbled across this.
congrats. I hope the no.of threads go on and on....(be it with update or without one 😉) The fiction deserves this. 👏
Now that you told you might update tomorrow, I keep my fingers crossed too.

Keep going!!!

ps: The new banner is awesome too.

Congratulations for the new thread !!! Hoping for an update soon !