oops! I forgot to post a warning!😛 Reader's discretion advised! Seriously!!
The New Years' Escapade
"Basket..", she heard him whisper almost inaudibly in her ear, his fast short breaths made her shiver even in their warmth, almost generating a current of sorts as they contrasted the cool sheen of sweat on her flushed skin. Her heart was beating hard.. Hard and really fast.. Just like his.. Thudding together, ironically, in the sweetest of symphonies. The peace and calm she felt right now was almost paradoxical to the furious and urgent banging that she could feel behind the door that he had her pressed against. And even with the loud blasting music that was drowning all conversations in its pulsating beats, she couldn't miss that breathlessly inaudible whisper of his, "Run away with me..", he paused to catch his breath, "Please.."
She couldn't look away from those magnetic eyes that had held her in almost a trance. They were all she could see. Deep deep deep blue oceans full of love. But it was the longing in them that held her hostage, incapacitating that need to deny them anything they asked for. And it absolutely did not help if she wanted exactly what they wanted.. What he wanted! Ignoring the fervent knocks on the door behind her through which she could faintly make out her Di's voice that was drowned by the blasting music around them, she nodded her head in an affirmation without taking her eyes of his. But inspite of her approval they just stood there, no sign of hurry whatsoever in all the craziness that surrounded them. If time stood still, it would feel like this. Their clammy foreheads stuck together as he leaned on her, her hands caressing his skin under his shirt as his did hers, her breaths still as hitched as his, her mind all fuzzy in his masculine scent, wanting nothing but to hide herself in the warmth that was sending those shivers down her spine.
Unfortunately for them, the time were set ticking again by the thudding knocks which were on the verge of breaking down the door, "Crap!! It's Di..", he frowned as her cautious words brought him back to the world where time seldom stopped for anyone. But he was going to make sure he wasn't going to let time or the world come between him and her this time.
"We're running away Basket! There's no way I'm gonna let you open that door!", he spoke softly in her ear, coz otherwise she wouldn't be able to hear him over the noise at all..
"But what about the party?", she asked him inspite of herself.
"I care a damn!", came his calm response as he gave her a last tight kiss and parted from her, buttoning up his shirt as he got ready to make the great escape.
The next thing she knew, they were on a dark lonesome highway, a duffle on her back, her arms around his waist as she held him tight from behind while he zoomed his bike away to wherever he was taking her. As she felt the wind slap her hair across her face, he shut her eyes and rested her face against his nape, placing a soft kiss, as she mumbled an, "I love you Armaan..", unable to believe that she was actually running away with him. Coz the last time she checked, she had been ready to strangle him to death with her bare hands!! Life with Armaan certainly was a never ending and unpredictable rollercoaster. This was the last thing she would have expected to happen when she had decided to come to his damned New Year Bash!
In fact, if God decided to rewind her life at this point back to two hours ago, she'd be driving her car in circles around the house that she had just run away from, contemplating the idea of bringing in the New Year without him..
"Poppin bottles in the ice, like a blizzard.. When we drink we do it right gettin slizzard.. Sippin sizzurp in my ride, like Three 6.. Now I'm feelin so fly like a G6.. Like a G6, Like a G6.. Now I'm feelin so fly.." the loud electro beats of a latest chartbusting number thumped around her, drowning the cheerful roars and appreciative claps of the huge crowd that watched her asshole of a fiancee flair at the make shift bar that stood extravagantly in a corner of what used to be the living room. Rahul, Muskaan, Atul, Anjali, Abhi and Nikki were screaming over the loud music, cheering for him enthusiastically at the bar as he mixed a drink for them, juggling, rolling, tossing and spinning the glass shaker as he exhibited his exotic skills at flairtending! He spun the shaker in his palm one last time before tossing it up and grabbing it right on time to pour the drink into six cocktail glasses in a row amidst a loud applause and 'Encore's.
"That's it for tonight guys.. Enjoy the party!!", he mouthed to all of them with a bow as his guests got back to their enjoying. Oh yeah they were enjoying!!.. With their dancing and grinding and drinking and eating and a few also to making out!!
She squeezed her way through them, flinching, wincing and twitching as she'd see something that she didn't want to.. There were so many people!!! She couldn't believe all of them fit in what before tonight was her home! What she didn't know that three bedrooms, the terrace, the backyard, the garden, the front porch and not to mention the kitchen were enough to accommodate the number of people that had been invited to this bash! It undoubtedly would go down as the bash of the year! And despite her aversions to this party and the person behind organizing it, she couldn't help but appreciate the style. If anyone knew how to throw a real crazy party, yeah it was Armaan Mallik!! It was unbelievable how he had transformed the usually quiet and deserted house into the hottest place to be on new years eve!! Fluorescent halogen lamps of different colors threw light on the mini-villa on the outside, flooding the front porch in bright colors, while a bright blue neon sign hung near the door bell that read, 'Happy New Year!'. The few steps that led to the porch were lined with pink neon arrows on both sides that led the guests in. The door was thrown wide open allowing the noise of the loud pulsating music and people alike to pass through in and out of the house as and when they wanted. As bright as the house looked from the outside, inside the house the lights were out, leaving it in complete darkness except for the shimmering light thrown by a disco ball hanging from the center of the ceiling and the colorful halogens that lit up the bar. The corners of the room were also lit up in spot lights each illuminating a tub of nachos, tortillas and wafers with an assortment of dips, their names displayed in neon green and red signs. And though she never thought herself to be a neon-fluorescent-halogen type of person, the way he had managed to use the colors was amazing. It gave a very high energy feel to the whole place. The French doors that led to the garden had been thrown open where the dinner had been laid in a buffet arrangement. And though she didn't know about it, there were people on the terrace as well, enjoying an open air ambience instead of the cramped one downstairs. Coz there was hardly any place to breathe there, giving it a feel of being in a disc. Everywhere she looked there were hordes and hordes of people, giving the party a feel of the frat parties that she had seen only in movies. Well she had actually not seen this kind of a party even in movies. This was beyond her imagination. In fact she had absolutely not been able to recognize the place when she had driven through the gates five minutes ago, unable to find a spot to park amidst never ending rows of cars and bikes that had taken up both sides of the road outside the gate as well as all the empty space between the front porch and the gate on the inside. How many people had he invited to the freakin party of his!! The list that that idiotic intern of his had shown her wasn't so long!! She was sure most people had crashed into this party. Coz the number of unfamiliar faces she saw definitely exceeded the familiar ones. She just hoped none of the so called guests were up to anything illegal or rave as she threw a wary glance at the group that was fagging away to glory at the far end of the garden. But even amongst the familiar ones, there were so many unlikely invites.. Almost the whole of Sanjeevni had come down at the Mallik residence tonight. The ward boys, the nurses - s**tty and non-s**tty alike, the administrative staff, the billing department, the janitors and watchmen!! Of course, there were the interns - junior and much to her displeasure, the senior ones too. Good thing was she hadn't spotted that bitch Payal yet! Coz if she did, she was sure she'd do something to her!! And in all the noise, the crowd and the lack of proper light, she was sure no one would notice even if she murdered her!! But fortunately that dangerous thought of hers had been interrupted when she had found him behind the bar table, entertaining the crowd with his flair bartending skills! Was there anything in this world that this guy did not know how to do!! And on top of all that he looked like the yummiest thing on earth! Only Armaan Mallik could look smart, cute and irresistibly hot in a black formal shirt with a matching black tie on a pair of casual and cool blue denims. She could probably stand there and watch him all night as she watched him now high-fiving Rahul as her friends shared some joke while sipping away the drink he had just mixed for them. That naughty crinkle in his eyes, that adorable dimple on his cheek! God! She fell for him almost every single day. No wonder she was so love struck even after almost a year with him! She still felt the same butterflies in her stomach like she had felt the first time she had seen him in Goa.. What was it about him that was so amazingly attractive! Maybe she'd never know.. But that very quality of his attracted unwanted attention. At least for her it was unwanted. Especially from that bitch Payal! She obviously trusted him completely, but the way he had challenged her about enjoying the party without her with his dearest intern had compelled her to come down to the party so she could keep a check on them. Luckily, till now she had not spotted Payal anywhere near him. That was a good thing, for him and for her! She watched him as her friends left for the dance floor, while he obliged another guest into mixing a drink. Damn he was one sexy bartender! But that was not the point! Her resolve couldn't be so weak. She was angry with him! Plus she had actually gate-crashed this party. So she had to put up her best snooty act. With her head held high she started walking briskly towards the bar, giving him her most fiery glare as she paced towards him ready for the millionth round of mindless arguments if they were even possible with all the noise around them!
What Riddhima didn't know was that Armaan was ready with a retort to every and any argument that she was capable of making!! He smirked triumphantly as he watched her make her way towards him with that stubborn frown on her face.. But this sadistic feeling of joy at having won the game that he himself had smartly constructed wasn't the first or natural response to the sight of hers. Coz the first thing that happened when his eyes fell on her was cardiac arrest. Thankfully it was just a momentary lapse. In a crisp black sleeveless shirt and rough blue low rise denims she looked so smokin hot and sexy, he thought he'd die at just the sight. The shirt fit her just right and was short enough to rest just at her waistline which was tantalizingly peeking from under it above her skinny low waist pants. He wondered if this was unhealthy for his heart. Coz the sight that had stopped his heartbeat a second ago had now set it racing as it thudded against his chest. If it didn't slowdown he might die of an overdriven burnout.. Especially the way she was looking at him. She definitely was thinking on the same line as he was. It was going to be so difficult to keep his hands off her tonight! And that thought brought him back to why he had to keep his hands off her tonight! He had a point to prove.. And she had already started proving it! The smirk automatically adorned his face when he realized how she had fallen neatly into the trap that he had laid for her a few hours ago..
"Armaan.. Just leave me alone.. Maine kaha na I'm not coming to your stupid party!! You go have fun with that Payal!!", she was rushing through the corridor of the hospital in the afternoon, trying to get as far away from him and into the OPD as soon as possible.
"Arre yaar Riddhima!! Why are you so stuck up on that Payal?.. Forget her yaar..", he tried convincing her as he followed her, trying to keep up with her pace.
But she was more stubborn than he thought she was, "What part of leave me alone don't you understand Armaan!! Maine kaha main nahi aa rahi toh nahi aa rahi! Tumhe waise bhi meri zaroorat hain kahan!!"
"Agar zaroorat nahi hai toh main pagalon ki tarah tumhe manane ke liye itni takleef kyun le raha hoon! I have a lot of things to do Riddhima.. I have to go check all the arrangements! Anyway you've refused to help me.. At least aise bhav khakar mera time waste mat karo!"
"Oh.. Okay.. So now I'm a waste of time! And what happened to your Payal? Who tumhari madad karne waali thi na! Jao.. Usike paas jao.. "
"Riddhima will you please just stop bringing that girl between us! Main apni zidd, apna ego chodkar tumhe beg kar raha hoon.. Please.. Please lets not fight today.. I don't want to start the new year fighting with you.. I want you to be there when the clock strikes twelve Riddhima.. Can you just do that for us.. If not for me.. ", he pleaded to her even through his irritation. But her decision was as pigheaded as it could ever get, "You know my condition Armaan.. But tumhe tumhari intern se zyaada pyaar hai.. What can I do?", she taunted him as she continued to walk..
Armaan sighed at that remark.. What was he supposed to do!!.. "Riddhima don't you think you're being unreasonable!", he asked her softly, holding her hand to stop her. She shot him a stubborn glare as she answered in a clear, "No!"
"Basket please.."
"No.."
And that was it for him! If she was going to be so stubborn about this, he had his own ways to get what he wanted, "You know what Riddhima.. Fine.. Don't come!! Tum nahi aaogi na.. Toh at least I'll be able to enjoy.. And you're right.. Payal and me will have so much fun without you keeping an eye on us! Waise.. Thank god she's there nahi.. At least I'll have someone to kiss at midnight!! Tum ghar pe baithkar tumhare papa aur Grewaal uncle ke saath Blackjack khelte baitho!!"
Her temper was rising and she was about to explode, "Main kucch bhi karun Armaan.. Tumhe kya! You and your Payal can go to hell!!", she managed to say through her boiling temper.
And Armaan returned her glare with a fiery one himself, "Yeah.. Maybe we will.. At least she'll come with me wherever I go!! Tumhare jaise na toh nahi karegi!"
"Armaan.. Just get lost.."
"I will.. And Happy New Year in advance.. Since I wont see you tonight.. Have a nice time Dr. Gupta.. "
"I wish I could wish the same for you!!"
"Whatever!! I'm gonna have a blast with or without you! After all I have my Payal with me.. "
"You wish!"
"You'll see Basket.. You'll see..", he assured her almost in a challenge, before storming off from there, leaving her fuming to herself, as she almost screamed her reply,"No I won't.. I'm not coming to your stupid party.. Aaarrrghh!!!" No she wouldn't go!! Not even if it killed her to do so! Not until he agreed to the condition she had laid down this morning.. The condition which he had refused to even consider!!
Even after spending the night in each others' arms, not to mention each others' dreams, Armaan and Riddhima had still gone back to their mindless bickering next morning. It had all started when, in all his love, Armaan had superciliously agreed to forgive Riddhima and even Dr. Shashank if she agreed to come to the New Year Bash he was throwing that evening and that had enraged her if nothing more!
"That is so sweet of you Mallik! Main zaroor tumhari party mein aaungi.. Of course.. How can I miss it!!", her sarcastic saccharine tone didn't go unnoticed by Armaan. So he wasn't really surprised when she put forth a "But.. ".. Of course there had to be a condition.. "But I'll come only if you ask your intern to give this bash a miss..", she declared with a fake smile and mock hopeful eyes. She had made it loud and clear that she was boycotting his party unless he asked Payal not to come for it. And that had left him flabbergasted!
"What! Are you mad Riddhima!", he obviously couldn't un-invite anybody, even if it was his enemy, on grounds that Riddhima thought they were trying to hit on him. Especially not after that 'anybody' had been so helpful to him, not to mention the fact that he had to at least maintain a peaceful relation with them for all purposes professional. At the same time, he couldn't even think of spending new years eve without Riddhima. How could he bring in the new year without the one person in the world who made him excited about the new beginning. He had tried explaining that to Riddhima but she refused to even spare it a thought. That had gotten to him eventually and they had ended up yelling at each other again. And this time it was accompanied even by extremely childish arm wrestling and foot stamping too!!! Their crazy haatapai had come to an embarrassing end however, when Padma mom and nani had caught the two of them screaming at each other while entangled in a fierce wrestle in the guest room early in the morning. But it wasn't the wrestling or the screaming that had shocked them out of their wits. That was pretty much expected off them after last night's tu tu main main. What had left them tongue tied and speechless, was Armaan's shirtless avatar and Riddhima's almost invisible pair of shorts under the long loose night-shirt which was almost falling off one of her shoulders as they were locked in a wrestle that looked more compromising than menacing. And the crumpled bed sheets along with the pillows strewn on the floor as an aftermath of their pillow fight didn't really help their cause at being looked upon as innocent. To say that Padma mom and nani were scandalized would be an understatement! Not a single word was spoken between all of them after that embarrassing encounter. He didn't know about the others, but he just quickly put on his shirt and ran out of the house before the awkward silence killed him! For the first time ever, Padma mom or nani had not stopped him for breakfast. They probably just didn't have the heart to say anything after what they had witnessed! He didn't even know if they had asked Riddhima anything about it or not. Coz both of them had taken to silent treatment throughout the day to give some respite to their vocal chords and eardrums that had endured the torture the previous day. And of course, coz both of them were still adamant on getting their way - Riddhima didn't want to party with Payal while Armaan didn't want to party without Riddhima! But it was also true that it would be horribly rude of him to ask Payal not to come to the damned party! How could he do that! He wouldn't do it to her even if he hated her with all his heart.. The only way of course was to convince Riddhima, by hook or by crook.. So when pleading and begging had failed he had gone on to emotional blackmail and finally ended up playing the jealousy game.. He had not wanted to stoop that low, but she had left him with no choice.. This was the only way that he was going to be by her side at midnight. This was the only way he was going to start the new year with her, even if it meant they were ripping each other apart instead of the traditional midnight kiss routine. Coz he was sure, even just the idea of him being with Payal in the same room as alcohol and loud music would bring Riddhima to the party, whether she liked it or not..
And true to Armaan's assumptions, Riddhima had not been able to think about anything except the idea of him kissing that Payal ever since he had put that idea in her head!! She obviously knew that he had done that on purpose, but even the thought of him kissing anyone else but her was indigestible. Forget kissing.. That was an impossibility! She trusted him that much.. But even the thought of him dancing with her was unbearable.. In fact, she didn't want him to even talk to that Payal! She didn't trust that girl. The thing that irked most about her was that she didn't try keeping her feelings for him in check even after knowing that he was very much in love with someone else, not to mention engaged to them as well. She didn't get bothered much by random girls ogling at him, coz they did so knowing that he was out of bounds. But Payal knew him well, knew his relationship with her well, and yet she tried everything she could to get into his good books. Did she really think Armaan could fall for her!! Of course Riddhima knew he wouldn't.. But she didn't want anyone to even try and claim her property.. Least of all some random intern who thinks she's in love with her mentor!! But what was she going to do about the stupid mentor who didn't understand that he was leading his intern on. He was obviously doing it unintentionally, but he was somehow encouraging Payal to believe that she even had a chance. Coz no one in their right mind would persist so long unless they had reason to believe there was at least a slight possibility. But of course Armaan didn't understand that! He thought she was wrong in asking him to stay away from her. Okay fine.. Maybe she was being a little too unreasonable by putting forth that condition of uninviting Payal today, but that did not give him the right to defend Payal's case against her. And even if that was bearable, his sick tactic of trying to get her jealous by suggesting something as lowly as kissing some girl other than her - let alone Payal - was unendurable beyond measure. But it had worked hadn't it!! Coz that was all that was on her mind ever since that argument with him that afternoon. She had not run into him after that.. Or maybe he had purposely kept out of her way.. Or maybe he had gone home to make the so called arrangements for his party. The only thing that was stopping her from going home and keeping an eye on him was the fact that Payal was on duty till late in the evening that day! As long as she wasn't anywhere around him, Riddhima didn't really care where he was! Not in the wake of the senseless bickering that his company brought with it. She worked till late that day in spite of it being the last day of the year. The one day when everyone else rushed home early, she stayed back late in the hospital, in the hope that she could drown herself in work to rid herself of the temptations to go to Armaan Mallik's new year bash! Her ego was too big to consider going even if his empty threat to kiss that good for nothing intern of his had created havoc in her head.. So she worked and worked. She took unnecessary rounds of the children ward when she ran out of work.. All so she could keep herself from driving to his house and slapping him tight for being such an infernal prick!! But she had to go home when her mom called her up to find out where she was. Her mom coaxed her into coming home if she wasn't attending Armaan's so called new year party and she had no choice but to comply. So she dragged herself home, driving as slowly as possible. At home, Nani, Nandini aunty and her mom were busy talking about her wedding while Grewaal uncle and her dad enjoyed their new year drinks, roaring with laughter at jokes that had certainly passed their sell-by date. Oldies!! Or maybe she was too irritated to laugh at anything at the moment. So she grumpily stormed into her room, all set to bring in the new year on her own which was just two hours away. And the thought that Armaan was partying, having a good time with their friends, not to mention with that bitch Payal made her so so angry.. She couldn't even express it in words.. But more than anything else, she wanted to be with Armaan at midnight. Even if it meant letting go of her ego and gate-crashing his party just as he had expected her to. NO! She shut her eyes defiantly, trying to convince herself against that ridiculous idea!! No.. She wasn't going to a party that she wasn't invited to!! Not in a million years..
Apparently, a million years were equal to 30 minutes on planet Riddhima. Coz, at around half past ten she was looking for parking outside Armaan's house.. She would have made it even earlier.. In ten minutes perhaps.. There was no traffic on the roads today.. But she had spent the last 20 minutes driving around her destination, trying to convince herself that she shouldn't be doing what she was about to.. But Alas! Armaan and his strategies were too good!! She fell into his trap helplessly!
"Ah! Dr. Gupta!! What a pleasant surprise! Maine toh expect hi nahi kiya tha ki aap yahan aayengi..", he faked surprise through his smug grin the moment she reached the bar. Even as she rolled her eyes at his smugness, she was a little surprised that she could hear him pretty clearly. Probably, the woofers were kept away from the bar area so the bartenders wouldn't have a problem taking orders. But in their case this expert and well thought out arrangement facilitated a good argument with each other as Riddhima retorted back with a scowl, "What can I say Mallik? I'm surprised myself! Hardly expected Dr. Armaan I-don't-drink Mallik to be bartending tonight.."
"Just coz I don't drink doesn't mean I cant mix one!", he shot back coolly, "Besides I was just entertaining my guests.. How can I entertain you?", he asked through that irritating grin of his as he bent over the bar, winking a naughty wink at her..
Riddhima's jaw clenched as she took a step back, throwing him a disgusted look, "Thanks.. But no thanks!", she answered back curtly, maintaining the glare, her cheeks going red in what Armaan thought was hot fury.. It was hot alright.. But a hot flush that his proximity always brought on.. Luckily for her, it was well camouflaged by the rude tone and fiery glare.
"Good!", pat came his reply, "Coz I really don't like entertaining guests who've gate-crashed my party! But since so many of them have already done that, it would be unfair if I treated you any different.. Too bad I cant throw you out!", his condescending grin a faade to cover up the smile that formed on his lips at the sight of her frown, his eyes flickering momentarily to the shimmering glossed lips of hers that he so wanted to feel with his own. But he put that thought away before it got the better of him and settled for a teasing remark.
Riddhima wished nothing more but to slap that grin off his face the moment he said what he had, "You wouldn't dare Dr. Mallik! Besides.. I haven't come to this stupid party of yours.. Main toh sirf yeah dekhne aayi thi ki tumne mere ghar ka kya haal bana rakha hai! After all, I'm going to have to do all the cleaning..", she told him defiantly.
Armaan's grin faltered a little at that retort from her. It was quite a possibility that she look beyond her ego and come to his party just so she could make sure the place remains clean. She was a cleanliness freak! Yes she was.. Did that mean she didn't come there coz she was jealous of his stupid intern. That thought didn't make him feel good at all.. So he decided to counter her claim by making fun of her, "Tumhe cleaning ke alaava aur kucch nahi sujhta na Riddhima.. Tum ek unique piece ho pata hai!" he let out a derisive chuckle at her defense..
And the way he laughed at her just made her fume all the more! But she before she could find a befitting retort, "Armaan! Why are you still at the bar.. It's your party.. Shouldn't you be on the dance flo..." and the most irritating voice in the world was abruptly cut off the moment Riddhima turned around to face her. In fact she did not need even to turn around to recognize who that was! Bitch!! Her temper rose a thousand folds as she glared at Payal who had probably come with the intention of asking Armaan for a dance. But she hadn't been able to voice her invitation the moment she realized who Armaan had been talking to.. "Uh.. Ma'am.. Aap yahan?.. I mean.. You're here! I mean.. Why are you here? As in.. You guys should be on the dance floor.. Aapke friends aapko bula rahe the.. ", she stammered, disappointment clearly visible in her eyes, clearly audible in her voice. Riddhima's glare intensified as she realized that Payal had actually not expected her to come. Her appearance had not been such a pleasant surprise to her as she was trying to portray.. But what angered her most was that she was being treated like a guest in her own freakin house!!! She couldn't help but mentally hurl a thousand invectives at this tramp standing in front of her.
"Payal! I don't think Riddhima will dance.. I mean.. She hasn't come for the party per say.. She's just come to supervise us.. Us as in.. The entire party.. You know.. ", Armaan's teasing remark distracted Riddhima as she turned her glare to him. He had walked out from behind the bar, all ready to go dance while she had been glaring down Payal.
"So I think it'll be just the two of us Payal...", he inferred as he put his hand forward for Payal to take while still grinning at a fuming Riddhima as he gave her a teasing wink.. Fuming was not really the word. She looked like she could murder him at that moment. But he was far from scared. If anything, he was amused. The same could not be said about Payal though. She was scared. Extremely scared of the consequences she'd have to face if she did take his offer. But before she could make a decision, Armaan had held her hand and led her to the dance floor, smiling triumphantly to himself. Oh sweet revenge!!
Her eyes were fixed on him, monitoring his every move as he danced with that Payal!! She had almost been on the verge of a breakdown when she had seen him steer her away to the dance floor. Good thing the DJ was playing a peppy party number that did not require dancing up close with your partner. And good thing Armaan wasn't testing her temper by going down to that level. What he had done was low enough!! She was never going to forgive him for this! Her blood boiled with mad rage, putting really violent ideas in her head where disposing off Payal was concerned. The only respite was that Armaan's eyes were constantly on her through all the distance even if he was dancing with his beloved intern. But that smirk on his lips was incorrigible! He just would stop his act of getting on her nerves!! She had never hated him more!! And she had never hated any person more in this world than that Payal who was now busy staring at Armaan in a daze. She wanted to gouge those eyes out of their sockets so they could never be used to look at him again! She shut her eyes in disgust at that thought! She had to do something about this. Her thoughts were scaring herself now. They were too violent for her own good! Letting out a frustrated huff, she turned towards the bar for a drink. A professional bartender had replaced Armaan to serve drinks to the guests. She ordered a glass of fresh orange juice, not wanting to be drunk tonight. She had to plan her next move. Two could play that game of Revenge!
"Ridzi! Tu yahan kya kar rahi hai.. Come na.. Dekh Armaan uss kameeni Payal ke saath dance kar raha hai.. And you're just sitting here.. What is wrong with you?", Muskaan's voice was loud even over the loud music that was blasting around them. Her friend had interrupted her train of thought even before it had left its station. But the mention of that Payal had brought back the bitter feeling of revenge. She looked at Muskaan and then shot a glance at Armaan and Payal, who were smiling awkwardly at each other. At least Armaan was..
"Forget them na Muski.. Let him dance with whoever he wants to.. I give a damn.. ", she tried to act all cool, giving Muskaan a wry smile.
Muskaan on the other hand was left with raised brows, not comprehending what was wrong with her best friend, "Ridzi.. Tera aur Armaan ka phir se jhagda ho gaya?.. Tum log kya karte ho yaar.. Who toh keh raha tha tu party mein bhi nahi aane waali.. And he kept talking about 'his' Dr. Payal.. Common Ridzi.. Aise choot mat de usse.. That Payal is very chalaak.."
"Muskaan.. Mujhe Armaan par bharosa hai.. Who yeh sab mujhe irritate karne ke liye kar raha hai.."
"Haan.. Lekin jo Payal kar rahi hai who sirf tumhe irritate karne ke liye nahi kar rahi.. Pata hai party shuru hone se pehle woh yahan Armaan ki help karne aayi thi.. And she kept bumping into him again and again.. I wonder if she was doing it on purpose.. Aur ab dekh kaise dekh rahi hai usse.. Jaise kha jayegi.."
"Muski!! Don't be ridiculous.. And usse jo karna hai karle.. She can never have what she wants.. Itna toh woh khud bhi jaanti hogi..", her calm and composed response was a completely antithetical to the frenzy of fury that burned through her as she heard all that Muskaan had told her. She wished she could strangle that Payal right now! In fact the way she was staring at her she could mentally strangle her even from a distance..
Muskaan however just sighed as she took the drink that she had ordered from the bartender, "I hope.. But tu kyun muh fula ke baithi hai.. Chal na.. Dekh sab kitna enjoy kar rahe hai.. Armaan's a genius na.. Mujhe toh uska ghar pehchan mein hi nahi aa raha.. Seriously.."
"Yeah.. Yeah.. Of course.. ", she agreed sourly to Muskaan's praises with her eyes focused on Armaan, who was dancing like a crazed maniac with Rahul who had just appeared by his side. His Payal on the other hand was laughing at the crazy antics of the duo, mostly focusing her affectionate gaze on Armaan while still trying to dance with him. And while she was trying to do that she got pushed by the crowd around her roughly from behind and went crashing straight into Armaan.. Riddhima's hands clenched around the glass of orange juice as she saw the on goings from the distance. This was it! With a clenched jaw and murder in her eyes, she looked down at the glass of juice that was about to crack under her grip. And she knew just what she had to do to get that revenge!
"You're right Muski!! Lets go dance.. I really feel like dancing right now..", she said, not looking at Muskaan even once, keeping her unwavering focus on Payal who was still blushing at what had occurred a few moments ago while Armaan had shifted his attention back to dancing.
A confused Muskaan kept her drink at the bar and started following Riddhima who was already pacing determinedly towards the dance floor, "Arre Ridzi.. Tera juice toh rakh.. How will you dance with that in your hand.. "
"Don't worry Muski.. I'll manage..", and a devilish glint sparkled in her eye as she smiled wickedly, closing in on her ignorant prey, one step at a time..
Armaan's eyes wandered around the room in search for her. He was still on the dance floor, getting thoroughly bored as his stupid intern gazed at him dreamily. Was she for real!!? It had been fun to see the expressions on Riddhima's face when he had asked Payal to dance with him, but now that his beloved fiance was out of sight and nowhere to be found he was really getting bored. She must have disappeared when he had joined Rahul in his so called dance a while back.. He had really enjoyed going crazy with his best buddy after such a long time.. But that had taken his focus off Riddhima temporarily.. And now she had disappeared. He hoped she had not left.. He had to go look for her asap.. Thankfully, the DJ changed the track at that precise moment, giving him the opportunity to take Payal's leave. As the slow number started playing, he waved his hand to her in a bye, "I need a drink.. You go on..", he told her as she looked at him disappointedly.
"Just one last song Armaan.. Please..", she requested him unexpectedly. He had not thought she could muster up the courage to ever request him anything, let alone pursue him to dance with her. Maybe it was the alcohol.. People do become confident when they're high. But he'd rather not dance with her on the romantic song that was playing. That would be taking his revenge a little too far. He was already dreading Riddhima's reaction to this bold move of his. He was sure she would counter attack! But where was she?
And almost in answer to that unasked question of his Riddhima came colliding into him with a glass full of orange juice in her hand which very conveniently managed to spill in almost a splash on Payal's dress, "Haww.. Oh my god! I'm so sorry Payal.. Oh crap.. I'm so sorry.. Main dekh kar nahi chal rahi thi.. I'm so sorry..", she apologized to an extremely flustered Payal who was drenched in orange juice. For a moment, she almost shot Riddhima an angry glare. The grin on Riddhima's face even as she apologized was evidence enough that this was done on purpose. But she was her senior after all. "It's okay ma'am.. I'll get it cleaned..", she said in a hurry as she made her way through the crowds to the nearest washroom she could find.
Riddhima turned a triumphant smirk towards Armaan, "Sorry.. Who kya hai na.. Main dekh kar nahi chal rahi thi..", she told him cheekily as she winked at him and turned her back to him to get away from there. But she couldn't. For obvious reasons.. Armaan had held her arm and turned her around to face him in a swift motion. And before she knew it she was staring into his eyes, more like drowning in them.
"You shouldn't have done that!", his surly remark brought her back to the surface before she could drown completely.
"What!", she asked, stepping back a little, an irritated frown on her face.
"Riddhima.. Payal ko dance ke liye maine pucha tha.. You knew I was doing it to irritate you.. Meri wajah se usse kyun pareshaan kar rahi ho.. ", he asked, unable to believe what she had done!
And Riddhima couldn't believe that he was actually defending her, "Are you seriously standing up for that bitch Armaan!"
"I am not standing up for her.. And don't call her that.. She has done nothing to deserve that.. Riddhima you and your stupid theories are making you crazy.. Why are you so obsessed with her.. She means nothing to me.."
"But you mean a lot to her..", she spoke slowly and clearly, almost menacingly, to make her point.
But Armaan brushed it off as nothing.."How do you know?"
"I know Armaan.."
"Stop it Riddhima.. You know you're acting like such a bitch yourself.. Socho.. Have you ever purposely spilt a drink on anyone? I'm sure aise khayal tumhare dimaag mein aate bhi nahi the.. Then what happened now Basket? Why are you behaving like this?", he really had not imagined his Basket to act the way she was acting. It was a different thing to be jealous and a comepletely different thing to hurt someone on purpose because of that. He didn't think Riddhima could ever do such a thing.
But Riddhima just scoffed at his claim, "It's funny how you don't understand Armaan.. But you know what.. I can answer that question of yours.. I'm sure you'll get what I'm talking about when I dance with another guy and he tries to hold me close..", she smiled a threatening smile as his eyes went dark with fury, "You'll do no such thing!", he ordered through clenched teeth, holding her tight as she struggled to get out of his hold.
"I dare you to stop me!", she challenged him, returning his glare.
"You're not going anywhere..", he declared authoritatively again. No he wasn't! There were way too many strangers in this crowd that he could let her stupidly run into trouble. Not after what had happened last night. He wouldn't have gotten so threatened by her suggestion if they were just with their friends or people they knew. But this party was flooded with unfamiliar faces that had come in plus ones, twos and even plus threes. And he had not exactly hired bouncers. This party was supposed to be for a few and familiar people.
But Riddhima was just her adamant self. Not learning from her mistakes, "Mera haath chodo Armaan!!", she raised her voice, trying to wring her arm out of his grip.
"Nahi..", he simply refused to let go..
"Just let me go Armaan!!", she shouted angrily this time, not caring about the eyeball that they were attracting. The song that was playing was a soft number, and their voices were pretty much audible over it..
Armaan just jerked her closer into him and threatened in a low menacing whisper, "If you don't stop struggling I'll have to do something you'd rather I don't! At least not in front of everyone!"
"Do what you want!", came her defiant reply.
And that's when he gave up. He sighed as he left her, this time pleading before she got away, "I'm serious Riddhima! Yeh sab ladai band karte hain okay.. There's just around one hour for the new year to begin.. Lets enjoy the party.. No more playing revenge revenge! ", he tried to reason with her, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb as he held her wrist, hoping he'd get through.
But Riddhima saw no reason, "I told you Armaan.. I'm not interested in your stupid party!!", she frowned as she stubbornly declared even as she was tempted to give in to his pleas.
But this time he lost it, "Fine.. Then the Fight's on.. Do what you want.. Go dance with some unfortunate bas***d who'll most certainly have a black eye and a broken jaw by the time new year begins.. ", he raised his voice in exasperation. He was genuinely fed up!
Unfortunately, she wasn't, "Fine I will!!" taking up his challenge she snatched her arm out of his grip and walked off in search of some poor fellow whom she could force to dance with her. God save his soul!!
But before Riddhima could find a suitable bakra that she could use for her revenge, Nikki had pulled her onto the dance floor to dance with all of them. But she frowned when she saw that Armaan too was being dragged onto the dance floor by Rahul. All their friends had heard them bicker constantly over the last two days and wanted to end all that before the new year began. So when they had seen Riddhima and Armaan walk off the dance floor, fuming at each other, cursing each other, they had decided to get them to dance together. Surely a good peppy number would do their surly moods some good. But their plan didn't seem to be working much when Riddhima preferred to dance with Nikki, Anjali and Atul, turning her back on Armaan who was busy dancing with Rahul, Abhi and Muskaan! Every time they tried turning them around to face each other, they would dance helplessly for two seconds and turn back again towards their friends. So the smart friends decided to pair up. Surely that would leave the stubborn duo no option but to dance with each other. But before the pairs could form, Armaan caught hold of Nikki and Riddhima took Atul's hand, effectively spoiling another one of their friends' plans. Finally all of them just gave up and decided to enjoy the party. They spent the next hour dancing crazy. As crazy as Armaan carrying Rahul piggy-back back while Atul, Abhi, Muskaan and Nikki followed them around in a train. They took a tour of the entire dance floor pushing, shoving bumping into people and laughing like maniacs. While everyone else was high on alcohol and could be excused for all the craziness, Armaan's madness was unjustifiable. Maybe there was a reason he didn't drink.. He was crazy enough without the alcohol adding to it..
Only Anjali and Riddhima were too civilized to part take in that sort of craziness and had respectfully retired to the couches that had been pushed to the walls to make place for the dance floor in almost a temporary lounge. They had just rested their butts on the couch when the music stopped all of a sudden and the DJ announced the countdown to the new year. Muskaan and Nikki were literally dragging Abhi, Atul, Rahul and Armaan out of the crowd and towards the lounge as they screamed the countdown along with everyone, "10.. 9.. 8.. 7.. 6.. 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.."
"Happy New Year!!", an almost synchronized exclamation rang through the hall.. Rahul pulled Muskaan into a warm hug as he wished her. Atul and Anjali shared a light peck as they wished each other. Nikki was really high.. She kissed Abhi her new year and refused to let go while he tried to push her off him, continuously looking at Armaan, hoping he wouldn't notice. Fortunately for him, Armaan was too busy trying to avoid looking at Riddhima to notice anything else that was going around them. Riddhima too had her hands crossed across her front, stubbornly maintaining that she wouldn't kiss Armaan. Forget kissing.. She wouldn't even wish him. They stood there, their backs facing each other, frowns adorning their faces while everyone else present there was spreading the new year cheer, refusing to wish each other come what may.. But they couldn't resist throwing each other glances, wondering if the other was going to make a move. But when they caught each other they looked away again. Soon they were drowning in a sea of hugs from their friends as they wished each other. Riddhima was busy hugging Nikki when she saw Armaan was holding out his hands to the interns who had come over to wish all of them. They mostly shook hands with the seniors. Abhi even gave a light hug to his intern as Muskaan hugged hers. Riddhima's heart raced as she saw Armaan hold out his hand to Payal. She quickly wished Nikki and rushed towards Armaan, hoping he wasn't going to hug his intern too. But it was a relief to see his hand still outstretched, waiting to be taken so he could complete his greeting. Only Payal wasn't taking it. It would be better if she didn't. Riddhima hoped she wouldn't. But a hand shake was okay.. That much was courtesy. But then realized that Payal was aiming for more than just a hand shake. Riddhima's eyes were wide with shock when she saw Payal standing up on her toes and leaning into Armaan. No way!! How dare she!! And almost as a reflex she pushed Payal away from him before her lips could land on his cheek and smacked her own lips on his, kissing him hard. Armaan was so taken aback by the assault, for a moment he didn't even realize what was happening. But the taste of hers was unmistakable as she kissed him with so much vigor. One of her hand was holding his collar and the other was clutching his hair at the back of his head, keeping him in her hold as she moved her lips desperately over his. What had started as a tactic to protect Armaan from Payal and her lips turned into something completely different. The touch that she had been craving for since the time she had seen him at the bar tonight just overtook all her other senses as she kissed him till she had her fill. But she just couldn't get enough.
On the other hand, Armaan was still in too much of a daze to respond to her desperation. He just managed to pull her into him, his arms going around her waist to hold her tight, hoping this pleasure would last forever. And just as he had started to come to terms with it Riddhima pulled out, "Happy New Year..", she whispered as she tried to catch her breath, leaning her forehead on his.
He just looked into her eyes, the desire that flooded them reflected in his own blue-gray ones, "Oh you have no idea..", he sighed, before pulling her back into a kiss. And this time he was the one kissing her like a maniac. God! How long had he waited for this! The moment he had seen her ogling at him when he was at the bar. She looked nothing short of yummy.. And the way she tasted was proof enough that she indeed was as yummy as she looked.
Riddhima tried to resist him with one hand on his chest, but he held her face with one hand and held her in place with his other around her waist. Her resistance obviously didn't last too long.. Not when she realized she was moving backwards as he backed her towards his room, not breaking the kiss as he did.. The crazy desperation of theirs was so intense that they didn't even realize a dozen mouths wide open in shock as they were left speechless by the sight in front of them. But the expression of the century was on a certain Dr. Payal, who looked like she had been slapped right in the face.
Armaan and Riddhima on the other hand had lost their heads or something. There had to be an explanation to their indecently desperate act.. Though it didn't look so indecent in the ambience of the party and dim lights. But still.. It wasn't like them to make a show of such intimacy.. At least not in front of people they knew. But the moment their lips had met when Riddhima had literally pounced on him, the world around them had disappeared into nothingness. She didn't even remember why she had kissed him in the first place, all thoughts of Payal flushed out of her system. He didn't even realize why she had taken to such extreme measures in almost a public molestation of sorts.. All that they could feel was the soft and urgent touch of each others' lips and that too after what felt like ages. So much that Armaan had led her into his room while she more than willingly complied. And it wasn't long before she had taken off his tie and thrown it somewhere before starting the button down in a hurry. They didn't understand why and for what they were in such a hurry. But they were.. Armaan's hands were already up her shirt undoing the clasp on her back, while she caressed him down his front as she undid his shirt button by button. All this while maintaining the kiss that deepened the longer the held it. The need for oxygen however forced them apart. But it certainly did not force any kind of sense into them. His lips found her skin on her neck as they pleasured it down her collar bone, his tongue an active accomplice in his doings. Riddhima's fingers had threaded themselves in his hair, pressing him closer to her, as her head pressed back on the door behind her. She didn't have it in her to protest what he was doing to her.. Partly because she wanted every bit of it and partly because she wasn't in her senses to realize what he was doing. She only realized that he had unbuttoned her shirt when she felt his teeth on the inside of her soft rise.
"Armaan.. ", she gasped his name as she clutched his hair tight, pulling him up from her chest. But that desire in his eyes was so dark, laced with desperation, vulnerability and most of all love! The most she could resist his want was by taking him in another kiss, while her hands caressed his face, trying to calm the rash desire that she was sure would drown her. But she was ready to drown.. Drowning wouldn't be so bad if it felt like this. Even as he engaged her in that deep kiss of love, his hands wandered down to her waist, responding to her caresses first, then getting a mind of their own as they travelled down her hips, tracing her curves like they never had. It made her kiss him like she had never before. But before they could lose control of their already out of control desires they were interrupted by the sound of someone banging at the door behind them. And the interruption was absolutely not welcome. Armaan frowned as he pulled out of the kiss, resting his forehead on hers as he too in deep gulps of air. Riddhima, her eyes still closed, continued caressing his nape running her fingers temptingly through his hair. Both of them, trying hard to ignore the bangs that they could feel on the door. Armaan's hand slipped up her shirt, feeling her soft skin as he pressed his upper half on hers, making her open her eyes at the shudders that ran down her spin. As trickles of sweat ran down their foreheads, she looked into his eyes, wanting to feel all that they promised. But disappointment was slowly starting to creep into them, an indication that this was over. Though the loud music and the harsh knocking was almost blocked from their minds, there was a growing awareness that was taking away the numb pleasure. Armaan realized that the moment he opened the door and stepped over to the other side, Riddhima and him would start arguing again.. And he was tired of arguing with her! He wanted to last this moment with her forever.. Plus if they went out, there would be a loud hue and cry about the way they had behaved. And he really didn't want to spend the rest of the night being teased by his friends or explaining himself to Anjie.. And the last thing he wanted was to see the face of that good for nothing intern of his. He wanted to get away.. Get away from all the noise, from all the shouting and screaming.. And that's when he made up his mind, "Basket..", he whispered, feeling her shiver in his hold as his warm breaths clashed with her cool sweaty skin.
"Run away with me..", he requested, taking a moment to breath, "Please..", pleading to her, hoping that she'd agree without a fuss.. And the way she was gazing into his eyes, drowning in them, he was half sure that she would agree right away. His heart leapt in delight as he saw her nod in agreement. But he didn't leap into action.. There was something that stopped him there.. That look in her eyes that was pleading him not to let go, yet take her away with him where only the two of them could exist. He just stood there, conveying that promise through his eyes as he tried to catch up with his breath.
"Crap!! It's Di..", her words of concern brought him out of his daze as he heard Anjali's voice flit in through across the door. He frowned at Riddhima as he tightened his grip around her waist, giving up on the caresses temporarily.
"We're running away Basket! There's no way I'm gonna let you open that door!", he declared softly but firmly in her ear, the noise around them leaving him with no other option.
"But what about the party?", he heard her troubled voice. He knew this could sway her decision. But before she could do that he had to take her away..
"I care a damn!", he declared before he got away from her and started buttoning his shirt up in more of a hurry than they had been buttoned down. He rushed to the wardrobe to fetch all that he required for a successful runaway trip.
Riddhima, taken aback by the suddenness of his actions, couldn't help but ask, "Armaan.. What are you doing?", as she watched him throw random things in a duffle, while hooking back the clasp that Armaan had undone and buttoning up the buttons that he had managed to open up. A deep crimson blush flooded her cheeks as she noticed the mark that he had left on her chest as she buttoned herself up.
Armaan ignored Riddhima's question, coz he couldn't really hear what she had said over the noise and he was really desperate to get out of the house before she changes her mind. He could always answer her questions later. He threw in a packet of candles, a match box from his side table and two thick blankets into a duffle bag before he zipped it shut.
Riddhima looked utterly confused as she watched him pack in a hurry, but thought better to not ask him at the moment. She was as desperate to run away as he was. But that brought another question to her mind.. How the hell were they going to run away without opening that door of his! So she decided to ask him.. After all it was hi plan.. "But Armaan.. How will we get out of this room?", she shouted out to try and make herself heard over the noise while pointing towards the door. He just ignored that question of hers. It was useless saying anything. It wasn't going to reach her ears unless he said it right into them. But then if he went that close to her again he would lose himself again.. And for good this time.. But he didn't want even that to disrupt his plan to elope with his Basket today.. So he just handed her the duffle and taking her other hand started pulling he towards the window. Riddhima's eyes opened wide in horror as she realized what he was about to do..
"Armaan.. Are you crazy.. I'm not jumping out of the window.. I'm not.. Are you mad..", but all her protests went unheard. Partly coz Armaan ignored them on purpose and partly coz none of her shrieks could be heard at all. And before she could do anything about it, she found herself being literally thrown out of his bedroom window as he jumped out next to her and taking her hand hurried her towards his bike.. The thrill of being with him was so compulsively sinful that it even didn't matter that they were supposed to be fighting with each other.
The next thing she knew, they were on a dark lonesome highway, a duffle on her back, her arms around his waist as she held him tight from behind while he zoomed his bike away to wherever he was taking her. As she felt the wind slap her hair across her face, he shut her eyes and rested her face against his nape, placing a soft kiss, as she mumbled an, "I love you Armaan..", unable to believe that she was actually running away with him. Coz the last time she checked, she had been ready to strangle him to death with her bare hands!! Life with Armaan certainly was a never ending and unpredictable rollercoaster. This was the last thing she would have expected to happen when she had decided to come to his damned New Year Bash! And now she was more than glad that she did!! Coz the new year certainly looked promising if it had started out on this note!! Where there was just him.. and just her.. and the vast ocean of love that they were drowning under..
Edited by zephyrr - 13 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
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