AR: Love Is... #3 [Link to new thread: Pg 169] - Page 42

thats not fair

upd8 wenever possible

love,

vaish

Part 24

"Ek hint! Pleaseee???"

"Maine kaha na! Surprise hai!"

"Screw surprises! I'm asking for a hint! Ek chhotu sa hint do na, Armaan!"

"Nope!"

"You do this all the time! When we went to Greenwich Village, tab bhi tumne meri aankhein bandh kardi thi! It's just not FAIR!" she said, scowling.

"Riddhima yaar! Shut up!"

"Screw you."

"Anytime!"

She glared at him. "Eww Armaan! Dude, shut up!"

"It's okay Riddhima, apni feelings ko bahaar laana koi buri baat nahi hai!"

"Arre-"

"Its okay, I understand. I'm hot, good looking, and sexy, obviously you want to...you know, screw me." He pursed his lips to stop the laugh that threatened to escape.

"Oh My God. I don't want to screw you! Not even if you were the last man on earth, okay? Geez."

Armaan grinned and looked at her. Her face contorted in a frown, she looked outside the wondow stubbornly. She looked adorable.

"Alright, I'll give you one hint."

She turned around to face him, all traces of annoyance vanishing from her face in an instant. "Sachi?!"

"No, I just wanted to see how badly you want one." He finally gave in to the laughter as she smacked him on his arm.

"You suck!"

"There's a limit to talking dirty, Riddhima, really."

Her mouth fell open in an 'O' as she gaped at him. "Ewww...Armaan! What the hell man?! Ugh!"

He just shrugged and continued to drive till they reached.

Riddhima stepped out of the car, trying to identify where they were. It was away from the main city; that was obvious. There was hardly any traffic. The street lights were dim and she couldn't make out much.

"Armaan? Where have you brought me?"

"Patience, Riddhima."

"Oh enough already! Just tell me!!"

He motioned her to turn around and she saw a huge expanse of land. It was too dark to see it clearly, but it was huge alright. She could see the locked gate and the moonlight fell on the signboard, at an odd angle, not letting her read anything.

"Can't make anything out! Where are we?"

She was greeted with silence.

"Armaan?"

She heard him whispering her name and looked sideways to see him ready to haul himself over the wall.

She ran to him, wondering if he was out of his mind.

"What the f**k are you doing???"

"Whoa...relax. I'm just going in!"

"GOING IN? Are you mad?!" she hissed, furiously.

"C'mon! It'll be fun!"

"Fun. This was your idea of a surprise? THIS?"

"Innovative, isn't it?"

"Innovative? Innovative my foot! You can't possibly break in like that! This is private property!"

"Chill-"

"Chill??? We could very well get arrested and you want me to chill???"

"Look, either you can come with me or you can wait here." He looked at her expectantly. "I have food..." he said, holding up the picnick basket in front of her.

Riddhima glared at him, stonily. Was he absolutely crazy?! But she was hungry...NO. She couldn't break in!

"I thought you were hungry! Come na!" She looked up to see him pouting adorably. And all her resolve melted. Muttering incoherent oaths under her breath, she hauled herself over the wall, trying not to think about what would happen if they were caught.

They went in and she followed him. Apparently, he knew his way around. After walking for a bit, they came to a little hill and he stopped. Riddhima almost tripped over something and she bent to look at it.

"Armaan?"

"Yeah?"

"Is ...is this a golf course?!" she asked him, incredulously, on seeing the tee hole.

Armaan looked at her puzzled face and almost laughed. It was so much fun surprising her. But he wasn't done yet.

"Yeah. Yeah it is."

"You brought me to a golf course." She stated.

"Saying it again and again isn't going to change the fact, Riddhima!"

"Oh shut up! Golf courses are owned by seriously wealthy people, Armaan! And this is a private one! What the hell are you upto?!"

He ignored her protests and spread the blanket and sat down, inviting her to sit as well.

Riddhima sat down, half expecting to see a police officer jump out at them any moment. She had never broken the law.

"If we get arrested, I'll kill you."

He just smiled and continued staring into the distance. Riddhima looked at him. He sure was behaving oddly today! Still perturbed, she looked around. Soon enough the tranquility of the place got to her and her fear ebbed. She decided she liked the place. Apart from the risk that they might get caught, it was actually pretty. She smiled enjoying the peaceful silence.

Resting her head on her knees, she thought about all that had happened. She had actually fallen for Armaan. Can't believe I'm actually in love. Definitely the topmost thing in my ten-things-I-never-thought-would-happen list. Will it change things? I hope not...

Armaan watched her and wondered what she was thinking about, so deeply. There was a reason he'd brought her here. He needed someone to talk to. He wished his mother was here. She always knew just what to say. Maybe I should tell Riddhima, before she worries herself to death.

"Riddhima?"

She looked at him questioningly.

"Umm can I say something?"

"Sure! Ussme pooch kyun rahe ho?!"

"Woh...yeh jo golf course hai na-"

"Usski toh tum baat hi mat karo! God knows why you wanted to break in. Really!"

"Meri baat toh suno!"

"Kya hai?"

"I own it."

"Huh?" she asked, bewildered.

"I own this golf course. It's mine." He fought a laugh, while she shot daggers at him.

"You complete ASS! You own this thing?! Why the hell couldn't you just tell me??? Do you realize how scared I was?! Arma-"

"I wanted to see how you look, when you think you're breaking the law!"

"Haww! You moron!" she hit him on his arms continuously, trying to take revenge. Armaan grabbed her hands and the sudden hurdle, caused her to lose her balance, making them fall down, with him on top of her.

Riddhima looked at him, her eyes widenening as she turned crimson under his intent gaze. She groaned mentally. This was not good! Here she was, trying to control herself and then this happens.

She felt him get up and they sat on the blanket once again, the awkwardness enveloping them.

Armaan ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Why couldn't he control himself?!

Riddhima felt the atmospehere tense a little and decided to break the ice.

"So...why do you own a golf course? Investment?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Armaan looked at her gratefully, for breaking the ice. "Far from it, actually. This was dad's. He was a golf lover."

He smiled as he remembered. Billy Malik was a big fan of golf. He would tee, every Sunday, without fail and when Armaan was old enough, he'd take him too. Eventually those Sunday golf sessions became a ritual and both father and son valued the time spent with each other. More than golf, it was the time they'd fill each other up on their lives. Armaan had always loved those afternoons. It wasn't too often that he'd get to see his dad, with his father being a businessman and then due to the divorce.

Golf had come to an abrupt standstill though, since his father's death. Not only had Armaan become busy in learning the working of the firm, he hadn't wanted to enter the golf course. It'd been a year since he'd been here.

Riddhima looked at him. He seemed to be thinking about something and she didn't interrupt. She knew his father was a sensitive topic. Armaan resumed talking in a moment. He told her about the Sunday golf and she listened attentively, smiling at the happiness in his voice.

He smiled at her gratefully, for not interrupting him. It'd been a long time since he'd talked to someone about his father. Riddhima squeezed his hand reassuredly, but she wondered what brought it on. Their talk on his father was out of the blue and it had left her surprised.

Armaan looked at her. He could tell she was a little taken aback by the topic of his father.

"You're wondering what brought this up?"

She felt embarrassed. Had her curiosity been that apparent? "No...I-"

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I'm sorry if I looked inquisitive, I didn't mean to pry or anything." She said, uncertainly, trying to figure out whether it was her curiosity that was making him so morose or something else.

"You don't have to apologize, I'm not offended."

"Then-" she bit her tongue and continued, "Yes, but it's really none of my business." She smiled.

He didn't respond to her question, just stared ahead. They sat in silence for a while.

"It's his first death anniversary, today."

Riddhima's head snapped up at his blase tone. She could see the hurt in his eyes, though. She didn't say anything.

"Dad. He died a year ago."

Riddhima hugged him. She knew what it felt like, to lose a parent. It didn't matter if you were five, or twenty-five, the loss was just as deep.

"I'm so sorry, Armaan."

He smiled wanly. "You think I can ever get better at this business thing?"

"Huh?" she asked, baffled.

"Business. Running the firm. Do you think I can ever be good? I have never given a shit about business, Riddhima. It was always architecture for me. Dad used to handle the business part. And the past year...it's been tough. I'm not good at business; I haven't designed anything since a year-"

"Good?! Armaan, you're not good, you're amazing! And I'm not just saying it! I mean it, I swear! When I came to your office for the first time, believe me, I didn't for a moment think that you were new at this. You're doing just fine, Armaan, stop pressurizing yourself so much! As for things that might have gone wrong, well you're learning aren't you? And give things time, Armaan. Dekhna, kuch aur wakt mein tum design bhi karoge, aur business bhi sambhaloge. Sachi."

"You really think so?"

"Oh yeah. I do."

"You swear, you're not saying this to make me feel better?"

"I swear!"

"Pakka?"

"Okay, now you're just pushing your luck!" she said, good naturedly and they shared a laugh.

Armaan saw Riddhima sneaking glances at the picnick basket and smiled. "I'm sorry, you were hungry, I forgot." He said, smiling sheepishly.

"Oh thank God, you mentioned it. I'm famished. Really, Armaan, tumhe na koi ladki nahi milne waali!"

"Are you kidding me?! Mujhe koi nahi milegi? MUJHE?!"

"Saying it again and again doesn't change the fact, Armaan." She quoted him, grinning. "Of course tumhe koi nahi milegi! Apni girlfriend ko aise bhookha rakhoge, toh woh pakka tumhe chhodkar chali jaayegi!"

"Armaan Malik ko koi bhi ladki kabhi chhod ke nahi jaa sakti. I'm irresistible, baby."

She rolled her eyes, taking a bit off her sandwich. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him take a sip of coke and smiled. She had been successful in distracting him.

They'd finished dinner and put everything inside the basket.

"Riddhima, do you miss India?"

Riddhima looked at him, the question surprising her.

"Yes and no."

Armaan looked at her but she seemed to be gathering her thoughts. Sure enough a moment later, she continued.

"I miss India. I miss going to school with Rahul and Muskaan and then after school we'd go to Muskaan's house. Sometimes Aunty would take us all for paani puri or make parathas...I miss all that. Every project in school, Rahul, Muskaan and I did it together. Bahot maza aata tha. I miss Muski's family sometimes, they always made Rahul and I feel at home, really. So yeah, I miss India, maine apne schooldays wahin bitaaye hai, phir I came to US for uni, and...well, here I am." She finished, with a smile.

Armaan wondered about the "no" part of her previous answer. As petty as it may sound, he was curious about her past. But of course, he'd never ask her.

Riddhima looked at Armaan and smiled faintly. She could see his questions. "You're wondering why I don't miss India?" she smiled at him, telling him she wasn't offended and then continued. "As much as I loved my time in India, I have some of my worst memories there, Armaan. Things that make me shudder if I think about them." She answered honestly.

Armaan waited for her to resume, but she didn't and he realized that today wasn't the day when she'd tell him. He wondered of she trusted him enough.

"Do Rahul and Muskaan know?"

She understood his question and gave him a small smile. "Yeah, they do. I told them everything."

He nodded in understanding, but there was no mistaking the hurt. He knew he had no right to feel this way, but after telling her everything, he felt like he wasn't as important in her life, as she was, in his.

"Are you angry?" she asked him.

Armaan looked at her and answered honestly. "Angry, no. A little upset; yes."

"You think you don't matter to me?"

He looked at her trying to read her face. Was she saying it in good humor, or otherwise. But he couldn't figure out a thing.

"Something like that."

"It's not true, you know."

Riddhima looked at him. He had to understand. "This isn't about importance or trust Armaan. Rahul and Muskaan know, because I was vulnerable at that time and I needed someone to talk to. Had you been there at that time, you'd have known too."

"And now?"

"I'll tell you, someday. I trust you, Armaan, there's no doubt about that. But I won't tell you, till I think I can handle it myself. Besides, I don't like depending too much on people." She looked away.

Armaan looked at her and smiled faintly. Her features hardened, she was adamantly looking in the opposite direction. He tapped her on the shoulder and she looked at him wearily.

"I'm sorry."

"You're apologizing? Armaan, I'm sorry! You aren't completely wrong in what you think!"

"Then why were you angry?"

"I wasn't angry...I was upset. Thoda sa. Because you caught me in a vulnerable moment...and because you were stupid enough to think our friendship doesn't matter that much to me."

He grinned, glad that things were cleared up between them and they knew where they stood, with each other. Well, apart from the part about me being in love with her, he added mentally.

"Tell me something...are you really Ishaan's ex?"

Riddhima bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Haan. Kyun?"

"That's not possible!!"

"Why not?"

"Ex-es can't be such good friends! I swear! Unless...you like him?" he asked uncertainly.

"No no no no...I don't like him, he's already committed!"

Armaan tried to keep the grin off his face. The relief was astounding. "He has a girlfriend?"

"No."

"A wife?!"

"Nope! He has a boyfriend."

"WHAT? He's gay?!"

"Riddhima nodded, enjoying the play of emotions on his face. "Yeah he is!"

"What? But how? I mean he doesn't-"

"Wear pink and talk fashion?" she asked, laughing.

"Well something like that!"

She shrugged. He's still gay. And neither him nor his boyfriend Arjun, dress up in pink and talk about Gucci."

He nodded, acknowledging her point. "If he's gay...how are you, his ex?!"

"He hadn't come out of the closet to his parents and they were growing suspicious, because he never dated and so he pretended to date me. But then I discovered he was gay and told him to tell his parents and he did. Turns out, they weren't mad at him or anything. Idiot kahin ka. Pretended to date me for two months, in front of his parents!" she laughed at the memories.

They laughed and picked up the basket. It was late and they sat in the car.

"I can't believe I was jealous of a gay guy..." Armaan muttered, what he thought was softly.

"What did you say?" she asked him.

Armaan looked at her. Please tell me she didn't hear what I said!! "Maine kuch nahi kaha!"

"Don't lie! Maine suna!"

"Toh pooch kyun rahi ho?!"

"Oh my God, I can't believe you were jealous of Ishaan!" she said and then doubled up in laughter. "Tum humesha galat logo se jealous ho jaate ho! Pehle Rahul, aur ab Ishaan!" and she laughed, while Armaan grew red with embarrassment.

They reached her house and he stopped the car.

"Goodnight! I had a nice time, tonight." She said, smiling.

"Me too."

They stood there for a moment, outside her door when he kissed her cheek on an impulse and walked towards his car. She was glad he didn't look back. She didn't want him to see her turn crimson.

Smiling goofily, she opened the door and entered the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Aa gayi tu?"

Riddhima looked behind and saw Muskaan grinning at her with a glint in her eye. She groaned mentally. Muskaan did the third degree better than FBI.

~~~~~~~~~~

*Part Continued on Page 103*

Its fine, won't force you to update! Just had to let you know, I'm sorry, I won't be able to edit any of my reserves for a while.. I'm so tied up, that even you guys miraculously start asking me for one-line comments, I won't be able to give them.. And I can't procrastinate my work any more, its got to start now, my boards are in exactly in a month!

Really sorry, and won't be able to comment at all for a while! Hope you understand xo