"How do I look?", Riddhima finally asked him what she had been dying to ask since the last ten minutes as he watched her, sitting across the table, just having placed their order..
Yeah.. Finally, she had made it to their dinner date after a whole lot of drama and confusion.. She was a fool to have expected everything to go smoothly and according to plan.. Unfortunately, their plans had been severely altered by one Anjali Gupta who had decided to become a pain in their arses! Just when Riddhima was about to get into his cabin after finishing her work, her Di had stalled her outside and asked her to go home with her.. Her Di had obviously been suspicious as to what she was doing outside Armaan aka Dushman party's cabin.. So she had to make up some crappy excuse about him irritating her which had effectively distracted her Di.. But unfortunately Anjali had offered her a ride home so they could catch up on some sisterly bonding time. Obviously Riddhima couldn't refuse her.. So she had sent Armaan an apology text asking him to wait for the next move since their plan was certainly not under effect.. Armaan had texted her back in an extremely gruesome 'I'll kill her!!' followed by a skull emoticon that laughed dangerously by the hinges of its jaw.. He would have definitely hunted Anjie down and done his deed had Riddhima mentioned to him that her Di had asked her to spend the evening with him.. As much as she wanted to reconcile things with her Di, she didn't want to cancel another date because of this unexpected intrusion.. The worst part was that she couldn't even tell her Di that she wanted to spend time with Armaan.. So she had no choice but to lie.. She told her that she wasn't well and she had to do some research for her latest case.. Her Di had seemed disappointed, but agreed when Riddhima asked her to be at the basketball court next morning for practice.. Anjali with all her vengeance wanted to defeat Team Armaan and didn't need convincing much.. She also agreed to convince Muskaan and Abhi to join them at the court next morning.. Riddhima was glad at least she had a team ready for Saturday.. She didn't have to go out of her way to convince these people.. And to her luck, her parents were out for a charity event this evening and weren't going to return till late in the night.. Thanks to that, her Di didn't even wait too long at home, waiting just five minutes to talk to Naani.. As soon as her Di left, she started getting ready for her date, having confirmed the place and time with him over the phone.. She had lied to her Naani that she was going to Muskaan and Rahul's to help prepare for their upcoming wedding and taken the first cab out before anything else could stop her.. Finally she had made it to the restaurant to find Armaan waiting for her at the entrance.. And the look in his eyes the moment he set them on her had her nerves standing on end.. He had gone into the same lost and mute mode he had been this morning and she somehow had been extremely conscious of the awkward silence between them and that look in his eyes every time he glanced in her direction.. He had been awfully weird even as they ordered their dinner.. He just agreed to eat whatever she decided all the while stealing nervous glances at her.. At last, she couldn't take the silence anymore and finally decided to ask him if she was looking alright.. Coz that's what seemed to be disturbing him..
Armaan looked at Riddhima in utter disbelief.. Was she seriously asking him that question!! He couldn't possibly answer that without scaring her away or embarrassing himself.. She looked delicious.. Ready to be eaten.. And that thought brought a series of sinfully tempting images flashing in his mind.. Why the hell were they in a restaurant! And the premise to that question itself was the answer.. To avoid his hyper-active dangerous imagination from running away out of his control.. That was precisely why he was meeting Riddhima at a restaurant!! How many times was he supposed to remind himself of the 'off-limits' rule.. But it was almost impossible.. He had hardly been able to keep his eyes and hands off her in that chudidaar kurti she wore to the hospital today.. How was he supposed to tolerate her sitting in front of him wearing a teal blue sleeve-less one piece dress that looked as smart as sexy on her! Smart he could handle.. But what was he to do with that 'S' word.. The dress ended quite a few inches above her knees and the V of its neck dipped a little too deep than he could tolerate.. But what kept his mind occupied more than all that they could do together was the image of Riddhima slapping him when she realizes what is really going on in his head! He gulped at that thought.. She'd probably disown him if she could read his thoughts..
"Armaan! Kya hua? Are you alright?", he almost jumped out of his seat as he felt her hand on his, trying to get his attention..
"No.. Actually.. Not really..", he gulped down some water as he truthfully answered her question.
Riddhima was rightfully confused and a little amused by that answer.. "Armaan.. What is wrong?" First he had been extremely quiet and now he was scared of her! Seriously.. Armaan and his nautankis!!
Armaan on the other hand, tackled her question as smartly as he could.. No point being the pathetic loser who was smitten by his fiancee, "Basket will you kill me if I tell you you're too hot for me to handle?", he asked her cheekily, pretending to be positively troubled by her hotness.. Well.. He wasn't completely pretending.. But Riddhima didn't need to know that.. She just giggled at his remark, rolling her eyes at what she assumed was flattery, "Is this Armaan Mallik's way of complimenting his date?", she asked him with a grin to match his cheek..
But she should have known that Armaan had his way with words.."If that's what it takes for his date to not kill him while ogles at her all night.." and there she was bursting into another fit of giggles, blushing crimson at his remark while he watched her, sighing at that sight..
"Well.. Then he must know his date wont kill him for ogling at her as long as he keeps his hands to himself!", she told him, when she was done blushing and giggling, that rare naughty smile adoring her face..
"Ah.. Now isn't that going to torture him into a slow painful death.. He'd rather she kills him off quickly..", he told her, enjoying this banter now.. Her smile was definitely a good distraction..
"I think she'd enjoy the slow torture.. There's no greater pleasure in the world than watch Armaan Mallik being tortured..", her eyes shone with that wicked glint, her smile almost a smirk now..
And Armaan returned her wicked smirk with one of his own, "I don't agree with that.. Armaan Mallik has many better ways of pleasuring his date that don't involve torture.. Only if she'd let him she'd know what she's missing out on..", and his wink effectively wiped off the smirk on her face, replacing it with her million dollar scowl, "Armaan!! Now that's enough.. Don't take it down to disgusting levels.."
But for Armaan, the fun had only just started, "What is so disgusting in pleasuring your date..", he asked her as casually as he could only to see her scowl deepen just as the shade of crimson on her cheeks, "Eeww Armaan.. Shut up!"
"I'm not shutting up Basket.. According to your rule, we must keep distance.. You didn't mention anything about discussing disgusting propositions.."
"Aargh.. What will it take to shut you up Armaan.."
"You cant.. All this is included in the lifetime validity pack.. You get it whether you want it or not.."
"Oh no! Where's the damn food.. Please bring it before I kill Armaan Mallik.."
"Whatever happened to dating etiquette Basket.. The first rule is to not threaten to kill your date.. Don't you know.."
"No I don't Armaan.. I didn't need to know dating etiquette till you walked into my life.. Unlike you, I lack experience in that department..", she told him sourly, half in pretence and half in envy..
"I'd give up all that experience for the time I lost without you in my life Basket.."
"Armaan.. Enough with the filmy now.. Kucch zyada nahi ho gaya.. Tum apni saari dates ko aise hi chane ke jhaad pe chadhate the kya? And how did they ever fall for it.."
"I don't know Basket.. I just don't remember anyone else except you.."
"Oh.. Now that was a good one! Sahi jawaab! Crorepati ban gaye aap!"
"I don't want to be Crorepati Basket! I just want to be your pati.."
"Chi! That was definitely the cheesiest one I've heard from you so far.."
"You're just jealous you don't have a sense of humor like me Basket!"
"Tum thak nahi jaate Armaan! Aisi bakwaas roz roz karke?"
"Nahi.. Absolutely not!"
"Arrgh.. Tumhe mujhe irritate kiye bina chain nahi milta na Armaan.."
"Naah.."
"You're just.. Just.. Just.."
"Aah.. Thank god the food's here.. Ab tumhara muh toh band hoga.. I thought I'll have to wait all night for you to complete that sentence.."
"Haww!! Armaan! Is this your idea of a romantic date?!"
"No.. I have a completely different idea of a romantic date.. But filhaal I'm trying not to be romantic.."
"Why would you do that!"
"Because I told you.. You're too hot.. Don't try to tickle the sleeping dragon now!"
"Armaan.. I know why you're doing this.. Tum mujhse badla le rahe ho.. Just coz I didn't kiss you earlier.."
"Wow! Tumhe ab realize hua Basket? How smart!"
"You know what! Shut up!"
And shut up he did, chuckling, as he watched her eat while muttering to herself.. Oh she was so cute with her nose crinkled up as she cursed him under her breath.. He could just watch her all night.. And so he did.. Even as she told him the whole story of how her Di had almost ruined their night and how she had lied to naani and how they were so lucky her parents were not at home when she got there.. He probably didn't catch a word of what she was saying, nor care about it much.. Just being with her was a privilege.. Just seeing her smile was a wonder.. The way her hair fell on her forehead, her shoulders, shining under the soft lights of the restaurant.. The way she kept talked with her hands as much as with her mouth, using them to express what her words couldn't.. But the best of all were her eyes.. So vibrant, so full of life.. He hadn't realized until now that it had been so long since he had taken a moment and just appreciated those green depths of her eyes. It was a routine activity for him when he had newly fallen in love with her.. In fact, much before that.. When he had first set his eyes on her! But now, life had been so messed up and such a drama, that living it was a task in itself.. Somewhere, he felt like going back to that time, when their life wasn't as complicated as it was now.. When no one knew they were in love.. When no one was bothered.. When the worst thing that he thought would happen to them was that Shanky papa would find out about them.. But it had been a beautiful journey with her no doubt, through all those ups and downs.. All he wished for was a hundred thousand more dinners like tonight, where she would talk, and he could listen to her all he wanted!
"Armaan..", Riddhima's hiss accompanied by a well aimed kick at his shins pulled him out of his reverie.
"Oww Basket.. What was that for!", he started rubbing his shins under the table as he wondered why Riddhima was looking like she had seen a ghost..
"Nikki!!", her terrorized whisper gave him all the answers he needed..
"Where?", he whispered back, as he covered her face with the drinks menu that the host had thankfully forgotten to pick up from their table..
"The door..", she answered back in a shaky whimper..
Armaan peered out of the drinks menu to look at the door and his heart almost stopped for a second.. Abhimanyu Modi stood there in all his glory, shaking hands with the manager, while Nikki smiled stood next to him with a fake smile plastered on her lips.. And to top that horrifying scene, he realized the manager was ushering them right in the direction of their table! Mar gaye!!
"Basket! Under the table!!", he shouted and before she could comprehend what he had said ducked under the table..
Panicking at his sudden disappearing act she followed his lead and joined him under their table just before Nikki and Abhi could pass from next to them..
"Did they see you?", he asked her hurriedly as he peered through the table cloth to see where Abhi and Nikki were sitting..
"No", Riddhima answered back, as irritated as he was at the mistimed interruption as she joined Armaan in watching the show..
They saw Nikki's feet click past their table and disappear behind the one that was next to theirs.. Oh no! they couldn't be sitting right behind them.. But yes! Their luck was that terrible! The return of Abhi's feet in their range of vision confirmed to them that the two of them were sitting at the table right behind them.. Now even if they wanted to run from here, how were they going to do that..
"I thought these two were fighting with each other! What are they doing here?", Riddhima whined hopelessly, unable to believe their bad luck..
"I don't know.. And what luck.. Yehi restaurant mila tha pure Mumbai mein inhe.. Idiots!!", Armaan cursed with that classic frown on his face, still peering out of the table cloth, looking for some sort of an escape..
"Armaan.. Ab hum kya karenge?", she asked him in a helpless voice, worried how they'll make it out of here without letting Abhi and Nikki find out about them..
Armaan sighed as he heard the disappointment in her voice.. He couldn't think of anything that would pacify her.. Abhi and Nikki were bickering at the table next to theirs, still fighting about what had happened in the afternoon.. There was no escape as of now.. But he had to assure Riddhima that they'd find a way.. He stopped peering through the table cloth and turned away from the periphery to reassure her.. But from what came into his sight, he forgot what his name was, let alone breathe.. Riddhima was crouched under the table next to him bent on all her fours.. And that fortunately or unfortunately gave him a perfect view of her ample cleavage right at eye level.. This was what he was talking about.. Slow, painful, torture!..
"Basket.. I swear I could do without the distractions right now!!", he cursed as he couldn't take his gaze off the said distractions, hoping what he was looking at was his hallucination or something..
Riddhima followed his gaze and her mouth opened agape in shock and rage, not to mention extreme embarrassment "Armaan!!..", she rapped him tight on his head as she adjusted her dress, blushing crimson while glaring at his shamelessness.. What she didn't know was that it was his helplessness..
"Oww Riddhima.. Maar kyun rahi ho.. It's your fault.. Not mine..", he cursed as he rubbed the spot on his head where she had hit him.. Women were so violent!! Not wanting to get distracted by the sight of her again, he just returned to his peering activity.. He cleared his head as much as he could as he started to think about an escape plan.. He had to find a way out of this.. He just waited, his ears and eyes alert for any window of opportunity.. And the first opportunity came when Nikki decided she needed to use the washroom..
"Riddhima.. Modi is facing the opposite direction.. Nikki has gone to the washroom.. Agar bhaagna hai toh abhi mauka hai..", he told her, poking his head out of the table to see how far the exit was..
"Armaan tum pagal ho gaye ho kya.. Bill kaun pay karega.. Humara aadha order toh abhi aaya bhi nahi hai.."
"Basket you have to choose between dinner and death.. Do you know what Nikki will make of us if she finds out we've been playing her!"
"I know Armaan.. But you tell me how you're going to explain this to the restaurant staff.. I don't want to be put in jail.. I've had enough of police people for a lifetime.."
"Wait.. Maybe we could ask them to help us.. Now how do I recognize the guy who was waiting on us?..", he wondered, peering from under the table again.. But he didn't need to look too far.. He came nose to nose with the waiter who had a 'caught you' expression on his face!
"Sir.. May I help you?", he didn't let go of his hospitality even as his tone suggested he were threatening him..
"Actually.. You can help us!", Armaan replied with a sheepish grin, pulling him under the table with him.. Cramped as the three of them were under a table for two, Armaan explained the whole situation to him, offering him a hefty tip as bribe and making arrangements to pay the bill at the counter outside.. After a lot of coaxing the waiter agreed to help them out.. He created a diversion by confusing Abhi about his drinks order and asked another waitress to stall Nikki near the women's washroom.. Meanwhile Armaan and Riddhima sneaked out of the restaurant, dinner half eaten and clothes crumpled as hell!
But in spite of all that happened, both of them were guffawing hysterically when the valet brought their car around..
"Aah..", Riddhima winced as she caught her sides, still laughing at what they had done, "Armaan.. Can you believe that!"
"Actually I can.. Sounds like just the thing that would happen to us!", he answered back, taking the wheel as he barely controlled his laughter, while driving out of the restaurant premises..
"Why God why.. Yeh humesha humare saath hi kyun hota hai? " and continued to giggle like she had been for the last five minutes, her eyes starting to water now..
Armaan's laughter however faded a little as he heard her curse their luck.. Chancing a glance at her, he looked at the road ahead of him, "I'm sorry Basket.. Everything got ruined.. Wo kya hai na, mera bad luck hi kharaab hai.."
"Shut up Armaan.. Its not your fault.. And waise bhi, I had fun hiding under the table.. I've never done such a thing in my life ever before.. You're crazy.. How do you come up with such things?"
"Survival tactics Basket.. Warna we would have been dead meat by now! Nikki would have murdered us with her eyes.."
"Then thank you for saving me Mallik.. You're my hero.."
"Oye hoye..", he couldn't help but exclaim at her generous display of affection.. Even if she was only jesting!
Riddhima, predictably blushed at Armaan's 'oye hoye', a shy smile playing on her lips as he watched her reaction.. "Okay now stop looking at me like that Armaan.. Accident ho jayega.. And what is this? Where are we going?", she asked him when she realized they weren't on their way home..
"Dinner toh got ruined.. How bout a movie?" he asked her, turning his eyes back onto the road..
"Or we could go home and watch a movie..", she suggested, not wanting to try their luck for a second time in one day..
But Armaan wouldn't agree to that.. Riddhima in that dress in his house with no one else was an extremely dangerous prospect.. Not when she would sit leaning onto him while he wasn't allowed to touch her.. He wasn't so much of a masochist.. She was better off sitting a foot away from him in the movie theater, munching on to pop-corn.. "But this was supposed to be a date Basket.. I'm sure movie mein koi gadbad nahi hogi.."
Riddhima realized he really wanted to make it up to her, though it wasn't to him to take responsibility.. So she just agreed without too much of an argument.. "Okay fine.. Lekin mere choice ki movie.."
"Whatever you say Basket.. Like I even have a choice.."
"Shut up Armaan!"
"You shut up.. " And they bickered all their way to the multiplex.. So much for being on a date! Somethings are just not meant for some people!
"I still don't understand why we are watching this movie Riddhima! Season of the Witch would have been so much better..", Armaan hissed as he watched the screen in front of them, flashing the names of the producers and sponsors and the media partners..
When they had finally reached the movie theater half an hour ago, war had broken out right at the ticket counter.. While Riddhima wanted to watch this particularly over-hyped no brainer, he had wanted to watch the supernatural thriller that starred Nicolas Cage, one of his all time favorite actors.. Finally, as usual, Riddhima had won the war and here they were, about to watch Sheila ki Jawaani instead of a 14th century Crusader's story with a supernatural touch..
Riddhima however wouldn't agree to his prejudiced comments as continued to munch on her pop corn, waiting for the movie to start, the title song a little too irritating for her taste.. But she wasn't about to mention that to Armaan, "I'm sure once Sheila ki Jawaani starts you will change your mind!", she shot back sarcastically, "Besides, I didn't want to watch a serious film Armaan.. The point of watching a movie is to get entertained.. Not to get a headache.."
"Whatever.. You enjoy the movie.. I'll just go to sleep..", he slumped back into his chair, sliding down as he held his cup of coke to his head.. He was starting to get a headache already.. And the movie had just only started! Upar se, he couldn't even get funny with Riddhima. She had already warned him when she had seen the last row corner tickets in his hand that PDA in the theatre khopcha was an extremely cheap idea and she wasn't willing to even spare a kiss.. What was he supposed to do for entertainment now!
But Riddhima just continued to bicker with him in hisses, waiting for the title track to get over, "Armaan how can you comment on the film without watching it!"
"Coz I have read the reviews.."
"Reviews are always prejudiced.."
"I disagree.."
"Good for you.. Just shut up and watch..", she asked him to shut up as the film finally started..
Armaan just shut his eyes in response, "Why should I shut up..", but he did!
Coz the next voice he heard most definitely belonged to, "Anjie.. Mujhe kucch dikhayi nahi de raha yaar.. What is our seat number again?", Muskaan was having difficulty in figuring out where her seat was, while holding a big tub of pop-corn in her hand and her bag in another..
Anjali who was following her, winced through the dim light coming from the screen to look at the numbers on their tickets "A 17 and 18 Muskaan.. Dekh yahi hai.. Tere peeche..", she realized they were right where their seats were..
And to Armaan's horror, they were the seats right next to his! W*F!!! The next thing he was pouncing over Riddhima, pulling her close to him with a jerk, causing her pop-corn to spill and fall over.. "Arm..", she had started to shout his name, but couldn't.. Armaan had smacked his lips onto hers before she gave them away, cupping her face with his hands to hide her..
Riddhima was so taken aback by his sudden attack, for a moment she didn't realize what he was doing.. And when she did, she tried to push him away with all her might, and even tried to hit him.. But he just caught her hands and held them up to his face as he continued to smother her.. How dare he!! Even as the anger boiled within her, she was confused by his behavior.. Never before had he kissed her like he was kissing her right now.. As if he was trying to get her to shut up! That's when she heard a familiar voice from around them somewhere, and her eyes widened in fear and shock!
"Bhai saab.. Aapka pop-...", Muskaan couldn't even complete her sentence as she realized what was going on next to her.. She had seen the tub pop-corn fall over and had wondered why the person next to her didn't bother to pick it up.. Now she wished she hadn't bothered to find out why! "Ewww!!", she cringed as she quickly looked toward the screen, trying not to think about the horny couple that was making out next to her..
Anjali, who was paying attention to the movie, seemed to agree with Muskaan, "I know.. This is so gross.. Iss se zyada bearable to Armaan ke jokes hote hain.. Teen ghante kaise baithenge..", she cursed, frowning at the extremely sad jokes in the movie..
"I'm sure Anjie.. Par main movie ki baat nahi kar rahi thi!", she looked at her meaningfully, then indicated to the seats next to her with her eyes..
A confused Anjali followed Muskaan's ishaara only to scream out in a louder, "Eeewww!!", as she quickly turned her eyes to the screen in front of her, muttering under her breath as she did, "God! People are so shameless.. Aargh! Get a room you disgusting people!"
"I know.. This is so cheap.. I don't want to sit here.. Anjie please exchange seats with me na.."
But Anjie didn't want to sit next to the horny couple any more than Muskaan wanted to.. So she just parried her request with a,
"Chod na Muskaan.. Just forget them.. Lets watch the movie.."
"This movie doesn't look interesting enough to not pay attention to what is going on next to me Anjie..", Muskaan cursed, but Anjali didn't budge, "Common Muski.. Just watch chup chaap.."
When Armaan realized Riddhima had stopped struggling, he finally stopped kissing her, but didn't part his lips from hers.. He was out of breath and in utter shock as he breathed in deep lungfuls of air that was severely lacking in oxygen in his smothered proximity with Riddhima.. To top it all, he was finding it extremely difficult to focus on the problem at hand as Riddhima's scent, warmth and touch overpowered his senses.. If he had to be honest with himself, he wanted nothing but to take her in another one of those mind-numbing kisses.. But they had a lifetime ahead of them for that.. Right now he had to think of how they could save themselves from being caught.. And they had to! Even more so after what Muskaan and Anjie had witnessed them doing..
Riddhima drew in a deep breath as soon as Armaan let go of that kiss.. She was so stunned, she didn't even realize that she was almost panting, her lips parting while Armaan's were still on them.. But all her attention was only on the fact that Muskaan and her Di were next to them.. When she had heard Muskaan's voice the first time, she had hoped it would be someone else with a similar voice.. But to her dismay their conversation had dispelled all her hopes.. She had cringed when she heard them talking about how disgusting Armaan and she were to be making out in a movie theater.. Only they didn't know it was her and Armaan.. Yet!! The thought of them finding out about them, sent her heart racing in panic.. God! What were they going to do now!!
"Armaan..", she whispered against his lips as he instantly returned a "Shhh..", pressing his lips tighter into hers..
"What should we do?", she mumbled, keeping her voice as low as she could.. Luckily, the movie was extremely loud and crass for her voice to reach Muskaan who was sitting right next to Armaan..
"Wait..", Armaan mumbled back to her, almost inaudible surrounded by his own breathless rasps and the tacky laughter playing in the movie..
Riddhima did just as she was told. She waited.. She waited as Armaan took control of his breathing, waited as he placed a soft kiss on her lips again, then pressing her hands to his face, he said, "Don't say my name.."
"Hmm..", she answered back, her lips hummed against his as he fought to control his imagination from running away.. Slowly, he let go of her hands, then proceeded to take of his jacket, pressing himself into her, hoping Muskaan wouldn't notice the movement.. As smoothly and as cautiously as he could, he managed to peal his Suede jacket off his back and shrug it out his arms.. Riddhima was silently wondering what he was up to, her eyes shut tight in apprehension, when she felt warm suede of his jacket on her cheek.. When she opened her eyes she realized they were drowned in complete darkness.. "Arm,,", she had started to say his name again.. But he shut her up, this time thankfully with his finger on her lips.. "Please.. Shut up..", he whispered as softly as he could.. He had almost nudged Muskaan as he had swung his jacket over them.. He was sure she was on full alert right now..
Riddhima frowned at the warning from Armaan.. The condescension in his voice was too obvious.. And it angered her to no end.. Now that she had gotten over the shock of finding Muskaan and her Di in the seats right next to them, her temper was beginning to return.. "How dare you kiss me? Kucch aur nahi kar sakte the..", she hissed, her teeth clenched as she forced his finger away from her mouth..
"I didn't have an option..", he hissed back, irritated that she was finding fault in his strategy when they had a much bigger problem sitting right next to them..
"What if they recognize us?", she asked him exasperatedly.. It would have been better to be caught watching a film than making out in the theater..
"They wont..", he answered back, shifting closer to her.. And that move only pissed her off even more, "How?..", she asked in an angry impatient whisper..
"Stop talking.. And wait..", came his brilliant plan.. Riddhima almost thought he was joking till she felt his arm go around her waist and him shift closer to her..
"Stop it..", she hit him on his arm as she hissed..
He just caught her hand and pressed it to his lips, "You stop it.. Warna pakde jayenge..", he mumbled his warning across her skin..
And it made her angry even as it sent a shiver of desire down her spine.. "I can't sit like this for three hours..", she declared through clenched teeth, trying to keep her volume as low as she could..
"You'll just have to..", came his supercilious retort as he shifter to nestle his face in the crook of her neck..
Okay now this was definitely chance pe dance!! "Armaan stop it!", she hissed as she tried to push him away..
But he put all his strength to hold her in place, pressing his forehead into hers, "Shh..", but even as he shushed her, their movements had disturbed Muskaan too much to ignore them anymore..
"Anjie.. What are they doing?", they heard her whisper to Anjali.. They probably looked like they were doing something extremely scandalous under that jacket of his, especially with all the movements..
"Oh my god! Do you think we should complain to someone..", Anjali suggested and Riddhima let out a fearful gasp as she heard her Di..
Muskaan just giggled, misinterpreting the gasp that came from next to her, "Don't be so mean Anjie.. Lets not kill their buzz.. They seem to be only people in this theater who are actually enjoying the movie..", she joked, making Anjie giggle too..
"Yeah I know.. This movie was really a bad a idea.. I don't think I can tolerate it anymore..", thankfully the bad movie diverted her attention from Armaan and Riddhima.. Now Riddhima just hoped that Muskaan and Anjali leave the movie mid-way so they could get out of Armaan's jacket for god sake!!
Armaan however was enjoying being cooped up with Riddhima, pretending to make out with her.. He secretly wished Muskaan and Anjie would wait all three hours forcing them in this apparently compromised state.. And his wish was granted almost immediately as Muskaan disagreed to Anjali's suggestion, "But abhi toh aadha ghanta bhi nahi hua hai Anjie.. Mujhe wo Sheila waala gana dekhna hai.."
"Haan.. Mujhe bhi.. That's the reason I came for the film.. Katrina is looking damn hot na.."
"Yeah.. I kn..", but Muskaan stopped mid-sentence as the very song she wanted to watch started playing.. "Oh there it is.. Itne jaldi aa gaya..", she exclaimed just as Anjali shushed her, "Muskaan shut up and watch.."
As Katrina and her hips swayed to the chartbusting Sheila ki Jawaani, Armaan and Riddhima sat bickering under the jacket that was wrapped around their heads, "Mujhe yeh gana dekhna tha.. ", Riddhima hissed angrily.. She was already bugged with Armaan for teasing her about what Muskaan and Anjie assumed when she had gasped at Anjali's suggestion about complaining to the authorities.. Upar se now because of him she couldn't even watch the one thing that was probably worth watching in the entire film..
"Toh main kya karun?"
"Bhaad mein jao.."
"Shh.. We'll have to wait here like this till they leave.. It'll be easier for both of us if we do this in peace.. Please..", he requested to her.. If they had to wait like for another couple of hours they would have to stop bickering.. Otherwise there was a good chance that they'd get caught..
And Riddhima knew he was right.. So she had to agree.. Albeit reluctantly, "Whatever.."
Armaan smiled as she shifted uncomfortably in his hold, trying to keep a distance between them.. But he kept shifting closer only to irritate her.. And of course coz he was so tempted to actually make out with her.. She was so close to him and smelt so good.. But she would kill him if he even suggested such a thing.. But he could always tease her.. With that naughty thought taking seed in his mind, he grinned that devilish smile.. Unfortunately Riddhima couldn't see it coz of the dark.. So she was caught completely unaware when she felt Armaan's teeth nip at her ear lobe, "Ar.. Ouch..", she had almost given away Armaan's name, when he bit her ear hard to shut her up!
"I'm sorry..", he apologized at once as he kissed where his teeth had probably left a mark.. So much for teasing her! Trust Basket to ruin his plans!
But Riddhima wasn't amused, "What are you doing?", she asked him through gritted teeth, pinching his arm angrily as she did..
"Oww.. Stop that.. ", he hissed back as he pulled her hand away from his arm, "We'll have to pretend like we're doing something na.. Nahi toh unhe shak ho jayega..", he tried to make that pathetic excuse only to have her smack his chest, "So smart.. Tumhe main baad mein dekh lungi..", she threatened him, glaring at him in the dark.. Even if she couldn't see the color of his eyes, she could see the dark depths of them.. But as soon as she looked into those dark depths she realized what a mistake she had made! That was the last thing she should have done.. Look into the hypnotizing eyes of Armaan Mallik.. He had trapped her in his gaze, the vulnerability in his eyes starting to melt her glare..
"I love you Basket..", he whispered softly, not letting go of the eye contact.. He didn't know what was happening to him. One moment he was fooling around with her, the next he couldn't look away from her..
"Shh..", she shushed him with her finger on his lip as soon as he said those words.. Not because she was worried that Muskaan would hear him, but because her heart started asking for a lot more than she had bargained for tonight..
"I love you so much..", he mumbled against her finger, probing the depths of her eyes as his hand caressed her arm.. He wasn't blind to not notice the desire that reflected in her eyes.. Or in her voice as she let out a shaky, "Shut up.."
It didn't matter at the moment, that they were in a theater full of people.. Or that Muskaan and her Di were sitting right next to them.. Or they weren't supposed to be doing what they were doing right now.. All that mattered was that she felt closer to him than she had felt all night, physically and emotionally.. A crass loud movie, a theater full of people, the cramped one foot space of his jacket wrapped around them, and the pitch darkness that drowned them didn't matter.. All she could see was the love in his eyes and allow herself to drown in it..
Evidently Armaan was having similar kinds of thoughts.. More like no thoughts at all.. He seemed as hypnotized by her as she was by him.."So beautiful..", he whispered, almost cupping her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb as he leaned in..
"Arm..", she gulped hard to keep herself from saying his name, "Please..", she whispered.. And he had only one reply to that plea of hers.."I love you.." and then he leaned in to kiss her.. Her eyes rolled back into her sockets, her eyelids drooped shut and she kissed him back with equal if not more fervor.. "I love you too..", she mumbled against his lips while he continued to savor her.. And Armaan needed just that sort of encouragement to make his next move.. His hand left her face and travelled down her front, caressing every curve with helpless abandon.. Just when it slipped from her hip to the hem of her dress, Riddhima realized what they were doing.. Pulling his hand away from her, she panted as she pulled away from the kiss, her cheeks flushed.. Too embarrassed to look him in the eye, she lowered her lashes and buried her face under his chin.. Of all places, she knew she could find peace there.. And somehow, the beating pulse of his racing heart calmed her more than anything else in the world ever could..
"Basket..", Armaan whispered as she hugged him, wondering if he had disappointed her by acting the way he had..
"Shh..", she just shushed him, placing a kiss on his chest as she allowed herself to relax in his arms, effectively relaxing him instantly..
He just wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer as they waited for the stupid film to get over.. Their racing hearts, an aftermath of what had transpired between them moment's ago.. But he didn't dare to try another one of those stunts for the rest of the night.. It was positively leading to his doom!
Armaan and Riddhima were so lost in each other ever since they had lost control an hour ago that they didn't even realize when the intermission of the movie was declared..
Muskaan and Anjali, who had been quiet for what felt like forever, suddenly exclaimed in a collective, "Thank god! I've had enough of this crap.." when they saw the bold letters declaring the interval on the screen.. That's when both Armaan and Riddhima went on alert mode, hoping and praying both of them would go buy pop-corn or use the washroom.. or better still.. just abandon the movie half way and go home..
Much to his good luck, Armaan felt a rustle next to him that seemed like Muskaan was getting up.. And from what Anjali said next his doubts were confirmed, "Seriously Muski.. Lets go.. Interval tak movie dekhne ke liye bhi they should pay us.. This movie is beyond retarded!! Yaar isse accha toh main Riddhima ke saath ghar pe time pass karti.. She's not even feeling well.. I'm sure she could have used my company..", she exclaimed.. And Muskaan couldn't not agree with her even as she inquired about Riddhima's apparent ill-health to Anjali.. Armaan and Riddhima just waited with bated breathe, praying with all their might, for these to leave.. But just as they gathered their bags and were about to leave, she couldn't help but comment on the amazingly desperate couple next to her, "Look at these two.. Yeh dono toh pakka paisa wasool karwaenge..", she joked, high-fiving Anjali as they cackled together..
"How crazy.. Its been more than an hour they're under that jacket.. Hadd hoti hai yaar..", Muskaan just giggled at Anjie's disgusted expression as they started to walk away.. As soon as Muskaan's giggling faded, Armaan pulled off the jacket from around them and sighed in relief.. "Oh.. Finally!!" he couldn't thank the producers and director of this film enough.. At least the crappy film had come to some good use..
Riddhima, on the other hand, just shut her eyes and gulped in oxygen greedily as she finally relaxed back on her seat.. "Armaan.. Please take me home..", she almost pleaded to him, breathing heavily as she was slumped back in her seat with her eyes closed.. She had had enough for one night!! Seriously!
Armaan looked at her and grinned at her defeated expression.. Oh.. What a night! Well.. At least this was one date she would never forget in her life! At least he was sure he wouldn't!!
As they drove back home in silence, for once, a faint smile adored both their faces in spite of that disaster date!.. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were smiling about.. But there was one question that plagued both their minds.. Would there be one day in their life that could be termed as normal.. Would there be some date that wouldn't be ruined by the haddis of their kabab! Would they ever find a place where they could share some time of their own in peace sans all the hyper drama.. There seemed to be only one answer to all these questions.. And it was looming ahead of them in bold clear capital letters.. NOT IN THIS LIFETIME!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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