AWalkOnTheBeach..#8|LinkToThread 9 - Pg152 :)

...is obviously not constructive to a guy. For boys, constructive use of time implied work, play, eat, sleep. A 4-way cycle. For girls, the list was never-ending - work, eat, sleep, read, sing, dance, write, paint - the list was never ending. Be it 4 am in the morning, or 6 pm in the evening, dawn or dusk, girls could always find something to do without being bored. Boys on the other hand, just needed an excuse to use the statistically award-winning and most used phrase - 'I'm bored'. Talking about money, for boys, constructive use of money would imply buying something that would be sufficient to help you survive. Just survive. For girls, money implied something that could buy you everything that could help you live, live for real, live the way you want to. For boys, practicality mattered way more than irrationality and the wishes of our childish hearts. And yet, it was these boys who made the world's greatest love stories - because all their rules, all their practicality, and their apparently constructive use of time and money, was invested into everything that was practical and constructive to a girl. Especially, a girl like me.

I could tell by the look on Armaan's face as he parked his precious Porsche in the parking lot, that he wanted to be anywhere but here - here, a place where people lost more money than they would ever earn, a place you couldn't leave without making sure your hands could hold no more, and your feet could support you no more.

"You could look a little happier, Armaan, I'm not taking you there to torture you!" I rolled my eyes.

"I seriously and heavily doubt that." He replied in a monotone. "Just, hurry up, okay?" He looked at me pleadingly.

"I will try, just don't sit on my head and annoy me, that will just slow me down, and that's not what you want, do you?" I ruffled his hair, as we stepped into the mall through their automated doors.

"No!" He said in a small voice. I pulled his cheeks; annoying as they were, boys could be extremely cute when they wanted to. And Armaan was no exception. But his cuteness wasn't going to earn him reprise. "Can you not pull my cheeks! I hate it, you know it!" He said irritably.

"Get used to it!" I ordered.

"Where to first?" He sighed.

"Let's finish off the groceries first, I need to make sure the dinner's perfect! It was good they cancelled yesterday, I want to cook the dinner nicely.." I mumbled, as we stepped into Grocer's Cart.

"I know for a fact this Nikhil dude's a jerk. He cancelled on us yesterday."

"Not him, Armaan, your sister did. Because she had something to do at Uni. Not Nikhil." I rolled my eyes. Unfortunate as it was, for Nikhil that is, Rhea had to report back to Uni for some urgent work, and that couldn't have waited. She had called me up in the afternoon to inform me that the dinner would have to be postponed. Also, she had warned me about how Armaan would throw a tantrum about that as soon as he would hear about the postponed dinner. And she had hit the nail, spot on. He had thrown a tantrum, and rather unfortunately for me, he had been in a sour mood ever since. But unfortunately for him, I wasn't someone who would sit down and listen to his nonsensical tirade, and I had yelled at him, and grounded him for a week, to which he had shut up and sat in one corner of the living room - 10 feet away from me - for the rest of the evening, sulking and fuming.

Obviously his being grounded involved coming out for shopping with me the next day - today. That was barely a joy ride for him, I smirked.

"She's just covering for him, I know how a girlfriend's mind works." He scoffed.

"Tell me that the next time I defend you." I dared him, telling him to shut up through my eyes; and he did.

"Go to Aisle 14 and pick up these things. You forget one thing, and you watch what happens to you." I threatened.

"Don't yell at me!" He said indignantly.

"Then stop behaving like a baby, and do as I say!" I ordered. Sulking, he snatched the list from my hand and walked off. Once I was sure he was out of earshot, I laughed, and laughed heartily. How I adored annoying him.

"I liked that dress!" He said, following me.

"I don't care Armaan, stop prancing!" I said in disbelief. After grocery shopping, we had headed off to do my birthday shopping. Fate, however, had other plans. Every shop we went to, every dress I tried on - either I would hate it, or Armaan would. And the one dress we would agree on - would be bare too expensive to even think of buying.

"But you liked it as well! I know you did!" He muttered.

"Armaan, its too expensive! And besides, the neck was too deep, I get too conscious then, and then there would be no point because I wouldn't enjoy the dress!" I explained.

"But it was so sexy!" He mumbled. I stopped in my tracks and turned as he realized what he said and stuck his tongue out in an 'Oh darn!' kind of way.

"Do me a favor, and shut up!" I said sweetly.

"Why? I have rights to comment that way!" He shrugged.

"Comment like a pervert? I know exactly what you were thinking when you saw me in that dress Mallik, so back off!" I warned. And I too damn right knew everything he had been thinking since then. The way he had looked at me when I walked out of the fitting rooms - I knew I had taken his breath away. It was fairly obvious anyway, because he had been yawning, and looking at me with disinterested and droopy eyes throughout my trial sessions. It was only that one dress that had caught his attention.

However beautiful and special his eyes had made me feel, I was still apprehensive; the last time he had looked at me that way, he had shied away and things had gone wrong. Obviously, I knew he was comfortable with our intimacy now, but I didn't want to take a single chance to mess it all up, all over again. It was another question altogether, that the dress was way too expensive. And I had other plans for our hard-earned money.

"Riddhima, that dress was expensive, fine, but still it looked nice!" He said calmly.

"Armaan, I don't want to spend money on those kinds of dresses, which I know I'm not going to wear later.. That dress isn't something I can wear with family definitely, I can't wear it somewhere where it looks cheap, and that leaves the dress to be worn with you. Now, I know I'm going to spend my life with and you and all, but that's not the only dress I'm going to wear whenever we both go out. So I might as well buy something which I know can be properly used up!" I said sensibly.

"How much do you girls think?" He asked in disbelief.

"I have to think Armaan.. We should save up some money, I mean I know we already are, but there are other things I have my mind on, and I don't want to compromise on those just because of careless splurging!"

"What are you on about?" He sighed, leaning onto the rack, as I carelessly swept through the rack of dresses - not even one caught my attention.

"I don't know.. But recently, I've been thinking, we've had so much of expenditure going on in our lives - the Vegas trip-"

"The Vegas trip wasn't all that expensive!" He objected.

"Yeah, my Dad paid for the fuel didn't he? Ass!" I argued. "The surprises that you've so generously showered on me, and plus most of our earnings go into the rent.. We should start being a little more responsible with it.. I mean, when we get married-"

"You want to get married?" He asked shocked. He looked positively mortified.

"What? No!? I mean-" I said, apprehensively. "-yes, someday, right? Whenever we get married, I want our married life to start in our own house, not this rented apartment.. Plus, you want to buy your own car, because you want to give your Porsche back to your Dad.." I said carefully.

"Munhckin, you think about stuff like that?" He asked surprised.

"Of course, Armaan!" I laughed.

"I didn't know you did.." He said smiling sheepishly.

"Whatever..So the basic thing is, I want to be a little more responsible and-"

"Riddhima.." He cut across, shutting me up. There was a strange confidence in his voice. "You don't have to worry about those things baby.. That's all my responsibility, not your's alright? I promise we move into our own house, the very day we get married, and knowing you, I'm pretty sure you have your dream house interior decorated in your mind!" He laughed, making me smile. "Don't fall back on what you want right now, Munchkin, what am I here for? Its all my worry, okay? Its none of your concern! Right?" He said softly.

"Wrong." I smiled. "And before you ask me to elaborate, I will explain what I mean, but later, now's not the time and place!" I kissed his cheek and walked past him to find another rack of dresses which would hopefully make me fall in love again.

"Armaan, look!" I said excitedly, as he devoured his ice cream, his face half drowned in the cone.

"What? What?" He asked mirroring my excitement.

"Build-a-bear!" I said longingly.

"Oh, that." He said in a monotone. Clearly, he was expecting something better.

"Can we go?" I said pleadingly.

"What? No!" He laughed, ridiculing the idea. "Oh, you're serious?" He realized, as I glared at him. "Munchkin, you just went on and on about how we should save money and stuff.. And then you want to spend money in this useless stuff? Honestly?" He laughed.

"Yea, I've been wanting to do this since I was 10 years old Armaan, but Mum never let me do it!" I said sadly.

"Well, she was right in stopping you! What is it with you and soft toys anyway? I can't believe you were just preaching me about saving money, being all mature and responsible, and here you are behaving like a 8 year old spoilt brat. Riddhima I'm tired of Daddy-ing you around, and more than that, I'm tired of holding your bags, so can we please go?" He sighed.

Throughout his ramble, I kept looking at him, somewhat hurt by his words, and yet hating the fact that he was right. Taking a deep breath, I walked ahead, not sparing 'Build-a-Bear' another glance, leaving Armaan behind.

"Any display of affection, and I swear to God-"

"Be nice, Armaan. You better behave yourself. Remember how much Rhea loves him, and how much you love Rhea.." I warned him, doing his tie.

Here we were, at ten to 8, waiting for Rhea and Nikhil to arrive. We had come back from our shopping spree 2 hours ago, loaded with groceries, other basic essentials, and 2 dresses for me, which had finally seemed good enough for my wardrobe.

"What about how much she loves me?" He said sadly.

"Armaan, just because she's in love with someone for real, doesn't mean she's going to love her brother any less! You and Papa have been the only men in her life Armaan, I know that, but this day was going to come sometime!" I kissed his cheek.

"Yea, whatever!" He sighed.

"Oh my God, Armaan, this tie is just annoying me now! You've never worn a tie before, you don't like wearing ties, we both don't know how to tie a tie, so please tell me why you're so inclined on wearing a tie just tonight!" I said, frustrated.

"So this dude gets intimidated by me. So he knows who he's dealing with, and so he knows that I have the ultimate authority over my sister." He explained.

"You're a weirdo, nothing more." I rolled my eyes. "Deal with this yourself, I don't know how to do it!" I said, giving up, and began picking up his towel and his clothes from the floor, which he had carelessly strewn all over the place after his shower. As usual.

"How will I do it? Oh Munchkin, please!" He said pleadingly.

"I don't care, youtube it!" I muttered, not sparing him a glance.

"You're being cold, what's wrong?" He asked sighing. "Ever since we came back.. You wouldn't let me help you with dinner, you weren't ordering me around to clean up the place, right now you're picking up my mess without complaining and yelling at me.. And now you're not pulling my cheeks when I'm being cute. Riddhima, honestly what's wrong? Are you mad at me for the whole Bear thing?" He held me by my shoulders, making me face him.

"Armaan, I'm fine, and as you can see, extremely busy. I didn't let you help me cook, because I wanted to do it myself. I didn't ask you to clean up, because you're good at messing up and not the other way around, and I didn't yell at you for messing up the room, which I just cleaned by the way, because I know there's no point, you're never going to learn. I didn't pull your cheeks because you told me to stop doing that because it annoys you. And no, like you said, I'm not an 8 year old spoilt brat, who gets mad at you because I didn't get to do something which I've been wanting to do since I was 10. I'm not a child, which you obviously think I am, and I don't want you to Daddy me around, because you're oh-so-tired. So I'm fine, and not mad at you. Anything else?" I sighed.

"No.." He said softly. I could tell he was not convinced.

I heard the bell ring, and looked at him expectantly.

"What?" He asked.

"You're blocking my way. Can I go, so I can open the door, they're here!" I sighed.

"Oh, yea.." He realized, and moved away from in front of me, making way for me to go. Shaking my head, I made my way out of the room.

"So'uh'" I mumbled, breaking the awkward silence. Nikhil and Rhea gave me a small smile, whilst Armaan was scrutinizing Nikhil from top to bottom. "Nikhil, how's..umm'" I muttered, not knowing what to ask. "..Uni? Getting buckled up for tests?" I asked.

"Its good..I'm just waiting for it to get over, so I can get to Law School fast.." He smiled.

"Oh, wow, which ones are you applying to?" I asked curiously.

"Golden Gates, Chapman, Empire.." He smiled nervously, throwing glances at Armaan, who had his eyes narrowed, still checking him out.

"All those are really high profile, admissions have got to be tough, think you'll get in?" Armaan scoffed. I glared at him incredulously, whilst Rhea rolled her eyes - obviously she knew her brother was going to be harsh.

"Armaan?" I reprimanded him for being rude.

"No, its okay.." Nikhil mumbled, smiling. "Yea, it is very, very tough..But I have good recommendations, and my forecasts have been brilliant, so if I get those same scores in Graduate, it won't be very difficult.. I've already cleared my LSAT with a 157, and a good GPA!" He said proudly. I smiled triumphantly, and looked at Armaan who looked smug.

"That's great..LSAT is really tough, so its great you cleared it.." I smiled. He nodded, grinning at me.

"What an asshole!" I heard him murmur in my ears as I began plating up my dishes. He snaked his arms around my waist. "Did you see what he was wearing? Jeans and a shirt? I mean he can't even dress formally!" He criticized. "And did you notice how much he was bragging? 157 LSAT, blah blah blah. My foot!" He muttered angrily.

"You wear the exact same thing!" I whispered incredulously. "And he's smart, and plus, you asked him, provoked him more like, and he answered back. It ain't no crime!" I rolled my eyes. "Look, I know there's no point telling you to stop cursing him, but I am going to tell you stop annoying me!" I tried slapping his arms away but his grip kept getting tighter.

"You're mad at me still.. Fine we'll go Build-a-Bear next time, promise, but talk to me, please!" He mumbled as he kissed my hair.

"I'm not mad at you, and no thank you, I'm not interested.. Now please let me work, will you, Armaan?" I sighed.

"So you're not mad at me?" He asked skeptically.

"No!" I said for the millionth time.

"Then give me a kiss!" He demanded.

Rolling my eyes, I turned around in his hold and kissed him, hard.

"Bas? Now let me work!" I said, as I pulled out, breathless.

"You're mad at me, I can tell, you never kiss me this easy, and never so hard! Munchkin I can tell!" He said indignantly.

"OMFG, Armaan, are trying to make me mad at you? Because you're getting there!" I said irritably. He opened his mouth to retort. "No! Not another word." I signaled him to zip his mouth and turned to leave the kitchen. Get those two bowls please, they are Rhea and Nikhil's, Rhea wants low fat, and Nikhil can't eat spicy. I've held ours!" I ordered, then walked out of the kitchen.

"Hey!" I smiled at Nikhil and Rhea who were immersed in conversation. "Arm-" I turned around to ask Armaan to give them their bowls, but he was nowhere in sight. Frowning, I wondered where he was, when I saw him walk out of the kitchen, with a very suspicious grin on his face. Cocking an eyebrow, I knew he was up to something, something evil. "Nikhil, Rhe, here, for you!" I smiled, giving them our bowls, then turned to Armaan who's eyes were wide open.

"Bro?" Rhea asked tentatively, and I smirked seeing his defeated, grim face.

"Armaan, can I have that?" I asked, taking a bowl from his hand.

"NO! No, you, you have this one.." He mumbled, handing me the other one. Whatever he had done to the bowl of soup in his hand, he wouldn't let me have it, I smiled. Shaking my head, I almost felt bad for him. I would've have given him another bowl, but there was no more soup left.

"You sure you don't want this one?" I asked softly. He rolled his eyes and nodded. Sighing, he placed his bowl on the table, untouched.

"Ridz, the soup's amazing, I can't believe you made it! Bro, why aren't you having it?" Rhea asked curiously.

"No, its, extra.. I don't want any!" He gave her a small smile. I grinned inwardly; he brought it on himself.

"Oh, good, I want some more.. " Rhea smiled, and bent down to get the bowl.

"NO!" Armaan said loudly, making Rhea jump. "I mean..on second thought, I want it!" He smiled sheepishly and took the bowl in his hand. Whilst Nikhil and Rhea exchanged amused looks, I looked at Armaan nervously as he took the first spoon. From his expressions, I could tell exactly how he had messed with it; his ears were turning red, so were his cheeks.

After a few painful spoons, when I could take it no more, I finally made up a plan to free him of his self-made misery.

"Armaan, could you get me..um..more coke, please?" I asked sweetly. He looked at me gratefully and got up to go, as I put my leg forward. As he walked past me, he tripped, causing his bowl to slip from his hands and spill on the floor. "Oh, shit sorry!" I squealed, as Armaan just looked at me as if he was going to kiss me. Averting my gaze, I looked at Rhea and Nikhil.

"What's going on?" Rhea asked suspiciously. "Bro, are you alright?" She asked, studying us together.

"Everything's just fine, Armaan, I'll help you clean up!" I said quickly and both of us took a detour towards the kitchen.

As soon as we were out of earshot, there started Armaan's much refrained coughs. Rubbing his back, I resisted laughing as he coughed, and hissed.

"Water, more water, please!" He muttered. Feeling sorry for him, I gave him more glasses of water.

"Ridz, is everything okay?" Rhea called out.

"Everything's fine, Rhe! We'll be out in a sec.. Do you guys need anything?"

"No, we're fine.." Came her confused reply.

"Feel better?" I rubbed his back, still trying to see if he could as much as open his mouth.

He nodded shakily. He looked at me, his eyes bloodshot; I could barely refrain myself from laughing.

"You can laugh now, I'm alright!" He muttered. Smiling, I kissed his cheek and burst into a fit of laughter.

"Who told you to mess with Nikhil's soup?" I laughed, kissing his cheek again.

"Who told you to exchange our bowls?" He muttered angrily.

"Easy tiger, I wasn't a part of it, so it ain't my fault.." I stated. "You brought it on yourself." I hit his head, rolling my eyes.

"No I didn't! You knew there was something wrong, you could have just played along!" He argued.

"I don't want your sister's boyfriend to think that his girlfriend's brother is an asshole. It bothers me. Now if you're done with your circus act, should we go back out, and have a civilized, normal dinner? Friendly perhaps?" I requested. "For me?" I pleaded.

"Yea!" He said miffed. "And sorry..I didn't mean to ruin your appetizer!" He said guiltily. Pulling him by his tie, I kissed him lovingly.

"Its okay, you got your payback!" I winked and turned to leave. On my way out, I couldn't help wonder; what was the rest of the night going to bring with it?

"Oh c'mon Munchkin, it's the final for the love of God. I can't miss a football match." He declared in a hushed tone.

"Armaan, you have to talk to Nikhil and Rhe. I'm not letting you avoid them that way." I argued back.

"I'm going to go and watch." He seethed and marched off. Closing my open jaw, I followed him out to see him give Nikhil a nervous smile and settle on the couch.

"Um..Sorry, its just the final today. Plus it's a Man-U match. Would you mind if…?" I heard Armaan mumble to Nikhil.

"Oh, no, of course. I actually wanted to watch it as well! I'm a true Man-U supporter." Nikhil smiled enthusiastically, settling next to Armaan.

"Well, then that makes two of us!" Armaan grinned.

I looked at Rhea who looked delighted at the bond which was establishing between the two. All I could think - boys surely found weird things to bond over.

What followed was an hour long of 'DARN IT!'s, and 'GO! GO! GO!'s, throughout the main course. Throughout which Rhea and I exchanged amused glances. Oh, and got bored.

Of course, Rhea and I tried making small talk with our beaus, but you put two girls, two boys and a football match on TV together - what'd you get?

"I hate half times!" Armaan declared, scowling.

"I think it's a blessing in disguise for girls!" I muttered. "Now could we please talk about something else? Anything at all in fact?" I said warily.

"No, we're watching the highlights!" Nikhil mumbled, as they sat glued to the TV yet again.

"I can't believe those two!" Rhea said, following me to the kitchen.

"I'm used to being in the blind spot on Football days!" I laughed. It was true; whenever Armaan was home and coincidently there would be a football match on, he would become as active as living room furniture. I was grateful that he barely ever had time to catch up on his Football, thanks to work.

"Its not that Ridz. I don't even as much as text Niks on these days, but today we have something important going on. I got

to talk to Bro about us, and you know..parent stuff as well.." Rhea mumbled.

"You really ready to tell them then?" I asked curiously.

"Pretty much..You were right Ridz, our relationship had come to a standstill, and if this way we can at least take a step further, it would tell me that this is going somewhere.." She sighed.

"I'm sure it is!" I pulled her cheeks as she smiled. "And don't worry, just let me get this dessert sorted, I'll shut that idiot's TV off!" I winked, making her giggle.

"Its funny how you both almost babysit each other sometimes.. I can't tell which one of you has the upper hand, because sometimes its Bro, sometimes its you.." Rhea laughed.

"Yea, with us, its both of us.. And we both are used to bossing each other around. Obviously, he thinks he's the only one who 'Daddy's me around' all the time, though.." I said sardonically.

"What'd you mean?" Rhea frowned.

"Oh, nothing, you know the usual. He says something to annoy me, he starts getting riled up and then we fight. This time however, I'm just going to use Avoid Therapy. Avoid all stupid things he says!" I smiled.

"Well whatever Bro said, I'm sure he didn't mean it!" Rhea mumbled.

"Eh, either way, Avoid Therapy!" I laughed, plating up 4 pieces of New York Cheesecakes - mine and Rhea's favorite.

"Oh, by the way, what plans for your b'day?" Rhea smiled widely.

"Nothing, this year I just want something simple.. Nothing..too surprising definitely!" I rolled my eyes.

"You of all the people is going for SIMPLE? You always said your b'day was a big deal!" She said astonished.

"It still is, of course, but so much has changed in this one year, and so many shocks and surprises, I think I'm done with those for a lifetime. Especially from your brother. I just want to relax..And he knows that!" I winked. "Anyway, this is ready, mind helping me? And I'll shut the TV off as well!" I said, mounting two plates on both my hands.

"Who wants cheesecake?" Rhea announced. To get no response.

Rolling my eyes, I placed the two plates in my hands on the coffee table and marched to the TV, pulling the cable card out.

"RIDDHIMA!" Armaan yelled, scandalized.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you watching? You guys weren't responding or even breathing for that matter, so I thought you'll were just practicing for when you die. Oh well, dessert's here anyway, and we need to talk, so its good the TV's off!" I said in one breath, and heard Rhea giggle.

"Its not funny, give me the cable card!" Armaan said indignantly.

"Yea, Ridz, c'mon, please!" I heard Nikhil say and looked at him surprised. Apparently, even Armaan and Rhea were just as surprised at the use of my nick-name. "Uh..sorry, I didn't know what to call you..So I thought I'll just call you Ridz like Rhea does.." He said sheepishly.

"Its okay, you can call me that!" I said, warming up to him.

"What? No, why?" Armaan asked me in a barely audible whisper. The cable card, football, and his newly established bond with Nikhil obviously remained forgotten.

"Because I like him, he's sweet." I glared at him, as he sulked and rolled his eyes.

"Bro, we have to talk to you about something.." Rhea intervened before our bickering session could continue.

"We?" He asked skeptically.

"Yes, we. Nikhil and me." Rhea said firmly.

"Talk away.." He sighed, sitting back on the couch. I sat next to him, holding his hand reassuringly; he reciprocated with a small smile.

"Bro, before we tell Mum and Dad about us, we, I, need to know that you approve.." Rhea said nervously; I could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"And if I don't?" Armaan asked sarcastically. I dug my fingernails into his hand to shut him up; he couldn't be so rude to his own sister. I looked at Rhea anticipating her explosion.

"Well..Then I don't go ahead with this, but I won't be happy, and I'm pretty sure you won't be happy then either." She said confidently. I motioned her thumps up in her direction, and saw the end of her lips tug as she looked at me for a mere second.

"So you really want to tell Mum and Dad, then?" Armaan asked finally.

"Yes, I think we're ready for that.." The answer came from Nikhil who held Rhea's hand firmly. Going by the look on his face, it took him a lot of courage to take that measure; I didn't blame him - Armaan could be scary when he wanted.

"And say, after you do this whole bit about making your relationship official, you happen to break up with my sister?" Armaan looked at Nikhil directly in the eye, and this time, I supported his question.

"Being completely honest, I don't know where Rhea and I are going at the moment…" He started. My eyes widened, and I kept chanting 'Wrong Answer! Wrong Answer!' in my head. "But, all I can say is, that I do love her, and she makes me happy..And I do see a future for us.." Nikhil finished.

"And right now, that's all the commitment that I want from him." Rhea affirmed.

Armaan looked at me in defeat; his eyes asked me a simple question - 'I have nothing more to say or ask. But I'm still in doubt. What do I do?'.

Smiling, I nodded at him reassuringly.

Sighing, he relented, "Fine..I approve." He said disgruntled.

"At least, pretend to be happy Armaan!" I said rolling my eyes, whilst Rhea mirrored my expressions.

"Fine, you two, I'm extremely happy for you both, and you have my full support." He rolled his eyes and muttered in a fake cheerful tone. "Happy?" He said warily. Rhea smiled widely, coming forward and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Very! Coming from you, that's as good as 'I Love You', bro!" Rhea laughed, hugging him. "And.." She pulled out. "You're always going to be the world's best Bro, okay? And nothing's going to change that!" Rhea smiled.

"I've been hearing that since you were 4 years old, Tinker Bell!" He smiled back and kissed her forehead. "I do love you, and if this makes you happy, then..I'm happy too."

"I love you, Bro!" Rhea smiled and hugged him again.

"More than Nikhil?" Armaan asked mischievously, while Nikhil, who up till now had been slightly uncomfortable at the generous exchange of love between the sibling, suddenly looked up at the mention of his name.

"You're still my favorite guy in the world, Bro. Forever and always." Rhea smiled.

I fake coughed to bring the attention back to me. Rhea turned to me and hugged me tight.

"And you're my favorite girlfriend! Thanks Ridz, I love you!" Rhea mumbled.

"Me too!" I said happily.

"I'm so glad this is over.." Rhea laughed, as I joined her. "And I'm even more glad that Bro's approved!" She nudged Armaan who smiled.

"I have approved, and I'm happy.." He said, and I could sense his 'but' coming right up. "But.." Bingo. He turned to Nikhil, who looked back at him nervously. "You break my sister's heart, I will hunt you down." He threatened.

"Bro!"

"Armaan!"

Rhea and I exclaimed together.

"What? I gave my approval didn't I? I have this right!" Armaan muttered, glaring at us. "Are we understood?" He nodded at all 3 of us, who nodded in defeat.

"I assure you I won't do anything like that, Sir." Nikhil said in an undertone. I motioned at my throat, using my hand as a pretend knife, behind Armaan's back.

"Sir? What am I, 50? Call me Armaan!" Armaan barked, and picked up his cheesecake and snatched the cable card from my hand, indicating the end of 'The Talk'. "Hey look, half time's over!" Armaan cheered, catching Nikhil's attention.

"Arsenal's asses are going to be kicked tonight, man!" Nikhil said enthusiastically.

"Totally!" Armaan grinned.

Rhea and I looked at each other surprised. And just like that, the cold war had been thawed, thanks to men with hairy legs, running behind a ball.

And this, brought us back to the same thing - what makes sense to a girl doesn't make sense to a guy. And of course, vice-versa.