TheWorld'sOldestStory!!#12|pg135 inc updt|03/02/12 - Page 70

XAT was xonfusing :| i never liked maths ! random shoutout 🤔

happy new yr nd thank u 4 the installment😃

Originally posted by: caprigurl

XAT was xonfusing :| i never liked maths ! random shoutout 🤔

updating my comment soon 🤓 You write so well one wonders if our replies do justice to it.

The update was very nice.
How Armaan will react if he got to know what Shanky did & his mom was having cancer b4 her marriage?
The first installment was super fun! Missed AR in second installment but it was very interesting, padma & Ridz convo was very cute.
Plz plz update soon as possible with lots of AR.

Fairy Tales

"Theek hai Dr. Armaan.. Aap jaa sakte hain.. Ask Dr. Payal to handle your cases today and if there's any problem or an emergency ask her to come to me.. I'll handle it.. ", Dr. Shubhankar smiled as he agreed to Armaan's request of granting him a half day leave.

"Thank you so much Dr. Shubhankar.. I owe you one! Raunak was really looking forward to my presence.. I didn't want to disappoint him..", Armaan thanked his senior with a hand-shake and a dimpled smile before heading for the door.

But just as he was about to step out of the cabin, "Waise Dr. Armaan.. Good game today!", Dr. Shubhankar smiled a sly smile at him, referring to the Basketball match that had happened earlier this morning.. Dr. Shubhankar had also played on the boy's team this morning that had haplessly lost to the girl's team which also featured his wife! But the interesting part was that like the rest of the boys' team he was unnaturally smug about the loss..

Armaan grinned wickedly at that comment of his and raised his brows in amusement, "You're awfully happy about a game you lost Dr. Shubhankar.. Hume toh shok manana chahiye..", his tone mocking.. Oh this was so much fun..

"Of course Dr. Armaan.. Of course shok manana chahiye.. Lekin sirf dushmano ke saamne.. Secretly toh hum apni victory celebrate kar hi sakte hain.. hain na.. I'm proud of the way our team played.. The 'real' game was played by us wasn't it!", Dr. Shubhankar winked at Armaan.. And that expression of his.. Oh he couldn't get enough of himself!

Armaan could do nothing but grin knowingly, not to mention amusedly at his senior who had also fallen for his plan.. Dr. Shubhankar and Dr. Keerti had joined the boys' and girls' teams respectively three days before the match.. And the credit for that went to one Ms. Riddhima Gupta.. She had gone out of her way and made sure that the senior doctors participate in this match.. Not because she particularly wanted them to be a part of it.. But coz a certain Dr. Payal Agarwaal was trying to get onto either team so that she could spend more time with her Dr. Armaan! And that was something that didn't go down well with Riddhima.. The best solution of refusing Payal of course was to get seniors onto the team.. So no one could question her motives. Of course she had succeeded in getting them onto the team.. Not only that.. They had also soon become a part of the childish war of the sexes during the practice session.. Of course that worked out well for all of them.. Except for Armaan!! Who had the moral responsibility of solving a fight that he had deliberately started! The day before the match it looked like this war would go on for ever.. If you took into account the way Muskaan kicked Rahul where it hurts most! Or the way Abhi totally ripped Nikki apart by teasing her about her lack of skills where basketball was concerned.. Even Riddhima had gotten carried away in the whole war and didn't speak to him for the whole day. Put into such an extreme situation Armaan had no choice but to think of a way to pacify both the male and the female egos.. And that's when he came up with the most brilliant plan of the century.. But the brilliance of the plan was that it actually worked.. He definitely should get a Nobel Peace Prize for bringing an end to the never ending boys versus girls ego clash! Well maybe it wasn't over.. But still.. At least temporarily both the dushman parties had made up.. All thanks to his brilliant plan.. The only thing he needed now was luck.. He just prayed that both the parties don't open their mouths to each other. Coz if the boys told the girls that they let them win, the war would start again.. And this time it would take even him down for good! Coz Riddhima wouldn't be happy to know that he had orchestrated the whole of today's match according to his plan.. He had let the guys crush the girls' team in the first half by employing all means possible, including cheating, and then made sure that the girls turned tables on the boys' team in the second.. The oldest trick in the book.. So when the girls were smug on their victory, he told the guys that he let the girls' win coz the only way to keep them quiet was to let them think that they won.. That made the guys really proud of themselves.. Idiots! Nonetheless.. Both parties decided to shake hands at the end of the match, each side believing that the 'real' victory was theirs! But Armaan knew.. That the real victory was his! Coz he was the only won who knew what had actually happened. And if all went well.. He was planning on taking that information to the grave.. Let alone it start another world war!!!!!!

But Dr. Shubhankar's smug expression told him that war was now a far fetched possibility.. The matter was settled for now.. And he would make sure it didn't come up again for as long as he could prevent it.. But he would always enjoy these smug expressions on their faces.. That's one joke he couldn't share with anyone else but himself.. So putting up his best naughty smile he replied to Dr. Shubhankar's smart ass comment with a "Of course Sir.. We should definitely be proud of our victory.. But you know the rule!", and followed it up with a wink that fanned Dr. Shubhankar's ego more than it already had been!

"Of course.. Of course.. My lips are sealed!", and he acted out the zipping up of his lips as Armaan walked out of his cabin with a smirk.. Oh lowly humans.. How SupArmaan could play them around! But right now, he had to hurry.. He had to get to Lonavla in a couple of hours.. And before he left he had people to meet and plans to make.. First destination was the OPD where he knew Dr. Payal was on duty.. As he rushed through the corridors of Sanjeevni he couldn't help but wish how he could use his Kryptonian powers of flying around in front of these humans! Life would have been so much easier without keeping this a secret.. Sigh!

"Guys I'm sorry I have to leave right now.. Here's a key to my place.. See yourselves in and practice all you want.. I'll try coming as soon as possible..", Armaan announced walking into the residents' cabin where Rahul and Nikki were present along with Muskaan and his Basket. She was his final destination after Dr. Payal and his friends.. But it was a good thing he had found her here itself.. He was really in a hurry..

"Where are you going Armaan?", she asked him at once, ignoring the protests of Rahul and Nikki who were ranting on about how today was the last day of practice which they really needed etc while Muskaan kept interrupting them with snarky comments about how they shouldn't take their band so seriously.. It's not like they were doing a rock concert!

Whatever.. Coz Armaan was ignoring them too as he answered back to Riddhima's question only, "Raunak had called last night.. Aaj unka wo Snow White waala play hai.. Remember the concert he was talking about.. Minnie bhi keh rahi thi ki she's expecting me to come.. So I took a half day from work.. Main abhi nikal raha hoon.. I've to get there before four!"

As Riddhima heard Armaan talk about Raunak's play, all she could think of was how upset he had become when Nikki had mentioned his school days at the Orphanage during Christmas.. And that effectively reminded her of the information she had recently acquired about his past.. The information that, there was a possibility, even he didn't have! She had thought about it over and over again over the last three-four days but she could never come out with a conclusion as to what to do with the information she had. Should she fess up and tell him what her papa had done behind his back and risk making him angry again.. Or should she bury that information in a deep secret corner of her heart where no one could access it.. Not even Armaan.. If that's what would keep him smiling the way he had been these last few days.. She realized how he enjoyed all the basketball practice bickering sessions and then even playing with his band.. At least he sounded really psyched about it on the phone every night! And even during the day he was happy.. And that's what always made her think twice when she thought of telling him everything. Was his happiness worth the risk! But the answer to that question remained elusive even as she heard him tell her how he was leaving immediately for Lonavla.. But before she could clear her head and reply to him, Rahul interrupted their conversation, "Aise kaise jaa sakta hai tu Armaan.. We have to practice!!"

"I know Rahul.. Lekin maine Raunak ko promise kiya hai.. I have to go.. Maine kaha na I'll try coming back early..", Armaan told him, a finality in his tone.. There was no way he was going to miss Raunak's concert for anything in the world.. Luckily, Muskaan supported him, "Haan yaar.. Raunak must be expecting him.. And that is more important than this gana bajaana anyway.. Oye hero! Tu ja.. Actually main bhi aana chahti thi yaar.. Lekin abhi kaam chodkar nahi aa sakti.. Lekin tu uska concert miss mat karna.. Usse bohot bura lagega.."

"I know Muskaan.. Don't worry.. And now please let me go.. Warna I'll definitely miss the show!", he said in a rush as he looked at Riddhima, "Theek hai.. So bye.. I'll see you later..", and with a sigh and a half hearted smile at her, he ran out of the cabin.. Oh he didn't want to go without her.. But there was no time to think about that right now.. He had to go on his own and make it in good time!!

Whereas in the cabin where he left her, Riddhima just stood where she was, her brain too slow to process what was going on as it was already occupied with innumerable questions and indecisions.. Before she had understood what he had said, he had been out of her sight.. And when he disappeared from front of her eyes that feeling of loss took over.. She knew it was important for him to go.. But she didn't feel like letting him go.. Not alone.. Not into a situation that might bring back his childhood to him.. That childhood which for some twisted reason does nothing now but haunts him.. She had to do something.. She had to at least be with him.. But why wasn't she moving.. God.. Why wasn't her body responding to the signals of her brain!!

"Ridzi!!", Nikki's voice snapped her out of her really confused state!

"Huh..", she looked at her, lost and in wonderment.. Nikki couldn't help but grin at her expression, "Tu yahan khadi khadi kya kar rahi hai Ridzi! Go run behind him.. I'm sure he's waiting for you in his cabin or the fire escape! And he seemed in quite a hurry.. Don't make him wait for that good bye kiss.. Go fast.. Run", she teased her, exaggerating her expressions, like Armaan was leaving the country or something.. That just made Muskaan snort with laughter and Rahul snicker openly at her.. Shaking her head in disbelief at the stupidity of her friends, she finally stepped out of the cabin and went to his cabin. And if he wasn't there, then he was definitely waiting for her in the fire escape! Damn! She hated to admit that Nikki was right!

"Armaan!!", she called out to him as she ran into the parking lot.. Unfortunately, Nikki had been wrong! Armaan was neither in his cabin, nor in the fire escape.. He had on the contrary, packed up things right after he left from the residents' cabin and rushed to the car. Sister Lovely at the nurse station had informed her of that.. Her mind had started asking questions again.. The biggest being, how had Armaan gone off without seeing her personally and taking his good bye kiss!! Maybe he was really in a hurry.. It was 2:30 already.. But still!! Armaan Mallik and no good bye kiss.. Something seemed majorly wrong!!! But she pushed those thoughts at the back of her mind as she immediately rushed towards the parking lot and found him getting into his car. That's when she had to break out into a run to stop him..

Armaan stepped onto the brake abruptly just as he was about to drive out, as he saw Riddhima running towards his car.. What was wrong? Was it an emergency?? She looked so stressed out! He got out of the car to talk to her as she caught her sides and panted, coming to a halt in front of him.. "Basket! What happened? Is everything okay?", he asked her, cupping her face with his hands, a worried expression laced his as he caressed her cheek with his thumb..

Riddhima nodded, gulping in lungfuls of air as she tried to catch her breath, "You.. You.. Tum mujhse mile bina ja rahe the Armaan.."

"Mile bina?.. Basket? Tum theek toh ho na.. I just spoke to you in the cabin five minutes back.. And guess what , I have three eye-witnesses.. So if you're trying to prove me delusional then don't!", that was his reply to her statement.. And she couldn't have given a more appropriate reaction, "Kya!!", she exclaimed in confusion.. What the hell was he talking about?

On the other hand, Armaan was getting impatient. He was really on a time leash here.. Raunak had already called him to confirm if he had left from Mumbai.. And he had been mighty disappointed to find out that Armaan was still in Sanjeevni.. "Basket! Why did you run into the parking lot? Is there a serious problem?? I told you I'm in a hurry.."

"Armaan.. I just.. Wow! Armaan tum.. Main.. Wo.. Main bhi chaloon tumhare saath??", and she didn't even realize where that question came from! With all the jumbled thoughts in her head about him going off without a kiss and about his past and Raunak's play she was stuttering in response to his queries.. But when she finally managed to articulate a complete sentence, what might that sentence be! A suggestion that she go to Lonavla with him!!

"Basket! What are you saying? Don't you have duties to do.. Look I'm really in a hurry. Raunak had called a minute ago.. And he was so disappointed to know that I'm still here.. Dekho abhi traffic bohot hota hai.. And I have to make it by..", Riddhima cut him off before he could rant on, "I know Armaan.. I know.."

"Then why are you making foolish suggestions!"

"Foolish!! Who the hell do you think you're calling foolish!"

"God! Something's definitely wrong with you.. Partial amnesia is it?!! I just called you foolish Basket! You.. Tum.. Do you understand me!", and he started pointing towards her, then to himself as he acted his words out, speaking very slowly so she could understand him..

Riddhima flared up at that insinuation of his, rapping him at the back of his head as she spoke through gritted teeth, "I'm not a retard Armaan.. Shut up!! I just wanted to come to Lonavla with you..", she told him again, trying best to make it sound like a well thought out decision. Only it wasn't.. It was just an impulse..

"Then why didn't you say anything before!" Armaan though, was genuinely surprised with her seriousness.. Maybe she did want to come.. That would be awesome..

"Coz before I could make that decision you left!! Without seeing me in private!", she raised her voice at the last part, glaring at him like he had committed a crime!

Armaan rolled his eyes derisively at that and just decided to agree with her, "Okay fine.. Basket can we do this later.. I'm getting late.." and he started getting into the car. But she stopped him again, "No wait.. I'm coming with you!"

"Fine.. Chalo..", he agreed, sighing as he opened the door to the driver's seat in a hurry.. But he had to get out again as he noticed Riddhima backing off in the opposite direction as she said, "Main ek minute Atul ko bol ke aati hoon!!", and she started running back towards the building.. But Armaan stopped her by catching hold of her hand before she could get our of reach.. "What! No!! Basket we don't have time for that.."

But his interruption just irritated her.. Scowling at him she replied exasperatedly, "But I have to take Atul's permission Armaan.. Mere baap ka hospital nahi hai!"

"He he.. Actually tumhare hi baap ka.. I mean.. Papa ka hospital hai Riddhima.. But I'm still not suggesting that you leave without informing Atul.. Why don't you just call him! It'll save you the time and energy to run.."

"Oh yeah.. Why didn't I think of that.."

"Coz you're brain is out of order today Basket.. You ran all the way through the corridors of Sanjeevni to the parking to stop me like a filmy heroine.. Who's going to see her dying lover or something..", and he laughed to himself at that joke.. Coz Riddhima didn't really find that funny.. She just dialed Atul's number as he continued to laugh while dragging her towards the passenger seat and trying to stuff her in, while she struggled against him, "Armaan just shut up will you!.. Haan Atul.. Listen na..", and as soon as Atul answered his phone she explained the whole situation to him, who as always, like a sweetheart, didn't take any objection to her abrupt telephonic application for leave.. "Thanks so much Atul.. I swear I owe you one! Really.. Thank you so so much.."

"Yeah yeah.. I'm sure you do Riddhima.. Ab please gaadi mein baitho yaar!!", Armaan cut her off in the middle of her 'thank-you's and got into his car behind the wheel.. Riddhima scowled at him, but hurried into the passenger seat anyway, out of fear that he might leave her and drive off.. As they drove out of the hospital, she suddenly felt misplaced.. Five minutes back she was planning to go to the OPD for her duty and all of a sudden she was driving off to Lonavla to watch a school concert! What the hell was going on! The answer to all her questions was sitting next to her, zooming the car out of through the traffic at speeds that were well above the speed limits - Armaan Mallik!!!!

"Armaan gaadi dheere chalao!!", she told him for the umpteenth time as he drove at almost 120 kmph on the highway..

"Basket please yaar.. What is your problem.. Tum mujhse jhagda karne ke liye mere saath aayi ho kya? Kabse you're bickering away..", he retorted in irritably, not paying heed to her warning at all!

But Riddhima didn't make a back retort as she got lost in her thoughts at that comment of his again.. He was right.. Why was she bugging him from so long! She had come with him coz she wanted to be with him.. And now that she thought of it, she realized they haven't been spending time at all for the last couple of days.. A part of her impromptu decision to come with him definitely had something to do with the fact that she was missing him. But then, it was her own doing. She didn't press for spending time with him coz she found it easier to hide things from him that way. And anyway, they had been so busy. And he seemed not to miss her so much with all that was going on in his life.

"Oye Basket! What's with the mute mode now? Tum theek toh ho.. You seem really lost today..", Armaan's curious voice interrupted her train of thought..

"Huh.. Yeah.. I mean.. Whatever.. Main toh bas.. I just wanted to spend time with you Armaan.. I didn't come to fight with you..", she finally managed to string a few words together and tell him at least the partial truth..

Armaan just chuckled at the seriousness in her voice, "I know Basket.. I was being sarcastic earlier.. And we both know when we spend time with each other we have to fight.. Its nothing new.. And anyway.. I'm glad you came.. I missed you too..", he told her with her smile as he continued to drive..

"Really? You missed me!"

"Why the surprise.. I miss you every second of everyday when you're not with me.. I think we had established that much!"

"Yeah.. That is why you were leaving for Lonavla without seeing me.. "

"I saw you! Aur kitna dekhu yaar!!"

"I meant akele mein Armaan!"

"Akele mein kyun dekhna hai! I was in a hurry.."

"So much that you didn't think of kissing me a good bye!!"

"What! OHH!!! Now I know what this is about! Oh so akele mein dekhna is a code word.. Nice! Next time yaad rakhunga.."

"Armaan.. Its not just that.."

"No no.. Now don't make bahanas.. Basket felt bad that I didn't kiss her.. Aww.. I'm sorry.. But I was going to be back in around three hours you knew that right! Humesha ke liye nahi jaa raha tha.."

"Armaan!! Aisi baatein mat karo..", she reprimanded him seriously as she frowned and looked away..

Armaan stopped grinning as he saw her serious expression and sighed, "Okay now seriously.. What is the problem Riddhima?", he asked her calmly..

She didn't reply first.. She thought to employ the silent treatment.. But then she couldn't help but say what has been on her mind since they had left the hospital an hour ago.. At least partially.. "Nothing.. I just find it weird that you haven't asked for any of your normal dose of kisses.. You know.. Good morning kiss.. Good night kiss.. Good afternoon kiss.. Etc etc.. Pata nahi aur kitne hai.. Is everything okay?", she asked him seriously..

Armaan couldn't help but smile at that.. Though she did see a sort of discomfort in that smile of his, "Riddhima I thought it was your idea..", he told her, his face giving away no expression.

"What? Why would you think that.."

"Coz you were the one who came up with the stupid keeping distance thing.. And then for the last couple of days you've just avoided seeing me in person.. But you talk awfully normally on the phone.. So I assumed that's the way you wanted it to be now! And I'm cool with it.. Really!"

Uh oh.. Now she realized.. She was keeping away from him coz she was so confused about what she should do about his past that her dad had uncovered.. And every time he was around, she would just have the urge to tell him.. But she wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.. So she had just tried to make sure he doesn't catch her alone for too long.. Or she would run away when she felt tempted to blurt out the truth to him.. But she couldn't give him that explanation. And besides.. Even if she did unintentionally avoid him, he didn't try to stop her either.. Coz he was probably too busy to even realize!, "What! No.. You're the one who's always busy with this practice and that! And so many surgeries!!", she accused him like it was a bad thing..

"Hey! You're the one who has to fight with me every morning at the basketball court.. And then flutter around Anjie and Muskaan during the day.. You only told me on the phone that you wanted to spend time with them.. Balance your life etc!!", he threw her words back at her, his tone suggesting he was irritated with her now. But that didn't stop her from getting irritated with him, "Armaan do you know what balance means! It certainly doesn't mean ignoring you! How could you think that!!", she told him haughtily, trying to get off the blame from her back.. Her ego just wouldn't allow it! Coz if he felt ignored, so did she!

So it came as a surprise when Armaan said, "Fine!"

"What.. What are you doing Armaan??!", she asked in confusion as she saw him show the left indicator and slow the car towards she side of the road..

"Settling the matter!", he told her determinedly, as he pressed onto the brakes..

Her brows furrowed at that, "What?", she asked in genuine confusion as he halted the car at the side of the road. But before she could comprehend what was happening, she felt his lips on her! And then there was nothing left to be understood! She tried to push him first, but he didn't let go.. And the way he kissed her with abandon made her give up. If she had thought that Armaan had not missed her these last few days, this kiss of his dispelled all her doubts. He had certainly missed her more than she had missed him.. But then why would he keep away from her.. And she wasn't buying into that theory of his where he thought she didn't want him around her.. Fine, she had been a little distant.. But that had never kept him from trying earlier.. Why would he do that to himself? Was he actually taking that 'keep distance' rule so seriously? Why now, when he didn't take it seriously before.. Weirdo! But she couldn't keep up with her thoughts as his kiss just numbed her brain, fogging out everything else in that head.. And just as she held onto the collar of his shirt to pull him closer, he had started pulling away.. And she didn't want to let go.. Not so soon! But she wasn't in a state to protest either when she felt him place a warm kiss on her forehead before letting go of her.. She could never get over that feeling of love that filled her up every time he did something like that. But soon all the love had been replaced by his sarcasm, "Is that okay for you Riddhima? Now can we stop discussing.. Rather fighting over this!", he asked, a smug grin on his face as he started the car and maneuvered it onto the main road again.. And Riddhima's cheeks colored crimson in embarrassment even as she scowled at him for being such an ass!

Armaan just smirked at her. Oh now this was going to be fun! Five minutes of lost time on that highway was going to multiply into at least five hours of fun for him! Muahahahaha.. "Waise I don't believe you actually took a half day and came all the way to Lonavla with me for that kiss.. Tch tch.. How desperate Riddhima!", he teased her, flashing his devilish grin at her..

"What!! That is not why I came with you!!", she almost shouted back in protest to his suggestions! Her blush just deepening in color.

And Armaan's grin only widened at that, "Of course you did.. Now don't lie.. Kya Riddhima.. You could have just told me this at the hospital.. You didn't have to leave your work for just a kiss.. I would have obliged anywhere anytime!"

"Armaan will you stop it!! I didn't come for your stupid kiss!!"

"Really! Then why else did you come Basket?", he asked her, pretending to be genuinely interested in her answer as he mocked her, irritating her even more than she already was, "I came coz.. ", well she couldn't tell him the complete truth, "Coz I wanted to watch the kids perform.. Why else would I come!"

"Please.. Pehle toh you weren't even invited.. So stop making bahanas!"

"What rubbish! I was invited.. Minnie invited me.."

"Please she didn't.. She invited me exclusively!"

"Armaan just shut up! I've known Minnie from well before you came into the picture.. So don't act like she cares more about you.. And anyway, this is not the first time that I'm attending their school play.. I go almost every year.."

"Yeah yeah.. Sure..", he nodded in agreement, his tone patronizing, and the smile that followed definitely teasing!

"Armaan I didn't come with you coz I wanted you to kiss me!!", she shouted at him, denying his belief vehemently! But he just continued to revel in her embarrassment, "Okay.. Fine.. I believe you!", but he didn't sound like he believed her at all.. Not with that shrug and wink!

"Arrghh!!", she growled, as words failed to express her frustration! Suddenly, she couldn't remember why she had come with him in the first place! God save her now!!

Armaan just continued to drive, smirking in victory as he glanced at her expressions intermittently.. He knew she probably genuinely missed him after the way them both were behaving in the last few days.. He was obviously keeping her from coming to his place coz just her presence made him extremely physically aware of her these days.. Especially when they were alone together. So he was just lying low.. Letting all the feelings to pass without letting a slip up or an incident that he may repent about later.. But he couldn't ignore the fact that she had not really protested about it and had actually cooperated with him in that case.. And he had to find out why! Coz something was definitely troubling her. And it wasn't the fact that she missed his kisses.. But you never know.. After the way she kissed him back a few minutes ago, she did seem to have missed it a lot.. If he wouldn't have been keeping himself in check and had put the reins in her hands they'd probably be arrested for making out in a car on the side of a highway in broad daylight!! It would be quite fun! But then how would they make it to Raunak's play! At that thought, he stepped up the peddle and accelerated.. He had to get there on time.. He could try convincing her to make out in the car on their way back! Grinning at that thought, he passed her a glance.. And what he saw made him change his mind.. Making such suggestions to her didn't seem like a very safe thing to do.. A little more intensity, and her glare could kill! Literally.. But it was entertaining to watch her fume all the same! She looked like she could kill him, but she was genuinely trying not to! It just made his day!! As he grinned wickedly at that, he couldn't help but think.. Oye hoye..! Kya look hai!!

"Boyfriend!!!", Minnie screamed as she spotted Armaan and Riddhima at the entrance of the classroom where she had her friends were asked to sit till their turn for the play comes.. She had been busy jabbering away to glory with her friends when she saw Armaan there and couldn't stifle her involuntary shout-out! Nor could she keep herself from running towards him at bullet speed, dodging her way through the benches as she did..

Armaan and Riddhima had reached the school almost fifteen minutes before the concert started.. All thanks to Armaan's super-driving skills of course! So they decided to go to the green rooms - which were essentially classrooms - to wish Raunak and Minnie good luck for the show!

Armaan was trying to look for the two of them in a sea of children in a myriad not to mention bizarre costumes when he saw a tree running towards him at full speed! He wouldn't have known it was his girlfriend if she had not shouted her lungs out and given herself away.. But before she could attempt to jump into his arms as she always did when he came to visit her, he moved forward and stopped her.. It would have been a disaster if she decided to jump over him in that tree costume.. The branches would have probably poked his eyes and blinded him.. But the worst would be if she got all that green glitter on his clothes.. He didn't want to look like a walking talking Christmas tree! So he just sat on his haunches and held her by her shoulders at an arms length, "Hey Girlfriend! I didn't recognize you at all! I mean wow! Kya acting hai.. Mujhe sach mein laga ek jhaad mere taraf bhaag raha hai..", he complimented her acting skills more seriously than required..

"Sacchi! Thanks boyfriend! After all maine acting tumse hi toh seekhi hai.. Acchi toh hogi..", she accepted his compliment even as she returned one..

Riddhima didn't know if she should laugh at that or not.. Both of them looked like they were genuinely complimenting each others' acting skills.. Really now! So ignoring that conversation, she spoke to Minnie, "Hey Minnie.. Looking nice!", she gave what she thought was a more appropriate compliment..

"Thank you Riddhima Di.. You're also looking nice!", she returned her compliment as Riddhima smiled and pulled her cheeks.. Was she cute or what!

"Aaa'.", Minnie shouted as she tried to free herself from all the cheek pulling..

Armaan and Riddhima just chuckled at her as she glared at them for treating like a kid for once..

"Accha girlfriend.. Raunak kahan hai?", Armaan asked her, effectively diverting her attention, but intensifying her glare at the mention of the guy she hated most in this world.. "Wo Sheila miss uska make up kar rahi hai.. He's the prince charming na!!", she frowned as she said that.. Then smiled wickedly as she said, "Pata hai.. Usse lipstick bhi laga rahe hai!!", and she put her hand on her mouth and started sniggering, making Armaan and Riddhima laugh at her.. But her sniggering stopped almost immediately, when Raunak emerged from the entrance of the classroom in his Prince Charming costume complete with a cardboard gold crown and all, "Hey Armaan! You made it! Thank god.. Mujhe toh laga tha you'll miss it..", he said, coming up behind Armaan and Riddhima.

Armaan grinned at him, giving him a bro-punch on his shoulder as he said, "I wouldn't miss your show for the world Raunak! You know that!! But kya karun.. Yeh Basket hain na.. She just wouldn't let me leave.. And when she couldn't get enough of me she finally tagged along!! God! What does a guy do!!", he pretended to complain to Raunak with that devilish grin on his face making Riddhima fume in rage..

"Armaan! Its not funny!!", she told him threateningly with her trademark glare as Raunak fought his smile while Minnie giggled out loud..

But Armaan just ignored her and winked at Raunak who shook his head in disbelief.. "You don't get enough of troubling her do you?", he asked him precociously.

Armaan just grinned as he replied to that, "Naah.. Do you get enough of troubling Minnie?", his brow raised as both Minnie's and Raunak's smiles faded..

"That is so not the same thing!!", Raunak hissed through his gritted teeth..

That only made Armaan's grin widen, "Yeah it is bro! Yeah it is.."

But before Raunak could say anything in defense, Minnie shot back, "Boyfriend! I hate Raunak!!"

"So? Maine kab kaha ki you love him!", Armaan continued to tease both of them as their faces screwed up in disgust, "EEEWWW!!!!!!!", both of them almost screamed..

"Minnie! Raunak!!", a strict voice came from behind them, making them shut up at once.. Armaan looked up to see who it was and found a young woman with her brows scrunched together.. She was pretty shapely and tall with long wavy hair that fell to her tiny waist.. She definitely didn't look like a primary school teacher in that glittering saree and defining make up on her face.. She had probably dressed up for the occasion.. But that aside, at the moment she also had a glare so deadly that it even left Riddhima's behind.. Talk about tough competition.. Only her eyes were jet black unlike Riddhima's sea green..

"Sheila miss!", Raunak and Minnie gasped together as the other children in class started shushing each other.. Armaan tried to control his grin, but failed, as he realized who she was.. So this was Sheila miss!! She sure could replace Katrina Kaif any day.. Only if she could iron out those frown lines on her forehead.. But then.. She looked really harrowed.. She was living proof enough that handling a bunch of primary school kids could be quite a pain!!

"We're sorry.. We just came by to wish Raunak and Minnie luck for the show..", he told her, standing up straight as Minnie and Raunak looked like they were going to be murdered or something..

But their Sheila miss' attention was well diverted by the super-charm of SupArmaan, her scowl disappearing as soon as her eyes fell on him, "And you are..", she asked, one perfectly shaped brow raised as she wondered who the super-sexy stranger was. As far as she knew, Raunak and Minnie had only Ms. Goel and Raunak's grandparents, who looked after the Orphanage where they lived..

Armaan guessed her confusion as he introduced himself at once, "Dr. Armaan Mallik!", and he held his hand forward for her to take, "Raunak's friend and Minnie's boyfriend!"

Miss Sheila looked damn confused at that introduction.. But couldn't help accepting his hand as she gave it a brief lady-like shake and a small almost-shy smile.. And the next moment he was yelping in pain, "Oww!!! Oww!! Oww!!"

Riddhima, who was watching the interaction from the sidelines had managed to dig her six inch pointed heel into Armaan's right toes right through his orange sneakers.. To say that she was fuming would certainly be an understatement. As Armaan turned to see her glare, he had to reconsider that thought about Miss Sheila having a scarier glare than Riddhima.. This was beyond death!!

"Miss.. Uh.. Sheila.. I think we should get going.. I'm sure the show is about to start.. We don't want to miss a minute!", Riddhima spoke to the teacher, whom she had already started hating, with an overtly bright, albeit fake, smile.. Minnie and Raunak started to snigger silently again as they saw the expression of pained confusion on Armaan's face.. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!! And boy was their Riddhima di quite a scornful!!

"All the best Minnie.. And Best of luck Raunak!!", she wished them with that same bright fake smile and before Armaan could do or say anything, had him dragged out of the classroom by his arm..

"Basket what the hell was that!", Armaan asked her as they entered the dark auditorium where the show was about to start..

"Dr. Armaan Mallik! Raunak's friend! Minnie's boyfriend!!!", Riddhima mimicked him mockingly as she continued to fume, now storming away to the front of several rows of seat arranged for the audience.. She had let go of his hand as soon as they had been far enough from the classroom and had marched on into the auditorium.. She was hoping to catch a moment with Bua and dada-daadi, who she assumed would have seated themselves already.. All this, while Armaan continued to act dumb about why she had reacted the way she had reacted.. He had clearly been checking the god damned Miss Sheila out!! She wasn't blind not to notice!! And much to her misfortune, that freak of a teacher had turned out to be hotter than all those so called supermodels! She was definitely taller than her.. That meant longer legs.. And god knows that long legs are the biggest turn on for guys!! Besides, that saree she was wearing wasn't exactly what she'd expect a teacher to wear on the school annual day! Damn her!!

"Basket.. What is wrong with you? Tum pagal ho kya? Actually don't answer that.. I already know tum pagal ho.. But itni! I mean I might have to send you to Agra!! Do you know how much it will hurt me to let you go?!!", Armaan shot back at her, irritated at the way she treated him back in front of Raunak and Minnie's pretty teacher..

"Armaan you know what! Just shut up!!", she told him without looking at him, as she tried to spot Bua amongst the parents that were occupying the front seats.. She was sure she would find Bua there.. She always came early and occupied front seats since she couldn't see properly from behind without her chashma. But she didn't like wearing her glasses at functions like these when she put an effort into dressing up..

"Riddhima!", she heard bua's voice before she could see her.. Then she noticed someone waving at her from a few rows in the front and she hurried towards them with a broad smile..

"Bua!! Kaisi hain aap!", she asked her as she gave her a quick hug.. Then greeted dada-daadi before Armaan took over the conversation.. As usual, he cracked his witty jokes and made all of them laugh.. That's when one of the teachers announced a request to all the parents to take their seats. The show was scheduled to begin in five minutes.. So Armaan and Riddhima had to take their leave and find seats for themselves.. Since they were one of the last few people in, they had to comply with seats in almost the last row.. They bickered on, even as they fought about what would be the best possible view from the limited number of seats they had to choose from.. Finally they decided on two seats right in the center of the second last row.. As Armaan made himself comfortable on his seat, he noticed the jolly looking turbaned man sitting next to him was giving him a broad smile.. So he decided to return the favor and smiled back with a, "Hi"

"Hello ji!! Main Tina ka father hoon ji!! Mr. Singh..", he introduced himself without being asked.. Armaan just nodded at him as he continued to smile.. But when the man continued to smile at him expectantly he introduced himself, "Jee Dr. Armaan Mallik.."

"Oh ho!! Aap Doctor hain! Kya baat hai jee!! Mere na papa ke dost ke bete ke bhateeje ke papa hain na.. Wo bhi doctor hain.. Bade hi acche insaan hain!", Mr. Singh told him as Armaan continued to nod, faking interest while stealing a glance at Riddhima who was stifling a giggle at the conversation she was over hearing..

Meanwhile, Mr. Singh continued to interest Armaan in his amazing doctor friend, "Aapko pata hai.. Mrs. Singh ka piles ka operation bhi unhone hi kiya tha.. Bohot hi acche doctor hain.. Ab Mrs. Singh.. Matlab meri wife hai ji.. Usse ab bilkul koi takleef nahi hai.."

Armaan didn't know how to react to that one.. So he raised his brows in fake appreciation, "Really! Wow!"

And at that Riddhima couldn't stifle her giggles anymore.. Mr. Singh was distracted, thankfully, by that chiming sound from next to Armaan and bent over to look at her.. "Lagta hai Mrs. Mallik ko meri baatein badi funny lag rahi hai.. Wo kya hai ji.. Main baatein bohot karta hoon.. Kahi bhi.. Kisi se bhi shuru ho jaata hoon ji.. I hope you don't mind..", he asked Armaan with a raised brow.. And that shut Riddhima's giggling at once while a broad grin appeared on Armaan's face.. "No no.. Of course I don't mind at all Mr. Singh.. Nor does Mrs. Mallik!", he replied to the good man, while shooting Riddhima a wicked smirk..

"Excuse me.. I'm not his wife!!", Riddhima interrupted them, her voice stern as she tried not to scowl..

Mr. Singh looked at Armaan in confusion as Riddhima refuted his assumption.. But Armaan pretended to lower his voice as he covered his mouth from one side to hide it from Riddhima, "Naraaz hai.. ", he told Mr. Singh with a wink.. And Mr. Singh's eyes lit up at once in understanding, "Oh.. Yeh baat hai! Mrs. Singh ka gussa bhi aisa hi hai! Abhi dekho peeche ki seat mili toh gussa ho jaengi.. Par late toh usi ki wajah se hua.. Teen ghante!! Hai jee.. Teen ghante lage usse tayar hone mein!"

"Really?! Wow.. Lekin Mrs. Singh hain kahan?.. Kahin aap unhe ghar toh nahi bhool aye..", he asked him back with a grin and Mr. Singh burst into guffaws of laughter at the apparent joke!

"Aap bade hi mazaakiya kisam ke insaan hain! Maza aa gaya.. Wah!", and hi slapped hard on Armaan's back almost making him cough as he wondered to himself what the joke was.. But seeing Riddhima fume made him grin anyway.. Mr. Singh stopped laughing as he saw Riddhima glaring at the two of them and decided to answer Armaan's question, "Wo Mrs. Singh hai ji wo Tina puttar ka make-up shake-up karaane dressing room mein gayi hai ji! Wo Tina puttar main heroine hain na iss dramein mein.. Toh uski Sheila miss ne Mrs. Singh ko help ke liya bulaya haiga.."

Armaan listened to him as he remembered what Raunak and Minnie had told him during his Christmas visit to the orphanage.. Minnie was teasing Raunak about the fact that he had to kiss Tina on stage.. So this was Tina's dad! Wow.. This was indeed a small world! "Oh.. Toh Tina Snow White hain.. Raunak ne bataya tha.. Wo Tina ka Prince Charming bana hai.. So you know..", he informed Mr. Singh with a wink.. He knew the jolly fellow would take the joke at its face value.. But he was wrong.. Coz he took the joke a step further as he laughed his loud booming laugh and continued, "Aap ne pehle kyun nahi bataya ki Raunak aap ka beta hai ji.. Kya baat hai Dr. Mallik.. Uss bahane toh hum samdhi hue hai ji!", and he thumped Armaan's back even harder this time.. Armaan was caught between a snort and cough as Riddhima's eye shot open in horror at that comment of his! But he didn't just stop at that.. "Waise aap dono lagte nahi hai ki aapko nau das saal ka baccha ho.. Bada hi sahi maintain kiya hai jee.."

Armaan grinned hard at Riddhima's shocked expression as he laughed.. He didn't attempt to disabuse Mr. Singh of any of his random assumptions as he replied to him, "Aapne bhi sahi maintain kiya hai Mr. Singh.. Aap bhi lagte nahi hai Tina ke papa.."

And of course Mr. Singh took Armaan's compliment as seriously as he had not meant it to be, "Thank you jee..", he smiled a little shyly at that.. Armaan just continued to laugh as silently as he could, even as Riddhima pinched his arm hard to shut him up.. But before she could go ahead and explain things to Mr. Singh and clear out his misunderstanding, a large woman came and sat next to him, "Lo aa gayi meri Lajjo.. Yeh hai ji Mrs. Singh.. Aur yeh Dr. Mallik hai.. Aur wo unki biwi.. Thodi gussa hai jee abhi.. Lekin badi sweet lagdi hai.."

And that was more than enough for Riddhima, "Enough!!! Main iski biwi nahi hoon!! Get that straight!!Ek aur baar mujhe Mrs. Mallik kaha na toh main.. Main.. Main..", she bluntly told him off with an angry finger pointed at him even before he could finish their introduction to his wife..

Both Mr. and Mrs. Singh stared at her wide eyed in fear.. Wow! The woman was really angry!!

But Armaan was enjoying the situation more than anyone ever could.. How would he ever let go of this opportunity without teasing her, "Riddhima.. Baby! I know you're mad at me.. But bechare Mr. and Mrs. Singh ko iss tarah daraao mat sweetheart.. They're good people.. And at least bacchon ke baare mein toh socho.. Raunak and Tina will hate you if they have to stop talking to each other because of us!", he tried to keep the straightest face as he teased her.. When Mrs. Singh looked confused by his comment, her husband whispered the connection to her and she started giggling at once.. The only person who didn't find it funny was glowering at all of them as though she'd love to torture them in a blast furnace before packing them off to hell! She was so angry that she couldn't even get the words out of her mouth to retort to that!! On the other hand, Armaan's victorious smirk was irrepressible as they waited for the show to begin.. Oh he was having the best day of his life!!

"Once upon a time.. In a land far far away..", the narration started along with the background score as the curtains rose to reveal the stage setting of the story.

"Armaan.. Now please don't irritate me.. Just watch the damn play!!", Riddhima hissed to Armaan who had kept up his efforts at teasing her by incessantly calling her Mrs. Mallik as he wove lies about their married life and apparent-son to Mr. and Mrs. Singh. Riddhima had decided to ignore him, as she knew that the more she gets bugged, the more it encourages him to tease her. But when the show started, she asked him to shut up so that she and the other children's parents around them could watch the program in peace.

"Of course Mrs. Mallik! Aapka hukum sar ankhon par!", he did a kind of a teasing salute towards her, before turning to the stage to watch the show, that smirk on his lips irrepressible!

Riddhima scowled at that, but continued with her 'ignore Armaan' strategy.. Thankfully, Armaan didn't continue and soon got engrossed in the on-stage proceedings. She watched him from the corner of her eyes as while he didn't take his eyes off the play even once.. All the while, she couldn't help but wonder if he was actually watching the play, or thinking about the one he had been a part of years ago.. But then the changing expressions on his face as the story took its turns indicated that he was indeed watching with full concentration..

"The queen is so stupid!! How can she not differentiate a pig's heart from a human heart!! Like seriously.. Even a blind man can tell the difference in the anatomy!", he commented, frowning at the skewed piece of detail that the story was portraying..

She couldn't help but chuckle at that, even as she rolled her eyes in derision.. Trust Armaan to pay attention to details that were meant to be ignored..

"And why in the world would she poison only the apple.. If she wanted to kill so badly she should have poisoned much more than one apple! I mean what is the probability that Snow White will actually eat it! Almost none!!", he answered his own rhetorical question, forcing Riddhima to open her mouth and reply!

"Thank god for Snow White that you were not the wicked queen Armaan.. Poor girl would have been killed by the psycho cardiologist Dr. Mallik even before she could meet her Prince Charming.. I'm sure you have a few innovative ideas of killing people up your sleeve..", she shot back teasingly, even as she rolled her eyes in derision!

But Armaan decided to argue his case either way, "Very funny Riddhima! You don't have to be a cardiologist to..", only Riddhima cut him off mid-sentence, irritated by his irritating arguments, "Oh please will you let it go Armaan!! This is a damn fairy tale for god sake!!"

"It's just sad that children start out with the wrong kind of ideas in their head!", came his retort at once and that only made her go, "Arrghh!!!.."

Armaan would have continued to argue his case, but fortunately for Riddhima, Raunak made his entry in the scene at precisely that moment, effectively distracting Armaan, "Hey look Raunak's come!! At least he makes a convincing Prince Charming!", he commented on the scene that was playing out in front of them..

"Yeah he does.. Oh and look at Minnie.. In the forest behind Snow White and her Prince Charming..", she pointed out Minnie who was making faces in the background..

Armaan chuckled as he spotted her, "He he.. Look at the expression on her face.. She's scowling at them.. She's such a little nautanki!"

Riddhima grinned at that comment of his as she turned to spare him a glance, "Yeah.. Just like you!! Tumhari hi girlfriend hai!"

Armaan just rolled his eyes derisively at that as he retorted sarcastically, "Wow!! This was the first smart thing you've said all day Basket! Congratulations!!"

"Armaan!!"

"Shh.. Shut up and watch the show.. Don't disturb!!"

"What! Look who's.."

"Shh!!!"

And that's how they continued to bicker all throughout the play, much to the chagrin of other parents around them, who kept shushing them as their children came on stage one by one.. They could sure be Raunak's pretend parents for an evening, but they definitely needed a few lessons in discipline themselves!

As Snow White and the Prince charming serenaded a love song, Riddhima looked at Armaan again to check if he was okay. He seemed lost in the story. She couldn't tell really whether he was watching the play or thinking about his past. Coz if he was, then he was doing an awesome job of hiding his feelings. But the paradoxical bit here was that he could never hide his feelings from her. And right now she wasn't getting any uncomfortable vibes from him. And that's what confused her. Not that she wanted him to be sad or uncomfortable. But she just wanted to make sure he wasn't.. How was she to find that out without asking him!

"Basket.. I know you can't take your eyes off me.. But please.. This is a school play.. We're not in a movie theater.. Though I wish we were.. I loved our last movie date by the way.. We didn't talk about it after that.. But seriously.. I have to tell you.."

"Armaan! Shut up!!", Riddhima interrupted Armaan's babble, mumbling through her gritted teeth. He had caught her staring at him and had obviously found another reason to irritate her. And that replaced her worry for him with extreme frustration. Fuming, she turned to watch the play.

Armaan grinned at her as she scowled that perfect scowl of hers. It was just too much fun to rile her up like this. But even as he enjoyed the teasing, he couldn't help but wonder why she had been looking at him like that. And this was not the first time he had caught her doing it. Only on the earlier occasions she had looked away before he could catch her red handed. But the way she was looking at him was definitely fishy. What was going on? Shrugging his shoulders to himself as he couldn't find answers to his wonderments, he turned to watch the show. The evil queen had now turned herself into the old hag to deliver the poisoned apple herself (since her pawns had failed so far)to Snow White. Now he just prayed that Snow White wasn't such a stupid blonde to accept an apple from a hag that she was so scared of.. But then, he had been a fool to even hope. Snow White was stupid indeed.. She had consumed the apple and gone into a coma! Why weren't the stupid dwarf's taking her to a hospital!! This was a code blue situation dammit!! But to his relief the scene changed at that. Raunak the Prince Charming came into the picture and delivered his therapeutic kiss bringing the stupid Snow White out of her comatose state..Thank God! Armaan breathed a sigh of relief and clapped for the hero like everyone in the audience did. And as he clapped, he went back to the time when he himself had rescued someone with nothing but a kiss on the cheek. He had been the hero that night. And his mom had been there in the audience, clapping for him, cheering for him sitting in the second row. He had taken a moment to wave out to her too, forgetting it wasn't a part of the script. But then the curtain had fallen. And his mom had disappeared out of his sight.

"Aww.. Armaan.. They're getting married.. That's so cute!", Riddhima's exclamation snapped him out of his reverie.

"Oye congratulations Dr. Mallik.. Ab toh hum officially samdhi hue ji..", Mr. Singh laughed his booming laugh as he gave Armaan a playful but hard smack on his back.. Armaan couldn't help but congratulate him in return even as Riddhima glared at him for his nerve! Armaan turned his eyes back to the stage where the dwarfs and the animals and even the forest trees were celebrating the wedding. But Armaan's mind wasn't really on it. It was still on his mom. He remembered how she had taken him for a pizza and ice cream treat after the play. Then while tucking him in his bed she had told him that his papa would have been proud of his performance. He had been glad to hear that. But he had been more interested in whether the Sleeping Beauty would agree to go on an ice cream date with him after school the next day. That's when his mom had told him that she wasn't his real princess and they had just been pretending. He had of course complained about that.. She had been really cute.. Now he didn't even remember her name. but still.. His mom had however pacified him by promising him that he would find his real princess some day when he was all grown up. And then she would definitely go on an ice cream date with him. He smiled at that thought, looking at his Basket as he saw her clap her hands enthusiastically at the story that played out in front of her, her million dollar smile adorned her face. His mom was right.. He had found his real princess. God knows what he had done to deserve her. She was the most beautiful person he knew.. Inside and out.. She loved and cared about everyone.. She only hated people who tried to hit on him.. But still.. And the most important bit was that she loved him more than anyone in the world. She loved him unconditionally.. She knew him like no one ever had. Only his mom had loved him that much. The love that he had missed for so long, he had learnt to pretend it had not existed at all. The love that he feared to remember coz the loss of it hurt. But for some reason, that hurt didn't come today. That pain had somehow vanished.. He suddenly realized that he was thinking about his mom without feeling like the world was coming to an end. All he felt was.. Was love.. And happiness.. Partly surprised and partly happy about that realization, he chuckled to himself. A year ago if he had been invited to a school concert, he would have never agreed. The thought itself would have scared him into a depression. But when Raunak called last night, he didn't even think for a second before agreeing to go. And the thought of his past or his mom had not even crossed his mind until now. And when it did, he just felt happier about it.. That's when it struck him.. Like a bulb lit in his brain.. And he smiled his best dimpled smile at what he realized..

".. And they lived happily ever after..", the narrator ended the show with the very cliched concluding statement and a ringing round of applause from the audience followed as they watched the curtain fall on the last scene.

"Armaan.. Why aren't you clapping?", Riddhima nudged him with her elbow as she saw the lost expression on his face. She would have been worried had she not spotted the dreamy smile on his face.. Was he imagining their own wedding! It was quite possible!

Armaan turned to look at her as she asked him to look towards the stage with her eyes. His smile widened at the stern but confused expression on her face as he forced his eyes away from her. Now he understood why Mrs. Mallik had followed him to Lonavla. Why she had been so bothered on their way here. Why she had been looking at him like he was about to burst out crying any minute during the play. He had been so involved in bickering with her that he had overlooked how much she loved him. She had obviously thought that coming here would bother him. And she had wanted to be there for him. And she had.. She had been there, not only today, but from the day she had hugged him on the beach that night in Goa. The best part was, she was going to be there for him, with him, for the rest of their lives. Like Snow White and her Prince Charming, they were going to live happily ever after. He had not been more sure about this ever before.. But the last few weeks had made him believe that this dream was true. That this story was true. Even if the last few weeks had been noisy and chaotic, he had come to realize they were more normal than the whole of his life put together. The stupid fight over his past that he had with Riddhima, his maha interfereing sasurjee, his pain in the ass of an intern Payal and the mad New Years' eve party. But what he had realized during the aftermath was that all that and what happened after was worth that one night he spent with Riddhima at their cottage. Not for that mind numbing make out session, even though it was a big bonus, but for just getting to spend a few peaceful moments with her in the chaos that his life was. He was sure Riddhima would kill him if he said this out loud, but he wouldn't mind going through the last two weeks again if that was the price for a few beautiful moments with her. Of course his friends would bury him alive if they ever heard of this. He knew Rahul had been pissed about his callous behavior to what had happened. It wasn't like he didn't feel sorry for what happened. But he just couldn't garner enough sympathy, for them, or even for himself (for the way they were treating him), coz this was one of the most normal things he had happened to come across in his roller coaster of a life. And he couldn't help but feel good about the fact that Riddhima was with him in it. Even though she was hassled, he loved it that she stood up for him against the world and even her own family. He did sound like an ass even to himself in admitting it, but it had not dampened his happiness one bit. In fact, it had made him even more cheerful when he was supposed to feel sad and sorry.. And even if Riddhima and him had been considerably physically apart, which pained him to no extent he couldn't describe it in words, he had been the most secure he had ever been in their relationship so far. So much that even fake fights, scowling nurses, Padma mom's anger and sasurjee's smiles felt normal. For this feeling of security, he wouldn't mind going through the drama all over again. Over the last two weeks that was the one thing he had come to realize and agree with. Everything in life came with a price tag.. Like his horrible past was the price he had to pay for having Riddhima in his life today. And he didn't mind living the torture all over again if he knew she was the Princess to his Prince Charming, the happily ever after of his life..

Smiling at that thought, he looked at her.. She was clapping with a smile on her face as the narrator introduced the actors at the end of the show..

"Armaan look Raunak.. He's waving out!!", she said as she waved at Raunak.. But Armaan didn't look away from her even after the curtain fell and the crowd started moving out of the auditorium slowly. When she finally turned towards him, she found him smiling at her with that same serene smile that she saw on him only when he was extremely happy. "Armaan.. Kya hua? What are you smiling about?", she asked him, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Nothing.. Coz I enjoyed the play.. Bachpan ki yaad aa gayi.. I feel so nostalgic..", he told her as he stood up, giving her his hand. But that elusive smile of his didn't leave his face. And that continued to confuse Riddhima. She wondered if that was a fake smile.. But her heart knew it wasn't.. She knew him well enough to know that much.. She was glad that he enjoyed the play. She wasn't exactly expecting him to enjoy it. So it came as quite a relief as much a surprise. But still, that smile was different. It somehow didn't feel like Armaan's normal response to a primary school play even assuming that his past didn't bother him at all. But she was definitely shocked to hear him talk about his bachpan so casually.. That too right now.. Not knowing what to say to that, she gave him a weak unsure smile as she took his hand and stood up..

Armaan's smile widened at her confused expression.. And he just added to it by placing a small kiss at the back of her hand as he said, "By the way.. I'm not going to thank you.."

Completely taken aback by his sudden act of affection, Riddhima looked around to see if anyone had caught that.. If Mr. Singh had been around he would have not let go of an opportunity to tease them. But fortunately for her, Mr. and Mrs. Singh had disappeared from next to the them the instant the show got over. They were extremely excited about Tina's performance and were probably dying to crush her in one of their bone crushing hugs and sloppy wet kisses.. But what the hell.. She had to admit she deserved it.. But that was not the point! The point was Armaan's weird behavior.. What had he said.. Had he refused to thank her?.. And the only one prompt response to that, that came to her mind to that was, "What for?"

He didn't answer her for a moment, just looked at her and smiled that same happy smile, then leaned in to whisper in her ear, "For being there..", when he pulled out he winked a tiny wink, and without waiting for her response, led her through the aisle.

It took one whole minute for Riddhima to figure out what Armaan had said. Her heart rate had doubled when she felt his breath on her skin, but the blood wasn't still reaching her brain fast enough. But when she did figure it out, she smiled her best smile. So he had knew why she had followed him here.. Of course he did.. He knew her inside out.. All the while she kept wondering what was going on in his head he had been figuring out what was going on in hers! It just proved that he loved her so much more. He had managed to figure it out! But that was not why she was smiling.. The fact that his past had not bothered him the way she had thought it would was what really made her happy.. She didn't care how this wonder had occurred.. It really didn't matter as long as he was happy.. And that smile on his face just said it all!

"Basket.. Hurry up.. I have to tell girlfriend what an amazing jhaad she was.. Like brilliant.. Unbelievable.. So real!!", he exclaimed as he pulled her to himself.

She just giggled at his comment, wondering if he was serious about it.. Coz he sure sounded serious.. But there was no point thinking about that.. It was like beating your head against the wall.. And she didn't want to break hers.. So she let it go and agreed with him, "Yeah.. And what about Raunak.."

"Oh he was the show stealer.. Maybe we should take him back to Sanjeevni.. He'd make a brilliant doctor.. All he'd have to do is kiss the patients..", he joked, winking at her as he saw her roll her eyes in derision, "Oh god Armaan.. Will you please let that go!! Just coz you don't believe in fairy tales doesn't mean you can go finding faults with them.."

"Arre.. I was just pointing out how misleading fairy tales are..I didn't say I don't believe in them.. "

"Accha! Which fairy tale do you believe in then Mr. Mallik!"

"This one.. The one we're living.. You and Me.. Its the world's oldest story.." and he winked at her with that dimpled grin of his.. Riddhima's lips curved in a smile in spite of the 'Mrs. Mallik' gibe of his. And her smile only widened when amidst the slow moving crowd that was headed for the exit, Armaan crept his arm around her waist and whispered "I love you Mrs. Mallik..", in her ear.. She couldn't take her eyes off him after that, looking at him even as he navigated her through the crowd.. She moved in closer to him, her hand finding his on her waist as she entwined their fingers together, making him smile wider.. Yeah.. This was definitely her favorite fairy tale.. Armaan made the perfect Prince Charming. Funnily, he even made her feel like a real Princess.

But sometimes he made her feel a little scared about his mental health.. Like just as they got out through the exit he turned to her and asked, "Will you come for an ice cream date with me.. Mrs. Mallik.."

"What?", was the only answer that came to her mind.

"I said.. Will you come for an ice cream date with me?", he repeated his question slowly this time.. But Riddhima just failed to understand his words completely.. Talk about being random! There was a limit to that too! Well.. All fairy tales had flaws.. Maybe this one was theirs.. Her Prince Charming was a little off the rocker! Okay! She'd take that.. Ice cream and Armaan Mallik both were her favorite.. Totally random and disconnected - at least that's what she told her hyperactive imagination that had put two and two together to create quite a scandalous picture.. Putting that thought aside almost as soon as it had occurred, she went through it again.. Ice cream and Armaan Mallik both were her favorite.. Totally random and disconnected.. But still her favorite.. "Yeah okay..", she replied back to him quickly, her expression reflecting the state of her mind as she winced to get unwanted images out of her extremely disobedient mind..

As Riddhima struggled with her thoughts, Armaan reveled in her confusion, smiling his brilliant smile.. While in his mind, he was doing the hoola dance.. Yes! Finally, he'd got that long overdue ice cream date of his! Only if he'd known what was going on in Mrs. Mallik's head, he'd be doing much more than just the hoola! 😛😆

I want a special romantic Update on my Bday 23rd feb 😳 😃😃😛

P.S- Haila You updated now? 😲😲😲 And my place is first..I didn't even notice 😲 Yayyy 😆😆😆😆

That was a beautiful update, both of them are dying to spend time together but are confused, lost and trying to stay away for their own reasons, which is understandable. But with them, that only worsens the problem, because they're normal and happy only when they're together. But in my opinion Riddhima should tell him whatever she knows, because as hard as it may be for him to believe or cope with it, he deserves to know the truth. It would anyways be a lot of problem if he finds out from somewhere else, or realizes she didn't tell him even though she knew it.

The update was wowww! I love the way u write and your dialogues are so ARish. Love you for giving us TWOS. I am really curious to know what will happen after the secret is revealed i hope it dont have negative effect on AR. Ridz should tell him. Plz update soon with lots of AR romance.

Zappy that was a surprise I wasn't expecting an update but yaaayy. So how was the trip?... coming to the update, it was fun and fabulous! as usu,al but thank god u skipped the details of the basketball match they r kind of overrated if u ask me, personal opinion, but I could so imagine SuperArmaan moving around with that smug smile on his face poor thing has to keep it a secret though.. not from us .. the latest twist you've added got me hooked - what's it that Shanky has found out.. is it about his parents? I think so... I just hope this brings them back to normal almost father son relationship again.. or does it requires him getting sick again 😉 .. I can't wait to see what happens next I hope it doesn't get them into another silly argument of theirs.. oh I'm so worked up thinking about what's going to come next. You better update soon young lady. 😃 ❤️

Awwie cute update... You while reading the update i was thinking of krypto and in the next line i read sumthing like kryptonian - wat does it mean?.. Lols...
Nice update poor ridz is finding it so difficult to hide it frm armaan.. Even i am bad at keeping thing wid me especially wen i am asked not to tell n e one hehe.. Waiting for the rest of the part..

Love,
Vaish<3