Hide n Seek
"Armaan.. Armaan aa gaya! Mera bhai humari help karega.. Haina bhai?", Atul exclaimed as soon as Armaan stepped into the residents' cabin shortly after lunch. As he felt himself being hugged by Atul and then steered inside the cabin, he knew something was up.. Not like Rahul and Abhi's expectant eyes didn't give away their intentions.. They were definitely planning to latkao him somewhere.. But as always he was nothing but curious to find out what they wanted.. But that could wait.. "Where's Basket?", he asked, looking around the cabin, ignoring Atul's question completely.. But she wasn't there.. He really needed to talk to her.. He had decided to do that at lunch.. But he had missed lunch time by half an hour due to a surgery.. As soon the surgery got over he had come to the cabin looking for her.. Only to find the three bandars plotting something that he wasn't sure he wanted to be a part of..
"Le.. Isse iski Basket ke alaava kucch sujhe toh humari help karega na.. Doston ki koi value hi nahi rahi..", Abhi teased him in mock drama..
"Oye Modi.. Don't get me started on Nikki.. Zindagi kam pad jaayegi..", Armaan retorted, even as he watched Atul and Abhi high-five each other.. No one had the right to tease him about wanting to see his Basket.. He had not seen her in the last seventy-two hours.. In fact the chances of seeing her had come far and few ever since the night of the fund raiser.. And even when they did get a chance together, he couldn't see past the want that rose in him every time she was in a five foot radius around him.. It was uncontrollable and dangerous.. So he had even avoided being alone at home with her for too long.. But really.. He didn't have to make an effort to keep himself away from her.. Their work did that for him..
Most of the time either he was busy or she was.. He knew the distance was getting on her nerves.. It was evident in her voice every time they spoke on the phone.. Plus he had missed Atul and Anjali's wedding anniversary last night coz he was stuck in Pune.. She was already mad at him coz of that.. And more so coz he had been with his intern!
But Rahul who had a greater problem at hand brought him out of his thoughts as he shouted, "Guys stop arguing.. Concentrate on the problem! Think!!"
Rahul's troubled expressions forced Armaan to leave his problems aside and finally ask, "And may I ask what the problem is?"
"Thank god.. Mujhe laga poochega hi nahi..", Atul remarked jokingly making Abhi stifle a snort..
"Champ!!", Armaan gave Atul a derisive look, his tone reprimanding.. He really wasn't in a mood to take or make sad jokes.. What he wanted was to be in Riddhima's arms.. For however a short while as it may be.. But he really missed her..
Thankfully Atul didn't try his temper as he stopped laughing at once and explained the problem to Armaan.. "Sorry.. Wo kya hai.. Ki kal Muskaan ka birthday hai.."
"Toh.. Toh problem kya hai?", Armaan asked, confused as Atul's explanation was clearly not enough..
"Problem yeh hai Armaan.. Ki bechara Rahul cant see Muskaan till their shaadi next week.. Upar se orders aayi hain!", Abhi elaborated, making Armaan's eyes go wide in surprise, "One whole week?" he couldn't imagine not seeing Riddhima for a whole week.. Just three days had made him crazy.. A whole week would kill him..
And Rahul more than agreed with him for once, his face all long and defeated, "More than that dude! Ten days!! Kal mere mahaan saas-sasur aaye.. Patiala se.. Aur le gaye mere biwi ko..", he complained, almost in tears as he shook his head in defeat..
"Tch tch tch.. Maine kaha tha dusri baar shaadi karne ke liye?", Armaan asked sarcastically, grinning teasingly at him.. But that just deepened Rahul's scowl, "Shut up yaar Armaan.. Tu problem ka solution bata!"
"Main kya bataaun.. Permission lekar bahar le jaa.. Big deal.. Waise bhi you two are married already.. Kya farak padta hai?", he suggested.. The problem didn't sound as severe as they were making it out to be..
"Farak padta hai yaar.. Jabse mom dad yahan aaye hain hume chain se baithkar baat karne ka mauka bhi nahi milta.. And mom actually makes Muskaan sleep with her! Can you believe it! I really doubt sasurjee will let me take her out!", Rahul whined, making Armaan grin, "Are re re.. Bechara..", he teased him, slapping his back playfully, making Atul and Abhi chuckle at his condition..
Rahul just glared at him in return, "Stop it Armaan.. Koi toh tareeka hoga.. I cant miss her birthday yaar.. I have to wish her at twelve o clock! And don't say call her up!! I want to wish her in person!"
As much as he wanted to tease him, Armaan could totally relate to what Rahul was feeling.. He knew what it was to miss the love of your life.. In spite of being in the same building for most of the day!! So he decided to cut his friend some slack and throw in a few suggestions.. Anyway, the problem didn't seem as serious as Rahul was making it out to be, "Chill kar Raool!!.. What is so difficult.. Make a bahana.. Night duty.. Patient serious hai.. Kucch bakwaas kar aur dono bara baje tak Sanjeevni mein ruk jao.. Terrace par cake kaat lo.. Simple!"
But apparently, it wasn't that simple, "Nahi kar sakte bhai.. Muskaan is not coming to the hospital for the entire week! Aaj se uski chutti hai..", Atul informed them, his tone somber even as a teasing glint shone in his eyes..
Armaan raised his brows, mildly surprised by that information, "Oh.. Tabhi I was thinking, aaj hospital mein itni shaanti kyun hai!", he commented, grinning naughtily to himself..
But that grin disappeared almost immediately as Rahul gave him the dirtiest glare he was capable of giving, "Armaan!!"
"Okay sorry! Sorry! Accha toh wo reh kaha rahi hai?", Armaan asked, deciding now was not the time to take panga with Raool.. He might get killed in the process..
"Kisi guest house mein..", came Rahul's disgruntled reply..
"Which floor?", came Armaan's question, a naughty grin on his face..
"How does it matter?", Rahul asked him, rolling his eyes in frustration..
"Of course it matters!"
"Armaan please yaar.. Dimaag mat chaat..", Rahul warned him, irritated by that all too familiar devil smirk on his face..
But Armaan was least affected.. He just continued to smirk as he answered, "Mujhe dimaag nahi chaatna hai. Tu chaat ke dekh le.. Maybe then you'll remember something.."
A royal scowl adored Rahul's face, even as a confused Abhi and Atul listened to the conversation with full concentration, like watching an interesting tennis match.."What?"
Armaan's smirk almost bordered on condescension as he replied, "Whatever happened to pipes dude!!", slapping Rahul's back playfully, even as he remembered the time when Rahul had been the one giving him advise on pipes!
While Atul and Abhi took their time to process Armaan's words, comprehension dawned upon Rahul's face, his scowl instantly turning into awe as he looked at Armaan with what most definitely was respect, "Damn! Why the hell didn't I think of this!! I love you Armaan.. I love you!! Seriously!!", in all the excitement he moved forward to hug Armaan, would have kissed him if he could.. But Armaan kept him at bay with a finger on his shoulder, "Please! Don't touch..", he ordered, making a face as he brushed off the non-existent dirt on his shirt and coolly walked out of the cabin, leaving a confused Abhi-Atul pair, and an ecstatic Rahul behind.. He could be cool only for so much time.. So why not bask in the glory while it lasted.. All his tashan was going to go out the window once Basket got hold of him.. Or he got hold of her.. Where the hell was she anyway!
"Dr. Riddhima.. Aapke liye phone hain..", sister Lovely called out to Riddhima as she passed the nurse station on her way to the OPD mid-afternoon..
Riddhima gave sister Lovely a small smile and took hold of the receiver of the phone, hoping against hope it wasn't the same call she was getting since the last three days, "Hello.. Dr. Riddhima Gupta here..", she spoke in her professional tone of communication.. Mostly patients or their relatives or other consulting doctors called on the hospital landlines. For personal calls she had her mobile.. All her friends and family usually called on her cell phone when they needed her.. Only sometimes when Armaan wanted to trouble her would he call her at the reception landline and tease her about something or the other.. Giving her blank calls sounded like just the immature thing he would do.. But he wouldn't disturb her during work, would he? Not when he himself was too busy to even think about her.. So when she didn't get an answer from the other end, she frowned in irritation.. It was probably the same person who called her everyday since the last three days at least once!
"Hello.. Hello! Who's this?", she asked politely first, then raised her voice as her irritation increased.. Cursing whoever was on the other end, she put the phone down.. But just as she was about to leave from there, the phone rang again.. She requested sister Lovely to answer the phone, who promptly transferred the call to her.. But again, no one spoke..
"Kya hua sister Lovely?.. Everything okay Riddhima?", she jumped as she heard Armaan's voice right next to her.. In some corner of her heart she had been counting on this stupid blank calls being one of Armaan's pranks..
"Jee kucch nahi jee Dr. Armaan.. Pata nahi koi Dr. Riddhima ke liye phone kar raha hai lekin baat hi nahi kar raha..", Sister Lovely answered when Riddhima didn't say anything..
And immediately, Armaan's face scorched with fury, "What!! Basket what is going on? Why haven't I heard about this?"
"Armaan I just cant hear the guy.. I'm sure its some misunderstanding.. Don't worry..", Riddhima quickly tried to pacify the rage that she was sure was building through him.. She had purposely kept this piece of information from him coz firstly she hadn't gotten the opportunity to talk to him for even five minutes at a stretch in the last few days.. Plus, she didn't want to add to the tension he already had on his head.. And she was sure an anonymous caller giving her blank calls would have him disturbed every second of the day.. Not like he didn't have enough on his mind already..
But now that the cat was out of the bag thanks to sister Lovely, Armaan reacted just like she had predicted he would, "Sister Lovely.. Next time yeh phone kare toh mere cabin mein line transfer kar dena.. I'll take care of him..", he commanded the nurse, his tone threatening, his jaw clenched..
Riddhima was alarmed by his reaction.. She was a little scared in some corner of her heart.. But she was definitely capable of handling a blank call on her own.. "Armaan.. Armaan!! Tum kyun tension le rahe ho.. This person will probably never call again.. And how do you know it's a he? Koi bhi ho sakta hai..", she tried to play down the matter, following Armaan as he proceeded towards his cabin, scowling furiously at what he had discovered..
"Please I'm sure it's a he! And if it's that Vivek I swear I'll kill him this time..", Vivek's was the first face that came to his mind when sister Lovely told him about Riddhima's anonymous caller..
"Why will Vivek give me blank calls? Wouldn't he just speak to me if he bothered calling.. And why will he call me anyway..", Riddhima had an idea that Vivek seemed smitten by her.. Or that he was just an incorrigible flirt.. But she couldn't picture him as a crazy stalker.. In fact, this sort of stuff either happened in movies or was the immature stuff that teenagers do in college.. She was sure this was one of her patients with a bad phone or network problem..
But Armaan wasn't convinced.. In fact, the more he thought about it, the stronger his suspicions took root in his mind, "Isn't it obvious.. He was stalking you that day Riddhima..", he spoke out his thoughts aloud, remembering the day after the fund raiser.. He had caught Vivek staring at Riddhima while she was on her daily rounds of the children's ward.. He knew he was doing that, coz he himself had been in that place a year ago, falling in love with his Basket.. But Vivek he knew was cheap.. Anjali had warned him the night before, and asked him to keep Riddhima away from him.. Of course Riddhima didn't believe him then.. She didn't even believe him now.. Coz her reply to his accusation was, "He wasn't stalking me Armaan.. He had come for a board meeting with his dad..", she explained, trying to keep up with Armaan's pace as they walked through the corridor.. At least that was what Vivek had told her..
"Then what was he doing in the children's ward instead of the conference room!", Armaan argued, frowning at her.. He had not been able to stop himself from confronting Vivek that day and had ended up having an argument right in front of the children's ward. That had caught Riddhima's attention and she had interfered right on time, reminding them that they were in a hospital.. After that Vivek had given his explanation as to why he was there.. And nave that Riddhima was, she even believed it.. "Armaan the meeting was over.. He just came to say hi!"
Armaan rolled his eyes in derision.. Came to say hi! Yeah right!!, "Bullshit.. Good thing I caught him that day.. Before he could cross his limits..", he spat, angry with even the thought of Vivek trying to cross any limit..
But Riddhima continued to defend Vivek.. More coz she didn't want Armaan to lose his sleep over someone who didn't matter in their life at all, "Armaan you're just being paranoid.. He may be a brat.. But he's well bred and comes from a good family.. Plus I don't think he needs to stalk people.. I'm sure girls swoon over him anyway.."
And that made Armaan stop in his tracks.. "Are you trying to say he's good looking?", he asked her through his scowl..
Riddhima chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief.. Oh he was so cute when he was jealous.. "He's not bad looking.. So.. Whatever..", she answered back cheekily and giggled, only to make him roll his eyes in defeat.. He sighed, smiling a little as he watched her giggle, "Basket please be careful around him.. He just gives me the bad vibes..", he told her seriously, holding her hand as he entwined his fingers with hers, then continued to walk towards his cabin..
Riddhima smiled as he did that, walking with him as she answered, "Armaan anything male in a five foot radius around me will give you the bad vibes.. Now stop being such an obsessed and over possessive fiance and please let me go.. I have OPD duty..", she told him, trying to pull her hand out of his grip..
Armaan frowned, but didn't let her go, "Lekin Basket.. I wanted to talk to you..", he complained, pouting as he did.. He knew the cute pout always worked..
Only this time, it had the reverse effect.. The blank call fiasco had totally distracted Riddhima from the fact that she was mad at Armaan.. Today morning she had blasted him over the phone and told him she wouldn't talk to him ever.. And as she remembered why, she stopped walking and snatched her hand away, "Please.. I'm still not talking to you.. Meri memory itni kamzor nahi hai.."
"Tch.. Common yaar Basket.. Let it go already.. Meri gaadi ka tire puncture ho gaya toh main kya karun.. Upar se I didn't even have a spare.. I had to go find a bloody mechanic..", Armaan launched into his series of excuses even before she could start with her accusations..
"I don't care Armaan..", she told him, starting to rush off in the opposite direction.. This time, he followed her, "Basket you're just doing this to me coz I was with Payal.. I know that..", he told her grumpily, frowning as he made his own accusation.. And Riddhima didn't do anything to defend herself, "So why are you asking?", she asked, continuing her march.. Now a days he spent more time with his intern than with her.. So what if work was the excuse! And last night, he had missed Atul and her Di's wedding anniversary dinner in spite of promising her that he would be there.. So what if his tire had gotten punctured.. She just hated the fact that he wasn't with her.. And the fact that he was with 'her' added fuel to the fire! She just couldn't help her feelings there..
Nor could Armaan.. It was cute when she got possessive about him.. But lately her aversion to Payal was starting to get on his nerves.. "Basket.. We didn't go there together by choice Basket.. It was work!", he told her, his tone reflecting his frustration..
Riddhima slowed down a little as she felt his volume rise.. She knew she was being unfair to him.. But she was just irritated with the fact that they couldn't spend more time together.. And she just found it easier to be mad at Payal.. She didn't have to try hard to be mad at her anyway.. That girl got on her nerves naturally.. "Armaan.. I know.. I'm sorry.. But I miss you so much..", she told him truthfully, not daring to look at him.. The physical, emotional and communicational distance had really got to her.. It overwhelmed her.. She had already cried herself to sleep last night.. And she didn't want to do that in the middle of the hospital again.. That aside, she was already late for OPD duty..
Armaan understood exactly what her words meant.. He felt like pulling her into his arms and holding her tight right where they were.. It didn't matter they were in the middle of a hospital or had to get back to work.. But he knew he couldn't.. Life sucked.. Royally! She was right in front of him and he couldn't do anything to make her feel better.. Or himself for that matter.. All he could do was tell her that he understood and felt the same, "Riddhima.. I miss you too.."
She knew he missed her too.. But it felt so much better to hear him say that.. "Liar.. If you'd miss me you would have come for breakfast at least.. ", she frowned a fake frown, teasing him, having gained her composure back..
"Main late utha Riddhima.. I told you we got back home really late.."
"Please tell me you didn't ask her to stay over at our place!"
"Of course not.. Mujhe itni jaldi marna nahi hai.."
"Acchi baat hai.. Main bhi tumhe itni jaldi maarna nahi chahti.."
"But you kill me every second you're away from me Basket.. What about that.."
"Yeah yeah.. Liar.. Baatein banana koi tumse seekhe.. You even beat Vivek at that.."
"Please don't insult me by comparing me to that kameena Basket.."
"Armaan you don't even know him!!"
"I don't even want to know him!!"
And they would have bickered on all the way to the OPD, but Armaan's pager went off, calling him to the ER asap.. Even bickering with each other was a luxury these days.. Anything to be in each others' company.. So as they grudgingly parted ways, they decided to meet at the fire escape before they left for the day.. However long the other had to wait.. Whatever happened, today they wouldn't go home until they got enough of each other!
"Ridzi!! Finally.. Hum kabse tujhe dhoond rahe the!", Anjali exclaimed as she saw her little sister coming towards the nurse station just when Nikki and she had been asking Sister Lovely of her whereabouts..
Riddhima had been hurrying away to the fire escape to meet Armaan as soon as she had finished attending an emergency case in the ER.. He had texted her half an hour ago that he was done with his work and would be waiting for her there.. She couldn't wait to see him! But she now that she had bumped into her Di, she didn't have an option but to stop and talk to her, "Kya hua Di? I was in the ER..", she told her hurriedly, hoping this conversation wouldn't take too long..
"Yeah whatever Ridzi.. Ab toh you're done for the day na?..", Nikki asked, taking Riddhima by her arm as she led her in the opposite direction to where she had been going.. There was an urgency to her tone and Riddhima didn't like it one bit.. She knew they were planning something.. And she just didn't have the heart to cancel on Armaan.. She had to make a bahana quick, "Yeah.. Lekin.."
But her Di didn't let her speak at all, interrupting her before she could excuse herself, "Lekin kucch nahi Ridz.. It's Muskaan's birthday tomorrow!"
Riddhima's brows rose in surprise.. Oh yeah.. It was Muskaan's birthday! How had she forgotten.. Now she realized that she had forgotten her birthday last year also.. Of course she remembered too well the reason she had forgotten her friend's birthday. She was too busy running around Armaan that day.. And by the time the day had ended, Armaan had said those three words to her for the very first time.. Obviously after that all thoughts of anything and anybody else had left her mind. Even as that memory warmed her heart, she felt sick at the thought of being the most selfish friend on earth.. How could she forget Muskaan's birthday! She so deserved every bit of the treatment she had got from Muskaan at that time.. In fact, she felt so guilty that she couldn't dare but oppose Nikki and her Di when they explained to her their plan of having a sleep over tonight.. Since she wasn't allowed to meet Rahul, it was the next best thing they could do for her.. In fact they believed an all girls night would be better in so many ways.. Especially coz Muskaan was the queen of gossip.. And gossip was definitely going to be on the cards for the night.. And anyway, the combination of gossip and alcohol was fun at its best..
"Great.. So I'm gonna make arrangements for the daaru..", Nikki said when she saw Riddhima agree to their plan..
"And I'm gonna get the cake..", Anjali declared, "All you have to do is be there at Muskaan's place!"
"And of course help me smuggle the alcohol into her room from her window.. I doubt her parents will let me walk through their door with bottles full of vodka and shnaps.. ", Nikki said, sounding like a teenage rebel.. But considering Muskaan's parents they'd probably be treated like that too..
"But what about mamma and papa.. I havent.. ", Riddhima started, but her Di cut her off, "I've informed mom already Ridz.. You don't take tension.. Just get ready and be there to answer the door for us by ten or so.."
"But Di.. It's nine o' clock right now..", Riddhima protested, looking at her watch.. How was she going to spend time with Armaan now!
Anjali however chose not to hear the protest in her tone and started towards the door, "I know Ridz.. We gotto hurry.. Chal I'll go before the cake shops shut down for the night.. Bye.."
"Yeah.. Main bhi chalti hoon Ridz.. I need to go home and make dinner for Abhi.. I'll never make it on time if I don't go now.. I'll see you at 10.. Bye.."
"Lekin Nikki..", and before she could say anything Nikki had rushed out of there too.. God! This couldn't be happening to her.. She couldn't believe that at twelve tonight she would be celebrating Muskaan's birthday instead of talking to Armaan on the phone.. In fact she had been thinking they would sit on the hospital terrace and talk all night under the pretext of a night duty.. Or if they were extremely lucky he could even climb into her room and spend the night.. She craved being in his arms.. But now there was no point in thinking about all that.. She couldn't possibly say no to Muskaan's birthday plans.. She wouldn't be able to bear that guilt.. This really felt like payback.. For forgetting her bestie's birthday last year.. She probably deserved it! So she set off towards the fire escape wondering how she was going to tell Armaan they wouldn't be able to spend much time tonight either.. She just hoped at least tomorrow they would be able to squeeze in a dinner date or something.. She wasn't one to celebrate random anniversaries.. That was Nikki's thing.. But a whole year of being with Armaan definitely called for some celebration.. She of course had a gift for him.. But there had to be something more.. If nothing, just a long never ending bickering session with him would also do.. Or just a random chat with her on his lap, engulfed in his arms.. Or a long make out session that would leave her senses numb.. She couldn't believe she had just thought of that! But then.. It seemed like forever since she'd shared a decent kiss with him even.. So she really couldn't blame herself! Fighting a shy smile at that thought, she entered the fire escape only to find it completely empty.. "Where the hell is he?", she asked herself aloud as she took a few steps down, wondering where Armaan was.. According to his text half an hour ago, he had been waiting for her to come. Had he been summoned for an emergency again.. God no! please no! She couldn't take this.. It was like the universe was plotting against them and deliberately keeping them from seeing each other! Just as she was about to start cursing the universe, her phone beeped.. It was a text from Armaan - change of plan. No fire escape. My cabin asap.
Armaan was sitting on the last step of the fire escape waiting anxiously for Riddhima to come.. The anxiety had two reasons behind it.. One reason was that he was waiting there for almost half an hour now and he couldn't wait to see her.. The second reason, a complete paradox to the first, was that he didn't know how to behave with her when she did finally come. This was the first time they were getting to spend some alone time after his feelings had taken a wrong turn into the no entry zone in their relationship. And this time he couldn't run.. He wouldn't run.. Coz he genuinely and truly missed her.. The last few weeks had been happy and fulfilling.. His work was going great.. There was no drama in his life.. That new years eve felt eons away now that they were at the end of the month.. Life was as normal as it had never been for him in all these years he'd been on the planet.. Basket was definitely going to be his.. Plus she had even lifted the ban on making out with her that she had imposed after the new year debacle.. Too bad he hadn't gotten a chance to take advantage of that.. Too bad he would have to make sure he didn't take advantage of that. But how was he going to do that without letting her know what he felt.. He had already foolishly tried running away.. That had worked somehow last week.. And this week he had been too busy to worry about all that.. But he couldn't possibly run away from her all his life.. Cancel that.. He couldn't run away from her till their wedding! Or maybe he could.. Of course he couldn't! He cancelled that thought as soon as it came to his mind.. He couldn't believe what he was doing! He was running away from a girl!!! He wasn't one to believe in miracles.. But now he did.. This was definitely a miracle! His hormones had never ever, even in his adolescence, been so out of control.. Forget his hormones.. No damn part of him had ever been out of his control.. And though the double entendre made him grin a foolish smile, his mind definitely understood that it was the 'part' he had been referring to when he had that thought.. And that particularly complicated thought pushed him closer to the edge that he had already been precariously perched at.. It made him run a rough hand through his hair.. His original intentions had been to pull it out.. But then if he ever had a chance with Riddhima, he had it with his crowning glory in place rather than a balding head.. So he decided against it.. Coz god knew he really wanted that chance! And he wanted it as soon as he could possibly get it! Common he deserved it!! He had made it for almost a year without trying anything funny with her.. Okay maybe he had.. But then.. He had never tricked her.. Okay maybe he had.. Arrgh! This was never going to work!! He was desperate and officially sexually frustrated.. A state of mind and body that he had never imagined himself to be in! Unfortunately, neither was under his control anymore.. He wanted what he wanted.. And he just wouldn't listen to himself! Or himself wouldn't listen to him! Arrgh.. How did it matter! The point was he was utterly embarrassed of the fact that he was losing control.. The one thing he hated in life was to lose control.. Riddhima had always made him lose control.. But that was somehow different.. That loss of control was also controllable.. But ever since they had crossed boundaries that shouldn't have been crossed, the control was permanently lost.. Like this wasn't the first time he had felt this way about Basket.. Only the previous times, he had wanted to want what she wanted.. He had wanted to care about right and wrong.. He had wanted to care about the world.. Now.. He just wanted her.. And he really didn't care about anything else.. Anything except her feelings! And that was what was making him do these stupid things! Running away from her when all he wanted was to hold her close and touch her like she'd never been before.. Pulling away from her when all he wanted was to kiss her crazy.. So crazy that she wouldn't realize when he'd made his move on her.. So crazy she wouldn't even try to protest.. Of course he could do that.. He knew he had that effect on her.. But what would happen after she'd get back her senses.. What would happen when she realized he'd taken advantage of her trust.. And taken it too far.. He couldn't risk awkwardness between them.. Awkwardness that was bound to creep in if he did something she didn't really approve of.. And that he couldn't tolerate.. He could tolerate everything else but see her disappointed in him.. He had experienced that once before when he had decided to leave her and run instead of fighting for their love.. And he knew that was hell.. He couldn't risk another drama right when everything else was so smooth. They were going to get married now.. It was just a few days.. Okay months.. But still.. He was man enough to control his desires for that long.. So that was decided! He wasn't going to run away from her anymore.. He was going to give her what she deserved. Lots of love and a mountain full of patience.. Making up his mind to be the gentleman that she perceived him to be he felt his mind protest with a filmstrip of possibilities of not being one.. But he cut it short just as it had started rolling, "Focus dude!! Focus.. focus!!!", he told himself, holding his hands to his face like blinders, as he forced himself to 'focus'! And just as he had managed to convince himself that Riddhima's feelings were what mattered most, he heard the fire escape door creak open.. Finally.. Madam was here.. And contrary to what he had imagined he didn't feel one bit frustrated or anxious or anything else at the thought of spending this time with her.. Oh he had so much to tell her.. And so much to hear.. And of course take his fill of her heartwarming smile.. He just realized hadn't stopped to stare at her at all this week.. Now he was going to make up for all that.. Smiling at that thought he got up and turned swiftly as he greeted her cheerfully, "Hey Bas..", but finished with a.. "Bas.. Bas.. Basketball.. Hey basketball.. Khelenge.. Aap..?"
"Kya?", a confused Dr. Shashank scrunched his brows as he looked at Armaan in confusion..
"Kucch nahi sir.. Main.. Wo.. Basketball khelne jaa raha tha.. Aap.. Khelenge?", Armaan winced as he asked stutteringly, hoping Shanky papa would buy his silly excuse.. What the hell was he doing here!! Must be that alarm of his again.. And considering he was just thinking about Riddhima in a way that he definitely didn't approve of, he had definitely upgraded his security system to a more sophisticated technology.. God! This was worse than Leglimency! And Shanky definitely beat the Dark Lord at it!
"Dr. Armaan aap kya keh rahe hai? Do you yourself even understand what you're saying?", a visibly irritated Dr. Shashank asked Armaan as he heard his absurd statements.. "Aur aap yahan kar kya rahe hain?"
Armaan's eyes widened at that question.. He had to come up with something.. Quick!! That's when his eyes fell on the file and his lab coat that were still lying next to where had been seated on the staircase.. "Kucch nahi sir.. Main.. Wo.. File padh raha tha sir.. Case.. New case..", he told him, pretending to be sincere as he picked up the file and lab coat.. Even as he pretended to read the file, flipping the pages importantly, he didn't realize he was holding it the wrong side up..
Dr. Shashank shook his head in disbelief.. Who did this guy think he was fooling? And that Basketball excuse of his.. Like he had not realized till now what endearment his son-in-law-to-be used for his daughter.. It was extremely weird and unusual.. But at least he didn't have to endure a 'sweetheart' or 'darling'.. 'Basket' was definitely bearable.. "It's quite a strange place to study a case Dr. Mallik.. I believe Sanjeevni ne aapko ek accha khaasa cabin diya hai.. So you can be comfortable when you do your work.."
"Yes sir.. Of course sir.. But I was just..", and he was about to launch into a new set of excuses when he was abruptly cut short by his sasurjee, "It's okay Dr. Armaan.. You don't need to give me any explanation.. Coz none of the explanations are going to make sense anyway.. Aap please apni file padhna continue kijiye..", he told him curtly.. He had more important things to do than get into a mindless conversation with Armaan Mallik!
But Armaan wasn't going to stick around when he had the opportunity to flee.. Last thing he wanted was for Riddhima to walk through that door and make matters worse.. "Nahi sir.. Ab main cabin mein jaakar hi padhta hoon..", he told him and started up the stairs..
"Okay.. Whatever you like..", Dr. Shashank didn't bother to argue or converse, making his way down the stairs as he saw Armaan make his way up.. He thanked god that his son-in-law wasn't a nosy brat, or he was just too scared of him all the time to ask relevant questions.. He was sure he wouldn't be able to get away had Anjali or Riddhima seen him here.. Just as he reached the landing and was about to take the next flight of stairs down, he realized he had thanked god too soon.. Coz Armaan stood near the door looking at him with confusion, "Uh.. Dr. Shashank.. Aap yahan se kahan jaa rahe hain..", he asked him half suspiciously and half nervously..
For a moment, he didn't answer.. And just when Armaan had thought he was going to ask him to mind his own business, Dr. Shashank calmly replied, "Mujhe control room mein security se kucch kaam hai.."
Armaan raised his brows in comprehension, half scrunching them in confusion.. Control room.. As in where the security cameras were monitored from.. Why would Dr. Shashank go down there.. But what did he care anyway.. Good for him! What he was more concerned about was getting out of there and informing Riddhima about the change in venue, "Oh.. Okay.. See you then..", not!!
"Sure.. Good night.."
"Good night sir..", and with that he rushed out of the fire escape towards his cabin, simultaneously typing a text asking Riddhima to come to his cabin instead of the fire escape!
Riddhima frowned at her phone as she read Armaan's message and started cursing him at once, "Such an idiot.. Pehle nahi bol sakta tha.. Ek toh we're short on time.. "
Muttering, she was just about to start climbing up the stairs when she saw someone coming up the flight of stairs that led to the basement, "Papa?!!", she exclaimed, half surprised, half suspicious.. And the suspicion only grew when she saw apprehension in his eyes.. "What are you doing here papa?", she asked him at once..
But as he answered she saw the composure return to his face, "Kucch nahi Dr. Riddhima.. I was just doing my rounds of the security room.."
"What? I didn't know keeping a check on the security room was a part of your routine..", she said, suspicion written all over her face..
But her dad remained unfazed, "Well.. You don't know much about being the dean of a hospital then.. And anyway.. Aap iss waqt yahan kya kar rahi hain?"
And that question totally diverted her attention from her dad to Armaan.. Damn him! Now what was she to tell her papa.. "Main.. Main.. Yeh file.. Case padhna tha.. So..", she said, showing her dad the file she had been carrying..
Dr. Shashank chuckled, shaking his head in derision at that answer from his daughter, "I don't understand aaj kal doctors case study karne fire escape kyun aate hain.. Kucch der pehle Dr. Armaan bhi yahin baithkar case file padh rahe the.."
Riddhima winced, biting her tongue as she realized why Armaan had shifted venue all of a sudden, "Accha.. Wo.. That's.. Well.. Mujhe nahi pata tha..", she told her papa, chuckling fakely, wondering if he'd buy that..
Of course he didn't, "Of course aap ko nahi pata tha.. Toh aapko yeh bhi pata nahi hoga ki ab Dr. Mallik apne cabin mein gaye hain.. He's shifted base there..", he informed her, a knowing smile on his face..
Riddhima blushed, feeling cornered.. The only solution was denial, "Yeah.. Whatever.. Its not like I care..", she told him, trying to sound nonchalant..
"Good.. You shouldn't.. So.. Lets go home.. Main ghar hi jaa raha hoon..", he told her, walking up the stairs towards the exit.. Riddhima followed him, scowling behind his back, realizing that her papa was doing this on purpose to tease her, "I would have papa.. But I have my car.. I'll come on my own..", she told him indifferently..
"Great.. Toh aaj dinner saath mein karenge..", he tried again, giving her an almost naughty grin..
"Papa actually kal Muskaan ka birthday hai.. So we're going to her place for a sleep over.. You know bara baje cake kaatenge and all..", she knew her Di had already informed her mom of their plans.. But she doubted her dad had heard about them yet.. And the only comment he could make to that piece of news was , "Yeah of course.. And I assume Dr. Armaan will also be there.."
Riddhima rolled her eyes at that.. Her papa was being such a pain, "No.. Its just us.. As in Di and Nikki and Muskaan.. "
Dr. Shashank smiled, feeling the irritation in her voice.. Enough of teasing for today, "Theek hai then Riddhima.. Enjoy yourself.. And wish Muskaan a happy birthday from my side.."
"Sure papa.. Bye.. Good night.."
"Good night..", and with that he left for his cabin to get his stuff so he could go home.. He hoped Padma wasn't still angry with him..
"Basket what took you so long!", he asked as soon as he saw her storm into his cabin..
"Sorry Armaan.. Pehle Di and then papa..", that's all she said in explanation, as she plunked herself next to him on the couch in his cabin.
"Arre yaar saari duniyaa ke bones tumhare khaandaan mein paida hue hain kya..", he asked, frowning at that answer of hers..
"Kya?", Riddhima's face scrunched in irritation.. Now was really not the time for Armaan's trademark sad jokes! But who'd tell him that.. He continued his explanation, "Bones.. As in haddi.. Kabab mein jo hoti hai.. You know..", he told her, crinkling his nose naughtily at her..
"Armaan shut up!", she told him, linking her arm with his as she leaned her head on his shoulder..
But Armaan in all his irritation pulled himself away from her as he animatedly complained to her about her dad, "What shut up! I was just thinking about you today Basket! Just thinking!! And Shanky papa comes to check on me! Can you believe it!"
Riddhima frowned as she heard his idiotic theories, "He wasn't checking on you Armaan.. He had some work at the security.. Anyway.. That's not important.. I'm in a hurry right now.. Muskaan ke yahan jaana hai..", she came to the point before he took her around the bush..
"Kya.. No Basket! How can you do this.. We were supposed to spend time with each other.."
"I know Armaan.. Lekin it's Muskaan's birthday!"
"I know.. But why do you have to go to her place!"
"Because we're having a sleep over.. And 'we' refers to Di, Nikki, Muskaan and me! Just the girls!"
"What! No way Basket.. You cant do that to Rahul.. He's planning to climb into her room and surprise her at 12!"
Riddhima's jaw dropped at that information, "What! No.. They're no allowed to see each other..", she told him in almost a strict tone..
"Common yaar Basket.. Tum kyun unke pyaar ki dushman ban rahi ho.. Imagine if we were asked not to see each other for a week!", as much as he loved to trouble his friend he couldn't help but stand up for him here.
But Riddhima's thoughts swiftly changed gears from their friends' problem to their own, "I don't have to imagine Armaan.. This week was as bad..", she sighed, looking at him longingly..
Armaan looked at the longing in her eyes and put his arm around her shoulder as he pulled her closer, "I know.. So that is why we should spend time together.. And let Rahul and Muskaan enjoy the birthday the way they want!", he made his point, nuzzling her hair as she placed her head back on his shoulder..
"But Armaan Di and Nikki have already made arrangements.. I cannot cancel right now.."
"Common Basket..", he had started to argue, but she had not finished with her defense, "Armaan last year bhi tumhari wajah se main uska birthday bhool gayi thi.. I really want to do something for her this time..", she poured out her guilt to him.. She had been so lost in her feelings for him that she had completely forgotten about Muskaan and it made her feel rotten.. And Armaan, instead of consoling her, only rubbed salt to her wound, "You forgot her birthday! Ouch! Kiss type ki friend ho tum Basket.. That's unforgivable.. And one minute.. No one told me last year it was her birthday..", he complained, even as he teased her about forgetting Muskaan's birthday..
"She was in Patiala Armaan.. But I should have remembered.. Anyway.. What's done is done..", she concluded, not wanting to waste more time repenting something that could not be changed..
But Armaan was on a faster track than hers, "Yeah.. But this time you're not going to do her a favor by being the haddi in her kabaab Basket.. You really think she'd rather spend her time with you people instead of spending it with Rahul.."
And this time Riddhima couldn't help but agree with him, "Actually you're right.. But.. Now everything's decided.. And everyone is excited.. I mean.. Its been so long we had an exclusive girls night.."
"I don't see the fun in you guys pilllow fighting all night if I'm not there to watch it.. So what are you going to wear.. Just so I get a clear picture..", he winked at her as he wore a fake dreamy smile on his face.. Riddhima could only scowl at that, "Armaan! Disgusting! And we don't pillow fight!"
"Don't ruin the imagination Basket.."
"Armaan shut up.. Please! Lemme think.."
"About what.."
"About how Muskaan can have her friends and her husband too.. See.. You convince Rahul to let you and the other two accompany you to Muski's place at around twelveish.. All of us will cut the cake and wish Muskaan.. And after that all of us will leave, go to out respective houses and let Muskaan and Rahul enjoy the rest of the night.. This way we can have the rest of the night to ourselves too.."
"Yeah.. And what about Muskaan's parents.. They'll readily agree to let Rahul spend the night with her.. Haina!", exclaimed sarcastically, faking over-enthusiasm..
Riddhima rolled her eyes at that, "They don't have to know he's there.. You guys will come in through the window remember.."
"And how will we leave.."
"Through the window.."
"You will climb down a pipe Riddhima! Have you forgotten that you are scared of heights.."
"Muski's room is on the ground floor Armaan.."
"Oh then that's good.. Sounds like a plan!"
"Please.. My plans are always fool proof.. Don't even think about challenging it.."
"Whatever Basket.. "
"Why you so bugged.. You're just jealous that my plan is so good.."
"No.. I'm irritated that I have to wait for another two hours before I get to spend time with you..", he complained, pouting cutely as he folded his arms across his front.. All he was doing since morning was making plans, none of which seemed to work out..
Riddhima giggled as she saw his grumpy expression.. All she wanted to do was snuggle up to him and hold him all night.. But then reality struck.. She was getting late. And the only chance of them spending time together was if that plan of hers worked out.. Only if she could manage to distract him enough for now.. Smiling slyly at that thought, she leaned into his ear as she teased him in a mock husky voice, "Well I guess I have five minutes to spare.. I could give you something to think about for the next two hours.."
Armaan's frown morphed into a grin even as she finished saying what she had, "Oh a lot of things come to my mind Riddhima.. Please be specific.. Don't torture..", he said, grinning naughtily at her..
And Riddhima just humored him with a, "Okay.. So you tell me what you want.."
"Trust me you don't want to know..", he teased her, but in his mind, reminded himself of how he had to maintain control..
But Riddhima was in a playful mood, oblivious to his desires.. "No seriously.. I do..", she replied, leaning in closer to him even as he continued to grin teasingly..
"No you don't..", he declared, shaking his head in a no..
She continued to lean closer still as she nodded her head in response to that, "I do.."
Armaan felt her breath on his lips and almost forgot to breathe himself.. Lost in her eyes as they bore into his, he could only but whisper, "You don't..", coz she really didn't..
But she didn't agree, "I really do..", her words coming in a whisper too as she closed the distance between them, placing her lips on his.. And all thoughts of caution and control fled his mind the moment he felt her soft lips move against his.. The next thing he was threading his fingers through her hair, pulling her closer as his tongue demanded access to hers.. But before any of that could happen, he felt her pull away and place a kiss at the corner of his mouth.. He realized he had closed his eyes only when he felt them open as she pulled away.. And he didn't even realize he had been frowning until he saw her giggle at his expression, "That's it?.. I thought you had five minutes.. That was like five seconds..", he complained, letting go off her, embarrassed that he had let her get the better of him like that! He had been so into the whole thing while all she was doing was teasing him! And his scowl only deepened as he heard her giggle, "Armaan you wasted four minutes fifty-five seconds in crazy talk instead of telling me what you wanted.. So five seconds is all you get..", she teased him, placing a small kiss under his ear.. He just flinched at that, glowering at her, "Very funny Basket! And anyway.. Five minutes aren't enough for what I had in mind..", and then it was her turn to scowl while a naughty grin took over his face..
"Stop being disgusting Armaan..", she reprimanded him, then decided to not waste time in another argument.. She didn't feel like arguing at all in fact.. She felt happy and excited.. At the thought of being with him at twelve tonight.. Earlier she had been satisfied with the idea of even a phone call.. But this new plan of theirs was so much more brilliant.. Everyone would get what they wanted and she wouldn't even feel guilty.. Smiling at that thought, she held his hand, caressing the back of his hand with her thumb, "I'm so glad we'll get to spend time tonight Armaan.. The way we've been busy over the last few days I really thought we wont get any time even tomorrow to spend with each other.. I mean.. Its not such a big deal.. But it is a big deal.. I mean common.. I can't believe it's been so long.. Just doesn't feel like a year.."
Armaan looked at her, nodding as he thought about how long this week felt.. He didn't know why he felt like he couldn't comprehend those words of hers.. Maybe it was her smell that was intoxicating him as she tucked her face under his chin that had him dazed.. It was meddling with his brain.. But then he couldn't let her think he wasn't listening to her.. That would mean another argument.. And god he was fed up of arguing with her.. So he just told her what he felt.. "Actually it does feel like a year.. There's so much to tell you Basket.. I really miss you.."
Riddhima smiled at that, sighing even as she pulled herself away from him.. "I miss you too Armaan.. But just a couple of hours more okay.. Then we'll have all night to ourselves..", she told him, giving him a quick peck on the lips before she stood up, "But now I'm really getting late.. I'll see ya later.. Okay.. Bye..", Armaan let her dupatta slide through his hands as she walked away from him..
"Bye..", he sighed, a small smile on his face.. But even as he watched her disappear out of the door he got this weird feeling.. Like there was some communication gap between them.. Like he understood her words, but still didn't understand what she had said.. Really weird.. Shrugging at that thought, he sighed and dialed Rahul's number.. After explaining the new and improved plan to him, he shut his computer down and started to leave.. But before he swung the door shut behind himself, he looked into his cabin.. Why did he feel like he was forgetting something.. He checked for his car keys, his house keys, his wallet.. He had not brought his laptop today.. So he couldn't be forgetting that.. It looked like he had everything.. But still that nagging feeling didn't go away.. So he had no choice but to ignore it and proceed towards the nurse station to sign out for the day.. As he drove towards Rahul's place, he really hoped their plan would work out.. Coz he really couldn't stand this distance between Riddhima and him.. This game of hide n seek just wasn't fun anymore..
Kumkum Bhagya
Cricket
CID
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
