AR FF: TMLS [Chapter 13: Pg.76] 30/7/14 - Page 44

"Oh my god Ridzi, that was such a long seminar! I'm so tired just listening to it, imagine Armaan's situation!" Muskaan exclaimed.

Yeah, she and Armaan had become bros' after some discussion between them and now she called him Armaan and idiot and what not which really irritated Rahul a lot! They had even exchanged numbers. What discussion had really taken place between them anyway?

"Muski, what kind of discussion took place between you guys that now you guys are so close? Obviously it's nothing professional or otherwise Rahul too would be in the same situation. I don't understand why you want to keep it a secret from me, your best friend and Atul, your brother kind-of guy, but I can understand about Rahul. He is after all, your enemy. Now, are you going to tell me or aren't?" Riddhima demanded, feeling very anxious to know the reason because she had a suspicion it had to do with her.

"I can't tell you yaar Ridzi, it's a secret between us. I'm so sorry. He strictly told me not to tell anyone." Muskaan pleaded. Sorry Ridzi, if you knew, you wouldn't ever talk to me and I don't want that to happen.'

Flashback:

"Wait a second Mr. Malik. Before you go out, I wanted to ask you something before I burst with anxiety and suspense." Muskaan told Armaan in a rushed voice. "Why were you staring at Ridzi and why did she start staring back at you? Do you have a past with her? Seeing the look on your face, I can tell you do. Now spill, because Ridzi is not exactly normal right now and I know this because I'm her best friend."

"Okay, I'm pretty sure she must have told you about Asad," Armaan started but was interrupted by Muskaan, "Oh god, you are that heartbreaker's brother? Tell your stupid brother that I hate him for what he did to Ridzi." "Woman, will you let me finish. Not one word before I tell you to speak! I'm not Asad's brother and no, I am not his best friend. I was Asad Ahmed Khan and now I have changed my name because I couldn't live with the fact that I hurt the love of my life and I wanted to start a new life without feeling the guilt so I changed my name to Armaan Malik. Seems like your Riddhima did the same too because her real name is Kumud Sundari. Now, if you want to kill someone, you can kill me," he finished. He waited for Muskaan to say something but she was quiet so he asked her, "You don't have anything to say?" Muskaan pointed to her mouth and made some noises. Armaan hit himself on the head and said, "You can speak now," in a droning voice.

"Okay, yeah. I would have killed you but seeing the emotion in your eyes, I won't. You are truly sorry I guess so I am going to help you and Ridz get back together." Muskaan declared and started laughing her famous laugh. Armaan couldn't stop himself and laughed too but then said, "How will you get us back together? She has already moved on and is happy now. I don't want to spoil her life."

"She hasn't moved on my friend. I guess you think that she likes Rahul or Atul. Let me correct you. She is not interested and either of them and considers them her brothers. Rahul did try to woo her but she tied a rakhi to him on Raksha Bandhan that year and Atul can't see anyone other than Anjali, he can, but only his plants so neither of them are a threat to you. She doesn't even talk to guys other than her students so don't worry at all. She is all yours." Muskaan said in one breath

"You still can't reunite us Muskaan. I'm leaving tonight. I have a flight scheduled to leave in 7 hours." Armaan told her, sighing.

Just then, the rains started pouring. It was unusual since it wasn't the season for rains now.

"Well, you aren't leaving anytime soon now Armaan. My brother and sister-in-law told me once that whenever it rained out of season, something good happened to them so I guess it's the same with you too! Seeing these rains, I'm guessing all long distance flights will be cancelled because there is no way any pilot can fly in these conditions so yes, you are stuck here. Now get out on the stage and give your boring seminar." Muskaan told him.

"You know, if you weren't helping me, I would have made sure you were removed from the job for calling my seminar boring but I won't now so you can be happy," he told Muskaan. "I love you too. Now go, idiot," saying this, Muskaan pushed him out of the green room and giggled while Armaan glared at her and straightened his suit, walking out on to the stage.

Flashback ends.

"So guys, who's hungry?" Atul asked everyone, "I know we can't go out in these rains so we have to manage at Riddhima's place. I can't even go on my cycle now. There will be so much pollution caused today!" "Stop being so dramatic Atul, one day won't make a difference," Anjali snapped. "Okay Anjali, as you say," Atul told her in a love-struck voice. "Shut up Atul," she told him.

"Guys, shall we leave now. The rain seems to have reduced for now so I think it's better if we leave now," Riddhima told them, eager to get out of there. "Wait Ridzi, let me call Armaan too. The poor guy doesn't know anyone here and he was supposed to leave tonight but his flight got cancelled so let him come with us." Muskaan told her, not wanting to miss any opportunity coming her way.

Riddhima regretfully nodded and Muskaan ran to call Armaan along with her.

"Chalo Armaan. We are going to Ridzi's place for dinner. I convinced her so don't give me that confused look of yours. Now come on." Muskaan ordered. "Yes Master," Asad told her and kept staring at her when he was following her thinking, What did I get myself into lord?'

"Let's go, my friends! Armaan is here too," Muskaan said, smiling widely. "Kuch toh gadbad hai Daya," Rahul mumbled to himself, which unfortunately for him, Atul overheard. "Who is Daya now Atul?" he asked Rahul. "No one, I was just talking to myself," Rahul replied. Muskaan said, "You know Rahul, talking to oneself is a sign of being mental and I feel you are completely mad, so take my advice and get yourself checked my friend." "You know, why don't you suggest a doctor? You must know the best in the business since you would have consulted them for yourself. And since you're doing that, tell them to get me the bed next to your bed okay? Thanks Muskaan. You are so sweet!" Rahul told her with a smirk.

"You idiot," Muskaan screamed and pounced on him. She started pulling his hair while Rahul tried to push her off him. "Muskaan, stop it." Rahul shouted in pain.

"Someone stop them. Why are you guys just watching them? They will hurt each other." Armaan told everyone. "Just wait and watch Mr. Malik. You will understand." Anjali told him in a calm tone.

Sure enough, two minutes later, the two were in a compromising position and they got out of it, said sorry to each other hurriedly and dragged the others to the car.

"What the heck was that?" Armaan asked the others, through sign language. "Nothing, just their usual dose of reality," Anjali shrugged it off.

"Ridzi, change the channel na. Once again, you've kept some English song. Keep our regular Hindi channel. I want to listen to the latest songs." Atul pleaded. "Atul, we live in New York for God's sake. You have only one Hindi channel and all others are English channels. Since you are sitting next to me, can't you change the channel and let me drive?" Riddhima snapped, the tension getting to her. She didn't want Armaan' coming to her house, much less for dinner but she couldn't deny it without being interrogated by Muskaan so she had to agree. Atul changed the channel to the Hindi FM Channel and Muskaan started dancing to it, since it was one of her favorites, Dhating Naach'.

"Muski, stop dancing, we've reached my house." Riddhima told her and parked the car in the driveway. Everyone got out of her car and headed into the house.

To say Armaan was shocked was an understatement. He never imagined she was so rich; she had a SUV and such a huge house too. He could tell it wasn't a house she shared with many people. Just another person, he guessed because the house was very clean and he couldn't see anyone in the house. Just then, someone came down the stairs and greeted them. "Hey guys, I was getting worried and wondered where you all are because of this storm," she stopped suddenly, seeing Armaan. Riddhima, seeing her face, interrupted, "Oh Zoya, I forgot to introduce you. This is Mr. Armaan Malik, the architect I told you about, the one who had come to give the seminar." "Nice to meet you Mr. Malik, I'm Zoya Farooqi, Riddhima's roommate and best friend." Zoya told him, in a stressful voice. She couldn't believe that this guy had come into Riddhima's life all over again, and she hoped it wouldn't hurt Ridzi's life again and most of all, she was hoping that she wouldn't be the reason she will be the hurt. "Nice to meet you too Miss. Farooqi," Armaan replied with gritted teeth. He was surprised to see this girl here, of all places. Now he understood where the money came from. He really wanted to know how they became best friends though; they seemed so different from each other. Oh well, he would know soon enough.

"Uh guys, I'm really hungry. Are you all going to just stare at each other now, or are we going to get food too?" Anjali said, tired of the stare fest.

"Well, since you guys decided to be fashionably late, you get to have food made by me and not Ridzi! Bad luck guys, I know she is way better but it's your own fault that you were late." Zoya announced and then clapped after finishing her sentence. "Muskaan, this is all because of you, we could've had Ridzi's amazing food but just because you wanted to bring Mr. Malik along, no offense to you sir, we have to have her horrible tasting food." Rahul told Muskaan.

"I take offense to that Garewal." Zoya told him. "So? I don't care if I offend you. I'm in a bad mood already so I'm not in the mood," Rahul snapped at her.

"Fine Garewal, you don't get to have any food. You might as well order something which you want to have like pizza since you hate my food so much!" Zoya told him, now close to tears. "Sorry Farooqi. I didn't mean to. I'm your best friend right? Please forgive me." Rahul told her, holding his ears.

"Ugh, don't make that puppy dog face Garewal. We all know you are not adorable so I'm not going to forgive you." Zoya told him with his back to her, holding back a smile. "Oh, so you'll not forgive me Farooqi, even I'll see to that," Rahul said, and walked up to her. Anticipating what was coming, Zoya shouted No' but was too late as Rahul started tickling her.

"Garewal stop, Garewal, please no, Rahul stop, please." Zoya pleaded, laughing loudly. "Okay, I'll leave you but first tell me you forgive me." Rahul told her, smiling widely. "Pkay, okay, I forgive you," Zoya said in between laughs. Rahul finally stopped tickling her and they both looked at each other.

They said in unison, "HUG TIME" and launched themselves at each other and hugged each other. "Oye, we are also part of the gang," Muskaan shouted and went to hug them and then screamed, "Group Hug people!"

The other three joined in the hug while Armaan stood still watching the group with a smile on his face.