AR FF: TMLS [Chapter 13: Pg.76] 30/7/14 - Page 48

Originally posted by: Aayu-loveKaJen-

yaar update karo na yaar...

kab miega humein update

After all the hugging, they all sat down to have dinner at the dining table. Zoya had cooked all of the favorites of Riddhima's and hers, namely Indian and Italian food which consisted of an ensemble of Dal, Khichdi, Bhindi, Roti, Idli, Dosa, Pizza, Pasta, Spaghetti, Risotto and many more. The meal looked absolutely delicious but none of them wanted to eat first because they were all well aware of her cooking except for Asad.

Kumud courageously took some Dal and Rice and had a small bite. Her face changed instantly from a straight face into a smiling face. She then started eating voraciously, loving the food. The other, seeing her started eating slowly and while eating, Muskaan asked Zoya, "Where did you order this from Zoya? This tastes so good. I could eat this all day long and not get tired of it. I could kiss the hands of whoever cooked this Bhindi. It's the best I've ever had." "I ordered it from the restaurant downtown but the Bhindi wasn't ordered. It was actually made by one of us and you will never kiss that person's hand, if I know you well enough." Zoya told her with a wink.

"Challenge Accepted." Muskaan told her. Zoya replied, delighted at the direction this conversation was going, "One, you've been watching way too much How I Met Your Mother, and two, I can bet you won't kiss this person's hands."

"Oh please Zoya, just tell me who made the bhindi and How I Met Your Mother is the best show ever! Show me someone who can beat Barney Stinson and I'll stop quoting HIMYM." Muskaan told her, with a straight face. "I don't know about Barney Stinson but I bet you won't kiss Rahul's hands," she said pointing to Rahul who was just about to sneak away from there, understanding what Zoya was doing.

"Oh good lord, you can't be serious. This khankhajura made the bhindi? Please tell me this is a joke." Muskaan almost begged Zoya hoping it wasn't true. "Oh well, I guess you're not the biggest Barney fan after all. He always fulfills all his Challenge Accepted' challenges, while you're not." Zoya told her, knowing that Muskaan will never ever take it if it's something related to Barney. Muskaan walked up to Rahul and kissed his hand and ran to the wash basin to wash her mouth and the other four, Riddhima, Atul, Anjali and Zoya burst out laughing.

Through all this, Armaan was lost in his thoughts. All memories of the fun they had at the dinner table when Riddhima was there were rushing back to him. All the banters, fights, love was coming back to him. He was so lost that he didn't notice someone coming to hit him.

Muskaan hit him on his head and got him out of his thoughts and asked him, "Are you fine Armaan? You look dazed." "Yeah Muski, I was just remembering our days back in Bhopal at the dining table," he said to her with a worn-out expression. "It's okay Armaan, not for long." Muskaan told him and sat down next to him with an arm around his shoulder.

On the other hand, Riddhima was in another corner of the house, slipping out of the dining room. The food reminded her too much of her home and her mother cooking it. She hadn't spoken to her in a long time and became nostalgic remembering all the good times she had in Ratnanagri. She wished she could have those simpler times back now.

Just then, Muskaan appeared here too. Now tired of all the running around the house and walking back and forth. She lay down next to Riddhima in the huge balcony and stared at the stars. "It's such a weird thing right Riddhima, how much ever we run away from a place, these stars are always there with us. They are the only reminder of where we come from. The clear sky, the beautiful surroundings, everything around her feels like home. That's why I love coming here. You can always get so lost counting the stars that you forget your own sadness and all the bad in your life. The universe is such a wonderful place to be ignorant in." Still staring at the sky, Riddhima replied, "Yeah Muski. It's just so calm out here. This is my favorite place in the city. I really miss those times when everywhere was calm and not so chaotic. I miss the peace. You guys though are like my family back home, loud when you need to be, serious when you need to be. Otherwise, who would have thought Muski would be so philosophical."

"Ridzy, why don't you ever speak of your past? You shared everything with me but are you fine yet? I can still see the pain in your eyes which were visible when you told me everything. What is it that you're not telling me Ridz?" she asked her, hoping Riddhima would come clear about Armaan. "Muski, it's just that I feel as if all those memories are coming back. I don't know why." Riddhima told her, hoping Muskaan would be satisfied with that answer. Just then, someone called Muskaan down and she had to leave, though she was hoping to stay for some more time.

"Who called me?" Muskaan screamed as soon as she reached downstairs. While no one answered, Armaan tried to sneak out of the dining room to the garden without being noticed. Muskaan saw him leave and followed right behind him. As soon as they both were out, Muskaan cornered Armaan and started interrogating him. "What is up with you? I know you're sad but come on man, be a little happy that you're with Riddhima. Not even a smile on your face? Seriously?" she said, now going into hyper mode. "Muskaan, it's just that, I can't see her with the guilt within me every day you know. This one day has been so hard; it's just going to get harder with every passing day. You think I didn't notice the expressions on Riddhima's face? I'm the reason for her being sad and I can't stand that. It's even stopped raining now, so the time for lovers meeting is over right? I'm free to leave now." Armaan told her, tired of this rollercoaster of a day. Muskaan instinctively hugged him and stayed there for a couple of minutes murmuring, "its okay" from time to time.

Just then, Rahul came there looking for Muskaan and Armaan and was shocked at the sight before him. He shouted, "Muskaan?" and Muskaan and Armaan broke away from the hug. "What the heck is going on here?" Rahul screamed at them and Muskaan, now reaching the verge of anger due to her tiredness blurted out everything along with a few curse words.

"What the heck. Muskaan, you could actually keep such a big secret for such a long time? I'm surprised." Rahul told her. "Khankhajure, shut up okay. I can keep a secret and I proved it too so seriously stop irritating me and start helping us out with our plan and get this Devdas out of his depression and seriously, cut of his girly locks dude. Our Ridz will lose all her love for him soon if he continues with this hairstyle?" Muskaan told him.

"Why will I help? Zabardasti hai kya?" Rahul asked her with a bewildered expression. "Yes, it's a pact that if you know the secret, you've got to help" Muskaan told him sternly. "But.." Asad started but was cut off by Muskaan saying, "And you Mr.Devdas, I don't want any arguments about that hair of yours. I want it cut by tomorrow."

Just then, Atul entered, noticing after a long time that he was left in the dining room alone. "What is going on here? Why did you leave me alone?" he asked them, bewildered. "Leave you alone? Anjy and Zoya were there with you right Atul?" Muskaan answered, laughing out of nervousness. Armaan and Rahul too started laughing hearing Muski's laugh and Atul was still standing there confused.

Back in Riddhima's balcony, Zoya had come to eat Riddhima's head. "Ridz, are you fine? I know you're in shock but he'll be gone soon. Don't be tensed okay baby." Zoya told her. Riddhima who had also reached her limit shouted at her, "I'm fine okay? Just fine. I'm not a baby that you have to come and check on me every time. I don't give a damn if he stays or leaves. I simply don't. Let him stay for eternity for all I care. I have moved on with my life and that's that. Sorry okay, it's just that even Muski was asking me about everything and I just don't want that. I want everyone to treat me like I'm okay."

"Okay Ridz. If that's what you need, I'll be happy to give it to you." Zoya told her. "Thanks Zoya, for being there for me." Riddhima told her, a genuine smile gracing her face.