PART ONE It's another day at college, and Riddhima, Nikita and Khanak are sitting near the basketball courts, discussing the upcoming dance.
Riddhima: I wonder what the theme is... it'd be so cute if it was a fairytale setting, although I don't think anyone would appreciate it.
Khanak: Di. Why fairytale? Why not Fusion? It's by far the easiest thing to do, and everyone always has a lot of fun, hai na Nikki Di?
Nikita: (lost in thought) Hmm, oh sorry Kaz. I was thinking about my exams. Arghh, only six weeks left... I better get accepted into this early admission internship.
Riddhima: HUH? Nikki... phir se? Why must you worry about exams six weeks away sweetie? Has my boyfriend convinced you to start worrying early? (smiles cheekily)
Nikita: Hmph. Your BF is the biggest sadu I know. Present company included. (notices Riddhima's face) Chal yaar, you have to admit he's rubbed off on you. Kaz, what say babe? Kaz... Oh My God, Khanak! Stop staring at him, it's obvious enough without you two blowing kisses at each other.
Khanak: (blushes) He has that effect on me. What to do? I still can't believe he's willing to take me shopping, and pay for it all on his credit card!
N: Awww jaanu. It's not as if he's paying, it's Daddy's money after all... (smirks)
R: Do you two not have anything better to discuss? Baar baar sirf unka naam. Armaan Malik is and will always be a jerk. Kazie, sweetie, why are you with him? He's such a flirt.
K: (flares up) Di, please. Bas ho gaya. I don't want to hear another word about him from you... Arghh, I can't sit here, I'm going to the library. DO NOT follow me. (walks off)
N: (amused) Ridz... Di. You know the more you speak against him, the more she refuses to listen. Chal, don't make an issue out of it. Let her be, she's still so young.
R: I know you're right Nikki, but every time I see him, I feel like slapping him. And great, here he comes. Thank God Abhi's here as well. (smiles in relief)
Armaan and Abhimanyu make their way to the girls...
Armaan: (smiles flirtatiously) Why hello ladies, how are you, and what have you done to my girlfriend this time? Where is she?
Abhimanyu: (lays a restraining hand on Riddhima) Mr. Malik, you know exactly where she is. Just don't leave so soon, alright? (smirks, as Ridzy glares at Armaan; notices Nikki looking the other way) Ahem, Miss. Happy-Go-Lucky, no hello?
N: (in a sugary sweet tone) Oh, hello Mr... Khadoos (under her breath)
Riddhima steps on her foot, Nikki grimaces in pain, and by accident kicks Armaan's shin.
Armaan: What the hell? My dear Nikki, not only are you height challenged, you seem to have no coordination; which is probably why you're friends with Mr. Lambu.
Ab: Do you mind? I don't want my mood ruined already. Mr. Lambu and Miss. HGL = the Immature couple. Ridz, chal. I need to finish the presentation.
Ar: Isn't it already finished? (it dawns on him) Oops. My bad. (says loudly) Khanak, meri jaan, kahan ho? (quickly walks off to the library)
R: Oooh, I could just kill him. In class, he won't leave me alone and on the basketball court, always wanting to verse me. Never any peace; either he's making out with Kazie, or continuously calling Abhi. (squeezes Abhi's hand)
N: Kitne baar kahe? He is a brat. Chhod, he's not worth it. Anyway, isn't this your cue to leave? (smiles, and then realises Abhi's still there) On a second note, how is it possible that you, Mr. Khadoos are brothers with my best friend? Your DNA matches nowhere!
Ab: Why, thank you for noticing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than argue with you. Chal darl. (takes Riddhima's hand, and walks off to his car)
N: (thinking to herself) What does my dear sister see in him?
Just then, Shan notices Nikki lost in thought; and wonders if she's thinking about her family again.
Shantanu: (looks anxiously at Nikki) Hey princess, what's going on? Why are you here by yourself?
N: (looks up, startled) Why hello Prince Charming. (smiles) Your brother, and bhabi just left. Armaan went running after Kaz, as usual. (giggles at the look on Shaan's face)
Shantanu: Urgh, don't remind me please yaar. What Armaan sees in her amazes me. She's such a bore, either studying or making out with Armaan. Makes me sick.
N: (giggles even harder)
S: What's so funny?
N: You and Ridz both think the same way. She can't stand Kaz & Armaan making out either. But then again, she can't stand Armaan. And for good measure. What a flirt... (silently starts grumbling)
S: Princess... please don't start alright. I know you have your issues with my brothers. But not with me, right? (grins)
N: (sighs) Gosh Shaan, why are you so different from them? It's so natural with you - none of this crap that your brothers put me through. We all studied together, na? Why do they hate me?
S: Hey princess. Smile please, Malik doesn't hate you, in fact if Khanak hadn't come into his life, I know he would have made a move on you. Actually hang on, he did once, hai na? (laughs at the memory)
N: (punches his shoulder) Chup. No, seriously Shaan, chup! Shaan... please... stop laughing. Stop... (starts giggling at the memory)
Shaan and Nikki have a good laugh about that memory, when Nikki stops laughing, and looks at Shaan.
N: (thinking to herself) What a beautiful person. I can't believe he's still here with me, after all these years. God, please, don't let me lose the only person who's supported me through everything. (notices Shaan looking thoughtfully at her, and tweaks his nose)
S: Hey, princess, watch it alright. That's a very expensive nose alright. I might have to get it insured. (winks, and gestures for her to get up)
N: Where are you taking me Mr. Lambu? Arghh, I meant Prince Charming. Your khadoos brother has me saying it now! Alright PC, calm down, let's go.
Shaan and Nikki walk off, and bump into Armaan & Khanak, who seem lost in each other...
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Will post more later.
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