Armaan entered the hospital. It seemed huge, and well kept. He was definitely awed by the friendly and cheery atmosphere in the hospital. Knowing there would be other interns with him, he sincerely hoped some would be his type. Flirt, date, keep for a month or two, maybe more, get bored, start on the next. That was what the word "girls" meant to him. And no, it was not something he picked up in America. Since he was India, he had always been like that. Only difference was, girls in America punched you (black eyes for a few days), threw a drink in your face, cursed you and be seen in someone else's arms the next day. Here, he knew he had to be careful. Girls don't forget. They slapped you (and yes it would really hurt!) and curse you for the rest of your life!
He was in the locker room, putting his stuff away when two people entered. A guy and a girl and both seemed to be on each other's necks.
"Tu khote! Kal tune mera stethoscope churaya tha na?"
"Kitni baar samjhaun, main kyun aisi harkat karunga? Mujhe itni kam umar main marna nahin hai aur voh bhi tere haath! Abhi shaadi bhi nahin huwi meri!"
"haan, kaun karega ek kaankhajure ke saath shaadi? Shaadi toh door ki baat hai! Tumhe dekhne se bhi ghabrahat hoti hai logon ko"
"lekin mera chehra TUMHE kyun affect nahin karta churail?"
"Tune mujhe churail bulaiya? Ek toh mere cheezein chori karte ho phir maafi maange ke bagar mujhe insult kar rahe ho!"
Another voice interfered.
"bas karo tum dono. Dekho naya intern yahin hain!"
"Abhi, tumhe pata yeh.." the girl began, and stopped when she saw Armaan advancing. Putting out her hand she quickly said,
"Hi, Muskaan Chaddha. Full Punjabi and proud to be one!" she said with a smile.
"Haan, Punjabi's are not proud though." Said the guy she was fighting with.
"teri toh'"
"Hi, Rahul Grewal. How you doing?"
"I'm good. Armaan Mallik. Nice to meet you."
"Abhimanyu Modi. Abhi for friends. And since you seem to be part of the gang, then for you too."
"Thanks Abhi. Yehi interns ki bach hai?"
"Arre nahin." Said Rahul
"Riddzi hai, phir Sapna hai, aur Nikki bhi! Oh there they come. Mujhe jaana hai. Rahul tujhe main proof dikhati hoon ke tu hi meri cheezein churata hai!" and she pulled him along with her. Rahul, not being able to do anything much, just followed saying,
"Aapka hukum maha churail!" only to get beaten up severely by a very angry Muskaan.
Riddhima Nikki and Sapna entered the locker room laughing at some joke Riddhima had just craked.
"Ridzi tum bhi na!" said Nikki
Armaan's back was towards them and as Riddhima walked towards her locker.Turning around, he did not see her at all. He looked at Sapna who was looking cute in her jeans and long kurta. "Not my type," he thought. Then he looked at Nikki and a smile formed on his lips. Seeing her wear three quarters, and a tight kurta, with straight hair, she looked like someone who'd be interested in a fling. A smile formed on his lips.
"kiske sapnon main khoye huwe ho?" Sapna laughed. "Hi, Sapna. You must be the new intern right?"
"Yep, nice meeting you, Armaan Mallik"
"Hey beautiful," he indicated towards Nikki. "Armaan Mallik, pleasure meeting you"
Nikki eyed him. He had the build, and the eyes. Oh those blue eyes. She seemed to want to get lost in them.
"Nikita Malhotra," she said coolly. "Pleasure's all mine"
Riddhima, upon hearing that put her head in her file. This was bound to happen. 'The Armaan Mallik', and Nikita Malhotra were bound to get together. Closing her locker, she made to creep out quietly, wanting to go unnoticed. But then again, there was Abhi. Friendly as ever, and unknowingly a pain in the backside!
"Ridzy kahan jaa rahi ho? Armaan se to milo."
"Main, bas'" she looked down her hair covering her face. He looked at her, not being able to see her face, with an interested look in his eyes. Sighing, she looked up straight into HIS blue eyes. And as the hazel green met the ocean blue sparks flew.
"Riddhima Gupta," he said smiling. "Still as beautiful as ever"
"Armaan Mallik" she replied in an even tone, narrowing her eyes. "Still as flirtatious as ever." He was taken aback. This wasn't what he expected from Riddhima. But he liked what was presented. A cool tone, a knowing smile, and a secretive glance portrayed on her face.
"At your service," he replied.
"Oh, You wish." and she cocked her head sideways.
Flashback ' Riddhima's perspective
"Uff, first day in college, and everyone here is wearing jeans and t-shirts and some aren't even wearing anything! Anyways, Sanjeevani Medical College, finally here. First year and already late. Well not exactly, I will be though if I can't find the class." She looked at the map. "So according to this map am I in the 3rd corridor, or 2nd? How can someone make a building so confusing?" and she bumped into someone broad shouldered, only to see her books and papers flying out. Bending down picking up her stuff, she saw the opposite guy doing the same."Yaar, isse bhi abhi hona tha! Tum dekh kar chal nahin sakte? Ek toh already musibat main hoon, upar se tumne yeh files aur sab giradi!"
"Excuse me, Maine giraya? Agar aage chalke dekhti instead of khudse baatein karke toh shayad yeh nahin hota."
"tu meri baatein sunrahe the?" she blushed profusely
"nahin toh," he smiled at her blushing, showing his deep dimples.
She got up and made to move forward.
"Hi, Armaan Mallik, first year. And you will be'"
She finally lifted her eyes, to stare into blue unforgettable ones. "Riddhima Gupta. Mujhe der nahin karni main jaa rahi hoon"
"By the way, aap 4th corridor main hai." And she blushed realising he had heard her talking to herself.
As she walked away, she thought to herself. "Wait isko kaise pata main 4th corridor main hoon agar voh khud first year main hai?"
She asked a random student who was loitering around.
"4th corridor? No ways, that's on the far end. You my dear are in the 3rd corridor, and your class is over there. In the next i.e. 2nd corridor. Hurry up, you'll be late."
"Th - Thank you," she stammered and ran for her class. "Usko chodungi nahin main!" she thought to herself. Reaching late, the lecturer looked at her sternly.
"Sorry, I lost my way, and was misinformed by SOME students," she said smartly.
"Oh, next time please be careful about who you ask, and you may take a seat. Uhm, there's an empty one next to that boy, uske naam kya hai?"
"Sir, Armaan Mallik," said a dreamy girl
The outrage was not hidden on Riddhima's face. Not him again! She stomped to the seat and gave Armaan a menacing look, who, in turn, wiped the seat with a tissue and said, "Please make yourself comfortable your highness." Sniggering he high fived his friends. Riddhima sensed something fishy and looked at the chair. Yep, it was covered with chalk. Seeing Armaan's hankercheif sticking out of his pocket, she used it to wipe the chalk dust out.
"Hmmm, I was expecting something much less obvious," she said and sat down, turning away from a flabbergasted Armaan.
Flashback ends
"Aap ek doosre ko jaante ho?" said Abhi.
Just then a voice was heard.
"Interns report to the Nurse station to Dr Keerti for your briefing"
"Chalo, Varna Hitler maar dalegi" said Sapna, and they all left.
Armaan followed thinking things through. So, Riddhima Gupta, still the same, in a churidaar, looking as innocent as ever, but with attitude? Nice change. But he thought he had more effect on girls. If anything, he wouldn't have been surprised if she slapped him. Or just walked away. Or started crying in front of him. "Slightly disappointing Armaan Mallik. It would have been entertaining if she had reacted that way." Well, this definitely was a change. An interesting Riddhima Gupta, Hot Nikki, Cute friends (Abhi and Sapna) and cats and dogs fighting (Rahul and Muskaan). Life would definitely be more fun now.
Riddhima took a glance at him. I'm sorry I didn't act like a typical broken hearted girl Armaan, she thought. It's just that, I didn't let myself get affected much by your behaviour in the past few years. I mean, you are the typical kind of guy, who'd love to see a girl dying for you. That's just not me I guess. But hey, it was definitely good seeing the disappointment in your face. Laughing to herself, she just shook her head, walked on.
Chapter 3 ' Sab Ulta Mangna Padega!
They were at the nurse station waiting for Dr Keerti, and messing about as usual. While Rahul and Muskaan were blatantly ignoring each other, Sapna was talking to Abhi with Riddhima. Riddhima caught Nikki flicking her hair, and making Armaan give her his naughty grin. Urgh, she thought, kabhi nahin sudrega, shaking her head. Just then Dr Keerti arrived, and all the interns straightened up. She took a good look at Armaan and said,
"Welcome Dr Armaan. I hope you will make Sanjeevani proud of hiring you as an intern. We will not forgive any mistakes easily, and as for the patients, they are everything here. You should take your work seriously and with dedication."
Hah, thought Riddhima. Seriously and with dedication? My foot! Maybe if his patient is some super model or something. And she started sniggering.
"Any doubts, Miss Gupta?" said Dr Keerti eyeing her.
Yes! She wanted to scream. Duhh with Armaan around there's nothing other than doubts in this world!
"No, of course not m'am," she replied looking down with a straight face.
"Good then, because I'm expecting both of you to do your duty together in the General Ward for a whole week. Armaan is new here, and you were very dedicated to your work last week."
Riddhima looked up startled. What? NO! Gag me! A whole week with this guy? Please save me. She sighed. What's the point now? Hitler's already put me in the Concentration camp. I just have to wait for the gas chambers now!
"M'am, my duty was in the OPD last week'" she began
"I know, Dr Riddhima. I am blessed with a sharp memory thank you very much. Dr Sapna will take over with Dr Nikita. And Dr Modi, you will be with Dr Muskaan in the Children's Ward. Dr Rahul, you will be helping me. You have 15 minutes before duty starts, I suggest you prepare yourselves. Disperse."
Back in the locker room, Armaan was lying down on the bench, looking with a slightly amused face at Riddhima who was furiously banging her locker door, files and whatever she can find in her hand. Sapna noticed this and smiled while sitting down on the other bench. Abhimanyu wasn't around and neither was Nikita.
Rahul sat down next to Sapna and said,
"Yaar, aaj toh meri permanent chutti! Hitler ke saath kaam karna padega?! Kya yaar, meri toh zara si bhi himmat nahin hai uske saamne aankh uthane ki."
"Sab kuch theek hoga. Tu tension mat le," replied Sapna.
"Tension mat loon? Kya ve. Sanjeevani main aaker meri toh kismat hi phooti huwi hai! Pichle hafte ek Churail ke saath kaam karna pada, abh Hitler'"
"Tu churail kisko bulata hai? Tu ruk Khote. Meri hi kismat phooti huwi thi jo har subhah tera chehra dekhna pada!" snapped Muskaan who just entered.
"toh kaun kehta hai dekh? Mat dekhna. Issi bahane teri buri nazar se toh bach jaunga!"
"Haan, lekin abh mere haath se nahin bachchega tu!" and she started hitting him as he ran out of the locker room.
Sapna looked at Armaan who was enjoying all this thoroughly.
"Ek do din main used to hojayega tu bhi."
"Lekin hona nahin hai," he laughed. She laughed along with him and said,
"Humein chalna chahiye. Dus minutes hochuke." And she left leaving Riddhima and Armaan alone in the locker room.
Riddhima turned to go adjusting her dupatta. As she walked forwards, it fell from her shoulder and she roughly threw it behind her. At the same time Armaan who was sitting on the bench was about to get up when her blue dupatta fell over his head. Mesmerised by its fragrance and the silkiness, he held on to it. Riddhima found herself being pulled back by it. Turning, she saw Armaan's closed eyes, and his hand on her dupatta.
"Armaan, kya natak hai?" she demanded.
Armaan quickly opened his eyes, and saw her in front of him. He looked at her expectantly.
"Mera dupatta chodo," she asked him, and he quickly let go.
"Maine kab pakda tha. Waise tumhara dupatta kisko pakadna hai?"
"Armaan, tum.."
"Haan Riddhima bolo main'"
"Armaan"
"Riddhima"
"Uff, kabhi nahin sudroge!"
"Waise sudarna kisko hai? Sab mujhe aise hi pasand karte hain, tum bhi!" and he winked at her. She, in reply rolled her eyes at him.
"Karti THI Armaan, voh galat fehmi thi meri."
And she walked away. Waise General Ward kahan hai? He thought. Shayad voh wahan jaa rahi hai. Humari duty toh ek saath hai. And he started following her. She went to the nurse station to get some files, not noticing him behind her. Then went back to the locker room to keep them there, and talked to a nurse. Armaan kept following her around until they reached the General Ward, and finally when she saw the people in the hospital whispering and laughing at her, she turned around to find Armaan standing behind her and looking at the roof, whistling.
"Kya hai Armaan?"
"Voh mujhe pata nahin tha General Ward kahan hai, toh humari duty ek saath hai na, toh mujhe laga tumhe follow karke pata chaljayga. Abh poori hospital mujhe pata chalgayi. Kitna ghoomti ho tum? Mere paed main dard hai!"
"Awww..bechara. Dard hai? Ilaaj kardun?" she said sarcastically while he nodded. She stepped forcefully on his feet making him jump up and down due to the pain.
"Main kya tumhe ek tourist guide lagti hoon jo mujhe yahan vahan follow karte rehteho?"
"Kya hai na, Doctor nahin lagti, toh tourist guide hi sahi, lekin isse bhi zyaada Jangli Billi lagti ho!"
"HUH? Kya kahan tumne? Jangli billi?! Urgh!" and she stormed into the ward muttering to herself. Armaan grinned at himself, put his coat on, and put a serious face.
"Focus Armaan, abh tum Dr Mallik ho Ward main." And he also went into the ward smiling at his first patient.
After some time Riddhima was still examining a patient and was muttering to herself.
"Pata nahin apne aap ko samajhta hai. Just because all the girls in college used to die for him, he thinks every girl will do the same. Arre bhagwaan ji, maine kaha tha na mujhe isse door rakh. Kyun sab kuch ulta hota hai? Door rakhne ke baja ek hafte ki duty uske saath kardi. Abh lagta hai sab kuch ulta hi mangna hoga aapse."
Armaan heard all this and a cheeky look appeared on his face.
"Kya yaar, abhi khud se baatein karne ki aadat nahin gayi?" he went beside her.
She looked up. Great, whenever she wanted to get away from him he always appeared in front of her.
"Tum kya kasam khayi hai mujhe irritate karne ki?"
"Main toh sirf sawaal pooch raha tha, waise mere saath kaam karne se problem hai?"
"Nahin toh," she said in a mocking tone. "Problem kyun hogi?" she plastered a fake smile. "Voh kya hai, mere samne problem nahin hoti, toh main kaam nahin kar sakti. Isilye main koi problem dhoondh rahi hoon!" she gave him a killer look and continued her check up.
"waise khud toh ek badi problem ho, phir bhi kaam nahin karsakti?"
"kya kahan tumne? Main problem hoon?"
"Nahin toh, tumhe yaad nahin tum Riddhima Gupta aka tourist guide aka jangli billi. Shame Riddhima. Itni kam umar main memory loss."
"Armaan"
"Riddhima"
"Mujhe kaam karne doge?"
"Haan haan, roka kisne hai?"
He looked at her irritated face. He had never seen her like this. Well of course, 5 years back she was sweet, shy nevertheless sharp as he remembered the chair and chalk incident. He had never taken the time to know her. Anyways, he was still having fun annoying her. And laughing evilly to himself, he went away.
End of the day, Locker room.
Armaan was observing Riddhima. He didn't know, but there was something about her that made him so interested in her. Nikita came and told him
"Hey Armaan. Poora din nahin dekha. Riddhima bohot kaam karwati hai kya?"
He was brought back to the world and said,
"Jangli billi aisi hi hoti hai," only to get a glare from Riddhima. Rahul, Muskaan, Abhi and Sapna entered the locker room. Everyone was tired and was looking to get home. Armaan on the other hand, was in the mood to go out and have fun.
"So guys, maine decide kiya hai, since I don't know you all that well, hum sab aaj raat ko bahar ja sakte hain? Meri treat."
"Not bad Armaan, par main bohot thak gayi hoon." Said Sapna
"Just for a while, please? Dekho Behenji bhi ayegi."
Everyone looked at him wondering who that was. He continued saying,
"Humari Dr Riddhima,"
And they all started laughing. Riddhima looked daggers at Armaan who couldn't care less. Rahul finally looked at Armaan and managed to tell him.
"Yaar, ek din se hi usko jaante ho! Yahan sab male nurses aur male patients, kuch female patients bhi, uspe fida hai. Waise toh yeh pehli baar churidaar pehhenke aayi hai."
Great, thought Riddhima. Some friends they are. Can't even trust them to keep their mouths shut! Lagta hai sabko masking tape lagani padegi! Armaan raised his eyebrows at her. Interesting. She had changed. Atleast slightly.
Riddhima was looking into her file thinking 'shit I can already see that head getting bigger. Kisike paas ek pin hai? I'd simply love to pop it.'
"So Nikki, what say? Coming?" said Armaan diverting his attention to her.
"Of course, always up for a night out."
"So done, Sunshine Palace, it's a club. We meet at 8?"
Everyone nodded. Seeing that it was 6:30, Riddhima headed home. Her duty was over, and she wanted to get some sleep before going out.
She got home and called out,
"Maa"
"Sitting room main hoon."
She gave her mother a big hug and kiss on her cheek and said,
"Mujhe aaj raat ko bahar jaana hai. Papa aaj hi gayye hai na? Iska matlab main raat ko jaldi aungi!"
And she ran upstairs not waiting for her mom's reply. Flopping down on her bed, she closed her eyes, and the first person she thought of was Armaan. No doubt, he was still as handsome as ever, in fact more handsome since he had the mature look on his face. Opening her eyes, she realised who she was thinking of. Great, she hadn't given him a thought for the past 5 years, and now, the first person she thinks of and it had to be him! Knowing she wouldn't get any sleep, she went to the kitchen to get a snack.
"Food for comfort" she mumbled.
Part 4 ' Well, Someone's surprising.
Riddhima was late. Shit, she thought as she rushed into the club. How could someone fall asleep on a chair, with their head on a dining table and actually manage it for a whole hour? It was 8:00pm by the time she woke up, and getting dressed in navy blue jeans and a purple halter neck top, she had rushed to the club, reaching there at 8:30.
Sapna was feeling bored sitting at a table by herself. As soon as she saw Riddhima she called her over.
"Ridzy, yahaan pe!"
"Thank God tu milgayi! Main toh soch rahi thi ab aap sab ko kahaan dhoondo! Waise sab hai kahan?" she inquired looking around.
"Armaan and Nikki dance floor pe, Rahul aur Abhi dono koi ladki ke saath hain, aur Muskaan gayyi hai drinks lene."
"Great!" she flopped down on the chair next to Sapna and put her head in her hands. "Yeh Armaan bhi hum sab ko treat kar raha hai, yah phir sirf Nikki ko? I mean agar yeh baat hai toh yahan hum sab ko bula kar bore kyun kar raha hai?"
"Main kisko bore kar raha hoon?" said a hurt voice from the back.
Nikki came and sat down opposite Riddhima, looking exhausted.
"Tumhare timing se toh kisiko nahin!" Riddhima replied turning around in an instant, flicking her hair. Armaan gaped at her.
She was wearing the same clothes as the girl he had seen at the entrance. Wait, did that mean that the girl was Riddhima? While dancing with Nikki he had had a sudden urge to look at the entrance and had seen a beauty standing there. The lights were dim and as a result he had not been able to make out her face. But never did he think that was Riddhima! Her curves and her body had attracted him. And right now he also had to admit, with minimal make up on, she was probably one of the prettiest girl around. Still mesmerised, 'gorgeous' was the only word that came out of his mouth. Riddhima meanwhile had been staring at him blatantly. Yes, he looked amazing in the white sleeveless jacket which exposed his muscles and was zipped half way up, exposing his well built chest. It matched well with his faded blue jeans. She came out of her trance, and said,
"What?"
Shaking his head he said in a flirty tone,
"You look good. Dance?"
"Thanks, not interested." She replied knowing full well she was probably the first girl rejecting him like that. His face dropped. Sapna and Nikki who had been in a conversation before diverted their attention to them. Armaan retained his composure and said,
"Riddhima, bhool jao jo hua kahin saalon pehle."
She looked back at him slight confusion on her face. Then, as realization dawned on her, she started laughing.
"Armaan, main toh kab ka bhool chukki hoon. Bas mujhe dance nahin karna aaj," she explained, smiling lightly to herself, while Armaan cursed himself slightly embarassed. This woman sure was different from other girls.
At that point, Abhi and Rahul came by, Abhi with a girl in his arms. He was completely drunk, and manage to splutter out,
"Hi guys, meet Tanya."
"Its Sonia!" said the outraged girl, slapped him and walked away. Riddhima giggled putting her hand over her mouth, while Armaan shook his head, and whispered,
"Sorry yaar. Next time"
"Kavya!" Abhi called for her, then, finally putting his head on the table, he zonked out. Muskaan appeared with her and Sapna's drink. As she put them on table, Rahul, thirsty and tired from all the dancing, drank her coke. Sapna started giggling knowing what was coming next, while Nikki went to dance with some guy she had never seen before. An enraged Muskaan was having a real go at Rahul.
"Oye, khote, tune meri drink peeli!"
"Mujhe kya pata tha tumhari hai! Maaf kar mujhe marna nahin hai!"
"Andhe ho kya? Maine abhi layi thi. Tumhe pata hai kitni der tak khadi thi wahaan?"
"Toh phir se jaa wahaan. Mera mood kyun kharab kar rahi hai?" and he turned to Riddhima who raised her eyebrows laughing.
"Riddzi, dance?"
"Rahul sach mein mera mood nahin hai aaj."
Armaan butted into the conversation,
"Chod na Rahul. Voh dance kar hi nahin sakti. Behenji types ki hai. Gharba hota toh'"
"Tumhara matlab kya hai huh?" she retorted. "Main aise dances kar sakti hoon. Lekin abh nahin karna!"
"haan haan, yehi toh bolegi na Riddhima JEE" he taunted.
Annoyed, she got up from the table. Armaan turned to Sapna to strike a conversation while Muskaan attacked Rahul about her drink. They suddenly heard the DJ.
"Everybody off the dance floor, we've got a special performance tonight from Miss Ridzy!"
The crowd roared and clapped for her as the gang stared at each other with open mouths, except for Abhi who was still fast asleep. Rahul and Muskaan also put their fight on hold while Armaan after recovering from his shock, showed his dimpled smile, and leaned back. This was one girl that never ceased to surprise him. Sapna, on the other hand, who had known Riddhima for longer than the others had, was shocked at this behaviour. She knew she could dance, but a sudden outburst? Armaan certainly had some effect on her!
Riddhima stood in the middle of the dance floor with a pose. The fans were all directed towards her making her naturally straight hair blow in all directions. She wanted to shut Armaan up once and for all! Looking down, she started tapping her feet to the music.
(She taps her feet')
Jogi nachle ..(Starts getting into the music)
Rang rachde ..
Jogi nachle ..
Rang rachde
Lehraake balkhake tu, duniya bhula ke naach (Starts with hip hop moves and continues)
Dhun ko ae gunguna le, gaane tu gaa ke naach
Rangeeleon mein to kho ja, pee ke peela ke naach
Matt bhare naino se tu, naina mila ke naach
Na na na na na na
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
(Goes towards Armaan and pulls him to the dance floor dancing around him. Armaan amazed, trying to go away while she pulls him towards her. He suddenly responds and takes her hand, spinning her towards him as she looks at him and they have an eye lock. The spotlight shines on them)
Dekh ke bhi nahi ho yakeen
Itni kyun hai bataa tu haseen
Tere husn se zindagi haseen
Tere husn ke aagey koi haseena kuch bhi nahi
(She breaks from the eye lock and goes towards various couples bringing them on the dance floor. One of them being Rahul and Muskaan.)
Hosh gawa deewane, hosh gawa ke naach
Paas tu aa deewane, paas tu aake naach
Dil mein hai armaan jitne, saare jaga ke naach
Tann mein badan mein jaise aag laga ke naach
(comes back on the dance floor dancing with a group. Her, Rahul, Muskaan, Armaan, Sapna and Nikki)
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
Uff teri adaa, I like the way you move
Uff tera badan, I like to see you groove
Uff teri nazar, it says I wanna dance with you
(While the song is ending, she goes to the table and Armaan is left dazed in the middle of the dance floor looking down, smiling to himself. His dimples are deepening by the moment, as her face, during the eye lock moment, won't leave his mind)
She was amazed at what just happened. It created butterflies in her stomach. She had never felt this way before. Not even 5 years ago, when they had met. This was different. She blushed looking down, and when she looked up, Armaan was there, with his hand outstretched, giving her the killer smile.
"Dance?" he whispered. She looked to side, as she laughed. He loved this attitude of hers. It showed genuine amusement. Looking back at him, she smiled and said,
"You won't give up will you?"
He looked up at the ceiling, showing mock consideration, then shook his head, raising his eyebrows at her. Finally she put her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor. The DJ put on a slow number at that moment. It wasn't a song, just a slow romantic tune. Armaan pulled Riddhima closer as they began swaying to the music. Nikita saw this, and turned away in jealousy, hatred burning out of her eyes. She had hated Riddhima ever since she pulled Armaan on the dance floor. During their group dance, Armaan's eyes had been on Riddhima full time, even when Nikki tried push him away. For a change, Rahul and Muskaan were lost in each other, since Riddhima had pulled them to dance floor. Sapna was dancing with a guy, whom she called Amit the next day.
"So, Miss Ridzi." whispered Armaan, unknowingly adoring her. "I didn't know you could dance that well. I mean, in college, you never showed that sort of attitude."
"Armaan," she smiled at him, "you just never knew me that well"
"That's good. Because you keep on surprising me! Sometimes with your attitude, and your innocence, and your dancing! What else do you have in store for me?"
"Flirt kar rahe ho?"
"Just plain honesty," he replied. She nodded looking into his eyes. She was at close proximity with him, yet she felt no uneasiness. She was comfortable with him. Blushing, she looked down. He continued looking at her face, and smiling to himself.
After sometime, Riddhima's mobile beeped breaking their eye-lock. It was midnight and Riddhima told Armaan,
"Mamma ghar pe akeli hai, mujhe jana hoga"
"Achcha, fairy godmother bulaun ya phir step mother bulaun?"
"Kya?" she looked at him confused.
"Chalo main tumhe drop karta hoon, Cinderella!" and she blushed profusely at his statement.
Both were silent in the car. Riddhima was re-playing the last few hours in her head, while Armaan took occasional glances at her. Once she got home, he waited till she was inside, as he drove off. Yeh mujhe ho kya gaya hai? He wondered. Kyun har baar' Nahin I don't like her. I'm not attracted to her. Then why do I lose control when I'm near her. Fine I'm not going to be near her. Focus.
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