Previously On...
Riddhima tells Sonia off.
Armaan and Rahul bonding.
Armaan being awkward with Neha.
Thoda sa AR cuteness + fluff. <3
Chapter 65
Armaan spent most of his time talking to Rakesh. They were talking
about how their lives had changed since college. Armaan was really happy when
he found out that Rakesh had started his own wedding planning business and that
it was doing well. Rakesh had been a scholarship kid at college and he'd worked
his ass off to provide for his family. Armaan had always admired that about
him. How driven and focused he'd been. Really, it was only because of Rakesh
that Armaan able to pass college. He'd make sure that Armaan studied for his
tests and turned his assignments in.
"Waise, tere business ka naam kya hai? Next time kabhi mujhe
kisiki shaadi organize karni hogi toh main tujhe hi bulaunga, Armaan insisted.
Rakesh laughed. "Thanks, yaar. It's called Il Matrimonio.
We have a website and everything, he explained.
"Nice, Armaan answered. "Aur, bas professional life mein hi itna
achcha hai ya fir personal life bhi aage badhi hai? He asked cheekily.
Rakesh blushed. "Oyye hoyye, Armaan teased. "Gaal toh dekho
janaab ke. Tamaatar jaise laal ho gaye hain.
"Hmmm... Baat kya hai? Rahul asked. He'd been silently listening
to their discussion along with Rohit and Abhi. Rakesh had been a good friend to
him too. Sure, they'd never interacted much, but his and Rakesh's friendship
had been different. They didn't talk everyday or know everything about the
other, but they knew things that mattered most. And there was an assurance that
should one of them be in trouble, the other would always be there, no questions
asked.
"Rahul, yaar, tu bhi? Rakesh whined.
"Main bhi kya? Saale, inte saalon baad tu haath aaya, aise hi
tjodi chodunga? Rahul joked.
"Fine, fine. I'm married, he announced.
"Wow! Toh, kahaan hai woh? Aayi kyu nahi? Armaan asked, eager to
meet Rakesh's wife.
"Uh, actually, Kunal, my son, he's ill. Toh Aesha uske saath ghar
pe hai, he explained, blushing really bad.
"Tera beta bhi hai? Rahul asked, surprised.
Rakesh nodded. "3 saal ka hai.
"Waah, waah, mere sher, Armaan praised, putting an arm around his
shoulder. "Hum sabko dekho, he said, gesturing to himself and Rahul, "abhi tak
shaadi bhi nahi hui. Lekin in sir ke toh bachche bhi ho gaye!
"Armaan! Rakesh admonished, embarrassed.
"What? Achchi baat hai yaar. Tu isme itna sharma kyu raha hai?
Armaan asked.
"Tu meri chod, yeh Rahul bhi chupa rustam hai, Rakesh said,
trying to divert the topic.
"Main? Rahul asked, surprised. "Aisa kya kiya maine?
"Woh, tere saath aayi haina, Rakesh started, pausing, trying to
remember the name of Rahul's date.
"Riddhima, Armaan promptly supplied.
"Haan, wohi. Riddhima. Keh rahi thi ki tu kisi ladki se bohot
pyaar karta hai. Kaun hai woh? Rakesh asked.
"Wait, Riddhima ne kya kaha? Rahul questioned, shocked. He
couldn't believe Riddhima had just said that to a bunch of strangers.
"Arre, woh Sonia haina. Woh bohot bol rahi thi - how she wanted to
date you and stuff. Toh Riddhima ne kaha ki tu already kisi se pyaar karta
hai, Rakesh explained. "Aisa sach mein hai ya fir usne sirf Sonia ko kaha? He
asked.
Rahul sighed. "Hai koi, he replied, glancing at Muskaan. "Lekin
abhi mujhse naraaz hai. I hope ki main usse jaldi manaa lu.
Rakesh smiled and hugged him. "I'm sure sab theek ho jaayega.
Rahul nodded his thanks.
"Aur, Armaan, Rakesh said, turning to him. "Tu bhi toh bata. Teri
life mein koi aayi ya abhi bhi 4 ladkiyon ke saath ghoomta hai? He asked.
Rahul guffawed on hearing this. Chaar toh kya, ek ghoomane ki
capacity bhi nahi rahi usme, he thought to himself.
"Tujhe badi hasi aa rahi hai, Armaan glared at Rahul.
"Haan, kyu? Tujhe koi problem? Rahul argued.
"Haan. Mat has. Bohot hi ghatiya hasi hai teri, Armaan answered.
"Abbe, chal hat, Rahul dismissed. "Meri hasi, mera mann. Tujhe
koi problem hai toh tu kahin aur chala jaa.
Armaan started to say something, but was cut off by Rakesh. "Guys,
yeh sab chodo. Armaan, tu bata, he instructed.
"K... Kya batana hai? He asked, trying to buy time.
"Arre, yehi. Koi achchi ladki mili kya tujhe? Rakesh asked.
Armaan looked at him and nodded. He turned to Riddhima and smiled
dreamily. "Woh dekh, he told Rakesh, pointing towards her. She was talking to
Disha animatedly about something. Armaan looked at her and sighed. How could
someone be so beautiful all the time?
Rakesh laughed. "Main iski baat nahi kar raha, he said. "Haan,
Riddhima achchi ladki hai, I think. But main pooch raha hu ki tujhe koi aisi
mili kya jiske saath tu settle ho jaaye? He asked.
"Main toh abhi bhi settled hi hu, Armaan replied. "Achcha ghar,
good job, amazing friends. Aur kya chahiye?
Rakesh shook his head. "Wife? He prompted.
"Oh, shaadi? Armaan asked. "Kyu, apna business badhaane ki
koshish kar raha hai? He joked.
"Armaan! Rakesh scolded. "Seriously, yaar. Tu kabhi nahi badlega.
Chod, rehne de. Tujhse toh poochna hi bekaar hai.
Armaan laughed. Topic successfully averted.
"Good one, Armaan, Rahul commented, his voice laced with
innuendo.
"Thank you, Raool, Armaan replied, smirking.
Rakesh smiled at their interaction. "Tum dono ko ek doosre se
achche se baat karte hue dekhke mujhe bada achcha lag raha hai, he said.
Armaan and Rahul looked at him questioningly.
"Arre, college ke dinon mein tum dono ki kabhi nahi banti thi na.
Isliye, Rakesh explained.
Armaan laughed. "Oh, that way. Haan, he's okay, he waved
dismissively at Rahul.
"Waah, itni tareef? Rahul commented sarcastically. "Kahin se
tareef ke bojh tale main marr na jau!
"Haha, Armaan replied. "Waise, Muskaan bohot pretty lag rahi
haina? He asked conversationally.
Rahul glared at Armaan. "What? Main bas keh raha hu, ki pretty lag
rahi hai. Agar koi usse dance ke liye pooche toh? I mean, koi bhi pooch sakta
hai. Kaun nahi chaahega itni beautiful ladki ke saath dance karna? He asked.
"Hmmm... Baat toh teri sahi hai, Rakesh said. "Waise bhi, tu
hamesha hi aisi beautiful ladkiyon ke saath hi ghoomta hai.
"Woh toh hai. Armaan ke saath hai toh beautiful toh hogi hi na,
Armaan laughed. "Toh... Agar koi uske saath dance karna chaahe toh I mean... Mujhe
koi problem nahi hai.
Rahul was glaring at Armaan so hard that if looks could kill,
Armaan would have died 10 times already.
"Shut up, Armaan! He scolded.
"Fine, Armaan replied, raising his hands in surrender. "Main toh
bas keh raha tha. Waise, mera toh set hai. Riddhima ke saath hi dance karne
wala hu main, He told the men surrounding him.
"Uh, I don't know, Rohit said. "Woh waise toh bohot achchi hai,
lekin I don't think so. Usne mujhe bhi manaa kiya tha. He hadn't participated
in the discussion so far, but he wouldn't miss a chance to take Armaan down a
notch or two. He'd never liked how easy everything had been in Armaan for
college. And seeing Riddhima make him work for it had made him happy.
Armaan turned to Rahul. Rahul smirked. "Aaj toh dekh lete hai.
Armaan Mallik ka charm kitna chalta hai.
"Dekh lete hai, Armaan replied confidently.
He walked to where Riddhima was standing and forwarded his hand.
"Dance? He asked her when he had her attention.
"Me? Riddhima asked, surprised. Armaan nodded.
"No, thanks, Riddhima replied, turning back to her previous
conversation. Armaan was shocked. He looked back to see the boys smirking at
him. This was not done. How could she just brush him off like this?
Determined, he fell to his knees beside her and hugged her around
her legs. "Riddhima, bas ek dance. Please! He exclaimed. Riddhima looked at
him, surprised. She tried untangle his arms from around her legs, but his grip
was too tight.
"Armaan, dekho, chodo mujhe, she warned him.
Armaan shook his head. "Jab tak tum mere saath dance nahi karogi,
main nahi chodunga, he said.
"Armaan, sab dekh rahe hai. Please, chodo, she pleaded.
Armaan looked around and shrugged. So what if people were
watching? "Dekhte hai toh dekhne do. Mujhe koi fark nahi padta, he said.
"Armaan, you're embarrassing me. Please, chodo, Riddhima begged.
"Nahi, nahi, nahi. Jab tak dance karne ke liye haan nahi bologi,
main nahi chodunga, he repeated.
"Um, Riddhima. Chali jao. Yeh idiot toh hai hi besharam. Usse koi
fark nahi padega, Nikki advised.
Riddhima sighed. "Okay, okay. Main tumhaare saath dance karungi,
she finally agreed.
"Sach? Armaan asked, looking at her with a goofy grin.
"Haan. Sach, she replied.
"Thank you, Riddhima, Armaan said, hugging her tighter.
"Dekho, maine dance ke liye haan keh diya na, ab please mujhe chod
do, she pleaded again.
Armaan immediately stood up, causing Riddhima to lose her footing,
but before she could fall, a pair of arms surrounded her, breaking her fall.
Riddhima had her eyes closed, waiting for the thud, but was
surprised when there was none. She slowly opened an eye to see Armaan towering
over her, his arms wrapped around her waist protectively. He was looking at her
with so much love in his eyes that Riddhima was unable to hold his gaze and she
looked away, blushing a deep red.
"Uhm, Nikki and Muskaan cleared their throats, causing Armaan to
come out of his BasketLand. He looked around to see people staring at him
amusingly. He blushed and immediately let go off Riddhima, causing her to fall.
"Armaan! Riddhima screeched. "What the hell?!
"I'm sorry! Armaan cried when he saw what he'd done. "I didn't
mean to. He immediately gave her his hand and helped her up.
"I'm sorry! Sab Nikki aur Muskaan ki fault hai. They startled me.
I'm really sorry, he apologized again.
"Tumse... Tumse toh kuch expect karna hi bekaar hai. Duffer, idiot
kahin ke. Uggghhh, saying so, she stomped her foot on his before leaving.
"Ouch! Armaan cried, standing on one foot. "Yaar, ab meri kya
galti hai?
Rahul and Rakesh came to stand beside him, laughing. "Looks like
ki Armaan Mallik ka charm har jagah nahi chalta, Rakesh teased.
"Haan, yaar. Armaan has become rusty, Rahul said, grinning.
"Haha, Armaan replied, his voice full of sarcasm. "Tum dono ka ho
gaya?
"Nahi, nahi. Abhi toh bas shuru hua hai, Rahul told him.
"Excuse me, abhi raat baaki hai. Ek dance ke liye toh main manaa
hi loonga, Armaan said confidently.
"Aaj toh lag gayi, 100 100 ki. Kaun kehta ki aaj Armaan Riddhima
ke saath dance karega? Rakesh asked the group.
"Abbe, Rakesh. Thoda bada ho jaa. Ab hum college mein nahi hai,
Jai scolded. Armaan was surprised that of all of them, he was the most mature.
"Yes, Jai sahi keh raha hai, Armaan agreed.
"Armaan, tu chup reh, Jai cut him off. Turning to Rakesh, he
said, "Bada ho gaya hai ab. 100 ki nahi. Kamse kam 500 toh bannte hai.
Rakesh grinned. "Yeh bhi theek hai. 500 ki.
That was it then. Everyone started placing bets. Armaan couldn't
believe it. These people were such assholes. Ugh.
"Morons, the lot of you! He screeched.
"Armaan, please! Jai exclaimed. "Let us have our moment. Pehli
baar aisi ladki mili hai jo The Great Armaan Mallik ko bhi reject kar
sakti hai. Tujhe pata nahi kitni badi baat hai.
"Jai, mujhe obviously pata hoga na, ki kitni badi baat hai. After
all, as you said, The Great Armaan Mallik toh main hi hu, Armaan said
sarcastically.
"Waise bhi, tum sab kamine paise haar jaaoge because Riddhima mere
saath dance zaroor karegi, he announced, his voice full of conviction.
Neha looked heartbroken at the declaration, as did Roshni.
Both of them had wanted to snag Armaan's attention, but how were they to know,
that all of Armaan's thoughts only surrounded the one girl who he was
hopelessly in love with.
Roshni sighed, heartbroken. It really had been a pipe dream,
thinking that Armaan would ever notice her. She'd liked him since college, but
she'd never been able to muster enough courage to tell him how she felt. She'd
been determined to tell him now. And, there was a world of difference between
the Roshni who was an unsure, bumbling teenager and the Roshni she was now -
successful, hardworking, confident and charming. But, somehow, Armaan made her
feel like a giddy teenager all over again. All these years, and she still
wasn't able to tell him how much she liked him.
Neha, on the other hand, was even more determined after seeing
Armaan so mesmerised by Riddhima. She knew that she was so much more beautiful
than her and that it would be easy to seduce Armaan to be with her. Sure,
Riddhima was good looking, but she had an air of innocence around her and Neha
knew she wouldn't be able to hold Armaan's interest for long. Armaan wouldn't
ever be happy with a plain vanilla kind of girl that Riddhima seemed to
be - sweet and understanding, but stubborn nonetheless. Sexy, spontaneous and
bold was more Armaan's type. All the qualities that she had, but she was sure
Riddhima was lacking. Riddhima's presence did put a glitch in her plans, but
Neha very well understood how to deal with such riffraff. By the end of the
night, Armaan Mallik would be hers, she vowed to herself.
xxx
So, I hope you guys liked this! :D
I'm really having fun with all the gang interaction in this whole thing and I think that this night is going to continue for some more time because I just want to show so much.
So, I hope you people are not getting bored! :D
And, guys, please! Good comments! I like them. Love them. People just commenting 'plz update' aur 'great part' is really very discouraging. I know I'm probably irritating you guys with this, but it really means a lot to me.
I understand that not all of you have the time to write paragraphs and paragraphs. And I'm not asking for that. Just a few sentences would be nice.
Oh, and also, people who have not been commenting and/or liking any of the updates will not be getting PMs from now because it crowds my messenger and theirs and you guys are obviously not interested in reading, so.
Thanks!
Edited by DMGThings - 5 years ago
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