" We BeLoNg ToGeThEr No MaTtEr WaT "
Part 16
" Beep Beep "
'Riddhima?...' Armaan said softly...' Riddhima Ur Phone...' armaan called her again... Riddhima shook her head to clear her dazed brain and then looked up at Armaan.
' Umm, Armaan, I told you, it's okay. We got over it, you are forgiven. I am not upset anymore...' riddhima told Armaan smiled
'I know, I am not talking about that. Your phone is ringing...' armaan said grinning ...
'You have a phone call...' Armaan said pointing to her clutch and finally Riddhima heard the shrill ringing of her cell phone. She shot Armaan an apologetic look and fished out her phone from the bag, hoping against hope that it was not a call for some medical emergency.
' Hel..Hello...Papa?...' riddhima stammerd ,...'Riddhima, Kaha ho tum?...' shashank asked ...
She gazed up at Armaan, her eyes wide with surprise and seeing her surprised look, he raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question.
' main kaha hu?...' Riddhima mumbled... 'Papa main .. Um.. Yahi hu... Party main...' Riddhima conveyed the message word to word, the incongruity of the situation making her incapable of doing anything much more
' Par kyu papa?...' riddhima asked ... 'Actually beta hum ghar jarahe the, Anjali bhi hamare saath ghar agayi, aur tum dikhayi nahi derahi thi.. waise tum wapas kaise aogi?...' shashank asked
'Papa main..' Riddhima was about to add something more when suddenly she heard Armaan whispering in her ear
Tell him, I'll drop you...' armaan whispered her
' Armaan mujhe drop kar dega papa...' Riddhima blurted out and then glared at Armaan who was grinning away to glory on successfully putting her in a spot.
' Armaan? Dr. Armaan aap ke saath hai?...' he asked surprisingly.
Riddhima closed her eyes and cursed her luck. If her dad once get started, he wouldn't stop until he knew everything about her and Armaan in question. It was way better she told him in leisure, not here, not like this.
'Ha, Armaan, I mean Abhimanyu, Niki, Muski hum sab saath hai papa..' Riddhima blured out and heaved a sigh of relief.
'Ok beta, tc. Jaldi ajana...' shashank said
' Ji papa...' riddhima replied
Riddhima disconnected the phone and looked up at Armaan, who was frowning.
'Armaan?...' riddhima called him... 'Why did you lie?...' Armaan frowned and asked. Riddhima sighed
'Armaan I didn't lie, We are here with our friends Right?...' Armaan nodded his head.
'Bas then, maine wohi kaha... Chalo I think it is imperative that we say sorry...' riddhima said to him
'Sorry? but y...' armaan asked confused
'Yeah, to Muski and Niki, or have you forgotten?...' Riddhima asked
'Oh yeah, let's go...' armaan said
Riddhima and Armaan entered the hall to find her friends sitting at the same Riddhima went up to them smiling,
'Hi, guys!...' She said grabbing the attention of all. Everyone turned around, shocked to see her smiling so brightly. They looked at each other and grinned knowing very well the reason for her smile.
' Guys I am sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you," Riddhima looked ashamed, I know you guys were only trying to help. I was just a bit frustrated and I took it out on you guys. I am sorry, I shouldn't have done that. You are my best friends and I love guyz very much!...' riddhima said looking all of them with apology look
Muskaan finally smiled. She hugged Riddhima,
'Not a problem Ridzie, what are friends for? Right, Niki?...' muskaan said looking at riddhima and asking nikki
Nikita got up from her seat and hugged Riddhima. 'It's okay, Ridzie, you can shout at us, whenever you want...' nikki said smilingly
Riddhima smiled,'Thanks Niki, you are the best!...'
'Okay...' Riddhima said ' Can we please go eat something, I am ravenous!...' With that she pulled Niki and Muskaan to the food stall The guyz followed.
SANJEEVANI
The next day in the Hospital had been very tiring with back to back working hours with no time for the interns to even breathe. The interns got literally busy with their works where the interns were paired with each other, Riddhima with Abhimanyu, Armaan with Anjali, Muskaan and Rahul, Nikita with Atul. Armaan and Riddhima were disappointed. The doctors had given the Interns to make a throughout report of all the seriously ill patients .She stole a glance at Armaan and saw him looking highly disgruntled with the pairing thing. As the interns dispersed, he got up and strode off without a word leaving a shocked Riddhima behind. The day was as hectic as ever. It had not been a very pleasant day without Armaan's presence and then whenever she saw him, he seemed in a very annoyed mood. She wondered why.
Among the 2 reports they interns had completed the first one. The reports submission had also been dealt with, each of the groups had brought in their work on time. And Dr. Shashank was impressed by each one of them. He had even praised their work in front of everyone.
Heading out from Hospital, Armaan and Riddhima exchanged some pleasantries discussing the happenings of their entire day. It was a not very comforting day for both of them.
'Okay, Armaan, I better leave for home now. Its quite late. So. I'll see you tomorrow then...' she said
' Okay, See you tomorrow...' armaan said with a dull, disappointed voice.
'Um... Riddhima, would you like to go out for a coffee?...' and he suddenly popped out the question to her.
'Will You go out on a coffee with me?...' Armaan looked at her waiting for a reaction. Looking at her blank face he spoke hurriedly.
' the work was also quite a hectic to a little relaxation lets say ? For our selves?? We don't have much to do for tomorrow so if you're not in any hurry as such lets go .what's say?...' armaan asked looking at her
Looking at his outstretched hand Riddhima smiled. His frankness had her impressed by him. Liking the sound of going out with him she agreed.
'Of course Armaan, definitely why not !...' riddhima replied smilingly
She smiled graciously as he led her to parking area. As he opened held open the door of his Mercedes. She smiled seeing him treating her, Pampering her so much. They drove in silence occasionally conversing politely. After settling down he looked at her grinning.
'So what will your highness prefer???...' He looked at grinning.
'Umm, Coffee will do...' she said smiling at him.
As they talked over their cup of coffee Riddhima found herself slowly relaxing. Not because of the environment but the company she was in. He made her feel so completely at ease. She found herself willingly opening up to him. They talked about everything. From the number of girlfriends Armaan had till now to Riddhima's childhood memories. And above all their common love for music and Being a successful Doctors.
As they winded their short little date Armaan called for the bill. As the waiter brought the bill Armaan saw Riddhima taking it before him and glancing at the amount. Putting it aside she swiftly opened her purse ad started to dig through it.
'What do you think your doing Riddhima?...' Armaan looked at her questioningly
'Armaan paying you half the amount obviously. We will dutch the bill right?...' She asked him.
'Keep quite Riddhima, as if I will I am going to allow you to pay half. You really think I am not a gentleman enough?...' armaan spoke annoyingly
'no Armaan, your getting me wrong there, we are friends right then how can I allow you to you know...' she tried explaining him.
Annoyed Armaan gave his card and got up quickly as soon as the waiter came back the change. Indicating Riddhima to follow him he swiftly went out looking greatly annoyed. Looking at his sudden mood change Riddhima meekly followed him. As he opened the car door Riddhima softly spoke.
'Armaan you need not drop me off, I will go by myself. It's really ok...' riddhima said to him ... Looking at her rather fiercely he pushed her lightly into the car. As he steered the car along the roadway Riddhima glanced at him.
'Armaan? I am really sorry...' Riddhima said apologetically.
'Meaning?...' Armaan looked at her confused
'I didn't mean to offend you, I just wanted us to share it equally and I am sorry not being able to do that too...' Listening to her Armaan stopped the car pulling it on the side.
Looking at her intensely he asked ' Do I mean nothing to you Riddhima? How can you even think I will ask you to give me or pay me half of any bill or something? I took you out at my expense and will continue doing so in future. So kindly keep your halves with you. Will you stop embarrassing me Riddhima?...'
Riddhima looked at him shocked ...Riddhima sat there stunned 'Armaan embarrassing you? Not even in my dreams. Armaan what are you saying? How can you even say such a thing?...'
'Then what do you expect me to say huh? Seriously tell me Riddhima don't I mean anything to you? One hand your calling me as your friend and treating me as if I have been in your life forever and next minute you completely treat me as a stranger?...' armaan asked her
'Armaan what are you saying. Where's the question of treating you as a stranger?...' Armaan looked at her rather fiercely and started the engine again. Driving rather at a high speed he didn't glance once at her face which clearly showed her worrying. She kept glancing at him every now and then.
As he stopped outside her house she looked at him starring at the driveway purposely not even glancing at her.
' Armaan thank you for everything. I am sorry Armaan. Please forgive me...' Riddhima muttered feeling her eyes swelling up.
'Riddhima...' armaan said looking at her glistening with tears Armaan's expression softened. Sighing he slowly wiped away the small tears and looked deeply at her.
'You don't have to be sorry. You did nothing wrong. I guess I am jerk to take it wrongly and not putting up myself before you properly. I respect you and your opinion a lot. Trust me. Those things don't exist in our friendship. I would hate the fact that you pay when you're out with me...' Stunned by his words Riddhima looked at him in complete new light. Never had anyone been so caring, so frank and made her feel so special.
'Armaan I am sorry...' She mumbled.
'No, I will not forgive you...' armaan said... Looking at him confused, as he smiled at her he continued
'You promise me there will be no more halves between us? Wherever we go and infact whenever we are together there will be no question of money ok?...' Looking at him smiling she nodded her head and opened the door only to find him pulling her back.
' Don't you dare try giving me again or I you had it...' He said winking at her.
Giggling she got out to hear him call
'Be ready I will come to pick you up...' shocked Riddhima turned back
'No Armaan please, no ways. I will come on my own...' riddhima replied... looking at her with a twinkle in his eye he spoke
'Dream on honey, I will do exactly as I please...' Saying so he drove off leaving her blushing a little she didn't know why.
'What the hell huh?...' He found his mirror image sitting beside him posing all these questions at him as if attacking him in an interview.
'What are you on about, huh?...' armaan responded to his interviewer with a frustrated look.
''You know what I am talking about Armaan, The reason why you care about her. Ask yourself, don't you like her ?? don't you feel attracted towards her ?huh? Don't you love her?..." His reflection asked Armaan.
Hearing those words echo in his ears, armaan tried to fight against them 'Uhhh...what are you saying? I like her, I respect her a lot and She is a very good friend of mine and I can do anything to make her happy...' He tried to justify.
He saw his companion coming closer to him "That's not true Armaan and you know that..." his soulhoutte said pointing a finger towards him.
''Since day one, you have been attracted to her; first by her beauty and then by her polite and innocent nature. You can't fool me mister, I am a part of you only. You know you like her , or rather love her and the sooner you realize it, the better it would be. I can't believe you are behaving like a nutcase, why don't you accept the fact Anyway, I'll leave you to make the decision yourself now...See you later'' With that, he noticed his soulhoutte of his conscience disappear leaving him alone in his car.
Trying hard to concentrate on his driving, he felt those words disturb him all over again leaving him with nothing but a wondering, a big big wondering 'Do I like her, do I have feelings for her????.am I in love with her...??..'
Armaan reached the Mallik Mansion and flung the keys over the table before sinking into his bed thinking of the events of the day and trying to make sense of his train of his chain of thoughts. He was startled by himself with the question he had popped to himself in the car.
'Do i love her? Am i in love with her??...' Armaan kept thinking to himself as he recalled his moments with her. He felt free and comfortable...unlike he ever felt when around with other girls. She was different. Simple, innocent and yet strong willed. It was her persona that drew him to her. She hadnt faltered She was fierce, independent and yet so very vulnerable from inside.
'Ahh i can just go on and on...' he thought.
' Why am i thinking so much about her. Ok now dont be silly and say you dont understand what is coming up. The plain fact is you're taking her to be more than just a friend ...you feel something more Armaan. She is special and it's high time you accepted this glaring truth. He told himself.She herself felt it too. You are treating her like that and pampering her so much. So dude, it's clear...you're in it deep now...' He felt a wide smile automatically developing on his face as he found the reply to all his queries, 'I think he was right...I do like her, I do have feelings for her.Man I have fallen in love with Riddhima?...'
Armaan got up smiling as he flipped open his cell to see a picture of hers set as the wallpaper...which he had taken when she was smiling so very deeply and he felt he could just keep staring at her all night.
' Ok Armaan... You love her, she is very special. Now let's see how deep your feelings are before making this obvious to her. I don't want to hurt her from my side. ...Armaan...man...I love Riddhima Yeah... I love Her...' Armaan smiled as he hit his pillow lightly.
GUPTA HOUSE
Riddhima was stunned to see him standing there holding his Mercedes door open with a bright smile on his face.
'At your service madam...' he said while stooping a little like a chauffeur showing courteousness to his mistress.
Taken aback by what was happening in front of her, she pinched herself to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. 'Ouch' was the only word that came out of her mouth at that moment after her thin, long fingers grabbed a small portion of her soft delicate skin.
'Hello, I am here...' Armaan said waving his hand.
'I've been waiting for you for the past 40 minutes you know and all you've got to say is ouch to me?...' He said sounding annoyed.
'Armaan, what are you doing here? I told you not to come to pick me up na...' Riddhima said lightly with a muted shriek of frustration.
' Well, I told you last night that I'd come at 9 and here I am 9 sharp...' he proudly smiled while pointing his Index finger to the right angle formed between the hour and minute hand of his watch.
' Please Armaan...' she was cut off by Armaan.
' Oh come on Riddhima, we've become quite good friends now and I don't think there is anything wrong in picking you up. Its really not any trouble for me That's what friends are for, isn't it?...' his eyes sparkled.
'I know but...' she dug her brain in search of words to make some sense.
'Stop thinking Riddhima, you don't need to think for so long and that too for an issue as small as this...' Armaan said
'Now madam, if you don't mind, would you please honor me by sitting in the car? Gosh'.Tum ladakiya kita sochte ho...' he said nodding his head randomly.
Seeing this, Riddhima couldn't stop herself from smiling. Noticing her smile, Armaan added
'Moreover, I don't mind picking and dropping you everyday. you know...' and winked at her. They drove off to Sanjeevani.
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