There was a pooja in the malik mansion since it was Ananya and Billy Mallik’s 25th marriage anniversary today. Everyone, including the whole mallik family and gupta family were standing inside the pooja ghar in the mallik mansion praying infront of the god. A servant had come to inform them that panditji had come, the hawan was supposed to start, and they were required to come and sit for the hawan. When they stepped outside the pooja room ananya said “Riddhima please bring that pooja ki thali we’ll require that for hawan” hearing this riddhima nodded her head and walked back to get pooja ki thali. When she stepped outside the room with thali she saw armaan was standing there and doing something with his mobile phone. “Armaan what are you doing we’ll get late for the hawan” said riddhima. She thought that if the hawan woulds start late she would reach college late. Today it was their first day of second year and also freshers would come, she didnt want to be late that too today. Though at the same time she cannot forget that today was her sweet uncle and aunty’s marriage anniversary and that too it was a silver jubilee anniversary. This hawan was for them. Hence, she would finish this hawan and then would go to college no matter how late she got.
“I was waiting for you baby” said armaan. Riddhima glared at him and said “I am not baby did you get it?” she pointed her index finger towards armaan. “You don’t like being called baby then do you like being called basket?” armaan asked. He knew riddhima would get irritated when he would call her with different names, she liked to be called riddhima. “Armaan boht ho gaya ab chalo hawan ke liye late ho rahe hain” said riddhima and held his hand and dragged him till the main hall where the set up was done for the hawan. When they reached, everyone was sitting down and all of them were waiting for their arrival. Riddhima gave pooja ki thali to panditji and then went and sat down. The hawan began, pandit ji started reciting the mantras and billy and ananya were following what pandit ji was asking them to do.
After one hour, hawan ended and riddhima walked towards armaan. As soon as she reached him she said, “armaan I am going to home to change my dress then we’ll go together to college ok”. He just nodded his head and before he could say anything, she ran towards her home. Ananya saw her running so she came to armaan and asked him “why is she running?” Armaan shook his head and smilingly answered his mom “mom I guess due to this hawan you forgot that we both have to go to college also today”. He saw his mother hits her fore head and he understood his mother actually forgot about their college today. Before ananya could speak anything, he continued “mom mien dress change karke aata hoon kyunki kurte main toh mien college nahiin jaonga you see I have a reputation there”. Ananya smiled at his son’s comment and shook her head. She then went to help Padma with winding up of the place.
After 10 minutes, armaan was honking infront of riddhima’s house. However, he would not have done it if Padma and shashank had been in house. He would have simply rung the bell and had waited for her by sitting on the dining table where he would be eating delicious breakfast prepared by padma. Armaan usually had a habit of eating breakfast in riddhima’s house. It had become a routine now. Since, riddhima took forever time to get ready, he came early so that they didn’t get late for their classes. Coming early meant skipping the breakfast in his house so, he ate it in her house. However, today the scenario was different, from morning they were in his house for the hawan so they could not eat anything before hawan nor after hawan as they had to rush to college or else they would miss their first class.
Hearing the honk, riddhima comes running from the house and armaan looked at her dress and shook his head. Riddhima was wearing simple blue jeans along with a simple pink top. Riddhima came and sat on the passenger seat. He too sat on the driver seat and then drove towards their college. After some time riddhima shouted, “oh shit”. Hearing this, armaan looked towards her and asked, “What happened?” He was worried that she had forgotten her ID card at home without which entering college was difficult, they would have to issue a day pass to enter college, which was time consuming. Also, it was pointless going back home now, they missed their breakfast so that they reach on time and if they go back then it would have been better they would have eaten properly and then came. He made a mental note that he would reject the idea of going back but to his surprise, riddhima said, “I forgot to wish uncle aunty”. Hearing this, armaan’s eyes opened widely he realized even he did not wish his parents today.
Now he understood why his mother was hitting her forehead she must have thought “kaise bache hain pooja ki hawan bhi kiya per sabse important kaam wish hi nahiin kiya”. He was thinking how foolish he was it was ok if riddhima forgot to wish them but it was not ok if he forgot it. He was their son how can he forgot to wish his parents that too on their 25th anniversary. He came out of his thoughts when he heard riddhima.
“Hello aunty I am really sorry in a hurry I forgot to wish you and uncle. Happy 25th marriage anniversary aunty” riddhima said. However, before she could hear her reply armaan snatched her phone and started speaking “hello mom sorry sorry sorry I literally forgot to wish both of you, happy 25th marriage anniversary mom”. He sighed when he heard his mother saying, “Its ok and thank you to both of you for your wishes see you both in the evening bye”. Affter she said this, she cuts the call and shook her head and murmured “yeh dono ek jaise hi hain”.
On the other hand, when armaan was talking with his mom riddhima was quite surprised that he did not wish his parents. She could not wish because she had to run to her house for getting ready for college. “You forgot to wish your parents armaan?”Asked riddhima with a shocking voice. Armaan did not want to admit it so, he thought for an excuse. He finally managed to think of an excuse and came up with this excuse “I wanted to wish them along with you but you ran from there without listening to me. So now when you will wish them I will also wish them along with you”. He patted himself mentally for coming up with an excuse, though, it was not one of the best one but still it was not bad enough also.
Riddhima after hearing this smiled, she knew armaan was lying because he did not want to admit his mistake due to his ego. She thought why he was like this, why he hated admitting his mistakes where as when she realized she had done a mistake she had no problem in admitting it and apologizing for the same. Then she thought how they could be friends when they were poles apart, he was, too short tempered and she, a calm person. How their different nature could allowed them to be best friends in the world. She shook her head and smiled at her thought because she realized sometimes answers were tough to understand.
They reached their college on time. They sighed and smiled looking at each other. “Finally we reached on time”riddhima said. “Oh we had to reach on time since I was driving” armaan said proudly as he drove fast though for his own need and that was he wanted to meet his juniors. He wanted to have some fun-seeing juniors nervous about their college, teachers and other things. He wanted to add fuel to their nervousness. Though he was against ragging but telling juniors about how strict their professors were though, in reality it could be opposite, wouldn’t be taken as ragging. When armaan parked the car in the parking zone riddhima got down and waited for him to come out. As soon as he came out she spoke “armaan no prank with juniors”. Armaan smiled and said, “what if I play a prank?” Riddhima instantly said “then I will punish you”. However, she herself was not sure what punishment she would give him. She would think of a punishment only if he really played a prank on junior. Otherwise, if he heard her warning, though it was not possible but if he did then she wouldn’t have to use her brain to think of a punishment and waste time. “Ok and If I don’t play a prank with juniors then?” asked armaan. “Then I will give you my favourite chocolate” said an excited riddhima. Hearing this armaan shook his head and said “baby”. Riddhima was about to turn and leave but when she heard baby she turned back and said “mien baby nahiin hun samjhe tum”. “Oh ok fine but now listen to me very carefully,” said armaan with a serious voice. Seeing the seriousness on his voice and face, she looked at him and waited for him to continue further.
“You will not talk with any of the junior guy. You are too innocent to understand the difference between flirting and normal talk. You stay with muskaan and niki ok” said armaan though, his last sentence was kind of an order. He had known riddhima ever since they were born he knew she was very innocent and he was sure if anyone would dare to flirt with her then that person would open his eyes in hospital only. However, he himself didn’t know why he always reacted whenever he saw anyone flirting with riddhima. However, as soon as he started thinking this he told himself that he behaved like this because they were childhood friends and he felt the need to protect her from those boys who just flirted with girls. However, he himself flirted with other girls and sometimes with riddhima only but still, he never understood why he didn’t like anyone else flirting with riddhima. He always left thinking beyond this as sometime its best to leave a question unanswered and let destiny answer it. He heard riddhima said something, which distracted his thoughts.
Here riddhima smiled and thought she should answer him back the way he did to her “what if I talk to them?” Armaan understood that riddhima was using his trick on him “hmm well you know the consequences of it”. He knew that riddhima knew about his actions, if anyone dared to flirt with her, that person would open his eyes in hospital only. Riddhima thought he should have answered her in a funny manner like she did. Where as armaan thought to show her the seriousness, he needed to answer her with seriousness only. After she heard his comment, she understood that on this topic he would not answer her in a funny way and said “ok fine”. She turned and left. He saw her leaving and shook his head. He also started walking towards his friends.
While walking back riddhima was cursing armaan ‘idiot gadha aghhh samajta kya hai apne aap ko khud flirt kare toh koi problem nahiin mien karoo toh pata nahiin usse kya ho jata hai. Kya keh raha tha sirf muskaan aur nikki ke saath rehna hota kaun hain order dene wala “or you know the consequences” dara kisse raha tha woh’. Eventhough, riddhima was cursing armaan but never in her wildest dream could she curse him infront of him, as she was scared of his anger. Since childhood he had always been there for her, he cared for her so much so whatever he said was for her own good but still she did not understood why she followed his every order. She couldn’t think further because she heard muskaan and nikki shouting her name at top of their voices.
She turned back and saw her friends were running towards her. When they were close to riddhima she shut her eyes because she thought they would bang into her. They would not be able to stop themselves as they were running on their full speed and would make her fall as well. However, to her surprise she did not fell, infact she felt them hugging her tightly making her sway left and right. “Both of you leave me, I can’t breathe,” said riddhima with difficulty. After both muskaan and nikki heard this they realized that they were hugging riddhima tightly so they immediately left her. Riddhima kept her hand on her chest and started breathing. Both muskaan and nikki started giggling after they saw her like this. “Aaaww what happened to baby” said muskaan and hi fived with nikki. Riddhima glares at them and said “shut up I am”. Before she could continue niki and muskaan spoke together “We know, We know ‘I am not baby’ this is what you want to say right?”
When girls were busy meeting and hugging each other, armaan on the other hand had entered the reception area. The sight brought a smile on his face. He heard his name and turned around. He saw his two best friends were walking towards him. As soon as they reached, armaan hugged both of them and said, “hey guys how are you?” Rahul and abhimanyu looked at him surprised and they raised their eyebrows. “Yesterday night only we met in disco right?” asked Rahul. Armaan asked, “Have you heard this line?” Both Rahul and abhimanyu gave him a ‘which line’ look. Armaan continued speaking “are yaar wahi ek din main toh boht kuch ho jata duniya hi palat jati hai toh phir toh tum log mujhe poori ek raat yaani dus ghante ke baad mile ho kuch bhi ho sakta hai”. After he said this, armaan started laughing seeing rahul and abhimanyu’s face. When they saw him laughing, they understood that he was just having fun with them so even they started laughing.
When they controlled their laughter armaan asked, “Where are the junior’s?” Abhimanyu pointed towards the other end of the reception where juniors were gathered. Armaan looked towards juniors who were standing far from him. He smiled seeing them and asked, “Did any one of you tried talking to the juniors?” Both of them shook their head saying ‘no’. “We were waiting for you,” said Rahul and armaan smiled at his answer. “Then lets go and have some fun” armaan said. Before they could walk towards juniors, they heard girls voice. When Nikki saw abhimanyu, she blushed a bit but tried her level best to control it so that it was not visible to abhi. Whereas Rahul smiled seeing muskaan, he did not understood; being a guy why was he scared of confessing his feelings. Sometimes he thought did she felt the same about him like he felt for her.
“Where are you guys going?” asked nikki. Abhimanyu was about to answer when armaan interrupted and said “No where”. He did not want riddhima to know since she had told him not to do this so he was trying to behave normal in front of her. Riddhima felt something was fishy but then left this thought aside and then she turned around to look at juniors. “Guys how good all of them are looking” riddhima said. Everyone followed her gaze and saw she was staring at juniors. “Basket stop staring them” armaan said. “What? I am just seeing them not talking with them,” said riddhima in a baby voice. This brought a smile on armaan’s face and he shook his head.
Suddenly they heard an announcement so all of them gathered and stood in a line in rows. Seniors were on one side and juniors were on another side. Third year students had already left for their classes. Announcement regarding the conduct of seniors with juniors was announced. This thing was the highlight in the speech that seniors should not rag their juniors and juniors should not panic when seniors met them. Like this, more regulations were announced during the speech. Girls were listening to it properly but boys had a grin on their face.
Finally, all announcements were over and students were left to interact with each other. The seniors would have their regular classes whereas juniors would follow a particular schedule for today. “Guys we are going to canteen riddhima is feeling hungry” nikki said. Armaan looked at her with concern because he knew from morning they were busy with pooja and hawan and did not eat anything. “I told you baby pack some food see, now you feeling hungry right” said armaan. After riddhima heard this riddhima looked at armaan and asked, “Firstly I am not baby and secondly when did you say this?” Both nikki and muskaan started giggling after they heard this. “Fine go and eat” armaan said in anger. He did not like it when she said this in front of their friends. Ok he had thought of saying this to her when he was honking infront of her house but then it slipped out of his mind. Still she should not have said this he was genuinely concerned.
“Even you come, you also haven’t eaten anything since morning”said riddhima with a concern. Seeing his expressions, she understood that he was angry at her but why was he angry? She knew he was short tempered but in her whole life, she did not understood which talk or act make him angry. Only if she knew what made him angry, she would not do that thing ever because she hated it when he got angry and that too when the matter was not much. “No, its ok you eat I’ll come in five ten minutes” said armaan when he felt she was concerned about him so, he cooled down his anger and spoke to her. Riddhima nodded her head and with muskaan and nikki walked towards the canteen. When girls left, guys walked towards juniors to have some fun. They met a guy and introduced themselves to him “hey I am armaan, he is Rahul and he is abhimanyu”. Armaan could judge by his face that he was scared, may be because he thought they would rag him. Nevertheless, did not he heard the announcement regarding ragging, it was not allowed. Even if one did, they would surely receive a deadly punishment, which neither of them were interested to get such punishment. “Hi my name is rajiv” said the guy and they shook their hands. “So nervous” asked Rahul and Rajiv just nodded his head. “Chill dude nothing to worry,” said Abhimanyu. He put his hand on Rajiv’s shoulder and gave him assurance. “Waise hamari salah mano toh teacher’s se bachke rehna thode se na khadoos hain, sab nahiin per kuch hain bina baat ke daat denge”said armaan and just as he expected Rajiv got scared hearing this. Abhimanyu sensed that in rajiv’s body he looked towards armaan and through his eyes shook his head saying ‘don’t continue further’. Armaan blinked his eyes in acceptance and spoke to ease down Rajiv “are itna mat daar mien toh Mazak kar raha tha waise yahan ke teachers boht ache hain sach main”.
On the other hand, girls were having their food in canteen when a junior approached them.They started talking. Riddhima was not talking much because she had promised armaan she would not but she could not ignore this junior for long so, she spoke when necessary like hi, her name etc. They were eating the food when boys arrived. Before entering the canteen, armaan had seen riddhima was busy eating while other two were busy talking to a guy. He did not felt bad because riddhima was not talking to him and was keeping her promise. Still, he was angry because that guy was sitting next to riddhima. His hand turns into a fist. He walked towards the table with abhi and Rahul. When riddhima saw armaan her breath stopped for a moment, the food that she was eating was stuck in her mouth due to which she coughed. Nikki gave her water to drink and she drank the water in one go. After he drank the water, she then looked towards armaan.
The guy left the place after telling his name to boys. The boys sat down and asked what they were talking so girls replied them and said just casual talk nothing serious. “Armaan I had ordered this food for you” said riddhima and passed a plate filled with food to armaan. She knew armaan would be hungry, from morning they were running in the house to prepare everything for the pooja and hawan. They being the youngest had to run up and down a lot. Armaan smiled at her and took the plate. He started eating the food. In mind armaan said to himself, ‘I have to teach that boy a lesson, how dare he sat next to basket. I would have to talk to these two girls and ask them how they allowed him to sit with them. But, he would do that by using His Way’
Coming up
Does armaan teaches this junior a lesson or something else happens???
An announcement in the party, is it a shocker or not???