Update 12

Armaan was glaring at Rahul because he was not speaking at all. Rahul came prepared as to what he would speak in front of armaan but, could not utter a word now. When he was practicing the dialogue in car, he was confident that he would be able to speak those lines with ease. Even when muskaan teased him that he would not be able to say it as confidently as he was speaking in car, he teased her back saying, “you go and speak then”. Also like a fool, he refused to acknowledge her solution that she was going to give him as a backup plan, in case he failed to speak those dialogues. He regretted not listening to muskaan. However, what was done was done, he needed to come up with some solution.

Armaan was getting irritated with rahul’s silence. He was now giving him ‘I-will-kill-you’ look. Rahul who was looking at his face only was also noticing his expressions and that was scaring him further. Rahul looked left and right with his eyes, tried to figure out some plan to come out of this situation.

Armaan: Rahul I am warning you, do not waste my time (he stressed his voice on the last few words).

Rahul (while stammering): yeah I am …. I am saying (but before Rahul could say anything armaan’s phone rang).

Armaan: Yes Abhimanyu what is it?

Abhimanyu: Nikki and I need your help can we meet today.

Armaan (looked at Rahul and then turned to look at riddhima): Fine I will see you at your disco at 9. (After cutting the call armaan looked at Rahul and said) I don’t know what you wanted to say but right now I have no time for it. Its already 7 and I need to meet Abhimanyu at 9. Also, before that I need to leave riddhima at her home, so whatever you wanted to say, say it later. I don’t have time right now.

Rahul: Actually, that’s what I came for, I had gone to Gupta mansion (this caught armaan’s attention). Over there I happened to meet shashank uncle and he wanted to meet you.

After saying this, Rahul sighed and remembered how he accidentally bumped into shashank when muskaan and he were leaving the house. At that time, muskaan smartly said that they were going to armaan’s house to pick riddhima up. Muskaan left an arrow in the air; she guessed that, may be shashank uncle would want to meet armaan as it had been long since they met. Hearing that, shashank asked Rahul,  if he met armaan ask him to meet him, though it was not urgent but still he wanted to meet armaan for some work. The arrow, which was left in the air, hit the target perfectly. During their car journey, muskaan cooked up a story that seemed as if shashank uncle urgently wanted to meet armaan.

Armaan: Does he wants to meet me urgently?

Rahul: I guess so; I mean he did say he wanted to meet you soon, as he has some important work to discuss. I tried calling you on your phone but it was unreachable. I was anyway passing from here so I thought I might stop and tell you this. But wait you said you have to drop riddhima back home is she here? (they had decided to play dumb here as if he had no idea riddhima was in his house).

Armaan: Thank you Rahul, I will meet shashank uncle when I’ll drop riddhima home. For your second question, yes she is here I picked her up from her college and brought her here.

Rahul: Oh! okay, any specific occasion?

Armaan: No, I just wanted to spend some time with her. I was away from so many years and when I came back, I hardly got time to spend with her. Therefore, I thought today is the best day to spend some time together.

Rahul (looked at his watch): Anyway, armaan I think you should get going, if you start now you will reach gupta mansion in some forty-five minutes. Also, after that you have to leave to meet Abhimanyu too, and meanwhile you will also need time to talk to shashank uncle. I guess you need to hurry up buddy. I will also leave then.

Armaan nodded at Rahul and then hugged him. Rahul also hugged him back and then turned. He moved towards riddhima. Meanwhile riddhima who was listening to the conversation felt relieved when she heard armaan would drop her back home.

 OUTSIDE MALLIK MANSION

Muskaan started thinking whether she has developed a soft corner for Rahul or not? If yes, then how was that possible? She couldn’t have a soft corner for someone who was a friend of armaan.

Muskaan (self-talk): what is wrong with you muskaan, you can’t think of Rahul. No, you can’t it’s a forbidden thing for you. Rahul is armaan’s friend you can’t have a soft corner for him. Think something else muskaan divert your mind. Where is this Rahul? I just hope he hasn’t spoiled anything inside. No he can’t, he can’t spoil it I should trust him. Yes trust him muskaan, he will do what we decided.

When muskaan was busy talking to herself Rahul opened the door of the driver seat and sat inside. This brought muskaan back to reality. Muskaan looked at rahul and tried to predict the situation through his expressions. Muskaan waited for two minutes and when rahul didn’t say a word she lost her temper.

Muskaan: Why are you so quiet? Care to share the details of what happened inside is riddhima out of danger or not?

Rahul: Oh yes, she is. I had almost forgotten my lines after seeing armaan but thankfully abhi called and that gave me time to compose myself. After that, I convinced armaan that it’s urgent to meet shashank uncle.

Muskaan: Good, at least you did a noble job by saving my cousin sister. I owe you a treat for saving her. Amongst all his friends, I find you a bit sensible, note a bit sensible not fully.

Rahul: Even I wanted to rescue her otherwise, I wouldn’t have helped you. Let me be clear, I helped you only because I feel riddhima needs time to accept everything that’s happening. Sudden return of armaan is something she wasn’t prepared for and ever since then things are moving too fast, she is not able to get hold of the situation. Coming to my sensibility check yours first.

Muskaan (before rahul could speak further she interrupted him): she is not able to get hold of the situation is because it’s of no use. She knows armaan will not give her the space she deserves, so why waste energy in demanding one.

Rahul (sighed): Again I will say check your sensibility first, every situation can be handled once you really take the pain in understanding the person you want to deal with. Once you understand the person things get easier. I want riddhima to understand armaan rather getting scared of him.

Muskaan: Your friend only knows how to scare people. Anyway, lets just leave this place before armaan catches us and then even our plan.

Rahul shook his head and then started the car. Rahul wanted best for both his friends. He knew what the exact problem was, in armaan and riddhima’s relationship. He just wished that before it was too late riddhima realized what could save them both, armaan and her from leading a troublesome life. He knew riddhima would not realize it soon so, he wished it his friend armaan who realizes it first because amongst the two he had seen life more than riddhima. He had seen what breaks a relationship and he shouldn’t repeat those mistakes already done by other people.

ARMAAN’s ROOM

After rahul left armaan walked back to riddhima who was by now already calmed down. She heard the conversation so, she knew she would be dropped back in Gupta mansion by armaan. Rather thinking of a permanent solution she was relieved that she was temporarily save.

Armaan asked riddhima to take her bag and that he would be dropping her back home. During the car journey, no one spoke a single word. This silent journey was a silence before a huge storm. Finally, they reached Gupta mansion.

GUPTA MANSION

As soon as riddhima reached gupta mansion she bid bye to armaan and then went to her room. Meanwhile armaan directly went to shashank’s room. When armaan entered shashank’s room he found that the room was empty. He then went to the study room. When armaan entered study room be found shashank was sitting on his chair and was typing something on his laptop.

Armaan (asked in a polite manner): Uncle you wanted to meet me?

Shashank (looked towards the door): Yes, but you here?

Armaan: I had come to drop riddhima, I got to know from rahul that you wanted to meet me.

Shashank: Come inside and have a seat (armaan walked inside the room and sat on the chair. Once armaan settled down shashank continues speaking). I heard from my colleagues that some rumour is spreading about you. Though I did not hear what that rumour was in detail but heard some part of it.

Armaan: uncle those rumours

Shashank (cut him in middle): I haven’t finished talking (armaan nodded his head and looked down at the floor). So, are you aware that a rumour is spreading about you? (Armaan nodded his head in yes). Fine, are you aware what rumour is being spread about you? (Armaan was about to say something but shashank didn’t give him a chance). I just want to hear a yes or no, nothing else (hearing this armaan nodded his head in yes). I don’t want a clarification on that rumour, being a part of this industry I know a rumour has only some percent of truth and rest, just to grab the attention. I don’t want to dwell on what percent is truth and what percent is lie. However, I want to say one thing, a business get’s affected with such rumour so be careful next time.

Armaan: Yes uncle, I shall keep this advice in my mind. In addition, I wanted to talk to you on some important thing; if you are free then can we talk now? (Shashank nodded his head in yes and armaan continued speaking). I was thinking if in coming few weeks Riddhima and I can officially get engaged in front of everyone. Also, after a month or so we can even get married.

Shashank: I have no issues with it, I’ll be really happy if you and riddhima officially announce your wedding news. However first you should ask riddhima about it, armaan you should know that she is currently studying. It will be tough for her to handle studies and a responsibility of a wife. I would suggest you wait until she finishes her graduation and after that, I guess there should not be any problem.

Armaan: I understand uncle, but atleast we can have engagement this year and a wedding after she finishes her graduation?

Shashank: that should not be a problem, I will ask riddhima that what she feels about this and will then take a decision.

Armaan nodded his head in agreement. After that, they talked about business and then armaan left. Unknown to everyone riddhima heard the conversation and was beyond shock at present.

RIDDHIMA’s ROOM

Riddhima walked in her room with a blank look on her face. She also did not notice that muskaan was sitting on her bed and was looking at her.

Muskaan: Oh, hello where are you lost? You didn’t even see I am sitting here.

Riddhima looked at muskaan with a blank expression and then rushed towards her. Riddhima hugged muskaan tightly. Muskaan startled by her action, hugged her back to provide her the comfort that she was looking for.

Muskaan (after breaking the hug): what happened riddhima? Why do you appear as if you have seen some ghost?

Riddhima looked at muskaan and then shared the entire conversation with muskaan. Muskaan patiently heard everything that riddhima was saying. However, she was herself scared, what will happen next but tried best not to show it on her face. Muskaan tried her best to console riddhima but all her efforts were in vain.

Muskaan: riddhima listen, shashank uncle did say that wedding is not possible right now right? so trust him in this. Whereas engagement is concerned he said he’ll talk to you right? When he asks you say that you want to study further and only after that you’ll think of engagement and marriage.

Riddhima: do you really think its that easy? I don’t know if I’ll be able to say a word in front of papa.

Muskaan: Exactly start speaking your mind.

Riddhima: its easy saying than doing muski.

Muskaan: no its not and don’t worry I’ll prepare you to speak in front of uncle. It’s not a time to sit back and let others take decision on your behalf. We’ll write down all the points which will help us convince shashank uncle that now is not the right time for engagement or wedding.

Riddhima looked at muskaan as if she has lost it. Riddhima smiled at muskaan’s effort to help her.

Coming up:  Riddhima’s friends decide to go out of college, Armaan is highly angry with riddhima but why?