Armaan reached disco just in time. There he met nikki and abhimanyu. He also shared his conversation that happened with shashank, few hours back.
Armaan: I told you nikki, shashank uncle is part of this business industry from so long, he will obviously hear about those rumours.
Nikki: So what was the need to do all of this? But wait you will obviously not agree that it was the most stupid thing to do isn’t it?
Abhimanyu: chill nikki I am sure he must have a reason for doing all of this?
Nikki: So, you are trying to say if there is a reason for doing such a thing it’s okay to do it? Not that I know the reason behind it but definitely no reason can justify his stupid act.
Armaan: how can you say that no reason can justify my act? I am sure I can justify it.
Nikki: Oh, yes! I am quite sure you will have a reason to justify it but, like I said no reason can justify your stupid act. Hence, I refuse to hear your justification. The only advice i will give you is don’t repeat it.
Abhimanyu: My advice shall be, beware of media. It won’t take long for media to get to know about it. Once they get to know it, the issue will be displayed as a sensational news.
Armaan: I know, out of that “sensational news” only one portion will be the truth and rest all cooked up. I don’t understand who are those sources? Most of the news will be based on false assumptions.
Nikki: Anyway, to stop that sensational news you need another sensational news. Remember my advice?
Abhimanyu: Yeah to divert media from finding about your stupid act.
Armaan: I am trying, I thought this engagement news of riddhima and mine can be that sensational news which will divert the media from finding about it. I just hope shashank uncle agrees for the engagement to happen now, if not marriage.
Nikki and abhimanyu nodded their head in agreement. After that, they discussed some other things just to divert their mind from thinking about armaan’s stupid act.
NEXT MORNING
Riddhima went to her college but couldn’t concentrate in the class. Her mind was only revolving around the talk that she heard yesterday night. She was also thinking that was muskaan right in saying that its time she started speaking her mind? Could she really speak her mind, if the situation arises? No doubt she didn’t want to get married now. Just like any normal girl she wanted to first build her carrier and then once she was professionally settled, she would think of settling down personally also.
The day was a normal one till lunch break. Armaan called her twice or thrice in between and surprisingly he didn’t raise the topic of marriage which he did in front of shashank. Riddhima was confused whether she should feel happy or sad about it? Happy, because she didn’t need to speak her mind that was a big task in itself and sad, because her silence could be mistaken as an acceptance. Should she confront armaan or wait for armaan to raise the topic? She was totally confused, what she should do?
As soon as the lunch break started, riddhima’s friends started making plan to go out for lunch. They had a break of one hour and the class right after the break, was cancelled. So, they had almost two hours and 15 minutes with themselves. In that much time they could easily go out for lunch and then, could return for their last class. Riddhima was not paying any attention to their talks so, when they asked her to suggest a good place to eat she looked at them with a blank face.
Priya: Riddhima why are you starring like this as if you have seen some ghost? Don’t tell me you didn’t hear any of our talks?
Nandini: Whats wrong with you girl? These days I am noticing that you stay in your own thoughts quite a lot.
Siya: whats wrong ridzi? You know that you can share your worries with us right?
Riddhima nodded her head and then looked at muskaan, who was just looking at riddhima with a smile. Muskaan knew what was worrying riddhima, she just hoped that riddhima thinks of a solution rather than just getting worried and spoiling her health. Before anyone could ask riddhima anymore her phone started ringing. Seeing the caller she looked at muskaan and then walked away to talk.
Nandini: lo phir aa gaya uska call. Kaun itna isko call karta hai poochna padega haina? (See, again her phone rings. We should ask her who calls her so many times?
Priya: I agree, also why she moves away for talking? Its increasing my curiosity now.
Muskaan (before anyone could guess more she interrupted): girls chill, don’t stress yourself so much. I am pretty sure its not as big as you are thinking, she will tell once she feels like sharing?
After that, they stopped talking about it and once again started thinking where they could go for lunch. Muskaan sighed in relief when the topic changed. She wondered how their friends would react once they would get to know the truth behind these calls? Would they understand riddhima and help her to stand against armaan? Or would they misunderstand her and leave her alone to deal with armaan? She silently wished it to be the former situation and not the latter. Riddhima needed people to guide her to deal with armaan, or rather build her self confidence to face armaan, which she clearly lacked.
On the other side, riddhima was telling armaan what happened in the last one hour and then, she suddenly told him about the lunch plan her friends were making. Armaan who was till now listening everything patiently started asking her questions.
Armaan: Which restaurant you all are planning to go for lunch?
Riddhima: They are still deciding on the place.
Armaan: Oh, but tell them you aren’t going with them.
Hearing this, riddhima’s eyes widened in horror. She looked towards her friends with a sad face. She knew, once armaan said no, no matter what he would not change his decision. So, it would be waste of time to convince armaan. Instead, she should now think what would she say to her friends, who were enthusiastically making plans to eat out. Armaan’s voice brought her back to reality.
Armaan: What happened? Why are you so silent?
Riddhima: Nothing, was trying to think of excuses to convince my friends to go without me.
Armaan: tell them I have said no (he stated as a matter of fact).
Riddhima (in an absent minded tone): But, they don’t know about you yet.
Riddhima forgot that she was not supposed to let armaan know that she hadn’t yet told her friends about her relationship status. On the other hand, armaan frowned hearing this. He had assumed riddhima might have told her friends about him. If she hadn’t told them was this supposed to worry him? Did this meant riddhima hadn’t yet accepted their relationship? Did she liked someone else? And that’s why didn’t want people especially her love to know about her relationship status? So many questions were popping in his head that were not letting him stay calm.
Armaan: And may I ask why they still don’t know about us? (Armaan stressed on the word still).
Riddhima (getting alarmed): I was confused, whether to tell them or not (she said in very soft tone).
Armaan (interrupted her): Confused? (He asked her) You mean to say you had hopes that we might not get married? (His tone was getting high and so was his anger)
Riddhima: No, I thought I will tell them when we will decide to officially announce our wedding.
Armaan (Sighed): I don’t have much time to discuss this any further but I hope you remember my decision. I will see you in the evening (after saying so armaan cut the call).
Riddhima starred at her phone for few seconds and then, started thinking of an excuse. She had to come up with the most convincing excuse otherwise, her friends would feel bad. Riddhima walked back to her friends but before she could say anything her friends started speaking.
Nandini (in a jovial tone): Yaar if you are done talking then can we decide where to go?
Priya: No need to decide as it’s decided we are going to the dhaba which is 15 mins away from here.
Shreya: I love the food there, it’s very tasty.
Muskaan: Dhabe ki khane ki baat hi alag hoti hai.
Riddhima: You guys carry on I will go to library.
Everyone looked at riddhima as if they had seen some ghost. Muskaan’s shocked look was replaced by a questioning look. Riddhima looked at muskaan and found that muskaan was looking at her with questioning look. She lowered her eyes and looked at her phone. Muskaan followed her gaze and then she realized her decision was based on armaan’s decision. Muskaan sighed and shook her head while conveying to riddhima “this is not done”.
Priya: Riddhima this is not done
Shreya: ridzi we all are waiting for such moments where we get an off from lecture and we can go out for lunch.
Siya: Yes ridzi, and finally when we have some time you are denying coming with us. This is not done ridzi.
Nandini: If you do not come with us today, we will be very hurt riddhima.
Priya: If you consider us your friend, you will come with us today.
Siya: Ridzi you never come with us whenever we plan to go out you have always come up with some excuse. What is stopping you from coming with us?
Shreya: I saw your expression when we said we will go out, it was of excitement, then where has that excitement gone? Why are you saying no now?
Riddhima and muskaan who were till now listening to their friends looked at each other. Riddhima looked at muskaan with helplessness whereas muskaan looked at riddhima with understanding. Muskaan knew riddhima wanted to go out but that Dracula armaan must have said no for the outing. Muskaan wanted riddhima to defy armaan, he couldn’t control riddhima’s life. She wanted riddhima to be bold enough to go against armaan whenever he would take a wrong decision.
Muskaan (In mind): riddhima just once defy armaan go against his decision; muster up the courage to do so. All your life you can’t live like a puppet, have faith in your self that you can take a stand for yourself. I am there to help you build up that courage if you’ll ask for one but first you need to take an initiative to even think of going against armaan. Until you yourself won’t think of going against him no one can help you including me.
Riddhima: Guys please don’t force me you go and enjoy.
Priya: No, this time you will come with us and that is final.
Nandini: Yes, we are not going without you.
Riddhima looked at muskaan for help. When muskaan tried to intervene, their friends shut her up as well. They all forced riddhima so much that she was left with no option but to go with them. Riddhima reluctantly walked with them towards the auto stand. Riddhima and muskaan walked together whereas rest of them try to find an auto.
Riddhima: muski I am scared if armaan gets to know about this outing he might do something bad.
Muskaan: who will tell that Dracula about this outing? Neither you nor me, chill we will go out have lunch and come back for the last class.
Riddhima: you do know armaan right? He will get to know about it, I am just worried when he will get to know about it what will he do?
Before muskaan could reply their friends shouted their name. They found an auto and all of them sat in it. Throughout the fifteen minutes journey riddhima only thought about the action that armaan would take post this incident. However, this time she was not only scared for herself but her friends as well. Armaan could punish her friends as well along with her.
ARMAAN’s OFFICE
Armaan was in a meeting. He was giving a presentation to his clients when his phone rang. Seeing the caller, he picked up the call and after hearing the conversation, he became angry. After cutting the call, he calmed himself and continued giving the presentation. He successfully managed to get the deal. He signed the contract and was very happy to get this deal, as it would benefit his company. His company would expand further and his hold in the market would increase too. He wanted to share this happiness with riddhima but as soon as he thought of riddhima his smile faded. The smile was replaced by anger once again.
AT DHABA
Riddhima and her friends were eating the food they had ordered. They all were smiling and laughing at the jokes which they themselves were cracking. Riddhima had decided to enjoy the present, enjoy with friends now and don’t think what would happen when armaan would come to know about the outings. Riddhima was taking another bite of her food when her eyes landed on the entrance of dhaba. Her eyes widened in horror. Armaan was standing there and watching her with anger on his face.
Coming up: – Armaan takes riddhima to his farmhouse, Armaan punishes riddhima