Update 6

Armaan, Riddhima, Abhimanyu, nikki and Rahul were sitting on the couches in a circular way with a small table in the center. Armaan and Riddhima were sitting on one couch while abhimanyu and nikki sat on another couch. Rahul was sitting alone on the third couch.

Armaan’s one hand was on riddhima’s shoulder, pulling her towards him while his other hand held a glass full of whiskey. Nikita had kept her head on abhimanyu’s shoulder and both had a glass of whiskey in their hand. Rahul was no exception he too had a glass of whiskey in his hand.

Armaan (after he took a sip of whiskey): Nice Disco nikki. I really like the interior design.

Abhimanyu: Don’t flatter her so much you have no idea how much all of this has costed me.

Nikita (after hitting abhimanyu’s arm lightly): You are saying like this as if you have invested in it alone? Armaan ignore him and thank you so much. I am glad you like it. Believe me only I know how I have spent days and night in search off best interior designer.

Abhimanyu (after he sipped whiskey): Now look who is talking? Baby you are talking as if I haven’t helped you at all. Armaan ask her who gave her the interior designer’s number.

Armaan and rahul were having fun seeing them banter like kids but riddhima was not concentrating on their talks. All she could think right now was that what must be happening in the college. She was badly missing her friends. She only had college hours to enjoy with them as after college hours if she wanted to go anywhere she had to take either kirti’s permission or armaan’s permission. Mostly it was latter. He would agree sometimes and deny sometimes, mostly latter.

Armaan (after taking another sip): Ok ok I got it you both have worked equally hard for starting this disco right rahul?

Rahul: yes absolutely right. You both don’t need to tell us in detail as to who has done what.

Armaan (drank the remaining whiskey in one go): Anyway why is it so boring? Where is the DJ or forget DJ play some music at least. (He kept his empty glass on the table and looked at riddhima) Aren’t you feeling bored riddhima? Music should play in background right?

This brought riddhima back to reality and she looked at armaan with blank face. Seeing riddhima’s blank face armaan understood that riddhima didn’t pay any attention to the ongoing discussion and was rather thinking something else.

Armaan (squeezed her shoulder while riddhima shut her eyes in pain): May I have the pleasure to know what were you thinking? (When riddhima didn’t say anything armaan pulled her towards him and also squeezed her shoulder further. Riddhima flinched in pain) Don’t make me angry just answer me or else you will have to face the consequences of not replying me and trust me sweetheart you wouldn’t want that so just answer me NOW.

Rahul, abhimanyu and nikita were just silently observing armaan riddhima. Amongst three only rahul was feeling bad for riddhima and wanted to help her but he knew helping her right now would only infuriate armaan further and this would not be in favour of riddhima. So rahul decided to remain silent but he still prayed to god to help riddhima.

COLLEGE

The first class was over and muskaan was really missing riddhima. She was cursing armaan for coming at the wrong time.

Muskaan (in her mind): Gadha ullu thode din baad ata toh uska kuch chala jata kya? chalo theek hai aya toh aya lekin ate hi riddhima ko punishment kyun di? Punishment se yaad aya kash riddhima theek ho pata nahiin armaan uske saath kya kar raha hoga Armaan ko subha ate dekh mujhe bhi ghar pe hi ruk jana chahiye tha.

Priya (shook muskaan): where are you lost madam?

Muskaan (after coming back to reality): Huh nowhere

Siya: where is riddhima? Why she didn’t come to college today?

Nandini: Above all today attendance was compulsory.

Shreya: I just hope for not coming today she doesn’t land in any kind of problem.

Muskaan: She won’t anyway let’s go to library we need to make notes.

Muskaan diverted the topic because she knew no one would ever understand not that she was in mood to explain things but still she knew even if she tried to explain no one would understand her so it was better to keep shut. Shreya was the only one who was silently observing muskaan’s expressions and did felt that there was something more than what they were seeing.

DISCO

Riddhima looked at armaan with scared expressions, hoping that it would melt him a bit but rather melting, his anger was only increasing with riddhima’s quietness.

Armaan: ok fine I get it you won’t answer like this. Why you want me to behave badly with you? Do you like it? (riddhima immediately shook her head in no) But sweetheart your silence is really awakening the beast inside me so better open up before I do something really bad.

Riddhima (in a stammering voice said): I was.. I was missing college (armaan raised his eyebrows) No I mean I was just thinking that what might be happening in the lecture. (Riddhima sighed after saying this).

Nikita: You missing your lecture when you are with your fiancé? Like seriously? Armaan sorry but it’s an insult for you. (Nikita’s words pinched armaan and his anger increased).

Abhimanyu: Nikki I hope you are not thinking something else when I am sitting right next to you now.

Abhimanyu added the fuel in the fire by saying this while nikki just chuckled. Both abhimanyu and nikita loved adding fuel in the fire as they enjoyed or rather get entertained after seeing the side effect of their fuel.

Nikita: Off course not abhi when you are around then how can I think of anything else?

Both Riddhima and Rahul understood what nikki and abhimanyu were trying to do but riddhima knew she couldn’t decrease his anger. Rahul on the other hand was trying to formulate a way to reduce armaan’s anger. He knew he had to act as fast as possible otherwise poor riddhima would face his anger.

MALLIK MANSION

Atul came home because anjali had urgently called him. He was surprised that how come Anjali returned hours before her actual arrival time.

Atul (while walking inside the house): Anjali… Anjali (atul shout at top of his voice)

Anjali walked out of their bedroom and started walking downstairs. As soon as she reached down she ran and hugged atul. Atul also hugged her back.

Anjali (after breaking the hug): I am so glad you came back.

Atul: How could I avoid or ignore your request, I want to stay alive you see. But tell me what made you come early than your original arrival time?

Anjali (hit him on his shoulder playfully): Atul stop joking please. What if I say I was missing you and that made me come back early?

Atul: Then I’ll say Anjali stop joking please (atul mimicked Anjali and Anjali giggled) Ok tell me why did you call me home so early?

Anjali: Don’t you remember today everyone is having a get together at nikita’s disco? We too are invited for it and that’s why I came back early.

Atul: Oh yes I completely forgot about it. I will go and quickly change and come then we’ll leave.

Anjali: Oh ok waiting come fast.

Atul: By the way who all are coming?

Anjali: all our friends. You go and change fast I am waiting.

Atul went upstairs for changing clothes while anjali sat on the sofa and waited for atul to return.

DISCO

Riddhima looked at armaan with scared expressions. She didn’t know what she should do because if she spoke anything the chances were high that his anger would increase rather than decreasing. But if she didn’t say anything it would hundred percent increase his anger. She was in a fix she had no clue what she should do. Luckily rahul came to her rescue.

Rahul: Guys tum sab kya batien karne beth gaye ho or nikki kuch gane wane chala or hum paancho ke alawa koi or nahiin ane wala kya? (Riddhima sighed as topic got diverted from her sentence to something else now).

Nikita: No we have many guests especially our friends from school and college. Also I have a surprise though it’s not something as big as you think but still a small surprise.

Rahul: So where are they? Surprise! Wow that sounds interesting can’t wait for it.

Before nikita could say anything she heard few voices. Everyone looked towards the entrance of the disco. After few seconds, the door opened and few people walked inside with a smiling face. Seeing them armaan, rahul and Abhimanyu stood up and smilingly walked towards them. They all hugged each other, nikki smiled seeing them where as riddhima tried to find a known face amongst them.

Armaan (Turned to nikki): wow nikki this is an awesome surprise. I was missing them all glad you called them here.

Rahul: Even though we all live in same city we hardly get to meet each other it will be fun being together.

Abhimanyu: I agree.

Person one: Armaan all that is ok but we all want to meet your fiancé. Since college days we have been hearing her name but never got a chance to meet her nikki said she’ll also be here so we all want to meet her.

Armaan (smiled): Off course she is here (armaan pointed towards riddhima who stood up). Her name is riddhima and riddhima they all are my friends.

Armaan introduced everyone to riddhima. Most of them had also brought their girlfriend. Riddhima met them with a smile plastered on her face; she didn’t want to meet them. Finally, when the introduction was over nikki asked the DJ to start the music and everyone hits the dance floor leaving armaan riddhima and rahul. They were sitting on the couch.

Armaan: Rahul tu nahiin jaa raha dance floor pe?

Rahul: Jaa raha hoon yaar bas ek message type kar raha hoon.

Before armaan could say anything a hand covered his eyes. Armaan touched the hand and smiled while Riddhima’s eyes widened in fear after seeing her here.

Armaan (after removing her hands): I know it’s you Bhabhi (armaan stood up and hugged her). You back early? Weren’t you supposed to come tonight? (armaan then hugged atul)

Anjali: well I wanted to surprise both of you and plus nikki begged me to come so I came early. Anyway hi rahul (she hugged him) hi riddhima (she hugged her). Let’s go on the dance floor.

Atul, Anjali and rahul walked towards the dance floor. Armaan took few steps when he stopped and turned, he looked at riddhima who looked hesitant. Riddhima was sitting on the couch and it seemed like she didn’t want to go on the dance floor. Armaan walked back and held her wrist and pulled her up. He then started walking towards the dance floor. A hesitant riddhima walked along with armaan.

Armaan placed riddhima’s hand around his neck and then wrapped his hand around her waist. Armaan pulled riddhima close to him and he joined their forehead. Both could feel each other’s breath, even though riddhima was feeling uncomfortable with such proximity, she didn’t protest.

Coming up: Armaan riddhima close