Update 9

Riddhima was concentrating in her lecture when her phone started vibrating. She checked her phone, Armaan’s name was flashing on the screen. Riddhima looked towards her right and saw muskaan was looking towards white board. Riddhima nudged muskaan which broke her concentration and she looked at riddhima with “What” look. Riddhima gestured her to see towards her phone. Muskaan glanced towards riddhima’s phone and then looked back at her.

Muskaan (whispered tone): cut the call and call him later on.

Riddhima (whispered tone): you know I can’t do that, if I’ll do it then it will make him angry.

Muskaan (whispered tone): then don’t pick up the call, let it ring.

Riddhima (whispered tone): muski kuch toh karna padega, miene usko kal time table bhi bheja tha vo iss waqt call kar raha hai matlab kuch toh zaroori kaam hai.

Muskaan (whispered tone): listen the class will end in a while call him back then.

Before riddhima could say anything they heard their teacher’s voice.

Teacher: Riddhima and Muskaan kindly stand up (Both riddhima and muskaan stood up with their heads down) Now enlighten me and the class as well that what were you both discussing?

Muskaan: Nothing ma’am we were just writing the notes.

Riddhima (immediately said): yes, ma’am I missed a point while writing so I was asking her (muskaan nodded her head in ‘yes’. She supported riddhima’s statement) Sorry ma’am it won’t happen again.

Muskaan: Yes, ma’am this won’t happen again, we are really very sorry.

Teacher: fine, if it happens again you both will not have time to say sorry as you will be leaving this class that instant. Am I clear?

Both muskaan and riddhima nodded their heads in ‘yes’ and then they both sat down. Muskaan gave deadly glares to riddhima after they sat down. Riddhima quickly mouthed a sorry. Muskaan shook her head and then again went back to writing notes.

Riddhima, rather than concentrating in class she drifted her attention to the phone call that came few minutes back.

Riddhima (thought): yesterday night only I had sent armaan my time table, even after knowing my class timing how come he called me at this odd time? In past he has always made sure that he called me during the class breaks then how come this time he called me during a class? I hope he is not angry for not picking up his phone.

Before riddhima could think further her phone started ringing again. Her heartbeat started increasing after seeing the caller’s name. Armaan was calling her again, before she could tell muskaan the teacher announced that the class was over. Riddhima sighed and when she saw teacher was leaving she quickly picked armaan’s phone. 

Armaan (angry tone): Why did you not pick my phone? Who were you talking to?

Riddhima (after cutting him): ma’am, ma’am was teaching. Sorry (After hearing riddhima armaan calmed down and riddhima continued) sorry she caught me whispering to muskaan (though she wanted to say that, if he had the time table then he should have known that at this time she would be in a class? Why couldn’t he see his mistake before shouting at her?)

Armaan (casual tone): Fine, next time just pick up the call even if class is going on. I will hear teacher’s voice and that will clear my doubts as well.

Riddhima (curious tone): Doubts? What sort of doubts will get cleared?

Armaan: Don’t you think you are breaking the rule by questioning me back?

Riddhima: Sorry I didn’t mean to back question you, it’s just that I asked out of curiosity (riddhima tried to clear armaan’s misunderstanding because if she didn’t then later she would have to face his wrath).

Armaan: Today I am in a good mood (riddhima sighed listening to this) so, i will answer your question. I feel that you don’t attend classes and that’s why I purposely called you during the class so that you pick it up and I would get to hear your teacher’s voice. This way I will have the surety that you are sitting in a class and not in cafeteria or some other place.

Riddhima felt hurt after listening to armaan. Armaan didn’t trust her? Till date She never lied to him about her whereabouts and yet he didn’t trust her? She wanted to scream and wanted ask him “why don’t you trust me especially when she was never caught lying?” Not that she lied to him ever, if she would have lied and got caught then him not trusting her would have been justified. But when she never lied nor was caught lying then why didn’t he trusted her?

Before riddhima could think further and talk to armaan the next teacher walked in the class. Muskaan gestured her to cut the call and riddhima nodded her in “ok”.

Riddhima: Armaan vo next class chalu ho gayi hai (armaan the next class has begun).

Armaan: Fine I’ll call you after this class.

Armaan cut the call and riddhima tired Concentrating in the class. Like this, armaan kept calling riddhima after each class to know what she studied in the class. This was a normal routine that was happening from the first day of the college.

OFFICE -ATUL’s CABIN

Armaan knocked at atul’s cabin and after he heard a ‘come in’ from atul armaan walked inside his cabin. Armaan sat on the chair kept in front of atul and then handed him a file. Atul took that file and started reading the content.

Atul (after reading the file): So for our business we need to upgrade our technology?

Armaan: Yes, bhaiya our competitors are heavily investing in this new technology and if we don’t upgrade ours we’ll be left behind in the race.

Atul: But using the company fund will reduce our cash?

Armaan: Yes, it will but we can’t take loan also as that will put our company at risk.

Atul: I see well let’s consider other options as well and you come up with some idea that shall be best for both company and us.

Armaan nodded his head and stood up to leave. As soon as armaan was about to leave atul stopped him. Atul stood up from his chair and walked towards armaan.

Atul: kal miene ek affa suni thi tumhare baare main. (Yesterday I heard a rumour about you)

Armaan (tensed voice): Kaisi affa (what kind of rumour)?

Atul: You and I both know which rumour, right now it’s not leaked in media and hopefully will not reach shashank uncle as well. I am warning you this should not repeat again.

Armaan: Bhaiya that was just for a business meet which is happening next week.

Atul: It better be or else if it reaches to shashank uncle you and I both know what will be its consequence.

Armaan nodded his head in understanding and then left Atul’s cabin. Atul shook his head and then went back to his table and continued working.

COLLEGE

It was lunch time and riddhima’s friends were trying to convince her that today they all would go outside college gate to eat from one of the dhaba’s.

Priya: yaar riddhima chal na. (Yaar Riddhima please come)

Nandini: Kya problem hai teri? Hum thodi door jaa rahe hai ki ane jane main class miss ho jayegi? Hum toh bas campus ke bahar wale dhabe pe khane jaa rahe hai. (What is your probelem? We arent going far off that we will miss our class due to travelling? We are just going to the dhaba which is outside our campus?)

Muskaan was quietly looking at her friends and then at riddhima. Riddhima glanced towards her for a brief second and then looked back at her friends. Muskaan understood riddhima’s dilemma and knew that this conversation was not going to convince riddhima at all.

Riddhima: Yaar you guys go na I seriously don’t want to eat from there (Whereas riddhima thought wish I could tell them that I would have to ask armaan for going out).

Shreya: We will also not go without you. (She looked at muskaan and continued) You also say something, why are you sitting quietly?

Muskaan: When I know it’s of no use so why should I waste my energy? You guys will not understand her situation but I do that’s why I am not forcing her to come (Riddhima smiled at muskaan’s help).

Siya: Then make us understand? We are not kids to not to understand her situation?

Riddhima: Will explain everything when time comes anyway, for now you guys carry on.

Priya: What will you do meanwhile?

Riddhima: eat the lunch I brought from home and then complete my assignment

Nandini: Wow assignments are meant to be done at home not here.

Muskaan (murmured): jaise ki usko ghar main bada waqt Milega karne ke liye. Ab toh vo gadha bhi aa gaya (As if she will get time at home to complete it, now even he has returned back)

Siya (looked at muskaan): what did you just say?

Muskaan (everyone was looking at her with narrowed eyes): Nothing (she nervously smiled).

Shreya: I heard you murmuring something like he has returned, who has returned?

Riddhima (diverted the topic): You guys are wasting your lunch time. Now go and have your food.

Reluctantly everyone agreed to go and have food at dabha. Riddhima smiled seeing them going. She started eating her food and then worked on her assignment.

ARMAAN’s CABIN

Armaan (thought): Bhaiya is right if this rumour reaches shashank uncle I’ll be doomed. I’ll have to do something but what?

Before he could think for a solution his phone started ringing. This brought him out of his trance and he looked angrily towards his phone.

Armaan (picked his phone up): what is it nikki?

Nikki: arey itne irritated kyun ho? (why are you so irritated?)

Armaan: because I am irritated

Nikki: is it to do with this rumour?

Armaan: You also heard it?

Nikki: Most people have and that’s why I have called you to help you.

Nikki grinned at the other end of the phone and then started telling armaan her idea, for a supposedly problem. Armaan also grinned after hearing this idea from nikki.

Armaan (after listening): Its worth implementing, nice idea nikki

Nikki: I knew it you’ll love the idea. But hello, I need a treat for solving your problem.

Armaan: Let it solve my problem you’ll get your treat. 

Armaan and nikki talked for some time and then armaan disconnected the call. Armaan then stood up and wore his coat. He had to attend one meeting after which he would leave the office to implement what nikki just said over the phone. He saw the time and then smiled.

COLLEGE

Riddhima’s break time was about to end. She was continuously looking towards her phone. Riddhima thought ‘why armaan hasn’t called her till now? Armaan never failed to call her during break time.’ Before she could think of possibilities her phone started ringing.

Riddhima (after picking up): Hello, aaj aap late ho gaye call karne main, abhi class shuru hone wali thi phir (today you are late in calling, class was about to start, then)

Armaan: wait girl, so you were waiting for my call? (Riddhima quietened after hearing armaan) I thought you hate me for calling you every time.

Riddhima: No, it’s just class would have begun and then like morning I wouldn’t have been able to pick your call.

Armaan: But I told you if such situation arises what to do instead of talking. So what were you doing? And where is that trouble maker muskaan?

Riddhima: I just finished my assignment and muskaan has gone out with our friends to eat at dhaba. They all wanted me to come with them, I mean except muskaan but I said no.

Armaan: Good, you remember it seems like. Anyway, be ready after college I’ll come to pick you up. After that we’ll be going to my house.

Coming up: Armaan comes to pick riddhima from college and takes her to his house, Anjali scares riddhima with her talks