Mann ki Lagan

Rucha

@frnd.of.frndz

Mann Ki Lagan

"Hey.. yeh vaali kaisi hai..?" Armaan pointed at a girl who crossed them..

"Armaan stop pointing like that.. ajeeb lagta hai yar.." Ridhhima said smacking his arm..

"Come on yar Ridz.. I'm trying to fall in Love aur tu hai ki koi value hi nai hai mere pyar ki.." he said in a funny tone.. Ridhhima giggled saying "Pyar..? jis din Armaan Mallik ko pyar ho gaya na uss din ek ajooba ho jayega.. aur vaise bhi kya kami hai teri life mein jo pyar-vyar ke chakkar mein apni life barbaad karna chahta hai tu.."

Ridhhima said settling on the table with her ice creams.. Armaan laughed at her logic of Love nd Life.. "You're pretty right Ridz.. Pyar vyar karke bandhne se acha hai apni Girlfriends ke saath hi khush rahoon.. atleast agar vo bore karengi to unhe chod to sakta hoon.. Pyar is such a waste of time.."

"Shut up guys.. kya pyar pe jokes maarte rehte ho tum dono.. see I'm in love but I'm perfectly normal.. mujhe koi problem nai hai apni life se.." Anjali said cutting their Anti-Love discussion..  "Anji thats because u're in love with ATUL.. ek aisa laka jo tujhe tab se jaanta hai jabse tujhe apna naam bhi bolna nai aata thha.. saare relationships aise nai hote.." Ridhhima explained..

They kept discssing about the topic not changing their POVs.. nd finally got up to roam about after the lunch was done.. "Guys niklein ab ghar ke liye.." Anjie said looking at the watch.. "Ruk na abhi.. its just 4pm.. thodi der mein challenge.." Armaan said..

"Nd why is that.. hum yahan ghoomenge, you'll keep checking girls around While Ridz would keep embarrassing people around right.."

"mmtchh.. ek kaam kar.. Imagine meri shaadi ho rahi hai.. nd yo guys are here to shop.. chal choose somethings.." Armaan said flaunting himself.. but before he could continue Riddhima nd Anjie laughed like maniacs.. "THE ARMAAN MALLIK ki shaadi.." Ridhhima spat on his imagination..

"Pehle ek serious Girlfriend bana.. phir sochiyo shaadi ke bare mein.." Anjie said patting his shoulder.. "Chal theek hai.. next vaali double time than others.. 4 days..?" Armaan agreed..

"2 weeks.." Ridhhima said challenging him..

"What..? 2 weeks are too much yar.." he said whining.. but seeing no leniency he continued "Acha theek hai.. par ladki dhang ki honi chahiye.."

"Kaisi..?"

"jisse jewellery aur dresses se zyada mujh mein interest ho aur jiska IQ level thoda acha ho.. so that even if I talk about something new she knows about it.." he said making a face..

"Dude.. temporary girlfriend chahiye ya sachi mein shaadi ki planning kar raha hai.. sirf 2 weeks ke liye itni mehnat.." Ridhhima retorted but was cut by Anjie "Mehnat kyun.. tu hai na.. you fit perfectly to his conditions.."

"What.. No way.." they blurted in union.. "Anjie we CANNOT date eachother.. we're besties.." Ridhhima added quickly.. Anjie chuckled at their expressions.. "Okk.. to phir iss Armaan mein hi koi problem hai jo koi ladki iske saath 2 din se zyada nai tik-ti.." Anjie said with a smirk..

"Oye.. you can't judge him on the basis of those good-for-nothing chicks.." Ridhhima defended Armaan While Armaan sat as if he is not with them..

"That's not my problem.. either you agree with me or say I'm right.." Anjie said checking time to leave for home.. "Fine.. I'm in for the game.. But.. Kal college trip ja raha hai ek week ke liye.. uske baad we'll be over.." Ridhhima said making Armaan shock nd Anjie smile..

As Anjie left Armaan asked "Ridhz.. you didn't ask me out yar.."

"ohh.. I'm so sorry.. so how do you want me to do that.. get down on my knees with some flowers or get you teddies like you did for your past girlfriends.." Ridhhima said in a sarcastic tone, ready to crush his head.. "Okk.. chill wild cat.. it would be fun yar.." he said chuckling.. "Yeah.. hopefully it would be fun.. agar izzat pyari hai to behave well on the trip.. dare you look at other girls.. Anjie to baad mein kuch karegi, uske pehle I'll kill you I promise.." Ridhima instructed him..

"My my.. abhi se girlfriend ke saare traits dikh rahe hain mujhe to.." he teased her nd ran for his life, giggling..

~~~~OO*OO~~~~

They slept without thinking much about their new nd absurd love affair.. They knew they're buddies nd one week in a so called love relationship wouldn't harm anyone.. PLUS it might be fun at their last college trip together..

They had an early train to board.. Ridhhima got to her respective seat number nd found all her gang seated there.. They settled her luggage nd made some space for her besides Armaan.. She looked at him frowning but sat when teachers instructed her to.. "Yeh sab kya ho raha hai..? why am I made to sit with you only..?" she whispered in his ear in frustration..

"Anjie told them that we're dating.." it was all he could mutter while Ridhhima shot a ready-to-kill look at Anjie, who was giggling at something but stopped looking at Ridhhima's expressions.. Sitting like that by his side with nearly all her friends looking at them one second or the other was making her conscious.. She thought of diverting her mind nd took her ipod..

"Ridhz.. ek second ipod de na.." Rahul asked.. Ridhhima sighed at her destiny nd gave it to him looking out of the window.. with in afew minutes Rahul tossed it back at her.. "Yar ismein sirf slow bollywood ya pop songs hain.. don't you like Enrique or Metallica type songs.."

"Rahul.. vo SIRF slow songs ya oldies sunna pasand karti hai.." Armaan interrupted.. "Oooo.. I'm so sorry Lover boy I offended ur Girlfriend.." Rahul teased back.. "had he not been my friend I would have broken his legs right now.." Ridhhima muttered connecting her ipod nd putting it in her ear, maximizing its volume to keep herself away from any more such conversations.. While Armaan sighed knowing the fact that she'd actually break someone's bones if they tease her regarding this topic again..

It was quite time now.. almost everyone has slept around.. Ridhhima felt her tummy rumbling.. she casually tossed a packet of chips nd looked around if anyone wants to share it or still looking at her nd Armaan, peculiarly.. She sighed of relief when she saw everyone asleep but Armaan was wide awake busy in his fat book.. She shook her head nd looked around when she caught a weird guy giving her strange looks.. She first thought that she is imagining it but when she again looked at him he winked pluckily.. She gave him a daring look nd looked away.. Armaan sensed her different behaviour when she sat properly nd looked away..

"Whats wrong.?" He asked.. she first shook her head but then told him about the guy who was giving her creeps.. Armaan giggled abit nd looked at the guy.. Ridhhima frowned at his reaction but was stunned as soon as she looked at him to scold him.. Armaan winked at the guy nd gave him a flying kiss shamelessly.. the next moment Ridhhima turned to look at the guy, he had disappeared from there.. Ridhhima looked at Armaan disbelievingly "Did you just.. blew a kiss at that GUY..?"

"Sharma gaya bechara.. I guess ur company is affecting me now.." he said teasingly nd next minute they ran into fits of laughter..

It was one moment which got them to the same comfort level they had before this Affair thing started.. They felt that positivity in this relationship when they lived a moment with their friendship still having the same place in their heart..

~~~~OO*OO~~~~

The trip had been going fantastic.. Ridhhima nd Armaan were hardly teased by their gang, after Ridhhima nd Rahul's encounter ie. After they have been to their rooms one Rahul again got into the teasing session making Ridhz uncomfortable so Ridhhima bluntly kicked him off the bed nd caught him under her till he finally promised not to say a word more..

Ridhhima was enjoying all the more coz the snowfall while Armaan kept complaining about chilling weather, which did not stop Ridhhima from pulling him in the snow to check out the place they've been staying around..

It was their second last day at the trip.. nd the group was scheduled to visit Kufri.. they visited a small garden nd a small place where they rode yaks.. Ridhhima was with Muskaan for sometime, thinking Anjie nd Armaan might be along aswell.. but after sometime she began losing patience nd looked for them.. She found them sitting by a corner with Anjie trying or rather pretending to be shy, looking utterly funny nd Armaan bending on his knees with a withered wooden stick instead of a flower..

Ridhhima burst out laughing looking at the nautanki, not knowing what they were actually upto.. she took a picture of them so perfect that anyone who'd look at it would think of him really proposing Anjie.. "What are you doing here..?" Armaan blurted making Ridhhima frown..

"I was just looking for you guys.. BTW what were you guys doing..?" Ridhima counter questioned him.. "kuch nai.. chal chalte hain.. m hungry.." he said taking her along before anjie says something.. "Armaan.. we had lunch just an hour back.."
"So what.. m hungry again.." he shrugged, while she shook her head nd walked with him..

 ~~~~OO*OO~~~~

"Umm.. Rida.." he called her as they got down from he bus to go home after the trip.. "hmm.. you coming along..?" she asked.. He nodded nd they made their way home together as they lived just a few blocks away.. "hmm.. you were saying something..?" Ridhhima asked..

"Umm.. I.. I was wondering ki.. umm.. why don't we continue this affair for 2 more days.. I mean if you want we'll end.. end it all at the annual DJ Night.. in front of everyone.." he fumbled not giving her any sign of his love he has developed for her.. "Ya okk.. waise bhi it was a fun trip.. chal bye.." She agreed casually nd went to her home..

While he was left with some plans nd a shock of his life that he can really be in love.. He was somewhere scared that anyone who'd come to know about him being in Love would either take it as his past affairs or laugh at him..

He didn't meet her the next day.. he stayed locked in his room nd gave it a final thought while on the otherside Ridhhima was as normal as she was.. though his absence was strangely disturbing her but she neglected it, knowing they were besties nd have always been together..

It was the day for the DJ night.. Their batch had all pooled together nd went for the disco.. Armaan reached pretty late than everyone else.. They danced till they were starving.. having something they again went back While Armaan observed her from a distance.. she has caught him looking at her many times that afternoon..

"Kya hua..?" Ridhhima finally walked to him nd settled besides him..

"Kuch nai Rida.. you enjoy.."
"okk chal lets dance.. see sabke saath ayaa hai na aur yahan akela baith gaya aake.. isse better thha ki ataa hi nai.." she said grumpily..

"Acha chal.. I'll just join you in a minute.." He went to the DJ nd came back in a moment.. he came to her when "My heart Will Go on" was played.. No wonder he got the chance to dance with her very easily as they were Still acting Boyfriend nd Girlfriend.. Normally when they go out with the gang the girls dance with every guy from their group but this time Armaan didn't let her dance with anyone else..

Ridhhima kept looking at him as all the while he was humming the song nd his grip around her felt different too..

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on

She felt something new when he mumbled those lines looking at her..

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

She was not understanding what was happening to him but she could clearly see some change.. She had never seen him so lost in some song before, that was her habbit, of getting lost in the songs she loved.. "Somethings wrong.." she whispered more like a statement for herself nd a question for him.. He nodded nd whispered "I think I.. I like you more than a friend.. Anjie says I'm in love with you.." he said while she withdrawed her hands from his neck nd looked at him disbelieving.. she didn't knew what to say to him.. She liked him but not that way ever.. or may be it was strange for her coz she has never thought of it..

 ~~~~OO*OO~~~~

"Ridhz.. I really don't understand.. avoid karne se kuch nai hoga.. comeon yar face it.. I really think saying yes to him wouldn't be a problem for any of you.. you guys know ki ek dusre ko kaise handle karna hai.. comeon you know he is special to you.. jo kaam tu humare kehne pe nai karti uske kehne pe kar deti hai.. you trust him nd you know what real Armaan is like.. nd don't you think jo ladka yeh jaante hue ki tujhe kitna gussa ataa hai aur tu kitni kiddish hai, tujhse keh raha hai ki he likes you, vo jhoot  to nai bol raha hoga tujhse.." Anjie said explaining things to ridhhima..

"main gussa karti hoon.. kiddish hoon.. tu mujhe samjha rahi hai ya meri burayi kar rahi hai.. aur vo yeh sab 3 saal se jaanta hai.. usse pata hai ki main love sories padhti hoon par kabhi apne baare kuch nai socha maine.." Ridhhima blurted.. "See.. that's what I'm saying.. yeh sab jo mujhe nai pata thha tere baare vo usse pata hai.. tu agar usse haan bol degi to kya problem ho jayegi tujhe..?"

"Tu nai samjhegi.. If all this didn't work out as he thinks, we'll lose a lot.." Ridhhima explained.. "Nd what if it works out perfectly.." They heard Armaan at their back.. Ridhhima got up nd left the disc leaving him nd Anjie confused..

Armaan rushed to her place when he got her call.. He entered nd greeted her family.. Armaan looked at her mother enquiringly as he heard the songs being played at high volume.. They all knew, this happens only when either she angry or she is disturbed.. Armaan moved to her room nd found her sitting on the bed with her eyes closed humming the song "Ek din aap yun humko mil jayenge.."

"Rida.."

"tumse kuch poochna hai.. sach sach jawaab milega..?" she asked.. to which he nodded.. "Yeh sab kya ho raha hai..? are you really serious about all this ya phir yeh normal se thoda lamba affair hai..?"

"mere dil pe vishwaas nai hai ya apni dosti pe..? honestly.. maine jo kaha vo sach hai.. maine kabhi kisi ladki ke saath itna waqt nai bitaya jitna tumhare saath.. iss trip pe sab acha lag raha thha jab tak tumhe kisi aur ke saath dekh ke mujhe ek void si feeling aayi.. main auron ke saath kuch bhi karoon tumhe hurt nai karunga yeh to jaanti ho na.." he asked surprising her.. She looked at him amusingly nd giggled confusing him..

"You were talking just like those stupid-silly-romantic guys, as you call them, of the novels I read.." He stood up facing her.. "Noway.. they're even more stupid.. I mean I was just telling you that a yes from you would not change our friendship.." he defended himself..

"Even More stupid..! that means you consider yourself stupid..?" she giggled even more.. she saw him finally giving up so she smiled nd changed the song to "Kya yahi Pyar hai.."

"Disc vala dance acha nai thha.. ek baar yahan ho jaaye..?" she asked.. he smiled nd held her hand swinging to the soothing tune of the song.. "You have a good choice.." he said while mumbling the song as if it was written on their heart-to-heart conversation only..

Pehle Main Samjha Kuch Aur Vajeh Inn Baaton Ki
Lekin Ab Jaana Kahaan Neend Gayi Meri Raaton Ki

She turned such that her back was facing him mumbling the song along..

Jaagti Rehti Hoon Main Bhi Chaand Nikalta Nahin Ho..
Dil Tere Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin Waqt Guzarta Nahin
Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai..

She never felt like the feeling she had at the moment.. thought she felt weird dancing like that with her best friend but somewhere she was proud coz she knew he would never hurt her for sure..

Kaise Bhuloongi Tu Yaad Hamesha Aayega
Tere Jaane Se Jeena Mushkil Ho Jaayega
Ab Kuch Bhi Ho Dil Pe Koyi Zor To Chalta Nahin Ho..
Dil Tere Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin Waqt Guzarta Nahin
Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai

she was lost in her thoughts about THEM when he shook her nd turned her to face him.. he asked her what happened to which she just shook her head nd kept looking at him studying his eyes nd new gestures..

Jaise Phoolon Ke Mausam Mein Yeh Dil Khilte Hai
Premi Aise Hi Kya Patjhad Mein Bhi Milte Hai
Rut Badle Duniya Badle Pyaar Badalta Nahin Ho..
Dil Tere Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin Waqt Guzarta Nahin
Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai
Haan Yehi Pyaar Hai

She saw him singing the song nd smiled coz he was never into this singing nd impressing stuff.. "You're changing.." she said with a happy smile.. "aur kya.. haven't you heard.. bad companies show their effect quicker on innocent people.." he said teasing her destroying the moment with his arms still around her..

"Exactly.. but I can't understand ki yahan innocent kaun hai..? you're bad already.. aur tumhare case mein perfection improve nai ki ja sakti right.." she pushed him abit.. "moron.." she huffed for destroying the sweet moment.. while he caught her hand nd turned her to himself.. He was about to kiss her hand when on an impulse she pulled it back.. "Easy yar.. I don't bite.. I know I bark occasionally but I bite very rarely.." he teased her..

"acha who told you to propose the way you did.. or to be exact I would not use the word propose rather confess would be better.." Ridhhima chuckled seeing him getting embarrassed.. "Rida.. I was thinking of proposing you like you read in ur books.. par you saw me at Kufri when Anjie was giving me tips nd you even Heard the dialogue I had thought of.."

"Really..? that day at kufri..? you mean you had this feeling since then..? I mean I know its just 5 days par phir bhi.." she asked.. he nodded.. "ek baat kahun, bura to nai maanoge na.." he shook his head nd settled with her.. "umm.. Armaan.. I think I like you too.. par abhi tak na vo magical Love vali feeling nai aayi hai.. I mean I know you're special lekin uss feeling ke liye thoda time lagega.." she looked the other way.. while he smiled at her artlessness nd spoke "Rida.. sabse pehle to hum dost hain right.. hum ek dusre ki achai aur burai jaante hain.. par ab ek dusre ke dil ko pehchaanenge.. I promise ki tumhe kabhi iss relationship mein caged feel nai hone dunga.. coz I  can openly say now.. I Really Love You.."

"I think I love you too.." she whispered making sure only her soul could hear that whisper.. nd they sat there talking nd re-discovering their bond till they were literally our of time..

Kaunsa mod aaya zindagi ke safar mein
Bas gaya tu hi tu ab to meri nazar mein
Dil ki har ek dhadkan tujhko pehchaanti hai
Meri chaahat hai ab kya, tu nahin jaanti hai
Thoda sa Pyar hua hai
Thoda hai baaki..

Many relationships come in our Lives like a RAIN in the OCEAN..
but only few of them take the Best place,
like a DROP which Fortunately becomes a PEARL.. 

This One Shot was Is especially for Candy nd Niks..