Armaan and Riddhima were away from the city after a long drive. Riddhima had a month break before her last year of studies and Armaan's contract with Silver Lining ended three days ago. Tonight, the two of them wanted to celebrate and just get away from the world where it would just be them and no one else.

Laying on the top of the car and gazing up at the stars, the feeling was close to one they grew up with in Shimla with an open sky and a chilly evening. Being in the city, the building always blocked the view. Getting away though was peaceful.

Armaan however felt that while she was here with him, there was something troubling her mind. While she would smile at the right times listening to him catching her up on what's been going on in the lives of their friends while she'd been busy focusing on school, he could feel her distant heart.

Finally, he decided to ask. "What's wrong?"

"Hmm? No, nothing's wrong." She tried to deny. He gave her a look telling her she should know better than to lie to him. He could see through all her moods. He had an entire lifetime of an experience. "I'm just thinking... now that your contract has ended, have you thought of what you're going to do next?"

He challenged, "I thought tonight was about just getting away from the world."

"It is. It is. I was only curious since we haven't talked about it." She inhaled and worked on changing the topic, "Anyway, you're right. We can talk about that tomorrow. What were you saying about Arnav and Khushi?"

He made a mental note to talk to her about her real concerns in some time as he answered, "Just that they're extending their honeymoon for another week."

She laughed, "Isn't this the third extension?"

He laughed along, "Yeah, they were supposed to be back two weeks ago. I guess they're not ready to get back to reality."

"Hmm, well they do deserve to take a break given they couldn't go right after their marriage."

He took her hand and intertwined their fingers, "Sure, now let's talk about us?"

She pulled up on her elbow putting her other hand across his chest and questioning with a raise brow and sparkle in her eyes, "I like the sound of that, though what about us?"

"For one, I'm thinking we too could go somewhere for a trip."

She confirmed, "Just us?"

"Why not?" He forwarded his hand to tuck back her strands of hair past her ear since they fanned her face given she was on her side glancing down at him. As his fingers moved them over her shoulder next, he added. "Not like our parents don't know about us."

Her brows knitted since she'd definitely not told them, "What do you mean?"

===

Armaan, Riddhima and Khushi entered Jonny's party. Before reaching his house, they had stopped by Arnav's house. Kripa didn't really want to go to Jonny's party, hence she asked them to drop her at Arnav's and that they'd meet them at the restaurant after. Entering, they quickly found Jonny. Ofcourse, he wasn't hard to find. Note the sarcasm.

Along their way, tons of people who knew Armaan stopped by to greet him and gave him hugs. The girls, ofcourse, envied both Riddhima and Khushi as he had their hand in his. Khushi was in front while he pulled Riddhima behind him. The crowd was crazy! Riddhima had not expected so many college students to show up. She hadn't thought Jonny was that popular, but truth was, Jonny had spread the word Armaan was going to be there. Hence, the crowd.

"Jonny!" Armaan yelled for him so that his voice would be heard over the loud music.

"Armaan! You made it!" Jonny greeted him as they finally managed their way to him. "And who are these pretty ladies?"

"Jonny, meet my sister. Khushi. And you know Riddhi..." Armaan was cut short as Rahul, Muskaan and Nikita found them and lunged at the Riddhima and Armaan.

"You guys!! We've been waiting for you for the past hour! Where have you been?" Muskaan questioned.

"Blame it on these two," Riddhima replied. "Armaan must have made Khushi change atleast seven times."

Nikita and Muskaan rolled their eyes. "Armaan, seriously, loosen up. Sister or not."

"Whatevs guys." Armaan ignored them. Nothing they said was going to make him change his actions. He was going to remain protective. It just came as a deal with a brother. You can't get one without the other. He turned to Jonny, "Alright, we don't want to keep you from your other guests. I just wanted to let you know that we'll be leaving soon."

"What? But you guys just got here! You can't leave already," Jonny complained.

He explained. "I know, man. It's Riddhima's birthday too. I really wish we could stay, but we're gonna have to go."

"Oh, is it? Well then, happy birthday darls. Enjoy the night!" Then he turned to Armaan, "I'll see you all around then?"

With that, they all bid good-byes for the night with Jonny and left. Once outside, Khushi let out a relieved sigh. "Okay, so much for being excited to attend a college party."

"Oh, no!" Muskaan whined, also being alarmed.

"Everyone, this side." Rahul had caught on as well and he led them towards the side.

"What?" Riddhima asked, confused.

"Paparazzi's." One word was all Armaan replied. Everyone was on the same page then.

"How can one forget them?" Nikita replied, being sarcastic.

Riddhima teased. "Not a fan of 'em, I see."

"Well, duh! Who would be?"

They safely got to the limousine and pilled in. "Where's Abhi and Sid? Weren't they at the party?" Riddhima asked. She knew attending a party and then birthday dinner might be the last thing on their list, but Riddhima had still invited them hoping it would help distract them, even if just for a few hours.

"They were, left early saying they'll just meet us at the restaurant," Rahul informed.

"Alright, I'm just gonna have to get my car tomorrow or something. I am in no mood to go back out and be hurled by them." Muskaan announced.

Armaan's driver pulled the car up to the front of the restaurant where the reservations had been. "This place looks empty?" Riddhima said when they got there.

Armaan nodded, "Yeah, well, I would like some privacy when having dinner. Which, I can't have if tons of people keep on asking for autographs and not let me eat in peace."

Nikita, Muskaan, and Rahul shrugged, used to Armaan booking out the whole restaurant from time to time whenever he wanted some quiet. Getting through the night in one piece suddenly seemed to be their motto.

"Man, I wish I could transport Kripa's body-guard from Australia." Khushi pouted. "Mind you, the only time I appreciated that jerk of her cousin."

Nikita pointed out, "I can see how Armaan and Khushi are siblings. They're like carbon copies."

The trio looked at each other and then burst out laughing. "What?" Nikita was confused, along with Muskaan and Rahul. Why were they laughing?

Armaan informed, "Ms. Wow, if you think we're similar, I don't even want to know what you think of her and Kripa."

Kripa and Arnav arrived as well, quickly, followed by Abhimanyu and Sid. Once again, the introductions followed as Kripa and Arnav didn't know anyone either. Yeah, Abhimanyu knew Kripa because of Riddhima and Arnav due to his reputation at college. So, thank goodness for that, a third round of introductions didn't have to be done.

Entering the restaurant together, Riddhima was stunned with the decors. Not only was she, everyone else as well. It didn't look like a restaurant. It seemed to have been turned from a restaurant into a mini-club. Only, it was more like a private club. A lot calmer. No loud music. But the dancing lights, the bar, the tables at the sides and the empty floor in the middle turned into dance floor surely said anything but a restaurant.

Riddhima glanced towards Armaan, to see he was looking at her only, observing her reaction. "Like it?" He mouthed.

She nodded and replied, "Love it." Also, mouthed, not actually spoken. It was just their silent conversation no one was a part of, despite being surrounded by them.

===

Riddhima questioned in a firm tone demanding an answer, "Armaan, did you tell my parents without asking me?"

He realized it was now or never. "Basket, they've always known. Back in high school itself, after that night... I came back to talk to you and your mom wouldn't let me. I told her my feelings for you hoping she'd understand and forgive me, allow me to talk to you."

She murmured dropping her guarded tone, "She didn't tell me that."

He offered, "No, I imagine she was looking out for you. As she should have. Yeah, she's always liked me but you are her daughter and I'd hurt you. It did take her a while to forgive me. I hadn't said the best things to you... But yeah, since she knows, surely your dad knows and by default..."

Riddhima finished the thought, "your parents know too."

He asked nervously, his fingers caressing hers. "Are you mad I didn't tell you?"

She smiled after a second and shook her head, "Hmm, no." She settled back to have her head on his chest. "Mom always knew my feelings for you. You know, she did try to get me to pursue them but I was always so scared... never knowing how you felt about me."

"Yeah, I wasn't the best at self-reflecting back then. And then like an idiot, I tried to avoid them when I did realize what I felt for you."

She laughed, "There is a reason why I call you idiot.'

He rolled his eyes, "If I didn't have a good self-esteem, I would feel hurt."

She cleared her throat to move to a more serious topic, "Uh, speaking of parents..."

His hand moved from her shoulder to her waist, tucking her closer to his side. "Hmm, no. I know where you are going with this so I'm going to stop you right there."

She tried to protest, "Armaan, you have to..." for she felt it had been long months since she made a promise to his real father, Billy, that she would help him get to know Armaan. Just, with life in the way, she hadn't made good on that promise yet. Now that they had a month break, she wanted to.

He sighed into her hair, "I know, Basket. I'll listen tomorrow, okay? Tonight, we promised, just the two of us."

She exhaled as well agreeing to that compromise. It had been postponed for months. What's one more day? "Okay, tomorrow then."

===

The manager personally welcomed them in and walked them to their table. All thanks to Khushi and Kripa, they were all being pushed from one seat to another. For them, it had to be perfect. They made Riddhima sit in the middle of the couched seats with Khushi at one side and Armaan at the other. On the other side of Armaan was Kripa while on Khushi's other side was Arnav. Khushi did not willingly choose that ofcourse, Kripa did.

Khushi sighed, but seeing that atleast she was next to Riddhima, she chose not to argue on that seating arrangement. In front of Riddhima was Abhimanyu, with Rahul and Muskaan at one side and Nikita and Sid on the other.

"Alright, are you two done?" Riddhima glared at her two silly best friends, acting like they were five year old. Really, who fights over who gets to sit next to the birthday girl? "What are we in? Pre-K?" She continued.

Khushi glared back. "Shush it."

Riddhima gave up. There was nothing she could do or say that would change Khushi's antics. They had all already established that Khushi was slightly crazy and childish and nothing could be done. She was going to be like that, one who didn't care who was judging her actions.

Nikita only had one comment to make, "You were right Armaan. I don't even want to say what I think of Khushi and Kripa. They take it a step up than you and Khushi."

"Told ya!" Armaan cheekily replied, only glad that he was off the radar and was replaced by Kripa.

And the two groups mingled perfectly, as if they had known each other all their life and not just have met a few minutes ago.

Riddhima asked Arnav, "Arnav, di didn't come?"

"No... she thought we 'kids' should enjoy." They all laughed at that.

Kripa continued, "Yeah, I tried to tell her. Still, she thought she'd be the odd one out. So..."

"Oh yea, which reminds me. She did send a gift for you. Kripa?" Arnav said and then looked at Kripa.

Kripa apologized. "I left it in the car. Opsie."

"You can give it later. Speaking of gifts, Khushi, I still haven't gotten my gift from you. Krips, yours too." Riddhima caught her two friends.

Kripa was the first to reply, "What? I'm here! Isn't that a gift?"

Riddhima shook her head, "Nope, that doesn't count. You being here is Armaan's gift. Yours is still pending."

Kripa sulked. "Armaan, no fair."

All eyes turned to Khushi. "Jeez, stop glaring me down. I've got my gift! It's at home."

Riddhima replied dramatically, "Wow! The whole day goes by and you keep it at home. What best friends I have!"

"Too bad. You're stuck with us." Khushi showed her a tongue. "Why don't you ask Armaan for a gift, huh?"

Armaan cleared himself, "Doll, I already gave her a gift. Not one, but three, if my counting is right." He looked at Riddhima to ask, 'Three?"

Riddhima nodded. "Yeah, I think three."

"Okay, let's count. One is Kripa. Other two?" Muskaan said.

"Movie today." Armaan said.

Riddhima added, "Which was the worst gift ever, FYI."

"What? How can a movie with Armaan be the worst?" Nikita didn't believe it.

"It would be if he forces you to watch Insidious 2! Especially when you can't stand horror movies!" Riddhima exclaimed, before turning to Armaan, "I swear, if I get any nightmares tonight, I'm haunting you down."

Armaan simply gave her a cheeky grin. He didn't mind that at all.

"That makes two of us." Kripa interjected.

Armaan turned to her, "Whoa, wait! You only watched like what, 10 minutes, of it?"

"So? Do you know how long ten freaking minutes are?!"

"Alright, continue your argument later on. Kripa's surprise and the movie. What's the third?" Rahul stopped the two before they'd go any further.

"Duh! This dinner!" Armaan said as a matter-of-fact.

Khushi questioned. "Wait, I thought that was Ridzzi's treat?"

"Yeah..." Riddhima sided with Khushi. She had thought the same. It was her birthday. Naturally, she'd be the one paying the bill. Right? Or did she get the wrong memo?

"I booked this entire place. I pay."

"But..." Riddhima started to counter it.

"Basket, you're getting to eat for free. Just accept it?" He whispered to her.

She squinted her eye brows at him. Why was he being like this? Then she counted, "Okay... if you count this dinner, then doesn't that make four gifts?"

"Nope, three." Armaan shook his head and had a sip of water.

Riddhima was highly confused then. It should be four, given the bracelet he had gotten for her as an 'early birthday gift'. When he winked at her, she understood. He didn't want anyone to know and hence, he was saying the dinner was his third gift. That gift was just for the two of them to know.

She gave a slight nod and smiled. "Right. Three gifts."

===