Part 25 – Homecoming Night
Ali tapped his fingers rhythmically on the wheel, drumming to the soft music as he patiently waited for the green light.
It was currently 2:40 in the morning. The night had been pleasantly uneventful for a Homecoming Night. Well besides the whole fiasco that happened between Anjali. She should be gone for good now, he thought his fingers tightening around the wheel. The drive to Aliyah's house had been nice as well. Conversation flowed like water, a few laughs, and few witty words here and there; lots of teasing and flirting. He was mostly surprised how different she was from her initial persona, what happened to the nerdy, taciturn cutie. When did she suddenly morph into a social butterfly?
HOOOOOONNNNNKKKKKKKKK
Ohh sh.it! , snapping out of his stupor he accelerated quickly, surprised that someone was even behind him at this time.
He watched as a familiar-looking motorcycle and hot-pink haired figure zoomed past him constantly looking back as if keenly avoiding something.
Looking into his rearview mirror curiously, his eyes widened noting a total of five black sports cars shaped in an arrow maneuvered around him playing cat and mouse with the motorcycle.
Unfortunately for Ali, he found himself smack in the middle of
an unending war.
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"Armaan, put me down!" she yelled annoyed.
"Ju..st. a f.-.ew more … minutes." He roughly breathed out. Clearly losing immense stamina by the second. Riddhima rolled her eyes, what a weakling, mentally taking back all the compliments she showered him with in her head. He'd been running for a total of 20 minutes now, carrying a 90 lbs load, and he was tired?! Pftt, she could carry 130 lbs and not be tired in 4 hours.
"Alright, we –'re he - re. ... Get off."
Sliding off his back, she watched him pant like a dog as his hands lifelessly dangled beside his body, beads of sweat falling down the side of his face, off his neck, and into his shirt --- OKAY, enough of that.
Riddhima mentally scolded herself for acting like a pervert.
Warding off those thoughts she looked around curiously, as far as she was concerned, they could've been running around in circles for the past 20 minutes. It still seemed as if they were in the mall. However, they were both standing right in the middle of a mini garden.
Instinctively, she eyed the place. Riddhima stood on a 3 foot wide marble pathway, a bench near, and a fountain shooting water 360 degrees. The grass was neatly cut and a perfect shade of green. And the people looked a little too high class to be in a mall. Odd, she thought cynically. Why would he take her here? Other than a few shops around, the place merely served a purpose of something to look at not really anything to do around here.
"Do you like it?" she heard a less breathy voice ask her gently.
Turning around, surprised to see a chest in front of her she backed up. Armaan epitomized charms as she looked at him. His face was tilted as he watched her adoringly, his eyes filled with admiration and his smile charming as ever. It took all self-control on her part to not blush the least.
"Umm, yeah it's nice." she replied politely. She watched as his smile slightly fell and wondered what she said wrong.
"You're lying aren't you?"
"Armaan, I really like it."
"Liar, but its ok." He said teasingly his smile coming back to place. Gently taking hold of her wrists he pulled her near his lips brushing her ear. "This is just the beginning. We still have all night."
Ehhh?!
"Haha, you're expressions are hilarious, remind me to bring a camera next time." He laughed walking ahead as Riddhima dazedly followed behind him.
Next time?
"Who said there was going to be a next time?" Riddhima abruptly spoke out, genuine curiosity enveloping her voice as she eyed him with interest.
Unfortunately for her, that interest didn't escape his eyes before he breathed out, "I do."
Cocky b.astard, she noted once again as she willingly let herself be pulled away by him towards whichever direction they were going.
She watched him keenly as they raced towards the other side of the garden towards a boutique.
Opening the boutique's door, unknown warmth filled Riddhima; it felt extremely pleasant and calming.
She watched as Armaan looked around genuinely happy looking for someone special.
Then Riddhima saw the same woman from Armaan's house, the similar eyes, lips, skin complexion, it was his …
"MOM!" he shouted happily dragging her along as he walked quickly in her direction.
The woman's face was bright with equal happiness as she spotted her son running from afar towards her. As soon and he could reach out, Armaan wrapped an arm around her; enveloping most of her small frame into him as his other hand continued to hold onto Riddhima's firmly.
She watched them embrace emotionally, how long had it been since they last met?
"Oh! Mera beta!" the woman mumbled into his chest.
Armaan laughed at how cute his mother could be at times. No doubt, it had been weeks, probably months since they've met and he missed her just as much as she did him.
Finally letting go of her, he beamed looking at her, then as if conveying everything he needed to through his eyes, he gestured towards Riddhima.
The petite woman's eyes followed, landing on her, which definitely caught Riddhima by surprise. Suddenly feeling extremely awkward in this position and situation, she tried yanking her hand out of his only to have him gently pull her forward, with his other hand on her waist.
"Ma, this is Riddhima."
His mother chuckled, "Of course she is.", she replied placing her hands on both sides of Riddhima's face, admiring her beauty. "Bohot khubsurat hai. Teri girlfriend?" she asked.
Riddhima wondered why she wasn't angry or annoyed anymore towards that question. Was it because she was used to it by now? Or was it because she noted the anticipation and longing for a 'yes' in his mothers eyes?
She looked at Armaan hoping he could say no, but surprisingly, the arrogant Armaan was blushing profusely at the moment. Oh god. What's going on?
"Y-yes, mo-m. S-she is." SAY WHAT?!
Shocked she was about to refute, but saw Armaan's eyes telling her to play along just this once and he would be forever grateful. So she did exactly that.
"Bohot pyaari hai. Finally you did something right, you brat!" his mom playfully tugged at his ears.
"MOOM! Not in front of her, you're embarrassing me! Stop it!"
Riddhima couldn't help to love the scene in front of her, never had she seen Armaan acting this way at school or in front of her. The love he had for his mother was truly genuine and unending.
After bickering for a while the attention finally turned. "Mom, I need the stuff now, before it gets too late."
"Ahhh, of course! Ronney, go get the stuff in the back!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Quickly, the boy brought out two bags and handed both to Armaan.
"Thanks man! Thanks mom!" then turning to her, he shoved one of the bags into her face, "Here! Go change quick!" running himself to a changing room.
What was going on? was all she could think of as she changed into the green sweater, sweatpants, faux fur jacket and ugg boots.
Coming out of the stall she saw Armaan wearing matching clothes in men's style, well everything besides the ugg boots.
"Let's go! THANKS MOM!" he yelled out once again pulling Riddhima away.
When was this night going to end?
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As an amateur writer, I obviously have newly found experiences. I become extremely happy when many readers leave comments, and very disappointed when there are none. I feel writer's block coming in, every time I want to start writing a new part for this story, because of the pressure I feel and lack of inspiration. I don't know which direction this story should go, I don't know how to please my readers, I don't know how to write in order to fulfill your expectations. I feel that after every update more pressure is put on me to write an even better part in order to keep your interest. How do I escape from that? How can I go back to the point where I simply wrote, to write; to simply use this as a technique as an outlet for my emotions? I know I have disappointed a lot of my readers with the constant disappearing and I'm truly sorry. My life is consistently growing busier: college applications, SAT's, projects, my personal life, everything just piles on, to the point where writing an even better update than the last became and obligation, not an enjoyment. I hope my readers forgive me as much as I hope to become a better writer. And I hope I haven't lost you guys. Although I can't guarantee updates I will guarantee that all the parts I do write will be genuine and not made just to fulfill a deadline like I did in the past. I hope you guys are understanding to my position and still welcoming to me and my story. Thank you!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
CID
41