~ Chapter 12 ~
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Never thought that she would be saying this, but the day had been unexpectedly well spent. Ignoring all the irritating aunties and their embarrassing queries, Riddhima was having a nice time, spending time with her Anjie Di, her Jij, and her friends. Armaan's presence had made it so much easier for her. He would mischievously wink at her, when she was in her worst of her moods; she couldn't help but smile when she witnessed Armaan playing with her 5 year old cousins, the twinkle in his eyes when he saw her made her heart warm.
After an extremely tiring day, her father had finally decided to call it a night. Riddhima resided to her room, letting her fatigue body fall on the bed.
"Aah, this feels good!" Resting her head on her comfy pillow, she muttered to herself, staring at the night sky visible from her window. A rush of wind brushed her skin and she could already hear the soft crackling of leaves. Dazzling silver light of the moon extended its glow inside her room, thus causing all the darkness to disappear. So lost in the sight of the star filled sky, Riddhima did not realized that it had started raining. She sat upright on hearing the lovely sound of the first downpour. She sighed.
No matter how much tired she was, she couldn't sleep without Armaan's arms around her. Although it was impossible for him to come now, with his room in the other corner of the house, she knew that he would come no matter what. All she had to do was wait. With a thump, she dropped her head back on the pillow, staring at the beautiful scenary outside her window.
She had no idea how long had she fallen asleep.
"Riddhima, its me! Open the door." She slowly opened her eyes, on hearing a soft thud at the door.
Her heavy eye lids dropped shut again, while she managed to mumble a reply.
"Who am I? I'm Spiderman." With a smile on her lips, she hugged her teady tighter, trying to get back dreaming.
"Huh? Riddhima, baby, please open the damn door!" The thudding was louder, persistent; Riddhima frowned.
Armaan sighed, resting his half-sleepy head on the door. Cautiously, he looked around one more time. The corridor was empty, he exhaled.
It was 1.00 am and only Armaan knew how he had managed an escape. Armaan was made to share the room with Riddhima's 12 year old Cousin, Karthik, who for some reason couldn't sleep alone at night. Obviously, Armaan had ended up as his roommate, and had no options but to share the room.
He waited patiently, pretending to be fast asleep and quickly slipped out of the room as soon as Karthik was asleep. He slightly opened the door, peeping for any human figure roaming around in the corridor.
"None." He sighed in relief and opened the door. He recoiled, shocked, when the door made a weird screeching noise. Afraid, that this might wake his paranoid roommate up, he slowly looked around. Everything was still the same, he exhale in relief, balancing his body on the door momentarily. He jumped back, terror-stricken, when the door screeched louder this time.
"Hush! Shh!" He signaled the non-living object to shut up or else he would kill it. It obeyed.
"Bhaiya" Armaan's eyes widened in horror, as he turned around to find Karthik already awake. The 12 year old pain rubbed his sleepy eyes, yawning and looked at Armaan.
"Are you leaving me alone? Please get me some cup cakes then." Cocking his eyebrows, Armaan angled his head, trying to figure out what was going on. But that was not required, since the boy immediately dropped back on his bed, after which Armaan could hear loud snoar. Sleep talk, Armaan figured it as a family problem.
"Gosh, I don't know which ghost will dare to come near you." Armaan rolled his eyes and turned his focus on the door.
Somehow, he managed to get out of the room without waking any Gupta up and reached Riddhima's room.
After sometime when he heard his beloved Riddhima rambling some random stuff, he figured that he would have to cope up with sleep talk for the rest of his life.
"Fine. I will just go back to my room." Sleepily, Armaan scratched his head, yawning loudly. Grumpily, he began dragging his half, non-working body on the floor again, when the door to Riddhima's room opened.
Rubbing her eyes, Riddhima focused on the dark, handsome figure standing in the hallway. She froze.
"Bh-bh..bhoot." She mumbled in small voice, her eyes wide with fear.
"Bh-" She was about to scream, when someone pressed her mouth, making it impossible for her to scream.
She opened her eyes to find herself leaning against the wall. The door was locked, safe and sound. Immediately she found herself staring at a pair of deep blue eyes. She managed to relax her tensed body.
"And he is going to kiss you." Grinning at her stupidity, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a long and passionate kiss.
"I missed you." She flushed, looking away, as soon as she broke the kiss.
"I missed you too." He replied in a husky voice, joining his forehead with hers.
"You need some sleep" He pointed, on finding his girlfriend yawning loudly.
"Uh, no. I want to talk to you." She hadn't been able to talk to him the entire day. Only she knew how badly she wanted to talk to him. But her body was giving in.
Before she could react, Armaan lifted her light weight body up in his arms.
"Uh huh. You're going to sleep." She smirked, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
Wordless, Armaan placed Riddhima on the bed and quickly rolled to her side. She rested her head on his arms, as she wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.
As usual, absent-mindedly, Riddhima's fingers ran down his chest.
"Armaan?"
"Hmm?"
"I thought I would have to sleep without you now."
Her innocence instantly made him smile.
"I would never let that happen. I promise."
"Moreover, your cousin's snores are loud enough to keep me awake all night. I don't have the strength to bear them, or the will power to throw him out of the window."
"Your family surely wouldn't accept me as your husband If I kick him out of the window, would they?" He grinned at his devilish master plan. When he didn't get a reply, he looked down at Riddhima to find her fast asleep in his arms.
It was funny, how Riddhima too was scared of 'bhatakti hui atmas', just like a 12 year old. Mature yet so innocent inside. She made him love her more and more everyday, such that he could no longer imagine to spend a night without her. Remembering those sleepless nights in NY, with Riddhima in India, made him tremble. Life would be worthless without Riddhima in it. She made him feel alive. He knew he had to come up with a plan to win over her family. He had heard her aunties gossip about Riddhima's marriage. Soon they would make Riddhima meet some random guy and Armaan couldn't stand the idea of it. Before that happened, Armaan would win over each and every member of the family, such that they themselves will consider Armaan as an eligible groom for Riddhima.
With hopes and dreams in his eyes, he shut his eyes, with Riddhima in his arms, both dreaming of their blissful future together.
~0o0o~0o0o~0o0o~0o0o~
'Armaan, Armaan!' She had literally given up on shaking, punching, pushing... it was time for kicking...his butt, and she was going to do that. It had been 15 minutes now, since she had been trying to wake him up. But a lousy sleeper, that he was, didn't even respond to her urgent calls.
'Armaan, wake up or I swear I will kick you out of the bed!' She pushed him harder this time. This time she saw him frowning, and sighed in relief. Finally, some response! She was determined to not let that go to waste.
'Armaan, its 6.00 am. Everybody is about to wake up! Go back to your room! Or you will be permanently kicked out of the room.. AND THIS HOUSE!'
Her constant nagging was pestering him. He was more than irritated now. His frown grew deeper. Finally, giving up, rolled over to the other side.
Riddhima, who was leaning on him, trying to wake him up, landed on top of him, with this movement.
To shocked to speak, Riddhima silently continued to stare at him. She was over Armaan with their blanket wrapped around their bodies, tying them together, which could mean only one thing: Early morning embarrassment.
Armaan could feel the sudden wave of silence and awkwardness in the room. Also could he feel a sudden weight on him. Her sweet scent, so distinct, was lingering all over his body. He could feel her nervous breathe on his neck. Her soft and lose hair was mingling on his face. It was guessable: early morning gift.
With a cute smirk on his face, he opened his eyes, to see her eyes shut. His smirk deepened. Cutely, she opened her one eye to peep if he was still sleeping. FAIL.
'Hmm..morning' he wished in his usual husky tone.
'I can't move' She nervously mumbled.
'Oye hoye!' She could feel her cheeks going warm. She looked away, not willing to meet his gaze.
'Shut up Armaan! Help me get up.' She tried to sound stern and steady, but her attempts were in vain.
'I had to sneak out of my room like a ghost for you, yesterday. I deserve something a little more.' With sparkle in his eyes, and a smirk on his face, he told her.
Silence.
Awkwardly, she tucked strands of hair behind her ears and looked away, which set his heart racing. Even after 2 years of relationship, she was still nervous around him, which made him go crazy! But this was different. He could sense it that she was uncomfortable.
Riddhima was shocked when she saw his hands around her, trying to pull out the blanket tying them. She met his gaze, so deep and intense.
'Shit, Riddhima.. You are so darn heavy!' Her jaws dropped in surprise. She looked at him, offended, as he smirked in amusement.
'What? No, I've not gained weight!' Adamant, she crossed her arms, determined not to look at him for his committed crime.
Armaan followed her, sitting erect and seated himself near her. He knew what was coming next.
'Have I? Am I looking fat, Armaan?' She turned towards him, looking expectantly for an answer.
'Oh, yes you have.' Struggling to put up a serious expression, he answered her, in an even tone.
'No, no, no! I can't gain weight.' Immediately, he saw her rising her from the bed, walking towards the mirror. She angled herself in different directions, checking if she had any protruding belly portions or extra fat. He suppressed a laugh.
'What am I gonna do, Armaan? This is tragic! Oh, my god! I should plan my diet schedule again. I'm sure Di will help me out. I'll cut on sweets and stuff. I'm sure I'll get back in shape-' She kept mumbling, but stopped, when she saw Armaan smirking like an idiot. She narrowed her eyes, staring at him. Armaan threw her a glance and broke into fits of laughter. Her jaws touched the ground again.
'Armaan!' She screamed, when she watched him laugh like a maniac.
'Riddhima!' He imitated her, amused.
'I'm serious, Armaan'
'I'm serious, Riddhima'
'Haw!!' With her mouth wide open, she narrowed her eyes watching him, boiling inside.
'Haw!!' Armaan imitated her, laughing again.
'Fine, I think I'll just leave the room them.' Irritated, she marched out of the room, when a strong pair of arms grabbed her arms and pushed her against the door.
Riddhima's eyebrows were cocked together, her lips mumbled occasional abuses, she didn't look up at him.
'Let me go!' She tried to struggle, but eventually gave in and looked at him. Automatically, she felt her nerves calming down, when she met his blue eyeballs, filled with love and passion. She smiled, looking at him, on realizing what had just happened.
'You're such a meanie!' He had seen this coming. Typical Riddhima, smacking his arms playfully, and rambling her Riddhima dialog. But he would never get bore of it.
Riddhima realized that her skin was on fire, when his fingers ran around her bare waist sensually. She looked up at him, shocked, to find him staring at her, with a mischevious glint in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around and pulled her closer. She crashed against his chest, startled. Immediately, he leaned in and kissed her. Soon, Riddhima gave in too. Armaan broke the kiss, gazing at her. Immediately, Riddhima grabbed his hair, pulling him into another kiss. They broke the kiss, gasping for air. With eyes full of love, he leaned in to place another kiss on her forehead. She closed her eyes at his touch. He smiled.
'I love you.' He whispered softly.
Soon enough, he realized that her family would wake up any moment.
'Crap!' His eyes widened in fear.
'Riddhima, I've to get back to my room now. Before Karthik wakes up. Or else, I'll be screwed. Basically, we'll be screwed. I will meet you downstairs. You too get ready. And try to be calm if the aunties pester you again. Please don't react, okay?' He rambled, trying to gather his things from his room, but was taken aback, when her soft hands caught his.
He turned around to find her watching him, with a small smile on her lips.
'Riddhima?' He threw her a quizzical look, frantic since he had to get out of the room.
Riddhima signaled him to come closer, and he obeyed. Immediately, she pulled him into a kiss, so soft and romantic. She opened her eyes, while she kissed him to find an unusual glint of happiness in them. He was surprised and happy! Mischievously, she bit his lower lips. He laughed, while she looked away, blushing.
Finally, she met his gaze, never wanting to let go and whispered, 'I love you too'. Armaan's heart skipped a beat.
Still watching her blush, he picked his stuff up and walked out of the room.
Riddhima blushed to herself, as he shut the door, leaving behind a dreaming Riddhima in her own fairy tale land.
----(Complete)---
Edited by jeflkjfkljfkj - 14 years ago
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