Armaan's eyes followed riddhima as she checked if everything is in place in the kitchen. Riddhima didn't look at him at all and did her work quietly. "I will fre..fresh..freshen up an'and c..co..come" she said in a low voice nervously and almost ran from there before he could say anything. Armaan smiled looking at her and followed her to his room. She ran to her room through the balconies.
*******
It was almost an hour riddhima went to her room and she didn't come back yet. Armaan didn't like the distance at all and was pacing to and fro in his room waiting for her. When he couldn't take it anymore, he went to her room. He saw her standing in the balcony lost in her thoughts and smiled. Riddhima was startled when he touched her shoulder. Her hands automatically went to her chest and she breathed heavily. "It's me basket" he said hugging her. "You scared me armaan" "Sorry baby" he said caressing her back calming her. She snuggled closer to him tightening her grip on him. He nuzzled his face into her neck and hair. Her fragrance was playing with his senses, intoxicating him. She held him shivering as he placed feather kisses on her neck. He felt her shivering and drew a little apart from the hug to look at her. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were red. He smiled wide and kissed her forehead. She opened her eyes slowly when she felt his lips on her forehead and looked at him. "You become so red when I touch and kiss you basket. You know? You are blushing more than before. And you look More Beautiful when you blush. Your shyness pulls me more close to you. I just want to eat your red cheeks when it becomes crimson with my touches and kisses" he said huskily and bit her cheeks lightly. She blushed more if possible, hiding in his loving embrace with a shy smile. Grinning, he said "I love you Basket. I love you a lot". "I love you too" he heard her whispering against his neck.
Armaan sat in the swing in the balcony with her in his lap as usual. They both were silent listening to each other's heartbeat. She nestled closer to him as the cool wind made her shiver. He rubbed her arms and back warming her. She trembled as he did that making him smile feeling her trembling. "London mein toh is se bohut zyaada thand hoti hai basket. You are shivering like this in our Mumbai chillness?" he asked her. "Don't even talk about it armaan. My first winter experience in London was like hell for me. No doubt the season is beautiful. But I couldn't bear the cold at all at first. I didn't wanted go out at all. I felt like the wind was piercing my skin even when I was wearing warm clothes. You know? Muskaan used to laugh at me looking at me cuddled in the bed with quilts over me" she said pouting like kid. He pecked her pouted lips and said "My baby basket. I will be with you to warm you now. I know how to warm you" he said winking at her, making her blush red. He laughed and kissed her forehead.
Riddhima was silent for a few seconds and spoke. "I felt so lonely without you armaan. You know how much I love cold weather. But everything which I use to love felt nothing when you were not with me. I realized in true sense how much you have become part of me when you were not with me. From the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep in the night, everything for me revolves around you armaan. Even my dreams are invaded by you. You have become a part of me in the ten months we were together armaan. I am incomplete without you. The only difference was, you were with me physically and emotionally before. But your physical presence was not there with me in the last five years. You were with me emotionally. I was fighting with my heart and trying to move on. But I couldn't forget you armaan. To be honest, I didn't wanted to forget you. Your memories were the only thing with me armaan. It made me cry and smile. Your memories made me feel lonely as much as it made me feel close to you. I used to think if you were feeling the same without me. Time went on without. I studied, I worked. I felt myself growing as an individual. I hid your basket in Riddhima Joshi. To say the truth, you are the reason I am an individual today. You always used to tell me na, that I should be brave and face this world. Face everything in life without fear. Those words of yours were my strength armaan. Many a times I felt nervous and scared to go out in this world and face the people out there. Everytime I felt nervous, scared or unsure about anything, I used to think what you will do to erase my nervousness and fear if you were there with me. I close my eyes and you will be there with me, giving me the encouragement and strength I need. I wanted to fulfill your wish to see me as a brave woman armaan. I wanted you to be proud of me if you ever get to know about me. I thought we will never unite again. I thought everything was over. Everytime I felt like I want to be in your arms, I felt guilty too. Because I thought you may belong to so..some..someo..someone el..else. I thought it was wrong to feel like that for someone who doesn't belong to me anymore. I never loved anyone as much as I love you armaan. You are my first love and you will be my last. I died thousand deaths everyday without you. Please don't leave me again armaan. I can't live. I will d.." he placed his finger on her lips stopping her. "I Promise On Our Love Basket. I Will Never Leave You" he said looking into her eyes as they both cried. He placed his lips on hers kissing her promising her he will not leave her. She kissed him back with equal love and promising the same to him. Her each and every painful word stabbed him straight in heart. He wanted to take away all the pain from her and sooth her with his love. They slowly ended their tearful kiss when they were out of breath. He hugged her tight crushing her into him.
Armaan looked at her tear stained face. He wiped the tears kissing every inch of her face. She opened her eyes and smiled at him kissing his cheek. "I love you" both mumbled to the other smiling with moist eyes. He took her hand in his and kissed her fingers softly. He spoke with all the love he possesses for her, looking into her eyes. "I belong to you basket. No one has the right to be in my arms except you. I have always been yours basket. You are in my every breath. You are in my soul. I love you. I love you more than anything and anyone else in this world. I want to spend every minute of my life with you. I don't want to waste even a second. I will be with you always. I want you like this in my arms always". Riddhima smiled with moist eyes and took him in a rib crushing hug. He hugged her back with the equal ardour. Their palms moved on each other's back softly, soothing each other. He parted from her a little and said, You went through a lot of pain and torture because of me riddhima, but not anymore. I will fill every second of your life with love and happiness from now" he said looking into her eyes. "You went through those pain and torture too armaan. My life was always filled with love from the moment you stepped in. You were not there physically for five years. But your love was there with me. The happiness which you gave me by your memories was with me, it will always be there. Our presence was there in each other's lives always" she said making his lips curve into a smile, showing full depth of his dimples. She kissed his dimple and forehead. He did the same to her and said "Now Our Life Will Be More Beautiful Than Ever Basket. I Promise" making her give him one of her best smiles. They stayed hugging for what seemed like eternity.
*******
Riddhima placed soft kisses on his neck and throat making him groan. "Stop this basket. I am already trying hard to control myself. I can't do it anymore if you kiss me like this" he whispered. She didn't stop and kept on kissing him. He couldn't take her soft torture anymore and pulled her face from his neck and smacked his lips on hers. He crushed her soft lips with his manly kissers, cupping her face in his palms. His one hand moved down to her waist holding her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and massaged his scalp arousing him. She gasped as he bit her lower lip hard. She moaned his name in pain. "Sorry basket" he mumbled between their kiss. Shivers ran down their spines as he sucked the blood and licked her lips soothing her. She opened her mouth giving him access to her mouth. He pushed his tongue in hers making her gasp. They kissed each other with all the love they hold for each other. They fought for dominance in their passionate kiss. She shuddered as his one palm went down to lower back. She pulled back not able to breathe making him groan in the need of wanting more. He opened his eyes annoyance. His annoyance disappeared and he smiled as he looked at her breathing heavily, her face and neck red. He kissed her forehead and rubbed her back. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. "You know what you do to me when you blush like this? You turn me on" he said huskily and she lowered her lids turning more crimson if possible. She buried her face in his chest blushing profusely. He grinned and let her relax in his arms.
*******
Riddhima looked at him confused when she heard him say "1,2,3.." "What are you counting?" "I am counting how many times we kissed from the moment we confessed before two nights" he said naughtily and she smacked his arms blushing. "Are you crazy? You are counting this?" "Kyun? I will count" he said like a kid and continued counting with his fingers. She shook her head at him and sat quiet not wanting embarrass herself. "Basket" he said loudly startling her. "We have shared only 40-45 kisses till now. I want more" he said pouting and she just wanted to bury herself somewhere. She hid face in her palms and he laughed seeing her. He pulled her hands back and kissed her cheek smirking. "You have become shameless armaan. You were not like this before" "Shameless? If you are saying this is shameless then what will you say and do when I become really shameless?" "Armaan tum.." she smiled shyly understanding his meaning and got out of his lap. She looked at him irritated as he laughed, but couldn't hide the blush in her cheeks. He laughed out loud seeing her irritated expressions and her trying cover up her embarrassment. He so missed seeing her irritated face. She stared at him lovingly lost in him, as he laughed. She came out of her trance when he pulled her in his lap again. She hit him trying to come out of his hold. "I Love You Riddhima. I Love You So Very Much Basket" he said making her stop hitting him. "I love me too" she said and chuckled. "Basket.." he whined like a kid. "You are Sooo Cute Armaan. I Love You So So So Very Much Too" and pecked his lips, making him grin with love and contentment.
*******
Armaan walked into her room lifting her in his muscular arms. He gestured her through his eyes to close the balcony door and she did. He laid her on the bed softly and propped up on the side, kissing her forehead. They stared at each other with love and passion. She closed her eyes when his piercing passionate gaze travelled on her body. He took his time in admiring his basket's beauty, gazing at her from head to toe. Her night pajama and shirt hung loosely on her body not revealing much to his eyes. But they both knew he doesn't need his eyes to look at her. He knows what is where in her body. Riddhima felt like she is lying beside him naked as he appreciated her beauty with his blue eyes. Even with closed eyes, she could feel his eyes stopping at her curves and it made her shiver. He smirked looking her shivering and pulled her closer by her waist. She couldn't take it anymore and hugged him suddenly, making him lose his balance and fall on his back with her on top of him. They moaned as her softness pressed on his hard chest. He rubbed her back above her shirt and she nuzzled on his neck. He groaned when her soft lips touched his skin. He pulled her face from his neck and smacked his lips on hers kissing her hard. She responded to him with equal fervour. They sucked and nibbled each other's lips. She bit his lips in passion making him smile between the kiss. He opened his mouth letting her tongue enter his mouth. They fought for dominance as their tongues danced in pleasure in a very passionate kiss. He rolled making her lay beneath him. He entangled their legs and entwined their fingers, spreading their arms, pressing her to the mattress with his body. He kissed her hard like never before making her moan and shudder. He left her one hand and unbuttoned the last two buttons her shirt kissing her. She opened her eyes and gasped into his mouth as he caressed her tummy and navel. With his other hand, he held her waist. She closed her eyes and kissed him back hard as his hands caressed her bare skin sensuously. She encircled her arms around his neck ruffling and fisting his hair, as he circled his finger around her navel arousing her. They stopped kissing slowly as they ran out of breath.
Armaan opened his eyes and looked at her. He continued caressing her tummy and kissed her all over her face. He bit her earlobe and softly pecked her quivering lips. He trailed kisses on her neck and throat unbuttoning the top button of her shirt. She fisted his hair moaning in the pleasure of his passionate love. She groaned when he bit her collar bone. He licked her there making her quiver in his hold. Her breath stopped when he placed a soft kiss on her upper chest which was exposed to him. They were drowned in their passion for each other. Her hand which was above his shirt moved inside and caressed his bare back. She slid her other hand to his front and traced his perfect chiselled chest and abs. She trembled feeling his bare skin and he groaned. He smacked his lips on hers again. They kissed each other sensuously, with their passion for each other rising each second. They caressed and kissed each other hungrily. He pressed his body on hers and rubbed her thighs with his making her pull away from their kiss and gasp aloud. Their body was on fire which was ignited by their passionate love for each other. He pulled out of the kiss leaving her craving for more and moved down to her belly. He moved her shirt to the sides and kissed her there. She moaned and fisted the bedsheet in one palm, biting her lip. He placed wet kisses on her navel making her go breathless. She rubbed his neck and fisted his hair arousing him more, as he kissed, bit and licked her belly. She panted not able to take his high passion for her. She caressed his back gesturing him to stop. Armaan who was lost in his passion for his basket didn't realize it. "A..arm..arma..armaan" she called him trying to inhale oxygen and caressing his back. He stopped as soon as his breathless voice hit his ear and his mind registered she is caressing his back trying to tell him to stop. He came up to her face, softly pecked her forehead and rolled off her lying beside her. He himself was panting a little. He pulled her closer to him and rubbed her back softly comforting her. She hugged him and kept her face on his chest breathing heavily. "I love you armaan" she whispered kissing his chest. He lifted her chin making her look at him and kissed her forehead and cheeks. "I love you too jaan. A lot more than I could say in words" he said pecking her lips. "This is just the trailer my basket. Our wedding night will be more passionate and hot than this. You are trembling and shivering just for this. What will you do in our wedding night?" he said huskily as he saw her face and neck completely red. She smiled blushing profusely and got out of his hold.
Riddhima stood up not looking at him. She looked up at him shyly and went out to the balcony opening the door. Armaan smiled and followed her. She stared at the distance blushing and shivered when the breeze touched her stomach. That's when she realized the buttons were still open. He hugged her from behind moving her hair aside and kissing her neck. "I love you" they said simultaneously and smiled. She leaned onto his chest making him smile more. "I want you all to myself basket. I can't wait to make you mine in every sense. Our desires and passion for each other is at a level where we can lose our control anytime. I want to make it special for us basket. I promise I will make it special and memorable for us in every way. It will be hard to wait. But we will wait. We will try to maintain our limits. Hmm?" he said and she nodded at him. "But I can't promise about our kisses and make outs. I can't stay away from you" he said with love in a passionate tone. She closed her eyes blushing and whispered which was audible to him. "I can't stay away from you too". "Oyye hoyye..my basket is getting bold" he said kissing her neck. They stood in the balcony for sometime.
Riddhima winced lightly when he touched the love bite he gave her on her belly. He turned her to face him and pulled her inside. He pinned her to the wall kissing her forehead. He kneeled infront of her. He the kissed and licked the bite soothing her. She ruffled his hair moaning his name. Her legs quivered not able to stand. He wrapped his arms around her legs holding her. What he did to sooth her pain aroused her desires. He stood up after a couple of minutes. She pulled him and pressed her lips on his kissing him hard. They kissed for a long minutes and parted breathing heavily. He lifted her in his arms and walked towards the bed. He laid her on the bed and lied beside her hugging her. She kept her head on his chest. They drifted to sleep in each other's arms.
*******
Next morning,
Armaan heard riddhima fixing an appointment with the doctor as he entered her room. "Who are you fixing doctor appointment for?" he asked her. "For you" "Me? I am fine basket" "You had fever armaan. The meds I gave you are not prescribed by a doctor after checking you. Even though you are fine now, it's good if you have a check-up" she said kissing his cheek. "Okay basket. As you say. We will go to the hospital first and then to the airport" he said kissing her forehead. She smiled at him and they went out.
*******
Riddhima sat in the passenger seat and held his hand in hers as he drove to the airport. They went to the hospital first and armaan had his check-up. The doctor said he is completely fine making riddhima breathe a sigh of relief. Muskaan and others are coming today. They both were nervous to face the others. What they are going to tell them is not a small thing. It is about their life. They both were silent letting the silence do its work. Armaan stopped the car in the parking lot and looked at riddhima who was already looking at him. They felt a fear in them which was natural, as they were worried about their family's reaction to their relationship. They looked into each other's eyes and found the love and fear in them. Armaan leaned to her and kissed her forehead and she did the same to him. "I love you armaan. I will standby you through everything" she whispered to him looking into his eyes. She knew he is more worried and scared than her. He smiled wide and kissed her cheeks. "We will face our family together basket. I love you sooo much. I am ready to face their anger and questions. I know you will be there with me and that's all I need. You are my strength basket" he said and pecked her lips. He wanted to kiss her hard. But controlled himself, as they were in the airport. She smiled at him and he got out of the car. He went to other side and opened the door for her. He held her hand in his as she came out of the car.
*******
Armaan and Riddhima smiled wide as they saw muskaan coming towards them and waved at her. She waved back to them smiling. She saw their arms and fingers entwined and smiled wide. Muskaan took riddhima in a rib crushing hug as soon she reached them. The best friends hugged each other with moist eyes. They parted from the hug after a couple of minutes and muskaan kissed riddhima's forehead and she kissed muskaan's cheek. Armaan, who was looking at the friends with a wide smile said "Muskaan, you can't kiss my basket. Only I have the right to kiss her". Riddhima hit his arm blushing. Muskaan smiled wide looking at them and hugged him. He hugged her and patted her back assuring her everything is fine now. Armaan and muskaan pulled riddhima in their hug and muskaan said, "I Am So Very Happy For You Both". They came out of the hug and smiling with moist eyes. "And Mr.Armaan Mallik, I have the right to kiss my friend. You can't stop me" she said grinning at him. "What do you mean? You changed my basket to those type of girls? You are le.." riddhima and muskaan hit him before he could finish his sentence. He winced in pain as muskaan hit him hard. "Chod yaar muskaan. It's hurting" he said moving away from her. "Riddhima" they heard someone calling her and saw Rahul approaching them. They smiled at him. Armaan had seen his pictures in muskaan's phone and riddhima's album.
Rahul hugged riddhima and she hugged him back smiling. Armaan smiled looking at them, but he couldn't help the feeling which aroused in his heart seeing his basket hugging another man. Riddhima looked at him and he blinked his eyes at her. She smiled at him and came out of the hug. "How are you Rahul? "I am fine riddhima. And I can I see you are Really Very Fine" he said looking at armaan. Riddhima lowered her lids blushing. Armaan shook hands with Rahul and hugged him. "I am Rahul. Muskaan's .." "I know you Rahul. Muskaan had told me a lot about you" armaan said looking at muskaan, who smiled at him. Armaan saw her slight pink cheeks and whistled. Muskaan hit his arm. "Yaar muskaan, stop hitting me. How do you manage with her Rahul?" he said and she hit him again. "Dekho basket..she is hitting me again and again and you are not doing anything" armaan whined. Riddhima smiled at him and blew an air kiss to him. Armaan grinned at her. "We saw that" Rahul and muskaan said making riddhima go red. Riddhima hid behind armaan smiling shyly. Muskaan pulled her out and said "Oh my god! Look at you ridz. Your cheeks are red" she said smiling wide seeing her friend. Muskaan felt at peace and happy seeing her ridz so happy. Her friend's happiness reflected in her face and her eyes had a spark which she had never seen in them. She hugged her and said, "I never saw you smiling like this ridz. Your smile is reaching your eyes. Keep smiling like this always" she said and kissed her cheek. Riddhima parted from the hug kissed muskaan's forehead saying, "I will muski" with a smile.
Armaan and Rahul faked a cough to get the girls attention. "Yaar, you both are so mean. You are kissing each other when your boyfriends are here standing beside you both. This is not fair" armaan and Rahul said in unison. "Boyfriends? Who said you are my boyfriend?" the girls asked smirking at their respective lovers. "Thank you ladies. We are free now. Come on armaan, let's find new girl friends for us" Rahul said. "Yeah Rahul, finally we got our freedom from these two. Let's find new girls for us" armaan said winking at riddhima. They laughed seeing the girls glaring at them. They stopped laughing as they saw the girls were still glaring at them and gulped. Before they could continue their banter, they saw their family coming towards them.
Armaan and riddhima looked at each other and smiled assuring. They hugged their family and member's and took elder's blessings. They saw them a little quiet and looked at each other confused. All of them went towards the parking lot. They let the others walk before them. They talked in whispers. "Why are they so silent armaan? What happened?" "I don't know basket. May be they are tired from the wedding and journey. We will have to wait till a little to talk them" he said and she nodded. Armaan drove to home. The silence of their family members worried them both. Everyone went to their respective rooms when they reached home. Rahul stayed in the guest room in armaan's house.
*******
Muskaan had gone to her room to freshen up. Riddhima who was sitting in the couch in her room looked up at armaan, when she felt his presence. They hugged each other tight. "I am scared armaan" she said to him. He knows why she is scared and hugged her, caressing her back soothing her. "I am here with you basket. Don't worry" he said and kissed her forehead parting from the hug. She smiled and held him close to her. They stayed hugging, listening to each other's heartbeat. "I am sorry basket. I couldn't help the bad feeling which aroused in my heart when you hugged Rahul. I.." "It's okay armaan. I know what you are going through" "No basket. You don't feel bad when I hug muskaan. So I shouldn't be feeling like that when you hug Rahul na?" "I don't feel bad when you hug muski because I know she is our friend armaan. I will feel really very bad when you hug some other girl who I don't know. The same is happening with you. Even though you know Rahul is my friend and muskaan's love, it will take a little time for you to get used to this. Don't worry about it" she said smiling at him. He hugged her tight saying, "No one understands me like you do basket. I love you sooo much" "I love you too armaan" she said kissing his eyes.
After few minutes, muskaan came in without knocking and smiled seeing them. They were lost in each other eyes and didn't see muskaan coming in. She stood admiring her friends' smiling faces. "I love you" riddhima said kissing his cheek. "I love you too basket" he said and pecked her lips. He pressed his lips on hers to kiss her. "Oye love birds, I am here too. Stop it" muskaan said chuckling. Riddhima tried to part from him hearing her, but he tightened his grip. She glared at him, but it didn't have any effect on him. He just smiled at her. Muskaan walked towards them. "Get used to seeing us like this from now muskaan" he said grinning at her. Riddhima's cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "I know armaan. I will get used to this. But your girl is getting embarrassed. See" she said pointing to her riddhima's red cheeks. Riddhima hugged muskaan to hide her embarrassment. "Aww'my ridz looks so cute when she is embarrassed" said muskaan hugging her back. "Stop embarrassing me you both" riddhima said parting from the hug and went out of the room. Armaan and muskaan laughed looking at her.
*******
Armaan and riddhima took a deep breath and knocked atul and anjali's room door. Anjali opened the door and smiled at them. "Are you free anji? We want to talk about something important to you and champ" armaan asked. "Come in ammy" they heard atul saying from inside the room. Atul smiled seeing their hands entwined, but changed his expressions before they see it. "We never saw you both speaking to each other. What happened in these four days and made you hold each other's hands like this?" Atul asked. Armaan and riddhima looked at them with blank face thinking, "they knew we don't talk". They looked at each other. Riddhima nodded at him and squeezed his hand, gesturing him to say everything. He nodded at her and took a deep breath.
**************
Udne Ki Aasha
Kumkum Bhagya
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