I watched him from the doorway. He sat frozen, shoulders hunched and head bowed. The light from the blazing fire toyed with the shadows on his face. Bouncing off his cheekbone, sliding down his jawline, sharp and tense. It flashed in his eyes. Specks of glowing orange sparking within the blue, like fireworks, or at least that's what I thought. He was breathtaking.
I didn't move. Not for a long time. I was content to watch him for a while, it was so rare to find him so still. Normally, he was so...alive. There was an energy to him, and it was unique. It was what I was used to, it was what I had come to love. But this sad calm that had possessed him, it was beautiful, even as it threatened to break my heart. Besides, I didn't know what I was going to say to him. I barely knew how I had got here.
'I thought you'd be gone by now.'
He didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on the flames and his voice was dull, almost emotionless. Anyone else would have taken it as a sign that they were un-wanted. But I heard the hope there. A hope that he was afraid of revealing to me. A hope that he thought I would soon shatter.
Because that was what he had come to expect from me, from Ridhima Gupta. He didn't blame me. In fact, he understood completely. But that didn't change the fact. What I could do to him, or what I had done to him.
I shattered him, piece by piece. Not today. Never again. I took a few steps closer, just as my steps were sure, my heart was sure.
'So did I,' I said. We had always been honest with one another. I wasn't about to change that.
He closed his eyes. The only outward sign that he had heard me and I felt a pang in my chest. I couldn't deny that I was afraid. I was afraid of what I was doing, of what I was giving up. I was taking a risk. But I was willing, so willing.
I walked closer, biting my lip as I circled him. My heart was pounding, and he could hear it. He could hear that I was scared, that I was nervous. I wondered if he was feeling the same, I wondered if he knew what was happening, if he felt as unprepared for it as I did. I had never meant to fall in love with him. I had fought it; hard. He had hurt my friends, and he had been my enemy for long. A part of me had wanted to hate him. Maybe the faintest part of me still did. But I couldn't fight it. Despite everything, my heart still quickened when he was near. My skin tingled at the slightest touch. My eyes were forever drawn to his lips. It was like the very air between us was begging to be consumed by our kisses, like the earth beneath us wanted us to fall to it and give in.
I wish I had seen it sooner, maybe I had always known, or at least some part of me did, that we would be drawn together. This was the only man that I could ever spend eternity with.
'Armaan?' I said. My voice was quiet, gentle. I wanted him to look at me, to see that I was really here. I hadn't left him, like he thought I would. I wanted him to know my choice.
Still, no response, and I felt a familiar stirring in the pit of my stomach. I can't call it anger, or irritation. It is a feeling that only he can ignite in me. But it made my fists ball at my sides, and it made me stride with more purpose to stand in front of the fire.I wanted him to look at me, and talk to me, his head snapped up, dark, scruffy hair dancing delightfully. He arched an eyebrow, and I almost smiled. Then his eyes roved over me, hungry as ever, and my skin flushed with heat. I wondered what I looked like to him then...
Beautiful, I suspect.
'I'm not leaving Armaan' My words were strong and sure.
His throat bobbed, and I knew he was fighting that hope that I had sensed. He was scared to believe.
'Why?' he snapped, harsh in his desperation to maintain control.
I frowned, casting my eyes to the floor. It wasn't because I didn't understand. I knew what I wanted, and I knew why. But I didn't know how to say it. Maybe, something like this, between two people like us, could never be trapped in words? Maybe it shouldn't. Besides, I had always been one to let my actions do the talking.
Swallowing thickly, I stepped forwards, heart beating faster than ever. I could feel my blood pulsing through me, reacting to him. I licked my lips, nervous and excited all at the same time, as I reached forward and took his hand in mine. He held my gaze and I couldn't breathe as I watched his eyes widen. I felt it's full force and I grinned, a wide and tooth-filled grin, as my own eyes began to burn with tears.
His hand moulded to mine, the perfect fit, as our fingers wove together. Our grips were strong, without being overbearing. In every way, we were equal.
'Ridhima...'
My name was nothing but a whisper on his lips and a shiver of pleasure ran up my spine.
He was standing in one blink. Our chests mere inches apart, our hands clasped between us. I arched my neck to look up at him, to hold his gaze, and I knew I never wanted to look away.
His free hand reached up to touch my face, and I buried my cheek into his palm, eyes fluttering closed again. I placed my free hand on his chest and stepped closer.
'This is where I want to be' as his hand moved to twist gently into my hair, I looked at him again. I needed him to see my eyes. To see that I meant it with all my heart. 'With you.'
A muscle in his jaw twitched, and his brow furrowed as he fought the strength of his emotions, still not entirely comfortable with showing them. I had to laugh, as I gazed up at him warmly. And he smiled back, broadly, with a comfortable dash of his wicked smirk thrown in.
We stared at one another, in love, and soon we were both laughing. His strong arms held me tighter and as he pulled my lips to his, I felt my hot tears brushing his cheeks.
I melted against him, running my hands over every part of him that I could reach. My heart soared and I felt giddy, weightless. I knew that we had earned this. From the moment we had met, from everything we had been through, together and apart. He had earned my love, and I his.
*The end is not that good, sorry for that, finished it now as the class got over then, and now I half forgot what I wanted 2 write😆 but I hope u all will enjoy it😳
Ishaani
Cricket
256