AR: Love Is... #3 [Link to new thread: Pg 169] - Page 92

Riddhima groaned. This was the last thing she needed. Now she'd have a cold for atleast a day. Everything was against her. She recalled all those arguments she had with Rahul. He was a morning person who believed people were meant to see the sunrise everyday and she believed, that if God wanted people to see sunrise, he'd have put it later in the day. Nevertheless, she got up a few minutes later, stretching, while tying her hair loosely.

45 minutes later, she was dressed and in the kitchen, having coffee and toast in the kitchen when her phone buzzed.

Goodmorning! Reach the airport by 8 and give me a call when you do.

Did you get that international call facility thing activated in your phone? :)

-Armaan

Goodmorning! Yeah I'll call you and yes, I activated it :]

-Riddhima

Riddhima smiled as she finished texting. A little text from him was enough to make her early-morning blues vanish into thin air. Putting on some music, she went upstairs and got her luggage down, while checking if she had packed everything. She came down, having locked all doors and windows properly.

Taking one last look at the house, she left for the airport, while replying to texts from Rahul and Muski, Nick and Ashley and Tracy and Joe, wishing her all the best.

--oo0oo'

Armaan checked his watch. It was 6 am and he still had about 45 minutes to leave. He texted Nikki to ask her if she could come and skype. He smiled as he received a reply almost instantly and then switched on his laptop.

"ARMAAANNN!!" Nikki exclaimed as she saw him.

"Geez Niks, do you have to scream??"

"Shut up. And why are you online at 6 in the morning?"

"I'm leaving for Paris today, remember?"

"Yes you idiot, I know that! But why are you online? You're usually running late when it's a morning flight!"

"Nah. I've still got about thirty-five minutes till I leave for the airport."

Nikki widened her eyes. "You must really love Riddhima a lot."

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh?' me! We all know you're not a morning person, at all and today you're ready FORTY FIVE minutes early??? Wow."

Armaan tried to look annoyed, but then gave into the smile. It was true after all. He really did want to meet her.

"Earth to Armaan!"

"Sorry!" he said, smiling sheepishly. "Nikki, Modi kahaan hai?"

"I'm hereee!" Abhi came and sat beside Nikki. "Now, tell me. What are your other two wishes?"

They shared a laugh and Armaan shook his head. Boy, he missed them.

"Kyun bey saale, aaj itna jaldi kaise ready ho gaya?"

"Arre Abhi, samjha karo, Armaan ko pyaar ho gaya hai. He can't wait to see the louuuveee of his life." Nikki giggled at Armaan's embarrassed face.

"Shut up you guys!"

"Oye Armaan, Paris ke liye kya plans hai?" Abhi asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"What do you mean kya plans hai? Awards ke liye jaa rahe hai, chhutti manaane nahi!"

"Abey, awards toh ek hi din hai! Baaki ke teen din ke liye kya plans hai?"

"Sorry to disappoint you Modi, but I have no "plans" except sightseeing."

"WHAT? Idiot, tu PARIS jar raha hai! Kuch toh kar! Riddhima ko bataa de na!"

"Kya? Pagal hai?"

"Pagal tu! Armaan, samjha kar. Ladkiyon ko na, aisa sab bahot pasand hota hai. Eiffel tower pe pyaar ka izhaar and all that. Tujhe ye opportunity bina kuch kiya mil rahi hai, aur tu waste karega? Chhi! Sharam aati mujhe, tujhe apan dost kehkar!" Abhi finished dramatically, while Armaan raised an eyebrow.

"Dude! I can't tell her that I love her! Hell no!"

"Toh kya poori zindagi aise hi baitha rahega? Tu mardaangi ke naam pe kalank hai!"

Nikki laughed, amused by their conversation.

"Haan haan. Aur tune toh badi mardaangi dikhayi thi, Nikki ko bolne mein!" he smiled devilishly as he managed to shut Abhi up.

"Woh alag baat hai."

"Koi alag baat nahi hai!"

"SHUT UP!" Nikki shouted.

"Whoa, Niks! What's wrong?"

"Ssshh! Abhi, Armaan do minute chup raho!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Par Nikki-"

"Guys, the baby just kicked." Nikki whispered, softly. Armaan smiled as he saw Abhi put a hand on her stomach, their happiness almost tangible.

He logged off, giving them privacy. This was their moment. Texting Nikki goodbye, he left for the airport hoping that one day, he'd have the chance to feel that happiness too.

--oo0oo'

Riddhima gave him a missed call as soon as she reached the entry. He told her where to meet him and she went on her way there, but not before she put her suitcase on a trolley.

Armaan looked around, hoping to spot her. He was excited for this trip. He spotted her rubbing her red nose with a napkin in one hand and dragging the trolley with the other. She looked adorable with her jeans, sweatshirt and a messy plait. He saw her trolley moving sideways and spinning out of her control and rushed towards her.

Riddhima saw her trolley move sideways and attempted to correct it but the stupid thing ran over her shoe and she yelped in pain, as her eyes watered. Today was a horrible day. First the cold and now this. Just as she thought the trolley would fall of she saw Armaan steady it, and gasped in surprise as his hands covered hers while he controlled it. She removed her hands from under his and just then she sneezed.

"Bless you." He said, smiling at her.

Riddhima gave him a tired smile. Her head was pounding, she had a terrible cold and she was sure she looked like she just got out of bed. Way to start the trip.

"You look tired, is everything alright?" His gaze flickered with concern as he looked at her, worried.

"That's 'cause I am tired. I have a cold, a headache and this trolley just ran over my foot. Not a good day so far, I'm sure you agree."

Armaan smiled at her little rant and took her in a hug. Riddhima's eyes widened in surprise, but she smiled. A hug from him made her feel better. Partly because he was so much bigger not to mention warmer and partly because, well he was Armaan. A hug from him was always welcome.

She smiled to herself at her thoughts and they made their way to the baggage screening.

--oo0oo'

Armaan looked from behind the newspaper, as she fiddled with her hair while she read the book with utmost concentration. They were waiting to board the flight and they still had an hour to go. He'd settled down with a newspaper like many others and she'd taken out her book and started reading. He looked at the book with some trepidation. Why would anyone want to read a book that's that huge?! He saw her widen her eyes and chew on her lip, while she furrowed her brows together. Watching her was more exciting than reading the paper, he'd decided on that a few minutes ago.

Riddhima felt his gaze on him and looked at him quizzically. He looked away embarrassed, shaking his head. "Nothing! Just wondering how you're reading that moster of a book!" he lied smoothly.

"It's amazing! Besides, I love reading."

"I've never seen you with a book."

"I haven't found the time since a while now! I do read a few pages everyday though. I've been reading this book for 3 months now, I wanna finish it."

"You plan on reading in the trip?"

"Yeah, its been ages!"

He pouted in mock sadness and looked at her beseechingly. "Toh mera kya hoga?"

They broke into laughter as she pacified him that he'd come before the book.

--oo0oo'

"To tighten the seatbelt, please pull it..."

"Somebody shut this woman up!" Riddhima muttered to herself while massaging her temples. By now she had a splitting headache and the monotonous, droning voice of the airhostess wasn't helping. It also didn't help that she kept coming to them, asking Armaan if he wanted anything.

She'd rather die than admit it, but she hated how the airhostess flirted with him.

Katherine, [that was the witch's name] came towards Armaan, and Riddhima nearly pulled her hair out in frustration. This was the fifth time she'd come to him and the flight hadn't even taken off yet! Even the other passengers were giving them looks.

"Would you like anything else, Sir?"

Armaan was about to reply but he stopped when Riddhima clutched his arm possessively and in the cattiest voice he'd ever heard her, she said, "Yes, actually. We'd like not to be disturbed, thank you." And dismissing the air hostess with a saccharine sweet smile, she went back to massaging her temples.

Armaan stufled his laugh as he saw her. Was she jealous or merely frustrated? Either way, it was highly entertaining. Riddhima at her bitchy best. He chuckled out loud.

"What's funny?" she asked him icily.

"Catfight alert..." he muttered, trying to keep his face straight.

"Shut up! That woman was annoying and you know it!"

Armaan laughed and did a poor imitation of her earlier remark. "Yes actually. We'd like not to be disturbed, thank you."

"Poor thing. Bechari was so innocent."

"Innocent my foot. She had the hots for you. Didn't you notice how she only came to you???"

"Okay, so she liked me. Why's that bothering you?" he asked the glint in his eyes clearly visible.

Riddhima shut her mouth, stumped. What could she possibly tell him? That she was hopelessly in love with him and went green with jealousy everytime someone flirted with him? No could do.

"I'm having a headache, I'm off to sleep."

He bit back a smile. "Sweet dreams."

--oo0oo'

Riddhima felt someone shaking her shoulder and she opened her eyes drowsily. She yawned, still sleepy.

"Armaan? What time is it?"

"It's just been over an hour. Umm they're getting breakfast, have something."

"No, I don't wanna have breakfast, I don't feel good."

"Have a little bit and then take this tablet I give you, please?"

"Fine. Just a little bit, though."

"Alright. How's your head now?"

"Still paining. Do I have fever?"

He put his hands on her forehead, it was warm.

"I think you do. It's not too much though. Just have some food, take the medicine and then go to sleep." He smiled at the way she was nodding obediently.

Riddhima frowned. "I'm sorry Armaan. I'm being terrible company, aren't I?"

"It's okay! I have Katherine for company..." he trailed off, only to be smacked on the arm.

"Ow! Easy, woman!"

She giggled. "Sorry."

"No honestly, it's okay. I'd rather have you being bad company on the flight rather than on the trip." He quipped.

She nodded, acknowledging his point. Just then they were served breakfast.

Riddhima opened the tray and looked at all the food. She hated flight food. No matter what flight she sat in, the food just had this thing that she hated and she ate as little as possible.

She ate the fruit and had some juice and then gave her tray back. Armaan looked at her. "That's all you're going to have?"

"Yep."

"Riddhima, you're going to be hungry soon!"

"No, I'm not. This is all I have on flights. Everytime."

"How do you survive?"

"I don't know, I just don't need food in the flight."

"Okay. Umm check the black pouch, there should be some Tylenol in it."

"That's okay, I grabbed some Tylenol while leaving."

She took the medicine and threw her head back on the seat, wrapping her sweatshirt and blanket closer to herself.

It was twenty minutes since then but Armaan noticed that Riddhima wasn't sleeping. Or atleast she wasn't sleeping peacefully. She kept turning her head but it seemed like she couldn't find a comfortable spot. He smiled a half smile as she frowned in her sleep and then took his pillow and put it below her head. He wouldn't need it.

And just as her head was at the perfect height, she slept unmovingly, while Armaan watched a movie.

It was three hours later and Armaan had finished watching the movie and an episode of Criminal Minds. He though of catching some shut eye and he called one of the air hostess' for a pillow.

"I'm extremely sorry Sir, but a family with a few kids already took quite a few extra pillows. I'm afraid we don't have any more." She looked embarrassed, but Armaan waived her apology off, saying he'd manage.

He laid back, not entirely comfortable and closed his eyes as sleep took over him.

She woke up, blinking her eyes to focus. She saw Armaan sleeping beside her. Where is his pillow? She saw that she had two pillows and smiling, she put one of them beneath his head. He was too good to her.

She drank some water and went to the washroom. As she came back, she slept again, her head tilted towards him. She hoped she didn't fall asleep on him or anything. Although a while later, had anyone passed by them, they'd have seen her sleeping with her head on his shoulder and his arm, holding her close to himself.

--oo0oo--