AR: Love Is... #4 [New Thread Link: Page 152] - Page 83

Part 29

Consciousness came slowly to her. Riddhima resisted its pull for as long as she could; sleep was so inviting. But the crick in her neck from sleeping at an angle, refrained her from sleeping anymore and she opened her eyes, cracks of daylight filling her vision. She tried to move when she suddenly grew aware of the warm breath and felt its moistness on the curve of her neck. His hand held her body flush against him, as he spooned her. The position was...intimate. To say the least and she smiled sheepishly to herself. She squirmed as quietly as she could and adjusted herself, turning to the other side to face him. He hadn't moved a muscle, and neither had he made a sound.

She felt strangely relaxed, almost as if in a limbo. Floating in her bubble of happiness, she'd never felt more blissful on mornings. Her eyes traveled over his sleeping form, an affectionate smile on her face. He looked as relaxed as she felt and slept soundly, holding her firmly against him. She thought of waking him up but stopped midway when she realized she didn't know how. Should she kiss him? Or just shake him? Good God she was going mad, thinking about stuff like this. She willed herself not to overthink it and pecked him on the cheek, once, twice, three times, before he finally stirred.

He felt her lips touch his cheek hesitantly and snuggled deeper into the blanket. This was an excellent dream. He was jolted awake though, when he felt them thrice. If this had been a dream, she'd have moved to kissing other parts...and then he chided himself for the x-rated thoughts. He opened his eyes slowly, the sunlight filtered his vision. He nestled into her neck, taking in the faint but distinct tangy smell that he'd come to associate with her.

He felt her pull away, but only just. It was a brilliant feeling, looking into her forest green eyes the first thing in the morning.

"Hey." She said softly, her voice slightly husky from sleep.

"Hey." He smiled right back.

"I love you." He saw the smile on her face on hearing his words before she carefully put on a mask of indifference.

"I know." She shrugged.

Riddhima gave out a peal of laughter at his cutely offended face before a wolfish smirk took its place. He pinned her beneath him almost laughing at her startled face.

"Is that so?" he asked her silkily.

"Yes." She was defiant in her answer.

"Really now?" he drawled smoothly.

She was less confident when she answered. "Y-Yes."

And then without a moments warning, he did it. He started tickling her and she laughed till tears spilled from her eyes and she gasped an "I love you too," while squirming within his hold and laughing uncontrollably.

He moved from above her and lay beside her, the two of them panting. Armaan smiled, shaking his head. He felt light-headed after all that laughing. He heard his stomach rumble and sighed. They couldn't possibly stay like this all day.

Riddhima scrunched her hair into a lose ponytail as she mentally went through everything they had to do. They were yet to shop for friends. The flight back home was at midnight and there was so much to do. She turned to his side to find him sitting and staring at her, the amusement evident in his gaze. She was about to ask him why he was looking at her like that when he tucked her fringe behind her ear and snuck a quick kiss, that she felt ended too soon.

She grinned as he drawled a sleepy good morning.

Tugging at his hand, "Come on, we've got tonnes to do!"

He murmured a "Yes ma'am" before getting up following her into the kitchen. How he longed to stay in bed (with her, ofcourse, it was no fun otherwise) all day. Wishful thinking be damned. For now, reality called. He shut the bathroom door, his toothbrush in hand.

Umm...the part is complete. 'Kay stop looking at me like I've gone bonkers 🤣 I've been toying with this idea of short updates for a while now. It's just an experiment, which might turn permanent if I'm comfortable with this style!

*EDIT* Short updates are not going to be permanent, check my note on Page 118! Calm down you guys :D

Please tell me what you thought of the chapter :)

Oh and an enormous thank you to everyone who liked and/or commented on the previous update, it meant a lot 🤗 Please continue responding, it motivates me like nothing else :D

Oh my, I'm turning into one of those authors whose Authors Notes are longer than her updates. Damn 😳

xoxo

Aanya