Previously on...
AR. So much AR! <3
I'm absolutely loving Paris!
Can they stay here forever and do nothing but go out on countless romantic dates?
Chapter 43
The next few days passed in a blissful blur for Armaan and
Riddhima. They spent their days at the conference, amassing knowledge and
meeting new people and their evenings lost in each other. Armaan had been true
to his word and Armaan and Riddhima went out on a date almost everyday.
After their date at the Sienne, which Riddhima absolutely
loved (she was repaying Armaan in kisses, as demanded by him), they had roamed
around quite a bit of Paris. They went ice skating, for walks in promenades and
gardens, for live performances, pubs and restaurants and even to wine tastings.
They'd visited the Centre Georges Pompidou to watch the
love performances. The structure of the exhibit in itself was enthralling.
Seeing it in person, they understood the reason as to why it was such a
celebrated piece of architecture. And the performances were just as amazing.
From the juggler to the live band and the painter, all the artists were pros
and knew what they were doing. It was exhilarating to watch. They went wild,
clicking pictures of every little thing they could see.
They visited the Arc de Triomphe to see the magnificent view
of the Chemps Elysees. From there, they visited the Notre Dame Cathedral.
"This
is so beautiful," Riddhima whispered as she
looked around.
"Very
beautiful," Armaan agreed, only he was
looking at her when saying that. Riddhima turned to look at him and blushed
when she saw him gazing at her intently.
"Armaan," she whispered.
"Riddhima," Armaan replied, catching hold of a
stray strand of hair on her forehead and pushing it behind her ear.
"Why
are you looking at me?" She asked, curiously.
"Because
you're beautiful," he replied.
(A/N - TfiOS moment right here.
Oh Gus! <3)
"Not
nearly as this," she gestured to the view
they had.
"Depends
on who you ask."
Riddhima scoffed.
"Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder, Basket. Or didn't
you listen to Shakespeare?"
All Riddhima could do was blush.
They lit a candle at the cathedral, praying for a happy life
together.
"I
love you," Armaan whispered, kissing
Riddhima's temple softly.
"I
love you, too," she replied, kissing his
cheek as they made their way out of the cathedral.
They locked a locket at the bridge across from the
cathedral. After that, they explored around Shakespeare and Co, the iconic
bookstore, also near the cathedral. Both of them ended up buying a ton of books
and Armaan got to kiss Riddhima in the romance aisle of the store, so he loved
it even more.
They even went for a show at the Moulin Rouge. Though,
Armaan was really scpetical about that, mainly because he was sure that it
would make Riddhima really uncomfortable, he agreed to go on her insistence.
And, sure enough, Riddhima looked like a deer caught in headlights the minute
she walked in. Armaan assured her that it was okay to leave if she didn't like it, but Riddhima had been
adamant.
After her initial discomfort faded away, she did enjoy the
show. It was really unchartered territory for her, for both of them, but they
enjoyed it immensely. The fact that it turned them on greatly was just another
bonus in Armaan's eyes. The gorgeous dress
that Riddhima had been wearing that day -
a dark red, off shoulder gown with a deep slit (worn on his repeated
insistence, obviously) - didn't really help matters. He looked no
less dashing in his black tux, which Riddhima found really sexy on him. That
night, after the show, they did something they didn't really expect. They made out in an alley beside the club. Which continued in the
taxi back to the hotel and then later in their hotel room till the wee hours of
morning. Though, they were both turned on, and as they discovered later in the
night, ready to go all the way, they didn't.
Armaan knew that though Riddhima trusted him with all her heart, it was
important to her that they be married before crossing any boundaries. So, he
would wait. Though, the sounds that Riddhima made when he touched and kissed
those exact spots on her body,
specifically on her neck and near her ear didn't
help matters, at all.
They even went out on group outings. They saw the Louvre - a trip that took them 5 days to
complete, and still, they weren't able to see the entire museum.
They went to dinner to Le Restaurant Bleu. Not only did the place have a
peaceful ambience, but also, the food they had was heavenly. They went on a few
cruises and visited the various coffee shops and cathedrals and parks in the
city with their friends.
Their presentation was amazing. They impressed every single
person present in the room, so much so, that some of Dr. Shashank's acquaintances and former colleaugues,
called him up to congratulate him on having such amazing and passionate and
incredible doctors on his team. Dr. Shashank, being the proud father that he
was, had soaked in all the praise for his kids and had called them up to
congratulate them and to tell them how proud he was of them.
It was a truly, truly magical experience. Not only did they
get infinitely closer to each other, both emotionally and physically, but also
made a ton of new friends.
The conference was finally ending after two weeks and there
was a gala for all the participants to thank them for all their contribution.
Riddhima dressed in another one of her evening gowns. Red
again. But, a little more sophisticated and elegant than the one she had worn
to the show. It was full length, shimmering and flowy with a bodice of red
stones. She paired it with the heart oendant that Armaan had given her and the
ear rings he had gotten her earlier in the day. They were absolutely gorgeous,
of course, but were way too expensive. And no matter how hard she tried to
refuse, Armaan would not take no for an answer. She had begged and pleaded and
tried to kiss it away, but he looked into her eyes with those gorgeous blue eyes
of his and kept her hand on his heart as he told her that he loved her and that
when he saw those ear rings, the first thing that came to his mind had been her
face and that he wanted her to have them because he knew that she would make
them look beautiful. How is a girl
supposed to say no to that?
So, here she was, dressed and ready to go as she waited for
him. Armaan came out of his room, dressed in a black suit and a white shirt,
with a red tie to match Riddhima's dress. (Just imagine his
tux from the wedding!)
He gasped when he saw Riddhima. She looked absolutely
ethereal. Out of the world. Heavenly. Unearthly. Gorgeous. Stunning.
No word in the dictionary was enough to describe how he felt
when he saw her. He felt like he was looking at her for the first time. Like he
had been a blind man and was looking at the incarnation of Aphrodite on gaining
his sight.
"You're stunning, baby," he whispered as he made his way to
her. Riddhima looked up at him and smiled widely.
"You
clean up pretty good yourself, Dr. Mallik,"
she replied. And he did. He looked undeniably sexy.
Armaan grinned and shook his head, bending down to capture
her lips in the softest of kisses, as if she was made of glass.
"Everybody
decent?" Nate called as he entered
the living room, with his hand on his eyes as he pretended to make sure it was
safe to step out.
"Yes!" Came Armaan's irritated reply.
Nate smiled hugely and walked in. "Wow, Ridzy, you look beautiful!" He commented.
"Thanks," Riddhima replied, blushing bright red.
"Still
can't take a compliment," he replied, wrapping his arm around
her shoulder and pulling her into a side hug.
"Shut
up!" She said, smacking his chest.
Armaan laughed at the similar scene. How many times had Riddhima done the same
thing when he had given her a compliment? She was so beautiful and such a kind
and great person, but she never truly saw herself. In the beginning of their
relationship, she would go red at all his compliments and shrug them off, but
later she just smiled and kissed him. He had started to think that Riddhima
felt as if it was love clouding his vision when it most certainly wasn't true. Obviously, she was more
beautiful to him, kinder and lovelier and just all around an amzing person to
him because he loved her, but even if he didn't
(He shuddered at the thought) he'd still be able to see all
the good in her.
"Hey
man! We're all waiting on you!" Nate said, bringing Armaan out of his
train of thought.
"What?" He asked, confused.
"Man,
the gala? The thing we're supposed to attend
tonight for which we got decked up? Let's
go!"
Armaan laughed and nodded.
"My
lady," he said as he stood beside
Riddhima, offering her his hand. Riddhima smiled and took it, smiling at him
the entire time. It didn't take it long for them to
get lost in each other's eyes and the love they
felt for each other.
"Hey,
lovebirds!" Nate interrupted them yet
again. "Break it up! We're gonna be late."
Armaan glared at Nate in such a way that was enough to kill
anyone. Nate just scoffed at him and told him to stop behaving like a kid.
When they reached the gala, it was already in full swing. People
were talking away, drinking merrily and dancing the night away.
They made their way to the bar first, where Armaan got them
all champagne. They greeted everybody and made small talk for sometime.
Soemtime later, they went dancing. As a slow number filled
the room, Armaan pulled Riddhima close to him.
Heart
beats fast
Colours
and promises
How to
be brave?
How
can I love?
When I'm afraid to fall
But
watching you stand alone
All of
my doubt suddenly go away somehow
One
step closer
He wrapped an arm around her waist and using the other hand
to take Riddhima's hand in his, holding them
close to his heart.
I have
died everyday waiting for you
Darling
don't be afraid
I have
loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Riddhima rested her head against his chest, pulling herself
closer to him.
Time
stands still
Beauty
and all she is
I will
be brave
I will
not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every
breath
Every
hour
Has
come to this
One
step closer
Armaan kissed Riddhima's
head and whispered that he loved her.
I have
died everyday waiting for you
Darling
don't be afraid
I have
loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Riddhima kissed his chest, just above his heart.
All
along I believed
I
would find you
Time
has brought your heart to me
I have
loved you
For a
thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One
step closer
Armaan smiled and snuggled closer to Riddhima, pulling her
close to him so that even air couldn't
pass from between them. He rested his head against hers as he sang the lyrics
to her.
I have
died everyday waiting for you
Darling
don't be afraid
I have
loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more...
"I
love you," Riddhima whispered against
his chest.
"I
love you, too," Armaan replied, nuzzling
her neck.
He lifted his head and pulled Riddhima up, holding her chin
in his fingers delicately.
He bent his head and kissed her softly.
After sometime, the convener of the conference, Dr. Adam
Williams, took the stage to thank everyone for their contribution.
Riddhima spent some time with Emma after that. They had
clicked that first night they met and all the outings together had made them
grow even closer. They found out they had many similar interests and could talk
about everything under the sun. Their favourite topic, however, was Harry
Potter. Soemthing that Armaan didn't
like. Not that he wasn't a fan himself, because he
was. The story was powerful, moving and absolutely inspirational. No, his
problem was that they spent hous mooning over the male characters in the story.
From Ron to Harry to Sirius to Remus and Cedric and even Tom Felton. They'd talk about them and sigh dreamily
with a Riddhima talk about another guy that way, even he was fictional and
totally made up, made him insanely jealous, a fact that Riddhima found
adorkably cute and she told him so every opportunity she got.
They were talking about Fred Weasley right now, and Armaan
was scowling, which was his patent expression during such talks. Riddhima
turned to look at him with a knowing grin. He smiled fakely at her.
"You're so cute!" She said, pulling his cheeks. "I love you." And pecked his lips.
That lifted his mood infinitely.
The goodbyes came after dinner.
It was an emotional affair, especially for Riddhima, who by
her nature, had formed close bonds with many people present and was sad to see
her friends go. The only one staying back after that night was Emma, because
she was insisting on spending some more quality time with both Armaan and
Riddhima and Nate who was going to the wedding with Armaan and Riddhima.
Later that night, as they snuggled in bed, Riddhima told
Armaan that she was really lucky to have such an amazing guy like him in her
life and that she really loved him and would do so for the rest of her life.
Armaan smiled and pulled her closer, telling her that he
loved her too and that he would cherish her and them forever.
With a smiles on their faces and a promise of forever,
wrapped up in each other, they fell asleep.
xxx
Hey guys!
Surprise!
Early update!
I wasn't planning on updating today, but then, inspiration struck and I was miraculously able to whip this baby out in 2 hours! *Pats self on back*
I know it's kind of a filler chapter, but there's so much of AR fluff, which I absolutely adore! And, we've summed up the conference, so that's something. Also, AR got a little dirty here, which was hawt! <3
Another song sequence in this, so please hit me with your thoughts on that as I'm not really confident about song sequences!
Next update should hopefully be on the weekend, as planned earlier, if not, definitely on the 19th, like I said. (In case you missed it, read my huge ass announcement note on Page 40!)
Also, Wajah Tum Ho finally came out today! And is it hot! Oh my God! I felt like I'd stepped into one of the scenes from that one romance novel where the lead pair are getting it on! So effing hawt and sexy! Mr. Grover looked a little too dashing in this! I mean, how is it even possible for that man to look the way he does all the freaking time is beyond me!
And, please, please, please! Comment and vote for my story on Wattpad! (*Shameless self promotion right here*)
Until later!
Prags xo
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