Back In Time

~six~

Already reached and waiting at Arrivals. Phone me when you land! :*

~Meera

He had just switched on his phone after landing and was greeted by this message that managed to make him grin as wide as he didn't ever recall smiling. Quite hopelessly per usual, he ran his thumb over her name affectionately and smiled to himself at the little kiss emoji she'd sent at the end. He wouldn't just have to make do with virtual emojis, in the next half an hour, she would be there in front of him. And he would be able to kiss her for real.

Just landed. Can't wait to see you.

He'd just started for the conveyor belt when his phone beeped;

You should use more emojis and exclamations Mr. Shah. I see no enthusiasm so far.

P.S. Text me when you've got your luggage.

Vedant grinned, his eyes also studying the various suitcases on the conveyor belt.

My enthusiasm at seeing you after eight months, eighteen days and thirteen hours? I'll let you see for yourself. ;)

P.S. Mil gaya luggage.

An instant response,

Walk towards Pillar No. 11. I'm in a silver coloured i10.

He began with his reply,

Don't think I didn't notice how you ignored the romantic reply I sent perviously darling.

P.S. On my way.

Was it weird that he was feeling nervous suddenly? He could feel his heart pounding in his ears. Instinctively so, he gripped the handle of his suitcase more firmly and watched as the transparent exit doors slid open for him. The pillar no. 11 was right there; and he could also spot the silver i10 effortlessly.

Did you just call me 'Darling'? Not bad Vedant Shah.

P.S. Have I ever told you how much black suits you?

She'd seen him! Oh good heavens. Why was he feeling so damn nervous in the first place?

As the i10 became clearer and clearer for him, he watched Meera come out of the driver's seat and smile her most breath-taking smile at him. His heart instantly skipped a beat. In that instant however, he wanted nothing but to pull her into himself and never let go.

But to his utter surprise, she beat him to it. Before he knew what was happening, she'd caught up with him and her arms had wrapped around his neck tightly, the way they always did when she were overtly emotional and wanted to be held closely. Vedant conceded without complain, his lips already pressing a soft kiss at the top of her head.

"I've missed you."

He pulled away gently to look into her eyes. "Not more than I missed you."

She grinned adorably, her eyes shining with pure love and earnestness.

"Have you been studying late nights?" Vedant posed suddenly.

Her eyes widened at the random digression. She didn't understand where that had come from. While Vedant had seen her without any makeup a countless number of times, today she was wearing a face full of makeup on account of coming to the Airport directly after college. And as far as she recalled, she'd done a flawless job with the concealer.

"I have an important test coming up." Vedant gave a knowing smile in response. "Why?" Meera questioned, tucking a stray chunk of hair behind her ears consciously, as she stared at him with confusion.

He leaned in gently, as he pulled out the hairpin she'd used to hold her hair into a bun. And then, tenderly so, ran a finger along the waves at the tip of her hair due to the bun they'd been accommodated in for hours.

"Whenever you're stressed with studies, you stay up late at nights and tie your hair into a bun with these ugly hairpins."

She chuckled, snatching the hairpin from his grip. "They're not that ugly."

He watched her run her fingers along her now untied hair with a cute blush on her face before offering, "Now you look like the Meera I know."

Meera couldn't help but flush at the admiration for her she saw in his eyes. Was he for real? He made her feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet.

"Ookaay. You can stop now."

"Stop what?"

"Stop...looking at me like that Vedant. It reminds me of our first fight outside Vimal Uncle's store." She mumbled.

It was Vedant's turn to laugh, as he recalled the anger and fury with which she'd yelled, Will you STOP looking at me like that Vedant?

Like what? He'd asked curiously.

And then, she'd given him a mouthful, every word of which he still remembered as clearly as though it were yesterday.

Meera was the one to break eye contact first and bring him back to the present, as she placed a soft kiss along the edge of his lips and then walked towards his luggage.

"We should get going now Vedant. It's time you have the honour of witnessing the crazy Delhi traffic."

He laughed, placing his hand over hers on the handle of the suitcase to take it away from her. "Can't be worse than Mumbai here."

Meera let go, unlocking the backseat of the car for him. One lift, and the suitcase was nicely placed. She felt a shy smile emerge on her features upon noticing the toned arms that Vedant had seemed to develop.

"Have you been going to the gym lately?"

He turned towards her and leaned back along the car with an amused smile, "Why do you ask?"

Vain. She thought to herself with an unconscious eye roll, already making way for the driver's seat of the car.

"Hey you didn't tell me why." he gripped her hand, a most handsome smile adorning his face.

"Don't you actually want to go home today Vedant?"

Vedant's expression changed instantly, leaving Meera nervous as to where she could've possibly slipped up.

"I...Did I say something wrong?"

He smiled affectionately, as he pressed a gentle kiss on her hand he held,

"No. You actually said something very lovely."

When she looked even more confused than before he offered,

"Take me home, Meera."

Her gaze dropped down with a silly blush, as it all sank in for her; and to her complete and utter surprise she realized, that while he'd barely been there in Delhi for forty odd minutes, it already felt more home than it had in the past year to her.

**********

A/N:

I have NEVER felt ANY difficulty with writing about couples before. Until I started writing this novel.

I love both these guys. They in turn, love each other.  And while in my head, these guys are pretty sorted, I'm having a tough time with making these guys work on paper. I'm not talking about this chapter though. I was writing another one a couple of days ago and was literally THIS close to ripping my hair out of my scalp out of sheer frustration.

Any of you guys writers yourself and feel the same frustration sometimes? I would LOVE to know.

~kimayaa a.k.a Ankita