Safar...A Journey of First Love

Chapter 24 - Secrets

... Riddhima sat at the breakfast table ready to go to school one morning; she wore her simple black jeans and a short black jacket over a purple top. Her usual jewellery hung from her wrist and neck and a tiny pair of diamond studs in her ears. She took a final sip of her tea before looking over at the time on the microwave for the zillionth time and tapped her feet on the floor impatiently.

"Aaj main usse nahi chorungi...!" (I'm not going to leave him today) she whispered to herself angrily.

She took one more look at the clock then banged her mug down on the table; at the same time the doorbell rung; she picked up her bag frowning.

"Lo...agaya tumhara taxi..." (There...your taxi is here) Padma laughed; she walked out of the kitchen to open the door.

Riddhima followed her out fuming; Padma opened the door and there stood Armaan with a bright smile; "Good Morn..."

Riddhima barged past him saying bye to Padma as she walked to the car. Armaan looked quizzically at Padma who gestured time by pointing to her wrist; Armaan bit his tongue said a quick bye to Padma and rushed to the car.

Armaan looked over at her; "I'm so sorry babes..."

"Shut up and drive!" she shot a furious glare in his direction.

He turned his attention back to the road as he was told slowly smiling inwards. It was very rare to have Riddhima in this mood but Armaan loved it; he thought she looked very cute while frowning. It was now a few weeks after Riddhima's birthday and the gang had had a short half term break in between and was back at school now being faced with coursework deadlines, which made Riddhima panic as she thought she was behind. Today she was running late due to Armaan's lateness; she was very close to leaving alone but her mum had told her to wait a bit.

Armaan parked the car and Riddhima jumped out the second the car was turned off. She rushed into the building not waiting for Armaan who sat there watching her; a small smile played on his lips. He got out of the car and took his time walking into the building flinging his bag over his shoulder and carrying something in his hand; he walked into the room at the same time as their tutor who smiled at him; "Right on time Armaan..."

"Yes sir..." Armaan said looking around the classroom.

There were only three people in the room, one of which was Riddhima; Armaan smiled cheekily while Riddhima fumed silently. Others had started to walk into the room; Armaan was brought back to reality when Rahul tapped him on the shoulder, he turned around to see Rahul, Muskaan and Nikita; "Hi guys..." he said.

"Why are you standing here...c'mon..." Rahul asked him.

They walked towards Riddhima and sat down making themselves comfortable; "Hi Ridz..." Nikita said sitting down next to her.

"Hi Niki..." Riddhima smiled slightly.

"You're really early today..." Muskaan said to her.

Riddhima looked up at Armaan who was already looking at her with a cheeky grin; "Umm...yeah...I thought..." she dropped her sentence not knowing how to end it.

Rahul changed the subject; "So....what have we got today?"

"Free period..." Nikita answered.

Armaan kept his eyes on Riddhima with a sly grin; she could feel his eyes on her but she made sure she made no eye contact.

"That's good...we can relax..." Muskaan said.

"Yeah right...we have deadlines coming up..." Rahul said strictly, then smiled; "...right Ridz?"