I'll Love You Longer Than Forever

Chapter One Hundred & Three

After a long day at work, Armaan was sitting in the cafeteria, enjoying a mug of steaming hot coffee, wanting to wash the day away. He'd been busy all day, and not talking to Riddhima as much as he was used to hadn't helped, especially after he found out about Tayaji and Taiji being around her.

"Hey!" Nikki chirped, taking a seat beside him, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Hey," he replied weakly.

"What's up, lover boy? Riddhima ke bina ek din bhi nahi reh sakte kya?" Nikki teased.

Armaan chuckled mirthlessly. Yes, he was missing Riddhima, but he was feeling anxious because of his "relatives". He hoped that he hadn't made things worse for Riddhima after that angry phone call.

"Armaan," Nikki murmured softly. "Kya hua?"

He shrugged. "It's okay, Nik. I'll handle it."

"Doesn't mean you should," she replied. "I'm your best friend! Mujhe nahi batayega toh kisse batayega?"

"Nikki, itni badi baat bhi nahi hai aur main tujhe apni stupid stories sunake tension nahi dena chahta. Baby aur tu hamesha happy rehne chahiye," he pouted. "My favourite kiddo should not be worried about anything, chahe kitni choti baat ho."

"Armaan!" She blubbered. "Tu itna cute kyu hai?"

"Main cute toh bachpan se hoon. Tune notice aaj kiya toh main kya karu?" He asked cheekily.

"Shut up!" She replied. "Tujhe thoda compliment karo toh tu sar pe hi baith jaata hai. Idiot kahin ka!"

Armaan just laughed. "I miss you, Miss Wow!" He murmured a few minutes later. And he did. In between long duty hours, spending time with Riddhima, hanging out with the gang, and Nikki resting as much as she could the more her due date got closer, the two of them had hardly spent any one - on - one time together.

"I miss you, too, Mister Supercool!" She answered. "Let's get dinner today! Sirf tu aur main. It's been so long!"

"I wish," Armaan mumbled regretfully. "Maine already Nani ko promise kar diya hai ki aaj main dinner unke saath karunga. Can't stand her up. But! Hum kal chalein? Please!"

Nikki pretended to think, making Armaan roll his eyes. His best friend could get overly dramatic at times.

"Fine, fine," she finally agreed. "But sirf isliye kyuki tune Nani ko promise kiya hai!"

"Yes, ma'am! But... abhi ke liye... tu kya khayegi? Have you been eating and sleeping properly? Due date nazdeek aa rahi hai, Nik. Only two and a half months to go. Tujhe ab zyada dhyaan rakhna chahiye."

"Yes, Doctor Mallik, I know," she quipped sarcastically. "Not like I'm not a doctor or anything. Or my husband."

"Sorry I care," he fired back.

"Armaan! Relax! I'm fine. Main apna bilkul achche se dhyaan rakhti hoon. Aur Abhi bhi mera bohot achche se khayal rakhta hai. I promise," she pacified.

"Yeah, yeah," he mumbled. "I'm just worried about you."

"I know," Nikki replied. "And it's very sweet! Who knew Mr. Supercool Armaan was such a mother hen!" She giggled.

Armaan shrugged. "Whatever."

"Riddhima's really changed you," she said. "For the better. I'm glad, Armaan. I'm so happy ki teri life mein Riddhima jaisi amazing ladki hai. You deserve it."

Armaan looked away, trying to hide his blush. These girls were always waiting for a moment to tease him.

"Armaan! So cute!" She cried, pulling his cheeks. She'd seen the blush, despite his best efforts to hide it.