AR----BELONGING

part 3 to 5

"Riddhima" the name escaped his lips like a petal leaves a rose and cascades gently to the ground. He hadn't meant to say her name but knowing she was standing mere inches from him had him loosing all control. He wanted to yell at her but it was as if after saying her name he could say nothing more, he willed his tongue to speak but no words would come, only soft blows of cold air escaped his lightly open mouth. He wished she would turn; he wanted to see her, see that face, those eyes that haunted him for the past 15 years. He felt a sudden urge; which he controlled to yank her arm and force her to face him.

 

Riddhima fought her own battle, her heart pounded violently threatening to slash out of her chest; her breathing had already become shallow as she clung to the railing holding it so tight that her knuckles were turning white. His voice had caused her back to stiffen, she didn't think she could move, let alone turn around and face him. Yet she compelled, compelled her drumming heart to calm it self, and steadying her weak leg she turned.

 

She knew if she hadn't been holding on to the railing for support she would have fallen. Her legs had already turned to jelly and now seeing him in front of her, they had completely given out. She heard a gasp but didn't know if it had escaped his lips or hers; all she knew now was that she was finally face to face with the man to whom she belonged.

 

She stared at him disbelievingly devouring the sight of him. Clad in grey trousers and a crisp blue shirt; that fit snuggly at his bulging muscles; he was dressed to kill. She smiled involuntarily picturing her young companion as a business tycoon. She let her eyes wander from his face to his exposing chest which rose and fell evenly unlike hers. His hair were longer than she remembered, his jaw line sharp and manly, his grey eyes; a mixture of ice and steel as always felt warm to her. She covered her mouth to suppress her sobs as the saline water glided down her rosy cheeks; she knew she couldn't control her emotions anymore. She wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. Her once immature and easily angered friend had grown in to an utterly handsome man; if only the he would smile and show her his deep set dimples; he would look nothing short than a Greek god. 

 

Armaan swore he felt the earth move from under his feet; she was beautiful Kaka had said, but was beautiful enough to justify the women? NO! She was not just beautiful, she was gorgeous, she was ethereal and in that white churidaar which fit so sinuously around her petite frame, she looked nothing but heavenly. His eyes met hers and he felt himself drowning, after 15 years he was loosing himself again in those emeralds eyes of hers, it was not until her long lashes hazed his view that he tore himself away. Her skin was just like he had remembered; creamy white with a hint of pink which colored her cheeks as if she was wearing a rose. He had never noticed how voluptuous her lips were, she had colored them a light shade of pink which matched perfectly with her rosy cheeks. It was not until he heard her suppressing sobs that broke him out of his reverie.

 

"What are you doing here Riddhima?" It surprised him how cold his voice could be and he knew it surprised her too. She had at once stopped crying and stared incredulously; as if trying to make it whether she was dreaming or had he really sounded so bitter.

"Armaan?"

 

He closed his eyes upon hearing his name; never before had his name sounded so pure and sweet. He waited for her to continue, his ears longed to hear her soft voice but when he received no response from her he forced his eyes to open and focused once again on her lovely face. It took him a moment to recover and to remember the reason for the eerie silence. His concentration snapped like a twig as his hostility towards her returned.