"Ahem-Ahem!!" she heard him clearing his throat as he neared, which made her snap back to reality.
Gulping her saliva, "Hey man!! You are alive?" she questioned him sarcastically as she moved a bit forward to give him her greeting with a warm hug.
She pulled herself from a hug to take a proper look at his face. "Oh my!! Your face has become so thin?? Am I looking at the correct person? Is this my Zaike??" she asked, leaving him agape.
Moving to the comfortable posture he held both her cheek in his hands. "Oh my!! Am I seeing my Rowan? When did you become bulkier like a weight lifter? With this body how will you swim?" he replied copying the same tone making her irritated.
'This won't do' she spoke to herself as she moved her fingers behind his arms to make it to a correct sensitive spot to pinch. "Aaaaaahhhhhh… aahhhh…" a voice heard making the people turn around them. Looking at their usual chorus, everyone turned back to do their job.
"I surrender, my Queen!!" he pleaded to get away from her devil's grip.
"You should have done this sooner instead of making me angry!!" she replied shrugging her shoulders.
"I thought you were dead busy, but you still came here. I'm relieved that you still have your memories intact." She teased him again.
But you know what, nothing could affect him at that moment. He was immersed in the lively aura she emitted. It was a very long time since they both had such a joyful chat. Hearing her usual noisy chats fills him with enthusiasm.
He was longing to meet her, and that sole reason for his presence. He pinched her chubby cheeks and said "I think you need to lose some weight to maintain a good figure Armelle!!" he said shaking his head dramatically to tease her back. "At this rate, men will run away from you!!" he continued his teasing.
She knew he teased her, but it hurt her pride. 'Lemme teach you a lesson my babe!' she said to herself with a sarcastic smile. "Oh!! I think you are worried a lot more than me babe!! Let me show my worth my dear!" she spoke with pride leaving him in terror, as she walked towards the adjacent table full of men.
Armelle watched a few of them glaring at her for quite a long time since she entered with krith. 'It is time for the show' she murmured as she paced forward towards the table. However, Zaike understood what she meant when he glared at those men. They could sense Zaike with daggers in his eyes, as he rushed forward to block her.
"Come on boys, let us not waste our time on her." Spoked a man named Rex in the group diverting everyone from those lovey-dovey. "It is waste of time." Another one spoke in exasperation. "They must be in a relationship." Said the other one with a zest.
"My bad, I must have under-estimated your charm babe!" he said with a cheeky smile. "I think I deserve another pinch, babe." He continued in an awkward tone, showcasing his cheeks for her to pinch, avoiding her eyes to face his wrath.
"Can you please stop staring at me with those Magnificent eyes??" he spoke again as he didn't receive any reply from her.
"I waiting to hear those words!!!!" she said in pique. "Aahhh!! What I meant is that, you look damn gorgeous. So, men will fly away from you as no one can equal your grace. I'm sure no one can dare to stand against my angel in beauty." He replied with eyes full of adoration, cupping her face. "So, I stand out only in beauty?" she spoke again in a low tone. "In my life of 24 years, I have never seen such a beautiful girl inside out other than my babe. Am I correct?" he said with sincerity in his eyes, still cupping her cheeks.
"I welcome this fact." A melodic voice came from behind startled them. "Krith!!" they both said in chorus frantically. "Chill guys!! What's up Zaike? You have become sexier than ever!!" krith spoke with exaggerating excitement. "I'm all good! How are things going?" Zaike replied blushing.
"The great Zaike blushing!!! Oh, God! Is my vision blurred?" Krith teased him non-stop till she felt Armelle throwing daggers with eyes.
"Okay!! I'll go grab a plate." Zaike heard her say as she rushed out moving away from them.
'Thank god, she left.' Zaike said sighing inwardly.
As they both sunk into their world of talks, the growling sound from both their stomach made them snap back to reality. It was past dinner time.
"I think we need to feed our growling rats. Shall we move to the buffet area?" Zaike heard her saying. In an instant, they both moved forward clasping each other's hands.
It was already late when the parted ended. "Let me drop you at home Row. It's so dark already" Armelle heard him speak. She nodded her head in agreement with his words.
Armelle felt a warm coat covering her bare shoulders, which made her turn around to face Zaike in a questioning way. "I thought you must feel so cold, the breeze is icy" Zaike replied for her questioning face. She moved closer to wrap around his arms to warm him back. "Such a thoughtful man!!" she replied with a charming smile making him smile back.
"I missed you!!" she said in a longing tone making his heart flutter like never before. It wasn't the first time he heard her saying that but strangely he felt it weird, intimate, and lively.
"How can I miss my soul?" he replied leaving her awestruck. She felt something abnormal with his looks and words. Her heart fluttered hearing those cheesy words for the first-ever time. Ignoring the weird thought, she felt embarrassed for good.
By the time they have already reached in front of her house. Armelle was surprised to see him sigh in hesitation. It wasn't her mistake that they reached her house in a few minutes walk.
"Do you plan to stay outside tonight??" Armelle asked him in a questioning tone. "It's not that Row. But I wish I could spend some more time with you," he replied in a longing tone with puppy eyes which made her smile.
Ignoring the words from Zaike she spoke again, "Aunty must be waiting to spend some time with you. Head back home now Zak." Hearing her words made him pout like a kid longing for attention.
"Alright, I promise we can meet before I get back to the dorm. Smile a bit. Your face looks damn ugly when you pout." She consoled him to get back home since the climate was not so good for him to stall time outside.
'This man knows to control me without words.' she spoke to herself, wondering the influence he had on her.
He heard her shouting when he was walking away from her house, "See you soon. Call me before you sleep Zak." He smiled and waved her in return.
'This girl surely can read my mind' he thought as he walked away smiling.
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