Rifaat shifted back to her apartment. She looked at Ahaan's locked door and felt disappointed. She shook her head and went into her apartment. Once inside she walked into her bedroom and removed her Tee over her head. She admired her new belly piercing. The small stud glistened on her navel, the portion around it red. She winced as she touched it slightly with her finger tips. She twisted her body little and admired her piercing. A small smile on her lips. For a crazy minute, she thought of clicking a picture of it and sending it to Ahaan. But frowned, why will she send him? she will just mention this to him, that too depending on her mood.

Since, the piercing is still very sensitive Rifaat decided to stay only in her purple black bra and boxers. It is her house and she can do whatever she wants. She can even roam around naked. Rifaat chuckled at the thought. With minimal clothes, she did feel cold but she ignored it. Rifaat quickly made noodles for dinner, it is the only thing she knew to make. It will fill her stomach and do for the night. She sat on the sofa with folded legs and flipped through channels watching random things. After she was done eating, she washed the dishes. She then watched some more TV eating a huge tub of ice-cream. Finally, she called it a night. She flopped on her bed, stared at the rotating ceiling fan, and soon drifted off to sleep.

***********************

The loud alarm woke up Rifaat. She groaned stretching her arms, her eyes still closed. Her fingers accidently brushed her piercing. She winced, there is still slight pain and discomfort. It will take some time to get used to this. She sat up straight, yawned climbing down her bed. She tied her hair in a messy bun and wore a satin night robe over her inners and walked into the kitchen. She made a coffee and silently sipped it while gazing out from her tiny balcony. The early morning, gentle breeze and warm sun shine gave some peace to her. She leaned against the railing and continue to take a sip. A couple on a bike caught her attention. The young man had stopped the bike out in front of the building. Looked like they have just returned from late night party as both are dressed in semiformal.

Rifaat smiled slightly watching them talk standing very closely. The girl gave a quick kiss on the boy's cheek and rushed inside. Rifaat's smile broadened- young love, she thought. Then her smile faded when she recollected the time when she was age of that young girl she has just seen. Just like this girl, even Rifaat had the same shy smile once, the same twinkle in her eyes. Rifaat silently prayed that unlike her, this girl has a happy love-life.

'Ahaan, where are you? I am missing you.' Rifaat said aloud, her gaze fixed on the road below.

Rifaat changed into her casuals, left for gym. Working out in the gym without Ahaan isn't the same. She did dash into Yash, though she wanted to ask him about Ahaan, she didn't. After work out she did sit with Yash and silently drank her watermelon. She also found it rude when Yash complimented her belly piercing, but then he started talking about one of his friend's girlfriend who got badly infected after she did her piercing. Rifaat felt pukish as he gave the gruesome details. As they bid good-bye Rifaat felt extremely relieved and lighter.

Once she returned from gym, she quickly stripped and got into cold shower. She felt refreshed. After the bath, she changed into her office wear for the day- light pink sleeveless cotton shirt and white Palazzo pants. She accessorized her outfit with a Rado watch, small pearly white studs in her ear and white thong slippers. She combed her hair and tied in a loose fish tail braid and rested it on her left shoulder. She ate milk cornflakes.

As Rifaat locked her apartment she heard the elevator door open. She ignored it thinking to be lungi Uncle from the same floor. She locked her door, adjusted sling of her laptop bag on her shoulder and turned around. Rifaat stopped in her tracks as she looked at Ahaan grumbling something and kneeling fixing the wheels of his bag. Rifaat felt wave of warmth and happiness wash over her as she saw him, her heart beat quickened. She kept looking at him unblinkingly, for a moment she thought she is hallucinating. Ahaan stood up, oblivious that Rifaat is watching him. Rifaat dropped her laptop bag when she was finally convinced it is Ahaan.

'Ahaan!' she called. Ahaan looked up, but before he could react Rifaat had run to him and literally pounced over him. She has arms tightly wrapped around his neck, her eyes squeezed tight and her legs slightly off the ground. Ahaan had slightly stumbled back with the force by which Rifaat had launched herself on him. Luckily, he managed to stand his ground. For a moment, he is confused, but quickly composed himself. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her petite figure and hugged her. Rifaat buried her head into her arms, her lips touching his collar. Ahaan felt Goosebumps, and this time Rifaat felt the ripples too.

They stood there, with their eyes closed and their breathing calm. Rifaat's grip around his neck tightened as she recollected her time without him, she is immensely happy to have him back, to be in his arms. Ahaan didn't understand what happened to her, he is completely unaware of her insecurity nevertheless he didn't leave her. He held her tightly in his embrace.

'I missed you.' Rifaat whispered. Ahaan smiled, he tightened his grip around her and she smiled too.

'I missed you too.' He whispered back. Rifaat felt jittering knowing that he had been thinking of her when they were apart. She felt important, she felt wanted. A lone tear escaped from corner of her eyes. This moment, Ahaan didn't want to be anywhere else. His horrible mood instantly lightened and he felt like he was never irritated. His heart and mind doing a happy dance.