Shadows of Elegance [MeenBabe]

Chapter 18: Two Thousand Twelve

Meena let out a long sigh of relief as the plane finally touched down, putting an end to her grueling twenty-hour journey. The thought of a hot shower was like music to her ears, and she eagerly waited for the plane to come to a halt. Pulling out her phone, she quickly sent a message to Aoom: "Hey there! Just landed safely. I'll order an Uber to your place and wait for you there :)"

Securing a four-day leave from Boss had been no small feat. It took a lot of fake tears, pleading, and a touch of manipulation, but between her and Charlotte, they'd managed to pull it off. Now, Meena was more than ready to savor every moment of well-deserved relaxation.

The captain's announcement about the end of the flight and baggage claim went unnoticed by Meena, who didn't have any checked bags to worry about. She stretched carefully, feeling the tension in her muscles begin to ease after hours of being in confiment.

Navigating through the busy airport proved to be a challenge as Meena pushed her way through the crowd, dodging suitcases and weaving through the sea of passengers. With her carry-on bag clutched tightly, she made her way towards the exit, eager to escape the chaos and embrace the tranquility of her destination.

As Meena stepped outside, a refreshing breeze danced around her, lifting her spirits and bringing a smile to her face. With a deft tap on her Uber app, she summoned a ride to Aoom's apartment and settled in to wait outside. Lost in her thoughts, Meena's phone suddenly buzzed with a message from Aoom, her heart fluttering at the sight of her name on the screen. "Can't wait to see you, hopefully they let us out early today :(" the message read, accompanied by a sad emoji.

Meena's smile faded slightly at Aoom's message, she quickly typed out a reply, "Aww, I hope so too! Hang in there, I'll be waiting for you <3," just as she was about to hit send, the sound of her Uber's arrival interrupted her. Meena glanced up, spotting the familiar vehicle pulling up to the curb. With a wistful sigh, she sent off the message to Aoom before tucking her phone away and heading towards the waiting car.

Aoom had let her a key in the lobby of the building, grateful for the gesture, Meena grabbed it and made her way to Aoom's apartment. Entering the unfamiliar space, Meena glanced around curiously, taking in her surroundings. The apartment felt cozy and inviting, yet distinctly Aoom's.

As Meena stepped further into the apartment, she was greeted by the comforting scent of home. It was a scent she found strangely familiar, a blend of spices and warmth that enveloped her in a sense of belonging. Setting down her carry-on on the receiver, Meena took a moment to breathe it all in before making her way to explore. She ventured towards what she hoped was the washroom, her tired muscles yearning for the soothing embrace of hot water.

As she turned on the faucet, steam began to fill the room, enveloping her in a comforting haze. Stepping into the shower, Meena let out a contented sigh as the warm water cascaded over her skin, washing away the fatigue of her long journey. With each droplet that fell, she felt the tension melting away, leaving her feeling rejuvenated and alive.

Lost in the sensation of the water against her skin, Meena's mind wandered, thoughts drifting to Aoom and the evening ahead. She couldn't help but smile at the idea of cooking for her, wanting to prepare something delicious and fulfilling to welcome her home. Exiting the shower, Meena felt a surge of energy as she began to plan out the dinner.

Meena was putting the finishing touches on the table, when the door made a soft click, drawing her attention. Turning around, she was greeted by the sight of Aoom entering with a small bouquet of flowers in her hand. Setting down what she was doing, she hurried over to Aoom, feeling her worries melt away at her sight.

With an instinctive pull, Meena wrapped her arms around Aoom, pulling her close in a tight hug. She could feel Aoom's tension dissolve as they embraced, and with a contented sigh, Meena leaned into Aoom's embrace, her body molding perfectly against Aoom's as if they were two halves of a whole. In that moment, all the uncertainties and anxieties that had plagued them seemed to vanish, replaced by a profound sense of peace, and belonging.