My Childhood Sweetheart [AR - Sequel]

♫ 5. The Wrong Impression ♫

Armaan, Riddhima, and Khushi were about to get inside the elevator when Rahul came up from the stairs, huffing and puffing for breath after climbing the 14 flights of stairs. Not having the breath to speak, he waved his hands to signal not to get on the elevator.

"Did you forget we have an elevator?" Armaan questioned.

Rahul placed on his hands on his hips and in between sharp inhales and exhales, explained the matter. "I know that! You seem to forget the media."

Armaan groaned, "Are you serious? How do they find out?"

"That's their job, pal." Rahul answered, "We'll take the back way, come on. I already asked your security to clear out the area."

Armaan spoke otherwise, "No, it's fine. You get them through the back. I'll go down the elevator."

Rahul shrugged his shoulders, "Your death wish."

Nevertheless, Armaan got in the elevator. He didn't feel right sneaking out, even though he was in no mood to face the paparazzi this early in the morning when the sun had barely come up. He only cared about getting Riddhima and Khushi to the car without being hounded by them, and so decided to take that on himself.

Rahul nudged them, "Come on," towards the stairs. Thank the God it was effortless to go down the stairs compared to coming up.

Khushi asked him, "Is it always like this?"

"Sort of." Rahul answered, "I hated it at first. I mean, I couldn't get to my own apartment in one piece, you know? But then you learn how to deal with them. And, let's just say they've learned to leave me alone – thanks to Muski."

All three chuckled at that, for they knew Muskaan had her own talented manner on dealing with people who bothered her. She could go full on banshee on them.

He texted Armaan's driver to get him from the front while he drove Riddhima and Khushi out of the garage where he had parked his car. Meanwhile, Armaan got ready to face the crowd.

"Armaan, you're going home after long. How do you feel?"

"How long do you plan on stretching this vacation?"

"Lately you've been staying on the low, Armaan. Any reasons?"

"When is your next song going to come out?"

"We've heard you're dating Anjali Batra, the model. Care to comment on that?"

"Is it true that you're leaving the industry?"

He could just laugh at all the questions. Where do they get some of the ideas from? His security worked on getting him through the crowd and to the car. He motioned for them to wait on opening the back door as he turned to the cameras.

"I love you all, really. But aren't you all sleepy? I know I am." A few chuckled while others were in no nonsense mood and tried to fire questions again. He held up a hand towards them and continued, "Sorry guys, I have a flight to catch. I'd stay and answer your questions otherwise, but you're free to get a hold of my manager for some answers. One for the road: no, I am not quitting. Singing and composing is a passion and I'll continue on that as long as I am able to. Now... check my social media for vacation pics. Ciao."

He slipped inside the car and the driver knew to start moving instantly and not stop till they reached the airport. He texted Rahul to just go straight to the airport in case some of the media followed him to the airport.

Rahul informed, "He'll meet you guys inside."

"Thanks Rahul." Riddhima said, for he seemed to be going out of his way to help them.