Khushi blinked. Was he serious? When Arnav's face didn't show any face of mockery Khushi felt her stomach flip. In a good way.
"You want to go on a date with me?" she confirmed.
"I'm certainly not asking the cat" Arnav chuckled.
Khushi blushed "Of course" she murmured "Tonight?"
Arnav nodded "Why not?"
Khushi bit her lip "Well the thing is..I haven't ever been on a date so I never actually bought a dress for the occasion..." she trailed off uncomfortably.
"No problem" Arnav said "I've bought you a dress and it's on your bed. I'm going to go freshen up and then we'll go. Don't take too long"
He turned and left. Khushi gaped after him. Well then!
************************************
The dress was both simple and beautiful. It was a lovely shade of light pink that ended just below her knees. It was a fit and flare type of dress. Khushi loved it. She admired herself in front of the mirror hanging off the wall. She took out the lip gloss she had packed and hoped Arnav would like the way she looked.
Though Khushi had only known Arnav for a day or so, she had come to really like him. He was both so handsome and mysterious. There was this dark glow about him that she couldn't put into words. There was this dark aura around him that made her both want him and beware of him.
That's when she remembered that Arnav knew she had named the cat after him. She frowned. She hadn't really told him so how did he know?
A knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts.
"Khushi? Are you ready?" came Arnav's voice.
"Just a second" Khushi replied.Giving herself one last look, she opened the door and smiled at him. She twirled in a circle "How do I look?"
His eyes darkened as he assessed her from top to bottom "Good" he muttered.
Khushi's face fell. Only good? Though she hadn't really been expecting him to praise her excessively, she had been hoping to get something out of him better than a 'good'.
"Ready to go?" he said.
Khushi put on a small smile "Yeah"
************************************
Arnav could sense her sadness. No matter what she thought she couldn't hide it behind that fake smile.
He wondered if perhaps he was the cause. He didn't think he said or did anything wrong. Arnav gave her a quick glance. She was right beside him in the car looking out the window with a neutral face. He wanted to read her mind but knew that wouldn't be right. She deserved her privacy.
Khushi looked ravishingly in that dress. It made him regret ever buying it. Maybe this date wasn't such a good idea, he thought. After all he barely knew her. Besides, he wasn't planning on letting her live in his house forever. He just hoped he would keep his hands off her. Arnav didn't want Khushi to think he was some sort of pervert.
That thought made him remember that she had run away from home. He wondered why. Arnav glanced at her again. She was a mystery and Arnav loved mysteries.
He would figure everything out and would not even have to read her mind.
************************************
"We're here" Arnav said stopping the car.
Khushi looked around. Weird, she thought. All the years she had lived in Manderville and she had never seen this club. Khushi read the name : Night Lovers.
She glanced at Arnav. Well he sure did seem to be a night lover. Arnav smiled at her and gave her his arm "Shall we?"
Khushi put her hand on his arm "Of course"
Arnav seemed to notice her uneasiness when he realized how stiff she was "What's wrong?"
Khushi shrugged "It's just I've never seen this club before"
He chuckled "Let's just say it randomly shows up"
If only Khushi had known how true those words were...
************************************
All eyes were on Khushi. She felt very uneasy. She clutched Arnav's arm tightly. In response Arnav patted her hand and glared at every person staring at her. Once they met Arnav's gaze they immediately looked away.
Sensing that, Khushi relaxed slightly. Arnav had her seated at a nice secluded table. He gestured to the bartender. When the bartender came over,Arnav asked Khushi "What would you like?"
"Just a soft drink please"
Arnav looked at the bartender "Get me what I usually take and her an orange juice"
The bartender raised an eyebrow "Orange juice?"
Arnav scowled "Yes. It's when you squeeze an orange and add some sugar into it"
The bartender frowned "Fine" and then he left.
Arnav smiled at Khushi "How are you finding the club?"
"It's nice" Khushi said softly "I like the decor"
And she was honest. The club had a modern touch to it. A look that you would expect in a city. There were small chandeliers above every table and scented candles. The furniture looked very expensive. The walls were a gentle shade of blue and the floor covered in lovely tiles. In fact she wondered how the ladies wearing heels on the dance floor hadn't broken any of them.
Arnav leaned back in his chair, relaxed "Tell me about yourself"
"Well there's not really much to tell" she shrugged "My name is Khushi Kumari Gupta. I completed my education. I was born here in Manderville. My parents died when I was young so my custody went to my mother's sister and her husband"
"Why did you run away?"
Khushi looked at him "I thought you wouldn't ask since that's personal"
Arnav smiled "Curiosity can get the best of people"
Khushi looked away "I..um..well..the thing is-" she hesitated.
Arnav shook his head "Forget it. I'll wait until you're more comfortable with me" he looked around "Where is the bartender with our drinks" he looked at Khushi "Stay here and don't talk to anybody"
Before Khushi could say another word, Arnav disappeared. She frowned at his back. Really? Don't talk to anyone? What was she? A child?
However, not even a minute had passed before a man covered in black took Arnav's seat. He grinned devilishly at her "Hey sweet cheeks"
Khushi stared at him bewildered but decided to follow instructions and didn't say a word. He grabbed her hand "Soft just as I had imagined"
Khushi snatched her hand back "Who are you?" Well there goes that rule.
"A friend? A lover? A hypnotist? Whatever you want" he winked.
Khushi leaned back in her seat "Sorry but not interested"
He frowned "You're interested in that Arnav? That brood? But not me?" he leaned towards her "What is he best in? Pleasure in bed or in your veins?"
"Rohit" came Arnav's voice full of steel. The bartender stood behind him with the drinks in his hands "Get away from her.She's mine"
Rohit smirked "And what sort of claim have you put on her?"
"That's my business. Now out!"
"No" he said stubbornly.
The bartender placed the drinks on the table "Look mate" he said in a heavy southern accent "We want no trouble here. Let the chap take his spot with the lady or you hit the doors"
Rohit leaned back and shrugged carelessly "No"
"Then hit the doors it is" In a fluid motion Arnav picked up Rohit and threw him towards the exit doors.
Khushi gasped, getting up from her seat. That must have hurt really bad. However as if it hadn't affected him, Rohit got up and charged at him but luckily two muscular guards caught him.
"Out with him lads" the bartender said.
The guards nodded and took him out while Rohit kept swearing.
The bartender left. Arnav took his seat "Your orange juice" he said giving her the glass.
Khushi stared at him shocked "How can you act so cool after all that happened"
He shrugged "Nothing out of the ordinary. You'll get used to it"
Khushi frowned "Are you telling me you get into meaningless fights?"
"Only when I'm bored," he said casually.
Khushi scowled "That's not right!" she said "You're acting as if you only live to waste time"
"I do"
Khushi finished her juice "I want to go home"
"Fine"
****************************
So did this mean they just had their first argument? Khushi wondered.
She looked at Arnav who was looked straight ahead "It's not my fault" he suddenly said.
"Well it's not mine either" Khushi said crossing her arms against her chest.
Arnav sighed "Look let's forget this ever happened and have a proper date tomorrow"
Khushi nodded "Alright"
Even she wanted a redo. Arnav smiled and stopped the car in front of the mansion "Good night"
Khushi frowned "Aren't you coming inside?"
He shook his head "I have some...business to attend to.See you tomorrow evening"
"Oh okay" Khushi said "Good night"
He nodded "Good night"
****************************
It was dark. Khushi couldn't see anything. It was cold. So cold.
Suddenly she heard a growl. Khushi gasped and turned around. Fiery red eyes glowed at her. Khushi screamed.
The glow of his eyes showed her something shiny. His fangs.
"No!" Khushi cried as she ran as far as she could.
Suddenly he leaped on her crushing her to the ground. He pulled her hair and let out another growl before diving down and...
****************************
Khushi sat up completely awake now. She gasped loudly and looked around. It wasn't dark at all. In fact the sun was peeking through her curtains. Phew. She was in her room at the mansion.
Khushi ran her hand through her hair "Just a dream" she whispered.
Suddenly something soft and furry nudged her. Khushi looked at it startled and then relaxed "Oh it's just you Arnav" she said petting the small cat "Where were you last night hmmm?"
The cat meowed in response and purred against her.
Khushi smiled "Time to get ready for a new day"
****************************
Once Khushi had finished brushing her teeth and taking a shower, she went down to the kitchen with Arnav, the cat, on her heels.
She made tea for herself and set warm milk for Arnav which he had drunk thirstily. Khushi looked out the window and noticed something.
Not something, but someone. Not someone, but a whole army.
A whole army of police officers and Shyam Manohar Jha was one of them.
For PMs please buddy me at KhushiPM.
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