Chapter 28: Little Steps
"Hold on" Khushi's legs halted in the doorway, and she looked at Arnav with questioning eyes.
"What?" She asked Arnav who was already inside his room while she waited at the door.
"Shh. No questions. Just stand right there" Arnav said, making Khushi more confused, and she watched in silence as Arnav opened a drawer and pulled out something.
It was a camera.
"Arnav, what's going on?" She asked, looking dubiously at the camera.
"I want to capture this moment. You're entering in my room for the first time" Arnav's reply was unabashed and followed by a heartwarming smile.
He looked boyish, Khushi thought. She also thought it was really sweet of him, and keeping in mind everything that they had gone through, Arnav's love seemed to be unaltered, unmoved. Khushi didn't know if she was more grateful or more overwhelmed.
"Stop overthinking everything and smile" Arnav's words made Khushi leave her thoughts behind, and she flashed her brightest smile at him. Arnav positioned the camera and then the click sound followed.
"Alright! Come on in now" He said, replacing the camera in the same drawer.
When he turned back towards her, Khushi couldn't help but plant a quick kiss on his cheek. Arnav was taken surprised for a second.
"What was that for?" He asked, his fingers reaching up to the spot she had kissed.
"For everything" Khushi answered, looking at him deeply, still unable to believe that Arnav had accepted her love. He had accepted her with all her mistakes. He had forgiven her. It all seemed too easy to be real. The feeling still had to settle in.
"Where does your mind keep wandering to?" She heard him ask, and shook her head.
"Nothing. I can't believe I am here. In your room. With you" She exclaimed, looking around. Arnav seemed to understand what she meant.
"Same here" His words were softly spoken and Khushi looked at him. She realized that he too must have some things on his mind.
"Should we talk about it?" She asked him but Arnav shook his head.
"You're here. That's all that matters. You're the answer to all my questions, Khushi" Arnav replied, and she could see it in his eyes that he meant every word of it.
How did she get so lucky?
"Say it again for me" He asked her, stepping towards her.
She knew what he meant.
"I love you" She said the words looking straight into his eyes.
"Will you keep loving me?" Khushi was perplexed by the question but the answer was on her tongue.
"Forever" Khushi replied, bringing his hand upon her chest.
"These heartbeats are only for you, Arnav. That day, when Akash's father pointed his gun towards you, I felt these heartbeats stopping. If something had happened to you, trust me, I would have gladly stepped in front of that gun and taken the next shot" Khushi's words were full of passion and Arnav didn't doubt them for a second.
He knew she could have done it. She had already suffered for him. She had defied Girish Sharma by not giving him the papers he wanted.
As Arnav thought about the papers, the thought of Akash followed up.
"I want to marry Payal, Bhai"
Akash'swords were still in Arnav's head, and he didn't know how to broach the topic Khushi.
Was it too early for him to ask Khushi about this? He had just gotten her back. What if this step sets his relationship backtrack? Could he afford that? Arnav knew Khushi disliked Akash.
In fact, dislike was a mild word. Judging by what Akash had done to Khushi and Payal, Arnav wouldn't be surprised if Khushi walked out the front door at the first mention of the topic.
So, he decided to be silent about it for now. He can discuss this with Khushi after Akash was healed and back on his foot.
So, Arnav took Khushi's hands in his and said,
"I love you" Khushi's face glowed brighter, hearing him say the words again.
"Now, I should really go and take a bath. Will you be fine being all by yourself in the room? Feel free to snoop around!" Arnav said, and Khushi laughed.
"Go. Have your bath. You really do need it" She replied, stepping away from him.
"What? Are you saying that I smell?" Arnav asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Khushi giggled as she nodded her head.
"Fine. I'll give you that. I do smell" Arnav said, smelling his vest.
"A bath is what I need" He continued, shrugging off the jacket and then undoing his vest.
Khushi watched with widened eyes as he smirked and then his fingers moved to his shirt, undoing the buttons one by one.
"What are you doing?" Khushi asked, her cheeks heating as she watched his perfect chest beginning to show.
"I prefer bathing without my clothes on. How do you bathe?" Arnav asked, his smirk clear indication of what was going on inside his head. He was purposely trying to embarrass her.
Khushi exhaled slowly as Arnav undid all the buttons of his shirt. His magnificent, sculpted chest was playing peek-a-boo with her eyes. Khushi averted her gaze as Arnav finally shrugged off the shirt, discarding it on the bed in one throw.
"I don't start undressing myself when I have company" Khushi replied, trying her best to not have a peek.
"We shall remedy that in near future" She heard Arnav say, his voice sounding closer than he was earlier.
She reminded herself to breathe as his words sent a shiver down her body.
She felt his hands touch her arms, and then slowly travel up, reaching to her shoulders. Her back was almost touching his front body.
"What do you say?" Arnav asked, his voice deeply enticing and Khushi's hands fisted the sides of her kurta.
She could now feel her heart hammering wildly against its cage. She realized she wouldn't be able to let out a single word, let alone form a sentence as his hands once again travelled down the length of her arms and his lips landed on the exposed skin of her neck.
Her breath hitched in response, while a contented sound left her mouth. She almost let out a moan of pleasure as his lips trailed slowly all over the exposed skin.
Khushi realised she wanted more of it. At more places of her body. So, she quickly turned to face him and noticed the heat in his eyes. He wanted the same thing she wanted. But then, a smirk appeared on his face, and he stepped back.
"Later!" He dropped the word which was coated with smugness, his eyes daring her to interject.
She didn't.
Instead, she losed a long breath she didn't know she had been holding and flashed him a smile.
"I was going to say the same" She replied and watched how Arnav chuckled softly, well aware that she was lying. Both had wanted more. But, Khushi was glad that he was taking things slow. The slow burn was cruel but it will be worth it.
"I'll be done in ten minutes" He said to her and Khushi watched his perfect chest walking away from her. How badly she wanted to touch it, feel the muscles, place soft kisses on them!
Take it slow, Khushi Kumari Gupta! She told herself, nodding distractedly at him.
Arnav was gone and Khushi finally cared to look around the room.
The room had walls painted in grey colour and the curtains were dark blue. The bed was large but apart from the expensive and inviting looking mattress, it was modest in design.
There were no posters. The walls were empty, but the room had a serene air around it.
Khushi's heart was flooded with warmth when she noticed a photo frame sitting on his night stand. It was her picture. She wondered where did he get it and when did he place it here. She'll ask him later about it.
Khushi was still looking around when she noticed the sliding door that opened into a poolside. Deciding to check it out, Khushi was about to take a step towards it when she heard a phone ringing in the room. It was Arnav's phone, she realized.
She followed the sound and found it in Arnav's jacket. It was Aman calling.
A smile appeared on Khushi's face as she realized she hadn't talked to Aman for a long time. Even at the hospital, she hadn't had a chance to talk to him. She had to thank him for coming to their help at Girish Sharma's house with the police. She wondered for a second if she should receive the phone as Aman was calling on Arnav's phone.
But, getting over her hesitation she received the phone.
"Hey, ASR! Do you remember the last time we met and I told you that there is no equation between Payal and me? Forget all of that! I think I am going crazy. Today, Aakriti and I spent the entire afternoon with Payal and now I can't seem to get Payal out of my head. You wouldn't believe me, hell, even I don't believe myself but I think...I think that I like Payal. Aakriti loves her. And Payal? She is so good with Aakriti. All these years, I avoided dating women because I didn't know if Aakriti would be compatible with them. But, with Payal, everything fits, you know? And if you'rethinking that how did all of this happen all of a sudden, it did not. This was happening for some time now but I didn't want to acknowledge it. But today, after I dropped Payal home, Aakriti and I reached home and do you know what was the first thing Aakriti said to me? She said, "Can Miss Payal come and live with us? I really want her to live with us so that we can have so much fun all the time. This is crazy, right? I mean I don't know what to do about this. I freaked out, so I thought I should call you. What do you think I should do?"
Khushi heard every word with a shocked face, unable to say a single word.
Aman likes her Jeeji? When and where did this happen? Khushi could feel her brain going in overdrive.
"ASR? Will you say something? I am stressing out here" Aman's words were panicked and Khushi realized she hadn't spoken a word.
So, she tried to control her haywire thoughts.
"It's Khushi, Aman sir" she said in the phone, unsure what more to say, while her brain was still processing the latest development.
"What? How is that..Khushi? Payal's sister, Khushi? Khushi Kumari Gupta?" Aman's words were equally shocked and dazed and Khushi realized he was as shaken as she was.
"Yes, Aman Sir. Arnav is having a bath..so..I received his phone. I am sorry. I wanted to thank you for coming to my help. Also, for staying with my parents and making sure they were okay" Khushi replied, while all she wanted to do was ask Aman more about how he met her Jeeji and if he really liked her.
"Oh.Um..You're welcome, Khushi. Uh, no. I mean you don't have to thank me for that. I wanted to help in any way I could" Aman replied, his voice still sounding disoriented. Khushi herself felt the same. But, her surprise was now slowly morphing into a happily surprised state.
Khushi realized that, if everything she just heard Aman say was indeed true, and if there was even a slight chance that Payal liked Aman back, all of it this could go very well.
She was still wondering what more to say when Aman said further,
"You're with ASR? Did you two talk things through?"
Khushi could see that Aman was trying to change the topic; he was clearly baffled and uncomfortable by having spilled things to her. Khushi couldn't blame him. She should have interrupted him when he started speaking about Payal, but she was too taken aback.
Now, for Aman's comfort, Khushi decided not to ask any questions at the moment. She can ask Arnav about this.
"Yes, Aman sir. We talked. Everything is okay" She replied.
"You don't have to call me sir any more, Khushi. You are no longer working at the office" Aman said, a nervous and forced laugh.
"Okay, sir" Khushi replied.
Amanl aughed for real this time and when the laugh died down, silence spread on the phone. Khushi wondered if she should disconnect now.
"I'll let Arnav know that you called, Aman sir...I mean Aman" Khushi said.
"Sure. Thank you" Aman said. Khushi could feel that he too was wondering if he should say more.
"Bye, Khushi" He finally said and Khushi nodded her head, while saying bye.
She placed the phone on Arnav's bed and sat down on the edge, thoughts churning in her head.
Aman liked her Jeeji. Wasn't this a good thing? Khushi decided she'll have to talk to Payal and find out if Payal liked Aman. And she'll have to talk to Arnav. She was sure that together Arnav, and she could make the best of the situation and make sure Payal finds her happiness.
With that thought, a smile appeared on Khushi's face. Things were indeed getting better.
Khushi was still thinking that when she heard the door of the bathroom unlocking and Arnav appeared wearing a green t-shirt and a black trouser.
"Disappointed to see me dressed?" Arnav asked his voice full of playfulness.
"You wish" Khushi replied, roving her gaze on his freshly bathed body, water droplets shinning in his hair, his face rubbed clean, and the clothes fitting snugly to his form.
Arnav's laugh was sensuous. Khushi had missed that sound.
"Amma and Babuji want to meet you" she said, still staring at his face, wanting to touch those perfect features.
Arnav straightened his face into a serious mode when he heard the words.
"Is everything okay?" He asked her, reaching her and standing close by.
"Yes, yes. Everything is perfect" Khushi couldn't help but smile.
"They just want to thank you properly. Make you sit with them, have some dinner!" Khushi continued, gauging Arnav's reactions.
"Are you asking me out, Khushi Kumari Gupta?" Arnav answered, looking at her face which had coloured up.
"Of course not!" She replied, embarrassed that he would think that.
"No? Well, I was hoping you would" Arnav said, making Khushi realize he was pulling her leg.
She hugged him instantly, hiding her face in his chest.
"Stop making fun of me" She whined.
"I am not. I'd really love to have dinner with you and your family" Arnav answered, his hands holding her close.
He sensed Khushi smiling against his chest. Everything was really perfect. Except one thing!
"There's something I have to.." Arnav began, wanting to ask Khushi about Akash.
"Oh, before I forget, Aman Sir called" Khushi's happy declaration cut short Arnav'sown words.
"Oh? What did he say?" Arnav asked.
"You're not going to believe what he said" Khushi smiled brightly, looking at Arnav's face.
"I'll take a guess and say it was something about us? Was he calling to ask if I had a talk with you? He's been pushing me to come and see you" Arnav answered but Khushi shook her head, her smile still in place.
"Well yes, he did ask that but that was not why he called. Actually, he called on your phone but since you were in the bathroom, I thought I should receive the phone and thank him for everything. But, he didn't realize it was me. And he said that he LIKES Jeeji" Khushi announced excitedly.
But, her excitement was short-lived when she noticed the shocked look on Arnav's face that slowly changed into disquiet.
"But Aman and Payal are just friends" Arnav said, his face still disbelieving.
"No. That's what I am saying. Aman Sir called and he said he likes Jeeji. I was shocked too. But, now that I am thinking about it, this is perfect! Aman Sir is such a wonderful person. I wish they get married" Khushi went on, expressing her joy, but Arnav was still too quiet.
It took Khushi another five seconds to notice that.
"What are you thinking about? I thought you'd be more excited than me. After all, Aman sir is your best friend. Is something wrong?" Khushi enquired, getting curious as to what was going on in Arnav's mind.
"Akash wants to marry Payal" Arnav realized there was no way he could cushion the blow. And he was right. All excitement and happiness drained from Khushi's face as he finished his words and anger filled Khushi's face.
"Do you realize what you're saying, Arnav?" Khushi asked, stepping away from Arnav, her face outraged.
Arnav immediately realized the harm that was going to occur if he did not handle this properly.
"I am not saying this, Khushi. I am just telling you what Akash told me this morning. This morning, I went to see Aman, and he told me that he and Payal are just friends. Then, I went to see Akash who is so crushed and weak. Akash begged me to arrange a meeting with Payal. He wants to see Payal. He wants to apologize for all his mistakes, and he wants to have a life with Payal and his child. He told me he wants to marry Payal" Arnav explained, eager to wipe the resentment that was dripping from Khushi's face.
"And what did you tell him?" Khushi asked. Her question was not one question. It was full of several other questions; Arnav could see that on her face.
"I told him I will talk to Payal. The meeting will take place only if Payal is willing" Arnav replied, his tone calm ands oothing. But, it did not have the same effect on Khushi.
"How can you say that, Arnav? Do you really plan to talk to Jeeji about this? I am sorry but Jeeji is NEVER meeting Akash. You don't know Akash. He has already manipulated her enough. He wants to do the same once again. I am sorry but I do not trust him. And, did you even pause to think that how it will affect Jeeji when she learns about this whole thing? She would be distressed once again" Khushi exclaimed, her voice loud and her eyes angry.
It was the first time Arnav was seeing Khushi this way. He had seen her happy, sad, even scared, but the anger part was the first.
"Calm down, Khushi. Do you think I don't care about Payal? I do. She's your sister and the mother of Akash's child. I care a lot more than you think. And Akash has changed. I know you might not believe it, but I saw the way he talked, the things he said. He really wants to make amends. And he is not asking for much. Just one meeting with Payal! Payal can meet Akash herself and tell him herself whatever she feels. In fact, she can tell him that she doesn't want to marry him and after that I'll make sure Akash stays out of her way. But, Payal does need to meet Akash once. If for nothing else, then for her own closure!" Arnav tried to reason but Khushi's facial expressions didn't change.
"You don't know, Arnav! You don't know the things he said to Jeeji, the things he said to me. Things like that don't get erased just because Akash wants them to. And I can understand why you want to give Akash a chance. He saved your life..."
"I want to give him a chance because he is my BROTHER, Khushi"
"And Jeeji is my sister, Arnav" Khushi retorted back, hating that she had to make Arnav see these things. Why doesn't he understand? She cannot trust Akash. No one in her family can.
"Payal should be allowed to make her own decisions" Arnav finally stated and Khushi's eyes widened at his words. Was he suggesting that he would talk to Payal despite her disapproval?
"What are you trying to say, Arnav?" Khushi asked him.
"I am saying that you do not get to make choices for everyone, Khushi. Just like you made your choice for me when you decided you couldn't trust me with your secret. Did you do that because you thought I was Akash's brother and I would side with him? Or did you do that because it was so damn easy for you to fool me than to tell me the truth?" Words sharper than arrow heads passed through Khushi's heart while Arnav realized what he just said.
"I thought I am here and that's all that matters" Khushi quoted his words, hurt and her eyes tearing up. She couldn't believe Arnav was accusing her of such things after saying none of that mattered to him.
Arnav, on the other hand, felt awful. He thought that none of the past issues mattered to him but now the words had slipped out, and he realized that maybe somewhere deep down he was still hurt by what Khushi had done. She had faked loving him. For days, weeks and months! While his feelings had been purely genuine.
He didn't blame her for it. He understood her reasons. He had forgiven her. But, it still hurt. He still hadn't forgotten. Yet, this wasn't the right way to deal with it.
He loves Khushi. She loves him. She loves him for real. It's no longer a fake love. She has told him that her love was genuine too.
"I am sorry, Khushi. I didn't mean what I just said. I love you, and I am trying my best to forget everything else" Arnav apologized, his face full of remorse.
Khushi blinked back her tears. She knew she deserved these words. The road to forgiveness is a slow and bumpy one. She cannot just declare her love to him and expect him to magically forget everything.
"It's okay, Arnav. I know you need time to move past everything and until you do, I'll keep loving you" Khushi replied and Arnav closed the space between them in quick strides.
He cupped her cheeks in his hand and said.
"I don't need time. I am sorry for what I said. It won't happen again. You love me. That's all I need" Then, he brought down his lips upon hers, kissing her slowly.
Khushi's heart fluttered at his words, and she could feel it in his kiss that he was trying his best. And he loves her.
They will get there. Even if slowly and with little hurdles in the way, Khushi could see that her love with Arnav will last forever. She will make sure of that because she wasn't ready to settle for anything less.
She kissed him back, giving him her own reply that she loved him too. After a while, when they pulled away, Khushi looked at him. His eyes were full of love for her. She cannot trust Akash. But, she trusts Arnav. He will not do anything that will hurt her or her Jeeji.
"If this is what you really want, I'll ask Jeeji if she wants to meet Akash one last time. I trust you" She said, making Arnav bring up a palm to her cheek and caress it.
"Thank you" He replied, and Khushi leaned into his touch.
"But, I still believe Aman Sir is the better choice for Jeeji" She replied.
Arnav nodded his head, unsure how this was going to affect Akash. He didn't want his brother to go negative again.
He'll have to make sure the news doesn't take too much out of Akash's newly gained sanity.
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