Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Fateful Fall

"Khushi... I... I" He continued, his voice shaky as he slowly started filling the small distance between them.

"I know this would be too early to ask you this and I wouldn't be surprised if you deny me this, Khushi. But, I... I can't avoid myself from asking you this" He said in the same shaky voice as he filled all the distance and wrapped his hands around her waist, making a gasp originate and die in her throat.

"And I want you to know, Khushi that I am not asking this in return for what I did today..this dinner. This is something I have always regretted so far and I just want to make this perfect" He continued as his gaze lingered on Khushi's parted lips and she knew what he meant.

"Khushi...Ca... Can I finish what I had started the last time you wore this saree?" He asked, his eyes firmly in level with hers,his heartbeats in sync with hers, his lips as quivering as hers.

The question put Khushi in a dilemma.

Everything had been perfect so far and she knew she wouldn't have objected to the kiss had he not asked her and went ahead with it.

But now that he had made the question, she couldn't find the voice in her throat.

Was this the effect of the havoc his fingers were creating on her bare waist or was it the smell of his cologne?

Something in the air was hampering her reply.

She was afraid that the words would break this magical web which was woven around them.

Was she ready for this?

No, she didn't know...!!!

She really didn't know. This sudden downpour of happiness seemed too good to be real.

What if this fades tomorrow?

What if he once again refuses to believe her?

Will she repent this kiss later?

No, this was not the time..!!!

Maybe some other day.

Maybe some other time.

As Khushi was tangled in her own insecurities, Arnav could read the dilemma in her eyes. The eyes which had held gleam in them now held turmoil.

He could read all of it.

Swallowing the painful lump in his throat, he allowed her fingers to let go of her waist.

"Good night, Khushi" He replied with a forced smile and walked two steps away from her.

What was he even thinking? How could he be so desperate?

She had already told him she needs time.

She wasn't ready for this.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have ask.. Good night, Khushi" He said again, his voice small and whispering and he turned to leave when he felt the tugging at his wrist.

He once again turned to look at Khushi and noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"Khushi, it's okay..Do not feel bad about it. I understand..I really..." He continued without pause, while she continued to bridge the little gap and before he could say more, she held both his hands in hers and brought them to rest on her waist.

"I am learning to trust, Arnavji. Each second I waste is never going to come back to me, so I want to live the life to its fullest, with you" She replied, looking in his eyes which rapidly changed expressions.

"Khushi.." He pronounced her name as a question, as though confirming her words and she nodded with a blush creeping up in her cheeks.

With the acceptance, he once again tightened his igneous fingers around her soft waist and held her close to himself, savouring the touch in his memory.

She softly closed her eyes as he leaned in towards her, angling his face so as to bring his lips against hers.

As their lips touched, fireworks went loose in their bodies, blurring the surroundings. The only thing they could feel was the softness of two different lips being brushed against each other.

It was a feel too heavenly to be put in words.

Khushi instinctively wrapped her one hand around his waist while her other hand made its way to his hair where she leisurely ran her fingers to feel the softness in them.

Arnav nibbled her lower lip, taking it between his own lips and softly grazing them with his teeth.

As he swept his rough and hot tongue against the fullness of those lips, a moan escaped Khushi's mouth.

"I love you, Khushi" He murmured against her lips before capturing her upper lip and licking it with a growing passion.

In answer, Khushi reciprocated the kiss with equal fervour making him groan with her tentative kissing skills.

The basic need of oxygen hampered their growing passion and they pulled apart with a loud gasp.

Arnav rested his forehead against hers and took in long,veasy breaths, allowing his own heartbeats to slow down.

As for Khushi, she clutched his shirt material over his shoulder and exhaled inhaled.

Her heart almost lurched out of the ribcage as she felt his arms once again snaking around her waist and he swept her off the ground in one quick attempt.

Khushi stopped breathing in anticipation as he carried her to the bed and softly dropped her in it.

"Arnavji" She whispered his name as he caressed her cheek with his thumb and she closed her eyes.

"Shh..! Khushi. No words tonight" His husky voice replied, while his thumb made its way to her swollen lips and caressed away the wetness which lingered there.

His own heart thudded violently as he cupped her cheeks and once again touched her lips with his, this time with tenderness beyond description.

The small kiss lasted for ten seconds as he pulled away and whispered a husky good night in her ears. Then he stepped away from the bed.

"Go to sleep. I have work" He replied to her questioning gaze and she nodded briefly.

"Arnavji" He heard her say as he turned his back to her and reached to the recliner to take his laptop.

"Yes?" He asked, turning back at her.

"I loved the dinner" She replied with a smile.

"Even I did. The dinner and the...dessert" He answered with a smile and Khushi blushed profusely.

"What? Those sugar free jalebis were indeed tasty. Though they would have tasted better if they would have been prepared by you" He continued with the same smile.

"I...I..I'll just come" She replied in a changed tone and quickly climbed down the bed.

"To where?" Arnav asked as she headed towards the door.

"I forgot to check whether Di had her dinner or not. She even needs to take her medicines" She explained and Arnav wondered how that was related with his talking about the dessert.

"Okay, come soon. I am waiting" He replied and she nodded.

~~***~~

"I understand your excitement Raani Sahiba but please walk carefully." Shyam whispered in Anjali's ear as he led her towards the stairs, his hands covering her eyes and Anjali smiled to it.

"Look who's talking. It was you who forced me out of bed at this hour of night and now you say I am excited?" Anjali said with an amused smile as Shyam continued to guide her towards the stairs.

"What do I do l, Raani Sahiba? Khushiji messaged me that she has planned a surprise for you in the hall and she instantly wants you downstairs. Now how can I miss watching the surprise for my Raani Sahiba?" asked Shyam with a malicious glint in his eyes while his lips shaped into a crooked smile.

"Of course not. I wonder what Khushiji has planned?" replied Anjali, unaware of the ill thoughts running in her husband's mind.

"We are almost there. Here starts the stairs. Be careful, Raani Sahiba" Shyam said, his eyes fixed on the oil he had poured on the stairs.

"Really Sorry, Khushiji, but I'll have to hold you responsible for this" Shyam thought as Anjali placed her leg on the first step of the stairs.

"And here we go" Shyam exclaimed mentally as Anjali placed her leg on the second step and then followed a loud scream which echoed in the silence of the night.

"Di?" Khushi's panicked voice reached Anjali's ears who could see nothing but darkness engulfing her senses.

"Di..." Khushi screamed again and lurched forward to grab Anjali's shocked body which now swayed to and fro while Anjali's eyes were fixed on the floor where Shyam lay in a pool of blood.

"Shyamji.. Help him" Anjali's voice came as a soft whisper as her eyes closed and she fainted in Khushi's arms, horror-struck with the sight.

"I am sorry, Di" Khushi murmured under her breath, supporting the unconscious frame of Anjali in her arms and screamed in a loud voice,

"Arnavji.. Help..!"

~~***~~

Arnav had hardly logged in his official email id to check the mails when a loud thud voice reached his ears, making him alert.

Khushi was the first name which occurred to his mind.

She had gone out to check on Di.

What if she's hurt?

As the thought travelled to his mind, his throat constricted with sudden worry and he instantly got up from the recliner.

He was still walking towards the source of the sound when Khushi's voice reached him.

She was shouting for help.

His heartbeats crossed all barriers and he almost ran in the direction.

The scene which lay in front of him befuddled him for a second.

His own room being on the first floor, he walked to the stairs and found a panicking Khushi staring downstairs while the limp frame of Anjali was supported in her arms.

To know the root cause of the situation, Arnav's eyes followed Khushi's gaze and in the dim light of the hall, he could see Shyam lying at the end of the stairs, yelping in pain while blood was pooling around his body.

Before he could think or make a move, the lights in the hall brightened and he could see the family gathering in the hall.

"Damadji?" Manorama Mami shrieked while Akash hurried towards Shyam's body.

Out of daze, Arnav lurched forward to Khushi's side and lifted Anjali in his arms.

"Anjali bitiya?" Naniji's concerned voice travelled up to Arnav as he climbed down the stairs and laid Anjali on the couch.

While Arnav and Khushi attended Anjali, Akash was busy dialling the Ambulance with Manorama and Devyani panicking to and fro between Anjali and Shyam.

"What happened to Di, Khushi?" Arnav asked, patting Anjali's cheek to bring her back to consciousness.

"Seeing Shyamji in blood, she fainted" Khushi replied, her eyes moistening seeing Arnav's frantic state.

The next hour was a blurry affair in Raizada Mansion as the doctor reached along with the Ambulance.

Anjali had regained consciousness after an injection while the doctor declared that Shyam wasn't badly injured.

His head was deeply hurt and the blood was because of it.

A lot of stitches with another week's bed rest was what he was advised.

~~***~~

"What exactly happened, Anjali bitiya?" Manorama inquired as the family was gathered in Anjali's room and Shyam was still under the effect of morphine while Anjali was staring at the pale face of him.

"I don't know, Mami. We were coming downstairs and suddenly Shyamji slipped. There was blood around his head. His..e..eyes..we..ere..closed...I was scared and I fainted. But someone held me steady. I don't remember" Anjali explained, her eyes watering once again.

"Khushi bitiya? How did you reach there? Do you know how it happened?" Naniji asked, snapping Khushi out of her reverie.

"I was out to check on Di, Nani. I visited the room but no one was here. As I reached the stairs, I found Di and Shyamji walking downstairs. I don't know how it happened but Shyamji slipped and Di was fainting. I was so scared I called her loudly and caught her before she could fall" Khushi explained with a sombre face while her eyes remained glued to her hands.

"Maybe jeeja ji can explain us, once he regains consciousness" Akash commented.

"All of you can go back to your rooms now. I'll stay with Anjali bitiya" Naniji said and the rest nodded without a word.

"Let's go, Khushi" Arnav addressed Khushi as others left and she continued staring at her hands, showing no sign of movement.

"Khushi?" Arnav repeated her name, slightly pressing her shoulder and she looked up at him, her eyes filled with sadness.

"Arnavji..I.."

"Shh.. Not now, Khushi" Arnav replied, and taking her palm in his, led her out of the way.

~~***~~

"I was so scared, Arnavji. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to hurt Di, or anyone" Khushi sobbed in Arnav's chest as he caressed her hair.

"He was smiling, Arnavji. His malicious smile. He wanted to hurt Di. As I noticed the oil shining on the stairs, I couldn't think of anything to stop Di from taking another step so I pushed him. I..pushed..him..Arnavji. with my own hands..! So much of blood..! Devi Maiya would never forgive me, Arnavji. But I was trying to save Di.." Khushi continued her slow rants, while Arnav was boiling within.

How dare that creep plan something so evil against his Di?

What if Khushi hadn't reached in time?

The thought alone haunted him.

This man had crossed all the limits.

He had tried to harm his own blood, his child.

There was no escaping this time.

Shyam was going to suffer the worst consequences for this.

Arnav Singh Raizada decided.

The body raking sobs of Khushi brought him out of his thoughts and his jaw tightened further.

Another reason to demolish the man.

He had not only hurt his Di but had victimized his Khushi too.

The two women his life revolved around.

"Khushi..Stop crying" Arnav said, cupping the tear stained cheeks of Khushi who was sitting on the bed with Arnav next to him.

"You haven't done anything wrong. He deserved it, Khushi. You have saved Di and the little life within her" Arnav explained, trying to make her see the real side.

"Will Devi maiya forgive me then?" She asked innocently,:looking at him with expectant eyes.

"Yes, Devi Maiya loves you and so does your Arnavji" Replied Arnav, his heart swelling with love for her.

She was his angel, in all respects.

The words made Khushi smile feebly and she once again rested her head on his chest, hugging him and he smiled in contentment.

"Umm..This feels great, Khushi, but let's sleep now. You can hug me in the bed" Arnav continued after a few minutes.

"Huh.." asked Khushi, pulling back from the hug and looking up at his amused face.

"I am sleepy" He replied and she smiled.

"So, can we sleep together in the bed?" He asked, knowing well she wouldn't refuse.

"Ji" she replied with a deep blush on her face.

"Great" Arnav said and getting off the bed, once again scooped her in his arms and carried her to the center of the bed.

Placing her softly on the bed, he slipped inside the sheets and switched off the lights.

His heart revelled as Khushi snuggled close to him. Arnav planted kiss on her forehead and he too drifted into a peaceful slumber, after months.

______________________________________

A/N: I hope this chapter cooled down your nervous systems. Anjali is safe and so is her child.

Pearl_Oyster2014-02-14 10:23:28