Chapter 16

'Are you okay Khushi?'  it was the fifth time that Arnavji was asking her that while on their way back home.

'OKAY? Do I look okay? I don't FEEL okay for sure. And what was with that hand on my back? Do you have any idea how close I was to fainting? Ofcourse not. You don't have any idea, else you would not ask me this question. You might not even remember the position of your hand and my brain is all ready to explode because of that touch. But you won't get it, will you? God! why is this man so clueless?'  she wanted to yell.

'I am perfectly okay Arnavji'  she smiled instead, for the fifth time. 

'Ofcourse, you are okay and I am Sultan of Brunei'  Arnav smirked inwardly. But nodded his head as if believing her answer, yet again. 

When they reached home, Khushi practically ran to her room as fast as possible after bidding him a hasty good night. Arnav watched her retreating back. Her hair were swaying playing peek-a-boo with her bare back, bringing back the feel of the touch of her skin under his hand a few hours back. She turned one last time to see Arnav before hurriedly entering her room, and found him staring at her intently. 

'Great, am I participating in a race right now? He must be thinking I am a nut case'  she cringed while shutting the door behind her.  'Of course, the way he was looking at me right now says it all. I must be behaving weird and that's why he was asking me all the way back if I was okay. I hate these designer dresses. So costly, and yet they try to save on the cloth. IDIOTS'  she huffed.  'Let him think whatever he wants. I am not a nut case and it was not my fault. It was his hand on my back, not the other way round. Yeah. Right'  she argued.  'Maybe it's not a big deal for him after all.  He didn't even know that the dress has such a deep neck. That's why his mind did not register the position of his hand. Must be that only. And so many people were standing like that. Its NOT a big deal. Yeah '  she tried calming herself down.

But whatever it was, his intentions were not wayward, and she was damn sure of that. After being practically on her own since the age of ten, she can differentiate between people's intentions towards her. She might not be a love guru, but lust she recognizes and knows how to ward off unwanted advances. And Arnavji's touch was anything but that. Hell it was actually reassuring, if she stops hyperventilating and thinks. It was like he wanted her to get comfortable. 

'Comfortable with what? Party? Or Him?' the thought sprang up.

This sudden thought brought the memories of four years back, when she had first seen him in Shaym bhai and Anjali Bhabhi's wedding. Arnav Singh Raizada, the super rich and super handsome brother of the bride, was the center of attention of all young girls there, including her. He was every girl's prince charming personified. And that brooding attitude of his, it was like a magnet attracting all female mortals to itself, like God attracting His devotees. She was sure of a personal introduction considering she was the groom's only sister. And introduction happened in its due time. He spoke so less, but kept staring at her, actually gaping at her, making her blush like hell. She was so happy then. She was all smitten with him and the possibility of some special treatment from him was very inviting. And the special treatment came in its due time too. But not the kind she hoped for.

His cold glares and his rude remarks baffled her in the beginning. Later when she happened to walk upon his conversations a few times and received profuse apologies from Anjali bhabhi after his cutting remarks, did she realize that he doubted her intentions towards his sister and jiju. Shyam bhai did not approve of this behavior and that kept things in-check a little. And after some time she only gave up hope of any amiability between them and started avoiding him. Why increase collective blood pressure of the whole household, his, hers and the audience's? And that was the end of any infatuation she might have had for him. Everything can be compromised but her self respect.

'But now you know he is not a bad person and definitely does not think bad of you anymore'  a voice came from her heart.  'In fact he is the best friend you've ever had in your life. He cares for you, your career, everything. It was not as if life had been very fair to him. He is entitled to some mistakes too. It is not a crime to look out for your sister's interests. He started on a wrong foot, but had done so much in the past year to make amends. Except for a verbal apology, he had done everything else to tell you that he realizes his mistake. And if you ask yourself, you know he did not have to do all that. You would have still helped for the sake of Bhai, bhabhi and naniji. He even took initiative to get himself included into your life and welcomed you into his family whole heartedly. ' and she knew it was all true. 

'People change with time. And things have changed so much between us. Is it possible that ... he realized his hand was on my... and still did not ... remove it?'  her heart whispered.

'Do not let your thoughts wander in to THAT territory'   her senses immediately chided her.  'He is Arnav Singh Raizada. He was never interested in you like that. Nor is he now. He has no dearth of females who are dying to get comfortable with him. Get a grip, even you are not interested in him in that way, right? You're his friend and stay that. You have your goals in life to achieve rather than think all this crap. Adit-Adya and your career are your priorities. Don't mess up things. Whatever happened today was not anything out of this world. Mistakes happen, hands slip. Stop over reacting. He seemed normal and you behave normal too'  her mind scolded her.

Nevertheless, she could not help the blush that was refusing to leave her warm face and heart rate that was still erratic. 

Of all the virtues that Arnav Singh Raizada possessed, selflessness was not one. Business is not run on that particular virtue, and he had an empire to run. It couldn't be helped that he was hard-wired to get his way in the world. He knew that he had been harsh towards Khushi in the past, but he had no inclination to let that folly affect his intentions towards her. He rather make it up to her, for as long as he lives, than let guilt take over and make him rethink on his decision of making her a part of his life. He will bring double the happiness in her life for all the harsh words he had spoken to her. In fact, he will make her forget all the bad experiences of her entire life. And of course he'll need to keep her with himself in order to do that, won't he?

He cannot pin point the day, incident or time when Khushi became special to him. She came into his complicated life like a restful sleep, if he would compare. He did not know when it engulfed him unaware, but when he woke up to realize it, he was like never before peaceful, happy and looking forward to start his day, his life. Nobody is perfect in this world and it holds true for them as well.  But she was perfect for him, and he has to make sure that she sees him in the same light for herself. And the party encounter had made him more determined than ever before.

But he rued that he was not very romantic by nature. He had no idea how to woo someone. He never had to make efforts to gain female attention , and was so proud of it, till a week back. Now his inexperience in this field was costing him time. But he cannot afford to make a rush move. Accept it or not, they are now bound by Adit and Adya. No one was going anywhere, no matter how awkward it gets between them. And staying under the same roof with unresolved issues was not how he perceived their future. If only this Akash Roy had not turned up with his nonsensical notions, he would have probed Khushi's thoughts and expressed his intentions in good time. 

Right now though, he wanted to give it to Khushi for holding up after the party. The girl was a bundle of nerves by the time they came back home. But come next morning, and she was back to being normal. Except for the faint blush that now adorns her pretty face whenever he is around, he fondly smiled. He does not remember Khushi blushing or shying away in his presence ever, which was an exception. He knew he has a certain effect on the fairer sex. This girl however, is showing these signs now, more than four years and lot of his efforts later. 'Better late than never'  he chuckled and made his way down to the living room.

As Arnav descended the stairs, he heard voices. One was Khushi's and the other was unmistakably her 'dear' friend's voice. He has his doubts about Khushi's interest in Akash Roy, but from his side the interest was quite evident. This chap calls her everyday, has been to Raizada Mansion once already since the party three days back and right now looks moony-eyed sitting in front of her. And this girl is seriously blind to not notice this. Had his sense of integrity not interfered, he would have fired Akash by now. But he cannot overlook that he was good at his work, loyal and never gave him any reason to complain. DAMN!

They did not notice him and he did not find it important to announce himself. So he stood there listening.

'That is so sweet of you Akash to invite me over. I would love to meet your family'  Khushi was saying.

'And they'll love to meet you. So, it is confirmed? Should I tell Maa?'  questioned Akash.

'Let me inform Arnavji, and then it is a yes'  Khushi replied almost confirming the plan.

'So ASR is like your guardian too?'  curiosity got better of him.

'Not exactly a guardian. But I keep him informed about my plans and whereabouts'  she answered.

'Does that mean I have to inform ASR too, say if I want to take you out?'  he proceeded carefully.

'I don't get it. Are you saying that we need to take his permission?'  came a confused query.

'Kind of'  he said.

'Of course No. Its not like that. Its just that he is the head of the family and I live here. He considers me his responsibility. So I keep him in the loop. And he never says no to anything. He is quite cool that ways'  she replied as a matter of fact.

'Oh. Okay'  came a relieved reply.

'Taking her to meet the family now, are we? Like hell I'll let that happen'  growled a very displeased Arnav Singh Raizada, as he made his way to where the two 'friends' sat chatting.