Chapter 4

ARNAV Singh Raizada stood rooted to the spot seething with rage. How dare she speak to him like that? He would have to figure out what this woman really wanted. Woman? There was definitely something off about her.

She looked different than he had imagined ' a little older. She didn't seem to be Akash's type. She wore glasses and had tied up her hair in a severe bun. She wore ordinary clothes and her makeup seemed a little loud.

But as his eyes had moved lower, there was contradiction to his earlier thought. Her clothes had stuck to her body making him aware of the fullness of her breasts, her tiny waist and flare of her hips tapering down to long slim legs.

When he had touched her, he had felt a stirring in his body ----- a flash of an elusive memory of a long ago time. But it was gone in a second. He shook his head to clear it.

He would have to go find her, he thought to himself, but he would have to get a quick shower first. It wouldn't be too difficult to find out which hotel she was put up at.

Ten minutes later, as he walked out of the gym, he heard his sister Anjali calling out for Hariprakash. Her voice seemed a little urgent as she asked him to bring her the first aid box. Had something happened to Di? What was the first aid box for?

Then he saw her ' again. She was lying on the sofa with his sister hovering over her. He went toward his sister with purposeful strides.

 

Khushi opened her eyes, wincing with pain as she looked around her. As she lay on the luxurious sofa, she was awestruck. Earlier, when she had seen the haveli from outside, she had the feeling that she was entering the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Now she was convinced. The dcor of the large room was ethnic Rajasthani style. The furniture was dark coloured with intricately carved designs. The sofa cushions covered in orange silk were accompanied by bronze pillows. On one side there was an ornate brass swing and an artistically carved mirror on one of the walls. Bright orange-bronze coloured curtains adorned the arches that separated one area from another.

Exquisitely woven Kashmiri carpets adorned the floor. The parts that were uncarpeted were tiled in creamy marble, with chips of grey and white. The walls had carved wood panelling and were decorated with unique artefacts and paintings that looked original and expensive. Khushi was entranced by one in which there a breathtakingly beautiful dusky woman, decked up in silver jewellery, her almond shaped hazel eyes slightly downcast and looking demure as her maid stood by her side. The designer in Khushi couldn't help noticing the painstaking detail on the costume. It was a deep navy blue lehenga choli with mustard yellow and red thread work.

Some of windows had the typical coloured glass in them while others were plain. A huge chandelier made of glass and antique gold dominated the centre of the ceiling.

Ironically, the one thing Akash Raizada hadn't lied about was his wealth, Khushi thought sourly. She was in the lap of luxury here.

And then she saw him --- the horrible man was standing a few feet away talking heatedly to the lady whose car had caused all this trouble. A man who appeared to be the driver stood next to her, his head bent as he seemed to be receiving a dressing down by his master ' the Laad Governor.

 

Khushi remembered how she had just started her ride on her junk scooter, and then this car had come at her with full speed. She could have still managed to avoid it if the brakes had worked as they should have. She had manoeuvred the steering so that she could avoid hitting the car. The scooter hit the loose stones on the verge, and went out of control, skidding up the road. Khushi was thrown off, landing painfully on her side. She had gone still for a moment, feeling sick and dizzy with shock.

She had bruises on her arms and legs on the left side. Her clothes had torn and were smeared with dirt and blood from her wounds.

When the lady had come running toward her asking her if she was okay, she had assured her that she was fine and then she had seen the lady's face blur in front of her eyes as darkness enveloped her.

 

Hey Devi Maiyya, thought Khushi dismally. Why had that lady brought her here? She tried to sit up, only to be told to stay back where she was by the Laad Governor. Why was he always yelling? God her head hurt.

He swung around, frowning, and came striding over. He'd had showered, Khushi noticed, because of the way his damp hair fell on his forehead. He wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt that clung to his muscular torso. Still competing for the Gladrags Manhunt contest, no doubt, she thought hating him.

'Di just told me what happened,' he said harshly. 'Just stay where you are ---- you will need to see a doctor.'

'I don't need a doctor.' Khushi's head swam as she put her feet gingerly to the floor. 'There's no need for all this fuss. I want nothing from you. I thought I made that clear.'

'I am really sorry for what happened,' Laad Governor's sister had just walked up to them. 'At least allow us to take care of you. By the way, I am Anjali.'

'Di, did you call Manav?'

'He is due to come here anyway chotte,' answered Anjali. 'I will call him again in any case.

And Chotte, bring Khushiji to my room so that Manav can examine her there.'

'Is that necessary?'

'Of course,' replied Anjali. 'She needs privacy. After that, she can change and refresh herself. She can't go back to the hotel in these torn clothes. ' She excused herself and left the room.

God, would this brother and sister stop behaving like she was not there? 'I really am okay.' Khushi didn't want to be examined by this Manav who seemed to be the doctor. 'I have few grazes, that's all.'

'How do you know? Are you a doctor?' he asked her insolently. 'And in the circumstances we can't take any risks,' he said grimly.

'My sister tells me you were riding a scooter,' he went on. 'Are you frigging crazy?'

'Only on Mondays,' Khushi said wearily. 'Look ---just get me a taxi, and I'll go back to my hotel. My sister will be worried,' she added pointedly.

'She knows about this and still let you come off here on your own? He seemed surprized. 'Unbelievable.'

'No,' Khushi said, with a sigh. 'This was all my own idea. And obviously a bad one.'

'I am with you on that one.' he said his tone flippant. Then he yelled at the top of his lungs, 'Hariprakash, we need that goddamn first aid box TODAY!'

A man came running into the room, carrying a first aid box.

What language this man used! Khushi felt sorry for poor Hariprakash who handed over the box with quaking hands.

'Please, there is no need'' Khushi began.

'Blood is oozing from your wounds for God's sake!' he retorted harshly, 'The wound might get infected if it isn't treated immediately.'

He knelt beside the sofa, his face intent, soaking a swab of cotton in the antiseptic solution. He then took her hand in his and looked up at her, his mouth slanting sardonically.

'It's going to hurt a little.' He said huskily.

As he began to swab the dirt and grains of dirt from her hand, she bit her lip, her body stiffening instinctively at his touch. She grasped the edge of the sofa with her free hand and closed her eyes, bracing herself from the pain.

Then suddenly she felt his hand at her thigh and jumped. She said huskily, 'No please''

'Stay still.' He said firmly. He put his fingers through the tear in her leggings and slit it up further to give him better access. He began to dress the wound on the side of her thigh.

As he continued his ministrations, Khushi winced with pain and grabbed his shoulder for support.

Khushi wanted to move back. He was too close for comfort, she thought, dry mouthed, as she absorbed the clean, fresh scent of his skin. His left hand felt hot against her knee and she felt a sharp pang deep inside her that had nothing to do with pain.

Arnav's fingers felt clammy as he placed his left hand around the wound to hold the skin. God, her creamy skin felt as smooth as silk.

F***! He swore under his breath.

'If you continue like this, you may have to dress my wounds next,' he said gruffly glancing at his shoulder.

Khushi went a deep red and snatched her hands away when she realized that her nails were digging into his shoulder.

Even though it had hurt her while he dressed her, she was forced to admit that he had been quiet gentle and had done a great job.

'I think you should change now,' he said putting away the medicines back into the box. 'Let's go.'

'I am not going anywhere with you.' Khushi snapped irked at his commanding tone. Did this Laad Governor think she was Hariprakash?

'There is no way I am going to leave you alone in there.' He declared firmly.

'What are you implying?' she demanded.

'I am just trying to make sure you don't try to turn this accident to your advantage.'

'What do you think I am going to do ---- steal something?' Khushi looked at him, her eyes flashing with anger. 'How dare you?'

'This is my house and you will play no games in this house Khushi Gupta.'

'It's Khushi Kumari Gupta!' she retorted angrily.

'What?' he smirked, his tone laced with incredulity.

She was about to tell him what she thought of his high handed behaviour when a good looking man, with average height, walked in.

'Anjali called me and told me I have a new patient,' he remarked. He came closer and examined her external wounds and nodded. 'The first aid was done superbly. You are lucky. These wounds are superficial and will heal fast without leaving any scars. But if you come to my clinic tomorrow, I will give you an injection just to be on the safe side'. just to prevent any infection.'

The Laad Governor took him to one side and spoke to him in low tones.

'Oh in that case I will have to examine her in private,' he said urgently. 'Anjali can be present there.'

'I don't need further examination,' Khushi protested. 'I'm absolutely fine.'

The doctor gave her a patronizing smile. 'That's true. Most women in early pregnancy can handle minor accidents. But we will still need to confirm that everything is okay.'

'What?' Khushi asked him absurdly. 'What are you talking about? I am not pregnant.'

'So you lied.' Laad Governor's icy voice sliced through her confusion. 'I knew it. Get out of this house right now.'

Khushi stared at him.

She said quietly, 'Oh my God'' you don't remember what she looks like. Has your womanizing reached such heights that you can't recognize one girl from another?'

'How dare you speak to me like that?' He walked up to her, his eyes burning into her like hot coals.

Khushi stared back at him, returning his look with an equal measure.

'Why shouldn't I?' Her voice shook a little as she said, 'It wasn't me that you ---- seduced and abandoned in Jaipur. It was my sister, Payal.' Her voice choked in her throat.

No one spoke for almost a minute and then the doctor said, 'I think there is some confusion here Arnav. I will just go up now.'

Just as he was about to leave, Khushi stopped him. 'Doctor, just a minute''..did you just call him Arnav?'

'Yes. That's his name.'

She swallowed. 'You mean ----he '.he's not --- Akash?'

The doctor looked astonished. 'No madam. This is Arnav Singh Raizada. Akash is his younger brother. He was also injured in an accident some time back, a little more seriously than yourself. In fact I have to go and see him now.' He nodded briskly, and left the room.

Khushi found herself all alone with ASR ----Arnav Singh Raizada.

 

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