Chapter 22
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[MEMBERSONLY]
[NOCOPY]
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Note ' This chapter is strictly for 18 + readers
Desert Rose ' Chapter 21
ARNAV
sat at his desk, a glass of vodka tonic in his hand. Jenny had finally bid good
bye that evening continuing on to her next destination. But her visit had left
its mark.
His
thoughts went back eight years ago when he had gone to America with dream and
aspirations for a different life in a different world. He had the privilege of
studying in one of the most prestigious universities in the United States,
where he was simultaneously able to pursue his passion for outdoor adventure
--- biking, hiking, white river rafting, canoeing and even bungee jumping. He
remembered the hikeshe and a group of friends often took into the Middlesex
Fells Forest Reservation, a little away from Boston. The 11 km path was mostly
through woods but also travelled to the top of rocky view points towards the
city and reservoirs below. He remembered the rush after reaching the
destination that was difficult in some places.
How
he had loved the freedom the country represented to him. He had never wanted to
come back much to his parent's consternation. His thoughts went back to the
argument he had had with his parents over this issue ' just before their fatal
accident. To this day he regretted every word he had spoken to them. But it was
too late. Nothing would bring them back. Guilt
had taken form in him driving all this actions since then.
After
his parents' death, he had had taken an oath to revive his dad's name back to
his former glory. And he had managed it in a fairly short span of time with
pure grit and determination. But all this had taken a toll on him. Money had
slowly become more important than relationships. It was a time like this that
Lavanya had re-entered his life.
He
was a in a dark place in his life where he had neither the time nor an
inclination toward serious relationships. It was a huge mistake to have let her
come to Raisar and stay in the haveli just because he had wanted to rebel
against his grandmother. She had begun to have serious expectations after that
and things had become more complicated, forcing him to offer marriage to her. Once again guilt had driven him.
Lavanya's
deception had hit the final nail in the coffin. After her death, his trust in
people had lowered beyond imagination. He had moved into an even darker place. The
past four years had made him harder and more ruthless. He had begun to believe
that everything came with a price tag and more often than not he had been
proved right.
And this was when Khushi
had entered his life''
Talking
to Jenny had put everything in perspective. The last seven years had been a
process of growing up for him.
When
they had discussed India's economy he had automatically defended his country
for the first time in his life. He had told her that India was growing and that
he wanted to be a part of the building process. Be the change you want to see,
he had said.
When
he told her that beauty was in the eyes of the beholder, Jenny had commented
that he was a different man now compared to the rebellious young man of twenty
two. She had even appreciated him for feeling pride in his country and heritage
which she could relate to herself having come from New England --- the
forerunners of the great American Revolution.
And
all this was thanks to Khushi. When she had told him how she had worked while
putting herself through college so she could take care of her sister, he had
realized that he was not the only one in the world who had to put his hopes and
aspirations on the back burner for the sake of family.
She,
in her sweet innocent way had shown him a different perspective ' to take pride
in his deeds. He remembered the words she had said a few days ago ----
Not everyone can be like
you'..
You had the capacity to
start a company from scratch after you lost everything. You revived the factory
and took care of your entire family from a very young age. This is because of
your hard work and keen sense of responsibility.
That
was exactly why he had apologized to her. He had truly regretted treating her
the way he did when he had first met her.
Manav's
words came back to him ----
the woman you married as
a consequence of the mess you created in the first place
But
Manav was wrong.
Contrary
to what everyone believed he had married Khushi ----
Not
because some f@#$%ing moron happened to spy on them at the desert that night.
Not
because he was afraid of falling off from the pedestal an entire village had
put him on.
Not
because his supercilious mami had laid down some tough conditions on him.
Not
even because his Di or Nani would appreciate him for doing the right thing.
In
the deepest recesses of his heart, the moment he had seen her holding the baby
in her arms that day in Keshav's house, he had known. He had felt a stirring in
his heart that he hadn't felt in like -- ever. He didn't know what that feeling
was then. He only knew one thing ' that he could never let her go.Though he had
never believed in the institution of marriage, he had also known that Khushi
would never stay with him for anything less.
Finally,
Jenny had had confirmed what had been in his heart for a long time. That he was
in insanely, irrevocably and intractably in love with Khushi.He had no choice.
In
another part of the house, Khushi sat making final touches on her design for
the show stopper costume. She had changed into her old pale pink cotton kurti,
which she liked to wear in the nights as they were very comfortable.
The
pain in her ankle had subsided. After laying her on the bed in their bedroom, Arnav
had made sure she had eaten lunch and then given her a pain killer. He had then
massaged some pain relief gel into her ankle, increasing her heart beat as
usual. But it was clear from his demeanour that he was still upset about Manav.
He had roughly drawn the curtains in the bedroom and ordered her to sleep
before leaving the room.
After
seeing off Jenny in the evening, Anjali had retired early as her cramping
episode earlier in the day had left her weak. Anjali told everyone that Shyam
had called her and informed her that he wouldn't be able to make it to Junagarh
as he had to go to Delhi on urgent business and she didn't want to
unnecessarily disturb him by telling him about her illness.
Khushi's
heart went out to the ever smiling Anjali. How could Shyam treat his sweet wife
like that?Her heart constricted in dread as she remembered Shyam's shameful
admission about his feelings for her. She was appalled at the way he had
casually said it without any remorse.
But
what worried her most was the malevolence she had sensed in himregarding Arnav.
It somehow seemed deep rooted. She had a nagging feeling in the corners of her
brain that she was missing something vital in today's conversation. But however
much she tried to remember, it remained elusive.
The
last time she had confided in Dr Manav, he had advised her to tell Arnav
everything. But how could she just go and tell him that the man he knew as a
friend and then later his brother-in-law, was interested in his own
sister-in-law. Why would Arnav believe her?
It would be his words against hers as she had no proof. She wished she
could talk to Dr Manav again but the heated argument between him and Arnav had
indicated that he would be staying away from the Haveli for some more time.
What had come over Arnav to have behaved so rudely with Dr Manav?
Then
there was the thing Shyam had said about Arnav leaving for the States and
wanting to be with Jenny. She knew enough to believe he could be right. The
pain in her heart returned.
Aranv's
phone began to ring breaking into his thoughts. It was Akash. He had informed
him that the dress makers were already working over time trying to get the
costumes ready, but he had been having trouble with the modelling agency. Arnav
wished he could get his hands on Ria Chopra. That crazy woman had messed up big
time. He slapped his glass back on the table in frustration when the phone rang
again.
It
was the police. This was a reminder call askinghim if he had found any useful information
about Lavanya.He had remembered the box that had come to him via courier more
than a month ago. He told them he would call them back.
His
eyes fell on the box that he had kept on the book shelf behind him.He brought
the box to the table and opened it.It contained mostly her jewellery but just a
he was about to put it away he, found a letter wedged in the underside of the
lid. He opened the letter and found that it was addressed to him. He began to
read with a dreadful feeling in his heart'..
Dear ASR,
I am writing this letter
because Mrs D'Souza tells me I have to confess my sins for absolution from
Jesus Christ. Though I am not a believer I decided to give it a try because I have
to do something to get rid of the voices in my head.
My sin is that I have
been deceitful in my relationship with you. But what could I do? I wanted you.
Even though you never loved me I wanted you.
I wanted you all those
years ago -- when we studied together. I was hurt when you left me and went
away to the States.
Nothing seemed to be
working for me at the time. And then, I met him --- The Devil incarnate. He
introduced me to a world of ecstasy where I could forget all my troubles.
And then you were back.
The Devil promised me that I could get everything I wanted--- for a price. I
sold myself to him ' body and soul. And he got me what I wanted ' you.
But do you know what I
realized?It wasn't me the Devilreally wanted. It was you. He hates you with a
vengeance. He wants everything you have.He wants to destroy you.
I am so sorry ASR.
Please forgive me. I was weak. But I can't take this anymore. The voices in my
head are driving me crazy. I will have to tell you everything''
La
F@#$!
He knew she had cheated on him. But it wasn't just a simple affair was it? She
seemed to be talking about a serious conspiracy here. He knew Lavanya was
undergoing treatment for depression. She was probably off her meds when she
wrote this letter. She seemed so incoherent making references to some Devil. Who
the f@#$ was this Devil? Was the Devil
really a person trying to destroy his life or a manifestation of her delusional
mind?
The
idea that someone hated him so much that they had gone to great lengths to hurt
him seemed very farfetched. And why?Was it a business rival? He racked his
brains to think but ended up with nothing.
F@#$!
Is that why she had called him that day when hewas at the memorial? To tell him
about all this? But someone had made sure her mouth was shut. Was it the same
person who tried to frame him in her death?
He
walked to the French doors and stepped out into the terrace.The roller coaster
of emotions he had experienced since the eventful visit to Junagarh, starting
with exhilaration, to guilt had finally ended in desolation. He looked up at
the night sky, unshed tear glistening on his lashes. Lavanya was his friend --- how could she do this to him?
Khushi
peeped into the study room, to find it shrouded in semi-darkness, the light
from the moon outside its only illumination. She left the door open walked
toward the table. She had just kept the drawing on the tablewhen she heard a
sound and jumped up in fear. She came face to face with Arnav.
'I '..I just came to '.. bring this sketch,'
she stutteredand looked at him her eyes wide like a deer caught in the
headlights.Was it just her imagination or did he look desolate? When he
continued to stare at her in silence, she decided to quietly leave. Just as she
reached the door, she found the door being shut with a bang as Arnav turned her
around, holding her shoulder in a painful grasp and pushed her against it.
Khushi
froze, her dhak-dhak beginning erratically as sheunderstood the look in his
eyes. Arnav'shand slipped into her hair,pulling her head back to bring her face
closer to his. Her own eye lids glided downward in helpless submission. His lips
hovered a breath away from hers, moving downward as he denied what she was
yearning for, opting instead to place his lips over the smooth skin of her
chin, just below her lower lip. Khushi gasped, opening her lips hoping he would
be tempted to move back upward. But he didn't. He kept moving downward to place
a wet trail down her throat, even as his other handmoved down her shoulder,
skimming the side of her breast to finally grasp the curve of her waist roughly
and pull her into him.
Khushi
brought her hands up to hold his strong arms for support as a trembling began
in her knees. Arnav then moved across to the side of her neck, taking the
delicate skin between his urgent lips as he began to suck. A liquid heat began
to pool at the pit of her stomach, a multitude of sensations assailing her as
he lifted her a little and pressed his arousal into her softness. Suddenly she
cried out, pushing against his chest in bewilderment, experiencing a strange
sensation of pain bordering on pleasure, as he bit her neck.
Arnav
stepped back immediately and turned around raking a hand through his hair as he
rasped. 'I am sorry Khushi ----' He turned around and looked at her, his
chocolate brown orbs anguished. 'You should just leave.' He turned around and
walked back to flop down on his chair. He took the bottle of vodka and poured
himself another drink.
Khushi
felt cold and bereft. She had not imagined it --- Arnav was disturbed. Manav's
words had upset him. An inexplicable need to comfort him gnawed at her and her
legs moved toward him of their own volition. As he looked up in surprise, she took the
glass before it touched his lips and put it away. She took his hand and pulled
him up to stand in front of her. She moved her hands to cup his cheeks with her
gentle hands, her almond eyes wide as she went on her tippy toes to place a
gentle kiss on his lips. Tonight she didn't care about what he would read in
them.
Arnav
groaned softly as he closed his hands around Khushi's waist, lifting her off
the floor to seat her on the table. He moved her legs apart to stand between
them, bringing her flush against him. Hefastened his lips to hers, devouring
her, gentleness forgotten as an inferno began to build between them. Khushi
felt weak with wanting him, tired of fighting the attraction between them. Her
mouth moved under his, her lips soft, pliant and welcoming. His mouth hardened,
became hot and dangerous, compelling her to open for him, her laad governor,
claiming his rights. At once, she was swept away into another world, one of
pure feeling, a kaleidoscope of colours and sensation. Fire rushed through her
veins as every nerve ending came alive. She snaked her arms around his neck and
her body moulded herself to his further -- if it was even possible. She let her
body answer for her, without words, giving consent with her hands, sliding possessively
over his body, while her tongue duelled with his.
Arnav
moved his hand around to her back, unzipping her kurti all the way. His hands
were strong, determined, possessive even as they peeled her dress down her body
down to her waist. Khushi could feel the coolness of the table against her back
as he pushed her down on it. His face was etched with a deep emotion, his eyes
burning as he moved his hands around her ribcage to undo the clip on her bra.
He swept away the lace, dropping it carelessly on the floor. She heard him
gasp, a hitch in his breath, as his palms trailed over her skin feverishly from
her shoulders, over the swell of her breasts, along her narrow rib cage to her
tucked-in waist and soft swell of her quivering stomach.
'I
want you so badly Khushi.' He whispered.'Want' was such an inadequate word. How
could he explain to her what it was like for him? Day and night thinking of her,
dreaming of her, a drug in his bloodstream, a craving that couldn't be sated.His salvation.
She
forced her gaze to meet his. Allowed herself to absorb his raw emotions. Desire. It was hard-edged and dangerous.
Primal. The force of his hunger for
her body shook her.She trembled beneath his hands.
His
touch turned desperately urgent, in tune with the terrible hunger burning in
his eyes. He bent his head to her breast, his breath warm, his lips soft and
moist.
Khushi
jumped under his seeking mouth, all at once so sensitive even the brush of his
hair sensuous against her skin.
Arnav
knew that he should go slow, stay in control, hold his terrible hunger for
Khushi under some sort of rein. He couldn't just impose his wild craving for
her and frighten her as she was still new at this.
Slow.The word reverberated
like a litany in his head. His fingers shook as they stroked her breasts and
his mouth closed around the soft mound, his tongue lavingthe tight bud as he
suckled.
Khushi
cried out, arched into him, craving his touch, needing more. Always more. She
blindly reached out for him and clutched a handful of his shirt in her hands.
Arnav
lifted his head, studying her cloudy eyes, her soft swollen mouth and her body
heaving up and down.
Khushi
had though she would be embarrassed and afraid to be exposed in front of him,
but instead she reveled in the way he looked at her like she was the only woman
in the world for him and that he would die without her.
Khushi
watched mesmerised as Arnav pulled his t-shirt over his head, the muscles on
his arms and chest rippling as he flung it aside.As her eyes came down, she saw
his flat abdomen clench in reaction. A sheen of sweat coated him. He was magnificent.
Lying
in the darkness, she ached to touch him. He took her breath away, every muscle
in her body weak with wanting him, every cell on fire for his touch. She should
have been afraid of his craving, the intensity of his terrible hunger, but in
the shadowy corners of her soul, she found an equivalent urge.
Deep
inside her, stirred a vortex of sensations, swirling to the surface to meet his
every demand. She knew exactly what she wanted. She rose up from the table in
one swift movement and reached for him eagerly, wantonly. Her hands glidedsoftly
over his shoulders and chest, her fingers sifting through the dark hair in awe,
following their path down the hard planes of his abdomen.
Hell! Arnav swore under his
breath. Her touch was arousing him to a frightening pitch and he wasn't going
to be able to last longer. 'Khushi wrap your legs around me.' He whispered
urgently, as he dragged her off the table and carried her to the rug on the
floor. He laid her gently and with swift movements disposed off the rest of her
clothes as well as his.
As
she lay quivering under his gaze, using her hands to cover herself, he was once
again struck by how exquisitely feminine she was. The thought that had come to
him when he had last seen her like this sprang to his mind. Desert Rose.
He
took her hands in his, pinning them on the floor as he captured her mouth
fervently, his tongue darting in, electric and hot. He suckled her lush
breasts, his tongue teasing, his mouth hot and moist. He let go of her hands to
trace her ribs, the flat of her stomach, the curve of her hip, every hollow.Her
hands moved over him, needing to feel every muscle, just as he needed to
explore her body. His finger stroked into her damp heat and she nearly rose off
the rug. As he continued to stroke her,
she couldn't stop herself from pushing against his hand, desperately seeking
relief. He slowly pushed his finger into her molten core. Khushi clutched at
his hand, even though her body reached up to thrust against his hand.
'Relax
Khushi'.' He withdrew one finger, slowly inserting two, watching her expression
closely for signs of discomfort as he pushed deeper into her body.
The
sensation was so pleasurable it was alarming. Khushi fought for breath, fought
for control where there was none. She never wanted Arnav to stop. He thrust
deeper, the friction electric, shocking in it is intensity, He was doing things
deep inside her, stroking and teasing and making her crazy so she couldn't lie
still. He hips surged against his hand wantonly. Looking at her passion and
abandonment Arnav couldn't hold on any longer.
'This
time, it won't hurt,' he whispered urgently, pushing her thighs apart, settling
his weight there. He thrust into her in one swift stroke. She cried out raking
her nails down his back, as he went deeper, filling her to such a fullness she
burned and throbbed and unexpectedly plummeted over the edge.
Seeing
the waves of enchantment rippling through her, spreading like a tidal wave,
Arnav remembered the last time, whenshe had similarly splintered under him even
before he could lay a finger on her. Her body clenched so tightly he was
gritting his teeth, the pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.
Khushi
watched Arnav in a daze, still in the throes of her ecstasy and the look in his
eyes took her breath away. She trusted him inexplicably.
The
look in her eyes shook him, ripped his heart right out of his body. He
withdrew, pushed deep again slowly, feeling his way, wanting it right. His
hands tightened on her hips as he began a slow, steady rhythm. He urged her
body to move with his.
He
caught her hips in his hands, holding her firmly, tilting her body while he
went deeper still, wanting her to take all of him. Khushi gasped as the heat
engulfed her, as he filled her completely. Arnav began to move again, long slow
thrusts, deep and perfect.
She
cried out again, low, in her throat, as he changed speed, driving harder,
faster. He let himself go taking them higher. His head roared and his body
clenched and burned, reaching his own climax as it ripped through his body with
a gut-wrenching force, shaking him more than the previous time. He collapsed
beside her, his face buried against the softness of her breasts as she held him
in her arms.
He had known he wanted her, that it was for
all time. But he hadn't realized what was between them. A priceless gift, a
treasure beyond his dreams. More than his body and heart, she was entrenched in
his soul.
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