Chapter 26
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[MEMBERSONLY]
Hi everyone, We have finally arrived at the last chapter of
Desert Rose. Took me longer than the other chapters because there were many
questions to be answered and if there is something unanswered I am sure you
will let me know 
BTW I am not ready to bid adieu yet so a small little
epilogue is in the making.
Thanks for all your wonderful comments. Special thanks to
all those who have taken time to write detailed comments. I am sorry for not
being able to answer each and every comment.
Note: This chapter is strictly for 18+ readers.
Desert Rose ' Chapter 25
KHUSHI hurried
out of the lobby and found herself approached by the hotel manager asking her
if they should get her car around. She was about to ask him if he could get
her a taxi when she heard a familiar voice from behind.
'That
won't be necessary,' Arnav told the manager and as the man stepped away, he
turned toward Khushi, 'I think you forgot the way back to our table.' He
extended his hand peremptorily toward her. 'Shall we?'
'I'.
I need to go back home.' Khushi said firmly, ignoring his hand.
'Khushi,
we need to talk,' Arnav said, his mouth a thin line, 'unless you want to create
a scene here, you better walk back inside with me.'
'I
don't care!' Khushi shot back even though her hands were clammy with
nervousness.
'Well'.'
Arnav said looking her straight in the eye, 'neither do I.' Before Khushi could
realize what he meant to do, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
'Arnavji!
Put me down.' Khushi begged as Arnav stepped into lobby and headed for the elevator. People in the lobby had begun to stare at
them and Khushi wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
Arnav
lowered Khushi down after he stepped into the elevator already occupied by a
family. 'It's a family tradition,' he the onlookers who were trying hard not to
stare, 'for the groom to carry the bride on her --- first night.'
Khushi
went beet red as she realized how they must look to the family, she in a bridal
lehenga and Arnav in a suit.
As
Khuhsi looked at Arnav she couldn't take her eyes away from him. His suit was a
black designer one and the shirt he wore inside was also black , with a chinese
collar, the top two buttons undone. Though he had gelled his hair, he seemed to
have mussed it so a few of the wayward strands fell across his forehead giving
him a boyish look in spite of the hardness of his features. He had his
customary stubble and he had never looked more handsome than he was at this
moment.
Her
dhak-dhak began and then skipped a beat when Arnav came toward her and picked
her up again.
Khushi
felt the stares of the family boring into their backs and gritted her teeth
with frustration.Laad Governor was just
incorrigible!
Her
anger rose as the elevator doors closed and they were all alone in the
corridor.
'Put
me down right away!' she exclaimed trying to wriggle out of his arms.
His
hold on her tightened, but he didn't let her go. 'I will put you down in just a
minute.' When they reached the room he put her down and fished out a key from
the jacket pocket. When she made a move to step back he swept her up once again
and entered the room and put her down on the huge bed.
Khushi
was awestruck looking the beautifully decorated room, with scented candles
scattered all over. She had no doubt it was the honeymoon suite.
'Why
did you bring me here?' she asked him standing up.
He
looked at the bed and then back at her. 'Why did you think?' Looking at her
eyes flash with anger he said, 'I am kidding! I just want to talk.'
'But,
I don't want to talk to you.' Khushi shot back angrily.
'Khushi,'
began Arnav, 'please sit down and we can talk about this calmly.'
'Calmly?'
Khushi said moving to the far end of the room. 'What was all that back there?
All that drama.'
'What
drama?'
'You planned it all, didn't you? You sent
Akash pretending to have left for the US so you could trick me into working for
your damn fashion event.'
'There
was no trick. I did really go to the US Khushi, but ----'
'There
was really no show stopper was there?' she said as realization dawned. 'That
was why the clothes fit me perfectly. I should have known.'
'The
moment you showed me the design I had made up my mind that you -- and only you
would be my show stopper.' Arnav said quietly.
'Why
did you announce to everyone that I was the designer? AR usually doesn't do
that.'
'You
deserved it.'
'What
gave you the right to announce a new clothing line with my name?' she asked him
her eyes still flashing.
'With
the right that I have as your husband!' he bit out, his own anger rising.
'You
gave up that right when you told me you wished I have never entered your life!'
Khushi raged.
'I
am sorry Khushi,' Arnav said his voice anguished. 'I didn't mean that '. I ----'
'You
said I was like ''Lavanya' Khushi whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
'Khushi,'
Arnav said in a strangled voice, 'you need to understand my state of mind. The
night you came into the study'..I had just found Lavanya's letter. She was not
only cheating on me but was also cheating me''.right from the beginning. Our
entire relationship was based on a lie. My mind was completely messed up that
night. Unfortunately, she hadn't mentioned Shyam's name.' He added.
'As
if that would have made any difference to you,' Khushi said. 'I don't know if
you would have believed a delusional woman like Lavanya when you didn't believe
me when I told you.'
'Khushi'..I''
'I
doesn't matter Arnavji,' said Khushi cutting him off. 'I understand why you
don't believe me. I really do. After all I had given you enough reason in the
past.'
'Khushi,
I didn't mean that! Arnav raked his hand in frustration. 'We have been over
this and I already apologized to you for that.'
'Yes
you did and I accepted and thought you had put it behind you,' she accused him.
'What
was I supposed to do?' Arnav said taking a step toward her. 'You and Manav were
hiding information from me. That day in Anjali's party, you were both talking
about something very important and you refused to divulge that information.
Later, at Junagarh he spoke as if you meant something to him.
'So
when I saw that video I just '..lost it.'
'I
didn't tell you at the time because I thought you wouldn't believe me about
Shyam and the other thing was it was about'..Di.'
'I
know.'
'Anyway all that is water under the bridge
now. Whatever happened because of the video was Shyam's fault. I don't hold it
against you.'
'Khushi,
listen to me,' Arnav pleaded, 'I ----'
'You
were right when you said marriage is about trust.' Khushi prevaricated. 'But
our marriage wasn't a real one, was it? We only married for the sake of Akash
and Payal.'
'When
you offered to marry me I wasn't aware. It was only after we were married I
found out from Payal that the night we had spent in the desert had turned into
scandal.
'I
figured that this was the reason why mamiji had opposed the marriage in turn
forcing you to propose to me.
'I
had planned to leave you once Payal was settled in her household ---so you
could have your freedom.'
'How
very noble of you.'He said quietly.
'But,'
she continued, 'I got a little selfish when I realized that Payal needed my
support to handle mamiji. Thankfully you intervened and solved the problem.'
'Always
glad to be of some service.'
Khushi's
anger was rising. 'But you no longer have to sacrifice your dreams for a
marriage you were forced upon Arnavji.'
'Now
you have lost me.' Arnav said his brows snapping together in confusion. 'What
dreams?'
'Seven
years ago, you wanted to settle down in America. But you couldn't because of
your responsibilities. Now you don't have anything to hold you back.
'But
I do.'
'I will release you from this marriage. You
can go and live the life you have always dreamed of --- with Jenny.'
'I
can't.'
'Why
not?' Khushi said exasperated with him. 'If you think it is because we are
married, I already told you ---'
'He
walked up to her in a few quick strides and grabbed her arms. 'I can't because
I am not in love with Jenny. I am in love with you!'
'What?'
Khushi couldn't believe what she had just heard.
'I
think I have loved you for a long time now. But I hadn't realized it until some
time back. Even then it has been difficult for me to say the words. I -----'
'I
love you Khushi.'
Khushi
shrugged off his hand and started pummelling his chest, tears flowing easily
down her cheeks. Arnav let her continue, wanting her to vent out her feelings
at long last.
'I
deserve this and more.'
Khushi
stopped, the fight going out of her completely as she snaked her arms around
his back in a tight embrace.
'I
can't bear to think that I might have lost you because of my insane jealousy!'
Arnav wrapped his hands around her gingerly. 'Love makes you do crazy things.'
'But
you came,' Khushi mumbled into his chest. 'You saved my life.'
'If
I hadn't been able to save you I swear I would have killed that b@#$%&% and
killed myself after that! I couldn't have lived without you Khushi.'
'Arnavji
please don't say such things,' Khushi said clutching him tighter. 'What made
you come?'
'You,'
he said softly, 'That day I felt like you were calling out to me.
'I
had already realized my mistake and was trying to call you. But you didn't pick
up my calls. I don't know why but I had to see you right away. I just came.'
'I
knew you would come.'
'Khushi,'
Arnav began slowly, 'Can I hope that you still love me after everything I have
done?'
Khushi
tried to keep her face expressionless. 'Still love you? When did I say I loved
you?'
'You
said that Manav ' the video''' He stopped when she saw a mischievous smile
steal into her lips. 'Khushi please'' he begged.
'I
love you.' Khushi said simply, putting him out of his misery.
Arnav
took a step back, his chocolate brown eyes melting her insides.
He
went down on his knees and took her hand in his. 'Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh
Raizada'.. I love you very much. Would you please do me the honour of marrying
me '..again?'
Her
breath was in her throat. It was the way he stared at her. As if she was the only woman in the world.
'Yes
Arnavji,' Khushi said smiling down at him. 'But can I go home now?'
'What
the ----?'
'The
thing is'.. this dress and jewellery are really really heavy. I want to go home
so I can change.'
'Now, this is the kind of problem I can solve
easily.' He swept her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed and laid
her on it.
Khushi
sat up startled. 'Arnavji, what are you doing?'
'You said the jewellery
was heavy,' Arnav said huskily as he removed his jacket and laid it on a chair,
'as your husband it is my duty to help you take them off, don't you think?'
Khushi
blushed when she realized what he was saying.
As
he had promised Arnav began by unclasping her maang teeka after lowering her
chunri from her head. He kissed her forehead right next to her sindoor. Next,
he took off her earrings one after the other, giving her tiny kisses each time.
Then
moving so that he was sitting behind her, he took her long lustrous black braid
in his hands and gently moved it to her front. He unclasped the hook on her
necklace and removed it, placing his lips on her nape, he traced a line over
her shoulder, down her arm and slid the bangles off her wrists.
Khushi's
dhak-dhak had started in earnest and her breast heaved up and down.
He
then moved back behind her to undo the single dori that held her blouse
together. Khushi clutched her blouse to her chest and gasped aloud. Arnav moved
his palms down her back,the roughness of his palm creating havoc down her
smooth and creamy skin. He then took her braid in his hands, unravelling it so
it fell down in a dark waterfall down her back.
Arnav
lay Khushi down on the pillow, her hair splayed like a cloud around her head. As
he made a move to take her hands away from her chest, Khushi whispered,
'Arnavji'..'
Arnav
understood her concern and got up from the bed to light some candles before
switching off all the lights in the room.
'Is
this okay?' he asked her as he moved her hands away and peeled her blouse down
her arms.
Her
skin glowed like gold in the light of the candles and Khushi shied away from
the look in Arnav's eyes.
He
traced a finger down the centre of her rib cage until he reached her belly
button. His hand spanned the breadth of her tiny waist before he unclasped the
hook of her silver waist band. As he placed feather kissed on her quivering
stomach, he found the ties to her lehenga and pulled at the strings. After sliding
the skirt off down her hips he disposed off with the tiny scrap of lace leaving
her completely naked for his perusal.
As
always her beauty never ceased to amaze him. He wanted her. All of her, not
just her body, but her heart and soul and her mind. His Desert Rose.
He
began to undress. It was exhilarating to watch her and simply enjoy the lush sight. The candlelight played lovingly over the
curves and hollows of her body, touching and caressing with flickering light.
His hands were gentle as they shaped her, moved over her, following the playful
light. 'Do you know how beautiful you are tome, Khushi?'
She
cradled his jaw between her palms and brought him closer. Her tongue darted out
to trace the outline of his lips. 'I have always wanted to do that.' Khushi whispered
in a caressing tone, 'you have beautiful lips.'
His
mouth came down on hers hot and avid. Her lips parted, eager for the kiss. His
tongue sank deeply into the warm sanctuary of her mouth, and a groan escaped
from his throat. Her fingers slipped into the crisp hair at the back of his
head, holding it hard against hers, while she returned his kiss with equal
ardour.They drank greedily of each other as his tongue explored the roof of her
mouth and her tongue slid along tasting him.
Groaning,
he released her mouth to bury his face in the hollow between her breasts, to
breathe of her fragrance. Arching her back, she urged his mouth toward an
achingly aroused nipple. Murmuring her name thickly, his breath scalding her
skin, he gladly gave her what she wanted. His mouth closed over the engorged
bud, and she couldn't help letting out a moan of delight. As he began to
suckle, heat pooled in the pit of her stomach and she felt a sharp answering
throb deep in her core.
His
hand caressed her moist entrance, long, slow strokes even as his tongue laved
the clenched bud soothingly.
The
wild tumult that was building inside her was spiralling out of control and it
was both terrifying and too exciting to be borne.
'Oh'.oh,'
she breathed.
Khushi
shivered with pleasure, as she felt the double onslaught over her skin,
leisurely, casually, as if he had all the time in the world to enjoy her body.
She gasped as his tongue traced a wet line down her rib cage and dipped into
her belly button and then without warning he dipped lower, the sensation nearly
lifting her off the bed.
'Arrrnav'!'
she gasped tugging at his hair in shock.
'Relax
'.Khushi,' he murmured and holding her hips firmly he continued his
ministrations.
Her
hands tangled deeper into his hair, her head thrown back, her back arched, her
breasts jutting temptingly as she moved.
She
made a sound, somewhere between a scream and a moan, and her fingers tightened
in his hair as her body erupted into quake after quake. He pinned her hips, taking
his time worshipping her body, heightening the pleasure in every possible way
he knew.
As
her eyes pleaded with him to take her, begged for his possession, Arnav settled
his body over hers. Felt her softness, her skin nearly melting under his. He
thrust into her in swift stroke, deep and hard. Long strokes designed to drive
them both out of their minds. Take them from the reality of the world into
another of heat and fire and passion where nothing else mattered and she was
wholly his.
Khushi
heard her own voice crying out, heard a sound in his throat as the flames
engulfed them, as the world exploded around them leaving behind colours and
lights and so much pleasure she could only lie there gasping for breath and
staring up at his face. Wave after wave of pleasure shook her, an explosion of
shocks, leaving her locked with him, sated, happy. Belonging.
She
wrapped her arms around him tightly as if she could keep him there, in the same
skin with her, the same body while their hearts pounded frantically.
A
little later, as their heartbeats slowed down, he rolled off her and drew the
comforter over their bodies.Khushi tilted her head back to look at him. Arnav
smoothed her hair away from her face. Smiling she gazed at him, her eyes soft
and dazed from his loving. His fingers lay along her jawline as he cupped her
chin and lowered his mouth to hers. This time the kiss was sweet and tender.
'Khushi?'
He kissed her eyes closed. His voice was thick with the swelling of emotion in
his throat. 'Did I hurt you?'
'No,'
she murmured on a sigh and opening her eyes, she smiled at him again. She
couldn't seem to stop smiling. She lifted her hand to his cheek and whispered
shyly. 'It was wonderful.'
He
pulled her closer, drawing her into the curve of his body. 'Say you'll never
leave me again, please.' He pleaded softly.
She
understood the full meaning of his words. She rested her head on his shoulder.
'I won't, Arnavji.'
'Khushi,
you told me earlier that you knew I would come for you that night. After Shyam
was handed over to the police and the truth had come out, why did you leave?
Were you punishing me for not trusting in you?'
'No
Arnavji.I left because I didn't want you to sacrifice your dreams.'
'Khushi
'.' Arnav said smiling at her tenderly. 'That was a long time ago. Di must have
told you. Whatever gave you the idea that I wanted to leave now?'
'I
heard you and Jenny talking at Junagarh palace.'
'F@#$!'
Arnav swore under his breath.
'You
said you couldn't go and settle down in the US because you were married,' she said
in a low voice. 'You said you had no choice.'
'Then
later Shyam confirmed my fears when he said you would leave me and go away to
the US to be with Jenny.'
'God
Khushi is that why you left? Jenny is a
very good friend and that's it. I have never ever loved her. She is the one who
convinced me that the feelings I had for you is love.'
At
Khushi' s look of surprise he said, 'Yes, if you had listened to the complete
conversation you might have heard this part of the conversation as well.'
'I
think I loved you from the beginning, but I was afraid of my feelings. After
what I went through with Lavanya I was scared to trust.
She
held him, listening raptly as he talked.
'I
don't know exactly when I started to fall in love with you. It could have been
when I saw you dancing on the bed to "chikni chameli"'.. with my sister and
Payal looking on, laughing with abandon. I hadn't seen my sister laugh like
that in ages. Or it could have been when you made that sumptuous aloo-poori. Or
who knows it could have been the day you barged into my gym and gave me a
lashing thinking I was Akash.
He
continued. 'The day I came to the guest house, to tell you that I had decided
to let Akash and Payal meet each other, it was because I wanted to hold on to
you longer. I wanted you so much. But when I saw you holding Keshav's baby in
your arms I knew --- I wanted you to be holding our child.
His
chest hair was rough against her cheek.'It was the same for me Arnavji. It was when
we were driving toward the desert from Keshavji's house that I realized I loved
you.' Khushi reminisced.
'I
should have known that you wouldn't have given yourself to me like that if you
didn't have feelings for me. I am an idiot for not having realized that
earlier.'
'You
were in so much pain Arnavji and I couldn't help comforting you.' She said
simply.
Arnav's
heart constricted at Khsuhi's words. 'Though I hadn't planned what happened in
the desert that night, I am glad it did happen. Thanks to that scum bag Guman
and my dear own mami, I found the perfect opportunity to keep you with me.I
decided to marry you. I knew you wouldn't agree for less. When you refused I
panicked. You said you'd rather marry that ''sweet stall guy. I have never ever
been afraid of anyone --- let alone an unknown man in my life before. I
resorted to black mail. I was desperate.'
'Is
that why you proposed to me?' Khushi asked her eyes going wide, 'Not because of
mamiji?'
'Khushi
---no one ever forces me to do anything ' least of all mami,' he said
arrogantly, 'with the exception of you of course,' he added hastily.
'And
after we were married, you began to matter more and more to me with each
passing day. The day you were stuck in the attic ' my heart almost stopped with
fear when I realized you were up there in the darkness.
'That
is what I meant by ---I had no choice. I
had no choice but to love you.'
Tears
welled up in Khushi's eyes thinking about the time they had lost due to so much
misunderstanding. 'Arnavji, the last week was dreadful. I tried to convince
myself that no matter how much I loved you I had to give you up. I have never
been so unhappy in my life.'
He
gave her a hug. 'Me either, sweetheart.' He closed his eyes.
'Arnavji,
I want to ask you the same question that Jenny asked you. Seven years ago you
wanted to go and settle down in US. But you couldn't. Have you abandoned that
plan?'
'When
Jenny had asked me this question I told her that I was married. What I meant
was --- now that I was married how could I answer that question without asking
you first.'
'Ask
me?'
'Yes,
ask you if you would share my dream and aspirations and come along with me.'
'Arnavji!'
Khushi exclaimed in surprize.
'Don't
worry I will not keep you away from India for long. Maybe just a couple of
years. I want to show you the world I left behind. We could travel. I ----'
'Arnavji!'
Khushi said firmly holding a hand to his cheek. 'I love you. I will go wherever
you want to go.'
'Really?'
His relief was very obvious. 'Then before going to the US let's go backpacking
through Europe. I think that trip is seven years overdue.'
Backpacking
to Europe? Hey Devi Maiyya!
'Once
we get back to Raisar the first thing we do is get married with all the proper
rituals. You have no idea of the beating I got from Di and nani regarding
this.'
He
kissed her cheek. 'But I am going to be doing this only for you Khushi. As I
said no one forces me to do anything.'
Always
the Laad Governor, thought Khushi. But the important thing was he was hers.
Khushi
's heart filled with joy. She heard fatigue in his voice. Her fingertips
smoothed the lines at the corner of his eye. 'You need to rest now.'
'But
we have to discuss the wedding plans.'
She
laid a finger lightly on his lips. 'Shh'.later.'
'Khushi
I ---' Arnav said drawing her closer against his side.
'I know. I love you too. Always.' she
whispered.
With
his warmth all around her and his scent in her nostrils, she lay in the
stillness of the bedroom as Arnav slept beside her. As she moved a wayward hair
from his forehead, she looked at his face. His beloved face. She loved every
rugged edge, every scar, the raspy stubble he could never quite get rid of.
She
thought of the long ago time in Delhi when she used to dream of a baazigar -- eyes the colour of molten chocolate that had
made her heart go dhak-dhak as they burned into the very depths of her soul. At
the time she had thought that she was running after a dream.
It
was no longer true.
Because reality was much
better than any of her wildest dreams'.
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