Chapter 8

[MEMBERSONLY]

There were jerks that caused Arnav to wake up. He hadn't realised when he had fallen asleep. He looked around. He could see smoke erupting from the car's bonnet. "What the__!"

"What the hell happened?" He asked shifting towards the door. The driver got off too. When he didn't answer Arnav turned towards the driver after approaching him. His eyes widened in shock. Either he was obsessed with Khushi or she was really standing before him dressed in the driver's uniform. 

"Hi!" She greeted when she saw him gaping. "Are you mad?"

"Perhaps a little." She answered and turned to the erupting smoke from the car. "Are we safe here? I mean this car won't blow up right?" She asked concerned unconsciously stepping sideways towards him. He let out an exasperated sigh and walked closer to the bonnet. "Careful!" She whispered he looked up at her giving her a glare. He coughed stepping away as a huge cloud of smoke escaped. Once the smoke cleared he leaned forward and analyzed. "This system is pretty old." He declared stepping away. "Now care to explain where the legitimate driver is?"

"Back at the resort." She answered, while he stared at her. "This is all your fault. Before getting on the highway the car's health should be checked. This ..." he gave up the need to even express his irritation and walked around. His eyes scanned the surrounding.

"Why the hell are we here? Are you nuts? This isn't the route." He exclaimed looking on either sides at the empty road flagged by blanket of trees on either side.

"Hey, Google map showed this as the best route." She answered now worried. This wasn't her plan. Her plan was to reach Pune and confront him. This seemed like the best way to not lose track of him.

"Khushi, not everything that Google shows is right. Sometimes you need a freaking mind. This area is famous for it's bandits." He scolded her opening the car's door. He got his phone out only to see it dead. Damn, he hadn't even carried his power bank. 

"Give me your phone." He spoke without meeting her eyes. She did as she was told. Right now he was a little tensed and perhaps very much angry. Khushi knew it wasn't the right time to talk.

"There's no network coverage." He looked up horrified. "Yeah, from past twenty minutes there hasn't been any. I have saved the route offline." She stated trying to take her phone from his hand. He dodged the phone away. "God! Mad woman you have no clue how much trouble we are in."

Khushi was simply staring at him. "Let me call for help." He looked at her with cold humor shining in his eyes. "And who would you call- the resort? They will take hours to come here. It will be evening in two hours we can't be stuck here." He spoke more to himself. He walked around to the trunk of the car. No tools there as well. He walked back to where she was standing. "Thank you for getting us into this mess." He snarled taking his blazer from the back seat. He opened his suitcase and his hand bag and stuffed in a few things. Shutting the door he turned to her, "Lock the car and Inform the resort to pick it up from here. I suppose you are the driver so it's your responsibility. My suitcase is inside by the way." He spoke taking just the small air bag in his hand shoving inside it the water bottle.

Khushi smiled. She was perhaps in a very messy situation she had been in for years. But the fact how he used us instead of me had her heart. He was angry and upset yet that didn't stop him from caring about her. She quickly locked the car and typed out a message to the resort's manager who had helped her to get to be Arnav's driver. Perhaps if the signal came he message would be delivered.

* * *

"Arnav, I am tired." Khushi finally spoke up. They hadn't spoken a word since they had started walking. The road was isolated. Occasionally a speeding car would pass and not even stop to look. They were simply trailing along the single road. It had been an hour they had been walking continuously. Brisk walking.

Arnav looked at her and walked ahead. Khushi staggered behind him. Ten minutes later he stopped and sat on a huge rock under the shade of the tree. 

Gladly Khushi followed the suite and sat beside him. "You won't talk?" Khushi asked trying to test the waters of his mood. "There's nothing to talk about." He replied nonchalantly not even bothering to glance her way. Khushi's heart twisted in pain seeing him. He was trying hard to camouflage his feelings. "You were right. I am totally a gone case. I hurt you despite how much ever you love me." Khushi looked at the trees across the road. "You should have given upon me. If I were you I would have done that long ago." Her voice was soft. 

He glanced at her. "I know. I should have." He muttered and then looked away.

"You know right? That it's too late, to try moving on." She turned to the side looking at him. He looked tired just like her. He looked at her, his face muscles taut, it showed how much he had been hurt. His eyes shone with bitter emotions. Khushi lowered her gaze not being able to meet his eyes. 

"Let's get going!" She uttered standing up although her feet pain. How would she ever be able to look into his eyes without feeling guilty?

His hold on her hand made her turn back. "Try harder." His voice was heavy, his eyes moist. 

A tear rolled down Khushi's eye. She stepped forward and hugged him. Placing her face against his chest. "I love you, Arnav." He closed his eyes when he heard that, not bothering to respond to her hug. 

"I know, I failed. Maybe I couldn't love you as much as you love me. I was stupid. Wasn't just hurting myself but you too." She sniffed. Seconds later she pulled away from his chest, " But, this is all your fault. You shouldn't have chosen me." 

Before she could utter another word her mouth was captured by his in a seizing passionate kiss. He broke apart when they began to struggle for air. "I love you. I am tired of staying away. It hurts." She held his hand and kissed his palms whispering "I know."

"Will you trust me again? Will you allow me to..heal all the wounds I gave?" She asked as tears brimmed down her cheeks. 

He cupped her face nodding in a yes. "I love you too much to let you go. Even if it hurts I want you." 

Khushi smiled cupping his face. "You're a sweetheart you know. My sweetheart." 

He chuckled replying "You're getting too cheesy now." 

She smiled laughing. "I have missed you every single day."

 He smiled, wiping her tears. "I have too. Promise me, you'll be my forever...no running away."

She smiled, "Pinky promise. No running away!" He smiled pulling her into a bone crushing hug. 

Minutes later they pulled apart still not having had enough of each other. He delicately captured her lips for a slow soulful kiss. Khushi placed her hands on his waist responding with equal passion. They smiled breaking apart, their foreheads pressed against each other's.

"Mr. Raizaada, we are still stuck here, which feels like nowhere." 

He smiled saying "all your fault."

Khushi pulled away staring at him. And then immediately hugged him. In that moment strong emotions were exchanged through their eyes. Khushi knew it wasn't a day's task. She had to heal him, slowly, tenderly with her love. He was hurt, but he'd never say. She knew nonetheless. "Marry me please?" 

Arnav blinked at the unexpected proposal she whispered in his ears. "I don't think I have any other option!" He giggled. 

She smiled widely. "Yes you don't."

"You rushed into it Khushi. Can't believe you are proposing me when we are stuck in middle of nowhere." He grinned. 

"I am scared things will go wrong again." She spoke meeting his eyes. 

He held her hand securely in his. "Nothing will go wrong when we are together!" 

She managed to smile at that. "Let's get going, there is hungry zoo in my stomach."

He chuckled. "This is so romantic isn't it?"

"Shut up Arnav!" Khushi exclaimed walking ahead.

"Seems like the cat got her tongue back." He remarked following her.

"It says half an hour walk to the inn." Khushi exclaimed looking at the phone.

"Then we will take one hour cause you will stop at least ten times for three minutes along the way."

"No way!" She uttered hurrying ahead to prove him wrong. Arnav smiled, as long as she was close to him, nothing mattered. Khushi smiled as she walked ahead of him wiping her tears of happiness. She was indeed lucky to find him. She knew it wouldn't be easy journey ahead. But with him by her side she would have managed it.

Hopefully there are no errors. Hope you all like it. The epilogue should come up soon. 

Do let me know what  your views are.

-Anami!♡

[/MEMBERSONLY]