Chapter 7

Arnav panted: " Khushi? What's wrong?! The water here isn't deep see. "

Khushi cried hugging Arnav close: "I... I can't swim in deep waters...I'm sorry I didn't say, but I didn't think it would be this deep and-"

Arnav held her face: " Woah what?!! *angrily* Why didn't you tell me before!?

Khushi took a deep breath in before sighing and closing her eyes: " I forgot to pack protection from home that's why I was avoiding the bedroom."

Arnav glanced at her lips and smiled holding her closer: " Well you of all people should know how I get when I'm...*whispers huskily*...wifeless."

Wifeless...not Khushiless. As Khushi felt her self esteem get shot down like a bird in the sky a tear ran down her cheek.

*...*...*

With his mobile against his ear Arnav rushed round the rooms again checking once more if Khushi was in the bathroom or not. But still no sign of her. He cursed under his breath as he even asked everyone else in the house but they didn't know either. They laughed thinking Arnav was 'missing' his wife again, but only Arnav knew how serious the matter was. Dammit! She keeps cutting the line! Khushi where the hell are you?

~

Khushi sniffed wiping her tears furiously as she stared at her phone ringing constantly. Annoyed she cancelled the call wanting some time alone. Sat hugging her legs close to her, Khushi leaned her head against the wall as another tear fell down. She glanced down at ASR who was hopping around around her legs. He suddenly flew up to sit on the top of her knees.

Khushi quietly: " Why can't Arnav leave me alone for a bit? I'll be as right as rain soon...*sniff* who am I kidding I feel awful ASR! I know Lavanya's lying. She must be. Arnav would never hurt me. But I don't know...I feel...low I guess. I just need to get a hold of myself."

ASR: " Love you...Love you!"

Khushi smiled lightly before lifting a hand to stroke the back of ASR's head.

Khushi: " You got that from Arnav didn't you. Oh your a sweetheart ASR...*sniff*...Arnav can look all he wants but this is the best hiding place ever."

ASR bobbed his head up and down: " Best hiding place!"

Khushi's eyes widened and held ASR close: " Shhh or else someone might hear us. "

She put ASR on the floor so he could walk around again. Khushi leaned her head against the wall.

~

Arnav stormed along the corridor ripping the phone away from his ear the 100th time.

Arnav angrily: " This Khushi! Why isn't she picking up the phone!?"

He started to go down the stairs that lead to his bedroom poolside.

Arnav: " That bloody Lavanya. Because of Lavanya Khushi-"

It was then something caught Arnav's eye. ASR's cage was empty with ASR hopping around beside the poolside. What the-...who let his out?! With his eyes firm on ASR so he doesn't lose sight of him, he headed more down the stairs, but slowly halted noticing ASR hopping straight under the stairs he was going down making him frown. It then struck him. Khushi...

He let out a sigh of relief thankful to know where Khushi was. He was about to get down and shake her crazy for making him worry so much, but he knew that it wouldn't get him anywhere. He needed to figure out why Khushi was hiding from him.

Hearing Arnav's voice when entering the room, Khushi wiped her tears and picked up ASR as soon as he came close and held him close whispering to him.

Khushi: " You have to be quiet. Arnav will hear us."

Arnav sat on the stairs with a quiet sigh. So that's why I didn't find her. Hiding under the stairs behind the plants?! Oh Angel...Thinking of something he sighed again but dramatically.

Arnav sadly: " I can't believe this! Where could Khushi be? Is she in trouble?!..."
Khushi listened with a clear ear to Arnav talking to himself.

Arnav with a worried voice: " I guess I should try and call Khushi one last time before phoning the police just in case Khushi's in real trouble..."

Khushi's eyes widened. Police!? I didn't want that! I just want time alone. She glanced at her phone which silently began to ring. Reluctantly she picked it up.

Arnav stern before calmly talking: " Khushi where the hell are you? I've been worried."

Khushi whispered quickly wiping her tears: " I'm fine Arnav. Don't worry ok? Don't look for me either...I just need some time alone...*forcing cheerfulness in her voice* You know it's called girl alone time."

Arnav raised his eyebrow: " Really!? Why are you whispering?"

Khushi flustered: " Urm...My throat hurts so I thought talking quietly would help."

Arnav couldn't help but smile at his innocent wife's excuse: " It was fine before."
Khushi shrugged her shoulders: " I think I had too much ice cold fanta at the party."

Arnav shook his head holding back a laugh: " Sure Angel. So...*sadly* You won't tell me where your are?"

Khushi pouts: " No. It's my secret place. So don't worry. You don't have to call the police either."

Arnav tilted his head: " When did I say I was going to call the police?"

Khushi quickly backtracked: "I mean just in case you were thinking I was kidnapped or something."
Arnav sighed before huskily: " Khushi can't you just tell me what's wrong?"

Khushi noticed the tone change in Arnav's voice making her heart tug. She bit her lip looking down at ASR in her hand. Arnav could sense the pain through the phone making him stiffen.

Arnav: " Khushi I know what Lavanya said earlier today... in front of everyone...It's hurt you but-"

Khushi cut him off hastily: " Arnav I just want to remain alone for an hour or two ok? I'm fine. Don't call or look for me. Promise me."

Arnav sighs heavily closing his eyes: " I...I promise Khushi."

Khushi then cut the phone and listened carefully hoping Arnav left the poolside area. Arnav did stand up...and did turn around on the stairs...and walked up the stairs, however he shut the door with him still left in the room. I'm sorry Khushi I have to trick you into thinking I have left the room...I can't leave you Angel...I'll give your time...but I can't leave you until I know what's wrong.

Arnav quietly took off his shoes leaving them at the side and walked down the stairs to where he was before ans sat on the steps...and he waited.

~

Thirty minutes passed with Arnav only hearing murmurs and whispers under the stairs where his dear wife was hiding. However when Khushi sniffed her tears away, Arnav was unable to stay away any longer. He stood and walked down the rest of the steps calmly. Arnav then walked round the pool before moving one of the plants hiding the space under the staircase.

Khushi gasped with her eyes wide seeing her husband quietly enter her secret space, put the plant pot back and sit himself down beside her how she was. He stared straight at the wall ahead making Khushi frown at him oddly. She shuffled a little away from him with ASR still in her hands and looked away from Arnav pretending to ignore him.

Khushi quietly: " You broke your promise."

Arnav firmly: " No I didn't. I didn't call you and I didn't look for you, because I already knew where you were before I called you last. "

Khushi staring at ASR gawped. Muttering names like 'Lard Govoner' and 'Show off' under her breath while glancing at Arnav, Khushi pouted.

It was then Arnav turned his head to look at Khushi and his eyes softened noticing the tear trails on her cheek. He shuffled closer to her so their sides were touching.

Arnav calmly: " Please tell me Khushi what's the matter? Is it about what Lavanya said or...* controlling his anger*...did Lavanya say something to you again? Doesn't my Angel know that every tear of hers hurts me right here?"

Khushi glanced at him as he pointed at his heart. Her tears started to fall silently.

Arnav with his mouth near her ear: " You won't even tell me?"

Khushi turned to Arnav wiping her tears and smiling tightly: "It's nothing really Arnav. I'm just being silly."

Arnav glared at her: " Something that makes you cry Khushi isn't silly. Now tell me."

Khushi sighed looking at ASR enjoying her stroking him.

She quietly spoke: " I heard Lavanya talking to her friends. She was saying that...that you visited her at nights...and how you used to be with other women too-"

Arnav taken aback: "What!?"

Khushi continued: " Before you married me? "

Arnav: " Khushi-"

Khushi looking at him: " I don't believe her...but-"
Arnav closed his eyes: " Khushi I did visit her at night and...and I did go out with other women before meeting you."

Khushi's heart plummeted. She turned to Arnav with worried eyes.

Khushi quietly: " What do you mean Arnav? I thought I was the only one who knew about your nightlife past-"

Arnav held her face delicately: " Khushi you are the only person who knows about that. Before I used to meet Lavanya at her house and she used to meet me at my house for work. Especially when AR was just starting. A lot of work and meetings was needed with all my office managers, not just her...And about the other women I used to date them for media entertainment. There wasn't any physical relationship between us Angel. Believe me. Not even this. *brushing his lips with hers ever so softly* "

Khushi frowned with tears: " But Lavanya made it sound like-"

Arnav's jaw tensed: "-something else?"

Arnav took ASR from her hand and lets him walk off before pulling Khushi into a hug.

Arnav breathed in her scent: "I'll deal with her later but there has been no one in my heart before you Khushi. Trust my love."

Khushi felt her tears soak into his suit and gripped him desperately: "You see I'm not worthy of you Arnav. I'm clumsy, childish, forgetful. You should have married someone more...like you."

Arnav roughly pulls her away: "Did Lavanya also bring this up again too?"

Khushi innocently: " Maybe but I- "

Arnav hurt turned away from Khushi: " You don't believe in my love."

Khushi's eyes widened shocked at his statement.

Arnav fuming: "If you did you'd know how much I love you. I don't care about the things you don't like about yourself becuase I love them. I have things I hate about myself. I'm hot tempered, rude, direct, insensitive to others sometimes too...but would you like me to change?"

Khushi shakes head furiously.

Arnav stared at the wall: " Then why do you want to?! There's many reasons why everyone's different. One is because there's someone out there that's perfect for you. Like the missing puzzle. You might think for example your not beautiful but there's one person out there who sees your beauty. The true value of it...That's between us Khushi too. I see your true beauty as you see mine. That's why we are together. Got it?"

Khushi tears of sadness turned into tears of joy as she fell in love all over again. His meaningful words behind his harsh tone made her heart wish to hug his heart, if only it was possible. She stared at her husband unable to figure out how the man of her dreams literally became more in real life...literally. Oh Arnav...

Arnav was suddenly taken aback by the sudden searing kiss that Khushi sucked out of him. With her hands firmly against his cheeks Arnav dived into a mind blowing wave of passion. As she slowly pulled back, Khushi giggled shyly taking in Arnav's gobsmacked expression.

Arnav astonished: " Wh...What about ASR!?"

Khushi blinked before looking down at ASR walking around minding his own business. Laughter erupted from her lips as did Arnav's as she pressed her head against his.

Khushi playfully pouting: " Not fair Arnav. *winks* Now I can take a leaf from your book then."

Arnav smirked as Khushi dragged him by the tie straight into their bedroom.

~

Later that night with clothes scattered round the room, Arnav was sat up in the middle of the bed with his legs crossed and Bluetooth against his ear. His face was stern and hard as he talked to Aman, while Khushi with her messy hair on the other hand was busy herself. Sat up on her knees behind Arnav, Khushi in only her underware had her arms wrapped round Arnav's bare shoulders massaging them as she nibbled away on his other ear.

Arnav roughly: " Is the job done?"

Aman replied: " Yep Lala...Sorry I mean an order for Lavanya's registration in done and should be through by morning. She'll be ordered to pack her things from AR as soon as she steps foot in it tomorrow morning."

Arnav switched off his bluetooth glad she was dealt with and let out the groan that he was dying to let out as Khushi teased him.

Arnav smirked pulling her round quickly to lay across his lap. Khushi smiled lovingly at him with her arms round his neck before kissing him soundly on the lips.

Khushi quietly: " I'm sorry for before. But I guess I'm just like you but different."

Arnav frowns rubbing circles against her hip: " How?"

Khushi: " We're scared of losing each other...be it physically or mentally...but we show our fear in different ways...*smiles softly* You get angry...possessive...and I get insecure and start crying. *laughs*"

Arnav gazing at her: " Then I get more angry because your crying. *kisses her jaw*"

Khushi giggles: "And I cry more because your angry. Perfect combination."

Arnav smiled before laying her down: " But you know...I don't regret being a thief...Other wise I wouldn't have met you...and loved you properly. And give you everything you deserve. *brushing her hair away* But I'm truly the richest man alive. I stole you for a bargain. "

Khushi stroked his cheek with curious eyes: " How did you get me at a bargain?"

Arnav chuckled with vibrated through his chest letting Khushi feel it through hers. He bent down looking into her eyes with his lips brushing against hers.

Arnav whispered his secret: " Because only I know that you're priceless."

THE END

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[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]