Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Ananya Singh Raizada quickly prepared the batter for jalebis. The snacks had been prepared earlier and laid out on the dining table. She awaited the return of her son, along with Khushi... her would-be daughter-in-law... maybe? The thought itself made her smile. After their wedding anniversary celebrations a couple of weeks ago, her mother had taken her aside and revealed to her, her feeling that something was brewing between Arnav and Khushi. And, they were not wrong... as this last week had proved Arnav's affection and concern towards Khushi. Ananya had never seen her son so worried, troubled and anxious for anyone. He had spent every free minute of the last few days, taking care of Khushi. When she had suggested, he take home-cooked food for her, he had agreed without any question. She could clearly see in Arnav's eyes, the love that sparkled brilliantly for Khushi. After all, didn't her husband's eyes reflect the same emotion too?
Ananya and her mother had finally made up an excuse of discussing the Ashadaan project to invite Khushi over. They wanted to see the couple together and judge the depth of their feelings for each other. If they needed a push to take things forward, then her darling mother and she would readily help. As Ananya put in the first batch of jalebis to be fried, the bell resonated in the hall... loud and clear. Her son was home, along with her daughter-in-law, she added mentally. She saw the beautiful couple walk in together, Arnav helping a limping Khushi. Her mother and she stole quick glances at each other, before welcoming Khushi home. "Khushi, it is so good to see you. I hope you are feeling better and coming here was not too much of a hassle?" Ananya inquired lovingly. "No aunty, I am feeling much better and Arnav has been a lot of help during the last one week," Khushi replied, unaware of the scrutiny behind two pairs of eyes.
The afternoon flew by at Shantivan, with Nani and Ananya observing the couple, very much in love. Arnav was by Khushi's side, every time, she so much as moved. He was there to help her around, whereas, she would demand his help and attention as if she had a right over him. Anjali had come back from college and had joined them in their conversations about Ashadaan. Ananya had requested Khushi, to plan a small picnic for the children. A one day get-away from the orphanage would give them a slight change of atmosphere, and Khushi had gladly agreed. Arnav had to remind an over-excited Khushi, that she could not travel or walk around for at least a couple of more weeks. Nani looked at her daughter mischievously and said, "Arnav, I don't think that is much of a problem. From what I have seen today, if she has you by her side, then she can move about easily." Arnav had immediately tried to change the topic and Khushi had looked away blushing prettily.
The two women then had conveniently retired to rest for a while, giving the young lovers some privacy. Anjali had gone out to meet a few friends and promised Khushi, that she would return in an hour to spend some time with her. That had left Arnav and Khushi to themselves, and he used the opportunity to carry her upstairs to his room. Khushi was mortified by this brazen PDA and worried about, what his mother and Naniji would think about her. She had even tried to speak to him about it, but the stubborn Raizada was beyond reasoning. She had an inkling that his mother was aware of Arnav's feeling towards her, and the thought that she hadn't admonished him, thrilled her. She wondered if Ananya Singh Raizada approved of her, for her son.
She had known this kind-hearted woman for years now. She was like a mother figure to her. Growing up in an orphanage, without the love and care of parents had been tough. However, those special weekends, when Ananya and Ajay would drop into Lucknow's Ashadaan, the times that Ananya would spend teaching Khushi, the art of sewing, the moments when she would caress her head lovingly... Khushi had always cherished those moments. Now, the simple thought of being able to revel in her motherly love... maybe forever, filled her heart with immense warmth. However, she put a brake on such thoughts... that was merely wishful thinking? The loss of loved ones and the struggle to live were a harsh reality, had always kept her grounded. Expecting a lot was not what Khushi did, and so she silenced her hopeful heart and decided to just go with the flow... the flow called Arnav Singh Raizada.
Arnav put Khushi down on his bed and pulled the comforter over her legs. He settled besides her comfortably, pulling her closer. "Khushi, tum theek ho?" he asked, looking at her worried face. "Arnav, what will aunty and Naniji think of me? Me being in your room... alone!" she asked, her tone filled with apprehension and worry. Arnav pulled her even closer, giving her the much needed warmth and comfort and said, "Sweetheart, I don't think they would mind. For them, you are my friend and I have always brought my friends to my room to hang out. It is a different matter, that not many of them had been girls." He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek noisily. She giggled at the ticklish feeling, which set his heart ablaze with desire. How was he to control his urges, when this innocent nymph was doing everything to allure him?
He moved over her, crowding her below him, kissing her face ever so gently. Her forehead, her rosy cheeks, the corner of her tempting plump lips, her chin... driven to a frenzy by the softness of her delicious skin. And then his lips devoured hers, his hands going under her top, to touch her bare waist. She gasped at the feel of his strong, warm hands on her smooth skin and he took advantage of it... his tongue invading her mouth as if starved for an eternity. She arched into his body, and threaded her fingers into his soft wavy hair... pulling him closer to herself. He was touching her luscious curves, his mouth... not leaving her untouched for even a second. She had never let any man touch her so intimately... lost in the depths of the passion sizzling between them. She pulled away, desperately needing some air to breathe. He looked at her flushed face, her swollen lips and the red marks on her neck that he had left... lost in a vortex of untamed passion.
Arnav moved away, lying on his back, cursing himself mentally for not being able to control himself. He was sure he had scared her. Despite knowing how innocent and inexperienced she was... he had lost himself in her mesmerizing beauty... not once thinking if she had wanted the same. He knew she had responded to his touches, his kisses equally... but he had not really given her an option. He ran a hand through his ruffled hair and looked at her... her chest rising and falling... her eyes closed... her hair sprawled over his cushion in a tempting mess. She looked like a seductress. He stopped his wayward thoughts, brushed his knuckles on her pink cheeks and said, "Angel... open your eyes..." When she closed them even tighter, he sat up and straightened her top and tried again, "Khushi... please open your eyes sweetheart."
Khushi was scared... scared of how she had given herself to him. The depth of her emotions for Arnav, frightened her... made her feel vulnerable. She feared that he would see the fiery desire smoldering in her eyes and shut them tighter, when he requested her to open them. And then he was pleading again, for her to open her eyes. She slowly, opened them looking into brown pools of concerned eyes that confused her. Why was he looking so scared and worried? However, before she could question him, he had spoken... "Khushi... I am sorry... Umm.. I.. I shouldn't... I mean... I know things are moving too fast between us and I scared you... I am sorry." The regretful look did not look good on Arnav, and instead of telling him that she did not regret anything that had happened between them so far... she threw herself into his arms... leaving him stunned for a moment, and then his arms came around her... holding her close to himself... breathing in her intoxicating scent.
It might have been mere seconds or a few minutes, they didn't know... when they pulled apart. The passionate haze, thick in the air surrounding them. To lighten the uncomfortable silence, Arnav asked Khushi if she would like to watch something on the television and she simply nodded in approval. Both of them spent the next hour, watching a hilarious classic movie, laughing and discussing the charm of old cinema. They were brought out of their trance, when they heard loud drops of rain hit the sliding windows on Arnav's room. Khushi, jumped out of the bed in excitement, only to wince in pain. Arnav was by her side in a minute, massaging her injured leg and yelled, "Tum dekh ke nahi chal sakti na? Tumhe lag jaati toh?" She basked in his concern, as she told him she was fine. She took his help to stand by the windows, looking at the first monsoon clouds, showering their love on the anxious, thirsty earth.
Pyaar hua iqaraar hua hai
Pyaar se phir kyo darataa hai dil
Kahataa hai dil, rastaa mushkil
Maalum nahi hai kahaan mazil
Kahataa hai dil, rastaa mushkil
Maalum nahi hai kahaan mazil
Khushi realized the absence of Arnav; only when she heard the notes of one of her favourite songs, fill the void between them. She turned around to look at Arnav walking towards her with some mischief flickering in his eyes. He walked unhurriedly and stood at a breath's distance from her. She could almost hear his galloping heartbeat, when he raised his hand and whispered, "Dance?" She pouted in frustration, and looked at her fractured foot. He smiled at her lovingly, as his hand went around her slim waist pulling her flush, towards his broad frame. He towered over her, and then pulled her up... her feet now, resting on his own... and then they were twirling and dancing... the music drifting around... enveloping them in a romantic embrace... drenching them in a shower of love and affection.
A few hours later, as the whole family settled down for dinner... laughter and chatter filled the huge hall of Shantivan. Nani and Ananya were busy feeding various dishes to Khushi, as Arnav looked at them adoringly. He thought... what a perfect family picture this made... his own thoughts surprising him a little. It had been only a couple of months of knowing Khushi, and he had fallen madly in love with this wonderful woman. With her, somehow, life seemed complete. He wondered what he used to do with all the extra time he had, before she came into his life... and how had he managed to live without her so far. He knew the days to follow, were going to be very hectic and he might have to travel for work too. His father needed rest and he would soon have to take over all the work responsibilities. How was he going to find time for her then? Would they drift apart... or would their love become stronger with distance? He decided to concentrate on the delicious food and the miraculously melodious laughter of Khushi... and think about the rest, when the time came.
At the same table sat Anjali... looking at the door every now and then. She had returned much later than expected and was directly summoned for dinner. She had just come to know that bhai would be busy with a conference call post dinner and hence, would not be able to drop Khushi. But that wasn't the important part. The main issue was that Khushi had called up Akash to pick her up... and Khushi's handsome friend would be here, to take her home any minute. She had not been able to forget his striking face and sad eyes, even for a minute since the party. Even when she had accompanied Arnav to meet Khushi at her home during the week, she had expected to bump into him, but had been completely disappointed. Hence, her sole focus was on the door rather than on the scrumptious meal in front of her.
The dinner was done, and all of them lounged on the sofa, with their bowls of ice cream. Khushi had been telling Naniji about Payal, when Arnav thought of the conversation he had had with Sumer, last night. Sumer had revealed all that Shyam had done with Payal. Arnav knew the real reason for Sumer's hatred towards his cousin... and he had also noticed how the anger had doubled after his meeting with Payal. Finally, after hearing the whole story, he had tried to make the whole mood lighter by teasing Sumer about his changing feelings towards Payal. The conversation had ended with the decision to not let Khushi know about this whole mess right now. It was Payal's place to tell... not Arnav's. Both the boys had silently pledged to make Shyam pay for his endless sins.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, loud and clear, which brought Arnav out of his reverie. He was surprised to see Anjali run towards the door to open it, leaving behind her ice cream, when she would have usually waited for HP or OP to do the needful. Khushi too got up from the sofa to look at a formally dressed Akash, walking in - a black shirt with beige pants. Anjali was lost in those dark eyes, the moment she opened the door. "Hi, ummm... is Khushi ready to leave??" his husky voice had unsettled her completely, and the always chattering Anjali Singh Raizada, had simply nodded and led him into the hall, where her family was seated. After refusing the dessert that the family was relishing, an uncomfortable Akash looked at Khushi, who was busy talking to Arnav and asked grudgingly, "Khushi, shall we leave?" Khushi kept the bowl aside quickly, much to Arnav's displeasure and stood up. "Yes, lets go... It's quite late and Payal must be waiting too," she said, justifying her quick exit, knowing fully well that Arnav was slightly miffed at her, going home with Akash.
Akash helped Khushi till the door, as the brother-sister duo looked at the two wistfully. Arnav did not get a private moment to hug and wish Khushi a goodnight, as Ananya followed them till the door. "Khushi... please do keep coming. You know right, that you are just like Anjali for us?" Ananya asked Khushi, in the hope of getting to spend more time with the girl... maybe the perfect girl for her Arnav. Khushi simply nodded, too overwhelmed to respond and settled comfortably in the car. Giving one last glance at a grumpy Arnav, Khushi looked over at Akash, who swiftly pulled away the car, out of Shantivan. Knowing that Arnav would not be able to drop her home due to the conference call, and not being able to ride back on her dhanno', who looked absolutely sparkling and new now... she had called up Akash to ask, if he could pick her up. She had wanted to speak to him for a while now, but something or the other had stopped her from doing so. Now as the eerie silence in the car engulfed them, Khushi thought it was the best time to bring up the subject.
"Akash, why have you been ignoring me for weeks now? I had initially thought that something was bothering you... maybe it was your work pressure, or something that I had said unintentionally. But now I think you are upset with me for some other reason. Kya hua hai AR?" Khushi's pleading voiced stunned him, and he looked over at his friend. The concern and sadness in her eyes shook him to the core. What the hell was he doing? Why could he just not let go... see her happy with Arnav? How could he have been so selfish? He had to make things right between them. She was extremely important to him and he also knew his own significance in her life. Finally it was time to tell her... the partial truth, at least... to safeguard their friendship and his broken heart.
"Khush, I am not upset with you. It's just that for years now... it's always been Payal, you and me. You have needed both of us for the smallest of needs. We had been used to your tantrums, your demands... pampering and spoiling you had become a habit. But since Arnav has come into your life... hmmm... well, I just feel uncomfortable. I feel like you are drifting away from us... and I miss my Khush," he frowned saying the last bit. Khushi looked at her friend, trying to understand his perspective... and now that she thought about it, he wasn't completely wrong. Since she had met Arnav... everything had revolved around him. She may not have intentionally ignored her friends, but she had become a little distanced from them. Payal may not have felt the complete brunt, because she lived with her... met her everyday. But she had barely spoken to Akash, in the last couple of months.
"AR, I am sorry. I reall..." her apology was abruptly cut off by Akash, as he said, "Khush, please... I don't want you to apologize. I understand that you... err... love Arnav. Spending time with him is important and I am not blaming you at all. It's just that it will take a little time for me to get used to this equation. But I promise... not to ignore you, okay? You are my best friend Khush... what will I ever do without you? Your craziness is addictive, and I know ki main itna bhi lucky nahi hoon, ki mujhe tumse itni jaldi chutkara mil jaayega!!" Khushi hit Akash playfully, as both the friends laughed... dissolving the discomfort and unease, within seconds. Khushi sat back in the car, content after resolving the awkwardness between AR and her. Things would surely get back to normal between them... with time.
PRECAP:
Arnav sat at his office desk... lost in thoughts of how he was going to put his plan into action. The last few weeks had been magical, and Khushi had now completely recovered. It was a different matter, that he still did not allow her to ride her beloved scooty, much to her dismay. The loud ring of his cellphone stunned him, but the name flashing across it brought a huge smile on his face. "Hey Payal! Ya... ok... that's great news... cool... No, no! You don't worry about it. I shall make all the necessary arrangements and you are not breathing a word about this to Khushi, ok?... Thanks a lot, Payal." Arnav cut the call, his heart thrilled at the news and satisfied at the same time. He summoned Aman immediately, firing orders, that would finally set his plan into action.
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Thank you so much for your generous and encouraging comments. It gives me immense pleasure to read that you are enjoying this story so much. Tomorrow, is the day of love, so... Wish you all a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! Just spread love and happiness around!
This chapter is dedicated to deeswarna and Barun_GF. Swarna... thank you for your constant support and encouragement, through your lovely comments. I had really missed you around, when you had been on a short break. And Pooji!! Hugs, for always being so excited and enthusiastic about my stories and all those wonderful comments. Your enthusiasm is truly infectious. Love you girls!!
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