Chapter 22
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[MEMBERSONLY]
love_iqbal_khan 2014-05-08 20:29:15
Previous Part:
Part 19: The First Strike (Part I)
Arnav flipped through the small stack of pictures for the 6th time as the driver drove to the venue of the charity event. Akash had handed him this stack of pictures as soon as they'd left the penthouse. Arnav had waited until he'd gotten into the car to look at them.
They were pictures of him and Khushi--specifically of the dance performance from Anjali's engagement party.
"You should have heard what everyone had to say about the amazing chemistry between you two..."
Arnav recalled Akash's words from earlier in the day. As he looked through the pictures yet again, he couldn't help the small smile that made its way to his lips. Even though he concluded so himself, they did look great together. Then again, he had always known that, hadn't he? There had been many instances when friends of friends would question whether they were a couple. There must be some chemistry there if people were led to believe that...right?
Just as the driver pulled into the parking lot of the university, Arnav found himself wondering whether or not NK saw the sparks that everyone else seemed to. Did NK ever doubt the equation between Khushi and Arnav? Did it occur to him, even for a moment, that Khushi could have fallen in love with her best friend or that Arnav could have fallen in love with her?
More importantly, did it ever occur to Khushi? Did she ever, for a second, think that he may have feelings for her?
Arnav's restless eyes scanned the crowd for glimpses of the woman in question as he made his way into the building flanked by Akash. Arvind had already reached the venue since he had left Akash and Arnav behind so that Arnav could freshen up and look presentable. It was during that quick shower at the gym if their building that Arnav realized how Akash knew exactly when to say something and when to keep quiet.
Like right now, he was walking wordlessly next to Arnav whereas if Arvind was here, Arnav would be getting lectured.
"Where is she?" Arnav whispered to Akash.
Akash rolled his eyes. And then they wonder how I figured it out!
"She's probably already seated with the others..." Akash shrugged.
Arnav and Akash detached from the crowd and made their way up the narrow staircase which led to the entrance of the auditorium's balcony where the VIP guests were seated today. Mainly that included the major donors and relatives of the individuals performing tonight. It wasn't difficult to spot the group. They were seated along the first row of the balcony"the best seats in the entire auditorium for they got unhindered view of the stage.
Arnav ignored the curious, questioning, and wary glances cast his way by Anjali, Rohan, Payal, and even Aman. Arnav simply gave them a nonchalant greeting and took a seat in between Arvind and Akash.
"Where's Khushi?" Akash questioned before Arnav could manage to even think the question.
He hadn't failed to notice that Khushi and NK weren't seated here. Like that was even possible considering the fact that he didn't care about seeing anyone other than her at the moment.
"They went to get refreshments I think...Khushi was getting irritated without her bottle of coke." Payal rolled her eyes.
Arnav's jaw clenched at the mere thought of NK and Khushi being together...alone. He didn't have much time to dwell on the disturbing thought for too long because a couple minutes later, the lights dimmed and the curtains opened to reveal Lavanya.
Silence befell the auditorium as Lavanya and the man accompanying her gave a preliminary speech, thanking all the donors and all the guests for being present. For the next half hour, Arnav watched the performances with less attention than he would have liked for his eyes kept sweeping the auditorium for a glimpse of Khushi.
Where the hell is she?!
"And now ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for a very special performance. These two dancers have not only donated financially but also a glimpse of their talent. Please welcome on stage, all the way for Australia...Mr. Nakul Kohli and Ms. Khushi Gupta!" Lavanya spoke enthusiastically and the crowd erupted in cheers even as simultaneous gasps escaped Anjali and Payal.
Arnav looked questioningly at Akash only to get a confused shrug in return. "I have no idea..."
Arnav turned back to face the stage just as the curtains opened. For a moment, Arnav's eyes completely ignored NK and focused on the woman dressed in black. Even from this distance, she looked breathtakingly beautiful. The black dress was in complete contrast to her pale skin, giving her a radiant glow. The joy of being on stage was clearly displayed on her face.
Arnav didn't like surprises...most of them anyway...and he had a feeling that he wasn't going to like this one either.
"Don't worry...their chemistry...if any...can't be better than what you and her had at Di's engagement" Akash whispered encouragingly.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMgmjCE32dk[/YOUTUBE]
Arnav's eyes could no longer ignore NK once the music started. How could he when Khushi was so close to him?? It wouldn't be wrong to say that Khushi and NK were practically glued together during the entire performance.
Akash was eating his own words mere seconds into the performance. If he hadn't known better, he would have bet any money that the couple dancing on the stage was head over heels in love. Their chemistry was electrifying and the hoots and cheers of the crowd were ample proof of the fact.
He dared not look at Arnav because he was sure that the mighty ASR must've noticed this, too, and must be shooting daggers at him at the moment.
If Akash had only looked at Arnav, he would have found him shooting daggers at the couple on the stage, instead.
Can't they let go of each other for one damn second?! And what's this stupid obsession of hers with open back dresses? Sure she has a tattoo on her shoulder but is this necessary? Why is she letting him hold her that way, dammit! Let. Go. Of. My. Woman. You. Stupid. Nakul. Kohli.
Arnav watched keenly and noticed the ease that existed between the two of them. There wasn't a single hint of discomfort on either one's face. NK's hands had held her intimately multiple times and she seemed perfectly comfortable with it. Along with the comfort, Arnav noticed the sense of trust that must exist between two dancers to execute difficult lifts.
The frown on his face only etched deeper as NK and Khushi ended their performance with a romantic looking pose. The auditorium roared with applause and cheers while Arnav's veins were ablaze in rage. Anjali, Rohan, Payal, Akash, and Aman were on their feet along with a few others, giving a standing ovation.
"Sorry Arnav...we had no idea..." Arvind spoke quietly.
Arnav's eyes didn't stray from the couple of stage as he shrugged in a nonchalant manner to his father's comment. Khushi and NK had finally parted and taken a bow. NK playfully blew a couple of kisses to the crowd.
Arnav felt a bubble of warm hope burst in his heart as he watched Khushi first blow a kiss to the crowd and then place a quick kiss on the tattoo on her hand. His fingers automatically reached to caress the identical tattoo on the side of his hand.
It couldn't have been an accident. She'd done it deliberately. He didn't know what made him so sure but he was absolutely sure. And in that one gesture of hers, he'd found more hope than any of Akash and Arvind's words. He'd found more motivation from that innocent act than from the numerous threats of Akash and Arvind.
She wouldn't make things easy, he knew. He couldn't just go up to her and tell her how he felt because she'd immediately be on the defense, he knew that too. But he won't give up. He will fight for her. As if his life depends on it...because in more aspects than one, it sort of does.
_____
Khushi stood against the closed door of her change room, with a hand to her heart, and her eyes closed. She'd known he was there before she had seen him. She was taken by surprise because she honestly hadn't been expecting him to show up. She knew she would see him in a few minutes and she knew that she had to keep her temper and other emotions in check.
No! I will not keep my temper in check. Who the hell does he think he is? How dare he disappear on me without a warning AGAIN? Didn't he realize what mess things became the last time he'd done that?
She moved away from the door and started pulling the dress's zipper with more force than necessary.
She knew that Arnav would be difficult to deal with when he found out about the engagement but what is the meaning of just leaving like that...for days?!
She picked up her sun-dress with vengeance and pulled it on as if she were punishing the flimsy fabric. Twisting her hands awkwardly, she struggled with the simple task of pulling the zip closed.
Her mind was too preoccupied by Arnav to focus on much else. She'd expected an outburst...primarily because she was engaged and he didn't know until now. That was a feasible reaction...everyone else had reacted that way.
But no...he has to leave and not tell anyone where the hell he's going! Why won't he realize how much I still worry about him? Why doesn't he understand that I care about him? Why can't he see that I love--
A knock on the door interrupted her train of thoughts. She walked to the door; half dazed, half enraged and swung it open. The next second, multiple emotions ran through her: anger, relief, sadness, happiness, surprise, confusion, and some more anger.
"Hi Khush..."
In Khushi's mind, confusion made itself profound at his casual tone. He was standing there in front of her as if he hadn't all but disappeared from the face of the earth for the last four days! As if nothing had happened...
Without waiting for her invitation, he coolly strolled into the change room, making her take compensating steps backwards. Hiding a smirk at the fact that he had managed to fluster her, he gently closed the door behind him.
"You were great...I honestly didn't know you could dance like that." He smiled in a friendly manner and Khushi was immediately on guard.
Something is off about him...what is it? Think Khushi...think...
"I'm sorry I left abruptly the other day. The news was...shocking, to say the least. I could have dealt with it better, I suppose, but I can't change that now." Arnav shrugged. "Anyway...congratulations on being engaged."
Khushi frowned suspiciously. Something wasn't right about this. He was actually being calm about this? He was congratulating her? Where's the tantrum he's supposed to throw?!
If only she knew the shrewd ways of ASR...
ASR didn't throw tantrums. He attacked in a way that left the opponent wondering what the hell had hit them. She had no idea what she was surrounded by...absolutely no idea what she had involuntarily gotten into.
"Th-thank you...?" Khushi managed at last.
"I still think you could have done better...much better..." Arnav challenged with a smirk, his eyes focusing on something over her shoulder.
Khushi's anger resurfaced slowly but before she could say anything else, Arnav's arm had snaked around her waist and he had hauled her flushed against himself.
"Arnav! What're you""
"Shh..." Arnav placed the index finger of his free hand on her lips to shut her up.
Khushi closed her eyes as his finger traced along her jaw, down the side of her neck, and across the shoulder before it dipped down the slope of her back until his hand came to rest in the middle of her back, his touch leaving a trail of fire on her skin. Her eyes flew open as she registered his scorching touch against her bare back.
The zipper!!
The smug smirk returned on his face as he pulled the zip up, torturously slowly. Khushi's mind delved into a nostalgic sea of memories where she recalled the numerous times he had thrown tantrums about her clothes being too revealing-even if they weren't- and forced her to cover up.
Once the zip was secured, he returned his hand to her face and caressed her cheeks gently. The fairness of her skin was replaced by a deep crimson hue under his touch. The knowledge brought him pure joy. He leaned closer and kissed her cheek gently.
"You're beautiful..." Arnav's words made her head feel feather light. "I've always thought that, you know...even when I called you a tomboy and made fun of you..."
Khushi swallowed a lump in her throat.
Why is he telling me all this? What the hell is going on in his mind? Why am I not saying anything?!
Even as the thought crossed her mind, she learned that she still couldn't speak. Her voice had taken leave along with her good sense. She shouldn't be letting him touch her the way he was. It wasn't healthy for her...especially with the recent stubborn"and incorrect"conclusion that she'd gotten over him. And him acting like...like...this and the way she was reacting to him wasn't helping her case. At all.
But even then, she stood there like a statue when he leaned in a second time and kissed her forehead. He let go of her gently, almost reluctantly, and turned on his heels. He took three quick steps and reached the door while Khushi stood frozen in her spot. He opened the door and turned to face her, his hand still closed around the doorknob.
"By the way...don't let your fiance see you reacting to me that way..." with another smug smirk, he was out of the door and out of her sight.
Khushi stood there for a long minute, staring at the place where he was standing before he left.
Just what the hell happened?
Khushi leaned her back against the wall and closed her hand over her thundering heart. She had used the four days of his absence to convince herself that she was over him. That the rush of feelings was just a shadow of the past. She had promised herself that she wouldn't make anything of these stupid emotions and she would definitely not let him hurt her again...even if he wasn't doing it intentionally.
If he didn't have it in him to try and talk to her just once through these three years, then she wasn't going to waste her time or put herself in that spot again. She'd been there once and she wasn't going to return there.
She is NK's fiance now. Sure, it's an arranged marriage but so what? That doesn't mean that she won't feel guilty if NK gets hurt. She knew what that pain was like and she wasn't going to put her only friend of the past three years through that.
I'll tell him the truth...I'll tell him that I used to have feelings for Arnav. He deserves to know. He'll feel betrayed if he finds out from somewhere else. I'll tell him that there is nothing but friendship between me and Arnav...if you could even call it that. Yeah. I'll do just that. Once Anjali's wedding is done, I'll talk to NK...There's no need to add more drama to this mess.
She was unpleasantly reminded by her memory that she has a pending conversation with Arnav too. Even though she was busy denying her current feelings for Arnav, she still wanted some answers and explanations from him. Especially now after the way he had just behaved.
What the hell is all this supposed to mean? Does he think that I'm another one of his stupid girlfriends who'll go crazy over him if he flirts?! If he thinks I'm going to be throwing myself at him then he's in for a surprise! Who the hell does he think he is? He can come up to me and talk whenever he wants and disappear whenever he wants? Keep yourself in check Khushi. You don't want to end up being heartbroken again, do you?
She raised her chin stubbornly, grabbed her cross-body bag and stormed out of the dressing room.
_____
Arnav had taken a detour after he'd thought of something impromptu and by the time he'd gotten home, he'd found everyone seated in the living room, chatting. He gave Khushi a dazzling smile and greeted everyone else.
"Where the hell were you for four days?!" Anjali spat angrily.
"I think it has to do with the announcement of my engagement with Khushi, right?"
Every head turned to look at NK. Everyone except Khushi. Her eyes remained fixated on Arnav who didn't seem bothered by NK's question at all. Khushi's gut clenched nervously when Arnav gave a sugar-laced smile to NK.
Arnav held NK's questioning gaze with confidence. "You're right, NK. It has everything to do with the announcement of Khushi's engagement."
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