Chapter 46

Arnav paced back and forth in the living room, feeling restless for a reason he couldn't explain.

Well no, that's a lie.

The reason was simply that he did not want to go to this party. He did not want Khushi in any proximity to that ogling bas***d Sameer.

"You're making my legs tired...can you please sit your butt down?!" Lavanya groaned at last, not being able to tolerate Arnav's restive pacing for another second.

Arnav grunted an apology and sat down next to Akash on the couch. Akash observed his brother with an amused frown.

"What's gotten into you?" Akash questioned. "Why are you so grumpy?"

"When is he not?" Lavanya rolled her eyes.

"NK, keep your woman quiet." Arnav smirked, seeing the startled look on NK's face.

"Arnav, mere bhai...no one can keep a woman quiet." NK stage whispered making Akash and Payal chuckle.

"Oh, that accent!" Lavanya fanned her face, referring to the way NK had said mere bhai'.

"What accent?" Anjali questioned as she joined the group and then frowned at Payal. "And you owe me one."

"This dress looks better on you anyway." Payal batted her eyelashes only to have Anjali narrow her eyes in return.

By a stroke of sheer coincidence, both Payal and Anjali had donned a blue A-line summer dress. After a rock-paper-scissors battle, Anjali had lost and was forced to change into the current coral dress. Lavanya sat pretty in a striking emerald, sleeveless dress.

The men had taken a more casual approach considering that this was a beach-bar party. All of them had opted for jeans and dress shirt and didn't give two hoots that they looked similar to one another.

"So now it's between Khushi and Rohan..." Payal noted.

"I bet you my next pay check that Khushi will step out before Rohan." Anjali found a seat next to NK and sat down with an easy feminine grace.

As if on cue, Khushi stepped out the very next moment, struggling with her necklace clasp. "Can someone help me with this?"

Not a single soul moved to help the poor woman overcome her battle with the tiny clasp of her jewelry. Automatically, she walked to Arnav and sat on the arm rest next to him. Taking the hint, he reached up and clasped the necklace in one go, taking a lungful of the floral scent radiating off of her.

She stood with the grace of a dancer and turned around to face the crowd with a big grin. Arnav's eyes quickly ran from her toes, taking in the pale aqua single strap heels to match with her pale aqua, apple orchard printed dress. A single baby-pink bracelet and a delicate silver chain around her neck completed her jewelry count. A thin pastel pink belt perfectly placed around her waist showed of her feminine figure elegantly.

"Close your mouth. And it's rude to stare." Akash teased with a gentle nudge to Arnav's chin.

Snickers and chuckles sounded all around them and Khushi's cheeks turned a delicious pink. Arnav smirked, not even slightly fazed at being caught staring, and wrapped an arm around Khushi's waist. He pulled her into his side and being less than a gentleman, flipped Akash the bird.

"She's mine. I'll look all I want to." Arnav winked at Khushi and looked back at Akash. "If you have a problem with it then stop looking at me while I'm looking at her."

"Alright lover boy." Lavanya stood up, her mirthful eyes settled on Arnav. "You can do this later...I want to get to that party."

Arnav's expression changed abruptly at her comment and Khushi immediately noticed. As they all started making their way out, Khushi grabbed his hand and smiled up at him.

"Are you sure you want to go?"

"I just want to be where you are, Tiny." Arnav smiled. Especially when you're around people who can't keep their eyes off you. When you look like that.

Khushi rolled her tongue into her cheek. Stupid...It's written all over his face that he's not thrilled about this. But why??

The beach pub was a comfortable walking distance from their cottage. Because of the girls and their complaining about their heels, they all walked through the main roads rather than taking the short way through the beach. A short, twenty-minute walk later, the octad found themselves at a lively place.

They entered through the open glass doors into a crowded interior which was painted in bright colours. The spinning lights over-head cast rainbows around the otherwise dark room, giving it a kaleidoscopic feel. Loud, lively musing thundered, making the floors beneath them shudder. Different perfumes and colognes had mingled in the salty beach air, producing a heady scent that seemed to be constant as they moved towards the back of the pub where the exit door to the beach was located.

They had barely walked a few steps on the stoned pathway when Danny walked up to them enthusiastically.

"You guys made it!!" He cheered. "I'm so glad you could come! Why don't you join us?"

As they followed him, Khushi took in her surroundings with a smile on her face. Multiple picnic benches were scattered around on the stony floor. Over-head, a canopy of stringed lights and streamers hung, swaying ever so gracefully in the breeze. The atmosphere outside was quieter than the inside but there was still music playing in the far corner.

Khushi's eyes lit up seeing the large wooden dance floor which was raised a foot off the floor. There were already a few couples up there, grooving to Latin music. Maybe later, she'll try to convince Arnav to join her there.

Arnav left her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist instead as soon as they reached the table and his eyes fell on Sameer. As they all greeted one another and got introduced to some other friends of Danny and Sameer's, Arnav was glad that Sameer didn't try to make any advances towards Khushi.

A round of drinks was ordered and despite his earlier glum mood, he found himself enjoying the chatter and banter. He had a feeling that a lot of it had to do with the woman sitting next to him, her hand in his. Then slowly, one by one, individuals began leaving the table to go party on the dance floor.

"You're the owner of AR, aren't you?!" One of the girls, Alisha"if Arnav remembered correctly"exclaimed as she suddenly remembered who the handsome guy at her table was.

"Well...my dad's the owner. I technically work for him." Arnav smiled.

"Wow...this is exciting! I absolutely love your fashion line. The last summer collection was out of this world!" Alisha gushed and went on and on about how big of a fan she was.

Khushi suppressed a chuckle at Arnav's bored expression but failed and ended up covering it up with a small cough.

"What?" Arnav narrowed his eyes at her.

"Nothing..." Khushi batted her eyelashes at him sweetly. "Some things just don't change...it's all the same. Girls showing interest in you and you not giving two hoots."

"I've never had a reason to give two hoots. I've only wanted one woman's attention, and now I have it." He winked at her, squeezing her gently.

As the minutes passed and conversations ended to give way to new ones, more individuals started leaving slowly from the table to shake a leg on the dance floor. After a certain period of time, the table was largely empty being occupied by only Arnav and Khushi.

"I thought you'd be the first one to go onto that dance floor." Arnav remarked as he took a swig from his bottle of beer.

"I would have been if I weren't sitting here with you." She smiled sweetly at him. She saw a hint of guilt pass on his face and she went on quickly. "Arnav, you didn't want to come to this party in the first place...but you're here. For me. I couldn't possibly leave you all alone at this table to go and dance. Besides...I'm content here."

"Khush..." Arnav began only to be interrupted.

"Oh shut up. It's called compromise. No relationship can work without it."

"Hey pretty lady..." Sameer appeared out of thin air behind Khushi and leaned so that his face was between Arnav and Khushi's.

Arnav clenched his jaw, tightened his hold on Khushi's hand and looked away.

"Are you having a good time?" Sameer asked politely.

"I am, thank you." Khushi smiled up at him. "How come you're not on the dance floor?"

"I will be if you join me..." Sameer chuckled.

"I would but I don't think your partner would appreciate that very much." Khushi smirked.

Arnav turned his head with interest. Sameer's partner?

Sameer looked taken aback and a bit worried. "How...how did you know?"

Khushi smiled gently. "I caught you guys holding hands under the table...why do you look so worried? I won't tell anyone."

Sameer shook his head, his face flaming with embarrassment. "No...I know...it just..."

"You don't have to explain yourself, Sam...your relationship is your business. I just happened to notice. I think you guys are absolutely wonderful together." Khushi touched Sameer's arm briefly, almost as if she was trying to reassure him.

Sameer ran a hand through his hair, seemingly frustrated. He let a long breath out, making up his mind to let the load off his chest. What better way than to tell a stranger about it? What could Khushi possibly gain from his loss?

He squatted where he stood, behind the small gap between Arnav and Khushi's chair. Both Arnav and Khushi turned out of common courtesy to look at him.

"The truth is...we've run away from home. Our parents...our society isn't accepting of this relationship. You know how it is..." Sameer shook his head sadly. "We've kept it under wraps because so far, everyone we've told hasn't understood us. We've lost our parents, family...even most of our friends cut off all ties once they found out. We're actually moving to the US where we can legally get married. We decided to take a small vacation before that though, because Danny's been quite depressed. He's missing his family."

Arnav's mind did a double take. Danny? And Sameer? Danny and Sameer?!

"I think it's brave what you two are doing, Sam..." Khushi put a hand on his shoulder, nothing but genuine pride dripping from her words. "When your parents see how happy you two are, they'll come around too. For now, they don't understand your choices...when they do, and when they see that you're truly satisfied and happy with your choices, they'll be happy for you."

Sameer smiled gratefully at Khushi and then looked at Arnav, presumably for similar words of comfort. Something Arnav wasn't good at offering to even his family, let alone strangers.

"She's right. And even if they don't..." Arnav offered his best attempt and looked at Khushi. Their eyes locked instantly. "No matter what...true love will always find its way."

Sameer watched on as Khushi and Arnav shared a cute eye-lock. He found himself grinning watching the faint smiles on the love struck couple's faces. Oh how he had loved irking Arnav all day.

It amused Sameer to see how oblivious Khushi was to Arnav's jealousy and irritation with him all day. He was almost certain that Arnav wouldn't let her come to this party. He was somewhat surprised to see them walk through the door. Obviously he hadn't missed the way Arnav had instantly changed his hold on her from tender to possessive.

He had actually showed up here, right this moment, to annoy Arnav some more but since Khushi had caught him and Danny...he couldn't possibly have succeeded in his mission.

After all the heartfelt talk, he almost felt bad for bothering Arnav all day. Almost. Because frankly...it was fun seeing him get annoyed. The frown and angry expression made him look hotter.

"You two are so adorable!"

"That we are!" Khushi chuckled and smiled at Sameer. "Now go and spend some time with Danny."

"You're not dancing?" Sam questioned.

"Not yet." Khushi tipped her head in the direction of her cocktail. "Once I'm done, I'll be there."

After taking a promise from her on her words, Sam left the couple in peace after all day of toying with Arnav's emotion of jealousy.

Once Danny was out of earshot, Arnav leaned back and couldn't help but chuckle at his own behavior all day. The whole situation just went to show that there's usually more than what meets the eye.

"What're you chuckling about?" Khushi questioned, amused at his reaction.

Arnav shook his head and looked at her, contemplating whether he should tell her about the reason why he'd been irritated all day. How would she take the information? Would she reduce it to his insecurities and get angry? Would she understand his fear of losing her and graciously accept his reaction? Or would she just laugh at him for being an idiot?

Before he could answer her, truthfully or not, they were interrupted by NK and Lavanya who took a seat directly across from them, bouncing with energy.

"You're back already...that was fast." Khushi chuckled as she teased NK.

"She got tired." NK tipped his head in Lavanya's direction who was struggling to catch her breath.

Khushi shook her head, knowing all too well.

"It's so hard to keep up with him!" Lavanya frowned.

Khushi laughed. "I know...he's a freaking energizer bunny on a dance floor."

"He's a completely different man!" Lavanya noted with amusement. "Why are you two sitting here and being all boring?"

"Because I don't dance...unless you guys want to teach me." Arnav sat back in his chair.

"Arnav, mere bhai, the party will be long over by the time you learn." NK grinned.

The four of them burst into laughter for a few seconds recalling the mission that was teaching Arnav Singh Raizada the dance routine for Anjali's sangeet. Just as their chuckles were subsiding, the music changed and the beginning beats of a familiar song began playing, catching Khushi's attention immediately.

Instinctively, she looked at NK only to find that he was already looking at her with a goofy smile on his face.

"Don't you dare let me miss this one!" NK warned with a pointed finger before holding out his hand to her.

Khushi and NK stood from the table simultaneously, a different energy radiating off both of them. Khushi had barely taken two steps around the table's edge when NK grabbed her hand and rushed off towards the dance floor, leaving a surprised Lavanya and an amused Arnav behind.

His eyes widened slightly as Khushi stepped up on the dance floor and immediately broke into three quick, gracious twirls, stopping in a perfect position in front of NK. It was as if they were two puzzle pieces and NK was waiting for Khushi to fit right into his arms. With one arm around her waist and one hand holding hers confidently, he began leading the routine as the words to the song began.