Chapter 4

The Morning After The Night Before

Chapter 3 - link is at
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3869849&PID=98859324&#p98859324

Chapter 4

Khushi had her hands full supervising the joint project that she had currently undertaken with AR designs . It was late afternoon and hot here on the site she felt worse she could feel the sweat trickling down her back. She had to make sure that the work was running to schedule and the only way of doing that was to visit the site. Not a smart idea in this heat she had not had breakfast or lunch and begun to feel light headed.

Khushi liked to do unannounced site visits to ensure that people were on the ball things were being carried out in the correct manner .She felt herself sway and then fall into a crumple heap.

The next thing she felt was herself being carried , a sense of familiarity as she came round her head spinning ,the arms felt safe and secure .

" Put me Down"

"Aahhh glad to see that your back in the land of the living "

"Nowww"

Arnav looked at the package he was carrying , whiter than white with a hand clamped over her mouth.

Arnav quickly put her down still using his hand to steady her and Khushi wretched the empty contents of her stomach over and over again - nothing but acid and bile she lent back in an exhausted heap. And closed her eyes. Breathless with eyes shut she asked "Where did you come from?"

"This seems to becoming a habit with us "

"Don't worry it wont i have not had anything to eat and the heat is unbearable "

Arnav looked at her strangely -he had been on a site visit checking progress and quality of work carried out when a worker approached him ."Saab, Saab -Memsaab has fainted "

Arnav was confused "Memsaab ?" Well whoever it was no one else was listed for a site visit he had better check it out .

He had followed the worker quickly and saw men gathering around a person . He spied her gentle sleeping face - she looked like an angel . "Khushi "He had quickly gathered her up in his arms .

"Khushi lets get you back and cool you down and feed you "

Arnav drove Khushi to AR designs while she sat back with her eyes closed the world was spinning less. Was she always fated to being hurling when he was around . The coolness of the car made her feel better . At least her face no longer felt on fire.She felt the car stop . These are my office they are closer.

Arnav supported Khushi towards the elevator with his arm round her waist ans kept it there whilst she leant on him for support . Her legs felt like jelly as though they would give way at any moment she could feel his body heat burning through her clothes . His hand that supported her seem to be searing through her thin kurti top. Arnav felt Khushi sway and looked at her closely - she looked alright he liked the feel of his hand on her back , she was just the perfect size she fitted him perfectly.

He hadn't seen since that fateful day at the office, he had tried but was always intercepted by Shashi. He couldn't get past her father even his emails to her were intercepted.

He needed to talk to her to ask her how she was ? Was she haunted by that night as much as he was ? Everytime he thought about it a little piece of the jigsaw fell into place , bodies mingling rolling ,the rose being caressed and sucked . He would feel passion stir like it had never stirred - was it because his brain stopped the memory from resurfacing . Did he feel like this because she was unobtainable , he unfulfilled . Would he ever remember?

"Where are we ?"

"The penthouse suite above the offices "

"Akaash and i have rooms here when we get busy . Sit here let me get you some water and something to eat "

After Kushi had eaten and drunk. She felt better .

"Khushi we need to talk . Do you remember anything from that night ?"

Khushi shook her head "Only the morning after "

"I have had flashes but there are parts still missing "

"I just have a gaping hole in mine "

"Khushi have you taken a pregnancy test ?"

"WHAT ? NO!"

"Khushi it's been 5 weeks we need to check and then maybe we can both put this behind us and move on "

"What eerr no. I mean Ok."

"I have to go buy one, a pregnancy test that is"

"Are you feeling up to going out or shall i go out and buy one ?" What the hell had he just said - he wouldn't even know where to begin or what one looked like it was not one of those things he normally paid attention to . Arnav you need to keep your mouth shut where Khushi is concerned and your little friend in check who just seems to have a bloody mind of its own like when you were 15. That's what you got you into this mess in the first place.

"What no. I'll go and get it" but from where she didn't know where to begin.

Confusion and panic nervousness must have shown in her eyes.

"Khushi stop ! This is new to me too and I am just as lost as you are." There his mouth went again for a man who seldom spoke around her, his mouth seemed to take on a mind of its own. He was actually babbling ! nervous he hadn't felt like this since he was 15 years old and asked his first girl out on a date. His palms sweating and heart racing .

He held her hand and softly said "look we can do this together it might make it easier for both us"

All khushi could do was nod not meeting his eyes.

A long while later total silence and disbelief as they stared at the piece of plastic before them displaying a coloured line. The silence seemed to echo around the room. Neither knew what to say . The finality of it all. The answer to many unanswered questions . The question that left many answers to be found. The clock ticked away on the wall. The wall of silence growing between them . Arnav let out a slow breath "I need a drink !"

"that's what started this mess in the first place"

"Now what, Khushi we have the answer that little coloured blue line has told us what happened that night - what do you want to do next ?"

He knew what he wanted but this baby had to be her decision not conceived in the best of circumstances but if born into this world it would have a father and if not born he would silently mourn its loss. What was new -he was used to heart ache and loss it was just the norm for him.

"I don't know -It was my first time and I lost my virginity in a drunken stupor and now I'm pregnant and I can't get rid of this tiny life in me. So where does it leave me? Unmarried and pregnant that's where. Society is easy but I have to tell my father - that's goanna be hard!"

"Khushi you are not in this alone -OK" His brain was still computating the information that had been delivered -her first time. Her father - a formidable adversary in any field. He had already seen him in action and had firsthand experience of how protective her father was of her.

"Khushi, I won't let this baby be born without a name ! It's hard enough raising a child they have so much to contend with without the extra hassle. We can get married in less than a week. Khushi is that ok ?"

"Then what ?"was the quiet silent whisper

"Look Khushi we get married , you have the baby we get to know each other and the rest will work itself out"

"You make it all sound so simple !"

"OK lets tell you family and mine together"

"Bad idea Arnav"

"Lets me tell my dad and you tell your family - by the way who is in your family ?"

"Aakash , you know , then there is Di- she will welcome you with open arms , Nani is a traditionalist she will give you a hard time but she come round in time , Mama Ji well he's happy with whatever Mami Ji you need to develop a second skin but i will put a stop to her comments . How about yours"

"Dad and Payal"

"So who should we tell first ?"

"Your family"

A long while later they were both outside Khushi house. Telling Arnav family had been traumatic but Khushi had an idea this was gonna be worse. She remembered Mami ji pretending to faint, and being melodramatic. Nani Ji just stared and nodded and gave the silent treatment. Di was welcoming just as Arnav had stated.

At Khushi House it was a whole different story.

"Hi dad , I have something to say , I er mean we have something to tell you. This is Arnav , oh but you already know that , what i mean is that this here is Arnav ...err"

"Khushi's Pregnant and we are getting married as soon as possible" Arnav thought he would help out as she seemed to be struggling .

"I knew from the board room the way you looked at her -you wanted her - but it was you in the hotel room"

Arnav was shocked Khushi father knew. The next thing he knew he felt a really hard punch that knocked him backwards

"Dad!"

"Never give her alcohol rule 1, never hurt her rule 2"

"You finished punching sir"

"No but looking at Khushi she won't let me use you like a punching bag. I need a drink none for either of you that's what started this whole bloody mess"

"What kind of wedding are you proposing - ?"

"Err... sir a quick one at the court"

"No she's my baby , she always wanted a traditional wedding and she will get one in 3 days due to other pressing issues - It will be organised within three days get your family ready and Arnav you can't keep calling me Sir"

"I better be going - take care Khushi"- he pulled her with him to the door.

"You going to be ok -Your dad can still bat for six considering his age - But I would have done more - You told him everything about that night."

Khushi nodded hesitantly.

Arnav placed his hand on her stomach gently stroking it - he lifted her gently with one finger and brushed his lips against her leaving the slightest of him on her.

"Khushi we are in this together we both have a lot to learn - we will do it together ok so don't worry and we will both make mistakes - just promise me we will talk about it ok - to stop any misunderstandings. I have had a lot of women in my life but I believe in the sanctity of marriage - so no more. I have a lot of business dealings and made some serious enemies along the way just like your dad has. Please ask me before you take any new ventures up."

"Arnav gently kissed her again and said see you tomorrow - we have a lot to sort out!"

He sat in his car rubbing his jaw contemplating the day's events - it had been a hard day - harder than any he remembered. But surprisingly he was happy with the outcome.

Now back home to get the silent treatment from Nani Ji wait until he told her of the wedding date. He had broad shoulders he was prepared for the backlash fallout from his actions but he was going to make it abundantly clear to them all -not a word against Khushi - she had a lot to cope with.