Chapter 6

The Morning After The Night Before

Chapter 6

Khushi slowly surfaced from her sleep, stretching like a lazy cat sunning itself in the sun. Arnav felt her stir next to him. He had enjoyed her warmth as she had snuggled up to him in her sleep.

Khushi's arm struck the solid form next to her. With an ear splitting scream she leapt out of bed and was across the other side of the room trying to comprehend who was in bed with her.

"Stop Screaming !"

"Arnav it's only you" with a sigh of relief.

"Who else would it be ?"

"Recently ,with my past history - its seems to be any stranger these days. What time is it dad's dinner ?"

"I told him we would be late - shall we go ?"

Dinner was in full swing by the time Khushi and Arnav showed up.

Khushi kissed her dad, softly murmuring "sorry dad" and sat next to him.

She quietly said her hello's to everyone there and was rewarded by a curt nod of Nani's head, Mami Ji totally cut her dead. Aakaash and Di were warm and loving the exact opposite of the elder two members of the family.

Shashi noted the mute response at the table fifty fifty . He thought to himself let me tip the odds in Khushi s favour. Take the bull by the horns and now was a good time a s any .

"Nani Ji these are not the best circumstances for our children to be getting married in but the children want what the children want so we fall in. I can marry Khushi of with a smile or ... but I believe that if you are worried what people will say - they will say less if we laugh and smile. Nani Ji I believe in custom and tradition -but children make mistakes and as elders it's our duty to show them how to be forgiving ". Nani smiled at Shashi and nodded. The thaw had begun, She would warm to Khushi soon all that was left was the last hurdle Mami Ji. Now where did Arnav find her, she was one of a kind.

He would leave her to Khushi.

"Khushi we know so little about you please tell us" Nani asked trying her hardest not to sound stern"

Mami muttered softly but loud enough to be heard " Shleeps around I ish thinkhing"

In that second a multitude of events happened simultaneously

Arnav's head jerked up anger flaring in his eyes ready to let is wrath loose.

Shashi leant forward with an ice cold menacing gaze inhaled a deep breath and was about to let loose when Khushi placed a restraing hand over his and looked him straight in the eye with a warning look.

Nani Ji voiced her thoughts out aloud shocked at the statement "Manorma!"

Di and Aakaash just stared and their jaws dropped at Khushi's response.

"Mami Ji ,one has to taste the sweets they are buying otherwise how will you know which one you like the best"

Shashi smothered his laughter as he saw Manorma turn red and choke on her drink.

His Khushi was back! The board room cougar had resurfaced. Oh Manorma had better watch out.

Arnav sat back calmly - this he had to watch. He wasn't sure if he had been complimented or insulted.

By the end of dinner Khushi had had enough, the stifling atmosphere, she had been fielding comments most of the evening from Mami Ji and returning them with interest.

"As much as I would love to stay -you have to excuse me." She shot her dad an apologetic look -you deal with crowd I m off.

She smile at Arnav and was about to leave when Arnav stood up to. God he was polite "Oh Arnav please don't get up on my account"

He smiled, something not often seen by his family "Oh I thought you might like another shot at the chocolate box selection"

Khushi's eyes sparkled with mischief- both Payal and her dad knew this look well.

"I will definitely have to have a taste you know what they say Mami Ji -certain flavours are addictive"

He grabbed her hand laughingly and led the way to her room .

Shashi just roared with laughter whilst Payal replied "Dad don't encourage her"

Manorama turned red and was speechless.

Khushi shut her bedroom door "Sorry Arnav, but I had enough of her innuendo's I had to shut her up. Arnav she's part of your family but if she says anything I repeat anything to my baby, I will eat her up for breakfast and spit her out before she has time to even think"

"Resheath your claws - It's not good for you or the baby."

There was a gentle knock at the door "Khushi may I come in"

"Jiji ? Come... Since when have you ever knocked on my door?"

"Since you started tasting chocolates!"

"Jiji , you don't believe that do you ?"

"Pagli , You know I don't, why are you crying now ?"

"I don't ... hic ... kn ...hic ...ow" sobbed Khushi

"Dad said you were going to be one screwed up individual for the next 7and a bit months."

Arnav looked in disbelief as the she- tigress turned into a quivering sobbing mess.

"Khushi please stop look, dad sent your special brew everyone's gone home. Hey and I knocked because chocolate box was in here- I was thinking of him not you stupid!"

Khushi smiled at her sister .

Khushi sipped her drink " Arnav lean over" Arnav noticed her eyes flash with mischief but leant over wondering.

Khushi planted a super wet kiss on Arnav's lip's.

Arnav smiled and licked his wet lips and then scowled at her "So that's you game ha?"

"What ?" asked Khushi as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

"You kissed me so I could taste that vile drink"

He took the drink from her hand, your first kiss you can't remember, your second kiss I will remember - your third ..." He looked hypnotically into her eyes revealing the hidden depth of passion Khushi felt her breath stop, her heart started pounding , could he hear her heart , he slowly brought his lips within touching distance staring into those eyes asking seeking permission to enter. He could feel her hot breath on his lips almost taste her. He waited hovering patiently for permission, their breath mingled entwined and merged. Yet Arnav waited patiently, softly as a butterflies wings his warm lips caressed hers. Khushi felt passion stirring within her lips parted and slowly his tongue entered seeking exploring the hot chamber both were exploring tasting feeling. Khushi felt herself on fire as though she would self combust. An involuntary moan escaped from her lips.

He slowly retreated the blood pounding in his ears. His knees felt weak he wanted more -small steps, slow steps -he would make her first time special. Breathless he waited till his heart beat returned to normal.

"Your third kiss ... we will both remember"

It was much later on a sleepless Khushi tossed and turned in bed remembering and replaying that kiss - if that what his kiss did to her what about the rest of it ? How could she have completely wiped out that memory?

Arnav was not faring much better - he had never felt like that after kissing a girl and he had had his fare share. To top it off his mind was filled with fleeting images of two bodies entwined Khushi wearing a red lacy bra , the little rose peeping out , the butterfly. He leapt out of his bed in a full state of arousal you my little friend are going to have to learn some control where Khushi is concerned. He dived into the pool to swim away his frustrations.