Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Mumbai Part2

Memories Continued..

She was a vision as she approached him. Wearing a light pink georgette saree with silver embroidery & delicate silver jewelry she was a picture of perfection. Arnav admired her beauty, 'She's just perfect.' He thought completely speechless.

"You look nice." He said unable to take his eyes off her.

"Thanks" Khushi said a bit disappointed. He could have said something better, couldn't he? What's the use of being so rich if you can't even afford a decent compliment? But then this was ASR she was thinking about, even such a small compliment was unexpected. Laat Governor..

As they got into the car that would take them to the venue, Khushi itched to know why he was taking her to the fashion show. He could've easily gone alone. She would've loved to spend the evening doing nothing sitting by the shore.

Finally after a few minutes her curiosity got the better of her. "Sir?" she said looking at him.

"Umm.." he said absent-mindedly typing something on his cell phone.

"Why are you taking me along with you?" she asked.

"Do you mind?" He asked looking up at her.

"No.. I mean there is nothing really for a PA to do at a fashion show." She said hoping he wouldn't get offended.

"Yeah, but there is a party afterwards," He continued casually, "where there'll be many important people. The thing is I need to have a partner along with me. I didn't have time to arrange one so you are going with me as my date."

She was going with him as his DATE? Shouldn't he have at least asked if she'd like to go? That's how it worked right? After all this wasn't included in her job description. She was extremely annoyed at him. How could he take her for granted like that?

When they reached the venue, he opened the door for her & offered his arm to her. She was a bit shocked at his sudden polite behaviour & awkwardly slid her hand into his arm lightly.

"Thank you Sir." She said.

"Don't call me Sir while we are here." He told her.

She quickly looked up at him, "Yes Sir.. I mean Mr. Raizada."

"Not Mr. Raizada either." He said.

"But then what shall I call you?" Khushi asked puzzled.

"Call me Arnav." He said simply.

"SIR?" She looked at him round eyed.

He raised his eyebrows at her.

"Alright Sir.. I mean A-Ar-Arnav!" She blushed furiously & looked at her feet, so she wasn't able to see the adoring smile that crept up on Arnav's face. He was pleased at the way his name sounded on her lips.

~~~~~~

She was completely bored as she stood next to ASR in the party while he talked business with several people. What kind of a date was this? What kind of a man was he? He had her hand held in his and people looked at her curiously. After some time she had gently pulled her hand out of his under the pretence of smoothening her hair but as soon as she had done that he had again held it.

She sighed. There were several people dancing on lovely soft music. Khushi longed to be on the dance floor but her so called date was busy cracking several deals. Besides, Khushi seriously doubted if ASR had ever danced in his life.

Just as they got rid of one group of people and Khushi was again about to make an attempt to free her hand, a lady in her mid-forties walked up to them with a couple of people tagging along with her.

"ASR" She almost screamed. "How nice to see you here!"

ASR greeted her politely. "Hello Mrs. Dev."

"I was wondering who your lovely date is. Isn't she beautiful Ryan?" She asked to a guy standing next to her who seemed to be a model.

"Yes, very." He answered smiling at Khushi.

Khushi smiled back blushing.

"She's my friend, Khushi Gupta." ASR answered curtly & introduced Khushi to them.

Khushi was surprised that ASR had introduced her as his friend.

"Charmed to meet you Miss Gupta." Ryan said holding Khushi's hand.

"Thank you." Khushi smiled & blushed again.

"Well, if ASR doesn't mind, would you care to dance with me?" Ryan asked looking from ASR to Khushi.

Khushi quickly looked up at her boss. He was looking daggers at Ryan for some reason.

Just then Mrs. Dev spoke up, "ASR is always busy with business associates & surely he'd want this lovely lady to enjoy the evening. Of course he wouldn't mind Ryan."

"Actually I do mind." ASR spoke up suddenly and tightened his grip on Khushi's hand. "I was myself about to ask her for a dance. Shall we Khushi?" He said suddenly turning to her & looking straight in her eyes.

She was so stunned. She just nodded & he took her to the dance floor. He could dance.. really well.. She had to give him that much.

Khushi was glad that dancing was second nature to her because again being so close to him wasn't helping her thought processes. He seemed to have permanently locked his eyes into hers. Khushi couldn't look away. His arms were wrapped around her waist in a steel grip holding her close.. almost possessively. A very small & logical part of her mind was trying to tell her that she should keep some distance from ASR or there could be trouble but her body didn't seem capable of obeying.

She was relieved when the music finally stopped. She shut her eyes tightly taking a deep breath & trying to step back & then opened them to look at him. He was still looking into her eyes &didn't seem to want to let go.

"Sir.. Arnav please.." She tried stepping back again.

He snapped out on hearing her say his name again and let her go. "Let's leave." He said turning towards the exit & dragging her along with him.

~~~~~~

On reaching the hotel he went straight to his room without a word to her. 'Damn, what's wrong with me?' he thought angrily pulling out his jacket & throwing it away. He wondered why he was getting drawn towards this girl.. why he couldn't remember his surroundings when she was with him? And she didn't even seem to care..

She'd been so stubborn when he had cared for her when she fainted. At Diwali when they had gotten close for the first time.. she didn't even look embarrassed or affected in any way. This morning when she was missing, he had been so worried but she was more interested in Cell phones & Lunch. And even now in the party.. she was forever trying to let go of his hand.. She had looked away the moment the music had stopped.. But he couldn't take his eyes off her.. Her soft body had felt so nice against his.. Her arms around his neck.. Her full lips slightly parted while they looked into each others eyes.. Damn! He had to see her again.

He went to her room & knocked; not thinking what he was doing. The door opened immediately as if she was standing right behind it. She looked a little breathless but beautiful. He stepped in moving towards her while she began to step back. They were halfway across her room when he caught her by her elbows to stop her. Arnav slid one hand up her arm to her neck as he took one more step closer to her, his thumb caressing her jawline. He saw her taking in a deep breath & closing her eyes as if in defeat.

That was it! His arm wound around her neck while the other snaked around her waist as he pulled her against him and his lips crushed against hers. He felt her stiffen for the shortest of a second before she gave in, wrapping her arms around him. He started the kiss almost violently, crushing her against him urgently but then more deeply getting gentler & more passionate like a slow burning fire and she was responding perfectly to each change in him as if it was a coordinated act.

Suddenly Khushi's phone started ringing loudly and they both pulled back at the same time looking wide eyed towards each other. It was like waking up from an enchanted dream & a spell had been broken. Embarrassed they both turned away from each other.

Khushi's phone continued to ring loudly to both of their annoyance. Finally Khushi recovered enough to walk up to her phone & answer it. "Hello? Jiji..?"

Not sure what to do Arnav walked back to his room & shut his door with a loud bang.

Khushi was just telling Payal that she'll call her back later when she heard his door bang. She turned around to find him gone.

'He had left? Just like that?' A tear rolled down her cheek as she sank down on the bed..

"No.. Please stop.." She pleaded trying to free herself.