Chapter 8

"Riya ji I can't do this", said Khushi apologetically to her senior. "Khushi please, Neha didn't make it because of some emergency, and I don't have anyone else to fit into my dress, it will only fit to a very slim lady and you are perfect for it", said Riya pleadingly.

"But I can't go on stage, there will be a lot of people and not to forget our uni guys, they will nag me about it after that", said Khushi worriedly.

Riya thought for a while and then said excitedly, "don't worry I will give you a masquerade mask, you can put it on and no one is going to recognize you in 5 mins".

"But .. I .. , Khushi was about to say something when Riya cut her off. "Please Khushi I beg you, please do this for me, the show is about to start in an hour, I won't be able to get other girl to model my dress ... Please help me I don't want to fail in my final project please." Riya was really begging to Khushi and Khushi could see how much worried she was, of course its her final year project, her passing the degree depends on that, not to mention a job too.

Khushi hesitantly agreed, "Ok I will do it, but please no one should know it was me.", as Khushi didn't want another incident like this to happen, she knows if people find out that she had done a modeling for one of the dress other will ask her too, as she was not less than a model herself, but Khushi doesn't like attention, that's why she never goes in that direction.

"yesss... Oh thank you Khushi ... don't worry I won't tell anyone. I own you a big one", Riya happily hugs Khushi and take her to the green room to make her get ready for the show.

A black BMW 760i stopped in front of the university gates, the back door opens and Arnav Singh Raizada comes out along with Aman. The dean of the university who was waiting for the chief guest, hurriedly moves towards Arnav to greet him, "Welcome Mr. Raizada to Vincent Institute".

"Pleasure is all mine", Said Arnav while shaking hands with the dean.

"Please come this way, show is about to start in half an hour", dean gestures Arnav to follow.

Arnav enters the university following dean, every head turns in his direction, all the girls were going gaga over him as he was looking dashing in his Black Armani suit with royal blue shirt and black shining cravat, boys were also getting impress by his persona and some was passing him envy and jealous looks. Dean took Arnav to Auditorium which was decorated for the fashion show, with ramp in center and seats on right, left and front. Arnav sat with dean on the front seat row, on the right side of the ramp.

Every year Vincent institute would hold the fashion show for final year project of students, who showcase their creations in front of judges, chief guest and many other well known people from the fashion industry. Many students have the chance to land the job or internship if their work is liked by any company. And this year, Arnav Singh Raizada was the chief guest as at that time he was the rising star in the fashion industry with his company AR Designz reaching toward heights. And many students were hoping to impress ASR too (especially girls) so that they can get job or internship at AR DESIGNZ.

"Oh my God, ASR is here and he is looking so handsome and sexy", a girl came inside the green room shouting lightly, every girl present their got excited.

"He is so dreamy naa ... I wish I could date him", one girl say ...

"huh forget date .. I just want to kiss him .. he is so yummy", other girl say.

and the chatter goes on about ASR ..

Khushi was hearing all this from behind the curtain, as there were many small booths made for the models to change the dress. Khushi got nervous hearing that ASR is here, being in Fashion field who doesn't know about ASR, everybody knows him and his success, she doesn't know much about him but she too found him interesting. But never gave a thought as she has never met him.

Riya came into the booth and asked if she is ready. Khushi nodes her head, then Riya gave her the mask and ask her to put it on. Khushi did and came out of the booth, everyone was nervous and busy with his/her model so nobody paid attention to Khushi.

"Khushi my turn is in second cue, so be ready at the back stage, I will be back in 10 mins, I have to give this report to my professor" Said Riya showing Khushi a file. Khushi said, "Ok", fidgeting nervously with her gown.

Just after Riya left Khushi phone rang, its her jiji calling her, oh she must be here, thought Khushi worriedly, now I can't go out like that, she picked the call.

"Khushi where are you, I am in the hall but I can't see you anywhere" asked Payal.

"Jiji I am with my senior, I am helping her with some stuff, I will be with you in half an hour ok" said Khushi .

"What Khushi ... I can't hear you", Payal said loudly .

Khushi check her cell, signals were dropping so she went to the other side, away from the students and models along the corridor and walk few steps ahead.

"Jiji can you hear me now?" , asked Khushi ..

"yeah .. where are you" asked Payal again.

"Jiji I am helping my senior with some stuff I will be with you in a while ok ... you stay where you are, I will found you." Said Khushi in one ago.

"Ok I am here in the hall ... at the back row in front of ramp", said Payal.

"Ok jiji baye" Khushi cut the call, turn around and bump into something hard ... or may be ... someone.

Meanwhile the show started and Dean went to the stage to give the introductory speech. Arnav cell rang, his Di was calling, but the call got disconnected before he could pick up, no proper signals.

"Aman I got to call Di I will be back in 5 mins ok" Arnav told Aman.

He went to back stage, and went to right along the corridor , he was looking down at his mobile dialing his Di number when he bum into someone, he saw a girl who was about to fall back due to impact he quickly grab her waist with his right hand and catch her arm with other hand, he looked down and found a beautiful girl wearing a very pretty hot pink off shoulder gown, with a sash embodied with silver work going up towards her left shoulder, and going behind her back in a curve shape on the right side. Her hair was of shoulder length done in curls and she had her eyes scrunched closed and breathing heavily.

Khushi gasp due to sudden impact and close her eyes thinking that she would hit the hard floor any sec now but that didn't happen, instead a strong hand held her from her waist.
Khushi open her eyes after few sec and look directly into a pair of most beautiful brown eyes, she had ever seen. Khushi look further and got stilled with shock ... she had bumped into none other than Arnav Singh Raizada and now she is in his arm, bend backwards.

She got nervous because of the close proximity and started to breathe heavily. Both were staring into each other, don't know but for some reason both felt an immediate warm filled them, Arnav saw her green eyes and was mesmerized by her glowing milky smooth skin but he couldn't see her full face as it was half hiding behind the white mask, covering her face till end of her nose. His hand left her shoulder and went towards the mask on its own recorde to take it off so that he can see the full beautiful face.

His hand touches the mask and then at the same time his mobile rang again. That brought both of them out of their trance and Khushi immediately straighten herself and quickly mumble a sorry and walk fast from there, not wanted to turn back, she went to back stage with other models.

Arnav picked up the call, "yeah di ... I was calling you but having a network problem", said Arnav ..

"its ok chotey .. I just forget to ask you when I called before that when will you be coming back", asked Anjali

"Di I will be back on day after tomorrow" Said Arnav and hearing Anjali said Ok he cut the call. He was still lost in the feel of that soft body which was in his arms just a minute ago, he went toward the hall to his seat.

The show started and models walked on the ramp, the first cue includes of 6 models, who were wearing different dress, but Arnav eyes were searching for that particular girl whom he bumped into. He had seen her going towards backstage and understood that she must be one of the models.

The models walked on the ramp, facing the audience in different poses and then move towards the entrance of the ramp. Then the second cue came and third model was that girl, he was looking for. She was walking very gracefully and that gown hugged her body like a second skin, the hot pink color making her skin glowier.

Khushi walked straight to the end of ramp with her right hand on her waist and left hand hung lose, she then stop in front of the audience and pose by placing her both hands on her hips and putting her body weight on her right leg. Camera click the pictures then Khushi turn towards the right and walk to audience and her eyes fell on Arnav, she got still and nervous a little seeing him staring at her ... DHAK DHAK DHAK DHAK DHAK ... her heart started to beat fast ... she could not help but look into those eyes. Arnav too saw her staring at him. Then a model pass by Khushi and she quickly turned away and walked towards the backstage.

Only Khushi was wearing the mask among other models, and that intrigues Arnav, sudden urge to see her face engulfed him and he stood up and told Aman that he will be back. Don't know why but he felt that he had to see her face. He walked towards the back stage with hurried steps and saw her moving towards rooms and she entered one. He quickly follows her and went into the room.

Khushi hurriedly went to the green room so that she can change and go to her jiji, luckily for her the room was empty, she was about to take her mask off but then she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Arnav standing in front of her just a few inches away. Khushi mouth opens in surprise and shock as she could not believe that he is standing in front of her.

Before they could say something, the sound of footsteps heading towards the room heard, Arnav quickly grab Khushi's arm and pulled her into one of the booths and push her towards the wall with her front touching to his chest, he place his other hand on her mouth so that she don't make any sound. Khushi was shocked at the sudden happening so she remains mute. Arnav watched through the slit of curtains that someone came in the room, "She is not here", he hear some girl say then after few secs the voice of door closing came.

Arnav looked at Khushi as she tried to push his hand but his grip was strong yet gentle on her mouth, their close proximity making both of them anxious. Arnav shakes his head in a NO looking into Khushi's eye indicating her not to push his hand away.

Khushi looked into his eyes, confused. Her heart started to beat fast; she couldn't decipher the emotions shown in Arnav's eyes, lust, hunger, desire, confusion, anger ... nothing. But his BROWN EYES, its like she have seen them before and they were now turning dark, there was something else in his eyes that was making Khushi relax and her breathing coming to normal, she didn't know why but she felt warm being that close to him, it's like it meant to happen. He was looking so handsome and smelling so sexy.

Arnav could see different emotions playing in her green eyes .. GREEN EYES.. looks like he knows them; they were kind of pulling him towards themselves. She is so soft and beautiful, her fragrance was strange but erotic one, he haven't come across that kind of fragrance before, it's like flowery, mix with some fruity smell. And he was getting aroused by that smell.

He left her mouth slowly and his hand move to her mask on its own accord, his other hand was still holding her arm. He was still looking deep into her eyes while his hand slowly removes the mask from her face.

BEAUTIFUL, was the word that came to his mind. The mask slips from his hand. Her small button nose, which was now a slight shade of pink , same were the cheeks, her plum lips ... lips ... those were the most luscious lips he have ever seen and they were slightly apart breathing air in. He touch her lips with this thumb, OH how will they taste.. he thought ... he put his thumb on one corner of her lower lip and trace it by going towards other end and smudge the lipstick a little on her skin beside lips.

Khushi came back from her thoughts when she felt his thumb touching her lips, she put her both hands on his chest and push him away. Arnav who was lost in her beauty have loosen the grip on her arm, he stumble back a little, surprised at her act.

Both look into each other eyes then Khushi breathing heavily suddenly move out, pushing the curtains away and ran from there. Arnav was lost thinking What had just happen? She pushed him away? He looked down at the mask. Suddenly his mobile rang, he saw Aman name flash on his cell. He quickly move from there and head towards the hall. The rest of the show went kind of a blur for Arnav as he was thinking about Khushi whole time. And time to time seeing here there if he could catch her glimpse.

Khushi quickly change into her clothes adjust her face and went to the hall at the back seat, she spotted Payal sitting on one of the chair, she sat down beside her. Payal looked at her and asked what happen. Khushi just shake her head in NO and Payal look towards the ramp watching the show.

Khushi didn't know whats happening to her, she should be angry at the way Arnav behave with her, but she was scared. Scared of the new emotions going through her heart and body. It was the first time she felt warmth being close to some guy. First time her heart started to beat fast when he hold her close. First time she wanted to be kissed ,, Wait ,,, where that come from . She slowly touches her lips reeling in the feel of his touch, how he smudged her lipstick. She shiver a little thinking what could have happened if she had stayed there. She smack her head lightly and then try to concentrate on the ongoing show but she couldn't, time to time she could only see his handsome face and his eyes.

FLASBACK ENDS ...

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Precap: Khushi @ AR .