Chapter 135

At evening around 6pm they reached Paris Gare du Nord Train Station. Khushi zipped up Arush's jacket as it was a little chillier outside than London. She picked him up and they went out of train. Arnav guided her through the check points and they came out of the station. Arnav hired a cab and they reached their hotel in 30 minutes. Arnav helped her climbed out with Arush in her arms, who was almost asleep. Khushi read the hotel name "Le Meurice".

They enter the lobby, with bellboy behind them with their luggage. Arnav address the man at the reception desk asking about their room and Khushi looked around the grand lobby. Khushi could guess with the sleek furniture, decoration and shiny chandeliers that it is a 5 star hotel. A concierge guided them towards the elevators and up to their suite. He told them that their was a "Prestige Suite", with 2 bedrooms, a living room and small kitchenette place.

He opened the wide wood door with the electronic key card and they entered. He told them about their suite which blends 18^th century opulence and contemporary French Style. It has Louis XVI inspired furniture, silk accents and regal touches, creating a luxurious setting. The long windows have views over Paris and Tuileries Gardens. The master bedroom has an en-suite exquisite marble bathroom, along with toiletries and bathrobes.

They move into the living room as the concierge told them about the privileges which include a mini bar, normal size fridge, a small microwave and coffee making machine in the kitchenette. A fire place with electronic match in the living room, a working desk, complimentary high speed internet, free champagne and fruits every day. And multi-channel plasma TV and another fire place in the master bedroom.

They enter the master bedroom on the left side, at the end of living room. Khushi was awed looking around the bedroom. She moves to the king size bed and place Arush on it. Arnav talked to the concierge for a minute and then dismissed him taking the key card. Arnav move out of the bedroom to lock the door and bring the luggage inside the master bedroom. And Khushi removed Arush's jacket and place the comforter over him. He was fast asleep. Khushi look around the saw the luggage near the door but Arnav was not there. She put off the lights and went out of bedroom, with door wide open so she could know when Arush wakes up. She didn't find Arnav in the living room so she went to the other bedroom just opposite the master bedroom on other side of living room.

As usual she found him on phone, talking with Aman; giving him updates about the progress of the AR branch in London and gave him some tasks about it. As soon as he ends the call Khushi speak up, "Arnavji, why did you book this suite, isn't it too big for the three of us? We could have adjusted well in a room like we had in London".

"I booked the deluxe suite for us but I changed it to prestige suite because it came with its own kitchenette space", said Arnav as he move close to her, "I don't want to repeat the episode we had in London, you can store milk for Arush in the fridge and can heat it up here, we don't have to call or wait for room service to provide the warm milk for him."

Khushi was in awe of him, he had thought so much for Arush and then he says he doesn't love him like she does. Khushi hugged him tight, "Oh Arnavji, what I should do of you?".

"Just love me Khushi, that's all I want", said Arnav as he breaks the hug. Khushi give him a smile, going on her tiptoes and kiss his nose and then move lower placing her lips on his. Arnav hands move around her waist pulling her close. He took control of the kiss, making it deep and passionate.

"Khushi ...", Arnav groaned as he broke the kiss and put his forehead on hers, "We can't".

Khushi looked up at him confused. Arnav lean back and gulped, "I won't be able to control myself if we kiss like this further and you know we can't do that given your condition".

Khushi's mouth open in a small O as her brain register his meaning and she looked down embarrassed.

Arnav sighed as he hug her and then asked, "How many days Khushi?".

Khushi knew what he was asking, "5 days".

Arnav groaned again, "they will be the toughest 5 days of my life".

Khushi move back and swatted his arms, "Don't say it like that. Devi Maiya would never let you see hard days".

"Well she is definitely making me see those now", said Arnav irritatingly.

Khushi looked down, "Sorry", she mumbles.

"Hey", Arnav cup her face and make her look at him, "it's not your fault ok. It's just that we have been intimate regularly these past days so it's difficult for me not to want you like that".

Khushi understood his meaning and nodded her head.

"Ok then ... go rest for some time. We will go down for dinner tonight.", said Arnav as he caresses her cheek.

"You should rest also", said Khushi as she took his hand and move towards the door but Arnav tug her back, "I need to send some emails. I will finish that and then I will come ... hmmm?".

Khushi nodded with a smile, "Ok and do send message to Di that we have reached here".

"Ok I will do that ... now go", said Arnav as he push her a little. Khushi went out of bedroom and went to the master bedroom. She lay down on bed beside Arush ... feeling disappointment as she too wanted to be intimate with her husband but now have to wait for few days.

Due to her cramps, Khushi didn't have the mood to go out so they decided to have dinner inside. Arnav had the hotel website opened on his laptop and they were browsing through the dinning menu. Arush was sitting on the floor at the foot of bed, watching cartoon on the big LVD TV. After few minutes they decided on the dishes and Arnav went away to place the order. Khushi's eyes fell on the "suites & rooms" tab on the website and she clicked on it. She went through the list and came upon prestige suite'; she gasped reading the amount of 3500 euros (for 1 day & night stay). She goggle the currency exchanged rate and then close the tab. She picked her cell and calculated the amount for 7 days.

Her head spin seeing the total amount of 17 lacs. She chew on her nails, feeling worried that Arnav is spending so much. That means, he had spent almost same during their London stay and then there was their shopping and eating out.

"What happened?", asked Arnav and Khushi got startled seeing him standing beside the bed, looking down at her. She put down her hands and shakes her head quickly, "Nothing". Arnav's eyes narrowed as Khushi averted her eyes. Just then Arush called out for his mama and Khushi was glad to be away from Arnav's scrutiny.

But Arnav knew something was bothering her, it can been seen the way she got lost in thinking during their dinner, hadn't eaten enthusiastically like she usually does and then there was biting her lower lip, and how she caught herself when she realizes Arnav is watching her.

His Khushi was an open book in regards of her feelings and emotions ... not like him who was expert at bottling up and hiding them. So when they got free from dinner and bell boy taken the dishes back he asked Khushi what's bothering her. Khushi told him that she was just tired and nothing is the matter but Arnav knew better and give her his no non-sense look. Khushi then told him about her calculations and requested him to change their room to something less expensive.

Arnav pressed his lips, "Khushi I told you not to worry about the money and you promised me".

"I know Arnavji, that's why I was not telling you about it but I can't help thinking about it. It's just too much to spend on a room. And I told you before that we don't need this big room, we could be well adjusted in a smaller room", said Khushi, her expression was clearly telling Arnav that she was genuinely worried about it.

"Khushi we cannot change the room now. It's booked for a week, already paid for and it's non-refundable and beside you were happy earlier when I told you my reason for changing the room", said Arnav folding his hands over his chest.

True, she was happy thinking that Arnav thought of Arush while changing the room ... but that time she didn't knew the amount of the room or else she would have stopped Arnav. Khushi sit on the bed dejected, her eyes went to Arush, who was playing with his toys on the carpeted floor.

Arnav sighed and sit beside her, he takes her hand in his, "Khushi, don't be like that. I told you that you should let me worry about money".

"I know Arnavji, but try to understand. I am from a middle class family and all my life I have been taught to spend money carefully and according to our needs. And now knowing that we are spending so much on our honeymoon is making me worried", said Khushi looking at Arnav.

"Khushi like I said, I know how is it like to spend money with limited choices. I have been working since 9 years now. I have juggled with 2 part time jobs along with my studies when I was in Harvard and then when I started AR, I dedicated every hour of my life to it and now I have made it a successful business. Don't you think I deserve the luxury I have earned?", said Arnav in serious tone.

"Of course Arnavji ...", Khushi wanted to say more but Arnav speak up, "And you know under which circumstances I married Tania, but I never enjoyed that time, that was only a responsibility for me. I never thought of honeymoon with her, never went out with her ... expect for few occasionally dinner which Tania insisted for ... (Khushi squeezed his hands as his voice become angry) ... only I knew how I had bottle up my real feelings and had to pretend that everything is fine when every day my guilt become stronger that I ruined her life and then when the truth came out ...", Arnav closed his eyes for a second and Khushi cupped his face, "Arnavji, that time is gone, don't hurt yourself by remembering it".

"I too don't want to remember that time, but I want you to understand that I never enjoyed my life like I am doing it now with you", said Arnav as he pull her hands down, "Khushi I told you that I want to experience new things with you, learn new things ... want to go to places with you ... I want to enjoy every aspect of married life with you ... don't you think I deserve that?".

"Of course Arnavji ... you deserve everything", said Khushi quickly.

"Believe it or not, even after earning so much I never spend money unnecessary; never spend money to show off my status to society. I limited myself to few luxuries only like a good car, good clothes and good home. Di told me to take break from work, to go somewhere to freshen up my mind ... but I was too busy with AR that I didn't had the time nor the reason ... now I have the reason ... you.", said Arnav as he squeezes her hand, "I want to spend money on you ... (he put finger on Khushi's lips when she opened her mouth to say something) ... if it's up to me, I would buy the world for you. I want to give you everything you wish for and I want to make you happy in every way possible".

"You do make me happy Arnavji", said Khushi as she cups his face, "No one had ever done things for me like you do".

"And I want to continue doing them but it makes me feel bad when you get worry about money", said Arnav, his expression clearly telling her that it does bother him.

"Arnavji ...", Khushi pouted at him but he shakes his head, "You said yourself that I deserve the luxury I have earned right? So just think it like that I am doing it to enjoy my life with you ... it makes me happy to spend money on you ... on us to enjoy our life fully.".

Khushi pouted again ... she cannot argue with that he does deserve every luxury in life after struggling through every hardship life had thrown at him. And she too want to make him happy in every way and if her not worrying about money makes him happy then she would have to make her understand that she shouldn't worry about it.

"Ok fine I won't worry about money", said Khushi with a small smile.

"Good", said Arnav as he patted her cheek, "And don't worry ... I earn triple the amount I spend".

Khushi rolled her eyes, "And now who is showing off?".

"I am not showing off ... do you know the annual turnaround of AR?", said Arnav with a twinkle in his eyes.

Khushi looked at him questioningly and Arnav smile, "It was 22 crore last year".

Khushi's mouth hung open ... her lips moves but no sound came out ... that much stunned she was.

"And this year we are confident that it will cross 25 crore mark", said Arnav proudly and then tweaked Khushi's nose, "So you see my dear wife ... your husband is very rich so you don't need to worry about how much money we are spending". He grinned seeing Khushi's stunned expression and felt proud of his achievements.

"Seriously?", Khushi said coming out of her shock, "25 crore?".

"Yup ... me and Aman are pretty confident about it", said Arnav proudly.

"Wow ...", Khushi murmured, "Arnavji ... congratulations".

Arnav shrugged, "Thanks ... but I want to cross it over 30 and I will make it happen next year ... you will see".

Khushi squeezed his hands, "I will pray for you and I am sure Devi Maiya will give you success in every step". She was proud of her husband. And for his happiness she will try not to worry about things which make him feel bad ... although it will be difficult for her.

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Later that night both Arnav and Khushi couldn't sleep again. They both toss and turn on the bed. Arnav sit up when he heard Khushi's hiss. One table lamp was lit in the room so he could see her uncomfortable expressions.

"Khushi?", he called out her name.

Khushi turn to him, "Arnavji, I am fine ... its just cramps".

"Didn't you take the medicine?", asked Arnav as he stood up from bed.

"I did, but it doesn't work for whole night. Please don't worry, its normal", said Khushi feeling embarrassed again. Arnav came to her side and she sits up on bed.

"Come with me", said Arnav as he grabs her arm and make her stand up.

"Arnavji, I will be alright in some time", said Khushi as they move out of bedroom and Arnav take her into the smaller one.

"Lay down", said Arnav pushing her a little toward bed.

"Arnavji, Arush will wake up, he can sense when he is alone", said Khushi.

"I know that", said Arnav though he can never understand how a sleeping baby can sense that his mother was not with him ... but that's how the bond of a mother and her baby is.

"We are not sleeping here", said Arnav as he climb on the bed and take Khushi with him. He makes her lay on her side and he lay behind her.

"Just relax ok", said Arnav as he pulls her into him, her back rest on his chest and his hand was softly kneading the lower portion of her stomach.

"I just want to help with the pain", said Arnav as he kisses the back of her head, "I will take you back so don't worry about Arush and try to sleep hmmm".

"What about you?", said Khushi as she closes her eyes. She was feeling good already, back in his arm, his warmth surrounding her and the way his hand was reducing her pain ... she had experienced his soothing touch long back when she had hurt her foot.

"I won't be able to sleep anyway if you are awake and in pain", said Arnav casually and Khushi's heart melted. She doesn't say anything in return because she knew there is nothing can be enough said in return for his care and love.

"Better?", asked Arnav sometime later.

"Hmmm ... good", murmurs Khushi. Arnav smiled, knowing that soon she would be asleep and it happened in real. Arnav was happy to hold Khushi in his arm but he knew he have to take her back or else Arush will wake up so he waited for some more minutes so that Khushi go in her deep sleep and then he carried her back to master bedroom and laid her beside Arush, who had move to his side, not sparing much space for him to lay down, so he took the pillows and put on side of Arush so that he doesn't roll further to the edge of bed and then he went back to the smaller bedroom to sleep ... which came to him very very late.

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Khushi sleep broke feeling tapping on her face. She opens her eyes and was greeted by the toothy grin of her baby.

"Mama ... uthhooo(wakeup)", said Arush in his baby.

"My baby is awake haan", said Khushi as she sits on the bed and realized she was in master bedroom. So Arnav bought her back, she thought. She picked her cell phoneand look at the time. It was 8.08am. Arnav had already adjusted both their cell phone according to Paris time.

"Arush you wake up early haan", said Khushi as she picked Arush in her arms and climb out of bed. It looks like Arush didn't wake up for his night snack that's why he was awake early from his usually time of around 10am.

Khushi went to the smaller bedroom and smile seeing Arnav sprawled on the bed diagonally, on his stomach, and one of his foot was off the bed.

"Papapaa uthooo", said Arush a bit loudly and Khushi instantly back away, "No baby ... let papa sleep for few more minutes ... till then we will freshen up", and she take him back to master bedroom.

She washed his face and hands, changed his diaper and clothes. She took him to smaller bedroom, "Now go wake up your papa haan, mama is going to bathroom", said Khushi and place Arush on bed, who started tapping on Arnav's face and back. Khushi smiled and quickly move out seeing Arnav opening his eyes.

"huh ...", Arnav was surprised to find Arush in bed.

"Papa ... mama kha uthoo (mama says wake up)", said Arush as he taps on Arnav's face again.

Arnav sit on the bed and look around, not finding Khushi in the room, "And where is your mama?".

"bathooon (bathroom)", said Arush as he wave his hand in the air.

"hmmm", Arnav rubs his hand over his face ... he still feel sleepy.

"Chaloo ... chaloo", said Arush as he tug on Arnav's shirt.

"Where?", asked Arnav.

"Bahir ... Arush bahar jana ha (out ... Arush wants to go out)", said Arush again waving his hand in the air.

"mama k bagair? (Without mama?)", said Arnav and Arush got thinking. Arnav smiled seeing his son's expression.

"Mama sath jana (Will go with mama)", Arush said.

"yup, let go to your mama then", said Arnav as climb down from the bed, he turn to pick Arush but he had already slid down from the bed, making Arnav surprised.

"Chaloo mama pass chalo(come, lets go to mama)", said Arush as he run out of room and went to the master bedroom and then to the bathroom. Arnav followed him all the way, amused at his antics.

"Mama ... mama ... ajao(come)", Arush tapped his hands on bathroom door.

"Coming baby", came Khushi's voice.

"Mama ajao ... papa ... papa uth gya(mama come, papa is awake)", said Arush as he tapped on door again.

"Coming baba ... 5 mins na", said Khushi but Arush keep on tapping and Khushi had to open the door with tooth brush in her mouth. Arnav tried to control his smile but couldn't.

"You are enjoying haan?", said Khushi narrowing her eyes at Arnav who just shrugged in return.

"Baby give mama 5 minutes ok, till then go tell your papa to order breakfast", said Khushi bending a little on her knees.

"order kerna ha? (have to order?)", said Arush.

"Hana order kerna ha ... jao papa ko kaho(yes have to order, go tell papa)", said Khushi and Arush turned towards Arnav, "Papa ... order karo", he waved his hand and Arnav who was leaning on the closet door straighten up.

Khushi smile at him and then went inside the bathroom.

"Chalo papa ... chalo...", said Arush as he pushed Arnav's leg, "Order karo".

Arnav shakes his head and picked the phone from sidetable, "Ok kia order kerna ha? (Ok what should we order?)".

Arush instantly said, "Fries".

"You want to eat fries?", asked Arnav surprised that he can say that name and understood the meaning too.

Arush nodded his head, "Arush fries Khana".

"Ok aur kia khana hai?(what else you want to eat?)", asked Arnav.

"bulgul", said Arush and Arnav eyes widened a little, "Burger?", he asked again and Arush nodded.

"Aur kia khana hai?", Arnav asked again being amused and Arush surprised him again, "Pizzah".

"Aur?", Arnav asked again.

"Spite ... Arush spite pena hai(Arush wants to drink Sprite)", said Arush.

"Kia?", Arnav didn't understand it first, "Spite ...", he thought for a second and when Arush said again he understood that he wants to drink sprite.

Arnav couldn't hold back his surprise and look down at Arush ... the phone forgotten in his hand.

"Papa ... order kalo", Arush tapped his knee angrily and Arnav came out of his thought and place the orders for burger, fries and pizza.

Khushi was surprised to see the food dilvered by the bell boy, "Arnavji ... you order burgers for breakfast?", she asked surprised because Arnav was not fond of eating heavy breakfast.

"Arush did", Arnav pointed his finger to Arush who was hungrily looking at the plates.

"What?", Khushi look at the Arush and then back at Arnav.

"I asked him what to order and he told me", said Arnav and then crouch down beside Arush, "Arush ... tell mama what we ordered?".

"mama ... fries ... bulgul ... bulgul ... fries ... spite", said Arush waving his hand.

"And?", said Arnav and Arush made a thinking face and then said, "Pizzah".

Khushi looked back at the glass table in center of living room and saw a medium side pizza and shakes her head, "Arnavji ... he always says he wants to eat fires and burger whenever you ask him because he loves French fries".

"Yeah ... but ... did you see he knows we can order all that", said Arnav, there is wonderment on his face.

"Arnavji, Arush is intelligent more than his age ... he picks up things very quickly", said Khushi with love and pride.

"I didn't know ...", murmurs Arnav and Khushi could understand that he is feeling bad about it that he haven't notice that his son is growing up fast.

Khushi put her hand over his shoulder as Arnav watch Arush putting a fry in his mouth ... eating it himself, "Now you know and you will see for yourself and you can teach him so many things".

Arnav look up at her not sure if he can ... but Khushi squeezes his shoulder silently telling him that he can and she will be there for him.

"Now come let's eat all this", said Khushi as she sit on the floor and Arush extended the fry to Arnav, "Papa ... khao". Arnav opened his mouth and Arush push the fry in ... he give a toothy grin to Arnav as he ate it. Arnav's heart squeezes, looking at the happy face of his son.

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After breakfast Arnav asked Khushi where she wanted to go ... "You decided Arnavji", said Khushi as she was changing Arush's diaper on the bed, "I decided the places we visited in London so now here you decide".

"yeah but you must have some places in mind to visit, so tell me", said Arnav as he opened Google on his cell phone.

"I don't know much about Paris expect there is Eiffel tower", said Khushi with a pout, "So you decided on this trip ... if I have a place in mind I will tell you but for the next 3 days ... you will be our guide", Khushi put Arush's pant on him and make him sit on bed.

"Hmm ok ... give me few minutes to decided, till then you get his bag ready", said Arnav and went out of bedroom.

They left the hotel after half an hour, around 10.30am, and the first place Arnav pick was obviously the Eiffel tower. They roamed the place for few minutes and then decided to go up, but the line was too long. There was another line of people who skipped the big line by giving more money; unfortunately it was getting big too.

Khushi was standing to the side while Arnav talked to the man who was giving out the tickets and making people pass the counter.

"Khushi ... it will take another 20-30 minutes", said Arnav as he came to her.

"Leave it Arnavji, we will try tomorrow or some other day ... its too crowdy now", said Khushi as she looked around the increasing crowd, Arush was getting whiny too.

"Yeah ... we have to come early to skip this crowd", said Arnav.

"We will do it some other day then ... lets go to our next place", said Khushi as she tug on his arm.

Arnav nodded and they went to their next stop, crossing the road bridge, which is 'Aquarium de Paris' opposite to the Eiffel tower in "Trocadero Gardens",

"Aquarium?", Khushi looked at Arnav questioningly and he gesture towards Arush in her arms, "He likes animals right ... he was enjoying looking at the fishes in the pond at Hyde's park ... so I thought he will like to see them up close", said Arnav.

Khushi smile up at him as they cross the check in counter, getting their tickets and went underground.

The aquarium was huge with 43 big tanks filled with different kinds of fishes. Sharks and jelly fishes have their own big tanks. As they pass through the tunnel, Arush exclaimed happily pointing around towards the fishes. They went ahead and come in-front of a big tank, hosting sharks.

Arush yelped in surprised as one shark swim close to the glass where he was standing and he hid his face in Arnav's legs, who was standing behind Arush. Arnav picked Arush in his arms, "Arush derta ha", said Arush as his lower lip tremble.

"Fish won't do anything to Arush, papa is here with Arush right ... I will hold you and if fish come I will punch it", said Arnav waving his fist and Arush got the assurance. The next whole hour Arnav didn't let Arush down from his arms as they explore the aquarium further. Khushi was more focus on Arnav, the way he was assuring Arush time and again and was pointing towards fishes and the way he was talking about it with Arush animatedly. She took many photos of both of them and plans to whatsapp them to Anjali once they get back to their hotel.

After coming out of aquarium, they roam around the Trocadero Gardens, took pics together and enjoy the fountains and scenery. Arush run here and there in the garden and Arnav was right behind him. Khushi was enjoying the attentiveness of Arnav towards Arush.

The building at the end of the Gardens known as Palais de Chaillot, they roamed around it but didn't went inside as Arnav told her that it just rooms inside which was used by some king long back.

He took them to the Museum, to the left side Palais, known as 'Musee de l'Homme'. It displays man in all its facets, its history, its life, civilization and have very old skeletons of animals and some stuffed animals. Again Arush was in Arnav's arms as they roam around the museums and Arush exclaimed excitedly at every animal he sees.

An hour later they cross the road bridge again and came to the Eiffel Tower's side and went to the Beaugrenelle Shopping Mall, which was just 10 minutes' walk away from the Tower.

First they had their lunch at a gourmet restaurant there and then roam around the shopping mall, they bought few toys for Arush and Khushi bought gifts for Dhruv and Minnie. They went back to their hotel around 7.30pm.

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Khushi make Arush sleep and then went to washroom to freshen up. She came out half hour later and was surprise to see Arnav putting the sheet over mattress, placed at the foot of bed. The sofa chairs were move to the other end of the room.

"Arnavji?", Khushi looked at him questioningly as she put down her brush on side table.

"Khushi, I tried but I can't sleep well without you", said Arnav, sitting on his knees over the mattress.

Khushi heart goes in awe looking at his innocent expression. True, she too wasn't able to sleep properly these past 2 days without his arms around her. He looked so cute to her in that moment that she just wanted to smother him with kisses and she did that going to him and throw herself on him.

"What the ...", Arnav was stunned as he catches her and his back hit the mattress.

Khushi kissed him all over the place and then capture his lips. They kissed for few minutes ... first hot and deep and then slow and soft, taking time in savoring each other tastes, as their hands explores bodies.

"God ...", Arnav broke the kiss, "I didn't thought it would be more difficult to lay beside you and not able to love you".

Khushi lean in again to kiss him but Arnav stopped her, "Khushi ... I need a moment baby", he move away. Khushi eyes went down to the visible dent in his track pants and she felt heat rise up in her cheeks.

Arnav groaned looking at her blushing face, "On second thought ... I need a cold shower", said Arnav as he stood up and went to the washroom.

Khushi sighed and lay on the bed ... her own body was warm and tingling with need. Now she was getting to understand how difficult is to hold in your desire and want for your partner.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Let me know what you think of this part 😉