Chapter 120

I am sorry I was unable to reach any of you. The weather conditions are horrible here and the network and phones were completely down. But you have all been most supportive and understanding and I say it again: you are the best set of readers a writer could ever be worthy to have!

I would like to take a moment with my readers to acquaint them with the track that is going on, the so-called "Silent Sequence," especially considering how many of you were dissatisfied with it.

Majority of my readers were not there with me from the beginning of my writing days. Hence, when you came across the existence of this FF, you were reading many of the chapters in bulk. When reading it in bulk, you get to see the whole picture and because you APPRECIATE the whole picture', you are able to APPRECIATE the parts'. This is the way my story works and, I believe, how most FFs work. The problem we have presently is that you are reading a single chapter at a time and your INABILITY to SEE the PERFECT WHOLE disables you from APPRECIATING the PART which a single chapter plays.

I am not speaking out of emotion but quite matter-of-factly, wanting you to only understanding what I intended in writing this track.

I don't know if I have told this here in the public but I think I should so you get to know what it is like. My FF is a complete, structured, well-planned tale, sequenced with symbolisms, connections and fitting conclusions to every single character that the show was part of. Just as every character is important, every chapter is important too, no matter how SLOW the progress may seem.

Before writing the FF, I had already planned the story, charted the sequences down, what each character will do and end up to, and how every track should open and end and how each little change should ripple in a character's psychology. The PLANNING process was really something! I even prepared a BACKSTORY for the FF and only after that story was sketched, did I begin writing the FF, commencing it with the present and keeping the Backstory for a later set of chapters.

When I wrote the "Silent Sequence" between Arnav and Kushi, I gave a lot of consideration to the character's minds, to the way they longed for the other, hid their feelings, and remained content with the little they could grasp...It is a slow process: the change, the realization, the return into each other's lives. What I have charted out has a perfect order to it, each event occurring in its right time. Nothing is dragging and nothing is too fast. Everything is just right.

This is the reason I did not PM any of the last few chapters. Because I feared you would not see the rightness of each chapter. I didn't want you to find my chapters either. After a week or two, if I was PMing you ALL THE CHAPTERS of the "Silent Sequence" TOGETHER, you could read it all in a bulk, not be hurt by it and loved the chapters for what it intended. You would have understood that each chapter had a purpose, each distance was a lesson and that each delayed encounter between ArShi was a promise to a perfect ending.

Like I said, this is just for you to know that the chapters were essential and I appreciate the support most of my dear readers offered me. It is NOT in the number of comments that a writer gains support.' The support I seek for is TRUST on the part of my readers to have faith that the story is beautiful in my hands.

You see, every time I am about to write a twist, I speak of a "storm coming." It is not the climatic storm in Arhasia I am referring to. I am talking about the storm imminent between me and my readers. Will they trust? Will they understand what I am about to show and why I am letting the twist happen?

This is a perspective of life, I believe: Can we love the little things that come our way while we wait for the perfect ending of our everyday? Can we know there is a greater purpose to the difficult things we face now? Can we see the eagle in the egg?

This FF is not just for pleasure. It's a training ground for you. Learn to see the beauty in things and not bicker about what you don't have yet. Finding beauty in each chapter, in each line, in each expression is a lesson to see the beauty in the simplest things in life and even in things that seem bitter in the present. Because when the future comes, all bitterness will turn sweet, and every pain will be healed...

I am ending this speech for now, hoping you didn't doze off in between...*chuckle*

Oh and one more thing: Do not ever think that I will stop the tale midway. A promise made will be kept. Even if I suddenly disappear or can't contact any of you, trust that I will come back. Because I will.

Because I am healing the wounds of IPK through this FF. I am healing the wounds IPK left in me and in you...

Erm...at least, I am trying to.

Okay, enough blabbering for now. Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 195: The Basket, The Bottle and The Breach

One morning, Lord Arnav needed to reach the Industry a little too early such that he was compelled to leave without having his breakfast.

Kushi was distraught when a servant mentioned this to her and she hastily rushed to the pantry.

The head cook Surabhi stared confusedly as the young girl rummaged through the stock.

"What are you searching for, my lady?"

"Isn't there handy basket to spare?" a frustrated Kushi mumbled.

"Yes, there is one on the counter in the second kitchen," recommended Surabhi cautiously, "But pray, tell me, why you would need one now, my lady?"

Kushi was already rushing to the second kitchen, her eyes scanning the area until she spotted the upturned basket on the shelf top.

She rushed to the shelf and, standing on tiptoe, took down the basket.

"My lady?" Surabhi appeared beside Kushi.

"He hasn't had his breakfast," Kushi muttered as she brushed the basket clean with a wipe cloth, "What sort of a wife will I be if I don't see to his health!"

Surabhi shook her head, "My lady, if it is your husband you worry about, let me remind you, he is not keen on food, and especially none brought to his workplace. If you are planning to send him a basket of edibles, you might anger him."

Kushi cocked an eyebrow at Surabhi, "Would he now? It's been long since I saw him in one of his furious fits. It would be a delight to be treated with one, don't you think?"

Surabhi was taken aback, "I beg your pardon, my lady, but if there are two things I am trying to avoid in this life they are crossing paths with the devil himself and finding cause to win the First Lord's ire. I see no wise reason why one must pick trouble of that sort when its best avoided."

"His anger is no trouble for me," boasted Kushi as she took the basket to the table where the untouched dishes from the dining hall had returned. She began packing a little of everything into the basket in bowls and plates, remembering to add a handful of napkins as well.

Surabhi watched in dismay as a perfect basket of eatery found itself manufactured by Kushi's quick hands, who then ordered Om Prakash to hand it over to his Master at the Industry, despite the servant's feeble protests to not gain his Master's displeasure with that uncommon trial.

Leaning back in his cabin armchair, Lord Arnav held out the file of papers to Lord Akash who had just walked into his office, "Get this signed by the mayor and sanction-"

A knock sounded on the door and Lord Arnav's gaze slid to the door as Lord Akash took the file of papers from his brother's hold.

"Enter," Lord Arnav pressed his hands deftly on the armrests of his chair, his passive eyes on the door.

Om Prakash's head appeared at the doorway, hastily removing his formal hat and bowing to both his Masters.

"What are you doing here?" Lord Arnav frowned in query, "You should be at the Castle, cleaning the stable!"

"Sire," Om Prakash began humbly, "I was sent from the Castle to bring you this..."

The attention of the Lords was bought by the basket that the servant now held up in his hands for them to see.

"What the!" Lord Arnav was taken aback.

"Is that a lunch basket?" Lord Akash was amazed.

"No, sire," Om Prakash bowed again, his hands trembling as he held onto the ominous basket, "I believe it's a breakfast basket."

"Break-?" Lord Arnav was not conscious of his fists clenching, "What ridiculousness is this! I demand to know who dared to send me this outrageousness!"

Om Prakash felt his knees weaken, but gulped and found the voice to say, "It was the First Lady's request, sire."

The anger in Lord Arnav's eyes froze for a moment.

Poor Om Prakash read the staggering silence of his Master as an increasing bout of unspeakable anger. With his servile head still bowed, he hastily added, "I did try and explain to Her Lady that Master was not keen about meal baskets, but...being new to the Castle norms and to the Master's ways...I am certain she meant no ill and only-"

"Put it on the table."

Om Prakash looked up in shock and blinked, "Sire?"

"The table, you oaf!" Lord Arnav scowled at the servant.

"Certainly, sire," Om Prakash cavorted forward and reverently slid the basket into the table.

"Now leave," Lord Arnav's gaze was contending as was his voice threateningly low, "And I want to see a well-cleaned stable when I return."

"You shall find the stable so as your wish, sire," Om Prakash's head bobbed respectfully before he put his hat back on and vanished through the door as fast as his avid legs could carry him.

Lord Akash looked at Lord Arnav and found the latter eyeing the basket doubtfully.

"It is strange, isn't it, brother?"

"What is?" Lord Arnav looked at the other.

"How Miss Kushi happens to get you to do things you were always not supportive of in the past?"

"What do you mean?" Lord Arnav drummed his fingers on his table top, clearly beginning to get irritated.

"Why, is it not obvious," Lord Akash appeased, "An atheist like you offering to getting ritually married, and now, your acceptance of a breakfast basket sent by your wife when all your life you have only abhorred the idea of food in baskets and food in the Industry-"

"Who said I was going to accept this?" Lord Arnav looked disgustedly at the basket, "Just because I told it could be placed on the table does not mean I will indulge in its offerings."

"Oh," Lord Akash was apologetic, "Are you going to dispose it off, then?"

"I will do what is fitting," Lord Arnav looked at his brother pointedly, "Mayhap if I feel a little generous, I might let the servants share in the basket instead of laying it waste out of my window."

Lord Akash nodded, not knowing what response to provide, "If it wouldn't offend you, I would be glad to have the basket-"

"Don't you have something to do, Akash?" Lord Arnav tilted his head enquiringly, his eyes on the file in Lord Akash's hand before he looked again at the one who held it.

"Oh yes, it slipped my mind in all the-" he didn't stay to complete the sentence and left hastily, sympathizing for the basket that would go to waste.

Little did Lord Akash know that Lord Arnav was waiting for solitude to enable him the prolongation to unwrap and inspect the edibles his wife had packed and sent... especially for him.

When Kushi was having her dinner in the kitchen, much to the annoyance of Nani, she heard the sound of the Lords returning back to the Castle from the Industry.

She paused to hear the thump of their boots recede into the direction of the dining hall before retuning her attention to her enjoyable dinner, ceremonially watched over by Surabhi who was equally dissatisfied and delighted about having "the First Lady" dine with her.

Just then Rahim Chacha walked in, one arm laden with the overcoats of the two Lords which were to be handed to HariPrakash for washing, and his other hand carrying the basket.

Halting her intake, Kushi stared at the basket as Rahim Chacha slid it on the table beside her plate.

Kushi swallowed what was in her mouth, dropped her spoon and fork, and hastily inspected the inside of the basket, her heart skipping with delight when she found it empty.

She smiled at Rahim Chacha who was about to return to the dining hall, "He accepted it, didn't he?"

Rahim Chacha looked at her, "Well...I am not certain who was favored with contents of the basket. It was brought in by a servant and not by the First Lord."

Kushi's smile fell, "Oh. So he didn't have it..."

Kushi resumed her dinner glumly and sighed every now and then as though something of her vigor had been stolen by the mere realization that Lord Arnav must have handed the basket to the servants and not indulged in its edibles himself.

As she was munching the abruptly-tasteless peas, a new thought crossed her mind and she perked up to look at the head cook who was filling water into Kushi's wineglass, "Surabhi, tell me if I am wrong: if he had wanted to show me that he didn't appreciate the basket, he would have sent it to the Castle earlier as soon as he was made aware of the arrival of such a basket at the Industry. But instead, he brought the basket along with him when he returned to the Castle and handed it over to a servant to be taken to the kitchen. If he bothered to let the basket remain with him all day and see it fitting that it reach the Castle when he himself returned home...it means he must have eaten the contents within it. Don't you think?"

She gazed at Surabhi expectantly.

Surabhi looked as though she was listening to a creature from some planet in a foreign universe.

"Presumably as you say, my lady," rounded off the clueless woman.

"I knew I was right," Kushi grinned gleefully, snapping her fingers in the air, satisfied with her theory of whose mouth had tasted the wares within the basket.

If there was any doubt still as to who had consumed the consumables in the food basket Kushi had sent for Lord Arnav, it was answered by a most unexpected gesture next day in the figure of a tall glass bottle on the desk of his library.

It was a dark bottle owing to the colour of the drink.

Kushi had gone there to read a book in her usual spot but on entering the library her curiosity drew her to the bottle on the desk that stood out among on the articles on the table for the fact that it was an unusual rarity on his desk and also because it had a red satin ribbon tied beautifully around its cork which made it look quite feminine in comparison to the stark masculinity of the dull stationary on the table.

Warily, she let her steps lead her towards the table and, when she was before it, her hand picked up the bottle and held it to her face so she could read the writing on its gold label.

SWEETENED CHOCOLATE LIQUOR

Imported from Arhasia West

A gasp escaped her lips and she stared wide-eyed at the bottle. Chocolate Liquor? Imported? Why...?

And then she saw the tiny slip of parchment attached to the red ribbon of the bottle on which was a solitary word that said it all.

Kushi.

Her heart leapt.

In all his arrogance, he had written just her name and refused to write anymore, not even to detail the reason for the bottle's presence on his table.

But he had lessened his pride enough to write at least her name and not just the leave the bottle there and let her assume that it MIGHT be for her.

Giggling excitedly, she rushed out to show it to the others.

Fortunately, Payal and Lady Anjali were in Nani's room playing chess while the elderly woman watched.

Kushi walked into the room with the bottle held high and announced, "Behold what a certain someone kept on the library table for me!"

Lady Anjali looked up, amazed, "Who-?"

"Honeybee!" exclaimed the white parrot from where he sat perched on the window sill.

Kushi winked at the white parrot and then her gaze fell on Nani, who was scowling at the parrot for frequently revealing the similes of her story.

"Chotey...?" Lady Anjali stared at the bottle, unable to believe.

Payal frowned at Kushi, "Are you sure it was for you?"

"Yes," Kushi nodded, unable to contain her smile, "It's addressed to me."

"Chotey never gives gifts," Nani said, looking at Kushi, "Tell me, bititya. What is it? Wine?"

"Chocolate Liquor!" said Kushi, ecstasy gushing in her voice.

Lady Anjali's face lit, "How thoughtful of him..."

"Which is a rare pair," Nani pointed out, "Thoughtfulness and Arnavbitwa don't often cross paths."

Payal was grinning, "I am so happy for you, Kushi. I was getting real worried that the game you two were at-" Payal stopped when Lady Anjali and Kushi looked at her in panic.

Nani was confused and asked Payal, "What game?"

Payal smiled sheepishly at Nani, trying to think of an answer, but Kushi came to the hasty rescue, "The softening game. I am trying to get Lord Arnav to do things his usual hardheartedness would not permit."

"Oh," Nani nodded slowly, "And how is this game going about? And why was I not told of such a game being executed?"

"Well..." Kushi tried to find the right words.

Lady Anjali interjected, "Oh, bother! You torture my self-control holding that bottle! Do open it up and pour us each a glass."

Kushi stared at Lady Anjali.

Nani frowned at Kushi, "Don't tell me Kushibitya that you were planning to drain your gift all by yourself with us watching you empty the entirety!"

"No, I wouldn't do such a thing," Kushi admitted in a small voice.

But the bitter truth was Kushi had to fight with her conscience with regard to the gift. She hadn't considered the prospect of sharing it with others, particularly because it was given by him- a rare enterprise from his part. This was to be cherished but she decided that it was better relishing such a gift with those who loved to share in her joy.

And so she poured three glasses of chocolate liquor and handed it to the women in the room and she would have poured it into a fourth glass for herself if Nani had not stopped her.

"The bottle was specially procured for you, Kushibitya," said Nani, with a twinkle in her eye, "You have every right to drink it from the bottle directly."

Kushi smiled in response and, excusing herself, proceeded back to the library to enjoy her little gift in solitude.

Sitting in his huge armchair, she leaned back, and took a swig from the bottle, the sweet chocolate run warm and rich down her throat.

Swallowing it, she grinned, too affected by the sweetness of the gift than the sweetness of the drink.

Disabled of words, she sufficed to bring the bottle closer to her face and kiss upon its label.

And then she took a second swig and after feeling its magic work down her throat, she sighed and basked in the ecstasy of her heart.

If only she could see him in person to thank him personally...

Kushi sat up, No, I mustn't soften my defenses at this crucial point of the game.

She looked at the bottle, wondering if it was a weapon of his by which he intended to weaken her willpower and fall for him.

She took a third swig, the silk smooth sweetness sliding down her insides, making her giddy with delight, No. This is no weapon. This is an enchantment.

Poor Kushi. It is best we leave her to enjoy her drink now when she can in that sunlit room because, in a few hours, the darkness was about to bless her with an enticing encounter that was certain to prick her sturdy defenses.

"Nani asked to see you," said Lady Anjali when Kushi walked into the former's room for the night.

Kushi stopped at the door, "Is something wrong?"

"You tell me, Kushiji," Lady Anjali looked serious from where she sat in her bed, her back supported by the headboard, "I am tired of cooking up new excuses to why you are absent for family meals."

Kushi relaxed, unaffected by the topic because of its usualness, "I am not absent so often, really. It is only if the Lords are at the table."

"A Lord in particular, you mean," Lady Anjali watched as Kushi came towards the bed, "Kushiji, you must meet Nani personally."

Kushi paused, "Oh Di, must I do it tonight? Won't it be enough that I see her tomorrow and explain myself then?" She was not keen on romping about the Castle when all was dark and the Lords were within their rooms.

Lady Anjali said nothing, but lay down and turned to her side, her back to Kushi.

Sighing, Kushi retreated back to the door.

Lady Anjali's voice called out with a faint hint of a smile, "Take a candle with you. It's a moonless night and the candles in the corridors may have been extinguished. You really don't want yourself tumbling on the stairs."

Kushi picked up a tiny bowl in which was fixed a tiny lighted candle, "I will not be long."

It was good she had taken the candle with her, she realized, for the hallways and passages were dark with no moon shining through the windows. Even the stars seemed to be reluctant to come from behind the clouds...

Kushi was dressed in her night gown which was mustard yellow in colour, its length so profound that she would trip on the hem if the hand that was not holding the candle-bowl had not been lifting the side of her gown as she climbed up the gloomy stairs.

Making way to the landing, she realized her hair was still in its casual bun, not plaited for bed and made a note to herself to do it after she had met with Nani.

"But really, couldn't Nani just-" She paused, for she had heard a noise, like a door opening.

Casting the feeble candlelight to aid her vision, she stared at the door before her, the fearfully familiar first door on the landing.

But the door was shut.

So where had the door opened? Had she imagined it?

She turned her steps towards the hallway at the far end of which was Nani's room, but she had barely taken two steps when the door to her right creaked.

The door of the library was being opened from within.

Kushi's heart froze.

It seemed that even time stood still, unable to decide what to do.

Lord Arnav, after having finished his reading for the night, was heading for his room and had just opened the door when he stopped and stared into the darkness outside the dark room.

She was there, somewhere to the left of the hallway.

He couldn't see her but he could feel her closeness...If he stepped out of the room and looked to his left, he would get a glimpse of her lovely face...

Kushi's hands were trembling and she tried to keep steady the candle-bowl in her hold.

Was this it? Were they to see each other after nearly three long weeks?

She stepped backwards, fearing the moment, fearing the nearness, fearing her own desires...

She turned around, wanting to escape the perplexing moment, forgot about the length of her night gown, stumbled on the hem and the candle-bowl slipped out of her hand, the light extinguishing instantly and plunging the corridor in a sudden darkness.

Kushi stood still and blinked at the darkness before her.

The smell of the gentle smoke rising from the fallen candle-bowl filled the air before her but what staggered her was the even more overpowering scent of the masculine shadow that had come to stand behind her.

The situation could not have been more compromised.

Helplessly, Kushi stood in the darkness, listening to him breathing, discerning from the sound that he was three to four steps away from her.

And then he moved.

Towards her.

In panic, she stepped away, towards the side.

She could hear his boots pace nearer, the farther she tried to retreat.

Her back made contact with the cold wall.

In desperation, she tried to move away, but even in the darkness, she could sense him towering before her, his hands shooting to her either side, palms pressed to the wall.

They could not see their faces but they knew they were looking at each other...

To her astonishment, she felt his warmth breath on her forehead, his face nearing hers.

Her legs weakened, and her hands gripped at the wall behind her to keep her steady.

One of his warm hands brushed against her hand.

She withdrew as though struck by lightning, only to hit his chest with her shoulder.

He grunted.

She gasped.

But they spoke not a word.

They stood still and stared at the darkness between them where they knew was the face they longed to see but had vowed not to.

Kushi's heart beat rose. What was to happen? What was he going to do?

She wanted to thank him for the chocolate liquor but remained staunchly determined that she would not be the first one to break the silence.

Lord Arnav could keep contained no more.

He moved his hand towards her hair and with one light tug, had loosened her hair, feeling the length cascade down his waiting hand.

He felt her stiffen as he bent down.

But she didn't push him away, probably immobilized by shock, as he brought her hair towards his face and breathed in.

Kushi gulped, the sound loud to his keen eager ears.

In the darkness, his fantasies took hold of him.

How wonderful it would be to be that globe of saliva running down her tender throat...inside of her...

He leaned down, this time not for her hair.

Kushi gasped when his warm mouth pressed itself to her neck.

Her hands impulsively pushed against his chest.

But the slow carefulness with which he began kissing her neck, weakened her vigour, and her force upon his chest turned lax. Instead, to her own bewilderment, her fingers slid upwards and gripped at his collar, pulling him towards her.

The revelation of her longing broke the dam within him and he ravished her neck and shoulders with hungry kisses. He would have done more, considering how starved he'd gotten of her, if her affected moaning had not turned into painful groaning under the effect his burning tongue was having on her long-untouched skin.

He held her to him, his arms around her and she breathed against his neck, tired and weary as though he had drained her of all her energy.

Her eyelashes brushed against his neck and he looked down at her shadowed face.

She looked up at him through the compelling darkness, hoping he would speak.

He smirked, knowing she was stubbornly waiting for him to make the first move.

Not in this life, Kushi. Not in this life, he asserted cunningly.

Then tally this game a bit more, Lordy, she was unyielding, for I am not going to give in either.

He raised his eyebrows, knowing she could feel it though not see it, You really think I will be the first to break? That's ridiculous! I am too strong to be broken, weakling!

Kushi narrowed her eyes indomitably, You started this game. I will see to it that you end it too.

An evil glint lit in his eyes, We will see who violates the vow first, and I am quite certain it will not be me.

Kushi snorted lightly, Confidence it was that killed the cat.

No, Lord Arnav sneered cleverly, it was curiosity that killed it, kitten.

And then he withdrew, stepping back into the darkness, away from her, his eyes unwaveringly on where she was standing in the dark, watching his shadow separate from her again but feeling closer to him than she had felt in the past three weeks.