Chapter 18

"You look beautiful!" Arnav whispered to her, his eyes trained on her lips that was painted bright red to match her dress. She had tied up her hair in a messy side bun. Her ears were adorned with the solitaire diamond earrings he had gifted her.

"Thank you." Khushi smiled as she moved her eyes over him. 

Arnav wore a one button suit in black, with a black shirt and a black tie. His long hair was combed back and set with gel but an errant strand fell upon his forehead giving him the rakish charm she adored so much.

But she was not going to tell him that.

"You have a beautiful " hotel." She said looking at the tastefully done interiors of the hotel.

Arnav's eyes were drawn to the delicate lines of her shoulders and down to the swells of her breasts visible above her neckline and he was suddenly assailed by a sensation of jealousy as he imagined how many other men were going to see her like this.

"Khushi?" He said before he could stop himself, "Are you sure you are comfortable in this dress?"

"Of course I am," Khushi said, "Why? Doesn't this dress look good on me?"

"It's not that"" Arnav hesitated, "it's just that "" He didn't know how to continue.

Khushi realized what Arnav was trying to say. "You should have thought of that before sending those dresses for me." She said sharply.

"Actually I didn't "" Arnav said, "This morning I mentioned to Sheetal that I wanted to buy something for you and she offered to have some dresses sent over."

"Sheetal sent these?" Her anger rose but she managed to hide it. "How did you she know my size?" 

"I told her." Arnav said with confidence as his eyes swept over her.

"Oh," Khushi couldn't help the blush that crept up her cheeks. "I think I will go and get myself a drink. I am really thirsty. " As she walked away from him, Arnav began to follow her and his eyes grew wider when he saw her back.

Her dress was almost backless except for a thin chain at the centre of her back. The waistband of her skirt lay dangerously low on her small of her back. 

In spite of having moved with women who dressed in more revealing clothes, he had never ever felt this possessive before in his life. Clearing his head off such unwanted thoughts, Arnav joined her at the bar counter.

As Khushi sipped on some water, Arnav clasped her hand. "Come on, I want you to meet a few people." He lead her to a group who were seated on a sofa nursing a drink in their hands.

"There you are!" A tall woman stood up and leaned in to kiss Arnav on his cheek. 

Arnav placed a hand on hers shoulder and stopped her. "Sheetal!" He smiled at her and then turned toward the group of people."Let me introduce you to Khushi " my wife." He looked at Khushi.

Sheetal was a tall woman with a dusky complexion. She wore a black halter neck shift dress with a plunging neckline. The snug fitting dress was thigh length showing off a good length of her legs. With four-inch pointed heels she was dressed to kill.

Khushi remembered the words she had heard in the afternoon.

"Nice to meet you finally!" Sheetal's tone was slightly high pitched as she held out her hand.

Khushi took the hand in hers. "Same here," She smiled back at the older woman. 

Sheetal was fairly good looking and she didn't need to put herself out like this with skimpy clothes, Khushi thought to herself.

All the people sitting on the sofa stood up to shake hands with her and introduced themselves to her. To her utter surprise, Khushi realised that she had just met the duo she had overheard at the spa this afternoon " Sonal and Ani "short for Anita. 

"Thank you for the dress." Khushi said pointing to her own gown. "It's really beautiful."

"It's not the dress " the credit goes to the one wearing it." Ani said, smiling in obvious admiration.

"I hope it wasn't too different from your regular clothes." Sheetal smiled but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"It is definitely different from my regular wear," Khushi admitted, "but I did wear something like this for my high school prom."

"Prom?" Sheetal croaked her eyes going wide as saucers.

"Khushi did her schooling in Canada." Arnav supplied.

"She is not what we imagined her to be," Sonal said looking at Sheetal, "You will have a tough time fending off admirers tonight Arnav "" Sonal pipped in, "" even married ones." The entire group burst into laughter.

Had Sheetal sent her these dresses hoping she would feel awkward wearing them? What was the game she was trying to play? Khushi stiffened with anger.

Arnav wrapped his hand around Khushi's waist and pulled her close to his side. He leaned in close to Khushi's ear. "Take it easy Khushi," he whispered, "people here are like that. You will get used it soon enough. So just try and blend in."

"So Khushi," Sheetal addressed her, "What do you do?"

Khushi hesitated, unable to put into words what exactly she did. Her father's words came back to her. 

He had probably nagged her so she could stand up for herself in a situation like this. "I used to teach dance " in a school and "-"

"Oh, you are a dance teacher " how nice!" It was clear from Sheetal's tone what she thought about it.

"Hold on, Sheetal "- Khushi wasn't quiet finished," Arnav intervened, "Khushi is much more than a dance teacher," He said looking at her. "She was a program co-ordinator for arts and culture at her school. She is responsible for everything related to the cultural events " from the planning, costumes, the stage setting etc."

"That sounds awesome!" Ani exclaimed. "Do you still work?"

That indeed sounded awesome thought Khushi and before she could say anything Sonal pipped in. "Why does she have to Ani?" She said her tone laced with sarcasm, "She is married to Arnav Singh Raizada!"

"You are right Sonal," Arnav agreed to the woman, "now that she is married to me she doesn't need to continue with her old job."

Khushi looked at him, her eyes telling him clearly she didn't appreciate what he was saying. Arnav kept his eyes trained on her and continued.  "She needed to do something more. That is why is running her own school in Faridkot."

"Amazing!" Ani said with big smile of appreciation.

As others in the group also expressed their appreciation, Khushi remained silent, too shocked for words at what Arnav had just said. She couldn't believe he had blatantly lied to save his image in front of his friends.

"Excuse me!" Sheetal said loudly drawing attention to herself, "I think it's time for me to go backstage. The show is going to start in fifteen." She walked away from the group.

Soon the fashion show had begun and everyone's attention was riveted on the models who walked the ramp, displaying beautifully designed apparels. 

Finally Sheetal walked the ramp with the show stopper amidst applause.

"I couldn't have done all this without the help of my dearest friend Arnav," she said holding the mike in her hand. "Arnav " can I please request you to come up here?"

When Arnav joined Sheetal on the stage Sheetal said, "It would be a great honour if you could say a few words Arnav."

"I have done no favours to you Sheetal," Arnav said looking slightly embarrassed. "It was pleasure to organise this event for a designer as talented as you are."

One of the media persons from the crowd stepped forward and said, "Mr Raizada? Which one of the collection would you like to buy for someone special?"

Arnav's eyes searched for Khushi. "My wife is already wearing the dress I liked the best."

Suddenly all attention turned toward Khushi and the media began clicking her pictures like crazy until she feigned a phone call and slipped away toward the outdoor sitting area.

As she looked up at the night sky, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see that it was Sheetal.

"Hello Khushi," she said. "The media chased you away is it? I can understand all this is very overwhelming for you. Arnav shouldn't have put you in a spot like that."

"That's alright," Khushi dismissed, "I guess I would have to get used to all this " now that I am married to him." She smiled brightly. 

"I just came out to get some fresh air." Did Sheetal think she would give her the satisfaction of agreeing to her? "Your fashion show was amazing." She complimented the older woman. "Congratulations!"

"I really couldn't have done it without Arnav." She repeated the words she had said on the stage. 

"Arnavji is a good person." Khushi said with a smile. 

"Well," Sheetal said, "It's nothing to do with being good Khushi. He wouldn't have done this for anyone. We have been friends since school you know. We have known each other for almost fifteen years."

Sheetal went on to talk about their school days regaling incidents about a part of life that was privy only to them. Khushi couldn't help feeling a prickle of jealousy at the bond they had shared growing up together. 

"You know we would have been together today " "

Khushi's heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help the look of surprise on her face. "What?"

"We would have been together " if I hadn't left for America." Sheetal's lips twisted.

Against her best judgement Khushi said,"What happened?"

"I wanted to go the US and he wanted to stay back here."

Manav hadn't mentioned this to her when he had told her about Sheetal. Had he been protecting his friend? 

"And you have come back now." Khushi said hoping Sheetal would elaborate.

"It was a bad idea to leave " India." She said but Khushi got the feeling she meant to say Arnav. "Sometimes we do things we regret later on. One find day, I realised I had to correct my mistake. So I came back. 

"Arnav has been there for me since ever since I came back. I am happier than I have ever been in the past few years."

What did she mean by that? What was the sudden reason for her to be happy? Was it Arnav? Was Shyam right when he had told her they were having an affair?

"What about your husband?" Khushi enquired with a shaky voice.

"He has his business there in the US "" Sheetal said, "He comes down whenever he can "" Sheetal paused, "Let's not talk about that now. Today I want to celebrate! 

"Come on Khushi, let's go back inside and have some fun."

Sheetal took Khushi to the bar and ordered a Cosmopolitan for her. 

"No thank you." Khushi said, "I don't drink."

"That's hardly any alcohol content it this," she insisted, "it's mostly cranberry juice. Just try one sip."

Khushi took a sip of the drink and since it tasted fruity she didn't see any harm in it. Soon she began to feel a sense of warmth and calm enter her being.

"Sheetal!" A good looking man came up to them. "Congratulations " great show!"

"You came!" Sheetal hugged the man. Then she turned toward Khushi. "Khushi this is my friend Sahil and Sahil this is Khushi."

Khushi shook hands with Sahil and as the two friends caught up with each other Khushi accepted her second drink and realised it was a bad idea. She felt an odd buzz in her head and she felt the need to go and look for Arnav. But just as she got off the bar stool, Sheetal held her hand.

"Khushi, you know what?" She said in a rush. "Sahil is a wonderful dancer. Why don't you dance with him?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." Khushi said swaying a little, feeling light headed.

"Why not?" Sheetal said, "There's no harm in it." She turned toward Sahil. "Take her to the dance floor."

Sahil took her hand and led her to the dance floor and Khushi realised she had no strength to pull away from him.

As the music from the song Dil Dhadakne Do began Sahil began to dance and Khushi saw that he really was a superb dancer.

Soon Khushi began to groove to the music and danced with abandon. Many people had gathered around them had begun to clap their hands.

When the music came to an end there was a big round of applause and Khushi tried to make her excuse but Sahil grabbed her hand and pulled her close. 

"You are a wonderful dancer!" He said, "We should dance some more."

"I don't think so!" Arnav's cold voice reached her ears as he stepped between Sahil and her. "I have to talk to my wife." He grasped Khushi's wrist and dragged her away from the dance floor.

"Arnav stop!" Khushi shrugged off his hand in anger.

"Khushi, don't make a scene!" Arnav dragged her to a corner.

"What do you want?"

 "I wanted to tell you that the old man who kidnapped you is in custody." He informed her. "He hasn't talked yet but the police told me they will get him to confess soon."

"Ok." Khushi said nonchalantly. 

"Khushi " what's up with you?" Arnav demanded, "I am telling something really important here and you have this I-care-a-damn attitude."

Khushi's eyes flashed with anger. "There are so many things you don't tell me!" She snapped, "What about ""

"Why were you dancing with that idiot?" Arnav cut her off as he pulled her close.

"You told me to take it easy earlier," she reminded him of an earlier conversation. "You told me to blend in."

"Blend in" doesn't mean that you get drunk and start dancing with strange men!"

"I am not drunk!" Khushi's eyes flashed in anger, "And Sahil is not a stranger. Your "friend" Sheetal introduced me to him."

"Alright then, let me make one thing clear," Arnav grated angrily. "You are not to dance with any other man other than your husband. Get that into your head. Or else ""

"Or else what?"

Arnav's lips captured hers in a searing kiss and Khushi found herself melting in his arms. 

Khushi pushed at his chest in anger. "Stop it!" She hurried away from him.

As Khushi reached the dance floor, Arnav caught up with her and grabbed her hand. "Khushi!" 

Khushi turned around her eyes flashing. "I want to dance!"

"As you wish!" he whispered as he pulled her close.

After their dance Sheetal walked up to them and Khushi took the opportunity to walk out of the hotel. She rang up Ashu and requested him to pick her up. Just as she sat in the backseat, the passenger door opened and Arnav joined her.

His face was thunderous. "I don't want Ashu to hear anything " so not a word until we reach home."

Once they reached the apartment, they rode up the elevator in silence. As Arnav unlocked the key to the front door, they stepped into the living room. Sensor lights lit up throwing the area in a soft golden glow.

"What the f@#$ is your problem Khushi?" Arnav demanded angrily

"I should be asking that to you!" She hit back.

Arnav stepped closer. "What do you mean?"

"You don't tell me things!" Khushi said taking a step backward.

Arnav's face hardened like a stone. "What things?" He asked her, his voice menacingly soft.

"You " You didn't tell me you own a hotel business "- "

"Oh that!" He raked his hand through his hair. "You know my grandfather started a restaurant business in Delhi right? I just expanded. How am I supposed to know that you didn't know! My pictures have appeared in business magazines in the past. Even your grandfather knew about it. Didn't he tell you?"

"I didn't know all this." Khushi said, "I didn't know that you are coming to Delhi to run a big hotel business."

Arnav held her shoulders, "Look Khushi when this whole marriage issue came up " it was unexpected. You know everything happened in a hurry. Each year, after my stint in Faridkot my work here piles up.

"I have several businesses Khushi," Arnav said looking sheepish. "I promise you I will tell you everything ""

"Why did you tell everyone I am running the school in Faridkot?" Khushi said, "Are you ashamed of what I do?"

"What the "?" Arnav's eyebrows twisted, "I am one who had to defend myself to you at one time about my farming lineage," Arnav said his eyes simmering with anger, "Do you think I would be ashamed of someone who is helping in running a school for the underprivileged kids?

"I told them you were running the school because it happens to be true. A few days ago Mr Bedi called me and asked me if I would be interested in buying the school. His son wants him to go and live with him in Canada. He had been resisting for the last few years because he didn't want his school to go to the wrong hands. But once he saw your passion and dedication he knew you would be the one to hand over his school to."

"Oh my God!" Khushi didn't know what to say.

Arnav brushed her hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ears. "I only wanted to the others to realise how talented you are. You weren't doing a good job of explaining yourself so I had to butt in." His fingers brushed over her cheek and traced their way down to her neck.

"By the way, before you start beating me down for "buying" the school for you I would like to inform you that this is in exchange for the plot of land you signed over to me. It's a fair deal, don't you think?" His fingers were tracing her collar bone.

"I was planning to surprise you with the news " but I guess I ended up shocking you instead."

Khushi's heart filled with joy at Arnav's words and his fingers were playing havoc with her senses, but she had one last doubt to clarify. She caught his hand just as they began to trace her neckline. "What's going on between Sheetal and you?" She said before she lost her nerve.

"I already told you," He snapped. "I organized this event for her " it's just business." 

"But " but that's not what she thinks."

"What the f!@#!" He said in exasperation. "Are we back to the same topic again? Did she say something?"

"She said you would have been together " many years ago " if she hadn't left for the States. She also pretty much insinuated that she came back just for you."

"Together? Nonsense! " Arnav raised his voice. "And "pretty much insinuated" is not going to cut it. Did she actually say the words?"

"No but she ""

"Enough!" He captured her lips in a searing kiss and pushed her with his body until her back hit the wall. He turned her around and began kissing the line of her spine, vertebrae by vertebrae. "I have wanted to do this all evening." He rasped.

Khushi made a feeble attempt to dissuade him. "Arnav " stop!" 

"You know I can't stop myself " nor can you." 

"That's not true!" She bit out.

"Let's test that, shall we ?" He lifted up her dress.

"Arnav don't!" Khushi tried to stop him but he caught both her hands in one of his and pinned them against the wall above her head.

 He slipped his hand into her panty to cup her molten centre. "See what I mean?" He whispered in her ear.

When had her traitorous body ever listened to her? His fingers worked their magic sending her spiralling into an abyss and just as she thought she would tip over the edge he stopped.

Releasing her hands, Arnav turned her to face him and peeled her panty down her legs and discarded the lacy garment out of the way.

Arnav carried her to the dining area and seated her on the solid wood dining table. Sitting down on the chair, he leaned in so he could send her all the way into the deep abyss in a matter of seconds. 

"I need you now Khushi." Arnav whispered as he looked into her eyes.

Khushi pulled him up to take his mouth in hers as she quickly unfastened his belt buckle. Kicking his trouser out of the way, Arnav thrust into her in one single stroke. With each thrust they began to soar higher and higher until they reached their peaks one after another.

Arnav took Khushi in his arms and walked toward the bedroom  and gently let her down on the floor. Khushi decided that if she was going to have to trust someone on this, it would have to be Arnav. She wouldn't let another woman come between her and her husband. Arnav was hers and hers alone.

She looked up into his caramel brown eyes. "Can I ask you something?" She began to unbutton his shirt.

"Go ahead." He whispered.

"You dress differently here ""

"Differently?" Arnav rolled his eyes as realization dawned. "How else am I supposed to dress in Delhi?" He demanded. "Don't you think it will look odd if I attended a business meeting in a kurta? 

"In Punjab, I realised my people are more comfortable with me when I dress like them " in kurta. That's why I started to wear them when I am working the fields alongside them.

"Haven't you heard the saying "- "Be a Roman in Rome"?" He shrugged the shirt off his shoulders.

"I hadn't thought of it that way." Khushi said thinking what Arnav said made sense. 

"Looks like I couldn't satisfy you earlier "" Arnav said as the began to take off the pins that held her hair together.

"What?" Khushi's eyebrows creased in confusion.

"That's why you are badgering me with questions again." He unzipped her dress and peeled it slowly down her body. "I think I hurried up earlier," he whispered, in her ear, "I am going to take it slow this time." 

He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed. The only adornment on her were the diamonds he had gifted her.

"You are so beautiful Khushi." 

He placed his lips on her neck and made a slow trial down her arms, all the way to the tips of her fingers, licking the tips one by one.

Khushi felt an answering response deep in the pit of her stomach and liquid heat began to pool in her core.

He began kissing her chest, making his way between the valley of her breasts, down to her stomach and then dipped his tongue into her navel.

Khushi bucked up as sensation after sensation assailed her. She clutched at the sheets as a pleasure bordering on pain began to build up slowly.

Then Arnav began to make a wet trail down her thigh to her knee all the way to her toes. He repeated his ministrations on her other leg and made his slow journey along her waist and the side of her breasts.

She clutched at his hair and pulled him up to capture his lips. She slipped her tongue inside his mouth and explored his warm recesses thoroughly. By now her insides were screaming for satisfaction, but when she thrust her hips toward him Arnav lifted his head.

"What's the hurry?" He said looking into her eyes, "We have all night."

Next morning, Khushi woke up feeling sore and achy all over. She blushed as she thought about what had happened the night before. They had hardly slept. She felt wanton.

A message alert had her reaching for her phone on the night stand. She slid her thumb and read the message and realised she had picked up Arnav's phone instead of hers. 

Why aren't you here yet? Please come soon. It was Sheetal.

Khushi scrolled to the previous messages. 

Arnav stepped out from his shower his hips wrapped in a towel. He walked upto the wardrobe and began to dress. 

Khushi could sense that his body was wound tight with some sort of tension. She placed the phone back on the night stand. "Are you going somewhere?" She asked. She would give him a chance to explain.

Arnav turned around in a rush. "You are awake!" He exclaimed. "I didn't see you." He was silent for several seconds. "There is an emergency I need to attend to."

"What emergency?"

"I have no time to explain but it's "- Shikha." He walked to the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I will try to wrap up as soon as I can." He walked out.

Tears began flowing down Khushi's cheeks. He had lied to her! He was going to attend to Sheetal and had used Shikha's name instead. 

Sheetal was expecting Arnav's child and there was no way Arnav would be able to shirk his responsibilities. She had believed him when he said that Sheetal was just a friend and it was probably how he felt about her, but a child was a different question all together. 

Having been deprived of the love from his father, he would make sure his child wouldn't have to face the same pain. She got off from her bed and began to pack.