Part 6
"I really don't know how you do it, Khushe" Maria threw the woolen ball in front of her, frustrated.
Khushi just stared in front of her, her hands working mechanically, busy knitting the sweater.
"Khushe?" Maria shook her by her shoulder.
Khushi turned to look at Maria. With her eyes filling again and the sweater falling on the soft grass, she hugged Maria.
"When he will come?" came her tear filled voice.
Maria cuddled her close to her chest and kissed her hair. "He will. ..don't worry. ..How can he not come when you miss him so much, uhh?" Maria smiled looking down at the child clinging to her.
"I am. ..am ...upset" a small sob left her mouth.
Maria chuckled. "You mean you are mad at him?" Maria asked, making Khushi tighten her arms around her. "You should be" She bit her lips to stop the giggle. "You know. .when he returns. ..don't talk to him. .. Let him beg for forgiveness"
Khushi pulled away from the hug and looked at Maria, her thin brow furrowed in confusion. "But mistake my" Khushi said naively, thinking it was her failing to be a good wife that had made him leave her alone.
Maria smiled and tucked a lock behind her ear. " Why do you think that?" Maria asked, her palm resting on Khushi's cheek.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she again threw herself in Maria'a arm, clinging to her. " I know. .I know. ... Nahi toh wo hume chhod ke kyun jaate?"
"Kusi..."
And suddenly the world came to a stand still for her. Her eyes wide open, but stuck at the green grass in front of her, not lifting her eyes, not moving an inch. Her hand went limp to her side.
"Dear lord...he is here, Khushe.."
Khushi heard Maria speak near her ear. But she has gone immobile, frozen.
"Khushe. .." Maria pulled away from the hug and looked at Khushi, whose breathe had gone shallow, eyes downcast, her whole form trembling. "Khushe...?"
Khushi lifted her eyes to look at Maria, her heart thudding so loudly, various noises ringing in her head.
"He is here.."
Khushi heard that amidst the noises in her head.
And then all Maria and Arnav saw was a blur of red spring off and now talking with the wind.
"Kusi!!" Without waiting for a second, Arnav made a run after his wife. "Sweetheart, wait!" he ran, his trimmed silk cloak flying behind him, large boots crushing the soft grass.
But Khushi, not listening to him, ran. Just ran, not knowing where. Tears falling freely, heart thudding wildly, she ran.
Arnav ran behind her, worried. He had imagined the myriads of ways he would be welcomed on his way back here, but not in his wildest of thought he had expected this. Unable to understand why she was running away, he just ran behind her.
Khushi cried and ran, unable to understand her own action. Why she was running away? What if her running away angers him more? She has already upset him, what if he leaves again? Her heart thudded painfully as that thought crossed her mind, but she was unable to stop. Her body was not in her control. She willed herself to stop, but her legs refused her command. And just like that, in a swift, she was enclosed in the warmth which was now etched on her mind, soul and heart. The same familiar warmth from the night he had cuddled her close and soothed her pain. And then had left her, all cold. A loud sob left her mouth as she caught the lapel of his coat and cried on his chest.
Arnav buried his face in her hair, inhaling the odor he had longed for. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her off the ground, molding her small frame into his majestic one. Dear Lord! He had missed her"like a wild thunder, the realization hit him hard. Holding her tight in his arms, he just savored her divine feel. "Shh...Don't cry please. ..Kusi... Stop crying please, I am sorry. ..very sorry. Big sorry, OK?."
"Sorry. ..sorry. ...don't leave please. ...I be a good wife, promise. ...don't leave. ..don't leave me alone " she sobbed, not listening to him, just sobbing, wanting him to know she will be a good wife. So that he never leaves her again.
Arnav sighed and rested his cheek against her hair. They need to talk. She thinks he left her because she was not a good wife to him. He needs to clear her misunderstanding. It was his cowardliness which had driven him away, not her.
Picking his sobbing wife in his arms, he looked at the large aaple tree in front of him. Walking towards it, he went and sat against the tree with his wife on his lap. Slowly pulling her away, he looked at her.
Her eyes close, breathing heavy, pale cheek drenched with tears. She presented such an innocent and cute picture, he thought he heard even his heart let out a sigh. Clearing the strands which were sticking to her face, he pulled her closer and started.
" Kusi, look at me Please " Cradling her face between his palm, he made her look at him. "Please open your eyes" his voice soft, vulnerable.
Khushi nodded her head, wanting to do as asked , but having no courage. With her palms clutching her ghagra, she slowly opened her eyes.
Arnav's breath got stuck in his throat. How much he had missed looking in those two warm browns. Her eyes gleaming with tears stared at him, the tears there accusing him - - accusing him of bringing it in those two beautiful eyes. Wiping the tears that rolled down her cheek, he hugged her again, resting her face against his heart.
"Sorry for leaving you alone. .. You missed me?" Arnav tilted his head down and saw her nodding her head, the slow sniffing sound still coming from her. "Why?" he can't help but ask. He needs to know.
" You are my husband" he heard her say, as if being her husband was all to be missed by her.
"Kusi?" Arnav called, making her look up at him. " I ...I didn't left you because you play in bathtub ...or ...or because you talk with your dolls" Arnav tried to clear the misunderstanding. He can't let her think she was the reason behind his departure, when the reason was him.
Her confuse and curious eyes lingered on his handsome face. " Then why?"
Arnav closed his eyes and leaned back. How should he explain her? Does she even know what relationship husband and wife share? His mind went back to their first meeting, their first night. She was not scared of their first night like any normal girl would be, but instead she was missing her Grandma and was scared of him because of the stories she had heard about him. And the days that had followed, she had never been like any normal newlywed. He had seen women shying, blushing, welcoming, enjoying his touch. But this girl in his arms has never given such signs. In which category he should categorize her? How is he to explain her? He don't want to tell her his feelings for her and scare her.
Wanting to measure the depth of her knowledge, he begun.
" Kusi...hmm. . do you. ...do you know how babies are made?" He asked, feeling foolish.
"Babies. ..?" a small smile paved its way on her lips. "Nani maa say, only married women have babies" she replied.
"And?" Arnav lifted his left eyebrow.
" And?" Khushi repeated.
"I mean how married women have kids?"
"Uhhh... Nani maa didn't say that... " her sad eyes looked into his. " You also don't know? " Now her eyes filling with tears. This is why he had left her! Because she was unable to have a baby even after two month of being married? Again a sob made its way out of her mouth. "Sorry ...big sorry. ... " she looked down at her stomach. " I. ...I don't know why baby didn't came. ...please don't leave me... I am sorry "
Arnav looked down at her confused. What the?!
"Don't leave me..."
"Shhh..." he kept his finger on her lips. " I will never leave you again...stop chanting that, will you?"
Khushi nodded her head.
As he kept staring at her scared and innocent face, his lips stretched into a smile and soon his high-pitched laughter echoed in the surrounding. What an dangerously-funny situation he was thrown in. Whole life he had dealt with witty ladies and now he is here, sitting with his innocent wife, who doesn't even know what relationship husband and wife share. His shoulder shook with uncontrollable mirth.
Khushi smiled. She has never seen him laughing. He looks more beautiful.
"Kusi... I guess we need to change the topic..." He controlled his laughter. There are so many things she needs to learn. And he is not going to hurry. Resting his forehead against her, he smiled. And he has all the time in the world to tutor this child.
" Let's talk about some other things...hmmm? I see your English has improved, how?" He asked.
Khushi's smile widened, happy to hear that from her husband. " Jiji teach me" she replied.
"Who?"
"Jiji ...Maria jiji"
"Ohh... What is jiji?"
"Jiji means sister?" Khushi smiled.
"Ohh" not only her, he too needs to learn few things from his wife.
"And what else you did in the last 2 month?"
Khushi's eyes filled again.
"I missed you, cried and again missed you"
A sudden pain rose in his chest. Wiping the tears that rolled down her cheek, he bent and placed his lips on her soft one. "Sorry" he apologized.
Khushi gasped, her hand lifted to her lips. Her wide eyes stared at his lips.
"It's called kiss" Arnav smiled at her shocked face.
"Kiss. .. I know " Khushi said, her eyes still on his lips.
"You know?" Confusion laced in his voice. His hold around her waist tightened.
Khushi nodded.
" Have you ever kissed someone?" Arnav asked, the softness in his voice replaced by coldness.
Khushi nodded.
"Whom?" his cheekbone in a sharp line, the monster threatening to let loose.
Khushi shifted her eyes from his lips to his eyes. " My maid Radha, last year she give birth to small baby. ..she bring that baby with her. ..I saw him ... very beautiful he was .and I kissed him.." she smiled.
And with every word that left her mouth, his tensed muscles relaxed visibly. Catching her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he gave it a shake. " You scared me "
Khushi's brows furrowed. How does she manage to scare him always?
" But this is different kiss" Arnav began, determined to teach her at least one thing today. " A kiss husband and wife share, are you getting me?"
Khushi shook her head. Why do they need to kiss?
Arnav sighed. It isn't as easy as he thinks it to be. " kusi...hmmm...you see when a man and woman marry, they share a different relationship. .. A very intimate one. ...they. ..they need to show their affection for each other... So. ..so they kiss. ..now do you get me?" he asked hopefully. But the puzzled look she gave him, made his shoulder drop.
" Affection. ..sneh... They kiss to show their sneh for each other. ..OK...understood "
Arnav smiled. Thank God!
" You know the other word for kiss?" Arnav asked, willing to have some fun with his innocent wife.
" Other word? No." she replied.
" Magic"
" Magic? Jadoo?"
Arnav nodded his head. " Want to feel it?"
Khushi nodded her head like a eager child, and then, she felt it. His warm lips on hers, pulling her into a magical world- - where she felt like a bird, flying in the air freely.
Arnav felt the same - - the same magic which he promised her. He had dreamt of drinking this sweetness from the time he had laid his sinful eyes on it, and now he was living his dream. His lips moved tenderly on hers, tracing her softness with his tongue. A shudder ran through his body, making him crush her soft body more into his hard one. Drugged by the flaring passion, his palm smoothed on her nape, now descending on the silky skin of her back. His tongue ran on her lips, wanting to taste the treasure that lay inside.
"Open your mouth, little one" His voice hoarse with need demanded, and she did.
His tongue entered her mouth, and wild jolts invaded every fiber of her body, making her dizzy. She clutched his shoulder for support, even when the strong arm around her waist was doing a good job of keeping her in place. Blood rushed and gathered in her breast, making her moan in the unknown pleasure she was flying in currently. His tongue touched every corner of her mouth, drinking her nectar hungrily.
Arnav groaned. Never a kiss had undone him so much. He traced the deep recesses of her mouth, savoring the softness and her sweet-unique taste. He completely buried his month in hers. And kissed her long. A deep, tender, sweet, lingering kiss.
Khushi just stayed still, clinging to him and trembling violently as the never felt before sensation burned every fiber of her body.
Stop! Arnav chided himself. He needs to stop, he don't want to frighten her. He want to be slow with her, savoring and living every single-tiny step with her. Stop! Stop! Stop! And with the mighty force, he pulled back. "You are so sweet ..." he again brushed his lips against her, unable to part. God! He needs to stop. Just resting his lips on hers, he tried to bring his breath to normal.
Arnav lifted his head after some time, looking at her face. Eyes closed, breathing heavy, lips thoroughly loved. " Felt the magic? " Arnav asked, smiling.
Khushis eyes fluttered open, fixing at him , her chest heaving furiously. And then she sagged against his hard chest. Her eyes drop close.
Arnav looked down and heard her even breathing, she has fallen asleep. He chuckled and secured her closer. Teaching her would be fun. She is just like a wet mud in his hand. Now its upto him how he molds her, which shape he gives her. He needs to be extra careful, slow. He will introduce her to his world, and still keep the innocence in her sheltered. Hard work ahead. Not that he is complaining.
Getting on his knees, he scooped her in his arms and stood on his feet, walking towards his palace.
Maria saw her Duke making his way towards her, her duchess in his arms. Collecting the woolen balls that were scattered near her, she stood up, greeting her Duke.
" Maria, where is Akash?" Arnav asked.
" Akash is having a discussion with my Father, Arnev bhai" Maria replied. From childhood she had heard Akash addressing Arnav as Arnav bhai, and she had picked from him.
"OK , when he returns tell him to start preparing for a party. I want it to be held next week. You will help him, won't you?"
"I will. . I will, Arnev bhai" Maria smiled. " khushe?" she pointed at Khushi .
"Oh..she is fine.. She is sleeping"
"Oh " Maria let out a sigh of relief. " In the past few days she has fainted so many times that I thought again..."
" What?"
" Oh .. It's just that she was not eating properly, and had become weak. .so... That's what Doctor said" Maria said and saw her Duke's green eyes shone with guilt. Resting his cheek against Khushe's head , with world of care and tenderness in his emerald liquid, he whispered something near her ear. , which from the looks of it, felt like he was apologizing. Maria's tender heart melted at the rare display of affection from her Duke.
Arnav looked at Maria, his eyes silently thanking her for taking care of his wife in his absence.
Maria nodded her head in understanding and smiled. "Now I will take your leave, my Lord. There's so much to prepare for the party and so much less time" grinning at the idea of party and beautiful gowns she would be buying for the same, she fled from there.
Arnav looked down at his wife's sleeping form. Cuddling her close, he promised to make it up to her.
Hope you all liked it!
**PMs later
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