The Contract of Hearts (Last Part Updated Pg.97) - Page 34

The Contract of Hearts: A FF

Part XIX: I'M THERE FOR YOU

Both of them were shown into their respective suites overlooking the splendid and scenic Sentosa Palawan beach with just a single door separating their respective suites. Strollers were ambling across in the evening lights in this perfect getaway for the weekend. The suspension bridge linking beach-goers to the southernmost point of Continental Asia was another major attraction of this beach brimming with life and effervescence, and interesting shops and eateries lined up beside it.

Khushi was taking in the beauty and ambience of the place from her suite with bated breath. "If there's heaven on earth it must be this! This entire place looks picture perfect. The waves dancing with glee, the spray of foam, the couples walking hand in hand in this romantic twilight hour; is there another locale more beautiful and picturesque than this!"

The same stretch of land which aroused wonder and awe in Khushi's mind, inspired feelings totally contrary in Arnav's mind. The difference in the way both of them perceived life was very evident. ASR spoke with a tinge of irritation lacing his words, "How these people are lazing around watching one wave after the other! The salt water of the foam is the perfect enemy of all their nice dresses. And romancing like this shamelessly, out in the open before one and all------"

Suddenly ASR's attention was caught by the sweet sounds of KKG who was having a shower and singing as though she was applying for the Best Bathroom Singer 2011 from the other side of the suite. His hand unconsciously went to that side of the wall from where the sounds emanated. It was almost as though he could feel the drops of water dripping from her sides.

Arnav could not resist imagining how sexy and luscious she would look in this avatar which he perhaps would never have the chance of witnessing! He quickly bit his lip and scolded his mind for giving way to his heart and for its lapse of control.

Khushi, who was in the shower, suddenly stood stand still. Her heart woke up with a thud. It was almost as though his hand had passed across her whole body caressing it in the most affectionate and tender manner full of love and intimacy. Khushi smiled to herself. She had no control over her heart anymore. Even her thoughts, God forbid, were becoming naughtier!

The intercom phone in her room started ringing. "Khushi Kumari Gupta here. Who's speaking?"

"It's me, Arnav. I wanted to remind you to be ready by 8.30 A.M tomorrow morning for our meeting with Mr. Maan Singh Khurrana, the sponsor for our event Sparkles 2011. Good night!"

Khushi had just had a hot shower and ordered her dinner to be served in her suite itself to the room service. There was a knock on the door. "Must be my dinner", thought Khushi and said aloud, "Yes, come in!"

The waitress who was serving her seemed to be very jittery and disturbed. When Khushi enquired the reason for her fear, she said, "Several years earlier, a girl was found dead in this portion of the suite. It was locked for several years after that. Only recently it was renovated and you are the first one sleeping in it after that. You are truly courageous, Mam. I would not have come to this room for room service if I could have avoided it. But a job is a job! Have a nice sleep! Good night!"

Khushi could not eat even a single morsel of food after she heard this story. She kept her dinner aside and went to bed shivering in fear. She tossed about in her bed restlessly. Suddenly that night, Arnav heard a blood curdling shriek from Khushi's room.

Arnav's blood froze and his face paled a blanche white when he heard it. "Khushi! Khushi! Tum theek ho? Main aaraha hoon. Gabrana math!" Arnav shouted. It didn't take him more than a second to enter her suite breaking the door which separated him and her after the above-mentioned shriek.

To his great surprise and astonishment, he found her muttering Hanuman Chalisa under her breath. "Why did you shout?" he asked her. "Bhoot ------wahan------", she said pointing to the shadow of the night lamp. "Woh sirf ek parchayi hai!" Arnav replied incredulously, "Aur tum sabse bada bhoot hokar bhoothon se darthi ho?"

Even the hotel staff had entered the room by now. Arnav explained the situation and promised to pay for the damages to the door which he had broken down. The manager reassured him, "There have been too many stories floating around about this suite. Mam must have heard some of them and got scared. Actually this is not the suite in which the incident occurred. It is the suite next to this one. We'll get the door repaired tomorrow morning when both of you go out to avoid any inconvenience to you."

Arnav consoled her, "Hush! Go to sleep now. I'm just in the other suite. You can call me whenever you feel like it."

Khushi asked him tearfully, "Tum yahan mere paas ruk jao na! Mujhe bahut dar lag raha hai!"

Seeing her condition, Arnav acquiesced, "All right! I'm not going to my suite. I'll be here on the sofa. Go to sleep."

Khushi felt relaxed that she had her Arnav watching over her in her fears and troubles, and fell into a tranquil sleep just like a child. Arnav's settled down on the sofa watching her beautiful, childlike innocent face. He bid goodbye to his sleep for the rest of the night so that she sleep soundly.

(To be continued with Arhi and Maneet to meet at Singapore)